Stage Debut

The One makes her community theater stage debut today! I have seen a glimpse of the show, and I can tell you she is wonderful! She is quite the character and the audience will love her. I am very proud of her and cannot wait to be there for every show to see the audience react to her.

I am hoping that this is just the beginning for her. That she will join me in a show or two in the future. I have seen her really enjoy doing this and I have seen her frustrated while doing this. Both let me know that she really cares about what she is doing. It might take some convincing, and she might only do one kind of show, but I think I can get her back to the stage in the future.

Break a leg my love! You are amazing.

~Skate

Finding Fortune

As customary in most Chinese buffets, they give a fortune cookie at the end of the meal. When I am with a group of people I take the cookie after some thought. Which one do I take? Do I take the one that was put in front of me? Or do I take one that was placed away from me? While I do not believe that a cookie will have my magic numbers or even be able to tell my future, I do believe that everything happens for a reason and the fortune you read is one that you were meant to read.

Yesterday, a group of co-workers and I went out to a buffet. At the end our table was presented with the check and our fortune cookies. I was the second to grab one, and had the choice of the one closest to me, the one just to the right of that one, and one furthest away from me. When I reached for the cookies, my hand drifted over and I took the one on the right. I never eat the cookie, I do not believe I need to for the fortune to have any more merit. So as per my usual, I crushed the cookie while it was still in the bag and then opened to see my prize.

I was amused to not find just one fortune, but two. I could already tell that this was going to be a delight and paraded around my two fortunes before even reading them. Neither fortune was facing the outside; only the lucky numbers were visible. After noting this I decided on a side to read first.

"You will find your solution where you least expect it."

I thought this fortune to be a bit vague. It seemed like just an ordinary fortune, until I read my next fortune...

"You will be selected for a promotion because of your accomplishments."

That had me beaming from ear to ear. Not only did it bear fun news, but it also tied in the first fortune. The solution now being the answer to whether or not I made my promotion had been found in the most unlikely of places: the surprise second fortune in a fortune cookie. I would never expect to get an answer from a cookie, let alone find a second fortune in the same cookie with my answer.

~Skate

Test Day

Well, I have finished off part of my breakfast. I still plan on eating an apple on the way into take my test. I did not get all that much sleep. Between taking a late shower and anxiety, I did not fall asleep until after midnight. Then I still woke up early. I tried to snooze my alarm, but ended up getting out of bed anyways. I will be anxious until I get to the test area. For some reason being in the right spot helps. Until then, I will be a bit jittery.

During the test I will be reminding myself to read the question, the whole question, before answering. Breathe. Answer to the best of my ability. And do not panic.

Between that and my fervent studying I should be fine. If there is a question that throws me for a loop, I need to really focus on moving past that. Sometimes difficult questions put me on tilt and I answer the next few in a hurry. More than likely it is just me trying to cover what I feel is lost time from spending so long on one question. Though there is rarely a reason as I usually am one of the first people done.

I will need to make sure that I take a bio-break before the test so I do not have any distractions during. Other than that I should be good to go.

~Skate

Crunch Time

I am about 23 hours away from my test. It is actually exciting. I will be on the study grind most of the day, just as I have been for a week now. I really am retaining this information. I will be happy to score well today, ecstatic if feel I did well tomorrow. This test means a whole lot more than just extra cash, though I really am excited about that too. I am hoping to knock this out the first time.

When I am not studying, I will be bullying around banks for lower interest rates. My credit card has an insane 24.9% APR. Just not acceptable. I will be strong arming them to lower it to zero for a year. If they do not budge, I have an offer just like that waiting for me. I will balance transfer and cut ties with the old card. I am hoping the threat of leaving will be enough to get what I want. If it is not, I will get what I can then balance transfer and be on my merry way.

~Skate

Computer Conundrum

I have decided it is time to improve my computer situation. My computer still functions, albeit slowly, and is in decent enough shape. So why would I need to improve? Mainly because my computer is really slow. I could purchase some RAM and improve on the 1GB that I have in there now. (1GB of RAM was super amazing five years ago and was only found in higher end computers. Now, not so much.) That would be an easy and fairly cheap option. Assuming I did find the right RAM to place in there and am satisfied with my current set-up. Problem is I know that is just a slight improvement to my current set-up. All for the low price of $135.

I could go brand new and purchase something that completely blows my current set-up out of the water, and for under $700. That would leave me with something that would be faster than the new RAM would allow for a pretty reasonable price. Not to mention I would have an up-to-date system that suited the needs of what I would like far better than my current computer.

As a quick aside, I purchased my current computer in a hurry when I busted the power supply and replacement power supply to my old computer. It was time for an upgrade then too. Problem was I wanted computer right then and there and the selection was pitiful. I purchased a Media Center computer even when I have no need for one, only because it was the best, and really only, option available.

If I do decide to go new, I have two options. I could purchase the ever reliable and upgradeable desktop or I could purchase the more portable laptop. I have a general disdain for laptops. Mostly stemming from large hands and a small keyboard. What I would do with the laptop is have it hooked up to as a desktop while at home and just take the laptop when I go on trips. This idea has me intrigued as I do travel fairly often. If I am asked to transfer it is easier for me to take the laptop on my person and have everything else moved via the company. I would always have access to internet and stay connected. Sure I would have to deal with the annoyance of a small keyboard, but I think it might be worth the trouble.

I still am not sold on the laptop idea. The One owns a laptop that we would take with us if we move. It is far easier and cheaper to upgrade a desktop. Currently the need for a laptop is just not there. It might be in the future, but currently it just does not seem warranted. A desktop is something that I am used to working with. I feel confident in my ability to go in and check missing parts, update and add parts, and do basic troubleshooting on a desktop. It would take some talking into before I would desire the use of my own laptop.

I do like the idea of have a fresh computer that suits me better, more so than the idea of just trying to juice up my current computer. Well, all except for the price. I tend to be a bit frugal when it comes to purchases not involving food or beverages. Even though I know that I would be getting a great deal on a machine I would be sure to get a good deal of use, I just have a hard time pulling the trigger. For one, I know that I could just add on to my current computer and just run this one until it craps out for a smaller price. Even if that smaller price comes at a much great cost of me not being completely satisfied with the results.

Now I have not fully made a decision as to whether or not I will even go through with any of the above ideas. (Again, I am frugal.) I will mull over the idea for a few days then more than likely put it to the side until a later date. For now I do have my eyes set on a couple of set-ups that I admire.

~Skate

Infernal Internal Clock

This might seem strange, being as it is being written at nine in the morning, but I assure you I have been awake for longer.

I have not been to work in a week. I have not had anything pressing to do in the morning other than taking The One to her test. Yet for some unknown reason my body continues to wake up well before I desire it to. It started earlier this week, when I woke up just before The One's alarm went off. She still had to go to work while I honored our Presidents. It continued as the week went on; I started waking up earlier and earlier. This morning, I was up a full hour before The One. Long enough to hear her continual "heavy breathing" (I'm told women do not snore). Even Dog was breathing heavy at some points. The wind outside howled and the only one not at rest was me.

My infernal internal clock is still set for me to be at work during the work week. This would be fine and dandy if I was working this week. I have no doubt that by the time I return to normal work that it will be shut off and I will rely on the alarm clock to get me up that early. I have a test on Tuesday which will have me on edge and I will wake well enough in advance for it. Wednesday, however, is just a normal shift. One that will be the test of my internal clock.

And then it ends,

Skate

Bread Ties

I know this is probably a guy thing, but I do not use the twist ties or tie tabs on a bread bag once it is open. Seriously, what is reasoning behind using it again? Just twist the bag, and place the rotated end underneath the bread. I will note that I do not think The One has any problem with me doing this. While with her, I have made an attempt at using the bread ties. I just cannot any longer. That is until someone shows me scientific research that represents the benefits to using bread ties.

An interesting fact for people is that the color of the tie represents the day the loaf was made. You will have to watch for your local color scheme but eventually you will find out the right pattern. This should hold true unless they use tabs with printed dates. I have personally used this to my benefit before. It does not serve much use now as The One and I do not eat bread on a regular routine where I can watch for color.

And then it ends,

Skate

The Call

I have been ripe with anticipation for days now. They started contacted people on Friday to tell them they made the tour. It apparently is a long process as they only have contacted a few people each day. With each passing day I try to temper expectations in the event that I do not get the call. It was told the only calls that came were for the ones that made it. You could understand my excitement when my phone rang this morning with an unidentified number. Unfortunately my call was not one that would elicit a joyous outburst.

The call was from who I expected, but it was not the message I wanted to hear. I did not make this year's tour. As my smile faded away, and my heart sank, all I could manage were one syllable responses. I ended the call and immediately texted The One to let her know.

Now that my grieving period is over, it is time to move on. I have a wedding in a year and a half, a dozen opportunities here waiting for me, I am still studying for promotion and I have to better prepare myself for the next time I audition. I know what to expect for the next time. What I need to improve on, what I should have prepared. The next time that the tour sees me, they will be impressed. This might not have been my year on the tour, but it is still my year.

This is just the beginning,

Skate

Studying Machine

Talk about devotion, well that and a blow dryer have awaken me early this morning to get back into the grind of studying. I logged over eleven hours yesterday. I will match or exceed that today. I have a week until my test so the official cram session has started off wonderfully. I am still getting used to the program that I purchased to assist me in studying. So far it has kept entertained and motivated. I am hoping it continues.

The material is not as boring as some, but it certainly is dry. The questions range from really easy to ones I did not realize had anything to do with my job. Good times are certain. I am studying the basics today as I did yesterday. I will move on to the more advance material tomorrow and the next. Then I will finish it out with a barrage of standard material. I never thought that taking a week off would be this rough.

And then it ends,

Skate

Skunks

Driving around the roads here leads me to believe it is skunk season in Oklahoma. I am amazed that there could be any more skunks to hit after seeing so many littered about the streets dead. After some research it does appear that cars are their only natural predators. Though I did find out that they produce 2-10 young a year, which is why they can survive the onslaught of cars that seem to catch them. Still quite bizarre that they seem to be the prime roadkill around this time of year. Later on in the year it will be squirrels.

I think I was most shocked to read about people domesticating skunks. Thoughts of "Really?" "Wow." and "Why?" filled my head. It turns out that until 2006 you could legally remove the scent gland to avoid spraying. Still I wonder, even without the fear of being spayed do people really think these things are cute? Other than Pepe Le Pew, I could not think of a single skunk that I would tolerate being around. And I have a poor sense of smell!

And then it ends,

Skate

WE'RE ENGAGED!!

I had been planning for some time how I was going to propose, coming up with some ideas that were out there and others that were more traditional. When I picked up the ring I had it narrowed down to three plans. Plan A was the most elaborate. I was going to plan a game night at the house and have a huge gathering of friends over. We always play Taboo, so I was going to use that as my inspiration. I planned on doctoring one of the cards, preferably the "Yes" card, to have it ask "Will you marry me?" instead of the five taboo words. She would flip over the card and I would get on bended knee and propose. Unfortunately, timing was everything and there was just not enough time to throw a game night. Plan C was before Plan B, and was simply a proposal during intermission at our dinner theater date while we were surrounded by friends. I decided against Plan C because she was to take a test the next morning and did not need anything distracting her from that. Plan B was the one I used.

The One's test was down in the City so we went to spend the night there after the delightful dinner theater show. We woke up, I took her to her test and then I was off. I purchased a wonderful bouquet of roses and cala lilies. The card told her how much she meant to me and hinted at the idea of forever. I then went and picked out a card, a gift and a Hugs and Kisses box of chocolate. The card talked about true love, and my personal messaged played on the Hugs and Kisses and again hinted at forever. I was there to pick her up when she finished her test. I had to stop the car away from her to ensure that I had enough time to get the flowers out to present to her, which I did. After that we wandered around the City biding our time until we could check into the hotel we were going to stay at. We had dinner reservations at a Japanese hibachi grill later that evening and planned to watch a movie afterwards as well.

I had cleverly kept the ring hidden from her for weeks now. On our way down I managed to place it in a jacket in the car without her knowing. While she was testing I moved it to the driver side door so I could easily take it out before dinner. It was not so easy. On the drive to dinner I tried to remove the box from the door to my pocket. It was an easy enough fit for my hand when the door was open and I placed the box there. It was not an easy fit with the door closed against my chair. I could only manage two fingers in my attempt to move it. I slid it to the largest opening, hoping for a smooth transition out of the door and into my pocket. I managed to pick it up at first but quickly dropped it. Thankfully, I was not garnering any extra attention from The One all this time. My second attempt was an fantastic fail. As I lifted the box out of the door the corner of the box caught the lip of the door. This sent the box crashing down on the the car floor, with quite a ruckus, and right in front my chair. Some how, The One was not noticing any of my shenanigans in the seat next to her. In a classic "Look a pink elephant!" move, I focused her attention on the stores we were passing while I quickly grabbed the ring. She looked away just long enough for me to bring it to my side. I was not able to get the box nonchalantly into my pocket because of the way I was sitting, so I was stuck with it in my hand. The rest of the drive was completed with my left hand awkwardly at my side while I, even more awkwardly, attempted driving with just my right. Turn signals and steering were all accomplished without being too noticeable. Though reaching over the steering wheel to use the turn signal was a bit odd.

Finally we reach our destination. The One stepped out of the car and I quickly did the same while sliding the ring into my pocket. I was so focused at doing this that I forgot to lock the door. We were about half way to the restaurant door when it dawned on me to go lock it. I realized that I should not show my left side to The One as she might see the ring box impression. What I did not realize was my phone was in my hand making the ring box the only thing in that pocket and extremely well formed. When I made it to the door, I turned to lock it exposing my left side to The One. Thankfully it was dark at this point and she was not looking down. That did set it off in my head to make sure it was better hidden.

I could not believe how nervous I was during dinner; my leg bounced endlessly in anticipation. I knew she would say yes. I am comfortable being in front of people and I surely have done more awkward things in front of a gathering of people than getting on one knee and asking the one I love to marry me, but there I was a nervous wreck. My stomach, normally a vast empty space that resembles a bottomless pit, shrunk throughout the meal. By the end it had tightened up so much that I was not even able to finish the meat on my plate let alone all the extras. I had to stop eating; I could not even manage to take a drink with out shaking and forcing it down.

As the cook prepared to leave I knew the time grew near. I tried positioning my chair to make it easier for me to get on bended knee. (I forgot how large I am.) I played double dutch in my mind with the way The One was eating; I was just looking for the right time to spring into action. Not surprisingly, I was never a good physical double dutch player, the moment I chose to say something The One reached down and popped a shrimp in her mouth. Thankfully I had some words prepared, so I leaned over and gave her a kiss. I slowly and deliberately told her how much I love her, how much she means to me, I told her that I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her. It was after those words that I finished sliding my chair away and got on one knee as I reached into my pocket. The lady across the way exclaimed "Oh look at him! Look at what he is doing!" The One exclaimed "Oh my God! Oh my God! Are you actually doing this?!?" Her face aglow with excitement and happiness, her eyes starting to well up with tears of joy, my eyes soon followed suit as unfolded the box and asked her "Will you marry me?" She barely choked out a yes and shook her head in agreement. I moved closer to give her a kiss and hand her the ring.

The restaurant was full of cheers and congratulations. A few women were brought to tears. A couple helped us out by taking our picture. We basked in our newly engaged glow for a short while as I took care of the check. When we finally left, we spent a good thirty minutes in the car texting and calling everyone to let them know the news. The text was simply what the title of this blog was and was enough for everyone to know.

We are thankful for all of the well wishes, congratulatory remarks and praises of happiness that we have received.

We are engaged. :D

Skate