Golf didn't go so well this week.

But I did get to play on the back nine this time. That was kind of cool, since I had only played the front nine.

There was a lot of beer involved, which ended up ruining the night.

Of course the beer didn't stop flowing when I went to a cookout afterwards.

I ended up doing some things I never had done before. Things I am ashamed of.

No more drinking. Not like that.

It doesn't work as a solution to your worries. Trust me.

***

Chilly Ride

I went for another ride tonight. Two rides in one week? That's a record lately.

Theresa had the night off.

Our plans to spend time together changed when she instead did something else.

I rode my motorcycle into Saegertown. It was a seriously chilly ride.

But once again the Bonneville ran just fine. It was a good feeling.

Afterwards I went out. Kind of an odd night.

Lip Action.AVI

Barcelona and Portland Trip

The bike was running smooth. I wasn't, but it was.

Theresa's mom came up to visit with Bryanna, so I decided to let them all spend some time together and I went for a ride.

It was super nice. A lot on my mind, but during the time I was on the road my mind wasn't so heavy.

I ended up riding through Ripley, Barcelona, Portland, and Dunkirk.

Nice ride. Time to work on some things.

Petting Zoo

Bree went with me to Vienna, Ohio yesterday.
We went to a petting zoo!

Talk about fun. We got to feed more animals than I thought we would, and even got to pet a bunch of them too.

Awesome Marsha was Bree's favorite, of course. I always get bumped to second place when Awesome's around (even lower when it's Theresa's mom), but hey I can't blame her there.

She was able to name a lot of the animals, which really surprised me.

But don't take that to mean she knew what they were called.

When I say she was able to name a lot of them, I mean "That one's Fred" and "Ki Ki is that one's name".

Mad skillz.

We also went to Wadell Park. That's always a great park to go to. (It happens to be the park I lost a portion of my eyebrows at.)

Bree used the 'big girl' swings for the first time since I've known her.

It's amazing to see children develop. I was proud of her, but nervous the whole time that she would fall off the swing.

One of the last things we did was check out the 911 Memorial.

That was a pretty powerful little memorial. They have a steel girder from the buildings, and it really makes you realize the magnitude of what happened.

***

This was my best game of golf this year.

I think it was the beer that did it for me.

But it was fun.

I even hung out at the clubhouse for a little bit.

It was a nice time.

Rizzo's Italian.AVI

***

Spongebob Lamp

This isn't much of an appliance, but I'm giving it that tag anyway.

Bree's night light at Theresa's place is a Spongebob lamp that rotates with some pictures and scenery from the cartoon series.

Theresa said it was broken. It just made clicking noises instead of rotating the Spongebob and Patrick picture.

So I took it apart and couldn't find anything wrong. Then I put it back together.

It seemed to work fine after that.

Most interesting.

I'm sure it will stop working again, but it's fixed for now.

Oil Change

Motorcycle mirror pics aren't original on this blog, but I always take one when I'm changing the Bonneville's oil.

This time the oil came out sort of Amber in color. That's a good sign.

At the middle of the season I'll change the oil and filter again.

Then I think we'll be in business.

***

Funny Start To The Day

I brought Bree over to Theresa's place after working on the Bonneville last night.
Bree woke me up this morning, and I went into her room to watch her play with her toys. I laid across her bed and was (accidentally) falling asleep when she said what I thought to be:

"Your balls are showing."

I jumped out of bed and panicked, tapping my pajama pants and looking down at my groin to make sure everything was a-ok. (Then I wondered how she knew what balls were in the first place.)

So I asked her what she said.

She replied that my ball was showing.

When I asked what ball, she pointed her finger and touched my neck. Ah, the Adam's Apple.

I told her "thanks, I wondered where I put that ball."

She replied with "You're welcome. Can we watch cartoons?"

That's how my morning started.

Father's Day Presents

Well, I bought the above movie for myself for a Father's Day gift.

I know, I know...I'm not any one's father. But I am at least a father figure. So I figured that was close enough.

Bree chipped in too. She decided I needed a green rubber snake.

So she got me the green rubber snake, and told me it was named Armando.

We also got some Rolos and shared them. Talk about excited. She just about jumped for joy (we share Rolos often).

***

I bet the movie is much worthy of "Bad Movie" status, so I am adding that tag to this post. I also saw a four-for-one DVD that had two Chuck Norris and two Charles Bronson movies. Oh yeah.

You know I'll go back for that one sometime soon.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, all you dads out there!

I hope you all get something for Father's Day.

Maybe a neck tie. Or a card. Or one of them ash trays made out of clay in art class that looks like a pile of mashed taters. (Ok, only kids my age did things like that. No kids these days would do that.)

But again, Happy Father's Day to you all.

I rode the Bonnie today.

It was a short ride.

My two days of feeling 100% were cut short.

I'm back in the bag again.

At least I got a ride in.

Bree Pictures

Bree got her pictures taken today at Portrait Innovations.

The shoot went well, but it took Theresa FOREVER to pick out the ones she wanted.

Must be a mom thing.

She did pick some awesome pictures, though. I must admit they rock!

Afterwards we went around the corner to Moe's.

That place has some seriously good grub.

And the weather was great. Overall, it was a great day.

I just noticed that yesterday was my first day feeling 100%. Finally.

Today was interesting.

I got to have breakfast with Theresa, which is a rarity.

Afterwards, we looked at some firearms at the sporting goods store.

Then we watched "Ninja Assassin". Totally bloody, good fun.

Grandma called later to ask if I could meet her later at night, so she could spend more time with her grandaughter. I said yes, even though it totally jacked my plans up.

When she dropped Bree off at the meeting place, she starts going off about how screwed up my relationship is with Theresa.

Well now.

All I have to say about all that bullshit is that she isn't up here doing this full time like I am. In fact, being a grandma is very much an on-her-terms type of thing. Whenever she wants to have fun with the grandaughter, she can. She amuses me. I bust my ass for Bryanna. And I'm not changing a damned thing about how I do things unless I say so.

So, sorry grandma. You're entitled to your opinion. But save it.

I'm the guy who stepped up to the plate. If I'm not up to the plate enough for you, then you should be happy I'm not in a relationship with you.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the work day. I need to kick some ass at work. There are a ton of projects on the burners now, and I can't work late most nights because I have to be home to take care of Bree. It actually has made me focus much harder at work.

So that's that. Time to get ready.

saturday

My cousin Mark got married to his lovely woman Jakki!

I only stayed for the wedding, so I missed the reception entirely.

But it was worth the 2 hour drive. In fact, I would have driven 20 hours. Almost the entire time she had this huge, beautiful smile taking up her entire face.

She was truly happy to be marrying Mark.

Those two are destined for great things.

I also got some really good visiting in with my mother.

Awesome Marsha is the best for hanging out. She makes me laugh, and always seems to accept me for who I am.

Also on Saturday I went to a 50th birthday party.

It was at the Sunset Inn, right on the lake.

Man, it was a beautiful place.

Bruce really knows how to throw a party.

Afterwards, I went to to visit Theresa on her break. I got to hang out with all the sights and sounds, and then with my girl.

It was a great Saturday.

Dave Bought A Hot Tub

Four of us loaded a hot tub onto the back of Dave's truck after work.

Brett, Wildman, Dave, and myself.

I think his girlfriend will be happy with his purchase.

It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Poor Wildman got beat up, though. Nobody warned him of incoming trees when he was walking backwards, holding onto his corner of the tub.

Oops.

He's tough, though. Took it like a wild man.

***

Just a picture from the day Bree and I went trail blazing.

We took some awesome vids that day. One of them I posted to this blog earlier in the week.

She's a pretty good hiker.

End Of The Year Ceremony

Bree had her ceremony for the end of the school year!
It was totally sweet.

She was singing, had cookies, and even got a big bag of goodies at the end of the event.

She was pretty proud of herself.

So were Theresa and I.

She'll be in preschool for another year, and then it will kindergarten!

We took a vid of her class singing the '5 Little Monkeys' song.

It's a top-ten kind of song.

Check out the vid here.

***

Golf Week Three (I Missed Week Two)

Well, it was my first time golfing in a while.
It went pretty well, all things considering.

I am still feeling it, but I will hopefully be over it soon. It will be nice to have a break from this crap.

HCSD was my partner. The two other dudes we golfed with was Neil and big Rick (who threw the famous stag and drag party of 2008).

I didn't stick around afterwards. Theresa had made some steak and invited me over.

Beer and crappy food, or Theresa and steak?

I made the choice any guy would make.

***

Seawolves Game!

Theresa, Bryanna, and I all went to a Seawolves game tonight!
Today is my first night of feeling normal again.

It was a rather entertaining night!

Bree kept cheering on the "C-Wuffs" at the top of her lungs.

She was boogying, yelling, and of course...eating lots of popcorn.

Theresa was happy to see me out and about.

When the announcer got on the PA system to announce the "running across the field", she was excited when I said I would do it.

So there all three of us ended up, running across the field like maniacs.

It was a good night out.

FL El Camino

Talk about a sweet ride.

Today the controls group went to Grant Industrial.

The Phoenix Contact guys put on a good show demonstrating some awesome safety products.

Since I'm the designated safety guy, I was supposed to tweak my nipples out of excitement over it.

After the show there was an open house, and Phoenix Contact wowed us with the FL El Camino.

This bad boy is pretty awesome.
It rumbles like a muscle car should, and has gadgets on it that make engineers cream in their pants.

Check out the official website for this awesome ride at:

http://phoenixcontact.com/ip67

Check out a video of the gadgets in the bed being raised up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5LIAV6R-t4

***

trail blazing.AVI

My brother's girlfriend has been contacting me on facebook.

She tells me that he would like me to get into contact with him.

It turns out, he lives in an old apartment on Monroe St, right down the road from where he and I grew up.

I'll get hold of him soon. I just have to figure out what on earth I'd say to him.

***

Bree keeps watching some "My Little Pony" video over and over. Not back to back, mind you (I don't let her be a couch tater). But she wants to watch it everyday. Afterwards, she 'helps' me with things around the house.

***

I got incredibly sick last Tuesday night. I'm on some medication that turns my stomach. But the stomach turning is better than how I felt last week. Sore throat off and on, slight fever one night, among several other symptoms I'd rather not get into. But they are horrible.

Nice to be feeling better again. Just a matter of time before I get to enjoy it again, though.

***

No .45 ammo in all of this town!!! What the hell is up with that? That's ok, I have .38 special hollowpoints in the revolver. I can't see firing .357's indoors, so I choose the .38's. I think those would still ruin somebody's day pretty good.

***

I think I actually spoke to a few people at work today. I just thought of that.

***

I get a kick out of all these assholes on youtube that are "gun reviewers". Hell, I could review a gun if I wanted to, but I don't choose to.

Just because you own a firearm DOESN'T MEAN YOU KNOW SQUAT. So to all them asses, keep on making your dumbass videos. And I'll keep on watching them, because I love them.

(Thanks for all the advice - you know who you are, and I hope this message was "mean enough" for you.)

***

I wish I could have some whiskey. Or a cigar. I have both in my apartment, and I can't have either. Looks like my stogie and draaankin' days are done. Great.

***

That's all for now.

The administration is silencing journalists left and right, eh?

Come silence me, motherfuckers.

I got something for you.

I can't sleep. I know I'll be feeling pretty crappy tomorrow because I am up so late, but hey...what can you do, right?

Too much on my mind right now.

Work.

Home.

Etc.

Anybody that looks me in the face can see it.

So yeah, I'm dreading work. There's a lot on my plate, which is going to make things pretty stressful. And, I can't do stressful anymore. Stress would be a very bad thing.

Ok, I'm whining now, so I'll stop.

***

Random thoughts:

I'd like to get Bryanna into a martial arts class. That would be great.

I'm starting to post videos on youtube. I have no reason for it. It's just something I'm doing for now.

I won't be able to shave in the morning before work, so I hope I don't look as bad as I think I will.

I feel better when I am out and about and I have my weapons on me. Don't know why I shared that, but I'm leaving it in this random list.

Through everything thus far, Theresa has stuck by my side. I find it incredibly interesting. I love her. I'm not sure what I would do without her. I suppose I'd sit around feeling sorry for myself, which I seem pretty good at.

Work fucking sucks lately. I'm happy to have a job, but that's about it right now.

Bree put on my hat last night and told me she was a boy. She didn't like it when I told her she wasn't.

Forget it, I'm going to bed finally.

One awesome thing has happened in the last few days.

My f-m account has magically grown from 6MB to 25MB.

I have to say that I am quite happy about that.

***

Why I love Jan-

Ebert says it all in this quote:

Jan Decleir never goes for the easy effect, never pushes too hard, is a rock-solid occupant of his character. Everything he has to say is embodied, not expressed."

http://men.webmd.com/news/20100602/new-drug-spray-may-help-premature-ejaculation

Wow. Up to six times longer!

Now I can last a whole 3 minutes.

Will

I recently began the process of drafting my living will, and will soon do my last will and testament.

I think this is something that most people do not do, leaving their family with a legal mess in the event they a.) become incapacitated, or b.) die.

Some time ago, I made a promise to do everything I could possibly do in order to ensure Bryanna gets taken care of. This is one of my reasons, among several.

Soon I'll lawyer-up to finalize the process.

And there will be one more task off my list.

***

Monster!.AVI

I just signed up for a dailybooth account.

My username is bigsmitty.

I'm always months behind everyone else when it comes to embracing new technology, services, etc.

But anywho, there's yet another service I'll rarely use - but I have it anyway!

Yay.

Rack Em Rack Willie - Get the Rack Em iPhone app! Search "Damn Show" in ...

Pistol Range

During the last normal weekend of my life...

(Sunday of Memorial Day weekend)

...shooting the .45 about 15 yards down range.

Even Awesome Marsha shot the .45 down range. She liked the 9mm better, but at least she can say she shot the man stopper!

Me shooting the 9mm. I have been carrying this firearm since this day.

I carry FMJ's right now, but will get some JHP's soon.

I don't want to hear any BS about FMJ not being suitable for defense. Kiss my ass. Everyone talks about penetration being important, and nothing penetrates better than FMJ.

But I don't really think I need penetration, so like I said, I will get some JHP's soon.

***

Theresa is looking at getting the Ruger SRC.

We'll save up the cash for her to get it.

It holds more rounds than mine, is made in the US, and I've always loved the look of Rugers.

It's just slightly larger than mine, and might be a little harder to conceal. It will fit her just fine, though.

Bad guys better watch out.

This is the week that changed my life forever.

mem day summary

memorial day weekend

friday

took the day off, as i had 3 vacation days to use before june 30th.

went to gorenflo - they were closed

went to bank and signed papers to keep my account the same

went to erie sport store and bought my carry weapon

took bree to school

hung out at theresa's place and my place

picked up bree from school

hung out with theresa for a bit before she went to work

cleaned the pistol at night

saturday

took the new pistol to the range kind of late in the morning. 50 rounds, no jams

cleaned pistol

met my new neighbor, fred. nice guy. has a mustang gt and a harley. my type of neighbor.

went to waldameer. got a season pass. now i have a new thing to do with bree after work. sweet.

(i absolutely love bree, btw)

sunday

rode the triumph through some back streets, and around presque isle

awesome marsha came up

went to range with awesome. shot the new carry pistol. 50 rounds, no jams. shot the hi point. 20 rounds, no jams.

awesome shot both weapons. seemed to enjoy the 9mm more than the 45. can't blame her there. recorded some videos.

tried watching "presumed innocent". started falling asleep through the film.

monday

had cookout

rained pretty good. that cooled things off.

watched some reality show about relationships.

awesome went home. missed her afterwards. (it was nice having her up. good conversations.)

went to waldameer. rode rides. watched fireworks.

went to theresa's for the night.