NO SHOES ON THE CARPET!

I’m a slacker but thats nothing new.

Top Chef Update

One of my top 3 has fallen but honestly, he was number 3 on the list.  Stephanie and Richard continue to do well.  Andrew got the boot last night which sucks because he was good but just kind of annoying.  But hey, there are rules for a reason and they should be taken for grainted.  haha, that was so Bob.

New Job

After 4+ years in the Call Center, I will be taking my analytical skills to a new group.  As of May 27th, I am transferring to our Online Banking group based in Clayton.  This is a lateral move although I will be going from a Senior Systems specialist to a Business Analyst.   Its a good move though.  I was burnt out and needed a change.  Also, I was at a stopping point as far as “climbing the latter” is concerned.  I have just one more week of current duties.

Vacation

Last week I was finally able to get in some vacation time.  I didn’t go anywhere but it was still a good vacation.  I got to relax and have a good time.  My friend Becky was able to come visit STL for the first time so for a few days, I was playing tour guide, which is always fun.  We went to a Cubs/Cards game (shes bad luck), had dinner on the loop, saw Iron Man at the Moolah Theatre, went to Six Flags (again, shes bad luck),  Celebrated Cinco de Mayo, introduced her to Culpepppers, went on the Brewery Tour, went to the Arch, had lunch at Crown Candy Kitchen, had custard at Ted Drews, did some bowling, and visited the zoo (although it poured on us and we were forced to buy penguin umbrellas and people laughed at me but I don’t care cause Im really just a kid at heart).  Pics to come, mabye, you saw how long it took me to post.

2008 St Louis Brewers Heritage Festival

AKA – Brewfest.  After having a great time in 2007 we decided to do it again this year.  $30 gets you unlimited tasting of nearly 60 brews, a tasting glass, and a book that you can rate the beers as you tasted.  This year, however, the weather was not as great as last.  It pretty much rained not stop from thursday to sunday and the grounds were a mess.  With the main area of tables unprotected from the storms, everbody crowded under the beer tents to stay dry, which made it pretty difficult to navigate from beer to beer.  We gave up early this year in favor of dry places, late-night appetizers, more beer and Big Buck Hunter.  We like to kill things now.

Bowling

Both of my leagues have have ended, thankfully.  Jen edged me out in the Bet for the second half.  Being the league secretary wasn’t really all it was cracked up to be and although it paid $55 a week, which covers the cost of both leagues, it was probably my first and last year in that role.  It also appears at this time that I will not return to either Olivette Lanes or Brunswick Lanes St Peters, as each team appears to be moving to new houses.

Volleyball

Eager Beavers are back on the court and off to a great start.  I believe we are currently 6 and 3 and tied for first place with the team we beat twice last week.  We have a really solid group this year with a couple new girls who fit in well to the team.

Start of the  Concert Season

Wednesday night was the Radiohead concert at the amphitheatre, which kicked off the concert season for most of us.  The seats were dead center, the weather was perferct, the band was alive.  I’m not the biggest Radiohead fan but know enough and thought i would enjoy the show.  To me, the show was good.  Full of energy, wide-array of songs, great crowd.  To Bob, the show was incredible.

Shows on the horizon

• Wilco tonight at the Pageant
• Dave Matthews Band at Busch Stadium
• The Raconteurs at the Pageant
• Dave matthews Band at the Gorge in Seattle

I also wouldn’t mind seeing Matisyahu or Modest Mouse if anybody is interested in going.

Well, I think I’ve touched on everything.  Remember to Rock out with your cock out.  hang out with your wang out. 

The seasons. Spring is upon us which means that baseball is here, hockey is ending (I think) and fall bowling leagues are coming to a close. I look forward to Cardinals domination as I’m an optimist. I was lucky enough to attend the third game of the season. Lucky because the seats were eight rows up, not because we had our asses handed to us. There are only 5 weeks left of bowling and I look forward to 3 months or so off. April also means the start of Volleyball. Oh boy I can’t wait.

The Job. March 29th marked my 3 year anniversary with Commerce and the fourth year started on a high note. After months of waiting, I was promoted to a Senior Systems Specialist/Analyst. Finally, I can afford nice things. Or at least pay down the remainder of my debt.

The clothes. I get to mark off another item on my Things To Buy list. Today, I purchased a Fisher & Paykel Ecosmart Washer and Dryer. Energy Star rated with lots of room and all kinds of features and settings. Doing my part to reduce global warming, or something like that.

Remaining Things to Do or Purchase

• Coffee and End Tables
• Washer/Dryer
  
• Dining Room Table and Chairs
• Patio Table and Charis
• Plasma TV
• Replace current dresser and bedside table with matching set.

Welcome 2007.  This year I will have been out of high shool for 8 years, I will turn 26 years old, been out of college for four years, been with Commerce for 3 years, had the Focus for 6 years, blah blah blah.  Growing up and getting old really aren’t as exciting as I would like them to be.  So, what should I do to change that?  I believe these are called resolutions and I’ll stick with the popular three.  Pay down debt.  Get back in shape.  Advance with my company.  Nothing too complicated.  We’ll see out that goes.  I only set one resolution for 2006 and I partially fulfilled it, to lose some weight.  Started 2006 at 247 pounds, finished at 224.  I need to finish that one this year.

So let’s see, what else has been going oin lately.  Christmas, of course.  New clothes, household goods, cologne and money.  I think I did pretty well.  I bought a gift for myself this year.   A new Dell XPS, loaded with a core 2 duo 2.4, bunch of ram, a kick ass video and sound card, and 20.1″ widescreeen monitor.  I like it.

We also had our first of hopefully many Poker Challenges.  The stakes were raised and payouts bigger then the normal game we used to play.  Out of 7 guys this time, I finished third, David in second, and Adam (my brother) took home the top spot.  Good times all around.

Yeah, I’ve neglected the blog lately.  I’ve neglected a lot of things.  Life is crazy these days.  For those of you who don’t know (even though the two Jenn’s do know), I have again picked up a part-time job for some extra dollars.  I pretty much work every day of the week now and bowl on two leagues.  Also, we still have two weeks left of volleyball.  Throw a girlfriend into the mix and there isn’t a lot of free time for blogging.  My bad.  I will try to do better.

For the past week, I have been on vacation from Commerce.  It wasn’t really much of a vacation since I ended working 35 hours at the second job.  I did however get to do some enjoyable things.  Like having lunch and visiting my favorite shops on Mainstreet St. Charles.  Or spending the afternoon overlooking the valley at the winery.  And taking another tour of the brewery (tried some organing beer called Stone Mills, not too bad).

Last Saturday, Matt and Julie were married at a delightful ceremony followed by a reception catered by Bandana’s BBQ.  How frickin’ awesome is that.  I had the most important role of the wedding (or so they kept telling me), the usher.  Man I look good in a tux.  I will try to get some of the pictures up soon.

The Beavers are having their best season with a 9 and 12 record with two weeks remaining.  My prediction is that we will win two games this week and one game the final week, finishing with a 12 and 15 record.  Both bowling teams are doing well and I am leading the Sunday night league in average with a 211.

There you go, a quick update.  Now your day can be complete.  Oh, and go Cards.

Lately, life has been busy.  I am now working two jobs, 7 days a week, to save up some money for the holidays and pay off some debt.  Also, both of my bowling leagues are in full swing and volleyball is still going on.  Mix the dating life into that and there isn’t much time for anything else.   However, a vacation is close.  Of course, a vacation just means time off from my full-time job, not really a vacation vacation.

The volleyball team is playing well this season.  We are 6 and 9 after five weeks with four weeks remaining.  Snakes on a lane bowling is kicking ass, as I still lead the league with a 212 average.  However, New Castle bowling is not going as well as my averages is a shameful 175.  Good thing the rest of the team is picking up the slack as we are in 2nd place.