Games, Games, Breakfast And Dinner

 Today and tomorrow are going to be somewhat busy for me. Well, at least much busier than my usual days. It is Friday, so the Youngest has their Homecoming game tonight. I am not going - I do not care to sit in the stands, and all the walking.... plus I am sure parking tonight will be terrible, meaning full lots. Though myself or the Wife will need to pick him up afterwards. Also, a game my brother got into playing on the tablet, has this big 'cross-server clash' battle against three other clans, and today is the last day to "power-up" my teams to be in the battle. I will be concentrating on getting as many items to boost my team today.

Tomorrow starts out with a breakfast at Ronnie's Cafe (our favorite breakfast place) where RM will be meeting up with me. I think she mentioned she has not been there before. I mentioned to the Wife about going there, and she may join us as well. Heck, I even mentioned it to the Youngest, and he may be interested in going. Most likely he will be too tired in the morning to go after the HOCO game the night before, but will see. I am sure I will just 'veg out' the middle of the day, and late afternoon, we will be heading out to Olive Garden for dinner with Youngest and his date, prior to dropping them off.

Sunday, I would normally head up to the pub to watch NFL, but I just am not feeling it this year. a good friend that has been meeting up with me the last several years, has decided to not go this year - no reason given to me, and all I hear are stories as to why. I texted him last night, asking him to call me today at his leisure, to find out what the hell is going on. I don't know if he will call. The stories of the reasoning I have heard, are in my opinion stupid reasons to not hang out with friends. But what do I know?

Well, I best get started in on my games....

PeacE

Working the Holiday?

 Normally, the Company has July 4th off, and this year is no exception. We are "closed" so no one is able to make 'double time' and yet we are not paid for the holiday, so we are already 8 hours short of 40 for the week. Shrug. It is what it is. They offered if we wanted to work extra hours all week, to make up for the shortage, we are open to do so, as long as we contact them ahead of time. I don't think I will. With the pauses we are already having in the workload, I doubt we will be working a full week anyways. Such is life.

The Youngest passed the online test for his permit to drive yesterday! It is a major accomplishment in our household, seeing as to how I had to push/cajole/swear/manipulate him to even get to the point of taking the damn thing. I think the only way that finally got to him was I was going to sell the car we bought for him, as it was just sitting there taking money (insurance) whilst he sat on his ass doing nothing. And yes, I had to wake him twice to get him up yesterday to get in the office room and do the damn test. Sigh. We are going up today to get the actual paper permit (regular mailed within 10 days) this afternoon when I finish work.

I went out with the buds last night as per the usual Thursday routine. Feeling a little groggy this morning, though I did make the 6am hour for work. One bud is gone to North Dakota Country Fest next week, so not sure if meeting up next week or not.

PeacE

What a Weekend ...

 Labor Day is here again, and you know what that means ... the start of my birthday month (as I say). So Saturday I had planned up to meet at one of my local pubs at noon, and invited many of my friends to come join me in having one, or two, or seven. No presents, no cards - buying me a drink was acceptable. Turned out to be a relly good day, as a friend of mine that lives in Florida flew in that morning, just for my birthday. She is leaving on Tuesday, and we are going to try to find some time Monday to get together for a bit. Not sure what her plans are, nor mine.

Saturday morning got an email from the Company that they are continuing with us on the project into this week. Monday was confirmed no hours, but opened it to 10 hrs/day to make up for being off Monday. Yeah, no holiday pay. I may or may not work the 10 hours shifts - it's not required.

Not having much luck falling asleep tonight, so got some things done on the interwebz as I need to. I think I got four or five reviews done so am caught up on the books. I do not have any more advanced copies at the moment, so will get back to my regular reads I am working on. My goal for the year is almost met (200).

Welp, on to something else to see if I can get sleepy...

PeacE

A Return to Monday

 Here we are at the "start" of the work week again, and I have no work. Turns out that for whatever reason, I was not selected for this new project. Personally, I believe it is because they have so many people not on projects, that everyone is vying for a spot when they have one available. I have reached out to a couple other companies that do the same type of work, but have not heard back from any. Most the other companies seem to want only people with a college degree (which I don't have) even though I have work experience doing the job. Sometimes, I just don't get it.

The weekend came and went. The friend I was to meet up with couldn't make it. I guess he was having a bad back day. Through text he shared he would be doing a series of shots to help alleviate the pain, though I think his better option is to do some Physical Therapy, similar to what I went through for my work comp injury. But he is 15 years older than I, and quite a bit heavier, so maybe that is not a valid option for him. I did go out and met up with a couple others that were going to be there, and had a good visit with them as well. Sunday I just hung around the house.

Nothing major on the agenda this week. Going to be a slow one I feel.

PeacE

Shocking the World (and myself)

 I haven't had a beer, or any alcohol, since last Friday. WHAT?!? Yeah. When that pain started Friday, though it felt minor, I thought it might be somewhat caused from dehydration. I get cramps in the legs when I don't drink enough regular fluids, so thought I should spend some time hydrating. Come Sunday, when the pain started to worsen (though not terrible as of yet) I was still drinking plenty of water. Then of course, early Monday happened, leading to spending the day at the ER.

I know those of you that know me are shocked I have been able to go that many days without some sort of alcohol, and I don't care. I went to the bar today. I was up there a few hours, hanging out with a friend, did some reading of books. Drank WAY too many pitchers of Pepsi. YEs. Pepsi. No beer, no shots, no fancy umbrella drinks with alcohol. Straight-up Pepsi and ice. When I mentioned mid-afternoon to the Wife that I was "Heading out for a bit" (code phrase for 'I am going to the bar') she wasn't happy, and replied something under her breath about whatever, it's my liver. Obviously, with this issue going on, she was not thrilled about me  going out drinking. When I came home this evening, it was later (like I had been drinking) and I pretty much went to bed. She had not said one thing to me. When she came to bed, I told her that I hadn't drank anything but Pepsi, and she was a bit shocked (like I know you were). At least she dropped her pissy attitude at me.

As the day wore on, I don't know if was me, or the body, getting used to the pain, but it seemed to decrease in intensity. Still cannot inhale deep without a spike of pain, and prodding that area I am notified there is still tenderness (or something). I will wait until later in the morning (hopefully after a few hours of sleep) to see if there less pain. If it decreases, I don't think I am going to call any GI. I didn't call today, but will Tuesday to set up this new doctor to see for HBP meds. I kinda want to wait to see if this pain fades over the next couple days, but if that happens, I know I won't call. Need to force myself to do it.

Other than that, nothing planned for the day. I mentioned previously that the work project ended, and I am currently on hold until the next project comes along. I'll give them a couple days before I start emailing them about how "available" I am to be placed on something. Hopefully that will work better than waiting 2-3 weeks until they get around to me. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, and all.

Last Thursday, I heard from a friend that his wife and MIL had Covid. The MIL was in the hospital - her condition wasn't terrible, but enough to warrant it. His wife was at home, and I think only got tested because she had been around her mother. So my Friend had to get tested (I'm sure work required it) and Friday found out he was positive, though no outward symptoms. Tomorrow he is getting tested again, and hoping it comes up negative. Then yesterday I heard another friend and his wife (about 15 years older than me) were both in the hospital for low oxygen levels and difficulty breathing. I reached out to him and found out it was Covid, and as of now they were going to be in for at least 2-3 weeks. I know news reports about the Valley stating that around 2,000 cases being reported daily, and deaths in the lower double digits. I don't understand all that crap, and how they jade the numbers to fit whatever media mumbo-jumbo and party they follow. I still believe that this hype is so politically controlled, whether for or against. If you got it, you got it. Like a cold, or the flu, or pneumonia. It gets worse or it don't. Mask mandates - Bah! Vaccination requirements - Bah! I'm sure for some of you, this will make you want to thump your chest in agreement, or start up the riot act against me. I don't care. This is my opinion, my blog. I respect your opinions/beliefs no matter how different (and stupid) they are compared to mine.

Okay, enough ranting. I should go back and delete some of that, but I won't. Writing is writing. And I am rambling because I want to get tired to go to bed. I think drinking all that soda tonight has given my body way too much sugar, and that is what is keeping me awake. Definitely more than I usually have all at one period of time. So, I guess I should leave off there, and maybe go find something else to do for a bit.

PeacE

New Early Morning Record!

 I made it to 1:30am with the whole sleep thing. That is including being inebriated and in bed by 11pm. Needless to say, I will be laying back down and trying to recapture some of that lost sleep time at some point this morning.

Today is Wednesday. The handful plus of years I put in at my last job, I did make some good friends. One of them, his last day is tomorrow. He and his family are moving to Florida (not in the middle of these storms) I hope, and either way, tomorrow is his last day at work. Being that he worked in our Reconditioning department, they are off at 1pm, and are headed to a local pub on that side of town. I am meeting up with them. Yes, me with no car. The Valley has a lightrail system, and I plan on using it almost the full route they have in service.

Yeah. I plan on a good hour and a half to traverse the Valley. I called and talked with my buddy, and figured someone could pick me up from the closest stop (about a mile form the workplace) and someone would drop me back off afterwards at any station stop. Needless to say, it'll be an adventure. Worst case is an Uber for a long drive home.

PeacE

...

Friday was a long day. Not only did my regular job take a bit longer, that night I was covering a shift for one of the bouncers at the pub.Friday was also the day my buddy Don took a turn to the worse. Seems his health had deteriorated so bad that day, they moved him to hospice that evening. A couple people I knew had been in to see him, and told me how bad he looked, and that I should get there to see him. But I had to finish work first. All night I debated with myself, if I should go see him or not. Word was he was incoherent due to the morphine. By then end of the shift came, I had decided I would go, and I got there about 3 am.

Fifty minutes later, he passed away. Was he hanging on, waiting for me to get there? I don't know. His girlfriend said she believes it, and it just makes me feel guilty. To think he held on waiting for me, so because I hadn't gone and seen him sooner, everyone, including himself, had to suffer? I don't like to think that.

I spent most of the weekend with my family, avoiding having to deal with people. Though Sunday I did go down to the pub to watch the Redskins win (a win for Don!) and saw a few people there. Dread going into work today. Don had gotten me this job, and he had been with this company several years. Many of the techs he has worked with for even longer with other companies, through mergers, etc. I have a feeling, that prior to getting to start my route, it is going to be a long day. I'm trying to time it so I am not early (like usual) and right on time, to avoid as much extra chatter as possible.

Have I dealt with all my grief? Probably not. I just don't want to be dealing with it in public.

PeacE

Happy Wednesday (Oh Crap, It's Thursday)

Just like everyone else, I am happy it is one day closer to Friday than I thought. This week has just not been the best one it could have been, yet I admit, I haven't helped on making it better either. I just want the damn thing to end.

Last night was nice. I went out to the the pub and got to hang out a bit with a friend that is in visiting from Georgia (the state, not the country). It's been close to a year since he was last out here to visit. There was enough other stuff going on around us, that we only had a few minutes (between the two of us) and I know Saturday will another time we can hang out before he heads out of town.

My good buddy that got me my job, is in the hospital. He had had some lump growing on his neck that turned cancerous. Earlier this year he had gone through some chemo and radiation to "kill" it off, which worked. He as admitted yesterday to have the docs go in and remove some scar tissue. Seems some of the interior scarring is pressing on some sort of nerve cluster, plus they want to remove the interior scars to prevent the cancer from coming back. He's in for a couple days. I called him yesterday evening, but he was still groggy, and doped up, so we didn't talk long. I sure as hell am not going to the hospital to see him,

I hate hospitals.

What else I got? Pretty much nothing.

PeacE

What a Doozy!

In the last post, I made sure to mention that the Reverend Mother was celebrating her birthday, by having the family out to dinner. Prior to meeting there, the Wife tells me that the Daughter's boyfriend had texted her that they might not it up in time to meet there, but wanted to talk to me. Either way, through a couple phone tag games, we ended up talking on the phone (the boyfriend and I) and he asked for the Daughter's hand in marriage. I gave our blessing, and he proposed to her Saturday morning, at the top of one of the local hiking trails on the mountains in town, at sunrise. She said yes.

Here it is Sunday morning, and I have basically told her she needs to let everyone know, and give us the okay to be able to mention it to people. Mainly, I want her to have all the excitement, as, I hope, this will be the only time she is engaged. I know she has told most of the immediate area family, and will be sharing with more today.

It is Sunday, and my afternoon and evening are pretty booked. There is a coaches meeting around 2pm that I need to go to (I am pretty much the admin part of our team) and leave there to be home by 4pm to head to the airport to pick up Leah, my friend flying in from Michigan. The Wife and I decided this morning that we would take the whole family with us to the airport, then take Leah out to dinner once she has arrived. It is the only chance for the Daughter to see her prior to her returning flight next Saturday. That will put me back home probably somewhere between 8-9pm.

The boys start school tomorrow. Sigh. not looking forward to another school year of the 6:30 am drop-off for band dang near everyday.

Needless to say, I am feeling a bit busy today!

PeacE

Seeing Some Great Friends

I have been lucky in life to have some great friends. This weekend, one of them has flown into the Valley to spend time this weekend. Looking forward to hopefully having the chance today to spend some time with her before I go to work tonight. Another friend is flying in from Michigan next month, as she has a conference for work out here.

That has got me thinking about the whole 'friend' thing. you know, how far would you go for people you know, versus who is truly a friend and would go that far for you as well. I am sure I have pontificated on it before, so won't waste time today. It's a good feeling to know that there are people out there that feel that way about you, and knowing you would do the same. I only feel bad that I don't keep in contact as good as I probably should. I am not one that likes to talk on the phone, so those conversations can be pretty short, and one-sided. I suppose email would work, except, lately I feel there isn't anything of excitement to write about. Maybe I should just write boring emails either way ... it's all about just being friends, right?

Great. Now I am talking myself into feeling guilty about something. Way to go d00d.

PeacE

Another One Bites the Dust

I am not pleased this morning. Not only did the dog wake me up an hour and a half early, chewing up some stuff, but I found out another friend has passed away. I think that makes like four over the past year, that I have had to see pass away, in my eyes, before they should have. I know in all instances, health was a factor, and age did not help. I guess I should start finding younger friends, instead of the ones 10+ year solder than me. Then again, at 40, I don't know how possible that would be - to have younger friends.

I think what makes me a bit more upset, at find out out my friend had passed last Friday, is that I had to read about it on a post on Facebook. Granted, my friend's family probably did not know me - or well enough to have my contact info, or know how well we were friends - to just randomly call me from his contact list to inform me about his death. But I don't know. There were enough of our friends to let me know, but no one did. I'm just kind of pissed off about it I guess.

So my Tuesday starts out  a bit bummed. We are taking the daughter's car in to the shop to be looked at today. She says it is "running rougher than normal" and the previous problem of a possible catalytic convertor issue will be looked at. I am hoping maybe just a tune-up rather than that. They were saying it would $800-$1200 if it is the catalytic. Please be something simple and cheap for once!!! Afterwards, I need to do some chores (dishes, run to the bank) all following sitting with FIL so MIL can get some shopping done. This week is pretty clear after that, until Friday when I need to pick up Stuman when he flies back in from Ky.

Tommy, my friend, you will be sorely missed.

PeacE

What's This Space For?

I'm feeling a bit tired this morning. Last night, I went to bed a bit later than I usually do. Mainly because I was finishing up a book I was reading - the second in a two part series. But also because I wasn't feeling tired. I laid in bed a good hour or so before I gave up and decided to do something else. Finally around 1am I returned to bed, where I flipped around for at least another 30 minutes before falling asleep. I got up out of bed at the regular time, though I still feel tired. I thought maybe I should do a regular day, and then will sleep that much better/easier tonight. Here's to rational thought process....

My buddy Scotty B is arriving in town today. He and his wife are here to celebrate 3 years of marriage. The RM married them. They requested we do a family night for dinner at a restaurant in nearby Glendale called LA Piaza Al Forno, which is a fancy way of saying homemade Italian style pizza. It's a Mom & Pop place that has made that food channel show with Guy Fieri. I have never been there, and neither had they, so we decided to check it out. I need to wait til they open later this morning to contact them about our large party. RM & PT will be joining us as well.

From talking with him the other day, it sounded like they had pretty much made plans for each evening. I know I will be joining them a bit on one of them, just am not sure which. I am guessing Saturday, as the plans are to be at an Irish pub, and they have traditional Irish music performances. Scotty B & I enjoyed it years ago, but haven't been back. Sunday I know we are meeting up at my regular place for the race, after I get there from the softball tournament.

This weekend hasn't even started, and already I am feeling a bit worn out....

PeacE

Thirsty Thursday

Well, the Dr. appointment went VERY well! I had lost 17 pounds since last visit (early March) and he said it is the biggest loss he has seen a patient have in the past year or more. Blood was drawn, to re-check the cholesterol & triglycerides, though he felt they would have gotten to the levels they need to be at compared to the last draw (March). Blood pressure was down from 140/80 to 130/74 so that was a big improvement, though he wants to continue on the BP pills (Lisinopril) for just a few more months. Maybe by the end of the year I will be off them. Not a bad trip for once. He was happy about the changes going on.

Today, it is all about others. Here in about an hour I will be taking the daughter through the emissions process here in AZ. Not that it is difficult, or anything, just that she is so unsure as she has never been. That and taking me along means I pay for it... of course, if she paid, we'd end up putting the money back in her account anyways. But then she will be headed to Tucson. She should be moving in the apartment on Monday, but needs to be down there to get some furniture she bought on Craig's List before tomorrow. She'll be staying at her boyfriend's aunt's place, or another girlfriend down there... as far as I know, and I don't want to know more unless I have to. She'll be loading up her car after emissions and hitting the road.

Then, I need to head to the pub (go figure) and pick up my friend Ginny's spare key from the bartender. No, she didn't leave her keys, the bartender is her best friend. Then tomorrow I will be taking her truck to get the oil changed, and tires checked. When she comes back out on the 1st, and loads the U-haul to head back to NC, should be in good order. Plus I have to help another friend of her's move some furniture to his place or storage with her truck Friday, too. I think I might do little "me time" at the pub today, since the next one is busy.

PeacE

A Joke for Wednesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

"Why is that?" the other asks.

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

"It was green and bumpy?"

"No. It was sour."

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

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

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

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

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

PeacE

Friday - part deux

Believe it or not, that today is actually getting better. I got an e-mail from an old buddy of mine that goes by the name Huggy. He has moved out from Phoenix years ago - actually I helped him drive the U-haul to NY. Seems like 10 years ago about?

Anyways, he e-mailed me and we are getting in touch after not seeing/writing/calling for about 3 years due to lost contact.

Sometimes, I guess it can get better.

PeacE