This photo shows the south slope of mt. baker near the top of the mountain. Close to the center of the photo is where the steam is often spotted. Some days it can be seen even from Lynden. A reminder that it's a dormant volcano waiting for it's day. There was a small steam cloud visible this particular day, but it's hard to see in the photo.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Mt. Baker Crater
This photo shows the south slope of mt. baker near the top of the mountain. Close to the center of the photo is where the steam is often spotted. Some days it can be seen even from Lynden. A reminder that it's a dormant volcano waiting for it's day. There was a small steam cloud visible this particular day, but it's hard to see in the photo.
Artist Point Hike
The hill Ethan (not my brother Ethan) sit-snow-surfed. I thought he was crazy! Enlarge it and you'll see a track down the hill in the left of the photo. It's quite a steep slope.
Off to....
The group...
I was just wishing I had hiked up with my snowboard. It would have been much easier boarding the whole way down rather than walking it! Next time! The roads and hills were being groomed that day for the Ski-2-Sea event, so that would have been perfect!!
Off to....
The group...
I was just wishing I had hiked up with my snowboard. It would have been much easier boarding the whole way down rather than walking it! Next time! The roads and hills were being groomed that day for the Ski-2-Sea event, so that would have been perfect!!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Today's math - do you count?
Last week I purchased a combo at Burger King for $3.58. The counter girl took my $4.00 and I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies. While looking at the screen on her register, I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1970 A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
Teaching Math In 2005
Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?
Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1970 A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
Teaching Math In 2005
Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Powder slopes and dashed hopes.
Today, Ted, Jesse, and I went snowboarding at Mt. Baker. It was incredibly beautiful and the snow conditions were perfect! I love it when the morning shadows make the snow covered trees, peaks, and slopes so much more distinct. What made it really nice was the new snow, right temperature and mostly clear sky.
Riding the lifts can be boring, but with such awesome views it was a treat. I haven't boarded on Baker more than 6 or 7 times and this time I found a few new spots. It's important to watch out for the tree hazards, but going on the less travelled areas with deep powder is a lot of fun.
In the first 10 minutes I nearly broke my arm, but survived just fine the rest of the day... except when Ted and I took a wrong turn and encountered one of the steepest ridges full of trees. We didn't know what lay ahead so we worked our way onwards, down the hillside - what workout that time. The trick lay at the end... about 150 feet down and 50 feet forward. If you sat down you'd be sliding down the hill and starting a mini-avalanche. We made it just fine though. We aren't top notch snow boarders what we do take the diamonds runs fine.
Ted and I like to poke a little fun at skiers. You just have to... being a snowboarder. We were delighted to be so entertained on a lift watching a skier try to retrieve his two poles that fell to a nearly inaccessable spot. He was slowly making his way down the precipice with his skis not underfoot, but as his new makeshift "ski poles". Nearly steeper than he could handle, he was inching his way. If only our lift hadn't made it over the hill so quick. We nearly witnessed his soft tumble - well, I'd like to imagine that's what happened. Deep down I had a little sympathy for him, but it was still fun to watch :)
You never know what you're going to see up there. I didn't know people would be stupid enough to ski without a lift pass. The guy next to me had is expensive snowboard confiscated - until he'd pay the $100 fine. I think the lift pass is cheaper - so is the peace of mind.
This was the first time snowboarding this winter... with conditions like that, I'm ready to go again! Next time... the jumps.
Riding the lifts can be boring, but with such awesome views it was a treat. I haven't boarded on Baker more than 6 or 7 times and this time I found a few new spots. It's important to watch out for the tree hazards, but going on the less travelled areas with deep powder is a lot of fun.
In the first 10 minutes I nearly broke my arm, but survived just fine the rest of the day... except when Ted and I took a wrong turn and encountered one of the steepest ridges full of trees. We didn't know what lay ahead so we worked our way onwards, down the hillside - what workout that time. The trick lay at the end... about 150 feet down and 50 feet forward. If you sat down you'd be sliding down the hill and starting a mini-avalanche. We made it just fine though. We aren't top notch snow boarders what we do take the diamonds runs fine.
Ted and I like to poke a little fun at skiers. You just have to... being a snowboarder. We were delighted to be so entertained on a lift watching a skier try to retrieve his two poles that fell to a nearly inaccessable spot. He was slowly making his way down the precipice with his skis not underfoot, but as his new makeshift "ski poles". Nearly steeper than he could handle, he was inching his way. If only our lift hadn't made it over the hill so quick. We nearly witnessed his soft tumble - well, I'd like to imagine that's what happened. Deep down I had a little sympathy for him, but it was still fun to watch :)
You never know what you're going to see up there. I didn't know people would be stupid enough to ski without a lift pass. The guy next to me had is expensive snowboard confiscated - until he'd pay the $100 fine. I think the lift pass is cheaper - so is the peace of mind.
This was the first time snowboarding this winter... with conditions like that, I'm ready to go again! Next time... the jumps.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Monthan AFB, Arizona
It's difficult to comprehend the number of military aircraft in dead storage until you see these photographs!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
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
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
Sunday, November 06, 2005
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
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.
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.
Friday, October 07, 2005
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