24 June 2008

Yes, wow, it has been a looong time. I know my fans are impatient, but loyal, so here goes the latest that I can remember mostly due to the fact that I turned 31 this month. Yes, and for those that are geared-up to drop a comment, just remember that I buy most of you birthday presents!! On a sad note, I will pay my respects to my wife's grandfather, who passed away last month suddenly. The amount of loss that I observed suffered from one family was a sure testament to the man that he was. A life lesson I suppose to enjoy each day to the fullest, even in foreign countries with 'swamp ass'. (haha)
For my birthday, my wife took me to Boston, MA, for the weekend. It was a blast. For those that haven't been, please get up there, and take me again with you. Friday we hit up the aquarium, and then Cheers. My favorite part of Cheers was texting my buddy that I had to take a huge crap in the bathroom...take that Norm!! Saturday, we took the Boston DUCK TOUR, and then visited one of the greatest places on earth....the Samuel Adams Boston Lager factory!! See attached photo. And yes, I had free beer of course, and bought my brother a 'perfect pint' glass, which he will get and receive explanation about same when he returns next month. We never got into Fenway due to private tours, but drank in a pup outside it (close enough I think). Saturday night we ate dinner atop the Prudential building at 52 stories high. We had dinner with the view of the city around us...pretty sweet!!
When I returned, my wife's brother had his baby girl, and we got over to see little Lilliana (spelling). This name came to some (T-bone) as a shock since she has been struggling for girl names with big Joe. I am sure they will pick a great name if they get that 1/2 of the coin soon. She is quite pretty and also quite the screamer...big lungs on that girl. I told Mike that he should check on the mailman, since his daughter is way too cute to have come from his loins (joke).
Last Friday was a great night of music when the wifey and I got to see Pearl Jam in Camden, NJ. For those who haven't gone, they put on a crazy show, and come highly recommended. It brought me back to my younger days when I couldn't stand Pearl Jam, and busted my brother's balls for listening to such non-metal music. Things sure come fully around the circle I suppose. The same weekend the US-side of the family went up to Mer's house to celebrate. The little girls are getting very big. Shannon is very similar each time, but Sloane is on the juice I think. I have never seen a baby get so large so quickly. We had a bench off, and I just barely won. Both received 110% of my time and attention as they well deserved!!
Lastly, my wife and I bought a new (used) car this evening and then bought a new back door for our house, since the old one is in NEED of replacement. The car is a Ford Explorer to be utilized only to bring this family and puppy (see photo of same beast) around when it is needed. The Chevy will be used on all other occasions in order to save on the petroleum costs. The Ford is a sweet vehicle to drive though, I must admit.
To Patrick, I cannot wait to see you. You look fierce with HUUGE arms in your recent pictures. I don't think you do any running over there, just bicep curls!! I cannot wait to have a beer with you, and relax a little in your company. I have saved seeing Indiana Jones to when we can both go see it. You are missed, come home soon!! GOODNITE ALL, ENJOY THE PICS.

15 May 2008

So, I'm back baby! I know I am a terrible so called 'blogger' but I save up for the juicy news...or at least I'm going with that. To be honest, not too much has happened in the past few weeks.

I'll start with the obvious and the old-school...my house. The wifey and I finally mustered the strength to go to a nursery and buy some small 'shrubbery' (feel free to scream if you get the pun from Monte Python) and 1.5 yards of mulch for our new retaining wall. See attached photos of same, plus the puppy asleep on his new bed...Poland Spring water bottles. I think the front of the casa finally looks like it has 'curb appeal'. The next project is replacing the wood around my two garage doors and freshly painting the wood and my window panels.

The week before we also hit up New Hope, PA, for the wifey's brother's wife's baby shower. Yes, I thought a few times about admitting that on here, but there were also about six other "can we call ourselves guys now" there. It seems there are a lot of expecting mothers surrounding me in my circle of trust these days...thus far I am managing to dodge that train. I can always fall back on the fact that I attended the shower for the outstanding cake and food...it was amazing food.

A cool side note police-related story. Last week I investigated a nice domestic 'incident' at one of our rest areas. It started as follows: we get a call that there is a female bleeding from her head with no shoes in one of the rest areas. I respond alone and search the rest area, and find the 'victim' by the phones. She has a gold ball-sized lump on her left eye and a softball-sized lump on her left cheek. The basic story is that she and a man friend got into a verbal argument, and he tried to flee the scene in her car. She attempted to hold on to the drivers-side opened door until he shoved her from the car...causing her to fall and receive the above injuries. She could have gotten really hurt if her head didn't soften the blow, hahaha. He leaves the State, but later returns to get charged. Allegedly, she started the beatings within the car while it was moving, and she got charged too. The couple in the car have a child together, and the same male and his fiance (a separate woman) have a child together, and the whole argument started over jealously of the second relationship...D.R.A.MA.!!

I am going to finalize this blog, and get ready for work. To my brother: the photos and the stories are always great, and I am glad to hear that you feel like a soldier again. I cannot put myself in your shoes, but I think I know how you feel. Be safe as always, and send more 'heeled shoes' shots...the old ones are starting to bore me over here. Laters...

29 April 2008

Well, hope everyone is doing well out there all over this world. I just am dropping a quick memo to update today's activities basically. Most of you out there won't get the point of this blog, but hopefully Patrick will read it soon and enjoy. Before I start, I am wishing myself a happy anniversary for today is my three (3) year anniversary with the SP. Call it a 'pat on the back' if you will, but I am proud.
So, I met up at LaSalle College High School today with Mark Z for career day there for the Sophomores up to Juniors. We were there to discuss the career of law enforcement. You would not recognize the school...looks more like a college, except the kids look even younger and 'punk-ish'. From what I remember of High School, the guys were much bigger...that or I was just so damn tiny. I saw Mr. "C" in the hallway and told him hello from you. Mr. Jackson sat in on our presentations, and I think you had him for History or something. He sends his best to you. A couple of side notes: Mr. Bloh is still there, as is Mr. Guillespi and Mrs. Poinisiac for chemistry. Little Brian Z is a freshman there, and told me they have the volleyball net up in the "PIT". Remember when students could smoke there...my things have changed. Walking out of there made me think of all the times I drove with you in the blue Honda. Anyway, if I think of anything else that I can recollect, I'll add it to this blog.
On a final note, I finally got your watch in from Casio, and will be mailing it out (with a few things along with it) to you this Friday. If there is anything you can think of that you need, just respond to this blog and I'll add it to the list. As always, be safe and see you soon....
I'm sure you heard the great news about our baby sister...wow, how people change/grow!!

20 April 2008

Well, just like my brother, I will start with an apology for the gap in my posts. I'm back, baby! This weekend was a doosey...starting Friday night, Tina and I met up with her brother and expecting wife for dinner. Afterwards, we walked up the street to grab some ice cream. I don't know if it was a combo of seafood and dairy, but I had a mini-emergency at the ice cream parlor. When I came back out to leave the parlor, the lady who was working there forgot that I was back there...perhaps it took me a bit longer than 'my usual business elapsed time'. Saturday, I painted my porch and did some caulking. I haven't realized in a while what a pain in the 'arse' it is to tape before painting intricate items. Tina and I then hit up the city, where we watched our first Phills game of the season. The weather was picture perfect to say the least, although the fighting Phills lost in the end. Saturday night we headed into Trenton to watch the Guns Vs. Hoes charity boxing matches, where a few of my buddies put their bodies to 'the distance'. Tina immediately forbid me from next years matches...shocker, yeah I know! Today I cut my grass, which was a little over normal standards. I finished some more caulking before I put down the second coat of paint on my porch this week. Tina and I then mustered the strength to hit up the gym...if my brother can get a workout in the worst of conditions, the least I can do is push my body a little at the end of the day.

It is a long week of working ahead of me, but I wanted to drop a blog for my 'blog groupies', haha. The three pictures attached above are as follows: Two of Bodhi of course at his new size/weight, and a picture of me at my beautiful mother's birthday party. Everyone be safe, and see you soon. Patrick, (just for the record) I really paid no attention to your email labeled blog. You are going to pretty much get whatever email and care packages I send, and we can discuss your thoughts when you return, haha. A special 'be safe' to you, and remember you are missed over here every day. On an end note, the clearer picture of you and the "NOVA" jersey up the mountain is sweet...thanks!

31 March 2008

Wow, almost April...winter went fast. Well, the weekend was the biggest and newest part of my life, so I will focus there. My neighbor, Chris, and his father-in-law, who is a master carpenter, were willinging to help me fix up my front porch, which has been bothering me for months. Chris and I went to Lowe's this week past, and gathered up all the supplies...specifically about "seven-hunge" worth....$700 for the lame white people out there whose ears are not in tune with the 'streets'. I had to tell myself that it would be much more expensive to have this installed, haha. Sunday morning we three tackled the task, and six-ish hours later my home looks amazing from the front at least. I only have to get grass to grow in my front yard, and add all the little bushes to the retaining wall. Attached are the photos of the completed project (minus some painting of course).

The day(s) before were typical for the Turnpike except for the phone call that I got a telephone call from a Hawaii area code, which turned out to be my big brother. Besides the time delay, it was really a great 25-ish minutes. I kinda felt like I was calling "Stern", and had to turn down my radio. FYI Bill, I figured out how to send the Stern to Pat, so if you want any of them, supply your address to my email, or an email address that accepts larger files. It was great to hear that he enjoyed the care package not only from us, but many others who have shown their support. It was so great to hear his voice, and joke around, as what is pretty much standard during our talks/greets. I think I immediately turn into a 14 year old when I pick up the phone. He eventually had to go since when it was mid-day here, it was 11:30pm there, and he stated specifically that he needed his 'beauty rest'. I think my next care package, I'll send some cucumbers to put on his eyelids, haha.

And on that note, it is around 11:30 here, and I too need my rest. I will add here that I missed my brother's anniversary, and will be calling MK tomorrow in order to celebrate that date in history. Be safe, send more photos, keep your eyes off those 'heels' over there, and call again when you can...it was appreciated.

Nite.

17 March 2008

So, yes you guessed it, I am posting a St. Patty's Day Post. So, what else is new for this week? The week was usual at work, except for a few good arrests I made. Life on the PIKE is like a rollercoaster...lots of boredom and then some short-lived excitement. Recently, we got a call about a male suffering from a possible seizure headed southbound. I was driving northboud, and for those that are not familiar, the PIKE is divided by a 4 ft. high concrete median barrier that keeps TTs (Tractor Trailers) and people from killing each other when they drive like morons. Upon my arrival northbound, I observed the driver passed out behind the wheel in the left lane of travel. I quickly hurdled the barrier, dragged him out of the car, and moved his vehicle into the shoulder. It turns out he was almost 3 times the legal limit, and had decided to park in the left lane of the PIKE to take a nap....smart.

The weekend turned out to be pretty chill. After working Friday night, I got to see the little sisters, and have a few pints for the Irish in our family...I think I drank for the three of us, haha. It was back to work Sunday, and tonight for a DWI Supp. It may seem like a shot at my mom (inside joke), but I do like the longer daylit days, and the warmer weather. We were very lucky thus far with snow, and the cold weather.

Before I go, one last funny story. The other day during a bad wind storm (Yes, I am sure the wind storms over there are much worse big brother), we lost a piece of siding to my house. It is small enough for me to fix, but my roof is very pitched. After chicken-ing out a bunch of times, I finally decided I was simply being a 'scaredy cat' (spelling?) and climbed up and onto the roof. I literally got about 5 feet up before I started sliding cliffhanger style towards the ladder. I had to grasp onto the end shingles to stop my descent. Without saying, that was my last attempt at that part of my roof. I am going to climb up and around next time, haha. Glad to be alive...Laters!

As always, be safe bro, and let me know your thoughts on your package when it arrives soon!! Enjoy the two recent pup pics...15ish weeks old, about 36 lbs, and 110% "a terror".

10 March 2008

I just got back from the VET and the Station, where all of squad #1 got to meet Bodhi. They loved him. Bodhi got his third set of shots today, and had his left rear leg checked out. He seems to limp on it when it rains, and it is so heartbreaking to watch. We bring him back to the VET tomorrow for his X-rays. The VET seemed positive and as much as we do, he seems to want to diagnose it soon and treat it. The weekend was pretty normal. We had a bad storm with crazy winds here, and a piece of siding flew off of my house. I am going to climb up there and attempt to fix it following this blog posting. I got to see the siblings, bro-in-laws, and my father for lunch. We hit up Rock Bottom, and BS-ed about growing up. My brother came up a lot...two funny stories to highlight are as follows:

The time when my brother went up the mountains with the boy scouts and jumped in front of a toboggan, which caused him to get a concussion. I remember dad getting the call, and his return...took the heat off us other kids for a little, haha.

The second event was back few years, and my brother was cutting the back yard with the ride-on lawnmower. Big brother turned the mower a little too close to the deck, and smashed the lattice under the deck. THEN, he tried to back up, but instead went forward even more, tearing up more of the lattice. He ended up working on the repairs for a while with "Bob Villa" papa Bill.

Good times growing up. Enjoy your weeks, be safe!!