My Generous Roommate

A few weeks ago my roommate, Dave, went to Montana and his car broke down. He took a Greyhound bus back home and bought an old pick-up truck. Last week he got his car back from Montana and got it fixed. Last Tuesday I got my Driver's License renewed (it expired on my birthday, September 26th, last year). Last Saturday I asked Dave for a ride to work. He gave me the keys to his truck and said, "Go ahead and take my truck." Then he explained about his car breaking down and getting it back. I said, "O.K. I'll have it back around 3:30 or 4." He said, "Don't worry about it. Use it when ever you want to." So for the past 5 days I've had wheels (yes, the vehicle is insured).

I've seen a few good movies through my my membership with Blockbuster Online - End of the Spear (A+), In the Name of the Father (A), and Crank (A-). I'll be canceling my membership to Blockbuster Online in a couple of weeks because I'm all caught up on watching last year's seasons of 24, Smallville, and Alias (I just started watching the last season of Alias today) and I'm getting Dish satellite installed this week. Yes, I do Tech Support for DirecTV (which means I get free installation and free programming) and I'm getting Dish. The reasons for this are:

1. Dish doesn't require a phone line for their DVR service; DirecTV does. This means I don't have to get phone service just to get DVR service.
2. I probably won't be working at Convergys much longer. I'm going to use my benefits there to get some dental work done, then I'm going to find an Armed Security job.
   
3. I'm sure that some of Dish's DVR's have problems too but doing Tech Support for DirecTV has tainted my opinion of the DirecTV DVR's.
   

I'm currently reading Jerusalem Countdown by John Hagee. It talks about the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel and the resulting effect on America and the rest of the world.

I will be doing security for some private parties at Sundance Film Festival from January 18-28. I might also be doing security at Harry O's during Sundance. I will be making good money for those 11 days which will allow me to get caught up on some of my debt.

A Crazy Year

It's been quite a year. Last December I started working at Teleperformance doing Tech Support for TurboTax. At the beginning of the year I made two resolutions: 1. To read the Bible in 2006; 2. To exercise on a regular basis to get fit in 2006. I didn't stick to either very well but I did attend church fairly regularly. I'm currently volunteering for the Security & Information Desk ministries at Calvary Chapel.

On Feb 1st I found out that my cousin, Amber, got in a really bad car accident in December and was in a coma. The doctors gave her a 0% chance of recovery; a 0% chance of ever coming out of the coma once the narcotics were lifted; and if she somehow did come out of the coma, a 0% chance of ever regaining any cognitive or physical control of her body. Well, my God performed a miracle - she is now completely recovered!! She is driving a car and working a new job! Her story was aired on Christmas day on CBN's 700 Club. I recorded her story on my friend's DVR and watched it in the evening on Christmas day. You can read her story here.

On February 10th I bought my first car. I joined the Patriot Guard Riders on March 3rd. In the middle of March I was planned to go on a mission trip to Reynosa, Mexico but ended up not going. On April 18th I got transferred to the Clearwire project at Teleperformance. I got hired on part-time at The Depot on April 20th. I bought a Springfield Armory XD 45 on May 22nd. On May 29th I had the pleasure of meeting Yarah Bravo. I was fired from The Depot on June 2nd for no good reason. On June 7th I met a lady named Chere and ended up spending way too much money keeping her and her kids off of the street over the next two weeks and eventually found out that she had been lying to me.

In July I flew to Florida for surgery on my gums and shoulder. While I was down there I saw my dad for the first time in 9 years. I also quit working at Teleperformance and made the mistake of working for Phil for the last time. In August he did me a favor and fired me. In September I went to New York for my brother, Peter's wedding. When I got back I started working at Convergys doing Tech Support for DirecTV. I'm still working there. I also started working at the new Club Vortex (I quit working there a few weeks ago). Over the next 2 months I got in two car accidents. The second one totaled my car.

This year I want to improve my relationship with Jesus Christ. I also want to get in shape this year. Hopefully I'll be more committed to these goals this year than I was last year. I also want to get my concealed carry permit, my Armed Security License, and an Armed Security job. In a few months, when I am done paying off my totaled car, I am going to get another car. I pray that this year will be better than last year.

97.5 FM The Oasis

Lately, while surfing the internet at Gamerzz, I've been listening to 97.5 FM The Oasis. The Oasis is a Christian radio station. If you don't live in the S.L.C. area you can listen to them online at www.975oasis.com. They play a lot of the same music that K-LOVE plays and some that they don't. I really like listening to The Oasis.

I am promoting a New Year's Eve Lock-In (LAN Party) at Gamerzz in Taylorsville. This will be the first time in a long time that I won't be working Security on New Year's Eve. Check out the Gamerzz website for more info.

Merry Christmas, My Friend

Merry Christmas, My Friend
by Corporal James M. Schmidt

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

©Copyright circa 1991 by James M. Schmidt
(As printed in the December 1991 issue
of the USMC magazine, Leatherneck)
Thanks to Snopes.com for the correct version
and author of the poem.

Click here for the for the MP3 audio version
of "Merry Christmas, My Friend",
titled "Soldier's Silent Night".
Thanks to BlackFive for the audio link.

NotVeryBright

A few months ago, back when I was working at Club Exchange, I was on the highway going to a friend's house when I saw a car on the side of the highway with it's hazard lights on. I almost always pull over and help people on the side of the road unless I am on the way to work with no time to spare. I pulled over and the guy that was driving the car had run out of gas (I'll call him OutOfGas). I offered to give him a ride so he could get some gas. He accepted my offer so we got in my car (the one that's totaled now) and got off of the highway at the next exit.

We went to a Chevron gas station just off of the highway but when we walked up to the door the employee was locking the door and taping a sign to the door that said they would be temporarily closed while he did paperwork for the last shift (I guess he was working a double). We waited for about 10 minutes or so and then the cashier started counting change. I thought it might be a while longer before he was going to re-open so I suggested that we go to a different gas station. We got in my car and headed north on State Street.

We went to a Phillips 66 and I went in to get a snack and a drink while he pumped the gas using his credit card (he had brought his gas can with him). I got myself a snack and a drink and sat them on the counter. Then I decided to get my friend a drink. As I was getting my friend's drink a drunk guy (I'll call him NotVeryBright) came up to the counter and tried to buy cigarettes for his underage brother. As I came back up to the counter with my friend's drink one of the cashiers (there was 2 of them) was telling NotVeryBright that if his brother didn't have I.D. then he couldn't buy cigarettes for him. NotVeryBright said he knew the cashier's manager and said he would tell her about him tomorrow. The smartest thing that NotVeryBright could have done at this point was to leave but, as you will see, he wasn't very bright.

NotVeryBright continued to harass the cashier. I told him that we didn't want any drama and he should just go home. I was wearing sandals, shorts, and my Security shirt from when I did Security for Shoutfest when I was working as a Manny in Virginia last year. He noticed that I was wearing a Security shirt so he said something like, "Why don't you bring you're Security a$$ outside and we'll handle this." I told him that he should just leave. His brother agreed with me and encouraged him to leave. He didn't listen. Then the cashier got on the phone and called the police.

This is the point in the story where a smart person would have just left. As you will see, NotVeryBright was not smart. NotVeryBright moved towards the gap in the counter where he could get to the cashier. I stepped up to him and told him that he needed to leave now. He once again proved that he is not very smart by spitting in my face. I would rather be punched in the face than have someone spit in my face. I grabbed him, spun him around, put him in a sleeper hold, lifted him off of the ground, and then took him to the ground. His brother moved towards me and I told him to back up and he did. NotVeryBright must not have realized that he was being handled because he said that he was going to "get me". At this point I was sitting on his back and had one of his arms locked up. To help him realize that he was in no position to be threatening anyone, I slapped him in his face. He continued to talk trash so I spit in his face (I know that, as a Christian, I should not have slapped him and spit in his face and have since asked God to forgive me).

After a few minutes, NotVeryBright settled down so I started to get up. As I ws starting to get up, NotVeryBright started wrestling with me. I got him in a headlock but because I was in sandles I lost my balance and fell on my butt. We both got up and NotVeryBright wanted to shake hands. I told him to get out of the store. Then the police showed up. One of the cops told NotVeryBright to come outside. Another cop got my story and the cashier's story. It turned out that NotVeryBright had 3 warants so he went to jail. That's why I can not understand why he provoked me after the cashier was already on the phone with the police. The cashiers thanked me.

OutOfGas had come in when NotVeryBright started getting stupid. One of the cops gave him a ride back to his car while I filled out my statement. After I got done with my statement I went to my friend's house.

In the past 2 weeks I've seen a couple of movies and read a couple of books. I saw Apocalypto and Charlotte's Web. I want to see The Nativity Story, The Pursuit of Happyness, Home of the Brave, The Good Shepherd, & Children of Men. I finished reading A Gentleman's Game. I also read For One More Day by Mitch Albom, author of The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I'm currently reading The Modern Bodyguard by Peter Consterdine. I still need to finish The Search for Significance. I read the first part of the book but I need to do the workbook included in the last part of the book.

Christian Crew Counter-Strike: Source

I've been playing Counter-Strike for a few years now, ever since I worked at GoodGame, an online gaming center in downtown Salt Lake City. I've been playing Counter-Strike: Source, the latest version of Counter-Strike, ever since it came out in October of 2004. I've had a problem with cursing for a long time now. As a Christian I strive to not curse and I tend to curse the most when playing Counter-Strike: Source. One of the ways that I thought I could cut back on my cursing is to play on a Christian Counter-Strike: Source server where cursing is not allowed. I also wanted to play my favorite game with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

A couple of months ago, when I started going to Gamerzz in Taylorsville, I found the Christian Crew's Counter-Strike: Source servers. They have several different types of Counter-Strike: Source servers: a regular server - The Fish [BIG], a custom map server - The Fish [Custom], two GunGame servers - The Fish [GunGame] & The Fish [GunGame2], an AWP (sniper rifle) server - The Fish [AWP], a Zombie server - The Fish [Zombie], a Deathmatch server - The Fish [Deathmatch], a Surf-Deathmatch server - The Fish [Surf-DM], and a beginner server - The Fish [Beginner]. They also have two Half-Life 2: Deathmatch servers: a SourceForts server - The Fish [SourceForts], and a regular Half-Life 2: Deathmatch server - The Fish [HL2DM]. I play on The Fish [BIG] most of the time. Every once in a while I'll play on The Fish [GunGame] or The Fish [GunGame2].

Shortly after I started playing on The Fish servers I applied to be a member of the Christian Crew clan. Members of the Christian Crew clan have the Christian Crew tag (it is the fish symbol <>< with the letters "CC" in the middle of it*) in front of their online name. In front of my online name, Guardian Spirit, I was allowed to put the tag for a Christian Crew applicant which has an "A" in place of the "CC" in the Christian Crew tag. After playing for about 1 month I was promoted to probationary status. Instead of the applicant tag, I now have a probationary tag which has a "P" in place of the "CC" in the Christian Crew tag. In a few months I will (God willing) be a full fledged Christian Crew clan member and will have the Christian Crew tag. I thank God for the Christian Crew!


*I tried to type out the Christian Crew tag but it looks like html code so I was unable to show it without messing up this blog post. To see what the Christian Crew tag looks like go to their website - www.christiancs.com.

Two Car Accidents in Two Months

About 10 weeks ago, 2 days after getting fired from Club Exchange, I rear-ended a girl while driving in downtown S.L.C. I didn't have insurance because money had been tight due to the whole situation with Chere. She wanted me to call the cops so I did. When the cop showed up she just had us both fill out a form with our information on it to give to the other person. About 2 months later I got a call from the collection agency for her insurance company and am making monthly payments to pay for the damage to her car.

6 weeks ago, on a Wednesday, I was working at the new Club Vortex when Josh, who used to be a bouncer at the old Club Vortex, came to the club. He mentioned that he was running Security at a new club called Club Shakeys on Thursdays. I told him to give me a call if he needed me. He called me the next night so I left Gamerzz in Taylorsville (my new online gaming hang-out - GoodGame closed down back in September) and headed out to the club located at 4105 W 5400 S. I had a hard time finding it so I pulled into the parking lot at the Mad Greek restaurant and called Josh to find out where it was. After he told me I pulled back out to go to the club. Before I pulled out to take a left turn I looked to the left and saw a red light and no cars. As I was pulling out I looked to my right and back to my left again. All of the sudden there was a car there and it hit me and spun my car around 180 degrees. I got out of my car and the driver of the other car got out of his car. We exchanged some words and then he called the cops.

When the cop got there I told him what happened. Then he talked to the other guy. Then someone who saw the other guy run the red light told the cop what happened. The cop asked him if he wanted to fill out a witness statement and he said no. He did give the cop his information though (I found this out after the witness and the other guy left when the cop told me about it). The cop cited me for Failure to Yield and gave me a warning for my expired Driver's License (it expired on my birthday, September 26th). The cop looked in his system and saw that I had insurance last they checked so I didn't get a ticket for that (but they later cited me for no insurance). After the tow truck came and towed my car away I went to work at Club Shakey's. After the adrenaline wore off my neck, ribs and back started hurting.

After a few days the pain hadn't got any better so on Monday I went to the E.R. That was a waste of time. They told me that I had whiplash, bruised ribs, and a sore back (I didn't need a doctor to tell me that). He gave me prescriptions for an antibiotic and a muscle relaxer but I decided just to deal with the pain. The pain is gone now but my neck is a little stiff. I need to resume my Combat Conditioning & Combat Abs routine that I was doing before the whole Chere thing to get loosened up and in better shape. I have to got to court on Jan 3rd for the Failure to Yield citation and the no insurance citation. My car is totalled. I have to pay another $2,050 on my loan (I've already paid $450 since the accident) and then the dealer will waive $1,500 of what I owe them and add the remaining $1,200 to another loan for another car.

I'm still working at Convergys. I went through 1 week of Technical Support training 2 and a half weeks ago so now I'm doing Tech Support and back-up Mainbank (which is the department I was in before - helping people with billing, programming, & basic troubleshooting). I'm still working at the new Club Vortex on Wednesdays. I've been going to church on a regular basis again and I'm still volunteering at the Information Desk.

I've read a few books lately. I read Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Gates of Fire is the story of the 300 Spartans that fought the Persian army at Thermopylae. Frank Miller, author of the Sin City graphic novels and Co-Director of Sin City is making a movie based on his graphic novel about the Persian-Greco war called 300. I've also read Holy Terror by Richard Marcinko. I have read all of Marcinko's novels. This one was good but it wasn't as good as his others. I bought More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell for one of my co-workers at Convergys. I also bought myself a copy. It does a good job of explaining who Jesus is and backs it up with logical and historical proof. I recommend it as a witnessing tool and for Christians to back up their faith with facts. I'm currently reading A Gentleman's Game by Greg Rucka. I really liked his Atticus Kodiak series so I bought A Gentleman's Game which is the first novel in his Queen & Country series.

Over the past few months I've seen a few movies. I've seen Jet Li's Fearless. Fearless is the story of Huo Yuanjia, founder of the Jingwu Sports Federation. I give it an A+. I've also seen The Departed (B-), The Prestige (B+), and Deja Vu (A). Paula Patton, who starred in Deja Vu, is gorgeous! I'm planning to see The Nativity Story, Apocalypto, Blood Diamond, and The Pursuit of Happyness.

I renewed my subscription to Blockbuster Online back in October. I've watched the first season of Sleeper Cell (A), Akeelah and the Bee (A+), and United 93 (A). I'm currently watching watching Smallville: Season 5.

Peter's Wedding & 2 New Jobs

After Phil did me the favor of firing me, I started looking for another job. While I was unemployed, I participated in two Patriot Guard Rider Missions, one for Cpl. Adam A. Galvez and the other for PFC Daniel G. Dolan. After job hunting for two weeks, I got hired at Convergys to do Customer Service for DirecTV. They wanted me to start on Tuesday, September 5th but my brother, Peter, who lives in Buffalo, NY, was getting married on Sunday, September 10th so they hired me to start training on Tuesday, September 12th.

My Uncle George used his frequent flyer miles to get me a ticket to Buffalo for Peter's wedding (thanx, George!). I flew out on Saturday, September 9th at 10:05 A.M. I arrived in Buffalo at 7:06 P.M. My mom, stepdad (Spencer), and Peter picked me up from the airport. Then we went back to Peter's house and I met his fiance (Joanna), daughter (Valerie), in-laws, and friends. I hadn't seen Peter, my mom, or my stepdad in 6 years so it was good seeing them. My mom got me some lasagna, took some pictures, and then left. I hung out with Peter and his friends outside around a fire and drank some beer from a keg (kegs are illegal in Utah). I don't drink very often and I've only been wasted twice in my life. Around midnight Joanna wanted us to clean up and head out. Peter was staying at the Holiday Inn with his friend, Arin and he got me a room there too.

Sunday morning Peter, Arin, and I met some of Peter's friends at a bar down the street from the hotel to watch the Buffalo Bills game. Peter has some cool freinds. After the game we went back to the hotel and got ready for the wedding. We took a limo over to the wedding. When we got there my cousin Michelle, Aunt Beverly (Uncle George's wife), dad, grandma (my dad's mom), Uncle Peter, Aunt Diane, and my cousin Jason were there. I saw my dad a couple of months ago when I went to Florida for surgery. I saw my Aunt Beverly earlier this year when she came to Utah to ski. I hadn't seen my grandma in 6 years. I hadn't seen my cousin, Michelle in 7 years. Michelle is my favorite relative. I hadn't seen my Uncle Peter, Aunt Diane, and Jason since our last family reunion 13 years ago. It was good seeing them all again.

I was one of the groomsmen in the wedding. My brother rented me a tux and I looked sharp. After the wedding ceremony, the photographer took pictures of everyone in the wedding party including Valerie who was the Flower Girl. After that we had the wedding reception. The best man, Greg did a toast and Spencer said a prayer. After the wedding reception a folk band played and we danced and drank. There weren't any single ladies there to dance with but I still had fun. After the wedding Peter, Arin, a few of Peter's friends that were staying at the Holiday Inn, and I took the limo back to the hotel. Peter gave me some cash because he knew I was struggling financially. I felt bad because I couldn't afford to get them a wedding gift and he was giving me money on his wedding night but I was very grateful. Monday morning Arin gave me a ride to the airport. It was good seeing my brother get married, seeing my family, and meeting all of Peter's cool friends. He is really blessed to have such good friends.

I flew back home on Monday. Tuesday I started training at Convergys. My brother sent me some more money through PayPal that same Tuesday and then again a few weeks later for my birthday, September 26th (my 31st). My brother is awesome!! There was three weeks of classroom training and 1 week of "nesting" (on-the-job training) which I just finished last week. My regular schedule, which started on Monday, is 5 P.M. til 3:30 A.M. with a half hour lunch (4 10's). My days off are Sunday (so I can go to church), Tuesday, and Wednesday.

On Saturday I went to the new Club Vortex, which is located at 220 W 1300 S in Salt Lake City. Gary, who was the Head of Security at the old Vortex, has opened up the new Club Vortex as an 18+ dance club (I didn't know it was only 18+ until I went there). The new Club Vortex is a no-drinking and no-smoking club. While I was there Gary asked me if I wanted to work there. I start tonight.

I didn't go to church for about 6 weeks. I went two weeks ago and this past Sunday. I plan on going regularly again and continuing to volunteer at the Information Desk. I recently finished reading a book that Ryan gave me called One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill. It's a really good book about witnessing. Now I am reading The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee. It is the best "self-help" book I've ever read. It teaches you how to see yourself through God's eyes instead of teaching the humanistic method taught in books like Psycho-Cybernetics. I highly recommend it for every person, Christian or non-Christian.

In the past month I've seen The Protector (a.k.a. Tom-Yung-Goong) starring Tony Jaa (4 Stars) and The Illusionist (4.5 Stars). I've also seen Mean Machine (a remake of The Longest Yard) starring Vinnie Jones (4 Stars) and District B-13, starring Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle (4.5 Stars) on DVD. I'm planning on seeing Jet Li's Fearless this weekend.