What a good weekend! I’m finally feeling better physically (and mentally) about that surgery I had on June 4th. Luck just wasn’t with me for quite some time (years in fact), UC and a possibly failed J-Pouch has taken its toll on me. Then Friday - June 22, 2007 came around.

I’m a bit of a watch collector, but unfortunately my tastes are much higher than my bank account allows. So I see things that I like and stare at them for years hoping someday I can grow a money tree in my back yard and be able to pick up some of these watches that I like. Right before my surgery earlier this month an online store that I visit quite often put this one particular watch that I absolutely love on clearance. The original price wasn’t too bad, but I just couldn’t justify buying it in the past. The clearance price was good about 35% off, but my cheap side kicked in. My wife kept on telling me to go and get it, then finally this past Monday I called them up to place the order but it was gone! And even worse they told me the reason for the clearance was because the Watch Maker was not making it anymore. So I called around and around and got some OK prices, but again most of them said they would have a hard time finding it.

I thought I missed out on it. Then in one last ditch effort I found another dealer who carries this brand (I’d only buy this from an authorized dealer). Not a great price, but I noticed that they had a store in the Philadelphia area where I live. So Friday me and my Boss (another watch geek) slipped out of work to go over to this Jeweler. We got there and a whole bunch of stuff had these 50% off tags on them, AND they had the exact watch I wanted. But of course no 50% off tag on it. I had been through so much lately I was going to get it even if I had to pay full retail. I had the woman who was helping us out take it out of the case and she said “Yes, this is a beautiful watch, I’m surprised no one has bought it at this price”, which I promptly responded “what do you mean?”, she said “50% off”, my ostomy bag almost exploded! It turns out the entire store was selling everything at 50% off. So I got my watch and hooked my Wife up with a couple very nice things too!

But wait, there is more….

The Jewelry store woman gave me a tip about another hard to find watch I was looking for. She was right, it was there and I got that one too for over 50% off original retail!

I picked two watches that I’ve been trying to get for years within one day of each other.

But wait, yes there is more….

My wife was at a carnival with the kids on Friday and entered her name in a raffle to go into one of those enclosed cases where they blow money and gift certificates around and you try and grab what you can. She got picked got in there and won a gift certificate for the Jewelry Store where I bought her engagement Ring and our Wedding Rings. Strange huh!

By now you may think that I am some sort of snobby materialist guy, so I think it is appropriate for me to move onto the next thing that happened this weekend that may change your impression of me.

Yes, there is more, this one will confuse you and make you think, “This guys is a weird one!”.

For over a year I’ve wanted to get this large Tattoo on my arm that would connect to an existing Tattoo on my chest. I have the concept and rough design together. This Tattoo is very well thought out, the whole piece will have A LOT of meaning to me. The guy who did my others isn’t around anymore so I’ve been searching for an artist who can understand the concept, marry the new Tattoo with my old one, and put his or her style into it. I’ve been to a least 10+ shops in the area and just couldn’t find anyone who could sketch it out correctly or really care about how significant it would be to me. I actually was going to write into that “Miami Ink” show to see of I could go on there to get it done.

Last night I was out driving back from the store and noticed this Tattoo place near me, never knew it was there. I went home, got my file with the concepts in it and went back to check it out. I walked into the door and the owner came up to help me. I described was I was looking for, showed him my concepts and his eyes lit up. “Wow this would look great,” he said. I mentioned a very obscure artist who I want to incorporate some of his style into the Tattoo. They guy took me into one of his art rooms and there right in front of me was three of his paintings, then he handed me a book of the artist work. I couldn’t believe it, this guy was maybe 5 miles away from my house and I never knew it.

Within an hour he sketched up a rough draft that was EXACTLY what I wanted, and made a few suggestions and changes that enhanced it too. He talked about how he doesn’t get many people who are so passionate about what they want, most people just walk in point him to a picture and say, “do it like that”. He looked as happy as I did about the Tattoo. It was perfect, they were even playing music in the shop of some of my favorite bands.

Needless to say, I’m going into get it done next week. Might take about 4 hours to do, but heck I’ve had my stomach opened up three times, Tattoo pain is nothing!

WooHoo what a weekend!

Although, I did buy Poweball tickets (because of all the good luck) and didn’t come close on that. I guess you can’t win them all!

(Told you this was going to be a long post…)

Isn't it great when things just happen!

Very nice... I love seeing ppl who are good people and deserve a break get one (Or more)... My fingers are crossed that not only luck but your improving health continues!
Jason

Hmmm - this guy's a weird one.....! Watches and tats. Are you a gemini? Seems like there are two of you in that Bill suit! Watches and tats!

Okay, what kind of watches and who's the artist? Details, we need details.

kathy

What a great story...I'm so glad you are experiencing some good karma after all you've been through.

OK, to satisfy Kathy’s curiosity…

Sign: Taurus
Watches: Oris and Hamilton
Artist: Alex Grey
Bands: Tool, Porcupine Tree, Sevendust

I appreciate the weird and the beautiful things in life… Along with being a Metal Head with a broken butt that likes expensive watches

I hate to put a damper on this but PLEASE...This is J-Pouch group discussion. PLEASE!!!!