Currently Listening Troubadour By George Strait I Saw God Today see related

I'm Still Alive

Hola people.  As is the trend lately for me, it has been some time since I have updated. A lot has happened since then, although it doesn't seem that way.  Racing is going up and down already.  In January, we raced at the metrodome with the Monster Truck show which was a lot of fun and a new experience.  I had my first real race in mid April at Elko where we did alright, ended up 9th.  The next time we went there we had engine trouble and didn't finish, but we found the problem so hope all goes well this weekend at Sauk.  I said I would be racing a limited schedule and so far the limiting factor is work, because I am getting put on a lot of hours right now. Legends have kind of changed lately, the group feel is kind of disappearing and we are looking at multiple options to possibly move up classes next year or maybe even this year yet.  We are still planning on legneds nationals though at elko in october, which will be a fun experience with over 200 legends there most likely.

Marriage is going great.  We made a couple of big purchases recently. First, I bought a 2003 Chevy Silverado.  I've wanted a truck for awhile for hunting, moving, etc. and now I have it.  Its a great truck and we're happy with the choice.  We also bought a puppy a couple weeks ago.  His name is Pluto and he is a miniature dachschund.  Megans coworker, also the breeder, is holding onto him until we get back from our cruise to Alaska.  We leave for that next Sunday for a week, and I'm really looking forward to that. We are also going on a trip to Duluth at the end of July because one of our wedding presents was a certificate for my favorite hotel there, so that should be fun too.

The zoo is going well for the most part.  We kind of had some rough spots with employees but we've kind of cleaned that up now and hopefully should be good to go for the summer.  We are open daily now from 10 am to 7 pm so stop on by.  Its a nice sized zoo and a lot of good animals to see. Neena the white tiger is still my best pal, she always greets me and keeps me entertained. I did get to go spring snow goose hunting once this spring. We had limited success, only getting a few, but it was a lot of fun and I made some contacts for future hunting.

Life has gone by pretty fast for the most part lately, as the daily routine is the same here in Wahpeton.  We like it here, but there just isn't much to do here and we still don't really have any friends down here for the most part.  But, so goes the life when you're trying to get experience from the bottom of the ladder.  Well, better get back to work here.  This weekend should be fun with racing and my birthday on the same day.  Later.

Hey.  I suppose it is time for an update since a lot has happened since mid-August.  From the previous post as far as racing goes, I had some more ups and downs.  The next race after the post, I blew my motor mid-feature with a high car count present. Had I finished where I was at the time, I would have taken over the points lead again with only 3 races left. I ended up getting 3rd in points and leading a few more races and finishing 2nd several more times, including a heartbraking one where I was leading over half the race just following the blown motor, with a rebuilt motor that was at about 60% due to not being broke in yet. It was still my best year though as I did not wreck any parts due to crashing, I hardly ever finished outside the top 5, and I broke the curse at a track in the cities.  I convinced my dad to go back down to Raceway Park in Shakopee(by Valleyfair) after our first trip when I wrecked twice and never raced a lap.  I ended up getting 5th in the feature and doing really well, again with the rebuilt motor not fully up to power yet.  It still isn't now but will be by the first race of 2008 with practice sessions.  Next year I have decided to take a step back and not race a full schedule, as Megan and I would like to enjoy some time off.  I am only going to not race when something else is going on, like a vacation, or family function.  When not racing, my uncle, also the mechanic, will drive as he has always wanted to.  It will be a really fun year because for once I won't be just points racing and always having to worry about being so committed.  I haven't had a summer Saturday off in over 3 years and not a whole weekend off in over 8 years due to racing.  I love it, but sometimes a break is nice too.  Plus we can really be out there just for fun.  The big news is that Legends Asphalt Nationals will be at Elko Speedway by the Twin Cities next Fall, which I will be sure to be at. 

Next on the list, the wedding....   It went very well.  It was a great time and I hope everyone attending had fun.  I know I did.  There were a few little mishaps throughout the day, but they were quickly resolved and we couldn't have asked for a better day in the end.  My best man came through for me and really did a good job supporting me.  The ceremony was quick and I didn't cry so I was proud of myself.  I successfully married Megan and no one objected, not even her so I am very happy for that. Driving my racecar in October and riding in a hummer limo were good little perks.  Bison beating the gophers was cool to listen to in the church.  The reception and dance was so much fun and perfect that the whole holiday inn thing was a blessing in disguise to get a great venue like the Ramada. The whole experience was just amazing but at the same time I'm glad it is done. And again, finally getting to call Megan my wife is a good feeling.  We are really enjoying our new life.  Although, contrary to what I heard a lot, things just don't seem too different.  Our attidues and actions together haven't changed, just minor details have changed slightly. I think the biggest thing is that the people around us now view our relationship the same way we have for a while now.

Wahpeton is treating us pretty well.  It is becoming a better fit than I imagined.  Since I last wrote, I did get a job at the Chahinkapa Zoo as a zookeeper/educator.  At the moment it technically isn't full time, but I don't really work less than 40 hours a week ever. They are hoping I become the 4th full time employee soon.  It still is a lot of fun and although the basis of the job is the same everyday, the contents of the day are always changing. Animals do amazing and intriguing things all the time and keep my day a surprise usually.  I go to 6 schools in Richland County every month to talk to kids about the zoo and animals.  It is a lot of fun and has catapaulted my public speaking skills.  My favorite animal has shifted to our tigers, particularily to our white female, Nina.  At first she hated me because she associated me with a keeper she has a grudge with, but one day she decided not to be mad at me and now every morning, I go face to face with her and have conversations as she sniffs me and does the tiger version of purring.  It is a cool feeling knowing that only a chain link fence separates me from her as our faces almost touch.  When people use to ask me if I'd be working in a zoo with a Zoology degree I would say I could but wasn't going to.  Oooops, bit my tongue on that one. I am finding though, that I really do enjoy the zoo atmosphere and could see myself in the field.  I don't think Wahpeton is the place to grow old at and raise a family, mostly because we can't afford to with my pay, but many zoos pay better and I definitely see myself moving on from here in the next 5 years or so.

Hunting season has been good to me.  I greatly increased my decoy spread and tried to get out a lot but still wish for more time.  My coworker and I did have some success one weekend by Breckenridge.  Pheasant hunting was good to me as well. The first time, Megan came out with us to get the experience.  I wasn't shooting well that weekend, but the 2nd time we went out, I shot 15 birds for the trip and was shooting better than ever.  Plus the whole trip is always awesome out there.  I shot another deer this year.  This one came out on the Sunday of 2nd weekend. She was a nice sized doe, probably the biggest shot out of our group. That was about the only deer that gave me a shot so I was happy to get one.  I am looking forward to hopefully doing some spring snow goose hunting now that I live in a better area for it.

That is about all I have for now.  Life is mostly uneventful when you get into the real world, but I'm glad I'm here. We still have a spare bedroom available for guests and would love to have company. Tomorrow it is back to work to save money for the honeymoon cruise to Alaska.  We put the deposit down this past week and can't wait for June to come so that we can go on the Star Princess for a week long round trip cruise.

Currently Listening Still Feels Good By Rascal Flatts Take Me There see related

Hey. It is about time for an update I suppose.  A lot has happened since the last post.  Let us do a quick recap:

Previously-  Fighting with Mom                          Present- Fighting with Mom

Previously- In the process of moving                  Present- Finishing the process of moving

Previously- Racing and doing well                      Present-  Racing and still doing well

Previously- Looking for work                             Present- Found work

That's a recap, now for the rest of the story.

Mom (parents for that matter)  vs. Patrick continues and will continue as long as both sides are still breathing.  I came to terms with that quite some time ago now, but it never seems to get old.  Oh welll, life goes on.  It has gotten a smidgen better in recent days but I also moved out in that time.  Leading to my next point. 

Megan and I have a house in Wahpeton and have everything there basically but still are finishing the unpacking part.  We have many extra bedrooms including a guest bedroom so if you want to visit, just give us a ring.

Racing is going well.  Fergus Falls got shut down in the third week of racing due to car/fan counts, lack of effort/funds, etc.  and we haven't raced there since.  We have been focusing on Sauk where we are doing the best.  I have led points for about half the season and just recently lost the lead for the moment hopefully.  Still looking for my first win, as I am the only one in the top 7 without a win, yet I have the most top 5's and 10's of anyone in the class.  It has been bittersweet but I know it is coming.  Megan and I went to the cities and raced last weekend and had a lot of fun.  I did have one close call this summer with a rock.  One flew into my eye while I was racing because my shield was up when it shouldn't have been.  The doc said that if I would have left it alone I would have ended up the same as Kirby Puckett.  Both eyes are okay now though.

My summer was spent between work, racing, and Megan.  Most of the summer was 64 hour work weeks before Friday was done, then racing Saturday, and work around house/rest Sundays.  I worked at a warehouse in Glenwood during the day and at the Tech School for my Dad at night.  It wasn't too bad and it kept me busy.  Megan and I went on two little vacations over summer.  Around the fourth of July we went to Megan's parents cabin up by Detroit Lakes which was fun except for the sunburn.  Last week we went to the cities for a little trip to the Zoo, Mall of America, Valleyfair, and the Science Museum.  It was a lot of fun but still cost more money than I wish we would have spent now.  But we have our sanity and that may win in the end. 

I was about to lose my sanity in Wahpeton as I had gone a week without a job and it wasn't a good feeling knowing that I had no income whatsoever, and not because I chose not to, but because I couldn't find an income.  I got offered a job though driving school buses, and then on Monday, the Zoo in wahpeton called, which is a better job since it is first hand experience.  So, now I am officially a zookeeper/educator as my job was combined so that I take care of animals and I will be going out and teaching the public, mainly schools, as well.  I have only been there two days but so far it is enjoyable and I can see myself being there for a while. It is a lot of cleaning up crap to be honest.  But I also get to be very close to all the animals, touch some of them and see some really cool stuff.  So far, the ferret or one of the camels is my favorite.  The ferret, Ruby, will be with me on many of my education visits and she is so fun to hold.  But then the camel, Shayla just loves attention and will rub up to you during cleaning and try to eat inanimate objects, I don't know, it will probably change as I work more.  It is not supposed to be full time, but it looks like I'll be getting 40 + every week. 

Lastly, wedding stuff seems to be going fine. MOST of the guys have their measurements in. Things seem to be working smoothly and on track.

That is about all that I have.  I have to work again tomorrow and race on Saturday.  I am hoping since I updated that I will get a win on Saturday so that I have to visit Xanga again right away.

Hey. It seems that it is about time for an update and I'm not tired yet.  Ah May, a good month usually.  Spring, racing, my birthday, many good things.  This particular May has brought a roller coaster of events, emotions, changes, etc.  Started May off with itching to get racing, only to be denied by mother nature, followed by finishing classes, having my "last" day of work, graduating, taking pictures, finally racing, and duking it out with my mom.  I'll get to all in order.

First, Toppers Car Show.  I thought it went well, a lot of people came out and hopefully some of them will come out and support the races, that is all I really wanted to do.  I was best in class out of 1 competitor(myself), but at least it is something. A lot of fun nonetheless and my Dad came up, had a good time with him and Bibow.

Next was a bunch of little things in between.  The worst was having my Grandpa go through an emergency angiogram.  The doctor said if it would have been ignored he would not have made it long so I'm glad he is still here.  Other than that, it was not a whole lot for April.  We did have MBU and Seminar which both went well.

Starting in May, it rained on what was supposed to be opener for racing at Sauk Centre so that blew. After that I thought I had worked my last day at the dome, but here I sit this week, putting in another 30 hours or so because I need money and have the opportunity to work.  Classes finished and I am sooooooo glad to be out of there.  Graduation went well.  It still hasn't sunk in yet, I don't know that it will for awhile yet.  We did our engagement pictures last week as well which went fine and was not as painful as I expected. 

My mom and I are fighting because she thinks it is absolutely absurd in my choices that I would work a job in wahpeton, where Megan has signed a contract and has a good job. The thing is she got a job before I did, I still have not received a single offer.  So, I really don't have a problem moving to wahpeton and working some job that just pays the bills but has little or nothing to do with my degree until something pertaining to my degree does open up in the area.  But, my mom being who she is, thinks that it is so bad that I don't have a job immediately, so we are butting heads right now because she has had a problem for the last 5 years listening and taking into mind the words that her son has said to her about living his own life and growing up.  Oh well, we'll get through that in time.

In other things, we are in the process of moving out right now, which adds to the stress level already created.  Megan and I are the last to move out, and I don't have a lot of time to move stuff and we have about 2 hours left of packing moving boxes into the racing trailer I brought up.  I work about 20 hours between Thursday and Friday and have other stuff to be at in the offtime, so it will be a tight fit for things but we'll get through that as well. 

Finally, saving the best for last..... I got to race on Saturday!  I qualified 4th out of 14 in one of my fastest time trials, 3rd in the heat, and then 2nd in the feature.  This ties my best finish, but it has to be one of my favorite races of all time.  I started third, then fell to 4th early. The front four of us took off from the others and were really booking nose to tail for a while.  About halfway, 2nd place pulled out for the lead but got freight-trained behind me, then, going down the backstretch on the last lap, I gave 2nd place(the Minnesota Legends owner) a little bump, who then tried to go low for a pass on the lead.  I got through 3 and 4 really well and passed him down the front stretch for second place.  It was sooo much fun and it was one of the first racedays where dad and I were  not clashing all the time, just an all around good day. It was a really awesome and enjoyable opener and I hope this Saturday can be like it.  If you want to come watch, just give me a holler.  Saturdays in Sauk Centre and Sundays in Fergus Falls.   I am really going to miss it here in a few weeks when I voluntarily miss my first race where a doctor was not stopping me from racng, so don't come that night because it will be someone else in the car.

Well, that is about all for now, maybe I will keep more updates over the summer for racing progress.

Toppers Car Show