"Someone died in that bed....."

Poor Shelley! They finally got here just before 2am and tried to get to sleep soon after unpacking and having a beer. Not more than a few minutes after switching the lights out, I jokingly said "You know, someone died in that bed." She practically JUMPED across the room. She knew I was joking (I hope) but the comment hit her somewhere deep and she ended up taking the couch for the night. LOL I laughed myself into having asthma! Sorry, Shell.... but it WAS funny!

Let's see, the rest of the weekend was spent walking. We went up to Baltimore and took our time cruising through the mall area, and then along the docks. The women were beautiful. Many wore tight jeans or skirts, and all were showing off their tans. Scrum-diddly-umptious! We just don't have figures like these up north. What gives? Why does CT get the snobby chubby girls? Down here it's all sugar and spice and they all look nice. Even the less attractive ones work it pretty good... though my mind was STUCK on the blonde from on the Constellation. (The Constellation being a large warship from the days of sails and cannon) She must have been.. 5'9", blue eyes, blonde hair, dressed well... that is, "classy hot," if you get my meaning... Instant marriage material right there! LOL Ok ok, yes I am shallow when it comes to dating... that is just dating... it's like a handshake. But when it comes to mate material, the shallow aspects are the first to take a huge leap off the pier. You all know I mean it, so stop snickering! LOL And yes, I can poke fun at myself, too. I kind of have to. I mean, I'm nuts. When have I ever done anything that wasn't unorthodox or challenging to peoples' perceptions of 'what should be' and 'being a sheep'. A well-documented study revealed that even under close proximity for years on end, some people are still unable to 'get me'. But then, for the test to be accurate I should have selected a control that knew itself first. Anywhom...

So Baltimore was cool! We got to see them fire a cannon, and I have videotape to prove it. The fact that we were on a ship... firing cannon roughly in the direction of Fort McHenry... did not escape me, and I heard traces of the Star Spangled Banner playing through my mind. Tres cool. If you're down this way and want a good mix of shopping, eating, and stuff to do... Baltimore harbor will not disappoint.

Today! We got up much earlier today and hit the monument trail. Shelley forgot her camera, so we snapped a bunch on my new toy... which I am now addicted to. The camera does not leave my side. It is SO easy to snap some pictures... even just randomly... because it's not like you're wasting film. I just download the pics to the PC and store them. No fuss, no muss. If it were a regular camera, I might be hesitant to click off so many shots of one thing, or to possibly "waste" film on a not-as-important picture.... but with this digi-cam I am a shutter-snappin-fool! I highly recommend getting one, folks. Much better than camera phones.

So the sis and Justin are heading back to CT at the moment. I am taking a MUCH-needed break to check my e-mail. So long overdue! Setting up plans for the week. Last week was wicked slow after the Suzanne dead-end. On my own initiative, I had gone ahead and cut ties with everyone I was going out with or talking to because she had really grabbed my attention. It has taken a LOT of outgoingness, charm, and just getting out there to get some new names. The internet comes through every once in a while, too. It worked better for me at home, but I don't have internet in my apartment here so it's kind of spotty when you can't sign on and chat or e-mail heavily. (Sigh)

This week's personal agenda? Mind the eating. Weight remains hovering at 187, thankfully. The work is really not pulling it off... it's not like Maine where I kicked my ass 18 hours a day for several weeks. Down here the food is GOOD... and also PLENTIFUL. I only cooked for myself twice last week. While that is not bad, the fact that the alternative to my own cooking is often something either expensive or very very rich in calories... is. So I must mind that, because I don't want to break the threshold and start gaining again. But last week was a fluke. Sucky (emotion-wise) weekend followed by a week of me running this place.... yeah. We're 4x the sie of Pomperaug Woods and, well, if this were a ship like the Constellation... I'd say we're taking on more water than the bilges can handle and someone set the sails on fire! LOL No, not that bad at all. But I have had NO time to myself in over a week.. except for right now.. so I'm a wee bit burnt.

Let's see... tomorrow with Vicky, Tuesday maybe hang with my buddy DaKnack, someday whenever and as often as possible with Erin.... and then Erica. just. keeps. calling. "I'll find youuuuuuuu...." Yeesh! And Diane wants to get a drink, too. ::Places right hand over face and shakes head:: Yeah, yet another week with no time to myself. On the plus side, Vicky has her own set of handcuffs. Woo hoo! Can't beat a girl who comes equipped. Like, if you're allergic to latex? You had BEST carry your own darned lambskin, girl! LOL Just a for-instance. Of course, it is my belief that it is the smarter thing for women to carry condoms anyway. Yes, the guy should be responsible for this. I totally agree, ladies! And I am a responsible guy. But there are plenty of dudes out there that play dumb and don't carry. So I say, best to be prepared to 'wrap that rascal'. Ok, I lost my train of thought. It's almost 8 and I'm weary from the exercise this weekend... the kids just couldn't keep up! So...

ADIOS!

Those Three Little Words......

... Medicare Fraud Investigation

I'm responsible for the entire community this week, and THIS is what happens. Talk about shitting a brick. Thankfully, I do not believe it is anything to do with us at all, but a former outside clinician. We'll see. For now? Act as if all is normal! NORMAL I SAID! NORMAAAAALLLLLL !!!!

So yeah, not too much fun. Catch you all later.

Oh, and go see Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. It RAWKS. Totally cool oompa-loompa action!!!!!

It's FRID...wait, no...(ahem)....... It's THURSDAY!!! = )

Yeah, let me get my days straight, right?

Had a good time last night. Went out to grab dinner and then off to see the local Bowie Baysox play. Spent most of the game watching the locals and eyeing the few attractive women. The game was really SLOW! There was action in the first inning, and again at the eighth, but then with the score even... no one scored again until the bottom of the twelfth! The Baysox won, go figure. What a long-ass game!

Got back and set the Vic up to cruise today as soon as I can sneak away from work. My mom will probably be surprised that I'm not bringing home a huge bag or two of laundry! LOL I plan to leave at 3. However, if there is any way humanly possible to squeeze out the door by 2..... I will. This time I have clear directions for the Jersey Pike, as well as the suggestions of experienced locals on which routes have the least traffic and make the fastest escape from Maryland. Woo hoo!

I miss my dogs. Going to try to get as much time with them as possible this weekend. This might call for a trip to the toy store.... could use a couple of oversized bouncy balls for Star. =)

Other than that, just going to rip through the end of this blasted Medicare chart audit that has been exhausting me for a week. Once I'm done with that, well, I'm pretty much done here for the day. There's not much else to get done with the short time I'll have left, thought I'm sure I'll find something.

The KEY, of course... is staying low profile around 2. Last time I tried to leave at a certain time (not even early, but late!) and I got hung up for another 2.5 hours at work followed by yet ANOTHER 2.5 hours in traffic. This time I want to have a smooth and efficient trip home. I am debating whether or not to take 287 around to 15.... or 95 through NYC to Rt 8 to 15. Tough call. Depends on when I think I'll hit NYC. If it's any time before 6, I'll go 287.

Any words of wisdom or experience with going through NYC and southern CT portion of 95 between the hours of 5 and 7 ?

See y'all soon,
-Brett

Multi-Post: DC Stuff

Just a quick post before running to lunch.

Went over to DuPont Circle last night and checked out the scenery. Washington is an AWESOME city to be in. Well, once you've parked... I will be using the Metro next time out, because it took me about an hour and a half WITH a mapquest cell phone life line to get home last night. LOL Sure, I got there easily enough, but the return routes through some of the rotaries sent me off the path I knew. I was close and ran parallel and then criss-crossed my way back to Massachusetts/Rt 50. But I got some walking in at DuPont Circle. Found some good eateries and clubs and took the time to enjoy a band performing on the street. Earlier in the evening, they had a bagpiper stationed on the corner near yet another Starbucks. Pretty neat. I can definitely get into the DC scene. And I am LOVING the heat at night. The only time I don't like it is in my office when I'm wearing my suit!

Let's see what else... oh, so maybe I'm nuts but it seems that all of a sudden my beard is coming in A) much faster, and B) much darker. By noon I feel like I'm an Italian or a Greek! With the angle on the mustache outline and my now more pronounced jaw, it looks like I have a sinister goatee. Kinda neat! LOL When or IF I ever get a vacation, I'll try growing it out a bit. Maybe.

Other than that? Loving living on my own. But that's no surprise, I've always come into my own... when I'm on my own. LOL I keep the place immaculate. Schedule my twice-a-week laundry so it's in the dryer after I'm done cooking, and then folded and stored after I exercise. All in all, I'm having a blast down here.

Work? Work is a challenge! I love it! Egos, attitudes, secrets, histories... and I'm working through all of it to put the group back together. What a cool situation. Working here is like playing against Kasparov or Fischer.

But I have to run. Need to grab lunch and go meet w/ my DON about yesterday's deplorable fire drill responses. Grumble. Sigh. I keep telling myself that it's not for lack of ability, just that there has been a lack of leadership and training. That? That I can fix.

Leave a message, y'all!