Sunday, July 19, 2009

Vacation time

Wow, it has been 15 days since my last post. This means that I am getting better at that time between posts but I seem to have lost the will to post like I thought I would have when I first started.

I went through my first build last weekend and my boss' boss was kind enough to let me have from Wednesday through Friday off. It gave me a nice little break from the stress and non-stop pressure that had been going on. However I still didn't completely get away from it all, perhaps if I had turned off my cell phone then I would have but there are some that need that outside of work to get in contact with me.

Wednesday I sat around all day and played video games. Thursday Karma was off work as well and wanted to go out shopping and hang out with the kids. Friday we went out to see the new Harry Potter movie.

Friday was originally supposed to be the first day that Potter was supposed to be released. Karma was trying to get a bunch of people from work to go out to see it but only one person came out and watched it with us. During the movie I had to keep shushing Karma. She kept talking with her friend during the movie and whenever there was a scene that was scary that was in the book coming up she would look at me and spoil the moment. I told her I couldn't watch any more of the Harry Potter movies with her sitting beside me.

I think she will sit about 2 rows behind me the next time with Chris sitting next to her so I can watch the movie in peace. This will be my hope for the next one or I won't go see the last one with the family.

Saturday was kind of a chill day. Spent the majority of the day at the house and relaxed. I did go to Guitar Center and got me some ear plugs so I could get on the stage and practice with the guys. I have have been practicing on the floor for the most part. Live music gives a much different experience than karoake and I have been missing that.

Today, I have been kind of bummed. I know that I have have to go back to work tomorrow and that has pretty much put a damper on my day. I know that I have about 400 emails to go through tomorrow when I get into the office. I have had a few beers today to try and relax and sleeping should be good this evening.

Later peeps.....

Saturday, July 4, 2009

One lucky SOG (Son Of a Gun)

Wow, it really has been awhile since I made my last post. Been almost 2 months....

In my last post I stated that it was time to completely replace the AC unit. Actually we were able to get a different compressor put into it and it has run like a champ. Hopefully it is last good for several years. Saved over a thousand dollars in the process.

Was driving home from band practice several week ago and was taking one of the guitarist's home and he advised to take the turnpike instead of driving through Claremore. He told me that you are more likely to get pulled over. I told him I wasn't worried about it. On the way out of Claremore I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a cop behind me. I pulled over into the right hand lane and slowly he pulling up by me in the left hand lane and then about the moment he was even with my car he hit his brakes and pulled behind me and turned on his lights. (Thank God I didn't have a beer at band practice.) He asked for my license and insurance, I told him that my insurance was at home on kitchen table. He asked if I had an old one in the car. I was looking for it but couldn't seem to find one but I did have a letter from the insurance company with the car's information on it. Keep in mind that Mike (my guitarist/passenger) smelled like a brewery as he had drank a lot at practice. The cop told me that my tag light was out, I asked if I could look at it (to get him away from Mike). I went back to look and the cop told me it would be a $209 ticket on the tag light. I was in complete shock and let the officer know that. He went to run my license and told me to get back in my car. He came back up 5 minutes later and gave me my letter and license and told me he was going to let me off with a warning (the no insurance verification fee was $209 as well) and a piece of advice, "I suggest you go home right now and get your insurance card off of your kitchen table right now before you drop your friend off." Saved $419.

A few weeks back my folks were coming back from a trip to Tunica. They planned on spending the night. I was in luck, my last couple of calls got moved to earlier in the day and I was able to get off early. I came home to straighten up the house and turn the temperature down on the AC to cool the house off a little more (we usually have it set to 79 degrees for the afternoon). I started vacuuming the house and when I was done I was sweating a lot. I didn't feel the house getting any cooler and when I looked at the thermostat it actually had gone up a degree. I went outside to check the unit and I could hear it humming but the fan wasn't spinning. It was about that time that my folks showed up. I told them what was going on and that they might not want to spend the night. They decided to stay awhile and I called our AC guy. I told him what was going on and he said it sounded like one of fuses had gone out on the unit. I sent out and took out the fuses and we ran to Lowes and bought a new set of heavy duty ones. I came back and put them in and the unit kicked on. Total cost about $12, I saved at least $69 for the service visit.