Nothing better than working a half day to start a long weekend. Oh wait, I probably should have taken the entire day off today.
Today’s Daily Challenge
Take ten minutes to tidy up your desk, kitchen table, or countertop.
A chronically chaotic or disorganized space makes it harder to do everyday tasks, making you feel like you’re always running behind. Simply clearing one small physical space can help clear mental space, allowing you to do things more efficiently.
I don’t need ten minutes, I keep a tidy desk. In fact, my workspace is cleaner than ever since I have been clearing out my cube of personal items for some reason *wink wink, nudge nudge*
Where The Beer And The Antelope Roam
Last night the drinking club ended up at 5 Seasons Brewing in Sandy Springs to celebrate a birthday. While there I had too many beers (for my current fat condition) and an antelope (or so I was told) burger with sweet potato fries. There were five of us in the group, and even with a birthday dessert and a round of drinks (supposedly) comped because our food took over thirty minutes to arrive at our table, our bill was $180, which was split three ways because we paid for the birthday girl and we are stupid men and didn’t require the other girl at our table to pay either. Jeez, I need to stop going out; it’s expensive and I am not getting much return on my investment.
My antelope burger was good, but probably not as good as it could have been. For one, it was served on some odd onion flatbread, which I thought paired with the meat okay, but made it harder to eat. Second, and most importantly, I ordered the burger “medium” and there was not a speck of pink in the burger delivered to me. I would have sent if back if not for the fear of having to wait another thirty minutes to get a replacement. What is the point of asking it how I would like it cooked if your cooks can’t deliver? Nearly every place I go seems to have this problem. Am I just not going to fancy-enough restaurants?
While at 5 Seasons we witnessed a private party being held on their patio. It was one of the strangest (and remember, I am a computer programmer) collection of people I have ever seen assemble. When I inquired with the waitress she told me it was a singles mixer, which I highly doubt since many people arrived as couples, and maybe ten percent of them also had children with them. I didn’t have nearly enough alcohol to go outside and ask someone directly.
ITP Flickr Pic
“The Many Faces Of InsideThePerimeter”
I have been trying to decide on a new pair of eyeglasses. I ordered five frames from Warby Parker, they would be images #2-#6 if you start from the upper left corner and scan across, then down. Image #1 (upper left) is my current set of glasses.
Please ignore the model, he is not important. Related: Why wasn’t I issued an upper-lip at birth?
Insuring Insanity
In last night’s mail there was another envelope from the company that performed the lab tests for my physical back in January — this one was a collections notice — for a bill I should have never received because my insurance company is supposed to pay it.
Three times in as many months I have had a phone conversation with my insurance company and they have ensured me that they would handle this issue. That is the story I heard again today, in fact I was even conference called with the collections agency this time. I will believe it when I stop receiving envelopes from the lab company.
The system is broken.
Remembering Memorial Day
Somehow this coming Monday is Memorial Day, one of the Federal “biggies” holidays in the states because many of us do not have to go to work. I have no plans. Having said that, having no plans may be the best thing for me as I should probably work in or around the house. Yeah, I think that I can scrounge up a chore or two that needs attention…
How about you? What’s going to keep you busy this weekend?
Today’s Personal Project
Get home, pack, and hit I-20 East before the rest of this city does.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – frustrated on sooooo many levels
Current Music – silence at the moment
Website Of The Day – I’m headed to Banjo-B-Que 2013.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – umm, crap
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~3.0 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Gym Visits – 0 (0 cardio)
Days Of Bed-Making – 0
Vegetarian Meals – 29
Carnivorous Meals – 33
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
May Goals
– return ITP-Reader Martha’s coffee percolator to her

- return ITP-Terri’s crutches to her

- not get sick

- lose three pounds

- exercise at least twenty-five of May’s thirty-one days

- finish at least two of the books I am reading

- take at least one box of things to Goodwill

- post at least ten photos in the blog

- drink a lot less alcohol

- prepare a house repair plan and budget
2013 Goals: Measurable
– Get my weight down to 190 pounds so that I can wear a 36″ waist pants comfortably
– Completely read ten books, audio books permissible
– Dissolve Sharpened Stone
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Completely run at least one 10k
– Fix all (or at least most) of the things which are wrong with the ITP Estate
2013 Goals: Unmeasurable
– Simplify, simplify, simplify
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
– Start, and continue, to make my own bread using my bread machine as well as using the technique outlined in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
– Read and discard magazines during the month in which they arrive (even digitally)
– Take two real vacations, perhaps one abroad
– Take a more proactive approach to meeting women (read “stop being such a pussy”)
Books I’ve Read/Heard In 2013
- Pages 1.7 for iPad (Timestompers Guide) — by Sean Wells
- 60 Mountain Lion Tips — by David Sparks and Brett Terpstra
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business — by Charles Duhigg
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
We still have no plans for the weekend except my riding tomorrow and Jerry getting a new radio installed in the jeep. Oh yeah, more money spent on the jeep.
Finally, it looks like we are going to see some progress on the renovation. We’ve been waiting for weeks for the broker to get the loan package together, then we get the appasial, this is what we’ve been waiting on…it all comes down to what the appraised value comes to….then we’ll know if we can go ahead or not.
I’m pretty sure I gave my thoughs Tuesday but I think 4 & 6 are the better options.
I’ve never had issue with my current insurance company, they’ve paid everything there are suppose to and I’ve never been sent a bill. That being said, I haven’t had really much to deal with, regular doctors appointments and trips to the chrio. I have a small concern this will change with the sleep study but only time will tell.
PS have a safe trip.
I wish Warby Parker had The Man of Steel collection when I ordered try-ons. You know, there was a day when I was fairly often told that I looked like Christopher Reeve.
Oh, and 4, 5, and 6 are the ones I’m truly considering. And, since I think each cost $95-$125 including lenses, I might buy two pair.
I agree with Martha: 4 & 6 are my favorites.
I’m with the ladies! I was going to say 3, 4 or 6. (psst! listen to the ladies!)
As for your antelope burger, I wonder if antelope needs to be cooked more at a rare temperature to be to your liking. I learned that the hard way with bison burgers. My normal medium cow burger is far too well done if I order it the same way for bison; have to go more rare. But then the waitstaff should have instructed you that.
Not many plans for the weekend other than to get my apartment cleaned, stuff taken to the Goodwill. Do have passes to a movie showing at the High on Saturday night (never been to a movie showing there, so that should be interesting) and may end up at a pool, but the long weekend really snuck up on me!
Have a great, fun weekend! They’re saying that “rush hour” is fixin to start right after lunch today so I hope you’re already on your way!
3 & 4 are very similar. #6 is closer to what you already have, so it all depends on how much of a change you want? (don’t like 2 & 5)
Martha – I’m game to ride at any time (just need to bring some arm warmers if we start early) – see if you can get Sharon to nail down a time & we can work around her. JoAnna is out, she’s heading to Chattanooga.
Sunday is Wheelhopper up near Lake Allatoona, looks like we will be going to that.
Monday is totally up in the air, might do another bike ride, who knows?
Another chick vote for 4&6.
I am a bachelorette for the weekend, but with no real plans other than to take in a movie.
Tonight I’m taking care of a friend’s barn. A family member committed suicide and the visitation is tonight. My grandfather committed suicide nearly 30 years ago and it still stirs up old feelings whenever I hear of someone killing themselves – particularly an older man.
On a brighter note, Brownie is such a clown. Steve said he was trying to get a half full bucket of pool supplies thru the gate this morning. The neighbor must just love us. Yesterday Brown officially anointed his summer home – he’s moved to the hay shelter and made himself a nest of nice cool hay – with a sculpture at the doorway. One of his boots is perched very artfully on the edge of a bucket. I must get a picture. Strangest.Dog.Ever
Don’t talk about our son like that! But damn, he’s an odd piece of cheese.
A leisurely drive to Chat town. If you ITP folks get Universal Sports, the race will be live on Monday afternoon. Hopefully without yours truly in the shot.
The pool pump may have defeated me but I have not given up.
I hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend.
These last three sentences were done verbally with my phone. Pretty impressive
-FP
I swear there is a cell phone hidden somewhere in my office, I keep hearing a beep but have no idea where it is coming from.
Oh, if only Brownie could talk, the stories her would tell. Of course they might be pretty similar to those told by Paulie’s, cardboard box for shoes friend he met the other day. 🙂
Debbie, I’m so sorry. It’s always strange how past events still bother us so many years later. It’s been almost 35 years since my mom’s accident and I still get a pit in my stomach when one of you horse people talk about being thrown.
I emailed Sharnon, told her to just pick a time and we would work with it. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back.
Stacy has a point, maybe antelop just isn’t that pink to begin with and they rely on internatal temp instead?
I’m packed and ready to go. Thanks for the input. Looks like I’ll be dropping the frames at a UPS store between here and Augusta since the nearest one to EAV is in the wrong direction (read “Edgewood Retail District”).
There will be a post on Monday if anyone gets bored.
ARGHHHHHH is what I have to say about this work day. Why is everyone on drugs the day before a holiday weekend? I was hoping to get out a little early, but I’m not seeing that happening.
I love the Brownie stories.
and – my co-workers love the Browniwe stories too. Pam says you need to write a children’s book about Brownie & his escapades – she thinks you could sell this story!
Maybe Brownie needs his own Twitter account?
I vote for either #3 or #4. Definitely not #2 or #5. Not.