Yes, it's true.
The Holiday Depression has reared it's ugly head again this year, and forced me into a hiatus.
Thank you for your continued interest, to each and every single three of you!
Also, I have to see my vet as I've discovered my puter has worms. ba dum dum
Hope to be writing again soon.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Brass, woods and percussion!
Tonight was the older boys' first school concert since switching to percussion.
I've been helping him a long to kind of catch up with the other drummers, and he's come along quite nicely if I do say so myself. (being a musician has it's advantages when it comes to your kids being in band!).
I decided to sit on the floor (in a chair silly), as opposed to having sat in the bleachers in the past. And let me tell you, it's like a whole new world sitting that close.
As stated before, I am a musician. I've been involved in playing instruments since grade school, so I know a thing or three when it comes to tempos, sounds, and notes (right and wrong). But, I sit listening as a parent, and not someone who is critiquing anything.
Before, I'd watch the first year band students with enthusism and slight jochularity as I'd watch them 'try' to keep tempo by tapping their foot. At the risk of sounding harsh, it looked like they were all trying to kill something that was running around their music stands.
BUT, this is the first year they are put together as an actual group and directed to play the same piece of music.
This year was no exception. However, sitting on the same level as the band, and a mere 30 feet from them, allows one to actually hear the chaotic stompings of twenty-five or so first year band students.
Being my boys' second year band/first year percussion, lent itself to a new type of experience.
While I was excited to hear how this group had grown since last year, I was equally excited to see how the boy would handle his new 'position'.
For the first movement, he played the bells, or xylophone.
Overall, he didn't do too bad. He could have been a bit more agressive, but standing next to a girl who's almost a foot and a half taller, while being in the same grade, could have had something to do with that.
But I'm getting off track here. Or am I?
Basically, I'm glad half of my children have taken to playing in the band (although, I'd prefer them to try the orchestra like their dad did. But this town has no string program.), and I see the other half getting his recorder so there's hope yet.
I look forward to more concerts.
I've been helping him a long to kind of catch up with the other drummers, and he's come along quite nicely if I do say so myself. (being a musician has it's advantages when it comes to your kids being in band!).
I decided to sit on the floor (in a chair silly), as opposed to having sat in the bleachers in the past. And let me tell you, it's like a whole new world sitting that close.
As stated before, I am a musician. I've been involved in playing instruments since grade school, so I know a thing or three when it comes to tempos, sounds, and notes (right and wrong). But, I sit listening as a parent, and not someone who is critiquing anything.
Before, I'd watch the first year band students with enthusism and slight jochularity as I'd watch them 'try' to keep tempo by tapping their foot. At the risk of sounding harsh, it looked like they were all trying to kill something that was running around their music stands.
BUT, this is the first year they are put together as an actual group and directed to play the same piece of music.
This year was no exception. However, sitting on the same level as the band, and a mere 30 feet from them, allows one to actually hear the chaotic stompings of twenty-five or so first year band students.
Being my boys' second year band/first year percussion, lent itself to a new type of experience.
While I was excited to hear how this group had grown since last year, I was equally excited to see how the boy would handle his new 'position'.
For the first movement, he played the bells, or xylophone.
Overall, he didn't do too bad. He could have been a bit more agressive, but standing next to a girl who's almost a foot and a half taller, while being in the same grade, could have had something to do with that.
But I'm getting off track here. Or am I?
Basically, I'm glad half of my children have taken to playing in the band (although, I'd prefer them to try the orchestra like their dad did. But this town has no string program.), and I see the other half getting his recorder so there's hope yet.
I look forward to more concerts.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
It's a weekend for sports!
Being the parent of a 'band child' comes with many rewards.
One of which is being volunteered to work the concession stand at sporting events.
Last night, was such a night. And being Home Coming week, added to the excitement.
We showed up, not knowing what we had gotten ourselves into.
Within minutes of getting there, we had our assignments:Austin would work 'the cooler', getting the drinks that were called out and I, the parent, would work 'the counter'.
DUN dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh.
Not being a people person, I settled in for what seemed like it would be the "Homecoming from Hell". Plus, not being aquainted with the prices, OR being able to do simple math within micro-seconds, I had a feeling it would be a LONG night.
Luckily, there were plenty of other "volunteered bodies", and there were plenty of counter people. I took a few orders over a period of 45 minutes, and by that time, the two band students (one of which was mine) were bored and ready to go watch the game.
SUCCESS! With Austin wanting to be let out of his "endentured servant status", I took over the cooler with much enthusiasm.
Soon, I was tossing drinks to the counter with the finesse of an NFL quarterback, and not much after that, I had spread my special personality" to the other parents and we were reliving the days of Saturday Night Live:"CHIP CHIP.....COKE............NO COKE! PEPSI".
Of course, this brand of comedy was lost on a majority of our patrons, as the average age was that of a teen-ager.
Still, we had fun, which is what it's all about.
btw:the Final Score as 35-0..........our team snuffed the other team BIG time.
As for today's sports news:BOTH boys had soccer games with Garrett's team won 7-2, the biggest win so far.
Austin's team was dealt a 3-5 loss.
Next time bud.....next time.
One of which is being volunteered to work the concession stand at sporting events.
Last night, was such a night. And being Home Coming week, added to the excitement.
We showed up, not knowing what we had gotten ourselves into.
Within minutes of getting there, we had our assignments:Austin would work 'the cooler', getting the drinks that were called out and I, the parent, would work 'the counter'.
DUN dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh.
Not being a people person, I settled in for what seemed like it would be the "Homecoming from Hell". Plus, not being aquainted with the prices, OR being able to do simple math within micro-seconds, I had a feeling it would be a LONG night.
Luckily, there were plenty of other "volunteered bodies", and there were plenty of counter people. I took a few orders over a period of 45 minutes, and by that time, the two band students (one of which was mine) were bored and ready to go watch the game.
SUCCESS! With Austin wanting to be let out of his "endentured servant status", I took over the cooler with much enthusiasm.
Soon, I was tossing drinks to the counter with the finesse of an NFL quarterback, and not much after that, I had spread my special personality" to the other parents and we were reliving the days of Saturday Night Live:"CHIP CHIP.....COKE............NO COKE! PEPSI".
Of course, this brand of comedy was lost on a majority of our patrons, as the average age was that of a teen-ager.
Still, we had fun, which is what it's all about.
btw:the Final Score as 35-0..........our team snuffed the other team BIG time.
As for today's sports news:BOTH boys had soccer games with Garrett's team won 7-2, the biggest win so far.
Austin's team was dealt a 3-5 loss.
Next time bud.....next time.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Just keeps getting better and better
*The following may be boring as hell to some. But I got nothing else to write on today. Cheers*
Today I finished work on a revision of five windows.
Now, sometimes, a revision has come down from the main office before the paper work hits the shop floor. And other times it will come after the material has been cut.
Occasionally, a revision entails either a colour change, change in sizing, or even a change of style altogether.
Normally, a revision doesn't really phase me much because, unfortunately, it has become common practice where I work. But this recent event has me livid and contemplating searching out other avenues of employment. Here's the low down.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in April, an order came across my table listing twelve windows, all panels (single piece of glass as opposed to double pane), with five of them measuring a whopping 88 7/8" x 76 7/8", five @ 88 7/8" x 45, and two easy round top measuring 24" x 40".
*I know for some, this may be hard to picture, but pay attention to the first set of numbers*
Now, within a week, the smaller two were complete, and the other ten were all made except for the glass. Some discussion was going on as to what type of glass to use, and the fact that glass would have to be special ordered as we don't carry anything large enough to accommodate the largest five.
Fast forward two weeks.
The first revision came down.
The colour was being changed from tan to white.
Shit.
This meant that everything had to be scraped (nothing could be reused as it was either bent or already processed. Frame, insert, and expanders all were scraped out.
Great.
Again, within a week, everything was either redone completely or done to the point of waiting on the glass.
That was the end of June.
My glass finally came, and everything was completed the first week of August.
Of course, they weren't shipped until the last part of August.
Now, take a moment and look at things so far, and put yourself in the shoes of the customer.
You've placed an order for 12 custom windows sometime in (probably May).
It's now almost September before you are seeing results.
Ok, got your "mood" on? Get ready for round three.
Thursday, during our coordinators meeting, the production manager informs me that "those (hotel name) windows are coming back."
What? Are you shitting me? wtf?
He continues,"something about they're the wrong size".
I couldn't help myself.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA".
That's right. I sat at the end of the table, opposite our shop boss, and laughed in his face.
The other six at the meeting looked on horrified.
I continued.
"So you're telling me that those 12 windows that were first made in tan four months ago, then again in white three months ago, and only shipped ONE month ago, are freaking wrong?! AGAIN?!? Who's fault is that? Is (parent company) going to try and slip that one on us too???"
"Well, I don't know who measured it. And I won't know how much too big they are until I hear from (home office)".
*in my best Scottish accent:"Well THAT'S just frikkin' great".(it's more impressive if you actually hear it).
So I get into work today, the windows have been off-loaded and the order is sitting on my table.
Now, mind you, this has been in the back of my mind since last week.
"How much could it be?"
"Are we still doing it in white?"
And then, I see them.
The five biggest windows from the project, just sitting there on an A-frame, silently taunting me with their oversized............size. And to the side, the two smaller, easy ones. The ones that have been completed twice before their gi-normous brethren, also seem to have a sense of foreboding. And on the side of the wall, the expanders for the big fukkers.
Of course, the shop boss wasn't in today. But he was nice enough to leave the new order on my work table so I would be sure to "get right on them" first thing this morning.
As I'm looking over the new order, I notice a few things.
First off, this is an entirely new order.
By that, I mean, it's not a re-work order. It's an order as if it was an entirely new product. wtf?
Next, I notice that there is a small notation concerning the two smaller roundtops.
"Raymond, these need to be changed into quarter-rounds, but I don't have that one layed out yet."
Are you freaking kidding me? How does someone fuck THAT up?
First off, someone mis-measures and I make these behemoths too big, and that same someone gave me the wrong shape for two all together?!
*oooooooohhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm*
Ok, I'm composed. I'm in my 'happy place'. Just how much off are these big-ass muther............."Hide the kids. Hide the pets. Something bad is about to happen"
THIRTY INCHES TOO BIG? ARE YOU FREAKIN' SHITTING ME? HOW THE HELL CAN YOU F*CK UP BY THIRTY FREAKIN' INCHES?
I go into the office, carrying this "payload of joy" and slam it on the desk.
"I wanna know who was in charge of this. I want their cell number, I want their exact location at this point in time, and I want you to notify their next of kin!"
Ok, so, it didn't quite go like that.
But believe me, the people that should know,
knew now.
Now, after all that ranting and raving about the stupidity of what has transpired, it only took the better part of a day to cut down those five windows. But it really makes me think about the future.
The company I work for is divided into two companies, in two different states, but owned by one man.
The factory employees maybe 35 people, including three in the office, one salesman, and a retired gentleman who still comes in daily who has the respect of us all.
I don't know about the employee status in the other facility, but all in all, it's a family run business.
The problem is mainly that the CEO feels he has to have his hands in EVERY aspect of the business. He's been in charge for maybe 20 out of the 35(?) years the company has been in operation, and he's still "trying new things" that is really pushing the limits of the shop personelle.
There are even talks that if he goes bankrupt again, there'll be no coming back.
So what's a guy to do?
Working in a factory that hasn't seen ANY profit sharing for at least five years (although the main office has seen profit every year and even "decided to share it's profit with us" one year), is constantly sending down mistakes that are making their way sometimes all the way to the customer, and making obviously horrible business decisions.
The only reason I stay in this town is because my children are now here, and hearing from aunts and uncles of theirs (what can I say? They still love me!), that "those boys really need you".
Being a non-colleged, single income, single dad doesn't have a lot of options in a one horse town.
Today I finished work on a revision of five windows.
Now, sometimes, a revision has come down from the main office before the paper work hits the shop floor. And other times it will come after the material has been cut.
Occasionally, a revision entails either a colour change, change in sizing, or even a change of style altogether.
Normally, a revision doesn't really phase me much because, unfortunately, it has become common practice where I work. But this recent event has me livid and contemplating searching out other avenues of employment. Here's the low down.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in April, an order came across my table listing twelve windows, all panels (single piece of glass as opposed to double pane), with five of them measuring a whopping 88 7/8" x 76 7/8", five @ 88 7/8" x 45, and two easy round top measuring 24" x 40".
*I know for some, this may be hard to picture, but pay attention to the first set of numbers*
Now, within a week, the smaller two were complete, and the other ten were all made except for the glass. Some discussion was going on as to what type of glass to use, and the fact that glass would have to be special ordered as we don't carry anything large enough to accommodate the largest five.
Fast forward two weeks.
The first revision came down.
The colour was being changed from tan to white.
Shit.
This meant that everything had to be scraped (nothing could be reused as it was either bent or already processed. Frame, insert, and expanders all were scraped out.
Great.
Again, within a week, everything was either redone completely or done to the point of waiting on the glass.
That was the end of June.
My glass finally came, and everything was completed the first week of August.
Of course, they weren't shipped until the last part of August.
Now, take a moment and look at things so far, and put yourself in the shoes of the customer.
You've placed an order for 12 custom windows sometime in (probably May).
It's now almost September before you are seeing results.
Ok, got your "mood" on? Get ready for round three.
Thursday, during our coordinators meeting, the production manager informs me that "those (hotel name) windows are coming back."
What? Are you shitting me? wtf?
He continues,"something about they're the wrong size".
I couldn't help myself.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA".
That's right. I sat at the end of the table, opposite our shop boss, and laughed in his face.
The other six at the meeting looked on horrified.
I continued.
"So you're telling me that those 12 windows that were first made in tan four months ago, then again in white three months ago, and only shipped ONE month ago, are freaking wrong?! AGAIN?!? Who's fault is that? Is (parent company) going to try and slip that one on us too???"
"Well, I don't know who measured it. And I won't know how much too big they are until I hear from (home office)".
*in my best Scottish accent:"Well THAT'S just frikkin' great".(it's more impressive if you actually hear it).
So I get into work today, the windows have been off-loaded and the order is sitting on my table.
Now, mind you, this has been in the back of my mind since last week.
"How much could it be?"
"Are we still doing it in white?"
And then, I see them.
The five biggest windows from the project, just sitting there on an A-frame, silently taunting me with their oversized............size. And to the side, the two smaller, easy ones. The ones that have been completed twice before their gi-normous brethren, also seem to have a sense of foreboding. And on the side of the wall, the expanders for the big fukkers.
Of course, the shop boss wasn't in today. But he was nice enough to leave the new order on my work table so I would be sure to "get right on them" first thing this morning.
As I'm looking over the new order, I notice a few things.
First off, this is an entirely new order.
By that, I mean, it's not a re-work order. It's an order as if it was an entirely new product. wtf?
Next, I notice that there is a small notation concerning the two smaller roundtops.
"Raymond, these need to be changed into quarter-rounds, but I don't have that one layed out yet."
Are you freaking kidding me? How does someone fuck THAT up?
First off, someone mis-measures and I make these behemoths too big, and that same someone gave me the wrong shape for two all together?!
*oooooooohhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm*
Ok, I'm composed. I'm in my 'happy place'. Just how much off are these big-ass muther............."Hide the kids. Hide the pets. Something bad is about to happen"
THIRTY INCHES TOO BIG? ARE YOU FREAKIN' SHITTING ME? HOW THE HELL CAN YOU F*CK UP BY THIRTY FREAKIN' INCHES?
I go into the office, carrying this "payload of joy" and slam it on the desk.
"I wanna know who was in charge of this. I want their cell number, I want their exact location at this point in time, and I want you to notify their next of kin!"
Ok, so, it didn't quite go like that.
But believe me, the people that should know,
knew now.
Now, after all that ranting and raving about the stupidity of what has transpired, it only took the better part of a day to cut down those five windows. But it really makes me think about the future.
The company I work for is divided into two companies, in two different states, but owned by one man.
The factory employees maybe 35 people, including three in the office, one salesman, and a retired gentleman who still comes in daily who has the respect of us all.
I don't know about the employee status in the other facility, but all in all, it's a family run business.
The problem is mainly that the CEO feels he has to have his hands in EVERY aspect of the business. He's been in charge for maybe 20 out of the 35(?) years the company has been in operation, and he's still "trying new things" that is really pushing the limits of the shop personelle.
There are even talks that if he goes bankrupt again, there'll be no coming back.
So what's a guy to do?
Working in a factory that hasn't seen ANY profit sharing for at least five years (although the main office has seen profit every year and even "decided to share it's profit with us" one year), is constantly sending down mistakes that are making their way sometimes all the way to the customer, and making obviously horrible business decisions.
The only reason I stay in this town is because my children are now here, and hearing from aunts and uncles of theirs (what can I say? They still love me!), that "those boys really need you".
Being a non-colleged, single income, single dad doesn't have a lot of options in a one horse town.
Monday, October 02, 2006
RenFest 2006
RenFest 2006
Originally uploaded by bat-a-ray.
After twenty-something years, I returned to the Minnesota Renasainnse Festival.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take my kids with me.
A friend had some freebies from work and invited me and another friend of ours (I'm awaiting approval to post that pic).
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Take flight, my minions
Ok, so, for some time now, I've liked squirrels.
I've become fascinated by how they act, interact, and react to one another and other creatures.
The sounds they make, the way they claw upside down on a tree trunk and look at you as if they are checking you out. I can't explain it:I just think they are damn cool.
Here in Northern Iowan,we have the reddish-brown variety.
They are a bit bigger than their solid grey cousins.
I've even gotten some shirts depicting squirrels from "Squirrels gone wild" to "Protect your nuts". I'm just odd I guess.
To entertain myself and my kids, whenever we come across one, I'll jokingly say something like "AT EASE JOHNSON", which of course, they usually do reacting to a human speaking to them. They kids love it.
I've even gone so far as to come up with movie titles interjecting the word "squirrel". For example, "Squirrels of the Caribbean:Deadmans' Squirrel", or "Star Wars Episode II:Attack of the Squirrels".
So imagine my surprise when I found the following article, sent to me by my dad, provided by Scripps Howard News Service:
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed -- the threat
Scripps Howard News Service
An editorial / By Dale McFeatters
Scripps Howard News Service
We know that what with fire ants, killer bees, northern snakeheads, Asian tiger mosquitoes and whatever else is slithering this way, you
probably have your hands full with obnoxious and unwelcome wildlife.
But in our role of spreading groundless panic and needless alarms we feel obligated to alert you to a new menace — crazed and violent squirrels.
Just this Friday came reports out of Mountain View, Calif., of rogue squirrels attacking folks in a local park. It is not an isolated event, people.
Just recently, an aggressive squirrel terrorized Winter Park, Fla., until the authorities captured it.
In Lawrence, Mass., a squirrel attacked an 8-year-old boy in his front yard, and when his mother came out, the rodent clamped onto her leg. ``I have no idea where it came from,'' she told local news, ``but it was on there for a while.''
In Leominster, Mass., a drug suspect's pet squirrel attacked a police officer. A hunter outside Madison, Wis., heard squirrels rustling in the leaves and then suddenly one of them jumped him.
There are documented cases of squirrels attacking deer. And the list of colleges that have warned students against squirrel assaults is endless.
The authorities wring their hands in the face of the menace. For every squirrel removed, two take its place, they insist, and trying to discourage them by removing their sources of food only makes them more aggressive.
In England, there was a proposal to deal with rogue squirrels by eating them. One peer suggested including them in the school-lunch program. It went nowhere.
Your best defense: Be wary, be very wary — especially around acorns."
You can run, but you cannot hide from my furry friends..................
I've become fascinated by how they act, interact, and react to one another and other creatures.
The sounds they make, the way they claw upside down on a tree trunk and look at you as if they are checking you out. I can't explain it:I just think they are damn cool.
Here in Northern Iowan,we have the reddish-brown variety.
They are a bit bigger than their solid grey cousins.
I've even gotten some shirts depicting squirrels from "Squirrels gone wild" to "Protect your nuts". I'm just odd I guess.
To entertain myself and my kids, whenever we come across one, I'll jokingly say something like "AT EASE JOHNSON", which of course, they usually do reacting to a human speaking to them. They kids love it.
I've even gone so far as to come up with movie titles interjecting the word "squirrel". For example, "Squirrels of the Caribbean:Deadmans' Squirrel", or "Star Wars Episode II:Attack of the Squirrels".
So imagine my surprise when I found the following article, sent to me by my dad, provided by Scripps Howard News Service:
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed -- the threat
Scripps Howard News Service
An editorial / By Dale McFeatters
Scripps Howard News Service
We know that what with fire ants, killer bees, northern snakeheads, Asian tiger mosquitoes and whatever else is slithering this way, you
probably have your hands full with obnoxious and unwelcome wildlife.
But in our role of spreading groundless panic and needless alarms we feel obligated to alert you to a new menace — crazed and violent squirrels.
Just this Friday came reports out of Mountain View, Calif., of rogue squirrels attacking folks in a local park. It is not an isolated event, people.
Just recently, an aggressive squirrel terrorized Winter Park, Fla., until the authorities captured it.
In Lawrence, Mass., a squirrel attacked an 8-year-old boy in his front yard, and when his mother came out, the rodent clamped onto her leg. ``I have no idea where it came from,'' she told local news, ``but it was on there for a while.''
In Leominster, Mass., a drug suspect's pet squirrel attacked a police officer. A hunter outside Madison, Wis., heard squirrels rustling in the leaves and then suddenly one of them jumped him.
There are documented cases of squirrels attacking deer. And the list of colleges that have warned students against squirrel assaults is endless.
The authorities wring their hands in the face of the menace. For every squirrel removed, two take its place, they insist, and trying to discourage them by removing their sources of food only makes them more aggressive.
In England, there was a proposal to deal with rogue squirrels by eating them. One peer suggested including them in the school-lunch program. It went nowhere.
Your best defense: Be wary, be very wary — especially around acorns."
You can run, but you cannot hide from my furry friends..................
Saturday, September 30, 2006
joke of the day
Tom Fogerty has died.
He wakes up and finds himself on a stage on which a number
of instruments are set up. A door off-stage opens and in
walk Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, John Lennon,
Otis Redding, and Buddy Holly.
Each musician picks up his favourite instrument and begins
tuning up. All of the instruments are taken but, to Tom's
immense pleasure, the drums. He walks up to Jimi and says,
"Man, so this is what heaven is like."
Jimi looks at him and says, "Heaven? You think this
is heaven?"
At that moment, Karen Carpenter walks in, takes her seat
behind the drums, and calls out, "Okay guys, 'Close
to You'. One, two, three, four..."
He wakes up and finds himself on a stage on which a number
of instruments are set up. A door off-stage opens and in
walk Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, John Lennon,
Otis Redding, and Buddy Holly.
Each musician picks up his favourite instrument and begins
tuning up. All of the instruments are taken but, to Tom's
immense pleasure, the drums. He walks up to Jimi and says,
"Man, so this is what heaven is like."
Jimi looks at him and says, "Heaven? You think this
is heaven?"
At that moment, Karen Carpenter walks in, takes her seat
behind the drums, and calls out, "Okay guys, 'Close
to You'. One, two, three, four..."
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Ever suffer from deja vu?
That feeling that you're experiencing something you've experienced before?
Ever suffer from deja vu?
That feeling that you're experiencing something you've experienced before?
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Honest question
So, with all the hype about "the speed of light", ever wonder what's the speed of dark?
Monday, September 25, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
You can't take me anywhere............
So today, my bud and I made our bi-weekly venture to Mason (a town 30 minutes away offering much better shopping/bumming around than here).
Or usual dining excursion has become Burger King.
So this time, I thought I'd spruce things up a bit by providing a floor show. My buddy almost shot Coke out his nose, as he's not seen this yet.
Later, as we were sitting there, watching the cars go through the drive-thru.
On this occasion, we noticed a car stop about 30 feet past the window. Normally, this would not be anything spectacular. However, I should note, that this particular BK's drive through incorporates a SINGLE LANE. The only want around would be if you had a Hum-vee and were to jump the curb and drive on the grass.
This prompted me into a five minute rant about the silliness of having someone pull ahead to wait for their food (making room for the next customer to be served) when there's no way for them to get the freak out of the way!
I mean think about it for a minute. The person ahead of you has placed a "special order" requiring a bit more time to prepare, thus prompting the "window worker" to ask said orderer to "pull ahead".
You've now placed your simple order, paid for said order, and now in a very timely manner, received previously stated order. But upon preparing to drive away and enjoy the fruits that ARE Burger King offerings, there is a single vehicle, in the single lane provided, blocking you from taking your bounty either home to enjoy, or mash into your face as you drive.
All I can say is, wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I ALWAYS have a good time.
Or usual dining excursion has become Burger King.
So this time, I thought I'd spruce things up a bit by providing a floor show. My buddy almost shot Coke out his nose, as he's not seen this yet.
Later, as we were sitting there, watching the cars go through the drive-thru.
On this occasion, we noticed a car stop about 30 feet past the window. Normally, this would not be anything spectacular. However, I should note, that this particular BK's drive through incorporates a SINGLE LANE. The only want around would be if you had a Hum-vee and were to jump the curb and drive on the grass.
This prompted me into a five minute rant about the silliness of having someone pull ahead to wait for their food (making room for the next customer to be served) when there's no way for them to get the freak out of the way!
I mean think about it for a minute. The person ahead of you has placed a "special order" requiring a bit more time to prepare, thus prompting the "window worker" to ask said orderer to "pull ahead".
You've now placed your simple order, paid for said order, and now in a very timely manner, received previously stated order. But upon preparing to drive away and enjoy the fruits that ARE Burger King offerings, there is a single vehicle, in the single lane provided, blocking you from taking your bounty either home to enjoy, or mash into your face as you drive.
All I can say is, wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I ALWAYS have a good time.
Monday, September 18, 2006
This weekend in news.............
Ok, so not major, national or even local news.............just things that happened to me this weekend. ;)
Saturday was the local car show hosted by the car club I recently joined.
The vice pres wanted me to enter my truck cuz "it's so freakin' cool!".
To be fair, yea: it is cool but no where near show quality, even for a small town event like this. (btw:I was in good standing for third in my class until more trucks showed up!).
There was a turnout of about 80 entries, including some 'specialty class' entries (gas powered "Little Red Wagon", other gas powered kids cars) and about 8 motorcycles.
I was able to get my kids for the day as they were invited to help selling bags of salted peanuts. They were being sold to get patrons to make their way over the the 'beverage garden'. All 60 bags were sold! And ya, I bought one or two.
All in all, it was a good day.
Sunday was my 38th birthday.
Pretty uneventful as it was celebrated this past Thursday (so my kids could be there). My folks got me a new four serving set of dishes (like I ever entertain), and the boys gave me cards. Even though it was celebrated early, ya can't beat sharing w/the kids.
Today, I actually had a pretty neutral conversation with the ex.
Seems that the parents of band kids (our oldest plays percussion) are volunteered to help at football games in the consession stand.
Well, she and (husband) were on the list, but she wanted to include me if I wanted to be.
It was kinda spooky that she'd involve me whereas I'd not really been involved before and she even said "yea, the single parents get screwed". (ok..........who are you and what have you done with my ex-wife?!).
So we agreed that one of us would work the stand with our 'band boy', and the other of us would take the little brother to the game. This is G's second year of flag-football, and since he's getting into it more this year, (he made a GREAT 3/4 field, zig-zagging touchdown) he might seeing the high school kids play.
Saturday was the local car show hosted by the car club I recently joined.
The vice pres wanted me to enter my truck cuz "it's so freakin' cool!".
To be fair, yea: it is cool but no where near show quality, even for a small town event like this. (btw:I was in good standing for third in my class until more trucks showed up!).
There was a turnout of about 80 entries, including some 'specialty class' entries (gas powered "Little Red Wagon", other gas powered kids cars) and about 8 motorcycles.
I was able to get my kids for the day as they were invited to help selling bags of salted peanuts. They were being sold to get patrons to make their way over the the 'beverage garden'. All 60 bags were sold! And ya, I bought one or two.
All in all, it was a good day.
Sunday was my 38th birthday.
Pretty uneventful as it was celebrated this past Thursday (so my kids could be there). My folks got me a new four serving set of dishes (like I ever entertain), and the boys gave me cards. Even though it was celebrated early, ya can't beat sharing w/the kids.
Today, I actually had a pretty neutral conversation with the ex.
Seems that the parents of band kids (our oldest plays percussion) are volunteered to help at football games in the consession stand.
Well, she and (husband) were on the list, but she wanted to include me if I wanted to be.
It was kinda spooky that she'd involve me whereas I'd not really been involved before and she even said "yea, the single parents get screwed". (ok..........who are you and what have you done with my ex-wife?!).
So we agreed that one of us would work the stand with our 'band boy', and the other of us would take the little brother to the game. This is G's second year of flag-football, and since he's getting into it more this year, (he made a GREAT 3/4 field, zig-zagging touchdown) he might seeing the high school kids play.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Kids say the darndest things.
The other day, my (almost) 12 year old asked,"How come you never got remarried?".
I figured if he was old enough to ask, he was old enough to hear my answer.
I started by telling him that I didn't like the fact that someone else was given the 'right' or 'opportunity' to raise my children. So, in turn, for me to get involved with a woman that already had a child would be hypocritical,(of course I had to explain what a "hypocrite" was).
I continued that as far as I was concerned, he and his brother were my family, and just because their mother was now with another person, I still held my role as their father as my number one priority.
Any thoughts?
I figured if he was old enough to ask, he was old enough to hear my answer.
I started by telling him that I didn't like the fact that someone else was given the 'right' or 'opportunity' to raise my children. So, in turn, for me to get involved with a woman that already had a child would be hypocritical,(of course I had to explain what a "hypocrite" was).
I continued that as far as I was concerned, he and his brother were my family, and just because their mother was now with another person, I still held my role as their father as my number one priority.
Any thoughts?
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Snippets
-I recently got "Guitar Hero" for the PS2, and I must say I'm very happy with it.
Normally, I'm not very good at vid games,(usually ask my 11 year old for assistance), but I'd heard about this game a few months back and have been looking forward to it.
Of course, my nine year old says I "cheat" because I have "an edge". So I play guitar. So what?
-School has started and I overlapped my summer time with the boys with the first week of school. I registered them, got their school supplies, and even picked them up from school (as my work schedule allowed). I think it was equally enjoyable for them as much as it was for me.
-I've joined an area car club, (which a younger female co-worker says it reminds her of what "old people do"). The co-pres was cool enough to waive this years fees due to the fact that not only is it late in the season, but that I've participated in the last few events put on by the car club.
-I'm totally jealous of Ozzy. I'd planned on taking the course, getting a license and a bike, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to. "Maybe next year" you say? Not likely. I've taken on the S-10 as my toy.
-This coming week is the last week of "Summer Hours" at work,(starting an hour early and getting off an hour early). Didn't really matter however, because we were working overtime and staying until the normal quitting time.
-I'm starting to feel "the itch" again. It's about time I put forth some effort into meeting a nice gal who can offer up some intelligent conversation, be a formidable challenger at Scrabble, likes at least SOME of the same things I do, and whip up a good meal (something OTHER than the pizza, hotdogs, and mac&cheese menu I'm used to).
-My allergies were in overdrive this week as pollen counts skyrocketed.
I'd wanted to take the boys to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, but it'll have to wait until sometime next month.
Normally, I'm not very good at vid games,(usually ask my 11 year old for assistance), but I'd heard about this game a few months back and have been looking forward to it.
Of course, my nine year old says I "cheat" because I have "an edge". So I play guitar. So what?
-School has started and I overlapped my summer time with the boys with the first week of school. I registered them, got their school supplies, and even picked them up from school (as my work schedule allowed). I think it was equally enjoyable for them as much as it was for me.
-I've joined an area car club, (which a younger female co-worker says it reminds her of what "old people do"). The co-pres was cool enough to waive this years fees due to the fact that not only is it late in the season, but that I've participated in the last few events put on by the car club.
-I'm totally jealous of Ozzy. I'd planned on taking the course, getting a license and a bike, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to. "Maybe next year" you say? Not likely. I've taken on the S-10 as my toy.
-This coming week is the last week of "Summer Hours" at work,(starting an hour early and getting off an hour early). Didn't really matter however, because we were working overtime and staying until the normal quitting time.
-I'm starting to feel "the itch" again. It's about time I put forth some effort into meeting a nice gal who can offer up some intelligent conversation, be a formidable challenger at Scrabble, likes at least SOME of the same things I do, and whip up a good meal (something OTHER than the pizza, hotdogs, and mac&cheese menu I'm used to).
-My allergies were in overdrive this week as pollen counts skyrocketed.
I'd wanted to take the boys to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, but it'll have to wait until sometime next month.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Just plain insensitive
Today's "Bob the Squirrel" reminded me that I'd had a similar occurance.
I was seeing "Batman Begins" (for the second time) at the local theater.
It was during the week, and there was only two other people seated when I got there.
I found a seat about half way down, and sat in the middle of the aisle.
About five minutes before the movie started, two rather large women (I wouldn't be surprised if they were "special friends"..........at least I got that from the flannel they were wearing) sat DIRECTLY in front of me.
Plenty of seats to choose from, but no:they had to plop their fat-asses right in front of the little guy!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
We interrupt this blog for the following rant
I just heard a local news report about vandalism that occurred to some of the classic cars that were in attendance to this past weekends events.
Apparently, paint was thrown on several cars while they were parked at the gathering place either late Saturday, or early Sunday morning.
To those responsible, I say this,(brace for impact people):
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU??? WHAT KIND OF JAG-OFF POURS GALLONS OF PAINT ON A PRISTINELY KEPT POSSESSION, THAT TO THOSE WHO OWN IT THINK OF IT NOT ONLY AS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF AUTOMOTIVE ART, BUT TO SOME AN ACTUAL MEMBER OF THE FAMILY??"
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLOTTING THIS DISGUSTING DISPLAY OF LACK OF INTELLIGENCE AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR SOMETHING YOU YOURSELF COULD NEVER HOPE TO CREATE??"
"I HOPE THAT YOU ARE FOUND AND NOT ONLY MADE TO PAY RESTITUTION TO EVERYONE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO'S LIVELIHOOD YOU HAVE DESECRATED IN THE AMOUNT UPWARDS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS, EACH, BUT THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL WHO'S WEEKEND YOU ENDED, NOT WITH THE UPBEAT FEELINGS THAT THIS WEEKEND IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE, BUT A WEEKEND THAT WILL MAKE THEM THINK TWICE BEFORE ATTENDING AGAIN,IS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE BEFORE BENDING YOU OVER AND ANAL RAPING YOU WITH A 5" FLOMASTER DUAL EXHAUST TIP COMPLETE WITH FLAME THROWER ATTACHMENT!"
"YOU LITTLE FUCK!"
Sorry about that.
Now that I've regained my composure, I'd like to offer this:These events are supposed to be fun for everyone. From those who share their automotive visions to those who come just to look at these metal marvels,this particular event has been heralded for 22 glorious years without not as much as an accidental door ding.
But now, for reasons one can only speculate until these vandals are caught,in my opinion, this single incident could possibly create such a change of attitude in participants, that next year may not see what many have enjoyed for over two decades.
i weep for you, you little fucks...................
Apparently, paint was thrown on several cars while they were parked at the gathering place either late Saturday, or early Sunday morning.
To those responsible, I say this,(brace for impact people):
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU??? WHAT KIND OF JAG-OFF POURS GALLONS OF PAINT ON A PRISTINELY KEPT POSSESSION, THAT TO THOSE WHO OWN IT THINK OF IT NOT ONLY AS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF AUTOMOTIVE ART, BUT TO SOME AN ACTUAL MEMBER OF THE FAMILY??"
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLOTTING THIS DISGUSTING DISPLAY OF LACK OF INTELLIGENCE AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR SOMETHING YOU YOURSELF COULD NEVER HOPE TO CREATE??"
"I HOPE THAT YOU ARE FOUND AND NOT ONLY MADE TO PAY RESTITUTION TO EVERYONE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO'S LIVELIHOOD YOU HAVE DESECRATED IN THE AMOUNT UPWARDS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS, EACH, BUT THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL WHO'S WEEKEND YOU ENDED, NOT WITH THE UPBEAT FEELINGS THAT THIS WEEKEND IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE, BUT A WEEKEND THAT WILL MAKE THEM THINK TWICE BEFORE ATTENDING AGAIN,IS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO LOOK YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE BEFORE BENDING YOU OVER AND ANAL RAPING YOU WITH A 5" FLOMASTER DUAL EXHAUST TIP COMPLETE WITH FLAME THROWER ATTACHMENT!"
"YOU LITTLE FUCK!"
Sorry about that.
Now that I've regained my composure, I'd like to offer this:These events are supposed to be fun for everyone. From those who share their automotive visions to those who come just to look at these metal marvels,this particular event has been heralded for 22 glorious years without not as much as an accidental door ding.
But now, for reasons one can only speculate until these vandals are caught,in my opinion, this single incident could possibly create such a change of attitude in participants, that next year may not see what many have enjoyed for over two decades.
i weep for you, you little fucks...................
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