Yeah I realize I haven't posted in a couple weeks. Been extremely busy with work and school. Sometimes I wonder why I decided that I needed my Masters degree. Maybe it was during a moment of sanity because insanity wouldn't encourage you to do this. Spent the majority of the past two weeks editing, re-editing, and more re-edits to a group paper. I must it admit it's a thing of beauty but it was truly a pain in the a$$. Fortuately I worked with a great group of people. We are going to try to have more classes together. Now I'm ready for my final exams and both of my classes a requiring a research paper. GEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Oh the lady I mentioned in the last post that had meltdown....well it may get worse before it's over with. I can't go into details because of the issues and privacy but it's not looking good.
On to more fun things.....Monday I'm heading down to Cherry Point, NC and will be working on the Marine base there for the next few days. This should be interesting because this is a Marine Air base and they have the Harriers there. Next week I get to stay in the Greensboro office, the following week I'm back at Fort Bragg and the week after that I'm off on vacation.
Speaking of vacation....yesterday booked a rafting trip on the Colorado River. This will be interesting. We'll be flying into San Diego and spend a few days there and then off to Arizona. After a few days there, we'll make our way to Nevada for a little gambling and then who knows where we'll land. Eventually we'll land back in North Carolina.
That's it for a while.....
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
I survived.....
Today was a beautiful day. Perfect temps, bright & sunny, I didn't piss anyone off. HA!
Did have one of the contractors break down and cry today. I wasn't my fault! John & I did a conference call with her. Prior to calling I had give John the heads up on what all was going on. This lady is working 12-14 hr. days; the company is pushing her to submit information they can't support; she's refusing....but she is cleaning up their accounting issues. Anyways we were talking and I realized she was about to start crying and I wrote this on a piece of paper to John, who looked really confused. Well she broke down and had a good cry. Afterwards she kept apologizing. She told John that she realized that I had saved their company by allowing them to resubmit their proposal and that if I hadn't of done this, she would have quit right then. I can really understand how she feels since I been in a similiar situtation. The difference I knew how my situation was going to end, she doesn't.
Anyways after we got off the phone, John looks really pitiful and tells me, I've never had that happen before. Well this left me a big opening! I told him, I'm so glad I could be your first. Then I got serious and told him that he handled it just as he should, listen and assuring.
In the morning I'm heading up to Blacksburg for another audit. The person I mentioned on Friday will be going up also for a different audit. He planned this trip when he found out I was going. John is teasing me and I will get even with him. He tells me, you can drive up together (NOT); you can go to dinner together...oh make that candlelight dinner (NOT); you can spend quality time together (NOT!) I have told Tim that we will be having a conversation during this trip (that will take place in the lobby) about why he nearly got his head lopped off Friday. I don't think he understands about personal space.
I did promise John that one of us would definitely return. ;)
Did have one of the contractors break down and cry today. I wasn't my fault! John & I did a conference call with her. Prior to calling I had give John the heads up on what all was going on. This lady is working 12-14 hr. days; the company is pushing her to submit information they can't support; she's refusing....but she is cleaning up their accounting issues. Anyways we were talking and I realized she was about to start crying and I wrote this on a piece of paper to John, who looked really confused. Well she broke down and had a good cry. Afterwards she kept apologizing. She told John that she realized that I had saved their company by allowing them to resubmit their proposal and that if I hadn't of done this, she would have quit right then. I can really understand how she feels since I been in a similiar situtation. The difference I knew how my situation was going to end, she doesn't.
Anyways after we got off the phone, John looks really pitiful and tells me, I've never had that happen before. Well this left me a big opening! I told him, I'm so glad I could be your first. Then I got serious and told him that he handled it just as he should, listen and assuring.
In the morning I'm heading up to Blacksburg for another audit. The person I mentioned on Friday will be going up also for a different audit. He planned this trip when he found out I was going. John is teasing me and I will get even with him. He tells me, you can drive up together (NOT); you can go to dinner together...oh make that candlelight dinner (NOT); you can spend quality time together (NOT!) I have told Tim that we will be having a conversation during this trip (that will take place in the lobby) about why he nearly got his head lopped off Friday. I don't think he understands about personal space.
I did promise John that one of us would definitely return. ;)
Monday, April 18, 2005
Bad time to laugh.....
I originally wasn't going to post this but after laughing over the phone with my Mom about it, I decided I had to so if this should ever really happen....
My sister-in-law Judy's Mother passed away Thursday evening. She had been ill for a couple of years and 3 years ago the family was told she had 3 weeks to live. She's been in and out of the hospital and pretty much didn't know her family anymore. About a week before her passing she was taken to hospice and had stopped eating. The one thing the family knows is that their mother no longer suffers and that shes with her beloved husband.
The Wood family decided to all go to the funeral home together. We met at Mama Wood's house, went out to dinner (which is story in itself...lots of loud screaming children and rednecks) and then piled into the our vehicle and headed to the funeral home in Graham, NC. We pull into the Rich & Thompson Funeral Services and Sharon (my sister-in-law) looks at me and asks, "What's Judy's mothers name?" To be honest I didn't have a clue and looked at her like she had lost her mind. Then Keith asks, "are you sure this is the right place?" To which Mama Wood replies, "The paper said McClure's". I said, "Well we're at Rich & Thompson." Mama Wood says, "that's what I said." Then everyone starts no you didn't. So she says, "Well this is where Keith told me it was at." Keith starts hollering, "I didn't tell you nothing, Sharon told me and you told Sharon." So we get out of the car and somehow I ended up in front. Well I'd already made up my mind that if this was the wrong place we were going in anyways. You just can't walk to the door and utter, "oops wrong body." So we go in and Keith is right on my heel muttering, "I don't see Ron (this is his brother and Judy's husband.) I told Keith, "Dear, he probably seen his family walk in and went out the back door." We truly didn't know that we were in the right place until Judy's son came up and spoke to us. Honestly I was hoping we were in the wrong place.
As we were leaving, I turned to Sharon and inquired, "Should we go on over to McClure's with this travelling screw-ball show?" She burst out laughing which made people from the funeral home give her this really mean stare....so of all the bad times to laugh....she chose wisely.
My sister-in-law Judy's Mother passed away Thursday evening. She had been ill for a couple of years and 3 years ago the family was told she had 3 weeks to live. She's been in and out of the hospital and pretty much didn't know her family anymore. About a week before her passing she was taken to hospice and had stopped eating. The one thing the family knows is that their mother no longer suffers and that shes with her beloved husband.
The Wood family decided to all go to the funeral home together. We met at Mama Wood's house, went out to dinner (which is story in itself...lots of loud screaming children and rednecks) and then piled into the our vehicle and headed to the funeral home in Graham, NC. We pull into the Rich & Thompson Funeral Services and Sharon (my sister-in-law) looks at me and asks, "What's Judy's mothers name?" To be honest I didn't have a clue and looked at her like she had lost her mind. Then Keith asks, "are you sure this is the right place?" To which Mama Wood replies, "The paper said McClure's". I said, "Well we're at Rich & Thompson." Mama Wood says, "that's what I said." Then everyone starts no you didn't. So she says, "Well this is where Keith told me it was at." Keith starts hollering, "I didn't tell you nothing, Sharon told me and you told Sharon." So we get out of the car and somehow I ended up in front. Well I'd already made up my mind that if this was the wrong place we were going in anyways. You just can't walk to the door and utter, "oops wrong body." So we go in and Keith is right on my heel muttering, "I don't see Ron (this is his brother and Judy's husband.) I told Keith, "Dear, he probably seen his family walk in and went out the back door." We truly didn't know that we were in the right place until Judy's son came up and spoke to us. Honestly I was hoping we were in the wrong place.
As we were leaving, I turned to Sharon and inquired, "Should we go on over to McClure's with this travelling screw-ball show?" She burst out laughing which made people from the funeral home give her this really mean stare....so of all the bad times to laugh....she chose wisely.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Virginia Is For Lovers.....
You Know You're From Virginia When... |
Speed limits are just suggestions You have at least two friends who have no idea what their relatives do...because its "top secret" government work Most of your senior class went to Mason, JMU, Tech, VCU or UVA When people ask where you're from, you tell them DC because its easier to explain You've never told someone you're from Virginia without putting "northern," "central," or "southern" in front of it (See above.) It's not actually tailgating unless your bumper is touching the car in front of you. You know yellow light means at least 5 more cars can get through. (Yeah, man...at least. Probably also happens everywhere else.) A red light means 2 more can. You actually know what the black boxes at stoplights are for. Despite the fact that Virginia fought for the south in the Civil War, you are not, under any circumstances, a "southerner" You are amused by visiting relatives who are actually excited to see Washington, DC You took a field trip to Williamsburg as a kid You are amazed when you go out of town and the people at McDonalds speak English You or someone in your family has a Smart Tag An inch of snow and you miss 3 days of school All the potholes just add a little excitement to your driving experience Crown Victoria = undercover cop Subway is a fast food place. The transportation system is known as Metro, and only Metro. They just tore down the old farm house across the street and put 12 new McMansions in its place For the cost of your house, you could own a small town in Iowa If you stay on the same road long enough, it will eventually have three new names. You have to dial the area code to call your neighbor "Vacation" means spending a day at King's Dominion or Busch Gardens. "Going to the River" means any stream with water. You have never been served tea without the waitress asking "sweet or unsweetened?" Your favorite past time is telling West Virginia jokes. Anyone who can't trace his or her ancestry back to at least four generations in Virginia is an outsider. "Going to the beach" means anywhere from Ocean City to Virginia Beach to Myrtle Beach. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Virginia. |
Saturday, April 16, 2005
North Carolina
While I'm not Origninally from North Carolina, I find this funny.....I'll share the Virginia tomorrow.
You Know You're From North Carolina When... |
You've gotten used to the smell of cow manure on a car trip to Raleigh. Saying "y'all" isn't just a cute expression; it actually means something. There are big labrador retrievers in the back of every truck. You give directions using KFC and Waffle House as landmarks. You still see Dale Earndheart tributes on cars. You can't imagine life without Bojangles' sweet tea Your annual church fundraiser always deals with bbq and potato salad You have a sunburn from May to October Your 'heavy winter clothing' consists of some turtleneck sweaters, a fuzzy jacket, and your daddy's boots Your family has fried chicken once a week You can tell the difference between cotton fields and tobacco fields while driving One of your neighbors has a confederate flag hanging on their front porch Those "damn yankees" are taking over your school/church/workplace/neighborhood... You've been "properly raised", and yankees love it when they hear you say "ma'am" and "sir" You get your carbs from biscuits, rolls, pancakes, and grits You know the difference between a "redneck" and a "hick". You own at least one surf shop or seafood restaurant shirts. No matter what those people in ohio say, we are still "first in flight" The Coca-Cola 600 is as big as the Super Bowl You prefer Chick-fil-a to KFC You know pastry is a chicken stew, not a dessert item. Every time you visit someone you’re offered something to eat and a glass of tea. Your granddaddy always wore overalls and your grandma always wore an apron. In summer you have home-grown tomatoes with every meal. When it rains and the creek rises, everyone gathers to see how high it rose. You know that "chunk" the ball means to throw it. You've had a burger "all the way" - chili and slaw on it. You can recognize a copperhead and your heart drops when you see one. You have at least one relative that raises collards. Your folks have taken trips to the mountains to look at leaves. Your school classes were cancelled because of a hurricane. You know Krispy Kreme makes the best doughnut. You have an opinion about UNC. You went there and loved it, or you hate everyone who did. You know the best BBQ is found in Lexington You would rather eat at Bojangles's than McDonald's You have actually uttered the phrase "It's too hot to go to the pool" You faithfully drink Pepsi or Mt. Dew everyday of your life. You have your own secret bbq sauce. You or your neighbors have more hunting dogs than you have family members. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from North Carolina. |
Friday, April 15, 2005
Make it a BIG One!
I've never claimed patience as one of my best virtues. I know better, but over the years I've gotten better. People tell me I have patience and with other people I normally do, it's within myself that I don't. But today the patience was running thin and it nearly vanished.....I've got to rant so you can either stop reading or become amused at me. I'm don't really care.
There's a very young guy (he's 22) that I work with. Many people don't deal with him because he can come across as a know it all.....I tried to remember that everyone went through that stage in life but today he just about created and caught the wrath of Patti. I'm one of these people that it's hard to really push over the edge but when you do, run like hell. Today, Tim had me on the edge. He is constantly being nosey. Always in others business. Wants to know what everyone else is doing. Doesn't like being told to change something in his workpapers or reports (he doesn't like being wrong.). He'll listen to conversations others are having that doesn't involve him in any way and then interrupt with his own opinions. He will sit in your office and listen to your end of a phone converstation. If you have something up on your computer screen, he'll read it and then ask you about it. Over the past few weeks, when he does the reading of the computer screen, being nosey and such, I've been answering him with, "Why are you so nosey in my business?" I'm trying to be this kids friend here and I tell him this isn't professional. I've tried telling him someone's going to take you out for this crap. Well that someone was nearly me.
I was working on an assignment for the branch manager that involved all the supervisors and Tim didn't know what was going on and it was probably driving him crazy. He had already listened to my conversation with his supervisor and then came up to ask me if I was starting trouble. Granted he was trying to be funny but the fact that he was once again getting into something that didn't involve him burnt me. I finished what I could with the assignment, emailed all the supervisor and branch manager to give me comments and I would send the final response to the contracting officer Monday AM. After doing this, I shut my laptop down and lock it up because it was time for me to leave. I was over telling one of the ladies goodbye for the day when Tim comes over to ask me if I'd shut me computer down. I told him yes, thinking that he had sent me an email. He responded, "well Dave (the branch manager) said you had to get that memo out first thing Monday morning." I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth and replied, "Why are you always in my business?" Tim had read the emails between the manager, supervisors and myself over his supervisors shoulder. He just stared and laughed. This put me on the edge and I took 3 steps back and held 2 fingers about an inch apart and told him, "my patience with you is about this big at this moment." He stood there looking at me as if he didn't understand when John, his supervisor who was within hearing range and saw the incident spoke up and said, "If that look was being casted on me, I'd being moving." He quickly left and as I was leaving John was walking out the door behind me. He said, "Sounds like Tim was all in your business again." I just told him, "I'm about ready to rip him a new one." Johns reply, "Make it a BIG one."
There's a very young guy (he's 22) that I work with. Many people don't deal with him because he can come across as a know it all.....I tried to remember that everyone went through that stage in life but today he just about created and caught the wrath of Patti. I'm one of these people that it's hard to really push over the edge but when you do, run like hell. Today, Tim had me on the edge. He is constantly being nosey. Always in others business. Wants to know what everyone else is doing. Doesn't like being told to change something in his workpapers or reports (he doesn't like being wrong.). He'll listen to conversations others are having that doesn't involve him in any way and then interrupt with his own opinions. He will sit in your office and listen to your end of a phone converstation. If you have something up on your computer screen, he'll read it and then ask you about it. Over the past few weeks, when he does the reading of the computer screen, being nosey and such, I've been answering him with, "Why are you so nosey in my business?" I'm trying to be this kids friend here and I tell him this isn't professional. I've tried telling him someone's going to take you out for this crap. Well that someone was nearly me.
I was working on an assignment for the branch manager that involved all the supervisors and Tim didn't know what was going on and it was probably driving him crazy. He had already listened to my conversation with his supervisor and then came up to ask me if I was starting trouble. Granted he was trying to be funny but the fact that he was once again getting into something that didn't involve him burnt me. I finished what I could with the assignment, emailed all the supervisor and branch manager to give me comments and I would send the final response to the contracting officer Monday AM. After doing this, I shut my laptop down and lock it up because it was time for me to leave. I was over telling one of the ladies goodbye for the day when Tim comes over to ask me if I'd shut me computer down. I told him yes, thinking that he had sent me an email. He responded, "well Dave (the branch manager) said you had to get that memo out first thing Monday morning." I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth and replied, "Why are you always in my business?" Tim had read the emails between the manager, supervisors and myself over his supervisors shoulder. He just stared and laughed. This put me on the edge and I took 3 steps back and held 2 fingers about an inch apart and told him, "my patience with you is about this big at this moment." He stood there looking at me as if he didn't understand when John, his supervisor who was within hearing range and saw the incident spoke up and said, "If that look was being casted on me, I'd being moving." He quickly left and as I was leaving John was walking out the door behind me. He said, "Sounds like Tim was all in your business again." I just told him, "I'm about ready to rip him a new one." Johns reply, "Make it a BIG one."
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Home Sweet Home
I'm home! It was a good trip. I like making these trips for various reasons. One is that I get to meet people and second I find it very interesting the jobs these people do. In general if you ask them what they are doing they love to tell you. It amazes me the things that are being done in this country that no one knows about. Maybe someday I can tell thing I see, hear and even get to "test". Next week I'm heading up to Blacksburg, VA for a couple days. I'm looking forward to seeing what these folks do.
On a dorky note ..... did anyone notice the post I made yesterday about Katie was on April 13th....5 years to the day from when we met face-to-face. Yeah that was intentional...dorky yes but it has it's own meaning that I Katie & I both understand.
On a dorky note ..... did anyone notice the post I made yesterday about Katie was on April 13th....5 years to the day from when we met face-to-face. Yeah that was intentional...dorky yes but it has it's own meaning that I Katie & I both understand.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Katie
Back to talking nice about friends! Today edition is about Katie. Katie and I "met" in a strange way. We "met" because of the DeFranco family website. Katie had made a post on the board there and I read it. I wasn't one to just randomly email people but for some reason her post hit a cord with me and I emailed her. We started emailing each other and chatting on ICQ. We found that we a great deal in common. We both had weiner dogs, both of our Dads loved bluegrass music, we both grew up knowing Tony D. would marry us and we both eventually dumped him for others! lol! There were / are lots of things we have in common but I'll not mention them because it's not necessary.
One of my fondest memories of chatting with Katie online was her daughter singing to me. She sang "Abra-ca-dabra" and I teased her greatly in telling her that I recorded it and was going to send it to Tony. It was funny for Katie & I but I know for her daughter it wasn't. I imagine that if her daughter reads this, she still won't find the humor in it but I can assure her that the recording is gone with computer crash. By the way, she was very good a singing the song.
We agreed one night that when we finally got the chance to meet face-to-face it would be while seeing the DeFranco's perform. This was somewhat of a joke and we didn't believe a performance would happen. It wasn't long after making this joke that it was announced the re-release party at BB Kings in Universal City, CA for April 13, 2000. Katie & I chatted online, talked on the phone and to the disbelief of our families purchased airline tickets and secured hotel reservations. We were finally going to meet overy 2000 miles away from where we lived. By the way, Katie's in Kentucky and I'm in North Carolina. So on April 13th, we both board flights, she on Northwest, me on American heading for LA. We met at the airport and immediately knew who one another was. We spent the next couple days in LA, laughing, exchanging stories and seeing the DeFranco's perform. While many thought we were crazy (and maybe we were), we were and still are close friends. The day we parted at the airport to head back home was sad. The time there didn't last long enough. (I'll dig out a photo when I return home!)
Since the LA trip, Katie has been to NC for business and we were able to meet up again. I've travelled close to where she lives but due to circumstances we weren't able to see each other. I'll be within 3 hours of her home again later this year and will definitely drive up to see her. We've kept in contact, granted a few weeks, a month might pass by but we know the other is close by no matter what!
Friendship are golden and Katie is definitely golden. It took a concert by the DeFranco's to bring us together but it's been our friendship that has kept us together.
One of my fondest memories of chatting with Katie online was her daughter singing to me. She sang "Abra-ca-dabra" and I teased her greatly in telling her that I recorded it and was going to send it to Tony. It was funny for Katie & I but I know for her daughter it wasn't. I imagine that if her daughter reads this, she still won't find the humor in it but I can assure her that the recording is gone with computer crash. By the way, she was very good a singing the song.
We agreed one night that when we finally got the chance to meet face-to-face it would be while seeing the DeFranco's perform. This was somewhat of a joke and we didn't believe a performance would happen. It wasn't long after making this joke that it was announced the re-release party at BB Kings in Universal City, CA for April 13, 2000. Katie & I chatted online, talked on the phone and to the disbelief of our families purchased airline tickets and secured hotel reservations. We were finally going to meet overy 2000 miles away from where we lived. By the way, Katie's in Kentucky and I'm in North Carolina. So on April 13th, we both board flights, she on Northwest, me on American heading for LA. We met at the airport and immediately knew who one another was. We spent the next couple days in LA, laughing, exchanging stories and seeing the DeFranco's perform. While many thought we were crazy (and maybe we were), we were and still are close friends. The day we parted at the airport to head back home was sad. The time there didn't last long enough. (I'll dig out a photo when I return home!)
Since the LA trip, Katie has been to NC for business and we were able to meet up again. I've travelled close to where she lives but due to circumstances we weren't able to see each other. I'll be within 3 hours of her home again later this year and will definitely drive up to see her. We've kept in contact, granted a few weeks, a month might pass by but we know the other is close by no matter what!
Friendship are golden and Katie is definitely golden. It took a concert by the DeFranco's to bring us together but it's been our friendship that has kept us together.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Columbia
I made down to Columbia and I'm pretty much staring at the walls in this room. At least it's a nice room as far as hotel rooms go. Okay I admit it, I'm bored!
I just found out that I can create these posts but don't publish them with this slow dialup.
I just found out that I can create these posts but don't publish them with this slow dialup.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Off on a mission....
I'll be gone for a few days for work. Heading down to Columbia, SC in the morning. Yippee what an unexciting place. Well if the hotel has "freebies" like the one in Charleston that I stayed at a few weeks ago then it might be worth it. I will not go into any details about "freebies" but someone did receive emails during my adventures there.
Oh...more reasons why I need to trade my car:
1. I think the brakes need replacing (okay maybe it's just my imagination.)
2. The oil needs changing.
3. The car needs washing.
I'm digging deep now! ha!
Everyone enjoy the week and I'm sure I'll have stories from Columbia.....especially since my visit to the contractor is unannounced and they aren't expecting me.
One last note....Delta Airlines lost my business for the surprise trip I'm planning. American Airlines came through with better rates and flight times. Best of all, I don't have to step foot in Atlanta!
Oh...more reasons why I need to trade my car:
1. I think the brakes need replacing (okay maybe it's just my imagination.)
2. The oil needs changing.
3. The car needs washing.
I'm digging deep now! ha!
Everyone enjoy the week and I'm sure I'll have stories from Columbia.....especially since my visit to the contractor is unannounced and they aren't expecting me.
One last note....Delta Airlines lost my business for the surprise trip I'm planning. American Airlines came through with better rates and flight times. Best of all, I don't have to step foot in Atlanta!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Customer Service is located where?
So this Irish-lass needs to rant a moment. Yeah yeah what else is new.
I just got off the phone with Delta Airlines. I usually make my reservations over the internet but because my final destination isn't on this list of places, I needed to call them. I tell the customer service lady (who has a strong Indian accent) that I'd like to depart GSO to ... (okay I can't list the location this is a surprise trip). She puts me on hold, returns to tell me she sees a reservation already for me. I explain that is for May and I'm trying to book November. She puts me on hold then comes back and wants to know if she can send me to a different arrival city. It took me 10 minutes to explain that I didn't care how I got there as long as I got to my final destination. I'm put back on hold and she returns to give me the information: Greendoe (should be Greensboro) to Cincatchi (should be Cincinnati) to --- to --- to ---. She could not say any of the cities correctly. At the beginning of the conversation I told her I wanted a 6 am flight, she came back with 4 pm leaving a day earlier. I told her forget it that American Airlines would charge me more but they at least could get me there.
If I had made this reservation I probably would have ended up in Iceland for New Years.
I just got off the phone with Delta Airlines. I usually make my reservations over the internet but because my final destination isn't on this list of places, I needed to call them. I tell the customer service lady (who has a strong Indian accent) that I'd like to depart GSO to ... (okay I can't list the location this is a surprise trip). She puts me on hold, returns to tell me she sees a reservation already for me. I explain that is for May and I'm trying to book November. She puts me on hold then comes back and wants to know if she can send me to a different arrival city. It took me 10 minutes to explain that I didn't care how I got there as long as I got to my final destination. I'm put back on hold and she returns to give me the information: Greendoe (should be Greensboro) to Cincatchi (should be Cincinnati) to --- to --- to ---. She could not say any of the cities correctly. At the beginning of the conversation I told her I wanted a 6 am flight, she came back with 4 pm leaving a day earlier. I told her forget it that American Airlines would charge me more but they at least could get me there.
If I had made this reservation I probably would have ended up in Iceland for New Years.
That Busy Signal....
Yeah, I know I haven't posted in a couple days....but I've really been constructive (destructive.)
I'm going to be out of town a few days during the next couple weeks for work. I'll be in such exciting locations as: Columbia, SC; Blacksburg, VA; and Chapel Hill, NC. In May, I'll spend a few more days at Ft. Bragg, NC. This place amazes me. Watching our military at work gives you a sense of pride. I find myself constantly saying "thank you" to the soldiers there. Before anyone frowns.....just remember they have a job to do and that's to protect your ass, so don't go groaning about Iraq, because I'm sure the majority of them would rather be elsewhere. As a matter of fact before you start groaning, answer me this: Why aren't you in the military if you know do much. Okay end of this Irish Rant. Back to travels......at the end of May we're off on our yearly 10 day vacation......keep your eyes open as you never know where we'll be. haha! In June, I head back to Memphis for a week. If you've never been to Memphis.....well don't make an effort to get there. The DCAI (training institute) is in a shady section of town.......across the street is a place where you can sell your plasma....they start lining up at 8 am.....the doors open at 9 am.....the projects are on the other side of the institute. Aw....I should hold off on Memphis until June....More to come.........
Megan, the wonder niece, has out done herself: This is her latest message, dated April 7th:
"Sometimes I am just so brilliant that I amaze myself. Photographic
evidence of my brilliance can be found here. This morning I had an
unfortunate incident involving my car and my parents newspaper box. Lesson learned: I should never pull my car up beside a newspaper box in an effort to retrieve the paper without actually exiting my vehicle. I'm going to try and get an estimate today."
By the way, she is blond. HA! She'll love me forever for that one....but it is true!
Received an email this morning from Pam. She is my pal Ken's wife. They live in Maryland and I meet Ken through our ongoing work in graduate school. This was the message:
"On Saturday morning, Ken sustained a significant injury to his right eye. He is currently unable to see anything (other than light) from that eye. He is on bedrest and must see the ophthalmologist on a daily basis for at least the next five days. It is imperitive to stop the bleeding that is occurring inside of his eye and to insure there is no re-bleeding. At this time, we do not know if he will recover his sight or what portion of it he may recover."
Ken is a good guy. Pam & he have a couple of kids and he always speaks highly of his family. His been nicknamed by our group in our IS class, "Elvis." Long story but the short of it.....Elvis take care and you're in my thoughts. Have Pam call if you need anything!
Let me end with some upbeat news: Tomorrow, April 11th is Mama Wood's 79th birthday. Happy Day! A few people know the "trying" times earlier in the year when things were looking bleak. To those who don't know (sorry, I didn't share with very many people....actually only one person knew.) Mama Wood had lost weight and was at a whopping 94 pounds. She wasn't eating and was always tired. After numerous tests we were finally told that the chance of her condition being leukemia was 90 to 95%. Well I'm proud to say that she won with the 5 to 10% chance and didn't have leukemia. She still has issues with her white cell count and must see the doctor on a regular basis but, she is eating and feisty as ever. Happy Birthday Dear Lady!!!!!
So with that said....back to being busy.....aw that pest busy signal....beep beep beep!
I'm going to be out of town a few days during the next couple weeks for work. I'll be in such exciting locations as: Columbia, SC; Blacksburg, VA; and Chapel Hill, NC. In May, I'll spend a few more days at Ft. Bragg, NC. This place amazes me. Watching our military at work gives you a sense of pride. I find myself constantly saying "thank you" to the soldiers there. Before anyone frowns.....just remember they have a job to do and that's to protect your ass, so don't go groaning about Iraq, because I'm sure the majority of them would rather be elsewhere. As a matter of fact before you start groaning, answer me this: Why aren't you in the military if you know do much. Okay end of this Irish Rant. Back to travels......at the end of May we're off on our yearly 10 day vacation......keep your eyes open as you never know where we'll be. haha! In June, I head back to Memphis for a week. If you've never been to Memphis.....well don't make an effort to get there. The DCAI (training institute) is in a shady section of town.......across the street is a place where you can sell your plasma....they start lining up at 8 am.....the doors open at 9 am.....the projects are on the other side of the institute. Aw....I should hold off on Memphis until June....More to come.........
Megan, the wonder niece, has out done herself: This is her latest message, dated April 7th:
"Sometimes I am just so brilliant that I amaze myself. Photographic
evidence of my brilliance can be found here. This morning I had an
unfortunate incident involving my car and my parents newspaper box. Lesson learned: I should never pull my car up beside a newspaper box in an effort to retrieve the paper without actually exiting my vehicle. I'm going to try and get an estimate today."
By the way, she is blond. HA! She'll love me forever for that one....but it is true!
Received an email this morning from Pam. She is my pal Ken's wife. They live in Maryland and I meet Ken through our ongoing work in graduate school. This was the message:
"On Saturday morning, Ken sustained a significant injury to his right eye. He is currently unable to see anything (other than light) from that eye. He is on bedrest and must see the ophthalmologist on a daily basis for at least the next five days. It is imperitive to stop the bleeding that is occurring inside of his eye and to insure there is no re-bleeding. At this time, we do not know if he will recover his sight or what portion of it he may recover."
Ken is a good guy. Pam & he have a couple of kids and he always speaks highly of his family. His been nicknamed by our group in our IS class, "Elvis." Long story but the short of it.....Elvis take care and you're in my thoughts. Have Pam call if you need anything!
Let me end with some upbeat news: Tomorrow, April 11th is Mama Wood's 79th birthday. Happy Day! A few people know the "trying" times earlier in the year when things were looking bleak. To those who don't know (sorry, I didn't share with very many people....actually only one person knew.) Mama Wood had lost weight and was at a whopping 94 pounds. She wasn't eating and was always tired. After numerous tests we were finally told that the chance of her condition being leukemia was 90 to 95%. Well I'm proud to say that she won with the 5 to 10% chance and didn't have leukemia. She still has issues with her white cell count and must see the doctor on a regular basis but, she is eating and feisty as ever. Happy Birthday Dear Lady!!!!!
So with that said....back to being busy.....aw that pest busy signal....beep beep beep!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
When the Past Calls.......
This afternoon I was sitting on the deck enjoying the nice 78 degree temps when the phone rang. When I answered the phone this male voice says, "how the hell are you, Patti." I didn't recognize the voice and replied back, "well that depends on who the hell you are." This roar of laughter filled my ear and a reply of "Lewis." I sat quietly for a moment before saying, "who died?" There was some chit-chat, as we had about 12 years of catching up to do before I asked, "how'd you find me, I don't even live in the same state." He laughed again and told me that I was a smart girl and could figure it out. Finally he told me that the reason he called was that he was trying to find all the "East Coast Competition Team" members and invite them to a surprise dinner for Master Kim. I thought for a moment and asked Lewis if he remember the last time I saw Kim.....I had to remind him of that day.....Kim is about 5'4", 7th degree black belt and he put the bottom of his foot on my forehead and pinned me to the wall and proceeded to give me a 35 minute lecture. I think I wore his footprint on my forehead for about a year. Kim is good guy and I'll try to make this dinner in his honor. Lewis & I ended our conversation. About 30 seconds after we hung up the phone rang again and Lewis' said, "We're putting the team back together." I sat silent for about 10 seconds and hung up. The phone rang again (I know why did I answer...) and the conversation went something like this:
Lewis: I said we're putting the team back together.
Me: I heard you the first time before I hung up.
Lewis: Really we're putting the team back together.
Me: Who is we?
Lewis: Duane, Preston and me.
Me: Have you lost your minds?
Lewis: No, are you ready?
Me: No, really have you lost your minds?
Lewis: No, ARE you ready?
Me: Ready for what?
Lewis: To start putting it all back together?
Me: You're joking right?
Lewis: No, we've got Ernie, Harold, and Rodney on board.
Me: What about Jerry?
Lewis: Haven't called him yet.
Me: (laughing) I wished on could be on that call.
Lewis: This isn't about Jerry, we need you on board, you were the only girl on the team.
Me: Yeah I was SO special....Lewis have you lost your mind?
Lewis: No, we're putting it back together for a charity function that's not until this fall.
(he goes on to tell me it's the American Heart Association....knowing that this would probably hook me because of my Dad!)
Me: Hey that' s cool, I'll send you a check.
Lewis: I don't want your damn money.
Me: Do you realize I've had 2 knee surgeries and I'm the youngest person on this team?
Lewis: Do you realize I've had 1 knee surgery and been fixed?
Me: At least you've been fixed, that's a relief for society.
Lewis: You're back on the team.
Me: I was never off......I'm just permanently retired.
Lewis: You're doing it....I'll be in touch. (he hangs up.)
So the moral of this story....When the Past Calls.....Don't Answer!
Lewis: I said we're putting the team back together.
Me: I heard you the first time before I hung up.
Lewis: Really we're putting the team back together.
Me: Who is we?
Lewis: Duane, Preston and me.
Me: Have you lost your minds?
Lewis: No, are you ready?
Me: No, really have you lost your minds?
Lewis: No, ARE you ready?
Me: Ready for what?
Lewis: To start putting it all back together?
Me: You're joking right?
Lewis: No, we've got Ernie, Harold, and Rodney on board.
Me: What about Jerry?
Lewis: Haven't called him yet.
Me: (laughing) I wished on could be on that call.
Lewis: This isn't about Jerry, we need you on board, you were the only girl on the team.
Me: Yeah I was SO special....Lewis have you lost your mind?
Lewis: No, we're putting it back together for a charity function that's not until this fall.
(he goes on to tell me it's the American Heart Association....knowing that this would probably hook me because of my Dad!)
Me: Hey that' s cool, I'll send you a check.
Lewis: I don't want your damn money.
Me: Do you realize I've had 2 knee surgeries and I'm the youngest person on this team?
Lewis: Do you realize I've had 1 knee surgery and been fixed?
Me: At least you've been fixed, that's a relief for society.
Lewis: You're back on the team.
Me: I was never off......I'm just permanently retired.
Lewis: You're doing it....I'll be in touch. (he hangs up.)
So the moral of this story....When the Past Calls.....Don't Answer!
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
You Missed....
I get completely turned off and disgusted with others who take advantage of someone to boost their own ego. I would say that you know who you are but you're reading this thinking, "I so agree." The way that you got your jollies over intimidating someone and causing them complete frustration was totally uncalled for. Amazingly you preach to everyone what a good person you. I guess you must preach to convince yourself. At one time I thought it was possible that you were bi-polar but I realize now that you are just surfing on you own big ego trip. Before long you will wipe out. Talking down to someone and continually taking jabs at this person is low. You took great pride and had much laughter in how bad you were making this person feel, knowing all along that this person has self-esteem issues to begin with. There's no words to describe you because they're all too good for you! Leave others alone who are not able to fight back and pick a battle with someone who can.....or is it that you know you can't win.
You should also know that knife you lodged at my back......you missed. Now what you are wondering is what will I do....well I personally have no use for you but I can assure you that if I decide to come back after you.....I won't be a coward and come from behind.....I'm coming in face to face so that you can see me coming.
You should also know that knife you lodged at my back......you missed. Now what you are wondering is what will I do....well I personally have no use for you but I can assure you that if I decide to come back after you.....I won't be a coward and come from behind.....I'm coming in face to face so that you can see me coming.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Happy Birthday Marie!
Marie & Brad
Today is Marie's birthday. She is celebrating #__, haha, I'm not telling and having her after me. I will say that she is older than me! Received an email from her earlier saying that Brad had called her a couple times today and hasn't remembered it's her birthday........aw Brad.....you're in trouble!!!!! Oh wait that's him normal state of things! hehe!
Marie, Buckets of Happy Birthday Wishes!
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Boris
Anyone who has been through the pain of loosing an animal knows that it's bad. I can't imagine how Bob is feeling but having been through the same thing a few years ago with my doxie Pepper I do have the knowledge of how hard this decision was.
Boris is no longer suffering and I can assure Bob there are two wonderful doxie's named Cinnamon and Pepper showing him the ropes on how to get into trouble in an angelic place.
With that said, go hug your animal babies and if you don't have any and don't understand then go donate your time to a shelter or write a check to a local shelter.
Pets love you unconditionally unlike most people.
Boris, my little 4-legged friend, I know you'll be missed!
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Checking for a Pulse.....
I've done absolutely nothing of value today....well I did buy groceries, if it wasn't for that someone would probably have declared me dead. That about sums it up for today maybe with any luck I can do even less tomorrow. No that would probably take some effort.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Don't forget the medicine
I was reading what I wrote about Joan a couple days ago and found a complete false statement. I said that she and I had survived "Cathy"....that is so untrue.....Cathy survived us, as we had her number and took every possible chance to let her know. For some reason Cathy did like me much better than Joan......which made no sense what so ever. Joan held her tongue with her a great deal of the time, whereas I basically didn't care and said whatever popped in my head. With that cleared up....on to other things......
Ran into Robert & Michelle Hundley in Barnes & Noble tonight. Robert & I went to high school together and have a pact....what happened there stays there....... Robert works for a company that has had him traveling to China for the majority of the past 2 or 3 years....I find great humor in this but won't get into that....We started laughing about dumb things that we've done and I still think he has the winner......a couple years back he was going to give his dog her heart worm medicine, without thinking he pops the pill into his own mouth and swallowed. He calls poison control and tells them what he's done, the person on the phone asked him, "sir why did you take the dogs heart worm medicine." By this time he's convince that death is near and gives the phone to his wife. Michelle is laughing so much that she could hardly contain herself....the poison control person tells Michelle that he should be okay and free of heart worms for 30 days. Robert informed me today that he hasn't had heart worms yet.....
Robert has done a great deal of stupid things.......jumping off of a building at the high school and breaking his leg; pulling the fire alarm in the dorm at Elon (which he will still deny) and many drunken moments...including his most recent: He had arrived in China and was met by the customer who took him to dinner; between 3 people they downed 3 bottles of scotch. The next morning when he got up, he called his wife to let her know that he had arrived okay. She told him, "I'm glad to hear that because I was concerned about you after you called last night." He has no memory of making this call or the things he said. He was giving me this concerned look of "please don't say anything to her about that trip I made to Chicago 8 years ago." LOL....he should know that I'm still saving that tidbit for a rainy day.
This is long and boring so don't forget.....heart worm medicine will not hurt you!
Ran into Robert & Michelle Hundley in Barnes & Noble tonight. Robert & I went to high school together and have a pact....what happened there stays there....... Robert works for a company that has had him traveling to China for the majority of the past 2 or 3 years....I find great humor in this but won't get into that....We started laughing about dumb things that we've done and I still think he has the winner......a couple years back he was going to give his dog her heart worm medicine, without thinking he pops the pill into his own mouth and swallowed. He calls poison control and tells them what he's done, the person on the phone asked him, "sir why did you take the dogs heart worm medicine." By this time he's convince that death is near and gives the phone to his wife. Michelle is laughing so much that she could hardly contain herself....the poison control person tells Michelle that he should be okay and free of heart worms for 30 days. Robert informed me today that he hasn't had heart worms yet.....
Robert has done a great deal of stupid things.......jumping off of a building at the high school and breaking his leg; pulling the fire alarm in the dorm at Elon (which he will still deny) and many drunken moments...including his most recent: He had arrived in China and was met by the customer who took him to dinner; between 3 people they downed 3 bottles of scotch. The next morning when he got up, he called his wife to let her know that he had arrived okay. She told him, "I'm glad to hear that because I was concerned about you after you called last night." He has no memory of making this call or the things he said. He was giving me this concerned look of "please don't say anything to her about that trip I made to Chicago 8 years ago." LOL....he should know that I'm still saving that tidbit for a rainy day.
This is long and boring so don't forget.....heart worm medicine will not hurt you!
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