You Think You're Resourceful

With a fifth of the country under water right now, Pakistan is dealing with their own troubles, but if you thought you were the most resourceful creature as a human, look at what these spiders have accomplished. Read full article here. There are a few more photos and the article has a little depression to it. But that would be amazing to see in person. 

Dilbert 3-30-2011

3-22-2011, A Day of All Days

Yesterday as I was pulling out of a Home Depot parking lot (I wasn't out of the lot yet) I noticed I was not wearing my seatbelt, I reached over as normal and attached the safety harness before hitting the main road. As I pulled to the light I noticed a Broussard City Cop next to me, thinking it was someone I knew (small town) I turned to wave but he just starred at me. I accelerated and went on to drive back to work without knowledge of the cop following me. Approximately 2 miles later, I was being pulled over by the same cop from earlier, perplexed by this situation I acquiesced and went through all respectful motions. The cop approached my window in a very polite manner and requested my driver's license and insurance both were produced with haste. Turns out we did know each other, well we had met once before at a bar with mutual friends. He said he'd run my license and I'd be on my way...

The cop returned 15 minutes later (always a bad sign) he informed me that my insurance had expired 3 days ago but I had renewed and was in good standings but needed my card or he would have to tow my car. Then he proceeded to tell me that my license was suspended. You could imagine my facial expressions upon hearing this news knowing full well that the state law for a suspended license is immediate arrest. I asked what the citations were that indited me in such a way, "speeding tickets" he responded hesitantly, there were 2, hence the plural of ticket being used. He was very cautious in his next words as they proved heavy for him to say given our previous knowledge of each other. He leaned in to the car and very quietly, as though someone close by was listening, "Tim, I'm sorry but my hands are tied, I have to take your license, and you cannot drive this car. Can you call someone to drive you home or pick it up?" He leaned away. I was verklempt, undone, silent, void of reality and the current circumstances. It felt like an eternity that not a word was spoken. The silence was indeed broken by his radio which he quickly turned off. The only thing I could muster was, "seriously?" To officer Soileau's eternal credit, he looked down at me and my car and said, "Have a good day sir," and walked away, which to that I quickly said, "seriously?"

My boss retrieved me from my location, before I was at my desk (a mere 2 miles away) I had spoken to the Chief of Police of Broussard and explained my dilemma. Understanding he told me the necessary steps to take to get all this crap expunged, but first I had to find someone to drive me around, and not close either, the first stop was in Welsh, La, then Opelousas, then the DMV in Carencro. The chauffeur, my mom.

Liz picked me up at 7:30 am in St. Martinville, we travelled to Welsh and arrived at 8:45 a.m. The people there were extremely nice although when I arrived I was told I needed cash or a money order ($164.00), went on to Opelousas City Court, nope you need to go the Parish Court ($220.50). Now to the DMV, ticket number E348, waited all of 5 minutes I'm up, "that'll be $200.00" Sorry we don't take checks was the next thing I heard. Go to the bank to make a withdrawal, "driver's license please?" My response, "give me this money and I'll bring it to you..." Luckily the teller understood, laughed, asked me a few questions and paid me. Went back to the DMV where the lady told me that all was clear, all that was left to do was to return to the Broussard PD, hand them these papers, and they would give me my license back. So I traveled back to Broussard and did as told only to be told in response, "Sir, we mail all suspended licenses back to the DMV, you need to go there and get a new one!"
"I was just there, she told me to come here! Mrs. Rhonda, please understand that this had been a difficult situation for me, I have had quite the cumbersome morning, please help me!!" Was my pouted response. She walked away and returned with a stack of envelopes. We went through each one until we found my license. She ran the number and after it was cleared she gave it back to me and let me go.

This entire situation lasted from 8:0 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. I was spent, so I went got a new Android phone, the HTC Inspire, detailed report on satisfaction to come. The night got better, but I'll save the details for a later date.

Saturday Night

This past Saturday night Ashley and I were heading to our room at about 11:00 p.m. for some much needed rest when we were interrupted by a very odd sound. The above video was being performed behind closed doors. We were able to catch a bit of it before she saw the camera.

Dilbert 3-20-2011

The Weekend Behind...

Beautiful weekend we had, interesting chain of events in the Lafayette Soccer Tournament. My U17 Storm went 1-1-1, I played the entire weekend with 11 men and 2 of them injured for games 2 and 3, but I have to admit that we looked promising more often than not but we just weren't fit to run all weekend with limited numbers. I had to respect the boys perseverance through such conditions. They never quite working, they rested when necessary and worked when they saw the opportunity. I deduced that the problems I am having could not have been fixed with more numbers, rather, advancements in practice. All in all for them I was proud. I look forward to the tournament in Gulf Port, MS this coming weekend.

As for my U12 Titans, these kids have been a work in progress for 2 years now. But 3-0 this weekend was the best showing these guys have shown ever. I was very proud of their ball movement all weekend long. A shut out for them is still elusive, but a work in progress is always a work in progress.

Conversation

Me: Hey Eden, what are you drinking in your cup?
Eden: Je ne sais pas! I don't know!
Me: Excuse me?!?!
Eden: Je ne sais pas! It means I don't know Daddy!!!!
Me: Eden, where did you learn that phrase, who taught you to say that?
Eden: Grandpa...
Me: Oh, well, that's really nice of him.
Eden: Yeah he's not gonna get a spanking, he was a good boy today.

Phone Conversation

Mom: Tim, Where are you?

Me: At Jane's picking up dad's crabs what's up?

Mom: I can't get in my car!

Me: Did you try unlocking it?

Mom: The keys on the door don't work anymore and my keypad has been broken for a while now!

Me: They must have disconnected the battery and reset the ECU... where is your key?

Mom: For my car?

Me: Yes...

Mom: In my hand...

Me: Why don't you just unlock the door with your key, ya know, insert the key in the key hole and turn???

Mom: I can do that?

Me: Seriously??????

Mom: Um... I gotta go...

Dilbert 3-17-2011

Another classic...

Houston Dynamo FC Custom Kit

Dynamo FC Clima Cool Custom

It's safe to say that I have a spending problem, but only when I'm idle. Being down for the 6 hours I was post my teeth removal I had time to do some much "needed" shopping. I purchased that huge watch by Invicta, I purchased another ESQ Beacon (photos to come it too came in today), I bought Ashley a brand new HD Digital Camcorder (that was so she wouldn't say mean things to me about buying all this other stuff), and then there's this; there's some other stuff, but this is my favorite. I was on Soccer.com looking to piece together a new GK kit now that I'm back playing 11v11. With absolutely no luck matching anything together I gave up all hope and decided to search through some of my favorite club apparel. Well that didn't take long, Chelsea had nothing reasonably priced (including the players for the club) Everton's pink jerseys aren't available, and there were no "I Hate ManU" shirts so on to the MLS where my first query led me to the Dynamo uniforms... Sort low to high, click to page 2 and Viola! there it was. I thought, well that's pretty nice, then I saw the shorts, and socks, and well, a new pair of gloves were following shortly. I ordered a pair of White/Red socks but they are on back order and won't be in till next week. The Adidas Elite Formotion Socks are really, really, really comfortable; price justified. The kit is really comfortable, light weight and cool, I suppose that would be the idea since it is a ClimaCool Adidas apparel item. 

Invicta, The Russian Diver's Watch

I was recently introduced to this watch company via a website that I read frequently. Interested in the production of the watch I sought to buy one, and buy one I did. (not my proudest moment) I suppose I was merely in awe of its exquisite design, or perhaps merely impressed with the color choice and accented selection; either way I did not do my research properly. Well the watch came in last night and to my dismay it was not at all what I expected. In the magazine and online it looked like such a quaint, classy and sophisticated time piece, when it arrived it looks like it should be on the wrist of some sounding off, "Fee Fye Fo Fum..."





I tried to contextualize its size by putting my Bulova next to it. As you can see the entirety of the Bulova is matched by the crystal of the Invicta. I further took photos of the watch next to an iPhone, again, the watch is longer and almost as wide as the iPhone itself. This monstrosity overpowers my wrist and is no conducive match to any attire I possess. Thusly, it is going back. Although I have to note that boxing and presentation of the watch was amazing, full marks for presentation indeed.

Apparently the over-sized nature of the time piece is meant for divers to be able to see the time whilst maneuvering underwater... I am not certain enough to say I will never go SCUBA diving, but I can assure you, if I do, there will be no immediate need to know the time, nor will I expect with whomever I am SCUBA diving will be asking me the time... under water.

Had My Wisdom Teeth Pulled Today

Two weeks ago I was having some pain issues in my lower left jaw, in a moment of panic and self diagnosis I assumed it was an abscessed tooth so I called a local dentist to schedule an appointment. The Dentist was Dr. Brock Barras and his team of esteemed associates. I went in expecting the worst but was told only, that one of my wisdom teeth had decayed. Brock (as he liked to be called) stated that my teeth were incredibly healthy and small extraction should be sufficient. After looking at my insurance options I realized I could remove all 4 for a small fee so we went about it accordingly. I was literally in his chair for a total of 1 hour. Brock explained that my teeth were so straight and strong it was a super easy job. I was actually able to keep all of my teeth, none of them are broken. Now if I could only find that damn tooth fairy....

Brock's staff of Hygienists and fellow Dentists were phenomenal. They catered to all of my needs and answered all of my questions without hesitation. The staff was super friendly and incredibly helpful. My first appointment was 9:00 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, I arrived at 8:50 a.m. for normal paper work and was in the chair with Brock for 9:05 a.m. For my surgery, my appointment was at 11:00 a.m. this morning. The anesthetics were administered for 11:07 and surgery commenced at 11:25 a.m. I merely had an oral numbing so I was coherent for the entire operation. It was well interesting to hear the sounds your teeth make when being extracted. I felt a good bit of pressure but never any pain. Even now, hours later, the bleeding has stopped and any pain that would have been is now gone. I am in slight discomfort but all is well. I should be back at work tomorrow morning and according to the nurse at the front desk I can return to normal exercise within 5 days. But I'll do it in 3...because I'm arrogant.

And Then There Was Silence

The scene is set, Eden came in to the living room and asked me and Ashley if she could have a chocolate pudding, I replied that she could not because she had already had one earlier, but I did compromise by saying she could have a Jello one. She smiled and acquiesced with out want of an argument or tantrum. Impressed by her demeanor I smiled in approval and with much pride on me and my wife's appropriateness on how well we have raised our daughter thus far. Well if I didn't know what the term, "don't count your chickens before they hatch" meant then...I certainly know now. 30 minutes had gone by and we had not heard or seen Eden in this time. I heard her DVD playing "Bella Bella Dancer-Ella" (her favorite DVD to date, I hate it) but I didn't hear her singing or see her dancing. As it was close to bath time I walked in her play room, again, I didn't see or hear Eden to this point. Concerned I knew something was rotten in the Sharlow Home. I called her name and heard the fastest rustling of a little girl I had ever heard moving through the tent pictured below. I called again, this time I heard a faint giggle followed by more rustling. It was at this time that I noticed the doors to her tent were zipped shut, an informality as she sits in her tent and watches her DVD through the open door ways. Ashley unzipped the tent to find Eden nestled in a corner of the tent with her favorite blanket, covered in chocolate pudding. It was on the walls, on her feet, all over her dancers dress ( a tutu as it is called ), there were even small drops of it from the kitchen to the playroom. Pictured you will also see how she opened it. Knowing full well I had said no before hand, she decided to just punch a hole in the top of the cup and eat it that way. And she was eating as fast as that little hand could travel from within that cup to her mouth still wasn't fast enough. When I opened the tent doors she balled up and shut her eyes as tight as she could and told me, "you can't see me daddy so you can't spank me ok?!?!" I was so impressed by her intelligence in this situation I could only come to laugh, then explain how smart she was, but I had a small level of disappointment. She pretended to understand but after all was said and done she was right on the couch eating the rest. The situation as it happened was absolutely hysterical. Her personality is developing day by day and she is an absolute rout. I am both excited and nervous as to how the next one will be, Ashley is 21 weeks pregnant. We are almost there.

This is where we found her

She thought if she squinted her eyes hard enough, I wouldn't see her

She didn't want to ask if anyone could open it bc she knew we'd say no...

Not really caring the outcome, only the means

Messy Messy Messy

Q

 

So in 1994 my Grandfather purchased this Q45t. It was a luxury sedan (still is) one of a kind machine with 285 hp 291 ft./lb torque, active ride sport suspension and 19 mpg/22 mpg fuel rating. The retail price on this Nissan Production was $52,995.00. My grandfather is always proud to brag how he got this car for $48,500.00. Since about the year 2000 (the year I got my license) I have wanted this car. In that time I was allowed to drive this car only once and that was because his eyes were dilated and I was the only person in ear shot that could help him. Well, last week my grandfather called me and told me that I could have the car just come and get it. The pictures aren't doing much justice to the beauty of this car. The interior is in pristine condition and Eden approves. The car will be being repaired and sold.

Like a Boss

Train Concert at L'Auberge Du Lac

Bought tickets to this event, selling them. So... let me know.