Almost

Almost Christmas time. Ick.

The tree is (sort of) up, cards are (sort of) done.
Shopping/wrapping finished.

No Christmas spirit in me at all this year. Were I able
to hit the delete key this year, I would. The older I get
the less it means to me. While I enjoy the part of giving,
getting isn't that great, and the hassle involved in the
whole sha-bang isn't worth the effort required.

The family is all going to be there. Ick again, and they
will (naturally) expect me to make it a nice-nice time
for them. One more crap-christmas and I swear I'll not
be "available" for another one.

My head is KILLING me today, I've had a headache since
around 4am, and it's just sitting there drilling away. Dare
I say "ick" again?

Sorry I havn't posted. Nothing going on worth noting I
suppose.

Be good, Santa is watching.

Der Schnee

Yes, it does feel like snow. US Airways dragged their big de-ice
vehicle across the ramp about two hours ago to be prepared. I
really don't want winter to come.

Christmas is about six weeks out. I'd pass on that too this year.
I for one will be more than pleased to see 2008 gone. What a
complete total crap year its been. It seems to me that next year
has got to be better. It's gotta be!

Today I almost slipped and told Lis what her gift was. It was
half way out of my mouth when I caught what was getting
ready to be said. Something tells me dragon lady has spied
it and has desire for it. The joke is on her!

While in the park today I saw a fawn nursing from its mother.
It seems quite late in the season for a fawn not to be weaned.
I hope the poor thing makes it through the winter. If we have
a bad one, it won't. With luck it will be a mild one, although I
have my doubts.

As of today I've seen no Christmas lights up. Normally the
red-necks in my neighborhood get a jump on the Holiday and
get their house all gussied up so Santa can find it.

My brothers house in Garrett County is almost done. Maybe
by the first of the year it will be ready to be occupied. Have
I mentioned they did NOT get air conditioning in the house?
He claims that it doesn't get routinely hot enough in the
mountains to justify the cost and need. We'll see. They had
snow last weekend while they were there. Nice (not)!

Okay- be good, for goodness sake!

Huh?

Today was a trip down to 'naptown (Annapolis) to
run a few errands. For those who haven't been to
down there for a while, things sure have changed!

Where Woodies used to be: High Rise Condo's.
There is a monster Target, albeit on the upper
floor of a parking garage (!?!), and what appears
to be a concentrated lot of shops and the like.

Then to Annapolis Harbor Center, where there
was no parking. None. I left.

Upon arriving home, a package had been delivered.
It was Lis' Christmas gift. Even I am impressed.
To say it's better than expected, well an understatement.
I've even emailed the merchant to tell them so. Yes,
even a text message to her to tell her how "neato"
it is, and that I may not be able to wait until Christmas.

My nephews came over today, and while not a believer
in reincarnation, the younger of the two is my Grandfather.
Looks like him, acts like him. .. the whole nine yards.

Okay- got company, gonna scoot . .

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y

Let's see who get's what that is a reference to. Here is
a hint, I'm showing my age.

So the Christmas Shopping for the family is done. All
that is left is wrapping, and Christmas Cards. Ick.
My friends are still on the "to do" list - although I
know who is getting what. It's all quite simple, and
a list makes it work every year.

It's the first of November, and it's currently 75 degrees
out side. What's the deal with that? Not that I mind,
it is just odd.

Seb's birthday is Monday. So- Happy Birthday! I
sent him the perfect gift. (He knows, and that's all
that really matters, eh?) Hard to believe you're all
grown up. Remember that cold day at the train
station? One of the famous weekend trips I use to do!

My friend Connie tells me Frankfurt is all dressed up
for Christmas. No one (NO ONE) does Christmas like
the Germans do. I tell you, you haven't experienced
what the Holiday is like until you visit Germany right
before Christmas. It's Unreal.

I look forward to this year being over. Lord, I'll be 45
in a couple of months. How can this be? Seems to me
nothing has changed- except less hair, and more weight!

The election is in a couple of days. I've never ever been
uncertain as how to vote- yet this time I am. It may
take being at the booth to make the final decision.
Neither one does anything for me. The only up-side
is that in just a few short days it will all be over with and
no more NASTY stuff on the T.V. about who is lying about
what.

Tonight is fall back, the extra hours sleep will be greatly
appreciated. The drawback is that the sun will now go
down at 5pm. That is not a nice prospect. Winter is here
children, and it's gonna be hideous.

Everyone knows about the "problem" around here.
Well it was okay for about three weeks, and it's back
to the same old story. I'm so over it. Yes, I finally told
them "you were my friend and most trusted ally, and
now I don't even know you. You've changed more than
anyone I've known in my almost 45 years of life."
They need to go. Nothing left to salvage.

Okay- off I go................be good!!

Home . . . tomorrow

Recurrent training has just wrapped up. Thank God!
Tomorrow morning, home James! 0830 departure from
ATL to BWI. Right now, I'm just chillin' out.

It was nice to see Joanne (of Los Angeles fame) we had
a nice time just chewing the fat, and catching up.

Most of me is anxious to go home, but we all know the
challenges facing me upon returning. A herd of DC-10's
awaits me. One of which has been AOG for a week now.

Today I realized that Christmas is two months away.
Fortunately the shopping list is almost complete. Only
a few more little things to get, and then it's done.

I've been promised action on the "problem" at work.
Next week there should (better) be some action taken.
While the individual is being a semi-good-boy, the nasty
is starting to creep back. Part of me is sad this is happening
the other part relieved.

Okay- off I go.

Sadly, I'm back

So here we are back from almost three glorious weeks
at the beach. Yes, I miss it, and would be willing to go
out, get in the hond-er and drive back.

It's two weeks back now, and the situation is the same
with the problem individual. Today's conversation was
interesting. Almost got the feeling of an admission of
being out of control from them. It was very strange.
With luck things will change around here.

Summer is fleeting. The Osprey are all gone. The Egrets
have started to flock to the pond in Downs Park. Never
a good sign for the survival of summer. Once they start
fall can't be far off.

A few minutes ago I sent a text message to Lis to say "guess
who is getting sick?" C'est moi. The stress around here
combined with not sleeping the last several nights have begun
to take their toll. Hopefully it will be a short illness, although
it seems mine never ever are. Whatever it is is growing in my
head. Never ever a good thing.

The flight that should have left almost an hour ago is now leaving
in three. I'm underjoyed. (Yes, I know that is not a word.) The
hope was to go to bed early and with luck sleep this thing off.
Oh well, no rest for the wicked.

Okay, off I go. Happy now Lis?????

Sand, Sand, and Sun

I figured it's time to let you know how the beach is. Let me
tell you. It's quiet here. Peaceful- no phone, no airplanes,
no folks to bother me. It's so quiet.

Several times I've wondered to the beach. Well, okay, every
day I could! Today was a new beach, Pauley's Island Beach.
Normally I go to Huntington Beach State Park. While quite
by accident I've found the "locals" beach area- you can't
believe how nice the beaches are here. Clean. White "sugar"
sand, and the water is so nice and warm! When Tropical
Storm Faye was in the neighborhood, there were waves
high enough to surf. Even some shells to be found.

Last week was a trip to the Rice Museum in Georgetown. It's
about 18 miles away. The second time there, the tide was
extremely high, as in there was water in one of the parking lots!

No, I haven't done the tourist stuff. I have gotten fish taco's.
I have had soft-shelled-crabs. Most nights are a nice dinner
made here at the house. It's easier, quieter, and better food
than would probably be found locally. God Bless them, but
these folks don't know how to cook seafood.

Next week is back to work. Scheisse. I loathe the thought
of returning. From the stuff that probably hasn't been done,
to having to contend with the problem friend. That is something
that needs to be resolved. Soon.

In case you didn't hear, the trip down I got 38.85MPG!
Gas is also less expensive here, today in Georgetown it
was 3.38! While that is still a lot of money- it's better than
we were paying at the beginning of the summer, which, yes,
is over with this weekend.

Okay, time to scoot, and get the rest of the salt off of me from
the second trip to the beach............

Be good!