Easing Into It

 Later in the afternoon yesterday, I got that email. The one I had been waiting to hear if I made it to the project this week. Thankfully, it did include a time the managers wanted to have the incoming people in a meeting, to briefly go over the details that vary on these jobs. It is nice to say that I got to sleep in as the meeting isn't until late in the morning. I did get up early though and logged into the system to make sure I had access to the programs and documents needed. That all checked out this morning, so logged back out until the meeting time.

There was another email from the Company earlier last week. From the HR department, stating they were creating a new way for the employees to show when they are AVAILABLE to work projects. Supposedly this new way of doing things will alert them better about who (and what skills) are able to work. It stated each time we email in our availability to include a new/current resume. I guess I will have to dig in the archives of my external drive to see if I can find my last one, then update it to show this company for the past year and a half. Such a pain.

Doodad's birthday is coming up this next month, so Saturday I decided I needed to start looking around for a gift for her. Which means flipping through Amazon to see what they got. After being on there awhile I did find her a toy I think she would like, and that isn't noisy or overly destructive. I should send a link so that the Daughter will know and give final approval (even though I ordered it Saturday, and it arrived yesterday). I'm just playing nice asking for the approval - either way Doodad will get it. Papaw's rights!

Early last week I had paid up the next two years on the Wife's car registration, and mine is due before the end of the month. I had been looking at specialty plates, and personalizing the plate for my car. After several days of thinking how to personalize, within the specs allowed, and the Wife came up with one that I liked. So did all that this weekend and expect the plate and tags probably later this week. Did a VFW Auxiliary plate, so each year, 17.50 of the $25 I pay for the plate goes to AZ VFW Aux. fund. Not to my direct post, but the state general fund.

Been eye-ballin' the littl' clocky-thingy in the bottom right corner, and need to get this closed off and logged into work.

PeacE

Another 16th Year Milestone

 The Youngest Son turns 16 years old today. The fourth (and final) child of our loins, has hit that year for his drivers license, though, he has not shown much interest in getting it, or doing the tests for the permit, etc. He has asked me questions and I have directed him to the training manual, but as of yet, I don't think he has downloaded it to study. That's on him.

Either way he has decided for his dinner he would like Red Robin. I know, I figured he would want somewhere more expensive, like one of the steakhouses, but if that's what he wants.... We are pushing it to Wednesday instead of today though, so his two older brothers can go as well. It is the only night they have off work together to attend. RM and PT are coming by today to take him out for lunch, as their birthday gift to him. The middle Son came over today early (when he got off work)_ to hang out before going to get a couple new tires. The one they had plugged went flat again, and he decided to replace one of the others that is getting thin on tread. So he 'woke' his younger sin with his birthday "spankings". I'm sure there was plenty of rough-housing going on, and glad his room is down the hall from us, as I didn't wake to their shenanigans.

No set plans for this weekend. I think once both the boys are gone, the Wife and I may go out for lunch, and get some shopping done.

Friday I finished work with my 40 hours for the week, and there is more work. Though they added around 10 extra people, the workload is carrying into this next week. Not sure how many days though, but will take what I can. I am sure I will be off minimum a few days once done, before being transferred to a new project (of the 'several we have in the pipeline').

PeacE

Issues

 The past eleven days have been stressful for me. Things that needed to change in my life were brought before me, and needed to be addressed. Several of those things have been taken care of, others are in process, and a very few I am still deciding on how I will handle to get the result that is best for me. Yes, it sounds selfish, and in truth, it is. But I don't care. If it is what I feel is needed to be changed, then so be it.

I turned 50 on Labor Day. That weekend was a nice one. Saturday I had gotten together with a few close friends and had a few drinks at the pub. I didn't stay late, though, I admit to having a couple more beers than I should have.... but it was a birthday celebration! Sunday I spent at home, recuperating mostly. A good portion of Monday was spent just being idle around the house. Monday evening I was able to get all four kids, with their families/SO's all to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and had a wonderful evening meal. Yeah, Birthday Boy had to pay for it all, but it was the gift I really wanted, was the time for all of us to be together.

Started a work project (yea!) just before that weekend. It is still currently going on, and I will return to it again tomorrow morning. This one has been a bit different than most I have been involved on before, but at least it helps advance my skills a bit more. I am hoping to be kept on it past the First Level, so I get he pay grade increases as we move each step closer to the finish. I won't know probably until later this week.

Since mid August I have been having health issues. From that ER visit, where the docs could find nothing wrong about my abdominal pain, I have had pain in other places. Most have receded over a few days, but will flare up every now and then. Due to this I have been a 'good boy' and cut back on my alcohol intake, and am working on drinking more water - at the pub, and at home. Weight has been a problem for me a long time, and I have now been cutting back on portions, as well as types of food I eat. Some of that pain has been in my gall bladder area off and on, so have been trying to have a healthier diet to help prevent issues that may arise there. Plus side is it helps me lose weight. Yesterday, I actually took in my belt a notch, so something is working.

Not much to add for now. I am not going to bore you with other changes I have made I felt were necessary.

Just got home from a nice dinner out with The Wife and Youngest at Chili's. I tried their Caribbean Salad, which had citrus, pineapple, and cranberries on lettuce with a honey-lime balsamic dressing, and it was actually very good and filling. Lately I have been getting signed up on the apps/rewards programs for the restaurants we go to, and tonight got a free drink, and a free desert (for my bday) off the tab. Even the Wife agrees, if it is only an appetizer somewhere, it's something for free.

PeacE 

False Starts

 So, about a half hour before the scheduled time for the start-up meeting for the new work project, I get an email from the Team manager. Seems they were some issues and that they had to delay the start of the project. Everything was pushed back one day. I did receive later in the day, the expected email containing information specific to this project, so as of now, I am guessing we are on schedule with no hiccups today. I actually woke up early today and will be logging in shortly after writing here, to verify I have the access(es) to programs and chat channels needed, and go over any additional information provided there.

Still dealing with some back pain. Though it is decreasing daily, just not as fast as I would like. Same with the right knee. I think if the knee pain would go first, the back pain would go away faster. I think much of the back pain is from change of gait due to this knee hurting.

I posted on social media for Saturday afternoon, to gather those that may want to, for my birthday. I did a select invitation, so it would not be to everyone on my "friends list" as some people I just don't want there. Why am I still friends with them? No clue for some, others are family members that I just don't want there. RM already mentioned that they would probably not show, not because it is at a pub, but it is a little far for them, and they don't know many of my friends. I get that. Right now only a small handful have replied that they may/may not make it. No worries. If no one shows, I still have my tablet to read books on. It looks like Monday evening I will be able to get all the kids together for my bday dinner. Only the Oldest Son has not confirmed as of yet.

Well, I should get other things started to get the day going.

PeacE

Pain is Good ... or is it?

 Friday morning, aside from returning to work, I also noticed I had a pain in my right side. I occasionally get muscle cramps since I don't seem to drink enough water, so I kind of put it aside, thinking it was a sore muscle from s aside cramp. Saturday it was still there, and I just thought, well, maybe it is a muscle strain. like I turned the wrong way, or lifted something heavier than I should have - even though I could not recall any of that happening. Sunday it was still there, and not seeming to 'get smaller' or go away. This morning, it is still there in good force. I'm leery of trying to look up possible symptoms on the internet, because you know where that will lead. I don't have health insurance currently, since coverage was with the Wife's employer, that ended back in October. It's not a constant pain, just when I exert outer pressure on that side, or roll over, or take an overly large deep breathe. I still think it is muscle related somehow.

Anyway, up at 1am this morning. Went to bed around 9pm, so got at least 4 hours of sleep in. Might be able to get back in bed after while and sneak in a couple more hours before needing to get up for work.

Tonight the Middle Son has finally arranged his schedule for his Bday dinner (bday was a couple weeks ago) so we are doing that.

PeacE

Feeling Good - Well, Better, Anyways

 I've been up all of  minutes this morning, and I am waiting to find out how I am feeling, health-wise, today. Why do I have to wait? Am I not able to tell from the *snap, crackle, pop* of getting out of bed for morning absolutions? Sometimes yes, most times no. I wear a CPAP at night to help with my apnea, and when it comes to my allergies, or anything sinus related, I have to wait sometimes up to an hour afterward removing the CPAP to find out how I am going to be. The CPAP just makes breathing so much easier, with the cleaner air (filter). So far, it feels like maybe the sinuses have finished that final "running" from the head cold. I am sure I will know soon.

As I stated yesterday, I did get a new project for work. It is supposed to last only a handful of days, but I started in on this one at a higher pay grade (bonus). I do not know if I will proceed to a more detailed position for this project after this stage, but have the qualifications for it at least. If not, it will be off to another one. This week with a bit of a later start, I can work as many hours as needed (daily) as I won't hit the 40 hours/week (bonus). Plus, the operation hours for this one are based on Eastern time, so I can start as early as I want (bonus).

Doodad's birthday is coming up next week, and I just haven't found her a special 'Papaw gift'. The Wife found a wonderful idea for not only her birthday, but Mother's Day for the Daughter, and Father's Day for the SIL. I was thrilled about that, so at least we have a back-up, as well as the forty-three thousand other things we bought her (exaggerating, just a little). I remember the In-Laws, and my own parents showering our first with gifts upon gifts, as for both sides, it was like the first grandchild.

Anyways, seems I am still having some nasal drainage (great to hear about from someone else first thing in your day, right?) and it is making me cough a little. guess another day of OTC cold pills to help. Off to start the work day! 

PeacE

Me? Late For Dinner? Never!

 ... and that didn't happen last night, either. I'm sure many of us have heard the 'Call me anything, except late to dinner' quip/line before, usually from someone that may be a 'little' heavy in the weight. Or, from some people like me, that are quite a bit beyond 'little' in that area. I know I have used that phrase a lot. Or the "See-Food Diet" that I am on. Or how great my attention is, as I don't miss anything, especially meals. I'm a Social Drinker - I see you drinking, so shall I! Oh, I am sure there are many others that come to mind for you, but those were just the easy ones off the top of my head.

No, this isn't a post about my weight, or the weight of anyone else. Not about the 'weight of the world' on one's shoulders. I just got to rambling on about the subject.

The start was supposed to be about what a nice time we had at the Youngest Son's birthday dinner last night. We were able to make arrangements so that at least his two older brothers could be there. Youngest had requested Chili's and it was nice that there was one closer to their apartment. Good thing, too, as the Oldest had a work schedule change and was working nights for a few days. It may not have lasted as long as some of our dinner out, but it was a good time. I miss having the family all together at times.

It's just after 4am here this morning. Again I am up early. Slept decently, and only blame waking up on my bladder. It wasn't an "urgent" call, and so I laid there for twenty minutes before I figured I wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep if I got up for the bathroom. So here I am. 

Still waiting to hear from the Company for the next project.

The Wife and I are having our 30th Wedding Anniversary later this month. Last year we had a serious discussion about going to Hawaii for a week, if not on the date, somewhere near it. I had even begun looking into the travel plans (hotels, car, planes) but things just never got off the ground enough. Travel restrictions kept coming in that made things more difficult. Issues with the state of AZ and the DMV regarding "special" licenses for plane travel versus regular living. Not knowing how the world was going to end. All that made planning said trip exceedingly less of an issue. A year later, who would have known that the Wife would be out of work, and we would be down to one vehicle? That schools would not be attended, and only at-home learning was in session. The Wife and I still have not gotten the "special" driver's license type in AZ you need to be able to fly. The only obvious difference between it and the current one? You have to spend more money to get the special one, and not much else as far as I can tell. It is like they want to re-certify your license, as they require birth cert and all that all over again. Wasn't the proof I have one good enough to show I provided all that before? Either way, not sure what I can come up with in less than three weeks for our anniversary. I'll have to put some thought into it.

Still looking virtually at cars right now. The Wife wants to find something that something that is easy to get in/out of, without having to squat to get in, or climb steps to get in. The minivan is about the right height she is looking for, and she asked on social media for suggestions. Many of those we looked up pics on, and I knocked a few out of the equation. We have a handful we need to get out and physically look and test drive. I want to do it this weekend, but don't know what is on schedule or not. Will see how that goes. I know the car RM has is one on our list, so maybe I can make arrangement to go there this weekend and visit (though really to take her out for a bit and see how the Wife like it or not). I know RM would love the idea, as long as she doesn't have other plans. I'm sire I will hear later today one way or the other.... right?

Well, I am really starting to ramble on, so I guess I will shut this down for today.

PeacE

Ready! Set! And.... Go Wait a Damn Minute

 It's is Monday evening, and I sit here, out of work again. Current project ended about 1pm today, and, in typical fashion with the Company, I have not heard of being shifted into another one just as of yet. It usually seems to take them about two days to do the change, and have things set up, and Project/Team Leads having a list of who is supposed to be on that job. It's a bit frustrating, when one is doing projects that only last a week or so, then end. Be nice to get on one that runs a couple months - then I could use the break of a few days - not this every 5 days wait 5 days crap. Sigh, but I still love my job - and I have one.

Tomorrow night we are going out for the Youngest's bday dinner. His two older brothers will be able to attend. I'll be ready to get out of the house by then... being home all day doing nothing.

I'm 35 books into my goal of 150 for the year. The website says I am 11 ahead of schedule. I may have to raise that number back up, though I lowered because now I am working means less time to read. I dunno.

Morning Edit: Another early rise day, though I didn't set my alarms. I think I learned not to have Dill-flavored chips shortly before going to bed. The dreams I had last night we WEIRD! I had at least 3-4 of them - all different except for being totally weird. Which meant I didn't sleep as well as I had been lately. I hope it is not leading to nights of not sleeping...

PeacE

Birthday Eve

 I am tired this morning. I blame it on being up so late last night. Why didn't I go to bed earlier? A couple reasons....

First one is that the Daughter and family got into town and I got to see my Doodad. that was the most important one. The other reason was because about 6:45pm the middle Son busted our front window. Our front room has many boxes, etc. moved form the old house this last week, and he was trying to maneuver around one area, and bumped the window. I guess it mught have a harder bump, but then, the glas is single pane, and pretty old. Needless to say, it took like 4 hours to make the trip to Lowes, get supplies, and a sheet of plexiglass. Then the Middle Son, the Daughter, the SIL, all spent time trying to get it in the aluminum frame so the edging,seal, whatever could be pushed/adjusted back in place. 

Needless to say, there is a couple spots that could use a dab more silicone this morning, but mostly looks like it is good. The other side of the window is the problem now. It is the "sliding" side. We had had to slide it open at one point, and now it doesn't want to slide shut completely, leaving a minute gap where it won't close. It is catching at some point in the middle where the sides of the middle meet. Not a good description, but I will have it fixed later today.

Other than that, it is my Birthday Eve. Have dinner out tonight, which I am looking forward too. The house will be empty by noon. The boys are going to the SIL's parents to play those crazy board games. The Wife and Daughter are going to a baby shower. That leaves me at home alone.I'll probably end up watching Netflix, or playing WoW.

PeacE

Is That A Light Up Ahead?

 This past weekend left me feeling like I was walking into a tunnel, with no end in sight. I was frustrated, stressed, disappointed, and I am sure many other emotions of that nature. Despair? Prolly that, too. So many things just feeling "heaped" upon me at once, even though some of them have just "been there" for awhile, and the accumulation of multiples make it all just so much. Sigh.

Monday I took Middle Son for his road test for his license. He failed it. "Failure to stay at a complete stop for two seconds at two separate stops" was the reason cited for the failure. I kept my cool, and kept my mouth shut. We were able to schedule an appointment for a second road test for the next morning. On the way home, Son tells me he is sorry that he failed the test, and how much he is mad at himself for such a stupid reason to have failed said test. I sighed. I told him, that there is no where in the driver's manual that states you have to stay at a complete stop for two seconds. The Test Grader was evidently having a bad day, and wanted to be a prick and you just happened to be the one he took it out on. You do the test tomorrow, and everything will be fine. It is NOT your fault.

Tuesday we go in, and hey! some good news! The fee I paid the day before for the test and license ($25) does NOT need to be paid again. The application process doesn't have to be repeated. We were able to pretty much skip right to the test. Then I started worrying. He had a different tester, and was out much longer than the day before. I know they say to allow up to 30 minutes for the road test, but c'mon! Eventually, they made it back (about 15 mins total) and he re-entered with a thumbs up sign. Five minutes later we were on our way home. So Son now has his license.

I emailed my buddy J, who is my insurance agent, attorney, best friend, list goes on and on - emailed him the paper license to get Son on the insurance. Also drop the Charger that died last weekend. Also increase the coverage limits to the new State minimums. All said and done, my insurance went up $150 a month. Sigh.

I told the Son he was able to drive solo now. Which means his biggest priority (he admitted) was to find employment. He has a couple good leads he is going to follow up on at some point. hope he has better luck than I have had. Maybe being younger with no experience is better than being near 50 and so much experience no one wants to hire because of how much I would ask for....ARGH!

Speaking of nearing 50, my birthday is this Sunday. The Daughter and family is coming into town. The Oldest Son was able to get Saturday off work. We will actually be able to go have a full family dinner that night. Sunday I am sure I will end up at the pub doing some celebrating with friends. And no, it is not 50 this year.

PeacE

Edit: Since this morning, my insurance agent has contacted me. Found a policy that is at what I pay now, saving me $160/month from what the new one was going to be. While I was talking to him, I got an email in from the company I have trying to get on at, saying there is a project starting tomorrow and I will find out later this afternoon if I make the cut (and training is provided). Maybe something is looking good.

Holy Crap! It's September Already!

I hadn't fully realized that it had been a month since I last wrote anything here. I know that Life has seemingly been keeping me busy ,,, or if nothing else, my schedule is nuts.

Today is the 6th, and follows the Labor Day weekend. It also marks my 45th birthday. Normally, this day would be a normal work day for me, except of all the texts, Facebook notifications, and calls that have come in, preventing me from sleeping in to my regular 9am wake up time. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate them ... just appreciate the sleep prior to work even more.

So what has happened in the last month? School started for the two younger boys. The Oldest Son started college and got his drivers license. The Wife and I ... we got to work jobs and pay bills. Nothing new there.

Went out to Olve Garden for my birthday last night. Had a good meal. They had the Eat one there and take home special going on, so I have Raviolis for tonight ... but no OG salad. I even brought home some of the pepperoni fettuccine Alfredo I had (and the rest of oldest Son's, too) that I may have prior to going into work today.

Guess that is about all I have today.

PeacE

Blown Away

We actually have a storm front moving into Arizona that is supposed to bring rain to the Valley area as early as this evening. We are at 40+ days of no precipitation, so any rain would be nice. I just don't care for some of the winds it brings prior to the storm. Such as last night. It wasn't cloudy as such, but a portion of my route is out in farmland area on the west side of town. The wind had picked up a bit last night, which when driving a 16-foot box truck, is not fun. Being blown by a sporadic gust of wind while on a free way or single-lane road ... grrrr. And I won't get started on the amount of dust (and who knows what else) kicked up into the air .... yes, the sinuses are flowing this morning. Speaking of, I better go take my allergy pill.

Either way, the rain would be welcome. Help clear the air of the dust, etc. if nothing else.It is already somewhat overcast looking this morning. Days like this can sort of make me feel blech, but I think I am too tired to much care today. My shoulders are a bit sore, I assume from fighting the wind in my truck for a few hours. I know I slept good last night.

Tomorrow we are going out for pizza to Peter Piper for the youngest son's late birthday dinner. The Wife wakes me this morning (to run the oldest son to school) and mentions that the oldest is working tech at the school play on Saturday. So now I have to call the RM & PT to reschedule the pizza time. I asked for when - the Wife says she has no clue. I was to help out a buddy with some ovens Saturday morning, but figure I can change the pizza time to about 12:30, and hopefully all will be okay. I'll have to call RM here after I give her time to get to work. Unless she reads this first and calls me.

Sunday is race day here in the Valley, and unfortunately, I won't be going this year. The special deal I get on the inside track turn two fell through for the future, so it looks like to go I need to buy tickets and sit in the stands (blech). This Sunday, I think I shall watch it from the safe and secure bar stool at the local pub.

Go Junior!

PeacE

Another Birthday Is Here!

When you have a family the size our's is, it is inevitable that birthdays are going to come around. Today is no exception, and we are celebrating the middle son's 10th by dinner out tonight.

This is a recent one I had from his concert this past springtime. Hard to believe my kids are all growing up. I remember back in 2002 when he looked more like this....

Time flies, even when you're not having fun it seems.

I got out to do some shopping this morning. Seems The Wife hadn't had a chance to get out and find anything for him prior to today, so once again I get to play the role of Gift-Shopper. Note: I hate this role, as I am not a good gift shopper. If it isn't practical, why bother? I was able to get his shopping done in under 30 minutes, as well as some other things that were needed. If nothing else, I am fast at shopping. Get in and get out.

As I mentioned yesterday, we will be heading out to supper at one of the local pizza joints that has some token operated games for the kids. I invited along RM & PT, and the in-laws, but I don't think they will make it (the In-Laws that is). Being sort of last minute, it isn't going to be much. Some pizza, and open some presents. then I am sure he will want to get home ASAP to play with what I bought him.

I need to get some other things done, so I am out of here.

PeacE

Getting Old and Falling Apart/Stimulating the Economy

Twenty years ago I made a trip to the hospital. It was 'sort-of' an emergency, and it took place in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. By 8am everything was good though, and phone calls were made to reassure family that things were fine. Also, to share joyous news that my daughter was born. I remember in those fast, few minutes as her lungs were cleared, and breathing started; the nurse didn't stop to rinse her off as they quickly did those first tests they do with newborns. It seemed within seconds the nurse was handing her into my arms, pink, mucus-covered, little thing, with her legs literally sticking straight-up by her ears. Tears were flowing form my eyes, as I leaned over as careful as I could to show her to her Mom. Our daughter was a breech baby. They had tried internal, and external manipulations to flip her around, but to no avail. Being her first pregnancy, and our regular OBGYN being out of town, the Doc on call (old-fashioned doc) made the call to do a C-section, rather than the possible attempt our regular doc had discussed with us. It's still a very sore point with the Wife.

So now the daughter is 20, has an apartment in another town, living on her own (though with monetary assistance from us). I'm 40 and though am trying to get my body back to healthier version of me, still somewhat falling apart from the use, abuse and agedness (that a word?) of my body. Kinda like my house. And my van. Speaking of house and van .....

I took the van up to the garage this morning after I did the work-out at the gym. About 3-4 weeks ago I had an oil leak that was due to a pinhole in the oil filter. Everything was good for about a week or two, then puddles started showing up again. I had other things keeping my attention, that I had to wait until today to get it in to the shop. Turns out there is a coolant leak at the gasket seal of the water pump. There doesn't seem to be an issue with the function of the water pump, but that will be looked at when they take it off to replace the gasket. In fact, I just called there to see if the quote they gave me includes the replacement of the pump - which it is full replacement of pump, gasket, coolant, etc. Plus they will check the misc hoses near that area for possible wear/tear/damages. Another several pretty pennies when all is said and done to fix that. 

Then..... Monday, I was out watching the game with friends, but when I got home, the Wife let me know she and one of the boys smelled like a 'burning rubber' type smell coming through the ventilation system of the house. Stepping outside they couldn't smell it in the air in the neighborhood, so the Wife shut off the AC. Turning it on later, there was no smell coming from the vents. Actually there was nothing coming from the vents. I am guessing the blower motor has gone kaput on us. Today I am calling some places referred by friends & family to get pricing for a service call, and possible repair. So far, I am looking at the near the same cost as it is to fix the van. More pretty pennies.

Soooo, tonight the Wife and I will sit and discuss where we are financially, and which one of those two things take the priority in getting fixed. 

If nothing else, I sure feel like I have been stimulating the economy this past year.

PeacE

Happy 40th To Me!

Today is my birthday. I am turning 40, though no history book will ever mention my name, the date I was born, or any event caused/created by me during my life here on this earth. Does that depress me? NO WAY! I would rather not be noticed!

I was searching around, found a few things that happened on this date:

1819 - Thomas Blanchard of Springfield, MA patented a machine called the lathe. Blanchard said it was invented for the manufacturing of gun stocks. His lathe did the work of 13 operators.
1920 - The first prizefight broadcast on radio featured Jack Dempsey knocking out Billy Miske in the third round of a bout in Benton Harbor, MI. Radio station WWJ in Detroit was the station that fight fans were tuned to.
1930 - Gallant Fox won the Lawrence Realization at Belmont Park in New York and became the leading moneymaker in thoroughbred racing.
1937 - Benny Goodman and his orchestra recorded Sugar Foot Stomp on Victor Records. The tune was a Fletcher Henderson arrangement.
1943 - The youngest player to appear in an American League game was pitcher Carl Scheib of the Philadelphia Athletics. On this day, Scheib was 16 years, eight months and five days old.
1958 - Actor Steve McQueen starred on the CBS-TV series, Wanted: Dead or Alive. McQueen played bounty hunter Josh Randall. Randall was a man of few words but sure knew how to use his .30-.40 sawed-off carbine on the bad guys.
1959 - The first Barbie Doll was sold by Mattel Toy Corporation. The original Barbie, along with her pals, Ken and Skipper, are now collectors items, although new versions are continually being produced.
1969 - Singer, songwriter David Bowie debuted on U.K. charts with Space Oddity. You remember, “Ground Control to Major Tom, Ground Control to Major Tom ... Check igition and may God’s love be with you, Three, Two, One, Liftoff...” Space Oddity peaked at #5 in the U.K. The song’s release was timed for the U.S. moon landing, but didn’t make the U.S. charts until its rerelease in 1973 (it reached #15).
1972 - Rick DeMont lost the gold medal he received in a 400-meter swimming event because a banned drug was found in his system during routine drug testing.
1973 - Avenging the loss of his gold medal one year earlier, swimmer Rick DeMont captured the 400-meter freestyle event with a world record time of 3:58.18.
1975 - Glen Campbell hit #1 on the Billboard pop music chart with Rhinestone Cowboy. It had reached the top position on the country chart on August 23rd.
1976 - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were reunited by Frank Sinatra -- after 20 years of going their separate ways. The former comedy team warmly met each other again during a surprise visit by Martin to Lewis’s annual Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy.
1980 - Miss Oklahoma, Susan Powell, was crowned Miss America in Atlantic City, NJ. It was the first time in 25 years that Bert Parks had not served as master of ceremonies for the show. He had been dismissed because the pageant committee considered him to be too old. Former TV Tarzan, Ron Ely, was chosen to host the festivities.
1982 - Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates saw his uniform, number 8, retired by the Bucs. It was the fourth Pirate player’s uniform to be so honored. The other three belonged to Roberto Clemente (#21), Honus Wagner (#33) and Pie Traynor (#20).
1984 - Country-music star Ernest Tubb died this day, at the age of 70. Tubb was from Crisp, Texas and was known as the ‘Texas Troubadour’. He patterned his unique style after Jimmie Rodgers. Tubb recorded I’m Walking the Floor Over You and sold more than three million copies of the tune. Blue Christmas, I Love You Because, Missing In Action and Thanks a Lot were also classics made famous by Tubb. Other recording artists as diverse as The Andrews Sisters, Loretta Lynn and Red Foley recorded with Tubb. His 1979 album, The Legend and the Legacy, was a top-ten hit. Tubb was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1943 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1965.
1986 - Bananarama hit the top spot on the pop music charts with Venus. The tune had also been a number one hit for the Dutch group, The Shocking Blue (2/07/70).
1996 - Three movies opened in U.S. theatres: Bogus, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Gerard Depardieu and Haley Joel Osment; Bulletproof, with Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler, James Farentino and James Caan; and Sweet Nothing, starring Michael Imperioli, Mira Sorvino, Paul Calderon.
1997 - The Westminster Abbey funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales, was an extraordinary event, marked by numerous poignant moments: The people sobbing and throwing flowers at the funeral cortege winding through the streets of London. Her sons, walking behind her casket with their heads bowed. And Diana’s brother, who during his funeral oration took aim at the media, who he said made the princess “the most hunted person of the modern age.” Elton John sang a rewritten version of Candle in the Wind to “England’s rose”. The song was originally a tribute to film legend Marilyn Monroe, whose own tragic life, like Diana’s, ended at the age of just 36.

Overall, sounds like a pretty boring day...which suits me fine. Wouldn't want to share the day with some thing like Halloween, or Valentine's Day. Crap like that is just unthinkable.

Well, not much to elaborate on, just me turning 40. Having lunch with the parents. Maybe go out for a couple free beers with friends tonight.

PeacE

Granny Midget Amputee Porn

You just have to snicker at the post title. I am. Of course, I mainly put it there to see how many hits happen from Google today (and in the future) because I have nothing better to do with my time.

The past couple of days, I have tried to find a topic to actually sit and write a post about, but I lack dedication to the task. Each time I sat down to throw my thoughts into words, it just kind of ... well, fell apart. Actually it was more like the thoughts just dried up like a water droplet on the sidewalk in Phoenix during the summertime...wait, that sounds like now. So maybe it is a factor of the heat affecting me. It's an excuse, flimsy, but I will use it.

We are just over halfway through the month of August, and I am dreading the next three weeks. My birthday is coming up around the Labor Day weekend. What's so bad about that? It's my 40th and I am leery of my family. When I lived at home (my HS years) the "important" birthdays (ie. 16, 18, etc) were celebrated by usually some fancy-ish restaurant, and I hated they always did the embarrassing thing of having the cake brought out and waiters/waitresses sing loud and off key so everyone within three blocks knew it was my birthday. I so hated that. I hate any birthday of mine being made a big deal of. Which brings me back to the whole 40th thing. Sigh.

I'm probably worrying over nothing, fearing some big deal being made of it. I dunno. There are so many more important things I could waste time worrying about. Oh well.

PeacE

What A Great Weekend!

This past weekend was a great one! Labor Day (my birthday) we spent most of the day out at my Sis' having hamburgers/hot dogs, and lots of different sides. Kids went swimming. I got my Kindle I been wanting! Though, due to shipping I have to wait a few more days. Everyone had pitched in for it! I did get the leather cover for it already, just need to wait for the actual device. I already started looking for sites for free book downloads.

So now the last big holiday of the summer is over. Next one is Thanksgiving (I don't really count Halloween). I am looking forward to the fall time so the heat will go away for a couple months.

Missed having my daughter up from college, but sometimes work and gas funds don't always work in our best interest. She should be back up in a couple weeks for an appointment, and I assume we will see her then.

Everything else reverts back to normal. Kids back to school, Wife to work.

PeacE

Should I start a Countdown??

It's 2:40am. I guess I have awakened due to all the excitement I feel inside. That, or the incredible urge I had to relieve my bladder. No, before you ask, I am not going irregularly in the night. I am always up at least once, since I drink so much fluid during the day.

But if it were possibly any day but Monday, some excitement might be about, too. We are down to just a week left until Labor Day Monday - or as more commonly known this year as Ralphd00d's Official and Last Birthday of His Formulative and Wisdom Gathering Years for Maturation, more commonly understood as, Last of the Third Decade Dynasty, or even 'round here, just noted in RM's little day journal as "Ralph - 39". Yes, that last big celebration to be taken advantage of for 365 days, before the the next decade begins in the Story of My Life.

Well, there I gone and done it. That's the most excited I have been ever for a birthday I think. Yeaaaaahhhh, I did.

No huge celebratory plans - after all it ain't what most consider a milestone marker year. Saturday and Sunday are pretty clear and open. Monday plans are to head over to Sis' for Family get together and eat/swim/whatever for the day. Her hubby and I usually put our bdays together (his is exact week after mine - though I am the younger one - just to not confuse you). I know my boys have been looking forward to the pool and cooling off as it has been pretty sticky around here for the monsoon season. Waiting to hear from the daughter if she will make it home from college for the weekend, or if she has other plans.

Welp, I think that is about all I got for right now. Anyone else doing anything exciting?

PeacE

Playing the Hurry Up and Wait Game

Okay, got the van into the garage and now I play the damn game. The Daughter was nice enough to give me a ride home (and one back as long as it doesn't take forever) so I wouldn't have to sit there for who knows how long. Though, I will admit, they had it in the bay being looked at before she picked me up - maybe a good sign. I am just waiting the phone call now to tell me what's wrong, how much to fix, and when will it be ready.

Edit : Wouldn't you know it. Five minutes after posting this they call. Good news is it is all under warranty and I have to pay nothing to have it fixed and re-charged. I also had them check the oil again (due to the problem we had on the trip) and they said it is fine, but our transmission fluid is looking pretty dirty. This had been mentioned prior to our trip as well. So I went ahead and had them do a transmission drain/flush/refill. Van will be ready noon'ish - so the daughter is going to pick me up about 1 and drop me off there.

Other than that, I am slightly bored already this morning. No new movies to watch.

Saturday is the middle son's birthday. He is turning 8. Sounds like we are going to do Peter Piper Pizza (a place similar to Chuck E cheese's in that they have a ton of video games to play) for lunch, but am not 100% sure yet. I know I reserved a spot up at the pub from 6-10 that evening for the big UFC fight. Yeah, reserved! Special seat and price gets you all food & drink for free during the fights. I am catching a ride with someone.

Reverend Mother has her birthday coming up as well on Monday. I have no idea what to get her. I hate shopping, let alone having to shop for "something" you think they will like. And yet, I usually end up feeling cheap and getting gift cards. I would rather them go get something they want than me trying to guess. I know sometimes you CAN find the right sort of gift you know they will love, but I hate the hassle of it all.

Well, it has been 45 minutes and no phone call yet. Wonder if that is good or bad news? Oh well. Guess I will go surf the net until I hear from them.

PeacE

Sleep Illusion (ya know, where I thought I was getting sleep)

Another early morning. But I finished my book by Jim Butcher "Changes". I love his Harry Dresden, Wizard, series, and am looking forward to the next one this November. Now, back to "Shadowrise" by Tad Williams, unless I find something better at the bookstore.

Yeah, heading off to Barnes & Noble today. Why? My oldest son turns 12 today, and I thought it would be good to search out a book for him. I am thinking, I heard some good things about Brad Metzer's (sp?) new one called something like "Heroes for a Son" from over at "Poop and Boogies" blog (you can find it on my sidebar). So, he turns 12, I go book shopping. Heh, I hope it is like that every year. So far, all mu kids enjoy reading, and I hope they never change.

1998. Seems so long ago. You can tell it has been awhile - I am skinny.

Now, he enters 7th grade this fall. Here's one with him and Grandma (Reverend Mother) at the district concert.

Yup. They are all growing up fast. Since I hadn't put it up yet, her is the daughter in her home-made prom dress, and another of her and her boyfriend.

Alrighty! I am off to do some book looking, drop off the Wife's early ballot, hit the bank, and I am thinking Subway for lunch.

PeacE