5 years later

So I know I haven't been one to post lately but like most Americans I can't help but reflect on 9/11. It's one of those moments that will be ingrained in everyone who experienced it, and we all will be answering the question "where were you when it happened" to our children and grandchildren much like those older than us will talk about Pearl Harbor, Kennedy, or the Challenger explosion.

For me it was a day like any other, I woke up and since I didn't have class that day I spent the morning checking websites and doing some studying. The phone rang around 9 AM and it was Linda who called to ask if she could borrow a tv for her office. Being the sarcastic one I am I said something to the effect of "don't you have enough work to keep you busy?" She quickly replied that I needed to turn on the tv. I couldn't tell you what I had for breakfast that day, what class I was studying for, or even what channel I was on, because it didn't matter at that moment in time.

I remember calling my mom to ask if everything was ok up at Eglin and she said that Dad would be coming home early today. I remember telling her that I loved her and to tell Dad the same, and also remember asking where Flight 93 went down in PA, since we have quite a few relatives up there.

The student body present, one of my fraternity brothers, was organizing students on campus around 11 AM, and I was supposed to be at work by 12. I remember not even hesitating after he asked for my help when I called my boss and told him I wasn't coming in that day because I was going to help out on campus. He seemed upset at first but then he understood. The blood drive that we started organizing over at the Home Depot on Dale Mabry was so crowded with donors that by the time we finally got over there to give our donations there was a 6 hour wait to do so.

I say all these things not to brag that I served a greater purpose that day than anyone else, because I didn't. Truth is no matter what I did that day, it pales in comparison to what first responders at ground zero or passengers on Flight 93 did.

What a wonderful year it's been

Usually people are in the retrospective mood for their birthday or New Year's, which I am, but more so I've realized how lucky I have been the past year to spend it with someone amazing as Lindsey. To meet someone who compliments me perfectly like this is truly a blessing.

Happy Anniversary Lindsey!

I love you so much

About time for an update

"You really need to update this thing" -- Lindsey, today when looking at my blog

Yeah I couldn't agree more, so here goes an update.

Well I've settled in to my new place. I'm loving the joys of living alone. No roomates dishes to do, no waiting to do laundry, basically being on my own is great. It's kind of funny too, because James and I never really hung out much or talked while I was at home but now we're talking like every couple of days. In fact one of the first days after I moved out we actually sat down at his dining room table and had a meal together. Amazing that it takes me moving out for stuff like that to happen. I told Mom that and she said "it was too close in the house." Everything's done in the apt except for picture hanging and curtains.

Work's going well. I'm getting adjusted to the swing of things and able to get my work done. Of course that'll be a different story in a month when I'm not handling the simple claims any more. I like what I'm doing and actually feel like there's a "career" in it, as opposed to ERAC... speaking of ERAC, now that I don't work there can I just say how freakin' INANE the Enterprise commercials are? With the B-movie quality acting in them I was really surprised that ERAC ponied up the big dough to be a recap sponsor for March Madness. At least Esurance has better commercials!

Aside from that everything's going well. I have a new addiction, Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion for the 360... which is saying a lot since I've only had the game for the day. I'm usually not one for role-playing games, mainly because I get mad when the game determines if you hit somebody or not. This game is different... if you swing and hit something, you hit it... if you miss it, it's because you didn't swing quick enough.

I was looking online the other day to get Rays tickets for June when they play the Braves. I figured it'd be a good anniversary present. Well Lindsey brought up going to the Train concert and I countered with "wouldn't you rather go to the Rays/Braves game?" She just stared at me and said "I already bought tickets... that was supposed to be YOUR anniversary present!" So not only did we decide to go to the game, but I cashed in my 20,000 Hilton points I amassed while being out in Sacramento for training and we're gonna crash down in St. Pete after the game. Should be a fun weekend all around.

Well guess that's enough of an update. Everyone satisfied? Good :)

Back from the trip, with even less time to get stuff done

Wow, 2 weeks just flew by. Seems like just the other day I was hopping a plane to Sacramento, and now I'm back, with souvenier shotglasses in tow, to Tampa. Back to having a list of things to do and only having to rely mostly on myself to get them done. In some ways it's refreshing, but in others I just don't know how I'm going to get it all done in time. Take today for example: have to go sign my lease, hit the DMV for a license change, go to Target, do laundry, get renter's insurance, call on my 401k transfer and that's just the stuff I could think of while typing!

Yes it's an end of an era. I figured after getting carded so many times in CA and people just staring at the picture on my license, which is me at 16 due to always moving before my license expires, I feel it's time to get an "updated" look. Looking back on the trip, I'm amazed we all even got served alcohol, since at one point we had IDs at the bar from Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin, Arizona, and California. Never seen a bartender scrutinize IDs more in my life than out there.

California was cool. Got to go to San Francisco and see Alcatraz, Pier 39 (with sea lions) and the Golden Gate Bridge. Even WALKED up one of the massive hills so we could walk down Lombard Street, also know as the world's most crooked street. I've got some pictures I'll try to upload on here.

Well judging from my list I'm running about 3 hours late... better get moving so I can get it all done.

Vacation's over... back to work, in more ways than one

Well it's been a fun 6 days off. Had my last day at Enterprise on 2/1. Discussed it with HR and parted that day instead of today like I had originally planned, so I've technically been on "vacation" since then, and amazingly I accomplished quite a bit.

I started my apartment hunt and found a place quickly, and due to their availability, I will have a new address at the beginning of next month. Of all days to go apartment hunting, I picked my birthday to do so. That night Lindsey took me to The Cheesecake Factory for my birthday, which is always a fun experience, so I had a good birthday... of course it's hard not to have good day when you've already got the day off of work, but being with her made it even better.

The next morning we got up around 4:30 AM to make the 6 hour trek to Niceville. Figured it was as good a time as any to make the trip, plus I really needed to get all the presents Mom & Dad got me for my Christmas and birthday... which, to say in short, basically means they bought me everything I could ever need to start off living at a new place. Pots, pans, silverware, and so forth. I'm still amazed of the fact that it all fit in the car.

Only problem with my scheduling is that I don't really have a whole lot of time to pack. I've got to work the next 3 days, then will be jetting off to Sacramento for 2 weeks. So when I get back, I'll only have a week to get everything situated. I've already started boxing up what I can, but most of it has to stay until I'm ready to move. The only saving grace is that I don't have to be completely out of the house, since Jim still lives here, but I would like to get it all done sooner than later.

One major accomplishment down... and a few more to go

Well I did it. No I'm not talking about updating my journal (though it has been awhile). I finally found another job! Today was my last day for work at Enterprise, and I feel great. There's been a lot of drama in the office for the past week or so due to my leaving and it was because of this drama I was able to make an early exit. Now not only do I have my birthday off, but I'm off until 2/8, when I will start my new position as a claims rep for Esurance.

Things are pretty hectic right now, going to be going to Niceville for the weekend with Lindsey. It'll be nice to see the old town again, but I'll be picking up my Christmas and Birthday presents for my new apartment which I will be getting soon. I think I've got it narrowed down to about 3 different places so it's an exciting time.

I think the new job will be a welcome change for me. They're going to fly me out to Sacramento for 2 weeks of training, which is awesome. The only downside is it's in mid-February, so I will have to miss a few things here in town. First I won't be able to go to Lindsey's friend's wedding with her in Jacksonville, so I will also miss stopping in St. Augustine to see my friend Sara afterwards, but worst of all I will miss the Bon Jovi concert that Lindsey got me a ticket to for Christmas! I'm disappointed that I have to miss these things but the only other option is to stay with Enterprise and that's something I cannot do so I have to just take the good with the bad.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow I will be a quarter of a century old. It's funny, after 21 the birthdays start to seem like just another day, except on this day not only will I be "old" but my insurance rates will go down, so that's a good thing I guess!

The Long Long Journey to 360 Zen

So I did it... I finally got an XBox 360, and it wasn't without a lot of trouble that I came into possession of one either.

First there was my attempt on the 18th to go to Best Buy and try to get one, was number 49 in line and they only had 44 consoles. Had I camped out like some others (yes tents and all) I would have had one 12/18.

Then came why I refer to as the "online search," which, thanks to an HTML genius, consisted of me refreshing a site that tracked each retail store to see if they had any 360's for sale. Had a few chances to buy them, but they were bundles starting at like 1200 bucks, which was too steep for my taste.

And then there were the website hacks. Somebody figured out how to search Gamestop's server and find the 360 page even though they were sold out so I tried to order one there. The next day they cancelled all those orders. Then someone figured out the javascript Best Buy uses, so when you would go to the regular item page with the words "sold out" everywhere, you just paste it into the browser and you get a 360 backordered. I heard they actually did ship some of these out, but mine wasn't one of them.

Finally, just when I began to accept the fact that I'd have to find one at Sam's or Target, Circuit City's website had them in stock yesterday. Not only that, but they actually gave you the ability to take items out of the bundled package that you didn't need. Ordered that and popped for the overnight shipping.

5:30 pm today Fed Ex paid me a visit (and I was getting impatient because their online thing said 4:30pm it'd be delivered). By 6 pm it was all hooked up and I was playing Call of Duty 2. Even better, for ordering with them Circuit City sent me a copy of Perfect Dark Zero, which is another shooter that I was going to get anyways.

So with the 3 day weekend coming up I can kick back, relax, and enjoy some gaming goodness.