A Pirates life for me Part 2

So we did go see the latest Pirates movie, and like I knew I would, I loved it. I thought it was the 2nd best flick of the four, following behind the first of course.

I absolutely love the music in the films, so here is one of my favorite tunes from the movies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMsdON76Z_Y&feature=related

Gamefly

I've just started Gamefly and it's pretty cool. Much cheaper than buying new games and not getting much out of them. Now I can try out different games that I'd never play otherwise. If you play video games at all, I'd recommend that you check them out. Also, if you click this link below you can get a month free!

Buy One Month, Get One FREE!

A Pirates life for me.

I am a Pirates of the Caribbean junky. I absolutely love this franchise. The rides, the movies, the music, and even the games. I know that outside of the first movie, "The Curse of the Black Pearl", that most movie goers have soured on the films. I, however, didn't. I still got wrapped up in the story and lost in the world of Captain Jack Sparrow.

But my love for the Caribbean didn't start in a megaplex, it started like it did for most children. It started at Disneyland. Those of you who know me, know that I am a Disney person. I love EVERYTHING about the brand. I vacation at Disneyland and Disney World often and one day hope to see one of the Disney Parks outside of the country. I'd spend every vacation in either California or Florida if Jill let me.

Of all the attractions at Disneyland, the one that sticks out the most to me is Pirates of the Caribbean. When my mother took me to the park my very first time (it had to be around 1990) I remember riding it with her. As we waited in the queue she leaned over and whispered to me that this was her favorite ride. I was so eager and a bit nervous to board the boat.

I'll never forget sitting next to my mom and looking in awe at the Blue Bayou lights, the skull and crossbones telling me to keep my arms inside, and the first exhilarating drop into the cold tunnel into the world of Pirates. She pointed out things to me like the skeleton drinking booze, the piano playing itself, and even some "Hidden Mickey's". It is one of my favorite memories of my mother.

That alone is why I am in love with Pirates. To this day I think of my mom every time we ride this ride. Sometimes I am even moved to tears as we ride. Overwhelmed with the thoughts of my mother and how happy we were that day. To me it will always be her and my "little thing", our moment. The same goes for the movies. My mother passed before they ever came out, but I know she'd love them too. It still feels like it's her and my thing.

I've bought books about the movie. I've purchased books about the construction of the attractions at the parks. I've bought CD's with all of the music from the rides, and all of the soundtracks to the films. My very first Disney souvenir was a black Pirates captain hat with my name embroidered on it. I've bought t-shirts, pins, and other trinkets. I can't help it, I'm slightly obsessed.

I'm hoping the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie is excellent. I can't wait to see it. But even if it is so-so, I'll still be loving it. I'll be smiling from ear to ear, laughing at the jokes, and I'll whisper as if my mother was sitting next to me and I'll say, "these are my favorite movies".

Cotton hoarding

When I was a kid I used to tease my father because he had the same sneakers for what seemed like forever. I used to tell him that it would be ok if he bought new stuff for himself once in awhile. I thought he was cheap and that he didn't spend money on sneakers or jeans because he wanted to save money. Then I grew up and started acting the same.

It's not a money thing. He makes good money and I make ok money. Maybe it's a comfort thing? Whatever the reason may be, I too hold on to clothing for much longer then I should. Right now I am wearing gym shorts I have had (and wear weekly) since I was in high school. I had a brown belt that I wore for 8 or 9 years that my brother Brian made me throw out. Last night Jill made me throw out all my undershirts, socks, and underwear because the whites are now gray and they freak her out. Some of those shirts I've had before we got married. So we went to Target and dropped some cash on some new whites.

I buy new t-shirts often. Problem is I don't really throw out any that I've outgrown, that have shrunk, or are just plain beat up. I almost have a clothing hoarding issue. I still wear the same silvertab jeans I bought when I was in high school, only difference is that the size 38 used to be really baggy (hey that was the style in 95-98) and now they fit snug. I have work shirts that I haven't used in years. And yes, I have sneakers that I can't remember when I wore last.

But like all my undergarments, I am getting rid of my clothes. We packed up 4 heaping bags full of gear and I am going to go drop it off at a charity (minus my undies). It feels nice to get rid of that stuff, but at the same time it's kind of sad. Quite a bit of that stuff I still wore. My Utah Jazz shorts were a staple of my lounging out ever since I lived with Mary, David, and Guy. That was 1998!

I'm afraid that if I didn't get rid of my old threads, Jill was going to call "What Not to Wear" on me. I can't help it, if it's comfortable, I'll wear it. I hate the feel of new clothes, especially jeans. My new clothes are ok for now, but knowing me, I'll probably be really attached to them by 2020., you know just in time for Jill to make me throw them out again :)

Rant about my daily drive

I'm sure that Utah doesn't have the worst drivers out there (hello Denver), but I have to say that Salt Lake is full of some pretty dumb ones. Nobody here understands speed limits. Here is what I go through everyday.

On 700 e, from 3900 s to Van Winkle, the speed limit is 40, but everyone goes 20.

From Van Winkle to Ft Union the speed limit is 45, everybody goes between 35 & 40.

From Ft Union to 9000 s the speed limit is 40, everyone goes 30.

THEN when I get onto 1300 e from 9000 s there is MAJOR road construction with many men working on the street. The speed limit from 9000 s to 10600 s is 35 and everyone goes 50!!!!

WTF??? Love Utah...

Remember when....

Your handwriting was great because you actually used pens and paper, not computers to write

Going outside to play was the best, having to sit at home was lame

Learning a secret on your video game came from word of mouth on the playground, not the Internet

The NFL was fun because players were allowed to show some emotion

Hulk Hogan was a true American hero

16 bit graphics were unbelievable!

The mall was the place for social interaction

Arcades existed

You'd have to find a payphone to check in with your parents, you couldn't send texts

NBA players had short shorts, no tats, and played with passion

MC Hammer wasn't a punchline

These are just a few things I remember about my childhood that I kind of miss today...

Daycare, babysitting, and long weekends....

I wish I were wealthy. Who doesn't? It's not like we're broke. Sure we have our bills and debts, but Jill and I make ok money. I just wish I made more. I wish I made enough money that Jill didn't have to work and could stay home with Lucy. It is so hard for Jill to go to work everyday and drop Lu off at her sitters. I wish I could give Jill the lifestyle she deserves, but it's just not possible. Most homes I know have to have two incomes to survive comfortably. And we are comfortable.

But as much as it hurts Jill to take Lucy to her sitter, it makes me sad to be apart from her too. Sure, the first couple of times I was home alone with Lu all day was a bit scary and overwhelming, but I'd rather be with her then not. I miss my baby so much when I am at work that it makes my ulcers burn. I just worry about my daughter. My caveman instincts to protect are in full affect and I stress myself out. I am fairly comfortable when Jill is off work and home with my baby girl, but nonetheless I am full of some sadness and fear.

Right now my awesomely great in-laws watch Lucy on Saturdays when Jill and I both work. They split the Saturdays between my house and theirs. The Saturdays when she stays with them are the hardest. Because they live an hour away from us, Jill has been going up Friday to drop off Lu. Since I work pretty much every weekend, Jill ends up staying the night up there. Then Saturday morning she drives back down to work in Draper. After work she drives right back up to the Roy area to her parents home. She spends the night again, because I work EVERY Sunday and she gets Sundays off. So I don't get to see my wife or baby from the time they leave Friday until Sunday night when I come home.

The situation works and it make complete sense. I usually work until 8 or 9pm so by the time I get home I don't have much time to see my girl anyways. Plus it gives Jill a chance to see her family, who she adores! It also gives Lucille a chance to bond with her grandparents. I know how important that is. Growing up, my grandparents were my world. I love them all so much and they hold a place in my heart as dear to me as my parents. I want Lucy to have that connection with them like I do with mine. But with that said, it still breaks my heart to be apart from her for so long. I actually left work early yesterday and had half a mind to baby snatch my own child :) I know it will get easier, and I know we are making the right choices for her care. But that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. Perhaps one day I'll win the big one in Vegas or someone will run me over and I'll win millions in court. But until then I'll continue to work hard to provide my family the best life I can, and miss them in the process...