Saturday in the Have

Saturday was an unusually warm day for CT (50+degrees). I got a call in the AM - It's a good day to hit New Haven. I picked up a couple buddies, and we went down to New Haven - Hit the bookstore, browse a couple stores, stop off at Richters for lunch and a few pints, then the Playright for, well, a few more pints of Guinness. It was a real warm day to walk around the Yale Campus, which was mobbed. Everyone was out and about. Kinda nice for January.

Sat. night I grilled up some chicken, and watched The constant Gardner. Did I mention Netflix kicks ass. Good Flick, but I was kinda burnt from the day in New Haven, I fell asleep. I had to rewatch the first half.

Dilate Me

I went to the opthalmogist last month for a basic eye exam. I don't where glasses, however, I'm infront of a pc no less then 12 hours a day, and everything gets blurry, and I thought I'd get it checked out.

Well my vision turns out to be fine, but the eye guy want me to see the retina guy. He thinks I have a tear in my retina - I think he's full of shit, but I make the apt. just to be on the safe side.

Yesterday, I take time off work and go back to see the retina specialist. I hate going to the dr's in the first place and I really really hate waiting to see the dr. when I have an apointment. What's the deal? anyway, my apt. was for 2:50. It was 3:20 when the eye nurse chick calls me to dilate just the one eye - Then I get to wait till 4:50 before I finally see the Dr. I was freakin fuming.

The Dr. finally comes to see me, looks at my eyeball for all of a minute, and tells me there's no problem. He then begins to chastise me for taking up his time. Screw him. I'm gonna call the AMA and my insurance company.

I don't think he was happy with me. While I was waiting in the litle room, my cell rang. I answered it, which I normally wouldn't do in a dr's office, but I was pissed and bored. The door to my "little room" was open, and, while I talked on the phone, I complained loudly. I finally leave, and was determined not to pay my co-pay. I proceed to the cashier, who was such a nice lady, I didn't have the heart to give her a hard time. I asked her if they were busy today, or if it normally takes over 2hrs to see the dr. She told 2 hrs was an average wait. Yeah, it'll be a cold day in freakin' hell before I go back there. Opticare freakin sucks.

I finally get outta there after 5:00, and head to the gym. Wow, that was freaky. It was a pain driving, I had to kinda close my dilated eye, then I was all sorts of dizzy. It was like working out stones - not that I would know what that feels like. Yeah, um, no of course not.

No Vacation Home for me

I'm watching Vacation Home Search on the Travel Channel, and it's driving me nuts. A loud, obnoxious couple from New Jersey (yeah, believe it??) is (or is it are?) looking for a vacation home in Vegas. The realtor showing the houses is mastering his skills learned in Speech101. He constantly asks the couple questions, using their first names over and over and over.

It's making me nuts, but I can't get myself to change the channel. The vacation homes they are looking at are looking at makes my home look like a tool shed. maybe I'm just jealous.

Diggin' the Tuck

I get my hair cut every third Thursday of the month (yeah, I'm a freak). I've been going to the same barber for years, who recently moved to Naugatuck, CT - aka, "the tuck". It's an old dried up factory town, but the area where the barber shop is located is like a flashback to the 50's. I freakin' love it. The street is lined with small capes, there are sidewalks, people walking, riding bikes (yeah, it's been a real warm January), and everyone waves hello to each other.

I stopped off in the Package store next to the barbar. For those who are not from New England, a Package Store is a Liquor Store. I open the door, and I'm greated by a warm hello from the clerk, and a nice labrador who wants attention. I was diggin' it.

Anyway, I was off this month. My apt. was on Wednesday instead of Thurs. I had to reschedule, but I still ended up haning around for 1/2 or so bullshitting with the other barbers, who offered me a beer - Yeah, my kinda place - however, I'm hoping they aren't hitting the beers during the day and cutting hair. I had to reschedule to tomorrow. It'll be like deja vu all over again.

Go Speedwalker!!!

Whew, It was a wicked weekend - wicked being good I guess.

I was nervous about going to the party Sat. night, but it turned out to be real good. I met up with a bit of an old flame, and things went well for the night, and, believe it or not, we're still talking days later. Yeah, I don't believe it either.

I had Monday off to celebrate the life of MLK(jr). Thanks Martin. We've had some funky weather here the past few days. I went to the party Sat. night abt 5:30. It was 50 degrees and rainy. I went to move my car around 11:00. It was 11 degrees and sleeting - hailing - snowing - ick. My doors were frozen, all the fun stuff. Then the wind picked up for the rest of the night and Sunday. 50 mph winds. Yay.

Sunday I had to drive to Washington CT for my neices bday. Washington's pretty much in the middle of fuckin' no where. My Sis's driveway is 1/4 mile long, and was a 1/4 mile of ice. All went well though. I got her a keyboard and it was a hit. I actually picked out a good gift.

Anyway, today was back to reality. I was having a crappy day at work, but it ended. Went to the gym. I finished out my workout, walked the track to cool down and almost fell over laughing my ass off. I was lapped by a old guy, dressed in red short shorts, with red stockings going down to his calves. He was doing the walk run thing - kinda like Hal did on Malcom in the Middle. I had my ipod on, and didn't realize, at first, that I was laughing out loud. I walked extra slow so he could lap me a couple of times. The dude was getting the whole hip action going and was doing the whole arm pumping thing while keeping them pasted to his sides. This poor bastard doesn't realize it, but he's made my day. Yay for speed walkers

Yeah, I'm posting again.

As much as I bitch about the being stuck in a rut, I did have have fun tonight with the same folks in the same pub. The beers were nice and cold, and the aps where spicy.

We laid down some plans to go back to Ireland (I haven't been in -- Damn -- almost 5 years ). I was persistant about going to Dublin, but that's just not gonna work. Everyone else wants to do a freakin' pub tour. I'm gonna do it, but I'll just skip out of the tour when I don't like it and meet back at the hotel.

We broke down the market like we worked on Wall street, but, look at our portfolios, and you'll know, yeah, we don't.

The weather the past 4-5 days has been almost springlike. We've been in the 50's - um, this is January in Connectiuct. I still have snowpack in my yard, and tomorrow will be the last warm day, for, i'd guess the next two months. It's a good thing the Pat's (Patriots for you folks not familiar with the NFL or New England) are not playing in Foxboro. they like snow on playoff games. any chance for snow in Denver???

Need to get a life

I'm so freakin' predictable, it's pathetic. You can tell what I'm doing and where I am by the day of the week. My schedule hasn't changed in years. Every Friday, after work, I go to the gym, come home, surf the web, then meet my old buddies from Sears @ TGIF's. Yeah, I worked at Sears for 17 years, quittin about 3 years ago.

I left my part time job @ Sears so I could get a life outside of working. I would go right from work (my real job) to Sears, then to the bar, (retail folks drink ALOT!!), then home, passout, and start it all over again the next day. Well, the only thing that's changed since I left, is I don't go out Every night, just on Fridays. Now, instead of going to a part time job, I go to the gym, then sit on the sofa and surf the web. Is that an improvement? At least I'm in better shape from the gym, and my liver is a bit grateful that I don't drink daily.

Shopping

I've become so much like a chick when I go shopping - I worked in a mall all through high school and college, and realy hated shopping. Now, I actually go outta my way to buy stuff.

Last night, I went to the mall to buy birthday gifts for my niece, and for Tre's 40th. Well, I ended up with no gifts for them and two new shirts for myself. I felt soo outta place shopping at American Eagle. They had some really good sales so I got myself a new fleece, and a new shirt. As I'm waiting in line to pay, and I realize I'm the only one there not accompained by a parent. They were playing videos in the store, and I didn't recognize the band. Yeah, kinda felt old. To add insult to injury, I gotta go back. The shirt doesn't fit me. I should go on my lunch while all the kiddies are still in school.

Nick Burns, Your Company's Comuter Guy!

A bit of background first. I'm a geeky tech, working for a city government. We've got many older employees who pretty much have no pc knowledge, and some who think they are pc wizards. I get the pleasure of providing these fine folks tech support.

I really don't have a problem helping users with little knowledge. For the most part, they don't really cause much trouble, and they follow simple instruction well. It's the freakin' AOL type users that piss me off. They like to download all sorts of freakin' wallpaper/screensavers etc, and wonder why their pc is bogged down. I just realized I'm starting to act just like Nick Burns, your company's computer guy!! Only dif. is I don't where a beeper - no - it's Nextel now. Oh, and by the way, Your Welcome!!

Double booked

Ok, so I'm double booked for Saturday nite. I've got two birthday parties to go to - my buddy's wife's 40th, and a friends daughter's 1st. It never fails - either I have nothing to do, or too much to do.

The kids party starts at 3:00, and will mostly consist of friends from work gettin' trashed. Tre's 40th starts at 5:00, and will pretty much consist of her family and friends gettin' trashed. Only a few of my close friends will be at either party.

I kinda fucked up. I was talkin on the phone, and had to be reminded that Tre's party is Sat. only after I made mention of the time. (don't ya hate when people refer to a party as a "time". I think that's some sort of New England thing.) I gotta go to Tre's party as they are pretty much my best friends. I've been to Ireland with them several times, and have been going over for dinner for many years. I feel kinda sketchy around the family cause I'm the weird ass single guy in his 30's - what the fucks wrong with him - and whew! look at that boy down the beer!!!

I really should go to both, but I know what will hapen. I'll get my drink on @ the 1st birthday party, show up at Tre's kinda shitty, and get her pissed off at me - not a nice thing to do anytime let alone on friends 40th (em 2nd 39th) bday. I'm gonna have to show restraint at the 1st time. What exactly is restraint. Oh, yeah, and what the hell kinda present do you give a baby, and a 40 year old woman? yeah, I'm gonna do well.

netflix

I just signed up for Netflix, and created my queue. I've been debating the whole online movie rental for awhile. The small video store in my neighborhood went out of business. I live in a pretty urban area, but, believe it or not, the closest Blockbuster, or any video rental store, is about 10 miles away.

O.K., here's the flicks I got in my queue:
1) The 40 Year old Virgin
2) A home at the end of the world
3) The Hotel Rwanda
4) Star Wars Episode III
5) Latter Days
6) Crash
7) Wedding Crashers
8) Saved

Dunno how/what they send you. I went for the three at a time. I guess they go by how you rate the flicks. We'll see what I get.

dinner+beer=yay!

Well, um, yeah, work was freakin hell today. My officemate is pretty much the prick of the department, and I get to work with him Well, actually work near him as he does no work. He had one project to do yesterday, and today he was to be assigned to an offsite. Well, he didn't finish it, and came in to the office today to complete it. I was so looking forward to not having to deal with the bs. He's good friends with the boss, who tosses him softballs, and doesn't complain when he drops them. The rest of us he peppers with fastballs.

Anyway, the work day ended, and, as always, I survived. It's Thursday night I go over a buddy's house every Thurday night. His wife cooks dinner, and I bring beers.
Free dinner + beers =YAY!! Not a bad way to lead into the weekend. Again, I have zero plans for the weekend. We'll see what happens.

It's a long day after all

Whew, It's been a wicked day @ work. While I was away, someone screwed with the Active Directory. I can't create new accounts, and new mailboxes. It's making me crazy, and I need to create 5 new accounts for our newly appointed Board members. Also, a ton of user's passwords expired. Thank God, today one of our consultants was in. He's good with Exchange and Active Dir. - and it took him hours of troubleshooting to correct.

Also, I was told to make room for the big ass high speed dot matrix printer. It's going in my office. The thing is the size of a freakin' car. At least when I need to print, I won't have to go far.

Finishing up the day @ the office, then off to the gym to battle the seasonal gym goers for the machines. I'm wicked bitter and have no patience for anyone, but these folks are actually funny. I actually help them out at times. They have no idea how to work some of the machines. I'm gonna take it a bit easy on the weights today. My back is killing me from shoveling a foot of slush off my driveway and walkway. I should have taken pic's before and after. I've shoveled a lot of snow in my 30 odd years. This was close to the heavest I've ever had to move - and now we have a bit more coming tomorrow. After the holidays, I'm fed up with snow. Time to call Cousin Tommy and see if his place @ South Beach is avail.

Get Back To Work!

Well, the holidays are over, the New Year has begun, and I dragged my sorry ass back to work today. The 7-8 inches of snow/slush didn't make matters any better. My drive in sucked. I park in a parking garage, or as we call it "ramarage". My office is two blocks away. Normally not a bad walk, but today, I had to tredge (is that even a word) through the slush.

The nice thing about the crappy weather - most of the staff is not in. I can return all the emails, voicemails that accumulated while I was away by just relpying with the same. Yay!. I'm only delaying the work, but it makes a good transition back into work mode.

I didn't bother shoveling my driveway this morning. I just put the truck in 4x4 and barreled through pile of snow that was plowed in. It's gonna really suck when I get home. It's gonna be like shoveling slush. I think I'll use that as an excuse to skip the gym.

Grimm Pizza

I met up with a few friends tonight for pizza, beer (yeah, pizza and beer again), and a movie. Most of the pizza joints were closed, so we ended up getting Greek Pizza - not my favorite - but it was quite good.

I guess we get spoiled in Connecticut. I know there are folks that will disagree with me, but we have some of the best pizza. New Haven (Wooster St.) Pizza kicks ass. Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern are my fav's.

We watched The Brothers Grimm. I, well, I'm pretty sure I liked it. I was so preoccupied trying to figure out what fairy tale they were referring to, I had a hard time following the plot - or there really wasn't much of one. I'll have to rewatch it.

Made it to the gym, and was happy to see next to no one there (kick ass). Got my workout in, and then some. At least I don't feel guilty for the beers.

Tomorrow's my last day off. Tuesday it's back to work - Well, at least I'll have more interesting shit to blog about.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year. I hope everyone had an enjoyable New Year's Eve. I spent mine sitting on the couch watching football and a movie. I watched Kinsey. I've been wanting to see it for some time, and I wasn't disappointed. Good flick. I made some pasta, garlic bread, and, well, yeah beer of course.

I went nuts yesterday at Stop&Shop. With New Years, and the snow (oh, yeah, we got a few inches of snow last night), the place was a freakin' zoo. I had to circle the parking lot four times before I found a spot. Then, I had to search the store for "hot" salsa. Everything is either mild or medium. I finally found a (or is it an) Uconn Huskies brand salsa in hot, and, I gotta say, it was yummy, and yeah, it was hot. I was feeling it abt. 3:00 AM.

After Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and a week of get togethers, I was actually looking forward to night by myself. I really kinda relaxed. It was a good way to wind down and get ready to go back to reality. I still have a couple of days off before I return to work. Eeeeyuck!!

Today it's time to get off my ass, and get it to the gym. I haven't blogged about the gym let. I'm there 5 - 6 times a week, for the past few years, but , to look at me, you'd have no idea. I workout a lot, but I also eat really shitty, and, um, well, yeah, I like my beer. I'm begining to realize, no matter how much you exercise, you can't get rid of the beer gut, without giving up the beer. I keep a log of my weight, BMI, etc. It's pretty much the exact same as last New Year. I dunno, I guess I'll keep it up. I feel better. I guess if I didn't work out as hard, I'd be one fat bastard!

Oh well, It's off to the gym to battle all folks that are trying to fulfill their New Year's resolution (damn you!!!).

Happy New Year. I hope it's a good one for all.

What's the expression - May the saddest day of your future be no worst then the happiest day of your past.