I'm going to be an Astronaut (Bucket List)

I just applied for a job on the International Space Station. Today was the deadline.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a garbage man. The second thing I wanted to be was an Astronaut. That desire has never left me, but somehow I got sidetracked over the last 37 years and wound up with an Art degree and a job in Software Development. How does that happen?

So anyway I stumbled on an article that NASA was going to being hiring a new class of astronauts. They only recruit every 4-10 years so I felt some serious urgency to do something about it. Sure I'm not REALLY qualified as a pilot or anything, but I have a strong mind for science and am probably the most stubborn son of a bitch you ever met. (according to my wife) I didnt lie or embellish my resume but spent some time writing around some of my defienciencies concerning Relavant Degrees and you know, Experience.

It's funny because the job is actually posted along with all the other Government jobs like tax clerks and Janitors and whatnot. All I had to do was be willing to apply.

You can think that I wont get the call and you might be right. But people told me I couldnt ride a bike accross the US, that I was too fat to run a Marathon, and too Skinny to be a Competitive Eater. I took the process seriously, and I hope to be considered seriously. If I'm told 'No' it wont be by anyone other than NASA. It's a job that I KNOW I could do, and I'd be crazy not to apply. Crazy.

Guess How Many?!?!?!

17

Steakbellie at QVC
Originally uploaded by steakbellie.

respectable.
satisfactory.
suck-ass.

I'm trying way too hard and yesterdays Qualifier at QVC was another adequite performance. Tomorrow I'm not using any gimmicks. Just gonna show and eat. What else can I do? It's my last chance....

My Babies

The Boys at Great Adventure
Originally uploaded by steakbellie.

Recently took my kids and some of their friends to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson New Jersey. I used to work there 20 years ago and it was fun for me to see what had changed and what was still the same.

Over 3 Summers alot of funny things happened and much of it came back when we visited. I took a bunch of photos (surprise) to illustrate the stories and I'll be uploading them over the next week for your amusment.

They have built ALOT of World Class Coaster in the last 2 decades, I was really impressed how much fun the park was! Very Clean, and Good Security, that wasnt always the case and you'll see why!

making the most of it (haiku)

no need for nice words
i am almost out of time
and we all know it

YAY! (eight words)

bad news
bad news
bad news
good news!

your little dog:
it shits everywhere

what has to be done (eight words)

ok, but
can you
do it
without crying?

i'm a kidder, i kid

if we ever held hands
and jumped off this building together

half-way down
I'd punch you in the nose

just to see
the look of surprise

plans (eight words)

i want
to be
fossilized and
discovered anew

A C E 1 2 3 (haiku)

wide eyes, city lights
anything is possible
we should do it all

shhhhhh...........

Fun!

If you feel like feeling

Found this on Liz's Blog.

I am a lifelong fan of comics. They are a wonderful medium for telling a story. Some people get upset when adult stories (I'm not refering to porn, for once) are told in Comic Book form. They think it's only for kids.

Here are series of comics about the Earthquake in China. I got choked up and had to stop on only the second page. I'll let you know if I get brave enough to read a few more pages. Thats how amazing this medium is at delivering a message that a movie or tv show would need 30 minutes and 15 commercials to do.

Seriously, if you arent crying, I'll give you your money back. You've been warned!
UPDATED: The link has been moved to a Blog. It's not presented as well, but you will be able to see the strips. Start at the oldest post and work forward!!

and begin (haiku)

the last day of school
box fan on linolium
just set the kids free

"It's still like a Crunch Bar, but sparkly. And louder."

so let it be written (eight words)

jesus wants
me to
eat this
sandwich quickly

flat (eight words)

i am wasting
disgusting amounts
of
precious
time

4:46 am (eight words)

woke up
worried i
dont have
enough tattoos

Lots of real life going on

A kid in the middle school was killed this weekend.

I have two sons that go to school with him, and they found out on Monday morning. It's pretty freaky for them to have someone of the invincible age of 14 die. It's really horrible, and alot of the Parents are freaked over this. Including us.

Sometime around midnight he was hit by a Trolley. Because the boy was supposed to be sleeping elsewhere on Sat night, it was well into Sunday before the Police could identify the body. What is complicating in figuring out what happened is that the boy way LAYING on the tracks when the Trolley hit him.

There's theories of suicide, theories of drunkenness, theories of an accident.
Police havent said too much but are also investigating that the boy was killed and THEN placed on the tracks. The kids even have theories as to who could have done it.

There's already a huge memorial at the site of the incident, built by visiting Middleschoolers. It flowers, tshirts, notes, teddy bears, photos.

What a mess.....

First Place, Participant, First Place

First Place, Participant, First Place
Originally uploaded by steakbellie.

KaPow!
They havent posted the official results yet but I survived the 5K. My oldest son placed 10th overall or so with a time of 20:04 and won his age group of 14 and Under.

My middle son laughed at me when I asked him if he was going to run the race. He opted to mow lawns all day for sweet cash.

The baby won the 1 mile race with a time around 7:30.

I was very pleased finishing aroud the 30 minute mark. My goal was beat 40 minutes so as not to get lapped by my son. I started the race dead last (on purpose) and enjoyed running through the neighborhood. At several points along the way members of the Steakbellie WingBowl Enterauge hung out of their windows yelling obsenities and encouragement for me.

There were offers of beer. It being an athletic event, I yelled that I would only accept Light-Beer.

There is no prize for beating a fat guy in a yellow Hot Dog shirt, but the there is shame if you lose to him. I bring humilty for all.

UPDATE: Official results just posted:
C@leb Steakbellie: 20:18 27th Overall out of 268 Finishers. First Place 14 and Under.
Steakbellie: 30:51 195th Overall. That puts me a just a hair under 10 minute miles. I'm really happy with that!
M@ximum Steakbellie: 1rst place for the Mile. They didnt post the results.