I'm leaving home for home. It's a really weird thing to think but I can't help and look at everything I pass now and know that this is the last time I will be seeing it. I can not wait to be back at my home in Florida and embrace the people that I love, but I have been here in Nashville just long enough to really miss it.
I went to church today and had to say goodbye to a lot of people that I really didn't want to have to say goodbye to. I had just played drums the week before and let me tell you, there is no better way to meet the whole church then to simply put yourself on stage in front of them. I have truly grown here at this church and have no doubt that God has put me here to grow so much more then I could have anywhere else at the time. I thanked the pastor and the music director for letting me play. The music director's name is Mike and he is convinced that this is not the last time I will see Nashville.
He has it all planed out for me. He said to go home and marry my girlfriend, have her transfer to Bellmount, and the church will buy a really broken Diesel van for me to work on so that we can move back up here. He has given me two years to do all of this. :)
I don't know about that plan so much but I know that God has a great plan for me and right now that plan is going back home.
Just the day before I worked my last at Valvoline instant oil change. That was a little bit easier to let go of but again, hard to say goodbye to the people that I have come to know there. They were all sad to see me go and didn't make it any easier when Ashley (our sales assistant) made me a goodbye cake.
All in all it has been a great experience being here in Nashville. The roommates that I have had, the school that I have learned at, the church that I have grown in, and the people that I have come to understand and respect all around me.
I truly believe that relationships are the most important thing that one can have in this life. First and foremost with our Lord Jesus, but also with all the people that he has put us on this earth with. What could be more important then the eternal lives of everyone around us? I hope that as a believer I can impact the people around me with the hope and grace that I have been given from my Father above.
I was let go from my first job here in Nashville in January and at the time it was really hard to understand why. Although now I look back, and having to trust God in those times has taught me how to trust him again now, when yet again I quit one job before having landed another. I look at how he used me in the lives of the people I got to work with at VIOC.
My assistant manager has had a hard life of hard choices that had lead him to look inward at what is really going on. And was it just by chance that I was there when he needed someone to answer these questions that God had put in his life? I would be a fool to think so. Sharing with him what I believed could have been worth the whole 13 months that I have been up here.
I can't wait to be home and embrace all the opportunity that awaits me. I have new things to share, new things to do and hopefully a new job to work at. God's timing is so perfect.
Things that I will miss:
1. The church I was at and the people that attend it.
2. The weather (it is a beautiful 69 degrees here today)
3. The people that have impacted me at work and school.
4. The awesome bike trails out here.
5. Fat boys BBQ (So good)
6. The general "Nice-ness" of the City as compared to "Angry-lando"
Things I WILL NOT MISS IN THE TINYEST BIT
1. My apartment and all the stupid people that live in it. (not everyone in it is stupid)
2. Going to school to take things apart and put them together again to no prevail.
3. Not having anything to do on the weekends but laundry and watching dumb movies.
4. Not getting to see my beautiful girl's face when I talk to her.
5. Eating out of a box.
6. Trying to sell air filters.
7. My apartment and the people that live above me.
8. All the stupid fish I can't catch
9. The crazy Nashville girls that seem to throw themselves at me everywhere I go (Starbucks, Publix, Chick-fli-a)
10. My apartment.
Thanks for listening, I will see you all in two school days and seven hundred miles later.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Eighteen Hundred Miles Of Skeletons On The Interstate
I think it has been too long since my last post and I apologize to all my fans. Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging and you have so much to write about but no means to do it by.
Because there is far too much info to cover in one post we will do it news headline style. One of every three statements is true.
1. I no longer have internet at my house because my roommate's mother is a computer hacker and set up our browser so secure that I can no longer get on it.
2. I have a condition know as senoiritis that prevents me from caring about school in the least bit.
3. I went bowling with lots of drunk co-workers until 12 at night an beat them all (Because I wasn't drinking.)
1. I no longer know exactly how many people live at my house and I keep my things to my self.
2. I played drums at church about ten days before I have to go home and not attend for a long time.
3. I have to hide my uniforms at work to keep my co-workers from steeling them through the week.
1. My friends are less offended that I am leaving and more offended that I don' t have a face book to stay in touch.
2. I actually like Honda now.
3. I bought two thirty gal. bins to pack all my stuff in.
1. I love Jessica Leigh more then any girl on earth
2. She has the most beautiful eyes/smile/hair even though some times she doesn't believe me.
3. I went to the moon last Friday.
Thanks for hanging in there yall. I will be home soon.
Answer key. False statements are...
2 3 1 3
Because there is far too much info to cover in one post we will do it news headline style. One of every three statements is true.
1. I no longer have internet at my house because my roommate's mother is a computer hacker and set up our browser so secure that I can no longer get on it.
2. I have a condition know as senoiritis that prevents me from caring about school in the least bit.
3. I went bowling with lots of drunk co-workers until 12 at night an beat them all (Because I wasn't drinking.)
1. I no longer know exactly how many people live at my house and I keep my things to my self.
2. I played drums at church about ten days before I have to go home and not attend for a long time.
3. I have to hide my uniforms at work to keep my co-workers from steeling them through the week.
1. My friends are less offended that I am leaving and more offended that I don' t have a face book to stay in touch.
2. I actually like Honda now.
3. I bought two thirty gal. bins to pack all my stuff in.
1. I love Jessica Leigh more then any girl on earth
2. She has the most beautiful eyes/smile/hair even though some times she doesn't believe me.
3. I went to the moon last Friday.
Thanks for hanging in there yall. I will be home soon.
Answer key. False statements are...
2 3 1 3
Saturday, May 1, 2010
"The Fluxcapacitor!"
Working at an oil change place has been interesting. Never before have I been so close to the customer serves side of the work that I do. The last time I worked there was a lady that we help and the conversation went as follows. Because I am around people that know mechanics and technical work constantly, I forget a lot of people don't know what they're talking about.
"What can we do for you today ma'am?"
"I need my oil changed. How much is it?"
"Well it's 34.99 for 5 quarts but your engine takes 6 so it will be a little extra for the sixth quart."
"Well I only want to pay for 5 quarts."
"Ma'am your engine won't run properly without the last quart of oil."
"I don't think it's going to madder just put five in. That's what most cars take right?"
They went on for several minutes like this until she finally made us change the oil with just five quarts in her NorthStar Caddy Engine.
"Why does the Engine sound like that?"
"Well Ma'am, without the correct amount of oil its going to run poorly and start to break down internally."
"Well I guess you should put the right amount in it then."
"Yes Ma'am."
It is really hard to explain things without making the customer feel like they are wrong or don't know what they are talking about. Exspesally when you go to school and that is how things are explained to you. "How does that work?" "You idiot! don't do that!" Example # 2
"We see that you have used fully synthetic oil for all your past oil changes so we will continue to put that in for you."
"Well actually my husband got mad at me for buying that stuff so I will just get the regular oil this time."
"Well Ma'am if you switch back to regular it could cause the engine to run poorly, start leaks and cause excessive wear."
"Well my husband knows about cars and he said not to use it."
"Yes Ma'am."
What are you going to say to that? It is clear that all these people are deciding with their wallets but are to proud to admit it. But some people are just dumb. Example #3 needs some background. Our cheapest oil change is the Conventional Oil and is listed on the wall.
"What can we do for you sir?"
"I would like a convenient oil change please."
"Umm... OK but what type of oil would you like?"
"Convenient"
"Yes sir"
When you put the oil in the car you have to "call it out" or say that you are putting it in and what type. It's the procedure.
"Five quarts of Convenience going in, bay one!"
If you don't know why this examples are funny then don't feel bad, you can make fun of me when I come to your job.
"What can we do for you today ma'am?"
"I need my oil changed. How much is it?"
"Well it's 34.99 for 5 quarts but your engine takes 6 so it will be a little extra for the sixth quart."
"Well I only want to pay for 5 quarts."
"Ma'am your engine won't run properly without the last quart of oil."
"I don't think it's going to madder just put five in. That's what most cars take right?"
They went on for several minutes like this until she finally made us change the oil with just five quarts in her NorthStar Caddy Engine.
"Why does the Engine sound like that?"
"Well Ma'am, without the correct amount of oil its going to run poorly and start to break down internally."
"Well I guess you should put the right amount in it then."
"Yes Ma'am."
It is really hard to explain things without making the customer feel like they are wrong or don't know what they are talking about. Exspesally when you go to school and that is how things are explained to you. "How does that work?" "You idiot! don't do that!" Example # 2
"We see that you have used fully synthetic oil for all your past oil changes so we will continue to put that in for you."
"Well actually my husband got mad at me for buying that stuff so I will just get the regular oil this time."
"Well Ma'am if you switch back to regular it could cause the engine to run poorly, start leaks and cause excessive wear."
"Well my husband knows about cars and he said not to use it."
"Yes Ma'am."
What are you going to say to that? It is clear that all these people are deciding with their wallets but are to proud to admit it. But some people are just dumb. Example #3 needs some background. Our cheapest oil change is the Conventional Oil and is listed on the wall.
"What can we do for you sir?"
"I would like a convenient oil change please."
"Umm... OK but what type of oil would you like?"
"Convenient"
"Yes sir"
When you put the oil in the car you have to "call it out" or say that you are putting it in and what type. It's the procedure.
"Five quarts of Convenience going in, bay one!"
If you don't know why this examples are funny then don't feel bad, you can make fun of me when I come to your job.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
"I'm a Real Boy"
I have noticed that at my school, the thing to do is put big writing on your truck window such as above the windshield or across the back stating something about your personality. I guess that is how these very loud people want their trucks to be seen, like themselves there personality is in your face. There really isn't anything you can do but wonder at how they are the way they are. If you are a die hard red-neck then I hope this blog doesn't offend you. Some of the ones I can think of are as follows along with the rating I gave them 1 to 10.
"Irish Man"
Unless that is a new super hero then I'm not really sure why you would use this one. Last I checked there was a large majority of Irish men in America and it's not that crazy. 3 points not so good. (It would be worse but he has it written in green and orange lettering.)
"Hell Raiser!"
This is a good one because he could be talking about his sweet 4x4 or it could be what his mom called him all his life... Or both! Whatever the case when you see "Hell Raiser" coming up in your rear view mirror you tend to get out of the way. 8 points to this guy.
"Whiskey bent and Hell bound"
Now I like the idea of this guy when you first read it, like "yeah! rock n' roll" or if you where reading about him in a book or saw him in a movie you would like the character because he does care what he does and is going to do it anyway. But then I immediately remember that this is real life and the poor guy probably is just what he says. "Hell bound" 5 points for being such a downer.
"4xDIG!"
This one seems like it would be really dumb but if you think it through its a great thing to write on a truck. He doesn't just want to tell you that he has four wheel drive but that his four wheel dive is used for digging though the mud! really made me laugh. 9 points for originality.
"To Do List" Followed by about twenty random car parts all numbered.
This is just a classic in my mind. The guys car was so trashed that right on the hood in white paint he wrote out all the things that he still needs to fix on it. I really had to laugh at that. 8 points for being crazy. I hope he doesn't try to sell it like that.
The next one needs some background. At my school they model all the tests after the ASE certification tests and there are questions that go as follows. Tech A uses a dial-indicator to check crank shaft end play. Tech B uses propane to enrich fuel mixture.
Then you have to select who is right. A or B or both or neither. Every test has about ten of these type of questions.
This guy has a picture of Calvin peeing on "Tech A and Tech B"
Awesome! could not think of a better thing to put on a car at school. 9 points
Next.
"Eelliterit heelbillie"
Yep, right across the back window in the biggest font they could get. If I where illiterate I don't think I would try to say so across my back window. Now I know that just is the joke that they can't spell, but the really sad part is, this is on at least four different trucks in the parking lot. It's like they really are all illiterate and couldn't think of what to put on their own truck. 2 pionts for being dumb.
"Irish Man"
Unless that is a new super hero then I'm not really sure why you would use this one. Last I checked there was a large majority of Irish men in America and it's not that crazy. 3 points not so good. (It would be worse but he has it written in green and orange lettering.)
"Hell Raiser!"
This is a good one because he could be talking about his sweet 4x4 or it could be what his mom called him all his life... Or both! Whatever the case when you see "Hell Raiser" coming up in your rear view mirror you tend to get out of the way. 8 points to this guy.
"Whiskey bent and Hell bound"
Now I like the idea of this guy when you first read it, like "yeah! rock n' roll" or if you where reading about him in a book or saw him in a movie you would like the character because he does care what he does and is going to do it anyway. But then I immediately remember that this is real life and the poor guy probably is just what he says. "Hell bound" 5 points for being such a downer.
"4xDIG!"
This one seems like it would be really dumb but if you think it through its a great thing to write on a truck. He doesn't just want to tell you that he has four wheel drive but that his four wheel dive is used for digging though the mud! really made me laugh. 9 points for originality.
"To Do List" Followed by about twenty random car parts all numbered.
This is just a classic in my mind. The guys car was so trashed that right on the hood in white paint he wrote out all the things that he still needs to fix on it. I really had to laugh at that. 8 points for being crazy. I hope he doesn't try to sell it like that.
The next one needs some background. At my school they model all the tests after the ASE certification tests and there are questions that go as follows. Tech A uses a dial-indicator to check crank shaft end play. Tech B uses propane to enrich fuel mixture.
Then you have to select who is right. A or B or both or neither. Every test has about ten of these type of questions.
This guy has a picture of Calvin peeing on "Tech A and Tech B"
Awesome! could not think of a better thing to put on a car at school. 9 points
Next.
"Eelliterit heelbillie"
Yep, right across the back window in the biggest font they could get. If I where illiterate I don't think I would try to say so across my back window. Now I know that just is the joke that they can't spell, but the really sad part is, this is on at least four different trucks in the parking lot. It's like they really are all illiterate and couldn't think of what to put on their own truck. 2 pionts for being dumb.
Monday, April 19, 2010
"I WANT MY BIKE!"
First of all look at this! This is what my life feels like sometimes at school! Like a room full of torn apart engines.
Second of all I want to announce that I officially have landed a job! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support, all the credit goes to my Lord who has always provided for me but you guys get some points in there too. I now work at a Valvoline Instant Oil Change. After a seven hour orientation I think it is safe to say that I will be working there. I really don't think it's as magical as my mother's job but, it's oil, what are you going to do to dress that one up?
Speaking of God providing I want you all to know that I recklessly spent all my money before I started work and bought a road bike. I know what you're thinking "Jessie just bought a road bike and Tyler is such a copy cat" or "How cutie, they miss each other so much that they ride bikes and have become soul mates though the asphalt they ride on." or "How can he afford to buy really expensive things when he's broke and starving and now has no time for biking anyway?" Well all of that is true so just keep thinking it.
Really though I didn't technically copy Jess (I love her) because I bought mine Friday night, where she bought hers Saturday afternoon. So there.
I have really liked the idea of going long distances so I rode (on my old bike) about 16 mi. on Monday, 20 mi. on Tuesday, and 25 on Thursday. So when I found my new bike on craigslist I was able to talk the guy down, into, about a little above, what I wanted to spend and just had to buy it. I knew my money was going to "go far".So that made it better.
I spent the rest of the day on Friday taking my new prize to my collage-budget-friendly-bike shop and fixing it up. I was really happy when I told them how much I paid for it and the guy just kind of blinked at me. "Is that a good deal?" I asked. "Yeah... you got your money's worth." He said sarcastically. I was also thankful that he looked it over he said everything was working perfectly. So all I did was get the handle bars re-taped and ready to go. A few rides around the block at my house was all I got in before it was dark that night. Then came Saturday.
I wanted to make a day of it because I didn't have anything else to do and I knew with my job starting I wouldn't have Saturdays like this anymore. So I started out with a good breakfast of PP&J and Chicken Noodle soup and was out the door by 9:50ish. It was an awesome 67 degrees out with a lite breeze. I headed down the Greenway trail by my house which I later found connects to other paved trails around Nashville. As I went there was plenty to see and lots of people to almost kill, as I quickly found that my new bike was faster then my old one. Much faster. I went so many places.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that I was going so fast, I didn't get to take pictures of all of them.
I went by parks and ball parks with kids playing baseball (Who knew?) and rivers and bridges and guys fishing and other bicyclist who would actually wave back now and everything!
I went by pastures out in the country too. It was a great day!
(Yes those are cows)
As I kept on peddling I started to notice a familiar sky line and before I knew it I was standing in front of the LP field!
I had made it all the way downtown! I didn't want to stop then so I went over an awesome people bridge over the river!
The people bridge had a great view.
I then went down Broadway and took a left towards a great park that is very historical.
It has a wonderful monument to WWII and I really enjoyed looking at everything and taking a break.
Next door to the park was a huge farmers market that everyone I know would have loved but not me, and they weren't there so I didn't go. :) I got to see lots of sites and found it much faster to get around on my bike downtown then in a car. I can see why people do it so much.
I was pretty worn out by the time I got back but I really had a blast me and my new bike.
My total trip according to google maps, and the fancy computer on my bike, I went a little over 40 mi. that day. Needless to say I only went about 20 on Sunday.
Second of all I want to announce that I officially have landed a job! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support, all the credit goes to my Lord who has always provided for me but you guys get some points in there too. I now work at a Valvoline Instant Oil Change. After a seven hour orientation I think it is safe to say that I will be working there. I really don't think it's as magical as my mother's job but, it's oil, what are you going to do to dress that one up?
Speaking of God providing I want you all to know that I recklessly spent all my money before I started work and bought a road bike. I know what you're thinking "Jessie just bought a road bike and Tyler is such a copy cat" or "How cutie, they miss each other so much that they ride bikes and have become soul mates though the asphalt they ride on." or "How can he afford to buy really expensive things when he's broke and starving and now has no time for biking anyway?" Well all of that is true so just keep thinking it.
Really though I didn't technically copy Jess (I love her) because I bought mine Friday night, where she bought hers Saturday afternoon. So there.
I have really liked the idea of going long distances so I rode (on my old bike) about 16 mi. on Monday, 20 mi. on Tuesday, and 25 on Thursday. So when I found my new bike on craigslist I was able to talk the guy down, into, about a little above, what I wanted to spend and just had to buy it. I knew my money was going to "go far".So that made it better.
I spent the rest of the day on Friday taking my new prize to my collage-budget-friendly-bike shop and fixing it up. I was really happy when I told them how much I paid for it and the guy just kind of blinked at me. "Is that a good deal?" I asked. "Yeah... you got your money's worth." He said sarcastically. I was also thankful that he looked it over he said everything was working perfectly. So all I did was get the handle bars re-taped and ready to go. A few rides around the block at my house was all I got in before it was dark that night. Then came Saturday.
I wanted to make a day of it because I didn't have anything else to do and I knew with my job starting I wouldn't have Saturdays like this anymore. So I started out with a good breakfast of PP&J and Chicken Noodle soup and was out the door by 9:50ish. It was an awesome 67 degrees out with a lite breeze. I headed down the Greenway trail by my house which I later found connects to other paved trails around Nashville. As I went there was plenty to see and lots of people to almost kill, as I quickly found that my new bike was faster then my old one. Much faster. I went so many places.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that I was going so fast, I didn't get to take pictures of all of them.
I went by parks and ball parks with kids playing baseball (Who knew?) and rivers and bridges and guys fishing and other bicyclist who would actually wave back now and everything!
I went by pastures out in the country too. It was a great day!
(Yes those are cows)
As I kept on peddling I started to notice a familiar sky line and before I knew it I was standing in front of the LP field!
I had made it all the way downtown! I didn't want to stop then so I went over an awesome people bridge over the river!
The people bridge had a great view.
I then went down Broadway and took a left towards a great park that is very historical.
It has a wonderful monument to WWII and I really enjoyed looking at everything and taking a break.
Next door to the park was a huge farmers market that everyone I know would have loved but not me, and they weren't there so I didn't go. :) I got to see lots of sites and found it much faster to get around on my bike downtown then in a car. I can see why people do it so much.
I was pretty worn out by the time I got back but I really had a blast me and my new bike.
My total trip according to google maps, and the fancy computer on my bike, I went a little over 40 mi. that day. Needless to say I only went about 20 on Sunday.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thank you :')
I went HOME last week and I had way more fun then I ever had when I lived at home. I just want to say thank you so much to all of you who made my day everyday I was back. It truly felt like home.
Thanks to...
My awesome family who does everything for me. (They really do) I love you all.
Kelly, you are so great I don't want to even talk about you because everyone else will find out and I want you all to myself.
Glenna, you need to keep being so wonderful and stop growing so tall.
I didn't get to see some extended Family but they did send gifts, so thank you Grandma Ya Ya, Grandma Cruz, and I think I will get to thank my Grandpa in person here in a little while.
The B's for throwing me one of my parties and helping out with a generus birthday gift.
The R's for also helping out with the home team. (I know you'll never see me go hungry)
Mr. L for being great and caring for me in more ways then I know.
(This is great I don't have to spell people's names)
Everyone at circle for really making me feel welcome as always.
Thank you to Paul for being willing to pick right where we left off. Rock 'n Roll 4ever! (You really need to listen to some hardcore though, folk music makes you slow in the head.)
Thank you to Tali for being such a good friend. I loved getting to talk about God's grace with you and I hope you never forget how awesome He is.
Snyder. I love you man. I think you're one of my only guy friends who I can say that to! Ha! Don't ever stop doing what you're doing and being who you are in Christ.
PS Your gift is going to a good case as well, I'm making the most of it.
Special thanks to Josh for being such a great friend. I think you're really good at making up advice for anything. :) You're also good at finding great places to eat.
A very special thank you to the Mitchel's for feeding me and giving so much of your home and heart.
THANK YOU to Ben who pretty much made the best day I've had in a long time. You know what we did. Also to your Wife and cute little kid. Logan and I, we're going to be friends when he grows up, just so you know.
And my sweet Jessie, what would home be like without you? I can't wait until getting to see you is normal life again. I love you my dear. :)
I didn't write a record or a book but sometimes thank yous are a must. Thank you.
I didn't forget anyone so if you're not on the list I'm not thankful for you. Not really. j/k lol haha rofl byob (You really didn't believe that did you?)
I have had two job interviews in three days so things are really looking better. Thank you again for everyone's prayers and support. I will let you all know when I land a job.
I have been riding my bike for miles at a time. Here are some pictures for you. Blogs without pictures are kind of like books and that's no good...
Thanks to...
My awesome family who does everything for me. (They really do) I love you all.
Kelly, you are so great I don't want to even talk about you because everyone else will find out and I want you all to myself.
Glenna, you need to keep being so wonderful and stop growing so tall.
I didn't get to see some extended Family but they did send gifts, so thank you Grandma Ya Ya, Grandma Cruz, and I think I will get to thank my Grandpa in person here in a little while.
The B's for throwing me one of my parties and helping out with a generus birthday gift.
The R's for also helping out with the home team. (I know you'll never see me go hungry)
Mr. L for being great and caring for me in more ways then I know.
(This is great I don't have to spell people's names)
Everyone at circle for really making me feel welcome as always.
Thank you to Paul for being willing to pick right where we left off. Rock 'n Roll 4ever! (You really need to listen to some hardcore though, folk music makes you slow in the head.)
Thank you to Tali for being such a good friend. I loved getting to talk about God's grace with you and I hope you never forget how awesome He is.
Snyder. I love you man. I think you're one of my only guy friends who I can say that to! Ha! Don't ever stop doing what you're doing and being who you are in Christ.
PS Your gift is going to a good case as well, I'm making the most of it.
Special thanks to Josh for being such a great friend. I think you're really good at making up advice for anything. :) You're also good at finding great places to eat.
A very special thank you to the Mitchel's for feeding me and giving so much of your home and heart.
THANK YOU to Ben who pretty much made the best day I've had in a long time. You know what we did. Also to your Wife and cute little kid. Logan and I, we're going to be friends when he grows up, just so you know.
And my sweet Jessie, what would home be like without you? I can't wait until getting to see you is normal life again. I love you my dear. :)
I didn't write a record or a book but sometimes thank yous are a must. Thank you.
I didn't forget anyone so if you're not on the list I'm not thankful for you. Not really. j/k lol haha rofl byob (You really didn't believe that did you?)
I have had two job interviews in three days so things are really looking better. Thank you again for everyone's prayers and support. I will let you all know when I land a job.
I have been riding my bike for miles at a time. Here are some pictures for you. Blogs without pictures are kind of like books and that's no good...
Thursday, April 1, 2010
"Tell 'em Large Marge Sent Ya"
So Last Friday I got to go to the Mid-American Truck Show and had a great time looking at all the stuff there. I felt like the show was a book and I only looked at the pictures. There was so much to see! I definitely have set the recorded for the most pictures in one post so I will get right to it. I will include a brief description above each picture or group of pictures. Enjoy!
First thing is first I drove my truck to the show. It was held in Louisville Kentucky.
The show was everything to do with trucks (Semi-Trucks) but some of the displays where just there for kicks.
I really had a great time looking around and asking all the sales guys tough questions. Here are a few of the trucks themselves.
The logo on the back of this is carved out and lit with the brakes.
One thing that really caught my eye was these lifts that pick up whole box truck into the air! having worked under these for a while I can imagine how nice this would be.
The best part though was getting to see the engines on display with all the new releases. Here is a 6.7 liter inline 6 cylinder Cummis that they put into the Dodge Ram diesel truck. I hope to one day own that truck. My plan is that its value will go down and my income will go up! (Just for reference my truck that I own is a v6 4.3 liter engine)
Next is Cummins new release for the year the ISX15. It also is a inline six cylinder but has 15 liters of displacement. It goes in the big trucks. (note the man standing behind it)
Here is a Mack engine (I believe) that caught my eye. Sorry I don't have the specs for it.
This is the Detroit Diesel that I rebuilt at school. I saw it and pointed it out to my friend and as we where looking the sales rep. came up to us and said "let me guess. You have rebuilt this engine." I think he was tired of all the students coming up. If I remember right it is an 12 liter engine.
One of the greatest parts of the show was getting to see the cut away models of all the products. What could be better then a hands on model with a rep. from the company right there to tell you how it all works? Here are some of the engine cut-aways. Its scary that I know how most of these work.
\
With all that engine you need somewhere for it to go. I had a great talk with a sales rep about this Allison Transmission cut-away.
After the transmission comes the rear end gearing.
Maybe big trucks don't float your boat but I had a awesome experience at my first Truck Show looking at all of parts that break and need someone to fix them :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
"It Is Not This Day!"
Fear not! Oh wayward ones of that which shareth rooms. Rest your weary minds at the thought of your heavy load and all things that makes your life harder. Hold you heads high in confidence for you have not the tasks of the mundane, the woes of the meek, the trials of the household slave.
For behold! A young savior comes to you from the land south-er of the south. The one that will save you from you grading enemy's rules and regulations. The ruling judge has no power here while there is still yet a reason of mind in the young savior's head.
For he that takes away your deeds of misuse, your persistent willingness to upset, your general lack of hygiene, he is on the horizon of mirrors unclear and dish unwashed. That while you where still yet out schooling, he cleaned and perfected that what was lost in the night. He made white the walls of black marks, he made fresh the smells of dinners still burned, he made clean the dish of the unwilling. The trash is vanished from you and your bottles of spitting are gone forever in the dumpster of hell. The great white throne is restored to all its splendor again waiting for your return. The watering falls, with its hair removed, its dirt lining vanished and conquered, can now clean your bodies once more.
So go now in boldness! Show no effort in the restoration of the orderly. Pay no dues to the wrath of what may have once been your chores. Show no consideration to the others that tread your paths for you have been saved! You have been delivered from the pit of your own daunting filth, the overwhelming stench of your convenience, the guilt of parties gone late. Sleep soundly through the day knowing that your house is safe from the plagues that once hunted it. You are delivered!
(I need a job)
For behold! A young savior comes to you from the land south-er of the south. The one that will save you from you grading enemy's rules and regulations. The ruling judge has no power here while there is still yet a reason of mind in the young savior's head.
For he that takes away your deeds of misuse, your persistent willingness to upset, your general lack of hygiene, he is on the horizon of mirrors unclear and dish unwashed. That while you where still yet out schooling, he cleaned and perfected that what was lost in the night. He made white the walls of black marks, he made fresh the smells of dinners still burned, he made clean the dish of the unwilling. The trash is vanished from you and your bottles of spitting are gone forever in the dumpster of hell. The great white throne is restored to all its splendor again waiting for your return. The watering falls, with its hair removed, its dirt lining vanished and conquered, can now clean your bodies once more.
So go now in boldness! Show no effort in the restoration of the orderly. Pay no dues to the wrath of what may have once been your chores. Show no consideration to the others that tread your paths for you have been saved! You have been delivered from the pit of your own daunting filth, the overwhelming stench of your convenience, the guilt of parties gone late. Sleep soundly through the day knowing that your house is safe from the plagues that once hunted it. You are delivered!
(I need a job)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
"See what the world looks Like through those."
So I have been practicing with a group of guys from church working out some songs for a show. We we're going to do a assortment of covers and origanls but I was just happy to be able to play drums again. The first practice was hard because I had never played any of the songs before and I hadn't even played drums in months. Thankfully I'm awesome and was able to pull it together in about five practices. ;)
However, I got really nerves on the last practice because the drum set we where using was now being used by another group at church and they where not about to give it up. So my friend pulls out an electic kit for me to play. If you don't know I had to play one of these for months at my home church in Fl and I was begaining to think I was a cursed drumer at this point. "You will have to play the show on this if we can't use the first bands kit or a house kit.".....Bummer.
We'll I didn't complain and had a great time jamming out the songs for our last practice before the show. God must have heard my cries because I pulled up to the show and was looking at "Larger-then-Life Baptist Church" I could not believe how big this place was.
Here is a picture of it about five miles out.
THE YOUTH CENTER is where we were playing that night and the lobby was so big I had to ask for dirctions from the guy at the desk.
It had its own Cafe
And two story basketball court.
At this point I was very impressed but I was blown away by the GIANT STAGE!
Here it is up close.
And here is the room from far away, about 3/4 back by the sound booth. Yeah, its that big.
Note the Flat screen TV propter in front of the stage, the millons of lights and speakers above the stage, the huge window pain behind the stage, and most of all the drum set I got to play, on the stage.
I was over joyed when I was informed that I "had to" play the house kit.
We had an awesome show and I didn't even mess up that bad. It was filled with solos, crowd chants and Rock N Roll! I could not have been happier!
There was one other band that played first and I took a picture so you could see the stage in action.
This was one of those days where my mind exploded with how much my heavenly Father really cares for me. Enough that even though I'm out here by myself trying to go to school, he still gave me the opportunity to be back where I LOVE to be, behind that drum set.
However, I got really nerves on the last practice because the drum set we where using was now being used by another group at church and they where not about to give it up. So my friend pulls out an electic kit for me to play. If you don't know I had to play one of these for months at my home church in Fl and I was begaining to think I was a cursed drumer at this point. "You will have to play the show on this if we can't use the first bands kit or a house kit.".....Bummer.
We'll I didn't complain and had a great time jamming out the songs for our last practice before the show. God must have heard my cries because I pulled up to the show and was looking at "Larger-then-Life Baptist Church" I could not believe how big this place was.
Here is a picture of it about five miles out.
THE YOUTH CENTER is where we were playing that night and the lobby was so big I had to ask for dirctions from the guy at the desk.
It had its own Cafe
And two story basketball court.
At this point I was very impressed but I was blown away by the GIANT STAGE!
Here it is up close.
And here is the room from far away, about 3/4 back by the sound booth. Yeah, its that big.
Note the Flat screen TV propter in front of the stage, the millons of lights and speakers above the stage, the huge window pain behind the stage, and most of all the drum set I got to play, on the stage.
I was over joyed when I was informed that I "had to" play the house kit.
We had an awesome show and I didn't even mess up that bad. It was filled with solos, crowd chants and Rock N Roll! I could not have been happier!
There was one other band that played first and I took a picture so you could see the stage in action.
This was one of those days where my mind exploded with how much my heavenly Father really cares for me. Enough that even though I'm out here by myself trying to go to school, he still gave me the opportunity to be back where I LOVE to be, behind that drum set.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
"I hear its invaders from mars"
I don't know if its the end of the world, a really long snow day, or a nuclear shelter but my roommate Josh is ready for it.
Monday, February 15, 2010
"Rule number one. Cardio."
Today half the school almost died in what may be the worst of the snow storms to hit us yet. Never fear mothers and those who care about things like safety, I am the best driver ever and I know everything about cars. (If thats not reasuring I don't know what is)
It was raining until about 11:00 Sunday night and it was a rain that I am not really used to. The whole earth seemed to be in a cloud and it wasn't falling rain, it was just get-you-wet-somehow rain. At the stroke of 11:00 the ice fairy turned everything into ice. Then it snowed on top of that until the morning. I was unaware of the ice fairy and proceeded like every Monday by first turning off my five alarms one at a time, sitting on the side of my bed for about ten minutes, brushing my teeth, putting on my boots, ect. I was making my lunch for the day when I heard my roommate's alarm go off. (He doesn't have a car so I drive him) I use his alarm as a signal to go start up the truck and let it get nice and toasty. I went outside and the whole place was white. "Dang!" I said to myself, "We've got to get moving!"
Just a note: If you don't know, attendance is the number one thing at my school. You can be the dumbest box of rocks but if you show up everyday, you can pass. It's a big deal to get there on time.
Back to my truck. It had been turned into an ice box. A solid layer of icy snow. It was about 5:45 and the sun wasn't out yet so I had to actually pry my door open and then break all the ice and snow off just to be able to see. I don't have any kind of scraper so I had to use a gift card and a Thrive Youth Frisbee of all things to get the ice off. This is a lot for a Florida boy. My roommate just kind of stared and looked cold while I was on my mission to not be late.
The next hardest thing was actually trying to drive in this stuff. I think it hit the city by surprise because the roads where not salted and nothing was plowed. That meant that everyone was doing about 25 on the freeway. Left and right cars where in ditches. No lines on the road, just me, my 4x4, and my sleeping roommate. We where making good time but I felt like the scene in the Truman show when he is trying to leave the island and all the crazy stuff is there waring him to go no further. I even saw a abandon Blazer upside down in a ditch of all things. Even still we kept on truckin', or, snoring in my roommate's case.
I made it to the end of the last highway and was feeling pretty good about everything. We still had 15 minutes to get there and there was only one more short road to go. But I had underestimated the short road. This road has several steep hills and I found out the hills and ice are a bad combo. Not like Ritz and Peanut butter, which is a good combo.
All the poor people in frount wheel drive cars could only get about half way up this one hill and then there tires would spin to much and they would slide back down. Down into the other cars trying to get up the hill behind them. It was turning into a real mess and we where still stuck on the off ramp. Lots of traffic was starting to pile up because about 250 collage kids all come through this one road at the same time in the morning. As one particular little cavalier was taking a try at the hill, myself, a full size Ford, and a Jeep all seemed to realize that we where going to be late if we didn't move. The Jeep was the first to go and we all followed, around the little cavalier, around the wrecks on the other side of the hill, and over a few curbs. I felt bad leaving everyone stuck there and rudely butting in line but hey, we where going to be late.
We then pulled into the school and my roommate awoke somehow at just the right time, like he does everyday, and got out next to his building. I parked the truck and was feeling good about getting there and still having five minutes to walk to class but I forgot to factor in one last thing. It is also hard to walk on ice. I normally have about a five minute walk to the class but with the sidewalks so slick, I was falling everywhere! I then resolved to using my Lil' 500 hundred skills to run and slide all the way into the building. I showed up on the third floor, right on time, out of breath, when I noticed...
No one else had made it.
Slowly about half the class came to school but the teacher never did, we ended up being told to come back at nine when they could get a substitute. I was very disappointed but I knew that, I, Tyler, The Floridan, had made it to school on time.
It was raining until about 11:00 Sunday night and it was a rain that I am not really used to. The whole earth seemed to be in a cloud and it wasn't falling rain, it was just get-you-wet-somehow rain. At the stroke of 11:00 the ice fairy turned everything into ice. Then it snowed on top of that until the morning. I was unaware of the ice fairy and proceeded like every Monday by first turning off my five alarms one at a time, sitting on the side of my bed for about ten minutes, brushing my teeth, putting on my boots, ect. I was making my lunch for the day when I heard my roommate's alarm go off. (He doesn't have a car so I drive him) I use his alarm as a signal to go start up the truck and let it get nice and toasty. I went outside and the whole place was white. "Dang!" I said to myself, "We've got to get moving!"
Just a note: If you don't know, attendance is the number one thing at my school. You can be the dumbest box of rocks but if you show up everyday, you can pass. It's a big deal to get there on time.
Back to my truck. It had been turned into an ice box. A solid layer of icy snow. It was about 5:45 and the sun wasn't out yet so I had to actually pry my door open and then break all the ice and snow off just to be able to see. I don't have any kind of scraper so I had to use a gift card and a Thrive Youth Frisbee of all things to get the ice off. This is a lot for a Florida boy. My roommate just kind of stared and looked cold while I was on my mission to not be late.
The next hardest thing was actually trying to drive in this stuff. I think it hit the city by surprise because the roads where not salted and nothing was plowed. That meant that everyone was doing about 25 on the freeway. Left and right cars where in ditches. No lines on the road, just me, my 4x4, and my sleeping roommate. We where making good time but I felt like the scene in the Truman show when he is trying to leave the island and all the crazy stuff is there waring him to go no further. I even saw a abandon Blazer upside down in a ditch of all things. Even still we kept on truckin', or, snoring in my roommate's case.
I made it to the end of the last highway and was feeling pretty good about everything. We still had 15 minutes to get there and there was only one more short road to go. But I had underestimated the short road. This road has several steep hills and I found out the hills and ice are a bad combo. Not like Ritz and Peanut butter, which is a good combo.
All the poor people in frount wheel drive cars could only get about half way up this one hill and then there tires would spin to much and they would slide back down. Down into the other cars trying to get up the hill behind them. It was turning into a real mess and we where still stuck on the off ramp. Lots of traffic was starting to pile up because about 250 collage kids all come through this one road at the same time in the morning. As one particular little cavalier was taking a try at the hill, myself, a full size Ford, and a Jeep all seemed to realize that we where going to be late if we didn't move. The Jeep was the first to go and we all followed, around the little cavalier, around the wrecks on the other side of the hill, and over a few curbs. I felt bad leaving everyone stuck there and rudely butting in line but hey, we where going to be late.
We then pulled into the school and my roommate awoke somehow at just the right time, like he does everyday, and got out next to his building. I parked the truck and was feeling good about getting there and still having five minutes to walk to class but I forgot to factor in one last thing. It is also hard to walk on ice. I normally have about a five minute walk to the class but with the sidewalks so slick, I was falling everywhere! I then resolved to using my Lil' 500 hundred skills to run and slide all the way into the building. I showed up on the third floor, right on time, out of breath, when I noticed...
No one else had made it.
Slowly about half the class came to school but the teacher never did, we ended up being told to come back at nine when they could get a substitute. I was very disappointed but I knew that, I, Tyler, The Floridan, had made it to school on time.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Would You Be Mine?
This is the first year that I don't have an awesome hand welded, hand painted, custom candle holder to give to my ever deserving valentine.
Although she says she doesn't need anything, I know better then to let her get off that easy. So let me take this time of year and this blogging page to tell you a little bit about my valentine.
First you should know that she is the most beautiful girl, with her bright brown eyes, cute curly hair, and warm perfect smile. A wonderful style of fashion that could be a 1920's hat and gloves one day, or a sweater and jeans the next, always impressive no madder what the occasion. And if there is anyone that can where a dress, it would be my valentine. From blues, to blacks, to flashy reds, it is guaranteed to turn some heads. (Haha I didn't even mean to make that rhyme.)
But its not just her looks that make her beautiful. Its her Godly character that really makes her face shine. She will be the first to tell you that it is by grace that she has a hope and a future in this life. She has shown me with her actions how this grace is such a part of her. Weather it be by her compassion towards those who are in need, or in the way she shows hospitality to everyone around, I know that her heart is truly dedicated to the grace that we all need. The way she goes to school day in and day out is honestly amazing. Not that she simply puts in the time, but goes the extra mile to get up at the crack of dawn, to get all of her practice in. I have never seen such dedication and perseverance. All of these things attest to her undeniable beauty but it doesn't stop there, no my valentine is much more then all of this to me.
I told her one day that I was going to me a diesel mechanic and move seven hundred miles away for a whole thirteen months and go to school. Most girls would have cried and pleaded pulling your hair out while you attempt to make a decision, almost to the point of blackmail with sayings like "If you really cared for me.." Or "I don't think that's best for us.."
I wouldn't lie to you guys about this, my valentine has been behind me since day one. Never once have I heard her say that she wished I hadn't gone. Never once has she second guessed my decision. I know it has been hard for her these past six months but I have the best valentine EVER! It means more to me to have her support then even going to school in the first place. I can not believe that I am blessed with such a Godly young women.
My valentine is more then hugs and smiles, she is a testimony of grace and support that reflects our God and savior in such a way, I can do anything with her behind me. I have what most guys dream about this time of year, I have a true valentine.
Jessica Leigh, happy valentines day.
PS You make me feel like I'm strong lol
Although she says she doesn't need anything, I know better then to let her get off that easy. So let me take this time of year and this blogging page to tell you a little bit about my valentine.
First you should know that she is the most beautiful girl, with her bright brown eyes, cute curly hair, and warm perfect smile. A wonderful style of fashion that could be a 1920's hat and gloves one day, or a sweater and jeans the next, always impressive no madder what the occasion. And if there is anyone that can where a dress, it would be my valentine. From blues, to blacks, to flashy reds, it is guaranteed to turn some heads. (Haha I didn't even mean to make that rhyme.)
But its not just her looks that make her beautiful. Its her Godly character that really makes her face shine. She will be the first to tell you that it is by grace that she has a hope and a future in this life. She has shown me with her actions how this grace is such a part of her. Weather it be by her compassion towards those who are in need, or in the way she shows hospitality to everyone around, I know that her heart is truly dedicated to the grace that we all need. The way she goes to school day in and day out is honestly amazing. Not that she simply puts in the time, but goes the extra mile to get up at the crack of dawn, to get all of her practice in. I have never seen such dedication and perseverance. All of these things attest to her undeniable beauty but it doesn't stop there, no my valentine is much more then all of this to me.
I wouldn't lie to you guys about this, my valentine has been behind me since day one. Never once have I heard her say that she wished I hadn't gone. Never once has she second guessed my decision. I know it has been hard for her these past six months but I have the best valentine EVER! It means more to me to have her support then even going to school in the first place. I can not believe that I am blessed with such a Godly young women.
My valentine is more then hugs and smiles, she is a testimony of grace and support that reflects our God and savior in such a way, I can do anything with her behind me. I have what most guys dream about this time of year, I have a true valentine.
Jessica Leigh, happy valentines day.
PS You make me feel like I'm strong lol
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