08/30 Going for the Clean Sweep

Damn were has the summer gone? Getting so many emails and phone calls recently, I thought I’d take a few minutes to give you all an update.

As for my health, everything is fine now, except for the smoking. I’ll tackle the cigs in a few months. Not taking any more medication, so I’m feeling great now!!! Lost over 15 pounds and I hope to drop another 10 within the next few months. So basically I changed some things around, listened to the doc and now it’s time to slowly ramp back up. I don’t see ever reaching the level I was at before, as far as going out, but perhaps if I can go out and lay off the Jager and just have a beer or two, I could be out and about more often.

I’m going for the clean sweep and will be starting a new job soon. The current day job is so stressful, the hours suck, working 6 days a week (10+ hours on the weekdays and Saturdays), plus the direction the company is heading will make it even worse. Of course I get paid a salary, so I’m a slave to the man. No more fuckers!!! Giving a resignation letter is so satisfying!!!! I’ll have off for a week before starting the new job. So that will be my opportunity to go out for the first time since May. I’m sorta looking forward to it. Not sure where I’ll go yet.

I guess another part of the sweep is getting rid of my trusty Bonneville. I had the car for 8 years and put on over 200,000 miles!!! Never had any problems except for the usual brakes, tires, etc. That car never left me sit and when you turned the key it started. I’ve had many cars over the years and this car was the best of them all. I wanted a car with better gas mileage since I travel a lot and I really wanted a 4 cylinder since I doubt gas will ever be coming down to below $2.50 again. I looked at Fords, Chevys, Pontiacs, Hondas, Toyotas, Saturns, etc. Damn never every car manufacture, I was on their lot. When you look at the cars that will get 30+ miles, most are so fucking small it feels like your head is a speed bump away from going thru the roof. Add that to the fact that your legs are crunched and it feels like your taking up over half the car sitting in the drivers seat. Not sure what dealers are thinking when trying to sell a car. Most are complete assholes. I’m in sales myself, so I don’t go for the high pressure bullshit. If I like it, the price is right, I’ll buy it, plain and simple. I will admit that the American 4 bangers had some of the worst get up and go. Toyota and Mazda was pretty good on the engines, but inside you were all scrunched up. Plus every one I drove, just seemed so damn loud inside. It’s like you could actually hear your tires on the road. What did I get? None of the above. I was talking to one of my customers who had a Hyundai. They loved it and suggested I give them a look. Well I did and after the test drive I was sold. I got an Elantra. Even though it was the basic “no frills” model, the damn thing is loaded. Power everything, air bags galore, and a damn good ride, plus over 35 mpg! Only put on 100 miles to date, but I’ll be happy as shit if I get anything over 30. Our Big 3 auto makers are in some trouble of late. I would have loved to have bought an “American” car again. However, since my car is like a second home, there was no way in hell I’d be stuck with those pieces of shit just because they are “American”. Many people do buy only American cars, but I’m guessing many don’t. Perhaps they will get it and give the consumer a quality vehicle with a fair price. With gas hovering around the $3.00 mark, I doubt, I’m the only person in America that is forced to downsize, to have money to spend on something else besides gas.

I’m in the process of getting the website back up to date. Been away so long it’s hard to remember what to do. I’d like to get more people on board to write for the website. If you might be interested send me an email to jimo@hbgonline.com Dining Reviews, Band Reviews, Venue Reviews, Politics or anything else. It’s time to build up the HBGOnline family once again so hopefully someday, they can run the show and I’ll just be more of an advisor. I am an old goat and it’s time I feel to pass the torch to the young bucks. Looking to have everything back up to par around the week of Labor Day.

Our sister site, Help You Sell Stuff.com is taking off by leaps and bounds. Just acquired the “Power Seller” status from eBay since we are selling so much. I was told nobody buys on eBay during the summer months. BULLSHIT!!! Everyday I go to the Post Office with 5 – 10 packages. The holiday season will be here before you know it. If you want some cash and have stuff lying around the house, give me a call @ 649-1330. Mention you read about it here and I’ll give a 5% discount off our fees.

Keep checking back to see the site changes being made, a new contest and the start of the 2nd Annual Central PA Music Awards.

Enjoy the holiday weekend!!!!

Lator Gators – BigJim