November 28, 2005

Who'd a thunk it?

So, uh, I actually LOST 5 1/2 pounds over the Thanksgiving holiday.

When you don't get leftovers, it makes it pretty simple. How, you say, did I not get leftovers? Easy. When my Stepmom didn't finish her meal, my Dad was quick to say, "Don't throw it out. Since the leftovers are ours, just put the stuffing back into the bowl as well as the mashed potatoes." That, my friends, is how you don't get leftovers.

November 27, 2005

Getting involved

I went hunting this past weekend and although I didn't see any deer, I did do a lot of thinking. It's amazing what you can work out in your head when you're sitting on a little piece of plywood that's nailed to the top of a 25ft ladder. Since you're sitting still for so long, the only muscle you can excercise is your brain. Some may argue that sitting on a piece of plywood 25ft in the air is a sign of little brain activity, but we'll leave that discussion for another day.

I came to the conclusion, Dear Reader, that it's time for me to become active outside of work. I'm convinced that the reason I became so lonely is that I have no other social activities besides work. (Yes, I know work is not a normal social activity, but when your coworkers are also your friends, it does become social.) This 10-day period is the first time that I've ever taken vacation with no where to go or spent this long of a time period on my own. I'm not complaining, however, because I know several people who would kill for even a few days of "ME" time. I'm just making the point that I am a social person and need interaction with others.

The problem I'm going to have, however, is that I tend to be more of a starter than a finisher. I'm hoping that by having others rely on me to complete these tasks, be it volunteer work or some other task, that I'll slowly become a finisher. I'm well aware of the fact that this won't happen over night, but past experience has shown that I finish my task more often when I'm doing work for others. Plus, I truly enjoy helping others and there is no better way to do this than to volunteer.

I've thought of several groups for which I'd like to volunteer or to get more involved. First is the church that I've been attending, Pear Orchard Presbyterian. I don't know in what capacity I might get involved, but I do know that this is something I want and need to do. I am getting quite a bit out of the church and it only seems fair to give something in return.

The second group is the alumni association at Millsaps College. I didn't do as well as I could have for various reasons, but I am grateful to the professors there for teaching me to think and to reason on my own. They gave me the tools to succeed instead of spoon-feeding me useless facts and for that I am forever grateful.

The third group is the local Ronald McDonald House. I've been their 'computer guy' for quite a few years, but haven't checked in on them in quite a while. I'd kept the computers running for the office staff but haven't had much involvement since my divorce. I do keep in contact with the Executive Director and am going to call her to find out how I can help.

I may also check into doing more with the local Habitat For Humanity group. I've done several builds and am willing to help any organization that both allows and encourages me to use power tools. :-)

I have set a fairly large agenda for myself with these groups and again, being more of a starter than a finisher, I am concerned about being able to complete what I've started. However, I have always been more successful when I lend my talents to helping others than when I decide to help myself. I want to believe though, Dear Reader, that by helping others I will also be helping myself. We shall see.

November 24, 2005

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Reader. Off to my Dad's for turkey and football. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday.

Howard, Trey, and Fancy

November 20, 2005

Lonely

I posted the other day about how I thought something was wrong with me, not physically, but something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I ended up deleting it because it was crap. I know what's bothering me, I guess I just didn't want to admit it. I'm lonely. I think it's that simple, really. I always said that I didn't mind being alone, I just didn't want to be lonely. Well...I think I'm there.

Sure, I have friends, but they're married and have families of their own to deal with. Fortunately, I have a very good friend who lives not too far from me and they invite me for dinner quite often, which I really enjoy. Unfortunately, I can't spend all my time there and I don't want to, either. I'm not much of a 'bar person' so I usually end up going home and doing something on my own. So most nights after work I come home, eat dinner, and read or watch a movie or a little tv. That's not a great way to meet people, I know, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I guess the holidays brought this on, but I really don't know. Maybe after almost 3 years on my own, I've finally gotten to the point where being alone most of the time is hard. I'm taking the week off this week and I'm not looking forward to it. Well, that's not true. Part of me is, but the other part keeps reminding me that for most of the day every day, it'll just be me.

I used to love being by myself, but maybe the novelty of it is wearing off. I don't mean to whine to you, Dear Reader, but there's not many people I can share this with. I find it quite easy to help others deal with their problems, but I have a hard time opening up about my own. I know I've mentioned this before, but growing up, I was the family shrink and listened to everyone else's problems. I just never got to share mine with anyone and I'm still like that. Don't misunderstand, Dear Reader, I truly enjoy helping others and I take great pride in the fact that people trust me enough to tell me what's going on in their lives. Listening to them has never been a burden to me and I like to think that I help in my own special way. In other words, if you and I have spoken about things going on in your life, please don't think I'm telling you to stop, because I'm not.

I try and put up a strong front, but sometimes I just want to tell someone how I feel and have them listen. The hard part is that I don't want to burden others with my complaints. People have their own problems to deal with and I just don't feel comfortable adding mine to theirs. I think that's part of what got me interested in going to church. It's having someone to listen to me whenever I care to speak to them.

November 15, 2005

Hmm...An artificial dog leg

Wonder if the three-leggers would be interested in this?

November 14, 2005

Boredom

This is what happens when you're supposed to be painting, but aren't. If you hum, "These are a few of my favorite things" then read this, it might make it better.

There’s washing and sanding and re-moving wall plates
Sockets to change out and trim that needs taping
Drop cloths to spread out and joints that need caulking
These are the things that I hate when painting.

There’s ladders to climb up and down quite a lot
Do you paint when it’s cold or should it be hot
Spilling the paint where the drop cloth is not
These are the things that I hate when painting

The color is lighter that I thought it’d be
Will it take one coat or two coats or three
Why does the paint always end up on me
These are the things that I hate when painting

November 08, 2005

The Sun and Moon

My sister-in-law just IM'd me to let me know that my nephew got in trouble at school today. Apparently, he mooned several of his classmates at recess. He will be 5 on Sunday.

Finally, all of my hardwork and dedication is paying off. Next? Spit balls.

November 01, 2005

Sort of

Yeah, I'm still here, but I find it increasingly difficult to write. Well, not the actual act of writing, but content seems to be lacking. I write, think it's a pile of crap and fling it off the screen.

I'm thinking of taking the geek noir post and expanding it, but I'm having trouble making it work.

Painting will begin soon on the house. Every room in the house plus trim will be painted. Did I mention I hate painting? I'll post before and after pics.

Just a tip...if you have a plumbing problem and you want to fix it yourself, check online first. I had a leaky faucet in my bathroom and my Pops and I tried to fix it. Didn't succeed. I tried to fix it by replacing another part. Didn't succeed. Googled the problem, bought $3.46 worth of parts. Success. I guess I'll write of the other $21.59 in parts as 'upgrades'.

I've been going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week since the first of October. I'm down about 6 or 7 pounds. I only have 33 more to go before February 12, 2006, my 40th birthday. Yep, I'll be 40. Shit, it seems like a week ago I was wondering if I would ever get any hair, uh, down there. When I look in the mirror now, I see it down there, over there, in there, back there, and several other there's I never even thought about. Am I complaining? Nah. Maybe just a little whining.

One tip and then I'll let you go. If you buy a 15 yr old house and the former occupants leave you the fridge, don't move the fridge. Ever Ev-er. You will see things behind it that no man or woman was ever meant to see. Personally, I think life was created not by God, but by the stuff that fell behind God's refrigerator.