"Romance" OR
"it's amazing guys ever get laid"



Julio's wife thought it was very romantic when he vowed to have a picture of her tattooed on his arm!


Commenting on her reaction, after she threw him out of the house....he said ......
"There's just no pleasing some women!"






As submitted by Peacedog  ¶ 12:17 PM 0 comments

  Typical day One of the things I am learning as I have moved away from corporate america is that there is no such thing as a typical day.

Over the last 2 weeks, I have been working 12-15 hour days, almost all of which is on-the-job training.

But as we all know, it's easier to learn how to swim if you just jump right in. The longer you sit outside the pool, feet dangling in the water, the longer it will take you to figure out how to doggie paddle.

Today started off with a helluva commute coupled with a tussle with the cops. Well, not really. The drive to the office is under 2 miles and the cop was a county sheriff monitoring his speed trap under the shade of a old oak tree.

Once I pulled in to my executive parking spot (right next to El Jefe) I was greeted with the knowledge that the boss's car would not start. So utilizing my extensive automotive training, I peeked under the hood. Lo and behold, the engine was still there, he didn't seem to be missing any major components. But the negative battery lead looked like it was covered in 40 years worth of growth.

I asked if he had any coke. With a quizzical look, he asked "and by coke I hope you mean 'Coca-Cola'?"
I explained that the cola would help to clean off the deposits on the battery, once again reaffirming for him his notion on carbonated beverages.

Got the battery cleaned up and jumped the car so that it would start. Then it was into the office to start the day. Came to a stopping point on the report that I was working on, called a client and a broker (leaving messages for both) and headed out for lunch.

We'll just have to see what happens tomorrow.  ¶ 12:04 PM 1 comments

  you'd have better luck with beer This was the road sign seen yesterday as we traversed numerous NC counties during our rounds of appraising property. I've been led to believe that Earnhardt, Jr. lives off this road.  ¶ 9:59 AM 0 comments

  the blue laws are a bit different The gods of the brew are smiling down on me in my relocated state of NC.

Having spent a good deal of time in both SC and GA, it's nice not to have to think inadvance, but rather, if the mood strikes me, go out on a Sunday and purchase beer.

That's the real reason I moved.  ¶ 12:06 PM 0 comments

  The price of rice in China It's good to be back in NC. Prices (excluding gas, of course) seem to be more appropriate than before.

Suitcases of Bud and Bud Light for $12.99? Not unheard of, in fact I just got back from my local Food Lion where that was the price. I'm sure I looked a bit unorthodox as I did my little happy dance in the beer aisle of the grocery store.

I also can't remember the last time I paid under a dollar for a 2-liter of soda.

Score!  ¶ 9:38 AM 0 comments

  Day 1 Well, Monday was a good day. The commute was so short that I didn't even have time to finish one cigarette.

Got paid on work completed and received my first "official" request for an appraisal.

Spent some time loading the appropriate software and working on getting the PC's to talk to each other, then had a few beers.

Sounds like things are going to get busy, and that's a really good thing.

Finally made it back to the house and did a little update work. So check out Acclaimed Home Inspections (formerly DJ's Home inspections) and leave some feedback. Trust me when I say that I don't mind constructive criticism.  ¶ 9:58 AM 1 comments

  The end of an era I quit my job this past week.

I had originally planned on submitting my two week notice back in January.

I had moved all worldly possessions and my family to Salisbury, NC in an attempt to start something new. But then there was word that the company I worked for was looking for volunteers for a severance package. BINGO!

Needless to say, I applied for it. And began the trek that was the commute back and forth between GA and NC. The time was getting near for a decision to be made by the company. I was on pins and needles awaiting a decision that would have afforded me a percentage of my salary as well as medical benefits, both of which would have provided a nice cushion as I ventured out into new territory.

Then the news hit that the company I worked for was being bought and a corporate merger was to take place. The proposed severance package became more enticing than it was previously, but the time frame got pushed an additional 45 days.

Tuesday, 5/9/06, was to be the day the announcements were made. Either the company accepted your application for voluntary release, or they rejected it.

The following is the e-mail that I received at 11:07 Tuesday morning:

Recently you submitted an Election and Release form electing to accept the severance offer made to you under the provisions of the *company name withheld* Corporation Transition Payment Plan for Management Employees: Voluntary (TPPM:V). The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Company has rejected your election. Your organization’s force imbalance has been eliminated through the acceptance of elections from more senior employees.

Now this felt like a punch in the stomach. Here I was, working, commuting between 2 states, not wanting to be in the corporate setting I was in, and the one possible shining light for the whole thing just got flushed down the crapper.

But as you read earlier, I was ready to leave in January, and it was time for me to leave regardless of the severance package. I had been living in someone else's house and away from my family for the past 4 months.

Within approximately 30 minutes of receiving my rejection notice, I drafted and sent my letter of resignation. Friday, 5/12/06, was my last day.

And now I'll be venturing out into the world of real estate appraisal. I'll have to let you know how that goes.  ¶ 8:29 PM 0 comments