The Bike Saga

So, I ordered a bike at the end of August. I was expecting it on September 8th. Late on the afternoon of the 8th, I got a call from Al, of Lloyd's Paint and Paper in Crystal Lake, Illinois, who called to tell me he received my package and it looked like it was in pretty bad shape.

I called and emailed the bike company and UPS, and although it took a little bit for each to understand the situation, I think they did right by me. At first, UPS said I would need to contact the company I bought the bike from, and the company would call UPS and decide how to resolve the problem. So I did that. However, the company people could read as well as I could, and when we tracked the package, it showed it was still in transit, and therefore, there is not yet a problem. I called UPS back, and told them I knew where the bike was, and instead of going through some drawn out process, couldn't they simply retrieve their mis-delivered package, and send it to me? They actually agreed that that made sense, and dispatched someone to pick it up.

Here's the funny thing: Even though UPS apologized every time I spoke with them, and were sorry that they mis-delivered my package, and were willing to go get it and send it to me, when I tracked the package again, the folks at UPS listed the package not as being mis-delivered, but that the receiver of the package, one Al, requested a change of delivery address, and it was now being sent to my address.

Why can't people or companies simply admit when they make a mistake? I would respect that a lot more than the responsibility dodging "solution" that is the official story from UPS.

Regardless of the human drama, here are some pictures of the fattest guy you know enjoying the hell out of his new bike!

An Overview of the Last Couple of Weeks...

includes a visit from Emily, Maggie and Katie's friend, and pictures from Nashville. Enjoy:

Our Wonderful Mini-Vacation...

As July began, we packed up the family, and embarked on our mini-vacation. First stop, Six Flags!

While we were at Six Flags, one of the ride attendants dropped Carl's glasses, and we had to stay the whole day and night (until 10 pm) to retrieve them. However, we made the most of out time. We picnicked in the parking lot, rode all the rides we wanted, saw some performances, and stayed for the night parade, which was fun. We had a long drive to Springfield, Illinois, but ended up at Jim and Nan's house around 2 am. We slept like the dead!

The next day, we were going to spend the afternoon at the Springfield beach, have a picnic, and see some sights, but the beach was closed (hence the kids' sad looks in the first pics below). However, we got over it, had a wonderful walk on the Lincoln Memorial Garden trails, and then spend the evening with Lara's grandparents, and had awesomely good ice cream at Krekel's in Springfield.

We got up the next morning, and drove BACK to St. Louis to spend a day at the zoo. We were joined by Jim and Nan.

We had a great day, and made it back home to Metropolis by about 10 pm that night.

Lara and I had a chance to see some old friends in Carbondale that night, but age was catching up to us, and we decided that discretion was the better part of valor. Unfortunately, when we got home, Lucky, our new dog, had injured herself in her kennel, rubbing her nose raw and chipping her front teeth on the kennel door. Even with someone watching her and letting her out regularly, she worried herself practically sick. We have decided that it is probably time to take our chances with the dog in the house instead of the kennel, or the next time we travel, we will professionally kennel her.

We went down to the river and watched the fireworks in Metropolis on the 4th. They were beautiful.

I think I'm gonna turn pro...

I got my grades back from my grad classes, and I am still making the straight "A's." I am very relieved, because I honestly didn't know what grade I was going to get in my special ed law class. I think I have a publishable paper coming from my other class, which is what they tell me I need to have under my belt.

I Got the Music In Me!

This month, I received a nice write up in the local paper for my latest record, "From Obscurity To Global Domination In Three EASY Steps." I was recognized on the street as that fat bald guy in a band by some dork I didn't know. It made me feel special.

Next, out of the blue, I was asked to play bass for the pit band for the high school's production of "Little Shop Of Horrors." We've had a practice already, and the guys I'm playing with are really talented, so I feel a little out of place. Okay, that was me smiling to myself cuz I rock! No, a little humility is needed because these guys are seriously talented, and have played together for years and you can tell it. However, I think I fit in pretty good, and we seem to all have the right idea.

Anyhow, I'll let you know how that goes.

Roger Is Old

Officially 43, on December 14th. In the second picture, I can really see my mom in my face. I always said to Mom that I looked forward to my birthday, because I set it aside for to express my thanks to my parents for having me. I always thought that's how it should be. Being born is no special event to you, but a huge event in the lives of your parents. Birthdays should be about reminding the parents that you're glad they stuck it out with you. Every year, until Mom died, I called her on my birthday, and told her I loved her, because she was the reason I have the celebration at all.

Home Is Where The Heart Is....

So, I'm not the skinniest guy in the world. I never have been, except for a few years in college when I was literally starving. What a great diet plan: be poor, for a long time.

Well, a year ago, I had my cholesterol levels checked, and they were a little high. I had them re-checked this last month, and the cholesterol levels actually were better, although the good cholesterol levels were too low, and my triglycerides were too high. Since I have had some pain every now and then in my chest, (which I had always been told was a torn intercostal muscle) since I have a family history of heart problems, and since the cholesterol and triglycerides were wonky, I had an echo stress test done today on my heart. It's not as invasive as a dye test, but better than a simple stress test and ekg.

The doc said he saw absolutely no evidence of blockages, which was nice to hear, but this test, although valuable, is limited. So, I am glad to hear he saw nothing catastrophic, but am convinced that now is the time I should really work hard to lose weight, eat better, lower the bad stuff in my blood, and raise the good stuff.

The nurse who was very nice this morning, unfortunately had to dig for a vein for the IV like she was searching for a ring dropped in her garbage disposal, which means she jabbed around several times, and hurt my hand like hell, but didn't find what she was looking for. So, she settled for the vein up a little higher on my arm. In fact, the worst part of the whole event was/is the really painful digs across the back of my right hand, and the swelling from her gouging.

On the other hand, I think one of the other nurses flirted with me :D Lara said that I better watch what cologne I am wearing (she picked it out for me).