Hugs and Kisses

I fell out of bed this morning still fighting the remaining troops of the "Bird Flu Virus Clan" and had decided early on there would be no post today. I know, I know, I can hear the clapping of hands from the cheap seats, but for those of you who came to see the show, hold on to your ticket. Stephen is in the house! I took the advise of a good friend and took a few extra days to rest and get some cuddling in, even if the cuddling he was talking about was with a blanket, which happens to be the story of my life, but that's another story, for another day. Rest, blanket cuddling, and visiting friends in the "Land of Cyber" . . . I had my day all planned out, it's an exciting life, I know, what can I say. People are constantly lining up at my door wanting to trade lives, their's for mine, but I keep turning them away. Gosh, you got to be saying, "Stephen is really sick, quick, call the medics, the fever is raging, his brain is frying, he's obviously delirious." I agree, the fever is raging, be damn those "Hordes of Demons" sent by the alien to torment my wretched soul but delirium has not set in yet. One of the nicest things happened to me today and I could not let today pass by without sending back some love and genuine thanks from my heart. It was in the form of a ShoutOut from a fellow friend and blogger I have had the honor of meeting since I started on this journey. Below is the Shoutout:

Monday, February 27, 2006

Well, it's been awhile since I "shouted out" to a few of my favorite bloggers -- so it's that time again. I have chosen another few buddies to "put in the spotlight" because their blogs are just so incredibly fabulous...here we go:

1) Stephen...I don't even know where to start. This guy has totally changed my life for the better. Stephen and I have become best buddies here in blogland as well as in life and I am a better person for it. Basically, we're kinda soul mates. He is sometimes serious, sometimes simple, often times funny, sometimes deep - but he is always honest and humble and offers a glimpse of life that we might otherwise take for granted. Stephen's gift is that he sees the world through a unique pair of eyes that allow him to see the very best in people. Everyone is valuable and priceless and irreplaceable in Stephen's eyes. If Stephen is your friend, you've got a friend for life! He also has an eye for the most beautiful men and all you have to do is take a look at his site to see what I'm talking about. Many of you, my faithful readers, are already friends of Stephen -- but if you are someone who has not yet had the pleasure of meeting this guy, you simply MUST go visit his blog. You will not be the same. He truly has a way of making a positive impact on your life - and he does it by simply being himself. Love you Stephen -- thanks for adding a "kickass" load of wonderful to my life as my new best buddy! You're beyond incredible.

Guys, what can I say, this touched my heart, we are all here for a reason, the reasons we blog are as varied as those of us who blog. When I started this journey, I never dreamt the family of friends that would come into my life. When I say, I am the one who has been blessed, the words come from my heart. Rob (aka, Ziggy) was the sweetheart that gave me the ShoutOut, and in return I dedicate today's photo pick to him. Hey, what's a little kiss between friends, hugs and kisses Rob. And by the way, if you've never been by Ziggy's Lounge, you don't know what you're missing. Trust me, I know the proprietor on a first name basis, drop in and say, "Hi, tell Ziggy, Stephen sent me."

On The Mend

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, after all. For a while there I thought perhaps it was going to be the other light. You know the one in which I speak of, "Go ahead, step into the light, its ok, your battle here on earth is over," but thankfully it's not that one I'm talking about. The war I've been raging the past few days with some unknown, foreign invader which must be a cousin twice removed from off its mother's side of the bird flu virus clan has finally relinquished its whole on this body. Mind you, it was a struggle but his stronghold has been abandoned, his troops are on the run, scurrying in their last attempt of survival, but it will be to no avail, the forces of good will be triumphant. But, as in any war the scars from the battle linger on, the good soldiers fatigued and weary are limping toward the end of the tunnel where good health awaits, it is a treacherous road back, sometimes I stumble, the body racked with coughing, coughing . . . coughing so hard, the lights from the cannon balls can once again be seen behind the darkness of my eyelids as I drop down to one knee. But I only have to recall, back when the invader sent forth his horde of demons to torment me with all their trickery of fever, chills, and nightmares out of the darkness, from the Land of Cyber, came forth love, comments, emails, e-cards, strong arms of support which saw me through the bloodiest battle of the war, and it is this same support that lifts me from a bended knee and onward I trod. (((((HUGS))))

Hell Has A New Residence

Hell has a new residence, my chest! I know what a fire breathing flame throwing medieval dragon must have felt like. The body is raging a war against the foreign alien that has invaded the walls of sterility. The flames must be burning bright due to the warmth of my skin, hot to the touch, flushed, yet feeling an ever so slight chill to the motionless air in the room as I move my aching bones and muscles from the restlessness I'm feeling. Self prescribed bed rest, fluid intake, and some tender loving care is in order. Any takers on the tender loving care part?

Drained

It has only been a few days since I've made a post, but what a few days, hectic, crazy, would be words of understatement in describing them. They have left me physically drained. . . mentally drained as a nut busting orgasm would, but there was no pleasure involved. I guess, the best thing I can say about them are they are over, they are in the past, best forgotten, never to be thought of again. Today is a new day and with it comes a few days off. . .

Monday Morning Kisses

All too quickly the unexpected weekend of being off has come and gone, but I used it as best and as wisely as any man could, spending time with family and friends, returning some blogging love with friends I would have rather spent my time with, and a Sunday afternoon spent watching soccer. All in all a quiet weekend.

I leave you with some "Monday Morning Kisses" to start your week off.

I Will Survive!

Honey, "I'm Home," Stephen says, as he drags his tired and weary ass up the front steps of the house. One foot ahead of the other. . . a few more steps. . . ahhhh . . . recliner, remote, cold beer in hand! Three days of working my fingers to the bone and some good news. Yes, I believe there is a God or maybe some higher power looking out for Stephen after all. I have the weekend off! What I thought was going to be some 12-14 hour days for the next eight straight has been changed. It is bad a colleague's plans got cancelled for this weekend and he decided to work but it made Stephen a happy boy. Time to check in with old friends, time to say hi, time to give a big thank-you for the love given while I was away.

Work! Work! Work!

I love my work, I love my work, I love my work. Kidding aside, I really do love my work, but when it is time to work, I hate the time it actually takes away from having a life, if that makes any sense. The days are long leaving very little time for anything and it all starts today. For the next several days straight, to be precise, for the next eight days I will have very little time. The things we must do to keep the wolves at bay. Think about me from time to time, stop by and visit, email, leave comments, anything but don't forget me. . .

With Love

Well Here It Is

After last week's blogger insanity, I finally muddled my way through HTML enough to figure out how to change the logo. At the moment, the verdict is still out on whether I'm satisfied with it. Feedback will be more than welcome.

Something Warm and Fuzzy

I've had very little time the last couple of days to indulge in the guilty pleasure of blogging due to the hectic work schedule but those few days of early morning rising and late night stumbling in has passed, somehow I survived. It is the weekend, and although I awake this Saturday morning to rain falling in the darkness, listening to the splattering of raindrops against the rooftop, I refuse to let it dampen my spirits. I refuse not to see the same warm sunshine I had the pleasure of seeing yesterday, for all of 20 minutes, as I ventured outside the walls of concrete and steel, rooms of sterility, filled with fluorescent lighting. I refuse not to enjoy the day, after all, it is the weekend and I have the day off. . . free time to indulge in my guilty pleasures. Now, if one of those guilty pleasures involved "something warm and fuzzy" I wouldn't care if the sun wasn't shining, it could rain all it wanted. . .

Blogger Insanity

What is the matter with me? For the life of me I can not figure it out! Lord knows, I've tried!
I can pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time. I can drive a truck and talk on a cell phone at the same time. Hell, I can even stand up and pee, but for the life of me I can not figure out HTML code. God, who invented this stuff? What does all this stuff mean <>{:;/}[]$? It is driving me insane. Insane I tell you! I know (html code) is a foul wretched creature sent from Satan to drive me insane, three attempts to even get this post done. I'm done, I give up, I'm finished, I'm going to pour myself a glass of wine, kick back and do some visiting with you guys.

OK I Admit it!

Ok, I admit it! No longer can I hide the fact. Wearing sunshades on cloudy days and yes, even sometimes indoors isn't working anymore. I don't know how it happened. . . I've always made sure I didn't have the Moss look when leaving the house, you know, none of the telltale signs of makeup on my nose. Long sleeves in the summer time is even making people's heads turn and look in my direction from time to time. I used to tell myself it was my good looks and charm but I can no longer fool myself into believing it. No longer can I hide the reality of my addiction. There I've said it, well at least, written it down for the world to see. A weight has been lifted from my shoulders, I fill ten pounds lighter. . .now if only the scales would confirm that loss, the world would be a better place. A day can't go by without a fix, I'm addicted. Who would have ever known? There are days when the addiction is so bad I almost forget to find the time to make a post, the addiction takes over and before I know it, hours has past. I know it is hard to believe and many of you might not want to believe it, but it is true. I'm addicted and I need your help. How, you may be asking? Look to the right of my blog and you will see your "Blog Site" update as often as you can, I need my daily fix to keep me healthy, happy, and sane. Oh! btw, what really gives me a high is when you take the time to visit and leave a comment or two, talk about a rush!

Here's To A Restful Weekend

The week is almost over and for those of you that may have had a busy one may the weekend be restful and relaxing. Like the soothing sounds of a lover breathing may the weekend surround and fill you with the contentment of knowing everything will be alright. Shut out the harshness of the world, take some time just for you, and whether it is spent with family and friends or you choose to have some quiet time alone, just remember to enjoy life.

Back Home

When the opportunity presented itself last week for some time off, I grabbed it with both hands, well the steering wheel that is, and hit the open road. Actually, a couple of friends called and invited us to meet them at a lodge in the foot hills of the North Georgia mountains for some catching up. For a change this little vacation was relaxing and much needed, and gave me time to visit with old friends that had been absent from my life for way too many years. But as usual, one of life's mysteries, you know the one, the mystery of how time flies by when you have time away from work occured and all too soon I find myself back home. But to be prefectly honest, it was time, I am one of those guys that actually relishes his alone time, and I was beginning to miss it some of the bad, and it goes without saying but I will, I missed you guys (my blogging friends) more than you'll ever know.