Sunday parables

Short but busy week.

I've been trying to fight off a cold for two weeks without much success. I tried to cowboy up and fight it off without any meds but finally resorted to getting some Sudafed Friday to see if I can dry out. Really sucks being sick. Haven't run in two weeks and I am feeling the effects. Now that the meds have kicked in, I am feeling a bit better. Not 100% but definitely better. Was able to get out an mow the yard yesterday and even gave the dog his first bath. He was better behaved than Shadow, but still did not enjoy the experience. (Note to self: Grayson has way more hair than previous dog - takes much longer to dry. Take him outside to shake off).

Junior is settling in in Seattle as an intern employee of the evil empire (Microsoft). Got a great apartment next to the campus and has already bought a bike to get around town/work. He is still trying to figure out the routine, but, he has a definite plan on what he wants to do. He has a very bright future and is on a track to be a success. Of all my fears/concerns/angst I have had in my life, one of my bigger ones has been is if he will succeed in life. It's one of those nagging fears that parents sometimes get - will their children be safe/happy/successful. In high school, he was not very outgoing and had a select group of friends. He was not a real jock and was more of a math whiz and not what I would call a rebel (unless he was out splitting infinitives). IMHO, being a boy scout and a band geek, may have labeled him as a geek, but he wore that badge proudly. He is very bright and intelligent and knows what he wants in life. My mom & dad raised me to be an independant thinker and not have to depend upon them when I departed the next and I have tried the same with my sone. While I will always be the concerned dad that he will be ok, I am no longer worried about his future. I know he will achieve success in anything he tackles. I try not to be boastful, but I am proud of him and his accomplishments.

We are making plans on going up in the late June to visit with him and my brother. I really cannot afford to take off from work (project deadlines), it's gonna cost a lot of coin, gotta coordinate logistics, long flight & late arrivals, need to find someone to take care of the dog. Given all of those excuses of why not to go, I remembered: Life is not convenient. It will not sit and wait for a better opportunity to come along.

Life's short. Play hard.

The price of freedom...

Easy come, easy go

We got back from the airport a few hours ago where momma's baby has flown off to Seattle. Part of my job as dad is to play the supporting role in major events. I help him move into/out of the dorm, haul his stuff across Texas, drive him and his entourage to the airport. I drove momma, junior, and girlfriend to the airport earlier today. Of course, being a night owl, he stays up until 0400 packing for the trip, so I am the one (with the dog) to get up early and make sure the logistics are in order prior to departure. I kinda have to roust the crew up from their beauty sleep and get them organized to leave the house in time to make his flight. Since I've done a few of these trips to the airport over the past few years, I kinda know when to leave and what route gets us to the airport fastest. He was taking two checked bags (48 & 49 lbs respectively), one carry-on and one backpack. Of course that does not include the stuff he left for me to ship to him next week. We made the airport with plenty of time (thanks to me) and I dropped them off to get checked in. Of course, trying to find a parking space near the terminal is not an easy or quick chore, but I was able to make it to the check in counter about the time he was done. Since it was a fairly light crowd, we had about 2 hours to kill before his flight, so we sat around the terminal until he finally had to check through the TSA scanners and move to his gate. I will say that I am glad that his girlfriend came along. It was touching/sad to see them try to say goodbye for the summer (they are definitely in love).

Actually, by the time I post this, he has landed and texted us that he is doing well and looking for his bags. Was fun & great to see him, but I am tired.

Controlled chaos

Did I mention that junior came home? We are in quick turnaround mode here. He landed Thursday afternoon with his car load of stuff and he is leaving tomorrow for the summer for his intern job in Seattle. Packing, planning, coordinating, vi sting with high school friends, last minute shopping. We try to keep a neat and organized house, but the house has blown up over the past few days. For a guy who has been living out of a dorm room for the past 9 months, how can he have so much stuff? He has his gear/clothes spread over 4 rooms of the house. His room looks like a refugee camp. Even the dog is afraid to go in there. I'm not complaining (ok, I am grousing about it here), but since we area only getting a few meager days with him, we'll take the chaos. Besides, I can always clean up after he leaves tomorrow (I'm thinking leaf blower). It is humorous to see him prep for the trip. This will be his third summer working as an intern, so he knows the drill. He did Seattle two years ago, so he knows the town/environment/climate and knows what to take this time. Still, what he deems critical/essential is not what I would necessarily take (guitar, amp, x-box, ginormous monitor).

Enjoy the weekend and be safe. Put the blackberry down and spend time with your family.

Always drink upstream from the herd...

Three day weekend

Memorial Day - according to wikipedia, Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

Since 1971 Memorial Day is now celebrated by law on the last Monday in May. That year Congress passed the National Holiday Act, P.L. 90-363 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays.

As we shop the sales, relax on the beach, hit the lakes, savor the outdoor picnics and bar-b-ques, I like to stop and take a moment to remember the reason why we are enjoying an extended weekend. As a former tanker & service member, I am eternally grateful to those who laid down their lives for me.

John 15:13

Both ends

Busy busy busy. The fun never stops when you're always on a roller coaster.

Junior comes home today (hauling a ton of laundry I imagine). Expecting a small cyclone of activity.

Work is continuing to kick my butt. Projects/problems/deadlines. Just when you think you hit the bottom of the mine shaft, someone tells you to dig deeper. I'm the HMFIC of Purchasing which means I pretty much get blamed for just about everything. Not enough parts. Too many parts. Parts don't' work. Parts cost too much. We're out of toilet paper in the bathroom (major crisis). Past two days have been nothing different. Scrambling for parts for the past two weeks only to find that they don't fit. Trying to negotiate a long term contract with a rental car company only to find that someone in senior staff wants to go with another company. Typical life in procurement. And my system upgrade project is like the attack of the zombies - it just keeps on coming. I need to be testing and checking out the system but it seems like everybody has a problem and I am the only one who can fix it. And its not like I am trying to be nice and cordial. Hell, quite the opposite. I am buried under a pile of tasks and have tried to post my 'leave me alone" persona but they STILL come. Gee, I guess it's nice to be loved/needed. I keep reminding myself that I volunteered for this job.

Junior leaves for the west coast Sunday.

Should be an interesting weekend.

Time's fun when your having flies...

My dogs are tired

Long day yesterday. Drove up to Austin and back to help the offspring perform a tactical withdrawal from his encampment. 6 (or was it 7) trips up and down the elevator (did I mention he lives on the 14th floor?) with boxes, clothes, rug, chair, bike, etc. to load up the landbarge. Back in my yut, I moved myself into and out of the dorm and was able to fit an entire year's supplies and gear (including a dorm refrigerator) into my 1969 Plymouth Fury III. I have a gift of being able to pack a lot of crap into every available square inch of a vehicle (it looks like something out of the Grapes of Wrath). Anyway, since junior is finishing up his year as dorm RA, he has to stay until Wednesday when they close down the dorms for the year. He kept the essentials to live off of (computer, xbox, electric guitar). I made it home around 2000 hours (8:00 pm) to unload the truck. The breezeway is full of his crap. Let the summer games begin.