Bobby Earl {Blog}

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Already planning the 1 year

Well it’s only been 3 months and 18 days since we were married – who’s counting right? :-) but Ashley and I are already thinking about what we would like to do for our 1 year anniversary.  Something tropical will probably always be on the list.  We went near Cancun for our Honeymoon, so I imagine we might like to do something a little different.  Two big things come to mind.  The first being some kind of ski trip out west.  The other being Europe, probably the Italy area.  There’s also Gatlinburg and Dollywood, right?!

In the next couple of weeks my new Apple Macbook Pro should be arriving.  This is a fairly large step for me personally, as well as our division.  Although I’ve used Macs on several occasions, I never had one to call my own.  For IA, I’m the first user to have one.  I imagine others may soon follow.  When we sat down and looked at all the pros and cons, it just made sense to go with the Mac. With Bootcamp, it’s practically two machines for the price of one.

In the past month alone, nearly 10% of our visitors were using a Mac.  While Safari is available for Windows, it still makes me feel better knowing our sites and applications are accessible using other platforms.  Luckily we held off just long enough to get a Mac with the new Trackpad.  Needless to say I’m pretty excited about it.  I’m also excited about finally getting a second monitor.  There are just so many applications that almost require a large amount of screen space, that this one’s been coming for a while.  That on top of the 5 or so windows that I have up almost constantly, will now have plenty of room to spread out.

Discovering iTunes, CoverFlow and RendezvousProxy

I briefly used iTunes in the past, but was never really impressed. I’ve consistently used Windows Media Player for quite some time now. There may have even been a brief stint with Winamp. Perhaps the only reason I stuck with WMP was it was already bundled with the PC. While helping Clay finally setup his computer this weekend, I took a peek at his music library. I’d seen CoverFlow on the iPhone, but just assumed you couldn’t use it on Windows. Guess that’s what I get for assuming.

coverflow

I immediately set it up to share music. Only problem there is you can’t use CoverFlow when looking at a shared library. When I got to work I got excited thinking about all the possible libraries out there. To my shagrin I couldn’t see a single shared library. While I’m not a network expert, I’m pretty sure it’s due to the limitations of zerconf and subnets. Maybe not limitations, but intentional design.

Using RendezvousProxy I was able to at least view my home library, via a tutorial. It works perfectly when selecting individual songs, but when set to shuffle iTunes will hang at the end of the first song. I’m still hoping to be able to access shared libraries on the campus.

No Catchy Title

Well it appears I lack a desire to write any kind of blog entry.  I’ve done an amazing job of updating my twitter status which shows up above.  I’m not promising to write more.  I’m not sure it necessary now.  I’ll hold onto this format for a little longer.

I might as well attempt to update you on a few things.  Our photographer posted our wedding photos so I encourage you to check those out.  Definitely some keepers.

Official Wedding Photos

Ashley and I have also decided to move out.  It’s going to be hard because we both enjoy our roommate’s company, but we’re excited to have a place with just the two of us – and a dog or cat.  :-)  We’re mainly looking at staying downtown or moving back to Daniel Island.  Keep our eyes open for anything interesting though.  Our lease doesn’t end until the end of June so we have several more months to find something.

Wedding Review

WE’RE MARRIED!

It’s hard to believe. It went by so fast, but we’re finally married. The wedding was amazing. Ashley was absolutely stunning. I cannot begin to express the gratitude and love we have for all our family and friends. We can’t imagine the day or experience without all of you being there. I’m sure there are lots more photos of the wedding that I’m not aware of, but this is my attempt to compile a list of photos and videos of the wedding and honeymoon.

Our Photos:

Our Honeymoon Photos
Our Honeymoon Videos – 1, 2, 3

Other Photos:

Photographer Random
Photographer Bridal Shoot
Aunt Janet’s Photos
Aunt Paige’s Photos
Carrie’s Photos 1
Ramsey Photos

Facebook Photos:

Ashley’s Photos
Carrie’s Photos 2
Clay’s Photos
Lauren’s Photos
Lindsay’s Photos
Kelly’s Photos
Mckinzie’s Photos
Meredith’s Photos
Susan’s Photos
Tony’s Photos

Planning Our Lives

There’s no doubt Ashley and I have thought about our respective futures. Ever since childhood most people think about “what they want to be when they grow up.” I’m not sure about her or other people, but I never really thought about my significant other in those dreams. Honestly, I had lots of thoughts about what I wanted to become when I grew up. And please excuse the cliche ones:

  • Police Officer
  • Comedian
  • Computer Programmer
  • Actor
  • Politician

That’s really just to list a few. In any case they never included my wife. It wasn’t like I purposefully excluded her, just never really thought of her. I think that’s why this is such a new experience. One that Ashley and I finally had a chance to talk about. What do we want to do with our lives.

It was pretty obvious at some point we both wanted kids. After finally talking about what we both wanted to get out of life, we came to the conclusion we’d both like to live outside of SC for some part of our life. I’m sure this might change about ten times between now and then, but the last idea we came up with was to move DC. It’s a much larger city than Charleston, Rock Hill and especially Hickory Grove.

In any case, it’s actually pretty exciting to think about the rest of your life with the person you love.

With My Very Best Friend

Clay and Rob came to visit. They provided lots of fun and even brought a few cd’s. Perhaps my favorite song is a cover of Rockin’ Chair by Death Cab for Cutie. There were a few other good ones from Nada Surf, Fall Out Boy, and Modest Mouse.

Only 2 months and 4 days left until the big day. Everyone keeps asking if I’m nervous, which I slightly am, but not for the reasons most people are nervous before their wedding. I’m actually a little nervous about making sure things go right. I usually get nervous about making sure things go to plan. I just want to be sure Ashley has the best day. There’s absolutely no anxiety about getting married. I get to spend the rest of my life with my very best friend.

I also updated some of the wedding stuff in the past few days. Ashley, Chip and I also created a facebook application called Birthday Card, which allows you to post birthday cards on a friends wall, instead of just a boring message. In the three days it’s been live, we have 941 active users. We’ve also raised a total of 58 cents. Yay.

Tuxedo T-Shirt With A Side Of Mullet

Tomorrow Ashley and I have a 10AM appointment at Gene’s Bridal. She’s doing a dress fitting then we’re looking at possible tuxedos. I’m standing firm on the tuxedo t-shirt. I feel it best matches the current mullet I have. All I’ll be missing is a case of Bud diesel – guess we’ll save that for the wedding day. [Gotta remember to stop making jokes about the wedding … and getting married … and short people]

Although I feel my mullet is no where near the girth and class of Uncle Jesse, I still fill it’s time for a cut. The thick mop on my head’s getting too long. I’m thinking I may mix it up a little and go for a haircut with a “style” as opposed to the normal Chip buzzing me on the porch. Perhaps something like Froto above? I’m quite comfortable with the buzz cut and I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it. I’ve tried “styling” my hair before but to no avail. Bowl cut, dying, bleaching, frosting, I’ve tried it all but I always come crawling back to the buzz like some sort of beaten step child. Maybe that’s not the best reference but you get the point.

We’ve made lots of wedding plans since our last post two months ago. So many plans I can’t remember them all. Maybe I’ll make Ashley feel guilty and get here to write again. I’ve made a few updates to the site including adding our bridal party and gift registrations. There are a few things left to do but I just haven’t been motivated to do them. I think I ran out of steam to make any website changes after launching the *redesigned* College of Charleston alumni website.

My First Post

I figured it was my time to write an entry here. This is actually my first blog ever, so bear with me. We have been engaged for a little over two weeks and those weeks have really flown by. We have found a place for the ceremony and reception. They are going to be held at the Pavilion at Patriot’s Point. If you look at the memories section of the website you can see pictures of it. I also found my dress, so that’s exciting!

This week we want to figure out what we are going to do as far as music at the reception and also blocking hotel rooms. We are not sure where we are going to go on the honeymoon, but we are also starting to get our passports ready just in case.

I also have to say that my bridesmaids are pretty awesome too. Megan was going to drive all the way down on friday just look at my dress and then drive back up to Rock Hill that same day. Her car died on the side of the road while she was on her way down, but it still meant a lot that she was willing to make the drive anyways. Jennie has also been great. She was with me when I went dress shopping and sending me info on lots of things I need for the planning. I think we e-mail or talk to each other about every other day. My mom has also been a really big help with the planning of everything.

That is really about it as far as the wedding planning is going. Bobby has been amazing about helping me out with everything. There is no way we would have this much accomplished already with out his help…and all the women in his office.

102: My New Lucky Number

3:00 PM

I decide I’m going to do it. Free Chick-Fil-A for a year. That’s 52 coupons for free value meals. I tell Lori where I’m going and head from Mount Pleasant to James Island. It seems every cop in the world is on the same road I am forcing me to not speed. I even almost kill a bicyclist as he
veers onto the connector trying to fix his CD player.

3:20 PM

I make three friggin’ trips around the block trying to decide whether there’s already 100 people in line. Finally, after 10 minutes of driving I decide I’ll be mad at myself for a long time if I at least don’t get out and see what number they’re up to.

3:30 PM

I just missed a sign-in and now they’re doing roll call so I have to wait 20 minutes. I find out I’m number 106 – just 6 people shy of being guaranteed a spot in the top 100. I decide to go ahead and sign up hoping that at least 6 people ahead of me will drop out.

4:00 PM

My nuts are on fire. I’m in blue jeans and a collared shirt. Finally I get some reinforcements and a change of clothes. Ashley signs up as number 122 and Chip doesn’t wanna hobble across Folly Rd. to get his driver’s license so he decides to hang out. I’m told they’re gonna have roll calls every hour. Anyone over the top 100 get entered into a raffle for 5 of the prizes. The longer you’re there the more tickets you have the raffle.

8 friggin’ 30 PM

Over 4 hours before another roll call. I’m pretty pissed but a free chicken
sandwich heals all the pain. That plus the pizza we ordered. Time’s gone by pretty fast at this point. Having Chip and Ashley there make it a hell of a lot better considering there are definitely some strange folks at this thing. Luckily I’m not one of those. :-)

Swollen Uvula, Part Deux

I’ve already written about having a swollen uvula. It gets about 5 – 10 hits a day from search engines. I’m writing another entry because it’s happened again. Friday night I went to bed on the couch after drinking. I apparently fell asleep on the couch flat on my back with my mouth wide open. I had less to drink than the last time it happened. Probably about 5 or 6 liquor drinks.

Anyway, I woke up around 6 and new exactly what happened. I could tell it was swollen pretty bad. Instead of panicing and running to the emergency room like last time, I simply got up and started drinking gatorade. I drank about a liter before falling back asleep. Several hours later I woke up with definite improvements, but still swollen. I remember the doctor’s advice from last time to garggle with salt water, which I did not do last time. To fix that Chip, Ashley, and I decided to go to the beach and meet some friends. No alcohol, just gatorade and salt water.

By the time we left the beach which was probably 10 hours from when I first woke up and 6 hours from when I woke up the second time I was completely back to normal. So despite how much uncomfortable it is to swallow you gotta start drinking gatorade.

On a possibly related note. Now that I think about it, both times this has happened I drank vodka and cranberry. I’ve had vodka and cranberry other times without it so I don’t know. Other than this not much has been going on. Chip, Griffin, and I haven’t had much luck finding a place to live. We’ve found several places we liked but they were either out of our price range, in the ghetto, or the owners don’t wanna rent to three individuals – even though it’s a friggin’ three bedroom house.