Fighting three battles

Okay, I got to meet my old friend for thanksgiving and finish my Christmas shopping.  Then this past Saturday I went back to work. Normal day, but my life would soon change real quickly.  As I was laying down the butyl, I was just laying it flat on the drum to keep it tight. As I hit cycle button my hand for some reason could not get off  it went between the drum and the murphy roller.  Pain was the least of my worries.  My first reaction was I'm going to die on this machine and that's not the way to go.  I went into shock and I don't remember too much from there.  Woke up in the dispensary and was wondering where I was at.  They later take me to St. Francis hospital  in Topeka where they took me into the emergency room pump me fool of drugs, took x-rays and tried to get me comfortable.   I thought what is wrong with me.

Later into the night the doctor had taken some blood work and come to fine out I have Type 2 diabetes.  Great as if my night couldn't get any worse.  There was some good news the left hand (the non dominant) was not broken, but it is painfully sore.  I was later release from the hospital taken back the dispensary and later on I eventually went home.

Right now, I am fighting three battles in my life.  One to try to keep my job at Goodyear so that I still have an income coming in.  Two I am fighting to keep my blood pressure in check and now this newest battle of fighting type 2 diabetes. If there was ever a time that I needed Jesus to help me fight my battles it would be right now.  I don't understand why this happen.  I did everything as my trainer has told me and for some reason my hand never got off.  I would like to give a big thanks to Johnny aka squirrel for hitting  the emergency stop in time.  Without him my injuries probably could have been much worse.

Signed,
Tim "lucky to be alive" Crippen

November Potpouri

Well let's start.. Congratulations on the Kansas City Royals for winning the AL pennant.  They made watching baseball fun again. They took it all the way to a game 7 and if you had told me this team would make the world series.  I would have laughed and said "your crazy".  However, this team showed heart and determination and made people believe in the team again.

The other story is me working at Goodyear.  It's now  been a month and slowly, but surely, I am starting to realize that there more involving the job than just building tires.  You are building belts, your are stocking the tires on a flat bed, you are taking the tires via the tug truck. You are sometimes stocking your fellow workers with liners, sidewall, butyl, etc.  I sometimes ask myself the question "Am I able to keep up with these people?"  Now, I know that my co-workers are always saying to me that the speed will come.  I want to believe, but I have a hard time seeing the big picture because this is so different for me. I have been through quota's before when I work at Silpada as a picker/packer.  This is a bigger scale because I am building tires compare to just getting your order right.  I am going to give them my best and that's all I can do. If it works great and if doesn't at least I can say that I tried and not quit.  I have switched shifts from 1st to second hoping to get better training and maybe get along with new co-workers.  I did dodge a bullet by not getting laid off this past week.  That would have sucked...I would have been here for a month and they let me go...man I just got started.

Also, yesterday I went inside an IKEA store for the very first time.  The store reminds me of a combination of a Nebraska Furniture Mart meets a Crate & Barrel.  Huge selection of many items and great food at their restaurant.  I tried their famous sweedish meatballs with mashed potatoes & gravy along with lingberries. 

Signed
Tim "ready for thanksgiving" Crippen

What a week

This has been a busy and great week in mid October 2014.  First of all, I started my first week at Goodyear and I am so excited. I will eventually be making small tires on their assembly, but for the first two weeks I am learning all rules and regulations and all that other so called fun stuff.  Some of it is interesting and it pertains to the job that I will be doing. While, some of the other stuff I want to just take nap.  The following week is when I get out on the floor and start to make the tire process.  I will admit that I am excited and scared at same time.  I am thrilled to be here, but at the same time I just want make great quality product as I want to be able to keep my job.  This is where I say "Thank You lord for watching over me and giving me an opportunity to try to make things right when it seems like I do nothing but wrong things."  

Also, as if you haven't heard the Kansas City Royals are going back to the World Series.  If you had ask me before the season if the royals would make postseason.  I would have said Yes.  When they made postseason did I think they could win the wild card and I would have said yes. However, if you had ask me if they could ALDS or ALCS?  I would have said "Your nuts."  Well, this team has done the impossible....played in eight postseason games and have won all eight.  Now all of sudden we are American League Champions.  This team has won on nothing more than defense and speed. I will say this no matter what happens in the World Series this has been a great year for the royals.   I would say this has been one of those what a week moment.

The Royals and my unemployment drought are almost over

As a ten year old fourth grader, I remember watching on a Saturday night game 6 of the 1985 World Series. Seeing the infamous Don Denkinger  bad call at first base.  Thank goodness there wasn't replay back then, but the royals ending up winning that game 2-1.  The next night cy young award winner Bret Saberhagen won 11-0 and the royals won their only world series.  After 29 years, the royals are one win away to getting back into the postseason.  For a generation of fans they don't know postseason baseball. For us old timers and I used the term loosely we have seen the good, the bad and worst of this team. We are one win away and I'm not sure how to celebrate if we do get in.  This year's royals team has coincide with my life. It's been 20 months since I have had permanent full time work. Sure, I have done part time, temporary and even some assignments to fill the time.  But, I have been struggling to get full time with great pay and benefits. This year it might possibly end as I have been offer a job at the Goodyear plant. There are still some hurdles to climb, but were almost there.

Just like in my struggles, the royals have clawed, scratched and comeback to almost making the postseason.  So, if this is night that we celebrate let us celebrate with tears, laughter and joyful noise. As this team can finally say "Let's party like it's 1985."

Jose Canseco and my 20th high school reunion

So, a former MLB player comes to an independent league game for charity.  Harvesters is local food bank for the Kansas City area.  The ballplayer who came Jose Canseco.

As a teenager I use to think this guy was a Greek god.   Could hit homeruns in the upper deck that looked like moonshots. Won rookie of the year in 1986, was the first man to go 40/40 (forty homeruns & stolen bases in one season).  Won a championship with Oakland and was one of the bash brothers. 

Then all of sudden the steroid era came and I finally wised up.  Some of the best players who played the game were either tested positive or are under suspicion of cheating by using PED's. That's why people like Jose Canseco and others will never get into the Hall of Fame. However, I will give Jose some credit.  If he had not wrote the book "juiced", who knows if baseball would have cleaned up the act.  I originally thought he wrote the book just to make money, but now it turns out he was really telling the truth.  Even at age 50, the dude still looks like freak.

Now, just about two weeks ago, I decided to go my 20th high school reunion and I will tell you it was a blast.  Big thanks to the ladies who put this together.  Met some classmates I haven't seen since high school.  It really is true that as time goes by people really do mature.  I will show you a chart and you can decide for your self.

The 5 year reunion: you just finished up college or you have been in the workforce for few years.
The 10 year reunion:  Some people are establishing themselves and are married and have kids
The 20 year reunion: Wow your kids are almost graduating from high school and they can see the light at end of tunnel. They realize it's not about them anymore.

We all share some memories amongst each other.  Some are memorable, embarrassing and some you would like to forget.  Overall, it didn't feel like a judgmental crowd.  It felt more like a party and everyone was invited.

Sincerely,
Tim "had a great time" Crippen

Riding the Verruckt

Last Saturday, I decided to go to Schlitterbahn waterpark in KCK.  It was a warm 94 degrees which is perfect weather. Sure, there are the waterslides, boogie boards and the lazy river.  The main reason for going there is the main attraction that they built for this season.  The world's tallest waterslide at 165 ft. named Verruckt  was calling my name.  Taller than Niagara Falls or Statue of Liberty it truly is big when you stand right next to it. 

First you have to reserve a spot if you aren't able to do that then you have to wait in the stand by line. I had to wait in the stand by line because all the reserve spots got filled for that this day. I waited 2 and half hours to get on the ride. Then you get on a scale with one or two other people. The scale has to total 400 to 550 pounds to make the ride feasible.  Once, your group has been weighed then you go listen to the rules and later you climb up 264 steps to get to the top.  I felt like I was climbing the bunker hill monument (which has no elevator). The people in my group were Denise from St.Louis, Christine from Texas who was knockout and yours truly.  All of us complete strangers who had never met and were enjoying the view from the top of structure.  You can see the Kansas City skyline and the rest of the legends area.  We enter into the raft and all I was thinking "please dear lord don't let me pee in my swimming trunks." The raft went down and I screamed all the way down.  The first initial drop makes your heart jump out of your chest. Then you go up a second hill and it's not quite so bad.  What is my review.....it's well worth the wait.  Two thumbs up and yeah I would do it again.

Sincerely,
Tim "survived the world's tallest waterslide" Crippen

Derek Jeter's farewell tour

When Derek Jeter announced that he was retiring from baseball during spring training camp.  I was going through mixed emotions.  On one hand, there is the guy who despises the Yankees doesn't want anything to do with them (except collect signed memorabilia).  The other part of me is a baseball traditionalist who respects the game and it's players.  Derek Jeter fits that mold.  Plays the game all out like George Brett. He started his own charity called turn two and the guy never makes the headlines for other reasons other than his sport that he loves.  He's not a vocal leader on the field, but his action speaks louder than words.   As I enter the ballpark, I realize that I won't seem him play here in Kansas City ever again.   Seeing Jeter for last time is like seeing Brett, Ripken or Tony Gwynn retiring from the same team in my generation.  In previous generations it would be like seeing Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle or the great Ted Williams.  So, if he comes to your city this summer expect big crowds, but also just enjoy this man's talents. Players like this don't come around that often.

Signed

Baseball fan Tim Crippen

My first race under the lights

Close to five years ago; in an October 2009 post,  I wrote about the racing time trials.  My only experience at the Kansas speedway.  Now, fast forward nearly five years later and I come to  my first race ever under the lights.  I had to remind myself  how loud these cars and trucks can be passing you through turn 4.   I went to see the truck race to see what it is all about, but before they raced the Nascar guys and gal (Danica Patrick) did their qualifying last night. Five years ago the race speeds were 175 mph. Last night a new track was set by Kevin Harvick  at 194 mph. My goodness has technology improve these machines or what. 

So, the truck race begins and I decided to give my opinions through a  famous movie title "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.


The Good

The race is loud and obnoxious, but I expect that. You can smell smoke, rubber and maybe the occasional sausage.  I love the fact that this was first race under the lights.  Night racing  is really cool when you get to see actual sparks from underneath the car.  The weather cooperated making it a perfect evening.  Parking is free and you can bring your own food in a collapsible cooler....the people who run the speedway get it.

The Bad

When your ticket says 7:30 start time....I expect 7:30 start time.   I know there is the driver's introductions, the invocation, the star spangled banner and the most famous words "Driver's start your engines." However, you can move those things up a little bit...the real racing didn't start until 7:50.  C'mon Man.

The Ugly

Caution flags way too many.  As a casual race fan this why I don't watch too many races. There were 8 cautions before we had even hit 90 laps. The first came even before we even finish lap one.  Some people like this, me I can't stand it.  It did get better after lap 90, but that's only because there were few trucks to be tangled with.

Sincerely
Tim "racing under the lights is cool" Crippen

Draft Day...finally a football movie that shows what goes behind the scenes.

There have been a lot of football films over the years that will tug at your heart strings from "Brian's Song" to "Rudy".  There have been comedies about the game, but there has never been a film that really shows of what happens in the front office.   Enter Draft Day a film that even the NFL got behind. Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner) is the GM of the Cleveland Browns who is deciding to do with his pick.  He has many obstacles in his way. He has deal with newly hired coach (Dennis Leary) who wants run his team his way. His mom, his ex-wife and his down low girlfriend played by Jennifer Gardner.  Just when you think you know what he is going to do with his pick, there comes even more twists and turns.   Costner seems to do pretty good in these sports film like "Bull Durham" and "Field of Dreams". However, it's Jennifer Gardner who plays the finance guru of the team that really makes the film wonderful to watch.  I know my sister-in-law is not a huge Costner fan, but she likes Jennifer Gardner.  Anyway, I would consider this a date film....Guys will like the football aspect of it and the women will like love and human interest story of it. Three out of four stars for me.

Signed
Tim "finally a good football film" Crippen

PS:  There is one unrealistic scene where the owner flies from New York back to Cleveland..when you see it..you'll get it.

March Maddnes 2014

Before I go on with my picks for the final four this year, I just want to give big shout out to my alma mater high school.  The Lansing Boys win their first ever state title in basketball.  They defeated Highland Park in the 5A state championship 48-27 and go undefeated with 25-0 record. Way to go Lions what an unbelievable season.

 

Now time for the picks after studying, watching and listening to games this season.  It is clear to me that there isn't really one defiant team out there that can take it all.  True, the Wichita state shockers are still undefeated at 34-0, but can they win the whole thing.  I am rooting for them so that I can witness sports history. However, as realist I must go with my gut on who I think will be in the final four in Dallas, Texas.  My teams Syracuse, Michigan St, Louisville, and Arizona who I think will win the national championship.  Those are my picks and I am sticking with it.

 

Sincerely, Tim "warren buffet just give me the check" Crippen

Midwest Sports Autograph show

I know that tomorrow is Valentine's Day and for a guy who doesn't have a sweetheart or is in a real loving mood.  I would decide write about my only love  and that is for sports. People who know me know my passion for it and how I would like to be a part of it someday.  So, last weekend I decided to go the Midwest Sports Autograph Show at the Overland Park Trade Center.  They do this show once every 4 or 5 years.  Sure, they have a lot vendors out there selling and buying your sports memorabilia.  However, they had a lot of current and former NFL and college players who were Heisman trophy winners, Superbowl champs, MVP's just to name a few.  The first person I got to meet was this guy below Len Dawson QB for SB IV champion K.C. Chiefs.

Len happen to see that I was wearing my Bears jersey of Brian Urlacher and he ask me who #54 was and I told him it was Brian Urlacher.  He said. "Linebacker, yeah I had a linebacker who beat the crap out of me and his name was Dick Butkis." (another bears linebacker).  Hilarious Len always keeping real cool.

 

Len wasn't the only former player check out the pics below

 

 

Marcus Allen former chiefs RB

Jerry Rice..The best WR period.

Emmitt Smith great RB for the cowboys broke my favorite player's rushing record

Jamaal Charles current chiefs RB....got photobomb by jerry rice...dang I wish I would have had my camera for that moment.

 

Good times at the show 

 

Super bowl in a cold city

We are just less than a week away from the Superbowl in New York City...oh sorry I mean new jersey as the Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks. This is a first for the big game as they are hosting the championship game in cold city without a roof.  In years past they have hosted in cold cities with a dome....Minneapolis, Detroit and Indy to name a few. Majority of them have been held in warm climates San Diego, Phoenix, tampa or Miami.  So why try to host a superbowl in cold weather facility without a roof? I don't know ask NFL commissioner Roger goodell and his selection committee. I think it is stupid to have it there for multiple reasons...one it is too freaking cold outside for any sane fane to sit out in. Two there is possibly a chance for a blizzard to happen causing the outcome of the game. Three your corporate sponsors would rather be in a nice warm suite.  The halftime show will be okay Bruno mars and red hot chilli peppers....hopefully they able to move the floor around. Prediction score Broncos 28-Seattle 25.

Signed
Tim "ready for the game" Crippen

PS
Hey at least next year it will be in phoenix.

holiday films

After spending time with family and friends, stuffing myself with thanksgiving leftovers and just shopping till I drop.  There's a time where we need to take a break thank god for his mighty  blessings as well as enjoy a good holiday flick.  Here are my top 10 holiday flicks that have some theme for the holidays.

10. Die Hard.....I know it's action pack film, but it happens during Christmas time and it made Bruce Willis a star.

9. Scrooged....Bill Murray playing a modernization of this classic tale....still gets a chuckle

8. The Grinch that stole Christmas....Jim Carrey plays excellent Grinch that nobody could hardly recognize him.

7. Jingle all the way....Anytime you do a comedy about black Friday and finding the right toy with a little element of truth gets my vote.  Although Arnold and Sinbad couldn't act worth darn.

6. Miracle on 34th street....the black and white version not the newer one.

5. National lampoon's Christmas...Anytime you get Chevy chase involving Christmas lights that are overpowering your going to laugh.

4.Elf....I saw this in the movie theater when it first came out and now it's become a classic.  Not the biggest will Ferrell fan, but he does make you laugh. Also having a comedy legend like  bob Newhart doesn't hurt either

3.Planes, trains, and automobiles...probably my all time favorite comedy taking place during thanksgiving time...Steve Martin and John Candy worked so well together too bad they didn't  make another film together....So many zingers and too many too count.

2.It's a wonderful life....I think this film relates to so many people where at one time or another we have had family problems, financial problems and bosses we don't like and yet somewhere out there were trying to do right thing.

1. A Christmas story....When your movie is shown on Christmas day 24hrs your a classic. The 1940's story reminds me of Christmas's past and going to malls to see window displays that delight any 10 year old.  It never gets old

I'm sure I forgot some, but hey this my list feel free comment any other holiday films.

Signed
Tim Crippen

The end of obamacare?

I was looking back in my march of 2010 post about the so called ACA (affordable health care act) that everything that happen was coming true.  Premiums went up either by double or triple. States sued the federal government over the mandate and lost. Now, we have people who have had their insurance cancelled because it didn't carry enough requirements of the new law. A website that is run by idiots and buffoons who can't keep identity thiefs out. Folks, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what is coming down the road. The people who are losing their insurance are self insurers when this things gets fully implemented you will see more people losing their insurance from their work place or the employee will paying more on his premiums depending on the employer. You will be seeing doctors retiring or not participating in this program.  Can you really see anything good from this? Now, the say website will be running real well by the end of this month?  Anybody, want $25 bet on that there won't be any glitches by November 30th. Folks, this thing needs to be repealed period....not that things were better before this law, but the fact that the government is trying to run this scares the hell out of me.

Signed
Tim"have a happy thanksgiving" Crippen

End of Era?

Could this be the last time we see the fall classic?   No, I am not talking the world series I am talking about the fall classic at arrowhead between my alma mater Pittsburg State vs. Northwest Missouri State.  Both teams are in MIAA conference and have recently won division 2 national championships.  Since 2002, this contest usually is really close but last weekend could be the last time these two meet at arrowhead stadium.  Why?  Well, the conference has expanded and both are having to play on rotating basis. Hence for now temporary suspending fall classic for two years.  I was glad to go to my game along with my cousin Jeffrey.  Even tough we lost 24-15....it was still fun game none the less. Go gorillas and hopefully we see those nasty bearcats in the playoffs.

Signed
Tim Crippen

PS: It has been five months to the day since I wrote my last post ...I will try to do much better about writing on my post.

memorial day 2013

As we take time to enjoy this memorial day, let us not forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.   This past weekend was really special not only being the holiday weekend, but to see my grandparents old farm.  It was nice when mom and I went to grave site to see my dad, grandparents and my two aunts that are buried.  We placed flowers near the grave site and then we decided to go to the grandparents farm.   While driving to the farm, there is sign that said " Do you believe in life after death?  If you do keep on trespassing."   There were parts of the farm that you recognize, but there things that I definitely didn't recognize.  It was an emotional day.

I HAVE FAILED

Coming back from Florida I was not a happy camper.  I was hoping by this time, I would be back at work in florida.  No, instead I'm back in kansas still looking for work.   I know people might wonder what happen in florida...right now I really don't want to divulge to much information at this time. I know lately I have completely shut off my friends or I am pretending to be happy.  Some people didn't even know that I had even left kansas. Is this childish?  You make your own judgements.  I know that one particular friend has now kind of disown me.  He has unfriend me on facebook, then after he unfriends me he sends me nasty message with some choice words.   I know, I know I probably deserve it, but if he thinks I am singling him out he is totally wrong.  Just because I make a post or maybe respond to another person's post doesn't mean I am singling them out.   There have been other friends who have sent me messages and I haven't responded to them either......He has even called and text me on my cell phone wondering what I am doing florida????   WTF do you think I am doing in Florida I am trying to find work that is challenging me and hopefully can pay me decent wage that I can live on.   You don't need to call me up every week....If something new comes up I'll say it.   It's nothing personal against my friend just right now I really want to be left alone.   When I feel like I want to talk I will talk......right now the focus should be getting back to work.  Sorry, if this sounds like I am on my soapbox, but I am just not happy right now.   I know this phase in my life will eventually pass, but it seems to be taking longer than normal.....after all I have failed.

So the journey begins

If you ever saw the lord of the rings the first one of the three you know that Frodo and Sam set out for journey.   Today, I started my great adventure....if you don't know where I am going just look at Jan. 2013 post and it will explain everything.  I pack mostly basics to get by and few extras hoping to find my next job or career hopefully in Florida.   I said my goodbyes to mom and ernie in the morning and off I went.   I stop by the mall deli in pittsburg, ks and ordered a reuben sandwich haven't had one in years and this one was pretty good. It's still the popular place in town....drove down I-49 through Arkansas beautiful scenery.  I thought I would make it to Little Rock. AR instead made it to Conway just outside....and this is only day one.  Right now, I am typing this post here in Room 230 at a Motel 6 ....hey it's cheap.

Sincerely,
Tim

PS: Happy Birthday to my nephew nate who turns three years old on Monday.

CREATIVE VALENTINES DAY POST

                               
                                          GODIS                       GODIS
                                  GODIS        GOD               IS        GODIS
                           GODIS                 GOD         IS             GODIS
                        GODIS                            GODIS                GODIS
                          GODIS                                                       GODIS
                       GODIS                                                       GODIS
                          GODIS                                                       GODIS
                             GOD                     LOVE                            IS
                               GOD                                                         IS
                                 GOD                                                       IS
                                     GOD                                                  IS
                                        GOD                                            IS
                                            GOD                                   IS
                                                 GOD                           IS
                                                     GOD                 IS
                                                           GOD       IS
                                                                 GODIS

HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

When it's time to let go

Well today is a day that I'm either going to regret or it will be one of my best decisions ever.  Today, after five and half years, I decided to resign from my position at Silpada Designs.  It has been a great run for me...in fact it has been the longest I have ever stayed at one company....Now, I know when people read this their going ask questions as to where I'm going....well where I'm going is to Florida...what i will be doing I have know idea, but I know God has a bigger plan for me then even I can envision.  Why Florida people might ask?  Well, let's see uh warmer weather and no state income tax are a couple of contributing factors. So, why leave if you haven't got something secured? Well, sometimes in life you have take some risk and usually I'm not much of a risk taker, but I think what I'm doing is taking a big leap of faith....call me crazy....tell me I have gonads for doing this....whatever you think it probably describes me.  So, what was the main thing that made my decision as to leaving?  Okay, I will tell you....It wasn't anything against my bosses at all...in fact there were great people to work with...In fact, Dennis didn't even blame me one bit for leaving.  Ed was sad to see me go, but he understood my reason. The major reason for leaving was no advancement within the company.  For five and half years, I have applied for multiple positions within company and never really saw the light of day.  Last year at this time, I thought about leaving silpada then, but decided not too because I was getting to close to my five year anniversary.  The last position I applied for was multimedia production coordinator's job. Most of the qualifications for the job I had already done...what hurt me was I hadn't done much digital editing particularly the software system of "aftereffects." When, I didn't get the position....I was really down I thought what do I have to do to move up...do a little song and dance number? I thought about it, prayed about it and was wondering where my next move was going to be.  I mean have degree in communications and I don't think this place is using my skills and talents to where it could be of good use. 

So, today as I was finishing up my last day at work, I decided to say my last goodbyes to people who I have known since the beginning, people who I have shared many stories with and even people who I barely talked too or hardly ever knew.  I thought it would take about a half hour...it turned out to be more like and hour and half.  I honestly didn't really know how beloved I was by so many people until I said my goodbyes...if this sounds like I'm getting emotional then yeah I am.  I turned my badge key as well as my janitor's keys into Ed as he and I both realized that this was it.  When I first came to this place, I didn't realize this was a seasonal job until two days after I had gotten hired. Little did I know that this was where I was going to stay.   In five and half years...I went from full filling orders to being a janitor.  I have gotten myself debt free because of this place, bought my first car with my own cash, went to trips that I only dreamed about, volunteered for fanfest, lost my grandmother and my dad all in that same period. I also went from a guy who had very little confidence to kind of knowing who I am...not that i don't have my bad moments. In conclusion, I really do have to thanked Silpada for the five and half years they gave me.  However, like all chapters in book it has come to end and it was time to let go and start up this new great adventure.