Where Shall We Go Today Ladies?

That was the question of the day Tuesday morning thus past the moment my girls arrived at 9 am.  

I think it's time for a change of scenery for a few days.  I'm getting tired of looking off the balcony.  Chicago?

Gabby did her happy dance with hands in the air, like she's Pentecostal or something, then ran into her room to grab the suitcase.  
 
Olivia ran and pulled all of their Gap outfits out and they had their stuff ready before I could finish booking the trip.  Found some cheap flight tickets, and reserved a room at the W- North Lakeshore where we stayed last time.

Booked our flight and room by 11 am, packed all of our stuff then had to call their mom to break the news.  I talked with momma and she said it was cool to take them but as long as she could have them all next week.  Done deal, so thank you K-dawg!


Called my sister to give us a lift to the airport at 4pm but got off a little early to drop us off at DTW.  Ang picked us up and the girls were jacked up on adrenaline.  Angie was there last weekend and my friend Renee was there for work and her kids were there also; they are like family to us.


I love Chicago and now the girls do too.  Gabby aspires to live there but when she told the cabbie that he told her "you better go to college first pretty lady."  


I'd been to Chicago about three times while I was a Boilermaker; let's just say when I take a female companion or my ladies, I definitely stay out of trouble.  It's a nice change of pace really ya know, parenthood and responsibility.  


Three common phrases the girls and I have heard in our travels to Chicago:

You are the two prettiest girls!
Just you and daddy in Chicago? Lucky girls, brave dad!
Look at that pretty girl dad! ! ! (Olivia at the top of her lungs, usually at crosswalks)

So while there we did lots of shopping for dad at the Gap, of course the girls too.  Then over to the American Girl money pit so they could get outfits that match their dolls.  Gabby got the sweats and tank, Olivia got the bathing suit of course.  I also bought my friend Amanda the American Girl doll she wanted; Fedex'd that doll Thursday and she got it Friday.  She's going to put it on her mantle above the fireplace!  I better get a professional print of that one lady!


Wednesday they had fireworks right near Navy Pier so we swam in the pool then watched the fireworks on the balcony adjacent to the pool.  We had went to Millennium Park earlier and they played in the waterfall while I did some bird watching.  There's lots of pigeons in Chicago.  Needless to say, there was no arguing with dad about getting ready for bed and as soon as their head hit the pillows they were out.  Oh and we went to the Field Museum to take pictures of make-believe dinosaurs.


Thursday we went out and did some more shopping.  Dad wanted a Guess watch but Guess what?  I wasn't paying $450 for a Guess watch.  So back to the Gap because the girls were wearing their last pairs of socks so of course I had to buy some more clothes.


Got back to the room and tried my clothes on and Olivia told me "you look handsome daddy."  We had made dinner plans that evening with our friend Renee, her friend Lori and the whole gang of banshees at the Cheesecake Factory.  Since I was with the cheesecake queen I opted not to try their garbage for dessert.


After dinner we all went back to our hotel so the kids could swim, let the kids blow off some steam before bed.  That did the trick that night.


Friday was check-out and I ended up sleeping in until 10:30am because my phone died overnight and I missed the alarm, so I we had to scramble and shove 100lbs of shit into two 40lb bags and a backpack.  It worked!  We checked out and headed over to Renee's hotel to drop off our luggage before lunch and the Aquarium with her and the whole crew. 


It was a little cooler Friday (101) than it was Thursday (110).  We had a quick bite to eat, jumped a cab and hit the aquarium where we watched 4D Happy Feet and a dolphin show.  We spent a good couple hours there browsing all the fishies. We say this king crab that would've been mighty tasty in my kitchen!  If I could've only stole that and the ginormous lobster without getting caught I would've.  


After the aquarium Renee's friend had to leave to visit family right outside Chicago so we took the kids to eat at a little English Pub called Elephant's (something but I forgot!).  The food was pretty good, had great conversation with Renee about the restaurant business.  We both detect large quantaties of win between her husband's and my barbecue and cooking skill in general.


See ladies, when us men have to play the stay at home dad role we learn a thing or two about cooking; unless of course you got a man with no passions or ambitions.


The girls wanted me to sign up for Master Chef but I said give me until next season so I can at least take a crash course in culinary arts.  

Side Note:


Speaking of cook-offs, the TDRR/LoveTheBeaver team didn't place with our food we were still voted "Event's Favorite Sponsor."  My team: Kristine, Zoe, Jim, Angie all kicked ass that day.  We went into the competition green as hell not knowing what to expect but we made do with what we had and we got some real positive feedback on the food: Yankee seafood gumbo, seafood cornbread and sweet potato crunch.


We got invited to a chili cook-off later this month by a councilwoman who loved my food the best!  She said we missed the barbecue cook-off they host in Wyandotte but she said there's always next year.  Met the mayor of Taylor, both he and his wife loved the food because it was different.  I told him my plans to open a restaurant and he told me to call him if I decide to look at real estate in Taylor.


So now the word is out that I have a team that can cook!  Kudos to us! 


Back to the story:


After dinner I had to stop and get me some official White Sox jersey and hat.  I wanted to make it out of Chicago alive because the Sox were losing to the Tigers when I made the purchase.  I got the only jersey without a name or number so that means I'm going to have my own name and number embroidered on the jersey.


We parted ways with Renee and the family and took a cab to O'hare.  Fucking cabbie took the longest route possible.  We got to the airport, checked in and the TSA line was a mile and a half long.  And to top that off the flight was delayed 45 minutes.  Luckily the lady checking tickets sent me to the special line because I had kids with me.  WIN!


Our plane arrived right on their scheduled lateness.  Fuck Spirit Airlines.  We got on the plane and I sat by the window and Olivia sat in the middle.  Before the plane took off I was already snoozing.  Olivia woke me up and told me that she made friends with the pretty lady sitting in front of us, conveniently. The lady complimented how cute she was telling her all my secrets.  


That girl is just like her mom at times!  Too bad the lady was married and I smelled like a zoo animal from sweating and the wore off deodorant.  We went to baggage claim where we waited forever then bounced upstairs to catch a Metro Car home.  The girls fell asleep in my lap as soon as we hit the a/c in the car.

I had the driver drop my ladies off at their mom's and then I went back to the crib to dump off all of our luggage.  I had a bunch of friends waiting to see me at Le Cigar, made it just before last call.  My buddy Naj, Bazzi, his wife and brother, my friend Lisa whose boyfriend hates me to death when I'm around.  Sorry if your girl professes how much she likes me in front of you.  Trust me, it's an awkward situation shaking the hand of a man that hates you.  Got to see my friend Cilla  who I helped get a job there.  The aforementioned people are really genuine people.  We get silly as hell when we all get together, always guaranteed laughs!


The whole point of the trip was to talk to my girls about life: my goals, what they'd like to be when they grow up, the restaurant business, and the topic of dad having a girlfriend.  I guess you could say we bonded while having a REAL TALK session.  I had their full attention while we talked.


The girls are ambitious about getting our own house and the restaurant business, but the subject of me having a serious girlfriend didn't fly so well with Gabby: her eyes started to well up.  I reassured her that I'm ready to settle down and share our lives with someone we all love.  I told her I only want to get married once and that I am happy with my life, with them and all the time we share together.  And I told them that I don't need a constant girlfriend to make me feel good about myself, but told both girls I am content with the way things are now.  Gabrielle didn't cry but instead gave me a big hug, kiss and an "I love you daddy!" 


If there's one thing money can't buy: it is time.  I'm not going to be that dad who regrets not spending as much time with them as I can.  They are my motivation to be a better father and a better person.


I've been blessed with the means to show them different changes of scenery but my love comes from the heart and not my checkbook.  They are a tad spoiled but they are grateful and that gives me the best feeling ever.


 

Click, click. BOOM.

Today the slag from the weld I've left on life just start curling off.

Turn the heat up and fucking run the shit.  

I know people, who know people, who get shit done.  For once in my life I am the fucking boss and the responsible father of two girls.  

I know how to make contacts, lately its been easy.  Making the right contacts to secure my future are even better.  I've met some great contacts, going to network.

Going to train my little mini-me's how to clean, laundry, cook, and use their boxing gloves to fight over a Polly Pocket.  This just how I get shit done.  

You want the toy, you guys duke it out.  The quitter don't get the toy.

That's how its goes at dad's crib, our home.  The girls are super exited.  I say it everyday and its so close I can taste it.  I arranged the utilities today and my credit was ok.

Got off a lot cheaper than expected.  

Got my ducks in a row, cash is king.  Don't worry I ain't gettin that much cash to be extending credit!   

Every minute detail is worked out to the very cent talking taxes.  I am going to teach my girls to be artists, cooks, singers, musicians, Lego builders, or metal furniture: fabricated on-sight.  Metal works, forging and detail are my talents.  I know people who are artists. Fuckin A, I'm doing my part in raising the next generation geniuses, in their own fashions.


Jack of all trades, master of one: and it ain't jerkin off!


Back when I was with the ex, I had to sell back my Epiphone Les Paul Standard, with a Spider Amp:  I was very upset, I cried that day in front of my daughters and had to explain why.  I told them they were just material things that could easily be replaced one day, we needed groceries.  I still had my acoustics!

I made promises to two little women I cant break: one day a house with a library, and swimming pool.  And the house would have a basement tricked out with every kind of instrument you could think of and we'd fucking rock out!  


I have decided I will spend no more than $1,000 on an Ovation solid body acoustic.  I'll be putting fuckers to sleep playing Gordon Lightfoot.


"   I can see her lyin back in her satin dress in a room where you do where you don't confess...."


First things first.  Our own place.


I had an easy day with utilities and old debt.  Got my first checking account rolled out.  Called the bank my comp check will come from in Dearborn...."SIR we won't have the cash to honor the whole amount at once, but yes you can bring it here!"


I'm scared.  Banks.  Credit cards.  Anything you cant pay cash for scares me. I'm not used to having credit in forever.  I don't want or need it either hoe.


You see where this is going.


I got all my ducks in a row today.  Now, everyday, I just start counting as I shoot.  Click click BOOM.


So this is for you peeps who've followed me since way back forever.  


FUCK YOU MOTHER FUCKERS IN THE MICHIGAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM.  FUCK YOU GREEDY, SCUMBAG INSURANCE COMPANIES, JUST FUCK YOU.


I'm done and I'll be rich and as famous as www.jennyknowseverything.com 

You should read her, she knows just about everything from what I've read.  But I know sometimes more than a woman knows about women most of the time.  If you'd like to test insight, leave a comment and I will give my op-ed half assed opinion.


Just had breakfast in the garage.  I am feeling AdDish.  


Ciao for now!

It's a "No-Brainer" Folks...

I've finally had enough folks.  I should have done this long ago as some may say, but I did the other day.  I cracked off a couple nice letters to Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin.


Stabenow likes Boilermaker's political clout.


Dear Senator Stabenow,


My name is James McDonnell but I am known to friends and family as “Mike” (middle name). I am writing this letter in regards to an ongoing legal matter I have. Let me give you a bit of my background. 


I started my career as a union Boilermaker (Local 169) in late 1999 and I became an apprentice in May 2000. I had very good work ethics and excelled in the trade very early in my apprenticeship. My ultimate goal as a Boilermaker was to become involved in the political aspect of the union. I was a second generation Boilermaker and my father James L (ret.) was also involved in the Political Action Committee. I loved every aspect of the Boilermaker trade and I loved getting up for work. 


On October 15, 2002, myself and another young man were burned by steam while working in confined space at Rouge Steel’s B-furnace Bomco tower. MIOSHA later deemed the area we worked in “confined space” but at the time of the accident it wasn’t. For about 20 seconds, myself and Steven Ford were sprayed with scalding hot water with no possible escape from the spray. 

I was conscious and able to help Steven Ford out of the vessel. He was in shock and his skin was peeling all over his body. I helped him out of the vessel and sat down with him until paramedics could get up to us. Both of us were life flighted to the University of Michigan Trauma, Burn unit. I was medically induced into a coma for ten days. 


When I was taken out of the coma I was informed that Steven had passed away due to the extent of his injury. His body was burned at a total of 98%, third degree. I was burned a total of 40%, third degree. I spent almost 6 weeks at the university hospital before coming home. 


Over the years I’ve had a total of 12 surgeries as a result of the accident, and I am still under the care of five different doctors. The burns have left my legs, lower torso, and both hands badly disfigured: I have also lost part of my pinky and ring fingers on my right hand. 


For over 8 years I have had a lawsuit against Rouge Steel. It has went nowhere in the time it’s been in the court system. In September the judge hearing my case (Murphy) had scheduled a mandatory facilitation meeting with the contractors, Rouge Steel, insurance companies, myself and Steven Ford’s family: the facilitation was unsuccessful because the insurance companies/contractors are still fighting over whose fault the accident was. There was a hearing scheduled to set a trial date on October 7, 2010 if the facilitation was unsuccessful. 


The October 7, 2010 date was adjourned until December 14, 2010. The December 14th date was adjourned until February 17, 2011. This has been a perpetual cycle since the accident. As history has proved, I can assume that come February 17, 2011 that date will be adjourned. Our lawyers were notified of the adjournments via emails the day before the hearing date in each instance. 


I also have an ongoing worker’s compensation case in which I am treated as if I have an illegitimate claim. That is a whole other headache/entity in itself. My main concern is getting the third party suit settled so that I can move on with my life. I live with my parents because my girlfriend and I of seven years split and I don’t have the income to afford a place on my own. I don’t have any health insurance because I was denied Social Security disability four years ago when I applied. My problems only seem to compound because of my situation and at any given moment worker’s compensation could decide to play games with my wages as they have done several times in the past. 


The court system and insurance companies are making a mockery of my life and Steven Ford’s family. I have contacted the media in the past but their reply was that there are lawyers involved so they won’t touch the story. 


For 8 years I have not been able to make any concrete plans for mine or my children’s future. I feel very betrayed by the court system and their only solution is an adjournment. Every time this case is adjourned, it causes more emotional stress on both families involved. All we are asking for a trial date at the very least but we can’t even get that. All parties involved are ready for trial; all depositions had been taken prior to the September 14th facilitation. 


The case is cut and dried, black and white: the case is a no brainer when it comes to who is at fault. Rouge Steel clearly circumvented normal operating procedures the day I was injured and now they are using the court system to circumvent a resolution in the matter. It is a disappointment to me and a big disservice to my daughters. Rouge Steel Industries robbed me of my livelihood and my successful career as a Boilermaker, now they are robbing me of any kind of quality of life under the guise of the court system.


Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. If there is any way you could help to see that we get our trial date, and not another adjournment, it would be greatly appreciated by myself and Steven Ford’s family. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. 


Regards, 

It really is a no-brainer case.  I do my homework when it comes to court cases and I stay on top of politics as in whose going to help or hurt my case.  

Back some years ago I applied for Social Security Disability but I wasn't disabled enough and spoke perfect English.  The Irony of that!  Dirty Cockaroaches!

I know how the system works people.  I've been through it long enough.  Over the years I've helped three people get social security disability, they rightfully earned it...well the third one is in the bag, just awaiting approval.  

I helped my dad get SSD he was 60 at the time and had lymphoma and lung cancer.  He was a retired Boilermaker drawing a pension and had health insurance.  They retro paid him from the date of his diagnosis.

That was a no-brainer!

I helped some friends of the family get SSD.  Both husband and wife retired, both have had long term medical conditions but didn't meet age requirements...they were just a few years shy.

The male had an old war wound which cause non-diabetic neuropathy (oddly enough, the same condition I have from the burns).  It causes numbness and tingling in the lower back and legs, there is no cure when you're not even a diabetic.

Both he and my father served in Vietnam when they were teenagers.  I checked into some conditions for getting a Veteran's disability.  Well by golly: lymphoma, lung cancer, and neuropathy are all on the list of disabilities for the V.A. and social security too.

The man's wife is retired from local school district.  She's had problems with her shoulder thus the reason for retirement but she had enough time to retire with the school anyhow. 

I applied for the couple's social security disability benefits in late July, the wife was awarded her disability a month or so ago.  She rightfully had it coming.  Her husband's should be coming soon.

All three cases were no-brainers!  

If a guy like me with no formal law education than from being in the system most of my life can solve cases and have judgments awarded to rightfully deserving people...

Then what's the catch with my case?  It's a no-brainer to everyone one else.


Well see how long it is to hear back from my signed letters to the Senators, and see if a trial date is set on February 17, 2011.  




Caio!

AND HAPPY 30TH TO MY SISTER ANGIE!!!!!

Show Your Support for M.D.A.

On January 29 the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be hosting "Muscle Walk 2011" at Ford Field.

You can show your support by participating in the walk or through a donation.  A friend, Heather Michels, already has a team set up that she will walk with.  Click this link here to get more information or to make a donation to support Heather's team.

This is for a great cause.  If you are unable to donate or participate, please take a few seconds to share this link with your friends through Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, or via email.

Thanks in advance,

TDRR

Blackballing

I've really had a bad case of writer's block when it comes to smashing out a blog, but the handwritten journals just go on and on. 

There's been a lot of stuff going on in my life over the past few months, a 50/50 mix of good and pure evil.  There's a saying "pick your battles." 

I pick my battles wisely.  My accident case is cut and dry but its being held up strictly by politics and beaurocatics. Will I get my day in court?  Eventually.  October 15 was the eight anniversary of my accident, I hope I wont be celebrating eight more. 

It took me a little while to get out of that pessimistic frame of mind but over the last month I've become more optimistic.  No matter how much pissing and moaning I do it will not change anything that I cannot change myself in regards to my accident case.

Recently I chose to take on another battle.  I'm not going into any specifics about that but in time that will come to fruition. 

Again, lawyers remind me that my Facebook page and blog page are fair game to lawyers and judges these days.  Why should I refrain from the type of person I am and live in fear that I may have posted some questionable content within those two sites? 

Welcome to the digital age, anything you say can (and will) be used against you in a court of law.  Fuck all that shit.  I've read countless articles where people have nailed their coffins such by what they post on social networking sites.  I'm not that person whose going to live life like that.

So Mr Bill Shaefer.....as you read this, I hope you've got enough sense in your head to realize that when the day comes I am going to send you through the wringer.  Keep holding on to that money you're going to be paying me, let it earn dividends.  The money you're going to pay out on my case may mean your job security may be questionable. 

I can play games just like you.  I've had enough of your games and have pretty unique skills that will blackball you and every other insurance company who has fucked with me.

Pay now, or pay a lot more later.

In the end, I will win.

My Life: A Pictoblog

How do you keep em on their toes?  You keep them reading.

Doctor filled out my medical marihuana papers for the state of Michigan the other day.  On the back of the paper he put a script:


10 puff - P.R.N. for pain in the gludious maximus.






Had a nice talk with a friend recently.  He equates breaking up "alah koolaid" syle like being thrown under a bus.

Nice analogy I tell him.  I can only imagine my flambouyant shrink a hot mess over my break-up. 

"Oh you pretty chubby mustachiod man, Dr Robert has missed you, I've been looking for a new house boy.  You know those little Asain house bitches just cant get it right."

No happy ending here either!

"Let's go ahead and get ready for a trial" the lawyer tells me.  "Where the hell have you been, I've been prepared for 8 years."  I tell my man, my ace boon coon.  I'm tired of these games and tasting government cheese, I want my chedda bitches.

I talked to another friend a couple days ago about a judge I once wrote about on myspace when I had an account.  Cliff Taylor was called the sleeping judge who sat on the Supreme court here in Michigan.  The man was sleeping while on the throne, hearing some major cases.  This man could've ultimately heard my case and I wasn't taking any chance at that.  His mind was already made in some cases.  He sided with big business. 

Not a friend to me, the working man.  Right around elections in I believe for 2008, I started putting the word out on the sleeping judge, I wrote a blog called "Nazi's and Real Life Nazi's."  I got the word out, people began noticing his name on the ballet.  An incumbant was pushed out of his "good old boy" seat. 

So with that being said, I know you're listening.
I have my tinfoil hat on so you cant steal my thoughts! We can work with a calendar, I work better with my words.

I met this really hot chick recently.  I had only seen her in pictures until a few weeks ago. 



She likes the mustache.   So next time I see her I am going to really do up the manscaping for her.  Do you think she'll get it before Valentines?  Or should I wait?





Maybe I've been locked away from the dating scene for too long.  Women probably don't go for that.  I'm like a caged animal all the ladies say to me "you never get dis la la la la la!"

But if you get a little monkey oil in ya, you can pull off all the manscaping and mustaches you can think of.  It works every time.




But after a 45 or 45......




You get the picutre!

The TDRR Daily 01/27/2010

I've blogged about this before and I've been warned several times about this: beware of what you post on Facebook or Myspace. The social networks can be used against you in a court of law or when it comes to keeping a job.


Quite a few of my friends had to clean up their Facebook page because of their jobs or had to delete coworkers off friend's lists. My lawyer has warned me several times to be careful of what I post: two words - fuck him!


I can see the justification for cleaning up your page if your a manager for a large corporation or even not having friends from work on your page just to keep the whole work/play things separate but how does this precaution pertain to me?


How does what you do on a social networking site dictate the person you are while you're at work? I can see how some people would nail their own coffin shut by befriending a coworker, posting statuses about getting "Crunk" then not making it to work the following day. That's the jackass' own fault.


If worker's comp or the people from my third party lawsuit wanted to dig up some dirt on me, what is the worst they could find? Do they look at the people on these friends lists also? What could those insurance companies possibly dig up that would help them win a case against me, the plaintiff? I've been off 7-1/2 years, don't have any money to have any real hobbies, I'm more less the house bitch because the wife works, and developed a case of anxiety/agoraphobia so I like to "socially network" with other like minded peeps. I get some good laughs, I get angered at the religious fanatics who think their belief is the only way, and I've been sick of politics. (I think I've said this before) But on another note, I've got this really awesome fake farm. Would farming be consider a future income earning potential in the insurance company's eyes? I told a friend last night that if the insurance companies wanted to take away my benefits or use anything I do on a social networking site to hinder my case, I'd get them in front of a judge and drop my drawers and have my benefits reinstated - pronto.

In my opinion, what you do on your own time is your own business. I could see social networking becoming a problem if you're doing it while "on the clock." The same goes for drug testing. You need to take a drug test to work at flipping McDonald's these days....are you fucking serious?!?


Speaking of jobs and drug testing, now that marijuana is legal for medical purposes how is this going to work out when you give a urine sample for a job? Even if you have the medical Mary Jane card I can almost guarantee that they'll hire somebody who doesn't give a dirty sample. The laws with regards to medical marijuana are still in that gray area when it comes to getting it legally and trying to get a job.

Someone asked me the other day about how much I donated to Haiti. Not a dime. I'm on the brink of destitution and have no "extra" money to give but if I did I'd make a nice contribution. It's shocking really. The same people who'd dig deep to help the people in Haiti wouldn't bat an eye at helping the people who are in dire straits here on the home front. Just turn your blind eye and they go away eventually. I am glad to see so many Americans stepping forward to help Haiti in their time of need, but if Americans were only this empathetic to the poor and starving right in their own yard.


Enough of that bullshit....


Last night I decided to try something different in the kitchen. I got these fresh, unsplit, bonless, skinless chicken breasts from the farm market by my house. I decided to make a homemade cornbread stuffing, butterfly the chickens, and bake in the oven over a bed of Uncle Ben's chicken flavored rice. Although it looked good when it came out of the oven, my kids didn't give it the "wow" rating (as in WOW daddy this is good!). The chicken and rice was good but the stuffing was kind of soggy. Next time I'll buy the box of "cornbread stuffing" and go that route.


That's all for today. Beware of the company you keep!! HAHAHAHA