Intellectually undemanding

Isn't that just a nicer way of saying stupid?

My writing has been called many things. I have been called many things. But to be referred to as "intellectually undemanding" is a first for me.

I could look at it in the vein of my writing is easy to read, and comprehend. That I lay my thoughts out clearly, so that the reader doesn't have to struggle.

Or I could look at it as a slap in the face.

I haven't decided which way to go.

This is going to take some thought.

Which makes it intellectually demanding.

Namaste.

Finally back from the "Weekend From Hell". Or maybe, "Are You Trying to Kill Me?" weekend.

Saturday was a long one. 10 hours of work, and on the way home Pierce calls me and informs me that he had a blow out on the turnpike. He is laughing about it. While standing by the turnpike in the rain.

Dumb kid.

Got home and invited a friend over to watch Ohio State and Penn State. Chilled the beer, got out the Knobs Creek and glasses and settled in for what we both hoped would be a good game. My friend is a die-hard PSU fan, me I am a, eh, Ohio State fan. And I more than rubbed it in as OSU SPANKED! Penn State. Felt rather bad about how quiet my friend got. Almost.

Sunday early we had a cheerleading competition to go to. Like 7am early. It didn't feel good. After the competition we had lunch and then had to take The Princess to a football playoff. After that we had to pick up one of The Princess' friends who we were taking to Field of Screams.

Field of Screams is a haunted house attraction. It consists of a haunted hay ride, a haunted house, and a haunted mental asylum.

WWwwoooooooo.

I am not a fan of haunted anything. Let me get this out in front right away. So my mind set going to this attraction was lets do the least amount capable while fullfilling The Princess need to go and be frightened by people in masks.

We park in this big open field, and walk up to the cattle chutes that will lead us to the entrance. Once in line I had the option of mortgaging off my house, or selling all of my vehicles, mortgaging my house and cutting off my left leg. I chose the former, and The Princess chose the latter. Anything to make me spend more money, of course. Her thought process has always been why do only a couple of things when you can be where you are forever and do everything that is offered. Time has no relanvance to The Princess, or the fact that I have not gottem more than 5 hours of sleep over the last few days. She didn't understand that she was putting her life on the line.

We got our tickets and headed for the hay ride. After waiting in line we clambored aboard the wagon and off we went. I am not going to bore you with all of the details other than to say that one of the stops on the hayride had to do with bloody guys with chainsaws. Pierce is not a fan of this kind of behavior. His first experience had to do with a guy and a chainsaw. When the guys climbed aboard, Pierce just sat there looking straight forward with that "If I don't look at you, you don't exist" look on his face. I tried to find the story of his first scare on my other blog but I couldn't find it. Suffice it to say that he had the crap scared out of him when he was about 8 by a guy and a chainsaw at a haunted forest.

From there we went into the asylum, and then to the haunted house. It was a great time. Even I enjoyed it. Though I will be paying for it until next year. If you have the opportunity to go to one of these, it is a great place for a family with older kids, around the 10 year old and above age group. I wouldn't take any younger, though we did see kiddos who were being carried in line with us.

Namaste.

Don't look back, drive the car.

My work schedule has been majorly fubar this week. I work 10 hour days. Not a big deal, though I am on my feet moving most of the time. Building displays, moving displays, working at the cash registers. A hodge podge of activity. It is never boring.

I need to be at the store a couple of nights a week on a good week. This week, due to vacations and such, I have been scheduled to work 3 nights. My nights this week were Monday, Tuesday, and now Friday. Again, no biggie. Until you factor in the on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday I was scheduled to be at work at 7am. After being at work until 10:30 the night before. And with my hour drive each way.

Now that is where the fun begins.

At my advanced age I like to have a little bit of sleep. Around 7-8 hours does me well. Uninterrupted, if you please. But when I get out of the store late, drive home, get in the house, take the dog out for her walk, back in the house, change my clothes, and finally relax, it is around midnightthirty. Time just for a 5 hour nap, then back up, shower, dress, take the dog out, get in the truck, slam a cd in, and try not to run over any farmers.

So on weeks like this I don't get to see much of the family. On the nights when I close, they are in bed when I get home, and I usually sleep through their leaving in the morning. On the nights when I get home at 6, dinner is over, The Princess has to be somewhere to do something, and being the taxi pretty much shoots the evening.

I am so looking forward to next week...... I am on vacation. Pierce is coming in for a couple of days. We are planning to go to a haunted house which will be interesting. It is supposed to involve at least some clowns. Some clowns. I don't like clowns. With a passion. I discussed the reason why here.

After having the bejesus scared out of me by the Laugh Demons from Hell I am planning to brew a couple of batches of beer. I am looking at a nice hearty red ale, and another espresso ale. This is going to be a good week. Stop by, if you want to help. I can always use someone to help sanitize the buckets, and kibbutz.

Namaste.

Whiteline fever

Let's get the obvious statement out of the way in the first sentence. Well now, it is the third sentence. Driving in the country at night is different from driving in the city, or on an interstate.

Ok. Now on with our show...

Half a moon is shining through the wisps of clouds that are out tonight. You don't get to see the moon all that well driving in the city. It is only in the country with very little ambient light that you actually see the moons light reflecting off of the fields, and barns.

The air is really dry. The temperature cool. A perfect fall night, with just a tinge of ozone heralding a coming rain storm. The ozone is like a taste of iron on the back of your tongue, not unlike blood. Driving with the window down listening to David Crosby sing "Deja Vu". The bass turned up to the point where Dallas Taylors bass lines make your legs vibrate. A great song to be listening to driving through the farm fields, past the houses and barns.

Pushing the speed up just a little so that you get that tingle going over the little hills. Watching the telephone lines for reflected light so that you know when to turn your bright lights down for on coming cars.

"Helplessly Helping". Takes me back to the early 70's. Driving the country roads around Hartford, Michigan. Big moon overhead. Driving with the lights out. The radio blasting then was "The Eagles", Neil Young, CSN&Y, Molly Hatchet, Lynard Skynard, Creedence.

Must be the moon, the dry air, and the cool temperatures doing it to me.

Seems like 1975, but to me seems like heaven.

Namaste.

Hypocrites, you're all here for the same reason

My musical taste has evolved yet once again. Or should I say that it has regressed further. I am finding myself listening to a lot of Son Volt, The Jayhawks, Alison Krauss, Steve Earle, to mention just a few. I told you, I am feeding a 2 cd a day habit here.

Can't understand why the trip back in time to listen to all of this Alti/Country/Americana music. Lots of banjo, fiddle, harmonica and just absolutely freaking awesome words and singing.

I am loving this part of my ride.

The other drivers part is making me crazy.

Tonight I pulled up to a stop light. There was one car ahead of me, a Ford Big Ass Ugly Brown car with 3 passengers. The driver was an older gentleman, around a bazillion years old. His passengers were simple folk. Not that they had some mental defect, they were mennonite. The driver drove this poop colored tank at the speed of a snail. No wait. Slower. The speed of the price of gasoline going back down to $.99 a gallon.

How can anyone drive with any conscience at 15 miles below the posted speed limit. 20 in a 35 zone. What was he afraid of? The he would go around a corner too fast and his passengers bonnets would fly out the window? That if he hit 35 he would open up a portal to another dimension?

Makes me crazy.

Then there was the bubba in front of me cruising down the road at 45 until he saw his turn, and JAMMED on his brakes so that he could make the turn. On 2 wheels. Just about having my Toyota jammed up his tailpipe.

Dipweed.

Namaste.

Shut your mouth, I know what you are.

Why is it that I feel so superior when I listen to Peter Gabriel?

Is it that I think the locals I deal with on a daily basis just don't have the capability to get what he sings about?

Or is it the bass line?

I am thinking that it is the bass line. Especially in the song "Digging in the Dirt". My head just starts bouncing when that track hits my player. Or maybe I just need to turn down the volume a bit.

Driving and much as I do now, I am seeing some very interesting things on the road. Folks who don't find it necessary to go the speed limit. Either driving way above, or way below the limit. The latter are the folks who make even me crazy. I had a woman the other day who couldn't seem to be able to get her volkswagon up to 55 when we were in that stretch, but as soon as we hit section of 45 she was more than able to jack it up to 55. Still can't figure that one out.

Or the pickup truck driver who on Saturday night thought it was appropriate to tailgate me in a 40 mph zone when I was doing 50, and then when I let him go by he alternated between 50 and 35. Drunk is what I was thinking. Tried to stay way clear of that one.

Have been finding myself tailgated by a lot of moms lately. SUV's have become the mini-vans of the 2000's. And there are a lot of SUV's out there with dented fenders and scratched paint, evidence of decisions that went awry. Lots of kids being transported in those SUV's, being driven to and from their activities. At high rates of speed.

Don't get how you can be driving with no regard for your kids. MDW always tells me that it is because mom's have to get multiple places at times that are close together. Never saw that as an excuse to put your kids in danger. My kids have always been more important than being late, or not scheduling properly.

Just a thought.

Namaste.

Trancing like a cat on a hot tin shack

So. I have started my training program that will result in my running a 5k run next October with The Princess.

I am so proud.

In my typical, lets not rush into anything way too much, fashion I am walking around the block with Cerebus nightly. Don't laugh, this is way better than my typical nightly journeys with the hound. The usual jaunt would involve me putting her on a 100 foot line, taking her out into the park and standing there while she did what she needed to do. Now, at the very least, we are getting some aerobic benefit.

The plan is to work up to 2 blocks after 5 days, and then start timing myself and working towards lowering the time. By the beginning of November I will be jogging part of the walk and then by the beginning of December jogging the entire walk.

Stages folks, stages.

Don't want to hurry into this. After all I am half a century old, you know. And the last running I did was many years ago. Many years ago.

And that brings you up to date with me.

What's going on in your world?

Namaste.

Happy Halloween

Tonight was the 70 billionth Mechanicsburg Halloween Parade. No one I talked to can't remember NOT going to the parade when they were a kid. There were a few years in the 90's when they didn't have the parade, but since 1999 there has been fun on the streets of 'Burg.

It used to be that we went to the parade because the Princess was in it. As a cheerleader she walked with that group, and as a brownie she walked with that group. MDW or myself walked with her, with the other in the crowd cheering her on. This year she had a respite from the limelight. The Princess and a friend stood on the side lines and begged candy from every group that walked by. And they made out pretty well.

Even if it was raining. And thundering, with lightening. Not to mention that I was standing in the middle of the street with an umbrella. Did I mention the lightening?

Thought so.

We were rained on. Looked as really nice souped up cars. Had candy thrown at us. And a good time was had by all. Summer is over, Autumn is here.

Woo Hoo.

Namaste.

Read all about it.

So, there was this guy here in Pennsylvania who went out to get his sunday paper. It wasn't where it was supposed to be. He got mad. He got so mad that in his mad world he thought that it sounded reasonable that maybe his neighbor stole his paper.

I mean, after all, it IS THE PATRIOT NEWS. Who wouldn't want to steal a $1.75 newspaper from their neighbor on a Sunday morning? I know that I would. Not that I have, Mrs. G, I really haven't.

Back to our story. With the madness swirling round in his brain from the thought of his neighbor stealing his newspaper, our guy breaks into his neighbors house.

So follow along here. A $1.75 newspaper. Not where it is supposed to be. Escalated to breaking and entering. It gets better.

Neighbor B is sleeping. Neighbor A is in his kitchen. Neighbor B hears noises, and goes downstairs to find Neighbor A. A struggle ensues. And seeps out into the backyard. The police are called and seperate the neighbors. Neighbor A is taken back to his house where his missing newspaper is found in his kitchen.

What miscreant put that newspaper in the kitchen? Was it all a ruse to get into Neighbor B's kitchen? What is so special about Neighbor B's kitchen? Is it the color? The appliances? His bagel selection? Inquiring minds want to know.

This is what happens in Pennsylvania when we have a long stretch of hot, dry weather. People get weird. Weirder than usual.

Anyone seen my newspaper?

namaste.

Am I the son I think I am, am I the father I think I am, am I the man I wanna be

Chevy is the vehicle of America.

Ford is tough.

What is GMC? A little peckish?

And where is Toyota in this mess? Oh yes. Still running after 233,000 miles with a new stereo in it.

But I am running out of tunes. I have a whole cd commute both ways. That means I am having a 2 a day habit going on right now. Five days aweek. This is going to mean mondo purchases from rhapsody. And burning my own music. Technology is good.

Canada just celebrated their Thanksgiving on Monday. The Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated as a harvest/thanks for letting us survive thing. Quite unlike the US Thanksgiving which is celebrated as a thanks-for-letting-us-steal-your-land holiday. Good times in the Americas.

Autumn is finally coming to Central Pa., though the weather doesn't really show it. When most of us think of Fall we think of cool temps and falling leaves. Right now we have HOT temps, dry conditions and falling leaves. This weekend we are supposed to be getting cooler temps and rain, glorious rain. That will bring down the rest of the leaves and herald the coolness of Fall.

The Princess and I are finalizing our plans to go to the RenFaire. I am jealous that she gets to go with her class tomorrow. I wanted to go, and I am not pouting as much as it sounds.

Breakfast beckons.

Namaste.

Hey Mom

Yeah, I know that it has been awhile since we last talked. Not much has really happened since.

Life here is good. MDW is still working at the Middle School. Her and the Princess even share a couple of classes. How weird do you think that could be, having class with your mother?

The Princess is managing the cross country running team. This means that she hauls water from the school out to the practice field, and hands out water. Exciting isn't it? She got involved doing this because a couple of her buddies were doing it, and you know how she is with social activities.

Competition cheerleading starts in a couple of weeks. This year her team is going to a national competition in Philly. Hopefully I will be able to get that time off so that I can go.

I got moved to another store. You don't want to know why. Suffice it to say that it wasn't because I made everyone happy. Need we say more?

Tell Dave and Dennis said hey.

Gotta go.

I love you.

Me.

Namaste.

Got enough guilt to start my own religion

I love words. I love when someone puts words together in a new, resourceful way. Tori Amos is one of those folks. She weaves words beautifully.

A number of years ago I was going through my woman singer song writer phase and came across her music. My favorite line has always been, "Boy you best pray that I bleed real soon Hows that thought for ya".

I love that line. So succinct, and so powerful all in one breath. So much angst caught up in those letters.

Eddie Vetter is another wordsmith. Michael Penn. David Crosby, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, Loreena McKennitt , Nancy Griffith,and so many others that I haven't named.

Anyway, I was listening to Tori today and it started this trip in my head of those years ago, living in Columbus, Ohio wondering if I were crazy or sane.

I never did figure that one out. Not sure that I want to.

Namaste.

Mike Rowe.

Man of my dreams.

Not really.

Read more here: Out of my Mind.

Namaste.

You're a god, and I am not

A couple of bloggers I have been reading, specifically A Kitchen Bitch Ponders and Resident Alien, were talking about how everyone can write a truly wonderful blog and become instantly famous.

Even though I have followed their advice, I still am not famous.

At least outside of my own mind.

Which is very tired right now. Off to bed for me.

Namaste.