My Wonderful Quilt

One other important thing happened last month is that was my sister took all my old "T" shirts and cut out the artwork and made a quilt out of it. I have so many "T" shirts from over the years and I did not know what to do with them and that was her suggestion. Actually it takes a special kind of "T" shirt to do this. I really don't have any but she made the best if it and I thank her. So here it is:

It is currently hanging in my bedroom window.

AMAZING JUNE & JULY

It is so hard sometimes to start. I'll work backwards in time. My sister left for home on Sunday. On Saturday I had several partys. One was a reunion of old work partners at a defunct company. The other was a graduaton party. On Friday my sister, son, and I went to see my deciesed fathers brother for lunch. He is in his late 80's and doing well. On the 18th I had my daughters Grad Party. Everybody helped. My sister and brother were a big help. Late on the 15th I picked my sister up at the airport. I always like picking her up but not so much bring her back. Unfortuniately it just has to be. On the 13 and 12 my daughter and I went to St. Bonaventure for orientation. It was very good. In June my daughter graduated.
That's it in a nut shell. I'll try to do this more often.

Online dating..again

The last blog was more of a complaint and this negativity won't change anything. It is what it is. I am not going to take it personal. So my new idea is to somewhat treat my profile as a post. I will add and subtract to it as I feel like and whatever happens, happens. When I am on an actual date is when I will then blog about it.

JERSEY BOYS AT SHEA'S

On the April 22 the kids and I went with their Grandparents to see the Jersey Boys at Shea's. We have the CD but seeing it in person puts the whole thing together as the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It reminds me a little like "Over the Rainbow" the Judy Garland story, in which it fits their music into the ups and downs of their life. The music was fantastic. The choreography was amazing. The switching from one musical number to the other right before your eyes was fascinating to watch. The actors did an astounding job. They even look like the original members.
We all loved it, its hard to imagine we booked this almost a year in advance. From the playbill, next year looks great too. I will probably blog about that as they come up.

ON LINE DATING continued

Let me start by saying it is very disappointing when you spend 30 to 45 minutes coming up something clever to match the limited data presented in a post, just to have it read and deleted. Some of them don't even bother to see my profile. The last profile of a pretty woman, somes herself up in two sentences. I tried to find fun in every word to come up with a full paragraph, just to have it flushed into bit heaven.
It is very disappointing to send a different pretty woman four messages without any responce what soever. She too gave 30 seconds of thought in her profile. I spent 2 hours writing the messages.

OK, I admit some quirks. I like tall thin woman. Thats it. Once I was in a different on line dating service, one I paid for. This one is free but many times bigger. I must have emailed thirty women. Not one of them responded. OH, I take it back one flat rejected me. She determined by what I wrote and send we have nothing in common. I thanked her for the rejection. Silly me.

OK I admit a failure. One woman contacted me. She was a very nice lady but not tall and thin. At the time, I was not going to just tell her, thanks but no thanks, so I made a date to meet her. It was a plesant evening. I went out with her a second time. The third time I met her friends. Her friends liked me and they were fun. But I was afraid that she was getting attached. At the time I really did not understand the thinking of woman. At times I think that was the demise of my marrage. My Daughter warned me, three times is serious. She was right. Well, after the third time, around the time my father died, she came to the funeral. She asked me if it was a problem. I said it wasn't. But it was. Deep down I really did not want any serious relationship and she was not the woman I wanted. I felt terrable about it. Even to this day. Remember the song from the Police, "The King Of Pain"! That is what I feel like. Or at least did and still do from time to time.

This time I wasn't going to drag out a relationship that way. If there is no chemistry then forget it. The woman I sent a message to probibily thinks the same of me. Of course I think they are looking for "Mr Goodbar". Does it mean that I am looking for "Ms Goodbar"?

Can I be so bold to say the woman in the on line dating are damaged. I AM ALSO DAMAGED. Forgive me because I am damaged. I'll forgive them because they are damaged.

Easter Eve

Today was a fun filled and busy day. I installed a NEW Steel side door! Yep, took the old one out and the new one in with some help from my friend. I also changed the Tractor Oil! Yippee!

OK maybe it wasn't a thrill a minute. But its done.
No more hiding Easter Baskets for me. My kids are all growed up! At least from holiday perspective. They are with their mother so I am home alone. A nice very quiet morning it will be.

DATING

Well I am going to try on line dating again. It has been a year since I was in this kind of thing. I really wasn't ready. I did have one date, a woman from Buffalo. Very nice woman, but I sensed she wanted a little more than I did at the time. So I canceled the dating service and never called her. I am sure I caused her pain and I am so sorry for that. Relationships seem to lend themselves to pain. They may seem perfect for a while, such as when you are "in love" but invariably that apparent perfection gets disrupted as arguments, conflicts, and dissatisfaction of some sort. Then the Love relationship becomes a love / hate relationship. It seems to happen like a flick of a switch. Was it love in the first place, or just addictive grasping and clinging. This seems to be Romantic love, not true love. That has no opposite. Its also little harder to find. I'll just take my time, it is what it is.

Already I emailed several woman of various ages from 40 to 48 and only one at least emailed me back that we had nothing in common. I actually thanked her for a reply. The commonality is so vague and impossible to really dispute. It is only a frame of reference. We can only judge people by what they do and or say. There is no other way. That is the "sign" that a person is this or that. So on the on-line post there is the written word and maybe a picture. Mannerisms do not exist. The plane is 2D.

To me the picture is very important. The smile, hair style, head tilt is very important. Two out of three of my pictures are not blurry or too close. The third one is outside at the stadium. Its not blurry or too small, it is just a non posed pic. All the lighting is pretty good and one can get a pretty good idea of what I look like. Some of the woman I looked at and even emailed had a variety of pictures. A lot have very bad lighting and are blurry. Some are done very well but few. Some have pics of things other than themselves. If you are presenting yourself in this venue, you better have a fairly good picture and more than one.

Another thing is what you write. On my post, I try to tell a little about myself in a short paragraph: http://www.plentyoffish.com/member11196197.htm

I try to write enough for some woman who wants to meet me, that there is something to write about. Some of the women I see leave little to write about. Some do a good job. I try to write is a way to find some commonality in what is presented. It is not easy, but actually fun to do.



As an example, one pretty woman asked for a "Tall Man with nice shoes". So I wrote this:



Six-two, with plenty of soul

Hello,
Tall man for a tall woman, good shoes for a lot of hiking and walking. We could be looking for the same pot of gold, someone to enjoy life with. I like movies too. Usually action, but occasionally warm-hearted ones. I just sold off some of my father’s antiques. (He died last year.) I still have a few tables and a wicker chest. What can I say about intimate evenings? It is a time when get to know each other. It is a time to be absolutely present. The greatest gift you can give to a person is to listen, not judge, and give the fullest attention to that person.
I am new to on-line dating too.
I know you are looking for a long-term relationship, but in order to get there from here, is to begin with a first date. What you purpose, drink, coffee and desert are absolutely wonderful. I have been through Williamsville but do not know what would be a good place to do just that. Feel free to suggest. Hope to hear from you.
Regards
Jim





So far she has not responded. At least she did not delete the message, yet.



I have not received any replies to my post yet. Well at least I don't think I did. I do get ads about single places which I could have been confused about. I will look at there a little more closely when I get another one.

TRIBUTE TO KARL

My father was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer from smoking in the fall of 2007. He had several other health problems before the cancer could be treated. Eventually he circumed to the cancer on March 30th 2009. Here are several pictures accompanied with audio portions of cell and home phone messages he has left. It took me a year to get them all off the phone and create this collection. It lasts about 10 minutes. The bottom line is I love him and miss him. We had many great and not so great times together.

MY HOT CAR IN FLA

HIGHSCHOOL DRAMA

Since my Daughter has experienced some teen drama the last week, I thought briefly about my youth. I said to my sister that we didn't have drama when we were young. Well, she quickly reminded me of "on again" "off again" she did that, he did this and I NOW remember. It was ridiculous. I really don't want to get in to it because it was so dumb. But the bottom line seems to me the drama of the time has carried its form to the same people in very peculiar ways.

BUSY FEBRUARY

The hard part about of blogging is getting started. Since Feburary is over, Ill blog about that. The big events were Katie going to Europe and Jon and I going to Florida.
The east coast had a storm that prevented Katie from leaving Buffalo to Philadelphia to Madrid. So the school bused the crew to Detroit, then to Frankfurt then Madrid. Other than long layovers, that went well. Then about 3 days into it some of the kids got a hold of alcohol. Although it was legal for their age in that country, this is a school event which states the contrary and some got sent home as punishment. The kids signed a paper agreeing to the policy. I am glad my kid stuck to the rules. There was some drama associated with that, but as that subsided, Katie had fun and the trip home went well.
Jon and I rented a convertible and drove to see my cousin in Stuart. On the way the car had some trouble, so the rental company brought me a new 2010 Ford Mustang. I loved that car. Florida was a bit cool for this time of year, even though we had the top down, the heat was on. We went to Kennedy Space center, then to Port Orange, then Orange City to see my Aunt. Finally ended up at The Magic Kingdom. All in all it went well. Some problems getting around the Airport on the way back but we had a good trip.
While in Florida, my Fathers House closed, so that ends a chapter with my parents. My sister, Brother and I are orphans now on our own way through the world.
The next fun filled event is my trip to Vancouver to meet with the customer and Katie's event visiting some colleges.

BIRTHDAY

On Monday I turned 52. My kids decided to have a party for me. They started on Sunday after the celebration at the In-laws. Jon cleaned the entire basement. I thought he did it because I bought him a portable close hanger.
So on Monday, the actual day, the kids when to Walmart and bought party things and the StarTrek movie for me. I was working at home in my office most of the time. I suspected something was going on, especially when Katie had me run around getting some items for Taco dinner. The weird thing is, she said she forgot meat and Taco sauce, but in fact she did not get anything else except potato chips. So it was a little weird dinner not having the usual items for Tacos. Then later I went to the kitchen and the windows blinds were closed. She did not want me to see who is coming over so her reaction kept me curious. I thought all this was a little strange but wanted to let it play out and see what they planned. So when I went down to the basement, to my surprise, 24 people said "Happy Birthday".

Ex-Empathy

I have to admit that I find myself in empathy for my ex-wife, Especially when it comes to the kids. They live with me and have done so for over a year. Her exposure to them is limited. Not by my account, its chosen by the kids. Their old enough legally to determine where they are going to live.
Each day she gives them a nightly call on their cell. Many times she does not get through. Between the holidays at the end of 09, I went to see my sister in OK city. They both did not want to spend the entire time with their mother. But I convinced them and her to go for 2 days in the beginning of the week, visit friends in the middle. Then at the end of the week they were to leave for her side of family Christmas.
The first day, right after exchange of presents, all hell breaks loose. Katie calls me balling, then Jon. They told me Mom's a wreck. I am sure she tried so hard to keep the piece. Katie told me she was going drive them home. Fortunately, they worked things out. But I bet it was a very emotional time. I guess they did have some problems at family Christmas. I wasn't told too much, probably by design. Either way when things go bad for them I feel it is a sad situation.

Busy Weekend

On Saturday the big task was to insulate the kitchen crawl space. I had previously hired a local contractor to do it and he did all of the other crawl spaces but he could not do the kitchen. It is an area about 8' x twenty something' and only 16" high. When the contractor came 2 weeks ago to do it, his belly would not fit in the opening. So on this Saturday, he hired, through me, my son, Jon.
Actually we did it together and he got paid $125 for 3 hours of work. It was tough work. I started, using 2' x 10' Styrofoam sheets 1.5" thick. I laid on my back face up with the first sheet. There is no room to swing a hammer, so I used a air driven hammer connected to my compressor. We had flashlights attached to out heads to see. I had to squiggle like a worm to get inside. After the first one was in, Jon wiggled in as far as he can go. We worked together holding and driving in the nails. We worked as far as we could with the spacing narrowing down to a few inches from our chest. He was at least 10' in further in than me.
When you are under a crawl space with these foam sheets above you, there is nothing to grab on to. Moving about is also complicated with the fact your knees don't bend very far. So we both had to wiggle and squirm to get out.
And that was the project for Saturday.

On Sunday, we wanted to go tubing at Holiday Valley. Jon wanted his friends Matt, Jordan, & Evan to go. Their ages are between 8 and 13. Uncle Ed and his daughter Amanda wanted to go too. So when the kids got back from Church we borrowed Matt, Jordan, & Evan's family van and off we went. Incidentally, Katie did not want to go.
Holiday Valley was a blast. We got there at 1:30 and left at 3:30. The weather was perfect, around 30 degrees. but rain was approaching later in the day.
You start by grabbing a tube. It is about the size as a truck tire with a plastic side which goes against the snow. The hill is long and fast and fun.

Matt, Jordan & Evan stayed over because there was no school on MLK day. So I worked till noon and we watched movies all day. They left at 7:00 pm.

It was a fun weekend.

The month of Aquarius

Also known as the "Water Bearer". I say this because I want to stay afloat with what is to happen this month. From my profile, I am an Electrical Engineer for a Filtration systems company. I have 3 projects that should have drawings done by this month. I already did 2 and have one more left. But there are some surprises.
For the last 3 months I expected to go to Vancouver B.C. on a start up. So far they have not needed me. I am afraid if they do it will put a kink in my plans. I would be out for a week and it creates havoc for my family. Not to mention getting my 3rd drawing package done.
I want to go to Florida next month so I have to plan now. Also, my daughter, Katherine, is going to Europe next month. I put in for vacation. My boss is going to sign it this week. Katherine is to have her wisdom teeth pulled on the 29Th.
So if my element is AIR, I have to take a deep breath and have fun planning and remember that my secret desire is to be unique and original.
We will see where life takes me.

I also do ebay..

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=jkd1958

I don't have anything up now. But I will. And in the future and all kinds of stuff. That what everybody needs... more stuff.

A BUSY 52 YEARS

Well, This is the first attempt at creating a Blog. My sister has been trying to get me to do it for years. So I wanted to start with early milestones up till now:
Born in January 1958.
Became acquainted with electricity in 1962 with a bobby pin in a stove socket.
Went to Lake Shore Central Schools, took up Electricity. Some think I was taking Space.
Graduated in 1976.
Worked in the Panel Shop at Duriron Filtration Systems Division at 19.
Went to Bryant & Stratton, received an AOS in Electrical Technology. Became a Field service Engineer and then an Electrical Engineer for Duriron. (Not bad for only having a AOS.) Even became head of the department.
Got Married in 1989.
Duriron was sold to Aquacare, kept same title.
Had 2 children, Katie & Jon.
Aquacare Folded in 2002, became a stay-at-home-dad and freelanced.
Worked for Ascension industries in 2004.
Went to work for Gowanda Electronics in 2006.
Lost my mother in May of 06.
Went back to Ascension in 2007.
2007 very bad year. Marriage fell apart, I am now separated. The kids live with me. Also my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
My dad died in March of 2009.
All of 2009 was the clean up my parents property.
Finally in 2010, the house is sold. A lot to do before closing.