Thursday Thirteen --- 05/31/07

Hello everyone :) Welcome to my latest edition of the Thursday 13. A prelude before my TT13 thought.

I have had a 2-week hiatus mainly because of some issues I am dealing with. Part of which is what I am going to write about. For those who have been reading for awhile, you know that there have been a couple writings over the years dealing with personal issues, depression, weight problems. Recent events in my life had led me down these same paths, and the last couple of days I have felt like that giant run-away bowling ball, with nothing stopping it. Hence the hiatus two weeks ago. Last week, I just got busy with work and stuff...just didnt get a chance to do anything. It was probably a good thing. Working took my mind away from what has been on my mind. But it leads me to the avoidance piece. Avoid it long enough, maybe it will go away....it doesnt, but it was worth a shot.

So here are 13 things I would like to change (or are attempting to change) about myself - in no particular order:

1. My weight is still a struggle -- it comes and it goes and then it comes back again. This is not a new struggle. Just a struggle I cant seem to conquer.


2. My "everything is OK" facade -- There are days when everything is NOT OK...and I need to deal with those and stop acting like everything IS OK


3. My CD collection is all out of sorts. I started to organize them, and now I just need to finish that and get my collection on my server. I made a dent - I have about 20% (over 9000 songs) on there, tagged, and organized....I am getting there :)


4. DVD Collection -- see above, just nowhere NEAR 9000...more like 90 but I need to catalog and organize it


5. Let go of the past - Its over and done with -- move on!


6. Express true feelings without inhibition. Sometimes, I dont go as far as I would like to when I write. I stop mid-feeling...maybe from an inhibition or fear of rejection from my peers? who knows :)


7. Exercise - See #1 -- I need to get into a regiment of exercise regularly. I start then I stop then I start again, then I stop again


8. You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else. I need to find how to love myself again. To quote the great Righteous Brothers, I lost that loving feeling.


9. Since moving to Wisconsin I have also not found a church...I miss going to church.


10. Explore Wisconsin. There are so many parts of this state I have never seen.


11. Relax - I need to find some "ME" time. If you dont take time for yourself, you really should!


12. Some friends have asked for some music - I am actually going to get around to sending them out :) So its been since Christmas - I'm getting there!


13. Complete closet cleaning -- time to empty them out and redo them

Have a great week everyone!

J-Dawg

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Thoroughly Disgusted

After listening to ESPN Radio on the way home, I came to hear that my Orioles had blown a 5 run lead in the 9th to lose for the 2nd day in a row to the Boston Red Sox (I know Dawn is just LOVING that one!). How do you play 8 great innings of baseball and forget to show up in the 9th inning. I still dont understand this!

FUNDAMENTALS!!!

That is what is wrong with baseball today! Players have lost the art of fundamentals. They make their millions, and just expect that they will be ok on the field without focusing on their fundamentals. It is sickening to the core. Chris Ray has blown his 3rd save of the season. This included an error on Ray which allowed the winning run to score. FUNDAMENTALS!

I guess there is still a ray of light even with 2 back-2-back losses to Boston...we are still ahead of the Spank-me's, I mean, Yankees! As long as we keep finishing ahead of them, I am a happy camper.

Perlozzo needs to corral this team, and bring them back to the baseball they were playing in the first couple weeks of April...hard nosed, tough, fundamental baseball.

We have 3 at Toronto, an off day, then 3 at Washington. Hopefully we can come out of this with 4 wins (can I hope for 6?) before we start our 7 game homestand against Toronto and Oakland.

J-Dawg

Thursday 13 -- 05/10/07

Hello everyone! Welcome to another edition of the Thursday Thirteen. This week, I thought I would touch on 13 CDs that I say you just GOTTA own. And just so you know, I am trying to make sure all links on my site are setup to open in a new window for you!

1. Joe Satriani -- Surfing With The Alien (Click here for Website)
   This is a must own! Out of all of his CDs (I own them all but 1), this is by far his best. I rock this one like there is no tomorro!
2. Dream Theater -- Images and Words (Click here for Website)
   Although they received moderate success with one song off of this CD, this is by far their best effort to date. They do have a new CD out a couple weeks ago. I am still trying to get ahold of it.
3. Thunder -- Back Street Symphony (Click here for Website)
   A rock group that found minimal success in the US, but was HUGE in the UK. In New Mexico (of all places) it got a pretty good dose of airplay. I like this group for their melodic music -- its like being hard rock with harmony. Its like nothing else they play today.
4. Pantera -- Cowboys From Hell (Click here for Website)
   This one is probably the tightest record they ever did. I am a HUGE Pantera fan, so it was hard to narrow it down to just one, but this one is a solid 10 on the hard rock/heavy metal scene for sure.
5. Jazz For The Quiet Times (Click here for Website)
   This is probably one of the best jazz CD compellations I have ever found. This has everything from contemporary to smoothe to light jazz. I HIGHLY recommend this one!
6. Spyro Gyra -- Collection (Click here for Website)
   Everything Spyro Gyra is right here. You may be thinking to yourself "Who is the heck is Spyro Gyra?" Well, if you are, listen -- you might be surprised how many of these songs on this CD you may have heard before.
7. Evick -- Anachronism (Click here for Website)
   This is a band that a friend of mine from West Virginia (now North Carolina) plays in...Brad Puckett. He also has his own solo CD (rightfully a 7a) out. Evick is a band who has played with the likes of Jackyl, Poison (and The Brett Michaels Band) and others. Unless you are on the East Coast (mainly PA to FL) you probably have never heard of them. I really like their music. Word is, they are recording album #2 right now! A welcome addition to ANY CD colection. Show Pete some love and purchase their CD (or download from their site)
8. Brad Puckett -- Asynchronous (Click here for Website)
   Deserves a spot of his own :) This is his solo project and debut CD for Brad. He also has his songs available for download from his website.
9. The Alan Parsons Project -- The Instrumental Works (Click here for Website)
   For those who have never listened to this CD, its is the instrumental works of their hits over the years. This includes the song Hawkeye, which is a widely known song by most people, they just didnt know the actual name! :)
10. Styx -- Classics (Click here for Website)
    All the hits from the 70's and 80's from Styx -- all on one cd! You really can't go wrong!
11. Pink Floyd -- Echoes (Click here for Website)
    Every song you have ever heard from Pink Floyd in one collection. Again, how can you go wrong!
12. Metallica -- ...And Justice For All (Click here for Website)
    Again, I LOVE Metallica! I have all their albums, but this one to me was just a masterpiece from the open chords to the final fade.
13. Y&T -- Contagious (Click here for Website)
    A long lost band from the 80's that had a huge following even before there was a Metallica or Motley Crue...they set the stage along with AC/DC and Aerosmith. There is alot to be said for this band!

Don't fear!! These are not my top 13 of all time - these are just 13 I HIGHLY recommend you have in your CD collection...I hope you have enjoyed this little musical trip, and along the way, found some new music to load onto your MP3 player! Have a wonderful 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 -- 05/03/07

Hello everyone - welcome to another edition of the TT13....I was debating on whether or not to do one this week. It has been a rough couple weeks for me...and to be perfectly honest I really wasnt inspired to write this week...but sitting here tonight trying to decide if I should write or not (first decision) then WHAT to write about (second dilema)...so I thought I would do another trip around the world, except this time I would see where Google sent me...so here we go -- 13 Random Locations, courtesy of Google®:

1. Random.ORG -- Yes, this is a legitimate website! Actually pretty cool!
2. Aloha.Com -- This was an "I'm Feeling Lucky" to sandy beaches
3. Sunrises -- This was an "I'm Feeling Lucky" to Sunrises
4. Electronic Piracy -- I was listening to Epic from Faith No More so that was my I'm lucky this time -- Epic
5. Kickball -- My buddy Bill was playing Kickball tonight so I thought what the heck!
6. For All my Dawg’s!! -- Kinda funny actually!
7. Crabs! -- This is my "I'm Feeling Lucky" for Crabs
8. Science -- My lucky button led me here!
9. Tall Buildings - The things you can find on the internet sometimes!
10. Youth revisited -- Hey, why not! :)
11. 11 Things You Dont Learn in School -- Yeah, not from Bill Gates, but dang funny!
12. Great American Gas-Out -- As much as I wish it worked......
13. A Real Sense of Humor -- Click on get directions ... get directions from New York NY to Paris, France...hit Get Directions, and read #24 and tell me SOMEONE at Google isnt laughing every time someone asks for these directions!

I hope you all had fun :) Enjoy your 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.

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Thursday 13 -- 04/26/07

Hello! Welcome to another edition of the Thursday Thirteen :) First, I would like to answer a question from Amy from last week's TT13. Personally, I would go with DirectTV for satellite and internet combined. I know for me when I had Dish Network and went from regular to Local and Regular dish, my signal became even more finnicky. It would be Sunny and not a cloud in the sky and I would lose signal. My dad had DirecTV for years and never had an issue and he was in the mountains surrounded by trees...and I know they use very similar dishes and signals. I say go with DirecTV if you want internet through a satellite provider! Now, on to today's TT13 -- This week, I am giving you 13 of my favorite mixed drinks or shots while you are out on the town:

1. Jack & Dry -- this would be a mixed drink of Jack Daniels and Canada Dry Ginger Ale -- make it TALL -- make it COLD -- make it good! :)
2. Malibu & Dr. Pepper -- if you have never tried this, this is sometimes referred to as Texas Tea -- buy a 1-litre Dr. Pepper. Take a chug. Fill it back up with Malibu. (gently turn your bottle upside down and right-side up to mix -- GENTLY!!) Mmmmmm delish!
3. Black Knights -- NOW, first of all, I am not much of a Jaegermeister drinker, but this shot is the best! Pour VERY VERY slowly, Rumplemints, then Jaegermeister, then Aftershock in a high-hat shot glass...and if poured slowly and correctly, it will separate into 3 separate layers...slammed tastes like peppermint candy! After 3, you have the best breath in all the county!
4. UV Blue and 7-up...mmmmmm smoothe!A shot of blue UV in a tall glass of 7-up!
5. Rum & Coke -- a traditional fair with a couple mushrooms on a schtick :) Best with regular rum, not coconut rum (and no diet! what's the sense in drinking if you are going to do it with a diet soda?! ICK!)
6. Malibu Bay Breezes -- My brother-in-law likes these....actually not bad if I do say so myself!
7. Gin and Granbery Juice -- My sister's favorite (one of many)...it also depends on the mood she is in apparently :) She also likes
8. Mai Thais
9. Jose Cuervo Marguaritas and
10. Pina Coladas
11. Jaegie Bombs -- this is pretty popular up here in Wisconsin -- Red Bull and a shot glass of Jaegermeister...people seem to like them - they are on sale EVERYWHERE!
12. 7 & 7's -- Seagrams 7 and 7-up ... mmmmmm tasty!
13. Patrone Silver -- apparently its the "it" thing -- I never heard of it til last week when I went out with people I work with in our Atlanta and Houston offices.

In the famous words of my good friend Zonk "I have but one liver to give to my alcoholism." and if you go out, drink responsibly. Have fun :) And try something new! Have 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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11 years ago

At 620am 11 years ago, a very big piece of my life went to be with the Lord after a 13 year battle with cancer. Pop (my grandfather) was a great person. I remember fishing with him and my father on the banks of the Shenandoah River. I remember learning how to cut grass with the riding lawnmower. I remember when Pop and Ma (my grandmother -- gee, can ya tell we's SOUTHERN?) would come to my little league baseball games. I remember when Pop would let me change the gears in his Rabbit while he drove on the back country roads. I remember going to get YooHoo's at the country store.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I used to drive truck for the same company I work for still to this day (Schneider National Carriers)...and I made it a habit to call home to both my Dad and my grandparents on Tuesdays and Saturdays just to let them know I was OK....that particular Tuesday (23rd) I had blown a tire and had to get it fixed. By the time I was done that night, and parked at the truck stop, it was 11pm. I just thought I would call first thing in the morning. I didnt want to wake them up. I was in Rock Springs, Wyoming that night. Whenever I was on the road, my dad would always send messages to my truck's computer to call home, and he always made sure to ask that "non-emergency" be put on the message. When I woke up on the morning of the 24th, to the beeping of the computer. I read the message that said "Call Home"...and I knew something was wrong. So I walk into the restaurant, and asked the waitress to be seated in the farthest most part of the restaurant, and she did. I was away from everyone. I made that call home from my table, and found out that Pop had passed away. I spent the next 90 mins trying to compose myself, take a shower, and try to make arrangements. The waitress was so kind. She kept asking if there was anything she could do. At the end of the meal, I went to pay, and she said that the manager will be picking up my tab and to drive safely home to my family.
As I walked back out to my truck, I happened to see another Schneider truck pulling out of the truck stop. I didnt think twice about that truck until a short time later. I received a message from my manager that I was going to be swapping loads with another driver so that I could get home to Dallas to fly home and to meet him at the Flying J truck stop in Laramie, WY. A short while later I met the other driver at the truck stop and swapped loads. I offered him a coffee for his trouble. As we walked back out from the store, he told me that this was the 2nd time in three days he had swapped loads with another Schneider driver to get them home for a family emergency. I appreciated his gesture, shook his hand, and he just asked that if anyone ever needed something that I would hopefully return the gesture someday. I never had a problem swapping loads with someone to get them home.
So I took off from Laramie, bound for Dallas TX. From that point, I was still about 1000 miles from home. I pretty much drove straight through to get home, only stopping for 4 hours in Amarillo for a quick nap, food, shower, and then proceeded to lock my keys in my truck...When I got to Dallas, I parked my truck, drove over to the airport in my personal vehicle, and got my tickets home.
I remember the sermon from Brother Keith...it was 1 Thessalonias 5:4-11. If you have a chance, read these words. Brother Keith's words I can still here being spoken today. I can hear his powerful voice as he sang that morning. I can remember the fellowship afterwards. A rememberance of a beautiful life.
Today is about remembering :) I miss you Pop. I wish you could see me now!

Love
#1 Grandson

Thursday 13 -- 4/19/07

Good morning everyone and welcome to another edition of the Thursday 13 -- Last week, sorry I missed that one but it could not be avoided...my Cable provider and I were at odds over a charge that appeared on my bill...so I questioned it...told them I wasnt going to pay it, so they turned off my internet (let me keep the cable but cancelled my internet!!) ANYWAY, after 3½ days it was finally resolved, but by then it was Friday afternoon....and I just figured to wait until this week to discuss the 13 things I REALLY hate about Time-Warner Cable:

1. Customer Service -- it is ATROCIOUS!!! They have so little in the way of customer service I still cannot believe they are an multi-million dollar company
2. THEY ARE A MONOPOLY!! Look up monopoly in the dictionary - it says SEE TIME-WARNER CABLE. Regardless of what they say, if my choices for cable are THEM and that is it, they are a monopoly!
3. Rates -- 2nd highest in the nation for basic service. Another reason I cannot stand this god-forsaken state (4th highest fuel cost ranks right up there with this one).
4. HBO -- In order to get HBO you have to upgrade to Digital Cable and get a box- two things I DO NOT want to do. WHY? Well, since I use one cable outlet for my TV and one cable outlet for my computer, I will get charged for two digital service connections --- even though I have no plans of moving my home theater, couches, and everything else, into the nittle nook in my dining room area where my computer is...its about $2 a month, but its still a crock! and I WILL NOT have a box - I HATE cable boxes!!
5. Incidental charges -- they cant explain why I was charged for them, but they INSIST I am responsible for paying them. I explain if you cant tell me what they are for, I am not paying them....hence the circle of life.
6. Lack of listening skills -- Last week, I had a CSR on the phone and when I wasnt getting the satifaction (or attention) I thought I deserved in reference to #5, I requested to speak to his supervisor. After about 4 minutes of really cheezy musak (wasnt even the good stuff!) he comes back on the line and states "My supervisor states that the incidental charges are your responsibility so they need to be paid in order to get your internet restored"....maybe I wasnt clear enough when I asked that I speak to his supervisor, NOT that he speak to his supervisor FOR me...now my blood pressure is about 400 over 350 and climbing by the syllable out of this guy's mouth! Now I should have prefaced this by saying that I work in the customer service arena...and no, it is not my practice to ask for a supervisor right away...HOWEVER, if I feel that I have not been given the attention or service I think I deserve, then you betcha! I will ask for one :)
7. Conglomerates -- I hate uber-super-conglomerate companies -- you are just a number -- nuff said there. See #1
8. Competition -- the only way to get high-speed internet without going through cable is to go through AT&T (which used to be SBC, which used to be Ameritech after it broke off from AT&T after de-regulation in 1986)....interesting -- the same company they made break up is back together again -- and OH, you cant get internet without getting a phone service. I have a cellphone - I dont need another phone...but since you are forcing me to get a phone to get internet, how much is it you ask?? Least expensive plan NOT including internet is $38.79 + tax and tip every month...no frills - just a dialtone. Add to that the internet makes it over $90 a month...what a rip! and it is still only 1/3 as fast as my cable.
9. A-la-carte -- it doesnt exist unless you get a cable box -- and then, if you have over a certain number of channels, they charge you more to just get the channels you want than if you just got the package with all the crap you will NEVER watch. I am sorry, but I dont need 6 shopping channels on just my basic service. NHL is on the Vs Network this year (not part of it) andNascar has a couple races on SPEED Channel (again, not part of my package)...
10. Oh! Network -- Now let's see - I get Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, Lifetime Women's Network, and the Oh! Channel....Oh! golly why wont you just give me the channels ***I*** want to see! Sorry but I dont need to see the same crap I try to avoid on regular TV that is rerun on Oh!
11. When I had Dish Network, I had my local channels, but for an additional $5 a month I could add a national market to my dish...I liked having Milwaukee or Dallas or a National CBS/NBC/ABC etc --- I got good national news that way....cant do that with cable.
12. Why is it if I am on ESPN and I am watching a show, and a commercial comes on, the commercial is 10x louder than the show? And if I change the channel, the next channel is either softer or louder than the prev channel? The sound sometimes, to me, has some serious issues.
13. I just dont like how smug they are -- like losing me is no big deal - well 1 person tells 10 people about this little episode, if on 20& of those people tell 10 more of their friends, in just a little while, my one experience just got passed to over 200 poeple. I bet they would notice a mass exodus of 200 people.

I hope all of you are doing well. I hope to have a comment's blog up sometime soon :) Until then, be safe and enjoy!

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.

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