Couldn't forget Brenda!!!

A big hurrah for Kyra Sedgwick for her first Emmy nomination for "The Closer".

I'm sorry, but with the possible exception of the lady from all 34 Law & Orders, there's no way Kyra should lose.

Long ones, too!!

I wore slacks to work after church this afternoon.

Nobody noticed.

hee hee hee.......

CONGRATULATIONS "24"!!!!!!

It's about time.

Season Five of "24" finally broke this incredible show through to the media, to water cooler talk, and now, to Emmy-land!!

Twelve nominations for "24"!!! Wonder if they are the AM hours or PM hours. :)

Included are:

Kiefer Sutherland, best actor in drama series (Go Jack!)

Gregory Itzin, best supporting actor (and deservedly so for President Logan)

Jean Smart, best supporting actress (YES!! She was incredible as the First Lady)


For once, I actually care about some Emmy Award categories.

Emmys, Execs, and the Electoral College

Let's hear it for Robert Greenblatt, president of entertainment for Showtime.

(Yes, that title could be considered subjective, so could have been "minister" during my recent nine-year tenure. This is a joke about the title, not the guy, who, by the way, has a great first name!) :)

Below is a quote from an AP article about the recent changes in Emmy Judging which decides nominees. Many have much to say about it. Here's his thoughts.


Showtime president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt was overjoyed Thursday at his network's record showing of 19 nominations but admitted to feeling "incredibly ambivalent" about the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' experimental formation of a blue-ribbon panel charged with finalizing the list of candidates for the comedy and drama series and lead performer categories.

"I think this new system is as flawed as any I've seen in an awards competition," said Greenblatt, who was particularly dismayed about the omission of "Weeds" star Mary Louise-Parker in the lead actress in a comedy category. "It feels like the electoral college to me as far as being outdated. It's like a version of taking away the popular vote and leaving it to fewer people to make the decisions ultimately."

Note the final thoughts? The Electoral College is "outdated". How does a numerical process become outdated? When did we get a new numeric system?

The College was created by some people who were, well, really smart and forward-thinking, realizing that certain groups of people would not have the voice that others would, solely based on where their kitchen is located.

So, if the media were correctly teaching, and schools, college, and universities were correctly teaching, that the "popular vote" has NEVER elected a President, and that YOU have never voted "for a President", but only for the electors of your state who will then represent the vote of the people at the Electoral College, we wouldn't have as much confusion over this.

We also would have people maybe thinking twice about calling the Electoral College outdated.

Click above to find out how it all really works.


P.S.---I'm not trying to single out Mr. Greenblatt here; his quote, though, gave a perfect opportunity to open discussion on the subject.

Ten Minutes Left......

....I'm walking to the van leaving work tonight after a couple of trying days and this thought came into my mind:

If you only had ten minutes left to tell the people closest to you whatever you wanted to or needed to, who would they be, and what would you tell them?

Remember, there will be some spontaneity to this, so some "ten minutes" will be on the phone, maybe some via videophone or IM. But, hopefully, you'll be face to face.

A partial list of who I'd go find:

--My two kids
--My two kids (now we can count them as two on this list....hee hee)
--My wife (duh!)
--My best friend, who puts up with me at work every day (and will get an extra jewel in her crown in heaven)
--My brother
--My high school sweetheart
--My childhood friend who grew up next door to me and plays fantasy football with me

...and the other three posts....I'll keep blank for now. I'm realizing quickly just how difficult this would be.

And, you can forget getting any details on what I'd say.

So, begin your choices, but take your time and think about it. Alot.

Hey Katie! You're taking MY job!!

The CBS/Katie Couric watch is on; as promos air during the CBS Evening News (and Bob Schieffer does a class job in them, as always).....

I'm very interested to see how she does.

But I am serious. I staked my claim to the anchor desk over 30 years ago.

Katie Couric bumped in line.

I'll tell my story soon.

P.S.---If she shows that hairstyle sometimes, I'll watch. :)

P.P.S.---But seriously, folks, I want to see how a woman will do in the Evening News race. As a media junkie, I'm looking forward to it. And I still think Elizabeth Vargas got robbed.



:)

June's Winning Numbers......

A horrible start to June was turned around a bit near the end....


7, 21, 25, 30.


Here's to July bringing more victory and celebration!!

And a good time was had by all....even the 40 YEAR OLD!! :)

Well, wifey says that for three weeks we had her fooled.

It was only on the day of her surprise 40th birthday party that, she says, she knew something was going on. Her clue? Her baby sister and I were talking on the phone.

She and I NEVER talk on the phone. :)

It's funny; it got to the point at work where a call that never tries the office number and rings first on the cell, had to be a call from "the sis", who was a master in getting this event together (being that I live at work now---HEY, I did clean my cubicle last night and today, complete with vacuum and Mr. Clean!!). This would NEVER have happened without her.

The only fly in the ointment (remind me to stop buying ointment, I'm sick of all the flies....) was wifey's hours at work Monday. Does she leave at 2 or 4? I'm pleading with all my heart for it to be 4. I call her, and.....it would be 4!!

Until.....

....I took mother-in-law and kids up to the fire station (they have an awesome room to put on a party), plus supplies, then came back home to meet wifey and, well, keep her occupied for awhile, since we weren't supposed to get there until 7:15.

Well, in the end, little occupying was needed, as she was held late by customers and got home at 6pm. Not 4:20....6pm. So, some of my "plans" for her, well, had to be a bit condensed. But, I still "occupied" her. :)

The party itself went well, and I'm so glad it did. She deserved a good hurrah for number 40.

Now the countdown is on to my 40th. I'm already putting bugs in her ear like, "...do absolutely nothing....", "....the birthday is on a Saturday, so I'll sleep the day away....", and, "....you realize you'd have to pay people to come to a birthday party....".

The older I get, the less I like any celebration regarding moi. But I don't think I'll have much say over my next one.

:(

What's the perfect gift for Rob after this week??

Answer: oxygen tank


Between 8:30am Wednesday and 8:00pm tonight, I worked just over 43 hours.


Oh!, you say...that's why he hasn't blogged!!


Make sure you read "The Shell Game" just below. I think it's an interesting study in humanity. I should know, I'm one of the lab rats!

The Shell Game......

Imagine for a moment, if you will, a twist on the shell game. This time there are four shells, and no ball. Each shell, when lifted, reveal a characteristic instead.

Sometimes the game is played daily; sometimes the shells don't reveal new traits or characteristics for quite awhile, and there have been days where I've watched them change personality on multiple occasions!

Your quadrants are:

1---Northwest
2---Northeast
3---Southeast
4---Southwest

...based on watching the game from outside its board. Remember, in this version the shells themselves never move, they, when lifted, only reveal the current traits of the one they represent.

For many years, the game, though always unpredictable on final outcomes, did not have any real dramatic shake-ups. That is, until one day (Dec 3, 2005), one shell offered a new rule to the game never tried before. This time, for the first time, the shells themselves would move.

And so, 30-some days later, the four shells, some with more fear and dread than others, began the process. One shell did not move, interestingly enough. #2 stayed in the Northeast. #1 left the Northwest for the Southeast. #3 moved slightly from Southeast to Southwest. Finally, #4 left the Southwest to anchor the Northwest.

Believe me when I tell you this---in the months since the move, watching the "new" version of the shell game has produced massively different results in some, and rock steady results in others. Looking at the doorway of the board, you would enter on the West side. Immediately you would encounter #4. Turn right and walk and you are with #3. Around a quick corner, just a few steps, brings you to #2.

But, however, had you, after seeing #4, went straight ahead several steps, you'd be in the Northwest with #1. But here is a key point---#1 and #2's quadrants are against the wall of the board, subconsciously suggesting to a visitor, longer escape. If you walk into a room, for example (let's go to the office cubicle phenomenon, shall we?), chances are after meeting #4, you would be more likely after looking at the lay of the land, to move right toward #3, then also greet #2 upon discovering him/her.

Meanwhile, #1, who can be clearly seen by the person walking in, does not receive interaction usually, unless someone has a specific reason to head to the Northwest Corner (is that like the Northwest Territory??)

So, let's review.

#1---Is seen at the entry point of the board, but more times than not is bypassed in order to see others easily available in more open spaces.

#2---Isn't seen at entry point, so someone who likes to keep to themselves would probably want a lifetime contract to that location. But, they also will see some people with usually a moment to prepare, and said person knows when someone comes straight into the Northeast, they mean business. It's like, I'm going to Hawaii for Hawaii, I'm not stopping in Kansas City and fooling myself.

#3---The most strategic, most open player in the game. They can see both Northeast and Southwest, and everyone entering the board, with a suave move of the head. This position allows for more communication, and, if the player should so choose, more power, being able to grasp the landscape very well.

#4---The Southwest needs to be ingenious by nature in this game, because the player is stuck with having spectators arrive directly behind them. They continually pray none ever enter with a meat cleaver. But, the Southwest does have the huge advantage of being able, if they so choose, to be the first one and/or the last one to communicate with a spectator, depending upon whether their characteristics of communication are grandiose or not.

Now, we've analyzed the shells as people, in a room, and how where they are affect their workings with outsiders, or "spectators".

Now to the real Shell Game. What has changed since the shells moved for the first time ever?

#1---The move from Southwest to Northwest has found the shell showing us more and more periods of frustration, lack of communication, and a feeling of actually not being a part of the Shell Game any longer. Sometimes the shell lifts and an "SOS"-type signal is bellowed. Sometimes, there are glimpses of the former personality traits shown us by the shell when it was known as #4.

#2---is #2. No move brings this shell the greatest advantage since the game was resumed after the move. The shell reveals much of the same traits as before, but they're not all the same. Characteristical change around #2 has caused #2 to act, react, and thus, present new glimpses when the shell is lifted.

#3---Arguably the recipient of the most advantageous move, yet, for the most time, the shell has revealed continued traits from its stint in the corner at #1. Going though from, yelling to the shell across the way, to actually seeing and more easily communicating to the Northeast and Southwest, has brought a mixed bag of new characteristics previously not revealed by the shell.

#4---What once was Southeast loses some vision in the Southwest, but makes up for it in other ways. In fact, spectators have pointed out that #4's oral communication skills, a strong personality in the Southeast, have become even stronger in the Southwest. Hanging with a shell never previously seen can do that. Plus, it's a pretty fair piece of board real estate, as mentioned before; the slightly more open, and much more accessible quadrants, are Southeast and Southwest.

So, in the final analysis, taking a typical day out of the hat (..or shell) to get a random sample of what the shells reveal, we might find....

#1---pensive, occasionally communicating but most times not, feeling isolation due to how the board is built, splitting the quadrants with high walls so that the four shells will never be able to see each other at the same time during the game.

#2---strong, yet weary, determined in work and not accepting mediocrity.

#3---in the center of the action, sometimes a good thing and sometimes a distraction; some days filled with laughter, others filled with silence, and some days both (admit it, YOU'VE had days like that, too!) Also professional. The shell shows that trait alot.

#4---Happy go lucky; not in the work sense, the personality sense. Orally communicates fluently, expresses frustration, and is the shell most keenly aware of the signs which would say to #4 what the other shells will reveal at the end of the game.


So, there you have it. The Shell Game, for the 21st Century. I'm sure you know by now the term shell is a "shell" for the real analysis. Where do you play The Shell Game?

Songs that make me go "Wah!!"

My musical companion at work is Live 365, as I've built a preset list of over 30 channels, either 80s, 70s, or Contemporary Christian. Inevitably, as the day goes on (I wear headphones, kinda, one ear on, one off), there comes a song that, well, has a good shot at making me the recipient of this question from a co-worker.....

.....Rob? Are you alright?

It just means I've completed another session with a song that brings the tears. Five years ago, I couldn't have a cry if I wanted to. Now, as I've mentioned before, it's a totally different story.

So, these are some that do the trick; those in bold are pretty much guaranteed to do it every time.....

--Babe, Styx
--The Best of Times, Styx
--Don't Let It End, Styx
--With You I'm Born Again, Billy Preston and Syreeta
--Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, Elton John
--Nights In White Satin, Moody Blues
--I Know You're Out There Somewhere, Moody Blues
--What's New?, Linda Ronstadt with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra--The Way You Look Tonight, Phil Collins (live version)
--Separate Lives, Phil Collins and female singer (live version---the original from the White Nights Soundtrack sucks. I know, I used to have to play it on the radio.)
--Beauty and the Beast, Peabo Bryson and Celine Dion
--A Whole New World, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
--At This Moment, Billy Vera and the Beaters
--It Was A Very Good Year, Frank Sinatra
--Theme from Mahogany, Diana Ross
--Sea of Love, The Honeydrippers
--I Want to Know What Love is, Foreigner
--Chiquitita, Abba
--The Winner Takes It All, Abba
--All Out of Love, Air Supply
--Could've Been, Tiffany (yes, I know, Tiffany)
--One More Night, Phil Collins
--Against All Odds, Phil Collins
--Like It Or Not, Genesis
--Alone, Heart
--Eternal Flame, Bangles
--Right Here Waiting, Richard Marx
--Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler (I hated this song in high school)
--If I Could Turn Back Time, Cher
--Endless Love, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
--Another Auld Lang Syne, Dan Fogelberg


You can assume that a few of the ones near the bottom of the list do the most emotional work, but this list is not in order. I will say, though, the champion song is the last listed, as I'm usually gone before Dan even sings "Met...".

More? Yeah; I'll find 'em and update this. I'm not ashamed to admit, as an 80s tune once kinda crooned, I have "..sad songs to make me cry".

Good night!

I am a "Caniac"!!!

Rod Brind'Amour leads Carolina as captain. Cam Ward played like Ken Dryden and he alone deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Eric Staal scores the empty net goal Monday night and I shouted like I haven't shouted during a sporting event in a long, long time.

The Stanley Cup in North Carolina. Who would have ever thought!! I love it. :)

I think I really do feel like 39.......

'In the year of thirty-nine'


Don't you hear my call
Though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I'll take your hand
In the land that our grand-children knew


From: "'39" by Queen (A Night at the Opera--1976)


I am, now, in my "year of 39". I know, it's really the start of my 40th year, but I can look at it with two mindsets. My 40th year is preparing and facing the future, while the "year of 39" encompasses here and now.

So, the lyrics quoted above make some sense as I close out this 39th birthday. Looking ahead, I call....even to those who are "many years away".......

The call is heard immediately by family, friends close and far, and others, and, one day, the call will reach future generations, hopefully. (Don't you hear me calling you?)

To those to come, Lord willing, in my life, sign in on the sand so I know your name when we take hands, especially my grandchildren whose land we will occupy.

I could sit here and type a thousand names of people who have come through my life thus far, all bringing their own unique contribution to, well, me. I'd love to meet a thousand more! And there are several great friends, that, quite frankly, I don't want to live without, and one who I can't live without at this point in life.

So, I welcome you to my "year of 39" or the kickoff of my "40th anniversary yearlong celebration", your choice. My attendance was mandatory.

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This week at work was, ah, busy. Gee, everybody shocked to read that? That's fine, I'd always rather be too busy than too idle. Besides, God told me not to worship idles....ah....I mean idols. Maybe that's why I don't watch American Idol.

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My best friend at work was on vacation this week, so I hope she and her family had a wonderful week on the sand, near the waves.....yeah, they went to Wyoming. :)

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Now, the wifey is facing her "40" in ten days......I say we fly in the cast of Grey's Anatomy, send her with them to a fancy eatin' place (aka restaurant), then the cast can mingle with us family, maybe even do some karaoke.....

.....and allow the wifey to have a private table with Patrick Dempsey.

Hey, hey!! I'll be with her at midnight, not him! :) Better ask her, though, if that would be her plan. Oh, and Dempsey hit 40 in January so he can give her advice.

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Now, THIS is excellent!! I always knew June 23rd was special (in no small part thanks to me!), but now it's official. Check out THIS.......

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Question to the nation at large: When the Ford television commercial featuring Taylor Hicks (Mr. American Idol) comes on, do you find yourself turning your head away from the screen like I do?? Has nothing to do with his physical attributes. Everything to do with the song.

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Well, I asked the fam to hold off on the birthday gift until Saturday, so we'd have plenty of time. My request? Go out to eat, of course!!!! But, then I understand Rachel went to Mom and asked what "we were getting Dad for his birthday". Mom's explanation of going out being the gift didn't suffice. Apparently her desire was for knowing what SHE would be giving! So, Mom says we'll be going to Wal-Mart after eating (could I divert the van to Target?? Please??) so she can get something for Dad. I have a few ideas on CD's I might like. :)

Well, Match Game '74 is less than 10 minutes away, so I close and remind myself to come back and change my age on the profile at the top right of this boring blog.

I was seven when the show was first aired.

I ain't seven no more. :) Good night, friends!

Father's Day, funny closed-captioning, and other thoughts.....

Happy Fathers Day, first to my Dad, who is recuperating from the surgery I blogged about earlier this month. Looking forward to seeing him during vacation time.

I received two cool cards, one from wifey, one from the kids and the cats. Rachel wrote the message, while Robbie chimed in with a reminder of his latest thing that makes him laugh.....

....the midget leprechaun on WWE Smackdown. Only my son would put something like that in my Father's Day card. I loved it.

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USA Network is in need of help in the closed-captioning department. Tonight during two (more!!) of my wife's TV shows, closed-captioning was, well, somewhat unreliable, shall we say. The best "mistakes" were:

1) Lowe's----says you get six months free financing with a purchase of $299 or more.
----CC reads you get six months free financing with a purchase of $9 or more.

2) Hershey's----CC created a Reader's Digest condensed version of their name:

"hehey"

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As dominating as Carolina was in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals, they were dominated by Edmonton in game six Saturday night. It was sad to watch. And Erik Cole's return from a broken neck made no difference. Well, at least game seven is in Raleigh tomorrow night. Who takes it? The young, hungry team, or the veteran, tested team?

They all want to win the Cup. Will those who have played 6, 8, 10, 14 years without holding it have enough, or will the youthful legs of Edmonton do what they've seemed to do since the start of overtime in game five---which is skate so fast they make the Hurricanes look like they're standing still.

Through it all, GO HURRICANES!!!!

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UPDATED CLOSED-CAPTION:

Heard----"Why didn't you go to the police?"

Read-----"Why didn't you go to the pole?"

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Went into the pool for the first time this season; me and the kids hanging out, laughing and having fun. It was so nice. It's already in the 90s here. I fear a long, hot summer. I crave long hours in air-conditioned locations. :)

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And finally, my best friend at work is on vacation this week, so things just won't be the same. May her and her family have an awesome week! The Withams are T-minus three weeks from Friday from their first vacation with all four Withams in four years.

I hope the foundation of our home doesn't crack in light of the shocking news. :)

Out of shape.....REALLY out of shape....

So, it's Virginia Credit Union day at Busch Gardens Sunday and we meet up with our niece and her friends from North Csrolina. Had a wonderful time; weather was perfect and everyone pretty much got to the ride of their choice.

I hurt my foot in the log flume, so I gingerly walked the late afternoon and evening.
That was nothing.

Try huge pain in the lower calves, especially my left leg, for the past two days.

Why? Could it be it's because I sit all day at work, come home and sit, then go to bed?

Sure it could.......

....but let it be know I drank, for me, alot of water there Sunday. Trying to find the silver lining......

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Carolina is one game away from tasting the sweetness of Lord Stanley's Cup. After defeating Edmonton last night, they come home to RBC, where Wednesday night they can launch the hockey party heard 'round the world.

Ten years ago I was in Raleigh for a minor league hockey game with the old Raleigh Icecaps. They played in a 3,000 seat arena, which wasn't full, believe me.

Now? RBC will be packed to the rafters, with rabid hockey fans ready to celebrate.

Sure wish my bro could be there...he's been a big supporter for a long time. :)

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Tonight on Larry King, Al Gore said we have 10 years left before major environmental catastrophes occur.

30 years ago, scientists were hailing "the new ice age". Now, within 40 years, we go completely the other way to the point where the earth is falling to shreds?

If Earth has been in existence for millions and millions of years, what's 40 years? My point is we, as humans, should be concerned about Earth, and be very enviromentally conscience. At the same time, let's put things in perspective.

Something happened from the inside or outside to destroy the dinosaurs.....and the earth kept on going. Is it possible that humans aren't as powerful over the earth and its condition than we think we are?

You go, Pops!

Just to tell the world.....

.....Dad came home from the hospital mid-week from surgery. He's doing well after the aortic aneurysm surgery with a side of hernia disposal.

I know why he recovered so quickly....he missed his girlfriends back at the senior center.

Good enough reason for me! :)

I wonder........

....how Jack Bauer is doing so far in his home somewhere in the depths of China? Think there's a buffet and a spa?

....why a President, rather than finishing a speech to the nation with a "good night", or a "God bless America", decides to shock everyone by saying, "Buzz Off France!!"

....why are they called ex-husbands or ex-wives? What about "q-wive", "r-wive", or "j-husband"?

....why was the Belmont Stakes even held today?

....why did the missus take all the chicken leftover from last night's dinner to work for breakfast this morning? I ended up having a Snickers bar and an ice cream sandwich. On the other hand, maybe I didn't end up so bad after all. :)

....no, I know why seeing Elizabeth Vargas at the end of 20/20 last night just ticked me off all over again about the egregious way ABC treated her in the WNT anchor fiasco. I can't believe I'm typing this, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing what Katie Couric will do on CBS. Just please, CBS, don't make her use the name "Katherine". That will completely undermine her credibility by saying, "we have to remake her for people to take her seriously on the evening news."

....why I'm getting old so fast? Only yesterday a trip to Busch Gardens would excite me (I like water rides); but now I'm going tomorrow and really could care less, except watching the kids have fun, of course! Just hope the weather doesn't make it uncomfortable out there.

....why can't I blog as much as I want to? Simple. Time. When you hang out at your cubicle 12-14 hours a day; doesn't leave much time to blog, and my rule is, "don't blog at work".

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Finally; this MUST be said.....

The opening segment of Letterman on Thursday night was the best one I've seen since his NBC days. Honest. I never stopped laughing. Hard. Out loud.

As someone on staff would tell him: "Good job, old man!"

Well, I certainly left a great "depression".....

Sorry it's been a week since my last blog entry...for several reasons. None the least of which was finding out last Tuesday night my Dad had been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm.

If you're looking for jolly, pick-me-up reading, don't click the previous link. But, for families of those with all types of aneurysms, it's reality and must be dealt with head on.....

....you see, it's not his first aneurysm. We'll travel that road another time.

So, I obviously want to get to New Bern, NC, where Dad, my brother, sis-in-law, and graduating niece (yea!!) live.

Surgery is Friday. Hope to leave early from work and head down Friday evening. Why did I ever think that would happen?? So, it'll be a Saturday trip.

Rachel has her first piano recital Saturday, so the family cannot go. It's me, alone.

And therein lies the rub. You see, I haven't set foot outside the Commonwealth of Virginia in, well, it was exactly three years last Thursday. This is part of the life filled with the glories and wonders of depression. Many people, like me, have this overcoming desire to be around or at home. You might remember the church I used to pastor was 45 miles away. For a few months some time back, I was getting some "pangs" just going to church.

A peep of anxiety fell Friday night. Saturday morning was a mess. I can't go to North Carolina...neither can I, well, leave bed. Wife offers solution which would allow her to drive me down later in the day and makes arranges to do such. She gets home from Rachel's recital and couldn't do plan B either.

Wife was, well, I don't want to speak her emotion since I don't feel them....so we'll keep it with, Wife was disappointed with me because of all the people I had inconvenienced. Makes perfect sense and I understand now. It wasn't my first concern, though.

My dad, brother and sis in NC were my concern, and my inability to get in a van and drive awhile to the south and east had yet to show itself other than in my mind. Bed was a wonderful security blanket (can I get a shout out from someone depressed who finds their bed a haven occasionally!)

Sunday came and went, with me only going to work late Sunday night (which I had planned to do on the way home from NC). But I had taken Monday off. Hmmmmm......

What about striking out after the family goes to work/school? I start quietly planning, even showing interest in how to check fluids in my van (long story), because I couldn't go without doing that.

And then, just before Wife leaves for work, this ill feeling begins. I didn't let it last long. I knew the deal.

So, sleep some more, hang out with the family, and watch a lame Deal or No Deal. (Celine? Had she ever watched the show???)

Talked with Bro today and Dad's very well, waiting for a regular room to open up so he can stop bugging the ICU nurses.

Oh, and we also covered the big 5-4 Carolina Hurricanes win in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals!!!

And the second best thing was my bro didn't kill me. I'm so embarrassed by all this, yet I'm so open about it. How do you reconcile those two facts?? I don't know when I'll be ready to travel far; that's the only "fact" I can present as to when this mountain shall be climbed.

And the very best part was Dad doing so well in surgery and so far in recovery.

After going to the doc today, I've been told some therapy may be in my future. That'll be interesting.

My transcripts will only be available on pay-per-read.


PS: Hurricanes fans, just because you pulled out game one and Edmonton's goalie is kinda gimpy, don't start drinking from the cup just yet.

PPS: I made sure I was checking at my work computer tonight so I would know when the time was:

6:06:06pm on 06/06/06.

I waited for blood to creep down the walls of the office, a big demonface to appear in the sky.......

......all I got was an apparition of my co-worker, Rodney, standing at the office door singing, "Havin' My Baby", singing in the direction of the desk of one of the three ladies in which I share the room. He left without giving us a clue as to his, well, direction.

And that was all. I can only imagine what the Apostle Paul would say at the sight...

"THREE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS, A BUNCH OF UNMERITED JAIL TIME, REALLY BAD SANDALS, AND A TOTAL OF 2,000 YEARS (give or take) OF WAITING AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS GUY SINGING ABOUT HIS BABY?"

A correction though, as we close 06/06/06, the narrative. Paul did admit later that he heard Joseph sing the same song to Mary while walking with her toward the stable.

:)

...and we present May's winning numbers.....

1, 2, 6, 10, 18 and 30.

Started strong, ended sputtering. Where was the kick for the final turn?

Jack Bauer at this hour....

Left Los Angeles: 7am, Tuesday May 23.

Cargo ship top speed: 23 mph

Distance to Shanghai: 6,488 miles.

Miles traveled thus far (as of 7am, Wednesday May 31): approximately 4,400 miles.

Jack expected to arrive in Shanghai area: this weekend, around Sunday, June 4th. That would be Monday June 5th in Shanghai.

Ssshhh! I'm "sshhh-ing" already!!

So it started as an allergy attack with a sore throat on Wednesday evening....

...by Sunday night things are feeling well.

...Monday morning I wake up to one sore throat and no voice.

...week one I have no voice, which makes for interesting conversations in the office. I had to go to see The Go-Go's with NO voice. Do you realize how hard it was to NOT sing or scream!!??!!

...week two was minor increments of improvement. Early in the week it was usually shot for the day by afternoon.

...Memorial Day weekend we're getting close.

...Today it was 90 percent back (my wife is ticked...hee hee) and I even sang a little to a great 80s tune (whatever it was....)

...so I guess this means I can voice my opinion again. Oh, dear. That was bad.

Elizabeth Vargas was robbed.....

From the "it wasn't her fault" department......

Elizabeth Vargas begins co-anchoring ABC's World News Tonight with Bob Woodruff looking to begin a new era at the network, post-the tragic death of Peter Jennings.

GMA (Good Morning America) was so close to taking over "Today", ABC didn't want to mess with the Charlie/Diane duo on that program. Conventional thinking had one of them moving to WNT. ABC thought differently, and in my view, boldly.

Let's give ABC a break on a major point here.....

.....I'm sure planning of some sort was underway concerning "grooming" Jennings' replacement (as NBC did with Brian Williams) but A) NBC has a cable news network, where plenty of grooming can take place (Brian used to do an hour nightly newscast at 9pm ET about a decade ago). And B) Jennings' sudden illness caught everyone off guard.

So, the "bench" as it were wasn't intact like NBC (though you could argue there was no bench, but a coronation at 30 Rock).

Then the following......

1) Bob Woodruff is seriously injured by a bomb in Iraq, immediately ending the plans for one anchor to travel, the other to stay at the desk.

2) Vargas announces her pregnancy; a wonderful event at age 42.

3) Within the past few weeks; CBS overtook ABC in evening news ratings.


You're the president of ABC News-----what do you do?


Charles Gibson heads to WNT; the GMA speculation begins. Meanwhile......the network press release talks of Elizabeth Vargas needing to significantly cut back on her duties according to her doctor, so she'll come back on 20/20 and news specials. There are other aspects of the "public announcement" of Charlie in, Liz out.

My bottom line:

Elizabeth Vargas got robbed. If she's not pregnant today, they wouldn't have made this change....yet. The pregnancy was the perfect "out" for ABC to rearrange their talking head lineup.

Some women's groups have loudly protested; I checked Concerned Women For America's website, and not a word. That's a shame. Women on the Christian Right should be upset with this, too.

I'm upset and I'm male!!!!

So, in less than a year, the bedrock of your employer dies while you're heading out west to be with your husband, who was shot. Months later, you and a partner become co-anchors. Your partner suffers life-threatening injuries in Iraq. You discover you're pregnant. Then, I suspect, the sharks began to circle, wanting to get a second chance to put a "known" face on the broadcast, and stuff-shirts (many of them white males, I suspect) realize the pregnancy plays to their advantage.

Elizabeth is very gracious about it all, which impresses me tremendously, when just a few years ago, people in the biz were yelling about Vargas' ego.

With Katie going to CBS after tomorrow, and Charlie coming in for ABC, I hope for simply one thing.

May Elizabeth and Marc have a beautiful, happy, and healthy baby.

Then we'll deal with my wishes for her career.

Due to technical difficulties....

....we have been unable to join you the past several days.....So we have much, much, much to talk, I mean, blog about.

--First and foremost, the "24" season five finale and party

--How to live without your voice for two weeks (and being thankful you're no longer on the air in radio, but behind the scenes. Put it this way, you won't hear me on any commercials anytime soon!)

--A scare, then a return to sleep apnea mask.

--Holiday visitors and a relaxing day in front of the tube.

--Danica Patrick's new Honda spot. Whoo hoo!!!!!

--The Sears Craftsmen NASCAR, "Gymnast" spot. Best spot this year so far on TV.

--More on offices, working in cubicles, and how personalities shape relationships.

--My latest musings on life, love, and other mysteries (thank you for the phrase, Point of Grace!)

So, it's good to be back, and more importantly, have some actual time to sit and watch my shaky hands do a poor job typing while I contribute my crumb of life to the blogosphere.

P.S.----Go Carolina Hurricanes!!!!

Open until position filled....wanted: best friend

I think this was posted by me months and months ago, but I can't find the post (so maybe I dreamt it!)

Best Friend Wanted:

qualifications:

--35 to 45 yrs of age preferred

--females encouraged to apply (most of my best friends in life are female)

--ability to laugh at oneself, even their problems

--willing to listen to my crap while shoveling theirs this way

--the kind of friend who checks on you via cell phone in the morning and emails you at night just to see if you survived

--significant time commitment not mandatory....several good minutes of talk, discussion, help and prayer is all good for a good day.

--Must NOT (if female) be too intimidated to meet and become friends with my wife. Remember, my wife is a best friend of a DIFFERENT level that no one applying here can touch.

--Similar interests not necessary (but if you like 80s music, "24", radio, and all the other things posted on the title of this blog---it couldn't hurt.)

Position is open until filled.

:)

"24": The Party!!

Tomorrow night is "24": The Party!

Live in Disputanta, we celebrate the finale of TV's best show, bar none.

Obviously, being out in the countryside, no live blogging. But we'll review and type and type and type some more once back to the laptop.

Stay tuned for the finale review....then join us as we mourn 7 1/2 months without Jack and Chloe.

It's my 25th anniversary....so I'll give the present!!

May 17, 2006.

The Innsbrook Pavilion, Glen Allen, Va.

Here come the Go-Go's!!

Belinda, Kathy, Jane, Charlotte and Gina hit the stage around 8:15pm, and to use a term stolen by a country song...."and the crowd goes wild."

Surprising that Our Lips Are Sealed is the first out of the box. I didn't think they'd start with one of their "big four". But as the show went on, it made perfect sense.

Belinda's first time talking to us gave us a surprise. She mentioned it was the 25th anniversary of "Beauty and the Beat"....and proceeded to announce they were going to play the album in its entirety. So, the girls come from L.A. to Richmond on their 25th anniversary and give us the gift. Sweet!! Even though I was not familiar with some of the songs, I enjoyed hearing them for the first time.

At the end, they hit We Got The Beat, which was, of course, the definitive crowd pleaser. They scored well with the song, not only for its hit value, but for their dead-on performance. Then, THE highlight of the show-----as the crowd raucously applauded WGTB......the first piano sounds begin, and immediately tears well up in my eyes, as "Head Over Heels" gets underway.

This song was the best performance of the night by far-----and when the bridge came, lots and lots of hands over heads doin' the clap. Then, after the last chorus, the ladies get into a major jam, playing the last two lines of the song about, oh, eight times.

Kathy was mean on the bass, Charlotte and the piano, incredible. What a job.

The rest of the show proceeded with more hits and B-cuts from albums two and three.

The BIGGEST problem I had all night was that Rachel couldn't see all the band play! Everyone stands during shows at Innsbrook, which is not a good thing for 9 year-olds. So, late in the show, I told Rachel to follow me. (I told her earlier in the show I'd get her to a place where she could see them, if it was the last thing I did). We moved down the left hand side....made it up front to the beer stand (thank God closed by this time), then about ten feet to the front railing parallel to the stage.

We inched and inched our way, and, finally, Rachel said she could see!! Great vantage point, even when almost in line with the stage. Lots of Jane, Kathy and Belinda, and Charlotte when not covered by a pole. So, getting to see the last part that close to the stage was cool.

Oh, and the first time they left the stage.....I turn around at the railing and realize the circle of ladies huddled and talking about 20 feet away were.....yep. Showed Rachel, then we headed for the exit. Rachel wanted to stop in the back to hear the encore, and so we did. After the last note, we head for home.

Right now, Head Over Heels has significance for me; the lyrics saying so much about the complete whirlwind I find myself in.

....and just remembered that I had forgotten about my heart.

Sorry for the impromptu break.......

It's been a, well, a challenging past week. Hopefully, during this weekend, I can let you in on the following:

--My allergy attack which ended up being strep throat.
--How I couldn't talk at work all week long (my roommates were thrilled!!)
--"24", 4am to 5am, a review that will more than anything set up the two-hour finale preview.
--Dad and Rachel's night with Belinda, Jane, Charlotte, Gina and Kathy.
--A wonderful and tear-filled visit to Longdale, the best school in the world.
--Robbie's 2nd annual chorus trip to Busch Gardens.
--And, how the events of this past week at work placed my responsibilities at even higher levels of "hectic". Plus, how health + location = relationship. And, how it works the other way around.

Quickly, a couple of things learned around the office in the corner by yours truly:

--Elliott was an extremely gracious person in defeat Wednesday on "Idol". Oh, remind me to share with you the reality that is "the Richmond Jinx".

--Keith Urban is hot.

--Someone might move out west.

That's all----I'm exhausted after starting the day at 5am; and we're back on the road at 8am to Rachel's piano teacher for some sort of hula activity. I wonder if Don Ho will make a special appearance?

Elliott, Elliott, Elliott, Eliott.....you get the idea.....

I've lived in the Richmond area for basically my entire life and have seen some interesting things happen, come, and go.

--Kepone
--First Black Governor
--Richmond Braves Great Eight of 1993
--Tropical Storm Gaston
--Tropical Storm Agnes
--Blizzards
--Larry "Bud" Melman
--and others......

When Chevy Chase films a music video with Paul Simon in your Christmas parade, that's pretty cool.

When Arthur Ashe is a long-time hero and favorite son, you're proud.

When a 1992 Presidential Debate occurred here, that was pretty wild.

But then there was today.

One year ago he's behind the counter of a pharmacy in town, and had he come to the station to pick up a prize he'd won on the air, no one would have noticed.

Now, one year, an audition, and several televised concerts later, Elliott Yamin has officially become the number one citizen of Richmond, Va.

He came by our place this morning to interview briefly on two stations. He ran about 45 minutes late, which caused me to wonder if I would have to park a mile away at the Taco Bell. Thankfully, there was a plot of grass on which to park the van. The front parking lot is filled with balloons, Elliott crazies, TV satellite trucks, etc. Heck, our employee of the month couldn't get to his spot!

So, we're directed on Thursday about where to go/where not to go in the building while he's there; no going to the second floor where the studios are, no autographs, etc...etc.....

That's fine by me. I get there, watch the frenzy as I drive past and go to the back parking lot, pass all those cars, and, as Phil Keaggy once sang, you could "Find Me In These Fields".

Don't use the front entrance. No sweat. I knew nothing was in my mailbox since I left at 10:30 last night, so I go in the back door. My office is nowhere near the hallway that was being cleared for his comings and goings. I was happy to see that the nearby kitchen was open so I could grab an all important fork for the cheesecake (breakfast of champions, baby!!)

My best friend who REALLY wanted to meet him came in shortly thereafter, and, no, she didn't get to see him either. She was bummed.

I was confused.

Cool story--local guy goes Hollywood, comes out of nowhere, does good, and the thing I personally like about him is he does not even come close to "looking" like a star.

You know what I mean....like tonight when the wife had "Las Vegas" on, how many female characters weighed more than, say, 104 pounds? Well, that's exaggerating, how 'bout 130? I didn't see in size 10 women gambling! Must be something in the fat cells that once you reach a certain size, you completely lose the desire to gamble and watch people make blooming idiots of themselves.

But I'm not hear to talk Las Vegas---if the hotshots in Hollywood, or, better yet, in the music industry, had their way, he would never had seen the light of day. So, cheers and kudos to Mr. Yamin for proving everyone has talent, and some people are even smart enough not to put in irrelevant qualifications.

Having said all that, this day long event of appearances for him throughout Richmond; I've never seen people go nuts like this. Never. Two reasons that I can think of, I guess:

---He's one of us. I work with someone who worked with him at another radio station years ago. People 'round here KNOW him. That makes a difference.

---He gives a shot in the arm to a city whose reputation always needs one. He spent the day thanking so many people around town, as he should, but the Greater Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau should be on their knees thanking him for something we don't get very much as a city.......good press.

So, as for me?

---I don't watch Idol.
---The eventful day was just a minor, minor inconvenience (could have been MUCH worse).
---I hope he wins.
---Then, for God's sake, I hope he gets back to Richmond long enough to make my co-worker's dream come true.

.....she wants to have his baby.

Funny, I don't remember hearing anyone say that about Bush 41, Clinton or Perot in 1992.....but, then again ladies, would you have wanted to??

Lesson in Learning Office Dialogue 101, or, how to survive seven minutes of American Idol

Okay, I live just outside Richmond. Elliott Yamin is from Richmond. One of the ladies in my office used to work with him.

Problem. I have never liked, nor watched Idol. The only time I would ever tune in would be the last five minutes of the last show of the season.

But this year....it's different.

All three of the ladies who share the office with me (good ol' cubicles! They erected them so they wouldn't have to look at me all day. Can you blame them??) watch Idol, some more fanatically than others.

One watches. Another always watches but is intent this year because she knows Elliott. The last one didn't watch Idol until this year when she learned about Elliott and now can't miss two seconds of it.

Also, be advised that two of these three ladies will cry at anytime with complete ease....for example....when a Hallmark card commercial comes on TV......celebrating Arbor Day.

So, week after week goes by and on Wednesday morning I would hear about who sang and how well they were, plus their looks, the changes to their appearance, etc.

Thursday morning, I would hear the cries of disappointment for the one booted off the show (The Tribe Has Spoken??----oh, that's another show.) and excitement that, yes, Elliott survived to sing another day.

So, tonight, while still at the office, I turned to Idol to hear the announcement of who was going home (I think they get a knapsack full of Jello boxes, a Mr. Microphone, an autographed picture of Ted Mack, and a pair of shoes worn by Paula Abdul...). It was not Elliott.

So, I'm set for tomorrow morning. Not that I'll say a word, mind you, I carry no clout whatsoever concerning providing salient comments about the show.

But, at least I'll halfway understand what I'm listening to. And, as long as that Hallmark Arbor Day ad doesn't come on TV while they're talking, I won't cry. :)

Friday night was great....and "24" LIVE!!!!!

The "secret" event I mentioned last entry was a couples dinner at my former church. We surprised several people by coming and had the best time!! It felt like 20 minutes, then, suddenly, it was 2 hours 15 minutes later. When time flies, you know the deal.....

NOW.....

"24"----the following takes place from 3am to 4am.......

CTU/Homeland Security/Hints from Heloise sends Curtis to the airfield....
President Big Nose sends SS...as in Secret Service.....to get Jack first.

Meanwhile, baldy finds a way to get the Prez to shoot down the plane for a "reason".

Meanwhile, let's welcome Miles and his ignorant self to the circus. (i.e.--why is Bill Buchanan with you and not me??)

Baldy blocks a leak by having Mike Novic alert the President regarding the "beep beep" coming from the plane.

"They might come here to get me?? Oh, dear!!! Please, shoot the plane, whatever you have to do, to protect me from, well, me!!!"---Charles Logan

"Do it now!"---Jack Bauer, with the gun to the side of the head.

(Kinda reminds me of a fun session in our bedroom, but, I really shouldn't go there, should I?)

Is anyone besides me sick of The Da Vinci Code. I mean, irregardless of its polarization of people, thinking from revolutionary, to fiction, to anti-Christian, I just mean are you sick of it all? Book...movie..can't wait for "Da Vinci Code: The Musical".

Da Vinci Code Cereal. Da Vinci Code Coasters. Da Vinci Code in 12-packs!!

Anyway---------------------------------------

Chloe is back on line to save the day for her "honey, though she doesn't realize he's her honey"......

Well, heck, after everything this flight has been through, did you think there would be anything short of an "emergency landing"?? They didn't even get pretzels!!!!

Now, we welcome latest "guy who'll take down Jack". This makes, how many in 5 years, 134??

For a second, the view out the window made me think Han Solo was in control of....

Let's sing---"I can see clearly now, the freeway's here!" Ut oh...it's set to send the missile and in range. Locked.

Ha ha!!! Too bad, Logan, too bad. Abort. Charles had to abort, Charles had to abort....hee hee.

Okay.....now had they put the plane through the overpass, I swear to you, I would NEVER fly that airline again!!

It's 3:23am, and Jack and his sack are hi-tailing it to find someone, anyone, who's not a member of the "I love Logan" fan club.

----------------------------------------------------

Okay----"X Men: The Last Stand". Another complete waste of American dollars so we can gourge ourselves in more entertainment. Like we need to do that. How 'bout those "caring" Hollywood-ites take all that money they throw into this movie and set up permanent housing, irrigation, and schools in several towns in a third world nation.

I won't be holding my breath. But, they will tell me how awful I am at the next awards show.

----------------------------------------------------

Now, at 3:27am-----Baldy chides Logan.....and Jack is looking for yet one more way to get away. Okay, in with Curtis. A good time here to remind you that just because you have a recorder doesn't mean you have a recording.

Curtis----excellent job; I'd have him on my debate team anytime!!!

Yo, Hayes----Miles will be anything but loyal. Anything. It's 3:32am.

Why is Miles all about Miles? I don't deserve, I haven't wavered.....not a team player to me if, in the midst of a universal crisis, all he says is, "I..I..I..."

Oh, yeah....Bierko. We hear him once every episode or two. He's not done yet.

....oh....and the very next sound in Miles' ear will be someone he can spill the beans to.

Oh, yeah....Bierko. Chained. Maybe he is done. Or, maybe he has help. Bierko nervously sings, "someone to watch over me".

------------------------------------------------

Insert no joke about depression here. I hope Cymbalta will help people like me who are tired of being depressed, but, well, still are.

------------------------------------------------

Another great job by Elizabeth MacIngvale, National Spokesperson for the OCD Foundation, on CNN last Thursday night. Though I thought the report, seen on Paula Zahn Now, was weak and one-sided, Elizabeth bravely showed the world our world; the world of OCD.

By the way, when they repeat Paula Zahn Now, is it called "Paula Zahn Then"???

------------------------------------------------

Mike, unbeknownst to himself....maybe....is......well, honestly, I don't know what in the world Mike's thinking.

Baldy's Pizza--can I kill someone for you? Logan, it's the banker---pick up the phone and get the offer!!
OKAY----JACK, BIG MISTAKE-----I'm Jack, going anywhere and everywhere to get a recording, and, once I get it and return to CTU, I promptly give it to Chloe, whom I trust, and LEAVE IT OUT OF MY SIGHT FOR TEN MINUTES so I can go see Audrey. I just don't get it. Plenty of time to see Audrey tomorrow. Tape. Now. Never out of your sight. Now. Don't leave it out of your sight. Jack, oh Jack.

So, Logan calls Baldy's Pizza, who basically tells him to kill himself. Didn't even offer to supersize to add fries and a drink. Go figure.

So, it's commercial break time, and 3:47am in "24" land. Logan's not going alone.

--Martha?
--Mike?
--The Veep?
--Call a meeting and kill them all?
--not Agent Pierce....he's not back....yet.

AND YES, I WAS WRONG----HELLER IS ALIVE. I KNOW, I KNOW; I CAN TAKE MY PREDICTION BEATINGS WITH THE BEST OF THEM......hee hee.....

Well.....who do YOU think Logan mows down before he does the deed?

I bet we'll have a whole week to talk about it. :)

OFF THE SUBJECT: Guys....do you marry a lady named Bones? Just wondering.

----------------------------------------------------

Let's see; number one of the above list was Martha. Guess where Logan goes.....

BONNIE POINT: He does the deed but makes it look like Martha killed him.....

Logan: "I never wanted to hurt you....except when you got in the way by getting in that stupid motorcade and......well.....we can forget about that slip, but....."

Excellent lighting and video for the long walk ("dead man walking??") Excellent scene by Logan (the actor, not the President).

Well----Miles is now the mole. He feels "compelled to intervene". Compelled?? Compelled?? How does Miles prove he even talked to the President?? Miles must have something he needs done...pardon? Who knows.

----------------------------------------------------

And, in closing.....those of us who worked in radio before the year 2000 remember cart erasers. Carts were the "8-Track" type tapes that commercials, etc. were played on. To clean the cart for new use, rub it on the cart eraser.

A major player in this process? A magnet.

Guess what Miles just had? A 21st Century cart eraser.

RoseMary Woods would be so, so proud.

From henceforth, Miles shall be known as Ms. Woods.

P.S.-----AGENT PIERCE IS NOT DEAD. Told ya. Dang, I've been supplying him with food and water out in the shed for weeks now.

The Go-Go's, Jack Bauer, and a hot tub.....

So, driving home from work the other evening, I realized something....

....I'm not sure how long it's been since I've had a real "calendar of events" to look forward to.

Until now. :)

Well, what do you know! My itinerary:

Friday 5/5: A surprise trip to old, old friends (can't tell you about it 'til after Friday) :)

Monday 5/8: Volunteer meeting at my old elementary school (God how we miss it!!) to prepare for an event for their PTO. And....."24"!!!!!!!!

Tuesday 5/9: The "24" breakdown with our group via email.

Sunday 5/14: Mother's Day (I love it and I hate it...)

Monday 5/15: 4am to 5am of "24"!!!!!

Wednesday 5/17: My Rachel and I are going to see, that's right, The Go-Go's live! She has loved their greatest hits CD since either 3 or 4 years old. Has her own copy as a matter of fact. So, if you live in Richmond, and plan on going to Innsbrook on this night, and you see the most beautiful, energetic, freckle-faced girl in the world (with a graying fat guy beside her), that would be her. Face it, I'm "Head Over Heels" about her! (Get it, Go-Go's fans??)

Friday 5/19: Robbie's chorus heads to Busch Gardens, I volunteer at Longdale and see lots and lots of old friends again, friends who I miss dearly.

Monday 5/22: "24"---THE PARTY!!!! Live from Disputanta, and you DO have the option of watching 5am to 7am in the hot tub. It doesn't get much better than that. :)

So, a good thing for me. Fun events, great people, and lots of "24" to look forward to.

But what in the world am I gonna do May 23rd when the wait begins to Season 6 of "24" come January?

Pull out the DVD's on Seasons 1 thru 3, of course!

A good synopsis and diagnosis of our lame/crafty Commander-in-Chief can be found here.

Ah, no Geena, not you.

April's kinda winning numbers.....

4, 19, and 29.......

It's 2am, and the fear has gone...

TWILIGHT ZONE
Golden Earring

Somewhere in a lonely hotel room
there's a guy starting to realize that eternal
fate has turned its back on him. It's 2 a.m.

It's two a.m.
The fear has gone
I'm sitting her waitin'
The gun's still warm
Maybe my connection is tired of taking chances
Yeah there's a storm on the loose
Sirens in my head
Wrapped up in silence
All circuits are dead
Cannot decode my whole life spins into a frenzy

Help I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
The place is a madhouse
Feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved
Under moon and star
Where am I to go
Now that I've gone too far
(repeat)
Soon you will come to know
When the bullet hits the bone
Soon you will come to know
When the bullet hits the bone

I'm falling down a spiral
Destination unknown
Double crossed messenger, all alone
Can't get no connection
Can't get through where are you

Well the night weighs heavy
On his guilty mind
This far from the borderline
When the hitman comes
He knows damn well
He has been cheated And he says
(repeat Chorus)

Thank you elyrics4u.com for the words!!

No fear for Jack; he's with the suits, literally, in the plane. Talking with Chloe. Their love scene can't be but so far away....

....okay, our first lucky winning seat tonight is 7A. Congratulations, George Aliva, your government job is now in jeopardy.

....wow--crawl into a plane's insides and not be noticed?? And I thought airport security sucked.

Smooth move, Jack...ah...Frank...ah, now George. Jack, stop it, I can't keep up with your names!!

We're back. 2:14am. Did Chloe say German? Hi, Hans! Here's one to the gut! Now, where's the flippin' tape?

Ut oh, here comes coffee. Just in time---oh, ah, what was that on the floor?

Martha gives Justin the quick once over, and determines he has no personality.

And now, a Mike appearance. Is Mike playing dumb, or getting his suspicions confirmed? Did he get anything out of that?

Oh, it's fartface, I mean Pres. Logan, cow-tow-ing to some baldy with Pearle Vision glasses. Then he gives the Clinton spin on the "what's up".

She's in pain, Logan? You will be, too, Prez.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel bar......Chloe meets 2am bar jerk. Jerk has no chance whatsoever.

Now, in a move representative of this entire day, we have turbulence.

And, we have one mad Air Marshall. Minus a gun.

DURING THE BREAK: You could be watching....

--Larry the Cable Guy on CMT
--Barrera de Amor on Univision (man and woman embracing in conversation in an SUV, probably out of gas and trying to figure out how to raise the money to get home.)

Ah, the 500 channel universe....

LET'S GET BACK TO JACK!!!

Jack and Hans sing "I Have a U-Turn in my Heart for Recordings".

Jack, what's the big deal with depressurization.....it happens to me every day! :)

God I love Chloe. Imagine the kids they'd make....and how many times they would be sent to the office.

-----------------------------------------------------------

You know....it's amazing how versatile and talented Jack is.....

--druggie
--in with the drug lords
--President's best friend
--dead
--widow
--Ass't. to Secretary of State, on level with his daughter...:)
--Frank, the oil worker
--intruder (well, with help) into the Western White House
--and now....darn good airline hijacker....

----------------------------------------------------------

P.S.----I will never watch "House" until the guy shaves.

----------------------------------------------------------

Mike 1, Inches 0 (I mean Myles)---as he tries now to usurp the authority of Cruella, who isn't as Cruella as advertised.

Logan is going off, and Mike, well, two and two are starting to come together.

Logan speaks of himself...and Mike knows it!!!! Let the unraveling begin!!!

----------------------------------------------------------

....in an ironic twist from season two, how 'bout Mike lock Logan in a secure room long enough to have him escape, only to fall about two stories to the floor. Awwww.
Logan in traction. For 8 years. Breaks your heart, doesn't it?

----------------------------------------------------------

Being 9:48pm, it's time for the "weekly what shocking turn will end this hour" event.

---Does the plane land?
---Do they quash Mike?
---Is Martha gone for good? (nighty-night....)
---Does the tape holder jump out of the plane?
---Does Cruella let her hair down and start doing the macarena?

Anyway.........

---------------------------------------------------------

Hey Aerosmith!!!!! Janie's Got a Gun? NO! Chloe's Got A Taser!

Ut oh, it's the plumber...ah, the co-pilot, he's come to ditch the tape.

Co-pilot figuring it out. But pilot is faking the ol' hurt routine.

Jack.....has the tape?? Maybe?? I don't know; my jury is already out. Having a recorder doesn't mean having a tape, does it?

Well, it's 3am now, and Logan has to get a plane destroyed, cover it up, and, you know who is going to hold him up....

.....Martha.

Mike's there, too----and.....Agent Pierce isn't dead.

The fact they know that Karen is on Jack's side is certainly disconcerting. How Logan holds a phone call with her next hour should be very interesting.

LET'S CHECK THE PROMO-----

--trouble on the airplane.
--a manic President.

Four hours left.

AND---IT'S CONFIRMED!!!!!

"24"--THE PARTY!!!!!----Monday May 22nd, we're at the Jennings' home next to the good ol' church to enjoy the two-hour season finale! And, if you choose, you can watch the finale IN THE HOT TUB!!!!!!

Ah...something to look forward to. Praise God!!

Hi, my name is Rob and I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

...now this is when you answer, in unison throughout the blogosphere, "Hi Rob!!"

In late 1979, out of nowhere, I began having a series of thoughts regarding numbers, images, and order. I would have to "work through" these in a certain order, correctly. If I messed up or did not think of the number or image in a "correct" fashion, I would have to start over again.

Other parts of this include having to move my head in a certain way while thinking of something, not able to stop until I get it "right".

In spring 1980, I'm playing golf in the backyard. I had a putt just a few feet from the hole on our "B" course. (I'll blog about my golfing days at age 13 another time). I putted, and made the shot. But I did not make it "correctly". So, I'd retrieve the ball, return to the place where I was and shoot again, but, before I'd putt, I would "whisper-shout" to myself, "This is the last time EVER!!!". Didn't matter. In fact, saying that particular sentence probably ended up as part of the "routine" that had to be done.

Other tics through the years?

---Some clothing I cannot touch or even want to see (plaid shirts, oxford shirts, blue jean shirts....) and, if I see it while I'm eating, eating comes to a complete stop.

---How many times can you make sure the front door is locked before leaving home? Enough to make sure you're not overwhelmed driving/riding down the road in a car/bus, etc.

---Driving down the road, you hit a bump. But you just know you hit someone. So, you find a place, turn around, and go back to check. Sometimes, the first time doesn't "confirm it enough", so you turn around and go back a 2nd time.

The first time I ever talked to anyone about this type of behavior was my incredible friend (and still to this day) Ginny, sitting in her front yard one afternoon after school our senior year. For some reason, I felt comfortable enough to explain some of the "rituals" I battled. No, she couldn't diagnose it, but, for the first time, someone knew my opponent, and that was a big plus.

Friends? Most of them were kind enough to ignore the behavior. Family? Not so good. Several family members from 1979 to 1989 thought my strange behavior was best answered by telling me to, "Stop it".

That's the rub----you can't stop it. Unless you have a gallon of serotonin I could inject.

Finally, in 1989 (thanks for praying for me, Mama!!), we found the information that helped us diagnose once and for all what I had been through the past ten years.

I had Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

By the way, big, big kudos to my wife, who, after we were married, stopped at nothing to figure out what the heck was wrong with the deficient guy she had just committed to.

For years (thanks Pentecostals), I suffered through time after time of battling the thought that I was filled with demons because of all this bizarre behavior.

No, not demon-filled. Serotonin-challenged.

Serotonin is the chemical in the brain which, when in plentiful supply, prevents these types of behavior, which are basically (for those of you who remember records, albums, record players....remember??) like when the needle on your record player got stuck in the middle of a record and kept playing the same snippet over and over.

That's what happens in some of the behavioral aspects of OCD.

I'll talk more about this as time goes on, but I am going to, from time to time, blog about OCD simply as a reminder that:

1) It exists....

2) I am one of approximately seven million Americans who deal with it (and probably many others who are suffering in silence for they haven't been diagnosed)

3) I have been, and will continue to be, very open and very public about my OCD, my struggles, my triumphs, and my hopes to help anyone else who is or might join this long and winding road I have now traveled some 26 1/2 years.

BIG thanks to Elizabeth McIngvale, the national spokesperson for the OC Foundation (just 19!!) for sharing her struggles, which are much more difficult than mine, on ABC's The View this morning.

Click here to read from Elizabeth and get the basics on OCD. If you think a friend or family member has similar type behavior and it's never been checked, do so. You won't believe how much peace you'll feel, even though the OCD storm continues, when you discover you are not the only freak in the world behaving like this.

No, you'd be joined by me and seven million of my closest friends.

Where do YOU watch "24"??

Go to http://24map.fox.com and show the world where you watch Chloe, et al in action!

Good evening, welcome to PistolWhip Airlines!!

Hi, I'm your Captain, Jack Bauer.

Please stay in your seats and keep seatbelts fastened until I FIND THE TAPE!!!!

I have to admit; I think 1am to 2am was the lamest hour of the year...I mean, day.

1) The whole world knew Audrey Raines would NOT pull a trigger. Not even on Trigger!

2) Ya really think Jack should have, realistically, been able to get to the plane like he did? (Points to Kim at work for this view!)

3) Logan "takes care of" his wife by having her "promise not to talk"?? That's not taking care of anything!

NOW----some good and other comments....

1) Chloe still shines. Calling Buchanan's laptop "pathetic" was a very deft move.

2) Kim noted this, too----my TV screen is really dark on the scenes outdoors in the middle of the night. I didn't know Curtis was the one who grabbed Audrey until he identified himself.

3) Pierce isn't dead.

4) Everyone I talked to today says Heller isn't dead. I personally don't see where he got the time to jump out, but, if he surfaces, it wouldn't be a surprise.

5) Good to see Mike coming back on the scene.

6) Pierce isn't dead.

7) Getting Henderson to CT...Homeland....ah, bad guy Motel 6, really will do more harm than good. He'll find a way to implicate Audrey in the whole thing, all the while she's trying to find half her blood.

8) Pierce will resurface at the most opportune time for the good guys, and at the worst time possible for wimpy, wimpy Logan.

FINALLY-----

.....PistolWhip Airlines Flight 14 is headed for..........

.....China?

Preliminary diagnosis continues....

.....which is why I'm not currently following up on my post of April 19th.

I have confided with a few friends, asking for prayer, but only a few. In the meantime, the study continues and the beat goes on.

And I still hate it as much as I hate cancer.

Is there a way to sleep while awake?

Just wondering.....

....if not, I'd like to create a way. Then I could patent it, make some money, get the kids through college.....

....and try to complete my 80s CD collection. :)

I'm cycling really fast; the events of the past two days no doubt the reason. One hour I'm laughing up a storm, the next hour here comes the tears. Hopefully this will slow down as I get used to some new reality.

The Pretenders' "Message of Love" brings shouts of glee...and shortly thereafter "Right Here Waiting" from Richard Marx reduces me to mush.

I wonder what I would have done had I been faced with "Key Largo" by Bertie Higgins? Hopefully, I would find the nearest exit. :)

It's not official, but I feel it is.....

This is a post I never wanted to make.

I've prayed this would not happen, I've hoped and wished this would not happen, but, driving down the road at lunchtime today, I realized.....

....I think it's here.

I've dealt with it 26 years, and in minor ways even before that, and I wouldn't pray this crap on my worst enemy.

....but I think it's here.

But if that is God's will, we will turn this into an opportunity to help others as well as those who dwell in the Witham Nation.

I won't give any details, except to say it is a medical situation. When I feel it's time to talk about it and when I start making plans to face it head-on for the seven million Americans who are like me, the news, the emotion, and the HOPE will arrive.

This isn't a "terminal" situation, either, by the way, lest someone accuse me of "overblowing" something. I'm not, but if you thought that way, you don't understand. I must blog tonight. I must type. It's therapeutic. But yet, that which I want to scream out from the top of the highest mountain cannot yet be typed, much less screamed.

So I apologize for being cryptic (like I am in most of my posts....), but I needed a place and a few moments to vent.

I hate cancer. I hate this just as much.

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P.S.---In an ironic twist of fate, at same lunch time, shortly before bursting into tears driving back to work, I stopped at, of ALL places, 7-Eleven. Got a Cherry Slurpee. It rocked. And, hey! It was convenient.

I don't believe this......but yet I do.

This is the United Nations we're talking about.

Thanks to eyeontheUN.org for this piece of crap.

Love, the truth, and convenience...

So, tell me, why do I have philosophical thoughts and quirky notions just out of nowhere?

As I'm walking out of work tonight......the following:

1) Love is wonderful, and sometimes is inconvenient.
2) The truth is great, and sometimes it's inconvenient.
3) When either love or the truth is inconvenient to you....pray. That's alot better advice than simply "deal with it". That's no help, that's a blow off statement!

So, this all led me to this:

FIRST---THE FOLLOWING IS WAXING POETIC--IT IS NEITHER AN ENDORSEMENT OR INDICTMENT OF ANY AND ALL BUSINESSES TO BE MENTIONED--IT'S PHILOSOPHY HERE, FOLKS, I'M NOT THE FOOD OR BUSINESS CRITIC.....OKAY? GOOD, LET'S GO.....
1) Does this mean convenience store owners sometimes lie simply because of who they are?
2) Can they know for sure which loves in their life are convenient, and which ones can't come in for a deli sandwich?

For example:

1) 7-Eleven....the name is seriously outdated. When's the last time you stopped at 6am at 7-Eleven and they refused to let you in; only gently pointing to their outside sign as a reminder of their hours.

2) See, the name itself is lying. Can't blame the local manager, or the college kid working third shift. (Heck, there shouldn't be a third shift....)

3) Wawa....now, I like Wawa. I love their cole slaw, and they have Icees, which is the bomb. But, I must ask myself, is the love I carry for their cole slaw convenient or inconvenient? If I'm 2 miles away from a Wawa, the cole slaw is very convenient. If I'm in Nigeria, sounds like the other option to me.

So, does this mean love is only convenient when you are close to the one/the thing you love? Nah, can't be true. Ask any military family; they'll prove it wrong.

4) Sheetz....first, I'm scared of a store that just adds "Sh" to the beginning of alot of what they sell. Am I buying a "Club" or a "Shclub"? What's next, Doritos or Shoritos? Anyway, I'm off course....can you buy your morning coffee from a place named after what you just rolled out of?? Do they have "rumpled roasted"? Many people cannot deal with ever eating in bed (the wife). Meanwhile, I have no problem with it (bring on the cookies!!).

So, does this mean those who eat in bed find Sheetz to be truthful, therefore more relevant and convenient? Does this mean those who would never eat in bed find Sheetz on the verge of being disgusting, being that they "imprint" that name that reminds you of said bed, and therefore, inconvenient is an excuse you give to your buddies as to why you don't join them for coffee there?

5) FasMart....it's a local/regional chain. The name denotes, obviously, Fast.

---They want to serve you as fast and as convenient as possible?
---They want to serve you as fast as possible to get to the next guy? This would be labeled "inconvenient".

Love "fast"? Fast cars? Fast women? NASCAR? Would you subliminally choose a name like "FasMart" then as where to shop? Is this, then, love? If you drive past a Wawa to get to a FasMart, inconvenience of love is not changing your decision.

And the store itself? Is it Fast? Is this truth? Is it a convenient truth as they have excellent management and well-trained associates? Or is it inconvenient? Now, this inconvenient can be a great for them. For example, if they are short-staffed due to having to let go deadbeat employees, and the rest band together to get the job done no matter what, then inconvenience hath bourn more community and trust.

See? Love is sometimes inconvenient. Truth is sometimes inconvenient. Pray, like I said earlier----and, Praise God for both. Sometimes, inconvenience stretches you and molds you into someone you can't be.....if you live next door to your favorite convenience store.

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Great day at work today. I really enjoyed it.

GOOD LORD!! When's the last time I typed that here? :)

Live "24" from midnight to 1am....and more stuff, too!!!

I'm back!! I'm blogging!!! And it's time for "24"!!

It's the dark of midnight in Los Angeles as we rejoin the dark heart of President Logan.

I'm telling you, neither Logan nor Henderson is the top of the food chain. Wait, just wait.

Jack in a police car....that'll be interesting!

First TV shot tonight is a "CNN" ripoff, showing no partiality on the Fox network.

First cell phone call goes to: President Charles "Napoleon" Logan

First time I see a possible split between Logan and Henderson----12:03am.

Does this idiot actually think he can "use" Chloe???

Buchanan's back!!! Can't trust him now, either. Is Palmer safe with him??

Someone's at the pay phone, she's Audrey! (insert la la music here)

DADDY'S HOME!!! 12:06am

Jack----just tell him, for heaven's sake!!!!! Why does he have to show him something? Okay....listen to something.

Well.....in the end, the Jack/Daddy reunion was, ah, more like a punch to the stomach or something....

So, does this mean (if you remember, Daddy confronted the President in last week's promo) the "confrontation" is a set-up or maybe a way to honestly try to "shuffle Logan off to Buffalo"....where he could be readied for a re-enactment of President McKinley's assassination??
Chloe...hang up. There is no peace in this valley.

Man. Edgar, dead. Audrey, held. Jack, same. Buchanan, on waivers, a free agent. Doughboy, for all his warts, gone. Tony, dead. Michelle, dead.

Oh, Mike's cell phone has Fox News. We're tied at one.

Mike just knows, man, he's got a great gut. He goes to the Veep first to scratch n' sniff. Mike's gut 1, Veep 0.

Bingo. What order, said the General?

Mike now feels out the snake, and how best to cut the head off.

FINALLY----------THE CHINESE ARE FINALLY MENTIONED IN HOUR 19!!!!! And they are a pawn in Logan's "arsenal". They will be heard from again!!!

I think Logan is beginning to understand you can only hold onto sensitive, covert, patriotic, diabolical plans for so long before they start to fall apart.

You know, kinda like the Orioles. By the end of April, the falling apart should be well underway.

----------------------------------------

Off the screen: Today was a good day. My awesome friend returns from vacation tomorrow. And, heard from another great friend today via email!

I'm still head over heels for Jill, aka #12, on Deal or No Deal. She looks so sweet, plus you can tell you could sit down with her for conversation, and it be so enjoyable and educational and intellgent, the next thing you'd know, it would be eight hours later.

----------------------------------------

So, at what point will Miles have to grovel to get Chloe's help? Hey, thanks for the card, Miles! You can't beat Chloe, she's our MVP!!

Alright, slap this brunette Barbie and let her go back to Miles to be sexually harassed some more. Chloe tells her she's sick and needs help.

So do these two. (Logan and wife)....good heavens, would ANY of you ladies out there actually want to kiss President Logan????

Leave a comment at the end of this post if you would.

Our next call is Logan to Henderson. Logan, oh, I'm sorry, Mr. President Benedict, welcome to the program; what's your question for evil bedfellow?

------------------------------------------------

Off the radar: Wonder how many "24" fans are going to bolt out their front door at 10pm Eastern to get to the post office in their town that's open until 1159pm?

Even more frantically---how would like to be STILL DOING YOUR TAXES while trying to watch "24"? A great reason not to procrastinate next year, as tax day will be Monday again (Monday April 16, 2007).

I'm so glad they've upgraded the push-up bra at Victoria's Secret...mine is worn out. And, it's extra sexy. Wouldn't you rather have one that's "extra dog ugly?"

------------------------------------------------

This is not going to be the showdown we thought it would be last week during the promo. I'll keep an open mind.

Oh, no----not the seducer!! Pierce, don't do it!!!! You'll be the latest in a long line of losers that started with Hillary.

Cracking. Cracking. CRACKED!!!!! Good job, Heller---he remembered what I forgot; Logan's a hothead. It didn't take much to open him up. (Sounds like Jim Ross: "oh, he's busted open!!!)

I still don't trust Buchanan; now he's got Palmer and Chloe.

Back to Hillary.....ah, where'd Pierce go? No one to use her charms on. But where is Pierce????

Hasn't been a "Jack-filled" episode; I like those this year. Allow better storytelling with more character development for others.

Jack and Audrey yell "hot water, hot water!!!"---and she's not even having a baby!!

It's 12:48am.

---------------------------------------------------------

Off the show; during the break: A scare last Friday afternoon after receiving a call from Aunt Sherry at work that she and the five kids had been rear-ended on US 1. I run out the door, hit every red light ever built, and finally got there. Rachel was shaken up; Robbie's defense mechanism was to talk continually. One cousin complained of neck pain, but she's doing well. :)

I'M SORRY----RIDE IT LIKE A FORD??? Save a horse, ride a cowboy, now we ride Fords.
Good Lord, how 'bout just riding someone who REALLY, like, LOVES you. For example, how about a husband?

---------------------------------------------------------

Okay, last segment always brings out a bang. Where are we going?

Jack's first command to bad guy: 45 decibels.
Jack's first command to bad guy for the second time: 85 decibels.

Oh, I didn't mean "bang" literally!! Oh, and a "pow" for good measure.

Now...it's been a few hours since it was Bauer vs. Henderson.

Now we know why Jack's so good. His teacher keeps one upping him.

Now, it's Heller vs Logan vs. Veep, inside a steel cage!

Don't worry kids...it's just 1am, plenty of time for Audrey to heal up, Heller to go psycho, Chloe to do her thing, and I'm still waiting for Jack to tell someone as he shoots them, "I'll see you in hell". After all, that was in the original promo prior to January!!

So, am I ticked at tonight's events? Sure! But it's like wrestling; the bad guy has to get his friends and they team up to beat up your favorite wrestler so it's even sweeter when your wrestler gets his revenge (usually on pay-per-view if you're willing to cough up 35 bucks).

PROMO TIME:---More Martha madness; Audrey won't pull the trigger, and it's harder to see all the action when it's 1am in real time.

Whew. Time for snack, meds, and bed, in that order. Good night, everybody!!!

Open the Case!!!!

Love Deal or No Deal.

Period.

NOW------------I will be back for much discussion. Sometime. Honest.

Pay your taxes!

So, tell me, what is my excuse?

Hee hee.....

...the family returns tomorrow, and I'm glad. I'm ready to see them and the cats are REALLY ready.

Cody and I enjoyed this week's "24". Couple of quick notes....

...glad to see Secretary of State Heller. Now, did Logan plan for this, i.e.---does he have a plan to apprehend/kill him?

...glad to see Buchanan will be back next week. Hope he really didn't think Audrey would out him.

...Now who's the tub of goo? It's not the Prez; maybe it's the First Lady! Or, by wondering about that phone call....maybe not.

...tell the banker on "Deal or No Deal" not to accept a role as a banker on "24" for any reason. Currently, he's despised. Make the change, and he's dead.

More later----sleep awaits!!!

:)

I'll have no excuse this weekend.....

....the family is going on vacation, while me and the security system live here at Witham Nation Headquarters this weekend.

So far, I've scheduled watching "The Notebook", spending Sunday at work (whoopee!), and making sure I'm home Monday night in time to see "24".

Otherwise, it could be blog, blog, blog.

Surf, surf, surf.

But you know me.

Sleep, sleep, sleep??

I wonder if I can link an email to this weak novel. I did predict the President being the "evil" one over the Veep two weeks ago. Honest!!

I'll prove it!! OH, I mean on "24", not in real life.

Oh, and finally----want the most innovative, cutting-edge stuffed animal for your kids??? The Richmond Riverdogs hockey team is here to help!! Here's how!!

The winning numbers.....

March 2006:

1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 29.

:)

Random Friday thoughts.......

1) I can never praise God enough for keeping me from getting the bug that befell the rest of the family. :)

2) The lady on Numb3rs is pretty (my wife's watching it), and I didn't know she started in radio.

3) A week is good when you can add the phone numbers of an old friend to your cell phone. That means the "circle of friends" is one step closer to not just being a "dot" anymore. Communication is, ah, pretty important, eh?

4) Coming up is my first Final Four on big screen TV. Now THAT I'm looking forward to.

5) If George Mason wins tomorrow, I tape "24" and watch the whole championship game. If they lose, I watch "24", then watch the 2nd half of the game, because the other three teams don't matter (my default would be LSU, that "Baby" guy, the freshman they've got, is the real deal...)

6) If everyone who read this blog sent me a penny, I still wouldn't have enough money to vacuum out my van. :)

7) Take a moment (won't need long if you're like me), and think about the issues you are in. Disease? Medicinal? Mental? Relationship? Addiction?.....

-------I can guarantee you this: wherever you are--you are not the only one there.

8) Does that justify where you are and staying there? Depending upon your situation, the answer could be a definite NO, or, it's a circumstance out of your control, or justification could even be an irrelevant point. But if the "I'm the only one in the world going through this" mentality is present, be advised it's a lie.

9) Trust me, from a lifelong sufferer of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), you just know no one else could be dealing with the issues and obstacles this disorder brings. But, click on the above link, and discover what I did. I'm not alone.

10) I think I've discussed this before, but I've had a tremendously difficult time since we moved our offices around at work. For various reasons, I felt/feel disconnected and thus, OCD symptoms tend to flare due to stress levels rising.

11) Thus, if someone was smoking just outside our office window, they might think I'm an absolute freak when they see the physical repercussions of the thoughts that go through the OCD mind.

12) A long time ago, I came to grips with this issue. Many in the Christian faith would look at me and go, "Well, brother you just don't have enough faith!! If you had more faith, God would heal you!!" (Insert southern drawl into voice of last quote if you so choose....)

13) Others in the faith would say, "oh, God has given you this disorder to help others...". Bullcrap. God doesn't hand out disorders, diseases, and general catastrophe. They happen because of our existence. My brain is wired the way it is due to the genes I received at conception, not because God came down that night shortly after my parents conceived me and took five minutes to scramble my brain.

14) This is the real deal, and what I live by: I have OCD. God can heal me from it, and, one day He will. It may come miraculously one day, it may be severely minimized by medicinal or behavorial therapy. Or....one day....when I breathe my last, and I get home to heaven, I will enter there OCD-free. So, I know the healing is coming one day....that's not currently my focus.

15) My focus is to be as open as humanly possible about its presence in my life, so I can reach out to those who have it, those who have it and think they're alone in the battle, those who love those who have it, and, and this is an important group, those who don't have it. Educating them is key to helping OCD patients live more freely, and not thought of as the circus sideshow. (Come, see Rob Witham---The Counts By Four Until He Gets to Ten Thousand, But Starts All Over Each Time He Makes a Mistake Or Misspeaks Man!)

16) Shouts and props to my friend and producer Jason at work, who churns out the commercials by the dozen, and still has time to handle

this,

too!

17) Have a great weekend; enjoy the hoops; learn from the lesson of losing an hour of sleep (?); and I'll try to sleep less, and drink more........





........Pepsi.

Just wanted to see if you were thinking otherwise. :)

A quick hello......

I took a day off today.

Can you believe it?

I took a day off.

I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.

Lots of 24 to talk about along with some other stuff, all coming soon.

Will say this: the highlight of the day was a wonderful visit with one of my dearest friends; we go back 25 years to the 8th grade (ah, the days of Junior High!)

It's pretty incredible what sitting down and talking/catching up with a dear friend will do for you.

You should do it sometime. :)