I don't really have anything to talk about today. Well, at least not at this hour of the morning. I'm dragging ass today, the result of drinking too much last night. I think the Irish Car Bomber is what finished me. Shrug. Oh well.
Other than that, I am feeling yesterday morning's workout in my chest area. I guess I pushed a little harder than I usually do.
And I am tired. So I am headed back to bed for a couple hours.
PeacE
Thursday, May 23
Wednesday, May 22
GOAL - COMPLETED (Finally!)
I am excited this morning! Having recovered pretty much from the aching muscles in my lower back and legs, I returned to the gym. I had to. It's Wednesday and my weekly weigh-in needed to be done before tonight's pool league. I can say now I have reached the goal I had set for last year (only 5 months late) and am now under 300 pounds. Yes, I am still over a healthy weight, but I am making the changes to get to a range that is better for me health-wise. Now I need to set a goal for this end of year, hopefully somewhat attainable. The Reverend Mother has thrown out a win-win sort of bet for all our family members. If I remember the details correctly, if we lose 30 pounds (or more) in the calendar year of 2013, she'll give all that do the amount of $100. If we accept the "bet", but don't make the minimum loss, we don't have to pay her, we just don't get the money. But still, we would win because we lost some weight, rather than nothing. I will have to have her re-explain it, or find where she blogged about (because I think she did), then decide what to make my next goal amount to be. A hundred dollars is better than nothing though.
So, aside from the weight loss, I am still a bit excited about working again, even if it is only a couple nights a week for a minimal amount of pay.
The middle son has a concert tonight that I won't be able to attend, having my pool league going on. I think it is weird for the school to schedule this on a Wednesday, where I am sure a percentage of people have church services/classes they attend. We don't, but still. I think RM & PT are planning to attend.
That's about all I have today. Think I shall spend part of the day doing some more reading.
PeacE
So, aside from the weight loss, I am still a bit excited about working again, even if it is only a couple nights a week for a minimal amount of pay.
The middle son has a concert tonight that I won't be able to attend, having my pool league going on. I think it is weird for the school to schedule this on a Wednesday, where I am sure a percentage of people have church services/classes they attend. We don't, but still. I think RM & PT are planning to attend.
That's about all I have today. Think I shall spend part of the day doing some more reading.
PeacE
Monday, May 20
Trying to Keep Busy
Today is one of those days that I feel pretty much like doing nothing. I'm still a bit achy, so didn't go to the gym this morning. I have nothing really planned for today. Maybe I will just catch up on some TV shows I haven't had the time to watch. Or maybe just read.
Either way, that leaves me with nothing for you to read today. Enjoy your reprieve.
PeacE
Either way, that leaves me with nothing for you to read today. Enjoy your reprieve.
PeacE
Sunday, May 19
One Small Step
I started a job yesterday. After not having any luck in finding a job for the last five years, I finally have gotten a hit. The local pub I like to go to had fired a 'bouncer' on Friday night. I happened to be there, spoke to the other bouncer, who referred me to the owner. Now I know the owner, as being a customer there, and playing on both softball and pool leagues with them as a sponsor. I spoke to him Saturday morning, left my phone number with him, and by 1 o'clock, the other bouncer was calling to say for me to start that night.
Obviously a bouncer's job isn't terribly difficult. Mostly keep the fights to a minimum, assist the staff (picking up empties, helping stock, etc.). The most boring part of the job is probably when one has to be outside to check IDs. Which is what I landed last night, and probably will be doing most of the time. For the first night, it wasn't too bad. There were only three altercations (not necessarily a fight, could have turned into one). I can't count the times people tried to get a rise out of me (this being the 'younger' crowd that did not know me, and had been cut off and escorted out). My legs and lower back are a bit sore, as there was quite a bit of being on my feet for 6 hours. I'll get used to it over the next few times.
It is only two nights a week, Fridays and Saturdays, but it is a small amount of money I wasn't making before, that can help a bit here at home, plus it'll be two nights I won't have the thought of wanting to drink. In fact, after last night, I wonder why do I drink. Then again, I am not stupid like these punks were getting. Next week shall be fun as hey are televising the big pay-per-view UFC fights. Seems there are always fights on those nights. I know there was last month when my buddy Don & I were there to watch.
Overall this weekend was good. The oldest son turned 15 on Saturday and we had dinner out at Olive Garden. Got a job. Made some money. Hung out with my little brother, Stuman, a bit Friday night. That is all good. A good friend, Bill, was in from Georgia, and it was nice to visit from him a bit. It had been awhile since I last had seen him.
My aunt 'Nina is in the hospital though, I heard last night. She has some pleurisy of the lungs, due to pneumonia - if I said that correctly. Reverend Mother said she was in ICU, and this morning has heard she is a bit better, though the plans are to keep her in there fora couple days. After that it will be base don her recovery, I am sure.
I think that is enough for a Sunday. I am spending today just kicking here at home.
PeacE
Obviously a bouncer's job isn't terribly difficult. Mostly keep the fights to a minimum, assist the staff (picking up empties, helping stock, etc.). The most boring part of the job is probably when one has to be outside to check IDs. Which is what I landed last night, and probably will be doing most of the time. For the first night, it wasn't too bad. There were only three altercations (not necessarily a fight, could have turned into one). I can't count the times people tried to get a rise out of me (this being the 'younger' crowd that did not know me, and had been cut off and escorted out). My legs and lower back are a bit sore, as there was quite a bit of being on my feet for 6 hours. I'll get used to it over the next few times.
It is only two nights a week, Fridays and Saturdays, but it is a small amount of money I wasn't making before, that can help a bit here at home, plus it'll be two nights I won't have the thought of wanting to drink. In fact, after last night, I wonder why do I drink. Then again, I am not stupid like these punks were getting. Next week shall be fun as hey are televising the big pay-per-view UFC fights. Seems there are always fights on those nights. I know there was last month when my buddy Don & I were there to watch.
Overall this weekend was good. The oldest son turned 15 on Saturday and we had dinner out at Olive Garden. Got a job. Made some money. Hung out with my little brother, Stuman, a bit Friday night. That is all good. A good friend, Bill, was in from Georgia, and it was nice to visit from him a bit. It had been awhile since I last had seen him.
My aunt 'Nina is in the hospital though, I heard last night. She has some pleurisy of the lungs, due to pneumonia - if I said that correctly. Reverend Mother said she was in ICU, and this morning has heard she is a bit better, though the plans are to keep her in there fora couple days. After that it will be base don her recovery, I am sure.
I think that is enough for a Sunday. I am spending today just kicking here at home.
PeacE
Friday, May 17
Another Purposeless Friday
I took yesterday off. I mean it. I did nothing productive all day. PT and I got together for lunch, as he had made a large pot of spaghetti. It was nice to get out of the house for a bit and visit.
I might go see the new Star Trek movie today. My buddy Don asked me a few days ago about going this afternoon, but I never committed. Also I was talking to another friend about playing golf this morning, but I don't think I am going to go play. I just feel like there is something else I need to get done, though I can't thin of what it could be.
The oldest son's birthday is tomorrow and he will turn 15. I meant to ask him where he would like to go for dinner this morning while taking him to school, but it slipped my mind.
Guess that is all I can think of this morning.
PeacE
I might go see the new Star Trek movie today. My buddy Don asked me a few days ago about going this afternoon, but I never committed. Also I was talking to another friend about playing golf this morning, but I don't think I am going to go play. I just feel like there is something else I need to get done, though I can't thin of what it could be.
The oldest son's birthday is tomorrow and he will turn 15. I meant to ask him where he would like to go for dinner this morning while taking him to school, but it slipped my mind.
Guess that is all I can think of this morning.
PeacE
Wednesday, May 15
Tired and Fuzzy-Headed
I feel like someone kicked me out of bed, onto my back, on a hard floor. No, it really didn't happen, but it sure feels like it. The back muscles are very much letting me know how much the workout yesterday is affecting them. To top it off, I am a bit fuzzy-headed because I feel so tired. I was up way past my regular bedtime reading The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett. It's seems to be getting pretty interesting, and I just started it yesterday morning.
It is Wednesday, so happy Hump Day.
Phoenix Comicon is coming up next weekend. Thursday through Sunday. I so want to go, but not sure if finances will allow the $60 entry. Though that would get me a weekend pass. And there is one book I want in particular, which is a special Con-only, shortened version of an anthology due out in June. It has 5 of the authors and their stories featured, and all five authors will be a t the Con, so I could get the book signed by all. I don't know what to do about it. Maybe I can talk the Wife into letting me go.
Being how it is just past 7am, I may be laying back down for a bit. After I take a couple aspirin.
PeacE
It is Wednesday, so happy Hump Day.
Phoenix Comicon is coming up next weekend. Thursday through Sunday. I so want to go, but not sure if finances will allow the $60 entry. Though that would get me a weekend pass. And there is one book I want in particular, which is a special Con-only, shortened version of an anthology due out in June. It has 5 of the authors and their stories featured, and all five authors will be a t the Con, so I could get the book signed by all. I don't know what to do about it. Maybe I can talk the Wife into letting me go.
Being how it is just past 7am, I may be laying back down for a bit. After I take a couple aspirin.
PeacE
Tuesday, May 14
Brought To You By The Word 'WHEW!'
I feel like I am still trying to catch my breath. Here it has been a good 15 minutes since I got home from the gym, my heart rate is still a bit elevated, even after a nice, hot shower. Last Thursday I had met PT up at the gym, as I had asked him about some more specific ideas for my chest. Got to work on getting rid of these man-boobs, plus build up the muscles there a bit. I am not looking for Schwarzenegger, just better than what I got, and something to help maybe burn a bit more fat in an area I need it more. Though, I do admit I got quite a bit pretty much everywhere that needs to be burnt off. I dropped a couple certain exercises I did off my "routine" and added a couple that PT had shown me. I can already feel where they worked a bit more of a group - or a different angle of the group - of muscles. It's that "good" kind of ache. Either way, I weighed in and was down two pounds from last week. I am still a pound from the lowest I had been, but I just need to concentrate and work harder to get there. I admit, the past couple weeks I have been getting lazy about it, again.
At the beginning of last summer, when the oldest son was preparing to leave Jr. High, we were notified from the H.S. that there would be a new band director that summer. The previous one had moved up into a more administrative position. After having known him for a few years (he was there for the Daughter's four years of band) it was nice to see him move up, and hope for some fresh new ideas from a new director. With marching band camp going on during the summer, and the son just starting H.S. we thought it would be good. By the end of the summer, we were already seeing problems. I say we, as in the Wife and I. I am not sure if it was just us, or if other parents were seeing what we were. The new director changed things here and there, regarding some time scheduling for practices, etc. It wasn't a major issue, as with me not working I was able to still get the son there, but the matter that 'what if' we weren't able to get him there. What if we hadn't seen the time changes through the website (which was not updated properly throughout the whole school year anyways). We both have our email addresses with the Band Parent organization, so why weren't we notified that way? Instead of changing things literally, a day before the scheduled event.
Anyway, most of the school year went by without too many complications. There was a couple concerts/events that they changed the complete date on and never notified anyone. We only heard about it as the son told us. The Band Parent emails slowed down after marching season, which is normal as there are not as many practices/events/shows that need to be attended. This spring brought the regular fund raiser event for the band. We were never notified - from the school, from the band parent emails, no one. They were selling this cookie dough stuff. For $20 you got this plastic brochure-sized card, with instructions about how to order the dough online, to have it shipped directly to you (you already paid the money for it). I actually liked the idea of it, as no deliveries were going to have to be made by us or the son. I guess he had these like maybe a week ( I didn't know about it, but the Wife did).
One Saturday morning, I get a text on my cellphone. It was early for a Saturday, around 7am. This text was from the band parent head person, saying that the kids were needed at the school by 8am to do door-to-door sales on the dough cards, as the money was due. The Wife and I already had plans for our family, and even our son had no prior knowledge of this thing. So we were a bit miffed that they would pull this stunt. Come Monday, the son goes to turn in his remaining unsold cards, and the money collected, but was informed from the band director that no cards were being accepted back, but each student had to sell them all or turn in the money only. WHAT?!? The son is told that the band had to purchase all the cards, thus, only money was being accepted back, and all cards had to be sold - no matter what.
This happened about 2-3 weeks ago. We had tried selling what we could to family, co-workers, and friends. They weren't going to get sold now unless we stuck the son out on a corner for the day. That is not going to happen. I dropped the son off yesterday morning, with the money and remaining cards, saying for him to tell his director, that this is the best he could do, and he had to take the cards back. If there was an issue, the band director could call and speak to me. This morning, I asked the son what happened. He said the director had said he was going to call me. It's only been one day, but I am waiting. Almost anxiously, so I can rip him a new asshole. Oh, did I mention the director took the money for the sold items, but said the son had to sell the remaining cards.
The Wife and I are more upset at the lack of communication he has provided this past school year. Add into that, the poor planning for things, last minute changes (to time schedules), and now this fundraiser stuff. I mean, you cannot lawfully enter into a financial agreement with a minor, which is what he is trying to do by making the kids responsible for only the money for the items not able to be sold. I know kids do fundraisers every year. Heck, I got three boys that have stuff every year. But if they don't sell, they don't sell. No one is required to pay 'X' amount of dollars just because their kid made zero sales.
I just get so ... exasperated ... with what this new band director is trying to do. I wait for him to call me. If I don't have a call by the end of this week, I will be contacting the school administration I think. Lord knows they don't want to deal with me.
And the thing that pisses me off the most? We have to pay money for our son to be in band. So we're paying for this grief. Yeah, I know. I could just have the son not be in band. That's not right, either.
Am I just not fully informed of the whole situation? Possibly. Have I done what I could to inquire about it? Maybe not as much as I could have done.
As I sit here thinking about the whole thing, I am beginning to have a few doubts run through my head. Most of them center around the son. This whole school year we have had some trust issues with him, and I wonder if it is going to come down to him not informing us of certain information. If that is the cause for this whole fiasco, I don't know what I am going to do.
Yeah, I know. The parenthood stick maybe be beating me to death soon.
PeacE
At the beginning of last summer, when the oldest son was preparing to leave Jr. High, we were notified from the H.S. that there would be a new band director that summer. The previous one had moved up into a more administrative position. After having known him for a few years (he was there for the Daughter's four years of band) it was nice to see him move up, and hope for some fresh new ideas from a new director. With marching band camp going on during the summer, and the son just starting H.S. we thought it would be good. By the end of the summer, we were already seeing problems. I say we, as in the Wife and I. I am not sure if it was just us, or if other parents were seeing what we were. The new director changed things here and there, regarding some time scheduling for practices, etc. It wasn't a major issue, as with me not working I was able to still get the son there, but the matter that 'what if' we weren't able to get him there. What if we hadn't seen the time changes through the website (which was not updated properly throughout the whole school year anyways). We both have our email addresses with the Band Parent organization, so why weren't we notified that way? Instead of changing things literally, a day before the scheduled event.
Anyway, most of the school year went by without too many complications. There was a couple concerts/events that they changed the complete date on and never notified anyone. We only heard about it as the son told us. The Band Parent emails slowed down after marching season, which is normal as there are not as many practices/events/shows that need to be attended. This spring brought the regular fund raiser event for the band. We were never notified - from the school, from the band parent emails, no one. They were selling this cookie dough stuff. For $20 you got this plastic brochure-sized card, with instructions about how to order the dough online, to have it shipped directly to you (you already paid the money for it). I actually liked the idea of it, as no deliveries were going to have to be made by us or the son. I guess he had these like maybe a week ( I didn't know about it, but the Wife did).
One Saturday morning, I get a text on my cellphone. It was early for a Saturday, around 7am. This text was from the band parent head person, saying that the kids were needed at the school by 8am to do door-to-door sales on the dough cards, as the money was due. The Wife and I already had plans for our family, and even our son had no prior knowledge of this thing. So we were a bit miffed that they would pull this stunt. Come Monday, the son goes to turn in his remaining unsold cards, and the money collected, but was informed from the band director that no cards were being accepted back, but each student had to sell them all or turn in the money only. WHAT?!? The son is told that the band had to purchase all the cards, thus, only money was being accepted back, and all cards had to be sold - no matter what.
This happened about 2-3 weeks ago. We had tried selling what we could to family, co-workers, and friends. They weren't going to get sold now unless we stuck the son out on a corner for the day. That is not going to happen. I dropped the son off yesterday morning, with the money and remaining cards, saying for him to tell his director, that this is the best he could do, and he had to take the cards back. If there was an issue, the band director could call and speak to me. This morning, I asked the son what happened. He said the director had said he was going to call me. It's only been one day, but I am waiting. Almost anxiously, so I can rip him a new asshole. Oh, did I mention the director took the money for the sold items, but said the son had to sell the remaining cards.
The Wife and I are more upset at the lack of communication he has provided this past school year. Add into that, the poor planning for things, last minute changes (to time schedules), and now this fundraiser stuff. I mean, you cannot lawfully enter into a financial agreement with a minor, which is what he is trying to do by making the kids responsible for only the money for the items not able to be sold. I know kids do fundraisers every year. Heck, I got three boys that have stuff every year. But if they don't sell, they don't sell. No one is required to pay 'X' amount of dollars just because their kid made zero sales.
I just get so ... exasperated ... with what this new band director is trying to do. I wait for him to call me. If I don't have a call by the end of this week, I will be contacting the school administration I think. Lord knows they don't want to deal with me.
And the thing that pisses me off the most? We have to pay money for our son to be in band. So we're paying for this grief. Yeah, I know. I could just have the son not be in band. That's not right, either.
Am I just not fully informed of the whole situation? Possibly. Have I done what I could to inquire about it? Maybe not as much as I could have done.
As I sit here thinking about the whole thing, I am beginning to have a few doubts run through my head. Most of them center around the son. This whole school year we have had some trust issues with him, and I wonder if it is going to come down to him not informing us of certain information. If that is the cause for this whole fiasco, I don't know what I am going to do.
Yeah, I know. The parenthood stick maybe be beating me to death soon.
PeacE
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