When public parking goes wrong.

The other day a good friend (GF) of mine was taking his "fiance" to the grocery store to pick up a few things.  As they make their way through the lot, he spots a perfect spot towards the front and begins to turn into it . . . CAUTION!!!  At the same time, an older lady (OL) notices the same spot and attempts to go around his vehicle to get in the exact same spot!   A standoff ensues.

After about 20 min (of course his "fiance" went in the store to do her shopping), my GF is still patiently waiting on the OL to move and so is she.  Another patron leaves the store and just happens to be parked directly next to the "war space".  This allows the OL to make her way into that spot and GF took the original spot.  At this time, the local police arrive-Duhn, duhn, duuuuhhhhhnnnn (that was my "danger is looming" sound).  They go to the OL's car and get information from her regarding the incident and allow her to go in the store to complete her shopping. Next, they make their way over to my GF and ask him what happened, he explains.  Then,  they ask for his ID- here is the issue.  One of the main reasons we are GF is because we see things in a similar light but he being a Marine Corp vet, he tends to be a bit more on edge than me- most of the time.  A simple question that might have been to some but to him, it was the catalyst for destruction.  He responds with, "Why? Am I being charged with something?"  Of course they reply "no", because no actual crime has been committed- they just wanted to run his ID to check for warrants or outstanding tickets.  Not to mention, my GF is about 6'0", 245lbs- kinda menacing when he wants to be.  After about 15 min of the authorities not giving him a reason as to why they needed his ID and him not wanting to willingly release it, he was arrested!  They charged him with obstruction of justice- impeding an investigation- I could not believe it!

Now, I say all that to say this . . . sometimes you have to choose which battle you want to fight and which battles you have higher chance of winning.  As I mentioned earlier, I have been in similar situations in the metro area but realized at times, that officer or bouncer was not in the mood for me or anything that I was saying (as reasonable as it might have been) and I conceded.    A lot of this happened after the birth of my oldest daughter- you know, I got a different perspective on life and realized I wasn't just out there living for me but for her and her future . . .. blah, blah, blah- sometimes growing up sucks bathtub sponge! 

My GF is out of jail and he understands he could have avoided the entire altercation and the hassle that he will have to face in the months to come.  HOWEVER, he still feels he was well within his right to question the officer.  I agree with him but he also has to understand, certain jurisdictions don't take that time to "play" with citizens and feel in order for them to do their job, you must do what they say . . . and others are a bit more "Gomer Pyle" about it all. 

Well, he is supposed to be at the party we are having at my sisters house this weekend (celebrating 1-1-11) and I will probably have a drunk counseling session with him then.  I will tell you more about that later!!

13-3!!  What is your team's record!?

-2andababy

Much Ado About . . .

I haven't really had much to blog about lately and have just been enjoying the holidays and spending time relaxing.  I had a really enjoyable Christmas, spent time with the wife and her family- I can't say I had a blast but it was an okay time.  Speaking of the wife and her family, I have a question to ask all of you.  Is it a problem or is it bad that I still don't know all of her extended family members by their names?  I mean, I could pick'em out in a line up but if you ask me to find them in a movie theater- I'd just sit by myself.  I ask because, even though we have only been married less than a year, we dated for almost 6 or more (don't tell her I don't know the specifics).  Doesn't that mean I should at least know the names of these people I have seen off and on over this time period  in my life?  I guess it's no big deal.  I have never been good with names anyway.  I normally always look for something significant or different about a person that I interact with and come of with a moniker for them related to that thing i.e. Kuntry Eddie.

_______________________________________

Gratitude

Growing up I never got everything I wanted but my parents made sure  I had all that I needed.  My sister and I learned to appreciate the little things that we received.  My oldest daughter does not truly know what it feels like to need or want anything.  I believe it is my fault and I do not want her to continue to grow up in a society where she does not show appreciation.  I am not the one to admit that she is spoiled because she does not get everything she wants but I like to make sure she is well taken care of.   Most of it stems from me being a single parent raising her for 5-6 years of her life (6 mos. after her birth).  I felt as if I had to overcompensate for not being "mommy".


I don't want this to turn into a pity party for me, I am just giving a brief background as to why I feel I have caused my daughter to be such an ingrate.  It pangs me to even speak that about her because I truly feel it is my fault.  As I eluded to earlier, the times I kept my daughter (which was either every weekend or over the past 5 yrs. during the school week), I made every attempt to discipline and maintain order.  But at times, it became too overwhelming not knowing or understanding the mentality of  a little girl.  Of course I had my mother, my sister and close female friends to give me guidance and assistance at times but a phone call or a text doesn't always help when you are almost at your wits end. 

Her mom was/is the "fun" parent, they would always do things, go places, eat whatever, stay up late, etc. with the other children in the house (her mom has 4 other children) and when it was back to my place it was so "blah".   Thus began my quest to make her time with me more entertaining.  Not only did she have her own room, she had a tv, dvd player, my old computer (at the age of 3-but she knew how to work it) and loads of toys.  All these things because I thought it would make up for not having the other children around to play with and more to do than just hang with me.  Even when we had time (which was rare) we would go to the park, the mall ( although I loathe being in the mall), or just sit around together and play a board game. 

All these things, I believe helped the situation at the time but only made it worse for me now.  It seems now that she expects to receive and even when she doesn't she knows it's not a big deal- it will come eventually.  That might sound great but, when it comes; there is a lackadaisical sense of gratitude.  I can go on and on about this because it is really eating me up inside but I won't, I guess I just had to share my thoughts with the few bleeps that visit my page and let them be aware of few things. 

1.  Learn to appreciate the people and possessions in your life you never know what it took for you to receive them. 
2. Children only know what they are exposed to, instead of competing for friendship, try being a complete parent.
3. Never let another person dictate your actions, do what you feel is right in your heart and you will never, ever be disappointed. 

-2andababy

Lego!

My first plog!!  Thanks to the wonderful folks at Honda Carland for having this display.  I have included a link so you can see more of this being put together.  It's amazing!!

The Statue of Liberty

Carousel and Taj Mahal?

Scurvy Pirates!!!  Aaarrrrrggghhh!

Storming the castle . ..

More of the castle battle and a view of the courtyard

Not sure what this building was, but it was over 10ft (or something like that)

A parade! YAY!!

More coolness and a random kid (not mine, Maury)

Full frontal of Lady Liberty

This wasn't part of  the display, but my bleeps know the deal.

-2andababy

Manic Monday

It's cold outside (not as cold as last week), and the heat is not working in our office suite!  Remarkably, KE made it to work today, I bet if he knew the heat wouldn't be working, he would've called out. 

On the bright side, the Titans won yesterday ( too little too late if you ask me) and "my" Falcons are continuing to make it happen on the field improving to 12-2 and clinching a playoff berth.  I am freezing my phalanges off so w'[4last 3w38 (I think I just lost two index fingers).  Later folks, I need more hot cocoa. 

It's cold, but I'm a man of my word.  Go Falcons!!  Burrrrrr!

-2andababy

It's the weekend- half- assed post!

So as I mentioned earlier, here is the story on how I won an iPad. It was at my sister's company Christmas party (they may call it a holiday party to be PC but I don't give a rats ass).  So, I went to this party last year and had a really good time. They had on costumes, had GREAT food and the spirits were flowing freely.  Of course, I had to keep my composure and not get too twisted as not to embarrass her or make her lose her job but we made it through. 

Fast forward to this year (>>>>>>>- I really wanted to type that "fast forward" sound but I am not that creative), and the happenings that you missed.  I wasn't supposed to go!  I opted out and was going to let the wife attend so she could enjoy all the revelry.  However, with "snowjam 2010", she was super busy at work and with our youngest being sick, she didn't really feel like leaving.  So . . . I went in her place and represented as only I could!!!!

Well, this year (wait, I notice I use the term "well" a lot- did anyone else pickup on that?  Does it bother y'all?) the theme was Moulin Rouge.  That sucked for me because it was more "classy" than comical.  Well, it was supposed to be . . . far be it from my sis and I not to find enormous amounts of hilarity in everyday people.  Of course the food selection was great and I decided this year NOT to drink as much as I did in the previous year (I only had 2 beers and 1.5 drinks- liquor first . . . you know liquor before beer never fear). But I was enjoying myself just walking around the country club acting as if  I truly belong and it was "my hangout" and everyone else was just visiting. 

SN:  Lil Zig just woke up coughing and didn't seem too happy.  Crisis averted, back to the moment.  Towards the end of the party, they always do a raffle for prizes and these prizes are really nice!  However, I have never won anything in my life (except for the time my mom made my sis and I call in a local radio station and sing a song- I think we got tix to the circus or something- it was horrible).  So as we sit in the back of the crowd (near the bars) hanging out waiting, I hear my ticket number called!!!!  (Insert text short hand here): GTFOH!!  I didn't believe it but as I walked towards the stage screaming WAIT! WAIT! I WON!! IT'S ME!!  and made my way on the stage, all I could think about was my new favorite comedian Kevin Hart and in my head saying "sh!t just got real".

I like to talk . . . period.  If you know me and have been around me sober, tipsy or wasted you know I can run my mouth- most of the time about random BS.  I say that to say, it was a mistake for the CEO of the company to be on stage calling out the winners and letting the winners speak on the mic when they hit the stage.  I really wish someone would've "Kanyed" me because I was just going on and on showing gratitude to people I didn't even know.  Oh, and even though I feel like my appearance has changed slightly over the past year, the CEO still told me (and the entire crowd) I look a lot like Spike Lee-REALLY?

Well, (there it goes again) I get my prize and the chick in charge of the raffle made sure I was aware the I knew what I was receiving. "This is an iPad" , she kept saying as she shoved the gift bag to my chest and motioned for me to break away from the crowd as if they were an angry mob of customers at the Apple store on iPad release date and I had the last 32G- Wi-Fi model.  She even went as far as putting the ribbon straps from the bag on my arm to make sure I didn't lose it!  Well, we made it out of the party safely and I didn't get mauled for my winnings or spoils if you will.  I had a great time and gave the prize to my sister.  I love electronics but I know she has been wanting one of those things since they debuted and it was a perfect unexpected Christmas gift.  I mean after all, isn't this the season of giving and spreading joy? 

Tomorrow my Titans play again.  It's against the Houston Texans, I'm not sure if it's a home game or not ( I usually keep up with that because my best friend is a double season ticket holder and I get to go when it's available) but I am just waiting this season out, if you recall.  So as promised . . . oh, before I forget thanks to the simplest dude in my blogsphere for providing the inspiration for the weekend post.

-2andababy

Fcuk Apple

So this is a mobile blog, so excuse the T9 corrections. The family and I went to Honda to get the spare key made and it took a little over an hour and a half so we took the shuttle to the mall. In this place that I loathe (you will learn I dislike shopping and malls), I had to go to the Apple store to get a case for the ipad I won the night before (I will explain later). Although, it was overcrowded, I was overlooked. I don't know if it was because I am black or because my boots weren't tied. Regardless of the reason, two associates stood next to me (albeit they were assisting someone else) and didn't bother to even give me a head nod. I am officially boycotting that Apple store until further notice.

-2andababy

Oh, yeah Go Falcons!

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Randomness . . . don't waste your time.

You can purchase this as a shirt here-no proceeds go to 2andababy.

So, last night I was bored and began to search through Netflix to see what movie I could stream to pass the time away.  The wife was gone shopping with the oldest, so it was just me and the lil Z-ster.  Well, let me back up a bit; by the time I began my movie search, lil Z was asleep on my lap.  So I was at this quest alone.

TEETH. If you haven't seen it, I am not sure if you should but the concept was what attracted me and ultimately hooked me.  Below is a very brief synopsis of the film courtesy of the good folks at IMDb :

Still a stranger to her own body, a high school student discovers she has a physical advantage when she becomes the object of male violence. 

So if you don't know by now, I am a sucker for a good horror film, scary movie, thriller or anything that attempts to fit in that genre.  Thus the reason I decided to give this movie a try.  Of course you are wondering what her "physical advantage" is and what makes it a thriller . . . she has TEETH in her meat curtains!! (I took that term from Jerry in the movie Group Sex- I am also a cheesy romantic comedy sucker-don't judge me.)

Well, needless to say after sharing my thoughts on the movie with all my tweeps (all 25 of them) and once the wife got home forcing her to sit down and join me; I was throughly disappointed.  The plot was terrible and the ending was even worse.  I really can't tell you why I continued to watch it and I didn't plan on this entry being a movie review so I will move on to something more important.  

Well, after staying up late to waste my precious 1:33, I woke up extra tired.  This was not one of those days that I needed to be tired.  I had a lot to do today, well, not really I only had to go to work and surf the web while e-mailing various clients and keeping up with the latest sports but it seemed like a lot in my mind.  Well, as I get ready to leave to take the girls to school and start my eventful day . . . where is the car key?  Crap!!!  My wife left early for work and took the only key we have for the other car!!  What the hell am I gonna do? 

BLOG!  That has been the solution to a lot of issues that arise in my life over the past couple of months.  I use this as an outlet to let people know what's going on with me and hopefully get insight on it from others. 

I have to save my fingers for work later so I will abruptly end this.  STOP

11-2!!  Super Bowl Bound!!

-2andababy

A case of the weeklys.

Another busy day for me due to the lack of participation from my "co-worker".  I use that term loosely because you have to actually work to be considered a true co-worker.  This will be brief so bear with me. Our warehouse guy (my wife and I call him Kuntry Eddie) has an attendance problem.  I  am not sure if it is something that has plagued him since elementary school but I am aware it is happening  in his adult life.  Now, KE is a decent worker when he is "available" but that is the key . . . when he's available.

Today, it's about 18 degrees outside and anybody with ears and eyes can see that this has been in the works since about mid-last week.  Why . . . please tell me, would you do repairs on your vehicle and put water in the radiator?  This is a major component of your engine and can cause you grief if it overheats or gets too cold.  So, water freezes at about , what?  32 degrees?  As I mentioned it is 18 this morning!!  Well,  KE is at home because if his incompetence and lack of motivation when it comes to working.  Notice  I said  nothing about not  getting a paycheck because for some odd reason, he has an unlimited supply of "sick time" and will still get paid for this fiasco.  My wife and I have often pondered if he is on drugs, due to the lack of ever completing a 40 hr work week in the 3 yrs I have been with this company.  If anyone can shed light on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.  I think it's meth (those commercials frighten me) but I am not familiar with the antics of a real life meth addict, all I know are crack and heroin addicts, weed heads and alchys. 

Well, I have to go because whenever KE is not at work I have to do my job plus his.  Not that I don't enjoy zipping around the warehouse on a forklift narrowly avoiding knocking over racks and boxes; it's just I don't want to have to do it everyday!  I would say this is a FML moment, but hey, at least I have a job that pays!

-2andababy

Oh yeah, I almost forgot . . .

Rah, Rah, Rah . . . Go Falcons!!  11-2!!!

I LOVE fried hot dogs!

A dirty grill has more flavor!

Well, it's the weekend and most people don't blog or even read blogs on weekends. . . so I will take a phrase from another blog I like to follow- here's my Half-Assed Weekend post.

Yesterday, I did NOTHING and loved it!  My sister spent the night on our sofa (sorry, sis) and took the oldest little one out all day. It was cool, i guess . .. I wasn't there but it seems like they had a good time. At least I was able to keep up with her whereabout while they galavanted throughout the city via Foursquare (Big Brother for social geeks).  My wife allowed me to sleep for almost 3 hours yesterday-uninterrupted and I love her for that.  I mean she didn't allow the little, bitty one wake me up.  Except for the when she attempted to take my socks off and smell my feet but, it did not deter my mission.  Other than that . . . it was pretty uneventful, we just sat around watching old movies on Netflix and relaxing-it was great.

Well, this morning, I realized we were out of milk, eggs and need to get somethings for the oldest daughter to take to school this week for the "gingerbread building" party they are having next week (don't worry, if I can make it, I will take pics and share-possibly my first picture blog).  So as I make my way through the aisles of the local Wally World, I come to a shocking revelation .  . .. the little blue handbaskets they give you are not big enough for my essentials!!  Now, don't get me wrong, I am not one that says bigger is better or that you need more than what you can carry but follow my logic folks.  I went to pick up among other things, a gallon of milk and a carton of eggs (nothing less than 18 large- my girls eat like 13 yr old boys).  I get the milk and trot over to the egg section and realize they won't fit comfortably in the basket!!  Why not?!  Most of the time when you make a market run, what are you going to get?  Well, sanitary napkins, contraceptives, tissue and chocolate don't count . . .nor does beer because there is ALWAYS room for beer.  But a person with children knows that you always run out of milk and eggs before anything else . . . why not make the little basket slightly longer to fit the eggs and the gallon of milk?  I really hope that Wally World doesn't change this because I already feel they are a major part of the fleecing of our middle class but that will not be a topic on any of my blogs.

Anyway, I got the eggs and the milk and all is well.  Now to eat my breakfast and get my mind prepared for pre-game and later all day NFL.  I love  Sundays . . . the Titans were on Thurs (notice I didn't say they played) so today I can focus all my efforts on my "new" team the Atlanta Falcons.  I hope they win, I need some motivation for this week . . . it's gonna be a cold one!  Thanks to Bob in Alberta, for the Arctic Blast we are experiencing down here .. . 13 degrees in December  . . . in Georgia!?!?!?

Oh well, have a good one folks . . . as promised.

Go Falcons!

-2andababy

Time to tip over the boat.

First of all, i just wanted to let you all know I have been attempting to start this entry for at least 5 minutes.  But I had to re-bandage my index finger from the lethal injury I sustained on Monday (mental note/word to the unwise: don't try to clean scissors by hand).  Ok, finger is ready, let me proceed.

 *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

As I sit here sipping on my hot cocoa and reflecting on last night, I wonder when is it time to give up and jump ship?  For those that do not know or can not decipher from the design, I am a huge Tennessee Titans fan.  Last night, they played another horrible game against A Team Whose Name We Cannot Say and lost of course.  So, today, I march my happy little self into work with my team sweater on proudly supporting them in their time of distress.  Of all people, my boss LT (low talker) says, "Oh, so you are STILL supporting them?"  (or at least that's what it looked like she said when I read her lips) and she chuckles.  She goes on about how she caught a glimpse of the game last night (apparently the parts where we looked terrible-wait, that was the entire game) and was wondering if I was still gonna be a fan.  Hell yeah, I am!   Her closing remarks were, "Well, I still think their colors are pretty and they look good on the field."  Are you serious?!!?  Football isn't about looking pretty and having nice colors. . . .  it's about being menacing, cold-hearted, mean spirited and victorious. 

SO AT THIS TIME I DECLARE : It is time for Head Coach Jeff Fisher to resign.  He has been a great coach and an asset to the Titans for the past 14 years (longest tenured coach with a single team in NFL -currently), but the fire isn't there anymore.  He has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball but refuses to utilize them to the fullest and experiment with options or even divert away from the "run game".  I am no sports analyst or even a former athlete but I am a fan and I know football.  That in itself . . .  makes me an expert.


Also, I have never been a bandwagoneer but I feel it's time to turn over a new leaf.  As a current and 10 yr resident of metro Atlanta, GA *ahem*  I, 2andababy, wholeheartedly declare that I will support the Atlanta Falcons for the remainder of the season.  I will root for them as they march towards their NFC title and travel to TX for the Super Bowl. Will I purchase any team paraphernalia?  NO!  But I will talk about them in sports circles, blogs and such.  I will also end all of my blog entries from now until the end of the current NFL season with (oh, you have no idea how much pain this is causing me)  . . .

Go Titans Falcons!!!

 

 

 

 

 

-2andababy

Speak Up!

I will make this brief.  It seems like all the women in my life that I am obligated to listen to talk low.  I mean really?  My boss has the softest voice in America, even when she attempts to amplify it .  Honestly, does she really expect me to hear her through her office, past the conference room, into my cube, over Pandora, my loud keyboard pecking and this ancient laserjet printer?!!?  I have a hard enough time hearing her standing in her face!!  She's a low talker (thanks Seinfeld).  Additionally, my wife and oldest daughter have the uncanny ability to have the most to say to me when I am in the kitchen, with the dishwasher going, washing clothes and with the tv on in the other room. Oh, and to make matters worse . . . feelings get hurt when I look confused and ask them to speak up or repeat what they just muttered.  My wife usually tends to say "don't worry about it" and my daughter is starting to catch on and just walk away.  I just don't understand why they can't amplify their voices so they can be heard.  That's why I appreciate the lil one so much (19 mos.) she is small but she makes sure she is heard over all that is going on.  In those rare occasions when you don't hear her . . .she gets in your face and makes you aware of her presence. 


-2andababy

What would you do?

Georgia man turns down NFL for railroad job  | ajc.com

As much as I love (American) football and wouldn't mind being even on the practice squad or possibly just get a job at the NFL . . . I really think his decision was a good one. It shows that there are times when you have to be selfless and more practical about your decisions in life. I usually don't do multiple post but I saw this entry and wanted to share it with other people outside of my facebook family. I mean . . . a chance at being on a Super Bowl team?!?! I don't know how much money he is making at the railroad but he is passing up the chance to make at least $300k (i guess it is prorated per game). So with 4 games left in the regular season and the Jets making the playoffs either wild-card or whatever . . . . that's about $80k!!! I still understand his decision and wish this story was something young students and children growing up in today's society were exposed to. It is not always about the money . . . stability, family, responsibility a foundation goes farther than a large bank account.

-2andababy

P.B.J.E.*

I spoke with someone this morning and they were complaining about their job.  What's new?  Of course, "in this economy" most employers are aware that their "slaves" will take what they can get and not complain.  Right?  Wrong.  We complain, often it's just not to the people that can change anything.  Normally it's to our friends, co-workers, significant others, blogs, Twitter, FB, etc.  But what are we really complaining about?  The fact that we are working or the fact that we are overworked. Or is it the fact that the people that we work for and with just get on our damn nerves!?!?  Well, in the instance this morning, it was the latter.  Don't misconstrue my meaning, I don't always LOVE or even like the people I work with but I have come to accept the fact that, they are who they are- just co-workers and I don't have to live with them.  I do what I can to make my outside life and activities exciting and enjoyable enough to not even think about those people when they are not around.  All my life I have worked with people of different races, colors and creeds and it really hasn't bothered me.  The person I spoke with this morning said "those people" were reeeeeeaaaaaaallllllllly getting on her nerves and she needs to find something else . ...QUICK!!  I started to feel worried, cause I didn't want her to "go postal" (old eighties phrase) at her job-especially with my child in the building.  This also got me thinking . . .  where else would you go that you would not have to deal with "those people" and them getting on your nerves?  EUREKA!!  The idea hit me like Robinson hit Jackson (don't worry he's okay now).  Why not create equally comparable employment for people to work and feel comfortable in their surroundings?  It's not the same premise as the HBCUs but I coined it *PBJE* (Predominately Black Jobs & Employers) . . . it's genius!!  Okay, really folks, I'm just playing but I put it out there to say . . . deal with it.  You will always encounter people of different races, religious beliefs, with different hygiene practices, no common sense, no street sense, lower educational status, etc.  that's what makes us who we are.  If everyone was the same and did things the way we wanted them to do it, we would all be robots!  And furthermore, who would decide who we should follow or what person's preferences are the status quo?  Let's just learn to co-exist in our society, jobs, homes, entertainment or whatever.  This is not saying allow people to take advantage of you and belittle you but stand your ground.  Let people know who they are dealing with and what you will and will not accept. Once the grounds rules are established, I assure you their approach will be better and less nerve-wrecking for you overall. 

-2andababy