Thursday Thirteen -- 02/08/07

Hello everyone! Welcome to another edition of the Thursday Thirteen. For the last week, it has been brutally cold here. Temps for 3 straight days were below 0°F and windchills in the -30°F to -45°F range. This makes staying inside so nice!!! Unfortunately the next time you go to start your car --- be prepared! It may not start! Mine BARELY started on the 2nd full day of sitting... For ALL of this cold talk, I thought about 13 things I cant wait to do once this cold spell breaks:

1. Spring Cleaning! -- I hate it, but I will do it! Clean everything top to bottom. This INCLUDES the truck.
2. BASEBALL!!! Baseball players start reporting Feb 14th (for my beloved Baltimore Orioles) so the smell of grass, hot dogs, and pine tar are just around the corner.
3. NASCAR!!!! Only 10 more days until DAYTONA! How can you think racing and COLD WEATHER?
4. The great outdoors. I can't wait to walk around in shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt again.
5. Playgrounds -- I love taking my kids to the playground when it is nice!
6. Family webpage --- well, I can do that now, but I want to include pictures from summer, fall, and winter....so I just need to set aside time to do it
7. Deep clean the truck -- yeah I know I said it on #1, but man, it is salty/snowy road dirty!!
8. Go up north - I want to go up and spend 3 days in the Nicolet Forest or someplace up there -- just to clear the mind.
9. Fishing - Its time I get back to doing the things I liked to do....
10. Swimming - I wanna go swimming - anywhere! Even if it is an indoor water park!
11. Open windows - I love having fresh air in my place -- miss having my windows open
12. Grill season!!!! I love BBQ/Grill season -- I love using my grill!
13. Sweet Tea --- I am getting me a suntea pot and BABY, we're makin some SWEET TEA!

I hope you have enjoyed this edition...make it a great week!!!!

J-Dawg

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The purpose of this is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

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Thursday Thirteen -- 02/01/07

Hello!!! And welcome to another edition of the Thursday Thirteen. I had to take a couple weeks off to clear my head, recoup from being sick, watch my Saints lose in their first ever Division Title Game, and etc and etc and etc. :) Here in Green Bay, it is snowing right now, and by Friday, our highs are going to be single digits, with wind chills in the -10F to -20F range...burrrrrrskeees! So I thought a nice tropical theme would be in order.

This week, I am going with 13 Random thoughts over the last 7 days - grab a helmet, you might need one :)

1. We saw gas below $2.00 a gallon for the first time in almost 3½ years. That was short-lived as it went back up to $2.09 2 days later. Oil people are such teases.
2. From the movie Hitch -- and it was so true this week "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Great movie if you havent seen it. Saw it this past weekend, and it has stuck with me allllll week
3. If life gives you a bunch of lemons, either make lemonade, or smell the house up with ripe leomony flavor :)
4. If I have to see one more yuppie toting around a little yapper dog, I swear I am going to throw up! You ARENT Paris Hilton, get over it. Create your OWN identify -- oh wait, that would take effort, what was I thinking!
5. I think its sad that Barbaro was put down, however I think they have spent enough time on CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, PBS, MSNBC, CSPAN, MTV, VH1, BET, Animal Planet, CourtTV, and any other channel I have on my cable, devoting time, energy, and everything else --- INTO A HORSE! Its not an ex-president....it didnt win the Nobel Prize.
6. Why is it that we can spend billions and billions of dollars on a war based on oil, however if we want to increase the education budget by more than $1, it will take an act of Congress and will eventually be denied anyway....oh, and since we need more money for the Oil War, your education budget just got slashed by another 10% -- good luck supply shopping this year.
7. I wish I had a nicer truck....don't need an H2 or F-350 pimped out...just this week wanted a new vehicle - doesnt even have to be a truck.
8. I miss DJing -- I miss the music, the people - the fun I had
9. I figured out that it is going to take alot longer than I thought to be debt free...but I shall be there! (damn it!)
10. I lost 7.2 pounds this week in "Biggest Loser" at work....alothough I wasnt the highest percentage, and missed out on $100, I felt really good :)
11. What happened to common decency? I mean just yesterday, older lady at the store, pushing her cart, and 2 teenagers nearly ran her over, knocked into her, and just kept running like it was no big deal! I had to voice my opinion to them about that one...then the parents came over asking what my issue was...their bratty-assed kids and their lack of respect and common decency...that set off a mini-debate. You cant argue common sense with those who dont have any
12. I miss my dad -- cant wait to play golf with him sometime soon. I miss my sister too. Cant wait to come home for a week sometime soon (can you hook that up?) ;)
13. It feels good to be back writing again. I am already working on next weeks edition!

I hope you all have a splendid week :) Keep warm!

J-Dawg

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of this is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

No TT13 This week

Sorry gang. This week, I have been sick since Sunday, and I have had no creative spark to do any type of writing. I think the jam-packed schedule I have been keeping since September finally caught up with me. I shall return next week. I do plan on visiting those from the past two weeks as well over the next 7 days. Be well and be safe.

J

Cal and the Honor he is Due

Today, January 9, 2007, on his first day of eligibility into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Calvin Edwin Ripken, Jr (AKA Cal) was inducted. Making his MLB debut on 08/24/81 against the Kansas City Royals at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore Maryland. He became known as the "Iron Man" for his consecutive games played streak. He played in a record 2632 straight games, spanning 16 seasons, from May 30, 1982 (Toronto @ Baltimore L6-0) until September 20, 1998 (NY Yankees @ Baltimore L5-4). What's funny is the day he took a day off, 9/21/98, was against the Toronto Blue Jays, the very team he STARTED his streak with. He broke the record at 2131 on September 6, 1995 at home against the California Angels (Baltimore won 4-2). I will never forget the lap around Camden Yards when he broke the record. What a magical night.

Today, Cal, you have earned the highest honor - entry into Cooperstown.

Oh, how I wish I could be there to see that - Baltimore's favorite son! Born and raised in Baltimore - playing for the hometown team for 21 years in the big leagues....
Some of his honors through the years:

• All-Star 1983-99, 2001
• All-Star Game MVP 1991, 2001
• American League Rookie of the Year 1982
• American League MVP 1983, 1991
• Gold Glove 1991, 1992
• Most consecutive games played at 2,632

Congradulations Cal -- you have more than earned your spot in glory...and you did it CLEAN!

Thursday Thirteen -- 01/04/07

Hello everyone! Welcome to the first TT13 of 2007. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. This TT13 I am thanking Will for giving me an idea to run with. As a truck driver, I got to see alot of this country. But some of these roads are from times past either as a kid or early adult. I have been blessed to be able to live in so many different parts of the country, and travel on so many different roads, each with their own personality and traits. So here it is -- 13 Roads I would go back and have a Sunday Drive on:

1. US 1 // Maine – There is nothing like rolling along the seashore on the Atlantic Ocean, smelling the fresh ocean air. Then there are the occisional smells of “Mom & Pop” lobster shacks, and you know you are there J From Camden to Belfast (Hi Marge) to Lubec – its an amazing drive!

2. US 1 // Florida – From the time I first drove it in 1993 when I lived in Homestead, I was hooked! The drive from Homestead to Key West is one of sheer beauty. From the little parks along the way like Bahi’a Honda, to the more populated isles such as Islamorada, this drive has it all! From Captain’s Seafood in North Key Largo, to Margaritaville on Duvall Street in Key West, you cant go away hungry or thirsty. I highly recommed this be a 2-day drive at least, otherwise you will miss the little nuances.

3. US 82 // Alabama and Georgia – From Montgomery, AL to Tifton, GA, this road is so “A-Typical” south, from the deep forest drives, to the hundred acre horse farms. This is a beautiful drive, with a drive across the Chattahoochee River from AL to GA.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway // Virginia and North Carolina – This could easily be turned into a 3 or 4 day trip (2 down and 2 back). This road rides right along the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. From its breath-taking front row views, to its amazing “old-time” feel, this drive is one you definitely want to have a lot of film with you.

5. US 287 // Colorado and Wyoming – Leaving out of Fort Collins CO and winding thru President’s Pass into Laramie WY, this road travels right at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The views are spectacular, especially at sunrise and sunset.

6. US 666 // Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico – Can’t find this old highway on the map?? Well, it used to be called Devil’s Highway (or Highway of the Beast) until 2003 when it was renumbered US 491. The now US 491 runs from Monticello UT to Gallup NM through Cortez CO. The US 491 links to US 191, which runs through the Archs National park and Moab UT…another WONDERFUL drive. To read more about it, go here http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us666.htm

7. I-80 // Nevada and California – This driver from Reno NV to Sacramento CA through the famed Donner Pass is one of majesty. I would love to take this drive again in my personal vehicle. Doing this 4 times in a semi was both fun and nerve-racking, all in the same trip. You can drive along with the windows down, and feel like you can reach out and touch the snow caps. Simply fabulous.

8. I-5 // Washington State – This drive has to be one of the most beautiful drives that I could do on a daily basis, from Seattle to Bellingham WA. The area the road is on looks like it was carved out of a forest, super wide and super flat, but surrounded by what seems like millions of evergreen trees. The views of the Sasquash Mountains provides a picturesque view of NW Washington in all its facinating beauty.

9. I-90 // Idaho – The driver from Montana through Idaho near Coeur d’Alene is simply awesome! While driving on I-90, you are running through the mountains, and as you come around a sweeping right hand corner, all the sudden all you can see is a sea of crystal clear blue water of Coeur d’Alene Lake – HUGE body of water, surrounded by millions of tall evergreen trees…and peaceful? Even along the highway you can hear birds chirping and the wind blowing.

10. KY 9 // Kentucky – This state route from Grayson, KY to the suburbs of Cincinnati is one of charm and character. You get to see the older homes and ways of KY, and well as the new sprawling new-metro of Florence. It’s a beautiful drive.

11. US-4 // Maryland – This is an old route in Maryland that has since been redone, and replaced, by I-68 (now US-40 runs along side of I-68 as a separate 2-lane road). Back in the day, this was a great road to just drive on, but it was best in an automatic – lots of ups and down, and big grades…when the interstate came to town, they smoothed out some of the grades.

12. US-17 // North and South Carolina – This drive from Charleston, SC to Surf City NC is one that spans a lifetime – from the rickety old fishing ports to the brand new metro’s of Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, you can see it all. Running along the coast, there are multiple areas where you can just pull off the highway, and there ya are – right on the ocean. :)

13. US-50 // West Virginia – I remember going to a place called Black Water Falls State Park as a kid and getting there on US-50…I am sure since I was there, improvements have been made to the road. However, this is a mountain view drive you don’t want to miss!

There are many websites out there to guide you on many of these roads. If you have a chance to ever drive them, I highly recommend them :)

Have a great week!

J-Dawg

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of this is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things.

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

New Year's Resolution and some self-reflection

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

For anyone who has spent any amount of time here, you know that my biggest issue that I have is my weight. In the last 4 months, after over a year and a half of taking it off, I have managed to put that weight all back on.

It sucks and I hate it.

There is a show called The Biggest Loser and the whole premise of the show is that is you lose the most weight over a preset amount of time, you are the biggest loser. There has been a marathon of this show on Bravo tonight. However, the premise of the show isnt the connotation I have of myself right now. If my mind and in my heart I have shut down...I have totally reverted to my old ways. I have turned to food for everything -- boredom, happy, sad, lonely, hungry, etc. The recurring cycle of self-medicating with food, and lack of exercise has put me into the same predicament I was in 2 years ago, 5 years ago, etc -- hating myself for the weight I am at.

The support system I need is nowhere even close to kick me in the ass when I need it, yell when I need it, crack me on the back of head when I need it...because I have given up on myself. My self-esteem is at an all-time low, even lower than 2 years ago when I started writing.

Worst part about all of this is that I have used all of my excuses. I have none now. I can't use the "shattered ankle" excuse - that was 8 years ago now. Can't use the "no gym membership". I have a complete gym at work - for FREE!

It's me -- all me. My problem that I have brought on myself -- and the problem that I am continuing to struggle with. I hear of my friends snowboarding, or playing racquetball, or going on bike rides, and I just crumble inside knowing I cant do any of that right now. Disappointed within myself that I have let myself get to the point where I cant even think of doing things, let alone actually do them.

This affects my kids - mainly because right now, I cant even do alot of the things I would love to do with them - swim, ride bike, run and chase after, etc. I am lucky enough to spend time with them, but I would not want them to become what I have become...and it really hurts because I wouldnt want that on anyone - my kids, my godson, no one. I wouldnt want anyone to know the pain that I am feeling through all of this. Although I know people do.

It pains me to know that I have lost the ability to break this cycle...and I dont know what else to do. Today, i walked...and when I was done, my muscles burned like a (something really bad) and I thought I was doing good...but then I came home, and sunk right into the same depressed lonely nightly routine I have grown accustomed to.

I dont expect a miracle cure, a miracle pill, or anything...at this point I dont even know what to expect...maybe that is my problem.

156-100 For the Year

Hey Everyone!!!! So I end the year at 152-100...2nd again!!!! FOR THE 14TH YEAR!!!!! Yes, in the 20 years we have been doing this league, I have finished 2nd a record 14 times! So, to ZONK, congradulations on winning the league in your first year. Your consistency says it all. I just didnt have my hot streak in the last 3 weeks that you and I had all the way up to week 14. We were either in 1st or tied for first the entire year. So here we are -- again -- in the same place I was last year, collecting my "Susan Lucci" in the football pool. I really thought this year was my year - I started strong and kept the heat all for most of the year. This year, was also a good year for my dad...he didnt finish in last place in our league. Last 2 years he has finished last both times by 1 game! It's weird -- he does better in his spread league that straight picks league!!! So, for Dad who didnt finish in last place -- GOOD JOB!!!

NOW, to Rick -- AKA The Commish -- Dude, WHAT HAPPENED!!! That was worse of a choke than the 1992 Houston Oilers choking a 28-3 half-time lead on the Bills! OUCH! I know that one hurt -- but my dad made up over 10 games on you in a matter of 3 weeks! Still, as the last 19 have been - it was a good year

So my Saints rest their starters yesterday (bad move in my opinion, but hey, I am just an armchair head coach) -- and cost me a game on the picks. I dont understand the mentality of that. This was a game to keep them sharp...I just hope it doesnt cost them in the playoffs. I am just happy that we won the division with a record of 10-6 (personally I think we were a much better team than the record reflects), and a first round bye! WOOHOO!!!! Oh when the SAINTS go MARCHING IN!

I have a gentleman's bet with a friend from work -- die hard Bears fan -- born on the South side - the whole bit! If the Saints and Bears meet in the Championship game (only way they would meet) then we are going to watch the game at a place called The Bar in Green Bay for wings and beer -- winner buys the tab!

Just a little sports diddy for right now! Hopefully everyone had a safe New Years Eve and New Years Day and may 2007 be everything you wish it could be and then some :)

J-Dawg