I'm not a huge fan...this video does NOTHING to make feel any closer or more understanding of the feline...
Friday, September 22, 2006
Hello from the Great West...
Ryan H. Turner coming to you LIVE from beautiful Orange County, California...and what a day it is. Today we were supposed to start seeing the effects of a possible Santa Ana windstorm, but true to form, the FREAKIN' WEATHER GUYS GOT IT WRONG AGAIN. Currently I'm sitting under cloudy skies with a stiff COOL wind coming from the OPPOSITE DIRECTION that a Santa Ana windstorm would come from. HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILARIOUS. Happens all the time. Which just goes to show. There is no such thing as weather FORECASTING...they should just call it what it is. Weather GUESSING. There is no future weather other than what you're experiencing right now.
I've had the good fortune of being contacted by 2 friends from my past who stumbled somehow upon my blog. I really dig the fact that people are reading this. But it also intimidates me to some extent. One of the people that contacted me is a high-faluting executive for some company and he's just on another level of existance from me. BUT...he's super cool and we email back and forth every so often. Known him since 1980. And the other person is far away in another state, with a husband and kid, owns an internet based business, and is in all ways apparently quite successful. I miss her...we go WAY back... you're not supposed to have regrets in life, but I regretted the way I treated this person back "in the day". Young, stupid, and scared I was. Anyway--we're in contact and catching up and she's great. In case she's reading...HI!!!!
Marching band season in full swing now--I have 11 bands, and according to the Excel chart that I created that helps me with Project Management, I have 89.3% complete with my shows, I have 43% outstanding fees on my projected fee income, and I'm getting set to judge 12 shows in southern California and the Nebraska State Marching Band Finals!!! Ooooooooooooo rah!!! Busy man. I'm also helping out Impulse behind the scenes with a couple of projects, and I'm hopefully going to be asked back to head up the visual design for So Cal Dream.
Oh ... and I was hired today to write the drill for Capital Sound, a Division III corps out of Madison, Wisconsin. Sort of like the younger brothers to the Madison Scouts. I'm VERY much looking forward to this new assignment. Can't wait.
Anyway--I'm going to go eat lunch now. Have to meet up with some Impulse people and a sales rep friend of mine from Kanstul Horns.
I'm having a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD day...
I've had the good fortune of being contacted by 2 friends from my past who stumbled somehow upon my blog. I really dig the fact that people are reading this. But it also intimidates me to some extent. One of the people that contacted me is a high-faluting executive for some company and he's just on another level of existance from me. BUT...he's super cool and we email back and forth every so often. Known him since 1980. And the other person is far away in another state, with a husband and kid, owns an internet based business, and is in all ways apparently quite successful. I miss her...we go WAY back... you're not supposed to have regrets in life, but I regretted the way I treated this person back "in the day". Young, stupid, and scared I was. Anyway--we're in contact and catching up and she's great. In case she's reading...HI!!!!
Marching band season in full swing now--I have 11 bands, and according to the Excel chart that I created that helps me with Project Management, I have 89.3% complete with my shows, I have 43% outstanding fees on my projected fee income, and I'm getting set to judge 12 shows in southern California and the Nebraska State Marching Band Finals!!! Ooooooooooooo rah!!! Busy man. I'm also helping out Impulse behind the scenes with a couple of projects, and I'm hopefully going to be asked back to head up the visual design for So Cal Dream.
Oh ... and I was hired today to write the drill for Capital Sound, a Division III corps out of Madison, Wisconsin. Sort of like the younger brothers to the Madison Scouts. I'm VERY much looking forward to this new assignment. Can't wait.
Anyway--I'm going to go eat lunch now. Have to meet up with some Impulse people and a sales rep friend of mine from Kanstul Horns.
I'm having a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD day...
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
This is interesting...
Love him or loathe him, he nailed this one right on the head...Rush Limbaugh says:I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound. No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $47 million.
If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable.. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt. Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $47 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers. We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.
You see where this is going, don't you?
Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense? However, our own U.S. Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system. If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of $15,000 per month I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting.
If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable.. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt. Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $47 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers. We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.
You see where this is going, don't you?
Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense? However, our own U.S. Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system. If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of $15,000 per month I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
I said in a previous post about 9-11 that there's more to the story. A recently released video has summed it up for me nicely. It's OBVIOUS there's more to the story. Keep checking back as I will be posting the video in 3 parts here in my blog over the next week.
Perhaps...just perhaps...if you have an open mind, and you still care about what REALLY matters in this life, you'll have your eyes opened.
Perhaps...just perhaps...if you have an open mind, and you still care about what REALLY matters in this life, you'll have your eyes opened.
Monday, September 11, 2006
9-11...a day that will never be forgotten
First--the facts.
On September 11, I was working as a dispatcher at the Orange County Fire Authority Command Center in Orange. It was about 6am, and I was getting ready for work in my house in Placentia. I usually turn on the TV to keep me company while eating breakfast, but for whatever reason, I wasn't hungry, and I didn't need the TV. I got into the car, pulled out of the driveway, and headed on down the road. The radio was on my favorite station, KFI-640, and Bill Handel was on. I can distinctly remember hearing him speaking with a terrorism expert from UCLA, and I can't remember the guys name, but he's a dude that's always in the news as the resident expert. Very familiar. I was NOT listening...it was sort of just background yapping. And besides, I hadn't had my morning Diet Coke.
So, I get on the 57 freeway from Yorba Linda Blvd, and start heading south. I use this geographic reference because I remember how things started to make sense to me, and I just happened to remember where I was when everything happened. It began to dawn on me as I was listening to Bill that something wasn't right, so I started to pay more attention. By the time I had reached the 91, about 3 minutes later, I knew that there had been an obvious attack on the WTC, and that something may be happening elsewhere in the country. I was fully awake now. I clicked over to KFWB, and they had full coverage. At this time, I had a big shot of adrenaline, because I was thinking "We're having another WTC event like in 1993...but this sounds worse." I got off the freeway at Chapman in Orange and headed east bound towards Old Town Orange. There's a McDonald's about 1/2 mile down the road that I usually stop into, so I pulled in. The troll that usually worked there that morning took my order over the speaker, and as I pulled up to the window, I saw she was crying. She looked at me in horror--and I knew I wasn't a morning person, but she didn't have to look so scared of me.
"We're at war!"
I stared in disbelief at her. "WAR?"
"Don't you know what's happening?" I acknowledged that I did, but I didn't think it was war. Apparently she did.
By the time I had pulled back on to Chapman to continue my eastward journey, Bill and the morning crew were just beside themselves. Ken Gallaher, the "news man" at the time (and btw, the WORST talk show host since God created radio and why he has his own show on KFI is beyond me--they could hire a freaking monkey and get better work out of it...but I digress), was giving updates, and there was comments thrown in by Paul T. Wall, Rich Mirada, and of course Bill. As I approached the Orange City Post Office, it happened. One of the towers collapsed.
Apparently the crew had a TV in their studio, because as the tower began to crumble--and I will never forget this--Bill began to scream "Oh my GOD...oh my GOD..." Talk about an adrenaline rush. At that point, it wasn't panic that set in, but it was a surety that A) I was probably not going to be going home anytime soon, and B) there was something VERY VERY huge happening. I think by then the Pentagon had been hit, and there was talk or rumor that the White House had been hit as well. By the time I got into the Command Center, I got to see what was happening.
And my world changed.
You know--a lot of people, especially at work, know that I'm open to "alternative ideas" about life, especially in the area of paranormal and conspiracy stuff. I'm most CERTAINLY not a person that BELIEVES in everything, but I don't normally poo-poo stuff out-of-hand until I have a chance to read it. I will say for the record, in the 5 years SINCE the attacks, MANY questions have been raised--legitimate, scientific, and thoughtful questions--about what ACTUALLY happened. You can't deny 2 airplanes hit the WTC (although some would argue they weren't really AIRPLANES as you and I know them--meaning, commercial flights filled with people), and you can't deny that the towers fell, and you can't deny the Pentagon was hit and something occurred in Pennsylvania. But outside of that...it's a virtual LABRYINTH of theories, inconsistencies, high strangeness, and yes, even a spiritual/paranormal connection to it (anyone ever seen the "demon" pics of the smoke from the towers????).
I'm just saying, for the record, that I'm being asked to believe some pretty incredible things to make this 9-11 event FIT into the "Muslims hate us and attacked us" construct. I'm being asked to, as an American citizen, even in LIGHT of the "Muslims hate us and attacked us" construct to give up some freedoms, all in the name of American patriotism and security. And I was asked--to the point of AD NAUSEUM--to donate to the survivor families of 9-11, and to make sure the Red Cross was supported in their valiant efforts...even though the greed I saw out of the survivor families was DESPICABLE, and the Red Cross "lost" untold MILLIONS (ohhh?? Did you forget about THAT little scandel???).
I DO know 343 firefighters lost their lives, and almost 100 police officers did as well. THESE were THE heros, no matter WHO attacked us, or WHAT REALLY was behind the attacks, or who profited. THEY gave. And those people, the ones that I broke down in tears about a week later after near 24 hours a day coverage of this horrific day, are the ones that should NEVER be forgotten, and always honored for their courage and loyalty to the profession that they chose.
On September 11, I was working as a dispatcher at the Orange County Fire Authority Command Center in Orange. It was about 6am, and I was getting ready for work in my house in Placentia. I usually turn on the TV to keep me company while eating breakfast, but for whatever reason, I wasn't hungry, and I didn't need the TV. I got into the car, pulled out of the driveway, and headed on down the road. The radio was on my favorite station, KFI-640, and Bill Handel was on. I can distinctly remember hearing him speaking with a terrorism expert from UCLA, and I can't remember the guys name, but he's a dude that's always in the news as the resident expert. Very familiar. I was NOT listening...it was sort of just background yapping. And besides, I hadn't had my morning Diet Coke.
So, I get on the 57 freeway from Yorba Linda Blvd, and start heading south. I use this geographic reference because I remember how things started to make sense to me, and I just happened to remember where I was when everything happened. It began to dawn on me as I was listening to Bill that something wasn't right, so I started to pay more attention. By the time I had reached the 91, about 3 minutes later, I knew that there had been an obvious attack on the WTC, and that something may be happening elsewhere in the country. I was fully awake now. I clicked over to KFWB, and they had full coverage. At this time, I had a big shot of adrenaline, because I was thinking "We're having another WTC event like in 1993...but this sounds worse." I got off the freeway at Chapman in Orange and headed east bound towards Old Town Orange. There's a McDonald's about 1/2 mile down the road that I usually stop into, so I pulled in. The troll that usually worked there that morning took my order over the speaker, and as I pulled up to the window, I saw she was crying. She looked at me in horror--and I knew I wasn't a morning person, but she didn't have to look so scared of me.
"We're at war!"
I stared in disbelief at her. "WAR?"
"Don't you know what's happening?" I acknowledged that I did, but I didn't think it was war. Apparently she did.
By the time I had pulled back on to Chapman to continue my eastward journey, Bill and the morning crew were just beside themselves. Ken Gallaher, the "news man" at the time (and btw, the WORST talk show host since God created radio and why he has his own show on KFI is beyond me--they could hire a freaking monkey and get better work out of it...but I digress), was giving updates, and there was comments thrown in by Paul T. Wall, Rich Mirada, and of course Bill. As I approached the Orange City Post Office, it happened. One of the towers collapsed.
Apparently the crew had a TV in their studio, because as the tower began to crumble--and I will never forget this--Bill began to scream "Oh my GOD...oh my GOD..." Talk about an adrenaline rush. At that point, it wasn't panic that set in, but it was a surety that A) I was probably not going to be going home anytime soon, and B) there was something VERY VERY huge happening. I think by then the Pentagon had been hit, and there was talk or rumor that the White House had been hit as well. By the time I got into the Command Center, I got to see what was happening.
And my world changed.
You know--a lot of people, especially at work, know that I'm open to "alternative ideas" about life, especially in the area of paranormal and conspiracy stuff. I'm most CERTAINLY not a person that BELIEVES in everything, but I don't normally poo-poo stuff out-of-hand until I have a chance to read it. I will say for the record, in the 5 years SINCE the attacks, MANY questions have been raised--legitimate, scientific, and thoughtful questions--about what ACTUALLY happened. You can't deny 2 airplanes hit the WTC (although some would argue they weren't really AIRPLANES as you and I know them--meaning, commercial flights filled with people), and you can't deny that the towers fell, and you can't deny the Pentagon was hit and something occurred in Pennsylvania. But outside of that...it's a virtual LABRYINTH of theories, inconsistencies, high strangeness, and yes, even a spiritual/paranormal connection to it (anyone ever seen the "demon" pics of the smoke from the towers????).
I'm just saying, for the record, that I'm being asked to believe some pretty incredible things to make this 9-11 event FIT into the "Muslims hate us and attacked us" construct. I'm being asked to, as an American citizen, even in LIGHT of the "Muslims hate us and attacked us" construct to give up some freedoms, all in the name of American patriotism and security. And I was asked--to the point of AD NAUSEUM--to donate to the survivor families of 9-11, and to make sure the Red Cross was supported in their valiant efforts...even though the greed I saw out of the survivor families was DESPICABLE, and the Red Cross "lost" untold MILLIONS (ohhh?? Did you forget about THAT little scandel???).
I DO know 343 firefighters lost their lives, and almost 100 police officers did as well. THESE were THE heros, no matter WHO attacked us, or WHAT REALLY was behind the attacks, or who profited. THEY gave. And those people, the ones that I broke down in tears about a week later after near 24 hours a day coverage of this horrific day, are the ones that should NEVER be forgotten, and always honored for their courage and loyalty to the profession that they chose.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Wow...life...and the curve balls it throws
I had a relatively productive weekend. Did a lot of drill, made a lot of calls, met with a lot of people, and actually got to sleep in (but only a little) on Saturday morning. Today, Sunday, I came home from church choir rehearsal about at 5:30pm and hastily started making dinner (grilled garlic chicken and "pink sauce"--which is 2 bottles of Alfredo with 2 cups of marinara--over fettucini, broccoli, and some penne pasta just in case), and got ready to feed my family plus my brother in law, his "friend" :-) , and his daughter. Plus I had to do this within 45 minutes because I had yet ANOTHER choir rehearsal that I had to be at by 7pm (what's with all the freakin' CHOIR crap, Band-o Boy!?). Anyway...
As the water is starting to boil and I was quick thawing 4 pounds of chicken boob in the microwave, I sauntered over to my computer (now relocated to my front room as part of a larger remodel plan that is yet in its infancy) to check my email. And lo and behold, the world famous Alan Irons had emailed me. However--his email was anything but what I would expect from him, as he and I have stayed friends and have corresponded over the years since he graduated from Fountain Valley HS in 1996. This was probably one of the toughest emails for me to get, as it came out of NOWHERE and I had NO CLUE what to expect.
He wanted to let me know that the flute section leader from the Fountain Valley HS Royal Regiment from 1994-1996, Anne Coleville, was tragically killed two nights ago in Huntington Beach in a horrific traffic accident. I sat at my keyboard literally stunned. I was VERY fond of Anne as she was a natural leader, TOTALLY committed to the RR, and probably one of the best students that I or Gary Wampler ever had the pleasure to teach. On top of that though, I would see her every so often over the years at shows or what not. She had grown up to be sure, and was working a real career (some kind of analyst or something), and still living in Orange County. Out of the blue, I got an I.M. from her, and I would like to say it was about 1 1/2 years ago, and we spent a good half hour "chatting" back and forth. She filled me in on her life, on her parents (who were great band boosters), and just stuff. I was stoked to hear from her back then. It always nice for instructors like myself to run into or keep contact with the kids who really made a difference in the programs I've been involved in. I can guarantee you that Anne WAS that type of person. A director's dream in my eyes.
And while it's 2nd hand information, the CIRCUMSTANCES of her death really really disturb me. A GREAT deal. It's being said that she was in a car being driven by her apparently intoxicated boyfriend, who suffered serious injuries in the crash and is apparently still hospitalized. You know...for all those that drink and drive, if you want to go out and kill YOURSELVES...go right ahead. I played that silly ass game back before something slapped me upside my head, and now I have no tolerance for it. But kill someone else, and that just absolutely boils my blood. Anne Coleville, if she continued to be anything she was like when I knew her as a stellar high school student, had much to offer the world and the people in her life. But if what is being said is true, she had no chance for that because of a STUPID #(%ING DECISION made by her boyfriend. Since I have no tolerance for it, I will say this. I hope he suffers for the rest of his life and THEN some for what he did. NO SYMPATHY FROM ME...sorry. I've known too many people that have had their lives cut short because of alcohol--just check out one of my first posts in my blog to know of just one.
This is exactly why I stopped drinking voluntarily and totally on my own back in late November of 1992. I knew I had a problem when my at-the-time roommate Phil Mortensen said, "Dude...you need to chill out on the drinking." And I did. Cold. I was following in the footsteps of my parents, and I need not go down the route.
I was really rattled by this email from Alan. Death, for whatever reason, has been on my mind a lot within the last few months (and maybe I'll talk about it later...and nooooooooooooo...I'm not contemplating anything if you are thinking THAT...homey don't do the suicide thing!). I've "felt" the deaths of people lately more than ever before, and I'm sure it's because I'm 40 and I've hit the halfway mark. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh jeeeeeeeeeeez...I need to stop now. Not a good subject.
Later.
Anyway...the world has lost a very special person. And I'm quite saddened by the senselessness of it, and the loss. It's my hope that I can get to a memorial or funeral for her. I'm sure there will be MANY people there, as she probably touched a lot of people. I know she did in the Royal Regiment.
Thanks Alan for letting me know...
As the water is starting to boil and I was quick thawing 4 pounds of chicken boob in the microwave, I sauntered over to my computer (now relocated to my front room as part of a larger remodel plan that is yet in its infancy) to check my email. And lo and behold, the world famous Alan Irons had emailed me. However--his email was anything but what I would expect from him, as he and I have stayed friends and have corresponded over the years since he graduated from Fountain Valley HS in 1996. This was probably one of the toughest emails for me to get, as it came out of NOWHERE and I had NO CLUE what to expect.
He wanted to let me know that the flute section leader from the Fountain Valley HS Royal Regiment from 1994-1996, Anne Coleville, was tragically killed two nights ago in Huntington Beach in a horrific traffic accident. I sat at my keyboard literally stunned. I was VERY fond of Anne as she was a natural leader, TOTALLY committed to the RR, and probably one of the best students that I or Gary Wampler ever had the pleasure to teach. On top of that though, I would see her every so often over the years at shows or what not. She had grown up to be sure, and was working a real career (some kind of analyst or something), and still living in Orange County. Out of the blue, I got an I.M. from her, and I would like to say it was about 1 1/2 years ago, and we spent a good half hour "chatting" back and forth. She filled me in on her life, on her parents (who were great band boosters), and just stuff. I was stoked to hear from her back then. It always nice for instructors like myself to run into or keep contact with the kids who really made a difference in the programs I've been involved in. I can guarantee you that Anne WAS that type of person. A director's dream in my eyes.
And while it's 2nd hand information, the CIRCUMSTANCES of her death really really disturb me. A GREAT deal. It's being said that she was in a car being driven by her apparently intoxicated boyfriend, who suffered serious injuries in the crash and is apparently still hospitalized. You know...for all those that drink and drive, if you want to go out and kill YOURSELVES...go right ahead. I played that silly ass game back before something slapped me upside my head, and now I have no tolerance for it. But kill someone else, and that just absolutely boils my blood. Anne Coleville, if she continued to be anything she was like when I knew her as a stellar high school student, had much to offer the world and the people in her life. But if what is being said is true, she had no chance for that because of a STUPID #(%ING DECISION made by her boyfriend. Since I have no tolerance for it, I will say this. I hope he suffers for the rest of his life and THEN some for what he did. NO SYMPATHY FROM ME...sorry. I've known too many people that have had their lives cut short because of alcohol--just check out one of my first posts in my blog to know of just one.
This is exactly why I stopped drinking voluntarily and totally on my own back in late November of 1992. I knew I had a problem when my at-the-time roommate Phil Mortensen said, "Dude...you need to chill out on the drinking." And I did. Cold. I was following in the footsteps of my parents, and I need not go down the route.
I was really rattled by this email from Alan. Death, for whatever reason, has been on my mind a lot within the last few months (and maybe I'll talk about it later...and nooooooooooooo...I'm not contemplating anything if you are thinking THAT...homey don't do the suicide thing!). I've "felt" the deaths of people lately more than ever before, and I'm sure it's because I'm 40 and I've hit the halfway mark. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh jeeeeeeeeeeez...I need to stop now. Not a good subject.
Later.
Anyway...the world has lost a very special person. And I'm quite saddened by the senselessness of it, and the loss. It's my hope that I can get to a memorial or funeral for her. I'm sure there will be MANY people there, as she probably touched a lot of people. I know she did in the Royal Regiment.
Thanks Alan for letting me know...
Friday, September 08, 2006
Deep breath...
Well, I'm going to start today (Friday) on a sad note. I went to Chino Hills HS's rehearsal last night, and met most of the staff. We have a new visual guy--Joe Gray--who is absolutely super. Didn't realize it until he pointed it out, but I already knew him because he's the boyfriend of Jen Johnson, who I basically saw "grow up" in the Fountain Valley HS guard. She went on to great success as a guard instructor for Mater Dei and the incredible Santa Margarita guard, and performed for several seasons with the Bluecoats, and ended up being hired by Bluecoats to be their business manager. VERY talented. So anyway, I RE-met Joe, and he's a great instructor. Reminded me of me in some ways how he instructs. Got to meet the famous John Mapes, percussion guru. WOW!! I've heard so much about him, and actually had seen him several times over the years, but this is my first time to work with him. What a great guy, and so incredibly talented. He's definitely on the road to be the next big thing in the world of marching percussion in my estimation. Chino Hills drum line is superb this year. But...what was sad was this.
I looked around halfway through the night, and realized that I was BY FAR the oldest person on staff. WAY older than the director! He's just a KID!!! (I'm kidding Justin...relax!). Man...it was really a realization I had last night. Sometimes those things smack me in the head when I least expect it...
I'm not going to apologize for my rant from yesterday for the "essence" of the message, but I WILL say that I'm sorry I may have been not my normal goofy and happy self. I just...I don't know...maybe it's been the incredibly long hours I've been putting in between teaching, writing, career, and family. But yesterday was like I had one last nerve left, and people were jumping up and down on it. Just be glad you weren't driving on the roads with me. SEVERAL drivers received my wrath as I went from point A to point B!! Hahahahahaha...sorry...LOL!!!
I'll try to be happier today. See??? I'm smiling right now. :-)
Whatever...now get outta here.
I looked around halfway through the night, and realized that I was BY FAR the oldest person on staff. WAY older than the director! He's just a KID!!! (I'm kidding Justin...relax!). Man...it was really a realization I had last night. Sometimes those things smack me in the head when I least expect it...
I'm not going to apologize for my rant from yesterday for the "essence" of the message, but I WILL say that I'm sorry I may have been not my normal goofy and happy self. I just...I don't know...maybe it's been the incredibly long hours I've been putting in between teaching, writing, career, and family. But yesterday was like I had one last nerve left, and people were jumping up and down on it. Just be glad you weren't driving on the roads with me. SEVERAL drivers received my wrath as I went from point A to point B!! Hahahahahaha...sorry...LOL!!!
I'll try to be happier today. See??? I'm smiling right now. :-)
Whatever...now get outta here.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
A little more ranting...take it for what it's worth...or I'll just shut it all down...
Sorry for the previous outburst.
A blog, for those that are not "hip" to what it is, is an online "journal" if you will. It is simply a collection of personal opinion, and somewhat of a log of events that may be of interest to other people. Opinion is a funny thing for a person like me that wears so many hats, especially in the "world" of pageantry (lower case indicating the world at large, not the website of the same name). I inadvertently "represent" many different organizations because I hold some kind of position...i.e, board member, drill designer, consultant, dispatcher, judge, etc. I am allowed...at least I SHOULD be allowed...to voice my concerns and OPINION about events that have occurred. It is NOT my intention to be two-faced as such that I would "run to my blog" to blevy about something, but then in "real life" go about my business like nothing is happening and all is well. I will post from time to time frustrations, "REAL TIME", and hopefully, maybe, find some solace, comfort, or hell, even THERAPY by typing it out. It will NEVER be my intention to publicly bash an organization that I may be a part of. Nor should there be a LIMITATION of my ability to express in a most docile and bland way a "concern" about something that's not necessarily a huge indictment of an entire organization. To me, in my book, it says something about maturity and accountability to be able to say "Hey, we/they/them/us could have been better in this department" or something akin to that level. It certainly is NOT, again, IN MY BOOK, an indication that anything is a FAILURE, nor does it mean that there is trouble ahead and oh my God, let's not TALK about it.
But on the other hand, I hope that in my 40 years of existance, that I can and HAVE found a balance between being a complete ASSHOLE about things and totally ripping whatever apart, versus on the other side of the spectrum being so PC about things that I wouldn't be able to type a freakin' thing. Sooooo...hence....my outburst earlier today. If truth MUST be told, I was about 2 freakin' seconds from deleting this stupid blog and moving on.
But I decided maybe, just maybe, I'd take a second and put something out there now that may entice someone (or the plural...SOME) to see how the little hamster turns the wheels in my mind, and hell, who knows, maybe even CALL ME or EMAIL ME. But hey...that's cool...I am who I am and I say what I say and this should be water under the bridge. But sometimes, I just get a feather out of alignment because things are blown out of porportion, at least in MY book (and this is MY book).
Changes have been made in my blog...course correction made...lesson learned...I understand "the other side" of the argument...but I have to have my say. So...there...I said it. And it probably makes absolutely no freakin' sense to anyone except those who it DOES make sense to. Understand? You don't? Oh well... :-)
And my mailbox is currently EMPTY.
A blog, for those that are not "hip" to what it is, is an online "journal" if you will. It is simply a collection of personal opinion, and somewhat of a log of events that may be of interest to other people. Opinion is a funny thing for a person like me that wears so many hats, especially in the "world" of pageantry (lower case indicating the world at large, not the website of the same name). I inadvertently "represent" many different organizations because I hold some kind of position...i.e, board member, drill designer, consultant, dispatcher, judge, etc. I am allowed...at least I SHOULD be allowed...to voice my concerns and OPINION about events that have occurred. It is NOT my intention to be two-faced as such that I would "run to my blog" to blevy about something, but then in "real life" go about my business like nothing is happening and all is well. I will post from time to time frustrations, "REAL TIME", and hopefully, maybe, find some solace, comfort, or hell, even THERAPY by typing it out. It will NEVER be my intention to publicly bash an organization that I may be a part of. Nor should there be a LIMITATION of my ability to express in a most docile and bland way a "concern" about something that's not necessarily a huge indictment of an entire organization. To me, in my book, it says something about maturity and accountability to be able to say "Hey, we/they/them/us could have been better in this department" or something akin to that level. It certainly is NOT, again, IN MY BOOK, an indication that anything is a FAILURE, nor does it mean that there is trouble ahead and oh my God, let's not TALK about it.
But on the other hand, I hope that in my 40 years of existance, that I can and HAVE found a balance between being a complete ASSHOLE about things and totally ripping whatever apart, versus on the other side of the spectrum being so PC about things that I wouldn't be able to type a freakin' thing. Sooooo...hence....my outburst earlier today. If truth MUST be told, I was about 2 freakin' seconds from deleting this stupid blog and moving on.
But I decided maybe, just maybe, I'd take a second and put something out there now that may entice someone (or the plural...SOME) to see how the little hamster turns the wheels in my mind, and hell, who knows, maybe even CALL ME or EMAIL ME. But hey...that's cool...I am who I am and I say what I say and this should be water under the bridge. But sometimes, I just get a feather out of alignment because things are blown out of porportion, at least in MY book (and this is MY book).
Changes have been made in my blog...course correction made...lesson learned...I understand "the other side" of the argument...but I have to have my say. So...there...I said it. And it probably makes absolutely no freakin' sense to anyone except those who it DOES make sense to. Understand? You don't? Oh well... :-)
And my mailbox is currently EMPTY.
Amazing...
How many people out there are reading my blog??? And how do I find this information out???
And why are some of you calling OTHER PEOPLE ON THE PHONE about what I write?????
This amazes me. Why don't you stand up like a REAL person and talk directly to me?
Oh...and go read what was so much an issue, and let me know if I corrected it to your liking.
Good grief....
And why are some of you calling OTHER PEOPLE ON THE PHONE about what I write?????
This amazes me. Why don't you stand up like a REAL person and talk directly to me?
Oh...and go read what was so much an issue, and let me know if I corrected it to your liking.
Good grief....
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Hello out there...and where have I been?
If you don't know me by now....
You will never ever ever know me....oooooooooooooo...
Sorry. I was having a moment. YES...it's MARCHING BAND SEASON!!! Well, actually, it's BEEN marching band season for about 2 months already. Yeah, we drill designers start way before anyone else does. I have 10 bands--it's been extremely hectic, juggling the business, the career at the Fire Department, hoping for a possible career change in the next several months if a plan that I have secretly working on pans out the way that I hope it does (but I must NOT say anything about it at work because--well--because), and of course, family and all that that entails. Sooooooooooooo...updating the blog is pretty low on the Top 40 Things To Do Everyday list. I apologize.
Good news--So Cal Dream, the senior or "all age" drum and bugle corps that I designed the drill for, came in third place at the Drum Corps Associates World Championships in Rochester, New York this past weekend. This was their second trip to the "Big Game" in their short 5 year history, so they've come a long way. I think the organization's "legitimacy" has just been increased seven-fold ($1 to Lee!). Lee, our Program Coordinator, predicted this. So did I. We just talk different languages. So...onwards. My future with the corps though...eh. I'm not sure. I have a feeling I've been cut because I'm psychic about these type of things, plus, I squawked to the exec director about what I considered to be an issue and--well, you know how things "change" when you're dealing with someone. It's hard to describe. But "it" changes. Yeah. "It" changed. So...we'll see. If it DOESN'T pan out for next season, I wish the organization the best. But if it DOES pan out...I think I can help take the corps to the next level. Which is...of course...making finals in Open Class. There's NOTHING I can't do design-wise that isn't already being done. Sounds conceited--but who cares. It's the truth. As a matter of fact, in comparison to what's out there in DCA land Open Class, I think I can bring a unique style. But...I don't see a bridge to cross right now so I'm talking WAY in the future tense.
OK...Impulse is the Division III World Champion!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! And there are many exciting things in development for the corps to get ready for sure-to-be exciting 2007 season!! Check out the website for more information--and keep your ears and eyes open for announcements coming from the corps over the next few weeks. Good stuff...good stuff.
Rumors and rumors and more rumors...the drum corps activity is always alive and well with rumors. Mystikal, a little birdy told me, is departing the Ventura area and heading for greener pastures, where apparently kids LIKE to work hard. I don't get the Ventura area. But--oh well...they're losing their best chance to have a regional powerhouse corps with a committed director...another birdy told me that he was going to be applying for the directorship of a certain corps back somewhere else and is VERY excited about the prospect....said birdy is VERY talented and would probably kick some booty in the position....we shall see...Pasadena gearing up for 2007, the site of the Drum Corps International World Championships, being held at the Rose Bowl of course, and much to the chagrin of some real WINNERS...uh, sorry, I meant to say WHINERS on Drum Corps Planet...they fear everything from the Rose Bowl sucking as a venue (please...), to accessibility, to cost, to this to that...whatever. All I know is the east coast people better be buying their tickets early or they won't even GET a seat because everyone and their mother is going from the west coast to 2007 finals. PERIOD. It's about DAMN TIME that DCI came out here.
OK...enough band/corps geekdom stuff. Fire Department going well. Got new office furniture so I won't be in my office using a table that I found outside covered with rat poop and 1 inch of dust. Still trying to "find my niche" in this position, which makes it a little frustrating to say the least. The chief of the section told me yesterday that "ultimately you are responsible" for the TEMD program. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...how about giving me my 7.5% staff raise and a FREAKIN' JOB DESCRIPTION!!! I've been winging it for 6 months now. Sheeeeeeeeeeesh. Oh well...it's the OCFA. Remember, it's the organization that told 911 dispatchers that (at the old place) we were not allowed to "park closer to the building" because we had to leave that open for the I.S. people. Yeah...the same I.S. people that CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or the same OCFA that just promoted someone in finance that CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH and has regularly screwed things up on timeslips and paychecks. There you go. Makes me feel REAL good about MY accomplishments. I guess I must SUCK because I got promoted, hanh? Backwards thinking...I know...and I also know I'm just freakin' ranting. But try as they might to do some good things (and they do, I have to be honest), the OCFA amazes me some times with their truly stupid decisions. Where was I???
Oh yeah. Anyway--with "winging it" and no 7.5% staff raise and no job description, I did receive the best evaluation I've ever received by my immediate supervisor, so I must be doing something right. I was actually pretty amazed by the evaluation. Which reminds me...it was written by my immediate supervisor, even though strangely I don't report to him. Isn't that weird???? JOB DESCRIPTION AND FLOW CHART PLEASE!! :-)
On the personal front, I'll just say this. I wish I had more time for my family. I'm suffering badly in that department, but I feel a moral obligation to provide for my family, and that's what I do. I'll leave it at that.
So....until next time....I'm out of here and back to drill and other "stuff". Hope you enjoyed reading....now get outta here.
You will never ever ever know me....oooooooooooooo...
Sorry. I was having a moment. YES...it's MARCHING BAND SEASON!!! Well, actually, it's BEEN marching band season for about 2 months already. Yeah, we drill designers start way before anyone else does. I have 10 bands--it's been extremely hectic, juggling the business, the career at the Fire Department, hoping for a possible career change in the next several months if a plan that I have secretly working on pans out the way that I hope it does (but I must NOT say anything about it at work because--well--because), and of course, family and all that that entails. Sooooooooooooo...updating the blog is pretty low on the Top 40 Things To Do Everyday list. I apologize.
Good news--So Cal Dream, the senior or "all age" drum and bugle corps that I designed the drill for, came in third place at the Drum Corps Associates World Championships in Rochester, New York this past weekend. This was their second trip to the "Big Game" in their short 5 year history, so they've come a long way. I think the organization's "legitimacy" has just been increased seven-fold ($1 to Lee!). Lee, our Program Coordinator, predicted this. So did I. We just talk different languages. So...onwards. My future with the corps though...eh. I'm not sure. I have a feeling I've been cut because I'm psychic about these type of things, plus, I squawked to the exec director about what I considered to be an issue and--well, you know how things "change" when you're dealing with someone. It's hard to describe. But "it" changes. Yeah. "It" changed. So...we'll see. If it DOESN'T pan out for next season, I wish the organization the best. But if it DOES pan out...I think I can help take the corps to the next level. Which is...of course...making finals in Open Class. There's NOTHING I can't do design-wise that isn't already being done. Sounds conceited--but who cares. It's the truth. As a matter of fact, in comparison to what's out there in DCA land Open Class, I think I can bring a unique style. But...I don't see a bridge to cross right now so I'm talking WAY in the future tense.
OK...Impulse is the Division III World Champion!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! And there are many exciting things in development for the corps to get ready for sure-to-be exciting 2007 season!! Check out the website for more information--and keep your ears and eyes open for announcements coming from the corps over the next few weeks. Good stuff...good stuff.
Rumors and rumors and more rumors...the drum corps activity is always alive and well with rumors. Mystikal, a little birdy told me, is departing the Ventura area and heading for greener pastures, where apparently kids LIKE to work hard. I don't get the Ventura area. But--oh well...they're losing their best chance to have a regional powerhouse corps with a committed director...another birdy told me that he was going to be applying for the directorship of a certain corps back somewhere else and is VERY excited about the prospect....said birdy is VERY talented and would probably kick some booty in the position....we shall see...Pasadena gearing up for 2007, the site of the Drum Corps International World Championships, being held at the Rose Bowl of course, and much to the chagrin of some real WINNERS...uh, sorry, I meant to say WHINERS on Drum Corps Planet...they fear everything from the Rose Bowl sucking as a venue (please...), to accessibility, to cost, to this to that...whatever. All I know is the east coast people better be buying their tickets early or they won't even GET a seat because everyone and their mother is going from the west coast to 2007 finals. PERIOD. It's about DAMN TIME that DCI came out here.
OK...enough band/corps geekdom stuff. Fire Department going well. Got new office furniture so I won't be in my office using a table that I found outside covered with rat poop and 1 inch of dust. Still trying to "find my niche" in this position, which makes it a little frustrating to say the least. The chief of the section told me yesterday that "ultimately you are responsible" for the TEMD program. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...how about giving me my 7.5% staff raise and a FREAKIN' JOB DESCRIPTION!!! I've been winging it for 6 months now. Sheeeeeeeeeeesh. Oh well...it's the OCFA. Remember, it's the organization that told 911 dispatchers that (at the old place) we were not allowed to "park closer to the building" because we had to leave that open for the I.S. people. Yeah...the same I.S. people that CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or the same OCFA that just promoted someone in finance that CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH and has regularly screwed things up on timeslips and paychecks. There you go. Makes me feel REAL good about MY accomplishments. I guess I must SUCK because I got promoted, hanh? Backwards thinking...I know...and I also know I'm just freakin' ranting. But try as they might to do some good things (and they do, I have to be honest), the OCFA amazes me some times with their truly stupid decisions. Where was I???
Oh yeah. Anyway--with "winging it" and no 7.5% staff raise and no job description, I did receive the best evaluation I've ever received by my immediate supervisor, so I must be doing something right. I was actually pretty amazed by the evaluation. Which reminds me...it was written by my immediate supervisor, even though strangely I don't report to him. Isn't that weird???? JOB DESCRIPTION AND FLOW CHART PLEASE!! :-)
On the personal front, I'll just say this. I wish I had more time for my family. I'm suffering badly in that department, but I feel a moral obligation to provide for my family, and that's what I do. I'll leave it at that.
So....until next time....I'm out of here and back to drill and other "stuff". Hope you enjoyed reading....now get outta here.
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