Grinding My Gears

This weekend is the annual Lone Star Rally. It is the ultimate display of redneckery. It is the nation's largest weekend bike rally. So for the last three days and for tomorrow, there are motorcycles literally everywhere I turn. They think they own the flipping island! They park their "Iron Horses" on the sidewalks and on the walkways to stores. So annoying. The entire downtown area is sectioned off for the rally for the vendors and such. I can just imagine the amount of beer being consumed, which only leads to more moments in the redneck hall of fame. I'm not saying that all motorcycle riders are rednecks, but these here people is, I tell you what. They all seem to be in their 40's-60's and think the Vietnam War just ended. I haven't heard so much Jimmy Hendrix music since I stopped smoking pot. (Which I haven't don't before Bishop.) The crowning event is the "Promenade," where all the riders dress up in costumes and ride around the city. Really? Promenade? You couldn't think of a gayer name?
     What really bothers me is the stupidity of these guests to our island city. They are the most reckless drivers and have no consideration to cars. They never signal which I would think would be of up most importance considering they are on a bike and no one knows what they are doing! Whizzing in between cars and cutting people off just so they can get to the bar or Chili's faster. And why is it that none of them wear a helmet?! I would guess that nearly 1 in 20 has a helmet. And that is including the ones that have helmets but elect to use them as a decoration hanging from the side of their bike rather than wear them. 500,000 riders are projected to come this weekend. I wonder how many of them will make it home. I know at least two won't be. I quote from the local newspaper:

"GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas -- Two people died and another was injured in two separate crashes at a motorcycle rally in Galveston County.
Both crashes happened at the Lone Star Rally on Friday. Galveston police said Guy Dale Stratton, 51, crashed into a school bus at 3:50 p.m. in the 1200 block of 26th Street.Stratton was pinned underneath the bus. He was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch in critical condition.Investigators said Stratton failed to stop at a stop sign. Investigators have not said whether alcohol was a factor in the crash. In a second crash at 10 p.m. in the 7800 block of I-45 North, two people were killed. Witnesses told police the motorcycle they were riding was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit the curb, causing the driver to lose control.The names of the victims were not immediately released, but police said they were a 34-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman who appeared to be husband and wife. Neither victim was wearing a helmet."   This was from yesterday's paper.  Today, Jen and I where on our way home from the temple and as soon as we got back into Galveston we saw another accident. I am nearly positive the guy died. Working as an EMT, I have seen a few motorcycle accidents. None of them were pretty and all of them disturbed me. This guy I saw laying on the asphalt today was by far the worse trauma patient I have ever seen. He probably would have turned out better and maybe even lived if he was wearing a helmet. Sometimes, I hate Free Agency.

My Life in a Nutshell

I grew up in Southern California. I would elaborate on that but thumpers mother said that "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." Normally I don't follow this advice but California has become a crap hole. Suffice it to say, I am a product of my environment and it takes people awhile to get my sense of humor and sarcasm. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in North Carolina. While I was on my mission my family moved to Littleton Massachusetts which is where my Mother grew up. I returned from my mission and lived for the the next four years there in Littleton. I love it there and miss it a lot. But this was not so at first. I hated it when I first moved to Littleton. I missed my old friends and things that were familiar. I soon fell in love with seasons, all though I hate Satan Season A.K.A. Winter.  Snow is pretty and all, but snow removal sucks above all that is sucky. I almost left MA a few times, but I am so happy I didn't leave. If I had, I wouldn't have met my beautiful wife who is reading over my shoulder. I also made a lot of really good friends like Joe Carl who will probably never read this cause according to him, Im, lame for blogging. Can't say that I blame him.
    So now I am living in Galveston, Texas. Jen and I moved here a few days after we got married so Jen could go to Medical school. That's right, My Wife, not I is in Med school. Do I feel intimidated by it? Of course I do. Oh well, I will just ride her coat tails and be a happy house wife eating bon-bon's all day and not have a care in the world. Not true, I am trying to get into a Nursing School so I can reach my dream job of being a Flight Nurse. I have been an EMT for the last 3 years and I love it. However the pay for EMT's is quite meager. That is a rant for another day though. I just found out today that the great state of Texas decided to give me my Texas EMT license based on having licensure elsewhere. But it took a lot of hurdles to jump first. I hate government agencies and their money gouging. 
   So there you have it. My life in a nutshell.

Blogs?

 I never thought I would start a blog. In fact, I have only really read one blog before (Kaleena's blog). The other night my wife Jen and I were at a Halloween party with some other couples from church and they suggested I start a blog. At first I thought it was ridiculous but once I started thinking about it, the idea seemed more and more entertaining. Here are some reasons why I thought of starting one: 1) Blogging to me seems more of a housewife thing to do, and since that is pretty much what I am, it is befitting that I blog. 2) It is a good venue to rant and rave and remain anonymous. 3) My family has been urging me to start one to catalog my weight loss. 4) Blogging is all the rage in Mormon culture these days so I'm jumping on the bad wagon.
    Jen says I have to keep it "appropriate" so I will try my best. She should probably proofread my posts first. But of course I will post things without her approval if I find it funny enough.