While it's inevitable that our current economy will get worse before it gets any better, I've now surpassed the small monetary life changes and have moved on to defcon 4 by making some drastic decisions (sorry to be all "doom and gloom." That's really not who I am, so I'll try to keep things as light as possible).
I decided about a day ago to park my truck and make my 60 mile daily commute into and out of Buckhead via the Xpress shuttle and MARTA. It just makes good sense. The pick up/drop off is near my house and this will save me a ton on gas and wear-and-tear on my vehicle.
I thought about starting a new blog called "B**** I Ride A MARTA Train," but unless you've seen the viral video of the girl going off on that poor old lady, or heard the gawd awful (but funny) rap song, you probably wouldn't get the humor in the title.
I'm on the Xpress bus now and it is very nice - plush comfortable seats, clean, nice smell. A few people are chatting, but most are sleeping as the sun starts to rise. It's almost like I'm on a cool class trip where the school went all out and chartered the nice bus... Except I don't know anyone on board. It's just me and my iPhone, or my "girlfriend" as my wife refers to her...uh... I meant it.
I had a little anxiety about this morning that dates back to the fall of 1979 when I got on the wrong bus for the first day of first grade. I can still remember my mom and aunt running behind the bus and then running back to the car to come pick me up at the elementary school down the street. They took me to school that morning, but it didn't take me long to find Mrs. Watkins' #34 bus that afternoon.
The ride in wasn't bad at all! I got to the Arts Center MARTA station by 8:15. The north bound rail arrived very quickly and I made it to the Buckhead station by 8:25! My building is conveniently located next to the MARTA station, so I didn't have to spend too much time in the cold.
I did the math on this. It will cost $23.75 per week for this commute. I spend close to 2-3 times that on gas every week. It may cost even less if I purchase a MARTA and Xpress package.
Save money on gas: check! Now I need to figure out some other ways to cut corners. I now have a great Craigs List app on my iPhone. I guess I could start selling everything in my garage. Be watching as I have some pretty cool stuff in my garage. I'll post links here!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
25 Random Things About Tripp West
This is something that I did on Facebook. I saw it popping up as many friends were "tagging" me in their own "25 Things," but I avoided it for days. I finally gave in though and this is my "25 Things:"
1. I am addicted to the TV show LOST on ABC. So much so that I started a blog, originally for my own personal edification so I could examine the show, write things down, and read it back to try to figure everything out. I had no idea people would like reading my blog, but they do.
2. I am quite handy around the house. If there is something that needs to be fixed I will do it before I pay someone else to do it... guess that means I'm cheap too. Oh wait, let me put that as the next number...
3. I am cheap... but I do quality work. Maybe a better word would be "resourceful." Plus I enjoy the improvement projects that I do.
4. I have built my own computer from scratch... but by the time I finished it was already obsolete.
5. I love to write, but suffer from permanent writer's block.
6. I love dance music. Many different styles, genres, and years.
7. I took a picture with Elton John a few years ago during the time that the paparazzi were driving him crazy and we saw him on the news yelling and flipping them off, but he was a very nice man when I met him.
8. I have so many great friends here on Facebook, many of whom sent me this crazy "25 Things" that I have been trying to avoid... THANKS!!!
9. While in college I threw a huge Halloween party that got me a ride to the Statesboro Police Station. I didn't go to jail per say. I only had to pay a $60 fine for violating the noise ordinance. I told them I would pre-pay next time. They didn't like that too much. They did take my mugshot, which I had a friend of mine pull from my file before he left the Statesboro PD. I still have it somewhere.
10. I was going to say that I don't drink coffee, but I did have a Starbucks Mocha Frap for the first time in about 3 months yesterday. I don't drink coffee all that often.
11. I used to write music and sing. My last public performance was at Pam Graffagnino's wedding in 1991.
12. Jill and I were married around St. Patrick's Day so every year we could celebrate our wedding anniversary drunk as skunks.
13. I suffer from triskaidekaphobia... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. (Look it up if you have to) aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
14. I was born on Valentine's Day.
15. My mom worked for the Howard Johnson across the street from what became Downtown Disney when I was 2 or 3 which might possible explain the next number...
16. I am a HUGE Disney fan. We go 3 - 4 times a year.
17. In my college major, all but one class had to do with television, and yet I work in radio.
18. When Buckhead was Buckhead, they once made me take off my shirt on stage at Jellyrolls. (I don't even like to take my shirt off at the beach) Thanks a lot Jimmy! Where ever you are.
19. During my first year of college, my blood alcohol content was higher than my grade point average.
20. I believe in ghosts and have visited and stayed in many houses which claim to have a presence.
21. I'm addicted to my iPhone.
22. Not only am I a radio DJ, I am a real DJ. I mix music. My mood determines the genre. I still have a pair of Technique 1200's even though I now use Serato with two digital turntables.
23. I chew on pen tops ( I know, I know, bad habit) I'm doing it now as I type this.
24. I love to laugh and make others laugh, and if that means I have to be a dork, then so be it.
25. I'm Methodist, but while in high school I would sing in the choir during Catholic Mass at St. James, then go to Epworth United Methodist for another service, then lunch with church friends, then back to Epworth for Youth Group and Night Church. You could say I stocked up on religion during high school.
1. I am addicted to the TV show LOST on ABC. So much so that I started a blog, originally for my own personal edification so I could examine the show, write things down, and read it back to try to figure everything out. I had no idea people would like reading my blog, but they do.
2. I am quite handy around the house. If there is something that needs to be fixed I will do it before I pay someone else to do it... guess that means I'm cheap too. Oh wait, let me put that as the next number...
3. I am cheap... but I do quality work. Maybe a better word would be "resourceful." Plus I enjoy the improvement projects that I do.
4. I have built my own computer from scratch... but by the time I finished it was already obsolete.
5. I love to write, but suffer from permanent writer's block.
6. I love dance music. Many different styles, genres, and years.
7. I took a picture with Elton John a few years ago during the time that the paparazzi were driving him crazy and we saw him on the news yelling and flipping them off, but he was a very nice man when I met him.
8. I have so many great friends here on Facebook, many of whom sent me this crazy "25 Things" that I have been trying to avoid... THANKS!!!
9. While in college I threw a huge Halloween party that got me a ride to the Statesboro Police Station. I didn't go to jail per say. I only had to pay a $60 fine for violating the noise ordinance. I told them I would pre-pay next time. They didn't like that too much. They did take my mugshot, which I had a friend of mine pull from my file before he left the Statesboro PD. I still have it somewhere.
10. I was going to say that I don't drink coffee, but I did have a Starbucks Mocha Frap for the first time in about 3 months yesterday. I don't drink coffee all that often.
11. I used to write music and sing. My last public performance was at Pam Graffagnino's wedding in 1991.
12. Jill and I were married around St. Patrick's Day so every year we could celebrate our wedding anniversary drunk as skunks.
13. I suffer from triskaidekaphobia... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. (Look it up if you have to) aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
14. I was born on Valentine's Day.
15. My mom worked for the Howard Johnson across the street from what became Downtown Disney when I was 2 or 3 which might possible explain the next number...
16. I am a HUGE Disney fan. We go 3 - 4 times a year.
17. In my college major, all but one class had to do with television, and yet I work in radio.
18. When Buckhead was Buckhead, they once made me take off my shirt on stage at Jellyrolls. (I don't even like to take my shirt off at the beach) Thanks a lot Jimmy! Where ever you are.
19. During my first year of college, my blood alcohol content was higher than my grade point average.
20. I believe in ghosts and have visited and stayed in many houses which claim to have a presence.
21. I'm addicted to my iPhone.
22. Not only am I a radio DJ, I am a real DJ. I mix music. My mood determines the genre. I still have a pair of Technique 1200's even though I now use Serato with two digital turntables.
23. I chew on pen tops ( I know, I know, bad habit) I'm doing it now as I type this.
24. I love to laugh and make others laugh, and if that means I have to be a dork, then so be it.
25. I'm Methodist, but while in high school I would sing in the choir during Catholic Mass at St. James, then go to Epworth United Methodist for another service, then lunch with church friends, then back to Epworth for Youth Group and Night Church. You could say I stocked up on religion during high school.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Should I Be Concerned?
The other day as I was playing with my girls, my youngest daughter broke out in song: "Punch that kitty! Punch that kitty! Punch that kitty! All through the town...E, I, E, I, O." She's only 3 and at first I thought it was funny, but when I asked her to sing it again, she sang with such conviction as she slammed her tiny fist into her other hand. It was at that point that my laughter turned to concern. Could I be raising a cereal killer? (yeah I know I spelled it that way...)
I started browsing the web for "signs that your kid might be a killer" and while Dr. Phil had some really great info, it was rather depressing to read and I'd rather not re-post it here. So I decided to come up with my own "Top 5 Signs That Your Child Might Be A Cereal Killer."
1. When asked how their day was they reply, "Poo poo... Tee Tee... Pee Pee..."
2. If they are good with knives. My 3 year old can cut her own strawberries with precision and without cutting her hand. I didn't know she could do this until my wife let her while I was cooking breakfast the other morning. I was dumbfounded. This is stuff they do at the house while I'm at work, I guess.
3. If during Halloween they specifically request to be taken to the Horror Shop with all of the gory decorations and costumes and they are not phased by anything in the store.
4. If their favorite past time is wrestling. And I'm not talking a typical tickle tussle... I'm talking off-the-bed-flying-elbow-to-dad's-crotch-take-down kind or wrestling.
5. If they can get their imaginary friends to rough you up during the night, that might be a bad sign... and you may also need an exorcist...
I started browsing the web for "signs that your kid might be a killer" and while Dr. Phil had some really great info, it was rather depressing to read and I'd rather not re-post it here. So I decided to come up with my own "Top 5 Signs That Your Child Might Be A Cereal Killer."
1. When asked how their day was they reply, "Poo poo... Tee Tee... Pee Pee..."
2. If they are good with knives. My 3 year old can cut her own strawberries with precision and without cutting her hand. I didn't know she could do this until my wife let her while I was cooking breakfast the other morning. I was dumbfounded. This is stuff they do at the house while I'm at work, I guess.
3. If during Halloween they specifically request to be taken to the Horror Shop with all of the gory decorations and costumes and they are not phased by anything in the store.
4. If their favorite past time is wrestling. And I'm not talking a typical tickle tussle... I'm talking off-the-bed-flying-elbow-to-dad's-crotch-take-down kind or wrestling.
5. If they can get their imaginary friends to rough you up during the night, that might be a bad sign... and you may also need an exorcist...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Midlife crisis or home sickness?
I think I might be having a midlife crisis. But instead of buying the Porsche or Beemer and heading out to hit on girls half my age with car seats firmly attached to the backseat (if the car has a back seat), I've opted to revisit my teen years. I started a Facebook Group for the defunct Savannah Nightclub, Hollywood's, which hosted a wild teen night every Sunday throughout the summer, and during the holidays when I was a kid. It's a place where I met many great friends, and have so many incredible memories.
I also started to put together mixes of the music that was played there. Classic dance songs with a Florida influence that I still love to this day.
I also started to put together mixes of the music that was played there. Classic dance songs with a Florida influence that I still love to this day.
2009: The Year of the Ox
"According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2009 is the Year of the Ox. The Ox, or the Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo are fortunate to be stable and persevering. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character. Not many people could equal the resolution and fearlessness that the Ox exhibits when deciding to accomplish a task. Ox people work hard without complaints at work or at home. They know that they will succeed through hard work and sustained efforts, and do not believe in get-rich-quick scheme" - from springsgreetingcards.com (It's the first thing that popped up on Google... cut me some slack)
I happen to be born in the year of the Ox, 1973. This year of 2009 is proving to be a year of change for me... major change. I decided to set up a new blog to share my life as it happens through random acts of lunacy. I have set no rules as to how often I will post, but I'm sure as crazy as my life can get, I will post more often than not. I like the idea of having no rules or format because that gives me the ability to talk about anything... and if you have known me for any length of time, you know how my brain works. I probably should have been treated for ADD when I was a kid in the 70's but wasn't. So this blog should be both fun and therapeutic for me.
I happen to be born in the year of the Ox, 1973. This year of 2009 is proving to be a year of change for me... major change. I decided to set up a new blog to share my life as it happens through random acts of lunacy. I have set no rules as to how often I will post, but I'm sure as crazy as my life can get, I will post more often than not. I like the idea of having no rules or format because that gives me the ability to talk about anything... and if you have known me for any length of time, you know how my brain works. I probably should have been treated for ADD when I was a kid in the 70's but wasn't. So this blog should be both fun and therapeutic for me.
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