Just got back from a whirl wind tour of the south east with Guerillmo, an old frined from high school. We climber the highest points in AL, GA, KY, SC, and NC and put 1300 miles on the rental car in about 2 days. So I'm done with classes now, and in a sort of limbo between school, the "real world", and internship land, which I must enter before getting my actual degree. So what that means is it is time to travel and hang out and visit all the folks I haven't seen in awhile. So if you're reading this, give me a holler and we'll meet up for a few pints! The goal at this point is to take the NOLS instructor course this April and work for them over the summer, but failing that there is always fire. Actually an old fire buddy came through town yesterday, kinda made me want to work fire again. We'll see... Mean time, just had a cavity filled and boy am I hurtin'. Bog sucker, took almost two hours in the dentist chair. But better to get it fixed now than have it get worse later. I hear they look at dental health pretty close when you apply to work in Antarctica...
Once again, this update brought to you by the Enchantment Resort in Sedona. Yep, it seems about the only free time I have these days is at work. Well, for those who haven't heard yet, I wrecked my beloved Subaru (this damn juniper tree just bolted across the highway in front of me...) and tomorow I attempt to purchase a new vehicle (used of course). Probably a light truck of some sort...
Yahoo!! Only 1 month till classes are over!! Except for my internship, which I need to actually graduate. And any other random classes I decide to take to try and get my money's worth out of the $1,800 I pay the school so I can work some slave labor job fulfilling my internship. Today's words of wisdom: "If you will it, it is no dream." - Walter, The Big Lebowski
Some where I read that the according to Einstien, the faster you go the slower time passes, therefore the longer you live. At this rate, look out Methusula, I'm on a roll! A quick by line for those of you interested: 0236 hours, Enchantment Resort, Sedona, front gate shack. Yep, I'm now working as a Public Saftey Officer/EMT at the resort here, a real high class kinda place. Trying to not let my red neck show when they gave me my orientation, usually they throw guy's like me outta places like this, boy somebody wasn't paying attention when they gave me the keys to the place. Yep, subvert the system from the inside, that's my motto. So this brings the current number of jobs (both paid and unpaid) to..uh...8 I think. You know what they say, a rolling stone not only gathers no moss, but has more fun and sees cool shit the other stones never do.
Ok, so here we find ourselves nearly October, the semester slipping away faster than ever. I have moved into my new house here in Flagstaff, along with my girlfriend Melissa and two roomates each named Nick. Classes continue unabated, with my undergrad thesis staring me in the face saying "get your ass started or else." I am still working for NAU Outdoors as a supervisor and trip leader, but now I also work for Coconino High School as a mentor for a 15 year old sophomore. Possibly even more exciting I am begining work with the county search and rescue unit, I just ordered my uniform today and I get my badge in a few weeks. No pay, but lots of exciting training and experiance potential. Also working as a field instructor again for the university teaching outdoor leadership and Leave No Trace classes. Again, no pay, but other benifits. Rather than graduate in December I've descided to wait till May to got through the ceremony and try and get my internship done. That's about it for now, talk to ya later...
First an apology is in order: I have not updated the site in 3 months, so I'll try and fill ya'll in on the events of this summer. When last we left our intrepid hero, he was departing for Alaska with uncertain job prospects and an open agenda. Well it didn't take too long and I had a job offer leading school age kids at a day camp for Camp Fire USA. Despite the possibility of a job directly in my field, I was once again lured away by my mistress: Fire. I took work as an emergency firefighter for the state department of natural resources doing initial attack around the Fairbanks area. That led to some excitment fighting fires from engines and helicopters, as well as much boredom due to this years sub-par Alaska fire season. Otherwise I lived most of the summer in a small cabin on the Chena River outside of town. No running water, but a good view from the outhouse. Melissa, my girlfriend, worked for the Arts Association, and we took several trips together, from Kenai Fjiords National Park, to the Arctic Circle, Dawson City in the Yukon Territory, to canoeing down the Chatanika River. I am getting the film developed now, so look for pictures soon! After the monsoons came, I was laid off of work, so I headed down to Denali National Park for a 5 day backpacking trip. I had originally intended to climb Mt Brooks, but a flooded river and missing food kept me from that objective, so instead I tried for Scott Mountain. Late as it was in the season however, the crevasses on the glacier were wide open and looking to snarf any one foolish enough to be climbing about unroped, so after reaching high camp and spending 2 days waiting for clear weather and scoping the route, I descided not to push it. Still an amazing trip, and just when I thought I was out of the woods and nearing the road, I walked to within about 15 feet of a momma grizzly and 3 cubs. Thankfully they neither saw nor smelled me and I was able to retreat and walk way around them safely. All said it was a marvelous summer, and now I find myself readying to move back to Flagstaff and into my new house. I'll post the time for the house warming party here soon. Until later,
Jared
Believe it or not
I made up a few things
And there's some I forgot
But the life and the telling are both real to me
And they all run together
And turn out to be...
A semi-true story
- Jimmy Buffett