I seem to have gotten out of Louisville just in time. The snow was falling as I boarded the 737 to head west. Because I have a jb with a horrible schedule and I'm was too stupid to not call in sick, I went out to Oklahoma (where apparently te wind comes sweeping down the plains) to have late birthday fun with Grace. And fun we had, maybe too much! I would post pictures but the iPhone doesn't take good ones in the dark
SO my first time in Oklahoma was memorable, and I made a much needed return to COyote Ugly saloon. The bartenders as always were charming and entertaining (and by the ned of the night only wearing bra's... love bar top slip and slide!). After that we were led to an Oklahoma style gay bar. As always, they provide amusing entertainment and conversation. Even while still mentally picturing bartenders dancing and sliding on a bar in skimpy clothes. Yup, definitely straight.
The last week or so has been trying. I have imbibed more than probably is healthy, just due to timing and circumstances. I had a lot of fun and it was nice to get out, if only to feel a bit craptastic in the morning. But I don't mind that much, I was able to function and managed to find time for elipticals, treadmills, and gym machines. Speaking of gym, people who slam down the weights to hear the loud clang are annoying. I know it's not your equipment, but don't abuse it. I bet it's same people who get pissed when their favorite machine has the out of service tag on it... wonder why???
Work is... well. I feel like I'm getting to one fo those points where I may be looking for a change. Sometimes I ponder moving to another career field, but I don;t have a lot of skills to draw on. Then I thought today as I was flying from Oklahoma how much my life would be impacted without out flying privileges. I suppose that's the trade off I have to weigh. EVen the possibility of moving to another job doesn't seem all that thrilling. Well some might be fun but I don't see Qantas hiring me and paying for a relocation down under. But I can dream right?
There's some talk being discussed about possibly doing some things to save jobs and keep me from taking a pay cut. So, we'll see how that works out. Lately though I've become overly apathetic about the whole situation. Not a mindset I relish, but I'm pretty much just over the whole thing. I'm, unfortunately, not in an optimistic state of mind.
In other news, I just finished a really delicious salad from Mellow Mushroom. That makes me a little happier just having food in my belly. Ad I'm in Atlant just releaxing and recovering from last nights festivities. I'm hoping to see the usual suspects over the next couple days. It always helps my mood. ANd now, time to sleep.
Later.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
They're crossing their fingers, they pay the truth makers, the balance sheet is breaking up the sky
You know what bugs me? People telling me how lucky I am to have a job. And it's usually management types or people much higher on the seniority list. It's such a bad thought to purvey. I mean, yes some people are lucky to have a job based on their skill set (and usually they are the same people who are telling me I'm lucky to work here). I'm not lucky to have a job, I worked pretty damn hard over the last decade or so to have my job. You're lucky to have me working here. That may sound a little arrogant, and I'll admit I do have a bit of an ego when it comes to what I do... but it's not completely unjustified. I'm not perfect (hence the ASAP and forthcoming letter the FAA is writing me... it's not a "hello how are you? Wanna be pen pals?" letter), but I'm pretty damn good.
So quit telling me I'm lucky to be here. There's a reason you have to pay us so much to stay.
That being said, I hate that three others who are just as competent and proficient as I am, probably more so, are potentially being sent off to fend for themselves. I have every confidence they'll get snapped up by anyone hiring, but it'll come with the added frustration of relocating (for the second time in 2 years) their whole family. That sucks. I hope the efforts are fruitful for maybe mitigating the situation.
So, back to assistanting I go, and the days of being assigned projects from 4 managers and 12ish supervisors return. (Yes, I got the memo about the new cover sheets for the TPS reports). I'm pretty much over it, and have been for a while. I think stressing about it for most the month of December has kind of numbed me to the whole work situation. Or maybe its the ridiculous cold. At any rate, that's all I'm gonna say about that (very "Tao of the Gump"-ish).
Speaking of numb, how about this weather??? I think maybe we may be starting a new ice age. Yesterday it got above freezing for the first time this year I think. There's still snow littering the ground. Snow is really kind of pretty and fun when it's first falling, but after a week or so it starts looking very clumpy (at best) or black and disgusting (at worst). No one ever paints pictures of week old snow in an urban area for a reason, it's kind of depressing.
The other thing about snow is it tends to neutralize the colors of an area. Add the grey clouds, I feel I'm living in a black and white movie. The road salt covers the cars and dulls all the brilliant paint schemes, really greying them down. Makes you long for a little bit of color. Luckily today, the sky is blue, the sun is warm and glowing yellow, and the light is reflecting brilliantly of red bricks and recently uncovered green grass. I don't know how people can live in a place that's covered by snow for months on end, but I guess that explains why people who live there are rarely found inside during the warm months.
I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I have a new personal trainer. His name is Kevin and he's a ninja in his spare time. Apparently ninja-ing isn't quite paying the bills so he takes this personal training job to supplement his income. He's different from my last trainer (who was promoted and moved to another location) in both personality and technique. It's different, but still painful and fun. I think I may be a bit of a masochist these days, which works since he seems to be a bit of a sadist. We have a good non-sexual S&M relationship. (Yes I had this same conversation while he had me standing on one hand, doing a push up, with my left leg was parallel to the ground and the right leg perpendicular, a 100lbs weight strapped to each ankle, as I tried to lift the the weight across the gym with my mind). Eight months to go.
I'm embarking on an exploration of new music. Of late all I've been listening to is DMB with U2 accompaniment. Not that those aren't both fantastic bands, but I think I need to branch out some these days. The idea came from picking up my first copy of Paste magazine. Having met the editor on a recent trip to Atlanta, and having a fun night and interesting conversation over his homemade Limoncello sort of made me want to check out the publication. It is good reading, and I've got the music sampler playing in my ear. There's a few on here I like and may be looking to explore more of their work. If you haven't heard of Paste (like me before meeting the editor), check them out.
Now if I can only fun into the editor of Playboy or Maxim somewhere, maybe I could meet some of the models... who seemingly want some one who can make them laugh. I can be that guy! That's it I'm done. I'm gonna star out the window an long for Spring before hiking back home through the cold. At least it's above freezing out today.
So quit telling me I'm lucky to be here. There's a reason you have to pay us so much to stay.
That being said, I hate that three others who are just as competent and proficient as I am, probably more so, are potentially being sent off to fend for themselves. I have every confidence they'll get snapped up by anyone hiring, but it'll come with the added frustration of relocating (for the second time in 2 years) their whole family. That sucks. I hope the efforts are fruitful for maybe mitigating the situation.
So, back to assistanting I go, and the days of being assigned projects from 4 managers and 12ish supervisors return. (Yes, I got the memo about the new cover sheets for the TPS reports). I'm pretty much over it, and have been for a while. I think stressing about it for most the month of December has kind of numbed me to the whole work situation. Or maybe its the ridiculous cold. At any rate, that's all I'm gonna say about that (very "Tao of the Gump"-ish).
Speaking of numb, how about this weather??? I think maybe we may be starting a new ice age. Yesterday it got above freezing for the first time this year I think. There's still snow littering the ground. Snow is really kind of pretty and fun when it's first falling, but after a week or so it starts looking very clumpy (at best) or black and disgusting (at worst). No one ever paints pictures of week old snow in an urban area for a reason, it's kind of depressing.
The other thing about snow is it tends to neutralize the colors of an area. Add the grey clouds, I feel I'm living in a black and white movie. The road salt covers the cars and dulls all the brilliant paint schemes, really greying them down. Makes you long for a little bit of color. Luckily today, the sky is blue, the sun is warm and glowing yellow, and the light is reflecting brilliantly of red bricks and recently uncovered green grass. I don't know how people can live in a place that's covered by snow for months on end, but I guess that explains why people who live there are rarely found inside during the warm months.
I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I have a new personal trainer. His name is Kevin and he's a ninja in his spare time. Apparently ninja-ing isn't quite paying the bills so he takes this personal training job to supplement his income. He's different from my last trainer (who was promoted and moved to another location) in both personality and technique. It's different, but still painful and fun. I think I may be a bit of a masochist these days, which works since he seems to be a bit of a sadist. We have a good non-sexual S&M relationship. (Yes I had this same conversation while he had me standing on one hand, doing a push up, with my left leg was parallel to the ground and the right leg perpendicular, a 100lbs weight strapped to each ankle, as I tried to lift the the weight across the gym with my mind). Eight months to go.
I'm embarking on an exploration of new music. Of late all I've been listening to is DMB with U2 accompaniment. Not that those aren't both fantastic bands, but I think I need to branch out some these days. The idea came from picking up my first copy of Paste magazine. Having met the editor on a recent trip to Atlanta, and having a fun night and interesting conversation over his homemade Limoncello sort of made me want to check out the publication. It is good reading, and I've got the music sampler playing in my ear. There's a few on here I like and may be looking to explore more of their work. If you haven't heard of Paste (like me before meeting the editor), check them out.
Now if I can only fun into the editor of Playboy or Maxim somewhere, maybe I could meet some of the models... who seemingly want some one who can make them laugh. I can be that guy! That's it I'm done. I'm gonna star out the window an long for Spring before hiking back home through the cold. At least it's above freezing out today.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I still have it better than most can dream.
Happy New Year!
And while we all know that it's not officially a new decade, I'm going to pretend it is. If only because I like starting things on nice multiples of '10'. So, happy new decade. I was thinking earlier today that instead of doing the inevitable looking back and analyzing the past year, it'd be more fun to go all the way back to the beginning of the last decade (or at least what I'm going to pretend is the beginning). But thinking about it, I don't really remember everything, so... Just gonna hit some of the highlights. Incidentally, who remembers all the big hoopla of the Y2K bug??? Possibly the biggest non-event ever.
So here we go... Ushered in 2000 in Montgomery, AL, at Big Dave Bryan's house with Scott, Chad, Jennie, and others I don't quite remember. Still great friends. 2 days later, left on my first expedition down under (10 years ago today). Discovered VB and winter sun. Came home... worked. We elected (maybe) G.W. Bush the first time. Occasional GT classes. Summer Sunday afternoons at Fellini's. Heart broken. Happy 2001 by the harbour in Sydney,Australia... The Mercantile Hotel!! Mended the heart. Jumped off a 150 ft tower with a rubber cord around my ankles.. 3 times. Snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef. Got a dispatcher license. Was woke up by a phone call and turned on the TV just in time to see the second plane hit... the world changed in an instant. WAR!! Sex scandal at FedEx ATL. Saw U2. New Job at Transmeridian. Met Ed, best boss ever, Charles, and Chandra... New Orleans!!! Angel and Bourbon street balcony love. Desert Storm part 2!!! Met Grace (in person). NYC Partying!! World Airways here i come. VEGAS!!! Ireland!!! Started my own harem. A came back. Life in the VA Highlands! Moved to AMLI. Met Jersey... BFF! Sunny afternoons Delta Wife watching in PTC. GW Bush redux. Goodbye Jamie K, gone too soon... love ya Shelley. Daytona Bike Week! Hand house painting. Hooker Dees and Trick Livermore. Taco Mac Beerslayers! Glasgow and Loch Ness. Met A2. Bahrain and Qatar. Saw DMB a lot... 3 days on the Gorge with Marianne! Saw U2 again.. live in Chicago DVD with MB. Kuwait. Saw U2 again. Cologne. 29th birthday madness... Coyote Ugly!!! Back to TMA... Back to World. Summer fun at the pool. Roomies with J and Joe.. then Adam. Cruises. Back to Australia! Susan. More DMB. TanJoe Manor parties. Love. Bye bye World, Hello Brown. Lived in SDF, BHM, and ATL simultaneously. Obama in office. Recession!!! Vegas again! No more love. Australia round 4. Trade in the Honda... it got me through a decade. AROUND THE WORLD... Dubai, Hong Kong, Macau! Stressing... furlough??? Still got Grace, J, Tanjoe, Scott, Chad, Jennie, Chandra, Jersey... so many great friends! Mom moved... "home" is going away :-(. Lost over a decades worth of weight. Brick Store night... Moving on, getting over it.. It's gonna be a good new year!!!!
I think that just about covers it. Well, not really. There's so much more with so many people it's astounding. A lot of the memories are a little fuzzy. There's been ups and downs. I think the ups have out numbered the downs by far (why does that remind me of the song from Disney's Robin Hood?). For my new years resolution... I want to see more of the people that mean a lot to me. The last 10 years of living, working, traveling, and unraveling have made it tough to see them all. Coming soon to a couch in your house... me!
And while we all know that it's not officially a new decade, I'm going to pretend it is. If only because I like starting things on nice multiples of '10'. So, happy new decade. I was thinking earlier today that instead of doing the inevitable looking back and analyzing the past year, it'd be more fun to go all the way back to the beginning of the last decade (or at least what I'm going to pretend is the beginning). But thinking about it, I don't really remember everything, so... Just gonna hit some of the highlights. Incidentally, who remembers all the big hoopla of the Y2K bug??? Possibly the biggest non-event ever.
So here we go... Ushered in 2000 in Montgomery, AL, at Big Dave Bryan's house with Scott, Chad, Jennie, and others I don't quite remember. Still great friends. 2 days later, left on my first expedition down under (10 years ago today). Discovered VB and winter sun. Came home... worked. We elected (maybe) G.W. Bush the first time. Occasional GT classes. Summer Sunday afternoons at Fellini's. Heart broken. Happy 2001 by the harbour in Sydney,Australia... The Mercantile Hotel!! Mended the heart. Jumped off a 150 ft tower with a rubber cord around my ankles.. 3 times. Snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef. Got a dispatcher license. Was woke up by a phone call and turned on the TV just in time to see the second plane hit... the world changed in an instant. WAR!! Sex scandal at FedEx ATL. Saw U2. New Job at Transmeridian. Met Ed, best boss ever, Charles, and Chandra... New Orleans!!! Angel and Bourbon street balcony love. Desert Storm part 2!!! Met Grace (in person). NYC Partying!! World Airways here i come. VEGAS!!! Ireland!!! Started my own harem. A came back. Life in the VA Highlands! Moved to AMLI. Met Jersey... BFF! Sunny afternoons Delta Wife watching in PTC. GW Bush redux. Goodbye Jamie K, gone too soon... love ya Shelley. Daytona Bike Week! Hand house painting. Hooker Dees and Trick Livermore. Taco Mac Beerslayers! Glasgow and Loch Ness. Met A2. Bahrain and Qatar. Saw DMB a lot... 3 days on the Gorge with Marianne! Saw U2 again.. live in Chicago DVD with MB. Kuwait. Saw U2 again. Cologne. 29th birthday madness... Coyote Ugly!!! Back to TMA... Back to World. Summer fun at the pool. Roomies with J and Joe.. then Adam. Cruises. Back to Australia! Susan. More DMB. TanJoe Manor parties. Love. Bye bye World, Hello Brown. Lived in SDF, BHM, and ATL simultaneously. Obama in office. Recession!!! Vegas again! No more love. Australia round 4. Trade in the Honda... it got me through a decade. AROUND THE WORLD... Dubai, Hong Kong, Macau! Stressing... furlough??? Still got Grace, J, Tanjoe, Scott, Chad, Jennie, Chandra, Jersey... so many great friends! Mom moved... "home" is going away :-(. Lost over a decades worth of weight. Brick Store night... Moving on, getting over it.. It's gonna be a good new year!!!!
I think that just about covers it. Well, not really. There's so much more with so many people it's astounding. A lot of the memories are a little fuzzy. There's been ups and downs. I think the ups have out numbered the downs by far (why does that remind me of the song from Disney's Robin Hood?). For my new years resolution... I want to see more of the people that mean a lot to me. The last 10 years of living, working, traveling, and unraveling have made it tough to see them all. Coming soon to a couch in your house... me!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Let the bells ring out for Christmas at the closing of the year
The couple in line behind me to buy coffee look nice and normal enough, then I noticed he (yes he) was wearing a jean mini skirt, tights, and high heeled boots. That's the sort of randomness that really is the mark of the past week. And it also makes me think I may be a bit too... well I was going to say normal but I don't think that's the right word, maybe mainstream... for my neighborhood. Then a man who I can identify as a pilot just walked in. How can I make such an inference you ask?? Was he wearing wings on his shirt??? Nope. In a uniform??? Well, or sorts I guess yes. Is he carrying a bunch of manuals that have "For Reference Only" or "Boeing" on the front?? Nada. He's decked out in the universal costume for off duty pilots... knit shirt with a collar, tucked into jeans, and the real indicator... bright white sneakers.
That's enough distraction from what I actually came to write about, this past week. I normally feel kind of blah and indifferent about Christmas for most the month of December. The shopping throngs and bombardment of Christmas sales doesn't help. Add to that, most my adult life has been spent working in an industry that does the heaviest business by far this time of year. That brings with it longer hours, less days off, and general chaos and confusion at the office. Given my current feelings about my current employment situation, I'm not terrible thrilled to be spending more time with over stressing managers.
When an opportunity came up to take an extra day off during the busiest, and most stressful, week of the year. I jumped on it. It would have been a bargain had it cost me 3 times the price. And armed with my extra day off, I whisked off to the south. I'm not a big fan of the drive, especially the Tennessee part. There always seems to be a interstate closure for an accident when I roll through. And not that I don;t enjoy spending extra time in the Nashville area, I would rather be at my destination so much more.
I rolled into Atlanta about 7:30 PM Monday night. I left Louisville in a flurry of activity after only a couple hours of sleep. And it was this week really when i started feeling a bit Christmas-y. If only because gifts were being dropped off by various delivery companies or I got to do my version of wrapping, which involves a lot of irregular folds and copious amounts of tape. I rolled into Grace's apartment and was we began working on what was to be my Christmas present. I thought it was an odd request to bring with my pin collection, gathered from around the world. Mostly of the Hard Rock Variety, I've quite quite the collection. Most I picked up but a few friends have been very kind to make a point to bring me pins back. For most of the 90's these pins resided on my Southwind member jacket, only to relegated to a short lived and ill conceived display at my last apartment before being banished to a Crown Royal bag. Now, thanx to Grace's skill at making things, I have a more fitting and fabulous display case for them. She rocks! And if that wasn't enough, it was accompanied by a scarf for the the hash Louisville winters.
After shopping around for some additional items to complete TanJoe's gift basket and Jonathan's gift from Grace, we spent the evening drinking beer, arranging pins, and waiting for the last Holby to arrive. Well, she's not the LAST Holby per see, just the last one I had yet to meet. The rest of the night was spent conversing and being sociable with Christine and Scott, lasting until about 4 AM. I also made my first Gin Martini. I specialize in vodka, but I'm branching out. Thinking of a career change maybe :-). It seemed well received, so maybe there's a future for me.
The next day, grace and I began scouring the city for a specific coffee mug from Starbuck's. I think we hit 8 or 9 on Wednesday, and they all seemed to look at us as if we were asking for the Holy Grail itself. We knew the mug existed, as we had seen it before, not in a vision but at the Starbuck's in concourse A at the airport. We eventually gave up the quest (it was 9 pm after all) and met Christine and Scott for drinks with some acquaintances of theirs.
That led to one of the most random and interesting nights in recent memory. At least in this country. The setting is a well appointed and friendly feeling pub on the square of Decatur. We walked in to a packed house and found Christine and Scott, who then found their friend at a table in a back corner upstairs. The Brick Store pub has taken a new approach to being a pub. Well, it's more of an old approach. No TV's or neon. No lite beers, no domestic big label beers. You're not going to find Budweiser or Coors light here. What they do have is a wide variety of foreign (including a huge selection of Belgians) and microbrew beers. The feeling in the place was definitely old Europe, especially back in our corner. Not at all like you were in an imitation pub some one tried to mimic. They pulled it off.
More interesting than the wide variety of tasty beverages and charming decor were the cast of characters squeezed around the table. I'm not sure what occupation they came from. I know some one was in marketing research. there was a Magazine editor (Josh), and author/actress/waitress/chief happiness officer (Mary Jane), and Jim and John and Jim and other people I just can;t remember. I should really learn to be better with names. Of course, there was Grace, Christine, Scott, and I. Roughly 8 or 9 of us around a table made to comfortably seat four.
And this is how we celebrated Festivus. There was a pole, feats of strength, and many airing of grievances. But the conversation was just great. It didn't center around airplanes or work or holiday frustrations. Before the end of the night, through conversations with the group, I was feeling much happier about life in general. Work issues have been weighing on my mind a lot lately, but I'm feeling much better about it now. If i lose my job, then I'll find another. Maybe it's time for a new beginning anyway. Change can be scary, but it can be invigorating at the same time. And meeting and talking to such positive people over fantastic beers really brought it into focus that I can be down about this crap.
Mary Jane had recently published a book about the very establishment we were occupying. And after the conversations with her and the others, I felt it was a book I would want to read. Luckily, they had copies for sale. And being at the table with such a celebrity as the author, I had to purchase one and get it autographed. One day I think she'll be famous and get tired of people asking for her to sign the book while she's trying to enjoy a cold beer, so I felt I should get mine personalized while I could. I just started reading last night at work, and I'm enjoying the story thus far.
Grace and I ended the night at Josh's house with Mary Jane, discussing family and kids and travel over homemade Limoncello. (FYI, before anyone makes a crack, "discussing with Mary Jane" is not a euphemism for doing something a random drug test would reveal). After a variety of topics and a few drinks of limoncello (it's like drinking a lemonhead candy... yum), we headed home.. again at 4 AM.
The next day we continued the quest for the Holy Grail. And resolved that the only place the mug would be found was at the airport. The followed a trying day of attempting to locate a shipping center and get the item off to make the journey to California by Christmas. Grace decided a nap was in order, and I agreed completely. That night was going to interesting too.
Grace took off to her family lands in New-Nan. I headed to Taco Mac. I was informed last week that I would have plans Wednesday night. My ladies had spoken and I was obliged to attend. And I was to finally meet the person known as Genevieve. Until this point I had only heard tales of this person. Prior occasions when a meeting was to occur, something happened to prevent it. I was beginning to think she was shunning me or, far more likely, she was an imaginary friend of the harem. Turns out she does exist. I was told by Charity, who was running late, to look for her at Taco Mac. Fantastic... I'm searching for some one I've never met with the description of "she's blonde to the shoulders with blue eyes about my height". Turns out, that attractive blonde's are sort of few and far between in New-Nan. It also turned out I got there first and she walked in with Jersey so I didn't have to search her out... and risk being pummeled by a redneck for making a move on his woman should I have chosen the wrong blonde. A serious risk in New-Nan, and I have a history of choosing the wrong blonde.
And shortly, Jersey, Genevieve (who, due to my problem with spelling words with more than one syllable, will be referred to from now on as Jenna or OG.. she claims to be the Original G to Grace's more recent G), and I were joined by Tanya, Charity, and Grace. And that's how I ended up being the only man at a table with New-Nan's 5 most gorgeous women. We adjourned this meeting of the harem and reconvened back at the TanJoe manor, where the drinks are already paid for. The alcohol flowed like... alcohol. And Tanya produced some snacks of chocolaty goodness of which I ate the equivalent of my body weight. And at about 4 AM, it was time to sleep again. Another great night of friends and fun.
(ok, as a side note, there's now a pilot in his uniform sans wings and shoulder boards in here... I may have to leave if another shows up. This neighborhood is going downhill fast.)
Thursday found me waking in a hangover haze, probably sweating Jack Daniels and Jameson. After the mornings first cup of coffee, and a surprise homecoming by Joe, I gathered my self up and took off for some Christmas Eve shopping. I'm proud that this year no gifts were purchased on credit. This could be a first since 1995. After a brief shopping expedition in the New-Nan/PTC area, it was up to Grace's to prepare the gift bags and try to feel more human. We took a quick expedition to Target at Atlantic Station and discovered that they carried the same Starbuck's mug we have trekked about the city looking for... only 5 minutes from G's house. I think would have been better off not knowing that.
Afterward, I was able to meet NoTAC (short for No Talent Ass Clown, or more commonly known as Ryan) and his lady for dinner, then crossed the city to join Charity, TanJoe, and some of the Pollard family for an evening of Glubwien and Wii. It was then that the realization that I had to come back to Louisville soon began to set in. The next morning, very early, I awoke to discover that once again Santa did not leave me a bar of gold or deed to a tropical island in my stocking. Maybe I've been to naughty again. I whisked off to mom's house for Christmas breakfast. I could practically smell the bacon cooking miles away. I was struck by an eerie feeling driving through Atlanta when I realized I was the only person moving on Spring Street. it was like one of those movies where everyone in the world has disappeared but some hapless person who was lucky enough to be sleeping in an iron box or something. Just when I began to wonder if Grace's apartment was indeed built of iron, I saw another car driving. That was close, I was almost the last person on earth.
Christmas morning was the typical flurry of presents, kids, breakfast foods, and lateness. The little ones continue to get more stuff then they could possibly ever play with in a year. I think the best reaction was to the toothbrushes... it was a sort of half-hearted "yay! it's a toothbrush." In all fairness to the kids, I would feel the same way. The challenge of the morning came in the form of an electrical outage. And with perfect timing, this happened before the biscuits were made and the eggs were cooked. At least we had 3 pounds of bacon (yes, there was really three pounds of bacon) and a plate of sausage to occupy us until we could get the generator rigged up to finish the cooking. And then the presents were distributed. I scored a bottle of Grey Goose form Darci... which is kind of repayment for the years of me contributing her delinquency. Mom also tired force a cake and pie on me. I love my mother very much, but I always am confused by the "You look so great, keep up the weight loss... here's a cake".
All too soon I had to leave. The journey back to Louisville loomed ahead. Luckily traffic was light, and there were plenty of places to provide me with sugar-free Red Bull for the caffeine requirements of the trip.
There is more to say about the week, but my hands are tired and I'm fairly sure everyone has stopped reading about 3 pages back. I enjoyed the time I spent with all my friends, and most of the unexpected surprises in meeting some wildly interesting people, finding a new watering hole, discovering how impressive my pin collection looks when displayed properly, and generally enjoying the company of family. I can't thank Grace enough for letting me once again interrupt her life and sleep on her couch. One day she's gonna take my key away I'm sure. I wish I could have spent more time with everyone, and that's the real downside to Christmas. So much busyness and rushing around that we don't usually get to spend time just being around fun people. And often your thrust into the company of annoying people who push in front of you in line to checkout. I enjoyed giving out some gifts, and the look when i get something they really like. Usually by complete luck.
Now, I'm looking ahead to New Years. I'm hoping that everyone will be around (though I know some won't but that's OK, I'll have to harass Jersey more in 2010). Coming soon will be the inevitable reflection blog, so look forward to that. I'll try and keep it shorter :-). Until next time, I hope everyone continues to enjoy their holiday revelry and has safe journey's.
That's enough distraction from what I actually came to write about, this past week. I normally feel kind of blah and indifferent about Christmas for most the month of December. The shopping throngs and bombardment of Christmas sales doesn't help. Add to that, most my adult life has been spent working in an industry that does the heaviest business by far this time of year. That brings with it longer hours, less days off, and general chaos and confusion at the office. Given my current feelings about my current employment situation, I'm not terrible thrilled to be spending more time with over stressing managers.
When an opportunity came up to take an extra day off during the busiest, and most stressful, week of the year. I jumped on it. It would have been a bargain had it cost me 3 times the price. And armed with my extra day off, I whisked off to the south. I'm not a big fan of the drive, especially the Tennessee part. There always seems to be a interstate closure for an accident when I roll through. And not that I don;t enjoy spending extra time in the Nashville area, I would rather be at my destination so much more.
I rolled into Atlanta about 7:30 PM Monday night. I left Louisville in a flurry of activity after only a couple hours of sleep. And it was this week really when i started feeling a bit Christmas-y. If only because gifts were being dropped off by various delivery companies or I got to do my version of wrapping, which involves a lot of irregular folds and copious amounts of tape. I rolled into Grace's apartment and was we began working on what was to be my Christmas present. I thought it was an odd request to bring with my pin collection, gathered from around the world. Mostly of the Hard Rock Variety, I've quite quite the collection. Most I picked up but a few friends have been very kind to make a point to bring me pins back. For most of the 90's these pins resided on my Southwind member jacket, only to relegated to a short lived and ill conceived display at my last apartment before being banished to a Crown Royal bag. Now, thanx to Grace's skill at making things, I have a more fitting and fabulous display case for them. She rocks! And if that wasn't enough, it was accompanied by a scarf for the the hash Louisville winters.
After shopping around for some additional items to complete TanJoe's gift basket and Jonathan's gift from Grace, we spent the evening drinking beer, arranging pins, and waiting for the last Holby to arrive. Well, she's not the LAST Holby per see, just the last one I had yet to meet. The rest of the night was spent conversing and being sociable with Christine and Scott, lasting until about 4 AM. I also made my first Gin Martini. I specialize in vodka, but I'm branching out. Thinking of a career change maybe :-). It seemed well received, so maybe there's a future for me.
The next day, grace and I began scouring the city for a specific coffee mug from Starbuck's. I think we hit 8 or 9 on Wednesday, and they all seemed to look at us as if we were asking for the Holy Grail itself. We knew the mug existed, as we had seen it before, not in a vision but at the Starbuck's in concourse A at the airport. We eventually gave up the quest (it was 9 pm after all) and met Christine and Scott for drinks with some acquaintances of theirs.
That led to one of the most random and interesting nights in recent memory. At least in this country. The setting is a well appointed and friendly feeling pub on the square of Decatur. We walked in to a packed house and found Christine and Scott, who then found their friend at a table in a back corner upstairs. The Brick Store pub has taken a new approach to being a pub. Well, it's more of an old approach. No TV's or neon. No lite beers, no domestic big label beers. You're not going to find Budweiser or Coors light here. What they do have is a wide variety of foreign (including a huge selection of Belgians) and microbrew beers. The feeling in the place was definitely old Europe, especially back in our corner. Not at all like you were in an imitation pub some one tried to mimic. They pulled it off.
More interesting than the wide variety of tasty beverages and charming decor were the cast of characters squeezed around the table. I'm not sure what occupation they came from. I know some one was in marketing research. there was a Magazine editor (Josh), and author/actress/waitress/chief happiness officer (Mary Jane), and Jim and John and Jim and other people I just can;t remember. I should really learn to be better with names. Of course, there was Grace, Christine, Scott, and I. Roughly 8 or 9 of us around a table made to comfortably seat four.
And this is how we celebrated Festivus. There was a pole, feats of strength, and many airing of grievances. But the conversation was just great. It didn't center around airplanes or work or holiday frustrations. Before the end of the night, through conversations with the group, I was feeling much happier about life in general. Work issues have been weighing on my mind a lot lately, but I'm feeling much better about it now. If i lose my job, then I'll find another. Maybe it's time for a new beginning anyway. Change can be scary, but it can be invigorating at the same time. And meeting and talking to such positive people over fantastic beers really brought it into focus that I can be down about this crap.
Mary Jane had recently published a book about the very establishment we were occupying. And after the conversations with her and the others, I felt it was a book I would want to read. Luckily, they had copies for sale. And being at the table with such a celebrity as the author, I had to purchase one and get it autographed. One day I think she'll be famous and get tired of people asking for her to sign the book while she's trying to enjoy a cold beer, so I felt I should get mine personalized while I could. I just started reading last night at work, and I'm enjoying the story thus far.
Grace and I ended the night at Josh's house with Mary Jane, discussing family and kids and travel over homemade Limoncello. (FYI, before anyone makes a crack, "discussing with Mary Jane" is not a euphemism for doing something a random drug test would reveal). After a variety of topics and a few drinks of limoncello (it's like drinking a lemonhead candy... yum), we headed home.. again at 4 AM.
The next day we continued the quest for the Holy Grail. And resolved that the only place the mug would be found was at the airport. The followed a trying day of attempting to locate a shipping center and get the item off to make the journey to California by Christmas. Grace decided a nap was in order, and I agreed completely. That night was going to interesting too.
Grace took off to her family lands in New-Nan. I headed to Taco Mac. I was informed last week that I would have plans Wednesday night. My ladies had spoken and I was obliged to attend. And I was to finally meet the person known as Genevieve. Until this point I had only heard tales of this person. Prior occasions when a meeting was to occur, something happened to prevent it. I was beginning to think she was shunning me or, far more likely, she was an imaginary friend of the harem. Turns out she does exist. I was told by Charity, who was running late, to look for her at Taco Mac. Fantastic... I'm searching for some one I've never met with the description of "she's blonde to the shoulders with blue eyes about my height". Turns out, that attractive blonde's are sort of few and far between in New-Nan. It also turned out I got there first and she walked in with Jersey so I didn't have to search her out... and risk being pummeled by a redneck for making a move on his woman should I have chosen the wrong blonde. A serious risk in New-Nan, and I have a history of choosing the wrong blonde.
And shortly, Jersey, Genevieve (who, due to my problem with spelling words with more than one syllable, will be referred to from now on as Jenna or OG.. she claims to be the Original G to Grace's more recent G), and I were joined by Tanya, Charity, and Grace. And that's how I ended up being the only man at a table with New-Nan's 5 most gorgeous women. We adjourned this meeting of the harem and reconvened back at the TanJoe manor, where the drinks are already paid for. The alcohol flowed like... alcohol. And Tanya produced some snacks of chocolaty goodness of which I ate the equivalent of my body weight. And at about 4 AM, it was time to sleep again. Another great night of friends and fun.
(ok, as a side note, there's now a pilot in his uniform sans wings and shoulder boards in here... I may have to leave if another shows up. This neighborhood is going downhill fast.)
Thursday found me waking in a hangover haze, probably sweating Jack Daniels and Jameson. After the mornings first cup of coffee, and a surprise homecoming by Joe, I gathered my self up and took off for some Christmas Eve shopping. I'm proud that this year no gifts were purchased on credit. This could be a first since 1995. After a brief shopping expedition in the New-Nan/PTC area, it was up to Grace's to prepare the gift bags and try to feel more human. We took a quick expedition to Target at Atlantic Station and discovered that they carried the same Starbuck's mug we have trekked about the city looking for... only 5 minutes from G's house. I think would have been better off not knowing that.
Afterward, I was able to meet NoTAC (short for No Talent Ass Clown, or more commonly known as Ryan) and his lady for dinner, then crossed the city to join Charity, TanJoe, and some of the Pollard family for an evening of Glubwien and Wii. It was then that the realization that I had to come back to Louisville soon began to set in. The next morning, very early, I awoke to discover that once again Santa did not leave me a bar of gold or deed to a tropical island in my stocking. Maybe I've been to naughty again. I whisked off to mom's house for Christmas breakfast. I could practically smell the bacon cooking miles away. I was struck by an eerie feeling driving through Atlanta when I realized I was the only person moving on Spring Street. it was like one of those movies where everyone in the world has disappeared but some hapless person who was lucky enough to be sleeping in an iron box or something. Just when I began to wonder if Grace's apartment was indeed built of iron, I saw another car driving. That was close, I was almost the last person on earth.
Christmas morning was the typical flurry of presents, kids, breakfast foods, and lateness. The little ones continue to get more stuff then they could possibly ever play with in a year. I think the best reaction was to the toothbrushes... it was a sort of half-hearted "yay! it's a toothbrush." In all fairness to the kids, I would feel the same way. The challenge of the morning came in the form of an electrical outage. And with perfect timing, this happened before the biscuits were made and the eggs were cooked. At least we had 3 pounds of bacon (yes, there was really three pounds of bacon) and a plate of sausage to occupy us until we could get the generator rigged up to finish the cooking. And then the presents were distributed. I scored a bottle of Grey Goose form Darci... which is kind of repayment for the years of me contributing her delinquency. Mom also tired force a cake and pie on me. I love my mother very much, but I always am confused by the "You look so great, keep up the weight loss... here's a cake".
All too soon I had to leave. The journey back to Louisville loomed ahead. Luckily traffic was light, and there were plenty of places to provide me with sugar-free Red Bull for the caffeine requirements of the trip.
There is more to say about the week, but my hands are tired and I'm fairly sure everyone has stopped reading about 3 pages back. I enjoyed the time I spent with all my friends, and most of the unexpected surprises in meeting some wildly interesting people, finding a new watering hole, discovering how impressive my pin collection looks when displayed properly, and generally enjoying the company of family. I can't thank Grace enough for letting me once again interrupt her life and sleep on her couch. One day she's gonna take my key away I'm sure. I wish I could have spent more time with everyone, and that's the real downside to Christmas. So much busyness and rushing around that we don't usually get to spend time just being around fun people. And often your thrust into the company of annoying people who push in front of you in line to checkout. I enjoyed giving out some gifts, and the look when i get something they really like. Usually by complete luck.
Now, I'm looking ahead to New Years. I'm hoping that everyone will be around (though I know some won't but that's OK, I'll have to harass Jersey more in 2010). Coming soon will be the inevitable reflection blog, so look forward to that. I'll try and keep it shorter :-). Until next time, I hope everyone continues to enjoy their holiday revelry and has safe journey's.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The weather outside is frightful... or just insanely cold.
Once again, I find myself in Rao's Coffee in downtown Amherst, MA. I will forever abbreviate this state because I cannot spell it. Too bad, it's really very scenic here. This is my third visit to Adri's home town. Fall is amazingly colorful, winter is amazingly cold. It's still scenic though, the snow making it all very wintery. As snow tends to do.
This was a quickly laid on trip tog et away from Louisville for a couple days. Otherwise, it'd end up with me dwelling on some things. I like the distraction of Amherst, and the vibe of the town. I could maybe even immigrate here... I say maybe because I'm not sure I react well to the cold. Unfortunately, Adri has been working these few days and I've only had limited time to spend with her. But lunch, and dinners have been very nice. SHe's a great host.
Yesterday, I spent the time in the morning around Amherst meandering. Well, most of it was spent insde the coffee house as meandering outside was almost painful. There's a nice little local bookstore on the square that, while 1/4 the size of a standard Barnes & Nobles, has an incredible selection of books I've never seen in the local B&N. It is a college town and I suppose people here are well read??
After fetching Adri for lunch yesterday, I ventured down to Holyoke and searched for a local brewery I was told about. I must have circled the same block 5 times looking for the place. The GPS/google maps on the phone got me almost exactly not there. I mean I was withing a mile so I suppose that helped narrow it down. Eventually I pulled up beside a large abandon-looking brick factory and asked a delivery driver if he knew where I could find Paper City Brewery. He responded "You're looking at it". It's the kind of place you would never find unless you knew where it was. No signs or adds. Nothing but a grey door with no number or markings. This should be interesting. The owner (Jay) decided to install the brewery on the 5th floor of the building... and up the stairs I went. I walked into a room that had a very old early 1900's feel about it. Not much organization. Boxes and cases of beer stacked all over, except the one wall that was roped off to guard a collection of vintage motorcycles.
I was greeted by a older lady with a cheerful "Are you here to work?" To which I responded "No, I'm here to drink and take a tour if it's available." Well, turns out that even though the website said tours were available Monday through Friday during the day, the omitted that Wednesday was not exactly considered to be between Monday and Friday. I did learn that Wednesday nights are bottling night, and should you feel inclined to come help them with the bottling process you will be paid in a case of beer and fed pizza. If I lived here, guess what I'd be doing on most Wednesdays. It's very brilliant ploy by the owner, especially with the high volume of broke college students in the area. Imagine being able to get a free case of good microbrewery beer as a poor college student. Beats the hell out of drinking Natty Light.
At any rate, the staff (all three of them) were busy getting ready for the night's bottling operation. So no real tour was given, but they did offer to let me sample whatever they had on tap. And since they were busy, I was to just go behind the bar there and help myself. So I did. The lady who initially greeted was waited on something to be delivered, so she kept me company. In the times where she had to actually go do something, I occupied myself with the collection of bikes. For future reference, I'm not a fan of watermelon beer, but they had a wonderful blueberry beer and an excellent winter dark.
The owner was very much into vintage Harley-Davidson's and Indian motocycles (that's the correct spelling). I've been very much into getting back into bikes lately. I'm even thinking that should this airline thing go south, going to motorcycle mechanics school. At the very least I could save myself $70 by doing my own oil changes.
After more than a few samples and a conversation with the owner, I headed back to Amherst to wait for Adri to get off work. She had planned dinner and the Amherst family was coming over. I haven't seen many of them since the infamous birthday party with the missing Grey Goose. I love that hanging at Adri's is like a meeting of the United Nations. Represented were the nations of South Africa, Colombia, Pakistan, and Russia. And unusually I was not the only native born American, but the other American was currently living in SwitzerFrance... I'll explain later.
The other thing about Adri's friends is that when we're hanging out I feel like I'm the dumbest person in the room. I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but when the company are either workin on Ph.D's in Psychology (that's how it's spelled Katya, I looked it up), or engineers, or working at CERN (which is on the border of France and Switzerland... hence SwitzerFrance) creating black holes that are going to destroy the earth. Well, maybe the black hole part is not true, but how often to meet a physicist that's working on discovering the smallest particles of the universe. I think it's cool. And she was cute too. I also learned that Stephen Hawking is an asshole.
That pretty much brings us up to now, where I sit at Rao's again typing this. I feel so studious here aongst the other people typing and studying away. It almost makes me want to go back to college. Except I have no desire to actually do the school work.
I fly back to Louisville tonight, and back again to being in he real world. It's only a three day work week before I head home for Christmas. And i still have much shopping to do! I would like to thank Adri for hosting me. And Mo, Katya, Susya, Razzi, and Elane (not sure that was her name, but I'll call her that for now) for the enjoyable evening. Later.
This was a quickly laid on trip tog et away from Louisville for a couple days. Otherwise, it'd end up with me dwelling on some things. I like the distraction of Amherst, and the vibe of the town. I could maybe even immigrate here... I say maybe because I'm not sure I react well to the cold. Unfortunately, Adri has been working these few days and I've only had limited time to spend with her. But lunch, and dinners have been very nice. SHe's a great host.
Yesterday, I spent the time in the morning around Amherst meandering. Well, most of it was spent insde the coffee house as meandering outside was almost painful. There's a nice little local bookstore on the square that, while 1/4 the size of a standard Barnes & Nobles, has an incredible selection of books I've never seen in the local B&N. It is a college town and I suppose people here are well read??
After fetching Adri for lunch yesterday, I ventured down to Holyoke and searched for a local brewery I was told about. I must have circled the same block 5 times looking for the place. The GPS/google maps on the phone got me almost exactly not there. I mean I was withing a mile so I suppose that helped narrow it down. Eventually I pulled up beside a large abandon-looking brick factory and asked a delivery driver if he knew where I could find Paper City Brewery. He responded "You're looking at it". It's the kind of place you would never find unless you knew where it was. No signs or adds. Nothing but a grey door with no number or markings. This should be interesting. The owner (Jay) decided to install the brewery on the 5th floor of the building... and up the stairs I went. I walked into a room that had a very old early 1900's feel about it. Not much organization. Boxes and cases of beer stacked all over, except the one wall that was roped off to guard a collection of vintage motorcycles.
I was greeted by a older lady with a cheerful "Are you here to work?" To which I responded "No, I'm here to drink and take a tour if it's available." Well, turns out that even though the website said tours were available Monday through Friday during the day, the omitted that Wednesday was not exactly considered to be between Monday and Friday. I did learn that Wednesday nights are bottling night, and should you feel inclined to come help them with the bottling process you will be paid in a case of beer and fed pizza. If I lived here, guess what I'd be doing on most Wednesdays. It's very brilliant ploy by the owner, especially with the high volume of broke college students in the area. Imagine being able to get a free case of good microbrewery beer as a poor college student. Beats the hell out of drinking Natty Light.
At any rate, the staff (all three of them) were busy getting ready for the night's bottling operation. So no real tour was given, but they did offer to let me sample whatever they had on tap. And since they were busy, I was to just go behind the bar there and help myself. So I did. The lady who initially greeted was waited on something to be delivered, so she kept me company. In the times where she had to actually go do something, I occupied myself with the collection of bikes. For future reference, I'm not a fan of watermelon beer, but they had a wonderful blueberry beer and an excellent winter dark.
The owner was very much into vintage Harley-Davidson's and Indian motocycles (that's the correct spelling). I've been very much into getting back into bikes lately. I'm even thinking that should this airline thing go south, going to motorcycle mechanics school. At the very least I could save myself $70 by doing my own oil changes.
After more than a few samples and a conversation with the owner, I headed back to Amherst to wait for Adri to get off work. She had planned dinner and the Amherst family was coming over. I haven't seen many of them since the infamous birthday party with the missing Grey Goose. I love that hanging at Adri's is like a meeting of the United Nations. Represented were the nations of South Africa, Colombia, Pakistan, and Russia. And unusually I was not the only native born American, but the other American was currently living in SwitzerFrance... I'll explain later.
The other thing about Adri's friends is that when we're hanging out I feel like I'm the dumbest person in the room. I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but when the company are either workin on Ph.D's in Psychology (that's how it's spelled Katya, I looked it up), or engineers, or working at CERN (which is on the border of France and Switzerland... hence SwitzerFrance) creating black holes that are going to destroy the earth. Well, maybe the black hole part is not true, but how often to meet a physicist that's working on discovering the smallest particles of the universe. I think it's cool. And she was cute too. I also learned that Stephen Hawking is an asshole.
That pretty much brings us up to now, where I sit at Rao's again typing this. I feel so studious here aongst the other people typing and studying away. It almost makes me want to go back to college. Except I have no desire to actually do the school work.
I fly back to Louisville tonight, and back again to being in he real world. It's only a three day work week before I head home for Christmas. And i still have much shopping to do! I would like to thank Adri for hosting me. And Mo, Katya, Susya, Razzi, and Elane (not sure that was her name, but I'll call her that for now) for the enjoyable evening. Later.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Neither down or out, there's nothing you have that I need. I can breathe
I've been working a lot. Since I returned home from my birthday it feels like I've done little else but work and sleep. I guess if I want days off I have to eventually pay them back. But that doesn't make me happy. And add on top of that a large measure of uncertainty with the job, it does make for a happy camper. SO, in the spirit of the "F" word being thrown about, I'm making plans on what to do. Unfortunately all them require a pay cut, but maybe there will be some silver lining... We'll see. I guess it really annoys me not being given any sort of definitive word on the next year. That and no matter how good I may be at my job, I'm likely to still get screwed. I know times are tough in the economy, what with UPS only pulling in a couple billion (yes with a B) in profit for the year and the CEO cruising for a 600% raise. We all have to make sacrifices.
Having watched an airline struggle for survival and not make it, these people have no clue what tough times are like. Again, I'm hopeful on some things may work out...
Otherwise, the end of the long Thanksgiving weekend is upon us. I was able to fly home for a few days and spend some time with family and friends. Got in Tuesday morning after working all night (I'm convinced that "peak" season is forever going to catch brown off guard... like they didn't know it was coming). I lucked into a first class seat on the trip down, and caught a little nap. Once I got my rental car, I was headed to mom's. Unfortunately the rental car had a slight issue with the temperature controller... it was stuck on hot. I reversed course to the airport and promptly traded it in. And while the second car was new and a better vehicle, I'm so glad I didn't buy a corolla. Just doesn't have enough pick up for me.
Mom was nice enough to cook me some food while I slept a couple hours, unfortunately she chose fried chicken... not on the diet. I had a small piece and was off to resuscitate my motorcycle. I stopped and spent a ridiculous amount on a new battery and headed to y brothers house where my bike lives now. Poor thing is soooo dirty. But thanx to some help from Brian, we got the girl fired up. Apparently and engine will not run if u have the gas feed turned to off. Who knew?? After getting some work done on the bike, I headed up to visit the hobbled Grace. She was very nice and let me break into her new roommates liquor while she whipped up a tasty dinner. Her cooking skills amaze me, I can't throw together random things and it all work out so well. Fte hanging around for a few hours, I cruised back home to the house.
Now, Mom has decided to move out of the house I grew up in and relocate to somewhere just past civilization. Th old house is still there, and she has yet to move most of the stuff out of it. But I'm not so sure I like the idea of her getting rid of it (in time). It's still home, no matter how weird it may feel to stay back in my old room.
Wednesday I got the bike out on the road. It was a little cool, but warm enough to have a pleasant trip. And everything worked great. Love it. So, after 144 miles and lunch with Jersey, I headed back to Newnan to meet TanJoe and Jersey (and the mysterious imaginary Genevieve.. this person does not really exist, and I base that on the number of times we've almost met, but never quite made it.. she didn't make it this time either... hrrrmmm). After Taco mac, it swung by the TanJoe manor to sample the latest brewed concoction. They make pretty good beer there. Soon, I'm thinking Joe will retire from aviation and go into being a brewmaster.
Thursday was thanxgiving with the family. Much food was eaten. I was stuffed. om made her famous fried apple pies, I'll be running the dozen of so I ate off for a few weeks.
Unfortunately, it all came to an end on Friday morning when reality set in,a dn I flew back to Louisville. Though the highlight of that airport experience was the Delta RedCoat announcing the couple have their 61st wedding anniversary that day. That's amazing?? First of all, living long enough have been with come one for 61 years. And then living with some one for 61 years... a remarkable, and definitely applausable, accomplishment. After that, an even more rousing round of applause for some military folks traveling.
And then I'm back to the grind. I'm searching for some Christmas cheer at the moment, but falling short. Maybe I should put up some decorations.
Having watched an airline struggle for survival and not make it, these people have no clue what tough times are like. Again, I'm hopeful on some things may work out...
Otherwise, the end of the long Thanksgiving weekend is upon us. I was able to fly home for a few days and spend some time with family and friends. Got in Tuesday morning after working all night (I'm convinced that "peak" season is forever going to catch brown off guard... like they didn't know it was coming). I lucked into a first class seat on the trip down, and caught a little nap. Once I got my rental car, I was headed to mom's. Unfortunately the rental car had a slight issue with the temperature controller... it was stuck on hot. I reversed course to the airport and promptly traded it in. And while the second car was new and a better vehicle, I'm so glad I didn't buy a corolla. Just doesn't have enough pick up for me.
Mom was nice enough to cook me some food while I slept a couple hours, unfortunately she chose fried chicken... not on the diet. I had a small piece and was off to resuscitate my motorcycle. I stopped and spent a ridiculous amount on a new battery and headed to y brothers house where my bike lives now. Poor thing is soooo dirty. But thanx to some help from Brian, we got the girl fired up. Apparently and engine will not run if u have the gas feed turned to off. Who knew?? After getting some work done on the bike, I headed up to visit the hobbled Grace. She was very nice and let me break into her new roommates liquor while she whipped up a tasty dinner. Her cooking skills amaze me, I can't throw together random things and it all work out so well. Fte hanging around for a few hours, I cruised back home to the house.
Now, Mom has decided to move out of the house I grew up in and relocate to somewhere just past civilization. Th old house is still there, and she has yet to move most of the stuff out of it. But I'm not so sure I like the idea of her getting rid of it (in time). It's still home, no matter how weird it may feel to stay back in my old room.
Wednesday I got the bike out on the road. It was a little cool, but warm enough to have a pleasant trip. And everything worked great. Love it. So, after 144 miles and lunch with Jersey, I headed back to Newnan to meet TanJoe and Jersey (and the mysterious imaginary Genevieve.. this person does not really exist, and I base that on the number of times we've almost met, but never quite made it.. she didn't make it this time either... hrrrmmm). After Taco mac, it swung by the TanJoe manor to sample the latest brewed concoction. They make pretty good beer there. Soon, I'm thinking Joe will retire from aviation and go into being a brewmaster.
Thursday was thanxgiving with the family. Much food was eaten. I was stuffed. om made her famous fried apple pies, I'll be running the dozen of so I ate off for a few weeks.
Unfortunately, it all came to an end on Friday morning when reality set in,a dn I flew back to Louisville. Though the highlight of that airport experience was the Delta RedCoat announcing the couple have their 61st wedding anniversary that day. That's amazing?? First of all, living long enough have been with come one for 61 years. And then living with some one for 61 years... a remarkable, and definitely applausable, accomplishment. After that, an even more rousing round of applause for some military folks traveling.
And then I'm back to the grind. I'm searching for some Christmas cheer at the moment, but falling short. Maybe I should put up some decorations.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Another trip around the sun
I got a lot of birthday wishes yesterday. A Lot!! Makes me feel special. So, I guess 33 down, and a lot more to go I hope. SO, as is customary on such occasions, we look back.
Let's see what happened during 32... um. A lot. I put at least a million miles in. OK, maybe not that much, but when you add in a round trip to Australia, a little expedition to circle the earth, and the ridiculous amount of Louisville to Atlanta and Birmingham trips... it's gotta be close. Throw in Vegas, Minneapolis, and COlorado Springs and I should be over it. SO yeah, I got some time in, stepped on 4 continents, and met some new people. Not too bad.
There were of course low points, but they've been taken in stride and moved on. I'm still gainfully employed. I had the thought on the recent drive down to Atlanta about how much of a leisurely life I live. Incredibly lucky.
As evidence by the amount of birthday wishes I received (seriously, thanx!), I have a lot of good friends. Too many, unfortunately, I haven't seen in a long time. But they seem to all have turned out well. Then of course there re those who tend to keep me sane.. and then go crazy a little with me.
ANd of course there's the 78 lbs (as of today) that I've lost. It would probably be more ecept I went off the diet for the birthday. But it was good to have a pizza, chinese, an insane amount of beer, and copious amounts of whiskey (which I'm now a huge fan of Jameson)... oh and cheesecake.
So, to celebrate, the day, I took off to Atlanta when I was graciously sheltered byt Jerssey (again!). I spent Thursday with Grace and JoHnathan around Atlanta for lunch (Margarita pitcher at noon rocks) and then shopping.
That night, Ed(the former bossman) and I closed down the PTC Taco Mac with our waitress, Cupcake. The next morning I woke up with a slight hangover, but took in a half gallon of water and small coffee and was good to go. Ventured to the National Museum of Commercial Aviation... which is a bit grandiose to call the place now, but they have big plans to expand from the office park location. Lots of old airline crap and history stuff, and nice diversion for the day. Then it was back to the Southside for a gathering at the Tanjoe Manor. I love how Tanya and Joe just accept that we're going to throw parties at their house with little prior notice.
Somewhere between a 1/4 and 1/2 bottle of Jack (which I purchased from the distillery on the way down... everyone should go there and ask for William to be your guide.. he's very southern and very funny), we decided Jamie should give a stirring rendition of Crazy Bitch Karaoke.
I spent Saturday with Jersey, and most of the afternoon we sat and conversed at the PTC Starbuck's. There was a time when that was a favorite pastime with Sean and JR on occasion. Being very trendy at the coffee house watching the Delta Wives. Saturday evening I was treated to dinner by my family. Very nice as always, and the younger nieces are growing much too fast. Nothing makes you feel old like seeing the niece or nephew you think is still in diapers walking and talking and talking about school. Doesn't help also that one of the nieces can legally order alcohol now.
I spent the rest of Saturday night with Nolan at Fado's. We had a few and caught up on life. Haven't seen her in a couple years and she's come a long way since I taught her in bad years ago. Yeah, gettin old!
Sunday, Jersey and I went off to see the Falcons at the dome. The second NFL game I've ever been to, and a lot of fun. The only down side was that the Redskin's pretty much didn't show for the game. But good fun was had, and then we went off to Park Tavern for dinner. A stroll around the park while waiting on a table made me realize that I do miss Atlanta.
And now, I'm back to real life. Which really ain't that bad, just a few annoyances from time to time. I'll be back in Atlanta for Thanksgiving, ad then.. who knows where I'll be. Look me up!
Let's see what happened during 32... um. A lot. I put at least a million miles in. OK, maybe not that much, but when you add in a round trip to Australia, a little expedition to circle the earth, and the ridiculous amount of Louisville to Atlanta and Birmingham trips... it's gotta be close. Throw in Vegas, Minneapolis, and COlorado Springs and I should be over it. SO yeah, I got some time in, stepped on 4 continents, and met some new people. Not too bad.
There were of course low points, but they've been taken in stride and moved on. I'm still gainfully employed. I had the thought on the recent drive down to Atlanta about how much of a leisurely life I live. Incredibly lucky.
As evidence by the amount of birthday wishes I received (seriously, thanx!), I have a lot of good friends. Too many, unfortunately, I haven't seen in a long time. But they seem to all have turned out well. Then of course there re those who tend to keep me sane.. and then go crazy a little with me.
ANd of course there's the 78 lbs (as of today) that I've lost. It would probably be more ecept I went off the diet for the birthday. But it was good to have a pizza, chinese, an insane amount of beer, and copious amounts of whiskey (which I'm now a huge fan of Jameson)... oh and cheesecake.
So, to celebrate, the day, I took off to Atlanta when I was graciously sheltered byt Jerssey (again!). I spent Thursday with Grace and JoHnathan around Atlanta for lunch (Margarita pitcher at noon rocks) and then shopping.
That night, Ed(the former bossman) and I closed down the PTC Taco Mac with our waitress, Cupcake. The next morning I woke up with a slight hangover, but took in a half gallon of water and small coffee and was good to go. Ventured to the National Museum of Commercial Aviation... which is a bit grandiose to call the place now, but they have big plans to expand from the office park location. Lots of old airline crap and history stuff, and nice diversion for the day. Then it was back to the Southside for a gathering at the Tanjoe Manor. I love how Tanya and Joe just accept that we're going to throw parties at their house with little prior notice.
Somewhere between a 1/4 and 1/2 bottle of Jack (which I purchased from the distillery on the way down... everyone should go there and ask for William to be your guide.. he's very southern and very funny), we decided Jamie should give a stirring rendition of Crazy Bitch Karaoke.
I spent Saturday with Jersey, and most of the afternoon we sat and conversed at the PTC Starbuck's. There was a time when that was a favorite pastime with Sean and JR on occasion. Being very trendy at the coffee house watching the Delta Wives. Saturday evening I was treated to dinner by my family. Very nice as always, and the younger nieces are growing much too fast. Nothing makes you feel old like seeing the niece or nephew you think is still in diapers walking and talking and talking about school. Doesn't help also that one of the nieces can legally order alcohol now.
I spent the rest of Saturday night with Nolan at Fado's. We had a few and caught up on life. Haven't seen her in a couple years and she's come a long way since I taught her in bad years ago. Yeah, gettin old!
Sunday, Jersey and I went off to see the Falcons at the dome. The second NFL game I've ever been to, and a lot of fun. The only down side was that the Redskin's pretty much didn't show for the game. But good fun was had, and then we went off to Park Tavern for dinner. A stroll around the park while waiting on a table made me realize that I do miss Atlanta.
And now, I'm back to real life. Which really ain't that bad, just a few annoyances from time to time. I'll be back in Atlanta for Thanksgiving, ad then.. who knows where I'll be. Look me up!
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