Why do I have to be clever right now?

Greetings from Tel Aviv, Israel

2011-04-09T13:42:00.009-04:00

Tel Aviv - Day 2

We landed in Tel Aviv yesterday around 1:00 PM local time. Apparently Friday is the worst day to land in Israel - Shabbat. The entire country is closed Friday at around 2:00 PM - Saturday until around 4:00 PM. Tomorrow will be the first day that we will really be able to go and see anything. We are planning on heading down to the Carmel Market - one of the largest local markets in the center of Tel Aviv. The big question on everyone's mind before I left was how safe is it? It's wierd. Tel Aviv is a very safe city - I feel more comfortable walking down the street at night in Tel Aviv than I do in some parts of downtown Indy. But, the lack of petty crime does not take away the idea that is always looming overhead - to the north about 75 miles, Syria is in the middle of a violent uprising; to the south west Libya is doing the same. Although there is not a great sense of "fear" it seems that everyone here is well aware that their life could be interrupted by violence at any given moment. So far, we have not had any problems...things have been great. However, there is always that thought of "what if." Once again, an international trip has made me even more grateful to live in the country that I do. These are fears that are unknown to me - we simply don't worry about them on a daily basis. To keep up with developments in the Middle East, I've been watching CNN world news - the top story...the looming shutdown of the American government. Our government looks like a bunch of rambling idiots to the rest of the world...and John Boehner still looks all plastic and creepy.

Jumping off my soap box...here are a few pictures that I took today. This is the Israli version of the Keebler Elf...and those things rock. I ate the whole bag. I don't know how many calories I ate, all that stuff is in Hebrew.

Picture of the Mediterranean from the balcony of the hotel.

Tel Aviv from the hotel balcony...these flats start at around $1 million US.

And at last...the US Embassy. It is right down the street from the hotel (about a 5 minute walk...or 30 second run it I had to).

That's all for tonight. I will try and get more pictures posted in the next day or so (internet connection is $20 a day).

Shout out to John

2009-02-08T22:20:00.003-05:00

So, it's been six months since "Operation Lady Lumps...the Sequal" and I have my follow up appointment tomorrow. I honor of this occasion, I decided to send a shout out to John...thanks for the shirt!

Hopefully, my second base isn't in jeopardy...

January 20, 2009 - The Big Day

2009-01-21T07:22:00.003-05:00

So, the big day arrived yesterday - the day when the Villiage Idiot went home (sorry Texas) and the new family moved in. I was in the middle of an ISO 14001 implementaiton meeting when the Inaguration of the 44th President of the United States was going on - I left the meeting (environmental aspects would still be around in 45 minutes - this was history).

For the first time in a long time, I think I'm actually a little bit excited about what is on the horizon for not only this country, but for the world. The heavens are not going to open and prosperity rain down upon all simply because we got a new President...I'm not that naive. But for the first time in, say...8 years, it finally feels like we have a plan - a plan to restore our good names within the world, and a plan to make some fundamental differences in the way we think, changes that are in line with the changing world that we live in. With that being said...wedding update.

Bachlorette party on Saturday night...don't have to wear a dress or heels - comfort zone heaven.

I'm not dead...

2009-01-07T13:30:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I have done a terrible job at keeping up on this blog - I knew that one day it would catch up with me. But to my defense, it was a rough semester...International Business with a group member who thought it was a good idea to plagiarize material for our group project, another who always told me that her part was done...something that I have yet to see to this day, one boy (and I call him a boy for a reason), who just didn't care and another guy who plead ignorance. All of this forced me to complete the entire group project on my own - report and presentation; couple that with Managerial Accounting...that's where I've been.

What about the Christmas break, you ask? I slept.

So now fastforward from September to the New Year! Woo Hoo! We now can sit and look forward to the "Changing of the Guard" on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and remember - ITS ALMOST OVER!

In a week I will be starting I - Core....the integrative core that the Kelley School of Business prides itself on, where the rubber meets the road, and the boys are separated from the men - it is the Navy Seals training for Kelley students. What this means over the next 16 weeks is a) I will not sleep (I have already given into that reality), b) I will not have a life (little bit harder to come to grips with - especially since I have become the drumming master on Rockband over the last 2 weeks), and c) I will emerge out of my house at the end of these 16 weeks all pasty white, cowering from the sun for I will not see it from January 12th until May. Yup, this is my reality.

One exciting and yet slightly disturbing note...on February 14th I will have the honor of being the Maid of Honor at my very best buddies wedding. Yes, you heard it correctly...the Maid of Honor. And yes, this means the bridesmaid dress (which I already have), the high heels (which I found a pair I can walk in...run if I had to), the hair up (I will no longer be a smart ass when trying on bridesmaid's dresses - that's what I got), and the makeup. He says I can change after an hour, she says no way...we will see who wins. So, from this day forward I will do my best to chronical this adventure until the big day.

Other than that, the time since September has been pretty quiet...and cold.

It's Saturday Night....

2008-09-06T20:52:00.002-04:00

So, it's Saturday night and I'm sitting here doing job order costing - riveting. I'm a bit behind on the homework that was "scheduled" for today since I spent most of the day over at my neighbors house helping him with his landscaping. I thought it would take a few hours - it took all day. Oh well, he is happy with the way it turned out.

The cat is gone - that worries me. Either it has decided to leave on its own, or its dead under my deck. I am strongly hoping it's not the later. That will really suck. I stil lhaven't replaced the Sea Monkeys...time is running out on me. Drew came over the other day - good thing he didn't ask about them; he was more interested in reading my text books (International Business - he's a strange kid that I think just likes to read). Then we went over his spelling words for the week. There are times when I can't believe he is 8 and I can't believe he can read and spell - and he is amazing at math.

Well, back at it...

Don't feed it...

2008-08-28T20:41:00.004-04:00

A few years ago I decided to build a deck - a really big, beautiful deck that I worked for six solid weeks on (with, of course, Michelle's help - she's good at the "thinking" part of building, I'm good at the 'pound nail here' grunt work part of building). Had I only known then what I know now.

It appears that my big, beautiful deck has become the new condo on the block for about every type of animal running around; most notably bunnies and toads. I have no problems with the toads, I actually like them. They eat the bugs that are in the grass and flower beds - they serve a purpose. I jsut have to watch out for them when I mow or trim the lawn. The bunnies serve no purpose - I don't like them living under my deck mainly because they eat my plants. In the spring, my poor lillies are leafless - just sticks with flower tops. I have tried many of things to get rid of the bunnies...throwing rocks at them, putting statues of owls in the flower beds (domesticated bunnies are smart...they didn't buy it), even putting human hair clippings in the flower bed trying to get them to go away. I have even entertained the idea of buying a paint ball gun. My thinking was that tagging them with a paintball wouldn't kill them, but hurt them really bad. Then they would be marked and that would serve as notice to all the other bunnies hopping around - go into that yard, get shot. Also, the deck would serve two purposes then - 1) for me to sit outside and enjoy summer, and 2) a strategic point where I could target and thus eliminate bunnies. Nature has a way of taking care of things...much to my dismay.

Last weekend, I was out in the backyard looking at the lawn and deciding where to water next. I heard it first...then I saw it climbing out from under the deck - a cat. Now, most people who know me understand that I am not a cat person. It's not that I dislike animals...I like animals...if the animal is not a cat. About the only other thing I hate worse than cats are snakes (for the obvious reasons). My first reaction was "oh, hell no...not under under my deck." Then, as I was standing there glaring at the cat, hoping it would pick up on my hateful vibes and leave, it decided that it liked me...and started rubbing against my legs. My first instinct was to punt it accross the yard like I was kicking the game winning field goal in the Super Bowl...then I saw the sores on its head. It appeared that this cat has been in a fight, and not seeing the other "thing" it was fighting with, it is hard to say if it won or lost; the sores just looked like they hurt. The other thing that became very apparent is that it was really skinny...sickly skinny. And then I had a moment of weakness...I fed it.

Now, my thinking at the time was that this cat is obviously living under my deck and it is obviously on its last leg. The last thing I want is a dead cat under my deck - it's hot and humid...not pleasant. So I figured, feed it so it doesn't die under my deck; it can stay in the backyard when I'm not there and leave when I am there. It has kept the bunnies away, so really what's the big deal; I guess I didn't mind as long as it kept its boundaries. One problem...I didn't fill the cat in on this plan; it has crossed its boundaries from the back yard to the front yard...and beyond.

This morning, at 4 AM, I opened up my garage door to leave for work only to see the cat sitting in the driveway, facing the garage door like it knew I was coming out...meowing like it was hungary. Tonight when I got home from work, I was coming in from getting the mail when I heard it...the cat meowing from the flower bed...like it was hungary. Tonight when taking a break from studying, I walked through the garage to go to the front yard to move the water...the cat was sitting in the garage like 'it' (don't know if it's male or female...and really don't care) owned the place. I am now being stalked by a stray cat. I walk out into the front yard, the cat is there; I open up the blinds in the house and look out the window - the cat is there; I walk out the back door - the cat is there. The cat is everywhere.

So, now I have a choice - bunnies or the cat. At least the bunnies didn't stalk me, and they didn't come in my garage. And instead of coming up to me when I went outside, they ran away at the first sight of me. But they did kill my plants (my poor little praying hands hostas barely made it last year) that I have spent hours upon hours loving. This will be interesting to see how all this works out...I fear to know what else is going on under my deck.

Collateral Damage

2008-08-23T16:23:00.002-04:00

I was right to worry about the Sea Monkeys....they're dead.

How is it possible that I killed Sea Monkeys? I followed the instructions on the packet...purified their water, fed them every 5 days (yes, Sea Monkeys have to be fed) and kept them warm...and yet, they still died.

Now I'm in the process of finding new Sea Monkeys before the kids figure out I killed these. It may not be right, but it is necessary.

Just catching up...

2008-08-20T21:03:00.007-04:00

Tonight I thought would be a good night to simply catch some things up...and after looking at the two syllabus' (or would that be "syllabi") it will probably be the last time I'll have a chance to "catch up" until, say...oh, I don't know...DECEMBER.

It's been almost three weeks since I had the pleasure of visiting "Happy Land" and have realized a few things. First, it really sucks that I am allergic to any type of pain medication that has any type of a punch to it - if it's not on the level of Extra Strength Tylenol, it can not go into my body (because it will come out of my body in a very violent and unpleasant manner). Second, although I want it more than anything and at times I believe I am - I am just not healed. Unfortunately, this comes with a reminder that is similar to the feeling of having a heart attack (I would imagine; I have never actually had a heart attack so I really have nothing to go off of here except what I would THINK having a heart attack would feel like). This reminder is generally done in the middle of the night - and if it could have an attitude, it would be something like "Do you like your vacuumed floor now?" On the positive, I am learning how to sleep through it which means a) it's not happening as often or b) I now have the pain tolerance of an elephant - I can't figure out which one it is yet. A one inch incision through the areola would be the technique I would use to interrogate prisioners...then I would make them vacuum. It is the most frustrating thing in the world not to be able to do the simplest of things - it's vacuuming, I wasn't trying to set a new world record for lifting dead weight. Asking for help is one of the hardest things that I can ever do - I hate it. It's hard to give up independence - even if only for a little while.

So when deciding my class schedule, I have managed to be pretty good at balancing the classes which take a lot of time with those that are just stupid, but yet required. I thought I did that this time...I was wrong. I knew I had to take Managerial Accounting which would be considered the time sucker hard class (since me and accounting get along like oil and water) and that International Business would be the "read-a-chapter-here-and-there-and-participate-in-class-discussions" type of class; really not a big deal. Yeah, not even close. It appears that BUS D301 International Business is where Macroeconomics and Business Administration collide...it is my own "Big Bang" theory. At the end of this collision, an analysis of the business environment that companies face when transnational firms do business in other countries is supposed to pop out - in the form of a business plan....done in groups. This small little project, on top of 10 papers, 5 exams, 4 little papers written on articles that I have to track down and an oral report on a current event that took place after August 1, 2008 - the Super Current Event. So, needless to say my first day of class was rather enlightening...and a little frightening...and painful; while in the congested hallway of the business building, I took a back pack to my right one which about brought me to my knees. Nothing like the feeling of when the corner of a text book meets a 2 1/2 week old surgical incision. But I waited to cry (and I only cried a little; I don't even know if it would classify as a "cry" more like a small tear similar to what happens when you stare at the sun too long) until I got outside - so I could blame it on the sun. I'm just really happy that the tape strips are still on to hold the freaking thing together.

So Jenn, I will do my best to keep up on my blog, but I can't make any hard promises. Right now, I fear for my plants...and my Sea Monkeys (they were a birthday present from the kids...I had to "grow" them). For now, I have to sleep...not because I'm overly tired at this particular moment, but because sleep is going to be moved to the list of "things that are nice to do" in another few days - trying to fill the tank.

Let the Games Begin....

2008-08-09T00:08:00.002-04:00

USA! USA! USA!

Pulled it off....

2008-08-08T14:40:00.003-04:00

And this is what I say to the "suspicious solid mass" (which the pathology has determined to be benign - I'm not quite sure what the actual medical term is for it, but in English, it was crap that couldn't stay) that once resided in me...

You may come and disrupt my life, make it inconvenient and down right painful at times, even scare the living crap out of me...but no way are you going to take what is mine away. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

OWIE.....

2008-08-07T17:33:00.003-04:00

OOOUUUCCCHHH......that's all I got.

My Edible Arrangement....

2008-08-05T22:29:00.004-04:00

Jenn is the best! Once again she sent me an edible arrangement after my surgery. This all started last year when Jenn and myself had the belief that my Mom would love one of these for Mother's Day and Brett thought that it wasn't "practical." Brett won the argument and my Mom didn't get one (I can't remember what "practical" thing she ended up getting). But we never really forgot about the Edible Arrangement....

A day after surgery (last year) there was a knock at the door and a delivery boy standing there with this....

It was the best thing anyone has ever sent to me.

When I found out that I was having surgery this time around, at first I just got mad - after all, I had midterms that day, finals were coming up three weeks later, work is busy and hectic...and all I wanted to do was one fun thing during the two and a half weeks I had off between semesters - this is not my idea of a fun thing.

The one pleasant thing that entered my mind, the thing that made all this seem better was the Edible Arrangement. And again this year, Jenn did not let me down.

A day after surgery there was another knock at the door with a delivery boy standing there with the Edible Arrangement. I tried to get an actual picture of it, but the minute Michelle and Judi saw it - they started eating. Everybody loves the Edible Arrangement.

But Jenn, I did get this picture for you...I am eating the marshmellow filled strawberries (sounds wierd, but I would kill for them) that are the best (while holding a pineapple daisy on a stick).

Thanks again Jenn and Brett - it still is the best thing anyone has ever sent me! (and yes, that is Grandma in the background...drying out my stainless steel sink - she hates water spots just as much as I do).

My Time in "Happy Land"

2008-08-04T12:24:00.003-04:00

This surgery was a little different than the last, for this time around, the Anesthesiologist rocked.

The beginning of surgery went much like it did last time - I was wheeled into the very cold operating room, had my arms strapped stretched out and strapped down execution style, and had the even colder blood pressure monitor stuck to my thigh. All was pretty close to the same, until the Anesthesiologist came in. This time around, the IV didn't burn at all...in fact I wasn't sure that what he was giving me was even working...until I went into "Happy Land." This was the first time that this ever happened. I have never been an advocate for the use of illegal (even legal) mind altering drugs - I hate drugs...I have never seen anything positive come out of their use and I have never used mind altering drugs for this reason. But I must say, the 5 minutes that the Anethesiologist allowed me to "linger" in happy land...was flat out awsome. For this 5 minutes, I really didn't care about anything...in fact, the only thing I did care about was the bright lights above me getting brighter. I didn't even care when the nurse ripped the "pre mark" (which was a little round band aid) off my very sensitive area. The last thing I remember was that I was telling the good doctor that they really needed to sell this stuff in little vials in the gift shop...this would be their biggest seller. Then I heard a very faint "nighty night" from behind me. Yes, through this whole thing...that was the best part of it.

So, the "suspicious solid mass" looks benign...and the surgery went well - he got it all. The incision is about the same size as last time - so now I have a wink and a smile...or a half crescent moon. I'm wrapped up in an ace bandage (the girls can't move at all) and I'm just on the waiting game for the pain to hit...that should come in the next day or so. That's when the little vials of the "margarit cocktail" from the gift shop would come in handy.

Me, the Surgeon & Batman...

2008-07-31T19:06:00.004-04:00

Operation Lady Lumps...The Sequel kicks off tomorrow morning. This time around, being a little more acquainted with my surgeon...as well as not scared out of my mind about what the heck was growing inside me...I decided to lighten the mood a bit in the operating room...I am quite possibly the coolest patient the doctor's office has ever had....

215 minutes...

2008-07-31T11:43:00.002-04:00

I am now 215 minutes away from the end of E202 Macroeconomics...game on.

What the.....

2008-07-26T13:44:00.006-04:00

This weekend started out with me and my "list" of things to get done...primarily my "list" of things to study for my macroecon final this Thursday. I was just sitting here plugging away at the extra credit assignment that I need to turn in (it is always a good idea to do extra credit in ECON courses) when I decided to go and get the mail. Flipping through the mail, I see that I have something from Medical Cost Management Corporation...and I think "what the..."

It appears that "Operation Lady Lumps....the Sequel" has been under review by my insurance company. I thought to myself "why in the world would they have to review the fact that I have a solid mass, and I have a SURGEON telling me "yeah, that needs to come out." This just makes me mad. Luckily, the insurance company has determined that "Based on the information provided by your physician and/or facility our review found: The proposed surgical procedure(s) is/are medically necessary...." Well, good on them! I'm glad that a bunch of insurance "people" sitting in an office has found it necessary for my surgeon to remove the "suspicious solid mass" that has taken residency in my right breast. The insurance company is calling it a "breast unc behav neopl." What in the hell is that? I wish medical diagnosis could be done in English. If I were writing this letter is would read like this:

Dear nervous patient,

We had to review your docto'rs request for surgery because there are too many dumb asses out there that decide it is a good idea to sue for the smallest little things, or just decide that they are always sick, thus taxing the resources of the health care industry. This in turn causes good doctors, such as yours, to carry an excessive amount of malpractice insurance and / or charge excessive rates to keep those with "ghost" illinesses in check. Unfortunately, the doctor's pass these additional costs onto the patient and because the patient relies on us, the Insurance Company, to absorb a large percentage of this financial burden, we have to review all the "expensive" requests to determine if we are going to pay for them or not. If you would like to see this practice of the insurance company making medical decisions on your behalf come to an end, help us seek out the above mentioned dumb asses and beat the shit out of them - let's give them a reason to sue or go to the doctor.

We have some good news for you! We, nurses, clerical staff and a few "doctors" agree with your Surgical Breast Oncologist, who has over 20 years experience, that the "suspicious solid mass" can not stay. As far as we can tell, the medical lingo basically says "yup, the girl needs surgery."

So relax as much as you can knowing that after the 11 years you have been paying us premiums, we are more than happy to absorb 80% of this cost.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and limited follow up visits,

Your Insurance company

Okay, done with that rant...I have no idea why that made me so mad. Now it is onto the consumer price index....

Guess How Old Michelle Is?

2008-07-15T21:39:00.008-04:00

If Michelle saw this she would be really mad. I guess I best watch myself...that day is knocking on the door for me...although it just doesn't feel like it.

I wasn't really sure what to do for Michelle's 40th birthday. I know it is like a rite of passage and all that, but it just seemed really wierd to even be talking about 40, let alone turning 40. Michelle isn't one for big parties, so I was stuck...then Judi rescued me. So what did we do for Michelle's 40th...

We had a black party...small, but effective.

All in all, I think that our birthday this year was the best ever. We didn't "do" anything...we were just together...

And the Party Begins...

2008-07-15T21:14:00.009-04:00

Having birthdays in the middle of the week kind of sucks...especially when one is getting older. So our birthdays came and went pretty uneventful. So on Thursday night when I got home, much to my suprise I found this...

It was an excellent suprise...unexpected. We haven't done anything like this in years. Michelle, with the help of the kids, Judi and some "elves" had planned the big suprise right under my nose - I had no idea. This was cool....

This was way cool....

Yes, I am 37 years old and I got Rock Band for my birthday...and I don't care. After all, my uncle was a big Frogger fan for a long time. Because I had midterms a day after my birthday, it was decided to put of the big present until they were over...something about me playing instead of studying. Probably a good move because we immediately played...

And here we are...Judi on lead vocals, Michelle (aka "Slash") on lead guitar and myself on drums. At first we thought "no big deal, how hard can it be?"

Really hard...I have never felt more uncoordinated in my life. I have a whole new respect for drummers.

Michelle's big day was just around the corner....

One Big Week...

2008-07-15T20:59:00.010-04:00

The big week started last Wednesday, July 9th. Date sound familiar? Yup, it was mine and Michelle's birthday. We both had the day off of work - my plan was to study for my mid-term on Thursday, and Michelle was going to work on her garage. Well, we didn't do any of that; I opened my Macroeconomics book and Michelle walked through her garage - that's it. We didn't really do anything in particular...just hung out.

We did have a small celebration after I got out of class with some little cakes, and a few presents.

And we still lick the candles after they come out of the cake...and we still get burned by hot wax.

Little did I know...this was the beginning...

One Big Milestone

2008-06-30T07:35:00.002-04:00

It was a big milestone for the Jetta this last weekend....

She's already had her 200,000 mile (very expensive) tune up and she's running like a champ. If all goes right, in another 4 years, she'll have 300,000 miles...

ECON 270...Last week!

2008-06-08T01:20:00.003-04:00

So, it is now 1:21 AM and I just finished the 46 problems that I had to do tonight before midnight. I did get an extension until tomorrow (which is technically today) since I missed the last two chapters (in St. Paul for work) and I have had to teach myself Statistical Inference: Estimation and Hypothesis Testing. I have been working on the hypothesis part now since about 2:00 this afternoon. I don't know if it should take that long - right now, I feel retarded.

Drew did come over this afternoon about 5 and offer to help me. He read me the chapter instructions which went a lot like "this thing, minus this thing equals this thing, minus this thing equals this thing...Nannon, this doesn't make any sense." That's when I had to explain to him what the symbols meant. Then I caught myself explaining to a 7 year old what inferential statistical symbols meant; a little wierd, but I think he liked it...he just kept asking questions and telling me what he thinks the symbols should mean. I think that what he got out of today's lesson was that a hypothesis was an educated guess and hypnosis is something that puts a person to sleep (he kept calling hypothesis, hypnosis)...and a copy of the Chapter 6 lecture notes...he wanted them.

After the semi - cumulative final on Thursday, I can say goodbye to ECON E - 270 Stat Theory in Econ and Business and check this pre-core class off my list...happy day!

Tornado Alert...first one of the year

2008-06-03T13:53:00.005-04:00

Last Friday we had our first "a tornado is coming, take cover now" event. Some family members have asked what we do in the case of a tornado warning (a warning is when a tornado has actually hit the ground, a watch is where conditions are favorable...Maggie, I figured that you would need this; it took me years to figure out the difference). This last event, Jewie brought a camera and took pictures.

First off, this is what was coming...see the red - that's bad.

I had 90 minutes to get the house cleaned before the red was over Brownsburg...I didn't make it. The kids freaked out at home (Drew watches the weather like a hawk when it gets bad). The kids made the decision to head over to Nannon's and hide in the basement. Probably a good idea....

Because the red got bigger.

So to answer the question, what do we do in a tornado?

Michelle and the kids sleep, I sit and watch the TV and drink coffee and Jewie takes phots of us doing all of that. We basically do nothing...but sit and wait. The other side of the basement is the "dark side." That is where the stairs are. If it gets really, really scarry we cram ourselves in there...I don't really know why, but we do. If anybody wants some birthday suggestions, I think a 72 hour kit would be nice.

So that's it...the exciting life of "take cover now."

My Nephew....he's a fast learner

2008-05-21T21:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a big mile stone for my little 7 year old nephew, for yesterday he completed his first in school suspension. Yes, he has achieved this great "rite of passage" much earlier than those who went before him. Most of his blood relatives waited until at least the 5th grade before being locked in a room for an hour with the principal - but he wasted no time and got right to it in the first grade.

He is not happy about this and doesn't like to talk about it, which is hard to do anyway without me wanting to crack up (not appropriate when talking about serious things like in school suspension in the first grade), but me...I'm proud of him for being such a fast learner. He has now got this out of the way...nothing left to distract him from school for the rest of his elementary years. Oh yes, he is gifted.

His mother, what does she say? She is just glad that there is only two days left of the school year.

My ever so long hiatus....

2008-05-16T18:10:00.006-04:00

It took me a second to figure out how to spell hiatus - thank you Bill Gates for spell check.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind...I've been flat out like a lizzard drinking (flashback from my days down under). With work and starting the new semester, I haven't had a minute to think...let alone blog (sorry Jenn, sleep comes before blogging any day of the week). I took today off of work to just get caught up on life which I sucked at because I spent the entire day doing stats. Which reminds me - for the next 5 weeks that is what I am going to be doing...stats; crap like this: σ² = ∑(x-μ)²f(x). Which, truth be told it isn't all that difficult, more tedious and time consuming than anything - I just use it to make people think I'm smart and that I have mastered the use of symbols in Excel.

The other day I heard a radio personality make a comment that just cracked me up for about 35 miles - he said that because of the rise in gas prices (which is now $3.95 a gallon in Indy), the middle class will be putting all of their EXTRA money in the tank. This cracked me up so much because to me, the word "extra" implies that you have something that you weren't planning on using or just don't need. For instance, put money into a vending machine and get two candy bars...you have an "extra" candy bar; sit down at a table to eat and you have two plates, you have an "extra" plate. Now this may just be me, but I have never had any "extra" money; I have never in my life looked at my bank account and said " Oh look, I have "extra" money. I wasn't on planning on having it and I'm sure I really don't need it; I should just find somebody who wants it and if I can't find anybody, I'll just throw it away." No, this is not a thought that I have ever had; those thoughts are more along the line of "No way, I made a mistake in my checkbook? Good, there is another bit of money I can use for this other thing."

This cracks me up so much because this is the phrase that all the politicians and the people who are supposed to know what the hell is going on use - extra money. Well, I can guarentee you that if you make under $100K a year, you don't have "extra" money. Gas prices aren't cutting into the "extra" money of the middle classs, it is cutting into the budgeted money of the middle class. We now have choices to make between, unfortunately, things we need. I know that I have cut way back on groceries because of gas...and I haven't been to Starbucks in almost a month (I think that's why I'm so grumpy about this; my Starbucks money wasn't "extra" money...it was designated for Starbucks...now it's designated to go into my tank). I have no problems with businesses making money, that's what they are there for. What I do have a problem with is that as soon as one industry has so much finanical power it begins to cripple the infrastructure of the middle class (which keeps an economy rolling), it's time to stand up and say enough. I know that the economy is not simplistic, it's more like a big ball of yarn with things that effect other things in ways that I'm sure I don't understand. But I do know that if goods such as gas keep rising to the point where it severely impacts other areas of the economy that is dependent upon the middle class, we are in for a rude awakening as a "Super Power."

Okay, jumping off my soapbox...now I"m going to scrub toilets.

Day 3...Wisconsin

2008-05-07T20:53:00.002-04:00

Day three of Wisconsin...I have had enough cheese to clog even the heartiest of colons. Two more days and back home.

I saw on the news that Obama took North Carolina and Clinton took Indiana. So, again, a dead tie. Now it's off to West Virginia (I think). The Dems are calling Hillary to back out, she says "No way, mamma didn't raise a quitter" and now they're fighting for Super Delegates.

My first question to this is what exactly makes a delegate "super?" Are they "super" in size...really big delegates, are they "super" because they are meaner than the rest of the delegates...super mean, or are they "super" because they are so old that they have just simply earned that title?

I really wonder what this country is really ready for - a minority President or a woman President (I think that poor John McCain doesn't have a fighting chance...the Village Idiot has destroyed the reputation of the Republican party). Or I wonder if this country is just simply ready for somebody, anybody, who will stand up and act like they have some sense.

No matter what happens, the 8 year curse of the idiot is almost over so we can get this country back on track....

6 days of bliss...not so much

2008-05-05T20:52:00.004-04:00

So, two weeks ago I was sitting in New Zealand...today, it's Wisconsin - talk about extreme opposites!

Again, I'm back on the road just livin' the dream. I so looked forward to spending 6 entire nights at home getting things around the house caught up, then duty called. Now, I'm sitting in a hotel room wishing I would have remembered my charger for my computer (this will be short and sweet...I have 2 hours left on my battery), and thinking about all the stuff that I didn't get done before the start of the new semester - frustrating.

Such as life...

6 days of bliss...

2008-04-30T19:23:00.002-04:00

Happy day! I just got my last paper for this semester turned in...now I have 6 days of bliss until the next semester starts...business stats, riveting.

For now...I sleep

How can it possibly be April 29th?

2008-04-29T22:23:00.004-04:00

So, I got back from the world Down Under about two weeks ago and I've been non stop ever since. I wanted to post a final "wrap up" to my postings from Australia, but with trying to cram 3 weeks of school into one week (finals week nonetheless), sales meetings at work, 2 weeks of lawn growth (it was frosty when I left...then Scott's came...and then the lawn grew...imagine my suprise), oh yeah...my internal body clock had been flipped over by about 14 hours...days are nights and nights are days...I just haven't had the opportunity to sit down and wrap it up.

So, this is my wrap up:
Australia: I think the kangaroo is a myth, but Vegamite is not; I know that Aborigines (I so know that is right because I checked it) are real because not only did I see their artwork, I bought a boomerang from one; the Australian coast is breath taking...especially at 100 MPH; Barack Obama seems to be the favorite not because of his position on the issues, but because he is new; the Sydney Opera House is impressive in pictures, it is spectacular in person; things are expensive, but the wages compensate for it; there are social issues, but none that involve guns; the Coriolis effect is real, but not in toilets; and I left a piece of me behind...my beloved hair dryer. Every time I travel to new places, I stop and ask myself "Could I live here?"...I could so live there...

April 21 - Heading Home

2008-04-20T19:01:00.002-04:00

It's 9:00 AM Sydney time...sitting in the airport (found free internet connection) and now just waiting to make the 13 hour and 10 minute flight to LAX...I get to LAX before I leave Sydney - wierd...it's not a plane but more like a time capsule.

Michelle, don't forget about me at the airport...4:30 in Indy....

April 20 - Sydney

2008-04-20T07:52:00.006-04:00

By the time I landed in Sydney, got to the hotel and ventured downtown...it was dark. I decided to "see" the city by taking the train into downtown...big mistake. The train runs through tunnels underneath Sydney...I saw Australian metal and subway tunnels. They really should call it a subway, not a train.

I ended up getting off the train at Circular Quay station at the warfs. Walking up the warf a bit, I turned a corner and saw this...

It was absolutely breath taking...

I don't think the pictures do the view justice.

Now who could go to Sydney and not take pictures of the Opera House...

I have more pictures that I will post later on...this internet connection is .50 a minute (no such thing as free internet down under).

In about 12 hours I'll be heading home....bit of glad and sad all mixed together...

April 19 - The Footy

2008-04-20T07:44:00.003-04:00

Tonight I went to my first (and only) Australian Rules football game – otherwise known as the “Footy.” The game appears to be a blend of multiple games – rugby, volleyball, basketball football, and soccer. Here’s how it breaks down:

The ball – it looks like an American football and a rugby ball mated. It is shaped like an American football, without the points on the end, but the ends are not as round as a rugby ball.

Basketball influence – The game starts with something similar to a jump ball. The center of the field is painted like the center of a basketball court. But, instead of throwing the ball up in the air, it is bounced on the ground creating the jump ball. When the players get the ball, they can’t just take off and run with it down the field; they have to bounce the ball off the grass every 30 meters or so.

Volleyball influence – instead of just passing the ball such as in rugby, the players have to hold the ball in one hand and pop it on its end with the other hand; something that is very similar to an underhand serve in volleyball…while they are running for their life.

Rugby influence – they beat the shit out of each other. No pads and no helmets on grass. They kick the ball while running…and sometimes they kick other people.

American football influence – there are goal posts…that’s it.

(goal posts)
Soccer influence – they run a lot…and the field is huge. They never stop running.

(the field)

Basic rules – passing the ball can either be done by the “volleyball” pass, or by kicking it to another player. If the ball is passed, the players are free game – they then get the shit knocked out of them (Aussie’s call this a tackle). If the ball is kicked and they catch it without it being tipped or bounced off the ground, they can’t be “tackled.” It is good to catch the ball. If the ball is kicked through the skinny goal posts, the team scores 6 points (also known as a goal) if the ball goes through the goal posts that are farther apart, it is worth 1 point (known as a score). The strangest thing, there are guys that can run in and give plays from the coaches while the game is being played…they just have to watch out that they don’t get smacked in the process.

All in all, the game moves quickly and is fun to watch….and there are hot dogs and fries.

Friday, April 18th

2008-04-18T07:40:00.005-04:00

And so it has come to an end (almost). This was the last working day with George and the group at Graphic Art Technologies. After seeing one last customer this morning, gathering all the notes on the customer visits, and putting together the follow up items,

We took a group photo and said our goodbyes. But not before we secured chicken chips for the US group. Yes, chicken chips are on their way. There has been an international trade agreement made - chicken chips for Ding Dongs. It's the little things in life.

George, Con, Tony, Lou and Dorianne give their best to Nor-Cote US.

6 days...

2008-04-15T04:15:00.001-04:00

Six days in Australia...and still no kangaroos. I think it's a myth.

Priceless....

2008-04-13T05:21:00.008-04:00

For all the things that I have had the opportunity to do while employed with Nor-Cote, nothing has yet proved to be more awe inspiring than seeing this

In these....

The Boxter, the Benz and the Southern Australian Coast....Priceless.

South Bank - Melbourne

2008-04-12T20:20:00.006-04:00

Last night everybody from Graphic Arts got together and went to dinner at Greko a Greek restaurant on the South Bank in Melbourne. The South Bank is where most Australians would consider to be the "trendy" part of Melbourne.

Here we are at dinner...from left to right, Dorriane, Rose, me Sofia and Vickie.

And the guys...Con.George, Lou and Tony...this picture was taken after two very small, but very powerful Mohjitos (yes, the Mohjito has made it Down Under).

Outside the restraunt, there are these towers that shoot flames out every hour...similar to the water show in Vegas.

There's the flame towers and a shot of the South Bank at night.

After dinner we went to a club (I didn't get any pictures in there...it was very dark). One thing I did notice is that Aussies can't dance. It was suprising, but true.

All in all it was a good night. We went out, had a good time and didn't get stupid.

Their choice

2008-04-12T20:12:00.004-04:00

If Australians could vote...this would be their guy

Bad News...

2008-04-12T05:17:00.003-04:00

There are no bloomin' onions in Australia...just like General Tzo's chicken doesn't exist in China. What a pisser....

Downtown Melbourne

2008-04-12T03:29:00.008-04:00

After dropping off George and Sofia's kids at grandmas house, from left to right, me (obviously), George, George's mom, his younger brother, Danny, Sammy and Marina. Best greek food in Australia lives here.

Then we hit downtown Melbourne and the Victoria Market. To those who have been at Pike Street in Seattle, it looks a lot like that.

Here I am at Victoria Market...

And here are some shots of downtown Melbourne...

Tonight is South Bank...on the river.

Day 5 in Australia...

2008-04-11T08:41:00.002-04:00

I've been in Australia for 5 days...haven't seen a kangaroo...but today I ate one (just a bit of one, not a whole kangaroo) and it doesn't taste like chicken. It tastes more like lamb...not bad.

April 11 - Canberra, Australia

2008-04-11T08:01:00.008-04:00

Just now landed back in Melbourne after spending the day with a customer in Canberra, the capital of Australia. We had a few hours to kill in between seeing the customer and going to the airport; the customer decided that since we were in the capital, we were going to see the capital.

We went to Capital Hill where the Australian Senate and House of Representatives is located - it is the equivalent of our Washington DC.

Tony from Bottles of Australia was more than excited to take us into Parliment and show us around.

Parliment (me and Tony from Bottles of Australia)

Inside the Senate...

Inside the House of Representatives (and George)

Lastly...

The Embassy...taken through a window in a moving car with Embassy guards starring me down.

Tomorrow were hitting downtown Melbourne for some shopping and to get together with the group from Graphic Art Technologies....

Taking over the world...

2008-04-10T06:06:00.004-04:00

I have decided that the Chinese are simply taking over the world. Here's my theory: They have multiplied to the point that China can no longer hold all of the inhabitants...and they have started spilling over to other parts of the world. Even here in the Land Down Under, the Chinese population is growing rapidly. Even at this hotel, I wonder if I am in Australia or in China.

April 10 - Melbourne, Australia

2008-04-10T04:09:00.003-04:00

HAPPY DAY! I am in a room now that has a hair dryer AND a diffuser...George was quick to point that out. Me and my hair have been lucky - it has cooperated and I don't look like Tina Turner. It's all going to get better from here. I blew out my hair dryer back in Auckland and finally said goodbye to it this morning. I have no idea why I kept packing it around...I had an emotional attachment to it.

Finally, I am in a room that I will be staying in for the rest of my trip - no more packing, unpacking and packing again.

This is the view from the room...it's hard to see, but downtown Melbourne is on the other side of Hobson Bay.

Tomorrow we are off to Canberra the capital of Australia...I am hoping to get some good pictures there and of Melbourne this weekend. So far the only photo oportunities that I have had have been from a moving car on the interstate.

April 9 - Melbourne, Australia

2008-04-09T04:12:00.004-04:00

Melbourne, Australia from the Hobson bridge (I think). This picture was taken at a high rate of speed in a car...the city kind of looks like Atlanta. I will be getting better pictures this weekend. One of the best things about Australia...

Chicken chips....

April 8 - Christchurch to Melbourne

2008-04-09T04:04:00.005-04:00

The airport in Christchurch...The City of Sails (the only sail I saw was this one)

This is flying over the big mountain in New Zealand...I did not have a window seat and I pissed off the girl sitting in the window seat...but I got the shot.

I killed it...

2008-04-09T03:59:00.002-04:00

It's dead...evidently, the transformer I got is rated to 1600 watts and my super powerd American hair dryer is 1875 watts...there was a spark, a small puff of smoke and then it was dead...one day after I arrived.

April 7 - Christchurch, New Zealand

2008-04-09T03:43:00.005-04:00

Finally, a minute to update the blog postings...a little late, but done nonetheless.

This is Christchurch, New Zealand...and the hotel. Does it suprise anybody that Lord of the Rings was filmed in this part of the world? I think the whole area is part of Lord of the Rings.

The stay in Christchurch was very short...one thing I did notice is the price of gas.

In case it's hard to see, gas here is $1.79 a liter...there are 4 liters to a gallon...which makes gas here about $7.00 a gallon (with the conversion to US dollars). Yeah, we need to quit bitching. Another thing I noticed, everything is really expensive down here. For instance, a 20 oz bottle (or rather a 600 ml bottle) of Diet Coke is $3.20 New Zealand...which is about $3.00 US. I would go broke down here (can't find Diet Mountain Dew...PepsiCo is sucking at marketing in this part of the world.

April 6, 2008 - Auckland, New Zealand

2008-04-06T02:08:00.010-04:00

Day 1: Landed in Auckland International Airport at 5:00 AM local time with ALL my bags. I believe that Qantas is my new favorite airline - personal video monitors, real airline meals (well, as real as an airline can provide), little socks and hot towels...all this in coach. These things are reserved for Business Class on US carriers. I would highly recommend this airline for flying to this part of the world.

After a quick 2 hour nap, I decided to hit downtown Auckland...which I found to be really small. With map in hand, I hit the highlights of Auckland which included the city tower. 192 meters in the air, it has incredible views of Auckland Harbor. Yes, I did go up the tower - I swallowed my fear of heights and took the trip up the GLASS FRONT elevator to the observation deck. I scared the hell out of me, but I did it. Knowing how much I hate heights, these pictures are a big damn deal...this tower is even higher than the Space Needle (which I have always refused to go up).

Hour 14 of 29...THIS is the International terminal at LAX?

2008-04-04T21:00:00.004-04:00

The Bradley International Terminal at LAX SUCKS! One would think that it would be really, really nice...and have things...I don't know...like plugs available. Secondly, I haven't been able to find a bottle of Diet Mountain Dew or Diet Coke since I left Indianapolis - I'm freaking parched. It's a good damn thing I brought my own snacks...I probably would have starved to death by now.

I have finally found two plugs...one for the phone and one for the computer...I am stuck in a little hole in the wall that is very drafty...so I'm freezing. I think these are the only two plugs in this entire area...which is currently under construction so that the fine people of LAX can bring a "futuristic concourse." I hope their future includes plugs...and Diet Coke. The International terminal in Mexico had Diet Coke...and plugs.

Now I'm happy I was stuck in baggage claim for 6 hours...at least they had plugs in a warm place, and a Starbucks. Right now I don't know what would be worse...flying out of Minneapolis/St. Paul and being on an airplane for 16 solid hours, or connecting through LAX and spending time in this airport...it's almost 6's.

2 hours before boarding...my stuff will be charged but I will very likely be frozen....

Bradley International Terminal

2008-04-04T18:02:00.003-04:00

I found the international terminal...it would be a long way away from terminal two. I think I have circled LAX. Both bags have been checked to my final destination (Auckland, New Zealand) and I have finally got a chance to eat.

At hour 11 of 29, things are looking good. It is now time to finish some things up for school, get that out of the way, hit the duty free and start watching for the "rich and famous."

Business Travel

2008-04-04T15:29:00.004-04:00

Hour 8 of 29...in LAX baggage claim waiting for Bag # 2...

Two went in...one came out

2008-04-04T15:06:00.004-04:00

So...it is the beginning of my journey down under. It is now 12 Noon local time in LAX - I have been in baggage claim since 9:00 this morning waiting for my second bag...the one with all my toiletries, shorts and shoes. I think this bag is jinxed...this is the same one that arrived from Denver a day after the others over Christmas. I think while in Australia, I will replace this bag with one without any bad ju ju. Hopefully, the bag arrives at 1:30 and I can head over to the International Terminal at LAX...I wonder where the International terminal is....

Getting the lingo down...

2008-03-31T20:44:00.005-04:00

Since I will be spending 17 days Down Under, I thought it would be appropriate to brush up on the local lingo; no need to make a fool of myself. These are some of the more useful phrases and words that I could find:

a bit more choke and you would have started
misc:- a statement said to somebody who has just passed wind in public rather loudly

back of Bourke
noun:- a long way away from wherever you are, specifically inland and away from civilisation. Bourke is an inland town, hence...

banana bender
noun:- a resident of Queensland, perhaps a little derogatory

cheesed off
adjective:- very annoyed

duck's guts
noun:- the heart of the matter, the basic information required without the unnecessary waffle.

easy on
misc:- a request for someone to calm down in a heated moment.

flat out like a lizard drinking
phrasal verb:- extremely busy and under pressure from work.

get nicked
noun:- an exclamation of contempt, or to get caught in the act.

Figjam
"F*ck I'm good; just ask me". Nickname for people who have a high opinion of themselves.

Good onya
good for you, well done

Gutful of piss
drunk, "he's got a gutful of piss"

Nun's nasty, as dry as a
dry

Piss
beer. Hence "hit the piss", "sink some piss"

Piece of piss
easy task

Squizz (noun)
look - "take a squizz at this"

Whacker, whacka
Idiot; somebody who talks drivel; somebody with whom you have little patience; a dickhead

And last....

Root (verb and noun)
synonym for f*ck in nearly all its senses: "I feel rooted"; "this washing machine is rooted"; "(s)he's a good root". A very useful word in fairly polite company.

http://www.aussieslang.com/slang/australian-slang-h.asp (Don't want to plagerize)

I think I am destined to make a fool out of myself...or wait, would that be a "whacker?"

I think I have a drinking problem....

2008-03-30T17:06:00.003-04:00

Seriously, I walked into my bedroom and this is what I found. I either have a drinking problem or a cleaning problem....

My first posting

2008-03-29T23:18:00.003-04:00

Well, here it is...my first blog. I guess this is what happens when we "outgrow" MySpace. Jenn was the one who wanted me to start a blog. I guess a full time job, business school and running a household just wasn't enough to keep me occupied - I need to blog. Okay, so the household is one person and a few plants...I guess I do have some extra time on my hands.

Jenn told me that I have "clever" stuff to say - I hope that I do not disappoint. I do have a lot of opinions and maybe it would be better for me to share them here, rather than share them with people who may not ask for them, but get them nonetheless.

This will also kick off "Operation Aussieland." I will be leaving Indianapolis and heading to the world Down Under on April 4th (on business). Making no promises, I will do my best to capture as much as Australia and New Zealand that I can. I will do my best because Jenn threatened to call at $1.29 a minute (with the "international calling plan") and text at $.50 each.

Signing off for now...I still have a lot of stuff for school to get done tonight (which I did this before I did school stuff - I did it for you, Jenn).