Paul

It's a good thing I'm pretty....

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:19:46 GMT

Yesterday after work, I was running some errands and unfortunately got pulled over for speeding (who drives 35 mph on a busy 4 lane road anyway!). As I gave the police officer my license and registration, he pointed out my registration expired 5 months ago. I had no idea. I KNOW the DMV sends out renewal notices and I don't remember getting one. Anyway, as I sat in my car waiting for the officer to write out the speeding AND expired registration tickets, dollars signs just flashed before me. Maybe it was my good looks, or good manners or just plain dumb luck, but the officer only gave me a ticket for the expired registration. If I get it registered and submit proof, my ticket "may be" dismissed. That's $155 I won't have to pay. Guess what Paul did this morning?!?! Now I just have to send in all the proof of registration and inspection and cross my fingers the summons is dismissed. If ever I needed the luck of the Irish, it's today!

I'm too late for FYFF but....

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:34:28 GMT

I'm too late for FYFF but....
Originally uploaded by spatts5

...I'm not too late for SYSS (show your sweat Saturday). Just finished exercising and cleaning the apt. Now it's time for a hot shower and several ibuprofens.

My act of defiance....

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:09:14 GMT

I was a defiant teenager...
Originally uploaded by spatts5

It may not be a trible design or a skull or even a Chinese symbol, but back in 1980 I thought it was cool. What did I know I was .... "younger" then. For a 30 year old tattoo, it still looks pretty good.

It was bound to happen sooner or later....

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:52:44 GMT

I take the bus to/from work almost everyday and really enjoy the ride, more so in the afternoons. Lately my eyelids had been getting very heavy on the ride home and today I finally fell asleep and missed my stop. Luckily I woke up just as the bus was passing my stop and was able to get off at the next stop which wasn't that far away. I obviously don't have any trouble de-stressing on the ride home.

Last week, like millions of Americans, I did my tax return online. And like the 10 other people in American, I owe both state and federal money. I'm paying off other people's debt so I might as well pay off the national debt too (just thankful I don't owe $12 trillion). I was upset about the money I owed and didn't know how I was going to pay it, but then I realized I get an "extra" paycheck in April. Sheesh, I don't even have the money yet, and it's already spent. C'est la vie!

If Burt and Scott can do it - Part II

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:28:29 GMT

Sorry for the tease....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28964628@N00/4333210315/

Don't mess with Jake...

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:37:32 GMT

Don't mess with Jake
Originally uploaded by spatts5

Dragon update. Some of you may have read my post last week (http://spatts5.livejournal.com/2010/01/08/). This is what this (un)stuffed toy now looks like. Guess I didn't help matters by putting a cookie inside. I think it's time to retire this toy, it lasted a good 2-3 hours.

Is it Friday yet?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:40:07 GMT

Yes I know it's only Monday morning, but I have a feeling this will be a very long week for a few reasons:
1) I have next Monday and Tuesday off from work (a holiday and a vacation day)so waiting for a 4 day weekend and a 3 day work week will be like a kid trying to sleep on Christmas Eve.
2) The past few weeks of work have been tough. There's been lots of drama and I am havng trouble motivating myself to do any work. I have "short timer's disease" even though I not going anywhere.
3) Because of #2, I've applied for a position within another department within the City organization. I have an interview on Wednesday. The change would probably do me good (personally and financially). I have two days to psych myself up for this interview. I'm still going to continue my search for a job in Atlanta. That hasn't been too fruitful, but my former boss from AT&T said he MAY have something for me soon. He's not only my ex boss, but my ex partner (we're still very good friends). He was my division manager, but I didn't report to him directly. This new position I would. He's a great manager (very capable of separating his personal and business life), but I'm worried if I take the position, I won't be able to live up to his expectations. Guess I shouldn't worry about that until I'm offered the position.

Well 40 minutes down only 2,360 to go until 5 pm Friday.

Beyond help ...

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:42:18 GMT

Beyond help
Originally uploaded by spatts5

This might look familar to low_fat_muffin, except Miss Kate's is probably not as torn. This dog toy is made from material to withstand tough chewers. Obviously the manufacturer never met Jake. I have to admit it took him a hour to get the toy to look like this and his usual time with "regular" stuffed toys is about 15 minutes. Oddly enough he doesn't chew on the furniture or shoes, but give him a stuffed toy and he goes wild. I'm thinking of sending this back with a note saying if they need a tester for new products, Jake is available. Guess I should have named him Jaws instead.

The life of an accountant...

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:22:55 GMT

My desk at work
Originally uploaded by spatts5

This is a shot of my ~~prison cell~~ office desk. It's an inside office which means there are no windows, and is about a 12' square space. To the right of the desk is a credenza and in front of the desk is a bookcase and the doorway is to the right of that. It's not much, but it's home for 45 hours a week. The bulletin board looks crammed, but believe it or not I reference those papers all the time. I obviously don't have much room on my desk for anything but paperwork so on the wall in front of me (between the bookcase and doorway) are some pictures of my nephews/nieces and of course my Jake, so all I have to do is look up and see them. Just like my desk at home, it's a bit "full", but I know where everything is.

The orange on the desk has been there 4 days (I finally ate it today).

Desk

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:04:31 GMT

Desk
Originally uploaded by spatts5

As part of my exposing myself, here's a little look inside my apt. This is my rolltop desk. I saw this several years ago in a store but didn't have the money to buy it. About six months later, I was in the same store and the desk was still there. I took that as a sign and bought it. Haven't regretted it. I love my desk. It's were all "the magic happens". The big calendar is where I mark family and friends' birthdays/anniversaries and important appointments. I'd be lost without it. It may look a little disorganized, but I know where everything is (you should see my work desk - hmmmm, maybe another post into the life of me).

If you enlarge the picture, look on the calendar and make note of the 19th.

Home relaxing

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:17:24 GMT

Home relaxing
Originally uploaded by spatts5

Yesterday I saw the movie, "It's Complicated" (I love me some Alec Baldwin). It was cute and I enjoyed it. Hearing Meryl Streep say, "I like a lot of semen" was worth the price of admission. As I was walking out of the threatre after the movie, I noticed that "Sherlock Holmes" has just started 10 minutes earlier (and we all know that the first 15-20 minutes are previews) in the adjacent theatre. I thought about just walking in and enjoying another movie, but remember the last time I did that. Nothing happened except I kept looking over my shoulder for the first half of the movie expecting to see the manager asking me to leave. I didn't want to deal with that guilt again so I just left. Sometimes I can be such a whimp.

A fresh start...

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:57:34 GMT

A fresh start
Originally uploaded by spatts5

A fresh new decade, a fresh new year and a fresh (old) me (but fresh out of the shower). Many of you share your hopes and dreams, success and disappointments and daily lives on LJ and since I tend to internalize so many of my emotions and feelings, I'm going to try to "expose" more of myself. I can't guarantee it'll be all that exciting, but I want to put myself out there. Here's to a good 2010!

Don't count your chickens....

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:32:17 GMT

Being the accountant geek that I am, I religiously do a monthly budget for myself (and yes, I balance my checkbook at least twice a week). Last week while doing January's budget, I noticed there were 5 Fridays in January which means an extra pay check. Hmmmm, what was I going to do with the "extra" money? Jake is due for his check up and shots so there goes some of the money, but I was thinking of maybe treating myself to a nice massage or maybe a movie or two. Well Fate has decided for me. Last week while driving to my parents in SC for the holiday, I stopped to get gas. After filling up the tank, I went to pull into a parking space so I could go to the bathroom. As I was pulling in, the driver in the car to my right decided to pull out of his space and as he backed out to the right, his front end collided with my front end. It was one of those situations where you saw what was coming but couldn't do anything but watch it happen. I laid on the horn, but obviously not soon enough. I was angry for about 5 seconds, but decided that s**t happens and it didn't seem to be that much damage so no use getting upset. After trading insurance information and waiting for the SC State Trooper to come (he didn't even make a report because it happened on private property), I was back on my way. Once I got to my parents, I called my insurance company with all the details. I think they went a little overboard on the customer service (they called me three times and emailed me twice within two days), but they arranged for me to get an estimate, get it fixed and got me a rental. Hopefully there'll be a little left over after I pay the deductible for something fun for me. If not, I'll just have to wait until April and then I'll be able to ... oh wait, better not count my chickens.

Merry Christmas y'all

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:08:06 GMT

Merry Christmas y'all
Originally uploaded by spatts5

Whether you're travelling to family/friends or spending a quiet holiday at home, may it be a safe and happy one!

Suppah Cluhb 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:14:41 GMT

Suppah Cluhb 2009
Originally uploaded by spatts5

I took some vacation days and headed down to Atlanta, GA to attend my friends' annual Christmas party. I have known some of these people for over 17 years and can truly (and proudly) say that they are my very best friends and family. Even though I've been in Charlotte for 4 1/2 years and we haven't seen each other all that much over that time, it was as though I never moved. We ate and laughed and drank and laughed and laughed. We exchanged "white elephant" gifts (although some were grey monkies, tutu wearing pigs and hippos) as well as "nice" gifts. All I can say is that I really needed this.

(Note: Suppah Cluhb started as a small group of us going to dinner each month at a different restaurant and it just expanded over the years, and yes, we are choosy as to who we let into the cluhb, because we can).

Caught in the act

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:14:25 GMT

Excuse me, that's my side of the bed
Originally uploaded by spatts5

Having a rare weekday off last week, I was finally able to find out what Jake does all day while I'm at work. That's the side of the bed I sleep on and I like to think he misses me so much during the day, my scent on the sheets comforts him.

He also does some exercising while I'm at work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28964628@N00/4143969194/

If nothing else Jake provides some entertainment and a whole lot of love.

A fall memory...

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:46:01 GMT

pumpkin picking
Originally uploaded by spatts5

This picture was taken back in Oct. 1991 (you do the math). It was a cool, crisp fall day, just like today. We had just gotten back from pumpkin picking and eating at Friendly's Ice Cream shop. BTW, the guy in the middle was my first.

FYFFW

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:13:58 GMT

A new look
Originally uploaded by spatts5

Since I'm not very hairy, I thought I'd do my own meme...flash your fuzzy face Wednesday.

He doesn't look a day over 41....

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:23:17 GMT

The "before" picture
Originally uploaded by spatts5

This past weekend was my Jake's 6th birthday. Ever since he was a puppy, he'd chew up stuffed toys (and a chair or ottoman) and just pull out all the stuffing. That's why all his current toys are rawhide chips/bones and he only gets the stuffed toys on his birthday. I tried taking this before picture without him seeing the toys, but it's hard to sneak a toy by him and he was ready to pounce! It was fun to watch him pull out the stuffing and "spit" it to the side and go in for more. Click on the picture to see some action shots and the "after" effects.

A year to reflect...

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:32:34 GMT

It's been a little over a year since I ended my relationship with T. Although we were only together for 3 years, it was a committed relationship none the less. I'll admit this past year has been tough, lots of time to think and reflect, some good, some bad. I'm a little embarrassed to say I think I jumped a little too quickly into the relationship (had that U-Haul truck packed ready to go in 3 months). Circumstances at the time made me think it was "fate" and what I was doing was right. I literally uprooted my entire life to move to Charlotte. I'm not so sure I believe in fate anymore. Would I do it again? Maybe, but very differently. I've learned my lesson, but is it too late? I feel this is a mistake I should have made in my 20's or 30's, but then again I've always been a "late bloomer" (I didn't come out until I was 33).

I lived in Atlanta for 13 years before moving to Charlotte and loved every minute of it. I have some wonderful friends in Atlanta and miss them terrribly (yeah, I know the two cities are only a couple hours apart, but it's not the same as being in the same city). I've never been the outgoing, social butterfly so making friends is not easy for me. All the friends I had here were T's friends and they all accepted me with open arms. After the breakup, a few said they wanted to remain friends, but I didn't want to put them in the middle. It's easy to make online friends, but developing a true, in person friendship does not come easy to me. I'm the type of person that can be alone and not be lonely, but lately that's not always been the case. I desperately want to move back to Atlanta, but can't until I can find a job there (and we all know how abundant jobs are now a days). I've never felt like Charlotte was my "home". I know moving back to Atlanta won't solve all my problems, but it will relieve a lot of them.

Financially, I'm just squeaking by. Working for city government is not the way to become independently weathly. I've stayed with my job because I've been hopeful in finding a better paying job in Atlanta. Well after almost a year of hoping, I'm starting to think that maybe I should look for a better job in Charlotte. It's not what I want to do, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get by. For now I'm still sticking to the Atlanta plan, but who knows what next week will bring. Maybe it's fate!

As far as my relationship with T, it's civil at best. I know I hurt him badly, and I know he is/was convinced I ended the relationship because I wanted to date (read have sex with) other people. Although that was not the case, I admit I've avoided seeing/talking to him because I know I blindsided him with my leaving and still feel guilty for putting him through all that. He hasn't made much of an effort to contact me either which I'm OK with. Our only connection is the house we bought together. He is living it in and it's up for sale (and we all know how well the real estate market is today). I try to help out with the lawn maintenance, but feel so uncomfortable when I go over there.

This is probably the longest and most honest post I've ever made. I feel (somewhat) comfortable with this because so many of you share your thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams here, that it's only fair I do the same. It's not easy for me, but isn't that what friends do with each other?

I was a prison b*tch!

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:19:24 GMT

Well not exactly prison, but I was on lockdown yesterday. It seems someone left a "suspicious" package on the corner a block from my office building and at around 4:00 pm the police locked down all the buildings in the area. After the bomb squad was called, it turned out to be a piece of plastic pipe with some duct tape that a utility worker left behind. Atleast it added a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring work day.

Hiking trail at Chimney Rock, NC

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:11:24 GMT

Hiking trail at Chimney Rock, NC
Originally uploaded by spatts5

Saturday I took advantage of the beautiful weather and drove to the mountains to Chimney Rock, NC (about 20 miles SE of Asheville, NC). The park has several hiking trails as well as the Chimney Rock which is 2280 ft above sea level. You can either take an elevator to the top or hike it (climbing several thousands stairs). I hiked it, ugh. The view from the top was beautiful. After a quick elevator ride down, I hiked one of the trails that ended by the base of a waterfalls. It is supposed to be the location where part of the movie, "The Last of the Mohicans" was filmed. There was a slight cool breeze that helped keep you comfortable while hiking so it was a very enjoyable day.

What would you do?

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:40:59 GMT

In the beginning of June, my nephew and his wife had a christening for their new daughter. It was in NY so I didn't attend, but I sent a check as a gift. Well one month passed and then two months and the check still hadn't cleared my bank. I don't have my nephew's phone number, so I called my sister-in-law (his mother) because my nephew lives in their basement apartment. I explained to my sister-in-law I had sent a check but it was still outstanding and asked her to find out if my nephew ever received it. If not, I was more than happy to send another check. Well a week later I received a thank-you note for my "gift" (a pre-printed thank you with their names printed on it - two months after the christening) so I figured the check would clear soon. Well another month later and it's still outstanding. Granted, the amount of the check won't pay for my grand niece's college education, but it was sent with love and good intentions. Should I send a replacement check or just add the amount back to my checking balance and call it a day?

What I did on my summer vacation...

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:06:33 GMT

Myrtle Beach 8/2009
Originally uploaded by spatts5

I've been on vacation this week and got to spend the first few days in Myrtle Beach visiting my parents. My nephew, his wife and their son (who all live in NY) were also there so I got to spend some time with them too. This is a picture of my great nephew David. He's 22 months and a ball of energy. It was only the second or third time I got to see him so it was fun playing on the beach with him. We dug in the sand, boogie boarded and swan in the ocean. Almost made me wish my biological clock was set a few hours earlier, notice I said "almost". It was good seeing everyone. I think my Mom was more upset seeing Jake leave than me. She loves her granddog.

Job interviewing is just like dating....

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:06:45 GMT

You answer an online ad and hope you get a call.
When they do call, you talk on the phone to see if there is a mutual interest.
If there is an interest, you set a time to meet face to face.
When you meet, they say they are very interested in you and will call you to set up another time to see you again.
You wait for their phone call. When they don't call, you call them and they say they've decided to go with someone else who is a better fit for them.

Job interviewing is just like dating ... both suck! "Bitter, party of one, your table is waiting."