my brain hurts

I've officially gone to all my classes as of today. I now realize how much of a sacrifice I must make to get this degree. Two years of writing papers, spending my spare time wracking my brains out over notes and books that are about as exciting as snail porn.

First was "History of Rock and Roll". The teacher was an editor for Rolling Stones magazine, and had some integral role in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Easy survey class from what I can tell.

Second was "Intro to Criminal Justice". Harder class, a bit more writing intensive, but the teacher is an animated Jamaican woman and I can gather the class will be interesting.

Third was "General Botany". This is going to be the rough one. People left his earlier class looking like they had their asses handed to them. A vacant, yet defeated look in each ones eyes. A true roadblock professor.

I drove home tonight wondering exactly what had I done to myself and what am I going to do. The answer was simple. I've made an investment in my future at the sacrifice of the present and I'll do what must be done to pass and get my degree so that I can afford a decent quality of life.

In two years, when one more framed diploma is on my wall, and I am able to fulfill a few dreams and keep a few long due promises, I'll hope what I'm doing right now will be appreciated.

really big day

Tommorow I go to college to "check in". I basicly sign away the next two years of free time for a chance at a better future. I also have to get a tetnus shot to update my immunization records. Lucky me. They are free tomorrow at the check in. I'm not even sure how I feel.

Went to visit the ranger today. They were actually working on it and it only looks like a matter of time before they are done with the actual bodywork. I'm actually looking forward to seeing the finished product. The wheels I wanted are already on it and they had since completed the wreck damage removal. I want to see it all together.

dark days ahead

I'm starting to watch my calories. A guy my size that works out as much as I do can consume roughly 3500 - 3700 calories a day and maintain weight, so to lose pounds, I need to consume fewer calories and make healthy choices for most of my meals. For the most part, I've done pretty good this week. I did poorly last night. I'm not going to be in "awesome" shape before school starts, but if I keep the current regiment up, I'll be close to 200 lbs before Christmas.

Between here and Christmas, I have my first semester at Guilford College. I'll be going 3 nights a week and I'll still be working full time for the school, part time at the gas station. I'm exhausted just thinking about what needs to be done.

I had a dream last night. The guy who said he was going to give me a chunk of his lottery winnings came through. I went to some generic casino somewhere that gambling is obviously legal, took a third of what he gave me and made a small fortune out of it. I wasn't able to live like a king, but it was enough to do everything I wanted to do and have enough cash left over to be comfortable. I wish I could interpret that into something meaningful. I can only assume it means some risk will be involved in the days ahead.

Life can be a gamble, to get the big prizes, you must take the big risks. So many parts of my life are up in the air and where will I be when this is over?

promises, promises, promises

This past Sunday, I was quite busy. During a stint in which I had Uhaul customers in the store, both bays full of customers, and a tire repair waiting. Some guy pulls up in a krylon-white early 90's Lemans POS asking for a used tire. We don't generally carry those tires and didn't have anything for him then either. I sent him to the nearest place for used tires. End of story, or so I thought.

After a day of getting my ass handed to me, I'm in the middle of unhooking a uhaul trailer and used tire guy comes back. I assume he wants me to put a tire on his raggedey car. I was wrong. He proceeded to tell me that he went where I told him to go and bought a lottery ticket after he got his tire. The ticket was a jackpot winner: $77,777, and since he would have never gone there with out my direction, he felt he owed me some money from it.

At this point, I would have figured he wanted something, but he showed me the winning ticket. And I thought "Wow, I might have a lucky day." He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him and he woulod meet up with me after he got the money to give me a cut.

Today is Thursday, after 3 attempts to call him, I'm going to assume he got that money and decided that it would be better to spend it all himself. Moral : Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

It wasn't a big let down, I wasn't really expecting him to give me anything. Also, my life has been so filled with letdowns, broken promises, and screw jobs that this one really had no effect.

....but it is an interesting story.

the gym.......

Finally took the big step and joined a real gym this past week. It was perhaps the best choice I've made in awhile. I hurt in all manner of ways I never thought possible. I see this as the fuel I need to get to the next level of fitness. It's amazing how much you can hurt yourself when you have the right equipment.

There are cheaper places to workout, but the hours and the atmosphere are top notch. I can't imagine a much better setup. Usually the place is near empty and when it's not, the people are nice.

service station blues

Working at a service station is not so bad, but it sure gets hot and miserable. Imagine changing oil on a car when it's about 100 outside. People yell and bitch all day, but they give Paul more Hell than me. I think people fear bald white men. We got that "I could snap and take you with me" vibe. How else can you understand someone who's idea of grooming is to run a razorblade all over their head? Me, I'm just sick of looking like a monk.

I've worked all weekend and I'm tired. I went to bed sore and in pain. The pain woke me up several times during the night, so I'm miserably tired today. I need to go shopping, but I won't go alone.

I think I'll be joining a gym this week. Maybe I'll get a little fat off to accentuate all the muscle I've been growing.

Smooooooooooth

Last Sunday night, I finally shaved my head, or should I say Robyn shaved it for me. I like the way it looks, not too sure anout how it feels yet. I've been curious for years. I'm not too sure anyone gives a damn what my head looks like. There's the initial shock value of everyone seeing it for the first time and that's fun. I got a little irritation on the back of my head and it was weird sleeping on it the first time.

I bought a headblade so I could do it my self. I realized after my next shave how much of an undertaking this new look could be. I should probably invest in an electric razor to keep my head touched up between razor shavings. Hell, I'm starting to wonder if a local barber will do a straight razor shave for "special occasions".

It goes back to my last topic of selling something to the world. There are so many products out there for people who shave their heads that it's almost silly. And I'm tired......

SPLOG

spam + blog = splog. Not an altogether new idea, I'm just bored and decided to write on it. It makes me realize that no matter what you do or have or want. Somebody wants to make money off of it. Usually they want to make money off of it in the most vile way possible.

Losing hair and feeling bad? Rogaine, Propecia, Hair Club for Men, toupees, vitamins, spray paint, hair plugs, and probably a thousand more.

Fat? You got diets, gyms pill, shakes, liposuction, and God knows what else.

Lonley? Take your pick, we got dating services, phone sex, porn....

The solution for anything that makes you feel bad about yourself is here and they make a gut punch with BS testimonials about how bad they felt before and how great they feel now. Operators are standing by to separate you from your hard earned money.

Just when I think it couldn't get much worse, I get splogs. Somebody rolls up and says "Hey! Love your blog. Very interesting. Check mine out." If do, it's a splog. They are trying to sell you something.

Even though my blog is a public forum for my personal thoughts, it feels like a personal violation when I'm here being open and honest and someone is trying to help me meet singles in my area. The sad part is it usually isn't even a person, but rather a program looking through blogs for keywords and sends spam out. Doesn't always work too well, one time I made a comment about going for a swim in water so cold it made me instantly flacid, I was splogged for viagra.

I guess it just comes with the territory. But if sploggers have ruined your blogging experience, email me for more more information on "splog-X" splog filter. Send no money now, operators are standing by.

Selling out pays well.

Saturday blah...

I've been laboring under the desire to be free on my Saturdays. Actually, I want the whole damn weekend. But having free Saturdays is a good start.

My idea is in consideration of all the things I can go do & get acomplished with the free time. I'd be just a bit closer to normal. I did everything I cared to do today, and now what? Robyn is at work and nobody really wants to do anything else. I'm too broke to go anywhere. I guess I could mow my lawn & clean up a bit. I could work on making my back porch less of a clusterfuck. I should have a great work truck to do just that very soon. I could go get a powerball lottery ticket and hope for the best.

If I win, then what? Sit around with nothing to do. I don't drink or smoke. I don't party or travel. So what then?

ranger diary update

My free wrecked truck runs and runs well. Seems like the body work to make it road worthy will be fairly cheap. I'm looking forward to it. Can it be possible that this could actually go well?

Dear online diary

After taking a week hiatus, Paul and I are back in the gym. I'm nice and sore too. Every three weeks or so, it's a good idea to take a week off to let everything rest and grow. I've lost 5 lbs.. I can only attribute the loss to the extra biking. I've been lax on it this week as the recent heatwave might kill me. I really would like to lose about 25 lbs before school starts. Five a week will more than do it.

On the topic of lifting, my wrists are starting to give me problems and I now have to wrap them to lift. I think I need my wrist wraps when I bike too. Now what to do about my achey shoulder. I guess I'm just not 18 anymore.....

Starting in August, I'll most likely join a real gym. I wanted to prove I'd actually do it, instead of wasting my cash on a membership. If so, I'll get my extra bedroom back.

I shaved my head. I like it, Robyn hates it. I'm tired of fighting my hair or lack thereof. I'm 32 and unfortunately more bald than a man my age should be. I'm sick of fighting it and it's kind of embarrassing too. My head is clipper shaved, not razor shaved. I'll probably try the old razor shave by Friday

the soon to infamous ranger diaries

By this weekend, I should have all three Rangers in one spot. The charred, the wrecked, and the altogether dysfunctional. From there, we see which to pick and choose from to create Frankenranger; an abomination made from the parts of dead Rangers. The story of Frankenstein ends in tragedy. Let's be optimistic.

This is to a site were a guy made a very nice Ranger V-8 conversion and shows a bit of what is involved. I may not do it now, but the end result look fun as hell.

Notes of a slow Sunday

I stayed up too late last night.
My legs feel like rubber and my ass feels like lead.
I was left with no change in the rgister....again.
I went next door to get the only $20 bill broken into a ten and two fives. I'm still screwed.
If I don't get any cash buisiness today, I won't be able to pay myself.

*yawn*

After lunch:
Coated in grease and sweat.
Working on putting tire on a rolling abomination. RA is winning.
People come in droves for two hours.
I barely get stuff ready to close in time.
Register is full of money.
Decent turn around, all things considered.
Can't leave fast enough.

*groan*

ranger diaries update

My new find, ranger #3 is salvageable. If it is in running shape as was mentioned before, we have a project truck. This could very well become the kick around toy truck I've been wanting since the first ranger. Oh, the visions and dreams going through my head.

half a life

A person very close to is very upset because she sees now that the person that has been like a father to her half her life is a hypocrit. She's benn scorned and spurned all of her life and never felt at home no matter where she was. I think that is the scource of all her shortcomings.

Sometimes step-kids have it rough. You never feel like you belong and half of what makes you what you are is not around. You have a step parent who loves your parent and usually either doesn't really care about you, or infact, hates you. Everything you do will be wrong because that step-parent cannot see themselves in you. Maybe that's why the people who made up religon said married people should stay together no matter what.

I feel her pain but I've learned to accept it. I know I can't change the people around me, or how they feel about me. That doesn't change me as a person or who I am. I refuse to feel bitter about what has happened or let it stop me from being the best person I can be.

Everybody's life is a little screwed up these days and it's getting harder and harder to know what normal is anymore. If it's at all possible, I want to find it and live it.

the ranger diaries

I think in my fervor to get a pickup, I've been drawn into the Ford Ranger Zone. It's kind of like the Twilight Zone, just as weird and full of twists and misfortune. Last night, Paul called and said "Hey, you interested in a free pickup?" The answer is HELL YEAH! I had to pull 500 marionette's worth of strings to make it happen, but an old face from the past came through. Thank you very much.

Ranger #1 1985 2.0 carburated 5-speed short bed - The body was in great shape, it just needed a little TLC and engine work, it even had an old set of Cragar wheels that were appropriate for the age of the truck. I gave $600 for it and at the time I felt it was worth it. I was going to re-do the interior, put in a spray-in bed liner, and paint the old bumpers & grill black. I would have eventually put in a 302 to make it a hot rod. It *would* have been a great little work truck.

It was hit in front of my house (on a damn dead end)and nobody claimed responsibility for the wreck. It was due to have the entire top end reworked and caught fire the day I was to take it there. Very little was salvageable, but I saved the truck just in case.

Ranger #2 1985 2.3 efi auto long bed - Bought this one for $200 It's flat black and the obvious problem is some random emissions problem that I neither have the time, money, or patience to repair. So it sits, mainly because the guy who might could repair it, would rather get the money from converting it to a V8 and that's just not an option right now.

Ranger #3 1985 (see a pattern?)2.0 carburated 5-speed long bed. The free truck. Who ever was working on this one had the same idea I had for #1. It had a newer models seats and door skins. It has front end wreck damage that may or may not be fixable. It seems to want to run, but I really don't know enough about it yet. The paint was a really cool shade of dark blue and if it runs, I'll have enough now to form Voltron! ....I mean make a single decent running truck. I won't know for awhile yet.

More to come

Workout journal...15 weeks

Four months in and going strong(er). I've expanded my cardio work to doing an hour or more of cycling 3 times a week. Hopefully the fat will come off now.

They say if you do it right, 6 months will be the major point at which the difference is noticable. Paul and I are at week 15, 11 weeks from the "big goal". I saw a website where a guy went from my weight & shape, to not too darn shabby in 6 months. It took him several years to get where he wanted to be,but he was looking pretty damn decent after 26 weeks.

The bad part is my wrists are getting to the point I need to wrap them. My left wrist started hurting first and I bought a wrap for it, next day, my right wrist is hurting! I wonder if this is what they meant by "no pain no gain"?

save money

I'm going to try to get a new car in August, so I need to start saving today. I have several ways I can save money.

1. Cut off my home phone. Think about it, do you REALLY need two phones? there's $50

2. I purchased cable TV. I don't need to watch TV and I was beter off without it. $45
*the sad part is, for about a $200 investment, I could rig it up to recieve free cable for as long as I had broadband internet*

3.I could give up Broadband and save another $45, but that ain't happening.

4.I can replace one daily meal with a sanwich from home in leiu of eating out and save anywhere from $85 - $150 monthly.

5. I stopped getting my hair professionally cut. I'm balding and it looks like crap no matter what I do. Set of clippers & $20 saved.

6. If I got really froggy, I could ride my bike for short trips and save $20 a month in gas.

7. Being a bit more stingy with my thermostat could get $20 or more off my power bill.

Potential saving could go as high as $240 a month. That would be more than enough to cover a car payment. Not to mention the cash I could save not driving a gas hog.

expert at nothing

I realized yesterday that although I have a broad and varied field of knowledge, I'm not really an expert on anything. I'd like to be the defintive "go-to guy" for something, but I'm not.

no lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk.

I'm working several days at the shop this week for a guy who's going on vacation. So I get a decent piece of extra cash for this month and it's already spent.

I trying to teach Robyn's youngest child to ride a bike. I used to be an avid mountain biker when I was younger and I'm trying to get back into it. Not only am I remembering how much I liked it, I think it will help shape my body more into what I want to look like.

Speaking of body building, I've been growing and making gains, but it has been noted that my gut doesn't seem to be going anywhere and it's getting frustrating. I know it takes years of determined effort to make a complete change, but I'd like a bit of a taper at the waist to look better. People at school saw me an hour after a workout and noticed I was pumped up and that is great ego candy, but I want some big results.

Actually, I want something to make me feel good about myself. I'm balding, and have been for about 10 years, my hair looks bad no matter what I do to it so I just buzz it off. I'm fat and I'm broke, my credit is so rotten I can't get a decent car. It seems as though even though I've joined the Credit Union, if your credit history looks like you never pay off your credit obligations, you're too much of a risk for them. So I can't get out of my embarrassingly ugly car and have a decent vehicle.

Everything I want is going to take me two or more years to accomplish, and it's so damn frustrating because there is no guarantee it's all going to be alright.

They say that when you're drowning, after a few minutes of initial panic, your mind starts shutting down and pumps your body full of endorphins to calm you down. As you succumb from oxygen deprivation, you are in a euphoric state, aka high. No real importance other sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of bullshit.

I wonder if that's why people hit rock bottom, they see no way out of their problems and they succumb to apathy, drugs, whatever and just give up.