Friday, April 30, 2010

Don't get me started

Well, AZ has attempted to take illegal immigration into their own hands. My take on it...do it. I am sick of hearing the government saying it is unconstitutional and other states saying it is racial profiling. Prove it. I mean how is it unconstitutional to an illegal immigrant when they have no rights as they are not U.S. citizens? As far as racial profiling, that would not happen as any person stopped for any reason is always asked for their ID and if you are a U.S. citizen, you will have a state issued ID. No matter what color you are. These people are making it sound like if you are brown, you will be stopped for no other reason than to check your citizen status. That is not what it is about. Other states that are trying to boycott AZ have said that what we are doing is wrong. When asked if we could ship the illegal immigrants to their states and cities, no one would respond. Hmmm, it is not a problem in your state right now, but you wouldn't want to be put in that situation, huh? Don't get me started.

Watched CRAZY HEART the other night. It was kind of slow, but was ok. I think the D00d would like it. Also watched CRAZY ON THE OUTSIDE starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and Kelsey Grammar. That was pretty funny. TOOTH FAIRY comes out Tuesday so I will try to get that one and I am still trying to get LOVELY BONES, but Blockbuster has been out of it the last few times I went in.

The other night, my oldest was riding his bike and fell. He came home with his glasses in his hand (thankfully they were not broken) and blood dripping down his face. Took him to the doctor only because he had a knot on the side of his head almost the size of a golf ball. The cut wasn't really deep enough for stitiches. The doctor said he was lucky it wasn't a lttle further back, but no CT scans or xrays were needed. The next morning the swelling was gone. He also got part of his braces put in yesterday on the top four teeth. Still waiting for his baby molars to come out.

Everyone and everything else on the homefront is fine. Yesterday's day off was enjoyable even though I was running around to different appointments. I came into work today and have a lot to do. I can't wait for the day to be over with.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Another Hump Day

Here it is the middle of the week and it feels like I haven't had a day off in a month. With drill and traveling to schools and such, it has been hectic. Tomorrow I am taking a sick day. My oldest has an orthodontics appointment in the morning and my wife has a Dr. appointment in the afternoon, so I figured I'll just take the day off and save some gas.

Watched CHUCK Monday night. It just keeps getting better and better. I have also started watching OPERATION REPO MAN and SOUTHERN FRIED STINGS on Monday night as well. Last night I tried watching NCIS and NCIS LOS ANGELES. I say tried because people kept calling and I tried to get off the phone. I guess that would be a good reason to upgrade to TIVO, but I don't make enough to pay for it. Tonight will be a slow night, so hopefully I will be able to watch the movies I picked up on Sunday.

Not much planned for the rest of the week. I did finally get my taillight fixed last night. I ordered the part on Monday and picked it up yesterday and installed it. So I will just take the receipt to court and tell them I did get it repaired as soon as I could. Hopefully they'll drop any charges. May has come up fast. My oldest will turn 11 next month and the kids all get out of school. Well, that is all I got today.

Monday, April 26, 2010

What a day

Well, I survived being sick last week. Only lasted a day and a half. Then I walked 5 miles to find a liqour store as when I drink, I stop being sick. I left Wisconsin on Friday and got home after midnight. Went to a party Saturday night for one of my Soldiers who is deploying. It was alright. I ended up leaving there shortly after midnight and went and got a hotel room for the night. Sunday, came home and relaxed. Today, came back to work. Had a few errands to run and while I was out, got pulled over. Got cited. My bad.

A few weeks ago, my passenger tail leght cover had been removed or fell off or whatever. I noticed it and the next day looked online to price them. $50 no problem. Went to Checker and they wanted to charge me like $100. I didn't have that much at the time so I had to hold off. Well, I just got paid last Thursday, but I have been out of town. The officer said he pulled me over for my taillight, but then started questioning my insurance. I gave him my card (which expired in Feb and I didn't know it). He said he was keeping the card. As he came back with the ticket, he gave me the card back and was saying it was a different insurance that was cancelled, but because I had an expired card, I had to show up to court with a current one. No problem, that one will drop. I asked him how much for the other citation for the taillight and he said it would be cheap. I'm thinking $40-50. He tells me more like $100-150. Dang. He did suggest I get it replaced and bring the receipt to court so that they may lower it once I explain the situation and show proof that it has been fixed.

Well, that's about all I got to catch everyone up since the last time.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

I'm sick

Wouldn't you know it, I usually don't get sick and if I do it is not for that long. I guess from going from 90 degree weather to in the 60's caused me to catch something. I am sitting here in Wisconsin now and started having a stuffy nose and runny nose earlier today. Then it stopped...and started...and stopped...and started. I hope I am feeling better in the morning. I have 2 days left until I return home.

I am barely hanging on to an A in my college class. It ended Monday, but I am waiting for my final paper to be graded, which I am told it will take a week to get the final grade. This last paper is worth 25% of the grade. I hope I scored high enough to keep my A and my 4.0 average. I just started my next class yesterday which is Sociology/Ethical Issues or something like that.

Tomorrow I take a test for this class I am here for. All week it has seemed pretty easy and simple. All I need is to score a minimum of 70% to pass, which I don't see will be a problem. That's all I got for tonight. Maybe more before I leave to return home.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Whew...I am beat

That was one long flight on Sunday. Not to mention I didn't eat all day. I thought I would at least get dinner, but nope, sure didn't. So I walked over to the gas station and put my account into overdraft so I could get some food. Oh, well, I am sure it was worth it.

So here I am in Wisconsin doing my school for my job. It has been pretty easy so far. I am 2 days into it and have 2 full days left. Friday I graduate and head home, but don't get back until after midnight. Then I have a party to go to Saturday night for one of my Soldiers that is deploying.

Other than that, not much to write about. Waiting on my scores from my last college class, but was told it will be about a week for them to post. Today starts my next class in Sociology. Maybe I will write more later this week if there is anything to write about.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Getting ready to go

Well, I am heading out Sunday morning for a school for my civilian job. I will only be gone for 6 days. WooHoo. Been real busy these last couple of days with work. I have a paper due on Monday to finish my college class, but I really need to complete it and submit it by tomorrow to ensure it is in on time. I know I will have internet access during class, but I need access in my room while I am there as my next class begins on Tuesday. I won't know until I get there though.

Everything else is going as usual. Nothing new on the homefront. I did call the school about the money they still need to send to me. It appears they will not send it out until June. That kind of ticks me off because the TA through the military pays for the class about 30 days after I complete it. So the money I have there now, they will take out of that the first day of the class. Which means I will not get the full amount, I will get what is left after they deduct the new classes. Then I have to wait for the TA's to come in and then receive those later. I know I end up getting the same amount in the end, but I would rather have it all at once instead of a little at a time. Oh, well, what can you do?

Well that is about it for today. I need to start wrapping things up to head home.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Kids are sometimes dangerous

Yes, sometimes those little rugrats can be dangerous. You see, my kids like to play with toys in the bathtub and the showers. This morning, I get up to take a shower and see a few toys in there, so I just push them out of the way with my foot. While showering, I am turning around and stepped on something. Apparently, there was a hot wheel car in the shower that had lost a wheel. I found it. Yes, the tire was broke off the car, face down with the metal rod pointing straight up going into the bottom of my foot. So, yes, sometimes kids are dangerous.

Didn't really do much yesterday. Took my youngest son to a dental appointment yesterday. No cavities, so we are good there. I am trying to get a hold of my school today to see when they are going to send out the money they have for my Pell grant and TA. I kind of need it soon, hopefully before I leave on Sunday.

Not too much work today so far, so maybe I will be able to work on my research paper. I need to turn it in before I leave on Sunday, just in case I do not have internet access at my military school. Oh, geez, I just realized I am pretty much working 4 weeks straight. Man, I need a raise.

Nothing planned for tonight other than watching my regular Tuesday night shows. That is all I got today.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Ouch

I got sunburned this weekend. So it took us about 9-10 hours to bus to CA for our drill this past weekend for weapons qualification. Not too bad. I zeroed right away Friday afternoon when we got there and got a little sunburned on the bag of the neck. Saturday morning I put on Sunblock on my neck and face. Didn't help my neck or the back of my head. So, it hurts a bit right now. Saturday morning I was on the first rotation and qualified right away, so the rest of the day was busy work helping other Soldiers out. We came back Sunday and got back around two, but I am still beat from the getting up early, meetings all night, and long bus rides.

I am still waiting on my school to cut me a check of the money they have to send me. It is a little over $2500 now. So hopefully they send that soon. I leave Sunday for a week for my job. I did talk to our Batallion Commander this past weekend and he told me what an outstanding job I have been doing and i have the best run platoons out of the whole company. Well, I don't hear that from the Company leadership so if the Batallion Commander is saying it, it means so much more. I don't know how it is different than the rest of the company as I do what I am told and put out information as it comes in. So the only thing I can think of is that the other platoons do not communicate to their Soldiers.

So, my weekend had been pretty busy, but it was a good thing I guess. Just trying to pay some bills on time to get everything up to date so I don't fall behind. Hopefully soon I get a raise as I am due one in June.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Long Weekend Ahead

Well, here I sit wrapping things up for the week as I have a long weekend ahead of me. I have to get up at 2am tomorrow to be here at work getting things ready to head out to California for drill this weekend. Going to the range to qualify on our M-16's. Will be returning late Sunday night. I spent most of the day taking care of some errands and knocking out my school work for the weekend so I can just rest when I get back.

We were supposed to have the visit with CPS again today. However, my wife called me and told me the lady had to cancel again. Seems she has cancer and was undergoing chemo. So instead of an onsite visit, she just did a phone interview with my wife. No big deal, just a bunch of questions and then the case was closed. I knew there was nothing to worry about, but when you hear of things like this you start second guessing yourself. I remember one time I received a call from CID for the Army. I had to go to their office to answer some questions about something that had happened during our deployment. I know I did nothing wrong, but the whole authority thing got to me. And when I did show up, they had me spread my feet and put my hands on the wall to pat me down. They then put me in a room, shut and locked the door and I could see two cameras in there and a one way mirror. They then came and took me out and fingerprinted me. Not just the fingers, but the sides of the hand and the whole palm of the hand. Everything turned out to be fine, but it was just the whole thought running through my mind of "what did I do that I don't remember".

So, as I am out firing my weapon, you all have a fun weekend.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Whew, I am beat

I don't know what happened this past weekend, but I am wore out. The last two nights I haven't been able to get to sleep until after midnight at least. Then, I still have to get up early and get the kids ready for school and head to work. I just feel so drained and tired. On top of that, yesterday and today, I have been so swamped with work and schoolwork, especially with drill coming up this weekend.

Easter went ok. Of course I gave my kids their Easter baskets a week before. I don't like the fact of all this gift stuff, unless it is for their birthday, to give it to them on that particular day. Christmas and Easter should not be about gifts or anything, they are religous holidays and should be treated as such.

This current administration just seems to tick me off more and more everyday. I saw how Obama threw out the first pitch at a game. I know other Presidents have done it in the past, but that is different. They didn't have all of the stuff on their plate that he does. They also didn't do all of these "publicity" stunts every chance they got. I don't recall seeing any President in office on Late Night shows or Talk Shows while they were in office. I am guessing he is trying to get it all done while he can before the American Public step in and impeach him. That or he somehow fails to complete his term. I just don't think we can hold on for two more years of all this.

We have a new addition to our family now. Chanel is a beagle, probably a couple of years old. One of my friends had gotten a new dog and they couldn't handle both, so I said I would take it. That makes four dogs now. Chanel is testing me right now, but I am sure in a few days, she will know that she can dominate the other dogs, but she won't dominate me.

I saw this morning that the other part of my Pell Grant has been received by my school. So, I am hoping they send that to me soon as I definately could use it right now. The school is also still waiting on Tuition Assistance form the military for two classes I have already completed. Once they receive that, it will come back to me as well since my last Pell Grant covered those classes. I hate the waiting game.

I am in my last two weeks of this current course and I am still clinging on to an A. My last assignment is the one I worry about as it is 25% of my total grade. I need to ace that one. After this class, I move on to Sociology. Another class that has nothing to do with my degree. Oh, well, everyone has to make money somehow.

That is all I got today. Maybe I'll be able to post again before I leave this weekend.

Friday, April 2, 2010

I'm Bored

Did not watch SHERLOCK HOLMES last night. Instead I watched an episode of BONES and FRINGE since the new episodes are back on and the reruns are over for now. Tonight I will be watching SMALLVILLE as well as KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, so I probably won't watch it until tomorrow.

I have been bored all day as it is slow. I was told yesterday that even though there is a Holiday on Sunday, we still had to work today. However, more than half the building is empty at my location and I wonder if anyone in CA is working as no one responds to e-mails or answers the phone. Sometimes, I think they do this to me because they are jealous I am the only full time person at a separate location. I love it, though, no one to report to or overlook my work. I still get stuff done and have plenty of spare time. Heck, half the times they call me on how to do their jobs. Oh, well, it is what it is.

School is still going fine. Only two and a half more weeks to go. Finally paid some of my rent today, but have to wait until next week to finish paying it. I feel like just leaving work. There is no time clock to punch in and out of and no one is responding to me. I feel all alone.....NOT!

My middle child played a good April's Fool joke on my wife and I yesterday. My wife and I took my daughter with us to the store leaving the two older boys at home. We were gone maybe an hour. When we got home, our younger son told us the older had gotten ticked off and ran away. Well, it is believable as over the last several months when he gets upset, he tries running out the front door or says he is running away. So first thing I said was this had better be a joke. I went to the garage...ok, his bike is still here, he's probably hiding. After two minutes of searching the house for him, my wife went out in the backyard where he was hiding. It was a little upsetting, but after an hour, it was a pretty good prank.

Another thing that happened about a week ago. My wife and I were going somewhere with our daughter, I forget where, not important. My daughter was saying that when she grows up she wants to be big like Mommy. My wife said "you want to be big like me, huh?" My daughter answers back "not fat, Mommy, tall". Wow, that was not nice. Sometimes, my kids say the darndest thing. Every now and then when I tease my oldest son about something, he always responds back "5 more years, Dad, 5 more years". To most people, that really doesn't mean anything. However, I am 35 years old. Most men know what happens at age 40 when you schedule an appointment with the Dr.

Well, that's all I got today. I'm still bored.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Just another day

Today is just that. Another ordinary day. I have some schoolwork to do that is due today, but I have plenty of time to do it. After two weeks in this class, I have been able to bring my grade back up to an A. We'll see how this week goes. Even the Instructor informed all of us at the beginning of this course that this will be the hardest class we take at this school. I believe it, or at least so far. I'll determine if that is true after I get to my future classes.

I watched ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEEKAL last night. It was a great movie. Still have SHERLOCK HOLMES to watch. I enrolled my daughter into kindergarten the other night so that is all set up now. Got back school pictures of all the kids, so now it is just coming up with the money to pay for them by next week.

Still trying to come up with my rent money for this month as well. I will have it covered as I get paid next week, but just seeing if I can get it done sooner. Oh, well. Sunday will be going to the older sister's house for Easter family get together. Have a test due that day, maybe I'll just do it there. I finally have my travel arrangements made for my next school which is only for 5 days in Wisconsin. Just waiting on my orders now. That's all I got today.