Hey, Teacher!!

There was an incident in my daughter's class last week that prompted me to contact the principal. As part of my "bitch fest," my daughter's teacher was instructed by the principal to call me back in the morning before class starts.

Well, she was talking to my daughter today and says, "If you're Dad is as nice and polite as you, it will be a pleasure to talk to him."

My daughter says, "Uh, I think you're in for a bit of a surprise."

LMAO!!

Transportation Chief Eyes Taxing Miles Driven

http://news.mobile.msn.com/en-us/articles.aspx?aid=29298315&afid=1

So, now they want to tax miles driven, saying it is a better and more accurate way to get revenue for infrastructure. That's fine and dandy. But, only if part of the provision would ban any future gasoline taxes.
And, are they also willing to charge less for lighter weighing vehicles, or according to tire width? After all, those things can affect how damaging a vehicle can be to a road.
Then, we come to the Amish, who obviously damage the roads out here with their narrow, wooden wheels more than any other vehicle. Are they going to be forced to pay as well? They should. Our street was paved just over a year ago, and you can already see the narrow, parallel grooves forming from their wheels.
Think about it. What's fair? Perhaps the politicians should stop trying to "take care of the people," and they may find that there is a sudden surplus of funding available.

Drunk dancing at Groundhog Day 2009

Here's one of the many drunks from Groundhog Day 2009 in Punxsutawney, PA.

I suppose I'm glad I went, so that now the desire to go has been dealt with. But, I do not think that I would go again.

I hate waiting

Here I sit at the vet, waiting patiently to go back with our bird. But, my patience is starting to wear thin.

Why can't these places schedule appointments better? It is 45 minutes past our appointment time, and we are still waiting. If it wasn't important, I would have voiced my opinion while storming out.

I really think that they just don't give a damn. Just like most family doctors nowadays, vets seem to know that you need them, and know that you have no choice but to wait. They can schedule multiple people at the same time, maximizIng their profits.

Many of these same doctors are now charging you if you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours notice. Many are also making you reschedule if you are five minutes late. But, they seem to think it's okay to make you wait all day for them.

Ah, screw it. I'm going to stop thinking about it before my blood pressure gets any higher. Then, instead of paying their bill, maybe I'll send them a bill for my time instead. LOL

It looks like Jenna approves of the new board, too.

Out with the old, in with the new...

Well, the board I mentioned below had some issues with delamination. It was like that within 15 minutes of riding, so I called the place I got it from. They said to keep riding it, and if it got worse, bring it back.

It got worse. So, I took it back. The guy tells me to keep riding it, and I said that we've already gone that route and it got worse. I explained that, sure, it may be okay, but I don't want to have a problem with it six months from now and risk being out of luck. So, he blows me off and goes to help another customer.

That evening, I got ahold of the owner/manager. His attitude was pretty much the same. I explained that his receipt said I could return for refund or exchange, and he said that didn't apply now since it was used. I reminded him that he and his staff told me to keep riding it, and he said too bad.

So much for "doing the right thing" and buying from a local shop, eh?

So, I called my credit card company and filed a dispute. Then, I bought another board elsewhere - that "elsewhere" being online. I bought it from a skate shop in Myrtle Beach that sells online - longboardskater.com.

The board is actually made by a guy in New York City - Brian Petrie of Earthwing Skates. Brian is a guy that is in it because he loves it, and it shows. The board and wheels are by him, and the quality and craftsmanship is heads and shoulders above the board I had before.

If anyone is in need of a new skateboard, look them up. You won't be disappointed.

Man, I love this thing!!

I know that many people think 39 is too old to get back into skateboards. So, I didn't. I got a new longboard, instead. You know, the whole, "Same thing only different" escape clause.

That said, I started off by buying some components and making the deck myself. I got everything figured out and put together, rode it for a week, and my daughter sort of "took it over." She absolutely loves the one I had built, and has been riding it in the basement every single day. So, we went to buy a new set of trucks, wheels, and bearings so that we could duplicate my board for her.

But, while browsing the skate shop, a board made by "Sector 9" out of California caught my eye. That's when I gave my daughter a choice - we could do as planned, and buy some components to build her one like mine. Or, she could have the one that I had just built that she wanted so badly. She jumped at the offer, and was absolutely thrilled with the idea of having my board.

I bought the new board and took it home. Wow, what a cool board. It's 46 inches long, 10 inches at it's widest point, and made out of bamboo. Yes, I said bamboo. It's strong with good flex, light weight, and tough as nails. And, yeah, it's cool looking, too! HA!!

And, the graphics on the back really top it off. They portray a cool-looking monkey, staring out over the surf. I originally planned on upgrading the trucks later this year, as those that came on it get mixed reviews. But after riding them, I really like them, so I'll spend ten bucks on a better set of bushings and save a bit of money.

As for my daughter, I let her try my new board, but she still likes my old board better. And, for her, it probably is easier to learn on. It was set up to ride low to the ground on a set of what I feel are the most stable trucks you can buy for a board - Independent 169's. (Not that many of you will know what those are, but it's my blog, so either google it or deal with it. HA!) I have some softer bushings on it that match her weight a bit better than the ones I rode on, and wedged the bases a bit to make the board turn better without sacrificing stability.

So, here I am, 39 years old, and getting back into a sport that I used to love when I was younger. Actually, I used to do a lot of things that I don't do anymore - skateboard, dirt bikes, skiing, snowboarding. I stopped because, if I were to get hurt, there was a good chance that I couldn't do my job - a consequence I simply could not afford.

But, now that I am out of the field and in the office, things are different. Even if I broke my leg, I could still do my job. So, I got back into something that interests my daughter as well as well as me, so that we can do it together.

Considering the great time we've been having, I made the right choice. Now, if only I could get my wife back on a pair of roller skates... hehehe

Oh, and you can click on the above pictures to see them full size.

Difference between 30 mph and 50 mph

LMAO!!!