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Daily Writing

My oldest thing? Pride, fresh from the dryer.

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What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

I had the privilege of attending the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, OR back in 2005-07.

During my time at the center I completed two basic vocational certificates in Landscaping and Facility Maintenance.

Bridge to Success, TPJCC

Having reached the highest rank, three times in a row, I received a monogram sweatshirt and a ring that I still wear 18 years later.

Ranking

The Center used a scoring system with ranks to determine the various privileges or limitations set to each student (Red, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum).

If you got in trouble (misconduct or rule breaking) you could get written up and possibly  bumped down a grade.

But, if you performed well, either in your vocation or the dorms, then your average score could move you up in the rankings.

Everyone arriving at the Center would start at Silver and some might drop to Bronze after their first evaluation.

Some students struggled with conforming with the structure. I had an advantage in having been in Boy Scouts and possessing a “follower” mentality.

Limitations

I think Red was an average of 1.0 and you would be on the cusp of termination unless you improved by the next evaluation period.

If you were Red you were not allowed to go to town. I think Bronze could only leave on the weekends.

Silver could could go any day and was the standard that most students hovered around.

Privileges

If you managed to reach the high rank of Gold then you would get to stand at the front of the line for the bus to town.

You could even bump someone else off the bus if it was full and you arrived late. The “bumped” individual needed to be lower rank than you.

You had first dibs on events held by the recreation facility.

I remember going to my first (and last) Monster Truck rally, without ear plugs, thanks to my Gold status. I also attended some Ice Hockey matches in Portland at the Rose Bowl (Quarter).

Lastly, if you somehow reached Platinum, the first time you received some points that could be exchanged for items in a gift shop located in the main office.

Sometimes if a student did something really special they would be awarded points. I think we also received points each evaluation that resulted in Gold/Platinum status, but I could be mistaken. 18 years is a long time.

Another prize was getting a seat at the restaurant run by the culinary students for lunch. The Center’s Director would often buy a meal ticket and bring guests from the community to show off the students hard work.

Instructors were also able to nominate one of their students to have lunch at the restaurant. Other staff members would often buy a ticket to eat there.

Upon reaching Platinum a second time, students were eligible to redeem their points to get the monogram sweatshirt which has the school’s “Bridge to Success” motto on it.

Finally, we come to the third Platinum prize.

The coveted school ring with a blue stone for boys or a red for girls. You still needed to have enough points saved up to buy the ring, but I think it was worth it.

Achievements

After completing my trades I applied to and was accepted into the Centers college program which allowed me to attend Clatsop Community College for three semesters.

I successfully ran for student government and was the VP of Residence 3 for half a term before moving up to Dorm President.

I also had a stint as the floor leader and as a Student Ambassador.

I took part in a local radio program featuring student voices.

I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Washington DC with other student leaders.

I volunteered with fellow students in a restoration project for the Lewis and Clark trail and the construction of a playground in downtown Astoria.

I was the first student to request and complete an 8-week internship with the US Coast Guard at their Air Base and Family Housing.

I received a plaque for overcoming personal challenges at the 2006 Youth Recognition Awards Banquet in Clatsop County.

2006 Youth Recognition Awards Banquet

After TPJCC

After I left the center I went on the classic “European Trip.”

I got visit family in England, tour castles in France, and ride the trains in Spain.On

Upon my return state-side, I settled in North Carolina and I’ve been here ever since. I’ll probably stay another 7 years before moving back to the Pacific Northwest.

That’s all for now. Thanks for your time.

Questions and comments please put them below and have a great Father’s Day.

Daily Writing

Life Before the Internet?

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Do you remember life before the internet?

Well, I was born in 1985 and the Internet first started around 1983, so I can’t truly say I knew life before its time. I began accessing the Internet in the first grade, but I didn’t realize its potential at the time.

Although the Internet didn’t come into its own until the mid-90s. I remember the first computer I saw at school in the first grade. The classroom had an Apple II and a Mac LC 500, which was an all-in-one Macintosh computer with a CD-ROM and floppy drive. The Apple II used the big floppy disks and you had to load the disk before powering on the computer because it didn’t have an operating system to boot to.

Some of my friends had other models of Macintosh computers. One friend had a Mac SE with dual floppy drives and another had the Macintosh Portable with a little trackball.

My mother bought a Packard-Bell personal computer that came with a 14.4k modem. I recall trying to load a picture of Mickey Mouse from the Disney website and it took all night and only got a quarter of the way through the image. After that, we got a 28.8k modem that was attached to the motherboard.

Later around the time I began attending high school, we got a Micron PC with an integrated video card, the NVIDIA Riva 128. This allowed for some 3D and 2D processing and I was able to run games like Warcraft 2, Starcraft, and Diablo. I also got into Emulators and would play Super Nintendo and Gameboy games on the computer.

I also embarrassingly ruined the computer when I tried to install the Star Wars arcade game code on the PC. It overwrote the firmware and caused the computer to boot as an arcade machine. I got in a lot of trouble for that.

I also recall around 1999, I began visiting the computer lab at the local high school a year or so before I began attending. In the evenings after school the computer lab was kept open by a staff member and some of the older students would visit the lab and play a game called Marathon Infinity.

It was a First-Person Shooter similar to Quake or Unreal. There were four Performa Macs in the lab that were networked and could be used for multiplayer matches.

Prior to this, I had mostly been playing Sim City 2000, which an older student had installed on a computer at the alternative school I was attending. I would actually come across a number of computers that the same boy would install games on throughout my school life.

It wasn’t until late 2007 that I figured out who the other boy was. Quite by accident, I noticed he had the same games in his room, and when I asked about them he confirmed my suspicions. I had actually known his family for a long time but I didn’t know he was interested in computers.

I also had a penchant for installing games on the computers I came across at school. There were four different Macs in my homeroom and I installed the demo versions of Escape Velocity and EV: Override on two of them. The others didn’t have the specifications to handle such a game so I installed Maelstrom and Apeiron on them.

I went too far when I installed Starcraft on the Power Mac. A new teacher was present when the opening video played with the Zerg overrunning the colony and the Protoss nuking the planet. The sounds of screams and gunfire were sufficient to attract her ire.

The teacher had the school’s tech guy wipe the computers. He also installed Deep Freeze on them which wiped any unwanted data when you turned off the computer. I was also barred from using the computers during my homeroom period.

I actually met the tech guy after an altercation with another student caused me to be removed from some classes we shared for one year. I was removed from both my Art and Jewellery classes and reassigned as a library assistant and a tech assistant.

I helped to install the new iMacs in the computer lab and library, I also learned how to run cables and set up the Deep Freeze software on the machines.

It was a great experience for me.

Although, in hindsight, the Internet has been, perhaps, the bane of my existence for other reasons. It is an addiction that I would be rid of if not for the necessity that it has become in our modern world…

Thanks for reading. Sorry to end on a somber note. Thank you for your time.

Daily Writing

That Monster in the Closet

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We’ve all got one, but maybe mine is a little different than yours.

What started with a single old keyboard kept “just in case,” soon grew to include mice, monitors, cables, and cords. Joining the morass were MP3 players, cellphones, watches, and other electronic gadgets.

Now of course you’re probably going to say, why not throw it in the trash? why did I pack it away instead of throwing it out if I wasn’t going to use it?

These are valid points, I don’t dispute that. However, I was always concerned with two points.

First, what if as soon as I chucked something I suddenly found myself needing another one? Wouldn’t that be a shame, if I tossed out something I ultimately needed.

Secondly, I was of course concerned with the device polluting the environment. All those electronic items that make up the monster in my closet would also be a monster out in the wild, causing more harm and terrorizing small furry woodland critters.

I recall many years ago I took an old computer monitor to a recycling center. I had to pay $30 for them to take the thing off my hands. This was in the 90s, just think of what that price would be now, what with all the inflation we have experienced over the years.

You probably already know this but it’s good to keep reminding ourselves of the impact we have on the environment.

Electronic waste, or e-waste, significantly impacts the environment as discarded devices like smartphones and computers contain hazardous materials such as lead and mercury. When improperly disposed of, these substances contaminate soil and water, posing health risks to humans and wildlife.

US Environmental Protection Agency

You often see news reports about dangerous plastics and forever chemicals showing up in water supplies or in human organs. Nasty business for sure. E-waste often ends up in landfills or is improperly recycled in developing countries, leading to soil degradation, water contamination, and air pollution.

Thankfully, things are not all that bad just yet.

We do have more options for recycling older electronics now.

You might consider donating (Technology for the Future) older devices to schools, non-profits, or community organizations, providing valuable resources for those in need.

There are also local recycling (Google Maps) centers that often accept electronic waste. These centers have the facilities to safely recycle components, recover valuable materials, and prevent hazardous substances from polluting the environment.

Another option is to sell your older devices for cash through a service called Gizmogo. They’ll buy your older gadgets and help put down that monster in your closet.

The turnaround for the service is about 15 days and they don’t charge for shipping, you should get a quote and a payout right away. You can browse the catalog on their website to get an idea of how much they will offer for different device types.

Another option is to bring your electronics to an e-waste collection event in your area.

Selling or gifting the older item to a friend or family member.

You could even try using the older items for a DIY project (Instructables).

Or maybe even an art project. I’ve seen some interesting displays in art museums, some art has been made using cassette tapes, CDs (Inhabitat), and circuit boards.

Whichever choice you go with, I do hope you will consider fighting back against that monster in the closet. Try not to feed it. And, just maybe, it’s about time that fella goes on a diet.

Daily Writing

Work…in Progress?

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

What jobs have you had?

Impact-Site-Verification: da6265b8-2e56-42cf-8fbb-8d98c8c33ebc

My work history is rather short, but I am currently in the process of adding to it.

While I search for a new job, I may as well speak about my previous work and remember better times.

My first job was as a doorman at a dance hall. On the weekends of my senior year in high school, I would ride my bicycle to the local Masonic Temple. The business owner rented the facility to host his DJ work. I would help him set up the sound equipment and then I set up a station near the entrance to collect entrance fees.

For my work, I received a portion of the proceeds from the event each night. I usually spent the money on my ride home each night. I would stop at the grocery store and buy a computer magazine, something to drink, and a sandwich for my dinner.

The ride home was around 11pm and the town was completely dark except for a few street lights. I knew my way around so this wasn’t a great issue. The traffic lights couldn’t see me in the dark so I would just ride through all the red lights or I might take a shortcut through the lagoon park.

This was my first job and I recall the time fondly.

While not quite a job, I did join a trail crew for the summer just after graduating from high school. The other members were an eclectic group of similarly aged people from around the county. The trail crew was led by older volunteers I think. I recall getting homesick and leaving the program partway through only to regret the decision and ask to be reinstated.

The trail crew was a stopgap. I was not looking forward to attending college after high school. It seemed ludicrous to go from school, which I didn’t enjoy, to another school right away. I was looking for an alternative. The trail crew was one option. The next option that I went with was applying to the Job Corps service.

I completed two vocations and attended a little college while attending the Job Corps Center in Astoria Oregon. After that, I moved to North Carolina and I got a job working at a pharmacy chain local to the Carolinas.

I got burned out working there and sort of fell to pieces. I couldn’t work for the next 2 years and eventually went to vocational rehabilitation and received counseling.

There was a short period when I worked as a Maintenance Technician for a local business owner and did lawn care, pool cleaning, and groundskeeping work for him. I also cleaned out rental houses and did some restoration and painting work.

After that short summer job, I applied to and was hired at another pharmacy. I worked there for a little over a year before injuring my back. I didn’t take the injury seriously enough and left it until my whole leg began to seize up.

I was fearful of reporting the injury at work. I had been reading horror stories about workers being mistreated by that employer on Reddit and this clouded my judgment. I made an excuse to my boss and resigned to focus on my recovery after that.

Two more years passed before I was able to walk properly without a cane again. Thankfully I was able to get employed back at my old job again and I happily returned to working at the pharmacy.

I kept working there until 2020 when I decided to return to school to get a college degree. Now I am one class away from graduating. I bought a car and now I need to find a job to pay my bills.

The job hunt has been difficult, but I will continue to apply to whatever is available. Hopefully, I can get something that aligns with my degree.

That’s all for today. Thank you for your time.

Questions or comments? Please level them below.

Daily Writing

Unplugging as needed

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How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?

Hmm, maybe when my wrist hurts? My back is sore? Or when my jaw seizes up from clenching too long?

Gaming woes to be sure.

Actually, I am quite happy to be connected and “plugged” in.

I recently finished a 14 month suspension from smartphone usage and I must say, life with a feature phone is tough.

Not only did I have to give up mobile gaming but I also encountered many difficulties navigating modern life, which is more and more connected these days.

While I had heard of people being unable to shop or dine without a smartphone or QR code readers, it was not until I experienced it for myself that I realized how much of an issue it could be.

The fast food industry is moving to digital and doing away with cashiers and even cash acceptance.

It’s not just restaurants either, the other day I went to a pharmacy and found only self checkouts and not an employee in sight.

There was actually someone there, but they could have passed for a ninja, as I barely noticed them as I left.

My Charles Schwab and Sofi accounts were inaccessible, except via PC, during my unplugged period. The same was true of my other brokerage service’s and a myriad of apps I installed for offers on Swagbucks.

As I write this on my Samsung galaxy, I am running Windows update on my old Gaming rig. Each update gets me a step closer to being fully connected again.

I am looking forward to slouching in my worn out chair and inviting more sore wrists, clenched jaws, and perhaps even some back pain.

Plug me in and never let me go.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading.

Comments and questions, please drop them below. Have a great day!

Daily Writing

Nope, and I plan on it never happening…

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Have you ever broken a bone?

I have gone out of my way to avoid taking part in any activities that more likely than others could result in a broken bone.

I have little interest in sports other than Golf and Ice Hockey, both of which I prefer to watch than take part in.

I have had some close encounters though.

I have been hit by a car while crossing a highway on my bicycle.

I have fallen out of a truck with a faulty door while speeding around a corner.

I have sustained knife wounds to my midsection and I once swung a machete into my leg.

I also crashed my moped after turning off the pavement on to a gravel road.

No broken bones. Just bruises and cuts.

I am thankful my close encounters have not yet resulted in a break.

I will of course remain ever vigilant. I don’t like pain and I shall ward against it wherever and whenever it is humanely possible.

Daily Writing

My most dear possessions

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What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

That would have to be my photo albums and greeting cards. I keep these in a safe and dry location in the house.

The albums include photos from my childhood and from my parent’s travels from before I was conceived.

They are precious memories that could not be replaced. They are also representative of my families history on both sides. I can trace my roots through the images seen on every page.

We pay respect to our ancestors every year by way of the Korean Jesa ceremony (제사), which my family has adopted.

Ancestor worship is rarely present in either cultures of my heritage. So, I was quite thankful to find a way to honor my forebears.

Daily Writing

Collections? They’re hidden.

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Do you have any collections?

In drawers, in boxes, and stashed in closets. My collections, which started in childhood, and continued through adulthood are now simply nostalgia and a glimpse of fond memories.

I can still recall that fateful day in third grade when my older classmates brought out their Magic: The Gathering cards. It was still early 1995 and Magic was making a splash with the release of the Ice Age expansion.

I had up until this moment been happily paging through Archie comics during my break periods. However, Magic was a whole new world that I felt driven to explore.

I convinced my parents to give me the money to buy a booster pack. Once I got back to school the next day, I traded all the cards in the pack to my classmates. I left that day with enough cards for two decks.

I continued collecting Magic cards and playing matches with my friends until the end of Summer when I encountered a fellow who was nuts for Baseball cards.

Having contracted a similar strain of sports fever, I traded away my Magic collection for Baseball cards.

I must say, In my adult life I have often regretted that decision.

Later, when a friend was visiting from Canada, I got to see his Magic collection. This was the spark that reignited my love for Magic cards. 

Sometime after getting into Magic, the Star Wars Trading Card Game (TCG) was released. My dearly departed best friend Cedar and I both collected and played Star Wars TCG.

I got my Executor Star Destroyer card from Cedar. Later I pulled an Executor variant from a booster pack. I still have the two cards in a hard case back to back.

In late 1996 I joined legions of aspiring Pokémon masters as I took up the Pokémon TCG. I had been quite enamored of the Gameboy game and the cartoon and so was more than happy to shell out my allowance for some more cardboard.

With Pokémon, I didn’t have anyone to play with so I taught my mother how to play and then bothered her whenever the mood struck.

After Pokémon it was Yu-Gi-Oh!, I pulled the foil Gate Guardian from my very first booster pack. That got me hooked.

This repeated with a few different card games that I don’t recall the names of and that likely no longer exist.

Aside from trading cards, I have an extensive collection of domestic and foreign coins including quite a bit of silver coinage.

Some coins came from working in retail while others have been gifted to me by relatives. I inherited my maternal grandfather’s coin collection and I’ve purchased some coins myself.

Notably, I purchased 5 sets of the Pride of Two Nations silver coin set which features Liberty and the Maple Leaf of Canada. I’m selling 3 of the sets on eBay.

To a lesser degree, I have dabbled in collecting bottle caps, stamps, liquor bottles, (photos of) custom license plates, stones, jewelry, and seashells. Oh, and the PEZ dispensers. I have the Star Wars, Lotro, and Harry Potter Limited Edition PEZ sets.

While I no longer possess them, I had a moderate collection of heavy blocks of sediment filled with semi-ancient shells and bones. I was quite enthralled by fossils for a period after an excavation when I was enrolled in Cub Scouts.

I’ll leave aside my digital collections of Pokémon, literature, and Internet Obscurity, and call this the end.

Thank you for taking the time to read my response to this writing prompt.

Questions or comments? Please leave them below.

Have a great day!

Daily Writing

Job for a day? Maybe Barista

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What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

I love coffee and I really appreciate the effort the people at my local drive thru coffee shop go though to make a good cup of Joe.

I think we’ve seen the cool designs that get put into the foam on cups of coffee on social media.

There are some truly artistic designs. I would like to try out being a batista and learn how to make Latte art.

Daily Writing

Community Service

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What do you do to be involved in the community?

I was taking part in trash pickup for around six months at the local landfill and surrounding grounds.

Between all the locals bringing in their trash and the big semi trucks hauling it away you get a lot of waste that gets scattered or blown away.

So what I was doing was going around with a trash can slung over my back and one of those grabber-poles and gutting all the small bits strewn across the landscape.

It was an endless process, there was always more trash than could be humanly picked up. I was happy if I could get a hill or ditch clear each day. The next day though it would likely be covered in trash again.

It’s surprising how many households put recyclable and compostable materials in with their trash.

I grew up in a fairly “green” town in the Pacific North West and so planet friendly living is engraved in who I am and how I live my life.

We make sure anything and everything that can be composted goes in a bin and that bin gets regularly emptied into a bucket.

The buckets will either get dumped in the compost pile with grass clippings or they’ll get buried in the garden beds directly.

Depending on weather and the propensity of bugs, we usually get good yields on our crops. Our growing zone is 5b-8b here in NC.

We have Tangerine and Lemon trees grown from seed, a peach I bought as a sapling, and three bamboo groves.

It’s all been a work of love and often curiosity. Just this morning I noticed the seeds in a cut apple had partially sprouted.

I planted them.

Maybe we’ll have a new addition to the garden next year?

That’s it for today. Sorry, I got a bit off track with the garden.

Questions and comments please put them below. Have a great one!