Ramblings of bordem.

Wow, just shy of a few weeks and it will have been a year since last posting.

So I'll be quick:

From the previous post you can see Daphne and I were ready to get married. That went off rather well. Flying to and from Hawaii was the worst part of the trip, but other than that we had a blast. We went to the Polynesian Culture Center, the zoo and the aquarium. We went snorkeling one morning and got see a sea turtle up close! Our families came for the ceremony and only stayed a few days, but still had a blast. Daphne and I stayed 9 days, and on the last day we each got a tattoo; I got a tiki mask and Daphne got a black kitty.

So life afterwords has been pretty normal. Nothing has changed much for us since marriage. Holidays came and went. We've been spending time with family and friends. We finally managed to paint all of the house but the guest bedroom. We got a new king size bed (yay!) so now the kitty doesn't push either of us to the end.

We got a puppy around November or so of last year. Her name is Cocoa and she can be an absolute terror. She was one of many from a litter of Daphne's coworker. Cocoa and her sister, Honey, were adopted by my parents. Little did my parents know how much a handful these small puppies (at the time) would turn out to be. The father of the dogs is a full-blooded German Shepard, and the mother is a yellow-lab/beagle mix. When they started to get bigger, a house with 3 dogs already become rather crowded.

To help my family out Daphne and I took the more rowdy of the two. Since Mom and Dad both just had knee surgery they didn't need this big dog running around and knocking into them. Daphne and I have since had our hands full trying to calm and tame this beast. She's too damn smart for her own good...and she knows it. She almost has an arrogance about her that she knows she's too good for anything you ask her to do. She is about 70-75lbs of solid muscle now. She definitely looks like a mutt of her three breeds, but she is gorgeous. She's over a year old now, and finally has started to calm down. She still pesters the cat and tries to get on the furniture. She thankfully doesn't eat furniture but she has eaten a check-book, water bottle, lip balm, bed-sheets, comforter, blanket and a few other items I'm sure to have forgotten. She's a goofball but I still love her.

Merlene, the cat, has been a roller coaster. She developed cancer on her nose that progressively got worse and worse. Eventually we took to Auburn and had it froze off. She's now a "noseless" kitty. She has terribly allergies and congestion is seems and is always sneezing, scabbing her nose and licking it raw until it bleeds. She is also still the friendlies cat and most loving feline I have ever met. She will have her down days but lately she's been more energetic and demanding of attention.

My brother was going to move in with Daphne and myself, but after an altercation between the two of us, I decided it best he not move in. I don't think he's ready to move out from the parents just yet. So we now have an empty and prepped room that we'd like to rent out. We got a couple of people who are interested. Hopefully we get someone in soon because the extra money will come in handy...

Which brings me to the last bit. Daphne took me to Disney World for my 25th birthday on June 26th. I had never been and always wanted to go. Luckily my childhood friend that I grew up with, and is as close to be now as a brother, lives only an house from Disney World with his pregnant fiance. Daphne drove me down and kept me in the dark the entire time. I knew nothing of this trip, where we were going or what she had in store for me. When we got there and I found out our plans I was like a little kid again. Saturday we got up and went to Disney World and got there around 1:00PM. Daphne took me to the Magical Kingdom and we toured the entire park. We got on many of the rides, attractions and coasters. Some of my favorites were the Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear Space Comman, and Stitch's Escape. We stayed until late and watched the Fireworks at 10:00PM

We stayed in Florida until Monday morning and drove back. During this weekend in Florida some...lovin'...took place. Well, we brought back from Florida with us more than just our luggage and souvenirs. Daphne and I are expecting! We found out about two weeks after the trip. Of course we're both excited, anxious and maybe just a bit nervous. It is a big change in our lives no doubt but we're just so happy.

Wedding is less than 2 month away and we're both excited.  Life for my family and extended family has been hectic so I'm not sure who is going to be able to come and how long they will be able to stay.  All that matters if the important people will be there, and Daphne and I will have the time of our lives.

A few weeks ago Daphne and I had our engagement photos taken.  The lovely ladies from Simply Bloom Photograph, Vania and Christine, did amazing work.  These were taking on Monte Sano Mountain at the outdoor ampitheater and the tea garden.  We had an awesome time and really enjoyed how the pictures turned out.

I'll let the pictures themselves do the rest of the talking (click each one for larger pics):





























Thanks again to Vania and Christine at Simply Bloom Photography (www.simplybloomphotography.com).  I recommend them to anyone looking to take any kind of photos.

Brother wrecks car and ends up in ICU for almost a week.  Car it totaled, he's fine...gets a 2000 toyota celica and I'm jealous :P

Mother has total knee surgery the Tuesday after my brother's wreck.  She has a reaction to the morphine, almost stops breathing and sends us all into a panic.  Almost a month later now, she's getting around pretty well but still in a bit of pain.

My job I had started this time last came to an end.  The customer was a douche, black-balled me against another customer and I almost lost my job.  Jacobs said pretty said "fuck you, its on" to my old customer and I'm now testing materials and enjoy this more than ever.

Daphne and I schedule engagement photos on August 2nd...I'm taking a change of clothes.

I've tried to start working out, but life doesn't want me to.

I accompanied Daphne and Derek to Mississippi to visit their grandparents for July 4th.  It was a long drive, I slept on the floor and an air mattress.  I didn't have sex for 3 days.  Derek drove like a maniac on the way back and Daphne and I were white knuckle the whole time.  I still had a fucking blast and love spending time with both of them.

My grandfather had a mini-stroke this past weekend.  He's ok, and being very macho about it.  "It's only minor" he says.  It's still a fucking stroke is what I'm thinking.  He is supposed to have tests done sometime this week.

The puppies my parents got about 2 months ago are huge.  They are easily 20+ pounds and are only 3 months old.  They are adorable and I love spending time over there to play with them.

Another person close to me is going through a rough time.  She has something that she'll need treatment for the rest of her life.  I only hope she is able to get through this.  I know her family is worried about her as well.  She is a strong woman and I'm sure she'll pull through, but I still worry.

And last night my tree decided to drop 2 limbs.  About 13-15 ft long and about 1-2 ft in diameter.  They are too heavy to carry, so I get to cut some wood when I get home.  Yay.

Yes, life has been in over-drive.

Decided I should probably update the goings-on in my life for the past almost 5 months. 

Wedding:  Daphne and I are going to Hawaii for a wedding/honeymoon combination.  It is more cost efficient and will be more memorable than a wedding back here in 'bama.  My family (mother, brother, sister, father and grandmother) will be staying the entire duration, while Daphne's family (mother, and 2 brothers) will only be staying for the weekend.  We're leaving Oct 9 (Thursday), get our stuff in order that Friday, get married on the beach at sunset on Saturday then have the rest of the week for fun.  I am seriously giddy about the whole thing.

Work:  I thought work was going well.  Around December I was brought onto the Space Shuttle Main Engines project and started having some fun there.  It seems though, the customer is a picky one and does not like my performance...at all.  I've got around 4 weeks to find another job within the contract, and thankfully the company I work for and Jacobs will be doing their best to help me.  Wish me luck.

Daphne and I have been having tons of fun recently.  About 3 weeks back, her, her 2 brothers and myself went to Six Flags over Georgia.  I haven't been in almost 3 years and riding roller coasters is one of my favorite activities.  I am terrified of heights, so being able to "overcome" that fear with roller-coasters is exhilarating.  We got to ride the new coaster, The Goliath, twice.  We rode it first thing when we got there.  The problem with doing that, we were desensitized to the rest of the rides.  Nothing even compared to how awesome of a ride Goliath was.  Even after riding Batman 3 times and riding Superman, I was still "Meh, Goliath was better"  I did get a nifty Batman cape.  Also, I had to eat a funnel cake while there.  When going to buy it, I saw "The Ultimate Funnel Cake"  My curiosity and hunger got the best of me and so I ordered one:

Funnel Cake Batter + Powdered Sugar + Ice Cream around the edge + Strawberry Fruit Filling in the Center + Whip Cream in the middle.

I stared at this amalgamation of sweet food and drooled.  Could I really eat something to wonderful and perfect?  Yes.  I and did so quickly and ravenously.  It was heaven.

And this past weekend we went canoing for Derek's birthday.  I haven't been canoing in close to 15 years and probably longer since I've been camping.  I'm sore, sun-burned and exhausted today.  It was a hell of a trip and I can't wait to do it again.

The "biggest" change is me giving up WoW.  That's right.  I've decided to stop playing mindlessly for hours on end the addiction that is World of Warcraft.  I'll still play for fun on occasion, but for the most part the serious raiding aspect of the game is over for me.  Hello life and world, its been awhile since we've seen each other.  Let's get acquainted once more.

*Disclaimer*
If you are of southern heritage and enjoy things like "muddin, fishin, huntin, drinkin, cow-tippin, and ROLL TIDE/WAR EAGLE" then this post may offend you.  If so, get the fuck over it.

A couple of weeks ago, my cousin, Krystal, had her wedding.  Weddings are usually a joyous occasion for the bride and groom and everyone present.  Sadly, this was not the case here.  I'm not exactly close with my cousin.  Growing up, our families saw much of each other, and I would stay the night with her and her 2 brothers.  We were all around the same age so we got along well and did many of the same things.

Around the time of high school, her parents had a nasty divorce, and from there out her family has been a poster child for Jerry Springer.

From the middle of high school to the wedding I probably saw my cousin once a year (if even that).  Therefore, I didn't know what kind of woman she was growing into.  I knew her family wasn't exactly "high-collar" but I figured she had to have a good head on her shoulders.  Yes she did grow up in a trailer in Hazel Green, and yes her mother is your typical trailer trash white woman.  My uncle has had more "events" I could write about than a good soap opera.  Why I thought my cousin would turn out ok is beyond me.  I guess because her 2 brothers are semi-normal would seem to point that way.

Back to the wedding.  I knew this wouldn't be the greatest thing weeks before even going.  When I was informed the ceremony would be held in New Hope, I cringed.  When I discovered that my cousin's grandmother (my cousin's mother's mother who I am not related to at all) would be doing the ceremony, I cried a little (short woman who is as tall as she is round with 4 teeth in her entire mouth...)  When I drove by the "historical" church at where the ceremony was being held a realized that no parking lot existed and we'd be forced to park in the grass/mud I told Daphne "we're taking your car."  Then I heard of the grooms rumored cake.  A NASCAR cake...

Daphne, my sister and I arrive at the wedding.  My brother had to work (lucky bastard) and my mother was in the hospital with bad asthma problems (lucky again).  As we entered the church one work game to mind "PINK!"  Yes, this was a Barbie wedding.  The bride's maids were all wearing SOLID pink dresses (and awww how cute, Krystal's mom was the maid of honor).  There are pink and white flowers everywhere.  The "ushers" are wearing pink polo shirts and black slacks.  The groom and his men are in black tuxes with pink bow, vest and cummerbund.  To really make it a "joyous" occasion the music playing while we anticipated was...wait for it...COUNTRY.

At this time, Krystal's grandmother stands up to start reading her notes/lines whatever to make sure she is ready before the ceremony started.  Then, BAM she faints and falls on her ass.  I'm talking straight over to the side, body stiff as a board slammed on the ground.  It took every ounce of willpower I had to not bust out laughing and pointing.  Had my father or brother been there with me, we would have needed to leave and not come back.

So the old woman is revived by her daughter (who looks horrible in her pink maid of honor dress) and everyone gets to their places.  The ceremony starts and people are walking around without a clue of where to go or anything.  Then a cute little girl comes out and is the flower girl.  Surprise!  The groom has 2 little ones of his own already.  This little girl, and a little boy accompanying my cousin's nephew with the rings.  Wow!  Way to pick a winner Krystal.

To make the rest of it short, the whole ceremony lasted all of 5 minutes.  The "reception" was held out in the double-wide trailer at the back of the church where lil-smokies and chips and dip was served. 

Rest assured, my wedding will have a little bit more class.

But is seems I already have.  Here I am now, graduated from college for a year.  I have a house to call my own (YAY mortgage payments!) a dependable respectable job that pays very well.  I can support myself with money left over.  I am now engaged to a wonderful woman and plan on getting married next October.

This whole past year so much of my life has changed...dramatically.  Yet, I still do and act like that childish boy I was years ago.  I still get giddy when talking about anything Batman (The Dark Knight is going to rock my face off).  I continue to play video games and computer games (Hi, my name is Zink and I'm a WoW addict).  I watch hours of cartoons and anime.  I sit here in my small cubicle surrounded by shuttle stuff and think to myself, "Ten years ago, would I have ever imagined I would be this far?"

What really got me thinking about this:

The elevator's here at work are horrible.  We have 5, but 1 of those 5 is for the building workers (janitors/computer guys etc).  They are slow as balls and make me feel ever so...mortal, when entering and exiting them.  About a month ago, they started working on 2 of the elevators.  When I say work, I mean shut down completely and actually do physical work maybe 2-3 days a week 5-6 hours at a time...  Anyway, this leaves us with 3 elevators now (yes we can use the service elevator during this time).

One day I was standing in the lunch line at our cafeteria and one of the workers looked oddly familiar.  Sure enough, he was schoolmate I graduated high school with.  If my memory serves me right, I even went to school with this man all the way back through early middle school.  For the life of me, I couldn't/can't remember his name.  But there he was, working on an elevator probably making a little more than minimum wage doing a job that may or may not be "friendly" to his health or life.

The irony is, I remember this particular man, being "the shit" back in high school.  He was one of the "cool kids" in the "in-crowd" and had many ladies hanging on him and his crew.  I'm sure mommy and daddy bought him a "hawt" car during that time as well.  I'm curious, what does he live in now?  From the looks of what I saw he looked very much like "trailer-trash" and your typical red-neck that probably cruises around in a Ford pickup with 40inch swampers and camo paint.

Its good to know, that my parents were right all along.  High school was nothing more than a spec in my life.  The people I met during that time I will hardly ever see again (excluding my good friends of course) and the "cool" kids who didn't try at all will be the ones who work for you later in life.

Copied and pasted from Myspace =P

Daphne and I have talked about marriage and such for a few months now. A couple of weeks ago, we even went and looked at some rings. After about an hour of browsing through rings, Daphne finally found the one she liked. "Maybe someday, you'll get it" I teased. The next week was extremely busy with getting the house painted and ready for moving and all sorts of stuff.

Last Monday, I went back to the jewelers and bought the ring, and had to have it resized (because Daphne is such a lil damn thing...size 4!) and have the diamond set. I picked it up Thursday. I wanted to give her the ring that night, but I knew I had to make it special, different, memorable!

I was talking with my mother on different ideas I had come up with, when she suggested something that snowballed into a great idea. "What about Tokyo? She loves that place" A light-bulb clicked inside my head. "I'll have it spelled out on the grill!" So I pulled some strings and called a few people and had everything in place. Now I just had to make sure I didn't blab or my family didn't say a word (if you know my family you realize that this is actually something rather difficult to do).

So Saturday rolls around, and we're moving into the house. Managed to get everything from my old place to the house in one trip, but we were exhausted and she was dying to eat some good food from Tokyo. We get cleaned up and head there, all the while my heartbeat slowly getting faster. I had called ahead and reserved a table just for us, and told Daphne "It's homecoming night, it might be crowded" and of course it wasn't...

Anyways, we order the food and the chef comes out. We got an American chef thankfully. After the food was cooked and served he told us "I got one more fire trick I want to try, its a new one." He started taking the cooking oil and spelling "MARRY ME" on the grill. It was difficult to make out and Daphne thought it was some Japanese at first, until I leaned over and whispered "Can you read that?" The chef then shouted "Daphne will you Marry Me?!" And I pulled out the ring and put it on her finger.

And of course, Daphne said yes.

Jeez, I haven't updated this in months.  I'll do the short and sweet stuff.

New job with Snyder contracting for NASA.  I enjoy my job.  I do still have some down time, but no where near the amount before, and I actually feel like I contribute something here.

New car, I got it around 2 months ago.  2008 Nissan Altima.  This car is all kinds of badass.  I got 2 tickets already =/

And finally, the house situation.  I walked away from the house I was building.  Shoddy materials, craftsmanship/workmanship and just overall bad stuff made me decide to leave it and found a better home...which I did that same weekend.  I close on the house last Tuesday (Sept 25) and I am now a proud home owner.  Daphne and I are busting ass to have the house painted, clean and ready for stuff to be moved into it by this weekend.  We've finished most of the work, but still have a chunk to do.

Anyways, thats been my life for the past 2-3 months =P

Last week was a good week.

Snyder finally gave me an offer letter.  I start work with them July 2nd and get 13% raise doing a job I know I will enjoy much more.  I hope things go well for me at this job.  I'm taking a big risk.  Westar is a great company and is well known around the area with a large work force and such.  Snyder is an EXTREMELY small company, but the good news is I'm working along side Jacobs and such.  Maybe after a couple of years NASA will just pick me up :P

Also last week, they poured the foundation to my house.  I'll post pics later of the progress and such.  My loan officer and a few others agreed its about 90-100 days after they lay foundation to the closing of the house.  That would put me around the end of September to close on the house.

Father's day was good.  I took my family out to eat at Rosie's, yummy goodness.

I'll update more on the house and the job after I have started.  I already put in my 2 weeks notice at Westar.  The gov't guy even admitted to this job being "rough" on guys fresh out of college.

Anyways, so I'm sitting here at work slightly bored.  I just finished one task of work, and I have 2 more that I could be working on, but I also leave here in about 30 minutes to go to lunch.  My awesome friend Ashely is leaving for Seattle and we are having a going away lunch :(

On a brighter note, I had my second interview with Snyder last Thursday.  I was told by the president I should hear something Tuesday (today!).  So I will be a basket case all day until I get that phone call.  When I actually interviewed with the NASA guy, he was telling me all the stuff I would be working on.  This year would be everything on the propulsion side of the Space Shuttle that comes right before the main engines.  Next year would include the engines and some work on the new Ares rocket (going to the moon baby!!!).

Also, no work done on the house yet.  They have managed to put the sign up on the lot clearing it for a construction zone.  Hopefully this week I'll see some progress.  I'll probably drive by today and see if anything has changed.  I did take a look at a house similar to mine that is almost finished.  I'm stoked!  I have a few things I'll need to add on after I move in (lack of cabinets, ceiling fans, etc etc).  

And finally, this past weeked was alot of fun.  Daphne and I are trying to get out more and stop being so damn anti-social.  I blame WOW for this completely.  Saturday night was party at Paul's place where we drank, ate pizza (yum Donato's) and watched a fantastic video about the male urinal theory.  I will post more indetail on that later on.
Sunday night was dinner prepared by Mrs Brecken.  It was authentic Italian with multiple course.  Yummy goodness and I wanted to eat more but sadly I had to share.  

Anyways, about time to go for lunch.  Pray I hear from Snyder!

Anyone that knows me well, is familiar with my fandom of Batman.  Batman from 1989 was the first movie I remember seeing in theaters.  That year for Christmas all I wanted was Batman stuff.  As a young child, I had ALL the action figures, batmobiles, bat-jets, bat-caves...you name it.  I would watch B89 (Batman 1989) over and over and over...acting out the scenes with my toys as the movie played.

In the coming years, my obsession with Batman grew.  I had many t-shirts, jackets, clothes, pajamas all in batman.  I even had a comforter with Batman, and (this is the coolest) sheets with DETAILED blue prints of the batmobile from B89.  Yes, I was a geek.

As I matured, I read the comics more and more.  I became more familar with the mythos that is Batman/Bruce Wayne.  Around the same time, Batman Forever (BF) came out to theaters.  I remember watching this movie and feeling...incomplete.  Here was a great vision of Batman and Bruce Wayne, but the style, the mood, the FEEL of the movie was off.  Two-Face was not a criminal whom the audience could sympathize.  He was not the best friend of Batman turned evil.  Two-Face was the Joker in a different outfit.  Jim Carrey did a wonderful Riddler, but the script was over the top.

Then came the horrible, evil, nasty thing known on Batman and Robin which Joel Schumacher completely bastardized.  The movie destroyed the franchise and left a sour taste in Warner Bros' mouth for quite sometime.  If you haven't seen that movie, do yourself a favor, and NEVER see it.

Despite these horrible movies, I contined to read the comics of my beloved superhero.  I followed the wonderful animated series which accurately showed Batman for what he was.  A person struggling to continue his commitment to his dead parents without becoming that which he hates.  In Kill Bill Vol. 2, Bill's famous speech about Superman and Clark Kent can be made for Batman.  Those who are familiar with Batman, know that Bruce Wayne's playboy persona is a farce.  He is playing pretend to cover up his true nature.  

Finally, and brilliant director by the name of Christopher Nolan decided to head up the new Batman movie.  From all the buzz and stuff I read, Nolan knew what the fans wanted.  He also wanted to add a bit of  "realism" to this movie. Perfect!  I was more excited to see this movie than any Spiderman movie.  So, in 2005 when Batman Begins finally showed in theaters, I was that 5 year-old boy all over watching B89 for the first time, and Nolan didn't let me down.  He nailed the feel of Batman, and stayed rather true to the comics while adding his own touch.  When they showed The Joker's card at the finale, I squealed like a school girl.

Which brings us to today.  Earlier this week, the picture of Heath Ledger as the Joker was reaveled.  I must say I am disappointed with the look.


I know Heath is a good choice for Mr J.  From interviews I have read, and rumors and inside-scoops, the FEEL of Joker is there.  He will be the cold, thoughtless killer from the comics, but I can't help but feel let down when I look at this picture.  Most people wouldn't even know this was the Joker unless told.  Oh well, here is hoping for a different look earlier in the movie or a better shot later on.

Imagine a job where you sit on your ass all, serf the net (most of it blocked, thank you ARMDEC) and do maybe 8 hours of work out of the work week.  Sounds great right?  Wrong!...atleast for me.  I've been at my new job now for almost 5 months.  The time I have been here has been painful.  The work I do is mind-numbing.  I've used very little of the skills I acquired during my years in college.  I feel like I am getting dumber each passing day.  

That is why, 2 weeks ago, I interviewed for a new job.  I thought the interview went very well.  I'm anxiously waiting for some sort of reply from these people saying "Yes come work for us now"  By  anxious I mean sitting at my desk checking my email every 10 minutes and cursing under my breath when i don't see an email from them. 

Anyways, the house is progressing along.  I have picked out all the final upgrades (upped the price $20,000) and I've signed the paper work to get the loan process started and all that jazz.  I imagine they will break ground in the next couple of weeks, so check back as I post pictures week by week fo the progress.

Finally, I saw the newest Transformers trailers.  I'm scared Michael "Big Fucking Robots!" is going to ruin my childhood favorite cartoon with this movie, but the trailers showed me a glimer of hope.  I'm still pissed Optimus Prime has lips...I mean seriously...wtf!

So update:
For the past couple of months, I have been trying to get a job out at Colorado.  After not hearing anything I've decided to give it up and stay in the dirty south.  So this past week I've been house hunting with Daphne.  Jeebus jumped up Christ, what a headache!  Anyways, after heavy thinking and debating, I have decided....to build a NEW house!

The neighborhood is Pike Farms, which is located off Capshaw Road about a mile west of Wall-Triana.  The floor plan is a nice little 1 story 3 bedroom house.  It will be plenty be for me and daphne whenever she decides to visit and grace me with her presence.  Here is a look at the floor plan:
http://www.hunterhomebuilders.com/PlansPDFs/1400.pdf
I will be getting the C-2 elevation and the kitchen plan with the island.  I go this weekend to pick out ALL the details (joy).
Only slightly annoying thing, my address will be Bumper Crop.  If that doesn't scream red-neck to you, then you have lived here waaaaaay too long.

So, yay me!  I'll have a house in a few months.

Well looks like I am finally sucked into the LJ thing.  I'll try and update this when I can.
Anyways, its 1:00, Inuyasha is over, and I have to get to bed and get up for work in the morning.
Check back regurlarly as I am sure I'll post more as I go.