Slow Happenings

 It has been nearly a week since I have even thought about posting something here. I have skipped posting mainly because I have nothing of interest to write about. I think I am slowly just going bat-shit crazy with not being on a project currently. My days starts out with me checking my email (throughout the day as well) to see if the Company has any new information on a project. Then it varies as to my mood but pick one of several things: play computer games, take a nap, go to the pub, stumble around the internet, sit and watch Youtube videos/shorts for hours at a time. Like I said, not much to write about.

Youngest is on fall break this week from school. Thankfully, in the next month or so, he will be done with marching season and hopefully the evening practices will end. I am not holding my breath though - since the percussion and the rest of the band have different practice schedules, the director will be making extra rehearsals I am sure - just to make us parents angry. I think I mentioned before, Youngest's girlfriend mother works at the school, and has mentioned even the admin are getting a bit angry at all the angry parents complaining about he extra rehearsals and late nights. I know I am one of them. But it is his final year, so like I tell him, just get through it.

Not that anyone cares(outside of RM of course) but I have finished 189 of my goal to read 200 books this year. I'm sure I will be over the goal and then some by the end of the year, but I am not guessing as to how much. I plan on spending today doing my 'book search' for new titles that interest me, and follow up on many of the authors I like to read to see if they have any new stuff coming out soon, or additional books if it was a series.

Welp, I guess that is all I got for now. Went to bed early last night, so am up at 3:30am because the body got enough sleep for the moment. I am sure I will be napping later on today.

PeacE

Because I Don't Want To Do It In The Morning ....

 Sunday night post, because I feel lazy already, and don't feel like doing it in the morning. Not much to share, or say. Work continues on, going into week ten (I believe) when I was hired on for a four week project. It is work, no worries there, but it isn't a steady 4-=hour work week. The hitches where they don't have additional work ready for us (if there is any) kills my hours more than working a new project, but it is what it is. Not sure exactly how much is there, since I worked a partial day Friday, but I knew there was enough to carry into Monday at least.

RM and PT went out of town this last week. One of my nephews had his wedding over in California. I guess they traveled via a rented RV and a single car. The drive out was a long one for them (about 14 hours) and I read RM's blog about some of the events over the weekend. As they travel home tonight (prolly arriving late) I hope they have no travel issues with vehicles.

Youngest starts the two week band camp tomorrow. It is to prep them all for the start of marching season. This new director they have, who started last year, has not been on my good side of things. I have not liked the many changes she made last year, and even more this year. After putting three other kids through the music program with different directors, these changes are, to me, just overly drastic. Certain practices take even more time away from being with family in the evenings, when it was never needed before. Thankfully this is his last year there (he's a senior), and all this will go away... just one school year.

So, this is where I sit as we start this week. Uncertain work times/days; adjustment to having to take extra time to accommodate Youngest and his band camp schedule; working on issues with one of the cars... seems like it never ends, right? Adulting sucks.

PeacE

Time for the Running of the Santas

 Whew! I am up early! The Youngest has a call-time of :am at the band room,  and he actually woke me around :am as he was getting in/out of the shower. I waited until the Wife's alarm went off (to wake him, though he was already up) and told her she gets to take him since she had on more clothes than I (she had on pj's). Before they left she came back in and grabbed an old flannel jacket of mine, as she said it was 35 out this morning. I hinted I wondered what is open at 6am for breakfast besides Dennys and McDonalds. Will see if she got the hint and picks up a breakfast from Wendys of JitB. I'm kinda hungry sitting here this morning.

Youngest came in the office here this morning in shorts and a T. I asked if he was going to be warm enough, and he said once they have full uniform on, and the marching, he'll be warm enough. I remember my days back in Junior High in Frankfort, marching in the Christmas parade, in the snow. It was so cold! At least I was playing a plastic sousaphone and not a brass one, or a brass tuba.

Santa Run is this evening. I texted with the Oldest Son last night, and I guess his friend is not going now. Something about having some teeth removed in the last week, and not sure that things have healed up enough that he should be drinking. Wuss. Oh well. More time for my Son and I to talk. I will spend a portion of today getting things together. I have got 200+ candy canes to throw into the Santa bag. I also bought some fur-trimmed boots to use with my suit rather than the 'shoe-covers' that come with it. I need to run by the bank yet at some point and get the money out for this evening as well.

Think I heard the Wife come home. Gonna go see if she brought breakfast - though I doubt it.

PeacE

Edit: The Wife did NOT bring breakfast. So around 7:30 I told her I needed food to get rid of my morning sick feeling (from meds) and I would take her to Ronnie's. She was all for that. Now back home and getting the candy canes all together. Unpacked the Santa suit (the bar one) and my new boots I ordered to go with it. Now killing time until this evening. Definitely will nap at some point.

"It Comes In Threes" They Say ....

 This past Sunday, the Wife received a text message from the Daughter. It seems both she and the SIL were feeling poorly (fever, feeling blah, etc) biut my Doodad seemed to be feeling fine. Later another text came in that the SIL had used one of the at-home Covid tests, and it showed positive for him. The curb-side testing was scheduled for the Daughter and Doodad for Monday. Monday I got a text that now Doodad was having a fever and not feeling well, and then later on, I got the text that yes, all three of them had tested positive for Covid. Sigh. The plan had hopefuilly been that they would be up to visit this next week while Doodad was on break, but that is now changed. Sigh. I do feel for them....

The Youngest's marching band competition went well. They placed third in their division (out of the seven bands there). Their next competition is a week from Saturday at NAU. Only another month and a half until marching season is over - and so are the extra night practices we have to be sure we are available to take/pick him up. Plus the Friday football games. I should be used to it, having had three kids do this for four years each, and this is the Youngest's third year. I'm happy to say, there is only one mor eyear left of it.

Saturday, RM and I plan to meet up for breakfast. She suggested Black Bear Diner, which is about halfway between our homes. I haven't beenthere in awhile, and before, it had generally been for dinners. I'm looking forward to seeing their breakfast menu, and time with RM, of course. 

Still dealing with adjustments to my medication changes. the end of last week showed me doing multiple express travels to the restroom. This week, that has resumed regular traveling speeds and necessity. I spent most of yesterday feeling nauseous, though not quite to the point of throwing up. I asked the Wife to bring home some Sprite to hopefully settle the stomach (it did). This morning I am feeling just a touch of nausea, but will see what happens since I just took my meds for the day. I do have some Sprite leftover just in case ... if it really helps with it.

I guess it is time to start trying to figure out Christmas stuff. We haven't had much of a chance to get presents early, though I know we have a few small items for Doodad. Seems we always find something to get her, and say for bday or Christmas, but end up just giving it to her because. I do have a couple ideas for the kids, that I will order this month to be sure they arrive in time. Others I will have to think of something. I'm sure Saturday I will be asking RM for ideas for her and PT, though each year it is usually the same stuff (PT-socks, sweatshirts, etc; RM nothing...as a rule). I know I am pretty much the same way - nothing for me. If anyone asks, I usually say beef jerky, or pickles, or similar.

That reminds me I have something for RM I will need to remember to bring Saturday morning. I could hold onto it until Christmas, but I picked this up a while back, and just haven't had the chance to get it to her. Just a little 'something'. I know when she reads this she will get a little excited, as she loves little unexpected gifts (don't we all?).

Welp, I got nothing much else to share at the moment, so guess I should mosey on and figure what I am going to do today. Think I might head to the VFW this afternoon depending on how I am feeling.

PeacE

Another Friday

 This has been such an uneventful week. I guess in some ways that has been a good thing. Wouldn't want cataclysmic events happening every other time I turn around.

Did the Doc appointment Monday. Everything went as I figured. Increased BP meds, added a second diabetic pill, ordered new labs. I finally got in and did the labs yesterday. They wanted a urine sample, too, which I thought was weird. I have never had to do that before for lab work. Sure, for job interviews, but this obviously was not job related. Shrug. I peed in their cup. Should here by the first of the week what the results are, and have a follow-up with the doc in early November. I'm sure the cholesterol pill will change in dosage at that time.

The Youngest has his first marching band competition this weekend out near Verrado - about 45 minutes plus away, way out on the west side of the valley. I haven't checked with the Wife if we are going or not. I know she likes to get to every competition she can - though I don't always go.

I had a chance earlier this week to have breakfast with the two older Sons. It was nice to take an hour or so and just sort of catch up with what is going on with them. I understand more and more why RM loves to do the same when I get a chance to ask her out. In fact, we are scheduled for next Saturday. I need to figure out what time and where we should go.

Having gone to Tucson last week, and attending the concert, I went to take the car through the car wash a few days ago, and found the Daughter's shawl/sweater in the backseat. I texted her asking if she was missing it, and told her I was holding it hostage until she brought Doodad up to visit. She of course responded she now had an excuse to go shoppping for another one.... but then later added that they might be up in October when Doodad is on break from school.

See how wonderfully drab this week has been? Maybe I can do better next week.

PeacE

Another Messed Up Week

 So nothing exciting happened this week. No emails for getting assigned to a project with the Company. No other offers from other places I have emailed my resume. The Wife is starting a new job this Monday, at a different facility from the one she left, yet owned by the same umbrella corporation. Plus she is getting more money. Distance is about the same as before, but instead of fighting the traffic morning and evening, it will be a bit of an easier travel.

My first Santa gig got cancelled. It was supposed to have been this morning, traveling with the Posts' MCA group. Last week it was around 7-8 families where we would drop off gifts for the kids, a turkey, plus other fixings for Turkey Day or Christmas. Also two Fire Stations, where we would drop off a large number of small plush animals (they use at scenes to help comfort kids). But as of Friday night, all the families had backed out (no reason given) and he was down to one fire station and one family (that didn't have kids). So it will be a couple weeks until the next one.

Instead, I was able to attend the State Marching Competition where the Youngest was performing. They ended up 7th of 8, but this is their first year in a new division. They were in a smaller one before. I thought for the first year, being one of the smaller bands in this division, they did well!

Went out to dinner after picking Youngest up from the school, and though it is barely 8pm, feels like 11pm or later. The Wife and I are both yawning and trying to not go to bed early.

PeacE

Eastbound and Down (Sorta) and Poorer

 Well, made it back from Las Vegas yesterday, just in time to be picked up by the Wife and rushed off to the Youngest's Marching Band event. They were the last band, so it was near 8pm before they got on the field. There are nine high schools in our district, and they are the biggest band. It had been at least three weeks, if not longer, since I had last seen/heard the band, and last night they rocked it! I actually got the little shiver with goosebumps at one point of the performance. They did make State Semi-Finals, which is this coming Saturday - in Gilbert, which is literally the other side of the Valley and like a good 1.5 hour drive. Sigh. Fucking rich people's schools always get the big events. Which they would change it up and switch sides of the Valley to do this on. Another bitch, another time.

Vegas was alright. The Wife and I had made a trip there about 20 years ago, and stayed on the Strip at the Mirage. This time I stayed at the South Point - about 5 miles south of the Mirage, and most of the main hotels on the strip. SP was pretty cool. There were several restaurants/eateries of different variety all over the casino, so there really was no need to leave the place - unless you had something specific you wanted to do/eat/see. I did leave Saturday and toured Madame Toussad's Wax Museum, had White Castle's for lunch, and did a little walking around the Venetian and the grand canal shops. For me, it was quite a bit of walking, and I estimated I did about 5K that day. Most of the days were spent at the main casino where we stayed. I drank a bit, but no where near as much as I regularly. I just didn't feel like being that intoxicated in a large crowd and that far from my room. Did I mention I hate crowds before? I would "find my spot" at one of the bars and spend most of my day (when not in my room) playing video poker and drinking so no one would bug me. The friends and I would meet up every now and then and hang out talking, watching games on Sunday, and a meal here and there. Was nice to hang out with friends, and having a mini-vacation. Of course I came back with less money than I went with - but still did not spend all I took. I was happy about that.

Still haven't heard much from the Company. Last was last week with the 'availability' questionnaire, and the "several projects coming very soon" comment. Think it may be time to start looking at similar other places and see if I can split time between companies and projects. The Wife has not heard more from any employers recently either - that I know of anyways. Gonna be a weird Christmas, especially I have not started shopping because no one knows what they want. Ask the kids and I get " I don't know"...buttheads (said in an affectionate way of course - this time).

Middle Son went with us to the marching band thing last night, so was able to catch up a little with him. We see him more than the Oldest Son or even the Daughter. He was supposed to be by this morning as well, but haven't heard him yet. It may still be a little early for him on his day off.

Guess I should get off this post and get on to the emails and other catch-up stuff from the weekend.

PeacE

It Was Worth It

 Yesterday, we took a drive up north. The Youngest had a band competition in Prescott in the eary evening, the school's first this year, and we had decided to attend. The Oldest and Middle Sons also joined us for the afternoon, which was fun. It was nice to hear them snickering back and forth in the back seat as we drove north, and I had a chance to talk to both for awhile before the the even started. The Oldest one is hard to get time with, due to his work schedule and his other commitments. We got back late in the evening, but the time together was fun. The Band only made 2nd place, which I thought was not bad for the first competition in two years.

And because Prescot is built in a small valley, everything is built on a "hill", meaning that the high school the event was at, had lots if ups & downs in the parking lot, to the football field. Event he bleachers, slabs of concrete versus regular metal seating, were small, that sitting down I felt like my knees were at my throat. Getting up and sitting down were fun, with my knees problems. Today I feel the exertions in my leg muscles, around the abdomen, and in the lower back.

Headed up to the pub here in about an hour. I need to return a Kindle a friend had handed me a couple days ago, asking for me to load him up a couple books if I could find them for him. He is bartending today, and the Redskins are playing at 10am. Might as well hang up there for the game and do some reading as well.

PeacE

Date Night: A Recipe for Disaster?

 Welcome to Thursday! Glad to have survived the tedium of the first three days this week, now you come up to the Big One to get through before the Friday!

I received an email yesterday, around noon, asking if I was "available" to start a new project when this one completed (which was to be this week). I of course replied yes. Then shortly after, we were informed our project was completing at the end of day Wednesday. I believe I was the last to log off last night, and there was at least an hour or more of work that needed to be completed yet. I am guessing they have asked a couple people to return this morning to finish (I wasn't one). Next project is starting today, with a meeting at 9am.The thing with starting at 9am, it makes it harder for me to get that 8-hour work day done. Sure I could work until 5, but I hate working those later hours. I would rather start at 7 and be off by 3, or work even earlier hours. Today especially. 

Not having the knowledge of when a project was ending/starting, the Wife and I had set up a 'Date Night' for tonight. It has been a 'little while' since we have had one, and with the Youngest attending band camp until 8pm each day, it gives us a perfect time to do it. The Wife was the one choosing, since she has the pickier taste (residual from the Covid she had - still has problems with certain foods/smells) and I mentioned I would down for some good barbecue. Our favorite place had closed down last year (Thanks Covid) and the places we knew about otherwise, we had tried before and were just not impressed with the taste or presentation, or prices of their selections. Some of them are quite overrated if you ask me. Anyways, Wife found a place not terribly far from us called Pork on a Fork. Sounds cute. The website showed decent prices/servings/food pics so we decided to check them out tonight. Only they close at 6pm. So if I work my 8-hour day, that would leave an hour to get there, order, eat, then leave. If I was alone, I could probably do that, but sitting down to dinner with the Wife, it is a longer process. So I will be ending my workday at 4 today, and maybe make up the hour tomorrow. If not, then oh well. They cannot force me to work longer hours if they start later in the day like they are.

But then last night, as I lay in bed, working on going to sleep at a decent hour, my phone alert goes off that I have email. With starting a new project, I quickly glanced at it to make sure times had not changed, etc. It was an email from the School Band director. I set it back down, figuring I would read it this morning, which I did. Seems Camp is cancelled today. There is a Parent meeting to go over some details this evening, but no time was given. So now my Dinner Date is going to be rushed because we have a meeting at 6, which tis the time the restaurant closes, which we will be just finishing up our meal probably.

Sigh. And we thought tonight would be good because no Game 7 of the NBA Finals (Wife is a Suns fan). Well, the Band email had several mistakes/omittances in it. Like, it was dated saying Thursday August 22nd (I presume they meant today) and there was no time given for this meeting.

Well, crap. I just re-read that Band email. I was wrong. There is a time, for August 28th. No Camp August 23rd, but resumes Friday August 24th. I am guessing he truly meant July for the month, as no date in August matches the date/day. And Camp is only through next week. Ok, so date night is not compromised. Life is feeling better already. The Youngest can fix leftovers, or have a Ramen whilst we dine on (hopefully) wonderfully barbecued pork. With slaw. Haven't decided if I want it on a sandwich or not. I'm hungry and it is only 7am....sigh.

PeacE

Sometimes, Just Wanna Hang Myself

Sigh. Hang on, I need to pee.

Glad ya have the opportunity to hang around. Most wouldn't. Must mean I am interesting enough for you to do it. That, and my 3 minutes is only 3 seconds as you read.

Lots in my life has been going on. Hell, I have three boys. All of them at monumental places of their lives.

The Oldest, is a senior this year. Has been in the Band/music program since 4th grade. Started out on the French Horn. I wasn't a big fan. I played Tuba for 8+ years, bass trombone my senior year. But, French Horn... I admit, it not only takes musical talent, but a touch of learned skill. There is a reason not everyone picks this instrument, and my son ... well, aside from parental pride, he did damn well at playing it. When he reached high school, obviously you don't march with a French horn, so he played a Bb horn, I think just the first two years, for marching. Junior year, he learned Tuba, and continued playing it through Senior year (as of now).

The band is going to Super State competition this weekend. That means they are in the Top Ten of their division, of the whole state. I will be there Saturday to watch, even though I have seen the show, I hope they perform even better, and just 'knock the socks' off everyone!

My Middle son, many would say the most like me ('cause I am a middle kid) plays trumpet. Tonight, Tuesday, they did some middle-school event that was about music and dinner. I know the Wife paid, and went, to the dinner, as well as the older & younger brothers, and both grandmas. Wish I could have, but damn the work shift. This one is in 8th, and moves to the high school, when the oldest boy graduates.

The youngest ... well, he is in 4th grade. Which means I will miss any grade-school concert, due to work hours.... but I won't miss them. Been through three kids, and grade school musics.. Yeah, not the most pleasant ear music, but hey... when it is your kids, you suck it up. But this one is the percussionist. He has said he wants to play drums for years. When he reached the age/grade where he could, he claimed the same. Been telling him, percussionists need to read music, too. And good that I did, as the starting instrument is a xylophone, basically. And he is doing well, from what I hear.

I'm proud of my boys. I'm proud of my daughter, who is now married and in her own life things... but she was supported by us in band when she was going through school.

Re--reading all that, I realized that I am blessed. Four kids, musically talented. That's awesome. But music isn't the best thing I would say about them individually. They all have other talents/trades. One is awesome at computer skills. Another at personal communications. Another... well, he's a good kiss-ass for now, but he is so damn cute, women don't care!

Maybe I just ain't ready to hang that cord across the beam, and around my neck. Maybe I can wait a few more years, and see if one of mine turn out to be the next "Doc", or "Buddy", or whoever had that thing called a Schu-horn. It was a specially made one, for a guy I thought was named Danny Schu .... but I couldn't find anything on the internet to back any of that up, so figured I must have misremembered it at some point since my Senior year. It's possible.

Let me know if you know what I think I remember....

PeacE