Stomach Flu = WORST TIME OF YOUR LIFE

Okay, so I just got over the stomach flu -- it began Monday night as I went to Circuit City in Castleton to help my boy John with his inventory counts. I had a full feeling - not really a stomach ache, but just felt full. However, about 20 minutes into the 40 minute drive I broke out into a cold sweat & really began to not feel well. I'm sure you'd all not really care to hear the details, but long story short: I hit the restroom a few times while I was at the store & right when I got home that night. I've been laid out since Monday night.

To make matters worse -- I was supposed to go to training for work this week in Detroit. I really thought I could pull through Tuesday. I was supposed to fly out Tuesday around 6:30 & be there for training...then fly back Friday afternoon. I actually got out of the shower & laid out my clothes that I was going to take with me. I had to cave in & call my District Manager to inform him that I just couldn't fly. It was really the training that had me worried, it was the being in another city, no one to contact in case something went wrong. Plus, I was highly contagious so it wouldn't have been good anyways.

I've never called in sick a day in my life that I can remember & it actually upset me to do that this week. I dunno, I guess it happens to everyone at some time in their life.

I am feeling better & returning to work tomorrow -- back to the grind after a long month of training.

PS - Sorry John, I didn't know what I had, let alone that I was contagious. Get well soon!

Happy Valentine's Day

On this Valentine's Day, a note to the Melsther:

Mel,
Here we are again, another Valentine's Day celebrated together! Over the past few years, we've celebrated many holidays, birthdays, events in our lives together, but each & every one is more special than the previous. No matter what we do, as long as we're together, everyday is special.

I love how every moment we spend together is spent as best friends as well as husband & wife. I love how after we disagree, we end up laughing with (& sometimes AT) each other.
I love how you are the nicest, most genuine person I know.
I love how you have been so supportive of me in the things I do.
I love how you keep me level-headed.
I love how you make me a better person.
I love how you love me.

Here's to many more Valentine's Days together.
Love you always,
Patters

2007 World Champion Indianapolis Colts

Quite an interesting ring to it, don't you think? Unbelievable to me even now, the next day -- that the Colts are crowned the champions. Peyton got the monkey off his back: people telling him that he can't win the big one. One thing that I disagree with, but understand the thinking is that Dominic Rhodes & Joseph Addai should've been co-MVPs of the game. Peyton was great, yes, but the two RBs were the reason Chicago's defense was out of the game.

An awesome time, for sure -- now....if the Pacers could figure it out too.

Super Bowl I-65

Well what a weekend! Two awesome games -- honestly, Colts vs. Pats III was one of the best games I've seen in a LONG time. The time was spent with friends downtown Indy....starting at Hard Rock Cafe. The waitress we had, was.....well, less than impressive. So after some drinks & appetizers we headed to Jillian's. We were up on the arcade level where we found a booth & staked our spot in the crowd. Pretty good deal: was busy, but not CRAZY crowded. Basically watched the entire game there. Mel was wearing her Marvin Harrison jersey -- which we've deemed as a bad-luck charm in the past. This was solidified by the lousy first half the Colts played. She felt the need to take the jersey off by halftime & the Colts go on to score 32 points in the second half of the biggest comeback win in Conference Championship history. Could that REALLY have made a difference?

But after the interception to end the game, the bar BLEW UP & everyone took to the streets of Indianapolis. That was BY FAR the craziest environment I've ever been in. People were high-fiving as we walked by each other, shouts of "Go Colts" were heard all over the city. Strangers were joined as friends, and Patriots fans grinned as they realized that Peyton & Co. finally beat their Brady Bunch.

Although I'll never forget that night as long as I live -- I HIGHLY doubt I'll participate in it again. Took almost a FULL HOUR to get out of the parking garage. The waits to get tables were, as you can imagine, atrocious. Drunks of all kinds were annoying.

In the end though, Peyton got the monkey off his back & paved his way to Miami to battle the Bears.

Chicago meets Indianapolis in the Battle of the Midwest.
Super Bowl XLI is now Super Bowl I65.

Congratulations, Colts.

2007

Well, 2007 started off with a bang for me. FIRST, I didn't get a job that I had kinda hoped I'd get. (honestly, I hoped for it, but given experience & stuff I didnt think I'd get it) So that kinda bummed me out.

But the BIG bummer so far this year -- our new car got knocked in the side this past week. Nothing HUGE, but he got me pretty good. It was a 16 yr old kid driving a Land Rover who must not have seen me as I was leaving a parking lot. He came down the aisle where he was parked and just kept coming. Its been an ordeal cuz the kid's mom chose to pay out-of-pocket instead of insurance. So I've been messing with that.

What gets me is that we've only had the vehicle for about 3 months, its the first vehicle that we've bought/paid for on our own -- just our first car. So its special & having it damaged kinda ticks me off. I dunno, what do you think? I'll post the damage soon.

Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come in 2007.