Adam Shantz

Trying out the iPhone app

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:05:56 GMT

Just trying out the new iPhone app. Looks pretty slick.

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:43:16 GMT

Yesterday Cindi & I went to visit a wedding/reception venue in Bethesda, MD, called Positano's. It's this little italian place tucked away on a side street. The food was amazing & the reception area looks really nice too. Cindi didn't much like that the area was so busy (she's not used to cities... yet :p). Anyway, here's a couple pictures. My iPhone didn't respond well to the halogen lighting they had, so you'll have to excuse the blurriness.

This one is definitely high up on our list (if for no other reason than the food)!

Horoscope

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:40:52 GMT

Even if you are only one single employee in a large organization, you have the potential to dig in your heels and make a political statement. You might see yourself as a radical troublemaker, seeking alternative ways to do the same thing. Paradoxically, now your actions may appear cautious and conservative to others. They think you are expressing sensible ideas but fall short of turning things upside down. You don't need to change your style today; just be aware of both extremes and aim for middle ground.

Thoughts...

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:34:07 GMT

We as individuals represent certain concepts and ideals. together those pieces of our personalities can combine to compliment one another to form not only new ideas, but new directions & ways about achieving what we want to achieve.

Quote

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:33:19 GMT

A quote I just came up with during a conversation with a coworker..

The ability to push one's limitations is a sign of an imagination that refuses to settle for inadequacy.

Mohawk or no mohawk?

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:45:08 GMT

View Poll: Mohawk or no mohawk?

What are you here for?

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:43:04 GMT

A friend posted this on Facebook & I thought it was rather amusing..

Some daughter in laws are well trained and well mannered. They don't come to change the family, they are there to...

The new wife (progressive Indian woman of today) was being welcomed at the husband's home in a traditional manner. As expected she gave a speech: " My dear family, I thank you for welcoming me in my new home and family", she said "Firstly, my being here does not mean that I would want to change your way of life, your routine. No, I will never do that, never in a million years."

"What do you mean my child?" Asked the father in law.

"What I mean, dad is, those who used to wash dishes must carry on washing them. Those who used to do the laundry must carry on doing it. Those who cooked shouldn't stop on my account, and those who used to clean should continue cleaning."

"Then what are you here for?" asked the mother in law.

"I'm here just to entertain your son"

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:00:06 GMT

	Living room shelves
	...and where they'll be going

This one's for Cindi...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:23:31 GMT

Projects

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:58:36 GMT

Yesterday Cindi & I went to Lowes to get some ideas for shelves to replace my existing bookshelf. We ended up buying three pieces of wood 8" deep x 2' wide x ~1" thick, along with some stain to make them match the entertainment center. We started staining the wood yesterday, and I continued staining it today, but the cold weather is kind-of throwing a kink into the plans. Hopefully I'll be able to slap on another coat of stain tomorrow morning before work, and then put on the polyurethane tomorrow night. It's exciting being able to spend $50 & make a project out of it.

Less is more!

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:32:18 GMT

Tonight I took several pics of stuff I have that I want to give away. I posted them on craigslist & hopefully someone is already on their way to pick up the dresser! It'll be nice to finally get more space. :)

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:17:57 GMT

I'm glad I took one of my floating holiday's today. It's been nice being able to relax with the kitties. :)

Amusing article

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:19:14 GMT

I usually ignore 80+% of the news, especially when it comes to financial worries, but in light of the recent economy debacle, I found this article amusing. :)

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/alttext/2008/09/alttext_1001

Unpacking

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:16:54 GMT

I've unpacked more boxes, bags & suitcases in the past three days than I think I have in the past two months combined. I'm sick of seeing stuff that I've been holding onto "just in case." Honestly.. what value could possibly be obtained from 10 year old SAT-prep study guides?! My notes from high school biology.. my sister's notes from when SHE took biology in high school.. It's just clutter, with no real purpose.

Now it's clutter in the dumpster. :)

It's kinda neat seeing carpet again in my living room.

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:45:33 GMT

I'm not exactly sure why, but I feel really blah today. I got plenty of sleep last night (granted, I had some really weird dreams about all the different things I'd do for a klondike bar).. maybe I need food. Food seems to be having more effect on my mood lately. Maybe it's because I'm starting to eat more healthy & my body isn't used to it. In other news, I bought an entertainment center yesterday. :)

Operation: Move-in

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:28:33 GMT

It's taken a while, but things are finally starting to come together with my new condo (thanks to Cindi's help!). Here's some pics before & after painting the new place...

http://gallery.me.com/adam.shantz/100145

The Kitchen
We were unpacking the dishes & found out the cabinets are too shallow for my plates. The kitchen is honestly the one part of the condo that I'm not crazy about. It's white. The cabinets, the floor, most of the appliances. White. I've been contemplating remodeling it to put in tile, with new cabinets & a countertop, but it can be pretty pricey. I was amazed a range/stove costs something like $2,700! Cabinets can be a couple hundred bucks a pop, depending on the size, style & finish. Lowes & Home Depot have got to be rolling in it! In the meantime though, I'm making-do. I bought a new roll-out trash can that sits inside a cabinet below the counter, as well as a new paper towel holder that's suspended from a cabinet next to the sink.

Living Room
I was about to buy a couch that was pretty comfortable, but Cindi convinced me to keep looking. I'm glad she did, because we found THE MOST COMFORTABLE couch known to man! It came from ZGallery, which is a subsidiary of William Sonoma. It was expensive, but worth every penny.

I finally got rid of Comcast! FIOS all the way! It's wicked fast, and Verizon billing is automated, so I don't have to worry about late charges.

Bedroom
As you can see from the pics in the gallery above, I also got a new bedroom set. It's not real wood, but it's still really nice. First time I've ever purchased a bedroom set for myself. I like it. :)

Left to do..
~~-Sand the bathroom walls~~
~~-Prime the bathroom walls~~
~~-Paint the bathroom~~
-Replace the bathroom fan cover
~~-Finish replacing the bathroom sink~~
~~-Install new towel bars, toilet paper holder, robe hook & shower head~~
~~-Fix bathroom door so it latches when shut~~

~~-Remove the wallpaper border in the kitchen~~
-Repaint the kitchen (still have to pick out a color)
~~-Install roll-out trash can in kitchen~~
~~-Install paper towel holder~~
~~-Install roll-out organizer under the kitchen sink~~

~~-Install curtain rod in living room & hang curtains~~
~~-Install tie-back hardware for living room curtains~~
~~-Buy 7 more curtain rings for living room curtains~~
~~-Setup stereo system in the living room~~
~~-Buy entertainment center~~
-Buy dining room table & chairs

-Order curtain rod(s) & curtains for bedroom
-Install curtain rod in bedroom & hang curtains
-Repaint side of window in bedroom that never got a second coat
-Touch-up ceiling paint in bedroom & bathroom

Horoscope

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:13:33 GMT

If you free yourself from the petty details of life, you will be free to indulge in an exploration of new interests and ideas. So what does that mean for how you live this day? It means that if someone cuts you off in traffic, don't waste energy getting mad at them. If you forget where you left your sunglasses, just wear a hat. And if that certain someone isn't calling you, move on to someone else. You need to act in your life, not react to the actions of others.

Quicky..

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:29:15 GMT

I'm currently posting this from my phone, so this is going to be quick..

I've been in OC MD since the 7th doing a small family get together. It's been fun, but I'm ready to get home in many ways. I did buy a new stunt kite yesterday (more on that later), and I also got a pretty nice tan.

I'm can't wait to sleep on my nice comfy bed again! mmmmmm

..more to follow..

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:20:20 GMT

Less than 16 days until I sign my life away on my first condo!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:21:08 GMT

I found myself in unfamiliar territory this weekend. I've worked really hard to learn how to control my feelings to avoid getting angry. This weekend though made me realize I still have some aspects of my personality I need to tweak. I need to learn how to not let impulsive behavior get the best of me in high-anxiety situations, or when I feel threatened in some way. I've learned how to not let my emotions cloud my judgement when I have time to reflect upon the situation. So, I just need to figure out how to insert some sort of interrupt trigger that allows me to know what to do & how to do it in those types of situations. That type of impulsivity always leaves me feeling really crappy, and dirty. The worst part about this weekend was loosing control of that impulsivity in front of Cindi. I still feel like the feelings aren't reconciled (at least, not within me). ugh, I like making myself a better person, but I sure wish it didn't require me feeling crappy. Here's hoping this lesson doesn't ruin an otherwise good relationship.

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:33:17 GMT

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- Arthur Schopenhauer

Prom 1999

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:56:23 GMT

Adam in a tux!

A few pics I found

Sat, 31 May 2008 14:36:40 GMT

These go back to 1999 when I was interviewing for college...

New to you pictures...

Fri, 30 May 2008 23:42:37 GMT

I just updated my web gallery with pictures from my 18th birthday. Nearly 10 years later... some of them are pretty good though. Take a look... http://gallery.mac.com/adam.shantz#100122

Thu, 29 May 2008 03:17:13 GMT

I found out today that the condo I made an offer on was appraised today. One less thing to worry about!