RoadTrippin'

On the road again...

It's early...as i write this, I'm sitting in a hotel room listening to my family breathing while they sleep.  Another Christmas has come and gone, and we are headed feet first into 2013.  Yesterday we began our trek across the Northwest with a destination of Roseberg, OR to see the In-Laws.  And like clockwork, that is when mother nature decides to through a bunch of snow and ice in the way.  Not wanting to take any chances, we watched the weather, and road conditions like any normal people would do.  Our van is packed with blankets, chains, shovel, food and drinks as I like to be prepared for anything.  As we got going the roads were pretty good.  Snow was falling, but only small flurries, so we were making good time.

Good things never seem to last too long as the picture to the right, mutated to the picture below.  Don't get me wrong.  Becky was driving while I took these pictures.  We were going at a nice slow pace.  Despite the weather warning, snow on the ground, we passed several vehicles that had slid off the road.  Ironically, there were all trucks.  One of which was a full size P/U, probably with 4-wheel drive and a driver who was too over confident.  No matter what you do, you can't beat physics.  When you slide, you slide.  I didn't stop to take pictures, but I did wonder if they had sufficient coverage in their insurance policies.  Yeah, I have to do a plug as I'm now an agent for FARMERS.  Let me give you a free quote!

"Roads?  Where we're going, we don't need roads"
- Dr E. Brown

As we chugged along, I finally took over driving and we pulled into Bend, OR around 6pm.  Not wanting to drive over the mountain pass at night (again), we opted to stay the night at a hotel.  Having been on this same trip multiple times, we are becoming quite familiar with Bend and some of the lodging/dining options available.

Once we had cell service, Becky jumped on her phone and began looking for deals.  This year we ended up at the Shilo Inn.  I'm actually very impressed with the features available considering the low price we paid.  Centrally located, indoor pool (Isaac got to go swimming last night), restaurant (that will provide a free breakfast in a few hours), and free wi-fi that is letting me post this blog.

As for the dining option, this time I went to FaceBook to ask the locals as I do know some people that live here (ironically, non of them responded.)  Most of the recommendations were for local breweries, however neither of us are beer drinkers.  The first suggest was for a placed called "Taste of Thailand".  Thai food sounded good so we ventured out to find this place, the only problem is that instead of Thai food, we found a Dry Cleaners.  And as Gollum said, 'they don't taste very good, do they precious'  (in reference to orcs, but you get the idea).  With visions of Pad Thai on our brains, and armed with not one, but two smart phones, we quickly found ourselves walking into a little place called Angel Thai.  The food was awesome!  I ordered the Mongolian Beef (I know, not traditional Thai) with a spice factor of 3, from a scale of 1-5.  It came with a mound of white rice.  I needed 5 cups of water, and some more soup, and some of Becky's Pad Thai to put our the flames.  My lips still burned for a good hour afterwards, but it was well worth it.

I made the picture bigger so you can see the flavor...and all the little red pepper flakes

Have a fun and safe New Year!!!!  Till then.....

And so it begins...I bought a Farm!

You know, I couldn't tell you WHAT my last blog was...without looking, I couldn't even tell you WHEN my last blog was.  But I do recall stating that I would be writing more, so here goes . . . .something.

Many changes have occurred over the last 6 months.  My life went from a predictable 8-5 job, making enough $ to cover life's expenses.  I was suddenly released from the predictable, and entered the "less than exiting" stage.  I spent nearly two months looking for a new job.  I had lots of interviews and lots of disappointments.  My family had to re-evaluate how things were done.  Thank God for the Dave Ramsey class we took that helped us become debt free and build an emergency fund for just such an occasion.  As the money slowly disappeared, I started to look for jobs that weren't exactly in my field.

I thought sales would be fun, so I ended up in an interview with Farmer's Insurance and was very tempted by the possibilities of working in an industry that doesn't sell Insurance, but helps people become whole again after the worst situations.  That was the bright side of the coin, the less shiny side said that I needed to get my own license, pay for courses, testing, and other fees.  While we couldn't decide what to do, I found myself up in Fruitland, ID selling used cars.  I found satisfaction in seeing good people drive off in a good reliable car.  I enjoyed meeting new people and helping them meet their needs.  Seeing the "under belly" of the auto business really left a bad taste in my mouth, and I knew it wasn't something I could do for a long time.  So I started thinking about an exit plan.  The problem I had was that when you are working almost 13 hours a day 5-6 days a week, there isn't much room to do anything else.  Because of a blessing, I was able to go back to Farmer's and say that I was interested after all, and proceeded with the interview process, and began studying for my Licensing exams.

BING!

I'm happy to say that I am now licensed in the state of Idaho, to market, negotiate, and sell auto, home, and commercial insurance on behalf of Farmer's Insurance.  I am not license to say "BING" as part of a sales pitch, and if I ever do, please slap me.  One of the top 3 Insurance Provider's in the Nation, with a District Manager who is one of the top 3 DM's in the company, not just Idaho, but the whole company!  I am honored and humble to be working with this team of people.  It's a far cry from the shark tank I worked at in Fruitland.

So today I had my first day of training and I now have an excellent handle on Auto Policies and how under-insured most people are, and I'm also super excited to get out there and start working with people.  This is the beginning of a new career, and hopefully a new life for me and my family as the opportunity that is ahead of us is wide open.

Have you missed me???

It's been a while since my last post.  Needless to say, life over the past couple months have been...interesting.  I hope to start writing more in the near future, but for now, here is a quick tidbit of what's been going on...in no particular order

• My employer of 13+ year decided to let me go, it's an interesting sensation being unemployed after so long
• Still a foster parent
• Sold cars for a while
• Isaac is gonna be a movie star
• got to meet an actress that we've watched on TV for at least 5 years
• Working on a new career
• Got a haircut

Stay tuned peeps...

          -Brian

Word Association?

My last blog go me thinking a lot about the mind and how it works, I know each person would respond differently to what I am about to propose.  I'm going to 'google' a phrase, and go to the first results, and see where that leads me.  Before I begin I would like to point out the scientific research community is NOT in support of this and I am responsible for any outcome that may ensue here on out.

Random Phrase: 'Random Thoughts'
1st Google Result: www.randomthoughts.ws
Page Entry: "Jealous of what."

On Your Marks

 GO!!!!

When I hear the work 'Jealous' the first this that comes to mind is the song 'Hey Jealousy' by the Gin Blossoms.  In that song there is a line, 'we could drive around this town, and let the cops chase us around'.   Given I have never been chased by cops, I have spent time just driving around.  One memory is back in my high-school days when we would hang out at 'Neon Lyons' and then go TP someone.  A few of us would throw toilet paper all over Joan's house, while Mark would be in his little white truck with the bed open, and engine on....it was inevitable that someone would come out, we would bolt to the truck and take off before we could be identified.  And these were my church friends...classic. (/br> This one time I was out with another friend from school, let's call him Mason.  A friend of ours was moving away and we through we would give them a send off with TP.  It was S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) for this kind of activity, except for two small details.  

1. This was is Clayton, CA.  Small town with bored cops.
2. Our friends dad was a prominent figure in that city, and not a fan of exterior decorating.

We were teenagers, what did we care, right?  Right?

Just as we were about to fling the tp into the trees a cop pulls up.  You know TPing someone's home is an art.  It not some Frat prank where you just toss paper wherever.  Great care should be used, with an artistic flare.  I learned how to properly TP a house from my parents.  How many people out there can say that?

I love my parents.

Rabbit (errr duck) Trails

Have you ever been sitting at a table with a group of people and find yourselves talking about some random topic like the "size of duck footprints in the snow".  During that conversation, have you ever stopped to think what got you there?  It's the middle of May and a group of grown adults is in a deep conversation about the shoe size of a mallard who obviously lost his way and forgot to fly south for the winter.  Maybe it went something like this....

While eating dinner you noticed the vibrations in the glass of water everytime someone 'bumped' the table.  This was obviously an impact tremor.  "Woooosh", you can see and hear Dr. Ian Malcolm talk about impact tremors and his 'Chaos Theory' that we all learned about back in 1993.  Of course now that you are all on the topic of Jurassic Park, footprints would seem like a logical direction, however that would be too simplistic.  "Woooosh"  You focus on the word Chaos, which produces images of Captain Chaos, the alter ego of Victor Prinzim from the movie Cannonball Run.  Played by the lovable Dom DeLuise, Captain Chaos was a classic super hero from a split personality.  This movie had an extensive cast from Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Dean Martin, Terry Bradshaw, Jackie Chan, Jamie Farr, etc, etc. "Woooosh" 

You know Weird Al has a song that mentions Jamie Farr.  "And soon I was abducted by some aliens from space Who kinda looked like Jamie Farr" (1:37 you'll hear and see the reference)

I've always been a fan of Mr. Yankovik.  The guy has been doing music for over 30 years, and no sign of stopping.  He's covered the best, and also done a lot of originals.  On his more recent albums he makes a point of putting one song that is at least 10 minutes long...that is a great feat of musical aptitude...even if it's about nothing, except going to the drive-thru, where his wife wanted a chicken sandwich instead of a cheeseburger, that's just crazy talk.

"Woooosh"

The other day I say a chicken crossing the road, no seriously, it was over on Pine and Locust Grove...oh wait, that may have been a duck.

"Woooosh"

Dude, that last snow storm a few months ago, I saw duck foot prints on my drive way....

There may have been a few variations in there, but this all happens in a split second, and that is how my mind works.  Now there could be variations in there, say, I could have opted from Jamie Farr and leaned toward Jackie Chan, which could have left me wanting some Dim Sum.

We never know where the mind leads us, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.  But please remember to leave breadcrumbs so you can find your way back.

-Brian

(no ducks were injured in the making of this blog)

Jack's Roommate, moved out...

An update on "Jack's Roommate"....Jack's Roommate had become deceased.  Due to personality conflicts and the fact that awesomeness was too much to bear, the band formerly known as Jack's Roommate has been dispatched.  During the grieving process (which lasted about 30 seconds), all former active members of the band formerly known as Jack's Roommate felt a surge of even greater awesomeness and took the name of "The Roxtar Project".

Why would anyone make such a drastic change?  Why does anyone do anything?  In this case we had our reasons...for one, no member of the band has a roommate by the name of Jack.  We feel strongly about being truthful and honest, no sense in  false advertising.  Roc Treese has had 'ROXTAR' on his license plate for years and they always said that would make a cool band name.  After extensive market research and random testing accross several Western States it was determined that the name ROXTAR on it's own resembled to closely a webdesign company, and an Alternative hair band of the same name in Wisconsin. 

Then, without any warning, Roc said, how about "The Roxtar Project?"...and a band was born. 

We got off to a really good start as a three piece doing mostly classic rock stuff like Cream, CCR, Kravitz, ZZTop.  We wanted a 4th member to play keys, and possibly vocals....instead we got a choir teacher from Nampa, who ROCKS!  Here's the final line up of 'The Roxtar Project'


Lisa Marie - She comes to us with 30+ years exp.  She actually made a full time living fronting a cover band.  Rumor has it, she's very popular in Germany.  Her 'skills' include vocals, guitar, bass, keys, and drums.  in R.T.P. she is our primary bassist and sings lead on most of our songs.

ROC - Our founder and guitarist.  He keeps us in check, mostly tempo wise.  He brings amazing guitar talent, vocals, and the license place that our band was named after.  I don't think he's very popular in Germany, but rumor has it he still takes baths with his little rubber ducky.  We still love him!


Cynthia - Not a lot to say about Cynthia at this point as I really haven't gotten to know her yet.  I know she loves music, teaches a choir at an Arts school, and plays lots of instruments, including keys, guitar, bass, flute, and a lute.  For us, she plays keys primarily, rhythm guitar, bass, and vocals. Seriously, how many people do you know that play a lute?  Or know what a lute is for that matter...


Brian - I'm the rookie in the group, and the youngest of the bunch.  I'm enthusiastic to say the least.  Once I got the band name, I've created accounts in Facebook, Myspace, ReverbNation, and you can follow us on twitter @ProjectRoxtar.  I guess I'm gonna be a Social Networking / Marketing guy.  Besides that I play the drums and sing.  I'll probably play the guitar and bass too, but that's not for today.  I know, I'm singing, weird.

So for fair warning to you, this project is my new hobby and I'm sure I'll be writing more.  If you want information on booking us for a party, that's what we do best, send an email to theroxtarproject@gmail.com


-b

Standby - Part 3

Tell me they don't look like family...

...it seemed like no time had past since they last say each other, except they have all grown a little.  I was really a treat to watch these two play together.  Running back and forth all day long.  Good thing my brother has a big house.

We got treated to Pizza at Melo's in Pleasant Hill.  I have to say it was nice having the good stuff again.  Good Pizza is a luxury and not high on my priority list.  But when Nana & Papa are paying, I'm sorry to say, I think I ate too much.  Seriously, the pizza is on this lift things and it's right at eye level...to my left I had the Pepperoni, mushroom, black olive....and to my right was the Veggie, with artichokes, garlic, spinach, tomatoes...too good.  Bonus: My Nana & Nanu were there too, and Nana got to ride home in the corvette.

Lunch at El Faro is a given and almost a requirement....no trip to California is complete without it.

Those of you at Hope Center that I had a chance to run into, but not a lot of time with, it was good to see you...just a quick shout out to Jess, Scott, Dean, Tammi, Tom, Carol, Dave, Bill, Jeanne, Danger, Sharon, Karen, Hannah, Marco, and many others.  Thanks for being part of that extended family that always welcomes me when I'm there.

The trip home was much less uneventful then the journey there.  To be honest, I started this blog a month ago and because I didn't keep up on it, I lost steam...sorry about that.  On the bright side, only 7 months and 13 days left.