Man, I love my job, but boy, do I hate my job!

     Please do not misunderstand, I absolutely love my job.  I love the challenge, I love the work, and I love almost everyone I get to work with.  Heck, I don't even mind that most days are like having 20 demanding wives, with endless "honey-do" lists.  That being said, some days are just downright rotten.  Today was one of those days.  Spring season means various things for me, as far as work goes.  First, it means phone calls from most of the 200 or so landscape companies that we have in our valley trying to drum up business.  Second, this time of year pushes in what we in the industry call "cooling season"  This means some serious checking, cleaning, and maintenance done to the almost 60 air conditioners for the building.  Third, something that I always look forward to, time to start our outdoor barbecue season, which in the 11 years I have worked there, maintenance has always been volunteered to man the grill.  (our first cookout is Friday).  Last, but not least, spring means that any day, the state inspection can come in for the annual survey.  Needless to say, I have been a busy boy!
     Tonight, I decided that it was time to blog.  I have some fellow building managers that read my blog, and I think that I will start trying to leave a daily tip or trick for them, as they do on their blogs.
     I spent last weekend repainting, re-flooring, and redecorating my home office.  I could not be more pleased with the results.  Now I have a comfortable environment in which to fulfill my hobby of writing fiction.  This weekend, some more work in the yard!

Today's tip:
  When working on plumbing, you will likely come across a mixture of galvanized steel piping and PVC plastic piping.  (Especially when dealing with irrigation systems, I have found)

So, what do you do when a piece of PVC pipe breaks, and the thread is still stuck in the steel fitting?  Here's a quick fix.  Did you know that PVC shrinks when heated?  It does.  Torch that steel fitting for only a few seconds and you will be able to twist that broken piece of PVC out quite easily!  Do not torch too much, however, or you are left with a mess of melted plastic.

I.C.U.

     I am officially entered in the Amazon breakthrough novelist contest.  I have a little hobby of writing, but I have an even bigger hobby of not letting people read my works.
     I have been working, here and there, on a little novel since 1997.  I have submitted the first few chapters as well as a "pitch" to this contest.  I am excited to see how I do, but also nervous at the fact that people may actually read what I have written.
     As a means to try and "face my fears"  I am going to copy and paste my "pitch" below:

     At first glance, Art McGee looks like a typical 15-year old boy from the inland northwest.  What you don't see, is that he is a skilled con-artist and thief.  As with most adolescent boys, Art likes to push the limits.  One cold, desperate night in downtown Spokane, Art steals from the wrong man.  For the first time, he is caught.  His target, a dangerous gangster, gives Art his own version of "punishment".
    
    As Art begins to regain consciousness, his entire body throbbing with pain that he has never even imagined, he finds himself being carted through unfamiliar territory; a hospital corridor that leads not only to the intensive care unit, but also to some of life’s most challenging lessons.  What he is yet to realize, is that he has no choice but to face these lessons, and that these long, cold corridors may be his home for the rest of his now extremely fragile life.

    
    I.C.U. is the heart-warming, yet heart-breaking story of how Art must deal with the consequences of his actions, about the surprise friendships that shine in life’s darkest times, and how our own views of life can change the way we influence others. 

     It is the tale of a boy who must fight to live well enough, and long enough to become a man.

   This is the best I could write in the little time that I had to get it done.  I have had quite an enjoyable time writing the entire novel, and I am excited to begin my 2nd book.

    Interesting things going on in the life of Joshua at the moment.  Unfortunately that is all I can say at the moment.  However, I will keep the few readers of my blog updated to the changes coming my way.

    

When I grow up

     Just like a wild roller coaster at the fun fair, my day was full of ups, downs, twists, and turns.  However, also similar to a roller coaster, true happiness is achieved only when one can enjoy all aspects of the ride.

     This afternoon I was asked to present to the entire staff at work.  I was to speak about fire and life safety for our residents, and also introduce the new policies and procedures for the way in which we conduct fire drills.  When asked last week to present, I fully intended to prepare a wonderful powerpoint presentation.  Time eluded me, however, and today I found myself unprepared.  Luckily, I had a powerpoint that a deputy Fire Marshall had given to me some time ago.  So, I repeated that, and all was well.

     Shortly after our meeting I had to rush out to make it to the doctor appointment that I had set up for today.  This was the "descent of the roller coaster."  Apparently there is still no magical cure for arthritis.  My ankle has been getting progressively worse and it has been brought to my attention that I am not as good at hiding a painful gait as I think I am. Perhaps I should try and turn my limp into a "strut".

     Basically, there are 3 options:

     First,  two of the most frightening words I have EVER heard; "artificial joint"  at 33 years old? No thanks!

     Second, begin taking a daily medication.  In nursing school, I was taught that the only time someone should take a prescription drug was when the benefit outweighs the risk of side effects.  Well, I would rather have pain in my ankle for half of the day than a stroke and/or bleeding from the stomach.  Strike two.

     This leaves me with the third option; rub some dirt on it, maybe lose a few more pounds, buy stock in Ben-Gay and Bio-Freeze, and get over it.  I decided that I will try this approach first.
     One thing is for sure, joint replacement surgery is in my future, for when I grow up.  I just hope I can hold off long enough for them to perfect a robotic ankle.

 
    Tonight there was no new episode of Arrow (the best show currently on television), so I got my geek fix in by reading some of my older comic books.  What fun!

I leave you with a quote that I thought to be appropriate for today.

  "The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not, however, the fault of the fire"
                                                                  - Swami Vivekananda

Can I be claimed as a dependent?

     I have always tried to live a life in which I do not take special things for granted.  While this is true for most things, I suppose it is human nature to sometimes forget all the little things that don't really make a significant impression, except for in their absence.
     Dawn is traveling for work for a few days and I am amused at how out of sorts this makes my day.  For instance, I wake up at the exact same time every weekday morning, and there is always a freshly made cup of coffee waiting for me on the kitchen counter.  There has been literally no exceptions to this.  This morning there was no coffee on the counter.  It was a minute setback, but those of you who know me well, can attest that even a minuscule variation to my routine can be mildly devastating.  This is just one example of how dependent I have become on the kindness of another.  And yes, the remaining examples are just as ridiculous!

     Yesterday evening, I felt a bit bored having the house to myself, so 3 of my nephews came to visit.  We had a ball.  We had dinner, which my sister brought over for me, made some dessert, and played for the entire evening!

 Ashton wanted to help in the kitchen, solely so that he could wear the apron and chef's hat :)

He even taught me how to finger paint. 

     Dart league was tonight, and as a bonus, it was also trivia night at the bar.  Fun was had by all, and my team ended up winning the dart match 8 games to 3.  In trivia we were not so fortunate.  I'm usually pretty good at trivia, but not when the categories are related to young people television and music.

     Now I am going to play a bit of my newest obsession, "Clash of Clans" on my phone, and then some shut eye.

I leave with one of my favorite quotes:

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."

It's been awhile

     It feels like I haven't posted a blog in months!  I assume that's due to the fact that it HAS been months.  After a couple of requests from friends and family, I decided to begin again.  There is never anything tremendously interesting for me to say, but I guess it's a nice way to end an evening.
     My oldest son is registering for Drivers education this Spring, he is excited about that, and he is already looking at cars for me to buy him.  Bless his ignorant heart.
     Also this Spring, if not sooner, I am doing an remodel of half of my shop.  Building a wet bar and setting it up for poker nights, football games, and such.  My wife is going to be gone for a few days for work, so I may start on building this week.  I haven't decided if I am going to post pictures of the progress or wait until it done and post a before and after picture.  We will see.
     I've had quite enough of the weather we are currently experiencing.  I am a big baby when it comes to snow.  I mean this literally.  I throw fits, tantrums, and pout when it is snowing.  It is supposed to warm up this week so I should have a smile on my face soon.
     This week will be a challenging one at work.  I just returned from my out of town manager meeting where corporate decided to change at least half of my job.  All this just a week from when we are scheduled for a "peer review" this is basically a mock state survey.  Good thing I am always up to a challenge!
     Until next time!

I'm back!

     Like anything in life, sometimes things inadvertently get pushed to the side to make room in your life for other things.  My blog has been one of these.  I have been itching to do some writing, and because I have been so busy, I must rely on my blog to minutely satisfy my craving for creating the written word.
     I have said it before, and I will say it a million more times; I LOVE the holidays, most of the time.  Before my this gets back to my friends and family who like to call me a Grinch, let me explain myself.  I love spending time with my family, especially my 3 terrific sons!  I have a, let us say "strange", order with my ex wife, so holidays are always bittersweet.  One year I miss the heck out of my sons during Thanksgiving, but I get to spend a great deal of time with them in December, including Christmas.  Other years, we have a splendid Thanksgiving, but I have to miss them for Christmas.
     This year the boys were with me for Thanksgiving, and boy did we make every minute count.  Thursday was a celebration at my sister's home with as much family as we could pack in, (and tolerate) :)  Jacob, my oldest son, and I went to do some black Friday shopping that night.
     Friday we celebrated Jayce's 12th birthday, which was actually on Thanksgiving.  We had a party at Spot on yogurt.  I think he felt he was a little old for this particular venue, but that was dismissed once it was discovered that they offered eggnog flavored yogurt.  It was a great little time!
     Saturday it was our turn to host.  Dawn's family arrived for a family dinner, and we packed the house!  20 people, and what a fun time!  At one point I was brave enough to venture downstairs to find a group of children singing karaoke in the living room, another group of children playing Xbox in the family room, and the remaining kids playing pool in the rec room!  I have never ran back upstairs so quickly!  The grown ups were allowed to visit upstairs in the living room, and then we all ate until we could not feel feelings anymore!
     So far, this holiday season has been great.  Today, however, came the realization that I would probably not see my sons until the day after Christmas.  
     On another note, my novel is moving right along.  I should make my March deadline.  I can't wait to be done!

Feeling good!!

     A few months ago, I decided to start working out and eating...better.  I would like to say "eating right", but let's face it..there are certain foods that I do not like, and most vegetables make that list.
     To this point, I have been up and down with my level of participation.  Recently, however, I have started a new routine, and I am determined to keep this momentum until I reach my goals.
     Today was a great day, I wore a pair of jeans that I didn't think I would be able to fit into at this point.  32" waist.  I kept my jeans from 2 years ago, just to be motivation to never quit!  I will not disclose the waist of these particular jeans, but I am amazed that there was a point that I fit into them.
   
   
     The beginning of a new lift routine usually means feeling sore the next day..this plan must be a good one, because I was sore about an hour after workout!

     Crazy busy day at work today! Sometimes those tasks that you think will take very little time end up consuming a good little chunk of the day.  After completion, I saw that there were 2 pallets of chemicals that were waiting for me to unpack and put away to end my day.  More lifting?!  UGH!  Funny how those days that I work so hard physically, make me feel so energized and accomplished!  As I did not get any of my "regular" duties done today, I fear the craziness of today sets the tone for the remainder of the week, especially with tomorrow's schedule full of meetings!  Bring it on!!