Texas, Camp and Jobs

Camp ended without me completing a post on this site or another. However, I did enjoy the summer that was perhaps the most enjoyable and enlightening time of my life, without disapointment, aside from it ending.

NOW, i'm in the process of finding a job in my new found city: Indianapolis. I have had little luck thus far, although I figured to have a position now at another agency assisting people with disabilities with vocational rehabilation and/or daily living needs.

I applied and am confident but we'll just have to stay posted on what comes of the entire situation and it could be a long road considering the cuts non-profits are making due to the economy. Everyone is taking a hit.

The other day I took a job hint from a friend from high school. We met and out of nowhere he told me that another friend of mine and Younglife leader from high school was running a business that bought used cars through auction all over the country and then paid people to pick them up and drive them back to either Indianapolis or Richmond, IN; the site of the operation.

Therefore, I enquired into the job and mere hours after a call to the president I got my first assignment to a land I had never been to pick up a vehicle I had never driven back to Indianapolis.

So, yesterday at 0330 I awoke and made my way to meet someone else working for the organization also flying out to pick uo a vehicle in Buffalo, NY.

I met said person and picked up my itenerary, company credit card, dealer used license plate and screws to hold said plate and rode along to Indianapolis International.

After arrving I printed off my boarding passes, travelled through security, and made my way to my gate.

In a non-eventful happening of events I boarded flew out and then landed softly in Atlanta International, having enjoyed a cold-cup of coffee; I had to ask twice for and finding what I thought to be my next gate, only to find out. . . .

IT WAS WRONG. . .

. . . and from what I knew Atlanta was a big airport, so i scrambled realized that despite my ticket said 'zone 5' i had no idea what 'zone' i was in except for a panicked one.

I quickly asked someone working at the airport and she said: it's just changed to right there; pointing to the gate next to my scheduled gate departure area. . .

So, it's been over a year since I was at an airport and let me tell you, in just 14 months i've become illiterate to the entire situation in airports. I can't imagine travelling to one, for the first time. now.

After boarding my flight to Atlanta I made my way to my seat. I sat next to a guy that looked smart, was reading a book on applied physics and had glasses; first hint my first observation was correct.

The flight was enjoyable with small belgian crackers and water, this time.

Landing in Houston, i was excited and yet in question mode about what was to come next.

I made my way out of the terminal, called the chairman of the company in Richmond and proceeded to take a taxi, which in turn took more thatn 45 minutes to arrive at my destination and more than $80 dollars.

NONE THE LESS, i found the auto auction, which consisted of a hundred-acre lot full of repo'ed cars, waiting on people to either pick them up or purchase.

I finally found my truck, after finding not 1, or 2 or even 3 people to help me. The 5th person finally called someone, who barely spoke English and who took me to my 2005 Chevy Silverardo that had no one wheel problem but 4.

However, the one tire, FOA or Flat-on-arrival was filled and I was able to make it to my next destination: Hub Cap City.

So, more or less, I left Hub Cap City and used my Garmin nuvi; sometimes my friend, sometimes my greatest enemy, to get to Jack-In-The-Box.

Following a delicious lunch compliments of my employer, I made my way north-eastward.

I stopped in Nacogdoches, TX; proclaimed as the oldest town in Texas. Snapping a few pictures and taking note that no matter how old of a town it is, being west of here, it is still a younger town than say, Richmond, Ind.

That kind of ruins the grandeur of the entire situation but, that is what I do.

Making my way through Texas (6hours with no end in site) I took note of roadside slot machines, long horns and yes Kroger stores. And we thought we were lucky to have such grocery stores.

I ate at an IHOP in Little Rock, AR; never to stop there again. No questions.

I stayed in a hotel in N. Memphis and basically crashed after a full day of driving. It really does take it out of you.

Making my way back, I arrived back in Indianapolis about 16:30 ET and proceeded to clean up diarrhea the dog left for me. Any questions?

Camp Isanogel 2009

I'm working at camp this summer. . .

Go ahead, some of you and laugh, others clap and still more booo. But, despite what anyone thinks it is the most enlightening and rewarding experience of my life.

We are through 2 weeks, of hosting campers, 3 weeks if you count training. This session is a 2-week experience, with a mix of campers staying for one week or the entire session. I have taken note over the last few weeks and added up experiece after experience, hoping to begin this blog anew for those of you interested in the lives of those spending their summers assisting campers with disabilities, the situations we find ourselves in and the campers, themselves.

So, as I'm exhausted, being on duty for more than 80 hours a week, and dealing with things I never thought I would have to, I'll leave the story telling off to tomorrow and hopefully you'll join me for a ride that I hope can last every camper day, for the next few weeks.

Inspiration for the day

I have some inspiration for any of you looking for a material item to boost confidence and babe-appeal.

Introducing the three wolf moon shirt:

Check out these reviews from Amazon on this t-shirt. . .

Here's a sample of one:

This item has wolves on it which makes it intrinsically sweet and worth 5 stars by itself, but once I tried it on, that's when the magic happened. After checking to ensure that the shirt would properly cover my girth, I walked from my trailer to Wal-mart with the shirt on and was immediately approached by women. The women knew from the wolves on my shirt that I, like a wolf, am a mysterious loner who knows how to 'howl at the moon' from time to time (if you catch my drift!).


WOW! I'm getting one!

What I'm Reading 5.13; Jungle Jim's, Pieces of Rome and DEALS!

Yesterday, Andi and I took a trip to Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield, Ohio and bought a bunch of stuff we needed and even more stuff we didn't.

It's a neat place with almost any food item you could ever ask for. Six acres of food under one roof, is a lot and I still see things I've never seen before, every time I go.

This weekend we are going to Mauk, Georgia, again, for Andi's cousin's graduation. I recently got a Garmin and have attempted to put their address in it, and it doesn't recognize where they live - could be the dirt roads.

In other news. . . a women bogged down with grief and regret has returned a piece of Rome after taking it during a vacation to Italy.

A snake is to blame for the Missouri capitol building going dark - and he died.

The pope is trying to make friends.

Another reason for me not to root for Notre Dame and Catholics. GO ILLUMINATI!

A drug dealer, who lead police on a chase in Fort Wayne was stopped - at Taco Bell?!

The Reds continue to play well and are now 19-14, believe it or not.

Restaurant.com is offering 70 percent off their already reduced coupons so $10 gift cards are now $3; with the keyword TASTY, when you check out to get the reduced rate.

Shop World Kitchen has a lot of Pyrex baking and mixing dishes for $1.99.

Sam's Club is offering a 1-day pass for non-members.

Jungle Jim's Run!

We're heading to Jungle Jim's now! So if you want anything call. . .

Chipotle; Richmond: Borat Like Very Much!

I'm big on Mexican food and the spicier the better, for me. But, you already knew that. Chipotle is not spicy, but is good.

Yesterday was not the first time I've been to Chipotle, per say, but it WAS the first time I've been to the Chipotle in Richmond. (I'm going to get tired of typing that awkward word soon.)

Whether you know, or not, the place is built for speed with a Subway-esque ordering system, except with steam tables and hot food in front of you; and good hot food at that.

You have only a few options; which is also good. Options are: Burrito, Fajita Burrito, Burrito bowl, and crispy and soft tacos. You then get options that include Chipotle's famous Cilantro-Lime Rice, the most important ingredient, IMO. Several types of beans, salsa's and meats can be added in different ways, to culminate a delicious and BIG burrito, taco or whatever.

Chipotle also offers beer, something most fast-food restaurants don't.

Now, my rating is high on Chipotle despite the fact that it's a bit pricey for lunch, everyday. But, as I was leaving yesterday I thought about the speed at which the employees are expected to get the food done. And every Chipotle I've been to has gotten my order processed, put together and paid for in under 5 minutes. The price of speed, is what tips it over to something more than fast-food, if the food quality doesn't already do it. It is much better food than Taco Bell.

I graciously urge you to at least try the place and don't be afraid to ask questions whilst there, the food is worth it.

What I'm Reading 5.8; Mill, Dog's and jelly bean robbery!

In honor of the fundamental philosopher John Stuart Mill, who died this day in 1873; this post will be directed at the 'greatest good for the greatest number.'

Whether you know or not - assuming you don't and if you did, your lessons from Philosophy 100 are probably gone - Mill was a philosopher, an economist and a political theorist, born in London in 1806. Although devoloped by Jeremy Bentham, 'utilitarianism' was largely expedited to academia as a theory by Mill.

Mill's works include On Liberty; an argument for the importance of individual freedom, established in a place and time of little freedom from the state. Mill also supported the de-establishment of slavery, the fight for women's rights and free market economics; all things foreign to the establishment of the time.

As an exponent for Utilitarianism - the greatest good for the greatest number - Mill became known as one of the foremost progressives of the time in philosophy, economics and government.

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History lesson over, now on to the important stuff:

I plan on going to the dog park again, today.

My cousin Stacey's wedding is this weekend and I'm the photographer. It should be fun.

Here's a good poem for you, from a good book: Good Poems, by Garrison Keeler (a selection of poems read on the writer's almanac, on NPR)

Animals by Frank O'Hara

Have you forgotten what we were like then

when we were still first rate

and the day came fat with an apple in its mouth

it's no use worrying about Time

but we did have a few tricks up our sleeves

and turned some sharp corners

the whole pasture looked like our meal

we didn't need speedometers

we could manage cocktails out of ice and water

I wouldn't want to be faster

or greener than now if you were with me O you

were the best of all my days

Weird News:

A burglar in Pennsylvania took jellybeans and, well that was it.

A cow escaped the slaughterhouse, wandered through Queens, NY (there's one of these stories a year, methinks) and may get a new lease on life.

Now, I love popcorn and eat as much as possible, when I go to the movies; which is never, but I don't think i could eat this much.

Closed for a while, the statue of liberty's crown is set to be open for July 4.

Australian officials are set to shoot 6,000 kangaroo's, because of over population. One of my wishes in life is for kangaroo's to wander Indiana. Isn't there some way we can spare some of the kangaroo's with the bailout money and ship some to Indiana? Heck, I'll put some money up for them. Forget the banks, I NEED KANGAROOS!

Manny Ramirez, yes that Manny, tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Another one bites the dust.

I rented Last Chance Harvey. It's pretty good and one of the better-more-recent Dustin Hoffman movies.

And, last but not least: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is launching a new intimidating frangrance line. Thank to the Onion, for that one.

Reds Game 5.7

Tonight I will be heading down US 27, then IN 101, then I-74 to the Reds game to watch the much hated Brew Crew in action against the good guys. The only good thing about the Brewers is the sausage race, and that's only in Milwaukee! SO you know what that means. . .

I will do my best to update this tonight as I know it will be a fun night full of Skyline, baseball and (fingers-crossed) no rain.

Follow here for the action, baseball and antics!

Bark in the Park

Assuming people out there know I have a dog - a most gracious dog - and assuming you all know that I've been by her side from week 8 of her life, I want to share with you a 'new' discovery, if you don't know about it already.

I had heard about the 'dog park' at Middlefork Reservoir, but had not been out there to see it for myself. Assuming where the park was supposed to be I had reservations, because i knew little about its construction and establishment. Thanks Pal-Item.

So my reservations led me away from the reservoir, nicknamed the 'dead sea', by my father. What's funny is that(now in my second publishing after safari crashed) that I haven't gone to the reservoir much in my life and it reminds me of the people in Italy I talked to that had never been to the coliseum, never ridden a gondola and never eater canoli's. . .it's kind of like that with me in my own hometown, in regards to the Indiana football hall of fame, as well as other things that escape me right now.

ANYhow, the dog park is sponsored by Hill's pet food and one could miss it, if not paying attention to the west of the reservoir. It is merely a fenced off area with a few barrels, a ladder and fire hydrants, aptly placed for the dogs to place on and over.

The most interesting part of the entire setting is the water fountain near the northern perimeter of the larger section of fencing. Here, you will find a water fountain for owner and ownee, and by pressing a large circular-protruding button, a water dish fills for the dogs to drink; a most handy invention for the summer days ahead, in our beautiful part of the country.

What I'm Reading 5.7

So this adsense thing does work and after spending part of my day reading about how to make money, I think i have it figured out. And I've made $0.04 today!

So the important things include getting you're own domain name, be active and find a niche that will attract traffic from search engines.

Here, here, here and here are some attractive and interesting perspective pages about making money with adsense.

Some people have made more than $4500 per month! And $15 per click!

So far I've: transitioned to the new domain, added my url to google and yahoo. . .and, well, I'll talke about it later. . .

What I'm Reading 5.6

So, whether you know or not, I did not get into the program in Illinois and therefore, the job hunt begins anew.

However - don't be sad for me, as I'm sure something will turn up that will fit my interests - and hopefully my wallet - soon.

Today i'm looking at a number of trends and wondering about many more things that are going on in the world and in other worlds.

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Before I forget, anyone notice something different? Well, if not, take a look at the url bar and notice that I have forwarded you to my own domain! mwaa haha! You are at my mercy now! Not really but I did buy a domain and have now fowarded my blogger page to www.nathansheetsnow.com.

And I'm sure you're wondering why now? and. . . why now? Now, because nathansheets.com was taken and I didn't want to mess with the other .net's, .eau's and others of the world.

And NOW, more specifically because a much more crafty individual, than myself, has earned new $100 already with his new domain. . . .so it goes.

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The first successful face transplant victim, err patient has emerged and looking better than ever. (see top pic)

My fave cartoon episode:



Watch ATHF-Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary in Comedy | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com


Today is national nurses day. SO, go hug one.

I finished Dan Brown's Angels and Demons the other day and it was intense. I'm sure the book will be just like the movie, coming out in a theatre near you 15 May.

A smuggler was caught in LAX trying to bring in songbirds from Vietnam. Apparently the birds bring close to $400 a piece in the U.S. of A.

Sony Dong, 46 can be seen here with the birds attached to his legs.

Another virgin mary sighting - and I can't make this up - two Mexican wrestlers, in full regalia, saw the holy mother on a griddle at Las Palmas restaurant in Calexico, Calif. Again a picture warrants the story.

I can't do anything else today after those two.

Cha Cha, for now

Anyone heard of chacha.com?

It's a neat site, check it out if you ever have a trivial question about anything.

More later. . .

What I'm Reading 4.23: Nature and Police Sketches

"If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen." - Henry David Thoreau

Despite the feelings of those around me, and society in general, this quote, from my favorite of all essayists/writers, describes my feeling on how to spend days - and how I spent much of yesterday.

I haven't been blessed, or cursed, to have a regular job yet, but I've 'seized' the opportunity to venture in my sabbatical, of sorts. Yesterday, was the capstone to what I've tried to do all semester, in my venture of unwinding prior to the life-long of winding, which i estimate will begin soon.

I had a busy day of picking up trash for Earth day, and walking in the woods, and isn't it funny as I found it to be a busy day, everyone else said I was being 'loafing'.

But, despite their lack of understanding to the world around them, I had a very 'constructive' day, as I picked up not one but 2 heaping garbage bags of trash along Waterfall Rd., walked with the dog - capturing images of spring's splendor along the way, and walked through the woods to see 'things unseen, which are eternal' (Keller).

And now for my thought of the day, which you can love or leave, depending on your outlook on all things regarded and unregarded.

Think, please, that a man's vices may be his virtue, prior dismissing the way he spends his days as fault. Remember that what's important to you, in most cases is not important to him, and even life, that which we all share, takes on a different meaning for him, than you.

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The news takes on a terrifying turn everyday because we can never predict what's next. (a bit rhetorical but it's the truth)

Like take this: South Carolina wildfires, near Myrtle Beach have destroyed several homes and made many people evacuate. No injuries have been attributed to the fires, as of yet.

It seems as common as nightfall, but two suicide bombers in Iraq this morning have killed at least 45.

NPR has a song of the day, every weekday and they're all usually pretty good. Check it out.

Apparently a pregnant women in Fayetteville, N.C., about to rob a bank, was stopped not by cops, but by answering her cell phone. And, another robbery, this time at a dry cleaner, was foiled. The culprit this time: a ninja.

More evidence has been discovered in the Craigslist murder. Apparently Phillips Markoff, kept panties of the victim(s).

Officials in Webster, Mass. have agreed to a common spelling of a lake with a 45-letter name. Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, more commnly called Lake Webster, by locals, has had several variations in spelling. One amusing paragraph from the story from MSNBC:

But after researching historical spelling combinations, the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester said local Chamber of Commerce officials agreed that some signs were wrong. There was an "o" at letter 20 where a "u" should have been, and an "h" at letter 38 where an "n" should go.

And lastly in 'weird news' a Hamilton, Ohio teacher has resigned after she accompanied female students to a male strip club.

More importantly my Strat-O-Matic team has moved over .500!

Some deals:
- Sears has some Dearfoam slippers for $3.50 per pair.
-The Nike Store has a 20 percent off coupon code: TRAINHARD, for clearance items and NIKESNEAKER, for orders more than $100.
- Amazon has some Birki's and Birkenstock sandals starting at $20.

And last but not least, looking into story ideas for all you potential journalists out there (we all are). Look into the effectiveness of police sketches in your local area. The Times-Picayune in New Orleans looked into it; you should too!

Morning Stroll 4.22

More Morel Mischief

Upon waking I began thinking about what 'we' could do with the mushrooms.

One idea is selling them on ebay, where auctions are set for 24 hours with overnight shipping. Here are some completed sales.

Another option is French cuisine. Anyone up for thyme-roasted chicken-breast with morel-madeira or forest fettucine with morels and a breast of pheasent?

Here is a discussion board about morels being found in Indiana. The Web site, Morels.com has some interesting insight into finding the little things. Everyone on the site seems to be set on looking in orchards; just an idea. . .

What I'm Reading: Morel Mushroom Madness edition

When I think back about Versailles, I think more of Kings of France than Mid-western fungus.

But, despite what I associate with Versailles, Versailles State Park yielded some beautiful spongy miracles for friends and family, today.

Awaking at 5:30 a.m., the thought of getting up was overshadowed by the potential trophies that beckoned from a mere 2 hours away. Jim and Marthalea Hill, my parents and I made their annual trip to southern Indiana to find the Morels that are a staple of early springtime, for us.

Versailles has been a destination for the Hill's for years and with my parents, the group has made the trip annually. I have gone a few times, but usually had school or work.

The day was lousy, for all climatic reasons, and the rain turned to sleet part of the time and finished in a downpour. But, that didn't stop us from having one of the best yields in recent memory.

We began the day deep in the state park. I soon found the first one a black sponge, resembling the one here. And I was off.

The rest of the day I found mushroom after mushroom. With only a few intermissions of no suceess, We all consistently were finding them.

Prior to lunch, I was about to give in for a lack of success (my actions can be described by anyone who has ever fished with me). But, my dad began finding small snake-heads, pepper-tops, or whatever you call them. I soon began finding them lining a log and as two became five, five became 10 and 10 grew to more than 50 in one patch. My white Save-A-Lot bag was more full than I'd ever seen it. And after we finally gave in, in 'the patch' I totalled 106 between my dad and I, in about 20 minutes.

After lunch we didn't have quite the success, but capped off the afternoon with a few black sponges and some sleet.

After leaving a banana peel on the trail, in comic hilarity (to myself), we ran for the car, dodging the flying ice, and made our way to the Osgood Grub Co. prior to heading home to showcase our little wonders.

Mom's 50th Slideshow

What I'm Reading: 420 edition (ridiculous)

(Before reading I have to state I don't condone the use or distribution of material involving or showing marijuana, I am merely finding humour in the day)

April 20, or 4-20 has come to fame or rather, infamy in the past few years as the day that pot-smokers celebrate their avocation. The true story about the day can be read here.

Method Man said he forgot to pay taxes because he was busy smoking.

No legal ganja anytime soon though.

Some famous friends of Mary-Jane:

What I'm Reading 4.19

It seems that eventually spring has to, well, spring. And yet, in light of yesterday's beautiful weather, we end up with what we have today. And it's going to like 'this', until wednesday, at least.

Other than 'what' people talk about when there is nothing else to talk about, there is a lot going on.

Pictures of the new O'maley addition can be seen here at my photostream on flickr. And for future reference, any choice photos i take will be posted at http://flickr.com/photos/nathansheets.

The Onion has a 'first 100 days' post that updates everyday with happenings in the Obama administration. Today's post:

DAY 88: White House senior adviser David Axelrod has to rush home to Chicago when he suddenly realizes he left his car in a two-hour parking zone in January.

And for you other onion readers; the link to our dumb world news.

If you didn't know newsvine and msnbc have teamed up to produce 'The Elkhart Project' focusing on the declinging economy through the eyes of Elkhart, Ind. Elkhart was once a community with large RV production, which has gone by the wayside since the downturn.

An interesting look at America's most endangered rivers.

And more downer news, as malls are reporting a 10-year high in store vacancy.

Did you see, and if you saw, like what you saw, in regards to the iconic Obama painting? You know this one:

Well you can now make a print of yourself just like it, here.

And if you haven't, you know you want to join Twitter. Come on, everybody is doin' it.

A sweet deal on a sweet deal site.

Looking for something good to make tonight? How about Pad Thai. MMMmmm.

Some really choice photos through the MSNBC photoblog.

What I'm Reading; New Baby Edition

I don't have access to upload the photo's I've taken yet, but by the time I get home, or, if I find a USB cord, I'll have them up.

Getting back to the lead; we spent more than 18 hours at St. Vincent's women's hospital. However, the good news is both Amiee and the new baby; Cameryn Paige are fine and doing well.

Throughout the day we spent most of the time sitting, reading, talking and getting updates via text by Chris O. At 10:45 Susie O'maley, Chris's mother got a picture-message with a short message: 'we have a baby!'

And, nearly 45 minutes later a glowing Chris came out of the labor-triage area to dispel rumors of a baby boy; confirming of my intelligence that the baby was indeed, a girl.

Today we are heading back to the hospital to check out the baby and see how things are progressing. I will send more updates when they come to me.

And in other baby news; this guy didn't know his wife was pregnant, but now he has a new baby!

In other news has anyone seen Susan Boyle? Or how about song that has made her a sensation on Britain's Got Talent?

Or how about this?:



In other weird news: this driving instructor was drunk during an instruction. In Peorian, Ill. a 13-year-old boy is the key suspect in a bank robbery. And, last but not least, a women in L.A. staged fake funerals for money.