Looks like I’ll be heading back to Arizona a lot sooner than expected. My mom called last night to let me know that my grandmother had passed away.
I can’t tell you how grateful I am that we got to spend time with her just this past month. It was wonderful to see her, and she seemed in great health and spirit. I guess that’s why when my mom called to tell me the news, it came as such a shock. I think I’m still in a bit of shock. It certainly hasn’t sunk in yet.
After the service, my mom and aunt (and uncle I’m assuming) will be taking my grandmothers ashes, along with my grandfathers (who died 18 years ago) to South Dakota, where she grew up. There they’ll bury her in the Black Hills, which is beautiful country indeed. It’ll be a good final resting spot.
Hurricane Charley, which originally was supposed to be quite the downpour, turned out to be nothing more than an afternoon of soft, steady rain. Today has been beautiful, with a slight breeze and a very comfortable 75 degrees. I should be outside mowing the lawn and such, but yard work is yard work.
With Gail being gone (she’s out in Arizona visiting her parents and then she’ll be back with the kids on Thursday), I’ve been mostly just hanging out and watching TV. Being a slug in other words. Before leaving, Gail instructed Marcia to take me shopping at J.C. Penny’s, as they are having a sale. I actually bought clothes for myself. Which is odd; I never buy clothes for myself.
Hopefully the problems with the hardware that hosts my website has been fixed. Apparently the hard drive went south, and after that was replaced, the RAID controller went. Lots of fun.
It would appear that storms of all sorts have to be weathered.
The end of the school year is the herald of vacation for millions of people across America, and so it is with my clan this year, 2004. It’s not often we get to travel on vacations together, with either myself or Gail having to work, but this year, with the help of generous in-laws, we all managed to take time together to fly out to visit family and friends. It was also a time to reacquaint ourselves with the majesty that is the Southwest.
After a 2 hour delay, we arrived in Phoenix at midnight local time, meaning it was 3 a.m. back home. The kids (and adults) were exhausted. Fortunately my aunt and uncle were there to pick us up and usher us sleepy travelers to their house, with soft beds and the promise of not needing to be up before lunchtime. Naturally, my internal clock decided that 6a.m. was plenty of sleep-in time, so I was awake with the roosters.
We had a nice morning, Gail and I watching the kids splash in the pool while we sat in the shade. I’d forgotten that was possible here. Back home, when it’s 95 degrees out, in the shade - thanks to the humidity - it still feels as if it’s 95 degrees. Here, shade drops the temperature noticeably, and makes sitting out with the kids bearable.
Lunch time saw us visiting with my grandmother. Hopefully she’s forgiven me for coming through last time and not stopping to see her (Before everyone gets riled up, I had a good excuse; my father was in the hospital in Flagstaff, and I was anxious to get up there). We had a nice afternoon, checking out her new house, and the clubhouse of the community she’s moved into. That evening we were back at my aunt and uncles’ for dinner, and the next morning, Gail’s parents picked us up to travel to Colorado.
We had a brief stop in Flagstaff to visit with my dad, and then it was on to Grand Junction, CO., to visit with Gail’s brother and his family. We had a nice visit, touring the dinosaur museum and dig site, and visiting downtown Grand Junction. Sunday we had a nice picnic at a park right along the Colorado River, and then Monday, our plans to go whitewater rafting were rained out. I had planned on staying with my sister-in-law, as she’d recently broken her wrist, so I didn’t feel cheated out of a whitewater trip, but I think Gail was disappointed. We were in Glenwood Springs, and it’s quite the picturesque town. I fell in love, and if I can ever manage, I just might have to look into moving there.
We traveled south on 82 into Aspen. What a beautiful, pricey, artistic, pricey, charming and pricey little town. It was chilly that day, and not being accustomed to the wet and cold weather, I was noticeably cold in my shorts and t-shirt. I thought maybe I’d get a sweatshirt or something. I checked a few prices in a few different shops, and the cheapest sweatshirt was $110.
I figured I’d just be chilly.
Tuesday we traveled on back to Flagstaff by way of Monument Valley and took a bunch of pictures. Gail’s parents went as far as Flagstaff with us, and then headed on down the Tucson the following Wednesday. Gail and the kids and I spent the next few days roaming around town with no real agenda, and spent the evenings visiting with my Dad and his long time girlfriend Laurie. We hiked down Walnut Canyon to the Indian ruins, visited downtown (It has changed so much since I’ve left), and generally relaxed. There was a forest fire burning about 20 miles south of Flagstaff, and I managed to get a couple of photos of the smoke.
Last night was spent with some old friends from college in Phoenix, and now I’m sitting here in my in-law’s house in Tucson. We’re going to a party tonight, and then tomorrow I get to visit all my old friends.
So here’s to old friends! Hope to see you all soon. And to all my new(ish) friends back home in Virginia, we’ll be seeing you all soon.
MsSinthiaSpanks (12:11 PM): Good Morning Shad (12:11 PM): Good Afternoon...who might you be? MsSinthiaSpanks (12:12 PM): You answered my Intro Questions in regard to spanking Shad (12:14 PM): Spanking? Intro Questions? I think you have the wrong person...I've answered no such questions. Shad (12:15 PM): Goodness, if the parish found out about something like this, I'd be forced to quit.. MsSinthiaSpanks (12:16 PM): AOL error Sorry to have bothered you
If I ever find myself trapped in an Urban Nightmare, I will be prepared!
BnnM2 (8:38 AM): nobody think ya young ass bowwow i just wanted 2 see ya damn asl Shad (8:38 AM): no BnnM2 (8:38 AM): niggas acting stupid cause they have a s/n shad BnnM2 (8:39 AM): nigga please bang it 5 hunnitt! Shad (8:39 AM): You know, maybe if you spoke proper English, I'd be able to understand you. BnnM2 (8:39 AM): lol BnnM2 (8:39 AM): i do speak proper english nig! BnnM2 (8:40 AM): u herd me the 1st time Shad (8:40 AM): No, I heard "blah blah blah blah"....that's all I hear in my head when I read crap like "Nigga please bang it 5 hunnitt"... Shad (8:40 AM): what if I wanted to bang it 4? Shad (8:40 AM): or bang it 17? Shad (8:40 AM): why 5? BnnM2 (8:40 AM): lol BnnM2 (8:42 AM): just 4get it r u gonna tell me ur asl or not? BnnM2 (8:42 AM): it really don't matter 2 me BnnM2 (8:43 AM): where u get 17 4rm?? BnnM2 (8:43 AM): wow! Shad (8:43 AM): why not 17? Shad (8:43 AM): or 4? Shad (8:43 AM): or 40 for that matter? BnnM2 (8:43 AM): because its an saying BnnM2 (8:44 AM): a saying when u say bye bye BnnM2 (8:44 AM): or just forget it Shad (8:44 AM): So, if I want to say goodbye, I say bang 5...and if I want to say forget it, I say bang 5 also? BnnM2 (8:46 AM): like if somebody come up 2 u like what upp? yal talking and when yall leaving each other u go aight my nih bang it 5thou BnnM2 (8:46 AM): or u and say keep it ahunnit my nig BnnM2 (8:46 AM): a hunnit meaning 100 BnnM2 (8:47 AM): meanding bye like u say one or1 BnnM2 (8:47 AM): its like aight my nig keep it a hunnit BnnM2 (8:47 AM): like onehundred BnnM2 (8:47 AM): ahunnit Shad (8:47 AM): Fascinating... BnnM2 (8:49 AM): well u know "poppin collar" i try 2 pop that knowledge every way possible BnnM2 (8:49 AM): no offense r u white? BnnM2 (8:49 AM): cuz alot of americans tend 2 know about that saying Shad (8:50 AM): Guess I'm the original wonder bread... BnnM2 (8:50 AM): i aint racist or anything BnnM2 (8:50 AM): huh?? BnnM2 (8:51 AM): what dos that saying mean? BnnM2 (8:53 AM): i guess u aint talking so imma just say until next time bang it 5 hunnit!
I swear, one of these days it's gonna be the FBI or something trying to trap someone...
FlySweetGirl (9:34 AM): hi u wanna talk Shad (9:34 AM): Hi, no I don't. FlySweetGirl (9:35 AM): why Shad (9:35 AM): 'cause I'm busy FlySweetGirl (9:35 AM): doing what FlySweetGirl (9:35 AM): ill give u head Shad (9:36 AM): head, eh? I bet you're not very good at it FlySweetGirl (9:36 AM): yes i am im the head queen Shad (9:36 AM): Is that like the head honcho? FlySweetGirl (9:36 AM): even thogh i gotta boyfriend ill still give it to u Shad (9:37 AM): Wouldn't the boyfriend get mad? FlySweetGirl (9:37 AM): idk Shad (9:38 AM): Geez....you must not really like him if you're willing to give head to a complete stranger FlySweetGirl (9:38 AM): i love him FlySweetGirl (9:38 AM): his name is jr Shad (9:39 AM): Love him, eh? FlySweetGirl (9:39 AM): yes Shad (9:39 AM): Then why are you offering sexual favors to complete strangers? FlySweetGirl (9:39 AM): u wanna talk to him FlySweetGirl (9:40 AM): please i would neva do that i just wanted u to talk to him FlySweetGirl (9:40 AM): u wanna see my nude pic Shad (9:40 AM): you want to blow me, you want me to talk to him, you want to give me your nude pic...what, all at the same time? FlySweetGirl (9:41 AM): pick 2 out of the three FlySweetGirl (9:42 AM): ill i don't put know dick in my my mouth thats disgusting Shad (9:42 AM): Hahaha...you're a trip FlySweetGirl (9:42 AM): only jrs Shad (9:45 AM): Well damn, why'd you offer then? What a tease.... FlySweetGirl (9:50 AM): u would have said yes Shad (9:51 AM): haha...think so? Shad (9:51 AM): from a...what, 15 year old? FlySweetGirl (9:51 AM): im 12 Shad (9:53 AM): HAHAHAHAHahahahaa. Shad (9:53 AM): Damn, that's funny FlySweetGirl (9:53 AM): how old are u 39 Shad (9:53 AM): 34! Shad (9:53 AM): FlySweetGirl (9:54 AM): urs is probally old and hair and jr is fresh and clean and soft FlySweetGirl (9:54 AM): hairy FlySweetGirl (9:54 AM): * Shad (9:54 AM): well, I guess it's 34 years old. And yeah, it's hairy...puberty and all you know. FlySweetGirl (9:55 AM): disgusting jr looks nice Shad (9:55 AM): Amazing how you'd offer within 2 minutes of IM'ing me then, isn't it... FlySweetGirl (9:56 AM): i was playing cause only jr hello Shad (10:04 AM): Well, that was amusing and horrifying, but I have to go now, have a good day
Looking back on this weekend it seemed I had a lot of stuff going, but it didn’t seem that busy.
Saturday morning I spent at Great Falls Park with the rest of the students from my Photography class. I have a nice camera, and I finally decided I should really learn how to use it, so I took some of the tax money this year and enrolled in a no-credit class. I’ve only had one class and one field trip, but I’ve learned a lot about my camera. We spent the time out at Great Falls taking different pictures of whatever we felt like; we just had to use the select aperture settings and shutter speed assigned by the teacher. I pick up my slides tonight. I’m rather excited to see how they turned out.
The rest of the day was spent getting the top of my poor old bald head fried while waiting to get Sarah’s soccer pictures taken (I thought it was in the gym like last year, but nooooo....), and then Gail and the kids went to the Rainforest Cafe for a birthday party that evening. I hung out with Jeff playing Playstation. Gail and the kids came back later, and more people showed up at Jeff and Marcia’s. The evening progressed into a couple of beer runs, a run to get some food, and me feeling like I’d be better off at home. So I collected the kids, left Gail to chat awhile, and I went home to bed.
Sunday was a nice day so Jeff and I decided to go for a ride on the bikes. Kerry Ann saw us heading out and asked if she could come. She hopped on the back of Jeff’s Vulcan and off we went to West Virginia.
Talk about a beautiful ride. The day was cloudy, and for awhile I thought we might get some rain, but for the most part it held off. The road we took out to West Virginia was a two-lane twister through the Blue Ridge Mountains that was just perfect for a bike. We got to the town of Ranson, WV, and decided to grab a drink and sit for a bit.
Now, here’s where the day became a bit surreal.
As we’re sitting there on the curb enjoying our drinks and talking about nothing in particular, a beat-up old Ford Ranger pulled up and the old-timer driving it hopped out and went into the Quick Mart we’d parked at. His passenger leaned her bleached-strawberry-blonde head out the window and said “Those sure are some pretty bikes! I haven’t been on a motorcycle ride since I was six!” She looked at me and said, “Can you take me for a ride?”
I kinda stuttered a “Well, I don’t have an extra helmet...” as a way of reply.
She turned to Kerry Ann sitting next to me and said “Can I use your helmet?” To which Kerry Ann enthusiastically replied, “Of course!”
As the lady hopped out of the truck, she asked if I was married. I said yup, and Kerry Ann added “She’s a beautiful lady with the skinniest thighs you’ve ever seen.” That remark didn’t even penetrate as she eyed me and gushed, “I just love big men!” Heck, I don’t think she even heard me say that I was married. And if she did, I’m not sure she’d care.
She introduced herself as Sarah, and after our introductions were all made she got Kerry Ann’s helmet on and planted herself on the back of the bike. As I was getting ready to roll out, the old timer she was with came back out of the store with a 12-pack of something alcoholic. He jumped into his truck and took off so fast that Kerry Ann said later that she’d thought he’d never even noticed his passenger was gone. I know he noticed though, ‘cause I saw the look he gave her as she was perched on the back of the bike.
After he’d gone, Sarah and I headed out of the parking lot and cruised down what I took to be the main drag in tiny Ranson. It turns out that she was 22, and the old guy I took to be her dad, was really her husband and 60 years old at that.
But wait. It gets better.
So we’re driving down the road and she starts rubbing my shoulders, gliding her hands from my neck to my arms and says “You have such broad shoulders, I love broad shoulders.” I mumbled some sort of reply. She then ran her hands down my arms and said “You have hairy arms! Are you hairy everywhere else?” I said pretty much.
A little further down the road, with her laughing and talking the whole way, she said “I bet you get all the girls with this bike. Are you married?” Further proof that mine and Kerry Ann’s comments about being married to a gal with skinny thighs went right over that head of hers. “Yes!” I shouted back at her. She giggled and said that I could probably get all sorts of sex with this bike...
So I’m sitting here thinking “Geezus, I’ve gotta get this chick back to her (literally) old man. She’s whacked” I was having visions of me dropping her off at her house and her husband sitting on the front porch with a loaded shotgun just waiting for me to get back.
But oh wait....it gets better.
So we’ve turned around and we’re heading back to her place when she says something that I didn’t catch. I turned my head towards her and said “What?”
She leaned in close to my ear and said “I said I feel privileged to have gone on this ride with you!” and with the word “privileged”, she reached around and squeezed my crotch.
It was all I could do the keep the bike straight.
I must’ve jumped a bit because she took her hand away and laughed, and I gunned the bike down as fast as I could to get her home. We pulled up in front of her house (without a gun-totin’ pissed off husband around, thank God), and she hopped off the bike. After taking her helmet off she said, “Well, now that you know where I live, next time you’re in town you can stop by and visit.” The last was said with a rather mischievous smile, and I’m sure she was talking about more than just popping in for a spot of tea in the afternoon.
I said if I was in town again I’d consider it while I was laughing at myself inside. If I got to Ranson W.V. again this year, it’ll be because I got lost. And I never get lost.
I took the helmet, gave her one last smile and headed back to Jeff and Kerry Ann. I didn’t even bother strapping the helmet down, I just stuck it between my legs and took off. I actually laughed out loud and shook my head at myself while driving along.
When I pulled back into the Quick Mart, Jeff and Kerry Ann where still where I left them. After killing the bike, I told them what happen, and both had a good laugh at my expense. Hell, I had a good laugh at my expense.
We got back to our safe n’ sane neck of the woods about an hour later and dropped Kerry Ann off for her Southern Living party that Gail would be attending. Kerry Ann promised not to tell Gail. Jeff and I then went and saw a movie (Troy, not too bad) and then I headed home.
I told Gail what happened and she had just as good of a laugh as Kerry Ann and Jeff did. Can’t blame her really. She said she was pleased I’d gotten “a little” and that I’d had a good time.
I have the most awesome wife in the world, don’t I? :)
received this last week. I have NO idea wtf I was thinking. I just said the first thing that came to mind with this person im'd me.
I guess everyone needs a bit of surrealism in their lives every now and then...
Juju0284 [2:18 PM]: hi Shad [2:18 PM]: THERE'S BUTTER ON MY FACE Juju0284 [2:20 PM]: butter Juju0284 [2:20 PM]: ? Juju0284 [2:20 PM]: why Shad [2:20 PM]: OH MY GOD, THERE'S HOT BUTTER ALL OVER MY FACE Shad [2:20 PM]: OW Shad [2:20 PM]: OW Shad [2:20 PM]: OWWWW Juju0284 [2:21 PM]: how did you do Juju0284 [2:21 PM]: to put butter here$ Shad [2:21 PM]: I was pretending my movie bucket of popcorn was a feeding trough and I buried my face in it Shad [2:21 PM]: NOW I HAVE HOT MELTED BUTTER ON MY FACE Juju0284 [2:24 PM]: a lot Shad [2:24 PM]: whew Well, it was a lot. It's all gone now Shad [2:24 PM]: I had my dog lick it all off Juju0284 [2:24 PM]: lol Juju0284 [2:24 PM]: ok Juju0284 [2:25 PM]: and you are fine Shad [2:25 PM]: well, sure it's just hot butter. Shad [2:25 PM]: women in hollywood pay big bucks for that kind of treatment in a salon Juju0284 [2:26 PM]: ok Juju0284 [2:26 PM]: but you didn t pay Juju0284 [2:27 PM]: what was the film Shad [2:27 PM]: No film. I just had a movie bucket of popcorn Juju0284 [2:28 PM]: ok Shad [2:28 PM]: Don't you? Shad [2:28 PM]: I thought everyone had a movie bucket sized popcorn in their house Shad [2:29 PM]: aw, man! Shad [2:29 PM]: my ice cream has no bones!!! Shad [2:29 PM]: DANGIT! Juju0284 [2:29 PM]: lol Shad [2:29 PM]: who the heck sells ice cream with no bones nowadays?! Shad [2:30 PM]: now I can't eat the end bits without getting all messy Juju0284 [2:31 PM]: ok Juju0284 [2:32 PM]: ok ok Shad [2:32 PM]: ok what? Juju0284 [2:32 PM]: what time is it in your country Juju0284 [2:32 PM]: please Juju0284 [2:32 PM]: ok of wat you say Shad [2:32 PM]: Time for Lunch! Shad [2:32 PM]: no, wait Shad [2:32 PM]: Afternoon snack! Shad [2:33 PM]: 'cept my ice cream has no bones to hold on to and the butter is still too hot Juju0284 [2:34 PM]: lol Juju0284 [2:34 PM]: the butter was very hot so Juju0284 [2:37 PM]: ;-)
Yungromeo200 (4:13 PM): hello Yungromeo200 (4:13 PM): I know you Shad (4:13 PM): No you don't Yungromeo200 (4:13 PM): From College Shad (4:14 PM): No, you don't... Yungromeo200 (4:14 PM): DON'T TALK TO ME THEN Shad (4:14 PM): I won't. Yungromeo200 (4:14 PM): BYEEEE Shad (4:14 PM): Bye Yungromeo200 (4:15 PM): FAG Shad (4:15 PM): If you want me to stop talking to you, you'll have to stop as well Shad (4:15 PM): otherwise, I'll just keep responding Shad (4:15 PM): and "fag" deserves at least three extra lines Yungromeo200 (4:15 PM): WHAT?? Shad (4:15 PM): What, can't read that well? Yungromeo200 (4:16 PM): SHUT UP STUPID Shad (4:16 PM): Woo...big words. Did you learn that all by yourself? Yungromeo200 (4:16 PM): STUPID Shad (4:16 PM): I know you are but what am I? Yungromeo200 (4:16 PM): A FAGOT Shad (4:17 PM): I know you are but what am I? Yungromeo200 (4:17 PM): A 1ST GRADER Shad (4:18 PM): I know you are but what am I? Shad (4:18 PM): I can do this all day if you want Yungromeo200 (4:18 PM): A BIA BIA Shad (4:18 PM): Bia bia? What might that be? Shad (4:20 PM): Bureau of Indian Affairs? Yungromeo200 (4:20 PM): F**** U U RACES Shad (4:20 PM): Bloated Icelandic Apes? Shad (4:21 PM): Bitchy Itchy Armadillo's? Shad (4:23 PM): Hello? Shad (4:23 PM): Awww....don't you wanna play this game anymore?
babi0660 [5:10 AM]: hey who is this? Shad [5:10 AM]: This is Shad! Who is this? babi0660 [5:11 AM]: this is bow wow... r u serious Shad [5:11 AM]: Dude, of course this is....what, you think I don't know how to do the internet? babi0660 [5:12 AM]: can i have ur cell # Shad [5:13 AM]: Ok, I'll give you one, but don't give this out.... babi0660 [5:13 AM]: k Shad [5:13 AM]: 202-456-1111 -- This is my mom's...I gotta sign off, talk to ya on cell soon