Friday, January 27, 2006

So yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Challenger disaster. There's a pretty cool article on MSNBC, 7 Myths about the Challenger shuttle disaster.

When the Challenger exploded I had just started my first job post-college, working for the Navy. One of the people in the building had a radio on and heard the news and so we all heard. It was very sad. It's still sad. For a long time I had a picture of the Challenger crew (I think I sold it or gave it away at the yard sale) -- their faces so full of hope and promise. Rest in peace, Challenger!

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

New Home, New Job


I'm alive :-). After a hectic (but well-attended!) Load-the-Truck party on Sunday 1/15, we got the house all cleaned up and ready to go on Monday 1/16. Tuesday morning we hit the road in the 24' truck towing a car carrier with Marie's truck on it and Marie drove my car. We drove up to Chandler and had lunch with my Dad and stepmom and brother, then continued our journey to Las Vegas. After a slight misstep taking the Hoover Dam bypass we arrived in Vegas around 8 p.m. We dropped off Marie's truck and put my car on the carrier.

Wednesday morning we left Vegas and spent a very looooong day on the road, taking I-15 down to the 58 highway, then taking 223 over to I-5 and up I-5 all the way to just north of Sacramento. The drive on 58 was bizarre, a bit -- I'd never been that way. There's a whole lot of nothing up there and it's a little eerie. 223 is a little 2-lane road that takes you over the mountain and down into the central valley of California. It was a neat little drive. I-5 is... I-5. Long. Straight. Dull, but efficient.

Thursday we drove up to Portland (Beaverton, actually) on I-5 the whole day. It was a long drive through the mountains. Driving the truck was an adventure -- on some of the steep mountain grades we were laboring up the hills at 30 mph. Yech. Later it was driving in the dark and the rain with nasty glare from oncoming vehicles, and lots of hills. We got in around 9 or so and found a place to stay.

Friday we got up and went to look at apartments. I had seen a condo on craigslist that looked good, and after meeting with the landlady and seeing it I knew it was just right. It's 3 br, 1.5 bath, about 1000 sq. ft, and it comes with a washer/dryer and a 1-car garage. Perfect! And the price is right. The landlady (Josephine) is a really nice lady too, and let me move in the same day in spite of my out-of-state checks.

Over the weekend we got all the stuff out of the truck (many thanks to Marie's friends, especially Rob!) and either into the house or the garage (we put a lot of boxes in the garage for now).

Monday was my first day at my new job. It's been a lot to learn but I'm really loving it so far at least. The people are really super. After work I come home and unpack and go shopping. The weather over the weekend was cool and rainy but the sun came out Monday afternoon and yesterday was just beautiful. So far things are going great!

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Almost Out The Door


I'm in the final stages of the move. Been busy throwing out and packing up ... or is it packing out and throwing up? :-)

Marie's mom came out yesterday to help us pack -- what a Godsend! Today I had lunch with a bunch of former co-workers from NewMonics, Artisoft and STC. It was really great to see them. Tonight is a party with a bunch of friends, and then happy hour tomorrow with my newly ex-coworkers and friends. Saturday is dinner with my brother and sister, family friend Chris, Marie and her Mom. Sunday I pick up the truck in the a.m., then we have our load-the-truck party at 1 p.m. Monday the maid service comes to help clean, and we do our move-out inspection. Tuesday morning we hop in the truck and leave!

My home Internet access is going away tomorrow and tomorrow is my last day at work, so I probably won't be updating here for a couple of weeks or so. If you need me call my cell.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

David Morrison has a pointer to a quiz on the Church's teaching on Same Sex Attraction (SSA). Take the quiz! Not to be boastful, but I got 100%.

Thanks to Mark Shea for the link!

Monday, January 09, 2006

CTAC


Tonight was my last meeting of the Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC). I've been chair since Jan. 2005. Tonight's meeting was a tour of the Sun Tran facility. Some fascinating facts... Sun Tran has 189 buses; 92% of Sun Tran buses are alternate-fueled (CNG or biodiesel); 59% of Sun Tran operating funds come from the City's general fund. Farebox revenues only cover %19 of costs. And, best of all, Sun Tran was voted "America's Best" public transit system in 2005 by the APTA!

I was really impressed by the tour, and by what Sun Tran has been able to accomplish. They are really doing a lot (ridership continues to increase with no increase in service) with a little.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Yard Sale


Yesterday I held my first-ever yard sale. Marie and I worked like dogs to get everything ready (Marie worked SO hard, I can't describe). It was a big success as we managed to get rid of all sorts of stuff, including all the "big" items I was concerned about. There's still a fair amount of stuff left so we've put a "free" sign out -- but it doesn't look like any of it has gone :-(. We'll have to figure out how to get the stuff to Goodwill etc. this afternoon or tomorrow.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Tonight was my last time teaching RCIA. I discussed the sacraments in general, and then went on to discuss baptism and confirmation. I think it was a good class, but it was a little hard knowing I won't get to be with this class when they join the Church. I'll miss that, but I know they are in good hands.

Before class I was invited to dinner at the rectory, and had a chance to say goodbye to a number of priests that I've worked with -- Fr. Pat, Fr. Al, Fr. Van, and of course our pastor Fr. John. I was struck as always by the generous spirit these men have, and also pleased at the camaraderie they share. Good friends are especially important for diocesan priests, I think. I will miss them all a lot, but Tucson is lucky to have them.

We also had a brief RCIA team meeting to discuss who will do what in my absence. The team was very profuse in their praise and gratitude to me, and said some very kind words. I will miss them a lot too -- they are a great bunch.

I've been teaching RCIA for over 10 years now. I think I'll be grateful for the rest, but I sure will miss it too. It's been a wonderful, wonderful experience.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Happy New Year! Happy Feast of Mary, Mother of God!


Hope you all have a wonderful 2006, and a wonderful feast day of Our Lady.

I've made some resolutions for this year:
  • Get off to a great start in my new job
  • Be a good boyfriend to Marie
  • Work on cutting my debt down significantly
  • Get my Sk8rBase program to a 1.0 state
  • And a host of skating-based resolutions on my skating blog