Still settling in

It's been a busy move, but we are about 90% unpacked and organized and ready to relax a little. Chad actually got my Wii hooked up yesterday, but we haven't taken time out to play it yet.

It's nice to actually have a home now instead of a place I just go to sleep, eat and shower. I figure I'm finally due to enjoy the domestic part of life that has managed to miss me the majority of my life.

The big news yesterday however is that Jimmy Buffett has announced his summer tour and he'll be visiting Pittsburgh at the Post Gazette on June 23. If you have never experienced the Parrot head nation, you have no idea what you are missing. Ticket's go on sale Monday at 10:00 AM, if you are planning on going, be ready because it will sell out in a matter of minutes.

I guess the Buffett news makes up for Phil's screw up.

Hey Phil, YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!

Damn little ungrateful Rat, I can't believe you still saw your damn shadow after everything we did for you? What was it, the lack of another hooker? Not enough beer?

I have a solution:

GROUNDHOG STEW


1 woodchuck
2 onions, sliced
1/2 cup celery, sliced
Flour
Vinegar and water
Salt and pepper
Cloves
Garlic for Danielle

Clean the damn shadow seeing Rat; remove glands as violently as possible; cut into serving pieces while cussing the snow. Soak overnight in a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar with addition of one sliced onion and a little salt, but make sure you tenderize him by beating the hell out of the rat. Drain, wash, and wipe. Parboil 20 minutes, drain, and cover with fresh boiling water. Add one sliced onion, celery, Garlic, a few cloves, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until tender; thicken gravy with flour and the damn rat is sorry for bringing the winter.

OK Phil you are up.

OK my fine little rodent friend, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business last night, now hopefully you are too hung over from all the beer and Chicken Wings that Michelle and I sent over to you yesterday.

I hope you partied it up till you puked celebrating the Championship, now it is your turn. My advice is take the day off, sit back and stay in bed, that way you can't see your shadow and tell your keeper in your groundhogeze language that you are ready for some spring.

I'm counting on you Phil.

Pssst, hey Phil we did fatten you up a little in case you somehow see your shadow. Just relax and keep your eyes closed this morning.

Super Bowl Champions

Wow what a game last night, the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 to win Super Bowl XLIII (43) to give the Pittsburgh Steelers an NFL leading sixth Super Bowl Championship.

To say that I was on edge in the fourth quarter would be a complete understatement, I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack when the Cardinals blew by the Steelers dime defense on a 64 yard touchdown strike to Larry (I HATE that Pitt Guy) Fitzgerald to give the Cards a 23-20 lead.

However great teams are not great all the time, they are only great when they need to be. The Steelers lead by Ben Roethlisberger drove the ball 78 Yards on 8 plays thanks to some big plays from Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes.

The play of the game however was te last play of the first half, Arizona was poised to go in for a touchdown until NFL defensive Player of the Year James Harrison made arguably the greatest play in Super Bowl history with a 100 Yard Interception return for a Touchdown. The play sent the Steelers into the locker room at halftime with a 17-7 lead instead of a 14-10 deficit.

I have to say I have criticized Ben and the Offensive line all year, I guess they had the last laugh and Ben even touched on it in the post game when he asked his linemen "who is laughing now?"

It's a great day to be a Steelers fan.

A Big Thank You

Well the move is almost done. Michelle has everything out of her place and I have a little bit left to do to mine even today after going over for a couple of hours last night. The rest is basically UN-packing and putting everything away and getting it organized.

A Thank You to Mom and Gerald for being up an at em and ready to help. The progress they made in the kitchen was very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Pam, George and Moke. What can I say, they are always there to lend a big helping hand, I owe George so many favors through the years I completely have lost track.

Trish was awesome, she got our restroom cleaned up and in working order as well as a few other things. Big asset and a very good and respected friend.

Layla Chad's girlfriend for being hard worker and busting her rear end helping Chad getting Michelle's place moved.

To Michael and his crew, thank you for busting your butts getting this place built so we could move in.

To Patty for loaning us a few things to get started.

And last but certainly not least to Michelle, Thank You sweetie for everything you do every day. I am one lucky guy.


For general knowledge, out address is 1425-B Van Voorhis Road.

I changed the magic Jack's phone number to a Morgantown number now that it is available. The number is 304-285-8248 to call the house. Our cell phone still work, this is a magic jack and is our home phone number. Morgantown numbers were not previously available, now they are.

We have an open door policy, come and visit anytime you choose.

Something I ran across again yesterday

If you ever hear me talk and my approach to Manufacturing, I always tell people that I am a Demingist. What this is is the ideas established by Dr. W. Edwards Deming and his approach to manufacturing and running a business.

I was first exposed to Dr. Demings work when I worked for the Helmick Corporation for much of the 1990's. At the time we were a company that needed all the help and we were exposed to dr. Demings teachings.

Needless to say to make a long story short, we ended up closing down the Foundry and I was out of a job, BUT I had garnered an interest in Dr. Demings's teachings and his business models. I actually tried to do some independent research on him in while I was in college, but there just wasn't enough things out there available and at my disposal. Good thing for the internet and Wikipedia. Now there is more information out there on a man I never had the pleasure in meeting but was inspired by his work.

Yesterday I stumbled across his Fourteen steps to a successful business that inspred me a decade ago, enjoy:


1. Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service with a plan to become competitive and to stay in business. Decide whom top management is responsible to.

2. Adopt the new philosophy. We are in a new economic age. We can no longer live with commonly accepted levels of delays, mistakes, defective materials, and defective workmanship.

3. Cease dependence on mass inspection. Require, instead, statistical evidence that quality is built in. (Prevent defects rather than detect defects.)

4. End the practice of awarding business on the basis of price tag. Instead, depend on meaningful measures of quality, along with price. Eliminate suppliers that cannot qualify with statistical evidence of quality.

5. Find problems. It is management’s job to work continually on the system (design, incoming materials, composition of material, maintenance, improvement of machine, training, supervision, retraining.)

6. Institute modern methods of training on the job.

7. The responsibility of foremen must be changed from sheer numbers to quality ... [which] will automatically improve productivity. Management must prepare to take immediate action on reports from foremen concerning barriers such as inherent defects, machines not maintained, poor tools, fuzzy operational definitions.

8. Drive out fear, so that everyone may work effectively for the company.

9. Break down barriers between departments. People in research, design, sales, and production must work as a team, to foresee problems of production that may be encountered with various materials and specifications.

10. Eliminate numerical goals, posters, and slogans for the work force, asking for new levels of productivity without providing methods.

11. Eliminate work standards that prescribe numerical quotas.

12. Remove barriers that stand between the hourly worker and his [or her] right to pride of workmanship.

13. Institute a vigorous program of education and retraining.

14. Create a structure in top management that will push every day on the above 13 points.

For anyone whop isn't busy and wants to help

Michelle and I will start doing the majority of our moving today. If anyone is not busy and would like to help pitch in with the move, we would appreciate the help.

We're moving to Van Voorhis Road and officially take over tomorrow, but most of the moving and unpacking will be done today so we can help cheer the Steelers to another Super Bowl Championship Sunday evening.

It's a Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes readers it is once again that time of the week when we cease our labors for the week and take a little time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors, it is a Big Ole Hairy Friday and the dawn of yet another weekend.

I was at the new house yesterday morning for several hours while the cable guys were connecting the cable and internet. We had to make sure that it was on in time for this weekends HUGE superbowl. As nice as it is to know that we have the cable there now working, when Ed got home from work last night he found that his was not working now, so that is why I am writing this blog. Sucks to be him.....

This is going to be such a busy weekend for all of us. I think that Ed and I are going to take a few trips to the new house tonight with some boxes that we packed last weekend. I believe the majority of it will be done all day Saturday, I still have to get in and do some cleaning, but for the most part we are ready to move.

This is going to be an awesome weekend, friends, food and football. What else could a girl ask for? I hope everyone has a great day and an awesome weekend, I know that I am going to enjoy myself.

Is it softball season yet?

I know, we haven't even reached the Day Phil gets everyone's attention, or the Super Bowl or even March madness. However I for one am starting to quickly tire of this inclimate weather and am ready for Spring to get here.

I'm ready for another season of Softball, although not physically yet, but emotionally I am ready to hit the diamond again.

If anyone is interested, a bunch of people I play softball with plus a few others are planning on playing paintball this weekend weather permitting at MVP Park if anyone may be interested. I'll be busy moving, so obviously I won't be there.

Weekend is getting closer and my bachelor days are running out.

Tidbits

* I always get requests for tidbits, so maybe I should do another one.

* It has been 320 days now since Michelle and mines first date.

* 10,000 BC the movie we saw....still sucks.

* We're at three days and counting down until we officially move in together.

* Phil, the Rat from Punxatawney is starting to really agitate me. Have you looked outside?

* I really like Nestle Tollhouse cookies with Macadamia nuts in them. Had a couple last night (actually now as I am typing this last night(Figure that one out)).

* last year, My sister Kim made a total of 80 Blog posts in the month of January, this year she has a running grand total of one so far. I think I can safely say she will not reach January of '08's BLOG total.

* I think I am finally over that flu bug that I caught, it was a nasty one as many others had gotten it also. If you avoided it, consider yourself lucky.

* does anyone have any idea how hard it is to come up with content when you really haven't had the chance to speak to anyone recently.

* On the WVU football front, Bill Stewart and crew have arranged for one of the better recruiting classes I I have seen in Morgantown in a long time. A lot of very solid players and HS All-Americans.

* In case anyone missed it, Patrick White won the MVP of the Senior Bowl last week. Man am I going to miss having him behind center.

* Stay safe and stay warm, I'm sure the roads are horrible on your morning commute this morning.

Phil starting to get ready

Alright Rat, as we get closer and closer to your day I have to say that Mother Nature called me last night and said she is wanting to bring Spring upon us and that you should not see your shadow again this year. I swear Phil she called me.

I know you want to make me Happy this year, as you teased me last year with not seeing your shadow and then still bringing the cold stuff. Hey Phil, I for one am tired of the cold, the snow, the icy roads and am ready for the days of spring to be upon us.

What's it going to take this year? A Hooker Groundhog paid for and a nights supply of your favorite groundhog munchies and beer? You're not still upset about us winning the Steelers trivia show against you are you?

Start of one last week.

This is starting my last week at Brunswick Apartments, by this time next week I will have moved back across town to Van Voorhis Road and starting my full time life with Michelle.

Michelle got a good start with helping me pack this weekend, I've still been a little under the weather and she was just an absolute trooper. I would say we have the hardest part of my move packed up, the only things left out are a few essentials that I need to get by for the week.

One thing I noticed, wow I have a lot of VHS and DVD's, and the collection is just going to double next week when we add Michelle's movies.

Anyone watch that game yesterday? Yuck.

Starting to feel a little better again

Wow has this been a bad week for me health wise, I missed two days of work then it kind of hit me again on Friday night.

I still don't have my appetite back, but I am stating to feel better a little bit by little bit.

4:00 today, WVU v #4 Pitt in the basketball version of the Backyard Brawl. I wonder how Jack Flemming would have felt about this game.

Starting to pack

Today Michelle and I have started to pack up some of my stuff, man am I a pack act. We got all my movies, books, textbooks, notebooks and GIS material packed up so far. Still got a ways to go today, just taking a brief break.

It's a Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes readers it is once again that time of the week when we cease our labors for the week and take a little time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors, it is a Big Ole Hairy Friday and the dawn of yet another weekend.

This officially begins my last full weekend living at Brunswick Ct Apartments for me, as Michelle and I will start officially cohabitating starting next weekend, even though I think she has spent all but one weekend with me since the start of the summer (she went on vacation one weekend).

I can't say this has not been a memorable week as Myself, Michelle, Chad (Michelle's son), Trish and a few other friends have been nailed down with this stomach flu that is going around. If you have not had it yet, trust me you do not want it. I have lost a few pounds and my pants don't fit as tight though, so it's not all that bad...LOL

This weekend I'll be starting to get ready for the move next weekend, I'll start packing up all the unessential things (junk to most of you) and getting them ready to be transported to the Valley next weekend. We officially move in Sunday (the first) but Michelle is going over next Friday and starting to get things cleaned and ready to move in. I'm sure the majority of it will be completed Saturday evening, or at least I hope so, the Super Bowl is that Sunday afternoon. But that's all next weekend.

Have a great day.

A Myspace post by my sister Terri

FYI:


Closing time.

Nick and I have decided after four years of running a tavern, we are calling it quits. We have made many new great friends here that we will miss alot. However, it is due time to get back in my life the things that are most important to us, our family and friends. This transaction will be taking place somewhere between mid February to mid March. We will be moving to Nick and Terri Sivak's in Opakisski road for a short time until we are able to get back on our feet. We will be planning a final bash that will include music with Floyd Cowger, Weedhawks and Homebrew I hope everyone will be able to attend to help celebrate the new chapter we are beginning So with that being said I will be seeing everyone soon.

Back to Work

After a couple days of being completely under the weather with a very violent stomach virus, I'm heading back to work today. I didn't intend it to be, but it turned out to be a five day weekend for me if that is what you want to call it.

I've been pretty much out of everything the last two days, so not too much to speak about. I tried to watch the inauguration, but was too sick and drained to really see anything of importance. I tried to stay awake to watch President Obama's acceptance speech, but I zonked out and never got the chance to listen to history being made.

Feeling better, back to work.

Been under the weather

Both Michelle and I have had a very bad case of the stomach flu the last couple of days. Sorry for the short BLOG, things should be back to normal tomorrow.

Inaugeration Day

Today will be a historical day for our country, we have elected our first African American President and today he OFFICIALLY is sworn in and will be forever from this day forward be referred to as President Barack Obama.

Today is also when George W Bush obviously leaves office, I think the sad thing is it has been 7 1/2 years since 9-11 and Osama Bin Laden is still at large.

This is however the day the country swears in a new leader. Might make for soem very good television.

It's a new day and a new era in America.

Laate BLOG, Busy day

Sorry, I have been very busy this morning getting a lot of accounting caught up.

Well, I do have to say it is a great day to be a Steelers fan, they beat the Baltimore Ravens for the third time this season and advanced onto Super Bowl 43!!!!!!

I have some running around to do on my day off, so this is a short and sweet blog. Toodles.

Happy Birthday Layla Rosiak

Well today is a very special day, it is the first birthday for Layla Rosiak, aka "Wee One" aka "Squiggle Butt". Trish and her Mom and Dad Pat and Frank will be celebrating this little piece of heavens very first birthday later today at Pat and Frank's House. Michelle and I will be there to enjoy the party and to cheer the Pittsburgh Steelers on to the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl after the party.

This is going to be a great day!!!!

It's so cold.....

From the B&G News:


...I just pissed slush.

...I just ate a popsicle, and realized it was my big toe.

...My dog is stuck to the fire hydrant.

...instead of milk, I put anti-freeze in my coffee.

...I slipped on some ice and shattered

...I saw a penguin wearing fleece.

......when i fart the crap particles freeze together. I put it in an igloo cooler and sent it off to a lab to get tested....followed by another poster saying...Just heard from the lab. They found sperm. Lots and lots of sperm.

...I saw a lawyer with his hands in his OWN pockets

...My shadow froze to the sidewalk.

...The local flasher was caught describing himself to women.

...Clinton is sleeping with his own wife in order to keep warm.

...The fire department advises you to set your house on fire.

...The steam off my head created a war between 2 Indian villages.

...Hitchhikers are holding up pictures of a thumb.

...I saw a squirrel knitting a little bag to keep his nuts warm.

...the hookers downtown are charging 20 bucks just to blow on your hands

...Al Gore is saying, "Screw it, let's burn some coal."



Thank you to the Blue and Gold News and the posters there for a little comical relief on this cold morning. The temp is currently -3 degrees F with a Wind Chill of -7 Degrees F.



GROUNDHOG (Phil) STEW


1 Groundhog name Phil
2 onions, sliced
1/2 cup celery, sliced
Flour
Vinegar and water
Salt and pepper
Cloves

Clean Phil er I mean Groundhog; remove glands; cut into serving pieces. Soak overnight in a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar with addition of one sliced onion and a little salt. Drain, wash, and wipe. Parboil 20 minutes, drain, and cover with fresh boiling water. Add one sliced onion, celery, a few cloves, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until tender; thicken gravy with flour.



I'm not making any suggestions.....Phil

One Way

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again when we cease the labors of the week and take a little time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors, it is once again the dawn of yet another weekend and another Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!!!!

I took Michelle out to dinner last night for her birthday. We were in the mood for Hot Sausage Hoagies, so we headed over to the old Westover Pizza (Collosante's (sp?)) for a nice dinner.

Not much on our agenda this weekend, going to get some paperwork in order and sign our lease for when we move in. Next weekend I'll start packing in anticipation for the following weekends move.

We had our company Holiday Party yesterday, we played the Chinese gift exchange game and I walked away with a really nice 8GB Verbatim Jump Drive. I have a 4GB one and I still have my second one that I ever bought, a 126 MB one from college that I still use a good bit. I was talking to a co-worker who has a verbatim and I read a few reviews on them, they come with very high praise.

It's going to be a three day weekend for this guy, very much needed after a very busy and hectic week.


Enjoy your weekend and bundle up, it's cold outside.

Happy Birthday Michelle

Today is a very special day in my sweethearts life, it is the day that she hit's that wonder and magical age of 40. Yes 40 years ago today my best friend, my companion and the woman who I will finally surrender my bachelorhood to was born.

We have both been putting in a lot of very long hours this week, but I know I am not working over today and will spend a little time with the love of my life.

I have been very blessed for first knowing her from years ago, secondly for going shopping at Wal-Mart last year and running into her, thirdly for her adding me as a friend in Myspace last spring and finally but most importantly, everything that has happened in my life ever since.

I love you sweetie and look forward to the day that we don't have to call each other just to say good morning or good night.

Happy Birthday sweetie.

Hump Day Tidbits.

* It's been a while since I have done a tidbits, so maybe I am long overdue one.

* It was another busy day for both Me and Michelle. I'm trying to get data ready for a conference I have to go to in Pittsburgh next Weekend for the Carbon Sequestration Project, and Michelle is coming to the end of their Fiscal year so they are trying to get the books closed out for 2008.

* I have to go out of town next Wed for a conference, I'll be back the same day. Already checked out a Government Vehicle to burn some green fuels.

* It has been 306 days since my first date with Michelle last spring.

* Erica was supposed to be taken to the dentist yesterday to be sedated so they could work on her teeth. I have no further information, this was posted on Val's MySpace page.

* Danielle is still in (I think) after her first semester of college, she beat me in her first semester of college when we compare GPA's. Great job Danielle. She mentioned wanting a Primanti Brother's sandwich before she goes back to school.

* I think the same morons who are on the road when I drive were on the road when Michelle was going home last night, In think it's a conspiracy by bad drivers to mess us up.

* 18 days to go until Michelle and I move in together, 19 days until Phil gets shot if he sees his shadow.

* Anyone ever wonder how hard it is to write a tidbits when you have been busy at work and haven't talked to anyone?

* I have a three day weekend coming up, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr's birthday and it's a government Holiday.

* I guess they are finishing up my office over at the new DOE building, I should be moving in there in the next couple of weeks.

* The Capital Classic is tonight. WVU will beat Marshall in both Men's and Women's basketball.

* Is it softball yet?

Busy Day

Wow, you talk about a busy day yesterday. Michelle's was worse than mine even, so I should feel lucky. She was at her job an hour before I was at mine, I left very late (6:00) and she was still at work.

I know I will probably be looking at more of the same today, hopefully Michelle can get a little bit of rest since she is recovering from the flu still.

Did you see what the girl who was a virgin got her selling her virginity $3.7 Million American dollars. Is that ridiculous or what? She's paying for her education pretty easily.

Steelers to AFC Championship game again.

The Pittsburgh Steelers with their 35-24 win against the San Diego Chargers have set themselves up to play in the AFC All Time Leading and tied for NFL leading 14th Conference Championship game. The Dallas Cowboys, a team the Steelers have played in three Super Bowls, have also been to 14 Conference Championship games in the NFC.

The Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens, a team they have beaten twice this year already, for the AFC Championship.

The game will be played at 6:30 on Sunday, which is nothing new this year for the Steelers since they have had three 1:00 games all season.

It's a great morning to be a Steelers fan.

Happy Birthday Sandra Irene Bell

Today is my Mother's special day of the year, the day she takes out and celebrates that little day we like to refer to as our Birthday.

If you see my Mom today, make sure you help me wish her a Very Happy Birthday.

Movie Review Gran Torino

Yesterday Michelle and I went out and saw the movie Gran Torino starring 77 year old leading tough man Clint Eastwood.

Looking around the theater and noticing how packed it was plus seeing previews for the movie previously, our expectations for the movie were quite high. If you would like to watch it, go HERE and find a running version. Firefox users may need to unblock the site on their popup blockers to have some files work. I was going to try to embed the file into the BLOG, but the code is not available to embed.

OK, on to the review. We had seen previews and it looked like classic Eastwood and it was just that. He plays that typical rough and tumble character that he very well known for. I thought to myself after the movie he could very well win an Oscar for this performance, this was Eastwood at arguably his best. Being he is 77 years old and only puts out movies every few years, this may be the swan song of one of our great American leading men.

When this comes out on DVD, it's worth the price to own.....twice.

Blazing Saddles: Obama Edition

Gran Torino

Michelle is a little under the weather so we stayed in last night and just let her rest and relax.

I'll wait until she gets up and around to see how she feels today, I know she has not been feeling all too well.

IF and that if a bg IF she is feeling better, I think we are going to venture out either this afternoon or this evening to see the new Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino.

Big Ole Hairy Black Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week we look forward to, when we cease the labors of the week and take a little time out to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is once again another Bog Ole Hairy Friday and the start of yet another weekend.

It's been a full week for me to say the least. Firs t couple of months I was at SAIC I had one job code to bill to, between last week and this week I know have six tasks to bill to. Two of which are fully funded at 100%. (too bad they don;t pay me twice my salary lol)

This weekend Michele and I are going to go and see the new Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino. We both saw the previews about a month ago and decided it was one of two movies we wanted to see. Marley and Me which we saw a couple weeks ago was the other.

For you Steeler fans, they Steelers play the Sand Diego Chargers Sunday at 4:00. I'll be watching.

Have a great Friday.



Is it Softball yet?

A surprise Birthday party for Arron

You have to hand it to Trish, she knows how to pull off surprise Birthday parties like no one else. last night Arron had a basketball game, but when he arrived home he arrived to a home full of friends and family.

I think he was surprised, but thought it was kind of funny with all the cars in the driveway and had a feeling that something was up.

It was a good evening and I know I enjoyed myself.


Just for you Arron:

Over that darn hump day

Woo Hoo, we're at the hump and trying to get over the uphill part of the weekend and on our way back downhill and towards the weekend!!!!

I did see something kind of funny yesterday. Mark, who has developed WVUstats.comfrom it's infancy (he is the sites creator). I guess a guy at another website mountaineersportsreport.com took it upon himself to embed Mark's site into his own site. It's not a very nice thing to do, in a way it is taking credit for someone elses intellectual property. Well, Mark is a great programmer and sent the guy a little message. he was talking about doing a redirect to another site to embarrass the guy, but he hasn't yet. Come on Mark, this guy could be the talk of the internet today.

Oh well, have a good hump day.

Technological change is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.--Albert Einstein

Best recruiting class I think I have ever seen.

Wow has coach Stewart and company nailed down a heck of a recruiting class. Tavon Austin the 5 Star RB out of Baltimore said he will be a Mountaineer next season.

That's three (actually four but one changed his mind) 5 Star recruits Coach Stewart has landed in a little over a year being our coach. In the previous coaches tenure here, he landed two 5 star recruits. One never made it to Morgantown and one played a couple games and left the team his Freshman year making way for Steve Slaton.

This years class includes the nations #1 and #12 WR. The nations #7 tailback, the Nations #2 Fullback and the nations #9 QB The #4 was committed here but has committed to a couple other schools since then). Not to mention we signed a future NFL shutdown cornerback the day before.

Congrats coach Stew and staff, one heck of a job.

I think this is an honor

George's Journal I read this morning was rated #9 in the top 50 Blogs in Morgantown.

I was just screwing around getting ready for work and using google and put my name in just to see what kind of results I would get. I am ranked #9 of the Top 50 Blogs in Morgantown.

I wonder what kind of a prize I get for such an honor...lOL

Busy Busy Busy

I've been busy as heck the last few days and I'kk be getting a lot busier as the week progresses. I've been put on the Carbon Sequestration Project to prepare all the GIS data and make the maps for this project.

Talk about something that is time consuming and keeps you busy, between that and the meetings this week I'm going to be one busy little blogger with nothing to write about. The stuff I am doing is interesting, and it's nice to see the direction we are going with renewable bio-fuels, but it's not a topic that's meant for a casual blog.

Do you believe the most recent basketball rankings? Pitt is #1. Let's see we play them January 25th, let's see if we can return the favor by beating them when they are ranked #1 in a sport much like last year in football. Although if you look at the very complex Pomeroy Computer ratings that were put out Sunday evening, WVU is #1 in basketball in that poll.

This season looks like it could be interesting.

Back to work kind of a day

It's a back to the grindstone kind of day, it's the day when the students (at least the local ones) are back in class and most everyone has returned from their holiday break.

We took my Christmas Tree down this past weekend, so I guess you can the the holidays are now officially over with and behind us.

Michelle made a great dinner yesterday, she made stuffed peppers in the crock pot and let me say they were quite awesome. We're both taking leftovers with us to work today (as we did Friday) for our lunches. No complaints, Friday's pork roast and sour kraut were awesome. The stuffed peppers were also great.

We did manage to go over and see Michael and Patty this weekend and start to get the paperwork in order for us to move over to Van Voorhis Road at the beginning of next month.

Lazy Sunday

It's a lazy kind of a Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers enjoy the weekend off as they have a bye during the first round of the playoffs, so no Steeler game for us.

I missed a few phone calls last night, accidentally turned the ringer off and never caught it until this morning. The iPhone has a little button on the side that is not too hard to accidentally bump and turn the phone off.

A little heads up but I won't be playing, Chris O is trying to organize a winter paintball day at MVP Park at the end of the month. Michelle and I will be busy moving that weekend, but if anyone would be interested in playing let me know and I'll let everyone in on the details.

WOW, I almost repeated a tragedy of last year as I was typing this. All is well though.

Have a good day.

Early Morning Ramblings

I am up and Michelle is still sleeping, she had trouble sleeping last night. That and she's a later night person that I am and I am an earlier morning person than she is.

For those curious about the Mountaineer scene today. the Men's basketball team will be traveling to Seton Hall for a Big East Conference game at 4:00. Not sure if it is on TV, my guess without looking is that it will be shown, but I am just speculating.

If you are looking for something new and interesting to do tonight, the WVU Woman's Gymnastics Team will have an intrasquad Gold v Blue meet tonight at the WVU Coliseum at 7:00. It's free and open to the public, so if you are looking for a little free and cheap entertainment and don;t want to sit in front of the TV, this may be your solution.

Before I forget, I have to wish Michelle's Mom a very Happy Birthday.


When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.--Alexander Graham Bell

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes even though it has been a short week for me it is once again that time of the week when we cease the labors for the week and take time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is once again the dawn of yet another weekend and another Big Ole Hairy Friday.

We're probably going to try to make it over and talk to Michael this weekend, we're moving at the end of the month and want to make sure everything is ready for us to move in when we do.

The Steelers are off this weekend, they have earned a first round playoff bye and can sit and watch everyone else trying to advance to the next round.

Have a great Friday.

New Years Day

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2009 edition of my BLOG. I hope everyone had a very safe and Happy New Years Eve. Michelle and I stayed in and watched Dick Clark (man is he showing his post teen aged years) ring in the new year.

So far today Michelle and I watched the movie Wanted. The Movie was OK, the special effects were great, but it did seem just a little bit too over the top for my taste, then again I like super hero movies so what does that tell you.

For Dinner my baby is making Pork Roast, Sour Kraut and mashed potatoes. This will be the first time I have ever eaten pork and sour kraut for New years. Just never a big fan of Sour Kraut. Jean gave Michelle some advice and it had made it actually pretty good.

We had a pretty relaxing day, I think Pam was thinking we were moving this weekend as opposed to the first of next month. Maybe that was my fault telling everyone the first of the year. I am very thankful that she is more than willing to help out.

This afternoon we made a trip down to visit Nick and Terri at the bar. They were recovering from last night when the Weedhawks played at the bar.

Tonight its a couple football games before we are off to bed. We both have to work tomorrow.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne

We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne

And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Happy New Year 2009!!!!!!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Goodbye 2008

January

* West Virginia started the year off right with a win in the Fiesta Bowl against The Oklahoma Sooners. Bill Stewart was offered the Full Time head Coaching position for WVU hours after the Fiesta Bowl win.

* I managed to fry my computer after coming home from a WVU basketball and spilling water over and it bounced up and into the vent and onto the Hard Drive. I was online writing an e-mail as I got the Blue Screen of Death.

* Morgantown's airport started offering exclusive flights to Dulles Air Port. An airport that was as far away from my office as my home was to the Morgantown Airport.

* I ran into an old friend from about 20+ years earlier.

February

* Phil ruined my day by seeing his shadow. The damn rat.

* I found out that a few years earlier that my cousin Rusty had passed away. It was an accident that I found this out, needless to say it was a shocker also.

* I made my 1,000th BLOG post. This was one heck of an accomplishment, I am well on my way to 1,500 in 2009.

March

* WVU beat arch rivals Pitt in basketball.

* 8 Women from Morgantown killed our Karma and was the $276 Million Powerball jackpot.

* I started dating the love of my life, I even gave her a second date.

* I was informed by Infotech that I was going to be laid off. They were shipping everything that I did offshore as they were an Indian owned company. They were shipping all GIS work to India.

April

* My last Day with Infotech was on a Monday...

...My first day with Information Manufactoring Corporation was the next day. =)

* I had the opportunity to meet Michelle's family for the first time.

* Robert cheated and ended up rolling his first career 300 game. I counted, the ball did not rotate the appropriate number of times on numerous balls, his score should have been 0. (Congrats Robert)

* Michelle and I had our first (of many) picture taken together at her Neice Samantha's birthday party.

May

* I was invited by Chris Ostein to be a member of his Steelers Trivia Show team that would be taped in the first of June.

* Michelle and I did Pedlar's Glory, a very tough and hilly geocache that I challenge anyone who wants to get into shape to try.

* I purchased a Magic Jack.

* Michelle, Hayley, Wyatt and I did numerous Geocaches and took trips to Deep Creek Lake and Ohio Pyle.

* Michelle had her Gall Bladder removed. I tried to sell the thing on eBay, but no takers.

* I was honored as the 6th member ever inducted into the Blue and Gold New's Hall of Fame. This is the largest WVU sports forum community with as many as 25,000 members on at any time. Annually they nominate, vote for and elect one member to the Hall of Fame. This was my induction year.

June

* I participated in and helped win the 2008 KDKA McDonald's Pittsburgh Steelers trivia show. We were not allowed to tell anyone that we won until after the show aired.

* Michelle, Hayley and I went to Cheddars for Hayley's birthday and to Deep Creek Lake the next day. Wyatt was with us for the trip to Cheddars and a chance to see Kung Fu Panda.

* Moke attended his first day of college.

* We had our annual BOPARC paintball day at Mountain Valley Paintball Park. Ironically I ran into an old college mate that day that helped me get get the best job I've ever had a few months later.

* Joe Alexander was selected with the eighth pick of the NBA draft.

* Michelle and I celebrated 100 days.

* Went the annual Rosiak party.

July

* We took a trip to Idlewild Park, Michelle had won tickets on WVAQ and we chose our park.

* Rich Fraudrigeuz realized he was going to lose his court case and owe WVU the $4 Million. Nice settlement moron...ROFLMAO.

* Our first Round KDKA Steelers trivia show aired.

* Michelle, Hayley and I took a nice trip to Blackwater Falls to do a little bit of geocaching.

* Michelle and I went and saw Jimmy Buffett in concert at the Post Gazette Pavillion in Pittsburgh. I think Michelle was in a little bit of culture shock and officially became a Parrot Head.

August

* I bought a Nintendo Wii. I think in the coming year of 2009 it will be the source for a lot of fun as Michelle, Chad, Hayley, Laiah and myself will put it to good use in 2009.

* Michelle went on vacation to Myrtle Beach and left me to slave foe the week. Oh woah is me...LOL

* The 2008 Summer Olympics kicked off, Michael Phelps dominated the Olympics winning numerous Gold medals for the US.

* I received a notification that I would have to serve on Jury Duty for a period of time.

* The Steelers trivia show semi-finals aired.

* I traveled to Martinsburg WV on business for a GIS Users conference.

September

* I brokedown and finally gave in and decided to buy an iPhone. I waited until they were in stock rathet than getting caught up in the Rush. A move I am still enjoying as I love my iPhone.

* The Finals of the Steelers Trivia show aired. Like I had started earlier, we won the entire tournament, Thanks to Chris and Randy. The finals aired before the start of the first Steelers game of the year.

* Brittany made her entire family proud as she was nominated for the 2008 Clay battelle High School homecoming court.

* I was officially offered my current job with SAIC. I had to delay my start so I could finish up my service on Jury Duty. I was only called in one day in six weeks.

* Kaiden Joseph Dalton became part of the family as Amy and Ralphie had their first child together.

* I took Michelle to the Buckwheat festival, it was her first time in attending the festival and her first time of eating Buckwheat Cakes.

* Michelle and I attended the WVU- Marshall game and Michelle got a chance to have her picture taken with Mark Patton.

October

* I started the month of October off a little bit under the weather. I actually took a couple of days of vacation from IMC because I was feeling sick.

* I officially stated my current job with SAIC at the NETL at the DOE. To say that I was ready for a challenge at that time is an understatement. I have been challenged and very satisfied with this decision, best career move I have ever made.

* Went to Century III Mall and Primanti Brothers with Michelle on one Saturday. It was a lot of fun just to get out of town for the day.

* Learned how to Write KML's for work. Something that would cause a piece of my work to draw the attention of someone in a very high office in this country (yes his name is Bush).

* Halloween at Jeans. Michelle volunteered to give out the candy this year, as she has never had any trick or treaters before where she lived. The turnout was a little lower this year than years past, but there were still a lot.

November

* We sought our last geocaches of the year.

* Michelle and I showed Chad and Hayley where we will be living in about a month. I think they were pleasantly surprised.

* Michelle and I took a nice day trip to enjoy the scenery of Valley Falls in Marion County.

* We elected a new President. For the first time in a long time, I was very happy with the results of the elections. Going by what I have seen so far, we are in very good and capable hands.

* As a prize for winning the 2008 Steelers Trivia Challenge, we were given three pairs of game tickets and field passes for the Steelers v Indianapolis game. Can I just say it was a little bit cold that day. Brrrr. Also, Michelle road the incline for the first time.

* I was out of town once again and I invited for the first time ever a guest author to write a few BLOG entries for George's Journal. Michelle did a great job, hopefully we can get her to continue to contribute to this BLOG.

* We gobbled till we wobbled on Thanksgiving with Michelle's family here in Morgantown.

December

* I was pleasantly surprised as Michelle and Trish teamed up to throw me a surprise Birthday party. I am one lucky guy.

* Michelle and I went to watch Hayley the songbird sing in the 2008 Morgantown High Choir Christmas concert.

* Spent a day with Trish, Arron and Michelle in Pittsburgh as we visited Tanger Outlets and Robinson Mall Christmas shopping. There was even a little side trip to Sarris's candy.

* We all traveled to Ohio to Michelle's Grandmothers for her family Christmas, followed by a trip to her Dad's. I really enjoyed myself and am looking forward to going in 2009.

* Michelle got into a little fender bender on a night when Morgantown was covered in ice and the city was in complete gridlock.

* Daniel came in for a visit with Kim and to see everyone.

* Christmas 2008 was created with another little movie file. This was one of the best Christmas's I have ever had, so this is what it's like to be with someone you love during the holidays. I can get used to this.

* WVU Football won the Meineke Carcare Bowl and the Basketball team blew out Ohio State. It surely was a great day to be a Mountaineer.

* 448 Blog Posts for the year. A new record.



A Very special Thank you to all my readers who make writing this BLOG worthwhile. 2008 was arguably the best year of my life, lets see if we can top it in 2009.


Stay Safe tonight and thanks once again for reading. I have enjoyed writing.

Last Regular BLOG of the year

This will be my last regular BLOG of 2008, tomorrow I will do my end of year 2009 BLOG that I do as the last BLOG of the year.

It's been a very good 2008 for me, arguably one of my best. I went from obtaining having my highest paying job ever, to seeing my largest offer ever to accepting another job that is my highest paying job ever.

I have met and found the love of my life and we are planning on moving in together in about a month.

I've done a lot of Geocaches and enjoyed my first Christmas in a solid relationship with someone in a very long time.

For me, it has been a great Year.

Ending the last weekend of 2008

I have to say I will be very sorry to see 2008 go, it has been a very good and bad year for me. Yesterday we finished up the last weekend of the 2008 calender year and are working the last few remaining hours of 2008 before we bring in the New Year.

Once again this year, my final BLOG of 2008 will be a month by month reflection of the year 2008, and all of that information will be gathered exclusively from BLOG posts from the 2008 year.

I've done this for the last few years now and I think of all the BLOGS I post during the year, that final BLOG of the year has to be my favorite. It gives me time to look back and reflect upon my year, and it is probably the only time of the year that I actually take time out and sit back and reflect on what I may have said during the season.

I did one for 2007, 2006 and 2005. I started blogging in 2004, but only had a few months to BLOG and didn't have that full year, so I did not do a reflection for 2004 even though I blogged almost half of the year.

Have a great Monday.


PS. Hey Phil, party it up until you get blind and stupid. I need you to come through for me in a few weeks.

It was a great Day to be a Mountaineer

Yesterday was a great day to be a Mountaineer, no matter where you were or what sport you were watching.

Pat White made a remarkable impression as his last game as a Mountaineer with a 31-30 win against North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in North Carolina (basically a home game for North Carolina Tar Heels). Pat finished his career off by being the first QB to ever start and win four bowl games during his career. Thank You Patrick, we will definitely miss you in Morgantown.

After that the Men's Basketball team took a trip to Columbus Ohio to play the undefeated and 13th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Basketball. You know when you are a good team you don;t get beat by 28 points, 76-48 on your own home court. I guess the Buckeyes were a good bit shall we say OVER RATED.

After the games me and Michelle went out to dinner and then to the Theater to see Marely and Me. Great flick, I'll give it a two thumbs up for anyone who may want to see it.

Steelers against the Browns today.

Game Day

Today is a big day for WVU Sports fans. We will be playing North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl today at 1:00 on ESPN.

At 4:00 the WVU Men's basketball team travels to Columbus Ohio to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes on CBS.

Let's cheer the Mountaineers to a couple meaningful victories today!!

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we look forward to, when we cease the labors for the week and take some time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is once again a Big Ole Hairy Friday and the dawn of another weekend.

Actually for me I'm on a four day weekend as I am off today barring any major unforeseen event happening like a Hurricane or an Ice Storm that shuts down a large power grid.

Michelle is going back to work today, but she is only going in for a few hours this morning and making it a short day.

I hope everyone had a great Holiday, I know I did. It was the first one that I was actually with someone in my life in a very long time. I am very appreciative that I have Michelle and hers as part of my life.

Not too sure what we are going to be getting into this weekend. My guess is a couple of movies that we are wanting to see.

Gran Torino




and Marley and Me.

Christmas 2008

I'll upload all the photo's to my server once I get a few technical issues worked out. Stay tuned.

Christmas Eve

Ho Ho Ho, it is that wondrous and stress filled time of the year, it is Christmas Eve.

No big plans like 2008, but I'll try to do a video somehow this year.

Previous years videos.





Holly Jolly Christmas

Only two more shopping days

Yes last minute shoppers, it is now time to go to the stores and get your shopping done. Today and tomorrow are the last two shopping days before Christmas.

Not too sure what I will be doing this Christmas Eve, I think Michelle and I will be traveling and saying hello to members of my family before spending Christmas Day with her family.

I have today and tomorrow to work, but Michelle has three more days this week.

How about that cold front that came through? Damn, it was a little too cold even for my taste. Phil, get drunk over the holidays, I'm planning on you not seeing that shadow this year.

Back to work

Back to the grindstone that is what we know work. Back to the meetings and deadlines and that thing that makes us who we are and allows us the freedom ti enjoy weekends.

I'll be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Wed this week as the DOE closes the facility on both Thursday and Friday. I think as far as my office goes, today everyone will be there but that will be the only day where we have this. Everyone else is gone either the rest of the week or Wed.

I was checking out my MySpace and Facebook this morning and seen that a few friends were doing what I used to do (and enjoy). Go Christmas shopping in the middle of the night when no one else is around and the store shelves are being re-stocked. That was always one of my favorite times to go shopping.

Back to work.

Winter Solstice

OK, we are OFFICIALLY at the shortest day of the year and at the change of the seasons. As of 7:04 AM this morning we have entered the Winter Solstice, meaning we are officially in the season of Winter. This is also the shortest day of the year.

Unfortunately we are at the dawn of a few months that I like the very least, BUT now the days will start getting longer as opposed to getting shorter. I know that we are now looking ahead to spring, being outside, geocaching and softball.

Hey Phil, you listening my fine rodent friend?

Saturday Morning Ramblings

As Michelle is making breakfast (god I love that woman) of Turkey bacon, Egg Whites and Hi Fiber English Muffin, I am sitting down on this early Saturday Morning writing a blog.

Not sure what our agenda for the day will be as of yet, still need to finish up my Christmas shopping (I need advice on what to get Michelle) and wrap a few final gifts on the day.

I know that later this evening we will be going to the Morgantown Mall to watch the finals of the Santa Baby competition even though neither Kaiden or Layla made it this year (Damn semi-blind judges). We'll be there cheering Owen Paulus Young onto victory now that the two cutest babies are no longer in the competition (yeah I am biased).

Have a great day.

It's a Big Ole Hairy (and Fat) Friday

Yes it is once again that favorite time of the week, a time when we cease the labors for teh week and just take a little tile out to enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is the dawn of yet another fun filled weekend.

Not sure what is on my and Michelle's agenda for the weekend after running around all last weekend. It may just be a time to rest and relax a little bit since Christmas will be upon us later this coming week.

Let's get this Friday Started so we can move on to the weekend.

Daniel is in for a visit.

It has been one year to the day, Daniel has made it back to Morgantown from Kentucky for a Visit.

Me, Michelle and Moke stopped by Robert and Kim's to see him on his trip in, he's staying overnight from my understanding and returning to Kentucky tomorrow sometime.

It was nice to see him, I can tell Kim was very happy to see him.

Bad weather driving

Wow was yesterday a total cluster....

They let us out of work at 4:00 because of bad conditions. A little after 5:00 I pull onto Scott Avenue and Michelle Calls. She has been in an accident and needs me to come and get her. First of all other than a sore chest from hitting something, she seems to be doing OK. Her car was hit in the drivers side front quarter panel and is sitting at the shop as we speak. She'll know more today and I'll try to give everyone an update on her today. She was pulling out of work and some lady trying to beat the traffic was speeding in the middle turn lane and hit her.

I managed to make it up on the mileground at about 6:00 and by 6:30 we were sitting at Wings Ole in Suncrest, 2 1/2 hours sitting in slow inching traffic and I needed a break. I managed to get her home around 7:30 and I got home around 8:00.

Talk about a long day, sheesh.

I'll pick Michelle up this morning and take Hayley to school and her to work.

I think Michelle and I both need a Trunk Monkey in our cars to deal with the traffic and accidents.

Have I ever mentioned...

... that I hate snow? I mean it's not that I dislike this cold white powdery stuff that falls from the skies, I plain out hate snow with a passion. Give me warm spring weather when the birds are singing, I can wear a pair of shorts and a T-Shirt and a nice pair of sandals and I am Happy.


Dear Punxatawny Phil,

How are you doing old buddy, sorry for us putting the hammer down on you in the Steelers Trivia Show earlier this summer. Hope it's been a great summer and the Steelers are doing great.

With that being said, I'm already sick of this snow. Is there any way we can get you to move Groundhogs Day up a month? You know it would be perfect right after New Years, that way you can be verschnickered to the point where you wouldn't want to see your shadow even if you could.

Your everloving BLOGGER,

George's Journal




Dear Mother Nature,

Is it at all possible to stop winter and bring on spring? I have written a correspondence to Phil about possibly moving his day closer to a celebratory time where his better judgment may be impaired or that he wouldn't care if he did see his shadow.

If it is at all possible to bring Spring, I will start a cult of geocachers to praise your name. Think about it, turn off the snow and you become a deity, not that you are not now, but you will have your own following.

On the other hand I heard that this guy thinks that you are getting a little heavy around the mid-section and and that he could run things much better than you could. I have heard through the grapevine that he is thinking about over throwing you and taking over.

This would cause total anarchy, I think you need to send this man a message and eliminate him early this season.

A little under the weather

Michelle, Hayley and I were all a little bit under the weather yesterday. I had gotten a little of a fever Sunday night and then was sweating profusely yesterday morning before I headed to work.

I came home yesterday after work and ate dinner, took a hot shower and soaked my pillow during the course of trying to take a nap.

I'll be the only one in the office today, so I'll be holding down the fort.

Traveling kind of weekend.

Yesterday was another traveling kind of day. We ventured to Moon PA, East Liverpool Ohio and Calcutta Ohio to visit Michelle's Mother, Grandmother and Father.

I managed to catch Michelle's son Chad with some reindeer ears on at Michelle's grandmother's house.

We did manage to cash in some Giant Eagle Gas rewards and bought Gas last night for $0.99 a gallon. Talk about a bit of excitement for me.

It's back to the grindstone today, hopefully I'll feel better today as I was a little under the weather when I came home last night.

Yesterday and Today

yesterday Michelle, Trish and some kid who scwatched my CD (inside joke) spent the day in Pittsburgh. The day started off with a trip to Tanger and a little bit of holiday shopping. Stores were running some very nice specials. The girls spent more than $25 each at Old Navy Yesterday and they had a deal where they get four free movie passes (as much as $12 each) that are good until the end of January. I found a really nice deal at the Columbia Store, which happens to be my favorite store at Tanger.

After that we ventured to Sarris's to look at all the chocolate on display and browse all the goodies they had there.

From there is was onto a lter lunch at my favorite Pittsburgh Restaurant, Primanti Brothers. This was the first time either Trish or Arron had ever had a chance to try the best sandwich in Pittsburgh.

After that it was off to Robinson Mall. Let me say, this is one of the nicest Malls that I have been in. Spread out, two layers and plenty of merchants. This was my first trip to that Mall, I would wager it will not be my last.

Today is a new day, we're off to East Liverpool Ohio for Michelle's family Christmas get together.

It's a Shopping Day.

Michelle and I are both up and have just drug Trish's stinky butt our of bed (she was up) and told her to get ready for the day of shopping.

We're going to Pittsburgh to Tanger Outlets in Washington PA. She has never been to Tanger and Michelle and I really liked the place so we're taking Trish and Arron there for their first visit.



After that we will be heading north to Robinson Mall to do a little additional shopping and I'm sure there will be a Primanti Brothers on the agenda sometime today.

Michelle is in the shower, I'm getting ready to jump in and we'll be off to pick up Trish for a fun filled day of shopping and food in the Burgh.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week when we cease the labors for the week and take time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is once again a Big Ole Hairy Friday and the dawn of yet another weekend.

Just a reminder, you have twelve shopping days left until Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas takes his Merry Journey. That is roughly 288 hours left to shop, give or take when you are reading this.

I will have a busy weekend. Tomorrow Michelle, Trish and myself will be venturing north to Tanger Outlets to do a little Christmas shopping. Should be a lot of fun.

Then Sunday Michelle and I will wake up and venture to her Grandmother's in East Liverpool, Ohio (I hope I got that right) for her family's Christmas get together.

We'll be doing a few errands tonight because of the busy weekend before us.

Last night I did buy The Dark Knight, I feel it is a must own movie even though we went to the theater to see it this summer.

Have a great day.

A magical evening

Yesterday was a magical evening, it was if an angel from heaven came down and overtook the body of Michelle's Daughter Hayley as she filled the auditorium with the very aesthetic audibles of a soprano that gives you the pleasant feeling as if you had just had a nice warm piece of your grandmothers warm home made apple pie.

I have seen a diva before she gets discovered, and that diva is in the MHS choir that had their Christmas Concert last evening at the Metropolitan Theater. Pleasant yule tide audibles filled the auditorium with the spirit of Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas. I had a great time and really enjoyed listening last night.

A Thank You first to Hayley for allowing me to share the moment and for the love of my life for inviting me.

The Song Bird Sings Tonight

Come one, come all, Hayley will be in concert tonight with the MHS choir at 7:00 at the Metropolitan Theater.

I'm actually quite excited as I have never heard her sing before, so this will be a first for me. Michelle tells me she is very talented and sits in the First Soprano chair.

If you are looking for something to do tonight, come see Hayley tonight, that way you can claim you heard her before she won her first Grammy.

Puglioni's

Last night I took Michelle and Hayley to Puglioni's for dinner. It started out with us meeting up at Wal-Mart and ended up with the three of us going out to dinner.

Other than that, I think I need to learn to hang up my iPhone and not accidentally call someone else again. I can think of at least three occasions now where people have called me back after listening to me talk in my office after hanging up the phone with someone else.

Have a good day.

Another Weekend come and gone

Yet another weekend has come and gone, it just seems like a couple minutes has went by since Michelle and I were at Milano's Pizza eating Friday Night and here I am getting ready to stick my nose back on the grindstone for the week.

This weeks highlights will include me and Michelle (and anyone who would like to go and support her) will be going to see Hayley sing at the Metropolitan Theater on Wed evening at 7:00 for the MHS Show choir's Christmas concert.

Also Wed night Arron will be playing basketball at Cheat Lake when they host WI at 7:15 at the Cheat Lake School I would think.

To the Dallas Cowboys fans out there.....suck it! You lost and you blew a 10 point lead to choke to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are horrible on offense this season, yet they are sitting at 10-3 right now on the year.

WVU Men's Basketballl won, WVU Football team won, The Pittsburgh Steelers won and the WVU Women's basketball team won. It was a pretty good weekend.

WVU to Meineke Car Care Bowl

After the win against South Florida last night, WVU was extended a bid to the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 27.

Last Night Patrick White lead the Mountaineers to victory in what was his last game ever at Mountaineer Field. He has been arguably the schools most exciting player in school history and will be sadly missed.

One thing I did find out about Patrick last night (Pay attention Mike Tomlin), is that he is a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan.


Retire #5.

Tidbits

* I know some of you love to read the tidbits, so I decided to do another one to touch on a few smaller points.

* Mom is heading to Amish Country today in Ohio. Not real sure who she is going with, but I know she takes a few trips with her friends and the church to places.

* Kim is also heading to Amish Country today, but in the opposite direction towards Springs PA. I tried to tell her last night there are cams on I-68 at Keyser's Ridge and Savage Mountain for her to check out to make sure it is safe to go.

* Next weekend will be a busy one for me and Michelle. We will be going to Tanger Outlets with Trish and going to Ohio the next day to visit Michelle's Grandmother and family in Ohio.


* Amy had a cute Christmas picture taken of Kaiden. Amy put it up on her MySpace, but Kim also posted the picture on her blog so I couldn't be out done. =)

* is there only 19 days left until Christmas? Wow is it starting to creep up on us slowly.

* This Wed at 7:00 at the Metropolitan Theater, Hayley will be singing with the MHS Choir if anyone would like to go and listen to Michelle's little Diva put out some magical vocals on the evening. She sings from the First Soprano Chair, so I am really looking forward to hearing her.

* In the next couple of weeks, I am going to gather some excess non-perishable food from my shelves and will be donating it to the Scott's Run Settlement House. Ifd anyone has anything they would like to donate, contact me and I can deliver it with what I take over.

* Watched a funny movie last night, we watched Step Brothers. It was hilarious. I posted the link for anyone who would like to watch it, it's screen is too large for the blog.

Big Ole Hairy Black Friday

Yes it is once again that time of the week when we cease the labors of the week and take time out to enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is once again the start of another week Big Ole Hairy Friday and the start of another weekend.

Michelle said to tell everyone (in her best Mrs. Doubtfire voice) Hellloooooooooooooooo.

Big weekend in Morgantown, Patrick White will sadly be playing his last game at Mountaineer Field Saturday night. Patrick, it has been an honor watching you these last four years. I hope you go on and have a wonderful NFL career (as a Steeler) with the best team in the NFL.

Tonight Michelle and I are going to watch Step Brothers and eat a Milano's Pizza for dinner, not planning on getting too much into anything other than relaxing. (Is it softball yet?)

Work went pretty well this week, even though I was off Monday, I started to re-learn Visual Basic so that I can customize my interfaces and interfaces for projects to work a little smoother. ArcGIS has a built in Visual basic editor built into it, but I may be looking into the Visual Studio Suite to re-learn with. It's a powerful tool that I learned in college, but haven't had to use it in any of the work environments I have been in.

Talking about work on a Big Ole Hairy Friday? I should be beaten. Have a good weekend.

Happy Birthday Kim

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my little sister Kim a very wonderful Birthday.

She is just a few days more than a year younger than me, but Brittany (who just re-added me as a myspace friend) seems to think I am 47.

Happy Birthday Kim.

Hump Day

We are once again at the middle part of the week, for some of you since I was off Monday, and at hump day and working towards the weekend again.

Last night Jean made me some haluski, one of my favorite things to eat, and a chocolate birthday cake with a really good icing. I think it was cream chesse icing, meaning it wasn't too sweet and just right.

Michelle and I enjoyed dinner of haluski and cake for dinner as we watched a little VH1 Classic talking about Heavy Metal Music of the 80's. There were some hilarious moments hearing people talk about their careers and their legacy (some not so good) they left behind.

It was a good evening and on her way home Michelle said something was going on downtown, she saw numerous police cars with their light son racing somewhere. I called Kim to see if she could pick anything up on her scanner. I did hear there was something happening at the High Life Lounge on Brockway Avenue when it was all said and done. Not sure what it was at this time.


Have a g00d hump day. =)

Back to work.

It was a nice three day weekend, and four days out of five for me to be off, but it's now time to return to the grindstone this morning.

I'm relaxed and rested and ready to get back at it. yesterday I did manage to get my wiper assembly replaced (it basically snapped last Thursday evening) by taking it to Sam's Auto. They were quick and replaced the whole thing and we're good to go today. Never hear of the linkage of a windshield wiper breaking, but it happened to me.

Michelle, the sweetheart she is, helped me drop the car off and picked me up hen it was ready. I'm very lucky to have someone like her.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's back to work I go.

Happy Birthday Ed

Hello everyone, if you see or talk to Ed today make sure you wish him a Happy Birthday, or as he says, this is the 24th Anniversary of his 21st Birthday. I hope you enjoy your day and I wish you a very Happy Birthday

A pleasant surprise

Michelle and Trish arranged for a nice little surprise dinner for me yesterday, which was very nice and I was really touched. I want to thank both of them from the bottom of my heart for the effort to make me feel special.

You have to know me, I have a slinky that I play with on my desk all the time, Haley got me some Silly Putty earlier this year and yesterday I got an Etch a Sketch. I admit it, I am a little kid at heart and I love it!