The waiting game is much like the silent game. Whoever lasts the longest wins, but the rewards are unknown to the players. Right now I'm waiting for a rental to start at 2 this afternoon. From then on I scurry around like a person scurrying around. Then at 8 this evening I start tending bar for said rental. 'S gonna be a long day. I've started the game at 8:30 this morning. Just waiting. Not good for a guy that fidgets.
Buck
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Running ain't a plan?
I suppose that no news is bad news.
Kelli has not returned any of my phone calls about the Park and Rec job which means that I don't think I got it. One would hope however, that a potential employer would return phone calls. Oh well, I'm not bitter mostly because as I said before; I wasn't very qualified for the job.
There has been a whole lot of rumbling from the back home area about this next holiday, which I have kind of come to accept and expect. I'd like to go into more detail about my thought process on that, but I in no way shape or form want to seem as though I'm slighting any of my family. So, if you want the dark and twisty thought process I'll fill you in later.
I've been wrestling with some thought processes as of late.
1. Volleyball is kicking my butt. We need a team building day and the girls being in school is blocking that. I need to talk to Curt and Kelly about running a practice for me next Tuesday so that I might be able to spend more time with my family. Curt being a counselor at the high school is great with team building activities. Kelly is a great liberos coach which would help the girls not wreck their knees by not diving, and teach some great fundamentals about passing that I can't express or teach, I just do after years of having it smacked into my head and body.
2. Employment. This is the kicker. I am definitely out here until the end of the season. At that time the Drug Store supervisor would open up which is something that I would very much want. And having the previous supervisors blessing I could have. Pay increase and year round employment. Benefits are getting cut across the board though which sucks, but since I don't go to the doctor anyway...it wouldn't be terrible.
3. Sarah. 360 miles is a long way away. Her teaching, and me stuck out here until at least April puts a big slap on the whole seeing each other thing.
4. Sarah + employment = change in locale. I'm not the type of person that has to have something one way or it's the highway (don't tell my team that. They think I'm a grouchy old guy.) So I'm not going to make Sarah move out here to find a Lutheran school to teach at. I am however willing to move to be closer to her. And closer to my family. Let's face it, none of us are getting younger, and if I can be within a few hours of them, and her...I'd be a happy camper. How I would achieve this is; I'm thinking about going back to school. The school I'm thinking of is COD. That would mean closer to home, which is something that I would love to be as most of my meaningful relationships are back that way, or are going back that way. Cost of living is actually a bit easier out there. I would need to find a job (of which I have some ideas, one I know doesn't pay well.) and a place to live as I wouldn't want to impose on family.
I suppose I should elaborate on the whole COD thing. The degree I'm looking at isn't anything fancy, it is only an Associates of Science that being in Fire Science. Prospectively going into being a firefighter. Pretty good job security, plus...one of the courses is all about starting fires. I love fire. Perfect fit right? Why didn't I think of this before putting money into a higher degree? - The answer is because I thought I wanted to teach until I got around kids. -
I have some savings set aside from the work year unfortunately I was planning on a steady paycheck during the off season which so far has not happened. Budgets have been re-drawn, frivolous spending got all the way exed out which means, Paul's sitting at his computer drinking a tall-boy of Sam Addams instead of going out with his friends that just got out of work. Acctually, that budget line did not get completely exed because I put the money that would have gone to myself (not much) went to Christmas. Water's free, so I got a lot of it for you folks. ;-) Yes, I did get comped for coaching, and I will get another paycheck from them in February which will ease things a bit. But by and large, this is not the best time for a young graduate to be unemployed.
I suppose I should take a lesson from the Life of Brian and look on the bright side of life, but the only thing bright right now is the reflection of the parking light off of the snow. Oh, and Christmas.
Buck
Kelli has not returned any of my phone calls about the Park and Rec job which means that I don't think I got it. One would hope however, that a potential employer would return phone calls. Oh well, I'm not bitter mostly because as I said before; I wasn't very qualified for the job.
There has been a whole lot of rumbling from the back home area about this next holiday, which I have kind of come to accept and expect. I'd like to go into more detail about my thought process on that, but I in no way shape or form want to seem as though I'm slighting any of my family. So, if you want the dark and twisty thought process I'll fill you in later.
I've been wrestling with some thought processes as of late.
1. Volleyball is kicking my butt. We need a team building day and the girls being in school is blocking that. I need to talk to Curt and Kelly about running a practice for me next Tuesday so that I might be able to spend more time with my family. Curt being a counselor at the high school is great with team building activities. Kelly is a great liberos coach which would help the girls not wreck their knees by not diving, and teach some great fundamentals about passing that I can't express or teach, I just do after years of having it smacked into my head and body.
2. Employment. This is the kicker. I am definitely out here until the end of the season. At that time the Drug Store supervisor would open up which is something that I would very much want. And having the previous supervisors blessing I could have. Pay increase and year round employment. Benefits are getting cut across the board though which sucks, but since I don't go to the doctor anyway...it wouldn't be terrible.
3. Sarah. 360 miles is a long way away. Her teaching, and me stuck out here until at least April puts a big slap on the whole seeing each other thing.
4. Sarah + employment = change in locale. I'm not the type of person that has to have something one way or it's the highway (don't tell my team that. They think I'm a grouchy old guy.) So I'm not going to make Sarah move out here to find a Lutheran school to teach at. I am however willing to move to be closer to her. And closer to my family. Let's face it, none of us are getting younger, and if I can be within a few hours of them, and her...I'd be a happy camper. How I would achieve this is; I'm thinking about going back to school. The school I'm thinking of is COD. That would mean closer to home, which is something that I would love to be as most of my meaningful relationships are back that way, or are going back that way. Cost of living is actually a bit easier out there. I would need to find a job (of which I have some ideas, one I know doesn't pay well.) and a place to live as I wouldn't want to impose on family.
I suppose I should elaborate on the whole COD thing. The degree I'm looking at isn't anything fancy, it is only an Associates of Science that being in Fire Science. Prospectively going into being a firefighter. Pretty good job security, plus...one of the courses is all about starting fires. I love fire. Perfect fit right? Why didn't I think of this before putting money into a higher degree? - The answer is because I thought I wanted to teach until I got around kids. -
I have some savings set aside from the work year unfortunately I was planning on a steady paycheck during the off season which so far has not happened. Budgets have been re-drawn, frivolous spending got all the way exed out which means, Paul's sitting at his computer drinking a tall-boy of Sam Addams instead of going out with his friends that just got out of work. Acctually, that budget line did not get completely exed because I put the money that would have gone to myself (not much) went to Christmas. Water's free, so I got a lot of it for you folks. ;-) Yes, I did get comped for coaching, and I will get another paycheck from them in February which will ease things a bit. But by and large, this is not the best time for a young graduate to be unemployed.
I suppose I should take a lesson from the Life of Brian and look on the bright side of life, but the only thing bright right now is the reflection of the parking light off of the snow. Oh, and Christmas.
Buck
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
King of the Road
Sorry about the radio silence emminating from Iowa. 'Twas a crazy crazy couple of weeks. I finally had a mini-break down today after getting out of work. I picked up my buddy Cory, grabbed the shotguns and went out to some public land about 20 minutes away. We didn't even see a bird but it was very relaxing to walk the field, shotugn over the shoulder, and just shoot the breeze with somebody. (Almost a double pun)
What has been keeping my life so busy? Moving livestock at the farm, working nights with coaching, and rentals at the farm, then waking up and working all day counting corn.
But there is a glimmer of hope. One ray of light that pierces through the dark clouds that is multiple employments. That hope is a new job. That hope is having my team all figured out. (FINALLY! Only took two coaches and a director five days.)
So, I've applied for a job that I don't 100% feel qualified for, and I'm very nervous about it. It fits me to a T, even if it is a step back from my degree. Working outside, actually working with your hands, accomplishing something everyday, and working for a Park District. How awesome is that? True, it isn't my dream job, and it wouldn't be a wayside job like the Farms is. This would be putting in 5-10 years with this job. Maybe retire out of this job. But, there are some perks besides those already mentioned, I would still be in the relative same area as the Farms and my friends out here. Full medical coverage, half dental and optical (if insurance doesn't change too much, it's only 2,740 pages), regular weekends, salaried with more money than I could shake a stick at - not really, but it beats $8.75/hour - and, I would really enjoy it.
Now, I don't want to get my hopes up just to have them dashed, so I haven't told anybody "important" at the Farms yet, nor will I untill I know for certain that I have the job. That whole burning bridges thing.
In answer to that question that always pops up, yes. I did look for jobs back in Illinois. My reasoning for not applying to those jobs is very straightforward. 1. I'm not an R/N. 2. I've made commitments out here, and investments out here I want to see those pay off for me. 3. I'm not travelling 660 miles round trip to find out that I didn't get the job.
I'm grumpy, and I'm tired, but I feel better about things. Looking forward to travelling next week. I get to see my family!
What has been keeping my life so busy? Moving livestock at the farm, working nights with coaching, and rentals at the farm, then waking up and working all day counting corn.
But there is a glimmer of hope. One ray of light that pierces through the dark clouds that is multiple employments. That hope is a new job. That hope is having my team all figured out. (FINALLY! Only took two coaches and a director five days.)
So, I've applied for a job that I don't 100% feel qualified for, and I'm very nervous about it. It fits me to a T, even if it is a step back from my degree. Working outside, actually working with your hands, accomplishing something everyday, and working for a Park District. How awesome is that? True, it isn't my dream job, and it wouldn't be a wayside job like the Farms is. This would be putting in 5-10 years with this job. Maybe retire out of this job. But, there are some perks besides those already mentioned, I would still be in the relative same area as the Farms and my friends out here. Full medical coverage, half dental and optical (if insurance doesn't change too much, it's only 2,740 pages), regular weekends, salaried with more money than I could shake a stick at - not really, but it beats $8.75/hour - and, I would really enjoy it.
Now, I don't want to get my hopes up just to have them dashed, so I haven't told anybody "important" at the Farms yet, nor will I untill I know for certain that I have the job. That whole burning bridges thing.
In answer to that question that always pops up, yes. I did look for jobs back in Illinois. My reasoning for not applying to those jobs is very straightforward. 1. I'm not an R/N. 2. I've made commitments out here, and investments out here I want to see those pay off for me. 3. I'm not travelling 660 miles round trip to find out that I didn't get the job.
I'm grumpy, and I'm tired, but I feel better about things. Looking forward to travelling next week. I get to see my family!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
TM
If he weren't absolutely insane, and dead, I would want to be him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhP1RgbrrY&feature=related
I got into a bluesy kind of mood the other day. While I have over 20 hours of it on my computer, I wanted to see what some of these legends were actually doing. Granted, some if it lost on me as I don't play the saxophone or the trumpet. But I do play the piano, and I know enough about the rhythm section to understand the level of mastery some of these guys had. When I say understand...what I really mean is that they are freakishly good.
If you know me, you know that while I'm no slouch on the keys, I'm not the best. I don't have the mind for the theory that goes into making some really complicated stuff sound good. I'm more of the "sit down, shut up, practice till you get it right" school of thought. My former instructor, and dare I say mentor, has a mind that wraps around the theory, and he can map out what he'll play so that he doesn't even think while he's at the piano. He can just go. Freakish.
Now that's not to say that these greats didn't get where they are without practice. But practice can only get you so far.
Segue!
We had our first round of tryouts for volleyball last Saturday, these tryouts being for the little kids. The director had me working with the advanced 14 year olds so that he could assess them while I ran the drills. He also took me aside prior to the tryout starting and told me to give them no mercy. I really like Curt. Of course I didn't think he was serious because even at a nationals tournament they're not going to see power like a 22 year old male can provide. But he looked me dead in the eye and told me to crank it to 11. He also justified it saying that if they can handle my 11 they can handle a 14 year old girls 8. Short story long, they couldn't. And two of them really couldn't (they cried, I smiled on the inside).
Another segue!
Pending a drug screening I have a job out at Pioneer. I don't know how this affects Holiday plans as it is temp work, but is well paid temp work. It's also a Monday through Friday gig so that should make things a bit easier on the schedule.
Segue!
Sarah was hoping to come to Thanksgiving with the Hackelberg/Johnson/Guilde clan this year. But don't fret...we would be going to Minnesota the 26 of December. She has to do something at school for Christmas Eve...and apparently her family has never done Christmas on Christmas (her old man being a former Pastor and all). So... If I get time off from Pioneer for Thanksgiving and CBD, there would be another person along for the ride. I'll be able to tell you more after Monday about that. (Monday is my start day out there)
Buck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhP1RgbrrY&feature=related
I got into a bluesy kind of mood the other day. While I have over 20 hours of it on my computer, I wanted to see what some of these legends were actually doing. Granted, some if it lost on me as I don't play the saxophone or the trumpet. But I do play the piano, and I know enough about the rhythm section to understand the level of mastery some of these guys had. When I say understand...what I really mean is that they are freakishly good.
If you know me, you know that while I'm no slouch on the keys, I'm not the best. I don't have the mind for the theory that goes into making some really complicated stuff sound good. I'm more of the "sit down, shut up, practice till you get it right" school of thought. My former instructor, and dare I say mentor, has a mind that wraps around the theory, and he can map out what he'll play so that he doesn't even think while he's at the piano. He can just go. Freakish.
Now that's not to say that these greats didn't get where they are without practice. But practice can only get you so far.
Segue!
We had our first round of tryouts for volleyball last Saturday, these tryouts being for the little kids. The director had me working with the advanced 14 year olds so that he could assess them while I ran the drills. He also took me aside prior to the tryout starting and told me to give them no mercy. I really like Curt. Of course I didn't think he was serious because even at a nationals tournament they're not going to see power like a 22 year old male can provide. But he looked me dead in the eye and told me to crank it to 11. He also justified it saying that if they can handle my 11 they can handle a 14 year old girls 8. Short story long, they couldn't. And two of them really couldn't (they cried, I smiled on the inside).
Another segue!
Pending a drug screening I have a job out at Pioneer. I don't know how this affects Holiday plans as it is temp work, but is well paid temp work. It's also a Monday through Friday gig so that should make things a bit easier on the schedule.
Segue!
Sarah was hoping to come to Thanksgiving with the Hackelberg/Johnson/Guilde clan this year. But don't fret...we would be going to Minnesota the 26 of December. She has to do something at school for Christmas Eve...and apparently her family has never done Christmas on Christmas (her old man being a former Pastor and all). So... If I get time off from Pioneer for Thanksgiving and CBD, there would be another person along for the ride. I'll be able to tell you more after Monday about that. (Monday is my start day out there)
Buck
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Bad situation
"Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
"For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that 'Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.'" - Nobel Committee
during the preceding year [...] shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses - Excerpt Alfred Nobel's Will and Testimony
Ok. I've tried my hardest to keep my political views a side issue. Even if they bleed through in my writing. But, I've got to say it. One of these things (above) is not like the other. I have faith in the Presidency, and the President. Even though I did not vote for the man currently with the title. That happens. Part of the democratic process that our country holds as a core belief. I get that. What I don't get, is this: How does the election campaign equal into one of the most prestigious prizes the world has to offer?
Let's take a look at this, Alfred Nobel...the make things go boom! guy, says "in the preceding year (which would be 2008, the election year) shall have done the most or best work for fraternity between nations." Yes, he went on a sumit during his campaign. Ok, with you so far. One thing. Continuing on. "For the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." Our nation is still currently at war. It's not even a "peace keeping mission" like was done in the Middle East under Bush in the 90's. This is still a "congress declared this war, and we haven't called a cease fire" kind of war.
Now, during his campaign he said that he would work with his military leaders to phase out the soldiers currently over seas. How much of that has happened? Especially since one of the regiments of the Iowa National Gaurd was just activated and deployed over seas? How can you tell me that those two equal each other?
How about flooding the big businesses with money so that they stay solvent (oh and restructuring their budgets and finances to the point where the government owns the controling share in one of the three?) to the point where yeah, 800 billion should be enough. Like it's chump change. 800 billion dollars. It sounds like Monopoly money to me. A fake number. A number that I will never even come close to seeing by the time I die. Cause Lord knows if the economy stays tanked, Social Security will be a happy memory to my generation.
Then we see these political commercials about how 1-in-8 children don't have enough food to eat. I'm supposed to take money out of my savings and give it to your child? Where is your savings? Where is your source of income? I realize that that isn't a very Christian attitude, and I was raised better than that. But don't ask me to donate my hard earned 8.50/hour after taxes. I'll donate anything I shoot when we go pheasant hunting. I'll gladly donate it, because I think that's a good way to solve two problems. 1, overpopulation. and 2, hunger. Des Moines has a charity kitchen called HUSH, I don't remember what it stands for, but they take excess meat from hunters who are only after the trophy. All of the deer that gets shot out on the Farms is donated to HUSH. I really like what they do. Plus, it's not taking any of my money. Yay!
Anyway. My big beef with this Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize thing is that it does two things. It doesn't hold true to what Herr Nobel wanted, which discredits the Nobel Committee and the spirit of the prize. Second, if he accepts the prize, it discredits the President, and the Presidency. He hasn't earned it. I think he could. As much as I don't trust the man, I respect the office. The office, and thereby this country (can't get there unless the people vote you there.) could earn this award. Again -Teddy and Wilson.
Call a cease fire. Admit that you can't win a war being waged against an idea. It isn't hard to do. As much as I support our troops, and have the deepest respect for anyone who wears the colors of our armed services, they're not doing any good over there. Sure we might wipe out a cell of idealists. But guess what? Word is going to spread that those guys died defending what the believe, and then others are going to join that cause. You can't beat fanatics. You can only make more of them.
Does it mean that you fail as a leader? Admitting that you can't win something? No. I think some of us righters out here would respect him a bit more for owning up to mistakes made. I know I would respect him more for finally not being evasive. Go on TV. Override every signal being sent to the TVs in homes across America. At the same time hi-jack into the radio waves. Say, "Listen America. We screwed the pooch. I'm not going to point fingers because that doesn't help the situation. But it's a mistake to waste the precious lives of the men and women serving our country overseas. We are fighting a war that cannot be won, therefore, instead of letting these fanatics bleed us dry (because economics can be affected by terrorism too. Look at who sold them all the weapons. Look at who's paying the refund ticket.) we are going to rise of above this. B out." Not the best moniker I could have come up with, but there it is.
What does Mom say when big sister is annoying the crap out of you, or when little brother is annoying the crap out of you. Usually, "Knock it off!" But the only other thing I've ever heard her say is that we should ignore it and move on with our lives. So the big bad Taliban knocked over some towers, killed good men and women and children. Tough. Shit. There ain't nothing we can do to a group that is fanatical in the mindset that the United States is Wrong and must be punished.
Sure, cut off the snake's head and the rest of the body collapses. Won't work in this situation. It's not a snake. There isn't an analogy for fanatics, other than they're humans that can rationalize for themselves but have this big sorter in their brain that defines everything as right or wrong.
It is a bad situation.
Did you hear that the secret service is really worried about this situation? They're worried because it means that the White House can't have a doorbell anymore. All because of the No-bell Peace Prize.
Buck.
Ok. I've tried my hardest to keep my political views a side issue. Even if they bleed through in my writing. But, I've got to say it. One of these things (above) is not like the other. I have faith in the Presidency, and the President. Even though I did not vote for the man currently with the title. That happens. Part of the democratic process that our country holds as a core belief. I get that. What I don't get, is this: How does the election campaign equal into one of the most prestigious prizes the world has to offer?
Let's take a look at this, Alfred Nobel...the make things go boom! guy, says "in the preceding year (which would be 2008, the election year) shall have done the most or best work for fraternity between nations." Yes, he went on a sumit during his campaign. Ok, with you so far. One thing. Continuing on. "For the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." Our nation is still currently at war. It's not even a "peace keeping mission" like was done in the Middle East under Bush in the 90's. This is still a "congress declared this war, and we haven't called a cease fire" kind of war.
Now, during his campaign he said that he would work with his military leaders to phase out the soldiers currently over seas. How much of that has happened? Especially since one of the regiments of the Iowa National Gaurd was just activated and deployed over seas? How can you tell me that those two equal each other?
How about flooding the big businesses with money so that they stay solvent (oh and restructuring their budgets and finances to the point where the government owns the controling share in one of the three?) to the point where yeah, 800 billion should be enough. Like it's chump change. 800 billion dollars. It sounds like Monopoly money to me. A fake number. A number that I will never even come close to seeing by the time I die. Cause Lord knows if the economy stays tanked, Social Security will be a happy memory to my generation.
Then we see these political commercials about how 1-in-8 children don't have enough food to eat. I'm supposed to take money out of my savings and give it to your child? Where is your savings? Where is your source of income? I realize that that isn't a very Christian attitude, and I was raised better than that. But don't ask me to donate my hard earned 8.50/hour after taxes. I'll donate anything I shoot when we go pheasant hunting. I'll gladly donate it, because I think that's a good way to solve two problems. 1, overpopulation. and 2, hunger. Des Moines has a charity kitchen called HUSH, I don't remember what it stands for, but they take excess meat from hunters who are only after the trophy. All of the deer that gets shot out on the Farms is donated to HUSH. I really like what they do. Plus, it's not taking any of my money. Yay!
Anyway. My big beef with this Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize thing is that it does two things. It doesn't hold true to what Herr Nobel wanted, which discredits the Nobel Committee and the spirit of the prize. Second, if he accepts the prize, it discredits the President, and the Presidency. He hasn't earned it. I think he could. As much as I don't trust the man, I respect the office. The office, and thereby this country (can't get there unless the people vote you there.) could earn this award. Again -Teddy and Wilson.
Call a cease fire. Admit that you can't win a war being waged against an idea. It isn't hard to do. As much as I support our troops, and have the deepest respect for anyone who wears the colors of our armed services, they're not doing any good over there. Sure we might wipe out a cell of idealists. But guess what? Word is going to spread that those guys died defending what the believe, and then others are going to join that cause. You can't beat fanatics. You can only make more of them.
Does it mean that you fail as a leader? Admitting that you can't win something? No. I think some of us righters out here would respect him a bit more for owning up to mistakes made. I know I would respect him more for finally not being evasive. Go on TV. Override every signal being sent to the TVs in homes across America. At the same time hi-jack into the radio waves. Say, "Listen America. We screwed the pooch. I'm not going to point fingers because that doesn't help the situation. But it's a mistake to waste the precious lives of the men and women serving our country overseas. We are fighting a war that cannot be won, therefore, instead of letting these fanatics bleed us dry (because economics can be affected by terrorism too. Look at who sold them all the weapons. Look at who's paying the refund ticket.) we are going to rise of above this. B out." Not the best moniker I could have come up with, but there it is.
What does Mom say when big sister is annoying the crap out of you, or when little brother is annoying the crap out of you. Usually, "Knock it off!" But the only other thing I've ever heard her say is that we should ignore it and move on with our lives. So the big bad Taliban knocked over some towers, killed good men and women and children. Tough. Shit. There ain't nothing we can do to a group that is fanatical in the mindset that the United States is Wrong and must be punished.
Sure, cut off the snake's head and the rest of the body collapses. Won't work in this situation. It's not a snake. There isn't an analogy for fanatics, other than they're humans that can rationalize for themselves but have this big sorter in their brain that defines everything as right or wrong.
It is a bad situation.
Did you hear that the secret service is really worried about this situation? They're worried because it means that the White House can't have a doorbell anymore. All because of the No-bell Peace Prize.
Buck.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Ring, Rap, Run; Run back and kick in the door
So...I have what is both good news, along with some equally not so good news. We will cover them in a point system.
+1 Job interview with Johnston Volleyball Club.
+1 Job interview with Illini Elite.
+1 The Farms is closing down for the season.
-1 The Farms is closing down for the season.
+1 Job interview with Bass Pro.
+1 Job interview with UPS.
+1 Payday on Friday.
-1 Payday on Friday (The candy bar. I need a peanutty-caramely-candy fix. And a I need it bad.)
+1 Sarah's not mad at me anymore.
So, all said an told the score is +4. However there are shades of grey with that score.
The JVBC director seems like a great guy, and I would enjoy coaching with him, but he wants to see me coach. So, I've been asked back for the last day of their Junior's Elite Camp this Sunday. He knows the guys out at Illini Elite which is a point in my favor, but it still makes me nervous. How can he expect me to do well with a group of girls that 1., I've never met. And 2., I have no idea how to coach because I've never met them.? Talk about nerve wracking.
Joe out at Illini Elite asked if I would be willing to come back to Illinois and take over Teal again. As much as I would love that, it means a move. It means finding a place to live. It also means, additional employment that has health benefits. Not that I go to the doctor anyway.
The Farms is shutting down which is great cause we're all getting a bit burned out, but it also means that this whole unemployment thing is staring me in the face in a few short weeks. Hence the plus and minus there.
UPS offered me two positions, one unloading trucks and one being a helper driver. Both would be nice as they are both Union jobs, and with Union comes health insurance. (Also a 22% lower phone bill which I just found out. Awesome!) I don't think that I could hold both of those jobs and coach. It would just burn me out, and not give me much time to sleep. But...If I could do unloading trucks and coaching...that could work out. I'll have to talk to some folks.
Bass Pro interviewed me for a job in their camping section which makes sense this time of year. (No it doesn't. Who goes camping in the winter? Fall I can understand, but winter?) Problem with that is that it is a 30 minute commute one way. Could I do it? Sure. I just don't know how long I would be employed there.
I get paid on Friday. This is nice because phone bill, rent and LP need to get paid.
Oh, that's right, LP is getting filled up because apparently it is supposed to snow this weekend. Well, flurry more likely, and nothing is going to stick anyway. And I live with wimps that need to live in a house that is always hotter than Dante's Inferno. But we've already talked about that.
Not much is going on out at the farm, most everything is done for the season. Corn is all picked (I've got a nasty cut on my hand to prove it too.) vine crops are in. Second planting on peas should be coming up in a couple of days, unless we get a hard frost out here. We're doing a second plowing after spreading more manure.
Fun tid-bit. I'm being trained to cook for Fall Programing out here. What is the training you might ask? You might also ask, why do you need to be trained? Well, I will enlighten, I'm being trained on baking cornbread. And apparently I'm being trained because I'm incompetent. Or something. At least it's an extra 4 hours for the time card.
We've got Hinsdale's APEuro class coming out here in two weeks, where Nasbit -who never taught me, but loves Kate and apparently remembers her kid brother who had better things to do with his time than go crazy in an APEuro class- where I get to drive around the oxen and tell them (the kids) how stupid they are for taking APEuro when they want to be a business exec, and then the coup-de-gras of chicken slaughter and butcher. Yay! Anatomy! I get to use my degree!
Oh, and Sarah isn't mad at me anymore. Must have been my wit and charm that helped me through the ordeal because I don't have a clue as to what I said. Mostly, "Yes dear, looks nice dear, whatever you think dear". Turns out I wasn't listening. Or something like that. In reality, she was ticked off at her Dad for finding a job that made him happy (which apparently he doesn't deserve?). Which correlates into her being mad at me for some God knows why reason.
Anyway, that's all I've got.
Buck
+1 Job interview with Johnston Volleyball Club.
+1 Job interview with Illini Elite.
+1 The Farms is closing down for the season.
-1 The Farms is closing down for the season.
+1 Job interview with Bass Pro.
+1 Job interview with UPS.
+1 Payday on Friday.
-1 Payday on Friday (The candy bar. I need a peanutty-caramely-candy fix. And a I need it bad.)
+1 Sarah's not mad at me anymore.
So, all said an told the score is +4. However there are shades of grey with that score.
The JVBC director seems like a great guy, and I would enjoy coaching with him, but he wants to see me coach. So, I've been asked back for the last day of their Junior's Elite Camp this Sunday. He knows the guys out at Illini Elite which is a point in my favor, but it still makes me nervous. How can he expect me to do well with a group of girls that 1., I've never met. And 2., I have no idea how to coach because I've never met them.? Talk about nerve wracking.
Joe out at Illini Elite asked if I would be willing to come back to Illinois and take over Teal again. As much as I would love that, it means a move. It means finding a place to live. It also means, additional employment that has health benefits. Not that I go to the doctor anyway.
The Farms is shutting down which is great cause we're all getting a bit burned out, but it also means that this whole unemployment thing is staring me in the face in a few short weeks. Hence the plus and minus there.
UPS offered me two positions, one unloading trucks and one being a helper driver. Both would be nice as they are both Union jobs, and with Union comes health insurance. (Also a 22% lower phone bill which I just found out. Awesome!) I don't think that I could hold both of those jobs and coach. It would just burn me out, and not give me much time to sleep. But...If I could do unloading trucks and coaching...that could work out. I'll have to talk to some folks.
Bass Pro interviewed me for a job in their camping section which makes sense this time of year. (No it doesn't. Who goes camping in the winter? Fall I can understand, but winter?) Problem with that is that it is a 30 minute commute one way. Could I do it? Sure. I just don't know how long I would be employed there.
I get paid on Friday. This is nice because phone bill, rent and LP need to get paid.
Oh, that's right, LP is getting filled up because apparently it is supposed to snow this weekend. Well, flurry more likely, and nothing is going to stick anyway. And I live with wimps that need to live in a house that is always hotter than Dante's Inferno. But we've already talked about that.
Not much is going on out at the farm, most everything is done for the season. Corn is all picked (I've got a nasty cut on my hand to prove it too.) vine crops are in. Second planting on peas should be coming up in a couple of days, unless we get a hard frost out here. We're doing a second plowing after spreading more manure.
Fun tid-bit. I'm being trained to cook for Fall Programing out here. What is the training you might ask? You might also ask, why do you need to be trained? Well, I will enlighten, I'm being trained on baking cornbread. And apparently I'm being trained because I'm incompetent. Or something. At least it's an extra 4 hours for the time card.
We've got Hinsdale's APEuro class coming out here in two weeks, where Nasbit -who never taught me, but loves Kate and apparently remembers her kid brother who had better things to do with his time than go crazy in an APEuro class- where I get to drive around the oxen and tell them (the kids) how stupid they are for taking APEuro when they want to be a business exec, and then the coup-de-gras of chicken slaughter and butcher. Yay! Anatomy! I get to use my degree!
Oh, and Sarah isn't mad at me anymore. Must have been my wit and charm that helped me through the ordeal because I don't have a clue as to what I said. Mostly, "Yes dear, looks nice dear, whatever you think dear". Turns out I wasn't listening. Or something like that. In reality, she was ticked off at her Dad for finding a job that made him happy (which apparently he doesn't deserve?). Which correlates into her being mad at me for some God knows why reason.
Anyway, that's all I've got.
Buck
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Cursed Caffeine
So. I haven't had a cup of coffee since 4 P.M. yet I'm still as jittery as a June-bug. I've been sitting here in the '28 house for the past three hours trying to think of something important to write. Problem is, I can't think of anything. My trip back to Illinois and back was not very restful, yet at the same time, it was just what I needed. Allow me to sum up.
In the past month I have:
Gained full certification with ox driving.
Picked and cut corn.
Moved and treated sheep for hoof-rot.
Worked multiple 20 hour days in a row.
Grown blisters under calluses.
Chopped down a tree with an axe.
Built a hog lot.
Gone to the parent's house.
Bootlegged for my mother.
Worried about family members.
Frustrated my girlfriend to the point of an argument. Three times.
Not found time to call the people closest to me.
Stacked and re-stacked three cords of firewood.
Given Lord knows how many school tours.
Worn through my boots to the point where I get a new free pair from the company.
Defended my manager.
Defended my direct supervisor to my manager.
Played peace-keeper.
Not gotten any phone calls or e-mails about any of the dozen applications I have put in.
Driven myself close to insanity about making ends meet this winter.
Gone to Pioneer seed company twice.
Smacked a pig on the noggin' with a bucket to keep it from escaping the lot it lives in.
Driven the oxen in front of Kindergartners.
Given a child fleas from the pigs when they wanted to pet them.
Made hard soap.
Cut two cords of firewood.
Soaked myself to the bone.
So, as you might tell. It has been busy.
We have "Harvest Weekend" starting Saturday. Nobody knows what we - the west side (the farm sites) - are supposed to do. 1900 is going to shock and grind corn, and press apples. But we at 1850 have no idea. If it is dry enough I suppose we'll be picking and cutting the last of our corn field.
We were supposed to have a huge Catholic event on Friday, but as it turns out only one (1), group came out to the west side. Out of 30. Talk about a waste of a day. Granted, it rained all day Thursday, and all day Friday. But I can't help but think that if I were back at SJL we would have gone. No matter what the weather conditions. One more reason to be Lutheran I guess. (How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? ... Change? What does this mean?)
I'm getting a bit frantic about employment this winter. I have garaunteed hours untill the end of November, which pushes my contract a whole month, but who I am to complain? It is income. Yet, December thru April will be very lean which means a lack of funds to pay off old debts. Luckily there hasn't been any interest applied to said debts. Yet. At this point in time I would gladly accept a posting at a gas station, even if it is the dead of night hours. UPS, TSA, Pioneer, WDNR, IADNR, Urbandale Public Works, Manatis, Des Moines Sanitation...None of these companies have called me back as of yet about applications that I put in a month ago. I've got on call status for Maintanance at LHF during the winter months as a "Snow Removal Engineer", but...that is weather dependent. In all honesty, I just need enough to cover bills and rent out here. I'll figure out some way to take care of previous debt.
I will say that one of the nice things about living on 500 acres of secluded area is that the places with internet are heated on the Farms dollar. It has been terribally cold out here. Well, not terribally, but it is noticeable. I wake up and put my glasses on two hours before the sun comes up and the side of my head is freazing from the frames of the glasses.
Oh, one more thing to complain about - since I know you care - the newest addition to the BlauHaus has a fish tank. Since this person's arrival our electric bill has doubled. I can't wait until the LP tank gets filled up. Although, I have said to the land-lady, and the occupants of the BlauHaus that I will only pay to keep the house at 55 degrees. Every therm above that is on their own. I've even done the math on it. It pays to have a fabulously talented mother and grandmother who can make ribbon winning quilts. 'S called layers.
I suppose that this is all I have to say. Oh, I played a joke on the East side today. We were having a commemeration of Pope John Paul II coming out here and holding a mass. I printed out the 95 Thesis and nailed them to the door at the Church of the Land. Five staff members understood what they were, and the symbolism they entailled. So there Catholic schools! I refuse to bow to the teachings of Cathol.
Anyway. I suppose since I have to be at work in...4 hours, I should leave this as is. Enough rambling for a day. I apologize for the delay in postings.
Buck
In the past month I have:
Gained full certification with ox driving.
Picked and cut corn.
Moved and treated sheep for hoof-rot.
Worked multiple 20 hour days in a row.
Grown blisters under calluses.
Chopped down a tree with an axe.
Built a hog lot.
Gone to the parent's house.
Bootlegged for my mother.
Worried about family members.
Frustrated my girlfriend to the point of an argument. Three times.
Not found time to call the people closest to me.
Stacked and re-stacked three cords of firewood.
Given Lord knows how many school tours.
Worn through my boots to the point where I get a new free pair from the company.
Defended my manager.
Defended my direct supervisor to my manager.
Played peace-keeper.
Not gotten any phone calls or e-mails about any of the dozen applications I have put in.
Driven myself close to insanity about making ends meet this winter.
Gone to Pioneer seed company twice.
Smacked a pig on the noggin' with a bucket to keep it from escaping the lot it lives in.
Driven the oxen in front of Kindergartners.
Given a child fleas from the pigs when they wanted to pet them.
Made hard soap.
Cut two cords of firewood.
Soaked myself to the bone.
So, as you might tell. It has been busy.
We have "Harvest Weekend" starting Saturday. Nobody knows what we - the west side (the farm sites) - are supposed to do. 1900 is going to shock and grind corn, and press apples. But we at 1850 have no idea. If it is dry enough I suppose we'll be picking and cutting the last of our corn field.
We were supposed to have a huge Catholic event on Friday, but as it turns out only one (1), group came out to the west side. Out of 30. Talk about a waste of a day. Granted, it rained all day Thursday, and all day Friday. But I can't help but think that if I were back at SJL we would have gone. No matter what the weather conditions. One more reason to be Lutheran I guess. (How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? ... Change? What does this mean?)
I'm getting a bit frantic about employment this winter. I have garaunteed hours untill the end of November, which pushes my contract a whole month, but who I am to complain? It is income. Yet, December thru April will be very lean which means a lack of funds to pay off old debts. Luckily there hasn't been any interest applied to said debts. Yet. At this point in time I would gladly accept a posting at a gas station, even if it is the dead of night hours. UPS, TSA, Pioneer, WDNR, IADNR, Urbandale Public Works, Manatis, Des Moines Sanitation...None of these companies have called me back as of yet about applications that I put in a month ago. I've got on call status for Maintanance at LHF during the winter months as a "Snow Removal Engineer", but...that is weather dependent. In all honesty, I just need enough to cover bills and rent out here. I'll figure out some way to take care of previous debt.
I will say that one of the nice things about living on 500 acres of secluded area is that the places with internet are heated on the Farms dollar. It has been terribally cold out here. Well, not terribally, but it is noticeable. I wake up and put my glasses on two hours before the sun comes up and the side of my head is freazing from the frames of the glasses.
Oh, one more thing to complain about - since I know you care - the newest addition to the BlauHaus has a fish tank. Since this person's arrival our electric bill has doubled. I can't wait until the LP tank gets filled up. Although, I have said to the land-lady, and the occupants of the BlauHaus that I will only pay to keep the house at 55 degrees. Every therm above that is on their own. I've even done the math on it. It pays to have a fabulously talented mother and grandmother who can make ribbon winning quilts. 'S called layers.
I suppose that this is all I have to say. Oh, I played a joke on the East side today. We were having a commemeration of Pope John Paul II coming out here and holding a mass. I printed out the 95 Thesis and nailed them to the door at the Church of the Land. Five staff members understood what they were, and the symbolism they entailled. So there Catholic schools! I refuse to bow to the teachings of Cathol.
Anyway. I suppose since I have to be at work in...4 hours, I should leave this as is. Enough rambling for a day. I apologize for the delay in postings.
Buck
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Things that make you go...beh
I suppose I don't have much to write about. But thought I would just let folks know I'm alive.
I'm alive!
We plowed part of the oat field today, and it was surprisingly tiring. I never had a chance to use the walk behind single plow last year, but I'm already dreading plowing under the rest of the fields. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun, but it was a hell of a workout. Tricky footing, while I jogged behind the plow trying to maintain a straight furrow. Didn't work to well. The first four or five passes were all sorts of not straight. But after that I started to get the hang of "left to go right, right to go left". It uh...it took some getting used to.
The oxen didn't have any trouble pulling the plow though. I was worried about it, as plowing is one of the hardest things for a single team of oxen. Constantly pulling for the length of the field. They got a really good workout. Steve took them up to pasture after we got our work done for the day, "they never dropped their heads once to eat on the way up. Went straight for where we pitch them hay". This is a thing unheard of. The boys are always trying to sneak some grass. It's kind of like trying to keep a team of 14 year olds on task during a drill at practice. Always giving them commands, correcting improper behavior/mistakes...it's kind of draining driving oxen.
I started working with the horses this past Sunday. Mike and Spike, the white team of Percherons, Cory talked me through the harnessing process, then we did a bit of ground driving, and I logged a couple of hours driving them with an oat wagon. They are much easier to drive than the oxen. Most of the effort driving them is holding them back from running. Not stopping them from eating grass and playing ox whisperer.
Anyway, that sums up what I've been doing.
Buck
I'm alive!
We plowed part of the oat field today, and it was surprisingly tiring. I never had a chance to use the walk behind single plow last year, but I'm already dreading plowing under the rest of the fields. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun, but it was a hell of a workout. Tricky footing, while I jogged behind the plow trying to maintain a straight furrow. Didn't work to well. The first four or five passes were all sorts of not straight. But after that I started to get the hang of "left to go right, right to go left". It uh...it took some getting used to.
The oxen didn't have any trouble pulling the plow though. I was worried about it, as plowing is one of the hardest things for a single team of oxen. Constantly pulling for the length of the field. They got a really good workout. Steve took them up to pasture after we got our work done for the day, "they never dropped their heads once to eat on the way up. Went straight for where we pitch them hay". This is a thing unheard of. The boys are always trying to sneak some grass. It's kind of like trying to keep a team of 14 year olds on task during a drill at practice. Always giving them commands, correcting improper behavior/mistakes...it's kind of draining driving oxen.
I started working with the horses this past Sunday. Mike and Spike, the white team of Percherons, Cory talked me through the harnessing process, then we did a bit of ground driving, and I logged a couple of hours driving them with an oat wagon. They are much easier to drive than the oxen. Most of the effort driving them is holding them back from running. Not stopping them from eating grass and playing ox whisperer.
Anyway, that sums up what I've been doing.
Buck
Friday, August 28, 2009
Farming
This might be a stupid question, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway. Who spreads manure during a rain storm? The answer to that question is quite obvious: I do. This past week it rained. Then it rained again. Then it kept raining. It got to the point that I built a boat, put our oxen in it, two milk cows, the bull, two ewes, the ram, six hens (I like eggs), a rooster, two sows from 1900, and Bill the horse.
In one day we got 4 inches of rain. I'll say that again so that it sinks in. Four. Inches. Not quite enough to warrant an ark...but still a good amount of rain.
Anyway, this past week Steve and I hauled manure, fence posts, logs, fence rails, and more manure. I shouldn't say Steve and I did this, as the oxen were the ones pulling the loads but the boys needed drivers. Our vine crops have been going crazy with all this rain. They have started an invasion of oat field, and are working their way to the trail that leads to the barn. We can't even see four rows of root crops. While I do enjoy pumpkin pie, fried squash, fresh watermelon, and cucumber salad. We've been having them pretty much every day lately. That and tomatoes.
There is an old French prayer that translates into "Lord, protect us from the wrath of the vikings". We at the 1850 farm have adapted that phrase, "Lord, protect us from tomatoes". Our farm has been eating, stewing, boiling, pickling, dressing, pitching, and fighting with tomatoes for the past month. Apparently there was a tomato blight this year in Iowa that affected a lot of the crops that were planted, depending on planting time. The blight was bad enough that farmers markets were getting complaints of not having tomatoes to sell. Everybody else waited another two or three weeks before they had edible tomatoes while we were sitting pretty. Steve and Katie were very proud of the garden because of that for a week or so. Then when we had three dishes on the table for dinner involving tomatoes our smiles quickly vanished.
It makes me thing of Garrison Keillor and his "Tomato Butt" story. How, as a child, he was picking tomatoes alongside his brother and sister. He and his brother started throwing tomatoes at the crab-apple tree, and each other until Mother calls from the door that they better keep working. Sister scolds Garrison and bends down to keep picking tomatoes at which point he says on the radio, "What a target!". Katie and I had a similar experience with Steve. Steve was picking cabbage worms, Katie and I were in the tomato beds picking. She and I started tossing the rotten tomatoes to the ducks, then we started playing a version of basketball with tomatoes. Steve scolds us, then bends down to keep picking cabbage worms. I look at Katie who must have been thinking the same thing cause she nodded and smiled. I picked up a handful of rotten grape tomatoes and threw them right at Steve's butt. It was awesome. Especially because he only wears white pants to work.
Anyway.
Tomatoes are finally dying off, but there are some more blooms on the plants which doesn't make me happy. Our cabbage and cauliflower are starting to head which makes me happy. We were worried that they wouldn't because of the damage done to them my worms. Little green caterpillars. Smell bad when you make them go "squish". Pumpkins are turning orange. Patty-pan squashes, Turk Turbans, and Yellow crook necks are going nuts too. Georgia Rattlesnake Watermelons are getting nice and big and plump. Green nutmeg melons have started to be consumed at dinners. They're a small green melon that looks honeydew and tastes like muskmelon. Plus they're only about the size of a 12 inch softball. It's a good breakfast food. Sweet corn is done. I'm upset about this because I didn't get to eat any at the farm. They always ate it when I wasn't there. We've got red chilli's that are up and done, along with some Bulls Nose peppers. It's a pepper that looks like a red jalep, but tastes like a bell pepper. I was confused.
Red the Bull is visiting our milk cows, and causing a bit of a ruckus with the steers. Red is only about 2 years old or so, but he put Luke the previous alpha male in the bovine community in his place. Steve and I were placing bets on who would win and how long it would take. If you won you didn't have to do chores the rest of the week. I picked the right bovine, but Steve won on the time. So we split and we split the pot, I didn't have to do morning chores, he didn't have to do evening chores. I think Red is going to be here for another month, but don't quote me on that. Since nobody is there at night or after work to see if Claire or Ginger get bread or not. -And no Dad, Red isn't baking up there. He doesn't have thumbs. Or an oven. Or a bread baker machine. Or electricity. -
Anyway, that about sums up the whole farming thing. We're building an addition to the hog lot for the piglets, but it's a work in progress. I conned Steve into digging all the fence post holes. But I think it's fair. I took a piece of machinery to the groin while we were demolishing the old hog lot. I told Steve he could make it up to me by digging the post holes. Con completed.
Oh,
I traded my car in for a truck. Helps with the moving animals and what not. When only one of the Ag guys has a truck, and maintenance won't lend us a truck it's hard to move livestock. We tried to put T-bone, our yearling steer into the back seat of my Grand Am...nobody was happy that day. "Tonka" is a 97 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.2 liter V8, she's two tone silver and red with tan upholstery. The best part is that the heat and AC both work! We're still feeling each other out, but so far we've only had a few hiccups. She goes into the mechanic the week before I come home, so...next week.
College football is upon us, so I'll be spending more time over at Cory's place as all I'd be able to watch is what garbage the TV channels want me to watch. Not that cable would be much better, but Cory gets the Big10 network. That makes me very happy that he is willing to let me watch sporting events at his place. Especially since basketball is right after football. And the Big10 network shows volleyball sometimes. Awesome Awesome.
Anyway, that's about it.
Buck
In one day we got 4 inches of rain. I'll say that again so that it sinks in. Four. Inches. Not quite enough to warrant an ark...but still a good amount of rain.
Anyway, this past week Steve and I hauled manure, fence posts, logs, fence rails, and more manure. I shouldn't say Steve and I did this, as the oxen were the ones pulling the loads but the boys needed drivers. Our vine crops have been going crazy with all this rain. They have started an invasion of oat field, and are working their way to the trail that leads to the barn. We can't even see four rows of root crops. While I do enjoy pumpkin pie, fried squash, fresh watermelon, and cucumber salad. We've been having them pretty much every day lately. That and tomatoes.
There is an old French prayer that translates into "Lord, protect us from the wrath of the vikings". We at the 1850 farm have adapted that phrase, "Lord, protect us from tomatoes". Our farm has been eating, stewing, boiling, pickling, dressing, pitching, and fighting with tomatoes for the past month. Apparently there was a tomato blight this year in Iowa that affected a lot of the crops that were planted, depending on planting time. The blight was bad enough that farmers markets were getting complaints of not having tomatoes to sell. Everybody else waited another two or three weeks before they had edible tomatoes while we were sitting pretty. Steve and Katie were very proud of the garden because of that for a week or so. Then when we had three dishes on the table for dinner involving tomatoes our smiles quickly vanished.
It makes me thing of Garrison Keillor and his "Tomato Butt" story. How, as a child, he was picking tomatoes alongside his brother and sister. He and his brother started throwing tomatoes at the crab-apple tree, and each other until Mother calls from the door that they better keep working. Sister scolds Garrison and bends down to keep picking tomatoes at which point he says on the radio, "What a target!". Katie and I had a similar experience with Steve. Steve was picking cabbage worms, Katie and I were in the tomato beds picking. She and I started tossing the rotten tomatoes to the ducks, then we started playing a version of basketball with tomatoes. Steve scolds us, then bends down to keep picking cabbage worms. I look at Katie who must have been thinking the same thing cause she nodded and smiled. I picked up a handful of rotten grape tomatoes and threw them right at Steve's butt. It was awesome. Especially because he only wears white pants to work.
Anyway.
Tomatoes are finally dying off, but there are some more blooms on the plants which doesn't make me happy. Our cabbage and cauliflower are starting to head which makes me happy. We were worried that they wouldn't because of the damage done to them my worms. Little green caterpillars. Smell bad when you make them go "squish". Pumpkins are turning orange. Patty-pan squashes, Turk Turbans, and Yellow crook necks are going nuts too. Georgia Rattlesnake Watermelons are getting nice and big and plump. Green nutmeg melons have started to be consumed at dinners. They're a small green melon that looks honeydew and tastes like muskmelon. Plus they're only about the size of a 12 inch softball. It's a good breakfast food. Sweet corn is done. I'm upset about this because I didn't get to eat any at the farm. They always ate it when I wasn't there. We've got red chilli's that are up and done, along with some Bulls Nose peppers. It's a pepper that looks like a red jalep, but tastes like a bell pepper. I was confused.
Red the Bull is visiting our milk cows, and causing a bit of a ruckus with the steers. Red is only about 2 years old or so, but he put Luke the previous alpha male in the bovine community in his place. Steve and I were placing bets on who would win and how long it would take. If you won you didn't have to do chores the rest of the week. I picked the right bovine, but Steve won on the time. So we split and we split the pot, I didn't have to do morning chores, he didn't have to do evening chores. I think Red is going to be here for another month, but don't quote me on that. Since nobody is there at night or after work to see if Claire or Ginger get bread or not. -And no Dad, Red isn't baking up there. He doesn't have thumbs. Or an oven. Or a bread baker machine. Or electricity. -
Anyway, that about sums up the whole farming thing. We're building an addition to the hog lot for the piglets, but it's a work in progress. I conned Steve into digging all the fence post holes. But I think it's fair. I took a piece of machinery to the groin while we were demolishing the old hog lot. I told Steve he could make it up to me by digging the post holes. Con completed.
Oh,
I traded my car in for a truck. Helps with the moving animals and what not. When only one of the Ag guys has a truck, and maintenance won't lend us a truck it's hard to move livestock. We tried to put T-bone, our yearling steer into the back seat of my Grand Am...nobody was happy that day. "Tonka" is a 97 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.2 liter V8, she's two tone silver and red with tan upholstery. The best part is that the heat and AC both work! We're still feeling each other out, but so far we've only had a few hiccups. She goes into the mechanic the week before I come home, so...next week.
College football is upon us, so I'll be spending more time over at Cory's place as all I'd be able to watch is what garbage the TV channels want me to watch. Not that cable would be much better, but Cory gets the Big10 network. That makes me very happy that he is willing to let me watch sporting events at his place. Especially since basketball is right after football. And the Big10 network shows volleyball sometimes. Awesome Awesome.
Anyway, that's about it.
Buck
Friday, August 14, 2009
Family
Last week my sister asked me to play a piece in her wedding.
I got to thinking recently about my family. Probably because school should be starting up, and normally this is the time of year that I would get to see them. However, now that I have a job, am 360-ish miles away from them, and am graduated, I don't think I'll see them before next month. This is a shame.
My family is something that I can not live without. At least easily. I understand that I have always said that a little goes a long way regarding my family. But you start to notice when you don't even get that little.
I love my family. I do. I wouldn't be who I am today without them. Without the guidance, the freedom, the understanding that they have provided me all my life. I realize that it would be rude of me to say to them, "Thanks for everything, now I'm leaving". But at the same time calling every week, hell even every month isn't something that I'm particularly good at. Nor do I enjoy scheduling a call to a family member. I don't think that we should have to do that. Ask Sarah how often I've called her. Don't really do that cause I'll get yelled at again. It isn't that I don't enjoy talking with them/you. It is more of...I don't usually have a whole lot to say. Sure, I can spin yarns, catch you up on my life, but I'd rather be hearing about what's going on with you. I realize that you feel the same way about it, well Dad does.
Sarah has been having some family issues back home in Minnesota, which adds some weight to the family train of thought. Her father is stepping down from being a pastor at two small congregations. Her mother started harping at her to come up for a retirement luncheon and dinner shin-dig. But in reality, Sarah couldn't get there. She wanted to be there, but she's getting her classroom set up, lesson plans written, figuring out what she's doing as a second grade Lutheran school teacher. With Derek as her principal. That's a lot on a person's plate.
I do feel a sense of family out here at the Farms, but it isn't the same. It is very much a co-worker family. The only things that we really talk about is Farms related and it drives me nuts. Most of the griping is deserved, but we've been hitting the horse since May. The horse has gone past not wanting to move, it has gotten to the point where it needs to be buried.
I'm both honored to be asked to play in my sister's wedding, and a bit nervous about it. I'm sure that I'll do fine, and whatever I play will sound great. But at the same time, I'd rather not play in it. I know that that statement seems off, it's my sister's wedding. I should be thrilled to play in it. I should...I don't know, dance a jig with joy for being asked to play. There are two reasons for my reluctance. First: What am I supposed to play? Second: I'd rather stand there looking pretty and being there for her than also being a musician.
Now the first thought that pops into my head is that what I just wrote is the most selfish thing I could have ever said/written/whatever. But the shame from putting that down in electronic writing doesn't make me not feel that way. (There were a lot of negatives in that sentence)
By the way suggestions as to what to play would be great. Big Sister gave me free reign with one limitation. No Meatloaf. Not much of a limitation, but there it is. I have no idea what to play. Most everyone is going to say sacred music. I agree, there should be some sacred music, but I don't know what other tunes she is planning. Brett doesn't care. I also don't really care, just because whatever it is, I'll play it. But some ideas would be nice.
I suppose that this is enough rambling about things.
I miss you folks.
Buck
I got to thinking recently about my family. Probably because school should be starting up, and normally this is the time of year that I would get to see them. However, now that I have a job, am 360-ish miles away from them, and am graduated, I don't think I'll see them before next month. This is a shame.
My family is something that I can not live without. At least easily. I understand that I have always said that a little goes a long way regarding my family. But you start to notice when you don't even get that little.
I love my family. I do. I wouldn't be who I am today without them. Without the guidance, the freedom, the understanding that they have provided me all my life. I realize that it would be rude of me to say to them, "Thanks for everything, now I'm leaving". But at the same time calling every week, hell even every month isn't something that I'm particularly good at. Nor do I enjoy scheduling a call to a family member. I don't think that we should have to do that. Ask Sarah how often I've called her. Don't really do that cause I'll get yelled at again. It isn't that I don't enjoy talking with them/you. It is more of...I don't usually have a whole lot to say. Sure, I can spin yarns, catch you up on my life, but I'd rather be hearing about what's going on with you. I realize that you feel the same way about it, well Dad does.
Sarah has been having some family issues back home in Minnesota, which adds some weight to the family train of thought. Her father is stepping down from being a pastor at two small congregations. Her mother started harping at her to come up for a retirement luncheon and dinner shin-dig. But in reality, Sarah couldn't get there. She wanted to be there, but she's getting her classroom set up, lesson plans written, figuring out what she's doing as a second grade Lutheran school teacher. With Derek as her principal. That's a lot on a person's plate.
I do feel a sense of family out here at the Farms, but it isn't the same. It is very much a co-worker family. The only things that we really talk about is Farms related and it drives me nuts. Most of the griping is deserved, but we've been hitting the horse since May. The horse has gone past not wanting to move, it has gotten to the point where it needs to be buried.
I'm both honored to be asked to play in my sister's wedding, and a bit nervous about it. I'm sure that I'll do fine, and whatever I play will sound great. But at the same time, I'd rather not play in it. I know that that statement seems off, it's my sister's wedding. I should be thrilled to play in it. I should...I don't know, dance a jig with joy for being asked to play. There are two reasons for my reluctance. First: What am I supposed to play? Second: I'd rather stand there looking pretty and being there for her than also being a musician.
Now the first thought that pops into my head is that what I just wrote is the most selfish thing I could have ever said/written/whatever. But the shame from putting that down in electronic writing doesn't make me not feel that way. (There were a lot of negatives in that sentence)
By the way suggestions as to what to play would be great. Big Sister gave me free reign with one limitation. No Meatloaf. Not much of a limitation, but there it is. I have no idea what to play. Most everyone is going to say sacred music. I agree, there should be some sacred music, but I don't know what other tunes she is planning. Brett doesn't care. I also don't really care, just because whatever it is, I'll play it. But some ideas would be nice.
I suppose that this is enough rambling about things.
I miss you folks.
Buck
Monday, July 27, 2009
"God is great, beer is good, people are crazy"
I have come to a conclusion: People are stupid.
Allow me to expound upon this astonishing revelation. Just this past week Steve and I were out in the wheat field mowing down what should have been beautiful swaths of wheat. In reality the majority of what was cut was an ugly weed known far and wide as ragweed. The silent killer. I affectionately name the plant as such because only two people on the farm are not allergic to the pollen produced by this pestilent plant. Myself and Katie. Mostly because we rock, but a secondary reason is that everyone rocks a little bit less.
As I came in from the field to grab some water for myself and Steve, also to check the time and see if we needed to start on evening chores, Katie comes walking determinedly towards me. I stopped because she looked ready to kill someone, once she got to the barn where I was she calmly told me that "Claire just gored a kid". I look the question "Are you serious" at her to which she replied with the details. Turns out this little 4 year old girl thought that it would be a great idea to walk up to a 1,200 pound animal and scream at it because she saw a spider. Normaly Claire wouldn't bat an eye at the scream, but the kid started waving her hands around and bopped Claire on the nose. - This is not a good thing. Cattle have very sensitive noses, kind of like a dog or a cat. - Claire shook her head and caught the kid in the stomach. The kid was fine, but cried bloody murder ran away and thought that God was coming down to smite her for her wicked ways. Or something like that.
Mom and Dad came running into the house to get a staff member and tell us that the cow is dangerous. Katie asked them what happened, they tell the story. Katie checks out the kid and sees a three inch abrassion, some swelling, and the start of what I'm sure by now is a pretty bruise. Katie reminds the good traumatized parents that there is a sign at the begining of the trail saying, DO NOT PET OR FEED THE ANIMALS. Brainiac that Dad is says, "No there isn't". The reply falls from the lips, "Yes there is, right before you come to the hog lot on a green sign".
Katie filled out an incident report to cover the bases then came out to tell "the boys". I just looked at her and said, "OK. Anything you want me to do?" as I'm first aid trained. She said, "Nope, just don't say it's our fault". Oke Doke, I can do that. She goes off and tells Steve the story.
Later that day when Steve and I are milking Claire we got to talking about the rough day that Claire had, and what was on the agenda for the next day. Steve stopped milking for a second pats Claire and says, "Go for the heart next time sweetie, prove that Darwin was right". I laughed at the time and asked him what we should do to avoid this in the future, if anything. He resumed milking and said that all we can do is stress that the animals have horns for a reason and that cattle are not the same thing as petting a dog.
The next day we took measurements of the boys and the girls, just to see how much they have grown over the past year. Claire weighed in at an impressive 1,213 lbs. Beau moved the scale over to 1,450 lbs. Luke "Big Boy" weighed 1,536 lbs. T-Bone weighed 1,005 lbs. And "Little One" 6 week old Friendly weighed in at 192. In this past week Friendly finally out weighed me at 215, and has moved on to eating solid food. She still gets confused about the difference between hay and straw, but that's alright. She'll pick it up eventually.
Anyway.
People are stupid. If a sign says DO NOT...anything, you probably should pay attention and oh, don't do what you were about to do.
Buck
Allow me to expound upon this astonishing revelation. Just this past week Steve and I were out in the wheat field mowing down what should have been beautiful swaths of wheat. In reality the majority of what was cut was an ugly weed known far and wide as ragweed. The silent killer. I affectionately name the plant as such because only two people on the farm are not allergic to the pollen produced by this pestilent plant. Myself and Katie. Mostly because we rock, but a secondary reason is that everyone rocks a little bit less.
As I came in from the field to grab some water for myself and Steve, also to check the time and see if we needed to start on evening chores, Katie comes walking determinedly towards me. I stopped because she looked ready to kill someone, once she got to the barn where I was she calmly told me that "Claire just gored a kid". I look the question "Are you serious" at her to which she replied with the details. Turns out this little 4 year old girl thought that it would be a great idea to walk up to a 1,200 pound animal and scream at it because she saw a spider. Normaly Claire wouldn't bat an eye at the scream, but the kid started waving her hands around and bopped Claire on the nose. - This is not a good thing. Cattle have very sensitive noses, kind of like a dog or a cat. - Claire shook her head and caught the kid in the stomach. The kid was fine, but cried bloody murder ran away and thought that God was coming down to smite her for her wicked ways. Or something like that.
Mom and Dad came running into the house to get a staff member and tell us that the cow is dangerous. Katie asked them what happened, they tell the story. Katie checks out the kid and sees a three inch abrassion, some swelling, and the start of what I'm sure by now is a pretty bruise. Katie reminds the good traumatized parents that there is a sign at the begining of the trail saying, DO NOT PET OR FEED THE ANIMALS. Brainiac that Dad is says, "No there isn't". The reply falls from the lips, "Yes there is, right before you come to the hog lot on a green sign".
Katie filled out an incident report to cover the bases then came out to tell "the boys". I just looked at her and said, "OK. Anything you want me to do?" as I'm first aid trained. She said, "Nope, just don't say it's our fault". Oke Doke, I can do that. She goes off and tells Steve the story.
Later that day when Steve and I are milking Claire we got to talking about the rough day that Claire had, and what was on the agenda for the next day. Steve stopped milking for a second pats Claire and says, "Go for the heart next time sweetie, prove that Darwin was right". I laughed at the time and asked him what we should do to avoid this in the future, if anything. He resumed milking and said that all we can do is stress that the animals have horns for a reason and that cattle are not the same thing as petting a dog.
The next day we took measurements of the boys and the girls, just to see how much they have grown over the past year. Claire weighed in at an impressive 1,213 lbs. Beau moved the scale over to 1,450 lbs. Luke "Big Boy" weighed 1,536 lbs. T-Bone weighed 1,005 lbs. And "Little One" 6 week old Friendly weighed in at 192. In this past week Friendly finally out weighed me at 215, and has moved on to eating solid food. She still gets confused about the difference between hay and straw, but that's alright. She'll pick it up eventually.
Anyway.
People are stupid. If a sign says DO NOT...anything, you probably should pay attention and oh, don't do what you were about to do.
Buck
Saturday, July 18, 2009
July so far
We are having freakish weather out here. Now, I remember as a child being scolded for using the word freak or any derivation of the word. But let's be honest. It is the middle of July, and I'm wearing one of the three Fall season shirts I brought with me. 'S cold out there. I have to be honest though, I don't mind it. Maybe I'm only cold because I wear three layers to work everyday, and am out in the fields without cloud cover. Maybe that's why I'm chilly. But it still doesn't seem right to me.
Updates.
School: One more month until I get that piece of paper that is so coveted to hang on a wall in one's office. Problem with that is that if I hang it in the office that Steve and I share, some sort of vermin would probably get to it before anyone besides S or myself could enjoy it. I'm looking into doing some wilderness survival courses which are essentially EMS training courses for state parks. Further pursuing the whole using my degree thing.
Work: Work has been keeping me busy this month. Steve has been out of town for 11 days this month so I've been big dog on campus for the 50 farm. It's fun, but at the same time, I have to have the answers which isn't always easy to do. Nothing else has died yet. My farm is still getting about 2 gallons of milk from Claire every day. 1900 is getting their horses re-shod today, and the new shoes are pretty cool. The shoes are kind of like track spikes. Meaning that the spikes can be replaced when they get worn down. I think that's neat. Plus the farrier is a real nice guy. Funny even, in a Midwest small town kind of way.
Romance: I have been in communication with a very charming young woman that I met at Concordia for the past four years. She currently has a teaching job where her principal is one of Dad's former colleagues. How's that for the LCMS? Smaller world than a Walt Disney ride. Anyway, she conned me into a "long distance" relationship which doesn't really mean a whole lot. I say that because nothing has really changed. I still talk to her almost everyday, either by phone or online. It isn't as though I can take her out for dinner, or go rent a movie, or walk through town. 360 miles is quite the distance. Anyway, so yeah. There is a special someone out there.
Social life: I've been asked not to come to game night until my temper has improved. Now I know what you're thinking. "Buck, you're a pretty laid back kind of guy. You tollerate people very well. Something like that." Turns out that when you play Risk at game night, and you're doing pretty well until you can't get a roll to save your life and end up losing three of the continents you control in under five minutes, get so upset that you throw the dice out the window and a meteor strikes the game board throwing pieces everywhere...people don't let you play Risk with them anymore. In my defense, we had been playing for 4 hours straight, and I elminated two opponents. Social life is going well. Cory is without a doubt the guy that I go to with anything. He just moved, with my help, to an apartment in Grimes. To make that a bit more real for you folks, Grimes is 5 minutes north of Urbandale. We hang out quite a bit.
I've been talking with the Pastor at the church that I try to get to, and he's a very nice man. He didn't quite understand why a 20-something didn't like the contemporary service on Saturday nights until I told him a bit about my background at which point he brightened right up and told me to come to the 8 am Sunday morning service for a liturgical service. Problem is, I work Sunday mornings. If I want to get chores done and the site set up for the day, I have to be at work at 8. He was very understanding and offered to tape the service and give me a copy of the tapes. I said that would be great, but I'll still miss out on communion, and the relationships that I could form with other members of the congregation. Again, he didn't quite understand why a 20-something would worry about those kind of things at which point I elaborated on my background. - The only downside to this church is that one has to be a member to partake in communion. Being confirmed isn't enough. Reminds me a bit of Grace RF, or St. Paul Brookfield. I also can't become a member right now. New member classes are Sunday mornings and as previously said, I can't get to those. So, untill my schedule changes, or the season slows down to limited hours, I'll make do with the Church in a Can.
That's about all I can think of.
Oh, Big Sister - Ginger had a nail in her hoof, and your sheep are dying from worms. You still don't have pigs. But threshing is coming up! Some good news and bad news. Depending on how you interpret it.
Buck
Updates.
School: One more month until I get that piece of paper that is so coveted to hang on a wall in one's office. Problem with that is that if I hang it in the office that Steve and I share, some sort of vermin would probably get to it before anyone besides S or myself could enjoy it. I'm looking into doing some wilderness survival courses which are essentially EMS training courses for state parks. Further pursuing the whole using my degree thing.
Work: Work has been keeping me busy this month. Steve has been out of town for 11 days this month so I've been big dog on campus for the 50 farm. It's fun, but at the same time, I have to have the answers which isn't always easy to do. Nothing else has died yet. My farm is still getting about 2 gallons of milk from Claire every day. 1900 is getting their horses re-shod today, and the new shoes are pretty cool. The shoes are kind of like track spikes. Meaning that the spikes can be replaced when they get worn down. I think that's neat. Plus the farrier is a real nice guy. Funny even, in a Midwest small town kind of way.
Romance: I have been in communication with a very charming young woman that I met at Concordia for the past four years. She currently has a teaching job where her principal is one of Dad's former colleagues. How's that for the LCMS? Smaller world than a Walt Disney ride. Anyway, she conned me into a "long distance" relationship which doesn't really mean a whole lot. I say that because nothing has really changed. I still talk to her almost everyday, either by phone or online. It isn't as though I can take her out for dinner, or go rent a movie, or walk through town. 360 miles is quite the distance. Anyway, so yeah. There is a special someone out there.
Social life: I've been asked not to come to game night until my temper has improved. Now I know what you're thinking. "Buck, you're a pretty laid back kind of guy. You tollerate people very well. Something like that." Turns out that when you play Risk at game night, and you're doing pretty well until you can't get a roll to save your life and end up losing three of the continents you control in under five minutes, get so upset that you throw the dice out the window and a meteor strikes the game board throwing pieces everywhere...people don't let you play Risk with them anymore. In my defense, we had been playing for 4 hours straight, and I elminated two opponents. Social life is going well. Cory is without a doubt the guy that I go to with anything. He just moved, with my help, to an apartment in Grimes. To make that a bit more real for you folks, Grimes is 5 minutes north of Urbandale. We hang out quite a bit.
I've been talking with the Pastor at the church that I try to get to, and he's a very nice man. He didn't quite understand why a 20-something didn't like the contemporary service on Saturday nights until I told him a bit about my background at which point he brightened right up and told me to come to the 8 am Sunday morning service for a liturgical service. Problem is, I work Sunday mornings. If I want to get chores done and the site set up for the day, I have to be at work at 8. He was very understanding and offered to tape the service and give me a copy of the tapes. I said that would be great, but I'll still miss out on communion, and the relationships that I could form with other members of the congregation. Again, he didn't quite understand why a 20-something would worry about those kind of things at which point I elaborated on my background. - The only downside to this church is that one has to be a member to partake in communion. Being confirmed isn't enough. Reminds me a bit of Grace RF, or St. Paul Brookfield. I also can't become a member right now. New member classes are Sunday mornings and as previously said, I can't get to those. So, untill my schedule changes, or the season slows down to limited hours, I'll make do with the Church in a Can.
That's about all I can think of.
Oh, Big Sister - Ginger had a nail in her hoof, and your sheep are dying from worms. You still don't have pigs. But threshing is coming up! Some good news and bad news. Depending on how you interpret it.
Buck
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
June
Well, this past month was a whirl-wind of activity. Personally I'm very glad that June is over as nothing good happens in the month - birthdays excluded. I'll catch you up a bit on things that have been happening, but there won't be a whole lot of commentary in this post, the paper and I are currently in a bitter struggle since the crosswords keep beating me.
The second week of June was hectic. I had just found out that my sister is engaged the same day that a friend that I used to drive to HCHS was killed. Little bit of awesome, add a dash of devastating, bake for 30 minutes and that was my evening. That Tuesday my farm had a calf, who's name is Friendly. Supposedly it is a historic name - the wife of the territorial Governor of Iowa. That Governor shares his name with one of our oxen by the way. The rest of the week was fairly uneventful.
Third week of June. Kate's old farm had their second calf who is a bull calf, and very leggy. In fact, he is all legs. We've taken to calling him Skipper for some reason. Maybe it was because the calving which should have taken 1-2 hours max, took 6 hours. Ended up that Tony, and Sam had to pull him because the vet wasn't in the office at 10 PM. I also became an Iowa citizen this past week. Plates, car title, drivers licence, the whole 9 yards. Luckily one of my roommates didn't need their car that day and I got everything squared away before noon. -One side note here, Iowa's department of transportation is very strange. You can get a drivers licence at the DMV (DOT out here), but you can't change a title, or get your sticker, you have to go to the county hall. Strange. -
Fourth week of June. My phone died. Monday and Tuesday were brutally hot. It was nice to clear up all of the rain that we had gotten the previous week, and the crops are showing their love of the sun. Our corn has startled to tassel already, and in a week or so we'll probably have silks start to show up. Our potatoes are ready for harvest. Turnips, beets, beans, radishes, and rutabaga have been very popular in our dinners as they have gotten so big so fast that we're selling them at the garden market just so that the non-thinned veggies have room to grow. Anyway, apparently when you have your phone in a pocket that is saturated with sweat all day, in 90+ degrees of actual heat, plus the 8 or 9 degrees of heat index...a phone will die. I have a new one, and a new number, shoot me an email or talk to my folks, they have the number and I can get it to you. Wednesday Henry - a volunteer - and I slaughtered and butchered a lamb for the wedding later in the week. It was a lot of fun to do that, granted Henry did most of the work to start with, but I did the slaughter, then once Henry got the skinning started he handed over the knife and told me what to do. Dressing lambs was new for both of us, but I've had plenty of experience with anatomy classes regarding dissection, and he's hunted for the past 70 years. I think we managed quite well. Friday we lost a lamb and a ewe. The vet says that it was worms which doesn't make us happy. Saturday we had the Pioneer Wedding. We had a fair number of visitors so it was a good day, but it is amazing to me how much work we can get done on site when there are more than 3 people there. Granted in a single room cabin lots of people can be a hindrance, but somehow we managed. We had an amazing dinner, roasted lamb (this one was supposed to die), roasted root veggies, mac and cheese, lemonade, potato souffle, fresh salad...I'm not doing the dinner justice when I say it was delicious. It almost rivals some of Grandpa's grilled brats, with Aunt Karen's homemade apple sauce - or ribbon jello -, Grandma's potato salad, and Mom's fancy salad. Oh yeah, I was the minister for this fake wedding of ours. I got to wear a wool coat, canvas vest, cotton shirt, canvas trousers, and a quaker oats hat. So, needless to say, the heat was horrible. But I got to dance with some pretty girls during the waltz, and then the Virginia Reel. I must say that the Virginia Reel is quite fun. But dangerous in work boots on grass. Sunday was uneventful, we lost another ewe Sunday night. Somewhere between 11 and 4. I only know that because that's as much sleep as I got that night, worrying about the poor thing.
Last week of June. The vet came out on Tuesday to de-worm our sheep and give the pigs their booster shots, which was a lot of fun. Herding sheep isn't the most enjoyable task in the world. Then crawling into a hog lot to wrestle those little guys made the day even better.
Today, well, Steve - my immediate boss - left for a fishing trip right after the wedding so I've been the big man on campus. Which is great, but at the same time it shows me how much I need to learn still. Today I got my real first experience driving the oxen without training wheels. All we did was move some fence rails, but...everything went well. We also butchered and dressed a duck which was fun, I did it last year too, but it is still fun. While we were dressing it I got to teach some kids about anatomy and how human anatomy is different from a duck. Yay for using my degree!
So that takes us through this past month. Hopefully things will calm down a bit more and I can regularly update this.
Buck
The second week of June was hectic. I had just found out that my sister is engaged the same day that a friend that I used to drive to HCHS was killed. Little bit of awesome, add a dash of devastating, bake for 30 minutes and that was my evening. That Tuesday my farm had a calf, who's name is Friendly. Supposedly it is a historic name - the wife of the territorial Governor of Iowa. That Governor shares his name with one of our oxen by the way. The rest of the week was fairly uneventful.
Third week of June. Kate's old farm had their second calf who is a bull calf, and very leggy. In fact, he is all legs. We've taken to calling him Skipper for some reason. Maybe it was because the calving which should have taken 1-2 hours max, took 6 hours. Ended up that Tony, and Sam had to pull him because the vet wasn't in the office at 10 PM. I also became an Iowa citizen this past week. Plates, car title, drivers licence, the whole 9 yards. Luckily one of my roommates didn't need their car that day and I got everything squared away before noon. -One side note here, Iowa's department of transportation is very strange. You can get a drivers licence at the DMV (DOT out here), but you can't change a title, or get your sticker, you have to go to the county hall. Strange. -
Fourth week of June. My phone died. Monday and Tuesday were brutally hot. It was nice to clear up all of the rain that we had gotten the previous week, and the crops are showing their love of the sun. Our corn has startled to tassel already, and in a week or so we'll probably have silks start to show up. Our potatoes are ready for harvest. Turnips, beets, beans, radishes, and rutabaga have been very popular in our dinners as they have gotten so big so fast that we're selling them at the garden market just so that the non-thinned veggies have room to grow. Anyway, apparently when you have your phone in a pocket that is saturated with sweat all day, in 90+ degrees of actual heat, plus the 8 or 9 degrees of heat index...a phone will die. I have a new one, and a new number, shoot me an email or talk to my folks, they have the number and I can get it to you. Wednesday Henry - a volunteer - and I slaughtered and butchered a lamb for the wedding later in the week. It was a lot of fun to do that, granted Henry did most of the work to start with, but I did the slaughter, then once Henry got the skinning started he handed over the knife and told me what to do. Dressing lambs was new for both of us, but I've had plenty of experience with anatomy classes regarding dissection, and he's hunted for the past 70 years. I think we managed quite well. Friday we lost a lamb and a ewe. The vet says that it was worms which doesn't make us happy. Saturday we had the Pioneer Wedding. We had a fair number of visitors so it was a good day, but it is amazing to me how much work we can get done on site when there are more than 3 people there. Granted in a single room cabin lots of people can be a hindrance, but somehow we managed. We had an amazing dinner, roasted lamb (this one was supposed to die), roasted root veggies, mac and cheese, lemonade, potato souffle, fresh salad...I'm not doing the dinner justice when I say it was delicious. It almost rivals some of Grandpa's grilled brats, with Aunt Karen's homemade apple sauce - or ribbon jello -, Grandma's potato salad, and Mom's fancy salad. Oh yeah, I was the minister for this fake wedding of ours. I got to wear a wool coat, canvas vest, cotton shirt, canvas trousers, and a quaker oats hat. So, needless to say, the heat was horrible. But I got to dance with some pretty girls during the waltz, and then the Virginia Reel. I must say that the Virginia Reel is quite fun. But dangerous in work boots on grass. Sunday was uneventful, we lost another ewe Sunday night. Somewhere between 11 and 4. I only know that because that's as much sleep as I got that night, worrying about the poor thing.
Last week of June. The vet came out on Tuesday to de-worm our sheep and give the pigs their booster shots, which was a lot of fun. Herding sheep isn't the most enjoyable task in the world. Then crawling into a hog lot to wrestle those little guys made the day even better.
Today, well, Steve - my immediate boss - left for a fishing trip right after the wedding so I've been the big man on campus. Which is great, but at the same time it shows me how much I need to learn still. Today I got my real first experience driving the oxen without training wheels. All we did was move some fence rails, but...everything went well. We also butchered and dressed a duck which was fun, I did it last year too, but it is still fun. While we were dressing it I got to teach some kids about anatomy and how human anatomy is different from a duck. Yay for using my degree!
So that takes us through this past month. Hopefully things will calm down a bit more and I can regularly update this.
Buck
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Friendly
Yesterday evening we had a calf. That's right Claire-Bell decided right after work to bring forth another little heifer into the world. Her name is Friendly and hopefully it won't be a bad omen of worse things to come. She is solid brown until her hindquarters which are a mottled white. Ginger at the 1900 farm also had a calf last week who's name is Lilly. She's a splotchy brown and white. Tony has started milking Ginger, Steve tried milking Claire today which resulted in him getting kicked a couple of times.
Other than that, all quiet on the western front.
Buck
Other than that, all quiet on the western front.
Buck
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Hog Heaven
We have hogs!
Well, we have piglets, but at least it is a step in the right direction. Six little guys that will grow big strong and hopefully tasty. Kevin, the gentleman that we leased this litter from dropped them off yesterday bearing the great news that they, the hogs, have fleas. That's fine since people aren't supposed to pet or feed them without employee supervision.
1900 does not have any hogs yet as they are working on getting their prospective hogs bread. But that's O.K. We have six.
Buck
Well, we have piglets, but at least it is a step in the right direction. Six little guys that will grow big strong and hopefully tasty. Kevin, the gentleman that we leased this litter from dropped them off yesterday bearing the great news that they, the hogs, have fleas. That's fine since people aren't supposed to pet or feed them without employee supervision.
1900 does not have any hogs yet as they are working on getting their prospective hogs bread. But that's O.K. We have six.
Buck
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lollygaggers
Ok.
This is going to be a rambling man post so ... buckle up.
First. My foot is mostly healed up, I've been working on getting full range of motion in my toes and after "much" dancing at the wedding I feared that all attempts at personal rehab were for naught. Turns out, I'm a sucker for inflicting pain on myself. Not in a sick way though. More of a, no pain no gain kind of way. The foot is no longer pretty pretty colors which gives me so much happiness I can barely contain myself.
Second. The wedding went well. At least it did according to people that heard me play. Personally I was a little disappointed as to how the performance panned out, but what do I know? I'm not a critic, I'm a performer.
Third. As of yesterday morning I was down 20 pounds from graduation. Turns out that beer will add pounds that you didn't even know you had.
Fourth. The farms. Oh Lord, the farms.
There is a lot of back and forth between my roommate Jessie, (manager of the drug store, law office, doctor's office, and the bank) and our current CEO who shall from hence forth be called CEO. See, a few months back one of our board members and influential donor passed away. While this is sad some of the higher-ups feel that it is mandatory that he be memorialized. Turns out he was a lawyer in Des Moines for all his career. CEO wants to rename a historic building which has the name of one of the partners attached to it right now, "Taylor Law Office" to the "Fairbanks Law Office". Jessie has put in hours of research into finding out who this Taylor was, where the building came from, and generally proving the point that the Law Office should retain its name. CEO wants to get in good with the board and the community by renaming a building. Jessie has just filled out an application for other employment.
Interns. While I'm glad that we now have interns to help us out with school groups, chores, work, and talking to visitors. But...being put back into a quasi management position has brought out traits in me that I had forgotten I had. Apparently I can be very demanding, curt, but at the same time instructive. Steve on the other hand is instructive, laid back, and friendly. All in all we make a good team as we round each other out. However, there is a draw back as he and I do not work the same schedules and therefore the one male intern we have is split with me for half a day, and Steve for a full day. We have three female interns on the 1850 site, one has a sharp sense of humor that I really enjoy, one reminds me of my sister to the tee, and the other is from Tennessee. That's all I can say about her because I don't work with her. The girls are getting along great on the farm, but then again Katie, the domestic supervisor has been out of town this past week. Joe, - the boy intern who's nickname is...Boy. What can I say, we're inventive. - is very eager to please. He is also very dumb, but a quick learner. He's at the blacksmith shop two days, at 1850 two days, and at 1700 one day. Much like my schedule. Sam the blacksmith has taken a liking to him and I must say that he strikes me as a smart kid who has never had to work a day in his life. But I've only worked with him one day. The reason I say that he is very dumb is because he doesn't know how to work. I don't understand that. Sure, I goofed off when I was younger and "working", but once I secured my first real job I didn't goof off. I learned that you might be assigned to do jobs that you hate, or you might not be very good at them, or they were boring, or tiring. But you still did them. You always did them. I guess I just have to learn how to think like a kid (he just turned 19), who doesn't know how to work. It will take some time.
The farm itself. We've had a couple of wet days so far, and from what the weatherman says we'll have a few more the next couple of days. To me, that's fine. The farm looks great. Our corn is already mid-shin high and has been cultivated twice by horse. Our potatoes look amazing with hardly a single weed among them. The wheat is knee high and growing strong. The flax is just behind the wheat and the barley is keeping up with the flax. The garden looks amazing, six rows of peas, nine bean plants, six lettuce plants, four pepper plants, nine purple cauliflower plants, a whole bed of onions, two rows of radishes, a row of turnips, two beds of tomatoes...not bad for only being planted two weeks ago.
Claire-bell our milk cow is due to calf in...3-4 weeks judging by how tight her bag is but who knows? T-bone, is being a teenager. He has finally learned that I am not a matador. It took a week or two of working with him but a nice solid whack to his nose with a steel toe made him realize that I'm not somebody that he can boss around, rather the opposite. Steve told me that if I can train him I can keep him. This is not something that I desire, but at least Steve holds T-bone in as small regard as I do. Beau and Luke are still testing me out, trying to get away with things that Steve won't let them get away with when I'm with them. They are very stubborn, but apparently they don't know about Hackelberg blood.
Sheep and lambs are all fine. One lamb twisted his front right leg and is limping but other than that no bad news to report. The lamb that we had to help nurse has been weened and is on a steady diet of grass and he fights for his share of corn among the older sheep. We're happy about this.
Poultry. The little chicks have figured out that they can fly which does not make me happy as it means that I have to chase them down when they get out of the hutch that we keep them in. The Dominique's are laying consistently, but we have only been able to find 3-4 eggs a day. Since there are five of them, this is cause for concern. Where do the eggs go? The drake is doing well as far as we can tell. The ducklings have gotten huge. The little space that we have for them is not nearly big enough which is more cause for concern, but I'll let Steve handle it.
Hogs. We will have hogs by the end of next week! Beyond that, nothing new to report. Unless CEO decides that hogs are a bad thing for an Iowa farm to have, we will have our hogs. Corry, my counterpart at 1900 and I figured that we could get hogs on our farms even without approval from the higher-ups since they never come out to the farm sites anyway.
Other than all of that, everything is quiet out here. I've settled on the project that will keep me sane while staying out here. I'm working on completing the project in compensation for rent. But I haven't sold Nancy the HR lady on that plan yet. I'll keep fighting.
Hope to hear from ya.
Buck
This is going to be a rambling man post so ... buckle up.
First. My foot is mostly healed up, I've been working on getting full range of motion in my toes and after "much" dancing at the wedding I feared that all attempts at personal rehab were for naught. Turns out, I'm a sucker for inflicting pain on myself. Not in a sick way though. More of a, no pain no gain kind of way. The foot is no longer pretty pretty colors which gives me so much happiness I can barely contain myself.
Second. The wedding went well. At least it did according to people that heard me play. Personally I was a little disappointed as to how the performance panned out, but what do I know? I'm not a critic, I'm a performer.
Third. As of yesterday morning I was down 20 pounds from graduation. Turns out that beer will add pounds that you didn't even know you had.
Fourth. The farms. Oh Lord, the farms.
There is a lot of back and forth between my roommate Jessie, (manager of the drug store, law office, doctor's office, and the bank) and our current CEO who shall from hence forth be called CEO. See, a few months back one of our board members and influential donor passed away. While this is sad some of the higher-ups feel that it is mandatory that he be memorialized. Turns out he was a lawyer in Des Moines for all his career. CEO wants to rename a historic building which has the name of one of the partners attached to it right now, "Taylor Law Office" to the "Fairbanks Law Office". Jessie has put in hours of research into finding out who this Taylor was, where the building came from, and generally proving the point that the Law Office should retain its name. CEO wants to get in good with the board and the community by renaming a building. Jessie has just filled out an application for other employment.
Interns. While I'm glad that we now have interns to help us out with school groups, chores, work, and talking to visitors. But...being put back into a quasi management position has brought out traits in me that I had forgotten I had. Apparently I can be very demanding, curt, but at the same time instructive. Steve on the other hand is instructive, laid back, and friendly. All in all we make a good team as we round each other out. However, there is a draw back as he and I do not work the same schedules and therefore the one male intern we have is split with me for half a day, and Steve for a full day. We have three female interns on the 1850 site, one has a sharp sense of humor that I really enjoy, one reminds me of my sister to the tee, and the other is from Tennessee. That's all I can say about her because I don't work with her. The girls are getting along great on the farm, but then again Katie, the domestic supervisor has been out of town this past week. Joe, - the boy intern who's nickname is...Boy. What can I say, we're inventive. - is very eager to please. He is also very dumb, but a quick learner. He's at the blacksmith shop two days, at 1850 two days, and at 1700 one day. Much like my schedule. Sam the blacksmith has taken a liking to him and I must say that he strikes me as a smart kid who has never had to work a day in his life. But I've only worked with him one day. The reason I say that he is very dumb is because he doesn't know how to work. I don't understand that. Sure, I goofed off when I was younger and "working", but once I secured my first real job I didn't goof off. I learned that you might be assigned to do jobs that you hate, or you might not be very good at them, or they were boring, or tiring. But you still did them. You always did them. I guess I just have to learn how to think like a kid (he just turned 19), who doesn't know how to work. It will take some time.
The farm itself. We've had a couple of wet days so far, and from what the weatherman says we'll have a few more the next couple of days. To me, that's fine. The farm looks great. Our corn is already mid-shin high and has been cultivated twice by horse. Our potatoes look amazing with hardly a single weed among them. The wheat is knee high and growing strong. The flax is just behind the wheat and the barley is keeping up with the flax. The garden looks amazing, six rows of peas, nine bean plants, six lettuce plants, four pepper plants, nine purple cauliflower plants, a whole bed of onions, two rows of radishes, a row of turnips, two beds of tomatoes...not bad for only being planted two weeks ago.
Claire-bell our milk cow is due to calf in...3-4 weeks judging by how tight her bag is but who knows? T-bone, is being a teenager. He has finally learned that I am not a matador. It took a week or two of working with him but a nice solid whack to his nose with a steel toe made him realize that I'm not somebody that he can boss around, rather the opposite. Steve told me that if I can train him I can keep him. This is not something that I desire, but at least Steve holds T-bone in as small regard as I do. Beau and Luke are still testing me out, trying to get away with things that Steve won't let them get away with when I'm with them. They are very stubborn, but apparently they don't know about Hackelberg blood.
Sheep and lambs are all fine. One lamb twisted his front right leg and is limping but other than that no bad news to report. The lamb that we had to help nurse has been weened and is on a steady diet of grass and he fights for his share of corn among the older sheep. We're happy about this.
Poultry. The little chicks have figured out that they can fly which does not make me happy as it means that I have to chase them down when they get out of the hutch that we keep them in. The Dominique's are laying consistently, but we have only been able to find 3-4 eggs a day. Since there are five of them, this is cause for concern. Where do the eggs go? The drake is doing well as far as we can tell. The ducklings have gotten huge. The little space that we have for them is not nearly big enough which is more cause for concern, but I'll let Steve handle it.
Hogs. We will have hogs by the end of next week! Beyond that, nothing new to report. Unless CEO decides that hogs are a bad thing for an Iowa farm to have, we will have our hogs. Corry, my counterpart at 1900 and I figured that we could get hogs on our farms even without approval from the higher-ups since they never come out to the farm sites anyway.
Other than all of that, everything is quiet out here. I've settled on the project that will keep me sane while staying out here. I'm working on completing the project in compensation for rent. But I haven't sold Nancy the HR lady on that plan yet. I'll keep fighting.
Hope to hear from ya.
Buck
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Smell that? That's dirt.
Greetings and salutations from the great state of Iowa.
For the most part things have been uneventful, which I'm grateful for, but at the same time I miss the ready accsess to whatever might be going on. So much for a college town.
I don't have much to update due to the lack of anything going on. But here is a quick fix for ya.
I have the worst tan lines in the world. Being out in the sun all day with sleeves down and buttoned does not do much for my usual farmer's tan.
I have settled into a routine in the Blue House where I wake up, take a walk, make a pot of instant coffee (I forgot the 10 cup pot), watch the weather report, then walk to work. Come home from work, wash up, read, watch the news, go to bed.
The farm is beautiful right now. Everything is starting to grow, and the garden is coming to life much to everyone's merriment. Potatoes and potatoes has already gotten old. Our acre of corn just got cultivated today courtesy of your's truly, and Steve. Along with the help of a stolen horse from the 1900 farm. Our potatoes are coming in, along with purple cauliflower, tomatoes, wheat, oats, and barley. We've had some trouble with the chickens much to Katie's dismay, but when there are hungry raccoons, and hawks...we can't do much to help them. Our oxen are getting used to me again and I'm going to start driving them soon according to Steve, and Tony at 1900 says that I'll start driving the horses in late June.
I'm looking forward to coming home for the wedding this weekend, but I'm very nervous as I haven't been able to practice for the last month. Mostly due to scheduling conflicts. And granted, I know the pieces, but...I want them to be perfect. Curse having a great piano teacher!
I'm going to ice my foot now as Bill the horse stepped on it today and it hurts. Lord does my foot hurt. But ice will cure anything I've learned. Or at least dull the pain so that you don't think it hurts.
For the most part things have been uneventful, which I'm grateful for, but at the same time I miss the ready accsess to whatever might be going on. So much for a college town.
I don't have much to update due to the lack of anything going on. But here is a quick fix for ya.
I have the worst tan lines in the world. Being out in the sun all day with sleeves down and buttoned does not do much for my usual farmer's tan.
I have settled into a routine in the Blue House where I wake up, take a walk, make a pot of instant coffee (I forgot the 10 cup pot), watch the weather report, then walk to work. Come home from work, wash up, read, watch the news, go to bed.
The farm is beautiful right now. Everything is starting to grow, and the garden is coming to life much to everyone's merriment. Potatoes and potatoes has already gotten old. Our acre of corn just got cultivated today courtesy of your's truly, and Steve. Along with the help of a stolen horse from the 1900 farm. Our potatoes are coming in, along with purple cauliflower, tomatoes, wheat, oats, and barley. We've had some trouble with the chickens much to Katie's dismay, but when there are hungry raccoons, and hawks...we can't do much to help them. Our oxen are getting used to me again and I'm going to start driving them soon according to Steve, and Tony at 1900 says that I'll start driving the horses in late June.
I'm looking forward to coming home for the wedding this weekend, but I'm very nervous as I haven't been able to practice for the last month. Mostly due to scheduling conflicts. And granted, I know the pieces, but...I want them to be perfect. Curse having a great piano teacher!
I'm going to ice my foot now as Bill the horse stepped on it today and it hurts. Lord does my foot hurt. But ice will cure anything I've learned. Or at least dull the pain so that you don't think it hurts.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
So.
I have one final left to take.
In only a few hours I will be done with my undergraduate course work.
It is, as they say, an end of an era. I have: made a few good friends, made a few horrible mistakes, had an epiphany, secured employment, received a cap and gown, and become so nervous about my last final that I don't know if the stomach is reacting to bad coffee or bad nerves.
As much as I want to be out of here, done with the school, done with the area, done with...everything. I don't want to leave.
Who am I without school?
While it should be easy enough to answer that question by the one person most qualified, I have trouble coming up with a quick accurate answer. Yes, I'm a hard worker. Yes I am a religious individual. Yes, I enjoy helping people. Yes, I like trying new things. No, I don't like meeting new people. Yes, I am a conservative.
True, that is me to the core. But...it isn't me. Throughout my entire life I have been around schools. Ma is a teacher, her friends are teachers, my friends folks were teachers, or active in the school in some way... School is what I know. And yet, I don't want to teach. I really don't. I want to coach, and I want to help people understand what they want in life. I understand that the idea of teaching, and the idea of what I want to do aren't incompatible ideas. But, kids annoy me. Maybe because I always hung out with older kids, or kids my same age, I never learned to experience the joy that most people seem to have with children. Maybe I'm just cold-hearted.
So the question remains...
Who am I without school?
I don't want to stay in school. I don't want to teach.
Yet
I don't want to leave school. I don't want to teach.
I'm just now asking this question, and assuredly I am kicking myself for waiting so long to ask it, what am I going to do with my life? And how is it right that we have to decide the answer to that question when we are at the impressionable age of 13? At 13, I wanted to teach. I wanted to be a PE teacher with all my heart. Then seven years later much as a famine struck Egypt, uncertainty struck me. Sadly, there was no Joseph who helped store up food, and my belief structure crumbled slightly. Seven years wasted. At least as far as course work was concerned.
So now I've fallen back to my second love, history. I've got a job at a museum, and the only thing standing between me, and my job is this last test.
So.
Come what may, cause no matter what, I can't change the past.
I should probably take this final.
I have one final left to take.
In only a few hours I will be done with my undergraduate course work.
It is, as they say, an end of an era. I have: made a few good friends, made a few horrible mistakes, had an epiphany, secured employment, received a cap and gown, and become so nervous about my last final that I don't know if the stomach is reacting to bad coffee or bad nerves.
As much as I want to be out of here, done with the school, done with the area, done with...everything. I don't want to leave.
Who am I without school?
While it should be easy enough to answer that question by the one person most qualified, I have trouble coming up with a quick accurate answer. Yes, I'm a hard worker. Yes I am a religious individual. Yes, I enjoy helping people. Yes, I like trying new things. No, I don't like meeting new people. Yes, I am a conservative.
True, that is me to the core. But...it isn't me. Throughout my entire life I have been around schools. Ma is a teacher, her friends are teachers, my friends folks were teachers, or active in the school in some way... School is what I know. And yet, I don't want to teach. I really don't. I want to coach, and I want to help people understand what they want in life. I understand that the idea of teaching, and the idea of what I want to do aren't incompatible ideas. But, kids annoy me. Maybe because I always hung out with older kids, or kids my same age, I never learned to experience the joy that most people seem to have with children. Maybe I'm just cold-hearted.
So the question remains...
Who am I without school?
I don't want to stay in school. I don't want to teach.
Yet
I don't want to leave school. I don't want to teach.
I'm just now asking this question, and assuredly I am kicking myself for waiting so long to ask it, what am I going to do with my life? And how is it right that we have to decide the answer to that question when we are at the impressionable age of 13? At 13, I wanted to teach. I wanted to be a PE teacher with all my heart. Then seven years later much as a famine struck Egypt, uncertainty struck me. Sadly, there was no Joseph who helped store up food, and my belief structure crumbled slightly. Seven years wasted. At least as far as course work was concerned.
So now I've fallen back to my second love, history. I've got a job at a museum, and the only thing standing between me, and my job is this last test.
So.
Come what may, cause no matter what, I can't change the past.
I should probably take this final.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chicken Parm Dinner!
Last night was my volleyball team's first tournament. I'm sure that they all played in tournaments in their respective schools, but if it was anything like my high school carreer the tournaments are very different in terms of speed and intensity. The only down time you get is when you are not scheduled for the court. My team didn't really understand that until we got our first break; which, was five hours into the tournament.
We started out strong in the first match winning in two games. Then we reffed a match that was ugly and long. They're still getting used to doing the book and tracking the libero, so much so that if you don't keep them on task they are just gonna talk about where they get their nails done. After that match we played again, only problem was that we were missing a middle hitter. So instead of playing with a full squad we were a girl down.
We switched some things around so that a DS played all the way around and an L2 was moved to the middle as she was the next tallest, plus she's swung out of the middle before. We won that match as well, with some significant coaching beind done for Morgan, our new L2 hitter, former DS. After that match we reffed again, and much to everyone's dismay the match went to three games with every game going into extra points. It was quite honestly the worst match I have ever seen. It went so long mostly because of service errors, but the girls were very antsy, and hungry, and tired. We got the next match as a break so the girls ate, rehydrated, and asked questions. That made me very happy to see. Asking questions about technique, what to do in certain positions, how to cover certain attacks, how to move to a ball. Really good questions from 14 year olds.
The last match of the night started at 8, we won the first game 25-5 then the second game 27-25. After the first game they lost a lot of their energy and started playing down to the level of the other team. They learned what coaches mean when they say that players need to dig deep/find the desire/push through/find another gear. We came back from a 5-11 deficit to finally win the game. Winning the pool in 6 games is pretty impressive for a first tournament.
So now we have a practice tonight then a practice on thursday, then another tournament this weekend. Go Teal!
We started out strong in the first match winning in two games. Then we reffed a match that was ugly and long. They're still getting used to doing the book and tracking the libero, so much so that if you don't keep them on task they are just gonna talk about where they get their nails done. After that match we played again, only problem was that we were missing a middle hitter. So instead of playing with a full squad we were a girl down.
We switched some things around so that a DS played all the way around and an L2 was moved to the middle as she was the next tallest, plus she's swung out of the middle before. We won that match as well, with some significant coaching beind done for Morgan, our new L2 hitter, former DS. After that match we reffed again, and much to everyone's dismay the match went to three games with every game going into extra points. It was quite honestly the worst match I have ever seen. It went so long mostly because of service errors, but the girls were very antsy, and hungry, and tired. We got the next match as a break so the girls ate, rehydrated, and asked questions. That made me very happy to see. Asking questions about technique, what to do in certain positions, how to cover certain attacks, how to move to a ball. Really good questions from 14 year olds.
The last match of the night started at 8, we won the first game 25-5 then the second game 27-25. After the first game they lost a lot of their energy and started playing down to the level of the other team. They learned what coaches mean when they say that players need to dig deep/find the desire/push through/find another gear. We came back from a 5-11 deficit to finally win the game. Winning the pool in 6 games is pretty impressive for a first tournament.
So now we have a practice tonight then a practice on thursday, then another tournament this weekend. Go Teal!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Hands stained by the newspaper
I find myself in a quandary. I was looking through NPR today to finally figure out what station it is in Bloomington Normal and came across an interesting article. This article invoked a sense of dread in me that I couldn't place until just now.
Growing up - if I wasn't playing, at school, doing chores, or practicing piano - there was a high chance that I was reading. Reading was always encouraged in our house and the folks never had a problem taking us to the library, or trusting us to ride our bikes the four blocks that the stood between us and the escape that literature provided. Kate and I were read to nearly every single night when we were too young to read for ourselves, which was not a large window but an important one none-the-less. I say that this window is important because I don't know how Kate or I would have turned out if it were not for learning how to read at an early age.
Nowadays children are given to the moving picture box in sacrifice for a parent's personal time. They are given electronics and technologies that I yearned for growing up, but accepted the fact that money was tight, and my friends were always willing to share. I can remember riding my bike for half an hour to my best friend's house and we would play a video game for all of 10 minutes before going outside and doing something fun. Yet, in my mind I always was going there to play the video game, that was until I realized how boring it was.
Then I purchased my first video game console just before going to high school. I thought I was the top dog on the food chain because I could talk with friends who had a PlayStation for 5 years and were unarguably the coolest kids in the class. But...because I purchased the PlayStation, I couldn't afford any games. Smart planning on my part. So I got a job mowing lawns, problem with that was that between baseball, basketball, volleyball, working, and school (depending on the season), I never had time to play the games that worked so hard to buy. In addition to that, I had bought the PlayStation second hand, and it was a seven year old system which of course promptly broke, and I was out of luck. Yet throughout all this I always stayed up late with a flashlight so that I could keep reading after the "lights out!" call.
The thought that struck me while reading this article is that, it seems ridiculous to me that print media will be "laid to bed". Even though I'm living the frugal lifestyle I still find the money to buy the Sunday newspaper, and I'll steal a newspaper out of student union and read it between classes. Now maybe this is just because of my history with the written word, but wouldn't a person rather take your own time to get through the news then get it in 2-5 minute segments?
I can remember in English class with Mr. Beck, dreading sentence diagramming. I wonder if students even do that in classrooms today? Do they diagram sentences found in The Diary of Anne Frank like we did? Or do they diagram text messages that the teacher took off their phone? How do you diagram "wht r u doin 2nite"? Where do you start?
For this reason alone...the fact that the further we go from print media the more we lose ourselves to a fast paced monotonous lifestyle. When we listen to Oprah to find out what to read instead of picking up a book and actually thinking about it while and after reading it. We lose the ability to think for ourselves, and how to respond appropriately, or even how to communicate properly.
Can't this thought be applied to print media for news? Yes, there are quicker ways to acquire knowledge on what's going on in the world than reading about it the next day in the paper. But nations ran fine prior to the telegraph, prior to the phone, prior to the radio, prior to the TV, prior to cell phone, prior to instant updates on said cell phone. Yes, I will concede that with slower moving lines of communication decisions can not be reached as quickly. But given the way the country is now, maybe that would be a good thing.
Perhaps, I'm just old fashioned. Perhaps because I'm from the Midwest I like to digest information before acting on it. Perhaps because I like to form my own opinions about what matters to me, I'm backwards.
I like to think that because of these qualities, I'm a better person.
Thoughts?
Growing up - if I wasn't playing, at school, doing chores, or practicing piano - there was a high chance that I was reading. Reading was always encouraged in our house and the folks never had a problem taking us to the library, or trusting us to ride our bikes the four blocks that the stood between us and the escape that literature provided. Kate and I were read to nearly every single night when we were too young to read for ourselves, which was not a large window but an important one none-the-less. I say that this window is important because I don't know how Kate or I would have turned out if it were not for learning how to read at an early age.
Nowadays children are given to the moving picture box in sacrifice for a parent's personal time. They are given electronics and technologies that I yearned for growing up, but accepted the fact that money was tight, and my friends were always willing to share. I can remember riding my bike for half an hour to my best friend's house and we would play a video game for all of 10 minutes before going outside and doing something fun. Yet, in my mind I always was going there to play the video game, that was until I realized how boring it was.
Then I purchased my first video game console just before going to high school. I thought I was the top dog on the food chain because I could talk with friends who had a PlayStation for 5 years and were unarguably the coolest kids in the class. But...because I purchased the PlayStation, I couldn't afford any games. Smart planning on my part. So I got a job mowing lawns, problem with that was that between baseball, basketball, volleyball, working, and school (depending on the season), I never had time to play the games that worked so hard to buy. In addition to that, I had bought the PlayStation second hand, and it was a seven year old system which of course promptly broke, and I was out of luck. Yet throughout all this I always stayed up late with a flashlight so that I could keep reading after the "lights out!" call.
The thought that struck me while reading this article is that, it seems ridiculous to me that print media will be "laid to bed". Even though I'm living the frugal lifestyle I still find the money to buy the Sunday newspaper, and I'll steal a newspaper out of student union and read it between classes. Now maybe this is just because of my history with the written word, but wouldn't a person rather take your own time to get through the news then get it in 2-5 minute segments?
I can remember in English class with Mr. Beck, dreading sentence diagramming. I wonder if students even do that in classrooms today? Do they diagram sentences found in The Diary of Anne Frank like we did? Or do they diagram text messages that the teacher took off their phone? How do you diagram "wht r u doin 2nite"? Where do you start?
For this reason alone...the fact that the further we go from print media the more we lose ourselves to a fast paced monotonous lifestyle. When we listen to Oprah to find out what to read instead of picking up a book and actually thinking about it while and after reading it. We lose the ability to think for ourselves, and how to respond appropriately, or even how to communicate properly.
Can't this thought be applied to print media for news? Yes, there are quicker ways to acquire knowledge on what's going on in the world than reading about it the next day in the paper. But nations ran fine prior to the telegraph, prior to the phone, prior to the radio, prior to the TV, prior to cell phone, prior to instant updates on said cell phone. Yes, I will concede that with slower moving lines of communication decisions can not be reached as quickly. But given the way the country is now, maybe that would be a good thing.
Perhaps, I'm just old fashioned. Perhaps because I'm from the Midwest I like to digest information before acting on it. Perhaps because I like to form my own opinions about what matters to me, I'm backwards.
I like to think that because of these qualities, I'm a better person.
Thoughts?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Confusing set of events
As of this moment I am a wee bit out of sorts. Bailey, my roomate, and I have been cut off from the world as our third roomate refuses to pay bills for the apartment he still pays rent at but at which he no longer resides. Enlighten me on this? He is the only reason why the heat was turned on this winter, against much protestation.
On a lighter note, I have a new computer. Rather, I have a new laptop. It seems that a computer that has crashed four times in the past four months is beyond saving. I took it through multiple checks, virus scans and the like. Apparently, older computers don't work. It was very depressing; but I think that I have figured out a way to save my information from it with a realtively small expense compared to the laptop.
Fortunately I had the funds to secure said laptop, and am currently trying to figure out how to work this new Vista thing.
Once I figure this thing out, and beat down my advisor's door till she lets me know if I will in fact be graduating or not in May, I shall be updating more.
Yay for wireless connection to the internet.
On a lighter note, I have a new computer. Rather, I have a new laptop. It seems that a computer that has crashed four times in the past four months is beyond saving. I took it through multiple checks, virus scans and the like. Apparently, older computers don't work. It was very depressing; but I think that I have figured out a way to save my information from it with a realtively small expense compared to the laptop.
Fortunately I had the funds to secure said laptop, and am currently trying to figure out how to work this new Vista thing.
Once I figure this thing out, and beat down my advisor's door till she lets me know if I will in fact be graduating or not in May, I shall be updating more.
Yay for wireless connection to the internet.
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