A few of my favorite things... wheeler dealers.

Just a quick note, if you have never watched the T.V. show Wheeler Dealers and you are a car nut (as I am) then you need to check it out.  The easiest way to watch it is on Youtube.com.  Many of the episodes have been uploaded onto Youtube and can be watched in several parts.  The show is a bit 'cheeky' and made in Brittain (hence my cheeky comment).  The two hosts are like night and day although the goofyness of the host "Mike' is definitely rubbing off on the mechanic Ed.  The two blokes (dudes) buy cars and fix them up to sell for a profit.  The show is VERY British and proud of it and thats one of the reasons I love it.  The difference in speech, slang, customs are all very intersting as well as the difference in cars.  Did you know ford made an AWESOME 4 door turbo charged bad ass sedan in the 80's and 90's when they teamed up with the Forumla One engine company Cosworth? I did but that's because I'm more wordly then you dear reader and I had a british friend who told me about such awesome cars that he reffered to as 'Cossie's'.  They also teamed up with Mercedes to produce another great little 4 door sports sedan.  Anyway thats the type of car they feature.  British, Japanese, German, Italian and even U.S. cars are bought, fixed up and sold on.  I'll add more later but you should be clicking on Youtube right now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuZfRgCWVdQ

My Black 1964 VW bug "La Cucaracha"

A month ago I saw a neat looking bug on craigslist in Tracy.  They seller was asking what I felt was too much and was 'firm' on price according to the advertisement.  I liked the car but wasn't interested in  it at that price.  I was browsing Craigslist again a week or so ago and there was the same car at a more reasonable but still to high of a price.  But it was in the ballpark.  I called the seller and went to look at the car.  The seller claimed the car had recently developed a noise that sounded like the throw out bearing going out.  I agreed with that assessment.  I was able to talk the seller way down on price and we came to an agreeable price.  I drove the car home.  I took it to Bob's German the following Monday to have the throw out bearing changed out.  To my dismay Bob's diagnosed the problem as being a much more serious crank issue and informed me that I needed to rebuild the ENTIRE engine.  I purchased a rebuilt long block from Bob's and had them rebuild the engine.  Here are pics of the day I bought it, the drive home through the back roads of Tracy and a few other pics I took. Enjoy!

And its sold!

What happened to September?

September came and went faster then the blink of an eye.  My school is going well with a few riot's here and there but that's to be expected right?  I've spent a lot of time taking pictures and video of my students as my video class continues to develop.  Brody is doing very well although yesterday he got bit my a mosquito on his eye! I have a picture I'll post in here.  Jacelyn is doingOverall it's been a very productive few weeks but extremely busy.  I hope you are all doing well!  I attended a trip to South Lake Tahoe with my students that is where the balloon photos were taken.  No we did not get to ride on the balloon but I did take pics of it as they made for an interesting photograph.   Enjoy the pics!

 Brody's big bulgy eye.

 Pope beach, balloon take off.

 Pope beach 7 A.M.

Taken on the western side of Tahoe during a hike
at the Sugar Pine state park.

My mug.

Keep it movin...

It's early on Saturday morning and everyone is asleep so I have a few minutes to blab endlessly about myself and my ridiculous interests and hobbies. The first major development since the last time I blogged was I was REALLY sick at the beginning of the school year, so much so that I missed the big premiere of my film I made at the S.F. Digital film school! That was disappointing but I'm glad to just be healthy again!

Being sick made for a terrible first week of school but everything is running smoothly now.  As smoothly as a court community school can run anyway.  Lots of drama but that's another story.  My newest hobby is Auto-cross or Auto-X (the X is supposed to be a cross I guess).

My friend Andy and I have competed (participated really since neither of us are any good) in the past several events here in Stockton.  The events are put on by the S.F. SCCA region but really most of these guys are from Sacramento.  Overall I have been very happy with the events aside from one incident when 4 different drivers were all co-driving the same car and this ONE car took a good 20-30 minutes to complete all 4 runs for each driver.  The rest of the group had finished but this one car had all of these co-drivers and EVERY lap they would bring it in and spray down the tires, open the hood and what not.  The sun was BEATING down on all the flag Marshall's so it made for a LOOOONG 20 or so minutes.  Other then that I've had a blast beating Andy at both events.  Next weekend is the last event in Stockton this season and is an 'enduro' event.  The enduro part means we'll be doing 2 consecutive laps and then a 5 lap turn at the end. 

What I like most about Auto-cross is that if you already have a car it's cheap and easy to get into.  I've sold off all my Karts (and the Stockton Motorplex Kart track is currently without an owner, but hopefully Scott Conway takes the reigns and get's it going again out there) and I am currently street bike less.  So the Auto-cross has filled the ever persistent itch to go fast.  If you like driving fast but want to do it in a safe and friendly environment I highly recommend you check out an event in Stockton or Sacramento.  You can literally auto-cross ANY car.

Here are a few pics of me and Andy attempting to drive fast around cones! Enjoy.

The San Francisco School of Digital Film (SFSDF)

 My school district asked if I were interested in attending a summer workshop at the San Francisco School of Digital Film for a 5 week workshop.  We are currently in week 3 of the 5 and I have learned sooooo much it's a little overwhelming.  The class has been extremely interesting and exciting, I wish I could say the same about the commute.




Waiting for the train at the Dublin Bart station.













On the train headed for S.F.

This is the first thing I see when I come up the escalator at the Powell Street station in S.F.

Some days for lunch a bunch of trucks pull into the alley behind the building.  It's called 'off the grid' and its awesome.

 

Learning how to do 'Rembrandt lighting'.

Summer School...

It's going.  I am teaching a film focused class for summer school and so far so good.  Some days I want to throw my hands up at what seems like an impossible and futile task to get through to young people but I have to remind myself that it's summer school and how committed and serious can any kid be during summer school.  I have had to change my goals from 'cover as much curriculum as in depth as possible' to 'its summer school, have fun, try to teach them something in the mean time'.  

I am showing Gattaca in my classroom today as a lesson on various camera angles and techniques.  75% tuned out at first but eventually came around towards the end of the first 45 minutes.

I hope YOUR enjoying YOUR summer!  If your not a teacher your probably grumbling about summer being just another month, but you don't work with 80 'at risk' teenagers do you?  Teachers NEED and DESERVE summers, trust me.

Father Greg Boyle and Darrel Scott conversations with Mick Founts...

                                                            

I just got home from hearing a man named Father Greg Boyle speak at the County Office of Education's "Conversations With..." which is put on by the San Joaquin County Office of Education.  The format is really interesting.  The guest speaker sits down with Mick and the conversation goes where ever it may go.  Mick asks questions and the audience also has the chance to participate.  Last month a man named Darrel Scott came and spoke.  Darrel Scott's daughter Rachel Scott was one of the first students to be shot at the Columbine High massacre.  They have a website that I highly recommend anybody educator, student, whomever should visit and read.  You can find it here. What I took away from Darrel's conversation was that as a person and especially as an educator who works with at risk youth, you must always focus on the positive.  You cannot focus on the drama or the negative.  If you do, it will drive you crazy.  Also you need to focus your energy and approach our students in a positive manner.  Today during school I was coaxing students into getting to class as I do in between every passing period.  As I was speaking loudly to a group of students one of my seniors suggested I "put some bass in your voice" which was his way of saying "get tough on these stragglers".  I nodded to him and when the group got moving I said to him quietly "You know, I used to yell and holler and be kind of loud but I've found that you guys react a lot better when I asking nicely and in a positive way."  He just chuckled and walked with me down the hall.  I can't tell you when this practice began and it's still a daily struggle to remain calm and positive when students are casually walking to class and talking and almost ignoring me when I am asking them to get to where they need to get.  I do know the change was gradual and did not change over night.  Little by little my approach and outlook towards my students has come full circle.  I think that early on I kind of took on a negative, confrontational approach at times and the results were disastrous.  I'm not saying that I still don't sometimes get fired up and verbally let loose every now and then but those reactions are slowly becoming less and less frequent.  It just doesn't help the situation.  So I remember both Jeff Eben's speech and Darrel Scott's speech when I feel I need a little guidance on which way to approach a student.  Jeff Eben is another educator who works in Clovis California, near Fresno.  I saw him speak a few years ago and he was awe inspiring.  His story is awesome.  You should visit his website here. Ultimately I've come up with my own words of wisdom and that's "Negativity will get you nowhere."

Tonights speaker was amazing.  I believe that books will be written about this man and his accomplishments.  His humility is what really inspires me.  I feel that this man deserves alot more accolades and praise then he has received and that hopefully one day he receives the recognition he deserves.  He does not want this for himself which is one of the things that makes him so great.  Father Greg Boyle is a priest who has been working with gang members throughout Los Angeles for the past 25 years.  If you have never heard of him I recommend stopping by his website which can be found here.  Also you can see some great video's of him speaking at various events on youtube,  here is a video. 

What I will take away from Father Boyle is that my role in the rehabilitation of a young person is vital.  That without a "love caring adult who pays attention" then a child has little or no chance.  He spoke about people "discovering the truth of who we are" and how people must "redefine" themselves.  He also spoke about the process of gang intervention and that it is a long process.  He said that in the beginning of his work he would simply get ex-gang members jobs and that was the main focus.  But he said now, it is more like recovery.  Like and alcoholic a gang member must be ready to change before any progress can be made.  He said "I can't save anybody" that people save themselves.  He told many heart wrenching stories about young people whom he's known and have died due to gangs.  But like Darrel Scott he talked about not letting death "punk you out".  Not letting death get you down is an important message.  Father Boyle lost one of his workers to gang violence the Saturday before giving this speech.  You could tell he was troubled by the event but he kept his composure and helped uplift all of the people in the audience with his message.                                          

I am very grateful that I work for an agency that brings people like this into my midst.  I feel renewed after these events which is why I attend them.  Like anybody I get the feeling of being 'burnt out' and listening to people who are inspiring renews my spirit.  Without a strong spirit or a strong sense of 'self' we as educator's could not go on day in day out and continue our journeys with a positive outlook.  It's up to us to be the guiding light in many lost lives.  Regardless of who you think 'should' be mentoring these young people, it is our responsibility to do as much as we can with whatever we can to help enrich and guide our 'kids'.

My own journey has led me towards technology, music and art in an effort to reach young people and hopefully inspire a passion that I have always had for creativity.  In a way it's selfish as I choose to interact with students in a form that I find interesting but at the same time, through shared passion we find common ground.  I look forward to the future and the new ground I am going to step on and I will look back on nights like these when I am in need of guidance or when I need a lift of spirits.                    




                                                    I am truly blessed.

February, March, April.... and on and on...

It's been a while since I've written ANYTHING on/in this blog.  I've been THAT busy. A lot is going on in the world these days.  Libya, Egypt, Japan all have a LOT on their plates.  Other then bad weather and our crappy economy it's business as almost usual in the good ol' U.S.A.  What I don't like about the younger generation (I might have been guilty of this when I was 16) is that they do not appreciate what they have.  I realize jobs are scarce right now, especially for teens but... they are out there.  They may not be 'good' jobs, but McDonalds IS hireing.  There are jobs to be had.

Anyway back to me.  This is my blog by the way.  I could go more into depth about the latest peace talks in Libya but honestly it doesn't interest me.  It should, as oil prices have risen and look to continue, and I'm a car nut so that's bad news for me, but I'm still not all that interested at this point.  The first few days of fighting was pretty excieting and I watched alot of CNN but now, it's kind of yesterday's news.

Speaking of yesterdays news, WHEN is Charlie Sheen going to do the world a favor and O.D. already! I actually like a lot of his movies but I am SICK of all of his bullshit!  He's a washed up CRACK head! This is like Flavor Flav all over again.  Nobody cares what you have to say.... crack head.  We MIGHT have cared back in 1991 but... now?  Who cares that you locked yourself in an airplane bathroom with a 7oz crack rock?! I don't.  Apparently alot of rich assholes, who are willing to pay $500-$700 a ticket care but that's them.

Ok, I'm done.  Check out some pictures.                     


Valentines Day flowers for Jacelyn

                                                           



                                                                   Brody, being Brody.

Just checking in...

Thought I'd post a few pics and write a few words.  January 27th (a Thursday this year) was my 33rd birthday.  My dad thought I was 31, go figure.  I told him "Don't worry Dad, I have no idea how old you are either!"  Overall not a terrible birthday.  I went to a Dr's appointment and missed work :) but then got to work and had to work for several hours taking care of bid-ness (kicking out crazy-ass high school kids for fighting).  Anywho, went out to eat with Jacelyn then went to see 'True Grit'.  The original happened to be on yesterday and I watched some of it and I gotta say the new version stands up pretty good.  Don't get me wrong, there is NO replacing The Duke, but the Cohen brother's take on a great story was pretty awesome.  My newest obsession has been go-karting.  I know what your thinking "really, go karts?" Yes, Daniel-son go-karts.  I've been to the track a few times with them (yeah I have 2) and have had a lot of fun.  Oh yeah and I bought a new truck.  Check out the pics.

This is my new daily driver.  It belonged to my grandpa.  It's a 1989 Toyota pickup. I love this truck!












This is one of my Karts.  This is an Emmick with a 'Clone' motor.  I also have a 80cc shifter Kart that does like 80-90 MPH.












Just a random picture of Brody on his 'glider bike'.  You can never see enough picture of this dude can you?