Mario and Cait in front of Urban Lilly, Florist and Home Boutique: Chuck Pace ©2006

Well, that was some kind of night at the Chatterbox. Seems like the whole avenue was in attendence. Lisa and Gary DeMumbrum were there and are expecting a daughter on or around May 24th. Ericka Embry, was an early retiree along with Richard Plath and Bill Brooks. Kay was there and on some crazy no alchol diet, e-gads. The usual suspects were in attendence as well, Rich, Mel, Travis, Ed, Pam even the bastard name throwing Liz! Then there was the ACT table, Jerry, Mary Lou, Jeff and their usual crowd with Bill Myers and Kelleen joing them.
Emily Sterger was there for a few minutes modeling her "Sloth" t-shirt, and Nicci "the ray of sunshine" Herren came on at 8:00 to back up Deanne. That's when Monika Herzig and a guest violinist took the stage, and I met the Kaufman's, David and his daughter Jessica (IU student) who is in Monikas music classes in Bloomington.
Sunday someone at the Chatterbox proved that cordless phones don't float any better that Sony digital cameras, so David brought in the jazzy emergency blue phone (modeled by the Jazzy Deanne), for C-box and Co. to converse with their calling clientele.

As a social butter-fly, I had to land on every flower, of course, and as I left I ran into the true florist of the Avenue, Caitlin Buchanan, owner of the Urban Lilly with her beau Mario. I coerced them into a photo. I coerced a few people into photos, I took about 30 photos last night, it's good to have a working camera again. Real good.

Tonight my Tuesday Bowling team "Spare Parts," Jenni, Mel, Dave Sherry and myself, take on Rich's team with David and Wil Andrichik and their ringer Mike 'Kingpin' Wilson! Before we get "munsoned" at the bowling championship of the world, I have to pick up my Nicci H. painting "Electrical Storm" at the Chatterbox. I purchased the painting at Deanne's awesome Flux Art Space Gallery in Fountain Square, that is why Deanne and I were measuring the Bimmer back seat last week, to see if this masterpiece could ride home in Bavarian style. You can visit Flux through my sidebar link or just go in some time, Deanne will be putting up new Artist shows every other month so it is always fresh and interesting.
Chuck Pace ©2006
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Beware the Ides of March!

The humble, gracious Brock Kingsley has accepted his trophy, his reward, his fabulous prize if you will. He has chosen wisely, grasshopper. I quote from the e-mail here.
I want a wearable chuck baseball jersey in size L
I am working on the acceptance speech.
Thank you, thank you very much. Brock

My question here is. Mr. Big Winner... Red/White, Black/White or Blue/White? So many awesome choices. So little prize money. Not only did Brock have the most (and ultimate best) caption entries for the picture contest, he has soared upwards in the mention meter, jumping up to a tie for 12th, (I figure anything in the top 23 is real good, 24th? Not so much, eh, Liz?) not to mention these mentions, which I of course will have to mention.

What's A Tailgate Party Without Calimari? Chuck Pace ©2006

I did the complete tune-up on Harold the Dodge Ram yesterday, replacing the distributer and rotor, plug wires plugs and fuel filter. After I was done I took it to get fueled up, and put fuel line cleaner in it. Started right up about six or seven times since. Even after sitting all night. Hopefully I have averted any future crisis' involving Harold!

The California Race was interesting. I had Greg"The Bug-Eyed Idiot" Biffle on my team, (As did about half of the 25 Turkey Fryers in the league). "Buds Best", Jon Saylor from the bowling alley was the ultimate champion with 849 points, and is now in 1st place in the early standings. I carried home a second 23rd place (consistency is what wins championships!), with 543 points, but through the virtue of tiebreaker points beat Liz who could only muster 543 points. While on the subject, I received an concession speech from Liz via e-mail. I apologize for the lengthiness but feel I should reprint if in its entirety here for the record: "BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Now that 24th place has weighed in I don't feel so bad about gloating. Cudows to Dave Edelstein, for actually picking and confirming drivers, that caused a huge spike in his points tally.

Monday, Work. Chatterbox. Maybe I'll get to tryout the BMW back-seat of that Deanne and I "measured" last week? Who knows this could turn out to be quite some day. (If it does, you will be the next to know, reader.)

Looks like my time is Up-Chuck Pace ©2006
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Sunrise, Redeye. Blue blue Sky! Chuck Pace © 2006

Yesterday I went in to see Bruce the boss about the acquisition of a camera to replace the dead DSC P150 Sony that I oh, so did love. Roberts had a Sony DSC P200 (the model the replaced the P150, and is now also discontinued) returned, it had a couple of dents and nicks, and was missing the AC adapter/battery charger module. Since my old charger works on it and I have an external charger as well, I was not too concerned. I asked Bruce my bottom dollar, he did a brilliant slight of hand trick with a nickel then said "You're extremely helpful and valuable here, just take it, it's yours, just keep doing what you do and being valuable to me, O.K.?" I said I wasn't going to argue the point with him and agreed to keep being, well, Me (which I do so much better than anybody else, anyway). So now I have a replacement for the silenced submarine Sony I sank. Mini-cam, you complete me.

The day was going along pretty good, I went to lunch with new camera on hip in a new fastenable case, and carrying a new 256mb MS/pro card. I took my laptop Mac and went to the RedEye. downloaded the Emergency BU Nikon pictures, e-mailed a couple of them to Jenni, and ate a Red Eye burger. There were protesters out in front of the Mexican consulate and the Redeye corner protesting some stupid comments that the Mexican Consul recently made, and making a nuisance of themselves, they were gone before I finished my lunch, or they would have made a photo appearance.
After lunch I returned and sold a few cameras, then as I was assisting a filter customer Jenni called from Meijer and told me the truck was once again the world's largest inert paperweight, and that she was sitting in the cab with the recent sustenance stuffed sacks over three miles away from home, so I had to leave at 2:30 and go be her knight in non-reflecting leather. I did get the thing to start by pumping the s**t out of it while cranking it (instead of the expected flooding at the mention of the gas pedal that it has been know to do), I also had to wedge the carburetor open with my leatherman tool, but it started. She went home and I went to AutoZone and bought $60.00 worth of tune-up goodies, (see photo) which I will freeze my gluteus region off today installing.

Now the moment we've all been waiting for...

"The Novak Caption Contest Winners"

Only a few of my faithful readers offered suggestions here are the top 5 of about 20 entries.

#5 "Lady! You're giving me a really big headache!" (Brock Kingsley)
#4 "You don't need a spotting scope to see it more like a microscope!" (Mike Wilson, paraphrased)
#3 "Listen! I know I'm a huge a**hole, and when I say huge, I mean huge!"(Brock Kingsley)
#2 "I like my girls to be this big!" (Scott "Lightnin'" Churchill)
And the big winner! Also by Brock Kingsley...

Yes It's True I Am THIS Crazy! Photo: Chuck Pace ©2006
Honarable Mentions:
HM#2: "Once, when I was a young man, about yea big, I asked for a train set to go around our christmas tree. I had several friends who had said train sets, and I thought it would be a nice addition to our festive display. Alas, I received no train set to wrap around our christmas tree, and was forced to look at the bare circumference, filling my imagination with what should have been there running around the presents on Christmas morning. Choo-Choo, Choo-Choo, Choo-Choo..."(Brock Kingsley)

HM#1: "Go ahead lean in, you can't bother the worlds greatest air-juggler" (Captain Cathead)

For his efforts Mr. Kingsley can choose up to $25.00 worth of merchandise from my CafePress website, which I will have shipped directly to him in the big OH.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Ship... Out of Danger? You are now and have always been...
Chuck Pace ©2006

I did not take one picture yesterday. I had the "giant" Nikon Coolpix 950 with me, but you can't wear that on your hip very easily. It would be like carrying a Star Trek Tricorder on an away mission. The above image was originally exposure #3111 (you expected 1701?). We can not pronounce the character in the pictures name, so we call him Spo.. John David (in the background is a rare photo of Rich with a beer).

Team "Four Get It" were in rare form last night. Rare because we didn't lose any of the games. Rare because we all finished above our averages. And even rarer, I managed to get us a tie on the second game, something extremely rare in bowling (sure, if I'd gotten 1 more pin we would have won outright, two more and I'd have gotten an extra frame in the 10th), but hey, we didn't lose that one. Mell played both Faye Ray and King Kong last night, Rich was Godzilla in game 1 with a 246, that would be illogical Captain!

The rest of the day was a stinker, I even got upset with Fat Ronny Hoskins and had to go into the warehouse and outside to recollect myself before I could continue serving the greater good. That threw me off the rest of my game, at least until bowling. After the 6 and 1 bowling score was recorded, and Eddie had taken all of his side game winnings, the team dispersed to the four corners of the globe. I came east to the World Headquarters, Mel went North to the frozen marble slab, and Rich and Ed back downtown to meet up with Pam at the 'Box.'

I came home and began experimenting in the kitchen, ending up with a homemade 'Oriental Orange Glaze' pork-chop dish and a wholly different spin on Red Beans and Rice. Jenni though it was good, I liked the first attempt, but will try a few variations before I go global with the recipe.

Jenni has worked a few Saturdays trying to catch up at her new job titles and requirements, but I don't think she is working today. She needs to take the day off and just sleep in. I know it did wonders for me on Thursday. Besides, Rebecca is off on company business this weekend, knee deep in out-of-state health care insurance affairs, so I think it would be save for Jenni to take a day off. If Jenni's absence hurts the company I know that wound will heal.
A real Black History Month Moment. The kiss between James T. Kirk and communications Officer Lt. Ohura was televisions first interracial kiss.
Live long and prosper...
Chuck Pace ©2006
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A Not So Bland Sunset 6:00 PM last nignt. Chuck Pace ©2006

Yesterday I did a whole lot (of nothing). I didn't even get out of bed until about until about 10.30, then I mucked about for a while, got on line and bought an Arctic Monkeys song from iTunes and a new one from Frank Black and the Catholics album Snake Oil, called "Somethings". Then I dug out the old Nikon and put the batteries on the charger. Made some coffee and headed to the bank to deposit my last ever Konica-Minolta spiff check. Heading home I go behind an old blue-haired woman driving 30 in a 40 with her right turn signal on, I kept expecting her to turn. After about a half mile I though. "This is just like being in Florida," so I called Meredith. She had just ruined a pot of Folgers Coffee by making it the consistency of Molasses (a little strong) and blaming them for not having a scoop in the tin. This was at about 11:30, she had to get ready for work at 1:00, as we were talking the old woman turned off her signal, then about 40 yards later turned right. Into the strip mall where Meredith used to work, I though " How perfect." I had the sun roof open and my window down as it was a beautiful mid 50's day and I had a jacket on. Meredith informed me that it was kind of windy in Stuart and was only going to hit 84° there, I told her to not let that ruin her day. She said she'd get through, and started making another pot of coffee, but she had to go. I was home by then so I checked on the batteries in the charger, not up yet. wasted another hour and started working on my post. I didn't get to ask Meredith about David, who is in Tampa Bay at Alltel headquarters, learning something. I noticed that the new structure is going up very quickly where the Drake Motel was. Soon I'll have a qboda restaurant near the house. Jenni came home and then popped off to the dentist, Rich called and told me to call Chatterboxer David Sherry about being our fourth bowler on Tuesday nights, so I did and he will and the team is set. It looked like Jeff Meko from the Foul Language team team might have been able to be our fourth, but now we have a guaranteed fourth. So that worked out. I went downtown and met up with Ed, Rich, Jody Frick, Pam and Alysha at the Chatterbox and we watched the Gold medal round of the women's Curling. David Andrichik popped in to get some paperwork together and watched awhile rooting for the Swedish team. LeAnne Bailey and Patty Romero were also at the box, but an expected Mike Wilson never arrived. Hal and Mary Daniels arrived and watched the end of the curling with us then it was time to head out. I stopped in at Luna and bought two CDs from Maggie, Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Do It Yourself re-release with bonus disc. Maggie was listening to an amazingly clear "Visions of Johanna" from the Bob Dylan Bootleg Series, 1965 CD. I just wish those were out on SACD, they're not. It was 9:05PM and I headed home and thus ended my day.
Chuck Pace ©2006
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Time to put this one to rest. Chuck Pace © 2006

I sit here now at 12:28 PM, wondering what to put on today's post. I know that I have regular visitors to my little corner of the world wide web and they need so much to be informed of my activities. Then there are those like Pam and Rebecca, Wilson or Travis, even the brilliant Kay who have gotten into the competitive spirit of the Mention Meter. I have finally gotten the mention button to work. Writing code is tricky, but after a million retries I got the bugger to actually show in the sidebar. Of course it was a simple 'error' that I had overlooked every other time. But now that I have mastered it and can do anything!
The Sony camera is officially dead, and I will be looking for a small coffin to drape a flag over and inter it tomorrow, on Flag Day. I have, for the time being revived the Nikon Coolpix E950 and will be repopulating the site with its images. Nope, at least not with my 1-gig card. I get an error. Imagine my distress when I got an error with the older camera. I came back into the chuckpace.com World HQ and was able to use an older 128mb card to get these shots of the dead Sony. So Anticlimax, the Nikon still works.
Last night I got the truck to start, after three days of not moving, so Jenni was able to drive to work, and I was able to sleep in. Also last night the Chatterbowlers attempted to bowl, again. I was able to win the last game by 4 pins by closing with a spare and strike in the 10th (Rich and Wil got us there with 223 and 168 respectively, while Beuke and I struggled). Then in the second game I pulled a184 out of my BMW hat. We still lost series and games two and three. After SportBowl Rich and I went to Wirty's and shot 7 games of pool, and I prevailed barely 4 to 3. Today I am obviously off, which means I have to work on Saturday. See you all tomorrow, Chuck.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Exposure #3092: Fire Sky Theatre: Chuck Pace © 2/17/2006

I'll be looking at cameras again as soon as I have some money (never) so I can replace the camera carcas formerly know as Sony. I tried it again at 6:00 to the same warning and immediate shutdown, so, reluctant as I am to admit that it's over. It's over. We had a good run. 3115 exposures with just this one camera. My friend and constant companion. There will be a mourning period, and a gradual acceptance that I have no control that things are a certain way for a reason. I don't have to like it, but I do have to accept it. The header shot, exposure#3092 has not been manipulated except to be cropped for this venue. I hope the sunrises are all bland until I have another camera to capture them (somehow I think they all will be, even if they are not. "If a tree falls in the forrest and Chuck's not there with a camera, did it really make a lasting impression?").
The truck is still playing 'possum also. We tried to kick some life into it last night before we had the life kicked out of us at the bowling alley. Mel "Faye Wray" Shoffner had her correction series and now her average (formerly known as 156) is the same as my new average 144. Sell the house! Hug the cats and dog goodbye, I'm goin' pro! I drilled my left ankle with my 15 pound ball twice in the terminal game of the evening, I may have to reconsider the pro thing. I will attempt to bowl again this evening. Jenni came frighteningly close to her first 100 in league (98) and her average went up by 2% . I have to share another Sony image. Exposure #3101, Lil' Joey and Maddie trying to have a good time at Rich's Turkey Fryers Gala Ball (go on, fake it.) Happy Birthday to George. Good day to the rest of you.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Round 1: I have to find another camera to replace the one I've been using to populate my sight with images from my second sight. The one I wear on my hip every day. The one that I was wearing on my hip yesterday when I used the restroom at work, and as I was tucking my shirt into my trousers leaped from the belt case (with a worn velcro fastener, i.e. the daily use) and into the replenishing water supply of the recently used commode basin. In one fell swoop my beloved black, DSC-P150 Sony Cybershot 7.2 megapixel went from camera to (inappropriatly enough) black turd! I spent the next few hours applying paper towels, compressed air, and the such attempting to resuccitate the machine. I didn't not turn it back on until 5:00 pm, I removed the battery and memory card in the restroom immediatly after my fishing expedition and I checked the battery in a similar camera from the Sony case. At 6:11 this morning I replaced the battery and card and the camera came on, for a period of 5 seconds, had a no power indicator and said "info lithium battery only" on the screen, then shut down. Maybe it will come back on later, but the battery is an info lithium and was fully charged overnight in the accessory wall socket charger I bought for the totally obvious reason of wall charging the info lithium battery.
The last picture show? Peter Bogdanovich? Chuck Sonofabich? Chuck Pace ©2006
Above (most likely) is the final image taken with the Cybershot, left to right, Jeffery Bridges, Timothy Bottoms and Cybil Shepherd.
No wait hat's Rich, Travis and Elizabeth, playing the race game I mentioned yesterday (remember I won both races?) Travis is rolling the dice, and Liz is pretending to be Natalie Portman (as Garden State's Sam) signaling it is time to leave the party, or she's telling Carol Burnett's mother that everything is fine.
Round 2: Last night the Truck decided to throw a wrench into the monkey works as well. It decided that it would not start. Jenni had gone to work to get some presidential catch up time in. After work I had gone to the box expection to see her there already. Instead I had to go get Jenni and take her first to the chatterbox and then back to the truck with Rich's jumper cables, then home since it still would not start even after 30 minutes of fast idle charging courtesy of our good friends from Bavaria. None of these minor inconvieneances are life threatening so I continue to soldier on. Kay and Mel and Eddie were at the box, and during a lull Deanne and I went out to my car and "measured" the back seat (before the dead truck call). Nikki arrived shortly before we left, I visited with Maggie at Luna, Ed paid her salary again, and life went on pretty much as it always does. One thing I know for sure. I'm buying a Curling Calendar soon. See you all on the other side.
Match: It's a Black Day on my site, my beloved Black Sony camera has made me blue. TKO.
Chuck Pace ©2006
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Today is the Federal holiday sat aside on the third Monday of February in 1968 in the Uniform Holidays Bill, and first observed in 1971. Presidents Day. Originally we observed George's Washington Birthday February 22nd (on the Gregorian calendar, see, they were good for something other than chants). Some companies and agencies began observing The Great Emancipator Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12th) in or around the 1920's, so by 1968 it was decided that federal workers and school teachers needed a certain number of 3 day holidays in order get holiday pay while not actually working. Presidents Day was born, and now is used to honor all the Presidents of this great Nation. I wanted 43 paid days off, I have missed too many Chester A. Arthur days already, dang it! But I'm not a teacher or Federal, State or banking employee, so I don't even get Milard Filmore Day off (January 7th). I was asked if I had to work on President's day, I said yes, but I don't expect to see any live Presidents, a few dead ones in the cash drawer wouldn't hurt though!


Rich and Guy Tucker monitoring the other (non-Elected) Turkeys. Chuck Pace © 2006

Congrats to Jody and MaryJane for picking the best combination of drivers in their inaugural Nascar Fantasy Cap league. Jody will tell you that it's lonely at the top. Don't worry Jody, you probably won't be there very long. Next Race 2/26 in whine country, Jimmie Johnson's home state Califor-nee -aah. Congrats to me for winning two short track races on the Constructible Racing Game Race Day in Rich's basement. www.racedaygame.com, Travis got us all started in this a couple of weeks age, and Rich has taken the ball and ran with it. (you think there are no balls in racing? You drive inches away fro a 43" high concrete wall at 190 or 200 mph.)
Chuck Pace ©2006
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The big day is at hand. The longest sports season begins (yes even longer than Hockey). Already ARCA, IROC and the two smaller divisions of Nascar have taken to the track in Daytona and crowned their winners. Mark Martin in the Craftsman Trucks and Tony Stewart in the Busch series (both cup drivers you might notice). Today the Turkey Fryers Fantasy leaqgue convenes at the super secret location (Rich's house, ooops!) for the first race, a share of 5 deep fryed Turkeys and a few hours of pure escapism. When I sat down to prepare this post I checked the Turkey Fryers League (yesterday I hoped to get 20). An even 20 teams are now signed up and it is just past midnight, Sunday morning. By sign-up deadline (1 hour before the green flag flys) we could have 25 teams or better. I will post again later in the day, after I get home and give an accounting of who all was at the suareé. With a bunch of new teams on the track, and in the Fantasy league, it will be difficult keeping it all sorted out for a while. But I will try.

Chuck Pace ©2006

Race Day (pt. 2)

02/19/2006 10:26 PM Chummin'Spurts

The big day is over. Jimmie Johnson is the newest victor at the "Superbowl of Autoracing" the Daytona 500. He managed to win without his cheating crew chief, or the "Big One' taking out the major competitors. There was a Green, White , Checkered finish again because them good ol' boys jus' love to wreck up them cars. I especially liked Jimmie whining about all the #48 haters on his victory interview. I think they should give him time to change his tampax before they interview him. That way he doesn't come off as such a big bitchy crybaby. I just won the most important race of my life, but some people think that my team being caught cheating and being penalized for the umpteenth time in four years is a bad thing and don't like us. If only Chad were here we could cry together and hug and then get our nails done with 48's and sparkelies. Seems liked I've managed to come in second or third in the championship, but better drivers mith more points always seem to win. Waaa. "After all the trouble this team has and all the criticism, I'm dedicating this win to the haters of the 48 team."


TurkeyCloud as #4 (turkey, not Pam) is moved to a hotter fryer: Chuck Pace © 2006

The Party at Rich's was great we had a great turn out. Twenty one of us including myself. Rich deep fried 6, 12 poundish Turkeys and everyone suffered from gluttony of one sort or another. Mel made enough deviled eggs to gas a small Kurdish village on the Iraqi border, and there was enough food to feed an army of Jody Grobers and Little Joey Bulas (fyi: one of each makes up an army). John Qualkenbush and his son John Ivan were there and I was most envious of John Ivan's toys. I'm thinking about registering at Toys' R' Us" so that my loyal fans can buy me birthday presents (April 14th). The attendies at the party were Rich, Maddie and Guy, Jody and MaryJane, John Q and John Ivan, Kay, John David, Richard Plath, Mike Wilson, Little Joey Bula, Mel, Eddie, Pam, Jeff Jeffries and his daughter Georgia and Jeff's roommates daughter Rachel, Jenni and myself. That is a small (well fed) army. The Fantasy league was at 24 people when the green flag fell. What fun. What drama, what a poor looser, I mean winner whiner.
I was taking Kay and John David's picture and someone's little buddy jumped into the frame being a mention whore, right after I was taking a picture of Travis as Mel jumped into that shot (being the same mention who.. mistress).

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Bowlin': Last Night team "Four Get It" came out and won the first game against "Damn 10 Pen" by 50 points. Then got our come upance in the next game with a 137 point drubbing. Trailing by 87 points in series we rallied in the final game to win by 114 and take series by 27. So we won 5 and lost 2 points. Not a bad return to the "serious" league bowling night for me and my still very sore hand. During the third game Doris McQuian from "the store" showed up to cheerlead. That could have been the deciding factor, and when Pam Walker arrived I'm sure the moral support fired our competitive juices and bolstered the team making this victory possible. After the competition, Doris headed out, leaving Team "Four Get It;" Rich Culy, Mel Shoffner, Ed Sipes and myself in need of a new team photographer. Pam filed in and did a fabulous job capturing the good natured kegeling misfits. Three photos were required since some of our bowlers (Ed and Rich) felt compelled to lick or bite as the shots were taking place, the third shot was finally deemed acceptable and all three grace the web site for mass consumption. It was good to win some points again but we didn't make much ground up on the team ahead of us. Seven weeks remain and if we can duplicate Friday nights efforts we should move up a few positions at least. Mel was not King Kong last night ending with a 135 average. Exactly her average after 21 weeks of league. Mel was at the Chatterbox on Valentines Day which I failed to mention on the 15th's post about our new 10 for 10 league (no need to depose Pam Walker on this subject now).

Racin': I mentioned the Craftsman Truck Series Race in yesterdays post, the one which had veteran driver Mark Martin starting from pole. His first ever (truck) start in Daytona, and his first pole. After 101 laps of a 100 lap race, Mark Martin had his first ever Daytona win, he's finished 3rd in Nextel Cup and Busch races at Daytona but never graced Victory lane in a Nascar event. Congratulations to Mark Martin.
Today is the Busch Race and tomorrow the Main Event the Daytona 500! As of Midnight last night there were 15 teams in the Turkey Fryers Fantasy League ready to compete. The numbers should grow to over 20 before 12:00 Sunday when league entry is locked until the following race. I made an egregious error yesterday when I said that Lightnin' was not among the teams already signed up, his team name is I Suck this year instead of Lightnin' and I apologize for the omission (still it was an honest mistake, and He sucks, I'm still fine with myself).

Livin': Jeff 'Skippy' Barber has been losing weight and getting fit for awhile now, he has also been getting a serious Yahoo Serious look about him in the process. I took a photo the other day which I felt would look better as and illustration and present it here for your amusement and amazement! I mentioned Valentines day earlier. At the Chatterbox on V-Day I had Deanne pour me a Black and Tan (or three) before we sallied forth to the bowling arena and the eve's contests. I've since learned that a "true" Black and Tan is a Bass and Guinness, and a Harps and Guiness or Smithwicks and Guinness is usually know as a Half and Half. Back in the 1920's the British soldiers sent into Ireland to quelch protestations were known as Black (boots and belts) and Tans (shirts, hats and dungeries) because of their uinforms, some believe that the mixing of a British Bass Ale beer and a Irish Guinness Stout was a result of these actions. The Irish are happy that the Guinness stays on top as "the best always rise to the top!" There is just a little bit more history for you all.
Team Photos by Pam Walker, all other content Chuck Pace ©2006
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Tonight is bound to be a Four Get It kind of night. I have missed the last two bowling outings and am raring to go. Last week neither Ed or myself were able to bowl (neither were our rostered alternates Travis and Jeff) leaving just Rich and Mel to represent. Well It was neck and neck, but they were able to maintain the teams sizable gap back from 13th place and keeps us in the "got 'em right where we want them" position.

A few Members of the Last years Turkey Fryers League. Kay Niedenthal ©2005

Yesterday they ran the "twins" at Daytona (no not Avery and Abigale Churchill silly, but they are sure to be fast in another 15 to 18 months, with a father like Lightnin') and now the field is set for the 500. They also had Truck qualifying and Mark Martin has his first ever Pole in a Craftsman Truck race. Which is tonight. Since we are on the subject of Nascar Racin', there are some of our regular Fantasy league peeps still holding out, JennTenn, Lightnin, Memoirs and BestRacegirl among others, and the promised new blood is still stuck in the inspection line apparently. Ed, John David? Bueller? Bueller?
This years 500 marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of Dale Earnhardt at wheel of the #3, known as the Intimidator and the "Man in Black," Dale shares the unique distinction of having won 7 Nascar Cup Championships. I can think of no better time to honor the Man in Black, than on Black History Month. He changed the sport, brought millions of viewers in to cheer or jeer, and always kept the suspense high at a track. Earnhardt fans, though they lost their legend still have someone to cheer for, Kerry. Have a great race weekend fans and we'll see you tomorrow for another gripping episode of as the Stomach Turns. Oh, wait there is another Earnhardt I forgot to mention, probably the most influential survivor of Dales passing, Theresa. Who kept together a multi-car opperation, in the wake of her legendary husbands passing. Here's to the entire Racing Earnhardt family (yes, even Beavis, er... Jr.)
Prizes and Mentions await the clever, clever Clarice.

One week left to caption this photo, just a warning, Brock Kingsley is out front with several good captions that Jessica probably gave to him. the curtain falls on this contest 2/24, winner announced 2/26.
Chuck Pace ©2006
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Last night at the bowling alley I started out with a clean game and a 233 score. The next four frames of game two were still clean, then 5 open in a row and total collapse, In the tenth we needed 9 pins to tie the game or a mark to win, so I stepped up and got a big 7-10 spilt and failed to clip the 7 on the second ball and we lost game two by 1 pin. Game three ended in total failure as well. I ended the night with a 516 series respectable unless you figure the great start.
Long before Mr. Bean or Johnny English British actor and physical comedian Rowan Atkinson played a scoundrel who kept popping up throughout history. The Black Adder. Atkinson played four generations of Edmund Blackadders, from Medieval England, then Renaissance England and finally in a forth version of the series in World War I as a bumbling British Captain. Blackadder was always up to no good, attempting to off his father the King (Brian Blessed) in the original series, as another prince in the second version and as a butler to King Charles I in the third go round. Tony Robinson costarred in all versions as sidekick and whipping boy Baldrick. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie (House) were in the later versions of the series which through its various permutations ran from 1983 to 1989. Thanks to cable I was able to see most of these episodes and they are uproariously funny.

Chuck Pace ©2006

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The Blur Rich Project. With assembled Boxers. Chuck Pace © 2006

After 5 plus years of me league bowling, Jenni has had enough. I guess it was the fact that I started a new 10 week league on Valentines day, or maybe it is because I'm gone three nights a week bowling, what ever the cause of it she said no more last night! The Tuesday night league team name is Spare Parts, and consists of me, Mel Shoffner and none other than my valentine in the flesh Jenni. It is a four person team, and we hope to be picking up the world famous, inimitable, larger than life, Big Head Bob Summers as our anchor. I callled him from Orb Alley and implored him to grace our team. He said o.k., that may have just been the blue icee talking (he was at the Pink Panther movie) but I hope he was serious. Spare Parts started out with a bang. My sore hand giving a minimal amount of distress, I start with a 146 average. Mel " King Kong" Shoffner starts with a 156 average, and Jenni in her first ever league hits the hardwoods with an 80. She will get better and her huge handicap (108) will help us become the team to beat. Rich and Wil Andrichick were also at the alley and started as team 1, David Andrichik and an unnamed draft pick to be signed later will round out the Tuesday Chatterbowlers roster. Last night started like so many others at the Chatterbox, Kay, Jody Frick, Richard Plath and Rudy Gonzales were there, as were Jenni, Rebecca, Rich and myself. I kept expecting Mike Wilson to walk through the door, or even a more convental, opening and walking through the portal of the chatterbox, but he never showed. The lovely Deanne was once again at the helm piloting the pleasure cruise through charted libations. Not quite the Good Ship Lolli-pop.

In 1974 Shirley Temple Black was named the U.S. ambassador to the 85th largest nation on Earth, peaceful and prosperous Ghana, She had to learn the official language, (English) which she had been practicing since birth it turns out, and served as ambassador for two years. From tap dancing on stairs with Bill "Bo Jangles" Robinson to administering to the foreign affairs of an African country on the the Ivory Coast. American screen legend Shirley Temple Black. The chief exports of Ghana are gold, timber, cocoa and UN head Kofi Annan.

Chuck 'huck' Pace ©2006
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Zee Oldt Spegz und dre busted Framez. Eine blinden lozer. Chuck Pace © 2006
I always expect a hassle when dealing with insurance or insurance companies. I got to Lens Crafters at 11:15 for my 11:20 appointment. Had my eye exam. Got the script, and started talking to Eve about my optical options. Told her I was on the Anthem View Blue plan, and got a flat denial, but offered 30% off. I said try through Wellpoint, nope, BCBS? Nada. She asked for my SS#, date of birth, favorite color, my quest and the unladen flight speed of a swallow. Nope, nope and more nada. She said $290.00 with the 30% off, shall we start the order. I said "Nope, nope and nada" I called my friendly Anthem associate (Mrs. chuckpace.com), remained calm, and went to look for other frame options. As I was squinting at the selections, fingering the frames, lingering over lens holders, Eve says "Mr. Pace," to which I affirmatively responded. "I got it under your name and birth-date, not through the plan code, or member ID." I thought "what a secure firewall this is, I mean no one could fake having a name or being born! " This is security and encryption at its best. Go Anthem! Once confirmed by birth-date and name we were off at the speed of light, so to speak. $135.00 (American) buys the ability to see unrestricted (like Edgerrine James) for a year. I love this country!

I got an e-mail from Kay saying I missed a photo op Monday night at the box. Rich and Travis both in suits, and nobody there to photograph it. Well, Jenni and I were finally taking our Underworld Evolutions fix/date without calamity.

I still remember a really scary TV show I saw when I was 15, it was called Trilogy of Terror. One of the vignettes was about a doll creature that came to life in a woman's apartment and terrorized her, hiding and striking at her, at one point it hid inside and ate through her couch. The actress in that movie has been in well over a hundred (mostly cheesy) movies and TV show, and is todays honoree, cock-eyed bombshell, co-star of 5 Easy Pieces... Drum-roll please... Karen Black!
Chuck Pace ©2006
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Happy Valentines Day, movie house! Happy Valentines Day, Emporium! Happy Valentines Day, you wonderful old Building and Loan! Way to Go Clare.. er, Cupid!

So I waited all day Sunday for the Lens Crafters to call and say they had a no show (they said they would call, since they are just down the road). That of course never happened, so I've got an 11:20 AM appointment for an eye exam, and then I have to wait to get my new bi-focals made (in over an hour I'm sure). I can't see up close or mid range very well with my old specs, so I have to miss work today in order to see a better tomorrow (future). After watching an awesome, if slightly blurry Nascar Bud Shoot Out I came into the chuckpace.com World Headquarters and began my research for todays post. I had the interception fest Pro Bowl on for the 1st half in the other room (I could almost see it as well in my head as with these sore, tired withered eyes. Then I put on some music and said to heck with looking at stuff. Lo the heavens opened up, and a song presented me with itself to me as the meat of my post, this intro was just the potato. Enjoy.

I was researching the term Black Mariah (or Maria), as in the Tom Waits Song "Big Black Mariah" Rain Dogs, 1986. The term definitely refers to horse drawn Paddy Wagons from the early to mid 19th century. There's some question as to where it originates (this is the research part). I read somewhere that it was a term originated in England, but have found an interesting site about words and word usage from England that refutes this info. More likely New York City in the 1830's or 40's, the term was also (and is) used in Philadelphia, Boston and New Orleans, beginning in the 19th or early 20th centuries. Today it now pertains to modern motor driven Paddy Wagons.

Well cutting through the cane break, rattling the sill
Thunder that the rain makes when the shadow tops the hill
Big light on the back street, hill to ever more
Packing down the ladder with the hammer to the floor
Here come the big black Mariah, here come the big black Mariah
Here come the big black Mariah, I seen the big black ford

Well he's all boxed up on a red belle dame
Hunted black Johnny with a blind man's cane
A yellow bullet with a rag out in the wind
An old blind tiger, got an old bell Jim
Here come the big black Mariah, here come the big black Mariah
Here come the big black Mariah, here come the big black ford

Sent to the skies on a benny jag blue
Off to bed without his supper like a linda brides do
He got to do the story with the old widow jones
Got a wooden coat, this boy is never coming home
Here come the big black Mariah, here come the big black Mariah
Here come the big black Mariah, I seen that big black ford
Cut through the canebrake, oh yeah

Well he's all boxed up on a red belle dame
Flat blue johnny with a blind man's cane
A hundred yellow bullets shook a rag out in the wind
An old blind tiger, on a bell you win
Here come the big black Mariah, here come the big black Mariah
Here come the big black Mariah, here come the big black ford

This is a great album. I first heard it when my brother Dennis was home on shore leave from the Navy in 1986. If you haven't heard it is an all time classic. For I am a Rain Dog too. Tom Waits, "Big Black Mariah" Rain Dogs. Song or album available on iTunes through my link in the side bar.
Chuck Pace ©2006
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During the mid-14th century, the Black Death, a massive and deadly epidemic, swept through Eurasia, killing one-third of the population and changing the course of Asian and European history. The 200 million victims, throughout the many years of infection, constituted the largest death toll from any known epidemic. Many scientists and historians believe the Black Death was an incidence of bubonic plague. A strong presence of the more contagious pneumonic and septicemic varieties increased the pace of infection. The plague continued to strike parts of Europe throughout the 15th century, the 16th century and the 17th century with varying degrees of intensity and fatality. Researchers still do not agree on why large outbreaks of the infection have not returned to Europe; however, changes in hygiene habits and strong efforts within public health and sanitation have probably had a significant impact on the reduction of the infectuous disease.

Real Life Micro Drama From A Real Life Luckless Loser

Blind as a Post, deaf as a BAT! Chuck Pace © 2006
I've been saying I need to get new glasses for quite some time now. My current bifocal script has not really been so good for awhile, and my sonic projection/ location abilities have been somewhat lacking for a very long time now (too much rock'n'roll music, damn kids turn that sh...). I could no more locate a mosquito or lightning bug while in flight now than I could win a nobel pri... Wait a sec. I have no flight or sonic projection/location abilities what so ever, besides I'd probably have to eat half my body weight in insects every day (given my current metabolism, add flying to that and the number goes up dramatically) just to stay alive. Now where were we again? Oh yeah, so anyway, last night when I went to clean my glasses so that Jenni and I could watch a movie, I broke my titanium frames at the junction of the nose bridge and the right upper lens rim ( a pretty bad neighborhood anyway). Jenni called Lens Crafters last night, they said to be there at 12:00 when they opened today to get an exam and glasses made. We went in an attempt to get me back in the sighted majority again. I am very nearsighted (visually also) and can only see clearly without glasses about 12 inches or closer from my face (where else?). I found an 8 year old pair of glasses from before my bifocal days that don't really help with my vision inside of 7 feet or so. After a few hours of these glasses, I realized that most of my (visual) life is an "In Your Face" deal. We were there at 12:06, they told us no way, they were booked for the entire day, the people who us to come in work on the fit and frame side, not the Doc side. No show, no go blind-o. Then a few more errands, food, shopping and home to watch the last half of Daytona qualifying.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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The snow on the trees as I drove to work yesterday. Chuck Pace ©2006

There's Sno Business, Like Snow Business. Chuck Pace ©2006

I awake to a world of surrealistic marshmallow snow. If it were orange and lime green I would have thought I was in Wonkaland. Last night Jenni and I ran a bunch of errands. I was home because I was unable to bowl with my right hand still causing much grief. We also watched a DVD Jen purchased, "Red Eye". A Wes Craven film. Not bad. Medium Suspense.
Random Thought Alert: Jenni and I ate at the Red Cafe yesterday too! (scary music fades out). I picked up some new McGyver supplies to more properly suspend the exhaust until such time as I can get the proper equipment under the Blue Beast! I'll be doing that after I post todays epistle.
Charlie, our Rat Terrier has a basket with 5 tennis balls in it, whenever anyone goes out side at our house they will return to find Charlie sitting with a ball in his mouth waiting for a quick fetch and catch session. It's almost unavoidable. Even the Cable guy tossed him a ball or two the other day. The best thing is to toss more than one, he will try to catch the other while still holding the current one in his mouth, then run to the newly propelled ball and drop the first to have the "latest trick" in his mouth. It's all quite comical. He's a good boy! It's his year.

Meredith called again last night. Recommended I purchase some Richard Cheese music. Says it is hillerous. I now have to check it out. I like Hillerous music as well as the next person.

It's black history month, thus the Black Friday (cue up the Steely Day , Buch) reference in todays post. Tomorrow, the bubonic plague! Or Shirley Temple, diplomat.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Brian Myers has a new #1 web site to visit! Joy. Chuck Pace ©2006

Much happened on the day off. I made a list of things to do and did some of them. The Cable guy made my internet work again. I got the Nascar League up and running, I visited the Chatterbox, Luna Music Annex and Sport Bowl.
After the checklist, which included the Nascar League. I called Jenni and arranged to meet her at the Chatterbox. I got there at 5:30, Bill Brooks and Richard Plath were in a conversation with David Andrichik, so I went to the back of the bar and sat down with my little notebook. My Corona arrived and I saw Brooks get up. He says "If Chuck won't even talk to me I have nothing else to live for, " I got up and promised to talk to him next time (to give him a reason to go on), then I walked to where he was sitting, and said, "If it was Richard leaving I could call you two Brooks and Done." With that Brooks headed to the door, as he got there I say (for his benefit) I thought he'd never leave. Brian Myers an artist from the Stutz building was there and we talked a little about my site, he said he'd make a point of checking it out. Dick Walton award winning news paper reporter was there talking to Richard and David, and Rich shows up just before Travis. Jenni and Rebecca make a late appearance, and soon we lear that Travis and Liz put a bid on house that is almost on my way to work, so I'll be taking a minor detour this morning. Rebecca decided to work on Rich's hair, and he decided to let her. He also showed a good tear in the flesh of one of his hands to Alysha Griffith and myself. From what he described as his fur covered razor blade, i.e.. Darwin the Hemmingway cat with the extra carpal digits. Alysha is working at the Broadripple Vet Clinic and appreciated the need to de-claw the little monsters. Travis writes in my book,"CHUCK IS GOD" and is immediately labeled a mention whore! Jody F. was there with her friends Stace and Robin and another lady I can't remember the name of. Robin thought I smelled yummy. I was actually quite Fierce smelling.

Then Rich and I were off to see if I could manage a bowling experience with the hand. It's was pretty painful last night and still is this morning so I will probably bow out at the alley tonight.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Travis Is a Mention Whore! Speaking of that no where in this post did I mention Mike Wilson!

The couch monster trio, waiting for the cable guy. Chuck Pace © 2006

Up and running. Quick visit. Cable Guy to the rescue. He removed a high-pass filter (put there by an other Cable guy to eliminate feedback interuption) and installed a directional splitter to eliminate or reduce feedback. Had to reinstall Comcast software to computer. I'm checking mail and other things, will get updated Mention Meter online soon. Got to do the Nascar league also to keep the SBD Monster off my posterior! Hooray! The thoughts can be freely puked again!

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Recapping Tuesday. Work. Pallman returns, Phil still on vacation. Cable signal still too weak to recieve internet at home. AAArrrgghhh!! Charlie Brown! Mike Wilson brought me some Year of the Dog accoutrements from a Chinese restaurant, he was most honored guest. The fortune cookies all said Thank You for Attending Our Wedding? Very criptic? After missing last two Chatterbox occasions Jenni and I meet Pam and Ed at the "Box."
David Andrichik agrees to bowl for me tonight because of my continued recovering carpal corruption, I could probably roll a few balls, but probably not 60 times or so. Best to haff der subzeetude! Met up with Cathy Morris and Darrell at the Chatterbox, Frank and Claude on the stage. Pounding coffees by the pound. Eddie and I then hop over to the ugly monkey (formerly tail gators) and watch and record Roberts co-worker C. Scott Procter's on stage performance. I thought Scott had a Jason Mraz quality to his voice. He also did a Love Spit Love (Richard Butler, Psychedelic Furs) cover, which I videoed on the Sony cam. I was impressed. Home to the little Missus.

Chuck Pace ©2006
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On the way into work Jenni and I took the Bimmer for a little spin when we hit some glare ice at the merge ramp from Shadeland to Washington west bound, a 120 to the right, a counter steer and 360 plus to the left and (intentionally) backing into the oncoming traffic lane (which contained less oncoming traffic) and a quick refiring and off we go. Jenni was less scared during that than I might have expected, but when we got to Starbucks she asked for a Caramel Apple cider, she said she didn't need any more pick me up in her giddy up!

Then there was he whole work for a day thing, man that can get old.

Jenni and I had to skip the Box last night because we had an appointment with a counselor, there were some minor issues that no amount of door and hand abuse can cure, such as door and hand abuse (anger, and temper to the Mr. Obvious set) we got through it well, and I think stronger as a couple. It is a pleasure (almost all of the time) to be with and around my bride of '83 and last night just proved it to each of us again (trust me the door learned this all too well a 5 days earlier!).

Chuck Pace ©2006
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Planning on sending kids money.
Wait until 10 AM
Reset phone and headset (molehill)
Bank machine temporarily out of service. (molehill)
Bestbuy not open 'til 11 AM (molehill)
No longer a bank at Marsh (molehill)
Marsh employees recommend calling western union
Call Jenni, angery (at circumstanses molehill)
Back to Marsh for cards/papers/porkchops
Panera w/laptop
Sent e-mails, read e-mails
Smallest of things Molehills
At least a hundred little things
Headset shuts off mysteriously (molehill)
Reprogram voice dials for Mere and David and Home
Bank machine again, still down (molehill)
another bank mach $2:00 (molehill) fee
Back to Bestbuy to return unneeded Cable Molehill
Back to Marsh and Western Union
Almost in a accident with moron in Truck (Mountain)
Moron flips me off because HE went straight through turn lane, running me up on sidewalk!
Home to calm down. Do some 'splainin' to Lucy. (Jenni)
Skipped Chatterbowling at expobowl and party Wil's
David calls on new phone, got money from Western Inquisition!
Watched 3 Smallville and 1 Flash DVD episodes.
Superbowl. Walking the Jaggered edge of the wrinkle. Keith still not decomposing well.
More flash. No more mountains or molehills.
Bed. Sleep. Bling! (pause)Bling! It's my phone.
Text message "H?" from David and Meredith at 2:01AM
Respond: "H? what the H is H? at 2:01"
Meredith calls her daddy at 2:14 AM, we talk for 15 minutes,
Jenni quietly murmmers and snores in background, a happy daddy goes to sleep. Loves life, Wife, Daughter and Son in law.
What was bothering me earlier (aww, nothing really).

Chuck Pace ©2006
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The Decidin' Adventure! Saturday at work was like a lot the last day of the week at work. We had a full compliment of mail-order department woikers because of a spectacular deal we were running on memory, I think it was mem, um mem, or was it, what was?, mem, er, yeah, never-mind that. It has nothing to do with me. Or very little.
Jenni rode in with me to her work, and as it turned out, couldn't do (her work) it, at least not a lot of it. The program that allows here to do do that crazy voodoo that she do do so well, was off-lined by the IT(diots) without informing the departments that use that very software (apparently only the custodial, cafeteria, and security people: who have absolutely no reason to know why, what or the how about the program were all e-mailed by the IT(diots) instead of the claims and appeals departments that use the software). So when it was time for me to take a break for lunch, I instead launched Jenni and I back from whence we came! During the reciprocal trip we encountered a road-hazard hole (much larger than a pot), and immediately on the other side of said RHH found the exhaust system of the Bimmer dragging down the Old National Highway. I found a covered Bank drive through teller area to McGyver a quick solution out of wet and snow, and after jacking the car up to ressuspend the "pipes" noticed damage and soiling to the shirt I was wearing, so after a 15 minute delay, I was inclined to spend more time at the drop off point washing and changing, while Jenni prepared a sammich, banana, and orange victual feast for my frantic return trip. So a 50 minute loop ended up taking nearly 90 with the episode of McGyver added in. When I returned the assembled coworker staff were a bit piqued with me, but I rushed as much as I could, considerin' (and I never did get to eat the unpealable orange while clutching, swearing, steering and shifting during the return flight at 290-mm above the street). Afterwork I thought we should go buy a new Cable modem to bring the Surfer Girl, and the Post-er Boy back on line, but there was the promised Underworld event to postpone or cancel if the net was to no longer be the not. I said she needed to join me on the Decidin' Adventure, and we decided on the net and not the underworld for the night. Returning home with the new Modem in tow, it was soon discovered that the modem was not the problem, after a 30 minute trouble shooting exercise with Michael the quiet talker comcast techie a signal degradation (weak signal) was decided on as the culprit. The new modem should be returned as unneeded, meanwhile the internet would not be cable breached until Thursday when a service tech could come to le abode de humblé. Egads! I'm having Jenni sized withdrawl symptoms already and it's not even Sunday yet!
Chuck Pace ©2006
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So guess what happened last night after we (the Jennster and I) got home after stopping in the alley where bowling was taking place. We had planned on going to the movies to see Underworld Evolutions, but Jenni said she had never seen the first Underworld. So instead of going round and round about revolutions we stayed at home and acted like old stay-at-homes, and watched (the original) Underworld. Then we retreated to our separate computers and attempted to go online and fulfill our internet duties and fetishes: my duties are to do this post and read and respond to my e-mail. Jenni' s fetish IS the internet, the world wide web, the global community, the net and spending as much time as possible immersed in it all. Not the case, no such luck. Nada, zilch, shesa no gonna' happen. We were unable to connect.
The ethers were beyond the reach of our nets. A quick call the the masters of cyberspace in our local cityscape (Comcast) proved unhelpful, and we were left unfulfilled, and mentally chaste without internet intercourse. Things that are not Comcastic!

As you remember the bowling was to be taking place without me, for I was a victim of circumstances well within my control. An injury occurred to my bowling extremity when I was being a complete loser, prompting me to withdrawl from the contest at hand (har, har, har). Jeff "Skippy" Barber took my place and the team struggled and fell, losing all games and points. With just 9 weeks left we need to make hay when the sun is shining and in the nighttime too. We are now at least 22 points behind 13th place and seriously dead last. You might ask, why did you and Jenni go to the bowling alley if you were neither one to do that which is done in a bowling alley. You might ask that. I'm not going to continue until you ask, you really need. oh, o.k., since you asked. Mel Shoffner called me hours prior to the scheduled kegeling exercise and asked for my attendance even though I would be unable to propel tri-holed orbs at wedged cadres of wooden pins! It seems the 5th day of the year of the dog (which has bitten me twice already after only 5 solar cycles) is also the belated gifting day of the Mel-inites! She delivered Rich's and My xmas presents to much mirth and merry-making. As Jenni is my witness, I had Jenni join me there and my witness.
Chuck Pace ©2006
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The Random Thought Bank account is alive and well again. So here goes. Just some random thoughts.

I'm not sure the Afterlife is what many people think its going to be.
Look at the track record of other words prefixed with the word after:
Afterbirth
Afterthought
Aftertaste
Aftermath
Afterlife
Example sentence: Yeah, it was all pretty good , except for the __________!!!
(Insert word from above list in blanks)

Last night I delivered a one twelfth gross of pink Roses to Jenni, made dinner and gave her a card and a new surge protector/clean power strip from Monster Cable (romantic devil I am, yes). Yesterday was a recovery period for me, Wednesday night I got a little excited and aggravated when talking with Jenni, at around 3AM our talk elevated to what I refer to as a level 3 conversation. During this time I was able to convince a closed door of the level of my emotional commitment. Unfortunately the door and my emotional state proved to be equally unyielding. The required yielding was accomplished by my bowling hand, prompting me to request a substitute for this evening main event. Jeff Barber will be playing the part of said sub on the evenings kegeling performance.

I usually take a few photos each day, yesterday I only got one. But ...
The Roberts warehouse staff has three people. Vince, Roger and Bobby. Vince and Bobby have a couple of things in common. together they make up the RRRT (Roberts Rapid Response Team), and they are both musically inclined, trying to be rock and roll superstars. They don't play together though. I came upstairs from the basement into the warehouse yeaterday to an amusing sight , Bobby was doing his best Blues/Soulman impression wearing Vinces hat. You may remember a previous post (10/14/05) where I had a cartoon of Bobby with an eye problem. Now here he is again, bluesman "Pinkeye Pote" give it up people! (and the crowd goes wild). Usually a bluesman has to have a bad childhood, or been down on his luck, or something, Bobby is smiling in the photo but believe me he's got the blues (I mean Duh! Christy! nuff said).
I haven't been to the Box since Wednesday after work, (before bowling and level 3 conversation) but I hear Travis was there on Wednesday after I left accepting Rolf the Muppett as his doppleganger. I talked to him yesterday and let on that I had added the Travis glasses in photoshop. I haven't heard from Kay since Monday.

All text and Images, Chuck Pace ©2006
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"I gots the pink, (harmonica) them pinkeye blues, I gots the pink (harmonic) and fiddy dolla tenny shoes!"

Yesterdays Sunrise, a real Cowboy Movie Sky.

Wow! What the heck was that? I mean wow. Really. Wednesday was some kind of day for sure. Scott P's girlfriend had a breakdown while driving and took out parking meters and serioulsy abused a tree or two, some world class a-hole steals Rita's car out of the parking lot at work, BP goes on vacation, and we loose two of three games at the bowling alley (but still win series). Even the wonderful Kay the best cook I know and caterer of Meredith and David's wedding in 2004 wonders why she isn't mentioned as much on my web site as some of the others, as I continue to have a profound adverse and sometimes perverse effect on other peoples lives. I had a car stolen a few years ago, I know the, "Am I crazy, but didn't I leave my car right there, feeling. The shock, and the mental checklist of improbable solutions one checks down before the ultimate answer can only be, crap, somebody STOLE my car!
I bowled like a man possesed, like Rocket J. Squirrel might say, "Are they friendly spirits?" Umm, nope. Wil Andrichik on the other hand did an amazing job last night of pin emasculation, with a 203 first game, and a 578 series he kept us at the top of the league. The sunrise picture above was a whole different kind of wow. I mean Wow! Really. Want more wow, here's another photo of a Kilt Pin from 2005 Irish Fest, a Gift from Chuck and Jenni to Rebecca Martin. Taken at the box. The other photo is of Vince Lohman of the Roberts Rapid Response Team, solving a four foot emergency as only the RRRT can! If only the RRRT could have been monitoring the parking lot!

All text and Images, Chuck Pace ©2006
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The overturned utters of the brew cow await another pull. Chuck Pace ©2006

I ate at the Claddagh three (work) days in a row. Saturday through Tuesday. Saturday I had the a(new to me) book that everyone has been recommending, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay", by Michael Chabon, but as I have stated in the past I am not a rapid reader. I didn't get too many opportunities to read over the rest of the weekend, and these work days don't afford a lot of time either. Monday and Tuesday I dined at the Claddagh again with wife and co-worker Rita respectively, so no time for literature. I am 70 pages in and holding. But liking it very much.

Tonight is week 3 of the 10 for 10 bowling league, and the USE of "Foul Language" has been approved. Hopefully the Chatterbowlers can all bring our A games tonight, If not we will probably resort to the unapproved language use. I am wearing my Lebowski Fest T tonight. How can I fail? I say, no way. DUDE. This Aggression Will Not Stand!

Work of late has been very quiet for me, very stressful for Jenni. She was near tears when I got home last night (and no, not because I got home last night), so I gave her a very long arm, neck and back rub, so little did this consul poor Spunky. She is not even taking lunch with me today, for fear that the harpies and magpies will once again have nothing better to do that time her every move from the telephone lines of our fair metropolis.



??????? Chuck Pace ©2006

I close with this uncaptioned photo of a gesturing Mike Novak, a moving Jeep, a customer with a pink scarf and a spotting scope. I will entertain the best captions on my site, so, put on your thinking caps kiddies. (not open to residents of Scranton, NJ, Tempe, AZ, or residents of Ohio, sorry, I've got to draw the line somewhere).
Chuck Pace ©2006
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