kinda makes you think...

obviously, I'm not the only one that enjoys my job and who I work for...this is an article that was published in one of the company's newsletters:

The CARQUEST family recently lost teammate Wilburn “Dub” Baskin Hedrick. He passed away July 9, 2008. “Dub,” as he was known, began working in the automotive industry in 1955, and joined the CARQUEST team through the Womwell Auto Parts Acquisition in the 1980s.

Dub Hedrick was a leader, a dedicated teammate, and a role model for any CARQUEST teammate. Hedrick was a family man and a great friend. The teammates in Harlan, Kentucky are deeply saddened by the loss, but feel blessed to have shared so many wonderful memories, and to have learned so much from one of the best in the industry. Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Dub.

Dub was loyal to CARQUEST even after death. Dub’s last request was to be buried in his CARQUEST shirt.

dumb technology...

ok, so I don't claim to be the most techno-savvy person on the planet, but damn it, when it's too complicated to back up my contacts on my phone via Blue tooth to my computer....well, that's just dumb...

all I want to do is back up my contacts on my phone - it is starting to act strange and I think that I'm going to replace it...now I know our Telecomm people will transfer the info, but honestly, this is the only place these phone numbers reside. IF for SOME reason not everything transfers (gasp - does that really happen?!?!?) I won't notice it at first until I try to call that person - ok, ok, I know that sounds petty and lazy, but come on, it's technology supposed to make our life simpler? We rely on our technology, almost blindly assuming that everything will work as it's supposed to. But does it really? well, no...every once in a while, something goes awry and if we're not paying attention, it could be a disaster. not saying if I lost my phone book contacts my world would come to a screeching halt, but it definitely would suck for a bit!

So me being not completely technologically inept, tried to be proactive - and what do I get for it...frustration! I know a large chunk of the fault is probably mine, but does it really have to this hard? "can't connect - device not found" what an awful phrase to see when you're trying to transfer files!

I was even ready to run the dang phone over with my car...but then that's just childish...so as much as I hate to give up and be beat, I concede in this case...too much energy was expended on this whole fiasco...ah well - it won't work and I'm too frustrated to care...

is it me?

I recently came back from a week-long vacation, and I just feel like I need to get away...

I'm just...well, blah...

am I burned-out? bored? I don't think it's work - I love my job (scary thought, right?) and that's probably my favorite part of the day...being at work. It's more like everything else - I just don't want to be bothered with anything or anyone...I just have no patience for either...am I losing my mind (what little I had left)? I still have fun and enjoy being with my friends, but it's almost like I'd rather be left alone...

I don't know - perhaps I'm just in a funk...I really don't want to do anything, but I'm uncomfortable doing nothing as well...stuck between a rock and a hard place...just my luck!

I need to find something to revitalize my enthusiasm - any ideas?

re-connections...

well, I'm definitely feeling my age...

I had a strange dream last night that involved a guy I grew up with (no, not *that* kind of dream)...just a kind of disjointed, odd dream - and over the years, for some unknown reason to me, this same guy has appeared in some of my dreams - which got me a little sad because as we grew up, we grew apart and by the end of high school, didn't even talk to each other...we just traveled in different circles...even though we lived just down the street from each other. So anyway, I tried Google-ing him - you know how many freakin' Casey Pattersons there are in the United States? and that's assuming that he's even living stateside...but - in an attempt to find this old friend, I stumbled across another...

and I'm actually proud of this friend - he also lived just down the street and we grew up together, but also grew apart by the time we graduated high school...in fact, in the second grade (yes, I can actually remember that far back), he gave me my first kiss - though I punched him in the arm and threatened his life if he told anyone (yes, I was the epitome of a tomboy). Well, it turns out that he made good for himself and is a pro baseball player - played for the Cincinnati Reds even...it'd be way cool if he transferred to play for the Durham Bulls - hey I can dream! And to think, as excited as I was for Josh Hamilton's success (being from Raleigh and all), I find out now that someone I grew up with is a pro ball player! Kudos, Brandon! (I'm pretty sure he grew into "Brandon"...when we were little, he was "BJ")

oh well - maybe I'll get lucky and make some "re-connections"...in all honesty, I have not bothered with keeping in touch with those that I grew up with or even thought much about my "younger days" until now - I've been in my own little world for the past 14 years...you can never go back, but you should never forget where you came from - maybe it's time I start remembering...