Ever know something you wish you didn't?

About a week ago,it was brought to my attention (by a co-worker of all people), that my ex-wife and husband will be losing their home to a Sheriff's auction.

It seems that they are way behind in not only property taxes, but mortgage payments as well.

As I said, I've known about this for a little over a week, and this weekend I had my boys. I can't tell you how hard it is knowing that they will be losing their home and not being able to say a word to them about it. btw:they don't know yet.

So as I bide my time, waiting for my ex to come to me with the news, I can't help but wonder if she will find a home here in town to rent, move 30 miles away to where she works (which wouldn't be the worst thing to happen), or move back to Southern Illinois where her husband's family resides (which is the worst thing that can happen).
What makes it worse yet is the face that I was unable to put a "can not move x amount of miles away" judgment on her, giving her Carte blanche to move where she wishes with no consideration for our children's feelings in the matter.

Stay tuned, as I'm sure I will have more to report on this situation.

X-box vs. Wii

I'm hoping the title grabs the attention than just the regular viewers to my blog, (yea, both of you).

I'm wanting some user input of pros and cons on these two game consoles as I am close to upgrading from my ps2.
I as well as my two boys (12 & 14) are interested in both the X-box 360 and the Nintendo Wii.
I've done some research as far as games availability and other tidbits of information, but when it comes to knowing about playability and the likes, well that's something they don't put on their websites.

So I ask you, the blogging/gaming masses to give me your 2 cents worth (yes, in addition to the both of you), and help me formulate a better knowledge base in helping me decide which console to go with.

Thank you in advance!

Try this one on for size............

The other night, I had a rather odd stream of consciousness. But over all, it made sense. Just how it came to be still eludes me.

"Faceoff".
This is the title of a movie starring John Travolta and Nicholas Cage.
The premise is that Travolta, playing some sort of Federal agent, must infiltrate bad guy Cage's 'world' in order to get something to put him away "for good this time".

In order to pull this off, doctors perform a surgical procedure where in they actually swap Travolta's characters face with that of Cages' characters face. (Later in the movie, Cage comes to, acquires Travolta's face, and the fun and merriment ensues.

Now, in the film, all the actors did was try to emulate the characteristics of the actor/character they were disguised as.

Here's my point:wouldn't the movie been a lot better if the producers actually went that extra mile by using green makeup on the actors and they did their scenes, and then in post production digitally added the other actors face on them?
Then we really would have believed that John Travolta really did have Cages face and vice-verse.

Ok, granted that this kind of technology wasn't really introduced until the Ed Norton version of "The Incredible Hulk", but dammit, other movies are being remade so just do another, better version of Face Off!

(ok, maybe not..........but it would have been soooooo much cooler).

Ever try to push a piece of string?

With the onset of a new year, I am forced to do a little 'self-evaluation' and try to figure out just what the hell has been going on for the past 8 years (if not much much longer).

(a warning:everything seems to come back to my divorce, so bear with me)

Since my divorce (see? told ya), my life has turned in on itself as my attentions have become split between my children, and the internet. Let me explain.
My two boys are the biggest joy in my life. Even though for 3 years after the divorce, they were moved 11 hours away from me, I did not waiver from being their Father. I never wrote them off, walked away, or neglected them (as if I'D been the one that left).
And since their return 6 years ago, my bond with them, especially the younger son, have grown at least to an enjoyable level not being awarded shared placement (even though we now live mere minutes away from each other).

The downfall from my divorce (see?), has become my addiction to the internet.
In the onset, I tried to gain that which my now ex wife did.(a mate), using the internet.
And while in the first two years, I did accomplish something of that, neither situation panned out.

But now, eight years later, my dependence on this infernal contraption has taken over what should have been a socialization of my being.
I'll be the first to admit that I spend way too much time between this site, Friendster, and a certain dating website and while I've been able to reconnect with classmates, and made new friends, the whole experience has torn down what used to be (in friends' ascertains) a really good person.

So what now?
Every New Year's for the past 7, I've told myself that "this year would be different". That I would put myself back out there and meet new people and hopefully find someone special.
One variable I blame my current situation on is where I am, geographically.
Now, while this town is really a good place, provided you are either A)raising a family or 2) being a descendant of a family that pretty much settled this little plot.
If you are an outsider, and a single outsider at that, you may as well call it game over.
And while I live a mere 30 miles from where I grew up (which for me holds more 'stimulus' for me personally) it seems like the distance I shared with my children some 6 years ago.

Now that I'm 40, maybe by some miracle I will tap into some long forgotten inner strength to proceed with the 'second half of my life'.
Or, I just may grow old to be known as the 'crazy guy on the corner that feeds the squirrels'.

Either way, I just know that I have to regain my independence from the internet and return to the 'land of the living'.