54 Years and Still Counting

Happy Anniversary to my parents.

They were married 54 years ago today in New York City at Rockefeller Plaza on a television show called "Bride and Groom." This was an NBC daytime show that took ordinary couples from across the country, married them live on the air and showered them with prizes and a honeymoon trip. My parents - the original Reality TV celebrities.

Mom applied on a whim, and was pretty surprised when they were selected. They originally planned to be married in June, so that Mom's sister could be her matron of honor (she was pregnant with her second son, who was due in May) but when the show called, the wedding date was moved up to February and Mom had to find a quick replacement.

While Mom and Dad both worked for Delta at the time, Delta did not have service to New York. So, on a cold winter day in February, my mom, her parents, brother, aunt, 5 year old cousin and a friend, along with my Dad and his mother, all loaded into my grandfather's car for the drive to New York. Yes, you read that correctly - 9 people in one car. Dad said that after that trip, the last 54 years have been a breeze.

Fortunately, while Delta couldn't fly them to New York for the wedding, they were able to provide them with the hook up for their honeymoon trip to Havana, Cuba (in exchange for what would be Delta's first nationwide, network television advertising during the show.)

Now, 54 years later, they are on the road again, this time headed for a 3 week cruise of South America and Antarctica. I dropped them at the airport a few hours ago, and I miss them already.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. Here's to another 54 years together.

February 2008 - 12 of 12

Well, it is that time of the month again. No, not that time. It is the 12th, and so time for another 12 of 12. (Brainchild of Chad Darnell.)

So, away we go.

7:11 a.m. -If you'll indulge me for a moment, my first photo of the day is accompanied by a rant.

Now, I can understand that when an apparently healthy 28 year old is found dead, many people may initially assume that illegal drugs were involved. Heck, I thought about it myself when I first read that Heath Ledger had died. But then, I'm just a random person, thinking that thought to myself or discussing it among friends. I'm not a news journalist. And so, it really irritated me that the supposedly legitimate news media kept spouting unconfirmed, and apparently untrue, rumors (pills strewn around the apartment!!!) and salacious innuendo (he was naked!!!) regarding his death before any real facts were ever determined. And one of the things that bugged me most was the whole - "Oh My God, He had 6 different prescription medications in his home!!!"

Heck, ONLY 6? I currently have 10. And those are just the ones that I've had to take in the last two weeks. Between orthopedic surgery, arthritis, depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping at night (which leads to trouble staying awake during the day), allergies, a recent virus and some ongoing stomach issues, a CNN reporter would lose their frickin' mind should they wander into my bathroom following the discovery of my body and see just how many pill bottles I have on my counter. (God, I hope I'm not naked when they find me.)


7:42 a.m. - Major fashion faux pas narrowly averted. You see, I have the same pair of shoes in black, brown and navy. And I almost walked out the door with one black and one brown. I really need to get the burned out light bulb in my closet changed, because it is becoming more and more evident that I'm dressing in the dark.

7:55 a.m. - The infamous intersection where I was accussed of running the red light. Which isn't there. Because there is a STOP SIGN.

8:07 a.m. - One new years resolution was to take my lunch to work and not eat out as much. I even found this nifty little insulated bag for my meal....... 12:20 p.m. - which in real life, never looks like it does on the box.
3:27 p.m. - Following a discussion with officemate MB that started out business related, but took many twists and turns on the way through Non-Sequitur Land, I ended up finding out that my middle name is of French origin and means Sea of Bitterness. Not quiet sure how I feel about this discovery.

5:35 p.m. - Finally leaving the office. There's my reflection in the shiny doors of the elevator.

5:37 p.m. - And out into the parking lot for the long (2 minute) drive home.
5:39 p.m. - Pulling into the alley behind the house after work. You can see my little white garage door opening on the left. Also, you can see one of my company's buildings in the distance behind the blue garage at the end of the alley. I really am that close to work.

5:42 p.m. - When I got home, I noticed that my neighbors Kirk and Randy (you can see Randy peaking out the door through the blinds) had their grill up and running, cooking some ribeyes for dinner. I had bought one too over the weekend (Publix had them on sale) and so Kirk told me that I could bring mine over and he would cook it up. These guys are awesome neighbors.

5:45 p.m. - I love Kirk and Randy's See Rock City birdhouse. We just need to find a good tree to hang it in.

8:15 p.m. - I'm trying so hard to cut back on the Diet Coke. But I'm losing that battle. You know it is bad when you run out, and even though you've had your shower and are in your PJs, you get back dressed so you can make an emergency run for some more. But, then again, I need something to help me choke down those 10 prescriptions.

11:15 p.m. - Bonus shot - The theme for the bonus is, what else, 12. Since most of my favorite TV shows long ago ran out of new episodes due to the strike, and since most of what is on now is really, really bad reality crap, I find that I have a lot more time to read. This week, I've been reading one of the Janet Evanovich books in the Stephanie Plum series. These are some seriously funny books. I'm only on the ninth one - I think that she is about up to 13 now. Anyway, I just hit chapter 12.
So there you have it. See you next month.

Is time moving backwards???

Last week, it was Paula Abdul and Tom Petty at the Super Bowl. (1989)

This week, I've got Tina Turner singing "You Better Be Good To Me," The Time singing "Jungle Love," and Herbie Hancock winning Album of the Year at the Grammys. (1983)

If REO Speedwagon, Styx and Hall & Oates (1980) show up at the Academy Awards, I'm gonna move back home with my parents.

Thank God Its Over.....

at least for now.

The lead up to Super Tuesday has driven me nuts. I've been receiving an average of 5 calls a day (some recorded, some with real people) supporting various presidential candidates.

I was home sick following a medical procedure Friday before last, and I received 7 calls within 2 hours. Really! I know I can be prone exaggeration for comedic effect, but trust me, this quit being funny after then 3rd call.

My caller ID, which holds the last 30 calls, no longer holds the number of anyone I actually know. But I have 7 calls from Hillary Clinton (seriously - check out the caller ID!)

I hadn't bothered to even listen to my messages for the last few days, so tonight I decided to listen to them before I deleted. My two most favorites were from Hillary and a supporter of Huckabee.

On the Hillary one, she was giving her spiel via recording, telling me what her plans are in a nice, friendly tone, and then suddenly her voice changes, the tone turns sharp and she goes, "So GET OUT and vote." I swear, the GET OUT was so loud and harsh, it sounded like she was trying to expel an evil entity from an old home in Amityville. I almost dropped the phone and ran out to see if I could vote again.

The Huckabee one was a little frightening as well. The caller sounded so old, that I think she may have made calls for Warren G.Harding campaign back in 1920. I could only understand every other word, but I think she may have said something about being pro-life unless you were an illegal or gay, and then something about guns.

Thankfully, only one person never called, never woke me up, never interrupted my dinner. And he's receiving my vote.

President Colbert. That sounds nice.

Must Remember

It sort of defeats the purpose of the 100 calorie snack.......

if you consume 6 of them at the same time.