77th Place

      

legsofsummer0382

Originally uploaded by 7thson

We’re just about past the june gloom and the heat of the summer is just around the corner. Tomorrow is the last day of school for the kids. It’s seems to be just a formality because the kids will be dismissed at 11:00 A.M. it doesn’t seem worth attending but I suppose it’s a good time to say goodbye to all their friends and teachers.

It seems as if time is moving at light speed. I distinctly remember it being the first day of school, like last week; the late nights and early mornings of ironing uniforms, barking orders like a drill Sargent, making sure breakfast is eaten, (sometimes I actually cooked it) faces are washed, teeth brushed and hair combed, then rushing everyone out to get to school on time.

That was the drill from Sept. with a couple of breaks for holidays, right to june, and tomorrow; the last day of school.

Now, the next stage (Summer Camp) starts all over again.

This routine is a little different because I won’t have to be in 100% rush mode, I’ll be able to take it down to about 40%. I won’t have to make sure everyone have their backpacks filled with books and school materials and homework, this time it will be the proper swim clothing and fun items. The summer is all about fun, sleeping late, watching cartoons and movies, going places, doing fun things with very little emphasis on homework.

If you’re a child this the perfect life, having someone get your clothes ready, prepare your meals, snacks, handle all entertainment, beach outings trips, act as driver on-call, banker and advisor.

Hey, it doesn’t sound like a bad life!

It’s all a part of being a parent. Service with a smile!

This was all spelled out in the small print on the contract we signed without bothering to read when we jumped in the PARENT line thinking it was the FUN line because it was right next to it.

AustinNMojave1339

Originally uploaded by 7thson

This is Austin again!

I haven’t blogged in a while but this is what’s been going on with me.

I started middle school which is freakin’ awsome by the way, but most importantly, I had surgery. You might be feeling sorry for me right now, but it wasn’t that bad . I got to lay in a tricked out bed for a long time. It was adjustable and oh so comfortable ! I fell asleep several times on it while the doctor was telling my mom about all the surgical stuff, and not just because it was boring enough to put your hands and feet to sleep.

I wasn’t too crazy about the televison set though. The sound came from the remote which had me dumbfounded at first. After a while I got pretty sick of it. The remote kept slipping under my butt which made everything all silent and stuff. After I was just about ready to go crazy on the thing, the docter walked in. They told me that they were moving me to another room, my room and out of the emergency room.

Afterwards, as they rolled me to my new room, I felt the wind flowing through my magnificent hair. When I finally saw my new room I wanted to kick back and relax but something about that room made my bowels move around…a lot. So I rushed out like the Giants’ running back. In an hour or two I had gotten out of the bathroom and in my room sleeping like a baby.

I woke up the next day looked around and noticed that I was moving. The doctor told me that I was going into surgery . So I said cool and went back to sleep. The doctor woke me up and said,”We’re going to put a needle into you okay”. Once I was in the operating room, they stuck the needle into me. It didn’t hurt much. Then he told me that he was putting anesthesia into me. Once they had started the doctor told me that my hand was going to get warm and it did. So I thought that he was a physic or something. Then he said that my hand would start hurting a little..and it did! Then I fell asleep and woke up in my bed…hurting a little from my hip surgery.

My mom and I waited for about five hours after my surgery then this lady came in to make sure I remembered how to use my crutches and get me out of bed to walk down the hall. She said that I was good with them and after that we were ready to go home. Oh and another good thing that happened is that me and my mom were in my hospital room the night we found out that Obama was  President (elect) of the United States of America. We were really happy, especially my mom. The nurse came in my room to watch TV with us and she was happy too!

Now one of the worst things about having this surgery is that I can’t play basketball until about June and I have to stay on my crutches for about 6 wks. It was hard at first but since this is my second time having surgery I’m used to using my crutches and getting around pretty fast. I have just 2 weeks left on them and I can’t wait. I went to the doctor and he told me the screws in my hip is healing good. This was good news because I’m ready to throw those crutches away and I’m ready to shoot hoops! I’ll have to watch my friends play ball until the traveling season starts for my team and I’m going to be ready.

This is about it for me until the next time!

TruckNMojave1037

Originally uploaded by 7thson

A couple of mornings ago my truck had been broken into and some of my tools had been stolen, and to make matters worse my ignition had to be replace since the thieves tried to take the truck also.

I found this out as I was about to leave Sat. Morning for a breakfast meeting with an attorney friend of mine that was in town for a few days. Of course I had to cancel breakfast because I could not start my truck.

This was one of those times I had to “Practice what I Preach”. I always tell my kids to do what they need to do (NOW) regardless of what comes up because things always happen to side track us from completing our mission.

I could have just left my truck as it was and sulked about the situation for the remainder of that day, which would have meant that I’d have to wait until Monday to have it repaired. If I had done that I would have missed a job assignment I had scheduled for that day.

Waiting was not an option, so I rounded up some tools that were in the house to start taking apart the steering column. All of the tools I would have used for this task were taken the night before so it was not as easy as I thought it would be. It took a while but I found a few screw drivers and proceeded to take the cover off the steering column.

Since I needed a few more tools that were missing I was not able to get the ignition off the steering column. As a last resort I used my grinder to take it off. After I finished with it I had fine shards of aluminum all over the interior, which meant I’d have to clean the interior when I finished the repairs, something else that would take more of my time.

It’s around 11:00 A.M. now. I just called to get another ignition switch for my truck. The parts place stayed open on Saturdays, until 3:00. I still have time, even though I have to get there and my truck won’t start until I get the part.

I could either ride my mountain bike, take the bus to the train station, or walk. I was in the process of taking my bike off it’s hook in the garage when I remember that it needed air, then I thought about the air device, (it was in the tool bag that was taken). I put the bike back on the hook and decided that I would walk the three miles to the train station since I needed the exercise anyway. ( I haven’t been to the gym in a few weeks so I was due for some exercise).

I grabbed by I-pod and a book (Ephren W. Taylor “Creating Success From the Inside out”.) I had been reading and started walking in the direction of the train station. On the way I took a few side streets just in case I saw something I wanted to photograph. (I always travel with my point and shoot (FujiFilm FinePix F40 FD) digital camera) It seems that there is always something that I want to photograph while I’m out. On this particular outing I walked down an alley and photographed an abandoned sofa.

The remainder of the walk was rather uneventful; I arrived at the train station paid my fare and walked up the two flights of stars to wait for the train.

Once in Long Beach I called a friend to drive me the remainder of the distance to the parts store, after which I was dropped off at the train station to reverse the process.

Back at home I installed the ignition switch cleaned the aluminum shavings created by the grinder and put the steering column back together.

I inserted the key turned it and the engine fired up without a hitch.

It’s now a little after 4:00 P.M. and I’m rolling again. It took most of the day, but it’s all done. I won’t have to miss an assignment on Monday in order to take care of the truck and, I Practiced What I Preach, by handling the situation right away instead of waiting, and also I didn’t let the fact that I didn’t have transportation stop me for getting the part I needed to repair the truck.

Williams AZ, Route 66

Originally uploaded by 7thson

My first official blog entry was just about 4 months ago.  Since that time lots have happened. Summer has become fall again,  and I’m back home from my work/road trip.

There’s lots to tell, but I’ll keep it as short as possible since I have lots more to do.

If you’ve had the time and opportunity to read this blog you’ve seen that my son Austin has written quite a bit about his adventures in California this most recent summer.  If it was up to him he would not have written anything at all, as that is the way it is for some 11 year old kids.

I thought it would be a good exercise over the summer break to help improve his writing skills.   I think it was a success, and maybe at some later date, (maybe when he’s 30) he’ll think it was a good thing to do.

This particular summer was great for Austin and I since it was the first summer that I was able to spend all day every day with him. Usually when he comes to visit he would go to summer camp with his siblings, and I’d go to work, but since he’s now old enough and big enough to work with me we spent good quality time together. It wasn’t something he wanted to do because he was looking to have fun; not work. In addition to the work we did there was still fun to be had since we were able to ride our bikes and hang out at the beach. (For details, and his views please see Austin’s Daily View here on this blog.) It was especially great for Austin since he found that he could be more independent because I allowed him to ride his bike around the neighborhood alone. That was a first for him because in the past I didn’t feel he was ready to ride alone. Over the past few summers I’ve taught him how to ride his bike around the city, both on the sidewalk and in the street. He was quite happy when I let him go where ever he wanted. Luckily he didn’t venture too far.

This past summer was also Austin’s’ first cross country trip by automobile. It is my thought that in order to properly appreciate these United States one must drive across them at least once in their life. In doing so we experience first hand the size, breath, and landscape of each state.

Spending 3-days in the truck together has been an experience that neither of us will forget. I had a great time!! I think Austin did also; once again, time will tell. In all the years I’ve driven from West Coast to East Coast, this trip was the first time I was not on a schedule and I actually took the time and enjoyed the sites and stopped just to see things and take photographs. (Please see Austin’s’ writing for his views.)

After delivering Austin to Stone Mountain, Ga I proceeded on to St. Louis Missouri to photograph our National Convention. (YTBTravel: http://www.ytb.com/7thsontravel http://www.ytbtravel.com) This was the first time I had had the opportunity to drive through Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois. I gave myself plenty of time so that I might photograph sites along the way. The drive was very relaxing, so much so the following 5 days of 12 and 16 hours of shooting was not a problem, I was ready for it.

After those five days of shooting the following 8 or 9 weeks of photo projects, and home repair in Georgia and Alabama was almost a total blur. At the end of it; I was more than ready to get back on the road heading home.

After so much work and movement the laid back schedule of driving back across country was a great way to wind down and do nothing except watch the white lines pass by hour after hour. Each night I’d find a really small Hotel/Motel in some small town with a population of 5,000 or less to spend the night.

Well, that’s the condensed version of my travels this past summer. I accomplished much, with much much more to be done and that’s where I am now, continuing on with various photo projects and home repair assignments.

Life is GOOD!!!!

 

bookbag1650

Originally uploaded by 7thson

Monday 8/11/08

Today was the first day of school and for me going to middle school.

I was a little scared but excited. I couldn’t sleep at all the night before so when it was time to get up I was ready. I felt good but again; I was scared.

I’m going to a new school and I don’t know anybody there. It’s near my mom’s job and I’m riding with her everyday. I wanted to ride the bus but this year they are not doing that. I didn’t know where I was going or where any of my classes were. The school is big but after going in it wasn’t too bad. When I got to my homeroom 2 other boys were already there and they seemed pretty cool.

My homeroom teacher seemed really cool but talking to other kids that was in his class last year they said that he is evil. We’ll see about that because he seems ok so far to me. I have language arts first period, then health, social studies, science then extending studies.

Middle school is really long, much longer than being in school last year. I know where I’m going so I don’t think I’ll get too lost anymore. We are supposed to get lockers tomorrow and I can’t wait for that. I have to learn to open it but I don’t think that will be too hard to learn.

We didn’t have any homework on the first day and I’m happy about that. My plan is to be the top student or one of the top students in my class this year.

I’m going to make it a great year!.

 

arrow1537

Originally uploaded by 7thson

Written on: 8/02/08

Today my dad and I finally got back to Georgia! I was so excited I could hardly hold my excitement. The first thing I did was get a haircut. Well, before that I ran to my room and just fell on my bed. My own room with my tv in there & my playstation 3. It was great! I was able to download music to my cell phone and go over to my cousins’ house. I went to the park to see my friends practice football. Now, I’m a little upset about that because I had surgery and I can’t play football this year so I just have to whatch all my friends & my cousins’ play the game. I’ll just have to keep getting stronger for basketball. I can’t wait until basketball this year because I’m going to be THE MAN!

Usually when I go to California I let my hair grow out until it becomes a mini afro. But when I get back to Georgia my mom takes me to get a haircut almost every week on a regular basic. I like getting my hair cut but my dad doesn’t think it’s that important so my hair just grows.

I’m so glad to be in Georgia because I have everything a kid could want here. Unlike in California where we don’t have cable, air conditioning, or anything else a kid might want. California is fun because I get to visit my brother, sister and my dad but I always like coming back home.

On the way back to Georgia we stopped at my dad’s friend’s house in Mississippi. She lives in a house that her dad built with his own hands. I don’t think I would want to live there but the house was pretty cool. It had about nine rooms, four bathrooms, and an elevator! The house was very unique considering one person built it with his own two hands. Outside was a giant field that looked like it went on forever. It was a good place to build a house because there was nothing but free space.

After that I was ready to drive all night because I was extremely high on hot chocolate mixed with french vinilla. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to sleep for at least three days, but my dad said that he was tired so he pulled into a truck stop and when to sleep in the truck. I, on the other hand, was wide awake. I kept trying to move in that jam-packed truck because I was having my sugar rush. I was so hyped that I started shaking the truck just to get rid of all that rampaging energy. After a few minutes we began riding to Georgia again. It only took a few hours to get back home.

As soon as I get home I’m going to greet the rest of my family. Afterward, I’m going to sit on the couch and watch T.V. all day like a lazy bum. I tuned everything out too. My mom kept calling me to come down to eat but I just stayed right in front of the T.V.

Austin1566

Originally uploaded by 7thson

Written on: 7/31/08

Today my dad & I were on our way to Amarillo, Texas when we saw the Cadillac Ranch. It was a huge farm with five Cadillacs buried into the ground.

They looked like classic 1987s so we went to check them out. They had been there for a long time.. You could tell by the way they had rotted and fell apart.

Other people who were also looking at the awkward attraction had brought spray cans to paint the cars with. When they were done with them they’d just toss them on to the ground and leave.

A family that was leaving had given us a can of spray paint because they thought that they were going to use it but they didn’t. I was as happy as a homeless guy who won the lottery. I immediately got to spraying. I had spray painted my name onto the car so that everyone who walked by would see it.

I got so good at it that I drew Biggie Smalls and 2Pac with a cigarette in his mouth. I guess that it just came to me instantly.

I was going to draw Michael Jackson but I just couldn’t seem to draw all of his face lifts so I just settled for Gary Coleman.

He was so easy to draw that I even did his whole body. Although, it wasn’t any larger than 2Pac’s cigarette but the drawing was smaller than Biggie’s upper lip. That was everything that I did worth writing about today.

  

Austin_1503

Originally uploaded by 7thson

Written on:7/28/08

Today my dad and I spent the day on the road yet again. Only today was a little less grueling than yesterday.

We got to see the Grand Canyon! It had giant rock formations that were more than ten stories tall! If you look around you’d see that it was pretty much a huge bowl full of rocks and sand.

We even got a chance to ride on horse back all the way into the Grand Canyon . The weirdest things lived down there. I could have sworn that I saw a man sized mosquito sucking every last ounce of blood out of a full grown mule! When it was finished it looked at me hungrily. I told the tour director what I had seen. She said that they were once regular flies that lived near a toxic waste dump. They were dying out because almost no animals dared come near the sea of toxic debris for it was known to transform anything that came near it into an unspeakable monster. As a last resort, the flies suck the toxic waste. They had soon became giant mosquitos with a powerful thirst for blood. So they set off to the toxic waste factory. As soon as they arrived the workers knew that they had created the monsters they saw before them. When monster mosquitos were done,only the skins of the workers remained. That didn’t satisfy them but they needed a large, dry, and rock surrounding. Therefore, they wondered into the Grand Canyon. We hurried back up the way we came so that nothing would attack us.

We arrived at the leaving point safely. After that, I wanted go but my dad wanted to listen to some crappy air quality presentation which took about half an hour.

The rest of the day was just straight rode. At least until we got to the motel. It was infested with every kind of bug. When I went to sleep it felt like I was inside of a beetle’s mouth.

That about does it for today.

Austin1474

Originally uploaded by 7thson

Written on:7/27/08

Today my dad and I are going back home to Georgia!

Although unlike any other trip back home, we are driving cross-country. The trip takes about three days and while you drive you see many land marks and stuff that you wouldn’t see if you never drive out of the state.

I was so excited to go back home, I could hardly stand still let alone go to sleep. But somehow I closed my eyes and dosed off as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Before we left that morning we had to get a few snacks to keep awake while on the road. So we got some gatorade, honey roasted peanuts, and just about every other type of candy known to man kind and several known to dolphins. After we were locked and loaded we left for Georgia.

My dad said that I needed to learn how to read a map and that this road trip would be the perfect moment for that. He told me the some of basic ways to read a map. He also had a GPS in the truck so I didn’t know why he needed me to tell him the directions that the gas stations and nearby hotels were. But I told him any way because I thought that he was just trying to get me to learn or something.

We passed about eight cities and three states. Just about all of them had at least 1 thing special about them and my dad and I took a photo of every last one of them.

My dad always has some type of Jack In The Box logo on his antenna. And when ever one got so old and jacked up that it was practically falling apart , he’d stop by Jack In The Box to get a new one. As a matter of fact, when ever we took a picture of some type of flag or something we would make sure to make it look as though the Jack In The Box head was right next to it.

We rode three-hundred and eighty-three miles! Although, we still have such a long way to, it’s just unreal!

O&A1405

Originally uploaded by 7thson

Written on: 7/20/08

This week my dad and I had to texture and paint someone’s condo. The texturing was the hard part though. The first day we went to work over there, I didn’t know what to expect. I actually thought that it would be easy. As soon as we started to prepare to spray , I knew that I was in for a rude awakening.

We had to pack the truck with all types of tools. That alone took about three hours to do. Then, we had to go to Home Depot to get even more supplies to take with us on our trip to the condo. So we got more things and somehow managed to stuff them into the truck.

We grabbed something to eat on the way and arrived at the condo in a matter of minutes. My dad and I got to work as quickly as possible.

By the time we were done it was about 10:00 P.M.. So we went home to rest. The next day we started the whole process over. We did that all week and we’re still not done! The only thing I like about working at the condo is we got to swim in the pool.