A Fire Under My Tail....?

I don't know how to say it, so just say it I will...

Thanks to the fires running rampantly in California, be it caused by negligence, DEWs, or just dumb general public (known to be starting fires in the LA area) the venue for the Minnesota-LA Rams was changed to Phoenix for tonight's game. I will be out tailgating at said game, even though I care for neither team. It is a friendship building thing, as I am going with dome people that support the Vikings (puke!) but they are good people I know from the VFW, and they were kind enough to invite me to hang out with them as they tailgate. We have touched base this morning and will be meeting up in a few hours to have a wonderful afternoon, even without actually going into the game venue. Might end up at a bar watching the game, or may not... we have not made plans as to that far out yet. My team, Washington, pulled out a win last night against Tampa Bay, and we proceed to next week, to play against Detroit. I have a couple of very good friends that are Lions fans, and messaged with both last night. One lives here int he Valley, and we are going to try to hook up to watch the game next week, but either way, I have a strong feeling Washington will be out of the running after the game....

It is a Monday, but I guess I need to get stuff done this week. Told the Youngest to get up by 10am today, so we could get him scheduled for his road test for his driver's license. He's got 30 minutes or I am off to do other things. I have told him before, you need to be responsible for the times you commit to getting things done, be it a job, or just verbal commitments to other people. No matter how much I want to aid/abet him, he has to learn on his own, and the consequences. Sigh. Another sad point in my life.

Other than that, short post today. Looking forward to having some fun with friends today.

PeacE

Sunday Decisions

 It's another Sunday and I am up earlier than I want to be. I mean, 6:30 is not too early, but I would have preferred to sleep at least until the alarm went off - which was set for 8:30. Oh well. I know why I am up early at least. That five hour nap I had yesterday afternoon (by mistake) probably was the reason. I really only mean to lay down or about an hour, but the body thought differently, and I had not told the Wife to wake me, so she didn't.

Aside from sleeping a good part of yesterday, I really didn't do much. Today I am not sure what I am going to do. Usually I meet up with a couple football buddies around 10:30 and catch the games. But this is playoffs now, and none of our teams made it, so we have nothing in it. Last week, one was sick, and the other had some other things going on, so I spent most of the day by myself. I don't know if I feel like going this morning. Will have to think about it - I got time to do that being up early.

Well, I mentioned a short time ago about the Oldest Son's car being stolen about a week before Christmas. I waited until about a week ago to cancel the insurance, just incase he got word it was recovered. When I contacted the insurance, was told he had Comp/Collision on it, which I didn't think we had put on the policy. So he called it in to the insurance, and they started their process. Turns out, the car HAD been recovered, and yet the Police department NEVER contacted my Son. The insurance company was going to take the car to one of their places, and do the valuation of damage, or if it was totaled, etc. As of Friday we are still waiting to find out what they determined. I know the Son has been looking online at vehicles, and has made a pretty firm decision as to what his next vehicle will be. We are just in a "holding pattern" waiting to see what the insurance decision is, and what to do with the vehicle if it is not completely totaled.

Got nothing else today. Maybe something will happen to share tomorrow.

PeacE

Miracle? Or Just Recovery?

 Hmph. Last night's 4th Annual Santa Run seemed to be beset with problems from the get-go. About two hours from "go time" I get a text from one of the guys, that he can't find his Santa suit. Not my problem - I didn't put it up last year. But no suit - no go. I suggested he run to Party City ( a store) and see if they have any cheap ones he could buy. He never showed for the run. Out of the signed up 22 persons (guys) only 17 actually showed up. Not a bad ratio in my figuring, but my buddy who co-sponsors it was a bit dissappointed.

Overall I had a good time. The Oldest Son and I got to hang out and talk about "guy stuff" and catch up on just life in general. Yeah, I may have had a couple too many, but woke this morning at 9:ish feeling fine. No hangover, just that strong desire to relive an overloaded bladder. I was there for awhile. I had made no plans for this day, more specifically this morning, as I did not know how I would feel..

Just got a text from my football buddy that he will not make it to the pub for the games. Of course I told him last week, I would probably not be there this week, but actually I will head up there shortly. I guess he has a 'bad cough' (his words) and he is kinda weird about when he is sick, or being around others when they are sick. It's fine. I'll catch up with him next week.

Alright. I gotta go take care of a  few things then I amheading to the pub to see if my Redskins can beat the Giants (tied 2 weeks ago). And I am taking my tablet to do some reading as well.

PeacE

Making Plans to Sleep

 Yesterday pretty much wore me out, though it wasn't anything I really did for that to happen. I spent most of the day watching a couple football games with friends, then the Wife and I went out to dinner. I was in bed around 10pm, yet find myself wide awake at 3:30 this morning. I was planning on getting some errands done this morning, when places open, but I have a feeling I will be asleep, trying to make up for this morning's early wake-up.

Speaking of things needing to get done, I really need to get up to the cell carrier's store. I am due an upgrade, and I have been having issues the past couple weeks with my cell. Seems if it drops down to 40% power, it automatically will shut off and not restart unless it is has been charged for at least 30 minutes. Crappy Moto-X phone! Think I'll go with a regular Samsung this time. Oh, then the joy of transferring contacts, etc.... so not looking forward to that.

I was also hoping to get over to the 99 Cent store to get some more flavor packets for my water. If not there, somewhere I can buy some tea. For some reason I have been craving it quite a bit lately.

I was a bit displeased last night at the place the Wife and I had dinner at. It is a place called Longhorn, and is labeled as a 'steak place'. It is close to our house, which is nice. The Wife and I had ate there a few years back, and found it comparable to the steak places on either side of it - Texas Roadhouse, and Black Angus. Literally, these three steak competitors had restaurants right noext to each other! Of course, Black Angus went out of business some time ago, so now it is only the two, with an Outback on the other side of the freeway.

Anyways, this place looks 'poshier' than Texas Roadhouse, and the atmosphere is much quieter without all the singing/dancing from the waiters/waitresses. The menu is comparable to TR's, and is a little more procey, but sometimes worth it for the quieter atmosphere and quicker seating than the other place. So we are seated promptly, and get our orders in. They bring some complimentary bread/butter, where the bread was hard and cold, the bitter seemed to be frozen. When our meat dishes arrived the Wife found here's was rare (ordered medium) mine was medium (ordered rare) and we were only asked once about drink refills (at the time of them bringing the meat). I was quite dis-satisfied. I do get better table service and correct meal orders at Roadhouse, so I guess I am back to having to deal with the louder noises and dancing.

PeacE

Another Football Sunday

 I'm up somewhat early for a day that I normally sleep in. Of course, being how I went to bed at 8pm last night probably helped. That and getting a full night's (plus) of sleep. I don't know why I was so tired that early last night. I had slept in late the previous morning, and pretty much didn't do much of anything most of the day....

Like many, I am getting tired of this election crap about now. I don't know if it truly is corruption in the ballot process, counting what shouldn't be, or whatever, but the number of legal claims being filed is a bit ridiculous. I read something this morning (on the internet so you know it is true) about Homeland Security watermarking ballots to watch for ballot corruption, or some kind of thread woven ballots. Just to avoid the situation that came up this year. Of course, this article also said they can't step in to look at the ballots until a state has completely finished their count. I know when I went to bed last night, some of the states they want to look at are still counting. It's a sit and wait game, not that I think much will change.

I'll be heading up to the pub this morning. It has been a couple weeks since I met my buddy up there for football. Both our teams are playing at 11am (AZ time). I think I will probably stay for the one game and head home about 1pm. Maybe take the family out to pick up some Yoshi's?...Yogi's?.... a rice place that is pretty good... for dinner. We did pizza last night, since one son was out with friends.

Obviously, work seems to be going well. I have at least almost two weeks left on this project. Hoping to be able to get into another one right away, to just stay busy. There was a Quality Control done on me this past week, and my team leader said I was dong better than expected (considering I just started). there were only two small mistakes found - one I was getting too much info, and one was an email address I missed. So not bad out of 500 spot-checks. I was talking to my friend that recommended this place to me, and he thinks I could be a QC checker within 6 months - though I dunno. In fact, this friend also just signed up for a 30-day project with the company (he does attorney stuff though - whereas mine is basic data-breach).

I think I had mentioned about the two older sons getting an apartment together here at the Nov-Dec mark. I have that in the back of my mind in worry. I have never inquired about their finances (income, etc) so I worry about them being able to afford the place, the utilities (as needed), gas for the vehicles, food, etc. The Wife and I briefly talked about it last night as we went to pick up the pizza. We both decided to just wait it out, and see what they do. If they run into trouble, they will need to figure out how to fix it. But I am going to miss another Son out of the house.

The Wife and I talked about Christmas. I'm screwed. I have no ideas for anyone. We have gotten a few things for Doodad, and a couple for the Daughter. Nothing for anyone else. Everyone doesn't NEED anything, and some don't have room for anything else. Myself included. I have no idea what we are going to do....

And with that thought, I think I am done here this morning.

PeacE

Life Is Crazy

Much has happened since I last logged in here and spewed words. The Wife was in an accident (her fault) and totaled the mini-van. I had to give up driving the "back-up" car (Middle Son's to be) and was catching rides with Reverend Mother. Finally got my insurance check on my car. Was able to find another vehicle pretty fast - a 2007 Dodge Charger. Same year as the Magnum was, so the interior is exactly the same, just not the larger cargo area in the back. It is black with some spots of paint weathering. Got it for a low, low price, too. Been running awesome!

Then about a couple weeks ago, the Oldest Son get tagged by a hit and run driver. Thankfully the damage is only cosmetic and his car doesn't need replaced. But the police have not been able to locate the other driver. Unfortunately, we don't carry the extras on the insurance policy, so no repairs being done.

This past Friday I turned 48 this year. Never thought I would live so long. Spent a nice evening out with some friends and had a few too many beers.

The Redskins have their first regular season game today, and I will be heading up to the pub to watch it.Here's to hoping they have a good season.

Welp, that's about all I got.

PeacE

Feeling Wiped Out

Today ended up being a long day, or at least it sure felt like it. Yesterday I had spent most of the day with friends, as we were out at the University of Phoenix stadium, tailgating prior to going in and watching my Redskins get their butts handed to them. I think I am pretty much done with our performance this season, though I will still watch and support my team, I just may not get excited for them. Except when we play Dallas, because then every NFL team is on our side to beat Dallas.

The tailgating was fun, as I had not been out there to do it in several years. This time around there were more people (some I knew, others I didn't) also there was a ton of food, though, I only munched here and there because I was too busy talking and drinking beer. My ticket once we went in was at the corner of one end zone, here they call it the Red Zone, so was two stories down, pretty much level with the field. One could smell the turf from my seat, and were close to the plays at that end zone, though, there were not many. The Jumbotron at the other end of the field was seen with clarity to help enjoy the game. Beer was expensive inside - about $11.50 for a "bomber" which was a tall boy can.

Afterwards, those I rode with, and a few others went over to the restaurant/shopping area near the stadium (called WestGate) and sat down to dinner at Margaritaville - yes the chain owned by Jimmy Buffet. My first time there. The food was okay, and along with the drinks (I was having just beer) both were pricey. Following dinner we all rode back to the starting point, and I drove home. I had thought about going up to the bar, but figured I had had enough to drink (I thought that?) I just went home.

This morning had me waking up from about 4:30 on, seemingly every 45 minutes. Got up to run the Son to school, then returned to bed as I was feeling the regular worn out from drinking too much - not a hangover per se, but just groggy and tired. I slept in nap increments until I needed to get moving for work. Felt fine most of the day, though, before I started my route, I was beginning to feel muscle soreness in the legs from all the walking the previous day, then working on my feet today. By 5:30 this evening, about halfway through my route, I just started feeling wiped out.

Once home, I heated up a couple Hot Pockets, and here I sit, waiting awhile for the food to digest before heading to bed. I am sure I will sleep in til time to take the Son to school. I am beat.

PeacE

Gonna Get Me Some Money

I mentioned yesterday that this Saturday I will have the chance to spend a little more time with a friend from GA. It is at a get-together at my buddy Jan's house, spending the evening playing some Texas Hold 'Em poker. If all works well, it won't be a huge gathering, I think he was planning on about nine players. I am a so-so player at Texas Hold 'Em. Depends on how much I have been drinking (obviously). I usually end up about mid-rank of about 15-20 people. Never made a final three for cash. But who knows, that may change Saturday night. I invited the Wife, so she could have "adult interaction" but have not heard if she wants to go with or not as of yet.

That is the recreational part of Saturday. I have plans for the earlier daytime, most of it involving physical work, so not quite sure how much of it will get done. I need to run my truck over by one of our stores to empty the accumulating trash in the back. I admit, I don't empty it daily at the shop - mostly because I don't feel like climbing into the back just to have to carry doors. SO I will wait a couple weeks then back it up to a dumpster at a store and empty it. Much easier than having to carry everything. Also in the agenda is the front yard needs to be mowed. The oldest boy will help with that, as it pretty much is his job. I just have to get on him about getting it done. The rain we had last week has turned it into a jungle. I know I had pulled up some grass/weeds that had gotten in around the Wife's roses, and I am sure will need to touch that up again as well. The truck needs washed. That probably won't happen.

Sunday is football day. My new Redskins hat that the Reverend Mother got me for my bday is getting some wear time. Though, I admit I need to get another jersey to wear, but so far, they cost quite more than I am willing to pay - at least the authentic ones I see online. Maybe if I go to sports gear store they might be a bit cheaper. I haven't decided which one I want yet either. No, I don't want to wear an RGIII or Morris one. Right now all I have is my Monk (whoa... that was a few years ago). Maybe if I could find a Manley, or Mann. Course, I am not sure what they have made, or if I have to have it made, the extra cost. Who knows, I may just chalk it up to a wish list thing.

Well, my "quiet time" is coming to an end. I hear the alarm clock going off for the Wife to get up and moving. Next will be the younger boys. I should find me a pop tart or something for breakfast.

Speaking of food, the RM will be happy to hear, I finally got a piece of the cherry pie last night ... actually, two pieces. It was that good! Hmmm.... cherry pie for breakfast ....

PeacE