I'm not dead

I'm just poking my head in to tell you that I am not dead, just sick.

I came out of hiding long enough to get a post up over here.  Go comment.  Until I can check in again, work is doing great, loving the new job.

ok bye

Overnight w/ Vodka Logic [Part 2]

After Vodka Logic had her claim ticket for her luggage and an address to have them drop off the luggage, we headed back to my place.

The plan was, at this point, to find a place to eat.  In Cleveland there are many many places to choose from, but I didn't want to drive too far.

Laura has read many of my blogs talking about food, and Bar Symon has just redone their menu, so I decided we are going there.  It is close.  There is probably not a wait.  And in the eventuality we get drunk, my wife is nearby to pick us up and drive us home after she is done with her practice.

So have you ever had beef tongue?  Me neither.  That's why when I saw it on the Bar Symon menu, I had to try it.  Vodka Logic looks over the menu and then looks at me and asks, what is a perogi?  I looked at her and was flabbergasted.  What?  Was that a question?  Sometimes I take my heritage for granted.  My family is Slovak.  Perogi are pretty much a staple in my house around Christmas time.  So seeing my reaction, and a hearty suggestion she try them, and what better place than Cleveland?  The Cleveland Classic was in the kitchen just for Vodka Logic.

So by the time the first round of cocktails got to the table, dinner arrived.  I was famished so I dug in, after Laura and I took photos of the food of course.

The [blurry] Cleveland Classic

Beef Tongue Sandwich w/ Chips

I know that looks yummy right?

So during dinner we got a phone call at the table.  Guess what?  Laura's bag finally made it to Cleveland.  So I stopped drinking after the second drink, and prepared to drive Laura through Cleveland, then back out to the airport to get her lost bag.  

It is in my humble opinion that if you want to see a city, have someone who lives there show you around.  If you live in a place and don't know anything about it, then learn.  Be proud of your town.  

As we exited the restaurant, with 1 extra sausage in hand, because Laura only could handle 1 of the 2 she got, so we set off down the historic Lake Rd into Cleveland.  

Laura commented on the houses.  How cheap they were.  People don't realize how inexpensive the Midwest is.  She saw this in the tab she picked up at the restaurant.  Our meal could have easily cost over $100 in New England.  In Cleveland, a miserly $60.00.  

As we drove down I was sharing some facts about Cleveland.  Lake Effect snow, electric rail road to the burbs, and even where the celebrities live.  I think at one point I was overloading her, because she said, damn you know a lot about this city.  

I know I do.  I also tend to ramble when I have someone new to show around.  I love my city, and I think Laura saw this.  We arrive in downtown and I drove her through Playhouse Square, the Gateway District, by E 4th Street, and then to I-71 south to the airport.  

Baggage claimed and off to bed.  

Now Laura did not come into town w/o bringing gifts for the Mrs. and I and also for the kids.  Patriots gear for the kids.  Shot glasses for the Mrs. and I.  How awesome is that?  Seriously.

So Friday was the tourist day.  Laura's only request was to see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.  So I obliged.  Audrey spent her day off with her mom, as she hadn't seen her for the week on the account of play practice, and the wife, Laura, Addison, and I went to the Rock Hall.  

I hadn't been there in a while, and to all those Clevelanders who haven't been, get there, it is a great place.  Time was getting tight for Laura's flight home, so what were we to do for lunch.  I know I wasn't going to stop at the Rock Hall's cafe.  That would be a waste.  Why visit a cafe when you can dine at one of Bon Appetite's Top 10 Restaurants?

Off to the Greenhouse Tavern we went.  

I think this lunch menu is one of Cleveland's best kept secrets.  Small, inexpensive, and flavorful.  

I didn't get a good photo of my lunch as I wolfed it down so fast, but Laura was able to get this shot off before her hunger monsters got a hold of it.

The Greenhouse French Dip

We finished our lunch and realized that Laura had to get to the airport to head off to Indianapolis on the 2nd leg of her tour of the Midwest. 

But what is a trip to Cleveland without a proper send off?

Come back soon Vodka Logic.  You only saw part of this great city!

Overnight w/ Vodka Logic [Part 1]

So it was no secret that Laura from Vodka Logic was coming to town.  Her flight was scheduled to come in on Wednesday afternoon.  With the snow storms that hit Cleveland then hitting the East Coast, her flight was canceled.  Then rescheduled.  Then canceled again.  Then rescheduled.  Again.

During this time a study came out from Forbes Magazine.  Cleveland was #1 on the worst winter weather list.  Boston was #2.  Funny, Laura was coming from Boston.  To Cleveland.  During winter storms.

Seriously.  I can't make this crap up.

Finally, Vodka Logic made it to town Thursday night.  Her flight was 20 minutes early, but not to worry, we would end up waiting around the airport for another hour.

As you know US Airways is known as the airline that can land in the Hudson River, but not as an airline that can get your bags from destination A to destination B.

The baggage claim belt came to life, and died in a meager 10 minutes.  Everyone who had a bag on the belt, got their bag and left.  Then we look around.  There are 4 people there who had not gotten a bag, and they were still standing around.  Waiting.  For a bag that wasn't going to be there.  Laura and I were a few of those people.

Laura got in line to make a claim, I took a seat.  I was pretty pissed for her.

Just want to put it out there.  If I have to pay to check my luggage, it had better be there when I get there.  Airlines are jacking up fees, and losing luggage.  It is one thing to lose luggage when it is free, I get what I pay for; but when I am paying you to put my bags on the my airplane and then take them off, and I don't get my bags, then why do I have to still pay you?

I digress.

There is a part 2 of this story, and it has a happy ending.  Come back tomorrow for the conclusion.  You will not want to miss it.  The rest of the story needs it's own blog post.

A Lonely Luge

The Winter Olympics are something I am always drawn to.  I love skiing, curling, speed skating, and even the cross country events.  To tell you the truth, I am drawn to the competition, no matter now boring or trivial the sport might be. 

As exciting as the competition might be, Friday, as the games were about to open, we were struck with tragedy.  Some say it should have never happened.  Some say it was just another danger of a sport.

Georgian luger, 21 year old, Nodar Kumaritashili lost control of his luge and was thrown off hitting an unpadded metal pole at nearly 90 miles per hour.  They say it isn't the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop.  As hard as it might be to imagine what that would be like, it's hard to watch.   I learned of the crash via Twitter while having lunch with the Wife and Laura from Vodka Logic.  I wanted to know more, and I was sure that I would get the news I wanted from the news once I was able to watch.

As the Wife and Audrey got ready for their play, I watched The NBC Nightly News as they showed the footage of the crash.  My mouth dropped to the floor.  Tears came to my eyes.  This athlete's death was shown on nationwide television.  Again they showed the crash in slow motion.  Slow enough to see the fear in the athlete's eyes.  In less than 0.01 seconds, he was dead.  

Now technically he did not die on impact, but to show this video not only during the 6:30 Nightly News, but also at the top of the Opening Ceremonies.  Over. And over. And over.  It was classless, inappropriate, and showed a disrespect to this athlete that is completely unimaginable.  Would they have shown the video over and over if it were an American?  

The analysts say it was his lack of experience on the track and this particular track is said to be the fastest and most challenging track in the world.  

I am disgusted with NBC for even showing this video.  As exclusive as it might have been, it was inappropriate to show this horrific death.  

It was probably the scariest thing I have ever seen.  

So as I sit here, excited to watch the competition unfold, I am reminded of how precious life can be. 

I got a new job in less than a week....

...and I really feel like a dick for it too.

There are a ton of people out there who are jobless, my mother is one of them.  My friend Kasey is another.  Both of whom read this blog.

So I want to say it now, I am sorry for getting a job when I already had a great job.  I am.  My job with Verizon Wireless was fantastic.  But now with my new adventure, I find myself biting my tongue about how awesome of an opportunity it is, because people close to me are having a very hard time.  Depression. Guilt.  Thoughts of inadequacy.  You name it, you'll have it.

So I am just very very sorry, but I am also not very sorry at all either.

I know what it is like to not have a job, and I was told a long time ago when I was working in the Radio Industry, to always be looking for your next opportunity.  So that is what I am always doing.  Always.  Many people learn the need for a solid network about 1 pink slip too late.  Make that change on your terms.  It is no secret that companies are cutting back.  Be looking.  Be ready.  On the day I resigned from Verizon Wireless, it was the same day that Verizon Communications announced layoffs on it's wireline side.  Keep your eye on the business.  If it looks solid, start looking.  If it gets shaky, step up your efforts so you are ready.

You also need to be really honest with yourself.  Are you really someone that is worth something to the company?  Really?  I know I know, that is very hard to self assess, but you need to start getting honest.  Stop saying that your shit doesn't stink, because in the end, your shit is just as smelly.  The issue is, is your shit easy covered up by oust?  Are you that squeaky wheel?  They say it gets the oil, and I usually say it's the oil to help you lubricate your exit.

So as I lack the words to blog as of late, it really as a result of me trying to stifle my excitement for the next part of my career because there are many of you looking and trying to even get interviewed.  I feel bad for you.  What do you want me to say?  Hang in there?  Well hang in there.

Some people say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  In the words of Ron White I say, find the person who's life is giving them vodka, and have a fucking party.

In a way I am sorry.  In another, I am not.  I am staying in control of my destiny.  I suggest you get in control of yours too.

********

In case you missed it, I was asked to be a guest on a podcast yesterday.  Check out my interview on Kelly's Podcast "Speaking from the Crib".  I had a blast.  Enjoy that.

My wife has a new blog and I can't seem to find the words

Why is it that when I have time to write, I can't figure out what to write about?  Or when I do want to talk about something, I cannot find the words?

This whole process is frustrating.  

Oh and by the way.  Have you checked out my wife's blog?  She finally got on there last night and posted about a new reality TV show.  

Go check it out and follow her.  

I'm not here today

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Vacation Day 3 [Last chance to sleep in]

Hopefully as you read this, I am fast asleep.  See since starting the 2 week vacation before the new j-o-b starts, I haven't been able to sleep in.  Monday, the perfect time to do so, I was up at 7am.  Tuesday I was UP AND OUT THE DOOR by 7:30am.  Today, I hope I am still asleep.  You see this post is auto posted for 8am EST.  Let's hope I don't beat it here.



Anyway, for those of you who like to read what I write, go check out a new blog I am a part of.  Yesterday I wrote about child support.  Tomorrow I am a part of a debate.  Did I win?  You decide tomorrow, but in the end, the debate was over casual sex.  Go see what I said tomorrow, seriously, I offended my counterpart.  Seriously.  I got the e-mail.  It was awesome.

So, there is not much to say right now.  Life is quiet.  I am planning an itinerary for when Vodka Logic comes to town.  We need to hit some places where food is sold.  Hit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  Give her a guided tour of MY city.  Watch the final dress rehearsal of the play my wife and kids are in.

In the mean time, I was talking with Audrey about her roommate for a few days.  Hope Vodka Logic likes 7 almost 8 year olds.