This is a post I wrote about an adventure Peachy and I had yesterday. Just for fun, I used this language translator site to make the usual bland story a fun challenge. If you translate it all back into English, I'll bet it gets really screwey, but it should be cool to read. Good luck and enjoy! (And remember, I always tell the truth, except for the occasional BS Friday posts. But this isn't Friday, is it?)
*EDIT: I should have mentioned that the 1st paragraph is Spanish, the 2nd is French, the 3rd is German, the 4th is Italian & the 5th is Russian. That will make it easier. No matter what the translations are funny. I'll post the original version later.
Ayer Peachy y yo pasaron un viaje intenso y rápido del almuerzo juntos. Fuimos a obtener sellos para ella, una tarjeta de la simpatía para un amigo mío y entonces a 7-Once para algunas Mordeduras Grandes. Era un viaje interesante no decir más.
Premier, le Bureau de poste n'a pas eu les timbres que Peachy a voulu, donc elle a commencé à obtenir furieux. Elle disait le commis qu'il était un doofus et qu'il a eu besoin d'aller dans le dos et obtient “ces condamner timbres” qu'elle a su qu'il gardait d'elle. Quand elle a commencé essayer de s'emparer du gars par la fenêtre, j'ai su cet étais le temps pour l'obtenir de là-bas.
Dann sind wir zu LEBENSLÄUFEN und gegangen, die ich mit der Karte nicht belästigt habe. Pfirsichfarben war zu beschäftigter Versuch zu lösen, wie sie innerhalb des Orts erhalten könnte, und druckte ihre eigenen Bilder. So müsste sie für sie nicht bezahlen. Sie flirtete offen mit dem Protokollführer, versuchend, ihn zu verführen lassen in sie ins Geschäft nach Stunden. Irgendetwas, einen Bock zu sparen, den ich errate.
La parte peggiore del viaggio era quando eravamo al 7-Undici. L'individuo dietro l'opposto ha avuto un accento pesante ed era duro per capire. Dopo che tentare prenderlo per capire il nostro ordine, Peachy ha preso deridere infastidito e cominciato lui. Parlava a lui nella sua versione del suo accento ed agendo molto lo snide di esso. La cosa buffa era, ha cominciato effettivamente a capire bene le cose quando ciò ha fatto. Strano.
Само собой разумеется, это была весьма интересная поездка завтрака вчера. Вы все должны испытать Замечательную поездку когда-нибудь.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
...a fellow of infinite jest...
....if only that place hadn't burned down, we could have had a kick-ass time there. I guess you would have had to be here though.
.....and that time at the beach... well, it would have been great if you could have come along.
I remember thinking how cool it would have been if you had been to that New Year's party with me. You sure did miss it.
I went to that place we always talked about. You would have loved it. Too bad you couldn't make it.
When I go to the old hang-outs, I remember how much fun we had. I remember how we could break the place up. Two people have never been so well suited for each other. I guess that was a long time ago now.
Don't think I've forgotten. I haven't. I won't. Sometimes I'd like to. It would be easier, but I won't.
Remember that time we said time couldn't kill us? Shows what we know.
.....a fellow of infinite jest,
he hath borne me on his back a thousand times.
Where be your giants now?
Your flashes of merriment
that could put the table on a roar?
Where indeed.
.....and that time at the beach... well, it would have been great if you could have come along.
I remember thinking how cool it would have been if you had been to that New Year's party with me. You sure did miss it.
I went to that place we always talked about. You would have loved it. Too bad you couldn't make it.
When I go to the old hang-outs, I remember how much fun we had. I remember how we could break the place up. Two people have never been so well suited for each other. I guess that was a long time ago now.
Don't think I've forgotten. I haven't. I won't. Sometimes I'd like to. It would be easier, but I won't.
Remember that time we said time couldn't kill us? Shows what we know.
.....a fellow of infinite jest,
he hath borne me on his back a thousand times.
Where be your giants now?
Your flashes of merriment
that could put the table on a roar?
Where indeed.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Year's Resolutions
Yesterday I started wondering just how New Year's Resolutions were invented. I have been thinking about it off and on since then. I think it's simple basically; the New Year is a starting point, a point that we can grab onto as a sign of new beginnings. We can latch onto that feeling of starting something new in a new era and feel like we will actually follow through. Our dedication is probably pretty serious at that point.
But how many resolutions are things that we will keep up with? Not many. How many are things we should just go ahead and do, whether it was November, December or January 1st? Probably most things. If it needed to be done as a resolution, should we have already done it or started it? Most likely.
I have made resolutions in the past. A few times I even kept them up for a while. Most of them I didn't. I don't think I'm too different from most people in that respect. I think the trick is to either not make resolutions or make some that you know you can keep up with. Maybe choosing a resolution that I know I'll do will give me the feeling of accomplishment that I need to try for some harder ones in the future. So here are the resolutions I have come up with. I'll write them here and keep tracking them throughout the year so we can see how well I am keeping up with them. (BTW, I 'borrowed' this idea from Quyen. Thanks Q.)
First, I will put together a small list of new songs I will learn to play. I have been very lazy with my music and I want to change that.
Second, I will have SpaghettiOs at least once a month.
I will have more sex. (Don't laugh. Married people do get less.)
Next, I will assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else's fault.
I will have a real vacation this year. Not just to the beach, which is a must for me, but something else cool too.
I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so!"
I will start and complete several challenging artistic projects.
This year, I will be less critical of people. Before I criticize a person, I will walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if they get angry, they are a mile away and barefoot.
I will learn to love my job. ;)
I will still be blogging this time next year.
So there you have it. I have made some resolutions. Let's see how many, if any, that I keep.
Anyone else making any New Year's Resolutions?
But how many resolutions are things that we will keep up with? Not many. How many are things we should just go ahead and do, whether it was November, December or January 1st? Probably most things. If it needed to be done as a resolution, should we have already done it or started it? Most likely.
I have made resolutions in the past. A few times I even kept them up for a while. Most of them I didn't. I don't think I'm too different from most people in that respect. I think the trick is to either not make resolutions or make some that you know you can keep up with. Maybe choosing a resolution that I know I'll do will give me the feeling of accomplishment that I need to try for some harder ones in the future. So here are the resolutions I have come up with. I'll write them here and keep tracking them throughout the year so we can see how well I am keeping up with them. (BTW, I 'borrowed' this idea from Quyen. Thanks Q.)
First, I will put together a small list of new songs I will learn to play. I have been very lazy with my music and I want to change that.
Second, I will have SpaghettiOs at least once a month.
I will have more sex. (Don't laugh. Married people do get less.)
Next, I will assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else's fault.
I will have a real vacation this year. Not just to the beach, which is a must for me, but something else cool too.
I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so!"
I will start and complete several challenging artistic projects.
This year, I will be less critical of people. Before I criticize a person, I will walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if they get angry, they are a mile away and barefoot.
I will learn to love my job. ;)
I will still be blogging this time next year.
So there you have it. I have made some resolutions. Let's see how many, if any, that I keep.
Anyone else making any New Year's Resolutions?
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Interview With A Vampire... or a Meritt. (Or a YB?) Same Difference.
I bummed this from Meritt. It looked like fun to do. I was right.
(Meritt’s title cracked me up so I left it.)
1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
I quit a new job after just 2 weeks.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I do not make NY resolutions. (Me neither Meritt. I'd never keep them anyway.)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I gave birth… to a conniption fit or two... or three...
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Sort of. Two of my childhood heroes died; Don Adams (Maxwell Smart) & Bob Denver (Gilligan) That may explain a few things about me, eh?
5. What countries did you visit?
Physically, I stayed in the USA. But in my mind, the list is endless.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Peace of mind.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 10th, 2005 That’s the day the Baseball season ended.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Buying a new home in my hometown.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Buying my Jeep.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only in my heart.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new computer!!!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Hmmm. None that I can think of. Maybe Nicci for still wanting to put up with me.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, Sandra Bullock.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The new house.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Opening day of the Baseball season. Same thing every year. ;)
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Time Of Your Life by Green Day. Every year should be the time of your life.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier. Much happier. I’m starting to understand life and how it basically sucks always. That’s a hard thing but it helps to stop fighting it.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Easy one. Artwork.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Bitching and complaining. I’m good at those things.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family at my Aunt & Uncle's. Then home with just Nicci, a warm fire and some nice wine.
21. How will you spend New Year’s?
I spent it with Nicci, again in front of the fire with some good wine. (Hmm... I believe there is a pattern here.)
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Many times. Uncountable.
23. How many one-night stands?
In my mind, I had one every other day/night. *sigh*
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Ghost Whisperer. Battlestar Galactica. Baseball Tonight.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Tom Cruise. Well, maybe hate is too strong a word. Despise and pity is probably more like it.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Xavier Rudd, many thanks to Cindy Lou.
28. What did you want and get?
A new computer, a new Jeep, a new house. (Geez, it’s been an expensive year!)
29. What was your favorite CD of this year?
The Blogger CD. (Again, a Cindy Lou idea.)
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I liked Hitch and Elektra. (Yes, I liked Elektra. So what?)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Skipped work, as usual and played the lazy guy. I turned 42.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery and/or making that trip to Tennessee as planned.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
"Same Old Same Old"
34. What kept you sane?
Peachy being my friend.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jennifer Love Hewitt
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The idiots that won’t close our borders to all the illegal immigration.
37. Whom do you miss?
No one. I usually don’t miss anyone. Outta sight, outta mind.
38. Who was the best new person that you met?
Ms. N
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
That real, true friends are rare. More rare than even I thought they were.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Tears on the sleeve of a man
Don't wanna be a boy today
Heard the eternal footman
Bought himself a bike to race
And Greg he writes letters
And burns his CDs
They say you were something in those formative years
Hold onto nothing
As fast as you can
Well still pretty good year... pretty good year...
Tori Amos
(Meritt’s title cracked me up so I left it.)
1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
I quit a new job after just 2 weeks.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I do not make NY resolutions. (Me neither Meritt. I'd never keep them anyway.)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I gave birth… to a conniption fit or two... or three...
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Sort of. Two of my childhood heroes died; Don Adams (Maxwell Smart) & Bob Denver (Gilligan) That may explain a few things about me, eh?
5. What countries did you visit?
Physically, I stayed in the USA. But in my mind, the list is endless.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Peace of mind.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 10th, 2005 That’s the day the Baseball season ended.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Buying a new home in my hometown.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Buying my Jeep.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only in my heart.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new computer!!!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Hmmm. None that I can think of. Maybe Nicci for still wanting to put up with me.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, Sandra Bullock.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The new house.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Opening day of the Baseball season. Same thing every year. ;)
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Time Of Your Life by Green Day. Every year should be the time of your life.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier. Much happier. I’m starting to understand life and how it basically sucks always. That’s a hard thing but it helps to stop fighting it.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Easy one. Artwork.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Bitching and complaining. I’m good at those things.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family at my Aunt & Uncle's. Then home with just Nicci, a warm fire and some nice wine.
21. How will you spend New Year’s?
I spent it with Nicci, again in front of the fire with some good wine. (Hmm... I believe there is a pattern here.)
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Many times. Uncountable.
23. How many one-night stands?
In my mind, I had one every other day/night. *sigh*
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Ghost Whisperer. Battlestar Galactica. Baseball Tonight.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Tom Cruise. Well, maybe hate is too strong a word. Despise and pity is probably more like it.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Xavier Rudd, many thanks to Cindy Lou.
28. What did you want and get?
A new computer, a new Jeep, a new house. (Geez, it’s been an expensive year!)
29. What was your favorite CD of this year?
The Blogger CD. (Again, a Cindy Lou idea.)
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I liked Hitch and Elektra. (Yes, I liked Elektra. So what?)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Skipped work, as usual and played the lazy guy. I turned 42.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery and/or making that trip to Tennessee as planned.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
"Same Old Same Old"
34. What kept you sane?
Peachy being my friend.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jennifer Love Hewitt
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The idiots that won’t close our borders to all the illegal immigration.
37. Whom do you miss?
No one. I usually don’t miss anyone. Outta sight, outta mind.
38. Who was the best new person that you met?
Ms. N
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
That real, true friends are rare. More rare than even I thought they were.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Tears on the sleeve of a man
Don't wanna be a boy today
Heard the eternal footman
Bought himself a bike to race
And Greg he writes letters
And burns his CDs
They say you were something in those formative years
Hold onto nothing
As fast as you can
Well still pretty good year... pretty good year...
Tori Amos
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Happy New Year!!!
I have been totally preoccupied but I have managed to steal this moment to wish all my blogger buds a very Happy New Year! I wish for all of you a very happy and excellent 2006.
I also hope we all make it through the next year together.
Happy New Year!!!
I also hope we all make it through the next year together.
Happy New Year!!!
BS Friday Answer
Yesterday’s BS Friday story has a bit of a complicated answer to it. The basic story is a lie. Not much is real at all.
The true parts are that I had a friend who was into the Indian stuff and he and his brother and a friend did build an Indian camp like I described. But I never went there. He tried to get me to go but I just wasn’t into it. He also had a tendency to act like he was meditating or going into a trance or whatever. Mostly we all just laughed about that.
We did have an adventure where we misjudged a creek crossing and nearly got swept away, but it wasn’t like I described yesterday.
I like to take some real elements and splice them together somehow to do the false stories. I think it gives them a truer feel.
So there you have it, another false adventure. Thanks to everyone who managed to read the whole thing. Somehow I can’t get these things shortened. It’s like when you go to a buffet for dinner. Just when you think you’ve reached your limit, you just keep going anyway. That’s what happens to me sometimes, whether it’s a buffet or a BS Friday story. :)
The true parts are that I had a friend who was into the Indian stuff and he and his brother and a friend did build an Indian camp like I described. But I never went there. He tried to get me to go but I just wasn’t into it. He also had a tendency to act like he was meditating or going into a trance or whatever. Mostly we all just laughed about that.
We did have an adventure where we misjudged a creek crossing and nearly got swept away, but it wasn’t like I described yesterday.
I like to take some real elements and splice them together somehow to do the false stories. I think it gives them a truer feel.
So there you have it, another false adventure. Thanks to everyone who managed to read the whole thing. Somehow I can’t get these things shortened. It’s like when you go to a buffet for dinner. Just when you think you’ve reached your limit, you just keep going anyway. That’s what happens to me sometimes, whether it’s a buffet or a BS Friday story. :)
Friday, December 30, 2005
BS Friday
Welcome once again to BS Friday. You know the score, I'll write it and you tell me if it's true of just plain old BS. Today's post is called: The Weirdest New Year's Eve Ever
This is a story about one of my weirdest New Year’s Eves. This one year in particular my friend and I decided that we would go on a vision quest. He was big into American Indian lore and stuff like that and I was big into adventure, so I told him I’d tag along.
He and his brother had built a little campground in the woods a few miles from where we lived. They had 2 tee-pees and a fire ring and it was a place they went to hang out on weekends. When he first started doing that stuff I was totally turned off by it. To me, wasting time with that was silly. There was Baseball to be played or Tennis to work on or Motocross rides to do. Anything else sounded like more fun. Building a camp sounded like work.
So this one particular New Year’s Eve we decided to pack up some stuff, sneak outside and head to this Indian camp facsimile and try to find some spirit guide to help us into the New Year. That was the plan.
Sneaking out wasn’t a problem. We did that a lot as teenagers. Stashing supplies wasn’t an issue either. We had a cool place we made under some bushes that easily hid anything we wanted. What we didn’t count on was the fact that it was Winter, it had rained a lot lately and we were totally being stupid. Of course that last part wasn’t realized until later.
The big night came and the beginning of the plan went like clockwork. We stashed our stuff, we waited until my Mom was asleep and we easily snuck outside. The first inclination that we were in trouble should have been easy to spot since the temperature when we got outside was a lot colder than we had anticipated. But hey, this was a quest. We had to suffer for our reward, right? (Those were his words, btw.)
So we got our stash and started off. We headed out of the neighborhood and across a big field. After walking a bit I wasn’t cold anymore. We chattered like schoolgirls as we walked, talking about what we hoped to see and all that hyped up, adrenaline talk. Then we hit our first major snag. We came to the creek.
We knew it well. We had planned to cross at the most shallow spot we knew. We had a few pieces of wood there for the crossing. What we forgot was all the rain that had been falling recently. When we got to that ‘shallow’ spot, it was 3 times its normal size and our wood had washed away. It was gone. We should have taken the hint and gave up, but naturally we didn’t. We decided that it still couldn’t be all that deep and we could stand a little water in our shoes. This was a quest. We had to suffer for our reward, right? (Those were his words again, btw.) So we proceeded into the water.
Somewhere about 1/3 of the way across the current had gotten really fast. Not only was it tough to keep our footing but it had washed away a lot of the bottom. One more step and we both went down into the water up to our waists. Now, if you aren’t a guy, you’ve never experienced what a shock that can be when you suddenly and without warning have icy cold water slammed into your private area. (I’m sure it sucks for women too but I can’t claim any experience there.) Our shrieks and surprised, shrill gasps had to be heard for a few miles. They had to be. That was damn cold! It was there that I was sure we needed to turn back. But we were on a quest and my friend would have no part of it. We had to suffer for our reward, right? Uh huh.
So we decided that we were already wet and we should press on. We moved slowly across the creek, holding our stash of goodies high over our heads. At one point the water got to the chest level. Talk about freezing! Then we marched on. We eventually got to the edge of the field and started to go out onto the road when we both suddenly found ourselves flat on our faces. The field was surrounded by barbed wire and we had walked right into it, both tripping and splattering on the ground. My chin really hurt after that. But we managed to get around that obstacle and keep moving toward the trail that would lead to his camp. That’s when we heard the sirens.
We shouldn’t have been startled by Police sirens. It was New Year’s Eve. But we were both close to hypothermia by this time and were feeling like we were doing something bad, so naturally we knew they were after us. We ran into a nearby front yard and hid in some bushes waiting for the Cops to go by. When they did, we started moving on but what we didn’t know was the house had themselves a big dog to protect it. That dog started barking and it sounded so loud that it seemed to echo forever. Then the lights came on in the house. That’s when we started running. I have to admit to a bit of a thrill at this point. It felt pretty cool, like we were fugitives or something.
Well, the running was short lived because we ran right up against a dead end cul de sac. There was no where to go. We had taken a wrong turn and my friend, the great Indian tracker, wasn’t sure where we were. We couldn’t turn back because that dog was still barking so we did the logical thing, we ran through some yards hoping to find a place that looked familiar.
Suddenlt I was running alone. I didn't notice for a few steps but when I looked around, there was my friend all sprawled out on the ground. He had run into a low-flying clothesline and it had hooked his chin an thrown him to the ground. Ouch! I got him up and we got moving again before someone noticed.
By now we were near frozen. We trudged on for another 15 minutes or so and somehow managed to find the entrance to the trail we were looking for. It was another half-hour walk in good weather to the camp from there. I was worried by this time that my toes would fall off or something. Apparently my friend was getting that way too because suddenly his plan changed. He decided to find out if ‘the spirits’ would allow us access to the trail. He sat down at the entrance to the trail and started acting like he was going into some kind of mind-trance. He was murmuring and humming and rocking back and forth and when I started laughing at him he started getting mad at me. I couldn’t help it. We both knew we were chickening out but he wouldn’t just admit to it. He had to ‘get guidance’.
Naturally after a few minutes of his mind searching, he was told by the Great Spirit that tonight was the wrong time for a vision quest. We were to return home. So we turned around and within a minute we were at the home of a friend of his family, begging for a ride back into town. We told them about our adventure and they took pity on us and gave us a ride home. Of course, they also told our parents about it all too. That sucked. We ended up bringing in the New Year alone, in bed and grounded for a month. Nice.
So there is the story of my weirdest New Year’s Eve.
This is a story about one of my weirdest New Year’s Eves. This one year in particular my friend and I decided that we would go on a vision quest. He was big into American Indian lore and stuff like that and I was big into adventure, so I told him I’d tag along.
He and his brother had built a little campground in the woods a few miles from where we lived. They had 2 tee-pees and a fire ring and it was a place they went to hang out on weekends. When he first started doing that stuff I was totally turned off by it. To me, wasting time with that was silly. There was Baseball to be played or Tennis to work on or Motocross rides to do. Anything else sounded like more fun. Building a camp sounded like work.
So this one particular New Year’s Eve we decided to pack up some stuff, sneak outside and head to this Indian camp facsimile and try to find some spirit guide to help us into the New Year. That was the plan.
Sneaking out wasn’t a problem. We did that a lot as teenagers. Stashing supplies wasn’t an issue either. We had a cool place we made under some bushes that easily hid anything we wanted. What we didn’t count on was the fact that it was Winter, it had rained a lot lately and we were totally being stupid. Of course that last part wasn’t realized until later.
The big night came and the beginning of the plan went like clockwork. We stashed our stuff, we waited until my Mom was asleep and we easily snuck outside. The first inclination that we were in trouble should have been easy to spot since the temperature when we got outside was a lot colder than we had anticipated. But hey, this was a quest. We had to suffer for our reward, right? (Those were his words, btw.)
So we got our stash and started off. We headed out of the neighborhood and across a big field. After walking a bit I wasn’t cold anymore. We chattered like schoolgirls as we walked, talking about what we hoped to see and all that hyped up, adrenaline talk. Then we hit our first major snag. We came to the creek.
We knew it well. We had planned to cross at the most shallow spot we knew. We had a few pieces of wood there for the crossing. What we forgot was all the rain that had been falling recently. When we got to that ‘shallow’ spot, it was 3 times its normal size and our wood had washed away. It was gone. We should have taken the hint and gave up, but naturally we didn’t. We decided that it still couldn’t be all that deep and we could stand a little water in our shoes. This was a quest. We had to suffer for our reward, right? (Those were his words again, btw.) So we proceeded into the water.
Somewhere about 1/3 of the way across the current had gotten really fast. Not only was it tough to keep our footing but it had washed away a lot of the bottom. One more step and we both went down into the water up to our waists. Now, if you aren’t a guy, you’ve never experienced what a shock that can be when you suddenly and without warning have icy cold water slammed into your private area. (I’m sure it sucks for women too but I can’t claim any experience there.) Our shrieks and surprised, shrill gasps had to be heard for a few miles. They had to be. That was damn cold! It was there that I was sure we needed to turn back. But we were on a quest and my friend would have no part of it. We had to suffer for our reward, right? Uh huh.
So we decided that we were already wet and we should press on. We moved slowly across the creek, holding our stash of goodies high over our heads. At one point the water got to the chest level. Talk about freezing! Then we marched on. We eventually got to the edge of the field and started to go out onto the road when we both suddenly found ourselves flat on our faces. The field was surrounded by barbed wire and we had walked right into it, both tripping and splattering on the ground. My chin really hurt after that. But we managed to get around that obstacle and keep moving toward the trail that would lead to his camp. That’s when we heard the sirens.
We shouldn’t have been startled by Police sirens. It was New Year’s Eve. But we were both close to hypothermia by this time and were feeling like we were doing something bad, so naturally we knew they were after us. We ran into a nearby front yard and hid in some bushes waiting for the Cops to go by. When they did, we started moving on but what we didn’t know was the house had themselves a big dog to protect it. That dog started barking and it sounded so loud that it seemed to echo forever. Then the lights came on in the house. That’s when we started running. I have to admit to a bit of a thrill at this point. It felt pretty cool, like we were fugitives or something.
Well, the running was short lived because we ran right up against a dead end cul de sac. There was no where to go. We had taken a wrong turn and my friend, the great Indian tracker, wasn’t sure where we were. We couldn’t turn back because that dog was still barking so we did the logical thing, we ran through some yards hoping to find a place that looked familiar.
Suddenlt I was running alone. I didn't notice for a few steps but when I looked around, there was my friend all sprawled out on the ground. He had run into a low-flying clothesline and it had hooked his chin an thrown him to the ground. Ouch! I got him up and we got moving again before someone noticed.
By now we were near frozen. We trudged on for another 15 minutes or so and somehow managed to find the entrance to the trail we were looking for. It was another half-hour walk in good weather to the camp from there. I was worried by this time that my toes would fall off or something. Apparently my friend was getting that way too because suddenly his plan changed. He decided to find out if ‘the spirits’ would allow us access to the trail. He sat down at the entrance to the trail and started acting like he was going into some kind of mind-trance. He was murmuring and humming and rocking back and forth and when I started laughing at him he started getting mad at me. I couldn’t help it. We both knew we were chickening out but he wouldn’t just admit to it. He had to ‘get guidance’.
Naturally after a few minutes of his mind searching, he was told by the Great Spirit that tonight was the wrong time for a vision quest. We were to return home. So we turned around and within a minute we were at the home of a friend of his family, begging for a ride back into town. We told them about our adventure and they took pity on us and gave us a ride home. Of course, they also told our parents about it all too. That sucked. We ended up bringing in the New Year alone, in bed and grounded for a month. Nice.
So there is the story of my weirdest New Year’s Eve.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Just Another Night
OK, there was no reaction at all tonight. I only had the one light on in the breezeway and I got no reaction. No lights on anywhereelse and no reaction. ??? I think Jen is right, there had to be something going on that Nicci wasn't letting on about. I guess she'll fess up when she's ready.
Or not.
Here's something interesting though. While Nicci was sitting at the park this morning some guy was checking her out. He circled her car for a few minutes. Watched her. Then went behind a tree nearby and proceeded to drop his drawers and masturbate. He moved to a spot where he was in full view of her and just kept going and staring. She took off quickly and called the Police, but they didn't catch him.
Weirdo's like that I really don't understand. How can that be any fun?
Maybe he helped me out though. After that prime example of manliness, I probably looked pretty good to her no matter how many lights I did or didn't have on. ;)
Or not.
Here's something interesting though. While Nicci was sitting at the park this morning some guy was checking her out. He circled her car for a few minutes. Watched her. Then went behind a tree nearby and proceeded to drop his drawers and masturbate. He moved to a spot where he was in full view of her and just kept going and staring. She took off quickly and called the Police, but they didn't catch him.
Weirdo's like that I really don't understand. How can that be any fun?
Maybe he helped me out though. After that prime example of manliness, I probably looked pretty good to her no matter how many lights I did or didn't have on. ;)
It Was One Of Those Nights
Did you ever have one of ‘those’ nights? The kind that starts out wrong and just won’t straighten up? That’s what happened to me last night. The whole evening sucked and it started with just one small misplaced sentence that pissed me off. It should have just started and ended quickly, but somehow it blossomed into this big ass issue. Ruined the evening.
Nicci came stomping into the house, yelling about how the breezeway light wasn’t turned on. She wants it turned on every evening. Like an idiot, I asked why. A simple question. Easy to answer. But no, it turned into a ‘bash YB’ scene. She wanted it on. That was all.
And I’m supposed to be a mind reader apparently.
Now, I could see that she might have a reason for this if the garage light and the kitchen light weren’t on already. If I had turned on the breezeway light, she would have needed sunglasses to keep her from getting blinded. I swear she would turn all the lights on in the house all the time if she could. The electric company would be really happy with her if she had her way. I didn’t get it at all. She actually kind of freaked out. There was this whole big scene about that damn light. Mostly I just listened. But it was a scene.
I remember later sitting with Nicci still wondering why she had snapped about something so silly. She was jabbering on & on about stuff like nothing had happened. Me, I wasn’t even listening. In my mind I was thinking “Why doesn’t she just shut up? Can’t she see I’m not interested? How did I end up here? This whole scene is just grating on me. Geez, when will this night ever end?” I just couldn’t get past the freak-out. I stayed annoyed and irritable all evening.
Finally I just got up and went away (to the basement). I knew I would make things worse if I hung around any more. Still today I’m wondering wtf that whole scene was about. Tonight I’ll turn on just the stupid breezeway light and nothing else. There will be a lot less light, but I’ll get to see how she reacts to that one.
Sometimes I wonder how anyone stays in a relationship anymore. It’s the stupid little things that drive a person crazy.
Nicci came stomping into the house, yelling about how the breezeway light wasn’t turned on. She wants it turned on every evening. Like an idiot, I asked why. A simple question. Easy to answer. But no, it turned into a ‘bash YB’ scene. She wanted it on. That was all.
And I’m supposed to be a mind reader apparently.
Now, I could see that she might have a reason for this if the garage light and the kitchen light weren’t on already. If I had turned on the breezeway light, she would have needed sunglasses to keep her from getting blinded. I swear she would turn all the lights on in the house all the time if she could. The electric company would be really happy with her if she had her way. I didn’t get it at all. She actually kind of freaked out. There was this whole big scene about that damn light. Mostly I just listened. But it was a scene.
I remember later sitting with Nicci still wondering why she had snapped about something so silly. She was jabbering on & on about stuff like nothing had happened. Me, I wasn’t even listening. In my mind I was thinking “Why doesn’t she just shut up? Can’t she see I’m not interested? How did I end up here? This whole scene is just grating on me. Geez, when will this night ever end?” I just couldn’t get past the freak-out. I stayed annoyed and irritable all evening.
Finally I just got up and went away (to the basement). I knew I would make things worse if I hung around any more. Still today I’m wondering wtf that whole scene was about. Tonight I’ll turn on just the stupid breezeway light and nothing else. There will be a lot less light, but I’ll get to see how she reacts to that one.
Sometimes I wonder how anyone stays in a relationship anymore. It’s the stupid little things that drive a person crazy.
Latest Poll Results
I had such a crappy night last night. So this morning I am copping out with a new Poll post. I'll write about the crap-fest later.
The results of the Christmas Special Poll were fairly predictable. It seems everyone loves A Christmas Story and of course Charlie Brown. It's A Wonderful Life is still one of my all time faves too.
I noticed that there was one vote for a write-in, but I never saw the write in. Most likely it was for A Nightmare Before Christmas. That one seems to be pretty popular. I may have to see it some day.
The new Poll(s) are posted. This time they're more serious. I keep hearing all these 'official' polls in the news and I wanted to see exactly how my blog friends feel about the Iraq situation. The one good thing that should come of it is the fact that I always stay on schedule when there is a serious Poll posted. Next week they will be gone. I tend to have problems staying focused on reality too long. :)
Have at it.
Which is the greatest Christmas Special ever?
Selection Votes
It's A Wonderful Life 18% 6
A Christmas Story 32% 11
A Charlie Brown Christmas 21% 7
How The Grinch Stole Christmas 9% 3
A Christmas Carol (Scrooge) *Whatever version... 3% 1
Miracle On 34th Street 3% 1
Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer 12% 4
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 0% 0
Frosty The Snowman 0% 0
Ernest Saves Christmas :) 0% 0
**Write any favorites I missed in Comments 3% 1
34 votes total
Poll results are subject to error. Pollhost.com does not pre-screen the content of polls created by Pollhost customers.
The results of the Christmas Special Poll were fairly predictable. It seems everyone loves A Christmas Story and of course Charlie Brown. It's A Wonderful Life is still one of my all time faves too.
I noticed that there was one vote for a write-in, but I never saw the write in. Most likely it was for A Nightmare Before Christmas. That one seems to be pretty popular. I may have to see it some day.
The new Poll(s) are posted. This time they're more serious. I keep hearing all these 'official' polls in the news and I wanted to see exactly how my blog friends feel about the Iraq situation. The one good thing that should come of it is the fact that I always stay on schedule when there is a serious Poll posted. Next week they will be gone. I tend to have problems staying focused on reality too long. :)
Have at it.
Which is the greatest Christmas Special ever?
Selection Votes
It's A Wonderful Life 18% 6
A Christmas Story 32% 11
A Charlie Brown Christmas 21% 7
How The Grinch Stole Christmas 9% 3
A Christmas Carol (Scrooge) *Whatever version... 3% 1
Miracle On 34th Street 3% 1
Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer 12% 4
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 0% 0
Frosty The Snowman 0% 0
Ernest Saves Christmas :) 0% 0
**Write any favorites I missed in Comments 3% 1
34 votes total
Poll results are subject to error. Pollhost.com does not pre-screen the content of polls created by Pollhost customers.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Racism
I don’t usually write about this kind of thing but lately it’s on my mind. Recently I had a conversation with a friend who happens to be a black woman. She was telling me how racism isn’t just relegated to the stereotypical between races bigotry. Apparently there is racism within races.
Now I know I tend to go through life in a little bit of a goofy, whatever happens - happens type of mindset, but I truthfully had no idea about this issue. While we were talking I was stunned to hear some things I was told.
She said that within black communities and even within families that some people are racist. She has a relative that has darker skin and he doesn’t like darker skinned people. He only likes light skinned women or white women. He even shuns his own children that were born with darker skin.
She told me that an ex-boyfriend of hers had a Grandmother that would not allow the darker skinned grandkids into her home. She hated their skin color. Then she told me about a friend of hers that is from Puerto Rico. She has darker skin than her siblings and has naturally curly hair. Her siblings have lighter skin color and straight hair, so she was basically shunned by her family and now they don’t even talk to her anymore.
I had no idea this type of thing was common. It has been on my mind since our conversation. But when I think about it, I shouldn’t be surprised at all. I’ve known white people who react the same way. I just didn’t pay any attention. For instance, I knew a white guy who hated anyone with red hair. To him, that was a sign of inferiority. I have no idea how a person can come to that conclusion. Or there is the obvious example of groups like the skin-heads who hate anyone not like them. Even whites if they are silly enough to be born Jewish or something like that.
I remember the first time I realized my Mother was a bit of a racist. I had a crush on this very pretty black girl and we started hanging out together. (I think I was about 12-13 at the time.) One day she came to visit and when she left my Mom told me she wasn’t allowed in her house. She wasn’t ‘our kind’. That was my first real experience with it and it left me feeling like my Mother was a jerk. I wasn’t impressed at all. I was ashamed that she could say that about someone. We lived in a poor neighborhood and the population was probably 50-50 black and white. It never occurred to me that something was wrong with having black friends. Needless to say, I ignored her, which is what teenagers will do anyway when it comes to almost anything a parent will tell them. But this time, I had good reason to ignore her opinion.
I just don’t get this. I sometimes can be naive about stuff, but interracial racism is a new concept to me. It’s been there but I guess I just didn’t pay attention. The thing is racism doesn’t make sense to me in any form. People are born as they are. They don’t have a choice about what they look like. How can that be held against them? Guilt by association is not a good reason for any kind of hate.
These types of attitudes seem to be especially prevalent with older people. Whether they are black or white doesn’t seem to matter. I worked with a black lady for years who was the biggest racist I’ve met to date. She was a pretty cool person except for that. When her son started dating a white woman, you would have thought the world was ending. But the older people went through a lot more bigotry than people my age or younger. I think as time goes on, it should just keep getting better. I hope so.
Personally, if I like someone or they are attractive to me, I don’t care what race they are. If a woman is sexy, she’s sexy. If a person is interesting, they are OK with me. I just don’t get the whole ‘superior race’ concept. I especially don’t get being prejudiced against a family member for looking different than you do. That makes me believe that the human race still has a very long way to go.
Now I know I tend to go through life in a little bit of a goofy, whatever happens - happens type of mindset, but I truthfully had no idea about this issue. While we were talking I was stunned to hear some things I was told.
She said that within black communities and even within families that some people are racist. She has a relative that has darker skin and he doesn’t like darker skinned people. He only likes light skinned women or white women. He even shuns his own children that were born with darker skin.
She told me that an ex-boyfriend of hers had a Grandmother that would not allow the darker skinned grandkids into her home. She hated their skin color. Then she told me about a friend of hers that is from Puerto Rico. She has darker skin than her siblings and has naturally curly hair. Her siblings have lighter skin color and straight hair, so she was basically shunned by her family and now they don’t even talk to her anymore.
I had no idea this type of thing was common. It has been on my mind since our conversation. But when I think about it, I shouldn’t be surprised at all. I’ve known white people who react the same way. I just didn’t pay any attention. For instance, I knew a white guy who hated anyone with red hair. To him, that was a sign of inferiority. I have no idea how a person can come to that conclusion. Or there is the obvious example of groups like the skin-heads who hate anyone not like them. Even whites if they are silly enough to be born Jewish or something like that.
I remember the first time I realized my Mother was a bit of a racist. I had a crush on this very pretty black girl and we started hanging out together. (I think I was about 12-13 at the time.) One day she came to visit and when she left my Mom told me she wasn’t allowed in her house. She wasn’t ‘our kind’. That was my first real experience with it and it left me feeling like my Mother was a jerk. I wasn’t impressed at all. I was ashamed that she could say that about someone. We lived in a poor neighborhood and the population was probably 50-50 black and white. It never occurred to me that something was wrong with having black friends. Needless to say, I ignored her, which is what teenagers will do anyway when it comes to almost anything a parent will tell them. But this time, I had good reason to ignore her opinion.
I just don’t get this. I sometimes can be naive about stuff, but interracial racism is a new concept to me. It’s been there but I guess I just didn’t pay attention. The thing is racism doesn’t make sense to me in any form. People are born as they are. They don’t have a choice about what they look like. How can that be held against them? Guilt by association is not a good reason for any kind of hate.
These types of attitudes seem to be especially prevalent with older people. Whether they are black or white doesn’t seem to matter. I worked with a black lady for years who was the biggest racist I’ve met to date. She was a pretty cool person except for that. When her son started dating a white woman, you would have thought the world was ending. But the older people went through a lot more bigotry than people my age or younger. I think as time goes on, it should just keep getting better. I hope so.
Personally, if I like someone or they are attractive to me, I don’t care what race they are. If a woman is sexy, she’s sexy. If a person is interesting, they are OK with me. I just don’t get the whole ‘superior race’ concept. I especially don’t get being prejudiced against a family member for looking different than you do. That makes me believe that the human race still has a very long way to go.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Post Christmas Blues?
Anyone got the post Christmas Blues?
Nah, me neither. I don't get those Christmas let downs. The Christmas weekend was great. I got to hang with family, friends and had some nice alone time with Nicci. Plus I had so many good things to eat! All weekend. How can that be bad?
I scored big with gifts too. Funny thing about that is that we weren't going to exchange gifts this year, again. But every year it's the same. We plan to not exchange gifts and we don't keep to it.
I can't help it. I love giving gifts so I usually start the buying. Then Nicci finds out and probably feels guilty or something and it just snowballs. Personally, I think she likes buying gifts too and I give her a good excuse to start.
I did have one special moment I will share. I was sitting at our front window Christmas morning watching the sunrise. The mountains are right in front of the house so we get an awesome view of the sunrise. The sky turned all kinds of amazing colors and kept changing as the seconds went by. I sat in front of the fire and watched and had one of those Hallmark moments of clarity. I realized that I had every reason to be content. I had everything a person could need. I had had an awesome year and I really didn't have anything to complain about, even though I do, silly boy that I can be. I had good family, good friends and even realized that a lot of my acquaintances in the blog world have become real friends. That made me smile. Who would have thought that was possible? Not me.
So now it's back to work. I really don't mind so much today for some reason. Maybe one reason is that we have another long weekend coming right away. That's always cool. But I do have some stuff to do and hopefully the week will blow right on by. Don't take that as me being happy to be at work. I didn't lose my mind over the weekend or anything. I'm just coping well today.
Let's hope it lasts. :)
Nah, me neither. I don't get those Christmas let downs. The Christmas weekend was great. I got to hang with family, friends and had some nice alone time with Nicci. Plus I had so many good things to eat! All weekend. How can that be bad?
I scored big with gifts too. Funny thing about that is that we weren't going to exchange gifts this year, again. But every year it's the same. We plan to not exchange gifts and we don't keep to it.
I can't help it. I love giving gifts so I usually start the buying. Then Nicci finds out and probably feels guilty or something and it just snowballs. Personally, I think she likes buying gifts too and I give her a good excuse to start.
I did have one special moment I will share. I was sitting at our front window Christmas morning watching the sunrise. The mountains are right in front of the house so we get an awesome view of the sunrise. The sky turned all kinds of amazing colors and kept changing as the seconds went by. I sat in front of the fire and watched and had one of those Hallmark moments of clarity. I realized that I had every reason to be content. I had everything a person could need. I had had an awesome year and I really didn't have anything to complain about, even though I do, silly boy that I can be. I had good family, good friends and even realized that a lot of my acquaintances in the blog world have become real friends. That made me smile. Who would have thought that was possible? Not me.
So now it's back to work. I really don't mind so much today for some reason. Maybe one reason is that we have another long weekend coming right away. That's always cool. But I do have some stuff to do and hopefully the week will blow right on by. Don't take that as me being happy to be at work. I didn't lose my mind over the weekend or anything. I'm just coping well today.
Let's hope it lasts. :)
Monday, December 26, 2005
The Adventures Of Slim Stickley
Welcome to the adventures of Slim Stickley. (A Post-It Note drama from YB Productions)
This is Slim Stickley a mild-mannered regular guy. But like most regular guys, Slim has a secret. By day Slim is an Assistant Manager in the shoe department of the local Wal-Mart, but when needed...
Slim changes to Super Slim! Protector of Truth, Champion of Justice and Hero to everyone (who doesn’t have him arrested).
Today we see Slim strolling down the street after a grueling day of toe cheese and screaming kids when his above average hearing picks up a commotion at Starbuck’s...
Quickly Slim dashes into the nearest phone booth to change into his Super Slim outfit....
That’s when the Police notice something isn’t quite right....
“Hey! What do you think you are doing in there?”, the Cop yells. “This isn’t your personal dressing room!”
“But officer, I must help the oppressed suffering at Starbuck’s. They were short-changed.” Slim answers desperately.
The officer realizes he isn’t dealing with an average citizen here. “What the heck is wrong with you? Are you some kind of freak? Get dressed and get out of that phone booth!”
Slim quickly processes his options via his slightly above-average mind powers. He realizes the Cop isn’t messing with him. So he does the right thing and prepares to get back into his mild mannered Slim costume. One problem, he forgets that he hasn’t put on his pants before bending down for his clothes....
That’s when the nice officer decides he’s had enough....
He talks Slim into coming with him peaceably.
Then offers him a ride in his new truck.
Slim get’s one phone call. Later that day Slim’s wife comes to bail him out. She has great patience with Slim because she knows his secret....
But none of this deters our Hero. He has had some scrapes with the misunderstanding public before. He vows that he will still fight for truth and justice.
But now things may get a little tougher since Slim has to register as a sex offender. Who knew that inadvertently shooting a Cop the moon could mark you for life?
Slim sure didn’t.
The End.
Tune in again next time for the further adventures of Slim Stickly!
This is Slim Stickley a mild-mannered regular guy. But like most regular guys, Slim has a secret. By day Slim is an Assistant Manager in the shoe department of the local Wal-Mart, but when needed...
Slim changes to Super Slim! Protector of Truth, Champion of Justice and Hero to everyone (who doesn’t have him arrested).
Today we see Slim strolling down the street after a grueling day of toe cheese and screaming kids when his above average hearing picks up a commotion at Starbuck’s...
Quickly Slim dashes into the nearest phone booth to change into his Super Slim outfit....
That’s when the Police notice something isn’t quite right....
“Hey! What do you think you are doing in there?”, the Cop yells. “This isn’t your personal dressing room!”“But officer, I must help the oppressed suffering at Starbuck’s. They were short-changed.” Slim answers desperately.
The officer realizes he isn’t dealing with an average citizen here. “What the heck is wrong with you? Are you some kind of freak? Get dressed and get out of that phone booth!”
Slim quickly processes his options via his slightly above-average mind powers. He realizes the Cop isn’t messing with him. So he does the right thing and prepares to get back into his mild mannered Slim costume. One problem, he forgets that he hasn’t put on his pants before bending down for his clothes....
That’s when the nice officer decides he’s had enough....
He talks Slim into coming with him peaceably.
Then offers him a ride in his new truck.
Slim get’s one phone call. Later that day Slim’s wife comes to bail him out. She has great patience with Slim because she knows his secret....
But none of this deters our Hero. He has had some scrapes with the misunderstanding public before. He vows that he will still fight for truth and justice.
But now things may get a little tougher since Slim has to register as a sex offender. Who knew that inadvertently shooting a Cop the moon could mark you for life?Slim sure didn’t.
The End.
Tune in again next time for the further adventures of Slim Stickly!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas Blogworld
"Sure Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about."
...."And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'".
"That is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
...."And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'".
"That is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Sexy Christmas Pics
I've noticed a few women bloggers (Peachy, Betty) posting sexy Christmas guy pics. I decided to do some women pics for the guys so we don't feel left out. (And because I like to...) I did include one for the ladies too. Enjoy!
That's my kind of present!
Suddenly I really like Elves!
The 'Barely there' package is much easier to unwrap!
Mrs. Claus? No wonder he only leaves the house once a year.
One for the ladies. Sexy is in the eye of the beholder, eh?
That's my kind of present!
Suddenly I really like Elves!
The 'Barely there' package is much easier to unwrap!
Mrs. Claus? No wonder he only leaves the house once a year.
One for the ladies. Sexy is in the eye of the beholder, eh?
Friday, December 23, 2005
BS Friday Answer
I just got back from a whole day of running around ‘out there’ with all the crazies. There seems to be a lot of last minute shoppers who are desperate. Enough so that they are very rude and rotten to everyone else. I’d like to extend to them that excuse for acting like asses anyway.
Ok, the BS Friday story was total truth. The whole scenario. I remember it vividly to this day. For a very long time no one could convince me that Santa didn’t exist after that Christmas morning. I preached his praises to everyone. I even had quite a few converts at school after I told them of our miracle. It was a great year.
The truth is I think we all really want to believe in Santa. I think we all wish that Christmas magic would stay with us all the time. We want it to keep showing up every year. There is some comfort in believing that Santa will stop by. There is some comfort in not allowing yourself to ‘grow out of believing’. That’s a sad thing, isn’t it? To 'grow out of believing’.
This Christmas morning I will think back to that Christmas morning and I will feel the wonder all over again. I am so looking forward to it. Santa will visit my house this year again. I hope he comes by your house too.
Ok, the BS Friday story was total truth. The whole scenario. I remember it vividly to this day. For a very long time no one could convince me that Santa didn’t exist after that Christmas morning. I preached his praises to everyone. I even had quite a few converts at school after I told them of our miracle. It was a great year.
The truth is I think we all really want to believe in Santa. I think we all wish that Christmas magic would stay with us all the time. We want it to keep showing up every year. There is some comfort in believing that Santa will stop by. There is some comfort in not allowing yourself to ‘grow out of believing’. That’s a sad thing, isn’t it? To 'grow out of believing’.
This Christmas morning I will think back to that Christmas morning and I will feel the wonder all over again. I am so looking forward to it. Santa will visit my house this year again. I hope he comes by your house too.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
BS Friday - A Little Early
Welcome to BS Friday. I'm a little early but I really don't know my Friday morning schedule, so here it is. You know what to do. I’ll write it, you tell me if it’s truth or just plain old BS. This weeks post is called: Once, I Really Did Believe In Santa
We grew up poor. Really poor. My Mother married a guy who couldn’t stop the boozing and abusing. She ended up with 4 kids and no one to help her raise them. All before she was 25. Scary indeed.
We didn’t have much for Christmas. Sometimes we would get a couple of little things and it was just fine with us. I don’t think we knew any better for the longest time. Of course that changed once Middle School hit. That’s when you got to meet kids from other areas of the county. In Elementary School, your neighborhood friends were all you knew.
It was a weird transition, getting used to the fact that you were ‘from the wrong side of the tracks’. I was and I learned quickly what that meant. To some, it meant I wasn’t even allowed to be their friend. Funny thing was I always figured it was their loss. Yes, I’ve always had an attitude of some sort.
The weirdest thing I saw starting in Middle School though was that when a lot of those kids said they wanted something for Christmas, they ended up getting it. Now there was a foreign thought to me. I always wanted stuff but rarely did it show up. Especially after my Dad was gone.
I remember one year in particular our Mom sat us down and explained to us that Christmas was coming but the presents were not. She had been struggling hard and just wasn’t making it. She didn’t want us to be disappointed on Christmas morning so she was telling us the truth early. Naturally we were all bummed but the truth was, it wouldn’t be a whole lot different anyway.
So to cheer ourselves up we sat down and made decorations for the tree from whatever we could find available. We made this really cool chain out of some construction paper that I had lying around and strung it around the tree. We took what was left of some plastic village pieces and made a few buildings for under the tree and managed to set the train up too. My Dad always had a big village and a train under the tree when he was around. Our version wasn’t up to par, but it worked out.
On Christmas Eve we all sat and watched ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and ‘The Grinch’ and then we went to bed. Those 2 shows always seemed to be televised back to back in those days. I remember wishing that Santa were real. I remember sitting up late staring out the window wondering if Santa would actually come. I also wondered how I got to be chosen for this life. It didn’t seem fair.
The next morning when I woke up I heard my brothers and sister yelling from downstairs like they were crazy. I hurried down to see what was happening and when I got down I was shocked. The whole living room was filled with presents! The village under the tree had disappeared under a mound of bright colored boxes. I just stood there with my eyes big and round and my mouth hanging opened. I was either 9 or 10 and really didn’t believe in Santa but it sure seemed like he had paid us a visit.
For about an hour we all ripped and tore open presents. All kinds of cool stuff that I didn’t realize at the time I had never even asked for. I didn’t care. This was the first time I remember scoring big loot on Christmas. It was great! I couldn’t wait to get to school and have something to brag about for a change. It never occurred to me to wonder about where it came from.
Later our family showed up and we all sat down to an old-fashioned Turkey dinner. I remember going to bed that night feeling like God had finally remembered me and that he had sent Santa to give us a break. I had never been so satisfied. I still haven’t felt as satisfied again.
Now that I am older I know the truth; the church had come by after we were asleep and brought all that stuff. It was one of those ‘Christmas Toys For Kids’ things you hear about. My brain knows that now but I am here to tell you that in my heart, that morning still feels like magic. I still feel the wonder of actually believing that Santa had stopped by. I know intellectually that others who cared helped us but I still love to close my eyes, think back to that morning and remember the feeling. It is one of the best feelings I can ever remember and I try hard to keep it fresh every year.
For one blessed Christmas morning, I was a true believer in Santa Claus.
We grew up poor. Really poor. My Mother married a guy who couldn’t stop the boozing and abusing. She ended up with 4 kids and no one to help her raise them. All before she was 25. Scary indeed.
We didn’t have much for Christmas. Sometimes we would get a couple of little things and it was just fine with us. I don’t think we knew any better for the longest time. Of course that changed once Middle School hit. That’s when you got to meet kids from other areas of the county. In Elementary School, your neighborhood friends were all you knew.
It was a weird transition, getting used to the fact that you were ‘from the wrong side of the tracks’. I was and I learned quickly what that meant. To some, it meant I wasn’t even allowed to be their friend. Funny thing was I always figured it was their loss. Yes, I’ve always had an attitude of some sort.
The weirdest thing I saw starting in Middle School though was that when a lot of those kids said they wanted something for Christmas, they ended up getting it. Now there was a foreign thought to me. I always wanted stuff but rarely did it show up. Especially after my Dad was gone.
I remember one year in particular our Mom sat us down and explained to us that Christmas was coming but the presents were not. She had been struggling hard and just wasn’t making it. She didn’t want us to be disappointed on Christmas morning so she was telling us the truth early. Naturally we were all bummed but the truth was, it wouldn’t be a whole lot different anyway.
So to cheer ourselves up we sat down and made decorations for the tree from whatever we could find available. We made this really cool chain out of some construction paper that I had lying around and strung it around the tree. We took what was left of some plastic village pieces and made a few buildings for under the tree and managed to set the train up too. My Dad always had a big village and a train under the tree when he was around. Our version wasn’t up to par, but it worked out.
On Christmas Eve we all sat and watched ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and ‘The Grinch’ and then we went to bed. Those 2 shows always seemed to be televised back to back in those days. I remember wishing that Santa were real. I remember sitting up late staring out the window wondering if Santa would actually come. I also wondered how I got to be chosen for this life. It didn’t seem fair.
The next morning when I woke up I heard my brothers and sister yelling from downstairs like they were crazy. I hurried down to see what was happening and when I got down I was shocked. The whole living room was filled with presents! The village under the tree had disappeared under a mound of bright colored boxes. I just stood there with my eyes big and round and my mouth hanging opened. I was either 9 or 10 and really didn’t believe in Santa but it sure seemed like he had paid us a visit.
For about an hour we all ripped and tore open presents. All kinds of cool stuff that I didn’t realize at the time I had never even asked for. I didn’t care. This was the first time I remember scoring big loot on Christmas. It was great! I couldn’t wait to get to school and have something to brag about for a change. It never occurred to me to wonder about where it came from.
Later our family showed up and we all sat down to an old-fashioned Turkey dinner. I remember going to bed that night feeling like God had finally remembered me and that he had sent Santa to give us a break. I had never been so satisfied. I still haven’t felt as satisfied again.
Now that I am older I know the truth; the church had come by after we were asleep and brought all that stuff. It was one of those ‘Christmas Toys For Kids’ things you hear about. My brain knows that now but I am here to tell you that in my heart, that morning still feels like magic. I still feel the wonder of actually believing that Santa had stopped by. I know intellectually that others who cared helped us but I still love to close my eyes, think back to that morning and remember the feeling. It is one of the best feelings I can ever remember and I try hard to keep it fresh every year.
For one blessed Christmas morning, I was a true believer in Santa Claus.
FO Day
Today is an official FO day. If you are having a good time FOing and the boss says something, refer her/him to this blog. We are the keepers of the Official Government FO Calendar. There can be no disputing it. My credentials are impeccable. I have been a graduate of FO school, a novice & apprentice, worked my way up to Team Leader and Manager and now I am the Director of the East Coast Division. Yep, something to be proud of.
Today we are exchanging goofy gifts and the boss is buying lunch. It's an unofficial gift exchange. Nothing formal. Mostly we buy the silliest things we can and give them away. I have a little work to do but it is simple enough to get past quickly. I just can't wait for this 4 day weekend to start. It would be hard focusing on too much work today anyway. That's why I love this job. I can plan my schedule carefully so I can have a slack day here and there.
So everyone have fun today. We will. And we will be checking in on you to make sure you are having at least a minute or two of FO time. It is an official function that I take very seriously.
Today we are exchanging goofy gifts and the boss is buying lunch. It's an unofficial gift exchange. Nothing formal. Mostly we buy the silliest things we can and give them away. I have a little work to do but it is simple enough to get past quickly. I just can't wait for this 4 day weekend to start. It would be hard focusing on too much work today anyway. That's why I love this job. I can plan my schedule carefully so I can have a slack day here and there.
So everyone have fun today. We will. And we will be checking in on you to make sure you are having at least a minute or two of FO time. It is an official function that I take very seriously.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
I Just Dunno...
OK, today is a total 'no-post-ideas' day. I don't have anything to write about. So I'll write about nothing. That's what this post will be about... Nothing! The entire post, absolutely nothing.
Can you see where I'm going with this? Me neither.
Here's the problem right now; we all went to lunch at some ritzy place that Peachy picked out. It was Engineer Guy's farewell lunch. The place was expensive too. (Next time I quit I'm choosing an expensive joint for my farewell lunch.) Anyway. I had to have a Coke during lunch. Then Peachy, sweet gal that she is, stopped and got me a Grande Gingerbread Latte at Starbuck's on the way back. Isn't she the coolest? Then when we got back, Spacebrain decided he wanted to make coffee so he made up some fresh Irish Cream. Naturally, I had to have that too. In the course of just 1.5 hours, I had all that caffeine. Yeah, I'm a bit wired.
There's why I am doing this rambling post.
That sure took a while to explain. I hope everyone get it straight.
So now I'm sitting here, all my work done, trying to focus on something. It's just not working. You, my faithful readers, are bearing the brunt of my caffeine induced babbling post, assuming you have continued this far. If you have, good job! If you haven't, well I guess I could say anything I wanted to right here since you are no longer reading. Hmmm.... OK, I don't feel like being a butt. So I'll just pretend to miss you. The bottom of my caffeine post misses those of you who bailed early. (Did you buy that?)
Fine, Tanks fer nuttin!
Now I'll sign off for a little while. I need to go and do a few laps around the block to burn off some energy. See Ya!
Can you see where I'm going with this? Me neither.
Here's the problem right now; we all went to lunch at some ritzy place that Peachy picked out. It was Engineer Guy's farewell lunch. The place was expensive too. (Next time I quit I'm choosing an expensive joint for my farewell lunch.) Anyway. I had to have a Coke during lunch. Then Peachy, sweet gal that she is, stopped and got me a Grande Gingerbread Latte at Starbuck's on the way back. Isn't she the coolest? Then when we got back, Spacebrain decided he wanted to make coffee so he made up some fresh Irish Cream. Naturally, I had to have that too. In the course of just 1.5 hours, I had all that caffeine. Yeah, I'm a bit wired.
There's why I am doing this rambling post.
That sure took a while to explain. I hope everyone get it straight.
So now I'm sitting here, all my work done, trying to focus on something. It's just not working. You, my faithful readers, are bearing the brunt of my caffeine induced babbling post, assuming you have continued this far. If you have, good job! If you haven't, well I guess I could say anything I wanted to right here since you are no longer reading. Hmmm.... OK, I don't feel like being a butt. So I'll just pretend to miss you. The bottom of my caffeine post misses those of you who bailed early. (Did you buy that?)
Fine, Tanks fer nuttin!
Now I'll sign off for a little while. I need to go and do a few laps around the block to burn off some energy. See Ya!
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