The Trade

Seven Years.

I have been comfortable. I have carved out a little niche, made a place to call my second home, going through days and years relatively content. Then my first day back this week, before the workday started, my supervisor calls me in to talk. Of course, I’m thinking the usual talk is about to take place; your sideburns are too long, your shinny 80’s jacket is too shiny, or most likely, your Moustache competition has come to the attention of the big boss. So, I brace myself and get ready to give the standard apology, but sadly, that’s not the talk we’re going to have this time.

“Aaron, you know we have a whole bunch of new people coming over, right? With so many people coming here it’s leaving the other facilities empty…”

At this point, my mind is drifting because I already know where the Sups going with this conversation. He is going to volun-tell me to train some newbie’s. I began to think to myself that I am actually getting very tired of training people. It use to be fun, but it’s getting old quickly. Sadly, this is not the talk we having.

(Apply brain-brakes! Screech…. My mind drifting comes to a halt and I’m snapped back into the conversation. What is he talking about????)

“Well, with all the new people coming over, we need people to go over to the other facilities, and you’re on the list of people to be transferred. “

I’m not sure if he continued talking, because I swear my Sup just hit me in the gut. A violent hit. He took me outside and with a smile on his face, hit me in the gut. I doubled over, my face was wearing that Oh-man I can’t breathe face, and my eyes kept flinching to hold back the water welling up. Man, why did he just punch me?

Oh yeah, he did say something more, “I don’t really no anything else except that you start the 19^th. “

My head was spinning. If you asked me what year it was I probably would have said something like, “It’s 2003.” It was a hard hit. But no one asked me the year, instead I asked the silly question, “When’s the 19^th? What’s today?”

“Next week, Aaron. You start next week.”

So, this coming week, I start at a new facility, which is really like starting over. I’m no longer the trainer but the wide-eyed trainee asking stupid questions and trying to figure out how to survive being a minnow in a tank of sharks.

I knew the day would come; I prepared myself yearly for the fateful day when I would be traded to another team. I live to close to the other facility not to be on the trade table. I’m a little surprised it hasn’t happened sooner, in fact when I first got hired I thought without a doubt that this would be my facility, only to be surprised when the higher-ups said, No we want you to drive a little further away.

Don’t get me wrong there is a lot I’m looking forward to about the new place. It’s closer to home which means more time with the family. There is possible overtime. I haven’t seen overtime in two years. This means less time with the family, but a couple more bucks for them. A new challenge. When you’re not learning something new it’s time to retire. Or that’s what someone told me. Lastly, this move is helpful for my career. To say, I’ve worked at other places and can work within various systems looks good when trying to move up the ladder.

I just don’t like change. I am not the proud recipient of change. I don’t like being the new guy, the guy trying to prove himself. I like being the old, crusty guy people look to for help.  Being the old crusty guy, I get cranky when taken out of my element.

On an upbeat, I was told this was only for a short period of time. However, I’ve seen many transfers who were told the same thing and walked into that black hole waiving and saying I’ll be back shortly, never to be seen again. So, the pessimist that I am I will prepare for the new page in my life.

This week begins my new adventure.

100 bucket list questions

1. Started my own blog: Only four or five.
2. Slept under the stars: last Summer, My family went up to Mammoth for a couple days.

3. Played in a band: If you could call four kids who couldn’t play instruments and were heavily influenced by the

Butthole Surfers a band. By the way we were called the Anorexic Fatmen.
4. Visited Hawaii: No, but my wife really wants to go, so I’m sure at some point in my life I will be forced to see the place.
5. Watched a meteor shower? Yes, 10 years ago. Silver, C-weed, Donavan, myself and some others I can’t remember went and stayed on some persons balcony who lived near the peak of a mountain. It would have been cool if Meteors were visible. I think we saw two the whole night. Ohhh, it was freazing as well.
6. Given more than I can afford to charity? Probably not.
7. Been to Disneyland/world: Only Disneyland, Why would I pay so much money to go to a pseudo-Disneyland, just because it’s bigger. Bigger is not always better.

8. Climbed a mountain: I hiked one in Montana with my dad and sister. I drank all the water a quarter of the way up. I was not the favorite child that day.
9. Held a praying mantis: Sure, but my daughter is the more adventrous one these days.
10. Sung a solo: All the time, it’s just I’m usually so off tune no one knows what song I’m singing.

11. Bungee jumped: Once.
12. Visited Paris: The Hotel? No. Never been to France.
13. Watched lightning at sea: Ummmm…how about lightinging from a lake or a river? I’ve seen that once or twice.
14. Taught myself an art from scratch: No, but I one day I would like to learn how to draw caricatures . 
15. Adopted a child: Yes, she is beautiful and precious, She’s my world.
16. Had food poisoning: I’m sure it’s happened.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty: No, I’ve had a fear of NY and other big cities when I was in my adult twenties.
18. Grown my own vegetables: Herbs. We have a rosemary plant.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France: Well, I just said I’ve never been to France. Pay attention to the conversation,

       bub!
20. Slept on an overnight train: In Russia, going from Moscow to Saratov.

21. Had a pillow fight: Yes, with Jeremy Camp (how’s that for throwing out some Christian Rock star names) and other friends. It was friendly, but violent. It was like a cage match with pillows.
22. Hitchhiked: Once not meaning to do so. Our car broke down a couple miles outside of Barstow, right around dusk. A very lovely couple saw my wife and me walking on the freeway, so they gave us a ride to the McDonalds train station.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill: Yes, if my families sick.
24. Built a snow fort: Never.
25. Held a lamb: Oh, I get it, I grew up in Cow country so I’m suppose to be some FFA freak. No, I’ve never held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping? I don’t think so.
27. Run a Marathon: I’ve wanted to for the past couple of years, but I don’t think I’ll ever get around to it. Maybe a 5K one day.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice: If you mean a Gondola in Venice, located at the Venetian in Las Vegas then Yes.

29. Seen a total eclipse: I’m sure I have, but I don’t recall it all that well.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset: Both at the Beach and mountains

31. Hit a home run: No, I never really had home run hitting power, I hit more doubles and triples.
32. Been on a cruise: No, Kellee keeps on hinting, but I’m not really interested.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person: Not yet.
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors: Minnesota but not Sweden.
35. Seen an Amish community: No, I’ve only heard good things.
36. Taught myself a new language: I’ve tried but given up quickly. I barely know how to use the one I have.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied: Not sure one can accomplish that feat.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person: Nope

39. Gone rock climbing: never
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David: in Pictures
41. Sung karaoke: No, our friends had a Karaoke party but I just sat there like a bump on a log. Singing in public does not suit me. Maybe, next time with a few more beers in me, I’ll give it a go.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt: That’s what she said (I’ve offically seen to many Office episodes)
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant: Yes.
44. Visited Africa: No
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight: Sure, though I don’t remember it being as romantic as your question is making it sound.
46. Been transported in an ambulance: No, but I’ve been in the back with people being transported.

47. Had my portrait painted: When I was young. My parent’s had one painted at Knott’s Berryfarm for a present to my grandparents. I looked feminne with vampire eyebrows. I remember my grandparents hating it.
48. Gone deep sea fishing: Yeah, but like most my fishing escapades,  I never caught anything.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person: No. Honestly, I think I would be more interested in seeing the Precious Moments Chapel version. I know I’m not right in the head.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris: If you mean the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel in Vegas, then it’s still a no, but I walked by that one!

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling: I have a fear of scuba diving! I get clausterphobic just thinking about the subject.
52. Kissed in the rain: Kissing someone in the rain? That’s not romantic, that’s ridiculous.
53. Played in the mud: Once @ Glen Ivy, but that was for skin care needs.

54. Gone to a drive-in theater: Yes! We love the Drive-in theater. Does anyone want to go with us?
55. Been in a movie: Yes, Actually. I gave an outstanding performance as a Villian in the Muddah Budah, but the movie had poor distibution. Hey Matt, where are my movies?!!!
56. Visited the Great Wall of China: No.
57. Started a business: When I was in 8^th grade I would sell now-n-laters for fifty cents a pop. I made a killing. My Pops would take me to Smart and Final to buy boxes of the things to peddle off to all the sweet-tooth junkies. Then one day, Big Government stepped in and crushed my capitalistic spirit. In other words the Principal found out and made me clean out my locker, thus taking another job out of California.
58. Taken a martial arts class: No, but I watch a lot of UFC, so you know, I'm good.
59. Visited Russia: Finally, a place I can say I have actually visited. Thank you.
60. Served at a soup kitchen: No, but I’ve served my kids soup and that’s probably about as close as I’ll get to a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies: I don’t rememeber exactly, but my sister was invovled in Girl scouts so no doubt at one time I was probably standing outside of Alpha-Beta in Chino hocking cookies. My parents pimped me out on a number of occassions to sell cookies or candy bars for some baseball or soccer team. Thinking back, a great deal of my childhood was spent in front of that store smiling and batting my eyes at strangers.
62. Gone whale watching: All you see is a big hump come out of the water. Why would I spend money to see a big hump. Now, elephant Seals, We’ll that’s another story altogether.
63. Got flowers for no reason: Not in the sense your asking the question. But the other day, I was driving home from work and was getting a headache from a sweet scent permeating my truck. When I got home I was enraged. I told Kellee  never, NEVER to spray whatever perfume she was wearing in my car. She told me she didn’t, the girls had picked some roses at my Grandmothers and when they were in the car they pulled off all the petals, leaving a sweat intoxicating stink that lasted for weeks. Thanks Girls.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma: No. If I had a rare blood type I would. Or maybe that’s just my justification for not doing so.
65. Gone sky diving: Damn it all to hell. No! A couple years back, all my co-workers were going to go, but then one by one we all chickened out…except the guy that had originally put it together. His reward for his courage…to be on the same flight as Chuck Noriss. HE GOT TO JUMP OUT OF THE PLANE WITH CHUCK NORISS! Bad Ass.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp: Unless I’m with Ghost Hunters, I’m going to say this would not be on my top 100 list.
67. Bounced a check: I’m sure I have, but I don’t want to date myself so I’ll say, “A check? what’s a check? You mean you hand someone a piece of paper with your name and they let you buy things? Weird.”
68. Flown in a helicopter: Sadly, no. We were going to in Las Vegas but time escaped us.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy: I don’t think I have any anymore…so, no.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial: Once. That was enough.

71. Eaten caviar: Yes in Russia. I wasn’t that impressed.
72. Pieced a quilt: No
73. Stood in Times Square: Again, not too comfortable with going to NY.
74. Toured the Everglades: No, but if I ever go to Florida it will be to go to the Everglades and not Disneyworld.

75. Been fired from a job: No. But when I was young, Carl’s Jr. cut back my hours to 4 a week, I guess that was a polite way of saying, “You’re not really working out.”
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London: No, but I have at the Arlington National Cemetary
77. Broken a bone: My wrist twice. I got the cast off and a day later broke it again.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle: No, my parents instilled their fear of motorcycles into me.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person: Only flying over it.

80. Published a book: Yes, it’s called Living With Girls, you can view a copy at the Nelson Household. It’s primarily a picture book.

81. Visited the Vatican: No and honestly it’s probably very low on the list of must-see places.
82. Bought a brand new car: Once.

83. Walked in Jerusalem: I’ve walked through Jerusalem while in Chino. A church had a Journey through Jerusalem thing during Christmas.
84. Had my picture in the newspaper: Not that I am aware of.
85. Read the entire Bible: A Couple of times.
86. Visited the White House: We walked by it one night while visiting DC, they were filming The West Wing.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating: Fish?
88. Had chickenpox: Lightly
89. Saved someone’s life: There was a girl in Junior High who kept writing me letters saying she would kill herself if I didn’t date her. What is a 13 year old boy suppose to do with that on his plate.So, I guess I’m a hero.
90. Sat on a jury: No. I would be excited to do so.

91. Met someone famous: Lou Diamond Phillips and Martin Sheen while going to a prayer vigil for Cesar Chavez who was protesting chemicals on grapes or something like that. Put that in your pipe and smoke it SILVER! Whose the liberal now!
92. Joined a book club: We’ll I did meet for a while with some friends and cover Pilgrims Progress by Bunyan.

93. Lost a loved one: A couple of months a go.
94. Had a baby: Well my wife did all the work.
95. Seen the Alamo in person: I’ve only driven through Texas once in my life. What would you do? Go see the boring non-historic Alamo or visit the Cadillac Ranch and then eat at the Big Texan. Yeah, I assure you the correct choice was made.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake: No, but maybe this year.
97. Been involved in a law suit: Not yet.
98. Owned a cell phone: Yes, but I’m often about four or five years behind the times.

99. Visited those imprisoned: weekly.
100. Seen animals enjoying life in the wild: Of course. We’ve been to the Wild Animal Park.
101 Been stung by a bee: Not since I was 14.

A December to Remember

Christmas is well behind us and now we look forward to other holy days. I had every intention throughout the season to post my usual negative nastiness about all the little things I hate about this holiday; the commercialization of Christianity, black Fridays, and every other sort of offense. However, this December hit me hard as no other has for quite sometime.  The month started off with the death and despair of family members, with the defining of friendships, and with the depression that comes with emptiness. Nonetheless, I would not allow myself or my family to be overtaken with grief; we would not wade in a December of despair. The season for us was a mixture of funerals and festivities.

December began with the death of my grandfather. We decided to take my oldest to the funeral to instruct her about loss, life, heaven, and Christ. A day later we would celebrate her sixth birthday with trips to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. On the home front, I was unwillingly coerced into hanging Christmas lights and decorating our house, but was afterwards delighted to do so when pondering it as a symbol for Christ   being the light of the World.

 I did my best to maintain our annual tradition of going to the Christmas light lane in Alta Loma with old friends the Aguiars and the Hollands.  But I recklessly planned, deciding to go during my work schedule, leaving me only a couple of hours to sleep.  On top of that, we missed the Aguiars and the Hollands were unable to attend because they were dealing with their own health issues. We rushed through the lights so I could get home at a decent hour, and there were hoards of other Christmas well-wishers making the scenes unenjoyable. Nevertheless, I maintained tradition.

We also went to downtown Riverside’s Festival of Lights with our friends the DeShazos. We met up at Tio’s Tacos where the other half of our group received food poisoning to be extracted later that evening. All of us decided to take the kids on a carriage ride where we felt like we had been transported into a Seinfeld episode. The horse kept flatulating throughout the entirety of the ride, thus gagging us throughout the duration of our ride.

I was finally able to attend the play Santa Claus Conquers the Martians at the Maverick Theater in Fullerton. We went with Amy Walton (her husband ended up getting sick the day of, or maybe he was just playing sick to get out of going). The theater was small, but they served beer which made up for the cramped space. The performance was everything I was hoping for and more; a little bit campy and hilarious. It was a good deal like being at a SNL skit that ran for over an hour.  Four thumbs up! The theater also does a rendition of Night of the Living Dead and The Hobbit (which I might take Faith to see once we have read the book).

My wife and I attended a Christmas party with many precious faces from our past,. I was more or less a zombie, just arriving after a long days work, but still it was good to see so many people I remember so fondly. And it was nice to see my lovely wife so lovely.

As a family, we watched Christmas movies, read the Holy Gospels account of the incarnation, and absorbed ourselves in the Royal Hours service at an Eastern Orthodox Church.  We sang Lord Have Mercy, crossed ourselves in the Name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and stood attentive at the Gospel readings.

I finally took my family to the Newport Beach Boat Parade. We caravaned with the Deshazo's and realized when we got there that no one really knew where they were going, as far as trying to find a spot to watch. But it worked out well, we found a nice little parking lot where the Piaggio's taco truck had set up. They offered Brazilian / Argentinean tacos and other delicacies. The only bummer about the site was that it was the tail end of the parade, so we had to wait hours to see anything. But overall, it was a great time hanging out with friends. 

We participated in another family tradition,  it was our family’s turn to assist my grandmother in the making of Swedish Potato Sausage. Faith, my six year old, helped grind the potatoes and onions. Then we used my grandmother’s ancient sausage stuffer (as she snobbily refused our invitation to bring our more efficient technololigically advanced Kitchenaid mixer…tradition) to push through the meat and potatoes into pig intestines.

I was supposed to work Christmas Eve and Christmas, but was fortunate to be able to take off both days at the last minute.  Thus, I was able to see my girls’ faces burst into beautifully radiant glows as they ripped open presents.  I was able to spend my days in the good company of family, eating, embracing, laughing, and loving.

Kellee and Faith finally persuaded me to take them to the ice rink in downtown Riverside. Not that I joined in the fun mind you. But me and Verity did watch and cheer them on excitedly. For her first time, Faith did pretty well, though she only managed a couple of laps around the rink all the while holding the sides. But, I can't complain, she did much better than me. My first time on an ice rink, I busted my head wide open within the first ten seconds. Now you know why I have such an aversion to ice.

It took awhile, but we were finally able to meet up with the Aguiars. We went to my favorite taco stand, Viva Villa, where I finally mustered the courage to try the Buche. Our children exchanged gifts and we exchanged the warmth of friendship. As we caught up with each others lives, our children terrorized the establishment, but no one seemed to mind.

At the end of December, Kellee and I finally had a chance to sit down and watch It’s A Wonderful Life. By the end, water welled in my eyes. The movie hit home, like George Bailey of Bedford Falls, I am the richest man in town.

Heritage-Faith

What do ya know my Baby Girl looks just like her Papa!

Heritage

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family search - Free family tree

 This about sums it up.  When people see Verity it usually goes 50 /50 on who she looks like. In fact, one time at a party a dad came over and remarked to me how my daughter looks so much like my wife and really nothing like me. Then five minutes later, his daughters (in her 20's) came up and raved about how much my daughter looked like me!

A New Blog...again?

Well, I've gone and done it again, I've set up a new blog for myself, though I'm not sure why. Somehow, Living With Girls no longer feels quite like my own, for sometime now I have come to grips with the truth that LWG is our family blog. Politics, religion, stupid forwards, ever stupider stories, and music post have felt like an unwanted guest. In the past I've set up blogs relating usually to just one category, but now feels like the right time to lump all my thoughtlessness together.

I'll do my best to post something on a weekly basis. I'm thinking at bare minimum, a record I've been digging through the week, a picture of my family, a book I've read during the month and so on...oh yeah, and the junk emails when I get them.

For those wondering the title is taken from the line in a Jawbreaker song...as if that's a surprise.