What a Trip

A huge thank you to TOD and TOM for having The One and I tag along on a camping trip. It was a load of fun.

The One and I made it out there just after six on Friday. We checked out the camper and the area before supper was ready. The meals that TOD cooked and TOM worked for were amazing the whole trip. They have a nice camper. It can sleep five normal size adults and one large size adult. Taking care of business was an adventure for me that involved one of my legs resting in the shower. I am amazed that I did not break anything in the trailer. I did however on the first night push The One right up into the camper wall while sleeping. After the first night I made an adjustment and I do not think she had any more bumps. I was really pleased with the camper as a whole and think I might get something like it when I retire.

We did a lot of fishing and I caught my first fish there with The One's pole. I was both excited I had caught one and disappointed I did not catch one with my pole. Not too long after though I caught my first fish with my own pole! The One was the fishing champ while were there; overall she had just one less fish than TOM over the course of the trip with TOM getting a three day head start. It must be the pink pole.

I think my favorite thing by far was The Big Dog. The Big Dog is what TOD calls the big spring at the park. The water is frigid. The sign puts the temperature at anywhere between 56 and 60 degrees. It feels a lot colder when you stick your head under the fall. The ritual we performed over and over was to stick your head under the fall and yell "BIG DOG!!!" after you yell you let out a few whoops and barks. I pushed the limit each time we went. The first time I went under and counted to ten. Then the next time I went for twenty. And even further the last time with thirty. Each time I yelled and whooped then counted and then yelled and whooped again. So in actuality I spent about another ten seconds each time.

While we were packing up I started to do the math for how much it would cost to just stay out there. When I retire, between my pension and money saved, I could just live out there. I think that is kind of cool. It might be an idea for retirement when I get there.

Until tomorrow, and even after that, enjoy your day off and think of those that lost their lives for our great country.

Skate

Camping

This weekend should be a lot of fun. I will camping with TOD, TOM, and The One. Lots of fishing, swimming, golfing, and just being lazy planned for this weekend. I look forward to basking in the sun, tossing out a line, and drinking a cold beer for most of the day.

As far as I can recall, this will be my first camping experience. When I was younger I did have a one week outdoors experience but we stayed in a cabin. There were no showers there so it might count. This time round I take a step closer to camping by being in a camper. TOD is overly worried about where I will fit when sleeping. I have two options, and while neither are as large as my king size bed I will manage.

Someone was explaining the golf course that we will be whacking balls at. I will have to remember not to take myself to seriously as the course is no joke. I can foresee a lot of lost balls in my future.

One thing we cannot forget is why we have the long weekend. While you are out camping, at home, work, or just out and about take the time to remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who have given their lives for our country.

Until next time, may you enjoy your weekend.

Skate

Lead Foot

While I follow most laws of road, I will not argue that I do not always obey speed limits. I often treat them as guidelines. An idea if how fast one should go in clear weather. The road rager in me rages when the car in front does not meet what he looks at as a minimum.

I also will not argue the speeding ticket I received today. The young enforcer of the road clocked me at 22 in a 15. His lights twirled just as I entered the new zone and was slowing to meet the new speed. My car does not even register 15; it starts at 20. I will have to figure a way to feel 15.

Luckily, as I was on a complex, it will not cost a thing. It will take one of my six points in the next year.

Until tomorrow, may you slow down and enjoy life.
Skate

Splashes

Every now and then I get an idea or dream that runs through my disconnected brain. The dreams are flashes of what could be or what could of been. The ideas are splashes. Here are a few splashes from the past:

It wells up inside you, Eager to find it's way out.
You hold it to you as strong as you can,
and the harder you hold the more it bursts out.
You are unable to contain it as it eats you alive.
You're imprisoned in your own wealth of emotion.
You'll give in only to find yourself unable to stop.
It takes over you and has no plan on letting you go.
You hate it, you love it, you're thoughts collide.
A mesh of feelings thrust their will upon you,
and you are unable to control your inner thoughts.
You become overwhelmed and have lost
all that you held onto that made you who you are.
And you are still okay.

-----------

I have more to offer than looks,
I am a man of personality.
I have likes and dislikes,
I have my moments,
I am who I am.

I have more to offer than a smile,
I am full of laughter and hope.
I am smart enough to dream,
I am not just a face,
I am who I am.

I have more to offer than hugs,
I am a man of inner warmth.
I hold you for safety, to not let go,
I will not just be a moment,
I am who I am.

I have more to offer than a man,
I offer a unique person,
I offer laughter, hope, dreams,
I offer hugs, warmth, safety,
I offer me.

--------

So strange the feeling
of frustration
as I pour out
these strained words.

------
My mind echos
the empty beating
of my desperate heart.
----------
The stillness of the room
suffocates me.
----------
Fastened to my thoughts
of hope; of dreams unfilled.

--------------

Until tomorrow, may you find a poet in you.

Skate

Why I Relay

For those that do not know, the name on my donation page is that of my late uncle on my Bdad's side. He died before I had a chance to meet him. I relay for him.

I relay for all the people I have known, that I know, and that I will know that have cancer. I relay to save lives. I relay for hope. I relay to spread knowledge. I relay for a cure.

It's amazing to think that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Somebody close to us may be one of them.

It is amazing what just a small donation can do. A small amount is all that is needed from an individual, it is a group of individuals that make that large amount. Think about just donating $5. If you can get you and 10 people to donate just that amount that is $55. If each one of those can get 10 other people to donate we can raise over $500. If you want to know what your money goes to this is how it can help:

$25-$45 - The cost of an interpreter for a 10-minute call to 1-800-ACS-2345

$30 - 1 pair of gloves for the Polyp Man costume

$60 - 1 case of latex gloves

$100 - 2 give coupons for the tic catalog that provides women battling cancer with a complimentary wig, bra or other personal care item

$120 - 1 case of 144 Petri dishes

$150 - 1 case of 500 test tubes

$150 - 6 glass Erienmeyer flasks, which allow researchers to mix and/or store different substances, including potentially beneficial drugs, to discover their cancer-related-effect

$200 - 1 package of 50 sheets of X-ray film

$250 - 83 hours of toll-free access to the NCIC

$312 - 8 round-trips for 1 patient via the Road to Recovery program

$350 - 1 Gel Box, which researchers use to isolate DNA and identify differences that may impact cancer diagnosis or treatment

$500 - Reach to Recovery visits to 5 women

$700 - Cost of annual training of staff who help prepare volunteers to facilitate the Man to Man program

$800 - Cost of Look Good...Feel Better consultations for 4 women

$1,000 - Hope Lodge - Expenses for 1 patient for one day

$2,000 - 1 new microscope

$3,000 - Expenses for 1 patient in an American Cancer Society funded clinical trial

$5,000 - Dividing DNA taken from 1,200 cases during the American Cancer Society's Prevention Study II, which helps researchers understand the genetics of cancer

$10.000 - Develop and produce 1 new web cast story for the Cancer Survivors Network

$24,000 - Tell A Friend Materials translated into 4 Asian Languages

$88,000 - One issue and postage for CA: Cancer Journal For Clinicians, the most widely circulated oncology journal in the world, which provides cancer care professionals with the latest on cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention

$100,000 - Behavioral Research Center - 1 study

• Helping people stay well by helping them take steps to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it’s most treatable
• Helping people get well by being in their corner around the clock to guide them through every step of their cancer experience
• Finding cures by funding groundbreaking research that helps us understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it and discover new ways to cure it
• Fighting back by working with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and rally communities worldwide to join the fight

Even if you do not know someone with cancer, chances are someone you know knows someone with cancer. Help them out by making a small donation for the cure. Each donation provides hope for everyone out there. Together, we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=14418441&pg=personal&fr_id=23950

May you find it in your hearts to donate.

Skate

First Fish!

After rehearsal today I put a few lines in the water with Blu while our ladies talked idly by. We had been relaxing for a half hour when I had the idea to get ice cream. Everyone liked the idea and a plan was made. I cast my line out one last time before we were to head out.

I had wasted a nibble earlier. The novice fisher in me reeled in a quickly as possible instead of letting the fish take the hook. This time when I go the nibble I was patient. Possibly too patient, as Blu and The One yelled at me to reel the fish in.

I just saw the bobber go down and thought it was just nibbling. Apparently if it goes down in the water for more than just a dip it is a bite. I was so excited I did not know what to do. Finally I started to reel it in. The One warned me not to snap my line. I wanted to reel it all the way to the top, which I was told I was wrong. I got it close enough that I was told to take it out of the water.

There it was. A little catfish. I was so excited; the little kid inside of me was giddier than could be.

Until tomorrow, may you catch what you are looking for.

Skate

The Return of Monopoly

The One and I played our Monopoly game tonight as we ate our dinner. The version we played has an electronic banking system. While it is neat and orderly, I find it hard to keep track of how much I have. The One was often aggravated when I asked her to check my balance. Normally I would be able to count my own stash that I keep unorganized so no one can truly tell how much I have. I do like the electronic bank, I just which I could readily see my tally.

For those that have not played with me, I am an aggressive purchaser. Very aggressive. In the beginning of the game I buy any and everything I land on. I am sure I am not the only one who does this. The one difference is I have seen people stop when they run out of cash; I continue. I mortgage properties left and right to purchase new ones. At one point tonight I had more mortgaged properties than I did un-mortgaged. My goal is to control the board and the only way to do that is to have property.

About my fourth pass around the board I had already received a concession from The One. We were about ten minutes into the game and I owned at least one piece of property from each set and managed a full set as well. The One sat with a full bank account and a few properties. She knew her chances of pulling this one out were slim. I convinced her to continue and the dice continued to roll my way. I bought out the rest of the properties, save Boardwalk. I started up with houses and paying off mortgages.

With the writing on the wall, The One conceded. I am very proud of her for not kicking and screaming like she did last year. She took it like a champ and I am sure the dice will be more friendly next time. For now I hold monopoly.

Until next time, may you have the monopoly on your own happiness.

Skate

Toga Form

As you know I will be playing Mark Antony in the upcoming production of Julius Caesar. The director will have us all traipsing around in togas. She informed me yesterday that for a portion I will only be half covered. I am not shy and will have no problem walking around the park half naked. I even joke that I will be going commando underneath the toga, or at least the director hopes I am joking.

While I am not shy, I am very arrogant and have a beautiful picture of myself. Unfortunately that picture of myself does not quite match actual reality. I see handsome stud muffing with a great physique; the world sees a gangly body that has taken in too much alcohol. As such, I will be focusing on those body parts that will be prominent in hopes that they will be somewhat toned by the time I am half naked running through the park.

Until the next one, may you wear your toga well.

Skate

Rural Hospitality

One of the things I like about living in smaller towns is that people seem to be friendlier. Over the last month I have paid more attention to this while driving. It is always pleasant when the people in the other car wave while we cross paths. The waving puts a smile on my face. We do not know each other but we make contact with just a friendly toss up.

The first time I can remember that waving put a smile on my face was the town I graduated in, which is much small than where I am now. If I were walking or driving vehicles of all sizes would wave a friendly hello. When I was walking those were especially nice to see. I imagine those felt more special as it gave me time to really think about how nice such a simple act is.

Until the next one, may you be friendly to those you cross.

Skate

End of a Long Week

For my daily readers I do apologize. It has been a long week full of long days and I did not make the time to post. I do have a treat for you now as you will have the missing posts posted in succession right now.

It was a really busy week at work. The days seemed to linger longer than I would have liked them to. Each day it was something new. Thankfully we made it through and I should have no problems getting to my break in the near future.

I did manage to get in two rehearsals this week. I am going to really enjoy Antony. Though right now, I am not where I need to be characterwise. I will get where I need to be by the time the show comes around.

The One had one of her summer classes this week. She passed with flying colors. I am so proud of her. It was tough not seeing her until late. Dinner was postponed and we ended up staying up later than we probably should have. Which prompted us to sleep in longer than we probably should have.

All and all, I am happy with the week and even happier it is done with.

Until the next one, may you have a restful weekend.

Skate

Monopoly

While out grocery shopping yesterday The One and I stumbled into a Monopoly Around the World addition. We decided that it was neat enough to buy and that we would have to play after we finished our chores. We did not end up finishing our chores till it was past ten and decided to postpone our game. This gave me time to think about the last time we played over a year ago. I decided to share it here as it was a fun story. I think I learned my lesson, her pouting is not nearly as effective as it was back then. Still I wonder if I should have been so greedy that I wanted to bankrupt her and not just accept her white flag.

And now the story:

Ah, the classic board game Monopoly. A game of capitalism and cutthroat. Loads of fun until you cut your own throat.

Icy weather has confined many Oklahomans to their houses this evening. And I'm sure I wasn't the only one to look in the closet for some entertainment. The idea was sound enough, snuggle up by the fire and entertain each other...wholesomely, or so I thought.

I started right out the gate buying everything I landed on. I was even mortgaging to buy even more property. The One wasn't as forward in her progress as she wasn't landing on anything to buy. No, instead her luck had to be landing on the Free Space eight gazillion times. (For those who might not play that way, we played it where that space has at least $500 dollars to it's name.) My luck in buying places landed me no where near Free Space. My more illustrious spot on the board was Income Tax. Killing all hope I had of undoing what I had done to myself.

Luckily I still had her right where I wanted her. Dead to rights. She had three railroads and a mingling of other properties but none that completed a set. I had, on the other hand, every other spot on the board; completing several sets for my own bidding. Even though she had built of quite the sum of money, it would be my victory at hand. Albeit a slow and boring victory.

There wasn't a way I could lose as long as I just stayed the course and chipped away at her funds. She knew this as well as I. I had three times as much property and was the only one who could build. This is where it turned ugly.

The One is not used to losing. She always gets her way. She frowned, pouted and even tried quiting the game. I wouldn't let her. This led to her being on her stomach in full tantrum. Still I wouldn't budge. Then came the phone call to her mother to further throw guilt upon my shoulders that I should let her win. Again The One wished to quit and I refused to let her.

Instead I broke.

She offered a trade of silly proportions that I laughed off. My counter offers were equally skewed my way as hers were to her and just as well declined. Then came my mistake. I decided to throw her a bone that I knew would be much more risk than reward but I was in a gambling mood.

At this point The One still had a bundle of cash at hand. So much in fact that when I was foolish enough to trade her into three sets and I two, she was able to instantly build hotels on two of the sets and still have enough to almost complete the third. One of those sets was THE most expensive on the board. I on the other hand did not have enough cash yet to even build on what property I already had.

It was then that I realized that I was going to need some Lady Luck to get me past the trap I set for myself. Lady Luck is sexist. The dice rolled in The One's favor not only on my turn but on hers. As I land on Park Place (hers) she lands on yet another Free Space where most of my money has gone. $1500 dollars that I only had two hundred on hand. Selling what little houses I had bought and then putting a mortgage on half my properties covered what seemed to be insurmountable.

I knew it when she dumped the hotels and I felt it when I shelled out the cash. I was done for. The game that was mine to lose, I lost. When all I had to do was wait it out and whittle her away I didn't even give myself a shot. Instead I crumbled to that adorable pouting face and ended up pouting myself.

I called her mother and asked for a receipt. Apparently I didn't read the label, The One is non-refundable.

I would not have it any other way.

Oh yeah, my lessons:

1. When the opponent throws the white flag, shake hands and walk away. Their isn't a reason to tout your yet-to-be won victory.

2. When you are ahead with no way of losing don't stub your toe. Remember even when you have such an advantage YOU can still mess yourself up.

3. Don't play a game with a woman you can't stand to see pout.

Until tomorrow, may you have smiled, laughed or groaned at the nonsense above.

Skate

Dodgeball and Kickball

While nowhere near my youthful wiry high school form, I still caught fire in dodgeball this morning. I bobbed, weaved, caught and knocked out quite a few people. In our second game I almost single-handedly eliminated the entire opposing team. I was not the only all-star out there. Each game a new person stood up. M&M went 1 on 3 and made it out alive and won the game for our team. Congrats!

I love a good game of dodgeball. When I was younger I would use Matrix like moves to avoid getting hit. It took a lot to get me out. I am a little sluggish by comparison now, but I can still hold my own. I also am a lot wider than I was back then, making for an even larger target.

Today, if the weather holds out I will be playing yet another game from my youth in kickball. Another favorite of mine that I will get to enjoy today. I have to wear bright clothes. Unfortunately I cannot find my green mullet or my Halloween gear to throw on. I have to settle for my bright yellow shirt, way to short shorts, soccer socks that will be pulled as high as can be. Hopefully I will find some other useful fun clothing items throughout the day.

Until next time, may you let the good times roll.

Skate

In Our Prayers

TOG (The One's Grandma) has been in the hospital since yesterday. The One has spent most of her time over there. I stopped by and visited this evening. She is doing better, but she awaits word on surgery tomorrow. The One will spend more time with her tomorrow and will be missing our fishing trip on Saturday so she can be close by. More than likely surgery will happen on Monday. The whole family has taken time to wish her well. Even my office has something planned.

Until tomorrow, may you keep her in your prayers.

Skate

Oh Nose

This year I my nose was being good. Up to last the end of last week I had only had a bloody nose once a week. I have had three in the last two days. None of them very strong or hard to stop. The last three caused because I am fighting a cold of some sort. With the bloody nose I had last week that brings the total to four in the month of May. Equal to what I had the rest of the year.

Bloody noses are nothing new to me. In fact, what is new is how few bloody noses I have had this year. Last year I had about one a day. In a ten day span last year I had fourteen bloody noses. The shortest of which lasted 45 minutes. The worst one lasted around four hours and made me sick. That prompted me to go see a doctor, again. I have never had much luck when it came to my nose a the doctor's office. They have come up with several different ideas but never any solutions for my bloody noses. The ENT specialist I saw was no different. He bluntly told me there was nothing we can do to stop them, and then proceeded to tell me a couple of options that he said would not work and then asked me to come back. After my return trip and again hearing no positive remarks I left with no intention of coming back.

I am told that at my age these are to dwindle down to a practical stop. Which for the most part they have. If it were not for my cold I would probably not have had these last few.

Until tomorrow, may your nose stay dry.

Skate

Steak and Potatoes

I am on the grill trying to quickly get in a meal before both rehearsal and the bad weather start. On the menu tonight we have rosemary red potatoes and filet mignon. The potatoes were mixed with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, garlic, and a few other seasonings; then wrapped in tin foil and placed on the grill. The filets will not take as long, especially because The One and I love our steak medium-rare. All of this should be shared with a glass of wine. It will be quite the meal!

Until tomorrow, may your mouth water with delight.

Skate

Rain Day

That was one long tomorrow. Friday ended up being an extremely long work day. It capped off an exhausting week. Thankfully that night I joined with B12 for our Bate night. It was exactly what the doctor ordered after a long week. Now that my blogs are in order, I should not have another lapse in judgement where I am just not in the mood to blog. The obsessive compulsive in me likes that my blogs align nicely within the week.

Today is rather gloomy, raining and windy, and I suggested that we take a rain day much like we would if it were to be snowing and we took a snow day. I could not convince the office that we should take the day off because it was raining. A lot of people wished the could but no one wanted to start it. Even with the threat of tornadoes later in the evening I could not convince them that it was a good day to take off. I think rain days would be appropriate every now and then. Today, being a Monday, would be a very appropriate time to take one.

Until tomorrow, may you take your rain day.

Skate

Hogwash

This morning I sat in a meeting with people higher up in the corporate chain than me. They are department chiefs at a the second highest possible level. They came down to give out briefings on why things are done the way they are done to the general masses. This meeting thought was to get a feel for how things are in my purgatory office. When the question was first asked I outwardly showed some emotion by quietly laughing. Then I sat flummoxed as a person who has to this point shown outward thoughts and emotion against the office go through and tactfully talk about how things are. With the addition of another person who has a vested interest in keeping this office around, it had to be some of the best lipstick on a pig I have ever seen.

I should have known better. These are not the people you bring lower levels of concern to. We are already doing that through the channels we should be. There would not have been any good to come out of airing out our dirty laundry. I used to be the best one at that. I could paint a beautiful picture of how things were no matter how covered in excrement they are. Somewhere along my career path I switched gears. I no longer put lipstick on a pig; I tap dance and give fancy answers. When it comes down to calling an ugly baby ugly I do. Though most of the time I just say it is not the most attractive baby, but it will grow.

I do not want to return to painting lipstick on pigs, but I do need to remember to be tactful. It is very rare I forget at the office. It was quite the shock that I forgot this morning. I could blame it on dealing with rude people this morning that kind of set me on tilt, but that would just be an excuse. I still know better. I am still one of the better people at presenting a positive spin on situations that do not have many things to be positive about. I just have to remember that.

Until tomorrow, may you find your baby attractive because it is attractive.

Skate

Little Caesar

This summer will be dubbed Little Caesar now that I have been cast into both Lil' Abner and Julius Caesar. I will not have much free time after work it seems as I will always have a rehearsal to go to. Not that I am complaining. The One, and several friends, are in both shows so I will always have some company. I have good roles in both. I will be Marc Antony in Caesar and I will be Earthquake McGoon in Lil' Abner.

In case you were wondering, and I know some will ask, dates for Caesar are 25-27 of June; dates for Lil' Abner are July 23-25, 30-31.

Until tomorrow, may you think about enjoying Little Caesar.

Skate

New Look

Today I channeled my inner The One and rearranged my office. This the first, and will be the only, time that do that. It was good to see the change. I had wanted to move things around since I moved into that office. Rearranging just always ended up on the bottom of the priority list. With news that one of my cohorts will remain with us we decided it was time for a change. Boy does it look great.

My back no longer faces the entrance, nor does anyone else have to deal with that unfortunate situation. The room looks longer in this set-up and not so crowded. It has more of a professional look. It feels more like an office and less like a closet we were placed in.

Until tomorrow, may things move the way you want them.

Skate

Good Fortune

Yesterday I emptied the piggy bank to dig out quarters for a newspaper and I found a gem. Well, not an actual gem, I found a penny. Not just any penny though, a 1937 Wheat Penny. It was the backside of the penny that piqued my interest. I have always been interested in the years of coins and was pleased when I saw how old it was. I like seeing old coins. I thought it was just good luck finding it and was planning on keeping it around for a while just because it was from 1937. After doing some research, I found out there was more reason to keep it than just that.

It turns out that this penny, that clearly labels itself as being one cent, is valued at 25 cents. While it still cannot buy me much, being valued at 25 times what it was intended to be is quite awesome. Now I have more reason to keep it around. I am not a coin collector. I briefly kept the state quarters around. I usually just find an odd coin or old coin and keep it around longer by not spending it right away.

I cannot say how long this Wheat Penny will last. I will keep it out of the piggy bank and in plain view. After all, I am taking this as a sign that a good week is ahead.

Until tomorrow, may good fortune seek you.

Skate