I am trying to feel bad for Rafael Palmiero. I really am trying. But I just can't get there. I just can't be convinced that he accidentally took steroids. Accidentally implies that he was unaware of what he was putting into his body to get big, homerun hitters' muscles. These days a person in his position has to know every ingredient in the stuff they take. If they don't, they are true idiots.
Sorry but I'm not buying it.
This story tells about how he has taken to wearing earplugs while playing to keep from hearing all the boos from the crowd. Wearing earplugs! I kinda feel like that is more of a plea for pity than something that is actually effective. You can't tell me that earplugs will help with thousands of people surrounding you screaming their brains out. I'm not buying that one either.
I want to feel bad for the guy. I always liked him but now all I can think is "Too bad bud, you made your bed." Fans of Baseball don't like cheaters.
Ya mess wit the bull, ya get the horns, ya know what I mean?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Morning Poop
Here's a subject for an early morning; can someone explain to me why a person gets a runny nose while they are taking a dump? It happens to me every time. I just don't get it!
I asked a girlfriend about it once and she said the same thing happens to her too. I was glad I wasn't the only one. Does this happen to anyone else?
Maybe once we figure out this mystery someone can explain to me why I sneeze if I look at the sun (or even bright lights). My family said I inherited that trait from them. Kinda makes me wonder about the pooping and runny nose thing too.
I don't think I'll ask them about that one though.
I asked a girlfriend about it once and she said the same thing happens to her too. I was glad I wasn't the only one. Does this happen to anyone else?
Maybe once we figure out this mystery someone can explain to me why I sneeze if I look at the sun (or even bright lights). My family said I inherited that trait from them. Kinda makes me wonder about the pooping and runny nose thing too.
I don't think I'll ask them about that one though.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Max Headroom, My Hero
Anyone else remember this guy?
For some reason, as I was walking down the hallway a little while ago, old Max just popped into my head. He is definitely an icon from the 80's.
Have I mentioned how much I loved the 80's?
For some reason, as I was walking down the hallway a little while ago, old Max just popped into my head. He is definitely an icon from the 80's.
Have I mentioned how much I loved the 80's?
This Is A Strange Place
Sometimes I think my workplace is OK and then things happen that make me realize that it's just another nut farm, just like the other work places around. Here are a few examples of things that have sent me away scratching my head in confusion recently.
I got a call from someone in one of the labs about a piece of equipment that wasn't working. She went into this big, elaborate detail about what she did to get it to work and how she absolutely had to have it running. It just would not work! Normally, I would just refer her to the Maintenance Group for help, but I know the people in this department, so I went in to see what was wrong. I walked in, assessed the situation, pressed the 'ON' switch, and left. Things usually work better when they are turned on.
This same group has a storage area where they keep sensitive equipment locked up. They claim they don't want anyone doing anything with the stuff for fear it will be altered in some way. Recently I had to get into the storage area for something but I didn't have the lock combination. After talking to a few of the people, I was told that no one knew the combination but it was posted on the wall beside the cart. I went back to check and sure enough in big block letters there was the combination to get into the cart posted on the wall right beside the locked up sensitive equipment. It was even labeled to let you know what it would open. Real secure, eh?
In one area, we have one of those automatic doors that you just hit the button on the wall to open. It is constantly failing. I recently came by and saw a Maintenance guy fixing the motor again and I asked why it was always breaking. He got all huffy and said that if people didn't use the thing it wouldn't be breaking all the time. When I mentiond his reaction to one of the other Engineers, he said the guy was right. The door shouldn't be used so it would always work right. Now there's a concept! Let's just buy all kinds of equipment and NOT use it. Then we would never have to worry about it needing any maintenance at all! Why don't all companies work that way?
We got in a new instrument that everyone was hot to put into service. I had many people asking me if I had done my thing to get it ready for the validation group yet. I had gone looking for it several times and couldn't find it. I was assured it was set up and ready for me to work with. Guaranteed. I still couldn't find it. (Maybe it had a cloaking device?) Finally after a couple of days I gave up. I went and asked the Warehouse Manager if he knew where it was and he took me right to it. It was still boxed up and sitting on a rack in the warehouse several rows up. About 20 feet up to be more precise. It was never put into place. It was never even taken out of the box. Kinda hard to work with like that, I think.
Finally, I got a request from someone asking if I could investigate an alarm. I went looking for it and could not find the source. I looked everywhere in the area that the alarm was originating, but I couldn't track it down. So I made a second go round and when I went into one area I noticed something odd about one of the refrigerators. I went for a closer look and found that the door was hanging open about a foot. Someone had gotten into the thing for whatever reason and left without closing the door. Now, I'm no genius or anything, but even I know that a refrigerator can't keep itself cool with the door hanging open. One would think that was a basic thing and a person wouldn't need special training for closing low-temperature chamber doors. But what do I know, eh?
I got a call from someone in one of the labs about a piece of equipment that wasn't working. She went into this big, elaborate detail about what she did to get it to work and how she absolutely had to have it running. It just would not work! Normally, I would just refer her to the Maintenance Group for help, but I know the people in this department, so I went in to see what was wrong. I walked in, assessed the situation, pressed the 'ON' switch, and left. Things usually work better when they are turned on.
This same group has a storage area where they keep sensitive equipment locked up. They claim they don't want anyone doing anything with the stuff for fear it will be altered in some way. Recently I had to get into the storage area for something but I didn't have the lock combination. After talking to a few of the people, I was told that no one knew the combination but it was posted on the wall beside the cart. I went back to check and sure enough in big block letters there was the combination to get into the cart posted on the wall right beside the locked up sensitive equipment. It was even labeled to let you know what it would open. Real secure, eh?
In one area, we have one of those automatic doors that you just hit the button on the wall to open. It is constantly failing. I recently came by and saw a Maintenance guy fixing the motor again and I asked why it was always breaking. He got all huffy and said that if people didn't use the thing it wouldn't be breaking all the time. When I mentiond his reaction to one of the other Engineers, he said the guy was right. The door shouldn't be used so it would always work right. Now there's a concept! Let's just buy all kinds of equipment and NOT use it. Then we would never have to worry about it needing any maintenance at all! Why don't all companies work that way?
We got in a new instrument that everyone was hot to put into service. I had many people asking me if I had done my thing to get it ready for the validation group yet. I had gone looking for it several times and couldn't find it. I was assured it was set up and ready for me to work with. Guaranteed. I still couldn't find it. (Maybe it had a cloaking device?) Finally after a couple of days I gave up. I went and asked the Warehouse Manager if he knew where it was and he took me right to it. It was still boxed up and sitting on a rack in the warehouse several rows up. About 20 feet up to be more precise. It was never put into place. It was never even taken out of the box. Kinda hard to work with like that, I think.
Finally, I got a request from someone asking if I could investigate an alarm. I went looking for it and could not find the source. I looked everywhere in the area that the alarm was originating, but I couldn't track it down. So I made a second go round and when I went into one area I noticed something odd about one of the refrigerators. I went for a closer look and found that the door was hanging open about a foot. Someone had gotten into the thing for whatever reason and left without closing the door. Now, I'm no genius or anything, but even I know that a refrigerator can't keep itself cool with the door hanging open. One would think that was a basic thing and a person wouldn't need special training for closing low-temperature chamber doors. But what do I know, eh?
Monday, August 29, 2005
Good Agent, Bad Agent
One of the things I've learned over this past 2 months or so is that no 2 Real Estate Agents are alike. I also have found out that when something sounds too good to be true, it really, really is.
First, the agent who listed our place for sale seemed so nice and sincere and totally interested ion our well being. She also talked a great game. The problem was, she was a lazy, useless bum. If anything needed to be answered, we had to follow up on it many times. If we needed something, we either took care of it ourselves or badgered her incessantly until she did her job. It was like she forgot that we were paying her to do a job, not paying her to watch us do her job. She even went so far as to insult Nicci once when she confronted her about her lack of help.
The problem was, I think, that we tried to save a buck by going to one of those "fixed payment" real estate teams. (I'm not sure if I can say who without some kind of slander suit, so if you want to know who, e-mail me.) The kind where you only pay a flat fee of $2995.00 when your house sells. The thing is (this is the part where you learn that you get what you pay for) they not only don't charge you full commission, they don't even bother trying to sell your home. They don't need to. There are hidden clauses in their contracts that state that they get paid no matter what. If you decide not to sell after an offer is made, they still get the full commission. If your buyer bails out on you in the middle of a deal, they get 50% of the ex-buyers deposit (I know that’s not the correct term). Either way, they get paid. Why try hard?
The only way you get to only pay them the $2995.00 is if they find a buyer and close the deal. The odds of that are astronomical, since they don't bother. The way they get around that is to have you allow them to list your home on the general listings and when another buyer that another real estate firm is representing buys the house, they automatically get 4%. There is absolutely no reason for them to find a buyer for you. They just wait until someone else does all the work. All they have to do is make a few phone calls. Neat, isn't it? Explains why the agents are so rude and lazy. Beware; you really do get what you pay for.
On the other side, we found a real estate person who bent over backwards for us and she was actually representing the sellers of the home we eventually bought. She was in constant communication between us and the sellers, arranged for all the details like the home inspection, radon testing etc... She was always there helping. She even drove to the lender and dropped off paperwork for us and came to our house when something else was needed in a hurry. (There is about a 50 mile difference between places.) She was great!
Another thing about her that amazed me was during the 2nd night we were in the house, she called and asked if I would take her signs off of the for sale post because the worker dudes were coming to remove it in the morning. When I mentioned that the sump pump wasn't working, she asked her husband (who remodels homes, btw) some questions trying to help us out. After a few questions, he just said "I'm going to have to look at it." So they came to the house at 10:00 at night and he worked on the pump for an hour to fix it. Is that service or what? Needless to say, they will be on our friends list from now on and I will absolutely recommend her to anyone for real estate help.
Funny how 2 people in the same business can be so different.
First, the agent who listed our place for sale seemed so nice and sincere and totally interested ion our well being. She also talked a great game. The problem was, she was a lazy, useless bum. If anything needed to be answered, we had to follow up on it many times. If we needed something, we either took care of it ourselves or badgered her incessantly until she did her job. It was like she forgot that we were paying her to do a job, not paying her to watch us do her job. She even went so far as to insult Nicci once when she confronted her about her lack of help.
The problem was, I think, that we tried to save a buck by going to one of those "fixed payment" real estate teams. (I'm not sure if I can say who without some kind of slander suit, so if you want to know who, e-mail me.) The kind where you only pay a flat fee of $2995.00 when your house sells. The thing is (this is the part where you learn that you get what you pay for) they not only don't charge you full commission, they don't even bother trying to sell your home. They don't need to. There are hidden clauses in their contracts that state that they get paid no matter what. If you decide not to sell after an offer is made, they still get the full commission. If your buyer bails out on you in the middle of a deal, they get 50% of the ex-buyers deposit (I know that’s not the correct term). Either way, they get paid. Why try hard?
The only way you get to only pay them the $2995.00 is if they find a buyer and close the deal. The odds of that are astronomical, since they don't bother. The way they get around that is to have you allow them to list your home on the general listings and when another buyer that another real estate firm is representing buys the house, they automatically get 4%. There is absolutely no reason for them to find a buyer for you. They just wait until someone else does all the work. All they have to do is make a few phone calls. Neat, isn't it? Explains why the agents are so rude and lazy. Beware; you really do get what you pay for.
On the other side, we found a real estate person who bent over backwards for us and she was actually representing the sellers of the home we eventually bought. She was in constant communication between us and the sellers, arranged for all the details like the home inspection, radon testing etc... She was always there helping. She even drove to the lender and dropped off paperwork for us and came to our house when something else was needed in a hurry. (There is about a 50 mile difference between places.) She was great!
Another thing about her that amazed me was during the 2nd night we were in the house, she called and asked if I would take her signs off of the for sale post because the worker dudes were coming to remove it in the morning. When I mentioned that the sump pump wasn't working, she asked her husband (who remodels homes, btw) some questions trying to help us out. After a few questions, he just said "I'm going to have to look at it." So they came to the house at 10:00 at night and he worked on the pump for an hour to fix it. Is that service or what? Needless to say, they will be on our friends list from now on and I will absolutely recommend her to anyone for real estate help.
Funny how 2 people in the same business can be so different.
Back At It
So here I am, back at work. I actually do feel like I'm taking a break. The past week has been one of those 'up early, work on the house, oh yeah, better try to have a meal sometime today, keep doing projects until falling asleep very late at night' kind of weeks. It has been tough, but kinda fun too. In the long run, the place will be sweet.
So now I'm back and hopefully things will start returning to normal. Have I mentioned that moving sucks? Not recently? OK, well then, "Moving sucks." I don't mind helping friends move. The actual moving and lifting and stuff is OK plus it's a free workout (not to mention a free lunch). It's the part after the move that is hardest. When you help a friend move, you get out of all that stuff.
So, while I was away, what has happened? I have been checking in with everyone, but I sure have missed a lot. The HNT stuff was great as usual. (I think I could be in internet love with some of you HNT ladies. Maybe it's internet lust?) The Yankees have been moving back up to the top, where they belong. I see Karen has posted Polls for naming the new noisy neighbor. That's pretty funny. It will take me time to get caught up, but hey, with my cool new high-speed internet at home, it won't be as hard.
I'll be posting some thoughts on some stuff I learned this past week about sneaky real estate people. I was surprised at what they can get away with. Somehow, I am still the type that is easily surprised by people's ability to screw others over. I guess I'm gullible. Right now, I need to get back on track with work stuff. Bummer, isn't it? Yep, sure is.
So now I'm back and hopefully things will start returning to normal. Have I mentioned that moving sucks? Not recently? OK, well then, "Moving sucks." I don't mind helping friends move. The actual moving and lifting and stuff is OK plus it's a free workout (not to mention a free lunch). It's the part after the move that is hardest. When you help a friend move, you get out of all that stuff.
So, while I was away, what has happened? I have been checking in with everyone, but I sure have missed a lot. The HNT stuff was great as usual. (I think I could be in internet love with some of you HNT ladies. Maybe it's internet lust?) The Yankees have been moving back up to the top, where they belong. I see Karen has posted Polls for naming the new noisy neighbor. That's pretty funny. It will take me time to get caught up, but hey, with my cool new high-speed internet at home, it won't be as hard.
I'll be posting some thoughts on some stuff I learned this past week about sneaky real estate people. I was surprised at what they can get away with. Somehow, I am still the type that is easily surprised by people's ability to screw others over. I guess I'm gullible. Right now, I need to get back on track with work stuff. Bummer, isn't it? Yep, sure is.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Did'ya Miss Me?
Hello again all my blogger buds! Finally, I am back. It has been an experience this past week or so, lemme tell ya! I can’t wait to get back to work so I can have a break.
I know that a lot of people make that joke after being off for a while, but this time I really mean it. This past 9 days has been a blur of sleeping (short sleeps) and working. I do not want to ever go through a week like this past one.
To start with, we had 3 days of moving furniture and stuff. Then before we could unpack all the boxed stuff, we had to strip the walls downstairs, clean them and paint them with dry-lock. (2 coats) Then paint the walls and floor with 3 coats of floor paint. After that dried, we could move stuff into the storage area. In the meantime we were arranging the rooms, unpacking what we could, getting the logistics of living in another state taken care of and occasionally eating a meal. The time has flown by in a blur.
I feel tired again just trying to recount it for you.
The closing on Thursday was a total nail-biter. To start with, the closing attorney showed up without any funds. None. We were supposed to close on the sale of our house and then go and close on the new house. Then when our real estate person told her that she had been telling her people all along that they had to bring the checks to the table, she attorney person and started getting into a heated argument. They both pretty much called each other liars right there at the table. Looking back on it, I am pretty amused, but at the time I was just pissed.
Next, the buyers didn’t show up. We waited and waited and when they were finally found, they claimed they were only 5 miles away. 45 minutes later, they showed up. They were over an hour late to their own closing. Nice.
Anyway, we got through it and now here we are, slaving away to get the new house into shape. It’s a lot of work moving into an older place and getting it to where you want it. It will be worth it in the long run, but right now, I’m just tired.
I did get my new high speed internet connection taken care of on Friday afternoon. It is so cool surfing at turbo speed. This is actually the first time I’ve been able to give it a good go. No wonder people don’t use dial-up anymore.
I’ll be checking in to see how things have been with everyone. I want to say thanks to Peachy for guest blogging. She’s the coolest! I notice there wasn’t a Highwayman post. Too bad. I really wanted to see how her version of our hero’s adventures would turn out. I love the Helpie Helperson tip. I sure don’t need gum in my hair. I can’t afford to lose any more.
OK, time to explore what has been happening with all my blog buds. I’m sure this will be an adventure in itself.
I know that a lot of people make that joke after being off for a while, but this time I really mean it. This past 9 days has been a blur of sleeping (short sleeps) and working. I do not want to ever go through a week like this past one.
To start with, we had 3 days of moving furniture and stuff. Then before we could unpack all the boxed stuff, we had to strip the walls downstairs, clean them and paint them with dry-lock. (2 coats) Then paint the walls and floor with 3 coats of floor paint. After that dried, we could move stuff into the storage area. In the meantime we were arranging the rooms, unpacking what we could, getting the logistics of living in another state taken care of and occasionally eating a meal. The time has flown by in a blur.
I feel tired again just trying to recount it for you.
The closing on Thursday was a total nail-biter. To start with, the closing attorney showed up without any funds. None. We were supposed to close on the sale of our house and then go and close on the new house. Then when our real estate person told her that she had been telling her people all along that they had to bring the checks to the table, she attorney person and started getting into a heated argument. They both pretty much called each other liars right there at the table. Looking back on it, I am pretty amused, but at the time I was just pissed.
Next, the buyers didn’t show up. We waited and waited and when they were finally found, they claimed they were only 5 miles away. 45 minutes later, they showed up. They were over an hour late to their own closing. Nice.
Anyway, we got through it and now here we are, slaving away to get the new house into shape. It’s a lot of work moving into an older place and getting it to where you want it. It will be worth it in the long run, but right now, I’m just tired.
I did get my new high speed internet connection taken care of on Friday afternoon. It is so cool surfing at turbo speed. This is actually the first time I’ve been able to give it a good go. No wonder people don’t use dial-up anymore.
I’ll be checking in to see how things have been with everyone. I want to say thanks to Peachy for guest blogging. She’s the coolest! I notice there wasn’t a Highwayman post. Too bad. I really wanted to see how her version of our hero’s adventures would turn out. I love the Helpie Helperson tip. I sure don’t need gum in my hair. I can’t afford to lose any more.
OK, time to explore what has been happening with all my blog buds. I’m sure this will be an adventure in itself.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
My Apologies
I'm a horrible guest blogger. I had friends over Monday and Tuesday from Fl, and haven't had much time on the computer. I hope tonight I can get the highwayman written up.
Apparently YB is super busy because we haven't heard hair nor hide of that man since he's been gone. Monday can't come around fast enough. Plus, I'm excited for another short week, but still..
Apparently YB is super busy because we haven't heard hair nor hide of that man since he's been gone. Monday can't come around fast enough. Plus, I'm excited for another short week, but still..
Monday, August 22, 2005
Today's Helpful Hint
From your helpful friend, Helpie Helperson.
Tip: When you finish chewing a piece of gum, throw it out immediately. If you don't, it will get placed in your hair by either yourself or your dog, and then you will have to shave your head bald or stick a piece of ice to your head for many hours in order to make the gum brittle.
Remember, Helpie says any help is good help. :)
Tip: When you finish chewing a piece of gum, throw it out immediately. If you don't, it will get placed in your hair by either yourself or your dog, and then you will have to shave your head bald or stick a piece of ice to your head for many hours in order to make the gum brittle.
Remember, Helpie says any help is good help. :)
Saturday, August 20, 2005
BS Friday-Update
For those that guessed true (Yoj, Grace), you are absolutely right.
YB's car was named Christie Lee and he raced against that guy. He said the engine was really WAY too big for that car, but it's what the guy wanted so, so be it.
He has great memories. His wife at the time told him that he loved the car more than he loved him. He had to agree, and that's one of the reasons it had the name it did.
I think I got the summary right.
See you next week. I actually have a highway man post for next week, in addition to a Helpie Helperson. I hope I can make YB proud.
YB's car was named Christie Lee and he raced against that guy. He said the engine was really WAY too big for that car, but it's what the guy wanted so, so be it.
He has great memories. His wife at the time told him that he loved the car more than he loved him. He had to agree, and that's one of the reasons it had the name it did.
I think I got the summary right.
See you next week. I actually have a highway man post for next week, in addition to a Helpie Helperson. I hope I can make YB proud.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Signing Off
OK, it's time for me to go. I will be signing off for a while, maybe until Monday the 29th. I may work some magic and get the internet fixed up at the new place before then, but that remains to be seen.
Peachy will be guest blogging here when she decides she feels like it. She will at least let everyone know whether the BS Friday story was true or not. Treat her nice.
I hope everyone has a great week. I'll miss ya!
Peachy will be guest blogging here when she decides she feels like it. She will at least let everyone know whether the BS Friday story was true or not. Treat her nice.
I hope everyone has a great week. I'll miss ya!
Sex Post
See what happens when I leave my desk? At least someone is getting some.
Even Spongebob gets more action than me. Sheesh!Yes, the desk is a mess. It's been that kind of a week.
BS Friday
Welcome once again to BS Friday. Try to figure out if this story is true or a big, fat, juicy pile of BS. This one is called "But It's Just A Vega!"
One night a few years ago I was out cruising with Christie Lee. Christie Lee wasn't a person. She was my 1963 Chevy Impala SS. She was my best friend at the time. I named her after that Billy Joel song "Christie Lee".
Anyway, the town where I lived has what was called 'the circuit' (older folks called it 'the peanut circuit'). It was a stretch of maybe 2 miles of Main Street that you could cruise straight down then turn left one block, turn left again and go back the opposite, parallel direction on 2nd Street to return to Main Street and do it over again. It was the perfect cruisers circuit. All the younger people would hang around the circuit on weekends, watching the hot cars race, watching the hot bodies hanging out and hopefully hooking up.
This particular night I had already won 2 seperate races and was feeling pretty cocky. I had smoked a 1970 LeMans and a 1969 Chevelle. I had built Christie's engine myself and she was pretty fast. So I get to this light and this dude in an early 70's Vega wagon pulls up beside me and starts gunning his engine. It had a good sound to it, but there was no way I would be intimidated by a Vega. Please! Naturally, I took the challenge. We both sat there, revving the engines, causing mega amounts of noise pollution, waiting on the green light. Finally, it came.
In a huge cloud of white smoke and with the sound of tire tread being brutalized, we both took off. I initially took a good lead and started to feel pretty good about it when all of a sudden this little Vega wagon just flashed by me like a bolt of lightning. As hard as I pushed Christie, I couldn't catch up either. I was shocked.
I watched in the distance as super Vega got too much into it and the inevitable happened; someone pulled out in front of him. He headed straight for the slow poke at what I thought had to be pushing 90 mph. I saw the guy whip to the right and his back tires let go. He slid sideways, then the car returned to the left, sliding that way, then back to the right and didn't stop. He ended up sliding in a half circle and now was facing me. As I slowed down and approached him, he stomped on the gas and with tires smoking he whipped around, back into the right direction and headed back down the circuit. It was cool to watch!
Later that night I met up with the guy and checked out his car. He had taken the entire front end of that little Vega and filled it with a hopped-up 350ci Chevy V8. He said it was really hard to fit it in there, but the results were great. Yeah, no kidding. That little car with all that hoursepower? Sheesh! No wonder I couldn't catch up.
I never under-estimated anyone like that again. Unfortunately, the town put a stop to cruising not long after that anyway. Something about the crowds and noise and the unsafe drivers. I don't know what they were talking about. ;)
One night a few years ago I was out cruising with Christie Lee. Christie Lee wasn't a person. She was my 1963 Chevy Impala SS. She was my best friend at the time. I named her after that Billy Joel song "Christie Lee".
Anyway, the town where I lived has what was called 'the circuit' (older folks called it 'the peanut circuit'). It was a stretch of maybe 2 miles of Main Street that you could cruise straight down then turn left one block, turn left again and go back the opposite, parallel direction on 2nd Street to return to Main Street and do it over again. It was the perfect cruisers circuit. All the younger people would hang around the circuit on weekends, watching the hot cars race, watching the hot bodies hanging out and hopefully hooking up.
This particular night I had already won 2 seperate races and was feeling pretty cocky. I had smoked a 1970 LeMans and a 1969 Chevelle. I had built Christie's engine myself and she was pretty fast. So I get to this light and this dude in an early 70's Vega wagon pulls up beside me and starts gunning his engine. It had a good sound to it, but there was no way I would be intimidated by a Vega. Please! Naturally, I took the challenge. We both sat there, revving the engines, causing mega amounts of noise pollution, waiting on the green light. Finally, it came.
In a huge cloud of white smoke and with the sound of tire tread being brutalized, we both took off. I initially took a good lead and started to feel pretty good about it when all of a sudden this little Vega wagon just flashed by me like a bolt of lightning. As hard as I pushed Christie, I couldn't catch up either. I was shocked.
I watched in the distance as super Vega got too much into it and the inevitable happened; someone pulled out in front of him. He headed straight for the slow poke at what I thought had to be pushing 90 mph. I saw the guy whip to the right and his back tires let go. He slid sideways, then the car returned to the left, sliding that way, then back to the right and didn't stop. He ended up sliding in a half circle and now was facing me. As I slowed down and approached him, he stomped on the gas and with tires smoking he whipped around, back into the right direction and headed back down the circuit. It was cool to watch!
Later that night I met up with the guy and checked out his car. He had taken the entire front end of that little Vega and filled it with a hopped-up 350ci Chevy V8. He said it was really hard to fit it in there, but the results were great. Yeah, no kidding. That little car with all that hoursepower? Sheesh! No wonder I couldn't catch up.
I never under-estimated anyone like that again. Unfortunately, the town put a stop to cruising not long after that anyway. Something about the crowds and noise and the unsafe drivers. I don't know what they were talking about. ;)
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Jumping On The Bandwagon
Do you know this guy? Thanks to Cindy Lou I know him better now. His name is Xavier Rudd and if you haven't checked out his music, I suggest you do. He is great!
But don't just take my word for it, go and hear for yourself. (click, click, click)
What? Are you still here? Go!
Backing Up Your Sweetie
Did you ever run into one of those situations where your significant other has either gotten into a scene or they have been drug into one and you find that you do not agree with them at all? That is so hard. I've had that happen a few times recently and I really don't handle it well.
I tend to be the type who will just say and do what I feel is right without too much thought to it. But in those times, you have 2 choices; either back up your sweetie and feel like a liar or disagree in public and embarrass them. Those choices suck!
Then when you are alone and you get to voice your opinion privately, you can't win either. Either you are wrong and they can't understand how you couldn't see things their way or you are right and they want to know why you weren't honest, didn't speak up, yada yada yada.... Any way you slice it, their feelings are hurt.
Maybe the only safe thing to do is to disagree and keep it to yourself. Then blog about it later. Assuming they don't read your blog, of course.
I tend to be the type who will just say and do what I feel is right without too much thought to it. But in those times, you have 2 choices; either back up your sweetie and feel like a liar or disagree in public and embarrass them. Those choices suck!
Then when you are alone and you get to voice your opinion privately, you can't win either. Either you are wrong and they can't understand how you couldn't see things their way or you are right and they want to know why you weren't honest, didn't speak up, yada yada yada.... Any way you slice it, their feelings are hurt.
Maybe the only safe thing to do is to disagree and keep it to yourself. Then blog about it later. Assuming they don't read your blog, of course.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Early Warning For You
I'm just posting this early warning for those of you who stop by regularly. I will be without internet access starting Friday evening until Monday the 29th. The big move starts that evening and I am really not sure if I'll get the new place internetted up next week or not. We'll see.
I am obviously not at work next week either. I did that so I could get the new house in shape easier.
Don't miss me too much.
Before then, I plan on posting as much as possible. Of course, that may be annoying too. Let's see how it goes, eh?
I am obviously not at work next week either. I did that so I could get the new house in shape easier.
Don't miss me too much.
Before then, I plan on posting as much as possible. Of course, that may be annoying too. Let's see how it goes, eh?
Designer Toilet Paper?
I heard on the radio that Designer Toilet Paper is becoming the big thing in Japan. I had to see what the big deal was. (Click here for an example.)
I just don't know about paying that much for some butt-wipe, but I do like the kind with lips on it. Who wouldn't want their ass kissed at least once a day?
I just don't know about paying that much for some butt-wipe, but I do like the kind with lips on it. Who wouldn't want their ass kissed at least once a day?
Latest Poll Results
It would seem that most people like the name "Buttnugget" for my biker nickname. I kinda like how funny it sounds too but I'm not sure about the implications of all the voting. Hmmm.....
Anyway, if and when I get my bike and Peachy and I are rolling down the highways together, I will honor the bloggers choice and that will be the name. Does this mean I have to have it tattooed on me somewhere? I hope not.
The new Poll is up. Have at it. (Right sidebar, for those who are new here.)
What should YB's Biker nickname be once he (finally) gets his motorcycle?
Selection
Lugnut 0 votes
Drillbit 0 votes
Buttnugget 10 votes
Golfball 0 votes
Shine 0 votes
Blogger 4 votes
Hairpin 0 votes
Nesbit 5 votes
Grover 2 votes
Yankee 4 votes
Bug Tooth 1 vote
Buck Naked 6 votes
Wanderer 0 votes
Bubby 0 votes
Write in a suggestion via Haloscan comments. 3 votes
Anyway, if and when I get my bike and Peachy and I are rolling down the highways together, I will honor the bloggers choice and that will be the name. Does this mean I have to have it tattooed on me somewhere? I hope not.
The new Poll is up. Have at it. (Right sidebar, for those who are new here.)
What should YB's Biker nickname be once he (finally) gets his motorcycle?
Selection
Lugnut 0 votes
Drillbit 0 votes
Buttnugget 10 votes
Golfball 0 votes
Shine 0 votes
Blogger 4 votes
Hairpin 0 votes
Nesbit 5 votes
Grover 2 votes
Yankee 4 votes
Bug Tooth 1 vote
Buck Naked 6 votes
Wanderer 0 votes
Bubby 0 votes
Write in a suggestion via Haloscan comments. 3 votes
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
The View According To YB
I was just thinking about how much the advertising industry must hate one of my favorite inventions, the television remote control. They have to. I think so because I always use it when commercials come on. I can't stand seeing ads so I switch around to somewhere else until they are done. Turns out, my friends tell me the same thing. They constantly use the remote to avoid annoying commercials. Plus, contrary to popular belief, my women friends have said the same thing, so it's not just a guy thing.
Come to think of it, if no one is watching the commercials, how come there seem to be more of them all the time?
OK, now I'm confused.
But I bet they don't like the remotes (except when they are using them).
Come to think of it, if no one is watching the commercials, how come there seem to be more of them all the time?
OK, now I'm confused.
But I bet they don't like the remotes (except when they are using them).
An Apology
I owe a dear friend an apology. I want to make it public so she knows I'm serious. We've been e-mail buds for almost a year now (maybe a whole year) and recently I have become very lax in writing back. I have no excuse, just total inattentiveness. (There's a word!) I have offended her and I am very sorry for it.
Those who know me well know that I can be that way. I have a tendency to just not notice that I haven't been in touch for a while. I have friends that I've known for 20 years that probably are used to it by now, but they could tell you how I will just 'forget' to stay in touch. Then one day I will realize that I haven't heard from them and I'll start checking in again. It's not intentional, just a part of me.
They will also tell you things like "YB has the attention span of a gnat", or "YB gets lost in his own little world". But they will tell you too that I don't stop caring and that I am fiercely loyal to them. I just can be a dope sometimes.
It's a funny thing to develop a close friendship without ever really meeting someone face to face. We recently had a couple of blog friends who even developed deeper feelings for each other via internet. I was a scoffer at such things before I started blogging, but I have definitely learned a bit since. I don't need to meet my friend to know that I care about her and how she's doing in life. A year ago you could not have convinced me that that was possible. Now I know better.
Relationships are funny things. Even ones that are considered 'virtual'. They should be well tended. Otherwise, you lose them.
I'm very sorry for being a bum L. I never intended to hurt your feelings. xoxo
Those who know me well know that I can be that way. I have a tendency to just not notice that I haven't been in touch for a while. I have friends that I've known for 20 years that probably are used to it by now, but they could tell you how I will just 'forget' to stay in touch. Then one day I will realize that I haven't heard from them and I'll start checking in again. It's not intentional, just a part of me.
They will also tell you things like "YB has the attention span of a gnat", or "YB gets lost in his own little world". But they will tell you too that I don't stop caring and that I am fiercely loyal to them. I just can be a dope sometimes.
It's a funny thing to develop a close friendship without ever really meeting someone face to face. We recently had a couple of blog friends who even developed deeper feelings for each other via internet. I was a scoffer at such things before I started blogging, but I have definitely learned a bit since. I don't need to meet my friend to know that I care about her and how she's doing in life. A year ago you could not have convinced me that that was possible. Now I know better.
Relationships are funny things. Even ones that are considered 'virtual'. They should be well tended. Otherwise, you lose them.
I'm very sorry for being a bum L. I never intended to hurt your feelings. xoxo
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