Talk about crazy...someone decided to drive around the neighborhood at FOUR o'clock this morning blasting their car horn and screaming at the top of their lungs. I couldn't tell what they were saying, but they woke me up...and I'm not known to be a light sleeper! Five-O got a call, and they did drive thru once, but the "perp" hasn't been back. I guess I'll just stay up and clean house.
37 and clear with a full moon...

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Well, it's Saturday again. I only got about 3 hours sleep last night. I drove an hour (to St helena Island) to hear The Groovetones play at a little roadside bar called Weezie's Crab Shack. I have to say it was really a GREAT SHOW! I really enjoy their music. I told Tony, the front man, they are like a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughn and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, with some Huey Lewis tossed into the mix. Their sound is blues, but an upbeat kinda blues. Anyway, I got in at 1:30, then couldn't fall asleep til about 3. Then for some strange reason, I woke up about 10 after 6. Oh well...I have to be at the office by 9, so it'll be ok. I'm sure I'll find time for a nap later.

Met someone nice while waiting for the band to start. A lady named Jean. She lives near there and has only been in the area about a month. We got along nicely and had fun when the band started. We'll see if we talk again...I like making new friends. Who has too many friends, right?

Anyway, it's 37 outside and partly cloudy.

I'm just sayin.....

Friday February 26, 2010

Had a good time at the Metropolitan Lounge last night. What I thought was going to be a show by The Groovetones was actually an open mic night. The 'Tones basically played back up for several singers. It started out with country (which, if you know me, is not my favorite) but somehow it wasn't all that bad. Maybe because I knew the band! LOL


Anyway, they sounded good...so I wasn't totally disappointed.





Woke up this morning to 34 and partly cloudy. :-)

Good news and bad news...

I got a little of both today at work.

The bad news isn't bad for me, but for some others who shall remain nameless.

The good news is good for me, but that shall remain untold, because it's classified!


Either way, I have a job that I love! So I think I'll hone my skills and turn this into something long term...in one way or another.

Fact of the matter is, some people need to keep their noses out of the business of others.

Nuff said...

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Well, my worries about my job are over, for now. With all the re-organization my company has been thru, I have been informed that my job is changing. I am now in complete charge managing the warehouse. This means keeping close tabs on what materials we have on hand, ordering materials, allocating materials for projects, etc.

I will also be responsible for obtaining new inspections. Every building that has a fire sprinkler system installed is required by code to have the system inspected annually. This includes checking the valves for proper functionality, visually inspecting the location of sprinkler heads (if walls are added or shifted, sprinklers are often required to be moved as well), listing any deficiencies noticed, testing antifreeze solutions when applicable, and so on. I will not only be selling inspections, but also performing the work. This can turn into something extremely profitable because EVERY building with sprinklers is required to be inspected. The next time you walk into a store, or an office, look up. If you see sprinklers, there’s a need. I am looking forward to this. It's something I can do, and probably quite successfully. The more new inspections I sell, the more of a percentage I will get as commission!

I'm also excited about seeing the Groovetones again this weekend. Actually, tonight!! They will be playing at the Metropolitan Lounge here in Bluffton. How can I NOT go since this is right around the corner from me! Then, tomorrow night they will be at Weezies in Beaufort. It's a little of a drive, but I am going early to help them set up. Yea, I plan on having a blast!

So...all that, and it's 36 degrees out at 6am... I'm just sayin...

sleepy....

Woke up at 530 again...but cant seem to get my eyes to stay open. Dunno if Im sleepy because I only sleep a few hours each night, or if I am still worried about work - I dunno

45 and overcast

Random Chili

Since I spent some time oraganizing my living room tonight, I decided to make some more crock pot chili. Not an actual recipe, else I would post to my recipe blog...but heres what I put in it;

2 lbs ground beef - (browned with half can of beer, chili powder, cayene pepper and garlic)


3 large cans of tomatoes (2 diced, 1 crushed)

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 can great northern beans

1 can chick peas

1 can white (sweet) corn

1 large red onion - diced

1 can of light beer (yes, beer)


Combined in the crock pot and cooked on high about 5 hours

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


(I turned it on warm and will let it cook til lunch time the next day)
(might take a pic in the morning, dunno yet)

OK, maybe I WILL copy this to my recipe blog LOL

Hard Weekend

Well, we closed the Charleston office. All of us who work in Bluffton drove to Charleston and emptied the warehouse this past Saturday. We got 90% of the materials and furniture and brought it back to Bluffton. As we unloaded, we organized our warehouse and built new shelves. Some of the desks were "loaned" out because there is no place to store them. I brought home two really nice glass top desks and a large bookshelf. This means I need to be rid of the table and chair set and wooden desk that I had in my place to make rooom for the new stuff. I planned on working on it when I got home yesterday, but I was just too tired. Today is more sorting and doing inventory, so I may be tired tonight, too. But I have GOT to re-arrange things tonight just to have room to walk around in my living room.

I should be able to post some pics once I get everything straightened out.

I'm watching my bank account closely waiting for my tax refund! I've got my eye on a new .45 and a Bose accoustic wave device. I should still be able to put some $$ up even with these purchases. I may have sold my camrea, too. I'm waiting to hear back on that...we'll see.

Woke up to 57 degrees and cloudy skies.....

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Headed to Charleston this morning to pack up the warehouse there and bring it back here. The lease is up on that office space at the end of this month. With the reorganization we're going thru, we won't need that location any longer. I'm driving the 26ft UHaul...which is the largest thing I've ever driven...so it shoul dbe interesting.

36 and clear.....

Friday, February 19, 2010

I went to the range last night. Since I haven't picked up a firearm in about 10 months, I wasn't too bummed about the group I shot. I can do better, but I still got all the rounds into "center body mass"...so I'm ok with it.

Got up at 4 am to work on hydraulics. We have a rather LARGE bid due today. The hydraulics tell us what size pipe to price. It's a freakin HUGE warehouse....but I think I got the numbers worked out.

37 and clear....

Thursday, February 18, 2010

37 and clear

Went to bed early last night, so I could get up early this morning and go to the office. We have some software that I need to learn. It's sprinkler software that's used to make a materials list for ordering. There is a tutorial that goes along with it so I thought I could figure it out easy enough.

32 and clear

I started using iTunes this week. Found out I have over 7000 songs on my computer!!! Once I get my taxes back, I plan to break down and get an iPod, finally.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Well, I slept hard last night. Brought some work home with me and stayed up til 11 working on it. That seems to be something I'm doing more of lately. No big deal, because I like my job. But I woke up with a sore neck. A couple tylenol is helping...

There are changes going on at work. The company is basically restructuring. The Charleston office is closing and all the materials in the warehouse, as well as the trucks are being brought here.So it looks like Saturday is going to be a long day!  I am supposed to have a sit-down with the big boss tomorrow or Thursday to discuss my role in the new organization. With the nature of the current economy, I can't help but wonder if I will actually HAVE a job on Friday. We'll see, I guess.

I've recently been gathering music into my computer from CDs. I may not be the most musically inclined, but I do enjoy many genre's of music. I have found that I like country music even less than previously thought. And the R&B music I had from times past...gone. Not caring for that very much either. Anyway, I have just about decided that with the tax refund I am getting this year I will probably get an iPod. Why not? I mean, I won't always have my computer with me to play music, and I do enjoy listening to it often!

I think I've decided to but a firearm or two. I've always wanted an AK47 or an AR15. But I also need to replace a .45 that I sold a few months ago. All of this, of course, is AFTER I make sure everything else in my budget is caught up and a good portion set aside into savings. I may also regain access to the 401(k) fund I had before to see if I can start putting some into it automatically from my check each week. Not A LOT, but some.

Time to get busy with my day. It's almost 7 and I feel like the day is slipping away!!

32 and clear!!!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Woke up early this morning, 4:30...have to work on a project before I get to the office. I was going to get it done Saturday morning and not worry about it all weeked, but I procrastinated.

It's 43 degrees and clear.

Happy Valentine's Day

Yep, it's here again. The one day each year set aside to celebrate your special love for the one person in the world you can't live without. Enjoy this person today, Share your heart with them, Pamper them, Love them, show them JUST how MUCH you care....
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...



Get it out of your system early, because the Daytona 500 is on TV today and THAT shouldn't be interrupted! Cold beverages, snacks, Chevys, wrecks, pit stops...checkerd flag... OH BABY!!!

(sunny, 34)

Saturday Ramblings...

So, apparently there was a big hub-bub about a winter storm coming thru here yesterday.

I'm not really sure why, because it barely got down to 34 degrees even at the coldest part of the night. Yea, a few snow flurries fell, and some even stuck to the ground for a while...but it's now 1:15 pm the next day, and the only trace of precipitation from yesterday? A few puddles in low spots. Oh, and it's 52 degrees out!!

A true winter storm is what New England got last week....THREE FEET of snow!

I did venture out last night and saw a really great band. The Groovetones. They played a blues style similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The bassist/lead vocalist was fantastic. If I could play bass HALF as good as he did, I would be happy! I'll definitely go see them again!

Eh, whatever...I'm takin a nap!

:-)

Half boy, Half man

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is
considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears,
not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He
never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than
wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.




He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student,
pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and
has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or
swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to
rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.


He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is
working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble
spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a
rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can
recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and
use either one effectively if he must.


He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.


He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.


He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without
spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.


He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps
his canteens full and his feet dry.


He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He
can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.


If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his
food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when
you run low.


He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were
his hands.


He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.


He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and
still find ironic humor in it all.


He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short
lifetime.


He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in
combat and is unashamed.


He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while
at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away '
those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even
stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he
defends their right to be disrespectful.


Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying
the price for our freedom.. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the
American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.


He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.


Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with
his blood.


And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this
tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.




As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .




A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

Friday, February 12, 2010

It's 39 out, and a little cloudy. The weather man is calling for the temp to drop tonight, and precipitation to begin this afternoon. We might get 1 - 3 inches of snow. This is a winter storm? I think not. New England just got a winter storm...2 blizzards within a week! With more than 3FEET of snow in some places....yea, this is no storm headed here!

I much prefer warmer weather. I wonder where I can move to stay warm year round....? hmmmm...

Thursday, Feb 11, 2010

oh no...I didn't blog this morning! Must have been this stomach thing I've been fighting...causing my mind to not totally function right LOL

Anyway, here it is almost 4 pm...it's 50 and mostly cloudy...but at least we don't have snow like much of the rest of the country! Thank goodness!!!

Updating from yesterday's post...I'm still a bit concerned about the job thing...but some things have come up today that make me a tad bit less concerned. In fact, "quite promising" would be a good description, for now.

Job concerns.....

Without going into detail...I have some serious concerns lately about my job. The company is undergoing some major changes. I have begun to entertain the possibility of moving in order to maintain employment in the field I enjoy. Who knows...possibly another city...possibly another state...I have even considered another country...nothing is certain, but I must remain open to all possibilities at this point!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Went to be at a decent hour last night. Slept good. I needed it. It was 59 degrees when I crawled into bed, and THRITY SEVEN when I woke up!!! Clear and windy, but quite chilly. At least we aren't getting the snow!!

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2010

Went to bed a little early last night...and slept solid til 5 this morning. I MUST have been tired. But I woke up with a sore neck. I think I slept hard and didnt even roll over once. My arms were tingling like they were alseep too. Anyway, I took some tylenol and made some coffee...I'm starting to wake up now.

55 and partly cloudy. :-)

As the day winds down, I find myself missing my girl even more. I know that one day she will call me, or come see me...but it's still so very difficult.

Monday Feb 8, 2010

Well, apparently there was some sporting event yesterday that a lot of people paid attnetion to.
I think it had to do with the Phillies and the Celtics. I'm not sure. But they said the ice wouldn't freeze quick enough, or the nets kept blowing in the wind........I dunno

Went to bed last night exhausted. Got up this morning exhausted. Coffee isn't helping.

32 degrees out and  looks like clear skies - can't tell yet, my eyes don't want to open.

A time for mourning with the passing of a very influential person...

It is with the saddest heart that I must pass on the following news.
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Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. .
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This person was someone we ALL grew up with. We watched him on television. he taugh us all at least ONE thing...some of us, he taught many things.

His influence continues well after his passing...


The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.

Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs.Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch.

The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.

Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he was still a crusty old man and was considered a roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly dad, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Woke up today to 42 and sunny...because it was 8 when I got up :-)

Saturday, Feb 6, 2010

Slept in this morning...didnt get up til 11. That is not like me at all!! I needed it SO much after the week I've had. Lots of hours, and a bit of strees at work. But I got it done. Headed back out to a jobsite to deliver some materials that came in late yesterday. Then home to clean house!! I will probably stop and get some fixins for a beef stew in the crock pot to SLOW cook all night tonight.

Woke up to mostly cloudy and 52 and windy.

Friday Feb 5, 2010

It's no fun at all to wake up at 4am. It's even LESS fun to wake up to a charlie horse in your calf. That felt like someone stuck a serrated steak knife in the muscle and twisted it. I think I actually yelled, too!! It's still sore.

Other than that, I get to work out at a jobsite this morning, then in the warehouse taking inventory.

Cloudy, drizzling rain, and 52 outside.

:-)

Thursday, Feb 4

Woke up this morning at 4. Yes, intentionally. have to send this email as soon as possible.
Getting very little sleep is wearing on my already feeble mind!

I get to work in the warehouse AND stocklist a job today...should be interesting to say the least.

Wondering what she's up to today. Missing her, loving her. I'm just sayin...

Oh, and it's 45 and partly cloudy.

Finally getting to bed at 11:45. The past two nights I didn't get to bed intil 1am!! This side job BETTER be paying well!!!

Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010

Got to bed late again...trying to finish a project...woke up to 46 and cloudy.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

6AM:

Woke up this morning to 52 degrees and pouring rain...

Today is going to be just an average, ho-hum day.

Its 1am. I have been working on a project since 5:30 pm. Its not finished, but I need answers. My eyes are tired. My neck and back hurt. My arm and wrist are sore from using the computer so long...and I feel like my soul is half way around the world...

I'm just sayin...

What a beautiful night...comfortable temps, slight breeze...mish mash of music genre's on the laptop while I work on extra $$ ... I'm just sayin...

Monday Morning...

Woke up early this morning, with a headache. Not a KILLER headache, but a headache. It was about 34 when I got up, and the cars had frost on them.

I got to work early, accomplished a few things already.
The sun came up and things are slowly warming up.

Meeting with the boss in a bit to go over a new bid.