Monday, June 30, 2008

Realization

I recently found out a guy I used to work with is getting divorced after 3 years of marriage. I don’t find a bit of happiness in someone’s divorce, but I must admit that on 1 level it makes me feel good about my situation.

Don’t get me wrong, I know marriage is hard – any relationship is hard. But in the last year I came to realize there’s only 1 woman I’d marry, and I’ve been out of her life for 6+ years. And the fact remains we did break up. But to this day I don’t have the slightest traceable sign of animosity towards her at all. She did what she had to do, I was a very different person back then - **very** different.

But because of her I grew up and got a life, something I didn’t have previous to us being together. I don’t revel in the darker side of life anymore either. Instead, I view each day above ground as a good day – a holiday all on it’s own if you will. I learned not to hate everyone in the world around, and got to like me in the process. I simply dropped my “victim complex”.

But it was a long road, and even if we had stayed together – it would have been another 2-3 years before all the pieces of the puzzle came together. I knew at the time I wasn’t much of a boyfriend – I wouldn’t gotten rid of me long before she did. But in the last few years I can pat myself on the back. I didn’t go to counseling to get her back, I went to get me back.

She’ll never know that she played center stage in me getting me back. The me I like, and the me I can deal with. I’m not saying I’m perfect by any means, but I have made huge progress since then. I never made her promises as a boyfriend, but as a husband I would promise to do much better then before.

It’s true that as a boyfriend I was a miserable failure. But as a husband and step dad, I’d be a massive success.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Long Weekend.

Man, it was a long weekend! I got 18 hours of overtime - that should get me some good imported beer when I get back to PA. I was thinking some Dinkel Acker or something - Westie's should have something I like. I just have to remember why I'm so tired and not get discouraged. It seems like it's going to be forever until I get back. But in reality, the time should pass quickly!

Friday, June 27, 2008

More Contact Info.

I wanted to add another way for people to contact me regarding the "reunion"/free drinks. Not only can you reach me by contacting any of the ways I listed in my last post, but you can contact me on ICQ @ my UIN # 475118923. By this time next week I'll hopefully have my vacation situation figured out. All I know is it'll be 2 weeks of late nights playing guitar & having some drinks in my hotel room.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

An Offer to my Friends in PA.

I was thinking, I'm putting in a lot of overtime lately & I'd like to reap the rewards with any of my friends in PA who'd like to take me up on a little proposal. What I'm offering is a "reunion" of sorts while I'm back in PA - and spouses are welcome to tag along as well. I'll pick up the 1st and maybe 2nd rounds of drinks (depending on how many people are interested). The place of course will be "Legends" at the Holiday Inn on Carlisle Pike. As for the date, I'm not sure. I'll probably know next week when I'll be getting back to PA for vacation. If anyone is interested, you can leave a comment, email me, or leave me a message on my Myspace blog.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

PA Visit/How to Beat Night Terrors

I should know by the end of next week about when I can go back to PA. Since I can use all the money I can get, I'll be working about 60 hours a week from now until I leave. I hate not knowing exactly when I'll be leaving, especially since I have to let my parents know so they can book a room. It'll settle itself out soon enough, I'm looking forward to going back, but not the 12 hour drive. But it'll all be worth it, that much I'm sure of.

Last night was the first night in a while that I mixed sleeping pills & alcohol. Instead of either blacking out, I was gently lulled to sleep. It was nice - no night terrors either. I just hope that my going back to PA doesn't somehow trigger them even worse than they can be now. Well, if they do - I can always go to Legends and hold them off.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Last Night's "Intervention"/Memories of Weis

I watched Intervention last night and was left with a few impressions. First of all, I said in my last post they could've made the episode with me in it minus the wife and child - that was pretty much true. The exception being that my temper used to be that bad 7 or 8 years ago, before I underwent anger management and treatment for my anxiety/depression. I think people hate anger management because it forces you to face the unlikeable parts of who you are. No one likes criticism, but there are times when people are forced to change.

But there were similarities. One was that "Dan" and I are both the youngest of 4 siblings, we both had at least 1 alcoholic in our family (his was his Grandfather, mine is my Dad), and we both lost people that were close to us. But after that, things are a bit different. Dan drank heavily before he got married and during his marriage. I drank heavily before I met Michele, then drank once a week, then after losing Michele drink heavily again.

And speaking of Michele, I got to thinking about some of the old days working at Weis Markets - a grocery store in Camp Hill, PA. My friend Kevin got me a job there as a stock boy in 1994. We were a small team, Kevin, Bill, Rob, Stan, & me. That's where I first saw Michele. I was standing on a pile of boxes when she & Tina were heading towards our break room. She was wearing a denim skirt, red heels, red shirt, red bow in her hair - God she looked amazing. And ever since there has been no woman like her, never will be either - except maybe her daughter.

I remember being way nervous around her and never wanting to embarrass myself. She always gave me butterflies, and the thought of her still does - -everytime. I remember Stan always chasing Bill around the stock room - punching him all along the route and Bill screaming like a banshee the whole time. It was funny standing outside the truck trailer when Stan would chase Bill into it. You'd hear their footsteps, Bill getting punched, and Bill screaming. Man, do I ever wish we had security cameras in those trailers.

I remember Kevin grabbing Bill by the tie, yanking his head down to his knees, and him pulling Bill into the stock room between the storage bays. I also remember a customer watching the whole thing through the window on the stock room doors. It didn't pay well, but it made up for it in entertainment value, let me tell ya.

But I don't regret any of it. Without working there I would've never seen Michele or dated her for the best months of my life. But sadly, the store is gone - but the building remains. What I'd give to go back to that moment when I saw Michele for the first time......

Monday, June 23, 2008

Intervention & PA Vacation News

I put in for my trip back to PA and was told I wouldn't be able to do it. Well, not until at least mid July. But it turns out that'll work to my advantage. We have a special (last minute) project coming up & it turns out I'll be working for the 4th. Again, it's cool - it works to my financial advantage. I'll be making time and a half, which gives me more $ for bar tabs when I get back to PA.

Speaking of bar tabs, tonight is another episode of "Intervention" on A&E. I've seen previews of tonight's episode about "Dan" and from all appearances it seems they could've made the same exact episode by taping me - sans the wife & daughter. It should be interesting/entertaining if nothing else.

And in a sad note, George Carlin passed away yesterday. It's ironic, I just saw an episode of "Biography" featuring him. And in it he was wearing a hat that said "Live Hard" on it. The said it, and lived it - may he rest in peace.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Boardwalk!

I put in a few hours of overtime today to save for my trip back to PA, and now it's time for Happy Hour! I plan on going to the Crabhouse for dinner:

Then the boardwalk for drinks:

Then to the Kiss Coffeehouse to sober up:

Friday, June 20, 2008

Thursday = Bad Day

Thursday sucked - plain & simple. In the middle of the afternoon I had some health problems that literally put me on the floor for a few minutes 2 work. But eventually I got past it and life went on. I'm putting in for my PA trip on Monday, we'll see how that goes. We may have a special project coming up we hadn't planned on, which means more overtime and more $ in my pocket for the trip. But the trip is still definitely going to happen, it's just a matter of when.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

My Meez!!!

Meez 3D avatar avatars games

Mid-week reguritations.

“I can't help the way I am
There's no trust and there's no end

– “Revolution is My Name” by Pantera

First off, Happy Birthday to Jeff, Kevin, & Jim from my senior class - Happy Birthday guys!

I forgot to mention something else in my last post, not only did I play my new guitar – I also watched one of my favorite TV show – Intervention. I don’t know if I like it because it validates my partying ways, or if I just feel kinship with the people on the show. Maybe it just makes me feel better because I have a glass or bottle in my hand rather than a crack pipe.

But I see them same thing over & over on the show – something really bad has happened to all of us that have our addictions. Whether it’s a broken home, broken heart, abuse, or whatever the cause – it was the trigger. And who’s to say self medicating is worse than taking some prescription drug?

I’ll use my situation as an example. Several years ago I was put on high blood pressure medication. After taking it for a while I had a blood test done, which revealed liver damage. It was only then that I was asked about my drinking habits, which I was totally open about.

And it was then I was told that the high blood pressure med (mixed with my drinking), can cause/accelerate liver damage. So taking the drug got my blood pressure down, but is eating my liver alive. And after having way too many arguments with my Dr. about my drinking, nothing changed. And anyway, I don’t take my high blood pressure half to 3 quarters of the time anyway. But that’s not my point.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am forever thankful that I was given anti-anxiety and anti-depressants. No one can live like that for long, the human body can only take so much stress - ipso facto. But as far as the drinking goes, I told my doctor that when/if they can develop a drug to erase heartbreak, I’ll be the first to take it. But since they haven’t, and probably won’t I’ll do it my way.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll have my own episode of Intervention.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Tuesday Update

I had fun last night! Not only did I get to play my new Dimebag guitar, I hoisted a few cold ones on his memory. It was quite a night. I'm still pondering my "PA Getaway" and getting some form of itinerary together - although I'll probably just disregard it anyway. But I have a few key places I'm definitely going to visit while I'm there besides Gettysburg - Legends:


Man, do I ever miss that place! I miss my bartenders - Tina & Rosie, even though Rosie hates the sight of me! That cool though, I still tip her well anyway! I want to visit Negley Park in Lemoyne as well. I haven't been there in almost 20 years, but now it's time to go visit. Of course I'll hit some music stores and other stuff. But as my sisters says - "Keep it interesting!"

Monday, June 16, 2008

Monday = D - Day


Mondays usually suck by nature, but not this Monday. Today I returned from work to find my new Dimebag Darrell guitar waiting for me. For as many years as I've lived in apartments I've never had anything stolen. Or at least nothing I know about. ;-) So today is a good day on the calendar. And today brings me one day closer to going back to PA for my visit. I think I've figured out that I'm going to try & get back the week after the 4th.

The 145th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg is this year, and no matter what year anniversary it is the place is always packed around the 1st,2nd, & 3rd. So I'll save my trip until after the 4th.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Father's Day

Happy father's day to all the Dad's out there. I gave my Dad a call to wish him a happy father's day and to see if he got my gift - which he did. When I mentioned to him that I was going to be in PA again for a visit he alluded to the idea that he & my mom may meet me while I'm there to check out the Hollywood Casino. I must admit that ever since I left Vegas I am having a bit of "slots withdrawl".

Last night was a rough one. My head just kept spinning with ideas about where to go/what to do when I'm back in PA. And for some reason I just felt like I was burning up until I finally feel asleep. But at least I didn't have the night terrors I usually have. The difference between a bad dream and a night terror was explained by a doctor like this:

A bad dream is when you wake up the next morning and think "Man, I had a bad dream last night."

A night terror is when you're jolted awake in an upright position with cold sweats and gasping for air. Trust me, if you've ever had one, they're definitely not fun!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Gettysburg Trip

As I start putting together plans for my Gettysburg trip, I've got to figure out where I want to go the most. The new visitor's center is a must, as is most of the battlefield. I guess the hardest part is deciding how much time I'm going to take off to do it. A week sounds good, but 2 sounds even better. At least with 2 weeks it'd give me time to heal up from the overtime I've been putting in. Hanging drywall definitely **isn't** the easiest thing I've ever done. But it'll be nice to be home again for a while.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

I'm an Idiot!!!

I went to set up an ICQ account for myself today and made a huge mistake. I don't know why, but it always seems that as far as my feelings for Michele go, I always find some way to torture myself over it. Anyway, I do some people searching on ICQ, and lo and behold - Michele has an ICQ account. So Tina, if you still read this, go to ICQ.com, then "Meet People", then "People Search". Search for Michele under her married last name and it'll come up - Age 42 - Mechanicsburg. I need to go change, I'm off to Margaritaville for get f**ked up **BIG TIME**.

Friday, June 6, 2008

The State of Things...

You know, any time I wonder if I made a mistake by not going back to PA, I just think about this:
Sunrise over Myrtle Beach

Yeah, the Susquehanna was a sight to behold - but the Atlantic Ocean is much more awe inspiring! Since my last post things have slowly but surely continued to go downhill. Now, every time I drink I bleed. How do I know? Let's just say for the sake of not being graphic/gross - I know.

And speaking of drinking, I've found a new home - check it out.

Yes, Myrtle Beach has a place for Parrotheads!

Looking at it overall, I feel fortunate. Fortunate because I had a choice. Most people don't know when they're going to pass on to the next world, and thereby leave things undone. And I am 110% satisfied with myself that I have done **everything** possible to get things done. Some situations left me as half of the equation, and I completed my half. I can honestly say that each day that goes by brings me less & less regret. I can leave this paradise for the next, and no one should feel sorry for me. In the last few years I can say that I've lived more than I ever expected.