You know that feeling, right? That knee-jerk reaction when you're outside working on the yard or car on a nice day, totally focused on the task at hand and someone (other than one of your neighbors) comes along and starts talking to you?
It could be about buying some "money saving" coupons to a local new restaurant. Or it could be some multi-purpose cleaning supply guaranteed to save you money in the long run and is 100% safe for the environment. Now I don't mind the kids who sell cookies or candybars for a fundraiser at school.
I'm talking about the joker who rolls up to you. They're usually trying very hard to be presentable, but is betrayed by the filthy ass fingernails, the unironed khakis and tee shirt. They're usually very sweaty and talk too fast asking things about you and your family. They try in vain to make small conversation with you, usually of things they could give two shits about. Of course, you've got your head wrapped around whatever you're working on and the 100 other things next in line. You try to be polite and let them finish their spiel, but sometimes these guys are long winded and never let you get a word in. Or if they do it's becasue they've asked you some moronic question that doesn't actually let you speak "you DO like to save money, right?" Those assholes I could easily kick their head in and tell them to piss off.
BUT what do you do when you see THESE guys. Mormons on the Move! They travel in packs. They all dress alike. Clean. Conservative. Haircuts. Polite. On bicycles. When three came up to me yesterday while I was washing the cars and started chatting my knee-jerk reaction set in immediately. "Can we help you wash your car?" Whoa. Here's a sample dialogue...
"Can we help you wash your car?"
"uuuh no. I'm about finished, but thanks."
"Okay maybe next time. Plan on doing anything tonight?"
"Uuhhh just spend time with my family."
"GREAT! You have a big family?"
"Big enough for me right now."
"Well that's good. People don't spend enough time with their families. Are you familiar with the bible and its prophets?"
Oh boy. Here we go.
After a few minutes of chatting, the truth comes out. Do I want to be saved? Am I familiar with the bible? Religion is touchy as is and honestly I don't like strangers talking to me when I'm on a schedule to finish something, especially something personal like that. I politely, but firmly tell them I'm very busy and trying to finish before the sun goes down. But I my better judgement gets me straightened out.
These teenagers seem genuinely nice. It helps they offered to help before they intruded on my personal space. Now normally I'd say something short to get them off my ass. But seriously, there are far worse things these kids could be spreading around other than the Word of God. Drugs, venereal disease, and bullets to name a few. But they don't. It takes real balls and a certain level of comfort and confidence to talk to strangers, especially here in Orlando. So I back off. I thank them and tell them good luck. And no I don't know of anyone in the neighborhood that would like to and benefit from them about God.
Things could be worse.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
A Reunion of the Siblings
It was Rachel's 37th birthday and my brother Ricky and his wife, Donna, were coming to Orlando to help celebrate it. In addition, Cher and her son, Gabriel, were coming down from Charleston as well. None of them, up to this point, had met Isa and so everyone was excited to see her.
Cher arrived Thursday evening and we spent the evening just chatting and playing with the kids. Friday I was off from work and we decided to head out to the Mall of Milennia to have lunch. After having a quick meeting with a client I met up with the girls at Cheesecake Factory to sit outside and enjoy the afternoon. They did some more shopping and we went home to have dinner. Cher had been craving Snow Crabs so I had previously picked up 7 lbs for tonight.
Cher arrived Thursday evening and we spent the evening just chatting and playing with the kids. Friday I was off from work and we decided to head out to the Mall of Milennia to have lunch. After having a quick meeting with a client I met up with the girls at Cheesecake Factory to sit outside and enjoy the afternoon. They did some more shopping and we went home to have dinner. Cher had been craving Snow Crabs so I had previously picked up 7 lbs for tonight.
Originally we thought to have lunch at Moss Park and take the boat out for a spin. Unfortunately, they were too tired so I quickly opted out of it. It's just as well since it would've required me to pack the boat, truck, barbecue, Isa, etc. After dinner we had the cake cutting ceremony and opening of presents. All in all a relaxing evening.
By Sunday it was time to say goodbye to Cher and Gabriel. We all had a quick brunch out and then took her to the airport. After some rescheduling of her flight she was on her way. I was pretty wiped out by then and needed a nap before we met up again with Ricky, Donna and Rachel who were planning on staying at our house the remainder of their stay.
Early Monday I was struck with a nasty stomach which I'm still getting over. I'm not quite sure how it happened although I suspect some bad grilled food and a mix of sushi. Sorry Ricky and Donna we didn't get to do too much the last day of your visit. For the rest of Monday they just chilled at the house and played with the baby.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
"Dad! I'm nekkid!"
Isa has really taken to her baths, except for when the paparazzi busts in to get the little girl in her birthday suit.
Happy 35th Ellen!
El is a New Year's Eve baby as most people know. I haven't had any time really to plan anything as extravagant as last year (NYC in TImes Square, baby!). With Isa I knew it would be a challenge so I had to keep it simple and manageable. First order of business was to take El to McCormick and Shmick, a seafood joint at the Mall of Milennia. She had been craving seafood so I thought some lunch al fresca with Isa would be a good start. Afterwards, I let her pick some clothes for herself. A couple of hours later Isa let us know she had had enough of shopping and we headed home, but not before I picked up a few items I needed for her birthday dinner.
Christmas Weekend at the Pineda's
We had two weeks to basically clean the house and mentally reset ourselves after El's mom left to go back to SC and gear up for Christmas. We've been incredibly slammed with things to do, domestic issues (Dryer died Thanksgiving, for example), my sidework piling up, and getting ready for the holiday season to get going.
By Thursday, the 21st,` Ron had flown in from Vegas and it was on. By Saturday evening my parents and El's mom and younger sister drove down from SC. By Christmas Eve Sunday Lalaine and Joe arrived after a brief visit with Joe's dad on the Gulf side.
By Thursday, the 21st,` Ron had flown in from Vegas and it was on. By Saturday evening my parents and El's mom and younger sister drove down from SC. By Christmas Eve Sunday Lalaine and Joe arrived after a brief visit with Joe's dad on the Gulf side.
My first order of business Sunday morning was to cook breakfast and get the turkey in the oven for our Christmas Eve lunch. After lunch we were to have two hours to basically get dressed to go to Christmas Eve Mass at 6pm. Of course, after lunch I was completely dead and actually passed out before everyone finished eating when I went to lie down while El attended to Isa.
By the time I woke up it was almost 6pm and my parent's were making their way out to go to church. I felt bad that I missed it, but I was too wore out. I thought we might make it to Midnight Mass, but El talked me out of it. Bringing Isa that late would've been asking for more problems. We'll make it to Christmas morning Mass instead.
Instead we'd follow tradition and open presents at Midnight with the family. By 11pm my parent's and Rachel made it back to the house. The tree was LOADED with gifts from everyone, but I'm no fool. It's all about the little squirt. She literally had a mountain of gifts, but I still made out pretty good.
El had been so great during her pregnancy and afterwards with caring for Isa I really wanted to spoil her with the things she really wanted and would pamper her more. Back massager, dermabrasion kits, makeup and a new powerbook laptop for her birthday were all in order. Just a few things to make her feel human again.
As for myself, she hooked me up with things I've been wanting to buy myself for awhile, but decided against. A new Nikon Speedlight and camera bag and a huge internal drive for my tower to migrate all my work files to. Our parents pulled together and got us a new dryer as well. Thank God. I was getting tired of laundromat runs the past 4 weeks.
By Thursday afternoon Ron hopped on his plane back to Vegas. In the blink of an eye the Christmas season was over. I had been swamped with work that I didn't realize how fast it had all gone by. We missed seeing Ricky and Donna from Atlanta and Cher and Kevin from Charleston this season, but they planned on coming after all the riff raff was over for Rachel's birthday in mid-January. Just enough time to clean again and reset ourselves...
Escobars Visit
Florante and his wife, Jenivy, came for a visit from San Diego with their kids. I haven't seen him since his sister's wedding 4 or 5 years ago. I never even got to meet his kids when we visited Steve in San Diego a few years ago. We got to meet them for dinner their first night in and met Kyle, Kobe and their little girl, Kloe. Cute kids. Before they went back to San Diego we did manage to see them again when they came by to see Isa and hung out for awhile. It was cool to catch up with him. Same guy pretty much. Since high school we had always managed to make the random phone call to each other, but it was still amazing to me how much had changed with getting married, kids, work and such. Nice seeing you again!
The Golf Channel Christmas Party Year 6
This was my first time in 6 years I've had to fly solo at The Golf Channel Christmas Party. El had to watch Isa and I was on the fence about even going this time around. But, of course, the freaking mutant shrimp and open bar beckoned me to go.
Here I am with the old crew. I miss these fine folk. Left to right: Ed and Erin, Kam and Dan, Marcim myself, BK peeking trhu, Paula, Paulie popping up and Jen V in tha Hizzy. Good peeps.
Here I am with the old crew. I miss these fine folk. Left to right: Ed and Erin, Kam and Dan, Marcim myself, BK peeking trhu, Paula, Paulie popping up and Jen V in tha Hizzy. Good peeps.
You go the party not meaning to stay too long and then you see so many people you haven't seen throughout the year (where did that year go???) or those that you you used to see everyday and not so much anymore. I made my best efforts to say hello and get as many pics in as possible to share with the cowerks.
It was definitely different, although still a good time to see friends. I didn't eat as much as I could have (I was starving by the time I got home) and I didn't drink as much this year as I should have (I wasn't quite as hammered as I would've like by the time I got home).
It was definitely different, although still a good time to see friends. I didn't eat as much as I could have (I was starving by the time I got home) and I didn't drink as much this year as I should have (I wasn't quite as hammered as I would've like by the time I got home).
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