WTF?

I haven't been writing much lately for a few reasons but mostly I have been super busy and things have just been pissing me off lately. I try not to write as much when I'm angry or down (or drunk) because its just a lot of nonsense and it honestly gets old when people just continually bitch and moan. Hopefully things get better post haste, the plays will soon be here and gone and the stress that brings will be lifted and free up some of my time. I will say one of the things that helped me relax during the week was my pool league. That has now changed.

I look forward to the beer on Tuesday nights now more than actually playing pool. Two reasons for this, first off my team has begun the season playing teams that far surpass our skill level. This isn't that big of a deal because like I've said before I just enjoy (or enjoyed) playing pool but to constantly get beat hard core has an affect on you. Second, this Tuesday night league has become so political in nature it's effing ridiculous. I'm not sure if we're playing pool or if we're recanting rules, regulations and watching every game with a microscope to show off how much we know and understand the rules, instead of having a good time. So this will most likely be my last Tuesday night year.

Now before you say "But Chad, it IS a league and rules are there to clearly define legality of play because the top winning teams get prize money and the winning team gets to go to Vegas and play. You are just mad because you suck at pool." To that I respond, agreed, but I believe that having a good time about it is important as well. I have placed in a position to win money and honestly, that money ain't gonna change my life and if I did place high enough to go to Vegas I am sure it wouldn't last long.


Anyway, like I said, this bitching and moaning stuff has got to go and be replaced with better commentary on the finer side of things...Like the concert I'm going to on the first! Puscifer has become a new favorite of mine. I think it has to do with the complexity of the sounds generated and the changing nature it has. It's clearly hard to define as a genre and even harder to explain the inherent beauty I find in it. The last show I saw of theirs, which incidentally was their first, was amazing. It's a mixture of moods, music, friends, videos, comedy and wine. This should be fun and hopefully let me regain something of my soul.

Argh!!!

I sit here with a can of MTN DEW wondering what to write about. I blame the iPhone. I have the kids this weekend and we have a lot planned. There is a Family Fun Fair at Rocket Park and this weekend marks the 100 year anniversary of Inyokerns' founding and there is a bunch going on for that. So I should have a lot to write about soon. I really need to write every night before bed, good stuff or not, I've never claimed this was going to be gold, or enrich your life in any way.

Last weekend I went to Vegas to see friends from WA. What a great trip. We went on an ATV ride with Awesome Adventures. Not only was it a fun ride but they took us into an old gold and silver mine and gave us a little history lesson about the area. The lunch they provided was top notch as well. They have built a little ghost town that you ride out to where they have a BBQ set up. Lunch was corn on the cob, beans, and chicken all very tasty. After you eat lunch you ride around a bit more before heading back in. A great way to spend a few hours away from Vegas.

We also went to Dicks Last Resort for dinner in Excalibur. It was fun and I was made fun of the second I stepped in. It seems people can spot me from a mile away because the guy was across the room with a microphone, its just too bad I'm deaf and didn't hear what was said. There was also a girl walking around handing out balloon...sculptures. My friend was the B-day boy and got a naked stripper on a pole. Me? I got a gigantic penis, complete with testicles and, um, lets just say... well, I'll add the picture. The best part was when she was tying it around my waist she basically went down on me. All in all a good trip.

Holy crap I've been busy.

So I got back from Vegas and just kinda hung around the house with the kids playing video games. I talked to the kids about Christian and I and after a look that could only mean "Dad, you're a dumbass." I talked a little more specifically about our differences and how she wanted Children in the future and I didn't. Audrey asked me "Why?" and with a little confusion I said "Well, I have you guys. I don't want to share my love with anybody else." With out a drop of a hat Jeremiah said "Well, I wouldn't mind." to which Audrey replied "Yea! I want a little Sister...Or a nice Brother." Andrew didn't seem interested all that much and was just playing video games. Teenagers, what can you do huh? So now I have no idea where I'm at. My decision of no children was mainly based on the children I have now, but they may have a point. I love children and its not like Christian wanted kids tomorrow. So we will see what the future holds.

The kids went back to their moms and I went off to Albuquerque to help move my brother and his family back there. It was a long drive because I followed his truck and going mostly 65 mph but on the plus side, I got 60+ mpg from Flagstaff to Albuquerque. We didn't do really anything while we were there, just unpacking and getting stuff together. We did go as a large group, my brother Shays family, my sister Raeshas family and I, to Turtle Mountain Brewery for a dinner. I had their signature Mac & Cheese, sooooo good and I got a growler of T.M.B.C. I.P.A. (that's Turtle Mountain Brewing Company's India Pale Ale) The day before I had taken a break to go see my Brother In Law play hockey on the Ice Skating Rink I spent many hours on as a child. It was a lot of fun but I had to leave early to meet with a guy for a possible movie role. I met this guy at a Denny's, he seems passionate about films but I'm not quite sure I'm gonna go for it or not. Something just feels off about it, nothing major, just not sure I'm the guy for this project.

I left Albuquerque and stopped in Flagstaff to spend the night with a friend of mine. I got into town and we went to Beaver Street Brewery for lunch. I had a Meatloaf Sandwich that was amazing and I got a growler of their Nut Brown Ale which made the trip back to RC with me and is chilling in the fridge. After lunch we went back to the house to wait for her boyfriend to get off work and when he did he had to help a friend of theirs install some plumbing so we just kinda hung out and watched him work.

The next morning I headed off to Jerome, AZ. A four hour side trek, two hours there and two hours back to where I needed to be. The drive was incredibly breathtaking. When I got to Jerome I immediately had a feeling of deja vu. The town is literally on the side of a mountain and driving on its streets is a dizzying experience due to its switchbacks and hair pin turns. The longer I spent there the more I realized I had been there before, maybe twenty years ago or so. The feeling of meeting back with myself is a strange yet calming, satisfying experience. I went to Jerome for two reasons, the Puscifer store and Caduceus Cellars. I got myself a Puscifer belt buckle and some wine and wine paraphernalia. The stores, the town and the 30 or so minutes I spent in them, were very much worth my four hour add on.

This is how I love to paty on Friday nights.

I had my children with me this weekend. It was great. On Friday it was my daughter's birthday. I took her, my boys and my girlfriend to a new place here in town called RC Bouncers. (www.rcbouncers.com) It's a pretty cool place but, seems a little strict. You have to go over the rules before you play. OK, no problem. You can't run. OK, two kids smashing into each other at light speed could be disastrous. No belts or piercings or poky stuff. OK, I dig. Piercings could get ripped out and belts or poky things could cause a major tare resulting in injuries or death.
OK, rules are fine and dandy but as my chillins began to frolic about, I noticed some rules not stated in the "Rule Meeting" one such rule as "I will blow my loud obnoxious whistle at you to get you to stop whatever it is you are doing." Getting someones attention and blowing a whistle in an inclosed space are two different things. The other rule I noticed seemed to be "No bouncing". This troubled me greatly as they tout "Bouncing" in their name. Seems strange to me but the kids had fun and I will definitely take them back.
After the bouncing we all went to John's Pizza for; dinner, friends, gifts and... so the kids could continue playing. We all had a wonderful time. Audrey got a few gifts in the form of money, which was quickly turned in for tokens. Everything else was Hanna Montana, well except for the socks which she did actually love. She turned in her tickets at the end of the night, got what she wanted and was a very happy birthday girl.

Another one bites the dust.

Another year goes down in the history books. I have been thinking about this year a lot and I figure this was probably one of the more interesting years of my life. Not good, not bad, just interesting. It started off with my wife of seven, almost eight, years wanting a divorce. That started out ok but soon took a turn for the worse. I got over it but am still awaiting said divorce. I then got a girlfriend, a hot little number who up until then was just a friend from school. We never hung out or even talked much but I gave it a shot and am very happy I did.

I moved to Albuquerque for a few months with my Brother and his family and worked on two films. I moved back to R/C, went to school and became the V.P. of the Theatre Arts Club. My Grandfather passed away. I went to Washington for the funeral and saw family and friends I hadn't seen in years.

My other Brother went back to Iraq for his 2nd tour, this time armed with a camera. My computer died. I went to the Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta ( I actually went back and fourth to Alb. probably ten times) Thats all that pops up at the moment but I'm sure there are many more smaller stories and adventures. I wonder what 2009 has in store for me. Hope you all have a wonderful, safe and happy new year.

I awoke this morning to rain which quickly turned to snow which inadvertently will become slush due to the already wet ground. The weather looks like it should hold this way for quite sometime. I am going to be heading up to my old house today which is a few hundred or so feet higher in elevation than where I currently am. The snow should be sticking there I assume. I am also headed to a Christmas party for my sisters work. I am going to pick something up from Wal-Mart so i may participate in the gift exchange, that should be fun.

Yesterday I went to the natural history museum with my Sister, her Husband, two of my Nieces and one of my Nephews. We had a lot of fun, I took pictures but they are very similar to pictures I have taken there in the past just with different people so thats cool.

Off in a flash.

So I am now in Albuquerque. I am using my Sisters computer because mine is still a ginourmas paper weight. I drove through all night like I usually do, got here, had some breakfast, watched a movie and then fell asleep. I awoke to the sounds of Full House and thought "Well, I need to get out of this room." I guess I could have changed the channel because no one was watching it but I didn't feel like it. No plans today but I'm sure I will have plenty to write about on this trip.

Before I left R/C I gave someone my old '56 Ford pickup. We picked it up off of my ex's Mom's property. It's a project I was supposed to have done for my 16th birthday and seeing as its been ten years and nothing has happened with it, I gave it to someone whom restores cars so I feel good about where it is going. There was another car out there I think that was left for me, a 1966 Ambassador I think, but I couldn't get another trailer lined up before I left for Alb. I hope it's still there when I get back. If it is I will be extreamly happy. This car requires much less work and is very special to me.

If you have not been told already, I'm an asshole.

I'm not here to talk shit and I will do my best not to in the future, but I promise nothing. That being said my ex-wife, or more apropreatly my, "I wish you were my ex" wife has crossed a line. I have been trying my best to move forward in this matter and have been metting a brick wall. I just want it said clearly and plainly, if she has painted me in a bad light or talked trash in the past it's more than likely only a half truth, her side of the story. After some recent events I have decided to stop being nice. She has acused me of "bulling" her and now I have decided to own up to the moniker. What I am saying is, now if she says something bad about me, its more than likely true from this point on.

We got the stuff man.

Today Christian, Brittney and I went to Wal-Mart and Mervyns to get our "Teen" some gifts. We did it on behalf of the Theatre Arts Club, they all voted to take out of our account $100 to buy gifts with. Our Teen is 13 years old and is spending her holiday season at a womens shelter. We bought her an awsome CD player and threw in some headphones so she dosent bother anyone else. We also got her some shirts, haircare items and a winter set of matching gloves, scarf and hat. We spent a lttle more than $100 but we just took it out of our own pocket, why not huh. These are the things I ran for V.P of the Theatre Arts Club for. More good deeds to come soon.

Homeward bound.

Well my computer in now an ex-computer. It crashed the other night and I can not get it to turn on at all anymore. It had a good run and I should be able to get the info off the hard drive. This is my last night in the town of my birth. I have much to say but am leaving soon to get to the hotel by the airport for my early flight. My Grandfathers funeral was nice and I held up well, on the outside at least. I never have done well with these kinds of things but amazingly I didn't come unglued.

The speaches were beautiful as was the entire service. Many people know me as an over abundent picture taker but I took no pictures, save one... from the grave site looking out towards Mt. Rainer. My Grandfather took many many slides of the mountain and it was a clear enough day to see it. The rest I will save for my memory alone.

Old friends new friends.

I guess I should really call this "Friends from long ago" as to not imply that, A) My friends are old and 2) well I can't think of two at this point, my mind seems to have gone blank... Anyway, that being said I went out with a long time friend of mine last night and her boyfriend. I have known Nikki for... well for a long long time. My Father worked with her Mother up here in Washington and we were born in the same hospital. Not quite sure we met at that age but whatever. The first time I remember meeting her was in good old Ridgecrest when I moved there in the 5th grade. She a birthday party I was invited to and when my Dad walked me to the door her Mom answered and they both were suprised to see eachother in the same town, let alone tiny little R/C.

So anyways, we went out and had a great time. We only had time for one beer because she had to work in the morning but still it was good to see her and finally meet Tony. He seems pretty cool. He seems like a quiet guy but still like I said we only hung out long enough for a beer. We are all going to try and get together tonight because she doesn't work in the morning, he does but he owns his buissness so he can go in when he feels like it. It's great being up here amoung friends and family I just wish the circumstances were diffrent.

Part 2

Before we went to Sea World I was informed that my Grandfather had passed away. This saddens me greatly. I have not seen him in a few years but that in no way means I loved him any less. He lived in Washington for many years and that made it a little harder to visit him while I was in other states. I spent the first 5 or so years of my life in Washington as well and spent many days at his ocean front home with my Grandmother and him.
I am currently in Washington awaiting the funeral. I have had to miss this final week of play practice and I am sorry for that but I think, as do others, I have made the right choice. I will be back in R/C for the performances so the show will go on. I will write about the trip we did at Sea World soon but for now I will be visiting with family I have not seen for a few years now.

Thanksgiving Part 1

So far the Thanksgiving weekend is going great, with only one minor hicup. My ex has let me have the kids for Thanksgiving which was awsome. The hicup is the time that was determined. Rather than being clear and definate, I was a little vauge with when they would be returning. Not on purpose, just because I didn't know exactily what we were doing or how long we would be. We all went out of town to my sisters house for Thanksgiving dinner and after that we went down to the San Deigo area with my brother and his family. We are taking all our kids to see a stage show and to Sea World and wont be back in R/C until Sunday. Part of the problem is that (I think) she hates my guts so if anything dosen't go her way, I'm doing it to be an asshole. Anyway, so the kids and I left Thursday morning to go to my sisters. My boys rode with my mom and my one of my nephews and I took my daughter and another nephew. The trip to my sisters is a long one, it took us about four hours. Before we left I filled my 52oz football cup with Mountain Dew so we needed a bathroom break which we took somewhere in Bear Valley. We stopped a second time just before going on base to put a person in my car that had a badge to get on base. As we were stopped in fornt of a BK my oldest son begain to spew red vomit like he was posessed. I found out he had been chowing down on some licorice. drinking soda, and rocking back and forth in the back seat of the car. Ahhhh, the best part of road trips, the person who gets car sick. I didn't expect it from him, usually its my middle child that gets sick but hey, what good are kids if they don't keep you on your toes. He finishes up and were back on the road for the last mile or so. We arrived at my sisters at about 12:30 and the feast was ready maybe 30 minutes later, which was good because by that time all the 52oz of Mountain Dew had givin me the shakes. We sat down and had a Thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat and watch some football. After the Seahawks royal beating we took some family pictures, visited and all that then headed on down to my brothers house. I followed my brother and he took a wrong turn somewhere and got us a few miles off course, but he pulled over and we put it in Rollie's nav computer and off we went, only about 15 miles out of the way. It was actually a very nice drive, I don't mind being lost, you see things you otherwise would never see. So here we are in Temecula, today; Old Towne and the Christmas show at the Welk. Tommorrow; Sea World and the happiest kids on earth.

I wept like a child.

Yesterday I took a trip with my Theatre Arts Club to see a production of The Laramie Project in Bakersfield. I have been in this play here in Ridgecrest but being in a play and seeing it are two different things. Some things I saw I thought they did better and some things I thought we did better. Either way, I cried like a child who just dropped their ice cream cone in the dirt. It still amazes me with what degree people hate. Hopefully the world changes soon. Speaking of change, the "Classic Movie Night" we did went off great! We had over thirty people attend and got tons of food for the Salvation Army. One person brought in 9 cans alone. It actually gave me hope that people really are good. We are planning another "Classic Movie Night" for the Christmas season so keep checking back for details.

Weekend.

My weekend has started off pretty well, I get to have my kids and some family members from out of town are going to be here too. When I was growing up I was close to my cousions and I hope my kids are too. Last night Christian and Audrey made cookies together and we each got to decorate one. The boys and I have been playing games together today, mostly call of duty 4 but now that I have wireless internet we can play computer games together as well. Yesterday I went to the newspapers in town and asked them if they could interview/run a story about the Theatre Arts Club and all we have planned, they both agreed and I think it's actually me thats going to be interviewed, thats kinda cool. We have been doing alot with the club and I just want to get the word out that we are actually doing someting.

I bought a snowboard!

I have been snow boarding once in my life when I was maybe fourteen or so. I now own a Burton snowboard. Board and bindings $45. I cant wait to fall on my face with it!

Early to bed, early to rise.

I didn't do much yesterday evening so I decided to go to bed early. I stayed up for SNL for the first time in a long time then headed off for sleep. Now as many of my readers (all three of you) know, 1:00 a.m. is early for me. I didn't want to go to sleep I was just bored so I took a pill to aid in my battle with insomnia, nothing big, just an over the counter melatonin. I actually had great sleep and an amazingly realistic dream that I can not recall at this time. I woke up early this morning, messed around on line for a bit and watched football. I finally decided to take a shower, and help my girlfriend move a few boxes at her house. I then went over to a friends house to watch more football. I was battling it out for first place in my division in my fantasy league and I kicked ass. Now I'm home for the sunday night line up on fox...Hope tomorrow is more eventful.

I must be slipping.

I did the final night of the spook house and it went great, I made kids cry :) As I was there until 11 I was unable to go to a party and that annoyed me a little bit but we all must make sacrifices for the things we want to do. Not to mention I could spend some alone time with my girlfriend. That being said I woke up feeling great, no hangover and I'm up early. I decided to check on some blogs and had more to read than I really wanted but I read anyway. During the day yesterday my girlfriend and I carved pumpkins and my friend came over and we started writing our movie again. He had moved away and it made it a little difficult to work on but getting back into it, we have made some good changes. I can't wait to get back into acting for a living, right now I am doing it but not being paid and not being paid makes it hard to live.

Final night.

The CLOTA spook house's last night is tomorrow night from 6 to 11 at the U.S.O. building in Ridgecrest. It's a lot of fun everyone should go. I am also going to be helping out the boys and girls club like I do every Friday, carve pumpkins again and start work on my movie once again. The person I am writing this with and I have decided to get the damn thing done. We are now going to treat it as it should have been from the begining, like work. Another fun filled weekend.

Quick week, long weekend.

This past week has gone by rather quickly, well up until this weekend that is. I did my regular stuff during the week, school mostly but my pool leauge started this tuesday and that was fun, even though I had to play a killer team. On friday though all my Theatre Arts Club stuff begain. It started off with preview day at the college. I woke myself up early, which is a rarity, and got up to the college by 9:30 A.M. What we all did was put on a quick little 30 minute improv show for the high school students before they took tours of the school. It was great, they are a tough crowd but we got them laughing and participating with us. We did have two little slips, one of us made fun of the college and another said "shit" Not to big a deal but I hope we dont get into trouble for it. After our show we hung around and passed out some fliers about the theatre degree we offer and we promoted the hell out of our car wash which was to be held the next day. We finished up there and I went and got myself ready for the spook house I'm helping out with. I play the young priest from the exorcist movie. It started around 6:00 P.M. and went until 11:00. We scared the crap out of some people, it was great. My favorite is when high school boys run out screaming. When it was over I went home to go to sleep. I got up the next morning early again and went to our car wash to help set up. I had to be at the spook house by 9:00 A.M. because we were doing one during the day for the younger kids. I dressed up as a Ghostbuster and if anyone needed me, I was there to zap away the ghosts. It was amazing how old some of the people were that wanted my help. I did that until 3:00 P.M. when it closed. I had to be back at 5:00 P.M. to change myself back into the priest. There was a street fair going on so I just stayed there, got a bite to eat and walked around. I went back to work and didn't get done until 11:00 P.M. and let me tell you, my feet were hurting bad. So today I took it easy, football and a couch, thats it.