Mammoth Mistake?

I had the hair-brained idea to go camping this weekend. I pressured Ragged to go and she graciously acquiesced, so we scrambled around and got our food and supplies together and off we went to Mammoth Cave National Park. Initially, we were assigned a bad camping spot, so we had to go back to the ranger and request a change. He didn't seem very happy to grant our request, but he nevetheless bent to our will. It's a good thing, because I was fully prepared slash the tires of his park buggy in retaliation for having to stay on the rooty, slanted spot he had given us.

We got our tent up and eventually got a fire going. Usually when we go camping we are with a group of other people, so I'm not responsible for the fire. On this trip, it was all me. I was never a Boy Scout, so this fire was built by instinct. There was success...eventually. That night we went to bed early and it was a good thing because the heavens opened up and it pissed and poured for 5 or 6 hours. We didn't get wet, but our tent did take on water and some of our bedding got wet. We persurvered. Saturday was very nice weather-wise. We considered taking a cave tour. We went up to the visitor's center and discovered every family on this side of the Missisip was taking their kids on vacation at Mammoth Cave before school starts, so we decided not to take a tour. I was not-so-secretly happy, because I've had my fill of cave tours to do me for my lifetime. Ragged still likes them, but even she wasn't up for the throngs of people, so we made our way back to our campsite.

Of course, no campsite of mine is complete without a group of rednecks within earshot. These are the people that dress like Christina Ricci in "Black Snake Moan" and immediately start making noise once they wake up in the morning without regard for others who might be sleeping soundly. Ragged and I attempted to take a nap, but I was apparently having hot flashes and could not sleep. I was sweating like a whore in church, but Ragged felt fine, so I have to believe my hormones were out of whack. We ate all kinds of crap which is typical for any camping trip. I had heartburn the entire time as a punishment.

Today we were up early. We were going to spend the day in BG, but we got there too early, and didn't want to wait for the stores to open, so after making a few stops we hurried home. We had to dry out the tent and wash the sleeping bags at the local laundry mat. It had been some time since Ragged and I had been to a laundry mat. We both used to live in apartments that didn't have washer and dryers, so we used to go together to do our laundry. It's hard to imagine having to do that these days. It does have it's appeal, however. You are forced to be quiet for the hour or so it takes to finish up your laundry. Ragged and I usually spent our time reading or talking. At any rate, I digress...

We had a good time camping, but I am always happy to be home. The cats didn't seem to notice we were gone. We didn't get any of our Blockbuster movies which were supposed to arrive on Friday. I'm convinced our next door neighbors stole them, but Ragged is more optimistic. I hope she's right for once.

I Knew It!

When Ragged and I went to see "Transformers" I had a suspicion. I confirmed that suspicion tonight. The man who did the voice of Optimus Prime was the same guy who voiced Venger in the 80s cartoon "Dungeons & Dragons". That voice is unmistakable.

Yes, you has buger

I Can't Put My Finger On It

The I Can Has Cheezburger site cracked me up tonight. What is it that leaves you shrugging one time and rolling in the floor the next?

Do I Has Buger?

Sicko

One down and four to go. I spent today at home most of the day, save a quick jaunt to the local detention center for a couple of interviews. I watched "Breach" while I toiled today. Ragged had already seen it, so I watched it alone. Very good movie. That's three in a row. Bound to be a stinker coming up soon. I traded one of our recent movies at a local Blockbuster store and it got back to the distribution center well before they sent the next one. I think they make sure they make their money by delaying sending movies out sometimes. It's a conspiracy. I'm calling Michael Moore.

Ike in the sink

The World Just Keeps Going Around

Bloody hell, it's Sunday. Tomorrow begins another work week. Today, Ragged and I had breakfast with her soon-to-be sister in law's family. We then came home and began watching movies. "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Pursuit of Happyness" were the two movies we watched and both were very good. I was shocked at the violence in Pan's Labyrinth. I expected sort of a children's movie. We've gotten another pretty heavy rain. I thought we'd have a long, dry summer, but so far we have gotten a nice amount of rain. I got a workout in and we ordered pizza for dinner. I've been craving pizza for a few days now. It was goo-ooo-ood.

Eli looks on

Reunion

The day is pretty much over and I'm tuckered. Everything went pretty smoothly with Ragged's family reunion. We had homemade ice cream which was a highlight and we followed that up with a run to Cold Stone Creamery for even more ice cream. We hadn't hit the store yet, and it has been open for several months. I had the 2 to Mango smoothie which I highly recommend. Ragged and I also managed to spend some time down by the river. It was a nice day.

The setting sun on the Ohio River

Um-Ber-Ella

I hate days when there's alot to do. The anticipation leaves me sleepless. I think that's part of why I'm up at 3:30 a.m. writing this. Well, that and the fact that I thought I smelled smoke and I'm staying up to make sure the house doesn't burn down. You really have no idea how seriously nuts I am. Lots of issues and hang ups here, ladies and gents.

Today is Ragged's family's family reunion and I have to prepare pasta salad alone as Ragged will be at a retreat all of the morning. It's difficult to prepare food alone with 4 cats, particularly cat hair-free food. It stresses me out.

The title is in honor of Pilot. Hope I've planted a song you can hum or sing in your mind all day long. ;)

Ike napping in the sun

Uncharacteristic Optimism

Tonight I'm pleasantly tired. Today, I mowed the yard, worked out, and walked a half dozen trips around a local park. The weather was awesome today. I opened all the windows in the house and spent some time sitting on the porch. I wish the weather would be like this the rest of the summer. I had to go into work today due to a rescheduling in court and slow internet access at home coupled with a moved up due date. Tomorrow I'm going to go in to work and out to lunch with co-workers for a couple co-workers birthday luncheon. This could be a nice week. And, I probably just jinxed it.

Neen dozes off

Somebody Call Jenny

Ragged has gone to knit group and I only have one job, so I'm at home alone. Ike is sitting beside me and I'm watching a rerun of "Reno 911"/reading an installment of Star Trek New Frontier. I can't sit up because I'm done nothing but eat all day long and I'm stuffed. I've been exercising, so I understand that your appetite increases along with that, but I'm obsessed with eating. I need an intervention.

Ike wonders if he's next on the menu

Sunday Evening Post

Sunday night. The worst time of the week other than Monday morning. Unfortunately I have to go in for a bit tomorrow. Not looking forward. I'm sitting here watching "The 4400" wondering what went wrong with this show. It was so cool in the beginning, now it's boring. I don't think some shows should go past a season or two. Seems like they are struggling to stretch this out. In my opinion, it's like "Lost", I'm not even sure they know where they are going with the show. Well, at least there's "Big Brother".

Boop at rest

Busier Then A One Legged Man

Today Ragged and I sprung out of bed bright and early full of vim and vigor to complete our only planned chore for the day, cleaning out the gutter. Well, not exactly. More like we begrudgingly drug ourselves from the comfort of our king-sized bed, but the former sounds nicer. At any rate, we cleaned them out. Later after I went and ran some errands on my own including going by the bank, to the library, and running by work, we went together and got a workout in. This was the first time we had gone together in awhile. It was nice and hopefully the first of many times in the coming weeks. Later still, we schleped to Lowe's to buy a new element for our grill. I had toyed with the idea of mowing, but I couldn't make myself do it. Not today. The next couple of days are going to be blazing hot, so it'll probably be Tuesday before there's a break in the heat and then I will do the lawn. For some reason this weekend feels long. I keep thinking tomorrow is Monday, then I happily realize it's not. We've watched several movies this weekend and we've just settled in to watch "The Good Shepherd". I don't know if I can remain focused for the 2 hours and 40 some odd minute run time. Cross your fingers.

Vintage shot of Ike, Izzie, and Cooper snuggled in the bed

The Titleless Blog Entry

We went and saw "Transformers" on Wednesday and I have to say I was a bit disappointed. Although, visually, I don't think I've seen a better movie. The explosions and destruction were like nothing I've ever seen. Despite that, at the end of the movie, I was left unsatisfied. Why can't I just enjoy a movie? I can only think of a handful of movies that have left me completely satisfied at the end. I think I'm broken.

Tonight, Ragged and I went out to dinner after planning to eat in, but since our grill is on the fritz, that wasn't happening. Well, that and I my being too lazy to put forth the effort to cook. Following eating, we drove around and through some prospective neighbors for our move that never seems like it's going to happen. It was fun, nevertheless. From Blockbuster, we have "The Good Shepherd", "Miss Potter", and "Our Very Own" to watch this weekend. It's going to be too hot to do much outside, but we plan to clean out the gutters tomorrow early before it gets too sweltering.

More Then Meets the Eye

Today is over and tomorrow is a day off for Ragged and me. We don't have much planned, but we are contemplating going to see "Transformers". Although I wasn't a big fan of the show back in the day (I preferred GoBots), it looks really cool. We have free movie passes from my blood giving win, so that makes it all the better.

Ike in his basket

Let Freedom Ring

What a fun weekend. Ragged summed it up on her blog, so I won't repeat. I'll just say I had a great time and I hope everyone else did, too. Happy Birthday Pilot and Rudy.

One of the fireworks at the Independence Day celebration at WS.