GET OUT OF LIFE ALIVE

Push Up Challenge

2012-01-30T23:41:00.001-05:00

Another week down.

Push Ups Remaining: 4,570

Push Up Challenge: UPDATE

2012-01-20T16:38:00.002-05:00

Believe it or not, I am still pushing up. I decided no one wants a daily update, so I'll just periodically update. It's been awhile since my last update, but I have clicked another 110 push ups off!

Push Ups Remaining: 4,670

I swear, when I get under 4,000, I'm going to celebrate!

Super Hero

2012-01-19T12:40:00.003-05:00

Being a Super Hero is a large responsibility.

Not only do you have to save the world from evil, you also have to look good in some goofy outfits. Spandex?? Not for me.

Before Tuesday, I had never done anything I would consider Super Hero-ish. Never really thought about starting, either. The world, after all, has lots of Heroes...politicians, actors, Lady GaGa...

I awoke Tuesday like any other day. Woke up, kissed my little boy, and popped some ibuprofen. We went to lunch with my dad, then to Wal Mart. At this point I was still blissfully unaware of my new calling. Soon, I would know.

I parked and exited my car. The wind swirled briskly, nearly removing my hat. It was unseasonably warm for a January day. I pulled my hat down, and worked my way over to get Hendrix from his car seat. I unbuckled his belt and lifted him to my hip. He flinched at the blowing wind.

I moved nimbly towards the entrance. To my left, about 50 yards away, a tan mini van lumbered towards me. To my right, danger lurked! The wind had gained enough power to propel an errant cart down the lane in front of the store. The cart wasn't just rolling...it seemed to racing with a power usually reserved for rockets and such. I am truly shocked flames weren't coming from the sides.

I had to act fast. I had time to move, but the distance and the rate of speed of the cart would have made it virtually impossible for the tan mini van to negotiate and successfully navigate around the cart. There was sure to be a collision, and I couldn't let that happen!

Lots of things go through your mind when you are faced with an emergency situation: Should I just move? Should I intervene? Should I have spaghetti for dinner? It was a lot to process in a split second. I looked at Hendrix, and we mutually agreed that the evil flying cart had to be stopped. We braced ourselves for impact.

I stuck out my arm, I braced my back leg, I tightened my grip on Hendrix, who was still in my arms, head tucked under mine. The cart, by this time speeding at about 15-20 miles per hour, slammed into my outstretched arm. I buckled slightly, but held my ground. My shoes slid, creating a soft black scuff on the pavement (ok, that didn't happen, but it makes for some darn nice imagery!)

I swung the cart around and moved off the road and onto the sidewalk. The lady in the tan mini van pulled up beside me and thanked me for saving her van from the damage that was imminent. I assured her it was my pleasure, and I went about my day.

Wherever there is a cart bearing down on a mini van, I will be there. It is my Super Hero duty. I never felt like a Super Hero before Tuesday, but after the cart incident, I certainly do now!!

Indianapolis Home Show

2012-01-19T12:03:00.003-05:00

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not often asked to do "things." Yes, the occasional "can you pick me up something from Wal Mart," or "can you take me to work," kinda stuff, but nothing that requires my full attention.

I was surprised when I received a call from the manager of the Antique Mall where I peddle my records. He asked my if I wanted to share a booth with a few other vendors at the Indianapolis Home Show. For those of you not in the know, The Indy Home Show is a big, BIG deal. It attracts 30-40,000 people, and is hosted by big stars like Ty Pennington (Extreme Home Makeover), Kathy Ireland (Clothing designer and former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model) and many other great stars from HGTV, etc.

I was honored and quickly accepted. I went to work compiling an idea for my spot in the booth. Of the 100's of vendors at the Antique Mall, I was one of 4 chosen to have space in the Home Show booth. The space would be paid for by the Mall, and they also graciously agreed to work the booth for the entire 3 days. All I had to do was set up, and tear down. What a great deal!

I set up shop in the basement, pulling box after box of records I deemed "Show Worthy." I've never done a show before, but I wanted to do it BIG. 800-1000 records, a giveaway, uniformed crates...the whole nine yards!

(The early stages...what a mess!)

I decided to go old school and put all the records in the old Peach Crates as opposed to boxes. I thought it would give it that "Antiquey" feel, and would make for a nice display. I made up some fronts for each of the crates to help promote my "Business."

(Crate Fronts...Pretty nice!)

I was alloted 2 six foot tables to be placed in the corner of the booth in an "L" shape. I measured the crates and found that 5 would fit perfectly on one table. So, I set my goal for 9 total crates to leave some room for CDs, the giveaway, etc.

As I worked on the records, I decided to sort them for better organization. Beatles, Solo Fabs, Zappa, Beach Boys, and a few others had their own spots. The rest I went 60's, 70's, 80's etc. Becky printed out some new business cards and bookmark flyers to stuff in the records...I wanted to do a lot of advertising of the website and Booth (btw...www.facebook.com/gillespierecords if you are interested!!)

After a week and a half of being knee deep in records, I was finally ready. I stayed up til 2 am the night before I was to set up, just making sure everything was perfect.

It wasn't. At the zero hour, I changed the categories from 60's, 70's etc to musical genres. Rock/Pop, R&B/Soul, Jazz/Blues, Folk, etc...I liked that a lot better!

I borrowed dad's van, and was set. At 7 am I was up and loading the 9 crates of records and 2 tables. Then:

STRIKE ONE: It was then I realized I had TEN crates. Crap! Oh well, I would deal with it when I got there.

STRIKE TWO: I left my GPS in my car, which dad had! CRAP! I suck at directions. I quickly Google Mapped it, and hoped for the best.

I triple checked everything so there wouldn't be a strike three. I had the records, the tables, the giveaway prize, the ballots, the business cards, tape...I was set!

I made it to the Fairgrounds but couldn't find the building. I drove around for 15 minutes searching, made phone calls, asked people...finally I found it. I helped unload a neighbors truck, and pulled in to unload the van.

Smooth! It took less time to set up than it did to find the right building. With a little organizational help, this is what the set up looked like:

I did have to sit the tenth crate on the ground, but I'm not overly concerned about that. The Home Show is Friday the 20th of January - Sunday the 22nd of January. If you love records, go check my set up out for yourself. South Pavillion, Hall B.

Hopefully, I'll make a little money...worst case scenario, i'll at least get some good exposure!

A Clean Conversation

2012-01-13T09:58:00.002-05:00

A conversation with my 3 1/2 year old, Hendrix.

Location: In the basement putting stickers on records to be sold.

Me: "Hey, buddy, do you want to go into business with me? We can rename the business 'Gillespie and Son Records'."

Hendrix: "YES! What do we do?"

Me: "We put these records in sleeves, then put stickers on them and sell them and make lots of money."

Hendrix begins to put stickers on the sleeves where I tell him.

Me: "Buddy, what are you going to buy with all the money you make??"

Hendrix: "I buy soap! And juice."

Soap and juice...I sure do wish I knew what was going on in that little brain of his!!

Push Up Challenge: Day Seven

2012-01-09T21:51:00.002-05:00

Push Ups Today: 30

Push Ups Remaining = 4,780

Made it through the volleyball tonight...sore, sore, sore.

SIDE NOTE: On Day One, I did as many push ups as I felt I could do in a row. I barely could do 10. Tonight being the one week mark, I maxed out at 20 in a row! The strength is improving! I was wondering if doing 10 at a time would actually make me stronger...the answer, so far, is yes. Will keep doing max sets once a week to gauge improvement!

Jammed...NOT Jammin'!!

2012-01-08T21:49:00.004-05:00

As I was cleaning out my car a month or so ago, Hendrix was up in the front seat doing his 3 year old thing. I wasn't really concerned, as I am pretty sure he can't start the car, shift into gear, and take off on a joy ride. What he can do, I quickly found out, was discover the slot that is my CD player.

And he found it with a mysterious grind and subsequent failure of any and all CD's I tried to play. It would just spin, grind, crackle and eject. ERROR!

I know about as much about cars as a fat kid knows about broccoli, so I did a Google search to find out how to even get into my CD player. It looked like the website was in French or something, (what the heck is a Torx screw anyway??) but I copied down the info, and went to the car.

After about 10 minutes of frustration with the inability to find an allen wrench the right size to unscrew a torx screw, I Googled an image of a torx screw, and realized it was square, not allen wrench sized (hexagon? octagonal? whatever!)

(Torx screw loosened, shifter removed!)

After that it was smooth sailing!!

(Remove the gear shift console panel.)

(Remove this thing...)

(And these pieces...I don't know the names, and you don't care anyway!)

(Finally, I got to the CD player!)

I popped it out of the dash, and pryed open the CD mouth, looked in and saw the culprit...

(.25 for all that work?)

It didn't just slide out, it was wedged in there! I had to get a long metal ruler and jimmy that bad boy out, but I got it, and I did it without any help! The Year of Doing, people!!

Gotta make sure Hendrix isn't left unsupervised in the front seat anymore, but if he does, at least I know what to do!

Push Up Challenge: Day Six

2012-01-08T21:46:00.002-05:00

Push Ups Today = 30

Push Ups Remaining = 4,810

Volleyball tonite also...and tomorrow. Ugh, these back to back matches are tearing my freaking knee apart!!

Push Up Challenge: Day Five

2012-01-08T16:51:00.001-05:00

Push Ups Today = 10 (don't judge me!!)

Push Ups Remaining = 4,840

Push Up Challenge: Day Four

2012-01-07T11:33:00.001-05:00

Push ups Today = 30

Push Ups Remaining = 4,850

Sorry, I'm a day behind! Will catch up soon!

Push Up Challenge: Day Three

2012-01-06T11:02:00.002-05:00

Push Ups Today = 40

Push Ups Remaining = 4,880

NOTES: Played Volleyball tonite, too.

Generation Gap

2012-01-04T21:16:00.002-05:00

Today, I sent a message to a buddy of mine. He's 18, a music fan like myself, and recently entered into a relationship. I'll call him Keaton...well, basically, because that's his name. Our conversation went like this:

ME: Keaton...This Friday and Saturday are open, if you and your dad are free and want to hang? Let me know what you think!! PS...You can bring Yoko, if you want! ;) T

KEATON: Yoko??

ME: Ha ha...just lovingly (and jokingly) nicknaming your new squeeze!

KEATON: New squeeze??

ME: Holy Crap, are you kidding me right now?!? Your Girlfriend!!

KEATON: Ohh!! You have to remember, I'm a young kid. I don't understand old man! lol

I tried to explain to him young love kinda follows the John and Yoko approach...i.e., you probably always want to be by each others side, and if he was hanging with her, but still wanted to come over, he could bring her along. Guess the reference was lost on him completely!

When did I get so old??

(Actually, I want to know how in the heck doesn't catch a Yoko reference?!? Really!! HA!!)

Push Up Challenge: Day Two

2012-01-04T21:13:00.001-05:00

Push Ups Today = 40

Push Ups Remaining = 4,920

NOTES: 45 minutes on treadmill.

Push Up Challenge: Day One

2012-01-03T20:46:00.002-05:00

Push Ups Today = 40

Push Ups Remaining = 4,960

You got to start somewhere!

NOTES:
20 of the push ups were with Hendrix on my back. An additional 40 pounds!
Also did 45 minutes on the treadmill.

Push Up Challenge

2012-01-02T21:47:00.003-05:00

I'm not an exercise guy. I'm certainly NOT a push up guy. But I am a challenge guy. I'm gonna challenge myself this year, and it starts today.

I am going to do 5,000 push ups before January 1, 2013.

It's not a whole lot when you do the math (a little less than 14 a day) but like I said, I'm not a push up guy at all, so this is a good first step for me. I'll keep the blog updated with my count.

Wish me luck!!

I'm Fixin' A Hole

2012-01-01T21:11:00.002-05:00

There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who do, and those who have done for them.

Generally speaking, I am in the second group. I am not very handy, but I've never really tried, either. When you have a dad who is good at everything, it's easy to get lazy and pick up the phone instead of the crescent wrench...not that I could tell you what a crescent wrench was.

I've decided to change that. I'm not sure why, really. Maybe it's because I'm a guy. Maybe it's because I feel bad because I feel like I'm taking advantage of my dad's good nature. Maybe it's because I have a son now, and I want to be able to do for him, what my dad has done for me. Whatever the reason, I decided I need to put the years of knowledge that I learned while holding the flashlight for dad to the test.

I decided to start small. A drywall problem in the bathroom by the shower. Normally, I would expect this to take numerous trips to Lowe's, and several hours. So, I tried to do my planning ahead of time to make sure I had all the things I would need.

(As you can see, the wall was in deseperate need of repair.)

I made my list, I made my plan, I made one trip to Lowe's. Of course, I was there for an hour or so and didn't find what I was looking for (some sort of plexi type guard to prevent future rot), but I was confident I had what I needed at home.

The first thing I did was carefully cut out the troubled section of drywall, being careful to not disturb the surrounding wall. I measured, and, amazingly, cut out a perfect replacement piece!

(Measure once, cut twice?? Not this time!!)

I cut the corner tape away from the far wall, and replaced the seam and spackled it all up. Since I couldn't find a corner piece, or a plexi equivilent, I decided to use one of those black rubber trim pieces that you typically find in high schools.

(Hey, it's not pretty, but it's effective!)

A quick coat of white paint, some caulking around the seams...

A few more coats of paint, and voila!! A completed repair!! To my surprise, it only took a couple hours (mainly dry time), one trip to Lowe's, and under $20.

Next up, fix my car's CD player!!

Guess Who's Back?

2011-12-22T11:06:00.003-05:00

Wow, Tony, it's been a year since you blogged. A whole year. Over a year, actually.

Maybe nothing has happened in a year? No, it's not that.

Maybe Hendrix has been too active, and there is no time? No, Hendrix might flush rubber ducks down the toilet, but I can't pin the blame on him for my lack of blogging.

Maybe Facebook has made you lazy? Yeah, I think that has validity.

Facebook is nice and all, but sometimes I do something that can't be described in a paragraph. I know it's hard to believe, but I, from time to time, actually have a life. No really, I swear!

I did a quick search, and found that over 200 people viewed my blog last month. 200! And I haven't written one word on there since Sept 2010. So, maybe I owe it to somebody.

Maybe to the literally tens of people who come to my site? Maybe.

Maybe to my family who wants to keep track of me? Maybe.

Maybe so I'll stay off of eBay so much? Probably.

Maybe for myself?

Maybe for you?

(Did you get all tingly inside thinking I was talking about you? Well, I was of course!!)

I can't promise I'll update every minute (this isn't twitter, ya know?!?), every day, or every week. But I will make an effort to do so...until I get bored with it again, and leave you all to wonder "what ever happened to that guy?"

That's how fame is, suckas!!

The First Cut's the Deepest

2010-09-09T14:37:00.003-04:00

Since I opened my Booth at the Antique Mall selling records in March, I've been rather fortunate. Sales have been great, and the overall feeling was the Mall employees respected my inclusion to their "team". Besides the first week, when 2 of my 6 Fake Gold Beatles records "vanished," I had no issues whatsoever.

Until yesterday.

I was told by the management when I opened the booth that, as with any business, they had troubles sometimes with tag switching. So, with their direction, I took ALL the recommended steps to ensure that wouldn't happen. I came up with my own policies.

1. EVERY record was to have: Booth Number, Price, Artist Name, Record Name, AND Inventory number.
2. EVERY record $5 and above would be placed in a plastic sleeve with the tag on the sleeve, and the booth number also written in pencil on the inside cover of the record.
3. All records under $5 would have a sticker placed directly on the cover.
4. EVERY piece of inventory would be logged into a database, so I know what's out there, the price, and when I took it out there and sold it.

I noticed Wednesday night as I checked my sales that 5 records had sold for $1 a piece, which is odd, since most of my stuff is priced $2 and up. The second red flag was the fact that no inventory numbers were logged in, a practice the Mall is pretty good about keeping up on. I quickly looked at the title description the Mall had typed in, and my fears were finally realized.

Three of the records were suppose to be $5 each, one was $8, and the fifth was $20. $43 worth of records, sold for $5. CRAP! After a stressful night's sleep, I travelled to the Mall and arrived as they opened the doors.

I had planned on trying to find the empty sleeves to show the original prices, but I had no luck. As I searched, I did find a SIXTH price switch...a $3 Chuck Berry record that I THOUGHT had sold was sitting on the shelf in a plastic sleeve that was reserved for a $30 Chuck Berry record. The $30 record was gone.

Now my loses were at $65.

I approached the manager, and told him what had happened. He seemed as distraught as I was. He quickly accommodated my every whim, pulling sales receipts to see WHO sold the records, IF they buyer paid by credit card so he could be tracked, etc. Cash was used, eliminating the potential to know the scammer, but the employee was working who sold 3 of the 5 records. She remembered the transaction, as it was with a notorious "suspected" tag switcher, nicknamed "Combover Guy."

"It was Combover Guy, I know it was," she said with preciseness. The manager muttered a curse, as he knew Combover Guy was in the store, and he knew he should have been watching him, but neglected to do so. It had been weeks since he had tried anything, so they loosened the reigns a little on him. Since he had never been caught in the act, they couldn't really do anything about him, but they knew WHO he was, and they made sure, usually, to follow him around.

We focused on the 5 $1 records first, trying to figure out how this could have happened. We determined that he came in, slipped the plastic sleeve off 3 of the record, placed a tag that he made on the records, stashed the sleeve, and bought them. Then he went to his car, came BACK in, and did the same to 2 additional records using a second cashier.

The Sixth record was completely the fault of the cashier. The scammer peeled the price sticker from a $3 Chuck Berry record called "Golden Hits" and placed it on the cover of the $30 Chuck Berry record called "Berry On Top." The plastic sleeve was then placed over the $3 record. The cashier saw Chuck Berry and that was good enough for them...the TITLE of the record went totally ignored. A safe guard that should have prevented the sale, was overlooked.

"Why am I wasting my time writing this information if it's not even going to be looked at?" I asked.

"It will be looked at now." the manager relied.

Little consolation.

Once we knew the problem, the Police were called so a Police report could be filed. I really appreciated the extra effort by management to make sure the problem was noted. They also went the extra mile to ensure it wouldn't happen again by getting permission to call the police to "tail" Combover Guy should he come in again, and they even got the go ahead to tell Combover he had to leave the store on grounds of trespassing (suspicion of tag switching) if they deemed fit. A few other safeguards that I would rather not disclose were also put into place.

A follow up call is forthcoming, to fill me in on all the details. I'll let you know.

Of course, this isn't just $65 in loss. It's loss for me and loss for my friend who consigned the records to me (as they were his records that were hit). Now I have to break the news to him, risking him pulling his stuff, which looses me MORE money. Not to mention that nagging in the back of my head to not take the really good stuff out there anymore, for fear it will get switched...again, this looses me money (and the Mall.)

Since I've sold so much out there, I am hopeful it is an isolated incident, and it won't happen again. Especially with the safeguards that have been added, but it still frustrates me. Haven't found out yet what kind of reparations I might be entitled to, if any. More than likely nothing for the 5, since they probably had legit tags on them, but that $30 Berry record I'll fight over! No way that should have went through!

How Karma Came Around and Bit Me In the Butt: Part Two

2010-07-20T16:40:00.003-04:00

I got home with my newly bought Booty and went to work. I cleaned, photographed and listed a boat load of Punk records on eBay and waited for the money to come rolling in. Roll in it did, in waves!!

I made my money back quickly, but the $300 record still remained to be sold. No one was popping on it, and I was getting concerned. Finally, after reducing the price to $200, the record got it's one and only bid. Sold!! I was ecstatic that I got $200 out of it. I had come very close to doubling up.

The buyer was a guy in Japan. Sending a record overseas is kinda tricky. You have to pack it better, fill out customs forms, and spend some quality time at the post office. They know me there now...

This record was in great condition, but wouldn't you know it, the guy emails me and says the record was scratched and he wanted his money back.

I told him no.

Why? For the following reasons:

1. I say in my description that I DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS.
2. I don't know if he recorded the record onto his computer and just wants his $200 back.
3. I don't know if the Post Office damaged it in transit.
4. The record DID NOT have a scratch on it when I mailed it.
5. The principle of the matter: I did my part, I was honest, and it's out of my hands what happens after that.

To make this story shorter, here is a thumbnail account of what happened next:

He filed a claim against me.

I fought it.

He won. As bogus as that sounds, he won.

He shipped the record back, and I prayed that he just recorded it and it wouldn't be scratched. My prayers were not to be answered on this day.

(Check the small scratches about and inch above the label at the 12 o'clock position.)

(The 3 o'clock position shows the major damage...big ole scratch!!)

I was pissed!! I checked my photos, and as you can clearly see from the pic below, that 3 o'clock scratch was NOT there!! Note the date that pic was taken, too!!

(Look, Ma, NO SCRATCH!!)

I filed an appeal based on the picture. But Paypal said, "We don't even open pictures in an appeal case...we don't know if it's the same record or not, when it was taken, etc."

So, here's the bottom line. Even though I say NO RETURNS, he can still return it. Even though he has absolutely NO proof that I sent him a damaged record (he didn't have to even prove the record was scratched!!), he wins. Even though I have DATE STAMPED PROOF that the record was clean, I still loose.

To make matters worse, I had to return his $15 shipping!! Now I have a $200 record I can't sell and I'm out the $15!! I lost a bunch on this one. To make matters doubly worse, this joker has Private Feedback so I can't tell others about this. To make matters triply worse, eBay has a NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK for Buyers policy, so I can't leave him bad feedback!!

Oh well, I guess it's a lesson learned. What's the lesson? I still haven't figured that one out...anybody help me out with that one??

The End

Epilogue:

Don't feel too bad for me...the remander of the LP's that I didn't post went to the Antique Mall and continue to sell. As of this post, I have made $470...a $130 profit from the initial purchase price of $340. Anyone want to buy a greatly discounted Jazz Fusion record??

How Karma Came Around and Bit Me In The Butt: Part One

2010-07-12T10:06:00.004-04:00

We all live by some life motto, whether we openly admit it or not. I TRY to subscribe to a couple at least. The first one is something that my Grandma always said: "Everything happens for a reason." The other is: "Always treat people the way you would like to be treated." I, personally, would like to be treated with respect and kindness, so I TRY to do the same towards others. Of course, none among us are perfect, and sometimes the rules get skewed a little.

I am not immune.

One day, as I'm trudging along on Craigslist, I come across a collection of records. The majority of the 250 albums listed are artists I've never heard of, mainly Punk bands and the likes. I did see some meat on the listing's bones, so I decided to email the guy.

His listing was the 250 records, and he was asking $450. Approximately $1.80 per record. I usually don't like paying that much per record on a large lot, simply because the margin to make money is rather slim. Sure, you can get $10 or so for some artists, but others you get nothing out of...you aren't gonna sell EVERYTHING! As long as I can double the investment, I feel like it's worth my time.

I went into the email half-hearted, because I really didn't know what was there. I figured, "Maybe I can low-ball this fella, get the records way cheap, and make a little money." So, my email was something to the effect of:

Hello,

I saw your listing on eBay, and I might be interested if you would be willing to consider taking less. Just let me know.

Thanks,
Tony

Really short, really crappy of me!! Rule #1 of selling or buying: always be willing to negotiate (but don't email the guy and say you want to buy them for less!) Let's just say it was a jack-ass move!

As I waited, not caring really if he emailed me back. I started to do a little research on the records. I quickly got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The records that I knew nothing about were in high demand, some selling for $20, $30, even $50 a piece! One was apparently a rare jazz fusion record that was selling for $300 by itself!! I could sell a small handful of these and make my money back, and STILL have 200+ records from which to turn the sweetest of profits!

However, at this point, it had been over an hour, and no response had come. I just knew I had offended the guy beyond the point of return. I sent a second email.

Friend...

My apologies for the earlier email. I didn't mean to be so harsh and short, and I hope you weren't offended in my offering less without seeing the records first. I am very interested in the lot, and I hope we can get together and make a deal for your collection.

Tony

I hoped I would get a response, but another hour passed, then another. I felt defeated. I was sure he had either sold the lot to another, or had shunned me completely.

At the end of the day, after having checked my email about 50 times, there was still no response.

The End

Did you really think that was the end? Silly readers!!

The next day, the guy emailed me back and was more than gracious. He wasn't offended (seems not everyone just sits around and checks their email all day long like I do...who knew??) and we quickly made arrangements for me to see the records at his parents house in Franklin.

I always fear the worst when I go into someone's home, but on this occasion, the fear was unwarranted. The man was more than hospitable to Hendrix and me as I pushed the stroller into a front room and began to rip through the albums.

The records were in excellent condition, but all the records I knew anything about were re-issues, lessening the value. The punk albums were legit, however, and the Rare Jazz Fusion $300 LP was also the real deal. I wanted these records. A stack of 45 RPM records came out and I started to halfway look at those while I added up how much I could sell each of those LP's for in my head.

(As a side note, it is a little uncomfortable to look through Punk albums while a nearly 50 year old guy's MOM sits basically over my shoulder looking at them, too. What's that? You wouldn't feel uncomfortable? Yeah, here's some of the names: Guttermouth: BALLS, Butthole Surfers, Grimple: Up Your A*@, Gas Huffers...oh, did I mention one of the covers had a tasteful picture of a guy with his wang out taking a leak? Uncomfortable now??)

I think we both knew what came next. The negotiation. I tried $300, he said he wouldn't take less than $380. So, I told him I couldn't do it, and started to walk away...I threw a final blow in, $340.

He scratched his head, and finally agreed. Now, if I could unload the one record for $300, I was almost back to even. Of course, anyone who has ever sold anything knows you don't want to just break even...you want a profit. I always aspire to double my investment, and I really thought it was possible with this lot...

Until...

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Hidden Treasure

2010-07-06T13:16:00.005-04:00

How often do you see a show on tv where someone is flipping around a yard sale and stumble upon an original Declaration of Independence, or a piece of junk that ends up being worth a fortune? It seems to happen to everyone except us, am I right? Well, my golden find came a few months back.

No, I didn't find anything that was worth a fortune, but it was a great find for me!

We were at the Flea Markets over towards Brown County when I spied a box of cd's on the ground. There was another guy picking through them, so I started looking around, viewing the vendors other wears while I waited. I found a nice Led Zeppelin Biography, and for some reason, I picked it up and opened it.

Inside, I found it was signed and inscribed by the author of the book, Richard Cole, the band's former Tour Manager!

I asked the vendor how much the book was...

.25 cents!

A sweet score! But it gets better.

The other guy was taking his sweet time, so I asked him if I could jump in and check the discs out with him. I flipped thought the discs and picked out a few. A Jane's Addiction, a David Bowie, and a JJ Cale CD for my dad.

"Those are $1 each today," the lady said.

The other guy left empty handed, and I started to the checkout with 3 cd's, and the score of the day, the signed Richard Cole, Zep book. As she was getting a bag, I enquired about an Abbey Road puzzle that was sitting on the table. Another $1.

So, $4.25 was the damage. I searched my pockets, and couldn't find the spare change, so I gave her a $20. Hard times had apparently befallen the vendor, as she couldn't change my $20. Making another search, I came up with $2.42. After the surrounding vendors refused to make change from my $20, I asked her if she would take the $2.42.

She agreed.

Later that night, I was looking at my purchases of the day. The Bowie CD grabbed my attention, because it was a newer cd from Bowie, and I had never seen it before. I turned the case over and saw it was stamped as a promo cd. A nice bonus!!

Then I opened the case.

The booklet was cover by this Hologramy looking piece. Which was pretty cool. But under it...

The CD booklet was signed by David Bowie!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!! I quickly checked to make sure it was a marker, and not printed on the booklet. It was really marker. I grabbed the computer to check the validity of the signature, and it looked legit!!

(Framed CD)

I was blown away that my $2.42 bought me a signed book, and unbeknownst to me, a signed Bowie CD!! Now I realize these aren't Declarations of Independence or anything, but that's a $20-$30 Bowie item, which isn't too shabby from a Flea Market!!

Hendrix turns 2!

2010-07-06T12:59:00.003-04:00

Hendrix Dylan turned 2 on the 22nd of June! Dang, I can't believe how fast time flies. Here are some pics to keep you entertained!

(Hendrix in his Spongebob hat...that boy has serious Spongebob fever!)

(Hendrix was a little more civil eating the cake this year!!)

(Spongebob face!!)

(Reaching for his Spongebob balloons)

(Here's the Spongebob cake that I made for him. Not the best, but still pretty cool I guess for a 2 year old!!)

(Hendrix pushing his cousin, Hailey.)

Guess Who's Back!!

2010-07-06T12:58:00.001-04:00

Alright, alright...so it's been over 6 months, sue me? Anyone still out there?? The blog is coming back, hardcore!!

Keep watching, i'm ready to post it up!!

Photos for Paypal Appeal

2010-06-22T09:26:00.002-04:00

This photo shows the record that I just received back from the buyer. Look at the 3 o'clock position on the vinyl, across from 33.3 RPM. You can clearly see a scratch.

This is the original photo I took and HAVE in the post. If you look in the same spot, there is NO SCRATCH! The vinyl all around looks pristine!!

Again, this is the RETURNED LP, and you can see a LARGE scratch a little to the right of the 12 o'clock spot.

Another original (pre-ship) photo shows, again, no scratches!!

The vinyl was perfect before, and is scratched up now leaving me with merchendise that I cannot resell for the same value as before the buyer received it!

I Voted For A Winner...or a Loser, Depending on How You Look At It!!

2009-11-02T13:37:00.004-05:00

Remember this old post??

Wednesday, November 05, 2008
My Voice Was Heard...My Vote Counted!

I sat and watched anxiously as the election results began to pour in. Would this be the year that MY voice would be heard? Would this be the year that MY vote would count? I stayed up late into the night...well, actually, early into the morning, and finally it happened!

I couldn't believe I made a difference! My man was elected!!

So, let me be the first to congratulate you, Allen Smith, you won your bid to become Bartholomew County Coroner, easily defeating Vest Coroner, or Bulletproof Vest, or whatever his name was!

Congrats, Allen! Now go out there and Coroner to the best of your ability!!
..........................

I voted for Allen, the Columbus resident who is losing weight on the Biggest Loser this season!

Ok, so my reasons for voting him in were a little immature, but I still did, and after seeing his personality and work ethic on tv, I'm glad I did. He seems like a good guy.

AND I saw him today, IN PERSON, at the Fairoaks Mall here in Columbus. Spoiler Alert*** he looks GREAT!! Way skinnier than that photo above!! Skinny enough to win the whole show?? I'm not sure about that, but he does look fantastic.

Congrats Allen on the election, and losing all that weight!

BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE - My Personal Weight Loss Journal

2009-10-28T12:57:00.010-04:00

It all started easily enough. Becky and I were going to meet my mom and dad for dinner at the Outback Steakhouse and she said she had an idea.

Becky: "I think we should do a Biggest Loser contest. You and me, versus your mom and dad."

She went on to spell out the rules of the contest, which we tweaked along the way. I hesitated...

Me: "I don't know if mom would go for it...and if she did, I think she might quit if she didn't do very well."

In my mind, it was a reasonable excuse, but I also knew I wasn't sure that I could hold out and do it either. I was nervous I would quit, like I had so many times before. She reassured me it would be just fine, she always has a way to reassure me that it would be just fine.

We raised the question at the dinner table over steaks, bloomin' onions and loaded cheese fries. Mom and dad were excited and on board. We layed out the rules as follows:

1. 16 weeks
2. Weigh in every Monday.
3. Teams of two, each team puts $2 in the pot each week, the team with the lowest overall percentage of loss for the week added an additional $2.
4. Team with overall largest weight percentage after 16 weeks wins the cash.

It was set. The next day, while at a cookout at Becky's brother's house, we were talking about the upcoming challenge, and the third team was added...Becky's brother Albert and his wife, Tausha. They recommended a fourth team, the grandparents of Tausha's children, Glenn and Sue.

We added a new rule:

5. Team with the largest percentage wins 3/4 of the money, the individual with the highest overall percentage wins 1/4.

The game was on!

The following is my own weight loss journal. I will only speak in specifics about myself (with some kudos when necessary to the others!)

WEEK ONE

I stepped on the scale, and the number was a high one. 263 pounds. Yes, I know it is shocking. 32 years old, 6 foot one inch and 263 pounds. It was the highest weight I had ever been, and I was ready for the change.

(BEFORE - NOTE the double chin and large belly!!)

I had a plan: 1,000 to 1,300 calories a day. Three meals a day (because skipping meals or starving yourself is NOT THE WAY TO LOOSE WEIGHT!!) Exercise.

I decided on waffles for breakfast. Two waffles are 210 calories, syrup is 100 and a glass of milk is another 100. 400 calories...good start. I decided to not be super strict with myself and count every little thing. I wanted it to be a rough 1000-1300.

For lunch I had 2 lunchmeat sandwiches, whole wheat bread, slice of cheese on each. I wasn't ready to give the soda up completely, so I had one a day...with lunch. 500 calories.

Dinner was a Smart Ones box meal (or Lean Cuisine or whatever.) These are like 300 calories. Glass of milk...400 calories total.

Exercise for the first week was hard. I was doing a work out video when I could (which was hard with a 13 month old to keep entertained) and Becky and I started walking. 30 minutes a day.

NOTES ON WEEK ONE: I am never going to make it to the end!! I have to keep telling myself, "one day at a time, Tony, one day at a time." I asked Becky if she planned on walking everyday of the 16 weeks. She said yes. This is going to be a LONG challenge.

The first weigh in came, and I was nervous. The scale was nice to me, though.

WEIGH IN - WEEK ONE: 4 pound weight loss!! Becky had a good loss, too, and we felt great! Until the other team's numbers came in...8, 9 and 10 pound losses littered the field, the percentages dwarfed ours. We started in 3rd place after what we thought were great numbers! Becky and I calmed ourselves down and concluded it was a MARATHON not a SPRINT, and we would be ok...we just had to be steady, and watch as the numbers leveled out.

I set some goals for myself:

1. Loose 3 pounds a week.
2. Make it to 220 pounds in 16 weeks.

(Yes, I know 3 pounds a week would make 48 pounds total, and 220 is only 43 pounds after 16 weeks. It was just a week loss number and a overall number.)

GOAL UPDATE - 4 pounds down, 39 to go!!

WEEK TWO

I kept with my eating routine with no deviation. I was moving more and eating less...I had to loose weight, right? We upped the walking to an hour at a time, roughly 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 miles. During the day, I kept with the workout video and alternated it with a heavy bag routine.

WEIGH IN - WEEK TWO - 3 pound loss!! The other teams, as predicted, leveled out after the big first week. They cut their calories big and eliminated the soda so the shock to their systems lead to a big first week, but a modest second. Another big week for Becky lead us to be in first place for the week...but we still had a long way to go to climb out of 3rd.

GOAL UPDATE - 7 pounds down...36 to go!

WEEK THREE

Still feeling good. Working out, eating good. I needed to say goodbye to the soda, though. I dropped the one can a day to zero. It was hard, but I knew it would help.

WEIGH IN - WEEK THREE - 4 pound loss!! Once again, Becky and I took the top honors, but we were still way behind. Dad was putting up big numbers to keep his team on top. Albert and Tausha were dropping a good percentage, too. I was still confident because I knew Albert and Tausha were the smallest couple coming in and would eventually run out of weight to loose. Mom and dad I thought would struggle because of them being 60 years old and 53 years old respectively, and Glenn and Sue were struggling, so I thought we could stay above them. Not to mention I was the biggest guy starting and had the most to loose. Becky works HARD, so I knew even though she didn't have a big amount to loose, she would fight to the end and scrap out a few extra pounds down to the end.

I was about to find out, however, that you should never bet against my dad in a weight loss challenge!!

GOAL UPDATE - 11 down, 32 to go!

WEEK FOUR

No changes...still cranking it out and feeling good about the work outs. I am beginning to impress myself because I never thought I could hold on this long.

WEIGH IN - WEEK FOUR - 3 pound loss! I was still ahead of my 3 pound a week goal, so I was happy. A zero from Becky put our percentage in 3rd place...and Dad was a full 5 pounds ahead in total loss. 19 pounds in 4 weeks?!? He was going to be tough to beat...but I decided to go after him, hard!

GOAL UPDATE - 14 down, 29 to go!

WEEK FIVE

Rough week. After the week four weigh in, I had to go to the doctor. The verdict: Poison Ivy. I couldn't do the heavy bag (couldn't get the gloves on) and I slacked on my workouts. I continued to eat right, however. It didn't matter...

WEIGH IN - WEEK FIVE - 0 pound loss! Oh no!! Thankfully, Becky pulled a great number, and we finished 1st once again. The numbers were close this week, so we didn't gain much ground, but we were gaining. Marathon, not a sprint.

GOAL UPDATE - Still 14 loss, still 29 to go!

WEEK SIX

I needed a good week. Still unable to do the heavy bag, I picked up an exercise ball and started integrating a small routine to replace the bag. It worked!! Becky and I also instituted a "cheat meal." One meal a week, we could eat whatever we wanted. I was nervous, because of my zero the week before, but I thought it would help "shock" my system. I chose Baby Back Blues BBQ...loves me some pulled pork!! Started on diet soda...careful, it still has lots of sodium!

WEIGH IN - WEEK SIX - 4 pound loss!! Another 1st place finish, but still in 3rd overall! Dad had a big week, so we didn't gain ground on them, but we did on Albert and Tausha.

GOAL UPDATE - 18 pounds lost, 25 to go!

WEEK SEVEN

I changed my lunch to two hot dogs (I don't know the brand, but they are fat free, and, like 40 calories per dog...check the package. Mom told me about them (I think my cousin Tracee told her) and they are DELICIOUS!) It really dropped my calories per day, as now I was eating 250 instead of 500 for lunch!

WEIGH IN - WEEK SEVEN - 5 pound loss!! My biggest number yet! It was a good week for it, too, as Becky, mom, dad and Tausha all had zeros. We were the top team again, and gained lots of ground...still in 3rd, though!

GOAL UPDATE - 23 pounds lost, 20 to go!! I reached the 20 pound lost mark!! It was finally getting real for me!

WEEK EIGHT

I knew this was going to be a bad one, as it was the week of the Cubs game in Chicago. I ate deep dish pizza...I ate hot dogs at Wrigley...I had soda...it was bad! I fought hard the 3 days prior, and the 2 days after.

WEIGH IN - WEEK EIGHT - One pound loss. I'll take it! I thought I would gain!! Becky busted her BUTT to compensate for the bad week I knew I was having. We hit first once again. Six of eight weeks at the top...still in 3rd! (But getting really close!)

GOAL UPDATE - 24 pounds lost, 19 to go. Half way mark: I am still on pace, losing exactly 3 pounds a week over the first 8 weeks!

WEEK NINE

I needed to rebound...I worked hard. I switched to a two a day walking routine, cause I could do that easier with Hendrix. I would wait til he was tired, and walk while he slept in the stroller. I really worked hard this week.

WEIGH IN - WEEK NINE - 7 POUND LOSS!! My biggest yet! Another big loss from Becky made it 7 of 9 weeks on top, and we finally cracked into the top 2, just edging out Albert and Tausha in the overall. Dad was still cranking out big numbers, but we were gaining on them!

GOAL UPDATE - 31 pounds lost, 12 to go!! 30 pounds!!

WEEK TEN

I think I found the reason I lost 7 pounds. Volleyball. We had two matches the Sunday before the weigh in, and I think the 7 was a false reading...cause I fought the scale all week to get back to zero. I was up 1 or 2 pounds all week (once, I weighed myself, shaved, weighed myself again and gained a pound! Shaving??)

WEIGH IN - WEEK TEN - 0 pound loss! After being up all week, I consider myself lucky with a zero. I really don't want a gain through this whole thing! Our first last place finish...BOO!

GOAL UPDATE - 31 pounds still lost, 12 still to go.

WEEK ELEVEN

With only 6 weigh ins left, I was getting nervous that I wasn't going to reach my goal. I amped up the workouts, trying to walk faster, so a little more. But there was a snag...Little Caesars opened up a pizza shop 3 blocks from my house! $5 pizza?!? I tried not to think about it, BUT a LC's employee was walking in front of my house with a WE'RE NOW OPEN! $5 PIZZA! sign. Up and down my street, right in front of the window where I sit...all day. I called Becky, she picked up a pizza for us. (NOTE: We've had a pizza once a week since they've opened! Weeks 11 - 16!!)

WEIGH IN - WEEK ELEVEN - 4 pound loss! Yes, I'm back on track!! First again...and now we were in first overall!! I jumped from 5th place individually to 3rd. Becky was now in the lead. We needed to hold on to take the whole pot home!!

GOAL UPDATE - 35 pounds down, 8 to go!!

WEEK TWELVE

I forgot about the volleyball double curse!! I was up 3 pounds by Wednesday, and had to fight the scale once again...I was preparing myself for my first gain in the 12 weeks...but slowly, the scale started to move in the other direction. I learned something important...On tuesday, when the scale showed a gain, I tried to eat less. That does not work! Wednesday, I ate my LC pizza for the week, and Thursday the weight came down. Your body will shut down if you don't give it fuel. It will think it is starving and shut down. Keep your calories right!!

WEIGH IN - WEEK TWELVE - 1 pound loss! Whew!! Wasn't expecting that!! We came in second and kept our lead as it was a low week for all teams, except Glenn and Sue, who were finally catching their stride. Just as I had thought, Albert and Tausha were running out of weight to loose, mom (though not giving up!!) was having a rough patch, but dad was still going strong.

GOAL UPDATE - 36 pounds lost, 7 to go!

WEEK THIRTEEN

I knew I had a double volleyball match this week, so I was confident that the weight loss would be good. I wanted to push our lead and make it bigger, so I pushed myself hard this week.

WEIGH IN - WEEK THIRTEEN - 5 pound loss!! I wasn't expecting this much loss! I was happy, but worried...I knew I would struggle in week 14. Also unexpectedly, I was the ONLY PERSON to loose any weight this week! Becky, dad, mom, Albert, Tausha and Glenn drew zeros. Sue gained a small amount. I moved into 2nd on the overall, and FINALLY passed dad in total weight loss, and percentage weight loss!

GOAL UPDATE - 41 pounds down, 2 to go!! 40 pounds!!

WEEK FOURTEEN

The gain was on again early!! Stupid Volleyball double!! I had to push myself once again. The weather had turned, too, so I had to walk in the mall. Not my first choice, but what could you do? Becky and I were no longer walking in the evenings together because I reffed two days a week and played one, she played some, and it was getting colder. But we tried to hit the treadmill upstairs when we could. (I even started running a mile straight for the first time ever!!) I had to do more on my own, and I'm not a great self-motivator!! Would this be a gain week for me??

WEIGH IN - WEEK FOURTEEN - 0 pound loss! Another bullet dodged! A huge week for Becky helped keep us in the lead, but Tausha stole her thunder, doubling Becky's week 14 weight loss! Both the overall and the individual title were in doubt for us...we were confident we could win, but we had to start our sprint. Becky had surpassed her goal of getting back to her pre-pregnancy weight a few weeks back, but, like I predicted, she was scrapping for more to help us win. I need to pick it up these last two weeks!!

GOAL UPDATE - Still 41 pounds lost, still 2 to go! TWO POUNDS!! Come on, Tony, you have to do this!

WEEK FIFTEEN

I knew the dreaded double was coming...well, I shouldn't say dreaded, cause I do get good numbers from it...but I knew the numbers were elevated. I tried pacing myself. Walked outside Monday morning. Walked the mall Tuesday morning. But no evening work outs either day. Nothing at all Wednesday. Half hour on Thursday and little to no workouts the rest of the week.

WEIGH IN - WEEK FIFTEEN - 2 pounds lost! I wanted to hit my goal of getting to 220 lbs this week and I accomplished it!! I am so proud of myself for achieving this goal. One week to go, and I'm going to push it, hard!!

GOAL UPDATE - 2 pounds lost, 0 to go! I DID IT!!

WEEK SIXTEEN - LAST WEEK!

Walked the mall Monday and saw Allen from the Biggest Loser (which inspired me to go an extra 20 minutes.) Mall again on Tuesday for an hour. Wednesday I woke up sick!! Oh no! Took it easy the rest of the day, but hit the mall again Thursday for an hour. Some volleyball Friday, and I was able to walk outside with Becky Saturday and Sunday, as the weather was beautiful. I am so thankful that I was able to end the 16 week journey the way I started it...walking with Becky. (She had lost 28 pounds at this point.)

FINAL WEIGH IN!! - 1 pound loss. With the finish line in sight, I guess I got a little complacent. I'll take it happily, though.

GOAL UPDATE - 44 total pounds lost! I ended at 219 pounds, 1 pound under my 220 goal (but 4 pounds under the 3 pound a week goal.) I'm hoping to do the same thing my dad has planned, and keep the weight off for a year. We'll have to wait and see on that goal!

(AFTER - Lookin' a lot better!)

(Surprise, surprise! I went down 2 whole pant sizes!!)

TEAM WINNERS - Team Tony and Becky! Yes, we finished the marathon in first place!

INDIVIDUAL BIGGEST LOSER - Becky!

THE FINAL NUMBERS

Team:

1st - Tony and Becky - 17.43% (72 lbs lost for team)
2nd - Dave and Cindy (my mom and dad) - 14.48%
3rd - Albert and Tausha - 12.20%
4th - Glenn and Sue - 2.68%

Individual:

1st - Becky - 18.67% (28 lbs)
2nd - Dad - 16.93% (43 lbs)
3rd - Tony - 16.73% (44 lbs)
4th - Tausha - 12.33%
5th - Albert - 12.11%
6th - Mom - 11.05%
7th - Glenn - 4.21%
8th - Sue - 1.02%

What a journey! I can't claim to be a weight loss expert now or anything, and I'm not looking to brag any, I'm just proud of myself and everyone else for losing so much weight. It really wasn't about the money, it was about the people I love making a change in themselves for the better! I'm glad Becky came up with the idea, and we actually did it...I didn't like being so big!

The Yard Sale

2009-09-24T12:28:00.002-04:00

Yard sales. Some people love going to them for the deals...some love the hunt...some very rare people love having them. I fall into all three catergories. Maybe I am a glutten for punishment, but I have to admit that it is thrilling for me to get the items ready, price them, interact with the people and ultimately, make the deal. The cash is nice, too.

There are two reason people don't like throwing yard sales.

1. It's just too much work. Just the thought of getting everything together and priced is enough for most people to just say forget it...that's not to mention the eventual clean up!

2. Parting with one's stuff is hard. I struggle with that myself.

A co-worker of Becky's didn't want to deal with either, so I was recruited to take on the challenge. After all, I'm not above hard work, and it's not my stuff, so I said yes. It seems she had sold her house, and just didn't want to move the remaining stuff. With this information, I knew I had the green light to be aggressive with their stuff to just get it sold, lest it be swept away to Goodwill.

After my initial consultation to see what she had, I was left thinking we would make some cash with some bigger items, a couch, a love seat, a refridgerator...but there wasn't much more to sell. Just some knick-knacks, some odds and ends. Then the word came down the week of the sale that a few items were no longer in the sale.

The couch, the love seat and the refridgerator.

Ouch! I was wondering if we would even make $100 total. I scrounged around the house for some stuff to both buffer the sale (to make me some extra cash), and some stuff to appeal to a younger generation as the sellers are an older couple, and had older stuff. Gotta know your audience.

I decided I would only need one night to arrange and price the small amount of stuff I saw in their garage. So, the Friday before the Saturday sale I loaded up my tables, a few boxes of records, some DVD's and CD's and a box of stuff from our yard sales past and I headed to Shelbyville to get the sale ready.

I arrived at 6pm.

I was told that the new homeowers would be at the house painting, which made me a little nervous. I didn't want to bother them, of course, and I was hoping they were nice people. My first impression wasn't promising. As I approached the house, a muscular, older man was exiting the house. I introduced myself and commented how weird it was for me to be having a yard sale at his house.

Him: "Don't matter to me, it's not my house, it's my son's."

Oh no, he seemed gumpy. No prob...I'll stay in the garage, keep my head down and get the job done. I passed through the house without much talk, and opened the garage door only to be shocked with what I saw.

It looked like the entire garage had exploded with clothes, boxes, baskets, and miscellaneous items. Did I mention this was a two and a half car garage? I couldn't even SEE the floor. The small pile of stuff I saw a few weeks previously had multiplied into more of a mountain! I quickly dug in, cause I knew it was going to be a long night.

I began with a sort, and piles began to form. Clothes, glassware, bags, shoes, furniture, candles. The vision was forming, but the amount of stuff was bordering on overwhelming. Several times I had to just step back and think about the big picture. It seemed I was just pushing things from one side to the other, so I decided the sort was over and the pricing needed to begin.

Before I marked my first item, the new homeowners came out to the garage. I braced myself for the worst, but to my surprise, they were extremely nice. The couple were probably a few years younger than I am, and they were super friendly, offering me gatorade and pizza. They browsed around the piles a bit, picked out a few things they wanted to buy, and left for the night. That was a relief!

I grabbed out a table from the car and made room against one of the garage walls. I cranked out the christmas items, then pushed all the bigger items to the front of the garage knowing they would line the driveway. A work space in the back of the garage transformed into my glassware area. Shelves on either wall turned into a make shift "wares" area (wares being all the little knick-knack stuff. Pots, pans, small lamps, etc. Electronics took a shelf. Baskets spread out under the shelves.

It was now after 10 pm. The garage looked like it was barely touched. I began to panic a bit, thinking it would not get done.

That's when I made the executive decision to go "auction-style" with stuff...that is, I threw similar stuff into boxes and marked it "ENTIRE BOX FOR ..." whatever price I deemed fit. This sped things up a bit. But what was I going to do with Mt. Clothes Fuji over in the corner?? Forget it, move on.

Finally, at 2 am, I pulled the plug. Everything was priced, and with another hour or so the next morning, I was confident I could make it happen. Knowing that yard sales always have early birds (and the sale was set to begin at 8 am), I decided I needed to leave Columbus at 6 am, it is about a 35 minute drive to Shelbyville after all, so that would give me an hour and a half before the official start time.

I was in bed at 2:45 am, up at 5:15 am. Adreniline was going to have to get me through. I arrived at the sale spot at 6:45 and began pulling stuff out to the drive. It was a controlled chaos. I didn't have time to waste, so I just grabbed and pushed. To my amazement, no one showed up until 7:45 (I learned later the seller put "no early sales" in the newspaper ad, and people actually listened.)

I didn't get the dvd's, cd's or records out before the flood gates opened, but people didn't seem to care. They dug right in and looked in the boxes anyway until I could get them set properly. I had one more HUGE PROBLEM.

Mt. Clothes Fuji.

I brought my saw horses and a flat board because I decided I was just going to throw them on the table (to get them off the ground) and employ a clothing tactic that had worked great for me and Becky in the past: Fill a bag for a $1. That's right, you cram whatever you can into a bag, and pay a $1. Clothes typically don't sell very well, unless you have baby clothes, so this was a way to cut the pile down and make some cash. Two problems with this plan quickly arose.

1. There were a lot of bulky XL sweaters and the likes, which meant you would probably get, at most, 2 or 3 things in a bag. Not good for business.

2. I didn't have time in the sea of customers to even set up the saw horses before people started hustling me for prices.

I had to think quick. There was only one thing to do.

"Anything in that pile is 25 cents a piece." I exclaimed.

And thus began the greatest mosh pit I have ever seen for clothes at a yard sale. Women began literally DIVING into the pile that sat on the garage floor. It was unreal! Tell me the last time you saw people at a yard sale attack clothes like that! I must have make $50 or $60 on clothes! Remarkable considering they were 25 cents a piece, that's 200 - 300 articles of clothing! This one old lady filled two huge boxes...spent $20 on clothes herself!

The sale pushed on, and I didn't even have a change to breathe until 10:15. Someone bought all my dvd's for $100, so that put some cash in my pocket. (FYI...I sold 7 records and 2 cd's...business was bad for those items!) People sporatically came and went, spending a few bucks here and there. To my amazement, those auction-styled boxes made 3 or 4 times what I had marked on them, because people didn't want the whole box, they just wanted to pick stuff out. I was also surprised that at the end, I only had a third or less of Mt. Clothes Fuji left.

With the sale over, I packed everything up and put it in the corner of the garage, nice and neat. The garage that was a day before filled, was now empty save for a line of stuff across one wall. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

In the end, not counting the $100 from the dvd's, I made $342 for the seller. She graciously gave me half. My final take was $270. Not too shabby for 2 days hard labor! We both got some money, she didn't have to deal with the selling of her stuff. It was a win-win!

If you want me to run a yard sale for you with great results, or have stuff you want to sell on eBay, just drop me a note, I think this might be my nitch!!

Check it Off the Bucket List: My Trip to Wrigley Field

2009-09-16T13:21:00.020-04:00

OK, kids, this is going to be a big one. Make sure you have some time...of course, a lot of it will be pictures, so it won't be too bad.

Yes, this is my play-by-play of my first trip to Chicago...and WRIGLEY FIELD!

Enjoy!

It's always been my dream. Wrigley...the ivy...the seats on the buildings across the street...Waveland Ave...the friendly confines...the Chicago Cubs. My brother, Andy and I grew up watching the Cubs. We always made plans to go, but never followed through. As you faithful readers know, it was Becky that pushed my hand and bought me tickets to the game for Father's Day...and our Anniversary (they were AWESOME seats, hence the need to spread the tickets to two special days.)

I picked Andy up Thursday afternoon, and we were off. The game was Friday, but I wanted to get there, get a hotel room, check out the area and make sure we: 1. didn't have to drive in Chicago at night, and 2. weren't late to the game.

I have a phobia of big cities, one that is getting WAY better since my Aunt Mary Ann introduced me to Mandy...Mandy being the voice that directs me on my TomTom GPS, of course! (a special thanks to you, Aunt Mary Ann, I don't know what I'd do without TomTom!!) I was fully expecting to be totally stressed the last 20 minutes of the trip, but with Mandy leading the way, it was smooth sailing! Our hotel was .4 miles from Wrigley, close to Lake Michigan, so it was very scenic driving in, which was nice. I quickly noted that Chicago was one of the "cleanest dirty cities" I've been to. (it is downtown in a big city after all.)

After a few minutes, Mandy informed us we had reached our destination. There was one problem...we didn't see our hotel! We drove down the road and stopped at a Walgreens. It was for the best, as I needed some deodorant, and Andy needed a restroom. I asked the guy at the counter, who was EXTREMELY nice, where the hotel was, and he directed me to it. I grabbed the deodorant and a cool Cubs batting helmet pen holder (on sale for 50% off $15) and started to check out.

Walgreens Guy: "I'll sell you a second helmet for 3.50 if you want another one."

Me: "SOLD!"

Walgreens Guy: "Good, I'm tired of looking at those things!"

Already the Chicagoians (or is it Chicagoites??) were proving to be nice people!

We backtracked right to our hotel. The hotel had no parking, but there was a parking garage next door attached to the hotel. In doing my research, I noticed that was where we needed to park, so I pulled in. The sign ahead of us read:

STOP! LEAVE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WE WILL PARK IT FOR YOU.

I looked cautiously at Andy, and sat unsure of what to do. I wasn't about to just leave my car without talking to someone. After about 10 seconds, an attendant came out and gave me a ticket. I gave him the keys, grabbed our stuff and left the car in his hands.

Not to worry, the hotel attendant assured me that was the way it works. I felt better. The attendant checked us in (he was very polite, too!!) and we went to our room. We made a quick call to our lady folk, and set off to walk over to Wrigley Field to take some photos and map our route for the next day's game.

As we turned the corner onto Addison, I asked Andy if we were going the right direction as I starred at the map.

Andy: "Um, yeah, I think so..." he said as he tapped my arm and pointed up ahead. There, in front of us in the distance was Wrigley Field!

(The scoreboard from outside of Wrigley Field.)

(Harry Carey statue with Wrigley in the background.)

(Ernie Banks statue.)

(The famous Wrigley Field sign.)

We made a lap around the entire stadium, taking it all in. I touched one of the outside walls and just couldn't believe I was there. At one point, we could see through to the inside of Wrigley Field! We both, without hesitation, took a quick glance and turned away.

Andy looked at me and said just what I was thinking..."we shouldn't look, I don't want to spoil it for tomorrow." He was right...taking that glance made me feel guilty. We needed to wait.

We walked down North Clark to Palermo's "Red Ivy" restaurant, a place that specialized in Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza. You can't go to Chicago and not have Deep-Dish Pizza, right? We were met by the third, and maybe the most, friendly Chicagoian, our waitress, Karissa. We ordered a large pizza, and she quickly informed us that we didn't want the large, we probably wanted the small.

Me: "I don't know, we are pretty big guys!"

Karissa: "Trust me, you don't want the large!"

We compromised and ordered the medium. She informed us it would be 45 minutes to cook the pizza, it was very thick after all. Andy and I chatted about sports, and watched the football game preview while we waited, which was nice because I don't get to talk to Andy as much as I would like, and the dude is an encyclopedia of Sports knowledge. Easily the most knowledgeable sports fan I know!

Then the pizza arrived. Now I'm one to admit when I am wrong, and Karissa, if you are reading this by some odd coincidence, I WAS WRONG! That pizza was HUGE!

(The pizza. Medium. REAL mozzarella cheese. EASILY the BEST PIZZA I have ever had!! I highly recommend Palermo's "Red Ivy" Italian Restaurant.)

We waddled back to the room, was talked out of a few bucks by guys on the street (I'm an easy target!) and watched the Steelers beat the Titans (then watched the 1990 Bulls beat the Cavs...it was 24 hours of Jordan on the Chicago channel to commemorate MJ's being inducted to the Hall of Fame.)

FRIDAY

I woke up too early and we had to sit around the room and wait. We had the continental breakfast and watched the Bulls take the Lakers in game 5 of the Championships for their first title. At 10, we headed towards Wrigley for the 1:20 game. I wanted to get there, walk around, see batting practice, and just enjoy the whole experience.

It was a sea of Cubs blue and it was awesome! When we finally made it in, we walked the corridors of the friendly confines and found a tunnel to our seats. When we emerged from the tunnel, the sun shone through the blue sky onto the playing field. I almost cried. Here are some pics:

(View from behind home plate.)

(Shot of the Wrigley scoreboard and ivy on the outfield wall.)

As we made our way around, we finally found our section, #34. I showed the guy our tickets and he took us down to our seats...we got closer, and closer, and CLOSER! We were indeed in the front row on the first base side. FRONT ROW!! Wow, Becky really hooked us up!!

(View of the visiting Reds dugout from our seats. Yep, we were THAT close!)

(Andy in front of the dugout.)

(Andy and I with the scoreboard in the background.)

(Various Red's players including Bronson Arroyo.)

(Red's player graciously chatting with a dad and his kids. Signed some stuff for them, too!)

(Adam Rosales, Reds #23)

(Announcer's booth.)

(Close up of the Scorebard. Welcome to Wrigley Field indeed!)

Now it's important at this point to point out how close we were to the Red's bullpen. (See next photo.)

(#33 Micah Owings warming up...don't know why, he wasn't pitching.)

When Owings was finished warming up, the bullpen catcher left the ball sitting on the field about 15 feet in front of us. (see next photo.)

(See that ball sitting at the top of the picture on the left??)

The catcher left and the ball sat there, taunting me. I wanted that ball! Just then, the Crowd Management guy came out and stood right in front of the ball. I jumped at the chance.

Me: "Excuse me, sir...can I have that ball for my son?"

Him: "Sorry, I can't give the balls away, but instead of kicking it back onto the field, I'll leave it there, and if a player comes by, ask them. They can give it to you."

I felt defeated, but I still had hope. And then, this guy came towards the ball.

(Darnell McDonald, #16.)

Me: "Excuse me, sir...can I have that ball?"

Without saying a word, he scooped it up and tossed it to me. I couldn't believe I was holding a ball used by the players, FROM WRIGLEY FIELD!!

(My Wrigley Field ball...complete with a Wrigley Field grass stain!!)

NOTE: Thank you Mr. McDonald...I know I had Cubs stuff on, and most of your teammates were throwing balls to Reds fans, but you don't know how much it means to me to have this priceless momento from Wrigley Field! You are my new favorite Red of all-time! Move over Johnny Bench!!

(Craig Tatum, um, stretching. Ouch!)

(Putting down the lines, old school style!)

(Not sure who #31 is for the Reds...anyone? NOTE: Talked to Andy, #31 is Johnny Gomes...)

Craig Tatum in the bullpen.)

(#31 again - Johnny Gomes - and #19 Joey Votto.)

(Joey Votto)

(Shot of the field during the National Anthem.)

(Close up of Derrek Lee.)

(Another one of D. Lee.)

(Cubs starter, Rich Harden.)

(Close up of the ivy in left field.)

(Close up of the Reds' Joey Votto and the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez.)

I'm not going to bore you with game stats and such, I'll simply let the next picture do the talking!!

(YES, CUBS WIN!! 6 to 4.)

Some stuff to note:

1. Geovany Soto, the Cubs catcher, hit a home run...which was cool to see.
2. Andy predicted before the game, and then again before his at bat that the Reds' Jonny Gomes would hit a home run. He did.
3. In long standing Wrigley Field tradition, the fan who caught that home run ball threw it back!! Way to go!!
4. I said "this is awesome" about 10,000 times...it was, after all, AWESOME!!
5. I got to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (a Wrigley Field 7th Inning Stretch tradition) with my brother!!
6. I got a freakin' ball!!
7. As we were leaving, we noticed a group of people gathered around a parking lot...the player's parking lot!! We saw Jake Fox leave, we saw Cubs legend Ron Santos, and I was a chain link fence thickness away from former player and Cubs commentator Bob Brenly!! I always wondered what I would do if I was that close to a "famous" person. Would I get an autograph? Tell him he should be the next Cubs manager? Nope, I just walked by and laughed like a little school girl with my brother about how "we just saw Bob Brenly!!"

We made our way back to the hotel, retreived our car (no, the mileage wasn't all jacked up like when Ferris Bueller took Cameron's dad's car to Chicago either, I checked!!) and we drove home, happy. (Unhappy that it took us two hours to go 40 miles to get past Gary, but it was rush hour on Friday!)

ALSO NOTE: For there being 40,000 fans in attendance, I can't believe how easy it was to get out of the stadium, and Chicago. There is hardly any parking around Wrigley (except a $50 lot next to the field, and $20 to park at McDonalds across the street!) Where do they all come from?!? I know, most walk, get bussed in, or take the Subway, but still, 40,000?!?

And, in case you were wondering, yes, I TiVo'd the game...and YES, we were on tv...check out a few shots of us!!

(Us, tiny. Click picture to enlarge so you can see the arrows. I'm on the left, Andy the right.)

(We're getting closer!!)

And, then, the money shot. Joey Votto fowled one over towards us...a broken bat softy...

(I'm in the green, in case you can't read the arrows.)

(No, those are NOT my arms flailing around!!)

(As close as the tv showed us!! Pretty awesome, though!!)

In the end, we spent a lot of money (thanks, dad for hooking us up!!) and we had, you guessed it, AN AWESOME TIME!! Love you Chicago, love you Cubs!!

The Universe is Watching

2009-09-04T17:11:00.001-04:00

Well, kids, it's my last day of Two-a-Days, and just when I thought no one noticed I didn't blog at all yesterday (ya'll did notice, right?), along came this little reminder that the universe is always watching...

First time EVER I actually cracked open a double yolker!! Crazy, I tell you.

Hope you enjoyed Two-a-Days...I'll try to blog more, I really will!

Practice!!

2009-09-02T21:33:00.004-04:00

Went down to the 'Burg tonight to "watch" Becky's women's league volleyball team practice. Well, it went quickly from "watching" to playing as nobody showed up to practice against them except for my dad...

So, we played 2 on 5. What a workout that was! Dad and I handled them for the first two games, then went on a three game losing streak as the women worked the court on us, and totally took advantage of us having 2 people. I was running all over the place, and Dad was working equally as hard just trying to run down my bad passes caused by half exhaustion, half great serving from Becky's team. We did manage to take game 6...but only barely!

I am hopeful they will have a great season this year. They look strong.

Wipeout!!

2009-09-02T12:35:00.007-04:00

Whilst going over the yard sale items with Becky's co-worker, Hendrix decided he wanted to walk down her slightly sloped, paved driveway. Well, it started as a walk...then a jog, a run, and a wipeout!

I tried to get some photos of the damage, but most of them are blurry...kids are quick, ya know!

(click on photos to enlarge)

(See the poor guy's head!! NOTE: sorry about the incorrect date on the first few photos...)

(Waving to the camera.)

(Clapping...we were listening to a song on the MP3 player that was "live" and the audience began clapping, which makes Hendrix clap!)

(Reaching for the camera.)

(I don't know what he's doing here...I guess he wanted me to stop!)

(A decent still shot.)

(Once again, trying to stop me!)

This isn't his first fall, he did this to his lip back in July...

(See his busted lip? He fell on a register crawling to his room for a diaper change...poor guy!)

(Doesn't seem to affect his monster face, though!! Scary!!)

(Still a cutie, even with a busted lip!)

HELP - Yard Sale Advice

2009-09-01T15:46:00.002-04:00

Help me out blogger friends...

I have agreed to host a yard sale for a co-worker of Becky's. I have to organize the whole thing, get stuff out, arrange, sale, etc. etc. My problem is this:

How much do I charge for this service?

If I go with a percentage of the profits, and the profits are low, then I get next to nothing. If I go for a set rate, and the profits are low, then I would feel bad for the lady.

I'm not sure what to do...any advice?

Wrigley Field

2009-09-01T13:52:00.004-04:00

There aren't very many things that I would put on a "Bucket List" for myself...that is a list of things I would like to see or do before I "kick the bucket." But one of the top ones would be to see a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Since my brother and I were kids, we loved the Cubs and the Reds, mainly because we lived in Indiana, and those were the teams that we could actually watch on tv (having grown up in a time before there were a thousand channels and 24 hour a day Sports Center.)

But the Cubs were always the main team for us. I can remember the 1989 Cubs who were set to go to the World Series...but fell short in the NLCS Championship game to the Giants...the 2003 Bartman Incident...and all the crushing seasons in between when the Cubs broke my heart.

Back to the subject.

I never thought I would ever go, mainly because of my fear of the big cities. But all that changed when I opened my first Father's Day gift. Becky gave me the box, and I quickly opened it to find...

A bag of peanuts. What?? Wait there is a second box!! It's...

Crackerjacks?? What the heck is going on here?!? Ah, an envelope!!

That's where the actual present was. A ticket to Wrigley Field!! I am going to the Cubs game!! But, wait...one ticket?!?

Seems Becky didn't want to spend a lot for Father's Day, so she only bought one ticket.

Ah, but our Anniversary is coming up, she said as she pulled a second ticket from behind her back. She said she didn't want to go because of Hendrix, so I asked the person who is the biggest baseball fan (and Cubs fan, besides me) that I know. My brother. He accepted.

September 11th, Andy and I will be at Wrigley Field, enjoying some hot dogs and the glow of the Ivy on the outfield walls. Not to mention the FANTASTIC SEAT Becky got for us.

OK, you see the teal colored section behind the visitors dugout? Well, we aren't sitting there...we will actually be in the PINK section NEXT TO the Visitors dugout. IN THE FIRST ROW OF THE PINK SECTION!! That's right...I know you're jealous!!

We will be arriving early for Batting Practice, try to score some autographs, and we will be getting LOTS of great pics to share. Make sure you come back after Sept 11th to see it all, and here about the fun trip I'm sure we are going to have!!

Hendrix's First Haircut - 14 Months

2009-08-31T10:40:00.004-04:00

Becky and I decided it was finally time to get our little boy's hair cut. It was getting really long and curly, which was SOOO cute, but, still, it was getting a bit unruly. Hendrix and I walked next door (we live next to a Beauty Shop, and talked to Betty about cutting his hair. She quickly agreed that he needed one, and offered up a free cut, since it was his first.

Me: "So, what percentage of your baby's first haircuts cry?"

Betty: "100%"

Yikes, I really wasn't sure if I was ready for this or not. I mean, on one hand, maybe she's just saying that so I don't feel bad if Hendrix does cry...on the other, Hendrix probably will cry. Ugh...

So, Saturday morning, Hendrix slept in (which is RARE) and we had 15 minutes to get him breakfast, and walk next door for the 8 am appointment. No problem there, but would he behave in the chair? Only one way to find out!

(We put him in the chair, and he seemed like he was going to do well!)

(Another "BEFORE" shot.)

(The bangs go first!)

(A little side work.)

(Rubbing the hair from his eyes...so far, so good!)

(Still smiling! But the dreaded buzz clippers were coming up next...Betty warned us a lot of kids freak out with the buzz clippers!)

(But not Hendrix! He even held them and helped Betty cut his sideburns!)

(Squinting, but not crying!!)

(Yay! He made it through with no tears!! I guess it's not a 100% cry fest after all!)

(We couldn't leave without cleaning up a little!)

So, the first haircut as a success. The haircut was a bit choppy, but it was his first, so we'll let it slide. Hopefully he will continue to behave, but I won't count on it.

Tis the Season

2009-08-31T10:37:00.002-04:00

Hello again, friends! (Or those of you who are just passing by.) It is football season once again, and that, coupled with the fact that I have been slacking in the blog department means only one thing...

It's time for Two-A-Days!!

That's right, kids, for the next 5 days, I will be churning out two blogs a day to make you laugh, cry, smile, or maybe throw up in your mouth a little, who knows.

So, without further ado, let's get started with Two-A-Days!!

Much love,
Tony

Hendrix Dylan's One Year Pictures

2009-08-03T08:16:00.000-04:00

Michael, Ebay and Me - How I Let $150 Slip Through My Fingers

2009-07-06T14:55:00.002-04:00

With the passing of a celebrity comes a window of time where products from the celebrity have a sudden price spike on Ebay. It's a small window, but it is there. The higher the level of celebrity, the higher the spike. Back when Heath Ledger died, I sold a Rolling Stone mag with him on it for $12, now, you could pick that same mag up for $1 or less. Is this exploiting the dead? Yes, unfortunately, but it's a good way, in a bad economy, to make a little extra cash. Do I feel good about doing it? No. I just keep telling myself it's a way to get the fans of the celebrity the product they want, in their time of grief.

Ugh...I know, it's awful. Anyway...

Michael Jackson is HUGE internationally, and his fame in the States has gone up with his passing. I checked my collection and quickly found 2 lp's from the King of Pop, Thriller and Bad, SEALED! I had already let 3 days pass, so the window was nearly shut on my making top dollar. I had to act fast.

I listed the pair of lp's together for $350 or best offer, hoping to maybe get in the $200 range for them that same day. Within the hour, I had my first interest. A gentleman from the UK wanted to know what my low number was. Since the auction had just began, I told him $300...I must have scared him off, as he never responded. Oh, well, I was confident there would be more offers.

But there wasn't. Not that day anyway. The next day, I finally received an offer...$150. I was excited about the offer, as I knew I only spent $10 or less for both of these records when I bought them, but I knew the records should be getting more, as research showed Thriller itself was selling, on average, for $120 - $150. Bad was in the $50 - $80 range. Why was I not getting more offers??

I had to make a decision.

1. Take the $150 and be satisfied.
2. Counter-offer a higher amount, hoping they would accept or re-counter.

I decided to be greedy and counter. I asked for $250 with a promise to throw in some Jackson 5 and MJ extras. My hope was they would come back with $200, and I would accept that.

The hours past...then days...before I knew it, the auction had ended and I heard nothing back from the $150 ebay offerer. I had just let $150 slip through my fingertips, and I was not happy. But, what could I say? I was unsuccessful in exploiting a dead celebrity. Wow, now I felt really bad that I was so shallow in my thinking.

I decided to re-list the records, and take whatever the best offer was the second time around. I listed for $250 or best offer. I quickly received an email from the $150 ebay offerer. He was asking to see more pictures...and then he wanted to know if they were re-sealed...then he wanted to know the bar code number...

In the meantime, I received an offer of $179.99 from a new bidder. Surprisingly, the $150 offerer never made an offer this time around. With 10 minutes remaining before the 179.99 offer expired (I almost let that slip through my fingers, too!! Fortunately, I was lucky enough to log onto Ebay at the right time to notice I only had 10 minutes left!!) I decided to accept the 179.99 and call it a day.

So, $150 slipped through my fingers, but I was fortunate enough to still cash in with $180. I'm not good at math, but that has to be at least a 350% increase over my original $10 investment. Right? Whatever, I said I'm not good at math!!

I hope you all don't think less of me now for making some cash...at least I only sold records, and nothing TMZ worthy!!

Hendrix's First Birthday Party

2009-06-30T09:04:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to take a minute to share some great photos from Hendrix's First Birthday Party! It was suppose to be at Donner Park, but the night before, Becky's mom informed us that Donner was hosting some big bash celebrating Columbus, so we had to scramble and have it in our back yard. I think it worked out just fine!

(Mickey Mouse was the theme, as Hendrix digs Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney.)

(Hendrix with his Mickey ears.)

(I made the cake myself! Thx, Jean, for the trick to re-attach Mickey's head!!)

(Diggin' in!)

(He never really ate any of the cake...I think he was doing this for laughs!!)

(If you love cake, clap your hands!)

(One messy boy! Hey all you parents with kids about to tear into their first cake, here is a trick that worked for me...fill a cooler with water the night before and after the cake is destroyed, throw the baby in the cooler and wash his off! It worked great!)

(A birthday ball. Thank you, Blankman family...you follow instructions oh so well!! ha ha!! Just kidding, really, thanks!)

(Small Mickey cake for Hendrix, that I helped him eat!)

(Large Party Cake. Hope everyone enjoyed!!)

Well, since I was running around crazy all day, these are the only photos. Hope they were enough for you all!

MICHAEL JACKSON: 1958 - 2009

2009-06-26T10:18:00.004-04:00

The King is dead.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, has died at age 50.

Michael made it easy to focus on the negative. Yes, he was bizarre. Yes, he was strange. Yes, he was eccentric. Weird, odd, reclusive...

However, the man was a damn fine musician. Damn fine performer. Underrated humanitarian. And I, for one, refuse to overshadow all he gave to the world on the strength of accusations.

Maybe he did molest children, as he was accused and acquitted of. And if he did, it's unimaginably terrible...the worst thing anyone could do. But it's not up to us to judge his guilt or innocence. He's will face judgement for that. It would be awful, as well, if he didn't do it. Living with the stigma of such a heinous crime would be overwhelming. I choose not to judge.

You might not like him. I don't care. You might think he's guilty. I don't care. Like I said, it's not for me (or us) to judge him.

I'm just going to remember him and his musical legacy. He opened a lot of doors for black entertainers. He went from child pop singer with the Jackson 5, to disco genius with Off The Wall, to pop superstar with Thriller, to cultural icon with the Moonwalk, the Glove, We Are the World, Bad, Dangerous...

You cannot deny his impact...

From the dancing, to the music video short films...from the singing, to the songwriting...Michael Jackson was larger than life. But in the end, no one gets out of life alive. Some just go too soon.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson...the King of Pop. August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HENDRIX DYLAN

2009-06-22T10:58:00.003-04:00

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, HENDRIX DYLAN!!

My baby turns a year old today!! I will be posting some birthday photos soon. A few from today, his actual birthday, and some from this coming Saturday, his first birthday party!

Keep checking back!!

My First Father's Day

2009-06-22T10:49:00.002-04:00

Here's my first Father's Day in a nutshell...

--Woke up to Hendrix and Becky serving me breakfast in bed. Hendrix gave me a card!

--Hugged and kissed my boy...well, I tried, he was squirming to get down and play.

--Watched Hendrix play.

--Becky and I shook our heads at the sight of how big Hendrix is getting, so fast, as we watched him sleeping.

--Went to Dad's and spent the afternoon helping him with his roof. Even though it was hot, and we were working hard (him much harder than me), it was still nice to see him on Father's Day.

--Had a nice moment on the roof with Dad. Overlooking the street where I grew up, I told him Happy Father's Day. And then told him to please not fall off the roof!

--Watched Hendrix play in the swimming pool.

--Went home, put Hendrix to bed, kissed Becky and thanked her for my beautiful child (and the breakfast in bed, of course!)

--Fell asleep smiling, thinking about how lucky I am to have the greatest dad in the whole world, and hoping that I can at least be half the dad to Hendrix, that my dad is to me.

I love you, Dad.
I love you, Hendrix.

Happy Father's Day!!

True Stories: The Yard Sale Massacre

2009-06-19T09:47:00.004-04:00

The story you are about to read is true. The names are real, the places are real, the situation...well, also real. This is True Stories.

I'm your host for True Stories, Burt Reynoldsonsmokeybandit.

Dateline: Saturday, June 13th, 2009

It was an unassuming Saturday morn, the Gillespie family had just finished breakfast at the local McDonalds and decided to hit a few yard sales on their way home. Little did they know the drama that was about to consume them.

While young Hendrix frolicked in his car seat, his parents, Becky and Tony, checked off the yard sales from the newspaper as they visited them. Becky, who controlled the paper, directed Tony to hit a promising sale. After typing the address into the GPS (which, by the way, is a FABULOUS way to yard sale, I, Burt Reynoldsonsmokeybandit, highly recommend it!!)

The address, however, was very elusive. They drove down the road twice, and found no trace of a yard sale. Tony, impatient as always, was ready to throw in the towel. But Becky convinced him otherwise.

(the following conversation is a re-enactment with Heidi Klum playing the role of "Becky" and Josh Hartnett playing the role of "Tony." "Hendrix" is playing himself cause I, Burt Reynoldsonsmokeybandit, cannot think of a cute famous baby off the top of my head.)

Becky: "Listen to this description, though...60's/70's era records."

Tony: "Oh yeah! Dang, it probably was a Friday and Saturday sale though, right? All the good lp's are probably gone..."

Becky: "No, it says Saturday...10 am!!"

A quick glance at the clock revealed it was 10:02 am. Tony's pulse began to quicken as he envisioned a glorious collection of records. He HAD to find this yard sale.

The young, handsome couple finally located the address and pulled in front of a large, brick house. The house looked like it was converted into a few apartments due to the size, but strangely, no yard sale was to be found.

Becky: "It's probably inside, just go and open the door and go in. I bet there is an entrance area, and it's set up in there."

Tony: "I'm not just going to go into someone's house...what if there isn't a sale inside?!?"

Becky: "Just do it."

Tony exited the car, and looked around for a yard sale sign, or any direct of where to go. There was nothing. He began to walk to the backyard when he spied a tiny pink post it note on the door.

Upon approaching the 2 x 2 note, he read: "Push the top button for sale." To his left, he found an intercom system with 5 white buttons. Something didn't seem right. Tony walked back to the car to talk it over with Becky.

A car slowed as Tony made his way back to his vehicle. A man (played by Kevin Bacon in this re-enactment, cause he's in everything!) popped his head out the window and asked if this is where the sale was.

Tony: "Yeah, there is a note to ring the buzzer, but it seems shady to me."

Kevin Bacon Guy: "I think I'll pass."

Tony opened Becky's car door and told her of the shady situation.

Becky: "Just go ring the buzzer."

Tony: "What if there is a killer in there, wanting to rob me?"

Becky: "Oh, whatever..."

Tony: "Ok, I'll do it, but if I end up hacked into a million pieces, it's on you!!"

Tony approached the door again, and this time, he hit the buzzer. An older gentleman approached, opened the door, and Tony entered.
.............................................................

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BECKY (not the fake Heidi Klum Becky, the real one.)

Becky: "I wasn't worried about it really. I've seen inside yard sales before, you know, when people are moving. It didn't hit me until Tony had been gone for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes. I thought something was wrong..."

Burt Reynoldsonsmokeybandit: "What did you do? Did you call his cell phone to check on him?"

Becky: "I couldn't, my cell phone was at home on the charger...what a terrible day to have the battery die!! I didn't want to get Hendrix out and go to the door, risking someone slicing us up, too. My only option was to drive off, look for a phone, and call him..."

Burt: "What was going through your mind?"

Becky: "I thought he was chopped up!! If he wouldn't have put that image into my mind!!"

Burt: "So, it was his fault?"

Becky: "No, I was just really worried."

Burt: "Hendrix, what went through your mind? Were you afraid something happened to your daddy?"

Hendrix: no response

Burt: "I know, it's difficult to talk about. Thank you both for your time."
...........................................................

Tony cautiously entered the house behind the older gentleman. As they walked down a corridor, Tony carefully surveyed the scene with ninja like precision to prevent a sneak attack. As they entered the main room, Tony dropped his defenses and was overpowered...

by the site of 2 large crates of glorious records!! He quickly made his way over to them, sitting on the floor to get a better look. The two men exchanged small talk as Tony pulled record after record from the crate...The Beatles White Album, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Doors...the list went on and on until finally Tony just made an offer for one of the crates (the other was all classical junk.) $25!!!

Burt: "What was going through your mind?"

Tony: "At first, I thought I was going to die some ghastly death, but then, after seeing those records, I was only thinking, I'm not getting robbed...I'm robbing this guy!! It's the best lot of records I've ever bought at a yard sale!!"

Outside, Becky was making preparations to go get help, when the door swung open to the house, and out emerged Tony, crate of records in his arms, alive and victorious.

Becky was relieved. Pissed, but relieved.

The morale of this story is this: Don't judge a book by it's cover, don't be afraid to face your fears as you may find something great, and if you are going to be more than 5 minutes in a presumed "Chop Up House" let your wife know you are ok.

This is Burt Reynoldsonsmokeybandit reporting for True Stories.

You Better, You Bet!

2009-05-14T08:27:00.002-04:00

If it's better to give than receive, and I give a gift to a friend of mine, am I not saying to that friend "I gave the gift, therefore I am better than you?"

I don't like telling my friends, or giving them the impression, I am better than they are, so I think it only makes sense that I only receive gifts, rather than give them...you know, I don't want to make my friends feel bad.

Mother's Day Fiasco

2009-05-08T11:05:00.004-04:00

Hendrix will be a year old in June. Yeah, I know, it's crazy. Well, for this first Mother's Day, I wanted to get Becky something special, so I decided to get her a Mother's Day ring with my, Hendrix and her name engraved on it with our birthstones. I found that a certain store's website was advertising such a ring, so I filled out the information and ordered the ring. That was when the trouble started. (I won't mention the store's name, let's just say it rhymes with Paul Blart.)

PLEASE NOTE THE VERBIAGE ON THIS ADVERTISEMENT...
HURRY! Order BY April 26th for delivery by Mother's Day.
(Fine print reads: For Personalized Jewelry and Gifts - Excludes Photo Gifts).

APRIL 20th

On April 20th, I placed my order. One ring, names, stones, blah, blah, blah. Ok. I paid for the ring online and soon after I received a email conformation. It read, in a nutshell:

"Thank you for your purchase. Your purchase will be delivered between June 7th and June 17th."

For those of you who may not realize this, Mother's Day is May 10th this year.

My immediate instinct told me not to worry, it was probably a mistake. You know, it was a special promotion and the ring would actually be there in time. With this in mind, I wrote a nice email to the Wal...er, the Paul Blart help desk, explaining the situation and my hope the ring would arrive by Mother's Day.

I got a generic form letter...Thank you, we will get back with you in 24 hours, blah blah blah. So, I waited.

The next day, I got a call on my cell phone. It was a representative for the company. She informed me the shipping information I received was correct, and that, unfortunately, the ring I ordered had a cut off of April 18th for Mother's Day delivery. (April 18th was a Sunday, FYI...kinda fishy in my opinion.) Trying not to get irate (as Hendrix was asleep, and I didn't want to wake him) I said:

Me: "So, let me get this straight, your website advertised it would be delivered by Mother's Day, but it isn't going to happen."

Her: "Yes, sir, that's correct, you missed the cutoff for this item."

Me: "It doesn't say anything about a cutoff on the website."

Her: "I'm sorry sir. Have a nice day."

Me: "Alright, I guess."

I hung up, and shot an email to the help desk once again.

Hello...

I just wanted to send a follow up to express my extreme disappointment with the promotion on the Paul Blart website. I just spoke with a representative who informed me the ring I ordered would not be delivered by Mother's Day because the cut off for that ring was April 18th and I ordered on the 20th EVEN THOUGH the website clearly says:

Hurry! Order by April 26th for Mother's Day delivery! For Personalized Jewelry and Gifts.

No mention whatsoever about the 18th.

Now I have to explain to my wife why Paul Blart isn't getting her gift to her on time, but a month after the fact. I appreciate the follow up, but I am disappointed that the information on your website was incorrect. In the future, I WILL NOT be purchasing items from your website, or your store.

Ok, so that was a bit of an exaggeration, but I wanted to get the point across. I got another form letter email: Sorry we couldn't help, if there is anything we can do let us know, blah blah blah.

There is one thing you can do...QUIT FALSE ADVERTISING ON YOUR WEBSITE!!

I started my search for the corporate headquarters phone number, but quickly got sidetracked as often I do. I told Becky, roundaboutly, the situation and explained the gift wouldn't be there until much later than I wanted. I began looking for alternatives for the special day, and gave up the search for the corporate number.

But there is a happy ending to this story. Wednesday, May 6th I opened my front door to find a package. It was the ring!! Don't know if my voice was heard, if the customer service person was out of the loop, or what, but the ring arrived, all the names were spelled correctly, and the stones were in place.

Because we never wait, I gave Becky the ring and the alternative give (a full massage gift certificate...no, I'm not giving the massage, a professional is!!) and she loved the ring very much! It sparkles on her finger, and I know she appreciates it.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!!

More Odd Mail

2009-05-08T10:46:00.004-04:00

Back on March 17th, I asked you good readers what my mail was trying to tell me. You see, I received a coupon and flyer encouraging me to get some Depends adult diapers. Well, the mail has gotten worse! Here is my recent mail...

First, I get this wonderful invitation to be one of 17 people to test out the newest hearing aids! What? Oh, sorry, I thought you said something...guess my hearing is just bad.

Then, I get this...

Yes, folks, this is a Senior Update card telling me if I fill it out and join, I can get 100% of my funeral paid! FUNERAL?!? I hope this is premature, but dang with the Depends, the Hearing Aid and now the funeral talk, I wonder if this is all a sign...or maybe I just got on some old people mailing list!

Well, Matlock is coming on, I gotta go!

Denny's 2 Pound Challenge!!!

2009-04-06T10:52:00.008-04:00

Date: April 4, 2009

Time: 4:45 pm

Place: Denny's Beer Barrel Pub - Clearfield, PA

Mission: Complete the monster 2 pound Denny's Pub challenge in under one hour.

The challenger:

(Me)

The 2 pound Opponent:

(Check the size next to the water bottle!)

Now check it next to my head!

(my buddy, Dan, also tried the challenge!!)

Ok, here are the stats on this burger, so you know what I was dealing with:

Burger: 2 pounds
Cheese: 5 slices
Bun: More than I thought
Mayo: Slathered on the top bun
Onion: Half an onion at least.
Tomato: Full tomato at least.
Banana Peppers: A bunch
Lettuce: 5 large leafs. (or should it be leaves? Anyone?)
And a mystery ingredient that I will name later.

The top bun, I would say, was probably the same thickness as the burger, which was a good 2 inches at least.

I had a strategy going in, based on the trial run I did (check the archives if you want to read that story.) My plan was simple:

1. Deconstruct the burger immediately so the mayo wouldn't contaminate the rest of the burger. This was due to my inability to eat the mayo in the trial run, thus causing me to gag.

2. Eat the mayo bun first, so it was gone.

3. Eat the veggies...the tomato, onion, banana peppers, lettuce. A salad, if you will, before the main course.

4. Chow on burger, bun, burger, bun...

5. Finish and lapse into a burger induced coma.

I deconstructed and went to work.

(My three piles...bun, toppings, burger. NOTE: the fries in the foreground were not mine...my buddy, Dan ordered them...he was cocky.)

(They wouldn't give me a fork, but they didn't say I couldn't use the pickle's spear to help me!!)

As I went to work on the lettuce. I was shocked to find under it a mystery ingredient...relish. I HATE relish! I took the first little bite and gagged...I would have to get creative. Dan recommended mixing it with a bite of other stuff. It worked!!

But, as you can see from the next photo, I began slipping into the burger induced coma a little early!

I shook it off and soldiered on.

I was slowing down with 20 minutes left on the clock...

...but I knew the end was near. With 10 minutes left, I knew the dream was over. I never gave up, but I knew I would never make it in an hour. Just for the record, I don't think I would have made it period. I was just about over eating hamburger, and bun. Maybe in an hour and a half...maybe not.

(Defeated...)

(Thumbs down...)

Like with the trial run, I still had about 1/2 pound to go on the burger...

...but I still had the entire bottom bun.

Defeated, I ordered a shot (cause I wanted the shot glass for a souvenir) and slammed down the fire water...bleeech!

And then we left...no fanfare, no name on the plaque, just two ordinary Joe's stuffed and defeated by the 2 lb. Denny's challenge.

In case you were wondering, here's how my buddy, Dan, finished...

He ate all the burger, but little of the bun or toppings. Oh, and a bunch of fries!

Over all it was a great little trip...special thanks to Dan for everything! Especially the great company and putting himself in misery to try the challenge with me. Thanks, Dan!!

And to all of you readers...sorry, I let you down!!

Denny's Trip Update

2009-03-30T10:01:00.002-04:00

******************UPDATE********************

The trip to Denny's Beer Barrel Pub is on schedule for Saturday, April 4th. I will be attempting the giant two pound burger. Please comment any words of advice or encouragement that I can take with me on my journey...I will bring back tales of the monster, photos and hopefully the tee shirt that comes with slaying the monster!!

Wish me luck!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

2009-03-17T13:55:00.004-04:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

(Downtown Indy - Green Canal)

Those who know me know I love this holiday. We Gillespie's really embrace our Irish roots. I decided Hendrix should share in my enthusiasm, so I dressed him in his first St Patty's Day outfit and snapped some photos.

Enjoy!!

(Big St Patty's Day cheeser!)

(Sitting still for once!)

(Isn't he cute??)

(Coming at ya!! He was standing and fell right as I was taking the photo!!)

Ok, now go drink something green!!

What is my Mail Trying to Tell Me??

2009-03-17T13:41:00.004-04:00

My birthday isn't until April, but already I'm feeling old. Why you might ask? Well, it's because of some disturbing mail I received today.

Either I AM getting old, or someone is playing a cruel, cruel joke on me!

(click photo to enlarge)

Yes, that's right, sonny, I got an invite to get me some Depend adult diapers. Note the $2 off coupon!! BONUS!!

And, in case I wasn't sold on buying some of these, here is a nice incentive!!

An Alien Invasion!

2009-02-24T14:48:00.002-05:00

The clock had just rolled over to 3:30 am. The morning found me outstretched on the couch with Hendrix carefully perched on my chest. The street light from across the road peeked through the window. The normally busy road was calm.

Suddenly, the white light shifted to an intense red, accented by a pulsing yellow. The white street light was engulfed in darkness as an image moved into view. The blinds obscured my view, but I was sure the large object with the glowing red and yellow light could only be one thing.

A UFO!

Panic began to set in as I pulled my arm around Hendrix, as if I could protect him from the impending alien invasion. Why did they choose Indiana? Why Columbus? Why my house?!?

My mind began to race with thoughts of what was in store for me. Maybe they would abduct me? Blow me up? Mind probe? ANAL PROBE?!? Fear...the thought of pain...the thought of the unknown...

Then, the light began to swirl again, and within seconds, it was gone. I was spared!! The UFO had passed me by.

Wait a minute, I think it was just the Garbage truck picking up my trash. Yeah, that was it, never mind.

UPDATE: Burger Trip

2009-02-19T13:40:00.003-05:00

With the Big Burger Trip only days away, I called my "burger buddy," Dan, and worked on finalizing the plans.

Me: "You ready to kick some big burger butt!!"

Dan: "Yeah...kinda, I have this bad cough, I'm going to the doctor to get it checked out."

Me: "Crap...well, let me know what you find out."

A few hours later:

Dan: "Dude, just found out my cough is pneumonia."

Me: "Double crap!"

Dan: "I have some meds, I should be fine by Saturday, though."

A few hours later:

Dan: "My prescriptions are $200..."

Me: "Let's just pontpone."

Dan: "Yeah, that sounds like the best plan.

So, it looks like I will try and conquer the two pounder the first weekend in April. Two more months of preperation...that 2 pounder will be conquered!!

Round One: Tony vs the Two Pound Burger Trial Run

2009-02-05T19:47:00.017-05:00

The challenge was set...2 lbs of hamburger, 8 hamburger buns, one tomato, half a head of lettuce, 6 slices of cheese and a 1/4 cup each of ketchup, mustard and mayo.

All of this in one hour.

I know what some of you are thinking..."oh, that's easy, I could do that no problem!!" But consider this: this burger is the equivilent to eating 8 Quarter Pounders from McDonalds. (that's eight Royales with cheese, for my European friends...)

EIGHT!

This is no easy task.

(click any photo to enlarge.)

(The goods.)

(One 2 lb. burger patty.)

(The burger cooks.)

(The burger goes on the fixins.)

(Add the cheese...)

(...and the buns...)

(Enter the challenger!)

(One hour time limit.)

(I'm ready to chow down!!)

(5 minutes in...)

(Still looking good.)

(10 minutes down...)

(Oh, I got this!!)

(Looks like I'm about half way through. It is at this point I realize I should have paced myself a little better. I tore through the first half, but I was definitely slowing down.)

(15 minutes in...)

(Iffy at best.)

(20 minutes in...)

(Ugh...I really hit the wall at this point.)

(25 minutes in...)

(It's not looking good.)

(The half way point.)

(At this point, I was gaging...not because I was full, not because of the bread...it was partially the burger, but mostly the condiments. The mayo was making me cringe!!)

(35 minutes in...)

(I could tell at this point that another bite of burger would be impossible. The burger and condiments were killing me.)

(I ate the last bun, and prepared to throw in the towel.)

(40 minutes in...)

(That's it...it's all over!!)

(Put a fork in me...I'm done.

(I'm throwing in the towel.)

(I finished choking down the last bun top.)

(I had one and a half bottom buns, and a little less than half pound of burger left.)

(The challenger had been defeated!!)

Before I ate, we made predictions on the outcome of the challenge.

(Hendrix wrote this note...awe, isn't he sweet, he loves his daddy no matter what happens! Yes, that's what it says...I'm his dad, I know!!)

(I predicted domination...I was wrong.)

(Becky was right, she knew I could not defeat the 2 pounder.)

Overall, I learned a lot. Pace myself more, maybe eat more burger and less buns first, as the buns were easy to eat at the end. And above all, hope like crazy the mayo isn't as thick at Denny's Beer Barrel Pub!

The trip is February 21st...I will post my results soon thereafter!!

Two Pounder Trial Run Tonight!!

2009-02-05T09:55:00.004-05:00

Friends, I have a few upcoming blogs that will be of great interest to you...

My friend, Dan, and I are going on a road trip February 21st to a place called Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Pennsylvania. What's so exciting about a little pub in PA?? THIS:

I know the pic is small, but the burger is not. This is the "small" 2 lb burger that Denny's offers, and I am going to eat it. They also offer a 3, 6 (Ye Olde 96er), 15 50 and 123 lb burger. I will not eat those.

Tonight, I am going to do a trial run with 2 lbs of burger, 8 buns, one full tomato, condiments, cheese, etc. Becky thinks I should do a trial run just to see how hard it'll be. So, I will. Becky will be photographing my progress, and I will post in a few days, when I'm out of this burger coma.

I only worry about two things: the buns, and the one hour time limit.

I will post again soon, wish me luck!!

The MySpace/Facebook Dilemma

2009-01-29T12:14:00.002-05:00

Over the past few months (or more depending on who you talk to), I have become an avid fan of both MySpace and Facebook. For those of you not in the know, these are sites on which you can make a page and keep in touch with old friends, acquaintances, bands, actors/actresses, etc.

I first got on MySpace, which I think I still prefer, a few years ago when my friend, Chris, told me about his band Pax Astra's page. After burning up his page and listening to his songs over and over (love the music, truly!!) I decided to get a page of my own...then, to make a long story short, Facebook came along and a lot of my MySpace friends and others that I knew and wanted to reconnect with seemed to make the move to Facebook.

I succumbed.

I try to limit myself to people I know, and not accept people just trying to "make new friends" because that's kinda silly, I think. I will admit to a few caveats to that rule...I have a few bands, and such...don't judge me!!

It seems that recently, I've been getting friend requests from people I knew, but not really. People that I wasn't friends with, or even friendly with for that matter. I'm sure some people have accepted me on the basis of "I'll accept him, because I knew of him," but I really try to only ask people to be my friend, if I thought they were my friend...

So, the question is, what is the etiquette on this? Just ignore them? Accept them?? I think I will Ignore for now, until someone makes me feel bad about it, then I'll open the flood gates. I just can't justify it...what do you guys think??

To Honk, or Not To Honk

2009-01-27T13:43:00.002-05:00

Sometime in the modern era, it became a known practice to honk your horn if the car in front of you doesn't go when the traffic light switches from red to green. You all know what I'm talking about, right? Give the driver a little courtesy honk?

Anyway, it's a known practice.

The other day, as Becky and I rounded the corner, we came to a red light with one car in front of us. As the light turned to green, the car in front of us didn't move. I wanted to give the courtesy honk, but I was scared. You see, my friends, the car in front of me was a police officer.

Becky: "Honk the horn!"

Me: "No way, man, it's a cop!"

Becky: "So, just do it!"

Me: "No way, he's gonna arrest me or something!"

Becky: "For what? Telling him the light is green?"

Me: "Well, disturbing the peace or something, you never know!"

Becky: *shifts impatiently

Me: *starting to reach for the horn..."I can't, I just can't!"

The police car starts to go through the light, ending our ordeal after what seemed like forever, but in reality was only about 10 seconds.

Me: "Would you have honked?"

Becky: "I don't know, probably not."

Me: *sideways glance. followed by eye roll.

The question is, good friends, would YOU have honked? I bet not...

Thumb: An Update

2009-01-20T09:20:00.002-05:00

At 4 weeks post-break, I was confident the doctor would pull the pin from my broken thumb. I was ready to get that stupid thing out, bend my thumb a few times, and get ready for the upcoming co-ed volleyball season.

If only it were that easy.

The doctor threw the first curve ball at that very 4 week visit, saying he wanted to wait one more long, agonizing week before he would take the pin out. I was frustrated, but in the grand scheme, it was probably for the best. After all, a re-injury would have put me on the shelf for the whole co-ed season, and that couldn't happen.

After the 7 days, I returned and steeled my nerves for the pin removal. I was expecting a shot to numb, and then a highly specific tool to come in and slide the pin from my thumb using the yellow ball on the tip as the main gripping point. Quick, easy, painless.

Little did I know, it wasn't going to be quick, easy or painless.

I sat, worrying about the removal for about a half hour before the doctor came in. It was time, he said, reaching into a cabinet for that highly specific tool I spoke of...only it wasn't a highly specific tool. It was a pair of pliers.

A PAIR OF PLIERS!!

He unscrewed the yellow ball from the pin, which was my second surprise, but not the worst surprise, which was about to come. He started coming towards me with the pliers.

"Wait a minute, doc...no numbing shot?" I nervously asked.

"Oh, no. You won't need that." he smiled.

"This is going to hurt, isn't it?" my nerves began to show, I began to sweat.

"Nah, I do this all the time on little kids, and they never mind the feeling." he reassured me.

He locked onto the pin and began sliding and twisting the pin out. I felt woozy. When he got the the last quarter inch, he yanked the pin free. I nearly fell off the table. Did it hurt? Oh yeah. Not really bad, I guess, it was just an odd pinching, suction type feeling of a PIN SLIDING OUT OF MY BONE BY THE USE OF PLIERS!!

The hole began to leak blood, but neither the doctor or nurse seemed to care, so I held my thumb over the carpet and waited for it to drip down. The nurse caught it before it did, barely. The doctor said goodbye, and left. I had to ask for a band-aid to stem the blood flow.

They sent me over to Physical Therapy, where I desperately tried to bend my thumb, but could not. Not even a little. Nothing. I guess it was pinned straight for a month.

Co-ed season began a few weeks later, and I was sidelined. One match, two matches, three matches. I was exploding inside. My team was holding it down, only losing 1 of 9, so I couldn't complain, but I wanted to play. I returned to the doctor, and he said:

"I would like to wait another 5 weeks (12 weeks total)."

Me: *jaw dropping silence

Doc: "If this was your profession, we would get you out there quicker, but since it's just recreation, I think you should wait at least 10 weeks."

Me: "Recreation?? You obviously don't know how important this is, and you've obviously never seen me play!"

Doc: "Well, the break has healed really well, but if you get jammed one time on the tip, it could re-break before the 12 weeks, when it should be fully healed."

Me: *grinding teeth to avoid cussing

Doc: "Since it looks good, maybe 8 to 10 weeks..."

Me: *stern look at doc

Doc: "...Or whatever you feel comfortable with. It does look good, just be careful."

I chose 7 1/2 weeks to return. It felt comfortable. I played only back row the first game, and three quarters of the second game. I couldn't resist playing the whole third game, however.

I made a conscious effort to not think about the thumb. I set a few balls, took a few serves with my hands, and even dove for a few. No prob. I was a bit sheepish when I would jump to block, once I even jumped with only my right hand...guess I'm still a bit gun shy.

We won all three that night, and all three the next match. Tonight, we play Big Country, the man who broke my thumb, and his team. I am not scared*.

(*who am I kidding?!? I AM scared!)

The thumb feels great, and I'm ready to continue on. Hopefully, the break will fully heal, making the chance of re-injury "next to impossible" the doctor said.

"Sounds like a challenge," Big Country said.

Have mercy!!

Quick Shout Out: Danke, Ich Liebe Dich Aller!!

2009-01-20T09:03:00.004-05:00

Before I start my next blog, I have to say welcome to my many German friends! I was shocked to see I am nearly as visited there, as I am in my own country!! (193 US visitors, 141 German visitors out of the last 500 page views.) More shocking is this factoid:

Last 500 views: (# of visits, Percentage of total, State/Country)

43 8.60% Nordrhein-westfalen Germany
25 5.00% Baden-wurttemberg Germany
23 4.60% Oberosterreich Austria
22 4.40% Bayern Germany
21 4.20% California United States
19 3.80% Illinois United States
19 3.80% Rheinland-pfalz Germany
17 3.40% Wien Austria
17 3.40% Hessen Germany
16 3.20% Staden Kobenhavn Denmark
13 2.60% New York United States
11 2.20% Indiana United States

Yes, that's right, folks...11 places visit my site more than my own state, Indiana. The state where a large majority of my family and friends live. Bummer. But still, I am happy people stop and look, and I really appreciate the 11 Indiana fans, as well...I know who some of you are, and I thank you.

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

2009

2009-01-05T14:21:00.003-05:00

Hello there, friends...

It's 2009 and I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year's. With the new year, there always come promises of weight loss, less spending, more connecting with friends, and (usually in my case) more blogs. Having looked at the past several years, I noticed my posts have gone down, but I like to think the content has improved.

Ok, that content business is crap, and I know it.

But, I want you all to know my intentions are good, and the blog will be higher on my mind this year. Special thanks to all the returning readers...I know you are out there, even if you don't always comment on blogs (Hank and Sue, of course, withstanding.)

A few notes on this, my first blog of 2009:

1. This is my 300th blog!! Wow, 300...pretty impressive, don't cha think?
2. I've had over 3,000 clicks on the site...I'm thrilled over that! 600 last week alone!
3. Of my last 500 visits, 47% came from the United States...seems I'm big in Germany (9%...44 of 500) so, in your face Hasselhoff! (just kinding...I would never dream of hassling the Hoff!)
4. I've had viewers from Cyprus, Sudan, several from Poland, Italy, UK, etc, etc...I love it.

On that note, I must say thanks, and shoot me a comment friends! Would love to hear from you.

Let's make 2009 a great year...

COMING SOON...

Thumb Update
Pictures of Hendrix (just for you Aunt Mary Ann...I love you guys, and miss you much!)
Mucho more! (for my spanish speaking friends!!)

'09...oh yeah!!

Those Are The Breaks!

2008-12-04T10:08:00.012-05:00

I've been pretty fortunate in my volleyball career. Sure, i've twisted ankles, jammed fingers, and endured knee surgery and chronic shoulder and knee pain, but one thing I had never done is broken a bone.

Until November 16, 2008.

We were playing High Performance Diesel, a formidable opponent lead by my friend, and frequent blog commenter, Hank "Big Country" Myers. It was the third game and I set up across from Hank to block. Apparently, he thought he could blow one past my outstretched arms. He was wrong. (Of course, usually he is right, and pounds the ball past me easily, on this occasion, I got the block.) Unfortunately, Hank's hit smashed into the tip of my thumb with great, GREAT force.

Now, dear friends, I'm not going to lie to you, my thumb hurt, bad. But my first instinct was that he bent my nail back, maybe jammed it a bit, but nothing more. The first thing I looked at was the nail. It was white and bruised, like a nail would be that was bent back.

(My nail...I thought the ball just bent it back.)

When the play was over, I called a time-out. I shook it a little, and said let's go. Dad asked if I wanted some tape, I thought that would be a good idea, you know, to keep my thumb nail from bending back again. I was on the weak side when the play happened (for those of you not in the know, it's the right, front) and when the match was over, I was in the middle front. So, I made almost a complete rotation on the court.

I joked around after the game that he got me good. People started to mention that it "looked broken" and one guy even got nauseous when he saw it. It did look kinda strange, but it couldn't be broken, right? I mean, if it were broken, I would have run off the court screaming, right?

When I got home, I snapped a few picks.

(The pad of my thumb...a little bruised.)

(The money shot...does this look broken to you?)

(Bending my first knuckle...I think something is wrong here!)

I re-taped it and went to bed. I couldn't sleep. My thumb was throbbing. I took some stuff, and drifted off. The next morning, the pain was back and my thumb was turning black. Becky called in sick to help with Hendrix, and I went to PromptMed.

(The swelling was worse on day 2.)

I arrived at PromptMed at 7:30, and let's just say, "PromptMed" isn't very Prompt. I was told the X-ray technician wouldn't be in until 9, so I took a nap in the doctor's office.

I was finally whisked away to the x-ray room, and then after another wait, the doctor returned.

"I hope you're proud of yourself," she said, x-ray in hand.

(Thumb position in x-ray.)

(X-ray number 1.)

(X-ray number 2.)

Um, yeah, I guess it was broken.

I went to see another doctor (not for a second opinion, but because PromptMed couldn't do anything else) and he said surgery was in order. I was thinking, "Ok, they will re-set the bone, I'll tape that bad boy up and I'll be ready for the tourney in 2 weeks."

But, then he said they would be inserting a pin...I knew my season was over.

I went to the Surgery Center, where the nurse instructed me to strip down to my socks and underwear and put on the lovely surgery robe. This was difficult...ever try tying the strings of a hospital gown, you know, the ones in the back?? Now, have you ever tried tying those with a broken thumb?? Not easy.

I sat in the bed for over an hour before the doc came and took me to surgery. They started by giving me shots to numb my thumb. This, my friends, felt like an injection of molten lava into my thumb...with each CC of the numbing med, it felt like my thumb was about to explode. After three shots, he began.

It was pretty cool to see him manipulating my thumb bone on the x-ray screen until finally it was back into place. Then he busted out the drill. The nurse began asking me arbitrary questions that i'm sure were designed to take my mind off the drill. But, I felt no pain. He drilled into the tip, straight down past the knuckle. He inserted the pin and put a little yellow ball on the end to hold it.

He "baby-proofed" my thumb by giving me extra wrapping...I do have a five month old, you know, and he can kick like nobody's business!!

(My baby-proofed thumb...note the ginormous bruise on my palm!)

(Another view.)

Ok, now this is where the photos get gross. Below is the yellow ball that holds the pin, followed by three links...click them AT YOUR OWN RISK!! They are pretty gross, but not way gross. Thought you would like to see them...

(Yellow, pin holding, ball.)

Disturbing Thumb Image #1

Disturbing Thumb Image #2

Disturbing Thumb Image #3

I have a doctor's appointment Wednesday, the 10th to hopefully get the pin out after 3 weeks of immobility. A few weeks of rehab and I should be good to go for co-ed in January!

(On a personal note, thanks for breaking my thumb, Hank! That was the most expensive block I ever had. Can't wait to get healed so you can buy me that steak...because, as you said, I have to be healed because you won't be cutting my steak for me!! ha ha.)

(Also, much thanks to my mom, who came and helped with Hendrix the first week...you just don't know how much you use your thumb until you can't! Thanks to Becky for week 2 help, and thanks to dad for helping when mom and Becky couldn't.)

Mitch Mitchell and the Jimi Hendrix Curse

2008-11-13T14:31:00.003-05:00

I got a call yesterday from long time Get Out Of Life Alive reader, and my good friend, Hank aka Big Country. He told me that he had just heard Mitch Mitchell, the drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, had died.

I was sad.

Mitch was the last member of a super group who had inspired countless musical acts and non-musical acts over the last 4 decades. After the initial shock, I started to think about the group in general...

Jimi died in 1970, at the age of 27.
Noel Redding, the Experience bassist, died in 2003, aged 57.
Mitch died in 2008, aged 61.
Chas Chandler, the group's manager, died in 1996, aged 57.

All of these ages seem young to me. (Younger than the 71 normal life expectancy for males.)

Jimi's post Experience band, the Band of Gypsys, also had three members...

Buddy Miles died this year, aged 60.
Billy Cox is the sole living member of the two groups...he's 67.

Maybe Jimi was cursed! Here are some other acts Jimi played with in the early days:

Slim Harpo: died aged 46, heart attack
Tommy Tucker: died aged 48, food poisoning/inhaling carbon tetrachloride refinishing hardwood floors
Sam Cooke: died aged 33, shot
Jackie Wilson: died aged 49, coma after suffering a heart attack
Curtis Knight: died aged 54, ??

Of course Jimi played with Little Richard, too, and he's alive along with Billy Cox, and I'm sure countless others. But, dang, that's numerous premature deaths!

(Editor's Note: Don't give me the whole, "they all probably were druggies and that caused their early deaths because you know that's crap. Look at Keith Richards...he's 64 and alive, did lots of drugs, too. None of the above died from drugs, either.)

So, what's the moral of this? I don't know. Just interesting. Maybe Jimi was cursed...I say watch out Billy Cox!! (Little Richard is safe...he's 75.)

RIP, Mitch.

My Voice Was Heard...My Vote Counted!

2008-11-05T08:35:00.003-05:00

I sat and watched anxiously as the election results began to pour in. Would this be the year that MY voice would be heard? Would this be the year that MY vote would count? I stayed up late into the night...well, actually, early into the morning, and finally it happened!

I couldn't believe I made a difference! My man was elected!!

So, let me be the first to congratulate you, Allen Smith, you won your bid to become Bartholomew County Coroner, easily defeating Vest Coroner, or Bulletproof Vest, or whatever his name was!

Congrats, Allen! Now go out there and Coroner to the best of your ability!!

Vote !!!

2008-11-03T13:27:00.004-05:00

There are a few things that I try desperately not to talk about on this blog. One is religion...and another is politics. It's simple really, with both you seem to get a lot of, in my case, unwanted attention. But today, on the eve of a monumental Presidential election, I just wanted to drop a post to encourage everyone to vote!

Yes, vote. Republican, Democrat, Independent, or whatever you want. A lot of people have fought and died so you can have this privilege, so go out there and do it tomorrow!!

Funny side story...

Becky and I were driving out of our town when Becky went on a rant about one of the political signs we saw.

(The sign in question.)

Becky: "There's no way I'm voting for that guy!"

Me: "Who? Vest?"

Becky: "Yep, I mean look at that huge sign and he can't even put Elect Vest FOR Coroner...just Elect Vest Coroner. I mean, how hard would it have been to put FOR in there...it's a huge sign, he had the room."

Me: "Maybe his name is Vest Coroner...you know, Vest Coroner, Attorney-at-law...I'll take crime off the streets!"

Becky: "That's not what a Coroner does..."

Me: "Whatever."

Becky: "Well, I'm not voting for him."

Me: "Is he a Democrat or Republican?"

Becky: "I don't know..."

Me: "Maybe that's what the signs of people running for Coroner usually say."

After driving a few blocks we came upon Vest's opposition...Allen Smith. His sign said "Elect Allen Smith for Bartholomew County Coroner"...it was a little yard sign, too, which made Becky's mind even MORE made up.

Becky: "See, he has a small sign and he can fit all that in there. Vest is being cocky with his big sign, and his lack of the word FOR."

Me: "I guess..."

So, there you have it. Becky will not be Electing Vest Coroner.

For the record, all you political people out there, Becky and I are not all willy-nilly with our votes. We usually take our time and do our due diligence to select the candidate who fits our beliefs. But in this case, Becky isn't budging...I mean, it is Coroner here, not President or Mayor...and, would you vote for a guy who has a gangsta lean going like our boy Vest there??

I thought not.

(Look at that lean. I wonder what Vest's first name it? My money is on Bulletproof!)

Now GO VOTE!!

(NOTE: Mr. Vest's first name is Jason. So, his first name is NOT Bulletproof...but I bet his middle name is!!)

False Negative 3: Results

2008-10-30T09:02:00.005-04:00

I think I've kept you in the dark long enough. Time to reveal the results of False Negative 3. (For those of you who haven't already called and got the results from me personally...you know who you are!!)

Well, Paypal said they would take up to 90 days to decide the outcome of the case, so I settled in for a long, drawn out process. Three days later, it was all over. Yes, THREE DAYS!!

I received the following email from Paypal:

We have concluded our investigation and have decided in your favor. Any funds that may have been temporarily held have been returned to your account.

Yes, I won. So let this be a lesson to you. That lesson should be stand up for yourself when you believe you have done no wrong. Unfortunately, the lesson will probably be when you want your money back, make sure your story isn't about "the sound of the lp," but rather "the appearance." (Or, make sure you lie UPFRONT if you have to in order to win your case.)

Hopefully the world holds better people than that. Can't we all just get along??

False Negative 3: My Third Ebay Dispute

2008-10-21T14:46:00.003-04:00

I'm begining to think I might be a bad Ebay seller, as I recently had my THIRD Ebay dispute. Read the case file, and I'll let you be the judge. I'll post the results next week.

BACKGROUND

Item: Beatles '65 LP, mono, still in shrink.

Item description: Vinyl - NM Beautiful lp!!

NOTE: VINYL IS NOT PLAY TESTED! If you would like for me test an lp, just let me know!

(Please ask any and all questions BEFORE the auction ends. I will answer any questions you might have on condition, playability, shipping etc...Please don't hesitate to ask!!)

Buyer purchased this and one other lp from me.

EMAIL FROM BUYER TO ME:

Hello...

I received the albums today, thank you. The Beatles 65' plays with static background noise more on side 2 than 1, the other album plays and sounds great and I am very happy with that one.

Thanks

MY RESPONSE:

Hi...sorry about not getting back with you sooner...as stated in my description, I only grade the lp on sight, they are not play tested unless requested before the end of auction. sorry !!

BUYER RESPONSE:

why have a 7 day return policy? a NM vinyl should SOUND NM you can see the marks under bright it miss-graded the other album was dead on. i'll take it up with paypal.

ADDITIONAL INFO...from the description of the item...

Return policy details: The buyer has 7 days to return the item (the buyer pays shipping fees). The item will be refunded.

MY RESPONSE:

With all due respect, I never advertised the lp as NM SOUNDING. I clearly stated that the vinyl was NOT PLAY TESTED (twice in fact...once I say it's not play tested and the second time I say please ask if you want the lp play tested). Please, in the future, read the full description before you bid. It saves troubles like this. I am an honest seller with an excellent feedback rating...I am not trying to cheat anyone...I simply do not have the time to listen to everything I sell, so that is why it is imperative that you ask questions before you bid.

BUYER RESPONSE:

I never said you were not honest or trying to cheat me its just my opinion the album was misgraded visually and i simply want to return it. Like I said the other album was dead on and i am very happy with it. No, you never said it sounded NM but it was graded NM and should be pleasant to listen to. i am not trying to give you a hard time or anything or even being nasty about it, i guess i don't understand why you have a 7 day return and won't honor it.

MY RESPONSE:

I'm sorry if I seem defensive, as that is truly not how I mean to sound. Sometimes email can make you "sound" one way, when in reality it's not what I am trying to portray. Sorry, again about that. It seems the issue here is one that is a hair splitting one. I believe the NM visual grade was accurate, as it was just that, a visual grade. That has zero to do with the sound. Therefore, I do not think the refund policy applies, as the description was accurate. I expressly added the play test rules for this very reason...so I would not have to argue about the record. I hope you understand my position...I wrote the play test info for a reason, so everyone would know the NM grade was a visual one, not a sound one...they are, in this instant, completely seperate things...if you said initially the visual grade was incorrect, that would be one thing, but you were disapointed in the SOUND, which I specifically wrote about in the description. On principle, I cannot honor the refund because the basis for your request does not fit Ebays refund policy. I am sorry about this and hope you understand my position.
-------------------

At this point, the buyer filed a dispute with Paypal claiming the item was significantly different than described. He went on to say people should grade records via the Goldmine standard (record grading/pricing guide).

I disputed the claim again, and actually agreed with the Goldmine claim...not because I grade by those standards, but because the Goldmine grading actually goes to my point.

BUYER RESPONDS:

how do my words agree with you? what are you reading? static noise is always due to some kind of marks on the vinyl . you grade vinyl under bright light dont you? again what is the 7 day return policy for i don't see any stipulations on the listing. can you tell me where it is ? if you grade NM then it should be near mint all the way.

MY RESPONSE:

Sir, the stipulation is I DO NOT PLAY TEST THE RECORDS, PLEASE EMAIL ME BEFORE THE END OF THE AUCTION IF YOU WANT ME TO LISTEN TO THE RECORD QUALITY. Goldmine clearly states a NM record: Virtually flawless records are not perfect. NOT PERFECT. A very minor scuff and very little else can appear on the vinyl. You said...under bright light you can see the marks on the vinyl. This makes the record not perfect, but still NM. Besides that, the sound is irrelivent to the grade because I said, SPECIFICALLY that I DID NOT grade based on sound. So, anything in your complaint about sound is not my responsibility as you did not inquire on it PRIOR to purchasing the record. That is YOUR fault, not mine. I've bought and sold thousands of records, and I know how to grade. I stand behind my grade, and disagree that the record is significantly not as described as your complaint claims. If you had a problem with the condition initially, we also wouldn't be here right now...but your first email was about SOUND, and you have changed that, I believe falsely, to a visual grading issue because you know the sound quality is a moot issue in this case. Let me say this again, the sound quality is not part of the grade because 3 times I stated it was not part of the grade...3 TIMES...you failed to inquire about me listening to the record, so that negates your claim and thus the refund policy.

BUYER RESPONSE:

you are very difficult too work with i have purchased records in the $$$$$ range with ease we can go back and forth on this for weeks i am trying to be very civil on this but clearly we are not going to come to civil conclusion .so lets have paypal decide and get it over with.
---------------

At this point, the buyer escalated the dispute to a claim.

I responded one last time, basically I pleaded with the Paypal people to not let the buyer win this case based on the bogus claim that the record was visually graded wrong. Remember, his first email said the SOUND was a little off, not the visual grade. I still stick by the grade of Near Mint, and contend the sound was never graded, and shouldn't be the basis for a refund, as he never requested that I listen to it.

Am I being difficult? Yes. But on principle I believe I did nothing wrong, and I refuse to give in to people who take shortcuts and want to be rewarded for it. The case went to mediation, and the verdict was returned...

What do you think? Should I have to refund the money? Or will the sale stand? Post your comment and I'll reveil the verdict soon!!

Hendrix Dylan...The First Four Months

2008-10-14T12:24:00.009-04:00

As promised, here is a photo history of Hendrix Dylan entitled:

HENDRIX DYLAN...THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS

(it's a little misleading, as he won't be 4 months until the 22nd, but whatever...)

Click on any photo to enlarge

(Ah, birth, what a happy time...well, maybe not for Hendrix! June 22, 2008...7 lbs 10.5 oz)

(2 days old...rockin' his Mini Hendrix onesie.)

(Baby's first bath.)

(Finally at home...first week.)

(Ah, doesn't he look peaceful??)

(Lookin' over daddy's shoulder...one month old.)

(Hendrix's first big smile, caught on camera!! One and a half months old.)

(A little tummy time...)

(Two months old...Hendrix's impression of Pete Townshend from The Who!! Awesome windmill action!)

(Hendrix in his big boy jeans that his cousin Juli bought him. Doesn't he look all grown up?)

(Hendrix finds his thumb...2 1/2 months old.)

(Classic Hendrix stare!)

(Hendrix and mommy...3 months old)

(What'chu lookin' at? Hendrix sporting his Electric Baby onesie...thanks, Nellie!!)

(Mommy and Hendrix...laughing as usual!)

(Hendrix the froggie!! 3 1/2 months old!)

(You get two Hendrix the froggie, cause he's just that darn cute!!)

September

2008-10-13T13:17:00.004-04:00

What happened to September?? Have I really not blogged since August? Well,
I'm ready to make it up to everyone right now!!

It's 1:20 pm on Monday...Columbus Day, I believe. Since I've been a stay-at-home dad, dates escape me totally, but I'm pretty sure it's the 13th. Hendrix is fast asleep, laying (or is it lying?? help me grammar friends) on my chest. His face is slightly red from crying...or should I say screaming...for the half hour prior to falling asleep. Poor guy, i'm not sure why he was crying, besides being tired. I think he may have a tooth fixing to break through.

Hendrix will be 4 months old on the 22nd. It's great being home with him, because it makes the time go slower, and I can enjoy him growing up more. He really has been good, only cries when he's tired really. Sleeps through the night, too...can't ask for anything more. I will post photos tomorrow, I promise.

Volleyball has started again, my 18th season. I feel great knee wise, but my shoulder is giving me problems. Nothing new, just have to fight through it. Hopefully, I will be able to play some tourneys next summer, I'm ready (hint, hint...anyone who wants to play...Hank, let's play some doubles in Louisville this year, what do you say??)

Reffing the ladies again this year, and having a good time. It's cool to see new players, and veterans getting better. Of course, the money is the main draw. It's nice to know we have Christmas covered, especially with 15 nieces and nephews.

Overall, I just wanted to touch base, let you all know I'm still around, and I PROMISE to blog at least once a week, or you can have your money back!!

I love you all...please comment to let me know you haven't given up on me!!

Tony and Hendrix

My Michael Phelps Moment...Sort Of

2008-08-28T12:16:00.006-04:00

Since the Olympics are now officially over, Hendrix and I just don't know what to do with ourselves during the day. (For those of you not in the know, I left my job to be a full time stay-at-home dad on August 6th.)

We decided it would be fun to re-live my glory days as an elite volleyball player by sharing with you the many medals I have won in my illustrious career...you know, because of the Olympic spirit and stuff.

The first medal I won was in 1992 at the White River Park State Games (Indiana). I was 15 at the time, and we took home the Bronze.

(1992 Bronze medal...White River Park State Games.)

(Close up of the '92 Bronze.)

The next year, we repeated our success at the game by taking home another Bronze.

(Close up of the '93 Bronze and the Silver medal we won at the Qualifier.)

In '95, we won Bronze for a third time at the newly named Hoosier State Game.

(1995 Bronze medal...Hoosier State Games.)

(Close up of the '95 medal.)

After winning our third Bronze, we decided to go for the big time and enter a team in the Michina Region USVBA (United States Volleyball Association). (Michiana is Michigan and Indiana, duh!!)

That year we played flawlessly, winning every tourney we entered, including the Regional.

(1995 USVBA Regional Champions Medal.)

(Close up of the '95 USVBA medal.)

In 1996, I was named to the USVBA All Region 2nd Team as an Outside Hitter.

(1996 All Region 2nd Tea, medal.)

(Close up of above medal.)

In 1998. we won the Regionals a second time, but they were too cheap to give meadls out anymore (can you verify we won this Big Country, for the readers?)

In 1998, I made my beach volleyball debut with a first place finish with partner Shannon Burch at the Kentucky Derby Festival, Miller Lite 1998 Volleyball Classic.

(Kentucky Derby Festival Volleyball Classic medal.)

(Close up of the '98 medal.)

Here is my Michael Phelps moment...all of my medals together...ok, it's not 8 Olympic Golds in one year, but i'm still proud!!

I know, I know...

2008-07-25T14:08:00.002-04:00

Yes.

You're right.

I know.

I'll try to do better.

You are the greatest, and I suck.

I am well aware that I haven't posted in a very long time, but I've been tired. I guess that's what babies do to you.

Oh, I forgot to mention, Becky had our baby. Here's the announcement:

(Hendrix Dylan, 2 weeks old in this announcement photo.)

Hendrix turned one month old Tuesday, and I'm generally not for the whole "one month anniversary" or "one month birthday" stuff, but this is a little different. So, Becky made some brownies for the occasion, and I sang a little Happy One Month Birthday to him.

And do you know Hendrix had the nerve to not eat any brownies? What's with that kid?? I guess that just means more for me.

Anyway, I won't bore you with baby stuff, but I will try to post more.

That is all.

Facing Down the Flood

2008-06-10T13:45:00.005-04:00

Saturday, June 7th started out crappy...little did I know, it was about to get much worse for Columbus, Indiana. My mom and dad came from Greensburg to help install a new bathtub along with my niece, Paige and my nephew, Chandler. It was raining when they arrived, but nothing major.

Dad and I headed up Central Avenue and over to Johnathon Moore Pike to Menards to pick up the bathtub Becky and I bought a few days prior. With our house, nothing is standard size, so we bought the 59 and 1/2 inch tub, hoping it would fit into our 58 and 1/2 inch space with some dry wall removal. We encounter our first problem when the tub was brought to the van. It was too large, and we were forced to retreat and get a truck to haul it.

Strike One.

We borrowed a truck from a guy dad works with, and returned. We picked up the tub and analysed how we were going to get the tub into the bathroom, as it was wide, and the doors were not. When we got home and started to unpack the tub, I noticed the drain was on the wrong side...

Strike Two.

At this point, I knew it was going to be a long day. It was about noon and the rain had stopped. I decided that the original tub wasn't going to fit, so dad and I picked out a new one, which was 60 inches long, but dad was confident it would fit. Dad dropped the original off and picked up the new one as I got a refund. It was 1 o'clock, and the rain began once again. This time, hard.

But it didn't last long, as it had stopped pretty much before we got back home. We put the tub on the grass, and dad took the kids with him to return the truck. When they got back, Becky took them to the park, which is only 4 blocks or so from the house. That's when mother nature threw Strike Three.

As she returned, she mentioned that Hawcreek Blvd was covered in water. We thought that was odd, as it had stopped raining and the sun was out. We turned on the news, and it talked about I-65 being closed. We had planned to go to Greenwood to eat dinner at the Outback, but that was now cancelled, so we went to Texas Roadhouse instead. Nothing was out of the ordinary.

We got back home and soon, police cars lined the road in front of our house. Was it an accident? We looked, but saw nothing except traffic being diverted. We turned on the tv once again to see the Columbus Regional Hospital, which is a block behind the park Becky took the kids to, completely flooded. Water devoured the basement of the hospital, and started filling the 1st floor. It was closed and patients began being transported. We soon learned 25th Street (7 blocks away) was closed, 17th Street (the road the hospital is on) was closed, Johnathon Moore Pike (where we had been twice to get the tub) was also shut down. The flood was ravaging the city.

(Columbus Regional Hospital under water)

We walked down to the corner, and saw the water coming up the road on 17th Street, inching it's way closer. I went back to the house, and with the help of the kids, I unloaded my display case in the basement, home to my entire 300 plus Beatles record collection, and transported it to the upstairs. I took Becky aside and pointed out the order of importance of the other things in the basement. If the water started coming, the second display case was next to go (with my Jimi Hendrix record collection), followed by whatever we could grab.

We went back outside and watched as the water made it up 17th, and to the alley behind our house...but then, as quickly as it came, it began resending. We had been surrounded, but the worst was over. We were safe.

It wasn't until the next morning, as dad and I drove around Columbus, that we realized the devastation the flood had caused. Just mere blocks away, the flood had reached the rooftops of houses, just mere blocks away, the flood has indefinitely closed the Columbus Regional Hospital, just mere blocks away, some people lost it all.

(Johnathon Moore Pike in Columbus...yes, there is a road under there.)

(2nd Street bridge.)

I feel a little guilty about the water sparing us, but above all, I feel blessed.

(PS...the tub fit!!)

Having Wisdom Teeth Doesn't Make You Smart!

2008-05-22T13:04:00.003-04:00

I'm not a big fan of pain. Realistically, I don't think anyone strives to be in pain. Of course, some handle it well, and others not so well. I'm of the impression that I usually can take the pain fairly well, but I was still scared when it finally came time to get my wisdom teeth removed. (NOTE: Just because I can take the pain well, doesn't mean I don't complain about the pain. Wait, maybe that means I don't take the pain well...whatever.)

It had been several years since they grew in, and I had been putting off the procedure for about three when I finally ran out of excuses, and the dentist scheduled them to come out. I'm not going to lie to you, I was terrified.

Pain...metal pulling on my tooth...the cracking, the breaking, the suction, the pain. What it I got dry socket?? I nervously smiled at the receptionist as she gave me a reminder card.

"Don't worry," she said, "I just had mine out a month ago, and it was fine. They'll give you the Nitrous, and it won't put you out, but it'll make it so you won't even care what's happening."

Even though I wanted to be reassured by that, I wasn't. I still feared the extraction. When the time came, I had called up all of my courage, and I entered without showing my fear. I was going to conquer it head on, to hell with the pain!!

I watched a video on oral care and the doctor numbed my mouth. They put the Nitrous on me. Amazingly enough, the receptionist was right...I found that I just didn't care what was happening. The dentist came in, and quickly yanked the first one out. I couldn't believe it was that easy!! The second one required him to rotate his pulling motion in a circle. After punching me in the face about 10 times with the circular motion, the second tooth came out.

"Halftime," the dentist said. I closed my eyes and smiled.

The third tooth broke, but I still didn't care. After a little drilling and some work, it was gone. The last tooth broke as well. But there was no pain. In the whole procedure, there was no pain. I feared that it would come, once the Nitrous wore off.

But, alas, it did not. I was eating chicken noodle soup that very night. By the next day, it was Mac and Cheese and mashed potatoes. On the third day, I took Becky to Red Lobster for her birthday. The only fear remaining was getting food in the gaping holes where my teeth once were. Now, only a month later, the holes have closed for the most part. I still have the occasional bit of food to rinse out, but nothing major (I remember, early on, rinsing a full mac and cheese noodle from one of the holes!!)

And, most importantly, there was no pain!!

June 28th

2008-05-01T13:18:00.010-04:00

Welcome back to a Special Edition of Extreme Home Makeover!! Watch as we transform this ordinary office, into something extraordinary!!

(CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

(Before: Corner of the office shows the dark blue bottom wallpaper below, and the green paint above a dark, brown chair rail. NOTE: For all you ghost theorists out there, Becky just swept, hence the inclusion of "orbs.")

(Before: Just down from the last picture, you can see the rest of the wall and the old CD rack on the right side...)

(Before: Here is a frontal view of the CD rack and wall.)

Now the "demolition" begins. I use the term loosely, as the only thing we tore down was the wallpaper. (NOTE: By "we" I mean my mom and I. The homeowner, Becky, was not allowed to participate in this project. Hey, wait, I'm a homeowner, too!! I guess this is less Extreme Home Makeover, and more While You Were Out, except Becky knew about it...whatev.)

Here are some pics of the walls sans wallpaper. I kinda dug the pink at the bottom, but alas, it didn't fit in with the designers scheme, so we had to paint over it.

As you can see from the below photos, the job was coming along nicely, once we added the primer to the walls.

(Our Super Supervisor, D-Bear, watches the action from the open window.)

And then, the paint went up.

We added some border, and a few accessories, and voila!!! We actually colormatched the blue from a bib, and the green from an outfit to get the colors (both were a part of the Carter's John Lennon Collection.) Most of the below items actually came from the Carter's John Lennon collection.

(After: Corner of new nursery includes crib, wall hanging, quilt, rug, and huge turtle.)

(After: Close up of the wall hanging.)

(After: Close up of the quilt.)

(After: Here is a photo of the bookcase which houses some of the stuff we've acquired. Detailed photos at the bottom of this post if interested!)

(After: We framed some John Lennon artwork up, to add to the John Lennon feel in the room.)

(After: This is a poem that I wrote that Becky framed along with a few ultrasound photos.)

(After: Entry Rug.)

(Photo of the walker, stroller, and bouncy seat.)

(Photo of the Pack-n-Play.)

(Photo of the lamp, night light and diaper stacker. The bear just matches, but is not a John Lennon. Still cute!!)

(Two Diaper Bags.)

(Bookends, pacifiers, booties, and elephant rattle.)

(Heirloom Pillow)

(Music playing Elephant.)

For those of you not in the know, and haven't figured it out yet, Becky and I are expecting our first child on June 28th. We are having a boy!! We are super excited, of course, but still a bit nervous. What better to shake off those baby nerves than lots of presents via a baby shower, am I right?!? If you are interested in attending, or just want to send us cash or, you know, whatever, let me know!!

(PS, I'm only kidding about the gifts and cash and stuff...but Becky's not.)

E A R T H Q U A K E ! ! ! ! ! !

2008-04-18T10:25:00.004-04:00

It sounded like a freight train...er, wait, that's what they usually say about tornadoes. Ok, I have nothing catchy to express that central Indiana was rocked today by an earthquake!! (Rocked very gently, but rocked none the less!!)

Want proof??

BAM!! Channel 8 this morning reported that an earthquake was recorded at 5:38 am this Friday morning, April 18th, 2008. The earthquake originated in South-Eastern Illinois and rippled throughout Indiana. The quake registered 5.4 on the Richter Scale.

(Browny Brown-Suit guy and Joy Dumandan bow their heads in respect of the massive quake.)

I was in bed when the quake hit. I was asleep (duh, it was 5:38 in the am!) and the bed started rocking, and not in a good way. I sat up and Becky came walking in from the bathroom.

Becky: "Was that an earthquake?"
Me: "Heck, I don't know...is it raining outside? Is the wind blowing hard?" (Come on, I was half asleep, and we live on a busy road...it's not unlikely for a big truck to rattle our walls...of course, I asked about wind, but it's the same effect, alright? Get off my back, geez!!)
Becky: "No, it looks calm."

And it was calm...calm except for the earthquake, that is. Becky said she saw the shower moving and then stop. A few seconds later, it began again for about 10 seconds. I only remember about 4 seconds of bed moving, so I almost missed it entirely.

I know some Joe in California is probably reading this and saying, "5.4? Big freakin' deal..." I know, I know...but this is the first time in my 31 years that I have felt an earthquake in Indiana. So, for us Hoosiers, it is a big deal!

Hopefully, it's not a sign of things to come!!

Leave a comment and tell me about your earthquake experience!

Rock On, and On, and On...

2008-04-16T10:19:00.007-04:00

Making your home look nice is hard. It takes time, it takes money, and it takes sweat. A few weekends ago, Becky and I decided we had extra of all three and needed to freshen up our driveway's look before summer. Becky made the call to the gravel yard, and soon a large, heaping pile of gravel was dumped in our yard.

(Me on top of Ole Rocky.)

I was convinced the pile would not cover our approximately 1,800 square foot driveway, so I decided against borrowing a wheelbarrow, and instead I opted for the following three things:

A Shovel

A Rake

and a 5 Gallon bucket.

I convinced myself that those three things, along with my own two hands to control the shovel and bucket, and Becky on the rake, would be enough to get the job done. Becky urged me to get a wheelbarrow, but I was convinced we would only have the rock to cover half of our intended project.

Anyone want to take a guess as to how long it took to complete the job?

a.) 2 hours...I'm sure they knocked it out quick.
b.) 4 hours...Maybe it took a little longer than they thought.
c.) 6 hours...Hoochie Mama, that's a project!!

(answer revealed at bottom of post)

So, we got to work...

(Before view of the driveway.)

(Before view of the driveway beneath the car port.)

(Before view behind the shed.)

(The first rake is the easiest...)

Raking gravel, as it turned out, wasn't as easy as I had envisioned. I thought I would knock that sucker out fast...2 hours, tops. But as the time quickly ticked away, the driveway slowly filled up.

(Halfway through the carport side.)

(Wide view.)

(Under the carport finished, half of second side done.)

(Rapper's aren't the only people who can make it rain!!)

(Raking out the back half.)

(Full view of both sides finished.)

At this point in the game, I was completely beat. What the pictures don't show is in the areas that I couldn't just rake down off the pile, I had to fill the 5 gallon bucket and haul it to a spot, dump it out, and repeat. Might not sound like much, but when you take into consideration the bucket weighed 30 or 40 pounds, I had to carry the bucket at least 30 feet, and each bucket of rock covered 2 square feet, you'll understand how tiring that really was! I must have made 50 trips from the pile to finish the carport side alone! (Not to mention the other side, and, as you will soon see, behind the shed, and down the back side of the shed!!)

When we finished the two sides, we realized we had more rock than we thought we would, so I braced myself for the heavy lifting to come, and started hauling one bucket full at a time over to the area behind the shed. At this point, I knew a wheelbarrow would have been the right way to go. As usual, Becky was right.

(Getting ready for the pain.)

(After about a thousand trips, behind the shed was finished.)

(All that was left was the far side of the shed...and carrying one bucket full at a time made it REALLY FAR!!)

(More trips = halfway finished!)

(It took a long, long, long time...but the side, and the project, was finished!!)

(Final view of completed project.)

In total, the project took a little over my estimate of two hours...ok, it was a lot over. SIX HOURS!! Yes, kids, six straight hours of shovelling, carrying and raking. It looks nice, but I learned a valuable lesson: When dealing with rock, ALWAYS HAVE A WHEELBARROW!! (I would say the lesson was ALWAYS LISTEN TO BECKY, but I still haven't totally learned that one yet!!)

(PS, all that rock was only $150! What a deal!)

My Interview with Ben Tebbe: The Comcast Guy

2008-03-19T12:43:00.005-04:00

As I was getting ready to watch Big Brother the other day, I was stopped in my tracks by a commercial that came on for Comcast. I immediately sat up in bed, and with my mouth agape, I began swearing to Becky that I knew that guy in the ad.

"I know him, I swear...I went to school with that guy," I kept repeating. I ran down and grabbed my yearbook and flipped it open to the Senior pictures...

Becky took one look and agreed. It was Ben Tebbe. I made a quick search of the internet and quickly found that it wasn't a Ben Tebbe look alike, but rather, the real deal. I was stoked!! I actually knew and graduated with a guy who was in a commercial!! Soon after, I emailed him through MySpace and congratulated him for the ads. I threw a handful of questions his way, and he was very quick and generous with his answers. The below interview blossomed...enjoy!!

Let's start with the now famous Comcast ads. How did Comcast approach you to be the face for their service?

Ben Tebbe: "I actually got the gig through my agent, Helen Wells. She called me in for the audition. This particular audition was a bit strange, because typically the client (the ad agency or whoever) isn't there...it's just me and a camera. But this time there were two guys from Asher Agency in the room. I read the copy, and then they gave me a little direction and had me do it again, and then I left. I was actually pretty sure when I left the office that I didn't get the job. But then a couple of days later my agent called me and said they wanted me for a 2 day shoot."

Are these purely localized ads, or are the commercials televised all over the country?

Tebbe: "They are regional spots. They are playing in the Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne markets."

I've seen several variations of the commercial...one with a cheerleader, one with a dude playing some sort of odd guitar type instrument, etc...How many adds did you make?

Tebbe: "In that first 2 day shoot we filmed 5 separate commercials. All of them on the same 'factory/conveyor belt' set."

I've heard a rumor about a billboard and possible voice work on radio ads, can you confirm this??

Tebbe: "It is true. There are billboards all over the Indianapolis, and I assume Ft. Wayne too. Maybe other places, I don't know! They don't tell me. I'm everywhere. I'm so sorry the drivers of this fair city have to put up with my mug. And yes, I've done 5 radio commercials for them, too. There are also mailers now and ads in newspapers." (Editor's note: If anyone has a picture of said billboards, or any of the mailer ads, please let me know, I would love to post pictures!!)

While I'm sure it's awesome getting free internet and phone service from Comcast, I bet it would be even sweeter to get to keep that bitchin' shirt you are wearing in the ad.

Tebbe: "HA! I wish."

Did you get to keep that shirt?

Tebbe: "No! Can you believe it?? Although I had one college "so called" friend, tell me mechanic blue wasn't my color. Bitch."

Whoa! Easy there fella!! Why doesn't your name tag say Ben? It says Steve or something...

Tebbe: "Yea, my name is Mike in the ads."

That seems kinda strange...What are you suppose to be in the ad? A comcast guy? An everyday working Joe? Just plain Steve...ahem, Mike?

Tebbe: "Good question! I don't know. Nah, just an everyday working 'Mike'".

Was that really your niece in the commercial?

Tebbe: "Nope. That sweet little girl is actually the daughter of one of the ad guys. But it's funny....in the original copy (script for the commercial that they had me read at the audition) it was a nephew in Minnesota. And I really have a nephew in Minnesota. Maybe that's why I got the part."

I bet it made your read through more believable!! You just downloaded, what sounds like, some sweet bluegrass or folk music...did the directors ask you for input on your music preference, or did you get stuck with bluegrass/folk?

Tebbe: "They did not ask me. Although I do like some bluegrass music...and this guy was really good! He's playing what's called a bouzouki. It's kind of like a mandolin."

Bouzouki

If that is your musical preference, who are your fav folkies? If not, please hit my readers) up with some of your fav. musicians.

Tebbe: "My radio is usually tuned to either 92.3 WTTS or 90.1 WFYI. Yep, I'm a big NPR geek. Doesn't really jive with the Comcast guy image maybe, but. Some of my favorite musicians...hmm...Van Morrison, Beatles, Buffet, U2...gosh, I don't know. I'm not that picky really...But I do love show tunes :-)"

You looked way excited about that explosion happening on the tv behind you. You asked: "did you see that?" Then you proceeded to get us all psyched up for a replay, because you have DVR...then, you never showed us a replay, only the Comcast specials...What's the deal with teasing us like that??

Tebbe: "You want to talk about a tease...I didn't even get to see it during the filming! I'm looking at a f*#@ing green screen! Don't talk to me about being teased."

Sorry!! Don't go all Incredible Hulk on me there, Ben!! Ha ha. Being that we both graduated from Greensburg Community High School, home of the Pirates (GO BIG BLUE!!), couldn't you have talked the directors into putting blue and white on that cheerleader, instead of red, white and blue?? That's, like, South Decatur colors or something, isn't it?!?

Tebbe: "North Decatur actually. Their like dictators these art directors. They want no input from the talent."

I've spoken briefly with some of our old classmates...Kristy Schwendenmann said it was "crazy" to see you on tv. Cory Sullivan called and asked me if it was really you, and Chris Johnson said, "I've been seeing Tebbe, like, 10 times a week. Everytime I yell "BEN TEBBE!" and Jaime tells me to stop it." (Consequently, I now also yell, "BEN TEBBE!" when your commercial comes on...it's great fun...)

Anyhoo, my question is, how have you been received by your peers so far? How about on the streets? Anyone stopped you yet, asked for autographs, stalked you...any interesting stories?

Tebbe: "It's been fun. I've been getting back in touch and receiving emails and messages from a lot of people from HS and college. That's been really cool. I don't think people just recognize me on the streets....But, I am on a social networking site, and I received a friend request from some girl I didn't know who wrote in the message along with the request that she had seen my commercials and wanted to know if I was single. Not sure how I feel about that yet."

Television stars do get the ladies, Ben...some are crazy, but what can you do??

In high school, I was the Yearbook editor and look at me now!! I'm writing a blog with the readership of at least 5 people...You were involved in several extra curricular activities in school (Student Council, National Honors Society, Silhouettes and Shadows), you co-founded GTV (a television new program featured at our school), you performed in many plays (Fiddler on the Roof, Christmas Carol, etc.),you were the co-salutatorian of our class (remember who the other co-salutatorian was??) and now you are in Comcast ads and are the co-founder of a theatre company called Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre. Obviously, the moral of this for the kids is...GET INVOLVED IN MORE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES!!

But seriously, can you tell us a bit about your theatre company?

Tebbe: "Absolutely! my favorite subject. My theatre company is called Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre (www.heartlandactors.org). A couple of other professional actors and I formed the group back in the fall of 2006. We are currently homeless, which is common for newer groups. But we have a world premiere of a really funny play coming up. MIDWESTERN HEMISPHERE by Lou Harry and Eric Pfeffinger opens at the Indianapolis Artsgarden March 28 and runs through April 13. This is the first full theatrical production ever in the Artsgarden. Check out our website for more details or friend us at www.myspace.com/heartlandactors"

What has been your most memorable performance success wise...most memorable personally?

Tebbe: "Depends on who you talk to. One of my favorites has been Gorey Stories with ShadowApe Theatre Company. We've done it three times. What a blast."

What's better...having a smaller crowd and getting a standing ovation, or having a larger crowd who is relatively uninterested?

Tebbe: "I'd much rather have a small engaged crowd. Don't care about standing ovations....just want them to be engaged and care about what's happening on stage. If they aren't....probably means I'm not doing my job."

Has anyone ever really "broken their leg" at a performance? Man, I bet that would be awkward!!

Tebbe: "I've not been in a show where that has happened...but close. During a couple month long performance of TWELFTH NIGHT, a fellow cast member twisted his ankle during a show. His understudy went on for about a week. Another time, during a run of ROMEO AND JULIET, I'm playing Benvolio and I'm in a scene with the actor playing Montague (Romeo's dad, for those who have slept since freshman English class). We are about three lines from finishing the scene, when he stops his line short. He just stops talking and looks at me. So, after a short pause, I say my next line and he exits stage. I do the next scene with Romeo, and as we finish and are about to exit, the stage manager comes over the 'god' mic and says "Hold, please." We have to stop the show. Turns out, Montague immediately started yacking the second he got off stage. Had some bad fish the night before. So we had to stall the show about 15 minutes until an understudy could get there to take over."

Who do you think is more famous...Ben Tebbe, the Comcast Guy...or that Delivery dude from the Goodwill commercials? (Did you know he's really a delivery guy for Goodwill? Weird, eh?)

Tebbe: "I did not know he was really a delivery guy. Good for him! He's totally more famous. Although, you're about the fifteenth person to draw a parallel between me and the Goodwill guy. My mom being the first. I've always thought I was a little cooler than that guy....maybe I need to reassess my life."

No, I think you are doing just fine.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for graciously answering all my questions. It has been my pleasure to interview you. Continued success!! Oh, crap...I mean "Break a leg!!"

(FYI, the co-salutatorian was Julie Brinson...do you know what ever happened to her? I wonder if she's making Dish Network commercials somewhere...)

Tebbe: "I know she went to Rose Hulman....but haven't talked to her or heard from her in years. Have no idea where she is."

So, Julie Brinson, if you are out there, Googling your name somewhere and come across this page, hit me up. I would love to interview you next!!

I encourage you all check out the following:

Heartland Actors' Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of
Midwestern Hemisphere: a suburban metaphysical comedy
by: Lou Harry and Eric Pfeffinger
March 28, April 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 @ 8 pm
At the Indianapolis Artsgarden
Tickets can be purchased at www.heartlandactors.org
or by calling 317-796-2222.
www.myspace.com/heartlandactors

Going Green

2008-03-17T17:33:00.003-04:00

I've been hearing a lot about "going green" and you know what, I think I'm finally buying into the thought.

Going green means celebrating St Patrick's Day, right??

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone...I would write more, but i'm just too worn out...

Snowy the Snowman

2008-03-12T13:03:00.006-04:00

Friday, March 8th, we got hit by snow...hard. Not the two feet that dumped on Ohio, but still, a good 10 inches. Sunday, I went out to do my duties of shovelling the pathway from the car to the house when I realized this wasn't just your ordinary, powdery snow, it was good hard packing snow! Well, do you think I'm going to pass up the opportunity to build me a snowman?? HECK NO!!

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Snowy, as I call him, began humbly enough with a small base.

I quickly figured out that the base was way to small, so I began to add to it.

It became apparent that my original idea of building three spheres and stacking them was not going to work...

So, I grabbed for more snow, and decided to make one big mound, then sculpt it into Snowy's final form.

I added snow...

...and more snow, til I decided this was just as high as I felt like going.

Then, I worked on smoothing Snowy's body out with a nice cold, snow rub down.

The next step was shaping the head, as you can see below.

Then, I notched out Snowy's body.

A little more smoothing to the head.

Some finishing touches...

Voila!! Me and Snowy, Friend's Forever!!

And you know friend's help friends, so I gave Snowy the shovel and let him finish up...I found out a little later that Snowy sucks at shovelling snow. He claimed it was "too sad...it's like I'm scraping up my dead snow friends." Wuss!

All in all, it took about an hour and a half, but I had fun. Then the sun came out, and I had to re-name Snowy as Michael "Snowy" Jackson cause his nose fell off. A couple hours later, I re-named him again as Chunk "Snowy" The Big Goon from Goonies cause his eye started to snag real low on his face, and he kept screaming "HEY YOU GUYSSSSSS!"

By the next morning, Snowy was pretty much completely gone. But we'll always be friends!!

(Dedicated to the memory of Snowy...the Michael Jackson/Chunk Snowman!!)

Leap Day

2008-02-29T11:50:00.002-05:00

HEY EVERYBODY, IT'S LEAP DAY!!! YAY, LEAP DAY!! It'ssssss...ummm...leap day?!? Err...ahhh, yeah, leap day...

Anyhoo, so, leap day, yeah, great, fantastic...see you in another 4 years oh fabulous leap day.

False Negative 2: My SECOND Ebay Dispute

2008-02-26T10:09:00.003-05:00

I guess I should consider myself lucky. I've been on ebay since 2000, and have had little problems with buyers or sellers. You might recall I had my first Ebay dispute awhile back (if not, read this: False Negative).

Well, I just had my second Ebay dispute, and, if you have the time, I would love to share the story with you.

I was selling a few records on Ebay, and everything was going smooth. People would win and pay me, I would ship out. They would receive their item, positive feedback was left, and everything was fine. Until "Kentucky" emailed me a couple weeks after the auctions had ended. The email was short and sweet:

I bought your item and was wanting to know if you have shipped it yet, and when.

I emailed him back right away and told him I shipped the package out the same day I left him feedback (which was January 22nd...I even said in the feedback that the LP's are on the way...)

His response...and even more curt:

You need to go to the post office and find out why I haven't gotten my package.

Excuse me? I need to what?? I tried to compose myself, as I wrote back explaining I took the package to the post office, mailed it Priority Mail, and that was the end of it. I couldn't do anything else because there was no way to track a package that had no tracking on it. It was, I tried to explain, like putting a letter in your mailbox. Once it's gone, it's gone. You have to have faith the post office will get it to it's destination.

I thought this would appease "Kentucky", but obviously, it did not. He responded: (and I apologize for the spelling errors, I wanted to keep his emails exactly as he sent them to me...)

You do not understand, when a package is shipped priority, the is a paper trail. That crap of there is nothing more you can do won't fly here. I need your input so I can file a complaint with the US Postal inspectors. Mail theft is a serious crime, and they are serious about it. So is mail fraud.

Either you come up with proof you sent the package, or refund my money. If you do neither, I will be in contact with the proper athorties.

This is not MY problem, it is YOUR problem. Please note that the package was sent to a post office box. The package was never delivered, so it was stolen while in the care and coustody of the SUPS, or it was never sent. Remember, they also have a COMPLETE COPY of ALL the transactions that took place that day. Still I find it hard to believe that someone with 600 feedback has not learned to keep reciepts.

Anyway, YOU need to go down to the Post Office, or I will go down to the Federal Building and talk to a US Postal Inspectors.

Holy cow! I felt like he was attacking me, and I did NOT like it. I responded:

With all due respect, I do not appreciate the manner in which you are speaking to me. Please refrain from accusations if you do not have the facts correct. I am a long standing member of the Ebay community, and to accuse me of mail fraud is serious slander and I do not appreciate that.

With that being said, I work in a mailroom and have access to a postage machine here. I weighed, mailed, and took the package to the post office and dropped it off. No receipts. You can ALWAYS send Priority mail WITHOUT A RECEIPT. All you have to have is the proper postage. You could put it out in your regular house pickup if you wanted. You don’t have to have a receipt.

So, thusly, I recommend you go and talk to your USPS Post Master and get a lesson on how things work before you decide to falsely attack my credibility again.

I am sorry, as I said, there is nothing else I can do.

That didn't work, either. His reponse:

I can not insure aganst the seller not sending it. Like i said, if the item was mailed prioity, THERE IS A PAPER TRAIL.

You may not like my tone, but you are the one who can not prove shipment has taken place, and you are telling me tough luck.

That is not the way it works. you may be a trusted member of the community, but you are human and humans make mistkes. the greatst mistake is to assume you are infallible.

I paid with paypal.
It was to sent to a CONFIRMED address, where there is no record of the package.
You need to prove shipment or paypal will rule in my favor. PERIOD.

I urge you to rethink your position.

He urged me to rethink my position?? My position is I didn't do anything wrong!! There was nothing more I could say, so I responded:

I gave you the only thing I could to prove that I mailed it, and that is my word. I don't know what more you are asking me to do. I never had a receipt, because there was no receipt, PERIOD.

I will not change my position, because I am not in the wrong, no matter what you say. I mailed the item. I mailed it, I mailed it!! Send me a link to a page on USPS that says there is a paper trail with Priority Mail and I'll apologize, but there is none.

Please understand, I could assume (like you are assuming) that you are trying to rip me off. But I do not believe you are. I believe that the USPS made a mistake, and that makes them fallible, not me. I did what I was suppose to! And, also, please understand that my hands are tied. However you want to me scream it, there literally is nothing I can do.

This is getting us nowhere, file if you must. Like I said, Priority Mail doesn't necessarily have a paper trail. Certified, Registered, Delivery Confirmation all do...Priority is just regular mail that is suppose to get there faster. No paper trail, I'm sorry, but no.

File with Paypal, let them sort it out.

And file he did. He immediately filed a claim with Paypal, and they contacted me. His side of the story was:

I paid for the item, used my confirmed shipping address which is a US Post Office Box. The package was never deliverd, according to the seller, it was sent. The package was never out of the hands of the USPS.Seller tells me there is nothing more I can do.I want ebays help to prosecute fraud complaint.

I tried to not break my computer reading that last line "I want ebays help to prosecute fraud complaint." Everything else was fine and truthful...but he wants to prosecute? Give me a break. I added my side of the story:

"Kentucky" emailed me regarding this lost package, and his information as stated below is correct. He did pay for the item on January 20th, and I mailed the package to his PO Box on January 22nd via USPS Priority Mail(at this time, as is customary for me, I left him positive ebay feedback which states his package was in the mail.) The buyer did not purchase Insurance, did not ask for Delivery Confirmation, did not purchase Registered or Certified mail, or any other traceable method. Therefore, as I tried numerous times to inform the buyer, there is no way to track this package to see what happened to it. Simply put, there is nothing more I, or anyone can do. The package is lost, and while I am sorry about that, my hands are completely tied. "Kentucky" then proceeded to slander my name and reputation as a honest member of the Ebay community by accusing me of mail fraud, claiming that I must have not sent the package, because I have no "paper trail" proving I sent the package. I tried to explain to the buyer that you don't necessarily have a paper trail with Priority mail, you can, in fact, put the correct number of stamps on the package and send it from your home for example. I work in a mailroom, so I posted the package myself and delivered it to the post office with various other parcels and mail pieces from my company, none of which turned up missing besides "Kentucky's" package. Like I said, he paid, I sent, the Post Office must have lost. Why would I risk my reputation by ripping "Kentucky" off for 11.50??

Oh, I didn't mention the records he bought only cost $11.50? Well, they did, and I would have probably just gave him his money back...but it was the principle of the situation. I wanted to teach him a lesson about being nicer to people, instead of attacking them.

His second Paypal response:

Try to see things from my point of view,
I bid on auction,
I won auction,
I paid for auction,
I never recieved auction,
Seller tells me he can not prove shipment was made. Seller says thats it. What would you do if this happened to you? Bid, Win, Pay, where is it?
My Tough Luck?

My follow up:

Try to see things from my point of view,

I posted item,

I sold item,

I shipped item.

Where is my merchandise??

Do I get that back if I refund your money? No.

So, you're telling me that if the post office loses something I should be out the merchandise, but you shouldn't be out of your money?

This wouldn't happen to me, because I would have PURCHASED INSURANCE ON THE ITEM! Then you would be able to: 1. Track the item. 2. File a claim with the USPS for a lost parcel. You need to understand that this is not my fault.

We both loose. This isn't just about you, please understand that. I cannot prove it was shipped, just like you cannot prove that you didn't receive the package. I believe we are both honest people, and that isn't the case, but can't you see the dilemma? Millions of people send mail every day, and the post office is bound to mess up once in awhile. We both fulfilled our end of the transaction. You paid, I shipped. At that point it is simply out of our hands. At this point we have to rely on a middle man. That middle man, the USPS, dropped the ball.

There is nothing else that can be said.

Neither one of US are at fault. If the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn't blame you, I would be disappointed, as I am sure you are, but I wouldn't blame you because I know it wouldn't have been your fault.

I'm not going to change my mind on this. We could go around in circles forever on this, but it's getting us nowhere. At this time, I am going to escalate the claim to a dispute because I feel we are never going to see eye to eye on the matter.

I probably shouldn't have jumped the gun, but I was tired of arguing. I escalated the claim to a dispute, just so Paypal would sort things out, and I would be done with this stupidity. How could I possibly loose this case?? After I escalated the dispute, I added my defense:

I think everything is spelled out in the dispute conversations between the buyer and I. The facts, which I don't believe either of us are disputing, are this: He won my auction and paid on January 20th. I shipped his item on January 22nd. At that point I left positive feedback noting that his item was on the way. I shipped the package via USPS Priority Mail. Since I work in a mailroom, I was able to post the item on my personal postage machine and take the mail to the post office with my business's bulk mail. This is a common practice for me. I mailed several piece out that day, and other mail arrived, so I believe this to be an unfortunate, isolated misplacement of his package by the USPS. Priority mail CAN be sent without a receipt, because I do it all the time. Therefore, I have no proof besides my 600+ unique positive feedback rating to back up my claim that I am an honest seller who would not risk his reputation by scamming someone for 11.50.

The seller and I could not amicably work this out, as he immediately decided to attack my credibility and attempted to slander my reputation by claiming in email correspondence that I purposefully committed mail fraud. I did not appreciate the vicious attacks, so I am escalating this dispute to a claim myself because I do not believe he can be reasoned with, and I do not believe that I am in the wrong.

He paid, I shipped, the USPS lost the package. He did not ask for, or purchase Insurance, Certified or Registered Mail, or Delivery Confirmation. I am sorry his package is lost, but it was by no fault of mine. I have all the email correspondences between the buyer and I if you need them.

And then, I waited. After a few days, I checked in on my Paypal dispute, and the status was "Waiting for seller's response." Since I had already left a response, I felt like maybe Paypal was unaware that I (as the seller) escalated the claim instead of the buyer, as would be customary. So, I called them.

Paypal: "Thank you for calling Paypal Dispute Resolution, how can I help you?"

Me: "I had a claim brought against me, and I escalated it to a dispute. The status says "waiting for seller to respond" and I already did. I don't want you guys to rule against me because you think I didn't respond.

Paypal: "You, as the seller, have to click on the respond now button."

Me: "Yes, I did that, and the only options are...1. Provide tracking information. 2. Provide a refund. or 3. Provide proof of a refund. I don't want to do any of those things."

Paypal: "You don't have tracking information?"

Me: "No, I sent it Priority Mail...no tracking."

Paypal: "Well, then, you are going to loose this claim."

Me: "...what?"

Paypal: "The buyer has Buyer's Protection, which means if the seller cannot prove he sent the item, then he is at fault and will loose the claim. If you have tracking information, you will never, ever loose a claim."

Me: "So, you are telling me I can go right now on Ebay, but something for $5,000, pay for the item, and if the guy doesn't ship it a traceable way, I can just say I didn't get it, EVEN IF I DID, and he would have to give me my money back, and I could keep the item??"

Paypal: "Yes. If he didn't ship it a traceable way, that is right."

Me: "That is a bunch of crap...ok, whatever, thanks..."

I was shocked, and defeated. How could that be? I would think that if he didn't pay for it to be traced, it would be his fault!! But, no. The Paypal man said "buying insurance or a traceable method is for the SELLER'S protection, not the BUYER'S."

I waited, like the Paypal guy told me, until my third notice to give information, and then, also on the Paypal guy's recommendation, I provided a tracking number of 0000000000000 saying that I shipped it Priority Mail and had no tracking number. The paypal guy explained to me that I should just "put something in there, because usually the package shows up eventually and that would buy some time."

Paypal emailed me and said the dispute was in mediation, and they would contact us both when they decided who was in the right. I knew I was going down, but I wasn't going to concede. I also felt sick to my stomach that I was going to have to eat crow and pay this joker back, and I wanted to wait as long as possible before that happened.

A few weeks past, and I got a response from Paypal:

We have completed our investigation of this case. The buyer has notified us that an amicable resolution has been reached. This case has been closed. No further action is required of you at this time.

Huh, the case has been closed? Amicable resolution?? At this point, I wasn't sure what was going on, so I checked my email, and saw there was an email from "Kentucky." It was the most articulate email I had received yet, it read:

The package came yesterday. When I opened the box and saw what it was, I went directly to the window and pointed out that it came that day (2-22) and pointed out that it was postmarked 1-22, and it had been shipped priority.

The clerk was sorry, but there were no explainations.

In the last two years, all the unfunded mandates of the present adminstration have created long lines, and lower quality service in the Postal System. I have sold via the US mail for a number of years, and this latest experience has made me re-think my own shipping practices.

I am sorry it happened, I feel I did the right thing. The package could have easily been lost behind the back seat. We are all human.

Feedback is coming next

At this point, I was just overjoyed that he got the dang package, and I didn't have to pay him back. I was still uneasy that he didn't apologize for the accusations, but, like I said, I was glad it was over, and decided I didn't need to have the last word, so I left it alone. Later that day, I got the biggest shock of the whole ordeal when I saw what he gave me for feedback.

Positive Feedback: Very best kind of eBayer, easy transaction, fastest shipment, HIGHLY RECOMENDED!

After a month of back and forth, a Paypal claim and dispute, and a package that arrived a month late, he says "easy transaction"?? "Fastest shipment"??

Maybe that was his apology.

(Editor's Note: I did email him again, and thanked him for the feedback and told him I was glad the package arrived to him. I was going to tell him to quit being a meanie, but I decided to leave it alone.)

Dark Side of the Rainbow

2008-01-28T10:11:00.000-05:00

People often tell me I have too much free time on my hands. I probably do, but I think it should be noted that whoever came up with the whole "Dark Side of the Rainbow" theory has way more time on their hands than I.

For those of you not in the know, the "Dark Side of the Rainbow" theory is the phenomena which occurs when you play Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" in sync with a muted "The Wizard of Oz" movie. Floyd's music has always been somewhat linked with the stoner community, and apparently the "trippiness" of the "DSotR" theory is amplified even more so than by just listening to Pink Floyd by itself.

I wouldn't know, I'm not a stoner.

However, yesterday, I recruited Becky and together we dove into the "Dark Side of the Rainbow" theory to see if it held any water (without drugs, Becky and I are not stoners...haven't you been reading, I think I just said that a minute ago!!). I wanted to experience this with someone else, so I could bounce theories off of them, and get a general impression as to whether what I saw was a true sync, or just a stretch.

As the black and white lion on "The Wizard of Oz" roared for the third time, I unpaused "Dark Side of the Moon" and our journey began. At the beginning, I can't say I was exactly impressed. There were a few stretches...when the lyrics "balanced on the biggest wave" plays (from the song "Breathe"), Dorothy jumps up on the nearby fence and begins to walk across it like a balance beam...she falls as the song switches from "Breathe" to "On the Run" (which is actually kinda cool, because "Breathe" is a mellow song, and "On the Run" picks up intensity, which mirrors the scene a bit, because the farm hands rush to Dorothy's side when she falls making for a tense scene.)

Here, not even ten minutes into the movie, I turned to Becky and said, "So far, I'm not impressed." But then, things started to pick up. As the chimes began to ring at the beginning of the song "Time," Almira Gulch (the lady who is coming to take Toto away because he bit her) is seen riding on her bike...when the chimes stop, she dismounts her bike. The music is ominous, foretelling of great despair.

Numerous lines from the song seem to match also...especially when "no one told you when to run" plays as Dorothy is walking away from home with Toto, among others. Then, the solo of "Time" plays as the scene switches to Dorothy approaching Professor Marvel's travelling fortune telling wagon.

After a few more vague interpretations are made, Dorothy picks up her purse, and the song "The Great Gig In the Sky" begins. This is the main sequence of the whole experiment in my opinion. Dorothy walks away. Then, you can see the tornado coming as a man is saying "I am not afraid of dying."

The drums kick in...a tree is uprooted by the force of the wind.

A lady begins wailing on the song as the storm's intensity picks up...a door flies from it's hinges, furniture falls from the porch, Dorothy stomps on the storm door...then, as Dorothy seeks shelter in the house, the window flies off and hits her in the head coinciding with the easement of the lady's wailing...Dorothy begins dreaming.

The house is picked up in the tornado and spins as the music swirls. The music sounds like a dream...and as the tornado stops, so to does the music. Dorothy opens the door of the house and you hear the first cash register "cha-ching" of the song "Money." The film, at this exact point, turns from black and white, to color.

("Cha-ching, indeed!!)

The song plays on as the film shows the new Technicolor land of the Munchkins. Then, Glenda the good witch flies in, just as the song plays the sax solo on "Money." The song takes on a joyful connotation, as Dorothy and Glenda take in the scenery, and meet the Munchkins. Several little things mesh well...I'm still a little in awe of the whole tornado scene, so maybe I'm just in a euphoric mood, who knows. All I can say is I was thoroughly enjoying it.

The Munchkin montage continues through "Us and Them" (which coincides with the ballerinas from the Lullaby League and the fellows from the Lollypop Guild...us and them??) "Any Colour You Like" signifies a switch in scenes, as Dorothy begins her journey on the Yellow Brick Road.

Then she meets the Scarecrow as "Brain Damage" plays. I kid you not, "Brian Damage" comes on when she meets the Scarecrow, the one without a brain. Lots of talk about a lunatic in this song, as the Scarecrow bounces around, like a lunatic. Weird.

Not as weird as the next song. "Eclipse" is playing when the Scarecrow and Dorothy encounter the Tin Woodsman. The song fades with the sound of a heartbeat...yes, they are taping on the Tin Woodman's chest as this is playing. Very strange.

As per the instructions, we had the cd on repeat...and it opens with a heartbeat, too. The heartbeat thumps as the Tin Man sings, "If I Only had a Heart." A lot of things continued to match up, but I will skip ahead to some main things I noticed.

When "The Great Gig in the Sky" played the first time, I felt the anticipation of the impending tornado. The song is heavy at first, but almost feels dreamy (as Dorothy is dreaming). It feels mellow. The second time around, the song plays as the Wicked Witch of the West is releasing the flying monkeys. The song seems to bring a feeling less mellow, and more of despair.

The same thing happens with the song "Money." On first pass, it's whimsical and makes you feel awe as the colors flood the screen. The second pass makes the song feel heavy as it plays when the Witch spells out Surrender Dorothy in the sky and the hunt is on to capture Dorothy.

Unfortunately, I didn't know the lyrics to the songs and I couldn't really make a lot of correlations on that end, but I caught a few at the end of the movie. As the lyrics "The time is gone, the song is over" plays (from the song "Time", now playing for the third time) Dorothy's trip to Oz has ended. As the singer sing's "Home, home again" Dorothy is back home in Kansas. And we hear "to hear the softly spoken magic spell" as Dorothy chants "There's no place like home."

There are literally dozens of other things, both big and small that I didn't mention (I think I have said enough already). Some have to do with the lyrics, and some have to do with the changing moods of the film and the introduction of characters (or character's speeches) corresponding with the changing tempos of certain songs. Overall, I have to say it is quite an experience. While there were a lot of moments that didn't match at all, there were more than a few that did. And we just had to let our imagination control the rest.

(As a side note, I've read that instead of looping the CD, you can play other cd's once "Dark Side" ends, like Pink Floyd's Animals and Meddle. Anyone care to test these theories with me??)

Maybe You Can Go Home Again

2008-01-17T09:29:00.000-05:00

Volleyball is in my blood.

It always has been, probably always will. My dad still plays, and he's 58 years old and just had a hip replaced. He's played longer than I've even been alive, and I have to say, playing with him is one of my favorite things in this world.

It's kinda weird that I began to reflect on my life in volleyball this year. I definitely am a sentimental kinda guy, so of course I still have the first t-shirt I ever won (from 1992), I still have the bronze medals from the White River Games (92-94), the Gold medals from the USVBA Regional Championships (1995 and 1998), other various newspaper clippings, photos, awards, etc...of course you are going to keep all that. But this year, I really started thinking about my roots as a player.

Dad would always take us to the Greensburg Armory and the YMCA for various volleyball leagues when my brother and I were just kids. I practically grew up at the Armory, and I still consider that gym my "home court." But my brother and I never got a taste of the action until one fateful night in a little town called St. Paul.

My dad had been going to open gym at St Paul forever, and we would tag along, run around the gym screaming and causing trouble while dad played. But one night they didn't have enough to field the teams, so dad asked if we wanted to play. The year is debatable...I figure I was older than 10, but dad reasons that Andy (my brother who is 2 years older than me) won his first tournament at age 12 which would mean, since we began playing at roughly the same time, that I was younger than that. Anyway, the moral is, I got my start at St Paul.

Now, first of all, I must tell you St Paul is not your ordinary open gym volleyball playing. St Paul was, back then, a rough group of mostly older players whose motto was: "IT'S ALL LEGAL IN ST PAUL."

Sounds like a nice bunch, right? Well, for the most part, I have fond memories, but I still have no clue how dad ever got hooked up with the barnyard play of St Paul. I guess volleyball is in his blood, too, and he played whenever he could, against whoever he could. I understand it now, because he never played illegally. He played to make his game better. And Andy and I emulated that, and made our games better.

Well, we played at St Paul for years and years. Even after we started winning legitimate leagues, we still went back. It was like the Armory...it kinda felt like we belonged. It kinda felt like home. We knew the people, we knew their style of play, but somehow, we transcended that and tried to bring some legitimacy to the newer groups that came. We tried to give back to the younger generation, just like dad did for Andy and me.

When we started playing USVBA (United States Volleyball Association) ball around 1994, 1995, I decided to give up St Paul. Now I can say it was to save wear and tear on the ailing knees, but in all honesty, I quit going there for open gym because I was scared I would get hurt. This was a place where the net was frequently torn down by an opposing player hanging on it trying to make a play. And center line??? It didn't exist at St Paul, which made twisted ankles and knees likely, if not expected.

Andy and dad continued the tradition, but I gracefully bowed out of the St Paul limelight, and never went back.

Until a few weeks ago.

It had been 12, 13 years since I played a game at St Paul, but the new Co-Ed Greensburg league season was starting, and Becky really wanted to get some practice in before it began. Our only option was St Paul. Dad convinced me that the play had improved greatly, and the injuries and the torn nets had decreased in frequency. I was nervous...about playing there, about getting hurt, and most of all, I was just nervous to go back after all those years.

When we pulled up to the gym, all the old memories came flooding back. I couldn't believe I was there again, it felt good to be back. I walked into the gym to see it hadn't really changed much. A new floor, new ceiling, same old St Paul gym.

Only one of the original St Paulians that I knew from back in the day still made the trip, most of the others were too old, or lost interest. But one guy still kept the whole thing going, and he welcomed me back with a hug and almost a tear. It was like a family reuniting after a long absence.

We played our games, won some, lost some, but laughed the whole time. Don't know if it helped Becky or my game any going into this, my 18th season of Greensburg Volleyball, but I know it felt good going back...if just for one night.

See you again in 10 years, St Paul...

Two Double-O Eight

2008-01-09T08:22:00.000-05:00

Two double-o eight. And thus, a new year begins. It's January 9th, and I feel ahead of the game as I usually don't get my first new year blog in until closer to the end of the month...let's review:

January 2005: First blog, 28th
January 2006: First blog, 31st
January 2007: First blog, 24th

I rest my case.

Ok, I'll be the first to admit this blog doesn't quite have the substance that those past, late blogs did, but just take what you get, alright? Sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you, you know I love you, dear readers, and I appriciate your support. (Special shout out to Sue, my number one blog fan!!)

I really don't have much to say, as it is early in the am (for me anyway) and I just felt the need to reach out and speak a few words. I promise more meat on the next blog's bones.

Happy 2008!!

(PS...Why doesn't regular X Box have Guitar Hero?? That just pisses me right off. X Box 360 has it, Playstation 2 (or is it 3??) has it, Wii has it, but NOOOOOO X Box doesn't. That just burns my biscuits!)

Ok, that's it.

The McDonald's Mission

2007-12-13T10:53:00.000-05:00

I did it for you.

Well, not entirely for you, but I have felt that, over the past few months I have been neglecting you fine readers, and I vowed to change that if I could. How?? By doing more things that would warrant good blogging. Last night, I thusly embarked on a challenging mission...mostly for you.

In Columbus, we have three McDonald's. The one on National Road was actually deemed one of the "Busiest McDonald's in the area," or the state, or something, I can't remember. Anyway, a few months back, they decided to tear it down, and re-build it...bigger, faster, better.

The newspaper advertised the Grand Re-Opening for Thursday, December 13th at 12:01 am. That's pretty early, or pretty late, depending on your sleep patterns. I initially blew it off, cause...well, it's McDonald's grand re-opening...who cares, right?

Wrong!! Also in the article they said: "The first 150 customers will receive a card good for ONE FREE BIG MAC A WEEK FOR A YEAR!!" Holy cow!! I like Big Macs...I LOVE free Big Macs. I was in. But first, I needed a plan.

(Window cling from the Grand Re-Opening)

The way I figured it, the article was hidden on the 8th page of the paper, and who reads the 8th page of the paper anymore? I thought I'd get there at 11:30, get in line, at midnight:01 I would get my free Big Macs, and back home. Easy, breezy, Japanesey.

At 11 pm, I decided to leave a bit early, which turned out to be a great move. I took my tape recorder along to record my reaction...here is a transcript:

Me: "Ok, it's 11:07, I am travelling down 25th Street, approaching the 25th Street, National Road intersection. Down the road from that is where the new McDonald's is. Ok, I'm turning onto National Road right now, we'll see what kinda line we have. Um, so far I don't see anything...I'm passing CVS Pharmacy, Blockbuster on my left. Um, no foreseeable lines, of course we are still some 50 minutes from the 12 o'clock hour. I do see the McDonald's sign ahead, um, still no foreseeable crowd as I'm approaching...I'm passing Rally's and Target right now, and I'm coming up onto the McDonalds, and actually I don't see very much action, I'm getting ready to pull in right now..."

At this point, I thought I had it in the bag. Not much action, awesome, in and out. Then, the voice on the tape changed...

Me: "Oh, yeah...there is some action actually...ooh, quite a bit of action. That's ok, cause I'm still gonna get in here...oh my goodness, they are camped out...around...the corner. This is ridiculous...oh...my...goodness. Ok, this is a little more people than I thought. Holy *bleeping* *bleep*...they are all the way around the *bleeping* building, I can not believe this. Ok, I'm going to get in line."

I drove the rest of the way around the parking lot, and ending up crossing the road and parking at Target across the street.

Me: "Ok, now the question is, do I want to stand in line for an hour, in the cold, in the rain, and possibly not even get my free Big Mac's, or do I want to scrap the mission? Um, it's a difficult decision, oooohhhhh, there's two things I could do...I could go around and count the people in line, or I could just go stand in line and hope. I mean, what do I have to loose, right?? Oh my gosh, it's 11:10...it's starting to rain, but I've decided I'm going to do this thing...out!"

I crossed the street and got in line. I was in luck...kinda. the manager was handing out grey raffle looking tickets to exchange for the Big Mac coupons, but he ran out about 10 short of where I was. It seemed I was 160th or so in line. I didn't make it...but wait!! The manager pulled out a handful of blue raffle looking tickets, explaining to the remaining 10 people or so that he didn't have any more Big Mac coupons, but didn't want us to go empty handed, so he gave us one free egg McMuffin a week for a year coupons!! It's not a Big Mac, but it's free. I took a coupon, and waited. (I found out a little later that I was actually, like 210th in line as a girl ahead of me proudly posed with the last Big Mac ticket for a camera man, exclaiming: "I'm the 200th Big Mac winner!!")

Then it started pouring!! Me, in my infinite wisdom, did not bring an umbrella. In fact, I didn't even wear a jacket. I had on a thin sweater (in and out, remember??) I stood, shivering for what seemed like forever. Then the time was announced by a watch wearing guy behind me.

11:20.

Crap! I'll never make it...

Well, somehow, between the young couple behind me, the funny guy to my right, and the conversation I had in my head about the 5 year old a few feet in front of me, I made it to midnight:01.

(Just as a side note, I think the grandfather who had his shivering, crying, almost asleep grandson in the damn cold like that for HOURS should be severely yelled at or something...that's child abuse or something, isn't it?? It should be!)

The line slowly snaked around the building. At 12:20, I was at the final corner. Some high schoolers who were first in line, ( I found out they had been there since6 pm!!! And you thought I was nuts!!) were loading up the couch (yes, the COUCH!!) they brought, and were taking down the awning thing they set up. When they clicked the legs to break the awning thing down, the rain that had collected on top rushed like a tidal wave onto one of the boys. Everyone in line laughed and pointed to the point where the kid ran away in shame...it wasn't really that funny, we were just ready to be done with the whole thing, and the awning thing was set up right in the middle of the sidewalk and they were hitting people with the legs of it trying to take it down. Anyway, finally, at 12:30, I was inside the doors. I waited patiently as the line feed it's way past the counters. At 1:00 am, I got my voucher, ordered a Big Mac meal, and left for the car. Wet, cold, tired, and at this point, hungry.

(Success!!)

I got back to the car, and turned on the tape recorder for one final set of refrains.

Me: sounding tired...teeth chattering noticeably..."It's 1:07...I've been standing out here in the rain all night long...(uncontrolled, psychotic giggles)...I think I was, uh, two hundred tenth in line, and I got a free egg mcmuffin a week for a year...man, I'm freezing...uh, probably cause it's been pouring down rain all night. I got a Big Mac meal, I'm gonna eat when I get home...uh, that's it."

After the short drive home...

Me: "Uh, I'm pulling into my drive way now, a bit warmer. It's 1:11 am, and this ordeal is finally over with the commencement of me eating my Big Mac samich...yeah, Peace Out!!"

I think I was a bit delirious at that point, as I entered into this Michael Scott from the Office voice...oh, and I used the word samich. Only grandma's and crazy people say "samich." No, I didn't just say Grandma's are crazy people..I said Grandma's AND crazy people...oh, leave me alone!!

The weirdest part of this whole thing...I've never even had an Egg McMuffin samich before!! Maybe once a long. long time ago. Dang, I sure hope they are good!!

5 More Things That Make Me Mad

2007-12-07T08:47:00.001-05:00

I was driving home from work the other day and the radio DJ said something that made my skin boil...but we'll get back to that in a minute. First, I would like to share with you a list of 5 things that make me mad (keep reading, the radio story is coming up at # 1...how's that for a tease??)

#5: TV Show "Adults" are now younger than me.

I'm a big fan of TV, as you all know (or should know by now), but it wasn't til recently that a light bulb went off in my head. I was reading about the Writer's Strike on Jenna Fischer's MySpace page (she plays Pam Beesley on The Office, for those of you not in the know) and I happened to glance over to see that she's 28 years old. 28!! Damn, a full 2 years younger than me. I guess this bothers me because when you are younger, you fantasize about the cool jobs you see on tv (you know, Jenna Fischer plays a receptionist!!) and you think "when I grow up..."

Well, when the heck did I grow up? I'm not complaining about my job...heck, I'm at my job as I type this...I'm just saying, getting older is a hard pill to swallow.

(Check Jenna's MySpace at: Jenna Fischer's MySpace

#4: Eating Alone.

I guess this one makes me more sad than mad, but still. I use to go out for lunch with Becky...now she works in Shelbyville. Then I went to lunch quite a bit with my cousin, Scott...now he's in Batesville. Now when I go to lunch, I eat alone. Maybe I should stop eating out so much...

#3: Typing Errors.

First, before you call me a hypocrite, let me explain. We all make mistakes. We all occasionally spell a word wrong, or use grammar incorrectly, it happens. What I am referring to is one word in particular...well, technically, it's two words.

A LOT

I physically cuss the computer when I see some one spell it as one word, "alot." Kids, "alot" is not a word. Period. It's a lot, two words. Need a way to remember that? Think of this sentence: "Would you like a little, or a lot?"

Now, would you ever in your life type "alittle" as one word? No, everyone knows a little is two words!! Well, A LOT IS TWO WORDS, TOO!!!

Ugh, I hate that one.

#2: Victoria's Secret.

Watch this clip, if you can:

Victoria Secret Commercial

Ok, if you are like me and don't want to leave this post to watch a video, I'll recap:

The video shows Victoria Secret model Miranda Kerron in the newest bra from VS. She has on some wings and she is reciting a little (not alittle, but A LITTLE) limerick.

Here is the limerick:

"There once was an angel so fair,
Whose bra was lighter than air.
The reason you see,
and it's no mystery,
her bra cups were made out of air."
-------

Ok fine reader's...would you like to know Victoria's Secret??

Shhh, don't tell anyone...

THE STUPID COMMERCIAL WRITER'S RHYMED AIR WITH AIR!!! Oh Moses smell the roses!! That makes my head explode!! Honestly, you couldn't find another word that would have fit in there?? Bare, chair, hair, lair, mare, nair, pear, stair, tear...

How about this:

"There once was an angel so fair,
She made people stop and stare.
The reason you see,
and it's no mystery,
Her bra cups were made out of air."

If VS would have went with that, I wouldn't bust a blood vessel every time that stupid commercial comes on. Never, never, ever ever ever rhyme a word with itself...take note all you budding limerick writer's, poets, song writer's, and bathroom wall scribblers!!

(Oh, and before you guys out there go crackin' wise about "I watched the commercial and I didn't even realize she said anything!" and/or anything about my being gay, let me just add that I am very thankful for the Mute button...because Miranda Kerron is extremely hot...so, shut it!!)

#1: DJ's

Hello again, thanks for reading down to #1...I knew that little tease at the top would work, you silly readers...so, how's it going? Having fun? No? Dang...just keep reading, please?!?

You know in a previous post, I ripped radio stations for cutting songs off before they are over. If you haven't read it, do so here: 5 Things I'll Never Understand Well, I have a new complaint about radio "DJ's."

I was listening to the radio, and "Rebel Rebel" came on. I like Bowie, so I listened and sang along as best I could remember. When the song was over, the DJ came on and said:

"That was "Rebel Rebel" by David Buoy." Yes, I realize he didn't spell it out, but he pronounced it Buoy (like a floatation device in the water) instead of BOWIE rhyming with Joey. For those readers who didn't know how to pronounce it, or maybe to those who aren't old enough to know who David Bowie is...I will give you a pass, because not everyone knows how to pronounce every name...I understand that.

HOWEVER, I can NOT give a pass to a radio DJ when they can't pronounce the name of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted musician ON THE RADIO. What's next...

"Hope you all enjoyed "Heartbreak Hotel" by the King of Rock n Roll, Alvis Prasley..."

I hope that guy got fired. Ok, I don't hope he got fired, but I certainly hope he got a stern talking to!!

Play on Jimi

2007-11-27T13:18:00.000-05:00

Some of my earliest childhood memories involve music. Before I was even a teen, I remember listening to the oldies station on a little radio in my room. The 50's crooners, the Motown Sound of the 60's, the guitar rock of the 70's...I can almost hear my little crackly voice singing along to "Signs" by the Five Man Electrical Band.

"You can't even watch, no you can't eat
You ain't supposed to be herrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeee
The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside
Ugh!"

Then, one day, I ventured into my dad's record collection. Mom and dad had a turntable (still have it) but for some reason one of the speakers didn't work, and for some reason, if you had the headphones on, one ear didn't produce sound. Didn't matter though, you could hear everything you needed to in one ear, right?

Well, for the first album I chose, that was true. Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits. The Big O recorded a lot of his earlier stuff in mono, so having one speaker didn't matter. During this oh so impressionable phase in my musical life, I had a four album rotation...Orbison's Greatest Hits, The Doors - Stange Days, The Beatles - White Album, and an album called Smash Hits by The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Those of you who know me, know I am a big Bealtes guy. Some say you're either a Beatles fan or a Stones fan...well, my friends, I am a Beatles fan. Still love Orbison, too...but my all-time favorite has and always will be James Marshall Hendrix.

You want to know why?

Cause the first time I listened to a Hendrix album in stereo, the dude nearly blew my mind! You cannot, I repeat CANNOT listen to Hendrix out of one earphone. This guy had the mix flying from one ear to the other in the headphone, and musically, he did things that actually made guitar gods like Clapton and Pete Townshend (of The Who) declare "this is the guy that's going to put us out of a job."

Today, November the twenty-seventh, would have been Jimi's 65th birthday. He was born in 1942, but died an untimely death in 1970, 2 months short of his 28th birthday. The man did more for music in that short life, than many can accomplish in a lifetime...think of the songs...

Purple Haze...Foxey Lady...Hey Joe...Fire...The Wind Cries Mary...Stone Free...

And all of those are off of his first album! So, I decided at lunch today to pay tribute to my all-time fav, by putting on his first studio album, 1967's Are You Experienced (ranked #15 on the Rolling Stones all time greatest albums) and enjoying the ride.

(Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix Experience - released in August of 1967 - original tri-colored Reprise labeled lp, catalog number RS 6261 (for you record geeks out there, like me.)

Here's a few other pictures I snapped today for everyone to enjoy.

(Here is my display of Hendrix album re-issues...all factory sealed, along with all 3 of his 45 rpm box sets (45 rpm picture sleeves on top shelf, boxes on the ground next to case).

(Closer view of the 45 rpm picture sleeves.)

(Closer view of the sealed albums (except the purple box set at the top right...it is unsealed.) 17 great lp's...hard to believe that Jimi only released 3 while he was alive! You can see them on the top shelf, left side...Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland...I recommend you ALL go seek out these three albums, CD's, or downloads.)

Ah, play on Jimi...

Sign O' The Times

2007-11-01T09:46:00.000-04:00

Apparently, at this church, "When it pours, God REIGNS." Unfortunately, whoever put up the sign doesn't have spell check...

Multi-Party Tipping

2007-10-29T10:27:00.000-04:00

Awhile back, I blogged about service in restaurants, and the practice of tipping, even when it may not have been warranted. If you haven't read it, check it out here:The Perfect $5

Saturday introduced a new wrinkle in the tipping game, a little thing I like to call, Multi-party Tipping.

Saturday, Becky and I accompanied a group of 4 other friends to the Grand Victoria Casino. Before we entered the gaming arena, we decided to eat at the fabulous buffet. Twenty bucks a person is a little steep, but oh well, the food was pretty good...maybe not 20 bucks a person good, but still.

It's always been a pet peeve of mine when you have a "large party" of people with separate bills, all parties seem content to leave their own tips for the meal. If each person drops a Lincoln on the waiter, then he scores $15 for that hour on top of his wage. Let's do some math and see if this is really just me being a pain, or if I may be right on this one.

Exhibit 1: NUMBER OF TABLES

The way I see it, we were a party of 6, HOWEVER, we were only there for one hour and I know we were not this guy's only table. As a rule, I like to double the sales tax for the tip (more if the service was good, less if it was not good), so on a $40 bill, 6% sales tax is $2.40...doubled and rounded up, $5. If each each of the three groups leave $5, then he gets $15 for that hour, plus his wage, which, if we assume for the sake of argument it's half the minimum wage (because most waiters work on tips) then he's up to (approximately) $18 an hour. Throw in the 3 other tables he's waiting at $8 per table ($3 wage plus $5 tip per table) and he's making a staggering $42 per hour!!

Do you make that much? I do not.

Exhibit 2: THE SETTING

I will only touch on this because it shouldn't matter that much, however, we were in a buffet, and this guy only had to refill our drinks and take plates away. I should really be a waiter, cause that's not too hard to do for $40 an hour.

Exhibit 3: ONE TABLE, ONE TIP

I figure between the 6 of us, averaging 2 plates per person, you get about 12 plates for the waiter to clear. Well, what if Current World Hot Dog Eating Champion Joey Chestnut, and former Champ Kobyashi sat down together and cleaned, oh 30 plates each a piece? That would be 5 times more dishes than my party consumed, but they would leave the $5, double the tax tip. Is that fair? I believe one table, one tip. Maybe the tip calculation per table would be reflected in the number of plates, the number of visits the waiter made, or something like cost of one meal divided 5 (or something like that.)

The prosecution rests.

Now, defenders of the waiters may fire back with the following.

Exhibit 1 Defense.

If you like to pay double the sales tax, and were paying for the entire party, the bill would have been $120...sales tax on that is $7.20, making double the tax $14.40!! So, leaving $15, technically would have been double the total tax on the table.

Exhibit 2 Defense.

Do you really believe the only thing this guy does is fill drinks and bus your table? (Honestly, I've never worked in food service, how the heck do I know??)

Defense rests.

In my closing argument, I would like to say it's preposterous to think that for an hour clearing my table and filling my drinks, this guy deserves a wage higher than what I make doing my job...ok, my job's easy, so that's not a good argument, but that's a moot point. What I wanted to say is, I believe a simple group tip would have been more appropriate, instead of dropping $15 on this guy for his normal hours work. What about the girl who doesn't get a party of 6 table in her nightly rotation?? She only makes $30 an hour!! And that, my friends, is an injustice...

What do you think? Help me justify my position, or change my ways. Please leave me your verdict. Thank you.

(Please let me know your verdict on the BUFFET restaurant, and if the verdict would change for a regular sit down place...oh, say Outback Steakhouse for example.)

False Negative

2007-10-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

Popular Science magazines in the '50's would have you believe that by the year 2000, we would have flying cars and people landing on the moon. Well, we didn't quite accomplish those things...what, we did land on the moon?? When did that happen??...anyway, my point is, we did have some other technological advances, namely a little website called Ebay.

Yes, Ebay was around before 2000, but my introduction to the site was slightly after we partied like it was 1999 for the very last time, and in February of 2000, I signed up and made my first purchase (I believe it was a sweet lot of Beatles LP's that I picked up for super cheap.) After that fateful transaction, I became hooked.

I currently buy and sell, and have a relatively modest 561 positive feedbacks from unique users (over 700 feedbacks total). In the nearly 8 years since I began, I have had ZERO negative feedbacks to muddy my reputation, and I have only received one Neutral feedback from this joker that only gave me a Neutral cause I gave him one...but that's a story for another time. Recently, I've been making some fat cash on some Beatles items I had multiple copies of, and everything was going fine...that was until "Canada"* came into the picture.

*name changed to protect the innocent, the guilty, or in this case, the Ass Hat Canadian buyer who gave me Negative feedback...wait, I'm getting ahead of myself...

The item was an original 1960's Beatles Yesterday and Today LP (mono version, if that kinda thing is important to you.) When the dust settled, "Canada" was the high bidder at $9.99 with $12.00 shipping.

I'll do the math for you...total cost 21.99.

He paid via Paypal immediately on the 29th of September. Since the 29th was a Saturday, I waited and shipped his LP out the following week. I went to Ebay and left positive feedback for him, as he fulfilled his part by paying me. All was well in Ebay land until the 17th of October, when I received an email from "Canada" saying the following:

I need to take action with PayPal and eBay I have not received my item . I have not heard from you .

Since this was the first I had heard from him, I thought it was odd he would jump straight to taking action. I searched my "Junk Folder" and discovered that a few days before he sent me another email asking:

Can you tell me when my LP was shipped ? It usually does not take this long .

I quickly shot him an email, explaining that I missed his first email, and I also explained to him when it was shipped, that is went through the USPS (Post Office), and I told him it could take up to 14 days. I said if it wasn't there by the 22nd, to email me back, and we could arrange for a refund of some sorts.

I guess he didn't want to wait. Soon after I sent the email, I received a few emails from Paypal and a company called Square Trade. Paypal's said:

Dear Sir,

"Canada" has opened a dispute for the payment made to you on Sep 29,2007 indicating that they never received the item.

Your Transaction ID:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buyer's Transaction ID:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There are many reasons why this might have happened. It could be that the item is still in transit or was accidentally delivered to the wrong address. Sometimes buyers open a non receipt dispute too soon because they underestimate how long it can take for shipping and delivery. By opening this dispute, "Canada" is asking for your help to resolve this issue. This is your best opportunity to resolve this problem before the buyer escalates it to a PayPal claim or files a chargeback with their card issuer.

Square Trade's email tried to get me to pay them $30 to get the negative feedback erased. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK?!? I opened up my Ebay and sure enough, "Canada" left me my first negative feedback in nearly 8 years...it said...

Have not received the item or refund lost my $12.00 shipping also scam!!!!!!

SCAM?!? Why in the world would I risk my entire Ebay reputation to scam this joker out of 20 bucks?? I fired back a reply to his feedback, saying:

560 unique + feedbacks, over 700 total. Why would I scam for $20? Lost in mail?

I then emailed "Canada" and basically asked him what the heck he was trying to pull? After all, I emailed him, told him all the information he wanted AND offered to work with him on a refund and he completely ignores that and files a claim AND tries to slander my name?

This meant war. The refund was officially off the table now. I was going to just give him his 20 back and call it a day, but now, the principle of the matter had taken over. I had done nothing wrong, and I would fight this dispute.

I clicked on Paypal to see that "Canada" had struck first:

I paid in good faith Sept 29/07 and I still have not received my LP or heard of any delay from you . Please give me my refund .Or ship my item and let me know when you have shipped it . After all I paid $12.00 for shipping it should have been here a long time ago .

He quickly fired again, this time cutting a bit deeper:

This seller continues to not communicate I think hes long gone and if not should be investigated and taken off eBay

Ouch!! I did communicate with him, but he wouldn't email me back! I frantically searched for the button on Paypal to log in my side of the story, but a button was not to be found. After 20 minutes, I found a phone number and called Paypal.

The Dispute Resolution guy said that since "Canada" had upgraded the Dispute to a Claim, the lines of communication were effectively closed for "Canada" and I to resolve the matter on our own. I explained to the Paypal guy that I didn't have an opportunity to respond, and he said to just email the resolution department with my side of the story, and it would be noted.

So, I did. I wrote my side, and I wrote it hard. This was my response, and every word is the complete truth...

I recently had a Dispute filed against me which escalated to a claim before I was able to enter any information in my defense. I am concerned I will loose this claim because of this, and I would like to take this opportunity to give my side of the story before my good reputation as an Ebay seller and a Paypal user are any more slandered.

On Sept. 29, an item of mine was purchased by Mr. "Canada". He paid promptly using Paypal. On October 2nd, I left a positive feedback for him, and on Oct 3rd, I shipped his item via USPS (United States Postal Service). As per my norm, I let the positive feedback act as my communication that the payment was received, and therefore, his item would be shipped immediately. Although I didn't mention in that feedback that I was shipping the item, I am a reputable seller who has over 700 positive feedback (from 560 unique buyers/sellers) and have never had a negative feedback against me. With that being said, I also work in "good faith" with my buyers that if I leave you positive feedback, I will be sending your item.

On October 3rd, I shipped the item to his Non-US Verified address in Canada via USPS. The buyer did not request it be shipped via a traceable method, nor did he purchase any kind of insurance protecting him from a lost package. This is unfortunate, because now the package is lost. There is nothing further I can do.

An email was received by me from the buyer which unfortunately went into my "Junk" filter, and I did not respond. Soon after, I received notification that a dispute had been filed. At that time I EMAILED MR. "CANADA" and apologized for not responding. I also gave him exactly when I shipped his item, and an expected time he could expect to receive the package. Instead of communicating with me, he ignored my email and left a negative, scathing feedback on my ebay saying that I had scammed him, and followed that up by posting a slanderous note on the Paypal Resolution Center claiming that I was not communicating with him, I was long gone, and I should be investigated and kicked off ebay.

I have done what I can, and I feel I do not owe Mr. "Canada" a refund due to this unfortunate Postal Service mishap that he neglected to account for. He held up his end by paying, I held up mine by shipping...the post office dropped the ball by losing the package, and without insurance, I'm afraid there is nothing else that can be done.

Please add this to my Resolution Dispute, so that I have a fair shake in this matter.

Thank you

I felt confident that I would win my claim when it came before the Paypal Board of Dispute Resolvers. All I had to do now was wait.

I didn't have to wait long. The next day, I received an email from Paypal saying that they received my version of events, and they passed that information on to Mr. "Canada". Shortly thereafter, I received an email from Paypal:

PayPal has concluded our investigation of the following

Buyer Complaint: Transaction Date: Sep 29, 2007
Transaction Amount: -$21.99 USD
Your Transaction ID: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Buyer's Transaction ID: xxxxxxxxxxxx
Case Number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Because the buyer has reported that the claim has been amicably resolved,this case has been closed. Thank you for your cooperation with our investigation.
Sincerely, Protection Services Department

I also received an email from Ebay:

"Canada" has filed a request to mutually withdraw feedback for the transaction shown below. eBay allows members to withdraw feedback for a transaction if they both agree it is no longer appropriate.

REDEMPTION!!!

The only reason "Canada" put as to why he withdrew the complaint and feedback??

"Package arrived today, OCT 24...Post Dated Oct 1."

Hmmm, interesting that the package arrived the same day Paypal sent him my rebuttal...a rebuttal that would have effectively killed his case, as I was obviously not in the wrong in any way.

Whatever. The case is closed, I'm updated to 562 positive feedbacks with ZERO negative, and all is once again right in the Ebay World.