AS OF TODAY
I was informed that I will be out of a job. I have a couple of days of packing up equipment and birds and then it is over. Time for something new.
But first I am going to spend some time taking care of me. Put in a 1 hour and 40 minute workout today. Just the beginning. The goal is 2+ hours everyday. Quite possibly two workouts everyday. Gonna get my fat ass back in shape. First so that I can enjoy riding my bike again and second so that later this year I can start running again.
I didn't realize how much I will miss the birds until it became final today and I found out that they were being shipped to Hawaii, lucky bastards. It was funny to watch 3 of them try to continually attack my bosses feet as if they knew something was up. She's not the bad guy. Things just happen sometimes. I am gonna hate to say goodbye to these birds. They are pretty cool animals.
I swear to god I thought my boss was gonna cry at one point today while she was telling me about her situation with regards to the company and how she is treated. If I was her I would find something else. She is not appreciated.
It sucked to have be part of having to lay off 3 employees. We all need jobs. After 9-11 the thing I was most proud of was that I did not have to layoff one staff member. I took great pride in that.
I am not going to look for a job to seriously for about a month. I need to decompress a little. Burnout was rapidly approaching. It's tough to find a job but I have a little time. I can live on unemployment for a while. I won't be rich but I won't be hurting to bad.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
THE END
OF THIS JOB
Well today might have been my last real day of work at my current job. As of tomorrow I will not have any electricity to power my equipment at the job site. I have known this was coming for a while but It still sucks. I mean, I can't say that I really like this job but I do like paychecks. Most of all when it it is all said and done the thing that I will miss the most are the birds. Especially Christina, a 21 year old Scarlett Macaw with enough attitude and personality for 3 birds. She has taken me in and made me her friend. Believe me when I say that she will bite the shit out of anyone else if they try and take her of of me. She lets me pet her and basically give her a massage. She practically forces me to do this. Hopefully when she leaves here she will get to go back to Jungle Island in Miami and enjoy the easy life without having to deal with all of these tourists. She can just chill and relax.
SHERI
I just found out that a former girlfriend and still very good friend took a spill on her bicycle yesterday. She was on a ride with friends to celebrate another friends 50th b'day and I guess she caught her wheel in a rut in the road and went down. Resulting in road rash, shattered elbow, and a "broken" shoulder. It's a shame that this happened as she is a newby. She has said that she will be back on the bike when she gets better. That is great to hear. Most people of limited experience wouldn't think of getting back on this bull. I must say this is another thing that has never happened on my indoor trainer ...lol.
TINK
Had the occasion to meet Tinker Juarez yesterday. Nothing special. He just happened by my photo location at the Flamingo hotel with what appeared to be a wife and child. I recognized him as if I had been a mountain bike fan all of my life. To be honest I have owned to Mountain Bikes and I have never ridden either of them off-road. In fact I put road tires on both of them. I have probably seen a few photos of him in mags but I don't know how this bit of Jeopardy knowledge made it's way out of my scrambled mind at that moment
WITNESS
Just finished a really good autobiography, "Destined to Witness" by Hans Massaquoi. A man who grew up as a black child in Nazi Germany to become a big shot at Ebony Magazine. Pretty amazing story about what he, and his mother, had to go through. I highly recommend it to all.
Well today might have been my last real day of work at my current job. As of tomorrow I will not have any electricity to power my equipment at the job site. I have known this was coming for a while but It still sucks. I mean, I can't say that I really like this job but I do like paychecks. Most of all when it it is all said and done the thing that I will miss the most are the birds. Especially Christina, a 21 year old Scarlett Macaw with enough attitude and personality for 3 birds. She has taken me in and made me her friend. Believe me when I say that she will bite the shit out of anyone else if they try and take her of of me. She lets me pet her and basically give her a massage. She practically forces me to do this. Hopefully when she leaves here she will get to go back to Jungle Island in Miami and enjoy the easy life without having to deal with all of these tourists. She can just chill and relax.
SHERI
I just found out that a former girlfriend and still very good friend took a spill on her bicycle yesterday. She was on a ride with friends to celebrate another friends 50th b'day and I guess she caught her wheel in a rut in the road and went down. Resulting in road rash, shattered elbow, and a "broken" shoulder. It's a shame that this happened as she is a newby. She has said that she will be back on the bike when she gets better. That is great to hear. Most people of limited experience wouldn't think of getting back on this bull. I must say this is another thing that has never happened on my indoor trainer ...lol.
TINK
Had the occasion to meet Tinker Juarez yesterday. Nothing special. He just happened by my photo location at the Flamingo hotel with what appeared to be a wife and child. I recognized him as if I had been a mountain bike fan all of my life. To be honest I have owned to Mountain Bikes and I have never ridden either of them off-road. In fact I put road tires on both of them. I have probably seen a few photos of him in mags but I don't know how this bit of Jeopardy knowledge made it's way out of my scrambled mind at that moment
WITNESS
Just finished a really good autobiography, "Destined to Witness" by Hans Massaquoi. A man who grew up as a black child in Nazi Germany to become a big shot at Ebony Magazine. Pretty amazing story about what he, and his mother, had to go through. I highly recommend it to all.
Monday, January 24, 2011
GRESHAM OREGON
Been checking out this place and it sounds pretty cool. Close to portland, columbia river, wine country, and not to far from the ocean. HMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!
OH WELL
99 WEEKS
I think I am going to be out of a job this weekend. I say that because they are going froward with construction in my work site that will make my job impossible. I will not have electricity to run my photo equipment. I have felt that this was coming for a while so it is not a big shock. I think I will take my unemployment checks and start spending some quality time in the gym. not just the 1 hour I do now but a serious amount of time each day to get my fat ass back in shape. I think I will bike in the morning and go to the gym in the afternoon. At least for a month. I have already been thinking about what I might do in the future. I have already started the process to declare bankruptcy so I have decided to give up my house so that I can get myself back to zero and start fresh. With that in mind I am going to ride it out and save some money until they kick me out of my house. With that money and my unemployment checks I might try a new location. I wanted to move about 5 years ago when my dad passed away but instead I bought his house (world's biggest mistake). I should have just sold the house and ran with the money. I probably would have had about 100,000 to play with and start new. We'll see how it goes. I am thinking of Oregon or Washington. Not sure where exactly. I would like to be near the western side of either state or maybe along the Columbia river. That's a few months off for now. The rents in these places are pretty reasonable and I could probably swing almost a year without working. Though I would be looking while not working. I want to go somewhere where I can ride the bikes (motorcycle & road bike) and re-connect with my photography. I would ideally love to go to San Diego but the prices their are ridiculous. Let's see what happens.
I think I am going to be out of a job this weekend. I say that because they are going froward with construction in my work site that will make my job impossible. I will not have electricity to run my photo equipment. I have felt that this was coming for a while so it is not a big shock. I think I will take my unemployment checks and start spending some quality time in the gym. not just the 1 hour I do now but a serious amount of time each day to get my fat ass back in shape. I think I will bike in the morning and go to the gym in the afternoon. At least for a month. I have already been thinking about what I might do in the future. I have already started the process to declare bankruptcy so I have decided to give up my house so that I can get myself back to zero and start fresh. With that in mind I am going to ride it out and save some money until they kick me out of my house. With that money and my unemployment checks I might try a new location. I wanted to move about 5 years ago when my dad passed away but instead I bought his house (world's biggest mistake). I should have just sold the house and ran with the money. I probably would have had about 100,000 to play with and start new. We'll see how it goes. I am thinking of Oregon or Washington. Not sure where exactly. I would like to be near the western side of either state or maybe along the Columbia river. That's a few months off for now. The rents in these places are pretty reasonable and I could probably swing almost a year without working. Though I would be looking while not working. I want to go somewhere where I can ride the bikes (motorcycle & road bike) and re-connect with my photography. I would ideally love to go to San Diego but the prices their are ridiculous. Let's see what happens.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
JUST ANOTHER DAY
CHRISTINA
My job may go away in a week or two due to some construction issues at the work site and the only thing that I will miss about this job, besides the paycheck, is this bird. Her name is Christina and she has adopted me as her friend. In this picture she is leaning into me and "hugging" me while I massage her wings and back. This parrot doesn't let anyone else do this without biting them. She can be a real pain in the ass at times but she really likes me and can be pretty cool.
My job may go away in a week or two due to some construction issues at the work site and the only thing that I will miss about this job, besides the paycheck, is this bird. Her name is Christina and she has adopted me as her friend. In this picture she is leaning into me and "hugging" me while I massage her wings and back. This parrot doesn't let anyone else do this without biting them. She can be a real pain in the ass at times but she really likes me and can be pretty cool.
FRIDAY
SONG OF THE DAY
Try A Little Tenderness - David Sanborn
Took a few days off from writing. On Wednesday I went Hiking and was to damn tired . Just didn't feel like it yesterday
3 AT ONCE
Books that is. I am currently in the middle of three different books.
1. Justice Game - Randy Singer - Lawyer/Mystery - Sort of John Grisham-like
2. I am Not A Serial Killer - Dan Wells - Murder/Mystery
3. Destined to Witness - Hans Massaquoi - Biography - Author grew up in Nazi Germany
as a young black child
LA MADRE SPRINGS
AS I said above I took half of Wednesday off to have some me time. I went out to Red Rock Canyon and did a little hiking. Nothing very strenuous just about 3-4 miles. Took a few snaps while I was out there. I haven't just hiked out there in years. I have run & rode the 13 mile loop in the past but I have not taken advantage of the hiking out there. I got interested in doing it because a friend of mine, Jessica, has been going off on hikes every week and it made me realize that I am not taking advantage of this wonderful place that is almost in my backyard. These are just a few photos I took out there on the trail.
Small Waterfall at La Madre Springs
Big Horn Sheep in Red Rock Canyon, Willow Springs
Linoleum Tiles
Looked like a Indian wall painting of a boogey man
View from trail to La Madre Springs
Try A Little Tenderness - David Sanborn
Took a few days off from writing. On Wednesday I went Hiking and was to damn tired . Just didn't feel like it yesterday
3 AT ONCE
Books that is. I am currently in the middle of three different books.
1. Justice Game - Randy Singer - Lawyer/Mystery - Sort of John Grisham-like
2. I am Not A Serial Killer - Dan Wells - Murder/Mystery
3. Destined to Witness - Hans Massaquoi - Biography - Author grew up in Nazi Germany
as a young black child
LA MADRE SPRINGS
AS I said above I took half of Wednesday off to have some me time. I went out to Red Rock Canyon and did a little hiking. Nothing very strenuous just about 3-4 miles. Took a few snaps while I was out there. I haven't just hiked out there in years. I have run & rode the 13 mile loop in the past but I have not taken advantage of the hiking out there. I got interested in doing it because a friend of mine, Jessica, has been going off on hikes every week and it made me realize that I am not taking advantage of this wonderful place that is almost in my backyard. These are just a few photos I took out there on the trail.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
RACING IN THE RAIN
SONG OF THE DAY
A new idea. What will be the first son that comes on Pandora when I open my computer.
Today. Rubberband Man by the Spinners
ENZO IS COOL....SO IS G.G.
Just finished the book " The Art of Racing In the Rain" . Awesome read. Very uplifting and very sad. It is probably the fastest I have read a book in many years. It is not a complicated read but definitely makes you want to turn to the next page.
This book made me think of my dog, G.G., quite a bit as I read. I have had her for a little over 8 years now, since she was 5 weeks old. She is an awesome dog. She has taught me a lot about relationships and friendship. Trust me I was not the best of owners when I first picked her up from one of the local rescue foundations (Noah's Ark). I wonder if like the dog in the book she has a voice, not a spoken voice but one that you feel or sense. She seems to communicate with me. I don't mean like I hear her talking (that would be crazy) but she is very expressive and has ways of "saying things" when she needs to make a point. It may be as simple as pushing her bowl around when it is empty or how she shows me she wants my attention by stealing my shoes to lay with them. She never damages them just lays with them. Or how she knows to wake me in the morning about 2 minutes before my alarm actually goes off. Whatever it is I just know that she is wonderful and is one of the best things that has ever happened in my life. Animals are cool. Dogs are great.
I AM BROKE
I went down today and started the process to file a bankruptcy. I have to I just can't take the fact that everyday I feel as though I am slipping further and further into a never ending pool of debt. I mean I have a house that is worth $80,000 less than when I bought it and I bought it $80,000 under the market at the time. I just want to get back to zero and be able to relax a little and maybe enjoy this short life we have on this round ball. Maybe actually take a vacation like I used to when I was "poor" . I don't need much in life. A roof, a job, time to myself, maybe a little golf, an occasional movie. I don't need to be rich to enjoy life just relaxed.
I still feel very guilty about doing this but I know logically it is the right thing to do. I am tired of throwing good money after bad and not being able to catch up. It is very stressful and depressing. I eat more than I should. I have been drinking way to much. I know that I am using both as a way to cope and that is not the right way to handle this. I need to do this so that I can find a job I enjoy without the only though being how much I make. Some where enjoyment has to come into it.
MY THEORY ON GAS PRICING
I have a theory. It goes like this.
Oil companies raise the price of gas until we scream and then they lower the price until we stop. Until we accept the newer prices. We are even thankful for the prices. We say things like " well at least it's not $4.00 a gallon". My comparison is that of going to the doctor and getting your blood pressure checked. They put on the cuff and inflate. Just when you're about to scream from the pain of the cuff being to tight they begin to lower it until there is not anymore pain. And to us that feels normal again. Guaranteed that your blood pressure is higher now than when they first started the test. Just a thought.
A new idea. What will be the first son that comes on Pandora when I open my computer.
Today. Rubberband Man by the Spinners
ENZO IS COOL....SO IS G.G.
Just finished the book " The Art of Racing In the Rain" . Awesome read. Very uplifting and very sad. It is probably the fastest I have read a book in many years. It is not a complicated read but definitely makes you want to turn to the next page.
This book made me think of my dog, G.G., quite a bit as I read. I have had her for a little over 8 years now, since she was 5 weeks old. She is an awesome dog. She has taught me a lot about relationships and friendship. Trust me I was not the best of owners when I first picked her up from one of the local rescue foundations (Noah's Ark). I wonder if like the dog in the book she has a voice, not a spoken voice but one that you feel or sense. She seems to communicate with me. I don't mean like I hear her talking (that would be crazy) but she is very expressive and has ways of "saying things" when she needs to make a point. It may be as simple as pushing her bowl around when it is empty or how she shows me she wants my attention by stealing my shoes to lay with them. She never damages them just lays with them. Or how she knows to wake me in the morning about 2 minutes before my alarm actually goes off. Whatever it is I just know that she is wonderful and is one of the best things that has ever happened in my life. Animals are cool. Dogs are great.
I AM BROKE
I went down today and started the process to file a bankruptcy. I have to I just can't take the fact that everyday I feel as though I am slipping further and further into a never ending pool of debt. I mean I have a house that is worth $80,000 less than when I bought it and I bought it $80,000 under the market at the time. I just want to get back to zero and be able to relax a little and maybe enjoy this short life we have on this round ball. Maybe actually take a vacation like I used to when I was "poor" . I don't need much in life. A roof, a job, time to myself, maybe a little golf, an occasional movie. I don't need to be rich to enjoy life just relaxed.
I still feel very guilty about doing this but I know logically it is the right thing to do. I am tired of throwing good money after bad and not being able to catch up. It is very stressful and depressing. I eat more than I should. I have been drinking way to much. I know that I am using both as a way to cope and that is not the right way to handle this. I need to do this so that I can find a job I enjoy without the only though being how much I make. Some where enjoyment has to come into it.
MY THEORY ON GAS PRICING
I have a theory. It goes like this.
Oil companies raise the price of gas until we scream and then they lower the price until we stop. Until we accept the newer prices. We are even thankful for the prices. We say things like " well at least it's not $4.00 a gallon". My comparison is that of going to the doctor and getting your blood pressure checked. They put on the cuff and inflate. Just when you're about to scream from the pain of the cuff being to tight they begin to lower it until there is not anymore pain. And to us that feels normal again. Guaranteed that your blood pressure is higher now than when they first started the test. Just a thought.
Monday, January 17, 2011
REDISCOVERED
PANDORA'S BOX
I was at Barnes and Noble today reading a book called " I Am Not a Serial killer" when I rememberred that I had Pandora Radio on my Nook. I forgot how great a site this was. Just name an artist and they will give you a station that takes into account the attributes of that song/artist. I have a Robbie Robertson station, Spyro Gyra, The Spinners, Melissa Etheridge, Brooks & Dunn, and Cowboy Mouth. Right now I am partaking of the Spinners station. I turned it on on my home pc and it keeps playing the classic R&B. So far it has played Al Green, Marvin Gaye, The Spinners, & the Four Top. I am not a classic rock kind of guy but I love the Classic R&.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
You know the show. A comedy on Monday night on CBS. Well tonight's story was about the funeral for Marshall's father. The key thought of the episode was last words. What were the last words some one said to you before they died. It made me really miss my parents. It also made wish I had spent more quality time with them while they were here to spend time with.
I was at Barnes and Noble today reading a book called " I Am Not a Serial killer" when I rememberred that I had Pandora Radio on my Nook. I forgot how great a site this was. Just name an artist and they will give you a station that takes into account the attributes of that song/artist. I have a Robbie Robertson station, Spyro Gyra, The Spinners, Melissa Etheridge, Brooks & Dunn, and Cowboy Mouth. Right now I am partaking of the Spinners station. I turned it on on my home pc and it keeps playing the classic R&B. So far it has played Al Green, Marvin Gaye, The Spinners, & the Four Top. I am not a classic rock kind of guy but I love the Classic R&.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
You know the show. A comedy on Monday night on CBS. Well tonight's story was about the funeral for Marshall's father. The key thought of the episode was last words. What were the last words some one said to you before they died. It made me really miss my parents. It also made wish I had spent more quality time with them while they were here to spend time with.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
BURN OUT
.... There are a few things I really like about my job. Mostly the 6 birds I work with. I can leave or take most of the employees I have had over the last year and one half. Marco was good ( for a while) Eshe was good, I had one employee (don't remember her name) for about 2 weeks before she found a good job at the Wynn. My current employee Jeremy is pretty damn good and wants to do a good job. I am just so burned out on dealing with employees who don't care or don't try. Also the stress of having to produce daily is intense. I realize that this job is not vital to the survival of man, or some such thing, but it is stressful nonetheless. I am going to need another period of about 3 months off to get back to wanting to work. I need to find a "job with benefits and shit" (BeBe's Kids) so that I can get healthy again. I feel as though I am working myself into the ground for no apparent reason that can justify the amount of time I give to this job. I get no real enjoyment form this job. I am not getting benefits. And, I am damn sure not making a living from this job.
I SAW JESUS TODAY
Well, not really. It was just a long haired guy with a beard. The funny part was that he was riding a bicycle on the strip at 11am. I was sitting at the light that crosses the strip from Caesars to the Flamingo when I saw this guy riding his bike. He was a pretty tall guy with, like I said, long brown hair, and a beard. He was obviously traveling thru Las Vegas as he was wearing a backpack and he was towing a small trailer. The best part of this "vision" was that he was wearing flip flops as he road his bike down the strip. As some one who always clips into his bikes I found that sight sort of funny. I wish I had a camera so I could have taken a picture of this sight. Maybe it could have been a new bible verse...." Yea though I ride through the valley of sin......"
SERIAL KILLER
I started a new book today. "I Am Not a Serial Killer". I am reading it at Barnes and Noble on my Nook. You can read any book on the nook for up to an hour a day. Pretty good deal. I guess I could just sit and read an actual copy of the book in the store. But what if I go in there and they are sold out of the book I want to read.
SERIAL KILLER
I started a new book today. "I Am Not a Serial Killer". I am reading it at Barnes and Noble on my Nook. You can read any book on the nook for up to an hour a day. Pretty good deal. I guess I could just sit and read an actual copy of the book in the store. But what if I go in there and they are sold out of the book I want to read.
Friday, January 14, 2011
BACK ON THE BIKE
After about three weeks I got back on the bike today, okay only on the trainer, but on the bike just the same. I did an easy workout of about 50 minutes. Didn't push it to hard. Kept it in the small ring and ran through the gears about 2.5 times. It felt good to be back in the saddle although I still feel a twinge in my hip flexor. Gonna have to take it easy for a while until I don't feel that twinge.
GOOD BOOK
No, not the bible. Although I hear it's a good read. No The book I am currently reading is called "Fly Boys" by James Bradley. It is a pretty good story about the military men that joined the different services and became pilots and crewmen in the Pacific during WWII. Good read about some very heroic people.
Just finished the Bill Strickland book about Lance's Comeback in 2009. Good read. I wouldn't call it riveting but it was interesting nonetheless.
INCOMMUNICADO
I think one of the downfalls of the overtaking of the worlds communication by cell phones, twitter, facebook, et al is that it seems as no one really communicates anymore. We talk into our phones and type on our computers as a way of ignoring the people around us as we go through life. It used to be that when some one said hello to you you responded back to them. Maybe just a quick nod or a friendly hello but you responded. These days it seems as though people have gotten more and more unfriendly in daily life.
I work on the streets of Las Vegas selling photos to tourists, and I make a point of trying to interact with the people on the street to drive my business. People walk by and literally ignore you as they go by. I don't think everyone has to take the time to talk to you, and many tourists are foreigners, but when you go as long as an hour and people pass you buy as though you are invisible there is something wrong. I love it when some one stops by and asks an interesting question or takes a genuine interest in my business. Not only do people not talk to you but it seems as though the vast majority of people in Vegas are downright depressed or mad. They don't smile, they stare at the ground, they just don't seem friendly or happy. I mean really they are in vegas not in some some podunk snowed-in town in the midwest that hasn't seen the sun shine in like 3 months.
Smile People. Life is Short.
GOOD BOOK
No, not the bible. Although I hear it's a good read. No The book I am currently reading is called "Fly Boys" by James Bradley. It is a pretty good story about the military men that joined the different services and became pilots and crewmen in the Pacific during WWII. Good read about some very heroic people.
Just finished the Bill Strickland book about Lance's Comeback in 2009. Good read. I wouldn't call it riveting but it was interesting nonetheless.
INCOMMUNICADO
I think one of the downfalls of the overtaking of the worlds communication by cell phones, twitter, facebook, et al is that it seems as no one really communicates anymore. We talk into our phones and type on our computers as a way of ignoring the people around us as we go through life. It used to be that when some one said hello to you you responded back to them. Maybe just a quick nod or a friendly hello but you responded. These days it seems as though people have gotten more and more unfriendly in daily life.
I work on the streets of Las Vegas selling photos to tourists, and I make a point of trying to interact with the people on the street to drive my business. People walk by and literally ignore you as they go by. I don't think everyone has to take the time to talk to you, and many tourists are foreigners, but when you go as long as an hour and people pass you buy as though you are invisible there is something wrong. I love it when some one stops by and asks an interesting question or takes a genuine interest in my business. Not only do people not talk to you but it seems as though the vast majority of people in Vegas are downright depressed or mad. They don't smile, they stare at the ground, they just don't seem friendly or happy. I mean really they are in vegas not in some some podunk snowed-in town in the midwest that hasn't seen the sun shine in like 3 months.
Smile People. Life is Short.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
MOVIE NITE
HOOD TO COAST
Saw a great movie tonight. "Hood to Coast" As a former runner I was really wanting to see this movie. It is a movie about the Hood to Coast relay race in Oregon. The race is 197 miles long and has 36 stages. Each team consists of 12 members. There are 1000 teams in the race. What an amazing logistical undertaking for the organizers of this event. The movie focused on 4 of the teams in the the race, none of which was an elite team. That made the movie much more interesting and entertaining. There were a number of great stories within these three teams. It never felt like it was a long movie. It moved really quickly due to the many stories that were told in the movie. From the 60+ year old lady who literally died on the course the year before, to the team who thought that they should drink more beer than they train. Makes me wish I had found a way to do this race back in the mid nineties when I was doing a race every weekend.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Has anyone else seen the new cross walk signals. When the "Walk" sign comes up there are two blues eyes that shift back and forth to tell you to make sure that you look both directions before you cross the street. Do we really need to be told to look for moving cars before we cross a street. How dumb are we?
SCHOOL ZONES
That goes for school zones also. Well, not all school zones. Just the ones in front of high schools and colleges. If you are above the age of 16 and you are not smart enough to look for moving vehicles you get what you deserve. Why should I have to slow down. Think of it a "Darwin" experience. Only the smart survive. It would definitely raise the I.Q. of this country.
Saw a great movie tonight. "Hood to Coast" As a former runner I was really wanting to see this movie. It is a movie about the Hood to Coast relay race in Oregon. The race is 197 miles long and has 36 stages. Each team consists of 12 members. There are 1000 teams in the race. What an amazing logistical undertaking for the organizers of this event. The movie focused on 4 of the teams in the the race, none of which was an elite team. That made the movie much more interesting and entertaining. There were a number of great stories within these three teams. It never felt like it was a long movie. It moved really quickly due to the many stories that were told in the movie. From the 60+ year old lady who literally died on the course the year before, to the team who thought that they should drink more beer than they train. Makes me wish I had found a way to do this race back in the mid nineties when I was doing a race every weekend.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Has anyone else seen the new cross walk signals. When the "Walk" sign comes up there are two blues eyes that shift back and forth to tell you to make sure that you look both directions before you cross the street. Do we really need to be told to look for moving cars before we cross a street. How dumb are we?
SCHOOL ZONES
That goes for school zones also. Well, not all school zones. Just the ones in front of high schools and colleges. If you are above the age of 16 and you are not smart enough to look for moving vehicles you get what you deserve. Why should I have to slow down. Think of it a "Darwin" experience. Only the smart survive. It would definitely raise the I.Q. of this country.
Monday, January 10, 2011
BORING
Work the last couple of days have really sucked. Not because I hate my job or anything like that but because we haven't done shit for business and it has been boring as all get out. I know my bosses are probably wondering what the hell is going on, but I can assure them I am working as hard as I can to make money for all of us. It is tough, though, when you are not even sure if your job will exist in a week or two. The job is in peril due to impending construction at our location on the strip. Everything is up in the air and it will probably come down to whether or not we can get a reliable power source. One that I asked to have put in about 7-8 months ago and it kept getting put off again and again. I kept informing my GM and the owners that this was going to be needed and nobody has jumped in to offer a helping hand in getting this achieved so that we can continue working.
SWEET COFFEE
While I was walking through our employee dining room I witnessed something that was mildly interesting/amusing.
This only took 15-20 seconds but it really caught my eye. I was leaving the cafeteria and as I did so I witnessed a lady putting sugar in her coffee. Now I like sugar in my coffee (the only thing I put sugar into) but what I saw was bordering on ridiculous. There was this lady pouring her sugar, she wasn't even watching what she was doing. She had one of those glass sugar containers like you find in all of the old coffee shops and she had it tilted totally upside down and pouring wide open into her cup of coffee which was all of about 12oz's. This got really weird after about 10 seconds and continued as I walked past her and left the room. Easily it went on for 15 seconds. I would have liked to taste this coffee. It probably would have put anyone in a diabetic coma in less time than it took to pour the sugar. It reminded me of two things. One, when I was a kid I always like to come down after my dad went to work and pour some extra sugar into his leftover coffee. It tasted great (funny, but I am still not a coffee lover). Secondly, it reminded me of when we were kids and your parents bought you some tasteless, sugar free cereal. You know you went and poured a but load of sugar into that bowl and when you were done you would eat the sugar of the bottom of the bowl. Yummy.
DOES THAT TASTE GOOD
There I was at work the other day, bored out of my mind, when one of my employees pointed out something pretty funny. She tells me to look over at the door that exits from the store we work in and when I did I saw what she was checking out.
Inside the store, totally oblivious to the outside world, was this very cute young lady of about 3-4 years old. The fact that she was cute or young were not the relavent facts. There she was, mom no where in sight, licking the door. Not just just once or twice. She was licking that door as if it were the best all-day sucker or biggest ice cream cone she had ever seen. This went on for about a minute. Now if that had been the end of it I would have been pleasantly entertained for the rest of the day.
But I went inside to sell photos a short time later and as I looked up there she was again, going at the glass on the door. Her mom was no where in sight but I did hear her call for her daughter. The young lady was apparently oblivious to her mom's beckoning. Shortly after I looked up and she had ran off to her mom. Great moment to break up an otherwise boring as shit day.
BEEP, BEEP. BEEP
What is the fascination with the need to back into parking spots. I don't get it. Do people do it so that they can get out easier. I used to drive a pickup with an 8 foot bed and a stick shift and I never had to back into a spot. If you can't park it.....don't drive it.
SWEET COFFEE
While I was walking through our employee dining room I witnessed something that was mildly interesting/amusing.
This only took 15-20 seconds but it really caught my eye. I was leaving the cafeteria and as I did so I witnessed a lady putting sugar in her coffee. Now I like sugar in my coffee (the only thing I put sugar into) but what I saw was bordering on ridiculous. There was this lady pouring her sugar, she wasn't even watching what she was doing. She had one of those glass sugar containers like you find in all of the old coffee shops and she had it tilted totally upside down and pouring wide open into her cup of coffee which was all of about 12oz's. This got really weird after about 10 seconds and continued as I walked past her and left the room. Easily it went on for 15 seconds. I would have liked to taste this coffee. It probably would have put anyone in a diabetic coma in less time than it took to pour the sugar. It reminded me of two things. One, when I was a kid I always like to come down after my dad went to work and pour some extra sugar into his leftover coffee. It tasted great (funny, but I am still not a coffee lover). Secondly, it reminded me of when we were kids and your parents bought you some tasteless, sugar free cereal. You know you went and poured a but load of sugar into that bowl and when you were done you would eat the sugar of the bottom of the bowl. Yummy.
DOES THAT TASTE GOOD
There I was at work the other day, bored out of my mind, when one of my employees pointed out something pretty funny. She tells me to look over at the door that exits from the store we work in and when I did I saw what she was checking out.
Inside the store, totally oblivious to the outside world, was this very cute young lady of about 3-4 years old. The fact that she was cute or young were not the relavent facts. There she was, mom no where in sight, licking the door. Not just just once or twice. She was licking that door as if it were the best all-day sucker or biggest ice cream cone she had ever seen. This went on for about a minute. Now if that had been the end of it I would have been pleasantly entertained for the rest of the day.
But I went inside to sell photos a short time later and as I looked up there she was again, going at the glass on the door. Her mom was no where in sight but I did hear her call for her daughter. The young lady was apparently oblivious to her mom's beckoning. Shortly after I looked up and she had ran off to her mom. Great moment to break up an otherwise boring as shit day.
BEEP, BEEP. BEEP
What is the fascination with the need to back into parking spots. I don't get it. Do people do it so that they can get out easier. I used to drive a pickup with an 8 foot bed and a stick shift and I never had to back into a spot. If you can't park it.....don't drive it.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Ho Hum
WORK SUCKS
Not so much the job itself as the fact that there is no business on the strip except for dip shit conventioneers that are not looking to spend money on photographs with parrots. Can't blame them, they can't write it off on their expense account. My bosses don't understand that and the fact that business is continuing to be sluggish regardless of the fact that there are over 100,000 people in town this weekend
BARNES & NOBLE
It is interesting that since I have had my Nook reader I have found myself spending more time sitting in Barnes & Noble reading for a couple of hours. It's not just that I am doing more reading but that I actually enjoy my time at the store reading my book(s), but that I find the time itself to be quite relaxing. I am able to sit and read for a couple of hours after work without anyone bothering me or interrupting me. Or without my dogs running outside and through the house barking at whatever noise they hear.
I find myself reading two books at one time. I spend an hour reading a book in the store that I have not purchased. You get one hour a day on books that you have not purchased. And then I spend 45 min - an hour reading one of the books I have downloaded. I grab a cup of coffee because I feel that I should spend some money while I am in the store. I think I am going to start checking out E-Books at the library. Currently I am reading Bill Strickland's book "Tour de Lance" and Stephen King's "Full Dark, No Stars". King's book is a collection of 4 stories. Both are pretty good but the Lance book is a little dry.
Not so much the job itself as the fact that there is no business on the strip except for dip shit conventioneers that are not looking to spend money on photographs with parrots. Can't blame them, they can't write it off on their expense account. My bosses don't understand that and the fact that business is continuing to be sluggish regardless of the fact that there are over 100,000 people in town this weekend
BARNES & NOBLE
It is interesting that since I have had my Nook reader I have found myself spending more time sitting in Barnes & Noble reading for a couple of hours. It's not just that I am doing more reading but that I actually enjoy my time at the store reading my book(s), but that I find the time itself to be quite relaxing. I am able to sit and read for a couple of hours after work without anyone bothering me or interrupting me. Or without my dogs running outside and through the house barking at whatever noise they hear.
I find myself reading two books at one time. I spend an hour reading a book in the store that I have not purchased. You get one hour a day on books that you have not purchased. And then I spend 45 min - an hour reading one of the books I have downloaded. I grab a cup of coffee because I feel that I should spend some money while I am in the store. I think I am going to start checking out E-Books at the library. Currently I am reading Bill Strickland's book "Tour de Lance" and Stephen King's "Full Dark, No Stars". King's book is a collection of 4 stories. Both are pretty good but the Lance book is a little dry.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
HEADACHE
I have had a headache that started as a low roar at about 6pm and is still going on.It has grown in its magnitude and I am going to bed (the only sure fire cure I have for headaches). I think I am also getting sick as my stomach has been rolling for a couple of hours now.
The 2 hours that I spent reading at Barnes & Noble along with the 2 large cups of coffee probably did not help the headache. Felt fine while I was enjoying myself reading but as soon as I was done whammo. Need to crawl into a dark space and go to sleep until the morning. Probably not a good idea to be on the computer doing the reading and writing thing.
Time to go nite nite
The 2 hours that I spent reading at Barnes & Noble along with the 2 large cups of coffee probably did not help the headache. Felt fine while I was enjoying myself reading but as soon as I was done whammo. Need to crawl into a dark space and go to sleep until the morning. Probably not a good idea to be on the computer doing the reading and writing thing.
Time to go nite nite
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
I Actually Had to Work Today
After 4 days of not working we actually got back at it for about 4 hours. Did pretty well for that short period of time that we were out there with the birds.
BIGGEST LOSER
The show started their new season tonite. I have been more or less hooked on this show since its inception like 10 seasons ago. Hasn't helped with my ability to lose weight. I like to think that every season I am going to get really serious and put the time in at the gym and watch my diet. Some seasons I have done this for a good period of time, other seasons not so much. I think it is fantastic what these people achieve in a very short time. It is definitely a lot easier to do when you have 8 hours a day to workout and eat the right food
IS THIS WRONG
While watching the opening of the Biggest Loser this was my dinner.....
Footlong Subway Club
Is this wrong. Hmm. I don't know but the sandwich was its usual great self.
SAM
My dog on the couch hoping she will get a potato chip. She's like 10 years old and my pops taught her all the bad habits. She's a really cool dog.
Samantha (Sam)
BIGGEST LOSER
The show started their new season tonite. I have been more or less hooked on this show since its inception like 10 seasons ago. Hasn't helped with my ability to lose weight. I like to think that every season I am going to get really serious and put the time in at the gym and watch my diet. Some seasons I have done this for a good period of time, other seasons not so much. I think it is fantastic what these people achieve in a very short time. It is definitely a lot easier to do when you have 8 hours a day to workout and eat the right food
IS THIS WRONG
While watching the opening of the Biggest Loser this was my dinner.....
Is this wrong. Hmm. I don't know but the sandwich was its usual great self.
SAM
My dog on the couch hoping she will get a potato chip. She's like 10 years old and my pops taught her all the bad habits. She's a really cool dog.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Snow Day
4 DAYS -NO WORK
Woohoo. With as many hours as I put in I am glad to take days off anyway that I can. Thank You God. I know the owners of my company don't like it but there is nothing that I can do right now. I didn't create the weather and one of them agreed to the rediculous temperature standards that I have to live by at the job site.
SNOW PHOTOS
Just a couple of quick snaps from this morning. Took the motorcycle into Redrock Canyon before I went to check on my birds this am. Didn't spend much time shooting just did it really quickly so they are not the best.
Redrock Canyon
My Dog G.G.
Woohoo. With as many hours as I put in I am glad to take days off anyway that I can. Thank You God. I know the owners of my company don't like it but there is nothing that I can do right now. I didn't create the weather and one of them agreed to the rediculous temperature standards that I have to live by at the job site.
SNOW PHOTOS
Just a couple of quick snaps from this morning. Took the motorcycle into Redrock Canyon before I went to check on my birds this am. Didn't spend much time shooting just did it really quickly so they are not the best.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
It's About Time
THAT I START ADDING PHOTOS TO THIS SITE
I am a pretty decent photographer and I haven't added any of my "real" photos to this blog. I haven't shot anything for myself in a while so these will be mostly photos that are at least 6 moths old. Some as old as 12-15 years
Las Vegas Sunset
This was from the first series' of photos that I shot with my first digital SLR, a Canon 10D. Not a great camera by today's standards but it actually got me interested in shooting photos again
I am a pretty decent photographer and I haven't added any of my "real" photos to this blog. I haven't shot anything for myself in a while so these will be mostly photos that are at least 6 moths old. Some as old as 12-15 years
This was from the first series' of photos that I shot with my first digital SLR, a Canon 10D. Not a great camera by today's standards but it actually got me interested in shooting photos again
Back in the gym
Finally got back in the gym after more than two weeks. Took it easy. 35 minutes on stairmaster.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I am currently in the middle of a book titled "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" by Tucker Max. Probably the funniest I thing that I have read in a whole lot of years. I can't remember something this funny whether it was a book, magazine or just a story. Can't say most women will like it because the guy that wrote it is an absolute pig to women. That being said guys will love the shit out of this book. I have literally found myself laughing out loud many times while reading this book. Check it out
HILARIOUS MOMENT
I was at work today talking to a very attractive masseuse and a few other people and I brought out my Nook to show some one a video I have on it when the maseusse asked me questions about it and how it works. I showed her a few things and then we started talking about the ability to adjust text. In order to show her how it adjusted I opened up the aforementioned book that I am reading. Didn't think anything of it and then I saw the look of shock on her face. At a loss for a reason for the look I turned the Nook around and looked at what was on the screen. What follows is a fair representation of what was on that page.
Tucker Tries
Buttsex;
Hilarity Does
Not Ensue
Now I am sure that she thinks I am a freak. Or that I am into gay porn. Not that it mattered she was with her husband and I wasn't showing it to her to try and date her. I just thought it was a very humorous moment at work. Imagine if she had been some up[tight human resources person. That would have been a great topic for discussion as they were trying to fire me for inappropriate behavior or sexual harassment.
KID ROCK
While I am writing this I am listening to Bobbie's new album. So far pretty good, mellow, country rock. I think this guy is awesomely talented as a musician. I even like his much harder, original, stuff from his first few albums. Check it out take a listen
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I am currently in the middle of a book titled "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" by Tucker Max. Probably the funniest I thing that I have read in a whole lot of years. I can't remember something this funny whether it was a book, magazine or just a story. Can't say most women will like it because the guy that wrote it is an absolute pig to women. That being said guys will love the shit out of this book. I have literally found myself laughing out loud many times while reading this book. Check it out
HILARIOUS MOMENT
I was at work today talking to a very attractive masseuse and a few other people and I brought out my Nook to show some one a video I have on it when the maseusse asked me questions about it and how it works. I showed her a few things and then we started talking about the ability to adjust text. In order to show her how it adjusted I opened up the aforementioned book that I am reading. Didn't think anything of it and then I saw the look of shock on her face. At a loss for a reason for the look I turned the Nook around and looked at what was on the screen. What follows is a fair representation of what was on that page.
Tucker Tries
Buttsex;
Hilarity Does
Not Ensue
Now I am sure that she thinks I am a freak. Or that I am into gay porn. Not that it mattered she was with her husband and I wasn't showing it to her to try and date her. I just thought it was a very humorous moment at work. Imagine if she had been some up[tight human resources person. That would have been a great topic for discussion as they were trying to fire me for inappropriate behavior or sexual harassment.
KID ROCK
While I am writing this I am listening to Bobbie's new album. So far pretty good, mellow, country rock. I think this guy is awesomely talented as a musician. I even like his much harder, original, stuff from his first few albums. Check it out take a listen
Saturday, January 1, 2011
NY DAY 2011
GOOD LUCK & MONEY
Stuck to my tradition of having Black-eyed Peas & Greens for NY's Day dinner. I also added homemade cornbread this year. I am hoping for all the good luck and money this tradition is supposed to bring throughout the year.
After 9 hours of cooking in the crockpot this was the bomb as usual.
Leftover hamhocks. They look disgusting but the taste they impart is awesome
SETTING A BAD EXAMPLE(S)
Of the last week or so I have seen two very bad examples of how to ride a bicycle in the traffic on the Las Vegas Strip.
Both instances involved members of our Las Vegas Metroplitan Police Department.
The first instance was an officer riding in the second lane of traffic between cars, on a busy day, without a helmet anywhere in sight. I want to know who will be blamed when he falls slams his head and is seriously injured or killed.
The second instance occurred this evening as I was head home from the Flamingo. There was an officer on his bicycle waiting to cross the intersection with a cup of coffee in his hand. How exactly is he supposed to properly control his vehicle. Mind you this is a heavily traveled intersection where it is tough enough dealing with cars and tourists who pay no heed to the traffic signals. He is just adding to the confusion.
I am sure that the LVMPD does not teach or tolerate their riders performing their duties in the manners described above. But then they don't train their officers to drive on city streets in excess of 100mph. But that happens also.
Stuck to my tradition of having Black-eyed Peas & Greens for NY's Day dinner. I also added homemade cornbread this year. I am hoping for all the good luck and money this tradition is supposed to bring throughout the year.
After 9 hours of cooking in the crockpot this was the bomb as usual.
Leftover hamhocks. They look disgusting but the taste they impart is awesome
SETTING A BAD EXAMPLE(S)
Of the last week or so I have seen two very bad examples of how to ride a bicycle in the traffic on the Las Vegas Strip.
Both instances involved members of our Las Vegas Metroplitan Police Department.
The first instance was an officer riding in the second lane of traffic between cars, on a busy day, without a helmet anywhere in sight. I want to know who will be blamed when he falls slams his head and is seriously injured or killed.
The second instance occurred this evening as I was head home from the Flamingo. There was an officer on his bicycle waiting to cross the intersection with a cup of coffee in his hand. How exactly is he supposed to properly control his vehicle. Mind you this is a heavily traveled intersection where it is tough enough dealing with cars and tourists who pay no heed to the traffic signals. He is just adding to the confusion.
I am sure that the LVMPD does not teach or tolerate their riders performing their duties in the manners described above. But then they don't train their officers to drive on city streets in excess of 100mph. But that happens also.
NY EVE
BLAH
Went to see "True Grit" yesterday. It was okay, definitely not as good as "The Fighter" but entertaining nonetheless.
NY EVE PARTY
I just don't find it as much fun to go to parties and hangout as I used to. Maybe it's age. Maybe it's just a change of mindset. I still love all of my friends very much but parties are just not the same. Maybe it's because I don't hang out with them as much as I used to.
WORK AND THE WEATHER
Haven't been able to take the birds out in a few days due to the extreme cold in Las Vegas. Sucks for my operation but more so for my employees since they don't get paid. I am on salary so it's different. Sometimes that actually pays off. Still I wish I was working so I felt like I was productive and doing my job.
See I said it was Blah!!!
Went to see "True Grit" yesterday. It was okay, definitely not as good as "The Fighter" but entertaining nonetheless.
NY EVE PARTY
I just don't find it as much fun to go to parties and hangout as I used to. Maybe it's age. Maybe it's just a change of mindset. I still love all of my friends very much but parties are just not the same. Maybe it's because I don't hang out with them as much as I used to.
WORK AND THE WEATHER
Haven't been able to take the birds out in a few days due to the extreme cold in Las Vegas. Sucks for my operation but more so for my employees since they don't get paid. I am on salary so it's different. Sometimes that actually pays off. Still I wish I was working so I felt like I was productive and doing my job.
See I said it was Blah!!!
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