The great, the not so good
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Jeff Beck, Blow by Blow
Hi Everyone,

Work is picking back up. The holiday lull is over. I have so much going on I can pick and choose what I do. People are asking me to do side work as well. Now time is my most precious commodity.

I saw the ex last night (had to). She occasionally has a little salt to rub in the situation. She reminded me how I got to have 2 of my 3 kids as tax dependents this year. We alternate every other year on this. She had to make a point of how she did me a favor. "I did let you go 1st". I don't think I should act gracious here. Everytime she talks like this I still cringe inside a bit, bite my lip and move on. Thankfully I fast found the better life of being without her.

Speaking of the better life, I have to tell you I'm really infatuated with a fine lady right now. Her name is Jodi. I anticipate things will develop into something great. Her and my schedules and our watching our respective children prevents us from seeing each other much. I think though we'll find ways to see each other briefly now and then. Over time if things continue like they are we will work it out. Good things are worth waiting for. More to come later on.

No pictures today, just text. I will type at cha' later.

The Blue Baron

How to read people. Chapter 1
Mood:  incredulous
Now Playing: Steely Dan, Can't buy a thrill
Hi everyone,

I do phone work and have done so for the past 18 years. I work in the private sector. I work for 2 brothers whose initials are CK and PK. The name my bud and I have given them is cute kitty and pretty kitty.
Cute exemplifies the worst attitude a boss could have. He's 1 of those "stop everything for me, I am your lighthouse and mentor, all I do is gold" type fellas. He has no bones about how he often shows disrespect to others yet wants respect himself. These guys never learn. Even the most righteous, dutiful jerks gain no respect and the opposite of respect is contempt. I treat him flippantly.
Pretty is fastidious and watches his dollar. He puts in a lot of extra hours. He sometime can be annoying. I work better with him because he is a phone guy where Cute is a cable guy.
Now the office girl is getting an attitude. As of late any of these 3 guys can imagine what they want done for the day and not tell the other 2. 2 of these act as though when they issue a job, or too many jobs, I just have to squeeze it in. I can't tell them enough that work is linear and it stops at 5. The jobs role until another time. That's the way it goes.
One day soon they will learn to coordinate and settle down. They all want their own personal agendas completed. I guess I'll have to pull them in the conference room and make them play rock, paper, scissors to see who wins for the day.

Enough of the stuff,
C'ya,
The Blue Baron

1st. Highlight of the new year
Hello There,

My daughter Amy had her 6th birthday party Saturday. I took some pictures and will put them below.
Work has had me a little busy. I worked Saturday morning and anticipate I will work some nights this week. My company may pick up a large contract from a printer manufacturer.
I'm getting ready to change out the tires on my mini-van. Tax time is coming up. As soon as I get my needed paperwork, I will fill out the forms and zip them off.

Whew! party girlz



C'ya on another page.

The Day After ( Non Nuclear )
Hi Friends,

It's the day after Christmas and I'm relaxing now. I went and did some phone work for a friend. I got Amy and we did the week's grocery shopping. Tomorrow it's back to the same old grind for 4 days. Attached are some more Xmas pictures. Some are a bit fuzzy because they were copied from the tv screen. I videotape each year's gift opening.
Time for me to get back to domestication. I will write more soon.

The Blue Baron

The top picture is Amy, 2nd., Kelly, and 3rd Tina and Kelly.

Merry Christmas, and stuff
Mood:  not sure
Hi Friends,

Another Christmas come and gone. I had a great time gifting to my kids, relatives and friends. Again this year Christmas day was a little somber. In an effort not to be in a protracted divorce fight, I allowed the ex to have the kids each xmas morning. One day I may fight this. It's my 5 year old I most treasure these times with. Attached are some pictures from the family xmas.









































The 1st.picture is my niece Alicia with my oldest Tina. The 2nd. Shot is Amy. The 3rd pic is Amy opening a Cabbage Patch Doll. The last picture is Kelly on the couch closest to the left. Her cousins are also in the shot.

I plan on taking more pics and posting them tomorrow.


Talk to you then,
The Blue Baron

A Look Back
Mood:  a-ok
Hello Friends,

I'm just now getting well after a bout with a bug. I've felt listless and tired the last few days but I'm bouncing back. It's been a year since my big split with my ex. Looking back I have to say I'm quite happy. Knowing now what I couldn't see then, I think all is fine. My kids would be the only ones to have it better than they do now had we stayed together. Sides divided can't maintain as well as forces unified. I don't regret at all that she has moved on. To make the sacrifices she wanted to stay together would be tantamount to "kissing up". She's a nice person mostly but not worth the worship she reasoned she deserved. Most likely the guy she's with now will find this out in due time and wonder what he's gotten himself into. I've said way too much. Talk to you later.



TBB

Troll Times
Mood:  cool
Hi Friends,

Things are good. I'm feeling ok considering my dad passed away last weekend. 1 friend has found a new guy and I hope all goes well for them. Another great friend has someone she knows who apparently had a stroke. I hope the best for him.
I've gotten a lot done for the holidays so far. Most all my cards are out. I'm happy that I can be giving to all my acquaintances this season.
That's it for now. Attached is a comic panel. The doc recently referred to me (I think) as a lurking troll who reads his blog.

I'll talk to you later,
TBB

Sad Commentary
Mood:  d'oh
Hello Friends,

I'm on my way to the funeral home for visitation. A note here though. My ex wrote some unfit verbage in a commentary on doc's blog Sunday. I copied it to a brother and a sister but won't post it here. You guys can ask for a copy if you want. Basically it was a short nice piece about my dad and a long fit about my mom and a note about my siblings and me. My ex doesn't seem to remember all the things in a correct way. Another reason for me to be thankful I am where I am today, FREE!
I'll yet do my troll comic. I won't have a chance until 12/2.

Bye now,
TBB

Lurking?, You're under the bridge!
Mood:  mischievious
Now Playing: Joan Armatrading, The Key
I'm not sure but I think the doc referred to me as a lurking troll on his newest web blog. I don't have the time tonight to draw up a comic but my creative juices are flowing again. Here in a day or 2 I'll post a troll comic. His pokes and jabs from under the bridge make me think of him as the troll. I have a visitation and funeral to attend in the next 2 days. So I'll be back in a couple of days.

Everyone take care. See you in the funnies.

TBB

A Great Loss
Mood:  sad
Hello,

Sad news, after a long life my dad has passed away. He had dementia and spent the last 18 months in a nursing home. He could hardly remember short term things but remembered things from his long past. His body forgot some things too. He had to be fed through a tube because his esophagus didn't know to shut when food came in. He had a stroke a while back and this worsened his situation. Things got into his system, he got pneumonia, and died.

________________________Philip Ruplinger 3/21/22-11/26/05____________________

I'll always feel as though he never aged in my mind. To me he looked as good the day he died as the day the above picture was taken in the 1956. He helped and served others. He fought in world war II. He never thought of himself first. He was a great artist and woodworker. As a father he was there when I needed him. When I was a boy scout he camped with us sometimes. He inspired me to be a camper. He hand made 2 flintlock rifles and I have shot them both. He loved animals. He was a good husband and never became angry except to give discipline when it was required. He worked very hard for 34 years, often putting in overtime, to make sure a roof was over our heads, food was on the table, and vacations could be had.

I will miss him a lot. I know he is in a better place, free from the constraints that held his body and mind down.....Take care dad.


Mike (TBB) 11/27/05