Underground Car Guy

As I reflect on the temple at this time, I was thinking in my mind, what other temples do I have pictures of.  I have seen many in California, Utah, and Idaho. But sadly I have only been in one of these pictured, The Mesa Temple.  And I have not seen the Gila Valley, the Gilbert or the new Phoenix Temples. Mesa, Arizona Temple Salt Lake City, Utah Temple Washington DC Temple Seattle, Washington Temple Monticello, Utah Temple

Mesa, Arizona Temple Dec 17, 2015 Took this picture of the Arizona Temple Christmas Light last night, sometime 5:30 and 6:00.  I have always been taking pictures since I was a kid.  At 16 I took a Photography in high school and had classes the next 2 years.  I would get into class so early, and head to the dark room, that by the time my teacher would see me, he would say, "Oh I did not think you were here today." I was at home sitting here, getting all my stuff ready to go, and decided to not take the tripod last night.  Well, that was not the right choice, but I still got this stunning picture last night.  I was amazed at all of the people there that were there with tripods waiting for the perfect picture.   I have a lot beautiful pictures that would be postcard or book worthy, but I really doubt my skill all the time.  My ex wife would always take my camera and take great shots.  She was really good and could see the beauty of the sky, of animals, or of people.  I

OK, I don't have a clue where this is, but it is not far from Limerick, in Ireland, and that this was taken either in February or March of 1989.  I was still new in the mission and was have leg problems because I was not us to being on my feet all day.   This is Fiona. She is from Limerick and was Baptized by Elders Carrigan and Hunsaker in March or April of 1989.  We were over at her home for a surprise birthday party for Elder Carrigan.  Some how it turned out to be a huge water fit.  As Hard as we tried, she is still a faith member of the church.

Today I am really missing my Mom.  There are reason, and it has nothing to do with the date.  But I do miss her council. 

My 1987 I wish I was seen by who I am, and not how I look.  I know I am over weight.  But that does not make me lazy or that I sit there eating a tons of food.  I think most would be surprised at what and how much I eat everyday.   But I judge too.  I look on the dating sites and see in the profile slender or athletic and tone, or they say they love working out, I shy away from them.  If they like fourwheelers, I shy as way.  (OK that is because I have really never rode one.)  Other then that, size does not bother me much.  I am afraid of being someones project! Me Oct 20, 2014 I dated a girl once, that said she felt sad for me.  Because when she was with me, she saw how people really looked at me.  I had no idea that I was being looked and beinf judged by so many.   But maybe my size is really hurt me.  I always knew, that no one really wanted to bother me because of my size.  So I always felt safe.  I once fell of a curb at college one day and came home really sore a

Growing up, my Grandma would take us to a lot of interesting places.  Many of them were museums and historical sites.  Vacations were not just about fun, but about learning.  It is OK to learn outside of school.  In fact it is probably better.  But we have be come a  society that hides behind our phones, playing games, Facebook, or Instagram.

I know it is December, but I wanted to update everyone on last month.  I started the month coming off a long three week vacation, not going any where, and going right into training on the Elite Desk at work.  The Elite Desk is working with the Airline Frequent Fliers who have special statues of Gold or Platinum.  This is also booking with our partner carriers around the world using miles earned.  I have just two more days of training and they let us on our own.  I have learned a lot about miles and the new system that I trained on in September.  I am one of two guys in a class of 24 people. I don't really want go over my Thanksgiving again.  But if you want to read about about it, click on  the link Thanksgiving 2015 .  I don't think I have eat that much in a very long time.  Went in to work the next day and they still had food left over from the day before.  So I had two lunches that day.  And more Apple Pie!! I started dating a few people this month.  I have never dated

After having a interview with a church leader last weekend, I am tired of people assuming that they know me.  That I keep on being told, I am make poor decisions in my life, when they have no I did what I have gone through or what I am dealing with now.  Really did not need this in my life right now, when in just a few weeks I come out of training and start my normal schedule for the next few months.

My dreams lately have been about choir since I was asked to sing in the church choir.  In this dream my best friend is in this one.  The Choir gets ready to sing and I see my best friend move toward the front, thinking he is going to come sit by me and make fun of the choir.  But instead, he starts leading the choir, and all of the sudden the lights are lowered and a light show begins with the singers, with spot lights on the different soloist.   Now this is weird, because I am Mormon, and we do not go for flashy performance at church.

Thanksgiving was an interesting day for me this year.  It was the first time I have every worked on the day, and had to figure out what I was going to do, with my best friend not being in town and my dad moving to Chino Valley.  One of my roommates offered to have me over to her parents house, as well one of my ex sister-in-laws also invited me over.  Not the ideal way I wanted to spend my Thanksgiving. Work was slow and quiet.  Not a lot of people there.  Because I have  been in training for the Elite Desk, they took us out of training for the holiday and put us on the phones, just answering basic international calls.  Lunch was catered by Boston Market, and was good.  After a few houses of work I was released to leave.  Off to dinner number two at my roommates parents house.  It was not to awkward, because her parents are friends of my Dad and Bert.  Food was good.  Pork sausage wrapped in bacon is to die for!!! Off to dinner number three at my ex sister-in-laws.  I reall

Last week, I was asked at church, if I would sing in the choir for the Christmas Program.  Was to go to choir practice this morning, but was not feeling to well, so I caught up on more sleep.  That lead to the Crazy Dream. I was sitting back in my normal spot for church, in the back on the hard chairs, sleep, I mean listen to the talks, when the interlude song came up, which was being sung by the choir.  I do not remember the name of the song, and I wish I would, because maybe the dream would make more sense.  But as the music started the side door opened and in walks a clown and starts to sing.  Then another would come in and sing a line.  At one point there was a drum that was played.  All of the singer kept steaming in the side door all dressed as clowns. I have no Idea what this dream means at all.  Church is a very serious thing for me.  In fact. in a few weeks, because of my work schedule, I will not be able to attend any church.  This is very distressing for me, because I h

There is a quote by Sir Francis Bacon that I use to have written down, but have some how misplace it.  So if I get a few words wrong I am sorry: A true (real) friend will know the worst of you, and never walk away. Over the past few years I have had a few things said about me that were not true.  I did lose some friends over rumors.  But my true friends are still there, and I am very grateful to have them in my life.

Three weeks of vacation, and going no where, really sucks.  I need to get back on a sleep schedule for when I go back to work on Monday. I have figured that dating at my age sucks, even worse when I was a teenager.   My mom once told me she meet a nurse at the chemo clinic that had a crush on me when I was in Junior High.  Never found out who it was.  Wish I knew who.   Speaking of crushes, I did find a girl that said she had a crush on me a long time ago.  We lived a very long distance away and never really got to meet.  Well she could not wait for me, so she got engaged.  That make me 0 and 2 in the long distance relationship area! I love politics, but I really hate it right now.  Maybe it will be better once the Primaries start.  Always keep on telling myself that I can go back, but then I go, no those people are crazy! Oh and Marc Bercovici sucks as quarterback!!!!

I keep on being told I need to find who I am.   So who am I?  Because I don't know. How am I going to find out who I am? I am told I am a nice or good guy, but why do I not feel that way?

Since the divorce, dating has not been easy.  It was not easy before being married.  I was talking to a girl that I was excited to  date, but she pulled away.  I thought she was a good match.  So this is what I am looking for in a women: Someone to hug and kiss.  I have not had a hug in a long time. Someone that I can touch.  Someone I can hold hands with in public. Someone I can cuddle with. Someone who can except me as me now!  Not afraid to be with an over weight guy. And if it were to led to marriage: Someone that will let me touch them.  Someone who is not afraid  of getting dressed and undress in front of me. The other social things I can be flexible on.

A few nights go I had a dream that involved Harrison Ford.  I know that he is in the next installment of Star Wars, as his character Han Solo. So maybe that is why he was in my dream.  In this dream he comes to me for work on one of his cars, my guessing is that it is foreign.  One of my person goals that was never achieved was making Eaglegate a bigger and better company.  These included have a shop were we could do installations of the kits we made and branching out to other cars then just Triumphs.  So my guess was it was one of these other cars.  In working out the details of payment, we would charged him for labor, because I had employees to pay, and two autograph pictures, one for me and the company, and one for my sister, who is one of the biggest Harrison Ford fans I know.  And that was it.  Sorry it was not more exciting.

Looking over my blog and I missed the whole month of August.  I am sorry, but them again, I have no idea who really reads this anyway.   Another Birthday day down.  Spent the day before at my dad's. Went to work and had my birthday at my buddy Del Mar house.  His son Dalton made be a card, and Emily cooked my a good Steak dinner.  The big surprise of the day was spending an hour an half with my ex wife, just talking. My dad and Bert are moving to Chino Valley, Arizona, near Prescott.  I will be the only in my family left in the valley after 37 years.  Not really happy about it, but nothing I can do about it either. Work is going good.  10 months down.  Going into Acorn training next week, which will train me on the AA side of reservations. No relationship news and do not know if there will ever be.      Need to catch up on the Tie of the Day. Finish my second book this week.  Decision Points by President G.W. Bush.  Thought is was really good.  I was not really a fan o

Monday night I got to spend some time with my good friend from my mission, Gary.  It is always fun to catch up and enjoy a good meal.  When we left the restaurant we had been there for 3 hours.  Most of the conversation about the mission and Ireland.  It is funny that we still have the yearning to go back to that wonderful place.  He has more memories of people than I do, and I wonder if some even remember me.  I don't know how I survived as a missionary.  I spent most of my time observing than talking.  Gary helped me point out one of my fails.  I always feel that I should be liked by everyone, and it really bothers me when I am not.  And in saying that I treat everyone as a friend when they really may not be at all.  So I do get my feeling hurt really easily at times, but don't really tell anyone.  I need to do better at letting things go, and not let it affect me like it does. We did notice that since our missions, there has not really been a Martin Reunion.  I have bee

The Tie of the Day July 12th The Crayola Tie I normally wear this tie around the start of a new school year.  But yesterday I wore it in Honor of my friend Daniel Hatch.  Daniel died July 3.  I had know Daniel since he was a kid, hanging around my sister.  I knew his sisters from school and even served in the same mission as his oldest brother.   Daniel was like a little brother, and I guess at one time, he did live with my parents for a time.    Me and Daniel would have some lively debates over the years about politics, both of us have degrees in Political Science, but our most lively debates were about gay marriage.  At times there were some heated things said, but there was never a time that it was not followed up with a sorry of hurt feeling.  I know that he was celebrating the Supreme Court ruling that week, and I don't know if he and Tony ever got married, though I did not support gay marriage, I ways supportive of my adopted brother. I have some gre

This formation is called the Monitor and the Merrimack, named after the two ironclad ships of the Civil War.  This is off on the right as you drive up the road to Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands National Park.   So the Indians have decided to take back some of there land.  No this is a campground right at the turn out for Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands National Park.  I guess this is the new area for growth.  Also right at the turn off for the parks, there are building a Dinosaur Museum.  Think it opens next year. The La Sar Mountains as I am leaving Moab.  I wonder if there was any snow added that day.  A lot of the dirt roads were still closed.  The Monticello Temple.  It seems like every time I take of Picture of this Temple it is on Sunday.  One of the first small Temples that the LDS Church (Mormons) build in the late 90's.  Think this is probably the best picture I have ever taken of the Monticello Temple.  If you can see the formation in the middle, tha

The Tie of the Day July 5th The U.S.A Tie!  Happy 4th of July

So am I anything like Walter Mitty?  Yes, in some aspect of things.  I still have dreams, some may be unrealistic, but they are my dreams.  I have done a lot of things in my life already.  I do keep a lot of  things to myself.  But this blog has piled some of that away, if anyone is paying attention.  My challenge to you is this.  Look back on your life, and see what you have done in your life.  It does not need to be something everyone knows, but the the big things that mean a lot to you.  Maybe I can look back in 5 years and add one or two more.  Or maybe you can do the same.  Come to think of it, maybe I am more like Forest Gump than Walter Mitty.

Was at my dad's for Father's Day, and we were watching "Walter Mitty" on one of the movie channels.  Walter Mitty is this character who always dreamed of doing great things but never did them.  I always thought of myself of some what a Walter Mitty, but as I look back at my life I can see some pretty amazing things that I have done. This is part two.   Part one was my life until the age of 21.  So now we will see what I have done since then. Got a job working at Mesa Community College Bookstore.  Worked there for about two months.  Next job was with Kieth Riggs Plumbing.  Worked there a year before being laid off.  Went on to work for General Plumbing in the warehouse.  Worked there for 17 years, until I was laid off.  Really loved working there, except for a few in the management.  Was hard to lose that job. Was elected as a Republican Precinct Committeeman for about ten years.  From 1998 to 2000 I was the Third Vice Chair for the district.  Got a call one ni

The Tie of the Day June 21st Not feeling anything special today!

The Tie of the Day June 14th Happy Flag Day!!!

The Tie of the Day May 10th Picked this one out today, because my mom bought this one for my sister's wedding.

Was at my dad's for Father's Day, and we were watching "Walter Mitty" on one of the movie channels.  Walter Mitty is this character who always dreamed of doing great things but never did them.  I always thought of myself of some what a Walter Mitty, but as I look back at my life I can see some pretty amazing things that I have done. When I was 9 or 10, my parents were working for a production company as extras.  My dad can be seen in the Movie Used Cars.  But this did turn into a job for the whole family one day.  My parents were going to a shoot and took me and my sister along.  Got us out of school for half the day.  We shot a Visa commerical and were paid I think $50 for just walking back and forth at the airport. At age 11 I started racing go carts.  First race out I crashed sideways into the wall going about 55 mph.  Was hurt really badly, but did not realize how badly until many years later.  Raced for a few months until the insurance company came in and s

I was sitting and reflecting on my life the other day.  I don't think that I will ever find anyone as my sole mate or get married again.  I am having a hard time understanding the relationships of that type of relationship and can I ever really have any type of relationship in my life.  Has everything that I have experienced to this point been all fake?  Why can I not have what some of my friends have?  Why am I so dysfunctional?  I am so dysfunctional that it is hard to talk to anyone about. I don't know if I will ever be good enough to be worthy of someone to dating.  I have dug myself in a hole so deep that I am not worthy of anyone.  I heard it from my ex wife's friends,  he is just a leech, even though right now I am working about 50 hours a week. I know what some of my friends will say when reading this, and will be hard on me for writing what I have written.  But I have bottled this up for so long, I need to get it out.  This was what this blog was for.  To help

Working for an airline and you tell everyone that you are going on vacation, the first question is, "Where you flying to?"  When you tell them that you are not fly but driving, the next question is why.  We this requires me to respond in two different way.  One, I was going to Moab, Utah.  The closest airport that a major airline flies into is Grand Junction. The flight is about 2 hours long, I would have to get to the airport an hour an half early, then rent a car and drive to Moab for 4 hours. And then there is no guarantee that I would get on the flight to Grand Junction.  To drive there, it is about 9 to 10 hours. San Francisco Peaks, about 20 miles from Flagstaff, AZ The second is I would miss a lot of great sites on the the way.  The drive from the valley is always a great drive.  Always look for the San Francisco Peaks to see if there is any snow on top.  Was not disappointed this time, because of the storm we had that Monday before.  Flagstaff is the gateway

I was not much of a reader until I finished college.  Since then, I have finished about about 7 or 8 books.  OK, that is not a lot, but it is more than what I had finished before.  These are the two books that I am reading right now.  Sorry I have ADD when it comes to reading.  Decisions Points", by George Bush has been on that I have had for a few years.  I have just picked it back up and half way through it.  I was not really a big fan of Bush as President, but I have enjoyed learning why he made the decision he did.  It really is a good read.    "A Hero Rises", is a book written by Jason Mow.  Jason was in my ward.  It is about Moroni, who is one of the main characters out of the Book of Mormon.  I am about two chapters into the book. 

Nothing cuter than a toddler eating chocolate frosting!  And how dirty they get.  

The Tie of the Day  April 19th  The Pinky and the Brain Tie

OK, I would love more ties.  I sometimes see someone wear a great looking tie and say I want that one.  But I don't need more ties, but I really want more travel.   OK, this is the second time I said OK, but this coming from the guy that works for an airline and wants more travel.  I already have plans to go to Ireland this year, but I would like to go to more place.  But to go to more places, I need more money and that is why I work overtime.  So more money for more travel!! Please!!!

This is on my left side every morning and every night!

From time to time, I do have some interesting dreams, which I do not understand at all.  The other night was one of those dreams.  Most of my dreams are about work and making reservations that are crazy.  But this one had to deal with politics.  I was at a party after the Presidential campaign.  I was talking to a companion that was with me, who was asking me why we were there.  This was a party for the other political party.  I told him it was for research.  How do you learn about your political rival, then being at there parties.   President Obama got up to speak, and half way through the speech, he falls asleep.  I was shocked, how could one of the worlds most powerful speaker fall asleep in the middle of his own speech? So the funny thing is, I woke up and turned on the news.  No one was talking about it.  It was not real. 

OK, so why 3 flash drives?  Well they all do the same think, hold and store data files, but all are different.  Everyone hold different things on them.  The one in middle, is one that my sister gave to me for a birthday.  I have had that one flash drive since 2005.  It holds data from classes from Arizona State, pictures, and my current resume.  It also has the smallest storage space of all three, with only 512MB.  The black one holds 2GBs, and the green one with 8GBs.  So all of them are one of a kind, but all 3 of a kind!

I guess my favorite time of day is lunch or dinner.  On the weekends, my days off, I spend a little bit more money and buy food that I don't normally eat during the week.  Some of you are saying OK, but why get Pete's.  It really is not the best food in the world, and I have never ever been a fan of there fish.  But this is comfort food for me.  Something I have eaten since I was 9 or 10.  I have always gotten a Mosterburger or  Chicken Nuggets, or sometimes both.  Sometimes it is just corn dog with Frings (Onion rings and Fries). But I can not wait to eat lunch or dinner on the weekends because I know I will be eating something good. 

So the picture blog for April had to take the back set for awhile.  I only have a few hours of Internet time from Monday thru Saturday.  I don't like writing on the IPhone.  But life kind of caught up with me this week.  We got an order for a few parts for the business that I had with my father.  This kind of took up some of my extra time this week and the blog had to take the hit.    But I hope to try to catch up.

The Tie of the Day April 12th The Money Tie In honor of tax day