Jason's Thoughts & Views

11:58:03 AM EDT

My good friend Brian has moved his AOL journal over to Blogger.  He told me that Blogger was much better and that I ought to follow suit and make the move.  I have done just that.

My blog's address is: http://gimp1985.blogspot.com

Thanks

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8:42:59 AM EDT
Feeling Ecstatic

I am going to see Diamond Rio and Martina McBride on June 22nd in Fort Wayne, IN at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum!

We ordered the tickets this past Friday morning, the day they went on sale.  I wasn't to confident that we could get tickets.  I figured since the show was in Fort Wayne and that Martina McBride was the headliner that tickets would be merely impossible to get.  I knew that I had to be on the phone right at 10 AM.  Much to my surprise, I got in and wasn't on hold for to long at all.  I told that lady what we needed and was able to get them!

The night of the show we will be in section 102.  To get an idea as to where that is you can view the seating chart by clicking the following link:

http://www.memorialcoliseum.com/s_concerts180.asp

Needless to say, I am very excited and can hardly wait.  It should be a great show!

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9:21:52 PM EST
Feeling Ecstatic

Each year on the first weekend in December, the community of Kokomo tunes into the “We Care” radio telethon auction.  All the money raised during the 48 hour telethon goes to help those in need during the Christmas season.  

 

Each year the Kokomo Fire Department donates a “Fire Chief for a Day” where the highest bidder wins a real-deal, white, Fire Chief’s helmet and the opportunity to be Chief for a day with the department.  When it is auctioned off, it’s always on a Continuous Bid lot that runs for two hours.  Each year it goes for $500+.

 

This year I had told my mother how neat it would be if I were able to bid on it and be Chief for a day.  I knew that we didn’t have the money to be able to do it and was okay with it.  It was all just talk.  She then said to me,

 

“Wouldn’t it be something if either someone you or we knew, bided on and won it and then gave it to you?”

 

I told her that it would be awesome but we both knew that it wasn’t going to happen.  We didn’t expect it or anything, and was just talking/joking around, like people do about winning the lottery.

 

The last I knew, a Kokomo firefighter hada $500-something bid on it.  I never heard what it finally went for or who got it.  Then at around 5:30 on Sunday night, a fire truck pulls up in front of our house.  I went into the front room to see and sure enough, there was a truck out front.  The boys walked up to the door and we let them in.  It was three guys that I knew from Station 4, the station down the street from our house.  The guys and I chatted for a few minutes and then my buddy, Firefighter Kevin Cox, told me that they had a question to ask me.  He said,

 

“We were wanting to know, if you’re interested, if you would like to be ‘Fire Chief for a Day?’” 

 

I was absolutely thrown for a loop and was shocked.  I told the guys that they were crazy.  I told them that I had heard that a fellow firefighter of their’s had bided on it.  They told me that they had to use someone’s name.

 

Yesterday, I went down to Station 4 so that the guys could present me with helmet and letter stating that I was going to be Chief for a day.  The local newspapers were on hand to take pictures of the presentation.  One was published in today’s Kokomo Tribune.

 

I have posted a few pictures from the presentation and a few from the house for a better view of the helmet.

 

I will go and be “Chief for a Day” one day this spring or summer.  They tell me that when I am “Chief for a Day” that I will be able to do anything that I want (within reason of course).  They will also put me in a fire truck and take me for a ride around town. 

 

I am really excited and cannot wait to spend a day with the guys and gals at the downtown fire station.  It will be an unbelievable and unforgettable day.

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11:39:56 AM EDT
Hearing 9/11 Tribute Songs

Today the world remembers the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.

 

It has been five years since that tragic day but it all still seems so unbelievable.  I remember it as if it happened yesterday.  I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that day when I heard the news.

 

I was a junior in high school and was sitting in my first period class.  Most of my class wasn’t in class as most of them were taking the ISTEP (Indiana’s subsidized test).  Those that were in class, including myself, were watching a DVD so that the others wouldn’t fall behind on material.  Our teacher came back in the classroom, turned off the DVD, and told us that we had to turn on the TV, that something bad was happening in New York City.  As the TV came on what we saw was the first tower with the large, gapping hole with smoke and fire billowing out of it.  After watching the news coverage for a short time, we then saw the second plane hit the second tower.  It looked like something out of a movie.  I was in disbelief to what was happening.

 

I then moved on to my second period class where we continued to watch the news coverage.  The towers collapsed during second period.  As the first tower start to fall my jaw dropped and the first words that came to my mind were “Oh my God.”  The class sat in silence to what we had just witnessed.

 

The day moved on and we kept watching the coverage.  At lunch my friends and I sat and watched as we ate.  We sat and talked about what we were thinking and how shocked we were.  Then our shock and disbelief turned to sadness then to anger.

 

In the end 343 firefighters, more than 100 police officers, and more than 3,000 innocent lives were ended because of the evil that perpetrated the attacks.

 

Please take a moment to remember and reflect on that day and those lives lost.  It is very important that none of us ever forget.  I know I never will.

 

God bless all those lost, God bless their family and friends, and God bless America.

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9:24:09 AM EDT
Feeling Anxious
Hearing XM Highway 16 on AOL Radio

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1:55:41 PM EST
Feeling Quiet
Hearing XM Nashville on AOL Radio I just thought that I would share with you all the experience I had Friday.

It all started out when my mom came home from work.  She came in and I had asked her about taking me to one of the local taverns to meet up with a friend.  To my surprise, she said that she would.  That news had me pretty excited.  Little did I know, that excitement would later turn to pain, figuratively and physically.

I had to go back in to the doctor's office today to have my results checked on my latest TB test and to have my completed MDA camp physical returned to me.  I went in and everything went well.  Test was negative and the paper was done.

After leaving the doctor's office, we went and got something to eat.  We picked it up and headed home.  We pulled into the driveway and was getting ready to unload.  Mom opened the door with the remote control to the wheelchair lift.  Once it was down and level for me to go onto it.  I started toward it and it started going down.  I didn't have enough time to react and kept going.  Thankfully, the lift had not gone all the down.  I went down on to the lift and kept going.  My foot got pinned between the safety flap of the lift and my wheelchair.  I was in a world of pain!  I thought that I would be okay but after 20 minutes, the pain wasn't easing up.  It was decided that I should go to the ER and have it checked out.

We arrived at the ER and went through the usual paperwork, etc.  We went back and the doctor came in and I had explained to him what had happed.  He examined it and ordered X-rays.  That was fun.  My foot had to be moved every which way but loose to get the proper angles.  That was very painful.  Once they were done, I went back to my area and waited for the results.

Doctor comes in and informs me that I have a small fracture near the top of my foot, around ankle level.  They wrapped me up and put me in a splint like wrapping.  The doctor wrote me a script for some Vidocin.  Unfortunately, the Vidocin has other meds in that I cannot take.  So, I have been taking Aleeve as needed.  It has been working.

The ER doctor told me that I needed to go see a orthopedist and have him evaluate me to see if I do, indeed, have a fracture and he will know how to treat me.  The normal doctors have a hard time diagnosing andall that for someone who's anatomy isn't considered "normal" since I have muscular dystrophy.  So we will see how that goes.

Needless to say, I didn't get to hang out with my friend.  Instead, I sat around the house with my foot/leg hurting.  I went to bed and didn't get up until today.  It wasn't that bad staying in bed all day yesterday, it got the swelling to go down.  My pain levels have gone done considerably since Friday.  I am on the mend so that is a plus.

'Till next time.

Jason

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4:43:50 PM EST
Feeling Quiet
Hearing XM Nashville on AOL Radio

Thought it was time for me to put something new in here.  So here we go.

Yesterday my town laid to rest one of our soldiers.  Sgt. Rickey Jones was killed in Iraq on Feb. 22.

I didn't know this solider, nor did I attend his funeral or anything associated with it.  I would have, if I would have been able to.  Anyway, I listened to the radio as the procession was going on.  Some of the people from the radio station were stationed along the processional route and gave live reports on the air.  The live reports came during a request show in which many listeners called in and dedicated patriotic songs in memory of Sgt. Jones and his family.  I did so too by requesting "I Believe" by my favorite band, Diamond Rio.  The outpouring of love and support for this solider and his family, along with the music being play on the radio, was all very overwhelming to the point that I became very emotional and sat and bawled.

There were supposed to be protesters to show up and protest the funeral.  I am sure you have all heard about the Kansas based church group that has been going around protesting military funerals because THEY say that God is getting America back for supporting homosexuals.  Anyway, they didn't show up after all.  I am glad that they didn't because if they had, they wouldn't have like what they would have seen.  They would have hated how our city came together to pay our respects to Sgt. Jones and his family for his sacrifice for this great country of ours.  The country that gives those clowns from Kansas the right to be the jackasses they are.  If it weren't for Sgt. Jones and the many before him, none of us would have the rights that we take for granted today.  Our men and women should get the respect that they so deserve.  If you want to protest the war or whatever, there is a time and a place for it, and at a military funeral, or any funeral for that matter, is not the place.

I would like to thank every man and women that has served, is currently serving, or have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our great country.  If not for you, we wouldn't be where we are today.

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8:18:23 PM EST
Hearing XM Nashville on AOL Radio

EDITED (March 2nd): I have finally added the pictures I promised.  View Discretion Advised.  Enjoy!

I went out and celebrated my 21st birthday last night and what a night it was.

Ryan, one of my best friends from MDA camp, came down from South Bend, IN to celebrate with me.  It was really good to see him outside of camp, which has never happened before.  So, it really meant a lot to me that he, his mother, and his sister came down to celebrate.

The night/party started off with dinner at Ned's Corner Pub, a locally, family owned restaurant.  There were about 15 to 17 people at dinner.  It was a good time for sure.  After dinner, they brought out a surprise.  The surprise, a birthday cake, but not just any birthday cake.  It was a Boob Cake.  That's right folks, a cake that looked like a girl's chest.  It was totally awesome.  After the cake had been cut, my mom took a piece of cake, that was mostly icing, and hit me in the face with it like it were a pie.  It made for a great laugh.

Once we finished dinner and ate cake, it was time to hit the bars.  Our first stop was to another locally, family owned restaurant/bar, Martino's.  We stopped in at Martino's because my mother and I are friend's with the owners.  Mike, the head owner, wanted to buy me my first drink.  I had a drink called a Slow Screw.  For those that aren't familiar with this particular alcoholic drink, its a mixed drink that is made up of slow gin and orange juice.  At first taste, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or if I was even going to finish it.  I forced myself to keep drinking it since Mike bought it for me.  By about the third or fourth swig, I was starting to like it.  While still at Martino's, mom bought me five dollars worth of pull tabs and I didn't win a damn thing.  Oh well, that is why its called a gamble.  We hung out for about an hour or so at Martino's and headed to our next stop.

The next stop was Big Daddy's, a strip club.  Let me go ahead and warn everyone now, I am about to go into more detail than some of you may want to know.  I must advise you to keep reading this particular paragraph at your own discretion.  This is your warning and I will not be held responsible for your reading on and the possibility of anyone being offended.....We went into Big Daddy's and got a table.  The waitress came around and took our drink orders.  I ordered another Slow Screw.  Once the drink came, I got a drink of it and then Ryan and I went up to the stage for the entertainment.  At first, I sort of felt a bit uncomfortable since it was my first time being in a strip club.  The dancers were pretty good looking gals.  When the first girl was going around for tips, she put on a show for Ryan by putting her, let's say, her goods in his face and doing some dancing for him.  I couldn't help but start laughing and egging him and her on.  Then it was my turn.  I was kind of shy and slightly uncomfortable, but went with the flow.  After the first one, I started feeling more comfortable.  We hung out around there for a few hours.  Before we decided to leave, Ryan wanted to get a lap dance.  His mom asked if I was going to get one and I had told her that I didn't think so.  She told me that she didn't come all the way from South Bend to have me back out from getting a lap dance.  I told that I would then.  Once Ryan had come back from his dance, it was my turn.  My lap dance was pretty hot.  She was all over me.  Rubbing up on me and helping me rub her up.  Whoo, it was hot, hot, hot, hot, hot.  It was great.  I must say, if all of that makes me a dirty old pervert, then I am and am damn proud of it!

Once we left the strip club, we decided that we were going to head to another bar called Scotty's.  When we got to Scotty's we saw that the parking lot was jam packed.  We figured that there was probably no way of getting Ryan and myself in.  Ryan said that he was starting to get a little tired and was getting cold.  So, we all made the decision to call it a night and headed home.

Over all it was great day and I had a blast.  I didn't end up getting drunk or even buzzed for that matter as I only had a total of 2 drinks all night, those being the Slow Screws.  To me, its really not a bad thing that I didn't get wasted because I, 1) didn't have to throw up and have a hang over, and 2) I am able to remember everything that went on.  The fact that Ryan was able to come down and celebrate with me, made it that much better.  I know that had Ryan not made it down, I would not have had nearly as good of a time as I did.  Thanks a lot for coming Ryan.  I really appreciate it.  I love you brother. 

That birthday is a day that I certainly will not forget.

I will be sure to add pictures to this entry when someone sends them to me.  No need to worry about vulgar pictures because we weren't allowed to take any at the strip club.  The pictures are from dinner.  As I said, I will be sure to add the them to this entry soon.

Thanks for reading.

'Till next time.

Jason

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8:38:32 AM EST
Feeling Angry
Hearing XM Top Trax on AOL Radio Valentine's Day, a day full of love and a lot of other mushy crap.  I think that Valentine's Day sucks and is a waste.  I don't know, maybe I am just bitter because I do not have anyone to call my Valentine, but I just absolutely hate this damn day.  The more that I sit and think about it, the more that I loath it.

It makes me sick when I see two people all so lovey dovey, kissing and a-hugging, get a room people!  There is a time and a place for that crap and in front of me is not it.

On this day, I try to avoid anything that I can that deals with love and this stupid "holiday."  The problem seems to be that it is EVERYWHERE and cannot be avoided.

Now don't get me wrong, I can be a romantic guy but you see, I have to be with a woman first and that ain't going to happen anytime soon.  It seems that when I find someone that I am interested in and would like to have a relationship with, she either, a) has a boyfriend, b) doesn't want to be in a relationship at the time, or c) gives me that lame "I just want to be friends" line.  Rejection is a real bitch folks, and quite frankly, I am damned sick and tired of it!  My search for a "significant other" is over and will probably never resume.  If there truly is someone out there for me, then ya know what, she can find me because I am fed up from trying to find her.

Anyway, enough of my rambling on and being on my soapbox.  Hopefully next time I write, I won't be so damned hostile.

'Till next time.

Jason

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6:17:52 PM EST
Feeling Happy
Hearing XM Top Trax on AOL Radio

Hey all.  I know I've been slacking, and that I needed to write something so here I am.  This entry is probably going to end up being a hodgepodge of stuff.

Well, all of last week I was sick.  I doubt that anyone really wants too many details on my illness so I will just say that it had to do with my bowels.  Just use your imagination and I am sure you can figure out what I mean.  It started on Saturday night and didn't get better until around Thursday.  To say that it wasn't fun at all would be a huge understatement.  I didn't think I was ever going to quit!  Thankfully I have, for the time being, and am doing well again.

Super Bowl Sunday has come and gone.  I admit that I rooted for Seattle to win the big game, but knew that Pittsburgh was more than likely going to come out the victor.  Seattle put up a bigger fight than I had expected them to.  They came out like a shark that smelled blood and was fighting with all they had.  In the end though, the Steelers played better ball and won the game. 

Now that football season is over, I must wait for baseball to start up.  Spring Training is just around the corner as pitchers and catchers report to their spring training facilities in just a few days.

The NASCAR season gets underway next Sunday with the 2006 Daytona 500.  Normally, I am a fair weather fan when it comes to Nascar, however, this year I am thinking that I might pay a little closer attention to it this year while its in season.  My boy, Tony Stewart, its the defending Nextel Cup champion.  Let's hope that he has a good season and as is able to make a run to defend that championship.

I meant to mention this a few entries back but never did.  The last time I reported about the schooling front, I said that I was forced to take a semester off due to financial aid problems.  Well, I am still having problems but the school is paying for my tuition for on class this semester, which I am taking online.  So I am in another English class and its moving along.  Its starting to require more and more time and effort, so its about to kill me.  I am starting to get burned out and its a sucky feeling.  Hopefully that will ease over time and I can get things done.  One has to hope.

Well, that is about all I have this time around.  I hope to updated again in the near future.  Hopefully it won't be a month to month and a half before I do.  We'll see how it goes.  Thanks for reading and take care.

'Till next time.

Jason

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