So yeah...it's that time again. That time where I sit down and think about all the things in life that suck. This will be rambling...so I apologize in advance.
I'm bringing back the "Current Weight" part of my signature. It's gotten so outta control with the whole "sitting on my ass all day at work" thing. I need motivation. I have motivation...but it's not the kind of motivation I want. I finally met a girl out here...and, despite her flaws, I dig her alot. However, she's obviously not attracted to me because I'm ridiculously overweight. I just don't need to be doing the crazy weight drop just for some shot at a girl...again. So, fuck it. I'm never going to be anyone's ideal. I accept that. I'm way too emotionally fucked up. My weight fluctuates in ridiculous ways. I'm "too nice" (whatever the fuck that means). I am who I am. It's mostly genetic...I was doomed from the get-go.
I'm such a fucking co-dependent...it sickens me sometimes. Something in me makes me feel like the only way I'll ever feel like I'm on the right track is having someone to share it all with. I had that for the time the ex and I lived together. Everything felt so right...even though, oftentimes, things weren't right. Then we started concentrating on our careers and it all fell apart. I have this messed up instinct that I should be caring for someone...and I have such a love/hate relationship with it.
I still like the job...and I'm damn good at it now. I still hate the town. I'm trying to find some kind of balance. There are nights where I get lonely and just want to go home, though. There are times I wish I traveled more than I do. Sometimes I wished I were a little more active. But, then again, there are times I wish I could just be a normal guy that didn't grow attached to any woman that is batshit insane and/or walks all over me...and we all know that's never gonna happen. I digress.
One of my favorite Dallas musicians was shot and killed the other night. Carter Albrecht from Sorta. I had only recently (within the last couple years) got into Sorta, but their music has been so calming for me on days that my soul needed to be picked up a little and I was just recently starting to hear some of Carter's other stuff. I was planning to finally see them live sometime this month (I had seen them a couple times but didn't know who they were back then)...but I guess that will never happen. Though I never knew you personally, rest in peace Carter.
I finally found my way to the big liquor store in Mesquite, NV. It was like angels were singing and a light shone down from the heavens when I walked in. Then, I got to thinking that maybe they should play some kinda of ethereal music in the background to enhance the shopping experience. When I walked up to check out, I laughed about how great the place was...and the check-out girl immediately pointed out that I "must be from St. George". How sad is that? EVERYONE knows how dry this place is.
Hanging in there...trying to anyway.
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Current Music: Sorta - Nothing Left To Say (possibly the most beautiful song I've heard in a long time)
Current Weight: An embarrassing 267
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
A Trip Home to Texas
As always, it's been months since I've even thought about updating this damn thing. I've been busy, cut me some slack.
I'm home in Gainesville right this moment...it was a sort of "failed" trip to Sydney that got me here but, really, it was nice to come home and see people I haven't seen in ages. I wish I had longer to stay here.
So, yeah, this whole thing started on Sunday. My plan was to hit Sydney, Australia for a few days...then home to Texas for a couple days...then back to SGU. It was hotter than hell in SGU on Sunday (just like any other day this summer), so I knew that getting to LAX on the non-stop 30-seater would be tough due to weight restrictions (for the uninitiated...temperature, altitude, and runway length play a huge part in how much weight an airplane can take off with). I was #1 on the list, so I figured it was a pretty safe bet.
When I got to the airport, a pilot, his wife, and two kids were in the check-in line in front of me. I knew immedately that I was pretty screwed. By some miracle of God, I got a seat...just had to strap my big bag in a seat so it wouldn't count in the checked bag weights. Right before we shut the door, one of the CS agents came onboard and pointed at me and a United flight attendant and said, you're gonna have to come off. D-OH! The outside temperature had spiked 3 degrees in less than an hour and, because of this, we had to pull 600 lbs. off the plane. Since passengers count as 250 lbs, no matter how much they actually weigh, me and the UA F/A accounted for most of what they needed to come off.
After the flight left (it almost left with my passport and company ID that I had tossed in the seatback pocket...luckily one of the CS agents ran aboard and got it for me), they got me booked on the next flight out to Salt Lake. When I got to Salt Lake, I took a look at the departure board and realized that the next Delta flight to LAX was just about to leave and there was a United flight leaving soon. I ran over to the UA gate, but it was oversold and one of our pilots took the jumpseat ahead of me. I probably could have taken a jumpseat on Southwest, but the fact that Southwest res told me that I would likely only be getting on if I took an actual jumpseat and one look at the amount of pilots standing around in the Southwest gate area...and I decided to crash in Salt Lake and figure it out from there.
I had called Courtney earlier in the day just in case I got stuck in SLC...so, as soon as she got in from ORD, we took off to her place. I crashed like a log after spending an hour trying to help her find a way home from DEN on a one-way trip she had picked up for someone.
She had to be at the airport at 7am and I just happened to wake up and look at the clock at 6am. She had set the alarm for 6pm on accident. We scrambled to get to the airport.
When we got there, I pulled out the laptop and made my decision on where I was going to go. After looking at all options...I just decided that this trip was to be stress-free...and that home to Texas was the best bet. I called Brent back at the office and had him list me...then got transferred to Salt Lake Ops to let them know that I was in a long security line and for them to plan for a jumpseater in the weight and balance. Marie in SLC Ops rocks and had to gate have the jumpseat stuff waiting for me and the pilots notified. All I had to do was run out to the plane and get situated in that lovely jumpseat.
When I got to DFW and stepped off the plane, I started thinking that maybe I should try to at least get out of the country for a couple days. Once I came to this decision (with a little prodding from the lovely Penny Lane about how I'm "not spontaneous enough"), I ran over to the Delta ticket counter in time to have the ticket agent tell me I was too late to check in for the next flight. She told me she would relist me for the "7 o'clock flight"....yeah...she told me 7...it was really 5:20. That's what I get for not paying attention. I showed up at 5:10 in time to miss the flight to ATL. Oh well. At this point, I decided that I wasn't supposed to go anywhere...so, I called Dearing and he picked me up.
We got dinner with his new girl and Wilson...then played Xbox 360 for essentially 2 days. So relaxing. Rented a car...made the rounds...went to 2 movies with Shaun and Rocky last night (The Simpsons and Bourne Ultimatum). Gonna go hang with the grandparents for the second time in 2 days...and see some more folks before heading back tomorrow.
It may not have been as exotic as going overseas...but this trip has been so recharging...good stuff.
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Current Music:
I'm home in Gainesville right this moment...it was a sort of "failed" trip to Sydney that got me here but, really, it was nice to come home and see people I haven't seen in ages. I wish I had longer to stay here.
So, yeah, this whole thing started on Sunday. My plan was to hit Sydney, Australia for a few days...then home to Texas for a couple days...then back to SGU. It was hotter than hell in SGU on Sunday (just like any other day this summer), so I knew that getting to LAX on the non-stop 30-seater would be tough due to weight restrictions (for the uninitiated...temperature, altitude, and runway length play a huge part in how much weight an airplane can take off with). I was #1 on the list, so I figured it was a pretty safe bet.
When I got to the airport, a pilot, his wife, and two kids were in the check-in line in front of me. I knew immedately that I was pretty screwed. By some miracle of God, I got a seat...just had to strap my big bag in a seat so it wouldn't count in the checked bag weights. Right before we shut the door, one of the CS agents came onboard and pointed at me and a United flight attendant and said, you're gonna have to come off. D-OH! The outside temperature had spiked 3 degrees in less than an hour and, because of this, we had to pull 600 lbs. off the plane. Since passengers count as 250 lbs, no matter how much they actually weigh, me and the UA F/A accounted for most of what they needed to come off.
After the flight left (it almost left with my passport and company ID that I had tossed in the seatback pocket...luckily one of the CS agents ran aboard and got it for me), they got me booked on the next flight out to Salt Lake. When I got to Salt Lake, I took a look at the departure board and realized that the next Delta flight to LAX was just about to leave and there was a United flight leaving soon. I ran over to the UA gate, but it was oversold and one of our pilots took the jumpseat ahead of me. I probably could have taken a jumpseat on Southwest, but the fact that Southwest res told me that I would likely only be getting on if I took an actual jumpseat and one look at the amount of pilots standing around in the Southwest gate area...and I decided to crash in Salt Lake and figure it out from there.
I had called Courtney earlier in the day just in case I got stuck in SLC...so, as soon as she got in from ORD, we took off to her place. I crashed like a log after spending an hour trying to help her find a way home from DEN on a one-way trip she had picked up for someone.
She had to be at the airport at 7am and I just happened to wake up and look at the clock at 6am. She had set the alarm for 6pm on accident. We scrambled to get to the airport.
When we got there, I pulled out the laptop and made my decision on where I was going to go. After looking at all options...I just decided that this trip was to be stress-free...and that home to Texas was the best bet. I called Brent back at the office and had him list me...then got transferred to Salt Lake Ops to let them know that I was in a long security line and for them to plan for a jumpseater in the weight and balance. Marie in SLC Ops rocks and had to gate have the jumpseat stuff waiting for me and the pilots notified. All I had to do was run out to the plane and get situated in that lovely jumpseat.
When I got to DFW and stepped off the plane, I started thinking that maybe I should try to at least get out of the country for a couple days. Once I came to this decision (with a little prodding from the lovely Penny Lane about how I'm "not spontaneous enough"), I ran over to the Delta ticket counter in time to have the ticket agent tell me I was too late to check in for the next flight. She told me she would relist me for the "7 o'clock flight"....yeah...she told me 7...it was really 5:20. That's what I get for not paying attention. I showed up at 5:10 in time to miss the flight to ATL. Oh well. At this point, I decided that I wasn't supposed to go anywhere...so, I called Dearing and he picked me up.
We got dinner with his new girl and Wilson...then played Xbox 360 for essentially 2 days. So relaxing. Rented a car...made the rounds...went to 2 movies with Shaun and Rocky last night (The Simpsons and Bourne Ultimatum). Gonna go hang with the grandparents for the second time in 2 days...and see some more folks before heading back tomorrow.
It may not have been as exotic as going overseas...but this trip has been so recharging...good stuff.
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Current Music:
Friday, May 04, 2007
05/04/07
Life is extra boring at the moment. There really is nothing to do in this town. I've done laundry and picked up my room a bit...had a few beers...and watched a bunch of TV. Kinda sucks. I guess I could go join a gym (and I should, I'm getting so fat spending 90% of my days in front of a computer), but I feel less than motivated lately. I think work is one of the only things that make coming out here for this job bearable. I work alot...then I travel for a few days. If I have downtime in St. George, I go crazy. I really do like my job...but I am more and more starting to hate living here. Thank God I'm able to fly out of here when I want.
I've worked 2 days in the last week and a half. This paycheck is gonna suck. I was off for 5 days when I went home to Denton for a few days...then off my normal 3 days off after 2 days of work.
In Denton, I played in our annual flag football game (my team won...on the shoulders of former North Texas TE Andy Blount and Rec Sports guru John Wilson) and kept a nice steady flow of Shiner Bock going. It was pretty relaxing, but I feel pretty crappy about not going to Gainesville for at least one day and visiting family.
Yes, I said it. I feel bad for not visiting family. My relationships with my immediate family pretty much suck. I've got issues with them, they have issues with me. I do love visiting my grandparents, though. However, despite the crappy relationship I have with my family, my little brother...whom I've never really gotten along with...is leaving for Air Force basic training tomorrow and I wish I could have at least got a beer with him before he left. We've had our differences in the past, but I wish him the best of luck and I'm proud of what he's doing. I'm not much of a "pray-er" these days...but I'll definitely be thinking of my brother alot.
I've had alot on my mind lately as far as being depressed, not really having any real friends out here, and general loneliness. I heard from someone really special to me last week for the first time since right after I moved here...and my overwhelming desire to try to rekindle that relationship has got me feeling a bit rollercoaster-ish. I still love her...and really, I kinda think she may feel the same to a certain extent. Since that initial contact last week, I haven't heard anything from her...so now I'm left just kinda feeling like maybe I really should just move on. Of course, that's not what I want...I want to be with her again...or at least see her again. I was really happy to hear that she was doing alot better than she was when things went south for us. Seems like things are much better than before. I don't think the problems were my fault...nor her fault. Circumstances just sucked.
Been thinking about trying to go back to school and get a degree. Maybe Aviation Management from Utah Valley State. They offer a completely online degree where most of the course work is flight school. However, despite the fact that I was barely above the poverty level last year, being male, middle-class, and white keeps me from qualifying for jack squat as far as grants and subsidized loans go. I don't currently have the means to work full time, make a living, take classes and do flight school everyday...so I guess that's off, for now anyway. Right now, I need to concentrate on clearing up my credit issues, maybe doing flight school and a degree later, and working on perking up a little.
The Mavs blew it last night...not sure what the hell happened to Dirk. Hopefully third time will be the charm next season. Speaking of sports, I need to go to a baseball game soon. Usually, I've been to one or two by this point in the season...and there's no pro baseball in Utah. Well, there's a minor league team up in Salt Lake...but I want my Red Sox and Rangers. Hopefully, I'll make one in the next few weeks. Gonna try to visit Lisa in Baltimore soon and go to an O's game. Kevin Millar is still one of my favorite players...and it's Major League Baseball...good enough for me.
Also, I'm looking to make a trip to London or Sydney sometime soon. I just don't want to go alone and my travel partners are...well...non-existent. Might go by myself anyway.
Oh yeah, lost my damn iPod. Well, I guess it was Karma. I found it in a seatback pocket on an airplane when I wa working at the other airline. I think I left it in the seatback pocket of the Delta flight I took to DFW last week. Oh well...at least I have my laptop now.
Guess that's all I got for now. Gotta get one last load of laundry in the dryer and iron some shirts. I really need to just start dropping my shirts and decent pants to the cleaners. I hate ironing.
One last thing...
If you're bored...check out the "Three Justins" Blog.
Barnett, Dearing, and I pretty much just blog about random stuff and answer random questions emailed to us at askthreejustins (at) gmail.com Check it out!
-----------------------
Current Music: Ryan Adams - Come Pick Me Up
Current Weight: Too Much
I've worked 2 days in the last week and a half. This paycheck is gonna suck. I was off for 5 days when I went home to Denton for a few days...then off my normal 3 days off after 2 days of work.
In Denton, I played in our annual flag football game (my team won...on the shoulders of former North Texas TE Andy Blount and Rec Sports guru John Wilson) and kept a nice steady flow of Shiner Bock going. It was pretty relaxing, but I feel pretty crappy about not going to Gainesville for at least one day and visiting family.
Yes, I said it. I feel bad for not visiting family. My relationships with my immediate family pretty much suck. I've got issues with them, they have issues with me. I do love visiting my grandparents, though. However, despite the crappy relationship I have with my family, my little brother...whom I've never really gotten along with...is leaving for Air Force basic training tomorrow and I wish I could have at least got a beer with him before he left. We've had our differences in the past, but I wish him the best of luck and I'm proud of what he's doing. I'm not much of a "pray-er" these days...but I'll definitely be thinking of my brother alot.
I've had alot on my mind lately as far as being depressed, not really having any real friends out here, and general loneliness. I heard from someone really special to me last week for the first time since right after I moved here...and my overwhelming desire to try to rekindle that relationship has got me feeling a bit rollercoaster-ish. I still love her...and really, I kinda think she may feel the same to a certain extent. Since that initial contact last week, I haven't heard anything from her...so now I'm left just kinda feeling like maybe I really should just move on. Of course, that's not what I want...I want to be with her again...or at least see her again. I was really happy to hear that she was doing alot better than she was when things went south for us. Seems like things are much better than before. I don't think the problems were my fault...nor her fault. Circumstances just sucked.
Been thinking about trying to go back to school and get a degree. Maybe Aviation Management from Utah Valley State. They offer a completely online degree where most of the course work is flight school. However, despite the fact that I was barely above the poverty level last year, being male, middle-class, and white keeps me from qualifying for jack squat as far as grants and subsidized loans go. I don't currently have the means to work full time, make a living, take classes and do flight school everyday...so I guess that's off, for now anyway. Right now, I need to concentrate on clearing up my credit issues, maybe doing flight school and a degree later, and working on perking up a little.
The Mavs blew it last night...not sure what the hell happened to Dirk. Hopefully third time will be the charm next season. Speaking of sports, I need to go to a baseball game soon. Usually, I've been to one or two by this point in the season...and there's no pro baseball in Utah. Well, there's a minor league team up in Salt Lake...but I want my Red Sox and Rangers. Hopefully, I'll make one in the next few weeks. Gonna try to visit Lisa in Baltimore soon and go to an O's game. Kevin Millar is still one of my favorite players...and it's Major League Baseball...good enough for me.
Also, I'm looking to make a trip to London or Sydney sometime soon. I just don't want to go alone and my travel partners are...well...non-existent. Might go by myself anyway.
Oh yeah, lost my damn iPod. Well, I guess it was Karma. I found it in a seatback pocket on an airplane when I wa working at the other airline. I think I left it in the seatback pocket of the Delta flight I took to DFW last week. Oh well...at least I have my laptop now.
Guess that's all I got for now. Gotta get one last load of laundry in the dryer and iron some shirts. I really need to just start dropping my shirts and decent pants to the cleaners. I hate ironing.
One last thing...
If you're bored...check out the "Three Justins" Blog.
Barnett, Dearing, and I pretty much just blog about random stuff and answer random questions emailed to us at askthreejustins (at) gmail.com Check it out!
-----------------------
Current Music: Ryan Adams - Come Pick Me Up
Current Weight: Too Much
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
New Glasses, new tires, new lappy, and NYC...
Wow, once again, while assuring the masses that I would update more often...I have failed. Does that really surprise anyone though?
It's been good times since I lost blogged...so heres we goes.
I guess i should start with my trip home. Of course, that was something like a month ago. I went home to Texas for a few days. Just to see some friends and go to a North Texas basketball game. Of course, I wound up having a knock-down-drag-out with my mother like always...I'll leave it at that.
I flew home after a couple days. Of course, getting home meant taking the jumpseat of a CRJ-700 from DFW to SLC. Well, only because I'm a nice guy...there were 2 seats left on the plane, but by taking the jumpseat, they were able to get 2 more standbys on (a woman and her young son)...who were extremely excited to get on the plane. Gotta be good to the other non-rev's when you can. It's non-rev karma.
It was my first time jumpseating in the jet. I called the office to find out if I could log the time since it was going to be almost 3 hours block (they said no...grrr). Flight crew was pretty cool, the F/O flew the leg. We encountered an interesting autopilot issue over the Rockies...very interesting to say the least.
When I got back to Utah, I was slated for a pretty full week or two of working. Of course, that started with a 0400 shift the day after getting back from Texas. I left the house a little earlier than usual for one reason or another. About 3 miles away from work, my front left tire blew out. BLEW OUT is more like it. BOOM! Took chunks of the bumper, the corner lights, the blinker, and dented the front fender. Talk about suck. The tire tread was wrapped around the axle. Took me 45 minutes to get the damn thing unwrapped and swapped for the donut. I went and dropped the money on replacing all four later that day. I still need a new blinker/bumper/etc. Ugghh...
Let's see...went through jet ground school the next week. 3 days of cramming something like 4 tons of info into our brains. Here we are, three weeks later, and I finally got my first day of jet on the job training yesterday. Talk about overwhelming. LOTS of stuff going on in comparison to the turboprops. My ass was so kicked after 10 hours on the jet yesterday, I came home...passed out around 1730 and didn't wake up til around 0700. That's alot of sleepin'. I have three more days of jets this week. I guess we'll see how I do tomorrow. Yesterday was rough because of storms in ORD...but really when are there not storms to deviate around.
I got a new laptop. I decided against the MacBook this time. Time will tell if that was a bad move, but I think my next one will be a Mac. I love Macs...I just wasn't ready to commit this time. If you're a computer idiot, then yeah...the Mac is a good move. However, if you know how to handle a Windows system's little problems and spyware issues...it's still not too bad of a choice. I just have too much tied into Windows programs. (Yes, I know I could run Windows with Parallels on a Mac.)
So far, I like my little HP. I got a TV Tuner card and have it running like a DVR. I got my Adobe Audition running...still trying to trouble shoot the microphone and integrated webcam issues. Vista hasn't crashed on me yet...still learning it's little idiosyncrasies. And I'm still testing alot of little things I haven't used in ages. And I am SO ready to drag this thing through TSA...hahaha. Yet more crap coming outta my bag when going through "security".
Let's see...what else. Oh yeah. I went to NYC with Courtney, a flight attendant friend of mine. We met up in Los Angeles...took the redeye up to JFK...spent the morning in New York...and came back that afternoon.
Never been there before...didn't spend much time there...but I really wanted/needed to go to the World Trade Center/Ground Zero. It was definitely worth the trip. Just the emotions and the feeling when you stand there. Tough to swallow. I had to walk away once because I was so choked up. Almost hurts physically to stand there for the first time and just think about things that happened there and the people on those aircraft. :(
Courtney brought her camera...here's some pics. The first one is the one that made me choke up the most...
Oh...and I got new glasses. Oakley frames...most expensive set of lenses I've ever bought...but I'll tell ya. The Crizal is frickin' worth the money. These suckers rock...as you can see below.
For future reference...when you have the opportunity to fly first-class in United Airlines' p.s. 757's from JFK-LAX...don't be a dumbass and give your seat to the girl that is 2 months junior to you on the seniority list just because she's having a bad day. You'll regret that decision when you settle in next to two other guys about your size back in coach...
So, I guess that's all for now. I have jet OJT again tomorrow. I think it's going to be a complete asswhip...but that's why I got into this job. I like having my ass kicked in the workplace.
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Current Music: Randy Rogers Band - This Time Around
It's been good times since I lost blogged...so heres we goes.
I guess i should start with my trip home. Of course, that was something like a month ago. I went home to Texas for a few days. Just to see some friends and go to a North Texas basketball game. Of course, I wound up having a knock-down-drag-out with my mother like always...I'll leave it at that.
I flew home after a couple days. Of course, getting home meant taking the jumpseat of a CRJ-700 from DFW to SLC. Well, only because I'm a nice guy...there were 2 seats left on the plane, but by taking the jumpseat, they were able to get 2 more standbys on (a woman and her young son)...who were extremely excited to get on the plane. Gotta be good to the other non-rev's when you can. It's non-rev karma.
It was my first time jumpseating in the jet. I called the office to find out if I could log the time since it was going to be almost 3 hours block (they said no...grrr). Flight crew was pretty cool, the F/O flew the leg. We encountered an interesting autopilot issue over the Rockies...very interesting to say the least.
When I got back to Utah, I was slated for a pretty full week or two of working. Of course, that started with a 0400 shift the day after getting back from Texas. I left the house a little earlier than usual for one reason or another. About 3 miles away from work, my front left tire blew out. BLEW OUT is more like it. BOOM! Took chunks of the bumper, the corner lights, the blinker, and dented the front fender. Talk about suck. The tire tread was wrapped around the axle. Took me 45 minutes to get the damn thing unwrapped and swapped for the donut. I went and dropped the money on replacing all four later that day. I still need a new blinker/bumper/etc. Ugghh...
Let's see...went through jet ground school the next week. 3 days of cramming something like 4 tons of info into our brains. Here we are, three weeks later, and I finally got my first day of jet on the job training yesterday. Talk about overwhelming. LOTS of stuff going on in comparison to the turboprops. My ass was so kicked after 10 hours on the jet yesterday, I came home...passed out around 1730 and didn't wake up til around 0700. That's alot of sleepin'. I have three more days of jets this week. I guess we'll see how I do tomorrow. Yesterday was rough because of storms in ORD...but really when are there not storms to deviate around.
I got a new laptop. I decided against the MacBook this time. Time will tell if that was a bad move, but I think my next one will be a Mac. I love Macs...I just wasn't ready to commit this time. If you're a computer idiot, then yeah...the Mac is a good move. However, if you know how to handle a Windows system's little problems and spyware issues...it's still not too bad of a choice. I just have too much tied into Windows programs. (Yes, I know I could run Windows with Parallels on a Mac.)
So far, I like my little HP. I got a TV Tuner card and have it running like a DVR. I got my Adobe Audition running...still trying to trouble shoot the microphone and integrated webcam issues. Vista hasn't crashed on me yet...still learning it's little idiosyncrasies. And I'm still testing alot of little things I haven't used in ages. And I am SO ready to drag this thing through TSA...hahaha. Yet more crap coming outta my bag when going through "security".
Let's see...what else. Oh yeah. I went to NYC with Courtney, a flight attendant friend of mine. We met up in Los Angeles...took the redeye up to JFK...spent the morning in New York...and came back that afternoon.
Never been there before...didn't spend much time there...but I really wanted/needed to go to the World Trade Center/Ground Zero. It was definitely worth the trip. Just the emotions and the feeling when you stand there. Tough to swallow. I had to walk away once because I was so choked up. Almost hurts physically to stand there for the first time and just think about things that happened there and the people on those aircraft. :(
Courtney brought her camera...here's some pics. The first one is the one that made me choke up the most...
Oh...and I got new glasses. Oakley frames...most expensive set of lenses I've ever bought...but I'll tell ya. The Crizal is frickin' worth the money. These suckers rock...as you can see below.
For future reference...when you have the opportunity to fly first-class in United Airlines' p.s. 757's from JFK-LAX...don't be a dumbass and give your seat to the girl that is 2 months junior to you on the seniority list just because she's having a bad day. You'll regret that decision when you settle in next to two other guys about your size back in coach...
So, I guess that's all for now. I have jet OJT again tomorrow. I think it's going to be a complete asswhip...but that's why I got into this job. I like having my ass kicked in the workplace.
-----------------------
Current Music: Randy Rogers Band - This Time Around
Friday, February 23, 2007
SBN, The Sweeney Crew, and Snow...lots of snow!
First and foremost, I'm sorry for never writing in you, blog. I promise to work on that.
It's been a pretty alright few weeks. Been working almost nonstop...but managed to take a few days off and go to South Bend, Indiana to see some Notre Dame friends. Had a blast and a half and got too see some folks I never get to see. Crashed at Fox and Murph's (sounds like a bar...hmmm)...got to spend some quality time with Bauters (we went and got Jimmy John's and a haircut in that order)...got dinner with THE Skipper (so great to see him)!
Flying out there was wild ass. When I woke up that morning, my original plans were to go to Texas that day. However, my place to stay in the DFW area kinda fell through,
and the ND Kids were still wanting me to come out there...so I cut outta work 2 hours early and caught the 1250 flight to SLC...then the 3pm flight to Cincy...then the 945pm flight to South Bend.
When we landed in SBN, it was snowing pretty hardcore and I could feel the plane sliding a little when Chautauqua guys fired the thrust reversers...a little scary.
After the cab ride from hell (think 450 lbs Vietnam Vet driving on snow and ice while smoking a Marlboro Red and telling you about how the Agent Orange caused his diabetes), I got to Fox and Murph's place. We in turn, got ANOTHER cab and went to Corby's Bar.
The cab to Corby's was an old minivan...I was sitting in the back. When we got to the bar, I was disembarking the cab when my foot got caught on the seat belt. Thank the Lord there was a foot of snow on the ground...because I went face first into the ground. It was awesome. Went inside, had some pitchers...annoyed a bunch of people by shelling out almost 20 bucks on the jukebox and playing nothing but Texas/Red Dirt music for a long while.
Here's a shot of me, Fox, and Ray (I think that was his name) right after I ate it getting outta the cab.
Next day, I woke up way late in the day...watched a little Giada de Laurentiis on the Food Network...got showered and went out with Melissa for a while. We got Jimmy John's, I went to the Great Clips next door and got a haircut, and then we ran over to the Notre Dame bookstore to pick up a couple shirts.
From there, we went out to eat with Skip and crew. Skip, Sissney, Chris G., and others were in town for Camp Sweeney recruiting...and Skip was treating everyone to Rocco's pizza and big beers. I think I told way too many Sweeney stories that Skip probably didn't want some folks to hear...but that's what happens when you buy me beer.
Went out that night...racked up a rather heavy duty bar tab...but it was a blast.
Just hung out the next day...wandering in the snow on campus at ND.
Had to be at the airport at 5am to catch a ride home. This time, I was going through Chicago O'hare...to Salt Lake...to home. They must have canceled a flight the night before, because when I had originally checked the flight load, it was wide open. Now, it was oversold. By 4 people. Damn.
No worries. It was United Express operated by Mesa...I can jumpseat in the cockpit on the UAX carriers..even without being in the CASS system. Or, so I thought.
A really nice Air Wisconsin(-in) customer service agent named Deb tried like heck to get my jumpseat stuff to go through and she was having trouble. While she worked on my stuff, since she was the only ticket agent working, I checked all the passengers in on the kiosks and even tagged their bags...it was like old times!
Deb couldn't get my jumpseat authorization to go through, so we just decided to talk to the crew and get it done that way. Well, as it turns out, Mesa Airlines doesn't take other-airline dispatchers in the cockpit. BASTARDS!
So here I was, completely about to freak out not knowing how I was going to get home because everything else was oversold all day. It was Deb to the rescue when she told me 5 people didn't show up, thus leaving one open seat in the cabin...whoo-hoo!
The rest of the trip home was pretty painless...well, except for that turbulence on the way in to St. George. I was asleep with my head against the wall of the plane...and we hit a rough patch. You can only imagine how my head felt.
So, I've been working my tail off since the trip. Put in another 60+ hours this week. I like the overtime. Even after a decent sized contribution to my 401(k) every paycheck, I'm still saving alot of money and trying to get my finances in order. For the first time in my life, I see a light at the end of the financial tunnel and am already starting to make long term plans as far as buying a home and living comfortably.
I think I'm going to Texas this Tuesday night...we shall see. If not, I'll just work my tail off just a little more or go somewhere ridiculous.
After my run to wherever I wind up, I get to come back for jet training. Finally, we're getting trained on the CRJ's! I'm actually kinda excited about that. Now, I'll have alot more options when it comes to overtime and I'll no longer be a "Brasilia Puke" as one of my co-workers calls us.
Alright, time to get showered, get some food in me, and run some errands. Adios!
-----------------------
Current Music: Angels and Airwaves - The Adventure
It's been a pretty alright few weeks. Been working almost nonstop...but managed to take a few days off and go to South Bend, Indiana to see some Notre Dame friends. Had a blast and a half and got too see some folks I never get to see. Crashed at Fox and Murph's (sounds like a bar...hmmm)...got to spend some quality time with Bauters (we went and got Jimmy John's and a haircut in that order)...got dinner with THE Skipper (so great to see him)!
Flying out there was wild ass. When I woke up that morning, my original plans were to go to Texas that day. However, my place to stay in the DFW area kinda fell through,
and the ND Kids were still wanting me to come out there...so I cut outta work 2 hours early and caught the 1250 flight to SLC...then the 3pm flight to Cincy...then the 945pm flight to South Bend.
When we landed in SBN, it was snowing pretty hardcore and I could feel the plane sliding a little when Chautauqua guys fired the thrust reversers...a little scary.
After the cab ride from hell (think 450 lbs Vietnam Vet driving on snow and ice while smoking a Marlboro Red and telling you about how the Agent Orange caused his diabetes), I got to Fox and Murph's place. We in turn, got ANOTHER cab and went to Corby's Bar.
The cab to Corby's was an old minivan...I was sitting in the back. When we got to the bar, I was disembarking the cab when my foot got caught on the seat belt. Thank the Lord there was a foot of snow on the ground...because I went face first into the ground. It was awesome. Went inside, had some pitchers...annoyed a bunch of people by shelling out almost 20 bucks on the jukebox and playing nothing but Texas/Red Dirt music for a long while.
Here's a shot of me, Fox, and Ray (I think that was his name) right after I ate it getting outta the cab.
Next day, I woke up way late in the day...watched a little Giada de Laurentiis on the Food Network...got showered and went out with Melissa for a while. We got Jimmy John's, I went to the Great Clips next door and got a haircut, and then we ran over to the Notre Dame bookstore to pick up a couple shirts.
From there, we went out to eat with Skip and crew. Skip, Sissney, Chris G., and others were in town for Camp Sweeney recruiting...and Skip was treating everyone to Rocco's pizza and big beers. I think I told way too many Sweeney stories that Skip probably didn't want some folks to hear...but that's what happens when you buy me beer.
Went out that night...racked up a rather heavy duty bar tab...but it was a blast.
Just hung out the next day...wandering in the snow on campus at ND.
Had to be at the airport at 5am to catch a ride home. This time, I was going through Chicago O'hare...to Salt Lake...to home. They must have canceled a flight the night before, because when I had originally checked the flight load, it was wide open. Now, it was oversold. By 4 people. Damn.
No worries. It was United Express operated by Mesa...I can jumpseat in the cockpit on the UAX carriers..even without being in the CASS system. Or, so I thought.
A really nice Air Wisconsin(-in) customer service agent named Deb tried like heck to get my jumpseat stuff to go through and she was having trouble. While she worked on my stuff, since she was the only ticket agent working, I checked all the passengers in on the kiosks and even tagged their bags...it was like old times!
Deb couldn't get my jumpseat authorization to go through, so we just decided to talk to the crew and get it done that way. Well, as it turns out, Mesa Airlines doesn't take other-airline dispatchers in the cockpit. BASTARDS!
So here I was, completely about to freak out not knowing how I was going to get home because everything else was oversold all day. It was Deb to the rescue when she told me 5 people didn't show up, thus leaving one open seat in the cabin...whoo-hoo!
The rest of the trip home was pretty painless...well, except for that turbulence on the way in to St. George. I was asleep with my head against the wall of the plane...and we hit a rough patch. You can only imagine how my head felt.
So, I've been working my tail off since the trip. Put in another 60+ hours this week. I like the overtime. Even after a decent sized contribution to my 401(k) every paycheck, I'm still saving alot of money and trying to get my finances in order. For the first time in my life, I see a light at the end of the financial tunnel and am already starting to make long term plans as far as buying a home and living comfortably.
I think I'm going to Texas this Tuesday night...we shall see. If not, I'll just work my tail off just a little more or go somewhere ridiculous.
After my run to wherever I wind up, I get to come back for jet training. Finally, we're getting trained on the CRJ's! I'm actually kinda excited about that. Now, I'll have alot more options when it comes to overtime and I'll no longer be a "Brasilia Puke" as one of my co-workers calls us.
Alright, time to get showered, get some food in me, and run some errands. Adios!
-----------------------
Current Music: Angels and Airwaves - The Adventure
Monday, January 22, 2007
ADD Meds and Identity Thieves
Where to begin...
First post of 2007...22 days in. Oops...
Been pretty bored lately. I've been averaging 6 days a week...and that includes a 3 day trip back to Texas. The money is good when there's overtime on the paycheck.
Been feeling kinda depressed lately. When I went home, it was mid-week so I didn't really get to see anyone except Margee, Barnett, Shaun, Rocky, and my parents and grandparents. Of course, I had it out with my mother, which just put me in a foul mood. Been in a pretty crappy mood ever since.
The thing my mom just doesn't get is...despite all my fuck ups throughout my life, all I've ever wanted was her approval. Approval that I'm doing the right thing.
She's been telling me for years that I need to get back on some meds...ADD meds and antidepressants...and that I need to consider going to therapy. So here I am, my health insurance about to kick in on Feb. 1, and I'm finally deciding that I need to do SOMETHING. So, after telling me for years I need to do this...suddenly my mother decides that it's because she was just "such a horrible mother and she's the reason I have all my problems". I give up. I'm done with it. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't with her.
I really do need to do something. I have some issues in my head that I need to work out before I can ever be with someone and before I can be really happy. Little subconscious things like the fact that almost none of my friends have met my parents. I've hidden my relationships with my friends since I was a kid. I never wanted anyone staying at my house when I was growing up...unless we were camping in the backyard. I just always feel weird about anyone being around my parents. Hell, I feel weird around them. I never feel welcome or accepted in their house. Ever since I moved out of my parents' house, I never stay there when I'm in town. I'll stay at Shaun's or Sammy's or my grandparents before I'll stay there. I can't let myself be around my mom for more than 30 minutes at a time anymore...because it always becomes a fight. We're too damned alike.
I am who I am because of my mom...that's not necessarily a bad thing. My mom is a good person who always taught me the right things to do...and, though I have a warped sense of humour and different political beliefs, my moral compass is good because of my mother.
I'm having a tough time out here. I'm something of a co-dependent person...so I don't do well just being by myself. Sure, there's a small group of people I hang out with out here...drinking and gambling buddies that I watch football with...but I miss having people I'm close to. And to top it off, the girl I'm most interested in...the girl that just makes me crazy with how cool and wicked hot she is..is back home in Texas. *sigh*, But I digress.
Around 2200 every night, I really get lonely because there's so few people to talk to...no one answers or returns phone calls anymore. I can't be mad...we're all growing up and are busy with our lives and careers...too busy to really play catch up. But still, I just miss having people to share my life with.
I'm the kind of person that needs a hug every now and again...I don't have that here. It'll get better, I know...but right now, my life is kinda boring. I work just about everyday at 0400, home around 1430, sometimes I take a nap...watch TV, have dinner, and go to bed. Then repeat. There's not alot going on out here for the non-Mormon single guy. No dating scene, no bar scene (no bars for that matter), little else to do but work. I guess it's good that I'm not blowing my money.
I did fly out to San Francisco and back in one day earlier this month. Of course, it was snowing like hell in Salt Lake, so we sat out on the deicing pad for close to 2 hours waiting for the snow to let up before we deiced. That was no fun. Just flying for the sake of being on a plane and going somewhere...I never stay in my destinations more than an hour. But I do get to catch up on sleep and reading...so those little trips are about as good as I can get as far as therapy.
Speaking of reading...I have to recommend "Survivor" by Chuck Palahniuk. I don't really read books that often anymore. When I do get around to reading something, my ADD really keeps me from finishing a book in anything less than a week. But this book drew me in. I bought it at DFW Airport for my flights back to Utah on my trip to Texas...by the time I got to my car in The George I was 3/4 of the way through that book. Granted it's not a really long book at only 289 pages, but it sucked me right in and I finished it the next day after work.
Been having lots of weird dreams lately. Most of them I don't remember...I just wake up thinking, "That was weird".
I vividly remember one...made me feel like absolute crap. It was me and the ex...and she was telling me she was sorry she broke it off and that she still loved me. It all felt so real...I had to check my cell phone received calls just to make sure I was dreaming and that I didn't have a sleepy conversation. Just really bummed me out. I really do miss her, sometimes. :-\
For the first time in a while, I still have money in the bank with payday fast approaching. It's a good feeling. I'm putting as much as I can into savings and I'm going to try to clear up my credit with that. It's going to be only a matter of time before I need a new car...the Honda is in her dying days...and I'm going to need some decent credit. Shaun's working up some stuff for me that will maybe get some things off my credit report for minimal money...but I'm not going to get my hopes up.
Speaking of finances...I think I might be a victim of credit card fraud. I only have one card these days, a Visa debit card that pulls from my checking acct. I was looking at my acct. online and noticed a random $1.05 taken out by some random company I've never heard of. I Googled the company name and found some credit message boards where people were taking about having these same transactions at them being fraudulent charges...trying to get you to not notice by taking only a dollar or 2 at a time. I called my bank and they said that, since it was still listed as a pending transaction and it hadn't posted to the acct. yet, they couldn't do anything yet. As soon as it posts, I have to call them back, dispute the charge and they're going to send me a new card. The crappy thing is, because these people only grab a dollar at a time out of thousands of people's accounts, they never get caught. It's just not a significant amount of money for the banks to go after.
Then today, I got a phone call from an Atlanta area code. I didn't answer it, but I Googled it, too. Sure enough, there's a website called "WhoCalledUs". I searched the number it various reports of someone claiming to be Visa Customer Service and MasterCard Customer Service. Identity Thieves. Hoorah. As if I needed anyone else messing with my finances.
Thinking about going home at the end of the month. Just want to try to do it on a weekend so I can see old friends. I really wanna get to hang out with the old crew...the Justins, Cody, Phil, Jefe, Margee, Jen and so many others. And I desperately need some good BBQ and Shiner Bock.
I guess I'm outta here...and I wish the identity thieves good luck...even I don't know who I am anymore.
-----------------------
Current Music: none
First post of 2007...22 days in. Oops...
Been pretty bored lately. I've been averaging 6 days a week...and that includes a 3 day trip back to Texas. The money is good when there's overtime on the paycheck.
Been feeling kinda depressed lately. When I went home, it was mid-week so I didn't really get to see anyone except Margee, Barnett, Shaun, Rocky, and my parents and grandparents. Of course, I had it out with my mother, which just put me in a foul mood. Been in a pretty crappy mood ever since.
The thing my mom just doesn't get is...despite all my fuck ups throughout my life, all I've ever wanted was her approval. Approval that I'm doing the right thing.
She's been telling me for years that I need to get back on some meds...ADD meds and antidepressants...and that I need to consider going to therapy. So here I am, my health insurance about to kick in on Feb. 1, and I'm finally deciding that I need to do SOMETHING. So, after telling me for years I need to do this...suddenly my mother decides that it's because she was just "such a horrible mother and she's the reason I have all my problems". I give up. I'm done with it. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't with her.
I really do need to do something. I have some issues in my head that I need to work out before I can ever be with someone and before I can be really happy. Little subconscious things like the fact that almost none of my friends have met my parents. I've hidden my relationships with my friends since I was a kid. I never wanted anyone staying at my house when I was growing up...unless we were camping in the backyard. I just always feel weird about anyone being around my parents. Hell, I feel weird around them. I never feel welcome or accepted in their house. Ever since I moved out of my parents' house, I never stay there when I'm in town. I'll stay at Shaun's or Sammy's or my grandparents before I'll stay there. I can't let myself be around my mom for more than 30 minutes at a time anymore...because it always becomes a fight. We're too damned alike.
I am who I am because of my mom...that's not necessarily a bad thing. My mom is a good person who always taught me the right things to do...and, though I have a warped sense of humour and different political beliefs, my moral compass is good because of my mother.
I'm having a tough time out here. I'm something of a co-dependent person...so I don't do well just being by myself. Sure, there's a small group of people I hang out with out here...drinking and gambling buddies that I watch football with...but I miss having people I'm close to. And to top it off, the girl I'm most interested in...the girl that just makes me crazy with how cool and wicked hot she is..is back home in Texas. *sigh*, But I digress.
Around 2200 every night, I really get lonely because there's so few people to talk to...no one answers or returns phone calls anymore. I can't be mad...we're all growing up and are busy with our lives and careers...too busy to really play catch up. But still, I just miss having people to share my life with.
I'm the kind of person that needs a hug every now and again...I don't have that here. It'll get better, I know...but right now, my life is kinda boring. I work just about everyday at 0400, home around 1430, sometimes I take a nap...watch TV, have dinner, and go to bed. Then repeat. There's not alot going on out here for the non-Mormon single guy. No dating scene, no bar scene (no bars for that matter), little else to do but work. I guess it's good that I'm not blowing my money.
I did fly out to San Francisco and back in one day earlier this month. Of course, it was snowing like hell in Salt Lake, so we sat out on the deicing pad for close to 2 hours waiting for the snow to let up before we deiced. That was no fun. Just flying for the sake of being on a plane and going somewhere...I never stay in my destinations more than an hour. But I do get to catch up on sleep and reading...so those little trips are about as good as I can get as far as therapy.
Speaking of reading...I have to recommend "Survivor" by Chuck Palahniuk. I don't really read books that often anymore. When I do get around to reading something, my ADD really keeps me from finishing a book in anything less than a week. But this book drew me in. I bought it at DFW Airport for my flights back to Utah on my trip to Texas...by the time I got to my car in The George I was 3/4 of the way through that book. Granted it's not a really long book at only 289 pages, but it sucked me right in and I finished it the next day after work.
Been having lots of weird dreams lately. Most of them I don't remember...I just wake up thinking, "That was weird".
I vividly remember one...made me feel like absolute crap. It was me and the ex...and she was telling me she was sorry she broke it off and that she still loved me. It all felt so real...I had to check my cell phone received calls just to make sure I was dreaming and that I didn't have a sleepy conversation. Just really bummed me out. I really do miss her, sometimes. :-\
For the first time in a while, I still have money in the bank with payday fast approaching. It's a good feeling. I'm putting as much as I can into savings and I'm going to try to clear up my credit with that. It's going to be only a matter of time before I need a new car...the Honda is in her dying days...and I'm going to need some decent credit. Shaun's working up some stuff for me that will maybe get some things off my credit report for minimal money...but I'm not going to get my hopes up.
Speaking of finances...I think I might be a victim of credit card fraud. I only have one card these days, a Visa debit card that pulls from my checking acct. I was looking at my acct. online and noticed a random $1.05 taken out by some random company I've never heard of. I Googled the company name and found some credit message boards where people were taking about having these same transactions at them being fraudulent charges...trying to get you to not notice by taking only a dollar or 2 at a time. I called my bank and they said that, since it was still listed as a pending transaction and it hadn't posted to the acct. yet, they couldn't do anything yet. As soon as it posts, I have to call them back, dispute the charge and they're going to send me a new card. The crappy thing is, because these people only grab a dollar at a time out of thousands of people's accounts, they never get caught. It's just not a significant amount of money for the banks to go after.
Then today, I got a phone call from an Atlanta area code. I didn't answer it, but I Googled it, too. Sure enough, there's a website called "WhoCalledUs". I searched the number it various reports of someone claiming to be Visa Customer Service and MasterCard Customer Service. Identity Thieves. Hoorah. As if I needed anyone else messing with my finances.
Thinking about going home at the end of the month. Just want to try to do it on a weekend so I can see old friends. I really wanna get to hang out with the old crew...the Justins, Cody, Phil, Jefe, Margee, Jen and so many others. And I desperately need some good BBQ and Shiner Bock.
I guess I'm outta here...and I wish the identity thieves good luck...even I don't know who I am anymore.
-----------------------
Current Music: none
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