The Chronicles of John Trammell

My christmas was good this year.  For christmas eve, my family had dinner and opened presents.  I got a few good things from my parents and sister.  The biggest gift was a cannon powershot A560 digital camera.  I have always wanted a digital camera of my own, and I finally got one....woohoo....I will be taking it up with me to Portland, Oregon to take pics of the snow and me freezing to death....woohoo. On chirstmas day, we pritty much chilled till at home till 5, when we went to my uncle stans house.  We ate dinner, opened gifts, chilled for a bit, and said our last goodbyes to my cuz even who left to be in station in japan in the navy.  It was a pretty good christmas, and I hope all of you had an awesome christmas

For those of you who don't know, a really good friend of mine named Scott, who I have chilled with since 10th grade of high school, left at 12:00 from his house; leaving for the marines boot camp in San Diego by the airport.  Many of his friends and family all came to his house to see him off today.  It was only 2 and 1/2 weeks ago that Scotty told my friend Jane and I while we where heading to class at Crafton that he has decided to join the marines.  At that time, I really didn't know how to feel.  This past week has been really hard, we tried to be with him as much as possible.  In the past few days I have realized that I am really proud that he has found a path that works for him.  Ever since the ending of high school, he has been looking for a path that suits him well, and all paths he has taken didn't work for him, till now.  Today was a very emotional day, I help it all in until he left so i can show support and to be strong.  Later on, i couldn't handle it,

I just want to say that I am proud of you Scotty, and to wish you good luck in Boot Camp.  I am happy that you have found a path that fits you well, and I will support you 100%.  We all will miss you, but we are all very proud. Once again good luck, and we all can't wait till your graduation day from boot camp

This weekend I was up in Sacramento, at the B.T. Collins Army Center for a work trip where I helped a group of youth create a informational flyer about Operation: Military Kids.  On friday, my boss and I flew from Ontario to Sacramento.  It sucked.  First, it took me 1 hour and 10 mins to get to the airport, all because of the rain.  It should of taken 20-20 mins.  My boss almost missed the airplane.  Because of the storm, we had some bad turbulance for about 1/3 the fight.  I dont mind, but my boss was freaking out.  We arrived and went to the hotel to check in.  I was shocked, i had an entire suiet with a kitchen, and a full desk, a fire place, and a couch and a bed.  I was like...wow....i wish i lived here...lol.  Then we went to the base. We met up with my other co-worker and the youth.  We went downtown to eat at Hard Rock Cafe, then went thought the Downtown Plaza mall and old sacramento.  We just chilled and had fun. The next day, we met back at the base and worke all day

For a year and two months, I have now worked for Operation: Military Kids as a Computer Technical Specialist/Web Master.  My main purpose is to maintain one website, and design and build another.  I would also help with other projects with my co-worker.   During work, my co-worker and I would joke around, argue with everything we can think of (because we are bored), and other things.  Today was the last day I will be working with him.  He got another job that pays way more money somewhere else on the university.  With him gone, I am now in control of the 15 lap top computers and running a few trainings and other things my boss might want me to do.  It is just me and my boss.  So I wont be able to goof off much anymore.  I will be busier but it just wont be as fun.  That is just life, and I will be on a work trip this weekend in sacramento, and I wont be that fun.  I will survive, and maybe things wont be that bad, but we will have to see.

This weekend, I was at the Asilomar State Beach Conference Center in Pacific Grove just south of Monterey for the 2007 State 4-H Leaders' Forum.  This is a conference that 4-H adult leaders, the state 4-H ambassadors, and 4-H Computer Corps come together to learn about leadership skills, 4-H, and to share ideas.  This year has been a very slow year then the past years.  I flew in to San Jose Airport, met up with Peter M from Los Angeles County, and we drove on down to the conference center.  This conference center is right on the beach facing the Monterey Bay.  I had a 2 part web design workshop, and a geocaching workshop I was in control of.  I helped with the other workshop our computer corps is doing, which is our state technology team.  On friday night, my roommates and I where extremely hungry, so we went down to Cannery Row to get a large pizza.  Little did we know that this large pizza would need 2 people to carry.  It was extremely hudge. Each night, my friends and I

By now all of you should know the fact that southern California is in the middle of a Firestorm.  The first tragity since the October 2003 fires.  Here is how the Slide Fire, in the San Bernardino Mountain Range effected my day. This morning, i turned on the news to learn more about what was going to fine a new fire, called the Slide Fire, located in Running Springs 15 miles north of Highland in the San Bernardino National Forest.  Went to school, then as Scotty and I where walking to the car, Noelle calls to let us know of a rumor that there is an evacuation order for north Highland area.  So I droped scotty off and went home.  It seems there was an volunteer evacuation, which is still in place, for east Highland, just above Highland Ave.  Which i live 2 blocks south of there.  Later on in the day, my parents and sister went off  to REV for her band concert.  I had to stay to babysit the house incase something happened.  A county Sherrif interupted the concert to make a announceme

Class got out, I chilled for awhile, then went to my car so I can pick up bryan from REV, got back up to school to get jane, had lunch, when to take jane home.  After I have taken Jane home, I was driving up Highland Ave.  We where just crusin, going speed limit......By paton state hospital, a 2001 corolla trying to turn, came out just a little in the road, thought it was clear (didnt check the blind spot) and started to gas it.  I saw what she was doing, i checked to make sure no one was in the other lanes, hit the brakes, and veird the car to the left into the other lanes.  The Corolla hit the passanger side of the car where bryan budd was sitting.  I pulled over, the lady was still in the middle of the road, didn't know what just happened, then came over to where i pulled over the road.  She claimed it was her fault (which it was) and I got her insurance information.  She was on her way to pay her car insurance bill when this occured, so right after we got back into our cars, sh

Today, the first day of fall, we have had an awesome rain storm.  To enjoy it to the fullest.  I decided to take the camera, get in the car, and start driving; looking for good photos to take. I first went on some back roads of greenshop, which went ok.  Afterwards, I went all the way to the mountains, and I found this very beautiful Riparian Zone off the 38, just before u get to forest falls.  For those who dont know, a Riparian Zone is the interface between land and a flowing surface water body.  I do say, for our mountains, I have ranked it up on the top beautiful locations. After about spending 2 hours in this Riparian Zone, i decided to drive up to Barton Flats, to see how Jenks Lake looked, sadly, the surface of the lake was choppy so I didnt stop to take any photos.  With that disappointment, I took the awesome drive though the clouds back home.

For the past few summers and into the fall, I have been working at my cuz's farm called Elser's Country Farm.  For the most part, I arrive the day before a market to help pack up the produce into the vehicals.  This past weekend, I was hanging out with friends, so I was un able to do that this time.  Other times, if I come early, I would be able to help pick some of the tomatoes (The main crop on the farm)  I was unable to work for most of the summer this year due to work and 4-H.  But this weekend is the first weekend I have been able to join in the work. This summer, I am going to The Palos Verdes Farmers Market on Sundays with my aunt.  If I am needed at other markets, I will join in those markets as well.  With this amazing heat wave this past week, the flowers on the tomato plans have fallen off; which means that we will have a time in about 2-3 weeks when we will have very little produce.  So I might not be working much this summer season.  Of course, working is better

Today is the first day of school   For the last weekend of summer break, i headed for San Diego, to hang out with my best friend Matthew, Kristen, and Jeanine.  On friday night my family drove down.  When we got there we went to old town to have an awesome mexican food dinner.  The next morning, my family went to the San Diego Museum of Natural History to see the Dead Sea Scrolls.  They are ancient documents found in isreal that proves many things that have acutrally happened that is in the bible.  It was very interesting to see. After the Dead Sea Scrolls, I met up with my friends and we all went to Sea World while my family went off to do other things in San Diego.  It was awesome, we got to see the 2 different Shamu shows, and see most of the park.  The last 1 1/2 hours of the night before the park closed, we rode the Shipwreck Rapids ride over and over.  I think we where able to fit in 10 rides.  Which was awesome.  After Sea World closed, we went to Del Mar to have dinner at den

Travis and I drove to his cuz's house to pick them both up.  Then we headed off to Club Week, at a place called Olds College in the town of Old.  About 75 Km north of Calgary.  When we got to Olds, we first stopped at Subway to eat some lunch. Before I go into details, let me explain what Club Week is about.  The week is focused mainly on yourself, improving your life, and everything that is involved with your life, for example, friends, family, and so forth.  We had lots of fun tought out the week, but there were some serious times with groups that we where split into at the beginning.  We also talked about issues in the world and how certain things effects how people live. On the first day, we got split into out small groups.  There where 12 members in my group, and we get one of the club weeks planning staff as a group facilitator.  Everyone was extremely quite the first day.  No one really talked.  One or two people would, but the rest of us didn't.  After our frist gro

From July 24th to July 29th I was in Alberta, Canada.  The trip went really well and Im not too happy about being home.  I have decided to write 2 different blogs.  One when i was living with a family, then the second on the Alberta 4-h Club Week experience.  My dad and I stayed overnight in a hotel right next to LAX on the 23rd since my flight left at 7:00 in the morning.  I needed to be at LAX at 4:30.  So we didn't want to wake up at 2 to get down there.  It was very strange being on Air Canada.  They spoke french and english...strange....lol A person by the name of Lacy, who works at the Alberta 4-H Office, met me at the Calgary Airport.  We chilled for an hour or so to wait for Megan, the other californian to arrive.  Megan left with her host family, then it was off to the 4-H office.  I got to met all the staff and the people who where planning the club week I was going to be attending.  I stayed with the Hanson Family.  They live in a town called Airdrie, just north of

The week of 4th of July has been an extremely long and tiring one.  I have to say one of the most tiring weeks of the entire summer.  The beginning of the week was mostly devoted to work.  Going to the office on monday for an all day meeting.  The next day I got sick.  I didn't sleep for the next few days.  On 4th of July, I felt alot better, and went to a party at my cuz's house where we sat in the backyard to watch the fireworks being shoot off from the high school in Yuciapa.  I went to crafton to meet up with a councoler to talk about my future with taking classes.  My car had an overheating problem, and I was lucky to make it back home...thank god i only live 6 miles from school.  While I was gone over the weekend it seems my dad fixed my car.  Wires to the fan where destroyed from old age.  Now my car runs just fine July 5th and 6th, i went up to the 2007 So-Cal 4-H Summer Camp in Crestline.  I brought with me 10 laptop computers from work, and tought youth how to mak

I have visited many states in the past 4 years, and out of all of them; i would have to put Oregon on the top.  For miles around, all you see are forests, that streach out to the horizon.  Nature and people live in better harmony here in Oregon.  I was here visiting my cuz before and after our camping trip to Yosemite National Park; She lives in a town in the Portland area called Beaverton.  Out of many big cities i have visited, Portland, Oregon, had the best downtown I have ever seen.  First, it was extremely quite, not much traffic; second, no trash...the city was extremely clean.  I felt safe walking in any part of the town.   Today, my cuz and I went to the beach.  No one in 100 miles south or north on the coast line.  The sand is darker, and the water is clean; which you most likely can tell from the photo above.  After the beach, we went inland, to a small forest place.  The ferns, the trees, the moss, and all the green....it was just so beautiful.  I know this is going to be

I had the oprrotunity in staying at one of the most beautiful locations in the world this past week.  This place; full of wildlife, roarring waterfalls, and high towering cliffs;  is my number 1 favorite spot to travel to.  This place I speak of is Yosemite Nationl Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains out side of Merced. My mom's side of the family: aunt, uncle, cuzs, John, and I all went camping together for a week in this wonderful place.  Amanda and I came down from Oregon, and the others came from Southern California.  Amanda and I shared a tent, John and Krystal had their own tent, and my aunt and uncle had the trailer with the 3 dogs.  We went to many awesome places, like Yosemite Falls, and Mirror Lake, and one of my favorites, glacer point; where you can see the view of the entire valley.  We rod our bikes alll over the place, and took the dogs with us.  We saw tons of dear, and 2 black bears off the road on the way to glaicer point.  It was very hard to leave when the day

Greetings from Portland, Oregon!  When i was little, i had a bike, and of course, had training wheels...i was about 4-5 years old....my grandma started getting sick, and my parents had to focus more on her on that time...i lost interest and never learned how to ride a bike, due to my parents lost of interest.  Since i am going camping with my cuz's to Yosemite National Park in 2 days, and they get around the pack by bike, they told me i had to learn how to ride a bike. Three days ago at the farm, John (my one cuz fiance)  Started to teach me how to ride, only ballance, i was unable to even get my feet on the peddles.  Yesterday, before i flew up to Portland, i took out my mom's old bike, filled up the tires, went in the back yard, and started using the peddles.  Today, my cuz, amanda, and her husband, bryan; got 3 bikes out and put me on one.  This is where i would go on the street with a bike for the first time.  We went 1.5 miles to a park, and back...so 3 miles we went. 

Like every memorial day weekend, I went up to UC Davis for the 2007 California 4-H State Field Day.  This year, went just alittle different.  For starters, i drove the 9 hour drive up to Davis, second...my dad was the only other person from my family that went this year. Left around 11:00 from home, driving though the desert to bakersfield, then to the 99 all the way to sacramento. Got to Davis, slept, then woke up early the next day. Of course, i ran the Geocaching event with my fellow California 4-H Computer Corps homies, which youth and adults could do while they are waiting to do their presentation.  We had about 200 out of the 500 people at the even take the geocaching challanege which took them to locationg all over the main campus of UC Davis.  At the end of the event, i packed up, and went to the meeting to talk about how things went and plan for next year.  I ended up on the planning committee of next year...woohoo....it should be fun, i hope.  After the meeting, 15 of my

Next week is the last week of school.....last day is offically tuesday for me.  I can't wait to get all these finals extremely over with.  I can't believe my first year of college is ending.  It went by extremely fast.  At the beginning, i really didn't like college, or the school i was attending, crafton hills college.  After the first semester, I got used to college life, and things went alot easier.  Sure i didn't try as hard as i could of this year, but i sill did pretty good, mostly.  I have fallen in love with crafton.  I love how it is on a top of a hill with nothing but wild habitat surrounding it as well as tons of wildlife.  I am happy my summer is going to be beginning, but i just can't wait to start again in the fall. This summer is going to be a great one.  First, my dad and I are driving up to sacramento in my car for the State 4-H Field Day at UC Davis.  Then we are going to drive to san franciso, stay the night at big sur, drive down to monterey ba

For those who don't know much about my sister Ashley, she does tap dancing.  Every year in the spring, they have a big concert type of event held at the California Theater in San Bernardino, right next to the Cinema Star Movie Theater.  The night before is Dress Rehursal.  I got home from work, sat down to relax.  After dinner, my mom had to go pick her up, and my dad made me go with her to keep her company....even though i really wasn't feeling well.  I guess she didn't feel real good either.  We arrived at the parking lot for the theater at 10:20.  My mom had to go use the restroom so she left me in the car with the keys and the doors locked.  My sister starts walking towards the car, being excorted by a security guard.....this is how bad down town san bernardino is.  My mom comes back after a few mins and tries to start the car.  It started up, but then the car started to shack and it died.  Naturally, she tried a second, and third time.  No luck.  My mom claimed her c

For those who don't know, I have been working with the Redlands Conservency to help map out all the hiking, horse, and biking trails.  Today my dad, a person by the name of Caroline, and myself went hiking on a new trail today, having the 3 GPS units with me to get data which will be placed on a database on the computer so it will be placed into a map.   I tell you, it is very interesting walking in Live Oak Canyon.  Most people don't realize the beauty and history behind the Canyon.  For example, the trail we walked today went past a site of a shooting range from the 1920's.  Where people would go hunting and so forth.  Nothing for miles in the canyon...just us and nature.  It is wonderful to walk in the Canyon.  Sadly, tons of developers have been destroying the hills to build.  Due to activist the developing has been stoped until further notice.  I hope poeple like Caroline will stop this developing to ensure the future of this wonderful canyon where people could ride bi

Today was a very fun day.  Tiffany, Jane, David, and I decided to take a visit to one of the most famous California Histroic Missions.  Mission San Juan Capistrano.  We left early in the morning, I am driving...naturally...and headed down to the coast.  It took us a lot longer then planned to get there due to traffic...Which sucked.  To make our trip short I took the toll road to irvine then off to Laguna.  We finally arrived at the mission.  We walked around to see everything and to talk photos.  The only thing we had a problem with was there where too make kids on field trips there that day.  They got in the way of taking photos.  We took a few moments in the chruch (Which is a working church still) to pray and to light some candles.  The mission was very beautiful. After the mission we got back on the 5 and got off onto the Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway...also known as the PCH.  We stopped to hang out at Dana Point.  Mostly taking a look at the Brig Pimgrim and the Ocean In

Sometime last week my friends and I decided to have a BBQ today up in forest falls.  First as we are driving up we see the Fire Danger is Extreme....and of course, we didn't think of anything.  When we got there it was a little cold.  We first got the BBQ choals going so we can cook some food.  Then i wanted a fire that we just a camp fire. There was a man made fire ring there, so i wanted to make my own fire ring....So i make one and get a fire going.  It was right next to the BBQ so it was very safe.  We also had water standing by.  Well.  2 guys walking by told us that was a bad idea because we can get fined.  So i put it out.  They did say we can have it in another BBQ.  So i moved it and got it started.  Things where going well, I got ride of any evidence of the fire ring. David, Jane, and I where able to eat.  Tiff sadly never got the chance to....you know why...LOL...hmmmm.....a fire truck came by with it's lights on.  Of course i start freaking out.  I had no clue what

This weekend i was at the state 4-H office at UC Davis; about 20 miles from sacramento.  It was awesome seeing new and old friends.  On saturday i had to wake up at 4:00 so i can take a shower and get myself to the airport.  It was cool because this was the first time i got to drive to the airport.  I finally was able to be in control.  I was flying up with the strothmens, who live in orange county.  As we where meeting i spotted in the corner of my eye another friend from orange county by the name of Alex.  It was awesome.  We got to chill all the way up to sacramento.  First time in a long time that i havn't flown by myself.  When we got up there the state ambassadors where already in their meeting.  Got in the building and turned on the computers.  Later on in the day i had to attend the ambassadors meeting for work business.  It is cool because i got paid overtime to just sit there and listen...woot to that.....Later on we had a combinded meeting, then went to dinner.  After di

For the past week or so: Tiff, David, Jane, and myself have been traveling to Forest Falls in the San Bernardino National Forest.  The biggest attraction we visited and still visit now are the Big Falls, which are part of Mill Creek.  With all the rain and snow melt, the creek and the falls flow to full compasity.  We spent an entire day there for a picknik, hiking, and David and I working on our photography skills.  We learned alot from the results and will go back to take even better photographs.  We just bought a adventure pass for the entire year until next Feb so we will be able to return to the Big Falls and other locations in out mountains.  This afternoon we where there for just about 2 hours.  We left as the sun was setting and the snow was falling.  We plan to return tomorrow and I plan on taking my digital camera to get some awesome snow photos.  Look below for some photos of the falls.  For those who love nature and want to get away from the inland empire, i recommend comin

I am starting to get real pissed with parking at school. I swear i spend more time dealing with parking then i do in class.  It is ridiculous!  In the mornings I would drive around in circles for 45 mins before finally getting a spot, and most the time i have to fight for the spot with another car on the other side of the road.  You know where most of my money goes to....Gas, and where do i use up the most gas, SCHOOL!!!!! School is already making me poor enought.  Dude, i think day time parking was bad.  My web design class gets out at 6:50, 10 mins before most night classes begin at school.  I am walking out to my car and i see nothing but cars racing all over the place, ok...scrach that, I see hundreds of head lines zooming around the parking lot.  So i start walking in the parking lot, Some times it almost seems like day time because i normally have a line of cars on both sides of the road following me.  So i get into the car, there are at least 5 cars now fighting to get my spot w

Today is the second day of school for the spring semester.  All my classes seem to be cool but I cought a cold from my dad when he was sick and i just feel terrible.  I am in school today from 9:00 all the way to 6:50, which really sucks. All I want to do is sleep, sleep, and more sleep.  I don't want to worry about work and shit right now.  The big problem is that i have workshops to prepare for this conference this weekend.  And now i don't want to even go because i feel so bad.  There is a good chance of snow also while i am up there and im not in the mood for snow.  This week has been help.  Once this conference is over, i am going to feel relaived.  Well, my life sucks at the moment.  

It was 6:30 in the morning and my mom came rushing in the room and woke me up.  I wouldn't have waken up but she sounded like something was wrong, or something bad has happened....When i woke up and saw my window from my bed i saw our roof covered in a blanket of snow.  So i got out of bed, threw some clothes on and ran outside.  It was awsome, it was snowing, snow was everywhere, and the sun hasn't come up yet.  The last time i can even remember snow here in Highland was on my 3rd birthday when we were living at my old house.  That snow didn't even stick.  So now im up, cold, drinking hot tea, and uploading some photos of the snow...it is awsome.  It most likely wont last past noon but we will see....damn it's cold outside

This weekend was our first meeting of the year for the computer corps.  Went up to sacramento on saturday, attended meeting and training all day long.  It was fun, i took the group geocaching.  I got to meet 2 new people, which one is real interested in GIS...woohoo.  The other person is cool too.  The 3rd new member of the team i already knew.  Went to applebees for dinner then messed around with the computers till 2:30, slept on the floor of the office, then work up.   For once steven did an good job cooking....woohoo....lol....then more trainings....after the meeting, played around on the computer, went geocaching, then to the airport...which is where i am no....bored, the flight is delayed by 15 mins....i hope that is all that i get delayed....it's kinda boring here at the airport

I hope that everyone has an great New Years, being with there loved ones.  I have never had the chance to share that second when the new year comes around with someone special.  Look at me, im sitting here on the computer, only 45 mins left before the new year, and im alone.  For those lucky ones, don't take it for granit, because you have something that lots of people dont have.  This night should be with the people that i love, and it ends up never happening with me.  Sure in the past there i have been at parties with the family, but not with an special someone.  Either an special someone is too far away or i just don't have one.  I hope my 2007 year will go alot better.  Yes, lots of great things have happened, some of the best things that will ever happen in my life, but i was unable to share with someone.  I was alone.  Someday i wont be alone and when that day comes....i can't wait.  My goals for 2007 is to try my best to change some things about my life, that i havn&