That's it for now. Now if you don't mind, I would like to have my life back.

A few weeks ago, I met this wonderful woman, and we had a great conversation. It was the first time in God knows how long that I felt comfortable talking to a woman. It was also the first time in years that I felt attracted to someone. And I honestly think that she felt the same way about me.

My heart has hardened over the years. I have had one too many times my share of rejection. I have also had more of my share of people wanting something from me. Such as help with moving, or needing to borrow this or that.

I have had many friends come and go throughout my life. Especially those who have got what they wanted. Some friends go their own way, needing their space. Some friends move to another city or state. Some friends enter into the black hole called marriage, where they are never seen or heard from again. And some friends become married, but their marriage is not a black hole, if you know what I mean. Why, sometimes even a friend's wife will call or e-mail me just to say hello and to find out how I am doing. I also have had friends that I do not see or hear from because we had some differences. And don't tell me about life being too short.

Anyway, I had a period for several years of having to take care of my mother when she came down with Alzheimer's. As some of you may know, this requires a lot of time and sacrifice. So having time to date, let alone any personal time, can be hard to come by. During this time, most of my friends had their life and were able to date. Many a friend had married and moved on. A few are in the black hole, where sound, let alone light, does not escape.

For me, it had been loneliness. I have not met anyone, nor have any friends introduced me to anyone. I have done what I could do. Join clubs, take classes, chat lines, personal ads, and myspace. However, I did meet a woman through friends of mine around this time last year. Any relationship we had, however,` fell apart. What I thought would be the beginning of a friendship only lasted for a short time. For her, the relationship was to see how much she can take.

So a year goes by, and I met this lady a few weeks ago. And my goodness,this was the most beautiful woman I have met in ages. As we talked, I would find out that she is a caregiver as well, taking care of her father who has throat cancer. We talked for quite awhile, and our conversation mainly centered around caring for a parent. Not many people realize the task it is, and for those who have gone through it, they realize the time and devotion taken when someone acts as a caregiver to a parent. The people who have not had that experience tend to tune it out when someone needs to talk because it becomes too much to bear at times.

Sometime later, she then had to leave. We told each other that it was nice talking to one another, and we said our good-byes. And I watched her leave. And I didn't think to ask her for her phone number.

I guess maybe because of all the times I have been told "thanks, but no thanks" and "I just want to be friends", I didn't ask her. And I have not seen her since. Because of the past, I let her walk away. And I should have asked her for her phone number so I could talk to her. Or for her to call me when she needed someone to talk to.

I remember a time when love was in my life. And I also remember having a life as well. And now, there is nothing. A few friends call every once in awhile, but nothing is going on. I am lonely. And I and tired of sitting at home. And I am tired of meeting people whose only interest in you is when they need something.

It is time to make a few changes. I want my life back, so I have to do something about it. And sitting here in front of the computer/television on a lonely Saturday night doesn't help. I miss the companionship.

So that's it for now. This is the last blog I am going to write for awhile. My heart is no longer in it. All I have thought about in the last three weeks is a woman that I met, and I wish I can meet her again. I would like to be able to talk to her again, and to be there when she needs to talk. I want my life back. And I hope that maybe there is a chance that she can be in it as well.

President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are getting ready to have breakfast at The White House before they attend to any business for the day. After they finish looking at the menu for what the kitchen has to offer for breakfast that morning, their server greets them and is ready to take their order.

"I will like the oatmeal and orange juice.", says Vice President Cheney.

The waitress then looks over to President Bush, waiting for him to place his order.

With a twinkle in his eye and wearing that grin he is known for, President Bush tells the waitress, "I would like to have a quickie."

Upset with his remark, the waitress scolds President Bush and proceeds to lecture him on sexual harassment.

"I swear! You're getting as bad as President Clinton!", the waitress tells President Bush, and leaves the room .

After the waitress storms out of the room, Vice President Cheney looks at the menu, leans over to President Bush, and calmly tells him,

"It's pronounced 'quiche'".

Hey Folks!

I hope you all are having a great Labor Day weekend. I just got home from working at the theme park. I finished watching the Tennessee-Cal game, and I am currently watching the news. So as I am watching television, I have a few things on my mind.

While watching the news, I see a report that U.S. Senator Larry Craig will be leaving after being arrested and pleading guilty on charges of seeking sex in a men's bathroom.

How in the hell can someone hang out in a public bathroom looking for sex? The thought just bothers me. Especially if it is a public bathroom in an area such as a park, where people take their children.

How do you think the football players, the coaches, and the students at the University of Michigan are feeling after that loss this afternoon?

As I walk through the theme park on the weekend while I am at work, I always see litter throughout the park. I know that some people think that since there is maintenance around, they will clean it up. So imagine my reaction today as I was walking through the park and to find a discarded diaper on the ground. Folks, there are trash cans throughout the park. Please use them! There are also baby changing stations in every bathroom throughout the park.

The National Football League starts its season next week. Does anyone have any predictions on which teams will be in the Super Bowl?

And with Labor Day coming up, how many of you will be cooking out? Providing it doesn't rain.

Does anyone out there usually have a certain item they cook out? Is it steaks? Chicken or ribs? Hamburgers and hot dogs? Does anyone have a "super secret family barbecue sauce" that they use. Or a "family secret recipe" of a certain side dish?

I myself will be going to visit my friend Ron. We will probably go fishing, then cook out on the grill. I will probably take some chicken out to cook. That's if we have a bad day of fishing.

That reminds me of a bumper sticker that I saw the other day. "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work."

Well, it is getting late. I have a busy day tomorrow, with working at the park and getting ready for Monday. Take it easy, have a great Labor Day, and I'll drop in on you soon.