Weekend and Ruminations

I've been at the new job for over a month, now. It's good. Being so close to home is awesome. There's always something new to learn, or to figure out. I'm happy.

Got the yard cut this weekend. My bush hog deck is broken, but I worked around it. It will need to be welded, soon, though. It should probably be welded before I cut with it again.

I saw a hawk fly down and catch a field mouse while I was cutting grass. There were some smaller birds attacking the hawk. I don't know if they made the hawk release the mouse or not.

One of my neighbors also attacked something in my driveway while I was cutting. He beat it out of a tree. I was kind of a little surprised that he came into my yard to do it. I never figured out what he was beating on.

We went to the Bass Pro Shop this weekend, for the first time. That place is ridiculously large. The entrance is a winding drive. It has a parking lot that would rival Six Flags or Disneyland. I can't figure out how they justify that kind of expense. It's not like the place is on some sort of hunting reserve, or even on a lake or river. It's off the highway in Prattville. The building is right beside McDonald's, but you have to go down the winding driveway to get to it.

Amy wanted to see District 9, so we went the the movies while we were in Prattville. I was a little disappointed with it. I expected it to have some sort of double meaning, but I really didn't see one, unless it was some sort of racial thing.

I got a little of the melancholy, last week. I don't know why. Maybe it was all the kids going back to school. Something about being in town when school started back up made me feel a little nostalgic. It has been a long time since I was in school, but it seems like it could've been last week. Not that I miss school, and all the politics and trouble that went with it, it's just that time is merciless.

I have owned my house almost 10 years. I started the paperwork to buy it in October of 1999. It's so strange to think that 10 years have already passed. At the same time, it feels like most of my life has been lived in the last 10 years.

I've travelled internationally, had more relationships (including the longest relationship of my life); I've owned more vehicles and just generally done more than I did in my first 25 years. I guess I'm pretty lucky.

Great Weekend

I had a very relaxing weekend. I finished up 'The Revolution: A manifesto', grilled some ribs Saturday night, and watched a marathon of Cosmos on the Science channel. My baby and I sat around doing practically nothing. It was great.

I was about to get cleaned up last night when I noticed a case of shotgun shells that have been sitting beside my nightstand for 3 or 4 years. After moving it, I was compelled to look in my nightstand, where I keep some of my ammo. In it I found a copy of Bastiat's 'Law'. I don't remember anyone ever giving me that book. It was hidden under another book and a gun cleaning kit.

I don't know when or who slipped it into my nightstand. I appreciate it, though. It really capped off a pretty nice weekend.

Great Friday

I received some wonderful news yesterday. I won't go into detail, but let's just say it removed a load from my mind. I'm very, very happy it's Friday, and I plan to do nothing of any import this weekend. I've ridden my motorcycle to work every day this week. I'm glad I've gotten back in the habit, as gas prices are about to break the bank.

Ron Paul got around a million votes in Pennsylvania Tuesday. I believe that's more votes than he's received in any primary to date! Even he admits the GOP nomination is now out of reach. Still, the fact that so many people are willing to continue supporting him should be newsworthy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised... even when he was outpolling McCain the media marginalized him. The Revolution may not be televised, but it's still a revolution, nonetheless.

FIRE!!!

Before...
After.

I had a great weekend. We had a bonfire, food, and music. Some close friends came over, too. I procured some coathangers so we could roast some Ballpark Franks. The conversation was good, the music was good and the hotdogs weren't bad, either. We also learned how to juggle hot embers, for what it's worth. Aside from having a blast, I finally got rid of that last pile of debris from when the huge oak in front of my house was downed during hurricane Ivan.

We dedicated the fire to our old buddy, Drift, who passed away last October.


*Pics by Jamie Moton

FOOTBALL!!!

The weekend is FINALLY here! It'll be nice to sit back, relax, and watch some Alabama football. We're playing Georgia, so, to be honest, I don't know how much relaxing there will be, but at least I'm not on call.

I put up a new storm door on my back door. It looks nice. A whole lot nicer than the 1980s era screen/glass door that was on there. I should take a pic and put it on here.

I took a test in my US History class, yesterday. I thought I had taken all the history I needed back in 1993, but, coming back to college, I learned I needed one more. Anywho, I made a C on the test yesterday. That sucked. Then, I get to work today and see an email from my instructor saying he hadn't posted the study guide yet, so I got to take it over! I made 100 on it the second time around. Heck, yeah!

Concordia lost to Tennessee Tech last week by 48 points. In perspective, that's not really that bad. Tech is a DIV I school. They play Auburn later this year. Concordia is just an NAIA provisional school playing a tough schedule. The home opener is tomorrow against Morehouse. That would be a big win for 'em.

Lots of football this weekend...

Roll Tide and Go Hornets!!!

B'day

I had a great weekend. My birthday was very nice. I got to spend it with my baby, and my family. My baby got me a HUNORMOUS barbeque grill. I'll post some pics of it, soon. I grilled burgers Sunday. I hated to see the weekend end.

Tired on 2 Wheels

Rode the bike in to work today. I really didn't feel like it when I got up. I almost got in the truck, but I figured today would be the last day I could ride this week, with rain moving in. I got a little spattered with some drizzle this morning, but it was fine enough, and sporadic enough to dry almost instantly.

I hate DST. I feel all tired. I'm staying up later according to the clock, and having to get up an hour earlier. It messes up my internal clock. When I miss too much sleep, my joints ache.

I got called in to work Sunday morning at around 1 am. DST got me. When I got to work, my phone showed almost 3am! I know it doesn't take me 2 hours to get to work, but my sleep-deprived mind was trying to figure it out until I started to go home.

I QUIT!

1 YEAR SMOKE-FREE!!!

I believe congratulations are in order... I have made it through a complete 365 day rotation of the Earth around the Sun without smoking. Not a puff. I quit about 7pm on Friday, February 24th, 2006. I celebrated the anniversary of not smoking Saturday night. My girlfriend made me the most delicious cake. It was great.

It was hard. Every time I smelled smoke, I wanted one. Every time I saw guys smoking on TV, I wanted one. Every time I saw someone smoking, I wanted to bum one. But I didn't. For a WHOLE YEAR! Go me!

Back to the Grind

What a nice weekend off! I've only worked 3 days out of the last 11. It's been nice.

But it's over now. *sigh*

I got a lot accomplished. I got a new tire on my bike, cleaned up the yard a bit, grilled out, but mostly just spent quality time with my girl.

I'll be posting pics soon of the tire change/spline greasing. I've also got some pics of the birdies we attracted with a bunch of birdseed we spread on the back patio. I suppose I'll be posting a couple of those pics, as well.

I've got a big test tonight. Hope I do well.

Transportation

My windsheild wipers on the Chevy went out last week. They've been on the fritz since I bought the truck. I've heard there's a recall on 'em, but I haven't checked into it. I need to do that this week, before it rains, again.

The 'Stang is running, with a new alternator from Advance I popped in a couple of weekends ago. That same weekend, I was driving it to Walmart when it started running rough. I'm gonna replace the plugs and wires and see if that helps.

The bike needs a new rear tire, and an oil change. The Saturn still sits with a bum tranny. I have 4 vehicles, and none of them are in safe working order. Geesh.

On a better note, I had a nice, relaxing weekend. Slept in pretty late Saturday. Saturday night we went to see Moses play in Montgomery. That was fun. I got out and worked on the wipers Sunday morning. Couldn't get 'em to work. I think the circuit board is what's messed up. We sat around listening to music and watching TV for the rest of the day.

Bush Hogged

I had a great weekend, in spite of a couple setbacks. Firstly, I had Friday off, so that was awesome. I put a new alternator on the Mustang, and it's drivable again. It needs a tune-up, though. Didn't get a chance to change the plugs.

I was going to bush hog the field this weekend, but I had a flat. Took me all day Saturday just to get the thing outta the mud where it got stuck when it went flat. I almost had to take the bush hog off to get it out. The culprit was a broken valve stem. I meant to take a picture of it, but I got too caught up in the moment to think about it. I got my truck stuck trying to pull out the tractor, and had to get it unstuck. That woulda made an awesome picture. I managed to get my truck unstuck, but had to get my dad, w/his truck to help pull it out. After that, Matt came over with his youngun. We watched Napoleon Dynamite and ate some very good 'sketti my baby made.

We watched movies and pretty much vegitated all day Sunday. That was nice. Very nice.