Why do I do this again?

Ok... not to moan and groan too much, but am I right in assuming that I'm a pretty easy guy to work for when it comes to my company policies? How many companies tell their staff to wait until 10:00 am to get to work in the morning, start every day off with a cup of coffee an a morning meeting, and then get started on their day? We usually have none of the horrible drudgery that comes with most companies. We are always doing something different. I adjust operating hours to accomodate the lazy lifestyle of most of the staff. What else can I do to make it easy for people to get to work on time? It is currently 12:38 in the afternoon. Would you friggin believe that NO ONE has showed up to work today except Hal? Hal was here 10 minutes early, not that I care about that, because early just means that I have to get up earlier. But the point it, everyone here is 2 and a half hours late at this point and so far I see no sign that they're going to show up at all. Pardon the phrase, but "What The Fuck!!!!!" Do I have to be the asshole who says, "Get to work on time or you're fired!" That's what most every other company in the world does, but I've always wanted to avoid that because I have a unique group of guys with a unique skill set that's hard to find elsewhere. Additionally, they're a great collective bunch of people away from work as well. But this shit has got to stop. I have now lost approximately 4 hours of MY workday, plus almost 3 of theirs each, meaning I've lost 10 man hours of labor at the time of this posting. Even at our cheapest rate, that means Computer Techs has lost $450.00 today so far. I think I'm going to go smoke before I kill someone, because you can guarantee that I'm going to get some lame bullshit excuse as to what everyone was doing when they were supposed to be here working. Sorry... I just needed to vent a little and see if maybe it's just me that's being an ass or if I'm really justified in being totally pissed off!

Evening All

Well, it's 3 AM here in the wonderful world of my conscious mind. April and I just played some CoH before heading off to LaLa land... Tomorrow is my last morning with Hannah for her trip. She goes back to her Mom's tomorrow, hopefully none the worse for having been subjected to me and my associates for the last 4 days. I'll be on here early in the morning because I've got to get her up to get her packed in the morning. I'll post some actual content then... maybe... probably... Oooh ooh ooh. I planted my spring garden on the deck this afternoon. I can't wait for summer now. I've got roses, hyacinths, basil, wandering jews, spider plants, cucumbers, cacti, tulips, and more... it's going to be really cool this year. My fern/exotic/vegetable garden. Night all... sleep well... or don't... I don't really care which. hehehe

Last shot.. this is us dealing damage to the bad guy... fun fun fun.. we need more friends that like this game.

Posted By Gandalf

That's April's head there on the left, saving my butt... I'm the one on the bottom that looks like he's having a heart attack. Ice chaser, was down for the count on the righ and that's Rudra on top... one BAD ass tanker.

Posted By Gandalf

This is us in Full combat... yeah I stepped aside to take a photo.. I'm such a tourist.

Posted By Gandalf

This is one of all of us that were playing last night. Keri got put behindmy chat screen so you can't see her too well, but I'll get another shot of April's toon.

Posted By Gandalf

This is Flamin. As you can see, she's Flamin Ding Ding on the game... due to the bright pony tails I think...

Posted By Gandalf

This is my alternate costume for Viper Commander. I just managed to get this one last night... I'm pretty stoked about the idea.. lol.. now I'm beginning to sound like one of those techno-weenies I hate.

Posted By Gandalf

To those of you who have NO idea what Flamin and April and I do, together, this is it: That flaming guy in the middle is me. I'll post a few more so you can see what it's like.

Posted By Gandalf

Know anyone who needs a summer nanny?

Ok, Little bit might be able to help me with this, but I need a job for the summer, and I prefer being a nanny. Does anyone know a family who needs a reliable nanny for the summer? I worked at a daycare for 3.5 years and worked for families as a babysitter/ nanny since I was 15. I can give references if they need it. I will have my license then too, so that wont be an issue....or if you know anyone who needs summer help at their company, I am a hard worker and pick things up easily, so let me know. I will be available full time March 23rd through August 23rd. Help guys!! :-)

Hey all

So Here I am. I just gotta say Hi KERI!! I adore you. ( I was gonna come up with a poem.. but it sucks) let me tell yall about COH and how I am such an expert on floors. You see, I, FlaminDingDing, ( Ding Dings are pig tails, you sillies) die. I die alot. It just sisnt a good mission unless I Die at least 3 times,. Keri though, you teleport me out of the way.. and bad guys from stepping on my hair, and you bring my fire back to life. Oh Keri, you who know just what to say as I describe the floor on which I lie. Oh Keri, you see way too much of me on the floor. Like the way the ***** match my skirt? lol. And the floors!! I know what kind of mission it will be by looking at the floors. Oh and Happy Easter y'all, How was that for an intro?? I know, no more bad poetry from me. Got it. evil laugh. Flamin'

Pizza Pizza Pizza

What makes a Super Dad? Pizza! I've goofed up a lot of stuff in life but Pizza I can do! We're having pizzas tonight. Help... what do you do when you work all day and you need to occupy your brilliant 8 year old daughter so you don't feel like a total slacker-dad? I'm stuck here most days while I work and I feel like a slacker if I just let her play on the computers all day. There's GOT to be something productive to do. Today, we watched the Incredibles and she played Yahoo games for most of the day.... that's all, except for some time with me just being Dad... April brought up the idea of going out to walk Megan's dog, Tanner, which we'll probably do tomorrow. I want to take her to Kid's Zone too...and plant shopping with me because I have to get some plants to plant this spring and get her a backpack while I'm at it. Hmmm... ugh.. so.... someone distract me from my feelings of ineptitude.

Our wedding pics

Hey guys, Here is the link to pics for our wedding. These are the pics from people's camera's (like tommy's the reception table camera's, our honeymoon etc..). The professional pics have NOT been posted yet, but should be within a week or so (I will post another link when that occurs). You can save the pics to your comp from this site, print or order prints...whatever you like. Thanks everyone! Natalie

Saturday.... yawn

Ben Afleck, Reality Show, Dean Cain, Reality Show, Surfer Chick Movie, Reality Show, Reality Show Reality Show. I don't get it. I know why people sleep in now. Greetings all... I just wanted to write to say hello. I started my Saturday morning off with a hair cut at 9:00 in the morning. You KNOW I have GOT to love my stylist to get up in time to have my hair cut at 9 AM on a Saturday. Following that and some Bojangles, I settled down in front of the boob tube to watch an old western movie... sometime after that I awoke to the wonderful world of friggin reality TV again. You know they're even sticking in little bits of reality and home improvement shows in the middle of other shows now... on the botton of the screen. I think I'm going to find a way to ban the channels from my TV so I can't ever have to watch another reality TV show again... I literally hate them so much that they put me in a bad mood just being forced to listen to them. It's horrible. Now it's 2:00 and I haven't done much today yet. April's going to Food Lion to get groceries and stuff for Hannah's easter basket and I'm going to get some work done. (I've got to download the GPS overlay coordinates for our new project into my laptop and see if I can figure out the GPS software.) I'm going to be on the Blog off and on throughout the weekend so I really hope to catch some of you here. In case I don't get to talk to all of you, I hope you all have a Happy Easter. Sassenach, if you're around this weekend, blog me dang it. lol. Ok... now I'm going to play with the new VOIP phone some more... there's still some things I have to figure out on it.... *poofing into the ether*

It's Easter!

I just want to wish everyone a nice and happy Easter weekend! Hope everyone is enjoying the nicer weather we are having! Natalie and Thiago, I hope your dinner tomorrow turns out well, we appreciate the invite but will have to ask for a rain check this time. Sometime today we are supposed to get Tommy's daughter, and she will be staying with us for most of the week. I believe we may be doing the dinner tonight at Longhorn with the gang, but we thought that after we'd take her ice-skating. So for those of you that may like to join us, come on! The more, the merrier! Call one of us to let us know! The rest of the week will be spent with her, just hanging out, so check in with us now and then to see what's going on. Next weekend is MY birthday!! I want to do something with everybody hopefully on Sat. so keep your calendars open! Sunday is my actual birthday, and Tommy and I will be with my family then. Well, just wanted to drop a note, I know I haven't been around here lately, but I've worked the past 14 days straight without a break, and between that and playing CoH (no smart-ass comments from the peanut gallery), I haven't been on the blog. Now that I'm helping Tommy some with work too I've been around even less. So, everyone have a great weekend and we'll catch ya'll again soon!

Rain Man: I found your hair style book.

Mullets Galore Hey.. check out the link.. now you can find ALL kinds of interesting things to do with your unique hairstyle... lmao Love ya bro.

Bannag.. you're a goob.

Yeah yeah I know.. we're all busy. So, in the effort of talking to all of you throughout the day (when I'm behind the PC at least) I've set this as the homepage on ALL the computers now. The only reason I haven't updated as much lately as I should is just because there's SOOO much going on with my work life that I haven't had time to post it. It would take a 42 page post just to fill you in on my average day now.. god. I need to hire a walking tape recorder just so I can remember all the minutae of the average day... I finally broke down and bought a planner, just so I can keep on top of my days. In new news, I finally got a home phone again. It has a work message on the answering machine, but it's me and April nonetheless. I think I'll change that to a regular personal message though.. I have enough work related shit in my life at this point without adding one single detail more to it. For those of you who don't get an email from me, the new number, if you care to have it, is 252-558-4285. I think we're all going to go out and try to have a good time at Lucky's tonight... I'm personally so damned tired, that I could happily stay right here at this point, but it's my only night to get out so I'm gonna give it a shot. I just can't be happy at a country bar right SMACK in the middle of college central. I REALLY like the bar... but I hate the location so bad that I'd prefer NOT to go, just to avoid the downtown scene. (Man, I sound like my older friends from 5 years ago... lol) If y'all want to come, bring yourselves on down. Love you all. (You too Agent M.... lol.. even though I know you well enough to know that you're STILL mad at this point.)

Just A Reminder

Just want to make sure that no one misses out on an opportunity for drinking anad loud abnoxious behavior. 1. This Friday night 3/25 we are partying at Mikes apartment. Cookout and all, BYOB. Food will be provided. 2. This Sat night 3/26. Dinner at Long Horn Steakhouse. Meet at 5:30 - 6. After party at Daytonas Pub. Anyone who wants to come by all means do and that goes for Natalie and Thiago as well even though you have yet to meet me or Mike. So lets send him off Scooby style shall we folks. He deserves it. any questions please call me at 252-216-9983 Ray

EASTER SUNDAY

Hello All! I thought I would extend an invite to all the scoobies who dont have family close by to come and have Easter dinner with Thiago and I this sunday. I will most likely be making a turkey/ham and the normal fixings (homemade mashed potatoes, candied yams, veggies, rolls, fruit salad, some type of cake/pie). I probably wont make it all from scratch like I would during the summer because I have a lot of work to do this weekend, but most of it will be...and hey...it would be free to you...so dont complain :-) So, just drop us a line if you would like to come, and if not...post something and let us know what is going on...no one has been using this site! Thank you rainman for your kind words, we hope to meet you sometime. HOLLA!

Good Morning Scoobies

Good monring everyone I hope you all are doing great. It is 6:30 weds moening and I am trying to figure out why I am all bright eyed and bnushy tailed this morning. Just thought i wold drop in and tell everyone good morning and have a good one. Thiago and Natalie, welcome back and congratulations, you havent met me yet bu I am sure you will. I wish you all the best in the journey you are starting with each other and I hope we are all still around to see it in 20 years. May The Winds Of Destiny Always Be At Your Back To Carry You Aloft To Dance With The Stars

Welcome to the concrete beach

Welcome to the concrete beach

We're BAAACKKK

Hello Everyone, I hope you all had a great week, I know thiago and I sure did. I would like to thank everyone who helped in the wedding one more time. You all really made it possible for everything to go well. If you weren’t in attendance Tommy has tons of pics and we have about 10x's that amount still waiting to come in (seriously, we brought 11 rolls to Eckerd today, and we still have the professional pictures that need to come in). So, by next weekend we will sure to have a link to many of the photo's if not all of them...and you can feel like you were there. But any who, for those who want to know our honeymoon events. We went to Miami and arrived Monday. We took a limo to a restaurant in south beach walked and walked around downtown. it was so nice and warm. Tuesday we walked around Miami Beach and Bayside then went on a dinner cruise that takes you down "Millionaire’s row" then to a private island for dinner and a show. Wednesday we drove down to Key Largo and Islamorada. We went kayaking in Key Largo and were doing fine until the last stretch of the trip when we capsized due to wind and were the unable to stay on the kayak b/c it took on too much water. So, they had to call us a rescue boat...it was funny, except the whole worrying about getting stung by jellyfish. We ate at two restaurants on the ocean while we were there for lunch and dinner. Each was so peaceful, the dinner restaurant sat right on top of the water so that you could feed the fish and birds. Thursday it actually rained, but it wasn’t a big deal b/c we were traveling from Miami to Orlando (a 3.5 hr drive). We then went to Ripley's believe or not museum in Orlando then to a Pirate Adventure dinner and show. It was great, since they gave unlimited wine and alcohol, and tons of food. Cheesy, yes, but who doesn't like a little cheese once in a while. Then, Friday we went to Epcot and drank about a gallons worth of margarita from "Mexico" at the world showcase. Epcot was great, we both had tons of fun, and the only thing was that it was surprisingly cold so we bought matching sweaters just to laugh at ourselves. Everyone knew we were on our honeymoon then. Saturday we went to some of the shops near the hotel and picked up a few things and then went to Old Town (cute little park with rides and shops). We rode the Ferris wheel and visited all the shops. Thiago bought himself a sword set (yes, I know they have a real name)...and I went to one of those shops where they open up an oyster in front of you and make a necklace from the pearl inside. Come to find out the more color in the pearl the more its value...I ended up with a "gold" colored pearl, it is really gorgeous. Then we headed back home stayed in SC sat night then drove up today. So today we unpacked and now I am trying to get some work done. Holla

Check it out folks

http://beachstyle.blogspot.com/ there it is and tell me what you think

OK It Works

Thanks A, i was having sucha brain fart and couldn't figure out why it wasnt working right. well it is now and I am going to be having a field day with it and as soon as I figure out how to invite people I am going to ahve lot of fun with that. And Yeah I knwo my speeling sucks, but I really can spell but my fingers work so much faster than my brain does and it is hard for it to keep up. yeah that backwards isn't it. Well you all have a good one and hope to see you all soon. May The Winds Of Destiny Always Be At Your Back To Carry You Aloft To Dance With The Stars

PARTY, PARTY, PARTY!!!

I know, most of you may not care (especially those enjoying their Spring Break, or Honeymoon), but we are having a pig-pickin' tonight at the bar! It is our Spring Fling, but it's also cause one of the owners has retired from her "real" job, and she's turning 50, so it's really turned into a celebration! It's also for the Scoob gang too! (Well, maybe in our minds) :) We are celebrating a few birthdays this weekend, Shannon's (who's was 3/9), Ed's (who's was 3/16), and Marcus' (who's is TODAY!). Since Backseat Romeo is our band for the evening, we're gonna do it Scooby-style and "Git-r-dun!" :) I'm supposed to work, but my schedule is as needed. So I know I'll be working at 6:00, but don't know how long I'll be working. :) So if you're in town this weekend and are looking for something to do, come on out and have some fun with us! I promise you'll enjoy it! :)

ok Having problems help me if you can

in the process of creating my won blog, I wient to post the first comment and it wouldnt save or let me back into the dashboard to edit it please help www.beachstyle/blogspot.com

Hey all.

Hi gang. Sorry I've missed you all most of the week.... it's been a REALLY busy week for me, but it's a good kind of busy. I guess I'll fill you in on my week all in one shot, since I usually do it day by day in the morning. 1.) I got back in touch with Hal this week; an old friend of mine that used to work with me. As luck would have it, he was looking for work and I was looking to hire him... so there ya go. Serendipity at its best. He's integrated really with the team thus far and will continue to do so I think. Like everyone else on this team, he has skill-sets uniquely his own that complement ours but don't overrun those of everyone else. This makes is such that each member of our team is crucial for their one element of expertise, but can fill support roles when working in the other's area. It's not the "safest" way if you were to approach it from a corporate strategy standpoint, but it makes the work environment nice from the "I have to work with these people today" standpoint. 2.) While on a job this week, we ran into a cabling nightmare that we absolutely hated. There are about a thousand wires that we have to trace down, test, connect, install, and test again. Great minds prevailed and I think in the end we came up with a solution that doesn't exist elsewhere.... so if we can make it work, we're going to patent it and sell it. (The alternative was to have 3 guys getting paid 70.00 per hour sitting around for over 50 hours or so each trying to trace wire. WE figured this was the cheaper route for our client.) What is this amazong invention? We're calling it the "WITCh" box. (yes, the "h" is supposed to be small.) It stands for: Wiring Indentification Terminal Control" and answers the question posed by guys like me when we're in a nasty network configuration of "Which wire is this? Which outlet does this connect to? Which one of these is hot?", etc... so we found the name appropriate. Kudo's to Flash for the name of the device. Ok... now you know my week.. what have you goobs been up to? I miss you guys.

This is some funny sh*t!

You know you’re an 80s/early 90s kid when… 1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "SIKE!" 2. You watched the Pound Puppies. 3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air." 4. You wore Slap Bracelets. -and had them taken away 5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-Sitters Club and tried to start a club of your own. 6. You owned those little Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls. 7. You know that "WHOA" comes from Joey on Blossom. 8. Two words: M.C. Hammer ... 9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock." 10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars. -pink and white! 11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" 12. You remember when it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.... -what happened!? I feel bad for the kids today. 13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head. -"stephanie style" 14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" 15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school. 16. You played the game "MASH" (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter Shack, House). 17. You wore a Jordache Jean jacket and you were proud of it. 18. You had at least one pair of L.A. Gear sneakers 19. You wanted to change your name to "JEM" in Kindergarten.... 20. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing" and all the Ramona books. - and fudgemania! 21. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF" 22. You wanted to be a Goonie! 23. You ever wore flourescent clothing. 24. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off. 25. You have pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.... 26. You took plastic lunch boxes to school 27. You remember watching "Salute Your Shorts" -Only the best show EVER! 28. You used to say "NOT" after every fakeout sentence. 29. You remember Hypercolor T-shirts. 30. Alvin and the Chipmunks was your favorite TV show. (well, not my FAVORITE, but definatly up there... 31. You thought She-Ra and He-Man should hook up. 32. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged friendship bracelets. 33. You owned a pair of jelly sandals -Loved em even through the blisters and sweating feet. 34. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 35. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up!" 36. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. 37. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip 'n' Slide. Never ever do it near gravel. 38. You have ever played with a Skip-It. I can sing the jingle too. 39. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonald's. Many many many times 40. You've gone through this list occasionally saying "totally awesome." 41. You remember Popples. 42. "Don't worry, be happy." 43. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights. Who does that!? I never went over 5 44. You wore socks scrunched down. 45. "Miss MARY MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BLACK" With silver buttons buttons buttons.... 46. You remember boom boxes vs. CD players. 47. You remember watching both "Gremlins" movies 48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!" 49. You remember watching Rainbow Brite and My Little Ponies 50. You thought Doogie Howser was hot. I had such a crush and him... 51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac. I feared for that cat. 52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool. 53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell," the ORIGINAL class. 54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME ..shot through the heart, and you’re to blaaame.. 55. You loved and still do love Bruce Springsteen OHMYGOD!!! For those of you that know me, and for those of you that don't, this was so my life! My BFF Gidge has this on her blog, so I decided to borrow it to fill you all in! Now, just how many of you know most of the things on the list? :)

Party Time Is Here

Hey Ya'll whats up. Well just about everyone knows Mike Etheredge. He is leaving for boot camp on the 29th of this month. On Fri the 25th we are planning a cookout and a light hearted party at Mikes house on the corner of 12th and Charles BLVD. Sat night we are going to dinner and Long Horn Steakhouse for anyone interested in going. I hope that everyone enjoys it, he has been a really good friend to me personally and I knw a lot of you have gotten to knwo him and love him to. I am really going to miss him as I knwo ll of you are as well and I hope that we can give him the kind of celebration he deserves. So please anyone and everyone interested please contact via cell, yahoo or msn. Tyr to let me know if any of you have any ideas or whatever please keep me informed so I knwo how to plan thinsg ahead of time. Thanks a bunch folks. May The Winds Of Destiny Always Be At Your Backs To Carry You Aloft To Dance With The Stars

Why Is It So Quiet

Ok no one has pasoted since me yesterday, WOW. Why is everyone so quiet. Thats right you all have busy ass lives, well damn I don't. Guess I need to get one huh. Well lets get something going on here so we can have some activity. So lets see here: Does Anyone think it is possible to be in love with someone and net let it ruina friendship? May The Winds Of Destiny Always Be At Your Back To Carry You Aloft To Dance With The Stars

Thanks

Hey everyone, I just wanted to drop in and sya thaks for a great weekend everyone. LIttle Bit, I hope everything works out for you and your goven situation. Please keep me posted on whats new with everyone. Love you all and hope to see y ou all soon. May the wonds of destiny always be at your back to carry you aloft to dance with the stars. Rain Man

Hey Yall I am here

Hey everyone I have finally made it. I fell so special now, i want a cookie. Well, life is going good now, well for me anyhow. I haevbeen in greenville all weekend and I feel like I havent missed a beat of things that have gone on. I can always get caught up with all of you. BTW Mourning Star, how you doing man long time no see. I am hoping to be moving back up this way pretty soon, so everyone be ready. Well I am going to scat for now and I hope that you all have a good night and a great day. May the winds of destiny always be at your back to carry you aloft to dance with the stars.

The Week Ahead

Wow, I am so tired after this weekend...and it wasn't even my wedding! I have to say I think that Natalie and Thiago looked amazing today, they were both so happy and gorgeous, and I hope that everything went according to their wishes. You guys, thank you so much for inviting me to share in your day, and for inviting me into your lives as well. I wish you nothing but love and serenity in each other and in life. So, apparently, towards the end of the day my bitch factor was kicking in, and so for any of you in attendance, I didn't mean to be rude or bitchy..it's just once I get in control of one thing, I tend to want to control everything around me.....maybe that's why I'm always so darn tired lol. Now that this hectic wedding weekend is over, I am looking foreward to spring break. I will be leaving for Florida Monday morning at 8am and I won't be coming back until the next Sunday...sometime, not sure when yet. I will be at a confernce and presenting some research Saturday, and then the rest of the time I will be enjoying all Florida has to offer, including seeing my family and maybe even meeting up with the newlyweds for lunch or something one day (seeing as how I will be right next door to Miami the whole week). My internet has been so slow lately, every time I try to post it doesn't go through. So here's hoping this works. Everyone, have a great week. Natalie and Thiago, I hope you live it up in Miami. April, I hope that your more than insane work week goes well, and that there are no more dramas or stressful events going on- and thank you so much for all your help at the wedding this morning, I'm sure the video will turn out fine :) Everyone else, I don't know what your week will look like, but don't work toooooo hard and find a couple of hours to have fun. I'll check back in a week....everyone keep me posted though!

Wedding Bliss (and weekend exhaustion)

Well, the wedding is over and the newlyweds are bound for Florida. Right about now, I'm too tired to exude all the sentiment that I felt earlier today. I'm simply exhausted beyond the point of reasonable common sense. I need to be asleep right now, but since I'm taking tomorrow off, I kind of hate to waste a "weekend" night when I don't have to be up early tomorrow. For those of you who want to check them out, I have posted the pics that April and I took with my camera on my web site. I'm not going to post them all here because it would take forever. In the meantime, you can view them all here. Leave some comments on the Blog if you'd like. I have all the original hi-res photos on my computer still. These here on this link are slightly lower resolution so they don't lag up your internet connection. I hope you enjoy them. I'll write more later! Love you all.

Our Weekend!

Well, let me just say that the weekend has gone very well! Friday night T and I decided to stay in and relax, playing CoH instead of going out. Everyone else decided to stay in too. Saturday started early for T, since he had to meet the families of Natalie and Thiago before the wedding. When he got home there were four computers waiting to be repaired, so he started working. Then he left to join the wedding party for the rehearsal and dinner and set-up. Marion, Marcus, Raymond (Tommy's little bro), Mike, and a couple of his friends went out to eat at Olive Garden (yummy!). We almost had one of the hostesses dancing in a chair for us! Mike is shipping out for Basic in a couple of weeks, so we wanted to send him off with a bang! :) Then some went to Daytona's for a while, and I went home to wait for Todd and Sameena and Doc, since he was coming to hang with T for the rest of the night. So the gang (minus a few) went to Lucky's, which would have been great minus the jar-heads that were in there trying to be sooo cool. Needless to say we didn't stay there long. Today started with T and Thiago getting ready at our house, and I started some photog work (hopefully we'll be able to post a few pics here soon!). Then we headed to the GCC to get ready for a WEDDING! Since T was in the wedding and had the video camera and his digital camera I got the luck of taking all the before pics (girls geting ready, setting up, the cake, etc.). Then I filmed the ceremony, which I hope turns out half as good as the pics did! Once the wedding was over they set up to start with the pictures, so the formal photographer could get the real shots. I was able to take copies of just about everyone of the pics he took! The weather was wonderful, so we were able to get some pics outside too! The reception was a blast! Everyone had a ball, and Natalie and Thiago looked so happy! I have to say they did a tremendous job getting this all put together and then handing off the reins to be able to enjoy the day! Now they're on their way to Miami for their honeymoon, and we just took a look at the shots I took today! Can I say WOW! I had no idea they would turn out so good! I have to say they are some amazing amateur photos! I can't wait 'til everyone gets a chance to see them! I have to say I'm really proud of my work! :) Maybe I've found a new calling? Well, gonna head out, spend the rest of the day relaxing with the man I love! We both have had a hectic couple of weeks, and I have one starting tomorrow, so we're gonna take some "US" time to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet! Hope everyone else had a great weekend too!

IT'S FRIDAY!!!

Woo hoo! The weekend is finally here! Don't know how your week has been, but mine has been ok. Tommy called me about 30 min. ago and said he was on his way home (finally) from Elizabethtown. For those of you that don't know where that is, it's on the other side of Fayetteville, which is about 3+ hours from here (especially in Friday traffic). So hopefully he'll still want to do something. So far the game plan is to maybe go ice-skating (if they're back in time), and then head to Lucky's. We had thought about going to Cafe Caribe', but my friends decided to have tonight as a night in. As for tomorrow, the wedding preperations go into overdrive! (Congrats, Natalie and Thiago!) I believe there is a meeting tomorrow morning, then the rehearsal and dinner tomorrow night. Then the wedding party will start the set-up for Sunday's festivities. For those of us not helping with the preps, we've thought about going to the Bistro, cause The Band of Oz is playing and having everyone else meet us there. Then we can decide what to do for the rest of the night. Sunday is then started with Natalie and Thiago's wedding (I can't wait!). I was soo worried that I would miss it because I was supposed to work, but luckily someone picked up my shift. Don't really have anything planned for after that, since the happy couple will start for their honeymoon and some of us have Spring Break (you suck!). I just wanted to kinda put a draft out of the weekend's plans to see what everyone thought. . . Let me know if you want to do something different, or if you want to join! It will probably be easier to reach me, since T's on the road for the rest of the night. Hope to see y'all soon!

Greetings ethersphere...

Hi all. It's 8:30. I' m sitting on here talking to Bannag and making Spaghetti for Thiago and Natalie. It's been a good day for the company today, aside from getting a late start. I'm at my laptop, in my dining room, with the scent of tarragon and oregano strong in the air and the swelling crescendoes of classical music coming from the stereo... all in all I'd call that a peaceful environment... this feels nice. How's everyone else's day going? I'm glad to see some traffic on here.. it was getting stale.

Yankeebob's Warning for Men!

For all you guys that feel taken advantage of by women. . . . . this just might be the reason! Shucks, Gandalf, does Coke have the same affect? :) Yankeebob: "Warning For Men Warning: Police are warning all men who frequent clubs, parties and local pubs to be alert and stay cautious when offered a drink from any woman. Many females use a date rape drug on the market called 'Beer'. The drug is found in liquid form and available almost everywhere. It comes in bottles, cans, from taps and in large 'kegs' 'Beer' is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and have sex with them. A woman needs only to get a guy to consume a few units of 'Beer' and then simply ask him home for no strings attached sex. Men are rendered helpless against this approach. Many times these unfortunate men are swindled out of their life's savings in a scam known as a 'relationship'. In extreme cases, the female may even be shrewd enough to entrap the unsuspecting male into a longer term form of servitude and punishment referred to as 'marriage'. Please! Forward this warning to every male you know. If you fall victim to this 'Beer' and the women administering it..... there are male support groups where you can discuss the details of your shocking encounter with similarly affected like-minded guys. For the support group nearest you, just look up 'Golf Courses' in the Yellow Pages. "

Zoom Zoom Zzom

Just wanted to say hi to everyone. This has been the longest gap in my postings since I started this thing. It's just been a busy week already this week (which is good for business) but I've got to remember to make time for this too. What have you guys been up to? I've been busy as hell. I know I've got to go Thursday to try on my tux for Thiago's wedding, then dinner saturday afternoon, then __________ saturday night, and then the wedding on Sunday... not sure what all else is going on this week. Anyone got any plans yet?

What day is it?

Oh my gosh, where did the weekend go?! We have been going non-stop all weekend getting things done for the wedding. I am sure that this week is going to be the same. Tons of little things still need to be completed, but nothing too bad. Family starts arriving friday. We will have an organizational meeting 10am sat morning, and after that I am sure it will all start running together. Thanks little bit for the shout out in your post! Tommy, just to let you know, you guys have to go pick up/pay for your tuxes thursday. And sat after the rehearsal dinner we will be going to set up the Reception/ceremony hall, so of course your help is requested.

This was just a shot of the couples slow dancing. Left: Lil'Bit & BlackJack. Right: Doc & Tracy, Back: That cowboy hat sticking up is all that's visible of me, and that's April's butt... lol

Posted By Gandalf

Part of the "Original Scoobies"... Me, Doc, Sameena, Todd, Allison, Ed, Dez... this is of course just Doc and Sameena.

Posted By Gandalf

Dude.. with Boobs like that, wouldn't YOU be cheesin too? See the look on her face? She's got the "yeah I know you're pointing the camera at my chest" look... lol..

Posted By Gandalf

Someone slap some button on her.. her toast is DONE! Agent M's Quote of the night: "Don't try to take away my Glory! I'm drunk. I need my glory!" Agent M was under the impression that her VIP membership was getting all the girls in free, so she kept watching the door all night to get them in as they arrived to see us.... she didn't know until later that all ladies are in free.... she just wanted to flaunt her VIP status. "Very Inebriated Person!" (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

Gandalf and Twitterpaited! Now talk about a hot woman.... D-a-a-annnng.

Posted By Gandalf

Dude! That is a shot of two HOT sons-a-bitches! I mean HOT! HOT HOT HOT! Being this sexy is tough! And we're not even drunk in this picture. It looke like a hug gone wrong and mixed with a sumo tackle... (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

Did you REALLY think we'd get through the night without a strumpet pose? Hey.. I think I played that in band. hehehe.. I'm a strumpet player! Shut up Bannag... not a word from you. (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

Doc made a point when this picture was being taken: When you put women together in a picture, you notice how they all automatically know how to strike the same pose? Same smile, same stance, same grin, same drunk stare, same pushing forward of the boobs, etc.??? Personally I think they pull all the girls off to the side in about 4th grade when the boys are all playing on the playground and start secret women vogue training classes. (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

April, Bridget, and Nicole... (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

The girls were "Gettin Her Done!" This is April, Bridgett, and Agent M. (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to our local Drama Squad! (Left: Bridgett, Right: Agent M)

Posted By Gandalf

I swear to God I'm not drunk or stoned in this picture. I look either tired or stoned, I'm not sure which. This was me and "gidget" (Bridgett) down at Lucky's. Our resident drama queen was standing in for Agent M who was choosing to be drama-free this night... of course I think that's because she consumed a gallon of cheap wine prior to going out. (Agent M, that is.. I don't know WHAT Gidget had to drink.)

Posted By Gandalf

This is Tracy. She's the girlfriend of my Best Friend, Doc Holliday. (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.) She didn't want to come out but she looked hot so we're glad she did!

Posted By Gandalf

Sameena & Agent M on our first night at the new Country Bar. (Note:This photo and the subsequent photos were taken on March 4th, 2005 at the Grand Opening of Lucky's in Downtown Greenville.)

Posted By Gandalf

Plans for the weekend!

Ok, so this is only cause I'm tired of seeing my post pop up first about work (LMAO), I have decided to see what everyone was planning for the weekend?! I only have Fri night off, so I would like to go to Lucky's just to check it out. I'm not much for downtown anymore, so I may not even like it, but I want to give it a shot. If you're interested in going, let Tommy or me know about it and we'll start planning something. For those of you interested, Brad Benson is playing at the OC Sat night, just in case ya wanna go. He's usually pretty fun, and draws a big crowd from Score's too. We went up to the OC last night to see Bill Agans with Backseat Romeo, which was a lot of fun! It was nice to actually get to hang out with the Scoobs and not have to work while the band was there! They were really good and hopefully Bill will be back soon! For those of you who didn't see it or hear about it, Tommy was on Channel 9 (WNCT) news last night! (at 11:00) He was interviewed about using spyware to protect your computer and the such. There is supposed to be info about it on their webpage, but I can't seem to find it, maybe Tommy can link it for you later. Well, that's about all for now, getting ready to head to work at the DG, so I'll catch ya later!

I NEED TO VENT!

Can I just get some crap off my chest? I know you may not care to hear it, but if I don't let it go I will explode! I am beginning to hate EVERYTHING about the OC!!!!! Since the first of Jan. I have been on "probation" meaning that they think I'm not doing my job up to par. So, for Feb my hours got cut, to see if I would work hard enough to prove myself (which is kinda hard to do when you can't work any). Well, this past weekend we had a $2500 night (a great Sat is usually $1500-$1900), and I felt like I worked my ass off very well! I didn't have any customers complaining about having to wait too long for anything, and were fairly pleased with my service (even Daryl had thought I did pretty well)! BUT, it wasn't good enough! Somehow, someway I have truly pissed in F.O.'s cornflakes and I am on his shit-list! Someone that knows me please tell me what I have done wrong!? I messed up again tonight (by playing a vid game w/ a customer while there were 2 others at the bar) and he got even more pissed about it! He told Daryl that I can't have anymore Tues or Fri shifts, because I can't handle them! Me, who was the first bartender to serve liquor and worked the whole first week we did, the one who bailed them out of their daytime trouble and took the daytime position, the one that decorated for every holiday we had this past year and made signs about opening/closing changes, the one who has done more than her fair share in helping that place!!!! What am I doing that is so wrong? Except for this past Sat night, I haven't left there from working without crying for the past 2 months! I really wanted that other job so I could tell them to take-it-and-shove-it, but that didn't work out........so now once again I'm back in the same boat. I was told earlier tonight that I am very close to possibly getting the boot, and then really not be able to take care of myself (since that is the primary source of my income). :(.... Where am I going wrong? Daryl told me to step up (run around like a chicken with my head cut off) but I can't function like that. I feel when it's busy that I'm in my element. I'm having fun, getting to interact a little with customers, and stay really busy. But for them I don't seem busy enough. What am I supposed to do? Run, act crazy, pretend I can't handle it? Then he told me that maybe I need to change my attitude, quit being apologetic for making people wait and be a little smart ass (well, that would be fine if in Jan they hadn't told me that I was too much of a smart ass!). Daryl said that maybe I just need to suck up a little to F.O., since he's the owner and the one that doesn't like me so much right now, but I'm all out of ideas there too. I have NEVER had anyone that disappointed with my service, and I've tried just about everything I know to do to remedy this problem without success. I hope to find something financially capable to support me so that I can tell them "to shove it where the sun don't shine"! I was once told that I was the best bartender that they had, so why has that changed? Sorry to unload this here, but I didn't know what else to do. Tommy (poor thing), has to be up at 6:00 am to start working, and I probably won't get to see him much tomorrow, so I couldn't come home and unload on him tonight, although he did wake up when he heard my crying when I walked in the door. Can you give me suggestions, any ideas to fix whatever is wrong, or job recommendations so that I can find something else to do? I'm at my wit's end with this, and it's eating me alive! Tommy and all the Scoob's love it there so much, so I want to be able to keep it a positive place, but I'm starting to hate it more and more every day..... I would love any comments from anyone (friend or newbie), to help me. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest! I love you all for letting me vent, maybe now I'll be able to get some sleep!