Wednesday, June 30, 2004


Route 178

SC Route 178

I made a day trip to Greenville SC for a visit to Furman University (purple, purple everywhere). Anyway I am heading back to frickmanor south on route 178. I am firing through the radio stations as fast as I am driving. I get stuck on AM 1270 somewhere near Anderson sc. They are using all 800 watts to blast our a show called the swap shop. The premise is listeners call in with junk they want to sell. Its like an on air garage sale without all the signs and no strangers rummaging around in your garage asking how much is this how much is that. The best part is you get to say your phone number on the air, this way all the stalkers and freaks can call you at 3:00 am to ask if your refrigerator is still running.
I get to listen to this woman “Tater” or “Cupcake” or some kind of nickname rattle off that she has a diesel school bus, (2) ford rangers (1 needs a transmission), an electric generator for a chicken house and a home brew kit all for sale. This my friends, is the person in the house down the street from you, with all the crap in the front yard that has been stationary for the last 7 years. I was going to call in to see if I could unload the cat for $2.99.

Sunday, June 27, 2004

Father Son Day Continued



We had such a great time on saturday with father son day that we (i) decided to make it a father son weekend. "H" was in charge or grass maintenance while i was in charge history preservation (i took the pictures)
Somewhere in my memory banks i remember on saturday mornings my dad would run the lawn mower back and forth outside my window till i woke up, felt sorry for him, and went outside to help. Too bad "H"'s bedroom is on the second floor..........

PowerPoint Alert

PowerPoint transitions, Power Point silde transitions, transition effects - PowerPlugs: Transitions
If you are tired of watching your audience fall asleep during your presentations.... try these

Saturday, June 26, 2004


Be The Ball.......

Head down, arm straight, eye on the ball

Father son day

Since no one has come buy to pick up the cat we decided to abandon frick manor for the day. The girls went to the movies (chick flick time) so us boys decided to head to the driving range a smash a bucket of balls. "H" looked like a tiger woods junior. If he does become a golfer I will be riding his gravy train just like earl woods did to tiger. We then dropped by the book nook to browse the used book racks. I finally got around to buying Jack Welch's book and for only $6.00, i hope that all the words in it aren't used up for such a cheap price. "H" loaded up on comic books. We booked from the nook and headed to Wendys for a salad and a kids meal. We beat the girls back to frick manor and there were no messages on the answering machine offering to take the cat off my dogs hand.

Where have all the cool phones gone

Speciale Cellulari Why does japan get all the cool looking phones?????

Friday, June 25, 2004


Cat For sale $2.99

Gone Fishing

Cat For Sale Cheap

For those who do not know my dog, cider has a cat actually two cats, Boo Kitty and Zippy. Boo Kitty was abandoned by her mother, and after having lived with her for the past 8 months i understand why she left. This cat is the she-devil at the ripe young age of 10 months she already weighs 15 pounds. She is a load, when she hauls butt she has to make 2 trips. Well tonight for whatever reason while we were preparing dinner she decides to jump up 3 feet onto the kitchen island, spin around twice and run out of the kitchen. well in her wake she manages to spill a frosty beverage and knocks a brand new box of pepperidge farm fish onto the floor, which the dog promptly begins to devour. I think this was actually a highly devised plan between the cat and dog so that the dog could manage a before dinner snack.
Well the ruined box of pepperidge farms fish cost me $2.99 at the store so i figure if i can unload the she-devil for $2.99 i might actually come out ahead in this deal.

Thursday, June 24, 2004


This is SD his office is a mess, he is going to be a Daddy He is clueless...

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

I made it

If you have been following my airport saga, when we last left I was waiting on standy by, well after throwing back no less than 4 diet cokes in the crown room i decided to haul my carbonated body to the gate and to my surprise that had a seat assignment for me 10B. I do not know if someone at SKYMILES realized the error and corrected it but all i know is that i am holding a ticket dated today with a seat assignment on it.

New Port News Crown Room, Nice

Where is my plane????

No Big Deal

I was supposed to fly out of New Port News, VA Thursday night, but due to plans changing I had too leave this evening. No big deal, I call SKYMILES change my flight plans and they promise to e-mail me my receipt. Move ahead 3 hours my ride drops me at the airport and leaves for Baltimore MD. I walk to the desk and hand them the proper identification and I am promptly told that my flight is not till Thursday night. I then recant my whole schedule change story, no dice, no big deal I call SKYMILES back and over the phone I hear pecking on the keyboard and then they tell me that my itinerary has not been changed. No big deal they tell you that your phone conversations maybe recorded, guess whose conversation was not recorded no big deal, I have another plan I will rent a car and drive to Raleigh NC meet up with SD and ride back to Atlanta with him. Guess what Avis, Hertz, Enterprise are all sold out of cars, Budget has some but none for one way no big deal its back to the phone and SKYMILES guess what I can fly out tonight for $400.00 additional, $400.00 I do not want to buy the plane just ride in it no big deal, I have yet another plan I go back to ticketing/check-in and ask them to put me on standby for the flight tonight, and the guy does it, he puts me on standby for a flight today when my ticket still says Thursday, I can not believe it. Now I sit in the New Port News Crown Room with my fingers crossed to make this flight because the next one is at 5:45AM Thursday. I wonder if I can sleep on a loveseat sleeps oh well, no big deal

Sunday, June 20, 2004


The Hydrangea's have survived the septic field transplant

We have got tomatoes!!!!

Dad, you da man

Honor Thy Father

Today is the chosen day in which we honor our fathers. I for one have been blessed with the best of the best.
While there are times at which I am sure he wanted to beat me like a rented mule he didn't, and after all that he still has his wits about him. He could have beat me for the time I smashed his brand new driver on the driveway, he had owned that set of clubs for less than an hour before I did the damage, but he didn't. He could have beaten me for the time when I was learning to drive and I popped the clutch on the car and smashed into the freezer in the garage, but he didn't. He could have beaten me countless times for loosing his tools, but he didn't.
Its not too say that he didn't put my life at risk at times. Once he had me shimmy up a skinny 50 ft. pine tree so that I could hang up a birdfeeder for him. I believe I was about 4 ft off the ground before I started wanting my mommy, I was 22 years old at the time. Then there was the time when we were at a Georgia Tech football game when he almost started a riot with the whole I TAPP A KEGGA fraternity, It must have been the grease from the Varsity food we ate for lunch.
But in the end he has given me more than I have given him in return. He has given me a solid set of values and life skills that have brought me through almost 40 years of life; He has set an example for me to aspire to in being a father and husband. He has never criticized my choices or decisions but only offered advice and guidance.
While the last year for him has not been the greatest of great, he has managed to be strong and continue to exude a positive attitude.
Dad sorry I can't be with you today but know that my love is reaching up 3200 ft to your mountain hideaway.
I love you.

G E E K T O O L S: GeekTels

G E E K T O O L S: GeekTels For all the road warriors out there. This site will help you find hotels with a high speed connection and free hot spots

Saturday, June 19, 2004


Goosemas Continues

It seems as though Goose did not have enough birthday to last till next year, so she requested a special dinner. Homemade mac n' cheese and a red velvet cake. I was put in charge of the cake. the third step of the direction said to separate 3 eggs, so i put one in the kitchen, one in the den and the last one in the living room. I don't know why i had to do this, but i am known to follow directions well.


Another Picture From The Road

I'm overseas

Friday, June 18, 2004

769

My Numbers Up

My race number is here 769. I have a feeling that will be how many beats per minute my heart will be going when i am finished running/walking/limping the course. I am surprised that it doesn't say "do not resuscitate" underneath the number.
The birthday tri-fecta week is over, I hope that the family remembers father's day is only 2 days away and i have yet to see any UPS trucks in the driveway.

I have been trying out Anagram. Cool little piece of software for Outlook. It lets you take e-mails that have times for meeting etc.... and convert them into an Outlook calendar entry. It is also compatible with Palm Desktop.

Here is a small snipet from the new issue of Fast Company
The Corporate Shrink
Email addicts and the people who love them; life at the bottom of the food chain.


From: Issue 84 | July 2004, Page 42 By: Dr. Kerry J. Sulkowicz Illustrations by: Michael Kupperman
We all know that email is overused in the workplace, but I think I'm truly addicted. Wireless email pushed me over the edge. My wife gets upset when I check my BlackBerry over dinner and has threatened to toss out my device. I know she's right, but I can't help myself.


I feel sorry for your wife. Perhaps she should get a wireless device, and the two of you can email each other across the table. The Corporate Shrink

I don't know if the above hits home with any of you out there, but i'm putting it on the table anyway.




Google Search: blaze find bridge

Google Search: blaze find bridge

This is for Larry

Thursday, June 17, 2004

LWF's Birthday 6/18/1970

LWF's Birthday

Thursday, June 18, 1970

Top Songs for 1970
I Think I Love You by Partridge Family
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison
American Woman by Guess Who
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head by B.J. Thomas
War by Edwin Starr
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Close to You by Carpenters
I'll Be There by Jackson Five
Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross
Let It Be by Beatles


US President

Richard M. Nixon
US Vice President
Spiro T. Agnew

1970 Prices
Eggs: $1.16/doz
Bread: $0.24/loaf
Car: $3,542
Milk: $1.32/gal
Gas: $0.36/gal
House: $26,600
Stamp: $0.06/ea
Avg Income: $11,106/yr
Min Wage: $1.60/hr
DOW Avg: 839

Academy Award Winners
Best Picture: Patton Directed By Franklin Schaffner
Best Actor: George C. Scott in Patton
Best Actress: Glenda Jackson in Women In Love

People born on June 18
1963 - Darren "Dizzy" Reed, US musician (Guns n' Roses-Sweet Girl of Mine)
1913 - Sylvia Porter financial writer (Sylvia Porter's Money Book)
1942 - Paul McCartney rocker, Beatles, writes silly love songs
1949 - William Randolph Hearst III, publisher/editor
1957 - Tom Bailey, England, rocker (Thompson Twins-Doctor Doctor)
1966 - Kurt Browning, Alberta, figure skater (Olympic-5-1994)
1969 - Fernando Valenzula, jockey
1971 - Nathan Morris [Alex Vanderpool], Phila Pa, rapper (Boyz II Men)

On TV in 1970
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Bill Cosby Show
Hee Haw
The Carol Burnett Show
The Beverly Hillbillies
Family Affair
The Flip Wilson Show

Hot New Toys in 1970
Alien Zeroid
Mandy ("My Friends Doll")
Dawn Doll
Masterpiece

Top Books in 1970
Sounder by William Armstrong



Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Goose

Goose's Birthday

Sunday, June 17, 1990

Top Songs for 1990
How Am I Supposed to Live without You by Michael Bolton
Step By Step by New Kids On the Block
Vogue by Madonna
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor
Vision of Love by Mariah Carey
Opposites Attract by Paula Abdul with the Wild Pair
It Must Have Been Love by Roxette

US President
George Bush
US Vice President
J. Danforth Quayl

Bread: $0.69/loaf
Milk: $2.15/gal
Eggs: $1.30/doz e
Car: $15,472
Gas: $1.22/gal
House: $149,800
Stamp: $0.25/ea
Avg Income: $42,652/yr
Min Wage: $3.80/hr
DOW Avg: 2,634

Academy Award Winners
Best Picture:Dances With Wolves Directed By Kevin Costner
Best Actor: Jeremy Irons in Reversal Or Fortune
Best Actress: Kathy Bates in Misery

People born on June 17
1951 - Joe Piscopo Passaic NJ, comedian (SNL, Miller Lite commercials)
1917 - Dean Martin, Steubenville Ohio, singer/actor (with Jerry Lewis)
1928 - James Brown rocker (Hot Pants)
1944 - Bill Rafferty, comedian (Real People, Laugh-in '77)
1946 - Barry Manilow NYC, singer (Mandy)

On TV in 1990
The Wonder Years
Family Matters
America's Funniest Home Videos
Cheers
The Golden Girls
A Different World
The Cosby Show

Hot New Toys in 1990
Dino Riders
Ice Age series
Sega Game Gear






Tuesday, June 15, 2004

GWoo

GWoo's Birthday

Here is a recap of Tuesday, June 16, 1981

Top Songs for 1981
Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
Kiss On My List by Daryl Hall & John Oates
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
Endless Love by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Private Eyes by Daryl Hall & John Oates
Physical by Olivia Newton-John
Arthur's Theme by Christopher Cross
I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt
Rapture by Blondie

1981 Prices
Bread: $0.53/loaf
Milk: $1.69/gal
Eggs: $1.26/doz
Car: $8,910
Gas: $1.35/gal
House: $83,000
Stamp: $0.18/ea
Avg Income: $25,838/yr
Min Wage: $3.35/hr
DOW Avg: 87

US President
Ronald Reagan

US Vice President
George Bush

Academy Award Winners
Best Picture: Chariots Of Fire
Best Actor: Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond
Best Actress: Katharine Hepburn in On Golden Pond

People born on June 16
1944 - Takamiyama [Jesse Kuhaulua] Hawaii, 1st non-Japanese sumo champion
1888 - Bobby Clark, vaudevillan (World's funniest circus clown)
1932 - Ralph Robins, CEO (Rolls-Royce)
1937 - August Busch III CEO (Anheuser-Busch)
1937 - Erich Segal author (Love Story, Oliver's Story)
1955 - Laurie Metcalf, Carbonville Illinois, actress (Jackie-Roseanne)
1970 - Michael Husted, NFL place kicker (Tampa Bay Bucs)

On TV in 1981
M*A*S*H
Laverne & Shirley
Fantasy Island
The Love Boat
Dallas
The Dukes of Hazzard
Three's Company
Hart to Hart
Dynasty
CHiPS
The Fall Guy
Magnum, P.I.

Hot New Toys in 1981
Penny Racers
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Fashion Fragrance Darci
Trivial Pursuit
Dark Tower
D-10 Click To Enlarge

I need something to eat

OK I finish my hardcore regimented training routine and hobble over to the hotels well stocked vending machine. I peer through the glass and see Cookies, Nope Chips, Nope
Snickers, Nope and then I see condoms. Condoms in a hotel lobby vending machine and with a $1.00 off sticker on it to boot. Now there are certain places in my life that i want to cut costs, but i am also smart enough to know there are certain places that i don't mind spending top dollar either. I can see the lady in Room 223 now "Hey honey can you go downstairs and get me a bag of skittles and a package of condoms". could this South Carolina's answer to Planned Parenthood?

Monday, June 14, 2004

Ben from Arkansas

I met 61 year old Ben from Arkansas tonight while I was on the treadmill at the hotel. Ben is recovering from a broken foot and the doctor says walking will help to prevent arthritis in the foot. Ben is retired from proctor & gamble but still works his farm 7 days a week, thats where he broke his foot. Arkansas winters are much milder than they were in Cincinnati according to Ben but he still misses Cincinnati. He is here on vacation and to help his son get moved into a new house while his son starts a new job. Ben has been married for 42 years to his best friend. His daughter lives in North Texas and is the assistant city manger. Its her first job ever he told me. Ben was amazed that after 40 years she has her first paying gig. As we walked & talked Ben looked down at the treadmills timer and realized that he had walked further & longer than he ever had. Ben slowed the treadmill down and then stopped it, thanked me for the conversation and headed out the door.

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Google Press Center: Zeitgeist

Google Press Center: Zeitgeist

Someone from NASCIO sent me this link. Get out your demographics charts or copy of People magazine to see if you are keeping current

Yankee or Dixie quiz

Yankee or Dixie quiz
Find out where your regional roots are from

Google Toolbar

Google Toolbar

If you don't have the "Google Toolbar" you gotta get it. Built in seachbar, Google news, Pop Up Stopper & Blogger link

Saturday, June 12, 2004

We Are In The Middle Of It

The teenage slumber party is kicking in to high gear. They are playing foosball as I write and if you are real quiet you can probably hear their high pitched squeaks & squeals.
We started the afternoon by playing mini-golf. The parents were under a 1000ft restraining order, in other words we could get no closer than 1000ft to the girls in public unless we were driving them somewhere.
We dined on Kentucky Fresh Chicken for dinner and finished it off with cheesecake (none for me IÂ’m in training remember).
The girls looked like mimes with their skin softening masks. These kids are barely teenagers how could their skin be hard? For craft time they made lip gloss which contained pink lemonade drink mix crystals. Seems like a waste of pink lemonade but what do I know IÂ’m only the dad. Next we progressed to cocoa butter hand and foot cream followed by the lavender eye pillows.
I just heard them rumble up the stairs to watch movies while the rest of the family is banished to the basement like we are waiting out a tornado warning. Come to think of it with what may be occurring upstairs it is kind of like tornado warning. I am sure that after being up all night these girls will be bright eyed and bushy tailed for breakfast in the morning.
Cheesecake Rules!!!!
Making LIP GLOSS
1000ft Rule Is In Force
Mime Tryouts??????
Eye Pillows For A Restful Slumber

Friday, June 11, 2004

The Other Side Of The Tracks

South Carolina's Hot All Over

Spent the day in easley SC. Its just as hot here as it was in Columbia SC. Easely reminds of your typical small southern town. The railroad tracks run right along Main Street. The store windows are dotted with hand written signs advertising the weekly specials and everyone seems to know each other at the local restaurants. There's no evidence of "Gang Tags" on fences or street signs and the local landscape is dotted with churches, backyard gardens and white picket fences.
1930-2004

Father Of Soul

Twice in the last we have seen influential Americans pass to the great beyond, one from the political realm and one from the world of music.
I remember growing up we would spend the weekends in the North Georgia mountains shooting pool and listening to the likes of Neil Diamond, Mac Davis and Ray Charles. It was these times that I gained my love and appreation for "good" music. Sing & play on Mr. Charles, sing & play on.............

Thursday, June 10, 2004

What I'm Looking At
Wishing I was a Fishing.......

Its Already HOT

Spent the day in Columbia SC. Its early June and already HOT what must the summer hold for us? I should be fishing instead of working.

Actual Headlines That Were In The News

Crack Found on Governor's Daughter

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

Miners Refuse to Work after Death

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

War Dims Hope for Peace

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

I don't write this stuff I only report it................

Wednesday, June 09, 2004


Hump Day

I'm hanging in Columbia SC today and due to my intense race preparation, (I can now walk up & down the stairs twice with out being winded) I had to skip my favorite BBQ spot. Columbia also has a P-Nut store with its own claim to fame.
Preparations are in full swing for the weekend birthday fiasco, we should achieve a fevered pitch by Saturday morning.
We have started to harvest from the garden. To date 4 vegetables have made it off the vine and to the house. Actually 3 are ready for consumption because the devil cat ate the lone green pepper, what a freak.

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket????????

It appears that in a moment of weakness (lack of food) I have signed up to run/walk/crawl/hop a bus in the Bluegrass 100,000, no wait Bluegrass 10,000. that is 6.2 miles or about as far as it is from my house to the nearest Taco Bell one way. The race starts at 8:00 and I am figuring with my blazing speed it will be a good way for the family to spend 5 or 6 hours on the morning of July 4th. I have no idea how long this will take but I believe my heart explodes at 1hr 10min. I hope that ESPN is there for a post event interview.

Monday, June 07, 2004

Monday Monday Monday

Yet another start to another week. You turn the lights on in the office and viola a clean uncluttered desk. Speed the digital clock ahead a quick 9 hours and amidst the empty Diet Mtn. Dew bottles I can't even find my car keys. If there were no Mondays would we start to hate Tuesdays?
Monday 8:00 AM
Monday 5:00 PM

Sunday, June 06, 2004

"Sew" a needle pulling thread

Birthday Plans

As someone's birthday approaches I take time to sit back in the kitchen and watch as madness ensues around me. The Mother-Daughter power struggle takes a back seat as they work together to construct relaxing Eye-Pillows for the teenage birthday party guests. Oh did I fail to mention that we are having screaming teenage over-night birthday party guests that will be hyped up on soda and fast-food after a rough round of golf.

Saturday, June 05, 2004

Wrapping Up The Day

As the day ended we all found out the Ronald Reagan has passed. I remember that I was working at Grifs Western on March 30, 1981 when the world heard of the assassination attempt on our President.
We spent that afternoon at our Aunts. She had surgery last week to remove a cyst from her Metatarsal. She was expecting to leave with a small bandage, take a look below.

caStastrophe


Strawberry Fields Forever At $7.50 Per Bucket

We spent the morning picking Strawberries. The picking was slim as it was the end of the season. Our hands were stained red as if we had just stared in a B grade slasher film. A few members of the group displayed the Asian rice patty field method of picking while others resorted to the mother-daughter struggle for power and dominance in the field.

This Is The Oddest Looking Rice I've Ever Seen


Where Are The Ripe Ones At?


Almost Full


We'll Be Back Next Season


Mother-Daughter Power Struggle


The Flies Of Butter


License Plate = Cell Number

OK here is the idea of the day. Each car has it's own unique license plate number, here is what needs to happen. That license plate number needs to become the cell number for that car. Next time the Jack Ball in front of you is driving 15 MPH below the posted speed limit, you pick up your cell phone and dial his license plate and whammo your speaking with "Mr Jack Ball". Hey "Mr. Jack Ball" gas is on the right; Hey "Mr. Jack Ball" its a dollar waiting on a dime; Hey "Mr. Jack Ball" some people should take the bus. You would think that "Mr Jack Ball" would notice a constant stream of cars zooming past his passenger side window. You would think..........

Friday, June 04, 2004

Think About It

Thursday, June 03, 2004

How to stay on the road

Another night on the road and time to share a few tips on how to sleep a hotel room,
First: do not do any structural damage to the room, because they will ding your credit card, and there is nothing worse than having to justify questionable movie charges & structural damage on your expense report.
Second: do not place any thing of value on the bed in which you plan sleep, you will never remember to pick through the bedspread in the morning and you will be 100 miles down the road before you remember that your valuable item is still wrapped up in the bedspread.
Third: use all of the trash cans in the room, house keeping loves tying those little knots in the plastic can liner
Forth: use all available towels, this will assure that the next patron will have fresh towels. Hopefully the person in your room last night did the same for you.
Fifth: you may have to be an interior designer and re-arrange the furniture so that you can work and view the TV at the same time.Do not be afraid to do this.
Sixth: take the pen & notepad with you, this can save you a bunch of money when the kids need school supplies.
Seventh: place the 1/2 used shampoo bottle in your luggage each night, this way you get a new bottle every day. At the end of the week empty all of the little bottles into one big botlle with a fancy lable, this will impress family members when they stay at your house and the guest bath is stocked with an expensive bottle of shampoo in it.

This picture is from Jameson Inns in beautiful Easly, South Carolina
One must use great care when staying in a hotel room

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

June 2, 2004

After 4 days off I had to get back to work so I could get some rest.
As you can see from the pictures we spent the weekend building an arbor. Since PopPop Frick is the only family member over 6' he was in charge of making sure that the corner post were all the same height. We only had one set back, after I cut the same board twice it was still too short. Now if I could find a way to cement the yard & paint it green I wouldn't have to ever cut it.
They very "FENG SHUI" lattice
They very "FENG SHUI" arbor


After 4 days off I had to get back to work so I could get some rest.
As you can see from the pictures we spent the weekend building an arbor. Since PopPop Frick is the only family member over 6' he was in charge of making sure that the corner post were all the same height. We only had one set back, after I cut the same board twice it was still too short. Now if I could find a way to cement the yard & paint it green I wouldn't have to ever cut it.