Are the trusted methods the best?

Just a random thought which is running through my mind...thought by sharing it, I might receive some feedback to its practical application.
A bicycle drivetrain runs simply. A chain runs over two chain rings, through different sizes in the chain rings, the number of pedal revolutions determine the number of times the wheel spins. The closer the size of the two opposing chain rings, a lower level of power output is needed to turn the rear wheel. Unfortunatley, the wheel turns much slower if the gears are at a 1x1 ratio opposed to a 2x1 system, yet it requires less power. Although a lower gear ratio requires less power, more pedal revolutions are required to achieve the same distance (or number of wheel revolutions) of a higher ratio.
Now, with that in mind, I'm going to bring rock climbing into the equation. When climbing big walls, multiple days are spent on a rock face and all the required supplies must be hauled up the wall one rope length at a time. The method used to make the chore of pulling 100 or more pounds up a sheer face by a rope is accomplished with a pulley system. Essentially it is the same way different gear sizes are used to vary the power needed to turn the rear wheel on a bike, yet the difference is, when hauling on a big wall, if you pull 1 foot of rope through the system, the haul bag moves one foot closer to you. A bicycles low gear ratio will create a lower output of power needed to turn the wheel but will not mimic the efficiency of the pulley systems distance which is achieved.
Bikes have been standarized to use the drivetrain system they use now, a chain running over two rings or pulleys. As we've seen, the stadardized wheel size has changed to a more efficient system...so why not wonder? Is it feasible to think that incorporating a pulley system in the crankset along with various gear ratios into a bicycle which may in turn create a more efficient system of pedaling? What if the chain ran through four chain rings instead of two, could a drastic decrease of power output needed to push an identical gear ratio w/ only two chainrings result? In a C-130 engine, the gearbox, which utilizes power output from the jet engine attached to it, uses a planetary gear system (many smaller gears turning one larger gear) to achieve insane amounts of torque raising the gear ratio yet using the same power output.. Could this somehow be applied to a bicycle to create an even more efficient pedaling system than what we've been told is the best?
I don't know all the physics behind this idea (for instance i the friction from multiple chain rings is more substatial than the benefit) and maybe someone will say something to make me say..."oops, yeah, there is no sense in that", but to me right now I see logic in it. There is always a better way, if that weren't true we would still be riding fixed gears or wooden wheels, or maybe solid iron framesets. Innovation drives everything, although I'm sure my concept can be shut down quickly, there is a lot that can be improved, as long as the desire to create something better is there... it will happen.
As i said before...just a thought, give me your feedback, you cant offend me.


PS...I had to pull a tick from my leg yesterday!! I hope I dont get lyme disease.

Sean Meets Parked Car...

...on a bike. The bike is ok, but I gotta wear this for 2 weeks. Nothin broke, just a damaged tendon. I'd write more but its kinda hard w/ this thing on.

Quick solution

I took my geared bike out, kept dropping the chain in the front and screwed up my ride. So to fix the problem I made a chain keep out of a front derailleur. By bending off excess parts and puting in a longer limit screw to extend the cage to the middle ring, I made something pretty small that keeps the chain on tight from both the side and the top in two spots to hold it down when the chain loses tension... I think it will work better than a 3rd eye. Anyways, here it is. Now all i need is the bash guard.

Pictures...at Erics request

First a few pics from the hike we did...

Then gotta throw in the beast...(Horse Flats)

Then my new used frame I got for free...Cannondale CAAD 4 frame...

Now the Fetish Fixation up and running...mostly...

and the best bike is saved for last...

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Here it comes.....

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the coolest bike in the garage.....

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aint it pretty?

(Moms new bike if u didn't know)

...but theres more...

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almost there...

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keep goin...

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just a lil message from Kelsey and I....

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our way of saying hello....

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the best way we can....

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its coming, be patient...

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a lil more patience.....

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AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

To whom it may concern...

I guess just a lil update on life for me now. I know Amy and I have done a lil phone tag and Kelsey and I haven't talked in awhile so I thought I would let ya know whats going on here.

I'm working at Performance Bike in Pasadena, just starting my4th week (I think). Its a mellow atmosphere, I love it. I get to talk about bikes all day w/ customers and actually learn a lot from people...problem is that I have to play it off as knowing what a customer is talking about even if I have no clue...I guess this helps me pick up and learn things quickly. Anyways its fun sometimes acting as the expert bike salesman who (in the customers mind) knows everything.

Its a fun job, on top of that I've been cruisin the single speed all over these hills...try it, you'll love it. I'll be going to PCC in January to finish out my associates, and I guess on top of that I've been teaching Logan his place as the youngest son.

It's been awhile since I posted

This is directed to the spandexers in the fam...primarily Eric.

The challenge is for you to wear your get up and hit up a trail w/ some knobbies w/ anyone in this pic. We'll see how much of an advantage giving up your dignity really creates.

Keep it pure, don't accessorize.

SpRaY pAiNt CaN bE sO mUcH fUn!

So I'm outta the Air Force now. I'm indifferent on how I feel about that, but it is what it is. Since I've been home, in my spare time I've been redesigning the Cannondale. It's got a cracked frame so if my experiments had turned out poorly, it wouldn't matter too much. Here is the finished product, just minus the chain and derailleurs (?) Plus a pic of what it once was when first bought. Notice the Crimson Ghost replacing the Cannondale logo. Eric, you're probably the only one who knows what it is, but that doesn't matter.

The Old Bike Above...Then The New below

Cycling

A disaster in the professional sport world. The biggest event of the sport has been corroded by cheaters. Now, as Rassmussen is kicked out of the race along with what seems to be another rider a day, I wonder how this sport can recover. Americans saw potential for this sport to grow in the states, but seeing how we react to Barry Bonds and other pros who decide to cheat....cycling has absolutley no chance of growing here. In my opinion the amount of athletes busted is unprecedented. The only way the sport may grow in America is if we are too oblivious to the happenings in other countries, which generally is the case.
A word to the Cycling community...if you want your sport to survive and offer the potential for the best to make a living....legalize the act of doping, its not going away. After reading a bit, what I understand is the only way to detect a doper is to find blood cells of someone else inside of you. If I were a pro and wanted to dope, I think it would be a simple solution to just use my own blood and never get caught. Nothing is going to change; after all the heat brought down on riders before this tour, the same thing is still happening. Either quit doping or be smart enough to use your own blood. Either way, don't degrade the sport which keeps the money in your wallet, it's just pure stupidity.

After seeing Transformers...I wanted to join the Air Force...then I realized I already had. I wondered where all the propaghanda commercials for the AF went...then I saw the movie.
My only question is ...WHEN DO I GET TO FIGHT ROBOTS!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!? "Bring the Rain"...unfortunatley, the AC-130 Gunship was a Spectre, not a Spooky ...but, close enough. (By the way...several of the aircraft used in the filming of that movie are parked right here on our airfield...kinda cool, eh?) (And we don't fly missions during the day...and Megan Fox...WOW!! In Ancient lingo a very fiting last name)

A Day in the Water

Today was a blast. After work (I get off in the early hours of the morning), I went water skiing, boating, etc. About 7 people from my shop hit the water in two boats, two fast boats. First we went water skiing in the sound while the water wasn't too chopped up (same place I went kayaking w/ the parentals). I had no problem on two skis despite only having done it once before a LONG time ago. My first fall though didn't give much prospect to future children but I recovered. I felt it good, was able to get outta the wake, go side to side, all that jazz.

The second time I got out, after I fell, I was told I couldn't do two skis anymore and had to graduate to one. I was apprehensive at first but I gave it a try. The first time I got up, but wankered out due to the instability of the ski. I felt it though and the second time I was up til I let go. I gotta say it was a world of difference between 2 skis and one, I'll never use two again.

I might not be able to ski on snow here but on the water, especially on a single ski is very similar to ripping down a powder bowl....the water will suffice for now.

After skiing, our two boats raced to a place called crab island. Blasting through the oceans open water is a thrill, I never knew how much boats could fly. It was a rush. Crab Island is a place where people w/ boats go, anchor and just hang out. The water is about 2-4 ft deep and a couple hundred boats will all be achored there. While there we found plenty of sand dollars, tube worms, hermit crabs...and lil mini crabs who had a fetish for pinching me. They were to small to hurt, but they seemed to only go for me. I don't know why.

Anywhos, it was fun today...I cant wait to get back on the water skis...hopefully we can arrange something over the reunion...??? --here are a few pics

300...THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!

Ok, so I watched a particular movie today, we'll leave it unnamed for ...copyright, legal...etc issues. But it happened to be about ...lets say, 300 spartans battling to the death against the Iranian regime (PERSIANS) Unfortunatley, I never saw this movie in the theatre, buts its not on DVD yet, so I guess I got the 2nd best thing. Anywhos, I was amazed. For many reasons, not just the movie. First lets start on how I was able to see the movie when its not in theatres and not released on DVD yet.
Lets just say that a certain branch of the military felt a need to rid a few bad guys of their lives in a certain part of the world and some unamed aircraft were sent to take care of business and some anonymous people were sent along to assist in maintaining these anonymous aircraft and while in this unmentioned country certain unnamed movies were available for a relatively inexpensive cost and these unnamed people felt justified in purchasing this mysterious merchandise...and long story short, through the deaths of "bad men" I was enabled the oppurtunity..for...well, this blog I guess.
The movie was about 300 Spartans basically devastating every Iranian (Persian) soldier who came there way. For once Hollywood...you rock! One of the scenes that stuck out in my mind was the first battle scene. After the head Spartan speaks to the hunchback of...Sparta, on how they succeed on fighting as one, they defend their honor against those schizo Iranians (persians) by working as..an amoeba...(Coach Jack would be proud of them) They work as one in these movements, shields up, then 1 word and the men open up and kill tons of Iranians (persians) then close again in defense.
I thought this was awesome...it made me realize, that during basic training, when learning to march and move with 40 other people all at the same time, I was really LEARNING TO KILL IRANIANS (persians) It gives it all meaning and you wont ever hear me gripe about it again.
All and all the movie, which will remain unmentioned due to legalities revolving around it s true release date...WAS AWESOME! I just wish I could've seen it on the big screen. And yes, I enjoyed it despite the airbrushed six packs and veins...and everything else added to make the Spartans look more "manly". The Iranians (persians) got their butts kicked and I smiled the whole time.
If you ever happen to find a movie similar to my descriptions...check it out. It will be well worth your time.

Time to come clean

I like a Justin Timberlake song...SOMEONE SHOOT ME!!

Free Ball

I'm sure you can relate to this Eric. I stumbled across CV playing Brentwood in a volleyball game tonight on You Tube. CV got it handed to them but whatever...what really brought back memories was, not only they were at CV's gym, but at one point you hear a coach/spectator saying "FREE BALL, FREE BALL" To those who don't know the game well, this means it's your teams chance to bring the pain. Anyways, the outside hitter gets the set, and brings the pain.
It's hard not to remember playing, and as soon as that free ball came, the confidence was instilled inside of you so much that if you just get the set, its going down. Especially when I was hitting the 4 spot, that free ball would come, I would yell as loud as I could at the setter..."4,4,4!!!!" It didn't matter if the other team knew exactly where it's going, because you were going to get the perfect set...and the perfect kill.
I really need to play again, I forgot how much fun I had when I did play. REAL volleyball is amazing.
Anyways, just thought I would share that.

It's Summer!

Ok, the weather here throws me off everyday. Last week we were in the 80's everys day, yet rain came every afternoon. This week however was different. As I'd walk out my room before 6 in the morning, I'd be overwhelmed w/ the heat and humidity so early in the day. Today, the forecast was to be 92 w/ high humidity. Throughout the day...I suffered w/ the weather...but after work, a lightning warning was issued. I looked in the skies and saw no signs of any strange weather. I thought, well, the weatherman is seriously wrong today. But in fact, I was to quick to judge. About 2:00, the skies opened and the rain fell, but not only fell, it rained like no rain I've ever seen...only for a short while though.
After work my buddy wanted to hit the slackline, after dinner we headed out. There was a lil rain but it seemed the storm passed us and was just dying out. We proceeded to the lake...and on the way, the skies opened once again. It was to the point where I literally couldn't see 30 yards ahead of me.
We decided the storm was moving fast and we'd be in no danger as the lightning would pass along with the storm. We got to the lake, set the slackline and walked it. Then...BOOM, CRASH!! The lightning was overhead us and the skies opened up as if the God's flushed the toilet and forgot to close the drain onto earth. Nevertheless, we continued to walk between two trees, standing out as lightning rods as lightning and thunder lit the skies around us for at least an hour. To say the least...it was a rush, eevery time we got on the line, we were waiting for the storm to take us out.
It eventually passed by and we were alive...although we never expected that outcome. All and all, a storm like we saw today was something I never even believed was possible. It was amazing, and to be outside in it, tempting it to challenge us...was equally amazing.
It's June...how can the weather be so violent...I've got to say though, I love tropical storms. Bring the next one...I'll be on the line again, tempting that lightning to strike me down... but, I know its afraid of the wrath I will unveil the first time it tries to strike me.

Hooray for AAA

Alright, so Saturday night was almost the most embarassing first date moment I've had...I'll keep this brief, after Kayla and I had dinner in Destin and wandered the local sites, we headed out to the beach for a moon lit walk by the water. I parked on the side of Highway 98, pretty much in the middle of the two nearest cities. We had a good time and decided to head back to the car. I was parked in a sandy spot and I'm sure you got it already, I got stuck. Ya, I know I have 4 wheel drive but it didn't have a chance to engage because I only went a foot before being stopped by quicksand (thats what I'm going to say it was). Now I know basically how to get out of a quick stick like that but there was NO chance of saving the wheels from being buried to the axles here. After digging around the tires, trying again and repeating (feeling like a complete moron at this point), I finally admited... going against all male pride signals...that I was stuck. I expected her to be upset, or "like oh my gosh, I cant believe you like got us stuck like way out here..." But apparently while I was digging and trying to get us out, she was holding in laughter, not at me, but the situation. She got a kick out of it.

Fortunatley, I have AAA, (Thank you Mom a thousand times!!) I called for help, and they said it would be an hour. Normally on a first date that would not be what you want to hear...the immense possibilities for awkward moments is magnified beyond anyones desire to experience, especially at the end of a date, stuck in a car on the side of a highway. All and all, it turned out to be great, no awkward moments, no need for conversation the whole time, but enough to be fun, and not a single awkard feeling. So I guess it turned out a quite swell way to end the night.

Oh yeah, she especially had fun riding in the truck as it was winched out of the holes it was stuck in. I told her I actually planned this all out because I knew it would be fun for her to experience an off road recovery.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. I still feel stupid though, but sometimes stupidity can help.

Wheel chair man

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6732003.stm

Cell Phones

The worst invention ever. Yeah its nice always having a phone, not looking for a pay phone then scrounging for change, then realizing your call costs 10 more cents than you have. But, you can be contacted EVERYWHERE! NO more excuse that you just weren't home and never heard the call. In the military, cell phones take away your weekend at the worst time.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was an idiot and picked up my phone in my pocket and now I got to be at work in 7 hrs on a Sat morning...we were having a great time but I got to ditch you."
Does that sound like a pathetic excuse to escape a date or what? I always swore when I was younger that I would never get a cell phone, but I fell to the relentlesss draw of modern Americanism, became a conformist, a victim, a sucker to the relentless draw of the corporations telling me how important it was to have a cell phone, to give up my freedom, my ability to completley escape anyone I have no desire to speak to. Now I pay the consequences, I suffer just like all who have fallen to this fake perception of the necessity of a cellular ball and chain. How nice it must have been in the old times to drive and not worry about a phone ringing, to be out having fun and not have to be on the short leash every time a vibration in your pocket was felt. For others to understand that they weren't being ignored if the ring suddenly turns to a voice mail recording.
Now, I'm required to always have that devil device with me so whenever the Air Force feels the need to bend me over and...take away the weekend, the only thing that allows my sanity to recuperate(?) from the BS they throw at me during the week, they're able to do it.

BOHICA !! (Bend Over Here It Comes Again)

Bringing Life to a Graveyard for Memorial Day

After mtn biking today, it was time to walk the line...what better place on Memorial Day than the tank graveyard?

Florida

So the parentals made it out to Florida, it was real good to see them. The weather was nice for their stay, minimal humidity and clear skies, not ho, not cold. We were able to go to a nice place on the docks for dinner and eat some fresh fish, mom even had a chicken freshly caught in the bay that day. Afterwards, we checked out the extravagant fishing boats on the little pier we were by.

The next morning after a quick tour of the base and being able to show them the planes I work, we went to the Marina on base and got a couple kayaks. We paddled out to a lil island in the sound, explored that, then headed back. Their kayaking skills were amazing! After, I took them to the tank graveyard. Dad seemed to really enjoy that as well as mom. I don't have tose pics so hopefully they will write a blog and share some. Then a lil walk around a lake in the area I Mtn bike, a nice peaceful place.

The next day we drove to Pensacola, went to a lil art sale in the park, checked out Pcola Beach, lunch on the water in Navarre, then they headed back to Georgia.

It was a good weekend, glad you guys could make it...if anyone else wants to visit, you know you're more than welcome.

Where does Freedom come from?

The ones with the least freedom, are the ones who give their lives to provide freedom for all. Freedom doesn't come from heroes, it comes from the desire to help others. No soldier who dies meets death in vein. A pararescueman from here recently died, saving the lives of other soldiers. I was at the gas station today and heard a man degrade this warrior. He said, "the airmen died for a f'd up cause" Not true, he died saving his brothers in arms. Thats what brought freedom to our country, the ones who are willing to die for others they don't even know.

Eternal Sun Shining on a Spotted Mind

I just had a great conversation with my friend. One of those conversations where you find the depth inside the other persons soul and your own. I felt like the old wise man telling my young protege secrets of life. The words I used seem to move Zack everytime we converse, he's open minded and has respected my opinions since we met at Sheppard. The conversation inevitably led to religion. Eventually I corrected him on misconceptions he has on the Mormon religion. I always attempt this whenever I'm asked about the church. I'm not active but I do know more than others. I'm always amazed with the crazy, off-the-wall notions others have, and I always try to correct them. During this interaction with Zack, I actually ended up giving him a copy of the Book of Mormon (yeah, I do have a few). It wasn't to convert him, thats not my intention, but instead to let him make his own opinion. The fact that he was willing to do this amazed me. HE asked for the copy, I didn't offer it. It's good to see that there are some people who are willing to seek truth for themselves and not believe what the world tells them.



On a different note, I went Mtn biking today. I learned the lesson to always have a bike tool with me. Though, I only learned this after going over the bars on a steep descent because my stem was allowing the bars to move. Altogether the ride was good. Single speed is once again the way to go here. There are short technical climbing sections and I have yet to wish I had a lower gear. I guess my style is to stand up and crank through so it works well.

The Florida wildlife is different and is taking some getting used to, strange colored spiders (no banana spiders yet), little snakes everywhere, and pesky centipede alienish things that seem to love jumping onto me. At the least I'm more aware of my surroundings.



After riding today, I returned to base and set my slackline up behind the softball field on a couple of trees. My improvement is quick, and I have made a new goal...slackline Lost Arrow Spire.

When I was walking the line I got a visit fromm the Security Forces. Mostly because they were bored and saw something out of the ordinary. Two of them came over to me with their hands on their guns (I'm not sure why). They said I was damaging the trees and needed to take the line down. I proceeded in using my tongue a bit and telling them how wrong they were and how the precautions I was using to protect the trees fully comlied with the Sierra Clubs standards on preserving nature...(yeah, a lot of BS). It worked though and they let me keep it up. They were intrigued on what I was doing. The older, and wiser, one was amazed on how I could walk up and down the line. The younger, cockier one wasn't. He said it looked easy and that anything a California hippy could do, wasn't that hard. I asked if he wanted to try. Of course he said no, but his older wiser partner called him a chicken .....

This did the trick and the guy tried one time to stand up on the line. (I put the line up higher than most, about to MY waist) As the cop tried to stand up, his foot slid over to the opposite side, relieving all the weight on the line. NOw when this happens the line shoots up to its original heighth with a sudden snap. His legs were on either side of the line and the line shot up into...well, you know. He didn't feel to well. It was a good laugh for all but him. The cops left afterwards with the older laughing at the cocky young guy. I tried not to laugh, afterall he could see me around and give me a ticket or something. I told him that the same thing happens to me all the time, but it doesn't. Anyways, it was definatley a good day after that. Love y'all

I had surgery this week. It was periodontal, basically a skin graft inside my mouth, they removed skin from inside the top of my mouth and moved it to cover up exposed roots on two of my teeth. It looks pretty nasty, I'd give a picture, but some of you are squeamish. Anyways, the cause is apparently from my braces. When I was told to brush really well, I brushed too well and succeeded in exposing the roots of my teeth in 6 places. This surgery only fixed two teeth. That means I get to do it again two maybe three more times. They just have to wait for the skin to grow back so they can take it again. Now you may ask...Did it hurt? ...does Logan lack a brain? YES, it hurts, but worth it, I got two days off work. Thats all, good bye.

When I say Bow, you say Wow, Bow...

Its been a good week. I finished the engine swap in my truck, I went Mtn biking, I got up on a slackline again, and....I SAW LIL BOW WOW IN CONCERT!!! Yeah, I know, why would I do that? It was actually a volunteer thing. I worked as an usher at the Pensacola Civic Center for CSC, you know, the dudes in the yellow shirts, I'm sure you remember them from the Hollywood Bowl, yup, I was one of them.


I guess I'll start with the Bow Wow show. First off I've never seen so many people in one place with gold and silver teeth (and kids with mouthguards that flashed lights), I've never smelled weed on so many elderly people, and had no idea how hard it is to hold off hundreds of adolescent girls trying to storm a table for an autograph. We literally had a human chain surrounding this guy because he wanted to be nice and sign autographs for fans. It got so out of control maintaing the crowd we had to cut it short as his bodyguard literally carried him out before he was overwhelmed by the love sick fans who had lost all control of sanity. To say the least, it was...interesting. That will be the last time I ever go to a rap show. The performance was boring too, every artist sounded the same, they all used other musicians music just with more bass, and all they did was run around stage grabbing their balls. I guess I'm just too white to understand all of that.


I also finished the truck, it runs great, a huge difference. Here are the pics of the old motor and the new one, yup, it was time for that old one to go. I learned alot during the process, especially how important ground wires are. If one isn't working, electricity goes where it not supposed to, like me. I found a spot with the electricty from the battery going straight to it. It was a "shock" to find. But instead of fixing it right away we decided to scare my friend. There was four of us working the truck. Our brilliant idea was to form a human chain, (thus reducing the amt of shock to each person and making it safe...ish.) We did this, called another friend into the garage, when he came in, we connected our chain to the power and grabbed the victim. Immediatley, all our bodies seized up. Lets just say it was a lot more than we expected. Finally, we were able to break free. We had a good laugh and for some reason felt quite energized after that.


Now I also got my bike, it is sweet, the difference is amazing with the taller tires, and not having to worry about shifting was awesome. A bit harder in places but totally worth it. It just felt more pure riding. It's been awhile since I've hit up a trail so I totally needed this. Afterwards, I set up a slackline on the banks of a lake in the woods and walked it until the sun went down. It was really a great way to spend a Friday evening.


This week was just what I needed, that bit of adrenaline I've been missing is at my finger tips again. I cant be happier.

Donkeys and Reindeer...Are they the same, or both just mystical creatures only seen in movies and fairytales?

I'm glad some of you are writing, its awesome...as for the stories, they'll be here soon. No time to write much now, but just think of what Kelsey wrote about males and TBI...? 18-25 yrs, right? NO common sense? I think you're right...3 car batteries and a charger hooked to a human chain...(more details to come)...I still have 15 months until I get my common sense. Until then, I'll try not to kill myself. Oh yeah, lesson learned...its not good to not be able to let go of someones hand...like when its connected by electricity, hurts a little bit...but stimulating. The fun will be shared when I get a chance, promise.

C'mon

Alright, here it is. I could give an interesting blog here. I have a new bike, a new motor with interesting stories of fires and electricity flowing through bodies, etc...but I haven't seen any posts recently from anyone really, Eric, yeah, he has an excuse and he's been good, but the rest of you...if I'm going to put time into this, provide something interesting, I request the same...so those of you who are lacking in the blog area (a great way to still be in touch with eachothers lives) ...( Bells, Dad), post something, tell us what you did no matter how boring, I know I like to, and look forward to reading everyones new blogs, no matter what its on. So if y'all (:>) want more from me...you gotta do the same. ps NO EXCUSES!!
LOVE Y'ALL

Tis the Season

I've been thinking...there is no climbing in FL whatsoever. It blows, I love getting out there, being high up trusting my life to a thin rope and a few metal objects jammed in cracks and a person, usually Rob. Maybe not the best person to put my life in the hands of, but so far so good.

The seasons are changing (its crazy I can actually tell that because I hardly know what seasons are being spoiled in So Cal most my life), but the season of climbing is here. Right about now climbers are leaving Hueco Tanks, J Tree, Moab, and heading to the Big Walls. Yosemite being the prime place to test ones Huevos, climbing thousands of feet above the Valley floor, looking down on all the pitiful tourists in their motorhomes, taking showers, eating fast food. Although the Valley is set up for all this, the thrill from challenging gravity far above from where most visitors to Yosemite will ever venture, is still there.

What is the draw? To know that tourists are watching you with binoculars from below saying..."that's crazy" (and I still do that), or bragging rights being able to say you've done something very few people will ever be able to do...NO, the draw is the purity of life felt as you escape everything. Being in the "zone" as you meet mother nature head on. Scaling her obstacles, battling the weather she throws at you, whether the heat or cold, being absolutley free from everything caused by life. Up there the only problems in your way are what you have voluntarily created for yourself. And when up there, there is no easy way out. Trust me, last time on Leaning Tower Rob and I tried to take the easy way out and we suffered. Life lesson? Maybe...but the fact is Rob and I are heading to the Valley, natures theme park, the greatest place I have yet discovered, to tackle, to conquer, to finish what was started on our first trip. From now until July, my mind is set on prepping for what will probably be my only climb this year.

I will return to Leaning Tower. I will climb Leaning Tower. I will strangle the ring tailed leemer which ate our breakfast at the base last time (hes still there from reading other peoples writing), there will be no turning back, no giving up. If a rope breaks, I will proceed, alone if I have to, to the top. This wall has haunted me in my dreams since my first time on it. It mocks me. In order to move on in life, I must climb this. But the scary thing is, once this is done, I want to do it solo....and then it will just get worse from there. The bug will reappear and bite me with a vengeance.

But I will be happy.

A Tragic Demise

Yes, this is a big turtle. No, his head is not in his shell... a sharks stomach...more likely.

In Mexico, tax breaks are being offered to ride your bike once a month to work. Not bad.

Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!

So a boy scout got lost in the north carolina woods earlier this week. He was missing for three days. Eventually he was found within a mile of the scout camp he was at. ONE MILE FROM CAMP, THREE DAYS!! The North carolina scouts need to actually learn something. Any scout, any logical person I know, could never be lost within a mile of camp for a day, none the less three. An embarassement to all scouts.

I hate looking into peoples eyes, judging the way they act, speak, move, etc. I do it all the time. Most people I see, on a regular basis, occasionally, maybe just once a day, or lifetime...I judge. Now I don't criticize these people in my mind, I judge the way they interact in every little aspect of life, watch their eyes, their social interactions, the slightest physical movements, variances in conversation, where they look when they walk, everything. I may not really see how people are, after all I am just looking at the cover of the book...but so many times in life, the things I perceive have come true with the people I do get to know.
So why does this bother me? Because I feel bad for people. So many I can tell have deep problems inside, things that may have been ingrained inside of them, that they will never escape. I pity these people, I'm no better, but my sorrow extends towards them. In turn I feel sorrow for something I cannot control. For example, a master seargant in my unit...I never talk to him but I see him around a lot, he's often is in charge of morning formation. He has a lot of trouble speaking publicly, and his voice is high pitched, hard to understand in the first place. When in front of the unit he stutters radically and his eyes give off a sense of fear. Today I was working in an annex, a place many people usually don't go, I saw him walking around, with a look that just screamed pain, just trying to escape the presence of people around him. It made me think, and i felt bad for him, I felt his pain.
A lot of people like to make fun of people with small things wrong that make them targets for criticism...I cant do that, I see deeper and the guilt of insulting people because of something perceived on the outside would kill me. There is always more to people, yet so much can be understood from the outside, just not too specifically. Watch peoples eyes, they are the biggest clue, not just how they move but look for the emptiness, it appears in a lot of people, maybe for just a moment, but its easy to spot, and once noticed, it will be all you notice. Thats my problem, I spot this and I no longer see more to the person. I see the pain caused from whatever and it hurts me.
I hate it. So many friends have come to me in the past with problems because I can understand, I'm not just a good listener. The problem is, worrying about other people so much prevents me from worrying about myself. I can sit down with someone and give them the greatest advice, know how to make them listen to what I say, relate to them, tell them what I learned from personal experiences and tell them what they need to hear, yet fail to listen to my own advice.
I wish that I didn't see these things in people, and its not just sorrow I see in people...I see who they are, and what is attempted to be covered. I cant say anything to people though, denial is the immediate reaction when one feels their cover is broken, not worth my time. I've tried, wont again.
I'm not the kid from 6th sense, people are the easiest book to read. Just had to write this, I don't even know why.

Soon...the time will be here....

I have some good material coming up....be warned my next poswt wont be a filler cuz I'm told I need to...Fear not....Al Heshima se ya koon huna ma she katheerin, wa antoom se ya koon massoor wa mumkin sukrahn!!

Ouch!

So, I got a good crack to the head from a sledgehammer today. DIdn't hurt really at first until I got up from the crouched position I was in. Then my body felt a pleasant euphoria...not really good, but not painful. I'm ok, the bump hurts, I'd give a pic but the ones I took don't show up well. Anyways, when your head is 6 inches away from a swinging sledge, make sure there is no animosity between you and the operator. Not that there was...or was there? He did crack my skull pretty good....good thing I have a very thick skull.

I just have to write about how excited I am about getting the 29 inch single speed...its a dream come true, I have a pic of it as my background and constantly find myself looking at pics and reviews of the bikes on the ol' internanet. Thanks for all who are helping me out with this....it is REALLY appreciated. Anyways, christmas will be arriving in FL soon, I better go wait by the mail box, don't want to miss it.

What the....was that?

I was trail running yesterday...all of a sudden a giant bee, fly, thingy flew into my face. It hit me hard, my heart stoppped cuz I was thinking about running into a banana spider. My adrenaline was pumping from that for a good five minutes afterwards as my paranoid eyes bounced around attempting to find the culprit before another attack. He never came back, lucky for him. Thats all I got.

Does this make sense?

I'm confused, the weather forecast for Thursday is Strong storms, high of 72, it slowly gets sunny again and on sunday its mostly sunny with a high of 61. I'm still trying to get used to this mad mad world.

Military vs. Civilians in Military positions

OK, recent events this week have led me to ponder on the governments decision to contract military positions to civilians. Basically, what happens is certain jobs which were once done by military personell have been sold to companies who send there own people in to do the same job, simple concept, apparently cost efficient and it frees up deployable enlistees to work jobs which are needed on the frontline. This way the Air Force saves money by not having to recruit and train so many people and has a larger force to send to the sandbox. Sounds good especially in time of war but problems do arise. First off, all the civilians doing these jobs were trained for it by the military and have retired or didn't extend their contracts. Therefor the AF is still paying for the training of these people. NOt a big deal though, the goals are still met by this 'outsourcing'.
However, the factor which probably wasn't considered when implementing this new plan was this. Most of these civilians (and this is what many have told me), they got out of the military because they hated it. For what specific reason I'm not sure, but employees who hate the organization they are contracted to doesn't seem like a good thing to me. The thing is, while doing these jobs, being in the military, we are held to strict rules and procedures, and "Technical Orders" which we have to follow word for word, step by step. If we don't we could even go to jail. Say I weren't to tighten a bolt tight enough and there was an engine malfunction costing a million dollars of damage or even death, held under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (Fascist Law), I could very easily spend some time in Ft Leavenworth. Because of this, these things don't happen. Being in the military, we take the painful, seemingly pointless steps and procedures to follow orders, its what we do, be a puppet.
NOw here's the problem, civilians, although they follow the same procedures, are a bit more 'laxed' when it comes to things. They don't really do things under strict accordance to policy like we do. They may maintain the appearance they do but they suffered under this long enough, and now as civilians, are able to get away with a lot more and can be lazier than a regular military member...and yes, the military does spawn many lazy not caring about SH*% people.
Anyways, this is what happened to provoke this blog. Earlier this week we recieved a call asking for help taking two engines off a plane in AISO (where the civs work). We have our own work but were slow so a few of us went to help. It's a simple job, disconnect this and that, attach a crane and down it goes. We get there and start disconnecting things, only to find out they don't have the proper tools to pull the engine off and are scurrying around base like the rats they are trying to find a kit from a military unit. Problem is, the kits these units have are used in the desert, where we do this job and they are unable to find one. Then we find out they were just incompetent and lost the keys to the kit which was needed. Instead of just cutting the lock off, they malingered forever, holding us there doing nothing, until they decided they could pull 3 locks out their, you know what, to replace the ones cut. We finally get everything together and drop the 1st engine. This has been 6 hrs now for something which should've taken 1 at the most. My shift is over so I go home while our swingshift comes over to take our place.
I'll sum this up quick, basically I get to work the next day to find out we put the new engine back on, only to find out the civies didn't do a simple inspection, which was the reason for the engine drop, and they had to take it off again and put it back up, taking them away for their whole shift. Then our midshift comes on and finishes connecting the cannon plugs. ONly to find out that the civies didn't account for their tools and was missing a socket. Now this is huge, tool accountability is the biggest thing stressed for preventing damage to engines when they are running. Long story short, the plane is now grounded, no work able to be done on it until this tool is found. All day today and it still was missing. Their lack of responsibility, caring, good work ethics, etc wasted ALOT of man power and money.
This happens a lot, now tell me, is it smart to use civilians to do a job that we could do 10 times better? It's not like they pay us much anyways!

Alright, I finally got internet set up in my room so access to the web is a bit more convenient now. Don't know what to write about exactly so I think I will start to tell you about where I am with pics included so y'all can get a feel for my surroundings. There are a bunch of water inlets everywhere from the ocean, expensive homes and docks cover all the shores, everywhere you drive around the coast you're taking bridges to get to different sounds or whatever. The sand is white, the water is clear and warm and just a different style of ocean and beaches than we are used to back in Cali. Lots of jelly fish in the water and washed up on shore, many varieties of sharks, fish, and sting rays in the water. Inland, we have gators, water mocassins and BANANA SPIDERS. This freaks me out a lil cuz where the mtn bike trails are, the spiders are to. I can stand lots of creepy creatures, but not spiders, I hate them and they freak me out more than anything. So lets just say I'm not looking forward to riding in the shadowy woods and running into a banana spiders hanging out in its web crossing the trail. The people here, except for military, are definatley southerners, this is Southern Alabama after all so you can imagine the type of people. Fortunatley, and I hate to say this, but the military presence is strong and provides a good level of "normal" people.

On a different note, be sure to check out the TV show 'Future Weapons'. I think its on the discovery channel. They were here shooting footage on my units planes. So if you're curious what it looks like on the flight line where I work, keep watching and you'll see the same planes I work on, the same place where I do the work. It's supposed to be out in about 6 weeks, end of March maybe. Just look and listen for AC-130 Gunships, the most feared and relied upon destructive force in the US MILITARY!!!! (Mondays at 2100, not sure for different time zones though)

I've gone and done it

So finally I bought a truck. 95 Chevy 4x4, 5 speed, v8. I'm happy, it took a lil to get used to driving the manual based on the transition from dads g35 to a full size p/u. A little different to say the least, but it's no problem now. I was planning on writing more tonight, but sadly my mind is just blank to anything that might be worth writing about now...give me a few more days and I'll see what I can dish out.

If you have a short attention span...DON't READ!! Random thoughts I hardly understand myself

(To begin, my spelling on certain words is not perfect, so you linguists, doctors to be and anyone else, I'm trying:) ) So, after speaking to Eric, I decided to actually continue on this whole posting, blogger, spill your guts thing. He said it's more interesting to hear more than the monotnous mumbo jumbo of ones daily life which is good to read about, especially knowing the person, but insights developed through those daily activities tend to be of more intrigue. So, I guess I will let y'all know my mind a bit more, whether your interested or not, I know you love me and will read this anyways..lotm.From the Amazon gift certificate I got over Christmas I decided to buy movies opposed to books, I got plenty to keep me riveted for awhile from gifts over Christmas...now bear with me, this may take awhile to get to a point, whether I have one or not, I'm still uncertain at this period of the blog. Anyways, the first movie to arrive today was 'Another State of Mind'. Yeah, your all like I've got no clue what that is but to keep it simple it is a documentary on the punk rock scene in the very early 80's, before I was even born. Now put away all pre-conceptions of what my impressions on this movie are...they're probably wrong. In this movie, a few bands of this genre are documented through various ways, bands which I enjoy listening to and have respect for...this being filmed 25 years ago.As I watched I saw what I see in the bands today...the same thing. Although appearances differ now, the same attitude, for the most part, exists. I could get into depth how certain parts of this film affected me in certain ways, but you wont be interested in that. INstead, let me tell you how it made my mind wander to other categories. Somehow, one of these was the middle east. I know, its strange but thats where my mind went. Lets slow down a bit, how do I compare early 80's punk rock to war in the middle east? Simple, the mindset, the progression of life, the desire for difference, the evolution of mankind; all seem lacking in both these societys(?). 25 years later the bands in this film I watched are ultimatley with the same mindset (with a couple exceptions), although more musically accomplished, they still seem to be where they were , 25 years later. Now, I dont know where I will be in 25 years, but I do hope, no matter what I feel today, that my mind will be far different. I know it has changed just in the past year, and even more so in the past 5. Getting to my point, if I even have one, the people of the middle east (for the most part) seem to be stuck in this same grind. Why is this war in Iraq not working out like we want? Why does most of this country seem not to back our leader? Why do most Americans rebel against any act of war, whether its to protect us from future events or current events? LET ME TELL YOU, WHAT IS FED TO YOU AS A CHILD WILL ALWAYS BE PRESENT(hippie children)...there is NO escaping that! Yeah, I'm on the beginning of a rant and dont want to annoy y'all. My point is, as the punk rockers who are what they are because of broken homes, drunk parents, malicious peers, etc...the MIddle eastern people are who they are because of dictators, radical clerics, and fear provided my evil men. BASICALLY, WHAT YOU ARE RAISED AS WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BE THE BASIS OF YOUR EXISTENCE.So to back my point up, using myself as an example. I have been away from religion for quite awhile. But, the things I was taught are always lingering on me. No matter what I do, I can't escape the morals I was raised with. Talk to any of your friends out there and I can almost garuntee you, no matter where they are as a person... what they were raised with will stick to them forever.So getting to the middle east. I support our reasons for being there, and not because I have to. But, is there anything being accomplished? No...maybe the fact Sudam was executed by his own people, not us... but that has created even more sectarian violence, sunnis and shiites. Going back to what you are raised with sticks with you. Most the shiites today were raised under a tyranical rule of Sudam. Sudam being a Sunni, they were taught, raised, conditioned to hate Sunnis. The same time Sunnis were raised the same about the Shiites. No matter what we do, how hard we try, we cannot over come this human nature to follow what shaped our youth. Finally, the world will end because of us. humans are too weak to accept new things, this has been proven for thousands of years, although not everyone is like that, the majority of the human race, I believe, really is. We are our own worst enemy.Now why am I writing this? I dont know, y'all dont care much, but I told Eric I would write about where certain things take my mind. I never thought a punk rock documentary would take my mind here, but it did so I wrote about it. I stop now cause I'm losing myself, so much to be said, but while writing on improv...well...lets just say its hard for me.I'll try not to rant in the future, its hard to say everything I want to, especially with no opposition as I write to expand on my thoughts....but if this bored you...blame Eric, he told me to do it~!!! I love you all.

I guess I might consider this thing

Hey guys, I read your posts and with not much to do on a Friday night I thought why not do this...anyways, here I am, HI! What to write, oh I don't know...too much going on right now to write it all. I could talk about my job but the problem with that is I can only say so much. I guess being in AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations) the info you tell people tends to be monitored, whether I really know anything that important or not, I got to fallow the rules, right? Work is good though, I enjoy actually feeling productive towards the Air Force missions going on overseas, I finally feel like I'm helping towards the war effort which is my ultimate goal in being in the military.Florida is nice but for the most part I have failed to see this famous Florida sun everyone talks about...I guess Cali is still where my heart will reside, for now.
I just finished reading Shalimar the Clown by good Ol Salman Rushdie, yeah, I know it took awhile but I don't read as fast as y'all (yeah, I picked that up in Texas). It was a enthralling book, although at some points my mind wandered. He is a very...intelligent writer and to be honest, he uses a vocab way beyond my level of education. It made some parts hard to read, but ultimatley I was quite intrigued by his writing, I suggest to everyone that it is worth reading. Especially with current events in the world, although not about them, it somewhat provides a foreign view to things that we see in the news everyday.
Anywhos, sorry there are no cool pics or anything in this, I guess I'm just too lazy to throw one on right now, give it time, I'll figure all this out. I guess I don't have much more to write at this point, we'll see if anyone actually reads this, ltm. I miss ya'll, hope everyone is making the most of life.