The Wedding- The Weekend

The wedding Friday night was not bad.

First, there was BEER!!! (and wine) That was a good start. M & I got pretty banged up... I'm glad I was driving cuz M couldn't walk well. It was a shame that it rained really hard, so the ceremony had to be moved inside. Looking at some of the guests was making me feel old.

Saturday was pretty much a washout... I was nursing a hang over most of the day. I did some things like, I drove to the store to get some food, but couldn't muster the energy to actually go in because it looked so crowded... went through a fast-food drive thru and went home.

Sunday was nice. First, I went to M's, she was going to drive to the golf course. However, her car wouldn't start, the battery was dead. I put a charger on it & we took my car. Now, I really got to tease her. She allays makes fun of my car, cuz it's a Chevy. Well, her nice Lexus SUV wasn't going anywhere. I was calling it a $50,000 paper weight!!! HA!!!

Anyway, the course was nice. We played with Mike and some guy a never met named Rich. I played pretty well, but I think the heat was getting to me by the end, as I didn't finish strong.

So, I want to get back to M's to see what the deal with the car was. We pull in, I see M's sister's car & Bobbie B's car... there are balloons on the front porch... then I see Mike pull in behind us... yes, that's right... I surprise b-day party for me. More people showed up shortly... It was very sweet of M to plan & do this for me... and I hope I don't sound ungrateful... but this is exactly what I didn't want. But, I was the good birthday boy... took all the "over the hill" jokes & gag gifts like a trooper.

One good thing was that Donna was there. I had wanted to see her this weekend, but it was her weekend with her son, so she generally doesn't come out. But, she dropped him off at a nearby relative's place and came to the party. She gave me a small, thoughtful gift... but whispered that she has something else for me... mmmmmm... I wonder what that could be???

Yesterday, I played golf with M, her sister ML & Jim from work. I played really well. I then met Bobbie B at the American Legion for a few beers. It's Memorial Day... drink with a veteran... right???

Lastly, there was a very unusual voice mail message at the office this morning. I have not figured out who it was... yet.

The Memorial Day Weekend!!! Whoo Hooo!!!

Ok, it's time for my usual discussion of the weekend plans.

I'll start with tonight. After work, I am going to a wedding with my friend M. She did not have a date, and that's when friends step up to the plate. I must admit, I am not looking forward to this. First & foremost... NO BEER!!! That's right, you heard right... no booze of any kind. This is one of those "artsy-fartsy" deals. The ceremony is in the park, with a flute player. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet a hundred bucks this chick has some kind of leaves on her head!!!

Then the reception... at the Art Institute. Who knows what kinda of wack jobs will be running around there. I am also betting that we will be served sticks and some kind of tea (GASP!!!) This really isn't the kind of deal a good (?) little conservative beer drinker like me get into. My personal favorite weddings are what I call "fire-hall" weddings. Down to earth. No sticks up asses. Plenty-o-beer. Oh yea... and "old-lady-made" wedding cookies. (The Best)

You know I'll be hitt'n a bar on the way home form this shin-ding.

Saturday. No real plans. Haven't given it ant thought. Probably do a little around the apartment, See how the weather pans out.

Sunday morning I am golfing with M & Mike. Mike is cool to golf with and I have not seen him yet this season. We are playing pretty early. No idea after that. I am sure drinking will be involved.

Monday... (see plans for Saturday noted above)

As this is my last weekend as a "thirty-something" I expect to be drunk for most of it.

The Greatest Marketer Ever

Yep... last night, landed a new client.

A 500 unit trucking company just north of here. At the cocktail party before dinner last night, I met the CFO & the Safety Director. Started BSing about golf & such. Turns out the brother of the CFO lives near me. I am going to be golfing with him & his wife next Saturday, after the Memorial Day holiday. I'll be doing this on his dime, at his jamm'n country club. I will need a date... a girl that can golf??? Also, the Safety Director and I are going to put together a SOP for a catastrophic loss accident, and prepare a series of presentations for their drivers. YEA BABY!!!

All this, just in time for my June review & raise!!! (can you say timing!!!)

Weekend Report 5/20-5/21

Hello everybody!!!

Pretty good weekend.

I got my Comcast cable modem all hooked up & I am now online at home. This should be pretty cool, as I can now work at home more.

Saturday, I played golf at Rolling Fields, as planned. Like I said, the course used to be a goat path, but the course was much improved. It still needs a lot of work, it takes several years to bring a course around. There is still a lot of clover in the fair ways & the green/tee boxes need some work. But now, there are defined fairways, itself an improvement. A lot of crap has been cleaned and cleared.

After golf, M, Donna & I went to the American Legion for a few cheap beers. Then, we went to Hoffstott's to eat. We sat at the bar & ordered a bunch of appetizers, making it a meal. The food at this place just rocks. Bobby B came down and met us. Bobby has it bad for M, allays making his moves, which was cool because Donna was on the prowl. (Donna is a friend of M's, not the D that works at my office that we discussed on Friday) Donna is a couple years older than me, pretty cute (yes... I would say cute... not really "hot") She has a real nice little bum, which I like. Anyway... She was getting a little "touchy-feely" which I recriprocated. I used a couple "playa" moves from KJ's blog the other day (hand on the hip... touch on the back... brush a stray hair...) By the time the party moved up to Flynn's, things were getting more interesting. M & Bobby were shooting pool & we were talking & getting a little more... well... you know. I invited her to stay at my place, as she had a 45 min. drive home (yea... that was it... ) But she said no, she was going to go home and take a "cold shower."

My thought was she was put off by M being there, but I don't know why. M & I are friends, golf buddies, drinking buddies... that's it. Believe me... that's it. I'll just take my time. I am not really interested in a relationship with her, but w could have some fun... ya know?

Also, did anyone see that horse race? Man... I felt bad for that horse. I hope they don't have to put him down... that would be such a shame.

Sunday morning was really freezing. Rainy and freezing. Putzed around here. Did a little shopping. Then I went to see the Da Vinci Code. Yea... I heard all the bad reviews, but there was not much else to do, so I gave it a shot. I liked it. I must say that I had not read the book, so I didn't come in with any expectations, maybe that helps, because you can judge the entertainment value of the movie for itself. I will say, that back in the 80s, I read the Holy Blood Holy Grail, so I had a good understanding of the basic gist of the underlying premises. Sure... Tom Hanks could have used a haircut & it wasn't his best performance... but he was pretty good, given the role. All in all, it was entertaining.

Now, everybody just remember... 3 day weekend coming up!!! Yea Baby!!!

Weekend Plans/Questions

It is predicted to be another dreary weekend here in the Burgh.

As, for tonight: I am not sure yet. I have planned to meet a client at 2:00 PM in Monroeville, which is very near home. I planned that on purpose. My boss W had that little smile when I told him the plan. He said I planned that well. I replied I learned from you. After the meeting, there will be plenty of good bars to stop for happy hour.

Also, I am expecting the self-installation package of the Comsast High-Speed Internet I ordered last week. Yep… I have decided to get the internet for home. I have not had it at home for years. I got a new-to-me computer, a few years old, but should be adequate for the task. (Gateway 2000, 1.10 G HZ, 256 RAM, 20 G HD, oh… btw… FREE!!! Yea Baby!!!) Depending on how banged-up I get at happy hour, I may install everything when I get home, otherwise it will be a Saturday morning project.

Saturday is going to be chilly, in the low 60s, but no rain. M made a tee time for 10 AM at Rolling Fields golf course. Now, this place has always been a joke in the local gold community. A real goat path!!! However, there has been talk that they have put some money into the place and it is much better. We’ll see. At least it’s cheap. I need to save some money. After that, who knows???

Sunday, I have no plans at all. I might go see the De Vinci Code movie. It is playing at 1:15 PM nearby. Other than that, I got noth’n.

Oh, another thing… anyone that read before that I changed the air filter in my car because the infamous “check-engine” light came on, but it didn’t fix the problem… Guess what??? It when off this week!!! Whoo Hoo!! Maybe it just took driving it a little while after replacing the filter. This is good news because you just never know what a mechanic is going to say on that one.

I also have a question for blog land. A little background first… Last year, I was dating (?) someone from work… I know, I know… never a good idea, but when you spend so much time there, it’s bound to happen. Anyway, she is my age, good looking, nice rack (that was for you ell) great personality and loves to golf (actually can kick my ass from the whites!!!)… a pretty good match, all-n-all. We ended up breaking it off around September. It was no big deal still working together, because of our jobs. There is really very little need for us to talk or have contact, unless we choose to. Well, this week, she has been very friendly. Coming by my office once in a while, peeking her head in when before she would just pass by… The day before yesterday, she stopped & suggested we hang out Memorial Day weekend. Maybe drive up to Sharron PA to play some golf. She wanted me to suggest it to my friend M. Her & M always got along . M was my friend before her & I dated, it never bothered her that we were good friends. So, she was like, why don’t you ask M if she wants to go too. Therefore,

Questions: Is she tring to get back together?; Do you think she just wants to play golf?; Even if she wants to get back together, should I even try (I have always had this rule… never go back, if it didn’t work the first time, why would it a second)?; Am I over analyzing this?

Your thoughts will be appreciated.

So, I may end up doing a little blogging this weekend. If everything works out with the new internet stuff.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Another Old Picture

Here is another old picture of Me with my brother. This was from his wedding to his first wife. I was the Best Man. I can't remember exactly when this was... late 80s- early 90s. They were divorced in 95. I truly hated that woman. She ended up cheating on him. (so I was right... AGAIN!!!)

Anyway... I can't believe how I looked back then. Thinner & more hair!!!! (This turning 40 thing is killing me)

The Aunt B Story

The other day, I blogged that my Aunt B had died. I also mentioned that there were some family issues with that part of the family. I’d like to tell the story…

My father is the youngest of 8 kids. My Aunt B was considerably older. In fact, Aunt B has kids that are not all that much younger than my Dad. Aunt B’s oldest daughter has a son that is a mere 2 years younger than me. Yep, I have a first cousin that is a grandmother!!!

Anyway, Aunt B was married to Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob was a huge man. He was a steel worker at the USS Homestead Works, back in the steel heyday. He was what we call a “Mill Hunkie.” Aunt B & Uncle Bob had four children… all girls. He wanted a son more than anything in life. He showered my brother & I with significant attention. He made “the girls” wait on us hand & foot. He was what would be called abusive today to them in other ways (not sexually or beating them or anything like that, but was always punishing them harshly, and telling them they were worthless girls). As a matter of fact, when the youngest, my cousin R was born, Aunt B cried in the hospital, saying that she couldn’t bring home another daughter.

My mother and father were parental figures to the girls, and supported them, comforted them, helped them… as their parents didn’t.

This is the family dynamic which provides the setting for the rest of the story.

When I was young, I can’t remember exactly how old (I would guess somewhere between 5-9). I remember my parents getting a frantic phone call. I remember jumping in the car & flying over to Aunt B & Uncle Bob’s place. My brother & I were not told what was going on. I remember standing at the foot of the steps, at the landing of their house, looking up & seeing my Aunt standing there crying… wailing… My brother & I were shuffled out of the house and taken to my Uncle on my mother’s side of the family to stay for a while. We were not told why… until we were older. All we were told was that Uncle Bob was dead…

Later, we found out what had happened.

My Uncle Bob had written a note then shot himself in the head in the kitchen.

My mother was the one who took the note, so that none of the family could see it, because of the contents. My Mom, took and disposed of the gun. My Mom cleaned the blood and bits of brain and scull off the kitchen floor.

Our relationship with “the girls” became close. Our relationship with Aunt B became more and more strained. She started drinking & eventually became an alcoholic. She hooked up with this guy Jim, himself an alcoholic. They neglected the girls. Eventually, we attempted an intervention with Aunt B (before such terms were main stream). Aunt B would not be swayed. She continued a bad path. Jim drove a wedge deeper between Aunt B and most especially my Father. I’m kinda surprised my Dad never actually killed him, or at least beat the shit out of him. All family gatherings now excluded Aunt B & Jim. On the rare occasion where they would be there, Jim knew better than to be in the same room with most of the family. The distance grew.

Eventually, as we all grew, the girls became adults with their own families. One girl in particular, K, was especially head strong. By this time I had learned, vaguely the events surrounding Uncle Bob’s death. Then one day… at a family gathering… K confronted my Mom in the kitchen of our house. She insisted that she wanted the gun and the note. She was not going to let my Mom out of her own kitchen until she agreed to hand them over. My Mom lied and said that she had destroyed them years ago. K was still insisting. My Mom knew that nothing good could come from giving her the note. She knew the contents. She knew what it would do to the girls. She was protecting them. But… K would not back down. She actually had my Mom in a corner now. This is when I walked in. I tell K to “back the fuck up.” I told her that if she didn’t back off right now, she better call her husband, so I can beat the shit out of him right now and get it out of the way, because I’m gonna be smacking her around any second. Nobody, I mean NOBODY messes with my Mom.

After this, K and her family pulled further away… R and her family pulled further away… S moved to Texas… but remained close. D was the only one of the girls where we maintained a close relationship.

Many years later, Aunt B got lung cancer. It was in remission for a long time, years. I don’t know exactly how long, but it seems like more than 10 years. The fractures of this part of the family never healed. My father visited Aunt B in the week before she died, but what transpired between them was privet. We didn’t attend the funeral. K, R& D were fighting over where Aunt B would be buried. Her wish was to be buried next to Jim. K & D wanted her buried next to Uncle Bob. I don’t know what R wanted, and S just wanted peace.

I did not want to be involved in all of this. My Mother did not want to be confronted with “the old issues.” She did not want to be confronted by K again about the gun & the note. Besides…. My Mom doesn’t have them anymore….

I do.

Hey... I am getting this D-Camera Thing Working...

OK... check this out.

here is a picture taken last year my mom had on her D-Camera. That is my nephew sitting on my lap. That is my brother sitting in the background. And... there is me. I shaved off the moustache, as it was getting gray...

You guys are in trouble now!!! I am gonna go overboard with this picture thing.

Good Monday Morning!!!

This weekend went pretty well.

Nope... no ass shake'n like Green Eyes... but good for me.

Saturday was cold rainy and very dreary (see title of this blog). When I woke up, I did one quick load of laundry, I wanted to hit the food store to get the stuff to make Mom's dinner Sunday. Plus, I stopped at the Advanced Auto Parts for an air filter. I hit Labriola's Italian Market right up the street.

Then, I came back home to replace that filter. Just let me say this... I might be the one to call if there is a particle-board plant explosion you need investigated... but I clearly can not work on cars!!! This was the first time I tried replacing the air filter on this car, I always had them do it when I got the oil changed. Let me ask you... who the "F" designed this stupid thing? I remember the "OLD" days, when you would spin off a wing-nut, lift a lid & boom... new air filter. To replace these things today, one needs an engineering degree. I struggled to get the thing open. I struggled to get the old filter out. I struggled to get the new filter in. (do you see a theme developing here?) I struggled... really struggled, to get the damn thing closed. While trying to get the thing closed... I was so frustrated, I nearly jumped in the car with the thing hanging open & drove somewhere to pay someone to close the damn thing!!! I cut my hands in 3 places. I finally did it, after taking WAY too long. I was quite proud at that point. (but the "check engine" light did NOT go out!!!)

Anyway, the afternoon was clearing up, surprisingly. I made a few calls but no one wanted to golf. I had retrieved my old Odyssey White Hot putter, in an attempt to turn things around & really wanted to give it a try, so I headed out to the course by myself.

I played the first 2 holes alone, but being a "single" on the course, I was waiting by the time I got to number 3. At this point, another single, a guy named Mike came up behind me. We ended up finishing the 9 holes together.

I must say, I played really well. The putter was working. I was coming off the tee well. I was hitting my irons solid... I ended up with a 46 (for you non golfers who actually made it this far... that is 1 stroke above bogey golf... which for a weekend hacker isn't too bad) I even pared the number 1 handicap hole (the hardest hole on the course).

After such a good round, I treated myself to a few beers at the American Legion. I then stopped home for a burger, then met M for a couple beers. I was pretty beat & had been up since 5 AM (yes, even on the weekends I can't help but wake-up early). Called it a night.

Sunday, Mother's Day, I went to the store to get the last min. things for Mom's dinner. I got her gift too. OK, I had some good sugestions here on Friday... but went with a lame... guy thing. I got her a Gas Card. OK...OK.. not very personal... not very creative... but hey... with the price of gas... it could come in handy for someone on a fixed income.

Dinner turned out great. Everyone enjoyed it very much. We watched the movie Munich, which was pretty good. I am even getting a "new to me" computer. So look out... that may mean weekend blogging!!!

So that was about it. I am thinking of some more interesting things to blog about this week... we'll have to see how busy I am at work. Have a nice week.

Pre-Weekend Post

Good Morning

It is Friday, another week has past.

The weather in Pittsburgh is supposed to just basiclly suck for the weekend, low 60s and rainy. Looks like golf is out of the question. That's ok, I have a few things to get done anyway. 1st, the infamous "check engine" light came on in my car yesterday. (gasp!!!) Could be anything. I think I'll change the air filter & see if that does the trick before consulting a professional. The vacuum cleaner need to be run. I have to pick out something for Mom for Mother's Day. I really should clean out my car, it is a total mess.

Of course, as Sunday is Mother's day, I will be visiting Mom. I am going to grill some chicken breasts, make fettuccine alfredo & a salad. I thought we could mix and match as desired. You could put them together as a grilled chicken alfredo, or make a grilled chicken salad or just eat them separately... should be able to please everyone in the group. What do you think?

I am really open to suggestions for a Mother's day gift. She is very hard to buy for. She is at the age where they pretty much have everything they need & her wants are few. Please feel free to throw some ideas in the comments.

I hope everyone has a great weekend & does something nice for their Mom!!!

Tagged

I AM: Getting older as I type.

I SAID: Some things I regret.

I WANT: A new outlook on life.

I WISH: I never choose to go to law school.

I HATE: The twisting knot that sometimes develops in my stomach.

I MISS: Being able to leave work without thinking about it for the rest of the night.

I FEAR: The things I may have forgotten.

I HEAR: ESPN Radio in the background.

I WONDER: What life might be like if I had taken a different path.

I REGRET: The love lost.

I AM NOT: As together as I seem.

I DANCE: Sometimes by myself.

I SING: Even though I couldn’t carry a tune in a wheel barrel.

I CRY: Sometimes when something just clicks, but never in front of anyone else.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: As confident as I seem.

I MADE: My bed, now I must lie in it.

I WRITE: Letters to people, when I know I will never send them, so I suppose they are really just to myself.

I CONFUSE: Wants for needs.

I NEED: To clean my office.

I SHOULD: Try to live a healthier lifestyle.

I START: Way too many projects.

I FINISH: Big goals, but sometimes the details slip past me.

Weekend Report

I had a good time this weekend.

Even after all the Cinco De Mayo talk in blog land Friday. I ended up making it an early night. I left work early & got my haircut. Stopped at a bar or 2, but just wasn't feeling it, if you know what I mean.

Saturday, woke up early & tried to be a little domestic, got a few things done around the apartment. Then went golfing. We played Scenic Valley, as I mentioned Friday. The course was in very good shape. I started out playing very well. Hit the first 2 greens in regulation... was coming out of the tee box very well... was striking my irons good... it was all clicking. Until I got to No. 15 that is. I just fell apart on that hole, it wasn't pretty. I recovered fairly well for 16 & 17, but 18 was another disaster. All in all it was a good time though. We ate and drank at a place called Al's Cafe. We watched the Kentucky Derby there. It was a good hour drive back to the other side of town. Stopped & had 2 more beers, then went home.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do Sunday at all. Golf? Fishing? Nothing? ... choices, choices...

When I woke up & was having my coffee, it just looked beautiful outside. I checked the Weather Channel, they said it was going to be a great day. OK... I have to play golf. When to Murrysvile golf Course. Once again, I played pretty well, I still am having putting issues, but didn't have that one "blow-up" hole, that ruins your round. We all went to the American Legion and drank after. We had a good time.

On a more somber note... my Aunt died over the weekend. It was my Dad's older sister. They had a falling out many years ago, that they never got over. My Dad did go Her to visit her shortly before she died though. My parents decided they would not be attending the funeral though... so I didn't as well. I wasn't going without them. Maybe some day I will blog about the circumstances regarding that part of the family, for a TMI Tuesday or something...

Anyway, I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

No Special Plans...

Another weekend is here, and once again I have nothing special planned.

Saturday & Sunday are supposed to be in the low 60s, and mostly dry. Maybe a little rain Saturday morning. So M & I have made a tee time at a golf course in the South Hills area known as Scenic Valley. I have played this course about 3 or 4 times. It is relatively new & still has a little growing up to do. It is a pretty short track. Most of the holes are interesting, but not spectacular. The greens are a little hard to read, I think they are not quite "settled" yet. The course is not far from M's friend D, who will be joining us.

I like D, she is kinda cute. She has one little boy, who is a nightmare (spoiled), but he won't be there!!! Her body is in good shape, nice butt, good rack (cue ell... man remark!!!) The only problem with her is she is way too weepy... if you know what I mean?

Anyway, we are playing around 11 AM. As usual, I suspect there will be a significant amount of drinking & eating after. As KJ reminded me on her blog, the Kentucky Derby is Saturday... I'm sure that will be on the agenda as well.

I have absolutely NO plans for Sunday whatsoever. I could golf again somewhere else? Could go fishing? Could shop for a Mother's day present? (but that would actually require my being prepared... we know that ain't gonna happen!!!) Any suggestions? Ideas?Thoughts?

I hope all my blog friends have a great weekend.

Wine

I did not really have much to blog about today, so I thought I would share my favorite wine & a little story behind it.

One of the best books I ever read was the autobiography of the author, Jack London. He led an amazing life. The experiences of this life were the foundations of his great literary masterpieces. Near the end of his life, he purchased a vineyard in California and made wine. I stumbled across this wine and have enjoyed it ever since.

Below is a little cut-n-paste from the Kenwood web site:

Author Jack London once wrote of Sonoma County,

"The air is wine. Across Sonoma Mountain, wisps of sea fog are stealing. The afternoon sun smolders in the drowsy sky. I have everything to make me glad I am alive."

This patch of earth that so captivated Mr. London is home to Kenwood Vineyards. Kenwood plants, farms and harvests the historical, lava-terraced vineyards of Jack London's ranch, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot wines. Made only from Jack London vineyard grapes, these three wines are savored for their mint-accented berry flavors and smooth finishes. The dramatic Jack London label --a replica of the wolf's head Jack London used as his book-plate logo -- has created tremendous consumer interest and recognition in the wines.

Over 800 acres of Jack London's Beauty Ranch are now owned and operated by the California State Parks System. Visitors have the opportunity to hike, bike or horseback ride through much of the property, as well as view many of the ranch's buildings and Jack London home and grave, including the remains of the Wolf House.

The Jack London Ranch creates distinctive red wines that have a loyal following throughout the world. The red volcanic soil and pleasantly warm climate of this hillside vineyard combine to produce rich, full-bodied wines. Located on Sonoma Mountain with an eastern exposure, this vineyard gets early morning sun and breezes in the afternoon that temper the day's most extreme heat. The vineyard crew pulls leaves off the vines to fully expose the Merlot clusters to the sun. This encourages early ripening and gives the wine flavor, depth and rich color. Following a mild growing season, Kenwood harvested the 2003 Merlot crop in late September and early October. The juice was fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French and American oak barrels for 20 months.



If anyone has the chance to try some of this wine, I hope you remember this & enjoy the wine.