YEAR IN REVIEW
Electric work...I learned a lot this year,and that's good.
Ann's shitty job...I would be impossible to live with if I had this job,testament to Ann's greatness as a human being.
The grandkids...They really are wonderful things...So cute and smart and,they aren't mine!HA!Seriously,I have much respect for my son and daughter in law and their excellent parenting skills.I'm impressed but not surprised.I'm also glad they aren't moving away.
Friends...the value of which continues to amaze me.
Music...lots of new music came into the house this year...good.
Health issues...some scary moments for me and Ann and some of our friends.But we all made it.
Movies...the DVD collection grows.
Dogs...In his twilight years,Theo and I have gotten closer,a true bond.And Irene...well,I'm just sayin'.:)
But mostly,we survived another year and are set to endure another.
Any resolutions?
I have one.I will write, produce and record a 4 song solo EP if it's the last thing I do.
Happy new year to you all.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
ROAD TRIP
I drove to Waco today to meet an old friend for lunch who was in Dallas visiting his family via Colorado,where he's lived for years now.We first met in 1983...or maybe 1982,when he was the unit manager at a treatment center here in Austin.One of his employees was my lab partner in nursing school and they were hiring.He hired me and we became fast friends,doing the punk rock thing in Austin and we have been in contact ever since,visiting each other whenever we can.
So here's the trajectory for today:
Dallas...95 miles south to>...Waco...<106 miles north from Austin.
So we each spent around 200 miles give or take,round trip,to have lunch together.
And it was worth every mile.I have a handful of friends I've known for this long and it was really good to see him,to catch up and to see the wrinkles of time in each other.When we met we were young and kinda crazy and now,almost 25 years down the line,one of us is still crazy,I'm just not saying who :)
I had a traveling companion with me today as well,Irene went on the ride of her life.While I wasn't really concerned about how she would handle such a long trip,I was concerned she would get bored and want out of the car,causing a ruckus.She was a peach.She let me know when she had to pee,which coincided with a rather anxiety inducing stretch of IH 35 where both shoulders were closed which means very narrow lanes with chest high concrete barriers on either side that I absolutely hate,and being that 35 is the main NAFTA corridor,there was lots of semi truck traffic as well as regular traffic.I was quite unnerved,and a rest area presented itself just in time for her to pee and poop and run around and for me to regain my road legs.
For the rest of the trip,to and from,she was her usual regal self,sniffing the new smells in the air,and sitting straight up in the seat gazing out the windshield taking in the sights between power naps.
We helped some women in the restaurant parking lot jump their battery as we were leaving,and Irene was a hit.As I was for -get this- locating the battery of the disabled car and hooking the cables up for them.
So,to sum up...Road trip with my best girl dog,lunch with a dear old friend,and a good samaritan act for the finish before a long ride home.
And I am glad to be home...I don't travel as easy as I used to.
I drove to Waco today to meet an old friend for lunch who was in Dallas visiting his family via Colorado,where he's lived for years now.We first met in 1983...or maybe 1982,when he was the unit manager at a treatment center here in Austin.One of his employees was my lab partner in nursing school and they were hiring.He hired me and we became fast friends,doing the punk rock thing in Austin and we have been in contact ever since,visiting each other whenever we can.
So here's the trajectory for today:
Dallas...95 miles south to>...Waco...<106 miles north from Austin.
So we each spent around 200 miles give or take,round trip,to have lunch together.
And it was worth every mile.I have a handful of friends I've known for this long and it was really good to see him,to catch up and to see the wrinkles of time in each other.When we met we were young and kinda crazy and now,almost 25 years down the line,one of us is still crazy,I'm just not saying who :)
I had a traveling companion with me today as well,Irene went on the ride of her life.While I wasn't really concerned about how she would handle such a long trip,I was concerned she would get bored and want out of the car,causing a ruckus.She was a peach.She let me know when she had to pee,which coincided with a rather anxiety inducing stretch of IH 35 where both shoulders were closed which means very narrow lanes with chest high concrete barriers on either side that I absolutely hate,and being that 35 is the main NAFTA corridor,there was lots of semi truck traffic as well as regular traffic.I was quite unnerved,and a rest area presented itself just in time for her to pee and poop and run around and for me to regain my road legs.
For the rest of the trip,to and from,she was her usual regal self,sniffing the new smells in the air,and sitting straight up in the seat gazing out the windshield taking in the sights between power naps.
We helped some women in the restaurant parking lot jump their battery as we were leaving,and Irene was a hit.As I was for -get this- locating the battery of the disabled car and hooking the cables up for them.
So,to sum up...Road trip with my best girl dog,lunch with a dear old friend,and a good samaritan act for the finish before a long ride home.
And I am glad to be home...I don't travel as easy as I used to.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
2007: My year of the computer game
I did quite a bit of computer gaming this year, much like the last twenty plus years. This year it was mostly World of Warcraft, Sims 2 and SimCity and the time spent probably didn't come close to the year in my twenties when I spent a ridiculous amount of time playing Hack. Or, going back even further to my late teens when I played Advent on UT's unix system (I still have the detailed map that my friends and I drew way back when.) This year gets the honors though because this was the year that games taught me something about myself. I came to realize that I am very goal oriented. I suppose every human is, but I'd never thought about myself that way. I'm also rather picky about my goals. If they are too easy to reach, I get bored. If they are extremely difficult, then I also get bored. However, I don't always blow off the extremely difficult goals if they have a really good payoff and I can get pretty creative in finding ways to reach them even if I'm told it can't be done. Some times I find a way, other times I have to let the payoff go and focus on some other challenge. I can look back and see this pattern over and over again in my life. I was a very talented pianist when I was a child. But it was too easy and I traded it in for a wrench and a race car when I was a teen. Now that was a challenge and I didn't care that girls just didn't do that sort of thing back in my day and age; I did it anyway. Not to prove anyone wrong about the girl thing, it was just something I wanted to do so I went out and did it. Much the same when we formed our band - I'd never heard of a bunch of thirty-something year olds forming a band, but we did it anyway. I had never played bass guitar. I'm not particularly good at it, but it's not impossible either which landed it squarely in the perfect challenge range and made it fun, which it continues to be today. And being in a band provides goals - write a song and work it out. Once that's done, write a new one. If it ever became really easy, I'd probably trade it in for.. oh, I don't know - a welding torch or something. But the band doesn't play so much anymore and I think the reason I've been so bored for the last several months is I need a new middle-of-the-road challenge. My current job is challenging in some ways, but not the right ways. And computer games are and never have been a substitute for the real life thing. So I guess the real question here is what next? I've had my eye on an art class the last few days. Drawing and painting are not something I do very well, but I don't think they would be impossible either. Just one possibility and I have a brand new year ahead to explore options now that I know I need to be looking for them. Here's hoping I can find something and close out the year 2008 as the "Year of the Paintbrush" or some sort of similar title.
I did quite a bit of computer gaming this year, much like the last twenty plus years. This year it was mostly World of Warcraft, Sims 2 and SimCity and the time spent probably didn't come close to the year in my twenties when I spent a ridiculous amount of time playing Hack. Or, going back even further to my late teens when I played Advent on UT's unix system (I still have the detailed map that my friends and I drew way back when.) This year gets the honors though because this was the year that games taught me something about myself. I came to realize that I am very goal oriented. I suppose every human is, but I'd never thought about myself that way. I'm also rather picky about my goals. If they are too easy to reach, I get bored. If they are extremely difficult, then I also get bored. However, I don't always blow off the extremely difficult goals if they have a really good payoff and I can get pretty creative in finding ways to reach them even if I'm told it can't be done. Some times I find a way, other times I have to let the payoff go and focus on some other challenge. I can look back and see this pattern over and over again in my life. I was a very talented pianist when I was a child. But it was too easy and I traded it in for a wrench and a race car when I was a teen. Now that was a challenge and I didn't care that girls just didn't do that sort of thing back in my day and age; I did it anyway. Not to prove anyone wrong about the girl thing, it was just something I wanted to do so I went out and did it. Much the same when we formed our band - I'd never heard of a bunch of thirty-something year olds forming a band, but we did it anyway. I had never played bass guitar. I'm not particularly good at it, but it's not impossible either which landed it squarely in the perfect challenge range and made it fun, which it continues to be today. And being in a band provides goals - write a song and work it out. Once that's done, write a new one. If it ever became really easy, I'd probably trade it in for.. oh, I don't know - a welding torch or something. But the band doesn't play so much anymore and I think the reason I've been so bored for the last several months is I need a new middle-of-the-road challenge. My current job is challenging in some ways, but not the right ways. And computer games are and never have been a substitute for the real life thing. So I guess the real question here is what next? I've had my eye on an art class the last few days. Drawing and painting are not something I do very well, but I don't think they would be impossible either. Just one possibility and I have a brand new year ahead to explore options now that I know I need to be looking for them. Here's hoping I can find something and close out the year 2008 as the "Year of the Paintbrush" or some sort of similar title.
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Ax May Fall...
Today for the first time in over three years of listening to customers scream at me I finally reached my breaking point and hung up on a customer. This would be bad enough if it was just a routine tech call, but it was a supervisor call. Management was pretty supportive, but the truth remains that I hung up on her and that's simply not allowed. I pulled the recording and listened to it when I got home. She wasn't even close to the worst person I've dealt with, but something snapped and I guess I just couldn't put up with the abuse this time. Unfortunately I deal with those kinds of customers multiple times a day and I suppose I just can't handle it anymore even though I did take several more awful supervisor calls after that and managed just fine. No matter; the hang-up incident has been escalated to the provider who will listen to the recording and either be sympathetic or call for my termination. If they don't call for my termination, I think I'm going to ask for a demotion to avoid having to take those kinds of calls in the future. It just isn't worth the extra $2/hour to have to deal up with that kind of crap day in and day out.
Today for the first time in over three years of listening to customers scream at me I finally reached my breaking point and hung up on a customer. This would be bad enough if it was just a routine tech call, but it was a supervisor call. Management was pretty supportive, but the truth remains that I hung up on her and that's simply not allowed. I pulled the recording and listened to it when I got home. She wasn't even close to the worst person I've dealt with, but something snapped and I guess I just couldn't put up with the abuse this time. Unfortunately I deal with those kinds of customers multiple times a day and I suppose I just can't handle it anymore even though I did take several more awful supervisor calls after that and managed just fine. No matter; the hang-up incident has been escalated to the provider who will listen to the recording and either be sympathetic or call for my termination. If they don't call for my termination, I think I'm going to ask for a demotion to avoid having to take those kinds of calls in the future. It just isn't worth the extra $2/hour to have to deal up with that kind of crap day in and day out.
ENDLESS AND MIND NUMBING
I hate trimming out...one of the final stages of electric work.You install devices...plugs and switches.Over and over and over again...strip wire,bend curls,attach wires to device,apply tape,secure device to box...over and over again.It kills your fingers,the wire punches holes in your finger tips and at the end of the day you can't touch anything without wincing,blood spots your hands.mindless redundant activity that slowly kills your soul.
That's what I've been doing all week.
Today,on the way home KUT radio was playing the best of local music and they played this song by Iron and Wine called Resurrection Fern...I had read about this band in the chronicle a while back and was intrigued,but never heard any of their stuff.At about the 1 minute mark I was in rapture and shortly there after,in tears of the joyful kind.What a beautiful song.
And I was alright again.I went out and bought it this afternoon...
" like stubborn boys with big green eyes,we'll see everything".
Awesome...just simply awesome.
I hate trimming out...one of the final stages of electric work.You install devices...plugs and switches.Over and over and over again...strip wire,bend curls,attach wires to device,apply tape,secure device to box...over and over again.It kills your fingers,the wire punches holes in your finger tips and at the end of the day you can't touch anything without wincing,blood spots your hands.mindless redundant activity that slowly kills your soul.
That's what I've been doing all week.
Today,on the way home KUT radio was playing the best of local music and they played this song by Iron and Wine called Resurrection Fern...I had read about this band in the chronicle a while back and was intrigued,but never heard any of their stuff.At about the 1 minute mark I was in rapture and shortly there after,in tears of the joyful kind.What a beautiful song.
And I was alright again.I went out and bought it this afternoon...
" like stubborn boys with big green eyes,we'll see everything".
Awesome...just simply awesome.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Cold... sort of
It's been chilly here in Austin and temps were in the mid-twenties this morning when I left for work. I wore a sweater and a jacket to work, but still had on sandals since it wasn't raining and I figured temps would be up in the 40s soon after the sun rose. My feet don't get cold much unless it's raining, though the rest of me does. I realize mid-twenties isn't that cold, but it sure feels cold when daytime temps were just in the 80s. We get those colder temps so seldom here that we didn't bother replacing our whole-house wall-heater when we remodeled. We use electric oil-filled heaters in strategic locations at night, but turn them off during the day when we are at work. We have one in the bedroom and if it's going to be down in the teens or twenties we just close the door to keep the room plenty warm for sleeping under a comforter. There's a small one in the bathroom that makes that room nice and warm for the morning - the rest of the house can be cold, but I've got to have a warm bathroom if there is a shower or bath involved! Then there's one by the computer desks that I turn on at night since I like to sit at the computer in the morning with my coffee and it keeps a bit of the evening chill off that area (though I still need my under-desk heater once I'm awake and sitting at my desk.) We have other heaters in other parts of the house, but we only use them on the rare occasions that daytime temps don't get much above freezing for a few days. When that happens the cold drafts from the other parts of the house overwhelm the heat in the spot areas so we always have to warm those other areas up a bit or we'd have to wear parkas. Fortunately those times are few and far between and the amount of money we spend on heat in the winter now is far less than we used to spend with that awful whole-house heater. I suppose if you like to have your *entire* house warm at one time this would never work for you, but I'm quite content with my spot heating. Warming up by my under-desk heater is a lot like warming up by a campfire. And a hot bath in a warm bathroom is so much more appreciated when the rest of the house is a bit on the chilly side. I often say that I hate the cold weather, but I guess I have to admit that it has some good points after all.
It's been chilly here in Austin and temps were in the mid-twenties this morning when I left for work. I wore a sweater and a jacket to work, but still had on sandals since it wasn't raining and I figured temps would be up in the 40s soon after the sun rose. My feet don't get cold much unless it's raining, though the rest of me does. I realize mid-twenties isn't that cold, but it sure feels cold when daytime temps were just in the 80s. We get those colder temps so seldom here that we didn't bother replacing our whole-house wall-heater when we remodeled. We use electric oil-filled heaters in strategic locations at night, but turn them off during the day when we are at work. We have one in the bedroom and if it's going to be down in the teens or twenties we just close the door to keep the room plenty warm for sleeping under a comforter. There's a small one in the bathroom that makes that room nice and warm for the morning - the rest of the house can be cold, but I've got to have a warm bathroom if there is a shower or bath involved! Then there's one by the computer desks that I turn on at night since I like to sit at the computer in the morning with my coffee and it keeps a bit of the evening chill off that area (though I still need my under-desk heater once I'm awake and sitting at my desk.) We have other heaters in other parts of the house, but we only use them on the rare occasions that daytime temps don't get much above freezing for a few days. When that happens the cold drafts from the other parts of the house overwhelm the heat in the spot areas so we always have to warm those other areas up a bit or we'd have to wear parkas. Fortunately those times are few and far between and the amount of money we spend on heat in the winter now is far less than we used to spend with that awful whole-house heater. I suppose if you like to have your *entire* house warm at one time this would never work for you, but I'm quite content with my spot heating. Warming up by my under-desk heater is a lot like warming up by a campfire. And a hot bath in a warm bathroom is so much more appreciated when the rest of the house is a bit on the chilly side. I often say that I hate the cold weather, but I guess I have to admit that it has some good points after all.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
And lo, I survived the day after...
Christmas with my family turned out quite nice even if it was on the eve of Christmas Day instead of the traditional Christmas Eve. We had to move the celebration so everyone could be there which is the whole point of Christmas to my family so no regrets. There was a downside though - all that family get-together-ing is rather exhausting and even though I got to bed at a fairly reasonable hour, I wasn't well enough rested for what is traditionally the worst day of the year at work. And today definitely lived up to it's reputation. My first task of the day was to call a customer back to follow up on a repair ticket. The customer answered the phone and I introduced myself and the reason for calling. The customer then screamed "Suck my dick!" and hung up the phone. Well, the rest of the day didn't get much better and at one point I came very close to walking out the door and never coming back. But then I remembered it was the day after Christmas which has been absolutely horrible every year that I've worked there so I gritted my teeth and made it to the end of my shift. This was followed by the joy of standing in line at the post office for ages to mail an important item priority mail so apparently the day after Christmas is not such a good day for postal workers either. When I finally got home I was very glad that Rob had the foresight to purchase beer which meant there was a cold one waiting for me in the 'fridge. A few beers later and I now think that I can face the next stretch of craziness at work... I just need to make it into the new year, ask for my week's worth of vacation time left to take in February so I don't lose it and then after that get busy finding another job. With luck I'll find something better in time to actually *enjoy* the holidays next year. I need to keep in mind not to apply for sort of retail, call center or postal service jobs. Hmm, I wonder if universities still hire file clerks?
Christmas with my family turned out quite nice even if it was on the eve of Christmas Day instead of the traditional Christmas Eve. We had to move the celebration so everyone could be there which is the whole point of Christmas to my family so no regrets. There was a downside though - all that family get-together-ing is rather exhausting and even though I got to bed at a fairly reasonable hour, I wasn't well enough rested for what is traditionally the worst day of the year at work. And today definitely lived up to it's reputation. My first task of the day was to call a customer back to follow up on a repair ticket. The customer answered the phone and I introduced myself and the reason for calling. The customer then screamed "Suck my dick!" and hung up the phone. Well, the rest of the day didn't get much better and at one point I came very close to walking out the door and never coming back. But then I remembered it was the day after Christmas which has been absolutely horrible every year that I've worked there so I gritted my teeth and made it to the end of my shift. This was followed by the joy of standing in line at the post office for ages to mail an important item priority mail so apparently the day after Christmas is not such a good day for postal workers either. When I finally got home I was very glad that Rob had the foresight to purchase beer which meant there was a cold one waiting for me in the 'fridge. A few beers later and I now think that I can face the next stretch of craziness at work... I just need to make it into the new year, ask for my week's worth of vacation time left to take in February so I don't lose it and then after that get busy finding another job. With luck I'll find something better in time to actually *enjoy* the holidays next year. I need to keep in mind not to apply for sort of retail, call center or postal service jobs. Hmm, I wonder if universities still hire file clerks?
CHRISTMAS 2007-NOT SO HORRIBLE AFTER ALL IT TURNS OUT
On christmas eve,Ann and I made breakfast tacos for her work mates...45 of them.Three dozen eggs,two pounds of bacon and a bag o' shredded cheese.I made it long enough to cook the bacon and the eggs but fell asleep and missed out on the rolling up of the tacos.(damn:)).Season of giving vibe,check.Giving Ann a sense of christmas cheer,check.
In progress...
Baaaaconnnn....
And before we knew it, it was time to go to Ann's folks house.The kids and the grand kids were there,as were Ann's brother and his kids,so the house was filled with four generations of our extended families.
I got some laying about clothes and a most bitching LED flashlight from Ann's brother,in fact,all the grown ups got one.But the best gift of all was this.Are they not the most beautiful kids you have ever seen?Well,we think they are!I think it's called grandparent-itis.
And this.I would call this absolute joy.So,to re cap,tacos,flashlights,family,smiles.Hope your christmas was a joyful as ours turned out to be.
On christmas eve,Ann and I made breakfast tacos for her work mates...45 of them.Three dozen eggs,two pounds of bacon and a bag o' shredded cheese.I made it long enough to cook the bacon and the eggs but fell asleep and missed out on the rolling up of the tacos.(damn:)).Season of giving vibe,check.Giving Ann a sense of christmas cheer,check.
In progress...
Baaaaconnnn....
And before we knew it, it was time to go to Ann's folks house.The kids and the grand kids were there,as were Ann's brother and his kids,so the house was filled with four generations of our extended families.
I got some laying about clothes and a most bitching LED flashlight from Ann's brother,in fact,all the grown ups got one.But the best gift of all was this.Are they not the most beautiful kids you have ever seen?Well,we think they are!I think it's called grandparent-itis.
And this.I would call this absolute joy.So,to re cap,tacos,flashlights,family,smiles.Hope your christmas was a joyful as ours turned out to be.
Monday, December 24, 2007
The ever diminishing Christmas
The last four years I've worked on Christmas Day and each year it feels less and less like the Christmas I used to remember. The problem starts back at Thanksgiving which is another holiday that I have worked for four years now. Instead of Thanksgiving lunch at my mom's on Thanksgiving day, we go over there after I get off work for dinner. Dinner means I don't get to lounge around with the family in a post-feast haze because I have to get back home so I can go to bed and get to work the next day. Thanksgiving has shrunk from a two-day holiday to three hours spent at my parent's house. The food is still great, but I miss the afternoon time with my family and the get in gear for Christmas on the day after when I traditionally dig out the Christmas stuff and put up the outdoor lights. That hasn't happened for four long years and the holiday "season" has gradually faded. This year we put up some lights later in December but the wind blew down our wire tree and killed the string of lights that was on it. That was start of the death of Christmas this year. The unexpected doctor's bills killed off any chance of buying presents. My family will be receiving home-made Chex Mix this year. They say it's the thought that counts and I made two special low-fat, low-salt versions for my parents who are on restricted diets so there was some definite thought put into it. But it's not the gifts that make Christmas for me, it's the getting together on Christmas Eve. This year, for the first time in over 40 years we will not be doing the family Christmas on Christmas Eve. We WILL be having the family Christmas at my folks... just not until tomorrow evening after I get off work. And while that is a good thing, it's wasn't enough to keep me from shedding big fat tears tonight... on Christmas Eve... the first one I've ever spent without seeing my parents. I know I'm lucky to still have them here and I'm lucky to get to see them tomorrow. Some day that won't be an option and while I'll only have about 3-4 hours for Christmas visiting tomorrow (back to work the next day for me) I will make the most of it. But I'm still shedding tears over missing Christmas Eve, much to Rob's dismay. Sorry Rob, even though I know it's silly, I can't seem to turn them off.
The last four years I've worked on Christmas Day and each year it feels less and less like the Christmas I used to remember. The problem starts back at Thanksgiving which is another holiday that I have worked for four years now. Instead of Thanksgiving lunch at my mom's on Thanksgiving day, we go over there after I get off work for dinner. Dinner means I don't get to lounge around with the family in a post-feast haze because I have to get back home so I can go to bed and get to work the next day. Thanksgiving has shrunk from a two-day holiday to three hours spent at my parent's house. The food is still great, but I miss the afternoon time with my family and the get in gear for Christmas on the day after when I traditionally dig out the Christmas stuff and put up the outdoor lights. That hasn't happened for four long years and the holiday "season" has gradually faded. This year we put up some lights later in December but the wind blew down our wire tree and killed the string of lights that was on it. That was start of the death of Christmas this year. The unexpected doctor's bills killed off any chance of buying presents. My family will be receiving home-made Chex Mix this year. They say it's the thought that counts and I made two special low-fat, low-salt versions for my parents who are on restricted diets so there was some definite thought put into it. But it's not the gifts that make Christmas for me, it's the getting together on Christmas Eve. This year, for the first time in over 40 years we will not be doing the family Christmas on Christmas Eve. We WILL be having the family Christmas at my folks... just not until tomorrow evening after I get off work. And while that is a good thing, it's wasn't enough to keep me from shedding big fat tears tonight... on Christmas Eve... the first one I've ever spent without seeing my parents. I know I'm lucky to still have them here and I'm lucky to get to see them tomorrow. Some day that won't be an option and while I'll only have about 3-4 hours for Christmas visiting tomorrow (back to work the next day for me) I will make the most of it. But I'm still shedding tears over missing Christmas Eve, much to Rob's dismay. Sorry Rob, even though I know it's silly, I can't seem to turn them off.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
HAPPY HOLIDAYS?
What did you give as gifts this christmas?Spell check is telling me with that red underline that I didn't capitalize christmas. There it goes again. Like it hasn't been capitalized enough .
If I were to follow the adverts I've been subjected to on the TV for the last month or so I would have given several Lincoln Navigators, and a variety of diamonds as gifts,as well as some Target gift cards.Or maybe some BMW's.Yeah,that says merry christmas...A $40,000 automobile.I have that amount in my change pocket.
Please...
Nothing says I love you like a lincoln MKZ...And the family in the commercial that walks up on the lincolns...It's Jon Benet!!!She didn't die after all,she's trapped in a commercial for cars for christmas!
I went to jared...and killed everyone that was there.Materialistic assholes.
On the first day of christmas my true love gave to me...a lincoln M-K-Z...
On the second day of christmas my true love gave to me...one lincoln MKZ and some giant diamonds from Jared.
On the third day of christmas my true love gave to me...one lincoln cruising,giant diamonds shining and a sub prime catastrophe...
On the fourth day of christmas my true love gave to me...one lincoln running,diamonds a shining,mortgage a hemorrhaging ,and a cruise on the sandal wood line.
On the fifth day of christmas my lawyer gave to me...10 past due card bills,one defaulted mortgage,several taxes past due and a lincoln M-K-Z.
On the sixth day of christmas my true love said to me...it's time to leave the country.
Happy holidays!!!
Ha!
What did you give as gifts this christmas?Spell check is telling me with that red underline that I didn't capitalize christmas. There it goes again. Like it hasn't been capitalized enough .
If I were to follow the adverts I've been subjected to on the TV for the last month or so I would have given several Lincoln Navigators, and a variety of diamonds as gifts,as well as some Target gift cards.Or maybe some BMW's.Yeah,that says merry christmas...A $40,000 automobile.I have that amount in my change pocket.
Please...
Nothing says I love you like a lincoln MKZ...And the family in the commercial that walks up on the lincolns...It's Jon Benet!!!She didn't die after all,she's trapped in a commercial for cars for christmas!
I went to jared...and killed everyone that was there.Materialistic assholes.
On the first day of christmas my true love gave to me...a lincoln M-K-Z...
On the second day of christmas my true love gave to me...one lincoln MKZ and some giant diamonds from Jared.
On the third day of christmas my true love gave to me...one lincoln cruising,giant diamonds shining and a sub prime catastrophe...
On the fourth day of christmas my true love gave to me...one lincoln running,diamonds a shining,mortgage a hemorrhaging ,and a cruise on the sandal wood line.
On the fifth day of christmas my lawyer gave to me...10 past due card bills,one defaulted mortgage,several taxes past due and a lincoln M-K-Z.
On the sixth day of christmas my true love said to me...it's time to leave the country.
Happy holidays!!!
Ha!
Friday, December 21, 2007
OF OLD DOGS AND OIL FILLED HEATERS
This is Theo's corner...right by the heater.I saw the pic of Henry at Texas Oasis and just had to share.
This is Theo's corner...right by the heater.I saw the pic of Henry at Texas Oasis and just had to share.
THE CASE OF THE $217.00 PIZZA DELIVERY
On 18 December 2007,Ann and th'Rev ordered a pizzone and a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut on line.Our first indication that things were not right was the delivery time,120 minutes.It was early,and a Tuesday.
40 minutes later our order arrived,$13.50 plus a $2.00 tip (for driving around with pizza,probably smoking a joint,and walking 30 feet to our door,then back in the car,finish the joint and jam out to the hives or something).
This morning,Ann reviewed the bank statement on line and discovered that we had been charged $217.00 for our pizza.
$217.00!!!
She immediately called the bank and reported the error.Then she called me to share the news.Then she went back to bed.I did not not have that option since I was at work,and being that shit like this drives me insane,I had no choice but to share it with everyone that came into my field of vision.I even told the story to wetbacks on the elevator that don't speakee the englaise.
I called pizza hut when I got home to rip them a new one,but the manager was so nice and so apologetic that try as I might,I could not muster the asshole inside.I just told him what happened and asked him to ask his people to not be so fat fingered with the keypad.
Our bank was able to resolve it today and at midnight the money will be credited back to our account.
A small example of dumbasses at work and quality customer service (gasp!) coming to the rescue.
And now we can say we ate $217.00 worth of pizza at one time!
On 18 December 2007,Ann and th'Rev ordered a pizzone and a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut on line.Our first indication that things were not right was the delivery time,120 minutes.It was early,and a Tuesday.
40 minutes later our order arrived,$13.50 plus a $2.00 tip (for driving around with pizza,probably smoking a joint,and walking 30 feet to our door,then back in the car,finish the joint and jam out to the hives or something).
This morning,Ann reviewed the bank statement on line and discovered that we had been charged $217.00 for our pizza.
$217.00!!!
She immediately called the bank and reported the error.Then she called me to share the news.Then she went back to bed.I did not not have that option since I was at work,and being that shit like this drives me insane,I had no choice but to share it with everyone that came into my field of vision.I even told the story to wetbacks on the elevator that don't speakee the englaise.
I called pizza hut when I got home to rip them a new one,but the manager was so nice and so apologetic that try as I might,I could not muster the asshole inside.I just told him what happened and asked him to ask his people to not be so fat fingered with the keypad.
Our bank was able to resolve it today and at midnight the money will be credited back to our account.
A small example of dumbasses at work and quality customer service (gasp!) coming to the rescue.
And now we can say we ate $217.00 worth of pizza at one time!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
THE MYSTERY PACKAGE
Today in the mail we got a package from the hideout,a comedy improv place here in Austin.Inside there was no note,no card...just the fourth season of Trailer Park Boys on DVD.
This is a Canadian show about the shenanigans of some guys that live in a trailer park.It's directed by this guy Mike Clattenburg.Which just happens to be our last name,I have relatives in Canada and Nova Scotia,so we might be related.Considering the low brow humor,the trailers and the drugs I'd say we are.
The show is fucking hilarious!But...where did it come from?As in,who would send us such a thing?
We think we have an idea.
If it was you,we love ya sista!If it wasn't,we still love ya and are perplexed.
Tomorrow is the crews pot luck christmas lunch for which I have made a pan of super honey cornbread and a pan of super jalapeno cornbread.There will be smoked turkey and a number of sides prepared by the guys wives no doubt,except for the turkey,which is provided by our resident BBQ freak...the man can cook on a grill,except for that pork roast a few months back that oinked at you when you sliced it!But we forgive him,Jack Daniels and all you know:)
As the job winds down, the crew shrinks weekly...folks are moving on and we are reduced almost to the core crew,the guys that will bring the tower of evil home,the guys that have been around for awhile,and some new up and comers that pack the gear to hang around for the next project.If there is one.If not,we will see each other at the hall.
Today in the mail we got a package from the hideout,a comedy improv place here in Austin.Inside there was no note,no card...just the fourth season of Trailer Park Boys on DVD.
This is a Canadian show about the shenanigans of some guys that live in a trailer park.It's directed by this guy Mike Clattenburg.Which just happens to be our last name,I have relatives in Canada and Nova Scotia,so we might be related.Considering the low brow humor,the trailers and the drugs I'd say we are.
The show is fucking hilarious!But...where did it come from?As in,who would send us such a thing?
We think we have an idea.
If it was you,we love ya sista!If it wasn't,we still love ya and are perplexed.
Tomorrow is the crews pot luck christmas lunch for which I have made a pan of super honey cornbread and a pan of super jalapeno cornbread.There will be smoked turkey and a number of sides prepared by the guys wives no doubt,except for the turkey,which is provided by our resident BBQ freak...the man can cook on a grill,except for that pork roast a few months back that oinked at you when you sliced it!But we forgive him,Jack Daniels and all you know:)
As the job winds down, the crew shrinks weekly...folks are moving on and we are reduced almost to the core crew,the guys that will bring the tower of evil home,the guys that have been around for awhile,and some new up and comers that pack the gear to hang around for the next project.If there is one.If not,we will see each other at the hall.
Missed my calling?
A customer I was talking to this morning remarked that I had a voice that should be on the radio. It's not the first time I've heard this and and it's usually from someone who works directly in the radio business. Too bad they always live way up north where I don't want to move or I might ask them for a job even though that would be a very inappropriate thing to do. I might be a stickler for policy, but even I have weak moments at times and the thought of new job... well, our regular readers know just how much I love my current job. In fact, I had a customer about six months ago that went to great lengths to explain why I should be on the radio after I professed my disbelief and did offer me a job, but I didn't pay too much attention as it was just the usual "banter" that goes on with a customer while we wait for their computer to reboot. But after today, a particularly bad day at work, I wish I had paid more attention. Not that I want to run off to be a radio announcer - that doesn't appeal to me at all. I got to thinking though that someone has to record all those annoying customer service messages we listen to every time we call a company. Such as, "A corded phone can be a lifesaver in an power outage, be sure to ask your customer service representative about purchasing a corded phone from Company X." Who does those? A voice actor? Is there such a job? Could I do it? Would I even want it? I don't know. But it's something to think about.
A customer I was talking to this morning remarked that I had a voice that should be on the radio. It's not the first time I've heard this and and it's usually from someone who works directly in the radio business. Too bad they always live way up north where I don't want to move or I might ask them for a job even though that would be a very inappropriate thing to do. I might be a stickler for policy, but even I have weak moments at times and the thought of new job... well, our regular readers know just how much I love my current job. In fact, I had a customer about six months ago that went to great lengths to explain why I should be on the radio after I professed my disbelief and did offer me a job, but I didn't pay too much attention as it was just the usual "banter" that goes on with a customer while we wait for their computer to reboot. But after today, a particularly bad day at work, I wish I had paid more attention. Not that I want to run off to be a radio announcer - that doesn't appeal to me at all. I got to thinking though that someone has to record all those annoying customer service messages we listen to every time we call a company. Such as, "A corded phone can be a lifesaver in an power outage, be sure to ask your customer service representative about purchasing a corded phone from Company X." Who does those? A voice actor? Is there such a job? Could I do it? Would I even want it? I don't know. But it's something to think about.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
A LONG TIME AGO,IN A LAND FAR, FAR AWAY
There was this band called the Jesus Lizard,born out of the ashes of Scratch Acid,which was born of the 80's punk rock explosion in Austin Texas.Back when music capitol of the world meant something more than a hook for tourism and money hungry organizers .
While this film is from CBGB's,It captures the sound and the fury of a noise that was born here.
One of my favorite bands...enjoy.
There was this band called the Jesus Lizard,born out of the ashes of Scratch Acid,which was born of the 80's punk rock explosion in Austin Texas.Back when music capitol of the world meant something more than a hook for tourism and money hungry organizers .
While this film is from CBGB's,It captures the sound and the fury of a noise that was born here.
One of my favorite bands...enjoy.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
FEAR THE "HUCKABOOM"
(click to enlarge)
Republican hopeful Mike Huckabee is experiencing what his staffers are calling a huckaboom.A surge in the polls in Iowa.This is the guy that says women should submit to their husbands in marriage.This is the guy who is an ordained southern baptist minister.
Reminds me of a joke:
Why don't southern baptists make love standing up?
Because they are afraid people will think they are dancing.
Seriously,this guy can say something like that and he surges in the polls?
The narrow minded intolerance of southern baptists should be enough to submarine this guy,but no,he's gaining ground instead.Why is that?Well,part of it is he has no problem lying,in fact,lying is a tenant of the church he belongs to I think.It sure seems that way to me,growing up around them and all,but what do I know?
I wonder if he's holding out on busting out the poisonous snakes until super tuesday?
"I can handle these snakes and they do not bite me!Vote Huckabee in '08 or burn forever in holy damnation"!
Could it be a yet unseen consequence of global warming?As the temps rise,the ability to think rationally diminishes?
Who knows?
We're on an express elevator to hell...
(click to enlarge)Republican hopeful Mike Huckabee is experiencing what his staffers are calling a huckaboom.A surge in the polls in Iowa.This is the guy that says women should submit to their husbands in marriage.This is the guy who is an ordained southern baptist minister.
Reminds me of a joke:
Why don't southern baptists make love standing up?
Because they are afraid people will think they are dancing.
Seriously,this guy can say something like that and he surges in the polls?
The narrow minded intolerance of southern baptists should be enough to submarine this guy,but no,he's gaining ground instead.Why is that?Well,part of it is he has no problem lying,in fact,lying is a tenant of the church he belongs to I think.It sure seems that way to me,growing up around them and all,but what do I know?
I wonder if he's holding out on busting out the poisonous snakes until super tuesday?
"I can handle these snakes and they do not bite me!Vote Huckabee in '08 or burn forever in holy damnation"!
Could it be a yet unseen consequence of global warming?As the temps rise,the ability to think rationally diminishes?
Who knows?
We're on an express elevator to hell...
Friday, December 14, 2007
WELL CUT MY NUTS OFF AND START CALLIN' ME PEGGY
My phone rings around mid morning and I recognize the number as my docs office.Of course,I stop what I'm doing and answer.It's my docs nurse with the results of my blood work.I brace myself....
"Your fasting sample was normal,at the one hour mark it was slightly elevated,at the two hour mark it was normal.Your triglycerides are down from last time,and your (unintelligible) is also down from last time.You have (garbled) diabetes and doctor recommends exercise,weight loss and a low cholesterol diet".
I reply with:"But if I have diabetes shouldn't I come in for a med consultation and start taking meds"?
She responds:"you don't have diabetes, you are pre diabetes".
What...the...FUCK???
I ask about my recent symptoms and am informed that I have to see the doctor about that.
He can see me January 8th.Apparently,he's not that concerned.
And after that,I felt fine.No dizziness,no head rushes this afternoon,as has been the norm for about two weeks now.
While I should be jumping for joy at the news,I am not.Relieved to be sure...but just what in hell was going on with me?Was it a hard adjustment to my blood pressure meds?Do you have symptoms when you are pre diabetes and way over do it on the sugar and pork?Did I have a virus?Was I just stressing myself out and creating these symptoms with my mind?
I'm going to keep following the new path I'm on health wise as it seems to be the common sense, I want to continue living choice.
But,damn...just damn.
My phone rings around mid morning and I recognize the number as my docs office.Of course,I stop what I'm doing and answer.It's my docs nurse with the results of my blood work.I brace myself....
"Your fasting sample was normal,at the one hour mark it was slightly elevated,at the two hour mark it was normal.Your triglycerides are down from last time,and your (unintelligible) is also down from last time.You have (garbled) diabetes and doctor recommends exercise,weight loss and a low cholesterol diet".
I reply with:"But if I have diabetes shouldn't I come in for a med consultation and start taking meds"?
She responds:"you don't have diabetes, you are pre diabetes".
What...the...FUCK???
I ask about my recent symptoms and am informed that I have to see the doctor about that.
He can see me January 8th.Apparently,he's not that concerned.
And after that,I felt fine.No dizziness,no head rushes this afternoon,as has been the norm for about two weeks now.
While I should be jumping for joy at the news,I am not.Relieved to be sure...but just what in hell was going on with me?Was it a hard adjustment to my blood pressure meds?Do you have symptoms when you are pre diabetes and way over do it on the sugar and pork?Did I have a virus?Was I just stressing myself out and creating these symptoms with my mind?
I'm going to keep following the new path I'm on health wise as it seems to be the common sense, I want to continue living choice.
But,damn...just damn.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
THE FOUR (EH, EIGHT) STICK TEST
I went for my blood work this morning,right out of the bed practically.The sticking began at 7:30am,it was fasting blood work.I was doing pretty good until the nurse (no phlebotomist,he was suppose to be there)couldn't find the mark.
I fucking hate needles and blood work in general,it was hard enough to work myself up to four sticks,and I ended up enduring eight from two different nurses.For four tubes of blood.
Jeez.
I've begun the process of dismantling and reassembling my diet.I've drastically curtailed my drinking.I feel a bit better as a result,and this morning was the final hurdle.After the results come in it'll be another consultation and meds and then quarterly visits to evaluate my situation.
Ann's had some ear issues this week as well and went to the doc.So what ever FOTCR funds we had will go to bills and not that we give a fuck about christmas beyond getting together with family,the grandkids will get their christmas from us in february when I can draw on my vacation fund.
Ahhh...life in prosperous america,land of the sick and the poor.:P
I went for my blood work this morning,right out of the bed practically.The sticking began at 7:30am,it was fasting blood work.I was doing pretty good until the nurse (no phlebotomist,he was suppose to be there)couldn't find the mark.
I fucking hate needles and blood work in general,it was hard enough to work myself up to four sticks,and I ended up enduring eight from two different nurses.For four tubes of blood.
Jeez.
I've begun the process of dismantling and reassembling my diet.I've drastically curtailed my drinking.I feel a bit better as a result,and this morning was the final hurdle.After the results come in it'll be another consultation and meds and then quarterly visits to evaluate my situation.
Ann's had some ear issues this week as well and went to the doc.So what ever FOTCR funds we had will go to bills and not that we give a fuck about christmas beyond getting together with family,the grandkids will get their christmas from us in february when I can draw on my vacation fund.
Ahhh...life in prosperous america,land of the sick and the poor.:P
Sunday, December 09, 2007
JAM
Oh, yes it was,Annabelle has a hangover this morning,that's how much fun we had.You can see us here makin' la musica!
This here's the surviving members of our first band way back in 1984...Left for dead.we rocked.
Gimme that telecaster strum bitch...
Wolve's@th'Door:LT,Badger,Annabelle,And th'Rev...A band...god dammit...a family.
Last night fucking ruled,I can't explain to you how much it meant to me to have these people here...making music...taking time...
I'm smiling even now.
Oh, yes it was,Annabelle has a hangover this morning,that's how much fun we had.You can see us here makin' la musica!
This here's the surviving members of our first band way back in 1984...Left for dead.we rocked.
Gimme that telecaster strum bitch...
Wolve's@th'Door:LT,Badger,Annabelle,And th'Rev...A band...god dammit...a family.
Last night fucking ruled,I can't explain to you how much it meant to me to have these people here...making music...taking time...
I'm smiling even now.
Friday, December 07, 2007
TOGETHER AGAIN
Tomorrow the Wolves reunite at clubspit central for an evening of acoustic jamming under the carport/front porch.There will be BBQ and adult beverages and a lot of noodling around.I've got a new song I've been working on on my own called Mockingbird,it's about our dearly departed rock star,Mark.I've got the guitar part down,but the lyrics are still in progress.It's hard not to get teary eyed working on them,Mark called his daughter(?) mockin' bird.I'm interested to see the direction it takes as a band piece.
Mostly,I have a lot of work to do tomorrow...break out the house drum kit for Bill and clean it up,clean the car port out and off and some housework that mostly involves removing dog hair and junk off the floors in the living room, kitchen and bathroom.Gotta hook up the track lights under the car port,after I remove this summers wasp nests from them and dispose of/move out of the way a bunch of junk.
I've got 8 or so hours to pull this off...should be all good.
Not so freaked out about the diabetes thing any more.Just needed that brief window of self pity and to blurt out my worst fears to Ann.BW's comments were helpful as well.
And besides,I'm tough as fucking nails...I can dance under water and not get wet-HA!
We probably won't have audio of tomorrow,but definitely pictures.
Stay tuned.
Tomorrow the Wolves reunite at clubspit central for an evening of acoustic jamming under the carport/front porch.There will be BBQ and adult beverages and a lot of noodling around.I've got a new song I've been working on on my own called Mockingbird,it's about our dearly departed rock star,Mark.I've got the guitar part down,but the lyrics are still in progress.It's hard not to get teary eyed working on them,Mark called his daughter(?) mockin' bird.I'm interested to see the direction it takes as a band piece.
Mostly,I have a lot of work to do tomorrow...break out the house drum kit for Bill and clean it up,clean the car port out and off and some housework that mostly involves removing dog hair and junk off the floors in the living room, kitchen and bathroom.Gotta hook up the track lights under the car port,after I remove this summers wasp nests from them and dispose of/move out of the way a bunch of junk.
I've got 8 or so hours to pull this off...should be all good.
Not so freaked out about the diabetes thing any more.Just needed that brief window of self pity and to blurt out my worst fears to Ann.BW's comments were helpful as well.
And besides,I'm tough as fucking nails...I can dance under water and not get wet-HA!
We probably won't have audio of tomorrow,but definitely pictures.
Stay tuned.
YAWN
I've spent the last week rediscovering a feeling I first discovered in my teenage years. It's a general feeling of boredom that I experience even though I have plenty of stuff that could be done or needs to be done. Nothing sparks any sort of excitement. There's no passion, no drive and I know that sounds a bit like depression, but there is a distinct difference between the two. There's no sadness here and it's more of a feeling of being on hold or stuck in some sort of temporary stasis. This sort of thing used to drive me crazy, but I haven't had one of these spells in a very long time. And this time I'm not letting it get to me. I'm just going to sit back and endure it gracefully because in a few more days, weeks or months something is going to grab my attention and I'll be back to my usual obsessive self. Remember, I'm the person that spent my vacation burning 600+ CDs to the hard drives of our computers and enjoyed the project. I'm secretly hoping it will be housework this time because this house could definitely use attention. But hell will probably freeze over before that happens.
I've spent the last week rediscovering a feeling I first discovered in my teenage years. It's a general feeling of boredom that I experience even though I have plenty of stuff that could be done or needs to be done. Nothing sparks any sort of excitement. There's no passion, no drive and I know that sounds a bit like depression, but there is a distinct difference between the two. There's no sadness here and it's more of a feeling of being on hold or stuck in some sort of temporary stasis. This sort of thing used to drive me crazy, but I haven't had one of these spells in a very long time. And this time I'm not letting it get to me. I'm just going to sit back and endure it gracefully because in a few more days, weeks or months something is going to grab my attention and I'll be back to my usual obsessive self. Remember, I'm the person that spent my vacation burning 600+ CDs to the hard drives of our computers and enjoyed the project. I'm secretly hoping it will be housework this time because this house could definitely use attention. But hell will probably freeze over before that happens.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
EVACUATION
Somebody busted a natural gas line this morning and they evacuated the entire building for 45 minutes.Then it turns out that George just farted...just kidding,this was for real,with haz mat trucks and fire trucks and the police redirecting traffic.All in all,an exciting morning.
Haven't posted in a couple days cause well,I've been flat on my back in the bed feeling miserable.I went to my doctor on Monday and when he looked at my injured foot with mystery toe bruising busted out my chart and showed me the upward progression of my glucose levels over the years and it appears that I have finally arrived in diabetes type 2 ville.
The symptoms are very disconcerting...especially the blood sugar head rushes and dizziness.
It was a struggle at work today to stay for the whole shift,but I did.
I've been doing research and had a very enlightening talk with one of my coworkers today about my other symptoms,which match his almost identically prior to his diagnosis.
It can be easily controlled,which is good,but it seems that my life is going to radically change (overdue change,to be sure) and soon.
Hell,it already has.
I'll keep you posted.
Somebody busted a natural gas line this morning and they evacuated the entire building for 45 minutes.Then it turns out that George just farted...just kidding,this was for real,with haz mat trucks and fire trucks and the police redirecting traffic.All in all,an exciting morning.
Haven't posted in a couple days cause well,I've been flat on my back in the bed feeling miserable.I went to my doctor on Monday and when he looked at my injured foot with mystery toe bruising busted out my chart and showed me the upward progression of my glucose levels over the years and it appears that I have finally arrived in diabetes type 2 ville.
The symptoms are very disconcerting...especially the blood sugar head rushes and dizziness.
It was a struggle at work today to stay for the whole shift,but I did.
I've been doing research and had a very enlightening talk with one of my coworkers today about my other symptoms,which match his almost identically prior to his diagnosis.
It can be easily controlled,which is good,but it seems that my life is going to radically change (overdue change,to be sure) and soon.
Hell,it already has.
I'll keep you posted.
Monday, December 03, 2007
DANCE THE GHOST WITH ME...
New Wolves viddy at you tube.I spent a lot of time this weekend napping as opposed to drinking.Don't get me wrong,there was some drinking involved,just not the usual amounts of the past,and the naps were so much more refreshing.And I had these dreams...bright and colorful and not at all scary.I'm glad I took four days off.
It's been cool...calls and emails from England and Canada,visits from local friends (one with cookies!).
My favorite part of this song is at the end when a friend brings his daughter up for some hearing loss and some up close and personal guitar magic.
I feel like a lucky man.
Here's Blackout...enjoy.
New Wolves viddy at you tube.I spent a lot of time this weekend napping as opposed to drinking.Don't get me wrong,there was some drinking involved,just not the usual amounts of the past,and the naps were so much more refreshing.And I had these dreams...bright and colorful and not at all scary.I'm glad I took four days off.
It's been cool...calls and emails from England and Canada,visits from local friends (one with cookies!).
My favorite part of this song is at the end when a friend brings his daughter up for some hearing loss and some up close and personal guitar magic.
I feel like a lucky man.
Here's Blackout...enjoy.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
MY BEST FRIEND...
I had hoped to post a wolves video here for your enjoyment tonight,but circumstances got in the way.So we'll do it tomorrow.But I was laying in bed with Irene and her head on my stomach,cradled against my body and I was lying there in the dark thinking this is my best friend ever as far as dogs go.
She understands complicated commands with ease.It's amazing.I've had many dogs and loved them all for a number of reasons,but I've never had a dog so human as my beenz.
She goes with me everywhere and we have conversations. beyond sit and stay.I know yer thinking I'm crazy,but it's true.
Irene is like that monkey that knew sign language.
I'm serious.
I had hoped to post a wolves video here for your enjoyment tonight,but circumstances got in the way.So we'll do it tomorrow.But I was laying in bed with Irene and her head on my stomach,cradled against my body and I was lying there in the dark thinking this is my best friend ever as far as dogs go.
She understands complicated commands with ease.It's amazing.I've had many dogs and loved them all for a number of reasons,but I've never had a dog so human as my beenz.
She goes with me everywhere and we have conversations. beyond sit and stay.I know yer thinking I'm crazy,but it's true.
Irene is like that monkey that knew sign language.
I'm serious.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
One of many reasons why I've never moved away
It's December 1st and we are sitting on our front porch cooking burgers on the grill, both of us barefoot and Rob's in shorts. If it wasn't dark already you might think it was the perfect spring evening with temperatures in the low 70's and a bit of moisture in the air from the recent rain. Never mind that it was freezing at this time of night a few days ago and most likely will be again in a few days. For now, it's great and we are definitely enjoying the moment. Here's hoping your Saturday night was just as grand in what ever form or fashion that might take.
It's December 1st and we are sitting on our front porch cooking burgers on the grill, both of us barefoot and Rob's in shorts. If it wasn't dark already you might think it was the perfect spring evening with temperatures in the low 70's and a bit of moisture in the air from the recent rain. Never mind that it was freezing at this time of night a few days ago and most likely will be again in a few days. For now, it's great and we are definitely enjoying the moment. Here's hoping your Saturday night was just as grand in what ever form or fashion that might take.
Oddballs of the neighborhood
Today was a half-day at work, only 4 hours. This meant I left work before I was super-stressed and, trust me, if I could afford to only work part-time then I would since it's a great way to survive this crazy job. Some jobs just shouldn't be done 40 hours a week (at least by me) and this is one of them. But enough about work. The original plans for this afternoon were to replace our outdoor lights which are technically "Christmas lights", but we keep them up and on year 'round. We've got one string with a short in it so they haven't been on at all for a few months while we waited for the stores to get their Christmas stocks out on the shelves and put them on sale. I swear they make these strings of lights crappier every year because they used to last two years or more and they don't even make a it whole year now. The swap was originally scheduled for the weekend after Thanksgiving, but it rained the whole time. We rescheduled for today and guess what? Yep, it's raining again. It's kind of funny since the rest of the neighborhood houses are festooned with lights and ours is dark. This is the complete opposite of how it is the rest of the year when our house is the only one with lights. If I didn't miss the lights so much, I'd leave them off until the rest of the folks took theirs down just to further cement our reputation for being unconventional. But I do miss them - having lights across the front porch and carport of our house is a tradition we started soon after as I moved in and living here is just not as fun without them. And I have come to believe that is it the little things that make you smile which add up to create overall happiness so I want to get this one back ASAP.
Today was a half-day at work, only 4 hours. This meant I left work before I was super-stressed and, trust me, if I could afford to only work part-time then I would since it's a great way to survive this crazy job. Some jobs just shouldn't be done 40 hours a week (at least by me) and this is one of them. But enough about work. The original plans for this afternoon were to replace our outdoor lights which are technically "Christmas lights", but we keep them up and on year 'round. We've got one string with a short in it so they haven't been on at all for a few months while we waited for the stores to get their Christmas stocks out on the shelves and put them on sale. I swear they make these strings of lights crappier every year because they used to last two years or more and they don't even make a it whole year now. The swap was originally scheduled for the weekend after Thanksgiving, but it rained the whole time. We rescheduled for today and guess what? Yep, it's raining again. It's kind of funny since the rest of the neighborhood houses are festooned with lights and ours is dark. This is the complete opposite of how it is the rest of the year when our house is the only one with lights. If I didn't miss the lights so much, I'd leave them off until the rest of the folks took theirs down just to further cement our reputation for being unconventional. But I do miss them - having lights across the front porch and carport of our house is a tradition we started soon after as I moved in and living here is just not as fun without them. And I have come to believe that is it the little things that make you smile which add up to create overall happiness so I want to get this one back ASAP.
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