I Got An A

Took my final last night... I had to put Piston Rings on, check end play on a crankshaft, check clearance on bearings, give the firing order for our International 345 engine, show I could look up torque specs for bolts on the engine we rebuilt, and then name a series of service parts... flex hone, ridge reamer, valve spring compressors, etc.

It was a fun semester. I have really enjoyed learning a lot more about engines and mechanical items. As a car guy I "know" a lot about specs and basics and can do brakes (thanks to Hermen) and other simple items like oil changes and what not. As an engineer I know the theory behind combustion, understand the physics of torque, chemical reactions in a motor, strength of materials... but never had a chance to apply it in such a specific field, and more importantly to a field that I enjoy.

This semester we rebuilt an International Harvester Scout. It was a fun project, I posted a lot more photos of our project in a Facebook Album ('77 Scout).

We pulled the motor, tore it down, tested it, and rebuilt it. We replaced all the bearings, honed the cylinders, rebuilt the head, valve grind, the works. Throw a little orange paint on it and got her back in the car. We hit some snags, had some fun, and it was a nice weekly time for me to take my mind off work, get dirty, and use my hands and my head to solve problems. Sometimes in a world where we work with theory, and solve problems without immediate results (ie. the future of education) I need something that we can just FIX and are done. She runs, she drives, she needs some paint...but we fixed it.

Here is a pic of a finished product: no we don't have a body shop, no this isn't our truck, but it could be! It was a really cool truck to work on, and I wish once its done I got to ride in it with the top down...

Open Letter to South Bend Clinic

I am sending the letter below, to the South Bend Clinic with payment for back injections I got, and yes, during the scare over back injections tainted with meningitis, that has been given at this clinic during the month I was there. Well I complained, and was nice about it, and didn't enter into a "mental anguish" lawsuits. They avoided me, didn't give me information I asked for, and then when I did meet with them would tell me they would "see what they can do", then I leave, and they do nothing. So here is my letter.

Dear South Bend Clinic Administration,
I have voiced my concerns, been in the office several times, and mentioned why I think it is not fair that I have to pay for my back injections. On my last visit the staff said, "they would see what they can do." To then call me 10 minutes after I leave to tell me the hold on my account was lifted, but they can't do anything about the bill. So they just patronized me while I was in your office, which I guess is consistent practice for your staff.

My original complaint was over potentially getting meningitis. I asked, how could you be buying drugs that you don't test. You claim I didn't get the tainted shots, mostly because I didn't get meningitis. However you admit that you don't test medicines that you put in people, ever. So when I then asked, how do you know I got good shots? I was promised that my expensive back injections would cure my back pain for 6 months to maybe 2 years... so when I told your staff, and then my doctor on the follow up visit that the shots didn't even last 48 hours... the response was like that of a salesman, not of a doctor... you pitched for my insurance and I to buy more shots.

You don't know what you put in me.
You know I didn't get meningitis.
You know that the shots didn't work.
You admit that you don't know what you put in me,
because you don't test the drugs.

If this happened at a mechanic, or restaurant, or any business that had customer service in any capacity I would not have to pay for them. Another business would do something else to solve the problem. Yet you, despite potentially doing me harm, and despite knowing they didn't work, still are requiring me to pay. Wow.

So here is a check for my account balance. I no longer attend that doctor, unfortunately we love our family doctor or we would leave your company completely. I think it is a shame that your doctors act more like salespeople, and that your staff just deflect blame and don't take responsibility for this issue.

Sam Centellas

Cruz's New Shoes

Spring is here... that means Cruz wants to be outside 24/7... and that means Cruz will be dirtier and tracking in messes from "OUHHSIDE!" (how Cruz says it each time). So last night we figured he needs some dirty outside shoes, and a pair that we keep more clean for in the house and at daycare.

So quick trip to Walmart for some cheap shoes. The Garanimals shoes have always been cheap and fit him well and we usually are able to find some on clearance. Well the only clearance shoes in his size, were "girls" shoes... I did't care, Heather didn't care, and Cruz liked em... so why not? Saves a few bucks and is a slight fashion statement.

Same Shoes, Equal Pay

His statement is timely as tomorrow (April 9th) is Equal Pay Day. Will Cruz be judged by the content of his character (or Physical appearance) or by the color of his shoes? Time will tell what the future holds. I know I want my little guy to be able to grow up and be whatever he wants, its what all parents want right? Will the term "Male Nurse" be used in the future? Will he not be scared of math because he is a boy and boys are supposed to be good at math? What if he doesn't want to play sports...

I did feel the need to tell the Daycare lady his new kicks are clearance girls shoes... afterwards, I thought why did I say that? Did I need to mention they are clearance to insinuate that is why we got them? She could tell they were pink, and she could tell Cruz was very proud of his shoes. He did his typical jump and down when she mentioned them. Maybe in the future when he can express his opinions better, and asks for pink shoes I won't need to validate the choice? Not sure... but I know it was a good exercise in acceptance and privilege for me to think all these things through in my head.

As you can see this little active guy couldn't sit for me to take a picture of his new shoes. I couldn't find a picture online, but it is basically the shoe below but pink instead of blue and a lighter color grey.

I remembered when we first moved to the states that I had a girls bike... at first I didn't know the difference, until some kids pointed it out to me, then I was embarrassed.But it was the only bike I had, and I rode it...

So there is Cruz's fashion statement, political statement, and lesson for his Papi to remember to let Cruz be himself and express himself as he gets older.

What A Stellar View

Didn't blog last night... we pulled into Lexington past midnight and it was just too late to do much besides sleep. Yesterday was full of a stellar views...

First the morning started with no snow, no rain, and a temp above 30 degrees... that was a stellar view.

Our work day was slower than planned, our deck project took a quick detour as a couple things didn't go together as planned. It turned out to be a good thing, as our delay meant our group would not be split up. We finished the deck, and it was a stellar view.

Put a fork in it... its done. 

Since we didn't have time to attack a new project we had some extra time in the afternoon... so we spent time building random items out of spare parts. We made a bench, a small box for one of the boys who wanted a "snack box" for the deck. Seeing the two boys running around on the deck was a stellar view.

Our bench... we ended up making an armrest,
a foot stool and a snack box..

Our project inside also got to a great stopping point. We got the house jacked, and started to cement in new supports for the house. Seeing all the cracks in the walls come back together as we jacked up the house was a stellar view.

Then we packed up, said bye to the families... seeing the entire family on their front lawn, thankful for our work and waving was a stellar view.

On our drive we were driving into a sunset, through the mountains and just in awe of the beauty. We got lucky and fund a great place to stop at "Clinch Mountain Restaurant" in Thornhill, TN. We stopped for photos and then had a true downhome evening. They had live blue grass, dancing, and all you can eat Friday fish... dinner, a show, and a stellar view.

This morning we are in Lexington, KY and packing up... wrap up blog coming tonight once we pull into South Bend, which for us, will be a welcome and stellar view...

No Not That Way, That Way, Oh Wait...

Today was do-over day... and then do it again... and then...

We got cracking on the deck today we would get it done, but hit a few snags. It is hard doing construction when the project isn't yours, because you aren't always sure how you "should" be doing it. Then you run into changes in supplies, or you forgot the washers... again... oops. We put railings on, thought we did them wrong, took them off, mounted them a new way... to realize we had it right the first time and put them on again... so it was a frustrating morning... but the work day ended with this site...

Its Alive! 

Everything but the handrails for the steps on the deck are done... Yeah! Tomorrow we "should" be able to button it up quick and take a group picture on it!

However the bad news is on the inside of the house. We aren't making a lot of progress because the damage was a lot worse than originally thought. Some of the floor joist were pretty much completely eaten away by the termites. So we spent more time removing flooring than planned and preparing to jack up the house.

That used to be a floor joist...

Finally close to the end of today we got to start jacking up the house... Hopefully by the end of Friday we can get the house leveled and start to put floors back into place. However that is a small chance and it looks like we will just get some temp floors in until the next crew comes to finish it.

Getting ready to jack the house

We did end the day on a great positive. Our church site hosted a BBQ and we invited our family, and they came. They brought their two kids that just been a joy at the site, and they were even more fun to interact with outside of the home. Part of our group took them to a near by cave to go "caving" and they loved that adventure. The rest of us stayed and just talked to the parents and learned more about their lives.

Our Trusty ASP Van "Molly" 

Tomorrow we will try to get as much done as possible, and then we will sprint on out of town...

Over the Hump

Today we hit our stride and got over the hump... but its not all celebrations.

Our deck project made some serious progress. All the deck boards but one are down now, we got the stair stringers down and boards cut. Now we just need to get the railings on, and button up a few things and it will be done! 

Deck is nearly done! 

Our project inside took a turn for the worse. We knew jacking the center of the house was going to be a lot of work... and the thought was that the floors and structure rotted from lack of maintenance and other home issues. However it came from termites... it was so bad that the Orkin guy even said, "Oh Goodness!" when he looked under the house. 

As we took up the floors... we found more problems.

Basically all the structural boards under the house were eaten up... so it will be a bigger job than we can do this week. Plus we will have to be out of the house all Friday morning after they spray the house. So it is going to set us behind, and hopefully future groups can get to it soon.

Our evening gathering was a game of Jeopardy against the other college here in local trivia. Guess who won... thats right, Team Ivy Tech! Afterwards we did a real scenario where we got six applications to ASP from local families and we had to pick which one we would help... guess who won that? No one... it was so hard to choose and there is so much need in the area. It great to know that we are a part of supporting some local families, and especially their kids. 

Tri-Cities Jeopardy!

I was going to make a trip to Walmart (yep again) for some more supplies. Ruth decided to come along and we had a great time... on the way back we decided to get some burgers from Pals a place we heard a lot about... well that turned into a 20 minute driving adventure, pretty much "Sam and Ruth go to Pals" type legendary saga. Yes, the burger was worth it, and the peachie tea... 

www.palsweb.com

Tomorrow we go at it again... only two work days left... 

Wagon Wheel and Screws A Turning

The wheels were moving early again this morning... morning always comes too fast when you are tired... and last night we didn't get good sleep... the church janitor stumbled into our room at 4:30AM and didn't know we were there... so needless to say we freaked him out with 8 bodies on the floor when he turned the light on... and clearly our male bunk room was startled when the light came on...

Our worksite today was very productive and our group felt more productive. We made serious progress on the deck we are replacing in the back. The one there was so unstable and rotting the homeowners boarded up their back door. Which is not safe since it means the only exit to their home is out the front, and that is where they run space heaters. So it is a needed and important repair.

Day Two starting on the deck...

After lunch we split our crew and some started our project inside. The center of the home is sinking, so we are going to cut out the floors, jack up the center, and put in new support girders. We are here to complete an entire new floor for the house. Then other volunteer crews will come repair walls and doors and everything else that will shift when we jack up the floor. (Pictures of inside coming soon)

All our joists went in, tomorrow we finish
decking it and put on handrails!

It was a muddy day, and it was 38 degrees when we left for the worksite. It was a muddy mess, but we powered through cold and rain to make some serious progress on the deck. Tomorrow might be as cold, but dry and we are hoping to try to nearly get the deck done. Wish us luck!

The Jeter's - Family Trio

Well now I actually know some of the lyrics of "Wagon Wheel" by Old Crow Band... its one of those songs most people know... "So rock me mama like a wagon wheel... Rock me mama like a south-bound train... Hey mama rock me..." and then it mentions Johnson City, TN! We learned that and a lot more from The Jeters at our culture night put on my ASP. The band was great, we loved the music and you should check them out on their Facebook Page for cool videos of the type of music we enjoyed tonight in our mountain town. They taught us about Bluegrass music (you can major in it at East TN State!), the area and the culture. Great night.

I hope that today taught us how to be humble... to appreciate what we have... even when we don't feel like we have enough, we know those who have less, when we want more, we need to remember those who dream to have what we have...

Learning Country Roads

So here is the daily schedule at our Appalachian Service Project site...
7:00AM - Wake Up
7:15AM - Group Devotion
7:30AM - Breakfast
8:00AM - Morning Chores/Pack Sandwiches and tools
9:00AM - Go to Work Site
NOON - Lunch Break
12:30AM - Back to work
4PM - Pack/Clean Up
5PM - Back on Site
6PM - Dinner
7PM - Group Devotion/Educational Activity
11PM - Lights Out
Then rinse and repeat... until Friday.

So we have a strict schedule, but are learning a lot and still have a good time. We had a change in our plans and we got a new project. We are now on Project Oakland and we are working with a couple that have two kids. Their home needs some serious repairs and one is to replace a dangerous deck on the back and then we will move into the house to jack up their floors, rebrace them, and put down new flooring...

Old Deck Gone, New Deck About to Start

We will see how far we are able to get this week, stay tuned for updates. The first day on the site is always hard; we are learning tools, new processes, and getting to know our work styles. I am sure later in the week we will hit a stride and crank through work.

Our gathering time tonight included some fun activities to get to know each other, but also an Agree/Disagree activity. We got to chose sides and argue topics like why poverty exists, do all people deserve dry, warm, safe housing... it was great to hear views, and word smith answers. We also argued the age old question, do you roll toilet paper over the top or the bottom...

Gathering Time Activities

Each night our group is journaling, writing about our experiences, and we have a few prompts about what we are learning. All our participants received a nice little trip journal that I hope is overflowing with thoughts by the time we return.

One thing we have learned is driving on winding country roads... one thing we haven't learned is singing the song "Country Roads". They played it at the gathering and we struck out majorly... and not just our singing voices... but the words. Weirdly afterwards, we were all humming it.

Song Sheet... 

So here are the lyrics, lets see if we are able to sing this on the way home on our winding mountain country roads... be home soon.

That's Country Fried

Day light savings time change caught us off guard... our morning was a little slower than planned but much more eventful. By weird happenstance we ran into the Turtle Man from Animal Planet at our hotel, in Lebanon, KY of all places. So to add to our delay was some autography and picture time... but he was fun to meet!

The Turtle Man!

We made up some time and luckily beat the big lunch rush to Harlan Sander's Cafe, the Original KFC. It's another site that probably doesn't make many "bucket lists", yeah I said bucket... but it is for sure a fun piece of American Fried Americana. We had a family style chicken dinner and enjoyed learning a little about the Colonel.

Off the Bucket List

The drive today was more scenic, as we entered the mountains and the curvy roads we got to see the Appalachian Mountains. The beautiful hillsides, the historic farmhouses, and of course, some of the poverty. The big homes, next to small trailers, the long white picket fences and the shanties with rusted out cars on the lawn.

We ended the night with our first trip to Walmart... yup good ol' ASB tradition. I counted and think they always included practically nightly trips for things we forgot, or people watching, or just a break from our site. I think some of our best memories might have happened, you guessed it, at a Walmart.

Orientation Meeting with ASP Staff

Our site is a church, a new set up for me... we are sleeping on the floor... also a new set up for me (I expected bunks). We are going experience some discomfort, and sleeping on the floor to ramp up our empathy level as feel some pain this week for those we are serving. So we will experience poverty figuratively, literally and actually... that floor isn't going to be pretty for my back that is for sure.

We are going to be working with an older disabled woman this week, and helping make her house more friendly to her wheelchair... starting with a ramp on the front of her house. ASP always gives code names for the family and ours is "Project Pearl".

Everything we need to know about
construction is in this book...

We are joined by a fun group from Messiah College in PA. I got to respect their game, they are here without a professional staff member, mostly sophomores and juniors and ready for an adventure. They are very hospitable, and we are looking forward to our evening gatherings with them (they will be at a different work site during the day).

It is 3 minutes to lights out... good night, and tune back in tomorrow for our first day on the job site...

In a Lincoln State of Mind

My first Ivy Tech Community College Alternative Spring Break trip has begun... We planned, with the help of a former IUSB Student, Luis Hernandez, a project with Appalachian Service Project. It was an adventure as a new staff member navigating the red tape of a new institution and trying to plan a good trip for the students. This morning (3/9/13) we left South Bend, IN with eight students and our Service Learning Intern en route to Johnson City, TN. It is my first time going to that site so we are all a little nervous, all excited, and all wondering what this trip will have in store for us.

Ivy Tech ASB 2013

We made great time and arrived at our sight seeing in Hodgenville, KY, the birthplace of Lincoln. Luis planned the trip for us, and it could have been any better in terms of getting in a good mind set for a week of service. I think our stop put us in a Lincoln State of Mind... Lincoln was a normal guy, who achieved great things through hard work, commitment and dedication to doing what he believed. He didn't come from much, and he didn't claim to be more than he was in life.

"I happen, temporarily, to occupy the White House. I am a living witness
that any of your children may come here as my father's child has. 

Despite the enormous monument built on the site of his birth, you can see his humble beginning. It was in a remote area, and you can imagine how hard growing up there would have been 200 years ago. His quotes and speeches really hit the spot about helping others.

We hiked, we learned, we were humbled. 

Tonight we walked through Lebanon, KY and toured a cute little town, enjoyed some southern hospitality and got to know each other. Someone tried Crawfish for the first time, we had catfish, we were waited on by the 11 year old son of our waitress and took pictures with a bear... yeah it was a good day.

I hope our groups unity lasts all week as I am sure like before our experience will be personally challenging. We won't face nearly the challenges that Lincoln did, but I hope we attack them with the same resolve and dedication. Thank you Honest Abe, it was an honor to learn from you today, and thanks for putting us in a...
Lincoln State of Mind.

It's Not Fargo Eh, It's FarGOH.

In February I learned a few things... many of them I learned on my fun trip to North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. I have been on the road more this year, and I was powering through a month of heavy traveling and my month ended with a doozy. Canceled flights, nearly drove to Fargo, more delayed flights, drove to Chicago to catch a flight... I learned I can still handle craziness in stride and get the job done. Well I got to Fargo, and I learned that in Fargo they don't talk like Uppers... They don't say Fargo Eh like I thought they would... they say FarGOH. Long O on that... I also learned how to properly pronounce Bison.
I also got to work on my Recruitment Bootcamp Presentation Style. It is my first time presenting the program to co-ed groups. I did skill building for the fraternities and one of them was Co-Ed, and I really enjoyed the challenge of making sure I included them all in the presentation.

After the program several groups wanted to take photos with me... I joked with them that I knew they needed it for awards packet I am sure at the end of the year... but I was flattered anyways. It was a beautiful campus, the students were fantastic, and I hope I get asked back soon. Go Bison Nation!

Thank You Phi Kappa Psi

David Stollman at work

This weekend I did Recruitment Boot Camp for Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity in Indianapolis. It was not only an opportunity to be a small group facilitator, but also a chance for me to do some large group facilitation with the famed David Stollman.

I don't think I have ever been as nervous to speak in front of a group as I was when speaking in front of Stollman. I did the skills training portion with Nick Palmer who also helps CAMPUSPEAK with Recruitment Boot Camp. We had a great time, got good feedback, and even Stollman liked it. Slam Dunk.

The weekend was physically grueling, Saturday was a 19 hour day, with breaks to eat and not much else... but we powered through and I feel really good about all of it.

My room... where my small group spent A LOT of time.

Sunday morning I brainstormed something I could do to help Stollman with the closing session. He asked for my help, but because of the long night we never got to sync schedules. So I thought, I could apply my "Close Your Eyes" analogy to the energizer he does... My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean...

My Small Group

I gave him a quick run down of it... he said he liked it... and then a couple minutes later, asked if I would kick off the final large group session with it. BAM.... so without much prep time, I dropped my little bit of knowledge on the group. It didn't bring down the TwitterSphere... but the feedback was solid and I really hope it helped bring home the message to the men...

Fun Brainstorming

It was an honor as always to get to share time with a group of men who genuinely care about their Brotherhood, who want to see it succeed and worked hard to put a plan in place for success.

I wanted to highlight what I think was the best moment of the weekend. Before the closing session, Ron from Phi Psi asked the servers to come into the room. The men gave them a standing ovation for their great work serving us over the weekend... Kim, the server who has been there each time the Phi Psi's visit the hotel... she, with a big smile on her face said, "You guys are alright, this fraternity is taking you places."

Sometimes it is the most simple compliments that mean the most, from the people that you don't think are watching... but they are, and you made a positive impression. Thank you Phi Psi.

My Renaissance Girl

Today Novali I...

Novali and a Craftsman Drill

Worked on Heather's car. The latch on her glove box broke off, and a light bulb on her dash is out so she can't see her HVAC controls. I did the online research, founded a used glovebox and picked up bulbs with Novali from the Zone. Novali didn't just clean the parts before we installed them... she uses the power drill, screw driver, and when needed holds the flash light for me. She also had the magic touch (small hands) of putting the tiny new light bulb in the dash.

Then after that, she made herself some hot cocoa and then got to work on making lunch. She loves to cook, and wanted to make hamburgers today of her own little blend. So grabs her seasonings, knife, utensils and handles it... all while snacking on the Guac that she made last night which was delish!

Novali making Guac, Burgers

Later in the afternoon she tackled making a 3-D Model of the Hubble Telescope. We didn't get it all the way done, but she doesn't play when it comes to making models. We bust out all the craftinesses, search for things around the house we can use, and get creative to make it look realistic.

On top of all of that, My Renaissance Girl sits and reads, plays with her brother and all of course after having slept until 11AM... glad that we get to work on projects together and she has so many interests!

Did I mention she is a normal tween girl and spends hours on her hair and likes to paint her nails? Papi isn't a huge fan of all of that... but I am glad she is balanced in all the things that she likes to do, I hope she keeps it up!

Not to be bias, but I am glad she is handy in the kitchen cause those burgers were AWESOME. Yum yum.

The Bama Speech

Notre Dame will face Alabama in the national Championship Football game. If you know me well, you know I like to write speeches, and I was thinking... what do you tell your under estimated team as your face a modern powerhouse like Bama? Well here is an option:

"In a few minutes we are going to run out on that turf... and we will have 60 minutes of football on that turf... that's 3600 seconds of time... not a second of that time will be easy.. not a second will we rest... until each second has passed can we relax... we earned every second we get on that turf, and not until after 3600 seconds have passed will we know who the next national champion is...

All the critics are saying
that 'Bama is the best team of the last decade...
that 'Bama is a machine and unstoppable...
that 'Bama is too big for us...
that 'Bama is too fast for us....

They are saying that we are lucky to just be "relevant" once again.

They are saying we should be scared? Do you want to know what 'Bama should be scared of? Notre Dame means football... and when we run onto that field we have hundreds of thousands of fans running behind us... AND...

We have the PASSION of a 6 year old throwing pretend touchdowns in the backyard...
We have the INNOVATION of a team that has always beat the odds...
We have the DRIVE of a kid putting on his football gear for the first time...
We have the COMMITMENT of selfless players, you all give everything for each other...
We have the RESOLVE of a team that knows we won this game in the gym and on the practice field already, we just need to seal it here... 

More Importantly...

We have the TRADITION of winning... remember that feeling you had the first time you ran through Our Tunnel... we are going to harness all of that... I want you to remember it now... focus on that feeling...

That feeling the first time you ran through the tunnel at ND you became an Irish Legend... now today, we will run through the Championship Tunnel and after 3600 seconds, we will become LEGENDARY.

Lets Go Irish!"

Take It From Me: Listen To Your Own Advice

Learned a lesson in class this semester. Yeah I know, novel idea that learning happens in class... but it was a lesson I already learned once, and one that I have taught many people. Well I had to learn it again...

If anyone was to ask me about buying car parts... I would always tell someone, get name brand parts. I buy Mobil 1 oil, K&N Air Filters, Good tires, and even at my age I don't like to skimp on the audio. So why when I had to replace my oil pressure stitch in the Element did I get a non-name brand one from Autozone? Cause I was cutting corners... and for what, to save and buy a $9 sensor versus a $21 one from the dealer?

Clearly the parts
were different!

If you read my previous post, I worked on my car in my shop class and saved a bundle of money. Well two days after I replaced the oil pressure switch my oil pressure light went on. The sensor wasn't bad, it was just leaking oil and it was recommended to get a new one not just remove, reseal and replace the original. So when the pressure light came on, despite freaking out a little (on my way to Indy!), I knew it had to be that sensor I just replaced. So I went in and got a sensor from the dealer.

In my follow up class I pulled the cheapo part I got, and when you compare them side by side (which I should of done the first time) you can tell they are different. No wonder the connection wasn't good and it through and error light. So I put the new part in, tightened it up and got it installed... which is a total pain cause you have no room to work in that engine bay...

Then started the car back up and Wha La... no oil light. Still no oil light when I got home, and feeling much better about my work. So more busted knuckles, more oil under the nails, and more back pain trying to change the part all because I didn't listen to my own advice... don't buy cheap parts. Especially not to save $13. ARGH.

Double the work is never fun.

No error lights is sure nice when driving around.

Shop Class for the Soul

My Craftsman Tools hard at work

For those following me you know that I am back in school... no not law school, no not PHD, no not MBA...

I am taking a shop class at Ivy Tech this fall. I have always been a car guy, but never really learned how to work on cars. So I am enjoying my tuition benefit and am taking the first Theory of Engine Servicing course (signed up for part two in the spring).

I entered like a typical adult learner... without much confidence, doubting my skills, and nervous I would do things wrong.

Honda Quote and my All Data Sheets

I proved myself wrong, I know my stuff, and I am connecting with the crew in class. I have really enjoyed the class, I have been surprised at how much more I knew than I thought I would.

This week I tackled my first project on my own car. A month ago Honda did one of those free check up days... so I took it in... its nice to have the dealer check it out once in a while. Well they said I had an oil leak, I noticed a few drops a couple times, usually after oil changes so I figured it was some spilled or something. Well the Honda dealer told me it was leaking oil from three places, and quoted me nearly $400 to fix it.

So my first thing was to hoist the car (last class), clean the motor well and look for myself. Yes having access to a hoist is VERY NICE. Well I cleaned it well and noticed a leak from my Oil Pressure Sensor and I think it was dripping down to the other areas. So cleaned it well, and before this weeks class got the sensor. Checked this week, and yes only new oil around the sensor.

Swamped the sensor, which was a $10 part, got a new tube of liquid gasket for $2 and maybe one hour shopping for parts (online/in store) and one hour working on it.

Really enjoy the hoists...

Well I saved myself nearly $400... and had a good time doing it. Hopefully by next semester I am getting close to being able to rebuild my Z...

On top of that though... it has just been very refreshing. In a job when I work on strategic plans, development theory, long term initiatives.... it is nice to just grab a wrench, start a job, finish it... wash my hands and head home... with a completed job under my belt.

Thinking about Columbus

Yeah I am a day late... look at my blog, I am a month late since my last post so this being late thing is a trend. At least I am being consistent.

Well yesterday got me thinking, and I wanted to do my own reply to all the blogger and FB rants about how evil and villainous Columbus was...

Yesterday I spent a great day off with Novali, she didn't have school so I took a vacation day and we had a great time enjoying some good one on one time. So I have to thank Columbus for helping provide me some great one on one time.

It got me thinking about blame, history, and perceptions of actions before, during and after the fact.

I am not here to write the traditional "Re-Thinking Columbus" post to bash him over what happened after his fabled "discovery" of a new world.

My thoughts have surrounded everyone's blame pointed at him over what happened after he landed. So I started thinking about the blame game. Can we give him all the blame? I mean why isn't anyone mad at the Queen of Spain who funded his trip? I mean didn't she have more to do with it? And isn't royal greed probably more responsible for the actions of the "Conquistadors"? Wouldn't the Catholic Church and Pope Alexander be responsible for much of the genocide?

It is interesting how we like to focus on individuals, in both blame and credit. I mean Christopher Columbus didn't discover America... I mean yes people were already here, but in the Euro-Centric view what about the Norseman Leif Erikson who came years before, and Amerigo Vespucci for whom America is actually named? Then extrapolate it to all the "great explorers" like Lewis and Clark... I mean weren't they just paving a trial for people to exploit Native American Tribes?

So how about this... maybe instead of blaming Columbus for what happened, how about we remove both credit and blame. I mean he didn't cause all the bad things that happened in the America's upon its "discovery" by the Europeans, but he also didn't "discover" the place. He wasn't a perfect man of course, and you are though right?

I mean Neil Armstrong didn't discover the moon. He did have the courage to make the trip, an unknown trip. However, if it ends up that the Moon was irreparably damaged because of his footprints, will we blame Armstrong and curse his name for ruining the moon? No, you'd have to blame NASA, the President for making it a priority, and of course Russia for egging us on (you know we have to toss Russia blame whenever we can).

I am not defending what happened post the Columbus "discovery" of the new world, nor his or others motivation in the trip. I am saying that remember credit is earned by groups, and blame should be taken in the same. We just celebrated Olympics in a country that profited countless riches from the "new world" and no one seemed to flinch at that... so why write some rant on FB about how Columbus was a villain and not at least cite his sources of motivation and wherewithal for the trip. 

A quote I have always liked states:

"Show me the man you honor, and I will know what kind of man you are." ~ Thomas Carlyl

Here maybe in reverse... yeah we don't need to honor him, but does how much hate you point towards one man show the type of person you are? 
 

Where Were You?

I was meeting with the WMU President Elson Floyd that morning, I heard the news of one plane just as I parked on campus. During our meeting he was interrupted, and then minutes later today me he was closing campus... 

 

First thing I did was buzz home and call Megan Baker... we immediately both said, we have to do something tonight. Our small band of IFC and Panhel Officers started quickly planning a vigil for that evening in Fraternity Village. People like David Lancaster and others helped bring hundreds of Greeks and non-Greeks to the village and somehow we found enough candles for everyone. No one doubted decisions, we all got together, no one hogged the microphone, everyone held hands and we all rowed in the same direction.

 

When I think of our divisive politics, and how much we have learned to hate other Americans who believe differently than we do... it shames us for what we went through over how much someone hated us... now we do it to each other, daily, publicly, and proudly. 

 

I hope today we take the time to remember that freedom didn't come free, that keeping it isn't easy, and working together is the only way to succeed. God Bless America on 9/11.

Old Man

I really don't feel like an old man. Never put a lot of thought into my birthdays, or feeling old, I think working with college students for a living keeps me young. I have however realized a few things that are different now, that I think clearly come with age, and maybe from being a father.

First off, this photo, the younger Sam would of never posted a shirtless photo of me slumped over. However, the older, less in shape, but proud Papi... posts this pic of Cruz helping me in the yard yesterday. He demanded on taking his shirt off, and then grabbed his sandcastle rake and came over to "help" me.

Second this picture... spent the weekend with my sister Raquel and her two little girls... they wanted me to wear their goggles and miners light... and not only did I mind getting my picture taken, I actually posed for it... and nearly smiled... Ha....

And then my little family... I don't mind not going out for my Birthday, or that I had yard work that needed to get done, or that there wasn't a big party. Not that I was ever a birthday party person anyways (well except the infamous 25th BDay at BFE), but it was a nice day and more importantly long weekend spent with my little family.

Thanks to everyone who posted on my wall, hit over 300! Wow... that's pretty cool everyone. It was a great birthday, and here is to another banner year.