Somebody has too much time on their hands...

Yes, it's time for a post. There are some unfinished stories, but those can wait just a bit longer! This post was prompted by a recent conversation at Woods.

Somone has to much time on their hands or is deadly at Scrabble.

DORMITORY = DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN = BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER = MOON STARER

DESPERATION = A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES = THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH = HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE = HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES = CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY = IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS = LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

MOTHER-IN-LAW = WOMAN HITLER

SNOOZE ALARMS = ALAS! NO MORE Z'S

A DECIMAL POINT = IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES = THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO = TWELVE PLUS ONE

This is the Day

I had my doubts about going to the 6 hour lecture. A new acquaintance in Renton invited a supposedly well-known Australian authority on Bible translations to his home for an all day lecture. Being a controversial topic and seeing that the more I have read on it, the greater the controversy, I was at first hesitant to go. But being curious and always eager to learn something new I immediately committed. Besides, how could I miss my favourite Aussie accent? At least that part would sing.

The rather up-in-years Les Garrett commenced with a little background on his life and work. We were immediately surprised to hear that he was the author of "This is the Day", a classic song. He's been a pastor for 28 years and has retired and been travelling, preaching, and lecturing on Bible translation. ......to be cont.

Losing Cards

You stand to lose a lot of money at this game. Here's how it happened.

Thursday evening at 5pm i arrived at Chicago O'Hare airport from Seattle. My final destination was Grand Rapids, MI, however so I rented an Impala for the 4 hour drive around the lower part of lake Michigan.

Over an hour into the drive traffic was slow and I was hungry. So I stopped for a bit at an "Oasis" - those bridgelike structures over the highway that offer food and fuel as a quick stop. The traffic was simply horrible - 3 miles in 20 minutes. After another 2 hrs and about half way to my destination, the thought of a nice Macchiato or other Starbucks special got lodged in my mind, so I used my best instincts to quickly locate one a few miles off the highway.

Here's where the fun began. I reached in my back pocket for my card holder. It was gone. A quick search of every pocket was futile. I searched them over and over trying to convince myself I just wasn't quite all there. No use. A thorough search of the car revealed nothing as well.

Yes, now I remembered where I'd left it... sure, it was at that restaurant... oh, that's 2 hours in the opposite direction and it's 9pm. I had looked at the guy in line behind me - was he the type that would report it? i didn't think so. Maybe. Would the cashier have found it first? not likely. 3 credit cards, a debit card, starbucks card, and more - and this is I-294 in Chicago.

Ok, I don't have much cash with me, and this is a fine way to start out. I'll just get online somehow, place my cards on hold, and find the restaurant phone number. Next challenge, Starbucks has internet but I can't pay for it. The Starbucks manager kindly wrote directions backtracking to a Panera Bread. They have free internet. 20 minutes later I walked in the door at Panera. The manager appeared and rudely said they were closing and don't like loiterers. I briefly explained the urgent matter and even offered to pay him for the trouble. He simply said, "Ok, get it done and get out." Amazingly I was able to find all the numbers in a few minutes, stepped outside and made all the phone calls to place the cards on hold. The restaurant never answered though.

With that done, I decided to forget about it until the next morning and just drive the 2.5 hrs remaining. I finally arrived in GR at 1:30am.

....

Next morning. I made one more search of the car beforing I would phone the restaurant. I opened the car door, glanced around a bit and immediately noticed the card holder right in plain sight. How it completely escaped my search of the previous evening was baffling. It was simply a miracle - or so i felt. 20 minutes later I released all the cards again and everything was back to normal. What a relief.

I might not have lost a cent here, but just wait until you here the rest of the story.

Clean?

Hoover Dam

Lake Havasu City Airport

a break from flying - to an ocean of silence

Ready for the storm - Kingman, AZ

A Sunday afternoon in Kingman, Arizona

Ptarmigan Ridge

Mt. Shuksan - Table Mountain hike.

a last look at Baker

the end of the road

Mt. Shuksan

Hike

Extreme Sport

You Should Try Whitewater Rafting

Get in some IV class rapids... And see if you can stay in the raft

What Extreme Sport Should You Try?

A life saving attitude

Peculiar as this topic may be, some may find it interesting. A friend asked in an email whether I or other pilots ever ponder death by crashing an aircraft. Maybe I can speak for most pilots. I think it's a remote possibility, but it's not something we normally think about. Still, I hope I won't have to experience those few seconds some day and if I do a lot will flash through my mind before the moment. It sounds odd talking about that, but personally I'm very safe and methodical and do everything to minimize the possibility. A very experienced pilot acquaintance of mine has a one-of-a-kind attitude... I don't necessarily subscribe to his method, but it could help him. He says that you stay cool in an emergency and can perform better if you are not scared. So he's programmed himself to enjoy emergencies or life threatening situations. He said you might as well enjoy dying than die scared anyway. This attitude has helped him get through a few incidents already. He had a multiengine aircraft with the gear stuck in the up position just a year ago. Fortunately there were no passengers on the flight because he was joking with the controllers and news crew while they were all concerned about him. After he landed it on a taxiway and calmly got out he was annoyed that the fire crew drenched him and the airplane with foam when they didn't have too. They asked him if he was alright and he just said.... are YOU alright? They were shaking more than him. Anyway, for what it's worth. Aviation has inherant dangers, it is adventurous and surprisingly safe. I've had a couple close shaves, but I do everything possible to minimize the danger. This guy's attitude is quite his own.

Artist Point Hike Photos

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Artist Point Hike

Kat and Angie release a barrage towards Meneltarma. He survived.

The missing name

Stuart? Not a mouse name!
Amadeus? Please!

What's my middle name? I need some help.

must have been a blonde

By 7:30 this morning as I drove to Lynden, I knew this day was going to be anything but normal. A flashy black Honda smartly pulled onto the road behind me. The woman driver, who I assume was a blonde, had just completed her roadside mocha stop. Oblivious to her completely flat front tire, I felt a stroke of sympathy which I was soon to find would be totally ignored. I thought it would be easy, but no sir. She ignored my signals and continued on her way as she proceeded to pass. Flashing my lights a few times, I merely received a wave. Pretty soon she pulled off onto a side street to "shake" me. I followed for a very short distance, and turned around, deciding not to waste any time and thinking about her future surprise or embarassment.

Still thinking about that, I was driving through Lynden and turning a corner was very surprised to see a lone railroad car parked clear across the road causing traffic to turn around. There he was... poor guy - how embarrased he must have been... all these cars waiting or reversing their course while he tried to push and pull the hugh railroad car one way or another off the road... with his little bobcat. I just had to take a picture. It was so cute. Pretty soon they found a bigger piece of equipment a fertilizer vehicle and a chain and pulled the dumb rusty thing off the roadway. By this time I knew something else out of the ordinary was surely creeping up. Sure enough.
... To be continued....

Bee Bold

An edacious thirst for adventure surrounds me. It knows it's bounds, but those that know me find it haunting. Fortunately they contrast with Kristi's audaciously hilarious episodes that have earned her a "special" blog link.

Those that find running a perfectly boring exercise need to get out of the gym and onto the street. Where I live, stuff happens. I prefer not to be caught by surprise, but unfortunately most often this isn't my choice.

There are few things that make a tired runner feel less tired - instantly. Yesterday, a few miles down the road one of those times befell me. I can only imagine the cruel feeling of anonymous pleasure those witnesses may have enjoyed safe behind the windows of their nearby home, while watching me fall victim to their pets. I think I shall avoid those parts for a while as I find this experience a tad more unnerving than even a pesky dog.

I was covering ground enjoying the noon summer shine and letting my thoughts wander, when I suddenly thought, "that's odd, I've never heard these power lines hum like that before." Oh, ok, that's not the power lines - that sounds like flies and they're real close but I can't tell. Hives! clean white honey hives. I think I know what's around my head now! I didn't have to think about running fast... it just happened. Then I felt the first one on my neck. How many there were I don't know, but the sound I do know. I've been around bees enough to know when there's way more than one - and they seem to have a way of sounding vicious when you're their victim.

My focus quickly shifted from a burst of speed to a more disconcerting dilemma. The running shirt intended to keep me cool had trapped a least one bee aft of my shoulder. He was one angry beast. A quick glance back told me I had to act quick. It all happened so fast. Somehow he escaped, but I immediately sensed another on my right shoulder. Another quick swat and I though it was over. Nope! Another buzz on the back of my head. A close shave but his luck ran short and a quick swipe found it's mark.

My heart was beating a little faster than it should have. but Ha! they'd not scored even one kill! ... or so I'd thought. Checking my right shoulder again I found a stinger that must fallen short. However, upon removing it, I learned otherwise and surmised that no pain was felt until the stinger itself is removed.

Without a delay I shook out my shirt and gave it a quick glance since the thought of more was a little too uncomfortable. Besides if there are any more stingers I'd rather not suffer the embarrassment of being stung by a dead bee.

So. The "buzz is worse than the bite". I have been stung more than a few times.... yet I insist... the pain is way more pleasureable than it's counterpart - the moment just before.

I shall simply scratch that route of the list for a while or until the weather lends them less freedom.

Show me the dogs. Even more... may they all be loose to chase me every day.... just don't drop a bunch of sour bee hives in my path so suddenly!

Dogs, On Choosing a Person

Dogs are very selective when it comes to their persons. Most dogs choose a person that matches their character qualities and that exhibits a good temperament. Underlying psychological factors affect the dog's likes and dislikes when it comes to different kinds of people. It is often observed that the human they like best, fall in love with, or ultimately deem suitable - whichever the case may be - draws a nearly imperceptible, yet keen parallel of likeness.

Dogs can find it tough to find a good breed of human. If they are lucky enough to get past this decision, the battle is half won. It's best to find a person when he or she is quite young, since they are much more easily trained in the early years. Yes, the incessant discipline is necessary, particularily when it comes to new tricks, but they learn relatively fast if you are clear and consistent. Treat them right and you'll have a loyal human for life.

Dogs love the carefree attitude that human's often display - not a trouble in the world. One of the most desirable traits, that stands out in a dedicated, lovable human is one they are most known for - the quality of utter unselfishness and complete dedication to their owner. However, it's a pity humans aren't more useful. They tend to lie around and be lazy unless their owner is around. Bear in mind the presence of other humans can have a despairingly negative affect causing some to momentarily lose control. Simply keep an eye on him or her and keep others away. You'll spare yourself a lot of grief and keep him or her from possible injury.

Dogs simply love it when after a long, tiring day, they arrive home to be greeted by their guy or girl who's all excited, ready for dinner and a walk.

Fellow dogs. Get yourself a person. Your type. Life will be a lot more interesting... and exciting.

There are many places to experience the awesome grandeur of God's creation. Colorado is one. The icy, whining wind is lost, but not this view of nature.

Democracy is the word

"Democracy is the word with which you must lead them by the nose. The good work which our philological experts have already done in the corruption of human language makes it unnecessary to warn you that they should never be allowed to give this word a clear and definable meaning. They won't. It will never occur to them that Democracy is properly the name of a political system, even a system of voting, and that this has only the most remote and tenuous connection with what you are trying to sell them. Nor, of course, must they ever be allowed to raise Aristotle's question: whether "democratic behaviour" means the behaviour that democracies like or the behaviour that will preserve a democracy. For if they did, it could hardly fail to occur to them that these need not be the same.

You are to use the word purely as an incantation; if you like, purely for its selling power. It is a name they venerate. And of course it is connected with the political ideal that men should be equally treated..."

- Screwtape addressing his audience of Thorns, Shadies, and Gentledevils at the annual dinner of the Tempters' Training College for young Devils.

from Screwtape Proposes a Toast by C.S. Lewis