May 30, 2010
Another night of fights...
Last night Corinne and I went to Applebee's again to watch the UFC fights. The fights don't seem to be as good as they used to, or at least less exciting.
This morning we cruised up route 156 and 152 to Strafford, to meet up with Pat P. for some car parts. Yesterday I drove up route 107 into Epsom to see the Fujii boys. They were very helpful as always.
There are some great winding roads throughout this part of New Hampshire. The car has run good all weekend (knock on wood).
This morning we cruised up route 156 and 152 to Strafford, to meet up with Pat P. for some car parts. Yesterday I drove up route 107 into Epsom to see the Fujii boys. They were very helpful as always.
There are some great winding roads throughout this part of New Hampshire. The car has run good all weekend (knock on wood).
Dear Jason Bemis,
Oh right, I'm the asshole. Not you, sending me a FINAL OFFER email for an amount I've said "no" to the past two times you offered. You're quite wrong actually, you're not the only response I've got. Sounds like I need to sell this as bad as you need to buy it. Fortunately due to the lack of regulations in the free market I can ask whatever I want for it. As far as Great White goes, I was born in 1985 and could care less about them. So go fuck yourself for calling me the asshole and your bad analogies. Although if you do decide to pay my asking price I will throw in a few White Snake CD's (way better than Great White IMO) and a red leather jacket!
May 29, 2010
The problem with having a 240SX...
Every part on the damn car is replaceable with an aftermarket or another(better) OEM part. Thus making the 240SX a money pit.
May 23, 2010
It was a beautiful weekend!
Corinne and I went up north for Tom's wedding. The weather was great and the Inn was dope! I didn't think I was going to have so much fun up there. Tom's wedding went very smoothly, and we all partied ALL weekend. We were at the Brass Heart Inn, amazing pancakes!It was nice to get away for a while. We didn't really have cell phone service, turns out it was a good thing. At one point, Corinne, Tom and I took a drive into North Conway to stop at a few shops. On our way back we took a small detour onto the Kancamagus Highway. Stopped for a few minutes and walked down to the river before making our way back to the Inn to get ready!
May 18, 2010
Tom's getting married so...
We threw him a bachelor party! Just a few buddies going out to have a good time. First we grabbed some grub then made our way to SkyVenture New Hampshire. WHAT A BLAST! Indoor skydiving, way harder then it looks. Both Tom, Fred and I got two runs (flights really) each. The whole process to us about an hour. After some quick instructions we suited up and they fired up the wind tunnel. Aaaaaaaaaaand we were off and flying! Afterwards we continued on some typical bachelor party festivities. Here are some pics! Sorry for the water-mark on them, it's $150 to get the photos from them... :/Tom
Fred
Yours truly...
May 16, 2010
Hurricane Mountain Road...
The first run was shall we say, "spirited". On our way home (going the other direction on Hurricane Mtn Rd), we stopped for a little photo shoot.
It's 2010...
If you're gonna be a jerk at any kind of a public event, there's a 100% chance you'll end up on the internet.
Today Corinne and I went up north for the Kanc Cruise hosted by New England Motorsport. There were A LOT of cars there, and a little bit of everything. Then there was an accident that changed the mood of the entire day. A brief description posted by someone on the forum, "there was a guy on a bike doing stupid fast speeds swerving in and out of traffic and wiped out while crossing from the breakdown lane into the highway and hit the rumble strips.. There was about 5 cars that all got hit and unfortunately stephs new rabbit took the worst amount of damage.." Someone else said, "I didn't witness the accidents but I did see the zx-14 pass us at probably close to 200mph in the breakdown lane with rumble strips..."
Some people really know how to ruin a good time. After lunch things settled down and everyone else was able to enjoy what was left of the day. Here's what I got for video. Excuse the spotty filming, I was trying not to draw attention to the fact I was filming.
Today Corinne and I went up north for the Kanc Cruise hosted by New England Motorsport. There were A LOT of cars there, and a little bit of everything. Then there was an accident that changed the mood of the entire day. A brief description posted by someone on the forum, "there was a guy on a bike doing stupid fast speeds swerving in and out of traffic and wiped out while crossing from the breakdown lane into the highway and hit the rumble strips.. There was about 5 cars that all got hit and unfortunately stephs new rabbit took the worst amount of damage.." Someone else said, "I didn't witness the accidents but I did see the zx-14 pass us at probably close to 200mph in the breakdown lane with rumble strips..."
Some people really know how to ruin a good time. After lunch things settled down and everyone else was able to enjoy what was left of the day. Here's what I got for video. Excuse the spotty filming, I was trying not to draw attention to the fact I was filming.
May 13, 2010
"If you love big, you lose big..."
Yesterday was exhausting in every form of the word. Nuff said.. Today I would like to post my Aunt Bonnie's eulogy written by my cousin, Kim. Enjoy!
Good Morning. I am Kim Starling and I am Bonnie’s Niece. On behalf of Richard, John, Sarabeth, HannaH and the entire Starling family, thank you for being with us this morning.
In times of grief or joy I always turn to my favorite philosopher and poet, Kahlil Gibran, he writes…
Ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
And so we stand in this hour of separation, united in grief. Losing Bonnie was always a possibility but never an understandable reality. It is only possible to experience the depth of our loss through the enormity of our love and gratitude for having had Bonnie in our lives. I always say, if you love big, you lose big.
Bonnie was born and raised in Dover, she was the free spirited, unconventional daughter of Don and Phyllis Starling, who were hard working and practical parents; with an older brother, Doug that adored his La Bon Bon and a dear pal for a younger brother, Malcolm.
When I was a child, Bonnie lived across the street from my Grandparents and after a proper period of time visiting with my Grandparents, I would usually ask if I could go over to Bonnie’s. Bonnie’s house was fun. There was always very cool music playing and games galore. She taught me cribbage and we played scrabble, backgammon and there was usually a puzzle going.
Bonnie was happiest when her son, John, was there. John was a jewel and Bonnie clearly adored him. She spoke to John like he was a little grown-up.
She wanted to be a cool Mom and she asked his opinion about stuff and taught him things and held to a wish that he would grow up to appreciate the Rock and Roll she loved so well.
Into Bonnie’s life appeared a quiet giant of a man. My uncle George was patient and sweet and had the kindest eyes around. He grounded Bonnie…a bit and they set out to build a new home and a new life in Farmington.
Along came sweet SaraBeth. She was the tiniest infant, born too soon and although she had a challenging beginning, she came into this world highly intelligent and self possessed. Our family enjoyed watching barefooted, hippy Bonnie trying to figure out what to do with this little girl that wanted to wear pink frilly dresses with matching purse and perfect hair with bows. She gave Bonnie a run for her money, in the best possible way. Thankfully, all Bonnie wanted for her children was for them to be themselves, whatever that may be.
Then came darling HannaH. HannaH arrived more like her Dad, shy and reserved with lots of things going on behind those gorgeous George eyes. George built them their dream house in Farmington with the “front door” facing the woods. Bonnie and George built that house one board, one window, one cabinet at a time.
But the road to their dream life in the woods was short with the tragic death of her beloved George in an accident at the Shipyard in 1999.
While trying to pick up the pieces of their lives another kind, generous and gentle friend helped Bonnie and the girls get through this dark time and Richard became a devoted companion to Bonnie. Richard’s care for Bonnie in the last two years has been selfless and a God send.
I admired Bonnie’s ability to be completely herself. Bonnie was an original, she was unique and she inherited from my Grandmother the quality of speaking with no filter, which occasionally got her in some hot water. In this family we have a bit of a short hand…when someone is telling a story involving Bonnie at some point the storyteller will stop say….”because you know how Bonnie is…” or “well, you know how my Mom is…” and we did know. More importantly I think Bonnie knew how Bonnie was; she knew that to love her required patience, understanding and a sense of humor. Bonnie herself had a wicked sense of humor, except occasionally she found herself the only one laughing at something she thought was extremely funny.
Bonnie was very, very smart. A year ago I spent an evening by her bedside at Portsmouth Hospital. She was groggy from some medication they had given her. Jeopardy was on and she answered all but two questions throughout the whole show. More then factual, Bonnie had a grasp on many complex political and cultural topics. While her point of view could be pretty “out there” she certainly had an understanding of all the nuisances of a variety of topics, none more then her favorite topic classic rock and the artists that made that music.
Her life was not easy, but she was blessed to be surrounded in unconditional love and support. There was George and Richard, she raised three amazing kids who loved her very much, two grandkids she adored. She had two devoted brothers who would have done anything for her and occasionally did and a daughter-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and a nephew that will miss her dearly.
Bonnie would want us to go on. She would want you to live your lives, to have fun and laugh, listen to music and to cause some trouble once in a while. To go on with joy, purpose and a promise to love and care for each other. She may be gone too soon…but my prayer for Bonnie now is that death has brought her spirit freedom and peace. I have a picture in my mind of Bonnie’s version of heaven, it looks a lot like photos of you have seen of Woodstock. A giant field in the sunshine, love and fun all around her…live music filling the air played by all the classic rock legends, Cream, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin….she is standing in the center of it all…barefoot and dancing, George next to her, and the sun illuminating her face…she is free.
I close with a final passage from Kahlil Gibran...
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,
open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one,
even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires
lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow
your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams,
for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
For what is it to die
but to stand naked in the wind
and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing
but to free the breath from its restless tides
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence
shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs,
then shall you truly dance.
Good Morning. I am Kim Starling and I am Bonnie’s Niece. On behalf of Richard, John, Sarabeth, HannaH and the entire Starling family, thank you for being with us this morning.
In times of grief or joy I always turn to my favorite philosopher and poet, Kahlil Gibran, he writes…
Ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
And so we stand in this hour of separation, united in grief. Losing Bonnie was always a possibility but never an understandable reality. It is only possible to experience the depth of our loss through the enormity of our love and gratitude for having had Bonnie in our lives. I always say, if you love big, you lose big.
Bonnie was born and raised in Dover, she was the free spirited, unconventional daughter of Don and Phyllis Starling, who were hard working and practical parents; with an older brother, Doug that adored his La Bon Bon and a dear pal for a younger brother, Malcolm.
When I was a child, Bonnie lived across the street from my Grandparents and after a proper period of time visiting with my Grandparents, I would usually ask if I could go over to Bonnie’s. Bonnie’s house was fun. There was always very cool music playing and games galore. She taught me cribbage and we played scrabble, backgammon and there was usually a puzzle going.
Bonnie was happiest when her son, John, was there. John was a jewel and Bonnie clearly adored him. She spoke to John like he was a little grown-up.
She wanted to be a cool Mom and she asked his opinion about stuff and taught him things and held to a wish that he would grow up to appreciate the Rock and Roll she loved so well.
Into Bonnie’s life appeared a quiet giant of a man. My uncle George was patient and sweet and had the kindest eyes around. He grounded Bonnie…a bit and they set out to build a new home and a new life in Farmington.
Along came sweet SaraBeth. She was the tiniest infant, born too soon and although she had a challenging beginning, she came into this world highly intelligent and self possessed. Our family enjoyed watching barefooted, hippy Bonnie trying to figure out what to do with this little girl that wanted to wear pink frilly dresses with matching purse and perfect hair with bows. She gave Bonnie a run for her money, in the best possible way. Thankfully, all Bonnie wanted for her children was for them to be themselves, whatever that may be.
Then came darling HannaH. HannaH arrived more like her Dad, shy and reserved with lots of things going on behind those gorgeous George eyes. George built them their dream house in Farmington with the “front door” facing the woods. Bonnie and George built that house one board, one window, one cabinet at a time.
But the road to their dream life in the woods was short with the tragic death of her beloved George in an accident at the Shipyard in 1999.
While trying to pick up the pieces of their lives another kind, generous and gentle friend helped Bonnie and the girls get through this dark time and Richard became a devoted companion to Bonnie. Richard’s care for Bonnie in the last two years has been selfless and a God send.
I admired Bonnie’s ability to be completely herself. Bonnie was an original, she was unique and she inherited from my Grandmother the quality of speaking with no filter, which occasionally got her in some hot water. In this family we have a bit of a short hand…when someone is telling a story involving Bonnie at some point the storyteller will stop say….”because you know how Bonnie is…” or “well, you know how my Mom is…” and we did know. More importantly I think Bonnie knew how Bonnie was; she knew that to love her required patience, understanding and a sense of humor. Bonnie herself had a wicked sense of humor, except occasionally she found herself the only one laughing at something she thought was extremely funny.
Bonnie was very, very smart. A year ago I spent an evening by her bedside at Portsmouth Hospital. She was groggy from some medication they had given her. Jeopardy was on and she answered all but two questions throughout the whole show. More then factual, Bonnie had a grasp on many complex political and cultural topics. While her point of view could be pretty “out there” she certainly had an understanding of all the nuisances of a variety of topics, none more then her favorite topic classic rock and the artists that made that music.
Her life was not easy, but she was blessed to be surrounded in unconditional love and support. There was George and Richard, she raised three amazing kids who loved her very much, two grandkids she adored. She had two devoted brothers who would have done anything for her and occasionally did and a daughter-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and a nephew that will miss her dearly.
Bonnie would want us to go on. She would want you to live your lives, to have fun and laugh, listen to music and to cause some trouble once in a while. To go on with joy, purpose and a promise to love and care for each other. She may be gone too soon…but my prayer for Bonnie now is that death has brought her spirit freedom and peace. I have a picture in my mind of Bonnie’s version of heaven, it looks a lot like photos of you have seen of Woodstock. A giant field in the sunshine, love and fun all around her…live music filling the air played by all the classic rock legends, Cream, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin….she is standing in the center of it all…barefoot and dancing, George next to her, and the sun illuminating her face…she is free.
I close with a final passage from Kahlil Gibran...
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,
open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one,
even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires
lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow
your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams,
for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
For what is it to die
but to stand naked in the wind
and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing
but to free the breath from its restless tides
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence
shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs,
then shall you truly dance.
May 8, 2010
Bang bang..
Today was a very busy day. It started with getting up at 6:30am to pick up Jay. We went to RI to get a transmission for his car and stopped at Shane's and Pat's houses for more parts. We made very good time and were back at the shop in NH by 1:00pm.
After grabbing a quick bite, Corinne and I went to my co-worker Ethan's house to do some shooting. He and his father have a shooting range in Northwood and enough guns and ammo for the entire US National Guard. We started small, with a .22 rifle, moved on to an M4, 12 gauge shotgun, Glock, 1917 Colt .45, and a 300 Win Mag (that kicked the hardest!). Here are a few videos from our fun.
Now we are off to Applebee's to watch the pay-per-view UFC fights. They do half price apps too! See you there!!!!
After grabbing a quick bite, Corinne and I went to my co-worker Ethan's house to do some shooting. He and his father have a shooting range in Northwood and enough guns and ammo for the entire US National Guard. We started small, with a .22 rifle, moved on to an M4, 12 gauge shotgun, Glock, 1917 Colt .45, and a 300 Win Mag (that kicked the hardest!). Here are a few videos from our fun.
Now we are off to Applebee's to watch the pay-per-view UFC fights. They do half price apps too! See you there!!!!
May 7, 2010
May 6, 2010
Not just SMAW but TIG too...
So about 10 Navy Ship's Force engineers came into the weld school today to see what welding is all about. Ya figure, they are the ones who plan out how and when things get done, might as well know how it gets done. Right? After teaching three engineers how to strike an arc, I decided to walk over to the TIG school to see what's up. Chuck took some time out of his day to explain the components of a TIG welder and how it works. After watching him run a bead he passed the torch for me to give it a shot. Turns out I did pretty good! TIG welding is something I will learn in my 3rd year, can't wait!
My aunt is in the hospital. Things aren't looking good, but it can change at any time. It'd be nice to see the family while NOT in the ICU waiting room for once.
My aunt is in the hospital. Things aren't looking good, but it can change at any time. It'd be nice to see the family while NOT in the ICU waiting room for once.
May 3, 2010
Oh the heat..
Today pretty much sucked to be a welder. Wearing full leathers, huge gloves, beanie, and more. And it's only MAY 3rd!!!! I can't wait until October rolls around..
There are other things I'd like to talk about but I won't right now... Because I need to go to bed.
There are other things I'd like to talk about but I won't right now... Because I need to go to bed.
May 2, 2010
Wedding update...
So I've decided on a DJ and what will be served at the reception. Next up: flowers... and maybe cake?!
Time to cook up some beef.
Pat, hang in there buddy.
Time to cook up some beef.
Pat, hang in there buddy.
May 1, 2010
I passed!
So I've passed all my tests at work! I now have only 2 training classes to take before I can leave the weld school and go to the production shop. This past week I also went onto a sub for the first time. This thing was no Albacore. JJ gave us a good tour, told us more irrelevant stories, and MAYBE a little bit of useful information.
315 miles...
Today Corinne and I spent some time in the car, driving to a car show and back. Went all the way to Amherst, MA with a few stops and detours along the way. We both got hit pretty good by the sun. I'd say most of the damage was done while we were sitting in the car not walking around at the show.
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