Damn Right It's Better Than Yours

When God Closes a Door...

2011-04-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Get out of a suitcase. Obviously.

Ahh Seattle. How I love thee. With wonderful friends, a city with an amazing awareness, and greenery to die for. It's no wonder I love the place so much. A much needed little break, from work California, and life. Almost two little breaks squeezed into one. Half my time off spent with one group of friends and the other half spent with another group. Different breaks, both needed, both simply awesome.

My arrival into Sea-town was marred by a wierd, some would say frustrating experience. Southwest, somehow, lost my bag, on a direct flight. I walked into the baggage claim office, and explained this to the lady, and she simply says 'Oh....that's not good.' I think she was expecting me to flip out on her, because I'm sure she gets plenty of that all day. I've travelled enough to know that you don't get your own way at airports by losing it on a person that's not even close to a decision maker, or the person who is even at close at fault. Sure, I would of loved to have a bag, but who ultimately cares, you know they are gonna find it, you know they are gonna give you free stuff, and if you need to buy anything, they will reimburse you for it. There are a lot worse things that could happen. Anyways, after dealing with that, I hopped in my rental car and headed off to Sparkle's Casa.

An old favorite was waiting for me. Peanut Pasta. Ahh the memories of thinking I was poor and couldn't afford anything but pasta. The most miraculous thing about this dish, is how much I enjoy it, considering my disdain normally for anything with peanut sauce in it. GROSS. I think what helps me out is how much other spices and delicious vegetables are in the dish. After some good eats, catching up with Nate, and meeting Mike, I checked out some of the awesome art work created by people in the house, watched some great youtube videos and just chilled the first night. Not a bad call, considering the long work week I had before hand, and the busy plans for the weekend.

The next day, Sparky was off to work early the next morning, and I slept in until about 830, until I woke up to give Nate a ride in my sweet rental car to his doctors appointment. I stopped and got some coffee and headed back to the house to meet Sparky. After watching Will Ferrel's debut on the office, we headed back to pick up Nate, and then it was off to lunch in West Seattle, which pretty much sits on top of a hill overlooking Seattle, which makes it one of my favorite places EVAR. Quick stop at the beer junction, which has a trillion billion different types of beers for later in the evening it was off to easy street cafe for some lunch and to meet Mickey Pop. Easy street was awesome. Great food, awesome servers, and just a unique atmosphere. I don't think I'll ever forget the waitress, and how I won her over. "Hi Maa'm, I'll take a water, and nothing else, but I'm gonna sit here all day and not move. I also won't tip you whatsover, since 15% of the cost of water is nothing" She loved it, for whatever reason. Then when she checked my ID, and saw I in fact have a legal residence in Texas, that was a good time, shooting off our finger pistols. Afterward, I headed over the the school with Sparky to take part in some recess soccer and snack time. Ahh Little kids, ranging in age, just hilarious, full of questions and random comments. Always interesting, always amazed by adult skillz. What a nice way to spend the afternoon. The sense of enjoyment I got from spending two hours with these kids was endless. All the questions, all the stares, all the reactions. Just priceless. My friends have good gigs. After recess, I had to go off to the airport to pick up MJ and CK, and also pick up my lost bag, which was now found, and with a nice 50 dollar travel credit attached to boot.

MJ and CK are staying up in Edmounds (20 miles North of Seattle) with CK's aunt and uncle who just so happen to be two of the nicest people on earth. Nothing like hitting the express lane to avoid rush hour traffic. I love driving over the hill into the residential area of Edmounds, you are surrounded by deicidious trees, and then right over the hill it hits you like a ton of bricks, the water. So much water, and a beautiful landscape, its just my type of scene. Anyways, after a quick change of my two day old clothes, we were off to dinner on the water at Anthony's. A lovely little seafood establishment, literally on the water. Such a beautiful place to eat, and catch up with my friends. Here's a random question...Why are Sea Scallops, the most delicious food in the history of the world? Seriously, I could eat them for every meal, probably prepared in the same fashion, and be happy, and probably obese, because I'd keep asking for more. Anyways after having dinner generously paid for (an annoying theme of the weekend, but one I am supremely greatful for), it was time to head back to West Seattle and to Porterhouse.

Porterhouse, is the cool spot in West Seattle. Unfortunately I was there a a little late, so I was unable to partake in any of the lovely selections of beers they have on tap. I was however able to meet some more good peeps. There, in addition to Sparky, Nate, and Mickey Pop, was this guy Watson, (who did not look like a watson), Tara (who's quite the Handy photographer), and Tam (I literally had to fight the urge to say Tam! Tam! and hit things all night). After finishing up at Porterhouse, we went back to Mickey's house in West Seattle, for some good talks, beer, artwork, music, dance-offs, drawing lessons, and photos. See Pictures. Here's a fun fact, after claiming how unartisitic I was, I was able to draw the bestest bird I've ever drawn. Then Tam, blew my mind with how she just draws simple shapes and created the bestest running man drawing EVAR. Seriously, I'd probably give up a nostril to be 1/1,833rd artistic what my new friends are. After finishing up a bit earlier than usual, because Mick had to catch a flight at 6 am the next morning, we headed home to watch some Will Ferrel action on the office and sleepies.

The following day, Sparky had to go into work for the morning, so I got the opportunity to sleep in. My only desire was to watch the Real v Barca game, and Sparky mentioned a little sports bar called the Auto-Battery. Even though we ended up watching the game from his computer, and drew the conclusion the Messi is a little wimp, we ended up heading over there afterward. This place was freggin sweet. A wide open bar, with good food, lots of TVs, and all sorts of games to play. I had a seattle veggie dog, which was a veggie dog, covered in cream cheese and scallions. Pretty fantastic. In between some eats, and watching Charlie Davies score again, we played two games of 101 point shuffle puck. A little obsessive some might say, but its a pretty awesome, especially when each game comes down to the last shot, filled with two amazing comebacks that fell just short. The last game in which I thought I won with a skillful shot, was all for naught as Nate outdid me for eternal glory with a 5 point hanger shot. After we finished up at the bar, it was back to the house, and time to work on some art. Not really me, as previously explained, I don't really have a talent for that sort of thing, but i do have a talent for finding hilarious picture pairings from Life magazine from the 1940's. I'd cut out the pictures, Sparky would do the rest. Before we knew it, we had ourselves quite the little postcard for some lucky individual to receive in the mail. It's nothing compared to Nate's massive painting, but it was something. My only regret is not having pictures of this stuff. Later in the evening Sparky and I walked on down to the bowling alley. After explaining, that it was a flat fee for the night of bowling, we intended to get our money's worth. I think we ended up playing 6 games, including a game of left handed bowling (score 47) and then a game of speed bowling, in which before you bowled your ball you had to run back to the counter, touch it, and run back and throw. I don't remember if I've ever worked out so hard. Seriously, don't mock it, especially in sweatshirts. For a cool down, Sparks and I had a walk to QFC for some pizza, and some long talks that makes me miss his companionship. We don't necessarily have answers for one another, but we do have one another, and it just helps to have somebody that seemingly goes through the same things I do.

The following morning, I quickly packed up, said some short goodbyes and headed off to Edmounds where I would be staying the rest of my time off. Sparky and his friends had work and other things to do, so I figured this would be a good point to kinda switch speeds and go into my full out relax mode. I love being busy, but i think I appreciate a good relaxation period of doing nothing probably too much. Not that we didn't do anything, but it was just a different sort of time up there. I could just sit out on the porch and stare at the water for hours. The big plan for the evening was to eat dinner from the Space Needle. That way we could get our coveted night shots from the Needle. But first it was off to do our the touristy stuff in Seattle, I've done a million times before, but never get tired off. (Forgive the lack of pictures). The Piers, Pike Place, and just walking by the water. It never gets old. I'm such a sucker for water and greenery. I belong in a rain forest, I swear. Anyways after quite a bit of walking, some ice cream, admiring all the flower people in pike place, and coffee, we ventured off to the space needle for some dinner. Dinner there ain't no joke. It's a minimum plate charge of $35, and while the food is very very good, its definitely not worth the average entree price of $50 bucks or so. I had Seared Ahi Wasabi crusted tuna, with spinach and wasabi mashed potatoes.

Yes I love me some Wasabi, I'd put it in my coffee if it was readily available like splenda. But make no mistake, you weren't paying that price for the food. The restaurant spins, and in roughly 47 minutes you see the complete 360 panorama. Quite the scene. After a very good meal we headed to the observation deck for some cold, windy pictures. Despite the conditions, I could of stayed out on the observation deck all night. City-Scapes at night are nothing short of mind blowing. I can't believe such things are able to be built. After the dinner, we took the scenic route home, by the water. It was dark, so you couldn't see much, but you could just smell it. I love freggin Seattle.

On Monday, MJ was feeling a bit under the weather. So it was a sit at home all day kinda of day watching baseball, and just relaxing. Nothing wrong with that. Throw in a couple delcious grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade cookies, you got yourself a winner of a day. Around 5, we headed down to Seattle and Safeco field for the Marniers game. I called sparky, and he told me to venture across the street to Pyramid Brewery where they have a tailgate area. I headed over yonder, and met my friends, enjoyed some beer, and lost a bet, in which I thought I was betting something completely different. Me being a good sport though, agreed to pay $60 of the orginal bet, provided the caveat that the money go towards beer at the game for my friends. The game was kinda sad. I don't like seeing a stadium so empty, epsecially a stadium as gorgeous as Safeco. Bo was gracious enough to get us great seats, fortunately for my other group of friends (and unfortunately for Bo), they paid 8 bucks and got the same seats. And I got to see the roof close, which was radical. After the game (or more like 8 innings) it was time to bid ado to sparks and the gang. So I did so with hugs, and regrets of not making my trip a bit longer. We went back to Edmounds stinging from a mariners defeat (not really).

Finally on Tuesday, we didn't have much time on Tuesday before I had to catch my flight, so one last meal, that I didn't have to pay for, was in order. We went to Edmounds Pankcake House and Dinner, which made IHOP pop into my head, but was far from it. I ordered the Cornbeef Hash, which prompted a question from the Waitress

Do you want the homemade hash or the hormel?

I just kind of stared at her blankly, not believing it was a real question. So of course I picked the homemade stuff, and I wasn't disappointed one bit. There were seriously chunks of corned beef mixed in with onion and potato, but mostly corned beef. So so so tasty. Sadly, it was time for me to go back, pack up, say goodbyes and head to the airport. I can't say enough about the generosity of my friend's aunt and uncle. This is only the second time I've met them, and they on more than one occasion reffered to me as family, and are insistent upon me coming back and looking them up, even if it is without CK and MJ. They provided endless meals, and a place to stay, and for that I am in their debt. They did this all without question and with a loving smiling. I love good people.

I'm way to lazy to rotate my pics so deal with it. When it's all said and done I had the perfect trip. Away from work, with my friends, doing plenty of things I want to do, and the distraction from the day to day wear and tears was much welcome. Seattle is my type of city and it awaits my return in the not so long future I hope

Athletic Ability

2011-04-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

Not from me, I'm extremely limited in that regard. Well maybe, but I'm referring to the beginning of the baseball season, which of course has me extremely excited. I actually even purchased a season ticket package for the Oakland A's this year. I pretty much only did it because of the playoff rights, but it was relatively cheap and it gets me out and about and also its an excuse to get away from work.

Anywho, I love baseball. I love fantasy baseball, I love sitting outside on a hot summer day, watching or listening to the game, with a cold beer and talking about the games. I could do that year round, it keeps me occupied. I've already been to two games this year with at least 20 more to go to in Oakland. Coincidentally, I'm also already burnt to a crisp. I know I'm going to at least one game in Seattle, in a couple weeks when I travel up there, and when I head home to NY twice in an 8 day period, I'm hoping to catch a game in each one of the stadiums if at all possible. It's a busy couple months of traveling coming up for me. Good thing I've recently begun to hate airports so much. But I better check with my boss to make sure taking all that time off is okay...I imagine the conversation will go something like this:

Me: Hey Dwight, i have a couple weddings to go to and I also want to take a weekend trip to Seattle in the middle of April is that okay?

Boss: Yo Dwit! Don't be such a dumbass, you are your own boss, you don't really need to check with anybody dawg! You work hard enough, Go for it!

Man, sometimes I need to sit back and realize how good I have it.

About a month ago, I drafted a post about me turning 30. About where I thought I'd be today, 10 years ago. It's funny, I had my life mapped out. I wouldn't have been this 'sucessfull' (whatever that means) professionally, and my life would of been a lot more family oriented. WRRRRRONGGGGGGG. Oh well. Those are still things I want, for sure, but when I really began to think about it, I just realized something. I'm pretty much exactly the same person i was 10 years ago. I'm still a 20 year old at heart. Hell i still look around 20, I still enjoy doing the same thing as when i was 20. The only difference is I have a real job, making real (good) money, and I have more free time then I did when I was 20. The point is, I gots time yo. Plus before I go rushing off and getting anybody prego, I should probably figure out where I want to be. Going on a couple dates recently with a couple older chicks, made me realize that. As for the dates...you can't force sparks yo, if they just aren't there. Sorries! Also, no post for you! It was so freggin lame.

Anyways, off to Sea-town in about a week. Much needed time away from work and good friend time. Since Seattle is like my #1 city in America, hopefully I'll have some good stories and pictures for you not to enjoy, because well as I like to say, my writing sucks.

Layoffs Suck

2011-02-23T10:32:00.000-08:00

That is all.

At first I am like, oh well, part of the biz. But yesterday was just awful. A few people I knew pretty well were laid off. And I couldn't bring myself to even say goodbye to them. It's weird, I'm a contingent employee, these people were full time staff, and yet I'm more than safe and they are gone, just like that. It's suppose to be me, I was prepared all last year for it to be me, and when it comes down to it I almost wish it was me. I'm extremely grateful and lucky to be where I am, I just hate to see other people disappointed and upset. I'd take it to be me in that position 11 times out of 10.

There's not much else to say.

Layoffs Suck, being just told I'm going to have to pick up the work of the people who got let go, sucks almost as much.

Yesterday...

2011-02-16T14:28:00.001-08:00

Nope, not another set of lyrics from a Beatles Song, but a general statement. Yesterday was awesome. I can't even figure out why. I woke up at 4, was in work at 6, worked 12.5 hours, then went to bowling, and for whatever reason I was and continue to be in a pretty great mood. Usually when I'm tired, I drag, and when I drag, I become a drag literally. And make no mistake about it, i was tired.

Maybe it was because the success of a lot of hard work on a project that I've been working on for a long time. Nothing like seeing something actually go per plan and meet expectations at a job where too often unforeseen issues are often overlooked. Many times, I've had to go back and say 'I don't know how this happen, but Blah blah blah.' Nope not yesterday, 12.5 hours of testing and overcoming obstacles led to a nice big fat feeling of accomplishment.

Or maybe its because in two short days, I'll be taking a 4 day weekend to travel to Vegas to bid farewell to the bachelordom (its a word, shut up) to two of my better friends. I booked two huge suites at the Palazzo (ie the Venetian) that connect, and the trip has been in the works since Early November. The finer details, including lots of bottles of Jumbo Liquor and a early baseball draft have been worked out. Toss in 14 of my friends, some time in Old Vegas, lots of walks up and down the strip, its sure to be an epic good time.

Perhaps, it was the good time at bowling. I mean I was beat but feeling accomplished from work and I was excited to get away and go bowl. Like I do every Tuesday. I usually almost always have a good time, but for whatever reason I had a super great time. I mean we didn't win, I didn't bowl that well, but I remember laughing a lot, which is the whole key to me. I bought somebody a drink, and spiffed it up with 6 different umbrellas and whipped cream. It was a sight to see.

Yesterday (well now two days ago) was largely awesome.

It felt good to feel good again.

Ahh Memories...

2011-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

A look back on what was probably one of the best and worst days of my life. Myself and a group of friends, back in the days of livejournal decided to post top 10 lists for the top 10 Disney Movies, Songs, and Villains of all time. Friendships almost ended over these lists.

It's funny to see the immaturity in my writing, and I pray to god no little kid googles anything about disney movies and pulls up this list...I'm only going to post the top 10 movies, because frankly its the best one.

Top 10 Disney Movies of All Time

First of all I would like to thank everybody who took this seriously and put thought into it, Well done to all parties, except dickey who really made a mockery of this who thing

Movies what the fuck, I have 22 movies that could of made the cut for my top ten, you'll see the "big four" from the mid-ninties in my list, as well as some oldies...It really killed me to leave the Pixar Movies off my list, but they just didnt make the cut...If I had to rank them they would go A Bugs Life, Monsters Inc, and Toy story....Only one film that wasnt animated made my list, and its a goodie...So unfortuneatly Cool runnings isnt on there or is the brave little toaster (horribly underated movie)...but here goes nothing

10. Flight of the Navigator
I like to think that this movie started the whole "lets do movies about aliens" swing in hollywood. If it wasnt for this movie there might have been no Men in Black or Independence Day...There would have been no Will Smith for cried out loud....But lets think about this...A Spaceship that can think?? What an orginal idea for a movie, Its like star trek for smart people....plus the ship like trips out in the middle of it on acid....it has it all

9. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Remember when trying to remember all the seven dwarf names was difficult and then McDonalds laucnhed that contest where if you got the record in the Sunday paper and it played the entire menu without messing up you won a million dollars...Thats what got me off remembering the seven dwarf names...but remember in the orginal grim version they had no names....thank valley high school brain bowl team....but snow white makes the list for being a great movie with incredible new feats in cartoon animation, just look at the way her skirt flows when she dances....incredible for the time 1940

8. Alice in Wonderland
I would do anything for pet catapiller that smokes and tells you to eat growing mushrooms, but I'm Not Alice and my life is working at Bristol Myers Squibb, What kind of Queen would make a tardy queen her main MC for everything, the Queen of Hearts thats who, and that Chesire Cat hes a crazy one, and Does anybody else want to celebrate an unbirthday with me tomorrow?? Just a crazy movie with a lot of cleverlines and songs...a must have on any top ten lsit

7. Mary Poppins
Again an amazing feat in animation is acheived, by actually making it look like a cartoon can say supercalfragiliciousexpalidocious.....Cl

assic Songs, and Once again I repeat that this movie gave Britain a direction again during tough times, Bert is a classic Chimmney Sweep/Artist, and a movie with a Song Like "I Love to Laugh" and "A Spoon Full of Sugar", whats not to like about a warm hearted movie like Mary Poppins

6. Beauty and the Beast
The first of the Big Four instant animated classic from the Mid-Ninties, a great twist on an old story, Disney is simply brilliant for turning the servants into ordinary household items, It really helps you feel not just for the beast but all the servants as you feel there struggle thanks to great scriptwriting...I wanta pet teacup..Songs like Gaston, Beauty and the Beast, and Something there really fit the movie well, and some might say this is too low of a ranking but i say it fits in well here at #6 because 7 ate 9.

5. The Little Mermaid
Again Another one of the Big Four, and Again some might argue a bit too low, after all it does have the best soundtrack of all time, However it slips to #5 because failure to develop our young prince hero Eric, I really never felt that I gave a shit about him at all, In fact if he died and Ariel was ok I would have been ok with that...However the Soundtrack Alone and the fact that my second hero Hans Christian anderson Wrote the story it was based on, lands the Little Mermaid at number 5

4. Sword in the Stone
This is probably the best version of this legend ever created, and its sad really because one would think that you would be able to create an awesome real life movie, and that the standard wouldnt have to be animated...In fact Im gonna cast it right Now
Sparky you are merlin
I'll be Wort or Arthur
Dickey you are an asshole so you can be Kay
George you can be that pink witch
But seriously One of my favorite songs ever, in The world go Round and like dickey pointed out a classic duel between merlin and that scary witch, and like I have already stated a simply fantastic legend made into a brilliantly done movie.

3. Sleeping Beauty
Easily the Darkest Disney Movie ever with the most evil Villian ever. This movie really went in a completely different direction that what we were all use to seeing disney do at the time, which makes it risky, but a sucessful risk at that. Because it is so different and because Auruoa is so hot and malicifecent is so so evil, and because it keeps me away from spinning wool into clothes, Sleeping Beauty "spins" her way into the #3 spot

2. Aladdin
Well you've seen 3 of the big 4, so you all know what my #1 is, but aladdin is no slouche here at the two spot, You really gotta have some abs to wear just a vest with no tshirt underneath, He has amazing dexterity to out run and out wit the elite guards of the Sultan, but he manages....He bags a fox of a girl in Jasmine by being himself, and with plenty of humor mixed into the story, it makes it a classic fit in #2.

1. Lion King
I know people think Im crazy for saying Lion King over Aladdin, but its personal to me, My dad died like 6 months before the movie came out, and the movie really touched me on a personal level, my whole family saw it together and needless to say we were all in tears at the end, and it really helped me through a tough time, hence its been my favorite movie since. Rafaki is truly my favorite character from any movie, Nala is hot, and Scar is a fuckin bastard
For those reason Lion King is the King of My Jungle and My top ten List

This list was fuckin painful to do, It killed me to leave off the following Honorable mentions, in no particular Order
A Bugs Life
The Wizard
Robin Hood
The Great Mouse Detective
The Rescuers
Dumbo
Honey I Shrunk The Kids

Here Comes the Sun

2011-01-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

I've been on an extreme Beatles kick the last two months.  It's pretty easy to
relate to songs that are so simple.

Here comes the sun, do do do do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Little darling
It's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling
It feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, do do do do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Little darling
The smiles returning to the faces
Little darling
It seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, do do do do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling
I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling
It seems like years since it's been clear

Here comes the sun, do do do do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It's all right
Here comes the sun, do do do do
Here comes the sun
It's all right
It's all right

Letting Go, Letting In

2011-01-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

Ahh, Life. I'd have to say I love about 98.634% of it. The people I meet, the beauty around me, the fortunate nature of the way my life has broke for me. I'm lucky, there's no other way to put it frankly. But then there is that other small percent of the time, where I feel like I'm shit on. It doesn't happen very often, because until very recently I haven't allowed it to happen. I haven't let anybody 'in.'

That is I haven't let anybody in to me. My goals, my ambitions, what I want in life, where I've been, what I've learned, my overall sense of morality, my values, and so on and so forth. There are very few people that I've trusted with that information. I just don't trust, it's an issue I have, I know its an issue, and until I learn how to it will hamper me to the end of time. And what happened when I recently shared all my most private thoughts about things with somebody? I get bitched slapped back from the cloud which I thought it was on, without reasonable explanation. I thought, the talks were real, I thought the feelings were real, I thought her expressions were real, and I thought the fantastic weekend I thought we had together was real.

It wasn't. And frankly, I'm disappointed in myself for letting it happen. Things probably moved way to fast, and now in hindsight I recognize that, but I thought we had connected on that level. I was even told we had. But it doesn't change the fact of the matter that, I really thought better of this person, I mean I thought we both shared things which each other that we rarely shared with others. Not getting a real explanation doesn't help, feeling that its my fault makes it worse.

And now. Here I am. At this point in my life again. Wanting to Move on, wanting to let go wanting to let somebody in. But I can't bring myself to that point. I mean right now, I have a couple people wanting to get to know me, and I can't even get myself excited about it. I'm determined not to shut people out instantly, I just have that feeling inside of me. I'm struggling. I'm wondering. My mind races. I just can't force things if I don't trust. I can't figure out what to do. It's the one aspect of my life I'm helpless in.

1000 Words

2011-01-17T11:13:00.001-08:00

That I could probably say about the last two months, but I won't. They have been pretty stupid busy. I've probably traveled close to 10,000 miles, and thats not including the emotional roller coaster I went on, to top things off.

So here goes a short version

1. Trip to Texas. Unneeded Stress, which is the exact opposite reason I go to my house. Nothing to do to me, but I got roped in and I won't go into it, because its so stupid. But, I did get to cook Thanksgiving dinner for about 10-12 people though and it was pretty damn good. I used my Cutco knives, and sleep in my own bed for a couple weeks. A friend from NY was in Dallas, so we went to a Rodeo the Friday after thanksgiving and then the next day I experienced my first sail boating adventure with family. Get this, the name of the lake where we went sailing was Lake Texhoma. On the border of Texas and Oklahoma. Pretty clever name huh? I remember the first time I drove across the Texas border from Arkansas, the name of the town on the border. Texarkana. Yep, seriously. Other than the stress, a good trip for sure, and some much needed time away from work.

2. The start of indoor soccer season for my team. Its a little different than the outdoor, and by a little, I mean a ton. The level of competition is a ton better, its way faster, and coaching is a big ball of stress. Just non-stop intense action. We've had some amazing comebacks, as well as a couple setbacks, but we are peaking just in time for playoffs. The last two weeks, we played the top 2 teams in league, and had some fantastic come from behind goals. And now, we are a top 2 team in the league. And I love that the girls on the team are scoring a lot of goals..

3. Got involved in what I thought was going to be a pretty meaningful relationship. Everything was great, let down my guard, let her in, had a great fantastic weekend together, and then I got bitch slapped down to earth (PWNNED! FTL!). Don't know what happened, and thats honestly the worst part. Things probably went a bit to fast, and I recognize that, but somethings still don't add up. Color me confused. Good news, I mean last time this happened it took me like 3 years to get ready for something serious again. But, I'm determined to not let this ruin me for while.

4. Trip home. Which turned into trips to Syracuse and Philly. Normally, considering what I just went through the week previously, I'd be dreading this trip. I mean there is nothing to do around my house, especially when your mom's second car blows up, so you don't have one to go anywhere with. But this trip was super busy for me, once I actually got there. My plane was a couple hours delayed due to a toilet seat being broken (RETARDED!). The week before X-mas was nice and relaxing. Caught up with some friends, made egg nog, spent a lot of time at my sisters new house out on the middle of nowhere. No Cell Phone or Internet service, means a lot of time to relax. And of course there was X-mas, which once again my wonderful mother spoiled all of us again. My sister's b-day is always a great time especially with giant bonfires. The week after x-mas was a trip to Syracuse for a few days to visit some good friends and great great food. And I got to catch a game at the Carrier Dome, which is something I miss. After that trip, it was off to Philly for a wedding. I'll never be part of anything that nice ever again. I mean this wedding was probably 100K wedding, and it was new years ever to top it off. So I didn't have to worry about New Years Plans for a change. The day before the wedding, was this cocktail dinner on top of skyscraper. Then the next day was full of running the Rocky training path, followed by some touristy stuff around Philly, and then the wedding. The reception was at the Franklin Institute, which is a big fancy interactive museum. A lot of the exhibits where up and running and it was such a great time. I got to see a lot of my friends from college who I haven't seen in a few years, celebrate the new year together, and got to experience it with my sister. Such a good time. Then I went back home for the last couple days with my Moms. I always hate leaving her, and I hate when she cries when I leave.

5. And now, its the new year. I'm back at work, I'm really in the swing of things, I have some nice job security for a change. I'm keeping busy, I'm still coaching, I'm looking forward to baseball season, I'm looking forward to Vegas next month, and some more great weddings in the spring. I'm looking forward to a great new year and moving forward with my life. There are some things I want badly for myself this year. I'm hoping for some big things in 2011.

What exactly is a Tigershark?

2010-11-19T08:52:00.002-08:00

I mean I guess from a literal standpoint it's something like this. Something that resembles a Shark, but not so much a tiger. No Black stripes, not even a hint of orange. So what exactly makes this shark, a tiger shark?

I, myself, prefer a gentler breed for my definition of a tigershark. Well maybe not gentler, but tamer...well not really tamer, how about more domesticated? Not sure, but I know that this breed of tigersharks is something that makes me very happy.
Meet my soccer team. Team #5 for the Vacaville Youth Soccer League, Under 6 Coed Division or as they have dubbed themselves. The Tigersharks. The Tigershark name barely beat out the Zebras for team name, and it's kinda two bad because we didn't know our team colors until after the team name selection.

So I won't lie, when I was first asked to coach this age group, I wasn't just hesitant, I was down right scared. Not only would this be the youngest age group I've ever coached, most of the kids have never played before, and the league scared the crap out of me explaining how hardcore the parents are. But, I was anxious to get back into coaching so I accepted the position. At first, it was kinda a nightmare. The first few practices were marred with kids not listening, disorganization, and generally a feeling of helplessness. Then all of the sudden, they starting listening. I have no idea what or how it happened but they did. And it finally became having fun.

The season and games were an absolute blast. It helps that I had probably the greatest group of parents (for the most part) who were very supportive of not only their own kids, but every kid on the team, and very supportive of me. Sure I had some growing pains, but by the end of the season I was probably having just as much fun as the kids at practices and games. I bragged about the kids non-stop to people at work and my friends. I bragged how we were one of the few teams to play positions, and bragged how good our goalies were, and I bragged, oh my goodness did I brag about how much my kids passed. No other team passed with purpose like the tigersharks. Usually at this age group (and the next two age groups) the kids just go massively to the ball. But for the last month of the season, the tigersharks played positions and passed amazingly.

Gamedays were fun. I'd walk to the field, often times chatting with people as I went. I went sporting our custom t-shirts. All the parents and a lot of the sibilings and extended families bought shirts too. The league really did a good job promoting this. Every team got banners and t-shirts and it really gave the kids the feeling that they had fans and it made it that much more fun. I enjoyed the mid-game and post game snacks and of course watching kids run through the post game parent-made tunnels. I think the kids actually looked forward to the end of the games just so they can run through that tunnel.

We also had the end of the year pizza party. I gave a little speech, expressing how much the season met to me, how it really kinda kept me going and kept me distracted, and we gave out some custom rewards about little memories the kids gave us throughout the season, and I gave thanks to the parents and kids. I mentioned that I'd be willing to coach the kids in the offseason. By the end of the final game, I was agreeing to coach an indoor league for the winter session.

So all and all this was an amazing experience, I can't thank the parents, the best team Mom ever, the best assistant coach ever, and most of all I can't thank the kids enough.

Seriously? and....fund raising!

2010-11-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

As in, can I ever be taken seriously? Like ever? I get it, I'm fun, I'm opinionated, I can dish it out, I can take it. I also pride myself on being pretty loyal and compassionate to other people's problems. I love to listen, I give my advice, (often time very blunt to the point of being insensitive), I like to think its received well and at least considered. So why is it, when I want to be serious, and maybe for once like talk seriously with somebody is it always just a brush aside? Why is it, that whatever is on my mind, doesn't really matter if a text message is received? Like, I know, its not very often I try to open up...if like ever. But when I try, I just think its considerate to listen to me. Maybe I'm expecting too much, maybe I'm the same way, but I like to think I'm pretty good at knowing when somebody is being serious. It's entirely possible, I'm not serious so much to the point where people don't know how to take me when I try to discuss issues or serious things with them.

As I sit outside on my pattio, on this beautiful fall night, I just don't know what to do. Like I really want somebody around me that I can talk to, but I feel like I come in a distant second to people's phone or their own problems. I think sometimes, I take things too well, meaning that I don't really let being the butt of the jokes bother me, I mean most of the time I think its all in good fun. But it's times like this, when I think it might be because people know I'll never fight back, even though I'm not really feeling up to the 'good fun.' Free Target! Who's game?!? Is it time for me to become more egocentric? Just keep talking about myself until I find somebody to pay attention, or do I just being straight-forward and tell them 'hey! listen! I'm not a boces all the time!' Why does it feel like both of those are cheating? I talk to one of my best friends everyday via IM, and I never feel like I have to ask him to take me seriously. I want more than anything to have a friend here that can really listen to me, and emphasize with me, when needed. Doesn't everybody need that?

Anyway, on a better note I've recently shaved the power of the ginger beard (DUMB! I know!). But its for a good and hilarious cause. Movember! Pretty much it's to raise money for prostate cancer. On top of it, it means I have a reason to do hilarious things with my facial hair with good reason and an accompanying story. If you would like to donate go to the following link. Thanks for the support and if people actually support me, I'll post a progression of pictures...simply awesome!

http://us.movember.com/mospace/975532/

Please Donate, Keep the Peace, and Stay green.

Something Smells Fishy

2010-10-18T13:05:00.001-07:00

And that is simply because I've recently (a couple months now) started up an aquarium. It's kinda neat.

Here's a picture for you all to admire:

It's mighty impressive isn't? Except that, this picture has no fish. It's pre-fish. Don't get all huffy pants. I tried, I really tried to get a picture with my fish in the tank, but they just came out all blurry, since getting fish to sit still for a snap shot isn't something they care to do.

Anyway, I don't know why all the sudden I had this urge to start a fish tank but I did. All I remember is sitting outside at a restaurant after a soccer game on Saturday afternoon which just so happened to be next to a pet store and saying to my friends, 'I think I want a fish tank.' I tend to be pretty spontaneous in my purchases, so the randomness couldn't really come as a surprise. So I took a stroll on over to Petco, and did a little browsing. At first I was looking at getting a small 5 or 10 gallon tank with like a beta fish, and that's it. But looking at a small kit for that size tank was running about 30-40 dollars, and then BAM, Nick saw it for me. A 14 gallon kit with everything you need (except gravel) to get you started. The whole kit was only 40 freaking bucks. We had a winner. A few plastic plants and a ancient Greek theme later, I had myself an aquarium.

I'll be the first one to admit that I knew nothing about fish tanks, I just figured put some water in a tank, with some gravel and a filter and BAM you got yourself an easy to manage pets. I was pretty well mistaken. I should of known better considering you know my major, that you just can't introduce organisms into an stagnant environment without some serious consequences. And I'm sorry to stay, to the tune of a few fish, I didn't let the nitrogen cycle establish itself properly. Luckily, for me, one of the six fish i originally bought was hearty enough to survive. I recommend Danio's, and only 1 or 2 when starting up a new tank. Not only can they survive the rigors of having to establish the nitrogen cycle, they are hillarious. All they do is dart around the tank constantly harassing the other fish. Anyway, after some research I've learned a lot about starting up a fish tank. For one, only add fish 1 or 2 at a time, and you must have hearty fish to start off a tank. Actually, feeder fish might be the best fish to add to a tank to start off with, since they are cheap...and they poop and can survive high levels of ammonia. So what happens is, the fish poop, ammonia levels spike, that enables ammonia fixing bacteria to break down the ammonia into nitrite, which is also deadly to fish, but then nitrite fixing bacteria join the party which break down the nitrite to nitrate which actually is healthy to the fish. So this whole process takes about 10 days to establish. Then you can't add too many fish at a time because if you have too many fish pooping without enough bacteria, you would be in trouble. So don't listen to pet smart when they tell you all this garbage about schooling fish should be kept in groups of three or more. I promise if you had more than 3 fish at a time you're fish will die, unless you have a super big tank. What's that you say? But petsmart has a 14 day return policy on fish? Let me ask you a question, would you bring a dead fish into a store to get your money back?

The bottom line now is I have an aquarium I'm proud of. I have six fish. They all bring different things to the tank. The Danio, the hilarious old guy who got in all going, the Colorful guppy who chases around the Balloon molly who is the personality of thank with it's huge stomach and bright orange color. Incidentally the guppy follows the molly around trying to rip the long stringy poop from the molly. GROSS! The ghost catfish, who prefers the dark and the current from the filter and only comes out to play during feeding time when the light is off. And finally the raspora, who has some of the coolest markings on a fish. While I didn't go with the most colorful fish in the world, I think I made the right choice by going with variety and ease of establishing a tank. I mean the aggressive fish are pretty and all, but so are the fish I have, and I can get all different types where as with the aggressive fish you are almost locked into one fish type. Plus you have to constantly be treating the water and what not. All things I don't have time for. I pretty much love my fish tank and I'm kinda proud of myself for A. Not giving up after a what could be considered a fish genocide and B. how much work I did to make sure I got an established tank up and running.

The Shape of Me

2010-10-07T08:24:00.001-07:00

I think it was Homer Simpson who once said

I am in Shape, Round is a Shape

Great Man, that Mister Simpson

Alas this post isn't about my physical shape, its about the shape of my personality. Not so much, that I've been getting my soul into shape, but more or less about the type of person I am and why I am like that. Prepare to be bored.

I am probably one of the most reactive people I know. I hear some news or anything at all. Instead of thinking about it rationally I instantly jump to the worst case/screwing dwight over scenario. I can't help it, it's where my mind jumps to. Is it wrong to assume everybody is out to get me because of a few bad experiences that have made me this way? Absolutely. I know it's wrong...and I...just....can't....help....it. I'm shaped by my experiences, its part of who I am.

I'm aware this is a problem of mine. It's gotten me into unnecessary problems all the way back to high school. Why? Because I'm pretty effin blunt. If I have an issue, you are gonna know I have an issue, and I'm not somebody to sugar coat things too. In fact because I have this issue of thinking people are out to get me, I'm probably a little over the top. My management style has been described as Open Door and Head on like a freight train.

Over the past few years, aware of this issue. So instead of being super reactive, I've learned to before I approach people to gather my thoughts and approach people in a less hostile way. I usually take an evening and approach the issue with some more collected thoughts, disguising my fears and more often then not they are quelled. However, because I wear my emotions on my sleeve and am horrible at hiding my mood, people can tell something is upsetting me. And when people see that, they swarm. Instead of leaving me be, to collect my thoughts, they peck at me, they get it out of me, and then depending on the persons involved things can get out of hand.

So the question I need to ask myself, is do I need to change? I mean I'd like to, but I'm not sure how. It's easy for people to say...'stop thinking like that.' I seriously just want to throw up the middle finger big time, that's like me telling a girl to grow a penis if she's tired of getting her period. You just can't suddenly change your personality. I mean generally i like who I am. I like how empathetic I can be, I like listening, I like taking care of my friends, I like how loyal I am, even if its too a fault. If I change this aspect of my personality, is it a domino effect, and everything about me changes? Can I change? I mean, I have no idea where at all to start. AT ALL. Is it necessary for me to change to move to move forward and evolve as a person. I'm not so sure

What am I even saying.

Movin' On

2010-07-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

I'm more or less resigned my self to the fact that I am losing my job at the end of the year (if I even have that long). It has nothing to do with performance, more of a change of business practice and coupled with the non-recovery economy its just a fact of life. I'm tired of stressing about it, I'm tired of wondering if I'll find another job, I'm tired of wondering what should of could of been.

The fact of the matter is this. I have been a full time employee somewhere since the age of 19. I've worked 40 hours a week or more through college and till I'm almost 30. Some time off is exactly what I may need. I still haven't seen 5 of the continental 48 states, and am not sure why I'd ever go see them unless I had nothing to do, which is what it looks like will be the case. I've set myself up well for this situation. And its always been a possibility in this type of work. I just didn't think it was going to happen, because I work so hard. Work hard to overcome any obstacles whether they be financial, business, or political. I am sure i will be able to find some work, I may have to swallow some pride though.

What does this mean in the small scale? It means the end of my time in california. It means goodbye to some great people. It means no more working at the best place I've ever worked before. It means goodbye to the longest job I've been at in a long time. I'm probably in for a rude awakening. Nothing is written in stone, and of course nothing has beeen said to me just yet, I'll broach the subject in a month or so, be not so obvious. I imagine how the conversation will go. I have a couple of loopholes I'll try, but like I said....I know whats happening. I just hope it all works out for my friends I've met.

I have a good life, I am lucky, I am fortunate. A new opportunity is on the horizon. Just maybe it is time for me to seize the day, and do what I want for a change and what I've been talking about for a long time...

God and Man...

2009-12-14T21:48:00.001-08:00

Working together to make something this incredibly beautiful. I love San fran when its nice out and with good company

Siggghhhhhh

2009-12-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

You ever just get the kind of news that just affects you? Not in the terms of directly affecting, but just the kind of news that makes you reflect on things in the past. This post has nothing to do with my previous one, but i just kinda found something out today. It's not like I care that much at all, it's just like 'whoa....maybe its time'

Meh, At least I'm gonna have a rocking time this weekend. I have company coming to town, and more than likely we are gonna witness the worst football game played in the history of the world, when The Raiders play the Redskins....Thats Sandwhiched around San Fran, Wine Castles, and a Company X-mas Party. Maybe I'll figure out how to post Pics.

Why Facebook isn't a complete waste of time

2009-12-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

I got this message from an Older Friend last night via facebook. If it wasnt for facebook, I'd probably have a difficult time getting ahold and re-connecting with this person.

Hey Dwight-

Just wanted to know that I've always remembered how this time of year was difficult for you. Just wanted you to know that I"m thinking about ya!

I don't know why but stuff like that from my friends, makes me feel like I'm cared about. I'm not that open of a person, especially when it comes to stuff that really effects me (as what is referenced above). I haven't had a one on one conversation with the person who sent me that message in problem 7 years, but the fact that she said something like that...it really makes me reflect on what may have been if I'd taken a few more chances and what not.

Needless to say, I've messaged her back and let her know what it meant to me and how nice it made me feel. As lame as it may be, Stuff like that, puts me on top of the world.

What do I do?

2009-11-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

My friends constantly inspire me...

1. One of my friends is so passionate about music. I always give him shit about how much he sucks, but he knows I think its incredible what he does. He doesn't let anything stand in the way of his goals musically. To have that level of passion about something, is something I want.

2. A second friend of mine, cares so much for the environment and sustainability. Something I actually went to school for and concentrated in. A field that I actually wanted to get into once I graduated college. It is something I care about deeply, however I don't do my part. To have the dedication to follow through on what I believe in, is something I want.

3. A third friend, just had a second kid. A wife, a daughter, a son, and a house. The perfect family so to speak. It is a dream I have, and admittedly I am not ready for any of that. But to be around something that is so loving makes me think if it is possible for something so wonderful to happen to me. To be around the love of others, is something I want.

All these things are things I'd like and want to have in my life. I am not jealous of my friends, I just compare my life to theirs and find I come up empty in the area of personal achievement and self discovery. And what do I do to achieve a greater state of being, I work. i work a lot at a job that doesn't help me down the right path, the path i want. I have a comfortable life but feel unfulfilled. I've been singing the same song for a while and need to become more passionate in some respects. What i do now is up to me? lets just hope i start realizing whats more important, and let people stop taking advantage.

Times they are a changing....

2009-09-26T22:38:00.000-07:00

About 16 months ago, I probably wrote something (horribly) about me leaving a great situation in Sweden to come work for a friend. Turns out, it was an idiot and it probably ranks up with one of the biggest regrets of my life. Sure I've learned from it, but I've lost someone who was a great friend in the process and I was loving life in Europe.

Here's the short version. I had to leave my current company, I was miserable. It was a combination of things, I think my boss had some personal issues with me, we had a fundamental disagreement of business practices, and I never felt supported. Luckily for me, my work speaks for itself and i was approached about doing my own thing. An opportunity presented itself and I seized it. It comes with some autonomy with a Real company and a nice (really nice!) pay raise. Its unfortunate it didn't work out with my soon to be old company, but I was warned not to work for a friend, and I guess I learn the hard way.

Its a move based on happiness. I simply wasn't happy. Sure there are a lot of other factors. But the fact I didn't want to screw over somebody I still care about somewhat made me hesitate. I hesitated two months, it never got better, so i made my move. Despite my mistreatment, I wish her all the best and lots of success. As soon as I gave my notice, I felt a weight off my shoulders. Its the right move. It was a move for me.

anyways...i have a lot going on. too much to discuss in this blog. Hopefully I'll have some time to blog some more soon.

Hearts for Carsten

YESSSSSSS......

2009-05-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

You fat loveable tub of lard. I love you.

It's finally actually fun to watch the yankees again. I don't know what has gotten into them, but they actually look like they are having fun. Plus they are playing defense.

Hearts for Carsten Charles....

Oh David Wright

2009-05-05T08:54:00.001-07:00

Dude Seriously? I want to like you, but being on my least favorite sports team and palling around with somebody who takes his talent for granted AND those eyebrows!

ugh.

New Soul Baby

2009-05-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

No negativity for me.

I've made a point to try not to worry about things anymore. Life is Life, mine is good, no need to have people point out how miserable things are all the time. It's depressing.

Pretty much if you are constantly negative or are introducing negativity to my soul you are more or less just a figment of my life.

My basic theory, is that everybody should be like Emma Jenkins. Always laughing, unless you get too close to the TV and get yelled at by the 'rents.

(Author's Note: I do reserve the right to get pissed off at certain things that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things, IE Fantasy Baseball, Bowling)

Which Office Character are you?

2009-04-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

Dwight completed the quiz "What Office character are you?" with the result Michael Scott.
You are a person who needs to be accepted. You think your funny and everyone loves you but really they dont, although you do have your moments of true friendship you usually screw it up somehow..

Wow, seriously? That about sums it all out lately.

Workout Playlist

2009-04-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

Some good ones--Ipod on Random

1. Sweet Ones--Sarah Slean
2. Shadowboxer--Fiona Apple
3. Shouldn't Be Ashamed--Wilco
4. Man in the Mirror-- Michael Jackson
5. I'll Catch You-- The Get-Up Kids
6. Passenger Side-- Wilco
7. Run Around-- Blues Traveler
8. Southtown-- POD
9. Phantom Limb-- The Shins

Whatever the list, it worked 31:30, 4 miles. And obviously, I blew my 5K personal best out of the water.

Not Entirely Sure

2009-03-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

What it is about the song To Zion by Lauryn Hill that I like so much. But I have to say, to me its like one of the most beautiful songs ever produced. I'm not really religious, so it doesn't speak to me on that level, but it definitely speaks on some sort of level. I'm just not able to define it probably because I'm not smart enough.

Unsure of what the balance held
I touched my belly overwhelmed
By what I had been chosen to perform
But then an angel came one day
Told me to kneel down and pray
For unto me a man child would be born
Woe this crazy circumstance
I knew his life deserved a chance
But everybody told me to be smart
Look at your career they said,"Lauryn, baby use your head"
But instead I chose to use my heart

Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion

How beautiful if nothing more
Than to wait at Zion's door
I've never been in love like this before
Now let me pray to keep you from
The perils that will surely come
See life for you my prince has just begun
And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of his grace
See I know that a gift so great
Is only one God could create
And I'm reminded every time I see your face
That the joy of my world is in Zion

Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion

Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Marching, marching, marching to Zion
Marching, marching
Marching, marching, marching to Zion
Beautiful, beautiful Zion

Slow Down

2009-03-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Now this is what I'm talking about. Working normal hours, having a normal sleep schedule, and being able to do normal things for the next few months. Ahhh, the days of 60-70 hour weeks are over for the time being. There is no need to keep my phone on all night anymore, waiting for somebody to have a stupid question. There will be no execution or pointless experiements at 3 in the morning. For the first time I know my schedule for the next few months and I love it.

I might actually be able to have some sort of social life...err maybe. While being able to go home at 5 every day and having the weekends off gives me a lot of time that I didn't really have before, I have a lot of stuff I need to catch up on in that time. I'm not sure exactly what, I mean i want to keep running and being healthy, which can take up a lot of time but i just think I need some wind down time. Time where I just literally do nothing or time where I can just be mindless. Work has really worn me down over the course of the last 3-4 months. It's been frustrating, infuiriating, and way to stressful for anybody's own good. Live I've already elluded, I'm very thankful the worst of it is over.

In other news, looks like I'll be in Northern Cali for a while. Like its a good thing because the contract is long and in this economy I am pretty unfortunate to have a secure job. Plus its pretty awesome being in one place for a set period. Bad thing cause it means less family time. Boo. But hey at least I'm a member at a winery. Free tastings for everybody!

I'm in a bowling league now. Its ton of fun. I bowled my first 200 game a few weeks back, and since then...well not so much. I'm killing my team, but at least we are keeping it interesting in most weeks. Plus it gets me to do something somewhat social and it gets emma out of the apartment.

Just got back from vegas. I heart 65 oz margeritas and really good food. Realy Really good food. I mean I spent a lot of money, but I never spend money on myself so I figured I might as well. Being there for March Madness was awesome. Its funny to watch people root for teams to cover the spread rather than the actual basketball teams.

I would have to way, I'm super stoked for the start of baseball season in less than two weeks. Here's to revitalized hopes for the yankees this year. It's just gonna be great to turn on the TV and just watch baseball whenever I more or less want to. Also I think my keeper league team has a shot to be somewhat great. Now fantasy baseball, if thats where most of my stress is coming from, I'm doing ok.

This has my vote for my lame post ever. Obama has done an indifferent job to this point.
Thats all...stay safe

New(s) for 2009

2009-01-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

I don't do New Years Resolutions, I know I'm not perfect, I know I'll break my resolutions within a month, but I do have a couple realizations that I'd like to capitalize on. That is, I'd like to do the following starting here and now in 2009.

Continue the healthly, active lifestyle that I the ended the last quarter of 2008.
Don't be such an aggressor. Just sit back and laugh it off
Continue to laugh at most situations
Look out for myself more (if there is one thing i learned in 2008, its that about 95% of people are out to satisfy themselves at whatever cost)
Go to at least 4 San Francisco Giants game and Boo and I mean Boo the hell out of Randall Johnson
Read something besides Harry Potter
Go Home more
Plan a trip to Japan
Socialize a tad more
Actively Look into coaching soccer in the Spring
Stay out of Situations that don't involve me
Do what I feel, don't worry about what others may think

Now lets just see how i do...

(Knicks beat the Celtics to kick off the new years, you know its gonna be a good year when that happens)

Happy 2009 everybody!

Go Yanks!

Thats enough of that...

2008-12-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Now on tooo Happy stuff...

For Example: That Baconater Loving Southpaw Carsten Charles Sabathia.

16 years ago....

2008-12-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

I still remember the phone call,
I was home sick, 'hey dwight, is your mom there bud?'
My response was 'nope, shes working'
It was my Dad's boss
30 minutes later my mom, my sisters and my little brother were home
in tears and he was gone.
I grabbed my trumpet, went to the basement and played amazing grace
why?
its what i thought i should do
I then just went to my room, and stayed there
i still remember it vividly

I can remember all the fun we had together
i remember learning how to pitch
i remember my first super bowl party which also was the first time i experienced chicken wings and the first and only time i would root for the bengals
i remember staying home without the girls and watching patton until 2 am
i remember you calling the cable company and screaming when the baseball game we planned to watch all week didn't come on
i remember the snoring in church
i remember your fights to get our hometown a town park, which ultimately happend
i remember going to work with you
i remember chopping wood
i remember building the dock in our pond
i remember hanging on for dear life when we went snowmobiling
i remember watching your annual bet with your best friend, which involved cross dressing for the loser
i remember your love

although i'll never measure up to the man you were
just know these things, if you dont know already

i still secertly root for the pittsburgh pirates for you
if i've picked up any of your traits its loyalty and looking for the best in people
as i grow older and more fiscally able i am trying to take care of the family just like you did, albeit from much farther away, but im doing my best
i still strive to make you proud to this day
i dont visit your grave often enough because its to painful to bare

most of all, know this, i miss and love you....today of all days the most

It's Sad

2008-12-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

How the more I find out about people, the more disappointed I become. Why do i keep my expectations so high for my friends and people I care about when they lie to my face for months after I had their back for the duration of a rough period? Do I grin and bear it like nothing bother me? Do I try the new approach of not giving a shit anymore? I really thought this was all over, I thought I was over the period of my life when back stabbing and betrayal was routine. I thought better of important people in my life.

I just want to stop caring, I don't want to believe any of it is true. I want the slate wiped clean, I want to form new opinions, I want to know who I can trust.

Where's the care free dwight of 10 months ago? Where's the dwight who's biggest concern was where to go next in europe? I want to heal.

I really like....

2008-12-11T13:53:00.001-08:00

The Counting Crows...who knows what the hell is going on with me these days....

This circus is falling down on its knees
The big top is crumbling down
It's raining in Baltimore fifty miles east
Where you should be, no one's around
I need a phone call
I need a raincoat
I need a big love
I need a phone call
These train conversations are passing me by
And I don't have nothing to say
You get what you pay for
But I just had no intention of living this way
I need a phone call
I need a plane ride
I need a sunburn
I need a raincoat
And I get no answers
And I don't get no change
It's raining in Baltimore, baby
But everything else is the same
There's things I remember and things I forget
I miss you I guess that I should
Three thousand five hundred miles away
But what would you change if you could?
I need a phone call Maybe I should buy a new car
I can always hear a freight train If I listen real hard
And I wish it was a small world
Because I'm lonely for the big towns
I'd like to hear a little guitar
I think it's time to put the top down
I need a phone call
I need a raincoat

This is Bonerrific

2008-11-14T10:07:00.001-08:00

Lost in all of this, is Nick Swisher is a pretty good guy and a great pickup for the yankees. The bonus is stated above in the picture. He's best friends with my baconator loving pal Cebes. This is gonna be a great offseason for the yankees. Anybody else want to see a Quarter Pounder Eating contest with Cebes and Brandon 'Hamburgler' Jacobs?

I love Free Agency Season in baseball

Thats what happens

2008-11-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

When you....

Run a Crap Campaign full of slander
Pick a Crap Running Mate
Don't tell anybody your platform and just concentrate on the other candidates flaws

I really think McCain had some great ideas and his plan was more stable than Obama's for this country. If Obama can pull off what he says he is going to pull off, its going to be incredible. I just wish we could merge both candidates into one.

Nonethless, Congratulations Barrack! I'm excited for this country. Time to deliver. The world is ready.

I voted for....Me

2008-11-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons why I voted for Senator McCain. My vote largely doesn't matter because I'm a registered voter in about as red of state as you can get. Just like in the past two presidential elections when I was in New York, my vote for Bush was for naught. (I could go all day about my problems with the electoral college, but that's for another post).

The fact of the matter is, at the beginning of the year I was resigned to the fact and somewhat content with the fact that I'd be voting democratic for the first time ever. I spent several eye opening months in Europe and was disgusted with the previous 4 (yes only 4, there was a reason why he was re-elected) years of policy. Barrack and Hillary were on fire, the country was obsessed with the two celebrity politicians. Then the election for the democratic vice presidential nominee turned quite ugly and I realized (again) that all politicians are the same, and I owe a chance to Senator McCain. (not that he hasn't used slander at all). So i started to listen, not to all the crap, slander, or well spoken speeches written by somebody else, but to the issues and I settled on McCain. Friday night I sent in my Ballot to the Tarrant County Voting District.

My reasons for voting for McCain are numerous. I'll just touch on a few.

1. He's ALL about and I mean ALL about protecting Small Business Owners. And being part of a Business that is all of two employees (soon to be 3 or more!) I have to take that into consideration quite a bit. Obama's economic plan would not be crippling to my company, but it would certainly be a hindrance to it. I can't imagine the 300,000 other new small business owners (this year) don't feel the same.

2. I like McCain's Health Plan better. Again this has to do with small business. Yes he's gonna tax our benefit for the first time in history, but he's also gonna give a 5000 dollar tax benefit for health care so they can chose the best plan for their employees. I'm pretty sure that the tax benefit will out weigh the taxation of the health care plan.

3. Along the same lines as before mentioned taxes, Obama is gonna raise taxes McCain says he won't. The fact of the matter is there is no way Obama can do everything he says he is going to do, without raising taxes (significantly) for everybody. Sure if you are below the poverty line, you are ok, but what about the family of 5 with an income of 60K.

4. How on earth can Obama make all the change he says he is going to make? Is he aware of the way politics work in this country. Its Bipartisan garbage. Now I know both campaigns have empty promises, but some of Obama's promises seem a tad bit out there considering the political environment of Washington. I mean all these changes sound great....but in the words of my idol Gob Bluth 'COME ON!'

5. McCain isn't about giving money to people for nothing. You can give me that line about Social Responsibility all you want. I'm a firm believer that people in this country have every chance in the world to make something out of yourselves from nothing. Hell Obama did it himself. Whether it be through college, military or becoming a self made man or women. People can do it. I don't believe in just handing out millions through unnecessary government programs. McCain will streamline all of that. I kinda dig it.

Those are my main reasons for voting the way I did. I'm not anti-Obama at all, I won't be upset if he wins. I just think McCain is a better Candidate. If McCain had selected a better running mate this decision would of been a slam dunk. And to think 2 months ago I was all about Sarah Pallin, accept my apologies. She's not ready to serve although very hot. However you can't vote based on running mates and death is a pretty big assumption. This is a vote I believe in and although my voice will not be heard, I stand behind it.

The bottom line is change is coming in the form of either of the candidates. And its all for the better.

Yesterday was a good day...

2008-09-29T11:36:00.001-07:00

Dwight Woke up without a hangover (somehow)

The Cowboys lost, leaving the Giants alone atop the NFC East

Moose won his 20th game of the Season, for the first time ever (hey something went right)

The Mets lost, to my ne favorite Manager ever Fredi Gonzalez who called it 'fun' (incidently he's my new favorite because he enjoys putting the mets out of their misery)

Better yet the Brewers won, completing the second straight year of a Historic Mets Collapse

I had the best double hamburger ever from Wendy's

I watched a lot of Arrested Development

I fell asleep at 9 oclock.

Now for the question of the day:

How many small babies could CC Sabathia eat in a single table sitting?

Congratulations Boston Red Sox...

2008-09-26T10:38:00.001-07:00

But I don't care that you are in the Post Season. In fact, I don't even mind that you are in the playoffs and the Yankees are not. I'm a believer in Brian Cashman, and do really like the direction of the team. A free agent pitcher and a CF not named Melky and next year will be a different story, but by no means a lock.

The fact of the matter is, I can't hate you anymore. More or less you do business the right way (with the exception of the gagne trade last year) and your team is full of likable personalities. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rooting for the team and I hate the Red Sox guts when they play the yankees, but lets look at some of the players.

Dusty Pedoria: I was not a believer at all when he came up and he struggled at first. But man, dude is a ballplayer. I don't understand it. I seriously shit bigger than the guy, but he never gets out ever. Always on base. Again I hate him against the Yankees, those scrappy at bats usually last long enough for two beers. He loves to play and I respect that.
David Ortiz: Homeboy looks like Shrek, that's for sure and he's not nearly as clutch as everybody makes him out to be. I remember years ago when my friend CK told me 'if he figures it out, look out.' Now a city if not a nation loves him. Another guy who loves the game and loves life. He hits the ball hard.
Kevin Youkulis: I hate him, but only when he cries when Joba throws at him. The fact that he gets thrown at should be considered a form of flattery. I don't agree with it, especially when Joba can throw 102. Its flat out dangerous. Is there a more under appreciated player in the game? He moves across the diamond and can win a gold glove at either position. He has over 100 rbis, and over 30 HRs. And an OBP that seems to be like 700 to me. Plus whats not to love about that big red bushy Goatee. He's a big grizzly bear.
Johnathan Papelbon: Ok I do hate his guts. He's pretty overrated and arrogant, but affective at times. He's not nearly as good as he thinks he is and I'll never forgive him for the Mo comments earlier this year. Never.

So Red Sox fan who like to gloat, get the message. I don't care that we didn't make the playoffs. 13 years straight is something you'll never do and I'm quite content with the fact that you'll never EVER catch us in World Series titles. I'm peeved, that's for sure, and i'd much rather have the yankees playing in October than not. The sense of entitlement for me is gone. You've even lost your most hated team status, that now belongs to the Mets and that Dancing idiot Jose Reyes. I've already heard 4 times this month, 'they just need Jose, to be Jose' Sound Familiar?

PS: Travis Snider

Turns Out.....

2008-09-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

I still like going out and having a good time.

Being relegated to the apartment in vacaville is not for me. Actually the town of Vacaville is not for me. I have one of the best cities in the world on one side of me and one of the best friends in the world on the other side of me. Time to take advantage and stop being held down be circumstances.

Seriously the last two nights have been great, met some new people and what not. Plus In and Out burger is a great way to end the night.

College girls are hot.

I have a new talent. Lightscribing CDs. Not that it involves anything but putting a CD in my burner upside down and pushing go, but still I'm good at it. And considering its me, I'll take credit for it.

I want sleep. Lemon Chicken hot dogs are the best thing ever. I miss europe.

High hopes for this weekend, hopefully awkward situations are few and far between.

How I'll MissThee...

2008-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

I know things didn't go very well for my Yankees this year, but they handled the last game of the season there remarkably. Except for the cheesy actors imitating deceased greats, everything was remarkably well done, right down to the speech by Jeter and victory lap by the team. It's nice to see a team of overpaid underachievers enjoy the atmosphere like its something that truly took their breath away. I have to admit I'm a tad broken up.

Some of the best memories of the Stadium for me were as follows:

Being there for the 2005 Opening Day against the Red Sox. With some of my best friends from college we ventured to the city for some fun and to see the Yankees with the help of Randy Johnson (his Yankee debut) beat the hated Red Sox. Sadly it was my last game at the stadium as I moved away from NY later that year.

David Justice's Homerun off of Arthur Rhodes in the ALCS in 1997 (I think). I'll never forget his classic look. It said it all 'Holy Shit, did I just really do that?' Everybody knew it was coming, in some way or another the Yankees were gonna win that game, but still the goosebumps were there that night and are still there today whenever I see the highlights.

Aaron Boone's Homerun against the Redsox in the 2003 ALCS. I was at the bowling alley, I said to my buddy Rowdy 'Aaron Boone hits this out if Wakefield is still pitching.' I went and bowled a strike, and came back just in time to see the ball land in the left field stands. I was going crazy. True Story I swear.

Derek Jeter...well just being himself.

Mariano entering to 'enter sandman' every time he came in. And he rarely disappointed. By far my favorite Yankee now that I reflect.
Lastly, Post 9/11 World Series against the Diamondbacks. The Yankees lost that series, but it was breathtaking to watch the Nation root for a team that everybody hated. To see President Bush throw out the first pitch in game three, and tears filled the stands and the eyes of millions of people watching. To watch Mr. November take his place among other Yankee post seasons legends and to watch for two consecutive nights the ghosts of Yankee stadium do their thing. Two consecutive nights with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, down to their last out and the Yankees hit homeruns to tie the game. The went on later to win both those games, but lose the series.

There's not much more I can say right now or really want to. Yankee Stadium is special, only a couple other stadiums can hold a candle to the tradition, but I still say no stadium compares. Joe DiMaggio once said 'I want to thank the Lord for making me a New York Yankee.' I want to thank the Lord for making me a Yankee Fan. Not having a World title for 7 years isn't such a bad thing.

More Political Ramblings....

2008-09-03T10:20:00.001-07:00

Kids are off limits. She got pregnant at a young age. She's having the baby, She's marrying the dude. Even Barrack says lay off the kid, but the questions keep coming. Who cares? So what does the McCain camp decide to do, fly the father to the convention. Sure that will stop the questions. I'm not sure the angle they are try to pull here, maybe they are trying to appear as a big happy family and appeal to 'traditional' american families. What that kid needs now is time away from the spotlight and rest. Take care of the baby, your mom doesn't need your help. Take the father and move to Barrow, Alaska or something.

i think i need to say something about the way the republicans are running the campaign. its boring. 'Obama doesn't have experience.' Really? Thats the first time I've heard that. Get the fuck out, Barrack Obama is young and brash. It doesn't matter if the message comes from an ex-democrat. Its old and its not going to work. Has the McCain camp laid out any sort of plans? I'm not getting what his message is besides, I'm old, I've been in a war. What are the plans for the country? Thats what I want to know. If the republicans have any shot, they have to come up with some sort of plan and make it known. They have to compare it to Obama and disect it's advantages to the American people. Lets face facts, McCain is gonna get blown away in a debate againist the fluid Obama, so that isn't the forum. I just want to know the plans from both camps. I want to know how it impacts me, the common American. As previously mentioned, I'm scared of Obama and what appears to be a very free spending plan without consequence.

Of course at least he has a plan and until I know what the republican plan is my vote resides with Barrack.

Unless Sarah Pallin does hustler. Then its game on.

It's cold up here...

2008-08-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

No it's really not. Actually Vacaville California is quite hot. Hot as my house in Fort Worth, its debatable, as I don't spend any time there, but it's close. I assure you that.

So as it may be inferred, I quit my job with PPG. It wasn't personal at all. I didn't necessarily want to leave, and was not looking for a new job, but Kathy swept me off my feet, so to speak, and consequently my 6-8 month European adventure was cut abruptly short. It's quite a risk, but Kathy is pretty motivated as am I to make sure we grow and maintain our business. It's kinda exciting, we are looking to hire a new employee quite soon. The work here is horribly unchallenging, more so than usual. Maybe its because I'm not use to having this little responsibility, but its boring me. Sprinkle in a major work slow down due to water problems and a visit from our favorite regulatory agency, and you have a major case of 'dwight is bored out of his freaking mind at work 9 hours a day.' Oh well, I shouldn't complain, the next project I am sure, will be more up my alley. Plus...Kathy is a great boss, so she makes it worth it.

I got a sweet new ride. A 95 Toyota Celica. Sure it has no brakes and rotors, and I don't trust it to go more than 10 miles at a time. But at least i can go to the store. Every once in a while I get the radio to work too. Plus who needs air conditioning in 107 degree heat. I got a sun roof! Ok its Kathy's old car, but I appreciate the fact that she lets me cruise in it.

In sad news, Kathy and Nick broke up for reals. It sure added hella (California word) stress to my life. I know its not about me at all, its about them. And perhaps I'm a selfish prick for talking about it like it affects me, but I was living with them, two of my good friends, and I moved out here for A. the job and B. the bonus of being around them all the time. Well so much for the latter. The drama has calmed down a bit, and thanks to a couple best friends who have been there for me to vent to, I've survived, but it wasn't easy for me at all. It still isn't. I hate to be around it. Maybe this is why I have avoided relationships for so long, because of the potential for the drama that ensues at the end of a relationship. I don't know. The whole situation blows. I've just wanted to escape for the past few weeks, but where to? I don't know anybody here really, besides the people involved and like I said, I feel guilty sometimes for letting this affect me and letting them know it affects me. I wish I could just play it off like it doesn't bother me, but it does, I hate to see people upset. I hate to talk about people upset, and I want to do anything I can to help. But where do I draw the line? Where do I say enough is enough, and say 'sorry dude, you have to deal with this yourself. I have enough issues to worry about' I don't know if I can. Its not in my nature, sometimes I care too much and I get myself in trouble because I feel like i have to get involved. Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint, but I am if there is one area in which I give myself credit it is loyalty to my very best friends. But caring too much to the point of not knowing where not to get involved is my tragic flaw I suppose....

So as to my great escape to this situation it has to wait until an extended Labor day weekend, but its happening, and it happening in Seattle. I think its perfect. I've been promised a totally stress free weekend and the opportunity to meet a whole slew of people who will just let me have a good time. There's an amazing beer pong table in the works and the Yankees (who suck) are playing Seattle (who suck more). It doesn't matter I will be shoving my face full of free garlic fries and beer, all while enjoying one of my favorite cities in the US. Plus I used my surplus of Frequent Flyer Miles to have my best friend from Home, meet me out there. Its so kick ass. It's funny he lives in Liverpool now (where I used to live)but grew up in Seattle. Ironically, Sparky grew up in the 'pool and now lives in Seattle. Ok, not the most fun fact, but its not like Liverpool is Philadelphia or anything, its somewhat small. Sometimes the world amazes me. Chris even invited his girlfriend out there with us. Normally I wouldn't be game, but MJ is a pretty kick ass girlfriend who won't get in the way of the beer pong, drunken shenanigans, or anything else. In fact, I'm certain she will join in. I'm excited that she will be joining us. Plus this is something, me and Chris have talked about doing for a while, actually probably for close to the past 10 years. Plus to be able to see a baseball games, at the 2nd nicest park I've been two with our two favorite teams is the icing on the cake. I need this weekend. Need it desperately.

I'm not gay or anything, or even close to it. But I'd probably marry Michael Phelps if he'd ask. The dude is a stone cold killer. What he did in the Olympics, seemingly toying with the competition in 5 of his 8 competitions was nothing short of spectacular. Plus for some reasons I loved the unbridled joy he showed after winning. You could tell, he appreciates the talent he has more than everybody else, and the passion he showed is something that is missing from professional athletes too often. Like no offense to the USA basketball team (who won an amazing gold medal game against Spain), but at times it seems like it was forced. They lost their sense of entitlement (thank god, it was embarrassing), but if they lost they wouldn't think of it as the end of the world, they'd go back to their millions and the god awful boring NBA. I feel that if Micheal Phelps had lost one of those races, he would of been devastated. I love the dude. He kept me interested in the Olympics, gave me a sense of Patriotism that has been absent for far too long, due to our government full of assholes. It was nice.

Man is Osi really out for the season? The giants are sooooooooooo not even making the playoffs let alone repeating as champs. Brett Farve is an asshole, I could care less how he does. Actually, strike that, I hope his arm falls off. I don't buy the whole 'i was pressured into retirement' argument. What he did to his former team, the team who did everything for him was inexcusable. I hope Aaron Rodgers lights it up and Brett Farve dies. Have fun with the Jets and say hi to douche bag #2 (tom brady) twice a year when you are losing by 30.

God I suck at writing.....sigh back to 'work'

Ch..Ch..Check ya later

It's bothering me...

2008-07-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

why it's so much easier for me to walk away from problems than actually face them head on. I don't care for that approach much and never have. I guess sometimes the high road is the easiest albeit not always the best choice from a sanity point of view. I feel lazy and thats just not me.

In other news, I'm rich (at least theoretically once I get paid). And I'm not really rich, just rather well off. I left europe to work for Kathy. I'm her first employee. She takes good care of me (really good care) Its been ok so far. I'm more or less living in Northern California now. sometimes its great to be around two of my best friends and other times i just like to go into my room.

Pictures from Europe are up on my facebook and myspace sites. blah blah. It was awful to leave.

Saying bye to certain people is something I never want to do again, and I won't even go into how difficult it was and how long it took. Boo to goodbyes.

Goodbye to you all, for now.

I Wish I was This Happy

2008-06-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Emma Jane Jenkins (Born one day too late March 5, 2008)

This post is entirely too late....

GUH!!!

A English Arse Kicking

2008-06-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have a ton of pictures and stories to tell over the course of the next week or so (I hope, but don't hold your breath). But I've decided to start with one of the high points and at the same time low points of my trip. I am of course talking about my trip to Wembley Stadium in London to see the US 'play' England.

First off mad props to my moms, for getting these tickets. My little brother ordered them originally from the US Soccer Federation, but they misplaced his order. Sadly he didn't discover this until the day after sales ended in the US. So he called my mom, and my Mom called the English Federation. She not only got us tickets, but check out the view from our seats:

Pretty good eh?

Anyways, it was great to see the US in a game as the visiting team in person. We were heckled at, jeered at, and sang at. I anticipated a great atmosphere for a soccer game, being that Wembley stadium is a Mecca for soccer. I wasn't disappointed. We got to the game early and just strolled around the stadium and got our tickets. Even our tickets are cool looking.

The stadium (which was recently rebuilt) tells the story of the greatest events to happen in England in the past century. The stadium which cost about 750,000,000 pounds (1.5 billion dollars) was well built for watching all kinds of events and is decorated with history. It was a privilege to see a game there. Prior to the game, me and my previously straightedge brother bought a couple beers and strolled around to take it all in. We met some members of the 'American Outlaws', think of them as a cooler version of Sam's Army. We took a beer lap with them, and started heckling the Brits. We kept screaming 'Soccer'(their reply 'football'), we asked the free face painters to paint US flags on our faces, when they refused we sang the star spangled banner in a circle around them. Our beer lap culminated with refusal to let us into the 30,000 pound/year VIP section of the stadium. The one dude responded with 'Thats bullshit, if it wasn't for us this stadium would be a concentration camp.' Other notables we met at the stadium were this dude from Maine that knows a kid that is staying in my bedroom at my house in greenville and a girl from Rochester. Word.
Beer Lap Pic:

As for the game, it was a memorable one unfortunately it wasn't because of David Beckham's 100th cap. It was because the Americans got bullied all over the field. They probably held their own for about the first 2 seconds, and the rest of the game the Americans were on their heels. I would say england possessed the ball for about 80% of the game, and the other 20% of the time the ball was being kicked out of bounds by the Americans. Micheal Bradley and Ricardo Clark can't hold the jock strap of Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard. Clint Dempsey, who I love makes runs at people, but once he burns them, he becomes indecisive. And Steve Cherundalo got pushed all over the field, to a point when finally John Terry scored a brilliant goal received from the golden free kick of Beckham. The game was so frustrating to watch from my standpoint of being a fan of the USA. This was an english team that could not even qualify for the European Championships. The bottom line is that until the Americans learn to possess the ball while under pressure, they will never beat world class teams with any consistency. England knew that and used that strategy to the tune of a 2-0 victory. They should of scored more, but Wayne Rooney is an asshole and can't do anything right.

But going to the game was incredible and would do it again even if the Americans were promised to lose 10-0, here are some other pics......

The Away Section

Pregame Ceremonies

David Beckham's Free Kick (that lead to a goal)

Worthless Josh Wolff....

DeMarcus Beasley in his first game back since a Knee Injury

Wembley....

I've Never Thought so Much of Hot Chocolate....

2008-05-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

I do not know what I have done to deserve the people I have met over the course of the past year (and lifetime for that matter). But over the last 14 or so months I have met some people that have greatly impacted my life in such a positive manner. Starting with Jessica, moving on to Julia, and now Maria (all chicks, weird) I have gained 3 very good friendships, ones that I hope will last a lifetime. I am quite aware of the fact that I owe a very long blog post about my travels in Europe, my visit with Emma, my return to Hamilton, my first crayfish boil, but I think I want to speak of my swiss miss first before i get into all of that....Maria, she's a special one.

Ahhh, where to begin. Well, she is from Sweden. I met her on the Hamilton, Montana project my first day on site. Her and the other Swedes would sit outside in their tank tops and 'unknowingly' distract us simple minded Americans. We were not very close at first, I think that can be blamed on the fact that there were lots of Swedes for her to talk to and lots of Americans for myself to talk to. Don't get me wrong we were very friendly, but we would only talk when work required us too. When a lot of the people started to get phased out of the project, we were 'forced' (so to speak) to socialize with each other more and things became a bit more friendly. We started chatting a little more, became facebook friends, sharing cold medicine, and in general starting chatting a bit more.

Soon after that, the project test manager left the project and I was appointed to work closely with maria. The dynamic duo was born. We shared an office, relied on each other for advice, and kept each other from going crazy. It was a regular occurrence, for the project manager to tell us to 'shut the eff up' in Swedish because he thought there was no way for us to be working efficiently and laughing so much at the same time. I think he was mistaken, we worked twice as good happy and laughing then unhappy and miserable. After we became friends at work, we expanded our friendship. We started chilling outside of work. We went snowmobiling in the mountains, we had weekly trips to Missoula for Sushi and Shopping, and we took long walks from site and around Hamilton. I taught her the bad side of English. I tricked her into asking the client if he wanted some 'nookie.' For those of you who don't know, I've been recently given the new nickname of 'dushi' (rhymes with sushi.) It's in reference to the first English word of the day that I though her 'douche bag.' For those of you who haven't been in a store in Missoula, and heard Maria yell out across the store in a Swedish accent 'Dush', its too bad, you've missed out on quite the treat. Soon she was emailing my mom about medicine questions, we were attending parties together, and sitting outside drinking wine when the sun was shining. She became the reason I stayed sane at a project that was at often times too stressful and to harmful to my health.

And that's the thing about Maria, she knew I was getting stressed out, and she knew I was getting sick. As soon as she sensed this, she would stop at nothing to get me to take care of myself. First it started with making me take a couple days off (I've worked 50 straight days). Then it was on my birthday, yelling at me and making me feel horrible for not eating breakfast (it worked), followed by making me go to the doctors for my headaches, and more recently it is making me feel ok for spoiling myself every once and a while. When she talks to me, I actually feel cared about. It is genuine, it is real.

Our trips to Missoula and our walks in Hamilton have provided us some quality talking time. We have grown so close that I have confided in her things that I only tell my very best friends. She knows some of my deepest secrets, and I think I know some of hers. I've told her things that I've only confided in my very best friends and it's funny cause I really did not have any qualms about telling her. It just felt right. No second thoughts, no hesitation, just a feeling of 'hey this person cares about me, she wants to help me, she wants to understand how i work.' I know this because, shes always asking questions, she's always interested, and she is always wanting to find out more about me. We help each other out, and I'll continue to bring over suitcases of makeup and shampoo for her as much as she wants. I'll do anything to keep that beautiful smile on her face.

I really can't say thank you enough to her. She is so friendly, dependable and personable. She has had to put up with quite a few stupid comments and actions by me, and she never fails to forgive me. I can't thank her enough for her smile, her refreshing perspective, for not pulling away when I hug her, and for caring about me like few do. About two weeks ago we were having a little chat, I was expressing how fortunate I feel I am for have meeting her and how she has impacted my life in a great way. She posed the question 'Have I really changed your life?', to which i responded 'well everybody you meet impacts your life at least a little including you' (so cliche I know). I was dead wrong, never been so mistaken in my whole life. Not in a little way, but a BIG BIG WAY. Let's see, I take care of myself, eat breakfast, exercise more, and have lost 30 lbs since we became friends. On top of that, I feel like Maria has made me a better person. I'm more conscious about everything now, more so than ever before.

I don't know what I would do with out her guidance and counsel recently. I mean we haven't really chatted in over a week and I'm going crazy here. It is no secret that I have a bit of insecurity issue when it comes to losing close friends. But losing Maria would be devastating to me. It's tough because shes across the earth, sure I'll be in Europe for the next few months, and hopefully we will get to chill quite a bit. The thought of not having the pleasure of Maria's unique attitude and perspective is terrifying and I will do anything to keep it from escaping my life.

Here are some pics from some adventures of the dynamic duo....

Us at Johan's Surprise B-day Party (that's a doggens in my hand)

I stole her classes, I am so sophisticated....

Angry face game....I won....

Snowmobiling....she won

Us in Copenhagen...Last trip back to Hamilton...Ignore the bags under eyes, it takes 26 hours to travel there.

Finally a quote from one of my favorite songs ever, that reminds me so much of Maria..

The time when kindness falls like rain
It washes me away and Anna begins change my mind
And every time she sneezes I believe it's love
and oh lord.... I'm not ready for this sort of thing
Shes talking in her sleep-it s keeping me awake
And Anna begins to toss and turn
And every word is nonsense but I understand and and
oh lord. I m not ready for this sort of thing
Her kindness bangs a gong
It's moving me along and Anna begins to fade away
It s chasing me away.
She dissappears, and oh lord I'm not ready for this sort of thing

-Counting Crows-

To Swiss Miss, my sotnos...kram kram

Well Said George.....

2008-04-14T10:01:00.001-07:00

......Europe

okayplayah (10:59:53 AM): so much culture there

okayplayah (10:59:58 AM): every stone has a story in europe

okayplayah (11:00:15 AM): every town has something a history we can't even fathom here

Hopefully I can be as elegant with my words as George is when I write about Europe and my travels when I get there. I'm hoping the pictures I take and the words I write can portray my experiences vividly to you guys.

So excited.....In two weeks I'll be jet lagged in Stockholm....

First things first though....a visit to the Lou. I plan on visiting Nelly singing some country grammar and visiting Baby Emma. I also plan on drinking some beer with Jess and Darrel. The former, I haven't drank with in let's see forever.

Plan on hillarious pictures of me and a baby soon....

5 more days till i'm done in hamilton!

You are Peeing Bound

2008-04-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Going to Europe for 6-9 months....completely paid for and then some

this blog may become useful again....

Check ya guys from Stockholm!

Home, (Alone) on the Range

2007-12-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Blah Blah Blah... I know I know, I haven't posted in for what seems an eternity. I don't want to get into the reasons behind it. I've been extremely busy at work, and in my spare time I don't have time for writing, although at times I think it might be the best thing for me. There are other reasons why I haven't posted, and those people closest to me know why, and I'll leave it at that. However, if anybody who reads my blog is actually that interested in what I have been doing the last four months, please email me I will glad to inform you of the happenings of myself. There's been a ton and I'm not hiding it, I just don't like to write about it.

First of all very Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to you all. These are the times of year, that I am grateful for all the people and all the good fortune that I have in my life. Sure there are bad memories around this time, mainly my Dad dying. But who am I too complain when I know my father is looking after me in some fashion and the support group of people who are constantly offering their strength to me. So to all of you, if I haven't told you all lately, Thank you for being awesome, even if we haven't talked in some time, I appreciate you. Ok, now I can stop being a sap and continue on.

My mom absolutely, positively spoils me to death. I won't get into my haul again this x-mas, but the fact of the matter is that I've maintained for two x-mas's now that I don't need anything and she continues to bombard me with piles upon piles of gifts. She's so generious and self sacraficing. She stops at nothing to make myself and the rest of her kids very happy and feel very loved. I feel guilty for not being around more often and that I haven't done more for her. Make no mistake about it though, I'd give up anything and everything in a heartbeat for her. I'm glad to see her so happy with the whole family around. It's rad. (can you say slingbox, although its Jewish)

Its an end of an era at the Dwight House. No more roommates, and probably none in the foreseeable future. I guess Darrel and Jessica, being married, with a child on the way, had no room for the drunk, annoying bachelor roommate in their lives. It works out pretty well for them though. Our company agreed to move Darrel off to St. Louis and keep him local for sometime. It speaks volumes of what they think of Darrel, as I don't know if they've gone out of their way for anybody else like this. Part of our job is availability to Travel 100% of the time, and to circumvent a way around that is quite flattering (at least I am taking it that way for Darrel). Plus it works out very well for them. St. Louis is only 3 hours from most of Jessica's family, so say if Darrel has to take a quick trip somewhere, she can travel a short ways and her family is there to help with the baby and pregnancy. I think its the ideal location for them. As happy as I am for them, I am a little sad (selfishly) for myself. With Darrel and Jessica gone, I have really nothing in Texas to go back home for. I have probably 2 or 3 other people in Texas I consider friends and they are always extremely busy with their own lives. Its not like I can come home, and say 'hey guys sorry I haven't talked to you in 3 months, lets hang out for a week.' And I can't blame them, I'm horrible at keeping in touch, but it doesn't mean I don't think about my friends. Now I am very fortunate, being in my job, I don't have to go to Texas at all if I don't want to. I can travel anywhere I want to (within reason) as my travel schedule permits. So this could be a good opportunity to visit a lot of people I've been meaning to visit over the course of the next few months. And as for Jessica and Darrel, don't worry guys, you won't get rid of me that easily, I'll be out plenty of times to see my little niece. That girl will be locked down!

As far as being busy with work goes, I've recently been giving a huge responsibility increase with the project in Montana, at the project that will seemingly never end. Its a LOT of pressure and a LOT of stress. Two things I typically haven't had to deal with in this amount in the past. It has been tough not to let it get to me, and its about to get a lot tougher. You see, the person that I rely on out there as a stress relief has been released from the project for some ridiculous reason. Then we try to bring her back under a different company and they pull some non-compete bullshit so that is no longer possible either. I mean, what do they care, they aren't going to use her anymore, so why stand in the way of her livelihood. It's pretty unfair to treat somebody like that, especially with somebody that has worked without condidtion, worked without complaint, and who has worked as hard as she did for that company. It just reflects quite poorly upon that company. It's not like an independent contractor is that big of a threat to a big company like that, especially a company that doesn't do much work in the pharmaceutical industry. I mean not only is Julia an asset to the project, but she is also my security blanket, so to speak. She's somebody that no matter what kind of day I have had, I can call/talk to about it and she'll always end up making me smile. Whenever we have hung out, its been nothing but fun and good times. So its truly a double whammy for me, because we have lost a great worker and more importantly I have lost a great friend in Montana to rely on. Sure we have, and will continue to talk almost on a daily basis, and I'm sure a couple visits will be sprinkled somewhere over the course of the next few months, but its unfortunate that the politics of work got in way of a great friendship. I have met some great people out in Montana, but its not the same. The loss of her in my daily life hurts me....a ton.

Tomorrow, barring some stupid NorEaster or whatever they call blizzards these days, I will be traveling to Syracuse for a day or two. Chilling with Sparky and Dickey is just what the doctor ordered for me. I'll talk to Sparky for a while about a ton of stuff, and then when Dickey is around he'll ridicule me to no end (hilariously) while encouraging Madison to tickle me ruthlessly. Sounds like a late X-Mas gift to myself.

I'm off the celebrate my sisters birthday in Albany. Sure to be a great time. I'll try to post more often but no promises. Work Work Work....

I'll leave you all with this...Merry Christmas All.

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.

What to say...

2007-09-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

To somebody who is marrying the girl of his dreams, who is one of the most loyal and best friends anybody can ever ask for. I couldn't do Darrel justice in this Best Man Toast, I didn't have nearly enough time. This is what I said, there were little adlibs here and there, but this what I read from.

Wow, here’s something I never thought I’d see; A Good Ol’ Boy from Texas, picking a Yankee from New york as his best man. I can’t imagine what the town folk back in Kountze are saying right now. For those of you who don’t know me, My name is Dwight and I am not much of a public speaker, so for that I offer my profound apologies. I will try to keep this as short and painless as possible for everybody. First of all I’d like to thank Darrel and Jessica, along with the parents of the Bride and Groom for allowing me to take part of this wonderful day. As I told Darrel a couple months ago, I don’t think I’ve ever had a greater honor or privilege than being asked to be his best man.

Now what can I say about Darrel. I met him almost two years ago to the day. Now I don’t have any crazy College or childhood stories about him, but hopefully I can offer some sort of insight of what kind of person he has become. I had just moved from New York, to Texas, mostly to escape the dreadful winters of the tundra that is Syracuse. My first day of work was boring, as most first days are at a new job. One of the most worthwhile things I did in my first few weeks at my new job was strike up conversations with the only other person in my department, Darrel. Most of our conversations revolved around sports at first, I couldn’t believe how much Darrel thought of Eli Manning and the rest of the Giants, I expected him to be a big Cowboys fan considering he was from Texas, I WAAAAAAY off. A month or so later, Darrel invited me to go out and meet some of his buddies. This would be my first time venturing into downtown Fort Worth. I can remember the night vividly, we started the night at the Library for 1.00 shiner bocks after 1 or 2 or 10 beers, we made our way to the poor house to meet up with some more people. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to stand behind some guys who could probably be professional body builders and mock them and do my best impression of Hulk Hogan. I’m not sure if Darrel still has the photos, but its worth it to ask. I’m sure the guys who I was mocking was aware of what I was doing, but I’m also sure that it was darrel just telling them to ignore me and making sure I didn’t get pounded into the ground. Despite, his first experience with me, we continued to hang out and I met more and more of his friends. Whether it be going to downtown Fort Worth or Draft Day Bloody Mary’s or Winning Poker Tournaments at Al’s, we always had a great time and Darrel made Texas feel like home. Soon enough Darrel agreed to move into the “Dwight House” after it was built and we would then become roommates. I mean what could be better than a 62” TV, cheap rent, and a beer pong table that was the envy of everybody in Alexandra Meadows. Then I got some bad news, well bad news for me anyway. Darrel took a new job, and he would be traveling all the time. Not only did my workload increase at my job, but now my complete social life was in the toilet. Little did I know where this job would lead for both of us.

So about 6 months or so passed, Darrel was moved into my house, I was watching Mak, the best, the most blind and the smelliest dog ever and I was getting frustrated with my job. So Darrel ended up getting me in at his new company right around the beginning of February. He arrived home and we were celebrating as only we could, being high brow and drinking expensive scotch or bourbon. I mean, I was assigned to the same site darrel was and he had nothing but good things to say about my new job. Maybe it was the thousand dollar finders fee bonus or the scotch talking, but times were good. So there we were BSing in the kitchen and he mentions that he met a new “awesome girl.” He’s telling me about her, and me having the attention span of a two year old was kinda just floating in and out of the conversation. Darrel must of noticed this because he started mentioning certain things about her that he knew would grab my attention, like “Harry Potter” and “Karaoke.” That’s all I needed, this girl was golden from the start, and that’s where’s Jess comes into the picture. After my conversation with darrel, I quickly hop on the computer and start shooting off e-mails to Jessica. We traded e-mails for a week or so and then one night out in Terre Haute we finally met. I soon discovered that this girl was kinda special. The first thing I did was ask her to sing “Summer Lovin” from Greece with me. Not that big of a deal you say? Oh no, I then told her I would sing the girls part and she would sing the guys. Without apprehension she agreed. And for those of you have never seen us perform, it is quite a treat, See You tube for further details. The rest of the night was spent with a group of great people and just having a blast. It was a night I will never forget. It was a theme whenever I hung out with Jess and soon the friendship that began through Darrel, developed into what I am sure will be a lifelong friendship. It wasn’t very long before we were both saying to each other that no matter what happened with the relationship of herself and Darrel we would be great friends forever. However I think we both had the feeling that the precursor to that statement would not have to be worried about. The thing that really strikes me about Jessica is how welcome she made me feel. I think it’s a true testament of what kind of person she is, she’s a very loving and very considerate person, probably more so than anybody I’ve ever met. I couldn’t think of a more perfect person to make Darrel happy the rest of his life. I mean she must be super special considering the timing of the wedding. Jessica, how on earth did you get Darrel to agree to have the wedding on the opening weekend of Dove season? I lub you!

Now if I can speak to Jessica and Darrel directly for a short moment. What can I say to you guys to express how much you mean to me and how happy I am for both of you? I owe you both so much. It wasn’t easy for me to move to texas, its taken me a long time to get adjusted. But finally, it has started to feel like home and its feels like home cause you guys make me feel welcome, like I have something to look forward to when I come home. No matter what I do, the stupid things I say, the lines I cross, my laziness when I come home from a couple weeks away and do nothing but vege on the couch, you guys stand by me. You guys go out of your way for me, time and time again and I hope you don’t sell yourselves SHORT on how much I appreciate both of you. You guys are truly unique and are simply meant to be together. And even though you guys may be moving out of the Dwight House soon, I hope that I can continue to be a big part of your life. I mean come on I already have the baby’s Jeremy Shockey Jersey on order.

But in all seriousness, I would now like to propose a toast. To Darrel and Jessica, may your life be filled with continued love, happiness, and friendships. Today marks the beginning of a long and wonderful marriage. The world would be a much more joyous and loving place if everybody could find somebody that makes them as happy as you guys make each other. I love you guys. Cheers.

Mission Accomplished...(at least a couple people cried)

Darrel's Bachelor Party

2007-08-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

BOOBS!!

My Neck of the Woods

2007-08-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

The boss man called me about two and a half weeks ago and told me they had a new 'longterm' job location for me. Naturally I ask the question where. He tells me by Missoula, Montana. The excitement builds up inside me as one of my favorite places ever is the state of Montana despite my limited amount of time spent in the state. So after some formalities with the client, I was looking for a plane ticket out there. Somehow I managed to convince my boss it would be better for him to send me to Seattle for a weekend with some of my best friends (sans Darrel cause he was in the cayman islands) prior to the start of the job assignment. For details of the weekend please see Sparky's and Dickey's blogs as they do the weekend much more justice than I would. The only part I'd like to highlight is the fact that I worked for Sparky and made his burger sales soar over a million percent with my cooking skills.

So here I am, in Hamilton, Montana about 45 miles south of Missoula and straight up the mountain. Hamilton is a small small town. The places to eat, drink, and shop are limited. I thought I was going to have to make a special trip to Missoula just to get sandals as the K-Mart in town doesn't sell them. However I found a local fly flishing shop that had one pair of Teva's in my size. Thank god, my old flip flops lasted me everyday for the past 5 years and I was quite saddened when they broke on the bus in Seattle. Anyway, this town reminds me of Greenville, where I grew up. I thought, I had out grown the small town mentality. but as I sit here, I kind of miss it. I mean you can't go anywhere in the town without running into somebody you work with or met out last night at the bar. That's right I met some new people at the bar, I even talked to a few chicks. I don't know what it is about this place, whether its a generally more friendly atmosphere, but it seems like it is just easier to go up and talk to people. For now, its nice. I know the part that living in a small town that got to me before was the fact that everybody knew each others business, but hopefully I won't be here long enough for that to affect me at all.

The town is up in the mountains, lies on the edge of the bitterroot river and is in the middle of one of the many national forests in Montana. Its beautiful, or let me say it would be beautiful if it weren't for the forest fires that are ravaging the entire state. As Sparky so adequately put it, it looks like 'Mordor.' You know the sun is out, cause its like 95 degrees, but you can't see it through all the smoke. It smells like Darrel is smoking a mighty fine brisket. I mean the town is in the Mountains, but you can't see the mountains. You are strongly advised not to spend more than 30 minutes outside because of the threat of pulmonary distress due to the high levels of smoke. It sucks, because I really want to go hiking while the days are long. Well in spite of all that, I braved the fires my second day in the area and drove until I found a trail. I didn't have to go far, just three miles out of town and I found one. I was not disappointed. I hiked up the mountain for about half a mile ignoring the smoke, and then I found it, the perfect spot. Right on the edge of a creek, on a tree stump, and nothing but the sounds of birds and rushing water to bother me. I just sat for a good hour, jotted down some notes, and let everything go for a little while. My only regret was that I didn't find the trail until 7 or so and that I didn't have a better camera to take pictures with. It was pretty awesome.

As for the job itself, its really interesting. First of all I am working for a bunch of Swedish people. Its like a giant Swiss Miss commercial all the time here. There a lot of chicks here that distract me from my job, which is a nice change, in my line of work. Everybody keeps saying that its important to get this work done quickly, but they aren't really ready for anything to be done, and the rules they set make it impossible to get anything done. Its kinda like Pfizer, but I'm not working for an asshole. I'm also learning a lot of new stuff, which is very cool and I'm a young pup compared to the people I work with so I have somebody to go to if I have a question. The drawbacks are the hours and the amount of days I work in a row. Pretty much 10 hours every day (6:45-6) and everyday I'm in town, I'm more or less expected to work. On the weekends its not as bad, but I still have to go into work. So, here I am on my 14th straight day of work with 3 to go. 17 straight days sucks. Then I catch the red eye back to Fort Worth and fly out Monday afternoon. Next time I'll be flying back on a Tuesday I think, cause a travel day is a work day in my book especially with all the hours I am working. I like it here but, I'm ready to go home! I can't wait till I see Willie the terror who has recently eaten my couch from what I hear.

Bachelor Party is on Saturday. It should be rad. I think we'll spend the night picnicking and drinking strawberry daiquiris with umbrellas.

3 weeks to the wedding, it sucks I can't be around the help Darrel and Jess plan. To top things off, I can't fly out of Missoula during the week before the wedding to help out with last minute plans, nice airport. The wedding is going to be awesome

The BBQ in Montana sucks compared to Texas. I'll give credit when its due, Texas has got something right.

It is so so so so so so good to be a Yankees fan right now. The baseball they are playing right now is some of the most entertaining baseball I've ever seen. They just have a swagger that I haven't seen since 1999. The panic is Boston is on.

I'm going to Denver for the great American beer fest in October assuming nothing drastically changes. I haven't seen Dave and Jen in almost two years, it will be nice to see another old friend. Feel free to join.

An E-mail to Darrel.

2007-07-26T22:28:00.001-07:00

This is an e-mail I wrote Darrel, explaining my ordeal that happened to me tonight. He's on Vacation this week in the Cayman Islands and me leaving for Montana for 3 weeks tomorrow won't see him until the bachelor party. Dwight = Ass.

Ok dude, this is not how you are gonna want to come back from your vacation, but here goes nothing. So I’m driving around earlier today and my car starts making this funny noise when im sitting at a traffic light. Then all the sudden it stalls, It starts right back up no problem, but still it bothered me. It continued to make this weird noise everytime I slow to a stop. But I made it back home with no further stalls. Later in the day Dickey calls and says he wants Krusty O’s and the only place you can get them is in 7-11. So being a good pal of dickey I head to the 7-11 to look around, but I take your car because im worried about my car blowing up or whatever. The car turns over without any problems and I head on down good ol Western Center, and pull into the store, take a look around, and just like Dickey and Sparkles found, no Krusty O’s anywhere in the country in any 7-11. My disappoint is abound, I hope back in the ol Saturn, turn the key and BAM, the key snaps off. Holy shit. Yes, I’m a total dickhead. A fuckup, whatever you want to call it….I’m a bad person, before you haul off and e-punch me in the solar plexus, hear the rest of my story.

Of course, this is the one place I don’t take my cell phone. Why? Because I’m only going a mile what can happen. So I have to use a payphone and directory assistance to find the number to AAA for my free tow back to the house. Soo I call 411, and they ask “City and State Please” and I say “Albany, NY.” “Doesn’t exisit.” “What” CLICK. This cost me a buck mind you. So I sit back in the Saturn and try to figure out what to do, so eventually I come to the conclusion to take chance and just call the AAA is fort worth, and see if they can help me (my membership is in NY). So I get 411 to connect me, its an 800 number, money! I call and they say they can help me even though im a ny member, they just need my membership number. Don’t have it on me. I took it out to book a suite for you BP. FUCK. So they have to call Hudson Valley AAA, conference me in, and I have to verify everything including my nose septum length (not really, but you get the point), finally…a tow truck will be there in 30 minutes. The last thing I say to them is “You know the key is broke in the ignition right?” “Sure thing Got it”

2 FUCKIN HOURS LATER the tow truck is finally there. Naturally it’s a Mexican, he gets out doesn’t speak anything to me besides “Problem?” I show him the key, he takes it and looks over the car, it plays with the ignition a little bit and gets out and just repeats over and over again. “Neutral No, Neutral No, No Neutral, No Tow” Then after 5 minutes of impossible dialogue he throws his arms up in the air and just takes off. I call AAA back, and they apologize over and over again and there is a rush on my ‘special need tow.’ So im sitting on the hood of the Saturn (nothing dents a saturn, not even my fat ass) and this lady hops out of her car and says “Need a Jump” My reply, in a really nice voice (seriously) was “No Thank Mam, My key broke in the ignition so I need a tow truck” She went ballistic on me. Saying I was nasty and I don’t deserve to live on “God’s Beautiful Earth.” Normally, I would of gotten into a God debate but me being exhausted and thinking better of it took the high road. To avoid anymore harmful confrontations I hopped back in the car waiting for the truck. Then something inside me said…If you try it Dwight, It will turn over….So I Insert the broken key into the ignition and turn…holy shit it turned over, and turned over easy. I drove it home, hoping it will turn off once I get back in the driveway. I pull in and turn, and it turns off no problems. Just for kicks I try it again, and it turns over and off without any problems. The only thing is that it beeps when you get out of the car to warn you the keys are in the ignition.

That story is honestly what happen, theres only one reason for all of it Karma. Time for Mr. Dwight to start being a better person and not so sadistic.

Ok so im taking my car to the airport tomorrow, hopefully it makes it and hopefully you make it back no problems from the parking spot. I would take Jess’s Car, but I’m afraid it will turn into a piece of carpet if I touch it. Now your car starts and everything fine, luckily for us I’m not gonna be around so if obviously feel free to take my car to work if it makes you more comfortable. I’m hoping and praying to whatever god there is you have a spare key for your car, otherwise this is gonna be an expensive little trip to 7-11 for Krusty O’s that don’t exist. I don’t think it will be much to get someone to take the key out of the ignition, but if we have to get somebody to make another key without am original, its going to be expensive for us (meaning me).

The bottom line is dude…Im so fuckin sorry about this, I mean it was bound to happen eventually to whoever was driving that car, but I still feel like the world’s biggest ass. Hopefully you aren’t too pissed and you can see the humor in my ordeal. Call me, when you get this if have any questions

This is my life.....Dwight = World's Biggest Loser

What's Your Big News of the Day?

2007-07-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

I GET TO BE A FRIGGIN BEST MAN......boo yah.

Darrel I'm sorry, I'm bound to mess this up somehow

Soo excited

Soo nervous about messing shit up, I've never done this before, I mean as long as I don't get a male stripper or talk about myself during the toast I'm golden right?

Yikes...what a day....

I'll see you folks in Colorado....who's coming with me?

There are Back Again (Part I)

2007-07-04T19:04:00.000-07:00

You're god damn right I've done more travelling in the past couple months than those hobbits, So I've stolen the title of Bilbo's book for my blog post. JR Tolken (Jew) more like JR Broken.

Since I'm finally taking the time on a Holiday to tell you all of my travels, I figure it is best to start off with the tale of my trip to Seattle during memorial day weekend. Sparky has already given his version of this trip, but I will probably offer a few more details in some respects. I won't lie, I didn't even know if I was going to be getting to Seattle at all. I booked my trip to leave late as possible from Indy on Wed evening. I had the last flight from Indy to Chicago, and then a 4o minute layover to catch my flight to Seattle. I was a little reluctant at first to book this trip because a 40 minute O'hare is equivalent to about a 5 minute layover in any other airport, but after talking to the friendly people at American Airlines, I booked it. MIISSSSSSSSTAKE. My flight to Chicago was delayed over an hour and a half. I actually made plans with my friend/Co-Worker Stacie to pick me up later that evening in Chicago because I figured there was no chance. However we touched down in Chicago around 9:50, and my flight was leaving at 9:52. The flight attendant made an announcement and made everybody let me off first. And I was off, I probably sprinted like a mile (or 250 feet) to the terminal and I made it. Last person on the plane phew. I figured the worst part of the trip was over. Boy was I wrong. I had to sit next to some dude, with perfect hair and a perrywinkle polka dot sweater vest on. I thought the comedy was over but once we took off, the dude put earplugs in and wore an eye mask. I wanted to call him Peggy Bundy. After probably staring 3 hours of the 4 hour trip in amazement at this dude, I touched down in Seattle at around 1 AM Pacific Standard Time or whatever left coast time is called, all I know is that it felt like 5 am to me. However soon enough I saw my friend Sparky and his friend Martha who welcomed me with Open Arms. How cool is it that Martha drove at 1 am to come pick me up, and then she let Sparky the Blind wonder at night drive there. She learned her lesson quick as I learned he left the E-Brake for half the trip to Sea-Tac. We drove back to his ex-honey's Apartment which he was hilariously still living despite dumping her and according to him it was an uneventful night. I am going to have to disagree. We were having a couple brews and he was foolishly trying to lure me into watching 'SuperCroc' or something to that effect. I've had my fill of bad movie watching from living with Dickey so I was not going to watch a dumb movie unless it was "Epic Movie." Then suddenly an idea sprang into my mind. Although it was not quite 2 am in Seattle, it was early morning on the east coast and it was entirely possibly that the Season Finale of 'Lost' was online. I informed Sparky and he started up the computer. We went to the abc website and our first two attempts where thwarted. We were about ready to give up and then BAM, we tried again and we were able to watch it. We were rewarded for our persistence as the season finale of 'Lost' kicked ass. Plus my Swiss Family Robinson and Truman Show theories are still alive, and pretty much all of Dickey's theories are de-bunked. When we finished the TV show, it was about 5 am, so we figured it was about time to go to bed. Its a good thing too, cause little did we both know what we would be doing the next day.

Despite our best efforts to sleep in, we both were awake by 8 am. But since we both thought the other person was sleeping we laid in our beds until 9 am. So we were trying to figure out what to do on a random Thursday in Seattle. The only plans we had for sure, was a conference call at Pfizer I had to call into at 12:30. I know, who calls into work on their vacation. This guy does, cause I'm a loser. I make Sparky promise not to get mad at me and if he didn't want me to, I would just blow it off. Naturally Sparky, being the Cat's Pajamas said it would be fine. So there it was 9:30, and us without a plan. I casually ask

"Hey Sparkles, how long would it take us to get to Great Falls (Montana?)"
"I'm not sure about 12 hours"
"Wouldn't it be awesome to surprise Jim and Brit?"
"Yeah it would!"
"Mapquest it, I'll search for Rental Cars"

An hour and a half later we were in a Cab, with Bagels, Cream Cheese, Salt and Vinegar Chips, and Sparky's Two cell phones on the way to Hertz. With the help of a corporate discount, we got a sweet deal on a fully loaded (and I mean fully) Grand Prix, we even got the GPS to go with it (thank god we did). By 11:30 we were on the road heading through the Olympia Mountain Range. I couldn't believe how beautiful the drive was. Still in amazement, I received a phone call from my boss as a reminder to call into the meeting. So I pulled over so Sparks could drive. The meeting was awesome, probably the highlight of the trip. I mean whats better than on a holiday weekend off, getting yelled at, and being told you aren't qualified to do your job. Boy it sure was fun, and to top it off, 30 minutes into the call we got pulled over. It made for an interesting break in the conversation, especially when the cop told us he was suppose to impound the rental car since the Sparky was not on the rental contract. I told the people on the call I had to go. Sparky visually shaken by the cop (I think he peed himself), was unable to drive any longer and we switched back to our original positions of driver and passenger. I called back and after about 5 consecutive minutes of lame ass jokes about me being pulled over, that i was forced to politely laugh at, the meeting continued and eventually ended with my boss sticking up for me (see previous posts). About 3 hours into the trip we hit Moses Lake, Washington.

WHAT A FUCKING WASTE. Seriously this place sucks, and all I did was drive by it. Shortly after Moses Lake we hit George, WA, yes that's right the town of George in the State of Washington. The sad part is me and sparky didn't make the connection until the trip back. Eventually we hit Spokane, and I wasn't impressed, but then all the sudden we hit Idaho and Coeur D'Alene. Seriously? I can't believe places exist that are cooler than what I saw. I can't believe places exist in the USA as beautiful as this area was. A scenic road wrapping around a lake and forest covered mountains, it was absolutely breathtaking. I want some land there, a lot of land there. And I wouldn't do anything at all with it, except just let it be so I could comeback whenever I wanted to and just be in amazement that places like that exist with all the development going on today. The only shitty part was that I couldn't pay that much attention because of the downpour. Seriously it rained all the way through Idaho and through most of Montana. Well until we reached the Mountains in Montana. As we kept going up higher and higher, I kept a careful eye on the thermometer. It kept creeping down....39....37...36...35....34....then BAM 30. BAM BLIZZARD. May 24th. BLIZZARD. 30 degrees. BAM 80 mph to 25 mph. Luckily it was only this cold at the summit of the mountain and as we made our decent the air warmed, the snow and all forms of precipitation stopped. We were almost down. 8 hours in (time change, meant 9) we were an hour away from Great Falls. About 9 pm, we made it into the town of Great Falls. It hadn't change one bit, we eventually found our way to Jim and Britt's despite the best attempt of our GPS device to guide us into a lake. We went strolling up to the house, not sure if it was the right one as they had recently moved. I think it was Sparky who knocked reluctantly. A small puppy started yelping, Britt came strolling up took a quick peak out the window and holy shit. Right there the trip was worth it. It didn't matter anymore that Sparky got a ticket, I got yelled at by a client earlier in the day, and that we were both too tired to even think straight anymore. The hug Britt gave us was so full of love that it gave us both a renewed sense of energy and fulfillment. Simply Awesome.

After a quick change of clothes and a bunch of "holy oh my fuckin god" by Brit, it was off to one of my favorite places in Great Falls, where DJ Jim (sparky's bro) was 'spinning.' So I stroll up to the DJ booth, and get Jim's attention. "Hey Jim, Can you 'spin' some Wilson Phillips?" Then once again, the trip was worth it. After a quick hug, and trying to convince Jim that Sparky didn't come with me. I had to give in, There are only so many times you can hear "Where the fuck is my brother?" before you answer. So we just shared some drinks, some conversation, and soon enough Amy showed up and we all caught up. Jim kinda forced the issue and closed up the bar early and heading to the brick next door where we caught up some more and met somebody from the before mentioned town of Moses Lake. Soon enough, it was into the morning hours and it was time to head back to Jim and Britts for the night. But not before some pizza and beer from Albertsons. The rest of the night was spent trying to watch some movie I cant remember, pizza, beer and talk about our trip. The next morning we woke around 9 or so, and we quickly got back on the road, we had big plans in Seattle that night. The trip home was great, much better weather, and it was much easier to take in the scenery. Sparky and I stopped in Missoula and got the worst Fast Food ever. NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER GO TO TACO TIME. They screwed up my order and I'm thankful for it. I was starving too. They have these things called Mexican French Fries. They were tater tots and not good at all. We made it back to Seattle around 6:30 Friday Night and hopped on the bus to go back to his apartment. What a trip 20 hours of driving in about a 30 hour period, but so worth it. I love the randomness that the idea of the road trip came about with too.

As we got back to his apartment, we both agreed on the fact that maybe a lower key night was in store for us due to how tired we both were from the trip. Driving takes a surprising amount out of you. So we quickly scrapped plans of going to the Piano bar, and planned for a local trip out to the bars on capitol hill. Sparky's friend Dan showed up to join us. Dan's a cool cat, really friendly, and he likes to drink. He has a Keen fashion sense and a bad choice in literature despite his educational background. We drank a few beers at the apartment and then headed out. We went to Linda's. I quickly learned that Capitol hill was like its own little world. Very very different than any place I have ever been before. So much so, that I'm not sure I could live there (in Capitol hill) per say even though I had a blast. I learned many things that night. For example there is a difference between hippies and hipsters and that Sparky's friend Meghan is a girl version of Sparky. I was amazed. Sadly though, I was wiped and had to take off before passing out. After a quick stop at a pizza joint, we went back to the apartment, and I think Sparky tried to make me watch supercroc again. Actually I think he put the movie in and I fell asleep quickly.

Saturday Morning started the same way Thursday Morning. Us trying to decide what to do. The decision didn't take long, we were gonna go bar hopping. All day. Dan being on the same wave length seemingly called us the same time when we made up our mind and decided to call us. We started drinking in the apartment at 10:30, then headed out for some food and more beer. After much deliberation we ended up at Linda's of all places for some delicious breakfast and beer. Nothing like Chicken Fried Steak and PBR. I think we all came away impressed with the food and the PBR. I mean how can you not, when Pabts is involved? The next stop of our bar tour was some German establishment. Tasty Beer, Dan really knows his German beer, plus this gave me the opportunity to get in 'Dwight form.' Feeling 'brave' I said such things such as

Its a good thing you guys are good at making beer, cause you suck at winning wars!

and

You guys better watch yourselves or I'll kick your ass just like the Rocketeer did!

Pure Awesomeness. After a couple beers and German pretzels, we left and went to some random bar in downtown Seattle just outside of the Space Needle. The bar was gross, but I we grabbed a beer and headed to the Folk Music Festivals right outside Key Arena. This was pretty rad. They had some people on stilts dancing better than I can walk, and lots of people looking for pot. A few beers later, we found one of sparky's old comrades and he caught up for a bit. This dude was cool, plus his name was Chris Lemon. And let me tell you, there was nothing sour about personality. ZING! After a couple more beers there, we got that itch. That Karaoke Itch. We made our way down to Oscars (I think). This wasn't just any Karaoke Bar, it was the #1 Karaoke bar on the West Coast. Sadly though it wasn't 8 yet, and the Karaoke didn't start until then. So we played some Texas hold em and ate some pizza (big surprise) to pass the time. The bets were for Songs in the jukebox. Such selections were 'Tubthumping', 'Sunglasses at Night', and 'Karma Chameleon.' Had I won another hand Achy Breaky Heart would have gone on. After some hilarious conversation with the bartenders, it was Karaoke time. I was amazed at this place. The crowd was soo into everything, I can see why this place was #1. The highlight of the night was by far the gay guy singing "Baby got Back." I kid you not, this song is probably the #1 butchered Karaoke song of all time, but this guy was unbelievable. It was like the whole bar stopped to get into this guy rapping Sir Mix-a-lot. Seriously the place was wrapping, I've never been in an atmosphere like that. In closing that place rocks. We ended our night there, unable to drink anymore because of a belly full of beer, and headed back to Sparky's apartment. Good day Good day.

We woke Sunday morning we one thought on our minds, not to drink. We quickly made up our mind to go watch Pirates 3. What a big mistake. Cheesiest movie ever. The Wedding Scene in the middle of the fight....COME ON. BARF. Its OK, Johnny Depp is still the man. Afterwards we headed to Pike Market, walked around the piers a little bit. We also got on a boat for a tour of Pudget Sound and all the Piers. It was sooo cheap cause of some special and well worth it. The tour guide was full of erroneous information but they did serve beer, and the guide was also kinda funny at some parts mentioning that hemp fest was a good place to meet some interesting people but he did it in a hilarious way I can't remember. After the tour, Sparky promised to make me his world famous Smack-n-cheese, so we headed to the market. Low and behold we also ended up buying some beer and renting a movie, not just any movie. EPIC MOVE. Finally I got to see that movie. Yeah...it wasn't that good, we both fell asleep. But the Smack was incredible. We woke up Monday Morning and it was time to go to the airport sadly. We hopped the bus and said our good byes and my trip was over.

So to recap....

1. Random Road Trip
2. Hilarious Hipsters
3. All day drinking
4. #1 Karaoke Bar
5. Pike 'kick ass' Market
6. Smack and Cheese
7. Sparky

I would call that one successful trip. If/When I decide to leave Texas, Seattle (sans Capitol Hill) will be one place I for sure consider along with Northern Cali and Chicago and Memphis. The place was unreal, and i really hated leaving it. I'm sure Sparky had something to do with it, but there was just a strange draw to that place. I loved it there.

Some quick things.
1.) So much for that job in Texas, I'm back in Indiana and have no idea for how long.
2.) Part II will be about my trip to Chicago and other more general things going on.
3.) I miss my best friends. I mean I live with Darrel and haven't seen him in what seems like forever.
4.) I feel like the worlds biggest loser right now. I'm in a funk, a bad funk.
5.) It was nice to surprise my family with a trip home this weekend. Some other things, aren't so nice.

Alright I'm out...long one

This.....

2007-07-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

is exactly what I needed today

I promise to write my side of the trip soon with some different prespectives

I also some other trips to update about as well as the good ol job situation.

I don't know why I'm doing this....

2007-06-17T17:36:00.001-07:00

Wait yes I do, its because I'm drunk on a Sunday (damn you brand new kegerator)......I'm not gonna do pictures or links or anything that takes any effort because I have to poop a little.

INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so.
1) A Blog of a Good time
2) Classy
3) C5 of 9er/Meaning of Loaf
4) Capital City Whinemonger
5) I'm gonna Shit in your Bellybutton

Select five people to tag:
1) Dickey
2) Sparky
3) George
4) Darrel
5) Jen

What were you doing 10 years ago?
This very day 10 years ago I was undoubtedly preparing for finals at Greenville Central School. I was also driving daily with a parent or person older than 18 hoping to gain skill in driving. I went to church weekly and was president of my youth group. I probably had a little bit of physical therapy for my knees mixed into my routine too.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
I believe I was trying to grasp the concept of Process Validation. Although given the fact that Darrel would have already been gone for two months at this point, I'd imagine my days consisted of surfing myspace. Oh yeah I also just closed on my house, so I was probably was painting and hanging out with Sparky.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1.) Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
2.) Curly Fries
3.) Sushi Snack?
4.) Mandarin Oranges
5.) Jalapeno Cheetos

Five songs that you know all the lyrics to:
1.) "Summer Lovin" by John Travolta and Oliva Newton John
2.) "Part of Your World" by Ariel
3.) "Termites" by Candid
4.) "Lucky" by Brittney Spears
5.) "Somehow" by Not an Airplane

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1.) Buy as much rainforest as I could for Sparky
2.) Buy Dickey's Fame
3.) Buy the rights to Re-Run "Saved by the Bell" whenever I wanted to on any station
4.) Take a hit out on Diaherra Fuckermen (Andrea Zuckerman)
5.) Travel, Travel, Travel, Travel

Five bad habits:
1.) Farting in Public
2.) Talking out of Turn
3.) Being too Blunt (not sure if this is bad, but people always get mad at me)
4.) Too Stubborn
5.) Drunk E-Bay

Five things you like doing:
1.) Drinking
2.) Going to the Rodeo and staring in amazement that places like the Rodeo exist
3.) VH1 Reality TV
4.) Karaoke
5.) Playing with Willie (new puppy)

Five favorite toys:
1.) My Grill
2.) IPOD
3.) Kegerator
4.) Original Nintendo
5.) X-Box 360

Five things you would never wear again:
1.) Slap Bracelets
2.) Fila Sneakers
3.) Skater Beads
4.) Racing Spikes
5.) Knee Brace (unless absolutely necessary)

I probably should have been writing about Seattle or Chicago or My new Job assignment or most importantly the new addition to my house, but the beer just told me to do this. Hopefully more posts soon.

Oh to be Dwight for just one blog post....

2007-06-07T21:34:00.000-07:00

I don't know how good this post will be. I don't necessarily like writing about where I stand in life. Plus, I'm so sunburned my head hurts. So I'm gonna give this a whirl and do a little self reflection or whatever you want to call it. I think I'll break it down for y'all.

Job:
Switching jobs has been a pretty wise move for me. Lots of problems at my old job that I still hear about and the opportunities at my new company are already coming to fruition. Hence me being sunburned so badly. Today I went on a Golf outing for work. I'm such a corporate goon. But the golf event was pretty rad. Lots of good conversation, bad golf, and good buffet food. I even won a really expensive pitching wedge as my door prize. As opposed to my partner, who left early, but if he stuck around he would have won the very first door prize, a 500 dollar set of golf irons. Personally I think Iron would be pretty heavy to swing, but what do I know? Today was the second time I've golfed in about 3 years. I'm pretty happy this was a best ball tournament and my team had a big hitter, otherwise we would have sucked it. By the way I'm the man at chipping.

Anyway back the the job, I've never had a boss that would go to bat for me before. Well until now. Its always 'keep everybody happy' regardless of how brutally wrong somebody's evaluation is. But the other day, as I called into a conference call from a rental car on the way to Great Falls, Montana (another post, tomorrow perhaps). This was a pretty intense meeting, and I was getting my ass handed to me. But then all the sudden, my boss speaks up and says something that made me feel like a million bucks. It went a little something like this:

You know what this is a ridiculous. I'll stand behind Dwight's work no matter what, the kid busts his ass for you guys and its about time that somebody with your company realizes that.

I called my boss following the meeting and told him I appreciated his support. He came back to our site last week and he spoke candidly with myself and darrel over a variety of topics. I'm glad in a short period of employment that he holds me in such high regard. Once again, I have to state, I've never had a boss like this. Yes my new job is Radical.

Financials:
Yup no need to complain here. I can buy pretty much everything I want (within reason) and need, without consequence. I've even managed to start saving more and more money. Would I like some more money? Duh yes, and I'm going to be getting some more with a new roommate on the horizon (see below) and with a pay raise and x-mas bonus at the end of the year. So no need to state anymore than that. Its awesome to be comfortable.

Social:
This is a bit tricky for me to discuss. I mean I've met a lot of people over the course of the past year that I would call friends. Most of these people are co-workers or people I've met through work. So how many of these people will be there as friends if I eventually leave my job or in case of people in Terre Haute, when I leave that job site? (oh yeah I'm going to Lansing on Sunday for a new project) If I had to guess I'd probably say one, and that is Jess, who is moving into my house on Saturday. So what does that make me socially? I love my friends, my close friends more than anything and I dont know what I would do without them, and by no means am I slighting them at all. But I kinda wish I had more real friends, especially in Texas. For example, when I come home for a weekend, and Darrel isnt around what do I do? Thats right I sit on my ass, nobody really seems to care I am back. Texas can be difficult as I have written about previously, and its harder to make friends when you are never around, but its just a feeling of Social failure I have.

And as for my love/dating life. Its a joke. I haven't gotten laid since Jesus was alive it seems like. Its not that I havent had certain opportunities, but I do have standards and I will not lower them just to have sex, although I probably should. And then when somebody shows interest that I actually kinda dig, they either have a boyfriend or blows me off when she promises she wants to chill. Oh well, I think part of my main problem with this is the fact that I am always around Darrel and Jess. I mean its my choice to hang out with them, and I'm not mad at them from displaying there affection for each other. I truly appreciate them wanting to hang out with me. But I don't have what they have, and havent had that in a while. I'm not saying I'd be making out in public or anything, but it would be nice to get some and maybe even have something more. That way I wouldnt get caught in my drunken jealous breakdowns where I randomly decide to flip out and take a cab home. That only happened once, but I just couldn't take the constant kissing. Especially when you already feel like you are a bother (third wheel syndrome) constantly. Its to the point now, where I feel like they are inviting me out places cause they feel sorry for me.

One last topic, Jess's Move:
I'm freakin jazzed. Its always nice to get more rent money, but thats not the important part as that she's a freakin awesome person who is extremely fun to hang out with. Now, I was apprehensive at first. I mean, moving 1600 miles away from your Friends, family, and job for a guy you've been dating for 3 months seems a bit rash. I mean what happens if they can't stand living with each other. You pretty much ruined your life. But then again, if you love somebody you love somebody. And ultimately that probably wins in the end. Me and Jess have spoke candidly about the move and all my concerns, because I feel that I have to, as my duty as a friend. I never once discouraged it, but just expressed my concerns and my excitement at the potential. I also spoke to Darrel at length about it. I, of course agreed to the move at once, and its going to be incredible.

Finally I just want to state, I love my life and wouldn't want to change anything too much. I just want to tweak a couple things. These things have been eating at me for a few months, and now I feel I need to do something about it. What can I do? Probably just hope. And until something happens I'll just continue to enjoy life and make people laugh. Its what I do, and I'm pretty good at it.

More posts soon....

Jazz Hands

I got that slow clap feeling

2007-06-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, there will be a blog (or several) appearing here over the course of the next couple days.

Hightlights will include:

a new roommate
Seattle Trip
Terre Haute Happenings
Chicago Trip
A little bit of self reflection

Get excited I Know its been a long while coming

Sometimes.....

2007-05-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

I'm too effin self sacrificing for my own good,

Not that its anybody's fault but my own,

but this time I fucked myself,

In a month's time I'll be alone in Indiana (more than likely)

Sigh,

Seattle in a weeks time

What did you do this weekend?

2007-04-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah....this is about all you need to know.......

A lot to talk about, I've tried writing it, but I hate it. So once I write something that doesn't look or sound like a George Lucas movie, I'll have a much more detailed post. In case you are wondering, Darrel is standing in front of the infrared burner, that will cook a steak in 4 minutes. I kid you not, we probably made the best steak ever last night on that burner. So So Juicy and Tender

I'll close this post on what I've been pitching a tent over for the past couple weeks

I don't even care that the Yankees are about to be swept by the Red Sox, I'm fasicinated with the A-Rod Story.

'Who's Here?' (Snort..Snort...Bark)

2007-04-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

Mak got hit by a car back by Houston. He's dead. If I'm this upset still thinking about it, I can't even imagine how upset Darrrel is. It's really a shame. So Mak Rest in Peace buddy, you made me laugh, and your attempts at protecting were the ultimate show of loyalty, albeit poor attempts (Being a blind dog, limited his ability to be the best watch dog). Although I haven't gotten to seen him in a few months, and have only known him for about a year, I love the little bugger. He's in a better place now.

The Wind, Is My New Best Friend...

2007-03-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

One of the toughest parts of my new job is the travel. Well in reality the travel is pretty cool, its the part about having the leave new friends that really kinda blows. This has all really come out of nowhere. I was really kinda expecting to be in Indiana for upwards of a year, but somebody at Pfizer effed up kinda big. There's nothing wrong with the drug we are working on, its a marketing problem. They are just having a tough time selling the product. So a couple weeks ago, Pfizer laid off all temporary employees and started axing the contractors. My company is actually one of the few that still haven't been kicked off site in the last three weeks. But its a forgone conclusion that we will be out of Pfizer in Terre Haute within the next few weeks.

Now I didn't come to Indiana with the expectations to have much of a social life. I mean come on its Terre Haute, Indiana, how much fun can we have there, nothing but trailer trash. I was horribly mistaken. It was even more surprising how close I have grown to particular people here. I of course am talking about my Co-Workers at my company and then there is Darrel's new girl Jessica.

I had my mind made up about Jessica before I even got to Indiana. I kept saying in my head 'There's no way I'm going to be friends with her, She stole Darrel from Miller, How can she even compare to her.' It was the whole friend loyalty thing. How ever when I arrived in Indiana, I figured I'd better keep a open mind, and questioned my thinking as to why I am penalizing her for a decision that had little to do with her. So we traded a couple e-mails via myspace and thought this isn't so bad, I guess I can hang out with her. We finally met my first weekend in Terre Haute at a local establishment Tepee Tavern. Much to my joy, I discovered that Friday Nights was karaoke night. I could tell a lot about Jess, about her response to one of the first questions I asked her. I stole a page out of Sparky's book and asked her to sing Summer Nights, except I'd sing the girls part and her the guys. Her excitement was unrivaled. We sang the night away that night and haven't stopped since. We talk about a lot of stuff, and never judges in spite of my drunken behavior, and much to my astionishment she encourages it. I can tell her anything and everything, and I think its reciprical.

She summed it up best last night, since the first time we were introduced, we both knew we would be great friends for life. I don't think I could put it any better myself. Over the last week, we've spoken quite a bit about the fact that myself, Darrel, and others will be leaving quite soon. She's leaving for the week to go to Florida, and there's a possibility we will be gone by the time she gets back, albeit a small possibility. I mean she gets broken up about the proposition that I'm leaving, and I hate to know how she feels about the fact that Darrel is good as gone too. I'm sure its tearing her up inside, especially because of how much they really really like each other. It must be tough, I know I'm kinda already dreading leaving. Wait did I say that? I don't want to leave Indiana.

There are other people here that make this place great, but in reality JShortz has made this place special and if nothing else I have a great reason to come visit Indiana anytime. Where my next assignment is, I don't know. All I know is that I am going somewhere, it actually looks like Darrel and Myself will be hitting Texas hard to try to stir up some business, and the possibilities for my new project are located in Taiwan, Missoula, Lansing, DC, or Maryland.

I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye anytime soon. This is going to be rough.

Only I....

2007-03-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

Could manage to seriously injure my thumb playing Golden Tee.

Don't ask me how, I don't know.

FUCK!

In other news, I officially threw my name in the hat for a project in Singapore. I'm excited.

The Man

2007-03-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Dickey is the man...plane and simple

I'm not lying

I'm so proud

For those of you who don't know, my best friend Dickey just finished his first full length album.

He gave me a sneak preview. My personal favorites include:

In Case of Water Landing
Different
Further From You
Thats What They Tell Me
Less Heavy
When You Wake
Honestly
Somehow
The Small Shit
Realtive Suicide
The City that Sleeps

If any readers want the album, I can probably get it for you at a bargain of 5 bucks (rather than 10).

Well worth it, trust me....

Well done Dickey, you're the man

An

Pandora Saved my Life...

2007-03-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

But first an exert from an e-mail from Sparky. He makes me Smile

I am currently living with Emily, my little love biscuit, on Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is the trendy hip part of Seattle, full of punks, hipsters, coffee shops, indy movie theaters, bars, 80s nights, tight jeans, and gays. The gay guys seem to like me, but they like Emily even more (just in a different way). One night while sitting at the Pita Pit after a drunken dancefest, two gay dudes came in and hung out with us... telling us the story of how they were just shot at for having their arms around each other. One of them proceed to pass out on Em's lap with his hand resting on my upper inside thigh near my junk.

E-mails like this, make me want to e-mail peeps in KC, and see about re-exploring a job assignment in Missoula. Although, I can't complain at all about life here. As most of you can probably tell from the comments, I had a pretty rad birthday here. Darrel took care of me, got me fucked up. I woke up at Jessica's apartment in the guest room all confused. I couldn't find the door to the bathroom so I just went outside and took a leak in the middle of the parking lot. So you all can tell I had a good time.

I moved into an apartment yesterday in Indiana, its pretty nice to have a living area that is bigger than one room. Plus I have a kitchen. The only draw back is the small shitty TV, but its not to bad, oh yeah and its free. I think you can say you made it if you, can claim residency in two different states legitimately. I haven't gone out like I do here since college. Although, I am limiting my drinking for the most part. I feel embarrassed about how drunk I got on my birthday and two days afterwards when I went out. Although everybody says I was fine and hilarious, I just don't like that feeling too much. I like to remember all the drunken exploits that occur. But I also have a great time when I don't drink at all. People can't believe how much fun I have when I don't drink a lick of alcohol. They also love on the spot choreography during karaoke. In all seriousness, I can honestly say I have met more people I consider friends here in 3 weeks, than I have in over a year in Texas. I love living in texas for the most part, but it can be an extremely difficult place to adjust to, especially being from the Northeast. It helps tremendously that I have been going out with large groups of people. It just makes going up to people that much easier when you feel that if one person hates you, you can go talk to somebody else. Its easier to be myself. See....

I'm doing better at work now. I've found the people that I can depend on for reliable information. I don't know where I would be without them, and I can't thank them too much. The Pfizer contact came up to me yesterday, and told me that the other people's work in my group can't hold a candle to mine. Keep in mind this is the first document that he has looked at of mine, and it still needs a lot of work. But I took his comment as a compliment cause he kept bringing it up as a point of emphasis.

Although I did clean up about 6 months of shitty work in 3 weeks for other people, I wonder how efficient I would be if I had better working conditions. All the quality and validation contractors at Pfizer work in a bullpen, which is nothing more than a large overcrowded room with tables. Its extremely noisy and distracting at all times. I was given advice to bring my IPod in and listen to that, in order to keep my distractions to a minimum. No less than the next day did I have my headphones on jamming to Not an Airplane as I did my work. So last night, I got a message from Apple saying I needed to upgrade the software on my Ipod in order for it to keep working properly. I did so full expecting no problems following the upgrade. WRONG! Little did I know that after doing a software upgrade on your Ipod, you need to plug it into a external power source, IE the wall AC adapter and not my computer that I was using as a power source. My AC adapter is in Texas. So here I was without my Ipod.

That's when I remembered when my friends told me about Pandora Internet Radio. I never really used it at all until today. All you do is go to the website, and type in a name of a band or song you like. From that band or song, Pandora will pick songs that it thinks you will like. Its pretty awesome, it got my taste down pretty well. You can even type in a name of a few bands and it will create a radio mix for you. So all day I was jamming to a mix derived from bands that were similar to Death Cab for Cutie, Wilco, Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven, Justin Timberlake, and Jay-Z. It more or less saved my life today, cause without it, I'd get minimal work done (no big deal) but more importantly I'd be bored out of my mind.

Welp, I'm out

I bought two new hats, they are great

I'm off to cook some Jambalaya...Syracuse got shafted!

Albany in 3 weeks...wha wha

Travelzoo

2007-03-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

As I sit here in my hotel lounge enjoying free happy hour on this snowy Saturday afternoon in Terre Haute, IN, I find time to reflect on the last two weeks that was. It started off with a trip to surprise Dickey and Sparky in Northern California, with the help of my counter-part Kathy "38 is not That old" Eley. I arrived in the airport an hour ahead of Kathy's arrival knowing full well that Dickey would be picking her up. Dickey came strolling in, I called him and engaged in some small talk. After a minute or so, I said "Turn to your right." He gave me the patented 'Dickey Surprised Blinky Face.' And the vacation had started off with a bang. The day passed by quickly with chicken Thai soup, sightseeing in old Sacramento, getting lost in Sacramento, a great dinner, and endless playing of Nintendo Wii. Dickey had to go to Sacramento the next day to hang out with his nutty music producer for his album so I just kinda chilled in his apartment, knowing full well that Kathy and myself would be going out for sushi and saki prior to the arrival of Sparky back to the United States. The sushi all you can eat buffet was awesome. The people eating at the buffet sat in a circular bar and the sushi chef prepared the sushi right in the middle of the circurlar bar, much like at a traditional sushi bar. However this place was unique cause rather than just serving you the sushi pieces your request, the chef prepares a huge assortment of pieces and places the plates on a chain of boat that circulate the bar right in front of you, so as a guest you just pick and choose the pieces you want. The chef was cool enough to prepare special requests if you want. Kathy and I seriously ate about 30 different plates of sushi (2 pieces per plate), plus a special request of 5 pieces of huge sashimi, and a bottle of saki. Kathy had a seizure everytime she took a shot. It was the funniest shit I ever saw. After that it was time to return home for the arrival of sparky. Sparky walked in around 12:30 and saw me, and ran right over and gave me a huge hug. The rest of the night consisted of more nintendo wii. In case you can't tell nintendo wii is awesome if you have people to play with.

The rest of the week consisted of various trip to see Dickey and Mike play shows around northern California. It was a lot of fun. Mike drinks more vodka then I thought humanly possible in one night, and I got to see San Francisco. I have some awesome pictures, but I'm a boces and forgot my camera in California. As soon as I gets back I'll post some pics up here. The Golden Gate Bridge is freaking awesome. Then Saturday Morning we had to venture back to the Airport for my departure, as I had a flight to catch in Dallas the next day to Indianapolis for the start of my new job in Terre Haute, Indianer. California is awesome, I was really impressed about everything especially the store BevMo! Talk about some great prices on liquor. I miss my friends there.

I arrived in Indianapolis around 6 pm. I know I had to wait around for my ride until about 10:15 so I obviously hit the bar in the airport. As I kept checking on the incoming flight of my ride, I noticed the arrival of his flight was delayed. PERFECT! TIME TO GET DRUNK! So around 9 o'clock or so, who comes into the bar I'm at, but the Jacksonville Jaguars Coaching staff, who was in town for the NFL Scouting Combine. As quick as I could say 'Start Byron Leftwhich' I had a beer and a shot in my hand from Mike Tice (former coach of the Minnesota Vikings). They kept buying rounds until it was time to leave. I think I might have a new 2nd Favorite team. My ride arrived shortly after Del Rio and company left the bar, and we made it into Terre Haute around 1 am. Lucky for me, I had to be up at 5:30 to get ready for Pfizer Orientation and my first day of work. Let's just say it wasn't the most pleasant first day of my life.

When I arrived on the job site, I was told that my project had been changed. So instead of working for Kyle, who I had met previously, I am now working for somebody else that I refer to as 'Superfly.' The first day was full of training. Now the second day was filled of drama, as my new boss was more or less let go from his responsibilities. It didn't take me long to figure it out that they put me in a group with people who really weren't that good. So in other words, I have nobody I can rely on when it comes to my project. This was all later confirmed by my project manager, when he told me everybody was on thin ice in my group. He also told me that this was a huge opportunity for me, as if I did a good job, he could see me taking over this group. So I'm excited and everything at the opportunity afforded to me by the inability of my colleagues but at the same time, I am still new and do not know where to get a lot of the information I need. Luckily for me, Darrel has been more than willing to help me out whenever I need it. I didn't realize what a big deal he is around there, but he's the man, and I appreciate all the help he is willing to give me when I ask him. Personally I think he should be my boss. The rest of the week was ok, I kept myself very busy, which is a good sign I think at a new job. The first week or two of a new job is usually filled with boring activities that make the day drag, instead my first week was filled with one day of stupid boring stuff, and the rest of the week flew by. I can already tell I like working as a contractor, and for PPG.

The best part of the job is by far the people I get to associate with. We go out every night. And I mean every night so far. To be honest Ive been drunk every night since I've been here, with the exception of last night in which I drove. The first night I was there, I went to Boston's and everybody bought me drinks. And I mean a lot of drinks. The bill tab was over 250 bucks for 5 people and beers were one dollar. That's a lot of shots. I was reluctant at first, because you know first impressions are important, but then I figured out, these guys are cool. WASTED. The end of the night concluded with me stuffing taco bell in the pockets of my jacket as I went back into my hotel. FUCK FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Great Great times. The rest of the week was filled with more bars and restaurants and drinks. This girl Tina cooked us an awesome meal on Thursday and I got wine drunk. But by wine drunk I Mean Boone's Farm Drunk. That brings me to last night, where I got to meet Darrel's new girl, Jessica. She's pretty rad. At first I was skeptical cause i love miller and all, but its not hard to see why Darrel fell for Jessica. We went to this Dive Bar called Tepee's to kick off the night with Karaoke. I miss Sparky, so I wanted to do Summer Lovin in honor of him. I asked around for a partner, and who but steps up to the plate but Jessica. I sang the girls part, and she the guys. It was quite a hit. After that some rednecks sang a song with the word 'nigger' in it and there was nearly a brawl. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but the singers emphasized the word 'nigger' a lot. Oh yeah and apparently being from 'West Terre Haute' is kinda a big deal as a lot of people screamed that all night. You must be especially red-neck if you are from there. The night ended at the worst bar/club I've ever been too in my life, but all in all, an awesome first week here. I guess we are all going out to celebrate somebody's birthday tonight. I love being social. Texas is ok, but change is good, especially for me at this point. I think I'm going to like it here.

Pics to come soon.

Representing The Name Sake

2007-02-17T20:52:00.000-08:00

As you are all aware, 'Dwight' isn't the most common name given to children. In fact, I'd call the giving of a name such as 'Dwight' to a child more of an anomaly than anything else. Don't get me wrong, I love my name and don't want it changed in any fashion. My grandfather's name was Dwight and it stands for strength in my family. Plus its awesome when I meet black people, and I introduce myself to them as 'Dwight.' We then have a 40 minute conversation about how 'Dwight' is a black person name. It turns out to be an interesting conversation cause I don't understand Ebonics and people can't understand me no matter what language I speak.

Ok so the point to all this is simple, when somebody that shares my name does something cool, I feel its necessary for me to brag how awesome it is. And tonight I saw one of the most impressive dunks I have ever seen in my life by my boy, Dwight Howard. In addition, his showmanship and originality was essential for a contest that was in dire need of both. I mean the dunk contest is cool, but there's only so many different dunks different people can do. For those of you who didn't see it, Dwight caught the ball with a lovely pass from Jameer Nelson palmed the ball, cocked it back and dunked it. Nothing special right? WRONG! What I failed to mention in my description was that he slapped a sticker with his free hand at the top corner of the backboard. To top things off, the sticker was a picture of himself laughing, with a message mocking the other competitors. I just can't fathom anybody being THAT athletic to be able to jump that high to begin with, but then he also had the ability to make a showy dunk. It's easily in my top 3 dunks of all time. Now, he got hosed BIG TIME. Probably because I think he was penalized because he was tall, so his dunks look like they take little effort, but nonetheless, the originality of the dunk should count for something, plus he slapped a sticker on top of the backboard, not the middle, the very top! So in conclusion, way to go Dwight, representing all the Dwight's very well in the world. And to all you lady's, all Dwight's are that athletic, not just Mr. Howard. um yeah...that it

I was able to watch dunk contest in High Definition. It's because I finally ponied up the money to pay for the upgrade. I just think its ridiculous that Dish Network wanted me to pay 300 bucks for an receiver upgrade, and then pay 20 dollars extra a month for HD programming. So when I saw two weeks ago, that they dropped the receiver upgrade to 150, and you get all of it back via rebates, I talked it over with Darrel and we went for it. It looks incredible. I'm happy I did the upgrade, the stuff on Discovery channel HD is sweet, and the most impressive pictures I have seen so far have been watching Hockey Games and of course those other channels that are made specifically for HDTV. The shows themselves, suck, but the pictures are gorgeous.

I've done my good Samaritan deed for 2007. I've been looking to get my fence stained, as previously discussed. I've been taking bids from numerous different people. Today a gentleman came over and gave me a quote. It was about 32 more dollars than the lowest bid I had received to that point. However, in talking with him I discovered he was a struggling musician. Having a soft spot in my spot for musicians (read: dickey) I had to help the guy out. I accepted his bid, and come this Monday my fence will be stained. Plus he is hooking me up by doing the backside of the fence for free, which would normally cost 200 bucks more. I even got a free CD out of the deal. Not an Airplane is soooooooo much better.

It was nice to talk to my friend George the other night. He's looking into leaving NY. Its a difficult decision to make, but I explained to him that it was best thing I've ever did. Not that I don't love New York and don't miss my friends and family terribly. I do, I do a lot, on both accounts. But the world is sooooo huge and impressive to be stuck living in one area your whole life. Plus being young with no commitments, its the perfect time to do so. So George you know what I want you to do and I'll do what I can to help you.

Everybody should go to my myspace page and take the Muppet quiz (courtesy of Kristin). I got gonzo, and I'm strangely satisfied. Plus its a good quiz because you can't figure out who you are gonna get based on the answers of the quiz. Well for the most part anyway. It's not like the ninja turtle quiz, in which they ask what your favorite color is and based on your selection is, you know the result of the quiz

I went text message Berserk last night. A bit too much bud light and buffalo shrimp at Dublin's. Oh well I was celebrating my last day. I loved it, so good for me.

Ughh...

2007-02-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

I generally am not the type of person to be down for too long, if hardly ever. but the events of the past week or so have really wore on me. Outside my new job (which I'm not trying to down play), things in my life are in a wierd state of flux. I don't know what else to say, I'm not going to bore you all with the details. if you want to know e-mail me (dwight.ricci@sbcglobal.net), but i just need to state the fact that things are wierd for me right now.

1

2

3

happy

Vista View Apartments

2007-02-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Let me tell you something honey, all I care about is getting out of Vista View Apartments, because there ain't no Vista and they ain't no damn View." A line from 'White Men Can't Jump', a hilarious and terribly underrated movie. If any of you have yet to see it, please do, its well worth it. Rosie Perez is truly at her best (if there is such a thing) in this movie. Speaking of movies, when I sat down yesterday afternoon, (yes afternoon, thanks to a get out of work free card from Darrel) and watched "The DaVinci Code", I got awfully excited when I saw they were making Dan Brown's first 'famous' novel into a movie as well, "Angels and Demons." I just finished reading this book and it was really rad. Most of you know, I'm fascinated with the sociology of religion. It baffles me why people act the way they do sometimes cause they get possessed or whatever. I'm sorry but if your god or any god 'speaks' to you and tells you to kill somebody or do something that hurts another person, is that 'god' truly divine. Dan Brown, writes excellent novels based on religion interpretation and I could read his work all day. And I hate to read, in fact all I read are books on the Yankees, Harry Potter, and Dan Brown.

In case you can't tell I'm bored, bored terribly. I'm sitting here at work, wanting to help out the other person in my department with all my old work which is now his work, (which he can't handle) but I'm not 'allowed.' My soon to be ex-boss made some sort of decree saying I am not to work on any future projects and I am to just tie up some lose ends on some older projects prior to me leaving. Personally, I think its a poor choice on his part, considering I was going to have trouble doing all the work that was upcoming for myself in a timely manner to begin with and now, somebody who cant handle it has to do it all. It's just unfortunate, because I don't want to leave this guy in a bad spot, but its not my fault. I want to help, and in fact am more than willing, but I'm forced to sit here, with my blog and the game bookworm on yahoo games. 26 or so more hours to go, until I leave here forever. Its an exciting thought.

So now onto other things, including Microsoft Vista. I don't know really why I went out and bought the operating system this past weekend. I think it was because sub-consciously I knew that Microsoft, who owns the world, was going to make everybody in someway switch over to this new system at some point in the near future. So, I went out and bought it now, while all the stores are giving stuff away free with it. So when I bought MS Vista from Best Buy, I also got a Jay-Z Cd (which is awesome incidentally), an 85 dollar pair of speakers, and a 60 gb passport hard drive for my laptops, more or less for free. Well, the 60 gb hard drive cost me 12 bucks, but I'm going to expense it, so its free for me anyway. The speakers, which I don't need I quickly turned into a profit by selling them to my friend Travis. Was the purchase a wise decision financially? That is to be debated, as I won't get another real paycheck until the end of March and I'm hoping that I get my earned vacation pay and tax return before then, but hindsight is 20/20 now I suppose.

I can sum up my impressions of Vista in one statement. "It's Rad."

The obvious question is 'Dwight what makes MS Vista so rad?' The answer is just as obvious and simple. They ripped off Apple's Operating System hardcore (probably purposefully) and added some features that really appeal to people like me. For example, I can wirelessly connect my laptop now to my x-box 360 and play any sort of media I have (whether it be movies, music, photos, or whatever) through my x-box. This allows me to watch or listen to anything I download on my tv and surround sound. I could connect my latop to my system before but had to use hardwires, which sucks. Also I find Vista a lot easier to navigate and manage all my files and different programs. Now as with any new operating software, there are some issues with existing programs I had on my laptop, mainly itunes. But after two days of navigating Apple's website, I found a simple patch and now it works like a charm. The other major issue I have is with my anti-virus software, but apparently a huge company like yahoo doesn't have the resources to prepare for such a minor event as the launch of a new operating system. Stupid yahoo.

Does it mean I'm an official adult when I ask for a souped up vacuum cleaner for my upcoming birthday in two weeks? I mean seriously I asked for it because the roomba is the ultimate lazy man's clean up tool and i asked for it cause I thought the concept was the best thing possible for me.

I'm pretty terrified of my first day of work on the 26th. It just like being prepared and flying to new location, and having to go in and ask for somebody I've never met before makes me uneasy. Plus the co-workers I'll be working with (except for Darrel) haven't met me or know anything about me. I guess it's the same with any new job, but for some reason I want to make sure I get off on the right foot with this company, just because I can see myself being there for a while and really growing with them. Plus I get free shirts and business cards. Now, thats the REAL signing bonus, I'm a sucker for free clothing.

No more Miller and Darrel. Not my place or much to say on this matter, but it was just time for it to happen. To take up that new missing void is his life, Darrel bought a video game. Within 10 minutes of getting home, Darrel was in a wife beater, drinking a beer, and playing 'Cabela's Alaskan Adventure.' This is no ordinary hunting game, as you also have to go ice fishing, race dog sleds, and beware of cougars attacking you while you hunting aggressive musk ox. I obviously suck at the game, but Darrel is an old pro already. Its actually fun watching him play, he is that good. Plus watching him play gives me time to continue on my straight scotch training, which is real rough, real real rough...

Now back to my boredom.....

Tax Relief

2007-02-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

I completed my tax return a couple days ago and finally the IRS has accepted my return. Like they really have a choice, they can't really reject it can they? Great News comes of this. I'm getting almost 2600 bucks back for a refund. Next year should be even better due to the fact that I'll have my house for a full year plus and I'll have my homestead exemption. Looks like I am seeing the benefit of owning a house now, more than ever.

So between my signing bonus, tax refund, vacation pay reimbursement from my soon to be ex-employer, and escrow refund I'm due in may plus the raise I'm getting, I may finally have some financial freedom I haven't had in over a year now. Ever since I decided to buy a house, I've have been watching my money carefully. In other words, I've been a cheap-wad to a certain extent. I spent my money on important stuff like alcohol, video games, and friends rather than stuff i don't really need food, electricity, and health care. That looks like it is going to change for me in about three weeks. The beauty about traveling all the time and have a per Diem, is the fact that your utilities at home are going to be minimal cause you are only there on the weekends, and plus your employer is paying for all your expenses including food.

The question is what to do with my new found 'fortune.' I have a couple things I have to do, and then a couple things I want to do with it. That being said here are things I have to do or want to do:

1. Replace the Wheels on my car. Because I was an idiot and didn't realize I was driving on a flat tire for about 8 miles, i Damaged a wheel on my car and now the tire can't hold air. This is the third wheel I've damaged in different ways, so guess what, time to change wheel. I think its more of a matter of quality of the wheel and bad luck than my stupidity. I do have a set of wheels and snow-tires that have probably been driven on a total of 5,000 miles at the most sitting in my garage from when I lived in Syracuse. They look like bicycle tires on my car, but what do I care, I'll be driving my car so little anyways it shouldn't matter. Do any of you car buffs out there no is there any sort of disadvantage of driving on snow tires?

2. Get my fence Stained. I'm way too lazy to actually sit out there and do it myself. I'm gonna pay somebody a couple hundred bucks to do it. Its well worth it to me to get this done by somebody else, cause odds are once I get sick of doing it, I'd rush the job and do a shitty job. Doing a shitty job in an apartment is one thing, but with a house, you want to take special care. Plus if they do a shitty job, I have the right to blame them and complain. Where as if I do a shitty job, I'd just shrug my shoulders and go eat some imitation crab.

3. Pay my Moms. Does my mom need me to do this? Hell no. She makes more money than Jesus plus she just got a new job with a raise. Why else does dickey want to Marry 'Mrs. Dwight?' It's just something I want to do for my own piece of mind. She's given me a lot of money over the years. Anytime I told her I needed some money, usually without question she's given me whatever I asked for and more. Plus she rocks my face off, so the least I can do is throw a G her way.

4. Eliminate Credit Card Debt. This is something i probably should do more than the other things on my list. But the situation is this, I am paying off my debt aggressively, and if I keep on this pace I'll be out of college credit card debt by early next year. Paying off the debt now, on the low interest rate credit cards i have balances on, would really only save me about 30 bucks. So eff that, I'm spending my money on something else.

5. Liquor Cabinet. I can't take this idea for my own, as I stole it from my friend Jen as I read her blog one day. But as I read, I thought about my current liquor storage situation and deemed it inadequate. Taking up kitchen counter space for about 10 bottles of liquor is a poor utilization of space. Now I'm not gonna cheap on this, I'm gonna get something nice. Used cabinets are cheaper and nice, but the problem is finding one in your area or the expense of delivery. If anybody can give me a few options besides e-bay, I'd appreciate it.

Those are my ideas...or I mean I could save my money, but that's kinda lame. I didn't work this hard to be lame.

If anybody else has some different ideas, throw them out there.

Resolution at Long Last

2007-02-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

A process that started in the beginning to mid November finally came to a close today. Today, I received a competitive offer from a new company and accepted it. After a week of negotiations in regards to salary and signing bonus, I said enough was enough and went with my gut and accepted. The acceptance was actually a lot harder than I initially anticipated. I did not expect my boss to come up with a HUGE counter the way he did. But what really ate away at me was the fact that it took me getting a new job for him to realize that I am capable and able and deserving of a new title, salary, and a subsequent loyalty bonus that was offered. Plus lets face facts, I don't have the best security at my company I am at currently. With the FDA whipping out new restrictions in the unapproved drug market every day seemingly and with our recent poor inspection, I feel it is just a matter of time before I would be out of a job. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely appreciative of the opportunity afforded to me here, but this was really a no brainer when the new employer came up with a comparable offer.

So here I am off again, working with my good friend and roomate darrel. I am, for one, excited. I am most certainly going to be saving a lot of money and maybe now I can afford that liquor cabinet I want. In fact, I would call it a priority. Speaking of darrel and my new company, that SOB is going to Paris next week, first class for work. I took a look at the menu he gets to chose from during his first class 5 thousand dollar round trip flight and it reads something like this:

1. Talipia and Lobster served in a Holandaise Sauce

2. Sirloin Steak with mushroom gravaise

3. Rack of Lamb served with stuffed Mushrooms

4. Pure Gold with a side of Diamond

Surely, you can see the appeal of this new company real potential for International Travel and they take care of their people (First effin class). Plus I get to work at 'real' companies with cutting edge techniques, none of this 30 year old equipment garbage. Darrel claims he's never been happier at a place of employment. At this rate, I just want to be someplace where I am happy. My only request is that there is a Pancho's around following a night of drinking, so I can show off my ass-power to my new co-workers.

So here I go again, a new chapter in my life. I feel really good and not too nervous about this move though. Maybe its because I know somebody where I am going or maybe cause i have this gut feeling that this is a great career move for me. The bottom line is, I'm content with my decision, and despite the fact that I left my current employer in an impossible spot, it was the right thing for me to do.

So Here's to New Opportunites

I'll touch on some topics quickly.

1. I'm losing weight, I've lost like 8 pounds of the course of the past two weeks. All I do is chug a shit load of water, and eat a very lite dinner. At first I was struggling with being so hungry at night time, but now that my body is getting use to it, its not so bad. Plus once I get to Indiana, I am going to join a gym, and start running....errr we better make that walking to start off with.

2. Was that not one of the worst super bowls ever? Nobody really deserved to win that game. 6 turnovers in the first half, Rex Grossman sacking himself twice, a returner taking the open kickoff back untouched, and to top things off only 3 or4 really funny commercials. Ugh...at least I know if Rex Grossman can make it to the superbowl, eli manning sure as hell can.

3. I've been quoting the tag team from WWE, "Cryme Tyme," unmercifully over the past two weeks. These guys purposely fill ever black person stereotype I've ever seen, and they do it perfectly. Of course, for some reason I think it's funny when I try to do it, but in reality I am sure I'm just pissing lots of people off.

4. If you've never had the opportunity to watch a superbowl with Elizabeth Miller, you need to. It' s comparable to the Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime if able, you must do it or you haven't lead a full life.

5. Less than two weeks till Pitchers and Catchers report to spring training, I love Baseball so much. My goal is to make it to Chicago while in Indiana for a Cubs game with my good friend Cory "Master" Baitz. And it MUST be a Cubs game, no White Sox games. Why? Cause only douche bags like Ozzie Guillen.

Alright, I'm spent

"Brooklyn, Brooklyn"

Any ideas what to do with my fat signing bonus? Any suggestions would appreciated.

My Visit to Saparissa Stadium...

2007-01-21T08:45:00.000-08:00

When I used to live in Westdale Hills in Euless, Texas, Sparky and myself would often venture over to Buffalo Wild Wings for 1.50 pints of Frosty Goodness and a bite to eat. Many of good times were had there, and I have written about them in the past. On the way back we passed a football stadium that had "purple seats." This stadium reminded sparky of a soccer stadium in costa rica of a team he hated in which the teams colors of this team were purple, The Saparissa Purple Dragons. Every time we would drive by, Sparky would ask "Is that Saparissa Stadium?" and let me assure you he asked every time. And every time he asked, I'd have to remind him that we weren't in Costa Rica we were in Texas. Despite his fond desires to visit the stadium to verify my response, we never went. That all changed yesterday, well for me anyway. Last night in the freezing rain, I went to "Saparissa Stadium."

Allow me to clear up a few details for my pal sparky as he stays in costa rica for another month before he ventures to California for a while. It's not Saparissa Stadium, its called Pennington Field. The seats aren't purple either, the seats are red and blue, so when empty and from a distance the seats appear to be purple. Lastly, it can't be Saparisa Stadium cause I'm pretty sure it doesn't freezing rain and snow in Costa Rica.

Now, I'm sure you are all wondering what I was doing at a High School Football Stadium in the Middle January? I mean the high school football season has been over for months now and Southlake Carrol (go dragons, state champs) would never (at least I hope never) play at a dump like this. I mean it only holds about 5000 people, as compared to their stadium which holds 11,000 people. On top of everything else, the freezing temperatures, rain and snow makes sitting outside for 4.5 hours less than desirable. But I'm glad I went, glad I went to my first Semi-Pro Football game.

This is definitely one of the top ten experiences since I've been in Texas. My friend and co-worker Yancey is a member of the team. That is, he is an injured member of the team. Last year he got chopped block in a game, and broke his leg in about roughly 3 billion pieces. He is on the long road to recovery, and expects to be back in a couple months reclaiming his spot at defensive tackle. Anyways, he invited me out to see the team play a game and for some food afterwards. Of course I accepted the invitation because its something different and I want to throw a good friend of mine support where ever I can. So we made the wet trip over to the stadium and he promptly disappeared for the next 4 hours or so to be with his teammates in the locker room, or on the sideline. I guess the bottom line when I look at this experience was how shocked I was, shocked about how serious Semi-Pro football is. I mean these guys don't get paid to play or anything, they play cause they love to play football. I mean they are out there doing celebrations, trash talking, dancing, and acting like the professional players act. It was quite entertaining. On top of everything else, the team that the Fort Worth Avengers were playing was the North Texas Vipers who had no business being on the same field as my friend's team. Yancey's teammates looked like a pro football team. Snazzy Uniforms, real equipment, and a center who could snap the ball to the quarterback without problems the majority of the time. Where as the Vipers, had Sharpied T-shirts as Uniforms, a lousy center who fumbled the ball probably close to 20 times during the game, and in general was a joke of a team. To give them credit however, they just moved into this 'division' and won their old league 4 years in a row somehow. Final Score 44-6, and the six points came on a interception returned for a touchdown. A dominating performance by the defense. To cap things off for me an annoying wife from the other team fell down the stadium steps at the end of the game, sweet justice.

After the game, we ventured over to the Sponsor of the team, Ken's Winghouse. This winghouse was pretty much a version of Hooters, but with better Wings and Hotter Girls. We were soon joined by the rest of the team. Pretty much the whole team is insane, absolutely nuts, right down to the coaches and everybody. I cant even begin to describe (read too drunk to remember) the conversations we had, but I know probably 15 black players pointed out that Dwight is a black person's name. To top things off, the wings were the best wings I've had in Texas and I promptly ate close to 40 of them (no joke). Oh and I didn't have to pay for any of this. Free food and entertainment is A-O-K with me. A simply Awesome Experience.

Now on to some other things.....

1. Dear Texas,

Stop being So cold and Icy. I moved here for nice weather, not New York Dreary weather. Love,

Dwight

2. The placement of my new job is taking longer than expected. Pretty much I have a job, they just want to place me in Montana (which is sweet), but the client is taking their sweet time in making up their mind about me. I went through two more interviews and was under the impression that after I did those I'd be in, but still nothing. My anxiety got the best of me on Friday and I called to figure out what the deal was, but they haven't heard anything yet. So the HR lady sent a couple e-mails and she anticipates having some news for me on Monday. My worst fear is that somehow I blew the interviews with the client and I made the new employer look bad. I answered all questions adequately in my eyes, but the Belgium dude was difficult to understand, and it doesn't helped that my interview 'prepper' gave me the wrong information. I would just hate to get off on the wrong foot with this company. News Monday, hopefully.

3. I'm reading books other than Harry Potter for pleasure. Yup that's right, my life has become that.

4. I'd do anything not to have tire/wheel problems with the cars I drive for at least a month. I have the worst luck with that shit.

5. This new partnership the post office has with UPS, BLOWS!! I have a package sitting in Austin, no big deal you say. It is a big deal because its been there for 4 days now. Plus its a video game that I'm dying to play. Note to Dwight, only buy overstock.com if you don't care about how long it takes to get it.

6. As much as I love my boy LT, what a low brow move on his part. Trash talking and mocking the other team is part of the game. Is it right? No, its probably not, but it happens all the time. Everybody does it, well everybody I guess except LT. It sucks to lose, but get over it.

7. Peter Abraham is a great Yankees beat writer, if you are a Yankee fan check out his blog for some insightful news that is updated multiple times a day. He is the lone source more or less that I count on for reliable Yankees updates.

8. In this post you'll notice that I have finally figured out how to post pictures. Should make things a lot more interesting.

Thats all for now folks, Go Watch Semi-Pro Football if you get a chance, its pretty awesome

Stay Black

US Airways Tard Strikes

2007-01-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

My trip home has been extended by a day thanks to US Airways. It's funny cause I knew something like this was going to happen. Its practically becoming a Christmas tradition now, me getting stuck in the a strange city for a night due to travel problems. Not this year I say, this year I gave a big middle finger to US Airways and checked my flight status periodically prior to leaving for Albany and saw that there was no way that I was making my connection in North Carolina. A 15 minute phone call later and BAM! Resolution. I'm flying out tomorrow morning at an ungodly hour and arriving in time for a half day of work. Well isn't that the icing on the cake, a day of work greeting me plus an extra hour in the day. Some people just get lucky.

Hanging out with CK this past week has been unbelievably awesome. Not only do I abuse phrases such as (fill in the Blank)-Tard and Fumblezord Brandan Jacobs, but the fun we have is of unspeakable volumes. My sleep schedule is all messed up because we stay up all night after the bars close and play Gears of War, in which the teamwork we do together surprises everybody but ourselves.
Here's been a typical day for me over the past week:
1. Wake up around 3
2. Eat left Over Eggrolls and Hot and Sour Soup 4:30
3. Start Drinking 6
4. No Mercy 6-8
5. Gears of War 8-12
6. Susie's (bar) 12-4
7. Corner Food Mart for Pork Egg rolls and Hot and Sour Soup (Incidently Best Ever)
7. Gears of War 4-7:30
8. Sleep 7:30-3

Pretty much the best week ever.

New Years Eve was a very enjoyable affair. Pretty much look at the before mentioned schedule and substitute the Gears of War 8-12 for hanging out with James and Kate (who I've never met before). James I've known forever, and it was great catching up. And Kate was a really cool chick in spite of being a Red Sox fan, which was a fight waiting to happen. After like 3 hours of hanging out in CK's apartment and being denied our fireworks thanks to a storm system, it was time to head out Susies. At Susies we met Flach and his roommate Pat, and pretty much just caught up and shot the shit. My sister and Chad where there, which is awesome and we shared in shots, beers and hugs. After the bar closed, it was time to resume the schedule with the exception that I had to wake up at 11 for my ride home. Now here I sit, watching TV, wondering why I was so anxious to leave a place where I always have such a good time.

My family rocks, i hope i spent enough time with them, especially my mom. Thats all i want to say about that.

This was a trip I won't soon forget, Thanks to everybody who made it Awesome. Let's hope my next job allows me to travel back home more often, I miss everybody an awful lot.

Redemption

2006-12-31T17:14:00.000-08:00

Somehow, and trust me I lost all faith in my team, the New York Giants made the playoffs.

No doubt, it will be a short post-season unless tiki barber deceides to run for 240 yards every game from here on out.

The only team playing worse than the Giants right now is the Cowboys, which is satisfying to say the least.

Happy New Years everybody.

As I sip on a Gin and Tonic, I'll promise to post more about the past week from Christmas on later in the Week.

Let us all hope fumble-zord brandon jacobs doesn't strike next week.

Cleaning Up....

2006-12-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everybody...

As predictable as the Giants not making the playoffs, I've been spoiled once again at Christmas...

Here's a list of what I got this year for X-mas in no particular Order:

1. 150 Dollars towards a grill
2. Pampered Chef BBQ Tools
3. Beverly Hills 90210 Season 1
4. The Davinci Code
5. The Great Mouse Detective
6. The Little Mermaid
7. 3 sticks of deodordant
8. Pie Crust Sheild
9. Soap
10. Robin Hood Prince of Theives
11. Shaving Blades
12. Queen Size Quilt
13. Laptop Backpack Case
14. Swifter Dusters
15. Shredder Lubricant Sheets
16. Engraved Giants Beer Stein
17. Wirless Indoor/Outdoor Weather Station
18. Pyrex Bakeware Set
19. Lost Season 2
20. Whiskers Lickens (for the Cat)
21. New Food Dish (for the Cat)
22. Black Digital Toaster
23. 25 dollar gift card to Lowe's
24. Patton
25. Good Will Hunting
26. MarioKart Doubledash
27. Two Wireless Controllers for X-Box 360
28. Melrose Place Season 1
29. Monopoly Here & Now Edition
30. Two Pairs of Dockers Custom Fit Pants
31. Sweater
32. Nice Dress Shirt
33. Wireless LAN Adapter for X-Box 360
34. Gears of War
35. 25 dollar gift card to Walmart
36. FIFA 07
37. Dead Man's Chest
38. Angel's and Demon
39. Taledaga Nights
40. Gift from my older Sister (Arriving Tomorrow)
41. Gift from my Mom (Arriving Tomorrow)
42. Brandon Jacobs Jersey
43. Large Abstract Wall Hanging

I'll update this post later on when i get these gifts

Wow...merry x-mas to me

I won my fantasy football pay league. Ron Dayne of all people had a huge day. I still have two positions playing today as well.

Skisons Greetings

2006-12-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

For those of you who watch The Office, you will laugh your ass off at the title of this post. And for those of you who do not, shame, shame on you, its probably the funniest show I've ever watched or it might be a close second to Arrested Development. Start watching, this past Christmas Episode was the best one ever, I'd recommend a download at Itunes if you missed it or don't have the benefit of DVR.

In regards to my last post, no offer yet. I'm starting to get nervous and/or anxious. I can't tell. Maybe its more anxiety. Anxiety because everybody I talk to says my decision should be a no brainer to say the least. I mean if I hate the travel that bad (which I don't anticipate for a while) I can use the inevitable networking that comes with the new position to get another job with less travel. Plus the learning opportunities, the qualified personnel I work with, and the job security that comes with the new position has my mind made up. No more dealing with people that talk their way into their positions with no qualifications and hang you out to dry. It will just be different. I'll be rewarded for my hardwork, and appreciated. I always hear people say, "hard work pays off", I've waited forever to see that come to fruition for me, and maybe its about to. But we will see. No offer yet, and maybe I should just chill for a second on this. The prospective new employer knew I was going on vacation and knew that I was going to wait to give them an answer following my return to Texas. Its entirely possible that they were being thoughtful and didn't want to "burden" me with a decision. I just wish I knew, not knowing what is going on in regards to this, drives me, as well as it would other people i suspect, crazy.

Prior to me leaving my current employer on Friday, the President of the company came and had a talk with me. It was in regards to the promotion open in my department for the manager position that I posted for in the middle of October. I appreciate his candor in the situation. He told me that he really had his eye on a gentlemen he has worked for in the past for the manager position (no effin comment) and that my lack of experience (2.5 years) really under qualifies me for the manager position. I don't understand this at all, I've been doing the job for 3 months. The caliber of other managers there is marginal at best. Everybody comes to me for everything and yet im not qualified. My response to him did not outline these points, but instead focused on the fact that I would be giving up responsibilities to somebody else, and having to train this person who was getting paid considerably more than myself. Flat out demeaning. To his credit the president did, tell me he did not want to nor could he afford to lose me at this point, due to my experience and knowledg. If you are seeming the contradictory statements coming from him in this paragraph you are on the same page with me. I'm actually being offered a promotion to a Supervisor Position to fulfil my desire to obtain management experience but not the Manager position. I'd get to hire two people to work for me directly. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the promotion but another layer of management is the last thing my company needs. Plus its not what I want or have earned. I explained that I want the manager position, and that I myself have been getting calls about jobs in which a manager position is open. I told him that I have been in fact listening to these calls and that i have to do what I have to do for me. He left the conversation uneasy, which is probably a good thing for me. Happy Holiday Pres!

In other news I have returned to the great state of NY, and what a hassle travel is around the holiday times. I arrived to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, two hours prior to my schedules departure time, full well knowing that the flight was already delayed two minutes. So I arrived, and went to the ticket counter where I was told my flight was delayed twenty minutes. I explained I was aware and I don't care. But the agent went on to say because the flight was delayed the flight which was originally suppose to go all the way to Albany, with a quick stop in Philly was now being terminated in Philadelphia. There's no way I can get you to Albany Tonight. I was quite taken by surprise with this statement. I started to go crazy, usually I am quite calm in this situation as I have found it best to get what you want if you are polite and courteous rather than loud and uncivil. However this was an exception, first of all US Airways changed my flight plan completely without telling me and pushing my arrival back to midnight as opposed to 6 pm, but now I can't get to Albany. I booked my flight in August for this reason alone, to avoid issues. So after using a broken record approach of YOU need to find a way to get me to Albany tonight, the agent 'broke the rules' and put me on a plane to Charlotte and then to Albany. Of course my money seat assignments I had on my first flight plan were replaced by a middle row seat between two of the biggest people ever, but at least I was on my way home. When I arrived to Charlotte, I complained politely to Customer Service and got a free round trip ticket, which I was happy with. However, at my gate it was announced that a first class upgrade was available, so I made my way back to customer service and exchanged my round trip ticket for a first class upgrade and 3 gin and tonic's later I was in Albany where I was greeted with open Arms by CK. What a way to fly.

From the Airport, Myself and CK ventured back to his place. We originally had plans to go out and meet my sister and Chad out, but seeing how she was graduating the next day and it was already 1 am, we thought of better of it. So instead Chris and myself went back and caught up over Gin and Tonics. He showed me the ridiculousness of X-Box 360 which made me even happier I bought it, and we got pretty drunk. Overall a great night, and as it turns out a great morning as I didn't go to bed until about 6:30. I almost debated not going to bed at all considering I had to get-up at 9 am for my sisters graduation but in the end, the state of mind dictated that I should sleep for 3 hours and that I did. The following morning I got all snazzed up and Chad picked me up for a trip to SUNY Cobleskill for graduation. Never, in my whole life had I been more proud of my sister than that day. She's worked so hard and graduated with honors. Congrats to her. I'm not one for Graduation Ceremonies, so i pretty much sat and talked with Kayla, My Little brother, Andrea, and Jackie. I also played a game of Monopoly on my phone. I am so in love with Andrea, it make me sick, plus she thinks I'm funny so I do my best to make her laugh. Sigh....anyway following graduation, 16 of us went out to a great steakhouse for dinner and ate. Great family, food, and friends, a remarkable time had by all. From there, Chad dropped me back off at CK's, where I bought him a bottle of Bombay Sapphire for X-mas, and after a few drinks off to Susie's it was to take part in a graduation celebration.

Awesome, is the only word to describe the time I had that night. Lots of beers, shots, catching up with people, shirt questions (i was wearing my Laura shirt), and darts dominance. I haven't played darts in probably close to 10 months now, and of course when I teamed up with CK we went 5-1. I played pretty much played lights out. I also broke my hand on the post cause I thought it would be cool to hit it when I barely missed a bullseye. We also played against some cool people as well, which makes the game that much more enjoyable. So when it was time to go, I paid my tab (ugh) and we decided to get some of the best Chinese food I've ever had. I thought it might have been the fact that I was blasted, but the leftovers the next day were incredible. So good in fact that myself and CK had it again the next day. Hot and Sour Soup, might be the best soup ever, with a good bowl of French Onion being the exception. Saturday was a lazy day, with the only thing I did that was productive was be hungover. Feeling like krap, Chris and myself spent the night doing what we do best, be dominant, this time however it was at video games. That might seem like a horrible way to spend a Saturday night to most people, but with a couple mixed Gin drinks, and playing the best game I've ever seen, Gears of War, it was freakin awesome. And now it's Sunday, Christmas Eve, and I'm home, wallowing in the pity of being a New York Giants fan, and hanging out with my mom and older sister. Tomorrow is x-mas and if I know my mom, she spoiled us all with entirely too many gifts. So on that note, happy holidays and best wishes in this time where I think everybody should be as blessed as I feel right now. Happy Birthday Kim!

A Trip to Bombay Revisited....

2006-12-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

I orginnally posted this entry last night, however do to my novice blogging skills, it got deleted....more or less I'm an iddiot. I'm particularly upset, because I felt it was some of my best writing to date. So, I'll do my best to recreate the blog, forgive me If I skip around in tense and have poor sentence structure, but for most of the people who read my blog regularly this would not be straying for normal course. Here goes nothing....

The subject of this post, has nothing to do with a vacation to India. But if it did, I would surely be in one stellar mood. Any trip to India would undoubtly invole one Mr. Neil Prakash. He is the sexiest man alive and on top of everything else he's classified as a super war hero. No, unfortunately the tile of my post has to do with a unique blend of 10 ingredients from around the globe squeezed into one single bottle. Thats right, I bought a handle of bombay saphire gin. I'm a pretty firm beleiver, in 'alcohol is alcohol', and that brand rarely makes a difference to me, as long as I feel the euphoric effects. But I'll take the exception to the rule here, and apply it to bombay gin. It smells like vodka and tastes a hell of a lot better. One can put a hefty amount of gin into a drink and mix with a splash of orange juice and gingerale to create one hell of a drink. This is what myself and Yancey did last night, while watching a cowboys victory (FUCK!!). My only regret is that I did not have Tom Collins mix, to revist my college days to make my favorite mixed drink to date, the John Micheal Higgins. Now most of you who know me are asking yourselves, when did cheapwad dwight get up the nerve to spend 42 dollars on a bottle of liquor? The answer lies within the recent events of last month....

So at my current job, I was fully expected to get a promotion, hasn't happened yet. In fact when I talked to my boss about it, he gave me the impression that he did not think I was ready. I find that a little hard to beleive considering the caliber of management that is already in place, and the fact that I have been doing the job for 3 months already. This coversation was quite shocking considering he has been dropping hints over the course of the 3 months that would imply otherwise. At the conclusion of the coversation with the top dog of my company, I told him that if he feels that I can not grow into a management position, that I would need to be pursuing opportunites elsewhere that would allow me to grow. Soon thereafter, my roomates company contacted me for an interview, and after hearing Darrel talk about the financial opportunities there I jumped at the chance. So over the course of a few weeks, I took part in a series of interviews with different people in the company. Most recently (Friday), they flew me up to Kansas City, Missouri and took me by car service to Overland Park, Kansas to interview there and pitch to me why this company was a good fit for me. I came away quite impressed with everything, the interviewer's there are either really really happy with their position or put on quite a facade. It seems like that they really really really appreciate the hard work their employees put in and there is actual compensation for it. Continuing education, whether it be by a formal instituion or professionally is a big part of their company, which is appealing to me. There is only one major drawback, and that is the 100% travel required of the job. Now don't get me wrong, I love to travel, but the fact of the matter is, I'd only be in Texas every so often. As much as I bash texas, its beginning to feel like home more than ever. I've finnally getting a strong social footing here, and I'm afraid that by travelling and being home a few days a month could sacrafice that. But thats the only drawback I see, and it could be a sticking point if I make it one. But when you compare the my current company to my potential new one, the new one trumps the old one and its not even close. Not only is there a possibility that I could end up in California with Dickey and Sparky or in Indiana with Darrel but they pay for me to fly from point A to point B. Which means, as the HR Manager told me, that I could fly to NY or Fort Worth or Cali. paid for by the company, but if I needed to travel anywhere but to back to a job site, that was my responsibility. But take a look at some comparisons I did. You name it.....benefits package? Better. 401k program and match? Better. Financial Compensation Packages? Better. Opportunities for Growth? Better. Job Security? Much better, thanks to a certain government agency visiting my current employeer for the past two weeks or so. So within the next week or so, I am expecting a competative and almost flattering offer from this new company, and I'll have a decision to make. I'm fully expecting a counter offer from my current employeer, because they really can't afford to loose me thanks to most recent observations made by the Agency. But my question will be to them, 'what took you so long?' In which they will give me some answer that will make me angry. Changing Job sucks, but it sounds like this may be a great move for me....any advice would be much appreciated.

4 days from now, I'll be home in NY. I'm quite excited. Although I'm sure after about 3 days of sitting around without a car, I'll be going insane. I do have some events planned, such as sisters graduation, Seeing Raw Live with CK, and of course X-mas with the family, and New Years with some people I'm sure I havent seen in a while. I hope it snows on x-mas, and thats it.

I went way over budget this month, and thats even with an extra paycheck, but I had a lot of things happen. Whatever all this may soon be a moot point. Thats about all I have now, I think I'm forgetting something that I posted last night, but oh well. Ill update soon with job status update.

Ode to Sparky....

2006-12-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

Its an end of an era in Fort Worth, Texas. One of my very best friends in the world has left me for better things. Yes, most of you are thinking....what could possibly be better than the greater metroplex area? The home of Fuzzy's, Rodeo's every weekend, Avery Johnson, Terrell Owens, and the Dwight house. But he is off to California for a day or so, then to his true home and calling in Costa Rica. After that he is moving to Cali, to live with Dickey, as Dickey likes to point out every so often. That lucky bastard. As saddened as I am to see him leave here, I am happy to see him go and pursue his inspiring aspirations. That is precisely the term I would use to describe him, inspiring. He is a man that always pursues his desires, no matter at what cost. No matter what the obstacle, whether it be time, finances, or objections from his friends for leaving, he does what he needs to do to make himself feel fulfilled. I'm envious, extremely envious. Now Now, I'm very happy in my life, but a career in the field of validation is not exactly what I call my dream career. I mean I do enjoy some of the challenges I face, but would I much rather be traveling? you bet. Do I wish I had no debt so I could spend 6 months in another country, living like a savage and promoting a lifestyle better for the entire world? No question. The fact of the matter is, the reason why I don't do that is because I just don't make it happen. I'm just not as motivated and don't have the same drive as sparky. I wish I did. He's somebody that leads a full life, and again I state, I'm green with envy.

So what can I say about the time Sparky spent here with me? It's very hard to capture all the fun we had together. First of all, I can say I was quite flattered that he even wanted to live with me, especially for an extended period of time approaching 9 months, (which is a small lifetime to sparky). I know some of his friends that wanted sparky to crash temporarily at their pads for years, and yet he chose to come live with me for that time. Quite the compliment, and tribute to our strong friendship. Who can forget the first night Sparky arrived in Euless, TX after an incredible weekend of Mardi Gras fun in St. Louis? We went to a local sports bar Ron's, and it was nothing but fun, drinks, and some incredible dart shooting by Darrel and Elizabeth Miller. Forget about the fact that I drove the wrong way down the road, and my many apologies, just remember sparky tossing his cookies and passing out by the airconditioner outside my apartment. The next fond memory that I will always remember, is of course my birthday with my best buds at the piano bar. That bar just is the perfect type of atmosphere for all of us. Great Music, Great Comedy, Great Show. Sparky still tells the story of my one-liner to the singer as it was some great legend. Next Stop, May 19th, Sparky's birthday....Fort Worth Cats, Fuzzy's and a mumbling phone coversation with Dickey. The night ended with sparky passed out on the moat bridge. The establishment of the Dwight house, who knows what kind of shape my house would be in if it wasn't for sparky working diligently packing, moving, and painting. My house is a site to see thanks to Sparky. Neil and Laura's return, more memories at the piano bar, my house warming party, buffalo wild wings server power rankings, Fifa games, tasty dishes, thanksgiving, trips to syracuse, trips to Killeen, music videos. The list can go on and on for ever. I can only recall two things really bothering me about sparky, 1. Our political discussions and arguments about extremely stupid topics (ex. John Kerry) and 2. the fact that he left me bored for almost a month when he went to Finland.

What I get to the bottom of everything, I just have one thing to say. "Sparky Thank you" You've made my transition to Texas extremely easier, you've been there for me as something I can blow off steam to. You've always been patient with my somewhat uptight ways and have been a model friend. To those of you who don't know Sparky or someone like him (although there is no replacement), it truly is a shame. Good Luck Sparky in your adventures, don't forget about the little people in Fort Worth. You will be missed.

Ok...so I havent posted in a while. Here are some quick hitters:
1. I got ripped off on e-bay for the first time in my life, and somehow I still ended up with an X-box for 10 bucks.
2. If you arent watching The Girls Next Door start, its hilarious
3. Man Crush= Ladillian Tomilison (sorry for the spelling). Not only did he go to TCU, but he also i singlehandily going to win me my pay league in fantasy football.
4. The Cowboys get every single call going there way, Jerry Jones must own the universe. And if a call goes against them, Troy Aikmen is there to explain why it was a bad call
5. How many times does Michael Irvin have to interview Terrell Owens and defend him? I think the number directly correlates to the number of game of anal invaders they play with each other. Go break your neck.
6. I love Brian Cashman. I also love the fact that every front office executive in Major league baseball hates Theo Epstein.
7. X-Box 360 is worth it just for the burger king games.
8. I wish Dickey and Darrel were around more often.
9. the job hunt is on, somewhere somebody will appreciate how much I work my ass off.
10. 10 days till I'm in NY, 15 days till Raw with CK...I'm excited to go home for an extended period of time, even more excited to not have to work for 12 days.

Thats all....keep in 'poppin'
one

Decision Maker

2006-09-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, the President of the company I work for has recently "submitted his resignation." My boss, who was one of 3 vp's got promoted to his position. Which is great for him, especially since he pretty much ran this place already. I hardly ever see him, as he is running from meeting to meeting, and that leaves me to make many decisions related to processes that he would normally make. I'm pretty excited about that idea, considering I have really never been in that sort of position before. Strike that. I was excited, until today.

What are you suppose to do in tough situations. Somebody i happen to like very much at my job messed up today. Normally not that big of deal, but this guy is a bit clumsy and makes more mistakes then most. Today this fellow, made another mistake that does not really cost my company anything other than time of the individuals that have to measure the impact of his blunder. I get called down to his supervisor's office and am asked is there anyway we can get around not writing this up. The fact of the matter is, if it is written up, the operator will lose his job as result of his previous mistakes. Dilema.

Do I risk putting my own job at risk to cover for somebody else? I know what my heart and conscience is telling me. This gentlemen is one of the most kind hearted people I know. He makes me laugh routinely, has a wife, kids, and grandkids. Everybody at work enjoys his company, and I'd have to say if anything he raises morale. I went out of my way to try to cover up for him. I talked to his immeidate supervisor (as he was obviously having the same ethical issues I was), in possible options for addressing this error. All this was for naught though, as ultimately we both came to the same conclusion. If we get caught covering for him, we would most likely lose our jobs. The fact of the matter was, that somebody else knew about the error, and as much as we would like to think that she would not slip up and tell everybody, we know that somehow, someway other people would find out.

I don't know why I am blaming myself here. I mean I didnt mess up. I was just simply called down to give an opinion and possible options for solving this mistake. I think i feel so horrible because he told me what would happen to the employee if we couldnt find a way to hide the mistake. I feel as though I have failed, but I did the right thing from a business, regulatory, and ethical standpoint. It's not like it was my decision to fire him. But I can't help it, I can't shake this feeling that I was responsible for this employee's dismissal. That I am a tattle-tail. So to him I apologize a 1000x over and try to put this out of my mind, so I dont make myself sick thinking about what I have done.

Reality TVality

2006-08-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Is there any doubt in anybody's mind if somebody should make "The Simple Life" Movie? Not only are Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton easy on the eyes, but Nicole possesses a devious sense of humor that I feel I might only be able to find in my soulmate. In the season finale, Nicole hires the stunt devil for Paris Hilton, and persuades her into holding a press conference. At the press conference the fake Paris, tells the reporter that she was in South Beach and at a club with a lot famous people, where she happens to run into Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. "The euphoric atmosphere" of the club made Paris want to go home with them. Sexual Encounters incurred and Paris Hilton ends up Pregnant. However, theres a twist...J.Lo confides in Paris that she could be the father because she use to be a man. The part of this story I can't figure out is if she used to be a man, how could she still possibly be the father. I mean if you have a sex change isnt your we-we, dismembered, so J. Lo couldnt possibly be the father. Anywho...as this is goin on Paris Hilton's Publicist gests word of a News Conference involving his client, and calls her asking what the deal is. The stunned Paris, hops into her sports car to confront her use to be ex-friend, she arrives and BAM...cliffhanger....end of season.

I generally hate when shows leave big cliff hangers, but this one was so effin great that im looking forward to the next season of "The simple life" with great gusto! Booyah...I mean this stunt ranks right up there with the well thought out plan of replacing the blind, smelly breathed dog we watch with a baby goat. I mean we wouldnt be thinking of replacing the dog unless he did something besides lick his own balls, have a red ass, and get boners everytime we pet him now. Seriously its gotten to the point where I dont want Mak Redbutt to sit up with me on the couch anymore.

Righto...The point is Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton are hillarious...Make a feature Movie..Please

Otherthings....
Sparky and I have watched over 40 episodes of 90210 over the past two weeks, we have about 40 more to catch up completely plus keeping up with all the new episodes that record twice a day Monday-Friday...Dylan has hit rock bottom, Valerie is a Devil in Angel's Clothing, and Brandon is having trouble filling the shoes of his fallen campaign partner Josh Richland. Will Dylan clean up his act, will the real Valerie be exposed, and can brandon deal with the pressures of dealing with student body present, the death of a close friend, and a supermodel girlfriend? More importantly when the fuck will Diaherra Fuckerman get written off the show?

Last Thrusday Ranks in the tops of one of the best Nights ever in Texas...I dont really know why, but it involved, beer, rum and cokes, tequilla, and fuzzy's...Sparky even cross streams, I was drunk until about noon at work. Let me just state it like this....In order to make it to work the next morning without coming off like a complete scumbag, I had to switch shirts, socks, and shoes with sparky....anyway a smashing good time...

Saturday also ranks up there...sparky and I shared in great conversation, sitting in my front yard, mellow music in the background, and drinks in our hands. Not a night full of events, but a great night nonetheless. Our Neighboor came over, and sparky and her had a heart-to-heart about the lost loves of their lives, and i was squeezed out of a conversation because I don't think either of them can appreciate my bluntness and honesty, but thats a whole other blog

The yankees have been playing like dildoheads lately, but luckily boston has been playing that much worse. The media is screaming injuries, to which I just laugh and say to myself "been there, done that". I have a great feeling about this year and the playoffs. With the two teams the yanks always have problems, red sox and angels, probably not in the playoffs, things are lookin up towards a 27th world championship.

More good times to come I'm sure Miller's Birthday, a trip home for Darrel, and Labor day (no work monday) are all this upcoming weekend. Things are A-O-K

Vegetable Lip Sync'er's

2006-08-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

In case you havent heard, Sparky, Miller and myself will be entering Cingular's Lip Sync music video contest. I forget the name of the song we are going to be performing, but I know its by Outcast. It doest matter, with me rapping, dancing, and dressed up like a big piece of brocolli, there is no way we are going to lose. Especially when compared to the previous month's winner. If the contest is truly based on comedic value, its in the bag. The best part is the 5000 dollar grand prize which will come as a mighty help in regards to the housing expenses.

I've had a rough couple last days at work. I went out of my way not to blame somebody for something that was clearly his fault. Was really nice about it, requested to his supervisors not to make a deal out of it, even though it kinda was. The guy came in later in the day and said thanks to me for doing what i did, and apologized for making a mistake. I expressed my gratitude for the unneccesary apologies and told him it was no problem. I guess as soon as he walked away from my desk, he called me a liar to several people. He said he didnt know why he was getting in trouble for something that I did wrong. I dont know why this is still bothering me today. Usually I would just say "fuck it", next time I wont go out of my way to look out for him and just forget about it. I just don't see the problem with honesty. I would have no problem with him saying that stuff if he could justify is his case to me. I mean I have a string of facts that proove his is wrong, but now that he went behind my back, he could come up with a thousand reasons of actually why I was at fault and I could care less. He's a two faced butthole. I dont like it one bit. But at least karma has made it's point today, when he messed up in a HUGE way, and now the person who was so insistent on passing blame on me is in somewhat of a mess. Better days to come, for sure.

In much better news, Elizabeth Miller is back. We went back to the bar we swore off when Neil was in town, Tumbleweeds. Its amazing what an improved atomsphere, a better waitress, and a summer long abscence from drinking buddy will do to a once considered shitty bar. We had a freakin blast, discussing various topics from Miller's random meeting of a fellow greenvillian in San Diego, to the Yankees, to our new lip syncing adventure, and her imaginary boyfriend. She also has the coolest "hands free" kit, I've ever seen in my life. The ironic part is that its not hands free at all. Our waitress came over and discussed the impending proposal of her boyfriend, and did not sound at all excited about the prospect. Overall it was a great Tuesday Night, except sparky is now as blind as Mak Redbutt in one of his eyes. Watch out though, my carmen sandeigo gumshoe instincts tell me he will soon be an ally for the department of homeland security. Which is a good thing, cause I wont have to give him his allowance anymore for taking out the garbage or getting Straight A's.

I know I havent updated this lately, I'll do my best to keep up. But with Sparky in Finland for the better part of last month, and Darrel now residing entierly in Indiana, I havent been doing much except watching the Yankees (now sporting a 6.5 game lead), and eating Peanut butter and Perserve sandwhichs for dinner. Well there have been other things, but nothing worth writing about. I'm trying to save money somewhat, so my adventures out and about Fort Worth have been limited, but with sparky and miller back that will change. I'm looking forward to going out more and hopefully meeting new people.

and in case you were wondering, I do have a man crush on Bobby Abreu.
Even Dickey's favorite player "Cano" did great againist boston.
Take care kids, I miss everybody.

DWIght

2006-07-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Terre Haute Police Department,

Fuck you....Leave my friends alone and stop ruining my weekends.

Love
--Dwight

Neil Down to the King

2006-07-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect upon hearing the news that Neil was coming to Texas to hang out with us for a couple weeks. Pretty much I was told by Dickey and Sparky that Neil was one of my best friends because of association, and because I dont really care that much I agreed. The only worries that went through my mind were in regards that how he would react to me. People tend to not like me first, I'm pretty abrupt and candid about my feelings toward everything and most people really can't handle that. I was worried that Neil might be the same way, might hate me before he got to know me and the whole situation might be awkard. Never in my life have I been more wrong. I mean, to be honest (hindsight is 20-20) I should of realized that Neil being best Friends with my two best friends would obviously get along with me no problem at all. Everything was great the whole time, Neil embraced me as one of the guys and although it was me the first night trying to make sure the "hometown boys" got drunk and had a good time together, Neil, Sparky, Dickey, Laura, and McMahon, made a point to make sure I got included on all the fun and had a stellar time. I just think it is great, that I know such great people and I now have another newer best friend, plus he is a war hero. Oh yeah and Laura is pretty kick ass too....

The Two weeks Neil and Laura were in and out of town, were two of the most unbelievably fun two weeks I can remember. For one, I don't remember most of it due to the blood alcohol content I possessed in the vacinity of them, and second of all I was really tired the whole time, but it was so worth it. I will never forget the piano bar, the tears laura and neil shed, the tears we almost all did, and the piano player calling that guy who didnt stand up and cheer for them a fuckin bitch. Midevil times was a blast, although I really doubt it was real. I mean flashing lights, microphones, and a kiddie disco in the middle ages....sounds a little far fetched to me. But who am I to complain when there was chicken halves, potatoes, ribs and a beer whench roaming around. Sparky and Dickey painted the beer pong table while Neil and Laura were off in AZ visiting Laura's family. When they arrived back in Fort Worth, There was 60 'stones and solo cups abound as we played beer pong until about 4 or 5 in the morning. They got to sleep in, but didnt and I had to go to work. I dont think I was exactly safe to drive on the road, but it sure was funny. I even managed to get a whole lot of work done both days. Oh we also got to introduce Neil and McMahon to Movie tavern. They were highly impressed, as is everybody the first time they go there. We went to a shitty bar by my new house, which was suppose to be really cool according to the website.

WRONG!!!

If I owned a bar, and put a jukebox in there, I certainly wouldn't feel the need to change the song that a customer put on. I mean the customer is the livelihood of the bar, if you piss off a customer by changing a song you don't like, the customer won't come back. Problem solved, at least Neil got his dollar back. Pretty much we brought Neil to everyplace we love around here to show him a great time. And I like to think we were pretty successful. To repeat the sentiments of my good pal Dickey, I'll never forget the past two weeks and the good times I shared with my best friends, whether they are in vacaville, san deigo, Iraq, syracuse or fort worth, I know the best people. Come home safe Neil and Laura.

Housing Exploits

2006-07-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

I did manage to get my funding for my house about 10 hours before I was scheaduled to close on the house. When I heard the news, my heart skipped a beat, as I was about to officially become a homeowner. I don't know if I was more excited to actually own a home or more relieved about the fact that this whole process was coming to an end. I mean, it was a 5 or 6 month long process, that's been both exciting but exhausting. Nevertheless though, the next morning I was off to close.

We did the final walkthrough, and of course I was a bit picky about the cleanliness of the house. But they managed to get everything fixed they needed to, and the house just echoed a lot. Next we went to go to close. Everything went fine, except for the fact that they had the wrong address on every single form. They had to go through, and reprint everything, so the closing took much longer than expected. But after about, 584607604 signatures I was all set to go and pick up my guys. I walked into my house for the first time, took a whiz, and sparky and myself were off to the land of cheap home furnishings, IKEA.

IKEA, is a store that I've heard nothing but rave reviews from everybody I talk to about it. Their website as well as their catalog looks it quite incredible, from selection to pricing. Everything looks to good to be true. The only downside to it, is that it is 45 minutes away. However after visiting the store in Friso, TX I can sum up IKEA in 4 words:

BELLY OF THE BEAST

It's not that the prices weren't great, and the selection was bad. I mean I got everything I wanted there for cheaper than what I was expecting. It was just the orginazation and lay out of the store. Quite frankly Sweedish Retailers suck. Here walk around this part of the store but dont pick out anything to buy because you are going to have to go downstairs and find it yourself. Kids are running around peeing and pooping on things, there is a food court you can't eat at, and you have to lift furniture yourself. Plus there is even a proper way to check out, which of course me and sparky didn't know about so it took us way longer than it was suppose to and people were mad at us...to which I reply...BAABAABABOOOOORING

Now one cool thing about IKEA is that they have enterprise rent-a-van service so you can "deliver" your merchandise yourself rather than pay their outrageous delivery charge that they have. After talking to the gentlemen for a little while, he convinced me to take a whole day package for around 80 dollars so there is no pressure for me to get it back during the day and I could move some various items from my apartment and lowes to the new house. Next thing you know, we were on our way to our new home, with a whole lot of paintings and bedroom furniture. We dropped the furniture off, went back to the apartment loaded a whole lot of heavy boxes for the move and then it was off to lowe's. I purchased my fridge, lawn mower, weed whacker, paint, various supplies, and most importantly the beer pong table. The people at Lowe's were helpful beyong belief, I couldnt believe how much they were willing to go out of the way for a couple of guys that looked like nothing more than a wookie and a balding crack whore. It was kinda refreshing.

The weekend was full of a frustrating but gratifying experience of paiting 5 bedrooms in a house. At first, sparky and I thought we got in a bit over our heads. It took us about 1 and a half days to paint the living room. We primed it and then it need two coats. It seemed like we were not going to get done with the whole house by the time our company started to arrive on Tuesday. But then something must have "sparked" Brian O'Rourke, (oh good one dwight, high five) and he figured out how to be a super painter. All the sudden he was painting bed rooms like he eats peanut pasta...that is incredibly fast. Since I was deemed worthless (he was just too nice to tell me that) he let me wallow in the duldrums of trim work. Our new strategy worked out great, as we got almost everything painted by Sunday night and it looks quite simply incredble.

Over the next 3 weeks or so, we had company here non-stop. We tried to limit the house work to a minimum, but we still managed to do a major move from the aparment, sorta fix my couch, hang paintings, mount surround sound speakers, deal with mcmahon, assemble furniture and drink our faces off. Note about the before mentioned items all I managed to do is supply money, and get in the way.

Next Blog: Nicholas Charles Shattel: Best Friend or Night Prowling Carnivore?

Best Friend's Fuzzy's Can Buy

2006-07-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

I just want to preface this by saying I had orginally had one huge blog written, but due to yahoo browser sucking it big time, it got deleted and it sucked...so I'll be breaking it down into three or four smaller blogs over the next few days....sooo enjoy reading people

The sole purpose of this entry is to thank some great people in my life that were willing to help me on my house the last few weeks. The house truly looks incredible and without the help of these great friends it just look normal. The paint colors are perfect, the furniture well placed, and the cabinents are organized. The best part about my friends help is that, as most of you know I'm not the handiest guy when it comes to doing things. In fact, I'm quite incompetent. These friends, were willing to put up with my high demands, bitching, mood swings, and frustration. Only a couple times did they push back. They are understanding beyond belief and their help truly was inmeasureable.

So to Neil, Darrel, Dickey, The Garage Door Installer Guy, and Sparky....Thank you for all your help, I'm sorry if I was ever to big of a bitch and ever snapped at you. Now that the house is mostly finished, maybe I can go back to being a lot more relaxed. Special Thanks to Sparky, for not stopping his non-stop work the last few weeks, he painted most of the house (relegating my worthless ass to trim work), and special thanks to him for being a vegetarian and making my poops green. I love all you guys

Next post....IKEA: Sweedish Dreamland or Hell on Earth?

Semisonic Said it Best

2006-06-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

June 9th is my closing date which is now a mere 6 days away. I have to say the excitement is pretty overwhelming right now. Although the excitement is quelled due to the fact that my loan officer called me on Friday and really put a scare into me. Apparently my credit report states I have two small tradelines that increase my debt/ratio a bit higher than my underwriter would like to see. One being this account I closed over two months ago now and the other is my car loan which has 2.5 payments left on it. The part that really bugs me about this whole thing is that at the time when I submitted the application my loan officer told me not to worry because anything ending within ten months they don't count against. So my question to them what the hell took them so long to come up with this problem? I mean its been roughly 5 months, and a week before I'm due to close, they have this minor issue. Well, I explained the situation to the officer, and he talked to the underwriter, and they obtained updated account information and hopefully everything will be approved on Monday. According to him, it should be no problem. Which made me feel better, actually a whole lot better. So Friday is the big day, be happy for me.

Later today me and the sparky are headin over to Lowe's to pick out my fridge, paint, and price out everything I need. So far the list includes, the above mentioned items, plus a lawnmower, weed whacker, solar lights, ceiling fans, door knocker, kick plate, and I am sure a bunch of little things. There is so much to think about when buying a house, but truly I am actually looking forward to buying all this stuff. Its a bit easier on the wallet because I got a10% off coupon for lowes which is gonna save me like 200 dollars at least I figured. With that coupon and the money I should be getting back at closing, I plan on not putting any purchases on credit cards, which will truly help me out, more than anybody but myself with realize. And with sparky and darrel chippin in on rent, in addition to my plans to get a part time job in retails, I should be able to save up a lot of money and really do X-mas right this year for my family. Well at least I hope.

Oh by the way, my stove in unbelievable. It looks like it belongs in a restaurant. Wish I could say the same for the dishwasher. Turns out when they installed it, they busted a water line. Lets just say they have to resheet rock the breakfast bar and replace some tile and carpet now. But the buildlers were so cool about it, Im confident all the little faults I found around the house will be repaired. So incase you haven't caught on, Im really excited.

In a couple weeks, Ill me making a venture back to home for my little brother's graduation. For the first time in a long time, I'm looking forward to spending an extended period of time back in New York. I obviously miss my family more than they probably realize, but I am also going to catch up with some old friends. Chris won't be around, because he is going to see Petco Park in San Diego, but I'll be able to see Miriam for the first time in over a year and a half now and Taryn, which it has been closer to 4 or 5 years. It will be great to see them, I have just realized how dumb I was to just cut off a couple of my best friends for some stupid stuff that people said. I like to think I'm above that now and I'm glad that we have opened lines of communication again. It feels great to give advice and be able to talk to two more people about any issues I might be dealing with. I might be able to make a trip out to Syracuse to see my good buddies, George, Pete, and Lindsay (who suprisingly has been the best person to keep in touch with me since I left). Ahh how I miss the people of my past.

But before my trip home, I have a couple visitors coming to town, which is really getting my gander going. Neil is coming for a couple weeks of R & R right here in Sunny Hot Texas. Now this is great because he's the man, plus with Dickey joining him it is sure to be a hilarious good time filled with trips to fuzzy's and legendary farts. I don't know what we are doing yet, but I'm sure it involves alcohol and and laughs. The only thing that could make the time with Neil better is if I didn't have to work and move, but I moved my closing date up a few days so me and sparky can get everything done prior to his arrival. Everything will work out and I'm sure we will have a great time regardless of how much work I am doing around the house.

So June is packed month for me, and although normally I hate such busy schedules, this month is the exception as I can't imagine things falling better in place for me.

Other ramblings....

1. The yanks are playing great with our B-Team....I have a baseball crush on Melky Caberera, hes great
2. Clay has displaced Kaycee as #1 server at Buffalo Wild Wings, Kaycee falls towards two, but nothing beats Clay opening the door for us and having two beers and NTN boxes waiting for us at our favorite Table. He's comin to our house warming party and he's hilarious
3. Housewarming/4th of July Party The whole 4th of July Weekend
4. Me Singing "Lucky" by Brittney Spears is a site to see, Second in hilarity to my Singing of "Free Falling"
5. Darrel is thinking of coming back every weekend. I've really missed hanging out with him. I know for a fact that Mak the dog misses him as does sparks. With Darrel around in our House every weekend the times will always be filled with Texas hilarity.
6. My house is great. I'll post a link with some pictures once we set everything up and paint.

Do you love it?

A Life Less Ordinary

2006-05-09T09:25:00.000-07:00

I would have the say the last three weeks I have spent in Texas have been the most enjoyable, and yet the busiest workwise since I moved here what is now about 8 months ago now. As far as work goes, Darrel has gone to work for his new company, a validation consulting firm and to this point it seems like he is really enjoying the experience. Unfortunately for me, down to one person to do the job of two is really making me work some pretty long hours. However, I don't mind as much as I think I would because the days are really flying by being so busy, and in my sparce free time I am busy checking my e-mail or blogging for example. Plus, I am learning a lot from this experience, and honestly I kinda like being in the mix for some big decisions that could effect a lot of different things. The way I am looking at it is, that I am just building the number of things Kathy can add to her website and company profile when she hires be, and hopefully that will be toward the middle of next year. Apparently they have found Darrel's replacement, a guy that used to work here and from the looks of things did shitty work. My boss asked me if I wanted to see his resume and I told him, "everything i need to know about the guy is right there in those cabinets." He knows I'm unhappy about it. I don't understand why they couldn't pay Darrel probably less than what this guy is gonna make to do the same job. Plus I am goin to not get along with this guy, I have this feeling he is going to try to act like my boss, and right now the plan is to ignore it, but knowing how far behind he put me in cleaning validation for the stuff he did 4 years ago or so, it won't be too easy. Plus I talked to other people about him and the consensus is that he didn't do anything. Time will tell, my friends.

So the last two weekends have been superb for me. And by weekends I hope everybody realizes that apparently they start on Wed. for me and sparky. It seems like every Wed night, we go to Buffalo Wild Wings and meet Miller for some beers, conversation, and Server Power Rankings. Currently the Rankings are:

1. Kaycee (Who I happen to have a major crush on)
2. Clay (He gets so excited to see us)
3. Heather (Short, Stocky, But loves us)
4. Don't know her name, but shes pretty cute (the waitress last Wed before stupid Star)
5. Morgan (She's only on here cause Sparky thinks she Aphrodite)

You'll notice the exclusion of such people as mustache girl (Star), who thinks every guy is hitting on her even though her mouth is hairy then my chest and flailing waiter who automatically gets disqualifed for Kaycee hating him plus his arm movements which are borderline autistic. But the point is, that buffalo wild wings with miller on Wed, is great fun. Thrusdays have been another typical buffalo wild wings night, but with a smaller crowd from Sparky's work. Emily and Bobby are always the constants. Emily is great, I can be really sarcastic with her and she loves it, and although bobby annoyed the hell at me at first, he has really grown on me and not in a fungal way.

Two Fridays ago, Darrel was in town, so we hit up some mexican inn and quickly made plans to go see a Guns n Roses cover band in Dallas. I wasnt particullary in the mood to drink much more since, I drank the two previous nights, so I volunteered my services to drive. Sparky was too tired and had a long day of work (and drinkin as it turns out) in front of him the following Saturday so he regretfully declined the invitation and we headed out to Dallas from the evening. We got to the bar, and it was a bunch of Darrel's friends from college, who I have met only a couple. So I felt bad because I stuck to Miller and Darrel pretty close and kind of forced myself into some coversations. The band wasn't half bad either, they dressed the part really well and if they had decent sound guys, they might have put on a great show, as it turns out, I just talked to a couple people and listened as well as I could. Unfortunately due to the poor weather in the area, we wanted to leave early, and its a pretty good thing I stopped drinkng after two beers cause we hit a huge storm and I had to slow down to about 20 for a couple miles when we got back to our neck of the woods in the Fort Worth area. But a great Friday night.

The next morning I woke with a peculiar taste in my mouth, it was the taste of desiree for a Tom Collins. I quickly called Darrel, and asked him where the quickest Liquor Store was, he explained that the Hurst, Euless, and Bedford Townships dont have liquor Stores so the closest one was in Fort worth. Me, being that lazy, refused to drive that far and said oh well. A couple minutes later after discussing plans for later in the day, Darrel says he has a bottle of Vodka that he'd be willing to share. I excalim "THAT'LL WORK." Darrel Says he will bring over the bottle and some laundry and we will partake in the NFL draft while drinking high class Tom Collins Drinks. So an hour later, approx 10:55 or so Darrel arrives with bottle and dirty clothes in hand. We are drinking for about 30 minutes or so, when Sparky calls and asks what I am doing, I tell him we are watching the Texans make the worst draft pick in the history of the NFL and drinking vodka. He responds excitelly "Really? Maybe I'll come home soon." No more than 45 minutes later the three of us are sitting now watching the cowboys make the 2nd worst pick in the draft and half wasted. Miller shows up an hour or so after that, has a glass of tasty goodness and we are off the dollar day at the race track. We arrive at the track and everything is 1 dollar, beer, hot dogs, nachos, burritos, bets, soda, everything 1 dollar. Its incredible. No more than 30 seconds after we arrive Darrel and Miller take off and me and sparky are left wondering around. We quickly get in line for a beer, which is really long and im thirsty so I help myself to a soda that was sitting there waiting to be sold. The girl starts yelling at me, and I try to ignore her. Eventually she grabs my attention and keeps yelling, and I tell her that Im just thirsty and will pay for it when I get up there. She keeps saying some stuff, and by the time it is my turn to buy some beer for me and sparky, we turned it around on her and she is apologizing to me for me stealing a soda. In fact she forget to charge us for it, cause she was to busy apologizing, I had to remind her, and then she didnt give me any singles for tip, so I told her I wanted a couple and she pretty much felt like the biggest bitch. Now the next hour or so I dont remember, besides walking around and looking for the company we arrived with. No such luck, so we headed back to Miller's car, just like we were taught to do if we got seperated from our parents in the mall or something along those lines. About an hour or so of making wierd hand gestures toward people passed rather quickly and before we knew it Darrel and Miller were scolding me and Sparky like 4 year olds. That last part might not be true, but it makes for a funny story line. So we got back in the car (sobbing obviously) and head to a bbq. Me and Sparky quickly located the ping pong table and played a few games, which I won. Later in the night, there was a poker tournement in which i was the co-winner, and after giving Al (the host of the bbq) about 689468 hugs cause he was that drunk it was off to waffle house to spend my winnings on people I had spent the greatest time ever with.

The next few days passed rather quickly until Wed, Thrus and Friday, where we resumed our BW3's routine. Once again a great time each night, with some of my favorite people. Friday night was espcially fun cause I got to talk to Kaycee for a little while and told sparky how funny I was. The next step is actually asking her to come to my housewarming party, which I think she will be quite receptive too. Saturday Night was the big game day, and boy was that ever. Sparky and I showed up to the stadium about 2.5 hours before game time with a twelve back in hand. We sat on my car by the road in the parking lot and listened to tunes why yelling pro-yankee chants, while refuting anti-yankee proproganda. To "top" things off we even had Chef hats, for Gary "Shef"field, who unfortunately did not play due to injury. The game was awesome, especially because the most hated yankee in Texas, Alex Rodriguez, hit the homerun that really blew the game open. On the way out of the game, me and sparky gave our rendition of Frank Sinatra's Classic "New York, New York" to the dismay of the Ranger's Fans and headed to the Big Apple Cafe for some Karaoke. Once there, we figured to be loved because afterall it was the "big apple" cafe. However, a drunken whore quickly spotted us and became the targeting of her slander. After Sparky, sang rudolph the red-nosed reindeer she came up to us and started saying such stupid stuff I cant even remember. Me being me, and hearing her talk shit about the way sparky sang, pissed me off so I started being really sarcastic and mean to her face. I can't remember what I said, but I remember she got the impression that I was hitting on her. She then asked me what happened to my eye (cause it was bloody from a sneak poke attack by sparky) to which i replied "104." Thats what sent her over the edge, she started screaming stuff about us being yankees and us not being welcome. after we quickly lost interest in her, she realized she was being ignored and went back to her seat. After Sparky's rendition of "Old McDonald" we deceided it was time to go before I got drunk to drive. So I started walking toward the door, and sparky got stopped by an admiring fan (who can blame her). He gave out our number for about the 539658459 time in two weeks, and that was the end of the night, well except for the fact that I wallopped him in FIFA 9-0, cause he was too drunk to hold the controller the right way. And that wrapped up the best two weeks ever.

Other things....

I've got a puppy...He's name is Prakash, after the greatest solider that ever lived, Neil Prakash, you've probably heard of him...Silver Star Winner, Big Nipples, Famous Blog feautured on FoxNews...well I dont have the puppy yet, my real estate agent is holding him until....

My closing date...June 12....EXCITED....hardwood floors are now in and landscaping is complete...Thrusday I am picking out my blinds, and they are really cheap for complete darkening ones...EXCITED

Im going home in a little more than a month, and I cant wait too see my family and the few friends I still talked to and I'm especially excited because.....

I've recently opened some new lines of communications with some friends from my hometown. I've realized that it was unfair the way I cut them off, after certain rumors were started about me that were completely out of line. Its not like a lot of them beleived them, I was just fed up with that whole small town everybody knows your business environment and needed to cut myself away from it. But I'm really happy Ive talked to these friends again, they were willing to pick up like no time has passed which is really great. I've even helped a couple of them through some tough times already, and I forget how great it felt to really help people you care about and to be that person they depend on. I look forward to seeing some people in a month or so

What else can I say? Me and my friends, have the most fun of anybody I know. For the most part, we dont let shit get to us, we make each other laugh, and make other people happier too. I can't imagine having more fun than I am having right now in my life. My friends, located all over the Country (and World for that matter) are the greatest people I know and I truly am "Lucky" as Brittney Spears so wonderfully sang.

'Crash' into Me

2006-05-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

My friend and former Co-Worker Keith (he's black) were on the way to Church's Chicken (for fried chicken obviously)to pick up 40 pieces of goodness for a goodbye lunch for him. He drove cause he wanted to show me his new car, a BMW X-3. I didnt know who was more excited, him for getting to show off what his car could do or me for getting to be riding in a luxury vehicle. Anyway the car was super great and ran like a dream.

So on the way to Church's we cross a 4 way stop at which point we meet a cop. My friend Keith tells me, "Yo, this cracker cop is gonna pull me over for no reason". I just brush aside his comment, because i like to think that black people really exaggerate their struggle againist racism. I mean honestly I thought all that was erradicated in the 70's, and now that if somebody gets arrested or whatever its thier own fault, Black, white or whatever. The cop was following us is a peculiar fashion, and sure enough he was running the plates on a "random check'. Bam as soon as we make a turn, the lights go on and we are pulled over in some parking lot.

The cop approaches, and the first thing he asks is "Is this your car?" At this point Im floored because that was a flat out accusation, without any proof. Anyway, the cop explains that he ran the plates of the car and it came up as an 86 taurus, and that he needed to call back up. I have to say that Keith handled it much better than I would have, he was completely called and just told the cops to call the insurance company, DMV, and BMW place to verify the car was his, and until they did otherwise dont bother talking to him. So while the cops, did what they needed to do, I sat there and keith explained that he got pulled over for a DWB or Driving while Black. I explained that if he wanted me to, I could get in the back and called him Geoffery or Peeves and order him around. Eventually both cops came back and told him that he should called the DMV and make sure they update their computers, and then they made some corny joke and we were free to go. Basically the cops assumed a black person could never afford a BMW and therefore something was up. It seriously made me mad that people are still so narrow minded.

Don't get me wrong, I am not what you would call completely socially aware. I dont hang out with many black people, I hate asian people who dont speak english, and i shy away from mexicans. But im not to the point where I just go assuming that people cant afford a certain lifestyle just cause they arent white. This was my first racial experience, and although I wouldnt call it mind changing like Ive heard so many stories that suggest the same, it was eye opening to the fact that this country (espeically in the bible belt) has a long way to go.

I love Buffalo Wild Wings Waitresses.

Hooray for Mortgage Rates

2006-04-12T07:16:00.001-07:00

Yup thats right Mortgage rates are approaching a 5 year high, thats great news because I still am not locked into one....I hope everybody catches on to the extreme use of sarcasm, I can't lock into a rate because I don't have a closing date still...so I cant be certain if it is within 60 days of now...its a whole lot of gay. but the house looks awesome, me and the sparky took a trip out there this past weekend, and the cabinets look like the nicest cabinets I've ever seen, so much so that my sales agent called me to tell me the same thing. also the house is painted and the countertops are installed....everything looks incredible...I am still incredibly excited to move in a couple months, Im just not excited about the monthly payments....oh well it will be worth it

Today is the first day on the job with the Darrel. I'm now officially in charge of what use to be his responsibilities, and in spite of my initial fears it is not really that bad. Writing batch records is easy, and I've already written two process validation protocols this morning. My boss is freaking out because he has a lot to review, but he would have a lot to review even if darrel was here, so I can't figure out what his problem is. Its quite funny cause everybody is like where are all these batch records, and everybody thinks I haven't written them, but darrel and myself got quite a few done last week and different people are just slow at reviewing. So the bottom line is everybody here is generally stupid except me and probably chris hicks.

On the same topic we interviewed somebody for Darrel's now vacant position yesterday. Total Dorkmiester, he actually said the reason why he wanted the job was because he wanted to be closer to his girlfriend. Now if I was the one in charge, that would have been more or less the end of the interview, but my boss being a total dorkmiester loved the guy. I told him he didnt blow up my skirt or anything, but I saw nothing that would prevent him from doing the job. I just dont think I am gonna get along with the guy. He seems boring, dorky, and more boring. Maybe I am expecting too much because darrel was such a fun and good person to work with. But we are still interiviewing, but if we dont find anybody else soon it looks like captain dorko gets the job and I'm gonna hate him.

Sparky is a great cook, roomate, and friend....i just hope you knows how much i love him for all those reasons....
Mak the Dog is hillarious and Blind, just has horrible breath
i take everything back i said about the real world key west....its horrible
has it been 6 weeks yet? isnt it time for dickey to arrive back in texas?
The texas rangers have horrible stadium videos....they say things like "lets go mench! lets go mench!"....and "the best of mench!"....who the hell is mench? But the stadium is beatiful and I have 15 or so more games to go to. Baseball is awesome, and especially the Yankees.

90210....The Good Years

2006-03-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Channel 188 on Dish Network has recently begun showing 90210 from the pilot episode. These episodes amaze me. I can't believe I found these shows to be dramatic when i was younger and not comical. I sit there every monday through friday and laugh my ass off. I never thought Brandon was so witty, and Kelly so shallow until I have refresehed my memory and watched these early year episodes. Of course everybody knows dylan was as hot and deep intellectually as he was in the later years. My conclusion is that 90210 rocks and I am going to try to watch every episode in order of appearance. The move might interfere but hopefully that is on a weekend, so it will work out. Im just counting down the episodes until that dork scott shoots himself is the face and david silver can become cool.

In other news, Darrel, who i work with, has finnally landed himself a brand new job, and a pretty sweet one at that. He will be traveling and doing validation work, much like my old friend Kathy (and old is the key word there). The company gave him a big raise and training opportunity he really wanted to do. Now this news really sucks for me, I'll have to pick of darrel's work and try to keep going with cleaning validation. It really sucks because instead of being eased into the process side of things, I'm really going to be thrown in the fire and have to learn it rather quickly. Am I looking forward to learning? Yes, defentely. Am i Looking foward to the struggle it truly will be? No, hours and workload will defintely pick up for me, but hopefully that will not go unnoticed and considering I am all they now have a pay increase will be inorder, and if they fail to realize that, I will bring it to their attention. Now I've probably told darrel a thousand times I hate him for taking this job, when in actuallity I am thrilled for him. In fact that is my next career move in all likelihood, except I'll be working for Kathy's company. I am just going to miss his compainionship at work and outside of work as well. He is still moving into my house and everything, but not going out with him on thrusday night's is really going to suck, and work has suddenly become a lot more boring. So congratulation Darrel and good luck at your new company. Have fun training me on everything over the next two weeks.

Dickey and Kathy are coming to town this weekend, its going to be great. I think we are gonna hit up the piano bar on saturday night for what is always a rockin good time. I asked kathy what she wanted to do, she probably listed off about 5486768937 things...a couple things are for sure, we are gonna get drunk and look at my house. Thats about all I can promise at this point. I can't wait to see them. They are always a good time, and it would be a better time if they set up homebase here.

The house is coming along great, I went to a pre-sheetrock meeting a week or so ago and made sure all the wiring was done properly and it was. The sheet rock should be just about up by now, and they will start to work on the finer details of the house. According to them, things should really pick up now and my house should be ready by early june for me to close and to move in or paint and what not. I'm really getting excited for this. No more burning myself in shower, or listening to the music played next door through the walls. Its just gonna be great to have someplace to call mine. Plus living with two great people always helps the situation out and adds a little money to the cash flow and splits the utilities three ways.

Rangers game on Monday afternoon...Opening Day then a game on Wed night as well....

Remember the Time

2006-03-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

I heart Michael Jackson...not really, but billie jean was a great song

Is it wierd that I talk to my little brother's girlfriend who is no older than 16 years old? Is it wierd that I value her opinion of things higher than some of my friends i've know for 5 years or more? I don't know what it is about kayla but I really enjoy talking to her and it seriously bothers me when we go a couple weeks without discussing the various events going on in our lives. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a pedafile who is in love with my little brother's girlfriend. I just think she is one of the most warm-hearted and geniune people I have ever met and am happy that we talk quite often. I do hope Matt and Kayla survive, Matt going to college and everything, I do think they are great together. Plus kayla is really excited to come see my new house with my Mom, which scores her extra points. I've posted a link to Kayla's live journal to the right. It's really quite interesting. I encourage everybody to give it a read and to go back and look at what consumed our lives back when we were in high school, life was so simple then. So to Kayla I say you rock.

It's only about 9:15 and I got some great news already this morning. Inflation is tame and the housing market has cooled, which are expected to LOWER interest rates on mortgages. I was really getting worried at one point, when rates jumped about 0.25 % in a period of a week. But now it seems that everything is going to work out...like things always do, the way they are meant to. Which once again prooves, worrying gives you nothing but green shit and headaches. Plus, money won't really be a concern once I get my second job, working stock in a grocery store or something. I figured that where's I'll get all my food, going out, and other spending money for the week. Figure 6 bucks an hour 20 hours a week....thats an extra 80 bucks, which should cover all that.

Syracuse plays Texas A&M tonight. I completely forgot, that I work with 2 aggies that started talking shit immediately on monday. They really think they are going to win. There is a reason why A&M is ranked 12 and Syracuse 5. Its because Syracuse is a much better team and A&M can't score. Plus A&M stands for Agricultral and Mechanical. Hence Aggies...what a stupid name. I think me and the sparks are gonna be heading to Buffalo wild wings to watch the game. Perhaps Darrel will join us there tonight too. Its kinda been our good luck charm for watchin SU basketball as they are undefeated since we've gone there.

The new Real World is hillarious
My Car Insurance Premium was lowered by 130 dollars yesterday
My diet consists of a lot more vegetables
I poop green now
I miss Dickey
Sparky is a great roomate
I'm going home in June, and I can't wait
LETS GO ORANGE!!!!!

Hello Stacey....

2006-03-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

That's what one my best pals and new roomate sparky says everytime he walks into his bathroom in our apartment and sees the stuff with stacey keibler on the cover...it makes me smile everytime he says it. It also makes me realize how much having a roomate kicks ass, especially one that you get along with no matter what the deal, much similiar to my roomates in the past such as dickey and master cory baitz. As much as I enjoy living alone, being able to do whatever I want in my own place, I'd trade it to live with any of those three people anytime. So to sparky I state welcome to texas, and its great to have you living with me.

As stated many times in previous posts, I met sparky and dickey in st. louis for some sort of pseudo mardi gras celebration. I think dickey said it best, when he said "Mardi Gras is hell on earth, the only thing that makes it good is the fact that I am here with you two" referencing me and sparky. Highlights of the trip include a 130 dollar bar tab in the hotel bar (with 2.50 beers), chants of "Trade Albert Pujlos", statements to random girls wearing red shirts that go something like "That girl hates America", the same random girls attempting to poor beer on dickey, Dickey convincing people that his name was Martin Gras "but you can call him Marty for short," the tomahawk chop, lots of fat girl boobs, and the state that everybody loves to hate Oklahoma which has officially now passed Arkansas as the worst state in the United States. All in All it was an awesome trip but it would have been difficult to bear without my two best friends. Hopefully there will be many more road trips to come.

Ahh lets see, oh my house is finally being built, I finished up at the design gallery and spent about 9000 dollars in upgrade, raising my potential mortgage payment to about 1450 (probably a little less) a month. Thats a lot, but the more and more I think about, the more and more I feel better about it, I mean with two roomates moving in, that pretty much lowers my payment by 500, plus they will be chippin on utilities...so that will cut those by a third...and when I showed the model home dickey and sparky this weekend the model home, my mind was at ease because they pretty much thought it was awesome. Oh and i also bought a 62" DLP projection TV....its great...we have been playing super tecmo bowl non-stop on it, and the new real world is the funniest show on tv, except for maybe the office and desperate housewives. So the excitment for my new house is building more and more each passing day, I just can't wait to be layin in the hammock listening to my custom built speakers and enjoying the company of my two roomates

Random Letter

2006-02-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

Dear People Who Suck,

NASCAR Motor Sports Suck, and so do you for that reason. It's boring and most people could care less about it and to call the Daytona 500 the Superbowl of motor events is a joke.

Love,
People who don't suck or
Suck for Other Reasons

A New Found Respect....

2006-02-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

For the Iranian Governemnt....Not only did they manage to pull off a stunt that looks foolish and chilidish to the rest of the world, they managed to reach the pinnacle of hilarity that normally it would take many great minds to attempt to piss off the whole world in a single action. In case you have not heard, the Iranian government is sponsoring a cash contest in which they are offering prizes to the top ten political cartoons depicting a swatstika and/or the holocust. They feel this is adequate retribution for the polotical cartoons that "mocked" the islamic prophet. Iran wants to show the world what freedom of expression is all about by doing this they claim, this coming from a country where it is a crime to wear jeans or show leg if you are female. Its quite to ironic tradegy considering the first political cartoon mocking in reality the radical politcal party hamas (who is a terrorist organization) can cause such an uproar and people can misunderstand it in so many ways. I think darrel said it best this morning....it seems that part of the world is filled with people that are just waaaaaay to oversensitive when it comes to that sort of stuff. Like I said, supporters of george bush dont go killing people or burning down democratic strongholds when the democrats support political cartoons. People are crazy and that area of the world will be the end of mankind at somepoint in the hopefully far off future. Which is freaky because that is what the bible says too.

In much more exciting news that strikes much closer to "home"...I bought a new house over the past weekend. It was a little more money then I wanted to spend, but then again, its going to be exactly the way I want it and it is really nice and in a nice growing area in which the resale value is projected to sky rocket in a few years....Plus it works out nice because I will not have to break my lease, and this gives me sometime to save up a lot of money for an antipated 4000-6000 extra dollars in closing costs plus having to buy furniture, including a fridge. I have to admit I was not expecting it to cost that much just to move in and I am having a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that once I move in, its gonna have to be nothing but the bare essentials for a while. Pretty much food, gas, and the rest goes to bills. Plus the other issue I am having is the mortgage payment is looking like its goin to be 100 dollars more a month than i expected. Which is still doable, but its just 100 dollars I would rather have to spend on other things, or save for unexpected expenses that are bound to come up...but i am excited beyond belief for this house and can not wait till I move in and have a shower that does not go from burning your skin off to freezing cold out of nowhere....plus people have already offered to come over and help me paint and give me pointers on things.....and if money gets tight, I have a third bedroom that I can offer to a roomate and charge a reasonable rate like 300 a month....which is damn cheap, especially considering how easy I am to live with and sparky to come to think of things

Just a couple more weeks to St. Louis, and even less time till my little brother visits...things are looking great in every way, I even discovered through myspace that this girl from my hometown lives in dallas and she sent me a message so if she wants to hang out thats just another friend and I could always use more of them....this is truly amazing if you realized how small my hometwon was...

Here's to a new wonderful home in alexandra meadows....

A Busy Month Ahead

2006-02-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

Yes Indeed, February despite being the smallest in terms of length is probably going to be the busiest month of my short time here in Texas. Most of the time I enjoy being lazy and doing nothing and would complain about being so busy, but I am looking forward to the upcoming activites I have to do within the next 28 days or so. First up, I am actually starting to become a bit more busy at work. Things are picking up and I'm starting to put together some different strategies that I will need for some upcoming and possibly (hopefully not) daunting tasks that await me in the second quarter. I actually feel for the first time since i started that I am not wasting away and getting stuff accomplished a bit faster. Of course that does not mean I dont still spend a fair amount of time on myspace, checking blogs, or surfing the net, but I am making progress (at least I think I am) and when i leave around 4:30 to 5:00 everyday, I feel some what accomplished. I just have to learn that things move a bit slower at companies like this and realize that it seems most people are satisified with what I have gotten accomplished so far and take precedent in that, i suppose. It just a change I must get use to.

This weekend, is bound to be busy as well, I am looking at around 10 different pre-owned houses, as well as visiting a variety of home builders in order to narrow my choices of house that I would like to move into and buy. Its all very exciting, but can be scary as well. It's wierd to see your rent (read mortgage) double every month, after taxes and insurance and interest to be paid. I guess, when i finally settle on a house to buy I am going to have to cut back on a lot of things, and by a lot of things I mean stuff that I don't need...so things could be a lot worse as far as that goes, a lot lot worse...I have to say I consider myself damn lucky to be in the position I am at a relatively young age...am I on my way to being a millionare? no by no means, but I am happy and living comfortably and the way I want to....which is all that I need to make me happy and feel very fortunate

Towards the middle of this month, my little brother is coming to town to visit, I orginally suggested him coming as a joke to rub it in his face that I got tickets to a US soccer game vs some central american country in Frisco at Pizza Hut Park (which is a gorgeous soccer dedicated stadium North of Dallas)....but my mom being the best mom and spoiling us the way she does bought him a plane ticket and he is coming down to spend a week....I dont know what he is going to do when I am at work, but he is a creative guy he can come up with stuff, surf the net, watch tv, play mariobaseball, go golfing, all fromt he comfort or nearby comfort of my apartment...He's been accepted Oregon St. University and Im quite sure he will if not already be offered a soccer scholarship, however if he wants to play immeditately his best bet would be to go to a smaller D-I school like he applied to and make their team and transfer...whatever he does, its gonna be cheap since he is pretty sick at soccer...go matt

Finally February concludes with a trip to St. Louis, and I can think if no better way to end a month. As I have discussed in many posts before this one, Sparky is coming to live with me for probably about a year or so before he ventures into grad school for film at the University of Texas in Austin. He is renting a car and driving down here and as it turns out our best friend dickey is flying from Cali to Syracuse to make the trip with him. At the suggesting of one of his many friends, Sparky has decieded to make a delightful stop in St. Louis on his way down to Fort Worth for a pseudo mardi gras celebration...So upon hearing this news, i got instantly jealous and looked for flights, turns out I can get a one way ticket to St. Louis for about 45 dollars plus 5 dollars in taxes makes it a cool 50....So I am meeting my best friends in St. Louis for a couple of nights of what i sure to be memorable partying that nobody will remember and then we are all driving to Dallas together where dickey will be around for my birthday celebration whatever that my be (besides a trip to the zoo) and hopefully kathy will fly in to, cause it would be great to see her again and she loves to drink...but her work is being really stupid im guessing since i hardly talk to her anymore

So Basically this month is going to be incredible, despite the possible dreads of having to break my lease and my car insurance premiums increasing....but who really cares when you are getting a nice healthy tax refund to cover both of those with a little extra money to spare...once again i repeat...Life is beyond awesome and I'm very lucky to live the life i lead

House Hunting, but without a crossbow

2006-01-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

Why am I house hunting without a crossbow you are probably asking yourself right now? Because inorder to hunt anything with a crossbow in Texas you need to be handicap. Which is another reason why I choose to insult texas and spit in the face of the idea of "don't mess with texas." I swear if they rule that I can't use a harpoon gun to shoot a whale in this state, I'm moving out of dallas and straight to Utah where salt and ladies are both cheap.

But anyway, the house search/buying procedure has been in full swing the last week or so. Its quite the ordeal. Theres so much to think about and I have to remind myself that this is a big deal so its ok to be anal about little things. Otherwise I am just gonna say "fuck it" and take the lazy way out and be talked into a deal that I don't really want. So on thrusday I have a meeting with a real estate agent and a loan officer in mcdonalds. I find the fact that it is in mcdonalds hillarious because who conducts a business meeting there. However, after i acted a bit surprised that it was there, she told me it was because it was close to my apartment and work and plus the fact that mcdonalds is wifi ready we could look at houses among other things. So with that being settled, I am going to have the biggest question answered thrusday, if I even qualify for mortgage. I generally swing back and forth on this issue everyday, sometimes multiple times in one day. Somedays I am like hell yeah im gonna to get pre-approved for a loan upwards of 200k and othertimes i feel i will not even get approved at all. Now I am about 90% sure I will get approved for some sort of mortgage and about 75% sure I will get the loan size I want, and i am really excited. In about 5 or 6 months I will hopefully be moving into a new home and a home I want. And I've decieded if they have told me that I can't get the house I want, I am just gonna say screw it and wait until I can, because im not gonna invest 150k in something that isnt what I want, I have never rolled that way and I never will. But you will all know as soon as I know what the deal is with my financing.

35 days to the arrival of my new roomate and visits from my best friends in the world...39 days till my stupid 25th birthday and drop of my insurance rates which thanks to the shitty traffic in dallas are waaaay to high...

Where the eff are my W-2's? I want my tax refund! House, Tax refund, new roomate, best friends, birthday, baseball tickets, USA soccer tickets....Life is grand people...live like it

A Longer Overdue Update

2006-01-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

Well people, a lot of different things have happened since I lasted updated you all on my life. Overall I still can't complain to much, if at all. In fact people at work notice that I am generally happy all the time and the love having me around even if it is at the expense of falling a little behind, cause i raise moral. Who ever thought having a normal job could be so uplifting? I also feel a bit better about myself cause i have lost 12 pounds and am back to "normal" weight. In fact when I went to the doctors for my "pre-employment" physical (4 months after Ive been hired), the doctor told me I was in shape and actually had the blood pressure of an athelete. Which boggles me cause the secret to my weight loss is a two mile walk, 300 crunches and not eating past 9 (most of the time). I am also sure it helps that I only drink now about once every two weeks, as oposed to every other night when i lived back in NY. See i wish i went out more with people, but I am getting there and people at work are always asking me what I am up on the weekends now and I think it is because they might want to hang out which is way cool. So I am getting there.

Also I think I have reached the point where its to take the next big step in my goals of life and look into buying a house. I have to admit I would not be doing it if i was not guarenteed making a profit withing 3 years of doing this, but where I am looking to buy is realtively cheap around 120,000 for 2500 square feet and in a fast developing area. In fact the prices of the houses are expected to go up 11.1 per year over three years. So buy a house now for 120,000, turn around and sell it in 5 years for 175,000...I make a nice little profit of 50,000 for my next house and of course to re-invest in something else...but the fact remains I know practically nothing about the notion of buying a house and am relying on who I think is a very trustworthy real estate agent to figure out the finer details of my decision. So far she has answered my questions quickly, and is anxious to get everything rolling for me. Odds are, I am going to have a new house when my lease ends for my apartments in june. Its going to be nice, but i must resist the temptation going to big for now until I get a job that pays a little bit more. This is just house #1 and a pre-cursor to my dream home which will come in time. I'm still young enough where I am not tied into anything. I must keep reminding myself that. And my #1 concern is that I hope sparky won't mind having his own room in my house for a change, it might be too much for him to handle.

It's been a pretty great week for getting tickets for sporting events for me. First I discover the USA is playing a soccer game vs. Guatealmala in February at Pizza hut park in Frisco (45 minutes away) and then my mom is getting me two sets of tickets to 14 texas rangers games, including 4 againist the yankees.....So my summer is going to be full of fun...I can hardly wait

I miss my good friends, see jim and brittney's myspace pages makes me realize how i have such good friends spread out all of the country that i only get to see once a year if I am lucky...Sometimes I really wish I could hang out with them rather than just converse over myspace or instant messenger...Thats just because I havent begun to trust anybody here like i trust them....and thats the only time I get down when i think like that...but then I realize how lucky I am to be able to maintain such strong friendships with such good people despite the distance...its a good thing...oh yes people its a very good thing...i love you guys

Holiday Cheer

2005-12-31T09:17:00.000-08:00

As I sit in my home bored as ever I have been before...I forgot about my trusty blog in which I am sure so so many people are anxious to read....Yes Greenville, Greenville, NY.....probably the biggest center of boredom in the whole United States....How many places can drive you to the point of wanting to leave within 3 hours of arrival of a 2 week trip....because within 3 hours of arriving home on the 23rd I was in a car driving to syracuse to surprise my friends at a concert and this was totally unplanned....Now keep in mind I already avoided coming home for two days by hanging out in albany with CK and stealling many bar glasses with him and generally kicking ass in darts....In fact everytime I hit the bullseye I made a point of saying "don't mess with texas" to piss everybody off, the funny part is I would never say that anywhere in texas cause its really annoying, but to do it in NY around people i dont care about is hillarious...
Now onwards with my vacation...so i arrived home on Christmas eve, and resumed my boredom, thank god there was only a few hours till i got to sleep again, but of course I couldnt fall asleep early like i wanted to because i slept in the ngiht before...but before you knew it was x-mas which among being my favorite holiday ever it is also my younger sister's birthday...so blah blah happy b-day kim....my mom spoils me beyond...i got the bose ipod thingy, all 6 harry potter books hardcover, the calvin and hobbes collection, lots of dvd's including ducktales and the complete catalong of danger mouse, and a few computer games among the clothes i also recieved....spoiled beyong belief but what do i care, i just know i have the best mom ever

The day x-mas i slept as late as I could....because sleep is my favorite thing to do and woke up and drove to syracuse again to see dickey play at manhatten's....it reminded me how much i miss going out on every monday night to hang out with some actually pretty interesting people...even cory paige gave me a really nice "have a nice year in texas" goodbye...i never thought he would even notice if i was around or not boy was i wrong....but manhattens was hillarious....peter and I went undefeated in darts before giving up, and there were about 85664986046 people there to see me...most of them I would be happy just to say "hey its good to see you" and thats all but people at BMS are generally stupid and thought I was the coolest thing since the chareleston so I put my "oh i really care what you have to say face" on and had a blast.....I even met Kearny...hes really funny especially since he is from america and you can tell it takes him a lot of effort to speak english....After manhattens it was time to go to rochester to go get garbage plates....unfortunatelly the mcCormick twins bailed on us in fear that I was wasted so it was denny's....not a bad choice but compared to garbage plates....come on...no contest....I speant the next day at nick's just layin around and annoying his parents at the site of how lazy we are in fact are....In fact if I was homing laying on the couch watching tv I would be no doubt bitching about it this very second, but truth be told anything while hanging out with nick and annoying people is such a good time...so we wasted the day away hoping the mccormick twins would call so we could go to rochester....but then they never did....so it was then the 28th of december and me and dickey awoke to pick up kathy from the airport....and we did, the old jokes insued and we then grew weary of going to rochester to get the plates, and made them our selves.....now they turned out ok except that the burgers sucked.....and i dont take blame for that cause they were done on a foreman type grill and i would much rather pan fry them and do them right.....but oh well they were still tasty, even nick's sister rose had one....and shes a jesus psycho girl...then unfortunately I had to return home....

The rest of my vacation to this point has been filled with computer games, reading, sleeping, and tv....wait except that I went to a local bar in freehold when I got back on the 28th.....it was hillarious all these people remembered me but i had no clue who 75% of them were....they were so interested in my life and where I was....I think they resent the fact that i escaped this place and am really successfull while they are stuck in a rut....but then again whatever makes you happy....I mean the first question I was asked was "how many people from high school do you talk to?"....to which i said one....and the girl laughed....to which i lauged back, because I could care less...but i actually had a bit of fun....probably because iw as hanging out with my sister, chad, and her pretty hot friends....

Happy New Years Everybody!!! I hope I am doing something fun tonight.....talk to you all from texas!

Good Days, Bad Days

2005-12-14T12:15:00.000-08:00

Well its finnally happened, after not having a bad day since arriving in Texas, I've had two pretty bad days on Monday and Tuesday, nothing major, but just the general down feeling I hate to have....To make matters worse I probably took it out on some people that didnt deserve it....I guess what bothered me was the fact that it seems like ive gotten no where at my job since i started....and as soon i start to make progress I find something else that was completely fucked up and its back to square one....it all comes back to me having to cover up previous crappy work that was done before, and if I call it into question to much that could cause some major problems, but truth be told I should defentely blow the whistle on it...but im not allowed....so it gets to me....so last night after a couple lenthy phone calls with some friends, Ive decieded that I am doing the best I can, and none of the things I am doing are wrong, if anything i am doing the right thing, and if that isnt good enough for people then ill quit and move on....and today I am in a much better mood....which makes me happy which in turn makes other people happy cause when im happy i make people laugh at the little things in life...which of course is a very good thing

Other than that, I have a couple of major issuses on my mind....and they are things I have to work out and through my head, and talk about with a couple of my better friends to get their opinions....it has to do with just these issues I have had with trust over the past few years....and i dont know if im being completely fair, but as I have discussed with one of my better friends already, he told me "you wouldnt be human if that question didnt pop into your head".....but nonetheless Ive been just takin things as they come....this whole paragraph probably makes little sense to most people

Onto better news, in which I happy to state that sparky has begun his job search in the fort worth area, which means that we will probably end up in jail for being a yankee....he also told me hes going to be applying to the film school at UT--Austin, which is only a couple hours away which is awesome....the film school at UT--Austin got a lot of publicity lately because they were featured in the Real World....Paul Steckler seems like a cool teacher....so best of luck to sparky in his search, and i will be pressing hard to get him a job as a primate keeper at the zoo

I can't get the song "Rosa" out of my head.....simpsons burned family guy quite bad on sunday in one the most hillarious episodes of simpsons ever.....and i am really excited to go home in a week....happy birthday to the best mom ever!

World Cup Draw

2005-12-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

God Damn it,

USA draws a group with Italy, Ghana, and Czech Republic....

this is officially the worst start to a weekend ever

good thing i dont have tickets or id be pissed right now