Thursday, June 29, 2006

Going on 20+10

Where or who am I supposed to be? I’m not sure what’s going on, but I feel like I need to make a big change in my life. Perhaps at 30, I've come to realize that where I am in my life is not where I expected to be. Maybe it’s the fact that one year ago today, I started down a path, what I thought was gonna be the rest of my life. Touring.

I miss it, and hold one person personably responsible. Maybe my two friends that were on that journey with me don’t hold it against her, or maybe they do, but for some reason I don’t think I could ever talk to her again. I’ve thought about emailing her and trying to find out what the issue was, but I realize that it doesn’t matter. She, in some form, took my dreams and fantasies and crushed them, having a huge emotional impact on me. The night we dropped her replacement off at the airport, I couldn’t look, talk to or even think about anyone else but me and my two new best friends in the front of the bus, who now I would probably have to leave behind. It became an emotional roller coaster for the next week or so while we drove from Philly to Raleigh.

I don’t think I even told those two how I really felt about them, or how much they, meant to me. They gave me an opportunity to do something that I never really expected to do at that point in my life, and I love them greatly for it. Words are not enough to explain it; you’d have to be in my place, feeling what I felt at the time. Perhaps a large shaggy dog could explain it to one of them. To the other? I know that if I could succeed in this industry that it would make his year knowing that in some way, he helped me start, or rather finish going down that path.

I saw something that i’ve always wanted to see as a kid last night, and it did something to me. As it streaked across the sky at more than 7,000 miles an hour, and looked just like a plane; that was until it jettisoned its first stage and ignited stage two. It was actually really beautiful, and the spent fuel stayed illuminated in the atmosphere for the next 45 minutes or so. Something like that set me at peace. The same feeling I got on stage sometimes, or just driving thru the Kansas cornfields, or down the I-95 in South Carolina.

So now this over whelming feeling, of what can only be described as feeling lost, came over me this afternoon, and it scared me. I guess its cause I feel useless at work. I didn’t quit teaching for this. I realized that I can’t pursue a certain career path that I’ve wanted to do to, because as my father puts it, have “led an exciting life” and I agree. So screw them.

But now I’ve gotta attempt the impossible, or so it seems. Try and find a job in an industry unrelated to law enforcement, or music that will not decrease my earnings a great deal, which I feel it might. It seems that I'm too old to do certain things, and there are a lot of things that I almost had, or thought I would have by this time; a family, an “adult” type job (not low income like everyone I know out here), or a music career that leads to something. But it’s not anyone’s fault, it’s the way this city perhaps is set up. Or perhaps I’m just wining, so enough of that. Like Dennis Leary said once, “your life didn’t turn out like you expected it? Welcome to reality my friend.”

So is this an early midlife crisis? A nervous breakdown? I don’t know, but I don’t like it. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been through so much change in my life, perhaps I’m tired of exploring the options. All I do know is that where I am right now, is pointless, and unnecessary. Just think about how you would feel if you know that the job that your doing in unnecessary. Unnecessary you say? How? Well in the way that if you “removed” my actual job function that life at work would be unaffected. What I do every day is redundant and unnecessary, and extremely unproductive. I sit around all day and do nothing. And get paid for it! Now, I know pretty much everyone I work with would say, what’s the problem? You get to do nothing! Exactly my point. That is ridiculous. I need to have an outcome of my labor or rather lack of, to feel productive. Believe it or not I’d rather work for minimum wage than have a job where I do nothing.

Now the issue is how do I approach the big boy companies and not work for the little companies. I’m talking about companies that have been around forever, GE, Northrop-Grumman, Lockheed-Martin, Columbia, Clear Channel, NBC, etc. Not, Ma & Pa’s Grocery, Protect This Security, Mick’s Sticker Shop, or Vick’s Video Store, Popeye’s Boat and Marina, Pete’s Manufacturing Plant or Bob’s Country Bunker (no relation to the real one in the blues brothers).

But maybe reaching 30 is not so bad. Perhaps it’s a breaking point between childhood and adulthood. I always associated 21 with being an adult, but now that I think about it, why is that age so special? I had already had served in the army, been to college, owned a few cars and had a fiancĂ© by the time I was 20. So what makes 21 more adult than 20? or 18? It doesn’t. It’s just a number.

The fact is that now I guess is the time to make a change. Maybe the feelings I had today were me realizing the fact that I can’t live as a kid anymore, not that I have been. But perhaps it’s my conscience or soul or whatever, telling me that now is the time to make a change. A different change. More different that touring the US, proposing to a woman, buying a car, moving across the country, saying goodbye to your dying mother, or losing the one you love. A change that is a life altering state of mind and breaks away from that which has been holding you back.

What that is or was I’m not sure. But for some reason, something clicked in my head after seeing that rocket last night, and I’m taking this as a sign that the way I’ve been living is no longer valid in a way. I thought I was grown up, but society dictates that you’re not grown up until you have a wife, kids, house, white picket fence and 2.5 dogs. But perhaps that’s not what being an adult is. Perhaps it’s a state of mind, I’m not sure. But I have a feeling that the road ahead will be long and hard and perhaps, finally,I’m up for the challenge.

Monday, May 15, 2006

The Death of a Hero



well Bluestreak officially dies in February, and I sold him to a ZClub member at the end of march for $500.00....mostly low price cause he doesn't run. However, he is being outfitted with a stronger motor and new tranny, and new wires...So I will have pix eventually when he is done...We'll see what he looks like. So farewell to our beloved bluestreak who never fullfilled my dream of becoming Prowl...

Bang!

Well, I realize it's been a while, so here goes.
took my buddy Erica shooting for her first time and my 3rd time. (shhh, don't tell the guys at work) she did pretty good for her first time. The first round I thought she was gonna go sit and cry in the corner. But the loud noise I guess is what freaked her out, cause after that it was all good.
We only fired 50 rounds each, and Erica had to buy socks , as she was being all sex in the city and wore flip flops.

anyway, did pretty well, and maybe next time ill try to do those 3-4 round bursts.

till next time

Monday, March 13, 2006

30 Ways to be older...

Haven't posted in a while, but a lot has happened recently.

I've been promoted to Sergeant at work, soon to be a lieutenant (prolly a few weeks). Been a booking field with the band stuff, celebrated a one year anniversary with Kathy, and finally, I turned 30 on Friday.

ahhh, to be old. dammit, im not in my 20's anymore. it's the end of an era. not sure, but hopefully my 30's will be older than my 20's. I mean there were some good times but there were some real bad times. im not sure which outweighs the other...But it might be even. So we shall see....

Friday, February 03, 2006

Permits and Promotions Galore!

Ok, I got promoted to Sergeant at Off Duty Officers Wednesday. Means I get a company car and gas card. Good deal! Anyway, finally got my gun permit to come back, so I guess ill need to go buy my own now huh? thinking the Glock 26 or 36 a subcompact pistol. My buddy tells me I should try the Sig pistols. Cheaper and same reliability. We'll see

Monday, January 09, 2006

R.I.P. Johnny...

My ex-housemate Johnny Lefler-Panilla was killed of multiple stab wounds after leaving a bar Saturday night. The man who did it fled the scene and turned himself in Sunday morning. I realized this morning after doing laundry, that for some reason i have one of his navy duffel bags with his name on it. was really wierd. I contacted Miles and Sean of my old band No Such Luck and we are tryign to find out whast going on with final arrangements as we all want to attend any services. NSL used to practice at our hgouse and we were good friends with John.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Christmas

So I got various things for xmas, but the coolest was the new 5G iPod from my dad. Its got more space than my PC. I don't know what to do with 30gigs... Anyway I can play movies etc on it, which is really cool.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Executive Protection

So here we go! Passed the class.... Worked up in Vista at some "crazy" village. Fun times

Friday, December 09, 2005

Guns? We No Need No Stinking Guns...

Ok, maybe I do. Yesterday I took part one of my exposed firearms course for work. Taking part two on the range on Sat with SDPD. Should be fun times. I only have to hit a target from 3 yards, 10 yards and 15 yards. Garcia was having me hit target up to 50 Feet away, so should be no biggie. My shot grouping is pretty good, but I think I'm using my bosses pistol tomorrow, but we'll see how THAT goes.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Cannon Shots!!!









No not artillery. But been screwing around...So here goes.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Bluestreak Just Won't Give me a Break!

DAMMIT! So last night abbot 2 miles from work on a dark deserted road waaaay out in Escondito I lost my headlights. They kinda just went "poof"!

weird.

so today im gonna do the easy fix and go buy 2 circular driving lamps and install them with a separate switch etc. Voila! Problem solved

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Werewolves in London?

Last night at work, I was hearing a really, realy weird animal noise, or rather noises. They were all over the place! I could see there beady little eyes visible in my mag lite beam. Really creepy. I guess they were coyotes... I think if I see them again, I'll still be weirded out.

Black Friday

Woke up this morning to go with some friends to super ridiculous opening on black Friday. So we went to Walmart first and the line that was "wrapped" around this building was ridiculous, and on top of that they only had one door open. Also noticed a sign that stated "OPEN 12AM TO 12PM" It's nice to know that Walmart will be closing everyday at noon. Everyone I went with except for Kathy didn't get a single thing (Kathy got a Box Set for her dad).

Sunday, November 20, 2005

New Job

Got a new job (2nd) maybe I should call it my main job as its more than 40 a week, working as an Off Duty Officer. Fun times, and now I have to go get my Firearms Permit.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Patches? We No Need No Stinking Patches!


Ok, so the kids in all my classes designed space Craft for each class. And now they've designed mission patches to go with them. They each drew their own and than did a silent vote on which one was best for their class.

After this I brought home all the winning designs and put them into Illustrator. So here is what I came up with by copying their designs...
There are three different classes of ships: Zion (looks like the Apollo craft of the late 60's early 70's), the Ranger (looks like a mix of Gemini and Mercury Craft of the 50's), and Eagle (which looks like the space shuttle or has wings).

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Chess: A Short Story



I finally beat someone in Chess. the last time i did, it was maybe 1989: Kent LeCointe. So my victim was Kathy. Beat her in maybe 6 moves...maybe 10. pretty good! Here are some more pictures from work.

Ready, Aim, Fire!


My buddy Chris Garcia took me an Kathy to the gun range this weekend.
Never fired a real handgun before so this was really cool. Chris is going to the Police Academy in January, so he's there all the time.
So after a short intro from Chris on how to fire and load and stuff like etude, off we went. My first target was one of those circle things, with a orange square in it. I had all 15 rounds within the orange square. I was kinda surprised, but not really. I was and Expert Marksman with a M-16:A2 in the army.
The next target we put up was one of those silhouettes with the organs marked out, and it was Kathy's turn.
Her first round went through the trachea! Chris an I said...woah at the same time. Her rounds were basically kinda close together, and missed a few times, but she did way better than I thought she would.
We shot for the next hour or so, at various targets or a picture of Osama bin Laden. Point to the wise, never ask me to shoot someone in the head from 30 feet or closer cause Chris was calling out body parts on the silhouette and I was hitting them dead on. Was really fun.
Next time we're gonna try the police simulator which used a projected scenario on a screen which you can fire live rounds at. Sorry no pictures but I might scan our targets...

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Bluestreaks Woes Continue
















Hey folks: here's the story (updated)
thanks all of you for your help so far. But I'm still stuck after fixing a few things.
-Replaced ALT
-Replaced Voltage Regulator
-Replaced fusible Links
-Checked continuity on F & N wires in the plug at the ALT. Wires are good
If I connect a wire from the vertical part of the ALT to the battery, I get 13-16 volts showing on a Voltage Meter. So I know the ALT is good.
----------------
Q:Is there anyway to "check" the VR?
Q:The Girlfriend says/suspects that since the new battery has been used for the past week or so to try and start the car repeatedly, sometimes with the help of a booster pack, perhaps the batt needs to be recharged.
the batt currently only has about 8 volts in it. So when I'm running My car I've got the booster pack hooked up. But I figure that this shouldn't matter, I still should see over 13volts from the ALT.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Bluestreak Gutted and Filled

This morning I removed my dashboard. Checked all connections, and removed all the damaged stereo/CB wires. And re-installed the dash. Installed a voltage regulator and replaced my speedometer and connected all plugs under the driver side of the dash.

also removed some unnecessary wires from the battery. Once I get a jump later today, I will advise if the car is still not receiving a 14 volt charge or not. Last check was 12.6 and dropped after a few minutes....Until car stalls out.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Bluestreak's on his Death Bed


Most of you might know this already, but here goes anyway...
the Z's electrical system is STILL giving me a problem. I replaced the new alternator with a new one, and added a new battery. and on my way home yesterday car dies AFTER buying a Voltage Regulator.

right off the J Exit Ramp to where I was going it does and I had to push it off the ramp and UP into a parking lot. It's safe there... Called the auto dealership its at, and I'm good.

I want to re-wire the whole car.