Xmas in Texas

As I was driving across the border of Texas today, the noble state saw me returning and let loose a volley of lightning to welcome me home, as well as a rain storm once I moved over Texas soil. It's good to be welcome in one's birthplace. :) -Jeffg
posted by Jeff Gatlin at 12/22/2001 01:14:00 AM

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry If I Want To!

But not likely, cause I'm just not that emotional. At 9:28am this morning, I will officially be 39. Woot! Level up!

Now, just when the heck did I get old. I still feel like a kid just recently trying to make it on his own. Suddenly, I'm turnin down offers to buy the house I rent, buyin new cars without co-signers and other ridiculously normal things. Sigh, stupid time never stopping.

Thanks to all my friends who gifted me with happy stuff. You're the coolest!

In the meantime, I am charged up after my earlier vacation ready to work up a storm, but the holidays are still in effect and thus causing much nonwork things to be handled. By the time New Years rolls around, watch out!

Lookin forward to my visit home, and even the drive down now that I have a car with a seat that will stand up to the trip. I am sure I will loathe the drive though once I'm a few hours into the grind.

Enough quickie thoughts, next time. - Jeffg

posted by Jeff Gatlin at 12/17/2001 02:25:00 AM

Vacation

Mwah hah ha ha! Taste the sweetness that is vacation time! Up late and no worries about being overly tired at work.

Went to the mall on my own today to do a little shopping. As I was arriving, I saw Steph and Dave leaving and they did not see me. Sooo, I call em up on the cell phone to taunt them. I do so with great amusement as I am walking towards the mall. I hang up smiling then quite surprisingly fly forward thru the air. This is a not dream.

A curious thing flying. Quite liberating and exhilarating to be hovering over the ground like Superman gliding through the air. Sadly, I am not from planet Krypton so when I take flight unassisted by avionic machinery, I am subject to gravity. A few microseconds later I hit the ground. Let's backtrack a bit.

As I hang up the phone, I stumble on a raised section of cement. I know that is was raised because if it was lowered, I'd have likely twisted an ankle instead of stumbled. Anyway, I am walking fast enough that the stumble sends me head first and forward. Happily, I am somewhat of a spiritual person who fancies himself to be quite agile. Less happily, I am still subject to gravity and not quite so physically agile as my mind concieves. I smack the ground elbow and arm first, spin roll into a spread leg stance(thank you Tai Chi), twist upwards and continue walking towards the mall entrance commenting casually "That was unpleasant" to a somewhat horrified stranger passing by.

The funny part is not 5 seconds later Steph calls me on the cell phone to give shopping advice. I don't mention the event to her.

I'd have been none worse for wear, cept that now I'm bleeding and wearing a white Tshirt, so if I don't get it fixed up I'll likely become quite an interesting site. Although I couldnt see my elbow very well, dabbing with a napkin from the food court confirms I'm leaking. But as it happens I am on a mission to acquire Xbox and my happy 'must spend bonus money now' jones is much stronger than my 'must stop bleeding' jones. Note: seek mental health expert about priorities.

Babbages has Xbox, same price as everywhere else, so I get them to set me up. One of the girls there offers me a bandaid which I happily take. I have trouble getting the thing on though so the guy selling me the Xbox gets a few more bandaids and helps patch me up. Thanks Chris. BTW, beautiful sales clerks + software store = Jeff money vacuum! Run! The girl is just standing there smiling and saying something about all the reasons I need the extended warranty and I am like "Get to the part where I get to say Yes... Yes YES YESSSS!" Uh huh, get out more, I hear ya. *wink*

Later I see a proper medic (Steph), dine Mexican, and do other less interesting things. Happy shopping! -Jeff


posted by Jeff Gatlin at 12/03/2001 04:00:00 AM