People ???

What is wrong with people? What makes them function as they do? What makes them say the things they do? I was checking out at my local Walmart this evening. The young lady cashier noticed the Bob Marley Shirt I was wearing and said "My brother got arrested for wearing a shirt just like that." What do you say to something like that? I continued gathering my groceries for which I just paid. She continued, "He was doing forty-seven in a forty and the cop said 'you look like a trouble-maker.' So he never wore the shirt again because he did not want to go to prison." I took a brief moment to contemplate why Walmart's management thought she was coherent enough to interact with the public. I left, groceries in cart.....then it rained.

Der Vaterland...Arlington, Texas

Once again, I am amazed at Gestoppo Arlington. I recently bought a tool shed for my backyard. Not very big & certainly not permanent. None-the-less Der Vatererland(aka The City of Arlington Texas) required a permit. I was told an inspector might come by to inspect the shed. There is only one way into my backyard, through the gate. Leaving the gate unlocked so he can inspect the building, I wait....So, I come home today, and what do I find? A RED FLAG because the gate access to my shed was not locked as required. Heil Dumb-A Inspector!!

More than I wanted to know

I ate lunch at the new location of Jason's Deli today. I was by myself so I sat at a table in the back directly in front of the TV. If you have not been to the new location I highly recommend checking it out. It is very nice and they have gotten rid of the cramped up tables by installing an extra portion of roominess. However, I do not recommend sitting at the table directly in front of the TV as I did. This table as I soon discovered, is also directly in front of the door to the ladies room. The problem with this is the designer or someone in charge of architecture forgot to put a partition wall inside the door, so every time the door opened, I had a direct view of all 4 stalls. Not that I saw anything and Not that I was trying, But it did make me feel creepy and uncomfortable. I called a manager over to point out this obvious over-sight in design. The manager, a young lady whom appeared to be about 27 or 28 years old did not seem too concerned as her only reply was "well, all the stalls have doors so you can't see anything."..........I'll leave this story right here

Why does Bad Service Seem to Seek ME out?

I need and want a new shed in my backyard for my "Stuff". I decided to get a little more information tonight about the shed I would like to purchase from Lowe's. I was directed to "Ray" behind the customer service desk. All I knew is the price for them to deliver and build it is 1899.00. It is extra for painting, any vents, windows, skylights, etc. I may want. There also is an up-charge for them to put "Felt" under the shingles and anchors to anchor it to the ground. I wanted to know how much some of these extras cost so I could decide if I wanted them or not.

Ray told me he did not know any of these prices, but he could enter it all in to the computer to get an itemized quote. I asked if he were sure that it was itemized because I was not interested in the total price. I knew I was going to be requesting more than I really wanted just so I could get itemized prices in order to make a decision. He assured me that everything would be itemized on the printout. So we proceeded.

As it turned out, Ray did not seem to know how to operate his computer because there were MANY long periods of time that he appeared to be just staring at the keyboard and screen. Occasionally he would ask me some relative question like what color would I like the shed painted or did I want a window or what color shingles did I want. Ray seemed to either be a manager or a VIP on everyones "A" list. He was being interrupted by his cell phone about every 20 seconds. Of course, I was just the customer and was of no value to Ray so he would answer while managing to completely STOP doing whatever he was doing for me.

Finally, after 50 minutes (Yes 10 minutes less than an hour) there was another customer asking how much longer he was going to be. I told both of them that he was going to be through with me in about 3 minutes one way or another even if it meant me walking out. The customer told me after Ray has gone to all this trouble, I should not just leave before he was through. I reminded both he and Ray that I was the customer NOT Ray and that my time was more valuable than what Ray seemed to think.

The 3 minutes had passed and I announced to Ray I was leaving. Miraculously, he told me he was finished. I told him he had twenty seconds to put the printout in my hand. SO.....Did he print the itemized list? NO he just told me the grand total price. I looked him in the eye and said "I told you before I was not interested in the total price. I want to see the individual prices." He then printed the sheet out, looked at it and told me "It does not have an itemized listing, only a total price."

WHY? WHY? WHY? did he tell me it would have an itemized list? Why did it take 50+ minutes? Why does Ray and Lowe's not care about me as a customer? I was going to spend about $2500.00 when it was all done. Isn't that enough to at least get a little courtesy and attention?

Bike Ride to Wrigley Field Part 3

I got up bright and early and started my bike ride. The sun was up and shining bright.I catch a glimmer of something to my left. I turn, with sun in my eyes, to see what is glimmering. Suddenly, I get this empty queezt feeling in my stomach. I feel a general pain over all my body. My knees and elbows especially sting and my head! oh my head it hurts and ears are ringing. I crashed but what did I hit? Where am I now? My bike seems to be in fair shape. It has a few scratches and the handlebars a little askew. I give them firm twist back into shape, hop on and peddle away. I am not sure of the directionor even where I am located. I hope to find someone or something that can give me some direction. As I am peddling along I hear some rustling in the underbrush on both sides of me. As I was trying to see what this was, out of the brush grew heards of giant rabbits. This, as you would imagine, startled me. I wanted to stop but it was as if my legs had a mind of their own. Not only did I not stop peddling but my legs peddled even harder and faster. I looked down at my feet and to my surprise I was wearing bunny slippers. I don't know where they came from but the one on my right foot looked up at me and said "We are tired." The other one then looked up and responded "Why don't you stop?" No sooner had his words hit my ears when the bike seemed to stop all by itself. The bunnies jumped off my feet and ran off into the woods. I rest only momentarily just long enough to wipe my forhead, clear my throat and take a brief look around for some water. Of course I could not find any water so I continued on my journey still looking for someone or something to tell me which direction to go. All I know is everywhere I look I see the same thing, the same trees, the same rocks, and the same mountains. I can't hear anything but this pounding cadence that seems to be coming from the mountains.I have some strange feeling that something is out of whack. I know there are No mountains in this part of Texas but there they are right in front of my eyes. Oh and this cadence now turned to pounding is making my head hurt. Oh how my head hurts. I seem to be riding along almost on autopilot. Suddenly, I find myself asleep. A DEEP sleep. I am having a hard time opening my eyes. Finally, I feel water from a cold wet rag on my head held there by golf foursome that found me on the Grapevine Golf Course near the edge of the lake. I manage to get my eyes open just in time to see a couple of rabbits hopping away. I felt some burning and stinging on my back. I quickly pushed the wet rag aside and got up to find that I was laying in between several anthills. The ants looked a little miffed. One was even waving a few fists at me saying "Next time, If you want us to carry you and your bike 12.1 miles you better loose some weight!!"

Bike ride to Wrigley Field Part 2

I took off on my bike today and pedaled as fast as I could.

Before I knew it I found myself riding through some woods an
d then down an animal trail.

It was not long before I found this wild ferocious Animal that nearly bit my tire in to shreds. Really, it was big bad and ugly. Oh alright it was a cute little Bobcat cub that purred at me with a snarl. and I am real sure the Mom was somewhere very close and ready to pounce on me. So moving on before I am mortally attacked I crossed this bridge I found.









Now that I have found this bridge, I know recognize where I am. This is the bridge over the mighty Trinity River located in River Legacy Park in Arlington Texas. Why is it River "LEGACY" Park? Was this park originally named after this river's father and ancestry, making this river a legacy? Oh, Focus Paul, you must have been riding to long and are delirious to try to pass off that bad joke. No more bad jokes I just have to stop now because I have ridden 5.5 miles. I'm very tired. I am also being attacked by giant Dragonflies. Take a look at this little critter That has been following me for the last hour and a half.
OK I am going to camp out here and tomorrow continue on my journey to Chicago's Wrigley Field. I wonder if I can get some Juicy fruit gum when I get there. That's my favorite.

Biking to Wrigley Field

OK here I am. In the parking lot of my work at I-20 and Collins in South Arlington, Texas. A fat guy on a bicycle. Go ahead and laugh but by the time I reach Wrigley field in Chicago, some 1001.1 mile from here, I will be skinny! OK, I will have lost a lot of weight. With Baseball season right around the corner maybe I will get there on a day when I can watch the Rangers beat up on the Cubs in an inter-league play game.
Alright, here I go, straight North on Collins. It seems to be ok starting out. I am getting a little winded. It would probably be a little easier if I was not writing while riding. "Hey look Mom, no hands!" LOL
Hmmm I have noticed that mysteriously there are not any stray dogs or cats. I know the City of Arlington animal control’s “Nazi-like” approach on stray animals is effective but not like this..... it seems very surrealistic. Wait,... what is going on here? What is this "Saigon Pho" business and an Asian Market and a non descript little building that looks like an old fashion “Photo-mat” painted Baby Blue. It has some sort of Southeast Asian looking script all over it except for a lone sign that in English reads "Batteries- Cheap"? I wonder where they get their stock of Batteries? This is a very interesting part of town. The more I look, the more there is than what appears to be on the surface. There are many “Body Art” ….Galleries(?), where one may acquire some great works of art for a little change. There are plenty of “Tote-the-Note” used car lots. That’s good to know just in case I cannot make it or give up and have to purchase a car to get home. And I believe I have now passed two bingo halls and three palm readers. At least I think they were palm readers. They were ordinary looking houses with huge white signs in the front-yard with a big Red Hand painted on it. Oh look! Just to my left. I see my Alma mater in the skyline, The University of Texas at Arlington. Now look just next to UTA the glow of neon signs from all the bail bondsmen surrounding the Police department and city jail. Now If you look real close just next to the police department you will see the 2 buildings that make up Arlington’s……LOL Sorry I cant help but laugh….The 2 buildings that make up Arlington’s downtown .LOLOLOLOLOLOL Oh me I need to catch my breath.
If I was not on such a strict diet, trying to lose weight I think this would be the place to stop to get some fine cuisine. The chefs seem to be quite talented based on the signage I have seen. I have seen several Pho Noodle houses, another place that served Mexican and Chinese food. One place served Fried Chicken and Catfish. Still another was Soul Food and Thai food wihere you know the meat was fresh because it had a fully operational butcher shop in the back. Hmm I wonder how these places compare to one of my favorites in Granbury, Texas. The famous "Sushi and Donuts"!
Well I am getting very winded now (not to mention a little queezy). I think I am going to have to rest... Hey! can it be? Yes, It is...I think. I have done it. I see Wrigley Field already. It is grander and more spectacular than I thought. And Look how close it is to The home of the Texas Rangers, "The Ballpark In Arlington".....(Thinking)......(Pondering).........(Thinking).........OH! I did not think there could be anything that nice in Chicago. That is Jerry's place. The new home of the World Famous, All of America's favorite aka America's team (and God's Chosen Favorite) Dallas Cowboys!!!!
Ok That does it for today I am going to rest here after riding 6.25 miles.

No Bicycle tires, inner tubes or other parts were harmed or injured by the fat guy in the making of this blog. All bike riding is done virtually in the gym on a stationary bike. Through the special F/X of the mind of Paul Hubenak the virtual riding of the stationary bike has this life like ride projected onto it for the purposes of this entertaining blog.