Well mannered frivolity

It was close race between my current "memoirs of a jovial caucasian male" and "well mannered frivolity". I just like it.

I have had a couple of strands of ideas in my head that don't really amount to much, but out they come.

Who actually calls the numbers on bathroom stalls? Who writes it on the stalls? Sometimes I imagine a guy sitting by the phone just waiting to give a good time to the next lucky caller. Why did he opt for the stall over a newspaper ad. Perhaps it is because the newspaper wouldn't allow him to specify how he would give a good time, and the stall is more romantic anyway. I would like to read a love story that begins, "We met by chance. I looked up, saw his number on the wall, and knew this was the man for me. Our love grew from that lonely day in the stall to 40 years of bliss and good times."

BEIJING, Dec. 19 -- Asian Games silver medallist Santhi Soundarajan of India has failed a sex test and will be stripped of her medal.

The report calls it a sex test, not gender test.
I feel sorry for this lady. There is no proof or even beginnings of proof that she did anything wrong. She has too many of the wrong chromosome. She is how she is. It just doesn't seem fair, and I feel so sorry for her that reporters are hounding her and her village.

I did a double take in Spartanburg last week when I saw a pregnant woman lighting up a cigarette. She doesn't believe the doctors. I hope nothing bad comes to the baby from her need for nicotine. It is hard for me to believe people still don't see the possible side effects it might have on a kid. My mom quit the cancer sticks in the 60's for my sister, but hey, who really knows!

Kirsten and I have been exclusive for 9 years. Almost a decade with my lady love. 9 years with the person who convinced me to come clean about peeing in the ocean. I am very thankful for my beautiful friend and wife. I hate being away.

I'm a Man

Spell it M-ahhh. A. N. I'm a man.

The Bo Diddley song played in my head this weekend as I attempted a little manly task with Mark (Kasey's fiance) and Stevie (nephew).

Sunday was the meeting of the families. Mark's parents came for lunch to meet Kasey's parents. Mark's car had a blowout as he, his parents, and Kasey drove in a caravan to her sister's house in the Ludo.

It was somehow decided that Stevie, now 15, should get the experience in changing tires, and this would be a great opportunity. I drove Mark and Stevie to the car stranded on the side of the road.

I want to pause to say that I have long been resigned to the fact that I am the least mechanically capable of the clan. I embrace it and know that I have some other, I hope, qualities that I bring. With that being said, I know how to change a tire and had felt pretty confident in at least that.

Things began a little slow. The car was jacked, and the old tire had been taken off. It was decided to jack up the car just a little...the car lurched forward and fell on the jack. I had a feeling something like this might happen.

None of us attempted anything. We accepted defeat and Stevie called Keith (his dad) to come help us. Mark, Stevie, and I threw rocks at a log protruding from a dirt pile until Keith came to the rescue. The tire was finished in about 5 minutes, and we were able to return home sans dignity.

8 miles to Prosperity

I actually passed through Prosperity this week. I just like that. I hope to pass through it on the way home.

I love the Pass It On billboards. I have attached a few. They make me smile. Dolly Parton also makes me smile. I hope to drive through Prosperity listening to Dolly sing 9 to 5 and then see a Pass It On billboard.

If you're going my way

My Thursday was the opposite of Brandi's.

Wednesday, about 9:05, I received a call from my boss. She wanted me to go to the Spartanburg store in the morning to help the store's manager with a visit from the CEO, President, and VP of operations. The visit came on quick. We knew they were planning a visit, but were not sure of time line. Due to weather, Spartanburg had moved from one of the first on the visit to the last. Jody wouldn't be able to make the last leg due to another trip she had to go on. So, I was just a filler to help with the visit. Now, my role wasn't big, but it is still the CEO, President, and VP coming. I had seen them at the meetings in Orlando, but they were always on stage. Plus I only had jeans packed because I am helping to build a store this week. The phone call came after 9 which meant all the clothing stores were closed. I happen to be staying in the only place that doesn't have a Wal-Mart/Target within tobacco spitting distance.

My day began at dawnish (5am). I went downstairs to get directions to a Wal-Mart. Some kind of other clothing would be needed. I received my directions from the breakfast lady (given her name because she makes the breakfast at the hotel). I started on my way, but I began to feel unsure as the trip took me further and further from civilization. I started to curse myself for having ever trusted another soul with directions. I ended up on the interstate headed to Atlanta. I could not find a road to turn off on. I turned off when I finally found an exit. Miracle o' miracles, it was exactly where she had told me about (she had left out the highway part). I got my clothes, and took this as the first omen of a good day.

Next, I took a trip to Starbuck's. The people were the most friendly in the entire world. I truly believe that completing my order was the highlight of their day, and they were uplifted by the opportunity to help me. At least, that is what they made me feel like. I have said it before, but tres cheers for Starbuck's enthusiasm. Second omen of goodness.

The executive trio flew in (private jet--apparently we time share a jet to save cost) and I greeted them as they came in. We weren't expecting them yet, and I just happened to be at the front when they approached the store. I greeted them, and they were very nice. The visit was quick, and they were encouraging. I was surprised by how much info they had scraped up on the staff. I gave Doug (Spartanburg GM) the nickname Pappy in Orlando, and it stuck. Bruce (president) comes in and refers to him as Pappy. They knew about my travel situation as a bench GM, and they asked me how it was going. It is those little things that make you think that you are actually on the radar. All I can keep saying is nice. They were. At times, you almost forget that you are talking to the folks that make the decisions. Usually you make suggestions that push uphill. We were making suggestions at the top of the hill.

To top the whole day off, it was a Thursday night line up of Earl, Office, and Scrubs. I worked until 7:30, picked up my dinner, and made it to the hotel room at 7:55. Clockwork in the hizouse.

Love is good, and today was a good day.