Monday Monday 5.5.2008

Hi All,

Our HOA issued a list of rules regarding the use of our pool. Among them were a few absolutely horrid regulations such as no alcohol, no solo swimming, and no swimming before 9AM and after 9PM (there goes the skinny dipping window). On a scale of 1 to "I hate the HOA's" - - - I still hate the HOA's. I'm all for rules and regulations when justified, but to place limitations on simple liberties for no reason at all seems like a waste. For instance, if we were required to staff a lifeguard and the community could only afford said lifeguard for 12 hours per day - the rule would make sense. Since we never have a lifeguard, it makes no sense to limit hours for that reason. Does no solo swimming mean that I can't go in the pool on a 90 degree day if nobody else is their. Times like this I have to think "WWRPD" or What would Ron Paul Do (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Paul)? Paul is a libertarian turned Republican who advocates for a government with minimal scope. I'm not sure if I believe in that philosophy at a National, State, or Local level - but when it comes to your home . . . why not live and let live.

With the arrival of Mario Kart Wii, a new Entertainment Center, a 500 piece puzzle of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, and lastly cable television - you might think we had a very luxurious weekend back home in South Carolina. In actuality, we were quite relaxed but extraordinarily busy. I think simply trying to set up an Entertainment Center, put together a puzzle, conquer Mario Kart Wii, and watch some new television causes the time to fly right on by. The only thing I haven't accomplished yet is the defeat of Mario Kart Wii, but I have made significant progress for the short amount of play time.

For those of you that have visited our home down south, you would likely be surprised to find a lot of changes have been made. Our living room basically went under the knife as the furniture has completely turned over in the past two months. Our previously plain walls have been adorned with puzzles, photos, and other portraits. The bar is more fully furnished as it now has a futon to rest your bottom on (still no kegerator - but soon - it would be a nice toy to have around during the summer months). Both the back and front porch now have been furnished with some new chairs (they aren't fancy, but we like them). The spare bedroom has had a full makeover as Scotty LaCombe will move in at the end of June. In fact, that room actually looks like a spare bedroom (goodbye gameroom). The office has a new project table that makes for an awesome place for the Maggie Mae and Ryan Joy puzzle assembling to take place. Our bedroom has all the furniture made by my Dad at Christmas and our master bathroom actually features a shower curtain.

I've got about 20 minutes left until the end of my work day, and as you can tell I have officially "Peaced Out." It won't be long before I "hit the road running." I almost mean that in a literal sense because I will "hit the sidewalk walking" after work today. I usually just go to the gym and get on the treadmill, but when it is this gorgeous outside. . . I have no motivation to stay inside.

Here's something I hate - paying for gas. . . I could go to a really nice restaurant and order a steak dinner for the price I pay for gas. It used to be comparative to an Applebees steak, but somewhere along the way it went up to a Longhorn Steakhouse, but at this point we're talking about freekin' Ruth Chris or Morton's. Yes that's right folks - I have just introduced a new way for measuring the rising price of gas. Some people talk in dollars and cents, but I'm losing out on Prime Rib. If gas prices continue to rise, we'll all be eating Hot Dogs and Bologna sandwiches every night for dinner. I might authorize a Grilled Cheese on pay day if I'm having a good week. Do you think the big time executives at Exxon Mobile (you know the ones making millions hand over fist) get a discount on gas. Just think a ten percent discount on gas would save the average consumer between 180 to 200 dollars over the course of a year. That is assuming that most people are spending between 35 and 40 dollars at the pump every week. Just think of those steak dinners now.

Have A Great Week

Ryan