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Tuesday, July 26, 2005
The Latest...
I grabbed all my work "gear" from my truck. I brought in my clean jacket, tie, shirts, and dirty jacket. A quick search of the old jacket revealed lost item #3, the Siemens Flash Drive. I quickly loaded it up and pulled off the RP I had been working on, moved it to DCoS and tagged it so all the promos for High Voltage could get posted. Soon after that I began multitasking. Downloading TKOW themes. Scanning old credit statements. I realized during this process that much like my ass my credit line was swollen out of proportion. I also realized Providian was screwing me hard is the rear, and made two final decisions. One was that no matter what, I had to lose weight. Surgery was not an option, and knowing me, I'd screw that up anyway. The only option was a hard fast slam the balls diet. IE stop eating, period. Force my body to deal with a lack of food, then work on foods that would help me burn fat. Once I got back to eating, a workout may be possible. This of course is based on not doing anything outside (any strenuous activity in 75 degrees or higher might kill my fat ass). This was shown to me via the few digital pictures I had from my trip, showing me with Dad and Pamela. Pam is one thing, being a short and skinny female. But Dad is an average male. To look so huge next to him in every way... I'm not a giant by any means at 6'4" so something is really wrong. Two is I need to cancel that Providian VISA and let it rot. I've taken that road to it's max, and it's time to move on. I can use the new Sears MC for gas/comics, and work to pay down Bank of America and Providian chunks at a time. As the late great Owen Hart used to say... Enough is enough, and it's time for a change. I spent much of the day running multitask on the PC, getting a lot of statements scanned into the PC. I still have a number to go, and then I need to get all my accounts in Quicken up-to-date, split Sears between the old store-only card and the new MasterCard, then work up my bills. I also have to close out my Allstate car insurance and get that picture inspection for Geico. Late in the evening I finally stopped working and played an hour of "Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords". I managed to finish Onderon and Dxun and took the Ebon Hawk back to Nar Shadaa. After that it was back to work. With the lack of sleep and the annoyance much of the trip to Florida was, I feel like I wasn't gone at all. There's no sign of my spare truck key here either, so now I need to rack my brains with what in the HELL I would have done with the damn thing.
Leave your mark
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Trip To Florida Day 3
Continued from the last post (it was after midnight). Right before the turn off of 19, we encounter a T-Bone accident. It was interesting as hell (for me seeing the two smashed to shit vehicles, for her cause she's an EMT). We wound up at Bahama Breeze somewhere around 1. She decided she was paying, and opened a tab at the bar with two Jack & Coke's. She ordered first, and I was shocked she picked my drink (considering her history of drinking). I assumed later that I must have briefly mentioned it in passing. We stood around, looking over the ocean and listening to the Jazz that was playing, talking it up a bit. We soon managed to grab a table, transferred the tab, and ordered up two more. She grabbed one of many smokes and I started one of two cigars. We talked a lot, a mix of reminicing and catching up. I heard a lot that night. She spilled two different drinks on herself thanks to her wild hand gestures. We stayed seated till they kicked us out (ok, maybe till 5 minutes before they would have). We took 10 minutes looking for another bar and she offered the second bed in her room to me, worried I was too tired to get all the way back. We find nothing and head back the the Super 8. I'm planning on heading to my hotel, I mean, I'm payin g too much for it, may as well be there. We pass the U-Turn by miles, turn around and try again. We find the place. The IHOP next door is open so we stop off and await menus. She shakes at the chill (she's still in 90+ degree weather clothes, and the A/C is jacked) so I risk the sweat and drape her with my over-shirt (I had a Dri-Wear shirt on with a "dressy" shirt on over top for the theater). It's short sleeved and thin but with my size, it's a good cover. We order a mix of breakfast & dinner, and shovel it down even half and half (the most I saw her eat the whole trip). I take up this bill and we head to the hotel. Again she offers the bed (this may have been the third or fourth time) and I still say no. But I still get out of the truck, get her suitcase, and walk her into her room. She offers again and I finally hit her with "If you want me to stay and keep you company fine. If you want me to stay cause your mom spooked you ok. If you're worried about me driving to my hotel, don't." I don't recall getting an answer, and I sat down on the bed while she called her fiance/boyfriend/whichever. Eventually after the call was through I gave in, emptied my pants, dropped my shoes, and relaxed in the second bed. Convo continued briefly. By now it was 4:30 in the morning... At 8:15 Pam's cellphone alarm went off and we both awoke. I was sleeping lightly anyway. She turned it off and stayed out. Another alarm, another turn off. A call, a hang up. So it continued for two hours as I lay mostly awake, wondering if I should try to wake Pam up. I knew that she and Jean were supposed to hit the beach this morning, and I was supposed to go shooting with Dad. At 10 Pam finally picked up. She began arguing with Jean over the time, swearing it was 8. I chimed in that it was ten, and Pam jumped. I heard later Jean freaked out and in turn my Dad freaked out. I was simply amused. Pamela said we'd be there soon, which was a boldfaced lie (unintentional) since we had to pack her, check her out, drive to my hotel, pack me, check me out, and drive to Dad's. While I packed, Pam again took a few on the beach. It took longer than I would have liked, and I was in a rush. We stopped off at Hess Express for soda's and headed off. At Dad's I went online to get my boarding pass printed (and Pam's since she too used Continental). Ran into the first of a few issues, and had to call the airline, who was all but no help. Went in again to print, new problem, so I had to call back, and they were LESS help. From there went across the street for a big lunch at Dorothy and Pete's. Pam continued her tirade over needing to get darker, comparing herself to me (I got a big laugh when I nailed the "don't compare yourself to the pasty white boy!"). I said the first few goodbyes then went back across the street to finalize. I had my main pass so I wasn't worried. Pam and I hugged quick so she could go out back and sun. I took a few more with Jean and Dad, then Dad walked me to the truck and I left. Filled up the tank, drove back to the airport, and released the truck. Went through security pretty quick, hit the gate and verified my two seats, then to the bathroom to wipe down, deodarize, and switch shirts. On the plane I hit the "no moving armrest" again. They switched me to new seats next to a probably underage hottie. Now I had the comfort of width but my legs were compressed to hell. I spent most of the flight as the last one, simply listening to my MP3 player. Back in Jersey I found my truck quickly and realized my Harley leather aviator hat was MIA. I didn't remember wearing it into the airport so I assumed it was in the rental truck. Going through a few things I next noticed my extra truck key was also MIA. I couldn't remember for the life of me what I had done with it I went through the center console and the glove compartment a number of times, as well as my briefcase. I finally drove off, calling Dad then Enterprise. Enterprise had found nothing. On the way home I stopped off briefly for a bit of gas and BK. I watched some TV and relaxed before going to sleep. Saturday, July 23, 2005
Trip To Florida Day 2
Dad called me around 9. They were going to come meet me and we would go to breakfast. I directed him here (funnily, I had to argue directions with him, and he lives there...). I lazily took a shower and dressed, preparing for the day. I got a call when they got to the hotel and I met them outside, got into Dad's car, and off we went... Two seconds down the road. We ate outdoors and the first real pictures were taken. Pamela and I, Pam Dad and I, Dad and I, Pam and Jean. I managed to sneak the check while everyone else was chatting, and Dad got annoyed (as little money as Jean has, it seems I have much less, especially with the combined costs of the hotel, car, and flights). We took it back to Dad's to search for Mini Golf. Once the place was found, off we went (this time I drove all of us). We went putt-putt. I roasted and boiled all at once. Pam supposedly was also feeling it (maybe she was trying to make me feel better, maybe not) and we joked about how the heck the old people could stand it. In the end Dad won, followed by Pam, me, and Jean, though I think I won and Pam handed me extra points since it was Dad's bday. Dad managed to pay for this since the females cut me off so they could head back to the truck. All in all fun, but I was roasted Irish pig at the end. It was suggested to hit the pool, but I had to hit my hotel first to do so. Off we went. I grabbed my trunks and the change of clothes for the dinner theater that night. I drove us back and Pam and Jean went out to shop and pick up things from Pam's hotel. Dad and I hung out in the pool some. After an hour they got back. Jean grilled a few burgers. We went in changed, dried, ate. Then it was shower time (I used the net briefly while the rest showered). I led the trip tot he theater (we had the directions) and spent more time keeping track of her than the road. We arrived at the coolest hotel I had ever seen. As we took the 8 minute walk from the front door to the back room where the dinner was (no joke) I mentioned how if I worked at a hotel like that I'd actually TRY at my job. As soon as we hit the room the show was "on". A "dead" old lady was in the center of the room, a ditzy blonde wandered the outskirts, and a freaky pink dressed dork wandered in and out wondering if, how, and why his Grammy was dead. The show itself was simple, but very fun. The sister of the dork was the best, full of herself when she was all IC but fun when she "broke character", especially around our table. The most long running of which was a long discussion involving how big Pam's boobs were (this was after a longer discussion over who was related to who and how which drove the woman batty). I couldn't stop laughing. The second best was a tie between the dork, the Cuban dance instructor, and the ditz. The ditz did it (I had figured out all the clues before Act Three, but in 3 they handed them out like candy) but the show is set in such a way honestly any of the actors could have been revealed as the killer. There wasn't so much a mystery to it as a "which one did they pick tonight?". But I didn't care. On the way out Jean immediately got lost, and we laughed and drove home. Once we all got back, Dorothy and Pete went home, Dad and Jean decided it was time for bed, and Pam decided we (she and I) were going out. Dad warned us off of the local bars, stating dangerous people lurked there, and instead sent us off to Tampa. Friday, July 22, 2005
Trip To Florida Day 1
Worked last night, as usual. Was pretty boring. I was distracted, knowing my flight was nearing. Did I pack everything I needed? Did I pack too much? Did I have all my information? Enough money? I knew I was staying late that morning. They had crapped on what little sleep I was trying to get the afternoon before by calling me and asking me to stay. Seems a crapload of people were supposed to arrive early that morning. Wrong. Oh there were early check ins, but very little need for my help, minus a few room changes. I had been planning on Mike Oates to drive me to Newark, and pick me up as well, leaving my truck at work. Wrong. His daughter had the car. But he called and checked, and found out security was higher and more reliable. So I stowed my extra truck key. When it became a little after 8, I went on the run. I jumped into the Executive offices to drop off the nights work. I ran to the Tech Resource Room to post on a few boards. I ran to my truck and drove it to the front of the hotel. I ran to room 105 and took a shower, changing into regular clothes. I ran back to the desk, to grab the rest of my stuff, and dump it all in the truck. Then I drove. I used back-road directions from Oates to get to the airport. THAT was a horrible idea. Took me over an hour to get there, including two seperate detours due to road blocks. Once I arrived and parked, though, I was at the gate barely ten minutes later. I ended up giving up my extra seat to overbooking in exchange for a $300 voucher good for a year. This was due to the idea that the seating I got (front of economy, handicapped seats) the armrests do not move, so having 2 seats did me NO good. At least I had leg room. After landing (early I might add) it took me little time to find the Enterprise Rent-A-Car and procure my Ford Escape. I stowed my things, got out my directions and cell headset, and took off. I got lost immediately (sort of) and was on the phone with Jean at the same time. Turning around was horrible but I made it back to the correct highway and after a rousing romp on the contruction filled highway I would soon have memorized, I got to my hotel, the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort. Code for "we get to charge you LOTS more!!". The room was lame, and since it was only on the second floor, so was the view. Sure I appreciated the King size bed and the fridge was a nice touch, but that was just about all that made it a cool spot. For $220 a night I expected more. Stupid me, considering I've worked in hotels for so long. Soon after I got situated I chose to head out for a snack. On the way, I decided to take a few minutes and take the drive to Dad's so I knew the route for later. That was a mistake. I ran into an accident 1/4 of the way out, and once I got halfway (IE the 2nd highway of the run) I ran into more construction. Florida was really ugly. I made it to his house, scoped the area, then turned around and headed back. I hit up Taco Bell for food and after an hour rest I got the call. I headed back to Dad's. Right before the turnoff Jean called me and freaked, Dad was outside talking to Dorothy and/or Pete. She made me miss the turn. I parked in front of the neighbors house and snuck up on the front door (as only a 425+ pounder can) allowing my fogged glasses (A/C into 95 degree heat) to clear. I rang the doorbell, then noticed the peephole and ducked to one side, listening to Dad and Jean arguing over who would answer the door. Dad finally did, and I turned in to face him, and managed to barely hit him with "Excuse me sir, but do you know how to get to the Garden State Parkway from here? I'm lost..." before my serious face cracked. He was shocked and amazed, which made the crap preceding worthwhile. I hung around and we BS'd, with Jean picking up pizza as we awaited her daughter, Pamela, to arrive. Dad and I easily lapsed into catching up, including some discussions over the planning of the trip and Jean's harassment of me to go. They prodded me to leave for the hotel since I mentioned having slept only 3 hours in the last 48. I decided to stick it out and the three of us picked up Pamela (Jean's daughter). Pamela queried as to thinking I had died at one point. |
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