FamilyLeave a comment

New stuff – Point and Shoot, Grin and Bear

Tim May

The new pictures in Flickr were taken at nephew Drake’s birthday party last Sunday. The kid turned 7 years old earlier in the week so I handed him my camera to get his first (I think) family photo session done at his own party. He’s a quick study as he picked up on a quick 10-second lesson on working a zoom lens. Credit to Drake is noted for his photos. A few more movie lines/quotes have been added to the page of the same name: Lonesome Dove, Chicken Run, The Sandlot, Lion King, and others. tm Continue reading New stuff – Point and Shoot, Grin and Bear

SportsLeave a comment

Saturday Football

Tim May

It’s posted for pot shots – check out the new page of the same name. Team-by-team Big 12 football season predictions and commentary is now available for bloggers’ review. Remember, I have the power to allow or spam your comments…. tm Continue reading Saturday Football

Family, Travel2 Comments

That New Picture in the Header

Tim May

Giving credit where it’s due: FD Tiffany took the picture now in my Blog header with my FugiFilm FinePix S5700 camera in Maine last summer (that was pre-Canon Rebel XT). She ungracefully scaled a fence and traversed down to the rocky shoreline at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse (scoll down on the web page – those are FD’s perch rocks in the picture) to take this sunset photo. The mosquitoes practically carried her out to sea. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island (Acadia National Park)

Continue reading “That New Picture in the Header”

HumorLeave a comment

From the Movies

Tim May

During a work-related project submittal at the City the other day, I was joking around with the city staff – teasing and being generally ornery and obnoxious (who me?). After a comment was made, one of the young lady staffers stated, in an amazement tone of expression, “Excuse Me?” to a co-worker’s comment. My buttinski “From the Movies” response: “Squeeze you…she hardly knows you” (should I be concerned about sexual harassment here?). She looked at me like I had just snapped my twig. She had no idea why I would say something that made absolutely no sense (to her anyway) and admitted she had never heard of that “expression”. She doesn’t know “the game” and apparently is in need of a movie pass gift card – Ms. 20-something needs to get out a bit more. Continue reading “From the Movies”

Humor1 Comment

Finding Blog Favorites Keeps Me Up At Night

Tim May

Late night webbing through an insomnia condition last night, I perused a new blog favorite (yes you can get a favorite status with me after just one blog visit – I have several already). Perhaps I should adopt a self-appointed blog referral duty, from my site to theirs (so they generate more hits than me – huh?), at least until such time a normal sleep pattern re-emerges – does that pay…the referral that is? Continue reading “Finding Blog Favorites Keeps Me Up At Night”

Family1 Comment

TylerandTammy’s Weblog

Tim May

Check out the 7-16-08 posting on Tyler and Tammy’s Weblog. FS Tyler has a dry wit – sometimes wet – which comes through in his writing. His recent story of “getting old” (yeah right) brought laughter tears to me and his sis. And what causes (or triggers) laughter tears, in our family…and our family can sometimes have a rather “odd” sense of humor, is a future story. His “waning youth” barbershop visit story A Sign(s) of My Waning Youth is worth the read (not to say any of his other postings are not). tm Continue reading TylerandTammy’s Weblog

Eatery, Scottie Dogs, Travel1 Comment

Short Weekend and Steer Butt

Tim May

With work demands mounting, Deb called Friday wanting to get away for a short weekend. We both agreed a quiet weekend was in order. We found a wonderful B&B in Mineola Texas that was willing to rent us a room for one night (most want a two-night reservation don’t you know). It meets the Gotta-Stay standards of the newly established TMay82 Travel and Eats Blog Review.

Check out Munzesheimer Manor – Innkeepers Bob and Sherry Murray are a wonderful couple: full of life, conversation, and serve up a gourmet breakfast worthy of asking for seconds for their guests.  Continue reading “Short Weekend and Steer Butt”

Family, Scottie Dogs10 Comments

Queen of Scots

Tim May
So I’ve written about some of the family and even posted pictures as proof that one does exist (family). I’m not some net surfer without a life – I have other things to do as well (pull weeds, polish chrome bumpers, watch geckos on the windows at night, etc). As my FD and FS cringe at the mention of it…they have another sibling.
guarding the backyard and taking in the afternoon

The story goes something like this: In 2000, my lovely bride ventured to her ancestrial homeland of Scotland. I won’t go into that trip (since I didn’t go with her, but perhaps I could write about the time I had at home during her 2 week excursion…on second thought maybe I shouldn’t). Let’s just leave it at she had a grand time with her U.S. family, and new found family across the pond (or at least with the statues, monuments, and castles). Now Deb is not the type that postures a “wants” attitude very often. But she did insist on one thing as a result of her trip. That would be a Scottish Terrier. Continue reading “Queen of Scots”

Life2 Comments

Raving Fans

Tim May

Have you read the book? Ken Branchard is one of my go-to authors when it comes to self-help business and personal advice. It’s 13 bucks on Amazon right now. I try to apply his principals to everyday life. In fact, my family has now grown weary of my annoying commentary of customer service received when we hit the streets (they throw one of my trademark Dad sayings right back at me: “you can take him anywhere but out”). “Raving Fans” is a quick and easy read – with large print for those needing longer arms or stronger reading glasses.

So much for the unpaid commercial…Ken, call me – I would help sell books when times get slow for ya. Continue reading “Raving Fans”

Uncategorized1 Comment

The HIT List

Tim May

A few years ago I started an interoffice daily email distribution called “Trivia, Inspiration, and Hogwash”. It proved to be somewhat popular with the staff I had at the time. Some of those friends continue to mention it in conversation, asking where I got the information and why did it stop? Last time I did this exercise was when the economy was on its side and jobs and paying bills were of concern. The intent Continue reading “The HIT List”

Humor2 Comments

Wit and Wisdom

Tim May

“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”

I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it.”

I’ve been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.”

Do something every day that you don’t want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.”

I don’t give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.”

“I have a higher and grander standard of principle than George Washington. He could not lie; I can, but I won’t.”

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

“I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting.”

I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.”

“The humorous story is strictly a work of art – high and delicate – and only an artist can tell it.”

“Golf is a good walk spoiled.”

“Classic: A book which people praise and don’t read.” Continue reading “Wit and Wisdom”

Humor1 Comment

Tales of the Pearly Whites

Tim May

While sitting in a dentist chair – again – a few days ago waiting for my speech to slur, my cheek to get fat, as I prepared for yet another crown, I thought about the experiences had in this position. I find myself routinely thinking about past dentists and the “stories” I seem to have whenever I have an appointment. This particular appointment was no different in its oddities from others as the dental assistant could not seem to get my temporarily cemented permanent crown off the molar that I was in for a week ago (I won’t even go into that logic…cause I don’t know what logic it is…permanent and temporary in the same sentence).

If I were to categorize my “stories” by a profession, dentistry would most likely have the largest selection of tales to be told. Here’s a sampling: Continue reading “Tales of the Pearly Whites”

Family, HumorLeave a comment

The Maine Objective was Fun

Tim May

A few weeks ago FD Tiffany asked for pictures of our week long vacation last August to New England. In finding those pictures hidden in a remote folder on my computer, I took a minute for a memory and smile. We have taken a few family vacations in the past but this one had something special attached. Perhaps it was all the laughing that we did; maybe it was because none of us had been to Providence, Boston, Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park before…yeah, all those made it special but I think it was the realization that it was most likely the last vacation we would spend as a family, just the four of us (BTW, I don’t think I ever thanked Mark and Tammy for giving us that week with our kids). Continue reading “The Maine Objective was Fun”

Humor, Life1 Comment

36 + 14

Tim May

This morning I woke up knowing that I have achieved the age of 36 for the 14th time. Somebody tell me I’m having fun…but don’t use the “young” word. The “You’re half a century young” or “You’re 50 years young” is crap, not in my vocabulary, and truthful does not help or make me feel any better. Age = old so I’m facing up to it with all the hesitation and denial I can muster.

Yesterday was just another day. All body functions worked fine. This morning…well…I couldn’t pee. I’m standing in front of the porcelain, business in one hand, the other one extended with the palm up and fingers spread, with a mouth-half-open dumbfounded expression of “huh”. It’s like the plumbing knew the day and time like it were a Swiss watch. Just kidding: the morning constitutional went A-OK, but the walk was met with much anticipation. Continue reading “36 + 14”

WeatherLeave a comment

Mr. Weatherman please take a vacation

Tim May

For an amateur enthusiast, the crazy weather this spring and early summer has been nothing short of impressive. Maybe because I’ve thus far escaped the carnage of straight line winds, tornados, large hail, and flooding thunderstorms that I have this sort of fascination. Those that have suffered through the storm I’m sure think I have truly snapped a twig (no pun intended). Regardless, my “weather” folder in my “Favorites” has the largest collection of web sites of any other…and it continues to grow. Continue reading “Mr. Weatherman please take a vacation”

Family2 Comments

Reporting on Golf

Tim May

A blog or two ago I wrote of a pending game of golf that was to be played amongst family members. I am here to say the game is now history. It was played in near-perfect weather (for north-central Kansas): a slight breeze and 90° temperatures. Everyone showed up early for the tee time (thanks to Trevor’s wake-up call to Tara); cold beverages (adult and otherwise) were strategically placed every third hole or so for our convenience and solace. It was a grand day despite a 5+ hour round of golf and nearly 2 hours worth of fundraiser auctions.

We all had our moments around the course. Some of us had longer moments than others (the author for one and for the most part). Missed shots, missed putts, missing golf balls, and cart partners missing their ride (thanks Dad). What made this game special was the May’s made up two of the 30-odd foursomes playing. Dad/Grandpa was so proud when the course Marshall broadcasted the shotgun starting holes as “on the number 1 tee…all the May’s”. That was really kind of cool for all of us, not just Dad. Continue reading “Reporting on Golf”

WeatherLeave a comment

Tornados-a-plenty

Tim May

Our Memorial weekend a few weeks ago was spent in Kansas. A time for reflection on memories about and with family was the intent, but unpredictable Kansas weather provided us reasons for concern.

 

The weekend started with driving to Wichita with my niece Mikel and her newlywed husband Josh. It was five hours of wonderful conversation with young adults, aspiring professionals, and untainted attitudes towards the real world of work…but that might be another story. In Wichita we picked up my wife at the airport (coming in on the last leg of a business trip), and then continued three more of driving with new life to the conversation with Deb now in the car.

The last 3 hours of our drive was met with little regard to weather. The sky was overcast, colorful, and of interesting cloud formations – really nothing that unusual for Kansas. We arrived in our childhood hometown in the early evening. As we typically do, we split up – me going to Dad’s, Deb going to one of her parents. After a brief stop at Deb’s dad’s farm, the other three dropped me off in town at Dad’s, said their hellos and howdy-doodies to him, and they quickly departed for an evening with my mother-in-law.  Continue reading “Tornados-a-plenty”