Amazing

So here I sit, outside on a beautiful Saturday, draining the coolant out of my car and replacing it with fresh coolant. I'm listening to Pandora radio. Good times. Speaking of good times, I went to Blacksburg last weekend to celebrate mom's birth, my birth, and how awesome Hokie football is. Both of my sisters were there, along with my awesome nephew and niece. If you were one of the people there last weekend, know that you made my weekend great. Thanks so much. Whether it was talking with my family, enjoying mom or Bron's home cookin, playing catch with my nephew Connor, tailgating with friends, or watching VT squeak by Nebraska with Josh, I had a blast. It is such a blessing to have so many friends and family who love me so well.

After returning from Blacksburg to the working world, I didn't have any great expectations for the week. Work, gym, homework club, wing night, the usual. Or so I thought. I usually hang out with my friend Jake on Thursdays and one of us cooks dinner. When I got to his house, I was informed Jake hadn't cooked dinner and we were going to Plaza Azteca, a great Mexican restaurant. When we got there, about 20 of my friends from down here were all gathered at a big long table. Surprise! What an amazing meal. I was so humbled. It got me thinking about how unworthy I am of such community and friendship. When I read in the bible about God having a banquet for me in heaven, I think about Plaza Azteca. So basically heaven is going to be a big feast with nachos, sombreros on my head, a pint of Dos Equis and tons of joy.

Adventures in and out of the 757

I have forgotten something important. I had a great adventure a few weeks ago. I went to a bachelor party for my buddy, Jake. All the groomsmen went to Fayetteville, WV to do some whitewater rafting. Talk about a fun time. We were going to run the Gauley River, but it was too low so we ran the lower New River twice instead. I didn't get dumped out of the raft, felt like I knew what I was doing and had a blast. We stayed in a one-room cabin, told old college stories, ate meat, enjoyed a good beer and caught up on each other's lives. I continually forget how gorgeous the mountains are when I live down here in Tidewater. There were beautiful trees, views that extend for miles, and the smell of the forest. It even rained during our last run, right at the point where everybody gets out of the raft and floats down the river. The rain on my face was refreshing. I couldn't hear anything except for the rain coming down. So rarely in city life am I alone with my thoughts and can only hear one sound. Unfortunately we don't have pictures yet, but this one will have to do.

Another adventure, this time in the 757, happened yesterday. My church helps out one of the local neighborhoods by tutoring some kids during the week. This year I am fortunate enough to be in charge of the Tuesday homework club. We had about 10 kids yesterday, most in elementary school who I got to help with their homework. I developed a respect for elementary teachers who have to balance the needs of many kids simultaneously. I don't multitask well, so it was a good lesson for me. After I was finished, I was leaving when one of the workers at the rec center called out to me,

Mary: "Mr. Scott!"

Scott: "Yes ma'am?"

Mary: "You want to buy some oil?"

Scott (confused, thinking about motor oil): "What kind of oil?"

Mary: "Essence"

Scott (still confused): "Like to make me smell good?"
Mary: "Yeah, your girlfriend will like you more if you buy essence. I have two scents: Usher, and Obama. Let me give you a sample."
Scott (yet even more confused): "Ok" (Obama Essence applied to my left hand) "Does Obama wear this?"

Mary: "Yeah"

Scott: "Will this make me president?"

Mary: "Yeah"

Hindsight being 20/20, my hands still (after a shower and around 30 handwashings) smell like Obama and none of those things I was promised came true. Duped again. I can't wait until next Tuesday for something else ridiculous to happen.

VPP

You may be asking yourself, "What is VPP?" That stands for Voluntary Protection Program, a joint effort between the DoD and OSHA to improve workplace safety. The way that is played out at my work is through a packet. I have a packet where I have to get signitures in order to be VPP certified. Sounds good right? Not really. I rarely rant about stuff, but here I go.

Now you may be thinking I hate safety. False. I think that safety is paramount in the workplace and not only are injuries bad for the individual, but the cost of lost time and medical expenses hurt the company. Now, things that are dumb about VPP:

1) It is called Voluntary Protection Program, but it isn't voluntary. It is mandatory that everyone participate.

2) Those that give signitures get credit for having employees VPP certified. This prevents accountability of those higher-ups. Yay corruption!

3) Are there really office related safety hazards? Carpal Tunnel? Really? Tripping on a rug?

4) I get $200 for completing this program. That should be great right? In a time where the economy is slumping, is a bonus for a worthless program a good use of taxpayer money? I think not.

I think I'm done with my rant now. Have a sweet day.

man

I am currently vacuuming in steel toe boots, with my shirt off, to a Pandora compilation of Van Halen, Scorpions, and Motley Crue. If that isn't an adventure, I don't know what is. Time to go mow grass with the same mindset. And I get to change a buddy's brakes later. Sunday of manliness.

Metro fun

I had something really awesome to blog about today, but I forgot what it was. Here is a video of men being men on a DC subway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XAw9W6vpFM