Hectic Day in the Big A

There are many days in which you would like to just be able to get back into bed and pretend that it never happened. Today was a day that I would have rather have just extended out between four other days.

Getting by on three hours of sleep is something which should have been left behind from my days in college. It is amazing the ability that you have to get up whenever there are deadlines to be met and money to be made. I broke off from work last night to sleep at midnight and woke up at 3am to finish everything. I would have slept later, but we had to get out the door this morning at 7:30am.

So, anyone have some extra time that they would like to sell me? How great would it be if the world worked that way? You want to get some extra time in your day, you buy it from someone not using it like those in prison. They get what they want with a shorter sentence. You get what you want with more time on your hands to enjoy with your family or to make more money.

I am happy to have this problem as my problem is one of too much work and not enough time. I would rather have this problem than needing to have two nickels to rub together and no way to make any money for my family. The kids are in school, one of them being college, and we are able to pay our bills.

I would be remiss to say that life is good seeing as I am not able to enjoy the time that I should have with my family, but at least I am able to make sure that they are able to have the things that they want. I know that things will slow back down soon, so I am just riding it out until then.

During these hectic days in the A, I will simply overload on caffeine and have too much to drink whenever I get the chance. Until then, I will fight the stress by talking through platforms like this. Thank you to all of you out there reading this and I appreciate any well wishes you have to offer.

Valentine’s Day Trap

So, I was getting my taxes done the other day and I was having a discussion with my wife and the woman who was entering the information about our taxes. I informed them about the post I just made about Valentine’s Day and how guys need to not be fooled by the lure of not buying anything for the big V-Day. They both insisted that after a while, women do not want that. They would rather have a gift on a random day when no one is telling them to think about them. I gotta call BS on that one!

I can just imagine the day when I do NOTHING for Valentine’s Day. It might just be the last thing that I do as a married man. How do I know? I have made stutter steps in the past with her. Did something lackluster or unimaginative. While she SAID everything was all right, I could see it smoldering just under the surface that it WAS NOT! I have made up my mind that from then on, I was going to be doing something special on that day.

This year, I get the ultimate opportunity. She will be working in an office again this year. She will also be working on Valentine’s Day. I will be making sure that she is getting something at the office so that she will be able to have bragging rights. Even if it means that I am bringing it there myself, she is getting something that will make the rest of the office jealous. Guys, it is not about just doing something, mark my words! It is about doing something SPECIAL. Leave the flowers for a random day. Valentine’s Day is the day to SHINE!

I am the typical guy, so I do not know what I am going to do yet, but I know it will be special. She will be talking about this one for a while. The last time I went over the top when she was working in an office, I was the reason for three marriages and a baby. Amazing what a little showmanship can do to spark that kind of reaction! Do not be the guy met with an angry woman tapping her foot at the door because she saw someone else get something at work (ME). Be the guy along with me to give their women exactly what they want to have. Think of it as a get out of jail free car for you thanks to Valentine’s Day.

It’s Valentine’s Day AGAIN!!

Every year, just like clockwork, this day comes around. Valentine’s Day! The procrastinator’s worst nightmare. Your significant other needs to feel validated by your love with presents which prove that you are thinking about them. I have it even twice as hard because my wife has her birthday five days after Valentines Day. This means I have to make sure to think up at least two really thoughtful presents to give her.

I gotta say, this is a holiday which I have brushed off in the past as being pesky and rude. Many women will tell you that it is not even necessary to buy them something. Do NOT fall into this way of thinking guys! Valentine’s day might be difficult to think up something nice, but it does mean something to women whether they want you to know it or not.

After all of my years of struggle, I have learned that you give does not have to be expensive. It does not have to be lavish. It needs to be something which comes from the heart. If at all possible, it should be something which will show them that you listen. Valentine’s day is my way of showing my wife that I am not always forgetful and that I do sometimes listen.

Here is a tip for those guys out there looking for a great Valentine’s Day present. Make sure that in the month leading up to it that you simply go out walking around close to different stores. If she shows an interest in something, log that in your mind. Take a picture with your phone. Do whatever you have to do to remember what it is. You can buy it later and give her a real surprise on the big V-day.

Ladies, please give your man a break! We try hard to be thoughtful and sweet, but it does not always work out that way. Whatever we give you, please just act like you like it in the very least. This way, Valentine’s Day can be a great day for everyone!

Cool New Sunglasses

I am about to get myself some new sunglasses. I have been enjoying the ability to use my Oakley sunglasses for a while now, but I want to use something which is going to be a bit more on the cutting edge. These new sunglasses that I found from Amazon seemed to be a good fit for me.



I would love to get some opinons from you guys to see what you think about them. I was kind fo shocked at the price when I first saw it, but it is hard to deny the truth when you see the sunglasses right there in your mailbox. I think that I am going to wear these to the upcoming beer festival with my wife.

These were so cheap and fit so good, I might get an extra pair of sunglasses for myself for the summer trip to Hilton Head. I might even get a pair for my son so that we can have one of those silly photos that you always see from vacations.

Just wanted to drop a post really quick to let everyone know what I am up to these days. Hope to be posting mroe very soon and I will soon get another section of my Perfect Margarita story on An Alternate Truth. Until then!

Calling Out in Full Support of the Wikipedia Blackout

Today, Wikipedia is going through a blackout as a protest to the kinds of legislature that the American congress is trying to pass. This constant invasion into the realm of the internet is poised on the brink of chaos and ruin. If congress is able to succeed, the ability to get free knowledge will cease. The ability to spread the truth about what goes on that the mainstream media will not report vanishes. By regulating the internet, the United States will be no better than any other country it looks down its nose at which offer no rights to their citizens.

If the United States is still the land of the free, it should not take something like a Wikipedia blackout to wake people up! The dependence on the internet for free information and entertainment is a freedom and should be protected. By allowing the government to take control of this, they are shutting down our ability to express ourselves. They are limiting our ability to spread truth. We will become the same as all other countries which oppress their citizens.

It is time for everyone to wake up and let their congressmen know that they will not stand idly by. I support the Wikipedia blackout even though I use it every day for research material in my work. I will gladly go without a wealth of knowledge which up until now has been protected by American values for freedom. If these laws pass, it is an affront to the American public. It will crush the spirit of America and the spirit of the freedom that we should all hold dear. Go to the site and see the Wikipedia blackout for yourself. While you are there, enter your zip code and locate your congressmen so that you can let them know that you are an American and that you support a free internet without regulation!

Looking Forward to Beer Festivals This Year

I thoroughly enjoyed myself going to the Winter Beer Carnival in February, 2011. I am now starting to look into all of the different festivals that I might be able to enjoy this year. I am looking at the Winter Beer Festival put on by Atlanta Beer Festivals. It takes place at the Masquerade and looks to be a great time. I am hoping that I will be able to get the super cheap $25 tickets by being among the first in line. The first 250 people get the tickets at this discounted rate. Should not be too hard to get that, but you never know.

To all of you hopheads out there who scoff at the idea of beer festivals being a summer thing, my hat is off to you. I feel the crisp air is the perfect thing for when you have had one too many hops in the belly and you are starting to heat up. I only wish that there were more festivals which happened throughout the winter here in Georgia.

A note about the food: I want to see more food of a better quality in the future. The hand dipped corn dogs were nice at the Winter Beer Carnival, but all of the rest of the food left something to be desired. Food got too cold too fast and lacked the hearty flavor I would expect from winter fare. Up the ante with some jalapeño stuffed sausages or maybe some hot pretzels with horseradish mustard dipping sauce. Bring the HEAT!

Anyone on staff for the beer festivals during the winter or throughout the year can feel free to contact me. I would love to get as much information as possible to report about these wonderful events so that I can post them here. Naturally, free passes for me and my lovely wife are always appreciated! I look forward to seeing everyone at the pouring stations!

Save Candler Park Golf Course

The city of Atlanta has many great traditions which should be preserved when they are good for the community and discarded when no longer needed. There is a current problem where the Parks and Recreation department is looking to eliminate one of the public golf courses in the city. Candler Park Golf Course is in trouble of being shut down because it is being dubbed as “not profitable enough”. This is a terrible reason to get rid of something which helps beginners to get started with golf in a less intimidating environment as well as a place where golf enthusiasts can get away for a relaxing 9 holes of golf.

Those who are familiar with the course feel that efforts can be better served in improving the golf course rather than shutting it down. This is why the Friends of Candler Park Golf Course has been making an effort to change the mind of those trying to shut down the golf course. If you are so inclined, you can learn more by visiting sites.google.com/site/focpgc or by contacting me directly at brianbedell@gmail.com.

I have recently obtained permission from Edwin Watts Golf on Piedmont Road to provide merchandise which can be raffled to help promote the golf course and to try to raise money. The first raffle will be help shortly and will include the use of recovered balls from the course which will be stamped with a serial number. The drawing will choose one of these numbers and the winning number will win the prize.

Additional efforts will be made to have a tournament on the course and other promotional affairs. Every effort will be made to help in making sure that the city realizes how beloved Candler Park Golf Course is to the golfers and to the community. I encourage all golfers and those living in the community to reach out to those in control of this decision making process to let them know what you think.

If you are interested in writing a letter to those who can weigh in with more influence, the suggested people include:

·         Mayor Kasim Reed, City of Atlanta

·         Senator Jason Carter

·         Alex Wan, City of Atlanta Council District 6

·         George Dusenbury, City of Atlanta Parks & Recreation

·         Walt Rey, Park Pride Director of Park Visioning

Any questions or comments about this issue are welcomed and I will be sure to post them here for the consideration of all. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you out at Candler Park Golf Course soon!