That Time of Year Again

Today marks the final day of the year. I sit here and try to think about what has been so great (or not) about the past 12 months, and really can't seem to recall anything that stands out. I got a job. The Daughter graduated secondary school. we all got another year older. I am sure there are other very important things I am forgetting at this moment.

 Blogger has been acting funny for me of late. When trying to write a post, if I am not in HTML style, it won't let me type. But in HTML, I can't do line breaks - or at least, I don't the script for it. Pressing "enter" just isn't working. I may have figured it out now, but it still makes it a bit of a pain in the ass.

Tonight nothing special is going on for our household. The boys are staying home today since I am off work, instead of going to the MIL's as they usually do. Maybe I will take them out to lunch ... maybe I won't. We usually don't go anywhere for this night, to avoid the drivers who may (or may not) be intoxicated. No sense in pushing one's luck. I have a few movies downloaded, so maybe there will be one we will watch tonight. Tomorrow the plan is to do lunch at Sis', as RM's tradition of ribs is so dang tasty. And coleslaw. I love me some good home made cole slaw.

Well, I suppose since my coffee cup is now empty, my things to share are, too. Hope you all bring inthe new year in a way that makes it enjoyable. I'll prolly be asleep by 11.

PeacE

The Week of Rest In Between

Here we are, starting the week of being In-Between holidays. Many people have a few of these days off. Some of us don't. I will be back to work today. Not that I mind it. Yesterday seemed to be a pretty good day for my family. The kids got enough stuff that made them happy, plus some new clothes to wear. I ended up at home to go to bed about 6'ish. I was just beat. We were over at the MIL's and I had the Wife drive me the half mile home so I could go to bed. The Wife had had a nap that afternoon. I guess I should have tried to take one as well. Shrug. Slept through until almost 8 this morning. Feel pretty good for catching up on that sleep. I have the funky work schedule this week, which means i will be working Saturday, just to help make sure I get my 40 hours. I also have to work Saturday night at the second job, so I can keep my 'employee status' which gives me discounted prices on food and drinks at the pub. Saving money where I can! Blogger working kind of funky this morning. I read over at RM's blog about how to had to get a post started several times before it letting her type. I had a bit of the same problem as well. Switching to HTML seemed to work, for the moment. Edit: Nope, it ain't working right. Crams everything into a paragraph. Alright, I got other things to do before work. PeacE

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas.

Well, one would hope it is merry, I guess. I am the only one awake at this hour in my house. I woke the Wife when I woke up, and tried to clarify what the plans were for the day. All I was able to decipher was that this year, nothing is going the way it has in the past. So I get to run solo a bit today. Rather, I am choosing to run solo.

The Wife doesn't want to wake the kids until 8'ish, so I got an hour plus to kill. Then I guess we are going to RM's, then home again. Her family isn't getting together until the afternoon, which is hours after what we usually do. I may run to my Sis' instead of going to the MIL's. Haven't figured it out. Maybe I will just go to the bar.

Hope you are having a good one, even if you took the time to come by here.

PeacE

Another Christmas Eve

It has come to that time again, the one I dread. Christmas Eve is here, which means I won't get to sleep until early tomorrow morning. The Wife usually spends most of the night wrapping gifts, on our bed. Kind of hard to sleep with all the paper cutting, taping, etc going on.

I am off work today. Meeting up with Preacher Tom this morning for breakfast, then going to try to get some shopping finished up. I need to return a couple items, replace them, and look for a few other ideas. Of course I am not REQUIRED to do all this, just would make me feel less guilty. I will probably end up at the pub at some point this afternoon for a little bit.

Hope everyone has a nice holiday tomorrow.

PeacE

Wacky Days

My boss gave me a weird schedule for the next couple of weeks. With Christmas and New Year's on Wednesdays this year, he is trying to avoid me having to deal with extra traffic on the Eves. Thus, I get Tuesdays off, but he is wanting me to work on Saturdays, so I get my hours in (I'm an hourly employee). Soooo, that means I get to work the next two Saturdays, from about 10 am until I get my route done. Bonus is, I can leave a bit earlier than the "usual time" like on most weekdays. We only have a half crew that work every other Saturday (of the guys I deliver to) so it won't be a problem meeting up with most of them if I start earlier. Just sort of worried about the ones I can't meet up with. Will have to figure it out as I go along I guess. It is only for a couple weeks, but also the EOM/EOY for the company, so it is important to get the paperwork back to the shop in a good timely manner.

Needless to say, we had a mandatory meeting at 7am this morning. I usually don't go into work until about 11'ish, but I had to be at this meeting. So was there early and no sense in driving 30 miles back to the house to sit for an hour or so, and go back again. I went out to Denny's for breakfast (one is fairly close to the shop), read for a bit, and fueled up the truck, before returning to work at 10:30. From there, I did get through traffic a bit better tonight. I am guessing many people have taken next week off (for those that can) and traffic was light for a Friday. I am hoping to have better time tomorrow, too, with even less traffic. Thankfully I don't drive near any major shopping malls.

The Wife is in Tucson tonight, helping the Daughter move stuff. I guess they did smaller stuff and boxes today. Tomorrow they have a couple pick-up trucks to move the bigger stuff. At least it is only a 1-bedroom, and not a ton of crap ... like if we were to move from our house.

Oh well, I am tired and am crashing now. May be a few days until I am back.

PeacE

Remembering Friends

The other day I was mentioning about how I was missing my buddy Smitty, and then yesterday morning I found out another friend had passed away. Puppy (his nick, because his dad's was Dogg) was in a motorcycle accident. I haven't heard an official 'what-happened' but the story relayed to me was a woman in a car had pulled out in front of him, he swerved to miss her, and ended up losing the bike, laying it down. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a helmet. I've known Puppy for years, and lifted quite a few drinks with him. No, he had not been drinking at the time of the accident. Another downer for the holiday.

I'm still groggy this morning (yes, even at this hour) and don't have much to share. Too busy thinking about other things. It reached 82 yesterday, and set a new heat record for the Valley. Joy. It was warm enough, I turned on the AC in my truck for part of the route. It's to cool off to the mid 70s today, and upper 60s by the weekend.

The Wife is talking about going to Tucson this weekend to help the Daughter move. I ain't going. I found out yesterday that they want me to work Saturday, and are adjusting the day I deliver parts so that I have Tuesday off (Christmas Eve) as they feel it will be busy with extra traffic and they would rather me not drive. Yeah, I don't get it either. I think they are setting up for New Years Eve, so I am not out. I don't know though. Sucks I have to work the next Saturday or two.

PeacE

Another Boring Day

Tuesdays feel like a left-over Monday sometimes. That feeling that you don't want to get out of bed, or do anything. I have it bad this morning. At least the next couple of weeks won't require the early wake up to get the oldest son to school for band.

Maybe it is the weather that is making me feel all blah. It was a nice mid 70s yesterday, and is expected to stay in the 70s until Friday, then a slight chance of rain. I don't recall it being so warm here, even in December, but it is in the average range for us.

Okay. It is that bad. I can't think of anything else to write about this morning. Maybe I should just go back to bed for a couple hours.

PeacE

Christmas Spirits

Wow. I just re-read what I posted last night. Gee, I couldn't tell I had a few Christmas spirits yesterday... But I have no regrets. I spent some time last night remembering some great times I have had around this time of year with friends. I always looked forward to the Christmas party Lynn & Smitty would have each year. To open their home to friends and family, and share some fun with all. I miss Smitty. While having bloody marys yesterday morning, my buddy Jan brought up how he misses Smitty, too. They would go out the week before Christmas to do their shopping together. He said it just isn't the same anymore, even though this year he is taking his granddaughter out with him.

I'm getting all depressed now thinking about it. On tho better things.

The boys are in their last week before being released for a couple weeks. The oldest one has finals this week. The Daughter is moving to a new apartment come this next weekend.

I got nothing else today.

PeacE

Another Post About The Holiday

Christmas is still a ways off. We aren't even within a week of it, and I so want it over. RM emailed a possible solution, about having us over the Sunday evening before the holiday, and do a little "Christmas together" then. Mostly due to my last post, I think she offered this. I called her, and said, in short ( and I am para-phrasing) no f-ing way! Regardless about how I feel about it, it is more for my kids, and they can do it all on that day. Okay, maybe I am not being totally clear at this moment, but, yeah, that is pretty much how it was. Stuman and Sis can take that option, but for me and mine, not a choice. If I have to spend the time to find presents, or whatever, then it is going to happen on that day, not before. No matter how easy that may be!

Yeah. Good chance I am being a bit pissy about it. I don't care. I got other things on my mind.

I spent 45 minutes giving an acquaintance a ride home tonight. Someone I have known for several years. He has recently come into some problems, and pretty much 'let himself go'. Tonight, giving him a ride home, I spoke up, and let him know what I thought about the whole thing. Then I get the whole sob story about how he has cancer, blah, blah, blah. Frankly, I am tired of cancer. I am sure those that have it, are more tired of it, moreso than I am hearing about it. I am sick of having it used as an excuse, whether they truly have it, or not.

My Dad died from cancer. I've lost close friends to it. I've got family, close and not so close, that have it, died from it, going through treatments for it, have had it go into remission (and come out again), and been completely free from it after treatment (and extensive prayer, if that works). In this day and age, it is almost like, if you don't have some form of cancer, you are not human. And if anything makes you feel bad, just say you have some form of it, and everyone should kiss your ass.

 Well, fuck that. Cancer sucks. You can't always beat it, but humanity has developed ways to detect it earlier (for some forms of), and treat it (some forms), and make it go away, or into remission. GREAT!

This acquaintance tonight, that I gave a ride home to, admitted that he has cancer. Basically, that is why he has been such a fucking ass of late. He has lost his job, quit taking care of himself, and become the "moocher" from hell. On our ride to his house tonight, I shared my opinion. Hey, I earned my title of ASSHOLE years ago. Tonight, he learned why I earned that.

 By the time we went about a mile, he was crying. And stopping in front of his home, I told him basically to get over it. Yeah, you got cancer. No, it is not debilitating at this time. Yes, you are pissing off your friends by playing that card. No, we are not going to go out of our way for you, especially when you look like shit, smell like shit, and do nothing but be a drunkard that deserves nothing. Get a damn haircut, shave a bit, though the mustache is coming in good, but look presentable.Quit looking and acting like a piece of shit.

Some people need someone to tell them this ... to show they care a bit if nothing else. It was my way of saying I care. I noticed he wasn't taking care of himself. He's not part of my "Best Friends Ever" circle, but has been around with us (friends of mine, and I) for a few years, but no one wants to say anything. Was I out of bounds? Maybe. Did he need someone to tell him that? Maybe. It is possible, that because I said all that, he may put a gun to his head and pull the trigger. That made me feel guilty ... for about 15 seconds.

I ain't God. I ain't even Morgan Freeman.

Now I wonder why I care enough to do that, when I fucking hate most of humanity.

Damn, I need a psych doc.

PeacE

A Pathetic Grab Bag of Thoughts

I don't have anything really to write about today (do I ever) so I guess it is going to just some random stuff.

Today is Friday, the thirteenth. That means only 12 more days to spend all your money on gifts no one will care about in three weeks. Either that, or they will be eaten, digested, and flushed by then. Going a few years (and then some) I sort of remember vague things about my first Friday, the thirteenth. I was young (duh) and was just beginning to learn/understand superstitions, and whatnot. I was a little more observant about what was going on around me that day. Nothing bad happened, but I did stay away from mirrors and ladders. That I can ever recall, nothing has ever happened to me on these rare, dated Fridays, and I have been through quite a few.

Speaking of Christmas coming soon, I have not finished shopping. This weekend will be spent at the gift  card center of our local grocery, or maybe Walgreens, deciding which one to get for whom. I suck at trying to find gifts that a person would like. I hate shopping - even for myself. I'd just soon not get anything, than have to feel like I need to respond in kind with a gift. But it is another way to conform, I guess. People get their feelings hurt if they don't get something, and then I have to hear about it in some way, shape, or form.

Not sure what exactly our plans are for Christmas. Usually we end up doing our family, then the go to the MIL's, then to the Reverend Mother's, then home to rest. RM blogged this morning that she is thinking (not planning) to maybe do it differently this year, but I don't know. By the time we get to her place (I think around 11-12) I am beat. I feel cranky, tired, and just ready to end the day and go have a beer. Sure, I sort of like the looks of gladness (if any) when someone opens a gift they really like (if any). Sure, I like being together with family (sort of ... well ... ). If I was wasting a day of my week, I don't know if this would be my first choice of a way to do it. I mean, spending money on a bunch of presents, and traveling "all over the world" seemingly to get it everything to everyone .... sigh.

Have I mentioned before how much I don't care for holidays? Especially the commercial ones?

Now I am bummed out thinking about all that crap. I should go watch a movie or something.

PeacE

Awww, Man

I am pretty sure I have stated before about how fairly easy my job (for me). How often is it that someone ends up in a job where they have it easy and they like their job?

That being said, I screwed up last night. I accidently left a part with a different tech than the one it was to go to. The problem with that, is that I did not know which tech, and didn't realize it until near the end of my route. Turns out that it was left at the one before that stop, and they were working on meeting up to exchange. But I messed up, and it bothered me all night. Sure, an easy little mess-up, but it ruined my evening and I am pretty sure it caused me to sleep as bad as I did, since I was worrying about it.

So I am relieved that the problem is getting resolved. Maybe I should get a nap before work. I don't know.

PeacE

Snifflin' Sick

Over the past couple of weeks, the people in my office have been dropping due to a cold that is going around. Like most offices, when one person gets it, it slowly does the circuit once, sometimes twice, before fizzling out. It always takes the person a day, or two, at home to feel better to return to work. I notice most of those 1-2 days is in the middle of the week, like an extra weekend ... but I am not accusing anyone of faking it. One person I work with stated yesterday as they were leaving that they felt a cold coming on, but there was that sly look ( I thought) as if they were just saying that to take the day off. I don't know. I always looks at the negative side of things.

Speaking of colds, I do wonder if I may have a touch of it. This morning I woke with the sniffles. You know, that irritating runny nose. I feel no other symptoms though, so I think it is just my allergies. It has been a little windy the past few days, and as usual, it takes a day or two to kick my allergies into gear after windy days. I popped my pill just a few minutes ago, so will take a bit to see if that is what is going on.

Monday our company had an insurance meeting. I guess it is open enrollment time, et cetera, et cetera. I declined as the insurance through the Wife's employer is better. I am still waiting my probation review. It's only about 3 weeks late. My boss though, is one of those ones that is always on the move, and sometimes requires trips out of the shop to other shops/warehouses/etc. so half the time he isn't even there. I should probably leave him a note asking about it.

PeacE

Hello AZ Winter

It got damn chilly last night. Enough that I almost rolled up the window while driving my route last night. Almost. To make some of you a bit more jealous, and state how much of a wuss I am, it was only down NEAR freezing, with only the outlying areas of the Valley supposedly reaching a degree or two below freezing (32 degree F). It may have been only the upper 40's when I thought of putting the window up, but then I was back in town, and didn't. What is nice, is that the news is saying it is to return to the low 70s daytime temps as of the middle of this week.

The oldest son made the school district's Honor Band this past weekend. Of course I did not hear about it, and had to schedule things around a Saturday afternoon concert, but I did make it. It may be one of the few I am able to attend this year due to my hours at work. The middle son has a concert Thursday night for their school's Christmas thingy. I won't be making that one.

Sunday was The Wife's birthday, where she finally catches back up to me in age. But she looks better. Luckily the weekend before II had a chance to get the boys out and find some gifts. Now I need to figure out what to do about Christmas for her. All the ideas I had are now used up. Beside the commercialism of the holiday (oh, that is all for another post later on) one of the things I hate most is feeling like I HAVE to get something for people, and then trying to figure out WHAT. That, and I hate shopping. Don't be surprised if everyone I have to buy gifts for, get gift cards.

Did I mention I hate shopping?

PeacE

Working On The Weekend

Hello 5 am. Your friend 4 am was here earlier, like when I awoke, and couldn't get back to sleep. Even though it is not anywhere near 6 am which is what my alarm was set for, since I have to work this morning. Yeah, early Saturday working for inventory. The result of getting yesterday off. I think I might have preferred to work yesterday instead. Though, waking this early would really stink if I did not have to work ... At least today should be only until noon. Maybe.

Not much otherwise going on. The Wife celebrates her (and the MIL's birthday) on Sunday. I plan on taking them out to a dinner tonight to a restaurant of their choice. I was able to get out last weekend and pick up a few things for the Wife.

It's still a bit chilly here. I am wearing shorts today to work though. Wearing a pair of jeans the past couple of days just felt ... too weird. As long as the wind isn't blowing up the pants legs, shorts should be fine for me.

Got nothing else at this early hour. After all, it is too dark outside to see anything yet.

PeacE

Baby It's Cold Outside

I know most of you probably are in colder climates than I am, being how I live in Arizona, but it is getting to be our winter weather here finally, thanks to that arctic front being pushed. It actually hit freezing temps in some of the Valley's outlying areas. I had been wearing a pull-over fleece jacket (I think Sis got it for me a Christmas ago) the past few nights while driving my route. I like to drive with the window down, no matter the temperature, as long as it isn't raining. Yesterday, I showed up at work and was greeted with the comment, "Oh man! You know it is getting chilly in the Valley when Ralph(d00d) wears long pants to work!" I guess in some ways it is good to be noticed.

With the company in the process of doing inventory this weekend, things worked out that I am off work today, but have to go in Saturday for at least the morning to help get things finished. Had a nice breakfast out this morning with Preacher Tom. The Wife has today off as well, and I mentioned to her last night it would be a good time for us to get out and get some holiday shopping done without the boys. However, there are things that have to be done today, that it may be afternoon before we get the chance to get out, and I don't how my mood will be then. I don't want to get into why my mood may be sour.

In the meantime, it's supposed to warm up to a whopping mid-50s today. At least the sun is shining!

Above is the original cut of this song from the movie NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER ( I think it said). However, I think Dean Martin sounds better singing it. But I also like this version from GLEE.

PeacE

Getting A Bit Wonky Around Here

The next few days are going to be a bit weird for me. All because of work. Back at the beginning of October, the company I work for did their first ever inventory count. Now we are not a big parts warehouse like the manufacturers, but overall it took about 3 days to count our parts room, the technician trucks, and get the inventory in our computer system to a "more correct" number/valuation. Since that time, we have found some errors in processes that are creating either a false count, or even a negative inventory (when it isn't), thus, this weekend is another inventory.

As part of the Parts Dept., we are a bit essential to completing the count, plus control of the inventory. Personally, I know I complete the transfers (via computer and in person) of parts from the Parts room, to the technicians. Which boils down to I find that the inventory could be wrong when I see a zero or negative inventory in the system, but I physically pulled the part from the shelf. The numbers have been getting closer to a correct number, but is a slow process.

Either way, this morning I need to show up a couple hours early to complete my 'daily' parts pull so they can count the Parts room. Which mean I may be sitting around a couple extra hours this afternoon. Tomorrow, they say I will be able to pull parts for Monday and deliver them, but the techs are due in Saturday morning for truck inventory - so why am I delivering the parts when they can pick them up? I don't know. Something to talk to the Boss about today. Plus I don't know if they need me to assist on Saturday or not. Monday we have a mandatory insurance meeting for Open Enrollment - even though I opt out of the insurance they offer. That is going to make Monday a long day too.

I guess things could be worse. I could NOT have a job, and have to deal with these sort of problems.

PeacE

Somedays

Somedays, it is probably best if I just stay off the internet.

PeacE

Taking Rivalry A Bit Far

There is nothing better than a bit of rivalry between sports teams. It doesn't matter what sport. Being rivals helps make us want to achieve better things, to get that better award/title/payout. It is seen and used all around the world in any aspect you can think of, from siblings, to businesses, to co-workers, to sports. You see it when that guy in the freeway lane next to you speeds up when he sees you trying to switch lanes. Well, maybe not there, but sometimes it could be.

Personally, some parts of a rivalry are good. My Washington Redskins have a rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys. I have friends and other acquaintances, that are big Dallas fans (meaning Losers!) and we like to make friendly wagers on those games. Mostly it involves bragging rights until they meet again.

This past weekend had quite a few rivalries in College football going on. I saw the end of the Oregon/ OSU game. There was the Duel in the Desert here in Tempe, with AZ State going against UofA. Personally, I could care less about either school. Sis graduated from ASU, and the Daughter's fiance graduated from UofA. I have friends from both schools.

This year, that rivalry got a bit too far between a couple of my family members. Sis, and the Daughter. Social Media was used (read: Facebook). Posts were made, then deleted. Family members were unfriended. Both sides called me to ... what? Mediate? Say why their side was better? I don't know. I do know I used the word 'fuck' in probably darn near every application of meaning, let alone every other word when speaking to both the Daughter, and Sis. I think the fact I had had a few drinks probably escalated that usage. Either way, you don't call me in the middle of the day because you can't be adults and resolve it yourself.

So. Now feelings are hurt. No one is apologizing. No reparations or words of "I understand" are in the works. They are being, in my thinking, childish. I don't care if you need your "profile" to appear professional. If you are putting down a rival on said media, be prepared for someone to come back and say something. And if you do come back and say something, don't be surprised if they delete it afterwards, after all, it is their post that you posted on. Fucking let it go. Damn children.

I'm glad it is Monday. I am glad I don't have to deal with stupid shit like this on a normal basis. It would be nice if my sister, and my daughter, would grow up and act like the adults they are... but that is asking a lot. And it is not nearly close enough to Christmas. Maybe miracles will happen ... but I ain't holding my breath.

See the joy I had this weekend?

PeacE