at Play with Matay

My Dorm Room

2005-09-18T22:33:00.000-06:00

As promised about two months ago here are pictures of my dorm room...

One half of the living room

The bed room

Other half of the living room and kitchen area

Detail of the kitchen

Sink area and bathroom. Sign on the door says it all

Jack Nicholsons Ass

2005-09-17T22:06:00.000-06:00

just felt like sharing

Go See the Doctor...If She's Awake

2005-08-28T00:18:00.000-06:00

Squish has it really rough. Since I'm busy laying on the couch and sleeping all day over here in Korea, Squishy has been taking care of mama. From helping around the house (opening the refrigerator door, getting toys all over the floor, demanding mom watch the same Mickey Mouse movie four times a day, opening the refrigerator door again, running in circles until she falls down, well you get the point) to eating all the apples the good lord saw fit to create, she loves to listen to her baby brother in mommy's tummy. Naturally Miss Lily encourages her to be an active part of the pregnancy and was for a time letting her use a real stethoscope to listen to little Squirt. We decide to get her her own doctors kit and she is always into it. She will mend a pretend cut with a plastic band aid and look in your ears with the little ear looky thing. She love to use the steth most of all. This picture is the culmination of what happens in the afternoon after all of the above occurs. She is definitely the most beautiful little sleeper there is.

update

2005-08-26T17:48:00.000-06:00

This just in...I'm eating scrambled eggs. Happy Miss Lily?

Hot, Damn Hot

2005-08-07T04:32:00.000-06:00

Yes, Korea is Damn hot. Not only hot but humid. Now I spent the last four years in Montana. The humidity gets up to a balmy 17%, but over here I'm melting. Humidity levels of 135% and up just don't do it for this kid. I grew up in Ohio. It's true that in the summer the humidity level rises to just a bit under a pacific island level. But here it's just wrong. I don't remember it being this bad the first time I was over here. Of course, I was 11 years younger and about half a human lighter in body weight. I did spend most of that year pickled on the OB (Oriental Brewery) beer, but seriously this is crazy. I can't walk outside more than two steps before I'm looking for a place to wipe the sweat off of my jingley's. So to combat this temperature torture I lay on the couch in my room with the air conditioner set to deep freeze and cover up with a blanket. Doesn't make much sense does it, but we all know I am a misunderstood genious, just call me rainman. Oh no, two minutes till Wheel of Fortune.

Trying to Avoid a Butt Kicking

2005-07-25T21:02:00.000-06:00

Miss Lilly has threatend me to put up a new post or face a flogging. I've been here almost two weeks and am getting settled in. I get to see and talk to Lilly and Squish everyday via web cam. Squish gets so excited when I'm on line that now everytime Lil sits down at the computer she thinks I'm going to be there. I don't think she quite understands the whole process yet, She keeps trying to hand me chips through the computer screen. Very cute. Lilly took the speaker off the desk the other day and placed it on her belly so I could talk to squirt. The little guy heard my voice and started jumping around inside. Pretty cool.
So I'll tell you about my stinky dorm room. Not stinky because it sucks, stinky because the last guy that lived here was a pig. It smells like an old pool hall everytime I walk in the room. I cleaned the crap out of the place and put air fresheners around in the two rooms and it helps a little. I think it's going to take my whole year here to get it smelling good again. Better for the next guy I guess. I will post pictures at a later date of the room.
The job is pretty laid back here. I'll go into more of that in a later post as well, but for now the lunch hour is almost over and I don't want to be late back to work (not that it matters much, like I said pretty laid back).

Kimchee Anyone

2005-07-14T22:50:00.000-06:00

Well, here I am in the land of the morning calm. It's hot and muggy but pretty in it's own way. Korea, where the beer flows like wine or something. The food here...well, Korean is my favorite cusine so I can't complain about that. There is a down side. There are two beautiful girls back home that I miss very much. We have been able to talk via webcams, but it's not the same when all you want to do is wrap them up and kiss them until your lips chap. Miss Lilly and Squishy I love you very much and can't wait to hold you both again. Oh, and Lil rub your belly and tell Squirt I'll see him soon.

USO

2005-07-14T05:34:00.000-06:00

This is a shout out to the USO in Seattle. Awesome job taking care of me while I was there. I encourage any military person to use this facility. They have beds, a shower and free food. Plus movies, games, and books. The staff is very friendly and they are located directly above the AMC check-in point. If you arrive too early to check-in your bags they also have free storage. I would gladly use them again.

Biker Babe

2005-07-12T08:48:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen a half naked chick on the back of a sweet bike riding down the road and thought, "damn, that's a hot mama"? Well, I have too. I recently got to live out my dream. For those of you living vicariously through Matay, be prepared to be impressed. I've got the hottest looking broad on the sweetest bike.

Squish and I kickin' it old school style o a sweet 1973 Honda CB 100...vintage.

How could my life be any better...

Yard Bird

2005-07-09T09:00:00.000-06:00

Here is a record of Matay's Huli Huli chicken. Huli Huli is a Hawaiian term for rotisserie chicken. My recipe:
-Take one whole fryer chicken take out entrails and split down the breast.
-Season liberally with sea salt, garlic powder, paprika, and ginger(Tokyo Slim's idea)
-Store in zip lock bag and let sit in refrigerater overnight
-Rotisserie over open coals, add wood chips of choice(I prefer hickory)
-Cook for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until thighs reach 180 degrees
-Serve warm or eat as leftover for breakfast the next morning.

The preparation. The birds sit in a zip lock all night and soak in the seasonings. Seasoning preparations A through G were not very tasty. I call this seasoning concoction preparation H, on the whole it tastes great. Yes, on the whole preparation H is great.

Getting started. This is the raw bird before the coals work their magic. Notice the nice red glow of the coals below.

I know it's a smoker, but it doubles great as a chicken spit. I added the rotisserie attachment to the smoker stricktly to make Huli Huli chicken.

The finished product a moist succulent chicken waiting to be devoured.

My Crack

2005-07-07T18:54:00.000-06:00

So here is a picture of my crack...on my windshield. Imagine it sans the bird duke streaming down the passanger side. It started as a tiny little speck down in the corner of the drivers side and has blossomed into a beautiful span across the expanse of my driving view. This is acually two cracks that found each other across the glass one night and decided to hook up. They then expanded and had a little baby crack that is growing nicely.

My Little Projects

2005-07-02T12:14:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share a few of the projects I've been working on around the house.

This is a toy chest that Miss Lilly reupholstered. I did have my hot little fingers in on it though. I did all the stapling and made the handles which are not visible here. All this completed while watching "Blazing Saddles". However, we omitted copying the "bean scene" from the movie as we worked on the chest.

So the shed needed new doors. It's needed new doors for about two years now, but I finally got around to making them. A not so quick trip to Home Depot and a couple of hours was all it took to make these beauties. I know it needs a paint job, but give me a break it took two years to get this far.

This is the desk I made for Squish's bedroom computer. I know what you're thinking...a two year old with a computer? What can I say she's spoiled.

Hot Pepper Snub

2005-07-01T13:11:00.000-06:00

That's right SNUBBED. The family and I were shopping at Sams this morning. I looked up one of the isles and saw the most beautiful sights I've ever beheld...a huge jar of pepporcini's. It was lovely a container filled to the brim with the briney little morsels that explode like an orgy of flavor in your mouth. As I reached for my suculent guilty pleasure Miss Lilly looked me right in the eye and said no. Apparently she was worried that there were too many for me to finish in the few days I have left. I assured her then reassured her that I could deffinately finish them off but alas I came home empty handed. We did get plenty of other items that tempt the palete such as the best spice in the world...Alpine Spice...the Montana made spice that makes all foods more flavorful.

Falls Flowing

2005-06-30T12:33:00.000-06:00

That's right the "Great Falls" is up and running. In fact most of the waterfalls around town are looking pretty good after the recent rain. It's nice to see them running so well.

Checking Out the Birds

2005-06-25T20:16:00.000-06:00

Well here's squish and I looking out the front window. Lilly claims I'm watching my grass grow, which by the way is a noble pastime, but we are looking at the birds at the bird feeder in the front yard.

Miss Lilly's Lilly's

2005-06-25T17:52:00.000-06:00

So anyway my wife the beautiful Miss Lily planted Lilly's in the flower garden and they are starting to bloom. Now Squish is out there looking at them wondering how she can eat them without us catching on. Now Matay on the other hand wants a shot at Miss Lilly's tulips. Very exciting day today. I was playing with Lilly's stethescope and actually heard Squirt rolling around in the belly. You may ask me what we were doing with a stethescope but hey we're married so don't worry about it. Squish got to play at the park today. She also fed the ducks and geese. I think I was enjoying it a little more than her though. My life is so complete now and I thank God every day for my beautiful family.

Two Packers Packing

2005-06-24T19:49:00.000-06:00

Well, they did it they picked up my junk and shipped it to a foreign land. Also, today I worked my last workday at work. Miss Lily and Squish are sitting in the easy chair looking at each other and talking. It seems Squish thinks baby baking in Lilly's tummy is a sissy (sister). Poor little Squirt, he'll have an identity crisis before he ever leaves the womb. I draw the line when she starts putting dresses and makeup on him. Squish used the toilet a couple of times this week and was rewarded with jelly beans and kisses. All I ever get is "close the lid and wash your hands".

Been Slacking Off

2005-06-17T15:25:00.000-06:00

Yup, I've been neglecting my duties updating the old web log. Sorry to A."Dward Farkwarth" Freebird for not having this posted in time for his morning cup of joe. Guess you'll have to wait until Monday Dwardy. So, what's been going on...oh yea IT'S A BOY. That's right me and Miss Lily(Miss Lily and I (sorry honey)) are having a little boy. Well, mostly Miss Lily but I did have a part in the process...a huge part if you know what I mean. We had an ultrasound on Monday and the little guy had outdoor plumbing. Squish was dissapointed that little sissy is now little squirt. That's right his name is Squirt. What's the problem that's better than a boy named Sue. Anyway, all the fingers and toes and all that good stuff, he's a nice and healthy little guy. What else, the Vicodin days are over. No more happiness in Mudville. Got the 14 staples pulled out of my back (got to admit that felt better than a sharp stick in the eye...not sex, I know how your dirty mind works Freebird). My good friend Tokyo Slim found out he is being promoted. So that's a brief description of whats been going on in Chez Matay. Will update again soon.

Ever Wonder What it's Like to Take Vicodin?

2005-05-31T18:40:00.000-06:00

In a word...great. I had a little minor back surgury today and have been popping pills ever since. Now I know how good it must have been to be Elvis. The operation was to remove a lipoma (fatty tumor) or what I like to call my Mini Me. I've had the little bugger with me for several years and hated to say good-bye, but if Charlie Sheen couldn't make his marriage work I don't see how I could have lived with the little ball of fat either. Probable need to go the pain pill is kicking in...Elvis has left the building.

Hijinks on the High Seas

2005-05-31T18:30:00.000-06:00

So we made it back to the lake. As soon as we arrived we jumped into the boat for a nice slow cruise around Holter. It was really theraputic taking in the sights and enjoying the sun. When all of a sudden a loud audible alarm starts going off. Turns out it was the low oil alarm. Of course there was no spare oil on the boat. After gaining the attention of a nearby boater, Miss Lilly's brother-in-law went with them to pick up more oil. So there we sat dead in the water...drifting in the wind. We drifted to shore almost hitting two docked boats. Brother-in-law made it back, we filled up, and headed back to the camp ground. Never a dull moment.

never made it fishing

2005-05-29T07:12:00.000-06:00

What a great day a the lake. Spent most of the day on the boat although didn't get to do any fishing. In fact we had such a good time I think we'll head back again today. All of Miss Lily's family was there and they all spent the night. We being the city slickers we are decided to head back to civilization to get showers and sleep in bed at home. Squish had the best time. She got to spend the day playing with her cousins and since each member of Lily's family has a dog, Squish got to play with them too. She also got to take her first boat ride and took to it like a fish to water. At one point we had nineteen people on that pontoon. I'm not sure what the capacity was but I'm sure we were overloaded by at least a few people and several pounds. My hats off to the Sylvan boat company for making something that can handle a substantial overload. Of course you never know how far you can push something until you break it. So anyway, we are heading back today for more fun in the sun.

going to the lake

2005-05-28T10:40:00.000-06:00

Well it's Memorial Day weekend! The girls and I are heading to Holter Lake to spend time with Miss Lily's family. I guess dad-in-law got a new pontoon boat so there may be some trout fishing in my future. May stop on the way to get a gyro (pronounced yeero for those not in the know). I've been dreaming about gyro's for a couple of weeks now. Sometime you'll have to ask me about the trip Tokyo-slim and I took to Canada and the great Greek restaurant we ate at two nights in a row.

added new link

2005-05-27T10:11:00.000-06:00

So check out the link to my good friend Tokyo-Slim's blog. Get all the latest updates on Hutterite efficiency, Alaksa lovers, and a glimps into the mind of a modern day renaissance man.

2005-05-26T18:28:00.000-06:00

never play cards with a man that has the same first name as a city