The Price Family Home Companion

One Down, Three to Go

I passed his second Microsoft test this morning. This time with a 857 (out of 1000). Although, some forces seemed to be against me.

The computer I was testing on decided to reboot about a quarter of the way into the test. Luckily my answers were saved once the computer was restored, but I had to retake these ridiculous surveys that precede each test. That made me mad!

This is the first of four exams toward the Microsoft Certified Solution Developer certification.

Unfortunately, the first test I passed (with a 960) is not applicable to the MCSD certification.

Thanks to all of you that prayed and agonized with me on this one. It was tough.

One Phone Call

I came to bed rather late this evening and leaned over to give Chantell a good kiss on the cheek before turning in.

I thought for a moment that she was awake because a huge grin formed on her face and she giggled.

I inquisitively asked her what the big smile was for.

Her giddy reply? "That's why they wanted another phone call."

I guess she wasn't awake after all...

A Bicycle Built for Too

Submitted by Chantell Price

My husband and I often walk around our apartment complex in the evenings. On one such stroll, we passed by the fitness gym, one of our community’s many amenities. Looking in at the upright stationary bikes, I stated how I wished they had incumbent bikes. Picking up on my vocabulary blunder and without missing a step, my husband replied, if they did, they’d already be in there.

Tribute to Older Women

Exactly 9497 days ago (that's 26 years for the rest of us), my lovely wife Chantell was born... Today also marks the beginning of nearly 66% of a year when she's older than I. Old as she may be, she's more beautiful today, than the day we met

I tip my hat to men, blessed as I am, with older women... and older women, I salute you for putting up with us younger men.

The Delicate Art of Obeying the Law

Back in my wild, younger days. I had a shirt that read You toucha da shirt, I breaka you face.

Looking back, I often wonder why my parents welcomed such gratuitously violent remarks to be advertised on their children’s clothing.

Anyway, I think I met the designer of that shirt yesterday.

To give you some background: there's a rather unofficial looking STOP sign in our apartment parking lot. It stands alone as a beacon of hope in an otherwise blind junction of two parking lots. While it is red and octagonal, it is a tad smaller than your standard stop sign. Regardless, it unquestionably proclaims the word STOP

There are other laws around the apartment too... like Speed Limit 10mph or no grilling on the patio or clean up your pet's feces... needless to say, most people ignore those as well.

So, here I am, striving to be my law abiding self and have just entered the parking lot. I always approach the "dangerous" corner with caution, just expecting everyone to ignore the stop sign (even though there's no stop sign in my direction).

All of the sudden, a black Mercedes (license plate will be posted later) screeches through said STOP sign (thus breaking at least 2 of the mentioned laws). I, Jeffrey Price, fully prepared and expecting such things was going slow enough and stopped to let the offender by... and then they had tha gall to honk at me!!! I mean, THEY honked at ME?!?!?! I didn't even come close to hitting them (and if I did it would have been THEIR fault), and still THEY honked at ME?!?!?

I guess they can't read, because they didn't like it when I pointed (politely) to the stop sign. One (huge) guy got out of the car and I'm thinking sure NOW they stop.

That really chapped me, but given that:

• I was outnumbered 3 to 1


• Any physco can get a gun


• I'm a chicken

I continue on my way. I figure that someone who breaks the law, most likely won't hesitate when breaking my face.

This comes at a time when I'm earnestly trying to forgive people, love them as Jesus would, and not get so angry at their rudeness, arrogance, and disrespect. I guess I still need some work.

Anyway, I hear the driver of the black Merecedes has created the next big t-shirt fad. It reads: Breaka fo me, or I breaka you face.

Tech Sucker Sees Light

Submitted by Brody Price

The roller-coaster known as "Brody's Graduation" may come to a welcome and abrupt end.

PF (Lubbock) - In a story requiring weekly, if not daily, updates, Tuesday evening, Texas Tech student Brody Price received favorable news concerning a seemingly elusive graduation. This revelation comes after a string of revised graduation dates and altered coursework.

Here’s a quick run-down:

January 2001: Brody believes graduation will come in August, requiring an intensive summer session.

February 2001: A setback occurs. Due to funding cuts, Brody learns the courses required to graduate will not be offered in the summer, delaying his expected graduation to December 2001. Adding salt to an already deep wound, Brody realizes had he requested a simple change in degree plans, he could have been accepting his degree in May 2001.

March 2001: Brody requests said degree plan alteration. This change is believed not to alter a December graduation, but would improve Brody’s quality of life for the duration.

In a shocking development, the degree plan alteration is approved Tuesday, with surprising results. Unexpectedly, credit is transferred from phased-out coursework into the new curriculum. Translation; with the completion of the spring 2001 semester, Brody requires a mere 3 hours of English credit to graduate in August. These hours are to be completed the first summer session.

This news comes as a bit of a shock to Mr. Price who was expecting his job search to begin in the fall. This welcome news results in an immediate (and terrifying) pursuit of a job. More on that as it becomes available.

The 80/80 Factor

Chantell and I experienced, yesterday for the first time since moving, what we now refer to as the 80/80 factor.

80+ degrees, 80%+ humidity = HOT & STEAMY!!!

I'm sure there are other factors as well (such as the 90/50, or the 100/10, or the 110/0). We will report them as they occur and I will attempt to extrapolate a formula...

Ok, not really!

Dial 911 for William Hurt

Last night, Chantell was busy trying to save William Hurt from a catatonic state. She even defended his lifeless body from a would-be thief, that came to steal William's money.

Using his cell phone, she dialed 911 in an attempt to get someone to help. Then she went through all the actor and actress contacts in his cell phone, trying to get assistance from those compassionate celebrities. It's unfortunate that Renee Zellweger declined.