Thursday, January 31

Bitch post

Today is a Bitch post for me. I feel the need to whine and moan and complain about how the world is so unfair to me.

First, I found out some information about the company moving. We have supposedly 29 days to complete the move. Great, that means we are going to have to do it all ourselves again - something I don't get paid for, but I guess it lets me keep my job. Then we were told that we have to make this place "extremely clean" every day until we move. I mean, empty trash everyday, clean kitchen, bathrooms, etc. No big deal, but every day? Not much goes into my trash can every day. ::shrug:: But the worst was when I got stuck cleaning the bathroom because no one else would do it. Nothing like cleaning toilets and urinals.

Okay, I think I got it out of my system now. What else is going on? Nothing but arguing with mortgage companies about the time it takes to underwrite a file (average is 10 business days - which is ridiculous).

Maybe I just need to find another line of work... I don't know.

PeacE

Wednesday, January 30

It's a Frank Sinatra day - or was ...

I hate it when a song keeps running through your head for hours on end. Worse when it is two songs playing back to back, over & over. Frank Sinatra has been running through my head today. Luckily it is a couple of songs I actually like. One was "Fly me to the Moon" and the other was "One More for the Road". Now that I am writing about it, they changed over to "Mack the Knife" and "Luck be a Lady". Doesn't look like I am going to win until I get to the car and blast the radio anyways.

Appreciate those of you that have commented to yesterday's post. Gave me some other authors to check out and read. The Sharpe series Hoosierboy is reading sounds pretty good - would just have to make sure I get them in order.

It is Hump Day and luckily I am most of the way over it. Less than an hour here at the salt mine and then off to the gym. I think tonight is a good night to camp out and read a book in bed - if the kids let me.

PeacE

Tuesday, January 29

And now for something completely different

For those of you that know me, and some of you that don't, you realize I am an avid reader. I prefer the sci-fi/fantasy type books, but will read a non-fiction, or thriller/mystery every now and then as well. I have a few books at home that I need to get finished, but I keep forgetting to put a new one in the car. So last night I finished the current book I was reading (some Sidney Sheldon novel) and realized I had nothing to replace it with on hand. I spent about five minutes going through the miscellaneous stuff in the back seat of my car, and dug up a book I had finished quite some time ago. It is Patricia Bray "The First Betrayal". I remembered getting tot he end of it, and finding out that there is a second book, but at the time was not out in stores.

That just really pisses me off.

Either way, I am sitting there and decide to re-read the book. Four hours and 200+ pages later, I am so hooked into the story again. Today, after a bit of surfing the web, I found out book 2 is out now, and book three is scheduled for release in June. ::sigh:: Five months to finish the damn series. And that is only if I order them off Amazon, as it seems none of the bookstores around me will have the 2nd book in stock.

Still ticks me off that Robert Jordan passed away. Now I will probably never see the end of the Wheel of Time series he was working on.

Started to watch a movie last night called "Dragon Wars". I can understand why it seemed to not even make it to the theaters. I will have to try to finish it tonight, as well as the book. Then I have a couple Patricia Cornwell books and a Jeffrey Deaver to start on.

Let me hear what you are in the midst of reading.

PeacE

Monday, January 28

Movie Meme - 128

I snagged this from over at Drunken Wisdom where T1G resides. I ain't tagging anyone, but if ya want to do it, go ahead. I was only curious how mine would come out.

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 movies, you have no life.
Mark the ones you've seen. Copy this list, check the movies you've seen, add them up, and include the number in your post title.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
(x) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
Total so far: 16

( ) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
(x) Dumber & Dumberer
(x) Final Destination
(x) Final Destination 2
(x) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 25

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
(x) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 31

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
(x) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 38

(x) Bad Boys
(x) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
(x) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 48

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 57

( ) Best Bet
( ) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
(x) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks!
(x) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 66

(x) X-Men
(x) X2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
(x) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
(x) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
( ) Shrek 3
Total so far: 80

( ) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
( ) Kippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
(x) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old-virgin
Total so far: 85

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 91

( ) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
(x) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
(x) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
Total so far: 96

(x) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 100

( ) High Tension
(x) Club Dread
(x) Hulk
(x) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicle Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
(x) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total so far: 108

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
(x) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) The Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 112

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 119

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
(x) Animatrix
(x) Evil Dead
(x) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x) Hannibal
Total: 128

Friday, January 25

What a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

There is water still partially standing in puddles on the ground. The grass in yards is turning green again, and the smell is ripe with the moisture from last night. The sun is out with few clouds in the sky, and predicted high today is almost 70. For sure, it is a beautiful day starting out. Even now, at the noon hour, things are looking good!

Talking about looking good, I know I am. By my estimates, in the last 2 weeks I have lost another inch on the waist, but don't know about weight. The Wife says she can tell I am slowly getting more 'defined' int he muscle department. I know I am not ready for speedos just yet though not that I would ever wear them.

It is Friday folks! You know what that means!! Ralphd00d is happy!! No more work for two days!! There is a possible game of bocce ball tomorrow (if it doesn't rain more), and softball to look forward to on Sunday. Hmmm, just remembered also my nephew and niece are being baptised on Sunday - by the Reverend Mother and Step Dad. I suppose I should attend that as well. Sounds like a pretty packed weekend once you add gym time in there, and maybe some sleeping in time for Saturday morning.

One last thing for you, my esteemed readers. I little bit of video. Be warned if you are easily grossed out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yRJiP4f_EU

And with that, I bid you good day!

PeacE

Thursday, January 24

I Have Started Stripping down to the Bare

I can see the fear in your eyes already. No, there won't be pictures of the act. I know for some of you that brings relief, and disappoint for some others (yeah right). Honestly, I have started to remove things - from my desk.

I mentioned before that our company was going to be changing affices (again) so today I started removing things from my desk in order to not have as much stuff to move when the day arrives. I still do not know that date, but I heard that the sale has gone through ont he building and they are just waiting for final funding. Then I suppose another few days to set up the contract with a new office location. I just hope to hell that we don't move like we did last time. They spread it over 2 weeks, and made us use our own vehicles to move a majority of items. I had to wait until the last day to move my stuff, so I could continue processing whatever needed to be done. I had to work 2 days from the cell phone because of that crap.

Personal items on my desk (very few) are headed home tonight. I already have a box filled with miscellaneous paperwork and extra equipment (pens, etc) that is ready to move. If I can get done to the bare minimum and continue working I will be happy. So, sorry to disappoint you voyeurs.

I feel the ache of muscle growth today. I went to the gym last night and upped the weights by 10-20 pounds on different equipment for my workout. I could tell there is a difference and burned out a lot of sweat within the 40 minutes I was there. My upper body felt rubbery as I left. Sign of a good workout. I just need to find a good scale now to be able to weigh myself to see how much I am losing. Unfortunately, the gym doesn't have scale (yet). I already have began to wear shirts a size smaller than before and they are not too tight. So there is a good difference. I even found a pair of jeans that were a size down and they fit good. I am going to love the after pictures come summertime I think.

It is raining today. Well, more like an extended drizzle. Suppose to do that over the next few days as the rain front moves out from California. Which reminds me I need to get new wiper blades.

Ten days until Super Bowl. I am sure glad that I don't live in Glendale or anywhere close to the stadium. I can imagine how traffic is out there now, with all the pre-game events going on. Ticket prices are going sky high. Someone I know has tickets to go, and they were offered $3500 each if he would sell them. Of course, he isn't selling them. The news reports some are going for excess of $5000. Can you believe that shit? For a fricking football game? I guess I just don't quite understand it.

Well, enough for now. I think I am going to go out and surf the net for awhile. I only have 4 more hours to kill before heading out. Enjoy your day!

PeacE

Wednesday, January 23

The Well seems to be drying up

It's later in the day than when I regularly try to get a post up. It is definitely not because I am extremely busy with work or anything, though today was better than most. No, the reason is simply I have nothing much to input. Seems some other places I read have come up with this contagious disease and it is spreading fast.

Tonight holds nothing special. From work I am headed to the gym. Then down to the pub to help celebrate a birthday. One of the guys on the softball team. However, by the time I get there, he may be already gone. He has one of those jobs were he gets off mid afternoon, whereas I don't leave my cell until most of rush hour traffic is gone - plus the gym time which I desperately need to take care of.

I think tomorrow I shall try to delve into the depths of my head and see if I can get some story started. Or maybe some memory that is worthy of sharing to the masses. In the meantime, have a good evening, or morning depending on when you read this.

PeacE

Tuesday, January 22

Monday is here again

Why is that whenever there is a holiday on a Monday, that the Tuesday feels like a Monday all over again? Is it because you have to do everything that normally you would have done the previous day? Well, sure is that way for me. After finding out yesterday half the places I needed contact with were closed, so I have to reach them today. Made for a busy half hour this morning though.

I finished "America Falling" last night. What a book! I recommend it for just about everyone. I suppose I should go put a review in for it over at Amazon - Don would like that. Wonder if he would sign it if I paid postage.... Either way, I await his next book, which should be in publishing within the next few months.

Tuesday = Poker Night at the Pub. Yep, that's where I will be tonight. Gotta see if my winning streak from Saturday is going to carry to tonight. I haven't placed for points in over 4 weeks. Though I am qualified already for the Tournament of Champions that is scheduled for April. I just haven't decided if I want to travel that far across the valley, or rather home from there, after drinking. I have 3 months to think about it, or arrange a ride.

I think that's about all I got to say today. Y'all have a good afternoon and see ya tomorrow!

PeacE

Monday, January 21

It's (ow) Monday (ooo) again.

Oh boy, am I sore. I have places in my back that just won't take a five minute break for me. Guess I need to up the ante and get some flex-all 454 on them, as well as the ibuprofen I am taking. So was it the work out at the gym that did this to me, you ask. No. Was it Ralphd00d doing some stupid feat and showing off? No, again. Was it I being the great father I am? Oh yeah. Here's the scoop. Last Saturday I had mentioned to my oldest son that I was thinking of going jogging down at the high school on the track for some additional exercise. He had asked if he could go with me. I said sure. Well, when we got to the school, they had some football games going on (for some youth league I presume, but these were HS looking in age). So we didn't run that day. This Saturday, my wife needed to get he and his sister into a lab for some blood work their doctor wants. I told him he couldn't go running as I didn't want certain things elevated in his blood for the lab, and so I was going to do my workout at the gym instead. Needless to say, I ended up babysitting one of the boys whilst they went to the lab, so my son was crying as I was getting ready for the gym.

I broke down. I hollered for him to get shoes and running clothes on and we'd go jogging instead. So he, his younger brother and I loaded into the van and headed to the HS. More football games this weekend. I sure as hell don't know what league plays this late/early in the year. So instead I head over to this park I know not too far away. Around the perimeter of the park there are little 'obstacle course' type things along the jogging path. We made it to the 4th obstacle before the older son fell and hurt himself. Mostly just bruised hand (where he caught his fall) and bruised pride. Either way he didn't want to run anymore so we went home. Needless to say, even the short distance we went told me again how out of shape I am. My legs are tight and achy, plus the back. Not so bad yesterday as today though.

Now I sit here and ache whenever I move a certain way. I think I will have to head to the gym tonight and see if I can work the ache out of the muscles and maybe even feel better tomorrow.

Saturday night was a good night. A bunch of us guys got together and were going to play small change card games. Ended up about 10 or so of us, so that went out the door and we ended up playing Texas Hold'em. I won first place. Finally. After the past several weeks of not playing well, I finally did something right. What cracks me up is I won the last hand with a pair of deuces. I then went over to my brother's place and ended up falling asleep there. Woke up just in time to get to the field for softball. Needless to say, I was home early Sunday afternoon and in bed way early as well. I did stay up long enough to watch the Giants beat Greenbay though.

Today is that damned holiday the state of Arizona voted down twice - MLK day. That's right. It was put to vote here twice years ago as to whether to make it a state holiday. Twice it was voted down, then legislation found out we could never have a Superbowl here unless it was a holiday, so they made it one anyways. Fucking assholes. Of course, the next legislation to be voted in, they were all new except one person due to that fiasco. What sucks is I am still sitting here at my desk, hands tied about doing somethings because banks are closed, many lenders, and several title companies. Makes it hard for me to do my job that way. My wife is in the medical field, and she too has to work. Be nice if they let us out early today so I can get through the gym workout and get my Monday night steak at the pub.

In the meantime, I think I am off to read some blogs, an goof off on the internet. Thanks for stopping by! And if I get off early enough, I am grabbing my sheet and headed downtown to march in the parade!

PeacE

Friday, January 18

From dull and boring to ...?

As you dedicated readers know, today is my favorite day of the week. I am always glad when it rolls around as I know I have 2 days that I can supposedly relax and spend time with the family. Only, it never seems to happen that way. Saturday is always spent doing errands we could not get done during the week, and I get up earlier on Sunday for softball than I do for regular work. Makes you wonder what happened to the R&R.

Saturday I will be off playing poker with the boys in the evening. We are doing an old round of nickle, dime, quarter - dealer calls the game. It's been quite a few months since we have done this. Usually we have a big gathering and play Texas hold'em with a $20 buy-in. I almost like it better just being about a handful of us playing smaller stakes and variety of games.

Sunday, I found out, we are having a double header in softball. Unfortunately, I don't think they are back to back, so I might be missing out on my steak breakfast I usually have afterwards. I guess I shouldn't bitch too much. It means more beer drinking at the park.

It has pretty much been finalized now at work that we will be having to move offices again. Currently we are just waiting for final documents to be signed, and return of advance rents so we can move. Fortunately, the places they are looking to go to are closer to home for me by an easy 15-20 minutes one way. I cannot express how much happier that makes me! I am tired of driving that long to go 5 miles in rush hour traffic. This way, now I will be able to go against the flow.

Possible summer plans are being drawn up now for us. We missed our Annual trip to Mexico this year due to other plans, and pretty much a lack of desire to go. Rocky Point is getting so commercialized that things are just as much there as here. No cheap vacation to be found there basically. Now we are shooting around the idea of a houseboat weekend up on Lake Powell. I have never been, but the other night I was hearing some fun stories of other trips they had done prior to me being around. Of course if we do that, we may not do the OTL trip this summer. Which almost sounds better. Trying to guesstimate costs for the houseboat trip come in lower than what I spent in San Diego last year!

Alrighty then! I haven't much else to say at the moment. Have fun and take some time to read some of the links to the right.

PeacE

Wednesday, January 16

What a boring life I lead

You got it. I have nothing of major interest to gripe/moan/bitch/whine about today. Well, except I played shitty at poker last night. Life has just gone mundane for me at the moment - which is probably a good thing.

I started back to working out t the gym and am feeling pretty good. Tonight I am doing a full lower body and ab workout, then back to the upper body the next night. I have it scheduled out to work upper and lower body twice a week and one day of cardio. throw in a days rest here and there, and hopefully by next month I will have dropped 10-15 pounds. My goal is 75 pounds within the year. Talk about a diet change, and less drinking. All for the good of things... the 4 good ones that I have at home.

SuperBowl is getting closer. I am hoping the Giants beat Greenbay this weekend. I am sure the Pats are gonna win their game. I have gotten in on a couple 'betting squares' so hopefully I will win something this year. Get me some cash so win Nascar starts I can pay ahead a bit.

Work is supposedly getting busier, though I don't see much of it coming my way yet. Everyone is saying in just a few days I will be busier. Lord knows I could use it. The boss has gotten off my about FHA stuff. I printed out a bunch of info, so when he comes in and asks me a question I look it up and quote him from the handbook. I think he was a bit impressed, but just won't tell me that. Wouldn't want me to feel I exceeded his expectations ya know.

So, I been cruising my reads, and looking at dumb sit on the internet quite a bit lately. Glad y'all stopped by to make sure I wasn't dead or nothing.

PeacE

Tuesday, January 15

The Band Meme

I saw this over at Mr. Fixit's and Hammer's. Looked like fun so I thought I would try it.


Here's how it goes. You are about to have your own band's CD cover. Follow these directions

Go to......

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RandomThe first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together.


I was at work when I did this, and as you can tell, the graphics program here sucks hiney! But I gave it a shot ...
PeacE

Monday, January 14

Back to the regular grind!

I think it is an obvious fact that I have made it through another weekend and am still alive. Hell, sometimes I even amaze myself that I am so good at times.

Friday night I decided to go straight home after work. I didn't need the Wife all pissy at me and I figured I could do something to help alleviate that problem. Wife happens to cal that she is at her parents, and her brother & family are coming in town. She asked if she could visit - I said sure! She said they were getting some Church's chicken for supper, and did not know when she would be home. No problem babe - I am going to go out and have a couple beers then be home about when you do. So I head to my regular hang out. I get home about midnight, and start talking to see if she is still P.O.ed at me. With a smug smile, I realized she wasn't any longer.

Saturday was a slow day. Sunday we lost our softball game. I went in to the gym for an orientation on the equipment, and I am hurting a little today. I guess I will be finding new muscles for awhile! I start tonight and think I am going to stick with some basic cardio stuff for the first few days.

Nothing much else to say considering it is a Monday. I'll leave you with this little story...

My brother Stuman called me yesterday. I was at the pub, having the steak breakfast they always have, and watching the football games. Around 3 I happen to check my phone, it says I have a missed call & voicemail. I checked the incoming call list - nothing since the previous day. So I listened to the message: "Hey it's Stuman. don't bother calling me back because I am in jail..." I was starting to freak out. I called my sister and she said "No, he has Drill this weekend. For the reserves." I was so ready to kick his ass.

PeacE

Friday, January 11

The shit is flowing and I am at the bottom of the hill

It has begun. The boss comes by my desk today and tells me that in my free time (because I have so much of it) I need to spend every moment studying/reading/learning how to do FHA loans. Seems after months of me telling them they need to start doing those FHA loans, now it seems they are paying attention. Oh. And they want me to do the processing for them, and learn what NOT to do when submitting one. Put me in the guinea pig tester. Effers.

So I have spent most of the morning reading FHA and HUD guidelines, not finding any clue as to the actual process and what paperwork is going to be required. I informed the boss of this fact, and he said it has to be there somewhere. I refer him to spend his own time looking up courses for me to take to learn how to do this shit instead. He didn't like that answer.

As you can see my Friday has started out wonderful. Let's top it off some more ... the Wife is pissed at me. I was expecting a check to arrive in office today for a closing I did last week. As of this moment, I haven't gotten it - but I don't know if the boss just hasn't handed it out, or if it even made it today. I have less than a 1/4 tank of gas in the car. I have $2 in my pocket and I am hungry for lunch. I can't believe you are still here listening to my whine and bitch!!

Okay, now some good things. There has to be some to outweigh the bad a bit. Sunday I have a meeting with the trainer at the new gym I will be attending. He wants to get an idea of where I am at and my goals prior to giving me free reign. There is one good thing. Ummmmm ... I have a job at least. There's two. It could be worse I guess.

I need to get a more positive mind set. I have been too negative of late. I have generally always been the pessimist. After all, an optimist is NEVER pleasantly surprised. I need to think of some ideas to get more positive. I think first I will have to take the Wife out to dinner tonight so she won't have to cook. That might get her not so pissed at me. That is if I get that check. Otherwise, I might have to offer to let the daughter cook tonight instead. Hell, I don't know what I am going to do.

Welp, whilst I figure out where to get the info I need for work, and what the hell I am going to do to get the Wife not so pissed at me, y'all have a good rest of the day and into the weekend. I'll be back later, if the Wife let's me live a bit longer.

PeacE

Wednesday, January 9

What sort of goodies can I come up with today?

Last night I went and joined a gym. I hadn't been working out the last several weeks since I somehow injured my back. I found a place that is closer to home, is cheaper in the rates, and is not as busy. Oh, and the Reverend Mother and the Step dad both go there. I went in last weekend and checked the place out and it has everything I think I would need. I met the owner (who just happens to be my parents trainer) and I will probably be setting up a meeting with him this weekend prior to starting my workout. I am waiting for the weekend to help my body clear out the last bit of this sickness. I am feeling much better now, thanks for the well wishes!!

So last night I head on down to the pub for the regular Tuesday night poker. I figure I am do a win, or placement since the last 2-3 times I had played I was knocked out early. Hell no. I didn't win any hands, and still ended first guy out after playing for awhile. And I was being conservative! I need to brush up on my skills, or start praying to Lady Luck. Gotta do something! I am still hanging out when karaoke starts up. Sometimes I stay and sing, other times just head home. I figured I would put in a couple songs. After about an hour this guy was walking around taking pictures of different people while they are singing, and he managed to get one of me. Normally I am not one that enjoys getting my picture taken, so I finished my song and went looking for this guy. Turns out he is with this group of KaraokeCorps (they call themselves). He gave me a business card with a net address and "By Invitation Only". I went and checked it out today - seems there are people that take their singing karaoke serious and have a message board that talks about places in the valley to do karaoke, and how to improve your skills, etc. Kinda weird, but I went ahead and signed up to see what it is like. That and he is supposed to have the pics from last night posted tonight. Weird, huh? I guess I attract that from everywhere.

That brings us into today. Wednesday. Hump Day. Middle of the fricking week. At least most of the work day is over. Then it is Beer Thirty and a book. Who knows, maybe I'll stay and do some more karaoke tonight...

PeacE

Tuesday, January 8

Back for a quick pick-me-up

So here it is after a late lunch, and tired of sitting here for the past several hours doing nothing. I needed something to make me smile. So I found some. And being the generous fellow I am, I will share.

Yup! Sure got a smile out of me!
PeacE

Feeling the Good coming on!

I left after only a half day at work yesterday. I had nothing on my desk to complete, and I was still obviously not feeling up to par. It was pouring down rain and I just wanted to get out of the office and relax somewhere. So I did. I went to the pub and drank some Jack and Buds, read my book, and just mellowed in a warm environment. I woke up at 6 this morning to take the daughter to school, and I could breathe! Hardly any cough, no runny nose. I think I am starting to feel better already! Watch it just be a coincidence and I will relapse by the weekend. No, I don't think so.

So, I am feeling good, somewhat energetic, and ready to work - on what? Yesterday I was told I would have some new files today, but nothing yet. It is pretty early still though. I bet half the office isn't even in yet. I suppose there will be another meeting about what time we are supposed to start - even if the bosses aren't here, etc, etc. I could use a time waster like that today!

Welp, I actually had someone come in and bring me some work to do. I'll be back later!

PeacE

Monday, January 7

Let's ease into this gradually ....

My apologies for the length of absence from you, my esteemed readers. We can all thank Mr. Bronchitis and Mr. almost Pneumonia. Last Wednesday evening, my wife mentioned that I was starting to sound worse with my breathing. Thursday when I woke up, I agreed with her and went to Urgent Care. After being inspected, the doc says he thinks we caught it before bronchitis or pneumonia set in. I got a script for anti-biotics and another for steroids, and two free days from work. Talk about a wasted vacation... I finally got out of bed Saturday, but it started raining that evening, so Sunday I felt worse again. Now it is Monday, and I am coughing shit up again. I don't know what I am going to do.

So, it was a boring weekend. I watched some movies I hadn't seen before that we had picked up at sometime or another. Did some reading (now need more books). I couldn't stand to sit at the computer for any major lengths of time, so I suppose I can try to get my reading updated - but I think I might just call it a half day and head home at one'ish for a nap.

PeacE

Wednesday, January 2

Will someone just shoot me?

Wow. It has been a few days since I was last updating here, so I guess should have lots to say regarding things that happened over the holiday - but I don't. Friday I went to the garage to get my car. On the phone they said they could not get the problem to happen again, and everything checked out okay. So when I get there, I was told they gave the wires a good looking over and found a loose battery cable, not at the battery, but on a connection further underneath the motor. Supposedly that was the problem, but no one is sure. Needless to say I haven't had the problem occur again, yet.

I woke up Sunday with clogged sinuses and heavy chest congestion. Bad enough I found some medication from last year when I had pneumonia. Started the breathing treatments and cough syrup again. As of today, I am tremendously clogged sinus-wise, but chest feels much better.

Spent NY Eve at my sister's with the kids. The Wife wasn't feeling well, so she and the youngest stayed home. I spent the night, picked the Wife up in the morning, and brought her back for lunch. Reverend Mother had made boneless pork ribs, black-eyed peas, cole slaw and deviled eggs for lunch. I finished working my way through a bottle of Lord Calvert. Last night I went down to the pub for poker.

Wow. I just covered 4 days pretty quick. Nothing else is happening. Friday we had a meeting prior to them letting us go for the weekend. It seems we are moving offices again fairly soon. It appears that when we moved to our current office, the building was for sale. They expected it to be on the market for quite some time, but within a couple weeks someone bought it. Now we are waiting on for the sale to finalized to know for sure we need to move. At least where they are talking about going is closer to home for me.

Well, the new year is here, and I am hoping it will be a busy one. Already I am closing a loan today so that's a plus. Now to hope I can average at least 10 a month or more!!!

PeacE