Masthead (39k image)
Wednesday, August 31st

surviving day one

Nicole
08.31.05 @ 01:43 AM CST
listening to: does traffic count?
feeling: rested

Well after one full night's sleep I can honestly say that it is going to be as hard as I thought to adjust. Last night my roommates, Kevin, Jason, and Adam all went out for dinner after napping from about 4pm to 7pm (or later in Allison and Jackie's cases). And while people said to have dinner here around 7 or 8 we of course waited until we were all up and dressed, making dinner around 9pm. On the upside restraunts that are open for dinner seem to be open until midnight which is cool. We didn't even leave the restraunt until 11:30pm and then walked back. But the night was not over for most of us. As we had all napped to long we were not yet tired so a group of us sat up on the boys largest balcony and talked until 1 or so. I know that I was deffinately I sleep by 2am and now up and going by 8:30 ain't to bad. Anyway, now that we've gotten oursleves lost and refound in our own neighborhood we have to venture further out to our school today for a brunch, thank god they are given us food because we haven't had time for groceries yet.

Just in case you were wondering all of the times that I list are for Italy. Subtract 6 hours for mom and dad and 7 hours for Jon and Joc.

Well I guess that I should do my knee exercise and get ready the boys are going to be here at 10am to show us how to get to school.

Side note between the buildings steps and 20 min walk (up, over and around hills) to school if I don't lose weight while here then I would have to eat an entire cow by myself daily.

Tuesday, August 30th

alive and safe

Nicole
08.30.05 @ 06:06 AM CST
listening to: nothing
feeling: happy

Okay now that I am here I can say that I am happy. The plane ride is long and sucks, the food was better than normal and my room is amazing. Although the guy that moved us in said we should take the bus everyday but I think that the walk would be good for me. The room is huge compared to anything that we could get in philly but no air except windows. The room is equipped with a computer and internet so that is how i am writing to you today. it also has 2 balconies, one of which is big enough for a small breakfast table and the other is for hanging laundry. Well that is all for now. Once i figure out this keyboard I will return to american slang but until then I do not know where the apastraphy is. blush

Friday, August 26th

The internet has officially gotten 'too easy.'

Jon
08.26.05 @ 11:27 PM CST
listening to: LoveLine
feeling: Astounded...

So, I was looking up my man Andy Milonakis, because he is going to be on LoveLine on Monday, and they were talking about it. Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, all I saw on the 'net was anti-Milonakis websites, which is so so so lame.

It means one thing. The Internet (with a capital I, bitches) has officially become too easy, so the kids that would ordinarily be out huffing paint with their retard buddies because none of them can get LAYED are sitting in their Mom's basement complaining that they don't get The Andy Milonakis Show.

It's really simple, absurdist, childish, silly shit. There's nothing else to get. Sometimes it's ironic. He sunk Fat Joe's Battleship, bitch! That's funny. Damn.

Y'all (that's an ironic y'all) are retarded.

Remember to wash your face after you huff the gold paint. Your mom will know you're huffing because of the metallic flecks in your whispy facial hair. Dick.

 

Sears Man --- Flew into Home and Ht the Wall Like a TON of Bricks

Don
08.26.05 @ 03:52 PM CST
feeling: Iffy

crazy Well, Sears showed up this morning. They said to expect him "first call - 8 AM." Well, he showed up at about at 8:30. He flew into work, and left about 10:15 and I still don't have a washing machine. More broken parts that have to be ordered. By the time he finishes I'll have a new washing machine. They'll be back next Friday (and every Friday until int's fixed). The parts are rush ordered, but that doesn't do much good if they can't get back here until Friday.

:heheshockedh well, Bernie's going to wait for them next time. I'm running out of vacation!

Nicole leaves for Italy Monday, so I spent all day here with her, and even though we didn't do anything special, we had time together.

Greg worked a 12 hour day yesterday and looked exhausted today. People called in sick yesterday so he can do some of their work. Oh well, he can use the $ becuase his car insurance is due.

TTFN - DOD

 

A Book I am reading...Part Too

Jon
08.26.05 @ 10:57 AM CST
listening to: LoveLine. I record it at night.
feeling: Chipper. Bitches.

Okay, so I am reading further in this book. It is awesome. I am almost done.

Anyway, I have come to the conclusion that I AM a witty designer. I'm not Mark Twain, yet, but I am a witty guy. The 'Save the Date' card was witty. The Certified Alarm Technology logo, the Hydropower Reform Coalition logo, the The Solution Logo, the RD Raab Logo, and the Meetings Etc. logo are all witty designs.

That poster I just finished was (is) witty as well. It uses a picture of a cell in a sanitarium as the swirling background that creates the feeling of delirium. It's subtle, but it's there.

 

Wedding Anniversary

Don
08.26.05 @ 06:53 AM CST
feeling: Melanocholy

Yesterday was our 32nd anniversary. Nicole, Betty and Mike went out to dinner with us in Gleb Burnout. It was fun. I got Bernie a putter as a gift - she was really happy. Oh well, you just never know what will make people happy.

Today I'm happy because I should get the Sears washer back. They're due at 8 AM. It looks like the other technician wasn't taking the washer apart correctly. I can't wait to show the new guy what the parts look like --- this should be a blast!

TTFN - DOD

Wednesday, August 24th

Mabel

Jocelyn
08.24.05 @ 11:47 AM CST
listening to: XPN
feeling: Hot and Thirsty

It's hot here. Our grass with the most direct sun looks like it's been scorched, my parents neighbor had a transformer blow up due to the heat and extra utilities being used, the city has issued an emergency water shortage...ahh August in Texas. Can't beat it. My parents neighbors have a puppy, Blaze. They asked us to let him our around lunch time so he can get some exercise and pee pee. Yesterday and today I brought Mabel over to play. Mabel has been holding out some skill. She doesn't need to be so gazelle like around Bob and Lucy because they're either old and tired or fat and tired. Mabel leaps over blaze, brings him down with one knock of the paw...it's great. Today was alittle too hot for a full demonstration of her skills. I'm looking forward to the day that Blaze will grow taller and bigger than Mabel and learn to use his brakes.

On another note, Jon ripped up the bathroom floor and started the vanity. Today, tiles have been picked up and will soon be in the shower area. I'm not sure what Im looking forward to the most, 1. not having dust and tile chips all over the place, 2. being able to get ready in the bathroom again or 3. having a up to date swanky bathroom instead of the teal and white ode to the 80's we had before.

On a business note, work is going really well. Keeping very busy and continue to get better with each experience.

Tuesday, August 23rd

A book I am reading...

Jon
08.23.05 @ 11:13 PM CST
listening to: Rescue me on TV
feeling: introspective

I am reading this book called "A Smile in the Mind."

It's about the use of wit in graphic design, and I'll tell you what, it should have been the fucking TEXTBOOK for my fundamentals of design class.

Wit is not, as we americans often assume, necessarily related to humor. It is derived from our intellegence. It is more accurate to say that something that engages our intelligence, not our sense of humor, is witty.

Anyway, this ten year old book is completely rearranging my outlook on the craft of design, the art of design. I am going to set about a journey to become a more witty designer. I am going to be the Oscar Fucking Wilde of graphic design when I am through.

Oh wait. Saul Bass was the Oscar fucking Wilde of graphic design. I guess I'll have to be Mark Twain or some shit. Or maybe Charles Nelson Riley. wink

Monday, August 22nd

Wierd Day - but I got a lot done!

Don
08.22.05 @ 06:29 PM CST
feeling: Up

Today was kind of wierd. I worked on my budgets Friday while waiting for the Sears man and got everything lined up. Today I went back and double checked everything. A few things didn't add up, so it took me most of the day to double (and triple) check things just to find out that some people had changed things and not told me. That really blows my mind, but reinforces that I need to change jobs. It's like they can't allow themselves to be wrong or have someone else know more than them. Now I know what the Foresters have been experiencing.

Replacement parts came for the washer --- now I can see how everything is supposed to go together. I still can't understand how a Company like Sears could sell me somthing as "dented" when it was really "used" and in this case, damaged! They'll never be trusted again!

Oh well --- I'm going to surf a while tonight.

DOD

Saturday, August 20th

IQ Test

Jon
08.20.05 @ 12:57 PM CST
listening to: the TV. World Poker Tour.
feeling: Smart!

OKay, so as I mentioned earlier, I am going to embark on this Free iBook thing.

Well, to do so, you have to complete an offer from one of the sponsors, then get 18 other people to sign up to get a free iBook (actually, they've got like 5 notebooks to choose from, most are PCs) and complete one offer.

So, the offer I chose to complete was this IQ test thing, where you take a test and then pay to see your results. It's a nominal fee, and I've already cancelled the account...so anyway, it's a test that I am interested in seeing anyway, so I don't feel like too big of a sap.

I mean, we all know that I am a self-obsessed intellectual narcisist anyway, so no harm no foul.

ANYWAY! Good news is, I am fucking SMART! I scored a 140! It's a fun little report, and had I thought of it, I'd have made a PDF of the page and posted it...because it is an interesting read.

Anyway, if YOU would like a free iBook (or other Laptop), go here: http://www.notebooks4free.com/default.aspx?r=459628 to sign up for the program.

Oh yeah, and don't bother IMing or commenting about me being a sap. This is an expirament. If I get a free iBook, bonus.

 

What a Morning - the Boy Scout in me comes out!

Don
08.20.05 @ 08:43 AM CST
listening to: None --- no darn radio
feeling: Wierd !!!!!!!

Well, I went on my morning walk --- guess what! I found a purse on the side of the road, just laying in a lawn. I brought it home, called the police and they sent someone down to pick it up. The wallet, credit cards, cell phone and all were still inside. The poor person lives in Westminster, so who knows how it got down here. I hope they get it back to her before she worries too much.

The job hunt begins in earnest on Sept 1. I've already had 2 calls, but both would make me relocate and that's just not part of the plan, plus I wouldn't like to go to Kansas or Michigan.

It looks like the storms passed us by this weekend, so Bill's party for the girls should turn out ok --- I think it has rained on his parties a few times recently. I've got a vacation planned in Cancun for February. If I stay at BGE, I'll probably be in the new job by then, so it will be a good time to celebrate.
If anyone reading this has any plans for wooden banks, toys, etc. let me know because that's what I want to get into as a part time business.

Off --- DOD

Friday, August 19th

Sears Showed Up --- what a fiasco !!!

Don
08.19.05 @ 03:41 PM CST
listening to: None
feeling: Up, but disappointed

cool eh? Well the poor Sears Tech showed up, worked on the washing machine for 2+1/2 hours and gave up. He has to order parts that are under warranty. The bill is almost $285, but when he gets done I'll have a new washing machine. It was wild --- we took the washer apart and found crusted up soap and rusty parts everywhere. He said it looked like the machine had been purchased once before and returned and probably had some things wrong with it when the machine was returned. We bought it at the warehouse (scratch and dent) ... guess what - it was really used. I think this calls for a letter to Sears!

Lesson Learned - don't trust Sears. I wonder how hard it would be to set up a web site to publicize the problems I've had with different Companies --- what a blast to do!!!!

I've got to get a good radio in here! rolls eyes

Bll and Anne are having a going away party for Jessie and Christie tomorrow. Kevin will be down Saturday morning and we'll go to Bill's in the afternoon. The Nicole and Kevin head off for Hershey Park. Nicole got the Eurorail passes and Euro's for the trip to Italy, so she's all set. She'll pick up a cell phone while she's over there.

Enough already!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DOD

 

Waiting on Sears

Don
08.19.05 @ 07:24 AM CST
feeling: OK, but I don't waiting for Sears

razz So I finally got my email to work, but I had to reload Outlook --- I found an upgrade that must have had a patch in it to fix my problem, so now I can get my email through the sandruck.com site. I'll stop using the Adelphia address now. I'm thinking of getting a new servcie any way. Adelphia is expensive and the people just aren't that helpful when I have a problem.

I've got about 4 hours of office work to do from home today, so I'll do that as I wait for the Sears man --- by the way, I will never buy sears again! This washer is less that 3 years old and the transmission is already going up. I bet the bill will be more than the cost of a new washer. Oh well!

Nicloe's getting ready for Italy. Greg's working LONG days installing phone and reception systems and talking about a few side jobs he's working on to insatll computers, etc. I hope he finds something he likes soon --- he'd really make a good Technician/Engineer/Computer person, but I can't figure out how to help him find his way. Kevin's coming down this weekend and will get to know the family better becuse we have a party at Bill and Anne's to see the girls off to college. Bernis' Mom isn't feeling too good recently - she's having muscle pains, so she's been going to a doctor.

Jon - if you get a chance, call her just to chat. She's pretty good on the computer, but she may not have been getting on lately since she hasn't been feeling well. Well, I have an incoming call --- probably from one of my work contractors. LATER!!!!!

DOD

Thursday, August 18th

Blogging internationally...

Jon
08.18.05 @ 10:35 AM CST
listening to: Nothing at the Moment
feeling: doody brewin'

So, I really hope that Nicole uses the 'blog to tell us all about Italy.

It would be really cool, a great way to keep us up to date with her junk. We can see pictures, she can upload .mpg files or stuff like that if she wanted to...it'd rule. (Your camera takes MPG files Nicole.)

We could see Italy second hand, and save some money on phone calls and stuff...if only MOM WOULD READ IT! And Greg. Dude, if you ever read this thing, chime in on the comment thing and send me the e-mail you are using now so I can send you instructions.

Tuesday, August 16th

Poster for a MadMan...

Jon
08.16.05 @ 11:29 PM CST
listening to: TV in the next room, loveLine in the office.
feeling: Peaceful

poster for Songs of the Mad Muezzin (219k image)

I apologize for the size of the image...but not really. If you click on it, it'll open up in a new window at "full" size. In reality it's a 23"x35" poster...so it won't be THAT big.

Anyway. I am pumped about this poster. I think it's the best work I have done in a long long time. It's pro bono, of course, but that's how you get posters into your portfolio when you are trying to get poster work! It's for an opera being performed at USC this September.

On a secondary note, I am thinking about building an affiliate marketing site. I have read some interesting articles about people who make their living this way. It would be nice to get some checks in the mail.

I am also thinking about building a site devoted to all those "Free iSomething" offers you see out there, in an attempt to generate traffic and eventually earn one of every free thingy that I can get. (iBook, iPod, iPod Shuffle, MacMini, etc...) It might be fun, and I see no harm in doing it. I'll make myself a new e-mail address for that, and if it gets slammed, I'll shut it down. No biggie.

I also gave some thought about openning a CafePress shop today. I could sell copies of all the pro-bono posters I do, and maybe some obscene t-shirts and goofy clocks. However, you can only have ONE of each item on the CafePress free sites...so that idea is out unless I want to set up more than one store.

So. That's my week thusfar. I hope you like the poster.

 

Tuesday is the day from ... hwo knows where !!!

Don
08.16.05 @ 06:13 PM CST
listening to: None
feeling: Satisfied

It was a confusing day. Everybody returned from their vacations in the office and havoc was the order of the day. Meeting schedules changed at the last minute, people not being where they were supposed to be was the norm and everyone is getting paranoid about being measured (watched). It's a real shame we can't just tell people if they're doing their jobs or not --- everything has to be measured and reported.

I got a call from a head-hunter today, offering me a job with the Company I already work for, so I had some fun. The money was a lot less and the job sounded worse ... guess what interview I turned down ??? That one, of course.

Golf Sunday was bad, but what the heck ... it's the last time I'll play with Kevin and Nicole until they get back from Italy, so it was fun. Bernie got her own set of clubs this weekend, so she's happy.

Enough for now .... FORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DOD

 

Bathroom

Jocelyn
08.16.05 @ 11:29 AM CST
listening to: None
feeling: Alittle frustrated

So, we have not been using the master bathroom shower for over a week now. We decided to redo rather than refix. The shower is now demolished. Tile was chosen, I go to order it, and the guy who originally quoted me a price quoted me incorrectly. Incorrectly by $1.20 a sq.ft. I do not order it.

This throws a kink into the plans. It's frustrating. I'm trying to get pricing from other places for the same tile. We're also looking at other tile options. Jon and I would both like to have the tile orderd and move on with this project. I have a feeling for tile shopping will be happening soon.

Sunday, August 14th

Sunday Surprise -------- Neighbor's Cars Broken In

Don
08.14.05 @ 08:04 AM CST
feeling: Feeling Lucky - only 40 cents stolen from Kevin's Car

shocked I just got abck from my morning walk and found the neighbor's mial strewn baout my yard and next to Kevin's car. Kevin's car had been openned (maybe left unlocked), his spare keys on the seat and astray dumped on the floor. Nothing else - and that's good ebcause he had his company hardhat, briefcase, etc. in the back seat and golfclubs in the trunk. Sometimes you're just lucky. crazy State Police are on the way !!!!

I'm off to play golf today at Pleasant Valley in Stewartstown, PA. Picking up golf clubs for Bernie on the way from her brother Eddie.

Think I may have found a new job at work ---- plan to tell the boss Tuesday. big grin

Starting to do woodworking again - going to start with Piggy Banks.

DOD

Friday, August 12th

One week left

Nicole
08.12.05 @ 12:16 PM CST
listening to: radio
feeling: okay

So after today I have 5 days left of work. I have 17ish days left till I fly off to Rome. And most importantly I am down to 2 years of college. It seems as if life is filled with nothing more then pending deadlines. At 2:30 I'm supposed to fax drawings to a client. At 4pm I'm supposed to pick up mom and help dad at the laundramat- by the by the washer is broken. I wonder if anyone ever wakes up and wonders when their final dead line will come? sleepy

 

10th Monthiversary

Jocelyn
08.12.05 @ 12:11 PM CST
listening to: XPN Radio
feeling: Nice

Jon and I have been married for 300 days! Honey, I'm speaking for both of us, when I say it has been a wonderful 300 days. The best and most exciting 300 days of my life.

Thursday, August 11th

Getting Ready For Tomorrow

Don
08.11.05 @ 06:49 PM CST
listening to: None
feeling: Nervous and excited

I listened to part of the Oprah show today and thought it was fantastic - Maria Governator and Eunice Shriver were on the show. It was really pretty interesting. If you get a chance, tune it in.
Tomorrow I'm going to start trying for a new job at work - current work is pretty depressing - everybody is well united against the bosses and I really don't like that environment.
I found a good place for Subaru parts - try 1stSubaruParts.com. The order over the web worked pretty good --- I had my tail-light in just 4 days via UPS. The UPS tracker didn't work, though. The part was half price and it took me an hour to install - just take your time. Total I spent $125 and the dealer wanted almost $400 to replace, including labor. A little touch-up paint and I'm good to go.
I picked up my golf clubs again smile and it felt great to play. I haven't played too well, but the worst day on the course is better than the best day at work rolls eyes and I get to relieve a LOT of stress by smacking the daylights out of the golfball - who cares if I have a slice right now!
Oh well, enough for now ---- I'll punch in again in the next few days.

DOD

Wednesday, August 10th

The Family 'Blog

Jon
08.10.05 @ 09:29 PM CST
listening to: The fan in my office needs oil...
feeling: Metabolic Coma

Tonight my Dad asked for details on how to log in and post to this blog.
I think this is finally starting to shape up into the thing I wanted it to be...which is a place for my family to keep track of each other, as we are not all that hot on keeping track of each other.

Mom and Greg, this means you.

You both have Log-Ins and passwords for this thing, and I wish you would use it. It's a lot more efficient than a phone call. I mean, really, for day to day stuff, you can't hope to understand the depth of what is going on with each of us...especially since Mom cuts me off when I try to tell her what's going on with me, and Greg mumbles on the phone until I say "Uh, okay dude," so it's pretty hopeless to imagine me keeping track of HIM.

Anyway. This is a good thing. You should all use it. And if you are a member of the non-immediate family (cousins, aunts, uncles, GrandMom, etc...) and you want to post to the Sandruck Family 'blog, e-mail me and I'll create a log-in for you, and then you can post too.

So anyway, welcome aboard Dad. Have fun 'blogging.

 

Food

Jocelyn
08.10.05 @ 03:15 PM CST
listening to: XPN
feeling: Good

I love reeces cups.

Tuesday, August 9th

Continued Discussion on Age

Jocelyn
08.09.05 @ 01:54 PM CST
listening to: XPN Radio
feeling: Good. Sippin some chai.

Earlier Nicole commented and got a fair amount of response from Jon and I about feeling old, or being old, or getting old. Whatever. I have a comment about growing up. This weekend my friend Kristen had a house warming party. In college, she was always the one to have parties in her apartment. She and her boyfriend just moved in to their newly owned home, and invited the college crew over. Chrissie sent pictures of the once single group of gals now have fiances, owning homes and posing with the new baby of the group rather than with a beer or some young stud in their arms. We're all growing up. Not close to being grown up or old. You can clearly see how the choices we made in the past have shaped our future. What you think is a big deal then is a faint memory now.

Monday, August 8th

Have you ever wanted to...

Nicole
08.08.05 @ 11:30 AM CST
listening to: radio
feeling: could be better but could be worse

So over the weekend kevin and I went to a horse show to support his sister. While we were there I realized that there are a series of things that I often want to do but it would not be appropriate to do them.

#1 - tell people what I'm actually thinking - not appropriate when you feel that your loved one's family is being incredibly stupid, ignorant or stubborn

#2- hitting your loved ones family up side the head- no matter how stupid they are they won't react well

#3 - knocking out your loved ones mom- even though she has made it perfectly clear on multiple occasions that you are too young to understand love and/or her son as well as she does, and then points out that adults are allowed to make rash judgements because they have life experiences that you are lacking. It is still not okay to hit her even though he wanted to hit her as well.

I hate ignorant people. crazy

Thursday, August 4th

almost there

Nicole
08.04.05 @ 11:37 AM CST
listening to: radio
feeling: content

Okay so in about 25 days I will be getting onto a plane and flying across the ocean to go to Italy. Ironically for something that is so far away it feels oh so close. Lately I have even been dreaming in Italian, being odd only because I can't understand what the people in my dreams are saying. Oh well I'm sure the intial panic will be soothed as soon as I get over there. I hate waiting. This might be the longest 3 weeks that I have experienced so far, well maybe not I can remember 5 minutes that felt as if a year went by but that's a different story.

Wednesday, August 3rd

Birfday Party

Jocelyn
08.03.05 @ 12:14 PM CST
listening to: XPN, as usual
feeling: Hungry

HotHair (144k image)

Now this is an adult birthday party!

 

Family Room

Jocelyn
08.03.05 @ 10:35 AM CST

FamilyRoom (72k image

Here is our family room! There isn't an ounce of light beige anymore!

 

Kitchen

Jocelyn
08.03.05 @ 10:33 AM CST
listening to: None
feeling: Good

Kitcheb (89k image)

Here is our new kitchen! It went from boring white to this!

 

PAINTING!!!

Jocelyn
08.03.05 @ 10:31 AM CST
listening to: None
feeling: Fine

Here is out brand new kitchen and family room. It went from drab to fab!

Tuesday, August 2nd

Something Cool that doesn't exist...yet

Jon
08.02.05 @ 11:11 AM CST
listening to: Pugs 'n Kelly Live
feeling: BITCHES!

Okay, here's something that I want, but it doesn't exist yet.

I want a Macro Lense with a BUILT IN ring flash.

That'd be badass.

In the meantime, I just want a ring flash for my Sigma SA-7. shocked

It's like if you don't shoot with an F'ing Nikon, Canon, or Leica, you can't find decent accessories. Bitches.