Cursing in the rain...just cursing in the rain

Thursday night. Busy night. Cavs game 5 starts at 8:30. Need to get the kids to bed. Nancy going to her 8:30 piano lesson. Lots of things converging. Including a brewing thunderstorm, which usually isn't a big deal.

Until Nancy calls at 8:08 to say she's got a flat tire and just pulled into an apartment complex that's in Cleveland (read: crappy neighborhood).

Big change of plans. Sophia was one foot in the shower and she got pulled right out. Got them ready for an adventure, grabbed some flashlights and loaded us into the car.

Nancy talked me into the apartment complex as we drove. Night was approaching, and so was the storm.

We arrived in time to switch her car for mine so Nancy could try to make the piano lesson. It's her second to last one and she practiced quite a bit for it, and I thought if we had any luck, I'd have the tire changed before she got finished.

Jack. Check.
Tire iron. Check.
Flash light. Check.
Rainstorm. Check and mate.

I barely had a few minutes to get the jack and spare out of the trunk and in position before the rain came. The kids were doing ok until the lighting cracked. Then they got really scared. I then made the executive decision to call AAA for backup. My timing was good because as I was on the phone with the AAA agent, another lightning bolt cracked and the kids screamed and started crying.

Keep in mind we're under the cover of a poor neighborhood's apartment building with who knows what around us. Anyway, the AAA agent heard the kids and I mentioned they were little and upset. This expedited my call from 90+ minutes to what turned out to be less than 30. As I'm dealing with all this chaos, the kids are getting really upset. Really really upset. Especially when I had to run down the block to get the name of the street we were marooned on. The kids were practically hysterical as I was running around in the storm. As I got back to them, they were dying to get into the car and wait it out, so that's what we did. I threw them inside and collected the tools and stuff and shoved it under the car. I jumped in too.

A couple of minutes later Nancy called to say she rescheduled her lesson and was on the way back to get the kids home. This was great news, except that she didn't know how to find the apartment building because the way she got into the lot was via a one-way street. She'd have to go all the way around and figure out how to find us. Which she eventually did. The kids sufficiently calmed down by the time she arrived. So much so that Zach fell asleep. As soon as she pulled up, I loaded them into the Jeep and she took them home.

I almost forgot to mention the "enterprising" guys that kept offering to "help" me with changing the tire. We didn't get to the negotiating part, but I'm pretty sure they weren't planning to do me any favors - it was cash they were after. Before the rain started, one guy practically climed completely under the car to position the jack. Before he even asked me if I wanted any help. Which I didn't. I got rid of him as quickly as possible.

The rain stopped and soon enough the AAA guy showed up and we got the tire changed. Thanks to him and the PB Blaster spray he used on the lug nuts. I never used it before and it worked like a charm. I was happy to tip him because he was great. Fortunately I was home by 10ish and on the couch in dry clothes to relax a few minutes later.

What a night!

Fewer Americans Taking Vacations This Summer

No kidding. According to an MSNBC story posted today, the number of vacationing Americans will be down this summer.

I can tell you that there will be fewer Honigs vacationing this summer as well. Since March I've been on a corporately mandated reduced work week which also means a reduced salary. All thanks to the poor economic conditions we're experiencing. This directly translates into fewer lesiure dollars to spend, which means no real vacation this summer.

Instead we'll be taking a few long weekends and car trips to Chicago, Michigan and Niagara Falls.

I can also vouch for many of my co-workers who will be going to the Lake of the Ozarks instead of one of the coasts. Of course I'm partial.

The whole point of course is that until the economy gets better, most people won't be splurging on big vacations. That's OK with me because I'm looking forward to spending time with our friends and familiy that we'll be hanging out with this summer.

The End of an Error

For those who remember my anti-semetic problem at my company in 2008, this is the final chapter with "Betty." She accepted an early "retirement" package and her last day will be April 30. Reread posts from Oct 3 and Oct 21 to catch up.

It's more likely that she's being put out to pasture.

Who are we kidding? It would be best for her to be sent right to the glue factory.

The only unfortunate thing is that global Skittles sales are now expected to plummet as her only real responsibility to the corporation was to ensure we gave enough away at tradeshows.



Her record will show 30+ years of dutiful service to the corporation, but only the first few years, back in the paleozoic era, did she actually contribute anything. She reached her Peter Principal level long ago.

Good riddance Betty. You idiot.

We love Sushi

I recently enjoyed a night out with some of my friends. Us boys lined up a guys night out at Sushi Rok's Beachwood location.

We had a great time. As you can see. I only wish we took a picture of all the delicious food. It didn't take long to devour this feast and we were sated soon enough.


Gary, Steve, Lou, Alec & Jason - we must do this again soon!

I miss Brett, Jemain & Murray

I found the most creative and different television show recently - the Flight of the Conchords on HBO. It's about these two New Zealand musicians and the crazy antics they get into while carving out a meager existance in NYC. It's hilarious.

Like paying their rent in New Zealand dollars which ultimately lead to their eviction.

Or trying to have a rock band-like career with no fans. Mel doesn't count.

Or using Murray for their manager. He's the New Zealand Cultural Attache working at the NYC embassy who takes attendance at every meeting. He's never without his pencil. He's also never without a clue.

My problem is that I think the Flight of the Conchords season finale was this past weekend. And there's really no other show like this one. The blend in their music so well. I also think they created fewer than the normal 22 season episodes, so I'm truly out of luck because I didn't miss any.

But then I found this - Flight of the Conchords is actually having a North American tour! And they'll be playing at Kent State University - less than an hour from me. But I'm still screwed because their only Ohio date is the same date as my family's next scheduled visit here.

How rude would it be to put them off to go see this crazy Kiwi act?

I'm actually considering it.

New Jersey Is An Epicenter of Artistic Talent

This story originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal recently and I thought it was pretty interesting. It talks about the dichotomy of the state - the NJ Turnpike vs. the Garden State Parkway.

I'm much more Parkway, but I'll go Turnpike on you if need be.

I grew up in Monmouth County, and several of my good friends have carved out successful careers in one form of art or another - photography, illustrating, and more.

I'm happy to say that I'm a marketing manager and get to be creative for a living as well.

Enjoy the article.

Hope.....Lost

Spam? People eat actual Spam? Really?

I was reading Brandweek recently and found this amazing tidbit:

It seems as the economy worsens, our appetite for inexpensive food increases.

But, as you can see, there's a certain wildcard - spam. Are people really eating it? Really? That's seriously hard to believe.

According to the chart (I did not make this up), 2008's Spam sales have increased 14% over 2007 levels. I totally understand the rice, Raman noodles and dry pasta becoming more popular. But Spam?

I challenge anyone to tell me they know a person on this earth that regularly eats Spam!

Perspective

Thank g-d they're all OK. My sister was in a horrific car accident Wednesday night and unfortunately there was a fatality (not a family member).

The link is in the headline.

Amy sustained a broken left arm, but from the looks of her car it could have been a lot worse. Cameron (age 10) and Griffin (age 8) are really lucky to have walked away almost perfectly.



It's funny (not really) what has to happen to put your focus right back on what's important. From arguing over rediculous things and not paying attention to the things that are really important, you quickly realize how dumb you've been.

And by you, I of course mean me. Unless you agree. Then you means you too.

Promise to be better to your kids and don't be in such a rush all the time. Stop and appreciate the things that matter. Like hugs. And kisses. And being with those you love.

That's the end of my soap boxing.

Amy - get well soon.