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Monday, March 15, 2010

Help Wanted Signs

On the topic of jobs, here are 14 hilarious "Help Wanted" signs....enjoy

Basketball, Background Checks, and Days Off

So I am really upset that I am missing out on KU dominating in basketball. It's one of those things that you wouldn't understand unless you went to KU and were enthralled in the culture that is Kansas Basketball.

I've been updating my resume and looking for jobs back in Dallas and I had this brilliant idea to join careerbuilder.com and monster.com as options for myself. Turns out careerbuilder.com has a connection with a company that does background checks and it is one of the steps of joining so you know exactly what to report. I wish I came up with that idea because it is so smart.

Today, I barely lifted a finger because I took today seriously as my day off. I did end up "making dinner" by putting the lasagna in the oven and the only difficult part was making the salad because if you know me, I've never made a salad before. It seems to have turned out well so Check on the salad making. I got a lot done in relation to updating my resume and looking for jobs. I'm sure my dad will agree as I had sent him about 5 or 6 emails today about it. Now I just need to apply. Yea!!

Victor's back so hopefully we'll be dancing to Shakira later. I hope to be getting a flip video of it so stay tuned

Aussie word of the Day :
Flash: Nice, cool, flashy "The iPhone is a real flash phone"

Back to work tomorrow. I am on the grind to get this one pasture finished before I leave. It's in bad condition but I'm using my magic touch and it WILL be finished before I leave. Positive steps...

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Guinness Book of World Records

So the other day two guys in London broke a world record for probably the weirdest thing ever.

Two guys set the record for the "Longest Embrace" by hugging each other for 24 hours straight. All I have to say is wow.....

"This is Jeff. He goes by Jesus"

So next weekend we are going to a horse show. Stephen is competing and I am just going along for the ride, kind of like this entire trip. Ness has been searching high and low for trucks and trailers to get the horses to the show. She finally found a truck that would hold two or three horse and has living quarters for Stephen and I. We were so excited because apparently these things can be really fun in the trailer area. The catch is the entire truck is HOT PINK!! Needless to say we've been trying to figure out ways that we would explain the truck to the other riders but oh well.

Yesterday, a few girls came to look at horses and Ness introduced me by saying, "This is Jeff. He goes by Jesus." This is because her mom thinks I look like Jesus and my beard is getting pretty long. I have been laughing about it ever since.

Stephen had gotten me all excited for tonight which he thought was St. Patrick's Day. We had everything covered for tomorrow morning and I was going to take the entire day off and work on my resume and send it out and do some applications. To bad, it's on Wednesday. Kind of a downer but oh well hopefully we can push it back or something

Aussie word of the day:
Cuppa = Cup OF (Tea or Coffee)

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Aren't You Glad This Isn't Your Son?

I almost forgot, I read an article about a guy who wasn't embarrassed at all about who he fell in love with. If I was related to this guy I would not tell anyone that I was. Take a look

More Random thoughts and statements

Hello everyone,

So last night we definitely did it, we watched "This Is It" and it was actually pretty amazing. Glad that MJ went out as a genius instead of a creepy weirdo.

I have been hesitant to start any new big projects because I only have a few weeks and change left here and I'm a little tired but it's all good. The place is in tip top shape and it makes me feel good that I have accomplished so much in my time here.

Today, the farrier came and I had to help a little bit with holding the horses and what not. If you didn't know, a farrier is a person who puts horseshoes on. I was incredibly interested in what Glen, the farrier, was doing. It is one of those things that you understand but never really know how much goes into it until you see it, much like horse breeding but trust me, you really don't want to know the half of what goes in to horse breeding. Plus, it was probably the first time I had ever seen a portable anvil pop out of the back of a trailer before. It was pretty cool. I felt like I was the guy from Dirty Jobs.

I have been trying to update my resume and am having trouble with what I should use as my job title for this experience. I currently have Facilities Manager but I am not dead-set on it. I feel like there should be an "and" or something like that. Feedback is much appreciated.

Aussie Word of the Day:
Arvo = Afternoon

that is all

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Random thoughts from an ADD Kid

Hey all,

I abandoned the third-person talk, if you hadn't guessed. Lately, I have just been trying to figure out how I am getting over to the airport to make the 7 am flight that my parents have scheduled for me to meet them at the Great Barrier Reef. That's probably a 4 am wake up call. Yikes!

The other day I was working in a large wood/ mulch pile, not really realizing what I was working with until a day or two later when I realized that there was spiders I hadn't seen yet and bugs I hadn't heard of. Then, I found the Inch Ant, one I had tangled with before but not in such proximity. I was working around a nest apparently and ended up finding one close to my zipper. To preface, these ants latch on and bite you so hard that you feel like you have been shot by a gun. Thank God I was able to get that ant away from me without any bites. Whew!

I got a watch the other day. It is a pretty terrible little thing but it does the trick. Only thing is, it tells the correct time. Something I haven't been use to and really don't like. It's curious that when you haven't been able to tell time, it goes by so quickly. You realize that the day is over when the sun is set, but with a watch you look and it's 6pm and you're like "peace, I'm out. The day is over."

Time goes by so much slower now with a watch and with my parents coming in a few weeks. It's terrible. I feel like my grandfather on my dad's side, my Papa. I come in contact with so few people that when I know that someone is coming in advance I am just going crazy. They should've just surprised me because the anticipation is just killing me.

We are going to a game reserve in South Africa or something, not really sure anymore. Just letting Stephen be in control because its the Pitts-Rogers way...Diane, you know it's true, haha He wants it more than I do and well, it probably matters more than I do.... oh well, I'm sure I'll here about it tomorrow.

If anybody knows about jobs that I would be qualified for in Dallas, please let me know because I am looking and needing a job. I love my parents but I'd rather not live with them forever. haha

till tomorrow



Saturday, March 6, 2010

Pissing Contest

"Pissing Contest" referring to guys and their never ending competitions of who is better at what, smarter, knows more movie quotes, and on and on. Well, of course, being that Stephen and I have known each other for for almost 2 decades we are well into our "pissing contest". The latest competition was "quotes from Captain Planet". We tied, if you were wondering. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I have spent the last two months working really hard to clean up the property. I am trying to get it to where all the hard stuff is finished so that anything that is left to do can be done by anyone else. I have lost around 15 pounds and feel great. You can sort of tell in my face but my beard is really long so its a little hard to tell i guess. I almost shaved it and my head as well but decided that I could wait until I get home. I am hoping to lose 10 more pounds before i get home so that I can be under 200 pounds. Its kind of a New Years resolution/ personal goal.

Stephen hurt his wrist. He fell off a horse and was inactive for a few days. He is fine now so don't worry. Its been raining on and off for the past few days, probably because of the craziness that is going on. We are pretty far inland so we are ok.

My parents are coming at the end of the month and I'm meeting up with them. Then, its off to South Africa to a game reserve and stuff like that.

Aussie word of the day:
Cool As: more than just cool, really cool....i guess

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Adventure to Leeson's

Before Jeff and Stephen left for New Zealand, they took a trip with Ness over to Leeson's house where he has been designing and building a show jumping course. They were running late as always and by the time they got there Leeson was drunk.

He had spent the previous two days mowing a path through his land so that he could so them his vision for this olympic calaber course. They hopped into the Subaru, Mable, as Leeson guided them through the course.

He was directing Stephen who was driving every which way and it was quite hilarious because they were so specific and so often of directions that they were kind of wondering why he chose to mow this specific path when there were so many hazards that they had to be aware. He also directed Stephen to turn into areas that weren't even mowed or turn into a fence then told him to turn directly after he had just turned. It made very little sense. He also didn't realize that the others, especially Jeff and Ness were getting a kick out of Leeson directing Stephen around in the manner in which he was doing it.

They get back to the house and meet Leeson's two sons who hopefully take after their father instead of their mother because both of them were giants. To back-track a little, Leeson is about 6'5 and broad. His oldest son is 6'4 and the other is 6'8 so you can see why it is more likely that they take after their father than their mother...at least we hope.

Ness and Leeson went into the office to discuss business while Jeff and Stephen were left with the two sons and their friend. It was a weird situation for them especially because they were ready to go back to the house and eat. They made small talk and finally Ness and Leeson came out and it was time for the three to venture back home.

On the ride home, Ness explained that Leeson proposed to her or at least tried to and how awkward a situation it was. Then the three of them blasted the Footloose soundtrack and sang at the top of their lungs out and hanging out of the windows. It seemed that Jeff and Ness were probably a little over served.

It was really one of those things that someone would have to experience to really get a kick out of it. It was also just another odd night in Goornong for Jeff and Stephen that they could add to their list.

Also, the other day Ness's mom, Nancy, told Jeff that he looked like Jesus. This was taken as a compliment because Nancy is a Christian writer. She keeps going on and on about how hansome he looks now. Everybody has gotten quite a kick out of it.

Aussie word of the day:

Boot = trunk of car

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Smart people doing stupid things

So last night Stephen decided that he would do one of the dumbest things that he has done in a while. I know, I know "Stephen doing dumb things? that's not like him."

Well, the way that it was told by Stephen was that he touched the stove to see if it was still hot. Now today, he has a blister on his hand. Jeff distinctly remembers Stephen doing the same exact thing when the two of them were around 5 or 6 years old in Stephen's kitchen. I guess it takes a few times before he can catch on or maybe he's just not a sensory learner.

That is my new section that I would like to call "Smart People Doing Stupid Things"

As some have you may have noticed by my last blog, I have decided to switch to a more narrative style, referring to myself in the third person. This is part of my stepping up my game that I previously mentioned.

If you like this style please comment ON the blog. I would like more constructive comments so that I can grow from this. As I have said previously, I enjoy writing and I would like to become even better. I know, I know "But Jeff, how could you ever become better?"

Well, there is always room for improvement.

Tomorrow's blog will be all about Leeson and our interesting adventure to his property right before we left for New Zealand. Make sure you are strapped in for that one because it is going to be an interesting ride.

Aussie word of the day:
Bloke: guy (you probably already know this one but I have just spent the last week in New Zealand so lay off)

Monday, March 1, 2010

New Zealand Adventures

Two childhood friends embark on an adventure to New Zealand on February 20th, 2010. They got into Auckland around 12 am and went straight to their hostel for the night. The next morning they went back to the airport to catch the shuttle to the camper van rental place only the two men ended up at the wrong place. When they eventually got to the rental place, they were surprised at how horribly terrible the van was. Stephen and Jeff looked at each other and laughed realizing they were in for an adventure that they would never forget.

As the two headed off on their journey, the first thing they did was name the van. It was Jeff's idea to name it Ingrid and the name stuck. After loading up on groceries, the two of them decided that they would head over to Rotorua to eat lunch on the ocean. There was an asian family that was infront of the van that was ironically feeding the seagulls next to the sign that clearly said "Do not feed the birds". They would feed them and run away. It drove Stephen crazy.

After lunch, the two pushed on down the west coast of the North Island, stopping every so often to try and capture the magnificent beauty that they were beholding and failing every time because something as beautiful as New Zealand can hardly be captured by a picture. The two made it to Waitomo, where they would go black water rafting the following day, around 7pm. Not fully understanding the camper van culture, they paid $15/ person to park in a hostel's yard. Stephen's idea was that the two would meet people, soon figuring out that camper van people tend to keep to themselves, so they followed suit.

The sleeping situation was like something out of National Lampoon's Vacation. The comical nature of the situation probably eased the pain that Stephen endured sleeping on the foot-wide space between the bench seat and the sink, which Jeff aptly named "the Hallway". Jeff slept on the bench. The bed did fold out but it was barely larger than a single so that situation seemed to be better. Jeff didn't complain.

The second full day began after the alarm rang 3 or 4 times and the two got the hint, it was time to get up. They ate their toast and took the 30 second drive to the caving place (it was next door). The first trip was tubing in a glow worm cave. It was amazing. The glow worms lit up the caves. The trip took four hours and they ate a quick lunch and then went on their afternoon adventure. This adventure included repelling and rock climbing in caves, through waterfalls and squeezing through holes that Jeff thought that he would never be able to get through. They were going to fast to even have the time to be scared, zipping through tunnels. By the time it was all over, the two were both knowledgeable about caves, glow worms and completely exhausted. Not only were they lucky enough to be the only two on the trip, which meant that they got to do more, they also got 10 pictures for free that would have cost $100 or so. The two packed up and headed to Stephen's cousin's house.

On their way there, they happened upon the most beautiful sunset they had ever seen and Jeff made the first of many toasts, saying, "Here's to things our friends will never be able to do."

They pressed on and reached their destination at around 11, parked in their driveway, cooked dinner and went to sleep. Jeff thought it would have been so funny if they were parked at the wrong house because there was so much confusing with where it was.

They woke up the next morning, Feb. 23, and were happy to find out that they were in the right place. They met Matthew and Inge and the kids. They talked for a while, took showers and took off down the west coast because they were hoping to get to the South Island by the end of the day. They went to the closest beach and at breakfast. It was the first time the two of them had ever seen black sand beaches and it was beautiful. They pressed on and made it to Wellington where they had to go standby on the ferry. There was a cancellation and the two ended up getting on the ferry. It took three hours and was the most boring trip that they had to endure. After the ferry they drove down to a seal lookout point and camped in the parking lot, Jeff sleeping in the bedroom and Stephen in the hallway.

The two woke up on the 24th and took pictures of the seals, then headed off down the coast hoping to make it all the way to Queenstown by nightfall. They made a few stops for pictures and for dinner. It took them a while to find a spot for dinner because little did the two know, camper van people are very territorial and one questioned why the two were so close to him. That made it weird so the two left and found another spot. They made it into Queenstown at 1am and parked in a parking lot.

The 25th brought about the most exciting part of the trip or at least the two thought that they would be having the time of their lives that day. They rushed around to find the sky diving place and finally found it. They signed in only to discover that the trip had been delayed until 11:20 from 9:20. So when 11:20 came around they went out to the drop site, got on their gear, got in the plane only to have the trip delayed again until 3. When 3 came around they were told that all trips were cancelled for the rest of the day and that they could reschedule or get a refund, which they found out that they have to go through the online company to get the refund instead of in the store. This only reaffirmed their belief that customer service isn't high on New Zealand's priorities. Needless to say, the two were upset. Not really because they didn't get to go sky diving but because an entire day was wasted waiting on trips to be cancelled. The two decided to go up the east coast this time, which happened to be the quicker route. This was the first day that Jeff clocked some hours behind the wheel and he safely got the two to Kaikora, where the two slept on the beach.

The 26th started out like one of the days before. The two went to a seal colony but were actually able to get right up next to them. One of them hissed at Jeff and so they figured that they would keep some distance. They raced up to catch the 1pm ferry to the north island and made it. This time the two were prepared and brought Stephen's laptop and some DVDs. They watched Shawshank Redemption and by the time the movie ended the ferry was dock and it was ready for the two to get back in Ingrid, the van, and head out. Stephen was also freaking out about changing his flight and booking skydiving. He wasn't able to change his flight but he was able to get the two booked for sky diving Feb 27 at 8am. They rushed to Auckland and parked down the street from the airfield.

The final day of the trip and they were actually going to jump out of a plane. The two got strapped up and in the plane. To continue an ongoing theme of Jeff's life, his tandem partner asked him if he was drunk.

"Of course not," Jeff said.

He said, "Good. Me neither."

This was slightly confusing for Jeff to understand but what he really wanted to say was, "No, I'm just about to jump out of a @#$#@$ plane. I'm a little nervous."

Stephen was the first to go and then Jeff went right behind him. It was a thrilling feeling falling through the sky and through clouds. It also started raining. Both got queezy but only Stephen threw up. Jeff, being the heavier of the two, naturally made it down before Stephen. He was there waiting for him with a smile on his face. They were lucky because the rest of the trips were cancelled for the rest of the day because of the weather. The two showered up and returned their Ingrid. They got to the airport and Stephen got on his flight while Jeff waited 8 hours for his flight. He had a few annoying people talk to him while he was watching a movie on a laptop. He also got a good laugh at a person describing where Seats A, B and C are and what rows are what. What really grinds his gears are flight attendants that insist on seeing your boarding pass and direct you to your seat as if you can't read the numbers and letters above the rows or be able to count to 8 and know the letter A.

Aussie/ Kiwi phrase of the day:

Sweet as: I confirm that your recommendation is fine by me