A Little Bit About Everything...

Once again I apologize about not posting in the past while(months). I assume that you guys/gals had given up on islandpondviews.com. I am back with a vengence. The writing that follows may seem a blabber, but it will, hopefully, get my point across.

Yes, I have relocated to the Raleigh , NC area. The city is cool. It has everything down here Lexington could offer and more. There are restaurants galore. There are jobs here for everyone. Believe it or not, there is cable television. Although, I had to listen to UK's game tonight on Yahoo Sports, I still got the play by play(Bonus). Cat's win! Neither here nor there. My job is okay. I love the work I am doing. The people are a different story. Where I used to work, if I had a tough day, I could say, "Hey, so and so, let's grab a beer at Malone's after work." There would be three or four takers. Where I work now, there really is no one who would accept my offer. It is just different here. Now, I go home and anticipate Beth's call at the end of her day asking what's for dinner. This isn't something I despise or am I unaccusotmed to, but it is different. There is just no relation to me from my co-workers. A few have similar interest, but apparently, no one likes beer.

I have made a few friends at work. All are married and have families and other duties. We chat about football and sports in general, but anything beyond that is a foreign language they no longer speak. Alien as it may sound, it makes sense. They're all older and have alternate responsibilies. They seem to speak a language, an eastern North Carolina language, which is one I am not accustomed to. I find myself asking them to repeat themselves numerous times during conversations so I can grasp what they are saying. I am slowly figuring out their dialect, but it is one step at a time.

Let's get down to some issues that stretch beyond North Carolina.

First of all, the Olympics. What an Olympics! China won the most golds. They should, right? Their country has three times the population of the USA. Makes sense, right? We still owned them on the total medals. But still, what a sham the opening ceremonies were. Fake fireworks. Fake singers. Totally a sham! Don't get me started on the gymnastic's scores.

What about this presidency race? This is a whole converstion in its own right. Obama, the most eloquent speaker maybe to have ever hit the US political realm, is here to bring change to America. And we have John McCain, who is here to help those who have worked hard to earn a great living. I really find myself town between the two. One, who is something that we as Americans have never seen, is pledging the best for all, and the other who has served his country dutifully and pledges to do the same in the highest seat. I am leaning one way and I am sure you wish to guess which way I lean. I say not. Sarah Palin, qualified or not, she is One Hot Mama!

I have started a reading venture of my own, spurred by one of my favorite cousin's, Johnathan. I am two and a half novels into the Gunslinger series by Stephen King. Everyone I asked about the series said they were deterred after reading the second book, "The Drawing of the Three", but I am sold with the story. The story of Roland Deschain may be one of the most compelling stories the twentieth century has ever been privy to. I am still on my road of discovery with the series. My ka, if you will, is to finish the story. My thirst for the story is unsatiable. I hate the moments where I have to stop reading for whatever reason, i.e. to write this post, cook dinner, or wait on Amazon.com to send the next book, etc. I hunger for what I will encounter next in my reading. It is very complex and this is my warning to you if begin to start this adventure. But, where I am at now in the series, I can't stop. It really is that good.

I guess I will put an end to my ramblings tonight. Beth has been in bed for two hours or more. And soon I will be heading that way myself. I miss you guys a ton. I can't wait to see you all soon. Raleigh is great, but the Bluegrass is better. But, I am sure you knew that without even knowing. It is your Khef. Ask me plenty of questions. I will answer them earnestly and honestly, and if no hinderance, swiftly. I love you guys!

P.S. I would like to thank Beth, Dennis, and Jo-Anne for the fun weekend in Richmond, VA while we were waiting for Tropical Storm Hanna to pass so we could watch the NACAR race at Richmond International. I had an awesome time, especially now that I know where where the title NASCAR came from. "That's real "Nas Car" you got there!