I don't know when people read my journal

I was reading old comments that friends have left, it's nice to know when my Journal is read...

 

Here are some pictures my Dad took on my camera Nov 1st during my FRIENDS AND FAMILY event...

 

 

I'm editing my journal and cleaning up old entries...

My Heart Knows You

 

The random melody of wind chimes

swaying in the breeze

on a warm spring morning

that is how my heart knows you

The musical laughter of a little boy

as he watches a ladybug

take flight from his fingertips

that is how my heart knows you

The tiny flashes of light on wave tips

moving across an autumn lake

as the sun goes down

that is how my heart knows you

The stark outline of a bare forest

standing still and quiet in a field of snow

at midnight with a full moon

that is how my heart knows you

 

::checks my watch:: It's time to get a haircut!

I bought another belt so I have a brown one now (and black, it's reversible!)  David<~~~~Nerd.  My weight goal is 250, right before the holiday I weighed in at 260 (a new record for me), but I might have overeaten a teeny tiny bit at Geoff's Mom's house on Thanksgiving ::holds my fingers very close together and peeks between them::  ::shrugs::  It's a process and I am happy with the results so far, I can actually see me reaching my target weight.  Then I'll set myself a new goal...  ::wink:: LOL.  Before I never understood people who went on and on about their weight.  In my head I didn't think I could accomplish what they were doing, but now, I can see results and I have a taste of success.  ::BIG GRIN::  My store is doing pretty good.  I am not doing the volume I want but my people are doing a great job on selling Membership Cards (we are currently leading the Region in Membership Card percent (out of 125 stores).  Our lower volume makes the percentage higher when you divide it out (gotta love math!).  On GREEN FRIDAY we went in at 3am and opened the Cafe at 4am to sell to Best Buy's Early Bird line.  It was a huge success.  I ended up missing second place in volume by 971 bucks and if I hadn't been so stingy with payroll we could have done that easy.  I did open the store at 7am (we were supposed to open at 8, but I couldn't stand watching customers walk past my doors).  As soon as my Music Manager arrived I had him count down a drawer and we opened.  ::shrugs::  I had a visit yesterday by three of our Corporate Guys, one being a VP.  We did great.  I am very proud of my people, they are doing an excellent job.  This weekend there is a direct mail flyer going out to all the homes in the area around my store so that should drive business through my doors.  The above picture is of Mr. Grinch:  "Man's Best Friend", an Albino Argentinian Horned Frog!  I only have the one exotic frog at the moment.  I have been eyeing some Geckos...

 

David 8:26 on Tuesday Morning, in my sleep pants and wearing a tee shirt with a guy in a suit pointing to some words in an open book and the caption reads, "You're not only WRONG, the rules also say you're a DICK!"

I have today off (well kind of...)

I didn't use the Noche Flamenca tickets that Christine gave me.  David<~~~~~~bad boy.  I don't like going to functions by myself...

a little catch up (or maybe mustard)

MY HEART FORGETS (version 9.0)

As light as a kiss brushing against my cheek
and from the edge a tear begins to leak
My heart forgets

As soon as a ragged heart can heal
and soft as a fingertip can feel
My heart forgets

As the recent pain is lost
and I fail to remember the cost
My heart forgets

As easy as a lace curtain blows
and quick as a mountain stream flows
My heart forgets

As subtle as the songbird sings
and bright as the light it brings
My heart forgets

As I begin a brand new day
and try to find a brand new way
My heart forgets

As my ears rejoice at the laughter
and my heart yearns for what comes after
My heart forgets

As simple as it is for me to do this
and as foolish as it is for me to do this
My heart forgets

As I strive to love again with all my heart
and I need to try again right from the start
My heart forgets

As my heart wishes for what it needs
And my heart again plants the seeds
My heart forgets

So if you see it wandering there
Acting as if it just hasn't a care
I really haven't lost my wits

You see it's just because
sometimes
My heart forgets

 

I am a bit behind in putting my thoughts down on my journal.  I have been busy and AOL wasn't playing nice the other day and wouldn't let me add a new entry.  A lot has happened since my last entry.  I bought a new belt, I got tired of my pants falling off.  One of the crappy parts about losing weight is that your clothes don't fit anymore.  I have to buy new pants, none of my pants will stay on unless I cinch my belt all the way to my waist.  I hate wasting the money I paid for all my pants, ::sigh:: oh well.  I went out on a date last weekend.  She was nice but we weren't compatible.  I'm happy to report I can be taught.  LOL.  I spent 10 years of my life with Mary, trying to make her happy, all for naught.  Very little sex, NO marriage, NO children.  But Mary is a nice person, so she cut me loose so I could look for someone who could make me happy.  Then I go out with Natalie for a year, and eventually have to admit that I was not happy in a relationship with her (10 yrs cut down to 1, I'm improving).  Then I get married.  My wife was NOT a nice person.  I lied to myself and said "she will quit these behaviors when she realizes that I'm a nice guy and she doesn't HAVE to be this way...".  ERRRRRRRRRRRRRNG!  Thanks for playing.  I wasted less than a year on that attempt, so I am getting better.  I am not going to settle anymore.  NBD, no harm no fowl (quack quack).  So now I'm looking...AGAIN.  It still sucks to be alone.  Tonight I made the best bologna sandwich I have ever made.  Here is how you make it:

1)      Two pieces of Italian bread

2)     Two pieces of all beef bologna

3)     Mayo (no wimpy Mircle Whip for yours truely)

4)     Freshly ground sea salt

5)     Two thin slices of onion

6)     A bit of pepper 

 

(the trick is to put Mayo on both slices of bread... ::taps the side of my nose:: )

 

I had no one to take a bite of my sandwich with me, then I would have had confirmation that I had indeed made the perfect bologna sandwich.  One of the hazards of being single.  I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind tonight.  I loved his attempt to hang on to the memories of the woman he loved. 

                           Never Never Never Quit

I have two tickets to see the FlamingoDancers tomorrow night, another sucky thing about being single, no one to go to functions with...  Ok time for the whiny part of this journal to end  ::snaps the clapboard on this production::

 

David 8:41 pm Friday November 18th and it's cold outside...

 

David has a day off!

AND NOVEMBER IS SMILING

 

A new day is dawning

the Autumn sun is shining

a crisp breeze is blowing

and November is smiling

 

New colors are showing

fall coats they're wearing

the trees are laughing

good times they're sharing

 

The wind is inviting

the trees are agreeing

the forest is dancing

and the leaves are leaving

 

I love this season

a special time I hold dear

Autumn is my favorite

favorite time of the year

 

So slow down a bit

and take a look around

stroll through the leaves

that have fallen on the ground

 

We have but a short time

to enjoy the season

so take a day off

can't think of a better reason

 

 

 

Friends and Family went well...

The preview night and my Grand Opening yesterday went well.  I am very tired.  I filled up both of my memory cards in my camera, I will download them as soon as I have a bit of time and then post them on this journal...  Thanx to all my friends and family that turned up for the party, your support was appreciated!

 

David

 

The Inventory went well, I have A LOT of merchandise...

 

 

The Inventory went well, we started at 8am and finished at about 3pm.  38 Inventory counters and I had 35 of my folks there to help out.  I have a lot of merchandise dollars in my store... :)

 

 

This morning I go in to oversee my inventory

I'll be glad when the inventory is over so we can get back to polishing the apples...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

 

              (264!)

 

I PUSH ON

I PUSH ON

 

I drag my eyelids

across sand encrusted eyes

I push my body

before me throughout my day

I worry about things

that I have no experience of

I dread possible failure

and losing my job

I watch my people struggle

and I try to help them

I put on a brave face

and make light of my situation

I am a store manager

I push on...

 

 

 

Early in the morning and I can't sleep...

 

 

 

                              ::sigh::

 

 

 

I'll try to take pictures this morning of how far we are along with the store...

I try to weigh myself every morning so I have a consistent time of day to compare my progress against.  I am working a lot of hrs and not eating as much as I normally do.  I need to add in some walking and I might even ::gasp:: join a gym.  Weight training and martial arts are on my mind lately.  Who would have ever thought I would even consider joining a gym?  ::shakes head::

 

 

Got done with my work early today, my crew is FAST...

some new pics of my store...

I'm a busy boy...

MY HEART FORGETS

MY HEART FORGETS

As light as a kiss brushing against my cheek
and when the edge of my eye begins to leak
My heart forgets

As soon as a ragged heart can heal
and soft as a fingertip can feel
My heart forgets

As the recent pain is lost
and I fail to remember the cost
My heart forgets

As easy as the curtains blow
and quick as a stream will flow
My heart forgets

As subtle as the songbird sings
and bright as the light it brings
My heart forgets

As I begin a brand new day
and try to find a brand new way
My heart forgets

As my ears rejoice at the laughter
and my heart yearns for what comes after
My heart forgets

As simple as it is for me to do this
and as foolish as it is for me to do this
My heart forgets

As I strive to love again with all my heart
and I need to try again right from the start
My heart forgets

As my heart wishes for what it needs
And my heart again plants the seeds
My heart forgets

So if you see it wandering there
Acting as if it didn't have a care
I really haven’t lost my wits

You see it’s just because
sometimes
My heart forgets

 

 

We finish up the OPS portion today, books arrive tomorrow...

I ate two fortune cookies last night, this is what the fortunes read:

 

THE WORLD IS ALWAYS READY TO RECEIVE TALENT WITH OPEN ARMS

 

and...

 

EXECUTIVE ABILITY IS PROMINENT IN YOUR MAKE UP

 

(lol)

 

 

And September Remains

AND SEPTEMBER REMAINS

 

 

The setting sun backlights

Pale lavender clouds

White edged against

A periwinkle sky

The sun dips below

Hiding behind the trees

A stark green outline

An after image of summer

And September remains

 

The leaves remember

Waiting for their chance

To travel on the wind

And gather with their kin

Returning to their autumn beds

Waiting for next year…

The season turns

The sun has set

And September remains

 

 

I took possession of my new store on Thursday ::jingles the store keys::

My new store is SOOOOOOOOO pretty...

Last night I attended the Grand Opening Party for our new store in St. Peters

Here are some pictures I took of the St. Pete party last night.

I am trying something new...

Howdy Faithful Readers,

 

    I am adding a new feature to my entries.  Every time I add a new entry, I will put my current weight in the second line of the Journal Title.  I am currently on the "Opening a New Store Jitters Diet".  LOL.  At my heaviest I was 318, I have lost a bunch of weight since starting on the New Store Opening process.  My goal is 250.  I have come to the conclusion that my fat belly is part of the problem of finding a new woman for myself (the other part is that I'm still married, gonna fix that soon).  So I'm focusing on my weight and trying to cut back on portion size and I'm working more hrs and that is helping a lot.  ::shrugs::  It can't hurt...

 

 

Brian Setzer Rocks the HOUSE!

 

The Brian Setzer Orchestra was GREAT!  They only played for an hour [  corportate gig :(  ], but they were wonderful.  There was a Store Manager from NY that brought her black lace dress to the concert, kinda made it hard to concentrate.  Alan Alda was so personable in person.  I can't wait to read his book.  I fly back to STL tomorrow morning...

 

Whoops I forgot...

Tonight we have Alan Alda speaking to our Meeting, and The Brian Setzer Orchestra will play for us...

 

::lacing up my dancing shoes!::

 

 

Yesterday we had the Publisher's Rotations, Tradeshow, and the Author signings...

Yesterday was my busiest day at the Conference.  I was running till 10pm.  I did get to meet and have the following authors sign books for me:  Robert Hicks (The Widow of the South), Laurie Notaro (An Idiot Girl's Christmas), Terry Pretchett (Thud!), Vince Flynn (Consent to Kill), Mairia Kalman (Elements of Style), Christopher Paolini (Eldest), Bill Rancic (Beyond the Lemonade Stand {he's the winner of Apprentice}), Kim Harrison (Every Which Way but Dead), Brad Meltzer (Identity Crisis), and the lady who writes the "Angelina the Mouse" series (I already packed and shipped her book so I can't check ::sigh:: ).  I'm handing them out to my buddies, my Management team at the store, and the remainder I will hand out as prizes to my Booksellers...

 

::tired grin::