2 October 2002

Could this week be any crappier?  Probably could be but I'll complain anyway.  Three sucky work days in a row.  Besides all the database servers being down yesterday and part of the today, I think all the stupidest people in the world decided to call me.  One of my best traits is patience but there is only so much a person can take without going off.  I was so close yesterday, just one more prick and boom.  Luckily, I got out of there just in time.  Today was not much better but about an hour before quitting time things turned around so I was in a much better frame on the way home.  The best part of the way home may have been the stop at the Wal-Mart.  Scary huh?  They now have shopping baskets that look like buses in the front and have a basket in the back.  It was so freaking cute when these two kids came driving along in the bus and there was their dad pushing in the back.  These new carts may even keep the kids out of the isles at the same time.  Kids are a treasure.  Kids locked in a play bus instead of running down the isles at Wal-Mart, priceless.  I want some ice cream and I like this.

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4 October 2002

I called my folks house the other night and left a message asking my dad to meet me for breakfast tomorrow morning.  A little bonding time is something I needed because it is always crowded when everybody is around during family stuff.  Then my mom returns the call, "Can I come too?"  What am I supposed to say?  "Of course I want you to come."  I love being around my mom but really, I asked to meet dad so we could talk some junk.  That's OK, after this week, it'll be good to see them but guilt does work, hey?

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5 October 2002

Picked up this piano for a hundred bucks at a thrift store/junk store out in the middle of nowhere today.  Duncan plays the piano and for a hundred bucks, how could I go wrong?  A little furniture polish and some tuning and we're ready to go.  A place to put it would not hurt either.  

Sitting in the car today at the Food Lion waiting, I was hit on by what may be the creepiest kid I have ever seen and yet worse, it was in front of may dad.  My dad had no idea what was going on.  It was kind of funny actually.  He really liked my car.  My mom's Buick.  He informed me that his car would go 188 MPG.  An old 80's Monte Carlo or something like that.  I tried my best to ignore him but he just kept going on.  My dad told my mom that this kid was interested in buying her car.  She said he didn't have enough money.  I just wanted to laugh.  Think I'll finish watching Cops now.  Makes me feel that much better about myself.

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6 October 2002

One of my neighbors hit my truck today in the street and I decided I just didn't care.  I'm sure I could have got $300 or so out of the deal but she came up to the house and fessed up to it.  Her car had much more damage than mine and I really haven't done anything nice in that way in a while so I just said don't worry about it.  I got out the touch up paint and now I have one more dent than before.  Life's to short to get mad about such things.

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9 October 2002

OK, I love The Little Rascals.  I just wanted to post some pictures of them for no real reason really.  I also want to listen to some Johnny Cash for no real reason really so that is next on my agenda tonight.  Duncan is in New York until Sunday so we have the place to ourselves.  Maybe some mischief shall ensue. Or maybe I'll find a more permanent place for this so then Duncan can play me some Johnny Cash.

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11 October 2002

About five and a half inches of rain from Tropical Storm Kyle today.  The reservoirs are full again.  It was hard to count the number of wreaks (accidents if your not from these parts) today on the way home from work.  Tomorrow I plan on getting the truck inspected but damn, it's gone up to $30 this year.  My man Duncan took the Jeep to get it inspected before he left this week while I was at work.  It's things like that, ya know?  And call me dude, I accidentally erased the phone number you left me on the answering machine.  Second time this month.  Maybe I need a vacation myself.  Back to the Soap marathon on TV Land.

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13 October 2002

Today's accomplishments include raking up 160 gallons of acorns.  All the while being taunted by the oak trees overhead, having the nerve to drop them on my head as I raked below.   I did the worst part of the yard but still only finished about a third.  They woke me up several nights ago and they fill the back of the truck and the inside of the Jeep. I knew I did not remember having so many to deal with last year, only leaves.  Leaves, hummm....   I guess they'll start dropping soon.

Also FYI, I scanned a whole lot more maps but have yet to publish them.  My count so far is 112.  I'll get them up soon but first some Jeep time before the rain and cool weather set in later today.  Dare I wake Kaleb who is stretched out on the couch to come along?

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19 October 2002

I am so excited because tomorrow is NC State Fair day for us.  I am preparing myself for many rides which go very fast and make many circles.  Then and only then shall I proceed to eat my yearly allowance of corn dogs. I developed my affection for corn dogs after making what seemed like thousands of them a day when I worked at Carowinds for years when I was a kid.  I also developed my love for fast rides at the same time.  Ray and Tommy are coming up to share the adventure on the new midway.  Thank you Meg Scott Phipps for immersing yourself in controversy so we may have such a good time at t he North Carolina State Fair.

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20 October 2002

Corn dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade, sausage dogs, roasted corn, ice cream, turkey legs, etc.  We're done.  Think I'll just sit down now, and thank you Dramamine.  An once of prevention is good.

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26 October 2002

Total $434.66 w/tax.  Paid $414.66 with a check and $20.00 cash.  The date was October 10, 1983.  I was just a kid buying my first stereo.  I even bought an extended warranty because that was a deal that could not be turned down.  I actually still had that receiver until about a year ago but I left it at my last job because I really did not need it anymore.  I guess it's still there bringing enjoyment to those still there.  And by the way, that five year extended warranty was used may times.

I also had the creepiest deja vu yesterday.  I was sitting at work at my desk talking to the guy next to me.  He is from Africa but has been in this country for 25 years.  A terrorist came into the building and started shooting.  This creeped me out so much that I just sat there until this situation past.

Today, a lot of yard work and more acorns.  Next time I expect it to be leaves.  Time changes tonight and it will be dark at 5pm tomorrow.  It is getting chilly out. Fall is here.  Fall sucks.

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27 October 2002

Happy birthday Alaura, and I don't know what that billboard is all about, but it did not spoil the celebration.

Clockwise: Alaura, Haven, Christina, Lauren,
Kelsey, & Abby.

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28 October 2002

Erskine Bowles vs. Elizabeth Dole.  Where are the Libertarians when you need them?  More on this later for sure because I'm to disgusted to talk about it now.  Where are the choices?  I guess anything is better than Jessie.

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31 October 2002

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31 October 2002...Later

It was always Mr. Lemond's job to take us trick-or-treating on Halloween because my dad was always out of town for such things.  He was always like my second dad.  My friend and his son Mike and I along with his sister were trick-or-treating one year and Mike decided he would ask for extra candy at every house.  As every piece of candy that was dropped in the bag, he said, "And one for my mom."  He doubled his take home of candy and was the envy of all. I think we've had about ten trick-or-treaters and we're done.  I still love Halloween and I love the fact that when I got home from work the house was all decorated with all kinds of scary goblins and skulls and pumpkins.  It must the the scary spook that lives with me.

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