I just got some horrible news. Scotts mom is in the hospital. She is not in good health anyway and the infection she has could be devestating. She does not have the lung capaciity to survive surgery and they may need to perform surgery to get rid of the abcess that has formed. Please pray for her and keep her in your thoughts. She is one step below Nanny to me. She is just as sweet and wonderful as she can be and never meets a stranger.
  ¶ 11:10 PM

  As we begin another wonderful day at work I have just one question. And whats wrong with Muriel Puece ?  ¶ 7:19 AM

  Ever since Chas announced his good news I have been thinking about him and the place he holds in my life. As we pass through on this journey called life many different people pass through and if we are lucky share the journey with us. I have been fortunate to have had quite a few people touch my life in a positive way. Chas is definitely one of those people. I have spoken many times about his intelligence as well as his sense of fun. The spirit that resides in Chas is one though that almost defies description. He is a sweet loving soul that also has a backbone. He also has the gift of never meeting a stranger. His warm smile and generous wit can disarm all but the coldest heart. His sense of history and ability to relate a relevant story from his past is another of his gifts. He is also one of the few smart people I know that doesn't try and impress you with his intelligence. It is a pleasure having him in my life and counting him as one of my dearest friends. I am actually jealous of the gay community in Atlanta getting him as a member. I know they will come to love and treasure him just as we do. Norfolk will be a slightly darker place losing him as a resident. I know my life will be changed by his departure. I also know that he doesn't make friends and leave them in the lurch. I plan on many more wonderful times spent with my dear wonderful sister. I now have another reason to head to Georgia. I hope he knows how precious he is to me and how deeply his physical presence will be missed. I know that at least a piece of his spirit will stay here with me.  ¶ 8:56 PM

  I just had to post these:}
After every flight, Qantas Airlines pilots fill out a

form called a gripe sheet, which conveys to the

mechanics problems encountered with the aircraft

during the flight that need repair or correction. The mechanics read

and correct the problem, and then respond in writing on the lower half

of the form what remedial action was taken, and the pilot reviews the

gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be

said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of

humor.

Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints and

problems as submitted by Qantas pilots and the

solution as recorded by Qantas maintenance engineers.

By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has

never had an accident.

(P = The problem logged by the pilot.)

(S = The solution and action taken by the engineers.)

P: Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement.

S: Almost replaced left inside main tyre.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.

S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.

S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.

S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet

per minute descent.

S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.

S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.

S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.

S: That's what they're there for.

P: IFF inoperative.

S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.

S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.

S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.

S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be

serious.

P: Target radar hums.

S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.

S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds

like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.

S: Took hammer away from midget.

This one also :}



* * *

The Guys' Rules

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the guys' side of the story.
(I must admit, it's pretty good.)

We always hear "the rules"
from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules!
Please note... these are all numbered "1"
ON PURPOSE!

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on th is one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball, the shotgun formation, or monster trucks.

1. You h ave enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.


  ¶ 1:09 PM

  This past weekend's events has caused me to break my self-imposed silence on the blog front. The fact that I have been lazy as hell about blogging has nothing to do with it. Yeah that’s it LOL. Each day of this past weekend had something wonderful about it in its own special way. Friday I spent by myself resting and studying wonderful new sources on the internet. I find that I still need me time and a decent chunk of it. One of the things I have learned from my therapy sessions is not everything I did to protect my heart was bad and I still need to continue them. I spent a majority of my time holed up by myself after I got back from Washington basically protecting myself from any future pain. That time was good for helping me get right with myself and now it is time for me to learn to work and play well with others. I am very glad I started therapy but it is just like trying a new color on your hair you may love the results but they may not be exactly what you expected them. I am finding I am still a good person just different from everyone else. You may be thinking to yourself well duh but when you spend the majority of your life trying to disappear into the wall but still be seen you can find it very hard to accept that you are different than anyone else. Different people get noticed and not always for the right reasons. I am finding that me being different is a very good thing. I have my own gifts to bring to whatever group I am a part of and they will be accepted and maybe even wanted. It is amazing that when you spend the majority of the time protecting yourself and hiding in the shadows you can lose sight of who you are and the fact you can be a wonderful person that people really do like and want to be around. I know I sound like Sally Fields at the Oscars but hey it is taking me a while to get here. When you don’t really like yourself it is almost impossible for others to like you.

Ok enough of the deep emotional shit now back to the weekend. That last part was important to me but really smacks of OOH LOOK SOMETHING SHINY LOL. Saturday was very rewarding I got to do speed laundry with the other charmed ones and then it was on to physical labor. Others may think I got out of doing alot of work but remember I WAS JUST THERE TO WATCH THE DOG LOL. Michael was the second butchest person there. I was truly impressed. We all know who the butchest one there was LOL. Todd was our angel and brought us food thank you sissie:}. I found out I am more like my mother than I want to accept but actually looking back it was more like my Nannie that my mom but anyway. Sunday was fabulous brunch in a much too loud No Frill and then more work on the shed. OOH LOOK POWER TOOLS LOL. Then Jenn and I got to spend some quality time together getting things together for the cookout and just talking. I think that was my favorite part of the whole weekend. The cookout was wonderful even thoug I don't know what possessed my old fat smoking ass to run around playing badminton most of the afternoon. After Chas and I wupped the younger ones I had to go lay down LOL. I must say this was probably my favorite Memorial Day weekend ever. The fact it was the first one I didn't have to work on didn't hurt. It also reminded me how special my friends are to me and how much richer my life is because of them. Steven will be sorely missed while he is out to sea but that will only make his return that much nicer. Well time to get ready to drive out to the other end of the world to go to work.
  ¶ 6:16 AM

  My desire to make myself a better person has led me to where I am this morning. I look forward to my appointment with nervous anticipation. I really want to see what is going on with me but a bit apprehensive of what I might dig up. That being said I need to work on coming to terms with who I am at this point in my life and why I react to things the way I do. I understand no one is perfect but I feel there are a few key areas in my life that with a bit of help I can make better. I had planned on commenting on the leaving of one of the members of our group but there is too many wounds at this point. I feel I should keep my thoughts to myself and let time heal those wounds. I also think that no real good would come from me letting my feelings be known. Most of you know how I feel about him anyway. My penchant for strong emotional reaction is part of the reason I have my appointment this morning. It is amazing how you come to depend on certain people in your life being there especially if they usually share certain activities with you. I must say this first Sunday without Steve was a bit unsettling to me. I know she knows this but all Jenn has to do is call and I am there for her. I know this post is just rambling but that’s where I am right now. My emotions and thoughts are going off in a million different directions. The motivating factor for me to seek help is my life is better than it has ever been and yet I still have my bouts of bitterness an emotional upheaval. This isn't just an emotional issue. My doctor and I feel that once I reduce the stress and upheaval in my life my blood pressure will improve dramatically. Well I guess I will start getting ready for my appointment.  ¶ 7:06 AM

  This past weekend has brought an assortment of emotions to the forefront. The biggest one in force right now is love. We spend a blink of an eye on the face of this earth and most people never find that one true friend much less the one true love of their life. I have been very lucky in this regard. Scott and I have been friends for about 7 years and the ups and downs that come in the journey of any set of friends has befallen us. It hasn't made that much difference in the relationship that we share. We may be apart but we both know that all it takes is one call and either one of us will be there, as fast as we can to do whatever the other one needs. No human being is perfect but in my eyes he comes as close as any man can. There are times that he ticks me off but I can never stay mad at him for very long. He seems to know the perfect way to assuage my bitterness. This for me is saying alot. The time we share now is made even more precious because we know that there are 500 miles between us and we need to make the most of the time we share. I guess he and I are in this situation to make sure we truly treasure our time together. This whole line of thought has made me realize something about the friends I have here. I try not to but at times all of us take the people that are precious to us for granted. I hope that none of my friends feels I take them for granted. The place that you each have in my heart is just as precious to me as the one Scott holds in your own special and wonderful way. I would not be where I am at this point without the help and love that each of you has shown me. I have been very lucky in my life to have the friends I do. The people that have made their way through my life in whatever capacity have helped to mold and shape me into the person I am right now. I have come to realize over the past few months as I search for the truth and ways to improve myself that I am basically fine the way I am. I know the majority of what type person you are falls on you but my friends have truly been a blessing to me and I can't express in the right words what each of you mean to me.  ¶ 9:24 PM