BLOGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2009

BLOG HOME

WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4

Week ending Sep 27th, 2009
Sad week....

I said goodbye to the Bandit on Tuesday. Needed a tad more $$ for a down payment on a house that I thought for SURE I was going to get. Nope, got out-bid again (I'm still scratching my head at these people who are far overpaying for houses out here. The market just flat out isn't going to stay like this forever and yet they still bid far higher than they should!).

It was sad watching the buyer ride off with it, knowing how much work I had put into the bike. Over the course of six years I had probably invested around $6,000 with all the modifications to the bike. But the buyer, as soon as he started it and revved the bike up, he knew that I had done a really good job with the motor. "Most responsive carbureted bike I've ever heard!" was his quote. He really liked it and I am glad that he's happy with his purchase.

So -- now I have no street or race bike, just a dirt bike -- but my savings account is looking pretty decent. I am wondering if I should even stay in the US now. I have seriously wanted to move to Europe for years and I thinking if I can't buy a house and I really have nothing (but my family back East) keeping me here, then why not look to Europe? I really love the history that is wrapped in Europe. We'll see what happens. I love my job and love what I do and I am certainly eligible to take any job transfer that comes along.

I do wonder what I would do with my new truck though. I don't think it would be wise to try and ship it overseas (and I think it's prohibitively expensive). I suppose I would have to sell it or store it somewhere if I can't sell it. In that case I'd probably drive it to Florida and let my sister and bro-in-law maintain it for me as long as I am making payments ;)

Speaking of my job, I am actually doing a LOT of engineering at work. I mean the kind of Engineering I thought I was going to do when I was hired! Lots of testing and re-testing (I know, sounds boring to some!) but the work that I am doing now will pay many dividends in the long run. We'll see what happens. Both me and my team lead are really excited about the work we're doing right now.

Also at work, one of my good friends last day at our office was Friday. He is moving to Texas though he is going to stay on our team. Gonna miss that dude, he was a lot of fun to hang out with. I hope you have a safe trip today bro and we'll talk to you tomorrow on IM :)

Well I have to finish cleaning the house and doing my other chores. I have a guest coming over and we're headed to dinner and the movies. Hope you had a fantastic week and I'll talk to you later!!!

B.

Week ending Sep 20th, 2009
So this was a much more quiet week than last week. I've actually spent a lot of time looking at houses again. I found a few I like but again, the bidding wars are going off like crazy. I was thinking at this point that if it's in God's plans for me to have a house, it will happen. If not, then maybe some other plans. Maybe not even staying in the U.S.?! haha.

I actually have the opportunity to go visit a friend who lives in Ireland and I am thinking I might do that for my vacation. My passport expires in March so I should go soon. I was thinking I would hang out there for a few days then head over to Scotland and England to visit some of the cool places. I definitely want to go to Stonehenge as well.

This was the first weekend in a long time that I wasn't feeling well on a Church day. It started with my PC video card exploding (figuratively, not literally!). So I had to cart myself to the most dreaded store on the planet: FRYS. Can't stand the place because it's always packed and their items, even though they are cheap, are sometimes repackaged/repaired USED items. Anyway, I had a headache most of the day which ended up turning into a mild migraine. So I stayed home, took lots of tylenol and rested.

I got up this morning (Sunday) feeling much better. Since we had a softball game, I decided to set the TiVO and record the Bucs game. As I sit here writing this and watching the game, I really don't see the Bucs doing anything this year. Anyway, I went to the game and once again we were one player short. It turns out our best player was recruited by another team and didn't show up to our game. It would have been nice for her to tell us (yes, it's a her and she's good!).

I played OK. None of the balls were hit right to me. And since we were one player short I had to cover all of left field and most of left center. We have players who can't run very well and they want to play outfield. It's ok, I mean we all play for fun. I ended up 4-5 with 3 RBI but we still lost 27-8. That's sort of what happens when you have a rag-tag bunch of free agents. I am going to see about joining and established team next season.

Other than that, there isn't much else to say about this week. Work was fine though I tend to get frustrated at times. I am learning to be patient though because I hope people will be patient with me as well.

That's it for now. Hope you have a great rest of your Sunday and enjoy the games!

B.

Week ending Sep 13th, 2009
Decent but busy week. Not going to write much other than to say it was great to hang out with my friend John and his family for big birthday number 30! I had a great time hanging out and it was good to roll back in my old crib for a while (Orange County). Good to see things haven't changed much.

One thing is for sure, I need a vacation! I'm feeling a bit worn down from far more fun than a person should be having.

Time to get some sleep. I'll write more next week. Suffice to say I am beat! Have a good one!

Week ending Sep 6th, 2009
Well, what a fantastic and LONG (and much needed) restful weekend. How was yours?

There was a lot going on this week work-wise. I had a project that needed to be done by the end of the week. But wouldn't you know it, a co-worker's wife went into labor while I was in the middle of finishing up and I was the only one who could leave and take him to the hospital. So I took him, I think it was Thursday, around 3pm, went the gym and did my work out, then came back and worked until the evening to get the project done. It's all good though. I know he was very thankful that I helped him out and really, it wasn't that big of a deal.

This weekend I got to hang out with friends and have a lot of fun just relaxing in the sun. We didn't have any softball games nor do we have any next week so that gives me a little rest. I really like playing though and it's good comrade. I managed to stay out of trouble so that's always a good thing eh?

On Saturday I got to speak to Pastor Bob for a little while. He had just gotten back from Africa so he was energetic. The service was longer than usual but that's ok. I always walk away learning something new about my faith and I am continuing to be fed and grow. Always a bonus!

As I sit here and write this, I am waiting on someone to come by and look at the Bandit. I hope I finally sell it because there is a house in Linda Vista that was a short sale and it looks like I am the winning bidder! It was completely refurbished a few years ago with granite in the kitchen, paint, etc. It even has a very large spot to the side for parking an RV. I guess if this deal goes through I finally ended up with a spot to park my racing trailer -- but no racing trailer or bike anymore, lol. I'll figure out what to do with that space somehow. The yard is big (front and back) and yes, I will get a hot tub with a TV and grill outside to make for summer fun!

One funny story. I went to the store yesterday and while waiting in line (which is close to the front doors) I hear this horn start honking. A few times at first, then progressively getting long and longer until the horn is blaring non-stop. I look out the window and see the car only no one is in it. There is just a dog sitting in the front seat -- and he has his paws on the horn, tongue hanging out and tail wagging.

I start laughing and saying "Hey that dog is blaring the horn." In front of me in line is an older couple. They turn around, look at me and with a dead stare say "Yeah, he does that all the time...." Apparently he wanted them to hurry up and get back to the car. Now that was hilarious. He did not stop blowing that horn until they walked out of the store :)

Well that is about it this weekend. Lots of other stuff going on as well but we'll talk about that later. Have a fantastic rest of your week!

B.