Vegas - Cliff's Notes Version

First, Napster and I would like to say Thank You to everyone for all of the Congratulatory remarks...very cool.
And secondly, the complete thrashing of the site was a hoot.

Have you ever gone on a trip where everything went right? I hadn't until now...
The flight on Southwest was good both going and coming. Never happened before with ANY carrier.

The hotel room was very nice. We were on the 28th floor of the MGM with a sweeping view of the city. Not to mention a big ol' hot tub which was used with great enthusiasm...heh

The staff was courteous and helpful.

We took in the sites and were not disappointed by anything. Napster really dug the fountains at Bellagio. I dug being there and holding her hand.


The wedding was stress free and fun. I wish the web-cam hadn't crashed so you guys could've watched us dancing around with Elvis.

After the wedding we headed down to Freemont Street to witness first hand all that the Old School Vegas had to offer. Napster freaked out a little at first but got with the groove eventually.


There was a convention of the Red Hat Society in town and these ladies were there to party. Hoverounds and all...I think one pinched my butt on the elevator...good times I tell ya'.

Napster won at damn near every slot machine she touched.

Great food, especially at "The Pink Taco". heh

I got to ride the roller coaster at New York New York. I'm a roller coster fiend, Napster is not, but I won't hold it against her.

Now don't think I'm going all girlie soft 'cause I ain't. I think we could've gone anywhere and the result would've been the same. Great fun with the person I love.

It kicked ass.

Note to Mom:

Could you please put this thing back the way it was...you know I'm challenged technically...

Introducing The Happy Couple!!

Quality High Jinks

We haven't stopped laughing since logging on to the site...This is why my Mom and Pop would lock up the house when they went away. Lot's of creative Tom-Foolery and I can respect that...

We're both wiped out from the trip so it may take a day or two to gather my thoughts. Pictures will be forthcoming albeit with a little editing.
I have to say though, you haven't lived until you've had a beer with Elvis in a motel bar/Mexican restaurant inside of a Howard Johnson's before heading into the Shalamar Chapel of Love. The only word that comes to mind is surreal. It was kind of like the wedding scene from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"...

The site is a hoot. Kind of like a cyber version of painting up the wedding couples car. You guys ROCK!!

We're in the final stages of preparation for our little jaunt to Vegas.

We're both a little nervous and excited.

We've discovered that we both pack like shit. I always pack too many clothes and Napster...well let's just say that I can't find a hair, face, nail or cosmetic product that she's not packing. The TSA is going to love us...

I'm always a tool on leaving day and going home day(trip/vacation wise). I attribute this to my father. I'm trying to do better.

Wish us luck and we'll see you guys soon.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!!

Sausage Fingers and Cats

We went and got wedding bands last weekend. They had to special order mine because I wear a size 14. Napster picks on me...she titled this post...see what I have to put up with.
Here's a picture with quarter in the middle to provide some scale. Click thumbnail for larger pic.




I don't think my hand's that big, but kitty had a different reaction when she saw the ring...Drama Queen...

24 Hours to blast off

I had my "Bachelor Party" last night. Napster and I had a few cocktails, watched a little TV and split some General Tso's chicken. Man I'm getting old...or maybe I'm just conserving fuel for the trip to Vegas...we'll see.
Tonight is the "Bachelorette Party" and we may go crazy with some Garlic Chicken. Watch out baby!!

Nicknames

I don't know why I was thinking about this...probably reading about Bones over at my Grandma's house but I was thinking about the nicknames I've had growing up.

First was "Bootie-Man". This came from my inability to say Boogie-Man. Anyway, this stuck until I was about 11 or 12. Kinda embarassing...although I asked my teachers to call me this...they refused.

Second was "White Shoes". This came about because I insisted on wearing white cleats and only whites cleats while playing ball. I thought they made me run faster.

Third came when I was a semi-adult playing baseball. Ball players are a cruel bunch and I miss them every day...
I wear a 7 3/4 fitted ball cap and hence the name "Apple-Head" was born. Like I said, these guys were brutal.

In college the only one I "remember" was "Big Chief Thunderpants", later shortened to "Big Chief". Long story on this one folks...

I haven't had a nickname in a while since I hardly play sports anymore and with all of the moving I've done lately my circle of friends is small. I kind of miss that...

Do you guys have any nicknames from your past??

Food and kids

While reading blogs from the BE Family I've noticed 2 prominent themes, kids and cooking. I found this link over at Boing Boing and thought you cooks with kids might be able to have a little fun. It's edible Disney tortilla decals...have fun kiddies.

Woman are tough

This will take a little explaining...
I typically have to get a haircut about every 2 1/2 weeks or so because 1.)I like my hair pretty short and 2.) it grows really fast.

In Charleston I had a lady that really took care of me. For $20 she would wash, cut and dry my hair as well as, trim eyebrows and neck etc...keeping me for the most part looking respectable.

Here however, I do not have someone like that to go to so I do what every guy does and go to Supercuts. Not bad for $11 but they don't do the little things like eyebrows....which brings me to the story...

Napster and I were sitting on the patio last night enjoying the sun and a few adult beverages when she looks over and says, "Your eyebrows need to be trimmed".
I said, "I'll get them done before we head to Vegas" and she says,"Let me pluck them".
Guys, if you ever here those words, RUN LIKE HELL!!!

I'd had a couple of drinks at this point and figured what's the big deal?? How bad could it hurt??
I said, "Sure baby, whatever you want to do".
She goes inside and comes back out grinning, upon further reflection, maniacally.
I'm a big fella so she staddles me and says, "Are you ready"? "Sure thing kid, knock yourself out", I said.
Now understand, that I've experienced lots of pain. I've had my nose broken 3 "official" times. I've got screws in my toes from a crazy bout of baby sitting. I have a 72 staple scar across my stomach from a spleenectomy gone awry. I've had cortisone shots in my rotator cuff that hurt like a bee-yotch!!!! So, I'm versed in pain.

The next moment I experienced a pain unlike anything I've experienced before. It felt like bees were stinging my eyes and had she not been straddling me I would've headed for the door poste haste. She's plucking and I'm screeching, tears running down my face when she says, "Done". "Damn right you're done now get off me", I say. She then informs me that she's only finished with one freakin' eyebrow and has to do the other. "Damn that noise", I say. I'll just be crooked.
She's not taking no for an answer and pounces on me again with the "tweezers of death".

When it was done, I was a beaten man but swore that if any of my hair can't be cut, shaved or trimmed with clippers it would just have to stay.
I can't imagine a bikini wax. Woman are tough...

Goin' To The Chapel of Lo -ove

Napster and I were looking for a break so we decided to hit my town next weekend. We're going to spend a long weekend enjoying all the hedonistic pleasures this place has to offer.
Oh and as a bonus, we've decided to go ahead and tie the knot. On Friday we'll be pledging our love for one another in the presence of the man himself. We've both had traditional weddings and thought that this would be a hoot.

Now for the ground rules as laid down by Napster:
Spurs will not dance naked in the fountains.
Spurs will not be found walking down Freemont St wearing only a blazer, shorts, flip flops and cowboy hat while drinking pilsner from a plastic yard glass singing "Viva Las Vegas".
Spurs will leave the lions alone.
Spurs will be on time for the wedding ceremony.
Spurs will not wear an inappropriate bathing suit.
"Honey I'm going to get us some ice", does not mean spurs can sneak away to play Blackjack.
Spurs agrees that mooning people from the Stratosphere is not funny. And neither is spitting on them from the platform.
Just because the women of La Cage go topless does not mean that spurs can go topless. Napster however....heh...well, I'll leave it up to her. Remember the Waffle House...Mo, help me out here...
Just because the drinks are free does not mean that spurs should always say yes to the waitress.
Spurs agrees that no firearms will be transported to Vegas.
Spraying the concierge with a fire extinguisher is not acceptable behavior.
Spurs agrees to use a bubble solution product when making "bubbles" in the hot tub.

I think this list may grow during the week...

Other than that, it's wide open and I think we're going to have a blast.

What my office needs and what I would love to do...

Go to this site and go to "Watch Terry's Films". I was born to do this job...I swear...ask my friends...

Chicks and sports...

Michelle Wie became the first female player to qualify for an adult male U.S. Golf Association championship Tuesday, tying for first place in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur Public Links sectional qualifying tournament.
The winner of this tournament is traditionally invited to the Masters. I bet Hootie Johnson will have something to say about that.....I can hear Martha Burke warming up her van...

I am for the most part, traditionalistic when it comes to sports. I love the history of sports with all the legends and folklore. I believed that the Red Sox were cursed by the Bambino. I know that Franco caught that pass, even though you can't see it. I just knew Steve Bartman was doing his part to keep the Curse of the Cubs intact. And yes, I believed he could fly.

However, when it comes to women competing with men, I guess I'm a Liberal...Guilty as charged.
For the most part, woman can compete with, and beat men in a variety of sports. I've taken a beating or two from Napster at the local bowling alley and once dated a 5th degree black belt who could seriously kick ass. Not mine....but I'm just sayin'...
I don't think however, that women can compete with men in all types of sports. Men are just too physically strong. Football comes to mind...But you know what, if a woman wants to buckle up her chin strap and punch her dance ticket with a middle linebacker then so be it. Knock yourself out sweetheart.

Anyway, I hope Michelle performs well and gives Hootie a little to sweat about.

Perfect BE Family gift

I may be new but this looks like a perfect gift for someone in the BE Family. I'm just not sure who....

One of those days....

Got out of the bed this morning and hit my pinkey toe on the coffee table. Ow!
Got to work and got yelled at for things that are out of my control. Shit!
Got back from lunch and got yelled at again for the same thing by different people. Shit x 2!
Got reminded about the things that are out of my control no less than 5 times today by peers. Damn!
Sitting here right now not really giving a crap. I think the word for it is insouciant.
I used to care but now...not so much...
Oh well, only 320 more days of indentured servitude and I'm a free man.
Hope you guys had a lovely freakin' day.

Maybe I'm not stoopid after all.....

Try this quick little IQ test and see how you come out. I scored a 140 but even so I'm having a really hard time trying to post this damn thing. Stupid code.

Your IQ Is 140

Your Logical Intelligence is Genius Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Genius

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

Great Americans

I don't watch a lot of T.V. but the Discovery Channel is a favorite when I do.
They are running an interesting contest called The Greatest American.
Athletes, Business Leaders, Celebrities, Cause Champions, Icons, Musicians and Political Figures all voted on by the viewing audience.

I wrote down a list to compare against the top 25 from the show and I only matched 8(bold below). Maybe I'm out of tune with what it takes to be a "Great American". But I guess that would be subjective huh?
Here's the Discovery top 25 in no particular order:

Muhammed Ali
Lance Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
George W. Bush
Bill Clinton
Walt Disney
Thomas Alva Edison
Albert Einstein
Henry Ford
Benjamin Franklin
Bill Gates
Billy Graham
Bob Hope
Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy
Martin Luther King Jr.
Abraham Lincoln
Rosa Parks
Elvis Pressley
Ronald Reagan
Eleanor Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
George Washington
Oprah Winfrey
The Wright Brothers

Would any of these people have made your top 25?

Cruisin'

Just for you Bou. It appears that 26 year old Katie Holmes is embracing more than her current sugar daddy.
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy...

Got to love a Marketing Degree

This has been bugging me for a while.
What the hell is Zorbitex? I can't find it on the Periodic Table...
How about stinkyfeetbegoneitex? Has a bit of a ring to it I think.

Sidenote: click on the feet...they talk...it's weird, in a funky feet kind of way.
I enter re-hab tommorow.

Blogger Lifecycle

I was reading a Min Jun article about the lifecycle of bloggers. I think I'm on step 3.
Is this really how it's going to go down??

1. “Start reading blogs.”
2. “You start a blog.”
3. “You become a stats whore.”
4.“You become really personal on your site as the online and real-life worlds start confusing you.”
5.“You faux “retire” from blogging.”
6. “You cave back into blogging in less than 72 hours.”
7. “You decide to “get serious” about blogging.”
8. “You have a pseudo flirty im/blogging/flickr flirting relationship with another blogger whom you have never met.”
9. “You decide that you must meet other bloggers.”
10. “You take a step back and metablog about blogging and what blogging has done about your blogging.”
11. “See step 5.”
12. “You decide that as a result of step 10 and having repeated step 5 more than 3 times in the course of your lifecycle as a blogger, that you need to sanitize or reinvent your blog.”
13. “You either lose your job because of blogging, are afraid of losing your job for blogging, or join a company that builds blogging tools.”
14. “You decide to start an anonymous livejournal blog.”

Boudicca is ahead of the curve

I guess my Gran'Ma isn't the only one to find Mr. Cruise repugnant.

Help!! And a question...

First the help portion-
I would like to insert .mpeg and mp3 files into my blog but don't know how or if it's even possible. Suggestions anyone???

Now the question-
First let me qualify this by saying that I am not the most politically active person around. However, I do vote both locally and nationally, not generally along party lines. So I'm not completely ignorant in a political arena.
Having read quite a few blogs in the "BEF", I know someone out there will be able to help me out.
Is Democractic Party Chairman Howard Dean a complete kook like he seems? Or is he a victim of foot in mouth disease?

Anything for money

Check out this article by Richard Ehrlich. He talks about how people are cashing in on Osama bin Laden. Pisses me off... The stuff, not Richard.

Hmmmmm.....

I saw this question and at first I thought it was a slam dunk. But then I thought about it a little and decided that I was too new to Blogging to have an educated answer.

Here's the question:
Who knows you better, the people who read your blog. Or the people who know you in the physical world?

Jackson case in the hands of the jury....

O.K., O.K. I'll admit to having some of his music but he pretty much lost me after "Off The Wall".

Why do I get the feeling that this turd-burglar is going to walk. Or would that be Moonwalk? Bah!!

I wouldn't say I've been "missing" work....

I always said I wouldn't blog about work but...

The company I work for was purchased by another company a few months back. The new company made me a decent offer and paid me to move to "TLTTF" TX. Why not? I can live anywhere for a year. This new position is entirely different from previous one. No sweat, I'm a smart guy...
As soon as Napster and I get "in country", my boss goes out on maternity leave and can have no contact with me. So I don't really report to anyone for the time being.....hmmmmm...
I've figured out that this position is really only busy about 50% of the time. I must be busy or I will go nuts. So I've taken to leaving early and having a nap and what-not.
I've never been this bored with a job in my life and I think it's affecting my output. Straight out of Office Space.
So on Friday, I get a call from the head of HR and I'm thinking, crap the gig's up. But you know what she says?? Congratulations on 5 years of service!! Where would you like me to mail your present? Say wa'?? Ummmm, just send it to my home address I guess...
Weird huh?? You should get Mo or Nap to tell you how I actually GOT this job....another time.
I wonder what my present is...I hope it's makes noise...

USC advances to Regional Finals

After a 3 1/2 hour rain delay, USC sends Michigan packing 4-3.
In order to advance to the Super Regionals and ultimately The College World Series the Gamcocks must beat Georgia Tech twice. Tough task but not impossible.

Go Cocks!!

Update: Carolina beat Tech 8-3 in the penultimate game of the regional. The two play again tonight with the winner advancing to the the Super Regional.
I hope the Gamecock ju-ju is working tonight.

Don't mess with my woman

"The Land That Time Forgot", TX doesn't have much in the way bugs. Coming from the Carolina coast, I'm used to mosquitos, gnats and giant water bugs. So it was cool when we noticed that the aforementioned pesks were nowhere to be found.

However, "TLTTF" does have the most humongous spiders this side of a Banana Spider. If you've never seen a Banana Spider, Google it and you'll see what I mean.
Those who know me, know that I don't like spiders. It's not a phobia and I don't run away screeching like a girl. They just give me the willies...and I will stomp the living crap out of a spider if given the chance.

So today, I walk into the bedroom and see/hear Napster pounding the hell out of something with a shoe.
Napster -Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! (Seriously, I counted 8)
Me - Uh, babe I think it's dead.
Nap - That sucker was big but I think I got it.
Me - No shit...I think you erased it.

It's good to know that she'll jump into the battle.

-Update: I come back in the room later and see the spider corpse. I go get the dustbuster and remove the body.
I ask Napster what's up with leaving the body and she says "I want the other spiders to see what happens when you come in here".
Rock on Vlad.-

Tough row to hoe

USC played like crap and got the be-jesus beat out of em' by Georgia Tech.
Now they have to go through the losers bracket. Yikes!!
Next up, Michigan tommorow @ high noon in an loser go home game...

Go Cocks!!

No Poop For You!!

Man sues for $10 million over expoding toilet.
Now that's some serious gas...

A man walks into a nightclub one night. He goes up to the bar and asks for a beer. Certainly, Sir, that'll be one cent."
"One Cent?!!" exclaimed the man.
So the man glances over at the menu and asks, "Could I have a nice juicy T-bone steak, with chips, peas and a fried egg?"
"Certainly, Sir," replies the barman, "but that comes to real money."
"How much money?" inquires the man. "Four cents," the bartender replied.
"Four Cents?!!" exclaimed the man. "Where's the guy who owns this place?"
The bartender replied, "Upstairs, with my wife."
The man says, "What's he doing upstairs with your wife?"
The bartender replied, "The same thing as I'm doing to his business."

USC Wins Regional Opener

Carolina topples Michigan in a tight one 6-5.

Go Cocks!!

In other news, FSU decided to just quit and go home.

Childhood Meme Part Deux

I know we're only supposed to list 5 things we miss from our childhood but I have to add one more.

Christmas Mornings- Mom and Dad always made Christmas fun. I knew about "Santa" by the time I was 8 but even so, it was incredible. My brother and I would leave cookies out for Santa and in the morning you could see where he had taken a bite. Usually there would be a note from the big man himself. We had decorations out the wazoo and Mom would make cakes and cookies for family and friends. The house always smelled so good...

My dad had a rule that we(little bro and I) couldn't wake anyone up until 6:00 AM. For me, this was no problem. But for my little brother, this was sheer torture.
I remember one year, I guess I was about 10 and J was 7, and for some reason I woke up early. I looked at the clock and it was before the 6:00 AM start time. So I started to roll over and go back to sleep when I saw a light coming down the hallway. Wha?? A couple of minutes go by and I see my little brother crawling down the hallway with a flashlight. I whispered*psst*, what are you doing? My little brother looks over into my room, holds the flashlight under his chin and just as serious as a preacher says, "I'm just checking things out. You haven't been that good this year. Go back to sleep." Still cracks me up...

Childhood Meme

David tagged me with this meme:
-Five Things I Miss From My Childhood-
Thanks Big Guy...

We're also supposed to remove item #1 from this list, bump everyone up one place and add your blog to the 5 spot applying links to all.
1. No Government Cheese
2. Villainous Company
3. Riehlworldview
4. Third World County
5. Pull My Finger

Then tag 4 other suckers...I mean...victims...
1. Blogmom Sissy cause I love her so
2.Machelle because of her love for the Big Blue
3. Teresa because she loves Dan Brown
4. VW Bug because I happened to see her name in my comment section

On to the main event-
1. Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football. There was no pressure, it was just fun. Win or lose, we all new that after the game we were going for ice-cream.

2. Listening to baseball games with my Grandfather. We could have watched the games on TV but Pop liked to listen to games on the radio. We'd sit in the den and my Grandmother would bring us snacks. Jack Buck and the Cardinals... I can still smell the popcorn.

3. Summer vacation!!! It was the best. Camp, local pool, bike rides, video arcades, pick-up ballgames, bottle rocket fights, home made ice cream, water balloon fights, the skating rink...and to think I couldn't wait to grow up.

4. Sleep overs. My dad built the most awesome treehouse for my brother and I. It was about 25 feet in the air and had a retractable rope ladder to keep out girls and the ever present little brother. We would sleep out in the treehouse more than inside during the summer.

5. Beach vacations. My family would always rent a beach house for a couple of weeks. It was usually about 8-10 bedrooms, so most of our extened family would come along. Aunts, Uncle's, Granparents, cousin's and whoever else. I loved the whole tribal village feel of the trip. My dad and I would always sneak away one night during the trip and head to this hot dog stand for a hot dog eating contest. I never won but I still go by this particular hot dog stand if I'm in town...

I could go on but you're only supposed to list 5 things. Man...to be a kid again...

Funky dream

Since the company I work for will not allow me to roll-over vacation time, I have to burn 48 hours this month or I'm going to lose them.
I'm really in the weeds and need to stay on top of the projects I'm currently heading. But if they won't let me roll the time over, screw it. The time has been budgeted for and I'm taking it.

So I leave early today and go home to catch a little mid-afternoon siesta and have one of the funkiest dreams in my life.

I won't go into the whole sorted tale but the dream included a"Green Machine", Slip 'N Slide, Jiffy Pop, the girls from Laverne and Shirley and KITT from Knight Rider with the soundtrtack from The Dukes of Hazzard playing like theme music...

I think I need more than 48 hours off...
Happy hour, here I come.

Umm...*cough*...*ahem*...What About The Roaming Charges?

Bad Books!! Go to your room!!

In keeping with the spirit of books...
I was checking out the Accordian Guy and he pointed to a Human Events Online article listing the 10 most harmful books of the 19th and 20th Century. I've actually read 3 of the 10 and 5 of the Honorable Mentions. With no adverse side effects...
But here's the thing, I find it difficult to swallow that any of these books could be harmful. Wrong, absurd and idiotic in some cases, but not harmful.
Take a look at the list and tell me what you think.

Behold, the power of Bou

My blog Grandmother can kick your blog Granmother's butt.
Boudicca is my BGM and she asked her readers to stop by my site to offer up some reading/author suggestions. Man did it pay off!

Although I've read quite a few of the books/authors suggested, there were still pleeeeeennty that I haven't read.

So "Thank You" to everyone who came by with sugestions.
And "Thanks" to my BGM Boudicca.

To Toluca Nole - I'll let you know if it has pictures...