Simply dial +27, then "11" and the number, Thank You.

Isn't it just amazing how dynamic time is? For every person that depends on it, time moves at a completely different pace. Or so it seems...

I pleadingly glance back at my screen, hoping that an hour might have passed, in the last few minutes. But, not surprisingly... it was still a little before 11AM.

This is yesterday, near the end of my 12 shift.

So, I've got to find something to maintain my sanity for just a little more then an hour. It's been relatively quiet so far during my shift, which, although is a nice thing... tends to be rather tedious as my time at work nears an end. I know I'm really flippin' out when I start to hope that the phone rings, or sirens and alerts start sounding.

Without really thinking about it... I fire up my AOL Instant Messenger. I'm not a big fan of the application. If I feel the need to chat, I prefer MSN Messenger, and occasionally Yahoo. I guess I like the interfaces a bit more.

Well, after I fumble with my old password, I finally get in, just in time to see one of my old friends log in. Well, just then the phone rings.

"System Management Line, This is *V*," I say, probably with a little too much excitement in my voice.

*Pause*

"Hello? You've got the SMT Line... anyone there?"

Finally, someone responds,

"Wow...uh... I figured no one would be there," the guy says.

After I contemplate why he would bother to call then, I say,
"Well, Sir... I am here, what can I do for you?"

"Oh... *Laughs Nervously* um... I was just hoping that you could open my office for me?" He asks.

"Oh, I don't have keys, Sir... I'd be glad to get security over there to open it for you," is my response.

"That'd be great, thanks."

"Ok, so what building are you in?"

"Building?" he replies, questioningly.

"Uh, yah... the building you're trying to get in? Which is it?"

"I don't know... do you want the address?" He answers.

Suddenly my desire for "something to happen" was replaced with "What on earth was I thinking, I couldn't have just squeaked by for another hour without a call like this?"

"No, I don't want the address... uh... how about your name, instead?" I offer.

"Stuart Pokemyeyesout" he says. (No that's not his real name... lol)

"Well, sir... I'm not finding a listing for you... are you new to the company?"

"What? No, I've been here for 3 years," he stutters.

"Ok, ok... so what's your office number?" I say. I just wanna go home and sleep for a decade. Let's get this guy into his office.

"It's office 6."

"What?"

"Office 6, I'm in office 6," he repeats.

Hmmm... I work for a REALLY big company, we have buildings named after most of the letters in the alphabet... so, it's probably not too surprising to know, that we don't have an "office 6."

"Sir, where are you?"

"I'm standing in front of the building..."

"How about that address," I say.

"Blah, blah, blah." He tells me the address....and I've never heard of it.

"Whoa.... whoa... wait, what location are you in the world?" I ask... this is getting weird.


"The world? What are you talking about, I'm in Johannesburg, South Africa, where are you?"

We've got an office in Johannesburg, so I'm not completely weirded out... just sorta confused...

"Well, I'm in the at the main *Company* Campus, in California."

" *Company* ? Why did you answer the phone?" He asks... he's getting flustered.

"Cause you called me Sir, it's my job to answer the phone."

"Wha... Shit... I think I have the wrong number... Sorry,"

::Click::

You bet your ass that was a wrong number...

11:10am -- That's it?! Are you kidding me?

...Sigh...

*V*

My Day was 90% 4Runner, 7% Ex-Fiance, and 3% Kitty

Today was a fulfilling day. Minus the fact that I'm, once again, sitting at work.

It's amazing... really, how fast the work week creeps up on yah.

So, my head popped off of the pillow at 10:26am, and I realized that I was suppose to drive about 45 mins to go and meet a friend for lunch. Yah... I was suppose to meet them at 11:30am. Ok, so it was a little bit of a late start, but I got rollin.' Jumped into the shower, cleaned up and was outta there in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a vain guy like myself. lol, J/K

So, between traffic and my late start, I was about half an hour late. I was actually going to meet my ex-fiance. It was super great to see her. She looked fantastic and happy, and... um... YUM. Did I mention that she looked fantastic? Needless to say, it was one of those, "Hindsight is 20/20" moments.

It worsened though the longer we hung out, and the more I realized that she's completely over me. I mean, she showed ZERO signs that she even had the slightest interest in me anymore. That was sure a bit painful to see. What can I say... I'm the idiot that called it off... what did I expect... for her to patiently wait as I matured another year or two? So, I can't blame her.

Well, other then that sad realization, lunch was great. We went to "The Blue Iguana," Mexican food. I'm quite a fan.

Well, on my way home, I was bumpin the system a little... trying to think about what I was going to do on my last day before work... and I finally SNAPPED.... LOL... I blew the subs in my truck out, about a month or two ago, and I just decided that I couldn't handle the "BUZZZZZZ" that accompanied every song that I played that even had the slightest amount of bass.

So, I bypassed my planned haircut, and did the childish thing, and bought some new subs. I do have to say, I got a super deal on them... so I didn't feel too bad. I went home and removed my old ones... (which were HAMMERED by the way) and prepped the box, and finally installed the new speakers.

It was SOOO hot... I haven't sweated that bad in a LONG time. While I was doing it... a girl I sorta dated, "swung by" with a Pepsi for me. Kinda random, since we hadn't really spoken for 2 or 3 months. We BS'd for a little while, but she had to bolt, as she was on a quick break from work.

Well, after that I went over to my buddies place to work on my remote starter. Yah, so we installed this nifty remote starter (great for summer/winter when you wanna prep your car with A/C or the heater a little, before you get in) and it's got this one damn fuse that keeps blowing out. Unfortunately, it's located conveniently where we have to essentially take the dash apart to replace it. Ugh.

So, this time we spliced a bunch of wires on the thing, so we could position it in a little "easier to get to" place... Oh, did I mention the fuse was fine this time? It was the stupid inline fuse sheath that was bad. No wonder the fuses kept blowing. So, it's fixed and I think we're good now.

One sad thing happened. So, when I was at my friends house, he went to answer the door cause someone rang. Meanwhile his new little black kitten followed him. He opened the door, and after telling the solicitor to take a long walk off a short pier, shut the door... on the cats tail. OUCH.... So, the tiniest tail "chunk" was left behind. (About this big | | ) As well as a tiny bit of fir and blood. He felt SOOO bad. Poor little kitty. :o)

There ya go. That was quite the day... I'm a wild one... watch out for me.

*V*

Images From Home

So, apparently we can easily upload images into our posts now... so I thought I'd try it out with some pictures I took, while at home.

This is a shot from the beach, on a sorta hazy day.

This is just another shot of the beach... on the same day.

This is my little niece.

This is the local harbor, they have some shops, and restaurants lining it... it's sorta fun.

If you wanna see more, then comment -- and depending on who you are, I'll send ya some more. ;o)

*V*

What a GREAT week!

I swear that I've written a post since the "... Billy said to Suzy..." one, anyone else missing a post from their blog? Weird. Maybe I am suffering from heat stroke. This is very possible considering my little trip last week. Oh, yes... this is gunna be a GOOD one. :o)

So, I just got back from CA. Literally, I "just" got back. Now, those of you that know that I only post when I'm at work are asking, "Wait a minute *V*, why on earth are you posting on your day off... especially after just landing?" Well, the answer to that is simple; I'm at work.

I'm at work, in the middle of the night, covering for a co-worker who seemingly never works. I didn't hardly have time to set my bags down before, I needed to hop in the shower, and rinse California away, and get down here.

If I hadn't, then she would have smoozed my roommate/co-worker, Dirty to work, right after he'd just pulled a 27 hour day before. What the hell, right? More money for me. ;o) I'll just sleep next week.

Anyways... enough whining about being at work.

My trip home was FANTASTIC. I grew up around Santa Barbara, CA. (Oooo, now you can find out who I am, and um... steal my identity.... lol, take it, it's yours. LOL)

Well, right when I landed, my parents picked me up, and brought me home. While en route, told me that the next morning I was gunna borrow my Dad's truck and drive down to Palm Desert to visit my sister, brother-in-law, my niece and my brother. That was great news for me, since I hadn't seen any of them in quite awhile.

So, I woke up, and took off. It's kinda of a long drive, (Like 4 hours) so I left pretty early. Since I didn't really need to get out of the truck until I got there, I was pretty shocked when I opened the door in 115 degree heat. I almost couldn't breathe!

I could NEVER live there. It is so damned hot. Even in the nice air conditioning, you still felt all hot and sweaty just looking outside. Despite the heat, it was GREAT to be there. I got to see my sister, and her husband. But, best of ALL my little niece. She's the cutest baby in the world. That's saying quite a bit, considering babies and I don't typically mesh well. :o)

Did I mention, that she's freakishly intelligent for a 1 and a half year old? I was just in awe the entire time playing with her. Either babies are getting smarter, she's a genius baby, or I was retarded as a child... those are the only explanations for how bright she is.

So, after a day or so, I found that I was starting to die of heat exhaustion... and my sister recommended a new water park that Knott's apparently built out there. "Soak City," was the name of the little oasis. It was nothing short of a genius move to erect that thing. I mean... imagine... a water park, in hell. That's about what it was.

Well, now that I look back at it... I'm not surprised at how obnoxiously expensive the place was. They had a killer monopoly out there.

Tickets - $20 each

Parking - $7 Regular, $11 Deluxe (Closer)

Locker - $8 <==== Ridiculous

No outside food allowed - Inside food double the cost of theater food

Tube required for ALL rides, if you didn't wanna "borrow" someone else's, it was $5 to rent

Ok, so I'm sure there are some 'big spenders' amongst you, but geez... I'm a poor starving college student, merely looking for a place to sooth my charred body for a little bit. It was sorta hard to have fun, knowing that I just blew $60, to go and sit in a big pool with simulated waves... or to wait in line for 30 minutes in the heat I was trying to avoid in the first place, to go down a 15 second slide. LOL!

I admit, I am complaining a bit, the reality is... It WAS nice to go and do something different, and the water was a much needed relief from the sweltering heat. Well, I stayed that night as well as the first, and bolted the next morning. Back to the nice temperature of SBA!

It was really great to be home. I slept a lot, went to the beach...(*sigh* -- SPF 15 was a bad choice, I actually heard the Sun laugh at me, as it burned me to a nice lobster red... lol) walked around some shops and picked up a few things I needed. Another day, I went up to some of my extended families house, and went swimming in their new pool. (It was AWESOME) After that, one of my cousins invited me to go and see, "The Wedding Crashers" (Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn), it was um... meh... it was ok. Not exactly the best movie I've seen. It squeezed a few chuckles outta me.

On Sunday I went to my buddy's wedding. It was really pretty, and well organized. There were TONS of people, two bands, lots of food, open bar. It was outside, in a converted ranch. (Converted to accommodate weddings, etc.) I was sorta bummed a little. This kid use to be my BEST friend back in high school. Did A LOT of stuff with him -- Like hiking/camping, working on beat up cars, traveling, sports, etc. Really cool kid. Well, granted it's been 7 years or so, but I was still surprised to get seated at the, "Not really planning on you coming, and don't know where to put you cause you're not important" table. I was in perfect view of the table I use to sit at, (if you know what I mean)... you know the one were all of his closest friends sit. Ironically, a bunch of kids that we didn't like back in the day, now accompanied him.

I sound like a whiney girl. Oh well, I'm glad he's married to the woman of his dreams. Good luck to them! ;o)

Other then that, I got to eat at all of my favorite restaurant. (Thanks Mom & Dad) and visit a bunch of my favorite relatives. I got some shopping done and since I don't get to come home often, my Mom found it necessary to pay for her "baby." LOL.... yay, free clothes is good. (Mainly since HATE shopping for them, and HATE paying for them even more!)

Overall it was one of the best mini-vacations I've been on in a long time.

*V*

"Wanna know what Suzy said about Billy?"

This post maybe slightly different from my typical ramblings. Probably because I am writing it during the day. I'm not quite as delirious as I usually am. ;o)

Anyways... I've recently began reading the blog of one of my loyal readers (hehe), and was sorta irritated by their last post. No, don't freak out -- I'm not about to rip on someone's blog. (Cause we all know, I have no room to talk.) What irritated me was the fact that she actually had to write a disclaimer directed to someone that apparently she personally knew, who went off and spewed a bunch of gossip about something they had read... TO the person my reader had written about. So, now she gets to change her URL.

Come'ON, people.... I mean, what the hell is wrong with the world today?

What, so this person was obviously INVITED to read the blog, because frankly, the likelihood that they just randomly came across their 'friends' blog on the Internet, isn't super likely. They read some of the content, and think to themselves, "Oooo, this is some great personal, sincerely heartfelt thoughts that I can use to screw my 'friend' over with! Yay, lets go spread a bunch of manipulated gossip around, and cause problems."

So, they go out, and tell a bunch of people (who WEREN'T invited to read the blog) all of the 'dirt' that they found.

Ok, ok... so it's likely that I've exaggerated this situation (see Blog Title & Disclaimer) But, frankly... I don't see a whole lot of other explanations for someone doing that. In addition, it's really none of my business... but I don't know, it sorta burned me up a bit.

Before I get the explosion of "Hey, do you forget that your blog is on the Internet?? Do you forget that ANYONE can read it?" comments, let me continue.

For me, a blog is a slice of the Internet, where you can say whatever you want. You can express how you feel and what you think about anything. It's different than a journal, because you're able to hear what other people think about what you've said. Granted there is a chance that someone you know might read it. Yah, there's a risk involved. It is, however, unlikely you'll come across your next door neighbors blog, while casually browsing the web.

So, LASTLY, before I take my 'chill pill...' Even if you, DID, come across a blog that you suspected to be a friends... rather then being a sneaky bastard... maybe it would show a level of respect and consideration, if you told them, "Hey, I think I found your blog the other-day..." before you pulled out your pen and paper to take notes.

I swear, high school lasts a lifetime for some people.

*V*

Foamy Categorization After the 4th

Although I'm constantly in awe at the limitless variety of people that I see or interact with, I find myself starting to categorize them. This is really unfortunate because it's not fair to the few people that really do 'break the mold.' I guess I'm just getting frustrated with the unreal amount of foolish people I see everyday.

Wanna know one of the things that I just can't stand. I practically foam at the mouth out of frustration over this; simply put, 'four-way stops.' I mean really, it's not that difficult of a concept. BUT! Without fail, when I get to a four-way stop, if there is more then two people at the stop then I swear their brains seize. They lose all ability think, and stare at each other blankly.

Add that to my pet peeve list. lol

I'm going home this Wednesday. I'm excited to lay on the beach for a week. Nothing better then relaxing with a good book, a lot of sun, and an endless flow of bikini's walking by me. (lol... I'm such a guy)

I reached an all time low in laziness this last week. I really didn't do a damned thing. Essentially, I left the house for the 4th of July. Went over to my friends house and scared the hell out of their little girl with fireworks. I thought she'd like the pretty lights, but instead I found that purchasing the $47 "variety pack" of fireworks is a bad choice. Oh, it had a crap load of fireworks... but not only did they suck in the first place, but they were all the SAME! A few sparkly lights and a SHILOAD of obnoxiously deafening screeches.

Look, I realize fireworks are suppose to be loud, but these were really stupid. The were not the typical, "Happy Day... 4th of July... Yay!" sizzle, whistles and pops.... oh no.... they were more along the lines of "I'm standing on a chalk board in baseball cleats, killing a cat" screeches. No wonder the little girl wasn't fond of them.

Oh well. It was fun, none the less... Happy 4th everyone.... Oh, yah, and Canadian Day too.... ! (lol... :o) )

*V*