Master Mechanic

Put off replacing the mid-tank fuel pump in La Bamba for, well, years. Finally got everything together to make the repair, and dug in. Firstly, the tank I had thought was siphoned dry was completely full. Did someone fill it at some point and not realize it was inoperable? Sucker weighed a ton taking it down.

Got it off, siphoned fuel into my truck and the ex's vehicle, took off the old pump. The inside of the tank was really clean. For some reason I was expecting all sorts of sludge and such, but it looked like new. Washed down the tank.

Put on the new pump, easy-peasy, and started to place it back into position. Started fastening the hoses, things are great, and a small, blue part drops on my chest. Pulled off the tank again, and noticed the ECV had broken off a leg. Of course, Ford is the only place to get that part, so everything is on hold until Monday.

Oh, BTW, you cannot drive the vehicle with the tank off. Oops.

Also, I think I must have the only Metric Ford pickup in the USA. Made in Canada.

I'm sore.

Life As A Greek Tragedy

If I have to push that boulder up that hill one more time I'm gonna...

It's not relay that bad. Seeing history repeat itself over and over is actually amusing. Doing things I did many years ago, but with different intent and motivation, is producing the results I desire. Committing to the goals, and only the goals, is Spartan but mentally (and sometimes physically) rewarding.

I'm liking life. A lot.

Dropped Boy off this morning, won't see him for a few days. This issue is the most perplexing I have at the moment. it's hard to be a part-time parent; in some ways harder than being a full-time one. Children change so much at his age that not being present to see it happening is, well, sad.

It's Just Too Cold

So much for the plans of traveling today - too drab and cold to want to take Boy out. Maybe tomorrow.

Same As Yesterday

Hoping for a break in the weather. Boy will be here this afternoon, and I would like to take he and his sister somewhere for an outdoor adventure - maybe the Redwood National Parks around Orick would be good. I want to check out the horse camps.

It would also be nice to get some pics with the new camera!

Foggy and Cold

Early Fall. Usally the sun has made its appearance by this time; it would appear that the weekend may be a portend.

No matter, have a fire going, watching "The Man Who Fell To Earth" with David Bowie. I hadn't seen it since it's film release in 1976. Crazy, yet humanist plot. Rip Torn has a great part. I didn't remember so much nudity, but, hey, I was 21.

Reading and writing the rest of the weekend. It's nice and quiet.

The Ex Just Moved to Her New Place

She's pretty excited, but also nervous. She found a great place with some other people, and it's truly a beautiful home, just a few blocks away.

I hope she is happy there. It's been nice having her visit for a couple of months.

School

Thursdays are the long day of the week for me. Class runs from 8-7, with a couple of hours of free time in the middle... which actually works out great, as I can get a jump on the reading for the next week. Not going to be able to work outside of school Thursdays, though. I'm thinking that will be fine, as I can still work on virtually every other day if I wish.

I sure didn't like seeing Boy go this morning. Waiting 3 days to see him again is a little rough. He's always so happy, though, that I can't help but feel that things will work out.

Time to read...

Ready for Traveling

After too many years of wishing, I found the perfect camper shell for the pickup, five houses away! My neighbor was selling his shell for a price that was too good to pass up, so I didn't and now it rests comfortably on my pickup. I couldn't believe how close the color match was, and the shell fits perfectly - everything works, locks tight, and it's time for a road trip.

I am so looking forward to going to Portland in September. I'm thinking on the way back I may take the coast route and camp for a day or two if the weather holds. It sure feels like an early Fall.

He Likes Bread Pudding, Too!

Boy Likes His Pasta

New Camera

I couldn't stand it anymore. I needed a camera for work, so invested in a Canon SD600, a nice little point and shoot. Now I can start posting images of Boy, Elizabeth, whatever catches my fancy!

School is great. Mega-reading/writing, and I love every bit of it.

First Day of Class

School is starting out well. Classes are situated within 2 buildings, almost all dovetail right into the other, and the topics are great. I'm upgrading one class from lower to upper division. More reading/writing, greater depth. I would like my upper-division classes to count for something more.

I think I'll wait another day or so to get my books. The student store is a mess.

Kids

Elizabeth is surely driving me insane. I have never met a kid who is so intensely driven and obdurate. She has to be from demon spawn, placed at my door by malevolent archangels.

OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but she can test the patience of a saint. I hope she grows out of this before much longer. How can it be that her brother is the virtual opposite personality?

In other news, it appears I will be coming out of retirement and re-joining the cavalry. My former unit commander has asked me to work with him in forming a new unit, and I am rather excited about the possibilities. I've been wanting to ride with troopers for a while now, and I do believe much of the old unit will be re-forming along with me. Hurrah!

Waiting for School to Start

Getting a little antsy. Classes are picked, funding is there, just counting down the minutes until I have my schedule filled with classes and then work.

Looking forward to traveling to Portland to take the certification class. It's been a while since I've been up that way, and I've always liked the drive and city. I wouldn't mind staying a couple of extra days to just drive around, but we'll see about that.

Boy is taking his afternoon nap, Elizabeth is out shopping with her mother, so it's pretty quiet here. Overcast and chilly. I am looking forward to the end of the month when Adair moves to her new place. It's been a little difficult accommodating her eccentricities.

Just a few more days...

Fifty-One

Waking in the middle of the night in an empty house the first time in a long time. It feels good. I decided that, since I have all this freedom, it should be exercised. Flipped up the computer monitor to experiment with the new OS for a while - adding 2 GB of RAM makes Vista fly like a dove - fast but still a little erratic. Solitaire with JJ Cale in the background - the easy life.

I kind of wish I hadn't been so hasty in erasing my old blog. There were some thoughts on there that were worth reminiscing. Of course, there was also a lot I would prefer to forget about so maybe life evens out after all.

Half a century. Seems like a long time on the one hand, but on the other I sense new adventures that will supersede all but my children. It's odd having their mothers both within a few blocks of me - like being a cult leader without the sex. It's also interesting to see how their lives are evolving.While I am getting stronger by the day, they both seem sad and distant in their struggles. I would feel more pity but I sense higher forces at work here, an entity that is both unforgiving and loving at the same time. He has certainly been generous to me the past couple of months, and I am most grateful. The new business is going ahead without too any obstacles, and there is money in the bank. Everyone is healthy, school starts soon, and my classes are going to be great.

Elizabeth and her mother will be back in a few days, and, save for having Boy with me tomorrow, I will have an open slate to draw on. This is a good thing, because I have a lot to prepare for.

I have truly been blessed. Bob Dylan has released me.

Frustrating

Backing off certification until the 14th of Sept. in Portland. The second choice was just a little too sketchy.

Going to have a few days all to myself, something that very rarely happens. House will be empty until Sunday, and I am so looking forward to some peace and quiet in order to study. Finalized class registration and am excited about the class lineup this semester. Sometimes I can't believe I am sticking through with the original plan, sort of. Adding a second major seems like the right thing to do - in fact, I would consider a Masters in History as a priority.

Boy is asleep, and I'm reflecting on how much I miss him when he's gone. It always seems like it will be grand to have time off from being a Dad, but the reality is those kids complete my life.

Changing Things Around

After talking with a local rep involved with the business I'm getting into, I've decided to push back the certification class in order to take it in Sacramento on the 9th. This would also let me pick up my horse (finally - YEA!) The class is also free, for some strange reason.

Funny how things work out.

Lots of Time with Boy

Since my son's mother has decided to be a bartender in the sleazy bar she hangs out at, she has asked me to watch our son while she works. I can't believe someone could sacrifice their time with their child just to hang out at a bar, but I guess it's all about priorities. OK, rant off. She just annoys me.

Anyway, he and I will have fun today. We'll go look at the sheep and pigs just behind the house at the High School FFA pens. He's still a little afraid of them, but he likes to call them from our deck, which is above and 50 yards away. Maybe we'll go to the beach, too!

Things Happen

Ok, so I'm going a different direction than I thought I would be. While applying for a job I performed some due diligence and learned more about the parent company. Wow!

This coming week is going to be filled with a trip to LA for class and certification, and purchasing the tools I will need. I haven't been this excited about an opportunity for a very long while.

And it's about time.

School starts in a few weeks, the kids are doing well, and hopefully the ex will find a place to live soon. Life goes on.

Blasé

Today the clouds finally parted to show an azure sky and temps into the 70's! Oops, now that I type this the fog is rolling back in. Should have gone to the beach this morning..