Thursday, March 22, 2007

First Week

Well the first week of overnights went well at Frisco. The plasma wall is up and we got out of there at 10am (Store's Open). We feel good about out work and look forward to next week to get the rest of home theater done.

It seems I am gaining more respect and confidence from my boss & peers for I am getting more responsibility and compliments. Feels sweet.

We'll see how the next week goes.

Later

Friday, March 16, 2007

Overnights Part 3

Well the chaos returns, OVERNIGHTS!!!! Actually, I kind of like it because it is actual work and there is the chance for overtime. One of the rough times is changing my internal clock to be ready on night one, but no matter what I try I will not be fully ready. I will try.

We will start off in Frisco, TX for 2 weeks, next is Plano, TX (again 2 weeks), then Farmers Branch, TX (2 weeks). All are local jobs which is sweet because I can sleep at home and I can see the girl, but kind of sucks because we get no per diem. Oh well. It's good to have actual work again.

After all of that it will slow down for a month or so, but we still be on overnights.

The overnights will probably will go until July I think. I'll know later. These HEET Resets are surposed to be lighter than last year, but we will see. Pray for me.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Not Just Me

So, there is this guy who lives in our building and he always park in a handicap spot that was put in shortly after he moved in. Me and the wife looked around his vehicle and noticed that there was no handicap sticker, hanger, or plate on his truck. We also saw the owner and noticed that he does not have a noticeable limp or problem and he LIVES ON THE THIRD FLOOR!!!!!!

What the hell? I thought handicap spots are to make it easier for folks who are actually handicap to get into a building. Primarily these folks would live on the first floor of a apartment building unless an elevator or ramp was installed. Not this guy. He seems like an asshole, too.

One day a different tenant park in the spot and with in an hour the "handicapped" guy called the police on them and they got a ticket. Daaaaaaaaammmmmn! That was a couple of months ago.

Recent some events have happened that convinced me that I am not the only one who see this guy as the fraud I believe he is. Our friend, Heather, did a more thorough investigation of the vehicle and saw on his plates "Disabled Veteran". Shortly after that we saw that someone had pulled sign out of the ground and tossed a few feet away. A few days later the sign was put back with rocks stabilizing it. Then a person, probably the same one, pulled the sign back out and disposed of it. Don't know where it is exactly, but I feel it has been thrown away.

Again, Daaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnn!!!!

No sign has returned, but the guy still gets his "spot". Force of habit I guess. I found it a little entertaining, but now I just stopped caring. It would be interesting to see if the sign returns or if a new one is put up. Oh well.

Later...........

Out Of Sight

Starting out my day at work doing pretty well when I received a phone call from a number I didn't recognize so I didn't answer it and waited for a message. One did appeared and it was my sister-in-law calling from a payphone with her baby in hand. Our power had cut out and it was questionable on whether the water was on, too. So I asked my boss if I can leave and he did (I love him) then rushed home to aid Naomi and Jay.

Got home and the water was fine, but the power was definitely was out. I called our electric company and was informed that our bill was over due, then it dawned on me, Me and Jen was talking in the office about the bill & who should take care of it and I swore I was paying the bill while I was talking to her, but now I realize that I didn't.

Damn it me. So I made a payment and sat for hours wondering when they will turn the power back on. I was told that they stop tech service at 5:30pm, so at that time I gave up (still apologizing to Naomi) and just decided to wait for them to hopefully appear at 8am Wednesday.

I met the wife at the theater to see Wild Hogs while leaving Naomi, Stephen and Jay Lynne in the dark (and I was feeling like shit). After the film I was trying to contact them with no success pretty much because our mobile phones died. So we went home (with me still feeling like shit) and prepared for bed. I went back to the car to get my wife's planner where before me appears a white pickup truck with TXU on it. I said, "Noooooooooooo.........Seriously?" and all of the sudden the power was back on (making it possible for me to post this blog). I went back down to thank him (and get my phone), but he drove off.

Thank God for looking out. Electric Companies are tricky beasts. Bastards!!!!!!

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Gated Community: Surrounded

Well a lot has happened since my first report on our future gated community.

They have succeeded in putting the fence around the entire complex (half of it was painted black). When they finished building the fence there was a part that joined with a fence (wooden) that already existed behind a mini strip mall. Someone took it upon themselves to create a new hole in the wood probably because they use to cut across to get to the convenience store. I understand that, but it was not necessary. Nothing was done about that yet.

They have placed gates at all of the entrances. One gate got damaged, how I'm not sure. Looks like a car probably hit it. That gate was removed and probably will be replaced soon. The arms for the gate are now being installed along with the panel to enter codes or use a key. They haven't told us how this system will work for us or how we let guests in, yet. Be glad when they do.

They also erected a Big Wall along the east end of the complex to block out the duplexes/apartments next to us. Before this there was a wooden fence that the kids (living on both sides) had the pleasure of destroying. After the wall was built, folks (I believe on the other side) started to bust in the panels of the wall in three locations. Very sad. They repaired and reinforced the damaged areas.

It will be interesting how this all will work once it's completed

Later...................

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Chillllllllll

Well we didn't do much today. Mostly just say and chilled. The ladies check out Garden State on DVD while I played Command & Conquer Generals (Sweet Game) and Stephen worked on the Taurus.

Jen, Connie & I later went to the Cabana to chow in some Mexican eatin' and then traveled to Grapevine to see Bridge To Terabithia. This was a really good flick and I do recommend folks to check it out.

Back To Work Tomorrow.

Later..................

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Mike & Don


From Mike Judge (Beavis & Butt-Head, King Of The Hill, & Office Space) and Don Hertzfeldt (Rejection, Meaning Of Life, & Everything Will Be Alright) presents:

THE ANIMATION SHOW


Win, a friend who used to live next to me, invited me to this show where Judge and Hertzfeldt showcase some animation clips ranging from 1 to 20 minutes. They do this every 2 years (starting in 2003) and it's an impressive show. Animators include Run Wrake, Gaelle Dennis, Max Hatter, Shane Acker, Daniel Nocke, Bill Plympton, Remi Chaye, Oury Atlan, Joanna Quinn, Pez, and of course Judge & Hertzfeldt.


A couple things about some of the animators I learned in trivia; Bill Plympton worked with Kanye West and several other artists, Joanna Quinn is the animator that does the current Charmin commercials, and Shane Acker is working with the great Tim Burton on a future feature film (animated of course).


It was an impressive show. It also featured the favorite Beavis & Butt-Head episode "The Great Cornholio". I really enjoyed it and look forward to future tours. Check them out at www.animatonshow.com or www.myspace.com/animationshow.com.


Later.................

Friday, March 2, 2007

FW Bound

I had decided to join my wife, her mother, and Heather (Holy Man On Toast) in Fort Worth via the Trinity Transit System. I took the train and bus to meet them at the Stockyards. The bus ride was a little nostalgic as I start to remember my times in Middle & High School in Milwaukee where I spent most of my ride time on the bus, which was pretty nice. It felt good riding the bus. It may sound a bit silly, but it was pretty much the best part of my day (cue Heather).

Either way we went to the Fort Worth Stockyards and the Zoo. The Fort Worth Zoo was nice for a small zoo. Best part was seeing the Roos (Kangaroos) and the Otter.

For some reason Jen and Heather was fixated on all the animal's balls. The worst part was when they wondered why the Jaguar's balls weren't spotted. Very screwed up women (cue Heather & Jen).

We rode back to Irving via the train and I spanked Heather in a game of Blink (again cue Heather). It was a alright time on a somewhat nice day.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

February In Review

Well some stuff to comment on entertainment this month:

MOVIES:
Didn't see many movies this month. Actually on went to see one, Smoking Aces (3). This was an interesting flick that kind of followed the flow of Snatch or Layer Cake. Most people I know don't like that kind of movie, but I love it. The only problem I had with Aces was that it went a little too fast, yet it ended almost in a predictable way. It is worth seeing for some folks. The rest of you just wait for video.

TELEVISION:
Checked out the big awards shows this month and they were okay. In the Grammys, I was pleased to see the Dixie Chicks gain so many awards, but I wondered if the Academy gave them to them because they deserve them or if they were trying to stick it to the government. Oh well who cares. The performance with Justin Timberlake and winner of the contest was pretty good, but not worth the hype they gave it. It was also great to see Mary J. Blige rack up some awards, too. She's my fave.

As for the Oscars, Ellen did great. Even better than, Goldberg, Letterman, Stewart, and dare I say it, three time Crystal. Which would pretty much put her up there with Bob Hope. That's just my opinion. Lots of shockers this year including Pan's Labyrinth collecting 3 awards, Alan Arkin winning Best Supporting Actor for Little Miss Sunshine, and The Departed winning Best Picture. It was also great to see Scorsese finally win Best Director for The Departed.

One new sitcom this month, Rules Of Engagement (3.5). Starring Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, & David Spade. Pretty much shows a man's love life in three stages: single, engaged, and married. It's pretty funny and shows promise so I would recommend some to check it out if it doesn't interrupt and favorites (Heroes).

Well that does it for February see you next month.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Piggy Back

Man, I tell you folks here in DFW are nut jobs. I was driving to the Frisco Best Buy via the North Dallas Tollway. I cross the toll plaza at the Gaylord exit and I notice that this woman behind me had jumped lanes and followed me through.

I look at her windshield and I could find a tolltag yet I noticed that the alarm light did not go off. I guess this woman was close enough to me that she made it through without the alarm being triggered. She piggybacked me. Bitch! I tell you man folks are crazy.

Good thing the day is so beautiful. Helped me for get about that until I drove home. You can imagine how that went.

Later..................