Monday, March 31

The end of March - Monday

Whew. I am tired today. The Wife and I were up and out too late last night, and I have just been dragging all day today. But we did have a good dinner out at Olive Garden, and then we hit the pub where I was able to serenade her a few songs.

The daughter came back earlier than expected on Saturday, so she and I ended up going out to see a movie. "The Spiderwick Chronicles" was okay. It is definitely more a younger kids movie. Then we went home and the daughter cooked supper for her & I. It was pretty damn tasty too.

The golf tournament Saturday was fun. I had a very lousy game, but the weather was so nice, I didn't care so much.

Welp, it is Monday and I am trying to make up my mind if I should just go home and get to bed early, or do the regular steak night at the pub. I think the bed is going to win. Three hours and I will make up my mind.

PeacE

Friday, March 28

Picture from the Past

I was over at my little sister's myspace page, going through her photos. My nephew is sure getting big! Anyways, I came across a pic she had posted of my dad. It was one I had not seen in many years, and was taken I think in the early '80s. This was all before he came down with the brain tumor.



I sure do miss him alot these days. I feel bad that he never got to meet my Wife, or see any of his grandchildren. My little sis was about 2 when he passed away - I was 13. I sure do see many similar characteristics in my boys though. And the name lives on.

PeacE

Friday before a big weekend

Another Friday has come and a busy weekend to boot. At least I will have had a couple quiet nights to prepare. Spent last night at home and watched a couple movies. “Delta Farce” was definitely not as funny as I had hoped it would be. Then I sat down and watched “The Seeker: The Dark is Rising” with my oldest son. He enjoyed it, but it was bit far fetched for me. Tonight I will be headed home and probably watch a few episodes of “Numbers”.

The daughter has been out of town since Thursday on a trip to Anaheim for her Drama class. They are going to Disneyland today for a 2-hour clinic, and then have the rest of the day to enjoy themselves. She is due back tomorrow late afternoon. About the same time the Wife is going to a wedding. I have a golf tournament in the morning then was going to spend the afternoon at the pub, but I have to pick the Daughter up now. Sunday is the regular schedule: softball (if I wake up) and then the pub for steak breakfast and Nascar.

Sunday is also the 17th anniversary for the Wife & I. With the plans we have, it looks like we may not celebrate it this year. That, or maybe just do a dinner later in the week. Seems hard to believe it has been that long, and four kids to boot. She is definitely a good woman, and I probably don’t deserve her, but we are stuck together now.

Work is slow again today with it being Friday. I am hoping to get out of here a bit early, but am not expecting it. So I’ll be sitting here most the afternoon reading some ebooks. Hope y’all have a good weekend and I’ll see ya back on Monday!

PeacE

Hmmmm, about par for the course I guess

Stolen from Ambulance Driver

The Blog-O-Cuss Meter - Do you cuss a lot in your blog or website?
Created by OnePlusYou - Free Online Dating

I wonder what sort of word list they use to determine a cuss word?

Better yet - What would Dick's blog come up with score-wise if it was still around....

Thursday, March 27

Hurry up and get here weekend

I stayed out too late last night. Boy, am I feeling it today. I am just dragging my feet doing anything.

On a good note - I have beef stew for lunch. And some white chocolate macadamia nut cookies for dessert. I know that will require some extra work out in the morning.

The company is definitely changing names somewhat. The attempt is being made to use another company that charges less percentage to do loans, but requires stricter guidelines as to how they want things. Which means I will need to learn a new software program for the loans. They also require an 800 # that references nothing of our company name, and has to be answered a certain way. the boss gave me one of the phones to start answering, even though I have not had the training on the new system yet. Intelligent, eh?

Welp, I am off to heat up lunch.

PeacE

Wednesday, March 26

Some more Humor for the day

Guts or Balls...

There is a medical distinction. We've all heard about people having guts or balls, but do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definitions are listed below:

GUTS - Is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: ''Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?''

BALLS - Is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt and having the balls to say: ''You're next, fatty.''

I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions. Medically speaking, there is no difference in the outcome, since both ultimately result in death.

A Joke for Wednesday

WARNING: if you are offended in any way, shape or form, from any content listed here, you shouldn't be here anyways. But regardless, the following is a racial joke and if you can't handle it - leave. I don't have the time to waste arguing with your dumb ass.

A zebra dies one day and meets St. Peter at the Golden Gates.

"St. Peter," says the zebra, I have always wanted to know, am I white with black stripes or black with white stripes?"

"I cannot answer that question for you, but enter into Heaven and ask God when you find him, says St. Peter.

So the zebra enters Heaven and has a wonderful time walking around. After awhile he comes across God and approaches him with his question.

"God, would you tell me what I am. Am I white with black stripes or black with white stripes?"

God looks down, smiles and says "YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE."

The zebra thanks God and wanders away to think it over and define the wisdom of God's words. After some time, he comes across St Peter again.

"Did you find God and ask him your question?" asked St. Peter.

"Yes, I did. But I still cannot determine whether I am white with black stripes or black with white stripes."

"Well," asks St Peter," what was the words of wisdom God gave you?"

"He said 'YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE' and nothing else."

St Peter scratches his chin for a moment. "Well there you have it. You are white with black stripes."

"But St Peter," exclaims the zebra. "How can you determine that from that small phrase?"

"Easy. If you were black with white stripes, God would have said 'YOU IS WHAT YOU IS."


Man, I never get tired of telling that joke. Of course, that leads right into my other favorite joke:


Two morticians were working on a body one day when one turns to the other and says "You should have been here yesterday."

"Why is that?" the other asks.

"This girl had a clitoris that was like a pickle!"

"It was green and bumpy?"

"No. It was sour."

You just have to love sick shit like that. I love when I tell them and everyone just groans. Must be some kind of characterism that is twisted in me.. or maybe not.

So what is the exciting thing going on today? Nada. Been chatting the last half hour (and still in process) with a future Sis-in-law possibly. My brother ScottyB up in MT has proposed recently to a lady in NM. So she and I have been emailing, and now, texting thru messenger for the past week or so. She sure seems to be a nice gal, and has a good sense of humor. At least she laughs at my jokes - maybe she is just being polite. you figure it out. Either way, they are working on tings to see if it is going to work out. That is some good news.

What else? Oh, I lost in poker again last night. About the 7th hand, I decided I just didn't feel like playing, so I went "all-in" and lost. I went back to the bar and finished Jonathan Kellerman's "Dr. Death" and went home.

Got up this morning and made it to the gym for a workout. My calves were finally back to feeling normal, but I went easy and did the upper body and only rode a couple miles on the bike. They finally got a scale there and so I weighed myself. Now when I first started all this stuff, it was November. I weighed in at 325 pounds, and had a waist of 56 inches (at the navel level, not were most guys wear their pants). Today, I weighed in at 310 and I know I have lost at least 3 inches off the waist. Since Nov, I also have dropped a shirt size (no more XXX sizes - not movies though), I have punched holes in the belt twice - about ready for another one. My shoulders and arms definitely show that they are starting to get a bit toned-up. Damn, I feel good about that! I might be under 300 by Summer!! Time for a new Speedo!!! NOT!

Welp, I guess this is enough BS to keep ya going for a bit. I am off to heat up lunch - some pasta concoction the Wife made last night. Smelled okay when I opened the container this morning, so I took it. Y'all have a good one and come back sometime!

PeacE

Tuesday, March 25

The Event of the Summer is Approaching

The money has begun to change hands. Forms have been mailed. The website has been reviewed and calendars are being marked. Plans are slowly falling into place. That's right, the event that happens every summer is approaching, though not as quick as I would like.

What event, you ask? No, not the dreaded family vacation (I don't think I will be having one of those this year). No, no trip to Mexico. This July brings us - OTL!!!

For those of you that do not know what OTL is, read about it here. San Diego is preparing for us!

So I paid of Simo for the Circle of Champions tent. He gave me a pat on the back and told me he hoped I would live up to the standard - of reserving the table for them all day, I ask. No, the standard of drinking enough for all of our guys to make sure we got our money's worth. I think I can handle that. I mean, c'mon - the past two years I have drank them out of Bourbon and probably would have drank them out of Scotch if it lasted any longer.

Now all I have left to take care of is the airline ticket, and the hotel room. Then of course there is the issue about spending money for food and the bars. I know I will be at the Beachcombers a good portion of the time there. That is over at Mission Bay, for anyone interested. Joe, the owner, loves it when we come to town.

So anyone going to be in the area July 11-14 we can meet up for some brewskis at the Beachcomber. I'm all excited, and it is still 3 1/2 months away. ::sigh::

Anything else going on here? Welp, there is poker tonight. I might as well go and lose again. Thank goodness it costs nothing but the drinks. Hell that's more than I would probably lose as it is.... not!

Normally this would be EOM for me, but I am trying to only get maybe 1 more deal in this month, so no pressure. I have been able to complete most books I have bought, and include about 3-4 more I am reading online. Makes me tired come the end of the workday. If only I could easily get another job making a comfortable amount... we all say that, don't we? Oh well....

PeacE

Monday, March 24

Looking for a wheelchair cuz I am lazy

Glad to see you are back after stuffing yourselves at family dinners yesterday. I actually was good for a change. I didn't drink my lunch, and I only had 1 plate of food. Gotta watch them calories ya know. That way I wouldn't have to do extra time at the gym.

Which is why yesterday and today, I was looking for a wheelchair. I guess I was a bit over energetic Friday on my workout, and my calves are hurting pretty good. Flexall 454 and ibuprofen don't seem to help much. I hope by tomorrow they won't hurt as bad. I must have really overdid it, and no idea how I could not have known. So if ya see a heavy guy walking across the parking lot pretty funny, and you are in Phoenix, it may be me.

Nothing exciting happened this weekend. It ended up being pretty mellow. I see most of this week being he same, so posting may be slow.

I am out to find something to make content here.

PeacE

Friday, March 21

A Reason to be Happy

Welcome to Good Friday. Of course, I like to think of all Fridays as good. Some are even great!

Let’s start off by thanking all those that participated in the IMDB meme that I threw up. I found out that there are a few bloggers out there that share some similar interest in movies. Of course, there are a few of you out there that share the same interest in books as well. I went ahead and plugged in the answers in RED for those quotes that were not completed.

Easter weekend is here and many of us, I am guessing, are going to be having family dinners on Sunday. I know my family is getting together at my sister’s place for the afternoon. I know she is planning an Easter egg hunt in her backyard for the kids. I am in charge of dessert for the meal, so I guess I will run by the store and pick up a pie and some ice cream. Thought about making my Cherry Delight, but just not in the mood.

I finally got my ass back into the gym this morning. With things being so slow at work, I have just had the blah-tiredness of doing nothing, that when I leave work, I don’t feel like going there. So I figured if I start getting up just a bit earlier in the morning, I can do a work out and head to work. This was the first morning I made it up and out of bed in time to go. My Step dad was surprised to see me walk in the gym. He was just finishing his work out. Overall was not a bad thing. I found out I can wait about another half hour prior to going though – I made it to work an hour early. No sense wasting more time at the office if I don’t need to.

Condolences out to Jeff for the passing of his father. A big high five to GuyK for his continued recovery on the shoulder. I bigger high five to Sweetthing for dealing with his ornery ass during this time. Who else can we throw some link-live too? How about Hoosierboy – he has a nice little story today at his place. Added a new link for Anthroslug – brother to the Death Chic. Hope everyone traveling is having a good time – Richmond, Dash and Yabu. I know I am forgetting a few of you like Freddie, JB, and Dazd – and many more. Just click all them blogs on the list.

PeacE

Wednesday, March 19

A Late post for Wednesday

I am a bit later than normal in getting my post up today. I have nothing of major interest, and saw the IMDB Movie Meme floating around so I figured I would do it as well. So I started this morning, but got sidetracked throughout the day that I am just now finishing it up. But before we get to that, I noticed today I have my first commenter that hates my blog. Can you frickin' believe it? And he had the audacity to post something that he hates it. I tell you, I must be getting up in the world of blogs for that to happen! Thank you all!

Now off to the meme - good luck! EDIT: I'll leave this open until Friday noon AZ time - see if any others can play.

Look up 15 of your favorite movies on IMDB.
Take a quote from each and post them for your readership to properly identify.
As your movie-savvy readers correctly identify the quotes’ cinematic origins in the comments, strike out the quotes and name the commenter who answered correctly.
If the commenter also identifies the name of the speaker (the character or the actor), he or she gets bonus points in the form of a link to his or her site.Simple, huh?
OK, let’s see what kind of Movie Buff you are. Oh, and no fair using IMDB or other Internet-related sources. It’s more fun if you try to figure these out from memory:

1. “If any of you sons of bitches calls me grandpa, I'll kill you.” Credit to Dick - from "We Were Soldiers" - Sgt Mjr Basil Plumley (Sam Elliott)

2.“Squeeze the trigger, don't yank it, it's not your dick.” - Marlboro Man (Don Johnson) in "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man"

3.“There's a time when a man needs to fight, and a time when he needs to accept that his destiny is lost... the ship has sailed and only a fool would continue. Truth is... I've always been a fool.” - Ed Bloom (younger & older - Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney) in "Big Fish"

4.“If you're thirsty, a drink will cure it, if you're not, a drink will prevent it. Prevention is better than a cure." - Mandy Nicholls (Alison Eastwood) in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"

5.“Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.” Credit to Jerry - Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) in "Bull Durham"

6.“It means: Be advised. I'm mean, nasty and tired. I eat concertina wire and piss napalm and I can put a round in a flea's ass at 200 meters. So why don't you go hump somebody else's leg, mutt face, before I push yours in.” Credit to Hoosierboy - from "Heartbreak Ridge" by Gunny Tom Highway (Clint Eastwood)

7. "Sun don't shine on the same dog's ass everyday, but, mister you ain't seen a ray of light since you got here.” Credit to Jerry - Opal Fleener in "Hoosiers"

8. "This place has a sign hangin' over the urinal that says, "Don't eat the big white mint." - Wade Garrett (Sam Elliott) in "Roadhouse"

9. "You make me want to be a better man.” Credit to Jerry - Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) in "As Good As It Gets"

10. "First I get my name in the phone book and now I'm on your ass. You know, I'll bet more people see that than the phone book." - Navin Johnson (Steve Martin) in "The Jerk"

11. "Well, if you're waitin' for a woman to make up her mind, you may have a a long wait.” Credit to That 1 Guy - The Preacher (Clint Eastwood) in "Pale Rider"

12 "You know, Phillip, you have a goddamned red, white and blue American right to eat cotton candy and ride roller coasters." - Robert 'Butch' Hayes (Kevin Costner) in "A Perfect World"

13. "Any man with a collection like this is a man who's never set foot on a battlefield. To him a minié ball from Shiloh is just an artifact. But to a combat vet, it's a hunk of metal that caused some poor bastard a world of pain.” - General Irwin (Robert Redford) in "The Last Castle"

14. "You want to compare brainpans? I won the Westinghouse prize when I was 12, big deal. Published at 19, so what. I got a double doctorate from MIT at 22, Chemistry and Geology. I taught at Princton for two and a half years. Why do I do this? Because the money's good, the scenery changes and they let me use explosives, ok?" Credit to Mark - Rockhound (Steve Buscemi) in "Armegeddon"

15. "Name a shrub after me - something prickly and hard to eradicate." - Credit to Hoosierboy - Capt. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) in "Master and Commander"

Tuesday, March 18

Whiskey River take my mind

How does everyone feel today after celebrating being Irish (or not) on St Patty's Day? Myself, I awoke fairly refreshed and ready for work - well, more so than usual anyways. I decided last minute (meaning on the way home from work) to go ahead and stop at the pub. At first I wasn't going to go out due to the number of amateur drinkers, plus the likely hood of increased police patrols and stops. But I figured if I was a good boy, it would be okay. So I had my steak, and a few drinks and didn't stay out late.

I was curious as to the number of DUI related encounters the police would report, but have not been able to find anything online as of today. Normally after a holiday that involves drinking they post it all over the place. The important thing is I am not one of those numbers, again.

Today is a Spring Fever day. It is barely noon, and I want to get the hell outta of the office. Beautiful clear blue sky and temps in the 70's with just a slight breeze. My kids are on spring break this week, and I am sure they are taking advantage of this weather - wait. These are my kids I am talking about. They are more likely spending time playing on the computer than anything else. Good thing Grandma makes them limit their time allowed on the computer each day.

I am in the process of finishing my last purchase of books. I had picked up 5 last Friday - or was it Thursday? Anyways, I got two Jonathan Kellerman novels "Dr. Death" and "Rage", plus 3 Robert Parker books. Parker is the author that created the "Spenser for Hire" series. Plus one of his books came in from the book club over the weekend as well. so out of six books, I am down to 2 now to finish. I got a couple boxes from work to start packing up all the books I have read to take down to the used book store, but I am lazy enough I haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Half of the books are in the car, the other half in the house. Plus I have to try and remember which ones I haven't lent out to a couple friends that I know will want to trade off some books as well.

Other than that, no rants, raves, or other bitching for you to enjoy today. I am just going to sit here and stare out my window, occasionally looking at the time so I can get more depressed because it isn't running fast enough. Only 5+ hours until I can get out of here and head to the pub for poker night. ::sigh:: Good note though, if she remembers, or reads it here, my friend Sailyn is to possibly appear at karaoke time. Even though I goofed and forgot to look up the song she wants to sing ... I forgot. Bad Ralphd00d! No biscuit!

Y'all have a good one - we'll see ya later! Drop a comment or something - I'm a whore for attention.

PeacE

Monday, March 17

Let's get it started on a good note

Seems it is the beginning of the week again, and here I sit wondering what is going to actually be accomplished. I would say normally I would be trying to recover from the weekend, but it was pretty mild considering what I thought was going to be going on. Saturday's tournament was cancelled until the 1st of next month, so that ended up being a free day. I did get a book read during the afternoon whilst at the pub though. Sunday the alarm clock didn't get set correctly by the Wife, so I ended up missing the game. But my driver in the Nascar pool came in 2nd - so I will be winning some cash.

Here are some funny pics to get you smiling so your day doesn't end up all that bad.



I wonder how much this plumber charges per hour?

Like realtors say, it's all about location, location, location!

Alrighty, that's all I got at the moment. I maybe back with more later - not sure. If not, tomorrow is another day!

PeacE

Friday, March 14

It's Friday, and I am content - sort of

I am so happy it is Friday. Seems like this week has dragged even with the 50 action going on yesterday. I am sitting here having lunch of leftovers from last night. Nothing like some good Porcupine Meatballs to fill the ol' belly up!

Tomorrow is going to be a long afternoon. I am entering a video golf tournament again for a chance at $200 for first. Last couple months it has been a team play effort, but tomorrow it is going to be a singles play. I stand a better chance playing single I think. More winner's cash too.

Sunday is the regular softball thing - if I decide to get out of bed. Last week I did not go, and they lost 16-1. Yeah, they got their ass kicked. This week they are playing the same team again. Go figure. Then of course, after the game there is steak at the pub and Nascar.

My bosses are weird. I have worked for them over the past 7 years through 4 company name changes, 5 locations, and one "lay-off". I spent two hours this morning in a phone/web demonstration for a new company we are going to be doing some loans through. Afterwards, they were discussing with me the benefits, workload, compatibility, etc etc of this new loan software and procedures required vs. our current setup. Basically, they are putting me at the wheel for this new company as far as the workload goes. Me, who they were possibly talking of letting go at the end of February. I don't get it. Now they are adding more responsibility to me, and nothing to the other processor. Yeah, sort of helps with the job security a bit. The bosses are also talking about if we do several deals with this other company, and it works good, just changing our whole office over. So another name change. Plus I would have to spend time instructing all the LO's how to use the new software and the new requirements.

::sigh::

Work is definitely becoming a roller coaster ride - and I am not crazy about roller coasters.

Alrighty, I am still working on my blog list. If you want to be added let me know.

PeacE

Thursday, March 13

Ya Gotta Watch Out For The Cops!

For a Thursday, things started out pretty good this morning. I awoke feeling like I had gotten enough sleep, I had plenty of time to get to work, and things were running smooth.

Until about 9:20. That's when the police officer came walking by my office window. Huh?!? I mean, that side of the building has no doors only windows, that face out to a water retention area. So I am watching him walk by and he stops outside my window next to a scrawny tree. Next he holds up one of them one eye binoculars (or mini-telescope - whatever) and begins watching this apartment complex across the way.

Since I was so tremendously busy catching up on my regular email, I too helped him look, though I didn't have the advantage of a magnifying device. I couldn't see anything going on. I wondered if it was for a dope deal, or a gang thing, or just monitoring for a supposed felon. After about 5 minutes or so of looking and talking on the radio, he finally headed back out towards the parking lot. I have been eyeing over towards the apartments and still see no action going down - no police cars pulling up or patrolling.

Makes me wonder what kind of neighborhood is our new office located in. Before, it wasn't real bad. I used to live about a mile from where we are now, and rode my bike past here everyday for school. This was before the businesses or the homes were built up like they are now though. We are talking like 20 years ago. Hell, half the freeways in Phoenix weren't around then....

So it is Thursday, and nothing exciting is happening. Eight hours until work is over. Nothing on my desk at current moment. Guess I should get moving on reading the blog list. Speaking of the blog list, I noticed some of the sites are no longer around. I will be editing it throughout the day and into tomorrow. If I missed you on my list, let me know and I will add it.

PeacE

Edit: It is almost 3 here now and no major bust has gone down. There was a white van that cruised off and on for hours earlier. Plus other marked patrol vehicles would drive by about every half hour. Enough that I would think someone would notice. Looking over there now, it appears there mught be some flashing lights, but with the covered parking, and distance (I am looking west into the sun sort of) it is hard to tell. I haven't seen any patrolling for the last 30 minutes or so, so maybe they did the bust...

Tuesday, March 11

430

I swear today feels like it is a Sunday afternoon, except I am not at the pub watching Nascar. The office is pretty quiet - no phones ringing, no sales talk being performed. Everyone is back from lunch, and like me, just seeming to vegetate in front of the monitors. Myself, I am trying to not fall asleep reading an e-book I have had for awhile.

Tonight is poker night, which will then led into karaoke. I don't know why, but after a couple hours of drinking and cards, suddenly I am singing. Must be the ambiance of the pub, right?

Here is some humor for blog content today!


This one is for Eric ...

PeacE

Monday, March 10

Payday Monday and It is done gone already

Gotta hate a payday like that. Money is all gone before it is even deposited. Y'all know what I mean. We all been to this spot too many times before in our lives. Welp, we know it will get better, hopefully by next check.

It is only March, but the guys have started making plans for the OTL tournament this July. I put in my order for the Circle of Champions tent. Once again I am sure I will be reserving the table. Wonder if I can get the same arrangement as last year, but better pics.... Either way, I know I need to start saving my money for the flight/room/meals and of course drinking. San Diego is SOOO nice in the summer!!!

My friend Ginny is one many people from the Midwest that have come out here to AZ. In fact, I raz about it all the time because she is from Ohio. Yeah, and she's likes Ohio teams for college, but Chicago for MLB and NFL. Shows ya how the Ohio-ans are messed up in the head. Anyways, here is here below with yours truly back several weeks ago. It was dark since it was at the pub. And if I remember right, caught me by surprise.

Anyways, she had gone home for Christmas season to - where was it... Dayton I think. Or that area. She had mentioned about my blog here and about how I occasionally put up pics of beer and boobies to fit the headline. One of her friends named Theresa had said to "Put this one there!" and below is the result. I don't know if you can click to embiggen or not. I am pretty sure they are bigger than they appear.
Okay, I got the name dropping done, so two people from Ohio can be happy today.

Saturday I played poker and ended up 9th out of about 20 people. No payout to me, but it was good to make the final table before going out. I got home late enough that I was too tired to make the softball game Sunday morning, but did make it to the pub for steak and Nascar. Of course, my guy in the pool didn't place so no $$ for me. But Jr. did get third at least.

The rest of today is going to be rather slow I feel. Three hours until I can head to the pub for steak dinner and some reading time. The morning flew by pretty quick as I had to catch up on a weekends worth of blogging done by everyone on the list.

Guess that is about all I got for now. See y'all later on!

PeacE

Friday, March 7

Wheels are turning - Mind is burning

First off I want to say thank you for the nice comments about how wonderful and cute my kids are. Thank goodness they look mostly like their mother!! Speaking of the Wife, I did find a picture that she would not be too embarrassed about me posting. This is one of us together from Christmas of 2006. As you can tell, I been trying to lose weight for awhile. And yes, that is a Jack Daniels in my hand. I am glad I decided to let my hair grow back in this year.

Tomorrow would be my Dad's 60th birthday if he were still walking amongst the living. I sure miss him. For those of you that don't know, and might actually care, Dad passed away in 1985 due to a fight with a brain tumor. I was 12 when he passed away. His brain tumor was not natural. In 1968-1969 Dad had served in Vietnam in areas where Agent Orange was used. Years after service, it finally affected, or rather grew to where it was affecting him almost 30 years later by forming malignant tumor in the left frontal lobe of his brain. He was operated on in early 1984 where they removed a portion of the brain about the size of a adult fist/medium sized grapefruit. Dad fought for a year using Chemo, radiation, and medicines. This was back when the big thing about cancer was coming around, and they knew little compared to what they know now.

Dad has been resting these past 20+ years in Frankfort's Greenlawn Cemetery, ending a cycle that started in that same town in 1948. I am proud to carry my Dad's name on, and able to pass it to my oldest son, in honor of my father.

Being how it so close to Dad's bday time, I slapped together a little piece of a memory I recall over at my story site. Not great stuff, but a little something I remember of him. Click here to view it.

In the meantime, I've got a poker party to attend tomorrow afternoon over in Chandler (S of Phx) at a friend's place. Sunday brings on softball and Nascar. Tonight I think I will do a gym session and head home. I have a couple DVDs to watch with the family. "Meet the Robinsons" and the newest "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". Plus disc 5 of "Stargate Atlantis" season 3, and disc 1 of "Numbers" season 3.

Y'all have a good weekend, and I'll be back with more later on!

PeacE

Thursday, March 6

Nothing to write today - enjoy the picture show

My shoulder is sore today, but I was able to get a good workout in last night. I had to lighten up on the weights a bit, and ride the bike a few more miles, but I think I got a good burn. It sure feels good to get back in the gym!

No main topic of conversation sounds good to me today, so instead I am going to share some pics from the ol' camera from the latest download to the computer. Of course, the pics are about one of my favorite subjects - my kids!

This is my youngest son on his 2nd birthday this past February. As you can tell, David loves dinosaurs. You got to love his hair color. It is a golden boy blond color that neither the Wife nor I have ever had.

Here is David again one day when he awoke from a nap. He has these curls naturally on top of his head that makes us call him our Kewpie Doll. Like the scratch on the side of his nose? Well, thank one of his siblings for swinging a stick and whacking him with it. Both this one and the next older boy had problems being on the receiving side of sticks ( and other things) being swung.

Here is David again, doing his best to follow in his Daddy's footsteps and sing karaoke. Notice we combed the curls out of his hair.


This is my oldest boy and namesake. This was from Christmas day whilst we were at the Reverend Mother's place to exchange gifts. Wonder if we should have given him away as a gift with that bow on his head.... Ralph IV here is 9 years old.



This is my middle son, Nathan. He is 5 and in kindergarten this year. The leaves are from the grandparents house, sometime between Christmas and New Years. See how green it is in AZ in the winter?



Here is the recent photo with all 4 kids. Bethany is 16, Ralph 9, Nate 5, and David just now 2. And now to really scare you ....

Here is a quick one of me at Christmas. I have lost probably about 10 pounds since this picture. This pic may not stay up too long....
Either way, that is all I have today. I need to get some updated photos of the Wife so I can put one up here sometime.
PeacE






Wednesday, March 5

What a beautiful day

I am just now back from a short lunch hour in which I spent sitting outside reading the current book at hand. It's is wonderful outside with a temp in the 60's, a slight breeze, and nothing but blue skies and sunshine. The green grass outside my office window looks particularly bright and alive. This is almost a complete Spring Fever day for me. I definitely would not mind skipping work and be found kicking back at the park with a book and some lunch. Another month or so and it will start to be too hot to do these type of things. Instead I would be looking for the comfortable place that has the best air conditioning.

After almost three weeks of not going to the gym, I make my grand re-appearance tonight after work. I had injured my supraspinatus (rotator cuff muscle) back near the end of last year, in which it had healed up by the time I joined the gym. Three weeks ago, I have no idea of what I did, but it was re-injured. It is still a bit sore when doing certain movements, but I think if I go easy on exercises, and maybe lower the weight a bit, I should be alright. At least it may help in getting it back into shape. I know the rest of me needs to get back in shape. I feel like I have put on a good portion of the weight I had lost, and it's time I lose that and more. New meaning to no pain, no gain" even though it is more of loss what I am looking for.

My buddy Smitty gave me a couple bags of books this last weekend, and saved my life. I had resorted to re-reading some of the many books I need to get to the bookstore fro trade-in. Currently I am reading one by Pat Conroy called "Beach Music". Coming from my buddy I figured it was a mystery/thriller, but being halfway through, I would say it is more telling of a story, and makes me wonder how will it end. Very well written so far. I might have to check out more of this author's works.

Played some Texas Hold'em at the pub last night and ended up 5th out of just over 20 players. Gained some more points to help get me to the Tournament they are playing in April. Would be nice to win that one. Have another game set for Saturday at another friend's place. I even talked one of my buddies that he would buy the beer Saturday, if I did not show up at the pub the rest of the week. Easy bet. More time to go to the gym as well.

"Piddlefarts"

I am still snickering about that one. Go read today's entry at Freddie's blog. And check out some of the other good reads in my blog list on the side. You know you want to. Do it.

PeacE

Tuesday, March 4

This arrived in my e-mail

I received this in my morning batch of spam-laden emails. I had a nice snicker or three whilst reading, thought some of you might enjoy!

GLORIOUS INSULTS

The famous exchange between Churchill and Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband, I'd give you poison," and he said, "If you were my wife, I'd take it."

Gladstone, when Prime Minister, to Benjamin Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."
"That depends, sir," said Disraeli, "On whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy." Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." Winston Churchill

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?" Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." Moses Hadas

"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." Abraham Lincoln

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." Oscar Wilde

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." Stephen Bishop

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one."
George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one." Winston Churchill, in response.

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others." Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." Paul Keating

"There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure. Jack E. Leonard

"He has the attention span of a lightning bolt." Robert Redford

"They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." Thomas Brackett Reed

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." Billy Wilder

Monday, March 3

Check out the new digs!

The move of the office has been completed for the most part. At least, the major manual portion that I had to complete is done. Fax capability is not available yet (of course I need it today), but the server and phones seem to be okay, aside from the various emails stating there is no answer when they call. Go figure. It almost makes me feel like we are one of those 'fly by night' companies they way things happen when we move, why we move, and the frequency. This makes 5 times in the past 6-7 years that I have been working for the same owners.

Aside from that, my new digs are pretty cool. Some of the best office space we have rented in these past years. I have my own office again (with door that can be shut & locked). The west wall is nothing but a large 3 panel window, with blinds. So, window and door - very cool. My own space, so I am not sharing an office (like before). Large desk with two chairs (shorter than mine) across from me; my own filing cabinet (for what I am not sure of yet); and the view of a water retention area. Yes, I said retention area. Since we are directly next to the Loop around the north of Phoenix, they have these areas for when it mass pours during the monsoons. At least it is green & grassy, with a couple trees & flowers on the side of the building. It beats being a parking lot or better yet, no window.

Friday was obviously spent in hours of manual labor and several trips between the offices. There was some 'professional" help in breaking down desks, moving, and putting them back together. Unfortunately, my desk was not put together until over the weekend. I spent the first hour of today setting up everything and unpacking. Now I just need to get a fan in here (it's freaking warm) and maybe a couple nice cheap pictures to hang up.

Saturday was spent most of the day in soreness. Friday I had worked hard enough, it felt like 4 separate workouts at the gym. Out of 10 employees, only 5 did the moving. Everyone else had screwed around and left early. I hoped they would lectured today, but not to my awareness. Sunday we had a double header in softball - lost the first, but won the second. Then I spent the afternoon at the pub watching the race, which neither my driver, or the driver in the pool won. By the time I got home I was whipped, so headed to bed. By 3am, I was awake and did the 15 minute naps until 7 when I finally gave up and arose from bed. I am feeling a bit tired than normal at this time (mid afternoon), but should be okay.

Its good to be back and see all your blogs. I spent a good portion of today catching up from the weekend. I need to get back to some fresh work that just came in, but wanted to be sure to tell y'all welcome back! Maybe have some good stuff later on!

PeacE