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What is it about growing up that causes growing apart? Forget the people we knew in high school. Most of us had nothing in common except that we were into the same kinds of teen drama. What about our friends in college? They meant a lot to us right?
Guys, who talked you down when you saw red from someone hitting on your girlfriend? Who helped you rebuild your senior project after it crashed even though they had just as much to do on theirs?
Girls, who held your hair back as you prayed to the porcelain god after too much drinking? Who kidnapped you and took you for ice cream as your brain started to melt?
We were together for the all night study sessions for the evil tests conceived by sadistic profs that were “weeding out” the class. We were together for the movie marathons or game nights or lan parties over gumbo, fried crawfish or lousy pizza. We meant the world to each other. So what happened?
Sure, we graduated or left but we were still tight friends.
At first we called each other every couple of days. Days turned into weeks and months. Now, our friends won’t even answer the phone much any more. If they do happen to accidentally answer the phone, they have to get of to take care of some, umm, important business, yeah that’s it, business.
Get-togethers are the same way. They start out as “mustn’t miss” events. Then work calls and interferes or gas prices are too high. Eventually, friends can’t even be reached to receive the invitation.
For myself, my closest friends spread out to Houston and Dallas TX, Lewisville KY, Atlanta GA, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Alexandria LA and even overseas. For Jess’s, the spread of friends is similar if not as extreme, all over LA and TX, but the effect is the same. Except for her best friend, I cant remember the last time I saw any of our friends except in the pictures on my screensaver.
Jess worries about me because I don’t have any “buddies” here. I don’t have any common interests with the guys I know here. I don’t like hunting, fishing, football or racing. They don’t like trains, camping or gardening. I don’t worry about it because I know that I have her. Is that a symptom of the same problem as drifting apart from our best friends?
Apparently, we were not as close as some of us thought though. That begs the question, were we ever really friends? We had to have been. We wouldn’t have put up with each other if we weren’t. But that is the crux of the problem isn’t it? We did quit putting up with each other. Some of us got married and settled and became…well…boring. Some of us went wild, did stupid things and lashed out when friends tried to help. Some got jealous of the achievers among us and resented them. Some created their own brand of drama and moved to the company of others that would participate in their pity party wallowing.
So what does that all mean? The short answer for me is that we were forced together by circumstances and became friends. After those circumstances changed, most of us have moved on. I guess that what is left is to tell those friends that have departed from my life something.
Thanks for the good times and memories. Those will always be important to me.
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For those that haven’t heard, Jess and I got back Sunday from a flying trip south. The unfortunate reason for this trip was a funeral for a friend of Eldrauth and mine from BSA Troop 76. Bryan Chism was KIA in Karbala, Iraq on 1/20/07. He was mischievous, adventuresome and exceptionally loyal to friends and family. He did the fighting there so we won’t have to do it here. He is missed. David was numb, but held it together to be there for Bryan's girlfriend. Mom, dad and a bunch of their friends did a great job being there to support Mrs. Betsy. Julie's friends were taking good care of her as well. The Army provided an excellent group of coordinators and such. The Patriot Guard Riders (patriotguard.org), Louisiana State Police, Ascension Parish Sherriff’s Dept., Gonzales City Police and Gonzales Fire Dept. were out in force to pay respects. That was incredible in and of itself. Something more incredible was the turnout by just the people. People were lining the route from the funeral home to the church and from the church to the cemetery. There were Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, soldiers, veterans, families and even seniors who looked like they shouldn’t be out in the freezing weather for health's sake. Flags and signs abounded. It was a sight to remember. THANK YOU! to all those who went to show their appreciation for Bryan.
As for me, I am determined now more than ever to keep making more and better bullets to shoot at the Islamic terrorists that caused such pain to all of us.Current Mood: predatory Current Music: A nice soft breeze |
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Well, we are off and running with a good start to 2007. Day 3 has me at work, but that’s ok. I am saving vacation days for a badly needed getaway at some time in the future. There are a bunch of movies I am looking forward to coming this summer especially. The plant is looking more stable. Babies are bouncing aplenty amongst our friends. The cherry on the day so far is that KCS is going back to the Southern Belle paint scheme on an order of new SD70s (and presumably on future orders and reshops). I like the Grey Ghost scheme, but I will be thrilled to see the Belle. So far so good. 2006 can RIP (rust in pieces) but so far so good on 2k07.
Jess and I had a great Christmas. My family came in to visit over the Christmas weekend. We went to her parents for new years since her mom got sick. Now we just need to keep on keeping on.Current Mood:  pleased |
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My mind had gone completely numb. Since 7 in the blessed AM Monday morning till now, all I have been doing at work 10 hrs a day is watching video of hand grenade and fuze testing. I am watching and counting frame by frame to find the start time and detonation time. I am then running a calculation to find the delay time between those. Out of 1100 video clips I’ve gotten 600 done. I need 2 pints now!...before my head explodes. At least the boss is leaving me alone to help me keep the rhythm. I need to be done by next Wednesday. This is seriously sucking. Though I did get one frame of vid where the grenade is just starting to explode. It is kinda cool.
That’s ok, once it is done then ARDEC can have it and I can go back to business as usual. I am getting my new puter tomorrow. I have already named it Triton. Ganymede has suffered hardware failure and really isn’t worth the fix so.... Christmas is right around the bend. Poor Jess, has to work, but that’s ok, my family is coming up to visit us. Her family cant make it till new year's weekend since her mother also has to work Christmas. Such is life when you work in a hospital.
I am expecting a shipment of rail and turnouts in mid January. Then I can start laying track for the Winnsboro Extension of the Louisiana Central Belt. I already have ties and ballast and the terrain work is done.
I need to talk to Em and Lan at some point to see about getting more info on the Grapevine RR. Mainly, I need to know just how serious PW was about offering me a spot as engineer on Puffy (an 1894 4-6-0 Heavy Pacific). I am interested, but I have a good thing here and wont make the move unless its a good deal for us.
I need a vacation... The plant is supposed to be slower between October and December, but we have been running full throttle all frelling yr. and I’m burning out. It also isn’t showing any signs of slowing. Thank God the plant Christmas shutdown is coming in 2 weeks. Then, Jess and I are going to make a long weekend trip to Hot Springs in April for our anniversary so that should help me retain my sanity. Oh well, such is life.Current Mood: Fried Current Music: Dire Straits |
| » Vive la Reagan Revolution |
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Take this you linguini spined liberals. Though realistically, this quiz sucks. I really tend to lean more libertarian (personal freedom and personal responsibility).
| Your Political Profile: | | Overall: 95% Conservative, 5% Liberal | | Social Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal | | Personal Responsibility: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal | | Fiscal Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal | | Ethics: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal | | Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal |
Dec. 11th, 2006 @ 08:34 pm
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| » Predictable |
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| Which Star Wars Jedi/Sith are you? Obi-Wan Kenobi You’ve managed to train both a great evil and a greater good, not to mention whipping the ass of the coolest looking Sith in the series. However, you do have a few weaknesses, like Count Dooku and a douche bag of a Padawan. Other than that, you are the epitome of class. The accent, the outfit, and your care for those around you is highly admirable. Arguably, you are the best Jedi that ever lived, having owned Maul, Anakin and Grievous, a total of seven lightsabres among the three. 
| Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Nov. 24th, 2006 @ 03:28 pm
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| » Knock, Knock, Knock |
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Opportunity comes in all forms and at all times. It is also very rarely convenient, but can also make dreams come true. Jess and I went to see Em and Lan this weekend for the baby shower. Once Lan and I dropped the girls off, we went to the rail depot in town. It now operates as the northern terminus for a tourist railroad. We were looking around at the engines and I identified one and explained it. He called his dad to check some of my info. After talking to his dad for a few mins, Lan got off the phone and said his dad must really like me. He said we had the run of the roundhouse and offered me a job. He wants me to become an engineer to operate the steam locomotive. The thumbnail sketch of what Lan got out of his dad is that I would be paid to go to school to learn the operation and then run the road. I think the only dream job I have ever hoped for that come close to this dream level is to be an astronaut. I really dunno what to do.
Pros: dream job, moving closer to jess's Godson and a couple of other friends.
Cons: moving to a big city, leaving the friends we have made here, moving further from home, uprooting jess from her brand new job that she likes.
Unknowns: MONEY, the health and longevity of the bullet mill.
I would definitely like to explore the possibility. Jess isn’t excited at all about it because of the potential problems, but is supporting me because she would hate it worse if I said No and then lived a life with such regrets. I don’t honestly expect it to pan out, but just the possibility is ....wow.
I told my boss about it this morning in such a way as if I were not seriously considering it, and told him he should remember my loyalty in Feb. when performance reviews come out. The most common response I got from coworkers was a goggle eyed stare. It was quite amusing.
Other than that, the weekend was great. It was so very nice to visit and see friends. We don’t get to do it often enough. Em and Lan racked up at the shower, but there is still much to go. Thanks very much for the hospitality, it was great. We will of course have to go and visit after the baby is born too. =D
Nov. 20th, 2006 @ 05:30 pm
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| » Clearing the Table |
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Well, it had to happen some time since all good things must end... and it’s about time too. Today we bought off on the X-ray facility that I’ve been working on since this time last yr. We had a good contractor to work with. The building and equipment work well. I am glad it is over though so I can have a small sliver of time back daily. Realistically, something else will come along and eat that time but that’s tomorrow.
Life around the house is going well as well. If anyone wants light blue or white iris bulbs, let me know soon. I just divided ours and have almost 20 pounds of them. I know my mom wants a few pounds of them so speak up for the rest now. The garden will be glorious this spring.
Work in the kitchen is also going... slowly. I am ready to sand the lower cabinets by the windows. Then Jess can paint those while I strip the doors and drawers that go with them.
As usual, Jess's gumbo was a big hit with our Sunday school class. We had a great time with those friends. Hopefully, we will get to see more of you soon, but don’t count on it. I don’t think we will be able to go anywhere for Christmas or thanksgiving. Such is life when one of us starts a new job. I couldn’t be more proud of the work she had to do to get the job. She is doing really well, but that’s something she can post on.
Nov. 8th, 2006 @ 05:29 pm
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| » Reinforcements |
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Well, The cavalry has arrived in a manner of speaking. Marie is working now!!! On the day shift!!! I’m happy. Have I mentioned how proud of her I am? She bore up well to the long year away from home to get her degree and is now reaping the rewards for her labor. She has also taken the pressure off of me. Should DZI go in the toilet and I lose my job, we will be ok because she is helping to support us and allowing us to build our safety net.
On the DZI front, there is a flurry of letters to the editor going back and forth in the local paper. www.Texarkanagazette.com Its amazing the ignorance of the dumb masses who want to associate anything government related with the purity on par with Jesus and anything related to big business with the scandal of Enron and WorldCom. It makes little sense, but it’s the way the government schools have trained those who are too lazy to think for themselves and be responsible for their own wellbeing. That however is a rant for another day.
There is also a meeting going on right now between the union reps and management to keep the unions informed on the behind the scenes work on privatizing the plant. Of course, I have my moles who will report on the meeting once they get out. Once I find out what is going on, I will of course share.
In the mean time, it’s time to get back to work on the kitchen. Since Jess will be at work tomorrow, I will get to open the house and play with the toxic chemicals. The furry demons will love that, a day out on the sun porch. I love this time of yr almost as much as spring. I think it’s also because I get to do some more planting. Its just bulbs, but I expect to have a lovely garden this spring. I have more iris, crocus and hyacinth. Anyone who wants some blue or white bearded iris, let me know. I will be dividing and replanting the bed over the next couple of weeks.
You know, this whole thing about being 30 is no big deal. In fact, I kinda like it.
L8r
Sep. 28th, 2006 @ 08:24 am
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harbinger76's journal
