CLICK HERE AT 11:59:50! (this link doesn't work so well...so much for my countdown to 2006!)


(Guess where my other hand is?)

Special thanks to Eric Stangel for the live countdown idea! Here's to a great 2006!

Hugs,

Bob

A virtual Holiday Card for all:



(Inside)

That was my holiday gift to all my friends this year. I can't tell you the times I had to say, "No, I really did give to charity!" In trying to find the balance of making people smile and helping others...I think I'm better at making people smile. Next time I'll include the charity name ON the card (worldvision.org). I even made my own stamps for this card:

(This is a REAL
stamp)

Shutterfly.com & Photostamps.com are amazing services. They made my idea look classy and they got it right the first time...very easy.

I was going to do one of those year-end lists but really, who cares? Here's what you need to know:

1. My Demolition Derby piece will be rerun on 12/26/05 -- set your Tivo!

2. I'm off next week BUT there will be a special bobborden.com update on 12/31/05 at 11:59:50 -- check back then, it will be fun!

3. Have a great Holiday everybody! See you in '06!

Best,

Bob

Two quick things today:

1. Happy Birthday Paula!

2. I fell asleep on my sofa last night before I wrote my diary...darn.

See you tomorrow for my annual year-end blowout!

Best,

Bob

My Mom called me yesterday at 7 AM (*note to Mom: don't ever do that again) and said this, "STRIKE!" Of course she was giving me a warning about the NYC transit strike that started at 3 AM. I've had a day to digest this and its impact on the city I love...to make it as simple as possible, I've decided to share my thoughts in a new feature I call:



On one hand, the strike is going to cost the city millions in revenue from holiday shoppers, on the other hand, I made it into the city in 11 minutes - that's some sweet commuting. New Yorkers are forced to share cabs...I decided to walk from the bus station to work, I never felt better. Bottom line: MTA put a fair contract on the table, NY Transit Union should suck it up and try again in 3 years. To be honest, I don't know anything about this strike...I just wanted to make that cool 'Between the Issues' graphic. Bob 1, Strike 0.

Monday night, I made a ten-dollar bet with Linda (receptionist/friend) that there was NO WAY there would be a strike.

Damn.

You know how many swipes** I'm going to have to sell to make up for that ten dollars? Ha ha.

Two quick things before I go...Thanks to Channel 11 for giving me tips on how to DRESS in cold weather. I've been wearing shorts and a tank top like an idiot. And, I like Fox 5's coverage...in typical shocking FOX fashion, they've dubbed it the "ILLEGAL TRANSIT STRIKE" ha ha. I love TV.

OK, that's it for today. Strike nice.

Best,

Bob

* Mom, just kidding...you can call me anytime!
** To get on a NYC subway, you need a Metro Card. Sometimes people will 'swipe' you in for a discount. This is illegal.

Yesterday morning could not have started off worse. I get on the bus, unzip my jacket and it's stuck. My scarf was wrapped all the way around the zipper...I felt like I was in the third grade!

Damn.

I walked into the Hello Deli, showed my jacket to Rupert and he said, "Oh, that's a pretty serious jam." Ha ha. He recommended that I get some pliers. I told him I was going to cut the scarf and burn off the rest, ha ha (I laugh but that really was the plan). I got to my desk, took the jacket off over my head and went to work. After five minutes of pushing and pulling (i'm not going to make that joke), she broke free and I could start my day...it's the little things.

Hey, I was playing around with my cell phone and discovered that the camera part of it has a flash! I've had that camera for 3 months. Speaking of camera phones, I forgot to post this photo of my niece from my last trip back to Ohio.

Emma

She's a good one. I asked her what she wanted me to get her for Christmas and she told me a Barbie doll to sing with her other Barbie. I said OK...and then I find out that they don't make the other singing doll anymore. Hello Ebay. It's selling for $50! I told this to her Mom (Liz) and she said don't worry about it. Emma's a little rough with the dolls and the $50 wouldn't be worth it. But now that I think about it, darn, maybe I should just get it?

(45 minutes later) OK, I bought it. Damn, I'm a good Uncle. I don't think I've ever bought her anything really cool, she's still a young one, so this will be special. If you know Emma and read this diary, keep your trap shut!

That's it! Have a sweet day.

Best,

Bob

I had a darn good weekend, if I do say so myself. I hope you had a good one too.

Friday I left work, picked up some dinner and was home around 8 PM. I was looking forward to chilling out after the LS Christmas party the night before. I ate dinner, chilled, chilled a little more and then started working on my annual holiday project. Years past, I've made fun DVDs/CDs that take days (no joke) to make and are enjoyed for about 5 minutes, if that, ha ha. Older, wiser, I'm sending out cards this year but as with anything I do, they're pretty cool, they walk the fine line between humor and charity.

Anyway, this was to be my Saturday project but I just started and could not stop, 2 AM and 67 cards later, I was done. I woke up Saturday around 9, was out the door around 10, with cards in hand...a good feeling to be done. From there, I walked up to Washington (main street) and went eyeglass shopping. I went to a place that looked like an eyeglass museum. I looked around for a while but they didn't have anything that was me. I did buy a pair earlier this year but I've only worn them twice. Both times I hated them. I went to another store, more Bob friendly, ha ha. After trying on 10 to 15 frames, I hit pay-dirt! I should be able to pick them up later this week.

After that, I went to Supercuts...no complaints there, always a super-cut. What kind of a productive Saturday morning is that?! Pretty good for me. I grabbed a slice on the walk home, picked up my laundry and walked to the laundry mat. Nothing to report there, except I was dosing off during the drying cycle. Dinner followed, TV and I was in bed by 1 AM.

Sunday I woke up at 8 AM -- very rare to be up this early on a weekend but I went with it. I got a shower, grabbed all my loose change and headed over to the A & P/Coinstar machine. Nothing gets the blood moving like carrying a bag of loose change through da hood, ha ha. After all the counting, I had $111! I was going to get cash but I looked over at the gift card rack and saw some $50 Old Navy cards...I need jeans, so I got two for myself. How about that?! I thought that was pretty smart...it's the little things.

I drove around after that, I was looking for a Jiffy Lube but couldn't find one. Honda says to change the oil at 5000 miles but I'm a 3000 guy....right now I'm at 3500, 500 beyond my comfort level. I'd like to get it done at the dealer but it hasn't worked out that way. While I was driving around, I saw my bank...I didn't know one was so close to me. I did a little business there with the old ATM and then went to Target. Yuk. Too many people. Why they don't make their purchases on the internet, I'll never know.

I drove home, had a small lunch, cleaned the apartment and took a rest with Billy:

Sunday

Sunday night I had dinner with my friends: Tiffany, Dave, Deirdre, Scott and Leigh.

Good times!

Scott took the reigns of Dave & Deirdre's stove and cooked up some great food. I haven't seen these friends in a while (read: 1-08-01 diary)...they're great people for still letting me in their house:) My friend Tiffany is moving soon. I've known her for about 10 years, crazy. I'm going to miss her but she's making the right move. So, good for her. I found out tonight that she has 8 cats! Last I knew, it was 4. That blew my mind! I love cats but couldn't imagine taking care of 8...better her than me, ha ha. Anyway, thanks to everybody for a great night!

Have a great day!

All my best,

Bob

Last night I went to the Late Show Christmas party and I have to be honest...I got pint up! In fact, I'm drunk blogging as I write this....ha ha...I fell asleep on the bus ride home while listening to an early Bruce Springsteen album...I was so lucky, I woke up just as we pulled up to my stop, ha ha. Anyway, here's some photos from last night:

[L to R] Joe, Tom

[L to R]: Bob, Mike, Ron

[L to R]: Garth, Andrew, Eric

[L to R]: Mike, Sarah

[L to R]: Jessica, Tara, Lee

[L to R]: Walter, Tom, Gene

[L to R]: Meredith, Jeremy, Justin

Pam

Matt

Me drunk good. Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Bob!

Today's high should hit 35 degrees, that's going to feel like a heat wave compared to the other day. I had to get up crazy early yesterday, 5 AM...It was no picnic walking to the bus at 6 AM in the dark and it's only 17 degrees out. But, I guess you could say it's character building...so I'm not going to bitch too much more about it. DAMN COLD, OK, that's it.

Remember my December 2nd diary when I talked about my 2005 Metallica calendar? I mentioned that their poses scared the heck out of me every-time I needed to check a date. Well, I don't think that's going to be a problem in 2006 -- bye bye Metallica, hello...

LIGHTHOUSES!

Who among us doesn't love a good lighthouse photo? 2006 is going to be the best year ever! I can feel it!

Did I mention that I woke up at 5 AM yesterday? I apologize to all the bobborden.com readers that need more output from me, my Uncle Ron being among them but you have to take the good with the bad, the highs with the lows...blah blah blah.

Have a great day!

Best,

Bob

It could not be colder in these parts, damn! I had to break out the crazy winter jacket yesterday, today, I think I'm going with the super-warm pea coat (YAWN).

Time for some GOOD NEWS: Yesterday, I found out that my Diamond Dog from 212, formally from 718, is getting married!

Sorry ladies

Eddie is a Production Assistant with Late Show. He's been with his lady for 8 years, cool. Congratulations! Hearing his news made me think of my friend that got married this past Saturday (see Monday's diary)...man, I hope getting married after 9 weeks is some cool new thing he discovered, ha ha. Who knows? Not me.

Speaking of Diamond Dogs, before the break I wrote about going to Shecky's (beloved staffer) birthday party. Yesterday, coworker/friend Kathy handed this to me...check out this crew:

[L to R]: Bob, Mike & Ron

I have to say, when she handed that to me, I don't 100% remember posing for it, ha ha. I may have been 5/6 beers in at that point, ha ha. Beer good. Take a look at Mike, he's feeling pretty good too...ha ha ha!

That's it! Have a sweet day!

Best,

Bob

I was reading the December 19th issue of U.S. News and World Report...that's a long title for a magazine, don't you think? It should just be U.S News, or U.S./World News. Or maybe just NEWS. Anyway, they had an article on coffee, it basically said the good outweighs the bad but, as always, don't go crazy. I've never been a coffee drinker, just the occasionall cup when I'm on a date, just so she won't think I'm a total rube. So, I read this and now I'm thinking, damn, I should start drinking coffee! The power of print. I plan on having my first morning cup today.

I have to give a shoutout to my brother George.

George
(file photo)

He told me about a new (to me) route back to Ohio. I usually take route 80 but I'm burnt out on that blacktop, so I went back to going the Penn. turnpike and then that got old. My brother says, "Why don't you go the way I go, 78 to 81 to the turnpike" I tried it out and it's sweet! There's no NJ turnpike (crazy fast/busy) to deal with and no driving by Philly (crazy fast/busy too). Now that's advice I can use! Thanks George!!!!

When I got back to Hoboken on Sunday, I took this photo of my hood:

I like this photo,
it's like found art


She ain't new anymore! It's just salt but still, I like a clean car. Right now, I have a feeling she won't be clean until May. Such is life.

I just did a Google search for 'lint' and 'Jake E. Lee' -- time to go to bed!

That's it for me -- have a great day!

Best,

Bob

Last week, I did absolutely nothing AND it was sweet! I did do some things; shovel the snow off the driveway, hang with the nephews/niece but there were a lot of days where I didn't leave the house...and one day where I didn't take a shower, ha ha. I needed to recharge the batteries. You'll have to excuse me because I don't think I have my usual long first-day-back diary in me. I'm kind of tired as I write this, the drive from Ohio to Hoboken always wears me out.

You know what I did on Saturday? I went to a wedding!

[L to R]: Tatiana, Kristen, Tim & Zane

My friend Tim (his second marriage) tied the knot after knowing Kristen (her first) for about 9 weeks! My first time meeting her was at the wedding! I don't mean to imply that knowing someone for 9 weeks is too short to get to know someone -- I sure as hell don't know how love works. Good for them. Anyway, I had a great time. Congratulations to Tim and Kristen!

That's all I can remember right now. Have a great day!

Best,

Bob

I went out last night for a birthday party, Shecky (beloved staffer) hit the big 50...I had a darn good time. I wasn't sure I wanted to go, I always put myself through this whole mental dance of why I shouldn't do something, then I say 'F it' and I always end up enjoying myself. Such is life.

Hey, did you catch Late Show last night? Oprah was on, it was a good one! Oprah's The Color Purple had its opening night last night as well. Here's a blurry photo of the red-carpert action (taken from my office):

Red carpet

Yesterday I named two of Bob's People of the Week, with a promise to name a third today. I'm a man of my word...Flashback to Monday, I woke up late, got to the bus late but my 'late' is still early enough for me to get to work on time, unless there's a traffic delay or something wrong with the subway. Well, you guessed it, the bus got stuck in traffic and I was going to be late! If I'm late, that means there's a staff of writers that don't know what to work on, not good. I called my boss, got the assignment, and started to call them from my cell. But soon in to this process, I started to realize that there's no way everyone will check their voice mail but I kept calling. My second to last call, I got hold of Jeremy (writer/friend) and he offered to help me out by giving everyone a memo. I thought this was very cool! They got the assignment, I was 20 minutes late but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Thanks Jeremy, you're my #3 Person of the Week:

Jeremy
#3 Person of the Week

In other news, I'll be so glad when 2005 is behind us. Not that I had a bad year, not at all...I have a wall calendar in my kitchen, I usually get a calendar of fine art photos or kitties but this year, I opted for the Metallica calendar. It was fun for the first 3 months but there's only so many photos of grown men sneering to the camera, playing their instruments, I can take! Yesterday was December 1st, I flip the page and for the whole month of December I have to see this:

Lars

What's the point of that?! They're sneering all the way to the bank and I get frightened every-time I have to check a date. 2006, I think I'll buy a calendar of hot babes. You can never go wrong with hot babes.

Program note: I'm taking a week off -- I'll be back on the 12th.

Have a good one!

Best,

Bob

I got a Christmas card yesterday! Doesn't it seem a tad early for that? Well, maybe not, 24 more days...wow.

Christmas came early for me this year, let me explain. My boss, Justin, received one of those fancy video ipods as a gift. But, he already had one...what to do? Let me tell you what Justin did, he gave me his new ipod! How Fing cool is that?! It's the 60 gig model too! I was touched. That's why as a gesture of thanks, I'm naming Justin my #1 Person of the Week!

Justin
#1 Person of the Week

Congratulations Justin and thanks!

I've had the video ipod for a few weeks and it's just crazy! You can put full movies on there (a lot of them)! You know how it is when you get a new toy, I'm still at that over-protective stage...I haven't even removed the plastic yet -- they're easy to scratch and I'm waiting to buy a case for it...my case right now is the box it came in, ha ha. I brought it to work yesterday to load some stuff on it (on my break, of course). Anyway, I'm on the bus last night, I get back to Hoboken and I look in my bag for some gum. When I did this, I didn't feel my ipod box, oh crap! It's not in my bag, did I drop it, did I get ipod jacked?! I get off the bus and make a panicked call to my other boss, Eric. "You have to check my desk, did I leave my ipod there?!" Thankfully, it was still on my desk...WHEW! That's so unlike me to forget something like that but I think I was thinking about work. Thanks Eric! And for that, you're my #2 Person of the Week!

Eric
#2 Person of the Week

Congratulations Eric and thanks again!

I will have a #3 Person of the Week but I'm saving that for tomorrow. I cropped the Justin/Eric photo from a photo I put up a few years back:

Ha ha, it's
Tony Orlando!

OK, that's it! Have a good day!

Best,

Bob