Our State Must Have Gone to an 'F' School

I was hearing 610 WIOD on the way into work this morning. Apparently some genius in the State government, or maybe the county governement, is trying to shutdown three schools in Dade County. Three schools have consistently scored F's on the FCATs. The Government's solution is to shut these schools down and move the students to other area schools.

Ok. Take a minute to let that sink in. Did it even take you that long to realize what a stupid, idiotic, solution this is? Schools are already over crowded as it is. There is a need to build more schools. And here we are, suggesting to close down three of them becuase of low test scores.

If they succeed in closing these schools down, it would mean teachers, administrators, staff - all without jobs. It means thousands of school childrens' lives disrupted because they may end up in schools different than their friends. They would probably need to be bused further away which means less time to be at home, or studying, or playing, or doing whatever kids do nowadays. And what does it mean to the school that will take these kids in? Won't it overcrowd them even more? Which in turn can turn affect their FCAT scores.

How about we try to make the 'F' school better? Lets find out where the problem lies. Is it with the kids? Is it with the teachers? Give the teachers the same FCAT test they are supposed to be teaching to their students. If they can't pass the test then it's time for them to go. Lets pay the good teachers more money to retain them. Lets also raise the teacher salaries in general to attract better teachers. You can't pay a teacher 20 something thousand a year and expect to be hiring good quality educators. It just doesn't work that way.

Someone clicked!

Someone clicked on one of the Google Ads giving me a 13 cent bump. I am now up to 99 cents. That's right, 99 whole complete cents. Just one more click and I gots me a dollar! Too bad Google waits until you make it to $100 before cutting you a check. It took me 2 months to make 99 cents. So all of my smart friends, here is where you come in. If this rate continues, how many months will it take to reach $100?

Rules of Engagement

So a second person tells me that they have been checking out my blog. First person tells me that, "isn't it great?! I don't have to talk to you and I know all about what is happening in your life." I mentioned to the second person how I have been going to the gym and she says, "Yeah I read it on your thing."

Ok friends... Here is the deal. I am writing these things, putting my feelings and thoughts and my whatevers out there so that all of you can laugh at me. It's ok to laugh at me, I don't get offended that easily. I do get a little discouraged when I don't think no one is reading. I will stop posting for a couple days and the only person who seems to notice is Diane. She will even post on her blog about the lack of posts on my blog. I gotta love her for that. I can't find her post at this moment but I swear I remember her commenting somewhere about it.

For the rest of y'all. There is a little Comments link down there beneath each post. Don't be afraid to use it. I allow for anonymous posts so you don't need an account to write, but please sign off at the bottom so I know who you are. So, write your comments. Let me know that I am wrong, or humor me and tell me I am right. Say Hey good job! Or say well 239 pounds is still fat ya big tub of goo! Anything so I know who my audience is.

Good News for us South Floridians

I just read some excellent news posted on Herald.com. The headline read, "Gap between home prices, income widens in Florida." Isn't that wonderful?! Gives us all hope of ever owning a home here. The estimated median household income in Florida is $43,982. The article does not state what the median price of a house in South Florida was but I can make an educated guess that it is lingering at around $300,000. The average mortage for a household making $43k a year would be no more than $120,000. There is a gap there of $180,000. How do they expect us to make up that difference? Are we going to start to see 60 or 70 year mortages?

The problem needs to be fixed, pronto. The higher prices also affect rent prices, commercial properties, etc. Which means that our employers are also having to pay more money to keep an office here. Which means there is less profit. Which means there is less of a chance for a substantial raise. House prices go up 30% while we get a modest 2% or 3% cost of living bump in our salary. As property values go up, rent will usually follow. Eventually there will be no profit and no more job. What is going to happen then?

Then what happens when the person renting the apartment realizes they can sell it for much more than what it can rent for. They get to sell their property, turn a profit and not have to deal with a tenant any longer. Why not sell? The new owner then raises the rent, who then sells to the next highest bidder, who then raises the rent, and up and up. Eventually pricing everyone out of the market.

I really love this city. No really, I do.

Practice

Yes, I am still living at home. But I am not a "momma's boy." I am anything but that. Since I was about 13 or 14, I've been doing my own laundry, my own cleaning, my own mopping, my own sweeping, etc. I've also done my little bit of cooking here and there. Mom has never "babied" me. Not even when I am sick. And I think I am a better man for it.

The parents have been on vacation this week leaving me home alone with my younger sister. I am loving being alone. I've gotten the chance to use my cooking skills. On Sunday, I roasted some chicken seasoned with a little Badia Complete Seasoning and some mojo. Delicious! Monday night, a "cuban" steak. Yummy. Tonight was my best yet. Sweet and Sour Pork Chops with some dirty rice. Purrrrr. (I just realized I hadn't purred in a few weeks). I honestly cannot wait until I have my own place.

I decided a couple weeks back that I have had enough of the folks. And took on a second job to make extra money so I can afford rent. Now it's just a matter of finding a place I can afford in a place I want to live. I am not being too picky. First, I can afford about $750 a month. Second, I would like to be near the LA Fitness in Doral. Third, a washer and dryer in the unit. And fourth and probably the most important a place to put my Weber Genesis Grill. I could leave it here but my parents have never ever used it. It would go to waste. The Fountain Blue, Westchester, Sweetwater, Dolphin Mall, Doral areas are all game. I hope I can find a place soon for my own sanity.

239.5!

I did it!! I met, and beat, my goal of weighing 240lbs by this morning!!! I am so excited!!!! My goal this next week is to get down to 238 pounds!!!!!

I've got Bluetooth!

No, not blue teeth, but Bluetooth! And I am so happy. I bought a new cellphone and the only feature I was looking for was Bluetooth. And I think it is so worth it. As I sit here on my laptop, my cellphone can sit up to 20 feet away and still transfer pictures, music, and synch my Outlook calendar with it. The synch happens automatically at a set interval. I don't have to do a thing, as my Outlook calendar updates, so does my phone's.

It also has that feature that lets you attach an image to each caller. So I have Shannon's pic on there because she is one of my bestest friends. I would put up Kim's picture but I don't really have any that I can show. And because I think they are both adorable - I put Dimple and Spectacular on there too. Not that I have a chance with either one of the two but they're cute and I like them.

So you wonder how I got their picture? I'm pretty bright and resourceful. Nothing too crazy. I just went to Match.com and right clicked on their picture. The context menu appears with Save Picture as an option. Yes that easy. So now in the off chance that I actually get a call from one of them, I'll see their picture.

Through the magic of Bluetooth, I also transferred a handful of MP3s to the phone. Yes, it also plays MP3s!! I just have to get a bigger memory card since it only comes with a 32meg card. So yeah, I'm loving it.

I'll just call her my girlfriend

I've been spending so much time at the gym lately. I also currently do not have any females in my life. Which gives me plenty of extra time to spend, where else, but in the gym. Today I decided that I will just call the gym my girlfriend. Her name will be Gymena. We spend so much time together that I just might as well.

Two good Letters to the Editor in today's Miami Herald

There were a couple Letters to the Editor from today's Miami Herald that I think I worth a mention.

Nancy Erdvig from Pembroke Pines suggests that South Florida secede from the rest of Florida and become the 51st state. It is apparent by their actions that the legislature is not looking out for South Florida. I agree with her. They only seem to look out for North Florida, while South Florida continues getting the short end of the stick. They continually pass or veto bills that affect South Florida in a negative way. I say we secede and invite Orlando and Tampa to come with us. Maybe we invite Daytona too. That pretty much means that all of the huge tax bases of the State would now belong to us! After Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Orlando - are there any other cities or counties that generate as much in tax revenue as us?

The second letter was from Rolf H. Parta from Pembroke Pines. His letter is in reference to politicians promoting democracy around the world and forcing it on other nations like it's a one size fits all solution. He says, "a democracy's purpose is to impose the majority's political will on the minority." In a way, I agree. However, our forefathers left Europe looking to escape the religious persecution they were facing. Fast forward and "All men are created equal."

Unfortunately this is not true. This country is being run by the Christian Right. They are forcing their views, their opinions, and what they see as being correct down everyone's throat. And our idiot politicians are allowing them. We live in a blue state so why is our Governor Jeb Bush running this as a red state? He is being pressured or lobbied by the Christian Right (or is it the Christian Reicht?). Or he is doing it out of spite because he knows that the only reason the entire state is Blue is because South Floridians voted that way.

The Incredible, Shrinking, Ed

We've been hearing about Melissa's weight loss program. She's been using Weight Watchers and having much success with it. Personally, I have a tough time "dieting" like that. Unfortunately for me, I was getting larger and larger. The last couple of weeks has been different. I've been shrinking! And ladies, don't worry - it's not THAT part that is shrinking. Geez get your minds out of the gutter you perverted people. I meant my belly is shrinking!

I was weighing in at 300lbs at some point in my life. I managed to lose 100lbs in about 8 months. I did it by eating less. I still ate all the foods I normally ate, I just ate less amounts of it. Then, I would go to the gym every day. About an hour of weights with about 30 minutes running on the treadmill. On weekends, I would mix it up and ride my bike instead. Eventually I met someone who distracted me from the workouts. And you get comfortable and the weight slowly started coming back. I've been lingering around 245 pounds now for some time. I decided last week that enough is enough. So, the gym it was. I've been going religiously now for just under 2 weeks.

Since I don't like to cheat myself of all the yummy food society has to offer, this past week's lunch diet included Taco Bell, Burger King twice, Pizza and Garlic Rolls. Also included little pieces of cakes and sweets for dessert. You'd think I'd be gaining weight right? Negative my friends! For one, I would eat a very light dinner figuring I ingested enough calories at lunch to cover me for the whole day. Second, I've also been spending an hour and a half in the gym everyday. All of this hard work seems to be paying off. I just stepped on the scale and it came in at 240.5 pounds. Just over my 240 pound goal that I wanted to be at by tomorrow.

Lucky for me, I am off today. And my plans include going to the gym this morning. I also don't have any plans for this evening so I will probably return to the gym for a second workout. All I need to lose in one day is a half pound and I would be able to hit my 240lb mark for sure!

Apartment Hunting?

I am off on Friday. And I've had it. I need to get my own place. I really wish I could find a roommate but looks like I am going to have to live like a poor person. I think that for my own sanity, I should go. I can't take my current situation any longer. I live with a bunch of inconsiderate people who only care that they are not bothered. Yes these are my parents and my sister. Well, that is not fair to say. My little sister and I actually get along. My big sister however insists on visiting every day.

She drives an SUV and doesn't care how or where she parks it. However it ends up is where she shuts it off even if it is taking up 2 or 3 spaces. She talks SUPER loud not caring if you are taking a nap. She cranks the TV volume up so she can hear over herself. I've had enough.

I am not even going to get into my parent's problems. Way too numerous to list and the only response would be to ask me why am I still living at home. Well, it's a very simple answer. It's because rent in this God forsaken banana republic of a half ass backwards city is ridiculously high! I don't know how much more the market can bear since our salaries are not keeping up with the sky rocketing housing situation but I can tell you that I cannot bear my living arrangements any longer. I have already found a couple places online that I am going to have to find out how to afford. I don't know how I am going to come up with the money but I'll find away. Friday I will drive around and check them out.

All-State Insurance Company lives by Better to Ask Forgiveness than Permission Policy

Insurance companies in Florida love to stick it to us. It does not matter if it is car insurance, health, home, flood, windstorm. Regardless, the rates continuously go up 10, 15, 20, and now thanks to All-State up 28%! Our salaries may go up 3% each year. However, each time my policies renew they are up and up and up. When I ask them to justify why my car costs more to insure now than it did when it was newer, the agent doesn't have an answer. "Many factors determine the premium..." My car is older now, it is worth less, I am older more responsible, another year without a traffic violation - so why would it go up 12% in 6 months? No answer...

All-State Insurance Company is taking this to a whole new level. Not only didn't they renew 95,000 policies but, it is raising those remaining premiums by 28%! Problem is that any increase over 15% must be OK'd by the State. All-State didn't. It went ahead and decided to bypass the approval process and take the 30-day grace period to ask for permission after it has already committed the new policy pricing. Apparently, they believe it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Hopefully, Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Tom Gallagher's request to block the increase IS approved. He has asked the Insurance Regulators to block the unapproved rate hike.

Actions like this is what leaves me with little faith in the insurance companies. They enjoyed many years of very fat living. The last major hurricane coming through here was Andrew in 1992. They have had 12 years to fatten up their wallets. Then last year was a bad hurricane year. Several came through here causing lots of damage. Now they want to use that excuse to raise the premiums.

Their business is money. As a policy holder, you give them x amount of dollars to protect your property. If you pay them $3,000 a year for 10 years and never make a claim then, in essence, you've given away $30,000 of your money plus the interest. Well, Floridians did that. We paid our premiums and never made a claim. So I understand that the insurance industry took a hit during last year's hurricane Season. But what happened to all that money from the last 10 years? The reason we pay premiums is so that when the time comes there is money there for us to use. Did the board of directors, CEO, CFO, take it all? Is it all being used to pay for their Expense Accounts? The TV commercials starring that black dude? Policy Holders pay you to protect their property. That is why you went into this business. To take our money and hope we never make a claim. You had at least 10 good years. But last year, we had a few hurricanes. So you stumbled. Well continue as you were, at the same rate, and the next 10 hurricane free years will regenerate your coffers. There is no need to increase your rates by 28%. If you were allowed to raise your rates by 28% but then we have 10 hurricane free seasons, would you return that money to us? I doubt it. You'll just take the money and get fatter and fatter.

Love comes in the shape of a peanut

I love my Tivo. And it loves me too. It has to love me. First, I get home from work and it has all of the tv shows I like recorded for me. I pick up the peanut shaped remote control and press the all empowering TIVO button. I scroll down to Tivo Suggestions to find it has recorded several shows for me. Who's Line is it Anyway, The Daily Show, South Park, Robot Chicken, Seinfeld, etc.

Second. The peanut shaped remote. It fits so snugly and perfectly in my hand. Your thumb automatically falls to the big yellow pause button. This remote puts you in control. No longer am I at the mercy of the TV Networks. I no longer have to wait for a commercial to use the bathroom. I can go whenever I have to go. Also, I get to watch TV when I want to watch it. Seinfeld is on at 6:30pm when I am at the gym. But here I am watching the Michigan Bottle Deposit Scam at 12:50am.

Third. You realize how much you love your TIVO when you are in the car and wish to TIVO the radio. You miss something and you want to rewind to hear it again. Or the cell rings and you want to pause. Or at a ballgame, you miss the big play and want to watch it again. You come to the conclusion that life should be TIVO'd.

You can record, pause, rewind, then forward live TV. All because of the power given to you by this peanut shaped remote. It's a TIVOlution!

My Namesake

My screename is Kpeste99. If read it properly, you are basically saying, "Damn it stinks" in Spanish. Today I can tell you I definitely lived up to my namesake. I was at the gym. I did some weights for an hour. Then I went to do some left lifts to work the abs a bit. As I hung from the machine, I caught a whiff of something. I thought that it couldn't be me. The gym was packed so it could have been anyone really.

I then walked upstairs to run on the treadmill. I sat on the floor to stretch a bit and WOAH, what the hell? It was me!! "Damn," I thought to myself. If I can smell myself then I must truly smell. A treadmill eventually freed up between to girls. As I made my way over there I was beginning to feel bad for those two girls. I began running and sweating and sweating and sweating. And with every drop of sweat I could smell myself more and more and more.

Twenty minutes of running and 2 miles later, I was done. And boy that was one long car ride home. I looked over at my Glades Car Scents and it was empty. I jiggled it hoping to get just a little more mileage out of it but nothing. I resorted to cranking the A/C even though I was soaked with sweat. I was wet, and the A/C blowing on me could make me more susceptible to catching a cold. I didn't care. I rushed straight home and immediately took a shower. Now I smell like sugar and spice and everything nice.

Quick Update

I just wanted to update everyone who has been reading about my love life on this Blog and rooting for me. I have some bad news of sorts. Looks like I am back to square one. No hard feelings though. I can't complain. I met a Spectacular girl and had lots of fun in the meantime. Too bad it's not going to work out. Yes, I am a little bummed but Obladi Oblada.

Rage

Today I am filled with rage. Maybe it's because my parents are slobs. Yes unfortunately I still live at home. I don't know why no one in this house can ever put anything away. Everything is in the way. You can't go to the bathroom without having to move all of mom's makeup, and creams, and crap, and tissues. She has a vanity. She should use it. Dad's briefcase, suitcase, bag, his other bag, and his other bag have been sitting around the coffee table for a week now. In the hallway is a desk he bought about 10 years ago. The desk and hutch are still in their boxes, unbuilt.

Maybe it's because I am trapped here with no place to go. Rent in this city is super high. Any apartment will cost you 750 bucks a month. Which I know I can afford but then I won't have money for anything else. I am on the verge of just saying screw it and biting the bullet and having to make due with the 500 bucks a month I will have left over after I pay my rent.

Maybe it's because I am 31 years old and I don't have a wife, nor a fiancee, nor a girlfriend. It's father's day and it seems every male around me is a father. I have hopes of meeting that person one day that will make my headspin and my tummy tingle, but seems that when I do I am either not ready or she is not ready. It's all very frustrating and I am on the verge of, I don't know what I am on the verge of.

If not for the gym, I'd be even more pissed today. The gym seems to be the only thing right now that is keeping me grounded. The dating scene is not going as planned. Work is not going as planned. Heck, my life isn't going as planned. I am a smart, funny, honest, hard worker. I am loyal, loving, and affectionate. And I also don't think I am a bad looking guy. So why do I have such a hard time meeting someone?

Here's to mud in your eye

I went to Oleta Park today to ride bike. I pay my fee and drive up to that first row of parking spaces. As I pass the bike wash stand I notice how muddy everyone is. I think to myself that this is going to be one fun bike ride. Then I remembered I had just paid 40 bucks to get my bike cleaned, polished, greased, and lubed. "Wonderful I thought, there goes my nice clean bike."

I pull into an empty parking space and it begins to rain. Well, it wasn't really rain. It was more of like a twinkle. I had paid the entrance fee so I figured I might as well make the best of the situation. I put on my shoes, gloves, helmet, and slung my CamelBak on and rode towards the trail's entrance.

It's only about a 100 yards of paved asphalt to get to the entrance. I look down and already my bike is dirty. And as I look down the path I see big puddles of some nasty water.

Splash! Through the first puddle. Splash! Through the second. Oh well there goes the clean polished bike, it's all fun now! I ride to the end of the main path to the first novice trail. As I ride through I learn something. Tree roots are a pain in the ass when dry. When they are wet there are a pain in the ass AND slippery. I was getting zero grip as I rode over them.

I finished the first trail and immediately let some air out of my front tire. This would give me more grip since more of the tire would make contact with the ground. My theory was right. I rode over the roots in the second novice trail without incident. My confidence was slowly growing.

I continued riding, hitting all of the novice trails along the way. I splashed my way through water puddles, negotiating the roots, over rocks, bounced down a hill, and made my way through the maze of trees. When I finished I realized that I had not stopped! I normally stop at least once to catch my breath. I had ridden through all the novice trails without stopping. My confidence was up another notch.

I rode back to the parking lot. But I wasn't ready to leave. I felt amazing. I decided to hit some of the Intermediate trails. I am not ready for Strangler Fig or El Diablo and the wet rooty hill and ensuing drop of Gator Bank seemed too scary.

I rode back to the main path, making my way towards Dragon's Gate. The beginning of this trail has always been a challenge to me. It's a blind uphill climb. Yes, blind. The entrance is blocked by a sea grape tree. The hill is covered in roots and rocks and trees. It is nothing like the impossible first hill of Oyster Ridge but it's enough of a challenge for me.

I ride through the opening and quickly survey the hill. I needed to find an open line, a path of least resistance to make the climb. And just like that, I saw it. I saw the line. I hit the granny gear turn towards it. Up I went, maneuvering around the roots. I made it! And just that quickly, you have to shift your weight because what goes up does come down. I dropped past that last root and down the hill. Swoosh! And Splash! Another mud puddle. I had done it! My confidence was now soaring!

The next trail is Dragon's Trail. This is not too hard a trail. The only tough part is a climb and a 10 to 15 foot drop. Because it was muddy and wet I had to keep plenty of weight on that back tire. I sat back in the saddle and up and around I went. Then down! Woosh! Wow, super exhilarating!

Then I see the sign for the Kitchen Sink trail. I remember that one spot that always snags me. It's a three foot drop, an immediate hairpin turn, then you have to climb the same 3 foot hill and practically step up the hill. I was feeling so confident that I honestly believed that today I was going to tackle this obstacle.

I get to the drop. Woosh, make the turn, and climb. Pump the pedals, pump the quadriceps, go go go. I pick the front tire over the root. The back tire is next. Ugh. Nope. Negative. The root caught me. The front tire had made it over but the back tire didn't cooperate. As quickly as I could I unclipped and put my foot down. I pushed that back tire over the root, hopped back on the bike and kept riding. Confidence level was now down a notch.

I need a boost now. Should I go to Twin Peaks? Too long I thought. Robinson's Ridge it is then. I didn't make that climb up the gravel hill. It is way too narrow a path. Only a foot wide at some points and a long way down. I made it to the top and, oh there's a girl.

She was contemplating continuing up the Robinson's Ridge hill or continuing to Area 51. I described the hill to her. She said FORGET IT! I told her it was worth it. The high bank turn at the bottom and the hills were so much fun to ride. Nope she said. Oh well, I tried. Up I went and down I went.

That was a mistake. The rain had washed away any grip that this hill has. I slid down the hill. I didn't have the impulse to make the banked turn, then in turn didn't have the speed to enjoy the small series of hills. I made my way around and back. Area 51 was next.

This is a super short trail. It is basically a super steep drop, followed by a steep hill, then immediately followed by an even steeper drop. The trick bike guys use this trail to catch air and do their tricks. I don't do tricks. I just roll down and over.

I finished. It was over. I was pooped. I rode back to my car. Looking at the mud covering both me and my bike. I felt incredible. I only got stuck that one time. I rode the novice trails without stopping AND I also rode a handful of the intermediate ones too. I can't wait until next week now.

I Can Only Fathom

She had to work late tonight so I did not get to see Spectacular. I can only fathom that when I do see her that her cute smile will be that much cuter. That her pretty brown eyes will be that much prettier. That the hugs will be that much better. That the kisses will be that much more, well... Let's leave it at that.

There is so much I want to discover about Spectacular that I don't even know where to begin. Yes, I know we've been on three dates now but it seems she's been the one asking all the questions. I told Esteban about her today. He asked me some questions about her that I honestly didn't have an answer for!

I hope the weather is nice enough this week to go to the beach after work. We can lie on a blanket, perhaps bring a bottle of wine, and be able to enjoy one another's company.

Not Guilty

Michael Jackson has been acquitted. Jury found him Not Guilty on all ten counts.

Crazy...

Missing her hugs and kisses

I didn't see Spectacular Sunday this weekend. I have to admit that I miss her hugs and kisses. It feels so good when we hug. And the kisses - the kisses are, well, spectacular.

NASCAR for Dummies

I was just reading Jayski's and saw this NASCAR for Dummies book by Mark Martin. I am not dummy but I am sure I could learn from this book. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

Miami Mid-Town Duathlon

I did it! I completed the 1.5 mile run, the 10 mile bike ride, then another 1.5 mile run in about an hour. I even received a medal for finishing in the top 200.

My official time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 29 seconds.

I came in 77th out of 96 Men
97th out 134 men and women
And I came in 14th out of 16 in my age group.

Not too great but with this horrible weather we had been having I was not able to train. Also, a bunch of these people had road bikes and were hauling ass. The top guys were averaging 28mph on their bikes, I was able to average 17mph. Which is pretty good for a fat tire bike but doesn't compete with a thin tire road bike.

The "Wow" Factor

When I am checking out my date, I give a lot of weight to what I call The Wow Factor. The Wow Factor is only considered when you first see the person. It is your initial reaction when they walk into the room, or the door opens, or they come around the corner.

I was early for our first date. I took a seat at the bar wondering what my first reaction would be. I ordered a Coors Light while I waited. About a quarter of the way through the beer I noticed her walking towards me. "WOW" I thought, or maybe I said - I don't remember. I was a little nervous and not thinking straight. But it was a definite wow.

I went to pick her up at her friend's office for our second date. When I saw her come out through the door she practically knocked me on my ass. WOW WOW WOW. She was wearing one of those skirt suits and she looked HOTT. Yes HOTT with two T's!! This girl definitely has scored some huge points on the Wow Factor.

She's got the brains, the personality, and the looks. Wow, a trifecta. By golly I think I am smitten.

I thought I had forgotten how...

It had been so long since I kissed anyone. I thought I had forgotten how. If memory serves me right, it must have been March when I last kissed someone. I even began to think kissing was over-rated. Forcing a kiss with someone you didn't really have a connection with just isn't the same as sharing it with someone you do. The kiss may be there but the affection, the touching, the caressing, the emotion and the feeling just aren't.

Tonight I realized that kissing is almost like riding a bike. You may stumble a little bit when you first get started but it won't take long to regain your balance. At first there was a little slurpy sound. The second and third were better and better. More importantly I realized that kissing is wonderful when you have that connection with someone. I could have continued to caress her soft cheeks and kiss her lips. But when we made the plans she told me she didn't want to be out too late. And looking at her eyes I could tell she was tired. The reckless and crazy me wanted to stay, which is when the responsible and sensible side of me surfaced and gave her one final kiss good night.

An Even Better Evening?

Tonight is date #2 with Spectacular Sunday. And Murphy has been paying me a visit today. Not only do I stain my shirt but I also accidentally wrote with a black marker on my light colored pants. Let's hope nothing else goes wrong for me today.

When Will I Make My First Dollar?

The micro-cents just keep on adding up. The balance on my Google AdSense account is currently up to a whopping $0.69! That's right, do the math, only 31 cents shy of my first dollar. It took me only 1 short month to reach 69 cents. Another 30 or so clicks and I should reach the unheralded milestone of one entire dollar! Aren't you all envious and jealous of I?

A Spectacular Day

Today was just about as perfect a day as it could have been. Forget that I woke up late, that it was raining, and that I could not ride bike as I wanted to in the morning.

First, my sheets, pillowcases, and comforter are clean and smelling fresh. Our dryer had been broken for a couple weeks. I was to the point of just taking my bedding to the laundromat to wash. Luckily the repairman came through and we are back in business.

Second, I went on a date today. Yes with a girl! We just met at Dave and Buster's and talked and talked. We were supposed to have lunch but I was so into the conversation that I forgot to eat. Then we walked and walked around Dolphin Mall. We must have done about 5 laps but I didn't even notice. I had a great time.

Third, today was the Twilight 5k. Our date was cut short because I thought it was at 7pm when in reality it was at 6. So imagine my surprise when the phone rang at 5pm asking me if I was on my way. Thank goodness Danny called. If not, I would have missed the race.

I did horribly. It began to rain 1 minute prior to the start and didn't stop until we were about 1 minute from the finish. And it didn't just rain. The skies opened up and water poured out of the clouds. My time was way off of my pace, 35 minutes and something.

Finally, not only did my boy Greg Biffle win today's NASCAR race, I maintained my second place ranking in our Fantasy Racing League. I didn't pick so bad this week. I had the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th place drivers on my team. And one of them led the most laps. Bobby Labonte dissapointed me. He was my only blemish, finishing 38th. I chose him over Jeremy Mayfield who finished 14th. Something was telling me to pick Mayfield but I had read somewhere that Labonte was the sleeper for this race. Oh well, next week they will be at Pocono. Hopefully I continue to do well.

Daytona International Speedway Called This Evening

This evening about 30 minutes ago. The cell phone rings to the tune of Final Countdown. Caller ID shows an 800 number. I think, "Toll Free?" I click the green answer button and speak into the receiver, "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Angie calling from Daytona International Speedway. Our records show you came to the Pepsi 400 last year but you didn't renew your seats for this year. There are still seats available, don't you want to come?"

"Trust me Angie. I am dying to go. But it seems I am the only person in Miami crazy enough to make the trip."

"Well, you'd better find someone quick!"

"I'm trying, I'm trying. Believe me I am trying!! Are there still seats along the Super Stretch? In the Lund Tower?"

"Sure are!"

"Well, if I convince someone to go I will be giving you a call!"

"Ok, good luck! And hope to see you at the races."

Sticky Fingers Rib House

One of the Google Ads on my site the other day was for Sticky Fingers Rib House. What has this world come to?

First we get meat on a stick. What better invention could there be than meat on a stick? But lo and behold, I discover Sticky Fingers Rib House. They will deliver BBQ Ribs right to my door! And I can even join the BBQ of the Month Club. Imagine, on the first Monday of each month you wake up knowing that you will receive a wonderful package of either BBQ Ribs, BBQ Wings, Pulled Pork, or a combination of the three.

How wonderful. Now if they delivered some ice cold beer with those ribs...

That Match.com post broke my sidebar!

I don't know why but this Match.com post broke my sidebar!!!!

If I delete the contents of it and leave just the word Test it works. However something in that post causes my sidebar to shift all the way down to the bottom of the page.

UGH! I am soo annoyed.

Match.com

Diane and I were chatting the other day about how our endeavors over on Match.com were going. She had just posted her profile and is already getting tons and tons of responses. She says though that most of the guys responding are losers. On the opposite side of the spectrum, my profile has been up for about 6 months, maybe longer. I have only had a handful of replies.

I asked for her to check out my profile and give me the girl's point of view. She did. And she said that it was too sports oriented. Diane knows me pretty damn well. She knows that I do like sports and they are a part of my life but I am not the kind of guy who sits there, 24/7, tuned into ESPN. She recommended I change it because my profile gave the impression that all I do all day is watch sports.

I took her advice and made a change....

I am looking for someone I can be friends with, but who can also be my lover. I want a partner in crime. I want someone who will laugh with me and at me. I am a goof ball that does not embarrass too easily. And I want someone who will smile when I do those little things that lets a girl know she is special. A physical attraction is something I obviously look for, but a friendship is the most important piece. Without that, any relationship is bound to fall apart.

Now each person has this idea of what is and isn't cute. My best friend has told me that I have a weird definition of what I think is pretty or cute. I explained that someone's personality can make them cute without actually being physically cute. I actually prefer someone who has a cute personality over someone who is just physically cute. If you have both, then I am in big trouble.

As for me, last week someone told me, "You know what your problem is? You're too nice!" I replied that is a good character flaw to have. I'd rather be too nice than be a jerk. Sometimes people take advantage of me. But I don't learn. I continue being nice.

She said that this new profile described me more accurately. I worried about it being too sappy. She said not at all. The new profile is up and active. I will see how it goes. I can always change it later if I don't like the results.