Monday, January 23, 2006
GO SEAHAWKS!
I am not the worlds biggest sports fan. I mean, my mother watches more sports than I do, but I do follow the local teams some. My older brother, L. will watch anything. I mean, he would watch "Underwater Bowling for Furniture" if that was the only thing he could find. I would rather go work on my 1977 Datsun 280Z, or read a good book, but this year I have been following the Seahawks. Yesterday, they won the NFC championship. We have been waiting for 30 years for them to go to the Superbowl, and this is the year. Yesterday, Mrs A. had to retreat to the upstairs bedroom to escape the testosterone. stepdaughter called Saturday, and their car crapped out again. They wanted me to come down and fix it. I missed last weeks playoff game working on the car for them, so I declined the opportunity to go down and subsequently miss the NFC championship game.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
New Years resolutions
Every year, I make the same New Years Resolution. I resolve to not make a New years Resolution, thereby making my new Years Resolution, and breaking if simultaneously. Talk about efficient. It's not that I have no issues, it is just that I believe it is bad,bad mojo to make resolutions unless you are of the proper frame of mind to actually stick with them. Last year, after smoking all my life (really, I got caught smoking the first time when I was 6), I quit. Picked a day, made a plan and just did it. I still smoke an occasional cigarette, but not regularly. I think the reason I was successful was that I went on second shift, so all my habit markers were gone. Since I got up at a different time, ate at different times, went to bed at a different time, I was able to break the behavior.
I am still a little too fond of alcohol, but not disastrously so. I suppose it would be best if I picked a date and made a plan, but I really have no incentive to do so. I have told Mrs. A. That if it ever bothers her in any way, I would give it up. One of my favorite quotes is from Benjamin Franklin: "Beer is proof that God Loves us".
On that note, I depart. Just remember, "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese".
I am still a little too fond of alcohol, but not disastrously so. I suppose it would be best if I picked a date and made a plan, but I really have no incentive to do so. I have told Mrs. A. That if it ever bothers her in any way, I would give it up. One of my favorite quotes is from Benjamin Franklin: "Beer is proof that God Loves us".
On that note, I depart. Just remember, "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese".
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Useless information
The other day I was talking to V. and told him he'd better "mind his Ps and Qs". he asked where that expression came from, and here was a bit of useless information I did not posess. In my quest for an answer I came across a whole bunc of uselee information, which I am sharing here. A person can never have too much useless information.
In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs," therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg."
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October)! Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term "big wig." Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man." Today in business, we use the expression or title "Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board."
Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, "mind your own bee's wax." Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a smile." In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt. . Therefore, the expression "losing face."
Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in "straight laced". . . wore a tightly tied lace.
Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the "Ace of Spades." To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't "playing with a full deck."
Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there." The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term "gossip."
At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in "pints" and who was drinking in "quarts," hence the term "minding your "P's and Q's."
One more: bet you didn't know this!In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a "Monkey" with 16 round indentations. However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make "Brass Monkeys." Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey." (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.)
TTFN!
In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs," therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg."
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October)! Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term "big wig." Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man." Today in business, we use the expression or title "Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board."
Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, "mind your own bee's wax." Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a smile." In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt. . Therefore, the expression "losing face."
Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in "straight laced". . . wore a tightly tied lace.
Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the "Ace of Spades." To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't "playing with a full deck."
Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there." The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term "gossip."
At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in "pints" and who was drinking in "quarts," hence the term "minding your "P's and Q's."
One more: bet you didn't know this!In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a "Monkey" with 16 round indentations. However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make "Brass Monkeys." Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey." (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.)
TTFN!
Monday, January 16, 2006
The light! It burns!
So our quest for the record for rainfall fell short of the record. The all time record for consecutive days of rain was 34 and we stopped at 27. In otherwords, yesterday, this enormously bright object appeared in the sky and it stayed there FOR HOURS AT A TIME!!! I felt rather like a mole emerging from it's burrow into daylight.
I have a theory why the sun broke out yesterday. The Seahawks won their playoff game (the first time in like 22 years). I believe that the alcohol fumes from all of the celebrating burned off the atmospheric water. This has a semi-scientific reasoning behind it. When you have a car that has been sitting around during the winter, water condenses in the gas tank, and causes it to run really badly. The cure is to add alcohol to your gas tank. The alcohol combines with the water and voila! the car runs better. Must be a similar process.
I have a theory why the sun broke out yesterday. The Seahawks won their playoff game (the first time in like 22 years). I believe that the alcohol fumes from all of the celebrating burned off the atmospheric water. This has a semi-scientific reasoning behind it. When you have a car that has been sitting around during the winter, water condenses in the gas tank, and causes it to run really badly. The cure is to add alcohol to your gas tank. The alcohol combines with the water and voila! the car runs better. Must be a similar process.
Friday, January 13, 2006
The Lazy B
Boeing around here has been known as The Lazy B for a long time. People have always assumed that that was an indicator of how hard people worked here. Well, I figure someone has to set people straight, and that someone might as well be me. The figure at the left was taken out of a brand alphabet list. Seeing as we are way out west here, things like cattle brands were at one time common knowledge. The "B" at the left is leaning to the right, thereby making it a "Lazy B". In the Boeing logo, the first letter leans to the right, thereby making it a lazy b. 'Nuff said
Toilet Cleaning Instructions
I was sent this in an e-mail. I've seen it before, but couldn't resist posting it. There were pictures, but I couldn't get them to upload.
Toilet Cleaning Instructions:
1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "powe! r-wash" and rinse".
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.
Sincerely,
The Dog
Toilet Cleaning Instructions:
1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "powe! r-wash" and rinse".
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.
Sincerely,
The Dog
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
^&*!@% Rain
Well, fellow bloggers, it has rained in Seattle for 24 consecutive days, and the nine day forecast shows rain for each and every day in the future. I do vaguely remember seeing this big yellow thing in the sky a couple of days after Christmas, but only briefly. This is the time of the year when you way in the back of your head start hearing a little voice talking about the rope or the pills or the gun. With me it never goes any farther than that, but traditionally between now and the end of February are pretty bleak times here in Latteland. Dark when you go to work, dark when you get home and rain in between.
Molly, the Shi-Tzu is back at the Vets today. She stopped drinking and peeing, and she looked so miserable. Sure hope she is OK. Mrs A was in tears when I went to work. She dropped Molly off at the vet on her way to work. She was worried about paying the Vet, but I told her that we have a bunch of money we had been saving for a trip, so I told her to go ahead and tap in to that. I hate to give up out trip to China, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Molly, the Shi-Tzu is back at the Vets today. She stopped drinking and peeing, and she looked so miserable. Sure hope she is OK. Mrs A was in tears when I went to work. She dropped Molly off at the vet on her way to work. She was worried about paying the Vet, but I told her that we have a bunch of money we had been saving for a trip, so I told her to go ahead and tap in to that. I hate to give up out trip to China, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Down Day
By down day, I don't mean that I am depressed or anything, it means that there is no airplane in my flow day on the 737 line. It is planned that way. It is a chance to get caught up on projects, for the mechanics to renew their certifications, do maintenance on the tools, etc. It is usually a slow day, which we can use. Shipside support is like working on your car when it is doing 60 MPH down the freeway.
So I came in expecting a laid-back kind of day. WRONG!!! Plenty of problems left over from yesterdays bird, and some new items. For instance, the customer saw walking through the factory, and glanced up at the winglets, and there was a logo on the outer surface of the winglet. The winglet is supposed to be painted blue on the outer surface, logo on the inside.
Since the problem was discovered in my flow day, I have to work it. We don't have anything to do with winglets. So I have to run the traplines to figure out where to send the Customer Pick-up. Oh well, it will keep me out of trouble, I guess.
Our shi-tzu, Molly is still not well. She has been vomiting up bile for the last week. We took her to the Vet, and they ran tests and couldn't find anything conclusive. Mrs Alstuff is reaching the end of her tether and about to go into full mama grizzly bear, I don't give a damn what excuses you have, just fix it mode.
So I came in expecting a laid-back kind of day. WRONG!!! Plenty of problems left over from yesterdays bird, and some new items. For instance, the customer saw walking through the factory, and glanced up at the winglets, and there was a logo on the outer surface of the winglet. The winglet is supposed to be painted blue on the outer surface, logo on the inside.
Since the problem was discovered in my flow day, I have to work it. We don't have anything to do with winglets. So I have to run the traplines to figure out where to send the Customer Pick-up. Oh well, it will keep me out of trouble, I guess.
Our shi-tzu, Molly is still not well. She has been vomiting up bile for the last week. We took her to the Vet, and they ran tests and couldn't find anything conclusive. Mrs Alstuff is reaching the end of her tether and about to go into full mama grizzly bear, I don't give a damn what excuses you have, just fix it mode.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Pearl Django
So this weekend I took Mrs. Alstuff's sister out to dinner and a show at Jazz Alley. Pearl Django was playing (http://www.pearldjango.com/). If you like Gypsy Jazz, it was great. Since it is pretty much all guitars, and I play guitar, I was in FingerPicking Heaven. The Mrs and her sister, while they recognized the level of skill required, were not as enthused as I was. Oh well, different strokes, and all that.
We got a progress report for V., as he is failing language Arts, which is inexcusable since he is in the 8th grade and reads at a college level. So once again I am forced to curtail his computer usage, all because the little #$%^ doesn't turn in his homework. He is going to be on restriction until he raises his grade. No more going off with his dad for the weekend or anything. I hate being a hardass, but if that's what it takes........
We got a progress report for V., as he is failing language Arts, which is inexcusable since he is in the 8th grade and reads at a college level. So once again I am forced to curtail his computer usage, all because the little #$%^ doesn't turn in his homework. He is going to be on restriction until he raises his grade. No more going off with his dad for the weekend or anything. I hate being a hardass, but if that's what it takes........
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Happy New Year
As usual, I am a bit late getting to this, but I've been busy. For New Years Eve, we went with the band (Morning Light) to Bremerton for a show. There were five bands of differing talent, but none stank, and the last band was really good. Of course Morning Light rocked the house, but The Listening was this Pink Floyd style band . Sounded like them, played like early Pink Floyd (Dark side of the Moon), and had a computer controlled light show complete with strobes. I felt like I should have smoked something, although that would be a little out of bounds at a Christian Rock festival. It was a lot of fun.
We got to babysit Kaiden for the first time on Monday. It was the first time he had been away from mom, so the first half an hour was pretty rough. He just stood there in the middle of the floor and cries, so we let him. After a little while he realized no one was paying attention, so he stopped, and things went pretty good after that. He finally crashed for a while, and he was pretty good until Mrs Alstuff had to go down to get the clothes out of the dryer. When he realized he was alone with Grampa, he let out a shriek and wouldn't stop until Mrs Alstuff came back. Kinda humiliating.
We got to babysit Kaiden for the first time on Monday. It was the first time he had been away from mom, so the first half an hour was pretty rough. He just stood there in the middle of the floor and cries, so we let him. After a little while he realized no one was paying attention, so he stopped, and things went pretty good after that. He finally crashed for a while, and he was pretty good until Mrs Alstuff had to go down to get the clothes out of the dryer. When he realized he was alone with Grampa, he let out a shriek and wouldn't stop until Mrs Alstuff came back. Kinda humiliating.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
We had a very nice Cristmas Eve. The family converged on my sister Katie's house this year for celebration and the gift exchange. We met over there at 2:00 in the afternoon, and of course all the males insisted that the Seahawks game be on, although it wasn't a very exciting game. The Colts were resting Payton Manning, and some of their other players in anticipation of the playoffs, So the Hawks won pretty easily. Then we came back home and Lyk and Lisa and the kids came up and spent the night, and Rose and her boyfriend came over. Everybody had a great time.
I have the rest of the year off, so my project is to get the truck that I got for free running, but since Mrs. Alstuff has tomorrow off, we will probably go see "The Cronicles of Narnia". I read the books to my kids when they were growing up, and the movie looks like it will be good.
So Merry Christmas to the World, Peace on Earth and all that stuff.
I have the rest of the year off, so my project is to get the truck that I got for free running, but since Mrs. Alstuff has tomorrow off, we will probably go see "The Cronicles of Narnia". I read the books to my kids when they were growing up, and the movie looks like it will be good.
So Merry Christmas to the World, Peace on Earth and all that stuff.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Updates
So it is the middle of December, and we are plugging along, but just barely. Stuff keeps happening. The other day I took some Campbells Chunky Soup in the microwaveable container to work. On the label it warns that uneven cooking can cause popping noises and a small amount of spillage. About a minute and a half into the two minute cooking time, it didn't just pop, it jumped four inches in the air, blew the top off of the container, and spewed soup all over the inside of the microwave. Not only did I end up without a lunch, I had to spend my lunch time cleaning the #$%^& microwave. I wrote Campbells and they sent me six bucks worth of coupons. Hardly an apology and compensation.
Then stepdaughter calls, and the starter has gone out of the Nissan Maxima I gave her. So down to Tacoma I go. The new starter was $169.95 plus tax. I also got a new headlight, so the tab was almost $200.00. Hell, I only paid $250.00 for the whole car. They were offered $1,500.00 cash for the car, so it is worth the cost of a new starter. As we put of in I heard her boyfriend yelp and heard a zap. When we got the starter in, it would not turn over. After a frustrating 20 minutes trying to figure out what had happened, I pulled out the fuse panel, and the fuse to the starter button was toasted. I thought Nyk had shorted out between the battery cable and the frame, but he had shorted out between power and the starter button. Put in a fuse, and everything worked fine.
I got a call later that night that after running some errands, they had gone to the Laundromat and when they started, the starter wouldn't disengage. Even turning the key off wouldn't turn it off, so that means that the armature was stuck. They eventually pulled off the battery cable, but the starter was fried. I told them to take the starter back and tell them it was defective. They put in the new starter, but they have burned up some of the wiring, so they have to short between the battery cable and the solenoid with a screwdriver to start it.
Mrs. Alstuff just came in and told me that Stepdaughter is in the hospital. She just had a miscarriage. We only found out she was PG last weekend. This is two miscarriages and one stillborn from unknown causes. Gotta be hard. It is something I have never had to go through, although I was in the room when they delivered the stillborn baby, and held him in my arms, and held a crying wife as she cursed fate. Tough stuff.
I am listening to Keiko Matsui's "Deep Blue". Wonderful jazz piano.
Better go, I have been interrupted three times in the last five minutes. Think they are trying to send me a message?
Then stepdaughter calls, and the starter has gone out of the Nissan Maxima I gave her. So down to Tacoma I go. The new starter was $169.95 plus tax. I also got a new headlight, so the tab was almost $200.00. Hell, I only paid $250.00 for the whole car. They were offered $1,500.00 cash for the car, so it is worth the cost of a new starter. As we put of in I heard her boyfriend yelp and heard a zap. When we got the starter in, it would not turn over. After a frustrating 20 minutes trying to figure out what had happened, I pulled out the fuse panel, and the fuse to the starter button was toasted. I thought Nyk had shorted out between the battery cable and the frame, but he had shorted out between power and the starter button. Put in a fuse, and everything worked fine.
I got a call later that night that after running some errands, they had gone to the Laundromat and when they started, the starter wouldn't disengage. Even turning the key off wouldn't turn it off, so that means that the armature was stuck. They eventually pulled off the battery cable, but the starter was fried. I told them to take the starter back and tell them it was defective. They put in the new starter, but they have burned up some of the wiring, so they have to short between the battery cable and the solenoid with a screwdriver to start it.
Mrs. Alstuff just came in and told me that Stepdaughter is in the hospital. She just had a miscarriage. We only found out she was PG last weekend. This is two miscarriages and one stillborn from unknown causes. Gotta be hard. It is something I have never had to go through, although I was in the room when they delivered the stillborn baby, and held him in my arms, and held a crying wife as she cursed fate. Tough stuff.
I am listening to Keiko Matsui's "Deep Blue". Wonderful jazz piano.
Better go, I have been interrupted three times in the last five minutes. Think they are trying to send me a message?
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
MEMEME
Stolen from The Peanut Queen
1. Name 3 people that you miss that you haven't seen in a long time.
My two sisters who live in Minnesota. They haven't been here for Christmas for a quite a few years. It would be nice to have the whole family together.
2. Name 3 things you miss about home during the holidays.
Winter. Idaho had winter, Seattle doesn't. Here we have the warm rainy season and the cold rainy season.
.3. Name 1 holiday memory that you have from childhood that you will never forget.
The year when my brother and I got bikes for Christmas. Sure, they were used, but no one could have happier.
4. Name at least one favorite book or movie that always reminds you of the holidays.
When we were growing up, I always read DR. Seus to my little sisters. I loved the word play and illiteration. I was the only one in the family that could wrap my tongue around all that fun without stumbling, so The Grinch always reminds me of those times.
5. Name your top 3 favorite holiday songs that get you in the mood to celebrate.
Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song", Bing's "White Christmas", and "Jingle Bell Rock"
6. If you could go anywhere other than home for the holidays, where would you choose to go and who would you want to bring along?
Actually Carol and I were just looking into a trip to China at Christmas time. It would be awesome if the two of us could get away for a couple of weeks. I want to see the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall.
7. The Grinch or Rudolph? Definitely The Grinch, for reasons mentioned above
8. Formal holiday dinner or casual get-together food? Since there are around 25 immediate members in my family and another 15 in Carols, the only way to go is casual, otherwise we would both be frazzled out of our minds, and there would be no time to visit.
9. Name the best holiday gift you ever received and why?
You've seen "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie gets the Red Ryder BB gun? That could have been me, except for the having my mouth washed out with soap.
10. Describe the funniest holiday moment you've ever had. My little brother, Bill wasa always the one to tell an amusing story when we were together. SOme of them were even probably even true. I remember hin telling This story: Bill owned a 1959 Triumph TR3, which we both spent a lot of time working on. When it was together it was a lot of fun. One of his friends' wife loved that car, and every time he went to visit he had to take her for a spin. One fall day he got over to their house after dark, and took her for a spin to Golden Gardens Park. WHen they came around the corner into the parking lot, they noticed a small light that was travelling back and forth in the middle of the parking lot. They pulled up close and got out of the car. It was a mouse, running around in a circle, and the light was the headlights reflected from his eyes. They stood there mesmerized, watching this mouse run around and around in a circle. He says that he has no idea how long they stood there watching the mouse. He put out his foot and stopped the mouse, and it stopped, but when he removed his foot, it kept right on going. Eventually when he stopped it, it shook it's head and seemed to come to it's senses, and ran off into the night. He and the lady got back into the car and he drove her home. His friend was furious. "Do you know how long you have been gone?" Bill figures his friend never believed him. I found the story highly amusing, especially the way he told it. And of course I'd had a couple of Hot buttered Rums. I was never sure if it was true.
A couple of years ago I was going to work at zero dark thirty, taking a path through the ornamental shrubbery here at the "Lazy B", when I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye.
It was a mouse.
He was running around and around in a circle. Every once in a while he would stop and roll over, then go back to running in a circle.
11. Name a holiday memory that truly warmed your heart.
When I was stationed overseas, one of the places I worked part of the time was Camp Mercy, which was a home for retarded kids. Most of them were abandoned. We got together and donated a bunch of cheap gifts to the kids, delivered them and sang some Christmas Carols. Those kids were thrilled. It was like we had given them the most wonerful things. None of them was disappointed or jealouse. I thought we all could learn a lesson from these kids about being happy with what you get.
12. Name your top 3 favorite TV specials that frequent the airwaves during the holiday season.
The Grinch, It's a wonderful life, and A Christmas Story.
13. Sledding, snowball fight, snow angels or building a snowman?
None of the above. Snowmobiling rules!
14. Eggnog, hot chocolate or hot cider
I suppose hot chocolate, but I'd really prefer a hot buttered Rum!
16. Favorite holiday cookie: They are all equally bad for me, since I am diabetic. So which ones will I cheat with? Buckeyes! My sister-in-law is from Ohio, where they are like the state official cookie or something. Peanut butter and chocolate, kinda like a round Resse's peanut butter cup.
Stolen from The Peanut Queen
1. Name 3 people that you miss that you haven't seen in a long time.
My two sisters who live in Minnesota. They haven't been here for Christmas for a quite a few years. It would be nice to have the whole family together.
2. Name 3 things you miss about home during the holidays.
Winter. Idaho had winter, Seattle doesn't. Here we have the warm rainy season and the cold rainy season.
.3. Name 1 holiday memory that you have from childhood that you will never forget.
The year when my brother and I got bikes for Christmas. Sure, they were used, but no one could have happier.
4. Name at least one favorite book or movie that always reminds you of the holidays.
When we were growing up, I always read DR. Seus to my little sisters. I loved the word play and illiteration. I was the only one in the family that could wrap my tongue around all that fun without stumbling, so The Grinch always reminds me of those times.
5. Name your top 3 favorite holiday songs that get you in the mood to celebrate.
Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song", Bing's "White Christmas", and "Jingle Bell Rock"
6. If you could go anywhere other than home for the holidays, where would you choose to go and who would you want to bring along?
Actually Carol and I were just looking into a trip to China at Christmas time. It would be awesome if the two of us could get away for a couple of weeks. I want to see the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall.
7. The Grinch or Rudolph? Definitely The Grinch, for reasons mentioned above
8. Formal holiday dinner or casual get-together food? Since there are around 25 immediate members in my family and another 15 in Carols, the only way to go is casual, otherwise we would both be frazzled out of our minds, and there would be no time to visit.
9. Name the best holiday gift you ever received and why?
You've seen "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie gets the Red Ryder BB gun? That could have been me, except for the having my mouth washed out with soap.
10. Describe the funniest holiday moment you've ever had. My little brother, Bill wasa always the one to tell an amusing story when we were together. SOme of them were even probably even true. I remember hin telling This story: Bill owned a 1959 Triumph TR3, which we both spent a lot of time working on. When it was together it was a lot of fun. One of his friends' wife loved that car, and every time he went to visit he had to take her for a spin. One fall day he got over to their house after dark, and took her for a spin to Golden Gardens Park. WHen they came around the corner into the parking lot, they noticed a small light that was travelling back and forth in the middle of the parking lot. They pulled up close and got out of the car. It was a mouse, running around in a circle, and the light was the headlights reflected from his eyes. They stood there mesmerized, watching this mouse run around and around in a circle. He says that he has no idea how long they stood there watching the mouse. He put out his foot and stopped the mouse, and it stopped, but when he removed his foot, it kept right on going. Eventually when he stopped it, it shook it's head and seemed to come to it's senses, and ran off into the night. He and the lady got back into the car and he drove her home. His friend was furious. "Do you know how long you have been gone?" Bill figures his friend never believed him. I found the story highly amusing, especially the way he told it. And of course I'd had a couple of Hot buttered Rums. I was never sure if it was true.
A couple of years ago I was going to work at zero dark thirty, taking a path through the ornamental shrubbery here at the "Lazy B", when I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye.
It was a mouse.
He was running around and around in a circle. Every once in a while he would stop and roll over, then go back to running in a circle.
11. Name a holiday memory that truly warmed your heart.
When I was stationed overseas, one of the places I worked part of the time was Camp Mercy, which was a home for retarded kids. Most of them were abandoned. We got together and donated a bunch of cheap gifts to the kids, delivered them and sang some Christmas Carols. Those kids were thrilled. It was like we had given them the most wonerful things. None of them was disappointed or jealouse. I thought we all could learn a lesson from these kids about being happy with what you get.
12. Name your top 3 favorite TV specials that frequent the airwaves during the holiday season.
The Grinch, It's a wonderful life, and A Christmas Story.
13. Sledding, snowball fight, snow angels or building a snowman?
None of the above. Snowmobiling rules!
14. Eggnog, hot chocolate or hot cider
I suppose hot chocolate, but I'd really prefer a hot buttered Rum!
16. Favorite holiday cookie: They are all equally bad for me, since I am diabetic. So which ones will I cheat with? Buckeyes! My sister-in-law is from Ohio, where they are like the state official cookie or something. Peanut butter and chocolate, kinda like a round Resse's peanut butter cup.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Newstuff
So I've been away a while. So sue me.
Don't get me started. I dare you.
Daughter DUI
Other daughter PLEEZE give ne $200 or we will freeze to death.
Sonand wife "We reallycan't take care of my son butWHY are you insisting he go to church?"
As Blake suggests, everything falls apart, but I suggest that only those that hang together provide for the structure that makes things possible.
Don't get me started. I dare you.
Daughter DUI
Other daughter PLEEZE give ne $200 or we will freeze to death.
Sonand wife "We reallycan't take care of my son butWHY are you insisting he go to church?"
As Blake suggests, everything falls apart, but I suggest that only those that hang together provide for the structure that makes things possible.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Overtime
So, it is Saturday, but I am at work.
Shipside support needs to be manned even if there isn't anything much going on. Just in case, like having the Fire Department available. It can make for some pretty boring days, but at least I get Time and a Half.
I haven't been up to posting much lately, as I had shoulder surgery, and I wasn't up to the challenge of typing one handed while high on pain killers. I was off work for a couple of weeks. The doctor would have liked for me to take off a third week, but I was going nuts. There are a lot of things I would like to be doing. Rebuilding the deck, working on the Z. Unfortunately they all require the use of both arms.
You can only watch so much History Channel and Speedvision. And Percocet interferes with my ability to concentrate enough to read.
We're going out tonight to Jazz Alley to see Keiko Matsui. She is one dynamic performer, so it should be good. We are taking Rose out for her 21st birthday. Hard to believe my baby is turning 21.
Tomorrow I am getting a car for Lisa (My step daughter). It is just a beater, a 1988 Nissan Maxima, but it looks good and it runs. For $250.00 it will be delivered to my driveway. I am told it needs a clutch. I know it needs a throwout bearing, so it will be getting a clutch whether it needs one or not. Who would tear off the transmission and not replace the clutch while you had everything torn apart? Don't know if my arm is up to taking on the job yet, but it I work smart I should be able to use tools to do what I would normally use muscles for.
Shipside support needs to be manned even if there isn't anything much going on. Just in case, like having the Fire Department available. It can make for some pretty boring days, but at least I get Time and a Half.
I haven't been up to posting much lately, as I had shoulder surgery, and I wasn't up to the challenge of typing one handed while high on pain killers. I was off work for a couple of weeks. The doctor would have liked for me to take off a third week, but I was going nuts. There are a lot of things I would like to be doing. Rebuilding the deck, working on the Z. Unfortunately they all require the use of both arms.
You can only watch so much History Channel and Speedvision. And Percocet interferes with my ability to concentrate enough to read.
We're going out tonight to Jazz Alley to see Keiko Matsui. She is one dynamic performer, so it should be good. We are taking Rose out for her 21st birthday. Hard to believe my baby is turning 21.
Tomorrow I am getting a car for Lisa (My step daughter). It is just a beater, a 1988 Nissan Maxima, but it looks good and it runs. For $250.00 it will be delivered to my driveway. I am told it needs a clutch. I know it needs a throwout bearing, so it will be getting a clutch whether it needs one or not. Who would tear off the transmission and not replace the clutch while you had everything torn apart? Don't know if my arm is up to taking on the job yet, but it I work smart I should be able to use tools to do what I would normally use muscles for.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Updates
I haven't done anything here lately, because I have been busy posting some short fiction on my other blog, BLATHERSKITE. I put a couple of short stories there. (http://blatherskited.blogspot.com/).
I have been meaning to get here and post about our trip to Moses Lake with Morning Light, but between rerouting all the cable TV connections, and moving the computer upstairs, I just haven't had the desire. Maybe this weekend. I have a bunch of pictures to include.
I need to get ready for Fall, which officially started yesterday. Tomorrow I go to get a ton of pellets for the pellet stove. After that I need to do annual maintenance on the pellet stove and clean the chimney. Sunday we are going to Church and then to Tacoma to see the grandkids, Next weekend we are going to visit Joanne on Sunday, so that really leaves only next Saturday, then I will be getting my shoulder operated on, on October 4th, so I won't be able to do much for at least a couple of weeks.
Monday I will start a new job on Wedgetail, a sorry of miniature AWACS. Don't know exactly what I will be doing, except writing assembly planning. It will be something to do while the strike lasts.
I have been meaning to get here and post about our trip to Moses Lake with Morning Light, but between rerouting all the cable TV connections, and moving the computer upstairs, I just haven't had the desire. Maybe this weekend. I have a bunch of pictures to include.
I need to get ready for Fall, which officially started yesterday. Tomorrow I go to get a ton of pellets for the pellet stove. After that I need to do annual maintenance on the pellet stove and clean the chimney. Sunday we are going to Church and then to Tacoma to see the grandkids, Next weekend we are going to visit Joanne on Sunday, so that really leaves only next Saturday, then I will be getting my shoulder operated on, on October 4th, so I won't be able to do much for at least a couple of weeks.
Monday I will start a new job on Wedgetail, a sorry of miniature AWACS. Don't know exactly what I will be doing, except writing assembly planning. It will be something to do while the strike lasts.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The Latest
Since the last time I blogged, things have been pretty hectic.
One daughter lost her job at Downtown Harley Davidson, and the other got evicted from her apartment. I had to replace the differential and half-shafts in the 77' 280Z, and the mechanics went on strike at Boeing. I also saw the doctor about the severe pains in my right sholder, and will be going in for arthoscopic surgery to remove a wicked bone spur on October 4th.
We also went with Morning Light for a show at Maple Lane. The band had made some serious modifications to the sound system, and it sounded great. This weekend we are going for a two day gig in Moses Lake. The whole thing in Moses Lake is pretty disorganized, with no one knowing exactly what is going to be available when we get there as far as facilities and acommodations go. We are bringing along a tent just in case, and have made reservations at Potholes State Park for a camping site, about 20 miles outside of town.
Since the Mechanics are on strike, I am back at my old desk in ECAT. The company has halted any activity on the airplanes, so there really is no reason to have shipside support. There isn't a whole lot to do in ECAT either, so mostly we try to find something to do, and do a very thorough job of whatever you can find. I don't know why the Boeing Company chose to play lowball hardball with the union at this time. The last time the contract came up with the IAM, it was right after 9/11 and the transportation industry was in the toilet, aircraft sales were down, and the company stock had taken a real tumble. For all those reasons, the IAM settled for a borderline contract. Acutally they voted down the contract, but couldn't get the 2/3 majority to sanction a strike. This time, the Transportation Industry is in recovery, The stock is almost double what it was, and there is a very good backlog of orders. The offer that they made would erode the financial standing of the mechanics. They would be effectively making less at the end of the contract than they make now.
The Union I am in (SPEEA) has it's contract coming up in December, so the present state of things is unsettling, since SPEEA usually gets offered slightly less that the IAM. I would prefer not to be marching the picket line at Christmas.
One daughter lost her job at Downtown Harley Davidson, and the other got evicted from her apartment. I had to replace the differential and half-shafts in the 77' 280Z, and the mechanics went on strike at Boeing. I also saw the doctor about the severe pains in my right sholder, and will be going in for arthoscopic surgery to remove a wicked bone spur on October 4th.
We also went with Morning Light for a show at Maple Lane. The band had made some serious modifications to the sound system, and it sounded great. This weekend we are going for a two day gig in Moses Lake. The whole thing in Moses Lake is pretty disorganized, with no one knowing exactly what is going to be available when we get there as far as facilities and acommodations go. We are bringing along a tent just in case, and have made reservations at Potholes State Park for a camping site, about 20 miles outside of town.
Since the Mechanics are on strike, I am back at my old desk in ECAT. The company has halted any activity on the airplanes, so there really is no reason to have shipside support. There isn't a whole lot to do in ECAT either, so mostly we try to find something to do, and do a very thorough job of whatever you can find. I don't know why the Boeing Company chose to play lowball hardball with the union at this time. The last time the contract came up with the IAM, it was right after 9/11 and the transportation industry was in the toilet, aircraft sales were down, and the company stock had taken a real tumble. For all those reasons, the IAM settled for a borderline contract. Acutally they voted down the contract, but couldn't get the 2/3 majority to sanction a strike. This time, the Transportation Industry is in recovery, The stock is almost double what it was, and there is a very good backlog of orders. The offer that they made would erode the financial standing of the mechanics. They would be effectively making less at the end of the contract than they make now.
The Union I am in (SPEEA) has it's contract coming up in December, so the present state of things is unsettling, since SPEEA usually gets offered slightly less that the IAM. I would prefer not to be marching the picket line at Christmas.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Camping Trip
Here's the new tent, and Carol sitting outside it. I really liked the new tent. It was relatively easy to put up, spacious and easy to use.
Rich and rachel at the beach.
Benjamin and I chillin' on the tailgate.
Hiking in the Olympic Rain Forest.
Cooking with fire.
Azalea at the campsite.
Rick, Rachel, Benjamin, Carol,, me, Azalea, and Riley in front of the worls largest Sitka Spruce.
Picking Balckberries in the back yard.
Friday, August 05, 2005
VACATION!!!
As of 2:30 I am off on vacation for a week! My attitude improves by the minute.
Carol's son Rick, his wife Rachel, and their three kids arrive tonight from Ogden. They are going to be here for two weeks. The first week we are going camping at Twin Harbors State Park outside of Westport Washington. It is a very nice park, and we are located on the Dune side. The grandkids have never seen the ocean, so it will be cool to play in the surf. I also intend to teach them how to fly a two string acrobatic kite. Burned marshmellows, hot dogs dropped in the campfire, coffee with insect parts, smole and sand everywhere. Tall tales by the campfire light. Insect bites and sunburn.
I can't wait. No computers no internet no television. I will be taking a cell phone, but I'm hoping we don't have service unless we need it.
Pictures and camping tales to follow!
Carol's son Rick, his wife Rachel, and their three kids arrive tonight from Ogden. They are going to be here for two weeks. The first week we are going camping at Twin Harbors State Park outside of Westport Washington. It is a very nice park, and we are located on the Dune side. The grandkids have never seen the ocean, so it will be cool to play in the surf. I also intend to teach them how to fly a two string acrobatic kite. Burned marshmellows, hot dogs dropped in the campfire, coffee with insect parts, smole and sand everywhere. Tall tales by the campfire light. Insect bites and sunburn.
I can't wait. No computers no internet no television. I will be taking a cell phone, but I'm hoping we don't have service unless we need it.
Pictures and camping tales to follow!
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