Redneck fire hydrant

So I go out to breakfast with my buddy the other day (actually it was about a month ago) and we walk back to Staples to do some shopping. As we are walking through the parking lot we come upon this odd site. Our first reaction was “Where is a camera when you need it” then I remembered I had a camera phone and their benefit came rushing to me. I am sure there is a logical explanation, and I have heard the Fire Dept will do this so they can find the hydrant in the parking lot, but I like to think that it is because I live in a redneck part of the country.

That explains it

The video says it all

Opportunities

So I have been involved with the Leadership Development Academy (LDA) at work for several months now and graduation is about 2 months away. One of the things the program has done for me is to cause me to really look at my career and where I want to be in the future, as a result I have been looking for opportunities to expand my horizons. As part of the Academy I had the chance to “shadow the Division Administrator of the New Jersey Office and speak with the NJ Bridge Engineer. The Bridge Engineer seemed interested in the possibility of setting up a rotation with me to come there and learn about the Federal-Aid side of FHWA, this is something I am definitely going to keep in mind. In addition I have learned of the potential for me to spend some time in the Bridge Inspection Program (BIP) of our office this summer. as part of my development plan I expressed an interest in doing a rotation in BIP and so i plan on talking to my supervisor about this. All-in-all things are going great here and I am seeing opportunities open before me, I just hope I can make the most of them!

Adam Sandler's new movie

So it has been quite a while since I have added anything here and I thought this was as good a topic to get back into it as any. I went to go see a movie the other night (I do not remember now which movie it was) but there was preview for “Reign Over Me”. The movie is about a man (Adam Sandler) who loses his family in the 9/11 tragedy and seems the only way he can cope is to do anything and everything he has wanted to do with a certain disregard for the “responsibilities of life”, at least this was my impression from the preview. One day he is reunited with his college roommate (Don Cheadle) who is a successful family man. It seems that their reunion has an effect on each bringing some joy and meaning to one’s life and leading the other to a new exploration of his life. All in all it looks like a great movie and I am looking forward to seeing Sandler in another dramatic role. Most people know Sandler simply as a comedic goof-ball in works such as “Billy Madison”, “Happy Gilmore”, “The Wedding Singer” and “The Waterboy”. While these films may be Sandler’s bread and butter it is films like “Punch Drunk Love” and “Spanglish” that truly showcase his acting talent. I hope “Reign Over Me” is just another movie in a long line of dramatic roles for Sandler.

What a week

I finally got the jeep back from the shop with all of it’s new parts fully installed. Once I got it home I had to reinstall all of the components I had taken out for the rhino lining. Without the carpet I had to find new ways to hide the wires for the stereo, amp, and CB and prevent them from snagging on anything. getting the amp wired back up properly proved to be the most challenging. Aside from getting the Jeep back, I began trying to exercise each day after work and my buddy Troy was back in town so I managed to make time to hang out and go to the zoo (you can see the photos in my photo album).

Protected but inoperable

So after much discussion and a couple of reschedules I finally got the Jeep Rhino Lined yesterday. I spent much of my free time this past week stripping out everything from inside of the Jeep except for the drivers seat and seat belt. My buddy came over Friday afternoon and we finished the dismantling by taking the pads off my roll bar, and removing his passenger seat and center console. Saturday morning we were off to Winchester to get the Jeeps lined.

Normally they only do one jeep at a time but they had agreed to do two jeeps this time. Since the normal workload was doubled John and I got to get into the action and help with all of the prep work on the Jeeps. The prep work took us a little longer than expected because we had to make sure everything was covered that we did not want sprayed.

We finally finished taping at around 2:00 at that point John and I got to take a little break while Dave and Vince (the Rhino Lining Experts) finished the prep work by sanding and cleaning the tubs

So at this point you are probably wondering about the “inoperable” part of the title. well by the time I drove the Jeep out to winchester it was making a horrific noise that sounded as if it might be from the transmission. Having been through transmission problems before I chose not to drive it back, but instead I left it in Winchester at a Jeep dealership. I am hoping and praying that it actually is the transmission because that is still covered under the warranty of the last work. I will update as more develops.

Cursed?!

Well I went back down to Jacksonville this past weekend for a friends wedding. Well, I went back for the wedding and to catch up with friends after 6 months. I had a wonderful trip down there and got to see many old friends and acquaintances. According to most of the people I had worked with down there, I was obviously happier than they had ever seen me. Truth be told I think I am happier than I ever was in Jacksonville; Virginia just suits me much better. So the trip was a success, I saw everyone, I rented a Mustang convertible, and Chris and Toni had a great Slip n’ Slide party.

I guess at this point you are wondering why the title of this post is “CURSED?!”. Well let me give you a background story. two years ago I went on a cruise and so I purchased a hanging garment bag to carry my tux and dress clothing. After finally making it into port (we were delayed 2 days and rerouted because of a hurricane) I went to pick up my luggage only to find that my garment bag was gone. I saw a similar bag lying unclaimed and so I got the information from that bag and called the owner. As I suspected they had picked up my bag by mistake and they were back in Tallahassee before they got the message. Fast forward to this past weekend. It is only the second time I have traveled with this particular luggage item (suit for the wedding). I get into Jax and I go to baggage claim to pick it up and I see someone grab my bag when there is another green garment bag about 5 ft away. They make like a log and split so I go to lost baggage and tell them that I think someone grabbed my bag by mistake. The lady working the counter makes an announcement for everyone to check their luggage and we begin filling out forms. after just a couple of minutes the other passenger walks up and returns my bag.

At this point I know that it is not sounding that bad, just a case of mistaken bag identity twice. Well on the return flight I decide to mark my bag so I tie a yellow ribbon to the handle in order to set it aside. This time I get into Dulles convinced no one will mistake my bag this time. I am so confident I take my time getting there and by the time I show up everyone has cleared out. I see one bag going around and quickly ID it as my overnight bag, but wear is my garment bag. After waiting several minutes I go to report it lost and they look it up and inform me it never left JAX. Needless to say they thought it was no big deal and simply filled out a form and sent me on my way. Well the bag was flown up on a later flight and was finally “located” this morning. I get a call that they are going to deliver it this afternoon. I get home from work only to find that it was never delivered. Apparently they were having trouble getting a driver to come out here. Well it did finally make it a few minutes ago, but I am really beginning to wonder i this bag is cursed!

Jeep Gets Dirty

Well the modifications I am making to the jeep are coming along slowly but surely. I finally got both the front and rear bumper installed just in time to hit the trails again. We went back to flagpole knob at George Washington National Forest though we did go up a different way. When we got up there we built a fire and cooked some dinner then watched the sunset. It was an awesome experience and a lot of fun to drive back down the trail at night.

I still have a couple of modifications to do and I hope to get most of them completed by June 10 when I will head up to PA to hit the trails again. After laying down in the wood chips and dirt to disconnect my sway bar on Saturday I have decided that I am going to invest in some quick disconnects and tire deflators before the next ride and I plan on getting my skid plates installed so I do not have to worry about banging anything. All in all it is coming along good, I am having fun and I am learning a lot. I will try to keep you posted on the progress of it and my adventures on a more regular basis. If you want to see some of the pictures of the ride just click the picture of my Jeep.

A Little about me.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	John
Birthday:	10/14/1976
Birthplace:	Riverdale, GA
Current Location:	Northern VA
Eye Color:	grey
Hair Color:	brown
Height:	6'-1"
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Righty, though I can use both hands in the right situation
Your Heritage:	Still trying to figure that out
The Shoes You Wore Today:	Nike ACG
Your Weakness:	Jumping in head first
Your Fears:	Outliving the people I love
Your Perfect Pizza:	Traditional crust, lots of sauce and either pepperoni or sausage
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Get caught up on my reading list.
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	what's up?
Thoughts First Waking Up:	is it 5:45 already?
Your Best Physical Feature:	my eyes
Your Bedtime:	I shoot for 10:00, but rarely make it.
Your Most Missed Memory:	if it were missed would it really be a memory?
Pepsi or Coke:	Coke
MacDonalds or Burger King:	McD's
Single or Group Dates:	Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	anything not instant
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Vanilla
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Cafe Mocha
Do you Smoke:	Nope
Do you Swear:	Occasionally, as necessary
Do you Sing:	I try not to
Do you Shower Daily:	at least
Have you Been in Love:	Yes
Do you want to go to College:	been there done that, actually thinking of going back
Do you want to get Married:	Yes I think so, to the right person.
Do you belive in yourself:	most of the time
Do you get Motion Sickness:	didn't use to.
Do you think you are Attractive:	depends on the mirror
Are you a Health Freak:	no
Do you get along with your Parents:	for the most part
Do you like Thunderstorms:	Absolutely, especially in the summer
Do you play an Instrument:	Percussion for 19 years
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	Yep
In the past month have you Smoked:	nope
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	nope
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	nope
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	I think so
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	nope
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	yep
In the past month have you been on Stage:	nope
In the past month have you been Dumped:	nope
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	I wish, but it is too cold
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	does wireless internet count?
Ever been Drunk:	nope
Ever been called a Tease:	maybe
Ever been Beaten up:	nope
Ever Shoplifted:	nope
How do you want to Die:	never thought about it
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	Don't know
What country would you most like to Visit:	Australlia
In a Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	Green
Favourite Hair Color:	Red
Short or Long Hair:	enough
Height:	no matter
Weight:	proprtional
Best Clothing Style:	clothes?
Number of Drugs I have taken:	currently not taking any
Number of CDs I own:	whatever
Number of Piercings:	depends on where they are
Number of Tattoos:	depends
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	What happened in the past is in the past
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Time's... they are a changin'....

Well, it has been a while since I last posted here primarily because I have had so much going on! I took my Professional Engineering Exam (PE Exam) on October 30th. The following Monday I quit my job. Yes that is right, I turned in my letter of resignation at RS&H and I have accepted a job with FHWA in Sterling, VA (Metro DC Area). I begin work there on January 9th, and my last day here in Jax in December 9th. In between I will be visiting the parentals in the ATL. I have sold my house... well it is under contract and I am hoping to close on it around the 9th. Anyway all of this has kept me very busy, not to mention all of the goodbyes I have to say before I leave. Oh and on another note Georgia Tech beat Miami last week! Yippee! I just hope they have enough left to take down the mutts of U(sic)GA.

TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!

Why is God No Longer acceptable?

I have just finished watching the film Coach Carter, which if you have not yet seen I would highly recommend. As much as I like the movie there was a particular scene that got me to thinking about why is God or any reference to him no longer acceptable in society? The scene I am refferring to is when Coach Carter walks into the gym to find all of his players sitting at desks studying. At the conclusion of this scene Timo Cruz stands up and delivers a speech. Those of you that have seen the moviemay be asking yourself what he speech had to do with God? well here is the poem he was quoting in it's entirety with the deleted portions in italics:

Our Greatest Fear
from A Return to Love by Mariamme Williamson

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were all meant to shine as children do
We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

After seeing this it reminded me that in society today we are told to be tolerant of other people and the choices they make. We must be tolerant and accepting of homosexuals, though we may not agree with their lifestyle. We must respect a woman's right to "choose" abortion, though we know the child has no choice. We must accept a persons right of freedom of expression while they degrade the men and women that give that right to them. Despite all of this acceptance we are not allowed to talk about God or the Bible because it is offensive to some people. It frustrates me that society has steeped so low that there are no longer moral absolutes and the very beliefs this country was founded on is now considered taboo. Do not get me wrong I am all for freedom of religion, that is after all one of the reasons this country was founded, but freedom of religion means freedom of all religion including christianity! Is it really to much to ask that the people that tell me I must be accepting of things that go directly against my beliefs also be accepting and tolerant of my beliefs?

Welcome

Welcome to my life. I have decided to start this web journal as a means to keep my friends involved in my life, to express my opinions about many topics, and to allow strangers a peak into my life. I will attempt to update this several times a week but I will make no promises. I am new to this so if you have any suggestions about what I am doing or ways to make this better please share them. I hope you enjoy, The Life of John!