Today, I was witness to an event that.... well, I'll be shaking it off for a long time.
Two of my co-workers downed the new quad stacker from Burger King.
Yes folks - 4 patties of meat alternating with cheese topped with bacon, and just to, I don't know - 'tone down' the meat, topped with a dollop of special sauce. Mmmmm mmmm. Just makes your arteries clog thinking about it.
They had taken a bite or two by the time I got to the table. One was already half-finished. A side view of the half-eaten product showed nothing but 2-3 inches of meat. Unhampered by anything that might accidentally counter-act the cholesterol (like tomatoes, lettuce, etc.. ), they kept powering through them although they had to take breaks periodically to catch their breath. Yes, breathing was becoming a problem. I'm sure sweating anything but hamburger grease will be too.
So Jason, the first guy finishes. Victory!(although there is some discussion that it was only because he didn't get secret sauce) He achieved his goal anyway, if that was to have a slight tightness in the chest, and the fact his eyes looked like they were swimming in hamburger juices. When asked if it was good he responded hollowly "I don't know". He did change it a bit later after digesting the first percentage. It was horrible, but good. Okay then. Excellent marketing I'm sure.
After waiting a respectful period of time (in other words - until the two could move again), we decided to leave before any veins could begin congealing or someone decided to go for another round.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Moving the parents - what day is it??
Friday. I told them this was my last day here really. Having to go back to work on Monday, I'd like to be home on Saturday so I have Sunday to take care of things at home. That's ok with them I think.
There's still a lot of stuff in cupboards, nightstands, closets that had to be brought over. I pondered really how much longer this might take.
I think my dad is overdoing it - trying to do too much. I was trying to do as much as I could, but everytime I turned around he'd gone off for 'another load' and carried it all himself. My parents accept their senior citizen classification only to a certain extent it seems.
The place is really shaping up. Roomier than my place - better design too. Living room that easily fits two couches and chairs. Two bedrooms with ample space for the beds and dressers. Dishwasher in a roomy kitchen with cupboards that go all the way around, and a new fridge. Patio. Garage. Washer/dryer supplied on the first floor. Decent basement. I wish I had a camera phone to take shots of it - but then it'd be out of juice anyway. Which reminds me - I'll have to do something about that old computer I gave them. it was running Win95. It was enough for my dad, cause he just wanted to play solitaire, and type up letters to print on it. When I connected it after the move, it started looking like a blown drive. Really sad part is -their old Gateway Win3.11 computer still works just fine. Testimonial to Gateway I guess (and Dad loves pointing that out to me with a big grin)
There's still a lot of stuff in cupboards, nightstands, closets that had to be brought over. I pondered really how much longer this might take.
I think my dad is overdoing it - trying to do too much. I was trying to do as much as I could, but everytime I turned around he'd gone off for 'another load' and carried it all himself. My parents accept their senior citizen classification only to a certain extent it seems.
The place is really shaping up. Roomier than my place - better design too. Living room that easily fits two couches and chairs. Two bedrooms with ample space for the beds and dressers. Dishwasher in a roomy kitchen with cupboards that go all the way around, and a new fridge. Patio. Garage. Washer/dryer supplied on the first floor. Decent basement. I wish I had a camera phone to take shots of it - but then it'd be out of juice anyway. Which reminds me - I'll have to do something about that old computer I gave them. it was running Win95. It was enough for my dad, cause he just wanted to play solitaire, and type up letters to print on it. When I connected it after the move, it started looking like a blown drive. Really sad part is -their old Gateway Win3.11 computer still works just fine. Testimonial to Gateway I guess (and Dad loves pointing that out to me with a big grin)
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Moving the parents - the big move
Moved a few boxes in the morning - main push was to get stuff ready for the moving guys in the afternoon. My parents wanted me to come eat downtown again with their friends, but I told them I'd feel more useful boxing up stuff. So with no one to glare at me, I threw out a lot of stuff in the process of packing up several boxes. I got a lot more done by myself.
Later in the afternoon, the guys with the pickup came. Young guy arrived to move the bed, tv's stand, dresser - big heavy stuff. Nice polite kid. Don't think he called me ma'am - that would have lost him points for sure. We got a lot of stuff moved in today. Another chair, their bed, some lamps, many, many boxes of stuff for the kitchen, bathroom.
My parents have no concept of space apparently, as my mother did not understand why she couldn't fit her bed, his and her nightstands a dresser and two chairs into their new bedroom (which has less space then their apt bedroom did) The only answer I would get when I tried to point out this very logical point was - "Well, whatever." That's the extent of most discussions.
They're staying at the duplex apt. tonight - we'll go back for more tomorrow. This was the most tiresome day. My feet and knees are VERY un-happy with me. Lots of up and down stairs - I walked the 5 blocks to and from the apt to the new place in the heat many times to give them room to fit stuff in the car. I didn't need the two exercise bicycles they bought for next to nothing and put in the basement, to give me a workout. I better lose weight after all of this.
Later in the afternoon, the guys with the pickup came. Young guy arrived to move the bed, tv's stand, dresser - big heavy stuff. Nice polite kid. Don't think he called me ma'am - that would have lost him points for sure. We got a lot of stuff moved in today. Another chair, their bed, some lamps, many, many boxes of stuff for the kitchen, bathroom.
My parents have no concept of space apparently, as my mother did not understand why she couldn't fit her bed, his and her nightstands a dresser and two chairs into their new bedroom (which has less space then their apt bedroom did) The only answer I would get when I tried to point out this very logical point was - "Well, whatever." That's the extent of most discussions.
They're staying at the duplex apt. tonight - we'll go back for more tomorrow. This was the most tiresome day. My feet and knees are VERY un-happy with me. Lots of up and down stairs - I walked the 5 blocks to and from the apt to the new place in the heat many times to give them room to fit stuff in the car. I didn't need the two exercise bicycles they bought for next to nothing and put in the basement, to give me a workout. I better lose weight after all of this.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Moving the parents - day 3
Unfortunately my parents are getting older, and couldn't do much in the way of moving, especially in the heat. My mom needs to rest a lot from some surgery she's had, and I was itching to just throw stuff in boxes and get it all moved. They were running the show though and I found the slow going frustrating.
They wanted me to eat lunch with them and their friends downtown, and I hated the loss of time, but agreed. Nice people - I can see why they like it here so much. A little freaky to sit down to a table full of images of my Mom and Dad. They took great fun in teasing my Dad about having a daughter better looking then him. Haven't decided yet how to take that. One thing I want to remember to do for them is make some CD's of old time radio. I'd lately gotten into some podcasts of Jack Benney shows, Burns and Allen, the old comedies mostly, and had taken my ipod and speakers to share some old radio podcasts with my parents. I heard him tell some friends about it, and they thought the residents at the assisted living facility might enjoy it. I'll have to pick a wider variety than I'm used to.
Didn't get much moving done. Tomorrow (Thursday) the guys with the pickup are coming to move the big stuff. Until then, my parents are staying at the apt. Today was the cable guy appt. Turns out my parents wanted digital for the music channels. Much to my parents dismay, they discover later that with all the new technology, they are told they can no longer watch one tv show while taping another unless the cable guy comes and runs another line in for it, and my Dad told him no way.
In one of the last moves of the day, we were trying to move the jungle of plants my mother has. Thought it would be good in the cooler evening. That was right about the time a big storm hit. With hail. Brief torrential downpours. We were soaked. The plants liked it though.
They wanted me to eat lunch with them and their friends downtown, and I hated the loss of time, but agreed. Nice people - I can see why they like it here so much. A little freaky to sit down to a table full of images of my Mom and Dad. They took great fun in teasing my Dad about having a daughter better looking then him. Haven't decided yet how to take that. One thing I want to remember to do for them is make some CD's of old time radio. I'd lately gotten into some podcasts of Jack Benney shows, Burns and Allen, the old comedies mostly, and had taken my ipod and speakers to share some old radio podcasts with my parents. I heard him tell some friends about it, and they thought the residents at the assisted living facility might enjoy it. I'll have to pick a wider variety than I'm used to.
Didn't get much moving done. Tomorrow (Thursday) the guys with the pickup are coming to move the big stuff. Until then, my parents are staying at the apt. Today was the cable guy appt. Turns out my parents wanted digital for the music channels. Much to my parents dismay, they discover later that with all the new technology, they are told they can no longer watch one tv show while taping another unless the cable guy comes and runs another line in for it, and my Dad told him no way.
In one of the last moves of the day, we were trying to move the jungle of plants my mother has. Thought it would be good in the cooler evening. That was right about the time a big storm hit. With hail. Brief torrential downpours. We were soaked. The plants liked it though.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Moving the parents -sizing things up
When I was making plans to help my parents move out of their apartment into a new duplex apartment, I thought we might be cleaning out my grandmother's house some too - and store anything they felt they absolutely had to keep in the basement of their new place. When I called the week before to confirm my vacation and availability to help, I was informed my brother had already come and was helping them move larger things in his truck. So I came expecting to not have much to do - maybe last boxes, clean out the apt, that sort of thing. When I arrived, I discovered a number of things:
1. the new duplex had a bed moved in, as well as some living room furniture. Not my parents - well it is now. 'New' purchases from their favorite auction down the street. TWO couches (one's a pull-out bed that they had to get because if they didn't bid on it - it would be 'gone') Another recliner (they had two in the apartment already and I think my grandmother's newish one was still at her house). I have to admit it's nice furniture - things I'd want with space, the means to transport it, etc.. It was driving me crazy seeing them get more stuff though. Probably because it's not what I would do. Or maybe I wanted to, and couldn't - either way I let it annoy me all week.
2. the apt - still looks just like the last time I saw it. They haven't packed yet. So I go into lecture mode, because apparently all things have to be done in my way in my time. That's where I get into trouble. It's hard to question your parents, no matter what age they are. What advice they wanted was what pictures to hang. Which way to turn the coffee table. Where to put the cereal boxes. They didn't want to be scolded about buying 6 or 7 end tables at 50cents each. We've had this discussion numerous times before anyway, so I will try to not push it.
3. I've forgotten my cell phone charger, so I can't even call anyone to talk about it with. It's not gonna last if I do that, and I need it when we split up.
4. My parents don't have internet access, except the public library. So I'm making do with journaling this differently until I return and post-date the posts.
1. the new duplex had a bed moved in, as well as some living room furniture. Not my parents - well it is now. 'New' purchases from their favorite auction down the street. TWO couches (one's a pull-out bed that they had to get because if they didn't bid on it - it would be 'gone') Another recliner (they had two in the apartment already and I think my grandmother's newish one was still at her house). I have to admit it's nice furniture - things I'd want with space, the means to transport it, etc.. It was driving me crazy seeing them get more stuff though. Probably because it's not what I would do. Or maybe I wanted to, and couldn't - either way I let it annoy me all week.
2. the apt - still looks just like the last time I saw it. They haven't packed yet. So I go into lecture mode, because apparently all things have to be done in my way in my time. That's where I get into trouble. It's hard to question your parents, no matter what age they are. What advice they wanted was what pictures to hang. Which way to turn the coffee table. Where to put the cereal boxes. They didn't want to be scolded about buying 6 or 7 end tables at 50cents each. We've had this discussion numerous times before anyway, so I will try to not push it.
3. I've forgotten my cell phone charger, so I can't even call anyone to talk about it with. It's not gonna last if I do that, and I need it when we split up.
4. My parents don't have internet access, except the public library. So I'm making do with journaling this differently until I return and post-date the posts.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Insanity doesn't run in my family...
... but it might be slowly limping along. I will drive myself insane trying to help out and make everybody happy.
My parents are moving from a small apartment they had while they were helping my Grandmother when she got unable to care for herself. They didn't want to dump her in a nursing home, so they moved to her town - about 2 hours away from where they own a house.
They got an apartment for my Grandmother down the hall from them in a special complex. Couldn't live in her house - no central air, no shower, basement falling apart, etc. They lived this way until she passed away in 2004. Everyone assumed they would move back to Lincoln to their house. Not so - turns out they like this small town. Plus they still "have to do something" with my Grandmother's house. So they stayed 'doing something' with the house, whileliving in an apartment. In the process, they had gotten into the habit of buying furnishings, appliances, etc... from an auction. A little place just down the street from their apartment lies a shop a guy my mom went to high school with owns. He sells stuff during the week there - second hand material usually. Twice a month is the 'auction' that draws my parents like moths to flame. They just can't seem to say no to anything there. Can't pass that up the garage sale prices - it's like an addiction. "It's only 50 cents" was the phrase I most often heard. "How could we pass that up?" They'd say, as they'd bring in a box of other people's discarded knick-knacks. Got a coffee-pot already? Didn't matter- there was a nice carafe system for only a buck or two. "At least get rid of your other ones," I'd beg them. If you bring in something 'new', you should get rid of something to make room. "Oh no - we might need that in case the other one doesn't work out." This is where one of my great frustrations begins. {sigh}
My parents are moving from a small apartment they had while they were helping my Grandmother when she got unable to care for herself. They didn't want to dump her in a nursing home, so they moved to her town - about 2 hours away from where they own a house.
They got an apartment for my Grandmother down the hall from them in a special complex. Couldn't live in her house - no central air, no shower, basement falling apart, etc. They lived this way until she passed away in 2004. Everyone assumed they would move back to Lincoln to their house. Not so - turns out they like this small town. Plus they still "have to do something" with my Grandmother's house. So they stayed 'doing something' with the house, whileliving in an apartment. In the process, they had gotten into the habit of buying furnishings, appliances, etc... from an auction. A little place just down the street from their apartment lies a shop a guy my mom went to high school with owns. He sells stuff during the week there - second hand material usually. Twice a month is the 'auction' that draws my parents like moths to flame. They just can't seem to say no to anything there. Can't pass that up the garage sale prices - it's like an addiction. "It's only 50 cents" was the phrase I most often heard. "How could we pass that up?" They'd say, as they'd bring in a box of other people's discarded knick-knacks. Got a coffee-pot already? Didn't matter- there was a nice carafe system for only a buck or two. "At least get rid of your other ones," I'd beg them. If you bring in something 'new', you should get rid of something to make room. "Oh no - we might need that in case the other one doesn't work out." This is where one of my great frustrations begins. {sigh}
Friday, June 16, 2006
FIFA Fever
These days I seem to be easily swayed into becoming a fan of something that I never would have given the time of day to previously. Lately, I've been flitting from one phase to another faster than the moon. Just jumping on the bandwagon, or passing fancies maybe.
Most recent acquisitions:
Most recent acquisitions:
- The 4400 on USA - recently got caught up in a marathon that explained the whole thing. I got absorbed immediately.
- American idol - because of Taylor Hicks. I was rooting for you since the beginning!
- World Cup soccer because of Steve. I had to add content to my yahoo pages so I could keep up, get the latest match results, etc... I was dissapointed I couldn't watch any matches live on the web - but I guess can listen to the whistle blows on yahoo's live match. Why have sound if that's all you get?
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