Monday, May 20, 2013

Always a work in progress

Life is always moving.  We all know that.  It's fluid, dynamic and is constantly changing.  Sometimes we change it.  Like when I moved to Wyoming.  Sometimes we alter it, sometimes.......

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My father was 54 when I was born.  My mother was 31.  She had two daughters from a previous marriage.  18 months later, I would have a kid brother and that would be my life until 14 years later and I would have another brother.  That's my family and I love them dearly.  We lost dad in 1994 at the age of 86.  He was the 7th born of 14 children and the second to last to die in his family.  Aunt Mildred, 16 months his junior and the 8th born, would die two years later and that would end the life cycle of his family.

It's hard for me to know the family health history of my dad's family.  My first memory of them is that like my dad they were all old.  Most of them smoked liked chimneys my dad included. Some died in their 60's, but most made 80 or higher with two of them hitting the century mark.

My great whatever grandfather landed in what would become Windsor, CT in 1629.  I don't know how old he was when he died but I do know that every male from which I am a direct descendant lived past 70 except one.  That is a helluva statistic when you think about it. My dad's side of the family has been kicking life expectancy's ass for the better part of four centuries.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

The View from Wyoming

Things are good here.  Had a job interview on Tuesday. Haven't been on the answering side of an interview in a while so it was an experience.  A four panel board. Lots of questions.  At the end I was told I was "leading the pack" going in.  I was the first and there were four more. We will see what happens.  BRM really wants me to get this and so do I.

Been playing lots of golf in between yard work. 108 holes since Thursday.

Let's talk some politics.  The Bengazi thing (spelling) is quite a quandrey for me.  The Dems don't think it is a big deal. I go back to the Valerie Plame deal. That was huge for the Dems and there were inquiries and a guy lost his job.  That was small potatoes compared to this but the liberal media is very absent.  Funny that.  I watched two hours of testimony yesterday ( its why I only played 27 and not 36) and it was very forthcoming. Hillary will not have her feet held to the fire for this. She will be  our next president ( I just threw up in my mouth a little).

I am happy here. I miss Bozeman every day but not enough.  I haven't woke up once regretting being here. I can feel my blood pressure at a trickle like it used to be.

Playing 36 with BRM tomorrow. Pulled all the weeds out of the rock garden around the house today so we could take tomorrow off. She had golf league tonight and then went back to work. What a great sugar mama.

Hope all is well. Going to cruise all of you and might make some posts.

MRM

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Random thoughts from the 44th state

Things that crossed my mind while I have nothing else to do. Unemployed.  On the soup line. Nobody knows the trouble I'm in, nobody knows my sorrow. Actually, the opening line I've had in my head for awhile now is, things that crossed my mind while wondering what the guy in "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" was in the joint for.  It was three long years and his gal waited for him.  What did he get busted for?  Break and entering? Petty larceny?  It's a good question.  I didn't google the answer, I'll leave that up to my devoted followers.

1) I need to change my heading to "Located 360 miles due south of the Center of the Universe" but don't think I have the skills on the new blogger.

2) As stated in Random thoughts #26, The Prodigy arranged a trip for us to go to Augusta and watch The Masters.  It was awesome.  The golf course is like none I've have ever seen.  The trip was fabulous.  I downloaded the Augusta weather and packed accordingly.  Unfortunately it was Augusta, Maine.  I bought a pair of souvenir shorts at the pro shop for $75 as I didn't pack any.  It was about $45 over my maximum for that type of apparel but it was also 88.  Stupid Iphone.

3) Been in Wyoming for just over a month.  No job yet but I had planned on taking the summer off anyway unless something shows up.  TP has a job for my in Sheridan to get me by for "walking around money" so that is my fall back.

4) I'm exhausted.  I spent the majority of the day in BRM's garage cleaning her tools.  She was married to a farmer who passed several years ago and the tools have been sitting since she sold the farm.  Soaked them in white vinegar and scrubbed the rust off.  Over 80 screwdrivers.  Then to make matters worse I chipped golf balls for two hours.  It's a rough life I'm leading.

5) Heading to Vegas tomorrow with BRM and her sister and brother-in-law to meet the third and final sister. Will have to bring my "A" game.  Was in Vegas in February while I was still employed and will be going back in June as me and the guys from Malta are having a gathering to celebrate all of us turning 50.  You all are invited as well.  Vegas in June should be splendid.  Probably only 100 or so.

6) Spending a day in Augusta was awesome.  It is a well oiled machine and the service is first rate.  Throughout the course of the day nature does call.  I entered the restroom.  One of the young men working there looked at me "Do you need a stall sir?" "Yes please" I replied. "One moment while I disinfect it for you."  He entered with a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle.  "Every patron gets a clean seat" he said.  That's service.  It's also probably an entry level position I'm guessing.

7) I can't figure out how to get pictures from my Ipad to post but am working on it. Apple technology is great but I do have my struggles.

8) I miss Bozeman.  Especially on Friday nights.  That's the big one.  Meeting the same people for Friday drinks for 15 years is a hard one.  Such great, wonderful people.  Devoted followers but better friends.

9) I don't want to talk about Boston right now only to say that I don't like the statements coming from the White House. A horrific act and my heart goes out to the victims.

10) I hurt my elbow moving.  I don't know what I did but it has a twinge of pain sometimes when I'm lifting something.  Fortunately it doesn't affect my golf swing so I can live with it.

11) I had to register my truck in Wyoming. It was hard removing my commerative MSU plates but I can always personalize my Wyoming plates for MSU.

12) BRM and I spent a week in Arizona visiting our mothers.  Played some golf.  My mother had not met her yet and her husband told me I "can quit fishing" so she must have made a good impression.

13) We live ten miles out in the country. It's awesome.  BRM kept a few acres and the house when she sold the farm to her son-in-law.  Peaceful.  It is drag when you need something and have to drive ten miles to town but it makes you plan better.

14) The Ipad is not my favorite for blogging.  It gets to the bottom of the page and I can't see what the hell I am typing.  Just a glitch I supposed but as my typing skills are limited it makes it difficult.  Have a great weekend.

Safe journeys,
Chip

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

New Pope

Pope Francis.

It reminds me of the time the Pope was in Calgary.  People were saying "whose the guy in the pointy hat with Milk River Madman?"

Best wishes Pope Francis.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Moving...two words

It sucks.

Have made two trips to Worland since Sunday. Have one more  to make and I'll be home free. When I moved into my little townhouse in 2001 I had little, now I have more. I have made two trips to Worland and Friday will be my last.

This part of the plan is one more than I thought. Other than that I'm right on track.

As my dad told me "Life has only one direction and that is forward"

Good advice.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Random thoughts #26

Things that crossed my mind while wondering what the guy in "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" did time for.  He was in the joint for three long years. What did he do? It was the early 70's and what did three years get you back then? Grand theft was still probably 20 years. So what was it? On with the random   thoughts.

1) The Rolling Stones are not even close the greatest band ever. This foolish talk should end now. They aren't even in the top five British bands. Those are:The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Queen and The Kinks.  The Stones are about 23rd. I'm sure I can come with 17 bands better than the Stones. FRom 5 to 23 I mean.  The Sex Pistols immediately come to mind.

2) Of the last statement, the debate for number one starts and ends with The Beatles.  All other arguments are null and void. Don't try to make them for anyone else. It isn't going to happen. Cease!!

3) Of the American bands the title belongs to The Doors.  Please don't tell me it is The Eagles. Don Henley would sell his would to Satan to be as good a song writer and singer as Jim Morrison. For the record, The Eagles don't make the top five either. Yawn.

4) I could really get used to not working.  I am not one of those guys who if I won the lottery would wonder what I would do with the money. Quitting my job would be the first thing.  Hell, I quit my job two weeks ago without the lottery.  Now it is my goal to win it. I guess you have to play which is something I don't do.  I think playing increasing your odds.

5) The move to Wyoming was well planned.  I saved money until I hit my number. As I stated, Titan was given the chance to retain me.  I did not present it as an ultimatum. Quite the opposite, I asked if they would entertain the possibility of my leaving. As stated they declined so I left.  Was going anyway with or without them.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Last Third, The First Load

Hello, yes, it's been a while, not much, how bout you?

Yes, that is exactly how I am starting this post.  With the first line of England Dan and John Ford Coley's hit "I'd really like to see you tonight."

I moved to Bozeman from Malta 25 years ago.  Hard to believe it has been that long.  As I hit the magical number of 50 a couple of weeks ago, it made me pause for some reflection as I am want to do a lot lately.  One half of my life in Malta, one in Bozeman.  But wait, life isn't over.  What about the rest of life?  Though longevity is a family trait, especially on my dad's side, I can't honestly say if I'll hit 100 so to say that life is half over might be a little cocky.  Though that is a quality I have in spades, if you don't let a little humility enter your life after you get your first application to AARP, then you are never going to get it.

So now it's the last third.  What will it bring?  When will it end?  Mortality is never a fun subject.  I'm still waiting for a cure but there does not seem to be one forthcoming.  What do I do?  I never really thought of it.  Life has been on a good run for me so I really wasn't concerned about the last third.  Keeping working, going to Bobcat games.  Run to the COTU to see the kids, start looking for a house in Arizona.  You know the usual. Then God decides to stir things up by throwing in a woman. Curses, foiled again.

She's pretty nice.  The consensus on here nickname is Bighorn River Madwoman.  I must really like her because I broke my "I'm never going to date a Scorpio again" rule that had been in place since November 2004.

So you meet someone and things go exceedingly well.  Better than expected.  Your friends and family love her and are giving you the "don't mess this up" speech.  Her family and friends think you are great. You're vacationing together and her kids trust you with their kids.  Not really anything to complain about.

So what do you do?  Uproot her from her family and the business she owns? Or take your job to her?
I chose the latter and requested for relocation.  It was denied.

For the first time since I graduated from high school, I am unemployed.  I resigned Wednesday much to the shock of my superiors.

I'm not worried.  I have a plan and a pretty good one. I won't get rich but I won't go broke.  And I've never been happier.  Hell, I might become a "post a day" guy again.

I don't know what the last third has in store.  I know it will be tough to beat the middle third but I do know this, the last third is off to great start.

I'm moving to Wyoming.  Brought down the first load yesterday.

I'll be in touch.  What else do I have to do.

MRM