Cast of Characters:
Sam -- Dad, Development Manager for Sims games at EA
Jennie -- Mom, Court stenographer
by training, Sims designer by accident
Gwen -- Second grader who can be found reading, swimming, or playing on the computer
Spencer -- 3-year-old that's into climbing, bike riding, and art
Vesta -- Faithful Border Collie
Random Picture
2008-06-29
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Photo Album (album home)
Latest 10 Photos
2009-05-29
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Sam's Blog (blog home)
Latest 5 posts
Area 51: Information or disinformation?
Wed, 06 May 2009 22:30:23 GMT
The LA Times has a really interesting story talking about area 51 and giving some insider information on what happened there and why the legends of studying UFOs arose around it.
I tend to believe this account, but I know that there's no proof that would convince die-hard skeptics. In fact, those are the people that would claim that this is just the kind of cover-up story the government would generate if they wanted to cover up.
In any case, the stories are worth reading and are fascinating. Feel free to make up your own mind as to the truth or misleading nature of the claim.
Tags: conspiracy theory, ufos, area 51, link
| Changes
Wed, 06 May 2009 16:27:55 GMT
I've been working hard at losing weight in recent months. I'm down about 35 pounds so far, with another 15 to go. To mix things up, I've also grown my goatee, and I think that it's looking pretty good so far.
Apparently, these changes are pretty significant. One of the people that I've worked with in the past came looking for me this morning. He looked at me and asked where Sam Hozman sits. As I smiled, he did a double take, and told me how different I look.
Additionally, just about every day someone tells me how good I'm looking, how the weight loss is attractive, or how the beard really looks sharp. All this makes me feel like really I'm making some significant changes to my appearance, and that my efforts are paying off. It's been a while since I've been happy with my looks and felt like I am physically attractive the way I'd like to be. I'm now starting to feel that I'm a good looking man, and that's a really pleasing feeling.
Tags: appearance, weight
| Dracula
Tue, 05 May 2009 22:08:40 GMT
It can be a drag to sit down a read a whole book. Yet there are so many good books out there -- especially the classics -- that you really should find time to read. How can you make room in your hectic schedule for that?
I'm glad you asked! There is now a Dracula blog, posting each entry from the book on the day that the book has it happening. So you can read the whole book for no more of a daily time investment than other blogs! It just started up a couple of days ago, so it shouldn't be too tough to catch up.
Tags: books, blog, reading, links, dracula
| Car Wash
Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:23:55 GMT
This weekend, my car was filthy inside and out, and I decided that it was finally time to do something about it. I emptied out all of the clutter inside, returned a bunch of the kids' toys and books to their rooms, and drove the car over to the local gas station of vacuum out the interior. That just left the matter of the dirt on the hood, doors, and windows.
Luckily, I have two kids who think that dealing with that sounds like fun! We got the bucket, sponges, hose, and soap out, and set to work. They did a great job soaping up the whole car (well, at least everything 4 feet and lower). I'd help wash, then rinse a section while they kept begging to be squirted. It took about 20 minutes, we all got pretty wet, and we had some good fun. Enough fun, in fact, that the kids begged mommy to wash her car, too.
I think we'll try to do this every couple of weekends from now on. It's good for the car, and it keeps the kids out of trouble.
Tags: wash, fun, gwen, car, spencer
| Karaoke
Wed, 29 Apr 2009 05:26:59 GMT
Recently, I've come to the realization that I've let myself avoid chances and play it safe far too often. At the same time, I've fallen in with a rough crowd at a local karaoke bar.
The first time I went, I was just sizing up the situation, and getting my mind around the idea of singing in public. The second time, I was ready and committed to singing. My voice had other ideas, and was really weak, on the verge of giving out. If I sang, I'm certain that I would have lost my voice for a few days. But the third time was a charm.
So last night, I got to the Mint, ready to sing. And was immediately informed by my so-called friends that the Mint now has a webcam and people all around the globe can see and hear those on stage. That shook my resolve slightly, but I took a deep drink of my water (no booze yet -- I'm still working on losing weight), and put in my song request.
20 minutes or so later, I Lost on Jeopardy (by good ol' Weird Al Yankovic) came on, and I found myself jogging up to the stage. It wasn't a perfect performance, but I also didn't get booed off the stage. Nerves were pretty noticable to me, but I don't think I let them show too much. I made it to the end, and had fun doing it. People even applauded and asked if I was gonna sing again (and they didn't seem to be asking so that they could plan their escape).
I didn't do another song, but I am planning on heading back next Monday and doing one or more additional songs. Not sure yet what I will pick-- maybe something by The Monkees, or The Beatles, or some other classic group. Suggestions are appreciated. Feel free to check out the link above sometime after 6:00 PM (Pacific) next Monday. If I'm going to die of humiliation from a poor voice, you all might as well get to enjoy!
Stay tuned to hear of more crazy, wacky things coming from me. I'm stretching myself, and it feels good. This is the beginning of my doing new and unfamiliar things, and challenging my assumptions about what I like and what I want. And I'll talk about many of them here
Tags: personal growth, karaoke, sam
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