One of the things that I am always reluctant to do is go to a specialist doctor. First, getting the appointment is a bit of a pain since I have to go through my PPO, paying that co-pay, and basically saying to him, "I have to go to a specialist, can you get me a referral?" He says, "yes" and then calls and makes the appointment, which is usually 6 months away.
In this case, thankfully, it was only 3 months. I am going to see my dermatologist this afternoon. The last time I went I had three "areas of concern". He took pictures and then we were scheduled to cut those babies out. My previous insurance sucked. It had a ridiculous deductible. When I went back to get the moles removed I asked how much it would cost to get the three done and the doc said "$700.00".
I left with the growths still intact. Then when I went to Charleston to start the doctors office. I had the docs there remove and get pathology on two of three - negative for baddies (cancer and such).
I still have one left that was on the hit list and am in need of a check up. AND I have GREAT insurance and will be glad to get him to cut away. I may even get some microderm abrasion:)
Off I go...
WH
10.31.2006
10.29.2006
Proudest Dad Award Goes to ME!
This past Saturday the South Aiken girls cross country team won an unprecedented 6th straight regional championship. The girls showed an amazing amount of heart and courage. This course was a bitch. The first picture is the uphill that they had to climb twice. This was the middle stage of the uphill. It was probably 1/4 mile or longer and went up 1000' feet.
Uphill
Giving Your All
Above are some of the girls after finishing. They were spent. Having pushed through pain and the demons in their heads. Jessie was disheartened since she finished 16th. The top 15 finishers get All-Region, and that was one of her goals this year. Poo.
But as the things in life work out she was the one who actually won the district crown for the team by finishing in that spot. One place less and there would have been a different outcome. So in complete contrast to the entire concept that running distance is all about running for yourself, Jessie's race actually garnered the team trophy. The picture below shows the reward...
Reward
Do your best. The rest will come.
WH
Uphill
Giving Your All
Above are some of the girls after finishing. They were spent. Having pushed through pain and the demons in their heads. Jessie was disheartened since she finished 16th. The top 15 finishers get All-Region, and that was one of her goals this year. Poo.
But as the things in life work out she was the one who actually won the district crown for the team by finishing in that spot. One place less and there would have been a different outcome. So in complete contrast to the entire concept that running distance is all about running for yourself, Jessie's race actually garnered the team trophy. The picture below shows the reward...
Reward
Do your best. The rest will come.
WH
10.12.2006
This Is The Reason I Love My Kids
10.07.2006
Hanging Around The House
Yeah! Incredibly Jen, Jessie, and I all have an easy Saturday today. No big plans that require us to BE anywhere. I cannot remember the last time that this was the case. I think that we are all looking forward to hang out time.
I plan on doing some basic yard work and puttering around the house in the morning and watching some sports in the afternoon. We may go and see a friend play tonight a R. Gabriels in Augusta, GA and have dinner beforehand.
Jen and Jessie are going to D.C. Sunday - Tuesday for The Peace Within Reach lobby for the Invisible Children of Uganda. I will be staying here doing the UPS thing, real estate and taking care of the doggies.
Final note. The display of forgiveness and mercy shown by the Amish community in the past days has been confounding to both the media and those looking on. Yet...it proves the point that the Amish are demonstrating. If you live a life of forgiving and being forgiven you can have peace. This disturbed man killed these girls and himself because he could not forgive himself or receive forgiveness for something that he had done 20 years before. The only way to take the power to destroy out of his actions is to forgive him. The redemptive act of going to his family and forgiving them and letting them know that the Amish families affected by this tragedy hold no grudges is THE MOST powerful thing that can happen and is really the only hope that they have in moving on with their lives.
Stunning. Bewildering. Lifegiving.
WH
I plan on doing some basic yard work and puttering around the house in the morning and watching some sports in the afternoon. We may go and see a friend play tonight a R. Gabriels in Augusta, GA and have dinner beforehand.
Jen and Jessie are going to D.C. Sunday - Tuesday for The Peace Within Reach lobby for the Invisible Children of Uganda. I will be staying here doing the UPS thing, real estate and taking care of the doggies.
Final note. The display of forgiveness and mercy shown by the Amish community in the past days has been confounding to both the media and those looking on. Yet...it proves the point that the Amish are demonstrating. If you live a life of forgiving and being forgiven you can have peace. This disturbed man killed these girls and himself because he could not forgive himself or receive forgiveness for something that he had done 20 years before. The only way to take the power to destroy out of his actions is to forgive him. The redemptive act of going to his family and forgiving them and letting them know that the Amish families affected by this tragedy hold no grudges is THE MOST powerful thing that can happen and is really the only hope that they have in moving on with their lives.
Stunning. Bewildering. Lifegiving.
WH
10.05.2006
Ok Already
It's pretty bad when my sister has to email me and ask why I haven't posted to this blog since September 18th. So, sis, thanks for the prod.
Here goes...
I'm busy as shit. I am still at UPS (working from 4 am - 9:30 am) weekdays. I get home, shower, read the papers and head off to the realty office. I am learning, researching, showing properties, etc. We are pretty busy these days in spite of the "slump" in housing. My client base grows each week and it will be a few more months before I feel comfortable. I start classes on October 14th for more real estate. I am going to get my final sales class so I can get my full license.
Additionally, Jessie is running cross country and we attend her meets - she ran her new personal record yesterday 21:46 for a 5k. She is improving each meet.
The Evening of Miracles Gala is coming up on October 20th so we are ramping up for that. I am chairing the committee and Jen is in charge of the auction items - silent and live auction. We drive to Columbia for each meeting and have two meetings in 3 days next weekend.
Candace, Jason's wife has been with us for a few days as she is on the way to Alabama so she can stay with her family while Jason is in Iraq. It's always great to have her here and we are glad to have her in the family.
Anyway, I will try and post more often. I really have no excuse since I have time for other things.
Peace.
WH
Here goes...
I'm busy as shit. I am still at UPS (working from 4 am - 9:30 am) weekdays. I get home, shower, read the papers and head off to the realty office. I am learning, researching, showing properties, etc. We are pretty busy these days in spite of the "slump" in housing. My client base grows each week and it will be a few more months before I feel comfortable. I start classes on October 14th for more real estate. I am going to get my final sales class so I can get my full license.
Additionally, Jessie is running cross country and we attend her meets - she ran her new personal record yesterday 21:46 for a 5k. She is improving each meet.
The Evening of Miracles Gala is coming up on October 20th so we are ramping up for that. I am chairing the committee and Jen is in charge of the auction items - silent and live auction. We drive to Columbia for each meeting and have two meetings in 3 days next weekend.
Candace, Jason's wife has been with us for a few days as she is on the way to Alabama so she can stay with her family while Jason is in Iraq. It's always great to have her here and we are glad to have her in the family.
Anyway, I will try and post more often. I really have no excuse since I have time for other things.
Peace.
WH
9.18.2006
Getting Involved At The Office
I have finally started "doing the stuff" in the real estate office here is Aiken and I find that I actually like what I am doing...initially. I say that guardedly. It may change over time but there are some obvious benefits that I am already enjoying.
There are other benefits but right now I have to get to my FIRST closing. Later...
WH
- There is an actual FINISH to things. I am a fairly goal driven person. I like seeing things checked off of the To-Do list. Finding sellers and buyers for property and getting to the closing, sealing the deal, and getting compensated for that has finality. You close the folder and move on. Needless to say working at UPS is the exact opposite. You are only as good as that day's numbers. This morning we unloaded 13,000 packages in a little over 3.5 hours. I will find out how we did in the morning. Let's say that we blew off the doors and ran GREAT numbers. It means NOTHING for the next day. It's like chasing the carrot (or your own tail). I like real estate so far since there is a series of finalities.
- Self-discipline - I like being self motivated. I like the idea that I am the one who decides how hard I work and just how successful I can be - depending on how I define success. I haven't needed people to follow me around and check up on me and tell me what and how to do life for some time now. This career seems to fit my personality better than the big corporate mindset.
- Flexibility - While it is true that you have to be ready when your clients are, there is also a benefit in having a partner so that I can do things that I really enjoy - referee or coach soccer, backpack, workout, etc.
There are other benefits but right now I have to get to my FIRST closing. Later...
WH
9.14.2006
The Mongoose In The Drain
I mentioned that I had to clear the bathtub drain last week. Symptom was SLOWWWW draining. I tried some drain cleaner to no avail so the only options were to call a plumber or attack the offending clog solo.
I chose solo as I can always call a plumber:)
Employing my usual handyman technique I "Googled" tub drains and found our style. Taking off the drain I reached down the drain and grabbed some obvious strands of hair which were hooked over the cross support in the drain. As I pulled a WHOLE clump ripped out. It was about 10 inches long and foul smelling.
Notice I said "ripped". That meant that there was more in there. I couldn't get a plier or even a screwdriver down there to hook the offending culprit so I retrieved the small snake from the garage. Proceeding to insert the end in the drain I twisted the snake a few times and started to pull.
I was met with great resistance. I pulled HARDER and made progress inch by inch. As the end of the snake started to come out of the drain I almost threw up. It was a matted mess of hair that was about 1/2 inch thick. I continued to pull and I saw a rubber band in the matted mess. It took some time but eventually the mass was out.
I thought about taking a picture AFTER it was in the trash and just couldn't bring myself to get it back out of the plastic shopping bag I had tied it in.
The whole thing was about 14 inches long, moldy, stinky, and putrid. It looked like a dead mongoose - albeit a small one.
I'm glad that I didn't call a plumber since I am cheap. But I am still fighting the images in my head of the fetid mass.
WH
I chose solo as I can always call a plumber:)
Employing my usual handyman technique I "Googled" tub drains and found our style. Taking off the drain I reached down the drain and grabbed some obvious strands of hair which were hooked over the cross support in the drain. As I pulled a WHOLE clump ripped out. It was about 10 inches long and foul smelling.
Notice I said "ripped". That meant that there was more in there. I couldn't get a plier or even a screwdriver down there to hook the offending culprit so I retrieved the small snake from the garage. Proceeding to insert the end in the drain I twisted the snake a few times and started to pull.
I was met with great resistance. I pulled HARDER and made progress inch by inch. As the end of the snake started to come out of the drain I almost threw up. It was a matted mess of hair that was about 1/2 inch thick. I continued to pull and I saw a rubber band in the matted mess. It took some time but eventually the mass was out.
I thought about taking a picture AFTER it was in the trash and just couldn't bring myself to get it back out of the plastic shopping bag I had tied it in.
The whole thing was about 14 inches long, moldy, stinky, and putrid. It looked like a dead mongoose - albeit a small one.
I'm glad that I didn't call a plumber since I am cheap. But I am still fighting the images in my head of the fetid mass.
WH
9.09.2006
Finally...
So, today I was up at 5:45 am (It's pretty sad when you think that 5:45 am is sleeping in) and started studying for my South Carolina Real Estate Sales Associate Exam in Columbia, SC.
I plodded along in the book and left at 10:45. Went in to the exam site, sat down, proved my identity with TWO forms of ID, and sat in front of a computer to take the test.
Forty five minutes, and 115 questions later, I hit the END key and received the news - PASSED on both sections of the exam (General and State).
Thank God. The past six weeks of my life have been engrossed in the class and the book. Now I can get to the business of actually DOING real estate. Tom Caniglia has agreed to make me his partner so we are off and running...well not quite yet.
I need to get the form signed by the Broker in Charge at Eulalie Salley and mail MORE MONEY off to the Real Estate Commission to get my license. I also have to get 30 more hours of instruction so I can get my full license (I will have a provisional until then).
Today will be spent relaxing and watching football. Tomorrow Dan, Tony, his son, and I are off to "Hotlanta" for the Braves game.
Maybe later I will post about my adventure in clearing the tub drain in Jessie's bathroom. get your barf bags ready for that one.
WH
I plodded along in the book and left at 10:45. Went in to the exam site, sat down, proved my identity with TWO forms of ID, and sat in front of a computer to take the test.
Forty five minutes, and 115 questions later, I hit the END key and received the news - PASSED on both sections of the exam (General and State).
Thank God. The past six weeks of my life have been engrossed in the class and the book. Now I can get to the business of actually DOING real estate. Tom Caniglia has agreed to make me his partner so we are off and running...well not quite yet.
I need to get the form signed by the Broker in Charge at Eulalie Salley and mail MORE MONEY off to the Real Estate Commission to get my license. I also have to get 30 more hours of instruction so I can get my full license (I will have a provisional until then).
Today will be spent relaxing and watching football. Tomorrow Dan, Tony, his son, and I are off to "Hotlanta" for the Braves game.
Maybe later I will post about my adventure in clearing the tub drain in Jessie's bathroom. get your barf bags ready for that one.
WH
9.07.2006
In Country
Deployment. The words sounded so far away months ago. They are yesterday now. My Son has left again for the Mideast. This departure is different in many ways:
Jason and Candace
I left work today irritated that there are grown men working there who act like babies when they don't get exactly what they want. Thirty year old men. Forty year old men. Fifty year old men. I am angry that they act like this and my 20 year old son is putting his life on the line and taking responsibility for the lives of other men who will look to him for leadership, direction, and dependability.
Keep your head down Son. I love you.
WH
- Last time was a for few months - now it's 8 months
- Last time he was part of a team on an LAV - now he leads the vehicle team and is responsible for the lives of 8 other men
- Last time he was far away from any specific activity - this time his platoon enters an area that has been fairly unstable for months
- Last time he had not even finished his School of Infantry - this time he has been to Squad Leaders School, 29 Palms, and DM training
- Last time he was 19 - now he is 20
- Last time he was single - now he is married
- Last time he was a young man - now he is the type of man that all of you hope your sons become
Jason and Candace
I left work today irritated that there are grown men working there who act like babies when they don't get exactly what they want. Thirty year old men. Forty year old men. Fifty year old men. I am angry that they act like this and my 20 year old son is putting his life on the line and taking responsibility for the lives of other men who will look to him for leadership, direction, and dependability.
Keep your head down Son. I love you.
WH
9.02.2006
Visiting In Jacksonville, NC
Jen and I are with Jason and Candace for a few days in Jacksonville, NC. He is stationed at Camp Lejeune with the 2nd LAR. He deploys shortly and asked if we could come visit before he left. He'll probably be gone for 8 months or so. That sucks for his new bride. He also lost a friend in a car wreck yesterday as the two Marines drove home for vacation. One guy was killed, another injured. The injured Marine won't be deploying with the company. Rough times for guys who are planning on laying their lives on the line. You just don't expect to lose one of your own at home. These are moments when life blows.
Jason and Candace are settled in their new duplex. It's cute. Good place to start. I have spent the better part of the morning getting their house set up with an encrypted wireless network so they can surf the net and play Xbox live without having to plug and unplug the laptop and Xbox, while restarting the modem.
As usual, there were some problems, but it seems now that they are up and running. In fact I'm posting this blog via the wireless connection in the living room. Jason is sleeping on the couch, Jen and Candace are out shopping - scary!
I hope that your Labor Day weekend goes well. I have off Monday and am VERY excited about that. I study all week, and my final SC state real estate exam is Saturday the 9th.
WH
Jason and Candace are settled in their new duplex. It's cute. Good place to start. I have spent the better part of the morning getting their house set up with an encrypted wireless network so they can surf the net and play Xbox live without having to plug and unplug the laptop and Xbox, while restarting the modem.
As usual, there were some problems, but it seems now that they are up and running. In fact I'm posting this blog via the wireless connection in the living room. Jason is sleeping on the couch, Jen and Candace are out shopping - scary!
I hope that your Labor Day weekend goes well. I have off Monday and am VERY excited about that. I study all week, and my final SC state real estate exam is Saturday the 9th.
WH
8.27.2006
Praise The Lord And Pass The Pizza...Stage One Is Over
YEAH!! I just returned home from the FOURTH weekend in a row at Real Estate School.
I passed the class exam this afternoon so the next step is to apply with the state commission, get approved, and schedule the state exam. If all goes well I should be through in the next few weeks. Once that test is passed I need to take the final sales course (30 hours - two more weekends) and I will have my full license.
My brain is sort of mushy right now, and I am looking forward to getting my weekends back. We are going to visit Jason next weekend before he deploys.
WH
I passed the class exam this afternoon so the next step is to apply with the state commission, get approved, and schedule the state exam. If all goes well I should be through in the next few weeks. Once that test is passed I need to take the final sales course (30 hours - two more weekends) and I will have my full license.
My brain is sort of mushy right now, and I am looking forward to getting my weekends back. We are going to visit Jason next weekend before he deploys.
WH
Broken link to bloggger
I just realized that my link to my blogger account has been broken for some time. The short is that I thought that I was posting to the blog and it wasn't.
Sorry.
WH
Sorry.
WH
Days and Days and Days...
As you can see my last post was July 30th. That was when it all started. School that is.
I am a student again. In an official capacity that is, going to class and such.
The friend that I have been working for in the real estate office came over to the house at the end of July and offered to pay for my license if I went. You don't have to ask me stuff like that more than once. I accepted.
Mind you. Real estate wasn't my first choice of employment. Not even my second.
Life and situations have a way of getting you to take the hand dealt when such things happen. I need work. Jen and I are making it but unable to do some of the things (Hell, none of the things) that we had planned to do once the doctor's accepted the offer to build the office. That didn't turn out so well through a turn of events.
So through another turn of events I am in school. I know the name is pretty corny (Real Estate School For Success) but the instructors are great. I am in the "do 60 hours in four weekends" class, so that means that I work during the week and drive to Columbia, SC (50 miles) on Saturday and Sunday for class from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
Needless to say that I don't have a lot of free time. Well, I must admit that I am a bit compulsive about the reading and have set out to read the 400 page book ONCE PER WEEK. There are two weeks down and two weeks to go and I am on schedule for the reading.
The class basically has two purposes: 1) To enable you to pass the State Real Estate Exam, and, 2) To keep you from doing stupid shit and going to jail.
That's nice:)
Anyway, the reason that I have some free time is that I am doing a reinstall of software on a Windoze machine in the office where I did the deployment three months ago. Funny thing, PC's having problems. Hummm.
Anyway, gotta go the machine is rebooting and I need to get done and get to bed!
WH
UPDATE - As usual, the machine has some sort of issue and I cannot log in under the designated user. I'll be up for a while:)
I am a student again. In an official capacity that is, going to class and such.
The friend that I have been working for in the real estate office came over to the house at the end of July and offered to pay for my license if I went. You don't have to ask me stuff like that more than once. I accepted.
Mind you. Real estate wasn't my first choice of employment. Not even my second.
Life and situations have a way of getting you to take the hand dealt when such things happen. I need work. Jen and I are making it but unable to do some of the things (Hell, none of the things) that we had planned to do once the doctor's accepted the offer to build the office. That didn't turn out so well through a turn of events.
So through another turn of events I am in school. I know the name is pretty corny (Real Estate School For Success) but the instructors are great. I am in the "do 60 hours in four weekends" class, so that means that I work during the week and drive to Columbia, SC (50 miles) on Saturday and Sunday for class from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
Needless to say that I don't have a lot of free time. Well, I must admit that I am a bit compulsive about the reading and have set out to read the 400 page book ONCE PER WEEK. There are two weeks down and two weeks to go and I am on schedule for the reading.
The class basically has two purposes: 1) To enable you to pass the State Real Estate Exam, and, 2) To keep you from doing stupid shit and going to jail.
That's nice:)
Anyway, the reason that I have some free time is that I am doing a reinstall of software on a Windoze machine in the office where I did the deployment three months ago. Funny thing, PC's having problems. Hummm.
Anyway, gotta go the machine is rebooting and I need to get done and get to bed!
WH
UPDATE - As usual, the machine has some sort of issue and I cannot log in under the designated user. I'll be up for a while:)
7.30.2006
It's A Good Time To Be A Mac Geek...
I work in a two platform world - PC and Mac. I love my Macs and my Apple "stuff". I tolerate the PC's. Don't you just LOVE the new commercials that Apple has? They capture the reality of the difference between the two worlds.
I am patiently waiting for the day in the future when I can afford to get my new MacBook and run the two platforms on the same computer, at the same time - God it feels SO GOOD to say that and know that it's true!!
eWeek had an article this week on Apple possibly having "The Perfect Storm". Great reading, and possibly true. The World Wide Developers Conference is in a few weeks, and the announcements will be AWESOME - Leopard, new chips, new computers, new applications.
It's a good time to be a Mac geek. The patience and near evangelistic fervor has paid off - Apple is ON THE MAP. Everyone else is playing catch up.
WH
I am patiently waiting for the day in the future when I can afford to get my new MacBook and run the two platforms on the same computer, at the same time - God it feels SO GOOD to say that and know that it's true!!
eWeek had an article this week on Apple possibly having "The Perfect Storm". Great reading, and possibly true. The World Wide Developers Conference is in a few weeks, and the announcements will be AWESOME - Leopard, new chips, new computers, new applications.
It's a good time to be a Mac geek. The patience and near evangelistic fervor has paid off - Apple is ON THE MAP. Everyone else is playing catch up.
WH
Sunday Morning Solace...
I lOVE Sunday mornings. One of the only things that was consistent (other than chaos) growing up were Sunday's. We would either pick up doughnuts or make those "in the box" coffee cakes (does anyone remember making those? you would put the egg, milk, and oil in a plastic baggie with the mix, squish it around, and squeeze it out into an aluminum 9x5 pan, put the cinnamon chunks on there and bake it).
I would spread the funnies out on the floor and read them, chortling under my breath - good memories - I can smell the coffee cake as I write. I need those memories of those days. So much other stuff was out of order and fucked up.
Today is good. The present moment is the best time of my life. My family sleeps in. My son and his wife are here. My daughter is back from D.C.. My wife is in the other room.
I read the Sunday paper, listen to music, drink coffee, the dogs at my feet. Our contentment is shared. This moment has no worries. The worries can wait.
It's Sunday. There really is something to a Sabbath - a rest from the "other stuff." Take a Sabbath. Not a religious one but a REAL one. Rest. Separation. Recharge. Chortle at the comics. Whatever it takes to take a break.
You deserve it. Life takes effort.
WH
I would spread the funnies out on the floor and read them, chortling under my breath - good memories - I can smell the coffee cake as I write. I need those memories of those days. So much other stuff was out of order and fucked up.
Today is good. The present moment is the best time of my life. My family sleeps in. My son and his wife are here. My daughter is back from D.C.. My wife is in the other room.
I read the Sunday paper, listen to music, drink coffee, the dogs at my feet. Our contentment is shared. This moment has no worries. The worries can wait.
It's Sunday. There really is something to a Sabbath - a rest from the "other stuff." Take a Sabbath. Not a religious one but a REAL one. Rest. Separation. Recharge. Chortle at the comics. Whatever it takes to take a break.
You deserve it. Life takes effort.
WH
7.27.2006
The Upcoming Weekend...
Well, Jessie is finishing her week at Girls Nation in Washington D.C. She called last night (of course I was asleep since it was after 8 p.m.) and said that she was having a good time, but was tired and misses being home. I get her at the airport Saturday. Her travel isn't over yet as she fly's to Indiana to visit her cousins, Aunt's, Uncles, and Grandparents. She is really looking forward to the trip.
It seems that she has decided on a college - UGA - now she wants to retake her ACT since she hopes to get a better score on her math and science section (she got a freakin' 32 on the test). Once that is done she will then begin the process of application, etc. It will be a great process to experience with her. She is such a great young lady and has so much to look forward to in life. This will be a good year.
Other news...
JASON AND CANDACE are coming to visit. They have been in Alabama for the past few days and are actually on the way as I write. Of course, I will be IN BED when they get here (since I go to bed at 8 p.m.[I'm not bitter]). They will be here for a number of days and then they will head back to Jacksonville, NC. He then deploys "in country" for 7 months with the 2nd LAR. Please say a prayer for him and his squad as they place themselves in harms way. Here is a letter from his CO covering some of his activity.
As always, I look forward to hanging out and RELAXING this weekend - with family and friends. As usual I can think of a million things to blog about until I get in front of the computer. I have to get better about jotting down thoughts and topics so you don't always have to read family stuff...
I hope that your weekend goes well.
WH
It seems that she has decided on a college - UGA - now she wants to retake her ACT since she hopes to get a better score on her math and science section (she got a freakin' 32 on the test). Once that is done she will then begin the process of application, etc. It will be a great process to experience with her. She is such a great young lady and has so much to look forward to in life. This will be a good year.
Other news...
JASON AND CANDACE are coming to visit. They have been in Alabama for the past few days and are actually on the way as I write. Of course, I will be IN BED when they get here (since I go to bed at 8 p.m.[I'm not bitter]). They will be here for a number of days and then they will head back to Jacksonville, NC. He then deploys "in country" for 7 months with the 2nd LAR. Please say a prayer for him and his squad as they place themselves in harms way. Here is a letter from his CO covering some of his activity.
As always, I look forward to hanging out and RELAXING this weekend - with family and friends. As usual I can think of a million things to blog about until I get in front of the computer. I have to get better about jotting down thoughts and topics so you don't always have to read family stuff...
I hope that your weekend goes well.
WH
7.22.2006
Oops, I Forgot...
We have a game here in the Eisenmann home. It's called, "what did I forget."
You know, when you get into the car to go somewhere, put the transmission in reverse, and then it comes, "wait! I forgot...." You fill in the blank.
Yesterday morning was the culmination of a LONG week of travel and running around. We got up at 6 a.m. to leave for Athens, GA so that we could attend the Explore Georgia event at UGA. This was our second visit and it would hopefully serve to solidify Jessie's choice of where she wanted to go to college. We packed some snacks and drinks and were off.
We were about an hour into the trip and Jen wanted a drink. She leaned over the back seat to get a drink from the cooler and said, "did you get the coke that I put in the freezer?" I remembered. There were not enough cold drinks and Jen put one in the freezer for a "quick cool." What I didn't remember was that it was my job to REMEMBER to get the coke out of the freezer. Missed that one. In fact, I wasn't asked. Woopsie...
We would not be back to Aiken until about 5 p.m. that evening. More than enough time for the Coke to EXPLODE all over the inside of the freezer (ever had that happen?). I was really looking forward to cleaning up that mess after a long day.
So, Jen leapt into action and called her friend to see if she could stop by the house on the way to work and rescue us from disaster. She could and would. Thanks Suz!!
The rest of the day went as planned and we returned exhausted but glad we went. It seems like Jessie has made her choice. Her first selection will be UGA. It does seem like a better fit for her than Emory. I'm glad for her. Now, we just have to pay for school.
Anybody want to buy a watch?
Oh, and I didn't need to clean the freezer:)
WH
You know, when you get into the car to go somewhere, put the transmission in reverse, and then it comes, "wait! I forgot...." You fill in the blank.
Yesterday morning was the culmination of a LONG week of travel and running around. We got up at 6 a.m. to leave for Athens, GA so that we could attend the Explore Georgia event at UGA. This was our second visit and it would hopefully serve to solidify Jessie's choice of where she wanted to go to college. We packed some snacks and drinks and were off.
We were about an hour into the trip and Jen wanted a drink. She leaned over the back seat to get a drink from the cooler and said, "did you get the coke that I put in the freezer?" I remembered. There were not enough cold drinks and Jen put one in the freezer for a "quick cool." What I didn't remember was that it was my job to REMEMBER to get the coke out of the freezer. Missed that one. In fact, I wasn't asked. Woopsie...
We would not be back to Aiken until about 5 p.m. that evening. More than enough time for the Coke to EXPLODE all over the inside of the freezer (ever had that happen?). I was really looking forward to cleaning up that mess after a long day.
So, Jen leapt into action and called her friend to see if she could stop by the house on the way to work and rescue us from disaster. She could and would. Thanks Suz!!
The rest of the day went as planned and we returned exhausted but glad we went. It seems like Jessie has made her choice. Her first selection will be UGA. It does seem like a better fit for her than Emory. I'm glad for her. Now, we just have to pay for school.
Anybody want to buy a watch?
Oh, and I didn't need to clean the freezer:)
WH
7.19.2006
Tired...
The past week has been full of travel and stuff and more is yet to come. Additionally, my work schedule changed - my boss went nuts last week.
First he says, on Monday, "You are going to be off the unload FOREVER next Monday."
That means that I go in a 6 am each day and work on the new system that is going in.
THEN, on Thursday he says, "You're back on the unload until after Christmas."
That means I go in at 4 am each day and do the unload and DO NOT get to work on the new system.
So, the bottom line I am TIRED. Bone tired.
My schedule has been all franked up since the beginning of the week - I have to eat at 4 pm so I can digest before bedtime - 9 pm.
The good news is that tomorrow is my last day this week. Friday we go to Athens, GA again for the second visit to UGA. This one is an invite from them to Jessie my daughter. We leave at 6:30 am. I get to SLEEP IN and everyone else has to get up early.
I am going to relax the rest of the evening and watch my favorite old TV show - Homicide Life on The Street. IMHO, one the the best dramas that TV has ever spawned. Check it out if you want. Start with season one.
WH
First he says, on Monday, "You are going to be off the unload FOREVER next Monday."
That means that I go in a 6 am each day and work on the new system that is going in.
THEN, on Thursday he says, "You're back on the unload until after Christmas."
That means I go in at 4 am each day and do the unload and DO NOT get to work on the new system.
So, the bottom line I am TIRED. Bone tired.
My schedule has been all franked up since the beginning of the week - I have to eat at 4 pm so I can digest before bedtime - 9 pm.
The good news is that tomorrow is my last day this week. Friday we go to Athens, GA again for the second visit to UGA. This one is an invite from them to Jessie my daughter. We leave at 6:30 am. I get to SLEEP IN and everyone else has to get up early.
I am going to relax the rest of the evening and watch my favorite old TV show - Homicide Life on The Street. IMHO, one the the best dramas that TV has ever spawned. Check it out if you want. Start with season one.
WH
7.14.2006
End Time Idiots Couldn't Be Happier
The latest news from the Middle East will only serve to fuel the "prophetic panic" that certain folks seem to LOVE. How can people killing each other be used to "prove" that we are in the End Times, and that Jesus is coming back soon.
My greatest beef is that these "ministries" play on the fear and fascination people have and VERY FEW if any actually do ANYTHING to alleviate poverty, prejudice, greed, etc. The REAL issues of what God seems to be involved in are the lives of people who need love and the alleviation of suffering.
Thing I'm kidding, take a look:
Jack Van Impe - check the news links
End Time Ministries
Hal Lindsey - The original
That's about enough of that.
WH
My greatest beef is that these "ministries" play on the fear and fascination people have and VERY FEW if any actually do ANYTHING to alleviate poverty, prejudice, greed, etc. The REAL issues of what God seems to be involved in are the lives of people who need love and the alleviation of suffering.
Thing I'm kidding, take a look:
Jack Van Impe - check the news links
End Time Ministries
Hal Lindsey - The original
That's about enough of that.
WH
7.12.2006
More On Loneliness...
"Yes they're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone."
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Yesterday evening I was planning on meeting Jen and Suz at a local micro-brewery, Aiken Brewing Company. They were performing some building renovations and the kitchen was closed. The bar however was open and since I was already there and didn't need to meet on the other side of town for another hour, I decided to get a cold, fresh, home brewed beer.
I sat at the bar, asked for a Thoroughbred Red, and relaxed.
Then it hit me. It had been YEARS since I have been at a bar, by myself, sitting with others who were at a bar.
After a few minutes I started a conversation with the bartender about the Mug Club and that initiated a conversation with the fellow on my right. He left after a few minutes and I then had some conversation with the two guys to my left.
We talked about Northerners (all of us were transplants), pizza, hoagies (subs), sports, heat, beer, and whatever. After about 45 minutes I needed to leave. I said my thanks, goodbyes and drove off to the other side of town.
On the drive a few things occurred to me:
- The guys were regulars. They had spent many hours and evenings at the bar. They were familiar with all that was going on and knew others who were also regulars.
- I realized that in all of the conversation which we had just participated in, not one of the guys whom I spoke with looked me in the eye. All of the eye contact was "out there" somewhere. There was a distance. There was a separation. There was a detachment. I get that as it related to me since I was the new guy on the block. BUT they didn't even look EACH OTHER in the eye.
How about today you and I look someone in the eyes. Affirm them with a look and a smile. Let the life and love that is in you touch another and let it lift their hearts and spirits.
I think that's what had to make such a difference in the life and experience of Jesus. When he looked into your eyes you were affirmed and accepted. He did not come to condemn people but to love and rescue them...from loneliness, among other things.
WH
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