1 Month, 7 hours, 1 minute and 23 seconds.

312 cigarettes not smoked, saving $70.40.

Life saved: 1 Day and 2 hours of my life.

I am trying to procure myself and Tina a pair of tickets to Lambeau Field for the game on 11/11. While I can appreciate and certainly enjoy a trek to the motherland, ticket prices become more and more outrageous every day.

Brokers sell them for way to high of a price for anyone to reasonably consider buying them. I feel like they (in kahoots with the Packer organization) create a artificial perception of high demand and low supply to drive prices up. The Packers say “whoa, tickets are sold out and we have this ridiculous waiting list”, while in turn sell thousands of tickets to brokers who fetch 6x face value for these tickets. You think they ain’t working together? Just a theory, but I bet I’m not far off. Of course, the Packers get their cut while the brokers are stuck selling tickets at face or less at kickoff time. Oh well, deserves em right.

The reason I bring that up is because I was talking to Dan (if he had a blog, I would link it here) the other day about tickets to the big game as we have made the trek several times and it’s been a great time. I mentioned that I seemed to remember days in the late 80’s when tickets were pretty much given away. The reason I say this is because my dad and I went to many games. Or so it seemed. I can only imagine how it was several years earlier when GB was even worse. Probably didn’t have any blackouts though! Makes me wonder if a certain pending retirement might boost my spot in the season ticket line

I’ll try to make a long story short…

I went to get my hair cut over lunch today and my primary location was no longer!  I even looked online before I went to find something closer to work.  I didn’t find anything, nor was my location listed.  I thought nothing of it, but when I drove by the signs were gone and I didn’t have a goto.  I was pissed since I needed a haircut badly.

I got back to work and started talking to BT as I know that he cuts his own hair.  I have some experience cutting my hair back in the high school days but it  didn’t include the “fade” which is what I need now.  Any way he convinced me to go back to the home haircut and buy myself a clippers.

Well I cut my hair along with some help from LBT  Its not too bad.  I think it’ll take a few more tries to really hone in the skills, but now that I am saving myself roughly $300/year I don’t care all that much.

Final regular season game of volleyball tomorrow.  Let’s keep this shit going!  And Happy Birthday BT ! and Mom!

On a side note… When will I get back to Vegas!?

I had the pleasant opportunity to witness history in the making on Sunday as I saw Brett Favre complete his NFL record breaking 421st touchdown pass at the HumptyDome in Minneapolis.

Tina and I procured tickets after some last minute scrambling.  It was well worth it.  We met Dan downtown at Rosen’s for some breakfeast and a few drinks.  Then light-railed it up to the dome for the much anticipated game.  While the Packers’ start made me a little nervous the TD put me at ease and I settled in for a pretty good game.  I must admit watching a game live is awesome.  You can see so much more develop, and you get to see things that the TV cameras just don’t catch… like the couple in front of us who high-fived and kissed on EVERY Viking first down… ok ok, and holes, seams, and routes that all the WR’s are running, and the lines are blocking for.  The Packers/Viking games are always close ones no matter who the dog is or where it’s played.  It’s fun to watch especially when my team wins.  I can’t help get pumped up when you are at the visitor’s house and above the loud pumped in music of the dome you can hear that chant “Go Pack Go! Go Pack Go!” Brings chills to the spine.

In case you missed it and the great call by my favorite play-by-play guy Wayne Larrivee here it is

And like Favre says, “Let’s keep this shit going”.  GO PACK GO!

I just need to post and write a few things down, so here it goes.

1) Tina got a new car tonight. A 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor. It’s a nice mid-sized SUV. It makes me want a new car, but I’ll wait a bit and save some more cash. Good for her!

2) If you didn’t already know I am moving on in my career. I am leaving President Homes and going to a place called Penchant Software. They are a true IT company, something I’ve always longed for. They are smaller (12 people) but with half of them being developers, it’s gotta be good. I am excited about the change and the opportunities that will arise there.

3) I swear I came up with one of the greatest ideas (albeit, it’s strictly hobby and won’t make me a millionaire). Look for announcements in the coming months. Granted when it comes to outside, DIY type endeavors, I am not the greatest with execution as I tend to have many things going on, but this one might really be fun for me too.

4) I’m really hoping to hit the powerball tomorrow night. That will negate #2 and leave me plenty of time and yearning for #3, as well as facilitate #1. Sounds like a win win win.

5) Speaking of wins, I am looking forward to volleyball playoffs which being this Thursday. Hopefully we can do some damage. Problem is two of our players are gone the second week… Hutch? You around? We need you and a girl

6) Oh yeah, I’m pumped about my first ever Fantasy Football money league. It’s a keeper league, I guess I walked into an open spot. I am lucky enough (hopefully) to keep Joseph Addai and Ocho Cinco, along with getting the third pick in the draft. Hopefully LJ comes to his senses, I’d hate to have to pick Frank Gore or Sean Alexander.

7) I’ve enjoyed watching the Brewers and Cubs battle it out in the NL Central this second half of the season, but mark my words, St. Louis will win the division.

In closing… Go Pack Go!

Well after literally 2 months of non-stop action with the wedding, honeymoon, camping, etc.. I finally have some downtime.

It feels good to not have anything planned this weekend where we have to go out of town or have non-stop events through the weekend.  I think I’ll take some time to relax and try and fix the dishwasher.  That darn garage is still waiting for me too :-/

Let me run through the month of July quick.    Bt and E had a lovely housewarming party. Country Jam was a mellow success this year in which BT and E joined us and Dan surprised us by getting back in the mix (pictures coming).  The Gillen family camping weekend was a good time.  Got into some vball and bags.

I believe our wedding pictures are running a little behind schedule, but I’ve got no problems there.  I ordered myself a new dell desktop today which is exciting since I was LONG overdue for a new rig.  Two advantages of the Dell… with their coupon it priced out under anything I could build on my own.  I know it’s gonna work out of the box.

Volleyball is flying by.  We’ve been playing quite well as a team this summer.  I don’t want to jinx anything but I feel good about a playoff run.

Oh yeah, football is right around the corner and I am pumped for the Badgers and to watch my beloved Pack stink it up… and I’m looking forward to a possible Vegas trip this fall, anyone interested?

Well the time has come and gone.  I am now a married man and have enjoyed everyone minute of it so far.  Thanks Tina!

The wedding went off without a hitch.  I was a bit nervous beforehand but once we got into the ceremony it was all good.  Thanks to everyone for making the trek and showing your support.  I’d also like to thank my parents, Tina’s parents, the bridal party, and since they are my boys I’ll name my party, Jason M (best man), Dan F, Chris A, Carl G, Jason S, and Ben K.

The reception was great.  Although it went quite fast.  Thanks to J again for a great speech.  I couldn’t even foul him up with the “go sign”.

Now for the honeymoon…. I surprised lbt  (a lot of good that tinagillen.com domain does now, eh?) with a trip to Maui.  I told her when we got back to the hotel after the reception.  She was quite excited (which I was expecting).

We flew out on Monday morning.  After a flight to Seattle, a layover spent at the bar, and finally landing in Maui we were relieved, tired, and excited all at the same time.  We picked up our rental car which was a mustang convertible.  By the time we were driving to Kaanapali it was dark.  Maui isn’t the best place to drive on unfamiliar roads at night, but we made it to the hotel.  After checking in we took a little walk on the beach.  I could tell this was gonna be good.

We woke up quite early the next morning and took another walk along the beach.  Tuesday was recovery and relaxation day.  We hung out at the beach.  The first two days the surf was extremely active (although the red flags were up all week).  The Pacific is much more powerful than any other ocean I have set foot in.  I was quite surprised and a bit itimidated at first.

The next day we went to the shops and boardwalk in Lahaina.  Since I left my sunglasses at home this was an order of business.  We walked into a Sunglass Hut and the sales guy got me into a pair of Maui Jim’s.  If you know me and how often I buy new sunglasses you might be saying “WTF?, You’re a moron”.  Perhaps.. only time will tell.  We also caught the fireworks in Lahaina.  They shot them from a barge out in the ocean and they were quite magnificent.  I have some time lapse videos that I’ll try and get posted.

Blah.. I am worn out..  I’ll continue in an updated post but I’ve got stuff to do now.  Later.

Well the time has finally arrived and me and the boys are leaving for Vegas in just over 12 hours. I think I’ve got everything covered. Sunblock, the appropriate travel medications, a charged camera battery, an (almost) full ipod, swim trunks, and a reservation at the Flamingo in Las Vegas.

The weekend weather report looks fabulous (high 80s) and it’ll be nice to get out of this 30 degree weather for a few days. I decided it would be a good idea to have a few red bulls tonight. We’ll see how good of an idea that is at 5AM tomorrow. Anywho, I am pumped and ready for this one. I’ve got a couple loose ends to tie up tonight, finalize the suitcase, and get some shut-eye for a real barn burner.

Beware of drunken phone calls and text messages.
I hope to report back on Monday.

Jason , Dan, and Mason.. I’ll see you on the other side.

Over and out!

Life Lesson #1089 : Red Bull really does give you wings

Life Lesson #1090 : Don’t drink Red Bull on a work night.

You just can’t rally like you used to in the good old days. This has been the longest weekend in a long time and it’s only Sunday morning.

I started out Friday night playing poker a buddies house. I didn’t win anything, but I was close in all games. Red bulls flowed and I was done by midnight, of course I stayed till 3AM playing Guitar Hero, which is one hell of game.

Saturday morning came all too quick. It was time for the 2007 Sno-ball open out on Long Lake. Sno-ball is basically golfing out on the frozen lake. Our tee-time was at 12:05, but we got started late as usual. The weather was against us. It was cold and the wind was fierce. We toughed it out and I even felt like getting started again. I knocked down a few beers.. well at least what didn’t freeze before I drank it. Afterward it hit me. We got inside to go and eat and hang out some more…. Chad was cashed and a mess. Friday night had finally caught up with me and Tina and I had to head home.

Sigh…..