So I haven’t been here in a while…

…but, it’s a blog not a daily blog, though I should do better.

Yesterday I had a golf lesson, Sharon gave me four golf lessons for Christmas, and yesterday I used the first one. The lessons are with Wila Blasko at Deer Valley Golf Range http://deervalleygolfrange.com/ and I think I learned more from her in 45 minutes that I have in six months of golfing. I knew my backswing was too fast –and so did everyone I played with- but she told me HOW to slow my backswing down and what a difference it made. I hit more straight balls in a row yesterday than I have hit straight balls in months of playing. I am looking forward to using her lesson in a game.

Speaking of golf games I have been playing once a week and one week I hit 100, still haven’t been below 100 or had a sub-par, but I’m headed in that direction.

The day after Thanksgiving I had the honor of babysitting Sara by myself. Alison, Sharon and Carolyn went to a movie and I kept my precious little granddaughter. I also kept her one day Christmas weekend and we had a blast. Sara is walking and is fast! She scoots around quickly and requires constant monitoring ‘cause she can scoot.

All in all things are well and 2008 has been a good year. Sharon is still looking for work, but I have great expectations she will find something soon.

I still like the Pures and the Tek remote. I need a couple of minor adjustments and hope to get that done next week, but the Pures work very, very well for me.

Still like the Pure 500s

Sheryl, a neighbor and former co-worker of Sharon’s, had a Halloween party 11\1 that Sharon and I attended. There was a small crowd and it was fun. I was paged about 12:30 or so and thought I was going to have to work, but -luckily- the customer delayed the call until Sunday afternoon.

So far the Pures are working great and much better than the Dots and I imagine I will keep them. The Tek and BlueTooth works great, though I am having a minor issue with the Tek and audio connections with both the Tek transmitter and the direct audio input and hopefully the audi will be able to resolve the issues the next time I am in her office.

Took the call Sunday; easy fix.

Pure 500s and babysitting Sara

Larry and I played golf again Wednesday (10\22) and I did better. I played by myself (10\29) and did OK. It was cool and at times very windy. The course was virtually empty. I also received a bit of advice from one of the rangers about wedges; he suggested a “lob wedge” a 60° wedge for chipping and short close shots and I will have to investigate that club further.

Friday (10\31) I picked up the Siemens Pure 500s with the Tek remote. I really like the Bluetooth function of the Tek; it works very, very well and no one I have spoken to realizes I am using the remote for cell conversations even though I have the remote dangling from the lanyard. Being able to adjust the volume is an added plus and a very convenient feature. Friday at dusk when I took the girls for a walk I heard crickets, hundreds or crickets, something I haven’t heard in quite some time. I may have more of a hearing problem than I realized.

Yesterday (11\1) Sharon and I babysat Sara for most of the day because Alison had a field trip with a group of kids and Chad tagged along as a chaperone. It was quite the experience and it was a thrill. I can’t wait until Sara recognizes me on site and comes running to the car. Little Sara is a thrill and watching her dance to the music from her toys and try to mimic answering a cell phone at just over a year old is heartwarming. And though I doubt I will ever have one I understand why people have those “Ask me about my Grandkids” bumper stickers.

Sara’s birthday and a big day otherwise as well

Today is Sara’s first birthday and it’s hard to believe she is one year old because it seems as though it was just last month the entire family -and extended family- was gathered at the picture window at the nursery when Sara was wheeled into the room and put on display for the all world to see. And now she is walking and speaking (Mama, Daddy, duck, bye and hey) and she is a cute and happy little girl.

It was also a big day because Alison had her first sonogram for her next child due in March. So, Sara will soon have a little brother or sister and we won’t know the gender until January.

I also ordered a new micro-mold for my left HA because I ripped the pull tab out of the mold and it’s covered under warranty which makes me happy.

Big weekend planned: tomorrow is Sara’s birthday party and Sunday is a co-ed shower for Amanda and Calvin. My first co-ed baby shower.

Game 19 10\15

Larry and I played golf at Country Land again, although in the afternoon and I didn’t do as well as last time. I like playing in the mornings better. I had some good shots and some very good drives; going to the driving range is paying off. I just need to slow my game down though because when I rush the shot I don’t do well at all. It isn’t really the shot I rush, but the backswing.

Game 18 10\6

Larry, my old neighbor and I planned to play on Monday (10/6), but Larry couldn’t make it so I played and did well. Maybe the best I have played and it’s because I slowed down and didn’t rush at all. We were going to play that Wednesday, but it rained

Game 17 9\15

Monday I met my old neighbor Larry Fogg for a game at Countryland. It was senior’s day, gold and lunch was $20. A great deal. Once again I didn’t make par on any hole, but I had a very consistent game and had some great tee shots. Most were straight which is exactly what I wanted. I did go to the driving range Saturday and worked on my shot mechanics and it seems to have paid off. I shot ten strokes less than the last time I played at Countryland.

Road Trip

Monday 9/8 we left for my Dad’s place in Virginia Beach. Sharon dropped the girls off at Carl’s on Saturday and we packed the car (her car) Sunday night for an early -6AM- start. The drive up was un-eventful and we drove with the top down until lunch; after lunch it was top up and A\C.

Tuesday we started the day at Greenie’s restaurant and then visited Aunt Jody and Uncle Jack and both are doing well, although Uncle Jack is on full time oxygen now, while we were there Leslie came over for a few minutes. And when we arrived back at my Dad’s Leslie was there working in the garden and Leslie and I had a nice chat.

Wednesday we drove to the old neighborhood and tried to find the yellow house (my sister and I always named the houses we lived in) and Granny’s house. We also went by Simonsdale Elementary, where I went to fifth and sixth grades, and the Beezley Community Center. The pool at Beezley is now a parking lot and the school was in the process of being torn down. Progress I suppose, although I can understand why a single story school was torn down, it was a shame to see an asphalt patch in lieu of the pool. After the nostalgia trip we went to visit Aunt Mardy and Uncle Tunie. Both of them are doing well also, we had coffee, cookies, and talked about old times. I lived with them for a while as a child and I remember just brief moments of that period. I do remember the house was in the country and on a dirt road. While we were there Roger popped over for a few minutes. I also found out one of my cousins –Sharon- owns, Porky’s, a BBQ restaurant in Capron just outside of Emporia, VA. I remembered seeing the sign on the way to my Dad’s and on the way home I left a note for my cousin, though I haven’t seen her in decades.

Thursday Sharon (Sharon the wife, not Sharon the cousin) and I went to Williamsburg with a side trip to Ft. Monroe. We drove around old fort and found the hospital where I was born. Williamsburg was nice and we walked around the town quite a bit. I went years ago when I was in elementary school, but of course it has changed quite a bit since then. Sharon enjoyed it though.

Friday was another early start and we left VA Beach about 5:50 or so and drove home, thankfully, another un-eventful trip although in NC we had to stop and put the top up and because of rain.

And as always it was nice to be to be home and though the trip was a long drive up and back it was well worth it to spend a few days with my dad and to see some of the aunts, uncles, and cousins. It’s an odd feeling to see them after so many years of separation and each time I visit I learn more and more about that side of the family. It’s also odd to have grown up in that area and to have lived so near to cousins my own age and not know any of them. Even though we moved to Atlanta quite some time ago, via a couple of years at Miracle Hill, it’s strange to have had so many cousins so close and growing up with out any contact.

An oil change, Game 16, and a three day weekend.

Saturday I changed the oil in my car (63K) and I really like the quick change drain valve (http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/) I need to get one for Sharon’s car.

Sunday Alison and Chad and Sara came over. Sara is still a bundle of joy and now has a Cabbage Patch doll she won’t let go of. If for some reason she doesn’t have it and sees someone else with it she will point at it make noises until she gets the doll. I am amazed she recognizes the doll at such an early age. At times Sara looks just like Alison did as an infant and I think Sara will grow up to be as lovely as her mother. Alison told me earlier in the week Sara stood up in the middle of the floor and took two steps before she fell down, so Sara will be walking very soon.

Monday, Labor Day and the first three day weekend for me this summer, I played golf at http://www.countrylandgolf.com/ again and it was crowded. The starter put me with three other people, since I was by myself. The other group was two sons and their father and the son I rode in the cart with was pretty good as was the father. The other son wasn’t good at all I really wonder how much interest he had in playing. I think he wanted to be with his father and brother, but I had the impression he wished it were some where else. I didn’t play that well, though I really didn’t play that badly. There were two holes where I really struggled and had large scores and if those were factored out then my game wasn’t so bad. It was the first time I had played as a part of a foursome and that coupled with the son that struggled destroyed any rhythm I had. I’m not blaming my poor performance on the others it just seemed as though the game was a based upon periods of erratic activity and then a lot of waiting for something to happen and the game took forever.

I do believe the father stole one of my shots. I had hit a ball and couldn’t find it and the other three had claimed their ball placements and I had to drop a ball. I was surprised I couldn’t find my ball and was annoyed at having to drop a ball because of the stroke penalty and because of loosing another ball. The a few holes later the father that had been hitting Top-Flite 1s was suddenly hitting a Pinnacle 4 which is what I was hitting. So, I think dear ‘ol dad stole my shot. But all in all it was a good game and it was great to play on such a fine day.

Sunday 8/24 Game 15

I woke up this morning and wanted to play golf and I decided to play at County Land I had not played there, but it’s close to the house and the price is reasonable. I had standby, but was willing to take a chance that I wouldn’t get called and I worked the day before and I figured I needed a reward. The greatest hindrance seemed to be tropical storm Fay since the storm was moving north from central Florida and headed to metro Atlanta. I was constantly checking the weather reports and the rain on the radar appeared to be stalled to the west, so I took the dogs for a quick walk and decided to try and get through nine holes. Sharon was due back from a mini beach vacation and I wanted to get the game in and return home before she did. I found Country Land with out any trouble and was surprised to find some what of a crowd there. At the club house I discovered there isn’t a nine hole rate, so I paid for 18 and hoped to get the game in before the weather turned bad.

The design is a little funny, to me in my limited experience at least, but I found the first tee started hooking shots. The course is hilly and quite a few greens are up hill and surrounded by small hills and valleys, if the course were covered in snow the small hills would be moguls. Overall the fairways and greens were in good shape. Some of the views were stunning and the view from the green on 18 looking away from the clubhouse was postcard quality and even on a misty overcast day I could see for miles. The weather held until I was off the course and though there were three minor battles with rain, the rain was never hard and was over quickly; each time it quit raining before I could decide if I were going to go home or not.

I almost made my first birdie on ten, a par three, I landed on the green from the tee and was 15 or so feet from the hole and my first put skirted the cup and stopped just a few inches away. I made par easily, but my first birdie would have been fantastic.

I need to decide on a grip and stick with it. I went back to the interlock grip when I played with Chuck and Marty earlier in the week, but I think I have a tendency to hook shots with that grip. I need to spend some time at the range and concentrate on just one grip and I think it’s going to be the baseball grip.

Sharon dropped Suz at the airport and made it home safe and sound. It’s great to have her home again.

I’ll definitely play Country Land again.

Thursday 8/21 Game 14

Chuck came to town and Chuck, Marty, and I played golf at the City Club off Marietta course. Great course, nice views and very well maintained. The carts also a GPS device similar to the one I had on the cart at Seminole course in Tallahassee. Again I did OK and had one par four. Chuck is a very good played and was even (or just two up) for the course. He also gave me the best putting tip I have been given. This was to draw back half the distance I want to swing the club forward. I was hitting the ball and stopping my swing at the contact point with the ball and not following through. Swing through the ball helps tremendously, but I still need some a lot of practice.

On a sad note we lost the contract with the big box place because the company we subcontracted with lost the contract and as a result Sean was RIFed. I hate it for him because I have been there before and it sucks to be in that position.

Sunday 8/16 Game 13

I picked Chad up at his house at 6:45, which means I had to leave my house at 5:30. Chad and I met his Dad at a Waffle House for breakfast and the three of us met some friends of theirs to play golf at Lane Creek. Nice course, wide open fairways and fast greens. The course is surrounded by modest priced homes ($300 and up), as opposed to most golf courses that are surrounded by high priced homes.

I did OK in the game had at least one par, but I’m still trying to learn the game. The group bets on the front half, back half, and overall game. Par is two points, a birdie is four, and an eagle eight. And the most someone can win or loose is $15. I didn’t bet.

Phil –Chad’s dad- gave me a golf bag so now I am complete, equipment-wise at least.

Slow week call wise, but I’m not complaining

I picked up the repaired hearing aid yesterday morning and for the first time since I received the micro-mold I am wearing two aids and it’s much better. I don’t feel off balanced since all sound isn’t being broadcast through one aid. But, I feel as though I am starting over to a minor degree since receiving the micro-mold because input has changed since the left aid is now stationary and the receiver is closer to my ear drum. Though I am further along than I have been and I am getting used to he micro-mold.

Uneventful drive home

Left Tallahassee Friday morning after turning the site badge I had. The drive home was uneventful and I stopped just once at a rest area for all of three minutes and was back on the road. I made good time despite the left lane-blocking-blockheads.

Saturday I went to my nephew Eric’s greeting party at my sister’s house–he was home on leave from Japan where he is stationed with the Air Force- it was fun and it was great to see him. Chad gave me the clubs and is going to get me an extra bag he has.

Tuesday I picked up the micro-mold for my left aid and what a tremendous difference the mold makes. I can hear so much better since the receiver is on top of my ear drum and I really like the fact the receiver is now stationary. My ear feels “full” although I’m sure I will become accustomed to that feeling. The right aid is off to ReSound for evaluation, repair, and input for a solution to the problems with the aids quitting. Now both aids have been sent back for repair and I’ve only had the aids a short time and it’s very disheartening that both aids have gone back for repair. I am beginning to question the quality and design of the aids. Neither has been wet other than perspiration, which according to ReSound, shouldn’t be a problem.

Yesterday I tried the new driver Chad gave me and I like it. Although the last few balls I hit were bad, not the driver’s fault though, for some reason I started picking up my right foot when I drew the club back and couldn’t hit the ball straight or very far. I’m ready to play again though.

Game twelve

Yesterday I played the Seminole Golf course; very nice course, well kept and very picturesque with, pines, hardwoods and quite a few birds (geese and herons mostly) near the small lakes. The greens were very fast, much faster than I am used to in my limited playing time. I didn’t care for the Nike clubs too much either. I thought I would like a heavier driver and the Nike driver was heavier that what I have played with in the past, but I didn’t care for it. It isn’t as though I’m an expert by any means. And the other clubs seemed heavier as well. Though I am surprised I did as well with the Three “wood” as I did. So far I really like the MacGregor clubs at Hammer’s Glen the best. But, this weekend I should have my own clubs, although they will belong to Chad, I will be able to keep them and therefore call them my own and it will be nice to play with and get accustomed to one set of clubs.

I wanted to play the full 18 hole course, but was chased off the course early by bad weather, lots of heavy wind, some rain, but quite a bit of lightening. There is something about being the tallest thing on an elevated green in a lightening storm that will send a golfer (this one at least) scurrying to the clubhouse. I left after the 15th hole.

On the cart was an incredibly cool 6” X 8” electronic tablet with a GPS device that also contained a map of the course. The display would show the current hole and the distances from the tees to the pin and an overhead view of the entire hole. The really neat thing was that after hitting and then driving to the ball the GPS device measured the distance the ball traveled and the distance was displayed on the tablet along with the position of the ball on the hole and the remaining distance to the pin.

Tuesday I met the SUN rep at the account for a refresher course on the 3590 tape drives in preparation for SUN taking over the account tomorrow. I am so ready to get home.

Game eleven

Played Gaither again yesterday and it was HOT. I walked again and it was HOT. I did just OK on the short game, but I had some very good tee shots. If I take my time and swing easy instead of trying to murder the ball I have great drives and one day maybe I’ll learn that w/o having to concentrate on swinging easy. My impulse is to kill the ball.

Sharon was laid-off. Hence the cryptic message from her manager. It stinks and I hope she finds something soon. Her company doesn’t have a HR manager in the Eastern Time zone and has a hiring freeze, but decided to keep the recruiters. WTF kind of idiotic plan is that?

Played Jake Gaither again Friday 7/25 game 10

I did just OK I had a par three on five and one bogey on eight (a par three hole) my short game went to pieces on nine. I also had some success with the hybrids for the first time and I may learn to like them. Walked and carried again. The bag had a double strap so it could be carried across the back with a strap on each shoulder, but I used just one strap because the double reminded me too much of a rucksack.

Chuck called and it appears my end date is August 1st.

Thursday 7/24

Played Jake Gaither again on Thursday, game nine, and did as well as yesterday. I also walked the course and carried the clubs, no cart or pull cart. Broke a seven iron trying to hit over the ditch on six. I do believe it was already damaged though. Didn’t play on Wednesday because it rained; I was headed to the course when the bottom fell out and it rained the rest of the day.

A lot of firsts

Played golf again at Jake Gaither park again yesterday, since I’m back in Tallahassee, and it was the first time I walked a course, the first time I played in golf shoes (I like them), I had my first par four (hole seven) and it was the first time I made par on this course. All in all I didn’t play well and I never really felt like I in sync, but I did OK.

Edit to add another first: I stayed out of the sand all day! I went in and out of one trap, but never landed in one.

I stopped by the customer site and picked up the access badge before I played golf.

Sharon had a cryptic email from he boss late last night and it may be an indication of future bad news.

First fill up over $51.

Rough weekend, new tires

Worked all weekend on an install. I installed a number of devices and I had a few problems and a few problems since then also. Yesterday was my first easy day in over two weeks.

Yesterday I had my tires replaced, the front tires were well worn and I got all I could out of them. I also met Paul (KK) for lunch, nice lunch, and good company.

After I left Gainesville I stopped by the outlet mall and bought a pair of pants and a few shirts and I bought Nike golf shoes. My second golf purchase, the first was a glove. I like the shoes and can’t wait to try them out.

The roofers started yesterday and completed most of the roof and it looks good. But, they worked past 9PM which is far too late. I think 8PM is late enough. I can understand their desire to finish, but 9PM is too late.

Looks as though I’m headed back to Tallahassee for at least a week and maybe two; as it stands now I’m scheduled to leave Monday.

A new job for Alison

My daughter Alison has a new job working at the University of Georgia. She will assist students that want to attend the University and will be responsible for a number of students. I’m not sure exactly what the job duties are, but I should learn more tomorrow. I do know the job is a part of the school system and she will be eligible for teacher retirement. She and Chad (her husband) both submitted resignations on the same day and both will start new jobs on August 1st. Chad was working at Charter cable and will now teach school and will also be an assistant coach for basketball and baseball.

It’s been a busy week at work preparing for an install later today. Waiting on another company to complete the installation of a new piece of hardware and then I can finish what I need to do. Hopefully they will finish by 2PM.

I’m getting a micro mold for my left ear, went to the audi on Thursday and had the impression made and it was shipped off to ReSound for the new mold. Also had to send the left aid off for repair because the aid keeps turning off and on and I should get both back at the same time. I’m not looking forward to having to adjust to the micro mold and the occlusion, but I’ll be glad to have the receiver sit in one place and not move. I shouldn’t have to push the receiver in to my ear any longer and that will be great.

Eric, my sister’s youngest son, came home on leave from Japan (he is in the Air Force). He had a number of flight delays trying to get out of Chicago and to Atlanta because of bad weather in Atlanta and lost a night of leave, but is home now.

Game seven

I met Chad at 10 this morning for another round of golf. On the first tee and the first ball I hit what I believe is the longest, straightest ball I have hit and it felt great. Usually Chad, and the group he plays with, hits two off the first tee, but my first shot was soooo good that I didn’t bother to hit another, it would have been pointless.

On hole six we met Phil (Chad’s Dad) and Tina (Phil’s wife), Genny (Chad’s sister) and her husband Chad. On hole seven I made a wicked putt for par; my first par. I hit the ball to the right of the ole and the ball eased along the green and then turned left, drifted toward the cup and dropped in. It was a fantastic putt! And it looked almost as though I knew what I was doing, I wasn’t, but I took the credit anyway.

After the front nine Tina and Genny met Alison and Sara (THE Princess) at the pool and Chad, Chad, Phil and I started on the back nine and after fourteen Chad (my son-in-law) had to leave for his shit at the clubhouse, so Chad, Phil and I finished the back nine. I really struggled in the sand on fifteen, but still had a great game. It was only my seventh game and only my second 18 hole game and I shot a 109 and had par on holes seven and eight.

Yesterday Sharon and I worked on the fence and got quite a bit done. We put ten panels up and are half way thorough the rails.

The co-worker returned Friday about 11AM and took over standby.

A co-worker fails to return

Well once again my co-worker has failed to return from vacation on schedule and it seems to happen every time he goes on vacation. Late year it was a problem with his truck and Memorial Day he was stuck at the airport. It’s a situation that has become old, very old.

Other than that the week has been uneventful. My left aid fits better, but still fluctuates. Something I need to resolve soon.

Well, this week flew by; I can’t believe its Friday already. A number of things happened and the number one event is Sara started crawling early in the week and Alison said “she is fast and going everywhere.” I also had a problem with my hearing aids and had the receiver wires replaced with longer wires. It helped very much with the left one slipping out and the aids feel much better, but the left one still slips out and the open dome was replaced with a “tulip” dome, it fits much better, but having the tulip domes on both aids creates an occlusion effect that drives me nuts, so I replaced the tulip with the open on the right side. I may go back to the tulip after I become accustomed to the occlusion on the left. I also hear much better with the tulip domes because the receiver is much closer to my ear drum and is deeper in the canal.

Finished Blood Trail, very good.

Quiet weekend after working late Friday.

Worked late at the big box place again Friday night, it’s been my week for OT.

Didn’t do much Saturday other than the usual routine, breakfast, and library. Did pick up two books I had on hold; Blood Trail by C.J. Box and The Reapers by John Connolly. I have started Blood Trail and so far its on par with the other books by Mr. Box, which means it's great.

I didn’t do much Sunday either, although I did conquer a few worlds in Super Mario Galaxy. Sharon and I met our friends Jill & ET at Kani House, Japanese fare, the food and company were great.

Worked late.

Received a call at the big box place and worked until 3:15 or so, arrived home at 4AM. I tried to get some sleep, but it’s tough to go to sleep so late and sleep for such a little time. It kills me the next day, but although it is an unfortunate aspect of my job I just have to deal with it, but I don’t like it.

Game six, 18 holes, and 60K

Got up early Sunday, Father’s Day, and went to Hammer’s Glen to play golf. My son-in-law, Chad, was working and I was able to play at a reduced rate. I started on the back nine and then played the front; it was the first time I have played 18 holes. Chad also showed me a new grip that I like and I believe I was able to consistently hit the ball straighter.

After the game was over I followed Chad to his house and Alison, Chad, Sharon, and I had lunch. I was able to hold Sara (my granddaughter) for a while, but she was fussy due to the residual effects of a virus and she had a rash that resembled measles. But, it’s always a thrill to see her and her mother of course.

On the way home I hit 60K miles on my car. Called my Dad when I got home.

Bad parts, bad traffic, and bad people

I had to cover a call started by a co-worker the day before, since the co-worker started a training class, and I discovered another problem with the tape drive other than the original problem that was described to me. I rescheduled service for the next day since it’s late and I don’t have soldering iron that I need to repair the new (original?) problem. Who carries a soldering iron anymore? I haven’t used one in years. On the way to lunch, at 3:15PM, I received another call and had to respond, missing lunch. After troubleshooting the problem, on yet another tape drive, I isolated the problem to a particular part, no problem since there is a spare at the warehouse, which is just a short drive away. I went to the warehouse to pick up the spare part and I then returned to the customer site and installed the spare only to discover that part was DOA (bad parts). I called the after-hours logistics person who was stuck in traffic due to an accident and he couldn’t get home to connect his laptop and locate another replacement part (bad traffic). The after-hours logistics person finally gets home and he located the spare at a storage facility near the airport and made arrangements for me to pick up the part. On the way to the warehouse the dispatcher called my cell to tell me the part would be at the office and not the warehouse due to a manpower shortage and assured me the part would be at the office by the time I arrive because “the driver is there now picking up the part.” I arrive at the office to find out the courier hasn’t arrived and is running “late” even though the distance between the depot and the office is less than ten miles and I drove almost 50 miles. I had to wait on the driver for 18-20 minutes (bad people). Finally I get the part and drive back to the site only to discover the operator has manually loaded a tape and is running a backup job that will run for another 25-30 minutes and he started the job knowing full well I had to power the tape drive off to replace the part I went to retrieve. So, once again I have to sit and wait (bad people). Finally I get the drive replace the part, which takes a mere ten minutes, give the drive back to the customer, watch two jobs run and I leave to head home. Two miles north on 141 I hit bad traffic because of a lane closure due to road construction, bad traffic at 9:30PM no less, so I turn around and take a different route home and finally get home just after 10PM tired and very hungry. What a day, it’s as though it were Friday the 13^th instead of Thursday the 12^th.

More nothing.

Left Tallahassee at 10:10 yesterday and headed home; made one quick bathroom stop on I75, didn’t stop for more than three minutes, and kept going and I got home in a reasonable amount of time, just under five hours. The dogs were happy to see me and I was glad to be home.

A whole lot of nothing

Did a lot of nothing today. Did some pre-packing in preparation of leaving tomorrow. I also spoke with my replacement and scheduled to meet at 8:30 to make a transition with the customer so I can leave. I also went to the mall and purchased Sharon a gift and topped of the tank ($4.05 at Costco), so tomorrow I can make the badge swap with the customer, change into driving clothes and hit the road.

Game five

Played golf again today and again did OK. I made par on 5 and was happy about that, but I hit into the sand on hole 6 and couldn’t get out. I was close to the edge nearest the green and couldn’t get over the lip around the sand trap and onto the green; had a few too many shots. I did have some good shots from the tee, and some bad ones, The starter put me with another player named Michael, a light skinned black guy with big silver rimmed glasses and dressed in Nike shoes, hat, and shirt, my height, my age, balding (like me) and a really nice guy. He wasn’t keeping score, but he beat me, and he has been playing for ten years and plays that course at least once a month, though he didn’t beat me by much, so all-in-all I felt good that I have only played for two weeks and today made five nine hole games I have played and I kept up with Michael pretty well.

My hands are sore though, from playing and hitting so much I guess. I think I need larger grips.

Hot again. Two nights and a wake up and I am homeward bound.

A large bucket and a haircut

I hit a large bucket today at Hilaman and did OK. I figured out I do better when I relax, swing easy, and not try to crush the ball. Trying to swing hard doesn’t seem to be the answer. I was trying to kill the ball and I’m learning the club isn’t a sledgehammer. I may play at Cross Creek tomorrow and I think I’ll go early; the heat in Tallahassee is brutal.

Got a haircut this afternoon; nice and short, although it isn’t as though I have a lot left anyway.

Driving in Tallahassee is ...odd. I have never been a city where people just pull out into traffic and so many drivers do it and from so many places, parking lots, side streets, right-on-red, it’s as though it’s taught in Driver’s ED.

Just three nights left and I’m so ready to get home.

External DVD

Yesterday I had to go onsite and copy some data for one of the support people and in order to do so I had to purchase an external CD burner and an external floppy, although the CD burner is a DVD burner.

The day before when I went onsite to repair the tape drive I went through a mild state of panic because I though I misplaced my hearing aids. Or hearing instruments or what ever the buzz word is these days. I did read on the web earlier this week that a company has labeled them as PHA (Personal Hearing Assistant); hearing aid is fine for me. Anyway I removed the aids when I arrived at the golf course because I sweat a bit and I didn’t want to get the HAs wet and upon arriving onsite I couldn’t find them in my backpack or in the car. But, I finally found the case/holder on the Euro-shelf. First time I had put them there.

Other than copying the data nothing much happened yesterday. Woke up tired and took a nap when I returned to the room, ordered out from Outback.

Golf and a tape drive

Played golf again today and didn’t do well at all. While I was playing the first hole I received a call and had to go work on a tape drive. The clubhouse manager allowed me to suspend the game and continue when I returned. My hands are sore, especially the right one, from gripping the club. I had some good long shots, but alas to the right. Even though I took yesterday off may be playing too much. It’s hot here returning from supper, sushi, at 8:20 it was 97. My friend Donna would love the A\C work here.

New socks!

After a long and frustrating search I believe I have found replacement sport socks for the Pearl Izumi socks that are no longer made. I have tried many different brands and most of the blended fabric socks are to hot for me. I bought Gold Toe socks that are 832% cotton and also thin and they appear to be great. I realize socks aren’t a major issue for most people, but I have been searching for comfortable socks for awhile.

Nothing much happening in Tallahassee today on the way to eat supper (Ruby Tuesday) Harry James, contact at the State of Florida, passed me honked and waved. Hot again. Took a golf day off, plan to play tomorrow and am looking forward to it.

6/3/08

The daily tally in Tally is eight. Played golf for again, this time, at Jake Gaither public course in Tallahassee and again I did just OK. But, it was only my third game. Although I may have figured out why I was hitting to the left, albeit straight shots, they were headed left of where I wanted the shots to go. I believe I was actually facing left.

On the second hole I hit two balls hard right into some trees, I didn’t even bother to look for either ball. The third shot, with a three wood, I hit straight down the fairway and I believe it was the longest ball I have hit.

I did really well on 8. I hit a three wood off the tee and landed on the green with the tee shot (I loved that) then my second putt went around the rim and out of the cup. I finished with four, one over par.

On nine they second shot I hit landed on the green, but on the wrong hole. I saw a flag over a hill and shot toward that hole, but it wasn’t nine. Otherwise it would have been a great shot. The flag was about the same distance from nine, but nine was further right and I didn’t see the flag for nine.

I had the car washed, so naturally it rained.

59,000 6/2/08

Day seven in Tallahassee. The rude, inconsiderate people across the hall and next door checked out today, which made for a great day indeed. Breakfast in the hotel, same boring fare, and then off to Hilaman to hit a large bucket of balls. Did OK. Lunch at Moe’s. 104 here today; 93 before noon.

On the way back to the hotel last night I hit 59K on the car.

Sunday 6/1/08

Day six in Tallahassee, day six of fourteen. I haven’t been here a week yet and it feels as though I have been here a month. I miss my bed, my dogs and my wife, though not in that order.

Went to breakfast at the Village Inn, tired of the breakfast at the Residence Inn since the only variation is whether or not there is food. The menu is the same every day, day after day after day. I wanted runny eggs and grits, so I went elsewhere to eat.

Off to Hilaman Park again to whack another bucket of balls, large bucket. Then I played nine holes for grins. I did OK I guess (32 over par of 36), but only my second game. I guess I won’t beat Tiger Woods this week. On two holes (7&9) I was only two over and on eight I was only one over. It’s already hot in Tallahassee, the temps have been in the 90s the last few days. Back to the hotel for a shower and a nap. My nap was shortened by some teens across the hall. They keep walking across the hall between two rooms and slamming the door, the door must have slammed 100 times in the last hour. I asked them once to stop as I was typing this.

Saturday 5/31/08

Breakfast, or what passed for breakfast, at the Residence Inn in Tallahassee. At 7:45 or so. There wasn’t much left because the breakfast area was full of a bunch pre-teen obnoxious, loud little food hogs. Ate some eggs and home fries and had some coffee and took off for my very first gold lesson.

Arrived at Hilaman Park for my golf lesson with Bill Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer walked and I walked to the range and he should me how to hold the club and I hit a bucket of balls with some success. I used a three, six, and eight iron. After the lesson was over we went back to the club house and Mr. Zimmer have me a seven iron that someone had left behind (my very first golf club) and another bucket of balls, so back to the range to hit the extra bucket and again with some success.

Back to the hotel, had a shower and a nap and I went shopping. Bought some badly needed sport socks. And then I went to the mall and bought two pair of kaki, kaki colored shorts. Then back to the hotel

6:30 or so Ed Winn, someone I met through Harry James (Harry is one of contacts at the state of Florida in Tallahassee), Ed also has a MINI Cooper Cabrio (CR/B ’05). Anyway Ed called and told me about a hot rod show at a What-A-Burger on Thomasville RD. Since I was just sitting in the hotel doing nothing I drove over to the show and I saw some very nice cars. A few were a 68-69 Cuda, a 68 Buick GS, 64 Ford Fairlane, and a few 40s and 50s Dodges, Fords and Cadillacs. Ed’s brother had a very, very nice 32 Ford Coupe (yellow fiberglass body and in great shape) he also said he didn’t do any of the work and had 60K invested (YIKES).

Supper at Lucy Ho’s. I thought the meals were expensive, but I believe I had the best Kon Pow Chicken I have ever had. I love Chinese food and if I have a choice of ethnic meals its Chinese for me and I have eaten in many Chinese restaurants in many cities and last night’s meal may have been the best. I’m sure I’ll visit Lucy Ho’s again.

Friday 5/30/08

Checked out golf courses in Tallahassee. Called to make arrangements for a lesson for tomorrow morning.

Thursday 5/29/08

I played golf, don’t know why or what possessed me to play, but I did. I played at Cross Creek golf course, a nine hole par three course, in Tallahassee. The course wasn’t great, although it suited my purposes just fine. It is the first time I have played since ’86 or ’87 during a DECSERVICE award weekend at Pine Isle. All in all it was fun, even though I really had no idea what I was doing. I started out with a walking and after the third hole I rented a cart since I knew I wasn’t going to finish the course on foot. I must say I enjoyed it and enough so hat I may take a lesson.