10 June 2003

Well, the unimaginable happened yesterday. I crossed paths with Michael Stovall. I really don't think I could've ever anticipated this in a million years. I don't know why really. I mean, I was in Mt. Juliet when it happened, so I guess it was inevitable. On a good note, however, I think the meeting was as painless as possible. So that's good. Weird stuff.

My job is going well. I'm starting to get into this whole waking up when the sun comes up. It makes me feel like I'm using my time wisely. And I really think I am (at least with the job field). Days are really long when you wake up at 5:45 AM, which is pretty cool. My body is now making me go to bed by eleven (and I'm still tired enough to nap later in the day usually, but I don't always have that opportunity).So in general, I feel better about me (only slighty more tired than usual). This is why:

I get up at 5:45. Eat some food (nothing healthy, of course). get dressed (usually the with the same clothes everyday; sometimes I change shirts; there's no need to do otherwise when you hear what I do) and drive to 21st street where the surveying office is located. I stand around a few minutes until I'm told which crew I'm going with for the day. 95% of the time I come over here to MJ for the day because there's a subdivision going in over here on Belinda Pkwy (across the street from waffle house). (to be continued.... I have to go eat.) (okay I'm back) So we go into the woods and start working. It depends on what we're doing. If it's a topographic map then we have to take measurements in every direction every 50 ft. Or we might be staking out a road or something. In any case, we have to set up the instrument that takes measurements (GPS coordinates, elevation, horizontal angle, and vertical angle (angle from straight up)) and shoot it at a prism on a pole. I'm sure everyone has seen the guys out on the roads doing this. So in order to do this there must be a clear line of sight from the instrument to the prism. So I have been chopping so much stuff lately with the machete (sp?). And not even things that need chopping. I just like destroying things with a sword; it's so much fun. So my arms and hands are tired from excess cuttin', but I think it's worth it. Anyway, I get done about 3.5 PM and that's that.

I was just struck by a sense of magnificance when my Winamp (on random) play Fight Vols Fight and Down the Field. What an amazing thing the marching band is. It's huge. It's truly larger than life and bigger than any person. I guess that's what makes me look at it in awe sometimes. When I hear those songs, it's almost like I'm hearing the National Anthem. It is to that degree that pride for what I and so few others have been a part of, wells up in me.

Oh, I think I'm gonna get to work at Valet parking again soon. Maybe on the weekends. I don't know if I'll have a day to sleep in or not though. Although lately, I havent been able to sleep late anyway. I get too restless in the morning and I can't stop turning over and thinking. Anyway, I DO have to sleep now. soooo....

"goodnight"