I'm Always Mentally on Vacation: November 2010

2010 Vacation Recap

I started to write this morning to defend myself on the amount of leisure time I take.

You see the book by Tim Ferris, The Four Hour Work Week, tries to do what I already do but my way is better.

I prefer to work in long spurts then take a week or so completely off. Tim professes that one should derive income some way passively, adjust your lifestyle to that income, and then enjoy.

Fortunately I don’t just work to sustain myself, I do a job I love. And I love my time off. What could be better...all the while I never shun my responsibilities of saving for retirement, health care, taxes, giving etc.

So let me recap a year in wReggie terms, February a week in St Croix, March 5 days in Las Vegas, April 6 days at The Masters, May 7 days in St Croix, July 10 days at Jekyll Island, GA, September 7 days in St Croix, October 14 days in Jekyll Island, GA, December 4 days in Banner Elk, NC, December 4 days in West Plam Beach, FL.

None of these vacations were comped and I paid for them all. All were taken inexpensively except for the annual Feb Trip to St Croix where we tend to live it up more on air fare and lodging.

Who would want to retire from a job they love and a lifestyle others dream about?

HOME WORK ASSIGNMENT - copy and paste the following into Google Translator: pv zk pv pv zk pv zk kz zk pv pv pv zk pv zk zk pzk pzk pvzkpkzvpvzk kkkkkk bsch . Then set the translator to German to German. Then listen.

WARNING - Side effects of this blog may include: gas with oily discharge, headache or diarrhea.

A Pizza Induced Dream.....

I dreamed I was dropped hanged for a crime that I did not remember. It was efficient and painless.

I did remain in a state of awareness after I died and literally got up and walked around. Some people could see me and others couldn't. I could see some folks that were hidden from the living.

Everything was free now. I could eat meals and tab was on someone else. I stayed in hotels for free.

But I was alone and lonely.

I woke up very thirsty and remembered that I ate anchovy pizza before bed.

WARNING - Side effects may include: gas with oily discharge, headache or diarrhea.

The Holiday

There have been a couple of highlights over this long holiday weekend.

First Gigi and I celebrated 31 years of marriage Wednesday. I bought some nice champagne and we enjoyed the bottle in front of a fire after dinner out.

Then Thanksgiving Day I picked up the father in law from assisted living. He sat on the sofa and did what he does at the assisted living facility and work cross word puzzles.

My sister in law fixed some wonderful grazing food including a variety of stinky cheese.

My mother in law armed with the rumor that her ex now may be wearing adult diapers started swearing that the father in law had shit his pants. She walked around the room sniffing the air and settled on a spot between the FIL and the freshly cut cheese. I asked her to sniff the cheese and she settled down.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Water?

Like most folks I am drawn to water. Since I don’t live on water front property I have decided to explore the possibility of creating waterfront property right here at my home.

The house sits on a hill with the lower ⅓ acre down the hill with access to a creek. This lower ⅓ acre could make a stunning landscape addition. Ideally It would make a beautiful black water pond. I assume it would turn black in a few years from all the acid in decaying leaves.

Even more beautiful would be to reroute the driveway to bring guests around this pond.

It’ all a matter of money now. I have three contractors and hope to get bids soon.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Recovery Missions

I have been asked to lead 4 recovery missions underwater.

Two are anchor recoveries from two different lakes. An anchor with chain and all the rigging gets expensive.

Another is a golf bag recovery at out club from a pond. The bag was on a push cart with an umbrella when the wind kicked up and took it to the middle of the pond. He wants me to wait until after the insurance pays before I recovery it.

The last recovery mission is most intriguing. About 5 years ago my brother in law was repairing a 30 foot cruiser when it caught fire and sunk in 60 feet of water. The boat rests in a fresh water mountain lake.

Our mission is to recover tools and a sealed bottle of Grey Goose Vodka on board.

Once I get my dry suit in and a few dives on it then I’ll be ready to tackle these cold water dives.

NEW- North Carolina is dead to me.

My State is a Very....

The State of North Carolina can kindly kiss my ass.

Today the former Governor is working out a plea deal to avoid prison while the former house speaker is doing hard time. The state government is crooked as a dog’s hind leg. But I knew that.

The coast and especially the Outer Banks are covered in mosquitoes and storms. It is cold and rainy in the winter and dreadfully hot in the summer and there are hurricanes. The waters are treturous hence, The Graveyard of the Atlantic as her waters are known by.

The mountains are cold and rainy.

The middle of the state is orange clay and looks like anywhere else in the lower 48. Nothing special, a McDonalds, Home Depot, a closed box store, interstate highways and trees.

Income and sales taxes are way too high.

But NC has been home for 54 years. But still NC….kiss my ass.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

NFL

So this is how it feels to be a dyed in the wool fan of the worst team in the NFL. I will take encouragement knowing that we have the number one draft pick (if Fox didn’t trade it away) and the knowledge that we will not linger here season after season like perennial losers Detroit, San Francisco and Oakland.

Plus we will have a new coach, staff, labor agreement and perhaps a whole year off for all the bodies to heal if we don’t get a labor agreement right away.

By golly…we will be Superbowl champs in 2013!

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

I Miss First Grade Sometimes

Just for you children of the 1960’s when your elementary school teacher would make a seasonal themed bulletin board. I always liked the gaudy thanksgiving cutouts and especially the corn.

Throw in a pumpkin, apple, a few leaves and a nasty box and you got memory lane.

Yes sir.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Thursday Sermon

I have friends that temper their life with a coating of general misery as to imply that one must be miserable to be alive and one should only be happy when deserving and the proper amount of personal suffering has been attained.

Personally I prefer uplifting people…people whose temper rarely shows.

Life will deliver its portion of misery without you creating your own.

People will disappoint you and you yourself will disappoint others. There are many gray areas in life.

Please don’t fall into the trap of creating misery. You alone are responsible for your mood either good or bad. You have that power. Use it for good.

End of Sermon.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Well Explained

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Disgusting…But Cute

Haley gets a clean bill of health today from her doctor and a warm hug. She is trooper. No more bandages, medicine and it all worked out for the best. She is missing a leg but her other paw will have a full recovery. I am so thankful.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Going Paperless

I got no less than 3 telephone calls about my wReggie wRants post the other day trying to figure out who, or what set me off. All of them from readers that never post a comment but read none the less.

Check out this Obama truck. I saw this in the parking lot of one of my watering holes and had to do a double take. This wouldn’t haul 5 cases of cat food up a hill but it is cute. It would make a nice vender conversion.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and count my curly bulbs now.

Coop de Ville

Yesterday morning I decided to film a little morning action around the barn.

The writer of this blog is the chairman of the board of the Duke Hunnicutt Poultry Institute and so expects readers to be impressed with the title. He is also is a published in the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine magazine.

wReggie wRant

From time to time I get comments from folks like, “dude…you have way too much time on your hands”, with the intent of insulting what I do and write about on my blog.

First of all I have the same amount of time that everyone does. What I do with segments of my time is my business. Maybe others should spend their time more wisely and let the creative child inside get a turn. Lighten up and laugh. Its okay.

Second, the blog for me is my art. Go to an art exhibit where the artists are there showing their creativity and say, “dude…you have way too much time on your hands” and see how that goes over.

Third I get calls to sensor what I write mostly from people that aren’t regular readers. Let me be clear, this is mine and all mine. I will write about anything that I damn well care to write about.

I have written things that I regret but never eased or removed the words…I live with them. Believe me there is a lot of stuff I don’t say.

If you disagree with me that is fine but the words are mine.

This Morning....

I was in the mood for some comfort food so I broke out the taters, onions, fresh eggs, leftover frozen tailgate brats, and some toast with butter and coffee.

Oh my that was good!

NOTE: This blog has gone green for your benefit. The writer now bathes in Bambu Earth Soap and allows chicken feces to return to the earth naturally. Plus I recycle, I like windmills and puppies and even use those darn curly lights President Bush made us use, the ones full of mercury. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy without me having to really do anything constructive.

Last evening when the sun went down….

We had a few folks over to help with chores. The construction is winding down for now.

I decided it was time to build the first fire of the season on the deck fireplace. We drank a few beers, ate a few oysters on the half shell and watched it get dark.

In the background is my guest house. Yes…I know…I need to clean the gutters.

Then I went inside and watched Rocky Horror Picture Show on Netflix on demand. That is one damn freaky movie that I’ll retire for another 20 years.

Hello Friday! Welcome.

If Facebook existed years ago...

Diving in Winter?

I did it. I dove yesterday on November 18, 2010 in a rock quarry.

It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the upper 60’s.

The surface was 62 and that temperature carried to about 38 feet where the drop was felt.

Visibility on the “deep” side was fantastic at about 25 feet. I have never seen the visibility this good here.

We stayed around 35 feet for 45 minutes.

Both of us wore a 5mm suit with a 2mm suit under this. The cold was apparent but not too bad.

My dry suit is on order.

This blog is going paperless. All content is electronic and you should feel good! I might go and could my curly bulbs now.

Knee Update

Osmosis amoebas! I think I have solved the knee problem.

I am wearing a brace today on my left knee and I have become keenly aware that I fold that left leg under my right leg with such frequency that I have somehow strained the left knee joint. I do it at my desk and I do it when I am driving.

No damn wonder. It feels better already.

Injury Report

Alas I am down with an injury. Somehow I tweaked my left knee yesterday and this morning it is worse. It only is extremely painful when I bend it. Otherwise it throbs.

I tend to push at times like this body is 25 years younger.

Just maybe I’ll go to the doc in a box today to at least get it seen professionally.

Until then, I bid you adieu.

What I Do on Sunday

Chicken Storm Windows

I Donned the Dickies then.....

In the natural order of things I should be traveling to the Virgin Islands today to winter. Alas, I have a job and responsibilities that sustain me and therefore I must stay here.

I can say now that insulated Dickies do rock. My ventures outside in the cold have been less troublesome.

Ever wonder why puppies are so darn cute? You’d kill them otherwise.

And so at 2 AM my brain woke me up to tell me of the hopelessness of winter had arrived via Easter Standard Time.

Having enjoyed an anchovy pizza for supper seemed like a good idea and now my body was calling for a cool refreshing Diet Pepsi.

Then the dogs all lined up at the door to do business. I explained the hour but Tanner insisted.

So I let them all out with instructions to come back soon. I felt sorry for little Galaxy so I donned my Dickies and commenced to hook up her leash when she bolted out the door.

I headed into the dark with a flashlight that throws a beam like in movies. I saw the chickens roosting and a flash of Galaxy. Stubborn bitch.

I saw the horses sleeping. Then Tanner gathered Galaxy in my general direction and she slipped away.

Eventually the trail led me into the neighborhood where I tackled Galaxy in a neighbor’s yard.

I carried her in my arms back to the house remembering why I avoided puppies over mature dogs.

She is such and puppy and that is a good thing.

NOTE: This blog is going green. The writer now bathes in Bambu Earth Soap and allows chicken feces to return to the earth naturally. Plus I recycle, I like windmills and puppies and even use those darn curly lights President Bush made us use. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy without me having to really do anything constructive.

Proper Eggs

He cooks a damn good egg as do I. I do start mine on medium high heat well beaten then immediately into the pan and reduce to medium heat. Never stop stirring. Then thrown in salt and pepper and any sissy stuff you might want. The butter is important. The results are fantastic.

NOTE: This blog is going green. The writer now bathes in Bambu Earth Soap and allows chicken feces to return to the earth naturally. Plus I recycle, I like windmills and puppies. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy without me having to really do anything constructive.

Home again

We are finally home after our fall recess.

Yesterday was spent packing and traveling.

Apparently there is fabled lore in dog’s worlds of their masters leaving them behind trapped forever at an unfriendly campground….where they are left to fend for themselves among wild animals.

At least my dogs think this. They all have a knowing when the train is leaving and like a good Baptist they want to be in that number when the saints go marching in. So they become a pain in the ass running to the door and huddling around my feet.

We decided to walk them all and put them in the vehicle for the last hour and it turns out this is a great idea.

Logically Gigi takes three dogs in the 87 4Runner. She makes a big nest in the back and the all sleep. Two dogs and Boscoe the parrot ride with me in the tow vehicle. Then we talk to each other up and down the highway on a two way radio planning fuel and food stops.

Boscoe even knows when we are a few miles from home.

Paint

I have become a big fan of fresh exterior paint. Preferably satin or gloss finish.

My house now has a new fresh coat of paint and it looks so good. Come on winter.

The bathhouse/Laundry on the campground just got a fresh coat and it looks so good. The bathhouse is painted turquoise with cream trim. You know how I like rich colors….even gaudy some may say.

My RV steps have multiple colors of paint and although they are dirty the brilliant paint stands through.

On Tuesday I was at a business that was actually an old house that was receiving a traditional paint job of light gray with white trim and the wooden decking painted battleship gray. It all looked so neat and tidy.

Yes good old paint delivers. Put it on correctly with good primer and use good quality paint and you have an exterior to express colors and character.

100 Days

100 days until my winter recess. This was me at my favorite place on earth last September, about 65 days ago.

I Am Blessed

I Am So Angry!

My day to be mad and angry, but I am happy. I thought it was just me that thought the current government was not only liars and thieves but they intended to do harm to the unborn my spending their money now. But it looks as if I wasn’t alone.

I will now go outside and moonwalk.

I borrow the words from a victory post two years ago and substitute a few words.

Happy Liberation Day!!

It is officially Liberation Day in the Jekyll Island Campground.

The people who really matter are THRILLED today. We are ecstatic to see the end of the evil empire and the dawn of the age of hope and truth. Even though it was overcast and gloomy outside today, I personally felt liberated from the Bar-ac-sh-it that we’ve endured for the past 2 friggin’ years! I just want to break out in song!

We’re home tonight drinking wine and we may go out to toast the new government with friends. Yes! Let the celebration continue.

But then, let’s get up in the morning, roll up our sleeves and get to work fixing the mess we’ve been left!

A Poem

This morning walking for my exercise,

I felt the presence of prying eyes.

I looked at the tree,

And it was looking at me,

So I took a picture,

See guys?

Get out and vote early and often

Remember the results today are not an attack on a person but rather the consequences for what they did. Winners today will stand in judgment in 2 years.

I hope your team wins.

Afternoon Walk with the Dogs

I did a remarkable amount of work today for being on vacation. I even met with a client, made out going calls and took incoming calls.

A lot of work was done online.

Then I went to town to order a hubcap for my truck.

The other day I brushed a car in a parking lot with my plastic hubcap and it tore off the front bumper of a car. I left a note confessing the transgression and he called. I am sure this isn’t going to be cheap but I am also sure it was the right thing to do. The damn plastic hub cap was $67.

Then I took a long walk down clam creek with Galaxy and Tanner. Enjoy.

I'm Always Mentally on Vacation

2010 Vacation Recap

A Pizza Induced Dream.....

The Holiday

Water?

Recovery Missions

My State is a Very....

NFL

I Miss First Grade Sometimes

Thursday Sermon

Well Explained

Disgusting…But Cute

Going Paperless

Coop de Ville

wReggie wRant

This Morning....

Last evening when the sun went down….

Hello Friday! Welcome.

If Facebook existed years ago...

Diving in Winter?

Knee Update

Injury Report

What I Do on Sunday

Chicken Storm Windows

I Donned the Dickies then.....

Proper Eggs

Home again

Paint

100 Days

I Am Blessed

I Am So Angry!

A Poem

Get out and vote early and often

Afternoon Walk with the Dogs

About Me

Archive

The man...wReggie