TheAquaLog

AquaDad Struggles to Surface (and ponders TV)

2007-11-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

Burbling up frantically to the surface...

AquaDad has not yet found a new job. He is disappointed with how things are going on his job search. He awoke this morning to feel the heavy weight of a blanket of despair upon him -- though warming and comforting as blankets tend to be in these cooler times of the year, it was a weight that must be thrust off and the cold air must be embraced, or else one will never get out of bed and live again.

Change of subject:

AquaDad has been watching a lot of TV lately (see telltale signs of depression above) and he absolutely loves the following new shows:

Life -- A fresh take (if that's possible) on the cop show. It keeps getting better. Damian Lewis is great as usual (see Band of Brothers if you've never seen him before). His character, a cop sent to prison for a murder he did not commit is freed and returns to his original station as a detective, is quirky and drive his new partner a little crazy. More serious than Monk, but well-written and includes a long term story where he's trying to figure out who set him up.
Reaper -- Funny slacker show that features a twenty-something who's soul was given to Satan by his parents and now he is the devil's bounty hunter. It's Ghostbusters for the new century. The devil is played by the guy who was Laura Palmer's dad on Twin Peaks -- he's plays Satan with a lot of enthusiasm. Our hero's buddy, Sock, often steals the show with the best lines. Fun entertainment.
Last One Standing -- Kind of a Survivor type show for "tough" guys competing in fighting, endurance and unusual sports-type competitions in different countries. The cultures visited so far are amazing -- we're talking National Geographic-type cultures. There are a lot of commercials and the show is stretched out a lot by recapping what's gone on so far in the show (that same episode!) but it's pretty good because they travel to such interesting places.

AquaDad is still watching:

Heroes -- Not as good so far, but still very enjoyable. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.
Survivor -- They're in China. Great location. Interesting contestants. Tribal council has really been suspenseful.
Other Great Shows -- Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters, Man VS Wild, Survivorman (hmm...there seems to be a theme here).

AquaDad wonders about the following TV-related issues:

When is Lost going to start?
Why do we have to wait until summer for Burn Notice to start up again?
Is the writers' strike really going to screw everything up? Hey Producers, AquaDad is not pleased that you let this strike happen. Pay the writers for their online residuals and make with the new shows and movies already!
Why does Entertainment Weekly have a new section featuring photographs of celebrities now -- Isn't that what People magazine and all the other tabloids are for? (still, EW is AquaDad's favorite magazine)
Is Peter Jackson going to make The Hobbit? AquaDad mutters "Precious" and rubs his hands together in anticipation of the possibility that the film will be made by Jackson.
Is the new forthcoming film, the Golden Compass, anti-God, anti-religion, or riding the wave of a great PR strategy?
In the fight between The Illusionist and The Prestige, AquaDad is giving The Illusionist the edge thanks to its romantic storyline along with great acting, especially from Paul Giamatti. AquaDad enjoyed watching the Prestige with its duelling actors Bale and Jackman, but found the movie lacking a character one could sympathize with. (AquaDad realizes the movies are not current, but he is only now catching up on movies he had missed but really wanted to see).

AquaDad has enjoyed this little bout of writing and hopes to continue to do more in the near future.

AquaDad Checks In

2007-10-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

AquaDad summons up a sea change...

New template. New colors. Nice.

AquaDad's Poetry Corner

2007-04-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

Somewhere beneath the briny deep, AquaDad ponders...

Late Night, Time to Write
My bones dropped onto the couch like a tired puddle of flesh and my nearly 39 year old cells
Tried to replace each other so that I would be a new man next morn…
Oh. Only 3 hours from now I can chase my kids out of their dreams
Prop them up in the car with cornflakes
And tell them I love them as they go to school
But right now it’s time to write now
Weary as I am
My brain is mush
But is it ever really anything else but mush anymore?
2 in the AM and 2 in the PM, I’m tired of being so tired in either part of the day
What if a little sparkle of something different dropped into my day
And invaded my boredom?
What would I do then? I better not wait for it to happen.
I think it must be my move then…

2007-03-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

In the troubled seas of corporate America, Sub-Prime Mortgage Land, AquaDad sits in a graywalled box, pondering the unknowable -- will his place of employment survive the current storm? It seems highly unlikely.

The century is no longer new anymore. (Yeah, that's a very weak bit of secret code)

Anyway, AquaDad sits in his cubicle, surrounded by bits of cookie and lots of coffee-stained papers. Stacks of papers. A paper strewn desk. Flotsam and jetsam. AquaDad's morale is a whale and the sharks are circling...taking large junks of blubber away. Hope is dipping it's head underwater and struggling to come up for air.

Ah! But perhaps a new job is right around the other side of the reef! A job that AquaDad can get thrilled about...sink his teeth into...anything will be better than floating around in this Sargasso Sea, going nowhere. AquaDad dipped a fin into the waters of the job search recently. Yahoo Hotjobs, Monster.com, etc. Beneath the depths, the promise of Atlantean wonder? AquaDad shall soon find out.

But first, the ancient map of AquaDad's skills must be produced, Ye Olde Resume must be unfurled, prettied up and set sail towards new lands of opportunity...blah, blah. AquaDad doesn't really want to lose the Health insurance for his family. Oh, yes, and a paycheck.

It all depends upon a paycheck, doesn't it.

AquaDad Tunes In

2007-02-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

Somewhere under the sea with his ear in a conch shell...

AquaDad loves music. Here's the stuff he's been listening to lately (and quoted to us):

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas -- I really like the song Lazy Eye. It reminds me of something Sonic Youth might have done. I like how it builds up. The whole CD is a great listen. (AquaDad is not that articulate when describing listening experiences...oh well)
Lily Allen - All Right, Still -- Nice Ska-type/pop happy music, however, when you hear the lyrics, ouch!, they're very sharp and often completely opposite what's going on in the music. Great voice. She was on Saturday Night Live last month.
The Good, The Bad, and The Queen - (same name) -- This has Damon Albarn from Blur, the Clash's bassist, Paul Simonon, a guitarist from the Verve, and produced by Danger Mouse (Gorillaz 2nd album). Great stuff. If you like Blur and the Gorillaz, you ought to like this (You ought to, but don't have to).
Kasabian - Empire -- Good songs.
Radiohead - OK Computer -- I finally got this. It's certainly not new, but I just love Radiohead. When I listen to it, I hear some of my other favorite bands: Coldplay, Travis, People in Planes. Great stuff.

AquaDad indicated that the station that plays these bands is Southern California's Indy 103.1 fm.

AquaDad Returns

2007-02-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Beneath the sea, sitting on the sea floor, AquaDad thinks...

Hmmm...AquaDad wishes he would pursue meditation a little more. The effects of meditation are supposed to have a positive effect on the body. AquaDad usually falls asleep in the early stages of meditation. AquaDad noticed that when he attempts to focus on the simple inhalations/exhalations of his breath, a sudden anxiety about the breathing increases and AquaDad begins to panic and his breath becomes erratic. AquaDad feels it's probably best not to focus on the breathing and just let the subconscious take over and handle the important details of basic needs.

AquaDad finds that doodling can be quite meditative and relaxing. At the office, during a telephone conference, AquaDad reached a nice meditative level while doodling while the others talked. This may not have a positive effect on his production at work, but AquaDad feels really relaxed now.

In other waters...
AquaDad watched the movie Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang last night. He felt that it was a nice take on the L.A. Gumshoe story. The scenes where the main character talks to the audience as the narrator seemed fresh and funny. AquaDad particularily like the settings and use of lighting in the film. AquaDad recognized the hip L.A. hotel, The Standard, in the movie and reminisced about the time that he and the AquaWife stayed there. A dark blue night hovered above the surrounding walls of skyscrapers as AquaDad and wife walked around the aquamarine swimming pool that capped the roof of The Standard. Bright colored immense couches surrounded the pool and various bunches of L.A. hipsters talked about themselves as they drank themselves into the next night. AquaDad and AquaWife sipped there drinks and AquaDad wondered why he couldn't slip into the scene comfortably. Oh yeah, AquaDad wondered why he would want to slip into the scene at all. What was he doing there anyways? He sipped his drink some more. Oh how he wished he could slide right into the pool that beckoned to him. The pool called to him in vain. AquaDad let his drink nestle into a comfortable spot in his brain. He wouldn't jump in the pool. No. But he would daydream about a time in his youth when he could stay at the bottom of a pool and look up through the water to the sky above...he would daydream about his youth when there were exciting things to look forward to. But now, with the alcohol taking up residence in his skull, AquaDad forgot that many of those exciting things never materialized. The AquaWife summoned AquaDad from his dreamy meanderings. "Let's go." And AquaDad followed.

AquaDad sits at a cubicle and writes and dreams, has he ever awakened from his stupor? On his desk there are many doodlings, and he smiles, recovering some of his satisfaction...

2006-12-21T19:23:00.000-08:00

Stealing Christmas Tree

PUBLISHED

2006-12-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the Sargasso Sea, forward movement bubbles along...

AquaDad gets one of his short stories published in the OC Register. Well, very nearly. As runner up his story isn't published in the newspaper, but it is available online. It's another exciting moment for AquaDad's writing career. The exciting moments seem to pop up every few years like a string of Christmas lights where many of the lights are burnt out but here and there are a a few shining brightly. AquaDad needs to apply himself more to his writing career.

Here's a link to the story: http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/life/article_1373371.php

The OC Register every so often has a painter come up with a painting and then they invite people to submit stories based on the painting. So make sure you look at the painting before you read the story. The painting they show is slightly different, the winner of the contest's picture has been added to the painting.

AquaDad is happy with his story. He hopes you will read it and enjoy it too.

A Day In The Life of Pucknut's Kid

2006-11-23T02:17:00.000-08:00

Somewhere swimming with yellow sponges and pink starfish...

AquaDad has received a video from his friend Pucknut. The film is an entry for Revver's current contest -- make a childhood memory type video.

AquaDad was impressed and entertained by Pucknut's video an imagining of his wee son's perspective of daily life. Very sweet with a great fade to black. AquaDad is pleased to see that he's not the only one to use his children for inspiration...and no wage actors.

Enjoy!

AquaDad wishes to impress upon the kindly viewer that today is Thanksgiving -- enjoy your loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Aeromodelling demo - Amazing!

2006-11-18T02:48:00.000-08:00


A guy and his toy airplane...spectacular! This amuses AquaDad. Did you see how big the airplane actually is?

AquaDad Takes on Remake of The Shining

2006-11-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

Bubbling under the clear blue surface of a lazy sea...

AquaDad finally makes a brief Halloween-oriented video. In fact, this is no less than a remake of the famous Axe through the door and "Here's Johnny" scene, albeit without an axe, without Nicholson, and since AquaDad did not want the budget to include a hole in a door...well, AquaDad feels as if he's giving too much away.

Happy belated Halloween! Enjoy!

Parental Fear and Brave AquaBoy #2

2006-10-31T00:09:00.000-08:00

Swimming through rough currents in the dark and lonely immensity of the Pacific...

AquaDad found himself paralyzed with fear several days ago. A fear like no other. A helplessness. AquaDad thinks of himself as a protector of his AquaBoys. But last Friday, AquaDad watched as AquaBoy #2 fell from the playground equipment at the Undersea School that he attends. A snap was the sound that slapped AquaDad in the face and made his blood run cold. 5 year old AquaBoy #2 had snapped the bones in his forearm. AquaDad heard it and several days later has trouble getting the instant replay out of his mind. What could AquaDad do in this case? Nothing. He could not help his AquaChild. Oh certainly AquaDad picked the boy up, trying to ignore the panic that was setting in and the strange new bend in AquaBoy's arm (so much for all the First Aid classes AquaDad has taken over the years). AquaWife was nearby and told him to not panic. For the first time in many ages, AquaDad listened to his wife. He hurriedly took the boy to the office. 911 was called. AquaDad was impressed when the paramedics arrived and with great inspirational confidence they handled the scene like the professionals they are. AquaBoy #2 was in good hands. Likewise, doctors and nurses responded with excellent care for AquaBoy #2. X-Rays taken. Bones set. Temporary cast affixed. What were AquaBoy #2 first words? I get a CAST!!! he said happily. And following that, he asked, Do I have to take baths anymore? AquaDad felt very proud of his brave AquaBoy #2.

Days later, as the arm heals, and AquaBoy #2 runs around like a squirrel, AquaDad thinks about the fear he felt -- something most parents can understand, or anyone who loves someone who gets hurt -- that paralyzing fear. But then, AquaDad looks out across the seas and into the lands and knows that there are children and parents out there facing horrors indescribable, and AquaDad begins to feel gratitude. Gratitude that his dear son is okay, a busted wing is all, and AquaDad is grateful that it was nothing worse than that. AquaDad breathes a sigh of relief and his mind swims along...through pleasant waters...

TV Is Cool Again!

2006-10-27T00:49:00.000-07:00

Deep in the heart of the emerald seas...

AquaDad is smiling. He has regained some control of the television from his AquaWife. For good reason, AquaDad has seen television shows that have thrilled, entertained, and left him dangling from a cliff breathless and wanting more.

AquaDad's current fave shows:
Lost -- AD has been following Lost since the beginning. Wonderful and diverse characters, phenomenal acting, suspense, thrills, and mystery abounds in the show that is currently in it's third season. Good stuff. But can they maintain the thrills for two more seasons? Probably.

Heroes -- To be sure, AD was certainly not going to watch the show, but AquaWife suggested they watch it together because her girlfriend said it was really good. AD ignored the usual danger signs of a girlfriend-suggested show to watch with the AquaWife and it paid off! Heroes is a wonderfully entertaining show with thrills and mysteries that are being slowly played out episode to episode. AquaDad remembers hearing about it at the Comic Con in San Diego, but figured it would be some cheesy TV super hero show -- it is far from cheesy! It is a joy, and it is dark and dangerous. Good stuff, Maynard.

The Nine -- Hmm, what could possibly be interesting that they could spread over a season about a bank robbery gone bad? Well, AD is anxious to find out. Thus far, good acting, and mystery are keeping AquaDad's attention (AD certainly has a theme going here with serialized mysteries). Will the unfolding mysteries be enough to keep AquaDad watching instead of blogging? Stay tuned.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip -- AquaDad has been bowled over by each episode thus far. A backstage ticket to behind the scenes with an SNL type show. Fascinating. Witty. Serious drama without being life threatening. Mathew Perry is fantastic -- who'd a thought this is the same guy from that Friends show? The entire cast is really exciting to watch. Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford or is it Whitley Bradford, Steven Weber, Timothy Busfield, the lady who plays Harriet, etc. (AquaDad is not feeling bothered by not thoroughly researching the actors names prior to writing the blog). AquaDad ponders: How in the heck does Aaron Sorkin write ALL THE SHOWS???? AquaDad is impressed, to put it lightly.

Every day, AquaDad gets on his soggy knees and thanks the Lords of Technology for creating the DVR (TIVO). Otherwise, AquaDad would not be able to catch these wondrous storytelling machines.

AquaDad, for once, is hooked!

(AquaDad giggles slightly upon using a fishing related term that describes his current addiction to TV.)

Drinking and Driving

2006-10-24T23:25:00.000-07:00

Click to Play

Drinking and Driving -- Don't do it.

Tags: vision, driving, car, alcohol, double, aquadad, dui, drinking, driver

The Monster...Gulp!

2006-10-24T22:31:00.000-07:00


A scary monster in the dark takes a big gulp. Animated. Cool Music. AquaDad created this one in Photoshop. Music created with Sony Acid Music Studio. AquaDad is pleased with the music.

Favorite Viral Video Sites - The Video Awards

2006-10-19T00:54:00.000-07:00

Somewhere swimming amongst the sharks and clownfish...

AquaDad has favorite viral video sites. Today, he wants to recommend http://www.thevideoawards.com/

In fact, you can see AquaDad's video of AquaBoy #1 when he was just a wee baby. Click on The Video Awards box above and it will take you directly to the video. AquaDad is a very proud father.

At the site, they let people vote for videos. The video that gets the most votes each month wins something (although AquaDad is not exactly sure of what those possible winnings could be -- probably just the privilege of getting the most votes).

Another point in favor of The Video Awards, they support Revver.com's method of including the video creators sharing in the ad revenue. AquaDad is not averse to gaining a few extra sanddollars in support of his favorite hobby.

It is late. AquaDad reluctantly must give in to the fatigue that has ensnared his very being. The morning brings another day of AquaKids being taken to schools and hours imprisoned in a gray-walled cubicle forced to push paper and e-mails back and forth and...AquaDad is suddenly struck by the idea that he is complaining, whining even. He immediately remembers that there are others in the world less fortunate than he. He heads toward bed, grateful for the health of his family and humbled...

We Have a Working Widget!!!

2006-10-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

Somewhere deep within the (nearly) bottomless depths of the Marianas Trench...

AquaDad is beaming today. He has vanquished the non-working widget foe that has hindered his enjoyment of blogging lately. If AquaDad had a pike on which to put the head of the non-working widget foe, he would, but it's hard to put the head of an abstract concept on a pike and feel any sense of accomplishment.

Explore the following video widget created at www.Magnify.Net, where the Admins slave many hours and days and nights to perfect the site (currently in Beta) with minimal loss of life. The videos are: two from AquaDad's favorite Viral Video Humorist, Kevin Nalty, and then, of course, one of the original famous Mentos and Diet Coke videos that has made a terrific splash in the world of viral video. Enjoy!

What is a Widget?

2006-10-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in the deep blue sea...

AquaDad finally figured out how to get a widget to show up on his blog. Below is the widget (from Magnify.net). AquaDad felt much doubt about his HTML skills, until today's success. AquaDad is very pleased.

In this blog you get two free Nalts videos: White Bucks and Google Earth. Also included is an AquaDad favorite: The Easter Bunny Hates You! which is filled with uber-violence in the form of a psychotic holiday icon.

2 minutes after posting this blog, troubled seas...

Sure, you can see the widget, but you can't actully click it to see any of the videos. AquaDad is not pleased. He apologizes for letting you down. Yes, You! You who came here expecting to be entertained. Yes, You! You who is tired of visiting websites where things don't work. Yes, it is you he apologizes to.

AquaDad grumpily retreats to his cave to contemplate the matter of the malfunctioning widget.

UPDATE - 10-17-06
For now, to see the specific videos, AquaDad has setup a simple picture that links to the three videos.

AquaDad knows that the solution is at hand and appreciates the help from the Magnify.Net Admins.

He remains undaunted. And thrilled to be able to add a blue color to his text. AquaDad is reminded of the sea and of the sky, when he sees the color blue. AquaDad is at peace.

Age of Mythologies -- Derring-Do Across the Internet

2006-10-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Somewhere asleep in his undersea lair, AquaDad awakens...

The dark circles under his eyes indicate that AquaDad has once again stayed up too late. But he does not regret his late night escapade. No, not one bit.

For he and his pal, the Northern Sea King, waged mighty war in an epic battle against two opponents that put up an extremely intense fight. Ignoring the fact that the opponents were simply AI set at medium, the mayhem and destruction were considerable, but to AquaDad and the Sea King it was a truly pleasing example of courage, bravery, and derring-do.

They played Age of Mythologies. AquaDad and the Sea King have been playing the game for several years, after previous years of playing the wonderful Age of Empires II: Conquerors. Ensemble Studios did an excellent job with AOM.

AquaDad and the Sea King do own copies of the latest sequel in the Age series: Age of Empires III. However, recent attempts to connect via multiplayer have resulted in failed connections and much disappointment in the hearts of the two warriors.

Meanwhile, the brilliance of Age of Mythologies has led to frequent thrilling evenings engaged in the strategies of the battlefield along with mythological mayhem. Win or lose, AquaDad and the Sea King agree that the worst late evening of Age of Mythologies game play is better than the best day at work. A cliche? Yes. The truth? Definitely.

AquaDad feels if you haven't taken some time to play an RTS (Real Time Strategy) game, then you have missed out on an engaging part of life experience.

AquaDad has set the cartoons up for his youngest, AquaBoy II, and falls back to sleep on the couch; the sounds of SpongeBob Squarepants play quietly in the background of his deep sleep.

AquaBoy #2

2006-10-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

Somewhere above sea level...

AquaDad is kept busy by AquaBoy #2 (pictured here).

Yes, he is wearing a cape...despite Edna Mode's warnings about the dangers of wearing a cape (see The Incredibles).

Friends of AquaDad - Nalts

2006-10-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Message in a bottle floating somewhere in the South Pacific...

AquaDad has made some friends online.

Nalts is the name of one such friend. AquaDad has had many laughs over Nalts' videos. They're parodies, they're pranks, they're comments on viral videos, they're videos starring kids, they're videos created by the biggest of the kids. And they are all funny.

Nalts is also a prolific commentator on all things viral video and the state of this young industry. A rant on YouTube, a cry of love for all things Revver, a voice crying in the internet desert (okay maybe not that), Nalts is all of this.

Check out Nalts' website: www.cubebreak.com

His Viral Video blog: www.willworkforvideo.com
His Revver blog: www.revverberation.com

And now, here are some of AquaDad's favorite Nalts videos...

http://aquadad.one.revver.com/collection/24730

It is AquaDad's wish that you enjoy the work of Nalts. You will have to kick back and surround yourself with the sounds of your own laughter. You will be pleased.

(Also, AquaDad wants to remember that he wanted to try the new Revver widget which would allow him to have a collection of videos that are easily shown via the widget, however, AquaDad's html programming skills, at this point, leave something to be desired.)

Join the Revverlution!

2006-10-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

Somewhere closer to the surface of a stormy sea...

AquaDad wanders the Internet from time to time. Back in February of 2006, Pre-AquaLog, AquaDad discovered www.Revver.com.

What is this, wondered AquaDad? Make videos and post them AND GET PAID??? AquaDad was very skeptical, until he posted a video. Sure enough, money was made.

Revver became AquaDad's best friend. Revver has several of his videos and A-Dad has made nearly $140 Sanddollars since February. AquaDad is very pleased.

But AquaDad is not satisfied. Not for the money. No, AquaDad needs to make more videos. His real passion is making videos. Yet, there is no time. The AquaKids and AquaWife need attention. And then, there is the job that AquaDad must sell his soul for, eight or more hours every weekday. Add in sleep time, and you have very minimal video making time as well as one frustrated AquaDad.

Don't worry, he'll figure out a way to work it in.

Here is one of AquaDad's favorite video creations:

There is no Free Lunch! (except sometimes there is!)

2006-10-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Somewhere deep in the ocean...

AquaDad found a rumbling in his stomach, lunch was in order. However, a quick check in the Aquawallet revealed very few sanddollars. What was he to do?

A quick search through the AquaCubicle turned up an old box of Frosted Flakes, a can of Kidney Beans, and several bags of microwave popcorn. This was not proper sustenance for AquaDad.

Having already mooched off his associates, AquaDad was about to console himself with his cold cup of breakroom coffee and some stale peanut-butter crackers, when a voice cried out like an angel on a mountain top, "There is food in the breakroom!"

In an instant, like a ravenous Sea Wharg, AquaDad was in the breakroom gazing at the vast feast that lay before him...Mexican food! Ole! Did AquaDad despair that all the good tacos and enchiladas were taken already? No! For he could see there was much food remaining: two types of beans, much rice, some sour cream and guacamole as well as immense trays of chips and runny salsa residue.

Yes, AquaDad knew he would eat well today.

And he did.

AQUADAD PONDERS...
Later, with a full stomach (and, need we mention, the considerable gas emissions), AquaDad reflected upon things that were much more important than his full belly. He wondered, could not the world hunger crisis be solved by this daily excess office bounty contained by the many tubs of Tupperware that sit unused? Ah, one could say transportation would be an unwieldy problem. But AquaDad smiles and thinks, could not an army of "Fed" Ex workers handle it with their existing distribution system?

Shhh...AquaDad is resting his head on his keyboard and snoring, the world's problems will have to be solved by someone else for now...Bill Gates are you out there?

Intro to the AquaLog

2006-10-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

From the ocean depths, comes the creature known as AquaDad and this...is his AquaLog. His intention is to write about the things he knows.

He doesn't know much.

But that's never stopped anyone from writing a blog, nor will it stop AquaDad.

AquaDad's mission is to discuss the creative things in life.

Creative things like:

Viral Videos
Writing (stories, poetry, etc.)
Photography -- though he doesn't know anything about it, but he does have a camera
Photoshopped pictures
Comic-Con (Yes, AquaDad is a nerd)
Going to the Library
Music (maybe, that's really too broad, and AquaDad has his AquaKids and AquaWife he must pay attention to)
Real Time Strategy Games like Age of Empires
Surrealism (Magritte's a favorite)

Okay, AquaDad grows tired. He leaves you with a brief video to watch: