Cippo Gets Pranked

Cippo nearly gets clipped on a training ride and is shocked to see that the dude that nearly ran him had two of his bikes strapped to the back of his RV!! Enjoy!

School

Greetings from New Jersey! I am halfway through the training program for my new jet. I have my Blue RC4 here with a set of rollers doing intensity whenever I can. Time is quite limited.

Moving Towards “Normal”, I Hope

They say job disruptions are life events on the same order as divorce and death. I don't know if it is all that bad but to say it is a "major" life event is certainly true. The last week was spent establishing a new life with a new company in a new city. It is so strange to think about moving somewhere to live when you can't even navigate due to unfamiliarity. The first day on the ground, last Sunday, everything seemed so strange and plastic. The first area I explored seemed devoid of character filled with nothing but shopping malls and asphalt. I went back to this area on Thursday and it seemed completely different. I am not saying it was so different that I want to move there but it was better. Well, until I noticed a sign that warned against tree climbing because it may bring about falling scorpions. Geez, falling scorpions; we're not in Kansas anymore Toto!

The job is new in some ways. I will still fly airplanes for corporate America but now I fly for a company that actually produces components for the very airplanes I fly. For my former Ford colleagues, I was shocked to see the same expense reporting system that Ford used. So that hasn't changed but is this a good thing? The weather was near perfect but that will change.

Yesterday was spent looking for temporary housing for the next three months. Wow! You don't get much when you want to spend $500-$700. This was depressing. The apartments smelled and were located in what looked like free-fire zones. Whimpering as I drove, I made my way to the Gilbert Post Office to try and get a box. I was told I could not do this without an AZ address but you might be surprised to hear the best customer service I have experienced in years was had. My clerk kept working the angles until she came up with a solution that required Jeanne to go to the Saline office, fill out forms, fax them to the Gilbert Post Office, etc.. In the end, it worked! Voila, I have an Arizona address, well, kind of. The state is not very tolerant of people dropping into town and trying to establish residency this way. They do allow some flexibility for people in my situation but I am uncertain of the limits of their patience.

While Jeanne was doing her thing at the Saline PO, I worked the internet desperately trying to find a solution to my housing woes. While cruising sublet.com I found a place in Fountain Hills. Now this looked promising. I called the manager up and asked if he could do a 3 month lease and I was shocked to hear "yes". So, after a quick trip to the Ford dealer, (BTW I purchased a new Ford Focus on Tuesday), to drop my new address for the car's title, I rode out to the Hills. Oh man, what a difference! What a beautiful desert setting! There was abundant mountain, cactus and red rocks. Excitement grew as I approached my destination. Upon arrival I was overwhelmed! Now this was more like it! Great views, clean city, great riding possibilities and decent rent! No need to run out and purchase that AK47 here. I plunked down a deposit, filled out an application and drove off with a hopeful feeling that I was almost ready to begin living in Arizona. The way back to Mesa was blessed with a perfect sunset and light playing on shadow over the mountains. Things were improving for sure.

Leaving today, there was a major traffic jam on the 60 which I take to get to the airport. No problem, I re-routed and made it to the airport with only one navigational error. I presented my badge to the guard and was waved in like I belonged. (BTW, my office is actually in the factory at Sky Harbor airport.)

The hard part is being separated from Jean and the kids. I have been away from home for weeks before but never months. Looking ahead a little too much I guess, but I find I'm always a little sad. This is going to be a real tough stretch for us. Next week is the beginning of a three week stint in New Jersey, then, back to the D for an all too brief stay before leaving for Phoenix again on March 28 this time for good except for visits. In the mean time I have to remember that each day is getting us closer to normal again. Nothing has been normal since November but every day since we have been moving towards a goal. Are we half-way? I don't know but we are getting closer all the time.