Think you had a bad day?

I just got this email from my buddy Shawn who is a New York City fireman.

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From: SHAWN ******
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:20 PM
To: Jimmy
Subject:

what's up? I got to keep this short. We had a building collapse on us at a fire on Sunday. I made it out but two of my friends didn't make it. One kid was only a fireman for one fucking month. This is the second time in 1 1/2 years my firehouse has lost guys so its been pretty shitty. Couple that with the wife on my ass about why I want to be a fireman and, well you get the picture. I'm busy with the funerals for the rest of the week and i'll give you a shout after that.

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Aside from telling him that you're sorry for his loss and telling him to be safe, what the hell do you even say to that? On my worst day, the stress I have to deal with doesn't even come close to his. The act of running into a burning building (think NYC, not Denver which pales in comparison) when everyone else is running out takes a certain something most do not have and how he stays sane is beyond me. Although he would argue with me -yes, he is that humble- there is nobody better suited for that job than him. He was born to help people in dire need of being helped. As fluffy as it sounds, he cares that much about his fellow man.

Please be safe brother. Thank you for being you.

Thursday...

First of all, thank you all for all the advice...both in the comments section and via email! It is greatly appreciated...even HK. You must already know how I roll.

Sadly, this process will not be a short one. Since all the neighbors do not agree, it's pretty safe to assume that there will be many (read: almost excessive) city council gatherings. This I'm told is an exercise frequently practiced by the City and investors to wear down the resolve of the neighbors who have joined together to fight this investor backed, city imposed thoroughfare and the rezoning that would occur because of said thoroughfare.

The first of these meetings will be held on Thursday (tomorrow). Rest assured, I will post frequently as the truth unfolds.

Thank you again!

So I have this problem...

I'm planning to purchase a house that currently belongs to my parents. The house in which I grew up is in an ideal location in that it is situated at the very end of a dead-end street. Additionally, there is a "blue ribbon school" only three houses away. Directly across the street there exists an enormous park, double tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court and a extremely large playground.

Unfortunately, there are two very large plots of land (think farmland and horse pasture) to the west that are currently being considered for R2 rezoning (houses that would be considered less than desirable for the neighborhood) and the owner\investor will surely subdivide to maximize his profit. In addition, the city plans to make our beloved dead-end street a thoroughfare - a through street. We, the neighbors, are currently writing letters to the city and the investor condemning both the R2 rezone and said thoroughfare. Tonight we will be circulating two petitions: one condemning the thoroughfare and one condemning the R2 zoning.

Any other (legal) ideas on how we can rise up and fight the power?

Days like this...

...make me really miss Lake Powell.

Long time no post...

Yeah, things have been hectic lately here in cubeville so I have not had a chance to post. Let us recap, shall we?

I took Larah to the Cherry Creek trap range a couple of weeks ago and taught her how to shoot a shotgun. Only time will tell if teaching her how to shoot was a good decision...needless to say, I've been very sweet lately...just in case.

We started at the spring loaded hand-throwing machines. To her credit, she stood in there like a champ despite the fact that I did not bring a 20ga. for her. She was forced to shoot my 12ga. land cannons which were not only too heavy and too long for her but also tend to bruise the shoulder after a few shots. She quickly got the hang of though and was able to shoot down six clay birds. We both had a blast and can't wait to go back.

We headed to the Lee's new house for a house-warming party in Ft. Collins last weekend. What started as a quaint little house warming, quickly developed into a drink-fest complete with drinking games such as "beer-pong", "asshole", and "mexicali" followed by a few no-stakes games of Texas-hold 'em. Too old for drinking games? I think not! Was like riding a bike.

Here's a sign you'll probably never see in Denver or the Tech Center. It's posted on the front doors of the building in which I work. Don't be a hater...I know you want a sign like this where you work...