LOTS going on as 2005 draws to a close

It's been a long time since my last post (as usual)...but I have a legitimate excuse! I've been BUSY! How so? Let me tell you all about it....

First off, the custody battle is over. In a nutshell, I WON! But as the fly on the wall saw it, it wasn't quite that cut and dried. Let me explain. For the past 18 months, I've been waiting and preparing diligently for my day in court when I would be able to lay out all of my ex-wife's shortcomings when it comes to the kids. I prepped witnesses, I paid attorneys, I made phone calls, I lost sleep. Then, December 12, 2005, finally arrives. My day in court. I show up with 7 witnesses in tow, all prepared to honestly give their opinion about my paternal abilities as well as my level of responsibility and concern when it comes to my kids. The kids were almost vibrating they were so ready for this day. They had been waiting a LONG time to have their say about what they wanted to do with their lives, and they were ready.

So, 9:00am comes and goes. My attorney is there. Her attorney is there (mostly). And yes, she is there. We don't speak a word. There is no need. We're not here to speak. The time to speak was gone a long time ago. And it was an indication of where this whole thing was going. No speaking...only negotiations between attorneys. Her attorney makes an offer. We reject. The offer is modified. We counter-offer. She gives another offer. We condition the offer. They accept. We accept. Case closed. We never said a word to each other. She made sure that my high-priced attorney squeezed out every dollar from my bank account that she could before giving in. But so much the better. Chances are, this could have gotten ugly, and we likely would have won anyway. I'm just glad it's over.

So now I get to move. Not soon--NOW. I've got a place in Greenbrier, and I'll be moving next week WITH the kids! By the time school starts in January, they'll be settled in with dear ol' Dad, and I'll be settled into the Dad groove. Leslie will stay back in Little Rock holding down the fort until that house sells. We'll 'move' each weekend back to Little Rock so we'll all get some family time, but then it's back to Greenbrier for school during the week. Hopefully, once the remodeling is done on the house it will sell. It's been a long, long wait, and we're ready to get on with our life elsewhere.

And if that wasn't enough, I've been so busy at work that I can't tell you which way is up. I love my job, and I love to work, but I also like a little "me" time. That, too, shall come very soon. I get to be a soccer dad, a chauffeur, a best friend, a confidant, a housewife, a rabid football fan, a radical basketball fan, and most of all...a Dad. I can't wait for that chapter to begin. 2006 is going to be my best year ever.

OK, I've said enough now. We just got done with Christmas #2 tonight after having Christmas #1 last Wednesday night...Christmas #3 comes tomorrow, and Christmas #4 is Sunday. Then there's Christmas #5 on Wednesday next week when my mom and stepdad get into town. Can you say "holiday burnout"? Oh, well...it's great to have that much family to celebrate with. And for that, I am very thankful.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope your new year shows as much promise and prosperity as mine. For once, I look forward to next year. I likely won't post again before 2006 comes along, so make it good! Until next time...and next year....

What happens in Las Vegas...

Once again, its been a long time since my last post, so I figured I would use my time this Sunday since the Colts are not playing until tomorrow night. There has been a lot going on, but I've just been so damn busy that I haven't had time to get anything done!

Leslie and I took a vacation to Las Vegas the last week of September, and it turned out to be much more than either of us expected. We had a 'freebie' that we decided to use, and our trip just so happened to coincide with my mom and step-dad's trip to Las Vegas. If it's true that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...then what I'm about to say never happened!

We arrived on a fine Saturday evening, and discovered that, not only were there 4 major conventions in town, there was also a NASCAR truck race in town--so hotel rooms were at a premium. We had reservations for Sunday-Tuesday, but air fares were 1/4 of the cost when we flew out on Saturday, so we headed out on a wing and a prayer. We ended up with a room in the La Quinta Inn, which was just about the last room in town under $1000 a night. Once Sunday arrived, we headed out to Circus Circus.

Monday morning brought about the purpose for our visit. We toured a not-yet-completed vacation complex called Tahiti Village, which contained dozens of 5-star condo-style rooms, one of which we were contemplating putting our name on. This 27-acre complex is right on The Strip, and it has all the amenities of any 5-star hotel, and then some. We took our tour, listened to the stories, and decided to make our purchase. We bought into the Moorea, a 580 sq. ft. suite...and this thing is GREAT! Fully furnished, all the way down to dishes and silverware. All you have to bring is clothes. They even provide toothpaste and the soap! We can use it anytime we want, or we can sublet it out for $$. It's a win-win situation!

Come Monday night, we toured Las Vegas, catching a couple of shows and visiting the sites along The Strip. The development along The Strip is unbelievable, as colossal hotels dominate the horizon--The Wynn, The Bellagio, The MGM...they're just indescribable until you actually stand next to them. We got to partake of the buffet at The Riviera, then a show, then a little gambling (it is Las Vegas, ya know!). I clear enough cash playing blackjack to pay for half of our airfare that night while my lovely bride plays nickel slots all night long.

Tuesday brings a buzz of business. We awaken and begin to tour the city, riding around with my parents in the convertible, taking in the sites and sounds of the city. We do some more gambling, and I take in a few more dollars to make things feel even better. We have breakfast at my parents' favorite little casino/restaurant, and then it's off to see the sites. The women folk have to do some shopping for the renewal of vows that evening, so that's when we take advantage of the lull to do more gambling. I break even this time, as I only got a short time to do my work...but it's better than losing!

As the day begins to wane, we make our way toward the wedding chapel. It's a casual affair, as you can tell by the photos. The ceremony goes off without a hitch, and we head back to the hotel to change and prepare for the evening's affairs. We go to Freemont Street to watch the light show and visit a casino or two (I didn't get to play this time!). The lights on Freemont are absolutely unbelievable! The patriotic music intertwines with 80's classics and some newer pop hits while eagles, jets and dancing women soar overhead in a larger-than-life display that has to be seen to be believed. Once we've seen the entire rotation of light shows, we make our way off of Freemont--but not before both of my parents get themselves TATTOOED! They were the temporary tattoos, but this is stepping way outside the box for these baby boomers that had a hard time even getting pierced ears!

The evening wraps up with a trip through The Wynn to see the incredible backdrops created with living flowers, plants and trees...followed by a visit to the dancing fountains in front of The Bellagio. This was yet another sight/sound adventure that cannot be described without seeing. I grab my handy-dandy video camera, and I am able to capture all three shows.

The evening has now drawn to a close, and it's time for these tired souls to make their way back to the hotel for the evening...but not before a few rounds of blackjack at Slots-A-Fun next door to the hotel! This time, I end up cleaning up. I take home enough to pay the rest of the airfare, at which time I decide I better count my blessings and get the hell outta Dodge! It's now 3:00am, and we are absolutely exhausted. All in all, it's been a fantastic vacation, and I got to spend it with 3 of my favorite people. Who could ask for anything more?

Upon our return, we begin to see the damage parlayed upon the state by hurricane Rita, who was moving in just as our plane left the ground in Little Rock. Tree limbs are everywhere, and water seems to be plentiful. We don't get home until after 11:00, and work calls early in the morning. We really had a great time, and look forward to returning for the Grand Opening of Tahiti Village on March 31 of next year--which just so happens to be Leslie's birthday.

Well, enough for now. This is too long as it is, and I have to get busy planning for my mom and step-dad's arrival this coming week. Until next time....

Shirley High School

I realize that I just posted last night, but I was just reading the news from the past week, and my old employer, Shirley School District, has had a run-in with drugs! Imagine that--a podunk school in a tiny part of the state that nobody talks about having problems with drugs! And what's really odd is the parents are all saying the same thing..."We don't have a drug problem here. This is just a group of kids that thought they were doing one thing when they were doing something else!"

Well, guess what morons? There IS a drug problem in Shirley! You're just too stupid to realize it, or too fucking ignorant to admit it. In the months that I worked there, the kids would tell me stories of parties where kids would get so blazed that they couldn't walk...or that they took a handful of pills that they didn't know what they were or where they came from...or that they got so drunk that they blacked out half-way through the night. Keep in mind, these kids are all under 18. Still think there's not a problem? I could tell you stories that would curl the hair on your little red neck!

So, before you parents rest your heads at night thinking your kids are safe and not doing drugs...think again. Talk to them, people! Pay attention to them! LISTEN TO THEM! These kids are extremely bright, and they're fun to talk to when you're talking TO them and not AT them. I feel for those involved, as a couple of them were my students, but I also know the rules at Shirley will only allow people to deny and ignore. Isn't it odd that I got no less than a half-dozen of the kids from the school contacting me that day to tell me what happened? I knew about it before the ambulances had even left the campus. I guess the fact that the kids connected with me doesn't matter. Sorry, guys...I tried!

So, keep your eyes and your ears open. Your children's lives depend on it! I'll get off my soap box now and return you to your regularly scheduled programming. Until next time....

Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath

Ya know, as I sit here watching the news, I wonder...What in the HELL are these people doing in New Orleans? And why is it that someone has to come and rescue them? Where were they when there was a MANDATORY evacuation of the city? Could they not hitch a ride with their homies? I bet if there was a 50 Cent concert in Shreveport, they'd cut their fucking leg off to get there. What's the difference? I'm going to tell you.

You see, age has benefited me in several ways...one of which is tolerance. I have become very tolerant and understanding to the plight of the "minorities". I understand that life was tough for them 200 years ago. I realize that my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather's grandparents brought their distant relatives over in a big boat. I'm sorry for that. However, if you don't like the conditions here in the good ol' US of A, I'm sure there's another boat headed back over where those ancestors came from. Hitch a ride.

Now, let me make a differentiation here. I am much like Chris Rock. I like black people. I like what they do, I like their efforts, I like their families. What I hate is niggers. These fuckers are like a boil on the ass of society. The black people were either smart or resourceful enough to find a way to get the hell out of the way when this huge ominous storm was approaching. They are also the ones that, if they weren't fortunate enough to get out in time, are helping with the evacuation effort. The niggers are the stinking bastards taking pot shots at the rescue workers and the helicopters and looting the Wal-Mart for TVs, VCRs and DVD players. The governor has said that there would be tolerance for food looting. I would agree with that. Feed your family. Feed yourself. Feed the weak, the sick, the young, the elderly. Feed everyone. But what the hell are you gonig to do with that TV? Eat it? There aren't any pawn shops open at the moment, and I don't think conditions in the city are conducive for chilling out with your homies and watching BET. You fuckers need to be shot dead. Looting your own city? Raping the place you used to call home? What excuse is there?

You bitch and moan about the Superdome's conditions. As horrible as they must be, I bet they're a damn sight better than your house is! And how much are you paying to stay there? Does the "mandatory evacuation" sound so difficult now? The black people are the ones crying about losing family members, the loss others have suffered, and the overall sense of despair throughout the Gulf Coast. The niggers are the little bastards that are arming themselves and raping, pillaging and plundering everything. Martial law would do you well. Shoot to kill--and extra credit for killing these fuckers.

I have donated a grand quantity of money to the Red Cross for their efforts, although these blood-sucking pieces of shit will likely end up bleeding them dry before the truly needy people get the relief they deserve. I will be driving a bus for the evacuees, and we're currently looking for a small family to put up in our home until the repairs in the affected areas have begun. I can't begin to describe the sense of loss that these people must feel, and to fire upon those who are trying to help you? What the hell are you thinking? Oh, wait...you aren't. You weren't smart enough to THINK your way out of the city beforehand, and you sure as hell aren't smart enough to THINK your way out now. You'll wait around for Whitey to come and rescue you--again. Just be careful of your rescuers, because they are coming in boats, and you remember what happened LAST time your people got in a boat!

Before you politically-correct ass sniffers start hollering about discrimination and racism, let me remind you that I am not speaking in generalities. Hispanics, African-Americans, Caucasians, Orientals, Asians, Indians, Middle Easterners...they all began life as a helpless baby. There was no color and no prejudice there. That is learned. If you feel like you're being discriminated against, don't look around you--look inside yourself. It starts with you, and so does the hurricane recovery. Instead of picking up a gun, pick up a shovel or a broom...pick up one of the poor souls who didn't make it and give them the dignity they deserve...pick up your neighbor and help them. We're all in this together, and that's the only way we're going to get out of this alive. Together.

I'm done now. For the victims in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and the other states affected, my heart goes out to you--regardless of your race. If you need a place to stay, give me a call. I'll put you up. Good luck, and God bless. Until next time....

St. Joseph High School, Class of 1985

This past weekend (August 6), my graduating class "celebrated" our 20 year reunion. It was a bit anticlimatic, to be honest. Of the 26 people in my graduating class, 15 or so showed up. Some came early and stayed late; others came late and left early. It is very strange to see the people that you grew up with as full-on adults with mortgages, kids, and spouses. Hell, there are people in my class that have been married 18-20 years! Then again, there are some who aren't married at all, and some who, like me, have been married more than once. It's a pretty accurate sampling of the real world, but it's still very strange.

It's funny sometimes how things happen. I spent a good amount of time talking with a former classmate who left after 10th grade, and it turns out that she wasn't as put out by me as I had always thought she was. In fact, even in her slightly intoxicated state, she was very sincere about the fact that she may have had more than just a passing thought about me! What?! What the hell did I miss there? She was (and still is) extremely attractive, and she has a name that holds some status in my hometown. My wife even agreed that she was very attractive, and we all spent a good amount of time talking about the past 20 years and the mistakes we had made along the way. Another one of those oddities...

There are people from my class who hadn't had kids yet, people who were still having kids, and people who had been done having kids before they were 21 years old. All in all, it was really good seeing everyone again, and it's amazing that you remember the faces even after not seeing them for 20 years. I went home feeling the same way I did 10 years ago after our 10th class reunion--good and bad. Good because I couldn't think of anyone that I would have rather graduated with than those 25 misfits and bad because it reminded me of all of the mistakes and heartaches of the past 20 years. A mixed bag of emotions at the very least.

At the very least, they reminded me that I was getting older, and that life is everything you make of it. So, I went home with my wife, told her how glad I am that she is here, and spent the night dreaming of days gone by. And now I'm going to help myself to a cold, frothy adult beverage and try to forget that I'm screaming towards 40 years old. Until next time...