There oughta be a law...

AGAINST meme's! Really, they're just wrong! But regardless, and I completely "blame" the owner/proprietor of the blog that waffles calls home (where I found this in the first place.) But working from the alphabet meme which he posted to his blog... here are my responses:

A - Age: 41

B - Bed size: Queen

C - Chore you hate: Walkin' the mutt

D - Dog's name: Scruffy

E - Essential start to your day: Big Red ordering me to GET UP!

F - Favorite color: Blue

G - Gold or Silver: Gold

H - Height: 5'9"

I - Instruments you play: Trumpet, piano (both many moons ago)

J- Job: Team Lead, IT Specialist

K – Kids: Girl 16, Boy 10

L - Living arrangements: As opposed to "dying arrangements?" but nonetheless 2 story house +basement...

M - Mom's name: Mary Ann

N - Nicknames: cheer_dad, captain poker, coach,

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: anxiety attack masquerading itself as a "heart attack" a few years back.

P - Pet Peeve: Being taken for granted

Q - Quote from a movie: "Here's the thing..."

R – Robot or Human? Cyborg... a little bit of both, please.

S - Siblings: Much like a tigger... I'm the only one.

T - Time you wake up: 5:30 in the AM

U- Underwear: Optional

V - Vegetable you dislike: Tomato... despite the fact that it is really a fruit!

W - Ways you run late: A few too many Jack n Diets the night before...

X - X-rays you've had: Arm, knee, ankle, head, chin, face, chest

Y - Yummy food you make: Chicken Dip... Texas Pete, gives it that sumpin' sumpin'

Z - Zoo favorite: The Ray Tank at Ripley's Aquarium, they all look like they're smiling.

Long day at the ballpark

Yesterday was a rough day at the ballpark. It began for me, at around 11:30 when I got there to get situated for my umpire gig of the majors. I think I umped a pretty fair/straightforward game, with very few questionable calls of pitches. Although one fan seemed to feel differently. I didn't ask for the job, but I don't shirk the responsibility. And trust me the ball looks a helluva lot different as it zooms toward you. Some of those that look pretty from outside the fence ain't so hot when you're staring at them. They may be good up and down in the strike zone, but just a bit on the outside or inside. Still, you're the poor sap who has to call it when it happens. The really stupid part about it is that the guy bitchin' and moaning was a parent of a kid on the team that was winning!?! Dumbass... Go relive your glory days on your own time. But I survived it... and there was no lynch mob in wait afterward.

Then, it was on to the team pictures. After that I got to sit down for maybe 10 minutes and plot out my batting order and field positions. The game started with my son Cole on the mound. I left the choice up to the Bullpen Manager (at least that's what I tell him his title is.) My only concern was that he have HIS son available on the mound for the last 3 innings when the base-stealing started. At that point Cole could be back in the catcher's gear. Well the best laid plans, have a tendency to come "undone." Cole walked the first batter. Then, struck the next one out! Then, he motioned for me to come out to the mound. "Dad, I feel sick." I thought it was nerves, but he made it clear that he wasn't sticking around. No sooner did he get back to the dugout than he threw up. They got him out to the grass where it continued for a bit. Teresa took him home, where she took his temperature and he was fevered. He felt lousy for the rest of the day, but rested and whatever the bug was that had bothered him, is finally out of his system this morning.

Back to the game, now I've got pitching and catching dilemmas. But I moved some kids around and got through it. We lost, but mainly because of a lack of hitting on our parts. The final score was 8-5, BUT 6 of their points were due to 2 home runs, by the same kid with two runners on base. That we held it to that and still came within 3, was pretty amazing. The boys played well. I've got some focus and discipline issues to deal with. But I'm hopeful they can come around.

Anyway, so I got to see my son play for like 2/3 of an inning and then leave... and yet I was still at the ballpark for 6 and 1/2 hours. Long day indeed. Next game, in Vienna... on Monday. Hope things work out better for us.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Baseball fever... catch it!

Last night excited me for the baseball season! And I'm hoping that not only does the sickness aflict me for the duration... but that I am also highly contagious! My boys, the Eagles took the field last night in a mere scrimmage game, but played with heart and soul. In the first inning, our starting pitcher Bryce allowed only 1 hit, and no runs! Only the opposing team's lead-off batter got the ball in the air. The next three batters took the strike out. As this was a scrimmage game, I wanted to see what "everyone" could do, so I swapped out several pitchers throughout the innings. In doing so, I learned some of the things we need to work on, and how I can help to re-inforce to my pitchers what their job is, AFTER they have released the ball. Covering the plate when the ball makes it past the catcher. Being ever mindful of the villain on 3rd base. A couple of them really got this element, and owned the field. Some are still in the mindset of their previous level in the league (coach pitch.) Getting the ball back in the circle of the mound no longer kills ANYTHING. It's all live, all the time. I think the boys began to pick up on the energy of the game. You can run drills all you want in practice, but until you've got another team staring back at you some of the things just don't sink in.

Other high points in the game, included great runner pick offs. Drew brought an inning to an abrupt end when he snagged a grounder at 2nd, popped up... tagged the advancing runner heading for 2nd base and then made the throw to 1st for the double play. The grin from ear to ear when he trotted back to the dugout was priceless. Landon, the smallest/youngest kid on the team shocked us all when he got a hit with EVERY at bat! A couple singles, and a double to his credit, including an RBI, that put us on the board first. And last but not least, I'll brag on my own son, Cole. He opted to be the catcher for the entire game! I gave him the option, he wanted it. He showed incredible stamina, became a wall against which nearly no ball got passed, and just devoured the position. Something else which really struck me, and gave me great pride was listening to him chatting up his pitcher. "Come on, right down the middle," "put this guy away," "you got 'em," "you're doin' fine." Constantly, providing positive support. It made for an exciting game, and a good night at the ballpark. We ended the night with a tie game 3-3, but it was late and they all had school to deal with the next morning. Congratulations to both teams for a game well-played! But just a little bit louder... Let's Go EAGLES!!!

To put you in the baseball mindset, and to fuel the season's obsession head over to http://www.quotegarden.com/baseball.html and check out some famous baseball quotations.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Fickle Wench...

My mistress Lady Luck is a fickle wench. I returned to the tables later on in the night and watched as I merely treaded water in a sea of craptacular hands at all 4 tables. I stole from a few spots, and managed just to minimize the draining of my chip stack. Then, joy of joys, pocket Aces, in late position and I get to raise. I get one caller, a rather innocuous flop shows up and he rams and like an idiot I call. I figure he's either bluffing or not... man I'm a friggin' genius. Call... he shows pocket Jacks, which go nicely with the one that showed up on the board. I have a not flush draw, but it doesn't get there. You know though, what can you do. I could have been a complete wuss and dropped Aces, but there's no history to draw from on this guy to lead me in that direction. I've got no notes inscribed next to his name. I got nuthin' but my two RED ACES staring back at me. So, Lady Luck deals me a blow to take away some of what I bragged on her about earlier. But, you know, I've bounced back up from a few weeks ago. It's slow going, but being back over the $500 mark again gives me some leeway. A little more than a single buy-in loss is not devastation. It's barely a blip on the radar. Herein, lies the true value of bankroll management. All successful poker players regardless of the stakes at which they play, must acknowledge the fact that sometimes you just lose, despite your best efforts. Sometimes you lose because of your worst efforts too, and every other level of effort you can think of. But having a legitimate/sustainable amount of cash set aside for the purpose enables you to ride it out, and allows you to return to the table another day, and at some point you will begin to climb.

Regards,

cheer_dad

I'll take it!

Hey, anytime you can cash out up only 1 buy-in, despite the fact that you lost a hand with a full house Jacks full of Aces versus a Royal "diamond" flush... you count your lucky stars that you were four tabling and had your money spread around a bit! Oddly enough, it didn't even fell bad. I saw the possibility out there on the board of more than a few hands that could conceivably beat me, but the river bet was small from the villain, and perhaps mercifully so! I had earlier in the session spanked a guy with AK when my pocket sixes made their pact with the devil... and setted him into the felt oblivion. That might've stung him a bit. I know, it didn't help he'd flopped the Ace... To make it worse, he was doing all the betting, and I kept letting him. Lotsa position raising paying off, irregardless of my particular holding. It's been a few days since I logged on to play and this was a nice return to the tables. Thank you Lady Luck... I'll take it!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Damper on the day

Work continues to put a "damper" on the day. In the way of all the many other things I'd rather be doing. "We are not amused!" Of course it's a Monday, and it's raining and nasty outside, so honestly tell me the upside to this day? I feel a bit like wet kitty in the picture. "Wut treachery iz dis?"

But it has made the day fly by, so there I guess is the silver lining. : P

In other unfortunate news, the lil blond girl got herself in some trouble at school with the cellphone. I'll leave it at that, but add only that I'm partially to blame. So, I can't be too hard on her... BUT I think I'm just gonna have to suggest leaving the friggin' thing at home from now on. I'm sure there will be fight on hand for tonight. I just wanna keep her out of trouble, of a more serious nature. She's been pinched for the offense too many times. She can't do the time, so she best not do the crime, in this instance.

Anywho, baseball practice is obviously cancelled for the night, and unfortunately Opening Day looms on the horizon for this Saturday. The boys needed some additional work and I've had a few of them off the last practice that we had on Saturday. So, game #1 may be a bit rough. Of course maybe things will begin to click and the bats will rattle loud!

Regards,

cheer_dad

NDPT #4 Results

Thanks to all who came out to play, but as usual not everyone can win, including me. But your winners for the night were Julie Wolfe in 1st, Eric Freed in 2nd, Big Red in 3rd, and Jenny in 4th. Only the top three were awarded "chips" toward the year-end-tournament. Currently they are 11 people who have qualified for the year-end game. Chip stacks range from 2,360 to 315, bearing in mind that the blinds start out at 10-20. There are still many more tournaments to come folks, and I'll remind you that at the Yanok game where this "method" began the short stack that showed up to play their year end game took it down, after a long fought battle. So, this thing is far from over.

Congratulations to the winners. The ladies made another brilliant showing. Thanks again to all who showed up to make it a great night.

I was able to minimize my tourney and cash game losses by winning about a buy-in yesterday in about an hour of play online on Bodog. Again, I've been noticing a crop of players that are new, or at least new to me. Some of my old rivals haven't been around. They've either gone busto... or moved up or down. But maybe they've just been on a break. I'll keep my eye out for them, and my notes on their play handy.

Regards,

cheer_dad

NDPT #4 is tomorrow night

I'm leaving work early today, and not due to some level of over-indulgence last night at the club. Indulge yes, over no... Actually, I've got a number of errands to run, including I must get my cable modem replaced as it went kaboom, and at home at least I've been internet-less. I might as well not exist, don't you agree!?! I also have to go pick up part of the uniform order for my baseball team. Check in on the kids who are still on Spring Break. And then grab Cole and head to the baseball fields this evening for practice. After that, Cole is heading over to his papaw's house to spend the night, and then in the morning get up to go turkey hunting. Great white hunter indeed!

He'll be back tomorrow early evening, cause then we have baseball practice again! I'll spend the day cleaning up the basement, and other honey-do like projects, and I'll have to get the chips and tables set up for tomorrow night's NDPT Tournament #4! Turnout is going to be light, if the response I've received is any indication of things, but you just never know. It'll be good to come home after baseball and hang out with friends, drink a beer or twelve and play some cards. I'm looking forward to it.

Work's kept me busy, and I'm very thankful for the weekend.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Stress Reliever...

This helpful hint/kit goes out to my ole pal Uncle June. I'm not sure the instructions will help alleviate his stress, but it'll be a lot of fun for me to watch him try. I particularly like instruction #5! : )

In other news and observations... why do all roads lead to the Eagles. Big Red and I headed up to the Outback last night for what was to be a quick happy hour. Then, JR, showed up and then a little later Julie did too. Happy hour came and went and we still never ended up eating anything. Then, the car just kinda headed for the Eagles. It's like magic I guess. There we bumped into Chris and then we just sort of kept drinking. We are bad people. And I've been tired all day today as punishment.

I did play some poker on Bodog when I got back home and made $52 in an hour or so of play. Some different people were online last night and didn't seem to be able to give me their money quick enough. And I for one was ALL about it!

Work is nearly over for the day... and I foresee a NAP in my future. Man, I'm old...

Regards,

cheer_dad

Relax?

Relax? On a day off, yeah not so much. I seriously consider going back to 5 eight-hour days after I have my "every-other-Monday" off. Of course, today the kids were at home as well, due to their Spring Break. I hop out of bed and head straight outside to mow the lawn, followed by weed-eating, and of course sweeping up the grass clippings, unlike some of the other motherless fracks in the neighborhood. Then, I bark out some orders to the kids, just to let 'em know I'm still sorta in charge. It was overly tough stuff. Shower, get dressed and pseudo make your beds, was all they got from me. Then, I take a quick shower and grab the grocery list and it's off to Wally World! On the way there, I stop to buy a shirt from the Eagles, to take over to the Shirt Factory Sporting Goods shop so they can duplicate the logo that is to go on our baseball team's shirt. Oh yeah, and I quick drop off of a prescription for the lil blond girl... and finally I'm off to Wal-Mart now. I get all my shopping done, only texting Whit 3 times to make sure I was getting the right girlie-girl supplies. Then, I checkout and unload the cart into my truck, which I have to cram stuff into, having forgotten that my backseat looks more like the baseball dugout than a truck seat. Anyway, I get it all in there, stop back by the pharmacy grab the drugs and finally head home. There, I unload and put everything away... and I'm preparing to sit down for 5 minutes, when Cole asks, "what's for lunch?" So, soup and grilled cheese sandwiches all around for everyone, and I finally realize I haven't eaten yet today, no wonder the temples are throbbing a bit. While eating, I go ahead and get started on a pot of chili for tonight's meal. I know, aren't I quite the saucier? I know, whatev... Then, I get started on what will become 6 loads of laundry. I swear, there's only 4 of us, are they bringing over their friends stuff too? Finally, Big Red arrives after a long day at work, and instead of me resting I feel the spare tire trying to shove over my belt and figure I better get myself downstairs to do some weight training. Tomorrow begins the running regimen during the lunch hour, that will see me through to the next weekend.

At any rate, I finally sat down, here at the computer to bang out this quickie blog post to tell all my blogladytes how I spent my relaxing day at home with the kids, doing nothing. There are a number of mental illnesses which start out just like this... : )

Regards,

cheer_dad

Happy Easter

Hope you all have a very Happy Easter. We're heading over to my parents house for the usual feasting, brief nap, egg and candy hunt, followed by dad's obligatory Treasure Hunt. He'll have us walking all over the acreage again. Last year involved me taking a compass reading. Wonder if I'll need shovels or a back-hoe this year?

Regards,

cheer_dad

Yeahhh Pookie!

Congratulations to Laura (pookie) on winning last night's Eagles' Texas Hold'em Tournament. She bested the field of 41 to take down the top spot. She was followed closely by Julie (shewolfe.) Cole and I had already hit the hay by the time the text message arrived telling me about the win. Later, when Teresa made it home, having played the ensuing cash game she gave me some additional recap. There were only 6 ladies playing of the total 41, and 3 of them made the final table. So, congrats on the girl power! Big Red also informed me that the cash game got a little dicey. Things got heated and it all nearly came to blows. But it was all soon shut down and cooler heads prevailed... while others had a moment of intelligence and left. My thoughts... our group being able to hold the tournament at the Eagles is a privilege and we will not allow it to be taken away by the actions of anyone. Keep it civil folks... after all it is just a game. And for the stakes at which we're playing there's no call for anyone going off the deep end.

To quote a line from Independence Day's Will Smith... "don't go startin' nuttin'... won't be nuttin'!"

Regards,

cheer_dad

Eagles Poker Attendance Record

Uncle June is really stoked about the turnout for the Eagles' tournament. He was really hoping to break the 30 player mark, but instead ended up with 41 people. Hell, he didn't even play, so he could concentrate on running the thing! Way to go, and glad it's working out so well. I think it's definitely bringing more people to the club. Sorry, I couldn't make this one, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Familial responsibility and all that. Besides, since Big Red went... maybe I can hold that over her, when I wanna go do something sometime! : ) Kidding dear... well sorta. : P

Regards,

cheer_dad

Off Grid

I went briefly off grid this morning. Perhaps not as "off grid" as some but it was far enough for me. Around 8:30am a substance let's call it "water" came in contact with a component, let's call it a "power supply" which provides a device, let's call it my "computer" with electricity to do stuff, which I loosely refer to as "work!" So, I went low tech for a while, and actually found a great many things to occupy the time. There were particularly two big IT issues to be dealt with, but my involvement was to disseminate information to the affected parties and make a number of calls and brief the management chain. In the absence of massive computing prowess ... argh argh... I had only wit and wisdom to call upon. In short, since I couldn't dazzle with brilliance; I was forced to baffle with bullshit. Finally, as a number of pseudo crises had run their course and fizzled out, my buddy and desktop support guru, Mike W arrived and got me back in business again. Of course now, no one needs a damn thing.

Hope all is well with each of you. I've got baseball practice for my 9 and 10 year olds tonight. Later of course is Eagles drawing night, and a well deserved libation or so! Tomorrow night, again at the Eagles there will be a Texas Hold'em tournament for a max of 50 people... but yours truly will be unable to attend. Instead, taking the high minded approach and familial responsibility seriously... and living up to the "dad" part of cheer_dad... I'm staying at home with my son and being a good guy. In my absence you may feel free to lose your money to the ever lovely and talented Big Red. Beware her crazy mad skills in the cash game afterward. And she Oma-ha-ha's your suggestions of playing Omaha, and will take your hard earned cash in an equally demoralizing display. Don't say I didn't warn you all!

Regards,

cheer_dad

I'm With James Woods

I really wish I could remember the particular poker broadcast in which I saw it but too many years have passed, but simply trust me there was an interview of actor/poker player James Woods. In said interview Mr. Woods was taking time between hands in a hold'em tournament to speak with the interviewer. He was quite lively and of course playing to the camera and really having a good time. He repeatedly dashed back and forth from the edge of the rail to his seat to look at his cards and then mucking them and then subsequently returning to the interview. It was all pretty comical. On one return from the table, he was seen to be snapping a rubber band which was on his wrist... all the while saying that he was doing that to remind himself NOT to play KJ...ever. Although I'm really vague on where and when I saw it, the thought really stuck with me. KJos or even sooted, can be trouble. It's one of those hands that looks good because there are two face cards staring back at you from the felt, but the hand itself is easily dominated, while still giving you the illusion of strength. So, Jimmy Woods had taken to negative reinforcement to drive the point home to himself. A few flicks on the wrist from the rubber band associated with the appearance of the cards, were all that was needed to remind him to maintain his discipline. Now, I'm not saying that one example is proof positive of the thing, but you'll have to believe me when I say that I've seen it happen just too many friggin' times. Last night, I fired up Bodog... I had a bit of a rough patch in poker, dropping some buy-ins, and getting a little frustrated. Failing to cash at the Yanok's the other night, was okay... I was card dead in game 2, and in game 1 I over-played one hand, and ran head long into the monster AA of the shewolfe. Like the old saying, "...she used to bullets to put down a donkey." Again, I'm getting off track. Anywho, I'm trudging along 4 tabling on Bodog last night. Identifying the regulars, re-reading my notes about them to be sure, but by now, I'm starting to know them. I know which ones to be wary of and which ones make moves from particular spots. I'm waiting for hands and position in which to play 'em. I look down from late position with KK, with a couple of callers in front. I bet the pot... just cause it's easy to do. I get called by a blind, but then it goes back around to one of the original callers, who min raises me. It comes back around to me, and I still like my hand, and min raises piss me off anyway, so I re-pop it back to him. This time, the villain simply calls. One card and one card only is even remotely important, when the flop comes... another King. Yes, children cheer_dad's flopped himself a set of kings! I put out a smallish continuation bet and get raised. I've got this fish hooked, don't let him wiggle away. I wait ad nauseum to simply call. We finally get to the River, which is a blank. There's no straight or flush or anything higher than my hand even possible. Our hero has himself the nuts, as it were. So, I shove the remainder of my stack into the middle. The villain goes into the tank... he's got something, and my shove there at the end, likely does look like I'm trying to buy it. But he should know me right? I rarely get caught on the river, having shoved all my chips with my pants down. I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but rare's the occasion. Finally though, the villain makes the call, for a devastating amount of his chipstack, even though he had me covered. Our hands are exposed to the world and everyone sees the set, and there my huckleberry sits with his KJos. He'd gotten into an ego battle with me preflop with the raise and reraising bit hit the king on the flop and fell in love with his hand. He couldn't get away from it. He'd called all the way down with his pair of Kings. I've tried to convince myself (sometimes successfully) that more often than not top pair's just not going to get the job done by the time you find yourself at the river. Hell, two pair isn't even a real comfortable holding when your whole stack (nearly) is going across the line. But as the chips were being shoved my way I thought about Jimmy Woods' rubber band. How the thought had stuck with me over the years is beyond me, but I'll bet my opponent in this particular hand had in fact been wearing his own reminder rubber band at the time. Granted I know it's all chicken feed in the grand scheme of things, but a 3+ buyin pot to me was nothing to sneeze at. So, in closing... thank you James Woods!

Regards,

cheer_dad

True Blood Season Two

According to http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-04-02-true-blood_N.htm HBO's True Blood will return on June 14th. I can hardly wait to see where they go next with the story of Sookie Stackhouse. I really need to go pick up the Charlaine Harris Southern Vampire Series, upon which True Blood is based. There are currently 8 books in the series with a 9th due out soon.

At least there'll be something to look forward to when LOST takes its hiatus. Of course, with baseball season quickly ramping up I'll be pressed for time, very likely watching on DVR or my various downloadables. Fear not Uncle June... I'll be grabbing all the future installments.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Nothin' happens in game 2 well u know 'cept for boobies... Y'all 'member my battle cry... YEAH BOOBIES!!! Cheerdad is happy camper.

Other craziness included pushup prop bet between jr n shell and shell wins! Prize...jello shot off of jrs belly.

Ooooofff! Your hero exits final table when from cutoff i see AQos i make it 5x pre and get called by shewolfe. Allin for rest dark..she calls w AA. Duh!

Poker at the Yanok's house

The Yanok tournament is tonight. Well I guess it's actually tournaments, since we always play two games. It promises to be a lively crowd, I'll leave it at that! : ) Big Red and I are playing in both games, and I have little worry about the game going late. Not that it won't, but with as rainy and nasty as it has been here today, there's no way the baseball fields are going to be usable tomorrow morning for practice. I refuse to make the kids come out and wallow around in the mud. It's a game people, we're not solving world hunger here. Perhaps I'm not your idea of the uber-coach. Ask me if I care. I do this baseball coaching gig nearly every year, and it is NOT about the parents or to keep up with some testosterone infused coach on another team who is trying to relive his glory days. I'm there for the kids. I'm there for my kid. I'm hoping they're having fun while learning the game and staying active. If your idea includes winning at all costs, and verbally and mentally abusing the kids into submission, then perhaps we should just disagree from here on out. How 'bout it.

I will definitely be taking a power nap when I get home from work to prepare for the night to come. It's been a chore keeping the peepers open today at work. Sorry boss! I stayed up a little after the drawing last night at the Eagles and did a little four tabling on Bodog, and made $20. Still gotta climb outa my online hole, but it's NOT going to happen overnight. Wins come slow and steady. Losses happen like lightning! And unlike real lightning... it can and will strike the same spot twice.

Hope all is well with each of you, have a great weekend. Channel me your good vibes and luck for tonight's games. Unless of course you find yourself amongst the competition! In which case, "my vipers will feast upon your dead eyes!"

Regards,

cheer_dad

Flashy-thingy

Somewhere along the line, I got busier than expected. I know it's a worn out, tired excuse for not posting to the blog but I have no other. My new unofficial (as yet) position has already started. On paper I belong to one branch manager, I work now for another branch manager on an infrastructure and system which is under the responsibility of yet another branch manager. Whenever upper management (executive level) finally pulls the trigger on the reorganization all this will become official, and I'll then assume the duties that I've in all honestly already assumed. Meanwhile, all this leaves me in a precarious situation, although it is not without its high points. In a meeting today, my team received guidance to proceed on a particular upgrade plan, and when it was explained that there would be inherent risks involved in the undertaking, it was disclosed that the manager was quite "risk tolerant!" This way lies madness people, but what a ride we're gonna have getting there. I'm sorry to be purposely vague on it all, but you know how us governmentcy types can be. : P

On top of all the new work stuff that's come my way, there's still been the old duties and responsibilities to juggle. Now, I routinely find myself engaged in a conversation with two or three people at my desk about the old franchising duties, and get interrupted without warning on a new messaging tasking. Oh and speaking of messaging... and of government the powers that be have made an unintentional "funny" with the new and improved branch name. Get this... we are to become the Messaging and Information Branch... for this particular agency of the government. Do the initials M - I - B, conjure up any laughter for anyone else? Say something along the lines of what a Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones "movie" might do? I can't decide if I wanna be Agent C for cheer or D for dad. Either way, I can't wait for my flashy-thingy to arrive via inter-office mail!

Regards,

cheer_dad