Marbles Again?

I said it before, I'll say it again:

To the Employees of Dewey, Suem & Howe: check twice and if there's still marbles, FLUSH AGAIN! Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Golf Clubs

I went into Golfer's Warehouse over the weekend to have the grips on my clubs replaced and check my lie angles for any necessary adjustments. The service guy told me my clubs were really, really worn out in that the grooves on the face were nearly gone. I do hit a ton of balls but I didn't really notice. However, it was obvious after comparing them to new ones. After I inquired about what to look for, he proceeded to show me clubs he thought were perfect for me. I hit them and liked them and all that but I was waiting for the kicker; price.

Guess what? He sold me the least expensive clubs in the store (I would have gladly paid much more - these are a last year's model too) and provided documentation showing how that particular model is as good as any other in the store and how converting my 3 and 4 iron to semi-hybrids and changing my shaft flex would immediately help my game. He was so excited for me, that it was infectious.

Then he said he'd give me an additional 20% discount if I didn't mind the demo set. Hell, they'd be "demos" in my bag after hitting them once. So I agreed.

So I went for it. I bought them then and there. But he couldn't find the club head covers for the demo set so he ended up giving me the brand new, boxed set for the demo price since I had already paid.

I'm sort of an impulsive purchaser at times, but lately I've been taking care to do my research. But I just trusted this guy right away. I really felt he was looking for me, not store profits. Yet, I was worried how much he might have "played me". Perhaps he was just a great actor.

Turns out he was dead on that they were perfect for me as far as I could tell from three trips to driving range (great weather past few days). And....I couldn't find the clubs within $250 of the price I paid at Amazon.com or anywhere else online.

I'm a pretty happy camper!

Bring on Spring now.

What's Your Return Policy?

Although I don't buy donuts often, my addiction for coffee rather frequently has me in Dunkin' Donuts (they of the franchise every 350 feet for so - seriously, do we need them across the street from each other? Its gettin' to be rigoddamndiculous) to purchase a cup. At which time, they insist on giving me a receipt. You know what? I'm all set. Keep your paper.

It reminds me of the late, great Mitch Hedberg.....

“I bought a doughnut and they gave me a receipt for the doughnut. I don’t need a receipt for a doughnut. I’ll give you the money, you give me the doughnut…end of transaction. We do not need to bring ink and paper into this. I just cannot imagine a scenario where I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut. Some skeptical friend: “Don’t even act like I didn’t get that doughnut…I got the documentation right here! (pause) Oh wait, it’s back home in the file under ‘D’ for doughnut.” ‘Cuz we all know what ‘D’ is.

~Mitch Hedberg

I agree.

Random Sounds

I hit "shuffle" and here are 10 Random Songs from my Blackberry:

1. Can't Fight this Feeling - REO Speedwagon

Lol - something about REO that brings me back to being 15. Good times! Should I be embarrased that's on there?

2. Love Remains The Same - Gavin Rossdale

Such a good tune. And I was a big Bush fan too. (The BAND, people! Get your minds out of the gutter!)

3. Layne - Aaron Lewis - WCCC Live at Planet of Sound.

I love Aaron Lewis' (he of Staind, of course) voice even though I don't always care for the songs he does. This is live and unplugged and its pretty cool, but I have to admit, sometimes I skip it when it comes up.

4. Zoo Station - U2

You can never go wrong with some U2, but, like Aaron Lewis, I find I skip their songs sometimes. I think I have to be in a certain mood.

5. In the End - Linkin Park

Frankly, I'm not sure why this band's not MORE popular. They have so many great songs.

6. Allentown - Billy Joel

I have tons of Billy Joel in my phone and I think, for the most part, his music holds up great. Perhaps its the stories he tells in them. Plus it brings me back to college. Good times! Isn't so much of music nostalgia?

7. Hole Hearted - Extreme

I'm a sucker for good guitar work and Nuno Bettencourt never disappoints. I guess he's playing in Rihanna's band now. Interesting.

8. Falling Away From Me - Korn

Like Linkin Park I'm surprised this band doesn't get more accolades. They're cool in that they get their darker sound from use of tuned down 7-string Ibanez guitars.

9. Rock and Roll Aint Noise Pollution - AC/DC

AC/DC needs NO explanation. And don't you dare hate on them or its "go time!"

10. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Another guitar-based band I enjoyed back in the day. I don't mind rocking out to them once in a while (and I LOVE playing their songs) but I do skip over them too.

Well, that's it. I'm surprised Creed and/or Shinedown didn't come up since I have tons of their stuff loaded. But I typed what I heard.

Your turn.

Skating for Bears

Do the male figure skaters in the Olympics have to hold a Teddy Bear while they're waiting for their scores? Isn't that a bit.....ummmm......much?

I'll be anxious to see if the hockey players hold one between shifts.

6 Months

We're fast approaching 6 months and everything is going along well. Of course by well, I mean, I'm fine and my main concern about the new baby, finances, especially $1000 per month childcare, are in really good shape.

Of course, she's a bit uncomfortable with some growing pains, exhaustion, swollen ankles and achey nipples pretty much 24/7. But, like I said, I'm fine.

Offsetting those items though are really big boobs, which are nice, clear, porcelain skin and that glow. That glow that is endemic to pregnant women. Its just beautiful. All is well on the homefront.

Life is good!

What Up Babs?

Chicken Little screamed and clawed and clucked. But in the end, the sky didn't fall. Nor much else.

Three days! Three days we heard about the impending snowstorm. "Barbara" they named her. High winds. Deep snows. Impending doom, they said! Doooooooooooom.

Schools closed the afternoon before. Predictions had 10 to 18 inches, with higher amounts possible. One storm would meet another. We should all stock up on bread and water and Chef-Boyardee.

So what if it was a little late in arriving but only by, oh, 7 hours or so. Of course, then the amounts were reduced to 6 to 10 inches. Flakes fell. Barely. However, it merely coated the grass and created wet pavement. Stay indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary, right? But certainly, the wallop was to come.

By the 6pm forecast, snowfall amounts were reduced to 2 to 5 inches. Woah! Bad enough, I guess, but, what the HELL am I going to do with the 32 cans of Beefaroni and 7 loaves of bread I bought in preparation?

At daybreak today I arose early so as to allow time for snow removal and school delays. Racing to the window, I threw open the sash and looked upon the winter wonderland. Initially surprised to find the window wasn't completely blocked by drifting snow, I anticipated the the beauty and purity of newfallen snow covering all in a Snuggie of white.

Then I saw it. The devastation television forecasters and ticker tape warnings that were foretold - we had maybe, maybe, 1 and one-half inches of snow! Babs wasn't quite the bitch we feared.

Where's my can opener?

Back Off

A menacing little Toyota Prius was tailgating me half-way to work today! Sort of like being chased by Freddie or Jason or something. I was askeered! Guess his brakes were working today, though. Phew!

Superbowl

How should I bet the Superbowl? Any thoughts? I'm saving money like crazy right now pending expensive child-care in a few months, but I can scrape up a couple bucks to make the game interesting. I just don't know which way to go.

Of course we'll play cards and have our money grid, but I need to bet the game somehow.

Thinking Colts (4.5 point faves) and the "over" (56.5 - wow!) in a teaser. Therefore, I would GET 1.5 points for the Colts (they could lose by 1) and the over under would be reduced to 50.5. I've done well with these in the past, but not a great feel this year. Any thoughts?

And if you're not betting it, or have other rooting interest, you can cheer the game on my behalf. So thanks in advance.