So some shit went down...

My fire company went out on a "booze cruise" last Friday and man was it awesome. My friend Gerard was the DJ and did a great job and my probies did wonderful setting up and breaking down. However the end of the cruise there was a little wrench thrown in the gears... by little I mean huge and by gears I mean at my face.

Most guys would be totally happy that their girlfriend grabbed the back of another good looking girls head and deep French kissed her in front of him. Most guys would be even happier when the girls then started playing with each others tits and kissed so passionately (maybe more than she ever kissed me...) and then stuck their hands between each other's legs... yeah. Well I was one of those guys at first... then it became uncomfortable after about a minute so you can imagine what it was like around the 5 minute mark. I admit it, I had the thoughts afterwards like sweet... is this going somewhere? But then I got to talk to my girlfriend. 

I told her that I was kinda uncomfortable with what happened, she told me she was a girl too and it was alright. I said "Then it would be ok if I kissed her too?" to prove a point so she'd know how I felt. Her answer was the obvious one... "No, I'm not going to share you with anyone.". Then she informed me that she had planned a "hook-up" with that same girl and another girl later. Wow... I mean really?!? How the fuck did she plan that one and think it was EVER ok? So... if she wasn't going to cheat clearly I was invited right? Nope. Not that I wanted to really... I'm sorta the jealous type and Ive never done that so I dont know how I'd handle that. Then something started coming out that I never expected.

Now let me preface this with how I feel when people meet alcohol. Alcohol does two things to people's minds; first it turns off the filter and lets all that shit out that they've been holding inside, next it makes people exaggerate. So keep this in mind while you read the following.

After the ordeal above my (ex)girl starts telling me how she's a (insert last name here) and I'm a (insert last name here) and I am a piece of shit. I should just be lucky that she even talks to me because I'm such a piece of shit. After several minutes of this she decides that I am a liar and a cheat and starts telling me since I am a cheat (side note: nope, sorry) that she can cheat on me for as long as she likes too.

By this time we've arrived back at the firehouse from the boat (the kiss happened when the boat was docking) and I needed some space. Well, after a few minutes she found me and started yelling, in front of everyone, how I am a liar and a cheat. Then started punching me in my Lap Band port (she has one too and knows it really hurts). I tried to walk away and she grabbed my collar of my shirt. I got choked a bit and then she broke my gold chain into several pieces and threw them into the busy street. When I got away I went to find the necklace because it had 2 charms on it that mean a lot to me. While looking I hear "Mike, lookout!" and turn to see her running full steam at me and pushes me into the main street's traffic. If I wasn't warned I could've been face down in the right lane and been road kill. This was the point that I realized that it was much much more than a drunken episode (you're probably thinking really? It took this long? C'mon guys, I have a thick skull...).

Well... she came to my house the next morning woke me up around 8:30 banging on my windows (she called like 30 times but the phone was on silent), she HAD to talk to me now (btw I didn't get home until about 2:30am). We talked, she didn't remember some stuff and couldn't believe what I told her (she should ask the other 60 witnesses...). She asked what was worse that she did it in front of everyone or what she said, it was what she said but both. She told me she'd stop drinking... I told her my theory (previously explained). She asked me if I hated her and the answer was an honest yes.

The next day (Sunday) she asked the same question, my answer was the same still. I was beyond pissed. She told me good, because it wasn't working anyway (did someone take reverse psychology classes????). Then she told me she's talked to a few of my friends and they told her everything. "Oh yeah" I said, "who?". She refused to tell me any details (clearly there are none) and said that I had been lying to her and cheating on her for quite some time. Then she started telling me that I shouldnt expect to have a job (I work for her family). She said she'd be civil to me while I looked for something else but I should go and she wasnt going to leave. 

Now I never expected her to leave, nor do I wish to come between her or her family. Seriously though she's telling her parents and everyone that I cheated on her when that's exactly what she did to me... IN FRONT OF ME! Well I spoke with her brother (my boss) this morning and he doesn't want me to leave. I don't want to cause any drama in her family but she's already started today. 

Ugh, I hate drama...

yadda yadda yadda

So Thurs. night I stayed up until almost 0330hrs reading about copyright law so I could shut down my first potential problem with my first real client. Since there was no written contract between us it really didn't outline what I was and was not going to provide him with. I NEVER will let go of a working file (photoshop, indesign, etc) that can be used to make a new product. Well, I guess I could if the price was right... and I didn't care but I do and the price was not. So, after citing this it looks good... for now... that they are fine with the .pdf... which I didn't even lock (see, I have a nice side). Also I gave them the new reworked company logo I made in a .psd so they could use it... again, how nice of me. Still awaiting final payment on the project, it's like $400 still, and then we're onto redeveloping their website. I need to start watching the training videos again and getting back onto the learning end of it. I know enough to do what I need to do but with the knowledge I can do it faster and better. Also I need to start looking for more clients and this time have some sort of written contract. Perhaps I'll make fliers and complete the website with the time I have.

I am starting to research the cost and dynamics of opening my own business. I know what I need for the start-up now I must put it in terms of money... gotta write that damn business plan too. Will post more on that when there's something substantial...

Recently discovered the most amazing sushi anywhere ever... Satsuki in Lynbrook. Wow, just wow is all I can say. Had it for the second time tonight with Chris and eating there actually makes me really happy. If you're in the area or love sushi enough to travel it is well worth it.

Chris also just got a bicycle... I'm so excited to have someone to ride with. I got my bike like 2 weeks ago and have been dying to go out and ride. Figure it will be good exercise for me because I hate exercise. Getting on the bike is trickery for the mind... "hey brain it's not exercise we're out having fun!" and then I think it's acceptable. Also got the treadmill ready to use... just still using the same lame excuse of no time to use it.

All of this is to battle the plateau I have just found in the weight loss. 50lbs and 8" down is great but I have been there for a little bit and need to do something to get going again. I'm also thinking of going back to liquids for a little bit... lower the caloric intake.

Just a quick update

Starting Weight: 405
Current Weight: 359
Lost since 3/17/10: 46
End Weight Goal: 250
Remaining Loss: 109

Blah, blah, blah, blah...

Ugh, haven't posted in a while... didn't really have much to post. So, what's new in my life... merh...

Work:
I'm now working for my girlfriends family's construction company. I don't really have an official title yet, but I would consider it a Production or Project Manager. The company has 2 crews and also several subcontractors that run at the same time. My job is to supervise the production end with both our crews and the subs. I also will be responsible for customer relations and ordering materials. So far I have been there for a week and enjoy it there.

Level 8:
I've done some work on my client's book but nothing like I should be doing. I must get some time management in order and finish knocking this out. Between all my other activities (FD, work, girlfriend, etc) I just haven't had the same time to sit down and really focus on it. I need to get the book finished and finish the designs I started for their webpage.

Lap Band:
Im down about 30lbs now, since Ive been off the liquids I really havent been losing weight. I need to get to working out!

-25lbs! w00t

Well, it's my 14th day of the modified diet today (started liquids St Patty's Day 3/17/10) and I am -25lbs today @ 380lbs! Recently found out (because I live under a rock...) that Rex Ryan had the same surgery. The article linked is good, conveys a lot of the same things I am thinking...

I really have to find my camera... Im already down 25 and I want good before and afters!

Starting Weight: 405
Current Weight: 380
Lost since 3/17/10: 25
Overall Goal: 250
Target Loss: 130

"the bands all here"

Well, I guess I'm recovering nicely from the surgery. My expectations going in were based on the experience of my girlfriend when she had the procedure and what the program told me to expect. They were:

• gas pains within my body (not the typical fart or burp gas). This is what I was really worried about because the only thing to make that better would be time. So far I think I experienced these pains for maybe an hour or so however they were extremely tolerable.
• surgery pains. I was expecting much worse than I have. My mobility is probably 80-90% and my stomach muscles are the ones that are a little sore I guess, it's really more a discomfort than pain. Getting in and out of bed, sitting up or down and bending over are hard to do but I am working around that. Stairs and general mobility seem to be fine.
• recovery room. I was prepared to wake up a painful miserable mess. Instead I was doing really well when I woke up and didn't have any pains until I had to transfer from my recovery bed to the bed in my room (I had to get out of one bed and into another) and even then the pain was me trying to stupidly use my stomach muscles.

Jenn is taking good care of me, helping me out with whatever I need, for that I am really grateful. I am looking forward to getting back to work on my tasked items of the sales book (which is ~80% done) and the newly tasked website creation. Mainly because I want to just get it done but also it's money and I need that now, so hopefully I'll be home soon. Right now the only issues I have are discomfort with the stomach, a little swelling and I get tired quicker than I probably should. My follow-up appointment is less than 2 weeks away and as of last night I re-started my liquid diet.

I'm excited about seeing what this baby can do with the right approach. I'll probably start attaching pictures soon to this blog and making a new album on my facebook page.

Lap band....

As you probably already know I've been testing for the lap band since October. Jenn and I woke up at 4:30 am on Friday because I was scheduled for 6am admission and a 7:30am surgery.  I felt like I was getting up to go to work, special thanks to Jenn though who stated she "only was up at this time when she was 19 and coming home from a night out".

It was "installed" on Friday at ~8am.I wasn't worried about the procedure. I received enough information from my girlfriend and the dr that I felt ready for all I was about to encounter. After meeting everyone I waited in the pre-op room and then was wheeled in and put on the skinny little operation table. I was strapped on the table, towel roll put behind my shoulders (for the breathing tube to be installed later) and started to get some drugs. My anesthesiologist nurse Mike said "you're vision should be getting blurry"... I said no and then bam! I remember the anesthesiologist walking in and Mike filling him in on all the prep work he did... then I was out.

I woke up in the recovery room to a few people around me, one of them in the beginning was my surgeon Dr Powers saying I did really good. I was given some pain meds that gave me nausea so I had to take something for that. I started coming into focus and after a few minutes they let Jenn and my mother into the recovery room. After a few hours I was taken to my own room on the first floor.

I was up Fri night walking around, surprisingly little pain, I expected much more pain or discomfort. Late fri night I started to get some discomfort at the site where they did the work, nothing major just awareness. Dr Powers came in to see me and said the procedure went well, that I looked great and it was all normal. He also told me I have the 10cc AP Lapband, a newer band that's supposed to be better.

Friday night into Sat morning I was woken up twice to see if I was ok by the nurses then I was told at about 6am I had to stay awake because my heart rate was too low, in the 30's. I got up, walked around a bit. The nurse then asked if I had urinated since the catheter was removed, I had not. I was then informed that I had 10 minutes to so or get another catheter... no way Jose!!!!! I was able to go and avoided that mess.

I was wheeled down to the radiology department and had to get tested to see that the band was in the right position and all was ok. I waited back in my room for the results and once it was good to go I had to drink 1 ounce sips of water or tea every 10-15 minutes. After doing that then they brought me another tray and I had to do the same... yikes, too much. I was discharges at about 2pm and Jenn drove me back to her place where I will spend my time recovering.

Today and tomorrow will be clear liquids days. Then for 2 weeks I will be back on a liquid diet mostly the protein shakes and some puddings. Week 3 & 4 will be "soft & mushy foods" like mashed potatoes and stuff like that. Week 5 will be normal foods once again. Well, it's time to find out how to co-exist with this band :) .

Now I'm about to nap or something for a bit. A very special thanks to m'lady Jenn for all the care she's given me thus far. Also thanks to my mother, Chris and Mike B for visiting me in the hospital, it meant a lot to me.

Current Weight: 385.2 (prior to surgery on hospital scale)
Overall Goal: 250.0
Target Loss: 135.2

Fucking wind and rain...

So I've basically been up since 1:20pm on Sat. running fire calls or something else weather related. I was told we did 73 or 74 calls yesterday and there were like 20 or so today. These consisted of one working building fire, 2 gas main breaks and many many trees down/wires down/electrical fires. Then when I went home Sat night my block was not fully powered so we kept having issues with the heating system and other things around the house... going home to sleep yielded a whole one hour if I was lucky.

Today we had a fun call too! House had all the above ground electrical running in the back yard and the transformer fell, remained energized and charged the chain link fence on the sides and rear of the house. Moron LIPA supervisor was like "power is shut down" as the fence was arcing into the ground and lighting nearby things on fire... great. After they pulled their heads out of their asses they shut it down, about 30 minutes later...

All this and I never even mentioned that Sat night was supposed to be the annual Dept Dinner, the Volly Prom, Dog and Pony Show... and all the inactive members were there to pat themselves on the back while the real people were running calls like mofo's. Don't get me wrong, if you're an old member who's past the point of being an active "call runner" by all means go to the dinner. However when there's a probie there drinking and having a ball fuck him (just also so happens to be the probie who was in my recent extrication class who would rather not gear all the way up and drink a water while a commissioner busts his ass with hand tools, then wouldn't follow my orders... douche.). I signed up to be a firefighter, the volley prom is a sorry to my significant other  for always running out on calls or drills etc. Ugh...

So yeah, no sleep... I'm beyond the point of tired now. Also missed filing for my unemployment insurance and working on the sales book because I was out running around. Perhaps I can put in a little more time on the book and call and get help back-filing the unemployment...

My surgery is also around the corner... starting to get ready for it. Have to go out tomorrow and get stuff for my special diet for the pre-surgical and post-surgical periods. Tomorrow (Mon) was going to be my last day of real food before the 10 day liquid diet but Im going to do 5-Guys with Jen as my last meal on Tues night, may as well send myself off right!

Ok, let me get back to trying this sleep shit... I have a lot to do tomorrow (today... shit...) and need to rest up since I havent slept for crap.

Progress... in the right direction?

Level 8 Website : bare-bones placeholder splash page
Client's sales book - 33% done with the major outline/page designs
New client search - not started
Training videos - approx. 10% done (there are a lot of vids. thanks to Chris)

Next client deadline - 13 days
Client expectations - High (they now know I've lost my job and have "all this free time"...)
My outlook - favorable, I think I can get a great chunk of work completed at my current skill level
My goal - Complete framework of book and at least 60% of content by 3/23

Also I have my surgery coming up. I just received all of my liquid meal replacement drinks in the mail, tomorrow I am going to try one to see how it tastes. Which reminds me, this weekend's Department dinner is going to be my last drinking episode until probably like 2 months after my surgery (May 26th-ish) so I'll be operational by Memorial Day!

I need focu... ooooh! Shiny thing!

Watched a bunch of InDesign training material today, worked a bit over the weekend on the business cards for Level 8 and had a bunch of other things going on that kept me from the computer. However I didn't get much of the work I need to do for Tues evening's meeting done.

Here's the plan. I've been waking up and going to bed whenever, and I'm finding out this sucks. My routine is non-existent and I need some sense of regularity in my life. It sucked getting up at 4:40am each weekday for work with the old job and I guess I've been overcompensating for that. Time to get on a schedule again, maybe wake up at 7 or 8? That sounds reasonable right?

Level 8 Update

Tonight I watched a tutorial on one thing for flash on Adobe's website and ended up teaching myself something half-assed on my own.

Currently my first ever flash project is the temporary home page of www.lvl8.com

I'd ask for feedback but currently nobody seems to be reading this. Ah, ramblings of a broken mind...

Level 8

So I decided (finally) on a name for my "company" that I'm gonna tinker with, "Level 8". Turns out with a lot of google help and searching online there are a lot of other web design/desktop publishing/media companies that have a similar name. That's great to know I'm not the only crazy guy out there thinking of that name, horrible because I'm now associated with them all.

Bought the domain www.lvl8.com and posted just a simple logo picture that I envisioned and my friend Chris was able to polish up for me. I'm sure there will be an infinite amount of revisions made to it over the course of it's existence but I like it for now.

Being out of work right now I should really be more productive however lately the wind seems to be taken out of my sails and I'm not one who enjoys rowing. Tomorrow I plan on getting back into it strong, make a sizable dent into my "clients" sales book and do some work on the new website. Probably going to print up a small batch of business cards so I can eventually seek out new clients.

Thank you also to Chirs and Alvin who are working on getting me plenty of training videos so I can "level up" on my Adobe Suite skills.

So I was thinking...

What if life was like a giant fractal image? You can zoom in and out infinitely and each planet is a cell within a body... or zoom down and each living being is a cell within a planet, and we all have cells within us, which have smaller pieces within them and cells adapt and change like animals adapt and change and planets adapt and change and the universe adapts and changes... Gah, all the cause of this video

but the funny part is I've thought this before, Im sure others have too... but once it's remembered it kinda bugs me for a while. Then I kinda wonder if we're like a cancerous cell. Ever mutating building, spreading faster... maybe something like asteroids are the universes immune system trying to put us in place... ah crap.

All this thinking because I've just lost my job and now have an idle mind...

Monday I plan on getting on top of getting back to order.

as the title says

Decided I'm actually going to use this thing... see if I can get (read:keep) the ball rolling. Figure with my job I'm always driving around Nassau/Suffolk/Queens and could find some funny shit to post... witty updates etc. With the FD I can post fun stuff like the extrication class I'm currently getting state certified in (for those who don't know that the Hurst Tool or the "Jaws of Life"). Plus this would be a great outlet to get feedback on some side work I'm doing with desktop publishing...

Let's face it. I work 11+ hour days, I'm a not only a Vol. firefighter but also am responsible for the training aspect of the other members, I have a side job where I'm the boss and I also have a great GF that I wish I could spend more time with. So really, how much time will I have to dedicate to this... we shall see...

Also probably a good place to "let off some steam"... although I've never been upset or unhappy with life I have sometimes felt like it's missing something... perhaps that's why I do so much more stuff than I could handle in a healthy way... but c'mon folks, who needs sleep?

I'll also post on here about the lap band surgery. Progress, thoughts, anxieties and all the other good stuff. Anxious as hell right now, just got the phone call today that "all is in order" and I'm just waiting for a call from the surgeon to set up a date, it's looking like beginning of March. Feel like I'm letting my FD brothers/sisters down though because I'm the guy who's been bringing the new guys into their first fire for many years now... and I've also got the younger members under my wing... and this year at the academy I probably won't be able to. I really really enjoy training these guys/gals how to do this shit... maybe I should become an FSA instructor...

Well, almost 2300hrs... that means if I go to sleep now I can get about 5.5hrs of sleep... that's a good amount for me!