So it feels like it has only been a couple days that I have not posted. Now that I have checked the Idiot book, I realize it has really been a couple of weeks.
Mah bai’geez. (it sounds better if you say it out loud with emphasis on every syllable)
So.
What has, and what has not happened in a punch list.
-I took the SDSO Written Exam, and I will hear back in 4 to 6 weeks.
-I feel like I did well on the SDSO exam.
-My boss went out of town to the National Leadership Conference.
-I was the boss for about 2 weeks.
-I missed my boss.
-I had the opportunity to go on a ride along on Halloween.
-It was awesome.
-I bought tickets to the whuppin’ that Utah is going to give to SDSU this Saturday.
-I voted.
-Proposition 8 passed.
-I saved a copy of the NY Times from Nov. 5th.
-The odometer on my motorcycle rolled past 1900.
-A clutch lock saved our car from being stolen.
-Kristin did not get pregnant.
-I imagined how grumpy Kristin would get if I really did call our kid, when we get one some day, “Repete” instead “Pete Jr.” or “Bronco Peanut”.
-My life place has been injury free for 932 days. (setting a new record every day)
-I think that’s about it.
-p.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Maybe I am more of a talker than I thought I was.
This may not make much sense right off the bat. Maybe you should read this article first, and then read the one below. I was going to post a comment, and when it got to be a paragraph, I figured I should just post a post.
I took a class one semester called "Public Safety Communications." One of our textbooks was called "Report Writing for Police Officers." I had to use a pencil for the whole class. This rule being based on the fact that if you are an investigator and you are working on a case where you have video surveillance of the incident as well as the defendant’s fingerprints in the victim’s blood on the murder weapon, this guy will still have to go to court. When he does, he has a defense attorney who must defend him to their utmost ability, if not this attorney may lose his job. As a result, he (the defense) will attack you as an investigating officer and do his best by trying to make you look like an idiot, a bigot, or a pervert. I can safely bet that in this situation for every time I have read my case report, the defense attorney has read it at least three. That means that his whole defense could be based on the fact that I may be a poor speller, or have bad grammar, or tend to leave a word out here or there when I am writing in a hurry. These are all points that would be emphasized if I were to use pen to write with, and then eventually have to correct. The best way to protect myself as an officer is to use a pencil. That way if I goof up, I can erase it. The defense will get a photocopy of this report, and may not even be able to see the erase marks. The smudges aren’t really a problem because I am not a left handed writer. It is something that took a little practice to get used to, but long story short I really enjoy using a pencil much more than I did previously. Kind of the same story, but for a little different reason. I fully endorse my brother’s pencil use. BTW, I started out the class with a wooden pencil and got frustrated with the dull point thing, and always had a manual sharpener with me for a bit, but it was still kind of annoying. One day I decided to try a disposable mechanical pencil to see how far technology has come since the semi-unreliable ones that were available in middle school. I was pleasantly surprised. This pencil is my current favorite.
Pencil using has also come in very handy in the many math classes I have taken in my college career. I used to use pens in those too, only because I liked pens more.
I took a class one semester called "Public Safety Communications." One of our textbooks was called "Report Writing for Police Officers." I had to use a pencil for the whole class. This rule being based on the fact that if you are an investigator and you are working on a case where you have video surveillance of the incident as well as the defendant’s fingerprints in the victim’s blood on the murder weapon, this guy will still have to go to court. When he does, he has a defense attorney who must defend him to their utmost ability, if not this attorney may lose his job. As a result, he (the defense) will attack you as an investigating officer and do his best by trying to make you look like an idiot, a bigot, or a pervert. I can safely bet that in this situation for every time I have read my case report, the defense attorney has read it at least three. That means that his whole defense could be based on the fact that I may be a poor speller, or have bad grammar, or tend to leave a word out here or there when I am writing in a hurry. These are all points that would be emphasized if I were to use pen to write with, and then eventually have to correct. The best way to protect myself as an officer is to use a pencil. That way if I goof up, I can erase it. The defense will get a photocopy of this report, and may not even be able to see the erase marks. The smudges aren’t really a problem because I am not a left handed writer. It is something that took a little practice to get used to, but long story short I really enjoy using a pencil much more than I did previously. Kind of the same story, but for a little different reason. I fully endorse my brother’s pencil use. BTW, I started out the class with a wooden pencil and got frustrated with the dull point thing, and always had a manual sharpener with me for a bit, but it was still kind of annoying. One day I decided to try a disposable mechanical pencil to see how far technology has come since the semi-unreliable ones that were available in middle school. I was pleasantly surprised. This pencil is my current favorite.
Pencil using has also come in very handy in the many math classes I have taken in my college career. I used to use pens in those too, only because I liked pens more.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Working drive-thru is one of my favorites.
“*pshkt* (trucker/redneck accent) Thanks for stopping by Starbucks ehhh, this is the Maver’k Man, but you can just call me Mav, ehhh how may I assist you today, over. *pshkt*”
“Heh, uh thanks uh.. Mav... ummmmmmm, can I have a grande white mocha and, uh, do you still have your sausage breakfast sandwiches?”
…….”*pshkt* Did you forget to say over? Over. *pshkt*”
“Oh, yeah, I meant do you still have any sausage breakfast sandwiches, OVER?”
“*pshkt* uh… that’s a negatory on the sausage sandwich, good buddy, I do have a sausage piadini, over *pshkt*”
“Uh, what is a sausage piadini…….over?”
“*pshkt* It’s really good, over. *pshkt*”
“What?......over.”
“*pshkt* Sausage piadini’s are really good, that’s what they are, I’ll tell you what, over. *pshkt*”
“Okay, I’ll try one….oh yeah, over.”
“*pshkt* Roger dodger, I have ehhh one grande white mocha, eh did you want whipped cream on that white mocha, over? *pshkt*”
“I know you’re making the *pshkt* sound. I hear it already, over.”
“*pshkt* that makes us twinners. So, ehhh was that a negative on the whipped cream, over? *pshkt*”
“NO, I want whipped cream, over.”
“*pshkt* Roger dodger. 10-4 on the whipped cream. So that is one grande white mocha with whipped cream, and a sausage piadini, which by the way is really good, over. *pshkt*”
“Roger, 10-4, over”
“*pshkt* Copy that, I’ll have your total for you at the window, over and out. *pshkt*”
“Okay, over and out.”
“Heh, uh thanks uh.. Mav... ummmmmmm, can I have a grande white mocha and, uh, do you still have your sausage breakfast sandwiches?”
…….”*pshkt* Did you forget to say over? Over. *pshkt*”
“Oh, yeah, I meant do you still have any sausage breakfast sandwiches, OVER?”
“*pshkt* uh… that’s a negatory on the sausage sandwich, good buddy, I do have a sausage piadini, over *pshkt*”
“Uh, what is a sausage piadini…….over?”
“*pshkt* It’s really good, over. *pshkt*”
“What?......over.”
“*pshkt* Sausage piadini’s are really good, that’s what they are, I’ll tell you what, over. *pshkt*”
“Okay, I’ll try one….oh yeah, over.”
“*pshkt* Roger dodger, I have ehhh one grande white mocha, eh did you want whipped cream on that white mocha, over? *pshkt*”
“I know you’re making the *pshkt* sound. I hear it already, over.”
“*pshkt* that makes us twinners. So, ehhh was that a negative on the whipped cream, over? *pshkt*”
“NO, I want whipped cream, over.”
“*pshkt* Roger dodger. 10-4 on the whipped cream. So that is one grande white mocha with whipped cream, and a sausage piadini, which by the way is really good, over. *pshkt*”
“Roger, 10-4, over”
“*pshkt* Copy that, I’ll have your total for you at the window, over and out. *pshkt*”
“Okay, over and out.”
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Kelton could be my boss. I bet he would be a rad one.
So I finally feel like I am fitting in a little bit at my new store. I feel a little more relaxed, and I feel like my barista’s feel the same.
Today one of them asked me how this store compared to my old one. I explained that I liked this store it is just going to take a little getting used to. He, my barista, was like you can tell the truth, seriously I won’t get offended. I explained how it was different because at my old store I had personally been responsible for training over half of the barista’s there. The remainders transferred in, but had only known me as a supervisor. Even now, thinking about the management team at my old store. I have had a hand in training every supervisor I have worked with in the last year except one. I didn’t say the bit about the supervisors though; I just realized that right now as I’m typing. But anyway, so most of the baristas at my old store could pretty much read my mind. I usually could say something like “Hey bro, could you bring me the thing and then take care of that stuff for me please.” Literally. And my guys would know what I was talking about. I also knew that all of them knew what I expected from them, so they had a tendency to get everything done how I liked it.
Anyway, today it finally sunk in about how I have held supervisory positions at nearly every job I have had since I was 16, but have always worked my way up. This is the first time I have actually been put somewhere new as a manager, and it is kind of rough. I think I am getting the hang of it though.
Today was a good day.
-p
Today one of them asked me how this store compared to my old one. I explained that I liked this store it is just going to take a little getting used to. He, my barista, was like you can tell the truth, seriously I won’t get offended. I explained how it was different because at my old store I had personally been responsible for training over half of the barista’s there. The remainders transferred in, but had only known me as a supervisor. Even now, thinking about the management team at my old store. I have had a hand in training every supervisor I have worked with in the last year except one. I didn’t say the bit about the supervisors though; I just realized that right now as I’m typing. But anyway, so most of the baristas at my old store could pretty much read my mind. I usually could say something like “Hey bro, could you bring me the thing and then take care of that stuff for me please.” Literally. And my guys would know what I was talking about. I also knew that all of them knew what I expected from them, so they had a tendency to get everything done how I liked it.
Anyway, today it finally sunk in about how I have held supervisory positions at nearly every job I have had since I was 16, but have always worked my way up. This is the first time I have actually been put somewhere new as a manager, and it is kind of rough. I think I am getting the hang of it though.
Today was a good day.
-p
Saturday, October 18, 2008
That is bug next to a quarter in a cup.
So I remembered a story. I think it changes the last story a little bit. But not whole lot, just kind of. Anyway…
When I got out of high school and military recruiters would not stop calling me, I hatched a genius idea. I decided to agree to come down to my local recruiter’s office one time. I was going to take this practice AZVAT or ASVET or HAZMAT or whatever the test is that you take that is kind of like an SAT, but special for the military or something. I went with my buddy Ben. We decided to see how absolutely horrible we could do on the test and try and convince the government that we had trouble tying our shoes by ourselves, and in no way possessed the capability to carry a rifle and use it intelligently.
I goofed up. In my opinion the questions were so easy, that it would be obvious that I was trying to bomb the test, and the recruiter would have a special type of job just for somebody that fits that psychological profile. I don’t know what it would be. Counter intelligence? I don’t know. Anyway, I ended up doing my best and getting something like 98%. When I walked out of the room the guy was standing right there beaming. He had a list of jobs with stars by them that I qualified for and told me I would be well taken care of, blah, blah, blah. I looked at him, and said:
“Mister, thanks for this opportunity. The only problem is that I believe that these wars we have been getting in are mistakes. If I am going to carry a gun and work for my government I would rather do it in my own city, on my own streets, enforcing laws and policies that I understand. I appreciate you, and all the other soldiers that are okay with forcing freedom and democracy on the rest of the world, but I personally believe I sleep safe at night because I have 911. I feel like I could serve my family, community and country better as a cop than a soldier.”
I then promptly walked out and went straight to my local community college to figure out how to become a cop.
Maybe that does change the story more that just a little bit. Whatever. I am just happy that I remembered why police work was so fascinating in the first place.
When I got out of high school and military recruiters would not stop calling me, I hatched a genius idea. I decided to agree to come down to my local recruiter’s office one time. I was going to take this practice AZVAT or ASVET or HAZMAT or whatever the test is that you take that is kind of like an SAT, but special for the military or something. I went with my buddy Ben. We decided to see how absolutely horrible we could do on the test and try and convince the government that we had trouble tying our shoes by ourselves, and in no way possessed the capability to carry a rifle and use it intelligently.
I goofed up. In my opinion the questions were so easy, that it would be obvious that I was trying to bomb the test, and the recruiter would have a special type of job just for somebody that fits that psychological profile. I don’t know what it would be. Counter intelligence? I don’t know. Anyway, I ended up doing my best and getting something like 98%. When I walked out of the room the guy was standing right there beaming. He had a list of jobs with stars by them that I qualified for and told me I would be well taken care of, blah, blah, blah. I looked at him, and said:
“Mister, thanks for this opportunity. The only problem is that I believe that these wars we have been getting in are mistakes. If I am going to carry a gun and work for my government I would rather do it in my own city, on my own streets, enforcing laws and policies that I understand. I appreciate you, and all the other soldiers that are okay with forcing freedom and democracy on the rest of the world, but I personally believe I sleep safe at night because I have 911. I feel like I could serve my family, community and country better as a cop than a soldier.”
I then promptly walked out and went straight to my local community college to figure out how to become a cop.
Maybe that does change the story more that just a little bit. Whatever. I am just happy that I remembered why police work was so fascinating in the first place.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I sat here for about 5 minutes thinking of a title.
The curse of the perfectionist.
Have you ever just stopped doing something or not even tried to do something because you see that something being done better by someone else and you know you will not be as good as they are at whatever it may be? Holy crap! That sounds kind of like me. It’s always like all or nothing. No grey area. I think that is why I have not been keeping this up to date. Well, today I decided that I don’t care if my thing is not the best or wittiest or funniest or smartest or whateverest. I think I had forgotten why I originally started writing “the idiot book” and just remembered today.
With that out of the way, let me tell what is going on.
Today I applied to a couple of sheriff offices here in So. California. I applied for Cadet/Deputy Trainee positions. “What?” You may be asking yourself. “I though he was going to school for like a CSI type thing, but more awesome judging by the way he described it.” Yes. That is correct.
Funny story.
When I first decided to go to college as a young buck, I was looking at the course catalog and out of everything the school offered, I was really attracted to the idea of learning about police work. I couldn’t understand why, I didn’t even know what I wanted to learn about it. For those of you who knew me back then probably understand why I couldn’t understand why I wanted to learn about being a police officer.
Maybe that is why this is a funny story. I don’t know, whatever.
My first semester of college I took: Intro to Criminal Justice, Intro to Corrections, and Criminology. No generals, just majors. By the end of my first semester I had decided that I wanted to be involved in criminal investigations. I thought the coolest job in the world would be as a Police Detective working vice or on the Gang Unit or something like that. It was really kind of weird explaining to my buddies that I may one day have to arrest them for what they are doing, and chose not to do what they are doing for that reason, if I get arrested I may not be able to do what I really want to do when I grow up.
Fast forward about five years.
I married a beautiful woman who said I could do anything with my life except be a cop. This was based on her experience living with policemen. Okay. That was a compromise I was willing to make. It has been worth it. During one of the many conversations I had with my beautiful wife about our future she asked:
“Seriously, do you want to be cop?”
“yes. Pretty much the only thing I ever wanted to be more than a cop is married to you forever.”
“hmmkay. Let’s talk about it.”
Later that week after much discussion, I got it. I got permission to be a sworn officer of the law. I was so excited about this that I forgot to get it writing. I should have, but I was too excited. The best part about it is that at least 75% of police agencies in the U.S. have sworn officers do double duty as a Patrol and Scene officer. Woo Woo. Seriously. My two favorite fascinations in one job.
Although I bet I could go on about much more, I think this is enough for tonight.
-p
Have you ever just stopped doing something or not even tried to do something because you see that something being done better by someone else and you know you will not be as good as they are at whatever it may be? Holy crap! That sounds kind of like me. It’s always like all or nothing. No grey area. I think that is why I have not been keeping this up to date. Well, today I decided that I don’t care if my thing is not the best or wittiest or funniest or smartest or whateverest. I think I had forgotten why I originally started writing “the idiot book” and just remembered today.
With that out of the way, let me tell what is going on.
Today I applied to a couple of sheriff offices here in So. California. I applied for Cadet/Deputy Trainee positions. “What?” You may be asking yourself. “I though he was going to school for like a CSI type thing, but more awesome judging by the way he described it.” Yes. That is correct.
Funny story.
When I first decided to go to college as a young buck, I was looking at the course catalog and out of everything the school offered, I was really attracted to the idea of learning about police work. I couldn’t understand why, I didn’t even know what I wanted to learn about it. For those of you who knew me back then probably understand why I couldn’t understand why I wanted to learn about being a police officer.
Maybe that is why this is a funny story. I don’t know, whatever.
My first semester of college I took: Intro to Criminal Justice, Intro to Corrections, and Criminology. No generals, just majors. By the end of my first semester I had decided that I wanted to be involved in criminal investigations. I thought the coolest job in the world would be as a Police Detective working vice or on the Gang Unit or something like that. It was really kind of weird explaining to my buddies that I may one day have to arrest them for what they are doing, and chose not to do what they are doing for that reason, if I get arrested I may not be able to do what I really want to do when I grow up.
Fast forward about five years.
I married a beautiful woman who said I could do anything with my life except be a cop. This was based on her experience living with policemen. Okay. That was a compromise I was willing to make. It has been worth it. During one of the many conversations I had with my beautiful wife about our future she asked:
“Seriously, do you want to be cop?”
“yes. Pretty much the only thing I ever wanted to be more than a cop is married to you forever.”
“hmmkay. Let’s talk about it.”
Later that week after much discussion, I got it. I got permission to be a sworn officer of the law. I was so excited about this that I forgot to get it writing. I should have, but I was too excited. The best part about it is that at least 75% of police agencies in the U.S. have sworn officers do double duty as a Patrol and Scene officer. Woo Woo. Seriously. My two favorite fascinations in one job.
Although I bet I could go on about much more, I think this is enough for tonight.
-p
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Without the mullet of course, and the sweet 'stache was real.
This is the first time she sat on the bike after passing her written exam.
That was my Halloween costume like 3 years in a row.
I saw the old pic of the week and lauged out loud becasue I had taken this picture in the parking lot right before I came in and got on the computer.
I wish my real camera wasn' t busted.
So it has been a wild weekend aside from the job thing. On Friday night the Bazooka and I parted ways. I went ahead and got a new bike on Saturday. It is a Suzuki GZ250. Yep, one whole piston of pure powerful motorcycle fury. This little guy can go from 0-60 fast enough, and is only about 400 lbs. It took $7.17 to fill the tank, and so far I have managed to crank out about 85 miles without switching to the reserve. “Why?” You ask. “Well…because it is a cruiser and not a sport bike and I love it and I can afford it.” I would then continue on like so: My beautiful wife has bugged me since the first time we went on a scooter ride about getting her own M1 endorsement. I decided that the ol’ Bazooka was not suitable for her to learn how to ride on for many reasons, like the fact that she could not touch the ground on both sides of the bike at the same time while sitting in the seat. I guess I just did not realize how bad she wanted to be certified motorcycle operator. Today (day three of having the bike) she came home and showed me her learners permit. Wow. Now I know what dad felt like when I came home with my permit. So, yep that’s the story. Maybe next time we have a Moon Lake trip, my wife and I will ride up on a couple of iron horses.
think I think one day I will write a book about how to not be a boss.
Today has been a great day. I found out when I am going to move to my new store, September 22nd. I visited my school to post GXX meeting flyers for the upcoming meeting on September 5th. I was reminded of how wonderful it is to have an institute building that shares its parking lot with a church, and how wonderful it is to be on a motorcycle. I got out of work on time tonight after being really afraid that I wouldn’t. I kept my commitment to myself to keep writing. It was a good day.-p
Sunday, August 24, 2008
This is how I look when I am serious as an alien invasion.
School starts on Monday. I am pretty excited. This semester I am taking 12 credits. The classes are Analytic Trigonometry (for the 3rd and final time), Basic Fingerprinting Analysis, Laws of Criminal Investigations, and Child Development. Woo Woo! I also qualified for the board of governor’s fee waiver this year. Yess! That means that It will only cost me about $16 for tuition for this semester. Awesome.
In other news, my boss’s boss came into my work yesterday and asked me if I would like a position as assistant manager at another store. I was so excited I almost cried. So I will be moving to a store that is closer to the college. It is called 67th & El Cajon, the commute will be a little longer than the 25 second commute I enjoy right now, but I think this move will be worth it. That is it for now, however more big things are in the works, I just have to run.
-p
In other news, my boss’s boss came into my work yesterday and asked me if I would like a position as assistant manager at another store. I was so excited I almost cried. So I will be moving to a store that is closer to the college. It is called 67th & El Cajon, the commute will be a little longer than the 25 second commute I enjoy right now, but I think this move will be worth it. That is it for now, however more big things are in the works, I just have to run.
-p
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
My Micro casette recorder doesn't work yet.
I thought this little how-to-do was appropriate for today in light of what is going on at my work, in my country, and on my planet. I feel like i have the inside look now.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Ka chow. Lightning McQueen.
A small virtual tour of some notable places to see in my town:
My favorite place to buy cargo pants.
Where my wife and I went on our first date.
My favorite place to see the ocean on both sides of the road.
May favorite place to get Chinese food and donuts.
I could do this all night. Ohh man.
My favorite place to buy cargo pants.
Where my wife and I went on our first date.
My favorite place to see the ocean on both sides of the road.
May favorite place to get Chinese food and donuts.
I could do this all night. Ohh man.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The world keeps getting smaller.
Holy crap. I just found the coolest thing that one of my favorite websites ever has done. Well, maybe it is not the coolest thing. But in my opinion it is pretty rad.
An example of how rad this may be.
CLICK HERE
Now just click on the little orange guy.
This building on the north side of the road is…… tah dah! Where I work. Now you know what it looks like.
You can take a virtual tour of the planet just so long as you stay on the roads with blue outlines. Awesome huh? Okay, ya got me. It is not the planet, but it is still awesome.
-p
An example of how rad this may be.
CLICK HERE
Now just click on the little orange guy.
This building on the north side of the road is…… tah dah! Where I work. Now you know what it looks like.
You can take a virtual tour of the planet just so long as you stay on the roads with blue outlines. Awesome huh? Okay, ya got me. It is not the planet, but it is still awesome.
-p
Think big
June 16, 2008
This past week has been an interesting one to say the least. I just feel really grown up I guess. I have scheduled appointment with a chiropractor and an eye doctor. I have paid all of my bills. I have been exercising regularly. I got a raise at work. No promotion with the raise yet, but a raise all the same. I have started to train two people to take my spot for when I do get a promotion. That makes it feel promising. I have accumulated enough vacation hours to get paid for the whole week that I am at Moon Lake.
Hmm. It sounds much smaller in print than it was when I was doing it. Maybe that is why I don’t blog so much sometimes.
This past week has been an interesting one to say the least. I just feel really grown up I guess. I have scheduled appointment with a chiropractor and an eye doctor. I have paid all of my bills. I have been exercising regularly. I got a raise at work. No promotion with the raise yet, but a raise all the same. I have started to train two people to take my spot for when I do get a promotion. That makes it feel promising. I have accumulated enough vacation hours to get paid for the whole week that I am at Moon Lake.
Hmm. It sounds much smaller in print than it was when I was doing it. Maybe that is why I don’t blog so much sometimes.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Where does awesome come from?
Today I started training to run a marathon. I ran two miles. My legs are a little sore... Let me back up. Last Sunday Kristin and I volunteered at the Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon. It was a semi-spiritual experience I must admit. We were at a water station between mile 16 and mile 17. I got goose bumps when the wheelchair racers came by. It was like those times in church when I almost cry but don’t. Seriously amazing stuff. That got me thinking, “hmm, maybe I can run one of these.” Anyway, after about four hours of holding cups out for marathoners, it was over. We started to clean up. The first thing my wife said to me was “Would you want to run this with me next year?” There you have it. The next day while I was at work my wife diligently looked up training plans and schedules, and my first marathon will be in about eight months. I think I will end up running a 5k and a half marathon between now and then, but I am not quite sure. Today was my first day training with my wife. We had fun. I never thought one of my grown up hobbies would be running. Who knew?Something else cool that has happened in the last week is that I bought my plane tickets for “Moon Lake 08.” Awesome. I am so pumped I cannot even handle it.
I feel like something else amazing has happened, but I cannot remember what. I guess that will have to come later.
-p
Thursday, May 29, 2008
174/174 = A
Today was much better than I thought it would be. I was supposed to have this morning off so I could prepare myself mentally for my report writing final. One of the Supervisors at my work was sick, so I covered the shift on the condition that I would get off at 11:00 (1100 in report writing time) so I would have half an hour to get to school, park, and get to class in time for my final at 11:30. I could not go to sleep last night to save my life, and ended up looking at the clock for the last time at around 12:15 am (0015) and that was rough because the shift I was covering started at 4:15 am (0415). I was exhausted. By around 0900, when I got back from my lunch break I was ready for a nap, and the food in my tummy did not make it any easier to stay alert. Around 1105, my replacement showed up. He forgot to come in early. I finally left work around 1120. I was imagining the conversation my instructor was going to have with me, as he is a pretty sarcastic and kind of mean teacher. When I finally got to school and was walking to class half awake and zip-fizzed almost to a state of pure jitter it was 1140. I walked in my class and professor gave me a look that made me want to turn around and walk away. He asked me to step outside with him. I was expecting something about how rude it was for me to come to class so late during such an important test or something like that. He then proceeded to explain to me that I had the highest point score in the class. The next closest person could get a perfect score on their final and I could get a zero, and I would still be the one setting the curve. He then said “Good job, now get outta here.” It was awesome. I am so excited this semester is over I have changed my pants 4 times today.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
One more down, atleast 10 more to go.
Finals are on Wednesday. Awesome. That means that after Wednesday I can enjoy taking a semester off for the first time in ever since I started at Grossmont. A short recap of this semester: I maintained the highest grade in my report writing class. I think that if I skip the final I will still most likely get an “A.” I talked my sister into creating a t-shirt for my American Criminal Justice Association chapter (GXX) and it won the contest. I should be getting them on next Tuesday. I dropped out of Trigonometry for the second time. The professor is using the same book next fall. Whew. In my bible class we studied the Old Testament. I found out that although this book is typically considered a very harsh and wrathful book, in my opinion it is a true testament to the loving patience of my god. For the lessons in this class the students all got a schedule of what books we were going to study on what days, and was assigned certain days to teach the lesson. My instructor has invited me to go to a conference for institute teachers to teach a lesson as an example of this technique. I thought that was neat. I have been offered an internship in the Grossmont College AOJ/Forensics Dept. It is not an agency, but it is an awesome opportunity.
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. Thanks for stopping by, and stay classy San Diego.
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. Thanks for stopping by, and stay classy San Diego.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Nobody likes burnt and bitter beans
I cannot write about a few things that I would really like to write about. However, there are many things I really want to write about and can! Awesome.
I cannot write about why I have not written in so long. All I can say about it is that I just figured out what it was the other day, and finally got over it.
What I will write about is my overflowing cup. I love my mom and dad. I love my brothers and sisters. I love every additional person who has had enough screws missing to want to be a part of my family, most of all, my beautiful wife. I cannot describe the feeling I get when I think about how awesome all the people I am related to are. I just got back from a visit that was over wayyyyy too early. I guess that is really pretty much it. I got to hang out with my family this weekend. It is hard to think that at one point in my life I would ditch out on FHE to go play video games. I used to leave my phone in the car so nobody could find me. I used every excuse in the book to get away from home and get as far away from my family as I possibly could. Man, I feel like an idiot. I seriously cannot wait to go back. If I had known I would feel this way, I would have been so silly in the first place.
Thanks for being so freakin’ awesome guys. Seriously. Thanks. You’re freakin’ awesome.
-p
I cannot write about why I have not written in so long. All I can say about it is that I just figured out what it was the other day, and finally got over it.
What I will write about is my overflowing cup. I love my mom and dad. I love my brothers and sisters. I love every additional person who has had enough screws missing to want to be a part of my family, most of all, my beautiful wife. I cannot describe the feeling I get when I think about how awesome all the people I am related to are. I just got back from a visit that was over wayyyyy too early. I guess that is really pretty much it. I got to hang out with my family this weekend. It is hard to think that at one point in my life I would ditch out on FHE to go play video games. I used to leave my phone in the car so nobody could find me. I used every excuse in the book to get away from home and get as far away from my family as I possibly could. Man, I feel like an idiot. I seriously cannot wait to go back. If I had known I would feel this way, I would have been so silly in the first place.
Thanks for being so freakin’ awesome guys. Seriously. Thanks. You’re freakin’ awesome.
-p
Friday, April 18, 2008
I have the highest score in my report writing class.
Today I became a certified Coffee Master, a keeper of the bean. I now have a black apron as well as the signature green apron. It was an interesting experience to say the least.
The thing that is kind of cool about this is that it shows I have taken the time to become an expert in something.
Something that I have always noticed about myself, with some curiosity mind you, is that I often time let my skill level in any one thing I choose to do become proficient and stop there. A true jack of all trades, able to do a little bit of everything. Specializing as a generalist.
The title of “Coffee Master” is a big thing in the world of Starbucks. I understand that it may be unimportant in my life in general, and is nothing near an Eagle Scout or Something else recognized by the whole planet. I think the most important part of this whole process has been for me, a lesson about being able to do better. I always know there is a better level of betterness for everything I can do. I just never really go there. I think I have spent my life embracing mediocrity. I feel like that is a state of being that I can relate to the best. I have a tendency to never quite make it over the hump. To bring this point home I cite the example of the Bazooka. I have done most of the traditional tune up maintenance. I have re-upholstered the seats. I epoxied the fairings and re-painted everything. I adjusted the drive chain and clutch cable. I refurbished the master cylinder on the hand-brake. I have replaced the mirrors and made some adjustments to the frame so the fairings fit snugly. All I have left to do is replace the handgrips, clutch handle, and wrap the pipes then it will be ready to sell. The pipe wrap has been sitting on the ground next to the bike for almost a month. I have looked at both the hand grips and the clutch handle more than once at the store and almost made it to the checkout stand twice. I just have not been able to bring myself to do it. I don’t understand why. Another example is when I know I am about to win at a computer game I start a new one. I have not seen a victory cinematic sequence since Warcraft 2.
The significance of all of this is... I’m not exactly sure what it is. The end has never really been important to me, just knowing I can do it if I need to has been sufficient for me.
Today I vow to become a master doer. I will no longer be the go-to guy because I can handle it. I am going to be the go-to guy because it will be hard to find somebody who can do it better.
The thing that is kind of cool about this is that it shows I have taken the time to become an expert in something.
Something that I have always noticed about myself, with some curiosity mind you, is that I often time let my skill level in any one thing I choose to do become proficient and stop there. A true jack of all trades, able to do a little bit of everything. Specializing as a generalist.
The title of “Coffee Master” is a big thing in the world of Starbucks. I understand that it may be unimportant in my life in general, and is nothing near an Eagle Scout or Something else recognized by the whole planet. I think the most important part of this whole process has been for me, a lesson about being able to do better. I always know there is a better level of betterness for everything I can do. I just never really go there. I think I have spent my life embracing mediocrity. I feel like that is a state of being that I can relate to the best. I have a tendency to never quite make it over the hump. To bring this point home I cite the example of the Bazooka. I have done most of the traditional tune up maintenance. I have re-upholstered the seats. I epoxied the fairings and re-painted everything. I adjusted the drive chain and clutch cable. I refurbished the master cylinder on the hand-brake. I have replaced the mirrors and made some adjustments to the frame so the fairings fit snugly. All I have left to do is replace the handgrips, clutch handle, and wrap the pipes then it will be ready to sell. The pipe wrap has been sitting on the ground next to the bike for almost a month. I have looked at both the hand grips and the clutch handle more than once at the store and almost made it to the checkout stand twice. I just have not been able to bring myself to do it. I don’t understand why. Another example is when I know I am about to win at a computer game I start a new one. I have not seen a victory cinematic sequence since Warcraft 2.
The significance of all of this is... I’m not exactly sure what it is. The end has never really been important to me, just knowing I can do it if I need to has been sufficient for me.
Today I vow to become a master doer. I will no longer be the go-to guy because I can handle it. I am going to be the go-to guy because it will be hard to find somebody who can do it better.
Friday, April 11, 2008
My cat can eat a whole watermelon.
It is April 11, 2008. I just really have not felt like sharing anything lately. I feel kind of like I have writers block. I have sat down to post at least ten times since the last time, but have not posted anything.
I am really glad Melinda is getting married soon, because it gives me a good excuse to take a vacation and I will be able to see my whole family while I visit home. Heh, funny. I have always wished I could have invented some of the oxymorons on the funny oxymoron list like “giant shrimp” or “military intelligence” or “English fashion” and I think I just did it. “Visit home”.
When I get homesick, I don’t wish I was back at my apartment playing with my kitties or enjoying time with my wife. I wish I was in my parent's living room, playing a game of make me laugh while the power is out. I miss waking up on Sunday mornings to Mom’s choir blasting and eating pancakes with orange juice and hearing dad yell “Mom’s on TV!” I miss running around in the street with road flares in my pajamas or shooting off bottle rockets from dad’s secret stash on New Years Eve. I miss being able to make what I want for dinner because what mom cooked was on my list. (Enchiladas and fish) I miss making applesauce or using the cherry pitter and listening to conference or at least while conference was playing in the background. Whatever happened to conference bingo? I miss falling asleep on the floor wherever I want just because that’s where I decided to lay down. I miss all the extra people that always came home with brothers and sisters. I haven’t put a grasshopper in the microwave in forever. Btw, that’s not how the handle broke. I miss going to Country Courthouse for the family home evening activity and then to Monty’s for potato logs.
It is not so much the things in particular who I miss, but the people I was with when I was doing all these things that miss. I think that is why I have not been able to write anything, because I have a case of homesick. I think I got it when I went to the emergency room the other day. I also got aixelsyd that same day. That prolly made it blike really hard to write too. I guess.
I am really glad Melinda is getting married soon, because it gives me a good excuse to take a vacation and I will be able to see my whole family while I visit home. Heh, funny. I have always wished I could have invented some of the oxymorons on the funny oxymoron list like “giant shrimp” or “military intelligence” or “English fashion” and I think I just did it. “Visit home”.
When I get homesick, I don’t wish I was back at my apartment playing with my kitties or enjoying time with my wife. I wish I was in my parent's living room, playing a game of make me laugh while the power is out. I miss waking up on Sunday mornings to Mom’s choir blasting and eating pancakes with orange juice and hearing dad yell “Mom’s on TV!” I miss running around in the street with road flares in my pajamas or shooting off bottle rockets from dad’s secret stash on New Years Eve. I miss being able to make what I want for dinner because what mom cooked was on my list. (Enchiladas and fish) I miss making applesauce or using the cherry pitter and listening to conference or at least while conference was playing in the background. Whatever happened to conference bingo? I miss falling asleep on the floor wherever I want just because that’s where I decided to lay down. I miss all the extra people that always came home with brothers and sisters. I haven’t put a grasshopper in the microwave in forever. Btw, that’s not how the handle broke. I miss going to Country Courthouse for the family home evening activity and then to Monty’s for potato logs.
It is not so much the things in particular who I miss, but the people I was with when I was doing all these things that miss. I think that is why I have not been able to write anything, because I have a case of homesick. I think I got it when I went to the emergency room the other day. I also got aixelsyd that same day. That prolly made it blike really hard to write too. I guess.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
We ate Popsicles on a bench today.
Dear Mr. Breinholt:
Thank you for you interest in becoming a volunteer for the Chula Vista Police Department. I regret to inform you were not selected for further consideration.
The information and material you submitted was evaluated based on the professional qualifications and experience deemed most appropriate for the responsibilities of the volunteer position. Please accept my wishes for future success in your career endeavors.
Sincerely,
Gary Wedge
Division Commander
Admin Services
It kind of bummed me out. Maybe this just means that I may spend less time in San Diego than I previously thought (at least another year anyway). It is also okay because it is not like I am finished with school and now job hunting, it was more like if I get this job it may be easier to get a job when I finish school and go job hunting. Does that make sense? At least they did not wait the full three to nine months to tell me either. This also means that I can reconsider my position on advancement at my current job. My boss keeps trying to promote me, and I have been like, not yet I might get that job in Chula Vista. But not any more, for at least another year anyway.
On a more fun note, my beautiful wife who has been boycotting “the blogs” because she thinks it is silly, kind of like myspace silly, that I have like a billion different websites for my family, decided to read them today. Today the boycott has been lifted. I strongly recommend that anybody who reads this try and watch somebody else read these blogs for the first time. It is precious.
I love my family. Seriously. I’m not joking. Seriously.
Thank you for you interest in becoming a volunteer for the Chula Vista Police Department. I regret to inform you were not selected for further consideration.
The information and material you submitted was evaluated based on the professional qualifications and experience deemed most appropriate for the responsibilities of the volunteer position. Please accept my wishes for future success in your career endeavors.
Sincerely,
Gary Wedge
Division Commander
Admin Services
It kind of bummed me out. Maybe this just means that I may spend less time in San Diego than I previously thought (at least another year anyway). It is also okay because it is not like I am finished with school and now job hunting, it was more like if I get this job it may be easier to get a job when I finish school and go job hunting. Does that make sense? At least they did not wait the full three to nine months to tell me either. This also means that I can reconsider my position on advancement at my current job. My boss keeps trying to promote me, and I have been like, not yet I might get that job in Chula Vista. But not any more, for at least another year anyway.
On a more fun note, my beautiful wife who has been boycotting “the blogs” because she thinks it is silly, kind of like myspace silly, that I have like a billion different websites for my family, decided to read them today. Today the boycott has been lifted. I strongly recommend that anybody who reads this try and watch somebody else read these blogs for the first time. It is precious.
I love my family. Seriously. I’m not joking. Seriously.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
My chocolate egg melted in my car.
The last four days in a row it has been above 80 degrees outside. I know this because: a) we ran out of lids and straws for iced cups at work. b) I checked the weather. Awesome.
Monday, March 24, 2008
I think that I don’t really know what to think.
Let me share with you a story about what I do when I get grumpy.
Today at the tech mall of my school I was sitting down to print out the pictures of my nerd-core shirts to hand in to the contest. I noticed on my phone that I had five voicemails and on missed phone call. I thought hmmm, maybe I will check my voice mail. Before my mailbox even picked up a lab aide came over to me. Here is the dialog:
Her: Ummmm, I’m sorry but you cannot talk on your phone in the techmall
Me: I’m not talking; I am checking my voicemail, thank you though.
Her: I can see your mouth moving.
Me: I’m chewing gum genius. (stick my tongue out)
Her: I could hear you talking.
Me: (raised voice) No, it’s my voice mail, I don’t talk to it I listen to it. Here look and see. (hold phone up to her face) Is there anybody there or is it still just the computer lady telling me how to skip this message?
Her: It doesn’t matter, I heard you talking and you cannot do that.
Me: You’re a total champion. (put my phone in my pocket) Seriously. Good job.
A couple things about this. I don’t usually argue with people, especially about stupid things like checking my voicemail. I kind of felt like an idiot when she walked away. I was also kind of thinking something like “alright man, you told her, nice one stupid.” Seriously the second she walked away I totally knew I just made a total idiot out of myself. The worst part was that I could not figure out how to print on the color printer, so when I went to ask where it was, guess who was at the help desk. Ohhh man. I think I will apologize to her on Wednesday. I hope after watching my antics she realizes that I was just having a bad day. I also wonder what her blog would look like for today, or if my yelling at her was even a big enough event to merit her writing about it. What if she is already over it because of what she has to deal with when she is not at the tech mall is so much worse than some random dude arguing with her about talking on the phone.
Today at the tech mall of my school I was sitting down to print out the pictures of my nerd-core shirts to hand in to the contest. I noticed on my phone that I had five voicemails and on missed phone call. I thought hmmm, maybe I will check my voice mail. Before my mailbox even picked up a lab aide came over to me. Here is the dialog:
Her: Ummmm, I’m sorry but you cannot talk on your phone in the techmall
Me: I’m not talking; I am checking my voicemail, thank you though.
Her: I can see your mouth moving.
Me: I’m chewing gum genius. (stick my tongue out)
Her: I could hear you talking.
Me: (raised voice) No, it’s my voice mail, I don’t talk to it I listen to it. Here look and see. (hold phone up to her face) Is there anybody there or is it still just the computer lady telling me how to skip this message?
Her: It doesn’t matter, I heard you talking and you cannot do that.
Me: You’re a total champion. (put my phone in my pocket) Seriously. Good job.
Her: (walk away)
A couple things about this. I don’t usually argue with people, especially about stupid things like checking my voicemail. I kind of felt like an idiot when she walked away. I was also kind of thinking something like “alright man, you told her, nice one stupid.” Seriously the second she walked away I totally knew I just made a total idiot out of myself. The worst part was that I could not figure out how to print on the color printer, so when I went to ask where it was, guess who was at the help desk. Ohhh man. I think I will apologize to her on Wednesday. I hope after watching my antics she realizes that I was just having a bad day. I also wonder what her blog would look like for today, or if my yelling at her was even a big enough event to merit her writing about it. What if she is already over it because of what she has to deal with when she is not at the tech mall is so much worse than some random dude arguing with her about talking on the phone.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I'm not sure why I don't like to go into the ocean.
So I think I am really doing well. The thing that happened Friday was pretty scary, and I still get a little shaky at night when I am counting the tills or the safe at closing time. I am scheduled to open again on Friday, March 21. I think I will be okay. I understand that some people around me are really pretty worried that I am not dealing with what happened and I should be a total mess. Let me explain where I am coming from.This was not the first near death experience I have ever had. I firmly believe seatbelts, airbags, helmet laws, first-aid kits, and 911 were created for people like me. I have to use my fingers and my toes to count the number of car accidents I have been in both as somebody in the car and as a pedestrian. I have cracked a helmet and ruined two jackets as results of wrecking four wheelers. I stopped keeping track of emergency room visits when they stopped giving me stickers for being a good patient and taping my stitches to Popsicle sticks. I have not been all the way dead once. Well, maybe I have, I know I got pretty close one time. You would have to ask Dr. John or Jake or Sarah about that one, I don’t remember that night very well. The point is that I am still here.
I was talking to my mother about last Friday, and she was saying that what would have scared her more was the guy exercising control over her. Pretty much I did what he said because my life was in his hands. She would have been really angry at the man. I think she had a good point. I was a little angry at the guy. It’s like who does he think he is? Coming in here and making me do stuff I don’t really want to do. Scaring the crap out of me. What a jerk. Aside from that, he didn’t really bug me. I was thinking about it and I think I figured out why. When I was in high school I went to a place called The Utah Boys Ranch. For the first two weeks the only thing I had permission to do was breathe and blink. I stood at attention all day long unless ordered to do something else, like stand at ease or move rocks, or pretend there is a chair next to the wall and sit on it. I know the staff members were not pointing a gun at my face. If I were to scratch my nose with out asking permission I would run a couple of ladders or do twenty pushups or whatever. My life was never on the line. All the same, I was doing things I did not want to do whether I liked it or not. Last Friday morning was not the first time my actions were fully dictated by somebody besides myself. I think that was why it didn’t really bug me as much as many people think it should have. Funny though, I never thought that any of the life training I got in the Boys Ranch would prepare me to handle an armed robbery.
I am not saying I am invincible. I am still kind of afraid to cross the street, even in a crosswalk. When I ride in a car with somebody else driving I usually close my eyes or fiddle with something instead of pay attention to the road. I am comfortable walking on sidewalks. Sometimes I go ahead and make the left turn instead of driving around the block to find a light. Time will eventually heal most wounds.
Am I going to remember this experience for the rest of my life? Yes. Is it going to change the way I function while at work? A little. Will it ever happen again? I don’t know. Am I going to let some strange guy with a gun run my life after he leaves the building? No.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
When you day dream, you are always a hero.
Today I was granted with a very special insight in the field of police work. In many of my classes I have learned about victims and types of crimes and reports and witnesses and being a good witness etc. I have spent many hours in classrooms learning about how to deal with incidents and process victims and crime scenes for evidence.
This is the incident report for today:
At approximately 5:15 am a man wearing a bandana over his face and carrying a gun walked into my coffee shop. I was in the back room checking a daily order against the manifest and did not see him enter. He motioned for my partners in the front of the store to get down on the ground and not look up. He then went to the back of the store and pointed the gun at me and said something to the effect of “I need you to open the safe.” I don’t know if I replied audibly or not, I can’t remember. I remember thinking “Dude. No way. I hope this guy does not shoot anybody today.” I went to the front of the store and set the time lock on the safe. At gunpoint, I was commanded to open the tills while waiting for the safe time lock. I opened all of the tills and emptied the cash into a bag as instructed. When the safe alarm went off, I opened the safe and added its contents to the bag. The man told me to get down on the floor and count to thirty before moving and left the store. When the man was out of my sight I dialed 911.
End Report.
Notable reflections that I did not include in the incident report:
I was working with two mothers and a young lady who has just been engaged. A regular customer walked in while I was being escorted out of the back and instructed to lay down on the ground at gunpoint. I am pretty sure he is a father. Nobody was hurt. Both my manager and district manager arrived shortly after the police did. The partner asset protection manager arrived about ten minutes after my two bosses. The three ladies involved and I are going to be paid while attending a group counseling session tomorrow. Our company is going to pay for further private counseling if we choose to get it.
End Notes.
I have always heard about how hard it is to be a good witness, and that is why video cameras and stuff like that are really important. Today I learned first-hand how hard it is. Of all the details I can recall from this morning, the one that over shadows the rest is the absolute shock that went through my body when I first saw that gun, then the person holding it. I have been trained at nearly very job I have held how to handle a robbery. According to all three of my bosses today, I handled it like I was the one that wrote the textbook. I guess that in spite of knowing how to handle a robbery, I have always spent a good day or so after every training session day-dreaming about pulling a Jackie Chan move and reversing the gun, some how preventing the crime and incapacitating the perpetrator. I always knew that would never be the case, but I also always thought I would never be the one getting robbed. One of my co-workers called me to see how I was doing and among other things told me about how some partners were saying that would have pulled some Jackie Chan. “That was what I always said too.” Is what I replied.
I didn’t call anybody who is reading this about today because I have not really even completely processed all of what happened today. I don’t know what I would say except that I am okay. To be honest I have not been that much of a talker today and “I am okay, thanks” is about all that anyone could really get out of me aside from what I put in the report.
I love my family. I love my wife. I enjoy living and learning and playing with my cats.
In an Old Testament bible study class I am taking this semester we talked about the story of how someone was telling some other people they need to repent and prepare for the day of the lord because it is coming soon and Israel will be destroyed. We talked about how the day of our lord is not necessarily the day Jesus will return to earth, but how perhaps it may be the day we die and meet our maker. The story goes on to talk about getting our affairs in order and what not because this day may be any day. There is a theory called “The Mack Truck Theory” that kind of says the same thing. This theory is about how you never know when “BLAM!” A Mack truck comes out of nowhere and you’re dead while on your way to check the mail. Today was kind of an object lesson for me in this theory. I didn’t really like it because although I am working on it, all my affairs are not in order.
I don’t know what else to say. Today was a strange, scary day. I hope tomorrow is different.
This is the incident report for today:
At approximately 5:15 am a man wearing a bandana over his face and carrying a gun walked into my coffee shop. I was in the back room checking a daily order against the manifest and did not see him enter. He motioned for my partners in the front of the store to get down on the ground and not look up. He then went to the back of the store and pointed the gun at me and said something to the effect of “I need you to open the safe.” I don’t know if I replied audibly or not, I can’t remember. I remember thinking “Dude. No way. I hope this guy does not shoot anybody today.” I went to the front of the store and set the time lock on the safe. At gunpoint, I was commanded to open the tills while waiting for the safe time lock. I opened all of the tills and emptied the cash into a bag as instructed. When the safe alarm went off, I opened the safe and added its contents to the bag. The man told me to get down on the floor and count to thirty before moving and left the store. When the man was out of my sight I dialed 911.
End Report.
Notable reflections that I did not include in the incident report:
I was working with two mothers and a young lady who has just been engaged. A regular customer walked in while I was being escorted out of the back and instructed to lay down on the ground at gunpoint. I am pretty sure he is a father. Nobody was hurt. Both my manager and district manager arrived shortly after the police did. The partner asset protection manager arrived about ten minutes after my two bosses. The three ladies involved and I are going to be paid while attending a group counseling session tomorrow. Our company is going to pay for further private counseling if we choose to get it.
End Notes.
I have always heard about how hard it is to be a good witness, and that is why video cameras and stuff like that are really important. Today I learned first-hand how hard it is. Of all the details I can recall from this morning, the one that over shadows the rest is the absolute shock that went through my body when I first saw that gun, then the person holding it. I have been trained at nearly very job I have held how to handle a robbery. According to all three of my bosses today, I handled it like I was the one that wrote the textbook. I guess that in spite of knowing how to handle a robbery, I have always spent a good day or so after every training session day-dreaming about pulling a Jackie Chan move and reversing the gun, some how preventing the crime and incapacitating the perpetrator. I always knew that would never be the case, but I also always thought I would never be the one getting robbed. One of my co-workers called me to see how I was doing and among other things told me about how some partners were saying that would have pulled some Jackie Chan. “That was what I always said too.” Is what I replied.
I didn’t call anybody who is reading this about today because I have not really even completely processed all of what happened today. I don’t know what I would say except that I am okay. To be honest I have not been that much of a talker today and “I am okay, thanks” is about all that anyone could really get out of me aside from what I put in the report.
I love my family. I love my wife. I enjoy living and learning and playing with my cats.
In an Old Testament bible study class I am taking this semester we talked about the story of how someone was telling some other people they need to repent and prepare for the day of the lord because it is coming soon and Israel will be destroyed. We talked about how the day of our lord is not necessarily the day Jesus will return to earth, but how perhaps it may be the day we die and meet our maker. The story goes on to talk about getting our affairs in order and what not because this day may be any day. There is a theory called “The Mack Truck Theory” that kind of says the same thing. This theory is about how you never know when “BLAM!” A Mack truck comes out of nowhere and you’re dead while on your way to check the mail. Today was kind of an object lesson for me in this theory. I didn’t really like it because although I am working on it, all my affairs are not in order.
I don’t know what else to say. Today was a strange, scary day. I hope tomorrow is different.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
"Your headphones are too loud, I don't want to hear it" -lab aide
Calculus is going to have to wait. I finally did it. I dropped my Trigonometry class again. I will be able to keep my book for next semester this time though. I don’t really understand it. Math typically comes pretty easy to me. I just have not been able to wrap my noodle ‘round radians and angle functions as well as I think I should be able to. Part of me thinks it may be because I have a few too many things going on this semester, but another part of me thinks this is the second time around, and I should get it by now. Either way, when I finally did drop the class after getting my second “F” on a test I felt a phenomenal sense of defeat. I have not decided yet if I dropped it more so to preserve my GPA or just because I might be able to understand it better next time around. I thought I would feel a little bit of relief when I did drop this class, like it was one less thing I had to worry about every day. I feel more disappointed in myself than relieved right now though, so it kind of bums me out. I guess that is the price I pay for being a perfectionist of sorts. :P
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Nope, I’m not dead.
I took the Bazooka out for its first real ride yesterday. It was the first ride with the new paint job and mirrors. My buddy said the bike looks like Night Rider, I’m not sure if I would say that, but it sure does look rad. Now all that is really left before it is finished is to wrap the pipes, replace the clutch handle and maybe clutch cable, throw on some new hand grips and a tank protector. To get Kristin excited about the bazooka, I took her to the local cycle shop with me when I was looking for a couple bolts so she could look at jackets and helmets. SURPRISE! I left with new tire valve caps, and a new matching leather jacket and pants for my wife.
Friday, March 7, 2008
I bought a new barbecue today.
I finally realized what happens when you bite off more than you can chew.
My favorite joke for small talk at checkout stands is some form of “whatever you do, don’t work too hard, because it is the best way to get a headache.”
My other favorite supermarket joke is to reply “Why yes actually, I was hoping to find my marbles today, could you point me in the right direction?” when an employee of wherever I am shopping asks “Can I help you, sir?”
In the recent state of affairs, neither of my favorite jokes were really jokes at all, but dead serious.
In my life I never really thought out every situation I was about to get myself into and how it would affect me ten years down the road. I kind of wish I had paid more attention to the grand scheme of things instead of thinking about how a + b = c and c is not related to d because I don’t care, I am trying to create a c today. Change is definitely the theme for the week; in fact I have been instructed by somebody who has a huge part in what I will be doing with my life for the next two years to write a short essay about how I have changed.
I have not had an alcoholic drink in 32 months. Almost three years. The last time acted on the desire to self medicate with prescription narcotics was over 4 years ago. I have not taken any of my possessions to a pawn shop since 2003. I have never received a citation for being under the influence. I have not been late on rent since I decided to stop drinking. My driving privileges have not been forcefully revoked for over 3 years. In the last three years I have managed to keep my job for as long as I have wanted. I have managed to convince my wife to marry me and stay married to me for almost two years. I have been offered management positions in both my current job and most recent but previous employment. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA for 38 credits worth of college classes. I am now the chapter vice president for a national criminal justice organization. I lost the election for president by two votes to somebody who has been in the same program for at least twice as long as I have. I walked into a Police Station last week for a job interview instead of to pay a ticket. I have had more people than I can count on two hands volunteer to be a reference on my resume over the past three weeks while talking about an upcoming job interview. I have instructed classes on two different occasions on proper forensic methods and techniques. I have presented in countless meetings at work on proper procedures and new policies. My biggest enemy aside from my past is the fact that I am only 25 years old. I have not had enough time in my life to show that is has truly changed.
I have yet to take a college English class.
I am currently taking a class on report writing for police officers. My professor was talking about police reports. He said that any cop can make a good arrest. You can have the guy’s bloody fingerprint on the murder weapon and sixteen eyewitness as well as video footage, but this case may not make it into court. Why? The police officer who made the arrest cannot write a good report. I didn’t think that this would be so relevant so soon in my life.
-p.
My favorite joke for small talk at checkout stands is some form of “whatever you do, don’t work too hard, because it is the best way to get a headache.”
My other favorite supermarket joke is to reply “Why yes actually, I was hoping to find my marbles today, could you point me in the right direction?” when an employee of wherever I am shopping asks “Can I help you, sir?”
In the recent state of affairs, neither of my favorite jokes were really jokes at all, but dead serious.
In my life I never really thought out every situation I was about to get myself into and how it would affect me ten years down the road. I kind of wish I had paid more attention to the grand scheme of things instead of thinking about how a + b = c and c is not related to d because I don’t care, I am trying to create a c today. Change is definitely the theme for the week; in fact I have been instructed by somebody who has a huge part in what I will be doing with my life for the next two years to write a short essay about how I have changed.
I have not had an alcoholic drink in 32 months. Almost three years. The last time acted on the desire to self medicate with prescription narcotics was over 4 years ago. I have not taken any of my possessions to a pawn shop since 2003. I have never received a citation for being under the influence. I have not been late on rent since I decided to stop drinking. My driving privileges have not been forcefully revoked for over 3 years. In the last three years I have managed to keep my job for as long as I have wanted. I have managed to convince my wife to marry me and stay married to me for almost two years. I have been offered management positions in both my current job and most recent but previous employment. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA for 38 credits worth of college classes. I am now the chapter vice president for a national criminal justice organization. I lost the election for president by two votes to somebody who has been in the same program for at least twice as long as I have. I walked into a Police Station last week for a job interview instead of to pay a ticket. I have had more people than I can count on two hands volunteer to be a reference on my resume over the past three weeks while talking about an upcoming job interview. I have instructed classes on two different occasions on proper forensic methods and techniques. I have presented in countless meetings at work on proper procedures and new policies. My biggest enemy aside from my past is the fact that I am only 25 years old. I have not had enough time in my life to show that is has truly changed.
I have yet to take a college English class.
I am currently taking a class on report writing for police officers. My professor was talking about police reports. He said that any cop can make a good arrest. You can have the guy’s bloody fingerprint on the murder weapon and sixteen eyewitness as well as video footage, but this case may not make it into court. Why? The police officer who made the arrest cannot write a good report. I didn’t think that this would be so relevant so soon in my life.
-p.
Monday, March 3, 2008
I must be tired.
Tonight after reading all my emails and checking up on all my family’s websites and news letters and everything all I could think of to say was “seriously”. I clicked on the little comment pencil about five different times tonight and typed “seriously” in the box. I then realized I had nothing else to say and seriously looks kind of stupid by its self and erased it. I wasn’t even going to write anything tonight until like the fourth seriously. That’s when I thought “hmm, maybe I should put this in the book.” So I did. Seriously.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Dang. I had a really good one.
But I forgot it.
Kristin has a buddy whose friend is getting married. They made a workout schedule that is about 2 hours a day 5 days a week. Tonight while she was working out I planned on sanding down the epoxy stick body work I had done on the bazooka, washing everything, and putting on the primer coat if I had time. I saved my striping pants after I quit so that I don’t have to worry about ruining my clothes when I do stuff like work on the bazooka. I think tonight was the first time I have painted something and worked with epoxy while wearing them since I was a striper. It all came back to me. Anyway, just as I was finishing up the last little bit of work my beautiful wife called to let me know she was done working out. I told her I needed to get cleaned up so I would meet her at home and we would change and figure out what we are doing tonight. She called back about a minute later while I was putting everything away to see if I could just pick her and her buddy up and go to dinner. We went to La Salsa. I had the Burrito Grande. I got some of their avocado salsa. It reminded me of the first time I had ever eaten there with my brother Sam. It was for lunch while we were at work. We both got a Burrito Grande because we were starving, and they were both the size of our heads. I think I got sick from eating too much that day. Tonight made me think and laugh about times past because here I was, like 2 years later eating at La Salsa with paint all over my hands and even on my face wearing my striping pants. But this time it was my wife making fun of my painty face and I was wondering how my brother was coping with he chilly weather in SLC.
Kristin has a buddy whose friend is getting married. They made a workout schedule that is about 2 hours a day 5 days a week. Tonight while she was working out I planned on sanding down the epoxy stick body work I had done on the bazooka, washing everything, and putting on the primer coat if I had time. I saved my striping pants after I quit so that I don’t have to worry about ruining my clothes when I do stuff like work on the bazooka. I think tonight was the first time I have painted something and worked with epoxy while wearing them since I was a striper. It all came back to me. Anyway, just as I was finishing up the last little bit of work my beautiful wife called to let me know she was done working out. I told her I needed to get cleaned up so I would meet her at home and we would change and figure out what we are doing tonight. She called back about a minute later while I was putting everything away to see if I could just pick her and her buddy up and go to dinner. We went to La Salsa. I had the Burrito Grande. I got some of their avocado salsa. It reminded me of the first time I had ever eaten there with my brother Sam. It was for lunch while we were at work. We both got a Burrito Grande because we were starving, and they were both the size of our heads. I think I got sick from eating too much that day. Tonight made me think and laugh about times past because here I was, like 2 years later eating at La Salsa with paint all over my hands and even on my face wearing my striping pants. But this time it was my wife making fun of my painty face and I was wondering how my brother was coping with he chilly weather in SLC.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Penguins don't have distinguishable faces.
I was listening to one of my mother’s choir albums on the way to school this morning. She just sent it to me last week at my request. There are about 360 members in her choir according to the official website. As I listen to the songs sometimes I get a little teary-eyed, like this morning, because it makes me realize how much I miss my mom. I don’t know if she just sings louder that all the other choir members, or if I just know my mothers voice, but in spite of my hearing deficiencies, I can always pick her out of the crowd. Maybe it is because she used to sing me to sleep sometimes as a child. I don’t know. I never really understood how big of thing this was that my mom was a part up until quite recently. Since my mom became a member back in 1993, her voice has been part of almost 100 albums and videos. She has sung on national television as part of this choir for almost 780 broadcasts. I could not find a stat for how many tours my mom has gone on, just this statement: “The Choir has performed in concerts around the world and throughout the United States. They have traveled to places such as Russia, many nations in Europe, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2003 the Choir kicked off the celebration of its 75th year of broadcasting with a tour of major musical festivals in the northeastern United States. Performance venues included Chautauqua, Wolftrap, Tanglewood, the Lincoln Center, and Boston's Esplanade on July 4th with the Boston Pops Orchestra.” Something else kind of neat that I found was when I looked at this list: http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/roster/names?letter=B I remembered that my dad went ahead and got famous too.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
About 1/2 hour after leaving the drive thru.
“I don’t know why I even bother eating it. I think next time I order from Taco Bell, I will just take my food to the bathroom, unwrap it, and throw it straight into the toilet. It will just be easier that way.” -hm
Monday, February 25, 2008
Suzuki SV650-S (K1)
Last night a buddy and I were driving to Kragen to buy a couple things for the new motorcycle. I was telling a story about something… Oh yeah, this motorcycle apparel shop I went to one time to get my brother a birthday gift. It was the first bike shop I had ever been in that was not geared towards Easy Rider fans. I was totally blown away by the internal skeleton pads they had in some of the jackets. I had commented on how they only had one rack of typical leather jackets and they were on clearance. He looked at me like an idiot and explained how these new uber-padded performance suits are better for performance bikes and yadda yadda. He even pointed out the carbon fiber knuckled gloves I was purchasing to kind of prove his point. I explained to him that my brother was a crotch rocketeer and rode something like a Bazooka qx79 or Kamikaze sp850 or something like that. He laughed at me and asked what kind of bike I liked to ride. I told him how I would be happy on something like a Honda Shadow or Suzuki Intruder, and ultimately something like a Harley Softail that I would be able to do a bobber-style chop job on.
This story sounded just as stupid last night. I even completely lost my train of thought about halfway through it and just stopped talking for minute. The reason I was even thinking about it was because the bike that I was getting parts for was the same Bazooka qx79 from the story, and now I want a pair of carbon fiber knuckle gloves and a jacket with plates in it instead of just my regular biking leathers. I’m not exactly sure what the point is, but I know its there. -p
This story sounded just as stupid last night. I even completely lost my train of thought about halfway through it and just stopped talking for minute. The reason I was even thinking about it was because the bike that I was getting parts for was the same Bazooka qx79 from the story, and now I want a pair of carbon fiber knuckle gloves and a jacket with plates in it instead of just my regular biking leathers. I’m not exactly sure what the point is, but I know its there. -p
Friday, February 22, 2008
The joke about lamespace.
I just got it. lol funny. serious. I'm not sure which part is lol, the part that I got it, or the it that I got. Either way, it was lol funny. I should put this in my book.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The last 2 days: a summary.
I realized that MP3 players are like a giant mix CD that has way more songs than a single regular CD can hold. I think I am going to get one.
I ordered a breakfast combo meal from a touch screen at Jack in the Box instead of waiting in line to talk to a real live person. I was talking on the phone at the time.
I typed my first resume ever. It was very successful in my interview.
I realized that I still do not know how the last Harry Potter book ends. Please don’t tell me I have the book sitting on my night stand waiting patiently for spring break.
I ordered something form a menu in a Thai restaurant by reading the Thai name for it not the English one. The waitress said I pronounced it correctly.
I tried on snakeskin cowboy boots at a thrift store. No, not really I could see by the size stamped inside the boot that they would not fit very well, I carried them around for a couple minutes anyway to look cool.
I gave out three business cards to complete strangers, only one of which was my own.
I showed somebody through demonstration how to fake tripping and falling to help relax and kind of break the ice while walking up to the front of a class to deliver a speech. They did not try it.
I read JKE for the first time since like Christmas. I emailed him like 3 questions right after.
I took my suit to the dry cleaners for the first time ever. It made me feel like a grown-up.
I thought about getting a micro-cassette recorder at the thrift store for $5.95. I didn’t get it, they only accepted cash.
I practiced playing “Sorrow” on my guitar. It is one of my favorite songs to play besides “Country Roads” and “Prison Bound.”
I thought pretty hard about two of the questions I sent to JKE. I really did.
I ordered a breakfast combo meal from a touch screen at Jack in the Box instead of waiting in line to talk to a real live person. I was talking on the phone at the time.
I typed my first resume ever. It was very successful in my interview.
I realized that I still do not know how the last Harry Potter book ends. Please don’t tell me I have the book sitting on my night stand waiting patiently for spring break.
I ordered something form a menu in a Thai restaurant by reading the Thai name for it not the English one. The waitress said I pronounced it correctly.
I tried on snakeskin cowboy boots at a thrift store. No, not really I could see by the size stamped inside the boot that they would not fit very well, I carried them around for a couple minutes anyway to look cool.
I gave out three business cards to complete strangers, only one of which was my own.
I showed somebody through demonstration how to fake tripping and falling to help relax and kind of break the ice while walking up to the front of a class to deliver a speech. They did not try it.
I read JKE for the first time since like Christmas. I emailed him like 3 questions right after.
I took my suit to the dry cleaners for the first time ever. It made me feel like a grown-up.
I thought about getting a micro-cassette recorder at the thrift store for $5.95. I didn’t get it, they only accepted cash.
I practiced playing “Sorrow” on my guitar. It is one of my favorite songs to play besides “Country Roads” and “Prison Bound.”
I thought pretty hard about two of the questions I sent to JKE. I really did.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Acceptable deception.
I understand that people form judgments based on first sight. I think that one of the biggest things I took away from high school is how to make people believe I am some thing I am not, or something that I am only about 2% of the time. Job interviews, resumes. Good grief. I cannot even begin to number the people who I have hired or helped hire because of how well they presented themselves, and then ended up completely disappointed by my decision because I had been tricked. It’s like how in my culture we are taught to say “yeah, uh huh, then what” and nod our head when we listen to people talk. How many times have I been thinking more about how to look like I am listening by acting as described above instead of truly listening to what is being said? I don’t know. It drives me crazy, for how results oriented my culture is, its indoctrination seems kind of counter-productive. Maybe I just do not understand as well as I think I do.
Monday, February 18, 2008
I have not made guacamole in months.
Today when I was dropping off the dry my suit to be dry-cleaned, I saw a row of trees with little white blossoms on them. It looked a little weird because the sky was overcast with light grey clouds that were so low you could almost touch them. It just didn’t look like it was the right weather for trees to blossom. I really hope the avocado trees did not blossom early again this year; they just barely started to look good for the first time since last January.
I like sand dollars.
So the other day I was goofing around with one of my bosses at work. We have like a million running jokes, and on this particular one I was seriously beating it dead, like you should have let it go five minutes ago, dead. After a good laugh, I thought about how many times I wish I would have tape recorded some of the stuff coming out of my mouth, and of course I thought it out loud to Charles (this particular boss) and he was listening pretty intently. so I continued to think out loud about what I would do with all of this tape recorded verbalization, and I decided I would publish them in a book called "idiot book."
On nights like tonight I have a hard time getting to bed because of my very un-routine work schedule. I do not want to start doing homework because it is too late, and I just want to go bed but I'm not very tired yet, and unlike my beautiful wife, I cannot just fall asleep because I know I need to. Usually I surf the web for a little bit after I have watched some stupid late night program on TV and getting irritated for wasting my time watching TV, but after I check my email and a couple of websites I realize that this is an act as pointless as watching late night TV. I was not going to start a blog because I already have enough stuff to do, and often find myself pressed for time to meet deadlines. Tonight however, I decided to check out mom's blog and thought to myself "it's time to start the idiot book", so I did.
Since my conversation with Charles, I have had two instances that I can remember thinking about they would go perfectly in this book. I forgot what they were, and now that I have decided to actually write some of this stuff down, it kind of bums me out. Maybe I will get a recorder of some sort and just leave it running when I know I will be around people.
I found out something interesting the other day. I was helping a classmate with an informative speech, and her topic was ADD and ADHD awareness because of her son. It was really interesting to me, because although I have been diagnosed with ADD, I never took my medicine because of how it made me feel. Instead I chose to make it a point to be the master of my head. I am not always successful. Anyway, some parts of her speech really jumped out at me, I can’t really explain how it made me feel, because I am not really sure. It was just strange. She was talking about how typically teachers and other adults see these kids as lazy disrespectful trouble makers, and also about how they are often alienated from their peers because of how they interact with other people due to this disease. I guess the part of the reason it was strange was, at that moment, after hearing her speech, my whole life up to now made sense. For the first time ever, I truly understood why life was so odd growing up. After this moment of clarity, I felt such strong emotion that it made my eyes start to water. I am not quite sure what sort of emotion I was feeling, and that is the other part of the strangeness. It was just weird.
I have a tendency to say “and now you know” after some of the things I say. I almost ended that last paragraph with it. I usually say it when I don’t really understand how I got to saying what I was saying and cannot even remember where the verbal train of thought even started, and now it does not make any sense anyway but I am still talking about whatever the heck I want to. I don’t think I am ever going to put “and now you know” in idiot book, it just doesn’t belong.
On nights like tonight I have a hard time getting to bed because of my very un-routine work schedule. I do not want to start doing homework because it is too late, and I just want to go bed but I'm not very tired yet, and unlike my beautiful wife, I cannot just fall asleep because I know I need to. Usually I surf the web for a little bit after I have watched some stupid late night program on TV and getting irritated for wasting my time watching TV, but after I check my email and a couple of websites I realize that this is an act as pointless as watching late night TV. I was not going to start a blog because I already have enough stuff to do, and often find myself pressed for time to meet deadlines. Tonight however, I decided to check out mom's blog and thought to myself "it's time to start the idiot book", so I did.
Since my conversation with Charles, I have had two instances that I can remember thinking about they would go perfectly in this book. I forgot what they were, and now that I have decided to actually write some of this stuff down, it kind of bums me out. Maybe I will get a recorder of some sort and just leave it running when I know I will be around people.
I found out something interesting the other day. I was helping a classmate with an informative speech, and her topic was ADD and ADHD awareness because of her son. It was really interesting to me, because although I have been diagnosed with ADD, I never took my medicine because of how it made me feel. Instead I chose to make it a point to be the master of my head. I am not always successful. Anyway, some parts of her speech really jumped out at me, I can’t really explain how it made me feel, because I am not really sure. It was just strange. She was talking about how typically teachers and other adults see these kids as lazy disrespectful trouble makers, and also about how they are often alienated from their peers because of how they interact with other people due to this disease. I guess the part of the reason it was strange was, at that moment, after hearing her speech, my whole life up to now made sense. For the first time ever, I truly understood why life was so odd growing up. After this moment of clarity, I felt such strong emotion that it made my eyes start to water. I am not quite sure what sort of emotion I was feeling, and that is the other part of the strangeness. It was just weird.
I have a tendency to say “and now you know” after some of the things I say. I almost ended that last paragraph with it. I usually say it when I don’t really understand how I got to saying what I was saying and cannot even remember where the verbal train of thought even started, and now it does not make any sense anyway but I am still talking about whatever the heck I want to. I don’t think I am ever going to put “and now you know” in idiot book, it just doesn’t belong.
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