Sid and Lisa's Lame Web Page

September 30, 2004 - Again, it's so late. I was too enthralled by the "Presidential" debates to do any work on the Lame Web Page tonight. I need to remind you to check out www.charlesroe.net, he's got some new pictures and of course some great new music. Speaking of music, I need to change the songs in the Lame MP3 Player. I was actually impressed by John Kerry in the "debate", or "side by side campaign speeches", something I had not previously been able to say. I was also unimpressed by Bush, I felt he did much better against Gore in 2000. He seemed very unprepared, and while Kerry was speaking he almost looked like he was learning something by watching him. Score one for Kerry, but remember it's best two of three.

So we're off to New York City to celebrate Official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap's 60th birthday. Speaking off, he sent me some pictures of a function he attended with other famous animal person Jack Hanna. I'll post those when Dad tells me more about them. I also have a new Backyard Zoo, I'll post that soon. Make sure you read chapter five of "Paka", it's really good. After another couple of chapters I'll consolidate that set into one .pdf file for downloading.

Having just spent a week in New York, and now with this weekend's trip, I haven't been able to offer the update frequency that I'd like to maintain. However, a lull in the travels might be near. I go to Manchester for a week before Thanksgiving, but most of October is free. So I offer you, Lame Web Page Readers, a glimpse of things to come:

Pictures from our Las Vegas trip; pictures from our San Diego trip; pictures from Lisa's birthday; pictures from New York; bonus wedding pictures from Alex, more movie reviews (Collateral, Shaun of the Dead).

Most exciting - apparently Comrade Alex's henchmen (excuse, henchpeople) have Comrade "X" doing hard cold time in Siberia and the chess dual has come to an end. I'm proud to announce your Capitalist Champion "Uncle" Sid will be challenging Comrade Alex to a battle of chess as well as ideologies, complete with move replays and witty commentary. Flash has given me the power. I'm also going to ask Comrade Alex to answer a series of questions about himself with the hope this will give us a glimpse into his corrupt mind.

September 28, 2004 - Man I'm tired. I did a brief "Lame News" for today. More soon, I promise.

September 26, 2004 - I'm back from New York, can you believe we're going again this coming weekend? I have a bit of a cold, which I gave to Lisa, now she's miserable. We didn't do much this weekend, I worked a little bit on a Lame update, so I give you the last of our honeymoon pictures (only nine months later) and a new movie review. Speaking of movies, we saw "Shaun of the Dead" at the Alamo with Charles, it was super funny and well done, an all around great experience for anyone. I highly recommend it. Now I'm off to sleep.

September 16, 2004 - Well, I certainly tried to do some real Lame Web Page work before New York, but alas I have nothing to show you. I did actually work on reviews for "Collateral" and "Ju-On". I added a new chapter to Official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap's website, www.jimdunlap.net, along with a new Backyard Zoo. Lisa was so kind to wash clothes for this trip, the show is four days long so I have to lug a lot of stuff with me.

Alex sent us some great pictures from our wedding, and I believe the only pictures from the bowling night. I'll post those soon, along with New Zealand, San Diego, Las Vegas, and other general happenings.

It's 1am, we're leaving at 7:30, so I should get some sleep. I'll "see" you in a week!

September 14, 2004 - What can be said about today. Went to work. Chinese food with Lisa. Sonic with Lisa. Sat and talked with Lisa trying to remember the name and lyrics to an 8 1/2 Souvenirs song. We booked tickets to "Fiddler on the Roof" staring the robust Alfred Molina.

September 12, 2004 - I can't believe the weekend has come and gone. Lisa and I had a relaxing weekend at home. I played tennis with Charles and felt like I was going to pass out, that was disappointing. We'll start playing more regularly come fall. I bought an office chair, a REAL one, so I no longer have to sit on one of our dining chairs to work. I expect to see a 12% increase in Lame updates as a result. You might be wondering "how can they afford to host the Lame Web Page and have enough left over for a real office chair", but I've got to tell you - if you need a chair go to Office Max soon. The chair is leather (the seat and back anyway), adjustable, and frankly comfortable and is on sale for $179.99 - $100 instant savings with a $30.00 mail in rebate so you only pay $39.99! Amazing!

I updated the Lame News with a little ranting. Official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap has submitted Paka Chapter Four for review, I'll be posting it soon. I really did work on the last of the Honeymoon pictures, but they're not quite ready. Lisa's applying the pressure. I'll be in New York for work next week, Lisa had graciously agreed to take over "blogging" duties, something I've wanted her to do since we started this whole thing.

September 6, 2004 - OK, you've probably noticed I haven't posted any significant updates lately. I was blaming the Olympics, but I have a new obsession to blame - the U.S. Open! Lisa and I have been watching hours and hours. The matches have been really good, I love watching Agassi play, as well as any of the Women's matches, which always seem exciting.

I have posted some subtle changes to the main page, I've gone with the black & white look during the loading process, I like it with the Flash stuff. The page is also about 25% smaller, hopefully that will help you dial-up users. I've also freshened up the Lame Web Page Picturnator pictures. I did work today on the final installment of the Honeymoon pictures, involving our trip to the west coast, Greymouth and the glacier hike. I'm working on an animation for "The Boulder Incident", and that's taking some time since I can't animate in Flash.

Lisa and I had a really good, relaxing long weekend. Thursday we ate BBQ with Charles, Parker, and their friend Al from of all places College Station, TX (that's "Aggieland" to us). Then we helped re-arrange the house to put Olivia in her own room and convert the study to a study-slash-guest room. Saturday we just chilled out watching tennis, and I made dinner. I am very happy to say I finally mastered Pad Thai. Lisa even liked it. I didn't over cook the noodles, nor was it too salty. Charles, you may have won the last battle, but I'm ready now! Yesterday we had dinner with the recently engaged Comrade Alex and Stacy (the State approves) at the Clay Pit, one of our favorite restaurants. Then we went to the Alamo for a special screening of "Ju-On", from the same people who brought us "The Ring". I will write a review, but I will leave you with this - not scary. Funny. It's meant to be scary. Enough said.

I'm sure you were wondering, Official Lame Web Page Sister Erin is just fine over in Jacksonville, FL. The house is minus some siding and the entry is wet, but other than that she is unscathed. We'll keep you up to date as Francis departs and Ivan approaches.

August 31, 2004 - Time for a small update, Comrade Alex and Comrade "X" have exchanged moves, the game is on! I promise fast updates as the battle progresses. Lisa went to Dallas last weekend for some girl time with her Mother and friends Julie and Elizabeth and Family. She had a good time, she flew on Southwest. I accomplished NOTHING on Saturday, I was just too worn out from Friday's "Weird Al" concert, which by the way was spectacular. More later on that one. Sunday I slept in and then went to help Charles and Parker finish laying tile, which was fun because we used a wet saw and all got covered with Saltillo Tile colored water.

I'm working on the final honeymoon pictures from Greymouth and the glacier hike. Those are my favorites. I still need to post pictures from our trip to Las Vegas with Lisa's Mom, and of course from our trip to San Diego to celebrate Stephanie's birthday. Can you imagine how much I could get done if I didn't have a job?

This is cool - check out www.charlesroe.net and listen to one of Charles' latest creations, a really fun song called "Pet". He says it was inspired by Official Lame Web Page animal expert Jim Dunlap. I'll have it on the Lame Web MP3 Player soon. By the way, Charles has compiled many, many, many albums. Paypal me $10 and he'll send you one. I'll work with him to post titles, tracks, and samples. Support Austin songwriters and musicians!

I am serious, lame@sidandlisa.net is the Paypal account. Gotta love this internet thing.

I helped Lisa install DSL at her workplace, which I'm glad because I've thought about switching to have everything through SBT or SWBT or SWBTYahoo or whatever they call Southwestern Bell these days. Now I can't imagine changing, first off the DSL software, which is required, demands you answer a bunch of demographic marketing questions before you get to the software. Now everything that uses the internet says "Brought to you by SBT Yahoo DSL" at the top of the window. I find that annoying. I have to say we love Roadrunner, although a little pricey it's very stable and really fast (consistently rates at 6 MB bps on CNET's bandwidth meter, versus a max on 900 KB bps we got with DSL, although that's supposed to improve in about 10 days.

But enough about that, it's midnight and I have to get up for work in 7 hours, so it's sleepy time.

August 30, 2004 - Lunchtime edition, so I'll be brief. No updates in a while, I'm sure you've noticed. Why? I've had Olympic fever that's why! 10,000 Hours of non-stop coverage on 18 channels. Now that it's over, expect some updates soon, including the much anticipated first move in the battle of chess wits between Comrade Alex and Comrade "X".

I've updated Paka chapter three at www.jimdunlap.net. Expect chapter 4 soon.

August 23, 2004 - It's Lisa's big day, her Birthday! OK, I confess, today is August 24th but I just didn't have time to write yesterday with all of the madcap preparations and fun. Lisa foiled my plans for the big day, first by deciding not to go to Dallas over the weekend, thus compressing my condo preparation time into mere hours Monday after a short work day. My plans were further complicated with Lisa got off early, but she was a sport and went shopping until I gave her the "all clear" to return. I decorated with some of Lisa's favorite flowers, a dozen red roses, yellow irises, and some white spray roses. Everything is opening nicely today, I'll have some pictures for you soon.

Lisa and I went to Z-Tejas for some upscale Southwestern cuisine and sinful desert. Afterwards, we bought some lame music at Waterloo records, then we sat in the car and listened to music and talked. A very fine night indeed. Happy birthday, pumpkin. I'm looking forward to sharing 100 more with you!

(picture archived)

August 22, 2004 - Wow, it's been a long time coming, but there's a new "News" for today. Just a couple of pictures, one story grabbed from the headlines, and a dumb "top 30" list. I've also posted part three of the Honeymoon pictures showing our time in Christchurch.

August 16, 2004 - No new updates to the Lame Web Page, and none today! I have updated www.jimdunlap.net with three new "Backyard Zoo" articles and the second chapter of the novel Paka. Visit, and enjoy. In the meantime I'm working on the final salvo of New Zealand pictures and I've got a stack of stupid jokes for the next news update. Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday.

The battle between Comrade Alex and Comrade "X" is heating up, I'll soon post excepts from the Commie dialog between them. The latest news is Comrade Alex has challenged Comrade "X" to a game, and although the game remains a mystery I'm guessing it will be the game at which the communist states are known to excel, a game of wits and mental dexterity requiring all of the military and societal skills necessary to install a regime - badminton. We'll see.

August 9, 2004 - Man I'm sleepy. I've posted some more pictures from around July 4th, check out the "pictures" section. I received Chapter 2 of "Paka" today, I'll post it soon to www.jimdunlap.net.

August 8, 2004 - My parents are in town today, we ate at "Zen" and now I'm showing them how to update the web page.

August 3, 2004 - Sickness. Yucky sickness. I stayed home yesterday and today with a cold. There will be hell to pay tomorrow! I still feel pretty bad, but functional. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

August 1, 2004 - Some sad news today - Juliet and Jim's cat Niblet died over the weekend. The goodness of it is Niblet died completely on his own terms. He'd been sick for a little while, up and down. Apparently Friday he was doing well, being a typical kitty. Jim found him in the closet, perfectly peaceful. If only all us pet owners could have such a natural experience at the end of our pet's lives.

Other less important news - I'm sick. Yep, I've got a cold, and a pretty bad one. I seem to only get sick on weekends. I spent most of the day Saturday asleep, and so did Lisa but I think that was sympathy. I spent the day half working on the web and half just being ticked off that I didn't feel like being sick. We went to Katz's thinking that would help, it didn't. I couldn't even manage to order my usual, the Sunday special spinach frittata. I had a bowl of soup. We just got back from Sonic, now that did help. I'm going to try to be a trooper and go into work tomorrow, but I'll probably come home early if my schedule permits.

In the Lame Web Page world I've posted some new pictures, well they're not new they're just new to the page. They're from early summer. I'm also proud to announce the debut of official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap's official website, www.jimdunlap.net. Right now it mirrors the Lame Web Page Backyard Zoo section but will soon reflect his vision as he takes over creative control. Me, I'd like to see a daily blog. We'll see. I've also updated the Lame News, I said I did a couple of days ago but forgot to transfer it.

July 29, 2004 - This is an exciting time Lame Web Page readers. For the first time in the history of the Lame Web Page you have the opportunity to enjoy a serial novel from Official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap - Paka'. Go directly to the Backyard Zoo section and make sure you check back often for new chapters. Email Lame Web Page tech support if you have trouble reading the Acrobat format. That's the best format if you want to print it rather than read it online.

July 28, 2004 - I've run out of steam for the evening, so it will be a couple more days before I post the remaining New Zealand pictures. I also have a new Backyard Zoo and chapter one of official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap's Book "Paka'". In the meantime, I'm proud to present more fun from Comrade Alex, check out the Red Corner and also Lame News for the latest.

July 27, 2004 - Continuing with the honeymoon, we're proud to present our adventures in Rotorua. Of course, check it out in the "pictures" section. A couple of quick Lame Web Page reminders - click on the "Lame Web Page Picturnator" in the upper left to stop the picture. This allows you, the viewer, to customize the look of the Lame Web Page. Secondly, if your screen resolution isn't at least 1024 x 768, you won't be able to see everything without scrolling. Comrade Alex keeps his at something around 10000 x 8000, so the Lame Web Page looks like a postage stamp.

Speaking of Comrade Alex, extreme congratulations go out to him as he celebrated his 30th birthday last Saturday (is that the exact day, Comrade)? Pass on a note to comradealex@hotmail.com. Did we celebrate with Comrade Alex? No, we attended a birthday party for our dear friend Stephanie, you'll recall she is the mother of official Lame Web Page "best person" Alex. She celebrated a milestone birthday in San Diego. Alex orchestrated everything down to the last detail, and we all had a blast thanks to her. She put her Mom and Dad up in the uber-luxurious Hotel Del Boca Vista Coronado, in a "junior suite" with a view of the ocean.

I'll write more when I post the pictures (I think I took 80). Happy birthday Stephanie, and thank you so much for putting together such a wonderful trip, Alex my friend.

July 23, 2004 - Alright, the Honeymoon picture extravaganza has officially begun. I feel the pictures get better as we go along as Christchurch was so beautiful. You'll have to wait though, part one covers our adventures in and around Auckland. Check it out in the "pictures" section.

July 19, 2004 - I am so seriously close to posting some honeymoon pictures. I've finished about the first four days' worth in the new Flash format and the file is already almost 2 megs, so I think I'll post them in parts. Part one, Auckland. Part two, Rotorua. Part three, Christchurch. Part four, Greymouth (featuring the fantastic glaciers of almost certain death!) So that's four parts, fine then.

As always I have to remind everyone to check out the Lame Web Page MP3 Player, loaded up with songs by Charles for your listening pleasure at work. As always, disable your pop-up blocker to listen.

July 18, 2004 - I am continuing to work on the pictures from our honeymoon, there must be hundreds! (okay, there are 175). Lisa and I went to the "They Might Be Giants" concert last Friday at Stubbs. It was a lot of fun, and really not to hot at the outdoor venue. The opening acts were good, if not a little strange. Corn Mo played accordion and sang songs written from the heart, and Crop Rotation played songs about the evil music industry.

We bought two new dining room chairs today. Lisa's always hated our chairs, they are covered with house paint and the tops come off when you pick them up, so I can't understand why. We searched and searched and my goodness chairs are expensive. We found a great chair and table set at Cost Plus that is perfect for our little dining area (particularly with the new floor) but alas, we couldn't afford it. Target to the rescue, they had two great beech wood walnut finish chairs with pads for fifty bucks. Not bad. And of course we ate at Katz's, and cleaned up the place a little bit.

July 15, 2004 - Guess what, I really did work on the website tonight. No, I haven't posted anything (unless you keep up with the online lotto pool) but I did make a lot of progress with the honeymoon pictures. I'm breaking it up into two parts, north island and south island. I've resized all of the north island pictures and I'm scanning the crap for the scrap. I'm also working on posting chapter one of the new serial novel from official Lame Web Page author Jim Dunlap. It's difficult to come up with a good format for reading on the screen. I'll also have it available as a .pdf for download.

Alex kept me company on Yahoo chat. She sure does work late. Hi Alex! Yahoo's a fun and easy to use chat, look for stanbomiller@yahoo.com if you want to see if we're online. It's 11:00, I've got a few more scans in me and then I'm going to bed.

July 11, 2004 - I'm too damn tired to do anything else tonight. I can't work on the web when it's dark outside, and of course it gets dark late. I did manage a Lame update to the Lame Web Page Music Machine, click above to enjoy five songs from the Charles E. Roe portfolio. Remember, it's a pop-up so disable your blocker. I have also updated Comrade Alex's Red Corner with Comrade Alex's Top Ten Reasons for the Collapse of the Soviet Union. Enjoy!

July 7, 2004 - Greeting Lame Web Page readers. Nothing new and exciting to report today on the Lame Web front. Lisa and I undertook a major home improvement project over the long weekend - we upgraded the flooring that sits beneath this very Lame Web Page computer from tacky blue carpet to deluxe laminate flooring! The look of real hard wood is just dandy. I'll post pictures soon, although strangely the pictures of this room are fully of bizarre reflections that don't appear anywhere else.

I'm also working on a "Top Ten" list from Komrade Alex, hopefully this will become a regular feature. More pictures, New Zealand picture are up next, and a serial novel from official Lame Web Page Author Jim Dunlap. Perhaps we'll also have a sequel to the wildly popular "Things you may or may not know about Sid and Lisa", Appropriately titled "Things you may or may not know about Sid and Lisa - The Sequel"

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