Well, it looks like it's shaping up to be a good spring...I'm sad to have missed Uncle Floyd on 4/15 (but then, I don't feel TOO bad, considering the State of Emergency declared for New Jersey!)

I need to go on a rant. I will assume we're all decent drivers here. This is more directed at the ignorant drivers who choose to ignore their safety (and that of their fellow drivers), but I need to get this off my chest.

Thank God, (as Christ as my Savior) that I have been able to walk away from the bad incidents I have had in a vehicle. ALL of which have been minor, and only two involved me as a driver. (and NO, these were not my fault!)

The first was last Sunday. As I'm trying to navigate my way down the Garden State Parking Lot. I had left earlier than I needed to, given the weather...and I was concerned to see people just cruising along, doing 65-70mph as if conditions were ideal.

Aside from an engine hiccup (which, thankfully, did not happen again since) I decided that this was too dangerous to continue.

You see, in conditions not anywhere as bad, I spun out in my car on Route 22. A light rain had just fallen, skies were overcast but it was early daylight.

I had been paying attention, and I must have hit a puddle...until you lose control like that...when you see your whole life flashing before your eyes and think "Holy s---, game over!"

I was extra lucky that day. First, traffic was light, being a Sunday morning. I didn't hit anyone or cause anyone else to swerve and crash...and I managed to come to a stop when I hit a curb with my back tires.

Nothing feels as good as listening to your heart beating after a scare like that. The car wasn't damaged and I was on my way. And I gained a VERY healthy respect for physics.

I don't think folks don't realize how close they are to going from driver to statistic. It's easy to take that for ganted, but I do see accidents and stalled cars every day.

Now as for drunk driving: In moderation, it's fine to have a drink. BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR LIMITS. All right, let me get off the bandwagon and onto a truly scary story.

Coming home from Seaside Heights on Route 35 one summer's day with friends, we get behind ths minivan. The driver is weaving all over the road, and my two friends and me are scrambling to call 9-1-1 before this fool killed himself or somebody else.

We could only watch in horror as this fool nearly wiped out twice in ten minutes. Cops are on their way to bust this guy, and they couldn't get there fast enough. We finally see the guy pull into a liquor store on Route 35, and the cops finally show up and box the guy in in the parking lot.

We all breathe a sigh of relief and start laughing when this guy comes out with a case of beer! Needless to say, he was arrested for DUI. I hope he sobered up. Seriously. It's not worth your life or the MASSIVE amount of trouble you can get into.

So please, folks...be careful out there. I've gone to enough funerals and visited enough injured friends in the hospital. take ytour time, better late than not at all..

Labels: driving

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 10:33 PM

Sorry about the last post...I'm just frustrated. But then, this frustration has given me focus and determination. I see a future worth having. And it's worth working for. I can't do anything about YESTERDAY, and worrying about it (or tomorrow) only wastes the gift of TODAY.

I have got to be strong. I have got to see this through. I am going to miss you guys at Shore Leave, and I have missed all of you at the other events I have missed so far.

Please know that I am working toward a tomorrow worth having, and one day....we can have a party at my NEW house! That's my true goal. To have a movie party. To have a studio to make my art in. To travel.

And most of all to share with all of you.

You, my friends, are what makes the efforts worth making!!!

Labels: more thoughts.

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 10:40 PM

Hi.

I apologize for not blogging in March.

I am a big procrastinator (and I'll tell you why next week!) ;)

So here we are, six days to Easter...a time of new beginnings and changes.

And it's these changes that I would like to discuss.

I feel bad that I can't participate as fuly as I would like to aboard Avenger. Please understand that it's NOT me trying to disrespect anybody, or hold myself somehow above the group.

It's all about money. I want more.

I am proud to be very nearly out of debt. But, living with and caring for an elderly parent is expensive. WORTH IT, but expensive. This has taught me to budget myself very carefully.

Now for the good news. I am looking forward to taking a CDL (Commercial Drivers' License) Class. This, I hope, will put me in a better position, both career-wise and finacially.

I feel bad for anybody working in retail these days. There's so many pitfalls. I DID try to make it there, but it's not for me.

It was summed up for me on my first day of Lowe's hardware:

"The only reason you are here is to replace the people who have been fired....and one day we'll be replacing *you*."

Nice attitude, huh?

Just...bear with me folks. Keep the jokes to a minimum for a while. And if you really DO have a problem with me, or how I do things, I invite you to discuss it...WITH ME.

Don't be like people who discussed things... **behind the backs** of the people they had a problem with...we all know what that led to.

Labels: changes....

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 9:37 AM

Hey gang...

Here's my first February post for ya. Sorry it's so late.

And it may be my last for a long time.

I am seriously considering taking a 90-day leave from Chief of Security.

I need some time away. There are items of business that I need to take care of, before they "take care" of me! :) (Namely, taking care of my elderly father)

I want you to know I am NOT leaving in anger. Yes, there have been some miscommunications, and some disagreements lately. I want some time to put these behind me, too.

I want to walk away to ask myself how badly I really want to be here. There have been some MAJOR chanes in my life in the last 9 months, and I need time to adapt. I'll be honest...I may not even come back.

I'll miss you guys.


Any thoughts?

Does anybody read these?

Labels: to be continued...

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 10:46 PM

It turns out that some unintentional spellcasting had taken place just after midnight January 1st at our mutual friend's home. Honest, gang, if somebody was offended, they didn't tell me. (I stayed the night and went to breakfast later on Jan. 1st) You can read more about the broo-ha-ha on Todd's blog, but...

I came pretty close to doing something like this myself...offering a toast using wine and salt (something about a new house). I'm now VERY glad I didn't. I hope that something about my birthday dinner next Saturday doesn't set off any Avara Kedavara-s (see also Harry Potter)....geeez. %-P

For the record, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and I consider Him a friend. (I think of it this way, He made it all, He knows it all, you're not gonna surprise Him. He loves you anyway...and with the amount of foul-ups I make, I need a friend like that!!!)

I also believe that there are forces far beyond what our mere mortal senses can tell us. And there are things that can REALLY hurt us if we are not careful.

I'm glad I don't have to worry about crossing spellcasting "wires" by saying or doing something in kindness.

I don't knock Wicca, I just don't think I'd be any good at it. If that belief floats your taco, fine.

But seriously, folks, I, for the record, I think Todd acted with the kindest and most noble of intentions...for all the jokes he makes, he does have a serious side. and he WOULD NOT deliberately cause somebody's feng shui or sanctum sanctorum's balance to be cast asunder.

Stay tuned, folks...I'm sure this bday party is going to be...interesting. (See also Serenity)

Labels: On a happier note...

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 9:35 AM

Happy New Year!!!

Still recovering from a great NYE party at Dave and Mary's in Seaside Heights. And I did promise a twice-a-month blog. So I'll make this one short.

Any thoughts about my resolutions?

I like how Emily Vosseller put it: she doesn't make resolutions, she makes lists of dreams and follows through on them. A good approach, IMO. Resolutions are made to be broken. Dreams, however, make us work for them.

Labels: Happy New Year

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 6:52 PM

Yay! Voyager on Spike TV!

Nice to see it finally here--there's a marathon all this week (9am-5pm).

Aside from some minor adjustments, Bob and Dave's Stone Trek costumes (and Bob's Grand Poo-Bah Hat) are completed. I can't wait for the Polar Bear Plunge!

Toys for Tots went reasonably well, ppl at Pearl only donated ONE TOY (aside from myself) so far...disappointing. I've moved my deadline to the 20th. At least Avenger made a decent showing in donations. :-) Thank you to those who donated!!!

Onto the new year, SNAFUs aside. Here's to a better year and a load of exciting things ahead!

One more resolution I'd like to add:

--No matter how angry I may be, I will wait AT LEAST 24 hours before responding to a situation via email.

I know I have a temper. I don't like losing my temper. I'll work on it this year.

Merry Christmas!!!

Labels: Voyager on Spike

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 9:33 AM

For the new year, I, Patrick Barnes, hereby make the following resolutions for 2007:

(Please don't take it TOO seriously, these are just my own affirmations. :)

Going forward on Avenger:

1.) I will submit my MSR/Monthly Meeting Minutes to the XO no sooner than three (3) days before the end of the month. If I can't do so via email, I will contact the XO and make an alternate arrangement.

2.) I will post an entry to the Avenger 'blog at least twice a month.

3.) I will submit my bimonthly column for Avenger News no sooner than five (5) days before the due date. I will also make an effort to contribute articles through the year.

4.) I will submit OCC for grading by March 1st, if not sooner.

5.) I will complete *ANY* incomplete Academy courses ASAP.

6.) I will submit my STARFLEET renewal in a timely fashion, and inform the C-Staff when I do so.

7.) I will contact the members of my department at least once a month. A copy of this email will be provided on request.

8.) I will renew my efforts to recruit and retain members of this Chapter.

9.) I will expect to be reminded if I fail to carry out the duties I have described above.

10.) I will alert the C-Staff of any emergencies or life events that will prevent me from carrying out my duties.

11.) I will do my best to make sure history records the USS Avenger as the FINEST Chapter of STARFLEET, in Region and in Organization.

12.) Above all, I will remember: this is a fan club, and its purpose is to HAVE FUN!!!!

Did I miss anything?
Patrick

-posted by CMDR Patrick Barnes at 11:42 PM