ryssee's world

My dad would've been 70 today. Still not gonna write the story, who knows if I'll ever be inspired to, but he passed away about 2 1/2 years ago. All that time that's flown by since he died - sometimes it seems like forever and then sometimes it's like it's been no time at all. It's not even dates like today that make it hit really hard, it's just random things that happen that really bring it on. I'm sure many people who read this, who've lost a parent can relate, and if you can't, you are probably still blessed with their presence, as I was lucky to have been for 37 years of my life. And you really do learn as time passes, that even once someone is gone, it's just their physical presence that's gone, but they stay with you always.

Yesterday, I received a comment from the awesome blogger HAR : "Want to place a friendly wager? The odds are in your favor." I can only assume we're talking the Super Bowl here, 'cause the Red Sox and Yankees are nowhere near the 2008 playoff season yet. While I am truly enjoying living in the best sports city in the world this year, football really is for me something to watch once in a while to kill a few months between baseball seasons. (Ditto basketball and hockey.) Playoffs and championships are a blast to watch in any sport though, especially if you happen to be living in the city with the trophy fever! A nice friendly wager would be perfect. I'm up for it. I'll even give NY a 7-point lead. So if the Patriots win by 7 points or less (or if they lose) she'll win. If the Pats win by more, then I win. Shall we wager a meme?

Telecommuting is awesome. The biggest upside to our company being bought 2 1/2 yrs ago is the ability to work from home. I don't abuse it and always get a lot more work done (no interruptions) and it's great for big projects. So, with yesterday's 9 incher, that's what I did. Randy works in downtown Boston and they said, hey, if you're not essential, don't come in. He didn't have brain surgery scheduled and neither did I (he's a regional VP and I'm a sales analyst), so we stayed home and did what we needed to get done. I always feel a little guilty or "weather-wimpy" in storms, but then I think, most employees at my corporation are women, most of them are moms, and most of them stayed home because it was a snow day. Why should I make myself a road hazard, driving like I'm 80, stressing out for over an hour both ways (usually 35 minutes) after spending forever digging the car out from my street space because of the plows, and bein...

Tonight, I'm making Shake and Bake pork chops for dinner. We like them anyway but we had lots of work to do with all that snow we got today, so I wanted to make something fast and easy. I opened the box and pulled out the shakey-bakey stuff and also the plastic bag that comes with it. Hm, that's weird, I thought, as I tried to open the bag. I must have the wrong end. So, I flipped the bag over and tried the other side. Still wouldn't open. #$%$*&. Darn it. Had to go a whole extra step by finding the scissors and cutting open one end of the bag. THAT'S not in the directions. My customer experience with a reliable product has been ruined.

...'cause you never know when your front tire might burst on the way to work on a bright, sunny 7-degree day. Oh well, at least I have new front tires to greet the next snow storm. I needed an alignment thanks to the ongoing construction on every road I drive on, and an oil change, and windshield wipers, and a new inspection sticker anyway. So the day was not a total waste. What the heck. I even got some exercise walking to and from the tire store. (Brrrrrr!) These stupid tires that came with the car didn't even last 25K miles. And yes, I rotated, but evidently, not often enough. :-( No emergencies allowed for the rest of January!