Time Flies... But sometimes, I wish it wouldn't.

               I can't believe it has been over 2 months since my last post.  There has been nothing short of a whirlwind of activity here.  The sad thing is, I can't seem to recall what all the business was exactly.  I have seen summers fly by and years crawl by with the insane drudgery of life, but I do not ever recall a summer to go by so fast.  Like I said, I have been remarkable busy.  But doing what?

A portion of my summer was set to the unfruitful task of finding an internship.  The market was very dry and the excuses were abound as to why no one was hiring interns.  Another chunk of time was set the daunting and terrible upsetting labor of dealing with my grandmothers death and settling her estate.  I would've never dreamed the family that I held so dear could be so truly evil.  I pray for them, oh how I pray for them.

The day in and day out grind of just daily house and home stuff.  Not to mention the farm work.  Mind you the chickens and rabbits are by no means a heavy chore, nonetheless they are work.  I also had set about to get a new vehicle before school started.  Now. those of us who have taken on this great misery know how un-fun this can be!

The vehicle purchase went a little something like this: My Ford Explorer was slowly working its way to it's end.  It was decided that I would get a new vehicle.  I set out to find one through internet search and by stealthily perusing dealership lots.  I did find a really nice Toyota FJ Cruiser with low miles.  The sale went as could be expected but I did not have to go through the customary stomping, yelling, and fighting for the "best deal".  Instead our salesman was really pretty descent.  Not that we didn't have to haggle, the sale just went smoothly.

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

After signing on the dotted line and taking home my wonderful vehicle, I got a chance to really look it over.  I found a few flaws that the dealership graciously took care of.  I though to myself that this is unreal. I have never seen a dealership be so good to a customer in my years.  After getting it back I notice that a few things were not taken care of as they should have been.  Thus, my many returns to the dealership had begun. I have been back to them to redo and fix what they broke while fixing other things around 5 times.  I find this a bit excessive and outrageous that they couldn't just fix it right the first time.

After owning the FJ for about two weeks we thought it may be a good idea to re-evaluate insurance.  In sitting down with an agent we happened to notice the dealership screwed up our loan.  We were promised a price and payment that matched our budget for 48 months.  Somehow they managed to sneak in another year of financing.  Suffice it to say, a screaming match with the sales manager resulted in NOTHING!  They would do nothing for us and this is their mistake.  We foolishly did not go over the contract with a fine tooth comb before signing it and now we are stuck.  Interestingly enough the insurance agent we spoke to has the same thing happen to her with the same dealer, ending with the same result as ours.  If any of you want to know who this dealership is I will tell you but not on here.  I do not want to irritate the issue any further.

Now hear we are two weeks and classes start and where did my summer go?  Poof!  Gone!  History!  And I do not like it one bit.  I did not get any of the reading and prepping done for a couple of my classes.  I am going to have to cram some of that in this week.

On a good note, Rachael and I did get the opportunity to Bless her Mom and Dad by helping them seal their home.  They have a cedar sided home that needs to be sealed every so often.  We were compelled to help them and get this rather difficult task done in the small window the weather left us.  See, you need to let the sealer soak in for 2 to 3 day without rain.  As you all are aware for the past could of weeks it has rained inconsistently and hampered many a plans I'm sure.  We did get it done.  Her parents are ecstatic that ti is complete and it looks great.  I am so fortunate that I have wonderful in-laws and so blessed that we had this opportunity to help them.

As the school year nears I do not know how much time I will have to devote to the Blog, but I will do my best to keep you all up to date.

For now, thats the way I see it...

An Awakening...

It's kind of strange where one has epiphanies.  Rachael and I were out the other day at one of our favorite stores (REI), and stumbled across a t-shirt.  I have always been one of those suckers for a good bumper sticker, so why not put it on a t-shirt?  Well this shirt in particular had something rather profound written on it.

In the late 1800's, early 1900's there was a Cree Indian Prophetess by the name of Eyes of Fire that had made a prophesy a company by the name of Green Label saw fit to put on a t-shirt.  I would like you to really think about what you read as you take this in.  While ingesting these words please think about what you can do to change your ways.

The Cree Indian Prophesy says: "Only after the last tree has been cut down;
                                                     Only after the last fish has been caught;
                                                     Only after the last river has been poisoned;
                                                     Only then will you realize
                                                     that money cannot be eaten."

After reading this profound statement I came to realize that I am not doing enough to be kind to Mother Earth.  We recycle, limit the amount of trash we put in the landfill, almost never use plastic bags from the store, composting, raising some of our own food, and just overall trying to be more "green".  Some would say we are doing more than enough.  I don't think we are.

When will we as a people stand up to big industry and big brother and say NO!?  They need to stop destroying the world.  I suppose I need to say this now, as it may have come across your mind.  I do not believe in global warming for a whole host of reasons.  But that is for another rant at another time.  I do however, believe in green living and reducing our footprint.  Our world is changing rapidly every day.  Most may not notice as the change is gradual.   Our highly consumeristic society is tragically running this world right into oblivion.  I would be willing to bet that most children think that food comes from the store, where in reality food comes from the ground, through farmers hands.

I say buy local.  I say buy fresh from farmers markets.  Support your local farmers who are struggling to survive.  Buy in season, which means only buy food that will naturally grow in the US for that time of year.  Produce from other countries is not treated to the same standards as ours is.  It may have chemicals on it that are far beyond toxic to your family.

I recommend that you unplug the the electronics in your house that you are not using.  You would be surprised at your next electric bill if you do.  Electric rates are about to go through the roof as the caps come off just in time for winter.  So the time to change is now.  Go gradual.  You can't do it all over night.  But try to make some changes in your life that will help sustain you for the future.  Here is a great idea - get outside and grow a small garden with you children.  Teach them about the land and let them play in the dirt and have fun in the earth.

There are many websites out there that would be good resources for safe gardening.  Don't use chemicals on the food you grow.  Use manure for fertilizer, and food grade diatomaceous earth to kill the bugs on the plants.  We would be defeating our purposes if we planted and ate chemically ridden vegetables.  A good magazine to read is called Mother Earth News.  It can be found at your local book seller, or you can subscribe to them online.  Rachael has been reading it for a few years now and we have gotten many great ideas from them.

Please, I beg you, do you, your family and the world a favor and do something, one thing toward being kinder to the planet today.  Try to change one thing at a time.  Pace yourself to a new way of living.  Thats just the way I see it...

Wah I find most jaggin and laughable abaht picksburg...

I have lived in Pittsburgh on and off for over 10 years.  I have taken the time to learn the loved dialect known as Pittsburghese.  Mind you I do not speak it as is done here, I just have a learned understanding of the language.  With so many people who speak it, it would behoove one to learn it to prevent yourself from feeling like a stranger in a strange place.  I have also found if you say "Huh?" all the time you will be the one who sounds like the goof.

I go into supermarkets and here the announcements over the intercom done in this thick accent.  I have to ask myself, "Did they always sound like this, or are they trying to sound like a dummy?".  I'm sure this post will ruffle some feathers, but quite frankly, I don't care.  I feel it needs to be pointed out that one can embrace the culture here and not have to sound or talk like one of the dialectically challenged.  I mean, you guys sound ridiculous.


The Brooklyn accent is almost as bad, but at least the people are understandable.  Pittsburghers have created their own language.  While some may say that it's just the creative nature of the place.  Well I say, it makes you all sound like a bunch of dopes!  There I said it.

I will have to admit that it does make me laugh, how you have to raise your tone several decibels just to sound like a "true" Pittsburgher.  I certainly do get a kick out of this city and it's wild and wonderful people.

I realize that their language is very embraced here, and I am not saying the language should die, just evolve a little so the place doesn't feel so uneducated.  Sure, use the terms you grew up with, embrace the language that you love, just try for a moment to speak with some accentuation and without all the slurring of words.  I was listening to the radio the other day, and a fellow from Pittsburgh called in, his accent was so strong I could hardly understand him.  He was definitely a "South Side Johnny".  That is my term for people who speak with a thick Pittsburghese accent.

For those of you who want a taste of Pittsburgh, the website  www.pittsburghese.com has some very interesting features.  They have a translator that I used for the title of this post. They also have an extensive listing of the words used here, split up into nouns, verbs, adjectives, phrases, people, places, sports, and then some.  Feel free to humor yourself.

In closing I feel it should be said that I do really like this town.  I love its rich culture and diversity.  I even love its goofy language.  I may be contradicting myself a little in saying that, but you guys can really have an effect on people.  Today was just one of those day where I had to spout it off the way I see it...

Also, for those of you looking for a translation of the Title, it is: "What I find most annoying and laughable about Pittsburgh...

After yinz read this and in yinzes spare time hauscome don't yinz alls go on over and check aht da website and see wah being a picksburger is all abaht.

Chris the Alpaca Wrangler...

I spent the day with my wife and our friends at Highland Alpaca in Grove City, PA.  They have a fantastically beautiful farm with over 100 Alpaca.  It is quite an operation.  The main reason for our trip today was to help out with shearing.  Let me tell you this was more of an endeavor that I imagined it to be.  They had arranged for a Shearer to be there and shear 32 Alpaca and we were the assistants (with others who were also there to help).

As some of you know my wife and I have the dream of having Alpaca of our own one day.  So, we are taking every chance we get to gobble up all the experience we can and glean all the knowledge possible to ready ourselves for our next big adventure.

Pictured above is me and one of the Alpaca just after being shorn.  This can be rather stressful for them, as they have to be tied and drawn on the ground so they don't struggle and get hurt, or hurt the people shearing them.  And so, after shearing they usually have to take a minute to get their faculties before being returned to the herd.

The guys that were doing the shearing were very good and rather efficient.  They travel the country for 3 months solid shearing these wonderful creatures.  It can occasionally get messy and the Alpaca, when stressed, tend to spit, which really is just half digested grass and alfalfa.  But nonetheless, it stinks.  The fact of life is, if you have Alpaca you have spit.

One mess that happened to me occurred while I was holding one of the Sires and he decided it was time to pee.  And so he went, all over my leg, which happened to be under him at the time.  You can laugh I did.  It could have been worse.  Spit could've been added to the mix.

Here you can see one of the Alpaca stretched out on the ground during the shearing process.  This does not hurt them in the slightest.  In fact they submit quite nicely and don't really struggle at all.  Minus some of the fussy noises they make and spit they produce.  Spitting and noise is not a constant either.  Some do, some don't.

Rachael and I feel very fortunate to have been included today.  We have learned so much and are very eager to learn more.  And, can't wait to tend to our own herd one day.  There is plenty of information out there on Alpaca for those that are interested.  Also, if inclined, one could browse over to Highland Alpaca's website and take a look at all they have to offer.

I do believe I will sleep like a baby tonight.  I am already sore from all the activity today and know I will sleep great.  There is nothing like putting in a hard day and resting really good because of it.

The Next Chapter Begins...

Friday marked the day I said my goodbyes to my grandmother's house.  It really makes me feel old to say that I have known that place for 39 years.  I have spend a lot of time there.  Grown there, dreamed there, cried there, fought there, screamed there, but most importantly, learned to love there.  Grandma may have been many things to many different people (mostly good, mind you) but to me she was one of the purest forms of grace and perseverance through the storm.  She was a fighter and never ever gave up hope.  That home was always filled with warmth and love.  I will truly miss it.

This weekend is the first time in nearly a year that I do not have to leave my wife on Sunday to travel back for school.  What a relief that I can stay here and sleep in my own bed with my wife right beside me (and the dog in the middle as usual).  It feels good to be home to stay.

Getting settled and all of my stuff unpacked will be the next big chore.  It is amazing how much stuff I had up north.  I would've never thought that I had accumulated that much in such a short period of time.

As this next Chapter begins and the blank page lays there before me I can't help but sit and stare at it's pristine emptiness.  Knowing that as soon as I make one indelible mark the new journey has begun.  One Degree down and at the very least, one more on the way.  I will sincerely miss you Pitt Bradford.  I will miss all of the memories we have created together.  I will miss all of the friends and connections made.  It will be hard not to see all of you every day.  In some ways it feels like my safety net has been taken away and I must walk this tight rope all alone.  I just have to make the first step and the journey begins.

The relationships we build must always be cherished.  Never burn bridges they always say.  I now, fully know the truest meaning of that phrase.  The most important thing I have learned while at Pitt Bradford is not to place so much stock in what pen and paper say about you.  But, you should define your worth in the the relationships you have built along the way.  The friendships and alliances you have made will define you more than any grade or title they can give you.  The respect you have earned and the gifts you have given of yourself to aid others in their success will speak louder than any mark on a page.

To all of my professors, colleagues and friends at Pitt Bradford I wish all of you the best in your own personal journey.  I do hope, however, that you will all continue to be part or mine for the foreseeable future.  Because, I am not nearly ready to bid any of you adieu.

A bit of joy...

I have been wanting to get on here and add something new and exciting, but there really has been nothing new and noteworthy to report.  Until now.  I was just chatting with a friend who asked me how I did on my final exams.  I knew about 2 of them and happily reported that I earned A+'s.  Out of curiosity I checked to see if my final project had been graded yet.  It has, and I have also earned an A for that class.  This class being the class I dread, that I have mentioned in previous posts.  I did work very hard on that project and am rather pleased with the grade I have received.

I have one more final to go.  It is on Friday morning at 9am.  This is the class in which I complained about the test with the ambiguous questions that were not discussed and not in the book.  I am feeling pretty confident as this week has been rather productive as far as studying goes.

In a week full of ups and downs, today makes it all worthwhile.  Learning that I did so well on my project finally gives my mind some peace and has allowed me to exhale.  I have been nearly purple from holding my breath so long.  It is good to breathe a sigh of relief.

As each day ends, I draw nearer and nearer to the close of this chapter in my life.  I have so many people I need to thank for their instrumental roles in this theater called life. Though, I certainly will not list them all by name as this would turn in to something like "I wish to thank the Academy..." sort of speech.  And frankly, I just ain't going there!  Those people, however, I do hope they know who they are.  I thank you, all of you, for helping me to become who I am today.

These past two years have been years of great growth and maturity.  I have learned much in this time and relish the opportunity to sing all of your praises.  I could not have done it without you.  For a while there, I really felt my sanity was wavering, but I was brought back to earth through the kindness of friends and family.

Two more years to go and maybe more.  Who knows, but thats just the way I see it...

Mixed Emotions...

Maybe it's the rain.  Or is it more rejection added to the top of an already heaping plate?  It could be the emotions of moving on.  Moving on to a new stage in life; another fork in the road.  Leaving behind new friends, who's impact on me has yet to be fully felt.  Loss of security and heading off to somewhere old but new at the same time.  Trepidation fills my heart as I look forward to this new life and the old one left behind.  Or is it the same old life with a new spin?

Part of me is eager for change.  Another is screaming for things to stay the same.  I really really dislike change; my loathsome friend.  Sadly we live and change occurs all around us.  Something we just can't control, but beg, plead, kick and scream to resist.

These mixed emotions I feel today are so indescribable.  It almost feels like a hole is being torn in my soul(that might be a bit extreme). I would not say that I am depressed.  Just unusually sad.  I slept quite poorly last night.  Could that be a contributing factor?  I don't recall feeling this way last night.  I do wish some ray of light would appear to break this haze that has fallen over me.

As I take these steps into the future, maybe I, like everyone else has some fear of it.  I should not, though I guess I probably do.  It is not the fear of the future that plagues many regarding the age old question, where will I go when I die?  It has more to do with the uncertainty of tomorrow and the hollowness that it can sometimes bring.

What is most odd, I had many laughs today.   My day at school was fairly unremarkable, not unlike any other.  Small graduation/going away lunch for the graduates of the department I work for went well.  In light of the previous weeks events, I felt appreciated for all my efforts.  I will miss seeing my new friends and being a part of their everyday lives.  This almost feels like moving away from family.  I am happy yet sad, confident yet unsure.

It's just a very bizarre day.  One that I thought would improve with a little writing therapy.  I figured that sharing this would lighten my heart, and yet I feel surprisingly the same.  Blah!  I can hear a  friend say to me now, "stop being so damn emo!".  It's an inside joke we share.  Maybe one day I fill y'all in on it. You know, that actually made me smile.  Thanks Adam.  Whether you know it or not you just made my day.

This crazy life of mine; filled with rejection, sorrow, happiness... whatever.  Wow! I am getting far to poetic and dull.  It is time to stop this nonsense and get my head out of my backside.  The way I see it, I need to just get on with it.  If you have ever had a day like mine, think of a sarcastic funny moment.  It'll turn you around.  At least it just did for me.  How does it feel to witness a transformation right before your eyes?  Really, let me know.  Because this is pretty cool.

I officially feel better, and that's how it is!