Over saturation point met on Friday. One of those days where absolutely nothing goes right. I got out of bed and stepped into a bear trap. Well, to put it more accurately, there was a bear waiting for me when I woke up. It said I have to say something that will ruin your whole day. (a poetic bear is still a bear, mon frere). I assured the bear that it snarls and growls didn't scare, that I was fine and I didn't care. (Zeus! I've got to kill this right now Dr. Seuss!) I didn't feel I had anything to contribute to the ether-world so I passed on post. I showered, and made pretty for the coming day, happy that it was a 5:30 end instead of a 6:30. Holiday hours and overtime were finally done with and we returned to regular store hours and day off rotations on Tuesday the 26th. Well, technically everybody else got back to the regular day off rotations. I arrived at the store early, around 8:10 like I usually do and have since Meredith started 4th grade, and went to the door to be let in with Mike Novak, and Jo. Bruce's car was not there, which we took as a sign the he found a way to Colorado for his scheduled ski trip (being slower after the holiday He was taking much needed r & r; that was on the schedule.) With Bruce gone the duty fell to Jody and Rob to let the employees in. After a few taps on the door glass (each of us taking turns) Rita walked up and joined us outside the portal to employ. Mike called Jody's phone, which rang several times then went to voice mail, he tried again. Same result. I said Rob's truck was in the lot try him (Rob got to take the 26th, 27th and 28th off to be with his family, an exception to the no vacations after Thanksgiving rule, gooses and ganders, and that too was on the schedule, admittedly a rule that does not apply to Bruce or Jody, or Rob I guess, but a rule none the less, right?) Rob's phone (still on DND )goes straight to voicemail, in a moment of inspiration I try Jody's cell, to no avail, it was on his desk next to his regular phone. The time now is 8:22 and we've been tapping, and knocking and banging since 8:10, eager we are to be inside and doing the tasks and duties assigned to us. So I walk down to the metal door that is adjacent to the stairs up to privilege land, and soundly open hand whack it four times. In less than a minute Jody opens that door, surprised that people want to work. Then as a manner of explanation comments that ,"We (he and Rob) were having a great conversation (pesky, trivial employees)." Something I didn't need to hear. Boiling point. Now every little thing is compounding, and I can't ignore or dismiss, I'm trying to be calm outside but still boiling inside, I stock the areas that are my responsibility, notice several short falls in inventory, which I had attempted to set straight a few times, but we have a system in place now to assure that once it's off whack it will always stay off whack and are out of some of the crucial things I am in charge of. Two hours after my first outburst, I snap again, tell Phil I'm leaving, and I'm taking my Saturday off too! If I was singled out, I 'm not putting up with it. If I was overlooked or an oversight, I'm not putting up with that either. After 19 years, and hundreds of oversights and overlooks, I'm not going to just take it this time. I went home. With the anger energy coursing through me I decided to put up the new lights I got for Jenni and the house for Christmas. I did kitchen first, then the bedroom as well, and after three hours on ladders working and wiring overhead the place was illuminated and I was having back cramps and spasms. Anger and energy partially excised, I sat and just scowled for the rest of the evening, until Jenni and I watched "My Super ex-Girlfriend" which lightened my mood enough to sleep.
Chuck © 2006 |

The Dickinson Jazztet Swings into Action; Chuck Pace © 2006
Yesterday's tally faux-pas is now repaired and resurrected. When I calculated the totals before I forgot to apply my own "chase" format. When I had done the redeux I was surprised and pleased to see Kay tied with Rich for the #1 spot. Kay had previously said that she had no chance to beat him because of the bowling league recaps I do. Well Kay, Rich did not throw the biggesest and bestest Christ-fest feast now did he? I think this was the first time DeAnne made the Top ten as well, so she gets a geek magnet for her fridge too (when I get around to making them), I still owe prizes for last quarters finalists too. Time and effort have both eluded me. Speaking of DeAnne, last night she told me that I need to pick up my photos from her now finished gallery show, and there are bonus caged balls in my package, yea! Last night at the Chatterbox, a Wednesday tradition. Jenni, Mel, Rebecca and I were about all of the attendees until about 8 o'clock, when drifters and Dickinson Jazzteters finally started to make a night of the day. Vanessa was our hostess until just around 8:30, when DeAnne arrived and I told her she made the finals and she told me about the caged, wax orbs. Rebecca (also a finalist) and Jenni had started with a business meeting at the Point along with Kathy Harrer (who had the good sense to go home) and after business was finis, moved down to the Box with me and Mel. Mel and I stopped over to the Starbucks to spend some of our holiday bux-card bucks, the it was off to the missus, who left when the getting got good earlier.

Chuck Pace © 2006
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I worked for several hours (while importing CD's into iTunes & playing games intermittently, admittedly) after returning home from a back to normal 5:30 close at work, on the Mention Meter. It wasn't until this morning went I went to format the new meter info that I realized I have the info "straight up", and will have to go back to the 18th as the cut-off point for the "playoff scoring format" so I will be re tabulating, and it will be up and accurate on Thursday. I apologize for the anguish the delay may have caused. Since I worked so hard on this erroneous one I will publish it here today, but don't get too emotionally attached to the numbers, they will be adjusted for playoff format and reset for all mentions after 12/19. Hey I'm only human here, and a holiday zombie too.

Chuck Pace © 2006
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The Official World HQ plaque has arrived. Thanks to Mrs. .com, Chuck Pace © 2006

Was it really only one day off? Was it really Christmas? With such a long string of days on, it seemed like more than one off. I still got up at before 7:30 yesterday. I should have slept in, Jenni did. I thought there was a lot for me to do. As it turns out, the first project I started became an all consuming one. One of the gifts I received from Jenni was the Engraved plaque above. Well when I got up the World HQ was a mess. So I started by throwing away a trash bag full of papers and magazines and just genera detritus. I made a pot of coffee, and kept at it most of the day. We talked our families on the phone, and Jenni heated up a spiral cut ham, which was a hit with the quadrapeds as well as the bipeds. Among the gifts that Jenni got were some new lighting solutions for the house, a couple of months ago Jenni saw some ads from
The festive Lights, Beads and Ornaments at the World HQ parking lot.

the home improvement stores for hanging lights, and asked me if I thought we should finally get rid of the ugly ones that came with the house. So I will be wiring and hanging those over the New Years break. There is also a new ceiling fan lamp assembly with hand blown blue tulip globes for the bedroom. While I'm talking of hanging there is also the sapphire blue pendent that will be seen around Jenni's neck that Santa snuck into the house on Christmas eve, before Jenni and I went to the Chatterbox for Kay's birthday and the unofficial sing a long directed by Jane Pozek. I also wanted to share the lights and ornaments photos that I took early on Christmas morning. I got a couple of CD's I've been missing since David and Meredith went to Florida, a great stadium seat that will come in handy at the nascar races, health and beauty items to make me even more handsome, and the cat in a bag that I ordered for the past few Christmas' but usually got the cat in a box.

The Cat in a Bag was terrific, thanks Santy Claws.
I hope you all had a happy December 25th, I will see you all soon, but if not before next Monday have a Happy New year!

Chuck Pace © 2006
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Saturday and Sunday at the store were both anti-climatic. Most of your last minute customers are dicks anyway, and thankfully the internet has taken much of the "I guess I better buy something or I'll look like a dick," dick contingent away. Still not every dick has the savvy to surf, or the intellect to intel, but when there is no guaranteed overnight or 'before Christmas' delivery available they do surface. Still, from a retailer viewpoint though a few showed up, the 'choice items' were already sold so it's the "buy a whatever was left to avoid looking like a dick scenario, which inevitably has the recipient saying, "You know the Dick just bought what ever was left, or what ever they had to much of so he wouldn't look like a complete dick. That Dick!" From a retailer viewpoint this is actually the best scenario (except for dealing with the dicks) because you can get rid of whatever you had too much of or what ever you feel like selling, as long as the 'premium' items are gone. And trust me it feels so good to tell a last minute buyer, 10 minutes before closing, that you sold the last one two hours ago, or better yet two days ago at 10% below cost. When being in retail strips the last semblance of Christmas spirit from you, the 'you get what you deserve factor' at least lets you feel like at least some things are as they should be.
Merry Christmas to you all, and to all a good night.
Chuck Claus.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Jane practices her sheet music, 'lean and read' form (there is a lot to playing a piano). Chuck Pace © 2006
Did I mention that I get Monday off? The whole day. I work tonight until 6:30, tomorrow until 5:30, Sunday until 3:00, but have the whole day off on Monday (just when I thought I wasn't getting anything for Christmas*). I'll be back downtown at the Chatterbox for the unofficial sing-a-long on Sunday night. There I expect toe see Travis and Liz. you know liz right? She's the one who Married her job, as the best chocolate in town girlie, then she married Travis. She is incredibly busy tis time of year, but then again she's incredibly busy all the time. Brock and Jess are supposed to be in or the holiday as well, and joining the fun at the US-A-L as well. It should be an interesting evening. Jane Pozek will be the person in charge of causing spasmodic movement and laughter at the ivories. Tickle my dear friends, tickle, she is a pianist, and she will be there to bring great joy and amusement to the Christofori's keys for Christmas, not just the same ol' song and dance, my friend. The photo is of Jane and a friend at Wednesday event. If you've only seen Jane on the bench at the piano from inside the Chatterbox Box, then this is a whole other side of Jane. If you are there I'll see you, if not maybe I'll see you, either way I will be on my long Christmas vacation when I'm there, so wish me well (drinks).
Chuck Pace © 2006
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* I should mention that I already got a "sno-baller" from Travis, and a nifty Serge Storms tee and some flower seeds from Kay, lest I appear unappreciative here.

Was Somebody in a hurry to get to the 5 Golden rings table?
Last night over one hundred close friends got together to wish Leslie Mastin happy birthday at the Chatterbox. There was singing, and fellowship, and good company but we never got around to singing the birthday song. It seems like a lot of the people were only there for the Christmas Sing-A-Long, in fact there were people there I've only seen there on Chatterbox sing-a-longs and the place was packed. After the singing was done and Dick Dickinson was setting up for the live jazz portion of the evening several people noticed the Travis had once again gotten one of the choice parking spots right in front. In fact he had two of the choice parking spots, it seems he had a little trouble getting right between the "lines" and made it a little tough to park next to him. Thanks to Daryl Spurlock for the extra muscle. Inside the 'box I got a shot of Cathy Morris chastising Travis for his inconsiderate parking practices. Our host for the evening, and every evening was David Andrichik, who was decked 'like the halls' with Heather
(instead of holly) and Mel. Rich received his annual blessing from Mel, and, thanks to her efforts will be able to walk and sit in a chair again real soon. Kay was seen standing on the bar, with her new Nikon camera that the Roberts Gang (past & present) pitched in to provide for her at her Christmas party, she seems to be getting the hang of it pretty quickly. She was wearing the other present i got for her, an apron the reads "Many Have Eaten Here, Few Have Died" I think she should wear it for the sorority gals, they will love it. Along with Travis, and Mel John David was one of the first "G-Ring singers" there and I got a photo of him doing his I can swallow my own teeth trick. When Rich saw this photo he started laughing so hard he fell off his chair, and we had to get Mel to bless him, as seen in the Tuxedo photo, just to sit and walk again. Now, there are just 4 shopping days before I get a day off. Woo, hoo.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Listening to ''Angels We Have Heard On High'', by Brian Setzer (Play Count: 1).
Rich and I used to go to Charlie and Barnies just about every Tuesday and Mike Wilson started going with us as well. Then, Lunch schedules and things got moved around, and I only went occasionally, but the schedules and the stars have realigned and I have been semi-regularly attending the C&B chili runs again. Yesterday on the way into the mall via the South entrance at Nordstrom we three kings of orneriness are surprised to see the jolly elf handing out candy canes on the second floor. Mike acted like he was tying to avoid him, and we head on to the third floor to make our way over the footbridge and to the Chili emporium. There the talk of retail fills our hearts with joy, as the chili fills our bodies with warmth and energy. A quick enquiry about the time and its decided that we must scurry back if we are to get a chance to see the jolly elf again. Listening to ''Zat You Santa Claus?'', by Brian Setzer (Play Count: 1)

I know this guy from somewhere, maybe he's a fireman. Chuck Pace © 2006
There again is the big man, Kris Kringle, on the second floor, and he calls up to Mike as we descend on the moving stairway. They exchange pleasantries, and I ask if I can get a photo. Suddenly there is a Christmas Tree in the background (was it there before? I can't say yes for sure). There is a mention of Candy Cane, and I think I finally get the connection. I heard there was a Candy Cane working at a west-side gentleman's club, maybe Kris is a bouncer there, because he seemed to know Mike. I took a photo of the jovial elf, and Kris Kringle (if that is his real name) together, then was handed a hook of peppermint from the man in red myself, then the big man said to our big man, "Ho, ho big fella, you don't get away so easily here is a treat for you too," and he hands one of the candy treats to Rich as well. Mike still seems a little embarrassed that this bouncer remembered him with Candy Cane. So we make our way back to the store and then head home as the day rushed by and it was time to leave.
Listening to ''Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'', by Chris Isaak (Play Count: 2)
Tonight is the annual Sing-A-Long at the Chatterbox and I have to hold up my end as one of the five Golden Rings (the only reserved table at the Chatterbox for Christmas sing-a-long), so, merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Momma Mia, That's a spicey Shrimp Boil! Chuck Pace © 2006
Well, Kay never ceases to amaze. There was probably over forty people in the Niedenthal home last night for warm Christmas Cheer. Connie was not the only person to want for a chair a time or two, but nobody was unhappy or uncomfortable. All were welcome, and fed, and filled with joy. Outside the polar bear (that Kay's mother made from paper machete) sang to the copper frogs (You dirty frog, you'll never take me alive, copper! See!) like James Cagney in "Yankee Doodle Dandy." On the driveway Mark Niedenthal was making a spicy shrimp boil. At the front of the house there was a bonfire, and on the deck deck and at the back stoop were the smokers. Inside and out everybody was happy, inside and out. Quotes were quoted from Monty Python and Mel Brooks. Hugs were hugged, stories of past glories were embellished, and all was warm and wonderful.

Spot Light Dance! (You can almost hear the cheesy organ version of Dizzy fro Tommy Roe). Chuck Pace ©2006
Even before Kay called a spotlight dance, (which, judging from the photo was a can,can) she was the star of the night, like a ray of welcoming sunlight warming us all with her glowing presence. The Roberts Gang; Ed & Pam, Rich, Mel, Mike, Jenni and I all got together to buy Kay a better digital camera for her garden and macro photo exploits come spring and greening time. Kay retaliated with Serge wear and stories from one of our (collective group) favorite authors, Tim Dorsey from sunny Florida. Serge Storms is the principle character of Tim's books, and apparently has his own web site now, which Tim administers, which including the on-line store and merchandise. Kay bought both Rich and I t-shirts and also a Coleman hip-flask for Rich to take on his cruise, so he will never have to be too far from his Orange Crush. I also got more beauty from Kay, some flower seeds to put in my garden, so I can have a little (more) of the growing paradise of Kay's yard in mine. Then it was home to watch the Colts busting Bengal butt's and dreams from the 2nd Quarter on, on Monday Night Football.
The next partial update had been done on the mention meter. We're two thirds of the way through November!
Chuck Pace © 2006
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- 3 !

Gravity Feeder, and you thought Gravity never gets hungry. Chuck Pace ©2006

Well since Jenni's been sick for about a hundred years, I thought I was bowling last night. She was in her pajamas all day and we were tottering around the house. At one point she gave me a list of stuff to pick up at the store for her contribution to the "Nothing Better To Do" bowling leagues annual x-mas banquet. While I was out doing that she was in the shower, I took a long way home to get some seat time in the BMW, and found the photo op above, unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so after I delivered the goods for velveeta-peanut butter fudge I grabbed my camera and told her I would be back. When I got home she had the fudge ready to go in the fridge for a bit. I went into the den, downloaded the photos in question and watched some football. At about 6:18 I was wrapping up to go and do my bowl and eat thing, when she stepped into the frame of the door (that had to hurt) and asked if I was going too? This is the first time I have seen her in regular cloths since Thursday when she dressed, and made like to go to work, and ten minutes later was in her 'jammies again and not going to work. So I was ready, pumped, psyched to bowl, and instead sat in the middle of everybody's path, in the way, a total third wheel, with no purpose on earth except to apologize four hundred times and move out of one persons path and into anothers. Jenni did have her best single game, and highest series, so it was good that she came back from the dead to bowl (and it's not even easter) I had too much to eat, and played chauffeur. Tonight is Miss Kays annual Christmas party (it seems like its been a year...) so there is more over eating in my immediate future. Yesterday was the David the Son-in-laws birthing anniversary. Jenni had sent him a care package and talked to the kids several times during her convalescence period. I worked, ate and slept poorly during the same period of time. We all have our roles, pass the rolls.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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11:32AM: So this is my Sunday off before the Christmas day and I have been working on my Mention Meter. I don't really have interesting site content to add here, since I've been at the tabulation of mentions for a couple of hours already. I added ten more days worth of Mention meter updates to the existing MM (I did not format the color codes into the matrix yet, since I'll be adding updates throughout the quarter (then I'll disqualify the family and employees to make the "others" happy). I will do another 20 days worth of counts Tuesday night, so if you want to see where (or if) you stack up, do it now.

I'm starting to feel the effects of 46 and a half years. I have lots of little annoying problems with my corporeal shell, aches, pains, blemishes and (dare I say it? slight) imperfections. After two days of "long hours" at Roberts and not even getting out for lunch, I was hardly in any shape to perform at the bowling alley last night.
The first two warm up balls I bowled slipped off my hand (causing trauma to my thumb) and I was unable to bend far enough to "place" the ball on the lanes. After a couple more, I did manage to bend (without breaking: like a reed in the wind) and start getting a bead on my aim and game. Since I'm currently reading "Born To Kvetch" I complained a lot about my day, which clarified and purified me. I then turned to a long standing and proven recovery system, Beer therapy.
I had a really good entry game and the highest single effort on the team for the evening; 197. The opposition, aptly titled "Damn 10 Pin" shadowed us every step of the way, with their anchor and the President of the Friday Night League, Charles Sallee retaliating with a 204 primary performance. By the time the dust settled we had won the first and third games, but lost the second game by enough to lose total pin count to the upstart youths of our opposition, three of the four bowlers on their team are 82. Any one of their bowlers has more experience than our entire core team. How do you fight that kind of opponent? You bring in your secret weapon, match experience with experience. Scott Proctor was not able to attend the evenings enterprise so we got Will Andrichik to sub. Will made the difference, we would have been hard pressed to match the Damn 10 Pin bowlers with our regular line-up, but with Will, there was a way. He came in with a 158 average, and bowled a 186, 179 and 179 for a 544 scratch series before 99 pins of handicap. We won game 1 by 29 pins, lost game two by 56, and rallied back in the third to win by 18, still falling 9 pins short of series. I dipped below my average by 11 pins in the second game, but also rallied back to have a 175 average for the night (on an already season high 162 league average). Rich started the night with his best effort, a 164 (one pin below his average) and dipped not only his shoulder but his scores further down each game. Jeff Moore had his best effort in game one as well, 165 (11 over his average) bottomed out in the second and crested again just below his established mark in the third to have exactly his league average for the three, a 462 (462/3=154). As is our team mission in bowling we like to have least one opponent have the game of their life or become a superstar every week, well that is hard to do against the overwhelming amount of experience we were up against this week, still, we were able to see Charles have his season high series with a 571; 11 over his seasons previous benchmark. Having accomplished this we saw our work done at the Sport Bowl and headed home to our wives or lives (Will, Jeff and I have wives, Rich has a...). What? You were expecting jokes? Grand mirth? You work 10 hours without a break or even getting a lunch, bowl against the Ubër Elders and then be funny, Mr. Ha, ha pants, or Miss Happy slacks!
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Another Shot from 12/8, John Plasterer on Bongos, Dickinson Jazztet; Chuck Pace ©2006
I got the plates. I ordered the vanity plate that Mel suggested. Then I worked. I came home to Jenni who is still struggling to achieve a condition of wellness that will allow her to work again. She was going to try to work today, but just a few minutes ago she said she is going to call the Doctor today, so I don't know if there is labor in her employment immediacy.
Today is our Nikon Day at Roberts, and we have some real deals on some great cameras. We've been honoring the prices for over a week, but the tech rep and sales rep will be in attendance as well to answer any questions, or make suggestions. The Nikon guys, Greg, Jeff and Jason were in the store last night and called an impromptu Jillian's get together for whoever wanted to attend, I was exhausted yesterday and Jenni was/is still under the weather so I just headed home to see what trouble I could avoid. It turned out to be a quiet night, and I got to see the Smallville episode I missed the night the shift linkage broke on the older BMW (the one that looked like it escaped from a prison camp), so I'm caught up on that score finally. After Smallville I took a long therapeutic soak with cold and sinus mineral salts and started reading the Michael Wex book, Born to Kvetch. Then off to bed to try to regenerate enough for today and tonight at the bowling alley. At 1:16 AM the power went off in half of the neighborhood, Jenni and I both woke up, but don't know why (I had only been asleep for about half an hour anyway, but snorzilla?). The power came back on at 1:30, and all is well (now that we have reprogramed all the clocks). That enough for now my friends and family. See you in the near future, The Great Exhausto out!
Chuck Pace © 2006 |

Pam ogling the Camera instead of holding her licker! I sure he held her later; Chuck Pace ©2006
Last night a select few of us celebrated Pam's birthday at the Chatterbox, it was a belated birthday celebration, since it was actually one solar rotation and one terrestrial rotation combined since her previous birthing anniversary. I had three beers and one car-bomb (which I ordered for Mike Wilson, Eddie, Pam and myself, but which Mike took the liberty of paying for, the scoundrel), played a bit of music on the Jukebox, visited with Pam, Ed, Mel, Kay, Mike, Travis, Glen Bucy, Maggie at Luna, Jon Harmon and Catherine Woods (and Skippy for just a moment on my way out), before heading home to the ailing spouse. That was all good. the much anticipated event was my actually getting the title to the BMW. So this morning I head off to the License branch to make my kleines deutsches Mädchen (little German girl)a legal resident of Indiana and our motorways. It was suggested that I get a personalized plate for the beloved ride, and Jenni and i have been weighing a few possibilities. In fact. Die härteste Sache, die ich gestern Abend tat, war der Versuch, zum der rechten personifizierten Lizenzplatte für BMW zu finden. But I have a few choices to check the availability of, so just maybe.

Dich auf den Autobahnen von meinem geliebten BMW sehen. Einen guten Tag haben.
Chuck heraus.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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So I really should have my title to the car today, 9 days after my temp plate expired. The problem here is that the license branch closes at 5:00, so it looks like I'll be heading that way first ting tomorrow morning, which means I'll be a little tardy in my arrival at casa de camera. At least I will be legal in every sense of the word (automotively speaking).
Jenni's flu took a turn for the worse a couple of days ago, and now she has an inner ear infection to go with the other problems, this causes blondness, and makes her nauseous whenever she shrugs her shoulders and throws her head back an forth at the same time; I'm sorrry I meant to say this causes dizziness. The Dr. forbade her from working today (apparently as long as we pay our co-pays, so he has income incoming, it really doesn't matter to him if we eat, have christmas or pay our other bills).
12/12/2006 was Pam Walkers birthday, and I feel confident that it will be Pam Walkers last birthday. I will be meeting her at the Chatterbox tonight and I will be seeing to it that she is car bombed before the evening is out! It should be a short evening for me then I'm home to my sick-o. That's the plan, but I am in those awkward years where I do just about everything wrong, no matter how much I try. You know that period in a mans' life where he is more prone to misjudgment and mistake. It has a specific name. I might have to google this one or check wikipedia. Well there's not time for that now, but I think its called the married years? or male spouse syndrome, or something like that, maybe it's just husband? Well I'm probably wrong about this too.

Chuck Pace © 2006
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I got the BMW back from Black Forrest Motors just after 3:30 then went back to work, she's happy now that she has a new water-pump and thermostat to regulate her hot flashes. I have not been feeling too good for the last couple of days carrying a retrograde fever, and taking over the counter cold and flu medicines. I've had a fever headache since Friday, but have tried not to let it get in the way of everything. Then yesterday it got worse, but I had to get out in the BMW just because I could. So even with a blistering fever, I stopped at the Chatterbox for a while last night. Brooks, Rich and Mel were there with Ed Sipes when I arrived, Kay made her usual Monday appearance as did Maryann Beuke and Jody F. After David took the crew (Rich, Mel, Ed, Brooks and myself) to the storage room in renovation Rich scheduled the bowling rotation for David, Jenni and I through the rest of the Sunday league. Travis popped in and we all enjoyed a quite evening (crowd wise), Rich Travis and Ed had the good sense to go home, and Mel and I stayed, shared some pretzels and talked to DeAnne and Nicci, and Cathy Morris who was there to meet up with Jane and Derry. I took some shots of Peter Kienle which I have already e-mailed to him this morning. Mauvene popped in on her way to Madame Butterfly in full kabuki makeup. Soon it was time to leave, so I left.
At home after a recount of the evenings enterprise with Jenni I headed o bed. An hour later I awoke with a 102° fever and a splitting fever headache. I took two Midrin, and two rapid release capsules, got a baggy full of shaved ice and slept on the couch with the ice bag on my head.
So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it (like the sheets when you have a 102° fever). So it's off to work again with a fever and headache, and I should be getting the title for the BMW today, so all is right with the world, 47° outside, 100+ inside (me). Have a good day, fight the good fight, and get home safely to your loved ones, and I'll see you later. Deal?

Chuck Pace © 2006
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Well, I enter the long nights of retail. The Dash to the Holidays. We add an extra hour per day and Sundays for the next two weeks, and I have the next Sunday off and the final Thursday before Christmas day. We even work until 3:00 on Christmas Eve. The overtime is good, the bonuses and vendor spiffs too, but the fatigue factor is usually overwhelming. Speaking of overwhelming, how about those Colts, rarely will you see a team go into total collapse so completely. They allowed the second most single game rushing yards in NFL history with 377 (though there were two merciful kneel downs at the end that should erase at least 2 of those) with their defense that is porous on its best days. Yesterday was not porous, it was a like laying out a row of sand bags to stop a tsunami. They are the first team since 1984 to allow 100 yard rushing from every opponent in a single season, I don't remember who the auspicious team was in '84, but I can almost guarantee that they didn't win their division or 11 games or make the post season.
In other news I should be picking up my car from the repair station later today sometime before 5:30, and if you were expecting a christmas present from me, well it is going to be the joy of seeing me driving my own car that I will be spreading to my friends this season, since the repair has tapped all my reserves, until next payday which hits on the 23rd. Joyous joy.
Sunday Night: I had my bowling rotation again last night, and every game over average. I had a team high (at the time) of 188 in the second game and finished the evening with a 173 per game average, 15 per over my league average. However Rich managed to grab team high score with a 210 in the final game. We won two and series taking 6 points, but the real story here is that we created another superstar on the other team Christina Drabic who had never had a 500 series, had her career night. She bested her highest score by 6 pins, and finished with a 517, congrats glad we were there to make the difference.
See you all soon my friends, and I'll be seeing all my family soon too, if only in my dreams.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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I will be getting to the mention meter as soon as I get two hours of uninterrupted computer time, and the prizes from the last one are coming too, I promise.

I'm so hot for her, I'm so hot for her,
I'm so hot for her, but she's so cold.
I'm the Burning Bush,
I'm the Burning Fire, I'm the Bleedin' Volcano,
Yeah I'm so hot for her, I'm on Fire for her, I'm so hot for her
But She's so c,c,cold.
So I wake up this morning with "She's So Cold" from the Rolling Stones album Emotional Rescue playing in the atrium. of my cerebellum. Of course it's because I'm living it right now, the words, the situation. I really do need Emotional Rescue. I'm crying in the Night, Over you, I'll come to your emotional rescue. I was Dreamin' in the night how you'd be mine, I was crying like a child, how you'd be mine, mine, mine mine mine all mine.
So I start the morning by typing the first part of those lyrics into the post. Well that's not good enough, so I throw the album (CD) into the player and go to Track 8, "Emotional Rescue" which precedes "She's So Cold", and I hit disc repeat, and I'm ready to get back to the post. Where was I , oh yeah, living it. It seems my little German Girl does not like the cold. She was raised in Florida, and never got to wake up to a 9° morning. I let her run in the drive for awhile, before attempting to driver her to work. Well 5 miles into the trip I was not getting any heat from the vents or ducts, and she was getting dangerously close to the red zone. I pulled over in a parking lot and called Jenni, told her to bring me a Starbucks Coffee (I was frozen) and come to me. I let her cool down in the engine compartment, drank some of my java, and told Jenni to follow me to Black Forrest Motors, Twice on the way there I shut off and let the motor cool again, as i go into the truck to warm. I went into the Shadeland and 21st Starbucks and got another Coffee (I was thawing), then the final leg to BFM. They are going to fix her Fever, replace her thermostat and water pump and get her back to me by midday on Monday.
Oh yeah, last night at the bowling alley I had 7 in a row, but sill only finished with a 233.
Happy Anniversary to my Bride of 1983, I keep trying to do the math, but still fall short of the million years mark. Hmmmm. Well here's to another Mill 23 (and then some).
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Baby's first Snow day, and then clean from Bath afterwards: Chuck Pace © 2006
Taking full advantage of one of my last scheduled days off, I ran multiple errands yesterday. I thought
I would have time to put up my post, but the demands of the day thought otherwise.
Snow day for my little girl. The new BMW, which was a Florida car had probably never seen a snow day before. So one of my first tasks was to get a couple of photos of her in that. I had to run to the bank for some banking (what else?), and take a trip up to Black Forest Motors on Shadeland to see about the cooling system. (she never saw extreme cold temperatures below freezing before either, and she had some issues). Then I noticed how badly she needed a bath, so I took her to Mikes for a wash. Then downtown for another task, and to take Jenni to lunch at Berringer's on S. Meridian St. From there it was back home to grab a book , he back to Black Forrest Motors for her check-up ( I wanted her to keep a cool head, while still warming my heart). Then there was the $25 Best Buy gift card one of y Credit Card companies sent me, so I ran in there and bought the new Yusuf/Cat Stevens, An Other Cup CD, which is fabulous, and the Neil Young and Crazy Horse at the Filmore, 1970 Live CD that was equally amazing. Finally home after 4:00 I started to upload the photos from Wednesday night at the Box, and formatting them for the post, and reading my e-mail (which had gone two days without my attention) and listening to the new CD's (I also bought Mr. A-Z by Jason Mraz) and I get a text message from Jenni that she's leaving work. Then there's dinner, playing the CD's for Jenni and Smallville and Scrubs, and before you know it, it is pointless to start the post because it is bedtime.
Wednesday at the Box: Mike Wilson and I stopped in for a quick refreshment before heading home. I asked for a Guiness but the nitrogen was out, so it was flat and I instead went to another foine beverage from the same brewmasters, Harp. Dick Dickinson was there as was a piano tuner, and Dick told me to stick around because there was going to be a special guest with him later. They left and it was just Vanessa at the bar, Mike, Kay and two fellows I didn't know (who left soon enough). Kay had made some Monkey Roll ups (interpolating the Monkey Bread recipe which was such a hit at Rich's), then Peter Park arrived, then Jeff, Jerry and Mary Lou from ACT, and I put in some tunes on the Juke. Before you know it the place is filling up, and Travis arrives with Michelle O'Keefe the 'PR Barbie' who is also on the board of Directors for Indy Reads. Kay and Wilson, their nights fulfilled take off and I move over to talk to Travis and Michelle. Cathy Morris and Darrel Spurlock arrive, then the Band with Dick's special guest John Bunch. Then I have to wait for the end of the first set to take the photo Dick asked me to take. Travis and Michelle surrender their seats to the next wave, which included Judy Grimes, Darlene Delbecq, Steve Singleton and his date (again), Glen Bucy and Toni Smith, plus DeAnne and Nicci pre-shifting. John Bunch took the stage, with Gary Meyers on the skins, and Dick on a barstool, and they played a couple of songs, finally around 9:40 Dick comes to get me and I take a couple of shots with his camera and one with mine, that done I get my tab settled and I hit the Road to Ensenada (but I only made it as far as home with its warm bed and hot wife (fever in the morning, fever all through the night , you give me fever). So there is the missing info, the introduction to Ms. O'Keefe, and of course more baby pictures.

John Bunch, Gary Meyers and Dick Dickinson, part of the Jazztet on Wednesday.

Tonight Bowling: and I hope a 600 series, since I got so much rest on Thursday I should be ready to roll, Dude.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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On a day where I was too sick to go to the Chatterbox after work I still got a mini-fix, and mention meter fodder (yes I have the mainframe back so I will be doing the tedious update to der mentionous meterous very soon, and you will find among those mentioned). While I was toiling away, slaving as it were, working very hard and giving it my all (and I'm just talking about breathing and standing upright so far) at the store today I saw Joan Green standing about 18 yards away in the aisle near the printer inks. She was wearing a mostly tan colored knit cap with ear-flaps and under-chin tie-downs, and when she saw she had my attention, she said "Hey Chuck! I'm Vince (Young, of the Titans)," as she did a little broken field running up to the bull-pin counter. "Was he unbelievable yesterday, or what?" she said referring to Young's 78 yards on 9 attempts from the QB position.
My first thought was that Joan looked like a miniature Sid Luckman in an old leather football helmet running out of 80 years of NFL history just to chide me on a stupid Colts loss. But I know better, Jack and Joan are real Colts fans, which explains why she knew (and I understood) who Vince Young was in the first place, and how he looked as he ran.
In my very best , yeah but voice I said, "What was unbelievable was that they (the Colts) couldn't tackle anybody yesterday, they just looked awful."
"Boy he sure could run!" Said Joan, taking the universal female approach to anything I have to say, which is only listening to about one tenth of it. She scurried off for another series of downs, and I returned my attention to the customer I was helping. A few minutes later Jack trundled by, and we gave each other the thumbs up sign that we were both still pretty much o.k. Jack went on to Rich's office (which is about the size of a Quality Inn's bathroom), and I again turned my attentions to my customer. The Greens concluded whatever business they had with Rich and Roberts and went their merry ways.
At least twenty minutes later, while I'm still struggling with the same customer, Connie Ziegler shows up to follow up on a conversation we had Friday at the Flux Gallery. Scott Proctor starts her in the direction of the Sony's I had been telling her about, and I ring up my hour-long sale and take over. In a much shorter time Connie decides on one of my favorite choices, and I get her a memory card and we settle up. I then tell her that I will be skipping the Box to... Scott steps up and says, "Die at home!" So I explain that I was ill all weekend, and still not much better but at work today. She wishes me better health, says she is not Boxing either, and rushes home to begin enjoying her new, wonderful digital image capturing device. The work day ends and Jenni and I ride home in the Truck, where she warms not only my heart, but left-overs as well while I sit down to start this recount. Now, you tell me what could have possibly happened at the Chatterbox that could be more entertaining than Joan Green's instant replay?
Chuck Pace © 2006
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I sound like Lurch, I've coughed myself through an entire sleep cycle, the Colts are 10-2 after starting 9-0, and I have no drive or will. There are several things I need to do to get ready for work, they will be and I will be. At work who can say? This promises to be a long and rough day. I will take as many medications as I can to make it through, p to the prescribed daily maximum doses i suspect. Tis done I head to the other tasks. Fight the good fight, stay of good cheer, and sell a lot of the necessities of life (digital toys and memory). Plagued Ship out.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Brrr! Cough, cough, b-b-brrrr!

Rich on the left, and DeAnne on the Right explaining the Process;
Chuck Pace ©2006
Before I elaborate on all the great things that were Friday, I have to explain some of my sad Saturday. I awoke with the flu and a fever. I had been sneezing at work on Friday, which was a precursor to the accessory package. I was suddenly ill equipped. I had the dual climate regions (feet that will not warm up, upperbody that is on fire), the enhanced sound system (the one that crackles and pops every time you yawn or swallow), the self cleaning viewing (with intermittent wash/blinkers set to medium high) and the horn upgrade (which requires a kleenex in front to get the full effect). I spent a lot of time in bed under the covers and dozing. I spent some time on the computer reading e-mails or playing Solitaire. I was only outside once to walk to the mailbox. I spent a little time wondering where the big time went (no, I'm not going to have another go about the nature of time, not this time, there are other things to discourse, so that will be reserved for another more timely time.) Then Jenni and I watched Ridley Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven" about the second Crusades and Saladin and Balian, it was riveting, hard to believe it was 148 minutes long. Then I went to bed. I awoke to a house full of Sunday, every corner, nook and cranny. I wondered how it had gotten in, but had to accept that since it was here I might as well make the best of it. Jenni and I have invited Mel to bring her Blackberry wine and to watch the Colts/Titans game in HD (CBS willing) before she and Jenni are dutifully called to Kegling Night at the Sport Bowl. There, we're are all present together in the present, so allow me to present the Friday presentation, that I failed to present on Saturday, as my present to you all!
Friday: The day started out cold and rainy, the ride into work taken on the inside lanes of US 40 to avoid flooding in some of the neighborhoods. Work itself was slower than I expected for day one of December. Rich left a little early to go register for scuba classes, so he can be pre-certified when he goes on the family cruise just before Christmas and returns just after New Years. This put a little more strain on my already cluttered hour before bowling. I was to meet Jenni at Flux for DeAnne's opening (we actually met in 1979, but you get the idea, right?), and then drive to Sportbowl, shoe-up and be there to represent the team, in case Rich was late. As it turns out there was just enough time, I arrived at Flux eight minutes after clocking out, had a grand tour of the selection with the missus at my side, discussed finances with my former fianceé, then fetched my cheques, to facilitate a Photo foursome purchase featuring the Flux Flex formula. I chose three small in stature, big in substance images which made me joyous inside myself, and the larger image that has already adorned my site twice, the postcard piece, (even before I found out that it was Missy's wedding, and that Mamma Roth can identify each alien shape as a friend or family member).
Then I dashed off to the bowling alley and bowled liked a man who had just dashed from an art opening after making a few choice choices his own. Which is to say the joy of my conquest, translated into a good evening of Kegling for yours truly, a high of 214, and a 542 series all on a 159 league average. We won the first game respectably with Mike Wilson leading the charge with 180, C Scott having a 28 over average game, and me nabbing 163. Rich struggled to keep his head above water the entire night (it's a good thing he had his scuba manuals there, I can tell ya). Game two: Scott and I both had scores with 1, 2 and 4 in them (his in that order, still above his average by 9) Rich had his best attempt (still 15 below that watermark) and Wilson had his correction game (equaling Scott's average) and we took game 2 too. Then came game three. Copies Plus (who trounced us three weeks earlier) relived past glory as C Scott tried and successfully defended his average by bowling an astonishing 83 (a boost of 3 for the night but not enough to goose the running average). Me, 165. Rich submerges another 4 and Wilson rebounded to 161 and grabbed a 456 series; his highest since his 459 week one showing. So we took two steps forward, and one step back, gaining exactly 1 point.
What to do now? What to do next? Why, close Flux of course! Rich and I headed back up to the Gallery, where we were warmly met by Mel Shoffner with Kara and Katelyn Sayger who all came to the gallery together. I was gladly welcomed back by DeAnne, Nicci and Connie, and cooly welcomed by Mike Lamm. Dan Hook grabbed my hand and greeted me like family as I looked around to see of Kay, who made a stunning Bundt Fudge, was still there. Sadly, Kay had already retired from the evenings festivities. I learned from DeAnne that Travis was wanting to buy the "one" piece that I nabbed earlier and it was Nicci who informed them both that it was mine, all mine! De oily boid gets da woim, my friend of Italian descent! Capisce! I took some photos through the glass, steamed inside and rained on outside and showed them to Dee. She liked a few of them, and I said that they resembled her stuff a little, and so I feature them here. After that I was on my way home to hold the love of my life. Wow! Some Good Friday, Eh? Told ya.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Wake. Work. Flux. Bowl. Flux. Sleep. I've mapped out my day.
Last Night? Earl. Office. Scrubs. Bed.
Tomorrow? Scheduled off. Chores. Winterizing. Possibly working 1/2 day.
Sunday. Football.
Chuck Pace © 2006
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Brrr!