tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33525031943172776902024-03-04T23:01:28.351-05:00A World Without GravityObservations and opinions carrying no particular weight.Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-22941336565679579462008-03-07T13:56:00.002-05:002008-03-07T14:12:39.401-05:00FlattenedWorking from home today - things are slow so I decided to update the blog this afternoon. I started up the street this morning with G, on the way to school, and the car didn't feel right...G says, "I think your tire is flat!" Silently, I agreed. Back into the driveway and yes indeed, the right front tire is pancaked. Luckily, L was also working from home, so I grabbed her car and off we went. Brought the car into the local tire store and found a fair sized screw was buried in the tread. The good news was the tire was still under warranty, and there was no major damage, so the tire was patched for no charge. Since my morning consisted of 2 conference calls, I decided I could just as well participate from home. I love making executive decisions!<br /><br />Been busy doing some weekly maintenance, so the OT is picking up again. The job itself looks good through the end of May, then we'll need some time to break down the servers in the datacenter, package them and ship them back to our corporate masters. What looked like a 6-12 month contract will turn into a year and a half...if I can swing it to remain there until the Disney World trip in late July, I'll be a happy sysadmin.<br /><br />Things go well otherwise - I was lucky enough to see the first Winwood/Clapton show at Madison Square garden two weeks ago. Great show...I downloaded the second show and it's been in my cat stereo ever since. Two old pros enjoying one another's abilities, and the combination was surprisingly greater than the great talents involved. Too bad the shows were one-offs...I'd love to see them again. As it is, I'll have to settle for Tom Petty/Winwood in June, and I'll check tomorrow to see how expensive Clapton/Robert Randolph tickets will be for the Tweeter Center.<br /><br />My mom continues to improve - she does outpatient therapy for her wrist and elbow. Still no idea when she'll return to work...her wrist is still quite sore and lacks range of motion. My dad's Alzheimer's progresses...I try to call and talk to him twice a week, but he laks the ability to initiate conversations, so I have to take the lead and ask questions, etc. <br /><br />More to come, and it won't take six weeks this time.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-45298537269049193242008-01-20T17:01:00.000-05:002008-01-20T17:12:21.253-05:00Medical updatesThe good, nay, great news is my mom getting released from the rehabilitation center this past Tuesday. She's home and very happy. At first we thought she would need surgery on her wrist to put a plate in, but another specialist decided against it.<br /><br />I wound up driving home Monday morning...the snow forecast for Sunday night never materialized, but it poured rain, and the weather radar showed sleet/snow in CT, and I decided to sacrifice the day's pay and drive home in the morning. The heavy snow line fell between New Haven and Hartford on Rte. 91, and I made it back without any problems.<br /><br />On the downside, I came down with a pretty bad chest cold on Friday. It's been a quiet weekend - I'm drained. I do have to work tomorrow, but will probably split the day between the datacenter and home.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-34323272640212883232008-01-13T09:17:00.000-05:002008-01-13T09:21:58.713-05:00The quiet before the stormI'm writing from my parents' home this morning. Came down yesterday to visit my mom in the rehabilitation center and to stay with my dad while my brother works. All is quiet for now, but things will get busy once everyone is up.<br /><br />I'm happy to report my mother is doing much better. She can walk around unassisted and has a lot more range of motion in the arm that has the broken wrist. She's going in for more X-rays Tuesday, so we're hoping we'll have an idea on when she's coming home. Took my dad to visit her yesterday, then came home and had some pizza and watched the football games.<br /><br />My brother should get out of work @ 10:30 or so, then it will a decision on whether I can out run the snowstorm back up to Boston. We shall see.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-74018284730834347612008-01-01T09:04:00.000-05:002008-01-01T09:16:12.362-05:00Happy New YearMy first post of 2008....here's hoping this year is one of prosperity and happiness for us all.<br /><br />Spent the weekend down in Jersey visiting the family. My mom is doing better at the rehab facility...she looks much better and the swelling in her fingers is just about gone. Her arms are still in splints, so she can only move them at shoulder level. She's scheduled for another round of X-rays in 2 weeks, then we'll have a better idea on how she's healing.<br /><br />Spent a lot of time with my dad...he was in good spirits, but he has problems when he's away from the house for very long, particularly in the evening. He's in good health, but it's heartbreaking to watch him fail mentally.<br /><br />We all had a great dinner at a Portuguese restaurant Sunday night...Tero's on Ridge Rd in Lyndhurst. Met up with some friends there, along with L and G, and drank sangria and ate a lot of food.<br /><br />Drove back yesterday and planning on watching some football and relaxing.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-8802674955376375002007-12-26T06:12:00.000-05:002007-12-26T06:28:44.024-05:00Easy To SlipIt's so easy to slip<br />It's so easy to fall<br />And let your memory drift<br />And do nothin' at all<br />All the love that you missed<br />All the people that you can't recall<br />Do they really exist at all<br /><br />- Lowell George<br /><br /><br />It's early on Boxing Day...trying to sort out everything that has been going on during the past week. As I mentioned yesterday, my mom fell at work last week and fractured her left wrist and right arm. She's in a rehab facility that just opened up....told it's beautiful, but there's only five patients in there so far. She's facing six weeks of physical rehab, then will probably miss more time on disability. Spoke to her very briefly yesterday - my brother had her cellphone as she can't hold anything, and started crying while we talked. Broke my heart - it's difficult to be hospitalized during the holidays. We'll be down over the weekend to visit her.<br /><br />The family is scrambling to make sure my dad is taken care of - at this stage of his Alzheimer's, he can't be left alone. So my sisters, brother, nieces and nephews take turns staying with him. I took him back home last Saturday after visiting my mom and stayed with him for awhile. It was getting late in the day, and he usually gets more disoriented in the late afternoon/early evening (believe this phenomenon is called "sundowning")...he started asking me where I lived and where I was born. I didn't know how I'd react when he didn't recognize/remember me, but I knew the day would come, so I just reminded him I was his son. He's coping so far, but I know he misses my mom terribly.<br /><br />Christmas was pretty low-key. We had dinner Monday night and exchanged gifts afterwards. G. got Guitar Hero 3 and was rocking that Monday night and yesterday. We hit 7:30 Mass yesterday and went to Sake on Rte. 1 for a traditional Japanese dinner. :-)<br /><br />Also got called at 10:30pm Christmas Eve on a mail relay server that was non-responsive. I wound up driving up to the datacenter and getting it back online - it's OT and makes up for the time I missed for the half-day I took on Christmas Eve.<br /><br />Need to finish up some shopping and get ready for the trip to see my family this weekend...then things will settle down.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-51012531695564015832007-12-25T12:28:00.000-05:002007-12-25T12:32:31.075-05:00Merry ChristmasWishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope Santa brought you everything on your list.<br /><br />Please take a second to keep my parents in your prayers/positive thoughts/good mojo. My mom fell at work last Tuesday and fractured her left wrist and right elbow. She's in a rehabilitation facility and can't use her arms due to swelling and soft casts being on them. My dad is trying to deal with the fact that she'll be away for six weeks while she heals up.<br /><br />Thanks and God's blessings on us all.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-59331653778343194502007-12-09T20:13:00.000-05:002007-12-09T20:17:49.322-05:00A quiet but productive weekendGet most of my daughter's Christmas shopping done? Check.<br /><br />Install some needed weatherstripping on the drafty backdoor to the house? Check.<br /><br />Cook a very tasty red beans and rice dinner for the family today? Check.<br /><br />Get sufficient rest to get over this cold I've had for a week? Check.<br /><br />Find time to hit the holiday wine tasting at Ourglass with L, and have some Layer Cake Shiraz last night? Check.<br /><br /><br />It's all good. :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-84240405208093016022007-12-05T20:12:00.000-05:002007-12-05T20:24:53.493-05:00Running Hot And ColdAnother week, another cold. Don't know if I just ran myself down, or caught something on the flight back, but it's here and I feel tired and congested. Been taking Zicam this go-round - seems to be working OK.<br /><br />My Jacksonville trip was a blast. Went down last Friday morning with 2 of the guys I tailgate with. We stayed just outside of the airport - headed into downtown JAX in the late afternoon and hit a reception for the BC booster club. I met a lot of other friends there and caught up with a bunch of people. We headed over to The Landing a few hours later - it's an outdoor tourist trap on the St. John's River, lots of bars and restaurants. Had an overpriced steak for dinner and hung out in the courtyard with the other fans, listening to cover bands and knocking back some adult beverages. By the time we left, there were probably a couple thousand people there having fun.<br /><br />Saturday morning we did the one-stop shopping deal at the local mall...hit the Walmart/Always supermarket for provisions, and the guys went to the liquor store next door for some Jim Beam. Got down to the stadium lot around 10:30 and settled in with a couple dozen BC fans to tailgate. One friend's brother (who is now a local) gave directions to a coworker to get him to our lot, then figured out they knew one another from schooldays.<br /><br />The game was a grinder...left too many points on the field in the first half and got shut down in the second. The funny part was my friend getting put on national TV after the deciding INT return...his cellphone started ringing off the hook with calls and text messages that he was a celebrity. I told him he was now the poster boy for BC fan depression.<br /><br />Did some more tailgating after the game, then it was back to the hotel, where we finished up in the lounge. Flew back Sunday. It was a great time.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-85022328811020065112007-11-22T07:35:00.001-05:002007-11-22T07:38:18.314-05:00Happy ThanksgivingHaving a cup of coffee, getting ready to load the car and head out to visit my brother-in-law. Back on Friday and then the last BC home game of the year. Booked my trip to Jacksonville next weekend for the ACC championship game, which should be fun.<br /><br />Safe travels to all who are on the road and in the air today.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-13025721741307832182007-11-12T19:38:00.000-05:002007-11-12T19:49:05.006-05:00BirthdaysL. and I took a friend to All Seasons Table for a birthday dinner this past Saturday night. He liked the restaurant as much as we do - and it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. We had sushi as appetizer, and I had some crispy duck in a Thai sauce. Fried green tea ice cream for dessert. Happy to see the restaurant full at 7pm, with folks waiting on tables. Then home to watch a disheartening BC loss.<br /><br />Did a lot of errands over the weekend, as well getting to the gym both days. Taking tonight off, so it's been 5 out of 7 days. It's a good start, and I'm hoping to keep to a similar schedule this week. Brought in my winter clothes and put the summer ones out in the garage...with temperatures in the high 20s the past few days, it's about time.<br /><br />As for the other birthday, our oldest cat turned 17 over the weekend. Bebop's been part of our family since we bought our house - we have a picture of him smelling G when we brought her home from the hospital. He's slowed up considerably and has some trouble seeing - right now he's curled up next to me on the couch as I type this.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-33016700471715862692007-11-09T20:32:00.000-05:002007-11-09T20:45:15.162-05:00Shhhh.....batteries rechargingIt's a quiet Friday night...no plans at all. The only definite item on the agenda is taking a friend out to dinner for his birthday tomorrow night; other than that, there's things to do like bring in the winter clothes/take out the summer clothes, housework, etc. That's all on my time and pace, which I'm thankful for. And with that, I bid you good night.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-90235900056846412712007-11-08T02:56:00.000-05:002007-11-08T03:09:43.211-05:00Super Special Overnight Posting!I'm sitting on my couch, half-asleep, waiting on a DBA in Dallas to finish a backup and upgrade Oracle software. I went to bed around 9:30 and slept fitfully until 1:30. If I can get back to bed by 4, I'll be shocked. Looks like a long day ahead of me. Ah, the exciting life of the IT professional - and yes, I am getting overtime.<br /><br />Been trying to get back on my exercise routine. Between football games and a cold, I'd been out of the gym for a week and a half. My gut has expanded accordingly, so it's time to get serious. I made it to the gym last night and tonight, but I already know I'm going to be too zonked to do much of anything Thursday.<br /><br />Saturday night was a doozy. Got up to my usual parking place at BC around 5pm, and wound up sitting in the car for 2 hrs with The Captain and Count Macula, drinking beer and talking. The weather was horrendous...cold with wind-driven rain. By 7pm, we headed up to campus to meet up with our usual tailgate crew, who ran late. The funny part was meeting an FSU fan who was a good friend of my cousin down in NJ back in the day. Wound up getting stuck with 8 ounces of Bushmill, which I had to down just before gametime.<br /><br />The weather actually improved during the game itself...the rain let up by halftime and the wind died down by game's end. Not a happy ending for the good guys, unfortunately. I wound up getting home by 1:30am and was appropriately useless on Sunday.<br /><br />Winter is starting to rear its head - getting the winter clothes out and putting the summer clothes away is at the top of my to-do list this weekend. I already scheduled some maintenance for the snowblower with the local hardware store. It's about 37 degrees in the backyard as i type this, and I'm warm, albeit tired.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-91656092739070937342007-11-03T11:25:00.000-04:002007-11-03T11:28:33.765-04:00Shelter From The StormJust starting to see some rain from the remnants of Hurricane Noel. I have a decision to make in a few hours as to my pregame activities before FSU-BC. There's no question of staying home, but I need to decide when and where to meet up with people. The latest forecast is for heavy rain and wind in the hours just before kickoff.<br /><br />Just getting over a cold, and I'll most likely get drenched even if rain gear, but hey. I'm a fan and this is what I do.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-45433185268609586032007-10-29T19:23:00.001-04:002007-10-29T19:32:18.746-04:00Run Your Body DownToday is my nineteenth wedding anniversary. All credit should go to L, who puts up with my nonsense. I'm no one's idea of a day in the park to live with, but she manages. :-)<br /><br />After running myself down all of last week, I hit the jackpot and caught a head cold. I've been working the Coldeez and feel a bit better, but I also know I'm pretty much down for the week. I need to point to Saturday, as my brother's driving up for the FSU-BC game. So, it will finally be early nights and taking it easy...like I should've done last week.<br /><br />The Jersey trips usually take something out of me...the drive, meeting up with friends. Unfortunately, I had a very late night on Wednesday doing some maintenance, then the BC-VT game Thursday, then out to the local for a while on Friday. By Saturday, I was dragging, but I had promised my friend I'd go see him and the team he's coaching, so that turned into a long day between the game and heading out afterwards. I woke up feeling horrible Sunday, and here I am now. You'd think I would've learned by now.<br /><br />I'll have to do some housecleaning to be ready by Saturday, but that will have to wait another day or so. All I'm thinking about now is the Nyquil I'll be taking in an hour.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-88591600120633401682007-10-21T20:44:00.000-04:002007-10-21T21:09:45.443-04:00A long few daysBack home from New Jersey, updating the blog and watching the Indians-Red Sox game 7. It's been a lot of driving and late nights, going back to Thursday. And on to the recap...<br /><br />Went to the Experience Hendrix show at Hampton Beach Thursday night. I enjoyed it a lot - got to see some of my favorites, like Buddy Guy and Robert Randolph, as well as some players I've grown to appreciate, like Doyle Bramhall, who did a wonderful cover of Angel. Mick Taylor played an extended version of Catfish Blues, which didn't do a lot for me. I've never been a big Kenny Wayne Shepherd fan, but thought his songs were good, especially the Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) finale with Randolph. A friend stuck around after the show and talked to Bramhall and Billy Cox and said both were extremely courteous to the fans. I split as I had to be up by 5:45 Friday and had to drive an hour home through thick fog. All in all, a good time.<br /><br />I dragged through work Friday on four and a half hours sleep. I left from Maynard @ 4:15pm and wound up needing five hours to get to Jersey. Drove through rain better much the length of Connecticut and hit some traffic at the beginning on 495, and at the CT-NY line. I was pretty much exhausted by the time I got to the hotel - checked in and got settled, then headed over to my sister's place to work on her PC. I finished pretty quickly and was back at the hotel by 11.<br /><br />Spent Saturday with my parents - my dad's Alzheimer's is progressing. He was pretty quiet for most of the day, and I noticed he frequently zoned out on our conversations. He really doesn't initiate conversations very much anymore, although he does well when I or other people talk to him. His short-term memory is pretty much shot. It's sad to see. My mom is holding up OK, but it must be a nightmare to see someone you've been married for 50 plus years disintegrating.<br /><br />Went out to a Portuguese restaurant in Lyndhurst called Tero's Saturday night with a friend. Dinner was delicious - had clams in a garlic broth for an appetizer and a huge paella as the entree. Highly recommended. I didn't want to bring the leftovers back in the car, so I stopped up where my brother was bartending and gave them to him. Hung out and watched the Sox and some college football. By the time I got back to the hotel and ready for bed, it was 1:30.<br /><br />Drtove home today after stopping by and seeing my folks...much easier drive and got home in about 4 hours. Listened to the Giants win their fifth in a row on the drive. I'm cooked now though...early nights this week!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-6608712483437771232007-10-16T06:17:00.000-04:002007-10-16T06:18:12.670-04:00The Torture Never StopsFootball season has been wearing me out, but I'm not really complaining. BC is now 7-0 and rolling along to a showdown next Thursday night with Virginia Tech. Watched the Notre Dame game between a benefit at Avenue C and the Ale House. Then off to Burlington to meet up with a friend and watch the Sox. Needless to say, it was a long day, but a lot of fun.<br /><br />It doesn't get any easier though - going to Hampton Beach Thursday night to see the "Experience Hendrix" show. Some of my favorite guitarists are on the bill (Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, Robby Krieger, Doyle Bramhall) playing with Billy Cox (Band of Gypsies bassist) and Mitch Mitchell (JHE drummer). Looking forward to it...meeting up with some friends there. Then on Friday it's down to NJ for a family visit. I want to spend some time with my dad before the holidays start up.<br /><br />The way things are going, I might have a quiet weekend in December. Maybe. :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-2986876643489542722007-10-12T20:26:00.000-04:002007-10-15T21:10:13.756-04:00FlatfootManaged to get to the doctor this week to have my ankle looked at. He thinks it's a strained tendon, which will take a while to heal. While he's looking at me, he says, "You've got flat feet! Get some arch supports!" Now I've either made it through 50 years without knowing that fact, or I have fallen arches. So out I go to CVS and now I'm adjusting to having the supports in my shoes. I also bought an ankle support for when I work out. Aging is fun, huh?<br /><br />Been to the gym three out of the last 5 days, so I'm making progress. I've lost a couple of pounds, so I'm getting there. Busy day tomorrow...going to a benefit in the mid-afternoon, then over to my local to watch the BC-ND game.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-22673914319376311122007-10-08T20:22:00.000-04:002007-10-08T20:54:46.081-04:00Catch upBeen way too long to update this blog. So, here's what's happening....<br /><br />Have to call the doctor tomorrow. My right ankle has been swelling on me, mostly after standing too long or exercising. I felt something pop in it when I was playing volleyball at a company outing during the summer - it hasn't been an issue until two or three weeks ago. I haven't been good with my gym attendance, so it might be inactivity has weakened the muscle support around the ankle. Could be a lingering injury or the onset of arthritis....but I won't know until I get it looked at. I did buy a ankle support wrap after going to the gym this afternoon, so I'll use that until I get in.<br /><br />Speaking of the gym, today was my first day back in two weeks. My weight is back up near 230 and my gut has returned. I had a cold that settled in my sinuses two weeks ago, and last week was a blur between work, attending the Dylan/Costello show and going to the BC game. The funny thing is that up until recently, I would've beaten myself over this, but nowadays I realize it and just set about to correct it. Maybe it's the onset of wisdom. :-)<br /><br />Anyway, I know I need to get back on the stick and get into the gym 5 days a week. That and cut out the sweets, etc. I'll set a target weight/waist size and that usually gets me started.<br /><br />The BC season has been an extremely pleasant surprise...they figured to be good, but undefeated and ranked #4 in the nation is heady stuff. I attended my 6th game in a row this past Saturday (5 home and Atlanta) and I'm more than happy to have a week off and watch the Notre Dame game on TV. I was actually thinking of driving down to NJ this weekend to see my family, but decided a weekend at home was needed. I'll probably head down the weekend of the 20th.<br /><br />L and I went to see Bob Dylan (and his band) and Elvis Costello (solo) at the DCU Center in Worcester last Tuesday night. Met up with some friends and had dinner/drinks, then headed in to catch Elvis into his second song. I've been an Elvis fan for decades, and I loved the solo format. He played 45 minutes and mixed in the hits with some unreleased songs. Hope he comes back next year with his full band.<br /><br />Dylan's voice is shot, even by his standards. The rumor is that he has carpal tunnel syndrome, which limits him to guitar on his first 3 songs, before switching over to keyboards for the rest of the evening. He has a great band though and I thought it was a good show. Glad I finally got a chance to see him.<br /><br />Took G out on the road for the first time two weeks ago, on an early Saturday morning. She did well - was understandably nervous when she started, but settled down and even got out on two of the main drags here.<br /><br />Work has been slow...I'm growing more and more doubtful of there being a fulltime job for me once the work is transitioned to a data center out of the state. However, I am working and should be secure at least through the end of the year, if not a bit into the new year. It's been a full year since I was let go from my last job - can't say I miss it.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-63614597609736891152007-09-19T20:18:00.001-04:002007-09-19T21:04:29.583-04:00Oh AtlantaSpent the past weekend down in Atlanta...the centerpiece of the trip was the BC-Georgia Tech game, won by the Eagles 24-10. Had a great time and got to see some college friends for the first time in years.<br /><br />Started Friday morning with L driving me out to Logan for a 12:25 flight. Met up with the Captain and Count Macula and settled in for a $9 bloody at Game On. A beer and it was time to board, suitably relaxed. First time I'd flown in 3 years, and all went well. We were held up approximately 15 minutes due to some weather in Atlanta. A safe landing and we were off to get the rental.<br /><br />From the time we got off the plane to leaving the terminal, it started to rain. Hard. By the time we got to the rental lot, it was pouring. We discovered we had been given an SUV...which I had never driven before. We got out on Rte. 85 north, and the wipers couldn't keep up with the rain. Cars had their four ways flashing while driving 15 mph. Great fun! I thought I was being crowded by cars on either side, until I realized the SUV was big enough to fill the lane.<br /><br />We stayed at the <a href="http://www.wingateatlanta.com/">Wingate Inn</a> in Buckhead, and I recommend this hotel highly. Good value, clean rooms, great staff. They steered us around and gave us a good recommendation on barbecue for the tailgate. We checked in, got squared away and repaired to the bar for a few beers.<br /><br />Drove out later to visit my friend Scott and his family...he was kind enough to grill us steak, fry us some okra and make us feel at home. Drove back later in the evening and met Count Macula at the ESPN Sports Zone to catch the end of the Yanks-Sox game. Met a couple of BC fans down for the game there, then headed over to Fado's to close the evening out. When we were down in Buckhead in 1998, it was hopping. They've had a lot of trouble there since, and the area's being converted to a Rodeo Drive shopping area.<br /><br />Woke up a bit fuzzy-headed Saturday morning...after a few coffees and Advils, I stood ready to face the day. Wound up driving the Captain down Peachtree St to the GT campus in the late morning. Tech fans were already out tailgating at 11:30 - a good 8+ hours before gametime. Stopped and checked out <a href="http://thevarsity.com/">The Varsity</a> - The Captain has horrified by the greasy food on display, and we both took a pasadena on eating there. Bought a Tech shirt for G and headed back. I met a former colleague from my old job, who had moved to the area with her husband a year ago. We had lunch across the street at <a href="http://www.tinlizzyscantina.com/">Tin Lizzy's</a> cantina, and we had some excellent tacos. Spent some time talking with Michele about work and life - she's a great gal.<br /><br />After lunch, I walked back to the hotel and my friend Steve and his S.O. Lynn had just arrive. hadn't seen him since my last visit in 98. They checked in and started in on the Michelob Ultras in their cooler. Not my first choice, but better than no beer at all. Scott and his family arrived a bit later, and we had our traveling party.<br /><br />I had borrowed a cooler from Scott the night before, and had already bought some beer and ice during the day. The Captain and I finished buying provisions and got some barbecue at a place I can't remember the name of. We gathered up everyone and made the trip to the campus just after 5. I knew where the pay lots were - what I didn't realize was that one of them was directly across the street from The Cheetah, Atlanta's premier gentlemen's club. In the interest of full disclosure, two members of the traveling party made their way over for a visit (no names please, and rest assured your humble blogger wasn't one of them). Everyone enjoyed the 3 Bs (beer, Bushmill's and barbecue) and we were fed and lubricated for gametime.<br /><br />The walk over to the stadium was an experience. We went down frat row and saw more drunk students than you could shake a roofie at. The Tech fans were a gracious sort for the most part, with the exception of the drunk kids throwing bottles on the field during the game. We got to our seats in the BC section and rooted the Eagles on to victory. Saw a few people I know from the home games, along with the CFO from where I currently work.<br /><br />The game ran long and we didn't get back to the hotel until nearly 1am. Tried to get a last beer at Tin Lizzy's, but it was packed full of kids and we called it a night. The next morning we all met up for breakfast, said our goodbyes and we were on our way to the airport for a noon flight home. Got in early and after dropping the Captain off in North Station, got home by 4pm.<br /><br />Plenty of fun, shared with good company. And we won.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-74746011273407603882007-09-04T20:25:00.000-04:002007-09-04T20:36:49.434-04:00Full CircleSpent part of the weekend teaching G how to drive...we were in the parking lot of the hospital where she was born, although it's been turned a medical office complex. Hard to believe 16 years passed so quickly. G passed the permit test last Thursday, and she's been out with both L and myself. Once she gets a bit more comfortable, we'll transition to the streets, most likely on a quiet Sunday morning. G also starts sophomore year in HS tomorrow, so it's back to the old commute.<br /><br />Had a busy weekend...G's nose was out of joint when I didn't take her to the Spirit game two weeks ago, so I took her last Friday night and we were rewarded with a 3-2 win. Saturday was the BC home opener, so I met up with Capt. Lou and some other friends and enjoyed a great tailgate and an Eagles win. Sunday we all went out for a housewarming cookout at our friends Dave and Mary. And on Monday I rested. :-)<br /><br />G and I hit the WWE show last Monday. She loved it, I thought it dragged a bit. This was all before the suspensions hit, so we pretty much saw the full roster in action.<br /><br />Another home game this weekend, and then it's the Atlanta trip.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-49664369058210601622007-08-27T17:58:00.000-04:002007-08-27T18:04:49.330-04:00Monday Night RawHeading into Boston in about an hour with G - we're going to the WWE show at the Garden. G is bouncing off the walls as I type, as she's about to see her hero, John Cena, in person. It should be fun.<br /><br />Spent last Friday at the North Shore Spirit game in Lynn with a couple of friends from the Noise Board. Sat behind home plate, drank a few beers, watched the game and talked about music. The home team even had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, but the runner was thrown out at home (rather easily). Went into Chinatown yesterday for a dim sum run at Emperor's Garden and some bubble tea in Harvard Square.<br /><br />Hard to believe the football season starts this week. Will have to fight the students moving into their apartments to get to the BC game on Saturday.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-87726030486654589692007-08-21T22:08:00.000-04:002007-08-21T22:13:59.473-04:00"If I knew I was going to live this long, I would've taken better care of myself"Just a quick note - successfully made it through G's sweet 16 party and my own 50th birthday. Both events went well, and I promise to follow up with more information. Right now I'm dead tired from going to the gym and working to get the weight I've put on since vacation back off to stay.<br /><br />I count my blessings and am thankful I'm here, relatively healthy and surrounded by family and friends. And that's what it's all about in the end, innit?<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-69659302522966354052007-08-06T20:36:00.001-04:002007-08-21T21:58:54.040-04:00Sheiky Baby!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYOK6rKRt-KAw1haq1GRSFp8so6T80gTshO7vIidvk8O1Iht53TF54LetQ82QmyD0KUBtNTZqNRxrYPvJ3aC5WJjoOaVuHcPHPY8Ml7iXMuTthjwMVDp38yKa1H3cdhrd5nQxDSvvYVZc/s1600-h/HPIM1085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYOK6rKRt-KAw1haq1GRSFp8so6T80gTshO7vIidvk8O1Iht53TF54LetQ82QmyD0KUBtNTZqNRxrYPvJ3aC5WJjoOaVuHcPHPY8Ml7iXMuTthjwMVDp38yKa1H3cdhrd5nQxDSvvYVZc/s320/HPIM1085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095751775618147858" border="0" /></a><br />After getting back from NH on Saturday, I took G over to Somerville to the <a href="http://www.mwfprowrestling.com/mwfnewsline.html">MWF</a> show. The main attraction was The Iron Sheik, who was surprisingly low-key. No ranting and raving - he sat behind a table and signed autographs and posed for pictures. In the photo above, the guy on the left called a friend on his cellphone, then handed it over to Sheiky, who was nice enough to chat for a minute. now, I do have to say the Sheik was a bit glassy-eyed, but I didn't bring a breathalyzer along, so I'm left to my suspicions.<br /><br />The show itself wasn't bad - they imported talent like Road Dogg and Alex Shelley from TNA, and Joey Mercury, who was recently released by the WWE. The usual local performers were there, like Slyck Wagner brown and Rick Fuller, along with Diehard Eddie Edwards, whom I had never seen before and came away impressed by. G liked <a href="http://www.myspace.com/nocturnewrestling">Nocturne</a>, and happily razzed him as "Emo Boy". It ran long though, didn't get out of there until 11:25. The crowd was down to under 100 by the end.<br /><br />G had never been up close for matches ( we sat in the third row), and she was pretty impressed by the bumps the guys took. All told, a fun evening.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-27145743044596787062007-08-05T13:32:00.000-04:002007-08-05T13:35:31.543-04:00Vacation 2007Back home after spending the week in the North Conway NH area. We rented a condo in Glen, just up the road from Storyland. I'll post some pictures later on. We had a blast...did some canoeing on the Saco River, rode the alpine slide at Attitash, dipped our toes in the falls at Diana's Baths. Ate a lot and relaxed. The weather was fine until the end of the week, when it turned hot and humid. It's good to be back home though, just relaxing on the couch and watching the Yanks on the tube. Back to the salt mines tomorrow.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352503194317277690.post-54584392877031291882007-07-23T20:17:00.000-04:002007-07-23T20:30:27.567-04:00ErrataI misidentified the young man who played with Buddy Guy Friday night - his name is actually Quinn Sullivan, and here's a video of him playing with Guy earlier this year in New Bedford. It runs over 9 minutes, but well worth checking out:<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ix4TNJvVk8M"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ix4TNJvVk8M" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping</div>Anatomically Incorrecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484906006225207266noreply@blogger.com0