found washers and office supplies, make great substitutes.
where my spring used to go
where my spring now holds my kickstand up at. Tucks it better than it used be.
these could possibly be your new shower shoes.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Job Interview
I woke up at 8am, just to hit my snooze button and close my eyes for a few more minutes. But like always I wake up before my second alarm goes, and I turn it off. I had to get this huge Hammond organ out of the bed of the U Haul trailer before my 10am interview. So while everyone was asleep, I found a pull cart in the garage, and shimmied that organ out and onto the forks, and wheeled it into the bay. It was now 9am. I took a moment to quickly wash some ashes off the hood of my truck from a bonfire that my roommates had stoked the night before, and I took a few runs of gear from the truck to my room, before it was time to throw a shirt on, wet my hair down, brush my teeth, and head off to my interview. I pulled out of the driveway at 9:30, and I was only 10 minutes away. I had plenty of time. Well, after a few minutes on the road I started hearing some scraping sounds, but only when I was going slow, and the scraping went away when I was on straightaways and at decent speeds. But after a few wrong turns in my hunt for the 5 north, and a few more scraping sounds, I was finally on the 5 north. Ya see, I was checking my side mirrors and the trailor looked fine, nice and even, nothing of concern except an intermittent scrapping here and there. Well, I had about a mile to go on the freeway, so I decided to just drive slow in the right lane. Then a truck drove by, honked, and the driver made a hand gesture toward the trailer. So there it was, finally some motorist had thought my issue was big enough to draw my attention to. I drove even slower and put my hazzards on. Luckily the next exit was the one I was supposed to get off on, so I took it, and safely pulled off the road where I could check out what the issue was. I walked around to the back of the truck and the trailer looked funny indeed, sagging a little, and as my head turned to the bumper, well there it was half on and half off. Sagging from left to right. So that's what was dragging. My bumper. haha. Here I was 10 minutes early and less than a mile from the interview, and I'm needing to figure out a quick fix.
So first things first, I needed to get the trailer off, so I could lift my bumper back onto it's mounts. But the mount on the trailer ball wouldn't unscrew because the angle and pressure from the sagging fender. So I looked for a jack, and couldn't find one. At which point I called AAA telling them I may need someone with tools so I can get my bumper back on, and then said, wait, I think I'm just gonna do this myself and hung up with them. Ingenuity is something I'm good at, so I resorted to some coolers that I'd brought back from hemet the day before. I squat lifted the hitch as much as I could and shoved the smaller one under. But it was hard enough to lift it onto the small one, and I was like how am I gonna get the big one under there? Well I stepped back from the situation for a moment, and looked at it, and then it dawned on me to use the sagging bumper as my lever. So hoisting the bumper with both hands I was able to use my free foot to kick the big cooler under trailer. There that did it. That took the pressure off the hitch and I was able to unscrew the hitch from the ball mount. Then I rolled the trailer back to give me some working room. I got under the truck to see where the fender was previously attached, and there I saw a loose bolt where the "u" mount fit, but I was looking for other bolts and evidence of more stable support. right then I noticed some wear marks around a hole where there USED TO be a bolt.
Well, it seemed I was pretty screwed, stuck with this trailer that I had to deliver to U Haul, in an hour and a half, a dangling fender, and a job interview I was missing. It became 10 o'clock "interview time" at which I called the lady and told her about my unique predicament, and I told her I'd be a little late for the interview, or we could just reschedule. So understandingly she tentatively scheduled me for Monday. However, I didn't like the idea of missing an interview, so I worked hard and fast to think of how to attach my bumper, given a major missing bolt. I thought for a moment of all the things I could do. I could remove a bolt from another part of the truck and put it in that hole, or...then it dawned on me: "hey, I have that old jar of bolts that I grabbed from Dotties shed yesterday, that used to be my Grandpas. See, my Grandpa passed away, and I was out at his old place going through some of his old things, and well, an old jar full of random bolts and things, seemed like a good thing to grab. And by golly, was it ever the best thing to have. I dumped out the contents on the asphalt and rummaged for a sturdy enough looking nut and bolt. I only found mediocre sized bolt with a matching nut, which both the head and bolt were too small and would just pass through the joint it needed to hold, so I rummaged for some washers that would couple up for a smaller to larger team, to hold the bolt and cover the hole. Thank my lucky stars I found some. Hoisting the fender on my shoulder, and with a socket wrench in one hand and a wrench in the other I did my best to secure those pieces and lock my bumper back into traveling order. I wrenched everything down tight and checked the other side of my bumper, which seemed to be still really solid. I put the trailer back on the mount, and stowed my tools all away. Within minutes I was back on the fairway motoring off to my interview. I was only 20 minutes past my original interview time and destined to get to it, even if I was a little late.
When I walked in I could see the look of shock on the gals face to whom I spoke of my incident with. She was more than happy to get the manager for my interview. At the end of a series of questions from the manager he asked "Has there ever been a situation where you were challenged, put in a tough situation, how did you handle it, and what did you do?" To which I responded with the story of a few minutes before the interview, keeping my cool, fixing the problem myself, and following through with my original plan, to make the interview. He said "I really liked this interview." Shucks, the sheer determination alone should have shown them my work ethic if anything else. The end of an amazing beginning to my day. Oh, and yes, I love it when things like this happen, that let you rise and perform to each new occasion.
"Jack: one who works immensely well under pressure, and lives for precarious situations."
So first things first, I needed to get the trailer off, so I could lift my bumper back onto it's mounts. But the mount on the trailer ball wouldn't unscrew because the angle and pressure from the sagging fender. So I looked for a jack, and couldn't find one. At which point I called AAA telling them I may need someone with tools so I can get my bumper back on, and then said, wait, I think I'm just gonna do this myself and hung up with them. Ingenuity is something I'm good at, so I resorted to some coolers that I'd brought back from hemet the day before. I squat lifted the hitch as much as I could and shoved the smaller one under. But it was hard enough to lift it onto the small one, and I was like how am I gonna get the big one under there? Well I stepped back from the situation for a moment, and looked at it, and then it dawned on me to use the sagging bumper as my lever. So hoisting the bumper with both hands I was able to use my free foot to kick the big cooler under trailer. There that did it. That took the pressure off the hitch and I was able to unscrew the hitch from the ball mount. Then I rolled the trailer back to give me some working room. I got under the truck to see where the fender was previously attached, and there I saw a loose bolt where the "u" mount fit, but I was looking for other bolts and evidence of more stable support. right then I noticed some wear marks around a hole where there USED TO be a bolt.
Well, it seemed I was pretty screwed, stuck with this trailer that I had to deliver to U Haul, in an hour and a half, a dangling fender, and a job interview I was missing. It became 10 o'clock "interview time" at which I called the lady and told her about my unique predicament, and I told her I'd be a little late for the interview, or we could just reschedule. So understandingly she tentatively scheduled me for Monday. However, I didn't like the idea of missing an interview, so I worked hard and fast to think of how to attach my bumper, given a major missing bolt. I thought for a moment of all the things I could do. I could remove a bolt from another part of the truck and put it in that hole, or...then it dawned on me: "hey, I have that old jar of bolts that I grabbed from Dotties shed yesterday, that used to be my Grandpas. See, my Grandpa passed away, and I was out at his old place going through some of his old things, and well, an old jar full of random bolts and things, seemed like a good thing to grab. And by golly, was it ever the best thing to have. I dumped out the contents on the asphalt and rummaged for a sturdy enough looking nut and bolt. I only found mediocre sized bolt with a matching nut, which both the head and bolt were too small and would just pass through the joint it needed to hold, so I rummaged for some washers that would couple up for a smaller to larger team, to hold the bolt and cover the hole. Thank my lucky stars I found some. Hoisting the fender on my shoulder, and with a socket wrench in one hand and a wrench in the other I did my best to secure those pieces and lock my bumper back into traveling order. I wrenched everything down tight and checked the other side of my bumper, which seemed to be still really solid. I put the trailer back on the mount, and stowed my tools all away. Within minutes I was back on the fairway motoring off to my interview. I was only 20 minutes past my original interview time and destined to get to it, even if I was a little late.
When I walked in I could see the look of shock on the gals face to whom I spoke of my incident with. She was more than happy to get the manager for my interview. At the end of a series of questions from the manager he asked "Has there ever been a situation where you were challenged, put in a tough situation, how did you handle it, and what did you do?" To which I responded with the story of a few minutes before the interview, keeping my cool, fixing the problem myself, and following through with my original plan, to make the interview. He said "I really liked this interview." Shucks, the sheer determination alone should have shown them my work ethic if anything else. The end of an amazing beginning to my day. Oh, and yes, I love it when things like this happen, that let you rise and perform to each new occasion.
this is after I already had the small cooler under the mount, and I was just about to put the big one under cause it was still leaning pretty good.
"Jack: one who works immensely well under pressure, and lives for precarious situations."
Monday, January 24, 2011
When you lose yourself.
It has been a month since I parked my baby next to the boat right before the snow fell. Then aimlessly and homelessly I gunned itfor LA. (Does living out of your truck count as homeless? Eh, maybe not, but gutters and gas station bathrooms make ample rest/wash areas.) The further I drove the more my heart ached, and my heart strings pulled, not knowing how long it'd be till I could reunite with my love. The weeks torturously crawled, with no job, and no home. But somehow I managed to find a band to jam with first, and that is my second love, which used to be my first, until I fell in love with Beast, and thus the long solo adventures took over, trumping all that could have ever been.
Week 3.5 I found a place to live. It has a room and running water. It's kinda like heaven. Until everyday that I was there, I was silently dying cause I still didn't have my better half with me. The one thing that has accompanied me through life in the most amazing ways. I literally feel so lonely without her. She is a major part of who I am, how I identify, and how I get through my day. And without her I am lost. Nobody or thing puts a smile on my face and a kick in my pants better and faster than she does. So last week I had just about enough of this long distance relationship, and I had to come up to get her. And here I sit, sharing, writing to you about my love. Yes, I will be tearing up the roads with her asap, but first things first, expression, and coffee. Just had to get this off my chest. I know I'm not alone.
Week 3.5 I found a place to live. It has a room and running water. It's kinda like heaven. Until everyday that I was there, I was silently dying cause I still didn't have my better half with me. The one thing that has accompanied me through life in the most amazing ways. I literally feel so lonely without her. She is a major part of who I am, how I identify, and how I get through my day. And without her I am lost. Nobody or thing puts a smile on my face and a kick in my pants better and faster than she does. So last week I had just about enough of this long distance relationship, and I had to come up to get her. And here I sit, sharing, writing to you about my love. Yes, I will be tearing up the roads with her asap, but first things first, expression, and coffee. Just had to get this off my chest. I know I'm not alone.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
3 weeks
I swear it's been longer than 3 weeks that I've been in LA. So it probably has, but when everyday is a weekend, you easily lose track of time. Ready to plunge head first into a full-time job. Ready to dive into my own place. Ready to "try something new. I might like it," as my fortune cookie so recommended. So Loves come and go. And the one thing that I can always come back to is the open road. But this time, I'm sitting here, and reinventing the wheel. And the more challenging life is at this point the more entertained I am.
LA has so much to explore, I feel like I can be in the mix, or just kicking back at home, but at least I have choices.
The local sushi owner has proclaimed himself my new drinking buddy.
I found a rad venue to go watch rad free bands on Monday nights.
There are tons of spots that I've not explored yet, that my friends are all telling me that I'd love, so now it's just a matter of time before I get in there and see what each new scene has to offer. I love this wealth of diversity and choice. New faces, new places.
The girl at my favorite happy hour watering hole greets me like a local now. I like that spot cause it feels like I'm in SF.
The people at the taco stand all greet me like I was an old friend.
I made friends at this one coffee shop, where the employees share music with me, and we talk about fun stuff to do. They're ever so helpful with the recommendations.
I am going to craft night.
I am going to teach 20 school kids how to play guitar.
I am going to master the electrical trade. And wrench on bikes at my favorite bike shop.
I'm going to continue making things. And this morning I dreamed up a painting that I want to work on.
And the band I'm now the guitarist for, well, stay tuned for our monthly residency gigs.
The glass is full.
LA has so much to explore, I feel like I can be in the mix, or just kicking back at home, but at least I have choices.
The local sushi owner has proclaimed himself my new drinking buddy.
I found a rad venue to go watch rad free bands on Monday nights.
There are tons of spots that I've not explored yet, that my friends are all telling me that I'd love, so now it's just a matter of time before I get in there and see what each new scene has to offer. I love this wealth of diversity and choice. New faces, new places.
The girl at my favorite happy hour watering hole greets me like a local now. I like that spot cause it feels like I'm in SF.
The people at the taco stand all greet me like I was an old friend.
I made friends at this one coffee shop, where the employees share music with me, and we talk about fun stuff to do. They're ever so helpful with the recommendations.
I am going to craft night.
I am going to teach 20 school kids how to play guitar.
I am going to master the electrical trade. And wrench on bikes at my favorite bike shop.
I'm going to continue making things. And this morning I dreamed up a painting that I want to work on.
And the band I'm now the guitarist for, well, stay tuned for our monthly residency gigs.
The glass is full.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A brief summation of things I've learned.
When you're in Love,
Say it.
When you're drunk,
Don't spray it.
When you're let down,
Explain it.
When you have the opportunity to make love, make love!
Don't just lay it.
I'm still learning things in light of recent events in my life, things that have recently dawned on me highlighting the areas in which I could use strenghthening. Like I could use the lessons of perseverance. When you see something you want, go get it. Tell someone you love them. And even harder to do is tell someone when you're in love with them. Do this because lifes to short to have nothing but friends. When you have something valuable, hold on to it, take care of it, and treat it well. Because if it's not that valuable to you, you're not gonna treat it well, and it will deteriorate and go away. Treat your lady like a lady. Give her flowers. No matter how cliché and silly you think the whole, "girls like flowers" thing is, well it's mostly true, but really it's the thought that counts, they make a room more colorful, and it shows that you care. And ladies, it's ok to get your boys flowers, too. Just do it. Be confident, not cocky. Your confidence is the most empowering device you have. It'll get you relationships, jobs, friends, it will network for you, so you should harness it, and let it shine appropriately, cause it's sexy.
And really, don't be afraid to love, and love often. It's the meaning of life...according to me. But what good is it if you don't share and say it. Emphasis on expression...verbalizing...and embracing it, cause it may hurt one day, but it is still worth all the good feelings and times, and being in love.
Say it.
When you're drunk,
Don't spray it.
When you're let down,
Explain it.
When you have the opportunity to make love, make love!
Don't just lay it.
I'm still learning things in light of recent events in my life, things that have recently dawned on me highlighting the areas in which I could use strenghthening. Like I could use the lessons of perseverance. When you see something you want, go get it. Tell someone you love them. And even harder to do is tell someone when you're in love with them. Do this because lifes to short to have nothing but friends. When you have something valuable, hold on to it, take care of it, and treat it well. Because if it's not that valuable to you, you're not gonna treat it well, and it will deteriorate and go away. Treat your lady like a lady. Give her flowers. No matter how cliché and silly you think the whole, "girls like flowers" thing is, well it's mostly true, but really it's the thought that counts, they make a room more colorful, and it shows that you care. And ladies, it's ok to get your boys flowers, too. Just do it. Be confident, not cocky. Your confidence is the most empowering device you have. It'll get you relationships, jobs, friends, it will network for you, so you should harness it, and let it shine appropriately, cause it's sexy.
And really, don't be afraid to love, and love often. It's the meaning of life...according to me. But what good is it if you don't share and say it. Emphasis on expression...verbalizing...and embracing it, cause it may hurt one day, but it is still worth all the good feelings and times, and being in love.
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