I was surprised to learn about a car accident early last week that involved a relative in my family. I became shocked to learn that she had died. Her name was Vicky and was a second-cousin to me. We weren't all that close, but I remember her from the visits she made with her family during my town's Homecoming celebration each August. It was the one time of the year that I would see them, as they never visited any other time. She was married but had no children. But she is an individual I will never forget, and this blog will be a remembrance to her life.
I don't remember much about our visits anymore, but I remember her being a very friendly and outgoing person to talk to. She would discuss just about anything. One coversation I remember was quite vivid to me. Her father had just died less than a year or so (him being my great uncle, in fact), and she asked my dad what it was like to experience his father's death (since his dad/my grandpa passed away years earlier). Obviously it was still painful for her and it was kind of odd for me to hear my dad discuss the death of his father, because I could never recall him discussing his feelings about it. Because of this, it's one of those memories I will never forget.
She had already experienced a freak accident earlier in her life. I can't remember the exact details of the accident, but the car that she and her husband owned would not start. Unfortunately they tried using gas in the engine compartment and it exploded in Vicky's face. She had second and third degree burns on her face and was scarred for the rest of her life. She was lucky it wasn't as serious as it was and she wasn't seriously disfigured as you would think. But there were noticable scars on her face. Whenever my dad and I would visit her and the rest of her family, they'd always offer us candy, cookies, you name it. They were a family that liked to smoke and drink, so it was not uncommon to see them at the local bar drunk out of their minds. But they were fun people and liked to have a good time. You can't blame them for that. Just so long as they didn't get behind the wheel in that condition.
It had been at least three or four years since I had last seen them during Homecoming. Apparently they haven't even attended the town's celebration the past couple of years because of a family dispute. I think that's a shame, considering it was the only time they'd come to the U.P. during the year. And now Vicky won't ever be able to enjoy a U.P. summer's day again.
As I said earlier, Vicky was involved in a serious car accident sometime earlier this month and spent some time in the hospital recovering. She had experienced severe bruising in her brain, yet the hospital felt it was safe for her to recover at home. However, when her husband left and came back later, she was gone. I do not know the details as to why she died at home, but more than likely it was because of the injury to her brain. Either the swelling worsened or she experienced a sudden stroke due to the extent of her accident. I can't speculate because I don't know what really happened. But it's such a sad ending to such a vibrant person.
Needless to say, our time together was rather short, but Vicky is a person I will never forget. You hear about these kinds of accidents everyday. But when it involves a family member, it's even sadder to find out how vulnerable we all are.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Just Not the Same
This is a big weekend around here. The annual dogsled race is taking place the next three days across the region, spanning a total of 240+ miles. I used to be so excited for this event and once February rolled around, I knew I wouldn't have to wait much longer. My hometown used to be a checkpoint for the race and the start of a smaller dogsled race that took place the same day. It used to draw a lot of people to the community and I always enjoyed attending the race, even in the most frigid of weather. But all that changed about three years ago, when race officials made a major change to the race course and plotted new checkpoints. That meant my town was no longer a checkpoint and the race just basically went right on by without much fanfare. Along with the changes went my enthusiasm for the race.
I can vaguely remember my first dogsled race. It must have been the second or third year that the races existed and I had no clue they were going on (of course, I was rather young then, too). My dad and I took a walk towards town and saw lines of cars parked along the side of the highway. As we approached the downtown, streets were blocked off and these oddly shaped trucks were parked randomly through the village. I even remember going up close to one of the dogsled trucks, as small eyes peered toward me from one of the main cages holding the dogs. Just a short distance away, I heard small yelps from another truck. It was an amazing sight to see, especially in the middle of winter. And when you are as young as eight or nine years old, an event like a dogsled race becomes something very impressive. We walked down a hill towards the railroad tracks. In the summer time, this is our usual walking path through the village. But in the winter time, it's transpired into a snowmobile trail. And on this night, it became the trail for the dogsled race. Bright orange snow-fencing lined the trails with hay bales helping to outline the track. The bales actually became convenient seats for those individuals who were lucky enough to get a seat right up in front to watch the race. We watched the festivities from the back as the dogs lined up to the starting gate and the crowd would countdown until the sled took off and sped down the trail into the darkness. As the night progressed and people began leaving, we made our way towards the front and got a front row seat. We watched as team after team left the village on their way to the next checkpoint. Soon, my feet were froze and my hands getting chilled and it was time to go. But what a first hand experience that was.
In total, I only missed one dogsled event in a ten year span since that first race. It was always enjoyable meeting up with friends and watching the races with them or enjoying it with family members. The last few years that my town was the checkpoint, I went by myself. Even then, I enjoyed seeing all of the sights and sounds of the dogsled races. But now I don't have the same enthusiasm for the races. Tonight, the race begins in the city where I have my apartment. But I'd rather just sit at home and watch the local news coverage of the races instead of freezing my rear-end off waiting for the dogs to take off. The best memories are when I attended the races in my hometown and now that things are different, it's just not the same. Nothing can compare to the memories I hold of what used to be, even if it's still the same dogsled race that I used to attend for all those years.
I can vaguely remember my first dogsled race. It must have been the second or third year that the races existed and I had no clue they were going on (of course, I was rather young then, too). My dad and I took a walk towards town and saw lines of cars parked along the side of the highway. As we approached the downtown, streets were blocked off and these oddly shaped trucks were parked randomly through the village. I even remember going up close to one of the dogsled trucks, as small eyes peered toward me from one of the main cages holding the dogs. Just a short distance away, I heard small yelps from another truck. It was an amazing sight to see, especially in the middle of winter. And when you are as young as eight or nine years old, an event like a dogsled race becomes something very impressive. We walked down a hill towards the railroad tracks. In the summer time, this is our usual walking path through the village. But in the winter time, it's transpired into a snowmobile trail. And on this night, it became the trail for the dogsled race. Bright orange snow-fencing lined the trails with hay bales helping to outline the track. The bales actually became convenient seats for those individuals who were lucky enough to get a seat right up in front to watch the race. We watched the festivities from the back as the dogs lined up to the starting gate and the crowd would countdown until the sled took off and sped down the trail into the darkness. As the night progressed and people began leaving, we made our way towards the front and got a front row seat. We watched as team after team left the village on their way to the next checkpoint. Soon, my feet were froze and my hands getting chilled and it was time to go. But what a first hand experience that was.
In total, I only missed one dogsled event in a ten year span since that first race. It was always enjoyable meeting up with friends and watching the races with them or enjoying it with family members. The last few years that my town was the checkpoint, I went by myself. Even then, I enjoyed seeing all of the sights and sounds of the dogsled races. But now I don't have the same enthusiasm for the races. Tonight, the race begins in the city where I have my apartment. But I'd rather just sit at home and watch the local news coverage of the races instead of freezing my rear-end off waiting for the dogs to take off. The best memories are when I attended the races in my hometown and now that things are different, it's just not the same. Nothing can compare to the memories I hold of what used to be, even if it's still the same dogsled race that I used to attend for all those years.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Getting Back Into It
Yeow. It's been nearly three weeks since I last wrote in my little blog, and for those of you who may have come to depend on me writing here every few days or so, I am sorry I have let you down. I don't know what happens, but every once in awhile, I just don't feel like writing - simply put. That's what has been going on during those three weeks. So nothing serious has happened to me; just simply laziness, I guess. I come rejuvinated and energized to do some serious writing the next few weeks.
The last time I wrote to you, things at work had not been very pleasing. Many changes have taken place within the time I last wrote, including personnel changes on each crew and a new schedule. There was some awkwardness to get past at first when dealing with different people on the crew, but all of that is now in the past. I must admit, there were a couple of days there where all of a sudden, those changes affected me hard and I was depressed. I even seriously considered posting out of my department. But I tell you, I feel much better about circumstances now, and feel we have the best crew in the mill (just as I thought with the old crew, before things were changed around). Yes, we do have our weaknesses and there are areas of the mine as a whole that the crew is not all that familiar with. But, we are working through those issues. I think it really helped me that I worked with many of the people on my crew already in the past, otherwise I think the transition would've been more difficult. But all in all, things are going much better at work than what I reported to you last. Even the schedule seems halfway decent, although our crew has only had to work two 12-hour shifts thus far. That changes this coming weekend.
I don't want to focus too much on work in this particular blog, since the previous two blogs were heavily focused on work and were rather negative on my part. I just wanted to update the readers out there who may be interested in knowing what all has happened at my place of employment during the past three weeks. Now onto the other half of the blog:
I don't know how I came to think about this, but I began to recall a high school memory from out of the blue. I don't know if I had been day dreaming or what, but I remember my class bringing a live band to our school back when we were freshman in high school. Oh yes, I remember what made me think of this. There was a clip regarding a local band playing at Michigan Tech University in Houghton on the local news, and in the clip was a band setting up on Tech's gymnasium floor. I saw that picture, and then I remember what we did back in high school. See, our class was sort of revolutionary in a way. We wanted to do things differently instead of doing the same traditional activities year after year. All of the school dances during high school usually consisted of a deejay playing songs. Well, the one dance we hosted during our freshman year, we brought a live band to the school. And I can tell ya, it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen. The atmosphere in the gym was electric, the lights were bright, and the music was quite loud. We even held the dance in the new gymnasium instead of the old, where all of the other dances were usually held. It ended up being a "sock hop," which meant we couldn't wear any sort of shoes on the gym floor, since it was the main gym for playing basketball in. We had to protect the floor, so we basically just danced in our socks. And I can remember being on the dance floor with only a dozen other people, but it was a blast. It had been years prior to that that a live band was brought to our school; I had heard as far back as the 1970's. So we were doing something unique that hadn't been done in a long time. And I can't take any credit for this, since I was not part of my class' elected representatives. But it was one of those fond memories that I enjoyed about my group of classmates.
Another case of us wanting to be different; when it was our turn to host the junior-senior prom, we held it at a venue where it had never been held prior before. It was held in a luxurious hotel in downtown Marquette. And although it was a beautiful place, I must admit it was a little too cramped for comforts, in my opinion (not a lot of space on the dance floor). It was a nice evening and an event worth going to (even though my date for the prom was a total disappointment), and another example of our class wanting to be different. We even held different fundraisers that no other class had ever hosted. Let's just say we wanted make things interesting and fun for people. It's one of the things I admired about my class; we dared to be different, and it never hurt us in the end.
It's amazing how out of touch I am with everyone that I graduated with. I don't even know where the majority of the people from my class are nowadays. I remember people telling me to "stay in touch" and to "never change." Those are some of the messages in my yearbooks, in fact. No, I haven't really changed much, but I certainly am not in touch with many of those people, I hate to say. And this year marks the seventh year I've been out of high school. It seems like so long ago, yet not really. I remember reliving memories regarding the year 2000, especially those involving the Y2K scare. It seems like yesterday, and we're already seven years removed from that event. Unbelievable.
So even though the years continue to pass by, I still recall some rather vivid memories of high school. And I had better write them down now because soon enough, I probably won't be able to recall very many as the years breeze on by.
The last time I wrote to you, things at work had not been very pleasing. Many changes have taken place within the time I last wrote, including personnel changes on each crew and a new schedule. There was some awkwardness to get past at first when dealing with different people on the crew, but all of that is now in the past. I must admit, there were a couple of days there where all of a sudden, those changes affected me hard and I was depressed. I even seriously considered posting out of my department. But I tell you, I feel much better about circumstances now, and feel we have the best crew in the mill (just as I thought with the old crew, before things were changed around). Yes, we do have our weaknesses and there are areas of the mine as a whole that the crew is not all that familiar with. But, we are working through those issues. I think it really helped me that I worked with many of the people on my crew already in the past, otherwise I think the transition would've been more difficult. But all in all, things are going much better at work than what I reported to you last. Even the schedule seems halfway decent, although our crew has only had to work two 12-hour shifts thus far. That changes this coming weekend.
I don't want to focus too much on work in this particular blog, since the previous two blogs were heavily focused on work and were rather negative on my part. I just wanted to update the readers out there who may be interested in knowing what all has happened at my place of employment during the past three weeks. Now onto the other half of the blog:
I don't know how I came to think about this, but I began to recall a high school memory from out of the blue. I don't know if I had been day dreaming or what, but I remember my class bringing a live band to our school back when we were freshman in high school. Oh yes, I remember what made me think of this. There was a clip regarding a local band playing at Michigan Tech University in Houghton on the local news, and in the clip was a band setting up on Tech's gymnasium floor. I saw that picture, and then I remember what we did back in high school. See, our class was sort of revolutionary in a way. We wanted to do things differently instead of doing the same traditional activities year after year. All of the school dances during high school usually consisted of a deejay playing songs. Well, the one dance we hosted during our freshman year, we brought a live band to the school. And I can tell ya, it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen. The atmosphere in the gym was electric, the lights were bright, and the music was quite loud. We even held the dance in the new gymnasium instead of the old, where all of the other dances were usually held. It ended up being a "sock hop," which meant we couldn't wear any sort of shoes on the gym floor, since it was the main gym for playing basketball in. We had to protect the floor, so we basically just danced in our socks. And I can remember being on the dance floor with only a dozen other people, but it was a blast. It had been years prior to that that a live band was brought to our school; I had heard as far back as the 1970's. So we were doing something unique that hadn't been done in a long time. And I can't take any credit for this, since I was not part of my class' elected representatives. But it was one of those fond memories that I enjoyed about my group of classmates.
Another case of us wanting to be different; when it was our turn to host the junior-senior prom, we held it at a venue where it had never been held prior before. It was held in a luxurious hotel in downtown Marquette. And although it was a beautiful place, I must admit it was a little too cramped for comforts, in my opinion (not a lot of space on the dance floor). It was a nice evening and an event worth going to (even though my date for the prom was a total disappointment), and another example of our class wanting to be different. We even held different fundraisers that no other class had ever hosted. Let's just say we wanted make things interesting and fun for people. It's one of the things I admired about my class; we dared to be different, and it never hurt us in the end.
It's amazing how out of touch I am with everyone that I graduated with. I don't even know where the majority of the people from my class are nowadays. I remember people telling me to "stay in touch" and to "never change." Those are some of the messages in my yearbooks, in fact. No, I haven't really changed much, but I certainly am not in touch with many of those people, I hate to say. And this year marks the seventh year I've been out of high school. It seems like so long ago, yet not really. I remember reliving memories regarding the year 2000, especially those involving the Y2K scare. It seems like yesterday, and we're already seven years removed from that event. Unbelievable.
So even though the years continue to pass by, I still recall some rather vivid memories of high school. And I had better write them down now because soon enough, I probably won't be able to recall very many as the years breeze on by.
Friday, January 26, 2007
The Final Night
Two weeks go by in an instant. At least that's how the last two have gone for me. It's the day we didn't want to arrive, but a day that had to come sooner or later. It signifies the end of an era, an era that may never be the same. Tonight is the final night that my crew at work is all together before everyone goes their separate ways. Yes, we will all still see each other. But never again will we all be assembled as a group. The company giveth but taketh away. One of the hardest working group of people will be separated after tonight.
I am not as upset as I was compared to my previous blog. I have accepted what has happened and am looking towards the future. I don't forsee it as being very awkward at all because many of the people that will comprise the "new" crew are folks I have worked with before or talked to. I think it's going to be a smooth transition for me. The last time I wrote in my blog, a "proposed" listing of workers was put out and it comprised of people I didn't really care to work with. Not only that, but we would've been the most inexperienced crew on the floor. Thankfully a new list came out and I'd consider my new crew to be one of the most experienced crews. All in all, I didn't make out too bad after all. But, it's still no consolation to what we have now. It won't be the same and I'm sure there will be an adjustment period for a bit. But all in all, I don't think it's going to be as bad as it looked before.
This blog will be a tribute to concentrator operating crew 4 where I work (my crew). Yes, we didn't always do everything right but we sure tried our darnest to do what was best. We always stayed busy and kept on top of housekeeping. We did our best at keeping the place running, even when things were at their worst. As one of my co-workers said last night, we may be split up and placed on different crews, but we will always be the original crew 4 - that will always remain the same. We've certainly had our good days and bad, and there were times when I felt frustrated or stressed out because of the events of a certain day. But I usually got over it and it was always a pleasure to come to work knowing that I was going to be with the people that comprised of crew 4. I believe our bad days were rare compared to the good. We always did everything the best to our abilities and that is one thing we can all be proud about after our shift is through tonight. We had our laughs, we had our doubts, we had our fears, and we had moments that upset us. But we always persevered together, just as we'll persevere tonight once the shift ends and we leave the mine one last time as crew 4.
It's nothing to be sad about as we will still see each other during shift change. But there are definitely things I will miss about as we split up. We'd always have wonderful parties during certain occasions - such as holidays, where people would bring in food and we'd have meals that would blow away what we'd usually have during break. Each member of the crew would get a birthday cake celebrating their birthday, paid for by the crew. We just had a tremendous comradery that's irreplaceable. At least I'll have a ton of memories to carry on as the new crew unites tomorrow.
So, to Brad, Kris, Carla, Mike, Paul, Alrick, and Adion - it's been a pleasure working with you. Always and forever, crew 4.
I am not as upset as I was compared to my previous blog. I have accepted what has happened and am looking towards the future. I don't forsee it as being very awkward at all because many of the people that will comprise the "new" crew are folks I have worked with before or talked to. I think it's going to be a smooth transition for me. The last time I wrote in my blog, a "proposed" listing of workers was put out and it comprised of people I didn't really care to work with. Not only that, but we would've been the most inexperienced crew on the floor. Thankfully a new list came out and I'd consider my new crew to be one of the most experienced crews. All in all, I didn't make out too bad after all. But, it's still no consolation to what we have now. It won't be the same and I'm sure there will be an adjustment period for a bit. But all in all, I don't think it's going to be as bad as it looked before.
This blog will be a tribute to concentrator operating crew 4 where I work (my crew). Yes, we didn't always do everything right but we sure tried our darnest to do what was best. We always stayed busy and kept on top of housekeeping. We did our best at keeping the place running, even when things were at their worst. As one of my co-workers said last night, we may be split up and placed on different crews, but we will always be the original crew 4 - that will always remain the same. We've certainly had our good days and bad, and there were times when I felt frustrated or stressed out because of the events of a certain day. But I usually got over it and it was always a pleasure to come to work knowing that I was going to be with the people that comprised of crew 4. I believe our bad days were rare compared to the good. We always did everything the best to our abilities and that is one thing we can all be proud about after our shift is through tonight. We had our laughs, we had our doubts, we had our fears, and we had moments that upset us. But we always persevered together, just as we'll persevere tonight once the shift ends and we leave the mine one last time as crew 4.
It's nothing to be sad about as we will still see each other during shift change. But there are definitely things I will miss about as we split up. We'd always have wonderful parties during certain occasions - such as holidays, where people would bring in food and we'd have meals that would blow away what we'd usually have during break. Each member of the crew would get a birthday cake celebrating their birthday, paid for by the crew. We just had a tremendous comradery that's irreplaceable. At least I'll have a ton of memories to carry on as the new crew unites tomorrow.
So, to Brad, Kris, Carla, Mike, Paul, Alrick, and Adion - it's been a pleasure working with you. Always and forever, crew 4.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Not Good
http://www.miningjournal.net/stories/articles.asp?articleID=10466
The top news story in the local paper says it all. "Power rates to close mine?" Apparently the mine's electrical power contract with Wisconsin Electric ends at the end of this year. The company that owns the mine expected rates to rise, but not a 43% increase. If there is such an increase, the mine may be forced to shut down in a year or two. The nearby mine next door would stay running since it has a longer lifespan. But from what the story says, the mine where I work would be closing sooner than I, and many other people, had expected. This is something I am not taking very lightly and it concerns me. The recent sqabbles at work involving new schedules and crew changes pale in comparison to news like this. Now we will have to fight the power company in order to keep the mine running and to keep our jobs. Not a fight I was expecting to make so soon.
According to the news article, the fate of the mine lies on the Michigan Public Service Commission. They could do nothing and force the owners of the mine to pay the 43% increase in power rates and shut the mine down. However, they can also recommend a lower increase which would extend the life of both mines. The company is proposing a 14.3% increase, which would still be significant, but certainly not as deadly as a 43% increase could be. I am hopeful the Michigan Public Service Commission thinks these things carefully and realizes the devestating effecting this could have on our economy, especially at this time. Yes, the mine wasn't going to last forever, but this is sooner than a lot of people had expected. It comes rather unexpected, as well.
It just goes to show you how up and down the mining industry has been in the Upper Peninsula for the last 30 years. I remember my dad going through strikes, layoffs, and hearing news about the mine being shut down - only to have things run until the present day. There's also talk of a drought in the spring that could impact us, as well as tariffs on steel imports being lifted late last year by the U.S. government. Yes, the steel industry is doing well right now, but it is a finicky industry. One moment you're up and the next you're down. I was hoping the good times would last a while longer. But hearing this last bit of news, it doesn't sound good for the future.
I am sure you have not heard the last of this from me. I take exception to many of the quotes provided by representatives of Wisconsin Electric. They're basically saying, "the Empire Mine doesn't have a long life expectancy anyways, so this power increase is not a direct effect of its closing." But the thing is, the company was looking for ways to extend the life of the mine beyond the initial reports. If power rates rise dramatically, this basically ends all hopes for those plans, unless there's a way to manufacture iron ore without using as much electricity. I guess time will tell.
The top news story in the local paper says it all. "Power rates to close mine?" Apparently the mine's electrical power contract with Wisconsin Electric ends at the end of this year. The company that owns the mine expected rates to rise, but not a 43% increase. If there is such an increase, the mine may be forced to shut down in a year or two. The nearby mine next door would stay running since it has a longer lifespan. But from what the story says, the mine where I work would be closing sooner than I, and many other people, had expected. This is something I am not taking very lightly and it concerns me. The recent sqabbles at work involving new schedules and crew changes pale in comparison to news like this. Now we will have to fight the power company in order to keep the mine running and to keep our jobs. Not a fight I was expecting to make so soon.
According to the news article, the fate of the mine lies on the Michigan Public Service Commission. They could do nothing and force the owners of the mine to pay the 43% increase in power rates and shut the mine down. However, they can also recommend a lower increase which would extend the life of both mines. The company is proposing a 14.3% increase, which would still be significant, but certainly not as deadly as a 43% increase could be. I am hopeful the Michigan Public Service Commission thinks these things carefully and realizes the devestating effecting this could have on our economy, especially at this time. Yes, the mine wasn't going to last forever, but this is sooner than a lot of people had expected. It comes rather unexpected, as well.
It just goes to show you how up and down the mining industry has been in the Upper Peninsula for the last 30 years. I remember my dad going through strikes, layoffs, and hearing news about the mine being shut down - only to have things run until the present day. There's also talk of a drought in the spring that could impact us, as well as tariffs on steel imports being lifted late last year by the U.S. government. Yes, the steel industry is doing well right now, but it is a finicky industry. One moment you're up and the next you're down. I was hoping the good times would last a while longer. But hearing this last bit of news, it doesn't sound good for the future.
I am sure you have not heard the last of this from me. I take exception to many of the quotes provided by representatives of Wisconsin Electric. They're basically saying, "the Empire Mine doesn't have a long life expectancy anyways, so this power increase is not a direct effect of its closing." But the thing is, the company was looking for ways to extend the life of the mine beyond the initial reports. If power rates rise dramatically, this basically ends all hopes for those plans, unless there's a way to manufacture iron ore without using as much electricity. I guess time will tell.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Not Happy
I am not happy tonight. I've been trying to think of ways to vent my anger and my blog seems like the best way to do it. I've just been informed that people will be switched around on all of the crews at work. That means people I've grown comfortable with and enjoyed working with will be moving to different crews, and new people will be replacing them. Yes, there will still be some people left of the old crew, but it won't be the same. With it comes a new schedule. Instead of working the 7/7/7 schedule, we will be working an 8/12 schedule. We will get an additional weekend off, but we pay for it with our other weekend days in the month (Saturday and Sunday) being 12 hour shifts. We will only have to work 5 afternoons, but still work 7 midnights and 7 afternoons. There is also an additional day off in between afternoons and nights, which will make that transition much more easier. Yes, I was in favor of the new schedule for awhile, but I didn't realize the crews would be switched around, too. This almost makes me wish I didn't vote the way I did. But then again, this personnel shuffle had been rumored for awhile. And what an excepional opportunity to change things around with the implementation of the new schedule. However, if I would've had it my way, I would rather keep the crews the way they are.
I was looking back at some of my older postings on the WordPress blog; reading about my discomfort in switching crews. I am proud to say I made the best decision when I did make the switch. The people on my crew are some of the most hard working, smart, and the best people you can possibly work with. It was a perfect mix of personalities and there hasn't been a day that I disliked working with them. Yes, there was some discomfort in the beginning, but that goes with the territory. But I can honestly say I am going to miss them when things get changed around (in two weeks). Just as I missed everyone from the crew before this one, even though I still got to see them (just at shift change). Yes, I am upset about it now, but maybe it will be for the better. It might be one of those things that takes time adjusting to. But right now, I don't feel really good about it. It comes as a shock, and it depresses me a little, too.
I will also be losing my plant operating duties, for the time being. This, as a result of an APO with more seniority being added to our crew. Another result of the big personnel shuffle. Who knows how long it'll take before I get that chance to operate again. It could be a short time, if people retire as a result of this decision. Yes, there were some adamantly opposed to this new schedule, and some that threatened to retire. We will see if this exactly happens.
This all happens on a day when I wasn't even at work! I was at my annual MSHA safety refresher at a location away from the mine. I called home to talk to my mom about my microwave dying on me (can you tell it hasn't really been a good day for me?), and then she relayed the information about all these changes taking place at work (since my dad was there today - he works there, too). First I got the news about the schedule changing, which I was happy about. But then I heard about the big shuffle, and I was shocked. Not exactly the kind of news I wanted to hear! But alas, I don't really know the exact details yet, nor do I know who we will be getting on our crew. I will find out all of the juicy details tomorrow.
Well, my initial shock and anger is starting to diminish, so maybe I am beginning to accept this decision. But it's not an easy pill to swallow right now. I am sure you'll be hearing more about this in the days to come. Looks like I will have to adjust once again to a new crew.
I was looking back at some of my older postings on the WordPress blog; reading about my discomfort in switching crews. I am proud to say I made the best decision when I did make the switch. The people on my crew are some of the most hard working, smart, and the best people you can possibly work with. It was a perfect mix of personalities and there hasn't been a day that I disliked working with them. Yes, there was some discomfort in the beginning, but that goes with the territory. But I can honestly say I am going to miss them when things get changed around (in two weeks). Just as I missed everyone from the crew before this one, even though I still got to see them (just at shift change). Yes, I am upset about it now, but maybe it will be for the better. It might be one of those things that takes time adjusting to. But right now, I don't feel really good about it. It comes as a shock, and it depresses me a little, too.
I will also be losing my plant operating duties, for the time being. This, as a result of an APO with more seniority being added to our crew. Another result of the big personnel shuffle. Who knows how long it'll take before I get that chance to operate again. It could be a short time, if people retire as a result of this decision. Yes, there were some adamantly opposed to this new schedule, and some that threatened to retire. We will see if this exactly happens.
This all happens on a day when I wasn't even at work! I was at my annual MSHA safety refresher at a location away from the mine. I called home to talk to my mom about my microwave dying on me (can you tell it hasn't really been a good day for me?), and then she relayed the information about all these changes taking place at work (since my dad was there today - he works there, too). First I got the news about the schedule changing, which I was happy about. But then I heard about the big shuffle, and I was shocked. Not exactly the kind of news I wanted to hear! But alas, I don't really know the exact details yet, nor do I know who we will be getting on our crew. I will find out all of the juicy details tomorrow.
Well, my initial shock and anger is starting to diminish, so maybe I am beginning to accept this decision. But it's not an easy pill to swallow right now. I am sure you'll be hearing more about this in the days to come. Looks like I will have to adjust once again to a new crew.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Early Mornings
I'm sure you've all experienced it. You wake up about an hour before you have to get up for work/school, even before the alarm clock goes off. Thankfully you still have an hour of sleep, an hour you savor before falling back asleep. You start dreaming, and what a wonderful dream it is. It's not a nightmare, not something that will abruptly wake you, but puts you in a relaxing state of mind. Just when the dream gets good, you hear something. Immediately you wake up and realize ... it's that stupid alarm clock. Darn it! You feel like staying in bed, but if you hit the snooze button one more time, it'll make you late. So you get up, hesitantly, and start getting ready for the day ahead. Yes, that happened to me this morning. I think it's better when you sleep right until the alarm clock wakes you instead of waking up an hour before you actually have to get up. Whatever the case, getting up anywhere from 5-8 o'clock in the morning is not an easy thing, especially when you don't get enough sleep! That's typically the case for me. When I'm working day shift, usually the most amount of sleep I get is around six hours. I always get up at 5:45 AM and typically go to bed around 11:15. Usually I sneak a nap after I get home from work, which tends to throw me off when I have to go to bed around 11:15. What can I say? I can't help it; I need that nap!
I work a swing shift schedule - which means I work a seven-day swing of days, then a seven-day swing of afternoons, and then a seven-day swing of midnights, before starting over on days. Yes, there are days in between that I get off, but not very many. I often get asked what my favorite shift to work is. That's a complicated question because all three shifts have their pros and cons. For instance on day shift, you have to get up so bloody early in the morning and try to wake yourself up before or when you're at work. The nice thing about days is that you get out of work fairly early in the afternoon, so you have time to do an activity or two before you head to bed. The bad thing is, it doesn't take long before you start feeling worn out and in need of a nap! Usually by 5 or 6 o'clock, I need a nap, I am that tired. There goes my plans of working on something because instead, I take a nap. Now afternoons are nice because you get out late from work and get to sleep in the next day. Heck, you can sleep in as late as you want, just so long as you get up in time for work. Usually I don't sleep the day away when I'm on afternoons. Typically I fall asleep at 1 AM and get up around 10 or 11 in the morning. The negative to afternoons is that your entire day is spent at work, with very little time to yourself at home. And if you have kids, you don't often see them until the weekends. Well...I don't have to worry about that part yet. And finally, midnight shift, or what some people call, the graveyard shift. Actually, midnights don't go so bad for me. Usually I am able to get my sleep, which is always important. I know some people can only get three or four hours of sleep and they absolutely struggle with midnights. I am pretty thankful I am not like that. Usually I average about six or seven hours of sleep. I probably get the most amount of work done around my place when I'm on midnight shift, too. Sure, I definitely hit a wall around 6 or 7 o'clock and in need of a nap. But usually I stay up and go to work without a nap. More often than not I do alright at work in the middle of the night. But the first or second midnight is probably the worst for me. Yes, it's weird being up when the majority of the world is asleep. And then when you're sleeping, everyone else is awake! Things definitely do seem backwards on midnights, yet, they are the most productive for me, and for that reason, they tend to be my favorite. Then again, "favorite" is probably stretching it by a lot.
So there you are, my reasons for which shift is better (at least for me). And seeing that I have to get up again early tomorrow, I'm going to end this one a little early. ;-)
I work a swing shift schedule - which means I work a seven-day swing of days, then a seven-day swing of afternoons, and then a seven-day swing of midnights, before starting over on days. Yes, there are days in between that I get off, but not very many. I often get asked what my favorite shift to work is. That's a complicated question because all three shifts have their pros and cons. For instance on day shift, you have to get up so bloody early in the morning and try to wake yourself up before or when you're at work. The nice thing about days is that you get out of work fairly early in the afternoon, so you have time to do an activity or two before you head to bed. The bad thing is, it doesn't take long before you start feeling worn out and in need of a nap! Usually by 5 or 6 o'clock, I need a nap, I am that tired. There goes my plans of working on something because instead, I take a nap. Now afternoons are nice because you get out late from work and get to sleep in the next day. Heck, you can sleep in as late as you want, just so long as you get up in time for work. Usually I don't sleep the day away when I'm on afternoons. Typically I fall asleep at 1 AM and get up around 10 or 11 in the morning. The negative to afternoons is that your entire day is spent at work, with very little time to yourself at home. And if you have kids, you don't often see them until the weekends. Well...I don't have to worry about that part yet. And finally, midnight shift, or what some people call, the graveyard shift. Actually, midnights don't go so bad for me. Usually I am able to get my sleep, which is always important. I know some people can only get three or four hours of sleep and they absolutely struggle with midnights. I am pretty thankful I am not like that. Usually I average about six or seven hours of sleep. I probably get the most amount of work done around my place when I'm on midnight shift, too. Sure, I definitely hit a wall around 6 or 7 o'clock and in need of a nap. But usually I stay up and go to work without a nap. More often than not I do alright at work in the middle of the night. But the first or second midnight is probably the worst for me. Yes, it's weird being up when the majority of the world is asleep. And then when you're sleeping, everyone else is awake! Things definitely do seem backwards on midnights, yet, they are the most productive for me, and for that reason, they tend to be my favorite. Then again, "favorite" is probably stretching it by a lot.
So there you are, my reasons for which shift is better (at least for me). And seeing that I have to get up again early tomorrow, I'm going to end this one a little early. ;-)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
After the Holidays
I don't know if this is the case with most people, but as soon as we ring in the new year, I turn the page on the holiday season and start taking all of the Christmas decorations down. Everything from the lights, the tree, and putting away my Christmas music. It's amazing how it works, really. There's something inside of me that grows tired with the holiday season. I just don't want to deal with it anymore until December 1 of the next year. Even the slightest mention of Christmas after January 1st, whether it's a holiday jingle on the radio or a Christmas image on the TV. I am tempted to flip the channel in disgust. "Christmas is OVER! Get that junk outta here." And this coming from the person who's second favorite holiday is Christmas.
I used to find Christmas much more joyous than I do now. I probably mentioned it in an earlier blog, but for me, when you're an adult, Christmas is not as enjoyable. YOU have to buy presents to almost everyone in your family. YOU have to do the decorating. YOU have to send the Christmas cards. When you're a kid, you just sit back, relax, be lazy on your Christmas vacation, open a ton of presents on Christmas day, eat a ton of cookies and candy, and play with all of your new toys until school is back in session. I mean honestly, you didn't have to worry about one single thing, except if Santa was going to come to your house this Christmas. I remember doing the whole "put the cookies and milk out for Santa" routine. Oh yeah, and write a list to Santa, and even see Santa in the mall (but I was often petrified of seeing Santa at the mall - I only remember one time that I ever went and sat on his lap). When you're grown up, you're either working right up until Christmas day or if you're like me, you actually have to work Christmas day. I used to do all sorts of fun activities during the Christmas season when I was younger. But now, hardly nothing! Maybe that's why I am glad it's over on January 1. I guess I am just sick of the whole holiday season. It's gotten so commercialized anyways.
So this will be the last I write about Christmas until this coming December. I am done with it.
We still hardly have any snow where I live. We probably picked up a trace of snow today, and in a few locations along the way to work, around one to two inches of snow has fallen. Still, not a lot. Incredible, considering that we're almost 1/3rd of the way through January. As much as I've enjoyed this snowless winter here in Upper Michigan, I am beginning to become concerned for the people that depend on this weather. In fact, the mine where I work is getting prepared for possible drought conditions this coming spring due to a lack of snowfall. We use a lot of water in the process of mining low grade ore into a high quality product. Much of the water we use is recycled, however, we do lose some. The mine depends on reservoirs, lakes, and streams in order to bring additional water into the process. However, those reservoirs are already at low levels and with the lack of snow cover, we can't really count on the spring snow melt to bring those levels up. A dry spring would only make matters worse. For the plant operators and assistant plant operators, we have been told to conserve water as much as we can. We control much of what the plant uses. So if we use as little as possible, that may help things in the long term. In the meantime, mine management has started planning for the possible drought in the spring. They may either hook-up to a new reservoir, lake, or stream to pump water to the plant, fix our water reclaim system which would better control the usage of water in the plant (right now we have many pumps that are broken (including four variable speed pumps that would run on their own), or do nothing and try to run the plant how things are and hope we get lots of snow between now and April. More than likely, they will do the last two, as the first option may become too costly for mine management.
So yes, this snowless winter may come to bite me in the butt as well. As much as I like driving 60 MPH on dry roads in January, I don't want to be on layoff in the spring if we don't get enough snow. It sounds like we might start adding to our snow cover this coming weekend with a low forming to our south. If that low comes into the Great Lakes Region and strengthens, we could get a lot of snow. At this point of the season, one can only hope.
I used to find Christmas much more joyous than I do now. I probably mentioned it in an earlier blog, but for me, when you're an adult, Christmas is not as enjoyable. YOU have to buy presents to almost everyone in your family. YOU have to do the decorating. YOU have to send the Christmas cards. When you're a kid, you just sit back, relax, be lazy on your Christmas vacation, open a ton of presents on Christmas day, eat a ton of cookies and candy, and play with all of your new toys until school is back in session. I mean honestly, you didn't have to worry about one single thing, except if Santa was going to come to your house this Christmas. I remember doing the whole "put the cookies and milk out for Santa" routine. Oh yeah, and write a list to Santa, and even see Santa in the mall (but I was often petrified of seeing Santa at the mall - I only remember one time that I ever went and sat on his lap). When you're grown up, you're either working right up until Christmas day or if you're like me, you actually have to work Christmas day. I used to do all sorts of fun activities during the Christmas season when I was younger. But now, hardly nothing! Maybe that's why I am glad it's over on January 1. I guess I am just sick of the whole holiday season. It's gotten so commercialized anyways.
So this will be the last I write about Christmas until this coming December. I am done with it.
We still hardly have any snow where I live. We probably picked up a trace of snow today, and in a few locations along the way to work, around one to two inches of snow has fallen. Still, not a lot. Incredible, considering that we're almost 1/3rd of the way through January. As much as I've enjoyed this snowless winter here in Upper Michigan, I am beginning to become concerned for the people that depend on this weather. In fact, the mine where I work is getting prepared for possible drought conditions this coming spring due to a lack of snowfall. We use a lot of water in the process of mining low grade ore into a high quality product. Much of the water we use is recycled, however, we do lose some. The mine depends on reservoirs, lakes, and streams in order to bring additional water into the process. However, those reservoirs are already at low levels and with the lack of snow cover, we can't really count on the spring snow melt to bring those levels up. A dry spring would only make matters worse. For the plant operators and assistant plant operators, we have been told to conserve water as much as we can. We control much of what the plant uses. So if we use as little as possible, that may help things in the long term. In the meantime, mine management has started planning for the possible drought in the spring. They may either hook-up to a new reservoir, lake, or stream to pump water to the plant, fix our water reclaim system which would better control the usage of water in the plant (right now we have many pumps that are broken (including four variable speed pumps that would run on their own), or do nothing and try to run the plant how things are and hope we get lots of snow between now and April. More than likely, they will do the last two, as the first option may become too costly for mine management.
So yes, this snowless winter may come to bite me in the butt as well. As much as I like driving 60 MPH on dry roads in January, I don't want to be on layoff in the spring if we don't get enough snow. It sounds like we might start adding to our snow cover this coming weekend with a low forming to our south. If that low comes into the Great Lakes Region and strengthens, we could get a lot of snow. At this point of the season, one can only hope.
Monday, January 01, 2007
A Rare Day
I've seen some bad days at work before, but last night really tops the list. I don't know what happened, whether it was just a coincidence or what, but it seemed like as soon as the clock hit midnight on January 1, 2007, things went completley haywire. Things have been running very smoothly lately at work with very few problems. But we certainly made up for all of the good times last night. The end of the shift was spent shoveling off a conveyor of "muck" onto the floor of the structure we were in, nearly 50 feet below. We were protected by railing and platforms to our sides, so there was no real danger of us falling to our death. But it was a lot of hard work and unfortunatley, we had to pass it on to the next shift. One of the things I hate doing is passing our work onto the other crews, as if we can't get the work done. But this would've taken a lot of work, no matter which crew this happened to. It wasn't fun, and days like these are rare. I'd certainly rather keep things quiet than have equipment down for long periods of time.
The main reason why we had to shovel this conveyor off is because of what we call a "jackpot." It's when a conveyor belt drops onto another belt and then creates too much of a load and basically overloads the belt the load dropped onto. This was caused by a couple different power bumps at the mine, all thanks to our crazy weather. It rained most of the day yesterday. This was no simple rain shower, either, as it poured. This went on until late, when it started to let up. But then shortly after midnight, the rain turned to snow. Huge, wet snowflakes came down from the sky and quickly started accumulating on the ground. I was amazed as I left work to see how much snow had fallen; almost six inches of wet, heavy snow. Tree branches and power lines were bending from the weight of the snow. There's no doubt the snow caused our problems in the plant. And it's not like I didn't do enough at work to which I then had to brush all of this slop off my car before I could head out of the parking lot. The drive home was no picnic, either. The main state highway was not plowed which means I had to poke along at 30 to 35 miles an hour as I rode in the tire ruts that other vehicles had already made before me. If I strayed ever so slightly out of those ruts, I started sliding. So I kept it slow and steady. Eventually I made it home - 20 minutes late. I was pretty wound up when I got home so it was not easy for me to fall asleep. Eventually I did, but it was kind of a restless sleep, too. So far on this stretch of midnights, I have not gotten the sleep that I would've liked. I am hoping the last three go better for me.
So needless to say, the new year has not started off that great for me - and I haven't even gotten through the first day yet! I sure hope this isn't a bad omen for the overall year. If this is only day one, I hate to think what the other 364 days are going to be! :-o
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
The main reason why we had to shovel this conveyor off is because of what we call a "jackpot." It's when a conveyor belt drops onto another belt and then creates too much of a load and basically overloads the belt the load dropped onto. This was caused by a couple different power bumps at the mine, all thanks to our crazy weather. It rained most of the day yesterday. This was no simple rain shower, either, as it poured. This went on until late, when it started to let up. But then shortly after midnight, the rain turned to snow. Huge, wet snowflakes came down from the sky and quickly started accumulating on the ground. I was amazed as I left work to see how much snow had fallen; almost six inches of wet, heavy snow. Tree branches and power lines were bending from the weight of the snow. There's no doubt the snow caused our problems in the plant. And it's not like I didn't do enough at work to which I then had to brush all of this slop off my car before I could head out of the parking lot. The drive home was no picnic, either. The main state highway was not plowed which means I had to poke along at 30 to 35 miles an hour as I rode in the tire ruts that other vehicles had already made before me. If I strayed ever so slightly out of those ruts, I started sliding. So I kept it slow and steady. Eventually I made it home - 20 minutes late. I was pretty wound up when I got home so it was not easy for me to fall asleep. Eventually I did, but it was kind of a restless sleep, too. So far on this stretch of midnights, I have not gotten the sleep that I would've liked. I am hoping the last three go better for me.
So needless to say, the new year has not started off that great for me - and I haven't even gotten through the first day yet! I sure hope this isn't a bad omen for the overall year. If this is only day one, I hate to think what the other 364 days are going to be! :-o
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
My Wal-Mart Experience
Before I was hired at my present employer, I worked for four months at Wal-Mart in Marquette, Michigan. I actually applied work there just before the busy Christmas months as something do during semester break from college. I never got a call work there during my break, so I ended up having the entire break off. A few months later, however, I would get the call for work at Wal-Mart. At first I was a little hesitant seeing that I was going graduate from college in less than a couple of months. But then I thought I could always work at Wal-Mart while I did my search for a more permanent job. Working at Wal-Mart most certainly was not a long-term thing, yet, I was getting myself prepared work there as long as I needed find myself the right job. Thankfully four months was all I needed.
My first day there was more or less an orientation session get familiarized with the Wal-Mart standards. Luckily I wasn't the only individual there for orientation, as there were three of us altogether. We watched a couple of different videos, including one on the "Sam Walton vision" of the company and how we all should live up his beliefs. We also had remember this acronym, and remember what each letter of the acronym stood for (I had forgotten it a long time ago - something about smiling faces, anyways). We literally could be stopped by a member of Wal-Mart managment and be asked recite this acronym. We wouldn't get in trouble if we didn't know it, but I'm sure we could've gotten a tongue lashing from them (heck, I don't even think I ever remembered it completely). We also got a tour of the store and filled out a bunch of forms. Finally, and with headache, my first day at Wal-Mart was complete.
The next three days at Wal-Mart I considered be rather torturous. All three of us that were in the orientation session now needed have three days of cashier training. Seeing that I already knew how use a cash register (after a couple of years of working at a grocery store), I thought three days was down-right excessive. But, I complied. I caught on much quicker than my two other co-workers. Even though I knew a lot, I still didn't know everything the Wal-Mart cashiering system and there were some new procedures I needed pick up. But it was something I didn't pay particularlly close attention considering I was be a sales associate and not a cashier. We started our days early in the morning, even on a Sunday morning when it was completely dead in the store and worked until about 3:00 or so in the afternoon. My very first transaction as a cashier at Wal-Mart was by a man who purchased a DVD. He used a $50 bill pay for his purchase, and with him being my first customer of the day, I didn't have the appropriate change. So I had get the correct change over at the little "podium," come back and give it him. He leaves, but then the buzzer at the front entrance goes off. Darn, I forgot swipe it over the little magnetic scale. Lesson learned. Hey, I never had do that at the grocery store. So, by the time my three days were up and dealing with hundreds of customers (because Wal-Mart is such a tremendously busy store), I was finally done with cashier training. Man, I was relieved.
So that meant I was now ready ascend over my new department, which was Lawn and Garden. The one place I absolutely would've loved working in was Lawn and Garden and I got my wish. My first day back there was spent helping errect the sales area out in the parking lot around the greenhouse. It was early April, so we were still setting up for the summer season. I definitely got a good workout! But it was only four or five hours that I worked on that day, so I didn't get completly worn out. The next few days back there were pretty uneventful. The weather turned cold outside, almost wintery, so we were stuck inside stocking shelves and helping customers. Finally the weather turned warm again, and during my first morning shift, I got meet the department manager, named Russ. He was a very pleasant guy work with but the more I talked with him, the more I heard his very clear New England accent. Yes, he was from Massachusetts and I was very curious hear how he arrived in Marquette, of all places. It turns out he held a couple of different positions out east before being hired with Wal-Mart and was eventually transferred the U.P., first working at the Houghton Wal-Mart. He was a store manager at Wal-Mart in Marquette for awhile before the stress caught up with him and settled back being a department manager. I helped put up sales signs in the corral (we called that the sales area outside) with him on that first day and it was always an enjoyable experience when I worked with him.
For the most part, I got along with everyone back in that department. But there was this one girl named Sarah that I got extremely bad vibes off of. She always had this stern look on her face and I always felt uncomfortable talking with her. There were a few times I had work with her and I basically avoided her because she just seemed too moody and complained an awful lot. Definitely not the kind of person I enjoy being around, that's for sure. Cassidy was one of the people in my orientation session and someone I enjoyed working with. But sadly she abruptly quit and I never saw her again. I would've liked getting know her a little better, as she was a Writing major herself, just like me. But, some things just aren't meant be. Patricia was a sweet girl as well and a well-qualified lawn and garden associate. She knew the greenhouse area well and I learned a lot from her. She was pregnant at the time and in June of that year, gave birth her baby. She didn't know if she'd ever return Wal-Mart after her maternity leave and I don't think she did return. She graduated with a master's degree in teaching when I graduated college, so I assume she's transitioned a much better position as well. Some people there I miss and others I have just forgotten about. Some names I have forgotten, too. The further beyond you go, the quicker you forget names.
On my last day at Wal-Mart, the people back in Lawn and Garden threw me a little party. , I was humbled by that display of affection for me, especially considering I had only worked there for four months. They even gave me a small book, each of my co-workers writing a quote of "inspiration," as they all knew my major in college was writing. That small book, as Department Manager Russ so eloquently titled it, was "One Hot Summer." It truly was a hot summer with many days of 80's and 90's. During that summer, I spent a lot of time in the greenhouse and I kind of let it slip out that I had grown tired of working in there (it was nearing the end of the summer season anyways). I regret saying that because my co-workers never let me hear the end of it until I left that day. But, they were still nice about it. Only a small fraction of my co-workers are still there, as many have moved on. Unfortunatley, I just don't make it inside the Lawn and Garden area during the day anymore (as Wal-Mart is just too busy for my tastes), but I still have quite a few lasting memories of the people that made that department so special for me that "One Hot Summer."
My first day there was more or less an orientation session get familiarized with the Wal-Mart standards. Luckily I wasn't the only individual there for orientation, as there were three of us altogether. We watched a couple of different videos, including one on the "Sam Walton vision" of the company and how we all should live up his beliefs. We also had remember this acronym, and remember what each letter of the acronym stood for (I had forgotten it a long time ago - something about smiling faces, anyways). We literally could be stopped by a member of Wal-Mart managment and be asked recite this acronym. We wouldn't get in trouble if we didn't know it, but I'm sure we could've gotten a tongue lashing from them (heck, I don't even think I ever remembered it completely). We also got a tour of the store and filled out a bunch of forms. Finally, and with headache, my first day at Wal-Mart was complete.
The next three days at Wal-Mart I considered be rather torturous. All three of us that were in the orientation session now needed have three days of cashier training. Seeing that I already knew how use a cash register (after a couple of years of working at a grocery store), I thought three days was down-right excessive. But, I complied. I caught on much quicker than my two other co-workers. Even though I knew a lot, I still didn't know everything the Wal-Mart cashiering system and there were some new procedures I needed pick up. But it was something I didn't pay particularlly close attention considering I was be a sales associate and not a cashier. We started our days early in the morning, even on a Sunday morning when it was completely dead in the store and worked until about 3:00 or so in the afternoon. My very first transaction as a cashier at Wal-Mart was by a man who purchased a DVD. He used a $50 bill pay for his purchase, and with him being my first customer of the day, I didn't have the appropriate change. So I had get the correct change over at the little "podium," come back and give it him. He leaves, but then the buzzer at the front entrance goes off. Darn, I forgot swipe it over the little magnetic scale. Lesson learned. Hey, I never had do that at the grocery store. So, by the time my three days were up and dealing with hundreds of customers (because Wal-Mart is such a tremendously busy store), I was finally done with cashier training. Man, I was relieved.
So that meant I was now ready ascend over my new department, which was Lawn and Garden. The one place I absolutely would've loved working in was Lawn and Garden and I got my wish. My first day back there was spent helping errect the sales area out in the parking lot around the greenhouse. It was early April, so we were still setting up for the summer season. I definitely got a good workout! But it was only four or five hours that I worked on that day, so I didn't get completly worn out. The next few days back there were pretty uneventful. The weather turned cold outside, almost wintery, so we were stuck inside stocking shelves and helping customers. Finally the weather turned warm again, and during my first morning shift, I got meet the department manager, named Russ. He was a very pleasant guy work with but the more I talked with him, the more I heard his very clear New England accent. Yes, he was from Massachusetts and I was very curious hear how he arrived in Marquette, of all places. It turns out he held a couple of different positions out east before being hired with Wal-Mart and was eventually transferred the U.P., first working at the Houghton Wal-Mart. He was a store manager at Wal-Mart in Marquette for awhile before the stress caught up with him and settled back being a department manager. I helped put up sales signs in the corral (we called that the sales area outside) with him on that first day and it was always an enjoyable experience when I worked with him.
For the most part, I got along with everyone back in that department. But there was this one girl named Sarah that I got extremely bad vibes off of. She always had this stern look on her face and I always felt uncomfortable talking with her. There were a few times I had work with her and I basically avoided her because she just seemed too moody and complained an awful lot. Definitely not the kind of person I enjoy being around, that's for sure. Cassidy was one of the people in my orientation session and someone I enjoyed working with. But sadly she abruptly quit and I never saw her again. I would've liked getting know her a little better, as she was a Writing major herself, just like me. But, some things just aren't meant be. Patricia was a sweet girl as well and a well-qualified lawn and garden associate. She knew the greenhouse area well and I learned a lot from her. She was pregnant at the time and in June of that year, gave birth her baby. She didn't know if she'd ever return Wal-Mart after her maternity leave and I don't think she did return. She graduated with a master's degree in teaching when I graduated college, so I assume she's transitioned a much better position as well. Some people there I miss and others I have just forgotten about. Some names I have forgotten, too. The further beyond you go, the quicker you forget names.
On my last day at Wal-Mart, the people back in Lawn and Garden threw me a little party. , I was humbled by that display of affection for me, especially considering I had only worked there for four months. They even gave me a small book, each of my co-workers writing a quote of "inspiration," as they all knew my major in college was writing. That small book, as Department Manager Russ so eloquently titled it, was "One Hot Summer." It truly was a hot summer with many days of 80's and 90's. During that summer, I spent a lot of time in the greenhouse and I kind of let it slip out that I had grown tired of working in there (it was nearing the end of the summer season anyways). I regret saying that because my co-workers never let me hear the end of it until I left that day. But, they were still nice about it. Only a small fraction of my co-workers are still there, as many have moved on. Unfortunatley, I just don't make it inside the Lawn and Garden area during the day anymore (as Wal-Mart is just too busy for my tastes), but I still have quite a few lasting memories of the people that made that department so special for me that "One Hot Summer."
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Reliving High School Memories
It had been awhile since I looked at them. I was trying to search for people on myspace that I hadn't heard from in awhile and I had run out of names (or mainly, forgotten them). So I went over to the bookshelf and grabbed the 1999 yearbook from my high school. I hesitated to look inside and started from the back end of the book. I looked for a bit but almost closed the book back up. Just too painful. But I kept it opened and skimmed through most of it. Interesting. Don't understand why they printed my name as "Lucas" when all through grade school I was known as "Luke." I digress. I put it back and grabbed my 2000 yearbook - my senior year. This time I was able to skim through it much more comfortably. As I went through both books, a flood of memories started rushing back. "Oh wow, I remember that, and that, and that!" I even laughed a few times and began remembering the old days. Things were so much simpiler back then and I was quick to remember a lot of great memories.
And then I reached to the faculty section of the yearbook. My, how things have changed since 2000. Many of the great teachers that graced the classrooms of my high school have now retired or moved on. At least six or seven teachers that taught me were no longer there. I smiled at several of their pictures as I recalled certain memories or instances about them. Good times, good times.
I saw several pictures of people that used to be friends with each other. But unfortunate circumstances took place once they graduated from high school and they are more or less enemies of each other now. It's sad, because they were all my friends, too. It's not something I want to discuss and really a situation I do not want to get myself in the middle of. Yes, things were much simplier back in high school. Now those days are gone.
I really can't explain my discomfort in reliving high school memories again, especially visual reminders in books or on tape. I think it more or less lies in being embarassed about where I fit in during that time. I was mainly an outsider; an individual that stood in the background and never stood up for anything. I wouldn't consider myself ever being very popular - although I was able to be with the in-crowd if I wanted to. I was just a quiet kid content with what I had and what I made myself into. Yes, some regrets about high school may exist, but I certainly cannot turn back the clock and change things. The years continue to go by and those years are beginning to fade out more and more. I also believe I was stereotyped for being a quiet kid by everyone in high school; and rightly so. I believe that if I ever enountered a group of my former classmates that it would be difficult for me to show them that I am much different now - just because I am stereotyped. A lot of times, I may see a certain individual or person from my past and walk right by and not confront them. I kind of figure there's really no point in talking to them. Last year I was invited to a Christmas party by a group of my former classmates. I did not attend because I had a great deal of discomfort in seeing many of them - a majority of them being good friends from my high school days. I don't know what it is - an inferiority complex or something. But I guess I'd rather let things from my past, particularly high school, remain there. Even though it's over three years away, I can bet you right now I will not be attending my ten year class reunion, either. That is unless I am made to attend.
Life can be full of surprises and a lot of times, they are things you must deal with on the spur of a moment. It's not often I am in contact with people from my past, and although I see many profiles of people I once knew on myspace, that's mainly all they are now - just profiles. A few of them I still e-mail and find out what they are up to, but I can't see them in person anymore, either. The reason being is they are so far away from where I am. So until I am ready to deal with my past head-on, a lot of old memories from my high school days will remain burried in the past.
And then I reached to the faculty section of the yearbook. My, how things have changed since 2000. Many of the great teachers that graced the classrooms of my high school have now retired or moved on. At least six or seven teachers that taught me were no longer there. I smiled at several of their pictures as I recalled certain memories or instances about them. Good times, good times.
I saw several pictures of people that used to be friends with each other. But unfortunate circumstances took place once they graduated from high school and they are more or less enemies of each other now. It's sad, because they were all my friends, too. It's not something I want to discuss and really a situation I do not want to get myself in the middle of. Yes, things were much simplier back in high school. Now those days are gone.
I really can't explain my discomfort in reliving high school memories again, especially visual reminders in books or on tape. I think it more or less lies in being embarassed about where I fit in during that time. I was mainly an outsider; an individual that stood in the background and never stood up for anything. I wouldn't consider myself ever being very popular - although I was able to be with the in-crowd if I wanted to. I was just a quiet kid content with what I had and what I made myself into. Yes, some regrets about high school may exist, but I certainly cannot turn back the clock and change things. The years continue to go by and those years are beginning to fade out more and more. I also believe I was stereotyped for being a quiet kid by everyone in high school; and rightly so. I believe that if I ever enountered a group of my former classmates that it would be difficult for me to show them that I am much different now - just because I am stereotyped. A lot of times, I may see a certain individual or person from my past and walk right by and not confront them. I kind of figure there's really no point in talking to them. Last year I was invited to a Christmas party by a group of my former classmates. I did not attend because I had a great deal of discomfort in seeing many of them - a majority of them being good friends from my high school days. I don't know what it is - an inferiority complex or something. But I guess I'd rather let things from my past, particularly high school, remain there. Even though it's over three years away, I can bet you right now I will not be attending my ten year class reunion, either. That is unless I am made to attend.
Life can be full of surprises and a lot of times, they are things you must deal with on the spur of a moment. It's not often I am in contact with people from my past, and although I see many profiles of people I once knew on myspace, that's mainly all they are now - just profiles. A few of them I still e-mail and find out what they are up to, but I can't see them in person anymore, either. The reason being is they are so far away from where I am. So until I am ready to deal with my past head-on, a lot of old memories from my high school days will remain burried in the past.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
It's Not Christmas Until...
I thought about doing this a few days ago, and seeing that I'm in the holiday spirit and more importantly, the writing spirit - here is a listing of what Christmas means to me. Not only what it means, but a listing of things that make it seem like Christmas to me. If none of these things exist, then it's just not Christmas to me. So here we go with the list!
It's not Christmas until...
1.) I hear the holiday music CD commericals air right after Halloween
2.) I watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
3.) Listen to my Chicago Christmas CD
4.) See the Folgers Christmas commercial
5.) Hear Bing Crosby's "White Christmas"
6.) Eat Christmas cookies and other assorted goodies that my mom makes
7.) Hear Christmas music over all of the stores' speaker systems
8.) There's a white blanket of snow on the ground (absent this year)
9.) Watch and hear the wonderful Hershey kisses Christmas commerical on TV (the new classic)
10.) Listen to the Chipmunks sing the variety of Christmas tunes they cover
11.) Watch the Grinch Who Stole Christmas (animated special)
12.) I put up the Christmas lights and my small tree
13.) Drive around looking at the Christmas lights everyone else puts up
14.) Hear the local radio station's Christmas jingle
15.) Listen to Dr. Elmo's "Grandma Got Ran over By a Reindeer"
16.) I see Garfield's Christmas Special
17.) See the "Seasons Greetings" sign up at the entrance of downtown [which hasn't been up in a few years :-( ]
18.) I walk through the Christmas decoration isles at all the stores
19.) I watch Charlie Brown's Christmas special
20.) Celebrate my mom's birthday (which is December 16th)
21.) Help put up the Christmas tree at my parents (which is usually around my mom's b-day)
22.) Receive Christmas cards in the mail
23.) Hear Burl Ives' "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"
24.) Turn the Christmas lights on around the bulletin board at home
25.) Watch family videos of previous Christmases
26.) Listen to Bob Seger's "Little Drummer Boy" (a new favorite!)
Well...I can't think of anymore. If there are more, they are either old memories that no longer happen in current times, or they are such tiny moments that I can't remember them right now. Those are the memories that I find enjoyable and put me in the Christmas spirit. You may have your own and many are probably different. But these are especially special to me.
Merry Christmas! :-)
It's not Christmas until...
1.) I hear the holiday music CD commericals air right after Halloween
2.) I watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
3.) Listen to my Chicago Christmas CD
4.) See the Folgers Christmas commercial
5.) Hear Bing Crosby's "White Christmas"
6.) Eat Christmas cookies and other assorted goodies that my mom makes
7.) Hear Christmas music over all of the stores' speaker systems
8.) There's a white blanket of snow on the ground (absent this year)
9.) Watch and hear the wonderful Hershey kisses Christmas commerical on TV (the new classic)
10.) Listen to the Chipmunks sing the variety of Christmas tunes they cover
11.) Watch the Grinch Who Stole Christmas (animated special)
12.) I put up the Christmas lights and my small tree
13.) Drive around looking at the Christmas lights everyone else puts up
14.) Hear the local radio station's Christmas jingle
15.) Listen to Dr. Elmo's "Grandma Got Ran over By a Reindeer"
16.) I see Garfield's Christmas Special
17.) See the "Seasons Greetings" sign up at the entrance of downtown [which hasn't been up in a few years :-( ]
18.) I walk through the Christmas decoration isles at all the stores
19.) I watch Charlie Brown's Christmas special
20.) Celebrate my mom's birthday (which is December 16th)
21.) Help put up the Christmas tree at my parents (which is usually around my mom's b-day)
22.) Receive Christmas cards in the mail
23.) Hear Burl Ives' "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"
24.) Turn the Christmas lights on around the bulletin board at home
25.) Watch family videos of previous Christmases
26.) Listen to Bob Seger's "Little Drummer Boy" (a new favorite!)
Well...I can't think of anymore. If there are more, they are either old memories that no longer happen in current times, or they are such tiny moments that I can't remember them right now. Those are the memories that I find enjoyable and put me in the Christmas spirit. You may have your own and many are probably different. But these are especially special to me.
Merry Christmas! :-)
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Green Christmas
You all know the song "White Christmas." The first couple of lyrics go something like this: "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know." Living where I live, a white Christmas always seems to be a guarentee with the amount of snow we get. I can only rememeber one instance where we had green grass on Christmas day, and that was in 1994 (I even took video of that Christmas with the lack of snow). With only a couple of days left until Christmas day, it is beginning to look more and more likely that 2006 will also be another year without snow on Christmas day. Yes, Christmas isn't the same without any snow, but seeing that green Christmases are so rare around here, it's kind of a neat thing to experience which is why I'm not dreaming of a white Christmas this year.
I must admit, I have been annoyed by many of the local people, particularly those in the media, who are hoping for a white Christmas. Give me a break, people. There have been many winters where we've seen snow on the ground for five or six months, and this year, where we have green grass showing well into December and people are hoping that it snows for Christmas. Yes, I realize that tourism is suffering because of the lack of snow and Christmas doesn't have the same feeling without snow. But all it takes is one good snow storm to change things in a hurry. We still have a good three months left of winter where we could get pounded and have an above normal snowfall for the year. Believe me, I've seen it. Winter certainly isn't over yet. It's just off to a much slower start, and I'm enjoying it. Please, I'm much rather be driving on wet, clear roads than sloppy, slick, and slushy roads. At least I'm safe going to and from work. And with the slow start to winter, that means spring is that much closer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :-)
I am not sure if I will be able to write a blog between now and Christmas day. So I just want to wish all of my friends, family, and all blog readers out there a very Merry Christmas. Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year and it often times is left in the commericalized dust. But don't forget to remember those that count in your life this time of year, including your loved ones. Sure, the gifts maybe nice but what really should matters is being together and enjoying the laughs, the conversation, and being together. I know there is family that I just don't get to see very often any more and it's sad. That's why I try to relish those opportunities to be with them as much as I can. You just don't know how much time we have left to be all together. And even though I'll end up working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I still won't forget those that matter to me.
Christmas sure is different from when I was little to what it is now. It seems like Christmas lasted much longer than compared to now. We enjoyed the holidays in school and held Christmas parties, gatherings, bazaars, Christmas programs, plays, etc. As soon as you graduate from school, you don't have those same experiences anymore, and I think it makes Christmas go by so much quicker. And when you work a steady schedule, you just don't have as much time off to celebrate the holidays. Yes, I do have three days off after Christmas, but it's pretty much after the fact. Christmas starts right after Halloween, but that whole time in between sure seems like a blur once it's all over. And in just a couple of days, it will be over for another year.
So once again, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! :-P
I must admit, I have been annoyed by many of the local people, particularly those in the media, who are hoping for a white Christmas. Give me a break, people. There have been many winters where we've seen snow on the ground for five or six months, and this year, where we have green grass showing well into December and people are hoping that it snows for Christmas. Yes, I realize that tourism is suffering because of the lack of snow and Christmas doesn't have the same feeling without snow. But all it takes is one good snow storm to change things in a hurry. We still have a good three months left of winter where we could get pounded and have an above normal snowfall for the year. Believe me, I've seen it. Winter certainly isn't over yet. It's just off to a much slower start, and I'm enjoying it. Please, I'm much rather be driving on wet, clear roads than sloppy, slick, and slushy roads. At least I'm safe going to and from work. And with the slow start to winter, that means spring is that much closer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :-)
I am not sure if I will be able to write a blog between now and Christmas day. So I just want to wish all of my friends, family, and all blog readers out there a very Merry Christmas. Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year and it often times is left in the commericalized dust. But don't forget to remember those that count in your life this time of year, including your loved ones. Sure, the gifts maybe nice but what really should matters is being together and enjoying the laughs, the conversation, and being together. I know there is family that I just don't get to see very often any more and it's sad. That's why I try to relish those opportunities to be with them as much as I can. You just don't know how much time we have left to be all together. And even though I'll end up working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I still won't forget those that matter to me.
Christmas sure is different from when I was little to what it is now. It seems like Christmas lasted much longer than compared to now. We enjoyed the holidays in school and held Christmas parties, gatherings, bazaars, Christmas programs, plays, etc. As soon as you graduate from school, you don't have those same experiences anymore, and I think it makes Christmas go by so much quicker. And when you work a steady schedule, you just don't have as much time off to celebrate the holidays. Yes, I do have three days off after Christmas, but it's pretty much after the fact. Christmas starts right after Halloween, but that whole time in between sure seems like a blur once it's all over. And in just a couple of days, it will be over for another year.
So once again, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! :-P
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Christmas is Almost Here!
Hard to believe that Christmas Day is less than four days away. I don't know where the time goes - in fact, I think the entire year went by in a blur. You know what they say, the older you get, the faster time flies and I really think everything about that saying is true! It boggles my mind that we are almost into 2007, seven years into the new millenium. Do you remember how crazy things were just before the year flipped to 2000? I should know; I was a senior in high school then. There were many "dooms-day" scenarios floating around out there, saying that if certain equipment were not compatible to make the conversion to the year 2000, then we would be in a world of hurt. But it was clearly all hype as very few situations arose when we officially entered the new millenium. Now we are closing in on the year 2010. Scary how quickly time flies, isn't it?
Overall, the year 2006 was a good one for me. I can't really say nothing extremely bad happened to me this year and that I continued to enjoy life and live it to its fullest. Work has gone extremely well for me, including a new job promotion in April that required me to switch crews. Yes, I was extremely fond of the people on my old crew and I'll admit, I was hesitant as to whether I should leave them. But looking back upon it now, I am really glad I made the decision to switch. The people on my crew now have made the transition so wonderfully easy and they are such supportive people; I am truly blessed. And now as I train in to become a fill-in boss, they are just as helpful and cooperative as I transition into that role, too.
I also moved into a new apartment building in 2006, something I had greatly wanted to do for much of the spring and summer this year. My new apartment is much more modern and spacious with just as much storage room as the old place. And the rent really is pretty decent, too, considering how much it is throughout the rest of the city. I have great landlords that will fix anything, whatever goes wrong. I think I can be rather comfortable in that place for a long time, depending on a couple of different situations, should those come up in the new year or beyond. Time will tell.
My family welcomed in a new addition to the household as my niece was born into the world in May. Her name is Alanah Morgan Mattson and she is the sweetest little girl that you could imagine. She's already growing up quick and wanting to learn how to talk! And here I thought her brother was fast! Gotta enjoy them when they're this little because they grow up way too fast!
My favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers, finally had their first winning season in 13 years! They even made it all the way to the World Series before losing it to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers made so many fantastic moments in 2006 that it's one baseball season I will never forget. So many memorable game-winning moments and spectacular plays; it's just so hard to remember them all. Here's hoping that 2007 will bring home their first World Series title since 1984.
Other than that, I can't think of anything else of major importance that happened in 2006. It was a peaceful, quiet, and enjoyable year with no regrets as to whether I should've done things differently. 2007 might throw in some challenges, including some health issues that I might have to deal with soon as well as a budding relationship that is just now in its infancy. As to anything else, we will see as they happen in the new year! I hope 2007 is just as great as 2006 was.
Hope everyone else had a wonderful 2006 and here's wishing everyone else a peaceful and prosperous new year! :-)
Overall, the year 2006 was a good one for me. I can't really say nothing extremely bad happened to me this year and that I continued to enjoy life and live it to its fullest. Work has gone extremely well for me, including a new job promotion in April that required me to switch crews. Yes, I was extremely fond of the people on my old crew and I'll admit, I was hesitant as to whether I should leave them. But looking back upon it now, I am really glad I made the decision to switch. The people on my crew now have made the transition so wonderfully easy and they are such supportive people; I am truly blessed. And now as I train in to become a fill-in boss, they are just as helpful and cooperative as I transition into that role, too.
I also moved into a new apartment building in 2006, something I had greatly wanted to do for much of the spring and summer this year. My new apartment is much more modern and spacious with just as much storage room as the old place. And the rent really is pretty decent, too, considering how much it is throughout the rest of the city. I have great landlords that will fix anything, whatever goes wrong. I think I can be rather comfortable in that place for a long time, depending on a couple of different situations, should those come up in the new year or beyond. Time will tell.
My family welcomed in a new addition to the household as my niece was born into the world in May. Her name is Alanah Morgan Mattson and she is the sweetest little girl that you could imagine. She's already growing up quick and wanting to learn how to talk! And here I thought her brother was fast! Gotta enjoy them when they're this little because they grow up way too fast!
My favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers, finally had their first winning season in 13 years! They even made it all the way to the World Series before losing it to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers made so many fantastic moments in 2006 that it's one baseball season I will never forget. So many memorable game-winning moments and spectacular plays; it's just so hard to remember them all. Here's hoping that 2007 will bring home their first World Series title since 1984.
Other than that, I can't think of anything else of major importance that happened in 2006. It was a peaceful, quiet, and enjoyable year with no regrets as to whether I should've done things differently. 2007 might throw in some challenges, including some health issues that I might have to deal with soon as well as a budding relationship that is just now in its infancy. As to anything else, we will see as they happen in the new year! I hope 2007 is just as great as 2006 was.
Hope everyone else had a wonderful 2006 and here's wishing everyone else a peaceful and prosperous new year! :-)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A New Show I Like
Yikes...I haven't blogged in over a week. Seems like I am getting in the same pattern like I had at the old blog location. During the next few weeks I am going to try to change that. I'll sneak in a quick one tonight and hopefully you'll get some good old fashioned blogs very soon.
I have recently become very obsessed about a show that I never really gave much of a chance in the beginning when it first came out. In fact, I've enjoyed the most recent new episodes of this show so much, that I went and bought the entire first season DVD disc set. The show I am referring to is "Avatar: The Last Airbender" on Nickelodeon. I remember when it first came out, I didn't give it much of a chance because it "looked" like anime. I heard so many people giving this show rave reviews, but I just couldn't get myself to sit and watch an episode. Overall, I am not a big fan of anime shows, particularly those in which the characters on the show do not properly mouth the words of their English voice actors. Naturally they are made in Asia and I really should not base my criticism just because of that. But it's one of my pet peeves in regards to anime, which is why I tend to stay away from it. However, "Avatar" is not like that.
Yes, this show is animated in Asia, North Korea in fact. Yet, the voices match the characters perfectly. This show was originally made for an American audience instead of first being aired in Asia, which it probably why the characters mouths move with the English language. And yes, overall this show is anime, yet, it's doesn't scream complete anime. A lot of the facial expressions of the characters, especially when they are excited, have an anime style to them. But overall, the animation is crisp, clean, and superb. Sometimes it doesn't even seem like I am watching an animated show. This really could be a live-action drama. I do remember "trying" to watch this before when it first came out and thinking how "confusing" this show seemed, particularly the main character and him mastering the four elements of earth (water, fire, earth, and air). Funny how much can change in a year, when everything COMPLETELY makes sense. Goes to show you I should've tried harder watching this show in the first place.
The setting for this show takes place on a fictional planet (very much like earth, except the continents are shaped completely different), which is divided into four nations - those being the same as the four elements of earth (the fire nation, the water tribes, the air nomads, and the earth kingdom). The main character's name is Aang, and he has been born as the Avatar. An Avatar is a bender that can master all four elements. There is only one Avatar at a time, and when he/she dies, a new Avatar is reincarnated. Aang at first would rather not be the Avatar, but he really has no other choice and finally accepts his role. He plays an especially important role considering that a war is ongoing in the world and he's basically the only true warrior with tremendous power that can defeat the fire nation in taking over the world (the fire nation is the most industrialized nation and most powerful). The war has been ongoing for over 100 years and during that time, Aang was frozen in an iceberg. A lot has taken place during that time and many believed that the Avatar died and was never reincarnated. Aang develops new frienships with Katara and Sokka, teenage siblings from the Southern water tribe, who released him from the iceberg. They follow him in his adventures as he learns to master all four elements and defeat the fire nation. One of his arch enemies, Price Zuko, is always after Aang but can never seem to capture him (no real surprise considering how powerful the Avatar is). Although this show has many powerful and dramatic moments, there are times of great humor as well.
"Avatar" is not your typical cartoon, that is for sure. It's an animated show unlike I've ever seen before and one that is thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Season two ended over a week ago but season three is expected to air early next year. If you haven't given this show a chance like I did for a long time, consider doing so. And yes, it is an animated show, but you certainly shouldn't be ashamed to watch this one, because it is great TV.
I have recently become very obsessed about a show that I never really gave much of a chance in the beginning when it first came out. In fact, I've enjoyed the most recent new episodes of this show so much, that I went and bought the entire first season DVD disc set. The show I am referring to is "Avatar: The Last Airbender" on Nickelodeon. I remember when it first came out, I didn't give it much of a chance because it "looked" like anime. I heard so many people giving this show rave reviews, but I just couldn't get myself to sit and watch an episode. Overall, I am not a big fan of anime shows, particularly those in which the characters on the show do not properly mouth the words of their English voice actors. Naturally they are made in Asia and I really should not base my criticism just because of that. But it's one of my pet peeves in regards to anime, which is why I tend to stay away from it. However, "Avatar" is not like that.
Yes, this show is animated in Asia, North Korea in fact. Yet, the voices match the characters perfectly. This show was originally made for an American audience instead of first being aired in Asia, which it probably why the characters mouths move with the English language. And yes, overall this show is anime, yet, it's doesn't scream complete anime. A lot of the facial expressions of the characters, especially when they are excited, have an anime style to them. But overall, the animation is crisp, clean, and superb. Sometimes it doesn't even seem like I am watching an animated show. This really could be a live-action drama. I do remember "trying" to watch this before when it first came out and thinking how "confusing" this show seemed, particularly the main character and him mastering the four elements of earth (water, fire, earth, and air). Funny how much can change in a year, when everything COMPLETELY makes sense. Goes to show you I should've tried harder watching this show in the first place.
The setting for this show takes place on a fictional planet (very much like earth, except the continents are shaped completely different), which is divided into four nations - those being the same as the four elements of earth (the fire nation, the water tribes, the air nomads, and the earth kingdom). The main character's name is Aang, and he has been born as the Avatar. An Avatar is a bender that can master all four elements. There is only one Avatar at a time, and when he/she dies, a new Avatar is reincarnated. Aang at first would rather not be the Avatar, but he really has no other choice and finally accepts his role. He plays an especially important role considering that a war is ongoing in the world and he's basically the only true warrior with tremendous power that can defeat the fire nation in taking over the world (the fire nation is the most industrialized nation and most powerful). The war has been ongoing for over 100 years and during that time, Aang was frozen in an iceberg. A lot has taken place during that time and many believed that the Avatar died and was never reincarnated. Aang develops new frienships with Katara and Sokka, teenage siblings from the Southern water tribe, who released him from the iceberg. They follow him in his adventures as he learns to master all four elements and defeat the fire nation. One of his arch enemies, Price Zuko, is always after Aang but can never seem to capture him (no real surprise considering how powerful the Avatar is). Although this show has many powerful and dramatic moments, there are times of great humor as well.
"Avatar" is not your typical cartoon, that is for sure. It's an animated show unlike I've ever seen before and one that is thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Season two ended over a week ago but season three is expected to air early next year. If you haven't given this show a chance like I did for a long time, consider doing so. And yes, it is an animated show, but you certainly shouldn't be ashamed to watch this one, because it is great TV.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Attitude Change
I don't think I've ever been more frustrated at work than I am right now. One of my co-workers is mad at me and another co-worker for no apparent reason. In fact, he's giving us the silent treatment. It's a rather awkward situation and I don't quite know how to deal with it. I've decided the best medicine is to give him the same treatment right back. I've got to imagine that in time, he will come around. But he sure isn't giving up without a fight.
It all started over a week ago. My boss was looking for a fill-in to take over for him when has to take days off. Nobody else really wants to do it and I have a bit of interest in doing it. Plus, I did feel bad for my boss that nobody on the crew wanted to be the fill-in. If he wanted to take a day off, he couldn't. We basically didn't have a fill-in until I joined this crew in April. Well, Brad (the one that's upset with me) and I are considered to be the most "qualified" since we're assistant plant operators and have experience with operating the mill. Although I do have some interest in being a fill-in boss, I wasn't sure that I would like having to make the difficult decisions when something major could happen. I was offered the position, and almost everyone on my crew looked at me to do it, even giving me confidence. I didn't say yes or no, but I guess I had the look of interest. For some reason, Brad has taken great offense to that and has since said nothing to me or the operator of the plant.
Yesterday our boss gave us an assignment to work together on. Well, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to "break the ice" so to speak. Well, that fell faster than a lead balloon. Whenever I talked to him, he didn't respond. I made a casual comment and he shrugged. He never smiled and was serious the entire time. He didn't even walk with me, instead, staying several feet behind and never really stood next to me, either. I've never seen anyone act so childish in my life, especially when I did absolutely nothing to him. He's a hell of a worker, but he gets in these very moody swings. Right now, he's in one of the moodiest.
Brad used to joke around quite often with us and he used to be enjoyable to work with. Well, not anymore. I've tried being civil with him, tried talking to him, and been nice to him but to no avail. I've made the effort. But I don't feel I should be the one trying to break the ice when I don't feel I'm in the wrong. I mean, if he would just come forth and tell me and my co-worker why he's mad at us, then we could get over it. But he's letting it linger and basically, letting things get worse and worse. I don't know what else there is to do. I guess the next step might be getting really pissed off at him and start cursing him out. But who knows if that'll even make things better. I'll be releasing some of my pent up frustration, but he may decide to avoid me even more. I guess time will tell.
It all started over a week ago. My boss was looking for a fill-in to take over for him when has to take days off. Nobody else really wants to do it and I have a bit of interest in doing it. Plus, I did feel bad for my boss that nobody on the crew wanted to be the fill-in. If he wanted to take a day off, he couldn't. We basically didn't have a fill-in until I joined this crew in April. Well, Brad (the one that's upset with me) and I are considered to be the most "qualified" since we're assistant plant operators and have experience with operating the mill. Although I do have some interest in being a fill-in boss, I wasn't sure that I would like having to make the difficult decisions when something major could happen. I was offered the position, and almost everyone on my crew looked at me to do it, even giving me confidence. I didn't say yes or no, but I guess I had the look of interest. For some reason, Brad has taken great offense to that and has since said nothing to me or the operator of the plant.
Yesterday our boss gave us an assignment to work together on. Well, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to "break the ice" so to speak. Well, that fell faster than a lead balloon. Whenever I talked to him, he didn't respond. I made a casual comment and he shrugged. He never smiled and was serious the entire time. He didn't even walk with me, instead, staying several feet behind and never really stood next to me, either. I've never seen anyone act so childish in my life, especially when I did absolutely nothing to him. He's a hell of a worker, but he gets in these very moody swings. Right now, he's in one of the moodiest.
Brad used to joke around quite often with us and he used to be enjoyable to work with. Well, not anymore. I've tried being civil with him, tried talking to him, and been nice to him but to no avail. I've made the effort. But I don't feel I should be the one trying to break the ice when I don't feel I'm in the wrong. I mean, if he would just come forth and tell me and my co-worker why he's mad at us, then we could get over it. But he's letting it linger and basically, letting things get worse and worse. I don't know what else there is to do. I guess the next step might be getting really pissed off at him and start cursing him out. But who knows if that'll even make things better. I'll be releasing some of my pent up frustration, but he may decide to avoid me even more. I guess time will tell.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
A Longing for Summer
We're not even into the month of December yet and I'm already starting to miss the summer season. I think what brought this feeling on was looking at a variety of summer-time pictures on the local newspaper's website. Just seeing everything green - from the leaves on the trees to the grass on the ground, really made me miss summer. There were pictures of people in their swim suits jumping into the lake to cool off and surfing. Children were eating ice cream and playing baseball. Families were enjoying the local events and watching a parade go down their city streets. It's the feeling of summer in these pictures that have awakened my summer senses and then I realize that we won't be able to experience these feelings again for another four or five months. And winter hasn't even started yet.
It's nothing to worry about, though. It's just a bit of sentamentalism on this last weekend in November. To be honest, we've had a nice fall season; November in particular, with warm conditions and hardly any sign of winter. We had our fair share of winter weather in October, but the snow melts so quickly this time of year that it was gone in a few days. We are now into the holiday season as we have passed Thanksgiving for another year. It doesn't really feel like the holiday season for me yet until we get a little snow on the ground and the Christmas music really starts to play often on the radio. People are already in the stores taking advantage of the stellar deals at five and six in the morning while I am quite contempt staying in bed and getting my full eight hours of sleep. When I see pictures of people lined up outside of the stores so early in the morning and then hear horror stories of people being stepped on and items being "stolen" from out of their carts; that's enough for me to stay home. Yes, the deals are tremendous at those early hours in the morning on the day after Thanksgiving, but it's only a gimmick that the big retailers are providing. They are jump-starting their holiday sales season and they do it every year. Needless to say, I won't be in any big rush to go to the stores the day after Thanksgiving in my lifetime.
I had a rather nonchalant Thanksgiving, as I had to work afternoon shift. Before our family dinner, I finished putting up the last of the Christmas lights on the house. I usually start putting them up around Thanksgiving and it's even better to put them up when the weather is still nice and there isn't two feet of snow on the ground. Then, my parents and I had an enjoyable feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie, and all of the other usual Thanksgiving dishes. I felt a little disappointed that I had to work Thanksgiving; something I NEVER had to do in my life before. I remember when I was in school, we'd had a nice four-day weekend and I looked forward to the days off so much. Now instead of having time off during Thanksgiving, I'm working. Quite the reversal now when we grow up. But the pain of working Thanksgiving was softened by the fact of earning double time in a half. I guess it's not so bad afterall.
Well, I'll keep this blog relatively short. There will be more in the days to come. :-)
It's nothing to worry about, though. It's just a bit of sentamentalism on this last weekend in November. To be honest, we've had a nice fall season; November in particular, with warm conditions and hardly any sign of winter. We had our fair share of winter weather in October, but the snow melts so quickly this time of year that it was gone in a few days. We are now into the holiday season as we have passed Thanksgiving for another year. It doesn't really feel like the holiday season for me yet until we get a little snow on the ground and the Christmas music really starts to play often on the radio. People are already in the stores taking advantage of the stellar deals at five and six in the morning while I am quite contempt staying in bed and getting my full eight hours of sleep. When I see pictures of people lined up outside of the stores so early in the morning and then hear horror stories of people being stepped on and items being "stolen" from out of their carts; that's enough for me to stay home. Yes, the deals are tremendous at those early hours in the morning on the day after Thanksgiving, but it's only a gimmick that the big retailers are providing. They are jump-starting their holiday sales season and they do it every year. Needless to say, I won't be in any big rush to go to the stores the day after Thanksgiving in my lifetime.
I had a rather nonchalant Thanksgiving, as I had to work afternoon shift. Before our family dinner, I finished putting up the last of the Christmas lights on the house. I usually start putting them up around Thanksgiving and it's even better to put them up when the weather is still nice and there isn't two feet of snow on the ground. Then, my parents and I had an enjoyable feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie, and all of the other usual Thanksgiving dishes. I felt a little disappointed that I had to work Thanksgiving; something I NEVER had to do in my life before. I remember when I was in school, we'd had a nice four-day weekend and I looked forward to the days off so much. Now instead of having time off during Thanksgiving, I'm working. Quite the reversal now when we grow up. But the pain of working Thanksgiving was softened by the fact of earning double time in a half. I guess it's not so bad afterall.
Well, I'll keep this blog relatively short. There will be more in the days to come. :-)
Sunday, November 12, 2006
My OTHER Friend from the Past
In my previous blog, you read about a best friend that I once had through my elementary and part of my junior high years in school. He moved away and I have had very limited contact with him since. This blog will be about the other friend that I mentioned briefly in the previous blog. He and I had a falling out, of sorts, around the time that Doug moved away. Here is that complete story.
I really can't exactly remember how Erik and I became friends. Honestly, I don't know that we would've been friends if it weren't for Doug. I can't really think of a more witty way to describe it other than to say without Doug, our friendship had lost its luster. Clearly Erik felt the same way and I despised him ever since for it.
Erik fit into our little group because he had a quiet side. However, he was smart and very sarcastic. He was very thin for as long as I've known him and if I remember right, he wore glasses during most of his elementary years. In fact, he was the smartest kid in our class. It would be a shock if he didn't always have straight A's because he was darn near close. I always remember many people telling him he'd be our class valedictorian because he was so smart. I think he got tired of hearing it, though, and vowed later on that it would never happen. Nontheless, we all thought it would be true in elementary.
I wouldn't say he was a star athlete, however, he sure could run. I remember playing tag during recess and myself or others having a great deal of difficulty trying to catch him. He ran cross country and track during his junior high and high school years, and he'd always be one of the fastest runners for our school. He also had a great deal of knowledge of our school, as well. His mother was a well-respected science teacher for the school and he would always tell me or Doug some of the "behind-the-scenes" news regarding the district. One story even involved my uncle who once taught as a P.E./Health teacher and coached girls basketball. My uncle had been picketing during a teacher's strike when a dog came up to him and urinated on his leg. Erik thought it was funny but I took some offense to it, considering that it was a relative he was talking about. He never said my uncle's name, but from everything he described, I'm pretty sure it was my uncle Erik was talking about. Our school underwent a great deal of change during my later-elementary years when one building was demolished and an entire new wing was constructed. Erik was able to give us details about the history of the old building. It's hard to remember too many details about our friendship anymore, but I remember Doug and I sitting on the swings and Erik talking about the old building as we looked at it. Something that I will always remember.
As I described in my last blog, Doug had moved away and I was left to fend for myself. I don't know what happened, but Erik's behavior had gone from day to night. He had a much darker sense of humor and he got his kicks out of picking on me constantly. He was pure eveil; I don't know if it was puberty that made him this way or what. Even some of my other friends took Erik's lead and were ganging up on me. It definitely came as a big shock. I didn't know what to do, so I basically just ignored and avoided them. I had become a loner and began to do things on my own. I was betrayed and it's a feeling I will never forget.
From what I can remember during our seventh grade year, Doug, Erik, and I still had a friendly relationship. We were all split up in different classrooms since we were now in junior high, but we still saw each other frequently. Up until the point Doug moved away, Erik and I were civil to each other. But beyond that, he was a different person. To this day I still cannot understand why he changed and what caused him to "hate" me so much. I don't know if he thought it was all one big joke but I never thought he was funny. We were in the same science team in junior high and high school and we were even partnered up in a few events. Those were the only moments I had contact with Erik during my final years in grade school. I simply hated his guts and he never apologized for his behavior, nor offered up an explanation why he acted the way he did. Instead of being the class valedictorian, he was now in the lower bracket of my class. He even had one memorable outburst during one of the classes I had with him, where the teacher sent him to the principal's office and left everyone in the room stunned. This was not the Erik we all knew. Whether it was something psychological or what ... I guess it's something we will never know. He even grew his hair long and dyed it black during our senior year! This being a complete reversal from the kid that once had his hair buzzed time and time again in elementary.
I do not offer up any explanations or excuses for Erik and his change of behavior towards me. I have my theories, but until someone asks him, those theories would never have any truth. I have long since moved on and haven't considered him my friend since junior high. A friend does not betray another friend and expect them to remain acquaintences. I have a few memories left of the Erik I once knew, but all of those are fading fast and I am still haunted by "evil" Erik after Doug left. To be honest, I hold no regrets and I don't miss him as a friend. I have simply moved on and the nice thing about graduating from high school is, you don't have to ever see those idiots (the ones that treat you the worst) again. The last I heard, Erik was enlisted in the military. Whether he still is; I haven't a clue.
I really can't exactly remember how Erik and I became friends. Honestly, I don't know that we would've been friends if it weren't for Doug. I can't really think of a more witty way to describe it other than to say without Doug, our friendship had lost its luster. Clearly Erik felt the same way and I despised him ever since for it.
Erik fit into our little group because he had a quiet side. However, he was smart and very sarcastic. He was very thin for as long as I've known him and if I remember right, he wore glasses during most of his elementary years. In fact, he was the smartest kid in our class. It would be a shock if he didn't always have straight A's because he was darn near close. I always remember many people telling him he'd be our class valedictorian because he was so smart. I think he got tired of hearing it, though, and vowed later on that it would never happen. Nontheless, we all thought it would be true in elementary.
I wouldn't say he was a star athlete, however, he sure could run. I remember playing tag during recess and myself or others having a great deal of difficulty trying to catch him. He ran cross country and track during his junior high and high school years, and he'd always be one of the fastest runners for our school. He also had a great deal of knowledge of our school, as well. His mother was a well-respected science teacher for the school and he would always tell me or Doug some of the "behind-the-scenes" news regarding the district. One story even involved my uncle who once taught as a P.E./Health teacher and coached girls basketball. My uncle had been picketing during a teacher's strike when a dog came up to him and urinated on his leg. Erik thought it was funny but I took some offense to it, considering that it was a relative he was talking about. He never said my uncle's name, but from everything he described, I'm pretty sure it was my uncle Erik was talking about. Our school underwent a great deal of change during my later-elementary years when one building was demolished and an entire new wing was constructed. Erik was able to give us details about the history of the old building. It's hard to remember too many details about our friendship anymore, but I remember Doug and I sitting on the swings and Erik talking about the old building as we looked at it. Something that I will always remember.
As I described in my last blog, Doug had moved away and I was left to fend for myself. I don't know what happened, but Erik's behavior had gone from day to night. He had a much darker sense of humor and he got his kicks out of picking on me constantly. He was pure eveil; I don't know if it was puberty that made him this way or what. Even some of my other friends took Erik's lead and were ganging up on me. It definitely came as a big shock. I didn't know what to do, so I basically just ignored and avoided them. I had become a loner and began to do things on my own. I was betrayed and it's a feeling I will never forget.
From what I can remember during our seventh grade year, Doug, Erik, and I still had a friendly relationship. We were all split up in different classrooms since we were now in junior high, but we still saw each other frequently. Up until the point Doug moved away, Erik and I were civil to each other. But beyond that, he was a different person. To this day I still cannot understand why he changed and what caused him to "hate" me so much. I don't know if he thought it was all one big joke but I never thought he was funny. We were in the same science team in junior high and high school and we were even partnered up in a few events. Those were the only moments I had contact with Erik during my final years in grade school. I simply hated his guts and he never apologized for his behavior, nor offered up an explanation why he acted the way he did. Instead of being the class valedictorian, he was now in the lower bracket of my class. He even had one memorable outburst during one of the classes I had with him, where the teacher sent him to the principal's office and left everyone in the room stunned. This was not the Erik we all knew. Whether it was something psychological or what ... I guess it's something we will never know. He even grew his hair long and dyed it black during our senior year! This being a complete reversal from the kid that once had his hair buzzed time and time again in elementary.
I do not offer up any explanations or excuses for Erik and his change of behavior towards me. I have my theories, but until someone asks him, those theories would never have any truth. I have long since moved on and haven't considered him my friend since junior high. A friend does not betray another friend and expect them to remain acquaintences. I have a few memories left of the Erik I once knew, but all of those are fading fast and I am still haunted by "evil" Erik after Doug left. To be honest, I hold no regrets and I don't miss him as a friend. I have simply moved on and the nice thing about graduating from high school is, you don't have to ever see those idiots (the ones that treat you the worst) again. The last I heard, Erik was enlisted in the military. Whether he still is; I haven't a clue.
Friday, November 10, 2006
A Friend from the Past
I first saw him in my first grade class; a new student to our school. Actually, we had many new faces in our school that year because our school consolidated with another school over 11 miles away. He was one of the students from that school and would soon become one of my best friends. We weren't always in the same classroom together. Our class was one of the biggest in the elementary, so we always were split into two classrooms. If I didn't see him in class, I always saw him at recess and other kinds of assemblies. We were best friends; but we usually only ever spent time together at school and never away from there.
His name was Doug and was always overweight for as long as I knew him. But that did not matter to me, nor did it to my other friend, Erik. His wardrobe usually consisted of sweatpants, a t-shirt, and velcrow tennis shoes. He was a nice, pleasant, quiet kid and never got upset unless he was teased profusely. I remember this one instance where he was really mad. A couple of the girls from my class picked on him because he allegedly wet his pants and the girls picked on him for "smelling bad." I thought this was extremely harsh treatment for someone who would never say anything unkind about another person like that. At recess, he absolutely refused to speak to anyone; not even to me. Even when I tried to cheer him up, he would just walk away. I guess he just needed some time by himself. But it was unusual to see him so upset like that; but it was understandable why he was that way.
I never considered him to be obese by any means; but he was definitely pudgy. And someday if he happens to come upon this blog about him, I hope he realizes I mean no disrespect about him, because his weight was never a hindrance to our friendship. He never excelled at sports or in gym class. We once played against each other in little league and our team always handly beat his team; but we never fought over that issue. He either played first base or left field; it's hard to remember anymore. But his dad coached his team and I remember the games against them being some of my personal best. I don't know why that was; but I excelled. We would play kickball at recess and he'd sometimes kick the ball farthest than anyone playing in the game. Another fond memory of recess was when he and I, along with a bunch of other classmates glided along an area of ice that had formed somewhere in the school playground. Even though we had been told not to play on the ice, we still did. We all ended up getting caught and sent inside to write 100 sentences about not going on the ice. I think it was a shock to many people seeing myself, Doug, and Erik sent inside for getting in trouble because I'll admit we NEVER got in trouble. At the time I remember being very upset about this; but now I find it very funny. I even think I have those 100 sentences somewhere as a momento of that situation.
Doug and Erik both stood up for me one time during recess. We must've been in first or second grade and a group of us were playing on the slide in the back of the school. I can't remember the circumstances why we weren't allowed to play on the slide, for whatever reason. I think it was deemed unsafe since it was placed in the very back of the school where it was very hard for the supervisor to keep a watch on both areas of the playground. Anyways, somehow I got wrongly accused of being with the group that played on the slide. The third grade teacher at the time ordered all of the kids to line up against the school and she hollered at each and every one of us for going on that slide. I started bawling my eyes out because I never liked being yelled at; especially when I was being wrongly accused. Doug and Erik pleaded with the teacher that I was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, but it didn't help. I don't think any of us got in any real trouble; we just got a good scolding. However, I can't forget Erik and Doug trying to bail me out like they did.
Another memory was when Doug called me on the telephone. I believe it was to invite me to his birthday party. I can't remember all that we talked about; yes we discussed the party, but that was basically it. I remember a dead silence on the phone for about five to ten minutes because neither of us could think of a thing to talk about! Eventually I just said "I've got to go," and we both said goodbye and hung up. But we were so young and naive at the time, and it remains one of those funnier memories that I have of Doug.
Back in the sixth grade, Doug was hinting to us that his family might be moving to a larger community 20 miles away. In fact, it seemed like he was always warning us about a possible move away from our school district throughout elementary; but it never materialized. I was glad because I hated the thought of losing my best friend. The same happened after the sixth grade; he returned to Superior Central for his seventh grade year. He lived in a very small and cramped home in his hometown and he had many relatives in the town his family was planning to move to. Also, I believe his parents worked near that community, so it only made sense to them. But to me, I was being selfish and didn't want to lose my best friend. Sure, I let Doug know that I didn't want him to leave, but then I didn't rant and rave about it, either. It finally happened in the eighth grade. During the summer before my eighth grade year started, I personally witnessed the partial demolition of his old home. We always went to church in his hometown so it was pretty common to see where he lived. As we drove by that summer day, I saw part of his house completely demolished and a backhoe still on the property. Since it was a Sunday, naturally nobody was there to work on it. But a few weeks later, the house was completely gone. My hope was that they were building a new house there, but even that seemed like a pipe dream considering that the property he lived on was very small. Nothing ever sprang up on that piece of property and it remains empty to this day.
When my eighth grade year started and we first met together as a class, I didn't see Doug. I searched and searched and couldn't find him. I had then overheard the news; Doug had moved away. You don't know how many times I had heard the threat about him moving away when I was in grade school, but to actually hear it be true, I was devestated. I honestly felt alone. My best friend Erik had become a prick over the summer and acted like my worst enemy. My eighth grade year probably was my worst one in school. In fact, it was a nightmare. But in time, I got over the fact that he had moved and had settled myself down during the new school year. On a few occasions afterwards, he would attend some of the basketball games at our school and I would briefly visit with him. Myself and a couple of other friends also had the opportunity to visit Doug and see him at his new home. But other than that, we eventually drifted apart. For awhile we'd send letters to each other; in fact, I received a letter from him right after the new school year started when I was in eighth grade about him moving away. Talk about too little too late. But eventually the novelty of writing letters wore off. We never called each other on the phone; both of us considered it too awkward, for whatever reason. Eventually, I never heard from him for awhile.
My grandmother had found a news clipping about Doug in the area newspaper where he now resided. It had his picture and he was working at the local golf club getting ready for the golfing season. This had to have been in the ninth or tenth grade, and he still looked basically the same. I kept onto that clipping and I still have it around somewhere. Then during my first few years in college, I had managed to be in touch with Doug's cousin through instant messenger. You could call it a chance meeting and she just happened to be his cousin. In fact, she saw Doug everyday. I about fell over when she told me he had the instant messenger, too! Shortly thereafter, Doug and I started talking again. We were getting caught up about all that we had missed in the last five years or so and it was really fun being able to talk to him again, albeit it not face to face. That only lasted for about a week until I never saw Doug on-line again. In fact, his cousin confirmed that he had gotten rid of his computer and was no longer on-line. I was a bit disappointed, but I didn't let it bother me. Another revelation that was a shock to me about Doug was that he had lost all of that weight that had plagued him during his tenure at Superior Central. He was slender, slim, and even more skinny than me at that time. I was floored and was hoping to see a picture of the "new" Doug. But alas, he never provided one and I soon never heard from him again.
His cousin and I chatted a few times after that. Apparently he is now married, own's a popular restaurant in his town (at the time, he was in the process of buying it), and was learning to become a minister. Whether he still owns that restaurant and is a full-fledged minister; I don't know. We lost contact and I hadn't heard from him in over four years now. In fact, I don't think we've had a face-to-face meeting in close to ten years. I have since moved on and accepted the fact that we are no longer friends and I believe there is no anymosity between us two. It's the distance that killed our friendship. Despite us not being friends anymore, I can never forget what he meant to me while I was in elementary. He was friend, a pal, a compadre and that is something I'll never forget. And maybe someday, somehow, we will get back in touch again.
His name was Doug and was always overweight for as long as I knew him. But that did not matter to me, nor did it to my other friend, Erik. His wardrobe usually consisted of sweatpants, a t-shirt, and velcrow tennis shoes. He was a nice, pleasant, quiet kid and never got upset unless he was teased profusely. I remember this one instance where he was really mad. A couple of the girls from my class picked on him because he allegedly wet his pants and the girls picked on him for "smelling bad." I thought this was extremely harsh treatment for someone who would never say anything unkind about another person like that. At recess, he absolutely refused to speak to anyone; not even to me. Even when I tried to cheer him up, he would just walk away. I guess he just needed some time by himself. But it was unusual to see him so upset like that; but it was understandable why he was that way.
I never considered him to be obese by any means; but he was definitely pudgy. And someday if he happens to come upon this blog about him, I hope he realizes I mean no disrespect about him, because his weight was never a hindrance to our friendship. He never excelled at sports or in gym class. We once played against each other in little league and our team always handly beat his team; but we never fought over that issue. He either played first base or left field; it's hard to remember anymore. But his dad coached his team and I remember the games against them being some of my personal best. I don't know why that was; but I excelled. We would play kickball at recess and he'd sometimes kick the ball farthest than anyone playing in the game. Another fond memory of recess was when he and I, along with a bunch of other classmates glided along an area of ice that had formed somewhere in the school playground. Even though we had been told not to play on the ice, we still did. We all ended up getting caught and sent inside to write 100 sentences about not going on the ice. I think it was a shock to many people seeing myself, Doug, and Erik sent inside for getting in trouble because I'll admit we NEVER got in trouble. At the time I remember being very upset about this; but now I find it very funny. I even think I have those 100 sentences somewhere as a momento of that situation.
Doug and Erik both stood up for me one time during recess. We must've been in first or second grade and a group of us were playing on the slide in the back of the school. I can't remember the circumstances why we weren't allowed to play on the slide, for whatever reason. I think it was deemed unsafe since it was placed in the very back of the school where it was very hard for the supervisor to keep a watch on both areas of the playground. Anyways, somehow I got wrongly accused of being with the group that played on the slide. The third grade teacher at the time ordered all of the kids to line up against the school and she hollered at each and every one of us for going on that slide. I started bawling my eyes out because I never liked being yelled at; especially when I was being wrongly accused. Doug and Erik pleaded with the teacher that I was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, but it didn't help. I don't think any of us got in any real trouble; we just got a good scolding. However, I can't forget Erik and Doug trying to bail me out like they did.
Another memory was when Doug called me on the telephone. I believe it was to invite me to his birthday party. I can't remember all that we talked about; yes we discussed the party, but that was basically it. I remember a dead silence on the phone for about five to ten minutes because neither of us could think of a thing to talk about! Eventually I just said "I've got to go," and we both said goodbye and hung up. But we were so young and naive at the time, and it remains one of those funnier memories that I have of Doug.
Back in the sixth grade, Doug was hinting to us that his family might be moving to a larger community 20 miles away. In fact, it seemed like he was always warning us about a possible move away from our school district throughout elementary; but it never materialized. I was glad because I hated the thought of losing my best friend. The same happened after the sixth grade; he returned to Superior Central for his seventh grade year. He lived in a very small and cramped home in his hometown and he had many relatives in the town his family was planning to move to. Also, I believe his parents worked near that community, so it only made sense to them. But to me, I was being selfish and didn't want to lose my best friend. Sure, I let Doug know that I didn't want him to leave, but then I didn't rant and rave about it, either. It finally happened in the eighth grade. During the summer before my eighth grade year started, I personally witnessed the partial demolition of his old home. We always went to church in his hometown so it was pretty common to see where he lived. As we drove by that summer day, I saw part of his house completely demolished and a backhoe still on the property. Since it was a Sunday, naturally nobody was there to work on it. But a few weeks later, the house was completely gone. My hope was that they were building a new house there, but even that seemed like a pipe dream considering that the property he lived on was very small. Nothing ever sprang up on that piece of property and it remains empty to this day.
When my eighth grade year started and we first met together as a class, I didn't see Doug. I searched and searched and couldn't find him. I had then overheard the news; Doug had moved away. You don't know how many times I had heard the threat about him moving away when I was in grade school, but to actually hear it be true, I was devestated. I honestly felt alone. My best friend Erik had become a prick over the summer and acted like my worst enemy. My eighth grade year probably was my worst one in school. In fact, it was a nightmare. But in time, I got over the fact that he had moved and had settled myself down during the new school year. On a few occasions afterwards, he would attend some of the basketball games at our school and I would briefly visit with him. Myself and a couple of other friends also had the opportunity to visit Doug and see him at his new home. But other than that, we eventually drifted apart. For awhile we'd send letters to each other; in fact, I received a letter from him right after the new school year started when I was in eighth grade about him moving away. Talk about too little too late. But eventually the novelty of writing letters wore off. We never called each other on the phone; both of us considered it too awkward, for whatever reason. Eventually, I never heard from him for awhile.
My grandmother had found a news clipping about Doug in the area newspaper where he now resided. It had his picture and he was working at the local golf club getting ready for the golfing season. This had to have been in the ninth or tenth grade, and he still looked basically the same. I kept onto that clipping and I still have it around somewhere. Then during my first few years in college, I had managed to be in touch with Doug's cousin through instant messenger. You could call it a chance meeting and she just happened to be his cousin. In fact, she saw Doug everyday. I about fell over when she told me he had the instant messenger, too! Shortly thereafter, Doug and I started talking again. We were getting caught up about all that we had missed in the last five years or so and it was really fun being able to talk to him again, albeit it not face to face. That only lasted for about a week until I never saw Doug on-line again. In fact, his cousin confirmed that he had gotten rid of his computer and was no longer on-line. I was a bit disappointed, but I didn't let it bother me. Another revelation that was a shock to me about Doug was that he had lost all of that weight that had plagued him during his tenure at Superior Central. He was slender, slim, and even more skinny than me at that time. I was floored and was hoping to see a picture of the "new" Doug. But alas, he never provided one and I soon never heard from him again.
His cousin and I chatted a few times after that. Apparently he is now married, own's a popular restaurant in his town (at the time, he was in the process of buying it), and was learning to become a minister. Whether he still owns that restaurant and is a full-fledged minister; I don't know. We lost contact and I hadn't heard from him in over four years now. In fact, I don't think we've had a face-to-face meeting in close to ten years. I have since moved on and accepted the fact that we are no longer friends and I believe there is no anymosity between us two. It's the distance that killed our friendship. Despite us not being friends anymore, I can never forget what he meant to me while I was in elementary. He was friend, a pal, a compadre and that is something I'll never forget. And maybe someday, somehow, we will get back in touch again.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!
A happy halloween to all of my blog readers out there. However you may celebrate the holiday, I hope it is worth your while. My Halloween will be rather uneventful, not by choice. I have to work afternoon shift tonight, so I will be missing out on all of the trick or treaters, parties, and Halloween reveling. But don't worry; there's always next year. :-P
Yesterday I was just getting into some of my favorite trick or treating memories. One year, my dad took me trick or treating; and this had to be when I was around four or five. We went to all of the houses in the neighborhood where he once lived. So naturally, he would visit with the people when I went trick or treating. We even visited my step-grandmother and grandpa. Sadly, my grandpa would die just a year or two later and I don't have too many memories of him. In fact, that Halloween memory is pretty obscure now. But at least I have that one and a couple of other memories of him; no matter how obscure they are. The majority of those people my dad and I visited that night are now gone, so it's really nice to have a memory of them, as well. At least I was able to meet with them once in my lifetime.
The next memory isn't exactly just one memory, but a culmination of many. Just the feeling of getting out, going through my hometown trick or treating with a bunch of other kids in darkness with the guide from the street lights, kids yelling "trick or treat," and hearing the voices of the people who's doors we were knocking on ... it's something you never forget. Another memory was when my friend, Brian and I, went trick or treating at this one old lady's home in my town. She was well known, and everyone called her "Granny" because she was such a personable person and would wave at anyone driving by. She mistook Brian as being someone else with a similar costume (I think he was a vampire) and refused to give him candy because he had already gotten candy from her. Well, he was pretty ticked off at her but I was happy. She gave me candy at least.
I must end it here. Once again, Happy Halloween. :-)
Yesterday I was just getting into some of my favorite trick or treating memories. One year, my dad took me trick or treating; and this had to be when I was around four or five. We went to all of the houses in the neighborhood where he once lived. So naturally, he would visit with the people when I went trick or treating. We even visited my step-grandmother and grandpa. Sadly, my grandpa would die just a year or two later and I don't have too many memories of him. In fact, that Halloween memory is pretty obscure now. But at least I have that one and a couple of other memories of him; no matter how obscure they are. The majority of those people my dad and I visited that night are now gone, so it's really nice to have a memory of them, as well. At least I was able to meet with them once in my lifetime.
The next memory isn't exactly just one memory, but a culmination of many. Just the feeling of getting out, going through my hometown trick or treating with a bunch of other kids in darkness with the guide from the street lights, kids yelling "trick or treat," and hearing the voices of the people who's doors we were knocking on ... it's something you never forget. Another memory was when my friend, Brian and I, went trick or treating at this one old lady's home in my town. She was well known, and everyone called her "Granny" because she was such a personable person and would wave at anyone driving by. She mistook Brian as being someone else with a similar costume (I think he was a vampire) and refused to give him candy because he had already gotten candy from her. Well, he was pretty ticked off at her but I was happy. She gave me candy at least.
I must end it here. Once again, Happy Halloween. :-)
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