Second time I've vented a little about a lost soul, but we lost a cool neighbor about a week or so ago. Mrs. B was one of the true groovy old ladies. She wasn't one to stand on ceremony. Your first appearance in her door triggered the "let me set you a plate" response. Whoopi Goldberg did a good monologue a few years about "we all just folks." Mrs. B seemed to operate with that as her moral compass, a truly rare trait. She lived off Elmwood for more than 50 years. When we moved in next door back in 95, she was at the door to say hello with the moving truck. Halloween meant making sure the kids got to her house for the "special treats." She did a little thing for each of my lot and the family on the other side.

When I moved out in '04, she also appeared to let my ex and I know we both had a friend without strings attached. That value was priceless.
An admirably dirty grin with a mind to match, she took great delight in pushing her husband's buttons for our amusement. That joy is rare.

I had this journal written in my head on the ride home tonight, but a guinness got the pc moving again. Here's to you, Mrs. B.

"May the road rise to meet you......"

Missed the St. Matty's Party to escort Number one son to his awards banquet. The dinner was held at Salvatore's. We got done up in our suits and headed out. Salvatore's is an interesting eyesore. My folks live out that way. My dad jokes that he tells people to hang a right at the ugliest restaurant and people never miss the turn off.

As overblown and overrated as the place is, you do eat well. I was fascinated by the many Salad roadies doling out salads and whatnot. In a room laden with mirrors and crushed velvet, it seemed strangely appropriate to see a guy dressed like the Penquin orchestrating the runners, directing the buffet, and cueing each table.

You'd think given the fountains and the whatnot, the buffet would be a little out of the ordinary. I was a little worried for number one son as we don't feed the kids red meat, but sure enough, Rigatoni, Mashed Potatoes, and all the typical stuff that could be made in bulk were present. I'm a little cynical to the place but the food was pretty good. Given the charge of getting him to the dinner and trophy retrieval, I'm glad it worked out. Little man looked proud of the trophy too so that was doubly cool.

In other news, get (e:Jenks) ' new mix. My ipod was quite happy as I schlepped out to the Amherst TW office a little bit ago.

Big interview tomorrow, but I'm feeling good about it. Main interviewer says it will be no big deal, just come on down and we'll tawk. So, here's to no big whoop.

Watching George Carlin do his complaint department schtick last night got me in touch with my inner grumpy old man. I was in Wegman's and this close to St. Patrick's Day, they can't swing a special on the stuff. Strikes me as a cynical "It's Irish, we'll charge what we want" approach. Bastards! I buy the draught cans of the stuff semi-regularly and hate seeing a good beverage reduced to Tchotchkey status.

One of my coworkers was giving me some gentle shit about the parade. "How can you not love it, being actually irish and stuff?" Easy, the parade itself has always been a tad lame. The real fun is the people who come to see it. It's a great reason to get folks together, but as a featured attraction, it's a little wanting. Can't go anyway.

It's March madness alright, or the month my visa card loves me. Already waded through the birthdays of Number one Son, his mom and my mom, only to be greeted today by my older brother getting older. He's 48 today. I, being me, have taken great delight in reminding him that it really isn't one of those cool number ages, say like 43. I need to win a office pool to pay for these high holy days, as I still have my sister's day in a couple of weeks.

Gotta miss the St. Matty's Day party for reasons domestic. Got the youngins with me. I'm not trying to be antisocial. It's just working out that way. Reminds me that I'm 0 for 2 in 07 for parties at the 24, got to reverse that trend soon. Hope it's a great day for you (e:Matthew) . Enjoy.

I get to chat about getting my marketing post back first part of next week. Consider this an official request for good vibes.

I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days. I took my kids to work and number one son slipped and landed on a buttcheek to start the day. After solving that crisis, I went into work where in football parlance, the turk was collecting playbooks. With the exception of myself and another woman in the room, everybody else who wasn't already getting the boot, got it. It was difficult to watch. Another soul from another department noted the presence of one of the higher ups with the comment that no good news ever follows him into the building. So, my office is like that scene in "The Goonies" where the floor is disappearing. Fortunately, it is another shit storm that managed to miss me.

So much so, that my former department wants to have a conversation about me rejoining them. They have a post that is web heavy but capable of all the other marketing/graphic stuff. In essence, after all the foolishness, I might very well wind up where I should have been all along. (e:jason) might want to be my one day intern again soon.

Never a dull moment round the cable farm.......