Roadwolf's Blog

So I will be starting a new job tomorrow.  I must say that I am very much looking forward to returning to the working world.  This job will be similar to my previous job, however it will deal more with security and safety devices, then it will with audio and radio devices.  At least that is what I gather.

Similar to my previous job, this job will not be a desk job, and will include a lot of inspections and repairs in the field, which will keep things interesting.  The position requires working on equipment spread throughout the city, on roof tops, and in underground utility tunnels.  So it is diverse.

I do not believe I get a desk with this position, as it will mostly be field work, or work in the shop I imagine, but that is fine by me I suppose.  It keeps me active which is good.

So I am very happy, and I hope my 4 year gap in employment doesn’t set me behind too much.  I want to do well, and EARN a living once again.

I wasn’t sure I would be able to land a decent job such as this.  I had begun to loose hope that a married white male (especially one who is an immigrant) could land a decent job.  But with this position, I look forward to perhaps owning my own home within the next 2 years.

Tags: Buffalo Life, General, Immigration, Roadwolf by Roadwolf
No Comments »

I have always been a very honest person.  Dishonesty and other similar acts are actions I can not stand.  I can not respect a person whom I know is dishonest.  My general rule in life is to treat others as I expect to be treated.  This is why I am always helping people.  I hope that if I ever truly need help, someone like me, will be there to help me.

Reflecting on the past years efforts in job hunting, I have realized that there were likely a few factors which corresponded for myself not getting a job I was interviewing for.  The biggest of these factors was my honesty.  To give you an example, I will reference my very first job prospect.  It came from someone reading my blog.  He had seen my Aud article and the photos of the bomb robot, and read that I was interested in it.

As I learn’t more about the job, I did start to get excited.  Basically I was to pilot a underwater exploration remote controlled submarine, in order to survey underwater tunnels, pipes and mines.  Having had experience piloting airplanes, and a lot of technical knowledge, and good hand eye co-ordination – I seemed suited for the job.  The position would of taken me around the world for field work, and many of the locations I would be working would require security clearance.

So one of the questions is if I had a record or any history which might preclude me from getting such clearance.  The honest answer is no, I do not.  My criminal records are completely clear in both the US and Canada.  But I felt it was prudent to go a tad further and suggest that I have been caught trespassing a few times, however was never issued a citation.  That and a few minor speeding tickets several years ago in Canada would be the only things potentially on my record.  Even though I know none of those things ARE on my record.

I felt the need to be upfront with that information as I do not hide my past or who I am.  If I were to get employed and I told a story of getting caught somewhere, they may have questioned my honesty in the interviewing process.  Likewise the interviewer in this instance, already knew I was an urban explorer – as he did read of my adventures in the Aud.

Would I of passed security clearance?  Yes most likely.

After that conversation, I did not hear much from the man.  I assumed I killed any chance I had at that job, simply by being honest, and myself.  I refuse to hide behind a mask and pretend to be someone I am not.  In my reasoning, if an employer does not like who I am, then why bother even attempting to deal with that.  It is better off to be myself and find out quickly, then to put on a false face and be living a lie, always trying to balance yourself, with some fictional personality.

In conclusion, I will always remain honest.  I will not give into this whole “ten steps to success” thing that I get from these job sites, which suggest what I should say and such.  That is not me.

I have 2 job interviews coming up in the next week or so…  Wish me luck.  I am also actually working now!   I have a job at a medication delivery service, and it is not bad for now, however it does put a lo of mileage on the car.  Also note, I seem to be picking up the job just fine, and I did not even have to interview for the job.  They just let me be who I am…   Imagine that.   Sadly this does not pay much, and I will likely not be relying on this for steady income.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Immigration, Roadwolf's Rants by Roadwolf
No Comments »

So nightbird and I went to Canada today to apply for our NEXUS cards because I really do not feel like mailing in my birth certificate to apply for a passport.  Our NEXUS Cards are being mailed to us in 10 days or so.   So we had to cross back to the US without any passports or anything.

The funny part, was that they had no problems with me, because I had my residency card, and that is apparently good enough.  But nightbird, who is American, got a non compliance ticket….   I laughed.

Anyhow, things are going a little better these days.  I heard an accident on the highway 2 nights ago and I drove out there to see if i could help.  I was first on scene and ended up closing off the ramp, kinda.   Met a volunteer firefighter there from the station I applied to, and he said they would love to have me.  So I will stop by on their next meeting to go thru with the application process.   Also the state police were very thankful of my response and closure.

So that put me in a better mood.  Its funny how helping out always makes me feel better.

Anyhow, just wanted to post something since I havent posted in a few days.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Canadian Life, Immigration, Volunteer Work by Roadwolf
No Comments »

I just finished reading The Ice Beneath You by Christian Bale.  It is a wartime novel set in Somalia and follows the life of a Private during the war, before the war, and after the war.

I must say that a lot of the story seemed to revolve around the main character trying, and failing, to really come to terms with his purpose in life.  In some ways it is a story about how someones life can begin to tumble slowly, and then cascade into an epic downfall.  And after reaching rock bottom, the climb back up to a somewhat ‘normal’ life, was long and difficult.

In many ways the book caused some self reflection on my own situation.  I now wonder if I have indeed fallen though the thin ice, and am falling uncontrolably, or if I am still trying to maintain my balance ontop of that ice.

2 posts ago, I wrote about how I wished to become a Police Officer.  Well as it seems, even though nothing officially forbids it, no single departments in the US that I am aware of, will recruit a Canadian with a Green Card.  In 3 years, I will be able to become a full US Citizen, and then I suppose I could be recruited.  But I’ll be in my early 30’s by then.  Too old to be a police recruit.  Perhaps I am already too old?

Sure I made some bad choices back when I had the whole world infront of me.  For one, I think the biggest mistake was staying on at the Radio Station.  Sure it was a cool job and all, but in the end, it was meaningless, in the long run.  And now I am growing older, and doors have already closed on some of the things I wished I could of done.

For the record, I have sent out about 500 resumes over the last few months.  I have only heard back from 4.  Of those 4 I was uninterested in 2 of the jobs, and overqualified for the other 2 (and thusly didn’t get the job).

I suppose I have resigned the fact that I will likely never find a job I enjoy, nor will I ever really achieve my dreams.  I am a pisces and as such, I do generally give up easily when problems fall outside of my realm of control.  I set my sights lower when things are looking down, so as to make my dreams appear more attainable.

I do however have love.  And that love keeps me going.

I think that this novel has helped open my eyes to my current situation.  Keeping in mind, I am not depressed.  I am fully accepting at my unsuccessful life, and where it has put me.  “Meh, its just how the cookie crumbles, right?”  Not everyone can be successful and have a cottage on a lake in Central Ontario, and be able to completely re-decorate it 8 or so times before finally deciding that it looks good.  There has to be some people who make up the lower percentage of the statistics right?

I think perhaps I am sounding too bitter or something.  Well, I am tired, so I am typing what comes to mind.  Besides, since the blog went down a few weeks back, people haven’t been visiting it quite as much lately.  So I don’t feel as compelled to censor myself.  Honestly though… Fuck.. America Sucks!  No jobs,  lots of crime,  and hell..  every company has those stupid minority compliance forms to fill out when you apply for them…   And I know EVERY TIME I fill it out, by selecting White, I am basically kissing that job away.  Not to mention the fact that I am a Canadian, trying to take jobs away from the thousands of unemployed Americans…   I can totally understand why I don’t have a job yet.   Experience aside, my situation sucks ass, and a lot of factors are working against me in my current situation.

I met up with a friend last weekend, and he said he would try to get me a job in Canada.  Honestly I hope he pulls through, because shit, things aren’t working out down here.

Sure I may have to start off fresh yet again.  But hell, I’ll be back in Canada at least.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Immigration, Roadwolf's Rants by Roadwolf
2 Comments »

So it is my first day back in Canada today.  I must say I wish i had never left.  in Fort Erie i went to a Tim Hortons and ordered a Double Double, at the Drive Thru and the person was so polite I actually had to say ‘pardon’ because I didn’t believe i was hearing someone being so nice at a Drive Thru.

On the way to Toronto we passed all of 3 obviously abandoned structures.  3!   I can see atleast 10 abandoned structures from my house in Buffalo, let alone seeing 3 in the span of a hour and a half drive through NY….  That is un heard of.

Also, I didn’t see my first law enforcment officer until Hamilton.   A good hour and a bit of driving in Canada until I saw a cop.  In the states you see em every 5 minutes usually.

It was nice doing about 120km/h or 75mph on the highway.  And then hitting the QEW Traffic in Burlington and Oakville…  Now thats REAL traffic.  None of this Buffalo crap that people call Traffic.  I stopped at a Harveys for Lunch, and then  I stopped by Av’s place in Toronto,  Av runs uer.ca, and is a dear friend of mine.  Him and Darkwolf were there hanging out.  Afterwards I headed up Yonge Street all the way to Aurora.  It was nice driving up Yonge again.  You think driving in Buffalo takes skill….. psh.   Yonge Street during Rush Hour…  ha.   Fun times.   dodging in and out of traffic,  narrowly avoiding hitting parked cars…  Cant beat it.

Had dinner with my Dad and then headed back into Toronto to meet Exkalibur.  We patroled for a bit and grabbed some food.  Sexual induendos galore of course.   We then headed out to Mississauga and met up with some RESPOND boys…   Of course I mentioned them in an earlier post.   It seems they saw the post and got a tad upset    Its okay tho, we had a good laugh about it.

Then Exkal and I headed back off to do some patroling.  We got Pizza Nova as a late night snack, and patrolled some more.   Saw some hookers…   fun times!

Day 2:

Today I met up with Exkal in the morning and we went to a few malls.  Harassed the Mall Cops a bit.  Went to Princess Auto, and Tiger Direct as well.   One of our stops included the Pacific Mall which we went to to try to find a charger for my phone.  With no luck

As you can see, Exkal is a bit shy when it comes to photographs. 

Was listening to a YRP Drug unit spin a drug dealer up in Sutton.  I was listening intently to the call while Exkal and Nightbird browsed a DVD store in the Pacific Mall…   It was a chineese DVD Store, and they were all likely pirated copies.  The store attendants were all getting antsy because of the professional radio I was holding, which was monitoring a police channel.

The interesting part is that they still use the same codes I listed in my Radio Codes section, and those codes are all 4 or 5 years old at least.  Not very stealthy guys.

Saturday night we had a nice fire call out on Keele Street which we ended up being not too far away from.  We also found some Ministry of Environment enforcement cars, and managed to find their radio frequency, as they busted ricers for emissions inspections.  Then met up with Tavis and chatted with him for a while up in Vandorf by the tracks.

Day 3:

Today was my Family Day.   It was great seeing everyone again.  Had a amazing lunch at my Aunt Jane’s, and then went to a winery for a big party for my Grandmother on my moms side of the family.  Being so alienated for so long, it felt kinda strange and akward being back.  I also feel I have little in common with many people in my Family, but I know that they are all very open minded and such.

My Aunts and Father

My Sister and Mother

My moms side of the family was too large and spread out to really gather for a group shot.  We had our party at the Willow Springs Winery!  It was great.  Very wonderful and great tasting wines.  It is located in Stouffville, Ontario.

I had so much fun and was so glad I could be there.

I returned home with no issues at the border, and I found my US Citizenship card awaiting me when I returned home.

Well I guess I am kinda dual citizenship now eh…   Fun fun.   But I still miss Canada.  Atleast now I can visit as often as I want. 

Tags: Buffalo Life, Canadian Life, General, Immigration, Volunteer Work by Roadwolf
1 Comment »

Woot!  Roadwolf is now an official American resident. The stress of being a non-American resident (fear of deportation, etc… – even tho I was here legally) is now over with.  I feel much more comfortable here.

In other news.  Have been looking at houses in the area.  We are looking in the 60 to 80k range, which might seem low, but in Buffalo that is a decent range.  Can find some good starter houses in that price range.  We are looking at a couple which we really like and are trying to save up the downpayment to buy one.

Which brings me to donations…  If any of my regular readers wanted to donate to the cause, my paypal is roadwolf611@gmail.com  Donations of more then 25 bucks will get their choice of a 8×10 color photograph from my collection, and I will mail it to them.  Each 25 dollar mark will add another photograph to your order if you so choose.

I will be visiting Canada for my Grandmothers birthday in April, and hope to see all my Canadian friends that weekend.  This coming weekend I am likely meeting up with my girlfriend and going camping for a bit down here in WNY.

My wife and I are very happy to be finally getting this immigration stuff done, and looking forward to buying our own house soon.

Tags: Buffalo Life, Canadian Life, Immigration by Roadwolf
2 Comments »