Well here is yet another installment of the life and times of Jason Parks.
I see one of y'all have commented on the last post. All good. After I posted that, there were a few events that really confirmed people not living up to what they believe. Please note here I am not judging them (Heaven or Hell), I am just saying what I observe how people are living and how the Bible says that will be happening. I encourage all, including myself, to stay grounded in the Bible and live what you believe. Appreciate the comment Nate.
I bought these ipod headphone adapters from
http://www.acoustibuds.com/. They fit over the earpieces so that one has an in-ear bud, vs. on-ear speaker. I prefer the in-ear. Really like the skullcandy ones too. They work just fine. Here's a pic in case you are wondering.
A lot has been happening these last few months, and weeks for that matter. I spent St. Patrick's Day with Kelly Hottinga, whom I hadn't seen for a while now. We went to the Auld Dubliner with her cousin, Lindsay Yost, as well as her roommate Crystal and her friend Bernadette. We had a blast. And in usual Long Beach Drunken fashion, I got hit on by a guy. (I think it's cause they keep crossing the streams like Peter Venkman says not to do).
I have been working a whole lot, like 100 flight hours a month (normally we get 80 and can reduce down to 62.5 flight hours. 80 is like 4 days on, 3 days off). A hundred hours is good. It keeps me busy. I love working/serving and traveling. If I have too many days off, I spend money. Trying to save with all that is happening in my life, and with the media propagating that the economy is in shambles. Do you realize that the government tells you to save your money (which since November, more people have saved their money than in a long time. See
www.feedthepig.org). But they also want you to spend and "stimulate the economy." Sounds to me like a double edged sword. I think Dave Ramsey's Principle is correct: 10% God, 10% Savings, 80% Bills and Fun (Translated loosly).
I saw two ladybugs doing it in Sacramento. Love IS in the air.
Speaking of great deals (I know Andrew, they will get cheaper), I was in Boise the other day and walked to the house I am interested in. Only took 20 minutes from the hotel. It's still up and for sale. Micron and Another Company just laid off 5000 peeps in Boise. So people are selling again to move out to get work. Once again, along with the post-spring break sales coming up, this should drive housing down yet again. I will wait some more, within a year I am thinking to buy. Russ Howell, Shelley Applegate-Howell's husband suggests I wait with all the madness. I guess there are even tent cities going up in Boise, with the housing crisis. Here are some pics.
Random pics from a few last trips, and no, I don't smoke Ciggarettes!
But I will have a good margarita in Austin!
Bought a new comforter and a duvet cover from IKEA USA. It's so colorful. Would look much better with a purple wall behind it!
God is really Good. Been casually praying more, and I know people like Denise and Paul are praying for me as well. Thanks for the note guys.
Bought my Hops for Hop Farm 2.0. I ripped out the Cascade hops by the porch, only to let it accidentally die. I ordered two this time: Cascade (Sierra Nevada is big on Cascade) and Hallertauer (Sam Adams Hop) It will be planted along side my Green bell peppers and apparent tomatoes I have growing. I also have a Thornless Boysenberry Vine and a clip of a Blackberry Vine from Eugene. The hops cant be sent to California, so I shipped them to Utah and will fly them in. It's gonna be Hot! Very floral and smelling nice.
As for the living situation, there is yet another dramatic moment. Ryan, the husband, called me last week and basically said that if his wife is home alone, I cannot be there with her. So from 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday, I cannot show up. I understand the principle, but it's pretty lame! I am hardly there. I have come to the decision I shall be looking for a new place to live. I can't help it that I am ridiculously good looking! There appear to be too many restrictions on me (can't brew beer there, no friends over when daughter is there, and now I can't be there 8a to 6p. On top of that, I am only there like 5 days a month. And all I do is eat, sleep, and laundry it up. So I think my stay has exceeded it's welcome. Not much I can do here. Maybe they didn't know what they were getting into. It's probably not me. But I think too that if someone else were to live here under those rules, they probably wouldn't live there. I love the Murphy's, but the rules are just beyond having a place to "call home while in Salt Lake." I have a few options that I am looking into. And I have a few questions for them to answer, all in love, especially the illegality of that.
I saw this in a 14 year old "Big Bopper Magazine. What has our society come to, teaching our kids to read this Crap. How does Jessica Simpson feel about this printed in this manner. And I'm Sure all 14 year olds want to know what kind of Party girl they are....
That's about all there is to life. Cannot complain. Well I could, but I won't. Complaining gets you no where. I love God and life. Thank him. If I do move somewhere else in SLC, it will be closer to the airport I reckon. Hope you penciled in my address with the way I nomadically migrate.
I also have met a lovely lady this week. I met her on a flight from Edmonton (Alberta, Canada, Eh) to Chicago. Yes, she's Canadian! I can't describe it with words all that well, but we had an amazing connection on the flight. I knew 1/3 to 1/2 within the conversation that I was going to give her my info. I almost left a day early here in Downey to fly with her back to Canada today (so Random, I know). But we have been texting and even have talked a few times on the phone. She seems pretty cool, and I am playing it cool, taking my time to get to know her. And the distance might help there. Taking Paul and Denise's advice from a while ago to take it easy, take my time and not rush into the mix. This is all I will say for now, but keep that in prayer. All is looking pretty good! Woo Hoo!
Finally, I I have a pretty good schedule for April. I got the days of I needed (the 12th - 19th, DUSD's Spring Break). This means I am officially a counselor for Easter Caravan!!!! I get to road trip it down to Lake Mojave with my Kayak and rock out with Jr. Highers for a week. I am super excited to serve in this capacity. The only thing I have to do with my schedule is change the planes I am flying on, from the TurboProp to the Jet. That will be easy. If not, I can sacrifice working those planes for spring break off!
Here's some fun from Canada!!! How Appropriate!
Went to San Fran on a 28 hour overnight this week. Here are some photographic memories.
You think you have baggage problems???
The only young white guys were in the wedding party. I just played along with it, sort of. Ate shrimp cocktail, baklava for appetizers. For dinner though, it was fried chicken, collared greens, and cornbread. Instead of the traditional toast with champagne, we took shots of Ouzo, which by far is the worst tasting Liquor, next to Absynthe. Even had a drunk guy grab the mic and say something not understandable. It was fun, fo shizzle!!!!
Even so, I was at Burlington Coat Factory and found this Nautica Suit for $110.
I wan't a White Suit, with white shoes (Aldo, Steve Madden and Calvin Klien) with a nice fedora and a Leather or Canvas Satchel. That's how I imagine myself when I travel. Now it's time to look the part! I was reading that when traveling, pack little to nothing. I want to try it. I found a North Face Waterproof bag that doubles as a backpack (conveniently in white or red) that is perfect carry-on size. 
Going to Reno/Sparks Nevada. It's a cool town, seriously. Sparks boasts the Sparks Marina, a small lake of sorts with a beach, dog park, running trail, boating and fishing. Nest to the Marina is Sheels, the World's Largest Outdoor Recreation store (Over 253,000 square feet). It has EVERYTHING. Gotta visit, and get mugged practically by every employee. They've got a plethora of mannequin Presidents!
Afterwards, I went to the Sierra Taphouse, where they had my favourite wheat beer, Sierra Nevada's Crystal Wheat, which is hard to find outside of Chico CA. I ended up meeting two gals, Erin and Meghan, who pretty much kidnapped me, and took me to All you can eat Sushi by the Reno Airport (In the same plaza as Costco). Really good. Once again, random adventures I experience, random people I meet. I love my life!
I have been working a whole lot, like 100 flight hours a month (normally we get 80 and can reduce down to 62.5 flight hours. 80 is like 4 days on, 3 days off). A hundred hours is good. It keeps me busy. I love working/serving and traveling. If I have too many days off, I spend money. Trying to save with all that is happening in my life, and with the media propagating that the economy is in shambles. Do you realize that the government tells you to save your money (which since November, more people have saved their money than in a long time. See www.feedthepig.org). But they also want you to spend and "stimulate the economy." Sounds to me like a double edged sword. I think Dave Ramsey's Principle is correct: 10% God, 10% Savings, 80% Bills and Fun (Translated loosly).
Speaking of great deals (I know Andrew, they will get cheaper), I was in Boise the other day and walked to the house I am interested in. Only took 20 minutes from the hotel. It's still up and for sale. Micron and Another Company just laid off 5000 peeps in Boise. So people are selling again to move out to get work. Once again, along with the post-spring break sales coming up, this should drive housing down yet again. I will wait some more, within a year I am thinking to buy. Russ Howell, Shelley Applegate-Howell's husband suggests I wait with all the madness. I guess there are even tent cities going up in Boise, with the housing crisis. Here are some pics.
But I will have a good margarita in Austin!
Bought a new comforter and a duvet cover from IKEA USA. It's so colorful. Would look much better with a purple wall behind it!
God is really Good. Been casually praying more, and I know people like Denise and Paul are praying for me as well. Thanks for the note guys.
As for the living situation, there is yet another dramatic moment. Ryan, the husband, called me last week and basically said that if his wife is home alone, I cannot be there with her. So from 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday, I cannot show up. I understand the principle, but it's pretty lame! I am hardly there. I have come to the decision I shall be looking for a new place to live. I can't help it that I am ridiculously good looking! There appear to be too many restrictions on me (can't brew beer there, no friends over when daughter is there, and now I can't be there 8a to 6p. On top of that, I am only there like 5 days a month. And all I do is eat, sleep, and laundry it up. So I think my stay has exceeded it's welcome. Not much I can do here. Maybe they didn't know what they were getting into. It's probably not me. But I think too that if someone else were to live here under those rules, they probably wouldn't live there. I love the Murphy's, but the rules are just beyond having a place to "call home while in Salt Lake." I have a few options that I am looking into. And I have a few questions for them to answer, all in love, especially the illegality of that.
That's about all there is to life. Cannot complain. Well I could, but I won't. Complaining gets you no where. I love God and life. Thank him. If I do move somewhere else in SLC, it will be closer to the airport I reckon. Hope you penciled in my address with the way I nomadically migrate.
You think you have baggage problems???
