HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPURS!!!!

Today Spurs was born onto this planet xx years ago - and I believe he's been kicking and screaming ever since ;) I was fortunate enough to meet Spurs during the early months of 2003 and luckily I was able to break through that steel plate across his chest and make my way into his heart (it wasn't easy I tell ya).

Spurs has enlightened me in so many ways I can't even begin to put it all down on this post. I have become more independent, more adventurous, basically more alive than I've ever been - he just brings that out of you. To know Spurs is to love Spurs. He will go to great lengths to take care of and protect anyone close to him. I always feel safe with Spurs because basically no one wants to mess with someone the size of a linebacker ;) Even if you have never met him all you have to do is walk up and talk to him and instantly you begin to like him - he has a great personality and is funny as hell - he can make anyone feel comfortable instantly. I am so in love with him and it's only grown stronger each day - our life together has been such an adventure so far and I look forward to anything our future holds as long as we pursue it together.

Well I could go on and on but he will probably shoot me just for putting this on here today so I'll stop gushing over him now. All of you out there be sure to wish Spurs a happy birthday today - he's on the road this week and nothing sucks worse than being out of town for work on your birthday.

Happy Birthday Babe! I Love You!

Hmmm?

Is it normal to turn on the heat for the first time and all of the smoke detectors in the house to go off? That just didn't seem normal to me...

Now that Spurs the Polar Bear is off traveling this week I decided that instead of wearing three layers of clothes around the house it would be nice to just wear one layer. It would also be nice to not have blue fingers and toes.

I guess he secretly knew this was going to happen and rigged the thermostat to trigger the smoke detectors if it ever got switched to the heat setting... Hmmm....

Back to Reality

Wow - I can't believe Thanksgiving has already come and gone. Spurs is off again on another trip and it's back to reality - working and traveling.

We had a pretty great 1st Thanksgiving as a married couple. Spurs made all of the grub and I contributed a chocolate pie. It was all very good - turkey breast, stuffing, green bean casserole, gravy, slices of ham, rolls, etc. Our day consisted of breakfast, sleep, preparation of the meal, eating, more sleep, heating up the fixins again, eating, football, etc. It was a great four days that didn't consist of much more than that.

Now we are counting down the days until our trip to Vegas for New Years!

Tagged

1. Do you use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning?

If I'm at home, usually no - I rely on Spurs to wake up and then I slowly fall out of bed so I can walk over to my computer and start my work day. If Spurs is on the road I'll set it.

If I'm on the road - I set the alarm clock, my cell phone's alarm, and request a wake up call - I've just got to learn to set all of those in stages - it's scary when that all happens at once.

2. What time do you set it for?

Depends on the situation - at home if it's set it is set for 7:00 or 7:30 - on the road it's set for an hour and a half prior to when I have to be somewhere.

3. Do you hit the snooze button? If so, how many times?

Usually around 5 times when at home and then I just turn it off and wait for Spurs to get up - then I get up.

4. Have you ever abused an alarm clock?

Not that I can think of? I'm sure I've knocked it off the table a few times trying to find the snooze or off buttons. Stella the cat abuses my alarm clock all the time - knocking it off the table to make sure there are no cough drops hiding underneath it - she has a serious addiction.

5. Tag 5 other folks

Nope, not gonna do it - it's Thanksgiving week - no one has their alarm clocks functioning this week :)

Fantasy Football Alert

Hey!! All you Fantasy Footballers!!!!!!
The week starts on Thursday so set your rosters early.
I don't want to here any whining...

Dis...Dat...and D'Udder

I just flew in from Flagstaff and boy are my arms tired….
Seriously though, Flagstaff is one cool little hamlet. It’s got this college, ski town, hippy commune kind of feel. Lot’s girls named Willow though…

I get back home and Napster is looking pretty crappy.
Me – What’s wrong kiddo?
Napster – Nothing…except I can’t breath.
Me – Shouldn’t we go to the hospital?
Napster – I don’t like hospitals.
Me – Tough shit, put on some cloths.

And off we went with no real knowledge of where the hospital was located. *Note to self* Be sure to look this type of info up in the next town we move to.
We found the hospital and she was treated almost immediately. I think it was the bluish hue of her face.
Anyway, all is good. Apparently this is cotton ginning time and that stuff triggered her asthma in a not so subtle fashion. Worried me a bit though…

We’ll be moving again in the next few months. Can’t talk much about it yet but let’s just say that I work in a very volatile industry.

While away, it looks like I was tagged for a meme by Contagion. I’m not sure I’ve ever done one of these before but here goes…

1.) Do you use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning?

Not usually, my body just sort of knows when to wake up. It's a bowel movement thing. You could set your watch by it I swear...

2.) What time do you set it for?

The only time I set the clock is when Napster or I have to catch a super early flight…or when drinking copious amounts of alcohol and I feel like my internal alarm guy might decide to sleep in.

3.) Do you hit the snooze button? If so, how many times?

I’m a zero snooze button guy. Napster on the other hand is a 5 tap snoozer so I guess I’m a five tapper by proxy.

4.) Have you ever abused an alarm clock?

Many, many times and it’s not something I’m proud of. I’m currently in a 12 step rehabilitation program called CARE(Clocks Are Reliable Electronics)to help me come to grip with the fact that I am an alarm clock abuser. I’m only on step 3, but I hope that with your help and support I can beat this sickness.

5.) I don’t know what to make of #5.

Let’s see, now I’m supposed to tag 5 other folks.
This is kind of tough because I don’t really know 5 bloggers to tag.

So…….I’ll improvise.
Napster – Tag…I know it’s lame to tag a spouse but……
Sissy – Tag…Who didn’t see this one coming?
Mo – I know you don’t have a blog but tag anyway.
Toluca Nole – See above

That’s all I got…

On a side note, since Napster was out of town this week I did the football pick-em instead of her...worst week of the season.

The Traveling Napster

Looks like my grueling two weeks of back to back travel is nearing its end. I'm flying home tomorrow after a week in Alaska and a week in California. I'm so ready to be home. I actually get two whole weeks of home time! Unfortunately only one whole week with Spurs - he's off again right after Thanksgiving.

Alaska was - well shall I say - I've been there. I think if I ever go back it will be via a cruise liner. The small towns we visited were very depressing. I'm not sure why people want to live there? I guess their summers are nice. I didn't get to see too much of Anchorage, I just stayed in the hotel for a few hours and then took my early flight home the next morning. It is a pretty big city though. One good thing is anywhere you go you have the most awesome view of the mountains - that is a plus. I'll be sure to post some of my pictures when I get home.

This week I've been in Northern California. Beautiful landscape of hills and valleys. It's nice to have a view of vineyards and cattle farms on my drive - not too much urban sprawl in the area I am in. The traffic is horrible though, thank goodness for the NeverLost system from Hertz - it's saved me on this trip!

I can't wait to be home. I'll be glad to see my kitty and have all the comforts of home!

Spurs World Tour 05'

Napster is in Cali and I'm off for Flagstaff. I'm not sure the Stones have hit this many towns during their 15th farewell tour.

I think they are getting snow in Flag
Gloves...check
Thermals...check
Beanie Cap...check
Flask...um...not sure the TSA allows this sort of thing...will find out I assure you.
4WD Rental...nah..that would be too easy...hee-hee...

Gamecocks ranked in the top 25...WTF!?

See you guys around Thanksgiving.

Homeward bound

Christmas is coming
Spurs is getting fat
Napster is on a plane wearing her favorite beanie cap

Napster will be home tonight and we'll get to spend a whole 36 hours together before she departs again.

I miss that girl.

Greetings from Homer, Alaska!

Holy crap! I can't believe I'm blogging from Alaska! Right behind me out of my bay window in my room at Land's End I have massive snow covered mountains shadowing the ocean. It's pretty cool. It's snowed a little bit - probably 6 inches of snow on the ground and it's cold - but not as bad as I thought it would be. Usually 10 degrees at night and around 20 degrees during the day.

Today we saw four bald eagles at the edge of the ocean on the drive back from the office. It was unbelievable. I have never seen a bald eagle much less right outside my car window about 5 feet from me. I took many pictures and will share once I get home.

There are little sea otters swimming around near the beach and they are very cool to watch - just floating on their backs eating their seafood!!

And many props to my most wonderful husband - right before I left he gave me an early Christmas present - a limited edition U2 Ipod!!!! It has really come in handy during my very long trip out here.

I'll have much more to report once I return but just wanted to give you a little taste of what it's been like so far. We are driving back to Kenai tomorrow and taking the small scary plane back to Anchorage and then I have another lengthy trip home on Friday starting at 6:00 am. I'll be so happy to get home and be with my hunny! Miss you babe ;)

And what not...

Contagion got me going with one of his posts and then I couldn't shut up. One of these days I'll learn how to track back...

…why do I have to write a 3 sentence explanation for “Parking” on my expense report? I think the word kind of explains itself.

…Ditto for “Laundry”, “Rental Cars”, “Taxi” and “Hotel Room.”

…I appreciate the fact that some people could abuse the corporate card they were given but AMEX ran MY credit so please pay MY bill on time. Otherwise I'll march down to that little patch of hell known as Accounts Payable and fart. I swear I will…ask my wife she knows.

…A/P does not like my funny little comments in the explanation section of my expense reports.

…I think I may have won the Texas Lottery but can’t get to the site to check my numbers because it’s blocked by IT.

…It’s probably good that IT blocked this site because it would lower my productivity. Plus I'd walk right out the door if I found out I actually won.

…I can access E-Bay, Amazon, ESPN, NY Times, Blogger, USA Today, The USC athletics homepage, Google, Ask Jeeves…I bet these sites don’t lower productivity.

…Somebody took the last of my PEZ right out of Homers mouth and I’m pissed. I will find the culprit.

…I guess it was fair since I snuck down and took the last jelly donut from those cows in A/P.

...Must remember to mute my internal monologue.

...The green arrow means go you jack-ass.

…I love animals, particularly dogs. I realize that with our travel and the fact that we live in an apartment a dog is not a viable pet option at this moment in time.

…Why does every other person in our apartment complex own a dog? Have you ever watched someone walking their dog in an apartment complex? No one looks happy, the owner or the dog. The owner just wants the dog to crap and the dog wants off the leash to run around before taking a crap.

…Please clean up your dog crap or I’m going to start peeing off of the porch.

…Lubbock has no trees.

…Without trees, why is there always bird shit on my car?

…I’ve stayed in a hotel room over 70 nights this year.

…I’m a Platinum member of a hotel chain.

…The hotel chain sent me a present. It was a luggage tag. Thanks guys. Nothing screams you’re a valued customer more than a cheap ass luggage tag.

...Why would objects in mirror be closer than they appear? What sick fucker thought this would be a good idea?? I know, let's make a mirror thet will give the illusion of being at a safe distance and hope that Ol'Granny Dust Panties (I was going to use another word but didn't want to offend) doesn't back over everyone.

...It's not apathy, I just don't give a shit. I really could go on about this one but I don't want to get dooced.

...I really think Congress has way more pressing issues to deal with other than trying to legislate steroid punishment in sports. They want to protect the integrity of the games I know...how about working on the integrity of the goverment you pin-heads.

…Lubbock is rated one of America’s heaviest cities.

….There are 50 pages of restaurants listed in the phonebook.

…There are 5 gyms in Lubbock.

…Does my butt look bigger to you??

…I’m going to get a sandwich.

...wash, rinse, repeat

Un-freakin-real

I just watched a replay of the Terrell Owens press conference. Holy crap!! What a bunch of bull-shite!!

He was standing behind his agent with the most shit-eating grin I've ever seen. Does he think that just because you say I'm sorry that everything will be O.K.? I really think he believes that "I'm sorry" absolves you of all sins.
Ummm...TO...you can say I'm sorry and that's cool and all...but that doesn't mean you can come back into the clubhouse...

$20 says that the race card gets played at some point.

I can see it now.....the good Reverand Jackson and Johnny C, side by side, telling America it's because he's a black man in a white world...what a travesty...what an injustice...never had a strong father figure...blah, blah, blah

He's a talented athlete but a complete douche-bag as a person and I would never want to go to war with someone like that...

Another $20 says he gets picked up by another team as soon as he's free...
As Don King would say, "Only in America."

Maybe I'm being too hard on T.O.....walk a mile in his shoes and what not....
Nah! He's a tool that probably needs to be medicated.

Update

I talked to Napster last night and it sounded like she was really enjoying the scenery.
She's also found a place that is famous for it's Alaskan Salt Water Taffy so Mom will be happy.
Today is a travel day. I think they were heading to little known town called Mooseknuckles but I could be wrong.

I now put the Co in codependent....When did this happen??

I’m not sure when it happened or how it happened but I have discovered that I am no longer capable of taking care of myself.

How does this happen to a grown man?? I left home when I was 17 and never looked back….I just don’t get it…

I woke up Sunday morning around 10 or so after getting up with Napster (3 freakin’ am) to make sure she made her flight. I was a little tired and very hungry.
At this point, Napster usually jumps in and provides direction about what will and will not be had for breakfast. I cook mind you; it’s just that she calls the menu so to speak.
Without Napster, I was lost and decided on lasagna. She has warned me more than once about my unconventional breakfast choices but without her firm guidance I couldn’t think clearly.

After “breakfast” I wandered around the apartment not knowing what to do. There were no lists of things to do. No errands that I had to run. No nothing.

*Me thinking to myself*
Hmmmmm…..I thought, maybe I should just watch football.
Should I shower?? Dunno, no one is here saying otherwise.
You’re still in your funky sweats from yesterday. So?
Cool…football it is…sweet
Where’s the damn remote!!!

I couldn’t find the remote. When Napster is home she waves some sort of magic wand and it just appears. No Napster meant no remote. Damn!! I still haven’t found that freakin’ thing.

Before flopping onto the couch I realize that I still needed to update my Fantasy Football roster. No big deal right? Wrong.
Something screwy was going on and I couldn’t access the site. Shit!!!!!
This is normally when I call for Napster. She comes in and sprinkles some magic IT pixie dust on the computer and “voila” the little bastard starts working. Not going to happen this time I thought. I hope my roster is set.

Getting up and down changing the channel made me hungry so I decided to go to the store. Something that I used to be quite good at but now, not so much…
Walking in the store, I immediately went to the fresh fruits and vegetables as I’ve been trained.

*Me thinking again*
Dude, I want pizza rolls not papaya. Ditch this aisle…
We need fruit.
True but Napster won’t be home until the end of the week. Get some on Friday.
Cool…where are the pizza rolls??

And like that, I was off, cutting a junk food swath through the grocery store. Grand total $153.87.
Good Carbs – 0
And I still had time to make the afternoon games…Wooo-Hooo.
Although it still felt like I had something to do or somewhere to be…

The buffet was laid out all across the coffee table.
The Steelers – Packers game was getting ready to start. Damn, I wish I could find that remote….
Where’s my lucky Steelers shirt? Where’s my terrible towel?? Where’s my lucky hat???
All of which are questions normally fielded by my beloved and answered within seconds. Sunday however, it took me a good 20 minutes to find everything.

The game was great.
The cat and I shared a wonderful bounty while watching the Steelers put another W in the win column.

*Here I go thinking again*
What to do now??
Clean up? Nah, it can wait….
Shower? Nah, it’s already 6 PM or so…
Take out the trash? Maybe later…
I know, get ready for the late game on ESPN… That’s more like it.
What should I do for dinner?? Beats me…
I ate so much this afternoon, I decided on something light. Apple Jacks.
The cat looked at me like I was an idiot. Although she didn’t seem to mind when I gave her the Apple Jacks milk…

Can’t find the remote
Eating like crap
Computer’s acting up
Missing clothes
The cat is jacked up on sugar
Please hurry home Napster. I’ve become a complete doofus.


PS – Don’t forget the taffy. Mom’s called about 2 bazillion times

Planes, Planes and More Planes

The post below from Spurs makes my upcoming trip to Alaska seem so glamorous. It's really not folks! I get to leave TX at 5:00 am Sunday morning and subsequently take four planes in the same day. The last plane is a puddle jumper in Alaska that seats 6 people - I've never been on anything smaller than an Embraer. Please pray for me :()

The temperature for next week in AK will be a whopping 22 degrees for a high and 3 degrees for a low with snow showers each day. Did I mention I'm from the South where a dusting of snow means everything shuts down for a week and people walk around in full on snow suits? Yes, they will be discovering a little blonde girl in lots of layers 100 years from now in a block of ice somewhere in Alaska :)

I'm traveling to Anchorage, Soldotna, and Homer next week and Homer looks like the coolest place (the picture below is the view from the hotel deck and the view from my room is similar). So I am looking forward to seeing the sites, but again this is for work and I get to travel with a work person so it's not like it's going to be like a vacation. And we have to drive from Soldotna to Homer and back - neither of us are used to driving in the snow - that should give me some blog content for when I return. We have been warned not to drive at night (which starts at like 4:00 pm because of the moose) YIKES!!

www.ImageShack.us

And as a bonus when I return on Friday night from AK I have one day to relax and then fly to California at 5:00 am on Sunday morning for another week. The next two weeks are really going to suck but according to Spurs, after these next trips I should truly be a "road warrior".

Everyone think warm thoughts for me next week!!!

Planes, trains and automobiles

Napster and I are getting ready to start another round of roadtrips and once again, I get the short end of the stick. Dammit.

Her next trip is to Homer, Alaska. I have always wanted to go there. Alaska, not specifically Homer, but you get the picture. The little butt showed me her room online and it overlooks the water and mountains. Great. Get me a shirt will ya'.

I on the other hand get to spend 5 glorious nights at the Courtyard Marriott in lovely Flagstaff Arizona. I'll be lucky to have a view of the highway. *Woo-hoo he says dripping with sarcasm.*

Speaking of Alaska, my mom, who has only rarely been outside of South Carolina and never been above the Mason Dixon line found out about Napster's trip and said "You've got to get me some Alaskan taffy, it's the best in the world."

Me - Mom, you can't even chew taffy it will bust your dental work. And how are you the Alaskan taffy expert??
Mom - My teeth will be fine.
Me - Mmm hmmm Remember that candy apple back in '04....
Mom - Your cousins, husbands,uncle's, niece went to Alaska for school and she said the taffy was incredible.
Me - Ummm, it's hard to argue with that logic I guess...
Mom - So will you make sure Napster gets me some taffy?
Me - Sure mom. I'll make her a list...

I'm going to spend the day searching the web for Alaskan taffy for my mom and her bad bridge work. Wish me luck.

To Forgive and Forget

I had a little tete-a-tete this weekend with one of the guys in my Fantasy Football League. It got a little personal. Actually more than a little...it's probably a good thing we were not in the same room because things would have been broken. Specifically him.

Having worked with this guy in Atlanta, I know what a slime he was/is. So, I should have been more prepared for his outburst but I wasn't and met anger with anger. Upon further review, I went to his level. He wins.

Getting to the point...
This got me thinking about the saying to forgive and forget.
I'm the kind of person who never forgets. Kind of like, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I have forgiven many a trespass but never truely forgotten. There's this kid from the second grade who was quite the bully, that I'm still hoping to bump into...
So if you never forget, do you actually forgive??
Not sure.