Formerly an e-newsletter, the Mid-Night Ramblings is basically an outlet for my...whatever. Enjoy.
AIM: PoppyUSC
Email: poppysisland@hotmail.com

Okay... it has been a while, but for just cause. I have had to keep a big secret for a while. Let me start from the beginning...
Some time late last year, I met Jayme for lunch during a work day. She mentioned she could choose to get tickets for a Pacers game. One of the choices was on May 15. Significance of the date: Alex and I came to see Jayme (and return her grill) last year. We managed to get the tickets for four.
While planning the evening at her parent's house in Greenfield, Jayme's step dad revealed he would not be able to attend the game because of a meeting in Myrtle Beach for the family business. At the first opportunity I had, I told her mom I was planning on proposing to Jayme at the game. After quiet planning, Jayme's stepdad said he would be able to attend.
My original plan was to propose at half court at half time of the game. Granted, this was before the BasketBrawl in Detroit, so I had some major replanning to do. A rep from the customer relations department told me the only thing she could for me was flash a message up 20 minutes before tip-off for a $200 donation to some charity. Not big enough. Fortunately, a co-worker of mine told me his wife used to be a nanny for a woman who worked in the Pacers' organization. She unfortunately was having rouble with contest winners getting on the court, so things were looking grim.
But, I figured it out.
One of the things I was waiting for to buy the ring was the settlement from the accident last year. It wasnt as much as I hoped for, but it was enough to get the ring and pay some bills. I had to keep that a secret too. One Saturday, I told Jayme I had to work. But what I really did was meet up with her mom and go ring shopping.
One Friday, April 15, the plan was set. And of course, i was late. I had a meeting at work at 3:30 originally. I had to rearrange it to 2:30 so I could leave in time to get downtown. After leaving the meeting early and doing paperwork, I was on my way at about 4:20 or something. I had a video camera from a co-worker so I could tape it all. I had my signs made up. I had flowers and was on my way. And then I hit traffic. Needless to say, I got downtown at about 4:45. I was hoping to do this all at 4:00, so I was definitely running late. I headed over to the Circle Center Monument to meet her parents. When I got there, I sent her mom to the 14th floor to deliver binoculars, a card and flowers to jayme. Too bad she works on the 17th floor. Oops! At 4:55, she got there and Jayme looked outside. The signs read,
"Jayme"
"Will"
"You"
"Marry"
"Me?"
The first thing she did was ask me:
"What are you doing, goober?"
But she did say yes. And when she came down to the monument, a group of guys applauded after waiting to see her reply. I got down on one knee and asked her again.
And she still said yes.
And that's the story of what happened on April 15, 2005.

posted by Ricky at 11:08 PM

Mortality is so bizarre. Finding out the passing of established men of historical fact shakes my very foundation of mortality. I know I am mortal. I just dont like being reminded of it. Men who have experienced life and paved the way for others to live have come and gone. And I too will leave this plane of existence.
I hope I make someone's life better.
Pope John Paul made countless lives better... or at least helped people believe their lives were better. God, rest your earthly agent's soul to rest, unless he wants to go back to work.

posted by Ricky at 7:06 PM

Phone Conference

Today, I decided to stay home and get some work done that I should have already done. Good thing, too... my lawyer called with a conference call with th insurance adjustor. I had to give a statement of what occurred and, it dawned on me, of the details I didnt know. What was the weather like? I was pretty sure it was sunny, but with a little overcast... as it is every morning. Road condition? I am pretty sure it was dry. No puddles or slickness anywhere. How fast was I going? That I remembered. 52. Because the Taurus had some pick-up. and I was going to go with the flow of incoming traffic. i say 'incoming' because i-74 west is a 2-lane road, until i-65 joins. Then it becomes a three with a fourth lane for exit only to the next exit. I remebered that.
Also, I didnt realize how much my bills were amounting to.
yikes.
Anyway, I am getting back to work. I'll holla later, playas...
Dont player hate..... participate.
~Ricky


posted by Ricky at 11:17 AM

Ringin In the new Year

It was a low key event... mainly because I wasnt feeling to well. Lately, I've been having really bad stomach issues. I hope it is from stress.
Anyway, I really hope I didnt ruin plans for new year's. Just couldnt afford to be too far away from home, you know?
I am set for a great year, though. I kissed the girl of my dreams and am looking forward to spending the year (not to mention the rest of my life) with her.
Chris left today. I couldnt even go with jayme and him to the airport because of my stomach. Maybe it was induced by knowing he was leaving. i was a little sad when we left Charleston after Christmas, but at least I would have my brother around. Now that he is gone, I am a little sad again. I guess I miss my family more than I thought. By no means does that mean I want to move back home or anything. I enjoy living here and wouldnt leave jayme for anything. It was just good to see my family again.
All of us together. It really is a rare opportunity. Since my brother left for Coastal and I was in Columbia, it got hard to be all home together. Then, I was the only one away and, when I was home, everyone could usually come together for dinner. Then, I moved up to Indianapolis and Chris went to Wilmington for escuela. Plus, my father still has to go to Havelock to check on the house there. 2 more years, he says. Then he is retiring. I think it is a good idea. He puts too much stress on himself physically. He said he might find a part-time job to keep himself busy. I think that's a good idea too. That way, the 'rents wont have to go to NC every week and it will be easier on him.
2 years... where will jayme and I be? no matter where, we'll be there together....
Happy new Year, y'all...
~Ricky


posted by Ricky at 11:09 AM

Chrumus

Jayme and I spent Christmas in Charleston with my family.... well, I hope to say our family soon. Traffic was bad on I-74 because 5 semis jacknifed westbound. It was so bad, eastbound was also backed up. Plus, with all the snow and ice, things were not too promising. It took us 8 hours to get to Lexington, KY, so we just slept there. The next morning, we embarked on a very stupid detour from yours truly. We could not go our normal route because weather had caused a lot of rock slides through the mountains. We went to Georgia and then over to SC. Unfortunately, I had a brilliant idea of saving us time and distance. I suggested we take a state road from Augusta to Charleston instead of swinging up to Columbia and then back down to Charleston. Well, no matter the distance diffference, we didnt get to Charleston until about 11:00 ro so. Jayme had gotten a cold or something in lexington, so things were just not going well. But, we made it.
I was really glad to have spent the holiday with my parents, my sibs, my nephew, and - the most important - with Jayme. I got what I wanted for Christmas: to spend the holidays with people I love and care about. I coldnt spend it with everyone in that category, but I could spend it with the most important one.
Chris rode back with us to Indy, and will be flying out after New Year's.
Until then, peace out....
~Ricky


posted by Ricky at 11:01 AM

What I Want for Christmas

I havent entered much lately, and I apologize. Tis the season to be hella busy, no? Work and Christmas shopping, plus Jayme and I are getting things ready for the Behr to be LIVE from Indianapolis, IN! I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family again and especially having them spend it with Jayme and me. In addition to that, my brother will be here after Christmas to January 2 or so.

I've been thinking about what I want for Christmas. To be honest, I am simply happy to be with Jayme and spend the holidays with my family in Charleston. If I had to receive a gift form everyone, it would be to spend the holidays with people you care for. And if you cannot grant my holiday wish, then send me a check for $3.50.
booyah!


posted by Ricky at 4:52 PM

Thanksgiven

Last night, Jayme and I got home from spending Thanksgiving in Florida. I got to see her father and stepmother again as well as meet her grandparents and Aunt Janet. I had a great time, despite the annoying back pain. Her grandparents took us to the University of Florida campus and I was very happy to spend time with them. It did make me a little sad to be around them because it reminded me of my grandparents... especially my grandfather. Her Aunt Janet is a fabulous person. She has an incredible amount of energy and spirit... being around her makes you happy and energetic no matter what.
But the most important thing about Thanksgiving was spending it with Jayme. I am so incredibly thankful for her love and friendship, not to mention her mere presence, in my life.

Lately, I have been really busy with work, accident-related matters, cleaning/settling in the house and other mindless crap that I havent taken any time out for Jayme and myself. Hopefully, with the majority of things done or getting done, I will be able to have more free time for Jayme and myself.

~Ricky


posted by Ricky at 3:17 PM