In my short experience at CCAC I have encountered multiple major management short comings. One example that comes to mind is the improper management of the CCAC Bowling team and how the coaching staff/student life supervisor conducted themselves.

The coach of the Bowling team, I won't mention his name but if you do a simple search at the school you will find the two individuals I am speaking about. There was a weekend trip for the entire bowling team to Michigan. On this trip there were no guidelines handed out, rule book given or verbal briefing conducted.

One night, the coach of the team decided to head out and visit a local gambling establishment where he openly admits to gambling and leaving the CCAC vehicle under the care of the students. 

Long story short, there were improper sleeping arrangements for the entire team, 5 males in a 2 bed hotel room and 1 female in a 2 bed hotel room and 1 coach in a 1 bed hotel room. Making a judgment call, we the team decided to allow one of the males to sleep in the 2nd bed in the female room  with her blessing. Additionally, the coach allowed one team member to rent a spare rolling bed from the front desk using his own funds and roll the extra mattress into the coaches hotel room.

The coach of the team made many far fetched accusations of relations between the individual who was placed in the females room, when no such relation happened. When the coach made the threat of informing someone of higher power, the team called the bluff and informed the coaches boss and sent a written and signed letter to the Dean. 

Additionally, the bowling coach is suffering from advanced Parkinson disease, swerving all over the roadway and often leaving the roadway. This is dangerous to other drivers and endangering the lives of the team who is forced to ride with the coach. The team as a whole approached the coaches boss to say we feel unsafe riding with him and that we would like another driver. They declined and we as a team decided to quit unless they provided a safe mode of transpiration. The CCAC coaching staff failed to accommodate this rather reasonable request for the safety of everyone involved and the general public.

Instead of the coaches boss conducting any administrative actions on the coach, he decided to take a trip with the bowling coach and the 1 remaining team member to New York to go to a tournament. 

It is a very sad situation that was never fixed and swept under the rug. I could go on forever about this, if you would like to be informed further please contact the Student Life Coach at CCAC and/or the Dean of Student Affairs at CCAC.

Word Count: 474

Character Count: 2629

Water in Space

I have always been memorized by space and everything involving it. I found this video and thought it was really wild. 

I often feel upset at the fact that I will "more than likely" never have the opportunity to venture into space. I hope that one day commercial space travel is more affordable and realistic for everyone. to enjoy. I can't even imagine what is out there beyond our reach, I can't imagine what craziness is within our own solar system. The immense size of the universe is rather over whelming yet exciting. 

Those who eventually set foot on a distant work or moon other than our own will be some of the luckiest people in history. To have a close look at:

Titan

Venus

Jupiter

And Beyond!

The opportunities that await us are endless! Finding and locating other complex life forms, being the ultimate goal, trading science, foods, cultures and potentially growing further and faster than one could ever imagine. Or being wiped out completely.... 

Words: 166

Character Count: 972

-PAAS- America's Favorite Easter Tradition

I was scrounging through my cabinets when I came across an old package of Easter Egg Dye Kit. Being that I've never read the instructions on this or remember the last time I actually involved myself in a religiously based holiday tradition, I figured it would due just fine.

TIE DYE DIRESTIONS:

1. Start with clean, cool, hard boiled eggs.
- I guess they assume you know how to properly boil an egg.

2. Place 1 tablet into a PAAS Color Cup or a 1 cup container.
a. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to container.
b. Once the tablet has dissolved, gently stir mixture.
- Step 2 seemed a bit lengthy, although easy to follow, you really should write your instructions for the dumbest person you could imagine. In todays world, thats plenty of people.

3. Proceed with Tie Dye method.

TIE DYE METHOD:

1. Using the plastic dropper, squeeze the end and place into the dye cdolor of your choice.
- Simple

2. Fill the plastic dropper up with dye.
- I hope they don't need to hold your hand on this one. Squeeze the plunger and fill the tube properly.

3. Take an egg, and slowly release the dye onto the egg using circular or back and forth motions.
- Lack of artistic ability here could be where you fail.

4. Using a piece of fabric, gently blot the dye on the egg so the dye does not run.
- If they had listed this earlier, you wouldn't be in a panic rushing around looking for a piece of fabric you are willing to part with as the dye runs.

5. Squeeze the remaining dye back into the corresponding container so that there is no dye left in the plastic dropper.
- Easy

6. Proceed using steps 1 - 5 with a different color dye to create a Tie Dye effect!

The instructions for this product are about as easy as they come. If you fail at any single one of these steps, you should really evaluate yourself as a person. I'd be shocked if you didn't burn your entire home down attempting to boil eggs.

Word Count - 359
Character Count - 1894

Why do people sag their pants, are they under some illusion that it's fashionable?

I have always been curious why young adults, especially those who do not strictly adhere to the law "a.k.a. Gangsters'" sag their pants?

I didn't have to do much searching for the answer since I was a law enforcement officer for over a decade and a corrections officer for a few years, but I thought I'd share it with everyone.

The offensive gesture of sagging ones pants is basically wearing your sexuality on your sleeve. Now I honestly don't care what your sexual preference is, but please don't parade yourself around in such a fashion that is offensive to the general public.

If you and 15 of your friends sag your pants daily, you already know that they, just like yourself, are willing and able to be with each other. Since you know each other, and know that you are on the same page, pull your pants up until you are prepared to take on another partner.

(I know that this isn't the reason people actually do this, but people need to understand where it comes from and what it "actually" means.) I'm sorry to say that sagging your pants does not make you a gangster, it is not fashionable and hell, if you "if you're that type" had to run from the Police, you're not going to get very far. I'm just saying, those who typically sag their pants tend to follow the law rather loosely. 

In summary: 
- It is not fashionable
- It is not cool
- It does not make you look "hard" / however it make make others feel "hard" for you
- If you cannot afford a belt, go sell some more drugs "which I don't agree support, read below" and go buy a cheap belt from GOODWILL.
- Grow up, or go to prison and fulfill your prison wife role in there.

For your enjoyment, I located this photo to show what could possibly be the future trend of "Gangster pants sag".



Word Count: 330
Character Count: 1760

A junkie is someone who uses their body to tell society that something is wrong. "Stella Adler"

The quote above from Stella Adler rings true throughout the world. Sadly, Americans today are either to hyped up telling each other that their political views, sexual preference, lifestyle, diet, or how the Governments laws that have been set in place to protect them against illegal substances are wrong and need to be changed.

What I'd like to put in my paper is how deeply drugs have effected society over the past couple decades or so. The dumbing down of society started years and years ago, and just now the war against the government to legalize illicit drugs started to gain real traction. 

The amount of harm done to the world is immeasurable by any standard. According to U.S. Government polls and the law makers on Capitol Hill, most of the sensible public is against the legalization of marijuana. Now, I don't often agree with what comes out of D.C. but this one is actually sensible for once.

I would like to show how the the potential financial damages, increased hospitalizations, increased addictions and prison population would dramatically increase if the drug were legalized. I would like to cite how many alcoholics there are and the amount drunk driving accidents. I would continue on to cite the amount of society addicted to tobacco, the number of deaths related to tobacco and the financial costs that come with it. 

I honestly couldn't care about most things, but when it is wide spread and it could potentially adversely effect my life, it then becomes a very real problem for me. I fully intent to move out of the U.S. once I attain my degree and work my way into an overseas government job. I feel saddened in the direction our country is headed and the failing war on drugs is spearheading the collapse of society. I can foresee me keeping my word count down in this paper.

Word Count: 318
Character Count: 1807

Cancer

The risk of developing lung cancer is as much as twenty times greater from a marijuana joint than a tobacco cigarette.

It's funny to watch society tear itself apart over such a stupid subject. WE WANT DRUGS! Grow up, really. 

Yes it is a proven fact that marijuana contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke, which means that is has a higher potential to cause cancer.

An interesting fact that the potheads like to leave out when they argue back that pot doesn't cause cancer is that the  smoke from weed actually kills the lung cells faster than it would take for cancer to start. Is that a bad thing? You tell me. I say yes.

The fact that it kills the cell before it can become cancerous doesn't calm me at all!. They also claim that it can cure cancer, I guess that makes sense, but if you look at it that way then when a fire breaks out in a apartment, instead of fighting the fire, why don't they just light a fire at the other end of the building and just walk away.

I support the fact that marijuana is on the class 1 drug list. I don't believe that it is inherently bad but people are inherently dumb and the pot just emphasizes it ten fold. I wouldn't mind if people did it in their home, stayed in their home until the effects wear off and took a cleansing shower to remove the stink of the drug from their person which is greatly offensive to most other people.

In all honesty this movement to legalize weed is futile. If the stoners' do succeed in getting it legalized, the crimes will go up, the prices will go up, the jail population will go up. It just seems like a lose-lose-lose situation here.

I need to move out of this country as fast as possible. We are catering to the weak minded, the morally soft and the bottom 10%. The problem is most of the world is falling apart, but the U.S. seems to be leading the charge.


Word Count: 355
Character Count: 1876

Whats good for the group...

In all honesty I don't enjoy group projects in the least. I have always been somewhat against group projects for some reason or another. I feel that I would rather fall on my own than be held up by others. In group projects this is almost opposite. I would rather excel on my own rather than be dragged down by the group.

I cannot comment on my current group as of yet, but i'm sure I will form an opinion shortly. Group projects tend to bring the lazy out of most people in the group, it seems as if most people, if given the chance will sit back and watch the work be done and allow the entire project run its course without any input from them if they could get away with it.

I have always been the type to put as much as I could into group projects; research, polls, my own drafts of my part of the project and even a complete project for the group to pick apart. With all that being said, I think group projects are a necessary evil in most settings for the simple fact that it roots out the weak and either breaks the hacks or pushes them into excellence.  

I believe that if it were a team versus team project then the entire team would put their best foot forward, if the reward was high enough. A points system for the team with the highest score over a pre-set score would be given bonus points, plus you could also make it more competitive saying that the team with the highest score will get bonus points equal to the amount of points they scored higher than the next lower team score.

Just my thoughts...

Word Count: 292
Character Count: 1521

Staff Management: 9 Proven Methods To Ensure Staff Meet Your Expectations

First off I have to say that this is not my own, I am currently doing a business project and found this gentlemans blog to be very helpful.

Introduction

Staff management is sometimes a burden. Some staff repeatedly fail to do what you want them to. They make simple errors that drive you nuts. They seem to lack “common sense”. These are serious issues. Maybe you’re part of the problem. Try these simple but effective techniques.

1 Tell Them Exactly What You Expect

I’ll never cease to be surprised at managers who don’t take the time to tell staff exactly what they want. Sit down with your staff, tell them exactly what you expect, then get them to confirm their understanding: get them to tell you. You tell them. They tell you back. If you find yourself saying “But they already know that”, they probably don’t.

2 Distinguish Between Performance and Behavior

“Behavior is what you take with you. Performance is what you leave behind”. Emphasise the performance you want rather than the behavior Explain that behavior is only important where it affects performance. Ensure your staff know the difference.

3 Be Specific

Avoid fuzziness. “Neat and tidy” is too general unless you say exactly what you mean by it. “Following routine maintenance procedures” is a statement of hope not expectation. Add “so that … ” Then specify exactly what you want.

4 Make Expectations Measurable

If you can’t measure it, you shouldn’t expect it. “Maintain good customer relations” is bland and almost useless. You must specify how you’ll measure “good customer relations”. Your staff should be able to measure too so they’ll always “know how they’re going”. If you expect salespeople to convert 2 out of each 5 cold calls, say so. Then provide the resources to make it happen.

5 Support … Support… Support

Put in place systems that support your expectations. If you expect 24 hour turnaround on repairs, make sure your systems actually create that turnaround time. If telephones must be answered a certain way, provide a script for your people to use.

6 Remove Obstructions

This can be a real problem. Obstructions can be physical such as poor equipment, mental or emotional such as lack of self esteem or peer pressure, or procedural: cumbersome rules that hinder performance. As long as obstructions or impediments exist, you won’t get what you want.

7. Release Control To Them

Give successful employees and teams the opportunity to control their work and rewards. Structure a way for them to recommend and apply system improvements. Allow them some latitude in working hours when they reach certain predetermined standards.

8. Ask … Ask … Ask

Your employees’ experience is a huge asset for you. Develop the habit of mining that experience. Be an “asker” more than a “teller”. Use questions frequently. Ask “What do you think we should do?” “How can we improve this system?” “What’s the best solution to this problem?” “How can we avoid this happening again?” Remember the old adage: “When we talk we repeat what we already know. When we listen we learn something new.”

9. Praise … Praise … Praise

When they meet your standards tell them: over and over again. When they do better, find some extra reward. Praise and reward publicly and sincerely where possible all the time.

Conclusion

This is all simple stuff, not rocket science. But you, the manager, have to make it happen. And you have to persist so that it becomes normal in your business. Until you do, you won’t get what you expect. When you do, you won’t believe there’s any other way.

Peer Pressure...

It is my gut response to say that I fully believe that in life the peer review process is greatly flawed. As I see it, the process can be swayed for you or against you depending on who your peers are and their personal feelings about you.

In a perfect world where people didn't have malevolent agendas, the peer review process would be wonderful, however if within your peer group there is someone who doesn't exactly like you then the process becomes flawed.

In the peer review process, if your peers are a bunch of uneducated mouth breathers, then the feedback you receive will not be helpful in anyway and could possibly hinder your progress if you happen to take it and use it. On the flip side of things, if your peers are echelons above you, the feedback you get from them will be to intense for you to make your own properly.

As is stands now, I have no problem with the peer review process if the group is diverse enough to make it fair to all involved, then I'm game. I personally would rather the professor or whomever is actually going to grade me be the one that gives me feedback on my writing.
If you take a look at our current judicial system and how well (that was obviously sarcastic) the peer review process works for some of our lesser citizens, then it may put it into perspective. When people get convicted and sentenced for crimes that they actually did not commit just because a group your so called peers become convinced that you did it. I know that if I were to ever be on the defendant side of things in a court room I wouldn't be comfortable with the caliber of people that this country is churning out judging me.

Words: 306
Characters: 1652

FOR SALE

 FOR SALE

Being that this is our free week to blog, I figured I would take this opportunity to promote my "out of garage" business.

For those of you who did not know this, I create items of a rather high quality out of my basement. As you can see from the photos attaches, I can create bowling pin lamps or pretty much turn anything you'd like into a lamp for a fee.

 I have approximately 100 bowling pins at my disposal at any given time for your to choose from or you can bring your own specialty pin in. I can also provide the bases and wiring or you may give them to me if you have them sitting around.

 I also have an eye for building bird houses out of quality lumber. Typically I use recycled barn siding or fencing, however I could use the lumber or item of your choice if you were to place an order from me.

You can specify the dimensions, hole size, how the lid attaches, whether or not you want a perch or even a porch for your birds to sit on. I can also build separate shelves inside for co-habitation. 

Color choices are also plentiful  you can provide your own stain or chose one from LOWES that I can purchase.

I only use LOWES because of their Military discount.

Finally, I can up-cycle older furniture from your home or thrift shop into rather trendy, fashionable and functional piece of furniture for your home, apartment or dorm.

I apologize for not having better photo of the table(s) they are currently upstairs in my living room. They were purchased from Goodwill for $15 and after a few days of hard work and about $50 in tile, grout and trim board they were ready for use or for sale. I ended up liking these so much I decided to keep them for myself.

I also have a 4 drawer dresser from the 60's in one of my spare bedrooms that was refinished and looks excellent.

My prices are very flexible and i'm even willing to work on a payment plan. If you are really on a tight budget I will allow you to use my shop and put some of your own elbow grease into it to cut costs.  

Word Count: 386
Character Count: 2015

Years long gone...

I racked my brain for hours trying to think of a story that my family tells often, when it finally struck me, we don't speak of years past and their tales. I can't say that I am upset by this fact, most of us have lives, work, school, basically more important things to do than to sit around spinning yarns of years long gone. The practice of just sitting and talking with family often, i'm sad to say, has all but gone the way of the Dodo. As our lives become faster paced and more jammed for time our down or slow time to spend with each other dwindles more each passing day. This being said I have a story from my childhood that I feel is worth recapping.

I believe I was about 15 years old, it was summertime, my entire family was out in the yard doing lawn work. I was asked to back up the family car, which was a white Ford Taurus, just a few feet so the grass could be mowed around the edge of the driveway. I entered the vehicle, started the car hearing the pathetic hum of the V-6 engine, placed the vehicle in reverse and proceeded to lightly press the gas. I haven't ever figured out what happened next but the vehicle went to full throttle in reverse, I narrowly missed my mother luckily because if I hadn't I would have struck and probably killed her. In a flash I was plowed into the large pine tree which stood obnoxiously close to the driveway, wheels still spinning and my father screaming at me to shut the car off.

Now for a funny twist, my younger brother James who must have only been 12 at the time was using the riding lawn mower when he heard the commotion. He stopped the mower and jumped off to come investigate what was going on. Apparently he forgot to engage the parking brake and the mower rolled quickly through the yard, down the hill and coming to rest in the middle of the highway that runs near the family home! No one was injured in the entire scenario and "years later" we all laughed it off.

Word Count: 370
Character Count: 1932

Happy Ending?

If you click this photo is will link you to the actual news story.

Tuesday, 5 FEB 2013

Police (FBI & Immigration) raided a massage parolor in Bridgeville, PA for allegedly running a prostitution ring out of the parlor. 

3 Korean-American women were arrested at the "88 Spa" and had their massage tables along with other equipment confiscated.

First of all let me start off by saying that I personally believe that prostituion should be legal. Who are we go govern what people do with their bodies? I personally would never use their services but why is it so wrong? Strippers sell their bodies in a different way yet they are not criminals, let these women do what they do. I have nothing against the busy "single" business man stopping in for a quick run and tug before heading to the office meeting. Hell, if anythign it may curb workplace violence a little. 

If they charge these women with anything other than being here in America illegally they are doing the public a huge injustice. We are punishing people for the dumbest stuff and letting child molestors run free after just a few months in prision. 

In closing, I think that "WE" as a society are focusing on the wrong crimes at the wrong times and punishing those who really do not deserve getting slammed as bad as they do sometimes.

They haven't released any further details as of 2110hrs on Tuesday, 5 FEB 2012.

Words: 244        Character Count: 1382

Leave Request

THE COMPANY NAME
THE
ADDRESS
THE DEPARTMENT

Mr. Fake Boss Name,

I am writing to request off the week of July 10, 2013 to July 16, 2013. I would greatly appreciate you granting my request.

During this time off I will be in the local area and available on my cell phone.

I have discussed my abscence with my peers / subordinates and I have ensured that my work load will be picked up and handled properly. This request will also not interfere with anyones pre-requested leave dates.

Thank you for your timely and appropriate response on this matter.

Jon Wolfe
Drug Supresstion Team
Supervisory Officer

- To my knowledge I do not have to inform the company of the reason I am requesting time off. I don't think that they are even allowed to ask why I am requesting the time off. That being said, if I were in dire need of time off for whatever reason, wether it be a family emergency, an emotional breakdown "alot of people in todays society are having these nowadays", or a handful of other reasons I would be sure to include the reason and drive home the reason why I absolutly need the time off.

Words: 202
Character Count: 1103

The Chronic...

The Late Policy: They are a lot like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink... I really don't feel that way, just figured it would grab some of your attention.

That being said I feel as if having a "Late Policy" in place is a very important part of any class. There will always be the few that push the limits of every single assignment. Having a firm policy in place will slowly weed those who cannot perform properly out of the class. In class, just as in society there will be the failures ex: the druggies, the lazy, the ill prepared. These are just a few examples of the types of people/students that will always push the limits of the law/policies. If you stand by your principals and hold everyone to the same standard the strong will prevail while the weak and otherwise unacceptable will fall by the wayside.

A strong standing late policy that is also backed by the supervisor and the organization shall not fail nor be subverted in any fashion, whether it be by the students or the staff. If this policy becomes compromised, the door for everyone else to follow suit has been opened. Once this Pandora's Box has been opened, it will be very difficult if not possible to shut.

Word Count: 219

The Runs......

The "Run on Sentence", dreaded is the name. I have been accused of exposing those who are unlucky enough to stumble across my blog to these beasts. I don't feel as if I am the worst offender, but I certainly do not deny it. If any of you readers are still out there from the early days of my blogging you surely know what i'm talking about. Mediocre writing by a mediocre English student. In an attempt to increase my command of the written word I have enrolled myself into a Community College of Allegheny Campus English class. I promise to the family, friends and miscellaneous readers that, I will do better for your sake. 

I have some feelings about the "Run On" and how it can be over exaggerated in its severity. Does it really hurt to ramble on in blog form? No. What about in verbal communication? I answer this with, No as well. When you speak to someone face to face, it is often difficult to tell when a sentence comes to an end or is it just a pause. This holds true for almost everyone I speak with, southerner, northener all have different dialects and speeds of the spoken word. If we are ever speaking and I "rudly interrupt you" it isn't out of spite or even meant to be rude, it is simply because you were pausing for to long or just rambling.

My feelings really don't go deeper than this, however I feel as if you know where I stand on the matter.

259 Words - 1368 Characters

My Homework

In Memory of Leo Wolfe, Sr.

Biography

July 13, 1932 - June 28, 2010



Leo Wolfe Sr., 77 of Jefferson, died Monday, June 28, 2010 in Southwest Regional Medical Center.


He was born July 13, 1932 in Crucible, a son of the late Herman and Emma Sablotney Wolff.


Mr. Wolfe served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.


He was a former guard at the Greene County Prison, and at one time worked as a coal miner at Crucible, and Vesta 5 mines.


Mr. Wolfe was a constable for over thirty years and was a Civil Defense Director, both in Jefferson. He was a former member of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company and was a baseball coach for the Little League and Sr. League teams.


On June 26, 1959 he married Linda S. Huffman, who survives.


Also surviving are three sons, Leo Wolfe Jr. of Jefferson, Jordon “Jerry” Wolfe of Dry Tavern, and Jon Wolfe and his wife Jennifer of Khedive; thirteen grandchildren, Vincent, Anthony, Katlyn, Joshua, Michael, Jenna, Matthew, Jon Jr., James, Jesse, Tiffany, Scott and Kerry; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Blaker of Waynesburg, and Gertrude Busti of Crucible.


Deceased are a daughter, Carol Lee Piatt; a great-grandson, Gunner Wolfe; two brothers, Tom Wolff and Hans Wolff; and two sisters, Meta Stacy and Helen King.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, in the Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road. Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. John R. Dorean officiating. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Baptist Church Cemetery, Jefferson. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the family. Condolences may be expressed online at http://www.behmfuneralhomes.net/.

Windows to Linux (UBUNTU)

So I think that I have finally made the decision to migrate all of my computers (except 1) over to Linux-Based OS'.  I have been tossing this idea around for about a year now, it stemmed from Windows (On-line Authentication) program which conducted a random check of my operating system and deemed that it wasn't authentic.  Now, since I purchased my computer and built it myself, including installing Windows and moving multiple times to multiple countries since then, loosing my key was only a matter of time.  In order to prove that my Windows was legit I had to provide the key (no luck there), so I wiped the computer and turned to the net for a free OS which could compete (that's all I was looking for at the time) with Windows.  What I found was overwhelming to say the least:  UBUNTU, UBUNTU-NBR, Osiris, Fedora, Slax, Mint, KUBUNTU, and a whole slew of other Linux based (Free) systems available for download.


As I downloaded every OS I could find to try them out I was curious why this hasn't caught on since Windows is multiple hundred dollars per license.  Once installed I began to realize that these Linux based systems lacked the little things that windows provides (things that make life easier like, PnP Graphics Card, Audio Card, etc...) and other things such as main steam software/hardware support.  Granted that Linux supports all the hardware (mostly) it's just that when you walk into the store what do you see in the software section (Win/Mac) no Linux.  For this reason computer users worlwide have formed a Linux community where they can program and provide similiar programs which if not better than the (Win/Mac) versions they are at least closely similiar all for free!

Aside from the learning curve that comes with all Linux based systems I don't believe that I will ever purchase another version of Windows unless the price drastically decreases to something like $20.  I hope you will all do the same and send Microsoft / Macintosh a message that free and non-corporate software can be just as effective.

Download UBUNTU  (Full Tech Support - For Free)

If there are any programmers out that who wouldn't mind helping me out with a bit of coding instruction please contact me here.

Aww To Be Creative...

Pearl and the Beard - Will Smith Medley from Goddamn Cobras Collective on Vimeo.

The Brunswick Sidewinder

So around mid-2009 I found myself transitioning from a drunk recreational bowler into a budding force in league bowling. I had no clue how to hook a ball properly, I was using the 2 finger hook which is illegal and very inconsistent I've come to find out. My average was a meager 130 or so, which at the time made me feel great. Looking back I was a douche for bowling like that, now at the lanes when I see people chucking the ball down there like that it just makes me laugh.

I would have to say around August 2009 I decided to get serious, buy a ball, join a league with custom shirts and everything, so I got to practicing. I learned how to hook a ball (almost to standard) with a pretty fair consistency. My average jumped to somewhere around 170 and my high game scores spiked from 200 (being my old personal best) to the now towering 282! I owe my success to the Brunswick Sidewinder (mid-level ball). I have plans on purchasing professional level ball to jump my score that much more.

Trapped Inside Myself...

I often feel that the emotions I am feeling cannot be expressed in words. I tend to keep them inside, allowing them to slowly rot me from the inside out. I try to get them out but just don't know how...

I talk with Jen about it sometimes but I am not comfortable talking about my emotions with anyone, if I would be comfortable with someone it would be her, but no luck.

I feel that I am destined to bat my emotions around in my head my entire life without the ability to release somehow.

I feel hurt...

I feel tired...

I feel like I want to go home...

R.I.P. My Son (Again....)

So a few days before the New Year Jen and I got the news that she was in need of an Emergency Medical Evacuation to a bigger and better hospital. Us being in Italy and in the Army meant we were going to have to go to Landstuhl, Germany. The entire process was really stressful because of our recent loss (Gunner 01 SEP 2009), we really didn't want this to happen again.

We spent the day getting ready, me packing our bags, loading the car and getting ready to drive to the airport. To my surprise our medical emergency wasn't a big priority to the Army, so they took their time getting my paperwork ready causing Jen and I to miss our flight to Germany that night, forcing us to stay at home while she is in horrible pain.

The sleepless night finally ends and we decide to take the free bus to the airport, everything goes smoothly on the way to the airport, at the airport and even in our arrival. After our arrival is when every last drop of our luck ran out. The shuttle running Soldiers and their families to the Hospital wasn't on time, when it did show up they had engine problems, turning a 1 1/2 hr drive into approximately 3 3/4 hrs. Now all you mothers or pregnant ladies out there know that she wasn't enjoying sitting on a bus for almost 4 hours.

We finally arrive at the hospital where they admit her and promptly get to doing nothing. They just observe her for the first day, day 2 they place a cerclage, day 3 the cerclage is removed due to labor starting (at 5 months) day 3 and 15 minutes later my 2nd son is born. Due to the extreme nature of his birth he was deemed non-viable and whisked away for processing. We were told he had a heart beat and was OK but he had a 0% chance of surviving the night. Knowing where this was going we cried and held each other, signed our paperwork, spent the night in the hospital room and left the next day...

(R.I.P. 04 JAN 2010)

I can't but help feel a deep pain for Jen, I cannot imagine how many more times her pain is than mine. The C-Section scar, stretch marks and nothing to show for it... I can barely hold it together day to day, she is so incredible...

R.I.P. My Son

Recently I had to experience the most traumatizing thing in my entire life. The emergency birth of my son at San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy: Gunner Bishop Wolfe 27 July 2009 at 0730 hrs. It all started the week prior when my wife Jennifer was feeling contractions while at our residence in Camisano Vicentino, Italy. We went to the on base clinic to have her checked out, they gave her a clean bill of health and we went home. The contractions (called Braxton-Hicks) by the clinic continued on for 4 more days, each day the clinic said everything was fine and that there was nothing to worry about. On day 5, my wife doubles over in pain, I scoop her up and rush to the clinic where I’m met by multiple useless people who just stumble over themselves for a while the ambulance rushes onto post from the Italian Hospital.

I follow the ambulance (Delta 5) to the hospital, losing my mind the entire trip. When we get there, I park across the entire handicap section and rush inside where we get the bad news. My wife is in labor and has been for the last 5 days! Normally this would be acceptable if it wasn’t for the fact that she was only 5 months pregnant. The failure of the U.S. Army Clinic has put my family through more pain and heartache than I should have, or anyone should ever have to go through. For this reason, I am leaving the Military once I reach the end of my contract, period…

The Italian hospital staff did what they could to postpone the birth as long as they could with drugs and such, they did so for approximately 5 hours. When the medications wore off, they did one final check and said that the birthing process has begun and rushed Jen and I upstairs to the birthing room. They prep her, violently pull her clothes off, throw her onto the table, drive a wedge under her one side, strap her to the table and begin cutting. All of this while I’m still in the room, the interpreter grabs me and ushers me out of the room and all I hear is Jen calling out for me. I am placed in the waiting room for about 3 hours without any word from anyone, no courtesy checkups, updates or anything.

When I finally get to see her she is really drowsy and in pain, I’m crushed, she’s hurt but we’re ok…

A couple of hours go by (seems like a decade) and we get to visit the NICU (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) and see my 1.3 lbs son. He looks so awesome, so active, so tiny, so scared… We get to hold his hands, touch his chest and he gets to hear us and know we are there.

Jen is admitted to the hospital for a few days while she recovers, Italian rules state, no visitors so I sit at home and worry until I get to see her and my son again. When we get to see each other again and visit Gunner, we are told his lungs are not at 100% and he will need some medication to increase his chances, we agree…

The medication seemed to work because he increased in size in every way possible and seemed to be doing great for about a month, until the downhill slope came along. Gunner started to slip, his breathing wasn’t where it should be, his kidneys were failing as well, and we agreed to do whatever it took to get him better. The staff in the NICU was wonderful and did what they could but in the end Gunner just couldn’t pull through the overwhelming odds of being born 4 months too early.

He succumbed to his tiny lungs failing as we held him in the NICU for his final moments. It was the worst day of my life and one I will never forget (01 SEP 09). As Gunner laid there in his mother’s arms while I held his arms and legs and kissed his head he drifted off to sleep. The staff came in, carefully grabbed Gunner out of our hands and gave us a minute to attempt to compose ourselves.

We attempt to slow down our crying and begin the walk to our vehicle; it is the worst feeling in the world. Checking into the hospital one month earlier with no child, living in the hospital for a month with a child and being discharged without one… We cleared the front doors of the hospital and have not been back. That place has so many negative memories tied to it; I cannot bring myself to even look at it when we drive by anymore.

I cannot forget or forgive what the U.S. Clinic staff has done to me and my family. I cannot be a part of a military that allows this kind of action to classified as (acceptable actions) or that doesn’t take any responsibility for the problems they ignored.

Here in about a week, Jennifer and I are going to celebrate Christmas in our son’s nursery, where we have our tree set up. We are going to have to open each other’s presents, pretend to be happy, pretend it will all be ok as we place Gunners 1st Christmas presents off to the side for safekeeping.

In closing I would like to say, I hate you U.S. Clinic and staff, I appreciate you Italian Hospital, I am so sorry Jen I love you and I love you Gunner, I miss you so very much…

-Daddy

10 Weeks, All For Nothing!

Looking back on my Writing 101 class with Mr. Stein (a.k.a. Bill), I have one short and sweet sentiment to give to him. ---------------->

It's nothing personal but this is how I feel about you and the entire University of Maryland for allowing you to run the class the way you did.

I can admit that I didn't give it my all, but hey who really does these days? I put quite a few long nights into this class and all the uselsss assignments you gave us for a less than average 67.2% Final Grade.

For that you deserve the Nuclear Middle Finger.

Fuck You Bill.

College Blows (At Least On-Line College Does)

Finally i've enrolled in College and let me tell you what, it sucks!

Yea yea i've heard all the stories of college being a blast but I have to disagree. I mean I log on, I print out my studies for the week, procrastinate until the last night, jam it all in 10 minutes before it's due and submit it. I haven't experienced one naked drunken party, one slum night "all you ladies know about that one" "makes me sick" or anything crazy and fun for that matter.

My college days consist of working shift work, doing my studies when I can and sitting at home with the wife "don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade that for the world" but where's the college fun?!

I gotta say you are all a bunch of lying shits, building a guys hopes up all for not, ass-holes....

F.Y.I. - Joking " go to school you ignorant fuck! "

Yes We're Open!!! (Again)

Yes, we're open, again! I'm so very sorry for the lapse in correspondence, i've been very busy (i'll explain in the following post.)

Well since my last post back in 2006, alot has changed in my life....

- Re-enlisted
- PCS'd to Italy
- Lot's of relationship issues
- Issues resolved
- Marriage to my best friend
- More tattoo's
- More cars
- and much much more that I don't want to bore you with!

Customs...

Just recently I was tranferred from my boring ass desk job to a great job doing inbound customs inspections on peoples stuff who are new to the country. I am relly enjoying my job mainly because I don't have to deal with the same dumbasses on a day to day basis. This job also offers me alot more freedom to think as a individual and get the mission completed correctly, however in my own way.

Just keep checking in every so often for more updates, I am about to spend $699.00 on a Digital Camcorder that doesn't use DVD's, Tapes or anything, it's directly recorded to a internal hardrive which will hold 25 hours of video or so. From there I can plug it directly into my computer and burn it do a disc. Hopefully I can produce some quality still images for the page as well.

My Shitty Ass Luck Never Fails...

Drowning Pool and Tantric are in the country this month and performing at my base on the 18th. Just to let everyone know I work every single day they are performing, now you see what I mean about my luck. Also every night that I've been at work "while there not performing" they are out in town, hanging out ay my bar and autographing and giving out shit, Great Luck! I just thought I would let everyone know my luck sucks and well, it's never going to change, I love it...