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."
Spring like temperatures again and slowly getting the urge to start planting but I know I have to wait as we will still get more snowstorms this year. I did get a great deal on tulip bulbs at work and planted them all scattered. Maybe a little too late for this spring but we will see. I love tulips but sadly they do not last too long. The big talk has been the awesome skies with their sunrises and sunsets.
A weekend at home like many the way Natalia likes them. At home in town playing games and relaxing. Some forest walking, park playing and library trip is what it's all about. Natalia tends to beat me at all the games. Even dominoes where the odds are 50-50 it is more like 100-0.
Natalia tells me she is not going to school when she is with her mom and tends to stay over at her grandparents often. I know my ex will lie to me about this as she does with everything else.So off I go again to investigate and find out the truth.
Another deposition planned to waste my time and this time my attorneys fault as he didn't call me cancelling and another wasted day. The amount of money and time being wasted to this day and will never end with the nonsense and lies. But I keep taking punches and getting up. Bigger is that I have decided to stop dumping money in an attorney and getting dragged along with postponements and false claims. I can no longer keep paying and rather use that money for Natalia. I know it will be more headaches but this will never end with the changes and false accusations.
Well not really. The camels didn't leave a mess after Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar left some gifts for Natalia and me. They did however take one of Natalia's picture she left for them.
This holiday season we got many board games to experience and enjoy. I am into the board gaming scene lately and amazed at the many great games and themes out there. Finding games to play with Natalia has been a pleasant challenge. I can recommend a few good ones. Pictured is My First Carcassonne for younger children and slowly Natalia is getting the strategy and enjoying it.
Already with a slow start to my reading this year but we are just starting. I find myself re reading again some of the H.P. Lovecraft stories. Still trying to decide my next read. It is always a little hard to decide what story and world I will give my time to.
Natalia back to her school and she was looking forward to it. They sang her happy birthday and had a little celebration there as well. Quiet days at work and at home but that usually doesn't last.
This past Saturday was my last day serving and in uniform. felt a little sad and I do not like good byes so I just left Saturday with no word. I can not do another deployment with the custody and the way the state of California has been treating me. Plus I will say lately it seems to me that the I won't be really doing the job but simply wasting time and fulfilling nonsense requirements. So with that I close this chapter in my life and and exciting one and will miss it and miss any opportunities. I leave it to others to do the job. I ow move on to yet another chapter in my life and curious what it will bring as I have been through so much and experienced so much thus far in this world.
Natalia is now 5 years old! Another great week for Natalia full of gifts. More dress up items, Hot Wheels, clothes, a red fire truck and her first purse. It has been great for me to be here and experience all this with Natalia and my parents. This weekend we wait for the 3 Kings to stop by the house and drop off some gifts for Natalia and me. I hope they don't leave a mess as they have in the past.
The snow melting and not many good spots to go playing. So I went to my secret place and got in some good runs. I, however got a workout and some sweating pulling Natalia into and around the woods in search for some nice slopes.
The story again out here has been the traffic. For some reason this year highway 330 has been used much and causing hours of delays while highway 18 has been somewhat clear. In the past highway 330 has been a bit unknown by many but locals and was always the sure way up faster. Not this time around. The worse of this has been those stopping in the middle of the road to chain up or worse, to play in the snow in traffic. It will always amaze me the lack of common sense and security for their children.
I got to go back out again on a mountain bike ride again with my people after a long hiatus and it was short and easy but that is never the issue. It is about getting out there together. Again another stroll to Mt. Roubidoux in Riverside in pretty cold conditions but by the end it started to warm up and back to work for me. I do hope we get together again as many Sundays as possible. This weekend I have what may be my last drill weekend. Not really feeling it anymore and that can be a good thing. However to wear the uniform is a great thing and an honor.
"We live as we dream. Alone."
Are dreams real? Natalia asked me this and I would have to say yes. We spend a good percentage of our existence here sleeping and in a dream state. So why can't that be real as oppose to when we are awake. In the end all experiences are kept in the mind and processed by your mind which is the same as dreaming.
This summer we see another Marvel movie and this one taking another obscure character in the Ant Man. From what they did with Guardians of the Galaxy I can expect this one to also be entertaining. One complaint is that I dislike the main actor and hope to get past that.
Two storms since last post and nothing major. The story here has been the traffic. Last weekend with almost no snow we had huge traffic of about 4 hours just to get to town. This weekend after our recent storm I am sure it will be even worse. I get all the shopping I need and stay at home for days with Natalia. I am not leaving town at all. This storm left us with the cold powdery snow which is easy to clean up and driveway all clear. No storms forecasted anytime soon and a rise in temperatures again.
It was a good Christmas and I was looking forward to it. Santa got Natalia all she wanted. She got her super heroes and Hot Wheel track and cars. I got a few board games. Yuli too got a present from Santa but like many kids she rather chew on my old towel from boot camp. Natalia likes her cars and the Dr. Doom she asked for, Now we have a villain to play with.
Work has been OK and I got to enjoy myself a bit selling chains for hours. Just to listen to the questions people ask. To my surprise no one has argued with me over sizes. After that fun, I get to go up the hill and see the chaos and the people trying to figure out chains. I will say people in general lately, at least here have lost common sense and the ability to figure things out. People just don't try or want others to do for them. But the installers along the roads up here are not complaining and just taking in the money from these people.
The new year is here and I really do not celebrate. I thought with the recent traffic I would celebrate the new years in traffic on the 330 with countless others. But the roads were cleared and I got home rather fast after zooming past a few cars almost stopped with chain issues.
Spent much of the past weekend "geeking" out watching the Dice Tower do its 18 hour gaming marathon. Did not accomplish my reading goal this year and I knew I was not going to due to my deployment. Took me a while to get adjusted. This year I will set a goal of 30 books and hope to get that accomplished by the end of the year.
Again we see another attack from us against North Korea. Now we blame them for a hack of a movie that was clearly an inside job but this government looses no chance to create enemies and instability. Why should we. We now must make sure South Korea buys our weapons and training. So fear must be instilled constantly to increase sales. With that being said a few days later Sony gets hacked again but this time it wasn't blamed on North Korea. Sony whom has gotten hacked over 50 times in recent times. We also now are starting to see "terrorist" events in Canada. Hmmmm.... I simply ask everyone to question and not fall for the fear tactics being used so much and open today.
We finally got some decent snow and it kind of caught me with my pants down. Had to bring up my equipment after the storm but I am ready now. Not much snow this time but I heard more than last year. Next week warm temperatures again and expect much to melt.
Natalia got to see Santa again and this one is always the best looking one. Santa now knows what Natalia wants and we are now just waiting for that day. I am looking forward to a few board games this Christmas and time on my game table downstairs.
Went sledding with Natalia in town and it was a great place. Now waiting for more snow for more fun. She doesn't mind bringing up the sled on each run herself. Soon we will upgrade to the jumps! Last night Natalia had her school Christmas recital and I will say she is very popular. May not be a good thing. We will see as the years go by.
My last Christmas party with my brothers and sisters of the Navy and it was probably the funnest White Elephant party. A few more drills left and I already know I will regret the decision but I cannot continue to sacrifice Natalia and allow my ex to use my service as a bad thing.
With that said, winter is here and now we will see how it hits us. The season of fun times on the 330 is here. The geniuses coming up not knowing how to drive in the slippery roads and/or put on chains on. I am fortunate to work at Wal-Mart and see those trying to buy chains with no clue and even argue with me as if I knew nothing. I already have had it from a few customers and it is funny to know if they need these chains they will not know how to put them on or even if they will fit. But I also see them on the side of the road as I drive by. Oh the fun! But in a serious note. Please drive careful and be polite and warn other drivers of hazards. Something most locals do.
We see again North Korea being the enemy in the media. When will this stop? It wont as long as we are supplying South Korea with weapons. We must make their neighbors the real evil in the world to sell more weapons. Evil? I love my country and served it. But disgusted it is us overthrowing governments and causing turmoil all over this planet. Using un-manned drones for killings. We quickly forget not to long ago North Korea was going to kill us! What happened with that story?
The rains brought water to all our creeks and we headed out on a hike to check them out and play outside. I will say that no matter how old you are, you will throw rocks into the water. Tomorrow we expect some snow but I do not have high hopes for anything decent.
Santa made his way across the mountain during our tree lighting ceremony and Natalia got to tell him what she wants him to bring to her. I have to say this year from what I have seen the town has been creating some great activities and doesn't seem to have costed anything. I hope to see this again net year. Natalia saw Santa and gave him her list and a picture.
Picked up Natalia this morning with some very minor bruising to her left eye. I found it curious why her grandmother was dropping her off for the first time. Of course nothing I can do as all will be denied and make claims nothing is there and I am not about to drag Natalia through the system when she can be at school with her friends here and having fun. Not the first time I have injuries on her and just denied. I do hope Natalia is not forced to lie to me on how she gets hurt.
I found myself again in court this week. Seems monthly I am dragged to court over nothing. Proposals from my ex that are never serious or ridiculous and just withdrawn. All this problems of abuse while I was deployed and the emergency rushed to push this through the courts while I was deployed and still getting dragged. Now my ex has claimed I have no insurance and has filed more false paperwork to county offices. Those accusations where quickly fixed and closed as usual and I got some help through the county and answers. Sadly the system is made for honest people but dishonest people take advantage of it. They found it amazing I now carry 3 carriers of insurance for myself and Natalia. Due to the ObamaCare laws it has become a free for all for health insurance companies to sign up people with no consent. They are free to force care in people with no verification of other coverage. The problem not solved and may never get solved with my employer Wal-Mart as they simply don't care and violated their own policies to force more insurance on me. The county after helping me deal with Wal-Mart for almost 2 hours are still surprised they do not care about the law or their own policies.
I want to say I have been a bit surprised in the final uprising of people against certain actions and things lately and creating a change. We saw that with the elections and slowly seeing more and more people talk about Ferguson and that outrage and clear agenda by this administration to create racial tensions for votes. I will say the Ferguson incident was a justified shoot from all the evidence but now we see the choking of a person causing his death and no actions taken. This latest incident to me was clearly not justified. Minimum amount of forced should have been exercised and clearly from video footage the suspect was in control and also another officer was on scene that could have aided to control the suspect with less deadly harm. Instead the other Sergeant choose to sit there and do nothing as your typical supervisor position. Why no charges against the supervising Sergeant? Clearly not on the racial agenda because she was of a certain color that doesn't fit the agenda. That should be the outrage.
On a good note, now I am seeing the so many point out the bad things on GMOs that seems Monsanto is starting to feel the hurt.
I do not watch many movies but was tempted to see what was done with the obscure characters of the Guardians of the Galaxy. I will say I found the movie entertaining and continue the story line "Hollywood" has been creating. A few hints as usual to future movies and characters. Howard the Duck movie?
The new trailer for the Terminator Genisys movie is out.
Well my deposition finally done and no more stalls and must say my ex wife is very delusional. It ended with her attorney making accusations that my father is not only a possible felon but also works for the CIA. He also hinted that I to am a spy due to my deployment. Next time I will see her tie me somehow to being a terrorist and a spy working as a cashier at Walmart. You can't make this stuff up. Simply amazing the accusations with no proof and no consequences. I find it insulting that her attorney is going after my character. I have in the past sacrificed much to represent the United States and Puerto Rico in the Olympics, honest working class with a college degree and even sacrificed myself serving in the armed forces. Find me anyone out there with even a fraction of this.
Work is going well and I like my new area. A change of pace with always something different. Live Christmas trees are here and I like working around them. Black Friday I will say was a bust with many items still left behind.
Christmas getting closer and all decorations up and the spirit still there. Natalia saw Santa for the first time this year at the tree lightning at Lake Arrowhead and I will say it was rather nice. A nice short parade of the Fife & Drums band followed by Santa on an old fire truck. It was very nice to see the American spirit showing. This week Natalia will tell Santa what she wants and see our town's tree lightning ceremony.
Back to reading history books and now moving on to the Civil War. I am sure there are hundreds of titles and I will like to read a few to get a real sense of the causes. I am more interested in the causes and actual leading events than the battles themselves. I am getting a sense it was not about slaves and that Lincoln seems to not have been as strong and decisive as made to be nowadays. A president coming from "nowhere" and very worried about making decisions.
In the media we still see Ferguson and all its problems. No one wants to see the truth and be fed the racial agenda from Al Sharpton and the gang. Amazing to me people allow themselves to be used like this. More amazing MSNBC pays this guy for his actions. All to make the news while people are harmed and property lost. To continue this we now see another hit piece on Bill Cosby. Hmmmm! Lets make him look bad since he is not on board with the racial agenda. Sadly some still live to this stereotype and I have been witness to it first hand working retail. Please do not act like this and follow the stereotype.
By the way, whatever happen to the Ebola epidemic in the U.S. that was going to kill tens of thousands? I feel sorry for those sent to West Africa to set up shop to transport those infected and seems they are just sitting there away from their families for no reason. I can bet they don't have decent living arrangements. Nice tents and pissing tubes! Happy Holidays from us!
Natalia loves for me to read books to her and that has been a routine every night. A routine that I really enjoy and find myself looking forward to as well. This month the local library conducted a book club type contest where I read Natalia the most pages to reach the highest level. The reward was coupons to free junk food at Bakers. Those went straight to the trash.
Thursday I put up the Christmas tree and will spend the entire weekend slowly decorating the house. Now all I need is the cold temperatures and bad weather to put me in the mood. With that being said, last night we got lower temps and stormy conditions but only a light dusting by sunrise.
Next month I find myself again in courtrooms disputing custody and timeshare. Never ends with me. Now my ex wants to change days for a few months to just do it all over again in April. No one bothers to take in consideration Natalia and her changing around.
Work has been going good and adjusting fine. I get to work a bit outside and do different stuff throughout my day, Thus far I must say I like the new store manager and how he is running things. I am sure that opinion may change. It is very simple. Treat the employees good and in turn they will have better attitudes and it will reflect in work and customer care.
Finished reading A Cruel And Shocking Act and I highly recommend everyone read this book. It will show you the lies pushed to us in regards the Kennedy assassination and the way the Warren Commission from the first day was being guided with an agenda. I feel this was the beginning of what we now see everyday. Media and government saw how easy it was to feed us that and continue to do so. It is amazing to me people believe Oswald was a lonely "looser" but able to travel so much. To believe a single bullet went through two bodies and shattering a wrist and yet be almost intact as to only loose less than 10gms. and be found sitting outside the Dallas hospital in a stretcher! That is just the beginning of the stories pushed to us and the "modification" of reports. At the moment I feel it was a CIA operation in some way and quickly the FBI jumped on to look like the heroes and justify their existence. But years later it became evident the FBI purpose was and maybe still is to spy on the public and use that information for leverage to get decisions made in government. I can imagine the world at that time and the Soviet union and Cuba getting the news and I am sure them not having anything directly to do with it and maybe say to themselves - Wow! The Americans had the "balls" to do this". What a time, where the U.S. plotted and made many attempts to assassinate a leader and in the end that happens to our leader. A time where years later another leader is assassinated and again the "missing" information. Now we live a time where a person like Edward Snowden points this out and makes it clear to those few whom still live sheltered lives tell us we are spied upon and him treated as an enemy of the state. Now I await the black vans to park in front of my house.
Now, what to read. I am a bit interested in the Salem Witch trials and the real story there. Also want to start to read about the Civil War.
Check out the latest videos from the Dice Tower for recommendations on games in many categories.
Adjusting to work and thus far OK. No really bothers in my new department and that is good. Also the customers back there tend to be more normal and relaxed. Temperatures started to warm up again last week but back to normal this week and hoping for a nice winter. My mountain biking and running have taken a back seat this month as the AARP group has not gotten together as often as I would like and I hope to continue to share the trail soon.
I made a big decision to not re-enlist in the US Navy. A sad decision but I cannot again sacrifice Natalia. It has been against me in California to serve and it was very clear early on. Sadly this Sailor will not be standing the "Watch" much longer. I will miss the people and atmosphere. The nonsense caused by many however will not be missed. I do salute those that continue to serve and sacrifice so much of themselves and families. I will regret this decision as I already am, but I cannot be away from Natalia again as it caused much problems. My ex wife misses no chances to lie and cause problems for Natalia as well as myself. It is still amazing to me how agencies never bother to research accusations and accept lies. Agencies that I believe are suppose to conduct investigations and reach decisions based on facts. But we live in a world of huge government where everyone wants to create a government agency to take tax payer money and not produce what they are made to produce. Again seen by so may recent problems where agencies are now seen to not have done the job yet keep in business.
This weekend HMC Guyton retired after 38 years of service to this country. A man with a deep family history of serving since the Civil War. It was an honor to be around this Sailor and one this country owes so much. During the ceremony I again began to re thing my decision. To continue to serve and be able to retire from the many years of service. Sadly this is not for all. It is a huge sacrifice not only in time but with the thought of leaving constantly in your head. Thank you HMC Guyton.
Thanksgiving is almost upon us and so is the raising of my Christmas tree. Decorations already started to be hung around the house with the important tree being last. I will say the spirit is not yet there and I hope it quickly fills my house.
Finished reading Hollow City by Ransom Riggs and again another page turner with a cliffhanger ending. Now I can't wait for the sequel and I don't know a release date. In the meantime I picked up another book about the Warren Commission, A Cruel And Shocking Act on the discount bin and a great read. A read that with no doubts looks behind the scenes of the investigation and from the conception was meant to simply prove of a one shooter theory discarding and in some cases eliminating any evidence of possible multiple shooters, agencies or countries behind it. Amazing to me the public still buys into the sole shooter theory with no ties. The CIA and FBI from early on hiding evidence and not to mention this "poor" person being able to travel to multiple places around the world in such a time as was the 1960s and no one question how he got there or why. To go to the Russia and come back with no problems in such a time where communism was persecuted so much. Clearly this incident was the beginning of all the nonsense feed to us now. The government saw it was possible to feed us this then and continues to feed us such nonsense. Easier then with the innocence of the public and the limited media which was much easily controlled. Nowadays not so easy to control but the government lately is trying so hard to control speech and limit media.
After all these months off and over a year not working at my normal job, I returned to work. I will be in a new department and hopefully to my liking and speed. Working part time as always and never fails management threatens you to have full availability or you wont work much. They really need to stop threatening employees and accommodate them as many need another job to make a living.
Again another waste of a day a few days ago going to court, to just be sent home with another day scheduled. I am still lost as the accusations were false but I have yet to get a ruling and keep getting the run around by the courts. Amazing how my ex plays games like these with my daughter. I took the time to do some more searching on her lies and again uncovered even more lies. These never end and keep me busy chasing down truths.
Spent Halloween with Natalia, Karnan and Roisin fighting early windy and cold conditions but the spirit was always there. I am however was a little disgusted on what Halloween is slowly turning into. Whatever happened to knocking on doors? Everything now is church parking lots with trunks and "harvest festival" signs. I want Halloween and Christmas back! People don't like it they don't have to celebrate and participate. We are slowly loosing traditions and beliefs with this bull---- these days. We are always trying to accommodate people and be pushed. Let me stop before I go on a patriotic rant.
Managed to waste away the days and not planned a trip to Arizona. I do feel real bad about that with so much time off. That opportunity may not come again for a long time. All these court dates and hearing that always get cancelled.
I will go on another small rant regarding Net Neutrality - This propaganda being pushed by the big ISPs like Time Warner should alone tell you it is not good. False information being passed is amazing and even more outrageous is the politicians pushing it with no idea on how the networks actually work. This will get worse once net neutrality gets passed. Soon the big ISPs will have control and the government pull their strings. Soon lots of content will be "unlawful" and blocked. We can already see that happening now. We have become a sissy nation where speech will be blocked and those with deep pockets gets their agenda pushed. Just look at Facebook blocking patriotic posts and charging for people to push their content. Soon that platform will be useless and hopefully another will form.
