Life on the "Golden Road"

Bad News....

2010-11-24T18:30:00.002-05:00

Reba, the bunny busted out of her cage while we were at work one day a few weeks ago and Nala killed her. It was a terrible shock to open the door and see Aline's favorite new friend murdered on Nala's bed. Nala was fine with the little mini rex bunny while we were home. She would often sniff and lick her while we held the bunny, but I guess instinct was too strong to fight when the bunny got out and ran.

Welcome the new bunny...Reba!!

2010-09-06T16:46:00.003-04:00

Magic Couch Seat Buzzer

2010-08-25T18:47:00.003-04:00

I finally figured it out!! Our couch has a switch under the cushion that I sit on. Do you know how I know this? Because every time time I sit down my lovely wife says "Honey, can you come here?" Or "Honey, can you go get (insert anything here, including something that may be 12 inches away from her and 20 feet away from me)?" or "Honey, are you doing anything?". See the way it works is, as soon as there is enough pressure applied to the switch from my butt, a buzzer goes off in her head that only she can hear. I know this because if I stay around her and ask if there's anything that needs doing there's nothing, but as soon as I sit on the switch I immediately hear one of the questions above. Can't believe it took me so long to figure this out. I assume that's why so many guys hang out at the bar.... no buzzer switches under the bar stools!!!!

Two new Jeep Wrangler's !!

2010-07-24T21:19:00.004-04:00

As absurd as it sounds, we bought two new Jeep Wrangler's last Saturday. After many month's of searching, Aline finally decided on a Jeep Wrangler 4 door Islander special edition. While we were at the dealer we asked about trading in my 2006 Wrangler. Turns out I was able to get a new one as well, because my new monthly payments ended up being less than the payments I was already making for the 2006 that I had. We figured it would be a good move since mine already had 75,000 miles on it. So there you have it, two new Jeep Wranglers for two very happy people! Mine is the 2 door Red and Aline's is the 4 door white islander.

Mom

2010-07-01T21:19:00.006-04:00

Karla Anne Michaud

Published: Thursday, July 01, 2010

HAMILTON — Karla Anne (Burtis) Michaud went home to God on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, in her 67th year.

She was the daughter of the late Winfield Ralph and Anne Elizabeth (Dancer) Burtis. She was born April 2, 1943 in Trento and spent her youth in the White Horse area of Hamilton Township. She graduated from Hamilton High School West in 1961. On August 5, 1961, shortly after she graduated, she married Richard James Michaud whom she met on the dance floor at Hightstown Country Club. The majority of their married life has been spent in the Hamilton Square area of Hamilton Township. For several years while her two children were toddlers she worked part time at Raymond’s Fabric shop in Hamilton. She was an extremely talented seamstress. For many years while her children were in school and even after they became adults she had her own day care business. She was the birth mother of two, but surrogate mother to countless little ones that she cared for in her home. She retired from that career while in her 50s and then pursued a sales lead position with Bath Fitters. The job was a good fit as it enabled her and Rich to meet many more interesting and entertaining individuals while demonstrating and selling the Bath Fitter line. On days off she and Rich continued to pursue their love of dancing, especially the various polka dances they frequented all around the tri-state area, going as far as Michigan and Maryland. She loved the Pennsylvania Dutch area and nothing pleased her more than planning a trip to that area with her granddaughters.

Karla is survived by her husband, Richard James Michaud who resides in Hamilton Township; her daughter, Sherry Lynn Michaud of Florence Township; her son, Richard Swithin Michaud and his wife Aline (Silva) Michaud of Laurence Harbor; and her sister Marilou (Burtis) Farr and her husband Frank “Sonny” Farr also residents of Florence Township. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, four granddaughters, Tora Vogel and Tyler Tetkowski both of Florence Township, and Marisa Michaud and Casey Michaud both residing in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She also has one great-grandson, Mason Wysienski of Myrtle Beach S.C.

One of her final decisions was to donate her body to science in order to promote advancement in and treatment of ovarian cancer. There will be no burial or calling hours. Contributions in her name may be made to Fox Chase Cancer Center.

I need this!

2010-05-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

http://www.ballwatchusa.com/collections/engineerhydrocarbonseries.asp

My new watch...

2010-04-30T22:07:00.003-04:00

My daughter Casey now checks out watches for me. She suggested this one and I ordered it. It's now my favorite. And now Aline's hooked too and I ordered her the slightly smaller ladies version in pink! It's an Invicta Sub Aqua Noma III. Purchased from ShopNBC.

I ain't right..

2010-03-30T19:26:00.003-04:00

Casey and her boyfriend are here for a week. We decided to go to see Alan Jackson on the Today Show (click here to see the video) in NYC since he's here to promote his new CD. It poured all day. We stood in the rain outside the studio from about 6:30am til 8:30. Had our picture taken by the NBC experience guy and were briefly on TV this morning when they did the weather segment outside. We got home drenched and cold, but had fun.

The funny thing is during the train ride to the city I was listening to Iron Maiden while I was heading to NYC to see Alan Jackson....and I like both..now that's diverse!!! Wouldn't you say?

Pumba....

2010-03-04T19:59:00.003-05:00

I think most people who have read my blog for any period of time know that my wife's dog, Pumba and I haven't always seen eye to eye. He's made me pretty mad many times, bitten my thumb and left a scar, and peed on some of our stuff, but he has always held a place in Aline's heart and therefore my own as well. It's with a heavy heart that I have to say today that Pumba is no longer with us. He has had a cough for a week of so and had a really bad time of it last night. Aline took him to the vet this morning when she woke up and found he had trouble breathing and couldn't walk. She was only in the vets office a few minutes when they realized how serious the situation really was. He had congestive heart failure and was by that time also bleeding from his nose. There was no hope and no sense in keeping him on only to suffer. He has now crossed over that rainbow bridge to sleep on his brother Simba's back once again. We'll (yes, even me) miss you buddy!

It's a shame our country has come to this.....

2010-02-18T15:48:00.003-05:00

He makes a lot of good points. Maybe he handled it wrong, but desperate people do desperate things. I expect more of these type of actions as there are a LOT of desperate people....

RIP Joseph Stack

New glasses, Old hat!

2010-02-10T19:43:00.001-05:00

Inside staying out of the snow today.

A weird thought.....

2010-02-01T09:23:00.003-05:00

As I get off the train and walk down 33rd street to catch the subway, it hits me.......there are millions of people, literally millions, walking the streets of NYC in this freezing weather, listening to their ipods just like me, BUT I bet I was the one and only of the millions enjoying "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" from the Earl Scruggs with family and friends live from the Ryman album. It gets me by until I can get out of this godforsaken hellhole of a place. Please let it be soon.....I miss Nashville.

It's not true, I'm still alive....

2010-01-14T21:21:00.002-05:00

just haven't had time to blog.

Just got another new watch. A Stuhrling Manchester Ozzie II

Myrtle Beach student killed when motorcycle crashes with bus - Local - TheSunNews.com

2009-11-02T12:49:00.001-05:00

Myrtle Beach student killed when motorcycle crashes with bus - Local - TheSunNews.com

This was my daughter Casey's friend. She came home from school after this happened this morning.

They just pulled a Halloween prank together at the school with a few other friends the other day. It was a harmless prank pre-approved by the school. They filled an office full of balloons. She liked him a lot. Another sad day for that school district after the shooting of another student not too long ago.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T19:57:00.003-04:00

I love Domo! Watch him here. Went out to Target and bought one!

One of these things is not like the other...

2009-10-28T11:30:00.004-04:00

One of these things just doesn't belong!

Jamey Johnson was among the attendees at Ivanka Trump’s wedding on Sunday to Jared Kushner, according to The New York Post. The event, held at a Bedminster, N.J., golf course owned by Donald Trump, also attracted Barbara Walters, Rudy Giuliani, actress Emmy Rossum and Counting Crows vocalist Adam Duritz, among others.

Very strange indeed.

System of a Down-Violin??

2009-10-27T16:43:00.000-04:00

This is Way Cool!

3 more days at Sixty

2009-10-27T16:14:00.009-04:00

Here are some pictures of the current, sad, boxed up office. At this point we don't even have phone service!

In order: My Desk(no, I don't have an office, but I will :) come Tues.), The neighborhood,the reception area,packed up boxes in our area, chairs wrapped and ready for someone elses butts, The show room.

Bye Bye Sixty USA and Hello Loro Piana

2009-10-22T09:36:00.005-04:00

I accepted the Payroll Manager position at Loro Piana. I start Nov 3,2009. After working with the best co-workers ever at Sixty I wanted to stay in retail. While I was only at Sixty USA for a short 4 months, it was still a great place to work and I worked with some of the hardest working co-workers ever. We really did a lot in some really difficult situations and conditions. We ALL really wanted to make Sixty USA successful. In the end we lost support from Italy, but it wasn't due to lack of hard work and dedication on our part. My thanks to everyone there that I worked with. It was a great team and something to be proud of, you are a great bunch!

and another offer....

2009-10-19T16:10:00.002-04:00

Just spoke with Loro Piana and they will be sending me a job offer tomorrow afternoon. So I went from having no job offers as of yesterday to having two just like that. Phewww......thank God! I was getting worried as the end of the month is fast approaching.

Job Offer

2009-10-19T13:19:00.003-04:00

Got an offer for the Payroll Manager job at Newsweek and expect an offer from Loro Piana any moment now.

Student dead, officer stabbed at Carolina Forest High School

2009-10-16T11:34:00.003-04:00

As a Dad I sit about 700+ miles away from my 17 year old daughter who would normally be at this school when this happened. It's a very tough time, but I do feel slightly better knowing that she is safe at the Performing Arts School a few miles away from this, the school she would normally be attending. I can't be there for her or drive to her school to see if she's ok. All I can do is talk to her Mom and text her to see how she's doing.

It really sucks being far away from the kids I love. Also makes me 2nd guess the decision I made a couple of years ago to let her go live there because I thought it might be a better place to grow up, but I guess it could happen anywhere.

The story is here

Sure hope I get a job

2009-10-14T15:59:00.000-04:00

Won't I be publicly embarassed if I don't get a job from one of these many interviews I've been blogging about.......

Another "Luxury Group" interview!

2009-10-14T15:53:00.002-04:00

I have an interview at LVMH on 10/29/09!

A new job

2009-10-14T11:39:00.002-04:00

There are possibilities regarding a new job, but I don't want to jinx myself so I'm not disclosing them here yet. I'm still in the interview process and no offers yet.

Only 12 days left at Sixty........

There's New York City where

2009-10-13T13:15:00.002-04:00

the Empire State building is then there's the NYC where I work......

NYC

2009-10-08T13:29:00.009-04:00

Some pictures from my cell phone while I ate lunch today. If you click on the one above you can see the Statue of Liberty and click on the church signage to see who one of the church founders was!

hint: Twas the night before Christmas.....

UPDATE!!! No Body,No Murder!

2009-10-06T13:47:00.004-04:00

Lunch time UPDATE!! DEAD RAT GONE MISSING!!

No Body...No Murder!

"You Dirty Rat"!

Day II

2009-10-06T09:10:00.001-04:00

Same dead rat, same dead location. Assuming this rat was a fresh kill on Monday(I doubt). This is day 2 for the dead rat in the subway stairwell. Lets see how long it stays there.

MUSE-The Resistance

2009-10-05T11:36:00.002-04:00

I'm digging this right now.

Good Stuff.

Sometimes the Rat gets the City, Sometimes the City gets the Rat

2009-10-05T09:11:00.003-04:00

This morning the City got the Rat.....and it was right in the stairway coming up from the subway! A nice big bashed in 4-5lb Rat, size of a small cat. Looks like some baseball bat toting subway rider didn't take kindly to this rat. He didn't die from some kind of rat trap or poison, but was definitely hit by some sledgehammer type weapon. Funny thing about the city....I was coming up the stairs with about at least 50 women and not one comment. Not one yuck!, ewww!, gross!, nothing!!! Just stepped over it and kept going. Tough broads we got in this city!

More on the U2 concert/NJ Transit

2009-09-24T21:24:00.005-04:00

Gotta love the geniuses at NJ transit. Lets put 20,000 people on a train at the same time. Oh and lets tell them to buy "round trip" tickets that they can't use on the "Peak Hours" train that takes them to the concert between 5pm and 7pm. What a bunch of morons in charge there at NJ Transit. Welcome to NJ where you can't get anywhere fast or easily...."especially" using mass transit! Read about it here

U2 is in town

2009-09-23T21:34:00.004-04:00

Seems U2 is playing at the Meadowlands tonight. NJ transit has started a shuttle from Secaucus Junction to the venue. This means that New Yorkers can now catch the train from NY Penn Station to Secaucus and then catch the shuttle directly to the U2 concert. Great right? Wrong! What it means is there were about an extra thousand young U2 fans at Penn Station NY when I got there trying to get home from work. They all piled on our train! Now I hate NJ Transit and U2. Oh and there's another concert tomorrow night! Gives me "vertigo".

Tomorrow

2009-09-23T21:19:00.001-04:00

Big interview tomorrow 9:15 AM. Wish me luck, good thoughts, good karma....whatever

Oh no!! Not again....

2009-09-19T18:46:00.005-04:00

Skunked again. If you do a search on my blog using the word "skunk" you should find a couple of blogs. Nala has once again been skunked. It happened Thursday night at around 3 am. We woke up to that old familiar stench. All summer we have kept the doggie door closed at night hoping to avoid the skunks. It's been in the 40's and 50's here at night so we figured it'd be safe to leave the doggie door open so that Nala can enjoy the cool weather that she loves and pee whenever she feels like it rather than pacing the floor in the early morning hours waiting for us to awaken to open the door for her. Guess the skunks are still active, because she got it again. So she was off to Petsmart to get groomed again this morning. $100 later she smells like a million bucks and looks good too. I found out what the mysterious holes were in our back yard too. I searched the internet and saw holes that look just like ours.....SKUNK HOLES!

Dr. Mengele

2009-09-17T09:10:00.003-04:00

Went to the dentist two days ago. She's a real good dentist here in Manhattan on 60th between Park and Madison. Her real identity is still safe since there are only about 100 dentists on the same block. Anyway, she gives a good cleaning and exam, but can be ....shall we say....a little rough? So I had a cavity for the first time in years and she asked if I wanted it done while I was there for my cleaning. I said sure why not, save a trip. Well when she cleans, she cleans. I was spitting out blood the whole time. Then she gave me 4 shots of novocain so I seemed like I was drooling all night just like the episode on Seinfeld where Kramer went to the dentist and gets invited to a special dinner because they think he's handicapped, anyway you get the idea. It's two days later and my mouth is still sore. Guess that's why everyone that goes to her affectionately calls her Dr. Mengele.

I'm gonna miss this job!

2009-09-16T17:00:00.006-04:00

I'm going to miss my manager, co-workers and this job. This is an email that my current manager sent to someone that I just interviewed with last Friday:

Dear XxX, We are part of the same luxury goods network and I thought I would reach out to you today as I have heard that you have recently interviewed Rich Michaud for your Payroll and Benefits Manager position. I would just like to say that I am fully supportive of Rich’s search and that he is truly the best Payroll and Benefits Manager I have worked with in my career. Rich’s level of service and responsiveness to the employee population is second to none and within one week of his start date we began receiving rave reviews from our employees. His transition into his new role here at Sixty, which was not easy task due to departmental pitfalls and lack of compliance, was practically seamless. He has taken on challenges with the upmost patience and diligence, providing sound suggestions and information which has helped make huge strides toward better Payroll and Benefits administration. Rich is extremely detail oriented, systems savvy , well versed on employer taxes and labor legislation and proactive to say the least. Should you decide to move forward with Rich, I am sure you will feel you have made the best choice that will support both you and the organization wonderfully. Please do feel free to contact me should you have any questions, my contact information is below. Kind

regards,
YyYy XxXx
Human Resources Director
Human Resources

Hope it helps :)

It's official, I need a new job!

2009-09-04T19:44:00.005-04:00

Our company will be closing it's office at the end of the month. So my ideal job officially lasted 3 months. Go figure. They loved me there and I loved them. This means I MIGHT be employed thu October. Send me any good VIBES. We could use them right about now. It's all kind crashing down on us right now. My Mom's cancer is back, this job thing, and my mother-in-law has to find a new place to live. We're preparing for the worst and staying positive all at the same time. In the past 2 layoff's I've always ended up better off, better job and more money, it's always worked out for the best and I survived them all so let's test fate again shall we?

Need a Payroll Manager?

2009-09-03T14:14:00.002-04:00

I have the perfect guy for you.

Looks like I will soon be working somewhere else. Seems our whole office will be! More details as they come. For now though it's back to looking for a job. This is getting really old really fast.

Great Service Here!

2009-09-03T14:10:00.003-04:00

Seen while I walked back from lunch in Greenwich Village. Many gay bars in this area, as you can see, but it really is a beautiful place to live, if you enjoy the city and it's a very interesting area to work in. A little pricy here though. One BR apts range from $2,000-$4,000 per month. 1 Br condos sell for about 2.5 mil.

How come this never happens to me?

2009-08-28T10:51:00.001-04:00

http://bobbyderailed.blogspot.com/2009/08/trespasser-gone-wild-and-ashleigh.html

I only get to see a man walking by the river with only bikini underwear on while I sit on a bench eating my lunch. True...happened twice in the last month...and it wasn't a bathing suit he was wearin.....

Miss you Marisa

2009-08-23T14:36:00.001-04:00

Hurry Home

Locked Doors

2009-08-23T11:37:00.003-04:00

I hate locked doors....and everything they represent, all the problems they cause and all the reasons for them. I'm done now...I don't feel better, because the doors are still locked and I'm thinking they always will be.

More homeless..and uses for that Wendy's fork

2009-07-10T20:42:00.004-04:00

This time he was in the subway. Going home I take the "1" train from Houston St. I get to the subway station and see an old guy with no shirt on sitting on the bench. He's got a white beard oh about 3 or 4 inches long and he's combing it with a fast food plastic fork. Guess just because your homeless and shirtless doesn't mean you have to have an unkept beard.

Seen in the train station...homeless and diabetic

2009-07-08T21:40:00.004-04:00

So for the last 3 days I've seen this homeless guy go head first into every trash can in the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in NYC. It's the same time each day...around 6pm. Most times he comes out with leftover fast food that someone else has thrown away. He spreads out the food scraps on top of the trash can and makes a meal of whatever he finds including leftover spit from the bottom of soda bottles. Surprisingly he usually finds something worth eating in every can.

So today I feel bad and decide I'm going to approach him with an unopened pack of peanut butter crackers I have in my bag. Was going to eat them on the train on the way home, but I figured this needs them more than me since I'm going to have dinner of some sort when I get home in an hour or so. So carefully I approach him while he's head down in the next can and I say "excuse me would you like these?" He looks up and says "No thank you I'm diabetic". Real polite like and then gets back to business in the bottom of the can. I still don't know what to think about this almost 4 hours later. Should I be in shock that he turned down CLEAN food? Should I figure he's a little unstable? He seemed perfectly sane and even polite(no thank you), Should I feel sorry for him being homeless and diabetic? Should I feel ashamed that a homeless diabetic guy is more concerned about eating right than I am, as I was about to eat the same crackers he rejected as unacceptable for a diabetic like me? One thing's for sure.. I'm thankful for what I have

This once happened

2009-06-29T16:48:00.001-04:00

Unknown to me at the time, My wife, after being elbowed in the gut by a grown man in Penn Station, actually almost caused us to miss our train as she felt the need to run down the much larger than her SOB and give him a large enough shove that he almost fell in the middle of Penn Station. Embarrassed by a smaller more petite and much younger female in front of thousands in the middle of Penn station. That’s my wife alright!

A New Job, And A New Start

2009-06-23T09:47:00.003-04:00

I'm leaving my current employer, Espirito Santo Investment. I was offered a position with Sixty USA as a Payroll/Benefits Manager. Payroll and benefits are my preferred area for a profession. I currently do pretty much anything and everything to do with HR(Human Resources), payroll and benefits. The payroll and benefits part is fine, the HR part....Ehh not so much. A good part of my current job has me chasing people for paperwork, FINRA forms, HR forms etc.. I'm also posting positions we are hiring for, interviewing and handling 90% of the new hire process after the job has been accepted. Not my idea of fun, but hey it's a job. When you are unemployed, you take what's provided. I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to work here. Anyway, this position kind of fell in my lap. My wife worked with this person that left her company and went to Sixty as HR director. She contacted my wife about coming to work for her as payroll/benefits manager. My wife is pretty much the best employee you could ever ask for so I completely understood why she would be trying to recruit her. We both work in the Payroll/Benefits area. My wife wasn't interested in leaving her current gig, but told this person about me maybe being interested in leaving my employer for something like this. I met with her, she had me meet with the finance guy, then I had breakfast with their CEO and here I am starting there 7/8/09.

I can't wait to get started. It's going to be a lot of hard work, but work that I enjoy. And to top it all off they are CASUAL. And by casual I mean Jeans and T-Shirts. Anyone that really knows me knows I'm not really a suit and tie kind of guy. I'll do it and I have for the majority of my career, but I hate it. Since they are primarily a denim(jeans) retailer, they provide me with an annual clothing allowance to go to their stores and buy their merchandise to wear to work. They are also located in a pretty trendy area in the West Village. A converted loft where they pump some pretty cool music thru the whole office and a loop of models walking the runway in their clothing line is on the flat panel all day. A lot different than the very formal Madison Ave.

I'm ready.

Sixty USA

2009-06-22T11:49:00.004-04:00

I was invited to and had breakfast with the ex-CEO of Versace(US) last Friday. More to follow on this later.....

Little hands RULE!

2009-06-18T11:44:00.006-04:00

I miss my kids and my grandson. I'll be going to Myrtle Beach SC the first week in August to visit them. Haven't seen Casey since Christmas(though I talk to her everyday), haven't seen Marisa and Mason since they moved in Oct 2007. Until then I've received this from my oldest daughter Marisa along with a father's day card. A picture drawn by my grandson Mason.

This song actually made this grown man tear up in front of everyone on the train this morning as it was heard through the earbuds. I know my girls are young adults now, but to me they are still "Daddy's little girls."

For those of you not divorced, with kids, give em an extra hug and a kiss tonight.

Jason Michael Carroll-From the CD "Growing up is getting old"

Tears

Paid first and last month's rent, I don't know why I even carried in this old bed of mine
Its not like I ever sleep
All I do is think of her, and wonder how I'm gonna make things work
Cause I know as a dad I got a lot of responsibility
Even though God gave this gift to the both of us
Some how every other weekend is how it ended up

When the telephone rings, I drop everything
Cause when all u got is that 8 o'clock, "nite nite dad I miss you a lot"
I stop in my tracks, I try to act strong when she calls
And I thank God she cant hear tears...when they fall

Now its her Dr. Seuss and me and shes learning how to read
And I cant see those pictures, but I can hear those pages turn
And her mother says "it's bath time", as she blows a kiss through the line
I don't know what's worse saying goodbye, or talking to her
Cause I'm the one that should be there tucking her in the bed
But since her voice is all I have I'm thankful for what I get

When the telephone rings, I drop everything
Cause when all u got is that 8 o'clock, "nite nite dad I miss you a lot"
I stop in my tracks, I try to act strong when she calls
And I thank God she cant hear tears...when they fall

If she knew I was crying she might think its her fault, oh but that's just me missing her
Every time we talk....every time we talk

Heard in the train station

2009-06-09T11:40:00.005-04:00

One of the reasons I despise the city, especially NYC, is the dwellers that roam there and think themselves sophisticated....

Overheard in the train station this morning. A conversation between two girls in their early 20's:

"I went to Yellowstone National Park with my friend. It sucked, so boring, there wasn't even a coffee shop around!"

Then Aline and I proceed up the escalator to get out of the train station. It takes us from the train station level to the street outside. I mean directly outside. It was pouring rain. Thousands of people are actually in line to use the escalator so it's packed. Geniuses get to the top of the escalator and don't want to get wet, so they just get off the escalator and STOP! They don't move, just STOP at the top. Guess what happens when everyone stops right at the top of the escalator? About a hundred people that are ON the escalator can't get off, even though the escalator doesn't know that and it keeps going, bringing more to the end of the escalator! Was truly almost a catastrophe.

Commuter things that I don't understand......

2009-06-08T11:53:00.005-04:00

I've noticed this several times.....somebody is waiting at the bus stop, they get on a full bus, pay $2, stand the entire ride for two blocks and get off. The weather is a perfect 70 degrees, no rain in sight, and the person is healthy and fully capable of walking the entire two blocks(about 50 yards each) in less time then they spent waiting at the bus stop?????

Two trains arrive at the same platform at Penn Station at the same time. There are approx. 10 train cars each and about 50 people per car for a total of 1,000 people. We have two non-working escalators to use to get upstairs from the platform, each narrower than your typical mall escalator. Do you have any idea how long it takes for all the people to get up one floor in this situation? No one responsible for design at Penn Station must take the train........

Neglected this blog

2009-06-02T10:58:00.003-04:00

Ok, Judy reminded me that I've neglected this blog. Sorry, been busy upon my return to work after being out for almost a week and 1/2.

Here's a summary of where I'm at:

The damn swine flu is gone....good riddance! Aline and I both survived and we are all set should it decide to revisit everyone in the fall. We've had it, did our time.

We both were able to process our company payroll's from home while out so I still have my record in tact. Haven't missed a payroll since I began my payroll career back in 1985.

Been very busy at work. We are one of the few companies growing and therefore I have been doing many interviews with potential candidates, processing several new hires, including all the stupid financial background checks that go along with working for a bank and trades on the market. Yuck. Also doing all the benefits orientation and enrollments.

We put the house back on the market and have had a total of zero showings.

We looked into replacing the front porch with something nice that we can enjoy while we are stuck in this house. Too much money for right now.

Back to the rat race. Late, slow, smelly trains, blah blah blah. And one broken taillight to the car from the train station parking lot. Upon our return from work one day, we arrived to a busted taillight with a note on the windshield saying "sorry" with no contact info. $55 later and one ebay transaction and I had a used replacement that I was able to fix myself. Gotta love this commute.

We made our first trip to the beach for the summer. We went to Seaside Heights last Sat. It was a pleasant 70 degrees and not crowded.....at least not until about 7 pm. Then all the thugs showed up on the boardwalk. Damn teenagers. We are getting old though aren't we. Back in the day I would have been one of them.

My daughter Casey is looking for a job in Myrtle Beach. There is a tentative plan for her to come visit us for a week the end of June. If she doesn't have a job first. If she does, the job wins out and I won't see her until we visit them all in August.

My oldest daughter Marisa's been potty training my grandson Mason. From what I hear it's been successful. That should be a relief for her.

That's all for now.

All's well in the "Pigpen"

2009-05-18T12:38:00.004-04:00

Sorry, about the messy misspelled jumble of a blog below, just had to capture the moment before it was gone, even though I wasn't feeling to well at the time I wrote it. Figure I'll leave it in it's original state as a reminder of what it was like. Actually that was the first day I was even able to get up and check my email and blog. Prior to yesterday I'd been entirely out of commission since I got home from work last wed night. Feeling pretty good today, just tired. And tired of seeing the inside of this house, but I'm confined here with Aline and the two dogs for the rest of the week. Should be interesting. Aline's birthday is Wed., poor girl. We can't even go out to eat or do anything fun. I have some stuff being mailed here though ;).

I've asked work to overnight me some records so I can process the payroll from home. Haven't missed a payroll pay date yet. It's been 25+ years, blizzards, hurricanes, two kids being born, power outages, tornadoes, union strikes, office relocation's, and several kidney stones, no pig flu is gonna stop me.

Aline is hard at work at the kitchen table processing her company payroll.

Swine flu? Nobody really cares.

2009-05-17T17:49:00.003-04:00

It's official. I think I got swine flu for my birthday. I think I know the exact minute I got it. We were on the train Monday AM going to work and two guys sitting in front of us where coughing and sneezing all over everything. I even made mention of it to Aline, who was sitting next to me. Now this is a normal occurrence on the stupid train we take everyday. I've never been on a train line with a bigger bunch of pigs than these people. We routinely see people picking their nose, drooling while sleeping, and coughing and sneezing without covering their mouth. Now I'm no prude so for me to notice these things means it's pretty damn noticeable. Anyway, so back to the story. Aline and I both took off Tues for my birthday. It was great. We had a really nice day. Back to work on Wed and by the time I get there I'm already cranky and not feeling well. Well by the end of the day I was practically dead. I left 15 minutes early and went to Penn Sta to wait for Aline so we can take the train home together. I fell asleep for over an hour while waiting for her, got home and went to bed. My head was pounding, my entire body ached, I had a scratchy sore throat, chills one minute and sweating the next, and extremely tired. Woke up the next morning and felt worse. This thing was kicking my ass like nothing ever has. I didn't work Thurs or Fri and SLEPT all day both days until giving into Aline and going to the Dr on Fri. Here really begins the true journey. SO Aline takes off to get me to the Dr(I was that out of it). She calls several Dr's to try to get me in after explaining the symptoms, no one wants to see me. They all suspect swine flu. She calls urgent care and they say for her to bring me in. We get there and theres a few people waiting, but they put a mask on me and usher me right back to be seen. I explain my symptoms to the nurse/assistant and they test me right away for strep throat and the flu. Two swabs, one in my nose and one down the throat. A few minutes later the guy says it looks like the strep is negative, but it will take another 10 mins for the results from the flu swab and that the Dr. will be right in to see me. Dr comes in about 10 mins later and says I'm positive for strep but not the flu. I ask if he's sure because of what the assistant said just 10 mins prior, but he reassures me he's correct. Makes sense to me because I have never had a sore throat this bad. He gives me the z-pack script and a note that I can return to work Monday. Aline runs to get the script filled, brings it home, I take it and we're all set right? Wrong! About 3 hours later the Dr calls and explains there's been a mistake. I was positive for the flu and negative for strep. I tell him we are both coming back, because now I notice Aline hacking and sneezing. We both haul my butt back. We both get masks this time and once again get immediate attention. He apologizes all over himself and explains I am positive for type "A" influenza. I ask if it's swine flu and he says it could be, but he can't test for it as the State of NJ has informed them that they are extremely backed up and feel it's not longer necessary as the swine flu is no worse than the seasonal flu, that they should treat for both, I should remain home for at least 7 days and once symptoms are gone for 48 hours I can return to work. He tests Aline and she gets to stay home to, lucky her I share everything! We takes our new prescriptions(two each) and head to the CVS to get them filled....wearing our masks. There, we were kind enough to be heckled by the rep at the pharmacy. He seemed to think it would be appropriate to ask if we were robbing him? We didn't laugh, told hime we had been diagnosed with the flu. To which he replied that the masks we were wearing wouldn't prevent the spread of anything. He was just in rare form. All the while I just wanted to cough all over him and wish him well with the flu, but I didn't. Then he proceeded to tell us that the medicine we were getting wouldn't do anything. We took our four prescriptions and left our $80 and got out of there. We got home took our meds and went to bed. That was Fri.

Sat. I wake up and my better half is on the phone trying to call Dr's. She thinks we should get a 2nd opinion, she's right, but I'm tired, sight and cranky so I just grumble and go back to sleep. She calls every Dr. in the area and is told either they aren't taking new patients or they don't want to see us, because we have the flu. Forgive me, but isn't that like the mechanic saying he doesn't want to change the oil because he'll get his hands dirty? You're a Dr' for Godsake, it's what you do, you see sick people! One Dr actually got on the phone and repeatedly told her to "not show up at my office!". So last option she call the local hospital ER and they say for us to come in, wear a mask, and they will gladly check to confirm we have or don't have swine flu. Aline gets my butt outta bed again and we're off. Get to the hospital, put on our mask, sign in and wait. Three women working there start to stare and whisper, we finally see the triage nurse, tell her what has happened and she stops and looks at me and says "why would you think you have swine flu? Have you been around pigs?". Oh, know here we go again! We finally get to see a Dr. and he shows us protocal that they have been give. If you test positive for Type "A" and haven't been in Mexico or exposed to someone who has you should not be tested and be treated as if you have swine flu. We explained that we travel on a train that stops at the "NEWARK INTL TRAIN STATION". Atrain full of people from everywhere in the world everyday. Literally! I mean there are people on our train, in our train car that more than likely were in another country either that same day or the prior day! Literally, Aline and I most days are the only ones in our train car that are speaking english. Anyway, the outcome is "no test". So we definitely have the flu, everyones agrees on this, and they all agree good chance it's the swine flu, but no one will test. So don't believe the news when they tell you they are checking for the swine flu and there are ### confirmed cases, turns out they only check a few. Bottom line is we are sick, getting better but sick and our health system in this country sucks! Sorry if this came off as an angry blog, but I am. Stupid me I expect more from the US.

Jamey Johnson @ Prospectors-Video of "Midnight Rider"

2009-05-10T16:46:00.012-04:00

That mornin sun made its way
through the windshield of my Chevrolet
whiskey eyes and ashtray breath
on a chert rock gravel road

What the hell did I do last night
that's the story of my life
like tryin to remember words
to a song nobody wrote

And its sad and its long
can't nobody sing along
its a southbound train
its a whistle in the wind
ain't no one there to care where I've been
I'm hummin on that lonesome song again
(Jamey Johnson-That Lonesome Song)

I didn't have the best access to take pictures or video, but we had a great time. We were surrounded by biker redneck type. Was a rowdy bunch and very crowded. Jamey's not the friendliest guy out there, in fact he walked in, sang, kicked out the photographer, got done singing and left. No meeting the fans, no pictures, no autographs. All business. The Prospectors website photographer was there to capture the magic. Right in the front row. Jamey had had enough of the flash, stopped mid song, stared at the guy while he twisted his beard, pointed at the guy and asked who the hell he was and told security to get him outta there, then went back to the song. Not a whole lotta smiles and sunshine here, just an outlaw tellin his stories. A face filled with anger all night, except for the couple of times when the slide guitar player went off on some nice riffs, then he smiled. He played his CD "That Lonesome Song" in it's entirety, except for "Stars in Alabama", which I think I heard he doesn't like, but the record company made him add it to his album. That was the first hour, then he said for the next hour he and the band were "going to play whatever the F%$# they want". Cause that's the way it is with Jamey Johnson. He also played Georgia Satellites "Keep your hands too yourself" , David Allen Coe "The Ride", and The Allman Bros "Midnight Rider". see video clip

Nice job Jamey!

The new glasses-on the same ol ugly mug

2009-05-05T10:37:00.002-04:00

The Easter Bunny-She says he tastes like chicken

2009-05-05T10:30:00.002-04:00

Nala went to see the Easter Bunny. He was at the shelter where we adopted her, so it was kind of a visit to her old temporary home. We donated $5 for the picture and brought the shelter 40 lb bags of dog and cat food as we do sometimes so we can pay them back in some way for taking care of our girl before we adopted her. Thanks Sayreville Pet Adoption Center! Adopt when you can. They need you.

Those pics I promised long ago

2009-05-05T10:07:00.006-04:00

Some pics from my commute to and from the city. Typical scenes I see each day if any day in NYC can be deemed typical by any standards.

A Pedicab

My Q32 bus to Penn Station, when I decide not to walk

Pedestrians near the bus stop in front of the New York City Public Library

A couple of guys sitting in front of the library. I've plopped my butt in thoses chairs many a time waitin for the bus.

Cool shot of the library

A sign of the times. One of the MANY available spaces in NYC. The whole city is pretty much vacant.

Penn Station. The fight I fight to get on the train. This is on an average day. Many days are worse, some better.

Last Pic is the view I see every weekday trying to get out of Penn Sta.

For my wife-We met May 5th 2006

2009-05-03T12:32:00.004-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBfcBVt6Etk

Swine Flu?? Are we over-reacting? Swine Flu vs Diabetes-Which is the real pandemic/epidemic?

2009-04-30T11:44:00.012-04:00

Ok, so my wife's company is pretty much all set to work from home. They've also purchased all available anti-bacterial hand sanitizer available in the NYC area to provide to their employees. Their home office in France has sent them face masks.

We are now at phase 5 (out of a possible 6) on the WHO "phase of panic alert" which is described as "widespread human infection".

I'm a little confused??? Am I missing something here or does this not make sense? There are 109 cases and one death in the USA. Our population in the US is approx. 306,323,107. Since when is 109 of 306,323,107 considered widespread?

I'm just sayin...........

Let's compare this to say oh I don't know...Diabetes

In the US

Total: 23.6 million people—7.8 percent of the population—have diabetes.

Diagnosed: 17.9 million people

Undiagnosed: 5.7 million people

"Seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006." and that's under reported due to deaths related to complications from diabetes!

109 vs 23.6 million, and the entire media is focused on 109 people with a "cold". Like I said "I'm just sayin...."

My latest distraction at work-Transit Workers Union

2009-04-23T16:45:00.007-04:00

From Transit Workers Union Local 100

A DJ outside my window playing Reggae music(Get up stand up, Stand up for your rights!), thousands of of transit workers yelling that "They have the power!", while wreaking havoc on the poor "real" worker just trying to get to and from work. The Transit Workers Union is outside my office window protesting job cuts for MTA(NYC Mass Transit). Just a thought, if they aren't at work and have time to protest I think maybe they deserve to have their job eliminated. Poor things are underpaid and overworked. If you have ever taken Mass Transit in NYC, you know 90% of the MTA workers are nasty, unhappy people and don't mind making you the same when possible. In all fairness, we have experienced the very pleasant as well. One in particular says good morning to each and every bus rider. We sometimes wait to take his bus. They need do need to get a clue though. Guess I'd be fighting to keep my job too if I drove a bus and made this kind of money. Here are the facts: Those folks are making........

From Wikipedia:

Average MTA Salaries

Average MTA Salaries [8]
Bus or Subway Operator	US$63,000
Subway Conductor	US$54,000
Station Agent	US$51,000
Cleaner	US$40,000
Average MTA Worker	US$52,000

NYC Transit workers are, on average, higher-paid than other New York transportation workers. Salary figures for skilled labor (e.g. electricians, carpenters, mechanics) within the Authority are comparable to those listed above. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual income for all "Transportation and Material Moving Occupations" in New York City is US$36,310 and the mean annual income in New York City is US$49,670.[9]

Coming soon!!! Another birthday and Jamey Johnson.

2009-04-22T10:39:00.011-04:00

Can't wait til 5/9/09. Aline is taking me to see Jamey Johnson at Prospector's Steakhouse and Saloon. We're going there for dinner and then the show for my birthday two weeks from this Saturday.

Only three concert events scheduled for this year so far. Concerts are way too expensive. Jamey's a bargain at $15, but Rascal Flatts is about $85 per person for mediocre seats. Tough times means less concerts. WXTU show is free, except for the food and drink purchased there and train ride. Typical concert for two when we go is between $300-$400 per event after tickets, food and drink, transportation and parking, and t-shirts & such.

Jamey Johnson 5/9/09,
WXTU Anniversary Show (Big & Rich, Phil Vassar, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, Zac Brown Band, Jessica Andrews)6/13/09 Camden NJ,
and Rascal Flatts 9/11/09 Camden NJ

Whatever happened.....

2009-04-15T16:04:00.006-04:00

to Dannon Banana fruit on the bottom(it's only yogurt if you have to mix the fruit from the bottom) yogurt? After all, banana is the king of all fruits and dannon is the king of all yogurts. Not many know this, but I used to be a dairy manager in a grocery store when I was about 18-19 yrs old. I know that was a long long time ago, but I was wondering what happened to two things. Dannon banana fruit on the bottom yogurt and the paper wax cup that it used to come in. Now many of you youngsters out there probably don't have the slightest idea what the old man is talking about, but lemme tell you this.....you don't know what you are missing! Number one selling yogurt flavor back then was blueberry, with strawberry coming in a close second, but banana was third!!! Now??? GONE! or replaced by the infinitely less desirable strawberry/banana. They all used to come in this waxed paper type cup. My preferred yogurt container and recyclable!!! I used to be good for at least one banana yogurt a day. Dannon fruit on the bottom was always the best yogurt with La Yogurt coming in second.

Dear Dannon:

Please bring back the banana fruit on the bottom yogurt in the wax paper cup.

Signed
An Old Man Yogurt connoisseur

Metropark Train Station NJ

2009-04-14T20:46:00.006-04:00

This is just like our train station every morning on the way to NYC - Metropark in Islin NJ. This commute is really getting old.

Train Ride In India, VERY CROWDED! - Funny videos are here

Congrats to Jamey Johnson

2009-04-06T09:51:00.004-04:00

ACM Song of the Year :"In Color"!!

By the way, Carrie Underwood wore one nice pair of "Long Red Curtains" during her performance. What was that all about? Someone really needs to dress that girl better. Another blog referred to her as "Jabba Ohara"(Jabba the hut and Scarlet Ohara)

I'm 50/50 so far, I had "Waitin on a Woman" for video

2009-04-02T10:53:00.005-04:00

Early ACM awards

Brad Paisley won ACM Awards in two categories that were announced early: video of the year and vocal event of the year. Paisley won the video category for his video featuring Andy Griffith in “Waitin’ on a Woman” and the vocal event was awarded to Paisley and Keith Urban for their duet on “Start a Band.”

My picks for the 44th ACM awards Sunday-Jamey Johnson!!

2009-03-31T09:09:00.006-04:00

Keep in mind these are just my favorites, I don't for a minute believe this will be the end result, but hey I can wish right? My only real wish is that Jamey Johnson wins at least one!! See my old blog prediction here.

Aline and I are going to see Jamey Johnson May 9th at Prospectors in Mt. Laurel NJ for my birthday. Hopefully he'll have another award under his belt by then.(At the Academy of Country Music awards in 2007, "Give It Away" won both the Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards. Jamey co-wrote this with Bill Anderson and Buddy Cannon) I'll get the pictures and post some here.

Top Male Vocalist	% Picked	Pick
Kenny Chesney	18 %
Toby Keith	3 %
Brad Paisley	56 %
George Strait	14 %
Keith Urban	9 %

Top Female Vocalist	% Picked	Pick
Miranda Lambert	4 %
Heidi Newfield	1 %
Taylor Swift	24 %
Carrie Underwood	70 %
Lee Ann Womack	1 %

Top Vocal Group	% Picked	Pick
Lady Antebellum	15 %
Little Big Town	5 %
Rascal Flatts	78 %
Randy Rogers Band	1 %
The Lost Trailers	1 %

Top Vocal Duo	% Picked	Pick
Big & Rich	2 %
Brooks & Dunn	18 %
Joey & Rory	2 %
Montgomery Gentry	4 %
Sugarland	74 %

Top New Male Vocalist	% Picked	Pick
Jamey Johnson	9 %
James Otto	49 %
Jake Owen	42 %

Top New Female Vocalist	% Picked	Pick
Sarah Buxton	16 %
Julianne Hough	77 %
Ashton Shepherd	7 %

Top New Vocal Duo or Group	% Picked	Pick
Eli Young Band	5 %
The Lost Trailers	10 %
Zac Brown Band	85 %

Single Record of the Year	% Picked	Pick
Gunpowder & LeadMiranda LambertProduced by Frank Liddell and Mike WruckeColumbia	7 %
In ColorJamey JohnsonProduced by The Ken Hardley PlayboysMercury	6 %
Johnny & JuneHeidi NewfieldProduced by Tony BrownAsylum-Curb	4 %
Waitin' On A WomanBrad PaisleyProduced by Frank RogersArista Nashville	29 %
You're Gonna Miss ThisTrace AdkinsProduced by Frank RogersCapitol Nashville	54 %

Song of the Year	% Picked	Pick
I Saw God TodayGeorge StraitComposers: Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby	64 %
In ColorJamey JohnsonComposers: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto	5 %
Johnny & JuneHeidi NewfieldComposers: Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, Stephony Smith	3 %
Waitin' On A WomanBrad PaisleyComposers: Don Sampson, Wynn Varble	18 %
You're Gonna Miss ThisTrace AdkinsComposers: Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller	10 %

Video of the Year	% Picked	Pick
Johnny & JuneHeidi NewfieldProducer: Karen MartinDirector: Eric Welch	1 %
Just A DreamCarrie UnderwoodProducer: Randy BrewerDirector: Roman White	60 %
Love StoryTaylor SwiftProducer: Trent HardvilleDirector: Trey Fanjoy	16 %
TroubadourGeorge StraitProducer: Dominic CancillaDirector: Trey Fanjoy	8 %
Waitin' On A WomanBrad PaisleyProducer: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim SheaDirector: Jim Shea, Peter Tilden	15 %

Vocal Event of the Year	% Picked	Pick
Another TryJosh Turner Featuring Trisha YearwoodProduced by: Frank RogersMCA Nashville	2 %
Cowgirls Don't CryBrooks & Dunn Featuring Reba McEntireProduced by: Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn,Arista Nashville	62 %
Down The RoadKenny Chesney With Mac McAnallyProduced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny ChesneyBlue Chair, BNA	5 %
Life In A Northern TownSugarland Featuring Little Big Town & Jake OwenMercury	10 %
Start A BandBrad Paisley Duet With Keith UrbanProduced by: Frank RogersArista Nashville	20 %

Neko Case-Middle Cyclone-last track

2009-03-25T16:13:00.002-04:00

neko case-marais la nuit

30 plus minutes of a “4 minute loop of frogs”=the most irritating 30 minutes and waste of time in recording history. I actually listened to the CD and IMHO…it’s crap and the last track is 30+ minutes of my life that I’ll never be able to get back. Maybe I should tape Pumba my wife's Pug, snoring and loop it for 70 minutes and sell it as my latest album. Good ideas.....I got a million of em!

Brazilians are here to stay..hip hip hooray!!

2009-03-24T09:21:00.005-04:00

I was sweating this one out. This could have affected me very personally. I go to hold the wifes hand about once a every other month while she goes to Newark and a real Brazilian takes care of business. :) Thank God NJ came to their senses.

NJ scraps Brazilian wax ban

Invicta 4598 Sea Spider

2009-03-20T14:11:00.003-04:00

The good wife has purchased this for me for my birthday. It arrives on Monday even though my birthday isn't until May 12th. It's a "honkin" watch at 50 mm. What do ya think? I happen to love watches and can see this turning into a slight addiction if there is such a thing as a "slight" addiction.

Join the Crue

2009-03-20T14:06:00.002-04:00

It's a Motley Crue Friday.

Red White & Crue on repeat in my office all day!

Uggggg...more train issues and St. Patricks day

2009-03-17T10:48:00.005-04:00

Happy Friggin St. Patrick's Day!!

Right now there are about a billion Irish outside my office building. They are yelling and screaming as literally 100's of MARCHING BANDS are going by. They do kind of sound as if they are playing under my desk. It's actually loud enough that in my office that it would be difficult to hear a phone conversation. Not to mention the sirens from the additional police. They closed down oh, only most of the major streets here making it impossible for about a billion regular people to get to work. This is the GENIUS of NYC. Let's close down the already overcrowded streets so that we can have a parade from 11 am - 5 pm instead of scheduling it for either the Saturday before or after like all the other rational cities in the country.

On top of this it seems there were some major train issues this morning. Electrical wire issues late last night that still were not fixed this morning by rush hour causing 1 hour delays RIGHT WHERE WE GET ON THE TRAIN!!!! So far this month alone, keep in mind it's only the 17th, we have had a bridge that won't close which shut down the trains on our particular route one morning, a broken down train in the tunnel(keep in mind there are only two tracks in and out of the city, and downed wires this morning. Not to mention all the other issues with the train on a daily basis.

See this other article regarding our normal dealings with NJ transit into NYC.

I Love NY.....ugg (as the band plays the "can can song" outside my window!)

It's a "Vanessa-Mae" Monday!

2009-03-16T09:21:00.011-04:00

Vanessa-Mae Albums heating up the ole ipod while I work. Everything she can deliver from a violin all day! "Violin Techno-Acoustic Fusion"

If you have never heard her, take a listen here:

The Best of

China Girl-The Classical Album II

The Classical Album I

Choreography

The Classical Collection

The Original Four Seasons

Storm

The Violin Player

Friday playlist

2009-03-13T09:36:00.008-04:00

An eclectic mix for Friday!

John Denver-Greatest Country Hits

Kiss-Alive

Kamelot-The Black Halo

Earl Scruggs-Earl Scruggs and Friends

Pat Metheny-One Quiet Night (one of my favorites)

Patty Loveless-Sleepless Nights

Todays playlist

2009-03-12T09:46:00.003-04:00

Today's playlist from the ole ipod touch for commuting and work listening pleasure is:

Townes VanZandt-Rear View Mirror
Eagles-Hotel California
Eagles-Long Road Out of Eden
Eddie Vetter-Into the Wild
David Bowie-Stage
Disturbed-Indestructible

Don't get me started on "New Jersey"!

2009-03-03T11:50:00.002-05:00

Thanks Mike!

I'll blog about the beauty(sic) of NJ as soon as I can get some real pictures for you.

Just for fun.....

2009-02-11T16:48:00.002-05:00

I call my wife Pickles! :)

Almost 5% club!

2009-02-10T10:33:00.007-05:00

The goal is to have an A1C in the 5% range. I'm almost there at 6.1%. A year ago I was at 9.0%!!! The combination of Lantus and Byetta is kicking butt!

New Test results! done 2/2/09
Triglycerides 98
HDL 29
LDL 99
Fasting Glucose 87
A1C 6.1
Creatinine 1.10

Old test results June 18 2008

Triglycerides 187
HDL 30
LDL 95
Fasting Glucose 109
A1C 6.9
Creatinine 1.45
Microalbumin1.2

Next Dr. appt 7/28/08

OLD TEST RESULTS End Apr 2008:

Triglycerides 190
HDL 37
LDL 137
Fasting Glucose 157
A1c 7.7
Creatinine 1.51
Microalbumin1.2
Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio 8

Old End of Feb 2008 test results WERE:

Triglycerides 188
HDL 31
LDL 119
Fasting Glucose 199
A1c 9.0

My trip to work this morning

2009-02-05T15:19:00.009-05:00

This is what I see when I get off the train in Penn Station every morning.

I think I'm going to post all of my transportation delays, issues, problems, events on this blog from now on for entertainment purposes for those who either work from home or have a 15 minute commute. This will also be a way for me to look back on these memories and laugh when I'm retired or become wealthy and no longer have to do this "cattle drive" to this stupid "I love NY" "big apple" "city that never sleeps". What kind of rail system from NJ has only TWO single tunnel tracks in and out of the biggest city in the USA? Gimme a break! I left from Metropark NJ at 6:50 am and got in the office at 9:15 am.

Customer Notice About Amtrak Overhead Wire Problem This Morning Issued February 5, 2009 11:45 a.m. NJ TRANSIT apologizes for the delay many of you experienced this morning. At approximately 6 a.m., Montclair-Boonton Midtown Direct train 6202 became disabled in the South Tube due to an Amtrak overhead wire problem near New York Penn Station. A rescue train was dispatched to tow the train back into the station, and the train was cleared from the tunnel at approximately 7 a.m. However, until Amtrak could make repairs to the overhead wires affecting the South Tube, all NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak trains in both directions were forced to share the single-track North Tube for service in and out of New York Penn Station. This caused significant delays to all trains ranging from 20-60 minutes throughout the morning peak period. In addition, some Midtown Direct trains were rerouted to and from Hoboken Terminal, where customers could use their rail tickets and passes at no additional charge to continue their trip via PATH. At approximately 9:20 a.m., the South Tube was returned to service and normal operations resumed using both tunnels. Residual delays affected service through the mid-morning hours. During this incident, we provided the most current service information via station PA announcements, broadcast traffic reports and the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up here.) In addition, to provide customers with alternate travel options, we established cross-honoring on PATH, NJ TRANSIT buses and private carrier bus service. Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. If you have additional questions or comments regarding these delays, please contact us online at www.njtransit.com or by calling NJ TRANSIT Customer Service at 973-275-5555.

Please go to this website and vote for Nala!!

2009-02-03T14:02:00.005-05:00

Please vote for my dog. We want her to be a star!

We happen to use a Bissell vacuum cleaner for all her fur, not that she sheds much(Nala we love you!) and it works GREAT

Nashville, I'm a little disappointed in you!

2009-01-23T17:30:00.002-05:00

Read it here.

Nashville won't make English their official language.

My daughter Casey made this video in school!

2009-01-11T18:37:00.006-05:00

My daughter Casey is 16 and goes to The Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology in Myrtle Beach SC. This was one of her first projects. I'm hoping she makes some country videos when she graduates college. I'm her proud pop.

One of the dudes in the video is Ken Etheridge and he posted the video on Vimeo. Thanks Ken!

What We Do In E.T! from Ken Etheridge on Vimeo.

Some pictures from the city, New Years eve 2008

2009-01-11T16:57:00.010-05:00

My daughter Casey and I went into the city while she was here. These pictures were from just before New Years eve. Casey and I found these guys in the streets of NYC earning a living pretty creatively. "Hope is not a form of protection" Click here

Then we had another street vendor make Casey an official NYC graffiti cap to bring back to Myrtle Beach.

This Guy was getting busted for selling counterfeit stuff.

New York City is Bullish!!

2009-01-08T21:42:00.005-05:00

The PBR's in town!

And more than likely we're going right after work tomorrow night. We just found out we can get $15 tickets to our favorite sporting event, Bull Riding, for tomorrow and it happens right above the train station that we go to every day to get back home after work. The two of us watch bull riding every weekend. I mean Fri,Sat AND Sun.. And the season runs from Jan-Nov. That's a serious season. So we figured we'll get changed at work and go directly to the event right after. Last year they had the bulls run the street the day before the event. No such luck this year now that we can be there to see it.

Aline's favorite rider Guilherme Marchi won it all in 2008. He's from Brazil so of course he's her favorite. I'm going to be pulling for Kasey Hayes. We even have our favorite bulls. She likes "Big Bucks" and I like "Scene of the Crash".

Mario Batali

2009-01-06T20:35:00.005-05:00

We're working at a temporary location at Rockefeller Center in the city for two weeks until our office construction is completed. It's a real hassle as there are 7 of us working together at a conference table in a small meeting room. It's kinda tough to work on setting up a payroll and employee benefits for a new company, working with all kinds of confidential information with 6 others sitting about 3 feet from you in every direction, but I'm doing it. We have no phones and have had all the business numbers transferred to our personal cell phones. We have one printer to share and one small garbage can for all of us. Guess this is what they meant when I was told "Hey, your getting in on the ground floor!" Anyway, one of the perks about working in NYC is you never know who you're going to run into. In the rush to get to work this morning, while dodging all the other "suits" running to get to work, I almost bumped into some guy with a long pony tail, no coat(it was like 30 degrees out this morning), and bright orange crocs. I looked briefly and took a second look, because that's what normal people do when they see a guy with a pony tail who wears bright orange crocs and then it hit me.....I think I know this guy.....yeah I know him. It was Mario Batali. See, I had just passed the studio for the NBC Today Show and I figured he must have been on this morning so I searched the web tonight and found out I was right. This was the segment:

Nice Hat

2008-12-29T22:43:00.002-05:00

I think this would be a nice hat for me.

What are you doing ?

2008-12-24T17:36:00.003-05:00

What are you doing on Christmas day?

Leave a comment and let's see how we all celebrate.

Merry Christmas!

Train issues already

2008-12-22T16:53:00.005-05:00

Last Friday we got to leave early as there was a snow/ice storm brewing. Aline and I left work at 5pm. That's the beginning of our interesting trip home. I walked to the bus stop in the rain/sleet/snow in the slush with my fancy pants dress shoes and pants. Let me tell you something about dress/work shoes......they don't keep your feet too warm and they have ZERO traction. Anyway I didn't fall(yet) and made it to the bus stop which happens to be right in front of the New York City Public Library-Mid-Manhattan. I was waiting for Aline to call to let me know what bus she was on so we could ride to the train station together. We try to do this every day. We get to go to work together and come home together as that's about all the time we have together during the work week. Anyway, I'm waiting in the nasty weather watching all the tourists in the city for Christmas and decide I'll have a seat outside the Library as it's covered there and there was an empty seat. I ended up being the star in several photos from some french tourist as they took pictures of the Library. Finally around 5:30 I get the call and go to to wait for the bus that Aline's on. Get on the bus soaking wet and freezing unable to see in my wet fogged up glasses and we ride to the train station. We get to the train station and of course it's packed and we find out the train we want is "All Aboard" so we run for the train. Good news or so we thought, we made the train and even found a seat together. The train is slightly delayed, but then we are on our way. Great we figure we might actually be home by 7!!! First stop is Secaucus NJ, usually a 10 min ride, but we're moving slow and 10 minutes in the lights inside the train go dim and the train stops. The emergency interior lights go on and we sit. And we sit. And we sit. Then the announcement comes. There's a problem with the power to the train and they are working on it. 30 minutes later same announcement and then several minutes later they tell us that they have to send over another train to push us to Secaucus. By now the animals in the train are getting nervous and pacing the cage. Grumbling ensues. About 50 people in one car on their cell phones complaining about NJ transit and a missed NJ Devils game. Finally, no warning, WHAM! we get jolted by the train that is now pushing us to Secaucus. Similar to a two year old driving an old 1960 pick up truck trying to push a small car. Really smooth like....Wham we move....then slow down, then, Wham, we move. This goes on very slowly until we get to Secaucus. Then we all have to get off the train and wait for another train that takes us where we want to go. Look up at the display and ALL trains are running very late. We wait and finally another train that can take us home arrives. It's packed!!!! so all hundred or so of us pack on anyway and stand grumbling all the way to Newark NJ hoping that some at least a few get off the train. Finally we get a seat. As we wait to get home I hear the guy across from me crying. He's on the phone with someone saying that "he lost the money". Turns out in addition to all of this,in the process, he lost several thousand dollars in cash somewhere. We finally get to our stop at Aberdeen/Matawan, get off the train and walk the 5 minutes to our car paked about a 1/2 mile away at our $60 a month parking spot near the train station. I drive home and attempt to take the garbage can back up the hill of the front of our house, it was garbage day. I slip and fall into the muddy slush, get back up more determined, and drag the confounded thing back up the hill. I get inside the house all muddy and freezing.... I'm home and it's 9 pm! I hate NYC!

First week at the new job.

2008-12-22T16:33:00.003-05:00

Ok, the worst part of a new job is over. The first week and all the uncomfortableness(is this a word?) is done. Everyone there is nice enough. Almost all, which isn't many, there's about 10 of us, speak at least two languages. Mostly Portuguese, Spanish and English. Me? I barely speak English. It's a little bit extra strange as it's a new office in the USA so we are still in the process of gettings licenses, tax id's, bank accounts and such. We don't even have a payroll yet. I'm in the process of getting that part started. That needs to be my priority so "I" get paid! This is all a little scary and a bit of a big risk for me, but you take the job that presents itself to you when jobs are harder to come by than an ocean in the desert. I also feel EXTRA uncomfortable working in the city. See I'm not much of a city dude. I prefer working at home in the country, or near Nashville, but again the jobs aren't there right now. I'm not much of the dressing up in the suit for work type, but that's the tyrpe of job I have now. My routine is:

Get up at 6am
Take a shower
Say hi to the dogs
Make coffee the train ride to work
Make lunch for work
Finish dressing in the monkey suit
Go outside and warm up the car (it's like 10 to 20 degrees here in the morning)
Wait for the wife to get ready
We drive to the train and catch the 7:18 to NY Penn Station
We get to NY at around 8:30 and run to catch the M4 or Q32 bus
Get dropped off about 2 blocks from work at around 9 am
Leave work at 6 pm
Walk about 3 blocks to catch the bus
Take the bus to the train station to catch the first train back to civilization that we can find
Get home around 8 pm on a good day
Too tired to eat
Feed the dogs
Get a shower
Watch TV for an hour
Go to bed
Do it all over again the next day

The first week at work they took me out to lunch twice.

Their normal lunch was a bit of a shock to me. We went to an Italian restaurant and I got a $26 personal pizza. Ouch! Next day another Italian place and a $35 Chicken Parm. A bit wasteful for a guy happy with a cheeseburger from McDonalds or a slice of pizza from the local pizza place.

We also have everyone shoved into a tiny office space until our renovations are complete Jan 16.

I vote for a job not located in the city, jeans and t-shirts, down home folks, hard workers, and cheap good food. Did I mention that I'm not much for the city life?

Go Whiplash!

2008-12-12T08:22:00.007-05:00

In a "Twin Peaks" kind of world this all makes sense!

Click here! and here

Simba- March 20, 1995-December 8, 2008

2008-12-08T16:02:00.007-05:00

Today was Simba's last day in pain. Last night was a horrible night. It was very cold out, in the teens, Simba made it outside, but once again couldn't make it back in. Aline got up and went out in the cold to help him even though it was after 2am. She knew he wasn't doing well and stayed awake all night caring about the friend that had always been there for her. Whether it was her early teens and all the heartbreaks that go with it, the tough times growing up without a Dad in the house, the times she drove home from college for hours just to see him, the divorce, being alone in a new house by herself, or just being around to talk to and cuddle with, Simba was always there. He never asked for more than food and some love. In good times and bad she could always count on him. This was the one time that he needed us. He couldn't see anymore. He couldn't hear anymore. He really struggled to make his back legs work....to no avail. Til his last night with us he refused to have any "accidents" in the house. Even last night when he couldn't get up, he dragged his hind legs through that doggie door and down the back steps to go outside in the ice cold to pee. He couldn't get back up, but he refused to be a "bad dog" and go in the house. It was time for us help him.

In tears, I put the leash on him one more time, the last time he'd ever have to have some human lead him around. I took him to the Vet. Aline had already arranged everything. They were there waiting for me and made it as comfortable as possible. I sat with him on the floor while they got ready. I scratched him behind the ear, the way he liked one last time. He still leaned in as hard as possible, enjoying it like he was a puppy. He couldn't see me or hear me, but he knew I was there. I hope it comforted him at least a little. It was the least I could do after all the years he spent taking care of the one I care for so much. I didn't know him that long, only 2 plus years, but at that moment it sure felt like a lifetime. It was quick and peaceful. No more pain Simba....For you anyway..... not for us, it'll still hurt for us for quite a while. Rest in peace Lion King.

NYC commute for work

2008-12-03T17:24:00.013-05:00

Looks like I'll be working in New York City soon.(12/15 or 12/22) Got the offer today, will discuss with Aline tonight and get back to them tomorrow. Very nice opportunity working for a very small investment company with huge growth potential. I'd be getting in on the ground floor....I mean the REAL ground floor. I'm starting their payroll in January, they don't have one yet, and will also be responsible for their benefits and other misc accounting tasks. We'll discuss tonight......

This will mean that both Aline and I will be leaving the house at around 7 AM to catch a train to NYC. From there we both have to get the subway uptown, then I have to catch a shuttle(another subway) and then walk a few blocks to work. If we leave at 7 we should arrive at work by about 9 AM. If we both leave work at 5:30 pm we should get home no later than 7:30 pm. That's a pretty long day. Keep in mind that all of this also involves pushing and shoving to get a seat on the train or we stand the whole trip. It also costs about $300 each for a monthly pass for the train, another $70 each for the monthly subway pass and $65 a month to park our car at the train station. Drumroll please.........a total of $805 per month just to get to work and back home and a total of approx. 160 hours per month commuting for the two of us combined.

Just this week Aline had an "experience" on the train. A man taking 4 seats. She, not being the shy type, asked if he could please make room for her to sit. He grumbled some profanities and moved enough stuff for her to sit. Then she found out why he was saving all the seats......his mistress was coming to sit with him. Aline got the whole scoop while sitting there with them. She's married, He's married, and they were shall we say "very lovey dovey" . So while all of this is going on the conductor comes around to check for tickets/monthly passes and it's the first day of December. They didn't have their new Dec monthly pass and her knight in shining armour was trying to convince the conductor to look the other way and they would have the new monthly passes in the morning. Well the conductor wasn't having it as he had made multiple announcements while passengers were boarding indicating that if they didn't have a ticket or new December monthly pass that they should "get off the train NOW!" (They don't beat around the bush in NYC) The man had to use his "spare" train tickets, but he wasn't happy and made a big stink about it, trying to be all manly in front of his bimbo. Again, Aline being Aline, let him have it. Laid into him and told him that he should have had his new monthly pass like she did. Needless to say, she's not shy and really dislikes cheaters, just like her hubby. All of this happening face to face, knee to knee, in very tight quarters at the beginning of a 1 hour train ride. (No one was hurt in this incident.)

Still jobless, but hopeful and Thankful

2008-11-24T08:41:00.004-05:00

Ok, so this is the longest that I've ever gone being unemployed since I was 12. Prior to this I was once unemployed for about 3 weeks, now it was a very rough 3 weeks, but still only 3 weeks. It was several years ago, my wife had left the the kids and I and I was forced to sell our house and moved into a 3 BR apartment with the kids. I was in a new job and starting my new single Dad life when WHAM!!, the non-profit I was working for as an HR director lost funding and laid me off. Was a very scary time, being unemployed and responsible for myself and my two girls, but we made it.

Fast forward several years and here I am looking for a job again, but the circumstances are much different now. I'm married again and my girls are now in SC. Casey living with her Mom and Marisa near her Mom. My wife Aline, who was also unemployed until recently now has a new miracle job that she started last week, so she is now the bread winner. OUCH! My search continues, but is very promising. I have an interview on Wed. at a place on Madison Ave. in NYC and a couple other good possibilities. Until then I'm learning to enjoy the time off as we really aren't struggling at all. I still have severance and unemployment so actually I have more income now then when I was working. Aline's new job pay's about 20% more than her last job and has incredible medical coverage that even covers my daughter (her step-daughter) in SC. We are flying Casey in for a short visit for Thanksgiving so I'll actually be home to spend some time with my much missed daughter this week. So all in all everything is great except for the the thoughts that run through my head every hour or so that call me a "jobless bum". I'm so used to being the one that picks up the slack. For the better part of my life I've worked two jobs, so to now have none is really a kick in the pants. Well, I guess it's good to get a kick in the pants every now and again and at least I have pants, a great wife, good kids and two families to share this Thanksgiving with!

Everybody out there have a good day! Oh, and if you need a really good Payroll Manager with pants....leave a comment and I'll get right back to you.

One of us is now employed!!

2008-11-12T15:17:00.007-05:00

Aline just got a job at Hermes of Paris on Park Ave. in NYC as their Payroll administrator!! From Wiki Recognized clientele of Hermès include: Nicole Kidman,^[5] Julianne Moore,^[5] Elle McPherson,^[5] Elizabeth Hurley,^[5] and Madonna.^[5

^]Birkin bag anyone?

See Hermes HERE

One down one to go.

My Picks CMA

2008-11-11T15:53:00.002-05:00

Let sleeping dogs lie

2008-11-06T15:35:00.008-05:00

LAZY SPOILED DOGS!

The one with Pumba the Pug on top of Simba the Chow Chow is a routine occurance here when it starts to get cold out. He sleeps that way every night.

Nala the Malamute is comfortable either in her dirt hole, custom made by her, or in MY seat on the NEW couch!!!! She prefers to sleep outside when it gets cold out.

Trout/Marble Picture in our bedroom

2008-11-06T15:21:00.008-05:00

This is a picture I bought from Leesa here at her blog or here. I framed it in a barnwood frame and hung it in my bedroom. I encourage everyone to visit her blog and website as my photo of her photo doesn't do it justice. She takes some GREAT photos!

Nomination for "First Dog"

2008-11-05T11:59:00.003-05:00

Had a long talk with Nala last night and she wants to be considered for "First Dog". She fancies living in the White House. We'd hate to see her go, but understand she wants to serve her country and has her own personal goals. She has sworn to keep the skunks and possum away from the Obama's.

Hope! Yes we can!

2008-11-05T00:53:00.005-05:00

I've never been as excited about a new President as I am now. I think most of America would agree from the looks of things that I witnessed on TV last night. It was one of the most moving things I've seen in a long time. It's been a terribly depressing and embarrassing 8 years ( I'm not democratic either so I'd even stretch that to include the 8 years prior to Bush II) for Americans and there is finally some hope. I know all won't agree with my thoughts and I respect your thoughts, but the majority of the US has spoken. We're tired of being dictated too. This is a government run "for the people and by the people", not "for the person and by the person". The United States has spoken.

Anna Burtis Born 4/9/1915 Died 10/20/2008

2008-10-26T15:37:00.005-04:00

My "Nanny" died this past Monday. She was 93. I can't say enough nice things about her. She sure will be missed.

Anne Elizabeth Burtis
Anne Elizabeth Burtis HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - Anne Elizabeth Burtis went to God on Monday in her 94th year. She was the daughter of the late Abram B. and Bessie Malsbury Dancer and was born near Allentown April 9, 1915. All her youth was spent in the Cream Ridge Red Valley area of Upper Freehold Township. She was the widow of the late Winfield "Pinky" Burtis. They were wed Feb. 12, 1932 in Allentown. Not long after their marriage they moved to Hamilton Township, where she lived most of her life. Anne went to work in the 1950s as a nurse's aide at Trenton General Hospital (the precursor to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton). Her proudest achievement was earning by waiver, her Licensed Practical Nursing certificate in 1958. She spent over 25 years in nursing and retired from Hamilton Hospital in the 1970s. After her retirement she held several part time jobs. Her favorite was at the Casual Corner Ladies Apparel Store in the Quakerbridge Mall. Always a lover of beautiful clothes, she very much enjoyed her time there. Anne loved to dance. In the 40s and 50s it was square dancing but that was ultimately replaced with ballroom dancing which she loved and did for many years first at Hightstown Country Club followed by Nottingham Ballroom in Hamilton Square as well as Paso Doble Ballroom in Levittown, PA. Anne is survived by her sister Bertha Tarbay of Bethlehem, PA, and her daughters, Karla Michaud and her husband Richard and Marilou Burtis Farr and her husband Frank "Sonny." She leaves behind four grandchildren, Richard S. Michaud and his wife Ailene, Sherry Lynn Michaud, Lisa Farr MacIntosh and her husband Mark and Matthew Farr and his wife Ellen. She is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Tora Vogel, Tyler Tetkowski, Marissa Michaud and Casey Jo Michaud, Cristin and Aidan MacIntosh, and Andrea Caitlyn (Annie) and Allison Christine (Ally) Farr. Anne also had one great-great-grandson, Mason S. Wysienski. The viewing will be 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Kingston and Kemp Funeral Home, 260 White Horse Ave., Hamilton and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday with services to follow by Pastor Jay Rambo of the First Baptist Church in Bordentown. Interment will follow at Colonial Memorial Park. Donations in her memory may be made First Baptist Church of Bordentown, Prince and Chuch streets, Bordentown, NJ 08505, or Hospice of New Jersey, 40 Bey Lea Road, Suite A202, Toms River, NJ 08752.