Frosted Flakes

Well you can break out your carrots and top hats.

We did get some snow. I think the official measurement for RDU was five inches. I think it even snowed some more last night. I had tried to clean up some of the sidewalk, but when we went to bed I noticed it was covered again. Fortunately, we did not have to be anywhere.

So we spent the day at home. Wendy and I were pretty productive. We spent the afternoon cleaning. It looks a lot better.

Today looks like another day of being at the house. Church services have been cancelled. It may be awhile before most of the snow goes back to the sky. The temperatures are supposed to stay pretty low.

Given the cold shoulder

Well the snow did arrive. I have no idea how much yet. It is at least two inches. It appears to have stopped now or I am not able to see it falling anymore. It did start earlier than I thought. Wendy and I went out for dinner last night around seven. Our reasoning was we had better get out now, in case we were stuck in the house all weekend. Flakes and droplets were already coming down then. I was surprised to see them that early. The ground was already covered by nine last night.

I look on WRAL's website this morning. It looks like the heavy stuff is north, like in Durham, while east is getting sleet. Some reporters were saying there were a bunch of wrecks earlier. Reporters said that some of the major roads were drivable.

Perhaps this storm will no be so bad. It sill may have wrecked my weekend plans. Hopefully it will not wreck my car.

Have fun if you must, but you must be safe.

Road wary

Hello to those who are driven to succeed.

Please get out of my way. Yesterday Wendy and I took a road trip to get a few errands done and a quick visit to her parents. Traffic was not too bad. It was just the drivers. It seemed we were behind, in front of, and beside a bunch of yoohoos.

The people in front of us would drive 20 mph below the speed limit. The people behind us wanted to drive 20 mph about the speed limit. The people beside us wanted to be in our lane.

We did make it back in one peace. More and more I wish I could figure how to work from home and do everything here. Some people are driving me to do it.

Hail snow!

To all you flakes.

I am not looking forward to this weekend. According to the forecast our area is in the good chance zone for some winter precipitation. I saw a projection that said we may get something in the double digits! I am talking about the number of inches not the temperature.

It always seem to be severe weather on the weekends when we have plans. Wendy and I plan to visit my parents. They live east of us so they should not have any snow, but who knows if we will. The last time I wanted to visit my family the snow also visited.

Today is supposed to be nice. So enjoy it while you can. At least the snow will be on the weekend and I will not have to worry about getting to work.

Americans with their brain on idle

Greetings to all who have a song in their heart.

If you want to audition for American Idol, please keep it there. You may know that I am not a big fan of American Idol. After last night I remember why I cannot stand it. It was the ongoing nights of seeing people audition. Of course, because it is television, they are going to highlight the people who cannot sing or have lost touch with reality. Apparently, there are a lot of people that have lost touch with reality.

The two big types of people on the show. The wacko who thought he was the one or the person who had the rough life wanting to make it. Which one made it? Hmm. The "one" left bursting in flames, but still thinking they are hot stuff. I guess to their defense they are the ones that keep America going. We probably need people who do not give up, but I do not want them next to me. Of course the person with the sob story, has talent. That always helps.

Ok, I admit. I was probably in a bad mood last night. I got tired of watching those people sing. I can imagine how the judges feel. However, I have no pity. They are getting paid millions to sit there. I have to pay to sit there. There is my so story. Put me on American Idol. I know I cannot sing, though sometimes I try. I am crazy after all.

My sincere apologies to Wendy. My television also for the horrible things I said about it...

Dried up

Greetings to those in clothing.

Yesterday was a quiet day at work. A lot of people were involved in meetings. Today I get the privilege of being in one of those meetings. I will not have anything to say, so that is a good thing. I, along with other employees, will be honored for years of service. I have been at my current job for five years. I know not a big deal in the scheme of things. I worked for the same company part time before hand so it seems that I have been there a lot longer. Some days it feels a lot longer. The good news is we are getting a free lunch.

After work yesterday I come home, as usual. I decide to start some laundry. I put the clothes in the washing machine. It does its thing. I put the clothes in the dryer and it begins to do its thing. I notice that the hose is becoming loose from the vent. This is not the first time I had to mess with this. Last night it happened several times. Each time I became more frustrated. I got it to hold enough to dry my laundry. I hope that it holds.

It is annoying because the space is so tight and it is hard to get back there. The hose does not fit well. I have this connection piece which does not hold the hose well. I am sure it is not exactly right, but hopefully it works.

If I get another house I am going to make sure the laundry room is wide open. No more of this laundry closet. If I can help it.

Speaking of washing machine and dryer, I would love to have a front loader. I know it will not help with the hose problem. They do look cool and I hear they are more efficient.

Spaced out

Highway to the danger zone or whatever they are calling it.

I admit that I am not good at spatial objects. I know it is just me wondering what is going on, but I feel that people pull in front of you with little space to spare. Two times in one day I nearly saw two accidents. It looked that way to me.

First in the morning I was on my way to work. I was the second car at a stoplight. The light just turned yellow. The car in front of me proceeded to go. A car from the other direction was turning left at the same time. It seemed they just missed each other. The leftee got out of the way and the car in front went on its way. Then two seconds later a red jeep blows by me and through the red light. It did not even stop.

That afternoon, coming home from work, I was in a curve. It is a little bit of an annoying curve, especially when the sun is in your eyes. This car was coming from the other direction. It looked like it paused when it saw me, but went ahead to turn left in front of me. Fortunately, I did not pack the trunk.

Another thing that gets me is the four way stop close to my house. I can never tell when it is close who got that first. Most of the time in that situation I wait to see what the other car will do. There are people who seem to go right as you in front of them. This always makes me nervous. It seems like they are going to hit me. They have not yet, but I still panic.

These are the things that drive me wild.

Whether the leather

Hello all you young whipper snappers.

I was flipping around the channels and not paying much attention. There was some channel that had a reporter go into what looked like a bondage service. The mistress or whatever had him put on a wig and some kind of black latex/rubber suit to dust. It was weird looking.

It got me thinking, why do those suits look like trash bags? I guess that is the way it is supposed to make you feel. I don't really know and am not looking forward to finding out.

Short weekend long day

Greetings those who made it to the end of the day.

I heard several people say that this weekend flew by. I am not sure why it went by so fast. I did not do much so I guess being in a light coma helps pass the time.

Maybe this week will pass by quickly. I can hope.

Keep your eye to the calendar.

Busy doing other things

Hello to those working for the weekend.

You do not have far to go. Unless of course you work the weekend. Then you have a few more days.

Have you noticed that when you are busy trying to get something done that is when everything wants attention. You are trying to do something on your list and people want you to get things done on their list. People want to keep you busy. I guess that is why it is called busy-ness.

Running around like crazy does make the day go faster. Most of the time because you wish the day was over.

A period in history

Greetings to you and me.

Last night the period key was sticking on the computron. It is pretty annoying when you want to type in an address. Or complete a sentence, unless you resort to other methods?!

This morning the key seems to be working. Well for the most part...

You complete me. Or at least what I type.

Heart on fire

Could it be the food? Naaa.

Soon it will Valentines Day. Check local listings. I have already been ordered to get something for my wife. As of yet I have no idea what to get. I have been thinking of a few things, but are they thinking of me is the question. I am not good at giving gifts, but they say practice makes perfect.

My wife does deserve a lot more than I give her. She puts up with a lot of my antics.

So if you have any ideas and feel like sharing, let me know. Remember I don't want to spend anything over five dollars. Only kidding. (Not really. Okay I really am.)

Out of the loop

Hello to my circle of friends

I know this is not what you are supposed to write, but I have nothing to say. My head feels like a blank tablet. I have spent the last 20 minutes staring off into space trying to come up with something.

I fell asleep during the Golden Globes. Wendy told me Avatar won the big award. I guess it is all about placement. That is a case of how the last shall be first. If you something that comes at the end then you will be the last to be remembered. Of course making tons of money does not hurt either.

If something else comes up you will be the last to know or would you be the first?

The stars will shine

Due to the flashing lights and makeup

As I am writing this Wendy and I are watching the Golden Globes. Actors and actresses may be talented, but it is definitely when they are edited. When I see the stars on these shows I cannot help but think these people are crazy. They look suave at the movies, but then full of panic when on the stage accepted an award.

You would think they would be pros at winning awards. It seems you always seem the same stars at the award shows. Yet each time they look like they do not know what to do. However, when they flash to the audience everyone looks bored. Plus all the forced laughter does not help.

Even before the so called drama of the Golden Globes was the pre show of the Golden Globes. That was 30 minutes of boring. It was basically stars walking down the red carpet being interviewed for 10 seconds by obnoxious people. Is that a rule of people on the entertainment shows?

Well there goes the music in the background. Thank you.

Voice of reason

I hear you.

Have you ever heard someone talk and wonder what they look like? I would hope that would be listening to them on the radio or some audio file. You might get a picture of what you think they look like. Sometimes you may not even realized you had a perception of that person's looks until you see a picture.

It does seem like some people do not look like they sound. The voice does not make the body type. Here is an example of guys. If a guy is small, then he may have a deep voice. On the other hand if the guy is larger, then he might have a high pitched voice.

I had a professor who was a young looking guy. The first day of class we see a guy standing in front. Then we hear this deep voice and wonder where it is coming from. It turns out it was the professor.

Now this all my observations, which you may not find true in your experience. I guess the observation could be made about pictures. People post older pictures and then you see them in person and you do not recognize them.

Oh well. As long as we do not have video phones you are free to imagine how a person looks.

Survey says!

I am not good enough.

Yeap, that is me. I signed up to take part in internet surveys. Why? I was bored one day and thought hey they might be giving out money or coupons. Not quite yet.

I have received several e-mails for me to participate in surveys. Most of them do not apply to me. After the third question they say I do not qualify. I guess I do not drink beer or read magazines. Some have been specific to say did you see this issue.

I am not sure if these surveys are going anywhere. I have been awarded several point. After you take the survey you get to receive free points. Either by scratching some cards or playing a slot machine. I am not quite sure what the points do. I would guess to put your name in the pot for prizes. However, yesterday I tried to take three surveys and each time the award points did not cooperate. Oh well.

Months back I had signed up for another survey company, after hearing about it on the radio. I thought who does not want free money. They never contacted me. I guess they did not want me to have free money.

You may say it is ironic that I have no opinions and yet I am taking these surveys. Well you can have your irony, I will take my free money (Someday.).

Act Your Age?

Hello all you living in the glory days.

Wendy and I watched a movie last night that was set in a high school. I am not exactly sure when the movie was made, but it looked like the 80s. Why is it in 80s teen movies the actors all look so old. It looks like people in their 30s portraying teens.

Of course they are all the stereotypes. The jocks, the popular, the drama queens, and the outcasts. The outcasts always have a way of being the main focus of the movie. In the end they are the heroes. The crowd realizes, always at a party scene, that the popular person is a jerk. So it comes down to a fight scene where the former popular student is now humiliated. After of course the dramatic transformation of the weirdo.

Another big part of those movies is that a guy and a girl are best friends. They are both outcasts. One of the pair loves the other, without the knowledge of the loved one. The one loved, however, loves another person. Always it is the popular person's love interest. Then most of the time the best friends realize they were made for another.

I don't remember high school and senior year specifically being a great time of transition. I guess I did not have the right experience. I was not the popular jock nor did I have a best friend who was a girl. To my defense I did not go to high school in the 80s either.

Well there goes the bell. Time to change classes.

More is less

Everything you always wanted is...not here.

You can get a lot from the big stores. Or at least that is the idea. A large quantity for a small price.

It does seem like the more you want something the further away it becomes. I guess in that respect you are getting less.

I was thinking specifically about content online. It seems that everyday I am adding new sites to peruse. That is of course if I can remember where to find them. Yeah, I know that is what history and favorites are for. So I spent most of my time finding new sites instead of reading the sites I went to at the first place. It seems like I am spending more time online, but learning less.

It is nice that most content is free. Well except for the amount you pay your provider. It is a great way to get more for less.

Is that something in your pocket?

Or are you happy to see me?

For the past several days I have been hearing a rattle when I walk. I would hear occasionally or when I focused on the noise. I thought it must have been something in my pants pocket. However, I have not been carrying anything irregular.

I narrowed down that it was not my pants. So I look at my shoes. On the bottom of both shoes is a little rip. So I pull the little pocket back and shake my shoes. Out falls like rocks or pebbles of dirt. I have no idea how long they were in there. I guess my shoes were wore out enough to trap debris.

The rattle is gone. No more shaking of the head. It is time to roll.

I can do a better job of sneaking up on you!

Throat away

Doctor Doctor gimme the news

Fortunately I do not get sick very often. I am not sure if I am sick right now, but I have felt better. Yesterday I had no energy. I was on the couch most of the morning before work. Then last night after dinner my throat felt weird. It felt like something was stuck in my throat or it was scratchy.

Today it feels a little sore. I guess I will have to drink a lot of fluids. Or get plenty of rest.

Sleep it off.

Cheaper by the dozing

Hello all you who roll by being inexpensive

I would love to be considered a cheapskate. Because a cheapskate is actually successful in being cheap. When you are called cheap other names then you are not really cheap, but just a jerk.

I am in cheap in some things, but then I will waste money. I have a hard time in spending money, but then I love to go out to eat. Wendy and I looked at our statements and we saw we ate out a lot one week. The amazing thing is that it does not seem too much at the time, but when you look back. Wow, it adds up.

I do try and buy generics. I don't have enough of a discriminating taste so I can eat pretty much anything. Wendy and I are at the moment on a money saving spree. I hope that it lasts awhile.

We went to Taco Bell for our anniversary. It was surprisingly good. The last time I was not really satisfied. This time I had a pretty good burrito. The good thing was it was cheap. It as a nice sized burrito for the small amount of money it cost. I wonder if it was a new item, so they had it on sale.

I know some people say the best way to handle finance is to pay cash. I am not that good yet. I have a hard time getting out cash. I feel if I get cash out then I will not have enough in the bank. I think if I wrote down what I spend I would be more careful in my spending.

The important part of money is setting aside some each month. I have tried to do that in the past. I hope I can continue in the future.

Hopefully you will see my face if not on the dollar, then behind it.

Deal me in

Hello all you who sat around the house most of the day

I cannot believe the afternoon flew by. Those reading this will say, "But it is (insert time)."

Wendy and I have not done much today. We went to a store that sells baby items for discount prices. We picked up a few things. Well two. One is a boy's outfit and the other belongs to a girl. We are not sure what we are having yet, so it is better to be prepared. Besides both outfits together were 10 dollars. The outfits in the store were pretty inexpensive considering some still had the tag.

Then we noticed one of a few remaining Blockbusters in our area. This store was having a closing sale. Most of the merchandise had been picked through. The majority of the movies we had not heard of. I noticed they were even selling the racks the movies were on. As we made a purchase I was tempted to ask the cashier if the card machine was for sale. We pick up Saw II, Saw V, and Danny Deckchair. Each movie was about a dollar. You cannot beat that.

I love to see items on sale. It does make me want to buy them more.

Then we came home and had lunch. A la peanut butter jelly sandwiches and a baked potato. Not necessarily the greatest combo, but who knows some restaurant somewhere might feature it.

Who knows what else we do? Because we don't.

What's up with love?

Greetings to those who have a heart.

Wendy and I watched the movie Down With Love. It was with Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. It was the traditional love story. Girl wants guy. Guy doesn't want girl. Guy wants girl. Then girl does not want guy. At the end they realize they were in love the whole time. Of course after the bizarre mind games they play on another.

It seems in every romantic comedy the guy is a lady loving lunatic and the women is devoted to her career and independence. Through the relationship that buds they each realize the error of their ways. The guy becomes a one woman man and the woman realizes that it is lonely at the top.

I would think that the couple would not change. How many people would actually change? Romantic comedies are all about putting two people who would never meet into a place where they not only meet but fall in love.

Everybody enjoys the chance to root for romance. You are the either the ultra cool who wants the hometown person or you are the homegrown looking for the star. Either way I hope you meet the love of your life or your screenplay.

Sitting in the dorkness

Hello all you who rise before the sun or stay up after it has gone down

It looks like it is going to be a quiet weekend. We as of yet have no plans. Probably catch up on rest and things around the house. I am sure we will leave the house at least a couple of times.

It is sort of early and I have been goofing off at the computer. Just checking around on some geeky websites and seeing if anybody has anything to say. Apparently they do.

I enjoy watching the technology video podcasts. Even if it is only one out of every three words I understand.

Well that is where I will be. Unless I am asleep, which is possible.

Spark plugs

Greetings all you who are shocked to see this

It is the time of year of cold wear. So if you have dry air, carpet, and clothing of some material. Then add in shuffling feet. You come up with the recipe for some fireworks.

My wife is now afraid to kiss me. You are thinking well so am I. For the past couple of days as I try to kiss my wife their is the static shock. It hurts. One time a few days ago there was a large, painful shock. Wendy said she even saw the spark. I can even feel the hair raising on me when I take off the sweater I have been wearing during the day.

Too bad we cannot convert this static cling into energy. It would be a neat source of energy. Maybe it would be cheap. Probably not effective, but cheap.

Holding your own

Greetings all you in the family

Soon, in about five months, I will be holding a new addition to our family. We are both excited.

Speaking of family, Wendy and I watched the movie I Am Sam. It was better than I expected. Sean Penn did a good job. It was about a mentally challenged man and the trials he went through to raise his daughter. It does show that love is the important thing. Oh, and having a bunch of friends.

During the movie Wendy turned to me and said, "That will one day be you." Was she talking about holding a baby or being mentally challenged? I will never know. Only kidding.

Children if you want to see what your parents go through then watch I Am Sam. Parents if you want to know how to love your children, then watch this movie. Either way take a few moments to watch. You may want a box of tissues or your loved one's sleeve.

Whoops!

Well well well.

This post will be short. I had a feeling to call into work this morning. Our area was supposed to be affected by winter weather. I turn on the television this morning to see what happened while I was resting. The morning temps were warmer than they have been all week.

So I drive into work as normal. I turn on my computer and boom! See an e-mail that we are operating under a 2 hour delay. Oh well.

It is annoying when weather is like this. I do not like the suspense. Delay or no? It is a tough call to make when the threat is there.

Oh well. It is Friday. I made it safely. Now for some piece of quiet.

It's not the People's Choice

Greetings award winners

Wendy and I watched a few minutes of the People's Choice awards last night. I am not sure how long she watched it, I fell asleep. The show's choice of winners surprised me. I was a little shocked at the winners. I do not watch much mainstream tv so I do not know what is popular with viewers.

This has been a long week. I am not sure whey time is going so slow. Some people say it is the first week of January already. I think it is only the first week in January? It seems like it ought to be February.

I am not ready for the possible flakes tonight into tomorrow. Hopefully it will not be a burden on my travels.

Players will score

Greetings to those riding the bench

We all like the ones that make the awesome plays. The highlight reel flashes over and over. The player that has the high score or puts up the numbers is the one who gets the jersey. Apparently it is the same with playing off the field.

I know this has been going on for awhile. Yes, I am talking about the Tiger Woods drama. How do athletes have time for all the fooling around while they are playing. I guess golf would be the one sport where you have the most free time.

How do these people meet all these women to begin with? I do not even know over twenty women. It must have something to do with money. Or perhaps the fame. People in Hollywood are known for their strange relationships. People do strange things.

I would hate to see the money these players spend on gifts. Although that is probably where the sponsorships come in. You might want to be careful in giving the commemorative knife sets.

Car package

Hail on wheels

I got my oil changed today. I can tell that the service providers put extra air in my tires. I could feel that I was sitting higher. Either that or they adjusted the seat.

Driving down the road does make me nervous. I am constantly worried about my tires. I cringe every time I hit a pothole. I am looking forward to hover cars. That way, in my limited thinking, we would not have to worry about air pressure. However, you might have to worry about the air pressure under you car.

To the future!

With a little snip

Hello all you dreamers

I just finished watching You Don't Mess With Zohan. I had heard that the movie was horrible, but it was not that bad. I was surprised at the quality of the movie. Yeah, it was completely unrealistic. It was also very over the top.

Adam Sandler does what he gets paid obscene amounts of money by taking a character and going wild. There are a bunch of good cameos in the movie. Of course he has the SNL alumni in the movie playing bizarre characters.

The movie does have Sandler play the character who everything works out for. The hero who learns the true meaning of life. It all comes down to the woman in his life.

If you get a chance to see this movie, take a chance with it. If you like stereotypes and of course plenty of sexual innuendo.

"You like uh da pepper?"

Find the right circuit

Hello all you looking for an access point

I saw a short article online that at first looked more interesting than it was. One line that was interesting talked about how middle age people (It mentions 35-54) were unhappy with the progress of technology. Apparently that generation excepts more.

Why not? They were the ones who saw the shows promising great things in the 2000s. I mean it is supposed to be the future. Yet here we are with the same technology all our lives. I can see why they are disappointed.

The study also mentions that people over 70 see the most changes in technology and their minds were blown. I guess the most has changed in their lives. When they were born the gadgets were not there.

We have made our lives easier, but better? I guess that is for the debate team. I would rather be part of the rebate team.

Own vacation

Hello all you out in the world

Sure, you may have been off a few days. Did you have a good time? Now that it is over does it feel like you did nothing?

This has been a long week, but now that it is nearing the end I am not ready. I did not accomplish much. I do not really want to relive the week, unless I came up with something better to do.

I am sure I missed something in the news, but something struck me as odd. Are Rush Limbaugh and President Obama vacationing in Hawaii? I had heard that Obama was there. Then I heard that as Rush was dealing with his heart pain the reporter talking about the story was in Hawaii.

It must be nice to go somewhere for vacation. Unless you count Wal-Mart.

Wherever you went I hope you brought me back something.

Is it too early to be late?

Greetings to those that hung around.

This is it. The first of a new year. We have only had a couple of million of them.

Wendy and I had a pretty low key celebration. We went to a Pre New Year Gathering, but left early. We were both feeling tired. We spent the reminder of the evening watching the celebration from New York. Basically warm and lounging while those guys and gals were in the rain and packed in a large crowd. Some people had been standing out there since the previous 2 am, or so they said.

I would much rather being watching the coverage from my house or at least someone's home than outside. I do not think I could handle the crowds. I am not sure if I am claustrophobic, but I do not have the intention of finding out.

So pretty much I rang in the year with a bo-ring.