Olympics recap

I always hate when the olympics are over. I watch every possible minute and catch up online with the things I've missed. Right now, I'm watching hockey and feeling sad that this is the end. I loved it when they started alternating the years for the summer and winter olympics, so I only have to wait two years until the summer olympics start.

Go USA.

Back to Work!

I finally went back to work today after being unemployed since December 31. Thanks for all your encouraging words.

I will be working outside the legal profession for the first time since 1986. After living in the shadows of refineries my whole life, I am now on the inside. The surroundings are a bit dreary, yet awe inspiring.

Refineries are taken for granted in this neck of the woods and seeing one up close and personal rather than just driving by or seeing the lights at night from a distance is sort of eerie. It all feels so...big.

Thanks to my new employer for having faith in me and for launching me on this new adventure.

Off we go!

Want to Hear Something Weird?

I've recently found lots of Facebook friends from the old neighborhood. I've also found many friends from high school. Yesterday all of those worlds collided...with my dad.

As most of you know, my dad passed away this past September. Yesterday, one of my friends from the old neighborhood posted the above picture of my mom and dad that she had taken at a birthday party the year before my dad passed.

Last night, I was having dinner with some former classmates and in conversation with one of them I found out she was cousin to the ex-wife of the brother of the classmate who posted the picture. I know that's confusing, but don't put too much thought into it. That's not the weird part.

I called my mom this morning to tell her to check my Facebook page and look at the picture, because it's a great picture. She called me back almost immediately and said, "You know that picture your friend posted? Yesterday, when I was going through some papers I came across the invitation to that very birthday party."

She explained how she read the invitation and almost threw it away, then decided to keep it and put it in her box where she's keeping some dad stuff. Then, I call her the very next morning and send her to my Facebook page to look at a picture taken at the exact same party posted by a girl I haven't had contact with in over thirty years.

Isn't that weird? I think it's weird...and wonderful.

This and That

Candied Bacon
I've recently discovered through my blogging friend GnightGirl that there's a delightful delicacy being enjoyed by lots of people who aren't me called candied bacon. Take some thick cut bacon, sprinkle it with brown sugar (and red pepper according to one interesting online recipe) and bake. Step aside boudain balls. There's a new crazy ass snack in town.

Sleeping in my Dreams
I love sleeping in my dreams. It's like getting two nights of sleep for the price of one.

NAFA
This morning I got a call from a lady asking if I would be attending the NAFA luncheon today. I said, "I don't know what NAFA is." She laughed, apologized and said, "Then, I guess you won't be joining us?" I said, "I guess not. Out of curiosity, what is NAFA?" "It's the National Association of Financial Advisors," she said. Not exactly my cup of tea. Still, I should have asked what they were serving and if I had already paid. I'm not very sharp first thing in the morning, especially after I've been double sleeping.

Almost Hurt Myself at Safety Class...twice
Yesterday, after finishing seven hours of safety training for my new job, I almost fell down the stairs as I was leaving the building. Twice. Two separate staircases. I wonder if that would have voided my newly acquired nifty pifty safety certification.

Churros and lemonade
My newest favorite fast food beverage: Chick-fil-A lemonade
My newest favorite fast food dessert: Jack in the Box Churros

Corolla Phobia
After the most recent Toyota Corolla recall, I feel my heart beating a little faster and find myself gripping my steering wheel a bit tighter when I pass a Corolla. I feel bad for all the nice Corollas that are driving around not hurting anybody, but it only takes one renegade accelerator or jacked up power steering system or non-braking brakes to ruin a perfectly good day. Did I mention I drive a Corolla? Fear me.

No 2010 Stingaree Festival

This article makes me sad. There will be no Stingaree Festival at Crystal Beach for 2010. My niece Katie and her friend Chloe and I vowed to attend every year even when I'm too old to comfortably jump on the stage and dance with the Band of Heathens.

On another note, I am looking forward to the release of Hayes Carll's new album, but I'm sure going to miss our fun festival weekend. I guess I'll just have to make a roadtrip to visit Miss Katie at college.

I've heard they have pretty good music in Austin. ;)

It's time to become a NUN again

Five years ago I met a blogging friend named Aisha and read that a friend of hers was going to give up shopping for Lent. Sounded like a good idea to me.

Together we came up with a name for our group: NUNS (No Unnecessary and Needless Shopping). During Lent the last five years I have not bought books, clothes, shoes, CDs, DVDs...nothing fun. It's harder than it sounds.

This year will be particularly difficult, because after two months of unemployment my new job will start soon. Lent starts Wednesday. So, my long Amazon.com list will have to wait another 40 days until Lent is over.

No congratulations-to-me-on-finding-a-new-job-before-going-completely-broke shopping for me. Not until Easter anyway.

We Are the World 25

Very true that I couldn't name most of them, Miss Cellania, but I can name all of these. I want my MTV...

WE ARE THE WORLD @ Yahoo! Video

If you can't name them all click here for the details.

East Dragon Asian Buffet

We've been carefully watching the construction of a new Asian restaurant in the neighborhood and today mom and I finally went there for lunch. The buffet is huge with lots of seafood and free Blue Bell ice cream for dessert.

Below, you will find a copy of their menu. Give this place a try. It's well worth the money and the atmosphere is lovely. It's located next door to the Hallmark store in the same strip mall as the new Exygon fitness center.











East Dragon Asian Buffet
6434 Phelan Boulevard
Beaumont, Texas 77706
(409) 866-3388
(409) 866-5568 - fax

Lunch Buffet $6.95 (11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Dinner Buffet $8.99 (4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.) (Friday and Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.)

Kia Sorento Commercial Song - How Do You Like Me Now?

The Who at the Superbowl

I'm thinking this whole "Who" thing at the Superbowl was a bad idea. There are things I could do in the '60s that I can't do anymore and I certainly wouldn't try to do them in front of millions of people.

The Beatles approve of my new job and a note to human resources

As some of you know, I have a weird cosmic connection to the Beatles. (Click on the keyword "Beatles" at the bottom of this post to read more.)

When I started my car last week as I was leaving home to go fill out paperwork for my new job, "Silly Love Songs" was playing on the radio. Granted that's only one Beatle and it's Wings, but I still thought it was a good sign. When I pulled into the company parking lot twenty minutes later, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" started playing. That's Beatles with a capital "B."

For the curious among you, I haven't actually started my new job, because there are training courses and screenings and such that need to be completed. I should be back to being a productive member of society soon.

Note to Human Resources folks:
For all of you folks working in human resources departments out there, I know you're aware that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Please remember to also not judge a book by its page count.

Speaking for the over-50 year old work force and the unfortunately unemployed, we are experienced, we are reliable and we are eternally grateful for every opportunity we are given.

Although we have a few more gray hairs and wrinkles than we had thirty years ago, inside we're the same person we were back in the '70s except that we have a little more wisdom, a tougher shell and no longer sweat the small stuff.

Thanks for reading the whole book.

Support Local Music

From the CtheDs website:

SxSETX March 5-7 Art/Music/Comedy/Party
on Crockett Street @ Hole in the Wall/TEN/Star Bar

Tickets:
$15 for the whole schebang..$7 each night
short on cash??
Bring a flyer and get $3 off Tix or $1 at the door

We are preparing to send 6 SETX bands to SXSW. Think of this show as their going out party. We have national and international touring acts playing with our hometown boys. As for SxSETX we also have several out of town touring bands passing through so stay tuned for the full line up!!!

Baletaci

Thanks, Cammie.

Who Dat Dog

Thanks, Elizabeth!

I got a job!

I got a job! Thank you for all of your support and prayers. Your faith in me and my faith in God's plan carried me through a very long cold January.

Now, I just have to go through orientation, take a safety course and pass a drug test. I have no reason in the world to think I won't pass the drug test, yet the Elaine and the poppy seed muffin Seinfeld episode keeps going through my head.


Peterman: I'm afraid I have some bad news, Elaine. It appears you will not be accompanying me to Africa.

Elaine: What? Why not?

Peterman: I'm afraid it's your urine, Elaine. You tested positive for opium.

Elaine: Opium?

Peterman: That's right, Elaine. White lotus. Yam-yam. Shanghai Sally.


My drug of choice for the last month has been large quantities of Blue Bell ice cream. That doesn't show up in a urine test does it?