My rant about gas.

I've started my old position at a new store. I'm a dog trainer again. I don't mind that. It's the drive. Not the distance. I can handle that. It's the gas. Every mile I put on the truck, my mind is thinking, "There goes another gallon." I'm not even going to get started on the cost of gas. (Not much, at least.)

I'm looking forward to the potential of moving to the new store. It's just a hop, skip and a jump to work which is different from everywhere I've been working since Pittsburgh. I liked being able to walk less than ten minutes to work. Not even enough time to build up a sweat. While the new store won't be quite so close, it is within biking distance. (My biking distance is any distance I can bike to in thirty minutes or less. I can bike much farther, I just get more sweaty doing it.)

Will gas prices going up end up costing me more than I can earn before the new store opens? If so, I may have to take a little hiatus and get a temp job much closer. The only other options would be less costly vehicle to drive like an electric vehicle (EV)(too costly to purchase or make in the short term), a scooter/motorcycle (too dangerous, according to wife, on local roads), or pumping it on a bicycle (which would take forever on local roads over twenty miles it takes to get to work), or public transport (heaven help me try to figure out the local bus schedule/routes).

I know what some people would say. "I have to drive farther than that every day." Up hill, both ways, in the snow. Yes, I know how bad it could be.

I keep remembering the first few years that I was living with my wife before we got married. We didn't have a car for the majority of the time that we lived in Pittsburgh. After we moved to Florida, we still got around on foot or bike (putting quite a few miles on both).

The question is, how much is too much? Does the price of gas have to go to $8/gal. (recent prediction) before the average person has to start finding alternatives? What is your limit? I told my wife that a $50 fill-up* may be my limit, but as local prices start to approach that number, is it really?

*$50 for my truck just short of once a week plus $50 for wife's car per week. That's $100 out of our paycheck per week just to drive to work and typical errands (not even a heavy driving such as trips to Miami or Boca/Delray).

Choices in life

Last year, I was considering where my life might be going. Because we were planning on the near possibility of starting a family, I decided to go ahead and take the store's offer to be manager. I asked and they said sure. Once I was done teaching my training classes, they sent me to management training. The Mrs. went to Asia at the same time. We both got back within a few days of each other. Bada bing, we had a baby on the way. (We missed each other. Seven years and I still miss her every time she leaves!)

I expected to be put in charge of stocking (a lower position but one I thought I could learn in). Instead, they put me over the animal section (fish, birds, small mammals, reptiles). Not quite six months later and I've already been demoted back to training. It was that or get fired. The only reason I didn't get fired was because my two supervisors really put their neck in the noose to try and keep me. (Thank you A.D. and Mr. E.)

At this point, I'm thinking that the whole management thing wasn't were I needed to go. The Mrs. pointed out that during that time, I didn't do as much around the condo (aka. chores). I worked long hours (40+ hours = more money!). Not to mention, I also pretty much quit school. What would happen if I kept up with this when the baby was born?

Now I've got a little more flexibility, as far as time is concerned. Now there is the possibility that I'll stay home with the baby as a pseudo stay at home dad while the wife is at work. When she gets home, I'll leave to go to work for a few days a week (= part time) and possibly start school again. I like this better. My daughter won't have to stay with someone outside of the family for the first few years, at least until she gets old enough for daycare (and we get the money). That and I'll have more time with her.

Do I regret the management issue? No. I learned a great deal. How to be a better manager for one. I'll miss the money, I suppose. The future will be a little tight but we've lived with a lot less money before (try 1/4 of what we currently make). This will also give me a chance to get more projects done and that's what I'm really happy about. Maybe I'll finally get my workshop cleaned up...

It's a girl. There, you can see...

I was stunned when I heard that our child is a girl. I'm happy to have one. Like most fathers, though, I guess I hoped for a boy. In hindsight, I suppose this was only because I don't know a single thing about raising a girl. After all, being a boy, I can at least go on my own experience with a son.

My first thoughts went to protection. (I've since read that this is normal for fathers of daughters.) I remember what it was like as a boy in elementary school, a teenage boy, and a college kid. Do you know what goes through their heads? Do I want my daughter to have to deal with boys?

Second, all I know about girls I learned from the girls I've been around. What do I know about raising a girl? What about hair, make-up (Ok. This one I know only because of school), times of the month, boy crushes, etc.? How does a guy deal with these things?

I had always had an interest in how-to books, Boy/Cub Scout books, and the like. You know, the ones that teach you how to do all sorts of fun things. I had bought "The Dangerous Book for Boys" for our child (yeah right) when we thought it might be a boy. I loved it. When it ended up being a girl, I immediately decided to get the sequel, "The Daring Book for Girls".

Well, let's just say, pirate names were considered for our daughter.

My plans so far have been to raise an adventure seeking, intelligent, athletic, woman. Someone like Lara Croft, Charly Baltimore, Molly Millions (William Gibson's books). A girl who likes to climb, run, swim, build, pretend, and play. One who can hold her own against a bully. A daughter that will become famous for some great discovery or achievement.

On the other hand, I would like a child who isn't so much like my wife and I. One that won't make us worry that she'll get hurt. Can she just lead a quiet life, study hard, do well in school, get a great job and marry a very fortunate man that her mother and I like?

Either way, I know that there will be days throughout her life where I will turn to the person next to me and, with pride in my voice, say "That's my daughter". I will be happy with her no matter what.

Welcome

I figure a way to chronicle my life with my family might be nice, especially for family members who will want regular updates. You see, the Mrs. and me are expecting a daughter in about two+ months. Most of our family live in other parts of the country and we aren't the best about keeping in contact with them. Maybe this blog will help.