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The Weekend: What Are You Going To Do?

July 20, 2009 By Jeff 157 Comments

cowBarnyard Gravy, it turns out, is vanilla ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate-covered pretzels.  It looked nothing like the way I had it pictured.  I mean, where was the chocolate swirl?  The caramel?  The nut-brownies?

In fact, it was fairly dull.  It was mostly just vanilla, with the goodies spaced too far apart.  The so-called pretzels were little nodules, roughly the size of a peanut, covered in dark chocolate.  I kinda liked ‘em; they were sweet, salty, and crunchy.  But there were only four or five of the things in the entire bowl of ice cream.

And I don’t know where they came up with that name.  It can’t be good for business, can it?  Barnyard Gravy, for godsakes?  Sounds like high-pressure cow diarrhea.

I give it a C.  It wasn’t horrible or gross, or anything.  It was just kinda boring.  I ate it with no problem (of course), but can’t really see myself ordering it again, ever, as long as I live.  That place offers far too much greatness to waste time on such dull-ass fare.

Here’s a picture, taken before I’d had my first bite.  It’s a shame, really.  It probably means one less bowl/cone of Oreo I’ll ingest during my lifetime.  And it’s pissing me off just thinking about it…

The upstairs bathroom is slowly coming together.  Our contractor is taking today off, so something can set (who the hell knows?).  But he should be able to finish it tomorrow, if all goes well.

And what started as a leak in our hallway downstairs has turned into a new bathroom floor, new ceramic tile, all new tile on the walls, a new toilet, and a new sink.  In fact, the only thing that isn’t being replaced, from the floorboards on up, is the bathtub.  It’s a kick straight to the cherry tomatoes, believe me.

But whatever.  We knew there was trouble brewing in there, and didn’t want to acknowledge it.  It was one of those unspoken truths, that nobody dared let out into the open air.  So it’ll be nice not to have all that dread and guilt hanging over our heads.

Plus we’ll have a high-powered toilet designed by the Army Corps of Engineers, or whatever.  I can’t wait to give that baby a test drive.

I’m just glad we had that home warranty (which I’d proclaimed “a rip-off!” multiple times in the past).  Our out-of-pocket expense is probably only about one-third of what it would’ve been under normal circumstances.  The dude is putting in massive hours.

And not that it’s relevant or anything, but here’s a sliver of a conversation I had with our contractor yesterday:

Me:  I’m going to work now, see you on Tuesday.
Him:  You work on Sundays too?
Me:  Yeah, I start on Sunday.
Him:  Where do you work?
I told him.
Him:  Shuffling papers around?
Me:  Pretty much.
Him:  Have a good day.

Remember my recent diatribe against our local Bennigan’s?  Well, guess what?  The place went out of business.  I’m sure it had nothing to do with their bad food, though, or poor service.  Right?  No, they’re obviously just another victim of the bad economy…

Ha!

A big-shot at my old job has reportedly purchased the building (after being laid-off like everybody else), and will be opening a pub/restaurant there.  We’ll see how it goes.  God knows I’ll do my best to see that it succeeds.

On Saturday we went to see Harry Potter and the Fresh Prince, or whatever it’s called.  I thought it was pretty darn good.  In fact, I’d rank it as the best Harry Potter movie I’ve seen so far.  And I’ve watched all but one, I believe.

The place was crowded, of course, and we had to sit way up in the rafters.  We were surrounded by the morbidly obese, carrying popcorn buckets the size of bathroom trashcans, huffing and puffing, and sweating profusely.  Half the crowd was coughing and hacking up a lung, blowing a fine mist of respiratory disease all around the joint.

But I still had a good time.  What are you going to do?

Have you seen the movie yet?  What’s your verdict?  Tell us about it in the comments, won’t you?

I also finished off the most recent season of 24 on Saturday night.  So, let me get this straight…  Jack Bauer is in a coma with only minutes to live, but his daughter has made a last-minute offer to donate her stem cells, for use in an experimental long-shot treatment?  And we know that  Kiefer Sutherland (between savage beatings of clothing designers) is signed through season 8?

Wow, what a cliffhanger!  Wonder how it’s going to turn out??  I’m on the edge of my freaking seat over here.

I was talking to Steve on Saturday, and he told me an interesting story.  He said one of his co-workers is a semi-pro singer/actor, who often volunteers his time by performing at area nursing homes(?!).

Curious, Steve went to see one of the guy’s “shows,” and he said it wasn’t bad at all.  But some of his song choices were kind of curious.  “Don’t Fence Me In,” for instance.  Is that really an appropriate tune for a bunch of World War I veterans warehoused inside a nursing home?

And I’d like to make that the Question of the Day:  What other songs do you think would be highly inappropriate in such a setting?  How about “My Generation?”  “Working for the Weekend?”  “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet?”

Use the comments section below, to give us your thoughts.

And I’ll see you guys tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Now playing in the bunker.

Read the story of Jeff's last six months in West Virginia!
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Comments

  1. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    @ DTO – Just finished posting my first story on my blog, tell me what you think. Oh and take care of those red bumps. Sounds like you got into some poison oak or ivy.

    Reply
  2. White Trash Barbie says

    July 21, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    The husband and I saw HP over the weekend. We liked it very much. In fact we liked it so much that we saw it twice. I thought it did a really good job of laying the groundwork for the next two movies based on the final book.

    But the best part?

    We were able to attend the movies on two consecutive occasions without being surrounded by douchebaggery.

    Almost every time we go to the movies we have a couple come in late and sit right behind us or right in front of us and act like clownshoe ass-hats. The most notable being the couple who sat in front of us during Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. They talked OUT LOUD the whole time and at the end, at the climactic showdown, the wife looked at the husband and said, loudly, “Not another FIGHT scene?!?”

    Reply
  3. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    @ WTB – I like that, “clownshoe ass-hats”.

    Reply
  4. White Trash Barbie says

    July 21, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    @SR – Thanks! Just a sampling of the gems I have picked up here and adopted into my own vernacular.

    Reply
  5. Lee Harvey Ramone says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Survey question submitted in the hopes of a little feedback:

    In your opinion, is it OK for someone to bring a concealed firearm into your home (without your knowledge)? Is it wrong? Would you be upset if you found out about it afterwards?

    Reply
  6. hootie mcboob says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    Lee Harvey Ramone –
    No! I can’t see where that would ever be ok – if it were to ever happen chez McBoob, harsh words would be spoken.

    Reply
  7. Jason says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    I encourage everyone to be armed at all times, just as I am, so I’d have no problem with it.

    Shiny Rod,
    I checked out your blog. Can’t comment on there because I don’t have a certain kind of account (?!) It’s not like Tiff’s or Tammie’s, for example, where anyone that wants to can comment. Is that by design?

    Reply
  8. WB in OH says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    LHR- NRA member in good standing here also have a concealed carry permit. I would fully expect to get my ass kicked if I showed up at a friends house with a concealed weapon and didn’t bother to tell them.

    Reply
  9. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    @ Lee Harvey Ramone – No, If someone is carrying, I want to know. If it’s in my house, I’m liable. I have a good friend who always carries his glock with him and he always lets me know that he has it in case we get stopped when I am riding with him. Thats why we are still good friends. If it was after the fact, they should have never told you they had it. Of course, kicking their ass would be out of the question since you now know they are armed. I mean, what if the gun fell out and a child picked it up and yes I have a gun too but I keep it locked in a safe unloaded. Now that I have a dog, I don’t worry about breakins.

    Reply
  10. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    @ Jason – yes and no, I think you have to register with google to be able to comment. Thanks for the support.

    Reply
  11. t-storm says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    I’d appreciate knowing there was a gun present. As far as having it in the house, eh. To each his own.
    If you are the kind of asshole who is constantly pulling it out and showing it off and pointing it at shit, or showing it to the kids, or anyone for that matter, keep it in the car.

    Reply
  12. Bill in WV says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    Uh oh, it’s getting political in here again. Jeff, cleanup in aisle 4.

    Reply
  13. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    @ Jason – I turned off the login function for comments, you should be able to make a comment now.

    Reply
  14. Brynhildr says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    There are lots of scenarios where things can go wrong even if the gun owner is responsible, so if you’re carrying in my house, I deserve to know. I’d be very upset with any friend that didn’t give me a courtesy heads-up and the option to decline to allow a gun in my house, especially if any children, hotheads and/or drunks will be present.

    And remember, it’s all fun and games until someone gets shot while on the crapper.

    http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/Woman_shot_in_bathroom_stall_070909

    Reply
  15. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    @ Bill in WV – Who’s talking politics, nobody said anything about shooting republicans, yet!

    Reply
  16. WB in OH says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Or liberals!

    Reply
  17. Jason says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    It’s all fun and games until someone loses a toupe or gets a coke bottle stuck in their ass.

    I guess I’m used to a different kind of lifestyle than I have now. I grew up in Texas and we ALL had guns, all the time. So I think nothing of it. No big deal. If someone needs shooting, then, you know, shoot them.

    Reply
  18. t-storm says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    Or independents!

    Reply
  19. Brynhildr says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    “If someone needs shooting, then, you know, shoot them.”

    You don’t know how badly I wish that were possible without the legal ramifications! I think I need to go make my dream list of people who….

    Reply
  20. White Trash Barbie says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    Interesting question. I never really thought about it, but I think it would depend on the person.

    I have friends who are responsible gun owners, and it has never occurred to me to be concerned about whether they had their guns with them in my home.

    Conversely, there are the people (eg, dumbasses, those with something to prove, those with short fuses) who should never carry a gun whether it is in my home or elsewhere, especially in situations involving alcohol. I am thinking specifically of one of the groomsmen in my wedding who didn’t understand that it was not necessary to be armed in the church during the ceremony. What a toss pot.

    However, I think as a matter of courtesy and safety, one should inform one’s host or hostess if one is packing.

    Reply
  21. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    ***Ducking sheepishly towards the exit****

    Reply
  22. Jason says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Brynhildr,
    What’s the difference between a stack of dead bodies and a new Porsche? There isn’t a new Porsche in my garage. Okay? You can do eet!

    As far as the legal ramifications, I think “he/she needed shooting” is a legitimate defense. At lease it used to be. Maybe check up on that before you go on a rampage.

    Reply
  23. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    @ jason – I thought that was going to be a lawyer joke…

    Reply
  24. Brynhildr says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    Jason — if I could just give them a small flesh wound… you know…get their attention with a .22 to the backside? Sounds practical, doesn’t it? I’m waiting for the authorities to see things my way.

    Reply
  25. Garrett says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    If you don’t know they have it, how can you care?

    Reply
  26. greg t says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Jeff must be on his way to Blog-her. No update for two days??

    Reply
  27. Jason says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Where is our update, that’s what I wanna know.

    Reply
  28. t-storm says

    July 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    @Garret
    Because if something happened and that’s how you find out shit might go down.

    And back to the nursing home talk:
    What does an old lady’s poon taste like?
    Depends.

    Reply
  29. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    @ t-storm – That was so wrong on so many levels. I just don’t even want to think about it.

    Reply
  30. JCIII says

    July 21, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Good Evening surf Reporters……

    anyone seen an update around here?

    Reply
  31. Tammie says

    July 21, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    Maybe Jeff picked up the same wicked virus I did. I spent all day fixing my computer. I just now updated. For awhile there, I thought my computer was a goner….I would have lost my mind.
    Maybe he’s running his hands wildly through his hair as we speak?

    Reply
  32. NDfaninAZ says

    July 21, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    *chants*

    Update! Update! Update!

    Update-less days make for long work days.

    Reply
  33. t-storm says

    July 21, 2009 at 7:41 pm

    No update after 3 pm usually means no update. We need to buy more shirts so Jeff doesn’t have to work and can entertain us continuously.

    Reply
  34. DTO says

    July 21, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    I pack responsibly. I know where, when and why. I view my revolver as a pracitical necessity.

    Shiny Rod…No weed rash. Full on body kafuck…but all’s seeming well and I’m sipping some wine. I know that’s a no no with the meds…but hey…wine can be viewed as medicinal too.

    Reply
  35. Uncle Buzz in Wheeling says

    July 21, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    Please folks, lets keep this a blog/forum for grownups.

    To me, and hopefully some of you’ns, this means:

    1. No politics.

    2. No religion.

    3. No guns.

    4. No Chicken Little topics.

    5. No conspiracy-theory nonsense.

    6. No social, cultural or racial hatred.

    There are plenty of other web sites which deal with these topics to wretched excess.

    Be nice if we could confine this forum to, but not limited to, the following:

    1. Sex, also known as he-in’ & she-in’.

    2. War stories, and not just of the military type.

    3, The pleasures of beer & strong spirits.

    4. Music, good & bad.

    5. Movies, good & bad.

    6. Food & restaurants, good & bad.

    7. General tasteless of every variety.

    Today’s quote: “Bore, n.: A person who talks when you wish him to listen.” Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

    Whoa, hey, could be me! Guilty!!

    Reply
  36. JCIII says

    July 21, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    Maybe we’ll get one of those rare 3a.m. updates. They’re a nice way to start the day!
    Strong coffee and a fresh update.

    Reply
  37. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    @ Uncle Buzz in Wheeling – You got my full support on that tip. I’m all for #1 on the list.

    Reply
  38. Pagan says

    July 21, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    Uncle Buzz, I had just finished my Libertarian Blog and was on my way to the church of scientology when I stopped off at the local gun store to buy an AK47 to kill that damned chicken in my yard who kept going on and on about the sky falling! When I realised the Government had fired a missile into the Pentagon as an excuse to blame theworking class ethnics from another Country for stealing all our jobs! When I suddenly realised: I got laid last night by a beautiful woman I had been married to for 25 years after we shared a couple of Jax with Jack back,listening to Lucinda Williams on the Stereo, having just watched The fifth Element on DVD after a fantastic meal at at a local restaraunt, when I turned to my beloved and whispered in her ear: “pull my finger”

    Reply
  39. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    @ DTO – Yeah, take it easy with the wine. Moderation is the key. Oh, I got a new post out on my blog, you know the place. I was really bite my tongue for months while I is was on the pain killers for knee. The surgery did wonders. Thanks

    Reply
  40. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    @ Pagan – You had me there with getting laid, until did the pull my finger.

    Reply
  41. Brynhildr says

    July 21, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    My water heater sprung a leak today and has completely shit itself. And now no update? Gggrrrrrrrrrrrrr…

    Reply
  42. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 10:22 pm

    Been through that one, fortunately it was the qwest pipe to the water heater that was leaking and I had already purchased some snap on fittings and extra pipe. I would say that if I were, well, it would have been fixed and you would have been back in operation. Smile, it happens. My studio got flooded when a pipe busted inside my kitchen wall, twice. I had to tear out the wall under the sink to get to the pipes. Bummer.

    Reply
  43. DTO says

    July 21, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    Shiny Rod…everything started all over around 7:30 tonight after a good day. I know what it is now. The showing up at night was the give away. It ain’t the gluten thing for sure.

    Jeff’s probably partying with the plumber, celebrating a job well done, sharing some beers and listening to stories….and running in for a test flush now and then.

    Reply
  44. Shiny Rod says

    July 21, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    @ DTO – I think the secrets can run it through the paces a lot better than Jeff. Kids can drop some baggage if you know what I’m talking bout.

    Reply
  45. mountie9wv says

    July 21, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    Can we talk about threesomes? Maybe a he-in’ & she-in’ & she-in’? I can’t help it, I like women. They are beautiful.

    Reply
  46. JCIII says

    July 22, 2009 at 12:51 am

    @Brynhildr,

    for the Love of Christ, don’t replace that tank with a Whirlpool/Kenmore

    you’ll have nothing but heartache and the one who’ll not care about your tears is Rajeev or Habib or Stan, speaking to you live from Bangladesh.

    I installed one a year and a half ago. It shit the bed within a month. Mind you this was February in Pittsburgh.

    I went without hot water for over a week.

    Reply
  47. JCIII says

    July 22, 2009 at 12:53 am

    I screwed up the URL…..

    but I’m almost seeing double and I don’t care

    Reply
  48. DTO says

    July 22, 2009 at 1:11 am

    Brynhildr…a couple of months ago I replaced my twelve old Rheem with a new Rheem. It’s gas. Good service and trouble free over the years…for me anyway. The relief valve seat rusted out and started leaking and that was that. Water, metal…there you go. Just some fyi.

    Reply
  49. Brynhildr says

    July 22, 2009 at 1:18 am

    JCIII — thanks for the advice. I’m doing a little research online, trying to figure out the best way to go. If I’m a good girl and get one of the tanks on the power company’s approved list, I can get a $30 rebate. Yippee! That will cover the cost of the beer needed to pay pay my brother-in-law for the installation. Thanks for the “free” installation, PG&E.

    Whatever water that is not on the garage floor is currently being drained through the foot of sediment at the bottom of the tank. Yech! Given the looks of the thing, my guess is that it was the original installed in 1991 when the house was built, so in a way, I can’t say I didn’t have it coming. (I bought the house in 2005.)

    Reply
  50. Shiny Rod says

    July 22, 2009 at 1:48 am

    @ Brynhildr – If your still looking for an update, I just happened to have posted my first story, click on the monicker and it will take you to my blog. So far, the reviewers have been impressed. Even Jason liked it and I didn’t have a cheese line in it. Chow for now…

    Reply
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