alleynbard's page

alleynbard wrote:

Moving was a nightmare. I think that is about all I can say on the matter without developing a facial tick or some such thing.

You're completely in? Time to perform a drive-by, then.

*screech tires and does a 180 spin*

Not completely moved in, but 90% there. We are living in the house now. So, yes, stalking is now possible.

I should say, despite the nastiness of the move, I have never been happier in my life than I am right now.

Moving was a nightmare. I think that is about all I can say on the matter without developing a facial tick or some such thing.

alleynbard wrote:

Spanky the Leprechaun wrote:

Urizen wrote:

Jeremy Mcgillan wrote:

alleynbard wrote:

I don't really know Urizen enough to ask him to help me move. I only inflict that terror upon those who are close to me.

Afraid he'll find the nipple clamps huh?

Actually, I think he'd approve of that.

He just doesn't want to have to resterilize them.

I don't think there is much more to say. :)

Oh, but there is. There definitely is. You have no idea. You will not be prepared. ;-)

Perhaps I should have said "there isn't much more that I would want to hear"? That would have been more accurate. ;)

Urizen wrote:

Jeremy Mcgillan wrote:

alleynbard wrote:

I don't really know Urizen enough to ask him to help me move. I only inflict that terror upon those who are close to me.

Afraid he'll find the nipple clamps huh?

Actually, I think he'd approve of that.

He just doesn't want to have to resterilize them.

I don't think there is much more to say. :)

alleynbard wrote:

Starting the big move tomorrow. Ugh.

A repeated congrats, and hope the move goes smoothly.

Buying any new furniture or just moving in all the old stuff?

We bought a new kitchen table and chairs, but not much else. However, our first chunk of money went into some new lighting fixtures and will also cover painting the new house.

After some time to settle in we are going to look at some new couches.

Treppa wrote:

Urizen wrote:

alleynbard wrote:

Starting the big move tomorrow. Ugh.

Oi! Good luck with that. Especially in this muggy heat. Hope you're starting early and/or doing it later in the evening. There's some chores I'm going to be doing around the house this weekend, but not in the dead of the day. At least not outdoors.

You're going over to help them, right?

Neither asked nor offered. But in reality, aside from working around the house on a project that my woman wants done, we are actually on-call for a possible ... unfortunate denouement. I'll speak elsewhere on said topic when the moment manifests. Apologize for being vague. Life is most precious when stolen from the young.

I don't really know Urizen enough to ask him to help me move. I only inflict that terror upon those who are close to me.

alleynbard wrote:

Starting the big move tomorrow. Ugh.

Oi! Good luck with that. Especially in this muggy heat. Hope you're starting early and/or doing it later in the evening. There's some chores I'm going to be doing around the house this weekend, but not in the dead of the day. At least not outdoors.

Unfortunately we are starting at 10 and we have to be done by 5. So, it will be a nightmare. I predict much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Get it over with, AB. The greatest gift my wife gave me in the move was to be a merciless slave driver for two days. On the third or fourth day, people came over and were confused, thinking that we must have moved our move date a week or two earlier.

Thank you, I will try to make it end as soon as possible.

We have been moving for the last few days but I am pretty sure some of our stuff is reproducing. We just keep finding more and more of it.

Starting the big move tomorrow. Ugh.

Twin Agate Dragons wrote:

Moff Rimmer wrote:

Not at all (and if you are not really into photography, I'd highly suggest it). I've got a Canon Powershot SX20 IS. A photography book I have would call it a "Bridge" camera. 12 Megapixels is huge. It has a lot of really nice settings that will do many of the things that an SLR will do and the 20 times optical zoom is really nice. Pretty much, the only thing you can't do is change the lenses. The cost is around $450 so it's much more cost effective than the SLR cameras.

Anyway, I'm happy with it.

How decent are your 'night pictures'?

With a tripod (mostly to try different settings out), I took some really good street scenes. (I say "good", but I didn't think that they were good enough to frame.) This one was taken well after the sun had set. So it kind of depends on what you are needing.

Holy crap, that is beautiful.

alleynbard wrote:

Ryan Reynolds....hmmmmm....okay, I'm back.

I just got the latest orders from Gay Conspiracy headquarters. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to convert Mr. Reynolds to play for your team.

That will free up Scarlett Johansson... to be converted to play for my team. :)

Excellent! You can count on me.

And good luck with Scarlett Johansson. I am sure you will be.....thorough in your job.

I really need to get to bed. My first day at "work" is tomorrow and, for some reason, I am awake and typing up some house rules.

Crimson Jester wrote:

Solnes! Hows it hanging girl?? Kidlets all tucked up in their beds?

Kids are all tucked in and sleeping. Its a wonderful thing. None of them even fought sleep tonight. :)

Hubby gave Kellen a mohawk tonight, so he is as happy as could be.
Things are ok. Calming down anyways. Only 3 days of school left until I get a three week break and of course teh con is a go!

How are you babes?

Its good to hear the con is a go for you guys. Congrats on the good fortune.

Thank you all for the congratulations. We went over there today and just walked around the house and talked about what we want to do, put out our garden gnome (I am a dork, why do you ask?), and looked over some of the new lighting fixtures my partner bought today. It felt good.

Studpuffin wrote:

GL = Awesomesauce.

GL = meh...

Plus he took Ryan Reynolds away from my beloved Deadpool Movie. :(

Ryan Reynolds....hmmmmm....okay, I'm back.

received your your email LPM. Hugo your work is great. Now with that I am off to take a shower and head over to sign the lease of the new apt. Didn't get the dream one but found one in the same complex for 640/mo.

That rocks. Congrats!

Moorluck wrote:

Urizen wrote:

Moorluck wrote:

I need E-mail addresses for Patrick, Taig, Flash, Woody, AZ, CH, Uri, Sharoth, Mr Shiny, Lynorra, Heathy, CrimJ, Mairkurion, MacBoyce, and JackHammer. I have something to send you guys. :D

Boobies? <scurries>

Bacon?

You Haz Cheezburgur?

EDIT: Solnes has my e-mail, but I dropped you a msg @ FB nonetheless.

EDIT #2: Oh wait, I know what it is now! It's done????

Yes it is. :D

And I wish to send the image to everyone involved so once I get the addys I'll get the wife to send it off..... I no know how to do attachment. :/

That's why your wife works at Badd Kitty to do product demonstrations and not you. :p

Truly? I had a sense I would like Solnes before, but if this is the case then that just rockets her upward in my estimation.

It is done. My partner and myself are now homeowners.

<requisite balloons and streamers>

alleynbard wrote:

Yesterday, I was offered a job at one of the local game stores. I will only be working one day a week, but I am happy to be working again in some capacity. Of course, I spent so much time there anyway, it won't really be a shift in my current schedule. :)

Bruce offered you a job? Perchance it's on Tuesdays?

Nope. Sundays. I don't think I could run the store and run PFS. That might drive me insane(r).

alleynbard wrote:

Dr. Double Honors, Ph.D. wrote:

Who all besides SP wants to go into teaching? Teaching what?

College level English Literature or, if I am really lucky, Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Medieval and Ren programs are NOTORIOUSLY difficult to get into. Start taking Latin immediately. You should have already been taking it. In diapers.

Indeed I have been. Latin is my best friend. Outside of, you know, real people.

Heading off for the night myself. Take care everyone and have a good night.

alleynbard wrote:

Yesterday, I was offered a job at one of the local game stores. I will only be working one day a week, but I am happy to be working again in some capacity. Of course, I spent so much time there anyway, it won't really be a shift in my current schedule. :)

That's cool. Just don't spend money like Jeremy.

That will be hard for me to control, I can guarantee it. :)

alleynbard wrote:

Moff Rimmer wrote:

Aberzombie wrote:

Torrential downpours do tend to suck ass.

Don't know much about that. ** spoiler omitted **

<-- Lives in a desert.

I am kind of surprised there isn't more ass-sucking in the desert.

Urizen doesn't live there. :D

But Urizen does live near me. Had I known.....

Yesterday, I was offered a job at one of the local game stores. I will only be working one day a week, but I am happy to be working again in some capacity. Of course, I spent so much time there anyway, it won't really be a shift in my current schedule. :)

But my puppy looks ferocious like one of those stereotypical pit bull types. And you've seen my profile photo. We be all gangsta and sheeit. There's nothing fuzzy wuzzy cuddly going on there.

Word yo.

:p

My position remains unchanged.

There's also missing an OG Farrah Fawcett swimsuit poster. Who didn't have that when we were younger?

<slowly raises hand>

Aberzombie wrote:

Torrential downpours do tend to suck ass.

Don't know much about that. ** spoiler omitted **

<-- Lives in a desert.

I am kind of surprised there isn't more ass-sucking in the desert.

Who all besides SP wants to go into teaching? Teaching what?

College level English Literature or, if I am really lucky, Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Urizen wrote:

I can hardly even eat a cheeseburger in one sitting anymore.

So you don't want me to regale you with my dinners of a Double Quarter Pounder with Bacon, Filet of Fish, Large Fries and Large Frozen Coke then?

I think I just threw up a little bit there.

I should head to bed now. Good night all and take care.

Hey AB ... any updates on possession and relocation?

We are hoping to take possession Friday. Our moving date was scheduled for this weekend. With how everything is going we had to move it back to the 19th.

At this point we are waiting for the lending company. They have all they need but they were overwhelmed with all of those people (like ourselves) trying to get this handled in time to receive a tax rebate. At this point, I understand, so I can't get upset or anything.

I am just a bit impatient, in a good way. I can't wait to move in and get out of this apartment.

Dr. Double Honors, Ph.D. wrote:

Sebastian wrote:

Dr. Double Honors, Ph.D. wrote:

Well, I worked at the old house today, going through old stuff of my great grandparents, grandmother's and mom's. Kind of depressing and kind of cool at the same time. Doing it by myself is probably the worst part. So I wasn't around to post today. Doesn't look like I missed a lot...

Thinking about things like that gives me an existential crisis. My garage has a large number of personal stuff from my deceased father-in-law. Sometimes, I look at my own possessions, particularly things like photo albums or other sentimental things, and think to myself about how they will likely end up in boxes in the homes of my kids.

It creeps me out.

Yeah. And when I think how many people left even knew my great grandfather and my grandmother, much less give a damn, it's pretty depressing. My mom saved all this stuff, and I guess I'm just about the last person that cares. Trying not to feel bitter towards Dad.

Think of it this way, you do remember and you do care. Even if it seems like no one else cares, the memory of your loved ones is safe with you. They live in your heart now. While it might seem like that precious memory is fading, by preserving what you have from them will keep those loved ones vibrant and accessible for future generations.

My family was terrible about preserving our family history and passing it downwards. There is a disconnect in my life that I wish was present. But I decided it was never too late and I have done everything I can to preserve the lives of those that came before me and dig up whatever I can find.

While I imagine you believe in an afterlife (I do as well) there is something to be said for bequeathing a small amount of immortality in this world for those you love.

I feel rather strongly about this, so I tend to argue the point stridently. But I firmly believe one of the best things you can do for those you love is to preserve their memory.

And I apologize if this was overly sappy or what have you. This is a trigger point for me in many ways. So if it was a bit much, feel free to disregard. ;)

Sebastian wrote:

Dr. Double Honors, Ph.D. wrote:

Well, I worked at the old house today, going through old stuff of my great grandparents, grandmother's and mom's. Kind of depressing and kind of cool at the same time. Doing it by myself is probably the worst part. So I wasn't around to post today. Doesn't look like I missed a lot...

Thinking about things like that gives me an existential crisis. My garage has a large number of personal stuff from my deceased father-in-law. Sometimes, I look at my own possessions, particularly things like photo albums or other sentimental things, and think to myself about how they will likely end up in boxes in the homes of my kids.

It creeps me out.

Yeah. And when I think how many people left even knew my great grandfather and my grandmother, much less give a damn, it's pretty depressing. My mom saved all this stuff, and I guess I'm just about the last person that cares. Trying not to feel bitter towards Dad.

Think of it this way, you do remember and you do care. Even if it seems like no one else cares, the memory of your loved ones is safe with you. They live in your heart now. While it might seem like that precious memory is fading, by preserving what you have from them will keep those loved ones vibrant and accessible for future generations.

My family was terrible about preserving our family history and passing it downwards. There is a disconnect in my life that I wish was present. But I decided it was never too late and I have done everything I can to preserve the lives of those that came before me and dig up whatever I can find.

While I imagine you believe in an afterlife (I do as well) there is something to be said for bequeathing a small amount of immortality in this world for those you love.

I feel rather strongly about this, so I tend to argue the point stridently. But I firmly believe one of the best things you can do for those you love is to preserve their memory.

Well, I worked at the old house today, going through old stuff of my great grandparents, grandmother's and mom's. Kind of depressing and kind of cool at the same time. Doing it by myself is probably the worst part. So I wasn't around to post today. Doesn't look like I missed a lot...

Lynora: Hope you feel better.

Solnes: Very sorry to hear about your brother.

I'm sorry hear that and I hope you are doing better. Take care and I will keep you in my thoughts. I know how incredibly difficult that can be.

taig wrote:

Moff Rimmer wrote:

Forgot to mention --

On Monday I got my orange belt. Beware the fury of me. :-)

Congratulations! So we can start calling you Moff Li, now?

Broke my first board on Monday. That was fun.

I missed this. Congratulations!

Dick Cheney wrote:

Orthos wrote:

You ever get the feeling you've painted a bullseye on your forehead? :P

It makes it easier for me to aim.

*shoots Taig in the face*

Damn!

Damn it, I just got my face waxed!

Don't let it get into your eyes, it burns like Hell.

Ugh, I think I may be comming down with a cold. All I have wanted to do today is sleep.

Part of that might be stress. I know it is late and you are likely asleep now anyway, but indulge that desire and listen to your body. I am of the honest belief that sleep is a miracle "tonic" when it comes to significant stressful periods in my life.

Flash is there something you should be telling us?

That was creepy. I am not sure I can ever look at the Flash the same way ever again.

Cya CH.

Urizen wrote:

Sebastian wrote:

Sure, be as creative as you'd like - Zombie already does a good job portraying me with his frighteningly accurate alias, so I'm used to it. Just don't make me a paladin or anything.

Random useless trivia knowledge: Moorluck pronounces it 'Pa-lad-din'. Kind of like Aladdin, but with a P in front.

One of my old players did that, as did some of my WoW guildmates. "Puh-LAD-din" rather than "PAL-ah-din". Drove me nuts. :P

That said, worse are the people who leave out the middle syllable. "PAL-din".

I think a blood vessel in my brain just burst.

alleynbard wrote:

Jeremy Mcgillan wrote:

So since my husband is still away I need a place to ramble. So my husbands last name is bond, and he gets razzed for it all the time, so one big thing I miss when he's home is when he gets home from work.

He'll step in the door I'll be sitting in the old office chair, with the cat in my lap I turn around and say "good evening Mister Bond" in my cheesiest british accent. I love doing it, but he always gives me the death glare every time I do. I so wish he was home right now.......

Brilliant!

I am sorry you are missing him. When does he get back?

It is hard to sit and wait for my partner to return when he is away for a period of time. I find myself going stir crazy as well.

He returns august 12th

That is a nasty amount of time to wait. You have my sympathy.

Just dropping in to say hello...

Greetings

Hey guys how ya been? Things have been sketchy here so I bailed and went unsocial. My little brother is having some issues and is in the hospital. They admitted him last night and put him on a suicide watch. Today he seems ok and they are going to let my parents in to see him. Not sure exactly what is going on with him, no history of mental health probs on our side of the family. The doctors think that maybe it has something to do with drinking 5 energy drinks a day with no food and no sleep and partying for the last month. His body seems to have turned on him. Hopefully he will be ok in a few days and we can return to normal and we get to go to teh con.

I'll keep your brother in my thoughts. That sounds terrifying and I hope his healing process is successful and fast.

Happy birthday Orthos! Wow...25...those were some good days for me.

And good luck on the job front.

alleynbard wrote:

Sorry, I missed this amongst the cookies and gamist talk.

I understand the pain with the hospital. After my surgery I had to twist some arms and I got most of it covered through various means.

I was thinking take it around the holidays. I think it would be worth to have a relaxing, stress-free holiday time.

Ahh, not to be though. Since my wife and youngest have the summer off it kinda makes that the best time for them. Then, with budget monies only getting freed up in Q4, that really makes that time taboo. So I'm screwed either way.

The boss still has yet to respond or comment on my request, but I expect her to grant it grudgingly. She's gone 3 weeks in Sept so she gets her break too. And I'll have to cover for her whilst we'll have a slew of work to organize.

Does anyone have any idea as to what a hospital finds acceptable on a $2600 balance? I'd like to pay $200 a month, but $100 fits my broken budget better.

Well, part of summer off with your family will be nice. It sounds like it could be the kind of fulfillment you are looking for, a sort of restoration of the soul that allows you to focus on what is important in life. This is especially needed after the trials you have went through.

For my part, I found some programs that paid for my outstanding balance, but my income was low enough I could achieve that. I am not sure if that is an option for you.

The Thing from Beyond the Edge wrote:

Emperor7 wrote:

alleynbard wrote:

Emperor7 wrote:

So, should I feel guilty about requesting vacation time so soon after coming back from disability?

I have 5 weeks vacation time to burn. Use or lose it company.

I'm thinking 'not', 'cause recuperating has not exactly been fun and relaxing.

I would not feel guilty about it. That time is yours to burn. At what point will you lose it?

Year end. I'll hold back a couple of weeks for the fall. I can't afford to go anywhere, but time off is always nice. Damn hospital wants 3 grand, so I should be looking for a part-time job. *sigh*

This is the way I see it and you can count on it being correct:

If your company will give you a hard time about using both your sick leave (for a very real illness) AND your vacation leave then they do not respect the fact that you have both.

If you cannot use both (sick leave when sick and vacation as you see fit) then you do not have both. Since you do have both, use what you wish to use of your vacation leave and tell them to piss off if they give you problems.

End Note:
A possible idea when you have so much leave for a year (that you are unable to carry over) is to preschedule it all at the end of the year. Then as the year progresses, you can ask to take leave (partly in advance) as needed and remove it from the scheduled days. If they won't give you the desired changes then you still get to keep the days off you have been allotted. This is an idea if there is an early submission deadline for vacation days such that they are not required to honor submissions afterward such as asking for a week or two off right now would probably be.

Thx for the 2c. Problem is year end is when we'll have all of our projects. Major consolidating going to happen with the large reduction in our workforce. When that's done, vacation time probably won't matter for me and my team. :( Should stretch into January though.

Crap. Reductions truly suck. I was the victim of reductions last year and I am still rather bitter about it.

So since my husband is still away I need a place to ramble. So my husbands last name is bond, and he gets razzed for it all the time, so one big thing I miss when he's home is when he gets home from work.

He'll step in the door I'll be sitting in the old office chair, with the cat in my lap I turn around and say "good evening Mister Bond" in my cheesiest british accent. I love doing it, but he always gives me the death glare every time I do. I so wish he was home right now.......

Brilliant!

I am sorry you are missing him. When does he get back?

It is hard to sit and wait for my partner to return when he is away for a period of time. I find myself going stir crazy as well.

Urizen wrote:

Solnes wrote:

Not a good day post

What the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot's goin' on, babe? I saw LPM's FB post. :(

Anything to do with time off not available or someone unavailable to watch the kidlets?

Some family issues have come up that will probably mean that we will have no one to govern the children for our trip. As much as I hate to say it, we may have to eat the money we put out for everything. Solnes will discuss more when/if she wants to. :(

I know this is late, but I am very sorry to hear that.

Moorluck wrote:

Now see here, you start talking pecan pie and you have this southern boys undivided attention! :)

^_^

Is this the part where I mention cornbread, the gumbo I made last night, red beans and rice, and the phenomenal pulled pork that my other half & I make? :P

Ahh man, I am a Yankee but those are my dream foods too. If you keep talking dirty to me like that you just might make me re-consider my current way of life.

alleynbard wrote:

Emperor7 wrote:

So, should I feel guilty about requesting vacation time so soon after coming back from disability?

I have 5 weeks vacation time to burn. Use or lose it company.

I'm thinking 'not', 'cause recuperating has not exactly been fun and relaxing.

I would not feel guilty about it. That time is yours to burn. At what point will you lose it?

Year end. I'll hold back a couple of weeks for the fall. I can't afford to go anywhere, but time off is always nice. Damn hospital wants 3 grand, so I should be looking for a part-time job. *sigh*

Sorry, I missed this amongst the cookies and gamist talk.

I understand the pain with the hospital. After my surgery I had to twist some arms and I got most of it covered through various means.

I was thinking take it around the holidays. I think it would be worth to have a relaxing, stress-free holiday time.

appearo

Ta-Da!

And for your next trick?