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.
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