Roddick- Another Disappointment
June 29, 2008
Last week I had high hopes for Andy Roddick at Wimbledon, but once again he let me down, despite his rediculously super-human fast serve. But I’m still amazed at the level of tennis with each match. I’m curious to see if Federer wins this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t.
Sometimes I wish I’d started playing tennis at a young age so I could do it for a living, but I guess that’s not too common for middle-class small town America. Wouldn’t it be great to play tennis for a living? Unfortunately I’m considered too old now, so I’ll just stick to my Monday night league.
In more important news, Roz rolled in to town last night and this time we don’t have to say goodbye at the airport. She now lives here and will be my permanent roommate come September 6. I think I’m going to like this setup.
Countdown to September 6
June 23, 2008
After a three-hour flight delay in Birmingham Friday night, I finally arrived in Washington, DC to procede with my plan to propose to Roz. Everything went as hoped and she agreed to marry me at 1 am Saturday morning. Then as soon as she said yes and we took a couple pictures, the rain came down. We were fortunate it held off for so long. It’s been a perfect weekend and I can’t thank Michael and Hayden enough for preparing the site. So it’s official, Forester is getting married to a woman that’s custom-made for me. Regardless of the 3 hour delay Friday and 2 hour delay Monday, I still love Southwest Airlines. I was able to spend one extra day with Roz for only $14.
Here’s To You…
June 19, 2008
As I drove to work today, I had to turn the radio up when I heard the “Real Men of Genius” commercial on the t-shirt launcher inventor. Have you heard this one? I like the line “so simple anyone can operate it, after a background check, a training course, and a five-day waiting period. We know you’ll give us the shirt off your back, at 180 feet per second.” Actually, I like all of the “Here’s to you…” commercials. I have an idea for one. It would be called “Here’s to you Mr. Wave Starter-upper.” If you’ve been to a football or baseball game when drunk guys are trying to get the wave started, you’ll understand–especially when one of them brings a whistle to direct everyone.
I don’t endorse Anheuser Busch products, but their commercials in this series are hilarious. Below is a link to the t-shirt launcher inventor. If you’ve been to an NBA game, you’ll completely get this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euuVCieBZvY
Seinfeld Returns to Birmingham
June 16, 2008
Just two weeks ago I said to myself, “when Jerry Seinfeld comes back to B’ham, I’m going.” We’ll a few days later I heard he was coming so I bought tickets today. I am pumped, but I don’t think Rozlynn is as excited as I am–I don’t know why. I’ve heard he puts on a good show. And since 80% of the conversations between my brothers and me are Seinfeld related, it should be good.
One of my favorite routines he does is the bit about how women basically think all men are the same. That’s why at weddings they all wear the same clothing–tuxedos. And the preacher marrying them doesn’t say “Do you take (insert name) to be your husband…?” He says, “Do you take this man…?” If he can’t do it, all the groomsmen shift over one step and she can marry the next one.
40 Hour Work Week
June 15, 2008
I, like many people, feel there’s just not enough time to do all I’d like. And I know when I have a family it will only get harder. Do we have Henry Ford to thank for this 40-hour work week? If so, he probably saved us from having it even more hours.
Ever since I’ve been employed full-time I made a conscious decision that I wouldn’t get in the habbit of working too much. I believe in hard work, but it’s not my priority. I try to keep a balanced life and I knew when I had a wife and kids that they will be my priority and I will not be gone from them unnecessarily. Too bad many of the jobs that don’t require additional hours of work don’t pay as much. I’ve been blessed with good employment but recently turned down a job that I wanted very much because it didn’t pay enough–nowhere near enough. Great benefits, vacation days, sick days, everything. What’s a man to do?
This is why something like real estate intriques me. Leaving home at 7 am and getting home at 6 pm isn’t something I plan to do for a long time. If I must, then I will, but that doesn’t leave me the time I want for other important things. I do believe in working hard up front, knowing it’s temporary and will allow me easier life down the road–I’ve done that many times. But these people I’ve worked with who think they are hard workers just because they spend many hours at the office are just suckers. If I don’t have to be there, I’m out doing something else worth-while, but I make sure I complete all my duties at work. Regardless, as Roz says, “work will always be there.” And as Opie Taylor once said, “Why do anything today when you can do it tomorrow.” Just kidding on that one.
I’ve thought about this a lot lately. My dad was telling me of an article he read about the working folks in China. They generally work many more hours per week than we do. That doesn’t impress me. But, once again, we do what we have to do in order to live.
I bet this has been on the minds of many of my law school friends since many of the firms that pay well expect you to work 80+ hours per week. Is that an accurate statement brethren?
“Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” Campaign
June 12, 2008
This plan Newt Gingrich is promoting is brilliant. We as a country have got to become energy-independent. I paid $3.94/gallon this morning and that’s some of the cheapest in town. I know some of you are paying well over $4.00/gallon already. Gas shot up .16 cents in one day here. Newt is a wise man and I enjoy his books. Too bad he gets a bad rap from most of the media.
This campaign outlines sensible solutions like accessing the 1 trillion barrels of shale oil in the Rocky Mountains, with 800 billion barrels fully recoverable, which is three times the current oil reserve in Saudi Arabia.
I could go on and on about this, but I think these gas prices anger us all. I hate that I drive 47 miles to work each way, even though I love my job. I’ve got to do something different. I fully support this movement and can only hope that enough Americans direct their outrage towards eliminating continued rising fuel prices in our country.
Here is the link: http://newt.org/tabid/193/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3494/Default.aspx
This explains it all and has a video. Don’t be a liberal and just sign the petition. And if you’re hesistant, just think, Chuck Norris supports it! Speaking of Chuck Norris, here is a funny Norrisism: “Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Chuck Norris instead decided to punch his way out of his mother’s womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.”
8 Years Ago Today…
June 10, 2008
I was a groomsman in my buddy Derek’s wedding in Littleville, AL. You ever done something as an adult that you were embarrassed about? I have. Derek, especially his wife, likes to remind me of how we (the groomsmen) decorated his car all nice and purty during their wedding reception at a local Baptist Church. Once we had written various things on the glass and attached various objects to the car, I decided to hop in the front seat and drive it to the other side of the church where a huge crowd of people was gathered for Derek and Laura. As I drove up, I honked the horn of that red Mustang a few times. My timing was a little off because they were in the middle of saying the blessing on the food (no wonder they were all quiet and still).
They will never let me forget that, and Derek says paybacks are rough. I don’t know when that will be but he’s been looking forward to it for many years. Fortunately I don’t have any pictures of that decorated car. Anyone that comes to their home can see it in their wedding album though. Congrats on making it 8 years.
Nadal is Still Perfect at French Open
June 9, 2008
Each time I see Federer, Nadal, Djokovich, Blake, and a few others play tennis I’m blown away. I can not believe Nadal whooped Sir Roger so badly yesterday. He is only 22 so he has a few more excellent years of playing. In my opinion, these guys’ matches are more entertaining than even the greats of old–Becker, Connors, McEnroe, Lendl, Borg, and even Sampras and Agassi. Their hit speed and power is unbelievable. I speculate it’s due to athletes are just bigger now, due to working out methods, supplements, and improved racket technology. One day I will have a tennis court at my house.
Moving to the NBA Finals; it’s a no-brainer that LA will win game 3 at home. Does anyone want to bet against me on this? I don’t care who wins, but game 3 is an easy one. I was a little surprised to see Boston take both games at home, but that’s pretty common. I’m not sure who will become the World Champions (I don’t know how they can say that considering they don’t play anyone outside North America), but it will be a good series and will go 7 games.
A friend of mine, Damon, took an interesting trip to Haleyville and north Alabama yesterday. If you’re interested in where I’m from, check out his blog. You’ll enjoy his posts. http://feodem.blogspot.com/
Relaxing Picture
June 8, 2008
Isn’t this a good picture?
I hated to take Roz to the airport today. She originally came here for a job interview and ended up staying 10 days. It was a good change of plans, but I didn’t enjoy seeing her so sick. She fought thru it though. Hopefully I’ll see her within two weeks.
Beadangled Gifts & Roz’s Recovery
June 6, 2008
I’m posting this because a good friend of mine has her own little business of making jewelry in her home. I saw some of it recently and was impressed (and I mean that in the most heterosexual way possible). I like someone with a creative and entreprenurial spirit, so I’m always intriqued when someone starts their own business doing something they enjoy. Of course the trick is to make money at it. If you have any questions, send her an e-mail. Her name is Linda, and hopefully she doesn’t mind me promoting her business. www.beadangled.etsy.com
I have good news about Rozlynn (picture)–she got out of the hospital Wednesday afternoon and is making progress. Her recovery will probably take several weeks/months, but she’s doing better. I will hate to see her leave on Sunday. At least she’ll be back sometime this summer….. don’t know when yet. What’s most important is that she recovers from this mono.
Her mom has been here with us this week taking care of Roz. Between my mom and hers, she was in good hands. She fixed dinner each night and made me lunches. God bless her. We’ve had a good week even though Roz has been sick. Peggy will leave us tomorrow morning. Guess I’ll go back to fixing my own food again.