Birthday Blog Post

So I am not going to talk about a diet tonight, not only a reccomendation made by my beloved Dhara, but because we are all sick of it.  I certainly did not abide by anything today!  

I am more well connected to the world through the world wide web.  I use facebook, blogger, twitter, linked in, and even though I have dropped my myspace account, I am very networked.  This was very evident to me today.  I got over 80 electronic Happy Birthday messages.  A few from overseas, representing eleven states in the United States, and from friends, family, and people who have never met me in person.  It was pretty cool.  I was on the phone almost all day, I got 22 text messages and 19 phone calls.  I am so sorry I didn't return every call or text, but I did work.  

I am not posting this because I want to show how popular I am, I just feel lucky to be loved like that.  I worry sometimes that I am too exposed on the web, there is too much information about me and my life available for the whole world to see.  I do like the no secrets part though, I rarely have to remember a lie I have told, it is a daunting task to lie to hundreds of people at the same time.  You read about people be stalked because of their profile and it makes me worry a bit, but I would also be quite honored to have a stalker.  I would never press charges, I would feel so bad for you that your life has reached a level of boredom where even I seem interesting.  I am linked with my boss, my boss's boss, and my boss's boss's boss.  I have to watch what I say on what venue to protect my professional image.  That is where I think I, and you, run the biggest risk.  I also know people who have been hired of linked in and facebook, so the cost-benefit analysis has to be made before deciding what to do.

I just want to thank everyone who sent me birthday wishes in whatever form!  This was a good time to feel an out pouring of love.  Be well, drive safely tomorrow!

I have been meaning to post this photo of two of the three* most important women in my life.

*Amanda not pictured

Worst Part of the Holidays

I love spending time with friends and family, but the busy schedule of the holidays is absolutely nuts!!!  Here is what our Sunday looks like:

1pm- Steelers v. Titans (the new biggest game of the year for my Steelers)

2pm- Charlotte 49ers home game

Afternoon/Evening- Family X-mas gift exchange

Evening- Jason's Christmas Party

Of course, with the exception of watching the Steelers game, I will have perfect attendance, like I did that one year, 4th grade*.

*please note I was in love with my 4th grade teacher

Delinquent Poster

I guess I just ran into some blogger apathy. I have been working on some stuff. I have a rough draft of a letter to my 18 year old self that I plan to post on my 28th birthday. It just seems like with the house built, the election over, the economy in the tank, I just have nothing to talk about. Snippits follow.

We had some family, friends, and neighbors over for Amanda's birthday party this Saturday.  It was pretty fun but we did learn some lessons about hosting people in our house.  The first thing is that we have a sever seating shortage.  There are only four places to sit in our living room.  Six is max capacity if you include the rocker and ottoman as separate seating surfaces.  The kitchen is huge, but we need a table that seats six instead of the pub table we currently have that seats a meager two.  Lastly, the dining room seats six, which is great, but it is separate from the living spaces in the house so it tears the group apart.  The solution is to add a love seat in the living room, we want a big gathering height butterfly leaf table for the kitchen, and have some more folding chairs available for hosting.  

We are not going to host any holiday festivities unless asked to do so, so I guess we won't have to worry about that until the spring time house warming party.  Then we can use the garage and driveway for the guys to hang out... maybe we will have grass then so we can play some games.  

Speaking of yard games, I am searching for a "cornhole" set.  This game is the best for those who do not know.  I want a substantial set though, heavy and sturdy, either unpainted or with Steelers or Charlotte 49ers logos painted on.  I am a craigslist junkie and I know I will find some soon.

Okay, well sorry it was boring but it does break a long drought without posting.  I will post before Christmas, but I hope everyone has a very safe and happy holiday season.  I look forward to seeing my long time long gone friends.  

Holiday Festivities

I was sitting here wondering if I have anything to blog about.  I kept thinking that I was out of ideas.  I am in the new house, I really don't have much coming up, just waiting on WINI's graphics to come in a be installed.  Then I remembered, oh yeah, Jesus' birthday is coming up.  Our holiday schedule is nuts this year.  The calm of last year's holidays was so enjoyable I must admit.  I love seeing all of you, but, I have to admit it rocked not to go anywhere or have any plans.  It was a touch sad though.  So on to this year.  We have:

December 6th- Eli & Colleen's party, Tim & Sara's party

December 10th- Amanda's Birthday

December 13th- Amanda's Birthday party (details to come family and friends)

December 19th- David & Rege's birthday bash

December 21st- Family Christmas gift exchange, Charlotte 49ers basketball game.

Other than my retail work schedule, I will try to make all events I possibly can.  I hope to get invited to many more events and just forget to sleep.

Things I am thankful for (but probably shouldn't be)

A reoccuring theme in my blog is ripping crap off of Allison's blog, changing the words, and submitting them as my own.  I always try to give credit where credit is due.  I thought hers was awesome, my should be mediocre.  

... and I quote.

Okay, I could do a schmaltzy post about my extreme gratefulness for my family and friends but I don't want to. Just know that I am super thankful for my wonderful family and my awesome friends. But there are some things I'm thankful for that should probably be shared.

1. A girl working in my office.  I am a pretty girly dude, this trait is intensified when working in the automotive industry.  I am glad I can talk about my disdain for people wearing khakis and tennis shoes, mismatched belts and shoes, and my hatred for our work uniforms and the lack of professionalism they communicate.

2. Soft shell jackets.  They are a bit warmer than fleece jackets, not as hot as full coats.  They are water resistant, they block the wind, they are the utility infielder of jackets and the ONLY winter wear you need in Charlotte.

3. MINI Coopers.  It is dumb, isn't that the point of this post, but I love these little cars.  I really enjoy the community I have been surrounded with in two towns and I have a lot of fun commuting to work, who does that?

4. Chucks... f-n-cool. 'nuff said.

5.  The $5, $7.50, & $10 DVD racks at Target and Walmart.  I think about 75% of our movies come from there, and I love some movies!!!

"... turkey lurkey loo and turkey lurkey lickle, I wish turkey only cost a nickel..."