Okay, so I mentioned we had our final gathering this weekend and because I had made the journey the previous weekend, I had no more gifts to give out..Which also means I had no more gifts to receive. Or so I thought.....
My niece and nephew seem to be coming down with a little bug over the weekend. A bunch of coughing and congestion it seemed... I did not pay too much attention to it because I am usually extremely healthy throughout the year....
Sooooo, the Bri-Baby gave me lots of Eskimo Kisses ( in which she attempts to break my nose). But kisses are kisses, RIGHT?? And she is so precious, so I could not refuse.. And J..... Well, J coughed all over my nachos!!! Okay, not really. But he was close by when he was coughing, so I had to throw some blame his way...
Now, a day later, I am sitting at home coughing and sneezing.. Yippee for Me!! Oh, did I mention I can not breathe.
I don't believe I mentioned it on the last post, but the reason I was making such good time for the most part of my journey was because 50% of the traffic was doing well to maintain 75-80 mph. The other 50 % were averaging 90+.
So, I am happy to report that on my return trip home, traffic was flowing just as well. But get this, NO ACCIDENTS.
I started noticing a few particular cars that grouped together for at least a hundred miles. They all took turns leading the pack and no one missed a beat re-accelerating after a minor slow down.. It was almost choreographed, the way they would yield to each other when changing lanes and maneuvering through the slower traffic...
So, I begin to check out the tags on these vehicles and noticed they were all Georgia Tags.. Seven counties represented in all....
Funny thing, is the previous day there was also another group of vehicles traveling rapidly down the interstate and 5 out of 7 of those were also GA Tags..
Now who say folks cant drive in Atlanta. Just because they cant go in circles, like say around the Watermelon 500 ( also known as the Perimeter, or 285) doesn't mean they cant drive in a straight line.... Git R Done....
Well this weekend was the final gathering of family for the Holidays. We all got together at Dads.. I was really dreading the drive this time as I have not spent much time at home this month. But with a little twisting of the arm, my brothers convinced me to head out.
I was making pretty good time when all of the sudden traffic came to screeching halt about 30 minutes from my destination... It seems that I am doomed to suffer from other peoples mistakes. At least after far as traveling is concerned...
This time it was a pretty serious collision and I do hope the pick-up driver made it out okay...If you look closely at the second photo, you can just make out the Truck.
Side note: On the way home a day later, there were tomatoes scattered on the opposite side of the freeway as well. Must have been a pretty hard hit, but the 18 Wheeler showed no signs of damage..
So, here is my promise to you.. I promise that I will fuss about traffic congestion any more this year.... Which really should not be too hard to manage, after all tomorrow is a brand new year..
Well, it seems that everyone must have enjoyed their Christmas Gatherings last week. Enjoyed them so much that they did not feel the need to pay attention to what was traveling down the interstates beside them.
This was another one of those excruciating weeks for travelers.. More so, for us who were actually having to work that week.. I did however make it out of Georgia before encountering my first delay. I was determined to not sit idly by and go with the program..Instead, I chose an alternate route through the country side. (This is not always such a good idea for those in large vehicles) The route turned out to be easily manageable once you got through the first town. The total time for this alternate route was about 1.5 hours. Thirty minutes of that were spent maneuvering through the little town of Aiken South Carolina.
I assume that this little community must not be Truck Friendly simply because the highway signs did not include 4 simple little words. Major Information. I did not see a single sign that included the directional information required to guide folks safely out of town. NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST..... So, after crossing the same intersections and retrying the same roads in the opposite direction I finally made my escape..
There were several of us making this little trek into the unknown. They say there is safety in numbers.. But the whole lot of us left that town convinced that we had just left the Bermuda Triangle of alternate routes.. While a bit frustrating for us, I am sure it was quite amusing for the town folk. Imagine FIVE BIG TRUCKS doing doughnuts all over town...
Okay, that was a bit longer than I had anticipated, so I will paraphrase the rest
My first delivery was in NC. My second accident site was also in North Carolina. Boy was it a mess. Two big trucks, got together and the first one ended up in the center median buried up to the axles. The second truck ended up side swiping a bridge support and completely tearing open the entire right side of his tractor and trailer. Boxes were scattered for 300 yards. Interstate SHUT DOWN!!
Next was Virginia and Maryland. From the 130 mile post in VA to the 24 mile post in MD, there was a total of 22 accidents....That is approximately 70 miles...
Delaware was not bad, only 1 accident site, but there is only an 8 mile stretch of interstate across DE.
Pennsylvania had to get in on the action also. While there were no fender benders on the Turnpike, they did indeed decide that the roadway needed a little clean up action. Result, 9 miles of congestion. They had decided to put the street sweepers on the interstate where 4 lanes merge into two. Of course, that means only one lane was available to the traffic.
Only one more notable delay to mention.... I-77 Southbound in VA... 27 mile back-up with the interstate being closed down near the scene....
And how were your Holiday Travels????
Downsizing Week 5
I know I said I wasnt going to post diet results this week, but its too good to be true.. I am officially at the 10lb mark. I guess I could have had some of that EggNog after all... Oh well, there is always next year.
Merry Christmas to All!!
I just want to say Thanks to all who were involved in the previous weeks holiday activities...The moments I spend with friends and family, I truly cherish...
The first leg of my Holiday travels began at my oldest Brothers home. This is always a pleasant experience. I have two wonderful nephews and a terrific Sister-n-Law.. We went to an early movie and then had dinner. Due to my concerns over my diet, I decided to share entrees with my nephews. This worked out to my advantage.. because we had indulged ourselves with popcorn and candy at the theater.
The Boys are definitely growing up and developing wonderful personalities.. As always I tried to pull a prank on them.. The first one received his Christmas Cash in the form of one dollar bills. I had attempted to trick the other into thinking that I had forgotten to include his money in the gift. For one split second he had a tiny look of disappointment on his face, before he noticed the cash stashed behind a piece of cardboard... Next year, I will have to do better.!!
After the visit with my oldest brothers family, I made a pit stop at my Fathers... (Naturally, I want to visit with everyone during the Holidays) So, I stopped by for a few hours to catch up on all the gossip.
I was pleased to see the progress my StepMother has made on her weightloss journey. I am very excited for her..
After chatting for sometime, I headed off to my next destination.. Right on schedule
Holidays are meant to be spent with those you love.. So for several years, I have journeyed over to my oldest Brothers home for the Christmas Festivities. I was always invited to his In-Laws Family Gatherings, which was very nice. (He could not have found a more wonderful woman to pick as his wife, they are a perfect fit!!) And her family welcomed me into the fold with no hesitation.
Well, in the past few years, schedules have changed and plans have been altered. (I do give my brother quit a bit of grief over the year his schedule overwhelmed him and my visit was postponed) (This is meant in jest)
Well needless to say, The other Brother and his family picked up the slack very quickly. I have spent the passed 2 years at his home for Christmas. And once again, the In-Laws have welcomed me into the group with no hesitation. I am also convinced that he, too has picked a wonderful woman to share his life with...
I am very grateful for my immediate and extended families!! ( What can I say, had to throw in a little bit of EMO)
Normally during my visits to my Brothers home, we have a ritual of indulgences. This weekend was no exception. Miatas, Mexican Food and Margaritas.
We bundled up for a quick spin in the Miata, top down of course!! But not without hoodies, toboggans and gloves!! We ventured over to the Mexican Restaurant and enjoyed some delicious fish and the Devils Shrimp... I know what you are thinking FISH at a Mexican restaurant???? My thoughts exactly!!! Turns out it was absolutely delicious... The shrimp were good, and not as hot as expected.. Which was a good thing, because the Margaritas did not last.
They never last long when shared with my brothers!!!
During the course of the holiday gatherings, a small intimate game of sabotage has been brewing. I initiated it, of course!!
On the first family gathering I presented my Sister-n-Law with a lovely bag of Peanut M&Ms. My intention was of course to tempt her to stray from her diet. Alas, I was not fully prepared. She like PLAIN M&Ms.
Well, I am pleased to say that our relationship has developed to the point where retaliation was her only option... I would have hoped for nothing less.
On Saturday, when everyone returned to the house, I was quickly informed that I had a special treat waiting for me...
Just so you know, I was tempted, but remained solid in my resolution!! None for me thanks!! However, my niece enjoyed a sip and even her Grandmother..
NICE TRY G
Among other gifts, I was very pleased to recieve several more items to add to my current addiction...
You can never have enough Reindeer!!
Especially if they keep your feet warm!!
Its official, after 14 years I have finally been recognized for the treasure that I am...
Thanks J & B, I love you very much!!!
Upon arriving at my Brothers, I noted that everyone had a stocking with the exception of myself. We proceeded to find a spare and labeled it "Seeester". After hanging it on the mantel, we went for dinner. When everyone returned home, G and S noticed what we had done and exclaimed that we had disturbed their original intentions.
Well, G grabs the stocking off the mantel and proceeds to make some alterations.. She cross-stitched my name and a lovely little reindeer across the top. Sorry no pics, but it was very cute. I was touched by the gesture!!
So Christmas morning we all sat down to check out the final phase of gift giving.. Even my stocking was stuffed!!! Lots of little goodies and last but not least a large stash of Chocolates.....
Hmmmmm, Eggnog flavored chocolates!!!! Along with Peppermint Bark!!!! It seems G took the M & Ms personally and has set out on a quest to get even....
On my way home, I received a phone call from my Father . He likes to check in on me.. After exchanging pleasantries and gossip, he inquired as to how my trip home turned out. I remarked that everyone seemed to be as anxious as myself in reaching their destinations... I believe the average speed was for the majority of the travelers I encountered was approximately 80 mph. He then commented on the fact I had yet to run up on the "Sunday Driver" with the inappropriate turn signal cruising 10 mph below the speed limit.
Well, as soon as I hung up the phone and made my final exit. There he was... Now ,on the only two-lane stretch of highway I travel on this particular journey. 43 mph, with the left turn signal flashing. After a very long 7 miles, he made that right turn.... Thanks Dad!!
Due to the festivities of the current weekend, I will not be posting any results.. However, I am pleased to say that I am now wearing jeans that I have not worn in two years and have also tightened the belt up another hole...
Now that I am over being exhausted from my previous weeks excursion, I thought I would share it with you.
I am running a somewhat alternate schedule than what I have become accustomed to. My new game plan involves me leaving out on Monday morning for a quick trip across the border. (Alabama, that is) Upon returning, I begin my normal route up to the Great NorthEast. A little Philly and a little Jersey. Because of the time frame, I cannot actually begin to deliver until Wednesday morning. Normally I cant complete the task at hand in one day and venture back to the homefront, arriving midday Thursday. This particular set up pays a little more than the previous load assignment because there is a crane mounted inside the trailer and I have to physically unload every last piece, by myself. Usually about 100 bundles total. SWEET. 
This week, however was not soooo sweet. First thing, the freight was loaded improperly which added an additional 3 hours of labor straight out of the gate. That 3 hour delay was the sole reason I was unable to finish up in one day. If you will, notice how the palletized material is placed on top of the bundles of aluminum. Well that means a forklift can NOT drive into the trailer . Too many obstacles in the way. Therefore, I had to remove 6 bundles of aluminum in order for the lift driver to retrieve one pallet. There were five pallets total. Lets do the math.... That's 30 bundles removed and 30 bundles reloaded. Even then it was still a bit difficult for the lift driver to maneuver inside the trailer.. Oh, by the way, you should also note that the pallets are stacked too high for the crane to be of any use at this point.
Looks like fun !!
Yes, a few of them hit the floor!!
So, I finally finished up around noon on Thursday (after a few more unscheduled delays). But not before the phone calls started coming in. "Can you go pick this up" "Can you go pick that up"
A seemingly harmless trip had been turned into delivery nightmare. With an additional 5 pick-ups scheduled, my week was dragging on quite nicely.
Now to wind this up, I will only tell you about the final pitfall in my journey...
Pick Up #5. Reels of cable to be delivered to Georgia Power. Now, these reels have to be loaded a certain way. Standing up, which means the are very mobile if not secured. Normally they are secured with 2x4s nailed into the flooring, to prevent the reels from rolling. My trailer had metal floors... HMMMMMM. They assured me the reels would be secure when I pulled out...They nailed a few 2x4s into the reels themselves to act as a prop.. WHATEVER...Anyone knows that a 10 penney nail doesn't stand a chance against 800 lbs of roundness. What am I getting at??? Well, within 16 miles of loading the reels, the little nails decided to surrender. For the next 750 miles my special little 800lb reels rolled from one side of the trailer to the other. With 9 of them total, that's 7200 pounds of mobile freight.. I had several people ask me if I was okay. I guess they thought I was drunk, especially since my trailer kept a swaying all the way home. Talk about a white knuckle adventure!!! Hope your week was a good one.
I have been with my current employer for over three years. We are required to wear uniforms. Some of the other employees have complained that I am not always in uniform.
My boss has "called me into his office" several times concerning this situation. My excuse is to blame it on the uniform company. Naturally, everyone thinks I am just making up an excuse because I simply dont like the uniforms... They are partially correct. I do despise the uniforms!
Recently we were allowed to send in our old clothes in exchange for some new ones. They had decided to update the dress code and the old uniforms did not meet the criteria for approval. Needless to say, the uniforms still suck!! Bright RED is not my color.
Our new replacements arrived and the Boss sends me a message telling me to check the order and sign off on it if it was correct. I get to the shop and ask the assistant for my clothes. She hands me a torn bag with stuff hanging out. We pulled out the items to have a look-see.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW
The pants were stained and the shirts were torn. It looked like someone had run over the bag. There were actual skid marks on it!! This time, instead of returning them myself, I left the bag with the assistant. The Boss can have a little look-see for himself. I told you I was not making excuses!!!!!
Last week, while waiting in line at a convenience store, I was browsing through a small display of Christmas music. I tend to love music with lots of horns and drums. Makes me feel alive!! So, I stumbled upon the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's release of the NutCracker. Only $3.99. What the hey, So I purchased it.
At first I was just a little entranced with the lovely music. Then I realized, I was quite familiar with several of the musical pieces. No, I have never seen the Nutcracker (such a pity). But it would have been almost impossible not to recall where I had heard the music previously. Ever watch "Bugs Bunny" You know, the old classic Looney Tunes?? The GOOD STUFF. I had forgotten all the symphonies that Mel Blanc and Warner Brothers had used in those classic cartoons.
Well , needless to say that my love of music has rekindled its flame with symphonies and Orchestras. I will certainly be looking for Bach and Beethoven. But if anyone has a suggestion to offer on some other composers I should check out, please leave a comment!!
Good News. I really did not think I would have any progress to share this week. I have been following my diet very strictly ( at least I think so) ever since the Egg Nog Fiasco. I did have the December gathering at my Mothers last weekend, and while not eating the proper foods, I did limit my portions.But, I have felt so extremely stuffed over the passed few weeks, that I was just sure it was not working.
Anyways, 8.8 lbs total loss to date. Not too bad for one month. I am told that it is a very healthy average loss per week.
Friday evening, some family members got together to eat out and then attend the local Christmas Parade...
After 30 minutes of hunting a parking spot we finally settled in at Rosies Cantina for some food and drinks. Because we had a parking spot (on the parade route) we decided to stall as long as possible to remain for the festivities.
We managed to get a spot at the beginning of the route which proved to be great for being bombarded with the best candies. (My sister-in-law actually got pegged in the head a few times by 8 year olds throwing the candy off the floats). After filling the pockets of all the children standing around us, we decided to fill our own.
The parade was nice. All the basics. Firetrucks, sirens, mounted police, classic cars, 3 marching bands (which is always my favorite). It was actually quite a long procession. I enjoyed every minute of it.. However, it was quite frigid out that evening. In the 20s I believe. Props to Rosie's for handing out free Hot Chocolate. We also got to see Leo III and Una, the lions who reside at UNA.
However, my favorite part were the Mascots that were wreaking havoc thru the city streets. UNA's Leo and the Tennessee Titans' T Rac. Seems they were waging a little war right in front of us. After T-Rac's scooter was stolen by Leo, the giant raccoon turned to engage the crowd. First victim- Little Ole Me. I got a Titan size huge and a few kisses. (I actually think he was groping me). He then moved on to maul my Sister in Law.
After all the excitment passed a fellow pedestrian informed us that we had just had a brush with fame. It seems that T-Rac (or the person in the costume), used to be Leo, UNAs Mascot. He has also been rewarded the NFLs Best Mascot Award. And T-Rac is a 5 time Pro Bowl Mascot......So there goes my 15 seconds of fame!
I really have to be more careful with what I say in front of my youngest nephew. He is quite the intellectual.
I am sure you are now interested as to how he corrected me this time.
Well, on the way to my Mothers house, I kind of got off the beaten path. I had my 2 older nephews with me and they also were unfamiliar with the new terrain. So we just did a little sightseeing. I finally recognized a familiar street sign, but was still unsure as to which direction we needed to head, so we took a wild guess, assuming we were probably wrong, and pushed forward. Surprise, we were right where we needed to be.
Upon telling this story to the rest of the family, everyone was in agreement that it was extremely difficult to get lost in this particular city, including the brainchild whom is only 8 years old. I mentioned the name of the "Familiar Street Sign" which guided us safely back to our predetermined course. It was Sixth Street.
Now let me just say this. The reason that this particular sign was so familiar to me is because, I HAVE GOT LOST in this city before.
Before I could even finish the story, J quietly interrupts me and states " Dont you mean 6th Avenue???"
Why, yes I do.... Touche'
This weekend was the first of my three trips to Alabama during the month of December.
It went quite well, I might add. Everyone was present which really was very nice. I did not notice any unusual tension or stress, always a plus!!
We had a nice lunch, a little socializing and some gifts for the kiddies. So, until next year....
I should not even be posting this this week, but I feel it is now my obligation to be truthful with you folks about this....
So week three did not go quite as well. NO loss, but no gain either....
Last week , while reading my Sis-n-laws blog I read the words EGG NOG. I am not blaming this on her whatsoever but the seed was planted. So, when I did my weakly shopping , naturally the seed grew into a full fledge liter of the wonderous concoction. I did stop to read the nutritional info (after I got home).. 4 oz = 200 calories. Just a slight deterent for me at this point. I did manage to pace myself... But naturallly, in the course of the week, I did manage to consume every last delectable drop.
We will see how next week goes now that I have gotten the egg nog craving out of my system.
I am posting this as a response to my Sis-in-law!!
GET TO KNOW YA CHRISTMAS STYLE
1. Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? EGG NOG!!!!
2.Does Santa wrap the presents or just put them under the tree? Who?
3.White lights or colored on the tree? White
4.Do you hang mistletoe? If I had mistletoe, do you think I would still be single?
5.When do you put up the decorations? As soon as Thanksgiving leftovers are gone
6.What is your favorite Holiday dish (excluding dessert)? TURKEY
7.What is your favorite Holiday memory as a child? Sneaking to partially unwrap presents with my brothers about a week before Christmas. We never got caught!
8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I dont remember the Santa days. My parents were divorced, so we knew where our gifts came from.
9.Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Depends on whom I am with
10.How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Red and Gold. Elegant decorations
11.SNOW Love it, or dread it? Cant get enough of it!
12.Can you ice skate? I think so.
13.Do you remember your favorite gift? The Fox And The Hound Record with pictures printed on the vinyl
14.What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? That people as a whole suddenly remember how to be nice. I guess that would be considered "Good Will Toward Man"
15.What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My mothers fudge
16.What is your favorite Holiday Tradition? Watching childrens faces light up when they open their gifts
17.What tops your tree? Red and Gold bow that drapes over the entire tree
18.What do you prefer, giving or receiving? GIVING
19.What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bell Rock, anything classical with lots of horns
20.Candy Canes, Yuck or Yum? YUM
21.Favorite Christmas movie? Its A Wonderful Life
22.What do you leave out for Santa? Who?
23.When do you complete your Christmas shopping? Planned purchases are done about 2 weeks before Christmas, but impromptu purchases can continue right up until Christmas Eve
24(I added this one) When do you take down the Tree? New Years Day
I am sure we have all heard about the scandalous misadventures of Michael Richards (aka Kramer from Seineld)
Well, last week, another comedian, Andy Dick, also dropped the N***** word at a stand up show in Los Angeles. Another press release stating his apologies for being inconsiderate. BLAH BLAH BLAH.
But did you know that Damon Wayans also dropped the N word at his stand up show.... No one was offended. No press releases, no apologies, no media attention.....Must be another one of those double standards.
As a matter of fact, he said it 16 times during his routine... And yet NO ONE was offended. HMMM.....
The Comedy Club made a stand and stated that this type of behavior would not be tolerated..They fined him a whole $320. Thats $20.00 for each time he used the word. Boy, that will teach him a lesson. Where will he ever come up with that kind of money?? Its not like he is a billionaire, he only has millions.
I was recently informed that if I did not actually use my vacation days (at work), that I would not be compensated for them. In other words, no bonus Christmas check for being a good employee and working all year long. So, I quickly tried to make arrangements for cashing in those 5 days. However, because of seniority I am unable to take off the week between the 25th and the 1st. Seven other have already chosen this week, and with only 10 of us left, no one else is able to request off during this time. I really dont want to take a full five days off in a row, because my check would be less than a normal work week.
I think I have found a way around this. I have requested that I be paid a vacation day for each of the next several Fridays and maybe a Thursday or two. My boss (being the [okay, I will be nice] somewhat known for not using his intelligence) stated that I am already off on those days anyway. I quickly pointed out that Thursday and Fridays are normal work days and I am just privileged that I dont have to work on those days. Therefore, I should be able to use them as paid vacation days. With a dumfounded look, he stared at me for a few moments and then agreed to turn in my request.
What kind of losers are running this show?? I have never been employed by anyone that wouldnt let you cash in your vacation time for an additional paycheck. This might be common practice, but it is the first time for me.. ( The previous years, I actually used the vacation time).
Not too much to say this week, which is unusual for me. Christmas is quickly approaching and I am looking forward to visiting the niece and nephews. Only 2 presents left to purchase and I will be done.. Hooray!!
Results- 6.4 lbs lost total.
Actually I followed the program with a little more sincerity this week. Didnt seem to pay off as well. But 6.4 isnt bad at all for 14 days. And when I say "more sincerity", I must tell you that means I actually ate more the second week. The first week, I left out a few servings of this and that... Deciding to do exactly what was listed proved to be a bit too much... I was absolutely stuffed all week...
I have noticed that if I dont grab a bite to eat every 3 hours, I start to feel hungry. Does this mean my metabolism is starting to kick in??? Lets hope so.
It is that time of year again. My addictions overwhelm me!! My newest addition.....
Yes, I know. Its another reindeer.
Recently I posted about researching lost acquaintances, reliving old memories and trying to contact folks. I was dissappointed that I was unable to reach anyone.
Oh well. life goes on!! Right?
Upon returning home this week, I checked out the emails and had a few from a paid service that reunites people. It said some one had been checking out my profile. It turns out to have been a woman whom I attended school with for several years. Anyways, upon further investigation, I discovered a link that lists everyone who has viewed the profile..... It turns out my long lost sweetie checked it out 2 weeks before I attempted to contact him. Because it is a paid service, you are unable to contact anyone without a subscription. Needless to say, I am now subscribed!!
How ironic that we both looked each other up within 2 weeks of each other. To see his name listed once again made my little heart flutter....... AAAAWWWWW Aint that sweet!!!
Okay, here it is.....
I started my new diet one week ago...
Results-4.4 lbs lost. And yes, every tenth of a pound counts in my book!!
After the big Turkey Day feast, I have managed to jump right back into the diet with relatively no problem. I did not stray too horribly yesterday. However I did indulge in a few Dr. Peppers. Now that the pantry is free of these delectable temptations I am enjoying my water once again.
I will post my first weeks loss/gain tomorrow morning. Cross your fingers!!
I just read an article on the recent bus crash in Huntsville Alabama and have become severely angered.
I dont know much about the organization, but I was very appalled to find out that a group intends to protest the funerals of the children who were killed in this accident. They are claiming that God did this to teach Huntsville Alabama a lesson.
So, let me get this straight... God caused the accident to happen , killing 4 children because there is a homosexual living in Huntsville???? The group is called God Hates Fags. It is suppose to be an extreme Christian Church Organization..... I am not even going there. There is just too much wrong with the whole situation.
I cannot imagine what these parents will go through trying to bury their children with this kind of stupidity being displayed at these protests.
AAAAGGGHGHHHHHHHHH. This frustrates me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am 34 and single. I am okay with this. However, my mother is NOT. If I happen to mention speaking to someone of the male species, she begins to fantasize about unlimited possibilities (not limited to marriage and children). I find this quite humorous at times, and very invading quite often.
Okay, so I mentioned a week or so ago that I had met one of my new neighbors (a male). He is a firefighter, he had some scars (I presumed from his job), he spoke to me. Anyways, he had invited me to come eat Thanksgiving Dinner with his family. (A nice gesture)
So, this afternoon my mother calls to check in and one of the first things out of her mouth was "So, do you think you could get use to the scars?"
Now let me explain a little further.... This is a neighbor, making a nice gesture, who is 15 years older. Thats all. I am not dating him. I am not sleeping with him.. I am not going to marry him!!!
Let me repeat myself.... I am 34 and single. I AM OKAY WITH THIS....
So much for the diet!! Okay, so I blew it today.
What a wonderful day!! I had intended to spend some time with the family out of state, but with so much going on in December, I opted to spend this holiday at home. My second alternative was to spend the afternoon with an Uncle. This arrangement was canceled due to circumstances beyond my control. No big loss!! Last night, I received a phone call from my neighbor inviting me to eat with his family. This morning, I received a phone call from a co-worker inviting me to eat dinner with his family. I chose the neighbor (I had already accepted his invitation, when the second call came in).
It turned out to be quite an enjoyable afternoon. I spent 6 hours with his Mother, sipping wine and chatting like old friends.
Back on the diet , tomorrow.!!
Just wanted to give a shout out to the company I deliver for. The William L Bonnell CO. I am very proud to be a part of this organization. I have been delivering their aluminum for almost 4 years .
Why am I so proud, you might ask...
Well, let me just brag a moment. The BonL Co is very active in the community. A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting the ECHS Marching Band in South Carolina and hauling the band equipment back to Georgia. I got to sit through a practice session, it was very exciting. Needless to say, there was no charge for hauling the equipment. Just a good deed !!
Also, every year, we make a trip into the mountains of North Carolina and pick up a load of Christmas Trees. These trees are then delivered to the local boy scout troop. They sell the trees as a fundraiser for the Scouts. I have been fortunate enough the past three years to deliver these trees. Once again, absolutely no charge for this service. Makes you feel good to be a part of this kind of community service.
Dont let the picture deceive you! There are over 100 trees in that trailer.
The best part of this delivery is watching the boys (ages 7-17) unloading the trees. The little guys are very eager to participate, while the older fellows are very eager to let the smaller guys handle it. Have you ever seen 3 eight year olds trying to move a 8ft Christmas Tree.
Tis the Season
Dont you just love the Christmas Season??
If you can't tell, I love all things Reindeer!!
Here is a quick update about my Wheels. Wal-Mart finally called me back and told me that the claims department might not cover my damage claim because the videos should no indication of abuse to my wheels. They did give me a phone number and location of a vender who could give me an estimate on repairing/replacing the damaged wheels. I was told to get the estimate and turn it in to Wal-Mart and they would then make the decision as to whether or not they would reimburse me for the damages.
The vender is closed on Saturdays, and of course by the time I return home next week they will probably be closed for Thanksgiving. So, we have a few more weeks to go.
As I reported earlier, I have jumped on the weightloss bandwagon along with several other friends and family members.
So, I am home again and with a little grocery shopping, pantry cleaning and dusting off the ole exercise equipment, I am ready to begin my quest for a healthier existence.
Starting Date: Friday November 17th
Starting Dimensions: 201 inches (combined) Try to figure that one out!
Starting Weight: Yeah, RIGHT!!
Okay, so wish me luck!!
During the "Big Move", I stumbled upon some old photo albums. Boy, that brings back memories!! And recently connecting with an old friend really got me stirred up. I began to do a little research on a few people that I would love to contact. I found the name of my first true love listed on a web-site and attempted to contact him thru email. No replies !! I also contacted a childhood best friend. It seems that 18 years might be too big a distance to bridge after all.
I spent the week, reliving old memories and am feeling quite emotionally drained. I guess its time to put away the pictures for awhile, again... In fact I am having a bit of difficulty even writing about this.
Ever have one of those moments in time that changes your life forever?? I did, and it was not for the best. It seems, I might still have some anger issues concerning this event... So, needless to say this has not been one of my better weeks. THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT
I recently received an email from someone who had disappeared into thin air years ago. Okay maybe, I was the one who vanished, but that is a long complicated story best left untold!!
Anyways, what a surprise!! A friend of mine from high school contacted me. WOW. Has it really been almost 20 years??
JG- He was the typical long-haired rock and roll rebel... We have done a little catching up and I was very pleased to hear he is doing so well. I think I might plan a little trip out west to say hello.
It seems that everyone around me is jumping on the weightloss bandwagon. So, sign me up. I have made my decision on how this should be done. I will begin implementing my program this week and post results weekly. If there is significant success, I will post before and after photos, along with my strategy. Although I am only a little chunky, I would like to drop 20-30lbs. Wish me luck!!
I have only been in my new home for 12 days, but already I am making new friends. Too bad, they cant stick around for awhile.
I got home from work tonight and did the usual. Take a shower, get jammified and grab a bite to eat. A funny thing happened on the way to the kitchen...... I noticed something unusual out of the corner of my eye. Upon further investigation I made my first new friend.
He was a healthy fellow. Very limber. He could touch his head with his tail. And quick too. I think I will call him "Speedy". I am sure he spotted me first because he greeted me with tail waving high in the air. Before I could grab anything, he sensed eminent danger and scurried under the refridgerator. Good thing those babies are on wheels. Once I moved the fridge out of the way, I realized that I was trapped in the kitchen area. Not a problem if you have enough determination. So I scanned the perimeter and grabbed a weapon of mush destruction.
He put up a good fight, but in the end the box of Caesar Salad Croutons was victorious. And now......
MAJOR PARANOIA HAS SET IN!! I still have so much to unpack but am afraid to stick my hands down into the boxes. I am also contemplating the use of a dust ruffle on my bed. (No need to give them easy access) I have checked my houseshoes and they are sitting on the coffee table when not in use. (yes , I am scared to barefoot). Rolled up my pajama legs well above my ankles and using the coffee table as a foot rest. Do you think I am over-reacting??
New agenda for tomorrow. 1. Get signed up for the exterminator pronto!!!!!
I am very excited about my new apartment. Maybe it is just the newness of it, but it seems very ..... Well, lets just say I no longer feel like I am in the Ghetto. It seems I am not the only one who likes the new place.
I purchased this clock 2 years ago, and when I got it (on-line purchase), it wouldnt work. Hasnt worked for two years!! So this morning, I get up to start my day and as I am sitting on the couch gathering the motivation to get ready for work I hear it. Tick tock Tick tock Tick tock.
Things are coming together nicely!! I have got 1 room completely finished. That is the dining area. The only room I will probably not be using, HA/HA. It was the easiest room to start in and I simply moved all of the boxes to their respective locations for unpacking. I should be living comfortably by Christmas. Seems I am the Queen of Procrastination.
Oh, how rude of me. I havent showed you were I have moved to.
This picture is at least 2 years old. There is now a four lane road on the right side of the photo and a new neighborhood being developed on the top-side. It already has several homes built. But you get the idea.
Dont say anything at all.
I had another one of those weeks at work that make me want to quit!! The first part of the week went smoothly. But, from Thursday thru Saturday I was tormented beyond belief. I arrived home Saturday morning and will be leaving again only a mere 30 hours later. I have said too much already, so I will go.
Last week, my journeys took me back out to the mid-west. I used to frequent this area on a weekly basis, but have only been twice in the past 4 years. So, it was a nice change. Wouldnt want to do it every week though. It took me 5 days to accumulate 2000 miles. This week , I racked up the same mileage in just three days (another reason I prefer to run the NE).
My trip began in Memphis, TN, on thru Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Missouri (again) , Illinois, and completed in Kentucky. Because it has been such a long time since my last tour of KS, I was once again enthralled with the scenic drive. I-70. I am a complete nut when it comes to topography. I can stare at the "lay of the land" for hours. (On a commercial flight, you will most likely find me with my forehead pressed against the window, as I try to detemine exactly what city I am flying over.)
So here are a few pics I thought I would share. The vast plains of Kansas. No Dorothy, no Toto, not even a wicked witch. However, the day after I left, 20 tornadoes touched down in Kansas. And as a side note Hwy 54 in Kansas is formally known as the "Yellow Brick Road" It just happens to lead to Kingdom City, Mo. Okay, so its not the Emerald City, but you aint in Kansas anymore either.
!
Look really hard!
Okay, so there is nothing there. Just miles and miles of vast nothingness. But if you were to stare for 7 hours, you would eventually see the Rocky Mountains and Denver Colorado. I was tempted to continue driving west. I have not seen Denver in 4 years also. Good thing I didnt!! The day of the tornadoes, a freak snow storm hit Denver and shut the city down.
Just returned home from my weekly adventure into the Northeast. I knew what I would be returning home to and had made plans to "Git R Done". So this morning, I sit here and look around and feel completely overwhelmed by what I see. I chose to pack in such a way that, no box actually belongs to a particular room. I packed for weight, therefore I might have dishes mixd in with clothes. Sorting all the boxes is more complicated than I had anticipated. I have asked several people if they would be willing to unpack for me, no takers. DAMN!! Yes I am procrastinating, which seems to have become my new favorite hobby.
Okay, so on with the show. Wish me luck!!
Finally time to move. Too exhausted to blog. Have a lot to say , but no time or energy right now. Check back later.....
Okay, not quite yet. Only 8 more days to the big move. I have a little more to pack, but it looks like I have packed nothing. All the big stuff fills the rooms and all the small stuff is boxed up in the corners. I have packed over 25 boxes at this point with more to go. I didnt realize I had sooooo much small stuff. I swear it looks like I have packed nothing......
Anyway, I am very excited about the move. I have new neighbors above me and well, all I can say is Thank God I am moving. It sounds like there is a herd of elephants on a rampage above my head. (This is a one-bedroom apartment, so how many folks can be up there???) And let me just add that they have a very healthy sexual appetite. Very annoying at 3 in the morning. The previous tenants were also stompers. The ones prior to that were never heard. So, as I have said before, this place is getting progressively worse. Luckily my knob on my stereo has a little more adjustment left in it. I think I am on about 6 now. I started out at about 3. So long Suckers!!!!
I am really not quite sure what is going on here, but there must be something in the air.... Fall has finally arrived and traffic is going crazy.
Last week I wrote about encountering serveral delays due to accidents. Well, this week was the same.
350 miles into my trip I came upon my first delay. (Nascar was in Charlotte NC this week, so Sunday traffic was a bit heavy in this area.) TWO RVs and 12 automobiles. A 14 vehicle smash em' up. That only took about 30 minutes to get around.
82 miles later..... Big Truck in the Median.
102 miles later..... Car and Big Truck collide.
256 mile later..... 14 mile back-up due to a collision in a single lane construction zone.
That was my Sunday. Monday flowed very well. Heard reports of accidents , but never encountered any delays. So on to Tuesday.....
110 miles into the day, a two car collision.....
3 hours later ( back at that construction zone) A truck rear ends another truck....
47 miles away.... a south bound vehicle runs off the road and flips, northbound vehicles slow to watch the destruction and one of them runs off the road. This resulted in a fatality.
100 miles later.......... Reports start to trickle in about the accident ahead. 87 miles ahead. Big Truck flipped in the median going southbound. Interstate Closed!!!!! This is at 5:15pm.
At this point, I decide it is time to take a break. I pull into the next truck stop for dinner and a shower, maybe a little TV. After 2 hours the road is still closed so I decide to call it a night. Around 4 AM I decide it is time to try heading out. No one speaks of the accident. Must be cleared up by now, RIGHT? WRONG!!!! I get to the scene and the road is still blocked (14 hours later). Not much of a delay this time.
295 miles later.... Another accident.
95 miles later..... yet again!!!!
COME ON PEOPLE. WAKE UP AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!
208 miles later...... I am off the road. Out of the truck. HOME.
I dont know if it is the cooler temperatures, or what. Folks are just not paying attention. That is 2 weeks in a row that I have witnessed an unusually high volume of accidents. Lets hope next week is less destructive.
Wally World finally called me back. Seems that they are ready to take action......
The Dept Manager is going to turn this situation over to the claims department for review. Now, you tell me... I s this really taking action?? Seems to me that they are finally showing a pulse, but not necessarily "Taking Action". I thought they were already reviewing it.....
Oh and by the way, Someone will be contacting me in a few days...............Aaaaaarrrrghghghhhh!!
And the walls keep crumblin, crumblin........Doooooowwwnnnnn.
I have been doing a little more packing for the big move in 2 weeks. Almost all of the small insignificant stuff has been packed. Only the things I need only a daily basis are left untouched. Feeling pretty good about the whole situation so far.
I decided to remove my window treatments and have them cleaned. Boy was I shocked at what I found. During the course of my two year stay I have called several times to report some water damage. Just wanted to make them aware of it, so they would not try to bill me for it upon vacating the premises. The damage I reported was mainly on the window sills. Swollen boards and water marks on the sheetrock. Also , the blinds have broken several times during my stay and were replaced promptly with each call made.
But are you ready for this:
It seems the walls are shifting. Almost looks like that whole section will detach itself eventually. It appears to have been patched before, but now there are some new cracks running vertically to the ceiling. Definitely taks me back to that Ghetto feeling I was having about 2 months ago.
It almost makes me want to rehang the curtains, just to avoid looking at it.
Spoke with yet another Manager. This time is was the Assistant Store Manager. Same song and dance.... He took my number and assured me that the dept manager would contact me tomorrow with a resolution.. 42 Days and Counting. 4 visits to address the situation. 4 promises of a resolution. 0 attempts to rectify the situation. enough already.....
Lifetime balance and rotate $28.00
RE Balance (at alternate location) $16.95
Wheels damaged during initial balance $1000.00
Decision to use Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express Priceless.
Autumn has definitely arrived. At least in the NorthEast. The trees are putting on a spectacular show this year. The temperatures are dropping dramatically at night and staying in the 70s for daytime highs. I have been hearing vicious rumors about what the projected winter weather will be like. Abnormally warm temperatures throughout the US with an exception- A bitter cold winter for the SouthEast. What's up with that??? At least that should making it easy for me while working. Sounds like I wont have to worry too much about icy road conditions. (Except at home, where the folks don't know how to drive in icy conditions.)
During the course of this weeks load, I stumbled upon a roadblock. I was rerouted to get to my final destination, which involved only a few blocks and a minimal amount of time. The delay...... Rolled over Big Truck. The part about this situation that strikes me as being soooo odd is where the truck flipped over.
Okay, yes it is flipped over on a downhill curving ramp ,not a surprise. But let me just set up the rest of the scenario.
Lets just start with the fact that the truck just went through a 10' wide toll booth rated for 5mph. (not through the booth, but rather between the booths in a 5 mph lane). It travelled maybe 100yds up an incline, proceeded through the curve and flipped. The problem I have with this is if it was heavy enough to flip that easily then how did it ever build up enough momentum in such a short distance. My truck does not take off that quick when loaded. I am completely baffled by this. Oh wellllllllll
Well, I made the trek to Alabama this last weekend. Turned out to be quite a nice weekend.
Friday was fairly typical. One of my goals this weekend was to have my window tint replaced on my doors. I did have to wait a little longer than I had anticipated, but that was due to circumstances beyond my control. So, I wont fuss too much. The tint guys were more than willing to address my situation with the scratches and hazing. They were more than happy to replace both windows. They were more than happy to not charge me anything additional... In fact, no additional paperwork whatsoever!
HELLO, WAL-MART! ARE YOU GUYS PAYING ATTENTION HERE????
So, back to the ranch.
One of our weekend traditions is to play 1 2 3 Raaaarrrrrrr. Also known as hide and seek. We like our version better. Its fun to say and the rules can change in mid-play if someone feels they were caught unjustly. A good time is had by all and this weekend we got the Daddy to join in.
On Saturday we journeyed over to a car show. Lots of Mustangs and other assorted goodies. Here is my favorite:
Anybody see some fellows with long beards holding guitars??? Oh Well. (I personally think that all car shows should be based on class. Why are the Nopi cars here with all the classics. And to. the ignorant folks like myself, Whats with those 06's parked over here? Did they run out of parking??? OHHHH, you have done something to it... Makes it special..... Okay, I will just have to trust you on that. Guess I should have entered my little Pony Car too.
The kids got to partake in a little action in the kid zone, and then off for some grub.
On the way home, we made a little detour to the toy store. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you........I think the kids were happy with their choices. And now I have all the more reason to return for another visit. Kareoke and Monopoly!!! 
All in all it was a good trip. I did leave a little later than I had intended. But once both my brother and nephew erected hotels I knew it was time to split...
I just wanted to add a final note.. The Pony Car performed exceptionally this weekend. I got home with a 25.7 mpg rating. The GT was rated at 25 mpg on the highway, so it overachieved this weeekend. Even with my lead foot!!!!!
During my weekend visit to my brothers house, a discussion was started by my 8 year old nephew. The Topic was population in US major cities.
He asked a few opinion questions and stated a few facts. Then began the responses... Now, there were three of us in the car well over 8 years old and we all responded in turn. Not surprisingly, the three adults unanimously agreed that the 8 year old might not have his facts quite so accurate. He took this in stride and did not offer any type of rebuttle.
When we got back to the house, I quickly jumped on the net and looked up the population charts. Turns out the Nephew was completely accurate and the Aunt, the Father, and the Grandfather had no idea what they were talking about.
Way to go Jordan. This is actually not too surprising. One of my nephews favorite things to do is draw the state of Alaska and identify different counties. I dont think I was even aware that counties existed at that age, much less be able to identify any. And did I mention that at the age of 5 he was teaching his younger sister to speak some spanish. Now, that is a smart child!!
I have been traveling into New York City for about 4 years now. I was a bit surprised to find that a lot of the hype about NYC did not seem to be true. That which is seen in movies or television was not necessarily present.
Traffic, for example. Rumored to have mind blowing bouts of gridlock. Not necessarily the case. In my experiences I have witnessed some horrible delays, true; but not quite the stuff these legends are made of. I find that New Yorkers are very good drivers!! I AM SERIOUS. Every major city has rush hour, and these people flow quite well considering how populated the area is. There is definitely an unspoken set of rules you must abide by in order to fit in, but once you have mastered the basic knowledge of these guidelines you can merge with the best of them.
1.Beware of TaxiCabs. They are unaware that any other vehicle is present on the roadway.(Or, they just really dont give a flying rats ass.) But we will give them the benefit of the doubt and call it TunnelVision.
2. Never assume that the lines painted on the surface of the road actually mean anything. Lane position, WHAT LANE POSITION???? As long as you are on a drivable surface, gas on it. Asphalt, concrete, dirt, grass.... Its all fair game , anything to get ahead of the crowd.
Most importantly
3. Merging... Its not for the faint of heart. When you decide you must change lanes, be firm in your resolution and DONT SHOW FEAR. From the moment you intiate your turn signal, you have roughly 3 seconds to make the transition. (I would like to say "Give or Take", but who am I kidding. 3 is already too generous). First BLINK, a slight gap will magically appear; trust me, it is there. You must believe young grasshopper!! Second BLINK, at this point you should already be at least halfway into your new LANE position. DONT HESITATE. Third BLINK, this is the token clicking noise to remind you to turn off your turn signal.
Should you hesitate at any point, the GAP will vanish as magically as it appeared. (Did you see it, YOUNG JEDI MASTER??) Okay , now abort the procedure entirely. Count to 10 and reengage the turn signal. Hopefully, they will have forgotten your first failed attempt. Maybe they will assume you accidently hit the lever the first time. If for some reason you are unsuccessful a second time, they are now completely aware you are not a local and have NO sympathy for you . Good Luck
I seem to have strayed quite a bit there....now, back to the real issue at hand..
Everyone has seen the shots of NYC where traffic is blocked in all directions, and horns are ablowing. Gestures being made in every direction, ( I know I am number One, but thanks for the comfirmation) WELL, I have yet to see that side of the City .... Until this week....
Road construction forced me to find an alternate route to one of my deliveries in Queens. I was told in advance, so I prepared to make the journey well into the night to avoid some of the traffic. The mission: to find a place to make a U-Turn on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Traffic is thin, good vibes all around. I spot it.... Exit Ramp, overpass, entrance ramp. All in plain view, with only 2 left turns to be made. Simple, RIGHT???? I take the exit, make the first left easily enough. I am on the overpass. One lane straight, one lane turns. I am in the turn lane. Upon, further examination I discover the entrance ramp is NOT at a 45degree angle. More like 30 with a telephone pole in the near corner. So, I will just back up and ease over to the right to get plenty of room for my trailer to make the swing. DAMN, where did all these cars come from???? I cant move!!! Completely surrounded and blocking the entire intersection. Then it happens. A 21 Horn Salute being performed in my honor. Windows lowered and solitary fingers displayed just for me.... Angry shouts.... It only took about 5 minutes to rectify this little predicament, (New Yorkers seem to bore easily) But not before I was actually applauded by the two gentlemen on the corner who moments before were loudly expressing their doubts in my ability to "Git R Done" Oh yea of little faith...
So, I have now been officially welcomed by the NYC Hospitality Committee. You know, I was beginning to feel a little neglected.....
Still no word from Wal-Mart on those wheels. I will attempt another confrontation soon... Out of town this weekend. Going to see Brothers Family. Made a phone call, but the appropriate manager was not working. Time to approach Upper Management!!
Went back to Wal-Mart. Got a different manager and a different story.Originally I was told someone else in the Loss Prevention Dept would have to view the tapes. That is why it was taking soooo long. According to the 3rd manager I spoke with, the tapes were available for viewing and he would go look at them right away. After a little bit, he comes back and says he cant see anything on the tapes. He did tell me that there had been several claims lately and a few of the techs were new. My GUY had been on the job a mere week when he serviced my tires.
I have been put off once again. I was told that they would speak with the techs and get back to me tomorrow.So what, now is it my word against theirs???
I also spoke with a Police officer. He thought the situation was quite ridiculous. Agreeing with me. But did assure me that if necessary, they would make the report and view the tapes. Suggested that if I was put off any further, to contact the store manager and then the district manager if necessary.
To Be Continued...
I seem to have hit a bit of a slump. So many things to do, so little time. I have more than enough things to do to occupy my entire weekend, but I seem to feeling a tad bit lazy. I am moving in a few weeks and need to get some more things packed away. On the same note, my mother and stepfather are coming for a visit next week, so I really dont want to have the apartment completely barren. The following weekend I am going to visit my niece for her birthday, so that eliminates one of my weekends to prepare for moving. What to do, what to do?? Now that I have started packing, I have really noticed how much this place is in need of some major spring cleaning.
I would also like to detail my car. And post a few photos. I am so proud of my little pony car.
-I took it to the dealership to have the front end looked at. It was in need of alignment, but they were concerned that it very much out of balance. WAL-MART SUCKS. It is soooooo smooth now. I will be checking in with Wally World tomorrow on those wheels.
Anyways, if you cant tell, I am just procrastinating the night away..... Time to get busy
Over the past four years, I have developed quite a fondness for one particular route to the NorthEast. I-85,I-77,I-81. The I-77 stretch is very scenic. At the Virginia-North Carolina state line you begin an ascent to Fancy Gap, Va. This is a 7 mile climb to an elevation of over 2000 ft.
Last week I was a bit surprised to find some new scenery to look at. Now, I myself have never had any problems with the descent. However, there are 3 runaway truck ramps strategically located on the down hill swing for anyone experiencing brake failure. These ramps are clearly marked to alert the truck drivers.
The descent is only a 4 1/2% grade, so I was a little surprised to find it had been used.
My only concern is that the ramp fell short of its intended use. The truck should have sank into the gravel bed long before reaching the top.
Oh, did I mention the fine you are entitled to pay having used this escape route. I hear tell that it is in excess of $15,000. Hope I never have to find out.
One last thing, If you are ever driving down a hill and notice a big truck smoking pretty bad. Might I suggest staying as far away as possible. It could possibly catch fire because the brakes are overheating. This could potentially lead to brake failure, loss of control and 8oK of unstoppable destruction.
On my way home , travelling south on I-85 just north of Atlanta, I stumbled upon a rolling road block. The state department had decided that a beautiful afternoon , just moments before the beginning of the Watermelon 500 (also known as Rush Hour), would be the perfect time to replace those little reflective thingies and paint new strips on the interstate. CB reports claimed it was a minimal 2-3 mile back-up and the left lane was open. However, the lead car seemed to be too (stupid) uh.. scared to pass the paint truck. Several truckers confirmed this report.
COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE LEAD IDIOT IT IS OKAY TO PASS THE PAINT TRUCK!!!!
Well, they finally decided to pass. You will never guess why they suddenly became so motivated. How about a Big Truck leaving the roadway and turning over in the median. That will get your attention.
A northbound eighteen wheeler veered into the median and skidded to a stop on its side. 15 minutes of urging cars to pass the paint truck and now an accident. GREAT.
No major injuries. Just a new delay. The rumor mill was stirred up with everyone speculating just what had happened. After several versions, the final story was something like this...
Car and Truck.. Road Rage. Car shoots at truck driver and then leaves the scene in a hurry.Truck drives off the road. My theory is that the truck blew a steer tire, which makes it hard to steer and sounds remarkably like a shot gun. Considering the emergency response crew was not treating a gun shot wound, I think my version is more accurate.
In closing, after a 45 minute delay, I was safely accelerating back to a normal speed. I bet you forgot about the paint crew. Yep there they were again, several miles ahead, doing what they do best. This time however, no one was wanting to stick around to watch them work. Made the pass with no problem just in time participate in the greatest race in the south. The Watermelon 500.
I still have not received my call back from WAL MART, so I decided to pay them a little visit.
After a minor wait, I was invited back into the office for a little chat. (No need in the other customers knowing about my damage claim) I was told that the tapes had not been viewed yet. The person handling the situation requested that I give them 3 more days and then check back with an alternate manager. Seems, he is going to be on vacation. The funny part is the excuse he gave me for not already having viewed the tapes..... "I have been off the past 4 days."
Is he passing the buck or just giving me the runaround??
I have a feeling this is going to be a fun filled learning experience.
Here are some of the things I have already learned
1. They have multiple claims tacked to the bulletin board. This seems to be a great way to file things, dont ya think??
2. If they do approve the claim, they will want to exchange wheels with me and take mine to North Atlanta to have them buffed out.
3. If they deny the claim and I wish to view the tapes to dispute their decision, I will have to get a police report of the damages and have the POLICE REVIEW THE TAPES FOR ME.
Seems like a bunch of nonsense to me! But what do I know. I have never been through this situation before..As far as buffing the wheels goes, I might be agreeable for 2 of them to go through this process (very minor scratches-but scratches none the less). As for the other two, the marks are deep and excessive. I doubt that they could be buffed and polished to my expectations. And just what are my expectations, you might ask.... To not have gone through this would have been nice, but I would like my wheels to look like the rest of my car....NEW!
Side Note: I am also having some issues with my recent window tinting experience. However, they seem to be a lot more willing to accommodate me. Only major problem is they are out of state, but I was told to drop by at my convenience any day after 1 pm and the situation would be rectified.. I am actaully looking forward to see how they handle this .. Wal Mart Sucks!
Back to the work-out program...
It seems last week, I a might have become a little over zealous with my routine. I think I have a strained muscle. And the worst part is, I didn't even know this muscle existed. I DO NOW....
It appears to be a tiny little muscle that is connected to oh so much. I can feel the discomfort the majority of the time but when I hunt for it with my fingers, it miraculously vanishes. Needless to say I will have to lay off the cardio for a while. .... Now I know the pain a guy must feel when forced to do the splits.
Recently, I started working out on a regular basis. (Meaning at least three times a week) One hour of Pilates -excellent routine- along with about 35 minutes on the eliptical machine per day. I have a lot of excess energy now and am beginning to show some signs of toning up... YIPPEE.
But here is the problem I am having. I have been doing this since August 8th and have yet to lose 1 lb. Or to be more exact.... In 39 days I have worked out a total of 24 of them which equals about 36 solid hours of exercise. Shouldnt I be losing something by now!!!!! Before you say anything, YES, I am also watching what I eat a little better and have massively reduce my DR. Pepper intact...
Hopefully one day I will be able to post those before and after photos. Surely consistency counts for something.........
The customer IS always right...
On September 1, I took my car to Wally World to have the tires balanced and rotated. I was in a pretty good mood all day in spite of the 5 1/2 hour wait. I even received half off my lifetime warranty. A few days later, while driving down the interstate, I noticed the bouncing steering wheel had returned. So I checked to see if the weight had fallen off again. NOPE.. But I did find a nice surprise however.
The tire Tech most have had a bad day and felt it was okay to take it out on my wheels. OUCH... Two of the wheels were just barely grazed. The other two however, were gouged and scarred to extreme measures. Several Times......
I went back to Wal-Mart and addressed the situation. They came out and took pictures and are going to review the surveillance tapes and get back with me.....I hope they are going to handle this in an appropriate manner. The wheels are $250 each....
Oh did I mention the dirt stained seats and greasy floor mats.
Updates will follow.....
This week my travels took me to NYC just in time for the memorial events of 9/11. I did not get to participate, but was emotionally moved by the experience anyway. The radio stations began broadcasting a reading of the entire list of names of the victims at precisely the moment the first tower was struck. It over 2 hours to complete this task, with no interruptions.... The air space ws full of military aircraft. Presidents, dignitaries, officials, Mayors, Ambassadors were all present. Much of the City was closed to traffic, which caused delays in traffic much of the day. Overall it was a very somber day......
On Sunday September 3rd, I awoke to find that all files on my computer were now corrupt and all data was lost...... It was quite a dissappointment. Considering that the computer was a gift donated by my brother a few years ago, I personally didnt lose anything other than a few pictures. Okay several pictures..... Now I am back. Yippee!!! Got a new laptop from Dell. That was a rough few days.
Well, okay I overslept. Happens to the best of us. Up at 5 AM. Still got a good jump on rush hour in the greater ATL. I was a little leary when I got to work this morning and noticed the mechanics had been tampering with my truck. (plenty of prior incidences to justify this state of nervousness, you will just have to trust me!!).
So 45 miles into my journey, I notice that traffic is avoiding me like a plague. Lo and Behold, I am a rolling ball of smoke. Needless to say I had absolutely no problem merging onto the shoulder of the road. Once stopped, I check for the source of the "situation" and was just in time to witness 3' flames erupting from my axle. 1 fire extinquisher and 2 fire trucks later, the diaster had been averted. Yes, you guessed it, this morning I WAS THE REASON GA 400 was backed up.
10 Hours later I arrived safely at home. Load undelivered, Truck unrepaired. And all of this because I was doing a favor for someone else.... Who says it pays to be nice???
Highlight of the day- I decided to drop the car off for a quick balance and rotate. two and a half hour wait, no thanks. I decide to leave it and walk home ( only a 20 min vigorous walk) Upon arrival at the humble abode, but who should I see. Why, its the cute single guy from upstairs.
Here I am in work uniform, covered in extinquished soot and grease, hair in knots and a healthy glow from the walk. Not my most attractive moment. But we exchange pleasantries and I even learned the dogs name, "FRED".
Believe it or not, it actually wasnt such a bad day!!!
I recently recieved a notice that my lease would need to be renewed soon. Oh Boy. I just love obligating myself to another year. With the new increase in my rates I have decided that it might be time to look elsewhere to hang my hat. So, today I did just that..... Got out and looked around.
SURPRISE..... It seems that I am living in the Ghetto of luxury apartment homes. After doing a little research, I have come to find out that for roughly the same amount I could be living in a much nicer community. I also found out that my humble abode has an overall rating of 29. (out of 100) and most previous residents would not recommend it to their friends. YIKES. I even heard a vicious rumor that Lakeside is now approved for section 8 living. I wonder if they will be giving away free government cheese with every new lease. I AM OUTTA HERE.
Well , a few more locations to scout out tomorrow and hopefully a few phone calls concerning availability and I will be breaking out the boxes.Okay not quite yet. I do have 2 more months to vacate.
Signing off now. I have to be up at 4:30 AM. Local deliveries tomorrow and I am determined to beat the anti-destination league to Atlanta.
