Rockman Ramblings

At a Crossroad

2011-03-22T12:28:00.003-05:00

I have been a Boy Scout all my life. I joined when i was 8 yrs old, advanced through the ranks, became an Eagle Scout, joined a scouting related fraternity in college, volunteered my time as a childless adult leader, and naturally became a cub scout leader when my son was old enough to join.

My desire for him is and has been to experience the adventures that i had as a youth, see the things and visit the places I did as a youth, and earn his Eagle Scout badge as I did. I realize that the eras in which we each grew up are completely different as is the geographic setting. I grew up in a small town in the Ozarks where the sidewalks rolled up at 6pm every night and everyone in town knew your name, your parents and business.

My son grows up in a large urban area where we all live in our own little microcosm of the community, venturing out into the big city for special events. But the fact that there is 24 hour options in everything is worlds apart from my upbringing.

I have urged my son to stay in scout, earn Eagle Scout and then if he feels that it is still not fun or cool, then he can stop going. I have fought hard to keep the activities in the troop fun, educational, and active. This despite the fact that i am only an asst leader and the actual scoutmaster if an idiot of the first order. On top of fighting his imbecilic management of the troop, my son has also had to put up with the total lack of youth leadership in the troop. First from the scoutmasters equally idiotic son and then from another youth who, well lets just say he is a few bubbles from plumb.

In December the adults of the scouts got together and made a conscience decision to begin the process of disbanding the troop and merging it into another, in hopes of finding older scouts to mentor our boys and provide them with the type of program that we all remembered and want for our sons.

We researched area troops, paid visit to them to evaluate their programs, and to determine which would be the best fit for our boys. We came to a decision and as we were about to pull the trigger on things, something happened which we haven't quite gotten to the bottom of yet.

At about the same time as all this was happening, some new boys started coming to our meetings with their parents. Reportedly, they said their troop leader was leaving, they weren't happy with the new direction of their troop, and were looking for a smaller more active troop to join. We were open with them about our intentions and plans and they gave every indication that they were OK with our decision.

Fast forward to last week. At a meeting of the adults, it came to be that the idiot scoutmaster and his son had politicked the new folks into recruiting more people from the same troop to come over and the decision was made not to dissolve the troop. OK.. i get democracy. Majority rules and i was willing to go along with it as along as they could prove to me that their wasn't some hidden agenda or motive driving them.

On Saturday, they effectively took over the leadership of the troop, voting in their boys into every leadership position available and leaving our boys to take up the scraps and the pass-overs.

I have spend the last 6 years of mine and my sons life devoting my time and energy to this pack and troop, giving it my all. Now to be caste aside like we are no longer needed is just too much to put up with. I am angry, and I will have my revenge.

So I ask you dear readers. You know me, I don't pull any punches or sugar-coat anything.

Do i resign from the troop, along with my son, and keep my thoughts and opinions to myself and let them fester and die the slow death that i know they will?
Do i resign from the troop along with my son and go out in a blaze of glory, calling them out on their shit and making it known to all who will listen that they are conniving POSs that can not be trusted?
Do resign from the troop along with my son and stealthily, work to destroy what they have tried to build?

Let me know your thoughts.

So Shoot Me; After lunch

2010-10-20T14:13:00.002-05:00

OK, i know i have once again been missing in action... SO SHOOT ME.

Life has gotten in the way of lots of things this past 4 months and too much has happened to relate to here, but suffice it to say, not much has really changed except I am poorer and just as frustrated with ungrateful, dumb ass kids and stepkids.

So in the interest of a clean break from my usual ranting and raving about the irresponsibilities of today's generation. I am not going to go there today and may not go there ever again, unless prompted to by an act of stupidity, so profound, that i want to world to know about it and to assist me in ridiculing them into submission.

Now for something completely different.

It was my birthday last month. My diamond anniversary. Work was hectic and we didn't get to do the customary lunch in my honor, so we ended up doing that today. My choice for lunch, so i let them off cheap and we went to McAlisters Deli. My choice conjured up memories of my youth and my first real experience in the big city as a child, so I thought i would pass along this moment.

When I was a kid (6-8 y.o.), we lived in Illinois, just across the river from St Louis. Now having been born in southeast Missouri and grown up on or near the farms, I was fascinated by the big city and all the wonders it had to offer. But the most memorable experiences came when we would make our annual pilgrimage to downtown St Louis to the big department stores for Christmas shopping and sightseeing.

These trips always included a trip the department store restaurant for those unique and one of a kind (or at least I thought so) dishes that you could only get there. It was on one of those trips that i discovered the dish that is "French Onion Soup".

Now I know your thinking, what 7 year old kid in their right mind would want to eat that.....well me. I guess even at that early age i was a gourmand and enjoyed eating new and exotic dishes.

So in honor of my lunch today and the memories of my childhood experiences; i leave you with the recipe from that trip.

The Famous Barr (store) French Onion Soup.

Yields: 16 servings

5 lbs onions, unpeeled

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
2 tablespoons paprika
1 bay leaf
7 (16 ounce) cans beef broth, divided (recommended Swanson's)
1 cup dry white wine (optional)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour or instant flour (such as Wondra)
caramel coloring (optional) or Kitchen Bouquet (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
French baguette (optional)
swiss cheese (optional) or gruyere cheese (optional)

Peel onions and slice 1/8 inch thick, preferably in a food processor. Melt butter in a 6-quart (or larger) stockpot. Add onions; cook, uncovered, over low heat for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. (The long cooking time makes the onions mellow and sweet.) Stir in pepper, paprika and bay leaf; saute over low heat 10 minutes more, stirring frequently. Pour in 6 cans broth and wine. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Dissolve flour in remaining 1 can broth. Stir into boiling soup. Reduce heat and simmer slowly for 2 hours. Adjust color to a rich brown with caramel coloring, season with salt. Refrigerate overnight. To serve, heat soup in microwave or on stove top. If desired, pour into ovenproof crocks or bowls. Top with a slice of bread and a sprinkling of grated cheese. Heat under the broiler until cheese melts and bubbles, about 5 minutes. Leftover soup can be frozen.

ENJOY and let me know what you think.

Now It Begins

2010-06-17T08:26:00.003-05:00

I have to admit the title of this post is from a novel I recently finished. In the novel, The Secret Generations by John Gardner, a family of spy's is rocked by the death of the patriarch of the family. Following the death, they must follow the trail left by him to uncover one or more family members who, for years, have been traitors to the family and the cause.

It is almost surreal that, after finishing the book, a similar circumstance has fallen on my own little world. No we aren't looking for double agents or traitors, but the impending death of a family member brings out the vultures and other carreon to circle, waiting for that moment to pounce and begin picking at the carcass (in this case, estate) for anything they can get their greedy and undeserving hands on.

This will probably end up being a series of posts as there is a bit of history that must be told. But the history defines certain individuals, so as those individuals are introduced, so to will be the history.

Last Thursday, L's mom and her uncle were in an auto accident. It first appeared like it would be a very bad one. We were called and told that they were being airlifted to a hospital and nothing more. We went to the said hospital and waited as patiently as possible. They finally told us that, "no they were not coming in by helicopter, but by ambulance." When Mom arrived, the paramedics told us that the other ambulance, with Uncle, had been diverted along the way to a smaller hospital due to him having a possible heart episode.

I left L and her sister at the hospital with Mom and went to the other hospital to check on Uncle. When I got there, he was still in a neck brace, but according to the Dr, was OK other than some bumps, bruises, and a nasty friction burn on his neck from the seat belt. They wanted to keep him for observation to insure that the seat belt had not damaged his coratid artery.

Uncle is 87 yo and lost his wife over a year ago. He has been living with Mom, his sister, since last fall. Now while they get along like any brother and sister, couple that with his age and hers (81 yo) and you have a pretty good picture of the dynamics of the relationship.

Meanwhile, Mom has a severe laceration on her left arm that has peeled back the skin at the elbow. The Dr's are concerned about the cause of the accident and the fact that Mom may have blacked out, thus causing the accident. So they elect to keep her in the hospital overnight for observation. Uncle is throwing a fit because he doesn't want to stay in the hospital, but is finally convinced that it is for his own good.

Fast forward to Saturday morning. Mom has been given the all clear (meaning the Dr's cant find anything wrong with her) and she goes to the other hospital to visit her brother. Upon arrival, she is told that his condition is not good. They have determined that he has pneumonia and has had it for several months. He is also showing signs of diminished kidney function. At the same time, Uncle is becoming more and more lethargic and addled with the combination of his condition and the meds that they are giving him. He is weak, and virtually incapable of standing or moving himself, without someone practically holding him up.

Now it begins...... Part 2 tomorrow

Priceless Moments in History

2010-05-27T16:07:00.004-05:00

In honor of Cary at List of the Day, I offer another priceless moment in history.

Cant Win for Losing

2010-04-30T08:52:00.002-05:00

It started out innocent enough. L had been to the dentist and after 2 hrs in the chair and a new temporary crown, and two new fillings, she was home on the couch, resting and nursing a sore jaw. I came home with every intention of nursing her, fixing dinner, and enjoying a quiet evening.

I went shopping, bought groceries, came home, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, fixed her a pineapple, banana, and strawberry smoothie, and sat down to catch up on DVR programs. Then the phone rang. I could tell by the half of the conversation that i was hearing that she was committing us to watching the spawn, just not sure of the details. I lost it. I got up and stormed into the kitchen.

She asked what was wrong and I said nothing and proceeded to unload and load the dishwasher. I fumed around for a bit and then finally, she forced me to give her and answer and I said; "I am tired of your kids always planning our lives for us" . Needless to say that pissed her off and she tried to throw it back into my face that my kids have just as much if not more to do with our life schedule than hers do. I proceeded to tell her that yet again, she doesn't get the subtle difference that my kids are younger and thereby dependent on me where as her kids are all old enough to be taking care of their own shit.

We danced around the issue for a few more minutes and i decided that it was time for me to go. I left the house. Drove around for a bit, stopped by a friends house and visited with him and his wife, and caught up on life with them. Now this is my old college roommate, we live about 2 miles from one another and we have seen each other about 2 time since the first of the year. We are both busy with kids, family commitments and work, so i don't begrudge that time missed, but last night brought back alot of memories of good times past.

When i got home, i unloaded the dishwasher, loaded it again, and went to bed. She came to the room about 10PM and didn't say a word. Climbed into bed and we both attempted to sleep. At 11PM, I got up and asked her is she was going to talk to me and she said she had nothing to say. I asked her if she even knew why i got upset and she said that it was because we had to watch Spawn. I said no that was not the reason. The real reason was and still is that her kids take advantage of her and by default me. They call at the last minute and expect us to drop everything we have planned or even have remotely discussed on doing to bail them out of their child care dilemma or their current transportation issue. I am sick and tired of being responsible for everyone else's kids and their irresponsibility. I told her this last night.

Needless to say, our plan to drive into work together this morning and then go to my daughters softball game is now in the fucking trash heap because L has to pick up the spawn from daycare and then watch him to his dumbass mother gets off work.

I cant win for losing.....

POS of the Week

2010-04-26T15:53:00.014-05:00

I have decided to start a new feature on this blog. Not only does it give me something easy to write about, but it also provides a venue of me to vent my frustrations on today's societal ills that the media seem to have a feeding frenzy over. So sports fans, enjoy this little clip about our first POS of the Week

This POS is only in if for the money and he continues to do whatever he can to live off the earnings of his children. The mom isn't much better and I am surprised she hasn't turned up in some rehab stint. I just wish the news media would quit enabling this POS and his daughters to stay in the limelight. Maybe then, we wouldn't have to see these assholes anymore

OUR POS OF THE WEEK IS MICHAEL LOHAN, FATHER OF LINDSEY LOHAN, A POS IN HER OWN RIGHT.

The Rut

2010-04-22T10:15:00.002-05:00

We all have those times in our lives where we seem to hit a low point, a rut if you want to call it that. Those periods where nothing you do or say seems appropriate. And no matter how hard you try to say it in a diplomatic and nice way, you just end up sticking your foot further into your mouth.

Not only does the rut affect your everyday interpersonal actions and reactions with others, it also affects your most intimate interactions with your loved ones. You want to tell them something, but your either afraid that you will exacerbate the situation even more, or that you will regret giving in. This seems to be where I am. I am tired of all the unnecessary drama in our lives and when i try to impart this to my wife, i get glares and looks of disdain. When i do my best to explain my frustrations to her, she refuses to acknowledge my opinion and chooses to ignore me.

That in and of itself doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that 99 times out of 100 I am right on the money with my insight and analysis and she refuses to accept the fact that I am usually right. Secondly, this makes her even more reticent to open up to me and tell me things about our life. So it compounds the issue by now adding feelings of inadequacy and suspicion to the mix.

I am at the point where i am ready to tell all of them to go F themselves, leave us alone, and if they end up on the street, with no place to go and no money, don't come crying to mommy.

Sorry for being such a heartless bastard, but live in my shoes for a few months and tell me you wouldn't do the same thing.

THE CODE OF THE WEST

2010-04-14T14:39:00.002-05:00

I ran across this yesterday afternoon on the back of a business card from a gentleman from Wyoming. The quotes actually come from a book by James P. Owen, entitled Cowboy Ethics. As I read the words, it struck me as ironic that this is the way I think and how I try to live my life. Now some of you know that I may bitch and moan alot about my life and those in my life, but generally speaking, I do try to live by simple rules of responsibility and honesty.

Anyway, enjoy these little gems and let me know your thoughts. I am on my way to find this book and see what other pearls of wisdom I can glean from it.

1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work.
3. Always finish what you start.
4. Do what has to be done.
5. Be tough, but fair.
6. Whey you make a promise, keep it.
7. Ride for the brand (i.e., be loyal)
8. Tallk less; say more.
9. Remember that some things aren't for sale.
10. Know where to draw the line.

Happy Trails.......

I'm Back

2010-03-26T10:51:00.004-05:00

Hello to all of you who have stopped by and wondered; "WTF is he doing, no post again". Sorry, the winter doldrums had me in a funk and the creative juices just weren't flowing. Besides, with kids basketball, scouts, work, home improvement projects, and kicking the stepdaughter and her spawn out of the house, I have been a little busy.

You are wondering about that last comment. Yes, L and I finally kicked her daughter's lazy, shiftless ass to the curb and her bratty kid as well. Now before you go all bleeding heart liberal on me about how could I kick out her kid, let me explain the circumstances.

Beginning in January, we counseled her on saving money for a car, an apt, and basic living needs, so that her and the spawn could move out. She gave us her typical "I KNOW" response and proceeded to piss away everything that she earned. In the meantime, her and SH1 were having this on again, off again relationship, mainly for a booty call. She finally got tired of his crap and lies, and not working, and being a general POS, that she hooked up with a new guy.

The new guy, whom we have dubbed PW, for p*s*y whipped, is a skinny, quiet guy, who wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful of it. But he adores her, supposedly. He likes being the father figure to the spawn, and to some degree has been a stabling influence to her.

Cut to mid February. They have been dating 3 weeks and suddenly cook up this idea to file their taxes together so they can increase the return they get, they will pool their money, and that will solve the problem of transportation and housing. Seems logical to them, despite us telling her that it is illegal and she could be in a world of trouble.

Guess what.. our opinion and advice don't mean diddly. They do it, and all of a sudden, they have a car and plans to move in together. When L and I approached her about her mistake and pointed out that it was illegal and that she might get hauled off to jail, she took that as, we were going to drop a dime on her with the IRS and she would go to jail.

What resulted from that illogical thought process was two weeks of hell, in which she called L, her mother and I everything but white people, she moved her and her son in with PW's cousin, and proceeded to make our lives miserable. The one consolation from all the BS is that L finally got her fill of the lies, the irresponsibility, and the disrespect. She told her to pack her shit and git.

So after dragging her feet for a month and coming up with a myriad of excuses for why they don't have an apt yet, we finally said enough is enough. We rented a storage unit, loaded her crap, and stored it till the end of April. If she doesn't get it out of storage by then, she loses it. She knows this and has said that she would get it done. WE WILL SEE.

In the meantime, it has taken some getting use to, but damn is it nice to come home to a quiet house and not having a sink full of dirty dishes or half eaten food laying all over the house. Anyone want to place bets on how long PW puts up with her shit? I'm not giving odds.

Is This London or St Louis?

2010-01-20T11:33:00.004-06:00

The old adage in St Louis is if you stick around for an hour the weather will change. For the most part it is true. We can go from cold and wet to warm and dry in the span of a day. But this new year so far has tested our endurance for extremes. This time two weeks ago, it was in the single digits with 3-inches of snow on the ground. Today, it is in the forties and looks like London England

I just wish it would decide whether it is going to be winter or spring. My sinuses cant take much more of this back and forth stuff.

The Bucket List

2010-01-07T11:32:00.003-06:00

L sent me this, after she received it from my sister. Guess my sister wasn't really interested in my answers....

The Bucket List

Put an X next to the listing if I applies to you. Feel free to embellish the answer if you want. This is for your Entire Life!

(X) Shot a gun
(X)Gone on a blind date
( x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(x ) been to Canada
( ) Been to Alaska
( ) Been to Cuba
(x) Been to Europe
(x) Been to Las Vegas
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Bahamas
(x) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Japan
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a cruise ship
( ) Served on a jury
( ) Been lost
(x) Gone to Washington , DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Played cowboys/girls and Indians
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? (X ) Made prank phone calls.....
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating
( ) Gone snow skiing
(x) Camped out under the stars
(X) Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away?
(X) Are or have been Married?
(X) Children?
(x) Have a Pet?
(X) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Been fishing
(X) Been boating
(X) Been water skiing (does knee-boarding count?)
(X) Been hiking
(x) Been camping in a trailer/RV
(x) Flown in a small 4 seater airplane
( ) Went para sailing
( ) Flown in a glider
( ) Been flying in a hot air balloon
( ) Been bungee-jumping or sky-diving
(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
(x) Done something that should have killed you
(X) Done something that you will probably regret for the rest of your life

1. Any nickname? Rockman, Bones, Kamala...(don't ask)
3. Favorite drink? Diet Coke
4. Body Piercings? No
5. Tattoos? No
6. How much do you love your job? A lot
7. Birthplace? Cape Girardeau, MO
8. Favorite vacation spot? Hawaii
9. Been to Africa? no
10. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? No
11. Ever been on TV? N0
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? No
13. Ever been in a car accident? yes
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
15. Favorite number? 22
16. Favorite movie? Bourne Identity
17. Favorite holiday? 4th of July
18. Favorite dessert? Carrot Cake
19. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Close to retirement and out of debt. Definitely no stepkids or kids living with me.
20. Farthest place you will send this message? California
21. Who will respond to this the fastest? I don't have a clue.

This weather, the holidays, and work are really taking a toll on my creative thoughts and desire to come up with something more entertaining for you all. So please accept this as a token of my appreciation for visiting, and feel free to plagiarize, comment, discuss, or whatever you want to do with it.

Have a good day.

Bah Friggin Humbug

2009-12-11T09:11:00.002-06:00

I know it has been well over a month since i posted. So kill me....shit happens, life gets in the way, work gets in the way, and I just haven't felt in the mood.

The mood still isn't really in there, but I felt like I at least owed you faithful followers some of my time and wisdom. So here are some random thoughts that have gone through my mind in the last few weeks.

* How many times do I have to come home to a new steaming pile of shit that the stepdaughter has left waiting for us?

* How many times do you have to keep defending the inadequacies of your children before you realize that it reflects on you?

* When are we finally going to catch a break and not have to spend money of other people and have the time and inclination to spend money on ourselves?

* Why is it that, people whom you despise and loathe under normal circumstances, always seem to feel obligated to play nice at the holidays, making you feel guilty? Tell them to piss off regardless of the time of year it is.

* How come I always end up in a job I love with a manager that I do not respect and has advanced well beyond their Peter Principle level?

OK.... enough of the soap box. Now a very brief update...

Stepdaughter is working again... yippee hooray, bout GD time.

LB is still a pain in my ass but he is going to preschool now so some of the socialization skills are starting to help. Now if we could just get his OCD under control, he might actually begin to function like a normal 4 y.o.

Shithead is history with the stepdaughter, and we are just waiting for an opportunity to drop a dime on him with his PO and send his ass back to the pen.

L and I are struggling to maintain some sense of a normal life, under all the external pressures from her family. I told her last night again.. Start telling people NO or I will do it for you. We can not and will not continue to be the rescue squad for every little family crisis that someone else has. We have enough shit of our own to deal with... MORE ON THAT LATER.

I sincerely hope that you all have a happy holiday season. I am planning on telling everyone that gets in my way or on my nerves to go fuck themselves and leave my house. WISH ME LUCK.

Friday Funnies - NORTHWEST AIRLINES PILOT TRAINING FILM

2009-10-30T08:33:00.001-05:00

You have to wonder if this is how Northwest Airlines trains their pilots after this week's incident of "overshooting the airport by 150 miles.

On The Mend

2009-10-28T13:42:00.002-05:00

After a visit to the DR on Monday, it seems that L and I are suffering from the residual effects of a respiratory virus that mimics the flu, and actually could be a mild case of the flu.

Not likely H1N1, but the plain old, garden variety flu. Whatever it is, it sucks donkey dong.

The doc says don't worry, take the horse pills I am prescribing, and if your not better in a week to ten days after the course of antibiotics, then get your will and testament in order get your butt back in here and we will do something else. Gee, what a comfort.

He did say that while he feels my pain, we are not alone. He has seen more patients this fall with the flu than he saw all last year. And while everyone is freaking out about H1N1, he said that more than likely, what people have is the regular flu. According to DR, getting a flu shot does help, but if you have the symptoms for more than 48 hours before you seek medical attention, then tough shit... anything that they give you wont really help. Your body has already started producing antibodies to fight the particular virus strain in you and any additional medicine will just slow down that process. (Guess you all skipped that day of H.S. Biology.)

DR says that the over the counter meds will help the symptoms, but if things are markedly improved after a week to 10 days, then you likely may have a secondary infection.

Long story short, don't screw around with this stuff. If it lingers, get medical help and take care of yourself. Because of all the crackheads out there, Wally World can't sell the really good over the counter medicines anymore, so you may as well get a script for it and stop messing around.

Creeping Crud

2009-10-26T09:20:00.002-05:00

I don't know how many of you have been sick this past few months, but I am getting damn tired of feeling like ASS.. as my grandson so eloquently puts it.

It all started Labor Day weekend. My middle stepson came down with some bug, classic flu like symptoms, aches, pains, chills, fever, coughing a lung up and a runny nose like a faucet got turned on. He passed it to L who was home in bed the first week of Sept for 2 days with fever and aches.

Then a week or so later my son got it. Now this boy fights being sick to the death, but when he is laying down on the ground sleeping in the middle of his sisters soccer game because he doesn't feel good, I know he is sick. (Why he as there in the first place was beyond me, but that was his mother's decision... fodder for another blog on how self-centered and self-absorbed she can be at times).

A week later my daughter has it, and guess what, she just happens to have it the nite her and her brother as suppose to be at the house. Needless to say, I feel like my home is becoming a petri dish.

Fast forward to the 2nd week of Oct. I am home sick for two days with fever, aches, and coughing. Then L got it again last week and was home for 2 days.

She went to the DR on Thursday and all that quack would tell her is that she has a viral infection in her respiratory system and there is nothing that can be done other than to let it run it's course. What BULLSHIT.....

So we have purchased countless over the counter medicines to help alleviate the symptoms but that is like putting a band-aid on an amputation.

Guess what.. I went to bed last night with a fever and generally feel like I am walking around in a cloud today. The good news it that I already had a DR appt. schedule for this afternoon to review some lab work. So lucky me, my timing is right on in that regard.

Additionally, my doctor is s D.O. rather than an M.D. They tend to be less formal, more holistic, and less willing to cut and hack on you for something. I have been seeing this guy for going on 17-18 years now and he is the best. He is always willing to discuss in detail my treatment, and given that i am a scientist, he knows he cant bullshit his way around the diagnosis or toss me off with a "you wouldn't understand". I think that also helps me in that whenever I am in a predicament like I am now, with this crud being passed around like it is. He will not hesitate to raid his closet of medicine and help a brother out with a handful of free sample packages to help all of us get through the plague.

Maybe I will hit him up for some Viagra too....you never know.

Friday Funnies - PART 2

2009-10-23T12:50:00.002-05:00

I just couldn't pass up posting this one for your viewing pleasure. Brings a whole new meaning to the old Hill Street Blues TV Show line; "Lets be careful out there".....

ENJOY

Friday Funnies

2009-10-23T10:15:00.005-05:00

LUNCH ANYONE

2009-10-22T13:41:00.001-05:00

Swearing Baby

2009-10-21T11:47:00.004-05:00

Turn your speakers up or put on headphones, it is pretty hard to hear.

Deployment

2009-10-19T15:06:00.002-05:00

When I married L, I knew that I would be taking on the role of stepfather to three older children (currently 22, 24, and almost 26). I also knew that I would be a step grandfather to two very high maintenance and hellion boys. I accepted this role knowing that dealing with the issues facing them would involve a lot of patience, some creative accounting, and probably many of sleepless nights and anxiety filled days. But I love L and knew and continue to believe that the risk was and is worth the reward.

Yesterday, my middle stepson left for training, prior to being deployed to Iraq. So I have inherited a new role. Concerned parent to a soldier. While I don't feel it is my place to tell my stepson how to live his life or call him son, or do any of the other things I might normally do if he were younger, I do feel the need to let him know that his mother and I are very proud of him and pursuit of a military career.

I told him as much in a phone call yesterday morning as he was departing. I told him that I wished I could have been there to see him off but my commitment to my own son and a boy scout trip prevented me from being at the airport. Through the sobs and sniffles of him fighting back openly crying, he said he understood and knew that I didn't have a choice but to be with my own son rather than with him. I told him that it still didn't make it right that I could not be there. I told him that his mother and I were proud of him, and that I knew he had to do this for himself, his wife, his family, and his country. I told him that no matter what happened, we would take care of his wife and that last thing he needed to worry about over there was her.

L and his wife were obviously upset and keeping it together by the thinnest of strings for most of the day yesterday. I made it home by noon and was able to have some things done around the house by the time they got back from the airport. On top of all the emotion of her son leaving yesterday, it was L's birthday yesterday. I was able to be home for most of it, got her a present that she really wanted, cooked her dinner, and generally was there for her to hold and to provide a shoulder to cry on.

Yesterday was the beginning of at least a one year role as military parent, supportive husband and father in law, amongst other roles. I hope I am up to the challenge.

If you followers are interested, I will update you from time to time on his progress and situation. If it is a little too maudlin or self-serving for your taste, I won't. Your call.

BLAH BLUES

2009-10-14T14:52:00.002-05:00

As my most recent commentor/tormentor posted, it isn't Friday anymore. How right you are.

But given the current conditions:

Cloudy (has been since Monday)
Drizzling (since yesterday)
cold (mid 40's for the day time high) and
slow at work.

I have just not been i a creative mood lately. Additionally, things have been so busy around the house with birthdays, going away parties, yard work, and just trying to battle off the flu, that I don't know whether to shit or go blind.

SO: if any of you few and loyal fans have any ideas or questions your just dying to know or see me post about; I am open to suggestions.

Friday List

2009-10-02T13:09:00.004-05:00

So it is Friday, i am bored to tears at work, and I don't really have anything funny to put up today. So in my copious amounts of spare time today, I have been surfing the web to look for a list of questions or a MEME to post here and see if my followers and others will answer them or forward them on, thus expanding my sphere of influence.

After much surfing and not finding the perfect list, (part regular, part naughty bits, part philosophical) I decided to come up with my own. I hope you like the list and you will consider answering and forwarding the list on to friends and others in your blogosphere. If you don't; tough shit.....LOL

1. What was the first thing you did this morning after waking up?
Made love to my wife.

2. When was the last time you told your significant other how you felt about them and how?
About an hour ago, via a text message from my phone.

3. Is there some point in your past that, if you had a "wayback machine" and Mr Peabody could take you there, you would get a chance to "do over" something in your life?
I would probably go back to college and focus more on my studies and not goof off the first 2 years.

4. Why did you chose the profession/job that you have?
I enjoy being outdoors and working in the dirt, LOL. The scientific aspect of geology and the opportunity to be a scientist, working outdoors, and still being able to work inside when the weather was lousy was a perfect fit. Originally, I wanted to be an optometrist, but came to the realization, after flunking out of college, that i enjoyed working outside and would not like sitting in a office all day, listening to someone else bitch and moan about their problems.

5. If you won the lottery and you had to spend 10% of the winnings on the charity or cause of your choice, what would it be?
I would donate my portion to the local Boy Scout Council to upgrade camp facilities and to pay for less fortunate scouts to attend the events and functions that I had the opportunity to do as a youth. I would also endow a scholarship to my university with caveats so that the average student could go to college. Not that i am against smart kids, but they already have plenty of chances for financial aid. The average kids are the ones who struggle to compete for scholarships and they are the ones who need the most help.

6. Where would you spend your Christmas holiday, other than at home or with family, if money was no object?
I would like to spend Christmas in Europe. Germany, England, Ireland, Belgium, and maybe Russia if time permits.

7. What is the one (non-sexual) thing that your spouse or significant other does to you that turns you on the most?
L can turn me on just by walking up to me with that "come to the bedroom" look and with a simple touch or kiss and those eyes, i am ready to go.

8. What are you planning on having for dinner this weekend?
I am making a giant pot of chili for a bonfire party tomorrow night. Also going to grill about 10 pounds of chicken wings.

9. When was the last time you had a free weekend (i.e., no kids, no plans, no commitments, just go with the flow time.)?
I don't remember. I think it was sometime in July, but i could be wrong.

10. Finally, and in honor of the decision today to chose Rio as the host city for the 2016 Summer Games, what is your first recollection of watching the Olympics? Watching the tragedy unfold at the Munich Games of 1972 on TV.

Please feel free to plagerize this and forward it on. Just make sure you source the reference properly...LOL

Have a good weekend. Comments always welcome.

Friday Funnies

2009-09-25T09:14:00.001-05:00

NEED I SAY MORE

Four Things

2009-09-23T10:40:00.002-05:00

The world in which I live is a little crazy right now. Work has been piling up with all my travels, both at home and at the office, kids and family are feeling neglected, and to top it all off, I don't have a free weekend for the next month.

Needless to say, I am totally out of time and ideas for anything original so I flagrantly plagiarize from others. Thanks to Another Suburban Mom for offering this meme to help me fill space on here without alot of time.

4 jobs I have had:
1. Grocery store clerk
2. Milkman
3. Tree Trimmer/Arborist
4. Powder Monkey ( I use to work in a rock quarry and got to help blow things up everyday.)

4 movies I can watch over and over
1 Any of the Bourne Identity Movies
2 Patton
3 Three Days of the Condor
4 Dr Strangelove

4 TV shows I love
1. NCIS
2. Good Eats (although L hates Alton Brown so I have to watch it when she is not around.)
3. ER
4. West Wing

4 of my favorite dishes
1. Pizza
2. Chili (green and red)
3. Jambalaya
4. Kettle Beef with mashed potatoes

4 Websites I Visit Daily
1. Yahoo My Page
2. List of the Day
3. STL Today
4. Google Reader

4 Places I Dream of Going
1. Hawaii (again)
2 Russia (again)
3 Alaska
4. Germany (again)

Feel free to plagiarize yourself if you want. I did....LOL

Have a nice day and as always, comments are welcome.

Friday Funnies

2009-09-18T12:43:00.001-05:00

TMI Tuesday #204

2009-09-15T09:32:00.002-05:00

1. Have you ever shared sleeping accommodations with someone of the without anything steamy happening? (Opposite sex for breeders, same sex for homosexuals). YES, in college I was in a coed service group and we often piled 8-10 people in a hotel room on conferences and trips.

2. Have you eve streaked, flashed, or otherwise partially or totally exposed yourself in public before (or after) an informal, unofficial gathering of people? Does mooning count...LOL YES

3. Have you had dates with multiple people in the same weekend (or consecutive nights or the same night) while not all of your dates were aware of your actions? YES, during my bachelor days after the divorce, I had several weekends of Friday night date, Saturday afternoon date, Saturday evening date, and Sunday date. Oh the joys of Internet dating. Although it wasn't cheap and I couldn't sustain that lifestyle very long.

4. What is the most "romantic" you have ever gotten in a movie theater? YES,I got to third base once with a woman i was dating in college. We were at a porno movie so it seemed like the thing to do. Other than that. NO

5. Have you ever had sex when you knew a non-participating adult was watching? NO

Bonus (as in optional): If you could say anything you wanted anonymously to anyone, without identifying that person, what would you say? You are a POS and I hope you end up dead in a ditch someday. It will be my pleasure to piss on your grave when you die.

Friday Funnies

2009-09-04T09:37:00.002-05:00

Friday Funnies

2009-08-28T10:51:00.002-05:00

OK, So I haven't been around much. This has been another one of those traveling weeks and so will next week and the week after. On top of that, L and I are going to Chicago this weekend. We are going with her son and his wife. Now I don't mind traveling with the kids, but given that I have been on the road so much, it would have been nice to have a weekend alone with her. But that will have to wait.

So without further delay, here is your Friday funny. Have a good weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Gjo1u0Sgg

Friday Funnies

2009-08-21T15:52:00.002-05:00

Roll Call

2009-08-20T13:04:00.003-05:00

I want to thank each and every one who has stopped by since I was featured by Cary as his FOLOTD on List of the Day.

Some of you I know who you are, by your locations, some of you I think I know, but am not quite sure, and quite a few of you are new to my blog. Drop me a comment and let me know who and where you are and what you think so far.

I GOT NOTHING

2009-08-19T11:35:00.001-05:00

Call Centers - The devils idea of a practical joke

2009-08-18T11:24:00.002-05:00

God how I hate to talk to someone from a Call Center. Invariably, they either cant speak English well enough to do their job to save their asses, or they feel an air of superiority over the poor defenseless beings on the other end of the line and take delight and pleasure in tormenting us with their game of "fuck with the customer".

Today, I had the displeasure of calling my local phone company to inquire as to why I lost my call waiting service on my home phone, when I changed over to their brand spanking new fiber optic, all in one, wipe your butt for you service.

Haji, the mostest helpful customer service agent on the other end of the phone, immediately put me on guard, when he asked me if I was calling from the phone number I was requesting service for, like he couldn't read the caller ID that came up on his computer monitor.

Needless to say, things went downhill from there.

Apparently, you can sign on through the website and toggle all these features off and on from your computer. But my firewall from work wont let me access the site, due to some executable file you have to have installed (i.e., those extra icons on that are now on the home computer).

So while Haji is trying to explain all this to me and telling me to go to the website and toggle the switches, he isn't listening to a word I am saying when I tell him that my firewall wont let me there. He is getting frustrated because I am telling him what is on my screen and it isn't the same thing that is on his screen and he naturally assumes that I am a toothless hilljack that cant type or spell or operate a computer.

In the meantime, I am getting pissed because I cant make this twit divert from the script long enough for me to tell him that what he wanted me to do was not possible from my current location. He finally got the message after my voice changed to that "if you don’t shut the fuck up and listen, I am going to strangle you through the phone" tone.

It was only then that he asked me if I would like him to turn on the call waiting feature from his end. NO DUH! I wanted to also tell him that while your at it Haji, why don't you clean the crap out of your ears, and listen to the customer instead of reading the script. Not all of us are idiots like you think we are.

On a different note, I want to thank Cary from List of the Day for featuring me as his follower of the day. Not sure what to expect from this, but I appreciate the shameless promotion.

The cost of being responsible

2009-08-17T14:31:00.002-05:00

An interesting thought occurred to me the other day. What if we put a price tag on every act and function that we do in our daily lives. The associated cost for such acts or functions, then are totaled and we are each assessed a user fee/tax for each day. Point being, if it something that occurs routinely in our daily lives, then the fee would not be as much as that act or function that only comes around every once in a while.

To take the concept one step further, what it the fee/tax was used as a deterrent to illegal/stupid acts that ultimately cost more to others than those who actually participate in the acts.

Case in point:

Stepdaughter is an idiot. I have said it before and I will say it again. Currently, she is in the off stages of a relationship with SH1 but it appears to be rapidly returning to the on stage. L and I have talked to her repeatedly this past week about the need for her to pull her head out, make some decisions, stick with them, and forget the past. She repeatedly tells us that she is and she isn't going back to SH1 and that they are only doing things together for the sake of little bastard. But, both of them are too stupid to acknowledge that, their being together for the sake of LB is doing more harm than good and he is under the impression that they are one big happy family.

So, if stepdaugther and SH1 were each assessed a fee for every time they went back on their promise not to see each other, or not to fight in front of LB, or every time they got fired from a job, or every time they got drunk and acted ignorant to one another, would that deter them from doing it again? Likely not, since neither one of them pays their bills now and do not have a pot to piss in other than unemployment and state assistance.

2nd case in point:

My daughters soccer coach from last year kept her CYC card in anticipation of the team being back together again this year and him not having to round up the cards again for league registration. Good idea. Man was thinking ahead and trying to minimize his troubles while being efficient. But wait, he decided to not coach this year for whatever reason and the new coach is now trying to round up cards from some of the girls from last years team. If the coach doesn't get them by next week, from the previous coach. Then the Ex and I have to fork out money to get a new card for my daughter. The question here is: Should last years coach be assessed the cost of getting new cards for my daughter and the other girls on the team, if he can not provide the cards from last year? My answer is yes.

Why should I be out money for something that he caused. Granted it is only a few dollars, but my time is worth something too. Had he given the cards back at the end of the season, or even when he decided not to coach again, then all would be right with the world. But due to his lack of preparedness or poor planning/being a scatter-brained twit, I am out money and time to undo his mistake.

Ultimately, if everyone is held accountable, they generally learn a lesson and in most cases, don't make the same mistake again. Unfortunately, in today's society, with all the "whats in it for me" generation, there seems to be a huge disconnect between taking responsibility for your actions and assessing the cost of those actions.

Food for thought.....Comments are welcome.

What day is it and where am I?

2009-08-12T15:02:00.003-05:00

Traveling....

I use to look forward to the respite of escape from the local scene. A chance to see the world and enjoy the sites, eat at new places, see new people and cultures, etc, etc, etc. It always seemed so cool and sophisticated to be one of those guys standing in line at the airport waiting to fly to some distant city to conduct important business meetings and presentations.

As I grew older, and got married to the Ex, I traveled because that is what my job required. It wasn't far from home, mainly day trips, but it did give me time to relax and reflect on my home life. It also did afford me the opportunity to people watch and see how the other half lives.

Since I have been with L, I have begun to despise traveling. I still enjoy seeing the sights and getting away from the office and out of the routine, but the distance and time away from her makes each trip that much more difficult and long.

Here is an example of my travels since late April.

Last Week of April - Nevada - 3 days
First week of May - SE Kansas - 2 days
Third week of May - SE Iowa - 2 days
First week of June - Quad Cities, Iowa - 2 days
third week of June - Chicago - full week
2nd week of July - Chicago - 3 days
3rd week of July - NYC - 4 days
4th week of July - Western Iowa - 2 days
2nd week of August - Oklahoma/Texas - 2 days
4th week of August - West Virginia - 3 days
1st week of Sept - Colorado - 3 days

Get the picture.......

I am sure there are other trips that will have to be added as time goes along into the fall. I know of at least 2 other trips to Iowa, one to Wisconsin, and one to northern MO that is on the agenda but have not been scheduled.

I will save all the trials and tribulations of trying to stay in touch with home from these destinations for another post. Suffice it to say, it is tough to get cell service in BFE, Iowa or Kansas.

Comment?????

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME

2009-07-29T11:55:00.000-05:00

An open letter to my wife.

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?

I am moody and can’t seem to let go of those thing that bother me the most. I stew about the littlest thing and turn it into a crisis of biblical proportions.

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?

I am controlling and demanding to the point that I feel like I stifle you and make you feel less than full. I know that part of it is my over protective nature, but I also recognize that it is inherent mistrust.

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?

I am jealous and find it hard to trust anyone. I am too analytical and continually over analyze things; taking the most pessimistic outlook on a given situation without offering the benefit of the doubt.

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?

I put myself and you into situations that just compound our struggles, yet I am resentful when I am put into situations by others.

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?

I am critical and at times, I am disgusted by the children and do not hide my disdain for them or their life choices.

WHY DO YOU LOVE ME?

I am miserly, to the point of Ebeneezer Scrooge, when it comes to giving to others, but feel little compunction or guilt when I want to buy something for myself. The only thing stopping me, in most cases is that I want to make sure the bills are paid for first.

I ask myself this question daily, and every day, you just smile at me and for that brief moment, I know the answer. Then the grayness seeps back in and I wonder again.

Can you show me WHY YOU LOVE ME? Can you put a tangible value or phrase on WHY YOU LOVE ME?

Or do I just have to believe and trust that you do?

TMI Tuesday #196

2009-07-21T15:59:00.004-05:00

Tell us about...

1. Your first self-induced orgasm - I was 11 yo and in the shower.

2. Your first other-induced orgasm - Sr Prom Night with my date in the front seat of my mom's car.

3. Your first experience giving someone else an orgasm - My ex when we were in college actually squirted on my hand. It kind of freaked us both out. I could never get her to do that again.

4. Your first time witnessing another's orgasm not induced by you. Watching an old GF masturbate for me.

5. Since your first, what is the longest time you've gone between orgasms? Several years.......

Bonus (as in optional):Tell us about a particularly memorable orgasam you haven't mentioned yet. It wasn't mine, but i once gave a GF an orgasm that was so intense, she hyperventilated for about 10 minutes.

IS IT DONE YET?

2009-07-20T10:14:00.003-05:00

WEEKEND SUCKED ASS.....

KIDS WERE BRATTY AND UNAPPRECIATIVE.

STEPDAUGHTER AND SH1 SPENT THE WEEKEND SITTING ON THEIR ASSES AND BEING WORTHLESS PIECES OF FLESH.

GOT INTO IT WITH MY DAD BECAUSE HE IS EVEN MORE OF A CROTCHY OLD BASTARD THAN I AM.

L AND I KEPT MISSING EACH OTHERS SIGNALS ALL WEEKEND AND WERE FINALLY ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AT 11PM LAST NIGHT, WHEN WE WERE BOTH TOO DAMN TIRED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

HAVE TO FLY TO NEW YORK CITY TODAY TO SIT IN A TRAINING CLASS FOR A SUBJECT THAT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT AND IS ONLY PERIPHERALLY RELATED TO MY JOB. I AM GOING TO BE BORED TO TEARS.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I AM PLANNING ON VISITING THE KATZ DELICATESSEN.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

Am I Cool?

2009-07-16T10:57:00.004-05:00

I plagiarized this from Vixen Kitten, who swiped this from Dawg, because I am too damn tired, lazy, and busy to think up any original post for today.

L spent the night at the hospital with the “little bastard” and his mother because the little shit fell off the back of the couch; which he was sitting on after being told numerous times not to and to get down; and broke his left arm right about the elbow. He is currently at the one of the children’s hospitals awaiting surgery to pin the bone back together. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep either and so I am working on about 2 hours sleep here folks. Help a brother out and don’t be too critical.

Now on with the show…..

1. What is your occupation right now? Environmental Loss Prevention Consultant.

2. What color are your socks right now? Blue, I think, or maybe black. It was early and I still had eye boogers in and so I couldn’t really tell.

3. What are you listening to right now? I am switching between Andre Bocelli and smooth jazz, depending on what CDs are in the truck at the time.

4. What was the last thing that you ate? A cheese sandwich and cold spaghetti at 3AM this morning. I don’t usually eat at night like that but when I couldn’t sleep, I got hungry.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Hell yes, I learned how to drive on a farm.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My stepson- giving him an update of LB’s condition.

7. How old are you today? Fortyish….approaching fiftyish.

8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Hockey or football

9. What is your favorite drink? Diet Coke or ice cold beer. Depends on the time of day.

10. Favorite food? Pizza, a good piece of grilled meat, and anything spicy.

11. What is the last movie you watched? The end of Live Free or Die Hard, at 4AM this morning.

12. Favorite day of the year? The day after thanksgiving.

13. How do you vent anger? I cuss, I storm around and sulk, I take a drive, or focus on doing things around the house or yard, if the weather or time of day permits.

14. What was your favorite toy as a child? Hmmmm, I really can’t remember, I had a G.I.Joe, but mine didn’t have the kung Fu grip. Baseball stuff, my bike, living in a small rural town, I played outside a lot and spent a lot of time in the woods and at the creeks.

15. What is your favorite season? Fall

16. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries, but if it would have been a choice between Cherries and blackberries, blackberries win hands down.

17. Who is least likely to respond? I don’t know since I really only have about 3 or 4 regular readers.

18. Living arrangements? I live with my wife L, her daughter T, and T’s son LB. I also have my kids J and A one night a week and every other weekend. We also have a 16 yr old Lab/rott mix.

19. When was the last time you cried? I don’t remember.

20. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes and an old army footlocker filled with scouting memorabilia.

21. What did you do last night? Hung out at the house, watched a move with my kids till they went to bed, went through bills and junk mail, and then didn’t sleep after L went to the hospital. Watched history channel and movies till I finally fell asleep.

22. What are you most afraid of? Being alone and unloved.

23. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheeseburgers with pepperjack cheese.

24. Favorite dog breed? English bulldogs.

25. Favorite day of the week? Friday, I am wrapping things up and have two days of freedom.

26. How many states have you lived in? 3, MO, IL, and IA. If you count going to geology field camp in Utah for 6 weeks living, then the answer would be 4.

27. Diamonds or pearls? Being a geologist, I do know a thing or two about gemstones. I would have to say emeralds, or blue sapphires. They are much more rare than diamonds, when they are flawless. I also like brilliant aquamarines and topaz. Diamonds when they are cut right and flawless are beautiful and unique, but I agree with Vixen Kitten, when every gangsta wannabe is putting in their teeth or in their ears, just to show off how much money they don’t have, then it really cheapens the affect.

28. What are your favorite flowers? Irises. My grandmother had a huge bed of them in all different colors and I always loved the contrast between the flowers and the green bladed plant.

Five things most people would never guess about you:

1. I only have one eye. I have a prosthetic right eye, which brings a whole new meaning to the phase I use a lot: “blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other one.”

Long story short, I had a tumor in my eye as a baby, ( determined to be a birth defect) and had my eye removed at 9 months. I have grown up with it and so it doesn’t really affect me except that I cant watch 3D movies and get the full affect.

2. I can rummage through any pantry, kitchen cabinet, or refrigerator and come up with enough spices, staples, etc, to make a killer dinner on a moments notice.

3. People tend to view me as a big oafish type person, given my size and demeanor. They are usually surprised to find out that I am probably smarter then they are which in turn pisses them off.

4. I am a very sexual person and have been all my life.

5. I flunked algebra in high school and college. It took me 3 times to get a D in college and I took it a ran. Even though I have a BS and MS in Geology and a minor in Chemistry, I suck at math.

And Now for Something Completely Different

2009-07-09T14:33:00.006-05:00

I am not too good at the technical aspects of this blog thing, so I haven't figured out how to embed the video directly into the blog. Hints are welcome in the comments section...LOL

Anyway, this is hilarious and totally inappropriate, but very timely with the passing of the King of Pop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyTBXzfQJ8

ENJOY

What I Am Thankful For

2009-07-08T08:36:00.004-05:00

I occurred to me that I have been usually crabby lately and have spent alot of time venting my frustrations with others through this blog. While it is the main reason that I started this, I may have left some with the impression that I am jaded, mean, and unfulfilled in my life. In an effort to change that, I offer a glimpse of those things that make me happy and thankful.

My wife - L is truly my soulmate. She puts up with my bitching and complaining, but always has a smile and a kiss for me. She touches me like no other woman I have ever been involved with. She and I are both very compatible in private.

My kids - J and A, are miracles to me. Having adopted them from Russia, I treasure every moment I am with them, even though they drive me crazy and I complain that they are ungrateful and unappreciative of what I do for them. J is finally starting to get it, and while he does bitch about doing some chores, he does them. I just have to pay him a small allowance....LOL A is very active but finds it hard to entertain herself. She is in constant need of attention and an audience for her life. I worry sometimes that there is something more going on there but I keep telling myself that I left when she was very young and that has scarred her. It is my job to make sure that the scars heal and don't leave any lasting impressions.

L's kids are also important to me. They define who she is and while I don't agree with their lifestyles most of the time, without them, she wouldn't be her. I am slowly inching into the role of grandpa, which I never expected to be in at such a young age.

My job - I love my job. I don't dread coming to work, I don't dread getting up in the morning etc. There are slow times, but when I am busy, it is frantic and harried.

Scouting - I have been involved in scouting since I was 8 years old. Except for a period during college when I was not very active, I have been in Scouting for 40 years. During that time, I have been and seen many wonderful things, experienced opportunities, and accomplished much. I am an Eagle Scout. I am a Vigil Honor member of the Order of The Arrow. I went to Yellowstone at 12 for a 3 week camping trip. I went to Canada at 15 for a 2 week canoe trip. Currently, I am involved with J's scout troop and am also a member of an Eagle Scout Board of Review.

Friends - I have many friends, some lifelong, some recent, some good, some just acquaintances. I have friends that I haven't seen in 10 years, but still get the occasional phone call or email from that I know I can call in a pinch and they would be there for me. I have friends in all walks of life that I can call on for advice and counsel any time without any fear that I am taking advantage of them and they know that they can do the same of me. Friendships are important to me.

There are more things, trivial things which I will expand upon later, but I hope this gives you a picture of me, that isnt so distorted by all of my rantings and ravings.

TMI Tuesday #194

2009-07-07T09:17:00.002-05:00

1. Where was the first place you ever had sex?

In the front seat of my moms 69 Mecuary Couger on Senior Prom Night. We were in the wood along a country road.

2. How often do you lie?

Occasionally, usually to save me the trouble of having to explain something in great detail and it still ending up being misunderstood or not believed.

3. If you could only be one, would you rather be smart or good looking?

Definately smart. Looks will only get you so far, and while all the Hollywood types make millions with their looks, when their looks are gone, what to they have left? Smarts enables you to turn any situation into an advantage for you.

4. Have you ever passed out or suffered memory loss from drinking too much?

Yes, Pepe Lopez and I had a very bad encounter one night on a camping trip. I passed out and woke up to find the floor around my bunk littered with firecracker paper. I was told later that some of my friends, who arrived late, decided to toss firecrackers under my bed in a effort to wake me up. IT DIDNT WORK.

5. Top or bottom?

Definately bottom... I like having more control that way and can be deeper and last longer.

Bonus: Do you have any catalogs for toys/videos/lingere delivered to your home?

No we dont currently, but sure would like to get some....Wink Wink Nudge Nudge.....

THe Week/Weekend In Review - Part 2

2009-07-02T08:26:00.003-05:00

OK, so I didn't get back to this post the following day like I promised. SORRY.

When we last left our fearless hero, he was crabby, tired, covered in bug and tick bites from his days at camp, and dealing with two crabby kids and a spoiled, rotten little shit of a grandson.

As we were running errands, L overheard my son say something about going to a movie later in the day. I had told him and his sister that we might, since it was so bloody hot and they weren't able to really play outside. L suggested that I do that, in order to keep my kids and the little bastard away from each other and restore peace and harmony to the world.

So we get home, L and I begin to clean the house and get things ready for the b-day party on Sunday. At 4, I take my kids to the movies, as previously discussed. We get home about 630 and L is in a mood. When I finally get her to open up, she informs me that she has been stuck home all day cleaning house while I have been out at the movies and no one bothered to ask her if she wanted to go. Now I will admit that it was an oversight on my part to not ask her, but I assumed by her earlier comment that she didn't really want to go. On top of this, the step daughter, SH1 and the little bastard are gone and have not lifted a finger to help with any of the party preparations. I told L that I was sorry she got stuck cleaning the house and if her "fucking daughter" would get off her ass and help, she wouldn't have had to do it all by herself. WRONG THING TO SAY, I know, but it is what it is.

Needless to say, Saturday evening was a bit chilly in the house.

Sunday, I got up, went outside bright and early and spent about 4 hours mowing, trimming, and generally getting things spruced up around the outside of the house. L had to run to check on her mom and was gone about 4 hours and so when she got back, it was a frenzy to get things finalized for the party. Fortunately, it was just family, and if things were half done, then who cares. We had homemade lasagna, pasta house salad (it is a STL thing), and homemade cheesecake (I made 2 and L made 1).

All in all, it wasn't too bad. The grandsons fought the entire time, which is typical, their parents didn't pay alot of attention to them, which is typical, except to yell at them like a Hoosier in the middle of the yard. But the surprising thing is that when all was said and done, stepdaughter actually thanked us in her own, impersonal way, by texting.....

WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

TMI Tuesday #193

2009-06-30T11:11:00.003-05:00

1. How many speeding tickets have you had? I use to get one about every 6 months, but it has been awhile. Now I seem to get tickets for running stoplights with those video camera recording devices. Fucking big brother..... Accidents? Two while in college (not my fault), 4 or 5 in the last 25 years,

2. Boxers, briefs or commando? Depends on my mood.

3. Have you ever had sex in your office or your place of employment? Yes

4. Do you or your so own a motorcycle? Do you ever ride one? Do you wear a helmet when you ride? I dont do motorcycles anymore. I use to do the mini-bike thing when i was a kid, but learned pretty quickly that, with my limited field of vision, I need all the protection I can get around me and bikes just dont offer that.

5. Ever been skinny dipping? Yes and got caught

Bonus: Ever been arrested? Turned someone in/had someone arrested? No to the first part, and depending on how the stepdaughter and SH1 do in the coming week, that second part might be on the very near horizon.

THe Week/Weekend In Review - Part 1

2009-06-29T08:30:00.002-05:00

Wow, is it Monday again?

Last week seemed like it lasted forever, but now it is finally over.

Monday - My son, who was at scout camp, celebrated his 11th birthday. Being the good dad, I took the afternoon off and drove to Camp and brought the boys cake and ice cream to help him celebrate. He was very appreciative, but was also very upset that I wasn't planning on staying the night at camp with him. I had previously told him that I would be down on Thursday to spend the remainder of the week with him. He cried, but finally accepted the fact that he would be OK without me.

Tuesday/Wednesday - WORK WORK WORK

Thursday - Got up early, packed the truck and headed to scout camp. I arrived about 1030 and the boys were still at their classes. Settled in and immediately began to sweat. IT is 95 degrees in the frigging shade and not a breeze in sight. On top of that, the ticks are so bad that they are falling from the trees like raindrops. The day was spent sitting under what little shade was available and drinking lots of water. Parents came down in the evening for a visit and the Order of the Arrow ceremony. Got to listen to the ex bitch about how long it took to drive down and how many times my daughter complained about being hungry.

Friday- Another day at camp.... still hot, still lots of bugs.

Saturday - We left camp. The good thing is that we got things packed up and cleaned up so that we were out the door by 930. Arrived home and the daughter immediately threwing a fucking fit about not wanting to come home with me for the weekend, like she was suppose to. I am getting so tired of ungrateful children, always ME ME ME.....

She finally calmed down after about an hour of screaming and then falling asleep. L and I were trying to get things together for the b-day party for the stepdaughter and seemingly disagreeing on everything. On top of that, the stepdaughter and SH1 went out Friday night and got shitfaced and then slept till noon. Guess who ended up watching the little bastard....

It was hot, the kids were crabby, I was crabby and tired, you can guess where this is going...... Part two tomorrow.

TMI Tuesday #192

2009-06-23T08:47:00.009-05:00

1. Would you stay in a loveless relationship for the amazing sex? No, I have found the without the love, there really isnt amazing sex.

2. If you could only have one, which would you choose: love that lasts forever or great, body numbing sex? I want them both and have them now. Not planning on giving either of them up.

3. Looking back at your past loves, which one should you have married/taken back and who should you have tossed earlier than you did? I should have realized some of my previous relationships were based only on sex and lust and not true love. I also should have realized and trusted that I could find someone who truly loved and desired me and not stayed on in the relationship out of a misguided sense of being alone.

4. if you had one last fuck in you where, how and who would you “give it” to? Not sure.....LOL L and I both have our "TO DO LIST". Those people who, if we ever got the chance we would have a free pass. But realistically, it would be L.

5. Which is more important sex, money, love and happiness? (and no, you can’t pick’em all) This sounds totally shallow and not at all like me, but I would say money. Money can buy you happiness, or at least help you enjoy life more. Money can buy you sex obviously. As for money buying you love, I doubt that can really be the case, but I am sure there is someone out who could attest to it. Sorry the scientist in me looking for the most practical and pragmatic answer.

Happy TMI!!

Traveling for Work

2009-06-18T08:05:00.004-05:00

Well it has been a long week here in Chicago and I am still not done.

I use to relish traveling for work. The chance to see new place, sights, eat and experience new food, people watch, etc. Granted, my profession hasn't typically granted me the opportunity to travel to the worlds hot spots, but I have seen my fair share of the country.

Typically, and when I say that, I mean in my previous employment positions, I would be in a rural area or on the outskirts of the bigger cities. Typically, my time was spent drilling holes, collecting samples, observing or auditing the environmental aspects of a business or property. My people watching usually was limited to the locals in the area, the employees of the business, and if it was a gas station, the occasional customer. Food experiences were usually whatever chain restaurant was in the area. This was primarily due to the limited expense account that my tight ass bosses would restrict us to. Sightseeing was rarely ever an option, unless we were required to stay over the weekend and into the next week. Lets face it, there ain't alot to see and do in Dubuque, Iowa or Sioux Falls, SD.

When my career took a turn the end of 2007, I was given an opportunity to expand my horizons and see some thing, do things, and experience the better side of work-related travel. Don't get me wrong, I still have budget constraints, but I don't have to stay in Super 8 or Motel 6's anymore. I get a decent amount of money for meals and incidentals, and typically, I am staying in the heart of the downtown area. This does have it's drawbacks, since I am typically limited to mass transit and not allowed to have a car for my own transportation. But we all have to make sacrifices.

This week has been somewhat of the exception to the norm, lately. I am stuck in downtown Chicago with little opportunity to explore. Admittedly, this is my own fault, since I am nursing a bum foot (blister) that has caused me alot of trouble getting to and from the office from the hotel. I have friends in Chicago that I would love to see, but they all live in the burbs and some have plans for this week in the evenings. A 2 hour train ride for an hour visit is not really worth the trouble.

So I sit in the hotel, watch TV, chat online and the phone and make the best of it. The phone calls have been a welcome respite to the mundane. THANK YOU (you know who you are). I had dinner with my ex brother in law ( he was married to my ex's sister) last night, who drove in from the burbs. It was nice to see him, but damn the man has problems. I honestly don't know how he is getting by. Two houses, been out of work since March, no prospects for employment. It sucks to be him. Oh well, he seems much happier than I remember him being. I guess he has decided to not worry about stuff anymore and just take it as it comes.

Tomorrow is my last day in town and I will be so glad to get back home. Not sure if I will be able to post before next week, so if I don't; Y'all have a good weekend.

TMI Tuesdays # 191

2009-06-16T14:45:00.003-05:00

Have you ever

1. been married? Yes

2. been divorced? been remarried? Yes and Yes

3. had sex at a wedding reception? No, but I wish I could be so lucky.

4. had sex with someone you first met at a wedding or wedding reception? No, again, if I could be so lucky, although at the first wedding I went to with L, I did get to bang the mother of the groom....(it was her son's wedding)

5. given a a toast to the bride and groom? Yes, but i was too drunk to remember it afterwards.

Bonus (as in optional): What is the funniest thing you've seen or done at a wedding? One of the groomsmen, walking across a raised dais to his seat and just walking right off the end of it with a plate of food. He didn't get hurt, but it was a classic move.

Bonus II (as in optional): What is the best toast for the wedding couples? Congratulations to K and J.. LETS FEED. The author of that bit of wisdom is now a practicing physician. Scary.....

SWEET HOME CHICAGO

2009-06-15T13:03:00.002-05:00

At least for this week. I am working from our downtown Chicago office this week, covering for my ex-boss, who resigned a few weeks back.

Got in last night and still getting acclimated to the place. Probably going to be sporadic posts this week, but if anyone who reads this is from this area; drop me a note with tips, suggestions of things to do, or just let me know if you want to grab a beer or two or three....

Finally Friday

2009-06-12T10:32:00.002-05:00

The end of a long and relatively uneventful week....FINALLY.

It has been quiet at both work and home with very slight momentary lapses into chaos, usually attributed to the grandson or my kids.

L's new job is going well, although i do miss our daily email conversations. Typically, we would exchange 10-20 emails daily, conversing back and forth about anything and everything. Sometimes the email exchange would escalate into an argument, at which point one of us would just say, enough and end the conversation by not responding anymore.

Her new job keeps her so busy that she barely has time to send me a one line email. She is grateful for being so busy and she has already impressed the hell out of her bosses for being so efficient in her duties. But she only gets 1/2 hour for lunch, and limited time to email, so we are both kind of going through withdrawals for not being able to stay in touch as much as we use to.

This will only be compounded next week when I am in Chicago and not able to be in touch with her until either early in the mornings or in the evenings.

Weekend is shaping up to be another busy one with my kids. My son's birthday is coming up in another week, so to provide equal representation on the b-day party front, we are having his party tomorrow afternoon. Not much, other than family, food, and presents. He will actually be at Boy Scout Camp on his birthday and I am planning on driving down with a cake and ice cream to surprise him and his troop.

Between baseball, b-day party, packing, mowing, laundry, and all the other shit that usually crops up on the weekends, I may not getting any sleep until Sunday night. Maybe going to Chicago is a blessing in disguise......Nah, just a chance for me to catch up on my sleep.

Have a great weekend all........

Road Trip

2009-06-11T13:55:00.003-05:00

Summer is suppose to be a time for things to slow down at work, enjoying the slower pace of life, taking off early, and generally being less productive. YEAH RIGHT... when monkey's fly out of butt.

So far this summer I have 2 trips to Chicago scheduled, 1 trip to NYC, 1 trip to Iowa, and potentially 1 trip to Colorado and West Virginia. These are all overnight trips of at least 2 days or more. And it isn't counting the possible inclusion of day trips to sites around the 150 mile radius from StL.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind traveling for work. I love my job and the field work has always been the main reason for my career choice. My biggest complaint is the restrictions that the company puts on travel these days. It isn't like the old days in private consulting, when I would have to share a room with another person, eat bologna sandwiches and Ramon noodles all week to make a little extra on the per Diem check. But being in downtown Chicago, all week, without the benefit of a car? I know there are alot of things to do downtown. I know that I am not going to be bored. But I have friends in the burbs, and to ask them to come downtown in the middle of the week is probably not in the cards.

Several of the trips, I will likely have a co-worker along with me. That isn't always a bad thing. Just makes the trip seem longer.

Oh well, if you live in any of the areas I will be traveling to, drop me a note, maybe we can enjoy a drink or two. Beats sitting in a hotel room eating cold pizza and watching Sportscenter.

MY BRAIN HURTS

2009-06-10T13:59:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhGEMJQps3E

TMI Tuesdays

2009-06-09T08:19:00.003-05:00

Have you ever...

1. had sex with someone ten years older or younger than you?

Yes, I was in college and use to run around with my cousin and his wife, who worked at a radio station. A woman who worked at the radio station, doing traffic use to come around alot and hang with us. She invited me to a station only party at my cousins' house and we ended up going to a x-rated movie together than back to her house for an all night session. I think I was about 22 at the time and she was probably in her early to mid 40's.

2. drawn from a nude model or been a nude model?

Nope

3. had sex at a company Christmas party?

Tried once, but no.

4. had a blind date?

Yes and it was a lousy experience.

5. slept with a teacher?

NO, but had alots of thoughts about several....LOL

Bonus (as in optional): had sex with someone within an hour of meeting them?

If you qualify it by saying, within one hour of meeting them in person then the answer is several. If you have to count chatting online with them first, then the anwer is no.

Weekend Update

2009-06-08T11:24:00.004-05:00

All in all, the weekend was mediocre at best. What started out as a potential huge weekend, fizzled out to just an average affair.

Friday, L and I, along with the stepson and his wife, went to the Rascal Flats concert. We had lawn seats, in amongst all the teeny bopper gals in babydoll dress and cowboy boots, the young cowboy wanna-Be's in their Wranglers, Levi's, boots and goat roper hats, and then all the toothless hilljacks who took advantage of a Friday night in the big city.

The seats were in the middle high up on the hill, and not too bad, until some young, drunk, dipshits decided to fight over some girl and ended up falling into L and I. Damn near broke her glasses and gave her a headache the rest of the night.

Then following the concert, it took us an hour and half to get out of the parking lot, the entire time all of us needing to pee like racehorses. We finally got home about 2 1/2 hours after the concert ended.

Saturday was suppose to be a day of excitement. We had plans to meet another couple on Saturday night for dinner, drinks, and fun. We had communicated with her during the week via phone and text, but we had trouble reaching them Saturday morning. We finally got a very curt email from him about 1 saying that they guessed we were just playing them and that they thought they had found some genuine people that weren't into playing games. What bullshit. I was so pissed that i couldn't see straight. Which caused my scientific mind to begin to theorize about all the reasons for their abrupt cancellation and mis-informed opinion.

The most plausible explanation that i came up with is that she never told him that we had contacted them or called and he decided, without benefit of all the information, that we were blowing them off. I did email him back and told him of our contact with her and even called his cell phone and left a message to the same effect. But needless to say, our plans for the evening got dramatically changed and I was in a funk for the rest of the day. L chalked it up to experience and said that in her previous life, this happened all the time and you just have to accept it and move on.

Sunday we slept in, had breakfast out ( I don't recommend the breakfast buffet at Sweet Tomatoes; highly over priced), took the other stepson and grandson to the store, got some stuff for my son's scout camp trip, grocery shopping for us, and finally back home to do laundry and relax.

Between laundry and cleaning up the house, not much relaxing was done until after 9PM.

OH WELL.. another weekend comes and goes...

Finally Friday

2009-06-05T14:06:00.002-05:00

The waiting is over. L is officially out of Africans-R-Us and she got her last paycheck without any of the usual grousing or whining by them to hold on to it till Monday. They even through here a party and gave her a nice parting gift (purse).

I must admit that i am pleasantly surprised at the outcome of this episode. I really thought that we were gonna have to go to war with them to get her last check and to have them be decent human beings about her leaving their company.

Naturally, she is upset by the whole episode. She feels, to some degree, that she is betraying friends and acquaintances. I keep telling her to remind herself of the bullshit and heartache they caused her over the years and how she was so stressed as to whether the door would be pad-locked or the checks would bounce.

The funny thing is that they have actually asked her if she would be interested in helping them out during a busy period right now, by providing some word processing support. I am thinking contract position, hourly as needed, 4 hour minimum, at the rate she was making at least, and able to work from home in the evenings. Christmas club account might get a whole lot larger.

So now that the drama of today is over, we can focus on the weekend. We are going to the Rascal Flats concert tonight and then who knows what the rest of the weekend will bring. Lots of sex I hope.

Voyeuristic Tendancies - ROLLCALL

2009-06-04T10:22:00.005-05:00

Since I am relatively new to the blogging world, I am fascinated by the amount of information and the number of folks who lay their souls out there for all to see.

Curiosity has always gotten the best of me and so I read and surf with abandon, seeking the details and diversions of others. But like I mentioned in a previous post, under the same title, this leaves me with even more questions and a desire for more knowledge and curiosity.

I have noticed that some people get rather irritated with someone reading their blog if they do not acknowledge their presence. While this seems odd to me, the more I contribute to this venue, the more I become curious about those who are reading me.

I have followers, and I appreciate them all and their acknowledgment that they regularly pay me visits. I get comments, thanks Samsmamma and VK for your regular contributions.

So in an effort to find out who is "stalking" me, I enlisted the help of Samsmamma to add a site meter. OK... I am a dumbass when it comes to computer programming. I know rocks, and dirt, and soil, and water. Not code.... After a few emails back and forth, I got it. I can see the origin and location of the followers, but little else.

So now my simple request and question is this. Please drop me a comment, tell me what you think, and where your from. I promise I will take all comments in stride and if you like what you read and want to know more, please sign up as a follower.

Be talking to you.

TMI Tuesdays

2009-06-02T05:44:00.002-05:00

1. What was the last movie you saw on a date?

Before I was married, it was Blood Diamond.

2. What was the last meal you had on a date?

Pasta at my favorite Italian restaurant in St Louis.

3. When was the last time you made out in the car on a date? More?

It has been a long time; high school probably so i don't remember alot of details.

4. Using a dating websites do you think you are more likely to find a "hook up" or a relationship?

Both. I have found hook ups, dates, and L on a dating website; although the hook up out number the real dates by far....LOL

5. Do you have any special "first" date rituals? Flowers, certain restaurant, ect.

Nice restaurant, something that we both enjoy doing that doesn't require a lot of inane chat, unless that is how things go.

BONUS QUESTION: Do you believe in sex on the first date? Can a relationship bloom if you have sex on the first date?

If both people want it, sex on the first date can be very exciting. There is the whole unknown variable that plays into the situation and exploring each other is so much more exciting.

As for can a relationship blossom, I don't know. My experience have been mixed.

And The WInner Is??????

2009-06-01T10:17:00.002-05:00

L officially resigned from Africans-R-Us today and has accepted the position with the new company, starting next Monday.

We wrote her resignation letter last night at home. I took extra pleasure in getting in a dig about how they under utilized her experience and education. Here is a snippet:

I have accepted a position with a firm in the area that will allow me to fully utilize my education and my 20+ years of administrative and secretarial expertise.

A very diplomatic way of saying; you fuckers are too damn dumb or just prejudice against letting a non-African (i.e., Nigerian) have any level of responsibility in your company.

So when she handed them the letter this morning, after cleaning off her computer of all her personal info and selectively saving some documents for potential future litigation, she handed the letter to her supervisor. At first she was OK with it. I had told L several months ago that they will probably be relieved when she leaves, since they will be able to hire someone who is less intelligent, less responsible, and someone that they can control more easily.

After the initial reaction, then the climate turned cold, with her supervisor turning totally indignant about L staying extra hours this week to train the boss's daughter to cover the front desk. She also basically told her that she would probably only need her to work her regular 24 hours this week, rather than 40. Now go figure....they want her to do her regular job, plus train the boss's daughter in 24 hours of actual work time. But this is their typical modus operandi. They are so self-absorbed and want to control everyone, they will cut their noses off to spite their face.

So it remains to be seen if she will work more hours this week or keep the same schedule she has had for the 1st 6 months of this year. And the big question remains... will they try to screw her over on her check on Friday.

More to come as it progresses.

Dilemna

2009-05-29T10:47:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I was excited that L had gotten a new job offer and she was going to be able to leave the Nigerians and go to work at a more stable, (i.e., legal) business.

Well, guess who decided to throw a monkey wrench into the mix. They (i.e., Kamalla and her minions) presented L with a letter, re-instating her to full time, effective monday. On top of that, Kamalla announced that she has decided to retire at the end of the year and she had every intention of training L to take over her role at the firm.

What is wrong with this picture? L could do her job blindfolded right now. The woman can't speak english properly (it is her second or third language after all) and she writes like a third grader with ADD. She is constantly skirting the edge of illegality when it comes to labor law violations and there is pretty strong circumstancial evidence that she has violated immigration laws by falsly sponsoring others from the homeland to come over here under the guise of having a job and legitimate need for their skills, even though they couldn't find their asses with both hads if they had too.

So bottom line, L is in a quandry, she can accept the new position, which is further from home along the major interstate highway, nee traffic jams and bullshit; or she could stay at Tribal Industries, and keep doing her job, with the hope of some day moving into a more responsible role.

The money is a wash at this point.
Benefits are better at the other place in the short term.
Advancement potential is probably better where she is at now, provided the bastards aren't lying through there teeth again.
Work is more challenging and to her liking at the current place. At the new place she will be basically an accounting clerk.

My advice to her is ask for more money at the new place (likely less than a dollar more an hour). All they can do is say no.

Regardless of which job she takes, she does have one trump card up her sleeve. She has at least 2 other headhunters that are actively seeking an opportunity as an executive secretary for her (she has done this in the past), and both have said that she is at the top of their placement list. Now, if you can believe a headhunter, (much like you can believe the Nigerians), then if the right job comes along, she can tell either place to pound sand and accept what is behind Door #3.

Guess what we get to do all weekend? Stew about this situation and decide what to do come Monday morning. Who will win and who will lose? Stay tuned for another exciting episode of "Whats L's New Job?

Thankful Thursday

2009-05-28T09:48:00.003-05:00

YIPPEE, HURRAH, Abso-freaking-lutley AWESOME.

L got a job offer today and is going to accept.

No more working with the Nigerian con men.

No more worrying about whether the stupid asses will make payroll on time or whether they check will even clear the bank when it is deposited.

No more sleepless nights, and crabby mornings, dreading the thought of having to go into to a job where she is unappreciated, under-utilized, and discriminated against because she is not from "mother africa".. What a load of shit.

Now the challenge becomes, how will they try to screw her over when she resigns. Me thinks a trip to the U. S. Attorney's office might be in order.

And Now for Something Completely Different

2009-05-27T13:31:00.003-05:00

TMI Tuesdays

2009-05-26T08:56:00.002-05:00

I see alot of the bloggers that i follow using this feature, so I decided to unceremoniously plagerize their idea and use it too.

Enjoy.....

1. Before the industrial revolution, most people never traveled more than 30 miles from their home. How far from your birth place do you now live?

I currently live about 120 miles from where I was born and about 100 miles from where I grew up. Even though the two towns are about 80 miles apart from each other.

2. What is the farthest distance from home you have you have ever had sex or an orgasm? What is there farthest distance you have traveled from your home to have a sexual encounter?

I think the furthest I have traveled and had sex is probably Germany, during one of my trips to Russia to adopt my children. Hey, it was a hotel room, and you have to take advantage of it. Only reason I can not say Russia is that when traveling there, we were traveling with another couple and quartered in a very small 2 bedroom apartment.

The furthest I have traveled from home for a sexual encounter would have to be about 250 miles.

3. How many states (or Canadian Provences or your country's geopolitical division) and counties have you had sex and/or an orgasms in?

To many to count. I have been to nearly all 50 states, canada, and europe.

4. Have you ever had sex in a vehicle? While the vehicle was moving?

I've had sex in a motor home! But it wasn't moving. I have also had sex in a car while it was not moving. I am still waiting for the moving part. L keeps promising, but hasn't come across yet....LOL

5. Do you have any travel related fantasy? If so, share, please.

L and I want to go to Hawaii and make love on the beach. Other than that, there are a few more that we haven't really discussed yet, but may someday soon.

TFGIF

2009-05-22T10:30:00.003-05:00

It is officially the beginning of summer. All the pundents and talking head on TV say so because it is Memorial Day Weekend. Not that I put too much stock into what any of these asshats have to say, but for once, I will go along with the teeming millions and agree.

So how do I spend the official first weekend of summer?

Golf, Beer, BBQ, Beer, Baseball, Beer, and generally being a slug and sitting around enjoying the weekend. We have friends coming to visit from Iowa, so we will show them the Big City, amongst all the beer drinking and other festivities.

Going to the Cards game on Sunday to see them whoop ass on the Royals (sorry Samsmomma, I had to get a dig in.)

I sincerely hope you all have a great weekend, buckle up, be safe, use the designated driver (even for the golf cart), and enjoy.

8 things about me

2009-05-19T08:34:00.004-05:00

Several weeks ago I was tagged by the Vixen Kitten. Now I am pretty new to this blogging stuff, so it is with some trepidation that I do this. So here is my take on the list of 8's.

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. THe holiday weekend.
2. Seeing old friends.
3. THe smell of L when she hugs and nuzzles my neck.
4. SPending time with my kids, even though they drive me crazy.
5. Bottleing my most recent batch of homebrew (Blackberry Wheat. It is an experiment that could go horribly wrong or be fantastic.
6. Harvesting veggies from the garden.
7. making love to L.
8. A quiet weekend at home without any commmittments or unexpected issues.

8 things I did yesterday:
1. worked.
2. Fought with L.
3. Helped clean the kitchen.
4. Made up with L.
5. RCame to an understanding about my own insecurities and fears.
6. Took a walk for my own health and well being.
7. It was a slow day for me.

8 things I wish I could do:
1. Not worry about finances so much.
2. Change someones job, so they didn't have to put up with some much BS.
3. GO on a long vacation with L and without being bothered by irresponsible adult children.
4. Never have to worry about my kids being safe and healthy.
5. Go back to Russia with my children and show them where they were adopted.
6. Be more understanding and tolerant.
7. Win Powerball
8. Have the luxary of helpling those who need it the most, especially family, without it being a strain on us.

8 shows I watch: NCIS, ER, Food Network, Discovery CHannel, DIY network, History CHannel, Weather, MOvies.

8 People I'm tagging:

1. VK
2. Samsmomma
3. Southern Vixen
4. Frank

Sorry I dont have a lot of friends.....LOL

Voyeuristic Tendancies

2009-05-18T09:28:00.003-05:00

I admit it, I am a voyeur. I love to watch, read, talk, and observe the human nature. Increasingly, I find myself surfing the blogosphere in search of interesting and revealing stories and accounts from others.

Part of my fascination is the whole, wanting to know how the other half lives thing. Part of is is wanting to imagine myself in their shoes; and part of it is me just being nosy. I suppose all true voyeurs are nosy people. Why else would they be that way. They want to see how others react to a situation. What they say and talk about.

The frustrating part of my voyeuristic tendencies is that I am a scientist. I have an analytical mind, which always gets me into trouble. It is always asking questions. Always seeking answers. This is a good and bad thing for a voyeur.

Example..... Blog XYZ discusses the most recent sexual adventures of a couple. They routinely travel to other cities to participate in adventures with "friends with benefits". Sometimes together, sometimes separate. While the discussion and review of their adventures is interesting and satisfies some of the voyeuristic tendencies, it also raises questions.

How did they originally meet?

How long have they known one another?

What was the initial attraction, other than the obvious?

How do they explain their adventures to other "white bread" friends?

What is the whole process for deciding to travel to another city, somewhere across the country for a meeting?

Don't get me wrong, I am not being judgemental at all. I am just trying to understand. I think of myself as a pretty open and honest person. Able to talk at length on most any subject, not afraid to shy away from controversial subjects, and I am willing to freely disclose personal information, if I am sure that I can trust the person with the information.

But having said that, I am also very private with strangers. I will withhold certain information from people if I don't feel they need to know. Once I am more comfortable with them, then i might share.

So my question to you, dear readers is this:

Am I asking for too much information? Should I just be happy and content knowing what I know and accept the fact that I won't or don't get to know the whole story?

Comments.

And Now for Something Completely Different

2009-05-14T11:35:00.004-05:00

Sayings

2009-05-13T12:53:00.002-05:00

I grew up in rural Missouri, pretty much on the edge of the Ozarks and the Bootheel area. So I have been exposed to any number of genetically challenged individuals, whom I collectively refer to as "toothless hilljacks". Most of them are pretty good folks, given there circumstances of life, and lack of opportunity for social and economic advancement.

Having grown up around these people, some of which are my relations, albeit distant, I began to pick up on the local jargon and sayings that were passed down from generation to generation. Most of them included the age old saying that we all learned as children (i.e., a penny saved is a penny earned; a stitch in time saves nine... ) you get the idea.

But there were those rare occasions when someone would come up with something so completely offbeat or strange that it would stick and become part of the collective language. L just looks at me dumb-founded when I say one of these pearls of wisdom. It usually requires me to provide an explanation, which elicits further looks of confusion from her. But, in the long run, she continues to love me and put up with my faults.

It is with great pleasure that i bring to you several of my all time favorites.

(You/They) are slower than smoke off dog crap.

It is raining harder than a cow pissing on a flat rock.

You can want in one hand and crap in the other one. See which one fills up first.

People in HELL want ice water too, but they ain't getting it and neither are you.

I would appreciate if you could spread the word and encourage others to add their favorite sayings to the list. We can start a chain thingy (not sure what the blog term is for it).

Looking forward to hearing from you and reading the comments.

Cellphone Hell - Part Deux

2009-05-12T08:30:00.004-05:00

When we last left our intrepid adventurer, he was in search of a replacement cell phone, after having been chastised and belittled at the hands of the all-knowing, all-seeing Wicked Witch of the Device Service Center.

So, L and I get back into the truck and drive to the ATT store in our neighborhood. The whole drive, I feel like I need to be sitting on a hemorrhoid donut pillow, cause my ass is working button holes over the bullshit I just endured at the service center.

On the drive, L calmly asks me if I am going to go postal on the poor, unsuspecting customer service person at the store. I told her that I would remain calm and try to get some satisfaction out of his company, without disemboweling him.

We arrived at the store and after about a 10 minute wait, it was finally our turn. The nice young lad introduced himself, and after explaining my problem, we went to his computer to see if he could work some magic. After a few minutes of "hmmmmm and oooohhhing", he looked at me that said, " your fucked". Not really, but essentially that is what he meant.

As he put it:

I am not eligible for a free upgrade until December (Shit);
I don't have insurance on my phone (shit fuck shit);
The hag at the service center was correct, the manufacturer wont honor the warranty;
Seems the broken screens are the reason they don't even sell that model of phone anymore (LG Slide POS);
I can buy a new phone from them for $175 to get the same model (now why would I want to do that?);
I could buy any other phone in the store for full price (here comes the anal violation again);
He could hook me up with a basic, POS Nokia phone that looks like a kids toy for $40; (makes and receives calls and that is about it); or
I can go buy a Go Phone at one of the other retail establishments, slip my SIM chip into it, and viola, I have myself a new phone with the features I want, at least until December. ( hmmmm, getting a new phone and screwing the man at the same time.....)

Now Skippy didn't have to tell me this, cause it directly affects his commission, but he also is appreciative of the fact that the LG i had to buy last July out right and the LG has a design flaw which has caused it to break.

So after deciding to take Door #3 and get the Go Phone, Skippy transfers my info to a new SIM card so that i can insert it into the GO phone upon purchase. ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD AT THIS POINT, even though we have spent almost 2 hours getting to this point.

So it is off to Best Buy to talk to yet another pimply faced lad. I much waiting in line with the unwashed masses and toothless hilljacks that seemingly appear out of the woodwork on Sunday at this place, I am able to get the GO Phone. I purchase a Razr, just like L had, only a different color. No frigging way am I walking around with a Pink phone.

We swap the SIM card, power up the phone, and lo and behold, it recognizes the number and I am back in operation. Wait for it..........

Except, Skippy didn't transfer any or my address book to the SIM card, so now I have lost almost 200 numbers and contacts. FUCK FUCK FUCK.

Needless to say, it was Mother's Day, L's Mom was on her way to our house along with L's son and daughter-in-law, so we had to hustle home and BBQ. I would have rather went back to have a few words with Skippy but duty called. I was in a foul mood for the rest of the day, still having that violated feeling and even the six pack of Blue Moon with orange slices didnt do much to cheer me up. Oh well, live and learn from the experiences.

So if any of you has any bright ideas of how to recover numbers from a phone that you cant read the menu screen, I am all ears.

Have a nice day and as always comments are welcome.

Cellphone Hell - PArt 1

2009-05-11T13:15:00.003-05:00

It's Monday, but yesterday sure felt like a Monday. Fucking wireless phone service......

I have been having trouble with my phone lately, not wanting to sync to the bluetooth and other little foibles that are just irritating enough to piss you off from time to time, but not enough to do anything about. After consultation with the pimply faced customer service tech at the local ATT store, he told me that my bluetooth problems were phone related and not operator error. He said that since the phone was less than one year old, i am entitled to a new phone. All this took place last week in the middle of my whirlwind tour of the Midwest.

Fast forward to Sat afternoon. L and I are working in the yard; mowing, weeding, mulching, you know the typical domestic stuff we all end up doing on the weekends because we don't even have time to scratch our ass during the week.

So I go to make a call to the ex to discuss schedules for dropping off the kid's Moms day present for her and lo and behold, the fucking screen on the phone is totally roached. There are colorful squiggly lines and pixels just floating about. I know I am screwed, but all i did was take it out of the holster. I didn't drop it, throw it, or spill my drink on it (although i did drop my last phone into a glass of fruit smoothie....) So i call the customer support line and get Apu"s mother on the line to walk me through the adventure of swapping the phone for a new one. After a lengthy conversation of her talking and me asking her to repeat herself in plain English every other second, I finally have an answer. Take it to the local device support center on Sunday or wait 3-5 days for the dolts to ship me a new phone.

So Sunday morning rolls around, L and I embark on a trip to exchange the phone. We arrive at the site, which is about mid point across the STL metro area from our home, and we wait for them to open. Once they opened, we are greeted by three less than cheerful staff who look upon us like we have violated them anally for even walking in the door.

Once it was mine turn to step to the counter, i am greeted with a look that says, " what the fuck do you want white man and don't be getting into my shit today". I explain my problem to the nice lady, even though i want to bitch slap her across the room. I hand her my phone to look at the screen display and she immediately hands it back to me and says, " the screen is cracked and that is considered physical damage and we can not exchange it on warranty. If you want a replacement phone it will cost you $175.00". I asked how can you tell it is cracked and she points to a faint flicker of color in the very corner of the screen and says that is the crack. WTF

Now I am pissed, but L squeezes my hand to keep me from going postal on this woman and I ask a few simple questions about an appeal process or other alternatives to my dilemma. I get an attitude like, " you are holding up the line, Cracker, move on and let my homies in."

Needless to say, I am left with no phone, (i will be damned if I am paying this bitch full price), and decide to take my dilemma elsewhere.

Part 2 tomorrow.

Comments always welcome

Weary Traveler

2009-05-08T13:49:00.005-05:00

Good afternoon to you all. I am finally back in the office, able to get back into some sort of regular routine after a whirlwind tour of the midwest by car.

According to Hertz, when i turned my rental car in this morning, I have driven almost 1,300 miles since MOnday morning, when i picked it up. That includes a trip to southeastern Iowa and back to STL, driving around STL Tuesday evening and Wed morning, then driving to Coffeyville, KS on Wed afternoon and back to STL last night.

THe trips were all work related and it was good to be out of the office and back in the field again, even if it was only for a few days.

L and I missed each other terribly and tried to communicate when we could, between meetings, work, kids, and sleep. But it seems like I inverably end up traveling to one or more places in the midwest that is void of any reliable cell phone coverage. It is like in the TV commercials; you are talking to someone, and constantly moving around the room or the parking lot trying to find just the right spot to get a clear and uninterrupted signal. On top of that, I was having trouble with my new bluetooth and it just made matters worse.

So here I am in the middle of BFE, trying to talk to my wife, not getting a signal, leaving messages (both voice and text) for her, and then it taking an hour or more for her to respond. Needless to say, I am wondering WTF is going on. I tend to do that alot. Need to learn to control the emotions.

Anyway, finally got home last night at 1030, to yet another steaming pile of excrement from one of her family. Not that we have to do anything, but just the fact that her brother has gotten himself into trouble, yet again and she is upset, makes it tough on us. Somewhere, sometime in the last 26 months since we have been together, we got appointed mediators and intermediaries for every fucking family crisis. Well that shit ends today.....they can all go suck on a tailpipe for all I care. I am not going to have L or I stroking out from stress and high blood pressure simply because everyone else is either too dumb, self-centered, or selfish to take care of their own shit and expect us to help them out. FUCK THAT SHIT. YOU ARE ALL ON YOUR OWN NOW DAMMIT.

On a brighter note, L and I have the weekend to ourselves again. We are meeting a couple tonight for drinks and maybe more. Then have a wedding to go to tomorrow evening. Wish us luck.

TGIF, I think

2009-05-01T09:15:00.002-05:00

Friday, the day that we all look forward to from the beginning of the work week. The day that we can't wait to end, so that we can have Saturday and Sunday to goof off, sleep, eat, drink, and whatever else it is that we do on the weekends.

Today, I am exhausted. I have been on the go since last Thursday, with family activities, a work trip to the Nevada Desert, plane travel, evening activities every night since i got home, and a full weekend ahead of me with the kids.

On top of that, it is rainy here in STL, and it isn't suppose to get any better before next Thursday, and I have another week of business travel ahead of me next week. Then next week is Mother's Day, baseball games for the kids, and a wedding that L and I are attending. At least we can relax and get snookered at the wedding on Sat. night.

On the bright side, SH1 and the stepdaughter are planning on getting a house closer to his work so them and the spawn can live together. Hey, at least they are out of my house. I don't see it lasting, and he has already told her the condition numero uno is that she get off her ass and get a job to help with the bills. Spawn goes into to day care so he can learn some basic socialization skills and there will be limits on spending. Hooray for him. But I will believe it when i see it.

L and I plan on dancing through the house naked and re-christen every room when she is gone.

Until who knows when. Y'all have a good weekend.

Comments are always welcome.

Work'in for the Weekend

2009-04-24T10:25:00.003-05:00

Well it is Friday and it is gonna be one of those weekends. Non-stop, rock-em, sock-em action, with plenty of drinking to go along with it.

My daughter is celebrating her first communion on Sunday and my sister and brother in law are in town. Actually the party started yesterday with free tickets to see the Cards kick the Mets ass on a sunny afternoon at Busch. Nothing like free tickets.

The ex's family is also all coming in for it and there will be a big reception/party at her(my old) house on Sunday after Church. It will certainly be interesting. We generally get along, but this will be the first time her sister and brother will have met L.

In the meantime, we are having my sis and brother over for dinner tonight, they are going to decorate A's room with new curtains and matching linens. Tomorrow, we are going to go to the big farmers market and just hang out.

Sunday is the festivities and then I will have to do yard work and pack for my business trip on Monday to the desert of Nevada. Only redeeming thing about it is the night in Reno on Tuesday before coming home on Wed.

Hope you all have a glorious weekend.

As always, comments or emails are welcome.

Spring

2009-04-21T10:19:00.003-05:00

Well Spring has officially arrived in STL. It is nice during the week; sunny and warm and driving everyone cooped up in the office "batshit crazy". then the weekend rolls around and it frigging pours all day and night and you would think Noah was getting ready for start gathering the animals.

On top of all that, we have the whole hay fever bullshit to deal with. I did not use to be bothered by hay fever and allergies, but as I have so ungracefully aged, it feels like I have a bug crawling around in my nose and i go through these fits of sneezing and coughing up a lung every morning to clear my airways. Lovely sight, I know.

I am too stubborn and lazy to go to the doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Besides all those assholes what to do is keep you coming back every month or two for shots or a prescription refill for the full strength, kick in the ass, antihistamine. You know, the ones that you have to be fingerprinted and cavity searched to be able to buy. Thank you very fucking much, meth scum.

But instead, I will buy the cheap, diluted over the counter antihistamine and just double and triple up on those bad boys until my nose is so dry, i can blow sand out of it.

Ah Spring.....don't you just love it.

On a positive side, I do love spring and all the fashion changes that occur. NO I AM NOT GAY. I am a man who admires a nice pair of legs and feet. Spring brings out skirts, dresses, and sandals. Got to love the painted and sexy toes.

Comments?

When does it end?

2009-04-17T09:00:00.005-05:00

I pose this question to you.....

AT WHAT POINT DO YOU DECIDE THAT YOUR CHILD IS SO WORTHLESS AND BEYOND REDEMPTION THAT YOU CUT YOUR LOSSES AND KICK THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE.

SSDD

2009-04-16T13:32:00.004-05:00

Sorry for the short post. Been busier than a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest.

Enjoy the artwork.

And Now for Something Completely Different

2009-04-15T12:00:00.001-05:00

BOHICA

2009-04-15T09:56:00.002-05:00

BOHICA (BEND OVER, HERE IT COMES AGAIN)

It is that time of year....TAX DAY. Thankfully, ours has been done and over for several months and while we didn't get what we thought we were entitled to, at least we aren't stuck in line with the unwashed masses. making that last minute trip to the post office.

I am generally a political animal, having grown up in a family who was an active participant in the political process. My father is a former state legislator. I would classify myself as a Blue Dog Democrat; fiscally conservative, socially moderate. I do believe in the premise that everyone should earn their keep, but when the time comes, we need to be able to help a brother out.

What chaps my ass is all the fat cats who sit back on their asses, draw their millions in bonus and stock options, and then claim poor mouth to the IRS and come up with some creative accounting to justify why they don't owe any money. Everyone should pay their fair share. I don't mind paying my taxes for the services that i am provided. What i do mind is that i am footing the bill for someone else's services as well.

Anyway, enough of my rant today. Hope all of you enjoy the day and don't drink the Kool-aid today.

Comments?

Great Weekend

2009-04-14T14:21:00.002-05:00

We had a great weekend.

L and I had the house to ourselves for most of the weekend and we took advantage of it every opportunity we had.

Stepdaughter and the kid disappeared on Friday night and didnt return until Saturday afternoon. I was a bit pissed about that, but we had other plans for the evening anyway, so the timing was ok by me.

She called at 600PM to tell us that our income tax refund was in the mail. Like we were going to be able to do anything about it on a saturday night anyway. At that time, she wasnt sure what her and the spawn were going to do, but likely would be going over to SH1 house.

She was told that we would be going to a family function on Sunday and that we would be leaving the house no later than 11AM.

We got home Saturday night, and they were gone, we got up sunday morning and they werent home, we left sunday and went to the family function and they were nowhere to be found or heard from. We got home and they finally called. Would be home on monday morning. Went to SH1's famliy outing (the same one she was bitching about going to just 2 days earlier.

Needless to say, L and i got busy and took advantage of an empty house.

Oh and i started brewing beer again this past weekend. I have a batch of blackberry wheat beer cooking in the tub upstairs. Had to put it in the tub cause it kept blowing the top off the bucket and getting yeast and beer spooge all over the floor.

WIll let you know how it turns out, but I am optomistic that it will be a keeper recipe.

Comments?

Publish or Perish

2009-04-08T13:00:00.003-05:00

OK. Since i haven't been doing this whole blog that or very long, and I readily admit that I don't have all the finer points of "blogging" etiquette down; I have to say that some folks take this thing way too seriously.

IT IS JUST AN ONLINE DIARY OF YOUR LIFE, FOR FUCKS SAKE...

If you don't like people reading it, don't put it out there for the world to see.

Whew, that felt good.

The whole reason I got into blogging is because I am naturally curious about things. I am a voyeur by nature and a scientist by training. It comes natural to me to observe, read, observe some more. I also have this inherent ability to be able to pick up on peoples personality traits from a picture or only a few moments of conversation with them. It is a curse I know, but it can be fun.

Once in college, while living in the dorm, I challenged a couple of my floor mates to test me on my ability. They accepted the challenge since BEER was at stake, loser supplying a handy six to the winner.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the high school yearbooks appeared and the contest was one. My challenge was to look through the pictures of their high school yearbooks and tell them what kind of personality the person in the photo had.

To make it simple, we have 5 to 6 main categories:

Stoner
Jock
Nerd
Brainac (different from nerd in that they were smart and popular)
princess (for the girls)
tramp

The only other requirement was that we had to have independent verification that my guess was correct. I wasn't going to trust their opinions as to my guess, I'm not that damn dumb....

So after rounding up a fellow classmate, the game was on.

Two hours later, i was a case of beer richer, and they were alot wiser not to challenge my mental superiority.

Actually, it wasn't that hard, since they were all stoners themselves....LMAO.

How does this relate to blogging you ask? Like I said, i am curious and like to people watch. So it is pretty easy for me to tell when someone is being genuinely sincere in their blog or they are just putting out a lot of whiny ass bullshit for people to read cause they don't have the balls to speak up for themselves about it directly.

The second reason for blogging is that, being a scientist, I am always looking for alternatives and options to solve problems. The whole learn from experience method taken to the extreme. So if someone has had a similar experience to mine, and they blog about it, I might be able to use their situation to develop a way to resolve my own issue.

NAH, I am just a nosy SOB...

Have a nice day and comments are always welcome.

Who Ya Gonna Call

2009-03-26T09:17:00.002-05:00

I woke up this morning with this thought running through my mind....

When did i become a fireman/policeman/banker/cook/baker/candlestick maker for everyone else?

When did being responsible and paying your bills, and taking care of your home, and obeying the law, and not being a general shitbum, go out of style?

It continues to mystify me and cause me uknown amounts of grief and angst that i believe in these ideals, and am ridiculed and chastised for them. I am labelled as cold hearted, heartless, mean, unforgiving, selfish, elitist. WTF

Comments?

2009-03-17T15:11:00.002-05:00

I am terribly sorry that it has been almost 9 months since my last post. Things got busy, I got married, kids are still driving me fucking crazy, and on top of it all.....I work for one of the big firms involved in the whole financial meltdown.

Now fortunately, i don't work on the financial side of things, I am on the support side of the house. Essentially, I am an in-house consultant for loss prevention activities. But suffice it to say, we all have to endure the same shit and public opinion barrages that the entire company goes through. So, it has been a bit hectic and I haven't felt like posting. I also found myself using this forum to let loose my frustrations and the venom I feel about my "now" stepdaughter and her irresponsible behavior and lack of intelligence when it comes to making life choices.

OK...in a nutshell and without all the drama and cursing that I usually save for my wife, here has what has happened with the stepdaughter since August

1 Broke up with the stalker, called the police, has a restraining order posted against him.

2 Got a job and worked through the Christmas season. While it did help financially, emotionally it caused lost of problems for L and I since we had to be responsible for the Lil' bastard.

3. Baby's daddy got out of the Pen and began to try and make amends for being a general dickhead and scumbag.

4. Baby's daddy hasn't changed a bit and is still a controlling asshole, a drug addict, alcoholic, drug dealer and generally a worthless piece of flesh.

5 Stepdaughter and Baby's daddy have split the sheets and are not together anymore. Much to my displeasure, this means she lives with us for the foreseeable future, rather than moving out. DAMMIT.

6. Stepdaughter finally is back on her meds and seems to finally understand the simple concept of keeping her mouth shut, not calling dickhead, and stirring the pot, and moving forward to get her on head out of her ass and start building a life for her and Lil bastard.

OK.. in the mean time, through all that, L and I have had to try and plan a wedding, blend two families, pay bills, find her a new job, cause the Nigerian assholes that she works for are screwing her over royally, and just generally keep the wheels from falling completely off the wagon.

Speaking of the Nigerians.....INS has already been called once and will be called again very soon.

SO to get back to the theme of this post......today, we had to spend about $300 to fix L's van. Seems like we can not go one week and sometimes even one day without some surprise expense or steaming pile of shit that we have to deal with.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD.Hopefully, i will be more regular about posting.. comments are always welcome.

Hump Day

2008-08-13T12:34:00.004-05:00

Well, it is hump day, Wednesday, middle of the week, why the hell is this week taking so long to finish day.....

Since I last reported to you, things have gotten tense, and then calmed measurably. Which is a good thing for now. The only question is: "Are we currently sitting in the eye of the hurricane and the storm is about to hit us again?"

It occurred to me since i last wrote in this medium, that I probably need to do some introductions so that the readers are up to date on who the players are and how they fit into my frustrations and ramblings.

Let start with L. L is my fiancee, the love of my life, and my bestest friend. We have been together since March/April 2007 and got engaged this past Feb. The wedding is in December. L is 45, has three children M, R, and T, all of whom are over the age of 21. M and T each have a son that are turning 3 in the next two months. Needless to say, these two are the source of the majority of my frustrations.

T and her son live with us now, much to my displeasure. T was involved with shithead#1 (SH1), who is the baby's daddy. SH1 is currently a guest of the Department of Corrections for possession with intent to distribute, domestic abuse, and being a general lazy ass and all around dumbfuck. T has a princess complex, whereby she feels the need to have someone take care of her, wine her and dine her, take her shopping, and she does not have to do anything for these services other than the obvious.

M and his baby's momma lived with us for awhile earlier this year, and while it was a challenge and a source of my stress; their occupancy of my home was more hospitable than current circumstances.

Today's topic of frustration centers around T and her myriad of BF's and suitors who she is currently seeing while SH1 is incarcerated. One of them, B (shithead 2/SH2) sees fit to get drunk on a regular basis most every weekend, and either pick a fight with someone, who usually kicks SH2's ass, or he see fit to get psycho and maudlin about his relationship with T and decides to call at all hours of the day and night, without regard to who is living, sleeping, and paying the bills in the house.

Last night, the fucker called on the landline at 145AM, hung up, called again every 3to 4 minutes. Now, he has T's cell phone number, but SH2 is so fucking stupid/drunk that he decides that since T isn't answering the cell phone (she turned it off you buger eating moron) he will call the landline, and then when L or I answered the phone, there is silence and then a hang up. Guess what genius, we have caller ID and I am currently debating whether to totally block your number from existence or use the call trace feature which automatically routes your phone number and address to the local constabulary so that you will get a drive by from the POPO and maybe a wake up call on social etiquette and phone skills.

L and I will discuss this tonight, so watch for more details upcoming.

Comments.

SSDD

2008-08-07T15:01:00.003-05:00

SSDD

The issues on the home front continue and while there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel (L. gave the child a talking to last night), i wasnt there so I cant vouch for what was said or discussed. I know there was some embarassment on the childs part for getting into the situation, some general remorse (although probably momentary and theatrical in nature), and yet again, another promise to do the right thing and not stir the shitpot anymore.

I am keeping my mouth shut for the duration and will only open it up again if the police are involved.

As always, comments are welcome.

2008-08-06T09:41:00.004-05:00

Good Morning Campers......

Well the medical crisis from yesterday was went from bad, to potentially worse, back to just bad. Suffice it to say a pregnancy test was involved and even though it came back negative and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief, the fact remains that a pregnancy test had to be administered at all was enough to reinforce my thoughts from yesterday.

THe verdict is still out on the kidney issue though and while there needs to be some serious investigatoin of the issue by trained professionals, the chances of that happening in the forseeable future are pretty slim.

On another note.....

I have this uneasy feeling about things with L. She is naturally private and doesn't open up very easily. My natural curiousity and inate ability to read people is usually right on, but she continually assures me that nothing is wrong and that i need to relax and not worry. Well, I do worry. I worry that she is holding back or weighing her options to move on, based on my disdain for her children's lifestyle choices and lack of personal responsibility. We had a long talk last night and both admited to each other that, despite being only 4 months from getting married, we have both had second thoughts about it, due to her kids.

Now I may bitch and moan alot about things, but generally, I am a fairly giving person and will help a brother out if they need it. And even though I complain and bitch about the kids, mine and hers, I usually come through with money, or support when they need it. But it wears thin when I feel like I am being taken advantage of and that they look upon her and I as an easy mark and a free ride. I keep telling myself and her too that when they finally take care of their own shit and quit relying on us to bail them out, then things will get better for all involved. But being Mom, she cant let go and give them the tough love that they need. She readily admits that she is an enabler and while she bitches just as much as i do about things and typically agrees with my assessment and opinon of what could or should be done; she for the most part, gives into to them. She has gotten better about it and I keep hoping that one of these days, the light bulb will go on and she will have her fill of things and tell them to sink or swim.

Too Smart for my own good.

2008-08-05T14:10:00.004-05:00

OK....

I am not a rocket scientist. Never wanted to be one and never could be one since i could barely pass algebra and did not even attempt to take Calculus. But some things are intuitive. It does not take a rocket scienist to detect patterns in behavior, observe changes and events and their resulting consequences and actions.

We all know that when it is hot outside, we should drink lots of fluids, preferably water, and try to avoid overexcertion. But some people are just not up to the challenge of listening to their bodies, or seeing the pattern that every summer, at about this same time of year, they get dehydrated and have trouble with their kidneys.

I have known this person for less than 18 months. I am now living through the second episode and trip the hospital for treatment of this condition. When I asked about if this is a reoccuring theme with this person, the fucking light bulb finally went on and GUESS WHAT STUDENTS....

SURE ENOUGH, this is at least the 3rd summer in a row that we have endured the medical problem. THATS RIGHT.... 3 summers of excrutiating back pain, throwing up, pissing blood, not to mention the 2 to 4 day stay in the hospital on the taxpayers expense.

So, my question is this. Are kids today just lazy, stupid, or both? Are they so self-absorbed and narcissitic that they are incapable of taking care of themselves and let things go to shit, just to garner the attention and to have someone else bail their asses out of trouble for the umpteenth time? I THINK SO.......

I keep hearing that my mind works on a whole different level than others and that I only see black and white without the benefit of seeing the shades of gray that other see. Well, on this particular day, I would like to know what shade of gray is it that causes someone to be so totally oblivious of their body and health, that they let themselves go through the same issue for the 3rd or 4th year in a row, at nearly the exact same time of the year.

COMMENTS?????????