I Am A Man Of My Words

I am not the best looking guy in the world. I am not the richest guy in the world. However, while it may not have always been true, I am a man of my words. If I tell you that I will do something, then I will do that something. (However, if I waffle at any point of my telling you — “perhaps,” “maybe,” “I’ll see,” “let me check my calendar” — then it’s almost 100% that I will not be doing that something.)

Expensive Lunch
I went to Taco Mac for lunch yesterday. Yes, Taco Mac. No, I did not have any beer.

Last Thursday night (the one during which I saw the two girls who I’d previously known) our table was served by a charming, funny, slightly off-beat, waitress. By night’s end we (the table) had many interesting verbal exchanges (all good, mind you) and I asked her when she would be working this week. “Monday, lunch.” was the answer so I said “Okay, here’s the deal. I’ll be here Monday and will be ordering a Hollywood chicken sandwich. If you can remember my name and what I will order when I come in on Monday, I’ll give you a $20 tip.” One of my co-workers also bought into this wager.

Yesterday, we sat in her section. While it took her a few minutes to get to our table (most likely studying her notes from last Thursday) she came up and greeted all three of us at the table by name, and recited my order back to me. Not the best $20 I’ve ever spent, but I am a man of my words.

Yesterday was a stellar waitress and patron viewing day (from my point of view). At one point I had my head on a swivel and notice that two very attractive young blond ladies had come in and sat at a nearby table behind me.

Wait, I feel badly. Ladies, go check out Hot Guys And Baby Animals before continuing.
There, my conscience has been cleared.

When I realized this, I slowly, but somewhat exaggeratedly leaned to my left in order to give my co-worker a clear view — until he said “Thanks, you can move back now, they’ve noticed us.” Noticed, not in a good way apparently, more like busted him for staring. I love when I make myself laugh…

ITP Flickr Pic
The original plan was go grab dinner at on the Westside before heading to Dave’s new shooting space. However, that Taqueria del Sol is closed on Mondays so we wound up at Figo instead.

It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten at a Figo, and while good, I still think it’s overpriced.

I Can’t Decide Which Is Worse
The East Atlanta Deadbeat Dads are in the playoffs, slotted in the third position, missing out on a first-round bye because they lost there final game by 0.50 points. Dangen! I assume next week will be my final week of fantasy football because I expect to get destroyed by my opponent and am disbanding the Deadbeat Dads.

The New York Jets didn’t realize that they were playing a game last night. Luckily when I arrived home I never made it down to the basement to see any of the game. I checked the score this morning only to see that the Jets never arrived last night, losing 45-3. I can’t decide which Jets loss this year is worse, the 45-3 drubbing they took last night, or the 9-0 loss against the Packers.

The Gators are going to the Outback Bowl to play Penn State. How 1999! I thought I owned ultimate bragging rights over my Penn State alumni friends, it looks like they’ll get a chance at redemption. Luckily for me I’ll be enjoying the Cheddarhead hash that day…

The Real Cost Of Doing Business
The other day I mentioned receiving late-payment bills for not having filed monthly sales tax reports with the City of Atlanta. I also mentioned that I opened one at random and it was for $20. It turns out that the penalty is really $10/month due, so in total I owe the city $150. I’m still not pleased, but I assume it could be much worse.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – grumpy for all the reasons about which I’ve opined previously
Current Music – silence at the moment, about to listen to “Christmas in Hollis”
Website Of The Day – While roaming around Dave’s soon-to-be shooting space we ran into the folks who are making the indie short The Splintered Head.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – didn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77

Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~5.5 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0
Situps – 0
Stairs – 33 flights

Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 0 (0)

Vegetarian Days – 1
Carnivorous Days – 5

Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0

December Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Run no fewer than 75 miles
– Prepare Sharpened Stone, LLC for 2011
– Lose two pounds
– Eat vegetarian at least one day a week
– A couple of secret goals which I will not divulge

2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online, completed
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides, completed
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers, completed

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]