Busy October

Well October is going to be a busy one for me. Most of the time away from work will be sent with CSEA. I have Super Session the first weekend. I have two Webmaster Academies and the last week of October I will be on-call for Jury Duty.

Busy month. Hopefully more details later.

Well, We Started...

Margot and I have started to really get our financial mess in order. This includes making sure that payments are being made to our credit cards in order to pay them off. We are using the "debt snowball" method (or we are hoping to) as mentioned on the blog Zen Habits. We also started a new savings account. We went with ING Direct. We are going to put aside a small amount each month to start with and as the credit cards get paid off, that amount will grow. Currently, the account has a 3.00% APR with no fees or minimum.

Check them out.

Katherine's Cooking

Yesterday, Katherine was watching me cook dinner. She had a plastic Folger's container with some small toys in it. She was stirring the "food" with a small sand shovel. When I added some frozen vegetables, she pulled a bag of Craisins from the refrigerator intent on adding it to her "food." She kept asking if it was hot. She would "taste" her creation and shared it with Mommy and me.

She had fun helping Daddy. She also "cooked" lunch today for Mommy.

You will be missed

No words can express my sorrow.

Katherine Update

Katherine turned two in April. She also visited the Renaissance Pleasure Faire again. She looks so cute in her outfit that Auntie Myraya bought her.

Faire Brat

Katherine will be a year old tomorrow.


Faire Brat by *frotton on deviantART

Updates... Updates

Wow, I cannot believe that I have been away from this blog for almost 2 months. Things have been busy at home. The baby had a high fever over Super Bowl Weekend. It turned out to be roseola. Next month the baby will be One Year Old! I cannot believe it.

She is getting more mobile. Crawling about, Pulling herself up, standing on her own unsupported for a few seconds... she has yet to discover walking... but she is getting there.

More soon!

January Update

Well, things have been busy this month. Margot is going through her sixth month. This is longer than she has before. So it has been a time of worry and excitment. I have been busy at work. I am also working on a handbook for a class on OpenOffice for a training with CSEA.

This past week (WW179) I have been the "Big Walrus" in the Weekly Walrus Competition in the newsgroup alt.binaries.pictures.wallpaper.

Matthew 6:25-30

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

(The Message - MSG)
"Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright (c) 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group."

This passage is the first reading in a new book, "7 Minutes with God" by Th1nk Books.

This small devotional was a gift to those that attended Dinner Rally this October at Azusa Pacific University.

It made me think and reflect. I graduated from Citrus Community College in June 1985. I had my A.S. in Natural Sciences. I had spent the next three or so years trying to save up enough money to get to Azusa Pacific. It was just out of my reach no matter how hard I tried.

The summer of 1988 I just prayed and asked God to help me. There was no way I was going to go to Azusa Pacific without Him. One afternoon, I filled out the application and mailed it in. I just had enough for the application fee.

I was accepted. I filled out paperwork for financial aid and a miriad other papers it seems. As I moved closer to actually attending, I was up against the clock in getting the down payment for my tuition. I had some $2.00 bills, Susan B. Anthony dollars, and a small collection of coins with years from my birth year to the present which was almost complete. I still came up short.

The morning of my apointment for registration, I recieved a call from a friend of my mom's friends, Joanne. I guess my mom had told her of my plans. No one knew how much I was short. I knew my mom did not have the money, so I did not burden her with that.

Joanne had heard that I was enrolling in college. She knew that this was a major goal to me and wanted to help. She said she would lend me some money, she did not have much, but she knew it was for a good cause and was important to me. The amount was just what I needed. With all that I had plus her contribution, I was able to make my first payment and start my career at Azusa.

It took me three years to complete my B.S. in Mathematics. I could not have done it with out God or a call out of the blue from my mom's friend Joanne.

Baby names...

Ok Margot and I have our names for the baby...

If the baby is a boy, he will be Sean Patrick Frotton.

If the baby is a girl, she will be Katherine Elizabeth Frotton.

What do you think?

Trying out MySpace

I have been experimenting with MySpace.Com. I have a profile there http://www.myspace.com/gfrotton. Stop by and check it out. Let me know what you think.

It has been forever

It has been forever since I last posted. So many things going on. July fourth is not usually a great day or time for me. It is the anniversary of my mom's passing. It is now the anniversary of my wife's grandfather's passing as well. My uncle also passed away just before this dark anniversary.

It seems that California will get a budget (not the best) pretty early this year if all goes well. It seems that so far education will be ok. Arnold however wouldl ike to gut the education spending in this state for reasons unknown to intelligent people. I guess he likes to be a puppet for "his" special interests.

Things with the union seems to be going ok. Have to meet with our LRR and Organizer to plan out how we will meet the release time plan we set forth. I will be off work for a month this year which is pretty cool.

From an old Journal - Post 4

March 3, 1983
*************************************
Where I live? I am a person living in a white house in Azusa. How bland that sounds. If I had a could I would build my own space station and live in the Earth's orbit free from smog, war, and other oddities of human nature. For now I must be satisfied to live in the house that I have lived in for most of my life. All but my first four years were spent in the old house. Our house has never really changed. Our lawn has. We once had a lovely lawn but putting up swimming pools for so long the lawn has been receeding all that is left now is a few sparce last strands in the corners. Out front we have had gardens, pool parties, etc. in front. I share my room with my other brothers that makes 3 of us. We have a triple bunk bed. We've had it for 8 years now. The only real difference is tha carpetting is missing. We have a wood floor with a few rugs. No biggy, My house. I would really hate to move. It is so comfortable. It isn't the neatest thing in the world But it is home. My home town is Azusa. Wilmington is where I spent my first four years. I don't know. I just like Azusa better. Azusa is almost 100 years old (in 15 years) No biggy. 85 isn't too shabby for this town. Azusa's history goes back, way back to the times when the Spanish missionaries started to explore California. In a journal by a missionary, Azusa is mentioned. The nameb has an unknown origin. Many stories have come about. (1) Azusa has everthing from A to Z in the USA. (This one is favored by the Chamber of Commerce) (2) It is an old Indian word for Valley of Skunks.(3) An old Indian Faith Healer by the name of Azusa once lived here. The list goes on. My state is California, A great state. My country is America... no The United States of America. I've got to go to class now... so See ya later!
-------
I do not remember writing that entry. To think over 20 years later... and I am in that same house. Although this time around I own it... there were some changes made while the house was out of my family's hands... but all in all... it is the same house.

March 4, 1983
-----------------------------------------
My wallet:
Cards:
>>Social Security Card: #XXX-XX-XXXX How I memorized the number was... XXX I just remembered. 69, well if one had a certain frame of reference one can see the connection. XXXX I started school in XXXX and graduated in XXXX, just add on. On back... many instructions.
>>ASCC - Spring 1983, # 14986, Yellow, 104 squares on back. Fall 1982, #8776, White, 104 squares on back. Both cost $12.00
>>Citrus College ID #XXXXXX a combination of the year I graduated and two repeated numbers. numbers are raised. Instructions and directions on back.
>>Iota Chapter, Alpha Gamma Sigma, Citrus College. I am an active member, spring 1983, #848

Pictures (Arranged from smallest to largest by my little sister in my wallet.)
1 Picture of my little sister (Patricia)
1 Picture of my little brother (Michael)
4 pictures of my little sister (Patricia)
1 picture of my middle brother (Joseph)
1 picture of my little brother (Michael)
1 picture of me and my grandmother
1 picture of me (Senior picture)
1 picture of my "sister" (she's just my friend "K")
1 picture of my girlfriend
1 picture of me and my girlfriend at my prom last year (It was boring!)

Scraps of paper
A piece of paper with my locker number and combo on front, nothing on back.
Reciept for AGS dues - smells of carbon paper.
Class Schedule, 7 classes, 17 units, 21 WCSH (what ever that means)
Key to bike lock. I need a new rear wheel. mine is bent.

No money like always.

Just a collection of boring but sentimental things. nothing really noteworthy. I've gotta go. See ya later!
_______________________________________

March 5, 1983
************************************
Activities:
I enjoy when I could:
sit and listen to the radio
read a book
write letters
solve puzzles
create
cook
draw
play games
"rough-house" with my brothers and sister.
sing and dance
party.

Singing has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother would play the piano and we would sing songs. When I was in the sixth grade, I joined the chorus and was part of my first musical "Let George do it." In Jr. High, I was in the "Sunshine Machine" (the top singing group there). In High school, I was a member of concert choir. In tenth grade I played a cockney and a servant in "My Fair Lady". In tenth grade I was also a member of Aztec Singers ( the top group at Azusa). In 11th grade I was the baritone in the "school board quartet" in "The Music Man." I graduated still a member of Aztec Singers. Singing lets me let go of myself and perform although I am not a ham. I joined the concert choir here for I missed the heat of the lights, etc. I like the choreography also.

Parties, I don't drink or smoke. I don't do anything really. My kind of party is an innocent gathering of friends for new years, a cast party after the musical. Just a get together We sit and talk, maybe dance, watch TV, play video games, just have a good clean fun. I dislike the other typesof parties (e.g., BYOB BYOD, etc.) I can do without it. I mean I might be crazy, but a person can invite his/her parents to my kind of party. (cake and punch) I enjoy just sitting and talking to friends. I mean real friends not acquaintences. I can open my heart to my friends without being afraid. one party I remember was a cast party. There was a girl there who liked me. Well an old friend came she was in "My Fair Lady" with me. When I got up to give her a hug (she and I are friends) the other girl who liked me got jealous. I don't like that. Hurt other people I mean. Karen, the girl who was in My fair lady with me, asked me what grade I was in. whre I told her she said I was too old. She meant I was too old for her younger sister who was in the eighth grade at the time. I told her I had a brother in Jr High and she said that he isn't me. I asked her why. her reason was that I was nice and special. I never found out what it was all about. One reason I am different from most guiys is that I am VERY shy. I can say all I want on paper, but when it comes to voicing my opinion, I can't. I am very shy around girls.
my 30 min is about up. I will see you later 'till next time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I remember that shy nerd. I am still a bit reserved but not too much. I do voice my opinion when it is time to. I do remember the party I wrote about... I do forget which girl it was that got jealous. There were a few that year actually. The next year was when I met my wife.

From an old Journal - Post 3

February 24, 1983
English - This class might help me, but all I really need help on is mostly spelling. I have always enjoyed English. To me, it is fun to "play" with sentences, pulling reader's heartstrings, and all that good stuff. I enjoy writing informally I do not like to write very formally because I... I do not know... Oh well. Help! I cannot think of anything. I know. I like to write in a style (how should I put it) is well very informal... more of a conversation or letter rather than a block of information. I enjoy writing letters. I have started writing letters and when I am done I have written close to ten pages of this and that. It just seems to flow from one subject to another.I have also written a few articles for my high school paper (under a pen name) they were a couple of movie reviews and a few commentaries. That is why I adopted the pen name. I don't want people who disagree with me to come after me. Once I get started on a subject, sometimes I get carried away and don't know when to stop. Last year, a couple friends and I put a petition together and on it we listed allof the things we did not like about the graduation requirements, etc. Did you know that to graduate from the Azusa Unified School District, you have to read at teh 6th grade level, write aat the 6th grade level, and know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, and fractions. I could have graduated in the 6th grade. Our principal told us that it is the purpose of the school to cater to the needs of all the students. In the petition, we stated that the graduation requirements should ne entrance requirements to enter the high school. I think it is a disgrace to have students graduate at such a level. It really bugs me.

__________________________________

February 25, 1983
What am I going to do I mean what will I write about? Help Help I should just let the ideas flow from my imagination to the paper. I told a friend of mine that I would go over to his house today but after all the hail and lightning my mother did not let me. "FLASH" a giant spark of of electricity. a transformer on an electrical light pole blew up down the street. My glass of water is empty. Inconsistancy what is there to do. I'll just have to wait until my half hour is over to get a glass of water. rain rain rain help. I cannot think of anything to write. ditto ditto ditto etc. help. I've only been writing for about 5 min. now. Yesterday was fun. Walking in the rain. I love to walk. I walk to school since I only live in Azusa no need to get a ride. I like to walk at night and anytime I get a chance. One time my brother and I walked all the way down Foothill Blvd. to Irwindale Ave. That was fun. A few summer's ago, we would walk everywhere. All around Azusa. I got to know all the streets pretty good. I might not know the names of the streets but I know how to get around. I have lived in Azusa for 15 years of my life. Before that we lived in Wilmington, right across the street from my grandmother's house. My grand mother passed away two years ago. On the 22 of February. I still can hear the sound of her laughter. Her filipino accent was fun to listen to. It was easy for me to understand any of my mom's family even though some poeple have trouble with the way they say certain words. Rats! I just picked up my glass... still empty. Oh well. The problem with this journal is that I have trouble starting but when I do... I have too much to write down at the same time. Thoughts rush by at "lightning" speed (an appropriate word for the times. It is easy to fill pages. it's which thought to write down when I have many thoughts developing into ideas and the**ries at the same time.[That word should be theories, but I transposed the OR into RO Oh well...] Now what do I expound on to who knows. This weekend is a friend of mine's birthday. I have known her for a long time. I was in the 6th grade and she was in the 2nd when I met her brother. She and I are just like sister and brother. Even though she thought of me as "more than a friend." She fell for me. I do not know why. Oh well. When her best friend fell in love with ,e it was war. I never knew how my friend (I will call her kate) felt about me until I started seeing her best friend. Kate went into a deep depression and started drinking heavilly. More about this later. Kate is ok now. She understands how I feel about her. She and I are real close. Oh well. That is all I had to say.

____________________________________

February 26, 1983
What shall I write about today? I've got to straighten out... I mean correct my question marks. I will also try to print with both CAPITOLS and lower case letters. The reason I started printing was my writing is it terrible as you can tell. I don't know. I've never spent time to fix my writing even though it is the only way I can express myself. I'm scared to talk to strange people or to say something that they might feel is objectionable. I must also correct my spelling. This is my worst subject. No, PE is my down fall. I am not very athletic I think one of my problems is I write too fast. When I slow down it actually becomes legible. Well, back in eleventh grade, I started printing so I could read what I wrote. Well, I've been printing ever since. Looking at this page really brings me down. How can I be so sloppy?? I'm running out of ideas which is hard to imagine or my mind is normally whizzing with ideas. I'm going slowly today because this is the first time I have written this much without reverting back to printing sloppy as it may be. This hand-to-eye coordination that I am missing is the reason that I am bad at sports. stoppy... HELP! STOP!I'VE GOT TO STOP! writing sloppily that is. Maybe it is this pen. It is a bit top heavy for it has a clock in it as shouls I say a watch. It is just uncomfortable. Tomorrow, I am going to get another pen. I really would like to buy that spelling book but my familiy is a bit low on funds. I know... I will lug around a dictionary and check every word I write! I do that at home. I can't do it in the journal for i'll lose my train of thought. Looking back on this page I see uneven movements not the flowing rhythm (how ever you spell that) that I see, or should I say how I'd like my writing to be. If you have trouble reading this chicken scratch, I'll try to write or should I print [God it is slow] trying to print in lowercase is hard after printing only caps. I'll practice. Well that's all for now.

From an old Journal - Post 2

Past Entries:
To My "Wife"
Written to the one who played my "wife" in an all school musical.
-- The Music Man --

Ah, the sweet sound of her name,
Precious girl, the womanly one.
Reflection of the lewd Venus
I will admit. So grand, she does
Live with the beauty she has.

I'm, oh, so close, and yet so far.

Lilacs will be out purfumed.
Oh, sweet she is scented.
Venus will envy you now.
Envy green, yet envy sweet.

Your my very own Venus.
Oh, sweet one, I will not state
Uncouthly my adoration.

Circa 1981
____________________________

Reflections 18
January 16, 1982

Who am I?
What am I?
I am a boy-man.
That is a man who isn't
All that he can be.

Others say "He's a man."
But to me, "No not yet"
I have to learn.
I have to grow.
I am I.
I am incomplete.

I am ignorant - tho - intelligent.
I must grow and learn to live.
Else the future be uncertain.
I lay here "now."
But what shall I do "then"?
Shall I still be me?
Or shall I be more?

Shall I sit and reflect
Or shall I sit and forget?
What shall be my memories
When I next reflect?

I am I, that's plain to see.
I am I, what else can I be?
It seems so simple, yet hard to see
But what am I supposed to be?

My 18 years, all I account
Have been filled with
Joys and tears.
I am glad.
I had what I had

---I shall see
what can be-
Come of me.
DMW3

From an old Journal - Post 1

Entering in entries from a past journal about 20 years old.
Interesting numbers
log e = .4343
McDonald's Number: 43
Citrus Number: 824343
Strange...

The Oak and the Willow
A Poem by David Matthew Westgate III
The Oak--
Strong, tall, and proud;
The Willow--
Weak, bent, and humble;

Both stand on a hill;
Partners for years.
Many a breeze did blow;
The Oak standing tall;
The Willow swaying
As the wind commanded.

The Oak thought the Willow a fool,
"I would not let a breeze
Command me," snorted he.
The Willow just wept,
"How can I show him that
He, himself, has faults."

The sky grew dark,
The wind started to blow
The Oak laughed at the Willow
As she swayed.

The wind soon was a storm,
The strongest that ever blew.
The Oak's futile attempts
To stay tall, failed.
The Willow, she swayed
And danced
'Till the storm subsided.

Now the Oak, with many limbs
Cracked, broken, missing, gone
Must grow again.

The Willow, the weak,
Still stand unscarred
Left to grow.

Circa 1981

I have Jury Duty!!!

I have jury duty tomorrow. Oh well. I have been on call three times before and have not had to show up. So I get to go and do my civic duty this time. Just so much to get done at work :(

Cool On-line radio station

Found a great on-line radio station...
Dayglo Radio visit them at www.daygloradio.com
80's with an attitude.

It has been a while since I last posted. In the last couple of weeks I have been fighting off a flu and now have a cough... Seems the last bit to go. Monday, I have a union meeting. Tuesday, I have a governing board meeting to go to. Wednesday, I have a union training to go to. Just been busy that is all.

My computer at work has been out for about a week. Luckily I was able to bring up my back up files on another computer in the center. I have a few things to do as soon as I get back on Monday.

I am coming down with a cold. It hit me Friday with a vengence. I have a sore throat and had a fever yesterday. I feel a bit better today.