Sunday Night Quicky

Yeah, so I spent both Thursday and Saturday nights at Poot's due to excessive alcohol. Stellar performance as you can tell. It can't/won't happen this week though as I am in the mountains Thursday night through Saturday for a conference. As you may have read over at the gnomes page, the beach held some of it's expectations. I guess that is it for now. Nothing big to report. No block buster ideas or deep thoughts and no antics that are unexpected or trumps to previous events or Nobrainers protected post. Football season is less than three weeks from now though so you folks know what that means. I am setting a couple goals though. First: To make all games other than FSU. Tickets are either set up or easily obtained for all the remainder other than Va Tech. Second: I will not "take a nap" in the Jeep or deface any of Peppinoes serving wear now will I do these acts in any other vehicles or locations. I plan to have my first "clean" Clemson football season. could be interesting, I just hope there are no Fun Bobby reprocussions from the plan.

Redneck Riviera

Due to a NC Hospital Engineer Association Conference I will be in Myrtle Beach next Monday, tuesday and Wednesday night. Fortunately I will only be "working" about 3-4 hours each day. Unfortunately, I won't be down there with anyone I know to hang out the rest of the time. The bossman will be there Monday and leaving after the expo hours at 2. I havea room so if anyone decides they want a dayor two off to hit the beach or a golf course, let me know. I'll have my sticks. I don't plan on hitting any of the fun locations (Master's Club) but if I get bored enough I may have no other choice.

Today

Last night I worked until 6 or so ended up home by 9:45 and in bed by 11. What a wuss. Today I have mowed and trimmed by yard and am watching Modern Marvels - Metals and the history of going from copper, bronze, and steel. My mainliness is returning. I'll pobably clean and lay out in the sun like a little woman at some point in the next day and half but don't worry, I have plenty of beer and Jack around to balance that out.

Isn't it ironic

My A/C is out and I can't fix it. Just don't have the equipment to pull it off though through consultation with Poot, I know what the problem is, just not the severity. Good part: because I was smart enough to get a home warranty included on my house at time of purchase, someone else gets to pay all but a minimal fee. Bad part: I know at least half a dozen contractors that do both commercial and residential that would be happy to take care of my needs. I, however, was not given the option to select who comes to fix my problem (and possibly pronounce it deader than hell and get another half ton larger unit) and now have the joys of the dreaded time frame waiting on some rinky dink contractor to come tell me what I already know and probably not do a job worth a damn. So much for industry connections on this one.

I think Tater would approve

It's been a damn good Friday I must say. The best part is the weekend is just getting ready to start. Didn't make it home last night as having had a few drinks and being kept in close watch by local law enforcement, I needed to stay at a friend’s house. Too bad the friend didn’t have mammories but oh well. Anyway, woke up around 8 grabbed a shower, didn't shave and headed to my first contractors office. Other than a bit of dry mouth, nothing noticeable about me screamed I'm wearing the same shirt I wore out last night and the same pants for two days. While there they kept making requests for me to price additional stuff on a couple jobs I am doing with them (first jobs with this crowd) which increases my price and profit while taking a little away from the competition that is already on the job for some of the same equipment I also sell.
Contractor stop two was to drop off some submittal and just touch base. Same contractor called me back this afternoon and threw a softball up for me to knock out on a nice little warehouse order. Contractor stop three was to have lunch with a new estimator/project person along with a partial stake owner of a firm that I have been racking up orders with. My big boss made the trip and they talked a little money. Us getting paid as a firm means I get paid. I like getting paid, a lot. I think some details were straightened out so I won't have to wait as long in the future on their orders hopefully.
Contractor four stop after lunch and I firmed up my first pool unit (think big expensive equipment) order, got my PO and released it. Got another little order while I was there.
Conveniently, they are just down the road from the DMV where I was able to get my updated license. That's right; to top off my day I officially received my driving privileges back with a little piece of plastic. Granted, there is a stipulation (1 beer an hour or so basically) on the back until 2009 but that's cool. I think I learned that lesson.
So to recap: Contractors are liking me right now. Battles I have been fighting on getting orders are being won. I got my license back with an updated picture even. I haven’t shaved since yesterday morning since I partied last night and still felt like a rock star this morning for the most part. The weekend is just beginning. And some advice to Nobrainer is making his research show some results. Awesome.

Done and Done

As reported previously excursions to the North End (Italian Side of town) and a Bo-Sox game were set for Wendesday and Thursday nights during my Boston excursion. Planned and accomplished. Parking in the North End was impossible ( a couple guys had a rental car) but after 15 minutes of circling one way streets about as wide as my front door, we got a great spot (probably for local residents) within a block or so of many of the authentic restaurants and Hanover Street, the main drag. We were smart though and got off the main drag and found a joint that seated maybe 40-50 people max and had dinner there. Good wine, great food (I had my standard Veal Parmesean) and good company. Following we ended up at a place called Mike's Pastries. When in Boston, find this place if given the chance. AWESOME Tirmasu and tons of delicisous looking candy, gillato, pies, etc. Don't know how some of it would hsip but worth it if you are a yankee and yern for this stuff or if you are asoutherner and want a real taste of some of these delicacies for the pallett. It rained off and on most of the time we were out but our time on the streets themselves were pretty dry so that helped.
Thursday we were on a mission. Red Sox tickets were to be had. Of the 7 in class, 6 intended to go and three were able to secure in advance. The other three of us journeyed downtown via a cab to the T-line and on in via this route this time around. Snagged Right field bleacher seats for $50/ea but three in a row. They faced for about 23 but just to get to go to a stadium that old with that much history was worth every penny. Who knows if I will ever get back in there before a new stadium is built as this was my forth Boston trip and first time they were in town or it was even baseball season. Had a couple hot dogs, spicy brown mustard, relish and all, peanuts, and a couple beers. It was straight out of Field of Dreams minus score keeping and James Earle Jones. I was like a kid ina candy store. Got back to the hotel about 12:30 with plenty of picso n the camera phone as the digital stayed in Charlotte due to my lack in faith of fun for the week and inability to read an online schedule in advance.
Return trip was rather uneventful though I think I could teach whoever runs shuttle logisitics at the Charlotte Airport a thing or twelve. Class was good. Got to see more of Boston than my prior trips combined and now I am ready to start having a normal life less grad school here in Charlotte from here through the duration.

Not so bad

Thus far the trip hasn't been too bad. Got a front seat shuttle ride to the hotel and had no issues getting picked up and getting out here. Dinner in the hotel bar was more than a little steep for a panini and 4 beers but it was expected. Thought there wasn't going to be any places to grab food close by and even more concerned that most of the other trainees here wouldn'tbe people I would care about grabbing dinner with anyway. As it turns out, as long as a couple folks are willing to split the cab fair, there are plenty of decent, cheaper places around to eat. Most of the people here are younger, including a pretty cool chic from Omaha that has been to a couple of the same sales and training meeting that I have in the past. Always nice to see a familiar face and a group of young folks up for going out at night helps the attitude. An excursion to the Italian northside of town is in the works for tomorrow, also helping keeping the cost down and getting some fun in with a good meal. To top it off, I can't read the schedule and the Sox are in town Thursday night and we are goingto try and pull that off. I may be broke at the end of the week but if I can have an Italian meal from folks who don't speak any other language and get to see a game in Fenway, I won't care, it will have been worth the entire trip. Oh, and the class isn't going so bad either.

Going to Boston

I would write about the weekend that was, however Nobrainer has the pictures covered partially. References abound throughout a couple blogs I think, and if you knwo the crew on facebook and myspace then you have seen even more of hte debauchary. Thanks to everyone who made it. You missed a helluva time for those that missed out (not ro rub it in, honestly). If you want more details, get a hold of the right people and get the disk.
Mom is in to see the house for the first time tomorrow and I fly to Boston Sunday afternoon for a weeks worth of training that I am not so happy about. I don't expect us to have this line more than 3 years from now, it ain't gonna be a cheap trip (which I am partially responsible for paying on), I won't make any money being out of the office, and I am busting my ass to get to a somewhat decent place before leaving. Oh, and hte Bo-Sox aren;t in town not that I would be less than a $40 and hour commute to Fenway from the hotel to see them if they were. I don't even get to be a tourist for a day. Maybe something random will happen. Blogging will either be light or heavy depending on what I manage to get into and free hotel internet access. If nothing else, throw some crap up for me to read while I'm on the road.

Oooooficial

Well folks, keep your ear open for the fat lady. Grades are posted and the Double D finishes with an A of all things. That's right, not only did I complete the progaram, I went out with a pseudo bang. Unofficial (but close enough) GPA, 3.286. Yeah, thats a good half point above Clemson M.E. Amazing what a couple years and a change in perspective will do for you. Most of you are here or on the way so celebration starts soon. Gonna be a blast!

Moment of Silence

Former Clemson University President and 2 time football letterman Walter T. Cox passed away Wednesday. This link will take you to the details via the Clemson News page where all the details can be found. Many of you are familiar with the name as the plaza area we routinely pass through outside of Johnstone A and the Student Union is named in his honor.

Welcome to....

Toronto, Birmingham, or New Mexico? Wow, sounds great! Oh yeah, we are going to continue to welcome folks to Houston, but we haven't figured out what we are calling this new/replacement bowl game. The above have all been approved by some Bowl Liscensing Committee to host during the following post season. This, on top of the added BCS game in Arizona and all the bowls I can't keep straight anyway as they all go by their corporate sponsor names instead of their traditional tag (It will always be the Peach Bowl damnit). My math isn't too sharp today but I counted about 32 games for the post season. That means 64 teams get to travel. No less than a third of them will lose money (ala Tiger to the Humanitarian) in this venture. More than a couple won't be able to pull a fan base large enough to see their share of tickets for the event, even if it is in a decent place. Toronto? Are we prepping some Sunbelt talent for the CFL? New Mexico, package in a January ski trip to Taos and I may consider it, or not. Can you say watered down? I didn't even think their were enough teams with winning or .500 records to fill that many slots. I think starting this year, I will not ackowledge any bowl that can't be played after Christmas Day and start whittling them down from there on merit of existence.

Class Post VII (The END)

Well, Verizon has been a complete bust as far as being a news maker over the past 6 weeks or so. They did decide to sue Vonage, the internet long distance provider whose stock has floundered since it's IPO release. News of the lawsuit coupled with other factors has the Vonage stock tradings below $10. It IPO'ed at $17. The base of hte suit is patent infringement as confirmed last Monday.
Otherwise, Verizon is plugging along with little coming out abotu he NSA case hitting major headlines. I'm sure there is some other blog talk but unless it hits the big boards, I'm not really paying attention as it is probably hearsay or speculation though some good juice occassionaly does sneak out.
At this time I'm signing off as far as posting about Verizon for class. As it did spark my interest some future post may arrive if something really major hits but nothing on a regular basis. To those who found this blog via class, feel free to keep tuning in and feel free to comment. My antics can often be found here and the comments usually invoke a laugh. This class ahs slowed some things down but as it is my final hurrah in the MBA program posting may gain some interest and hopefully some humor as I get to pay attention more to the things outside of a text book. It should get good when they involve filling in the blanks that I can't seem to remember. As for the normal readership, you know what to expect out of me.

Class Post VI

This post is a little random but does relate. The reason I began focusing on Verizon was the whole NSA mess that I thought was going to hit the fan with wire tapping and phone records. Needless to say, all the three letter agencies in Washington have made it "disappear." Well, at least until today. Talk about the media flare up over the wire taps will probably resurface with the announcement the government has also been monitoring bank accounts. In the wake of 9/11 and the fact that we can pretty much target knuckleheads in our country who are up to no good (see recent events in Miami) this doesn't surprise me. It's not like you and I have much to worry about....unless the IRS has a reason to be not happy with you. Anyway, I think it is good anti-terrorism practice and the reality of it is we are protecting ourselves and until the media reports these things, we aren't any worse for them or even affected. I'm guessing the banks will get to share the scrutiny Verizon and the other telecom folks have but don't expectto hear much about it for a while. At least once the new wears off.

Class Post V

Verizon Communications announced a major agreement to help bring Public Television to digital programming. That's right, now you get Big Bird and the Seasame Street gang in all their colorful glory. I will admit programs like Nova and some of the other nature based programming will be pretty cool in HD. The big deal with this is the fact that prior to the agreement. those people on Verizon's FiOS fiber optic TV service did not have access to these channells and their programing. Though it doesn't do anything for folks in the Carolinas, large markets in FL, MD, NY, TX, CA, and MA do have the 400 channel cable option. This is a major achievment if you are a big Public Television supporter. Honestly, I can't say that this would affect my desire to pick up the cable package since my days of Seasame Street are over and I was too old to get hit with the Barney craze. Now if Ken Burns updates The Civil War documentary with some cool effects suitable for HD, I would be excited. For the parents out there, I hope this helps you in some way.

Class Post IV

In an article posted at CNNMoney there is an interesting run down of "Old School" companies (Verizon falls under this as they are a conglomerate of formerly established firms) that are freezing their pension plans. Many of these are a direct effect of issues being encountered both on their bottom lines as well as what is being seen across their industries. In a big surprise, IBM froze their plan. Both Verizon and IBM are increasingly competing with tech stars that never adopted the tradition pension or benfits plans, keeping thier cost down. Also with the addition of foreign competition that already competes at lower marginal costs, companies like Verizon have no choice if they want to keep costs down and compete over the long haul. This occurence with the likes of GM, and the airlines is no surprise as they have been hurting for a while. Seeing it in "healthy companies" come as a surprise to many but shouldn't. If you are with these firms, consider yourself lucky. At least your parent company is having the foresight to do something now instead of waiting until it's to late (Delphi, UAL, Delta...)

CLASS POST III

As I mentioned in class, the newsi n hte Verizon/NSA fiasco is there is no news to report. I have been tryingto keep up with this and other thna the initial flurry not much has been said. I expected this to drag out as the government is involved but nothing has happened at all in the past couple weeks it seems. For those who know Verizon only has one of the main names in cell phone service/coverage here is a quick snapshot at some corporate info so you can realize how big they are.
Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).
Customers
53 Million
Employees
56,000
Annual Revenue
$32.3 Billion

This info is straight from the home page found here.
What you see aboveis jsut he Verizon Wirelss info. Verizon Communications is much bigger. Their numbers are here

Updates, sorta

So another week has come and gone and I have not had much to say. Work is staying busy and class is on a compacted schedule so things are moving along and I'm just happy to keep up. Along with the crazy schedule has come little progress on the dating scene. Last Thursday night happened and was nice. An agreement that schedules suck and neither party (her more so than me honestly) has the ability to fully invest in it so we were just going to keep doing whatever it is we are doing. Buffett concert came around Sunday, TRAINWRECK. She was there, the Margarita's were too strong, I drank most of those, then it started raining. Dark, cold rain, all parties overly drunk. One big mess. All parties made it home by the grace of god. She had carpooled up with friends from her side of town. Since then, I have talked to her all of about 5 or 10 minutes. The mess of the concert has supposedly been forgiven/deemed not a big deal but her schedule has prevented any further visits and I have the gut feeling that things aren't ok. At this point, I'm going to just go with it, let her make a call on what happens next and start moving on and seeing what else is out there until she figures out what she wants and if I'm part of that equation.

Loooong Weekend

Well, here is a quick update of the long weekend: Aforeblogged about dating fiasco straightened out. Was taken not jsut to grille out with the other couple but a whole crowd of folks, most if not all of whom already knew girl and were paired off. So, as Agent as mentioned, I was taken out in public. Another date is in the works for Thursday probably, then Buffett concert in a week. The rest of the weekend went as follows: fiasco scheduling began Friday, I drank a 6 pack of Bass and packed it in for the night around 1. Did house stuff Saturday like wiring the bedroom stereo (the old faithful set most are familiar with). Recaptured the apartment fan, and painted the ceiling of the garage. All painting now done. Went out Saturday night with a friend nad stared at lots of nice scenery at a couple venues in Southend and Uptown while avoiding Speed Street crowds. Yesterday, Coca Cola 600. Drank from 11:30 through end of race (you can take beer in) . Got seperated from the crowd I was with early as there were plenty of seats and the one I ended up in was in roughly the right area. Started walkin back to car after race, still seperated. Became directionally challenged but knew of the main road I needed to be on. Started walking and later jogging once I was on the road with only cars passing me. Cell phone rendered useless due to high volume of calls. Was picked up about 6-7 miles into my voyage "home" by one of the car loads of people I had been with, approximately an hour and half after race. I think I am now known as Forrest Gump with those guys. Home and passed out in bed around 1. Woke up with Wal-Mart feet/legs from the journey and took it easy msot of the day. Trying to swap out fans this afternoon. Would be easy if the existing one would come off the damn ceiling. Put up some window shears in the front foyer around the door. Putting an end to any voyerism. Any suggestions on how to remove the initial mount of a suspended ceiling fan owuld be appreciate. Thing doesn't twist and there are no accessible screws that I can find. Much more frustration and there may be a rather hefty drywall repair bill for ripping it out in unconventional manners. Heilmann stopped in with the Missues to get the car as I was about to leave. He was little lighter in step. I wonder why? That brings us back to the date thing and being in public. Typical Wha events already cleared for the weekend so it was a safe bet for her. That's it. Hope everyone else had a great weekend, all in all, I can't complain.

Try, Try Again

Well, tonight is on after 3 reschedules starting with last Friday night. Grilling out with girl and one of her best friends and that girls boyfriend. Sounds to me like a couples thing. Does that mean we are a couple? I don't have a freakin clue but being brought around the friends has to be a good sign. Watch for an update later to see how things went. Until then, I have more house work to do though great strides have been made.

Alrighty then

So, you can't beat a Friday date that turns into a Saturday date that turns into Saturday lunch that turns into Monday date. Yeah, that's fun when you are actually in town and had tried to plan accordingly. Stuff happens but damn. Oh, nad when you read this, don't think it became this wonderful weekend with another perosn, those are reschedules. I better get rewarded for patience in the not so distant future otherwise, I'm taking this show back on the road.

Interns

I love interns. Not in the Monica and Bill kind of way. We have one for the summer. We had one two years ago but he didn't have much personality. The new one is a local Charlotte kid who is an M.E. at Clemson right out of his Sophomore year. Seems to be picking up what we do around here quickly, fits in with the craziness and wears Orange on Friday's (along with other days). The best part is he does my bitch work. All the little things that take more time than I have to invest but he contractor likes, he gets it done. The icing on the cake is we made him the Bojangles runner this morning. A job typically reserved for me and my hang-over Friday antics. He is still not of legal age however but having been in his position before, I have a feeling I will be taking care of the ocassional bee double E, are you in, this summer. Good stuff.

Class Post II

As reported by a UK site Monday, Verizon is close to gaining rights to a 45% stake in itself held by European Telecom giant Vodafone. The deal is supposedly worth about $56B. Sadly, I had to go to the second page of google to find even this as hits on "Verizon" get lots of kickups on their retail online sites for various products along with numerous venues around the country where they have naming rights. No kickbacks on the recent NSA "scandal" and definitely no mention of it on their site. I don't think this is going away but until the accusers have some hard evidence I don't know how much we will be hearing. On a brighter note, it looks like they are coming out with some new Motorola. The QTM will be exclusive to Verizon customers and is "much anticipated." We will see.

Class Post 1

For the regular readers feel free to comment or do the normal, read through, and move on. You will see the "class post" a few times over the coming weeks as weare doing blogs for one of my grad school classes. Now for the meat of this post.

As we are covering current events in class and how they may affect management policy, I will be interested to see how the NSA issues work out with Bell South, AT&T, and Verizon. Verizon today announced they were only providing documentation in accordance with the law. Bell South has made similar comments, leaving AT&T as the only one of the three to not deny some form of shady involvement. Read more here. Not surpisingly Verizon's stock is down due to the knee jerk reaction of Wall Street, however, there could be a number of hefty lawsuits regarding privacy from this, depending on how it washes out. I will be keeping an eye on things and posting updates and my thoughts as we go.

You got booted

Most people are familiar with the song they play on American Idol when someone gets kicked off. "Bad Day" It getsa lot of airplay on the Top 40 and Adult Contemp radio channels. More than I care for though the song can be quite fitting from time to time. Suprisingly, since I have been living on my own for a month or so, I have been able to avoid that song at least once a week. Of little shock it's at then end of that show that I no longer get my dose. Don't get me wrong, Pickler was hot, dumb blonde and the McPhever chich is rediculously sexy but I just don't care for the show. Other than a couple Kelly Clarkson songs, what has it really produced? Not a whole damn lot.
Anyway, most of the last paragraph has been a random tangent not related to this post. My day has been crap.Stayed at the office until 7ish, came home and still have an hours work to do only so I can get up early and go back to work to get out this quote (that I will type myself, thank god I am one of 5 sales people in the office proficient enough to do so) but that is not the issue. Today's mail was packed. Lots of the nomal crap and some I was expecting. Of the crap was a Williams Sonoma catalog. Cool kitchen shit that I can't afford or even afford to finance. Pipe dreams. That was fun to skim through. The others, coupons. Not just any coupon though, 20% off at Bed and Bath. Not the crappy one purchase thing we got in the mail, but the whole damn purchase. Yeah, so that would have started offsetting the other. I won't say the number but let you math wizards or calculator owners figure it out. Due to previously mentioned incident, my car insurance is officially upa factor of 4, inclusive of my copolicy discounts, etc. The base was somewhere in the $400/6 month range. You do the math. So between the coin I will be forking out (expected, but not at this level ) and the coin I didn't save because the coupon vendors are about a month late (who lives without most of this shit or without updating if they had already planned on it for that long) I am not in a happy mood. I'm celebrating tonights glory with a tall Jack and Ginger or 5. If ya hear me, raise a glass. If ya don't, raise one to "Fuck It" or go away.

Oh yeah, and other stuff isn't going the way I hoped unless I got a really good phone message while I was posting this. Again, fuck it.

Had Enough

OK, I've been relatively quiet on here for a while now. Posted some comments in the Stack, on the Hate Capacitor, and on the Agents site but nothing full blown on here. I've hear enough of this bashing of oil companies now all you Commie pinkos and tree huggers are gonna get it.
The prices are up, yes. GET OVER IT. Just because you are paying $60 bucks to fill up your SUV don't bitch at me about it. I am too. If it bothers you that much, go get a Kia Rio or the new little Chinese thing about to hit the market. Yeah, didn't think you would. You wanna know why they are making more money, it's a combination of things, so quit bitching about how you paying at the pump is padding their pockets and read on for a moment.
Oil companies don't just make three grades of unleaded gas. For example, everyone's favorite "crooks," "gougers," "thieves," etc. Make the following products:
Fuel for automobiles, aviation, and marine transportation vehicles.
Lubricants for the the same transportation sectors (motor oils, gear greases, etc), basestocks for conversion to other products by third parties, synthetic lubricants, metal processing fluids, paper machine oils, compressor oils (refrigeration), hydraulic oils/fluids, turbine oils (power production) and others.
Chemicals (now this one is very broad so I will hit the high spots) including polyethylene, plastomers, polypropylene, elastomers, alcohols, and products used for aromasizing and dearomatizing fluids, just.
Basically if it is a direct or by-product of oil, they are in the industry. Does this mean that anything that is a lubricant, fuel, or plastic is made by ExxonMobile, BP, Royal Dutch Shell or ChevronTexaco, no. They do pump a large percentage of crude from the ground and even the Dow's and Duponts of the world have to get their fix from somewhere. Even the smaller energy firms are getting their share. Take for example Penn-Virginia Corporation. The stock was in the mid $20's in summer of '02. Today it is at about $74.50 or so. This companies core businesses include oil and natural gas exploration and production as well as land management for coal properties from which they obtain royalties on coal and timber production by lessees. They are the primary stake holder in Penn-Virginia Resource Partners, L.P. who announced yesterday a $25.1M distributable cash flow in Q1 '06 up 54% over the same quarter last year.
See folks, it's not just the Gas manufactures making money in this industry. Take a look at any half way decent run energy company who is in the Coal/Oil/Natural Gas realm at this time. Profits and stock prices are up. They were in the right place at the right time. Many of you have heard of Hubbert's Peak from an article posted months ago on Nobrainer's site. This is one reason. It basically states that from this point on oil production can only go down. The last significant oil find was in the late 70's. Everything else is miniscule in the grand scheme in enabling us to match supply to the ever increasing US demand, much less that of the uber development occurring around the Pacific Rim (including China of course) and India. So basically we have increasing demand worldwide and decreasing supply. Last time I checked, any economist would tell you this means you can expect prices to go up. Unfortunately in this case, it's not something that can be righted as the market can't correct the supply side. Many folks say open Alaska or build more refineries. Well, have fun. There is a reason no one has built a refinery in the US in 20-30+ years, and the EPA weighs in strongly here along with the insane cost. Also, opening Alaska will mean that we live the good live for a little while and then we run out sooner. I'm guessing at some point someone in the middle east will get pissed enough to not sell to us. Fine, then we have a backup. Until the reserve is truly needed, hold it. Everyone still gets from point A to point B, our machines still run and every other product I use is plastic, was wrapped in it at one time, or has a part made from it. Apparently we can manage fine, it just costs a little more. Speaking of costing a little more, I have a comment on this as well:
I sell a commodity item, something that gas (since this is what so many people want to focus on) was. It quickly is becoming something much different. I sell many of my products at 15% mark up. When the metal markets went crazy a couple years ago (due to many of the same expanding markets) my prices went up. My mark up, by margin (percentage) stayed the same. The thing is 15% of 100 isn't as much as 15% of $125. If my cost is now $125, you are now gonna pay $143.75 instead of $115.00. So my cost went up 25% and so did yours but the volume gap is now $18.75 instead of $15.00 between my price and yours. Voila, my profits by volume increase on the same units sold, welcome to the wonderful world of inflation.
Is it unfair for the oil companies to make money this way on their many products? No! Right place, right time, barriers to entry, and previously taken risks in capital investments and product diversification covering a multitude of markets. Next time you hear about these guys making a ton of money congratulate them on a job well done, instead of chastising them, unless, of course, you've got a couple billion lying around to do some exploration, production, and refining after you've waited 10-20 years to clear the EPA and get your stuff actually built.

At Least the Bar is Open

things are coming along much more slowly than anticipated with the house. I still don't have tables and entertainment center/stand on order, no bedding or mattress either. I still need to get some towels and flatware as well. The kitchen is pretty much good to go though and the cable and internet are hooked up. At this point, I have about 6 total chairs and a kick ass TV to go along with the fully stocked bar and at least a few pint and highball glasses. Basically the hearty can head this way, get drunk, riad the fridge or pantry and sleep on the aerobed or floor. Hopefully at this time next week large amounts of progress will be made. The tables should be on order, the towels and flatware will be taken care of, hopefully a mattress will be in the works and a majority of my furniture should be delivered. I also plan to do some yard work and paint the garage. Neither of these should be a big deal but are going to take a few hours. By 9 each night, I will probably be shot...so the Jack won't take quite the hit before I crater for the night. A couple big weekends and things should be all good and maybe I can start enjoying the promixity to the lake as the neighbors hit it up last weekend and said it was wonderful.

Third times a charm

When shopping for appliances in Charlotte, Queen City appliance has pretty darn good pricing. Your pleasurable experience will stop there! If you have the ability or desire to rent a truck/Uhaul and your own team of movers, then maybe. I am guessing "delivery" from the box stores will be cheap enough to offset this expense and the difference in prices.
This morning, at about 10 AM, the third attempt to deliver my fridge and dryer occured, finally with success. Last tuesday they were to be dropped off with washer and TV as I wrote about previously. This happened about 4:45 and I was supposedto be in class at 5:30. Showed at 7 and quickly began finding out my purchase location was a mistake. Since then I have had no less than 5 other people tell me the prices are good but service sucks worse than the carousel-o-morons you deal with in the box stores. Thanks for the advanced warning (not that I asked anyone really but they knew I was shopping)folks! I willsay the delivery guys were not too abd andtoday's crew, as opposed to the guys from last tuesday and Saturday were extremely quick. I think it was a more balanced squad with both capable instead of one who was pushing to get done and the other quite slow. Grand total I was given a combined 12 hour time period in which to wait for my appliances. I played last Tuesday to a tee, showing up at the house after them though I was promised advance notice that never happened. Saturday they arrived at 11:15...tail end of the AM delivery time frame. I had little to nothing to do that morning either as I still had essentials shopping to do prior to unpacking as it took maybe 30 minutes to unload that mornings run. Today they had me captive until 11 with installation and everything. I was the second stop. Wow, that's bad turnover between stops. About 3 yesterday I received a call confirming the PM delivery for today. Needless to say I was one notch below "It fell the f*ck off" pissed. Apparently my comments to the dispatch and service people were well heeded at some point. Having not received a later AM, first stop confirmation I called in around 6:15 and left a rather scathing message. When I finally talked to someone this morning I wasscheduled for thte second stop. Amazing what threatening forcing a refund and taking business elsewhere will do I guess. I'm just happy I was home as I thought about heading to work and forcing them to call but had taken enough stuff home to work on and keep busy this morning. That same 1 hour note on the ticket from last week was put into affect 10 minutes prior to delivery. How do I know. I used the one hour delivery warning as ample time to get to Hardees 5 minutes away for breakfast and watch the Queen City truck turn towards the house from the drive thru lane. I was back in under 15 (slow ass drive thru) and they were unloading as I pulled in.
Now if the dryer will have cut itself off and the fridge will still be on when I get home things will be back on track. I'm just happy I was home when they came by.

Success

Many of us stress out about our jobs and everything that we have going on. Most of this readership, if not all, is college educated and at least attempting to be upwardly mobile in our respective careers. With this in mind and the pressures we all put on ourselves, or have put on us by in various ways by others, I like to reference back to the following quote. Apparently there is a debate about who actually wrote it, at least as far as the site I am copying the test from indicates. I'll give attribution to Ralph Waldo Emerson he is given credit on the small framed copy of this I received for high school graduation and it has traveled with me since. I re-read it the other day while packing and wanted to share it with you all.


Revamped to include the long version I mentioned in comment.

"The definition of success--

To laugh much

To win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children

To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty

To appreciate beauty

To find the best in others

To give one's self

To leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.

To have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--

This is to have succeeded."

~ Emerson

Casa del Wha

Well it is official, I am now a homeowner. On top of the lovely check that passed across the table I was able to partake in the continuing downward spiral of going into debt. House debt is one thing. Real estate at least holds it's value if not appreciating. The wonders of appliances and furniture...not so much. After moving some stuff immediately after closing then enlisting help from Poot both Friday and Sunday and a little assistance from Skippy and Nobrainer Friday night, I was able to get about 7 cra trips worht up to the hosue. Needless to say the cars were completely loaded down but no run was pointless. At this point, a few kitchen items, clothes and my bedroom furniture is all that remains in the apartment. Hopefully with a little U-Haul action this weekend or a pickup truck, that will be knocked out as well. One good run with the truck should be all it takes to get the dresser, mattress and box springs. The ole Jeep can handle the rest.
After most of the moving was taken care of, the spending began. It started with a run to Target for basic maintenace stuff. Cleaning supplies, paper towels, etc. Three bills later that was over. The next day it was Lowes for a vacuum and drill/saw Black and Decker set. Nothing nice as it is a rechargable battery set up and don't expect the battery to worth a damn in a year. After this is where the real fun began Sunday afterrnoon. One appliance store stop (I had shopped the boxes over the span of a couple weeks and stopped by this place Saturday on referral) and I walked out with a new fridge, washer, dryer, and, drum roll please, 42" Plasma HD. Yes, it began to sting at this point but I was only half way through the madness. Next stop, Haverty's. Here I knocked out a master bedroom set (King Bed, 3 drawer TV Chest/armoir, two night stands, and dresser/mirror) as well as a couch and love seat for the living room. And then I was done for the weekend. By this point my head was pounding, I was usinga little fuzzy math to justify everything and figure out exactly when things would be paid off as each of the two big purchase stores had 6 or 12 mo same as cash offers that I coupled with money down via our friends at Visa. Hey, the hell with the check card. I want the damn points. I think I have enough for a toaster now...sweet! This weekends agenda: finish aforementioned moving, find a mattress (no go at the furniture store or local rertailers) probably at a local manufacturer then find a coffee table, end table, and entertainment stand. It would be nice to find them all in the same wood, but I'm not holding my breath. I guess that wraps things up. I'm sure as many of you as possible will get to see it at the shin dig I plan on throwing around the 4th of July. More news to come on that at a later date.


Monday night Amendment: Ofthe four appliances that showed up, The TV was in one piece, and the washer is installed. They brought a dryer with a standard rear vent instead of the side knockout like I requested (standard feature but must be requested) and the fridge wouldn't turn on. Lights were on inside, but the compressor wasn't home. Neither was the mouse on on the treamill to run the water dispenser. Now I have to deal with scheduling all this crap for Saturday morning. Plus they didn't give me the hour notice they promised. More like 5 minutes. Good thing I was up in the area for work anyway. Hopefully this isn't a bad house omen!

Time for Reform -Whastyle

This article by Agent Orange got me fired up and thinking. So here it goes. At one time there was a pseudo joke of Wha-Nobrainer 2020-something. By that time we will both be of age to run the show. After the article I have our director of homeland security pegged, especially considering his fmaily proximty and experience with 9/11 events. I think the platform will be something like the following with regards to brief comments on each issue. Granted, a few of our issues will be split, but hey, I think it makes for a better TEAM. He'll appear to more of hte libertarian feel, I got the traditional rebuplican thing downand relate to Joe Average pretty well with many of my shananigans that I will talk freely about. A little personlaity will help politics, Kept Clinton in for 8 years. Need a Republican rebuttle to that. Without further adoo:

Immigration - Get them the hell out. They cross, without papers, shoot 'em. They keep crawling, shoot 'em again. Citizens of the United States have, for the most part, less NYC ethnic gang wars ala recent movies, accepted immigrants from foreign countries with open arms. At one time, most went through formal processes, bothered to learn at least chunks of the language, and brought a little spice that makes this country great. I'm all for allowing others to come here and make a better life. In one way or another, all our families are here for the very same reason. I just ask that they do it right. If you can't play by the rules, we throw your cheatin ass out of the game. No one likes a cheater, they will not be tolerated.

Welfare/Social Security - Scrap it. Spend a fraction of the funds educating people how to save their cash for later on, or at least how to put it to work. Oh and work, yeah, if your other family members aren't supporting you, get a job. Got kids? Fine, we'll sponsor day schools. If your income is below a set amount, you will pay a fractional amount. They will be staffed by others who need jobs as well. It may not be as good as what the CEO's kids go to but your kid will be fine and may actually learn to get along with others. And you won't have a need for food stamps or the ability to say that childcare costs more than you can make. We'll even cut you some slack and hook you up for 6 mo in the case a loved one passes that has been supporting the family. After that you better hope the insurance was paid up or you haven't been sitting on your ass, cause those checks will quit coming.

Defense and International Relations - Screw with us or our allies and we will whoop your ass. We will sell our cool stuff to our friends but only after we have developed new super secret cool stuff to kick you ass even more. Stuff not even Discovery Channel knows about. It will be like Reagan and Star Wars again. Saw it on a movie, liked it, Northup Grumman, go build it. Have your people protest against us all you want, don't expect us to do business with you. You will learn that the protesting is a losing situation for you only. We are resilient for a relatively young country and our true grit only really comes out when you force it. Don't force it, you won't like the result. If you are a candy ass, say you want to verbally back us, then don't. We cut ties with you. Liars are looked upon about the same as cheaters. You will be tossed out of our game. I'm pretty sure Britian and Australia like us. So do some other places that know where their bread is buttered so to speak. Yeah, Wal Mart won't be as cheap, but no one really likes going there anyway. Oh, and all the industry we outsourced, we'll need it back. All you folks bitching about not being able to work, jobs, their baaaacccckkkk! So welfare becomes a moot point anyway.

Healthcare - Yeah, we need a program, honestly. I'm not saying everyone gets everything for free but everyone will get an alotment. We don't have welfare or Social Secuirty to fund anyway so there is some cash in the coffers. Children under 10 and foggies over 70 get more than the middle age folks. If you are that age and sick, it's because you didn't take care of yourself. You also have the abilty to work, so paying for your fees over the alotment shouldn't be a problem anyway. Insurance will still be an option too, so don't sweat too hard. Yeah and the fee/alotment thing, you want better care, fork over the dough. I'm not sending you to Duke on the countries dime, Carolinas Medical is just fine. The difference is on you. This one will need more thought and tweaking I'm sure.

Alternate Energy -
Solar is a pretty good idea. I think Arizona and California have lots of sunny spots that no one lives in or even visits for the beauty. They would make good places to make up some juice. I like wind and hydro too. We have lots of running water and the last time I checked there was always a breeze near the coast. I think we know what New Orleans will be good for now? Mardi Gras at the Windmill farm...woo hoo. Yeha, west TX, you fit the bill too along with all you places in the mid/southwest where you have oil dericks. Keep pumping but we are going to strap a few pin wheels to towers on your land and double up the energy your plot is producing. Never fear, you'll get pair, utilities will remain private and they will have to buy/lease the land and provide the equipment. Oh, and there is this thing called Nuclear. If you stick them in mountains the bad stuff can't get out. So much for that danger.

Tax Reform -
Flat tax. You don't make a lot, that sucks. You make a ton, good for you. We need the same percentage regardless. hey, it's all ratios so the rich will be paying more, don't worry. Most of these loop holes will be crap canned, both personal and business. John Kerry won't get to pay $50 while you and I pay $500 because he has some screwy situational clause to apply for being a reformed hippy. After Defense and Healthcare, we won't need a whole lot anyway. Just some cash for funding travling arts groups to promote some poignant liberal activities as well as museums and park systems. Some of that stuff is cool and shouldn't be just for the wealthy. Make their asses stand in line every now and then for the good tickets too. It's governemnt run, so the point is only to approach breaking even on expenses, and not like the pro sports do with ticket prices. We'll figure this one out too.

Government -
Most of us will have to go get real jobs. one way or another. Pres capped at two terms. House Members and Senators at four. No more ability to to raise your own salary or benefits. It's a set amount, more if you chair a committee. Adjusted for inflation based on economic indicators only. Part of your pay is the honor of serving your country if you didn't do so in the military. By the way, if you work hard and show leadership, I'm pretty sure our thriving industry will want to hire you. If you suck and dont really do anything, welcome back to the real world. My local Wal-Mart needs another cashier in a bad way, especially Sunday afternoons. Get your crap together and do something productive or learn how to use the scanner in a hurry.

Abortion- I'm against it but I'm not you and it's your child. You make the call. If babies daddy is against having it and you want to keep it, you have two options, place for adoption, or don't expect him to have to pay. This only kicks it at time of conception. You can't "get out" after the first tri-mester fellas. It takes two to tango, both get to shoulder the responsibility and decision making. Rape and sexual assault cases are differnt for obvious reason, all up to the mother, she never was afforded the decision in these cases.

Gun Control -
You can have as many as you want. You must register them just in case you do something stupid later. Committed a heinous crime or are a sex offender? You forfeited your right to carry one. Quit your bithcin'. If everyone has the ability to pack, then I don't think messing with them is agreat idea. Your IQ small enough to think it's a good idea? I hope they shoot your ass because they can. It will always be self defense, the lawyers won't have time to do your case, see below

Lawyers and Judges-
Quotas will be placed on how many can practice in a county in a particular field. They also won't be able to pass legislation as congressmen regarding redistricting or incorporation to "shrink and multiply" the municipalties that they are restricted within. They will be forced to work on cases that are legit not frivolous stuff because of milited hours in a day. Better hope the existing ones find your case interesting, otherwise, you won't be going to court unless you can manage to represent yourself. Judges will lay down sentences. Parol for causing death of any kind will not be tolerated. You get 10 yrs or two retrials to prove you were innocent. Doesn't happen and you are in for life, your life ends. More cash for the system to run properly and support the arts and education. I think $30K is much better spent on motivating our teachers than supporting a crack addicted in prison who killed a child with a stray bullett, or for that matter, a drunk driver who killed anyone else in the accident.

Education-
Haven't run the numbers but I see we axed Welfare, Social Security and took a big chunk out of fleeced government expenditures and law system. All the rest goes to Education. Budget surpluses equal bonues both to high perfomring classrooms and ones that have shown marked improvement. I see lots and lots of money going here. Oh, and no teacher gets tenure. It's now run like private business. Our product is educated youth. Failing to make a good product is like not making shareholder profit. You are sinking your company, which in this case is the country.

I think that about sums up my ideas for tonight. If you like it, spread it around. If you don't, too bad, don't vote for me/us. After writing this, there will definitely be points Nobrainer disagrees on. If so, he can bail whenever and run on his own ticket, I understand. This is what I would like to see so if he does take a different overall approach I'm looking for other running mates.

That'll piss ya off

I've spent the last 9 years using the same calculator. Not just any calculator either. None of this sissy TI-85 crap, no an HP-48GX with expandable memory capacity that sucks down triple a batteries like a kids juice box. This thing had expandable that existed before anyone really knew what it meant and could be programmed for stuff I still can't fathom doing. Most importantly, if entered properly, it could convert any measurement from SI to Imperial units in a few quick key strokes. Many folks went through a couple in college due to the rough and tumble abuse of that lifestyle but mine was fortunateto make it as well as most of my first four years out of school. How I don't know as the damn thing kicked out some messed up numbers and was thrown a couple times. However, it was often given due credit as the one thing most attriutable to graduation. As I pulled it out for work Friday morning and to extreme dismay, the screen was inner cell was cracked and a blob of mystery fluid/plasma was covering most of the screen. Though the internal operations still appear to operate and it can be used for basic output, the full usefulness has been compromised. I am extremely upset as you can tell. Those outside the realm of Clemson Engineering between '95 and '03 may not understand and I don't expect them to. Classes changed, pencils broke, and computers crashed but the HP and it's reverse polar notation was always there with an annoying beep when you performed an action not allowed (adding two number when only one had been entered for example). The calculator had even brought a reputation here as when it was broken out smart comments abounded. My biggest concern? Going back to a regular calculator or heaven forbid, an adding machine that works like neither a standard calculator nor the machine I have so well bonded with. A little liquor will be poured out in it's memory this week. It may have happened Friday night, but I don't think anyone can remeber honoring it.

WHAtch out o'er thur!

As many know and most of this readership, or at least respondents know, this weeknd forces of the Clemson world between '96 and'03 collide in Chucktown to celebrate the right of passage to honeydoodum for one Mr. Benjamin Louis Heilmann ('01, '03) of Raleigh, NC. Yeah, I am prepping this shit for Clemson World publication. Granted the actual ceremony isn't for two more months and the activities in the next 72 hours could constitute revokation of acceptance on his bride to be's behalf we are gathering to give him one last breath of true single manhood. It will be ugly, the dreaded ball and chain will be slapped on tight and done at an early hour. Much Jager and Red Bull will be consumed, a golf course will be abused by some, bars will regret the party of 12, and a strippers ass may get slapped all in good, somewhat clean, fun. Hell, Carn may even put a down payment on a family, again. This occurence, as a whole, has been planned in some form or fashion since this fall. The soon to be Misses knows what is going to ensure and has faith in her future husband. A warranted faith I may add as it's the group that scares the hell out of me. Thousands of miles will be traveled for the party to assemble and most do not expect to see the light of day until after the noon hour on Saturday. I'm sure edited versions of the weekend will crop out in the realms of the Agent, Funk, Nobrainer, back here and within comments elsewhere. If all goes as planned this will be a weekend that stories and legends are born. I just hope no one has to lie to Best Buy when it's all over about why their computer shorted out. Stay tuned kids, this could get interesting come Sunday.

Got a song

but I ain't got no melody. I got a blog button but I got no clue how to use it. Any suggestions? Somedays I am even more stupid than the rest. It looks kinda nifty but I don't know how to display it or link it to toher for display. It's like having a big ding dong but not having a place to stick it. I know all about the second part but not the first. Fun stuff.

I Fell Off

I fell off, I fell the fuck off. The wagon of course. Did you expect anything else from me? Just like any other Lent fasting, I never quite pull it off or have some loop hole like last year with no soft drinks (except for class purposes when I needed the kick). Anyway, things were and have been going well, less last Saturday. Did a little grilling, had a few brews, felt good, having a goodtime out and about and the dreaded Yeager Bomb was offered up. We had even taken a cab out to ensure minimalized stupidity, typically brought on by Jack's peer pressure. Well, upon surveying some fine female specimens and have unusually warm weather, we decided it was true party night and we weren't missing that boat. Bring 'em on, we'll repent later. Well, one turned into four plus beer chasers and what we were going through anyway. At least mixed drinks were never brought into the picture. With Patty's Day and the Hyman smack around, I mean bachelor party, I hope to hold strong. In true NCAA tourney form though, I only truly expect to go .500 on this prediction. I predict that if anything gets me, it will be the Car Bombs this week as I plan to be coherent in my abuse of Hug-a-bunch next weekend. By the way, if the guantlet hadn't been thrown down previously in his direction, it has been now. I think I'll go buy a lock this weekend.


Update: It has come to my attention that the Lent thing was ammended. We reverted back to no Jack during the 6 weeks as that was the original intent. Other alcohol is on. With that being said, if you have anything resembling an Irish Car Bomb ingredient near you this weekend, hide it. This is also applicable to vodka and cranberries prior to noon next weekend and Yeagerr bombs at any point. That is all.

Wha

Not Good

Most of us have been able to enjoy a rather pleasant life over the past few months. We fuss about work or something annoying like the delivery boy but nothing truly significant. Unfortunately for one of us in this little blog world, that changed this morning.
I just received a call from Paul (this is serious and not warrantling blog names) with some very bad news. Stacy (whom he has been dating seriously since the A&M game) lost her mom to cancer. She was in surgery this morning and her heart gave out and the doctors were unable to revive her. She has been battling lung and possibly other forms (I'm not eaxctly sure on this part) for many months. Things would go very well then a new complication would pop up. I even asked Paul this morning before work how things were going and foundout she was going back into surgery today. I didn't think a whole lot about it as this has not been completely uncommon in her fight and she has seemed to always come through just fine.
I ask that you keep Stacy, her family, and even Paul in your minds over the coming days. I know the family is losing a wonderful person. Having gotten to know Stacy over the past 6 months, she is one of the nicest, most well meaning people I have met. I can only think that the apple didn't fall from the tree in this respect, especially listening to the things Paul said about her mother and about how they had "clicked."
This has been a battle Paul has been helping Stacy with, having suffered through the same thing prior to college. Having also had a family member fight a battle with cancer, as well as having a close coworker done the same, it makes you count your blessings, and realize how fortuante many of us are to have our families, especially those who have been sick in the past.
Please keep Stacy and Paul in your thoughts.

The Wagon

Well, Fat Tuesday has come and gone, in a blur of course. Each of us in the apartment gave up on alcohol of some form or fashion. Skippy dropped liquor and beer, Poot and I dropped liquor, so no Jack. With my imminent move, and the multiple bottle of partially drank alcohol, the herd had to be thinned. No use tempting fate by having multiple options around. The quest to break last years Jack record has long since lost hope without the re-emergence of Sunday grilling. With that being said we threw the gauntlet down to see how many partial bottles could be finished off. Note none of these bottles were close to full but none were exactly struggling to fill it's last glass when we started. Those who fell included a handle of Jack, a 5th of Gentlemen Jack, a 5th of Disarrono, and a 5th of Crown. A run was made late at the 5th of Smirnoff blue label that was only half full to start the night but it has a solid drink or two left and I left most of a screwdriver on the table when I threw in the towel. All in all, we brought back flashes of glory and put the smack down on the liquor cabinet. Oh yeah, Skippy had a couple beers and a glass of the Disarrono, too.
If work doesn't ease up, I won't stay on this wagon long. Not unless someone finds a quick connection to an East Coast stash of Fat Tire. That could hold me over for 6 weeks without much problem.

Whatta Week

The past week started slow but as the watched pot doesn't boil, if you tok your eye off of it, you turned around to see it boiling over with things to talk about.

First, I returned to the gym in the other Under Armour top. No bleeding, but a little rubbing. Had potential to boil over so to speak but I lived. That was Thursday I believe. Friday, no serious gym issues with the shirt, didn't wear the armour. Today, I was good until I got home and knocked out the sit-ups. Nice little surprise when I looked down, yep, a little trail. I think it get's accentuated by the fact the armour pulls the sweat from the area it comes (top to bottom on me) so it gets ugly fast, none the less, embarrassing.
2nd on the list is SuperMac. He got published with the MACBOOST. anyone that can pull this off gets my props. And you thought he was a slacker? Get him motivated and you are screwed. He'll show you and everyone else their ass as seen above. Good job Mac, sell the hell out of em and remember the little people who help publicize (pimp) you later on. Congrats!
Next thing on the list, the folks came to town. As always a couple of good dinners and drinks on them. Oldest sister came as well with a friend. Always cool to have her in town. Got to impart big bro warnings on both of them as they are getting prepped for college in a year. I'm the big bro you all hated because I warned them in advance. Sue me, I'm actually responsible a little bit. Who'da thunk it?
Well while the folks were in town, we took a look at a couple houses that I had narrowed down from my search. There opinion was clear and was the shot in the arm that made the difference in the waffling I was going through. Newer house, near Lake Norman and all the fun stuff vs. older house near Ballantyne and all that has to offer. It boiled down to cash now and later vs. just cash now. I know the neighbors through work in Huntersville and now I am entered into a contract on it. Check it out here, Guess that means there is a place to crash in Charlotte now. At least plenty of floor space because really, what single guys needs furniture future women will want to replace anyway?
Guess that's it. Pending all the inspections and paperwork, I close in a month on March 31. Fun times. Taking Home of the Double D to a new level.

Frozen Over

In more than one way I think this is happening to Charlotte this weekend. For starters, I am going on a date tomorrow. Completely blind though I saw a pic of the girl in a yearbook provided by the women I work with who is responsible, via her children. I'm not afraid but recognize her from a while back and hope she doens't do the same, just in case I did something stupid (shocker there). This isn't the news though. I told Skippy I would take him out for his birthday like a month ago and finally was able to follow through. Hit Fox and Hound for a good dinner then went to a Martini place called Therapy, primarily toget a parking ticket validated (which we didn't and should have but only cost 5 bucks). Sat down and had an Young's double Chocolate Stout. I've had it before, comes in a pint bottle, a little strong, quite good. Did you expect me to have a martini or any other drink without the word Jack in it? Anyway, the waitress starts chatting us (me) up. notices the Clemson rings. She is a USuCk fan but went to COC. Skippy and I figure out where she is from. BAMBURG..hahahah. She definitely know Jeffords and her dad was her dentist. Well, she continues to show interest. Being a Martini joint we ask which she likes. One with a little Jager is mentioned, I notice and call her on it. Magically about 10 minutes later Skippy and I get treated (comped) to a Jager Bomb split two ways. It was good and according to the delivery person (not our waitress) they were from an admirer. 10 minutes later, it happen again. Comped not once, but twice! Hence, with the weather moving in and this, hell is freezing over. Skippy swears I was the one with the magic as he wasn't speaking much and she kept coming around and making lots of eye contact. She was cute, petite, and very friendly. Not the type I typically pull for no reason. We will see how all this goes but it was a nice change to have a woman (women) comp drinks, show interest, and be pleasant to talk to. My card with a note and my cell number on the back made it's way to the signed check. I almost got caught placing it but even pulled that off smoothly. I'll take it, especially if she actually calls. Things are looking up again but as I mentioned, rough weather is moving in and Charlotte may freeze over. If it does, everything will make sense, if not, back to the routine.

No, Seriously

OK, so this may be the most absurd and disturbing post I have made but I have to before Skippy beats me to it. A little background: Went to Dick's sporting goods and picked up some Under Armour shirts and undershorts to run in at the gym, last Sunday. Needed a little help in sweat abatement, heard good things, bought in. So I washed some darks (all but one shirt) prior to using them. I have super sensitive skin as many of you noticed wit hteh Hi-Five back in college. Anyway, went on Monday and Wednesday in one of the shirts post wash. No problems, a little tenderness on the chest region but no big deal. soaked the shirt but it dodn't hang nearly as heavy. Fast-forward to this evening. Broke out the new, white Under Armour. Hadn't washed it but thought I would take the chance on the skin thing. 30 min later, no problem, I should be good. Start my run, knock out my 3 mile run, and the other 1.5 cool down and additional jog. To be graphic, the nipples were a little tender. Didn't think much about it. Usual t-shirt hangs heavy due to said sweat but don't rub and irritate. I look down after I step off the treadmill 45 minutes later. Nice little red spot on my shirt. Have I picked a scab? Blemish decided to rid itself? Oh no, hell no. Apparently I have rubbed my nipple raw withte bouncing shirt and all it's chemical irritation. First thought through my head "shit". Sad thing, little do I know this has been going on for a while as I have essentially a stream from said nipple most of the way down my shirt. WTF!?! And I thought the one gym instructor was just laughing at a joke previously told, after walking by on the way out. Shit gets even better. I notice said stream in reflection of glass door as I am leaving. Oh, and there are hot chics in the gym at 7 on a Friday...single, obviously, with me, my stellar stamina performance, and bloody nipple in all it's glory. I get home, look down, it's not just one but both. I look like I am breast fedding blood to the bastard child of the devil. I don't know why, how, or if I even want to. I just know that I've taken the cliche " I think I rubbed it raw" to a new level. I write this to you about 6 hrs later. My nipples burn like hell and I'm afraid of ruining my sheets without saving my chest and wearing a freaking band-aid. Imagine that softball strawberry time 5 on the sting factor in the shower. It sucks. That is all. Good laughs to you, focker.

All Aboard!

The short bus is coming through to pick up the liberals, or at least at this site it is. I especially like this sticker as sent to me by Agent Orange. Too bad I didn't know about this place prior to my sisters trip to DC for a leadership conference. She could have packed one of these to go along with her "This is what a Young Republican looks like." shirt that appears to be too small across endowments from her mother. The Jeep should be donning the sticker once it's in part time service though.

I encourage everyone to get on the Elephant Train and start making jabs at the other side as often as possible.

Huggybunches

Bitch is going down March 24-26. Main urting will be adminstered on the nght of the 24th. If you work, take it off and get to party central. Those involved will no what I am talking about. I heard a nasty little rumor he only wanted to drink beer....thats a damn shame since I invested in Red Bull and a certain other beveage of thick consistency and a dark hue, a while back. Benny-boi, ask Agent Orange and Jimbo. I have a large say in what goes on, I have your eldest brother on board and I know the town we are going well enough. You are a dead man. Don't plan on knowing what the 25th of March looks like, other than the back of you eye lids. Bitch

Ooops!

I crapped my pants.


Have a great weekend.

Bumper Sticker

As seen on I-77 South yesterday on the side window of a late 90's ealy '00 Mitsubishi eclipse. Driver was obviously young/college age.

"Your little princess is my little whore."

I think this trumps "My kid beat up your honor student."

I got tagged

Agent Orange tagged me with a blog version of the chain mail. I think you have to add your own new four thing at the end, so if you play on add something new.


Four Jobs I’ve Had
Paint Specialist - Lowes
Line Worker - Kingport Book Bindery
Turbine Design Intern - G.E.
HVAC Sales Engineer - Hahn-Mason Air Systems (current)

Four Films I Can Watch Over and Over
Animal House
Feild of Dreams
Oceans Eleven
For Love of the Game

Four Places I’ve Lived
Stonega, VA
Kingsport, TN
Clemson, SC
Charlotte, NC

Four Current TV Shows I Enjoy
Boston Legal
The OC
Desperate Houswives
CSI-Miami

Four Foods I Like
Joey Bag of Donuts - Moes anywhere
Ribeye Steak - Straight off the Grille at home
Veal Parm - Guiseppi's in Kingsport
Anything my mom makes when I go home

Four Places I’ve Vacationed
Vail, CO
Hilton Head, SC
Venice, FL
San Fransisco, CA

Four Websites I Visit Daily
ESPN.com
Weather.com
Nailor.com
yahoo.com

Four Things I’d Like to Do Before I Die
Get My Pilots License
Be a good father/better grandfather
Run a company
Be admired for something good I do/have done for others

Four Things I Miss From College
Hall parties when I was on duty
Living at the Ridge
Greek Bowl
Homecoming Week

Four Living People I Want To Have Dinner With
Dubya
Warren Buffett
Ryne Sandberg
Alan Greenspan


Four People I am Tagging
Poot
Skippy
Everyone else has been tagged

Chicago

Well, I flew up, I ate, I drank (lots), I danced (with people wives mainly) , I partied, and I even did a little work. I stayed at the Talbot hotel, a couple blocks west of Michigan Ave and the top of the Magnificent Mile. Note to Agent, keep the Mrs. away at all cost. I recommend the digs and not because I lucked into a free room upgrade. Old school, nice, and not too expensive all things considered. I could go on and on about the trip and it was only 3.5 days. I will say one of the highlights was lunch on Sunday at Harry Caray's. It was walking distance to the hotel but most importantly to be the next best thing as he is essentially an icon and getting a trip to Wrigley in during the winter would have been tough and a little pointless other than some outside pics. Needless to say I had to order a hot dog and ice cold Budweiser. I was even wearinga white button down shirt. I didn't get any of the chili, mustard, relish, or cheese on me, which earned a ring of the bell from the barkeep. As you can see below it was a rather large dog and I loaded it out just out of principle. And when I saw Budweiser I mean it. Harry wouldn't be drinking that light stuff and neither was I. Email pics should circulate with a picture of me in action on that hotdog, or checkout my facebook gallery. It was agreat experience. Chalked full of Cubs memorabilia and soon to sport a display for the Chi-Sox success of this past fall (Harry broadcast 10 yrs for them prior to being a Cubby). A few sales people from other office were there with me and one actually recommended it prior to knowing about me beinga Cubs fan. I said hell yes and jumped onthe option needless to say. I think I was pretty much like a kid in a candy store until we finally had to report back to work meetings later that afternoon. Other details about the trip may get posted later but I had to get these two pics up and a blurb about it for those of you who catch a ride on the shortbus through Whatown every now and then.

Harry Caray's
Wha

Spicy Mustard and Relish
Wha

Helmet Time

As I have decided to run head on into the 21st century,I figure that shit better be strapped on tight. My laptop was purchased about 10 days ago and has been in my possession since this past Friday. Dell, pretty muchloaded out for any needs. Currently in the process of completing software installation. Finished it off, or so I hope, with Office tonight. I'm sure there will be a program or two at work but the major ones are on here I think. All the necessary home apps are loaded less Bit Torrent and AVG and as their uses are essentially one and the same, I don't know that I will be loading these seeing as this will be used at the office on a regular basis and logged into the network. The last great hurdle I see is getting all my email off my other computer moved to this one along with files 2 years old and less from the server and primarily C drive. All the networking stuff has been taken care and the XP Pro upgrade through Dell was a good call. Cheaper and necessary with server compatibility. The pertinents most of you are looking for: 80G, 500 MB RAM (expandable), 1.83 Ghz, 15.1" widescreen, internal wireless and ethernet, Radeon graphics card. As I add cool stuff, screw up software, or find it a handy toilet replica ala Hug-a-bunch, I'm sure you'll see it here first, especially considering I now have 3 computers that I am the primary on, though the upgrade is intended to knock out at least one of them. Of ocurse, should I really download Hooker 6.9 then I may be too dehydrated to type for a few days so if I am absent, you know why.

What's Your Password?

big boy. Please say your password. BIG BOY!


It just makes me laugh

CMS

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. They are a joke. They have a bussing program that hauls kids all over town so as to bust up the natural segregation that has occured. AKA they made someone else's problems mine too. Well, mine if I had kids and couldn't afford the 10-15K /yr to stick them in private schools. Anyway, the problems here have been documented for a while and areas such as Huntersville/Lake Norman have been trying to split off and start tehre own system supported by the local taxes in that area. Smart move lake people, you all have decent cash and none of the crap if bussing goes away. And it's not like they can hold light rail over you as an incentive to come back or finishing I-77 construction to the main exits. By the way bussing is shipping kids out side their home school district not the typical way most of us got to school at some points in our life.
Anyway, the point of this is that those days may be coming to an end. The Superintendent was thrown out on their ear last election, a few board members were replaced and the bonds failed so the cash for crap has at least been slowed for a while. The best part, the new super is bringing in business people to run the show and people like Coach Joe (yes this is a board member and the name he is often referred to by) will be slowly choked back into their place instead of coddling the "minorities" who are the majority in many schools with the mass exodus of well to do's to the realm of private education. Don't be surprised if you read about the CMS turn around in 5 years or so. The town has had enough and seems to have put it's foot down on BS. Should be fun. Hopefully things will be changed for the better by the time it matters to me beyond anything other than my property taxes.

Books, Who Needs 'Em?

While many of the readers of this blog have spent some of the holiday down time enjoying various forms of literature, I have done nothing of the such. A couple investment guides have been sorted through between the flights out west and the "library" and that's about it. I prefer to spend my time blowing shit up on a computer game or indulging in a fine beverage while dumbing down in front of whatever the screen may have upon it in the living room. I find those who expose their literature findings (not the books but he profound wisdom/enlightenment/BS) to typically be somewhat pompous or arrogant. Unless of course the exposing is in my belly from some cookbook that was read. Fortunately, most of the banter is simply "I liked/disliked for reason A,B, or C." and not the arrogance. A handy tid bit of trivia answer is always appreciated in random conversation as well. With my attention span anything that can be published in hardback probably isn't going to get finished anyway, regardless of my interest in the subject, just ask my professors. Wait, no, they haven't realized I'm getting by with class attendance/participation and reading the handouts only. None the less, I have assembled a few of my favorite titles and authors for you here this evening. Raise your glass of single malt and crumpet and enjoy!

Yellow River - I.P. Freely
Under the Bleachers - Seymour Butts
Trail in the Sand - Peter Dragon
Caught on the Fence - Wong Huang Lo
Below Me, Trebek - S. Connery
Crab Shack - Poo Ti Tang
Don't Stop the Lovin' - Balou Ball

Everyone's doin' it

Yes, that's right, everyone is posting their resolutions so I better do the same.

One, quit getting so smashed on nights I get to party. Yeah it's fun for the rest of you but it's starting to hurt hte next day and I know it's not helping that bottle of Jack getting opened.
Get healthier - Yeah, everyone says this one but I have a multi prong plan that if implemented a little in each section, may work. Eat less and healthier. Cut out the late night Wendy's ( I shouldn't need the hang over rememdy quite as much anyway) . Wild Wings shouldn't be a staple of the diet. Neither should Moes or Steak Escape.
Go to the gym and do something other than run. The abs need to have some shape other than one large circle.
Be more organized, inthe office and at home. I junk off my space too much. It's even starting to bother me, I would hate to know what it does to Skippy.
Ok, Happy Hour -that's the other one, less late nights out, more happy hours to meet people. No time like the present to start that one.

It's a 10!

Number 10 hit the top shelf tonight. Thanks Nobrainer. We have 11 and 12 in the wings waiting for consupmtion and winter grilling and no traveling planned for 2 of the 3 of us. This train may be picking up some steam.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year crackas. Here's to a happy and prosperous one for all of us.

Silly People

This guy dropped the ball. His career is in the crapper now. I guess that is what one expects from someone with Wang and Suk in the same name. Next time, leave the cloning the Brits and their sheep.

Arrrggghhhh!

No, it's not the rating on the latest pirate movie. It's the sound one makes when raking in the Christmas Bounty like a true pirate. This years take includes from random to big time:
Sports bottle thing: Included a mini first aid kit, pedometer, etc from LL Bean. It was in a chic color and shape though. Think mom got confused but parts will be useful and I will use the water bottle with no shame.
Calendars and Atlas: Far Side monthly and Clemson Football Monthly. Atlas from Wally World...from talking with Skippy I won't be shopping there much more, so this should be one of the last useful things I get from the place. I should always know what day it is and where I am or am going.
Biofreeze: I plan to hit the gym harder and I am sure it will hit back. This stuff isn't over the counter and kick ass. If you have used it, you understand.
Command and Conquer Generals: Includes expansion back. When it gets cold and nasty outside. It's because I just launched a nuclear winter on some camel jockey's ass.
Card Shuffler: Screw learning the bridge. This thing can handle two decks at once. No more bent cards either.
Clemson T-shirts : Stepping up from frat club wear to alma matter wear. Go here to check out "Battleflags of the Atlantic" and "Navy T"
Dilbert book: Yes I get to go ahead and see part of my life unfold in advance now.
Clemson Hitch Cover - Orange Paw with Clemson University underneath. The Wolfpack at work get a little dose of heaven everyday now.
Weekender: It's like a wallet but for an ID, credit card and a little cash, nothing else. Will be employed this weekend.
Gift Certificates: Total Wine and Cheescake Factory. Tasty!
Shirt and Sweater- Polo, yellow button down and baby blue sweater. The Horse, sadly, matches the shirt. Can anyone point me towards the yacht club?
Shoes: Two pair of Johnstone and Murphy's. Hey, they last, fit, comfortable and I wasn't paying. One brown pair, one black ( I asked for the black) and stepmom wasn't impressed by the current shape of what I prefer for everyday wear.
Checks: they are as good as cash and already in the bank.
Aerobed with Fleece: Queen sized and the fleece doubles as a blanket or sleeping bag as it zips up. Now at least one bum and female company from ventures uptown can sleep in casa del Whapootskippy in relative comfort during JDGA events. Well, them or Agent and wife.
And the grand finale: Sony Cybersho digital Camera with 5.1 Mega pixels, carrying case, rechargable battery, and 512MB memory card. Now, if I can get it hooked into the computer I will be golden. Expect my picture output and upload to JDGA server to increase. Sucker is tiny, light, takes awesome pics thus far and realitively easy to figure out with regards to on device features such as settings, flash, etc.
The Wrap up...through Dad (who apparently had a banner year which will be paying for a large chuck of above list), stepmom, siblings, mom, grandparents, uncle and a roommate who got something though I thought we weren't doing anything, I made out like a super bandit. I am extremely priveledged. Way more than I deserved, that's for sure. I did try to give back, especially to the mom but nothing like this could I ever touch.
Now where the hell is Jeeves? I need someone to put all this stuff up and pull around the car.

Bad Liver, You must be punished.

That is what I am telling myself this week. Why bother working out when I can go home and drink as the week should be somewhat peaceful and I have no class to scurry off too. Gotta get the body primed for this weekend too. Started last night by getting back to Charlotte shortly after 8 and proceeding to drink for 5 hours before rolling into work 30 minutes late. Woo Hoo!
What I do to my liver may not matter according to this article. If this holds true, my legs will just crumble under me and I won't make it to the fridge/bar to imbibe in another Cirrhosis inducing treat. Guess I need to pick my poison and decide if that recliner with built in firdge is worth it. I think going Friends style with two recliners and mini-fridge in between would be the way to go though.

8000 Ft

The somewhat Short and Sweet of it as little was monumental.

Arrived in Denver about 8 MST sat on runway for a whole, finally deplanned and was in Vail about 3 hours later after getting luggage, finding the shuttle and making the 2+ hour drive/ride. Got to sleep around midnight (2 AM EST).
Got up on Satruday did the ski rental thing, eventually hit the slops and skied some of the best runs of the trip that afternoon. Went to dinner at an overrated Italian place. Good food but not good enough to justify the prices. Long day, short on sleep from week, hit the sack (pullout couch).
Sunday, skied afternoon again, went to dinner at Mexican place that was good on previous trip. Service sucked, food was average, I started drinking prior to dinner and kept pace right on through. Stayed out and hit The Club (owned by same crowd as Buckhead Saloons here and ATL). Met a few people from Univ of Chicago's MBA program. They organized a 100 person trip at a good rate for post exam celebration. Good to be them I guess. I went to another place for a while with a crappy comedian, then back to the Club. I forgot I was at 8000 feet and that alcohol really screws you up fast at that elevation. Made it back to the Condo without spending tons of cash or a police escort. According to fam, I came in about 4AM as older sister was up at 3:30 and said I wasn't in, and step mom said she heard me come up the steps. I remember seeing 1ish on my watch in the little sitting area down the hall. I remember waking up in said sitting areas overstuffed chair. My recollection was I got too drunk and didn't wantto go in with fam possibly still awake. Regardless, I landed in the dog house.
Monday I got up and hit the mountain with everyone else. Was fine until I ate some pizza and had a Gatorade at the lodge about 10000 ft. Elevation, sugar, grease, and a tender stomach are bad. Made a run in a back bowl with the siblings. tons of powder, crap for visibility. We didn't like it and my stomach kicked back anything liquid shortly after I topped back up and got to the lodge. I was thankful it stayed in. The bathroom attendants hate me though. Next time they will have more stalls open so the stank smell that puts you over the edge can be combatted with a place for relief other than the corne

Recipes

Well, as I taunted some of you with my cooking ability and Agent Orange is trying to one up me, I figure I would share with he and the rest of you some traditional Whatonese fair.

Sausage Balls:

One cup of Bisquick (comes in handy pouch)
One Pound of Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
3 Cups of Shard Cheddar Cheese (I use kraft like a good kid)

Mix all this at once, thoroughly, in an oversized bowl, it makes a mess. If you have an abundance of bisquick on the outside of the large mass, you haven't mixed well enough.
Roll into quarter sized balls and place about 1" apart, or slightly less on a pre greased/Pammed cookie pan with sides (you don't want a grease fire)

Cook at 425 for 5 minutes, turn and cook and additional 5-6 minutes or until sausage appears cooked (brown)

Remove and let cool for a moment then place on several paper towels to drain the grease. Makes about 4 dozen

Recipe can be increased as you wish and according to available bowl and pans.

Pepperoni Rolls:

Sticks of pepperonni (this recipe will be based on the 4" Hormel sticks found in the prepacked lunch meat section of your local grocer).
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (not the flaky ones)
Spray butter

Biscuits typically come 4 or 8 in a can. Make a batch accoridingly so that ingredients balance out.

Cut pepperoni into 1/6th of the stick (for other stick sizes, peice should be about 4" long and about the size of a mans thumb)
Spray both side of biscuit with butter and flatten out like you are making a mini pizza.
Wrap pepperoni with biscuit and place on a pre greased pan. Be sure to place the part where the biscuit is connect to itself down on the pan to prevent the "roll" from splitting when cooked.

Cook in pre heated oven according to the biscuit directions.



Both can be and are better reheated in the microwave. 25sec/ 5 sausage balls or one pepperoni roll.

Odds and Ends

Well, let's see. This week the following is going on:
I started one of the funnier email barages seen recently, with no parties involved being serious at first, but I think willing to fight by the end of the day.
I got reemed by my investments final (cumulative) Wed night, and am keeping my fingers crossed a B shows up in my email tomorrow or online next week.
I have been busier than a one armed cotton picker this week, since I am out of the office M-W next week. I have a big presentation tomorrow during lunch and tons of work bidding this week and next plus orders, submittal, etc as part of the daily grind.
Flying to Denver then riding on to Vail tomorrow after work, until next Wed, so I am sure no one will feel sorry for me working so hard this week. I am supposed to be packing now, obviously I am not. Prograstination at it's finest.
I have taught Skippy the ways of Caeser III and he and I are in an unspoken race to see who progresses faster. I take more turns per board but am keeping pace by being at the same promotion level. You would think the LA could whip the engineer in a development game, but I have expereince from the craze a couple years ago on my side.
Completed the overthrow of being fratastic as being cool. Ove the course of the past year, I purchased New Balance-990's, official Fratastic shoe, Rainbows, official Fratastic flops, Lacoste polo, well that one just kind fits the post frat boy look with the bankers here, and tonight capped it off while a North Face Denali fleece for my trip, official Fratastic outterwear. Yes, it is grey. No, having this clothing no longer makes anyone cool. I've gone and screwed that one up too and hope to burry it completely if Nobrainer ever steps to the plate on one of the two main components above not already filled. We can all head out to the store on Sunday' as triplets in our shoes, coats and jeans. Damn we are smooth.
Oh, and I continued to not get laid, though I will have the out of town, never see you again thing going for a few days if I venture out in the Village. Ooops, can you say jinx.
Yep, that about covers it. Had to get some stuff up and out there before the Agent catches me for delinquency.
It's really cold where I am going (I know, hot eventually, but I am talking short term) as in highs in the 20's at best, and that's at the base of the mountain. Hopefully I will return with great pictures, stories, and balls that have decided unshrivel.
Have fun for the next weekish kids!

Martha Who?

For three guys, Martha Stewart can't hold a candle to us. We have a fully decorated tree, a wreath up, a fully nativity scene, a gift or two under the tree(unwrapped of course), and Christmas tins. It may sound a little over the top but it feels more like Christmas this way, with a little hint of home. As if decorating wasn't enough, the place is pretty clean. I cooked pepperoni rolls and sausage balls. As one can imagine the comments were vulgar. Especially considering the both Poot and Skippy liked my "salty balls" and the sausage that I was handling. Poot proceeded to whip up some darn good chili and Skippy took the high road with some Toll House cookies, eating a couple in dough form but hooking us up with dessert none the less. Apparently spending several hours in the kitchen earned me bitch status and supposedly I will make for a good bitch for some woman later in life. The way I see it, I better get handy now, cause I don't see anyone lining up for the position at my side, any time soon.
Word from Poot this morning is he is sick. I draw the line on this one. Will I make a run to the store for drugs if need be? Probably. Will I throw them at him from a safe distance and quarantine his room? Yes.
Any smart remarks can be directed towards deez nuts...you know, the Planter's party mix sitting on the counter top.

WHAta Bust

Yeah, this was quite the flop weekend. Thursday went down as mentioned and held promise as a somewhat decent warmup. I think I stayed in the minor leagues warming up for next weekend though. Friday night was fun. Met a friend of Faith and Lyndsey's out, she ended up at Buckhead with us and I proceeded to monopolize her time/attention, all for not no-less. Poot probably had dibs, has the phone I know, and my apologies for not necessarily cock blocking him (don't think he was scoring on this specific night) but doing all that was necessary had it been an option. I should have hung with the two chics I did a shot with at the bar. You know, the ones that were more than happy to chat as I was dressed well from the earlier charity event, that also saw two girls, and Poot approach to take three of the four beers I had purchased and decided to bid me farewell and a fun evening without my side of the story. Dancing was fun, I was smooth for my standards but still came home to my own warm, empty bed.
Anyway, Saturday should have been Christmas in the Carribean, prior to the company Christmas party as I noted. I tuaght Paul how to play Ceasar instead and watched a couple of bowl game warm ups. The party was nice. I was dressed to the hilt again/ Atea fine dinner that didn't agree with me past the taste buds, and had afew free drinks. Drove my boss and the Asheville office manager to their homes/hotels after watching the ACC championship shocker about 1 last night. Was completely sober and felt like hell from dinner earlier.
Today, tree trimming occured about 3 laters than expected. I realized it looks like a 12 yr/o did it as I ran out of lights and all my ornaments are cars, baseball players, and trains with a few Clemson items and a few things that I am sure Skippy will introduce upon his return relegating my childish ornaments to the scarecly populated back of the tree. Drank my fair share of Rum and Coke and listened to a lot of Buffett while realizing his old stuff is better but I lost half of it. It's quarter of 12, I'm hardly tired and my buzz is running down the drain with the rain.
I hope you all had a more productive weekend. I shouldn't complain, many others had more important things go south I am sure. I got lots of sleep, did nothing mentally stressing, and my biggest frustration is Clemson is going to higher paying bowl than the one in town, I can't attend, and the option isn't the Peach in Atlanta. Oh well, time to suck it up, get through the week and hope for the best next weekend, it'll be the last shot in '05 to rock it out I guess as the others weekends are spoken for and New Years just became much less anticipated.

Back Online

Whatown, from the the friendly confines of The Springs is back up and running. Feel free to send me links to all the cool crap like torrents, etc so I can reload,

4 Day Bender?

Maybe...Last night got off to a weak start compared to what most of you are thinking when I mention the word bender. That's okay though, I was just prepping the liver. Hit up a couple bars downtown with Ashley her roommate and Poot. I had received a rather high grade, all but securing a B regardless of my comprehensive final performance, in one of my two classes for the semester. An A is pretty unattainable due to large amount of info the test will be over, so it was time to celebrate a little.
Also, my XP disk finally arrived in my room. No thanks to the dumbasses at the front office who have held it for god knows how long. I called from lunch yesterday to see if it had arrived. Tiger Direct said it had been shipped for over five days, no notice, no package. It USED to be common place that UPS drops said packages at front office, notice left on your door or in mail, you go pick up package. Dummy on the phone yesterday though they got delivered, I told her to go check and low and behold,they had it...morons. I digress and back to the weekend plan, where this fits in.
Tonight, Toys for Tots at Southend Brewery. I have made sure all 5 females I know in town are aware this is taking place and hopefully attending so I can feel good about myself and actually talk to women at it this year. It also helps for other women to see that you aren't just a couple scary guys standing around stalking. It may or may not be correct, but I am trying to help Poot and myself out a little. I will be loading said program and enjoying some Jack during pre-preparty, then attending a preparty about 7:30, and on to the shin dig around 9.
Tomorrow, football all day and it should have been Christmas in the Caribbean in the apt but I am holding that for Sunday. 7ish is the company Christmas Party that I will be attending stag. I could have taken a date but as it would have been a friend only thing, the 20 question game with all the wives and office people wouldn't be worth it. Plus I am a lot more likely to get a little help should said women know any females floating around single in the age bracket than I would have with some form of date. Downtown should follow said affair (which is at McCormick and Schmicks no less).
Sunday will be Christams in the Carribean. Open the door, hope its warm, put football on mute, crank the Buffett CD's and decorate the apartment. All commers are welcome as long as they bring their favorite rum drink. rum and Coke is recommended but we daquiri mix left over from the 4th of July. This is typically on the day of the xmas party (at least the first edition was last year) but has been moved by request.
So in summary, I should be back online at home this weekend. I plan to do a lot of drinking. I am decorating the apartment this weekend and we have social events to attend. I am sure a decent stroy of me being drunk, saying something off color, or screwing something up will occur. Stay tuned, Clark Griswol may be in action.