We're 1 hr, 33 minutes from 2009 in this part of the world, but only 33 minutes on the East Coast. The end of 2008 brought some last minute client issues that caused me to work when I basically was taking some time off, but they were for friends, and really not terribly burdensome.
My Mom is in the hospital, and prospects don't look good for her. Any random thoughts and prayers that anyone can pass along her way would be appreciated. She was taken by ambulance Monday morning struggling with her breathing. The doctors said she wouldn't survive a similar episode in April, 2006, but she did, and even the doctors credit prayers and a miracle. Well, we need one more.
Mom does not appear to be in imminent danger at this point, but before a potential dangerous situation presents itself, I'll be headed there. My plans--which are subject to change--are to head to Memphis tomorrow and cover the Kentucky bowl game Friday, and then head to Monroe on Saturday. I pray that the New Year will be a good one for us all.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Winding down 2008
Wow. Christmas came and went. The kids were excited when Santa came, and disappointed when their two "Elves," (Elfis and Claire) departed for the North Pole after their month-long visit with us.
I have basically taken the last ten days or so of 2008 off, with the exception of a couple of pressing needs for clients that could be handled remotely. Visited Sue's family in New Orleans last weekend--leaving Caitlin, Sarah and Andrew to hold down the household while Sue, Collin, Rachel and I departed for two nights. Had a great visit, and a wonderful dining experience at La Parvenu, a restaurant in North Kenner--highly recommended if you're in the New Orleans area. Setting is in a quaint house, and the food was spectacular--at least the artichoke soup, salad, filet mignon, bread pudding and lemon crepes. Hey, I split desserts, so don't think I ate all of it.
Yesterday the boys and I joined friends and attended the PapaJohns.com Bowl game between Rutgers and North Carolina State. We were handed Rutgers signs and "clappers" from a very well-organized cheering section when we went in, found ourselves generally on the Rutgers side of the field, and so we became Rutgers fans for the day. They won in an exciting 29-23 contest, and the boys had a great time.
In the not-so-good news category, my Mom is not doing well and was taken by ambulance to the hospital yesterday. She suffers from COPD after years of smoking. She was intubated yesterday, and my Dad and brother, both of whom live there in Monroe, La., were optimistic based on what the doctors were saying. One day at a time, though, and any spare prayers you may have to go this way are appreciated.
I have basically taken the last ten days or so of 2008 off, with the exception of a couple of pressing needs for clients that could be handled remotely. Visited Sue's family in New Orleans last weekend--leaving Caitlin, Sarah and Andrew to hold down the household while Sue, Collin, Rachel and I departed for two nights. Had a great visit, and a wonderful dining experience at La Parvenu, a restaurant in North Kenner--highly recommended if you're in the New Orleans area. Setting is in a quaint house, and the food was spectacular--at least the artichoke soup, salad, filet mignon, bread pudding and lemon crepes. Hey, I split desserts, so don't think I ate all of it.
Yesterday the boys and I joined friends and attended the PapaJohns.com Bowl game between Rutgers and North Carolina State. We were handed Rutgers signs and "clappers" from a very well-organized cheering section when we went in, found ourselves generally on the Rutgers side of the field, and so we became Rutgers fans for the day. They won in an exciting 29-23 contest, and the boys had a great time.
In the not-so-good news category, my Mom is not doing well and was taken by ambulance to the hospital yesterday. She suffers from COPD after years of smoking. She was intubated yesterday, and my Dad and brother, both of whom live there in Monroe, La., were optimistic based on what the doctors were saying. One day at a time, though, and any spare prayers you may have to go this way are appreciated.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Counting down to Christmas
It's a busy time of the year. Clients want end-of-year things done. Christmas shopping continues, although my limited requirements are shopping for my lovely wife--who, generally without complaint, shops for all of my family as well as hers. She also does the shopping for my Mom, who is limited by her health.
Caitlin is home from college where she has completed her Fall semester at Alabama, and will officially be a Junior in number of hours a semester early. She has done extremely well, and has thrived socially and academically in that environment.
Sarah and Andrew are finishing up their classes this week--it's still important, as OMHS counts "semester" grades only, and this quarter will end the 1st semester. Both are doing very fine in their classes and we have no worries about their success.
Collin's birthday is 4 days before Christmas, and this week his class will celebrate his birthday with doughnuts Sue will bring in for him. Rachel is in front of the television drawing Christmas pictures--she has no homework tonight, for the first time in many weeks (during the weekday).
All in all, it truly is a wonderful time. And that's even before Santa Claus visits.
Caitlin is home from college where she has completed her Fall semester at Alabama, and will officially be a Junior in number of hours a semester early. She has done extremely well, and has thrived socially and academically in that environment.
Sarah and Andrew are finishing up their classes this week--it's still important, as OMHS counts "semester" grades only, and this quarter will end the 1st semester. Both are doing very fine in their classes and we have no worries about their success.
Collin's birthday is 4 days before Christmas, and this week his class will celebrate his birthday with doughnuts Sue will bring in for him. Rachel is in front of the television drawing Christmas pictures--she has no homework tonight, for the first time in many weeks (during the weekday).
All in all, it truly is a wonderful time. And that's even before Santa Claus visits.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
8 hours of Sleep? Ha!
They say a person needs eight hours of sleep a day, or maybe a little more when they are a teenager. Just finished helping Sarah go through conversational Spanish (it's their final for this quarter), so she won't be in bed until midnight.
And I'm taking a look at a Critical Book Review Andrew is turning in tomorrow for his History class--he's still up, finishing it--so he'll be a "Monday morning bedtime" as well. Both will be rising around 6 a.m., and, well, even I can do the math.
After both took the ACT yesterday and Collin and I discussed them leaving for college--somehow I don't mind that they asked Dad for a little help today. Soon enough I won't have that privilege. I'll miss it more than the sleep.
And I'm taking a look at a Critical Book Review Andrew is turning in tomorrow for his History class--he's still up, finishing it--so he'll be a "Monday morning bedtime" as well. Both will be rising around 6 a.m., and, well, even I can do the math.
After both took the ACT yesterday and Collin and I discussed them leaving for college--somehow I don't mind that they asked Dad for a little help today. Soon enough I won't have that privilege. I'll miss it more than the sleep.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
It's ACT Time Again...
Dropped Sarah and Andrew off this morning at Spain Park High School to take their ACT. They have both done well on the last one they took at the end of their sophomore year, and attributed some of it to taking several practice exams in June before the test. This one--no preparation at all, so they have little-to-no expectations. Sort of another "tune-up" getting used to it.
Collin came in and asked where they were and I told him that they were taking college entrance exams, and he asked if they were going to college. With a little melancholy, I told him that year-after-next there would be only Collin, Rachel, Mom and Dad at home, with the three older ones in college.
Life goes by fast.
Speaking of fast, Spain Park High School is immediately past Jefferson State Community College where I'll be teaching. With very little Saturday morning traffic, I timed how long it took from my driveway to the building I will be teaching in (you pass it on the way in to Spain Park). It was all of 4 minutes. I think I'm going to like that.
Collin came in and asked where they were and I told him that they were taking college entrance exams, and he asked if they were going to college. With a little melancholy, I told him that year-after-next there would be only Collin, Rachel, Mom and Dad at home, with the three older ones in college.
Life goes by fast.
Speaking of fast, Spain Park High School is immediately past Jefferson State Community College where I'll be teaching. With very little Saturday morning traffic, I timed how long it took from my driveway to the building I will be teaching in (you pass it on the way in to Spain Park). It was all of 4 minutes. I think I'm going to like that.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Hey, a new teaching gig....
Went to speak with the program director at Jefferson State Community College and was offered a class to teach for the spring semester. I'm excited about the class for two reasons--one, it's in an area I very much enjoy--the societal issues surrounding law and business, and two--it's in my backyard. Almost literally.
The class is taught at the Shelby campus on Valleydale Road, which, I guess if you really stretch it, may be 3 miles from my house. It's a 5:00 - 6:15 class, so it makes for an easy arrival home by 6:30, which is not too late at all.
New class, which means a) I haven't read the materials; b) I haven't prepared any materials; and c) since I haven't taught it before, I'm in for a learning curve. New school for me, so I have to learn all the ins and outs, protocol, etc.
I counted them up today--this will be the 21st different course I have taught, either in college or law school. Maybe I should open my own college.
The class is taught at the Shelby campus on Valleydale Road, which, I guess if you really stretch it, may be 3 miles from my house. It's a 5:00 - 6:15 class, so it makes for an easy arrival home by 6:30, which is not too late at all.
New class, which means a) I haven't read the materials; b) I haven't prepared any materials; and c) since I haven't taught it before, I'm in for a learning curve. New school for me, so I have to learn all the ins and outs, protocol, etc.
I counted them up today--this will be the 21st different course I have taught, either in college or law school. Maybe I should open my own college.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Calendar Madness
As I printed out Collin's basketball schedule so I could input it on my PDA, and Rachel's basketball schedule, so I could input it on my PDA, and Sarah's show choir competitions, so I could input it on my PDA, I received a call from Susan reminding me of the HVAC guy coming tomorrow, Collin's cub scout meeting tomorrow that conflicts with Rachel's swim practice (as well as a conference call I have in my "other" job that occasionally pays for some of these events) and dance practice.
I look at my PDA every week and every week it's the same thing--I see "pieces" of free time, even when my work week is slow. And every week it's the same thing--it doesn't include Sarah's work schedule, or the kids needing a ride to the movies, or for laser tag, or whatever.
I find myself every week making a "Weekly To Do" List. It is combined with personal and business things "to do." I prioritize each of them from 0 to 5 (0 being OH-right now important, to 5 being "done.")
And each week I find that I put more and more of the priorities down to "4"--as close to 'done' as you can get, sorta out of sight, out of mind.
There's just too much to do. Too many calendared events. Too many places a child *has* to be, too many things they *have* to do. It's fun for them, and enjoyable for us, as parents, but sometimes you've just gotta slow down and take stock.
I think I'm going to call a week long moratorium on "events." Let me find my calendar and see when I can fit that in......
I look at my PDA every week and every week it's the same thing--I see "pieces" of free time, even when my work week is slow. And every week it's the same thing--it doesn't include Sarah's work schedule, or the kids needing a ride to the movies, or for laser tag, or whatever.
I find myself every week making a "Weekly To Do" List. It is combined with personal and business things "to do." I prioritize each of them from 0 to 5 (0 being OH-right now important, to 5 being "done.")
And each week I find that I put more and more of the priorities down to "4"--as close to 'done' as you can get, sorta out of sight, out of mind.
There's just too much to do. Too many calendared events. Too many places a child *has* to be, too many things they *have* to do. It's fun for them, and enjoyable for us, as parents, but sometimes you've just gotta slow down and take stock.
I think I'm going to call a week long moratorium on "events." Let me find my calendar and see when I can fit that in......
Friday, December 5, 2008
Arrested in Tuscaloosa
Almost.
Caitlin attends the University of Alabama, and Sarah was going to spend the weekend with her and attend the Alabama - Auburn game, or the "Iron Bowl," as they call it. So I dropped her off at the dorm and stopped in at a Sam's Club before returning home to do a little shopping.
No problems yet.
It was around 1:00 and I thought I'd check with Susan and see if I needed to look for anything that we missed on Black Friday, and grab a bite to eat at the world-famous Sam's Club dining facility. Hot dog and a coke was $1.70. Hey, at least you can't beat the price.
So I gobbled down the drink and coke, threw away my trash (it was disgusting how some people are animals and left their leftover food wrappers, receipts, and drinks on a table without cleaning it themselves. So I was careful to make sure I threw away all the trash.)
A quick look around, a refill on my Diet Lemonade ("one for the road,") and I was headed out the door.
The Sam's Club Police Force stopped me before I made it through the door.
"Sir, I have to see your receipt."
I was startled. I looked to see if I was carrying something, or picked up something absent-mindedly and forgot to check out. I hadn't.
"Ma'am, I don't have a receipt. For what?"
"Your drink. We have to check receipts for drinks."
OK, so I figured I was on Candid Camera. If I'm ever placed in one of those shows, I am determined to have a good time with it. So I practice--sometimes daily, it seems, in my wonderful state of residence.
"I don't have a receipt for my drink," I told her.
"Did you ever have a receipt," she asked?
"Yes, a long time ago, I had a receipt." I then looked at her to see if she would ask the next question.
"How long ago?"
Meanwhile, of course, there is a crowd lining up behind me. It's 1:00, and the "Iron Bowl" and everyone wearing the same color of crimson red in the store is anxious to get home, or to "the Quad" at Alabama and watch the game. The Sam's Club Police Force and I are holding up their plans.
"I didn't look at my watch when I bought it. It was today, though. Does that help?"
"Well, where is the receipt for your drink," she asked me?
I hesitated before giving this answer--I thought it might present trouble. But I plodded ahead.
"I never got a receipt for a drink," I told her.
"I THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD A RECEIPT," The Sam's Club Police Force bellowed.
As calmly and politely as I can be, I explain to her that I had a receipt, but the receipt was for the hot dog and drink special--it was $1.70, plus tax. I told her that while I never had a receipt for the drink, I did have a receipt for the drink and hot dog. And I wasn't carrying the hot dog any more because I had eaten it.
"OK," she said. "Can I see your receipt for the hot dog and drink special?"
"Well, I don't have it," I told her, and cringed. I knew that wouldn't be an answer she liked.
"YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD IT," she bellowed--again--before reaching for her gun and handcuffs. OK, so she didn't have a gun and handcuffs. But she did place her hands on her hips and look mean at me.
"Where is it?" Ahh, now a question I can answer.
"It's in the garbage can," I told her. It's right next to the hot dog wrapper I used. If you want to find it, it's the one for the hot dog and drink special for $1.70, and the wrapper will have a small mustard and pickle relish stain on it, as that's what I put on my hot dog before I ate it. Which is why I am not carrying the hot dog."
The Sam's Club Police Force then began the arrest process. They called a Magistrate Judge over to get an arrest warrant, otherwise known as "The Supervisor."
"Sir, hold on here. I have to call my Supervisor."
The line behind me grew longer, and more menacing. I pointed to the lady as she turned so that the people would know who to blame. It probably did not help that I was wearing my blue Kentucky 1998 NCAA basketball championship Windshirt, but at least it wasn't Auburn colors.
The Judge arrived, and began considering whether to issue the arrest warrant.
"Sir, where is your receipt," she (another she--good to see females in the Judiciary, I thought) asked.
"It's in the garbage can. People are such animals, I offered. There were people leaving their wrappers, drink cups and receipts on the tables. I threw away mine." I thought I might get some points for being enviromentally-friendly. I noticed Sam's Club was selling the environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags at their counters, and thought that might score me some brownie points. But the I remembered that I wasn't really being ecologically friendly, I just picked up my trash and contributed to more garbage, so that probably wouldn't work. Plus I still didn't have my receipt.
She looked perplexed.
I offered a solution.
"Tell you what," I said. "How about if I finish this drink, and throw it away in the garbage can next to my hot dog wrapper and my receipt, and walk out again. Will that work?"
The lady looked pleased. "Yes sir, that will work, she told me." The Judge walked away.
So I walked back to the dining area and had a second thought. Plus, I wanted something to drink "for the road," so I got a little more refill (I had been sipping on it during the ordeal). I looked around, and saw one of the receipts lying on a table. I scooped it up, and began walking back through the line.
"Sir, you said you were going to throw that away," Tuscaloosa County's finest Sam's Club Police Force member told me.
"I changed my mind," I told her. "I wanted a drink for the road." After thinking about how that sounded, I corrected myself. "I wanted a diet lemonade for the road."
"But you can't take it out without a receipt," she told me.
"And here it is," as I proudly displayed someone else's receipt.
She started to say something--I'm not sure what--and then shook her head, scribbled a black line over the receipt, and handed it back to me. Not wanting to litter my car, I promptly took it back, threw it away in the garbage can in the dining facility, and walked out.
I glanced back, and the entire Sam's Club Police Force on duty had her head down, and was shaking it from side to side. I think she saw all the receipts and hot dog wrappers on the tables and was surprised people didn't clean that up.
Caitlin attends the University of Alabama, and Sarah was going to spend the weekend with her and attend the Alabama - Auburn game, or the "Iron Bowl," as they call it. So I dropped her off at the dorm and stopped in at a Sam's Club before returning home to do a little shopping.
No problems yet.
It was around 1:00 and I thought I'd check with Susan and see if I needed to look for anything that we missed on Black Friday, and grab a bite to eat at the world-famous Sam's Club dining facility. Hot dog and a coke was $1.70. Hey, at least you can't beat the price.
So I gobbled down the drink and coke, threw away my trash (it was disgusting how some people are animals and left their leftover food wrappers, receipts, and drinks on a table without cleaning it themselves. So I was careful to make sure I threw away all the trash.)
A quick look around, a refill on my Diet Lemonade ("one for the road,") and I was headed out the door.
The Sam's Club Police Force stopped me before I made it through the door.
"Sir, I have to see your receipt."
I was startled. I looked to see if I was carrying something, or picked up something absent-mindedly and forgot to check out. I hadn't.
"Ma'am, I don't have a receipt. For what?"
"Your drink. We have to check receipts for drinks."
OK, so I figured I was on Candid Camera. If I'm ever placed in one of those shows, I am determined to have a good time with it. So I practice--sometimes daily, it seems, in my wonderful state of residence.
"I don't have a receipt for my drink," I told her.
"Did you ever have a receipt," she asked?
"Yes, a long time ago, I had a receipt." I then looked at her to see if she would ask the next question.
"How long ago?"
Meanwhile, of course, there is a crowd lining up behind me. It's 1:00, and the "Iron Bowl" and everyone wearing the same color of crimson red in the store is anxious to get home, or to "the Quad" at Alabama and watch the game. The Sam's Club Police Force and I are holding up their plans.
"I didn't look at my watch when I bought it. It was today, though. Does that help?"
"Well, where is the receipt for your drink," she asked me?
I hesitated before giving this answer--I thought it might present trouble. But I plodded ahead.
"I never got a receipt for a drink," I told her.
"I THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD A RECEIPT," The Sam's Club Police Force bellowed.
As calmly and politely as I can be, I explain to her that I had a receipt, but the receipt was for the hot dog and drink special--it was $1.70, plus tax. I told her that while I never had a receipt for the drink, I did have a receipt for the drink and hot dog. And I wasn't carrying the hot dog any more because I had eaten it.
"OK," she said. "Can I see your receipt for the hot dog and drink special?"
"Well, I don't have it," I told her, and cringed. I knew that wouldn't be an answer she liked.
"YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD IT," she bellowed--again--before reaching for her gun and handcuffs. OK, so she didn't have a gun and handcuffs. But she did place her hands on her hips and look mean at me.
"Where is it?" Ahh, now a question I can answer.
"It's in the garbage can," I told her. It's right next to the hot dog wrapper I used. If you want to find it, it's the one for the hot dog and drink special for $1.70, and the wrapper will have a small mustard and pickle relish stain on it, as that's what I put on my hot dog before I ate it. Which is why I am not carrying the hot dog."
The Sam's Club Police Force then began the arrest process. They called a Magistrate Judge over to get an arrest warrant, otherwise known as "The Supervisor."
"Sir, hold on here. I have to call my Supervisor."
The line behind me grew longer, and more menacing. I pointed to the lady as she turned so that the people would know who to blame. It probably did not help that I was wearing my blue Kentucky 1998 NCAA basketball championship Windshirt, but at least it wasn't Auburn colors.
The Judge arrived, and began considering whether to issue the arrest warrant.
"Sir, where is your receipt," she (another she--good to see females in the Judiciary, I thought) asked.
"It's in the garbage can. People are such animals, I offered. There were people leaving their wrappers, drink cups and receipts on the tables. I threw away mine." I thought I might get some points for being enviromentally-friendly. I noticed Sam's Club was selling the environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags at their counters, and thought that might score me some brownie points. But the I remembered that I wasn't really being ecologically friendly, I just picked up my trash and contributed to more garbage, so that probably wouldn't work. Plus I still didn't have my receipt.
She looked perplexed.
I offered a solution.
"Tell you what," I said. "How about if I finish this drink, and throw it away in the garbage can next to my hot dog wrapper and my receipt, and walk out again. Will that work?"
The lady looked pleased. "Yes sir, that will work, she told me." The Judge walked away.
So I walked back to the dining area and had a second thought. Plus, I wanted something to drink "for the road," so I got a little more refill (I had been sipping on it during the ordeal). I looked around, and saw one of the receipts lying on a table. I scooped it up, and began walking back through the line.
"Sir, you said you were going to throw that away," Tuscaloosa County's finest Sam's Club Police Force member told me.
"I changed my mind," I told her. "I wanted a drink for the road." After thinking about how that sounded, I corrected myself. "I wanted a diet lemonade for the road."
"But you can't take it out without a receipt," she told me.
"And here it is," as I proudly displayed someone else's receipt.
She started to say something--I'm not sure what--and then shook her head, scribbled a black line over the receipt, and handed it back to me. Not wanting to litter my car, I promptly took it back, threw it away in the garbage can in the dining facility, and walked out.
I glanced back, and the entire Sam's Club Police Force on duty had her head down, and was shaking it from side to side. I think she saw all the receipts and hot dog wrappers on the tables and was surprised people didn't clean that up.
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