The crap (that is no longer) outside my neighbor's door.

I are smrt

2007-06-25T22:04:00.000-05:00

I recently enjoyed an evening on the roof BBQing with friends and thought it would be fun to try Jiffy Pop on the grill.

Now, keep in mind that I have never made Jiffy Pop and never witnessed it being made as my parents owned an old fashioned stove-top popcorn maker and then moved to an air popper......so Jiffy Pop is new to me.

I looked at the package carefully for instructions because, after all, even easy-to-use products have instructions (wash, rinse, repeat). Not finding any instructions I figured that it must be as simple as to place the pan on some heat and wait. After several minutes of gently moving the pan of kernels over the heat I finally heard a few kernels pop....but then they stopped. Nothing seemed to be happening.

I couldn't figure it out.....after all it was "jiffy" pop but at least half of an hour had passed and the top hadn't even begun to "poof" out like you see on TV.

We all gathered around the Jiffy Pop......after a thorough inspection someone said, "I think you have to take the cardboard thing off the top."

It was only then that I noticed:

It says, "To Open gently pull here."

Crap.

Moral of the story - even with four "smart" people, with almost 20 years of higher education between them, sometimes it is harder than it looks.

Perhaps out of spite, I did eat the 15 kernels I worked so hard to get.

Don't worry - I bought another pan of Jiffy Pop - I think I can make it work this time!

Crap!

2007-03-04T22:11:00.000-06:00

Just when I've forgotten how much I miss my old crap-leaving neighbors, someone leaves some crap by their door and all of my old feelings come rushing back. Ahh....crap...

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-03-04T22:07:00.000-06:00

Roses from Terry!

Mary's Place

2007-03-04T22:01:00.000-06:00

Recently had the pleasure of spending an evening at Mary's Place. If you are familiar with the bar, then you know how awesome it is! I'm sorry that I didn't get a photo of the woman with the light-up high heel shoes. I did, however, get a photo of this guy, who was one hot dancer:

We had a great time and, as you can tell by this pic, Terry was really into the music:

We can't wait to go back!

O Canada

2007-01-22T21:14:00.000-06:00

Went to Toronto with Terry last weekend. We saw the Maple Leafs play the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday - my first NHL game....and then we saw the Dallas Mavricks take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday - my first NBA game! We even managed to fit in a trip to the CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

See My Albumn

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2006-12-29T00:14:00.000-06:00

Awkward

2006-11-22T22:04:00.000-06:00

Went to the Creighton vs. UNL Basketball game the other night (fab game in case you missed it) and the guy next to Terry un-latches his belt, I guess in an effort to either loosen or tighten it....an action to which Terry responded with, "That isn't something you want to see."

Precisely.

Tip - if you belt is too tight or too lose, please find a discrete way to adjust it.

Sims

2006-11-22T21:52:00.000-06:00

As I finally sit on Thanksgiving eve, pumpkin pie cooling in the kitchen, broccoli salad ready to be eaten, I decide to play Sims Bustin' Out (yes I'm fully aware I'm about 10 years behind on catching the Sims bus).......after playing the game for an hour or so I truly can't decide if I love or hate the game.

I love it because not only do I get to be in total control of someone (which, let's face it, is my big dream), I get to be in total control of a dumb, white-trash chick hand model. I love it because it makes me realize that life could be worse.....my name could actually be Wendy, I could trot around town in a halter top on a scooter and I could be living with a jobless, idiot of a roommate named Mimi.

I hate it because instead of living a life - I'm watching a life being lived. I hate it because for some stupid reason it takes Wendy two hours to take a bath and get dressed. I hate it because I lose complete track of time when playing - when on the game it has been three days.....I feel like I've been playing for 30 minutes…..yet somehow close to two hours has passed....

I both love and hate it because I have found that I am fully capable of playing it with no effort lying on the couch after a few glasses of wine.

I can see why people become addicted to this game.......but, I think in the end, I will choose to actually go visit friends, go shopping and show up for my job instead of living vicariously through "Wendy" - after all I'm in control.

Big Toys

2006-11-19T22:11:00.000-06:00

The street outside of my house was closed for 24 hours so they could set-up this huge-ass crane....they were doing something to the Nelnet building. I think it took them longer to disassemble the crane than anything they did to the building.

A Little Creepy

2006-11-19T22:05:00.000-06:00

Nothing like a photo of Jason A. and Kevin B. starring at you in the bathroom. Ruby Tuesday's is awesome!

Classy

2006-11-19T22:01:00.000-06:00

Went to CA again....somehow got the handicapped room, hence the fancy toilet.

Weird Crap

2006-11-19T21:59:00.000-06:00

This was outside of the "trash room" door. I'm not sure if those are pickles or not....but I didn't want to get close enough to find out.

Entertainment

2006-10-29T22:10:00.000-06:00

I'm guessing that the punks who shot out my car window thought it would be an entertaining event. I know I was entertained vacuuming glass out of my car at 1:00 am.....it was an absolute ball to attempt to drive with a trash bag for a window only to have the wind take it as its victim....and I could hardly contain my bounding thrill and enjoyment as I drove to Lincoln with no window, never mind the freezing point wind chill.

Good times.

Franky is Ready for Winter!

2006-10-29T22:08:00.000-06:00

I See Crap!

2006-10-29T22:03:00.000-06:00

Shoes, shoes, shoes and shoes.....oh, yeah...and peace. What a great crap day!

The Search is Over...

2006-09-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

I've found Franky's Halloween costume....he can't wait to go trick-or-treating!

It was a Crapful Day!

2006-09-20T21:51:00.000-05:00

The other day I came home to not one neighbor, but two neighbors with crap outside their door! I about cried.

The crap: a dishwasher and a brick.

While the dishwasher was gone in a couple of days, the brick remains....I think it might be permanent crap!

Working with Creative Types

2006-07-26T23:04:00.000-05:00

Knowing my love for Office Space, my co-workers left this for me to find in my office on my birthday.

Happy Birthday to Me, from Me.

2006-07-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

After convincing others to purchase a Dyson, because as we all know - it is the vacuum that doesn't lose suction, I finally bought one for me. When it arrived, I, of course, vacuumed. It had been five days since vacuuming with my Dirt Devil and this is the result:

Needless to say....I'm happy with my purchase. :)

How Thoughtful...

2006-07-26T21:58:00.000-05:00

Orchids for my birthday!

Wedding Entertainment

2006-07-26T21:37:00.000-05:00

Went to wedding recently where they used stones and flowers as decorations on the tables. Obviously, they put them there so Terry and I could be entertained.

Damn You VH-1....

2006-06-28T23:43:00.000-05:00

for sucking me into watching two hours of the worst songs ever...i try to move, i want to go to bed...but i just can't....just ten more to go.....damn you and all count-down shows to hell!

It's a Crap Day - Hooray!

2006-06-26T21:13:00.000-05:00

Praise the Lord there's crap!

As you know, my old crap-leaving neighbors moved last summer. The good news, however, is that they set a precedent for leaving crap......so sometimes, on real lucky days, my other neighbors will leave some crap outside their door! It is never left for long, and rarely exciting....but I'll take what I can get.

Get Out and Drive!

2006-05-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

Have a great Memorial Day!

Is he Dead?

2006-05-15T19:19:00.000-05:00

No.....he's just hoping someone will feel sorry for him and pay him some attention.

Thumbs Up

2006-05-15T19:17:00.000-05:00

Tyson says the beer is A-OK!

New Toy

2006-05-15T19:15:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to lie to you.....it is awesome. It's okay if you're jealous....most people are. :)

Hero Dog vs. Franky

2006-04-30T15:04:00.000-05:00

The opponent: A Search and Rescue Dog

He gave Franky a good fight........but didn't make it in the end:

Joe in the Spring

2006-04-16T20:33:00.000-05:00

Chapter 5 - Two Weeks Left

2006-04-16T20:28:00.000-05:00

Well....he (see Chapter 4) did call. Long story short, we've gone out, we chat regularly and we have plans to go out more....good times.

My match.com subscription is up in two weeks, which means that in less than three months I met a normal....no, make that more than normal, guy.

Even if "he" and I don't "work out" - I must say that I am the last person to believe that I could have met someone smart, fun and charming on an online dating service. I guess you learn something everyday. :)

Chapter 4 - This Might Actually Work

2006-03-26T23:59:00.000-06:00

Just got home from meeting with a guy that I met on match.com. We enjoyed several hours of conversation, and not once did he annoy me, shock me or ask me about the number of sexual predators living in my town.

We both indicated that we'd like to meet again.....this shall be the test.

Online Dating Tips - #6

2006-03-26T23:57:00.000-06:00

If you winked last month and I didn't respond...chances are I'm not going to respond when you wink this month. I'm the same person I was a month ago and I'm assuming you are too.

Online Dating Tips

2006-03-17T22:24:00.000-06:00

1. When telling me about yourself via email and say that you are intelligent and have an intellectual sense of humor, you may want to spell intelligent and intellectual correctly.

2. Abercrombie & Fitch is a store, not an interest.

3. If my profile says I went to UNL, and I mentioned in an email that I went to UNL, don't ask me if I went to Creighton.

4. The town listed in your profile should match where you actually live.

5. Check out Log In For Love on TLC (Friday, 9 pm) - it is nice to know online dating is providing humorous stories for thousands of other people.

Chapter 3 - Are You Kidding Me?

2006-03-05T22:07:00.000-06:00

I recently received the below message from a match.com member. On top of this outlandish email, his profile says he is 44 and looking to meet someone his age or five years younger. Apparently not only is he shallow, he is really bad at math since I'm clearly more than five years younger than him.

His message:
Nicely written profile. And you are cute........to boot. Being single in Nebraska isn't hard. Its all what you make of it and someone as good looking as you should be having fun with it. Allow me to assist you in that venture sometime in the near future...........mmmmmmm, such as joining me for a drink at Mistys or Pears or the Sidetrack. I promise to keep you entertained all night.

Do you risk it? Go for it.

Chapter 2 - Matt

2006-03-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm two for two on match.com. I was winked at by a guy in Omaha, Matt I'll call him.

I took the leap and sent him an email in response to his wink. Not only did he respond, but his email was well written and a good read. We emailed back and forth a few times, each email exceeding the previous in length and entertainment. We finally exchanged phone numbers and after a couple of messages we engaged in a phone conversation lasting over an hour. I was excited that I had met someone with whom I felt on a similar conversational level, and a person who I could speak to for this amount of time without being annoyed....even once.

The phone conversation ended with him asking if we could meet for a drink. I agreed. He said that he would call me in a few days to set something up.

That's the last I heard from him.

Makes complete sense to me.

Too Much?

2006-02-21T21:03:00.000-06:00

Number one sign you might use your DVR a little too much.....while watching TV, you pick up the remote to fast forward through the commercials and when it doesn't seem to be fast forwarding you try again......and a third time.....and it is only then that you realize you are watching live TV.

Oh.....it's one of those days.

Progressive Dinner

2006-02-20T16:43:00.000-06:00

Attended a Progressive Dinner Friday night.

Photos here - thanks to Randy!

Quick overview: We arrived at a Downtown hotel around 6:30 pm, were split into three groups (mine was Group B, the most fun group of course) and then ushered onto a Limo Bus (aka The Party Bus). Once on the bus we cracked the champagne and dropped the first group at their restaurant and drove to the second, which is where my group was dropped. We enjoyed fab appetizers, drinks and good ole' fashioned conversation.

Knowing that we had drunk all of the champagne, a couple of us ran to the gas station next door to pick up some beer. Once on the bus again, we were shuttled to our second restaurant where we were served soup, salad and another drink. They switched out buses on us so our beer was AWOL.....but we did have new bottles of champagne. We arrived at our last place to be served steak, salmon, potatoes and beans....and another drink. Back on the bus....stop at a liquor store for more beer...and back downtown for dessert....and more drinks. I think you get the idea.

Some of my fondest memories and quotes of the evening:

"No, seriously, what is this pole for?"

Jessica and me running in heals and dresses to buy beer.

"Wow! There's a cooler back here to hide our beer!"

Randy bartering with the liquor store clerk over the price of a bottle opener.

The fact that somehow I was deemed the DJ and light controller in the bus.

Me seeing TJ take money out to tip the driver and thinking that if TJ is doing it, it must be the right thing to do....so I tipped the driver.....I think.

Me stealing the bottle opener out of Randy's coat.

Chocolate up my nose.

The fact that the next day I had a container of strawberries and chocolate in my fridge.

Good Times

Chapter 1 - Dirk

2006-02-13T14:40:00.000-06:00

I had my first "face-to-face" meeting with a fellow match.com member. We had emailed several times and seemed to have decent conversation. On a Wednesday, we decided to meet for coffee the following Saturday. We continued to converse a bit between Wednesday and Saturday. By the time Saturday rolled around I had talked to him enough to realize we were not going to click. For one thing, he had proved to have the listening skills of a deaf dog and seemed to only have about three stories to tell…..over and over.

I, however, went through with the meeting….mostly hoping it would provide good content for my “book.”

He (I’ll call him Dirk) and I live in different cities that are about 50 miles apart (me in Lincoln and him in Omaha). I was going to Omaha to visit a friend on Saturday so we arranged to meet for coffee beforehand.

I arrived at the coffee house a few minutes early so I purchased my drink and found a table, one that fits four so we weren’t forced to sit too close. He arrived a few minutes later – we shook hands, said hi and so on. He stood in line for a minute and then came back to my table and asked me, “So, what’s good here?”

I wanted to say, “Well, since it is a coffee house, I bet the coffee is good.”

I refrained.

Instead I asked him if he likes coffee, to which he said, “No, I just thought you might have some recommendations. I usually drink hot chocolate.” I suggested that he buy hot chocolate.

This isn’t brain surgery.

We talked for a bit, getting to know each other a little better. As we’re discussing family I tell him the town where most of my family lives. He asks where that is and I tell him it is about 150 west of Omaha. He then proceeds to say, “I went to college in Wayne is that close to where your family is?” Well, since Wayne is north of here (and I would think one would know that if they spent four years there) and I just told you that my family lives west of here….um, no…..idiot.

At this point I check my watch, figuring our time was about up. I felt my stomach drop when I realized that I had 45 minutes to go.

I said that when I hang out with my friends we mostly go out get a drink and have good conversation. Apparently this translated into me being a party animal and him feeling the need to share a drinking story. Always a good idea when meeting someone new. He proceeded to tell me about this time in college when he and a friend were out drinking. They both get up to go to the bathroom. Once inside they realize that the urinal is out of order and only one stall is open. So his friend uses the stall and then, as a joke, keeps Dirk from getting into the stall to go. Since he had to go so bad he decided to just pee in the drain on the floor. (This is not a picture that I needed painted in my head) Three times while telling that story he stopped, looked around and then said, “I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

He was right.

Then, pretty much out of the blue, he says to me, “Doesn’t Lincoln have a high population of sexual predators?”

I looked at him with what I’m sure what the blankest stare possible as he proceeded to say, “Well, it seems that I’ve heard a bunch about that in the news lately. I mean, are the laws really relaxed there?”

I can’t think of something that is more odd and creepy to say to someone when you first meet.

Well done, Dirk, well done.

The Signs

2006-02-04T12:46:00.000-06:00

Signs that your "Fly by the Seat of Your Pants" evening has become a little too Fly by the Seat of Your Pants:

1. "Hey, let's go get a kamikaze at Cliffs" sounds like an excellent idea.

2. You order a kamikaze.

3. You drink about half of your kamikaze before dumping it into Jessica’s glass while she is in the bathroom.

4. You order an Old Fashioned, even though they are out of oranges, just so you can use the bourbon to get rid of the pixie stick-like sugar overdose left by the kamikaze.

5. You wake up on the couch at 5:00 am – clothes on, lights on, Full House on the TV and the dog starring at you.

Good Times.

Book in the Works

2006-02-01T20:53:00.000-06:00

I've always wanted to write a book. I started several in high school but, being that I was only 16; I never finished any of them.

I still dream of being published, I suppose that is one of the things that attracted me to starting a blog.....published with no chance of rejection.

While I'm not sure this will ever lead to a book, I have done something that will provide ample content for an entertaining essay style hard-bound…..or my blog at the least.

I recently joined match.com. First, I will say it is work! I've never had to think so hard on what to say knowing it may be the only chance I get to make an impression - and let's face it I'm the type of person who sometimes needs more than one chance.

If you are not familiar with the service, you set up a profile, tell a little about yourself, the type of person you want to date and upload anywhere from one to 24 photos, yes 24 photos! I put in my profile that my "date" should be within a certain age range, in Lincoln or within a specific distance away and other factors such as education, smoking habits, etc.

You can set search criteria and see who comes up, a snippet with their photo and "headline" appears and then you can click on them to view their full profile. If you are interested in learning more, you can "wink" at them or send them a message and see if they respond.

In the short time I've been a part of this "service" I've had many moments that led to me express a confused look, cock and my head and say, "what the hell...."

The first person who "winked" at me was five years older than my maximum age (although going by his photo I think he lied as he appeared even older) and spends all of his time with motor sports, aka NASCAR and motorcycles. Not to be a complete snob (which, those of you who know me, know I am)....GIVE ME A BREAK! Good thing I signed up for a term that was more than 24 hours, because based on this response I would have withdrawn!

Today, I was winked at by a guy whose home is 150 miles away (my limit is clearly stated at 50 miles) and under “job” states, "I'm currently deployed to Iraq but hope to be home in October." Um......what part of "within 50 miles" makes you think I'm going to be interested in you when you are in IRAQ!? I know, how selfish, I mean all I would need to do is hop on a plane to war-torn Iraq.....geesh.

If nothing else, this will teach me to deal with rejection - as of 5:00 pm today, 203 men had viewed me, and about eight had actually winked or sent a message. I don't like those odds.........

This will certainly be an adventure. I'll let you know when the book is done. :)

Saturday Night Date

2006-01-08T19:19:00.000-06:00

Went to dinner and enjoyed quality time with this cutie Saturday night.

Work Christmas Party

2005-12-30T11:35:00.000-06:00

We had our work Christmas Party a couple weeks ago. Go here for photos (thanks to Blaine!). A good time was had by all.....

Merry Christmas From Franky and Me!

2005-12-27T18:20:00.000-06:00

Girls' Night Out

2005-12-19T10:29:00.000-06:00

I was given a gift certificate for one free night at Embassy Suites. I decided to use the room as home base for a girls' night out. I invited Deb, Heather and Courteney - needless to say we had a blast. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the evening - I'm sure most of them fall in the category of "you had to be there" but I wanted to post them to at least entertain the four of us:

Deb said, "When I was a kid, I once got my mouth washed out with soap for saying lousy." Heather responds with, "What were you guys, Mennonites!?"

After ordering the apple sauce as one of my side items at Lazlos,
Deb says, "The drunken apples here are so good!"
Misty says, "Deb, I think you are thinking of the apples at Famous Daves."
Deb says, with a confused look on her face, "Where are we?"

Heather's reaction to trying Deb's tequila, "It makes me want to scrape my tongue!"

I told the group about a bar in Vegas that will give you a free drink if you give them your bra. To which Heather says as she points to me, "Her bra should be worth two drinks!"

The evening ended with Deb saying to Heather, "I can't believe I had to guilt you into sleeping with me."

Minneapolis Photos Up

2005-11-17T15:06:00.000-06:00

I posted the photos from my Minneapolis trip in September. Thanks to photographer Blaine.

Friday Night Fun

2005-11-05T23:01:00.000-06:00

Mike trying to prove that it's more comfortable than it looks.

Scottie Dog

2005-11-03T23:33:00.000-06:00

Franky's Halloween costume. He's the most clever dog he knows.

News!

2005-10-23T10:03:00.000-05:00

Becky had her baby on Monday! Joseph - he weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 inches long at birth.

Strategy Meeting

2005-10-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

Had a Friday afternoon "meeting" with co-workers. It's amazing the "work" you can get done in the right setting.

Going Away Party

2005-09-28T20:42:00.000-05:00

Another one bites the dust.....so we drank. Check out the photos.

What Year is This?

2005-09-20T21:28:00.000-05:00

Held a meeting for work at a hotel in Columbus. I guess this is their idea of offering the latest in technology. Well done.

Flickr Pro

2005-09-19T22:18:00.000-05:00

I guess free Flickr wasn't good enough for me.....I bit the bullet and paid for the "pro" version so that I'm not limited on number of photos and "sets" of photos. So....to justify I've added more sets of things past. Check it out.

Water for Two

2005-09-18T22:24:00.000-05:00

Spent the last several days in Minneapolis at a conference for work (photos to come soon). Put my $1.25 in the soda machine for a bottle of water and got this....two mini-bottles......I guess that works.

Testing Flickr

2005-09-08T22:48:00.000-05:00

Am trying out Flickr as a "home" for my photos. I posted some from my birthday party - check them out.

Shithook on Thursday Night

2005-08-19T00:16:00.000-05:00

Scott rocks the house with a little Elvis and Neil Diamond. A good time was had by all............except Tyson and Jon who decided to stay home.

Thursday-Out with Co-workers

2005-08-19T00:12:00.000-05:00

ahhh $1 well drinks.....if only they put in more than a splash...

How Nice

2005-08-11T09:07:00.000-05:00

Whip

2005-08-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

A sign in a bar I was in Friday night - it says $.05 for a whip. This just may be a "sign" that I'm hanging out in the wrong kind of bars.

Easily Entertained

2005-07-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

My best friend's cat who is oddly obsessed with an Aquafina package.

Photos Up

2005-06-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

As promised, Blaine posted the photos he took of our Philly/NJ/NY trip. To see them, click here - if you want to view them as a slide show, click on "slide show" in the upper right-hand corner or to view them all large at your pace, click on the first photo and then the double triangle/arrow symbol in the upper right-hand corner.

Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks to Blaine for taking and posting!

Which Ball?

2005-06-18T21:24:00.000-05:00

Played in a golf tournament with a couple of friends on Thursday. I'm proud to say that we set a goal and reached it! We won a free lesson with the golf pro - the prize for last place. :) Had a great time and, as a bonus, I am now sporting a kick-ass farmer's tan.

The Crap - 6/15/05

2005-06-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

I guess I'm not the only one missing my old (crap leaving) neighbors as my neighbor on the other side left this outside her door on Wednesday. It was a good day!

Blaine

2005-06-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

Blaine the man-barbie.

Beer Sampler

2005-06-18T21:18:00.000-05:00

The beer sampler at the Times Square Brewery.

Philly/Trenton/NYC

2005-06-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

Took a little trip last week to Philadelphia, Trenton and NYC. Purpose of the trip was to attend a two hour meeting in Trenton. Found the best air and hotel rates going in and out of Philly. Due to the low rates my “current” significant other (Blaine) accompanied me on the trip so we could see a good friend of his in NYC.

We flew into Philly and enjoyed a late dinner at the local Hard Rock Café…..not much open at 10 pm in terms of food in Philly. The next morning we drove our rental car (Volvo – Kia upgrade thanks to Enterprise) to Trenton for my meeting. A very worthwhile two hours I might add. We then took a train to the big apple. Blaine’s friend told us to head to 42^nd street once we got off the train, find something to eat and then he’d meet up with us when he was done with his meeting.

So, we did so….only to realize that 42^nd street put us in Times Square. Works for me! After enjoying a fine meal and a beer sampler at the Times Square Brewery, we wondered around the “square” until we had seen it all. Stopped for coffee at Roxie’s……we had passed seven, yes seven, Starbucks by this point so it seemed only right to buy coffee at a local joint.

Once Gleb (the friend) was done with his meeting he gave us directions to where he was (a bar). As we approached the bar he welcomed us to NYC with a hug and then proceeded to point up and say, “Empire State Building.” We both looked up and laughed - we had no idea we were only blocks from the famous building.

We proceeded to belly up to the bar and do our best to try as many of the 66 beers on tap. My final beer was an American Belgium that was a blueberry beer. It was gross and delicious at the same time. Tasted exactly like a blueberry muffin…..which is a bit weird for a beer.

We then determined that eating might be a good idea so we grabbed a cab (after Gleb negotiated with several until he found the right price) and drove to the Blue Water Grill. Before entering, however, we had to stop at the Heartland Brewery (I think that was the name) for a stout – a damn good stout. Dinner at the BWG was amazing, and according to Gleb, was featured in season two of Sex and the City.

Having reached our city limit we took a cab to the train station and a train to Gleb’s place so we could sleep.

On our final day we spent about two hours on the train and then another two stuck in traffic due to construction between Trenton and Philly. After checking out we had lunch at the Independence Pub (another fine beer) and visited the Liberty Bell and Franklin’s grave. A very patriotic day.

Overall, the trip was great. I hope to make it back to NYC again soon as the little bit I saw I loved.

Blaine took a ton of photos….so once he posts them I’ll provide a link…..much easier than taking and posting photos myself.

WARNING

2005-05-15T22:47:00.000-05:00

Beware of warm cheese hidden under napkins by pregnant women.

The Future

2005-05-13T17:45:00.000-05:00

Went to a concert recently. This is a photo of the girls sitting/standing in front of us. Ages 18-21.

Between the three of them, they made 10 phone calls during the concert. There is nothing like getting the "I'm at a rockin' concert" call. Apparently, according to these girls, the poor soul on the other end of the call can hear the concert better if you hold the phone up in the air.

I fear for our future.

The Crap - 4/28/05

2005-05-03T22:38:00.000-05:00

Well....they are gone and they took the filter with them. I'm so depressed. The new people have moved in, however so far they have left nothing in the hall. It is so sad.

Cowboy what?

2005-04-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

The other night while working at the bookstore a woman in her mid-twenties dressed in what I can only describe as rodeo watching attire approaches the information desk and asks, "Do you have any cowboy poetry?" My initial response was to say, "Uh, no...I'm pretty sure we don't." Followed by laughter. But, instead, I remembered that the customer is who we are there to serve so I said that I didn't know but I would be happy to look it up on the computer. I was shocked to see that not only did the computer not reject the keywords "cowboy poetry" but it told me that we had not one, not two, but four books of cowboy poetry! I guess there is something for everyone.

The Crap - 4/27/05

2005-04-27T22:04:00.000-05:00

They've moved out....yet the filter remains. It is now a poor, sad abandoned filter.

Lost

2005-04-26T16:17:00.000-05:00

No, this isn't a tribute to the ABC "hit" television show, aka Gilligan’s Island on depressants.....this is how I feel today. Why you ask? I feel lost because my neighbors, the people who provide the main content for my site, are moving as I type this. What is even worse, is I know there are all sorts of things in the hall, however I can't take photos without incriminating myself.........so I'm lost. I have no idea what I can do except hope and pray that the new neighbors will also leave crap outside their door......

The Crap - 4-25-05

2005-04-26T16:10:00.000-05:00

File cabinet and the now infamous filter.

The Crap - 4-17-05

2005-04-26T16:07:00.000-05:00

This is a t-shirt that was among the other crap. It is still in the plastic packaging, which is unexplainable since I would think that everyone would want to wear a shirt that has a Santa leaning up against a bull dozer........

The Crap - 4-10-05

2005-04-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

Boxes, shoes and yes....the filter.

Mission Complete

2005-04-26T15:59:00.000-05:00

Finally found something bigger than Blaine's Head!

Baseball for Die-hards

2005-04-26T15:57:00.000-05:00

April 8, 2005 - UNL Baseball game from a skybox.

My friend Courteney was kind enough to invite a group of us to watch a UNL baseball game via her company's skybox. It was awesome......at least for the first 12 innings.........by the 14th inning we were cold and ready for a beer. The game was finally over after 16 innings, and yes, the Huskers won.

The Crap - 4/8/05

2005-04-10T23:14:00.000-05:00

Yes, the filter is STILL there.

The Crap - 4/4/05

2005-04-07T22:50:00.000-05:00

Thirsty?

Track This

2005-03-29T09:52:00.001-06:00

Caveat - Generally, I do not have any issues with the US Postal Service due partially to the fact that I enjoy cheap mailing options and haven't really ever had a bad experience and partially because my father has worked for the Postal Service for most of his life and therefore I have the USPS to thank for food and shelter as a child.

I couldn’t help but to share this story though. As I wait patiently for a package to arrive via the US Postal Service, I decide to use the tracking number I was given to check the status of my package. Expecting to see something like the detailed report given when a UPS package is tracked, I was a bit let down to see:

The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper or shipping partner on March 29, 2005 to expect your package for mailing. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

Um, great tracking system. Do you really need to issue tracking numbers if your tracking system simply tells people "to expect your package"? Well done USPS.

The Crap - 3/25/05

2005-03-27T17:29:00.000-06:00

Although, their condo is still for sale, it seems like they are falling back into the routine of keeping their crap outside in the hall. Hurray! Yes, those are the same plastic containers you saw on the 23rd, with the addition of the newspaper, boots and of course a furnace filter......

The Crap - 3/23/05

2005-03-27T17:28:00.000-06:00

It's been so long since there was crap to capture. I'm sure you can only begin to imagine the pure delight I felt when I came home to crap on the 23rd!

Uh.....no

2005-03-20T22:11:00.000-06:00

I was checking out at Target and after the not so swift cashier finished ringing up my items, she picks up and puts away the rubber barrier that separated my items from the items belonging to the person behind me and then proceeds to say, "Now, are these your items?"

Uh....no. Hence the rubber barrier thing.

Oh my God.

The Importance of Flushing

2005-03-20T22:05:00.000-06:00

The other night I walked into a restroom at a restaurant and as I began to walk into a stall I see a young girl (about four) with her pants around her ankles trying to figure out how to flush the auto-flush toilet. Obviously, it is VERY important to flush....apparently more important than pulling up her pants.

Well Worth the Stroll

2005-03-14T23:19:00.000-06:00

It was a beautiful March Friday night that was filled with friends gathering at their favorite place to whet their whistles. After a few games of pool, which involved a nasty rug burn (don't ask), it was suggested that the group move to the Friday night usual number two, so a round or two of darts could be thrown. After walking almost four blocks, the now trio (a few were lost on the way) sat at the bar drinking imports and a martini of the chocolate breed - waiting patiently for the dart board to become unoccupied. As their drinks become but mere sips, in a democratic manner (or as democratic as you can be with three) they voted to find another location where darts could be thrown. They ventured into the blissful evening and passed by yet another four intersections to come upon Brewsky's. As they began their decent into the basement to be united with a dartboard, a barmaid stopped them and said, "Sorry, guys - the basement is closed." The trio stood dumbfounded starring at this sign that was painted in their front window:

Thank you Brewsky’s! We walked more than a mile (there and back) so we could give you money for beer and feed your dart machine full of dollar bills and you tell us that the basement is closed– knowing that your front window says the basement is ALWAYS open!? Well done.....idiots. I think Andy said it best, "Thanks, Brewsky's. I extend both of my middle fingers in your general direction. "

I'm Done...

2005-03-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

...moving out of the way of book walkers - people who are reading while walking. It is not my responsibility to move out of the way of people who are so socially defunct that the only way they can bring themselves to be out and about with the “normals” is to absorb themselves in another world by burying their noses in a book and hope they make it from point a to point b without any human interaction.

I think I'll start walking directly at them from now on just to see what happens.

Table for Nine

2005-03-08T10:07:00.000-06:00

There isn't much that irritates me more at a restaurant than asking for a table for an odd number of people and getting sat at a table made for one less person than you have, leaving the last person to sit down to be an add-on at one of the ends - as if they were an after thought.

A group of us went to dinner last night and when we asked for a table for seven we were given a table for six. As we squeezed in I looked around the restaurant to see many open tables nearby - any of which would have worked as an extension to our table – but I guess that would be too much to ask.

So, the next time we have seven; we'll ask for a table for nine.

The Crap - 3/6/05

2005-03-06T23:41:00.000-06:00

The crap on 3-6. I'm sad to report that this may be the last of the crap. My neighbors are selling their condo to (finally) move into a multiple bedroom house. I'm a little depressed.....not so much that they are leaving as I don't really know them - I'm sad that my web site will soon have little reason to exist. Maybe I'll find another use.......stay tuned.

Today's Idiot

2005-02-17T09:16:00.000-06:00

Man Fired for Drinking Competitor’s Beer?
A worker for a Miller Brewing distributor let go after guzzling a Bud Light.

What an idiot. I can see not wanting to drink a Miller product but why would you "cheat" on Miller for Bud?

3 Down, 175 to go!

2005-02-17T09:13:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Without the Guilt

No crap.....

2005-02-17T08:10:00.000-06:00

It's been over ten days since the last crap display. I hope my neighbors are okay............

Whoo Hoo!

2005-02-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Separate Studies Tout Benefits of Wine and Coffee - two vices down, 176 to go!

The Crap - 2/5/05

2005-02-09T00:03:00.000-06:00

Misc. baby stuff and the world's ugliest fake flower arrangement.......I hope it was a gag gift.

The Crap - 1/30/05

2005-01-30T19:49:00.000-06:00

There hasn't been much crap lately....I've been bored and was even starting to worry. I happy to announce that my neighbors came through today and, in what seemed to be a "make-up" effort, there was a plethora of crap - so much that I had to take two photos. In case you can't see everything the crap today includes boots, several rolls of wrapping paper, a shoe box, hula hoops (yes, hula hoops), a pane of glass, poster, toy car, half eaten jolly rancher and various storage containers. I will have you know that when I first came upon the crap, the collection included my neighbor's two year old daughter.....just sitting among the crap. Unfortunately, I was not able to take a photo as my neighbors were standing in their open doorway.

It is a Sad Day

2005-01-24T08:31:00.000-06:00

Lucky the Lucky Lottery Chicken Eaten by Fox
A chicken which helped its owner to pick winning National Lottery numbers has been eaten by a fox. Lucky the chicken was rescued by Billy Gibbons who found it close to death while he was out walking in September 2003. It was believed to be an escaped battery hen.

What a sad, sad day. I know it is wrong but this article makes me laugh......I suppose it is because I expect to see news like this on the Onion's website, not an actual news site.

Classy Place

2005-01-23T22:07:00.000-06:00

You know you are in a classy joint when there is an ashtray next to the toilet.

The Crap - 1/17/05

2005-01-19T00:07:00.000-06:00

Wrapping paper, an odd piece of wood and a small easel......

The Crap - 1/16/05

2005-01-19T00:06:00.000-06:00

Four tubs of Christmas decor, five pairs of shoes and misc. crap. How nice.

Cheap or Expensive

2005-01-13T22:58:00.000-06:00

Apparently I cost $25.03 per carton......is this cheap or expensive?

The Crap - 1/13/05

2005-01-13T22:49:00.000-06:00

Some sort of scale......apparently scale #693.

This is Not an Emergency, I Repeat, This is Not an Emergency

2005-01-13T22:48:00.000-06:00

This is a sticker on a paper towel holder in a local movie theatre. I don't know about you, but I don't think that the need to hand crank the paper towels is an "emergency."