Week off?

Friday was my last day at the service department for the city. I met with a few friends after work at Barleys in the old city. A good time was had by all and of course my good friend and blogger Tenn "mulberry" Jed was in attendance. The gathering was a nice way to end my 21 month tour with the Dyer bunch in Facilities Services.
I had about 60 hours of leave, so I decided to take a week off to prepare myself and meditate on the boot camp fire training starting next Monday. The 26 week training will have some intense moments I'm sure, so a week long "lull in the action" was deemed necessary. A bit of recliner time, and maybe some yard work, oh and I have been wanting to set up that hammock...

Lull in the action my foot!!

Saturday starts with an emergency plumbing repair for a friend. from there to a three game baseball tournament where the 3rd game goes into extra innings and that win set up a championship game for Sunday. First thing Monday, I buzz up to Oak Ridge to borrow an engine stand. The next 12 hours I spent swapping various brackets, pumps, and parts from the old engine to a new long block I had purchased for the 4runner my graduate will be taking to ETSU in the fall.
Today is more of the same, along with a visit to the physical therapist at 10. I expect to get a call to help install a door for another friend shortly after my PT appointment. If all goes well with the installation I will return home and try to finish the engine swap.
Tomorrow; grout in Farragut and install a light fixture downtown.

Thursday; ride along with engine 21, and another visit to PT Harden Valley.

Friday; Hopefully get the 4runner on the road, and get the Jeep ready for sale. At 5pm I'll go to the fire training center to get fitted for turnout gear.

Saturday; Another baseball tournament.

Sunday; Church. Baseball. Mow...

Back in the mid 80's when I first learned my trade. I worked for a guy who was quite a go getter, and would rarely slow down during the work day. When we would ask him if we could take a break, a 10 minute rest. He would respond, "You can rest when you die." As much of a work-a-holic jerk that he was... I think he was right.

Sea of People, Ebb and Flow

I have been putting off this entry for a while now. Mainly because after I blog about an event, it closes the page on that chapter and it's on to another event. Selfishly I would like my offspring to be close to home forever. I could be sure of their safety, make sure they are fed and properly clothed and perform all the nurturing parental duties we have come accustomed to over the past eighteen years.
The picture above is from my eldest boy's graduation. I held the camera high above the crowd in order to capture a precious moment of my boy in an embrace with a fellow classmate. It was such a bustle of activity; I could hardly single him out. He ebbed along with his celebrating friends and I flowed toward the door. I felt like Tom Hanks as he watched "Wilson" float away in Castaway.
Later on after I downloaded the photos to my HD, I found him amongst that sea of people. He was all smiles and proud of himself and his classmates, as he should be. I'm proud of him too; he has been a great example of a fine young Godly man. Good driver, talented, handsome, and able to make good decisions...when it's required.
So there...that's that...another chapter...our child has flown the coop...left the nest. I'll just keep going on with these blurbs... as long as I can. Maybe this way I can delay the inevitable.

Probably not.

Lucky 7's Ride Along

Not sitting on my couch tonight, my laptop and its hot battery not toasting my legs as I type out some monotonous details of our life with teens. This evening I come to you from the pits of Lonsdale in the shadow of Sharps Ridge, inside the brick walls of fire station seven, home of the "lucky 7's". For 91 years this building housed some of Knoxville's bravest firefighters. Tonight, under the fearless leadership of Captain Faddis along with Senior firefighter Mike Dyke and Firefighter Howard, live the privilege of my first ride along.

The day had been quiet until late afternoon when we responded to an apartment fire. 78 mph up I 75 lights and sirens a-blaring, fire and smoke. It was a fire, a small fire but still a fire. For someone to respond to a fire on their first day exposed to this line of work is pretty lucky. Not so lucky for the little lady who's now charred mattress lies in her yard.

In my 14 month trek to become a firefighter I have felt a barrage of emotions, questions and doubts. 13 hours into my firefighting career (be it a trial run) I'm confident of my path, I like this job. June 9th is the first day of training academy. Six months of intense learning and exercise. I can safely say I'm ready, and with the kindness and friendship of the squad seven blue shift I feel good about my new career choice.

She Drives Alone...

I clearly remember the day I first drove to school...alone. I had earned my driver's license earlier that week and my Mom allowed me to take our Chevy van to school. I was in heaven; I felt I had cornered the market on being cool that day.
This week that winsome event occurred once again. This time to my 16 year old girl. She had been waiting for this day for several months. As the end of the school year approached, I'm sure she thought it would not happen, at least not before they were out for summer vacation. On the eve of the last day of classes I agreed to give Mom a ride to work, leaving the 325i in the driveway for anyone who might want to drive it...to school or someplace like that.
It was an eventless trip for her, (eventless is good...very good). I would expect that from her. She is a very good driver. I have coached her from the right seat the best I could and she sat through a semester of Drivers Ed, so she has a good foundation to work from. All that said, it still scares me when she's out there alone.
This brings to conclusion yet another event; a step toward the inevitable separation of a child from the nest. It started somewhere around her first steps, then it was off to school, the graduation from middle school, along with the teenage birthday. "HEY!! Kids grow up and get a life of their own. Get a grip John!" I guess I'm alright with it, but it does tend to leave a small hole in my chest.

Second Pitch

Last summer the chemically assisted Barry Bonds broke Hanks Aarons homerun record. Whupty-do for him and MLB. More importantly in the world of baseball were the events at Knox Sports Park last Friday night. In the first game of a weekend tournament, and the first game of the Thunder Baseball summer travel season, My favorite player, #9, jacked his second pitch, a fast ball thrown at the hands, over left field wall. A winsome event for a proud Papa and an awesome display of athletic ability.
I don't claim to know anything about genetics, but I have been told that sometimes athletic abilities can be handed down from parent to offspring. I wish that were true for our family, but sadly it is not. I played baseball in high school... I was bad, very bad... and Mom... she would need to Google a map of the diamond to get back to home plate.
It seems that all our young have abilities that we don't share. From a keen fashion sense and artistic ability to musical talents, singing and playing multiple instruments, not to forget athleticism.
An enigma of sorts, isn't it? I'm not bothered by it, actually find it amusing. We must be doing something right because they keep on amazing us everyday.

Baked Basegasket

If I close my eyes and lean over the sink I can still feel the Sensations rolling as if I were still on board. Soon this tipsy feeling will be gone and all we'll have are memories of our first "real" family vacation. The four day cruise to Freeport and Nassau on the Fun Ship was a moderate success. Plenty of sunshine, food and fellow shipmates. Fun was had by all... I just wish they made a SPF 75

Enjoy the pics.

Basegasket Smoke Eater

How time flies. It's been over a month since I have posted here, and the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. So just to recap the happenings... I sold the Rodeo, bought a truck, the van broke, softball started, basketball ended, baseball started, I started running... Stop... Fast forward... to what prompted this post.
I got my letter...
It all started last April. I filled out a job application for the COK FD. Through all the testing, and physical fitness performance performances, I was interviewed, printed, drug tested and polygraphed. After that I was physically examined by some crazy redheaded female doctor. Then another 3 months of waiting... finally... I got my letter.

"Congratulations, you have successfully completed all the requirements for the
City of Knoxville Fire Department recruit training class."

In the regular world this process would have taken a max of 3 months, but in the world of Civil Service, almost a year, and get this - still no start date for the Academy. I'm very happy and excited about what lies ahead for me, but I have to admit it has been a very stressful time for me. At the tender age of 42, even in my wildest imagination, never did I expect to be in this position. Amazing!
So here I am - still waiting. I hope to get word of a start date in a week or two. Until then I'll get caught up on some side jobs, get the van running and did I mention, we cruise to the Bahamas for spring break? A nice prelude to 6 months of boot camp, ya think? I hope I can post from the boat. Check back around the 3rd week of March.
Only one disappointing note through all of this. Tennessee Jed started the employment process with me back in April. I only wish we could have done this together. Going through the boot camp without an (ally, partner, friend, someone to pick your head out of the mud... choose one) will definitely make matters worse.

Magnolia is Gone

She lasted about 5 days out in front of Mom's house. I had about 5 or 6 lookers, all with a creative method of trying to talk me down from my asking price. None but one actually had cash available to buy her, and he was the lowest bidder. "No way will I give you more than $3000! That's my final offer." exclaimed Mr cash in hand . Little did he know the spell that white Magnolia cast over him. With her crisp lines and flashy clean engine compartment, her interior aroma lingered in his nose... it probably kept him up at night. He could resist her no longer, his desires overcame him, he had to have his white magnolia.

He came up 200 bucks... I took it.

I took my bootie, went up the street and paid cash for a 99 Rodeo for Fashionchicka. She likes it.

Feeling Better

Cold and windy here in the great white north. We haven't seen the sun in a week, but I'm feeling better never-the-less. We woke up to a fresh coating of the white stuff, about 4 inches. I thought I would venture out in it and get some wood put up for the day, give Dad a break, and give myself a chance to see if I miss this sort of thing. The jury was back almost immediately... still hate it! Looks pretty on postcards but there is something about working outside in the nasty weather for 15 years... just changes a guy. Looking forward to returning back to our scrappy little warm city.
The visit has allowed us to rekindle friendships with some "long losts" from our old church. We had parted ways when we left the church. Strange situation worth blogging about in the near future, very entertaining at the least.

Raymond and Joe

The kids have enjoyed the stay, visiting friends, touching base with cousins and even a trip down the slopes of Holiday Valley.
The greatest thing about Cuba, NY by far is... Nana and Papa's house. Great food, cozy atmosphere, and loads of love and laughter.

Nana's House

All I want for Christmas is Intestinal Colic

The closer we got to Western New York, the pain got worse. A rolling pain in my gut similar to the contractions my wife described during birth, except not as severe... yet. I could ignore it no longer, round about midnight we headed for the ER over in Wellsville, NY.
Just before we arrived at the hospital, the gut wrenching contractions stopped. I still felt like crap. My belly felt like that guy in the first Alien movie just before the creature popped out of him. I made it to the ER, but I was completely wore out and just about went down in the waiting room.
I regained most of my composure lying on the gurney as the nurse started an iv and hooked me up to various machines. They sent me through the big magic donut (CT) with contrast to see what the problem might be. The image was sent all the way to the land down under to be read by some doctor in Sidney. One hour later the doctor announced the scan was normal. I lay there dozing off until 6am when the doc told me I could go home if I felt good enough. Intestinal colic is what he thought it might be. Don't know why nor how... just happened.
I slept until 1:30 today and had a bit of soup to eat. I'm still not very hungry. Very odd for me.
Stay tuned, I'll let you know how I'm doing in a few days.

20 point lead

Look at that Hair!!

I make it to almost every game, camera in hand and a plan of attack to get the best shot. Most of the teams we play are pretty much equal in skills to our team. Every once in a awhile we encounter an opponent with a not so gifted group of middle school BB players.
Such was the case this week in Lake City. The first squad racked up a large lead, and by the second half my favorite player was told to check in. From the second he stepped onto the hardwood, my shutter never silenced.
A commanding performance from the second string kept the lead to the end of the game. Even more impressive, number 15, showed energy and charisma through the last two quarters. What a great night!
I will continue to attend games to the end of the schedule. Sitting in the top row and camera in hand. Watching closely for that nod from the coach, and the OK for my favorite player to play.
All games are won by some margin, 2 points, 3 points, whatever right? Not for me. It's not a good match-up unless we have a 20 point lead.
Bring on that second string!!

Griswold, no. A bit overboard... Definitely

Our Home Christmas 2007

Last year we won the sub-division Christmas decorating competition here in the luxurious Gulfwood neighborhood. Not able to win two years in a row and against my better judgement, I put up lights anyway and even went bigger this time. Added this season; 3 reindeer, 3 wisemen, 4 triangle trees and blanket lights in my pear tree (actually Taxus baccata yews).

I had too, after all - its the meaning of Christmas... isn't it?

Neighbor Tom

Oh - and the idol threats from neighbors, "I'm gonna out-do you this year Basegasket, just wait and see!" , didn't help either.

Sister Second Place. I'm so proud of her

Then there is my sister just down the street. She comes across like a non-competitor, then makes 4 trips to Walmart for more lights... a day! She bought so many lights you can see her house from satellite images.
All in good spirits and holiday fun.
And the real winner is... LCUB!! My electric bill will be about $75 more this December.
Merry Christmas you corporate thugs!

Project Magnolia

I've always considered myself a pretty good shade tree mechanic, and I have collected a fair amount of tools along the years. Both attributes came by force of design, and not by choice. I could never afford a vehicle that didn't need repair and I could never afford someone to fix one for me. A collection of Chilton's repair manuals matching all the rides I drove through the years sits in a box in the attic waiting to be listed on eBay.
Project Magnolia, credit to Tennessee Jed for naming her, has sent me back to Borders Books to buy yet another repair guide and bust some knuckle. This time for a 97 Jeep Cherokee.
Given name; Basketcase, my white elephant seemed like a money pit at first, but has turned into a cash cow. Yes, I have thrown some parts at her; Fuel pump, water pump, radiator, front brakes and rotors, t-stat and new carpet... so far. I'm getting her into ship shape before the reinsertion into Craigslist. With a book value of about $3800, Sweet Magnolia could yield some payola... Cha Ching!!! All Right!! X-tra cash!!!

I don't think so... Remember this post? Visa Commercial.

More to come

So much to blog about... So little time

Whether it's side work, overtime, boy's "A" basketball, project magnolia, or one of any thousands of events going on in the house, there is always something preventing a minute or 2 to sit and post a bit.
There are many exciting things going on around here and I'm chomping at the bit to tell you, like the job situation and letters of recommendation; you just have to hear about that. There's the x-ray where they found a very foreign object in my chest cavity, betcha can't wait for that one. The antic's at Commiserateville, living with teens, Jed and me on the square. Oh and I have to tell you about my new partner at work... you'll love this guy.
Even now I have to rush off to work. Sorry, we'll catch up soon!

PS Christmas lights on the house... 20,000 of them! Pictures coming soon.

Basketcase Basegasket

The Greatest web site in the world, craigslist has yielded yet another gem. 1997 Jeep Cherokee, 102k miles and bone stock. I can't tell you how much I paid for it, but after the guy signed the title over to me, it was on the trailer and gone in 60 seconds!
No it won't start and I think the tranny is bad. It has a layer of mold on it and the interior is trashed. The intake manifold was recently vacated by some neighborhood squirrel. The taillight is broken along with the driver's seat. Needs a battery too.
Officially a basketcase, a term used by my biker friends referring to a motorcycle too far gone to repair without loosing your ass, I felt bad for the neglected orphan sitting in the driveway. The family abandoned her for 2 years, and selling her only to make room for a gas grill or something. How sad!!

:-(

I'll get the power washer out tomorrow and blow off the years of neglect and rodent poop. Get the two year old gas out of the tank and get her a new battery. Get her running... see if she'll go to Sonic for a corn dog and a sweet tea with me.
What should I name her?