Diary of a Network Geek

I’m starting to get a little nervous here.
Tomorrow night I will go on the first date I’ve been on in over ten years. I know, it’s like riding a bicycle, right? Funny thing about that, when I was learning to ride a bike, I wiped out once and took a handlebar to the gut. I don’t know how long I rolled around on the sidewalk gasping for air before someone helped me out. I hope that’s not how tomorrow night goes.
Per instructions, I have purged the car of all metal music of any kind. I will add the dulcet tones of Sting, in abundance, but also have Bowling for Soup, Spoon, Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon, and Frank Sinatra, among others. And, before you critisize me about Blue Eyes, she said she likes Frankie. I won’t put it in myself, but it will be available for her if she so chooses. Tomorrow, I’ll go get my hair cut and the car cleaned inside and out. I’ve already got directions to her place ready.
So, that just leaves what I’m going to wear… We agreed to keep it casual, but she texted me telling me that she was getting a manicure. *gulp* So, I was thinking black jeans, a white button-down shirt and my black cowboy boots, freshly polished, since she’s taller than I am and they give me a good two inches of height. Not that I care personally, but I know some women get uncomfortable with that stuff. On the other hand, maybe just a nice golf shirt and regular jeans. But the black jeans fit so well…
Oh, and do you buy flowers for a first date? Or bring something other than yourself?
Right, obsessive-complusive disorder in action. So, suggestions?

No, not me!
Prisoners! First there was Prison Blues, the tough-as-nails clothing company with instant street cred. (Which, incidentally, was an idea I had for years before I saw it on the news.) And, now, there’s Big House Choppers, a custom motorcycle company run by the prison in Carson City, Nevada, according to this article on MSNBC.com. Billing themselves as the ultimate “outlaw” bike manufacturer, I’d imagine these folks have a certain built-in fan base. Especially with the kind of folks that would really dig Prison Blues. Somehow, that authentic outlaw feeling must just seep into these babies as the convicts work on them. In fact, these “choppers” will have actual prison bars worked into the body and a certificate proving that fact. You can see an example of their work here. And while I am tattooed, I am not a motorcycle owner or rider, but, I still have to say, this is a fine looking piece of machinery.