You knew this one was coming ... some terribly creative (though obviously unpatriotic) person wrote a music video for "Dick Cheney's Got a Gun". You can view the blog I found it on here: http://www.iflipflop.com/2006/02/cheneys-got-gun-music-video.html

 

I've made it to week 2. It takes a bit more logistics now that I no longer work 3 miles from my home. Tonight I made a Yum-o hummus to enjoy during the week. 

New sounds

Everyone needs a little bitchin' banjo in their life! As described on their website: Delicious Acoustic Harmony-Driven Gender Pop. Caught your interest now?

Check out this band that opened for Dar Williams (both were superb) and that I might see tomorrow night. Fun song clips on their website!

Overheard on day 2

*thud*

Cubey1: Hey, what was that?!

Cubey2: Oh, just the new guy.

Cubey1: What? Did he walk into the wall again?

Cubey2: Nah...I think he passed out and fell off his chair.

Cubey1: Ok...cool, man.

First day strikes with a vengeance.

Holy moses, what is that!

My alarm goes off at 6 a.m. and when is the last time I've been up even close to that hour other than to roll over to the other side of the bed? The scramble into work, into a new job, into traffic that's like a stream of ants onto a dropped lollipop, has begun.

Standing at the gas station, well, really leaning against the pump to catch a few more minutes of shut-eye, someone bellows from the other side, "Young Man! You have a great day!" Holy Moses, I think again!

Mercifully, the 75-mile (temporary) drive to the new office is very light and I arrive on time a little over an hour later. I get to see the sunrise even, a consolation, and it's like experiencing something I've never seen before. Nevermind that if I was still at the old place I wouldn't even have opened my eyes yet.

The small cold I nursed in Key West had exploded once I deplaned back in chilly D.C., and by the time I get to the office I'm feverish, my steps are weaving, and I quite possibly might be foaming at the mouth. After trying multiple office floors, I finally see the lobby of My New Employer. I stand tall, flash a smile, and...THUNK. I walk into the glass wall of the lobby. The receptionist looks amused, not the least bit concerned. I straighten my glasses and know my sister will never let me live that one down.

Somehow, I keep my head from exploding during the departmental meeting. I think I quite subtly wiped my nose several times while gesticulating. So what if I sound like I'm speaking from a cave? I might feel like hell but bet I look dashing in my Key West tan, pressed clothes, and tie. Can you handle that, Fairfax?

The rest of the day consists of paperwork and staring at the ceiling lights reflected off my computer monitor. It is quite conducive to the hallucinations I pass in and out of. I am there until six, which also makes me foam at the mouth. Amazingly, I do not hit one kink of traffic on the way home.

Tomorrow: Round Two! With schools back on track, will my commute double to two hours? Will my swelled head (...never you mind) approach normal size? I better start picking out my outfit...at this point it's the best thing I have going for me.

Key West '06

It's hard to say exactly why Key West is such a great place. It could be the Victorian architecture, lush foliage, or it's rich history steeped in pirates, marine defense, and our country's best artists. It's a place where you're often reminded to come as you are, and most don't care when bikers, frat boys, and gays are walking alongside one another on the street because everyone's too worried about putting their feet up or finding their next drink. Maybe it's great simply for the bright sunlit days and the starfilled nights always accompanied by an ocean breeze and the rustling of palm fronds.

This is a typical Key West street with quaint little cabanas and large Victorian homes mixed in. The streets in Old Town are great for walking since everyone's yard has all sorts of palms and flowers and often little pools tucked in between.

One of the hot tubs at the B&B. It was needed at night! 

These guys flew in when the man in the boat started tossing out guts from some fish they caught. Their wingspan is huge! 

Fatties, go back to the boat! When the cruise ships come in, these floating feed lots unfortunately dwarf everything on Key West. It's best to flee the picturesque streets of downtown until they've gone, otherwise you'll be swept away in a flotilla of visors, fanny packs, and beer bellies. 

This made me think of several of my family members... I even went in the store. 

Ok, so I acted like a real tourist and took a picture of the local rodentia.... or whatever you want to call them. But come on, what's better than hearing the KW roosters crow when you're stumbling home? This one had a few peeping chicks tucked under her left wing. 

The Key West Cemetery. Located in the center of Old Town, it's huge at 19 acres. (See, I did get my butt off the pool chair and walk around a bit.)

Happy Hour at the poolside bar and restaurant! Warning: free drinks are never as good of an idea as they sound. Especially before dinner. And yes, a disco ball above the pool! 

I spent most of my time reading poolside. Why would you want to leave?

It's heated and was the perfect place for a late-night swim and stargazing.

This house was really cool. 

 

Down Time

The life of a blogger is never easy. Even for a blog as spotty as this one. For now I'll have to leave you with this picture of Key West, which is where your dear blogger is at the moment. This picture is not my own since I've been a lazy bastard and have done nothing but lounge poolside with a few books and magazines.

Until this morning I've been successful at blocking out all thoughts of the new job...and then it hit me all at once. Aaaggghhh! A new job on Monday. But for now....more sun and a few adult beverages.