It is common knowledge that a man will revert back to the wild in a rather quick fashion when his woman is no longer around.
Gigi and I have been apart since Sunday and I’ve started doing very stupid man stuff.
Last night I ate one of those tiny boxes of something you throw in the microwave and nothing else. Gigi would have fixed a salad and maybe a roll, set the table, and had a civilized dinner while we watched some girly type sitcom.
I ate the hot stuff from the box and drank a beer.
I switched over to the NFL channel (not on Gigi’s watch) and there was some fantastic footage of games gone by. Why not another beer? Damn I’m still hungry.
So I looked in the cabinet and realize that I am too lazy to even heat a can of anything. What’s that…chipped beef?
I pop the jar of chipped beef and enjoy the salty dried concoction as I drink beer, watch football and fall asleep on the sofa.
What was I thinking, salt, beer, my back is sore, can you say bloated and dehydrated?
We Were Corked!!!
Friday night I was at our wine dinner and the first course was being served. They were pairing a chardonnay with ginger marinated shrimp with some yet to be identified but delicious green with light vinaigrette.
Most of these folks I was with enjoy wine, but they are all novices.
I was away from the table when they poured. When I came back I asked, “How is the wine?”
There were a few half hearted smiles but you could tell no one liked it. I took a sniff and a tiny sip…whew! The bottled had been corked and no one knew it. They just thought it was supposed to taste like ass.
I felt like such a wine snob when I called over the waiter and had the staff collect the undrinkable wine, set out new glasses and poured a most delightful chardonnay.
The whole reason you do all that sniffin’ and sippin’ at first is to make sure that wine is okay before you guests taste it. It’s not to see if you like it.
I had a wine sommelier tell me once that sniffing a cork was useless. Not in this case. The cork smelled like a moldy basement that had just burnt down next to a baby diaper laundry. This was an extreme case of stanky cork.
Most of these folks I was with enjoy wine, but they are all novices.
I was away from the table when they poured. When I came back I asked, “How is the wine?”
There were a few half hearted smiles but you could tell no one liked it. I took a sniff and a tiny sip…whew! The bottled had been corked and no one knew it. They just thought it was supposed to taste like ass.
I felt like such a wine snob when I called over the waiter and had the staff collect the undrinkable wine, set out new glasses and poured a most delightful chardonnay.
The whole reason you do all that sniffin’ and sippin’ at first is to make sure that wine is okay before you guests taste it. It’s not to see if you like it.
I had a wine sommelier tell me once that sniffing a cork was useless. Not in this case. The cork smelled like a moldy basement that had just burnt down next to a baby diaper laundry. This was an extreme case of stanky cork.
I'm Grouchy Today
It makes me mad when I see a sign on an interstate highway announcing a McDonald’s at the next exit. I pull off for a happy meal and the sign says, “McDonalds 3 Miles”. 3 Miles is too damn far to claim you from the highway. If it’s not in sight, then they shouldn’t post the sign.
It makes me mad when I ask someone to repeat a statement and they only repeat select words. Think I will understand what you said better with an incomplete sentence?
It makes me mad when a company tells you that they have a certain policy about something and there is nothing that they can do. I want to tell them I have a policy of coming over to them with a baseball bat to the head and there is nothing I can do.
I makes me mad when I go to a restaurant and they tell you it will be an hour before you can be seated and they take pleasure in that fact. They are trying to discourage you by exaggerating the wait. I tell them I’ll wait and take the first available. 15 Minutes later they call you and stick you in the smoking section…never in the non-smoking as punishment for waiting.
It makes me mad when I ask someone to repeat a statement and they only repeat select words. Think I will understand what you said better with an incomplete sentence?
It makes me mad when a company tells you that they have a certain policy about something and there is nothing that they can do. I want to tell them I have a policy of coming over to them with a baseball bat to the head and there is nothing I can do.
I makes me mad when I go to a restaurant and they tell you it will be an hour before you can be seated and they take pleasure in that fact. They are trying to discourage you by exaggerating the wait. I tell them I’ll wait and take the first available. 15 Minutes later they call you and stick you in the smoking section…never in the non-smoking as punishment for waiting.
Free at Last!
For some reason Blogger thought I was a spammer and falsely blocked me from making any blog entries since Friday.
I plead my case via email, and was just freed from the penalty box.
I plead my case via email, and was just freed from the penalty box.
Just a few More Things
I can’t stand country music or the culture of country music. I’m not sure why I am so militant about this. I hate the big hats, the boots, and the voices all sound similar.
I am purchasing long term care insurance soon so I will be assured that someone will wipe my butt if I cannot.
We have a big weekend planned. Tonight is a big wine dinner at the club. These are always fantastic. Then we take the RV to Southport, NC. I come back Sunday and leave Gigi and three dogs.
I had to order a new antenna for my Jeep. The CD works great but the radio fades.
I have absolutely no problem parallel parking.
I would rather jab a sharp stick in my eye that have to see the movie Hairspray.
One other thing…I prefer store bought pimento cheese spread to any homemade spread.
I am purchasing long term care insurance soon so I will be assured that someone will wipe my butt if I cannot.
We have a big weekend planned. Tonight is a big wine dinner at the club. These are always fantastic. Then we take the RV to Southport, NC. I come back Sunday and leave Gigi and three dogs.
I had to order a new antenna for my Jeep. The CD works great but the radio fades.
I have absolutely no problem parallel parking.
I would rather jab a sharp stick in my eye that have to see the movie Hairspray.
One other thing…I prefer store bought pimento cheese spread to any homemade spread.
Multiple Sr. Moments
Today was the day, mark it down. Today I started doing old man stuff.
Twice, I caught myself going down the highway with my turn signal on. No telling how long it had been on.
I tried to comfort myself by saying that I was in an open vehicle with music blaring.
Then at lunch I crashed my fork into my bottom teeth. This has never happened.
Soon I’ll be looking for white stuff in the corner of my mouth.
What the heck.
Twice, I caught myself going down the highway with my turn signal on. No telling how long it had been on.
I tried to comfort myself by saying that I was in an open vehicle with music blaring.
Then at lunch I crashed my fork into my bottom teeth. This has never happened.
Soon I’ll be looking for white stuff in the corner of my mouth.
What the heck.
Pizza and Stereos
Why oh why does eating pizza before I go to bed make me so thirsty?
Yesterday I was running late for me. I had to meet a co-worker for a drink to discuss an issue, then I needed to drive my Jeep to East Charlotte to hook up literally with my truck and drive the two vehicles home in tandem.
First let me say that I had made a special CD for my Jeep stereo debut. The first track began, “Love in an Elevator” and I cranked it up for the volume test. I looked in my rear view mirror and could only see a blur. The in dash speakers were thumping the windshield enough to shake the mirror.
“Good enough”, I said.
Anyway, I hooked up the vehicles and headed to the grocery store to pick up one of those very thin frozen California Pizzas. I love those things. You can eat the whole thing and it might have 700 calories.
Anyway, I ate the whole thing.
I woke up at 3 AM and I felt like I was mummified. I reached for a bottle of water on my bedside, but none was there.
Darn, the case of water is still in the back of Gigi’s truck. Both of us were too lazy to take it out and now I am in full regret.
I managed to stagger to the sink and drank about 16 Dixie cups full of water, but it was like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic. 10 minutes later I did it again and was able to resume a decent amount of hydration.
Yesterday I was running late for me. I had to meet a co-worker for a drink to discuss an issue, then I needed to drive my Jeep to East Charlotte to hook up literally with my truck and drive the two vehicles home in tandem.
First let me say that I had made a special CD for my Jeep stereo debut. The first track began, “Love in an Elevator” and I cranked it up for the volume test. I looked in my rear view mirror and could only see a blur. The in dash speakers were thumping the windshield enough to shake the mirror.
“Good enough”, I said.
Anyway, I hooked up the vehicles and headed to the grocery store to pick up one of those very thin frozen California Pizzas. I love those things. You can eat the whole thing and it might have 700 calories.
Anyway, I ate the whole thing.
I woke up at 3 AM and I felt like I was mummified. I reached for a bottle of water on my bedside, but none was there.
Darn, the case of water is still in the back of Gigi’s truck. Both of us were too lazy to take it out and now I am in full regret.
I managed to stagger to the sink and drank about 16 Dixie cups full of water, but it was like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic. 10 minutes later I did it again and was able to resume a decent amount of hydration.
Stereo Installation....Day Three....
So far I have about 5 hours invested in this car stereo installation.
I put in a solid 2 ½ hours myself on Monday, and Circuit City gave it a solid 2 ½ hours yesterday. The speakers are still in the box but the radio is in.
I went in to Circuit City late yesterday around 4 PM. Gigi told me to call her if the wait would be long and she would pick me up. I told her not to worry that there was a World Market, Lowes Home Improvement, and Dick’s Sporting Goods that could consume my time. Then I found a sports bar next door that looked like a winner.
There was an old college football game on, so I sat at the bar to order a draught beer. The female bartender said, “What do you want sweetheart”.
I don’t like a strange woman calling me sweetheart, darling or honey. We don’t know each other that well and it makes me blush. Plus by ordering, I was acknowledging that I was her sweetheart.
Anyway the guy called from Circuit City, “Mr. Hunnicutt (deep sigh), this is going to take much longer than I thought. We are going to put in the radio tonight and have to install the speakers tomorrow.”
So now I have a cool looking radio installed and a bunch of speaker wires hanging down ready for speakers.
I did however get to tow my Jeep into town with my pickup and that is always cool. I’ll drop the Jeep off at 11 AM and head back to work.
I hope this gets completed today.
I put in a solid 2 ½ hours myself on Monday, and Circuit City gave it a solid 2 ½ hours yesterday. The speakers are still in the box but the radio is in.
I went in to Circuit City late yesterday around 4 PM. Gigi told me to call her if the wait would be long and she would pick me up. I told her not to worry that there was a World Market, Lowes Home Improvement, and Dick’s Sporting Goods that could consume my time. Then I found a sports bar next door that looked like a winner.
There was an old college football game on, so I sat at the bar to order a draught beer. The female bartender said, “What do you want sweetheart”.
I don’t like a strange woman calling me sweetheart, darling or honey. We don’t know each other that well and it makes me blush. Plus by ordering, I was acknowledging that I was her sweetheart.
Anyway the guy called from Circuit City, “Mr. Hunnicutt (deep sigh), this is going to take much longer than I thought. We are going to put in the radio tonight and have to install the speakers tomorrow.”
So now I have a cool looking radio installed and a bunch of speaker wires hanging down ready for speakers.
I did however get to tow my Jeep into town with my pickup and that is always cool. I’ll drop the Jeep off at 11 AM and head back to work.
I hope this gets completed today.
Huh?
Phones are getting worse, not better. I just called the national line for Circuit City to see about getting a car stereo installed.
I went through a long prompt system. Then a recording came on saying that they had unusually high call volume (at 7:30 AM?) and it may take a while for someone to answer. Maybe I should call back later…click…a real voice came on.
Suddenly a guy starts talking to me and it sounded like he was talking through a comb with wax paper. Remember doing that as a kid? It sounds all buzzed and such.
Then he paused and I said, “I’m sorry, I don’t have a clue about what you just said.”
“Buzz buzz buzz buzz sir, how did you find buzz our phone number?”
Like that makes a crap. “On you web site”, I said.
“Buzz buzz can I help you?”
There was lots of buzzing and talking. I felt like it was having supper conversation with the fly family.
Eventually he told me to take the Jeep and stereo by any Circuit City before 6:00 PM and the stereo would be installed that day without an appointment.
Okay…today I shall hear music!
I went through a long prompt system. Then a recording came on saying that they had unusually high call volume (at 7:30 AM?) and it may take a while for someone to answer. Maybe I should call back later…click…a real voice came on.
Suddenly a guy starts talking to me and it sounded like he was talking through a comb with wax paper. Remember doing that as a kid? It sounds all buzzed and such.
Then he paused and I said, “I’m sorry, I don’t have a clue about what you just said.”
“Buzz buzz buzz buzz sir, how did you find buzz our phone number?”
Like that makes a crap. “On you web site”, I said.
“Buzz buzz can I help you?”
There was lots of buzzing and talking. I felt like it was having supper conversation with the fly family.
Eventually he told me to take the Jeep and stereo by any Circuit City before 6:00 PM and the stereo would be installed that day without an appointment.
Okay…today I shall hear music!
Installing the Stereo
“Shit fire and apple butter”, I said in complete disgust.
Let’s go back my friends to an earlier time that led to this exclamation…..
Today around lunch I got my UPS package that I had been tracking since last week. It was my new Jeep stereo with speakers. I have been daydreaming about installing this system, even more about listening to it.
I had convinced myself after talking with my nephew and technical support, that I was fully capable of installing this new system in my Jeep.
I looked at my calendar and I was free after 2:30. I called Gigi and told her I was coming home to put in the stereo.
I stopped by Radio Shack and bought some a crimping tool and some connectors, then proceeded home.
One sidebar here…When I go in a store, when driving the Jeep, I always take in what is in my vehicle since it cannot be locked. I toss my laptop case on my shoulder and in this case carried my UPS box in Radio Shack.
Employees always get defensive when they see me, like I am some fast Freddie salesman that is descending down upon them. At grocery stores they think I am coming in to do an audit or inventory…end of sidebar.
I got home and changed clothes and decided to start by removing the speakers. I laid head down, with my body in the seat and my feet on the head rest (if there was a head rest there) so I could see behind the instrument panel.
Let me tell you, there is a lot of blood that comes rushing down to the old head. I though at first if something happened to me, that no way would I have time to unfurl. It would be so embarrassing to die this way. I could see Gigi coming out 4 hours later to see me lying upside down and all bloated in the sun.
But I managed and carefully removed the rotting speaker. No wonder it didn’t work.
Next, I tackled the radio. I opened the instrument panel, carefully pulled on the radio followed by a rat’s nest of wiring.
Nothing looked like the illustrations that I was supposed to be seeing.
I called technical support and explained my problem and he said, “Oh shit, this is going to be difficult. Maybe you should find a qualified local installer.”
“Shit fire and apple butter”, I said in complete disgust.
Let’s go back my friends to an earlier time that led to this exclamation…..
Today around lunch I got my UPS package that I had been tracking since last week. It was my new Jeep stereo with speakers. I have been daydreaming about installing this system, even more about listening to it.
I had convinced myself after talking with my nephew and technical support, that I was fully capable of installing this new system in my Jeep.
I looked at my calendar and I was free after 2:30. I called Gigi and told her I was coming home to put in the stereo.
I stopped by Radio Shack and bought some a crimping tool and some connectors, then proceeded home.
One sidebar here…When I go in a store, when driving the Jeep, I always take in what is in my vehicle since it cannot be locked. I toss my laptop case on my shoulder and in this case carried my UPS box in Radio Shack.
Employees always get defensive when they see me, like I am some fast Freddie salesman that is descending down upon them. At grocery stores they think I am coming in to do an audit or inventory…end of sidebar.
I got home and changed clothes and decided to start by removing the speakers. I laid head down, with my body in the seat and my feet on the head rest (if there was a head rest there) so I could see behind the instrument panel.
Let me tell you, there is a lot of blood that comes rushing down to the old head. I though at first if something happened to me, that no way would I have time to unfurl. It would be so embarrassing to die this way. I could see Gigi coming out 4 hours later to see me lying upside down and all bloated in the sun.
But I managed and carefully removed the rotting speaker. No wonder it didn’t work.
Next, I tackled the radio. I opened the instrument panel, carefully pulled on the radio followed by a rat’s nest of wiring.
Nothing looked like the illustrations that I was supposed to be seeing.
I called technical support and explained my problem and he said, “Oh shit, this is going to be difficult. Maybe you should find a qualified local installer.”
“Shit fire and apple butter”, I said in complete disgust.
Stupid, Stupid People
I watched a documentary yesterday about a climber who suffered tremendous frostbite on his hands and face attempting something stupid in a cold climate.
I don’t care stupid person. You shouldn’t have done that, whatever it was. You certainly don’t need to be on TV in high definition glorifying your stupidity.
Have you ever seen a bad case of frostbite? It’s like something out of a horror movie.
Frostbite is 99.99% avoidable. I frequent latitudes where frostbite is impossible.
What a stupid person. I can see me telling Gigi, “I’m going to Antarctica to see if I can cross the continent by foot, and my fingers and nose may turn brown and rot off.”
“Have fun”.
What really gets my panties in a wad is when we send in 3 million dollars worth of rescue equipment just so the idiot will stay alive and remain in the gene pool. What a waste.
I don’t care stupid person. You shouldn’t have done that, whatever it was. You certainly don’t need to be on TV in high definition glorifying your stupidity.
Have you ever seen a bad case of frostbite? It’s like something out of a horror movie.
Frostbite is 99.99% avoidable. I frequent latitudes where frostbite is impossible.
What a stupid person. I can see me telling Gigi, “I’m going to Antarctica to see if I can cross the continent by foot, and my fingers and nose may turn brown and rot off.”
“Have fun”.
What really gets my panties in a wad is when we send in 3 million dollars worth of rescue equipment just so the idiot will stay alive and remain in the gene pool. What a waste.
Its a Commitment
A Jeep is a convertible unlike any other. Most convertibles require you to look around, determine if it is a nice day, and push a button.
Other convertibles demand that you manually flip a few latches, and God forbid, lift and tuck you roof by hand in the back of the car.
A Jeep however is one step away from tent camping in the 1950’s.
The temperature should ideally be 71 degrees or warmer to take down or put up a Jeep roof. At this temperature or warmer the fabric is flexible enough to work with.
5 windows must be removed and untucked. Then they must be stored someplace other than your Jeep. Then the front of the top must be untucked and unsnapped before you can begin the process of collapsing the frame.
Being topless in a Jeep is a commitment. Hell, your windows are at home. You are 30 minutes away from getting the roof back on assuming ideal temperatures.
On Saturday I saw a 3 to 4 day window of good weather so I took off the roof. I’ve learned that scattered thunderstorms are more likely than isolated thunderstorms. Any chance of storms over 30% put me on high alert.
For today, I will enjoy the sun, blue sky, and fresh air with highs of 85.
Other convertibles demand that you manually flip a few latches, and God forbid, lift and tuck you roof by hand in the back of the car.
A Jeep however is one step away from tent camping in the 1950’s.
The temperature should ideally be 71 degrees or warmer to take down or put up a Jeep roof. At this temperature or warmer the fabric is flexible enough to work with.
5 windows must be removed and untucked. Then they must be stored someplace other than your Jeep. Then the front of the top must be untucked and unsnapped before you can begin the process of collapsing the frame.
Being topless in a Jeep is a commitment. Hell, your windows are at home. You are 30 minutes away from getting the roof back on assuming ideal temperatures.
On Saturday I saw a 3 to 4 day window of good weather so I took off the roof. I’ve learned that scattered thunderstorms are more likely than isolated thunderstorms. Any chance of storms over 30% put me on high alert.
For today, I will enjoy the sun, blue sky, and fresh air with highs of 85.
11 Ponder Points
I hate it when I go water skiing, because eventually I will fall. When I fall, cold water goes up my butt no matter how hard I try to pucker. It makes me feel so violated. One time my floatation belt came off and my skis stayed on. I sank like a rock with cold water up my butt.
I love the Saturday night program, Cops. I especially like it when there is a very belligerent drunk and the police have to taser him. Usually once is not enough, and they will taser him again. By then he is very polite. Somehow, I like the overwhelming force of a taser.
I once went on a paintball war game. It was exhilarating to be shot at and have people shoot at you. I took a shot to the ribs at close range and it was so powerful that it knocked me backwards. The paint was red. For a moment I thought I was really shot.
If I was the President of the United States, my first executive order would be to outlaw clogging. It is the most redneck of all the dances. I saw enough of that crap when I went to college in the mountains of North Carolina. I hate Blue Grass music too.
I just heard Layla by Eric Clapton on the radio. I can get lost in that song. It reminds me when I was a freshman in college in 1974. We would get to our favorite bar, Antlers, in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and get the best table between the Ladies room and the 10X10 foot dance floor. The place only had a juke box and tons of other freshmen co-eds drinking beer and laughing. That song Layla would repeat about every 15th song. This was all before the dreaded Disco era.
In St. Croix it is legal to have an open container of beer and drive. It is not legal to drive drunk. You must wear a seat belt and you cannot talk on a cell phone. When I get to St Croix I get a beer ASAP and drive to our villa, mainly because I can.
I always love to look at that cheesy, seasonal stuff at the drug store. I went in CVS today and headed back to the seasonal isle and looked at cheap coolers, cheap fans, bug repellent, sun screen, plastic buckets and pails, and flip flops. I usually will sniff the sun screen. I didn’t today. I feel like a kid looking at that stuff. I’m sad when they change over to autumn stuff.
I still get a distraught panic feeling when I see back to school sales. It used to mean that was the end of summer and fun. I hated going back to school.
I once asked an Armenian friend of mine if he thought in Armenian or English. He thought for a second and said he thought in English. His English is not that good, just good enough to get by. I wonder if he thinks in broken English or good English.
I love bread. Isn’t it funny that stuffing/dressing is considered a vegetable on some menus? Its nothing but bread with tasty ingredients mixed in. I ate turkey with dressing and cornbread at Cracker Barrel on Friday, and didn’t feel guilty because one of those items was considered a vegetable. Vegetables are good for you, right?
I remember Rodney Dangerfield talking about the first time he had sex. He said he was so afraid…and all alone. I thought that was so funny.
I love the Saturday night program, Cops. I especially like it when there is a very belligerent drunk and the police have to taser him. Usually once is not enough, and they will taser him again. By then he is very polite. Somehow, I like the overwhelming force of a taser.
I once went on a paintball war game. It was exhilarating to be shot at and have people shoot at you. I took a shot to the ribs at close range and it was so powerful that it knocked me backwards. The paint was red. For a moment I thought I was really shot.
If I was the President of the United States, my first executive order would be to outlaw clogging. It is the most redneck of all the dances. I saw enough of that crap when I went to college in the mountains of North Carolina. I hate Blue Grass music too.
I just heard Layla by Eric Clapton on the radio. I can get lost in that song. It reminds me when I was a freshman in college in 1974. We would get to our favorite bar, Antlers, in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and get the best table between the Ladies room and the 10X10 foot dance floor. The place only had a juke box and tons of other freshmen co-eds drinking beer and laughing. That song Layla would repeat about every 15th song. This was all before the dreaded Disco era.
In St. Croix it is legal to have an open container of beer and drive. It is not legal to drive drunk. You must wear a seat belt and you cannot talk on a cell phone. When I get to St Croix I get a beer ASAP and drive to our villa, mainly because I can.
I always love to look at that cheesy, seasonal stuff at the drug store. I went in CVS today and headed back to the seasonal isle and looked at cheap coolers, cheap fans, bug repellent, sun screen, plastic buckets and pails, and flip flops. I usually will sniff the sun screen. I didn’t today. I feel like a kid looking at that stuff. I’m sad when they change over to autumn stuff.
I still get a distraught panic feeling when I see back to school sales. It used to mean that was the end of summer and fun. I hated going back to school.
I once asked an Armenian friend of mine if he thought in Armenian or English. He thought for a second and said he thought in English. His English is not that good, just good enough to get by. I wonder if he thinks in broken English or good English.
I love bread. Isn’t it funny that stuffing/dressing is considered a vegetable on some menus? Its nothing but bread with tasty ingredients mixed in. I ate turkey with dressing and cornbread at Cracker Barrel on Friday, and didn’t feel guilty because one of those items was considered a vegetable. Vegetables are good for you, right?
I remember Rodney Dangerfield talking about the first time he had sex. He said he was so afraid…and all alone. I thought that was so funny.
I Live a Good Life
Today is glorious day weather wise. It feels like Napa Valley in the fall. It is very clear, warm, and the humidity is low.
This morning Gigi, Duke, Cedie and I rode in the Jeep with the top down and soaked up the sun. Cedie gets so excited that she’ll just bark in the air.
Both were very excited when we decide to stop by Wendy’s drive thru for lunch. Cedie can’t inhale enough when we get close to a burger place.
Yesterday was equally nice although we both classified it a St. Croix in February day. There were big puffy clouds and a nice warm breeze was blowing.
Next weekend we are taking the RV to Southport, NC. I will go down on Saturday, leave the RV with Gigi and most of the dogs. Then Haley and I will come back Sunday to work for the week.
Gigi can get some R&R and visit some with her mother at nearby Oak Island.
I’ll return to Southport late in the week for R&R and to drive the RV home by Sunday.
Sounds like a plan, huh?
This morning Gigi, Duke, Cedie and I rode in the Jeep with the top down and soaked up the sun. Cedie gets so excited that she’ll just bark in the air.
Both were very excited when we decide to stop by Wendy’s drive thru for lunch. Cedie can’t inhale enough when we get close to a burger place.
Yesterday was equally nice although we both classified it a St. Croix in February day. There were big puffy clouds and a nice warm breeze was blowing.
Next weekend we are taking the RV to Southport, NC. I will go down on Saturday, leave the RV with Gigi and most of the dogs. Then Haley and I will come back Sunday to work for the week.
Gigi can get some R&R and visit some with her mother at nearby Oak Island.
I’ll return to Southport late in the week for R&R and to drive the RV home by Sunday.
Sounds like a plan, huh?
What I Did Today
Off with the old.
I decided last week to resume my Jeep beautification project, and ordered some more stuff for Timmy the Beast.
Friday, some of the stuff arrived at my office after I had already made the 18 mile trek back home.
I decided that I would drive in this morning in the Jeep, have some breakfast at Jimmy’s, then pick up the Jeep parts at the office.
It was cool for this time of year, a huge break from the past few days in the high 90’s. I opened up the Jeep by taking off windows and such to get the full effect.
Gigi road in with me, complaining all the way about it being cold and her hair was going to get greasy blowing in the wind.
It was a partial order. The main thing in the box this time was a new roll bar cover.
The instructions required that I take the top down to begin. Believe it or not, I have never taken the top off my Jeep. It looked so cool all naked and bare.
Friday, some of the stuff arrived at my office after I had already made the 18 mile trek back home.
I decided that I would drive in this morning in the Jeep, have some breakfast at Jimmy’s, then pick up the Jeep parts at the office.
It was cool for this time of year, a huge break from the past few days in the high 90’s. I opened up the Jeep by taking off windows and such to get the full effect.
Gigi road in with me, complaining all the way about it being cold and her hair was going to get greasy blowing in the wind.
It was a partial order. The main thing in the box this time was a new roll bar cover.
The instructions required that I take the top down to begin. Believe it or not, I have never taken the top off my Jeep. It looked so cool all naked and bare.
Cedie getting ready for her Jeep ride.
My Quest for Military Service
I didn’t serve in the military. Back in the 1970’s when the draft was still going and the Vietnam War was raging, it was my goal to legally avoid military service and avoid being a front line grunt in Vietnam.
By late 1972, I was classified 1-A, available for unrestricted military service and my draft number was 16. My goose was cooked when the time came.
Fortunately the war ended in 1973, “peace with honor”, and the draft was abolished.
Years later, my mother confided in me that she was not about to let her only son serve as cannon fodder in Vietnam. If the time came, she was fully prepared to support me in Canada as a conscientious objector to the war. I would have frozen my ass off.
I don’t think I would have gone to Canada to avoid the war. At 18 however, I was far from any military material.
Fast forward to 1980, I have a college degree, I am married to my first wife Gigi, and we are in the midst of a Jimmy Carter economy. The outlook for a good job was poor, and the thoughts of being an officer in the Air Force seemed appealing.
I mean, the dress uniforms looked really nice and as I understood it, you would fly over targets, drop bombs on targets, and go home and sleep in a real bed at night.
I went to the recruiter and discovered that yes they would like me, but my vision was too poor, even to be a navigator on a bomber. They suggested I go down the hall to the Navy.
Sounds good, my Dad was a navy man in World War II, and the dress uniforms, come to think of it, are bitchin’.
Oh yes the Navy wanted me, I would be an officer, get a cool uniform, and be underwater in a sub 6 months under the polar ice cap spying on the Soviet Union in a tube packed full of men.
This didn’t sound appealing to a newly wed so it marked the end of my quest for military service to my country.
Fast forward to 2007, and I am listening to a podcast from a St Croix, VI talk radio station. Their guest on the show was the local grand poo-bah with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is a group of civilian volunteers that act as the eyes and ears of the real Coast Guard.
The way he explained it, I could join and quit at my every whim, ride in very fast boats, and wear a uniform that differed very little from a real coast guard uniform.
I explained this to Gigi and she said, “Oh yeah honey, you’re going to look just like one of those young Navel Academy officers at Annapolis”, and she rolled her eyes.
Then she said, “What the hell am I going to do while you ride around in a fast boat?”
Maybe I should think about this.
By late 1972, I was classified 1-A, available for unrestricted military service and my draft number was 16. My goose was cooked when the time came.
Fortunately the war ended in 1973, “peace with honor”, and the draft was abolished.
Years later, my mother confided in me that she was not about to let her only son serve as cannon fodder in Vietnam. If the time came, she was fully prepared to support me in Canada as a conscientious objector to the war. I would have frozen my ass off.
I don’t think I would have gone to Canada to avoid the war. At 18 however, I was far from any military material.
Fast forward to 1980, I have a college degree, I am married to my first wife Gigi, and we are in the midst of a Jimmy Carter economy. The outlook for a good job was poor, and the thoughts of being an officer in the Air Force seemed appealing.
I mean, the dress uniforms looked really nice and as I understood it, you would fly over targets, drop bombs on targets, and go home and sleep in a real bed at night.
I went to the recruiter and discovered that yes they would like me, but my vision was too poor, even to be a navigator on a bomber. They suggested I go down the hall to the Navy.
Sounds good, my Dad was a navy man in World War II, and the dress uniforms, come to think of it, are bitchin’.
Oh yes the Navy wanted me, I would be an officer, get a cool uniform, and be underwater in a sub 6 months under the polar ice cap spying on the Soviet Union in a tube packed full of men.
This didn’t sound appealing to a newly wed so it marked the end of my quest for military service to my country.
Fast forward to 2007, and I am listening to a podcast from a St Croix, VI talk radio station. Their guest on the show was the local grand poo-bah with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is a group of civilian volunteers that act as the eyes and ears of the real Coast Guard.
The way he explained it, I could join and quit at my every whim, ride in very fast boats, and wear a uniform that differed very little from a real coast guard uniform.
I explained this to Gigi and she said, “Oh yeah honey, you’re going to look just like one of those young Navel Academy officers at Annapolis”, and she rolled her eyes.
Then she said, “What the hell am I going to do while you ride around in a fast boat?”
Maybe I should think about this.
10 More Things...
Of all the precious metals, I like silver the best. I think a little gold complements it beautifully. The only jewelry I wear is a plane gold wedding band and an island hook bracelet that is silver, wrapped in a little gold wire. Most guys don’t wear any jewelry.
I never understand when I suggest eating say, Chinese food on Wednesday, someone will say, “No, I ate Chinese on Monday.” What does that matter? Can you still taste it? Go brush your teeth, nasty. Some foods I can easily eat more than once a week…like any food.
I could eat pizza every day.
I hate it when I wake up in the middle of the night fully rested, ready to make the morning coffee and I turn over and see the clock says something like 1:16 AM.
I hate when I get up to do something, walk to where I need to be to do it, and stand there dumb as crap because I forgot what it was I was going to do. It makes me crazier when I go back, sit down, and then remember what I forgot.
To remember things, I repeat what I need to do three times in my mind in another person’s zombie like, monotone voice. I rarely forget if I do this.
You ever notice how goofy people walk when they are on TV and they are trying to act natural? I know I’ve done it before.
One time Gigi and I were interviewed on the local TV news station in the Charlotte Airport, one year after 9/11. They didn’t use any of my footage and had Gigi just yakking away on the 6 PM news. I guess it was because I walked like a goofball in front of the camera.
Gigi and I have needed to go to the emergency room before but didn’t either because it was very late or we didn’t want to wait in line. I “slept” one night on our bathroom floor with a kidney stone rather than go in the ER in the middle of the night. I went the next morning and had emergency surgery to remove the stone. In retrospect, I should have gone earlier. I would have slept much better without the stone.
My favorite time of day is when I get home from work, kiss Gigi and watch the dogs make absolute idiots of themselves in happiness. I feel very loved and very much at home.
I never understand when I suggest eating say, Chinese food on Wednesday, someone will say, “No, I ate Chinese on Monday.” What does that matter? Can you still taste it? Go brush your teeth, nasty. Some foods I can easily eat more than once a week…like any food.
I could eat pizza every day.
I hate it when I wake up in the middle of the night fully rested, ready to make the morning coffee and I turn over and see the clock says something like 1:16 AM.
I hate when I get up to do something, walk to where I need to be to do it, and stand there dumb as crap because I forgot what it was I was going to do. It makes me crazier when I go back, sit down, and then remember what I forgot.
To remember things, I repeat what I need to do three times in my mind in another person’s zombie like, monotone voice. I rarely forget if I do this.
You ever notice how goofy people walk when they are on TV and they are trying to act natural? I know I’ve done it before.
One time Gigi and I were interviewed on the local TV news station in the Charlotte Airport, one year after 9/11. They didn’t use any of my footage and had Gigi just yakking away on the 6 PM news. I guess it was because I walked like a goofball in front of the camera.
Gigi and I have needed to go to the emergency room before but didn’t either because it was very late or we didn’t want to wait in line. I “slept” one night on our bathroom floor with a kidney stone rather than go in the ER in the middle of the night. I went the next morning and had emergency surgery to remove the stone. In retrospect, I should have gone earlier. I would have slept much better without the stone.
My favorite time of day is when I get home from work, kiss Gigi and watch the dogs make absolute idiots of themselves in happiness. I feel very loved and very much at home.
The Brotherhood of the Jeep
As you know, last February I bought a 1989 Red Jeep Wrangler that is uncomfortable, loud, rattles a lot, gets poor gas mileage, is drafty, hot, and I love every minute of it. It is so fun to drive.Driving a Jeep puts you in a special brotherhood with other Jeep drivers and believe it or not, you are accepted by motorcycle riders as well, especially the Hog crowd. We’ll wave at each other, beep the horn, and lift an index finger in acknowledgement that we are a rare and cool breed of people.
Being accepted by the motorcycle crowd was a surprise to me. I guess they figure you are as hot and greasy as they are, so you are a brother.
The radio in my Jeep plays sometimes out of one speaker so it’s time to spring for a new radio.
The problem is that any audio store now is only interested in selling flip down TVs, and gigantic thumping stereo system that blast Rap.
I want a simple little system with an ipod input (still don’t have one), AM, FM, CD, and satellite ready that can blast Reggae and Classic Rock. You can get all this now with a removable faceplate for about $100. Throw in a couple of speakers at $50 each in the factory slots, and I’m maybe at $280 with installation, plus sales tax.
No one wants to bother selling me this modest little system. I am absolutely sure that if I buy the equipment, there is no way I can install it myself.
I’ve been to Circuit City twice and the guys’ wonders off when I explain what I want.
Yesterday by pal Ty, joined the Brotherhood of the Jeep by purchasing a 1998 Wrangler.
I had just sat down at my desk to eat one of those sealed bags of salmon, some saltines, and a diet Pepsi.
My phone rang and I heard Ty screaming on the other end, “YOU WANT TO GO TO LUNCH!?”
“I just started lunch at my desk”
“WHAT ARE YOU EATING?”
“A bag a fish,” I said.
“WHAT?”
“Why are you screaming?” I asked.
“I JUST GOT MY JEEP. WANNA GO FOR A RIDE?”
He was elated at his new found status.
His Jeep was quite fancy compared to mine. It had unmanly luxury items like carpet and air conditioner. Still we were both thrilled to have another Jeep in the fold.
Sneeze Interruptus
This I hate. This morning I felt the slightest twinge of a sneeze coming on.
I love the satisfying feel of a good sneeze. This sneeze was at the immature stage and needed development. I decided to pause a moment to let nature run its course.
I must have looked stupid nurturing along this sneeze when Gigi asked, “What’s wrong.”
Like a prairie dog running back into its hole, my sneeze retreated leaving me unfulfilled.
Okay head, you owe me one good sneeze…I mean a good one.
I love the satisfying feel of a good sneeze. This sneeze was at the immature stage and needed development. I decided to pause a moment to let nature run its course.
I must have looked stupid nurturing along this sneeze when Gigi asked, “What’s wrong.”
Like a prairie dog running back into its hole, my sneeze retreated leaving me unfulfilled.
Okay head, you owe me one good sneeze…I mean a good one.
I Need to Get This Off My Chest
This post is about executions. There is some detail that may offend some.
I live in a country and a state where executions are allowed for certain crimes. In North Carolina executions are carried out by lethal injections or the gas chamber.
I am fascinated by executions, I read about them in great detail. I want to know what they ate for their last supper and what they said just before they died. I want to know how they reacted to the gas, injection, electrocution or whatever.
You would think I am a big proponent of capital punishment since I am so fascinated with it. The fact is, I would prefer that dangerous people like Charles Manson be removed permanently from society by being locked up for ever.
Death is so permanent and life is so short. Life is God given. Man is too prone to mistakes and bad judgment in my opinion to carry out such a sentence.
I do think there are crimes that deserve death. You are really a terrible person if society thinks you better off dead.
I actually knew two people who were executed.
One fellow we knew seemed like a nice enough guy. He worked with my wife at Eastern Airlines. We used to watch NFL game together on Sunday.
Over time we drifted apart. One day I picked up the Charlotte Observer and saw he had been arrested for several serial murders in South Carolina. The police called us in and we were questioned about him and listened to eerie tapes of phone conversation by him.
Larry Bell was electrocuted by the state of South Carolina a few years later. I think it was strange how he chose electrocution over lethal injection. He used to be an electrician. I read about it in great detail.
I knew a guy who was executed by terrorists in Iraq. He was the brother of one of my co-workers. I met him a few times and he was the nicest guy and fun to be around. While working in Iraq, he was kidnapped with two other civilians and held hostage for a few weeks. The deadlines passed and a video of his beheading was released on the Internet. I didn’t watch it but his brother did.
I don’t understand the relief victims get from executions, yet I would attend one if invited. Most people think that is very weird. I know it would upset me greatly to witness one.
I guess it is my great respect for life that leads me to the fascination of facing death.
I live in a country and a state where executions are allowed for certain crimes. In North Carolina executions are carried out by lethal injections or the gas chamber.
I am fascinated by executions, I read about them in great detail. I want to know what they ate for their last supper and what they said just before they died. I want to know how they reacted to the gas, injection, electrocution or whatever.
You would think I am a big proponent of capital punishment since I am so fascinated with it. The fact is, I would prefer that dangerous people like Charles Manson be removed permanently from society by being locked up for ever.
Death is so permanent and life is so short. Life is God given. Man is too prone to mistakes and bad judgment in my opinion to carry out such a sentence.
I do think there are crimes that deserve death. You are really a terrible person if society thinks you better off dead.
I actually knew two people who were executed.
One fellow we knew seemed like a nice enough guy. He worked with my wife at Eastern Airlines. We used to watch NFL game together on Sunday.
Over time we drifted apart. One day I picked up the Charlotte Observer and saw he had been arrested for several serial murders in South Carolina. The police called us in and we were questioned about him and listened to eerie tapes of phone conversation by him.
Larry Bell was electrocuted by the state of South Carolina a few years later. I think it was strange how he chose electrocution over lethal injection. He used to be an electrician. I read about it in great detail.
I knew a guy who was executed by terrorists in Iraq. He was the brother of one of my co-workers. I met him a few times and he was the nicest guy and fun to be around. While working in Iraq, he was kidnapped with two other civilians and held hostage for a few weeks. The deadlines passed and a video of his beheading was released on the Internet. I didn’t watch it but his brother did.
I don’t understand the relief victims get from executions, yet I would attend one if invited. Most people think that is very weird. I know it would upset me greatly to witness one.
I guess it is my great respect for life that leads me to the fascination of facing death.
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