Maggot Brain

I'm listening to it now. What a trippy tune. That's the only way to describe it.

I had a real good night tonight. I sat in my backyard, listening to music, drinking beers. I would turn the dial up, slowly, waiting for a song I like, or one I've never heard that sounded interesting. Once I'd get to the end of the FM dial, I'd switch to AM, and work my way back down. I listened to the Grand Ole' Opry, 60's, 70's, and 80's music, my all time favorite Saturday song, SATURDAY NIGHT, by the Bay City Rollers, (and I learned that it was the number one song in 1975, when I was 12). I heard a few baseball games, and the really cool sounds of tuning into an AM station that kids nowadays don't even know about. I mean the squeaks, and dying cat sounds, pops, whistles. Gospel music, and old country. New pop, rap, and techno. Techno is NOT dead! It's just hiding out on the low end of the FM dial. Ooo, right now, it's Stevie Nicks singing "Sara".

I enjoyed listening to the old country. It reminded me of when I went with my dad and uncle down to Virginia, to visit my Aunt Molly. We ate her homemade cinnamon apple butter, which my dad is still trying to reproduce. I found a 1918 penny under the porch step. We would sleep on the floor, in sleeping bags, listening to the AM radio playing old country. That was back in the 70's. It's REALLY old country now.

I built a fire and sat on my patio chair, rocking back and forth, watching the stars through the pine boughs. Now it's "Everlasting Love", the Carl Carlton version, from 1974. "According to Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), the 1974 Carl Carlton version has been played more than 4 million times." from Wikipedia.

This is really weird. I heard Santana's "Black Magic Woman". Now that song rocks all by itself, but what's really cool is that I kept seeing the "notes" come up, in my mind, from when Pete F+11 was playing Guitar Hero. Whenever I hear that song, I see it.

Great Memorial Day Weekend!!

Last weekend was a blast! Early Saturday morning, I rode out to my parents' to see my brother, his wife, and son. David just had to wear grampa's ratty old hat. Mom, Dad, Shane, David, and I went for breakfast in Wellington.

David and Shane wrestled during the trip in while I made grumpys.


When we got back, Dad put me to work cutting a few branches off the maple tree by the garage. It's a pleasure using a good chainsaw with a sharp blade, buzzing through the wood like butter. I only had time enough to cut one branch off before I had to head home. Steve and his family were coming into town, and we planned to watch the Indian's play baseball that evening.


I shot back home, got cleaned up, and waited for Steve and his family. Before they got there, I took Katie for a nice walk, giving her a chance to do her business (code word for crap), then fed her. When Steve and all arrived, we relaxed a bit in my backyard. I can't believe how tall E has gotten! She's going to be an awesome volleyball player! Of course, Steve is still the same friend I knew back in 5th grade, always joking around. Dar hasn't seen this picture yet!


I took them down to Shooters for dinner, so I could show them the bridges I had been babbling incessently about. C has such a pretty smile! Steve and I teased her about wearing Brittney glasses, but what do we know about a teenaged girl's fashion, or middle-aged guy's fashion, for that matter.


This picture was taken from Shooter's dock. You can see the demolition work being done in the background, on the east bank of the flats, preparing for new construction. I wanted to take the picture with the NS bridge in the background, but the lighting wasn't right.

Steve and I held a contest to see which one of us could hold our gut in the longest.


That's one fine looking ballpark! I still hate that they changed the name from Jacob's field, "The Jake", to Progressive field. Will they start calling it "The Prog" now?


BONUS! It was a giveaway night. We got Grady Sizemore bobbleheads, Woo Hoo! He's my favorite player too.

Back to the bridges

There was a lot of work to do on the Willow bridge. Here, Peeps is cleaning a light fixture.


I know I should be helping Peeps clean and repair fixtures, but it's not often that one gets a chance to take photographs like these:



Here's another picture of me not working. I hope no one from the shop looks at these......Jim....


I was on vacation at the time, but I heard tell of a vicious lake gull attack on poor Jimmy 1450 as he tried to work in that stainless steel pullbox, and a subsequent attack upon Dandaman, though Dan defended himself valiantly with a stop/slow sign. That's the stuff of legends, I tell you. Poets will write songs of their bravery and women will swoon at their very passing.



1450: There he is!
Peeps: Where?
1450: There!
Peeps: What? Behind the gull?
1450: It *is* the gull!
Peeps: You silly sod!
1450: What?
Peeps: You got us all worked up!
1450: Well, that's no ordinary gull.
Peeps: Ohh.
1450: That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered avian you ever set eyes on!
Dandaman: You tit! I soiled my harness I was so scared!
1450: Look, that gull's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!
Carl: Get stuffed!
1450: He'll do you up a treat, mate.
Carl: Oh, yeah?
Dandaman: You manky Scots git!
1450: I'm warning you!
Dandaman: What's he do? Nibble your bum?
1450: He's got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones!
Peeps: Go on, Onots. Chop his head off!
Johnny-Onots: Right! Silly little bleeder. One gull stew comin' right up!

New HV job

I'll be working on a new high voltage job beginning in June. I went to scope the job out, and took a few pictures while I was there. This is another typical HV trench, although these conduits are being covered in concrete (it's a parking lot!) instead of stone, like the one at the zoo.

This concrete box is a manhole. These are precast, and set in place with a crane. In the olden days, carpenters used to build forms for concrete to be poured into. This is much quicker and more efficient, as well as modular.


These rings will be set over the top opening, giving us access once the manhole is covered with earth.



We've got two new manholes on the project, and we'll be tying into an existing manhole during phase 2.

I have had nothing but fun at work and during offtime for the last couple of weeks

I'm going to have to break this up into several posts, because I haven't posted enough as events happened. I really had just an awesome time in New York. I can't thank my friend Bill, his wife, Beth, and young Pete enough for the great time I had there. They took a lot of their time, allowed me to be a guest in their home, and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable, and enjoy my week there. I truly hope to do the same for them some day. This mural is painted on a building across from Yankee Stadium.



When I got home, my lilacs had bloomed. The bush isn't quite as big as the one outside my bedroom window that I remember as a kid. I used to wake up early, with the sun streaming through the window and the smell of lilacs wafting through the screen. It's one of my favorite childhood memories. In a few years, it may be big enough. I also may get another small plant from my parents to see if it'll grow as well as this one did.


I don't know what the other flowering bush is, but it bloomed while I was gone also.


My elderberry bush is a slow grower. I won't even be able to try to make jelly for several years. I liked the way the sun lit the plant, so I took this picture.

Dispelling a myth

I've played MMRPG games for years. I put many years into Everquest, and started off as a Beta tester for Worlds of Warcraft, then went on to play for a few months before I dropped out. There is an ongoing joke that the women who play really aren't women. They are men, in disguise as women, so other men will either P/L them, or give them money or gifts of some type.

Well, tonight, I found out that one very attractive young woman does, indeed, play Worlds of Warcraft. In her spare time, she works as a bartender at one of the taverns I occasionally visit. She agreed to pose for a picture, just so I could say that I met a really hot woman gamer. This is Erin. This picture doesn't even do her justice. She's quite pretty, and very funny, as well as outgoing. I may post more pictures of her,if she sends some. First, I want her to check out the blog and make sure she feels comfortable with it. I hope to hear from her soon. Hell, I may even start a new character in WoW... I wonder if she likes to go for motorcycle rides in her non-WoW spare time.... Can you just dig that belt buckle enough?

With 4 home runs, the Yankees take the last game of the series.

We took the time to visit Monument Park today, before the game. This is a zoom view from our seats.

While we were at a bowling alley, drinking a beer before the game, we ran into this nice couple from Lyndhurst, Oh. Bob and Lynn came out for the weekend to see the Indians/Yankees game, then catch a few shows on Broadway. Bill adopted the roll of NY ambassador, showing them around, telling them the history of Yankee Stadium, as well as stories of the men honored in Monument Park.

Bill has great seats, as you can see. Next year ticket prices may double, squeezing out many of the middle-class ticket holders, so Bill probably won't be going to as many games. It's a shame that the die-hard fans are losing out to corporations, but I guess that's the American way.

Tom and Linda were at the game too. Tom had a few more questions, "Who would you rather have, Casey Blake, or Robert Blake?" It was an excellent game, with the Bombers taking an early lead, then the Tribe catching up. Later they just kept jacking those baseballs into the stands, winning 6-3.

After the game, we stopped at The Yankee Tavern for a few beers. I have never been in a bar that was so crowded before. It was, literally, wall to wall people. Many Yankee fans congratulated me on the performance of our team (like I had anything to do with that), and I was happy to have attended the ballgame. It's not every day you see 4 home runs in a ballgame.

Cliff Lee goes 6-0

Freddy Sez is a local celebrity around Yankee Stadium. Bill tells me that Freddy is the unofficial mascot.

Below, Pete is looking for a practice ball for me. He promised, before we left for the game, that he'd get one. Bill and I stood there for a few minutes, but then left to let the kids get in there. While we were there, we saw the guy in the white shirt/blue tie make a barehanded catch, then hand the ball to his daughter. Many of the Yankee fans wanted to sign him up! Pete is wearing the blue/white pinstripe cap. It's the cap that the Yankee's farm team in the Dominican Republic players wear.



Pete delivered on his promise. He caught that one while the Indian's were conducting their batting practice.

The Tribe won tonight, 3-0. It was an excellent game, both offensively, and defensively, with several good catches by the outfield. I never count the Bombers out until the last strike, because we Clevelander's know the damage they have done to us in the past.

I can't account for the goofy look on my face, but at least Bill looks good. It was cool enough out that I got to wear the jacket I brought with me.

A debt retired

As promised, Bill posed in front of Yankee Stadium, wearing a Cleveland Indian's hat, per our bet. I never doubted that he'd keep up his end of the bargain, but it was great to be there and take the picture myself.

Here we are in the Yankee Tavern. I received a somewhat cool reception by some of the patrons there, but the bartenders were friendly (once they knew I was from Cleveland, and not NY). We chatted with a couple of Yankee's fans up from North Carolina, and a sheet metal worker who had been working on the new Yankee's Stadium:

It's a beautiful ballpark, built with limestone, and with a nod to the old stadium, the facade across the top.

Below is a picture of Bill with two of his friends who regularly go to Yankee games, Tom, and Linda. Tom is the master of the "What would you rather have...?" question, such as "Shawn, who would you rather have, Derek Jeter, or Bo Derek?" Of course the answer to that one is Bo Derek. I asked him "Tom, what would you rather have, Derek Jeter, or an oil derrick?" and he chose Jeter. Though Linda kept trying to get me to get on a train to who knows where, she did lead us back to the subway.

Then Tom took a picture of Bill and I at the game.

The Indian's won the first game of the series, five to two. Tonight Cliff Lee (5-0) matches up against Chien-Ming Wang (6-0). It should be a great game of pitching. If our batters can make some offense happen, I feel Cliff can keep the Yanks from scoring.

Jones Beach

It was a warm, sunny day, so Bill and I went out to Jones Beach. We're hoping the rest of the week is as nice as today was. Then we had lunch at a local pub, drank a few beers, and spent the afternoon talking about old Navy times. We didn't get too crazy with the beer, because Bill had to pick up his son from school, then take him to baseball practice.

Bill is a die-hard Yankee's fan. I've never seen so much sports paraphernalia in my life. He's got Yankee floor mats, keychain, pajamas, cell-phone, I mean, the list is endless.

The games start tomorrow! It's going to be fun!

Greetings from New York!

Yesterday, Bill took me to The City, aka Manhattan. I imagined King Kong swinging from the spire at the top of the Empire State Building as we drove by.

That's the Brooklyn Bridge behind me, and deeper in the background is the Manhattan Bridge.



Here is Bill and his family. Pete, who's almost 14, and nearly grown, was gracious enough to wear the Indian's hat I had sent to Bill last year. Well, he wore it until we visited The Yankee's Store. After that, Chief Wahoo got stuffed in a pocket and Pete sported a newer Yankee hat. His wife Beth is a real sweetheart. These were taken at the South Street Seaport, which is on the East River.

We spent some time enjoying the sun and view, then headed to The Village for something to eat, and drink. The Pour House was packed, but we found seats at Around the Clock. We visited St. Marks place, then stopped at Veniero's bakery for some cannoli before going home.

New York bound

I'm packed, checked, and double checked. I've got a few hours until the taxi gets here, Katie has been dropped off at my parents' house, and there's nothing left to do but wait. I'm pretty excited, and a bit antsy. Since I've got some time, I figured I'd post a few more pictures from yesterday.

These were taken at NS1 bridge. This boat was coming in while I was at the top of the bridge, checking on the tower lights.


Here I'm on the "dolphins" working on the lights that light up the towers. The dolphins are there to protect the bridge from being damaged by freighters. I don't know if Peeps is lucky, or good, but he's taken several excellent pictures.


The American Courage is returning from unloading iron ore at the blast furnaces. I've got several pictures posted of this ship making her way up or down the river.


As she steams by, I just keep working. I still get a kick out of working downtown on the bridges, but after a short while, the newness wears off and it becomes business as usual.

I've been busy!

I've been moving around alot lately at work, which is pretty fun. Several weeks ago, I was back down at the Cleveland Zoo working on their high voltage cables again. Here, Jose is beginning a trench to connect the newly installed HV box with an existing HV box. I posted this picture just for my nephew, David, who likes trucks!

Here's a shot of the trench, with the conduit in it. We still have to go back and set the conduits on spacers, which, oddly enough, keep the conduits evenly spaced in the trench, and slightly raised up from the trench floor. Then we cover the pipes with loose gravel, lay a marker tape down the length of the trench, and backfill the trench. The marker tape is metallic, so it can be found with a metal detector next time someone needs to dig a trench near our buried conduits.


Dan da Man is testing the HV cables. The 2"x4" studs were covered with a tarp to make a tent, so I could complete the HV terminations regardless of the weather.

After this job, I went to the crane job in the previous post. Then I went to the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center. That was a fun job to visit! I got to see many electricians I hadn't seen in awhile, including two guys I went to trade school with. I got to meet some new wiremen, and I got to work for a young man who used to be my apprentice. It made me feel good to see him doing well in the trade. I didn't bring my camera to that job because I wasn't sure I'd be able to take pictures since it's nearing the end of the job and the big push is on to "get 'er done". Sometimes I can sneak a few minutes in to take some pictures, and sometimes not. I did see some fine workmanship on that job. Huge banks of pipe running in all directions. Kicked 90's. Paralleled offsets. Matched couplings! Yeah, I know. I'm a geek.

Then, last Monday, I got a real nice treat. I was sent back downtown to work with my old friend, Peeps, on the bridge lighting. This was taken on the roof of Shooters. That's Bascule No. 1 bridge directly behind him, which is lit up at night by the lighting system we maintain. In the background, one can see the Willow avenue bridge.

Right across from Shooters is my favorite bridge. NS1. It's also called the Iron Curtain, or the Conrail Bridge. I'm guessing boaters call it the Iron Curtain the most.


I just checked out the Shooter's gallery. Lots of babes hang out there! Roger Loecy, the owner, bought us lunch one day. We both got the Shooter's Burger with fries. That was one fat, juicy, delicious chunk of Black Angus, I'm telling you.


The boss is checking his blueprints to see what circuit he needs to turn off so we can change a couple of ballasts in the light fixtures. I thought it made a cool picture.


See, I don't spend all my time taking pictures! I actually do work too. I've changed the lamp, and now I'm cleaning the lens. Mostly, we find dead bugs clouding up the lens. Often we'll find the beginnings of a bird nest, but once those lamps are energized, they get hot fast. I've never found a complete bird's nest.



If you're wondering, I bought an extra chin to work, you know, in case I lost one. It was a sunny day, but a bit cool still, and breezy near the river. Hence the extra layers of clothes.


I think steel and rivets make for extremely cool photographs. Peeps took some excellent pictures, despite the fact that I'm in them. I often wonder if I'll ever find a dead body down in one of these holes we work in.


I got to climb to the top of the Willow bridge today. Here's a view of Cleveland's skyline. The sun poked out just long enough for me to snap this picture.

I've got one more day working on the bridges, then I'm headed for New York! My boy Grady Sizemore is back in action, but Bill tells me that A-rod is on the DL. I would have liked to see him play. You know, strike out a few times. Bill calculated that, last year, A-rod was paid $33,000 each at bat. I'm quite looking forward to this trip. If I can, I'll post updates from Bill's house. If not, I'll post something when I get home.