Crasymaker

This time last year I was just happy that my plants lived through the late freeze.

And now a year later, I am equally as happy that they not only lived through yet another late freeze but that they are doing really, really well.

Check it out…

I was out of town for the free tree giveaway on the square Saturday morning. I was pretty bummed when I found out that my trip fell on the same day as the Arbor Day Celebration of Trees. However, some friends of mine picked one up and decided they had no room for it in their yard.

Guess who got a free tree afterall? Thanks to Cathy and Tim for my brand new sawtooth oak. I think I’ll call it ‘Crunkles’.

So I head down to the Enterprise rental location nearest to my house yesterday to pick up my temporary replacement vehicle and the entire time I’m thinking, “Please don’t let it be a) a Geo Metro or b) something in a really bright, ugly color.”

I guess that was asking too much because the only thing they had available was a bright blue Dodge Avenger. Awesome. The best (read: worst) part about having to drive this ridiculous car around town until my vehicle is repaired is the fact that it’s brand new and doesn’t even have a license plate yet. Why is that, you may ask?

Because without a license plate, it looks like I just bought the damn thing for myself. So if ya’ll see some dumbass driving around town in one of these things, don’t worry. It’s just me.

I was rounding a corner on I540 this afternoon on my way back to work from lunch when I hear this awful bang and immediately feel my car being lunged forward. As I turn to the left, I see a pickup truck spinning around and then it comes banging into the side of me again, only this time I start spinning myself.

At this point, I am spinning out of control down the middle of the highway at 70MPH and I’m thinking that at any moment the wheels are going to catch and I’m going to start rolling down the highway and off the embankment and probably die. I swear, it took long enough for me to actually think about all that. Talk about freaky.

Somehow, the wheels didn’t catch (probably because it had been raining) and after what seemed like about 5 or 6 spins, I came to a stop in the middle of the road. I then realize that I am sitting sideways across both lanes and I am staring straight into traffic. Cars were coming around the corner, seeing me, and then swerving out of the way on either side of me. It was pretty intense. I couldn’t get my car started so I put it in neutral and it slowly rolled to the side of the road.

After forcing my door open, I noticed a pickup truck sitting at the bottom of the ravine and that it was smashed into a small tree. There was a lady standing next to it and I yelled at her to see if she was OK. She yelled back that she was fine and asked me the same thing. She said her apologies and told me she just lost control of her car. She didn’t seem drunk or anything so I assume that since it was drizzling a little, maybe she was right. I called the cops and a state trooper showed up about 15 minutes later. Now I have to wait to hear from the lady’s insurance agent to see about having my car fixed.

I’m still really shaken up and it happened about 4-5 hours ago. I think I might have nightmares about it tonight. I can safely say that it was easily the most terrifying moment of my life so far.

I’ve never been in a wreck that requiries me to wait around for some other insurance agent to call me and then go through the process of having an adjuster come out. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions so that I don’t get screwed out of a proper repair job? I feel pretty clueless about the whole ordeal.

I feel really, really lucky that I am alright. I can’t imagine how much worse off I’d be if I had been riding my motorcycle. In fact, I’m not sure how long it might take to get up the nerve to ride it after this. There was truly nothing I could’ve done to avoid the accident since I was hit from behind with no warning at all. Being in my car saved my life, I suppose. Being on my motorcycle would probably have resulted in my instant death. That’s pretty hard to swallow right now.

I found a few wedding photos that a couple of our friends have posted. First, head over to Bryan’s Flickr set and then to Gina’s Flickr page to see what all the fuss was about.

I’m sure there will be more to come, including the photos we’ll post as soon as we get back from Miami.

Sarah and I are now officially husband and wife. If you’re reading this, however, you probably already know that because you either a) were there b) heard it through the grapevine or c) read it in today’s newspaper.

Yup, we made the papers, ya’ll. Since we were the first couple to be married at the Clinton House Museum since Bill and Hillary, I guess our wedding had more of a story to it than we initially realized. Some very nice folks from the Northwest Arkansas Times stopped by for a while and we woke up this morning not only married but also on the front page of the paper! Here’s the full story.

I’m way too busy packing for our honeymoon to get into all the details and thank-yous that are due so for now, enjoy the article and know that we love all you guys and thanks for making our wedding day so incredibly awesome.

Much to the dismay of probably everyone who cares for me, I bought a motorcycle on Friday.

For about a year now, I have been wanting to get a scooter like the one I had in high school. Lately, the urge has been getting much stronger, especially since my Mom’s death (she always wanted me to grow a beard and ride a motorcycle…whole other story) so I finally went to a couple of shops to see what was out there.

There are plenty of scooters on the market right now and unlike when I was 15 years old, they are now sitting right there at the front of all the motorcycle shops when you walk in instead of being tucked away in some corner at the back. I suppose it’s because of the recent hike in gas prices and the newfound popularity (at least around here) of scooting around town on two wheels.

After sitting on a few scooters, I was walking around and noticed the beginner bikes. After plopping down on an actual motorcycle, I knew I had to either get one or get out. It felt way more comfortable (and cooler) to be straddling a motorcycle instead of sitting on a scooter like a chair. The problem was, they were twice as much money as the scooters.

I talked to a salesman and he said that if money was a concern, maybe I should consider buying something used instead. Turns out, there was a slightly used beginner’s bike in the back. I sat on it, fell in love and after realizing that it was the same price as the scooters I’d been checking out, I financed it on the spot. They delivered it yesterday and I can’t wait to get my insurance and learner’s permit tomorrow morning so I can start learning to ride.

It’s a 2003 Honda Rebel 250 and it barely qualifies as a real motorcycle. In fact, when I Googled it, I found a TON of photos of kids and women sitting on them. Because it’s so small, it’s mainly bought as a first bike or for someone who can’t hold up a normal sized bike. It’s perfect for me since I am not much of a motorcycle guy and all I was really looking for was a scooter to get to work in the mornings.

In other words, it’s pretty small, really inexpensive and completely mine.

Not only did my plants seem to make it through the freeze last week, but this one surprised the hell out of me by opening up in the middle of the night. Instead of sleeping, it was hard at work, apparently. Nice job, dude.

Now, just tell your buddies to do the same and I’ll consider us even for babying your asses with plastic tarps, towels, blankets and custom-made, wooden stakes for 4 straight days, making me look like a total wuss in front of the entire neighborhood (and internet). Phew.

PS- Click the photo (or here) for a larger view.

It’s snowing. In April. For the first time in history, I am not excited. Why? Because I just bought and planted a crapload of shrubs and perennials a few days ago.

It’s supposed to get down to around 22ËšF the next 3 nights so my question is this: If I put plastic and sheets/blankets over my plants, are they gonna die? One of ya’ll is bound to know the answer. Better yet, does anyone have any better ideas? I put stakes under the plastic so it doesn’t smash the plants and then I put blankets or sheets over the plastic. Good idea? Bad idea? Help, please.

Sarah and I finally set a date for our wedding. Sweet, huh? She found a really cool place here in town next to the University of Arkansas.

It’s the Clinton House Museum and we think it’s gonna be perfect. By day, it houses all sorts of Bill & Hillary memorabilia but all that will be tucked away for the wedding. Not that we don’t like the Clintons or anything but a Clinton-themed wedding would be kinda weird, don’t ya think?

Why is it a museum? Well, it was the first home of the Clintons and they actually got married in the living room. Bonus fact: Nobody’s gotten married there since then so unless some couple jumps in front of us, we’ll be the first since the Clintons. Ha! Maybe they’ll show up?

Anyway, I made a little website for the wedding and you can check it out at toddplussarah.com if ya wanna.

The idea for this post was taken from Seth (via werlew.com).

Click the picture for a larger view (new feature here at Crasymaker).

Crappy HP PC for testing, Kleenex, PowerBook G4, 20″ Apple Cinema display, trail map of The Canyons (getting ready for snowboarding ‘07), Lacie Porsche drive, Maxtor drive, 5G iPod, Mighty Mouse, headphones, genuine Herman Miller Aeron chair, trophy with an old-school van on it (don’t ask), marshmallow cheeseburger (in package), Buddha Outlet Awards trophies, couple of plants, nice lighting.

I spend at least 40 hours a week so I’m glad it’s as cool as it is. Our office is brand new and so is all of our furniture. As a matter of fact, I got to help design the place so I’m pretty proud of it, I suppose.

What does your desk look like?

Yesterday, Sarah kept repeating “I am 25 years old” every 15 minutes or so. After about a dozen times, I finally asked her why she kept saying that. She promtly replied, “Because I’ll never be able to say it again.”

True. Very true. Happy 26th Birthday, Sarah.

Unfortunately, in less than 3 months, I won’t even be able to say I am in my twenties anymore…

See that hot chick? That’s my lady and she’ll be modeling at the Mason’s Fall Fashion Show to benefit the Peace at Home Women and Children’s Shelter tonight at the Fayetteville Town Center on the square at around 6:30pm. Advance tickets are $10 (no idea where to get em) or it’s $15 at the door.

Need more inspirado?

• The first 300 people in the door will get a $20 Mason’s gift certificate
• Laura’s Darling Desserts will be catering the event (mmm, tasty)
• There is a possibility that The Early Morning Bourbon Girls will be there
• You’ll get entered into a raffle with lots of sweet prizes
• All proceeds go to charity