Friday, April 30, 2010

Friday Tease

You won't see this at Autobell!

2010 AIDS Walk Charlotte

The 2010 AIDS Walk is Saturday, May 1st. There is still time to make a donation. To date, your generous support has put my total at $350.00! I cannot express my gratitude enough to those who have come forward. I'm deeply touched by the gesture. The total for my team, Walking Miracles has raised $7,652 to date! The total to date for AIDS Walk 2010 is $112,672!! Please, won't you help?

Here are those who have so far:

Gwen Bower
Peter Schroder at Tippin' the Scales
Kelly Stern at Ramblin' Alone
Sean Donohue at Just A Jeep Guy
Ray at Ray's Cowboys
Michael Rockwell at Spo Reflections
Larry Hohenbrink
Ann Marie
Gary Benner


Thank you all so very much!!

New Photos





Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wednesday Tease

Don't be shy!

School Update


I have two of my three projects submitted. The third one concerns me the most. It is too time consuming to get it done correctly in class. Unfortunately it requires software I don't have access to over the weekend. The upside is, in this class my average is 97, so if I take a heavy hit on this project, it won't sink me completely. I'd still like to get an "A", but if it is a high "B", I'll take it. It is a very involved website with lots of bells and whistles that takes time to get to work. Of course it covers stuff we have only done once a month ago, so even more time is required to recall exactly what you are suppose to do and to tweak it. I hope I can get by the school during an open lab Thursday and get a little more done on it. The more of the rubric I can complete, the higher the score. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday Tease

How's it hanging?

WooHoo!

The business plan project is complete!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Monday Tease

What a well fitting shirt!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010

Please consider a small donation to AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010. Time is running out to help make a difference.




I would like to thank those that have thus far:




Peter Schroder from Tippin' the Scales

Kelly Stern from Rambling Along

Sean Donohue from Just a Jeep Guy


Michael Rockwell from Spo Reflections

Larry Hohenbrink

Ann Marie

Gary Benner



THANKS SO MUCH!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Saturday Tease

Talk about lucky...abs and a pool!

More Homework!

I have almost completed the business plan! Woohoo! I have worked a lot on it the last three days. I have a few other things to add, but it is mostly finished. I would be completely finished if I could figure out how to input the numbers into the software correctly. I emailed the instructor to cover it in class on Monday or email. I doubt though I'm the only one have a problem. It's a nice software package, but could use a little clearer instructions.

I've finished all my lessons for my online class. The only thing left is the project for it. Since getting my computer back, I've been able to submit the assignments that were missing that was dragging my grade down. Hopefully, that will pull my grade up a bit. I guess reloading the operating system help clear up the problems I was having. Whew! That is a nice feeling.

I've also got my images and text together for my web design project. I'm ready to go Monday and put it all together. I've decided to not risk installing Dreamweaver this close to the end of the semester. I need the laptop too much to do without it. If I can't get the project done or have it working correctly at school, my grade is high enough that I still wouldn't fail the class. At worst, I would end up with a "B". I can handle that!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Friday Tease

I'd rather be studying this guy!

School Update

I've been working hard on my projects for school. I have two due Wednesday. One of them is the business plan. That has been a pain. So much info and trying to get it all organized. I decided to go the simple route and follow the grading rubric. If it ain't on it, I ain't messing with it! The other is a website for my Web Design class. I've got the stuff together for it. I have Monday and Wednesday's class to get it done. Talk about pressure! I'm trying to get the other done first so when I attempt to load DreamWeaver software on my computer and it screws up, everything else will be done first. That's my plan anyway. If not, then class time will be the only time I can get it finished. The last project is a website from HTML and JavaScript, made from scratch. Haven't even started this one yet. It's due May 4th, so I have a little more time. It will still be a pain as well though. I have gotten all but one lesson caught up for that class from my hard drive crash. I'm still waiting on about 4 things to be graded. At the moment, I have two "A" and one "C" without the final projects and the ungraded stuff in the online class. I'm hanging on, just a little bit longer and it will all be over with!! Woohoo!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Here's Your Sign!

Humm...wonder if the entrance is in the rear?

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday Tease

This makes me happy too!

Whew!

I thought I was royally screwed on my big projects for school. I thought I had lost all the work when the hard drive crashed on my laptop. I was about to panic! I knew I saved them to flash drives but it was about the time when the hard drive was acting up. Somehow I managed to save them. Woohoo! I've been going through the flash drives to locate the files I need. It was difficult, but I did locate them. I'm so relieved. Now to finish them up and get them submitted by the due date next week!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Monday, April 19, 2010

Monday Tease

Need a hug?

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010

Please consider even a small donation to AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010 to benefit R.A.I.N (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network). There is still time to make a difference in the life of someone living with AIDS or even help prevent the spread of HIV. For the cost of a movie ticket or a trip for 2 to Starbucks, you can make a difference. Please, won't you join the others who are helping make a difference?



I would like to thank those that have generously donated thus far:



Kelly Stern from Rambling Along

Sean Donohue from Just A Jeep Guy

Ray from Ray's Cowboys

Michael Rockwell from Spo Reflections

Larry Hohenbrink

Ann Marie

Gary Benner



Together they have helped raised $300.00!




Thanks so much!

World of Wonder

Ok.....this is just wrong!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Saturday Tease

Don't you just love warm weather?

Weekend Ramble

I've had a blast so far this weekend!

Last night I went out. I hung out with my photographer buddy that had done my pics here. It was fun to watch while he tried to convince guys to take their shirts off in a bar for a photo! I tried to help convince them when needed. I had emailed Jeff about something else and casually mentioned I was going out. He said he was having a quiet dinner with friends and wished me well. Imagine my surprise when he walked through the door! I did hound him slightly about doing the picture thing. He said he would go to the studio. We'll see. A mutual friend was also there who said he would before he left. I looked and called several times but couldn't find him. Even asked Jeff had he seen him a couple of times. Guess he sneaked out and I didn't see him. Dang it! Since I knew Jeff came with friends, I didn't bother him, though I wanted to. I wasn't being rude, just trying to respect the fact he wasn't there to entertain me all night. It was nice to hug hello and goodbye though!

I went to 4 different bars last night! I turned into a social butterfly! And I didn't spend every penny I took with me! Yea me! I had a blast. I chatted to about anyone that would listen. Meet some interesting people, that maybe I'll run into again. I got in the bed at 4am this morning! This old fart was whooped!

This morning, I went to a photography club meeting after getting up at 730am. My photo friend was there too. It was interesting. I wouldn't mind it but they seem to take their photography much more serious than I do. All these huge expensive cameras, published works, and awards. I felt a little out of place. I'll have to decide if it is really what I need to be involved with at the moment. I couldn't wait to get home and take a nap.

Here's Your Sign!

Nice Basket!!!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday Tease


Sport's Oops!

DANG!!
That never happens when I watch!

AIDS Walk Charlotte 2010


Please consider even a small donation to AIDS Walk Charlotte to benefit R.A.I.N (Regional AIDS Interfaith Network). There is still time to make a difference in someone life who is living with AIDS.




I would like to thank those who have contributed thus far:



Michael Rockwell - Spo Reflections

Larry Hohenbrink

Gary Benner

Ann Marie



Thanks!



As of today I have raised $200.00, my group has raised $5,106.00 of our $10,000.00 goal. For about the cost a movie ticket or a trip for 2 to Starbucks, you can make a difference in the life of someone living with AIDS, or even prevent the spread of HIV. Please, won't you make a difference today?

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Happy Ramble




I helped my mother transplant 11 plants this morning and prepared another flower bed for later. I took their trash to the dump for them too. We had lunch together. It has been a pleasant morning.




I still need to mow my yard. I'm dreading it. Not the mowing part, just the coughing and sneezing that follows for hours afterward.



Some good news! The magic carpet spirea I had mentioned here has come back out! I thought it was a gone for good. Yeah! Can't wait for them to bloom again. They are so pretty!




More good news, I finally received the second tier of my unemployment. It won't last long, but it is better than nothing! And certainly better than relying on my parents for every single penny. Now I'll be able to do a couple of things I had been wanting to do! Yippee!




Even more good news! My computer works like a dream! (At least for the time being.) I had the repair shop replace the bad hard drive with a larger one and add more memory! No more crashes! No more freeze ups! No more sluggish page loads! Woohoo! I'm excited!


Art Appreciation

I woud have put it on a pedestal.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wednesday Tease

The past week had kicked my butt,
his, however, looks fine!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Hell Week - Part 2

My laptop hard drive has gone out. Be back on line Wednesday.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

2010 AIDS Walk Charlotte

The 12 reasons I'm walking in the 2010 AIDS Walk Charlotte on May 1st, 2010.


  1. Blu

  2. Keith

  3. Bob

  4. Ricky

  5. Mark

  6. Frank

  7. Keith P.

  8. Dennis

  9. Darrell

  10. Bob E.

  11. Frank H.

  12. Ronnie

For the about the price of a movie ticket or a trip for 2 to Starbucks for coffee, you can make a difference in someone life. Those I've lost certainly have made a difference in mine. Please donate whatever you can and let's make a difference together!



Thanks!

Sunday Tease

Seems appropriate!
And hot!

Hell Week



I'm so glad this week is over. My computer was in for repair from Wednesday till Friday. When I got it back, my cable went out! So all day Saturday, I couldn't connect to the Internet. It was repaired this morning. I've been bored and frustrated! I had hoped to get ahead in my big projects while we were out for spring break, but that didn't happen. I spent all week helping my parents at their two houses. I didn't do a damn thing enjoyable. I'm ready to get back to school and get this over with so I can move on. I just hope I can get a job quickly once it is done. Anything at this point will be an improvement! Do you want fries with that?




My mother had her purse stolen at Walmart. The whole episode was caught on video, even a partial plate number of the vehicle the woman was driving. Hopefully, the thief will be caught soon. My mother was devastated. My father had to take her another set of keys, pay for the prescription and other items. My mother had just came for the bank and had about $600 in cash, 3 checkbooks, all of her credit cards, ID, insurance, registration, etc. in her purse. They also got the car keys, keys to both houses and the alarm codes and the church keys. It was not a good day. Bless her heart. She is furious at the woman that took it. But she never saw her.




My father and I finally got the back yard sowed and strawed. He wasn't up to it, but tried. I actually did the vast majority of it. We both paid dearly for it. My allergies have been in high gear for 5 days now. The rain helped a little, but not enough. We spent one day trying to replace the lawn mower blades. I actually had to take a propane torch to one nut, then cut it off with a chisel to get the damn thing off! Then the new blades were too long! Like I said, this has been hell week!




So, how was your week?

Friday, April 9, 2010

The Movie Theater Test




You Are Outgoing and Enthusiastic



You are funny and playful. You bring out the brighter side of things. You are one colorful character.



You tend to go to your friends for advice and opinions. You value what your friends have to say.



You have an optimistic take on life. Things are always a lot better than they seem at first.



Spending time alone makes you more optimistic and ready to take on the world. You like to recharge.


Friday Tease


I'm Back!

It is so good to be back online!!
Thanks for your patience!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Reflections Of

I've been doing some thinking. About the past and the future. Neither thrills me at this point. Things seem the same to me. Well, almost the same. There is still so much to be done with my parents switching houses. I wonder if we will ever be done. I wonder if they think the same thing. Then we can start over again when construction starts on mine, at some point. And then fixing up the dump I live in now. It seems overwhelming. School is an endless drudge, but at least the finish line is in sight. May 7th can't get here fast enough. Of course, I doubt I get my certificate on one end of the stage and a job offer at the other. It would be a nice reprieve if it didn't take another extended period though to get something that uses what I've learned before I forget it. Those are the things that weight the heaviest upon me at the moment.


Then there is the social life to deal with. I have no idea when or if that will change any time soon. It all depends on the two issues mentioned above. I do have a clear plan for it, probably more so than the other issues. Time and money will be the major factors there. But when everything falls into place, I will venture out more than I have in the past. It will be a necessary evil, if I'm to meet anyone or make new friends. I think I can handle that. Compared to the other crap I've been through in the last decade, it will be a cake walk.


The only thing truly troubling me at the moment is just keeping up in school till the end of the semester. That takes a great deal of time and devotion. Time I have. Devotion I don't. The time spent on homework drives me nuts. It's is frustrating, especially the online class. It has gotten some what better after I sent the instructor a strongly worded email. I just need to get the stuff to her to get rid of the zeros. With so many computer problems, I've lost a few files I need. I'll be working this week to redo them. I had hope to get ahead in the class this week and be done with it, but ain't sure how that will work out. I'll just do what I can.


One thing I have learned in my life is how to eat an elephant. One bite at a time......and with a little bit of salt.

Monday Tease

Look! No hands!

Afternoon Giggle

" Now I got you my pretty..."

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Just Thinking

It's been an odd day around here. A good day but odd. Not exactly sure why. Maybe all the pollen is getting to me. Maybe spring fever. Maybe the lost opportunity for a dinner date. Maybe lots of things. I'm happy nonetheless. Life goes on and I handle it with as much grace as I can muster.



I did go out Friday night. Spent way too much money but had a great time. Ran into an old friend and got to chat a while. I was very tired for the photo shoot Saturday morning. It was great to see my photographer buddy again after 5 years. It was fun. I also was invited to a killer party Saturday night but didn't make it. It was a 2 hour drive away. I would have loved to have went. An artist friend was throwing it at his gallery after hours. I would have loved to see his new work. I did get to chat with him for a while online though. It was all good. I'm gonna try to get up there this week to visit if my parents don't keep me too busy. They have already started with a list of things that need to be done while I'm out of school. It never seems to end. At some point, I'd like to have time and money for just me. Hopefully, when school is completed and I have a job, I can get back to normal. Whatever that is.


Hope everyone had a great weekend. Happy Easter!

Saturday, April 3, 2010


Saturday Tease

Ah....of spring and youth!

Stop AIDS Worldwide




This is the photo project of a friend of mine I first mentioned here. I went this morning and had them done. It was great to see him after 5 years. It was a wonderful experience and all for a great cause. He hopes to raise AIDS awareness through these photos. He charges nothing for them. He donates his time, equipment and expertise to the project. The "models", such as myself, are all friends of his or friends of friends. Thus far, there are around 60 who have posed for the pics. It's a great idea. Keep it up buddy!

Early Saturday Morning




I typed this naked.. hehe.



Friday, April 2, 2010

Pondering

I'm sitting here on this beautiful day, thinking to myself why? I have a little cash to spend thanks to my birthday money, so why I'm here staring at the computer screen, hoping it will entertain and fulfill me? Part of it is because whatever I do will be solo. The other part is because I'll spend all my money and feel poor again. I need to get out of the house besides to walk my dog or go feed my parents dog while they are at the lake house for the weekend. I'm glad my sister gave me $100 for my birthday. I think it was to ease the pain of telling me what a great vacation her family is going on yet again. This time to the Cayman Islands. I haven't had a vacation that wasn't unemployment related since 1988. Yeah, the last two decades have sucked that bad. When I was working, I had money but no time. Now I have time but no money. So what to do with my little windfall? Going out sounds fun, but expensive. Treating myself to dinner sounds depressing going alone. So as I sit here, drinking a glass of wine before dark that I've never done before, I contemplate my options. I'll let y'all know what I decided tomorrow.

What Does Your Bedtime Say About You?




Your Late Bedtime Says You're an Oddball



You like to do your own thing, even if you have to make sacrifices for your lifestyle.

You are extremely creative and inspired. It's easy for you to lose time in your projects.



You tend to live hard and not take as good of care of yourself as you should.

Sleep often comes last for you, if it comes at all... and you're always hurting in the morning.


Friday Tease

New shoes for Easter?

Just A Reminder


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