Sooo Ready for Spring

We've been experiencing some very nice weather the last two days, and it makes me really excited for what's to come. Spring means nice weather, which means everyone wants to get outside and do something. I'm in the business of toys. Motorcycles & ATVs to be specific. When people get out to enjoy their toys and spend money in our shop, I benefit with everyone else. I have the motorcycle sickness, too, and whenever I'm without a motorcycle to ride, I can hardly stand it. I buy one, keep it for several months, maybe a year or two, and then sell it when other things come up. Sometimes the justification is that I don't ride it enough, sometimes it's just that I could spend the money on more important things. It's always different.

I currently don't have a road-worthy bike, but I DO have a 1966 Norton Atlas that I've had for several years. The only problem is that it's currently in my utility room and spare bedroom in several pieces. I've been rebuilding it on and off for years now and am currently thinking about peicing it back together over the coming months. I can't justify spending a bunch of money on any bikes right now, but I could get to work on what I have. We'll see how that works out. I'm also in the process of trying to find a house with my soon-to-be-wife Karen (I hate the word fiancee because it's from the spineless Frenchies-I actually have a list of hated words, and Jen finds it endlessly comical), plan a wedding (which isn't cheap), and myriad other 'projects' that Karen jokes about.

You see, she coined a term 'project ADD', and I think it's pretty accurate. I go full on, neck deep into a project which is usually one of my many hobbies. I'll be fired up on it and sleep it, breathe it, drink it for several weeks or months-then move to something else. In addition to a few other small things (I'm a part-time gunsmith) I am also in the process of installing a new engine (5.3 Chevy Vortec) into my beloved '82 Jeep CJ7. That is the most important project right now, and will be seeing the most of my time in the months to come. It currently can't move under it's own power, and the goal is to be able to drive it to the new house. All I have to do is install the wiring harness, the radiator and lines, and the fuel cell, pump, and lines. Nothing a few Sundays and Mondays can't make happen. I'm excited about Spring. Since the lil' CJ is under a carport right now, cold and rainy days keep me from working on her. Now that Spring is right around the corner, I'm going to make it happen soon.

The 'project ADD' isn't as much a problem in my eyes as it is a blessing. You see, when I lose interest, I always have something else exciting to fall back on. This is the resulting greatness of having several hobbies. This is also the main impetus behind my desire to retire early. I wouldn't hesitate to give notice to my current employer tomorrow if I suddenly had a windfall of a couple million. I also dabble in the stock market and would easily be able to maintain a good lifestyle on income from that amount of money with but a few hours a week. The only Catch 22 in the retire early goal is that the hobbies usually require some sort of monetary expenditure, resulting in a lack of saving. Hmmm. As soon as I figure that one out, I'll let everyone know. I know, I know, if only I turned one of my many hobbies into a job, I would have it made. Problem is, I've never really been able to turn what I like into a living because of the whole 'losing interest' problem. I was a gunsmith full time briefly until I realized it is VERY hard to make even a decent living at it unless you have serious capital backing from the get-go and can set up a very large business. (ie Wilson or Les Baer)

Well, the post today has turned into a bit of a boring ramble, so I'll be leaving for now. Maybe I'll come up with something interesting to talk about later. Have a great 'Sunny and 66' afternoon!
CZ

"Double Yoi!" A Tribute..

Just wanted to drop in a little line for someone that meant alot to Steeler fans across the world. To say I'm a diehard fan doesn't really accurately describe my convictions. I live Stiller football during the NFL season. Myron Cope was an icon in Steeler Nation, and he will be remembered forever as the inventor of the towel waving phenomenon. The Terrible Towel

CZ

It's the Little Things...

I am running. For what reason, I have no idea. The lights are bright, dancing like stars. They all have fascinating little tails behind them that swirl and twirl as I move. I throw my head back and look up, only to see blackness, more lights, and smaller lights in the distance. I look down the street and hear the noise. Traffic. Lots of traffic. I better not go out there because I know I'm way too drunk to dodge a Buick. The heat isn't oppressive, and as a matter of fact, the weather is perfect. I have no idea what time it is, but I know it's dark, so it must be past 8 or 9. Do I care? I don't think so, because I don't even know where we're going, and I don't care. I just know my friends are here, and it's the greatest feeling in the world.

Whoa! What a sweet gorilla! It's here on the sidewalk in the middle of the street? I haven't been this drunk and felt this good in a long, long time. It was the Hefeweizen. Yes, that sweet nectar of the gods was brought to us in gallon jugs. I think we went through nine or ten of those things. Glorious. What was that place that JohnL convinced us was so awesome? Holy Cow. That's it. What a glorious place to drink. Well, they had glorious beer, anyway. Where was I? I think I should climb the gorilla. It looks mountable. Yes, yes it is. I grab and pull up with my nectar-weakened arms. I manage a half climb, half hang to pose for a picture for Jen. The girls, at this point in the adventure, have deemed it hilarious that we all have decided to climb and/or mount and pose with the gorilla. The girls don't climb, mind you, because even though they are as drunk as the boys, girls just don't climb. They were laughing at us, though, and we couldn't care less. Little did they know there was more jocularity to come.

As I gaze into the gallon jug from Holy Cow now, it's no longer filled with hefeweizen, but spare change. Many coins, silver and copper, rich with many memories of times past. Good times I've shared with those I love. Vegas just happened to be home to many of those good times. Papa's was another haven for hilarity. I got a call tonight where I shared with my brother Brownie (G-Dub, but another story entirely) a nice recollection of the good old days. He's not a brother by blood or a brother by marriage, but no less than a brother in my heart. His call made me smile and made my day. Cheers!-- to all of my brothers-- you know who you are....CZ

Bryan & Chandler

At a Loss...

Today's post is one that comes with a dark cloud. That cloud will eventually be replaced with abundant sunshine because of what was left behind, and I hope that happens soon. Playing football with that sunshine in the back yard yesterday made me realize how fragile life is and how unexpected things happen every day. Something unexpected happened Saturday that sent waves of sorrow through my family. Chandler is without a father, now, but he still has family. That family can only partially fill the void left by the unfortunate passing of my brother, Bryan.
There are a few of my readers that know what happened, and I wanted to extend a thank you from the bottom of my heart. A memorial fund is being set up for Chandler, and the information for giving can be acquired through me, or I may post it at a later time. Bryan's heart was big, and we all benefitted in one way or another. Chandler's mother is a beautiful, caring, and excellent parent, and he will not want for guidance from her or anyone else. We will all give that and love in abundance.
When I started this blog, I was almost positive that I would only write about fun and enjoyable things. I have come to realize that it may just not be possible to be jovial 100% of the time. This weekend has proven that to be true and I should write what I feel. I see that we should all look at the little ones as the future. We are all getting older by the minute, and if we want our ideas, beliefs, and feelings to survive, they have to be instilled in the future. I have been on the planet only a short 32 years, but this I know. Without knowledge, everyone is just along for the ride. There is no progression, no drive for change for the better. With knowledge, one can change the world.

Keep it Gay

The title of my post today, from the surprisingly funny and very entertaining Broadway show The Producers, is far from subtle. Much the same can be said for the rest of the show, and that is why it's good. My mom (affectionately known as "MA") and stepfather (affectionately known as "Lair") invited Karen and I out last night for dinner and some culture. The travelling production from Broadway was a hit in small town Fort Smith, I would say. The audience was laughing throughout most of the show, and was obviously highly entertained.

I'm not going to go into a full on review of the show, because that's not really my thing. Suffice it to say that it is worth seeing if you have the chance to see it somewhere. It is definitely not a show for the easily offended. It is an adaptation of a Mel Brooks production, and anyone that can laugh their asses off at the movie Blazing Saddles or appreciated the show Get Smart will enjoy this Broadway production for what it is-high comedy.

The world we live in today- well, the United States is really all I can speak of since it's my home- is a place where it seems being politically correct is often taken to an unpleasant extreme. Sometimes the nonsensical absurdity of the far left really hits like a five pound sledgehammer to the head with the pounding of news feeds we get twenty four hours a day from news channels on television and stories galore on the internet. When people are overly concerned about offending anyone, our society as a whole is diluted and seems unreal. I know there are some things that shouldn't be done or shouldn't be said, but I'm talking about things that defy common sense. When we have people that push the envelope and produce shows, movies, and plays for purely entertaining reasons, we should all appreciate the color and brilliance it brings to a sometimes dull life.

Dinner was fantastic, as usual, because dinner with that half of the 'rents is always delicious and entertaining whether dining in at their house or eating out. I sometimes feel guilty because they don't let us pay, but you all know how parents can be. It's always greatly appreciated. Larry was his usual self in a public setting last night, giving the waitress a little bit of a hard time in a jovial fashion. This cute blonde stood in the batter's box and took Larry's pitches like Reggie Jackson in October.

I sometimes look at situations in daily life differently now that I've been in a managerial position for several years. Candace, I believe, was the girl's name. She was very energetic, fun, and had a great personality. Now, those of you that know me well would realize that this girl would have been a prime target when I was in my twenties. I would have locked in on her like Maverick and Goose in an F-14 Tomcat. She had all of the attributes I appreciated. I liked girls with spunk. I liked better-than-average attractive girls. She hit the proverbial nail on the head.

Now, part of the reason I started this blog is because I have recently come to realize that I'm entering a new and exciting part of my life. I think it's as exciting as my twenties were, albeit for different reasons. I put a nice little ring on the finger of the most beautiful woman I know recently, and it has changed me. I feel solid. While munching on the delicious chicken pesto pizza last night, I saw that energetic girl as a target. This time, though, sex drive had nothing to do with it. I saw her as someone I would hire in a heartbeat. Yep. Being a manager now, I look at everyone in the public service sector as a possible hire. That's part of the change I see, and it's a good change. A professional change that is rewarding both emotionally and financially and comes with age and experience. When you hire good people (and I think I have GREAT people that work with me), you are rewarded in many ways. When people that work with you are directly tied to your income potential, it makes you work hard because it's an investment. Work hard to find good people, put them in the right positions in the company, and make sure they are happy. This effort is rewarded in spades. I'm not hiring for anything right now, but being a manager has taught me that a man in my position should always be on the lookout for potential hires. Life is too unpredictable not to be on your toes 24-7.

Those of you lucky (unlucky?) enough to frolic in my new blogosphere recently will have to find somewhere else to play until Monday evening at the earliest. I'm venturing out into the woods for the last full weekend of hunting this season. I'm going with my father (he also has an affectionate nickame- "Pops") and it should be fun. I love to camp out with nature and all of the animals, but alas, I'm strapped down to real life, bills, and very little time these days to enjoy it as much as I'd like. I'm going to soak it up Sunday and Monday. There's a big bobcat that's been taunting me for months, now. These animals are very territorial and are very, very elusive. Success rate for most hunters is only about 10%. For every 10 times one ventures out to hunt one exclusively, the cat will see the hunter 9 times before the hunter sees the cat. Most experienced hunters recognize this particular game animal as one of the toughest in the U. S. to harvest. They do everything perfectly in order to survive. Whether that includes sniffing out Joe Hunter and staying away for safety or hearing a dying rabbit a half-mile away and zeroing in for the kill, Felis Rufus is king.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Karen (and I'm sure a few of my readers) will no doubt pray for the safety of Rufus, but I hope to foil those plans and bring him home with me to be mounted and displayed proudly in my old man's humble abode. CZ

Fashion Police

A paragon of fashion I am not, nor have I ever laid claim as such. This is my opening line because I need you to walk with me on this one. Close your eyes. Picture yourself walking into a brand new gym. A big, public gym, not your "gym room" at your house. This one has expansive ceilings 40 feet high and is equipped with all new flashy equipment that you almost don't want to sweat on. It has huge frontage that is all windows. It's a beautiful facility, really. Now, as you're walking in, you realize that everyone in there is there for what appears to be different reasons. I like playing this game when I'm at the gym because it passes the time quickly. The monotonous plodding on the Precor AMT is barely noticed when I'm busy watching the fashion show that opens like a movie before me. I step up onto the machine and begin the workout which is a perfect emulation of cross-country skiing. It's a killer machine that works abs, glutes, and many other muscles of Greek named origin. Last night the first guy I notice is a good one to start the evening with. White t-shirt under a gray muscle shirt all covering about 300 solid pounds of flesh. Gray shorts, and best of all- Teva shoes with, yes WITH, white golf socks. You know, not no-shows, the golf socks that just cover the ankle bone. What is it in these people that deludes them into thinking it's ok to go out in public wearing socks and sandals? Where did they get their information? I chuckled inside and quickly looked forward to the mesmerizing up and down, side to side motion of the nicely shaped female glutes on the machine in front of me. That only kept my attention for a few seconds until the obligatory weightlifter and his wife walked in. This guy is the stereotypical weightlifter. There to admire his work more than anything. Never are guys like him doing anything cardiovascular. Always pumping and preening in front of the myriad mirrors adorning the new facility. This guy has the perfect desirable V shaped back, a little paunch belying his age, and huge arms all tightly wrapped up in one of those under armor shirts and a weightlifter's belt. He's usually there for more than an hour doing his routine that resembles a peacock's mating dance without the plumes. He already has a spouse, but seems as if he's looking for the adulation and worship of the other, smaller, less equipped men in the gym. Some do seem to gravitate toward him for what seems like advice, and they usually resemble Barney Fife in physical stature. It's a strange world out there. Just stop to look around once in a while. Gotta go to work....

Ask and ye shall receive

Scotty asked, so here it goes.

I can't believe CSCO has been in the tank for so long. It's been taking a beating for a couple months now--unjustifiably. I'm looking for a serious move up in the next few months. Just get over 30 by June and I'll be happy. Several analysts just upgraded it to a 'buy' today and I'm hoping the lemmings on Wall Street will follow with big buys. I currently hold a few calls with July expirations, so I have time. Time is NOT on my side for a NOK contract and one EXM contract. I'll be ok on those even if I have to take a loss on the NOK April 40 since I've done well with riding the waves on PCZ and EXM. My Strangles, Calls, and protective Puts are all somewhat nerve-wracking at times, but it gives me my gambling fix.

TDAmeritrade is my broker of choice for those of you interested. They've taken care of me for years. I can't say the same for TRowePrice. They suck your capital gains away with fees out the wazoo and that's why they lost what little business they had of mine. Everything is now doing well in several Vanguard accounts. Retiring early is the goal, and it would be nice to time paying off a new house with kissing the working world goodbye. Time will tell.

I think I'll hold off on any political ramblings for now. Hitlery Clinton looks like she's been through 10 rounds with Kelly Pavlik and her campaign is not faring much better. Obama may just be our next Prez. Here's to another 4 years of having to choose and vote for the least damaging of all evils. Argh.

Important things in life...

I don't talk about them much, and that may be because I worry about them all. Tony is in a nasty part of Afghanistan. 60 miles south southeast of Kabul. He is married to my only sister and is the father of my only two nieces. I fear that the big mess Bushy got us into will do harm to my family. If any of you would like to send things his way and to his troops (He is the CO of FOB Rushmore) it will not go unused or unappreciated. Mags, DVDs, WetWipes, etc..

v/rCHISOLM, ILLYA A. LTC,
IN 2/203 BDE ETT Team Chief
DSN: FOB RUSHMORE, AFGHANISTAN

I think I've successfully posted pictures of my two angels: Brianna Renee and Alexis Maya

The other ugly guy is Tony at FOB Lightning in the same area of Afghanistan. Chilly.

Here's to Tony coming home safe and sound to retire and take care of my sister and nieces until the end of days.

The Time Has Come

Yes, it seems that everyone these days (do I sound old already?) has a blog, knows someone that blogs, or reads a blog on a regular basis. I fell under the latter two for years, and now I guess, will be an official 'blogger'. My buddy Scott, AKA Flamingo, Scotty Flamingo, and various other pseudonyms and nicknames has started a blog this year to document the historic event of reaching the ripe old age of 40. Reading his blog made me realize two things:
1. I like to read. Alot. I like to read what intelligent people have to say. Scott is one of them. There are several others at various places on the worldwide web that post regularly on their pages, and I thoroughly enjoy reading them.
2. I like to write on occasion and have several people in "The Squad" to whom I write often. I also used to write creative emails to certain important people in my life. They weren't Pablo Neruda by any stretch-more Elmore Leonard.
I miss writing a little and I figured out that by writing my own blog, I can entertain and be entertained. I can also fill in everyone on the fun and good times of actually getting married, finding a house, and settling down. Should be fun. It may be painful at first, but please tag along for the ride. CZ