Monday, May 29, 2006
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.
Friday, May 26, 2006
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.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
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.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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.
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.
Monday, May 08, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, May 05, 2006
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
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.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, April 07, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
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!
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!
Friday, March 31, 2006
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.
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.
Monday, March 27, 2006
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.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
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.
Monday, March 20, 2006
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.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
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.
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.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
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.
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.
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