The Boob...

...Tube!

It's the FRIDAY 5!

1) What TV show(s) do you find yourself watching the most?
Ya know, I'm not really into TV all that much. I do love Deadwood, The Sopranos and Rome though.
2) What if any TV shows do you own on DVD?
None right now. I'll own all of the above by the end of the year though. ;o)3) Can you name your favorite TV show theme song?
No but I have the Dukes of Hazard theme song stuck in my dome..."They're just good-ol-boys! Never meanin' no harm."
4) Have you ever been on TV and if so for what?
Remember that thing with OJ and the white bronco? I was actually driving that bronco and I had my music up so loud that I never heard the 800 police officers behind me. Whiiips. ;o) Actually, I've been on TV a few times for various wakeboarding and watersking events.
5) What is your favorite YouTube video (feel free to post a link)?
That one...you know which one I'm talking about. uhhu...That one.

Da Rocks!

Long time no post, I know. I have a few things in the works so posting will resume yet again.

So I didn’t make it to many Rockies games this year. Yeah, I always start off with great intentions but it seems like I’m always really busy that time of year. I did go last night though. They played LA and we had four prime seats just a few rows up from home plate. Being that close to the action and being that we decided to go to the bar before hand meant that somebody was going to get heckled, simple as that.

That said, it’s time for a little multiple choice…
We almost got kicked out for heckling who at the Rockies game last night?

1. the LA players
2. Governor Owens
3. Dealin' Doug (the local used car dealer in town who has his face plastered on every other commercial from 5pm on: “Nobody beats a Dealin’ Doug deal…Nobody!”…drives me nuts)
4. the LA fans sitting behind us
5. all of the above

Yup…all of the above. Even poor Governor Owens had to deal with our relentless chants. I’m even a Republican! He took it like a champ but I could tell that Dealin’ Doug was losing patience with us by the way he kept taking off his gold rings and putting them back on. The LA fans and the LA players liked it even less.

I’ve proven it time and time again…that’s what happens when you mix Jack, Rumple and Jose.

Oh yeah…work today has been fun. I tried to pee earlier and I think it coughed powder. Is that bad??? :o)

The Investors

The meeting last night went well for the most part. I was able to put a face to a name as it relates to both the investors and some of the neighbors. It also solidified -for me anyway- that our journey is just beginning and that we (the existing neighbors) are behind and have much to learn to catch up.

10 things I learned last night:

1. "The Investors" (in every meeting held to date) have been trying to get feedback from the neighbors so they can expedite their cause...which in turn exploits the neighbors in one way or another
2. "The Investors" plan to rezone and subdivide the property to maximize their return (i.e. 50 divisions will yield a greater return than 20 but will also greatly reduce the property value for the surrounding neighbors and produce significantly more traffic)
3. "The Investors" plan on selling these newly created subdivisions to other investors who could then sell to other investors and so on and so forth
4. The current owners, "The Investors", do not plan to develop the land themselves but rather they are in it to rezone and sell as fast as they can
5. Our neighbors MUST become better informed on the processes for rezoning
6. Our neighbors MUST become better informed about the proposed rezone (1-R to 2-R).
7. Our neighbors MUST be in-the-loop regarding letters (formal or otherwise) between the city and the investors as letters to City officials regarding public matters are public knowledge
8. "The Investors", though smoke-n-mirror-type tactics, continue to try to convince the neighbors that they will be building homes (see point 3 and 4 above) that will rival the value of the existing homes in the neighborhood although they really have no intentions to do so. They even went so far as to print out pictures of houses that would (read: could possibly) be built.
9. Since most of the neighbors have been there for 25+ years, most of them have never had to deal with anything like this. It is all very foreign to them.
10. My Mom and Dad are extremely strong willed people. I almost actually feel sorry for the City and "The Investors"

More to come as time permits...

Think you had a bad day?

I just got this email from my buddy Shawn who is a New York City fireman.

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

From: SHAWN ******
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:20 PM
To: Jimmy
Subject:

what's up? I got to keep this short. We had a building collapse on us at a fire on Sunday. I made it out but two of my friends didn't make it. One kid was only a fireman for one fucking month. This is the second time in 1 1/2 years my firehouse has lost guys so its been pretty shitty. Couple that with the wife on my ass about why I want to be a fireman and, well you get the picture. I'm busy with the funerals for the rest of the week and i'll give you a shout after that.

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

Aside from telling him that you're sorry for his loss and telling him to be safe, what the hell do you even say to that? On my worst day, the stress I have to deal with doesn't even come close to his. The act of running into a burning building (think NYC, not Denver which pales in comparison) when everyone else is running out takes a certain something most do not have and how he stays sane is beyond me. Although he would argue with me -yes, he is that humble- there is nobody better suited for that job than him. He was born to help people in dire need of being helped. As fluffy as it sounds, he cares that much about his fellow man.

Please be safe brother. Thank you for being you.

Thursday...

First of all, thank you all for all the advice...both in the comments section and via email! It is greatly appreciated...even HK. You must already know how I roll.

Sadly, this process will not be a short one. Since all the neighbors do not agree, it's pretty safe to assume that there will be many (read: almost excessive) city council gatherings. This I'm told is an exercise frequently practiced by the City and investors to wear down the resolve of the neighbors who have joined together to fight this investor backed, city imposed thoroughfare and the rezoning that would occur because of said thoroughfare.

The first of these meetings will be held on Thursday (tomorrow). Rest assured, I will post frequently as the truth unfolds.

Thank you again!

So I have this problem...

I'm planning to purchase a house that currently belongs to my parents. The house in which I grew up is in an ideal location in that it is situated at the very end of a dead-end street. Additionally, there is a "blue ribbon school" only three houses away. Directly across the street there exists an enormous park, double tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court and a extremely large playground.

Unfortunately, there are two very large plots of land (think farmland and horse pasture) to the west that are currently being considered for R2 rezoning (houses that would be considered less than desirable for the neighborhood) and the owner\investor will surely subdivide to maximize his profit. In addition, the city plans to make our beloved dead-end street a thoroughfare - a through street. We, the neighbors, are currently writing letters to the city and the investor condemning both the R2 rezone and said thoroughfare. Tonight we will be circulating two petitions: one condemning the thoroughfare and one condemning the R2 zoning.

Any other (legal) ideas on how we can rise up and fight the power?

Days like this...

...make me really miss Lake Powell.

Long time no post...

Yeah, things have been hectic lately here in cubeville so I have not had a chance to post. Let us recap, shall we?

I took Larah to the Cherry Creek trap range a couple of weeks ago and taught her how to shoot a shotgun. Only time will tell if teaching her how to shoot was a good decision...needless to say, I've been very sweet lately...just in case.

We started at the spring loaded hand-throwing machines. To her credit, she stood in there like a champ despite the fact that I did not bring a 20ga. for her. She was forced to shoot my 12ga. land cannons which were not only too heavy and too long for her but also tend to bruise the shoulder after a few shots. She quickly got the hang of though and was able to shoot down six clay birds. We both had a blast and can't wait to go back.

We headed to the Lee's new house for a house-warming party in Ft. Collins last weekend. What started as a quaint little house warming, quickly developed into a drink-fest complete with drinking games such as "beer-pong", "asshole", and "mexicali" followed by a few no-stakes games of Texas-hold 'em. Too old for drinking games? I think not! Was like riding a bike.

Here's a sign you'll probably never see in Denver or the Tech Center. It's posted on the front doors of the building in which I work. Don't be a hater...I know you want a sign like this where you work...

Mike Wazowski!!!

There's a guy here with a name so similar to the Monsters Inc. character Mike Wazowski that every time I hear or read his name, what jumps into my dome almost makes it out my pie-hole. Not that it's that bad or anything but I can totally see me (after hearing his name and not having much sleep the night before) stand up and scream "Mike Wazowski!!!" in a meeting or on a phone call. I'm hoping this will pass as time goes on and I will be able to suppress the urge however, all bets are off if alcohol is ever involved.

Where has this week gone?

The Road Less Traveled...
1. What don't you understand?
How this entire week has slipped away from me. I'm totally behind and will probably end up working this weekend to catch up.
2. Name someone in your life with blue eyes:
Larah...they were the first thing I noticed about her.
3. When is a lie not really a lie?
A lie is a lie no matta what. Of course some are more severe than others but it doesn't change the fact that you're still a liar-liar-pants-on-fire!
4. When is the last time you got really dirty?
Notice it says dirty, not duuuuuuuurty. Last weekend at the lake. I was loading sand to take home to see if it'll loosen the bentonite (clay) that plagues my lawn and everyone living in the Denver area. I've tried it all folks.
5. Are you a lefty or a righty?
righty

I'm it! 5 Things...

Gaaaaw! I'm IT!
5 Things always in my "laptop bag" (I guess it's like my really big man-purse):
1-pens
2-MSDN subscription (DVDs and such)
3-Tide toGo stain stick
4-GNC vitamin organizer
5-Change (if needed for parking)

5 Things always in my wallet:
1-debit card
2-credit card
3-driver's license
4 -a 50 that just stays there
5 -a flat and round, flat-head screwdriver my dad gave me when I was a teen (it has come in handy)

5 Things always in my refrigerator:
My refrigerator is such a lonely place. If it weren't for that pesky "always" above, I might have actually been able to make this at least sound a little respectable.
1 -Ketchup
2 -Ranch dressing
3 -Something in a zip lock bag in the waaaaay back. I have no idea what it is but I'm afraid to touch it.
4 -sad, huh?
5 -yeah, I know.

5 Things always in my closet:
1 -pants
2 -shirts
3 -shoes
4 -like 5 Halloween costumes
5 -a few guns

5 Things always in my car:
1 -Flashlight
2 -A TON of CDs of which I never listen
3 -Tools
4 -my .380...the truck doesn't move without it
5 -Insurance card and Registration

5 (or more) Things always on my desk:
1 -four trees worth of design documents. They were probably really pretty trees at one point too.
2 -Big plastic mug (for water not beer, damnit!)
3 -Trailmix (when I'm concentrating really hard I find it helps to be eating something chruchy)
4 -phone...oh how I really dislike my phone.
5 -Rugged-ized laptop (...the kind cops use). It's pretty pimp. You can forcibly throw this thing against the wall and it still works. Leave it out on your dash when it's say 100+ degrees outside...for hours? No problem. Spill water on the keyboard? No worries. I really wanted to tie one end of it to my ski rope and drag it in the water for awhile to see what happens but they wouldn't let me.

5 people i'm tagging...
EverLastingKnowItAll
Happykap
Pandora
WhatTheFlop?
AM_PM

Now you're it. Ya like apples??? ;o)

Two...

all beef patties, special-sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.Yes, that's right...delirium, induced by long hours here at the office, has finally decided to rear it's ugly head and now I can't get this damn slogan out of my head. That coupled with me silently singing "red-rover, red-rover send [insert coworkers name here] over" when I needed to converse with one of my peers means I've already lost the battle.

The only known cure: Jack and coke, Rumplemintz and Tequila...in that order.

I'm lovin' it!

My Very Own Friday Fiver

Name the last person you...
1. Hugged:
Larah...the night before last.

2. Smiled at:
Our IT guy like 2 minutes ago.

3. Deceived:
Same IT guy when I promptly pressed ALT+Tab from this blog post to something a little more...ummm...work related.

4. Glared at:
I don't glare. I'm a guy.

5. Lusted after:
A brand spankin' new Malibu LSI with all the fixin's.

Dance Fever

Now I'm not claiming to be the best dancer in the world but I can at least hold my own whereas these cats need to give up while they're ahead.

I have no idea what that is.

I love www.youtube.com

Back in the Saddle

I just love to take four days off just to come back and work another six so I can catch up. Oh well...it's the American way I guess.

We had a blast at the lake! We ate and drank in excess, boarded until our hands were callused, explored the outskirts of the lake, saw a group of big prong-horns, went to a '50s dance and car show, drove my Dad's cherry '50 Merc (for the first time ever), played horseshoes, attended my God-daughter's first birthday party, sun-worshiped, hung with the boys, and spent some much needed quality time with Larah and my folks.
I'd say it was good to be back but I'd be fibbin'!

OOO

T-minus 30 minutes until vacation officially starts. I need to break free of these cube walls for awhile so I can enjoy what's left of the water we have at the lake. Damn Colorado and the water policies here.

Anyway, this weekend should be especially fun. They're having a '50s car show and dance one night and a horseshoe tournament the next day. I know it sounds all redneck but I'm actually looking forward to the horseshoe comp. I'm thinking about not shaving, wearing a stained wife-beater, a pair of jeans, and a John Deere cap. I have my technique worked out and everything: I'll "pitch" with a beer in one hand and the "shoe" in the other. I figure the beer will balance the weight of the shoe...it's simple physics, dear Watson. Yeah, I'll bring home the bacon (or I'll run off with at least one horseshoe - they can't stop me...they can only hope to contain me).

Adios! Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down, c'mon. ;o)

I didn't know Uranus is bigger than the Earth!

A little Monday fun fact to know and tell your friends.

Saw The Lake House on Friday night. I liked it despite being told that I cried -I didn't- and being hit on the arm because I said she should have sent the sports scores and lotto numbers to him.

The truck needed a little TLC on Saturday so after brunch at the local cafe I spent most of the day vacuuming, washing, waxing, and Armor-All(ing) every square inch only to have to rain\hail later that night. Good times...yeah, I know...but what do ya do. It needed to be done. I guess it's back to the car wash again tonight but this time it'll only take like 10 minutes.

Larah and I had a ball at Dan's 30th birthday party. We started off at the Texas Road House - I can still out-cook them- and then went to his house to booze it up and play some cards. All my friends are really into playing poker and I've just seen way too many IOUs for hundreds of dollars to even attempt to join in. I work too hard for the money I make. Aaaaah, I miss the days of playing "Asshole" and including the girls. Was still good to see them all though.

Yesterday was a lazy day.

T-minus 4 days and counting until vacation. Larah and I will be heading up to the lake for ten days of much needed R&R. I think we'll have a blast! On the stack for this weekend (at the lake):

• Saturday, July 1st (8am to 11am) - Breakfast Burritos
• Saturday, July 1st (9am to noon) - Fun Day (games and such for the kids)
• Saturday, July 1st (7pm to midnight) - Car Show, 50s Dance & boozin'
• Sunday, July 2nd (9am to whenever it's over) - Horseshoe Tournament (redneck and I love it!)

Oh! Check it...I put together a collage of pics from Jackson this year...
...that's about as creative as it gets, folks.

hasta!

psssssst...it's friday!

Friday Five
1. What was the last new song you discovered?
Kenny Chesney, Summertime
2. What was the last new dish you tasted?
Marinated chicken breast and some shrimp dish at Tami's house on Monday. That girl can cook it up.
3. Where was the last place you visited for the first time?
I had to help move a piano last night for a guy who works here at the office.
4. Who was the last new person you met?
His wife...albeit briefly.
5. What was the last new toy you played with?
Oh, this is so loaded. I'll take the high road and plead the 5th. ;o)

Is it really Friday? Man, this week seemed to fly.

We're actually not going to the lake this weekend if you can believe that. The weekend lineup:
Tonight - We'll probably be draankin' and swimmin' in the Franklin's new pool (props to HK for the link). So pimp...I'll get to see my God-daughter! She's getting so big!
Tomorrow - I'll probably be working on the house...I've slacked so much this summer.
Tomorrow night - My buddy Dan's 30th birthday get-together.
Sunday - I'm assuming I'll be hung-over so the day will probably start a little later. I'm going to makes some calls to see if anyone is going to any of the local lakes. I also really wanna see a movie. I haven't been to a movie theatre in ages. I'm thinking "The Lake House"...but who knows. Looks interesting anyway.

The AC

...went out in my car so I had to get a little creative.

Don't be a hater.

In other news, soccer sucks...k-bye. I've tried to watch it many times and I think I'd almost rather watch golf or paint dry. Worse yet, we can't seem to put a team together that can compete. Give up. Free up the air time for reruns of Charles In Charge or The Incredible Hulk...hell, I'd even settle for a cooking show.

THIS is a football...'nuff said.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day, Pa! You're the best friend a son could ever ask for and I love you very much. I strive to be the best son, man and a gentleman that I can be because of you.

I love you Dad!