dad. veteran. corpsman. geek. human resource. patriot.
"Life's is not about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward"
I am Natalia's daddy! My latest happenings as well as my lil' girls happenings will be posted here as I live them.
I like to read science fiction, fantasy as well as classics and comics. Always looking for recommendations. Like to play video games and board games. Love to watch old movies and shows, as I find them relaxing and entertaining. Last but not least. like to feed the birds and do some gardening.
Proud to be a US Navy Corpsman veteran and part of the Southwest Region Funeral Honor Guard.
" . . . and on the 8th day the Lord created the Corpsman and the Devil stood at attention."
"In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex . . ."
"Tell your story. That's the secret of immortality. The one true way to live forever. "
"We live as we dream. Alone"
"Courage is being scared to death...and saddling up anyway."
This week has been a rough road for me with the changes and challenges that I now face, as well as having to get adjusted to not seeing Natalia as often as I would want. These are challenges and adjustments that I can handle, as much of my past experiences have helped me to be able to take care of others and deal with an ever changing environment. I went to Natalia's school on Monday for a few hours to see her and see how her school is going. I am not fully content on the teaching curriculum but sadly I have no choice in that matter. Being a father in California we really don't have many rights that are enforceable. I can say she was surprised and very happy to see me and she is very well behaved. I can already see that she is ahead of many in her class, thanks to preschool and my interactions with her.
Friday I picked up Natalia after school and went to see my grandma (Natalia's Great Grandma) as she is staying at my uncle's house for a while and soon heading back to Puerto Rico. The weekend spent at home relaxing after a long week away from home. Feeling a little sick and hoping to recharge my batteries for the coming week. No mountain bike ride for me this weekend but looking forward to one next weekend and hope the gang can come out and play.
"Nowadays people know the price of everything, and the value of nothing."
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey
I got horrible news from my "brothers", that Doc Nicholas Alexander Lanphier has passed away. I can't get any details as it seems no one knows and I feel one that knows won't disclose. Either way these news are felt inside. This was is a huge shock as he was recently married and became a father. He will be remembered by me as well as by all his "brothers". I can say, one of "ours" is waiting for us in Heaven.
Finished reading Victory at Yorktown and moved on to Blackout. Been wanting to read this book a while and was able to pick it up at the library. This week also on a trip to Barnes & Noble I saw the new John Scalzi book, The End of All Things and I almost lost it. What a geek I am to get super excited about a book. I love The Old Man's War universe that Scalzi has created and very happy to see he is still keeping it going.
This week I finally got Ticket To Ride to the table for a first play through and get to learn the simple rules. I can already see it will be a game that will hit the table many times due to its simplicity. The many other maps for this game will also be an added pleasure for the game. This week I received The Awful Green Things From Outer Space (1980) which is an older game getting a reprint and slowly getting the rules down. No game night this past Friday and I was disappointed no one wanted to play any games. Also this week my Loot Crate package came in and don't know if I will keep subscribing to this service.
Another new week and already with a few challenges as the air conditioner unit failed and I found myself having to get a little familiar with the unit to troubleshoot. After a few unsuccessful calls for repair men in this heat wave I got lucky as a repair man was parked across the street and nice enough to do me the favor of changing the broken piece quickly and cheaply. Goes to show me again how things tend to solve themselves. Also this week I will be doing some driving dropping off and picking up the boys from school. This week however I will not be seeing Natalia and already saddens me we won't spend time together. I had to take the time to explain to my ex the agreement she came up with as it was too complicated for her to figure out.
A week mostly away from home and adjusting to my new "job" and life. It has its challenges but nothing that I can't handle and deal with. Another game night Friday and a bit short and not as fun without Natalia. A new version of Monopoly hit the table as I am slowly introducing more complex and thematic games. The big winner was Alex Friday night in Monopoly Avengers Edition. Also Smash Up, Survive (becoming a tradition) and King of Tokyo hit the table this week.
"I was not designated to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest"
- Henry David Thoreau
I spent most of the week driving all over the Inland Empire and getting my car fixed and all went well. Stopped by the local cigar lounge to chat with the locals about "everything and anything" and took Pablo to a pretty cool comic book store I ran across the way. Saturday the boys got new bikes and they were lucky I was there as I have had expensive experience around bicycles and the sports' many facets. Sunday I was blessed again to go on a ride and a short one but as usual full of fun and joking around. Lunch with the gang and some "forbidden" subjects were discussed, but that is the usual.
Overall it was a week of new things for me and full of great things everyday, This however has slowed my reading down and hope to have this book finished this week and move on to another. I wish I could read much faster as there are so many stories out there I want to read.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed, entertained and a happier person for knowing the truth.
Huge life change this past week and decided to terminate employment with Walmart and help my new partner Angela with her life and children. I feel this is a much more rewarding thing to do and one I feel am very good at. Work at Walmart was starting to get very monotonous and recent changes with the new managers. where I have seen a huge lack in managing skills and alack of employees to run an efficient store. I was getting tired of doing the work of many for a tiny paycheck. I did leave in good terms and who knows what the future will bring. I can say I have lead a non "conventional" life. I continue to move on and let life guide me as it has steered me in many unexpected paths and has taken care of me.
Natalia also started school this past Wednesday and to my surprise my ex has been extremely nice. So I know she's on her medications and I soon expect for bad times as usual from her. But I am now more stable and it bothers me less and less every year that goes by. Picked up Natalia on Friday afternoon and everything great. Slowly setting up new routines as I have two other boys to take care off. It has been a surreal week and one full of surprises and the unexpected. So far it has been very long rewarding days for me.
"No more let life divide what death can join together" - Percy Bysshe Shelley
Friday was a nice day as Natalia was with me and Pablo came home. All of us together had another game night. However not many games were played. Next time I expect full participation as it is a tradition I want to maintain. We played a few rounds of the new Lego Minotaur game and Disney HeadBangz. Pablo and I got some good hits on the Lego game. I was a bit disappointed we didn't get it on with the Survive: Escape from Atlantis game on Friday night but Natalia was wanting to play other games and watch a movie.
Another drill weekend and still thinking of going IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) and not have to be present at drill any longer since I am no longer being paid and retirement is a ways away for me. Sadly I was not able to continue to serve in the manner I had intended. Seeing the changes made recently, it is a Navy I no longer want to be part off. However a few members there are convincing me to keep drilling normal and take advantage of opportunities as it seems are easier there with less nonsense to get approved. This administration is really trying to take away the benefits of veterans and cutting careers as to avoid collecting retirement benefits. This drill weekend I saw the retirement of HM2 Zapata as he left out the back door after serving 20 years in the Army and Navy combined. Also the retirement of MMCS Hamilton after 42 years of service and many in a volunteer status. Those are the true heroes nowadays. So far I will continue drilling a month at a time and possibly start volunteering for funeral detail as my new schedule allows for that honorable job.
Don't forget to download the latest No Agenda Show to filter through all the lies and misinformation the mainstream media pumps out there. I can guarantee you will be a much informed and happier person for knowing the truth.
We missed the parade in town Friday afternoon but made it to the festival on Saturday. Not as big as years prior but always a nice morning outing. The highlight was the Fireman's Brigade where the kids made a line. However I don't think the firefighters from Arrowbear and Running Springs went up against each other, as that would have been nice to see. Our festival had a few nice carnival type games where prizes were handed out to all kids and Natalia was given a nice teddy bear. Also this was the last weekend of the Book Reading program at the library and Natalia accomplished her 45 books. However the prize was a burrito and soda from Bakers. WTH?
Last normal days with Natalia this weekend as she starts school this coming week and I was forced into a shorter schedule with her. Went out with Angela and her boys to dinner on Thursday and had another excellent game night with them Friday. Survive: Escape from Atlantis was another hit and I was the first one out while Natalia again won. How does a 5 year old keep winning this game? The highlight of the night was when Natalia asked me - "Are all your guys dead, Dad?" She knew all my little guys were taken by the sea creatures! Too funny, Also we played King Of Tokyo where I got a rule wrong and played Order's Up! for our game night. Can't wait until next Friday again for our regular Survive grudge match and other possible new games as I have many more in my collection.
Sunday was a more eventful day starting early on my drive down I came across an overturned vehicle and stopped to provide any needed medical aid, and none was needed. I stayed to dovert traffic along with a few other concerned citizens until CHP and others arrived to secure and clean up the site. Luckily I left early and still made it in time to drop off Natalia. However that too didn't go quietly as my ex decided to argue and insult me again in front of Natalia in regards of clothes for Natalia for school. I normally record these incidents but my phone has again been giving me issues. I just refused to argue and told her I would dicuss this matter in a more private setting. Also made it to the ride on time and that was a pleasurable ride as usual. Just Luis, BikeWife and me present and we discuss in some details the workings and maintenance of a vehicle with a true Mexican! LOL. Work sucked as usual with the lack of direction from the awesome management team and as usual short staffed. Again another day I came close to quitting, especially with a great offer on the table. Without going into any details Sunday started horrible for my friend and my day ended very concerned and with a possible sign from above for yet another change in my life.
"When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad ... You should do what I do! Just tell yourself Duckie, you're really quite lucky! Some people are much more ... Oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you!"
- Dr. Seuss
Natalia had her first fall this weekend and my corpsman/daddy skills were put to the test and I passed with flying colors! Really nothing a wet towel and a shoulder to cry on didn't fix. I hope her mother doesn't accuse me of abuse and start another false claim.
Finished reading Seveneves and found it entertaining at the beginning and slowing down and for me falling flat at the end. The ending felt rushed and could have gone more pages to develop more the new generation and the earth survivors. Was hoping for a shocking ending. Now back to a historical read in Victory at Yorktown where I follow George Washington in the fight at Yorktown and the incident with Benedict Arnold and the hanging of Major John Andre. Skipping the previous book Valley Forge as I have not gotten my hands on it yet.
Don't forget to catch the latest No Agenda Show. John (Buzzkill) and Adam (Crackpot) deconstruct the media stories and uncover what really is happening in a funny way. After all, once you are no longer a sheep and are awake you have to but laugh at the stuff governments pull on its people. GenCon over and out of the many Dice Tower videos, here is a short video of the Con.
Missing Natalia (Txiki) this week and missed the last activity night at Barnes & Noble for the summer with the Dr. Seuss events. I highly doubt she was taken to participate in those as she so much like the activities at the bookstore. Next week I will slowly have to adjust to a new schedule with Natalia as she starts kindergarten and it was "unimaginable" for the judge to have her go to the school up here as I am home more often and a much safer and nicer school district up here.
This week I am all alone as Natalia is spending a summer week away from me. I have been feeling rather good lately (mentally at peace which has been hard to come by the past years) and felt like going on a nice run. Went on a 10km run out in Green Valley Lake (2N13) out and back the fire road among some light rain and awesome views of the high desert and Lake Arrowhead. Timed at 1h 12m and I felt good the whole run and maybe should have extended it a few more kilometers. Next time for sure.
"It is not a lack love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages"
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Friday and Saturday night I was very happy to have had a game night, Sadly without Natalia but in great company. A little short but I hope this becomes a tradition for Natalia and me as well as with my new friends family as Natalia and me have been gaming for a while now and having a great time. This weekend I brought Forbidden Island, Smash Up and Survive: Escape from Atlantis! (Can't wait for new re-theming Survive: Space Attack!) to the table and all were very well liked. Sunday afternoon a short Heroscape game and my BBQ spread for my guests. Next week Natalia will be here and she will get to participate in the fun. Overall my mini four day vacation was filled with boardgames shared with my new friends.
My reading has again slowed down and slowly trying to finish Seveneves as I am in the last 100 pages. I will say someone has been keeping me distracted from my reading. No complaints, however as it has been a much need and hopefully life changing distraction.
Rant: Again another scandal and this one I feel is a very big scandal that must be investigated fully. Planned Parenthood, an organization by Margaret Sanger which publicly had an agenda of genocide towards certain races is finally being seen by the public. An organization which receives money from the government (that means you and me and we have no say so in that matter) and many corporations has been a proponent of abortions and controlling population have been profiting by selling body parts and in exchange controlling population. Planned Parenthood has been slowly concentrating into certain regional areas where "Black Americans" reside thus committing genocide. No outrage there as the PR department of Planned Parenthood is in full gear throwing distractions such as "Cecil The Lion". Not only should this organization be banished but also a deep look and exposure of the true agenda it has and those behind it. But so many of us are "sheeps" and are easily mislead and distracted by other stories. Soon the Lion story will be replaced with another and another to keep this story off the media. Also along the same agenda is the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation with their many "vaccines" always tested in African regions which also has been having the same effect.
Not many TV shows catch my attention but Penny Dreadful is one that was brought to my attention and to my interest as I love unique characters and especially those based on classic literature coming together in a nice story.
