New Year Hodgepodge

Happy New Year Everybody! I'm finally back and ready for this week's HodgePodge questions. So let's get started!

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012: amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance. 


Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech?


I really hate the words "ginormous" and "trickeration" if for no other reason than my spell checker underlines them in red because it does not recognize them. How many more words do we need that mean "immense in size" or "trickery"? Get rid of them and go back to using the words "immense" and "chicanery".

2. Are you easily embarrassed? 


Umm, this is a hard one. It depends on the situation, circumstances, and how seriously I'm taking myself at the time. I would say usually no, but there are exceptions.

3. What is your go to snack?


Umm... I would have to say either Cheetoh's or Dorito's. I like them both.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not, do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction? 


I've been to D.C. twice and I would have to say that my favorite attraction is the Holocaust Museum.

5. Sit-ups, planks, lunges, squats. Which do you hate the least?


I hate them all. None of them have very much frequency in my workout routine.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?


I was in my 2nd or 3rd week of being in Japan and was trying to finalize my first keitai (cell phone) contract, but was having a hard time understanding what the sales woman was trying to tell me. Thankfully in the store that day was a woman who spoke English who sat with me and helped explain the final details of the contract. I'll never forget that.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?


I have A- blood type, which matches only an estimated 6% of the U.S. population so I do try to give blood on a regular basis and by regular, I mean once a year. I first gave blood in high school and it knocked me down the rest of the afternoon. In college I attempted to give blood again, but was advised against it after telling them I'd spent 6 months living in Europe in 1995 due to a fear of me having Mad Cow Disease (those of you who know me probably believe I'm already a mad cow...). So I didn't donate for a long long time. Only last year I gave blood again during a church blood drive for no other reason at all than to try and win a new car.

Saturday Sardines

1. I've been in my job about a month now and it's been an interesting, but fun learning experience. On Wednesday I took a trip with a co-worker to Prescott, AZ to visit some two other well-run group homes. On the trip, we talked a lot about a plethora of different things and one of the things I asked him about was the next step, professionally, in this field called "behavioral health". What I found out was that I entered near the top and thus do not have much upward mobility. My supervisor's position would be the next logical professional advancement opportunity in the field, but for that I would need a MSW (Master's in Social Work) and numerous licensures that are enough to make my head spin. It was either that or I open my own house and free-lance group home treatment for consumer's of other agencies. That sounds intriguing, but something I am not considering at this point.


2. I also asked my co-worker how long people stay in the field, giving the example of the world of Student Affairs in which people tend to stay in a job 2-4 years, especially early on in their career. What he said surprised me. He said 1 of 3 things would happen to me:

1. I would have a massive freak-out and leave in 6 months declaring I couldn't handle the mental field and become a monk somewhere while recovering from the trauma.
2. I would burn myself out in 2-3 years and seek greener pastures or a career field change. 
3. I would fall in love w/ people like a current resident and stay in the field forever, thus the advancement opportunity of opening my own house or series of houses and becoming a tycoon of sorts...

3. This trip also helped me realize that even though we're experiencing some particular difficulties w/ a particular resident, that the residents I currently have in house are cupcakes compared to the ones who will surely come along down the road. When I informed one of my staff members of this fact (the one who is as new as I am), she didn't sound too enthused about it. I however am ready for the challenge...

4. In effort to deal with the stress of my new position, I've taken of the aerobic activity of Spinning by joining the local YMCA and going to Spin classes 3x per week, including once on Saturdays. Now, I don't need to tell you that I'm the fattest guy in the room, but I am trying to encourage my other portly comrades to join me in this endeavor. Needless to say, I don't have too many takers. I guess I'm just the rare breed of fat guy who likes rigorous exercise...

5. Management as you know carries with it more responsibility as I have had to cover the shifts of 2 different employees this week as they are taking the holiday off to be with their family. Now I am not complaining because I have a GREAT staff who works hard and they enjoy the time off. Also, as a new employee, I have not accrued any time off nor could I take it until my 90 days of probationary status are completed. 

6. Mrs. Pitt has expressed a desire to return to Japan again, this time in Jan/Feb for a class reunion, the likes will not be seen again for another 20 years. I'm inclined to let her go on the condition that another e/q doesn't happen and she pay for 1/2 the ticket from her wages and tips. Last night we found a Delta flight for $949 (We're focusing on Delta now that we're SkyMiles members w/ an AMEX card to earn more miles), but this morning that same flight had jumped to $1,004. Now what would make Delta want to increase a ticket $55 overnight? Are fuel prices really the volatile or do you just feel like screwing us?

7. The countdown to Momma Pitt & The Professor to finally move out. I think they're planning on being out by the middle of next month.

FINAL THOUGHT:

(Psst...it's blank for a reason... :-P)

Sunday Starters

Mrs. Pitt continues to experience culture shock even after more than two years living in the U.S. This is not all together surprising as I continue to get punches on my "gaijin" card while living in Japan. I constantly must remind myself that Mrs. Pitt has lived in the U.S. Her latest experience is actually humorous. We've recently purchased a membership to the local YMCA so I can take part in Spin classes and Mrs. Pitt can do stretch, yoga, and pilates classes. Well, the other day Mrs. Pitt was in the locker room and saw a woman go into one of the stalls. Later she heard some, well let's just say it was grunting coming from the stall. Needless to say she was a little shocked by the grunting. 

Hodge Podge Saturday

I am a little bit late with this week's Hodge Podge entry, but since I'm up at this ungodly hour of 5AM on a Saturday morning and I'm using the parentals computer that allows split screen viewing, I thought I'd post an entry.

1. Have you ever been "asked" to report for jury duty? Were you chosen to serve? If not, were you happy or disappointed?

I have been called for municipal traffic court jury duty, bu never actually had to go. The night before I was summoned, I would call to make sure I still had to attend and everytime it had been canceled. The last time I forgot to go and have not received a summons since. I know of no warrants out for my arrest either. Every now and then I get letters from the County Court of Coconino County to complete questionairres to be a potential juror, but nothing ever comes of those either...

2. On a scale of 1-10, how mechanically inclined are you? Give an example to back up your answer.

I have the mechanical skills of a gerbil and I blame it on my father. The Professor grew up on a rural farm in Montana, but apparently did not learn or inherit any of the mechanical skills needed to be a farmer and he sure didn't pass any along to me. I take my car to get the oil changed and of course any other required maitenance. I can't really fix stuff. The best repairman I know is on speed dial.

3. Beets-Cabbage-cauliflower-butternut squash. Of the four, which is your favorite vegetable?

I don't have a favorite vegetable...I hate them all! But, if I have to choose one from this list, I would have to choose Cabbage.

4. What do you recommend to overcome self-pity?

Wow! what do I recommend to overcome self-pity? Well, extended unemployment does much to increase self-pity because self-pity leads to depression and other nasty things. My best recommendation to overcoming it is to find a hobby you enjoy doing and stick to it. That's what my cycling this summer was all about...overcoming the self-pity and the depression caused by it & unemployment. It was a time when I could be alone with my thoughts while also building self-confidence.

5. Do you enjoy classical music?

Unfortunately I do enjoy classical music. Growing up my dad collected cassette tapes (remember those?) and CD's of classical music to play in the car on long road trips. I appreciate it, but I don't listen to much any more.

6.  October is National Book Month. What's on your reading list this month?

To prepare for my new job, sections of the DSM IV are on my reading list.

7. What is your idea of cute?

I don't really have a definition or idea of cute. Cute seems to be Mrs. Pitt's favorite word. Guys don't use the word "cute". We use other words...

Sunday Serendipity

1. It's been interesting week here in the Pitt house. On Monday, which was also Mrs. Pitt's 40th birthday, I was offered a full-time job with the mental health agency I've been temping at for the past 5 months. It will not be in data submission like I have been doing. Rather I will be managing one of their group homes. A place where people classified as SMI (Severely Mentally Ill) live for a period of 3-6 months as part of a transition to living independently. I've been told many are coming out of the state hospitals and so this is a half-way house of sorts as they adjust and develop to independent living. Currently there are 3 people living in the house, with a capacity for 8. I've been told by people I currently work with that when the home was first opened, they took the 8 craziest people from the state mental hospital and put them all together in the house. Apparently it was chaos, but things have gotten better and many, not all, of the people they recruit to live in the house are calmer.

2. Naturally with the offer of a professional, full-time job with a salary and benefits, talk of babies, children, and more pets have come into the discussion with a more serious demeanor. We'll finally have insurance so we can have a baby, something Mrs. Pitt has been patiently waiting for during the past 4 years. I want kids too, but I also want a dog. I can't take my cat Bustopher for a walk or for runs out into the forest on my bike and I can't take a baby out there too. This past Friday, during my afternoon off, I went to the Humane Society and saw 2 beautiful huskies. They're not brothers, but I think would make great pets. Mrs. Pitt and I talked about it, but unfortunately since we don't plan on staying in this house very long (maybe another year) and like condo living, having 2 dogs would limit our options and be a burden if we wanted to travel back to J-Land or anywhere else. I guess dogs will have to wait...

3. I think we're going to be in for a long, cold winter again this year. Last night I lit a fire in the wood stove, which is earliest I can remember doing so. We had snow on the "peaks" on Thursday & Friday, very early as well. Trading in Mrs. Pitt's old Honda Accord might be an option this year for a more winter worthy car...Personally I want a used Toyota 4Runner so I can go off-roading.

October HodgePodge

1. What's your favorite food to serve on a chilly, autumn evening?

Well, I think it would be Sloppy Joe's! Mrs. Pitt has never had Sloppy Joe's, but I'm thinkin' she's going to be initiated here soon enough.

2. Are you a creature of habit? Explain?

Yes, I am a creature of habit. I have a very strict morning routine and the slightest disruption can put me off for the rest of the day. I usually rise between 6:15-6:20 in the morning, take my vitamin, shower, and get dressed. I am upstairs by 6:40, have breakfast at 6:55, make my lunch at 7:15, and then I am out the door by 7:35-7:40. 

3. What food product (no longer readily available) do you remember and miss from days gone by?

Again, I'm a creature of habit, so pretty everything I ate while growing up is still available. 

4. What's something you've lost that you've never been able to find? Any theories as to what happened?

I've lost a lot of things that I've never been able to find. Recently I've lost a beanie, some gloves, and the car adapter for my GPS unit. 

5. Zoo~circus~ carnival...your favorite?

I would have say the zoo. I've always loved animals. 

6. What song makes you feel instantly happy? 

I love Christmas songs and the song that makes me instantly happy is "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

7. To what extent are you an argumentative person? 

Very. I will argue, argue, and argue until you finally see that I'm right. Being an argumentative person is how you survive in my family, though most arguments are fickle and easily forgotten. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm going to Phoenix on Saturday w/ Mrs. Pitt. We're going to be be in warmer weather and to shop at the Dillard's Clearance stores. 

Saturday's Sardines

Life is funny some times. You never know what can happen.

Yesterday I was at the company picnic for Mental Health Center where I've been temping for the past 5 months and I won the adult "Seed Spitting Contest", for which I won $10 gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings. Immediately after and while celebrating my victory, a woman with whom I interview for a position a few weeks came up to me to ask if I was still interested in the position (which I responded "yes!) and to meet her on Monday morning at 8:30. I don't know for what reason. She did not say it was a 2nd interview. I don't want to speculate, but a part of me is hoping that my year-long plus job search may finally be over and that makes me kinda of excited.

It would be a great opportunity for me. I would be managing a residential facility that houses severely mentally ill patients in order to help them develop and transition to taking care of themselves independently, which is very similar to the position I've been trying to get in this job search: a hall directorship. I would supervise a team of behavioral health technicians who are responsible for working more 1-on-1 with the residents. All of the experience would transfer as if I was a RHD, but would it's on a much small scale and is not live-in either, so I still keep my own space. Let's hope after Monday I have some good news.

End of Summer Hodge Podge

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world? 


My favorite memory of the summer of 2011 was going to Newport, CA with my parents, sister, sister's b/f, and reuniting with Mrs. Pitt after her 4 month ordeal in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. While our marriage is still feeling the effects of the long & traumatic separation, I think we're making progress and hopefully I'll be professionally employed soon and we'll be on our way to starting a family. 


2. What's your favorite nut? (You know, the edible kind...)


For me, it's a tie between an almond and a pistachio. Both are good for you. I've seen lots of t.v. advertisements for pistachios lately touting them as the lowest fat nut. Nuts have a lot of fat, but people keep saying it's good fat. Hopefully someday we'll figure out this nutrition problem. 


3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test?


Tall, fat guys are supposed to have good balance and I'm guilty of that. However, the activities that best put my balance to the test would be snowboarding & mountain biking. It's take a lot of balance to stay on a snowboard and since I'm top-heavy, it takes me more than most. Riding a bike is easy, but it takes balance to mountain bike. I love to take corners fast, jump over rocks in the trail, and do other fun stuff while I'm out on a ride. 


4. How would you describe your sense of humor? 


I'm pretty cheesy, goofy, and corny. I love to use puns, sing silly songs, quote 80's movies, stuff like that. Often though, when I'm joking around, people think I'm serious and they take offense. I think this question is better answered by people who know me...


5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day. What's your stupid question?


I have asked a lot of stupid questions in my life time. Though one notably still sticks out in my mind. Back in college, one night my fraternity brothers and I were hanging out, having some beers, and watching the movie "Top Gun". After the scene in the hanger bay when Charlie figures out that Maverick is the famous MiG insulter, I ask the guy sitting next to me..."So she was the one flying the MiG?".


6. Roller Skates / Hula Hoop / Jump Rope. Which activity would you most enjoy (Yes you have to pick one...)


Well, I can't roller skate. Just ask my cousin in OK how good I am at that. I can't Hula Hoop because I get 2 twists and the dang thing falls down. Which I guess leaves jump roping, even though that's only something boxers & little kids do anymore. For my birthday last year, Mrs. Pitt bought me a virtual jump rope to try and encourage me to exercise more...it's still sitting in the bag she gave it to me in. 


7. What's your most sentimental possession?


It would be tie between the cowboy hat I got after my grandfather died or the wool blanket my aunt gave me that used to belong to my grandmother. I got the blanket after she died. 


8. Insert your own random thought here:

I love pictures of sunsets. This one was taken on the big island of Hawaii when Mrs. Pitt and I went there for vacation in December 2009. I wish I could watch sunsets like there year-round. 

Saturday's Sardines

1. The low intelligence of Stupid Cat continues to astound me. Yesterday I came home from work at 1pm (Fridays are Early Release days) and Mrs. Pitt told me the kitties were outside. So I walk out onto the deck and I see Stupid Cat in the garden, meowing like she wants to come in. So I walk down the stairs to get her, but instead she runs into a nearby bush. I open up a downstairs door and walk behind the bush to flush her out. She runs back onto the lawn, meows like she's lost, then runs upstairs from whence I came. I can't wait to be rid of her.

2. Mrs. Pitt and I had our date night at Pita Jungle last night. It's a great place to go for cheap, relatively healthy food. Mrs. Pitt had an observation that I had no answer for: "Why are restaurant servers almost always white? There are native Americans & hispanics who live in Flagstaff too, but servers are almost always white. Why?" I honestly had no answers...

3. I had a job interview this week for a house manager position with the mental health facility I've been temping at for the past 4 months. I hope I get it!

4. The monsoon rains have been staying a little later than usual this year, but with no rain yesterday, perhaps they are finally waning. Hopefully they stay away long enough today for me to take a recommended mountain bike ride I read about in the local newspaper on Thursday. Hopefully I will see some elk!

5. It's only 6:35 in the morning on a Saturday. What am I doing up? I'm going back to bed now...

Return of Hump Day Hodge Podge

1. What is one piece of advice would you give to a "just turning 21 year old adult"? Just because you're 21, does not mean all of sudden make you qualified to drink. Take it slow and don't think you have to drink until you're unconscious.

2. Besides cooler weather ( or warmer weather depending on your hemisphere) what is one thing you're looking forward to this fall? Going to NAU football games and see what the newly renovated Skydome looks like.

3. What sounds lull you to sleep? I'm a person who needs complete quiet and darkness in order to fall asleep. There really is no sound that lulls me to sleep. I need to put my mind and body in a relaxing situation so I can relax and fall asleep. Mrs. Pitt says I have a special ability to fall asleep in under 60 seconds if I really set my mind to falling asleep.

4. How has your blog changed since you started blogging? Or has it? My blog has changed. Being a professional who is currently in a job search, I need to be more cognizant about what I post and my opinion on things since it can reflect poorly on me if I take too much a sarcastic slant on things. Don't get me wrong, I still do that occasionally, but less so. My Japan blog was an outlet for using advanced English since I had to use basic English with my students and co-workers.

5. September is National Preparedness Month. Does your family have an emergency "kit" or disaster plan in place? No, but after the Japanese tsunami I've been intending to put one together that will include 3 gallons of water, non-perishable instant food such as oatmeal, beef jerky, & canned goods, my Coleman propane cook stove with 3-4 bottles of propane, flashlight/lantern, & a .357 magnum revolver to keep the "vultures" away...

The End of Another Summer

This weekend is Labor Day weekend, which signifies the end of summer in many places. Summer is bookended by Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September.

Another summer is ending in 1.5 Mile High City. The days are getting shorter, the mornings are getting cooler, the monsoon is in it's death throes, and the County Fair is here until tomorrow. I love the mild summers here. The temperature rarely reaches 90 and the nights often cool off to the mid-50's at night. We don't use A/C in the homes because a nice sized box fan will create enough circulation to keep a home cool. My one regret is we don't get the benefit of DST and so it gets dark ~8pm.

Another sign the end of summer is coming a squirrel that has decided to make our yard its home, has been eating green pine cones the way I used to eat miniature 100 Grand candy bars, and for the same reason... to fatten up for winter. I don't have a problem with a squirrel eating green pine cones because they need to eat, but it's the location where it has chosen to eat the pine cones: on a tree branch over the front porch. For those of who may not know, squirrels are very messy pine cone eaters. Not being a biologist, I don't know what part of the pine cone they eat, but the majority of the pine cone seems to fall on or around the front port and at least once a day one must go outside and sweep off the porch. I would like to find a way to keep him away, but I'm worried that if I scared him off using a natural technique, he  might not get the food he needs and not survive the winter.

Fall comes early in the high country. Usually by mid-September the breezes are cooler and the colors have started to change on the nearby San Francisco Peaks. The late afternoon light reminds of when I was a child and playing 2-on-2 football in the street of my baby sitter's house until my parents came to pick me up. Tailgating in October at the university football games can be challenging due to the windy conditions and light jackets or sweatshirts are often required attire. Momma Pitt & The Professor will not have their season tickets this year, but Kozue and I have still been invited to participate in the tailgating with other university faculty & staff.

I feel as though I worked a "summer job" this year since my responsibilities at mental health center will likely be coming to an end soon. My duties are being moved to another department and another person will be trained on data submission. Part of me is disappointed by this development. When I accepted their offer, I was told 2 things: there was a chance this could become permanent and my director only wanted to train one person who do the job I do. I acknowledge it wasn't a promise of permanence, but with those words ringing in my ears I focused myself more on the work requirements and less on searching in an effort to prove I could do the job and not bail if another opportunity came along. I hold no ill will because there was no way my director could have foreseen what would transpire (she's not a Sith Lord after all).

A great positive that came out of this summer is the fact that I have developed a great hobby as a cyclist. I cycled 343 official miles this summer and probably more since I was cycling before I got a cycling computer. In about a month it will be time to bring the bike in on the trainer and start cycling indoors with occasional trips to Phoenix for outdoor riding time.

200th Post

This will be my 200th post on this blog, the most of any blog I've ever done.

The Week In Review:

1. Last week, Mrs. Pitt's cousin and his son stayed with us. Mrs. Pitt took them to the Grand Canyon, and other sightseeing locales in the northern and central AZ area such as Slide Rock State Park in Sedona & Wild Safari outside of Camp Verde, AZ. The night before they left, we took them to a D-Backs game in Phoenix and the little boy got a baseball from one of the catchers in the bullpen. He couldn't wait to go home and show all of his friends! Afterward, Mrs. Pitt and I had brunch at P.F. Chang's and took the scenic road back to 1.5 Mile High City, stopping in Strawberry to see the one-room country school house they have there.

2. I've now ridden 320 miles. That's the distance from 1.5 Mile High City to Albuquerque, NM. And it only took me 2 months to do.

3. Yesterday afternoon I was watching episodes of this show "Heavy" on Netflix for some added motivation and to make myself feel good about my cycling. I can't believe how these people have let themselves go! Not surprisingly, the show is filmed in Texas, which has some of the fattest cities in the country, but is not the fattest state. That honor belongs to Mississippi. At the beginning of each episode, there is a que card that says 100 million Americans suffer from extreme obesity. That's 1/3 of the U.S.! That's unbelievable.  2 of the episodes I watched each had a man who weighed nearly 600 pounds! How do you let yourself get to be 600 pounds?!

4. I love the August monsoon in here in Arizona. It's awesome!

5. The public school year has started again. This means I need to watch out for new teenage drivers driving on the bike paths and sidewalks.

6. Momma Pitt & The Professor have returned from a week in Elgin, AZ fixing up their house.  They did painting, mowing, trimming, and removing this ugly horse & cowboy wallpaper border. They came saying they couldn't believe how green it was down there from all the rain.

7. Random Photo:

Can you believe they let me drive a fire truck in Japan?

Friday Fritters

1. As Momma Pitt and The Professor prepare for moving, they've found some interesting pieces of memorabilia. One of them was as wig The Professor wore while he was in the army when it was time to leave the barracks for some fun on the town.

Here some pics of Mrs. Pitt & I modeling it:

As you can see, she wears it better than I do.

Hump Day HodgePodge

We'll start this post off with an amusing picture of my cat Bustopher sleeping:

And now for the HodgePodge!

July is National Ice Cream month...your favorite flavor? Soft served, hand dipped, or frozen yogurt...which do you prefer? And technically yogurt is not ice cream but its hot outside so I'll let that slide for today.


I have always liked Mint Chocolate Chip, but recently I've started to like other flavors like Southern Hospitality and Pistachio Almond by Blue Bell Ice Cream. 


When you travel, do you tend to pack too much or too little?


I've always been a minimalist when it comes to packing for traveling or vacation and it has led to some uncomfortable situations, so now I probably pack too much. Mrs. Pitt might argue that I pack too little. Since working for Decker's I now pack at least 3 pairs of shoes in my luggage: My Teva slide sandals, closed toe sandals, and tennis shoes. 


What's your favorite cleaning product?
A couple of years ago, I got suckered into buying to bottles of this concentrated, bio-degradable, eco-friendly cleaner. I can use it on everything: mirrors, carpet, floors, bathrooms. I love it and it's all I'm ever going to use. 


What's the longest car trip you've taken by car?
Probably one of the yearly pilgrimages to Montana either when I was kid or last year. 


Tennis-golf-canoeing-biking... pick one
Umm...it would have to be biking. That's my new hobby. 


What sound drives you crazy?
Umm...the sound of a tennis ball being endlessly hit against a wall at the tennis courts behind our house.


Insert Random Thought here:


DON'T HAVE A COW MAN!!!

Another week is in the books. No new progress on the professional job search. I was notified of an opening in what I consider to be the birthplace of rock n roll: Lubbock, TX. For those of who don't know, Lubbock was the home town of Buddy Holly and ever since I was notified of the position, I've been singing Buddy Holly hit songs such as "Rave On" & "That'll be the Day".

Momma Pitt told me that Lubbock is F-L-A-T! Very very flat!. She would know. She lived in Houston, TX for a year in the 1970's.