Change in the desired devices

You remember this entry in which I hinted I wanted an iPad mini with Retina display under the Christmas tree on December 25. 

Scratch that. 

Originally I didn't intend to upgrade the iPhone for at least the near future.  In my mindset my venerable iPhone 4 still needed it do everything I expected. 

However during one of my evening constitutionals during July or August I dropped it.  I figured the Otterbox case protected it.  At first nothing seemed damaged.  However I soon learned that the upper speaker (the one you use to listen to your phone calls) didn't work. 

Drat. 

I figured I could get around that by using the "speaker" function whenever I got an incoming call.  Yeah right, like I was going to remember that every time. 

Then about two days later the upper speaker worked again with no explanation.  So far, so good. 

Until recently.  Shortly before the weekend of November 15-17 the old "can't hear my phone calls" problem again reared its head. 

Given I was planning a trip to Denver anyway I figured it was time to break down and buy me an iPhone 5S while there.  Geogal was certainly OK with the idea (she tried to answer incoming calls for me during times when I couldn't--such as washing dishes) and was obviously frustrated with sliding the bar for "answer" then not hearing anything when she put the phone to her ear. 

So I am now the proud and happy owner of a Space Gray iPhone 5S. 

And it's a really cool device. 

I've already shot slo-mo video at one of Geoana's basketball games.  Speaking of Geoana she seems taken with my new phone and is now trying to see how many philosophical questions she can ask Siri. 

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As I alluded above, I went to Denver in mid-November.  The occasion?  Geogal and Geoana were headed to Kansas City that weekend for a church youth group function so I chose to head the other direction.  I'd been longing for a road trip anyway and this seemed the perfect opportunity. 

As if I need an excuse. 

On my list, in addition to the task mentioned earlier, was to visit an Apple store, go to some outdoor retailers to get a new pair of hiking boots, and hit The Tattered Cover bookstore.  Also needed to pick up some New Mexico spicy southwest cooking ingredients that I can't obtain in here in The Land Of Dorothy.  You know, red chile pods, green chile sauce, and the like. 

I actually got my iPhone at a Verizon store that Friday afternoon so my visit to an Apple store didn't take place until the following day.  Went to Cherry Creek Mall.  Crowded as one would expect on a Saturday afternoon.  I'm surprised I even got a chance to pick up and hold an iPad Air. 

On my way out of this gaggle of pretentious stores I noticed Microsoft also has a presence at this mall. 

Well, a kiosk anyway. 

That could be a joke right there.  But I just couldn't resist snapping a couple of pics to show the folks back home just how different the interest in the products is between the Apple offerings and the devices from Redmond, Washington:

Gotta love how the sales guys are just standing around off to the side in that top pic.  But I'm sure Steve Ballmer (if he was not in the process of stepping down) would continue to pontificate how the Surface is going to dethrone the iPad. 

Oh and by the way I did get my hiking boots.  Broke them in that afternoon at Red Rocks Park.  I decided to keep to an easy trail given this location is 6000 feet above sea level (according to my GPS device) and I am nowhere near acclimated to the altitude.  Also got some pictures to make other people envious. 

One enjoyable trip!  But it was still good to get home. 

Past and future gifts

Black Friday is just about gone and I don't think the Geohouse occupants did any real damage. 

I couldn't help but notice Geogal was sound asleep in our warm bed come 5:00 this morning.  So much for her big talking about going to our local retailer to pick up a doorbusters special for the child. 

Speaking of gifts I had my birthday last month and thankfully Geogal didn't just give me a card with the inscription:

Dear Geoguy, our getaway to California was your birthday gift!!     XXOO  


Nope.  Instead she picked up on some obvious hints and I wound up with a Mr. Coffee K-Cup brewer (been wanting one for my office since the coffee to be had in our breakroom amounts to little more than hot water with a few brown crayons dipped in it).  I'm enjoying such a device on these chilly days.  Just this morning I had a wonderful cup of Joe (this stuff).

Also in my haul of b-day presents was a Kindle Paperwhite.  Nice to have a reader that is easy on my aging eyes.     Right now I'm reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs. 

So what might come from ol' Santa?  Watch for the next entry. 

Back to it

No doubt some family members are wondering about the lack of postings here this year. 

And the other day Geo-mom-in-law asked specifically for me to be more consistent with my postings. 

There is no one explanation for 2013 having a lesser-than-average amount of entries.  However there are many small reasons. 

For more than half the year I was functioning as a single parent as Geogal was in school pursuing her physical therapist assistant credential.  Add to that the fact that I now have a job that is more demanding of my time (and is a job I cannot just leave at work at the end of the day) and you have a person who was often too mentally taxed and tired to be creative at the computer keyboard.  Then for good measure during the second half of the summer much of my free time was spent preparing for a board examination. 

An interesting (he writes after the fact) story there.  With my new position came the expectation that I obtain a credential from the state of Kansas.  Having been under licensure in my old home state of Arizona I figured reciprocity would not be a huge problem. 

I was wrong. 

States don't always play nice with each other. 

When the dust settled I was almost to the point of being licensed.  The final hurdle was to pass the national-level board examination.  A paraphrase might sound like this:  "OK, Geoguy, so you've shown us by your education and work experience that you qualify for this credential.  However in order to make sure you know what you say you know, take and pass this exam." 

Yeech.  I don't care much for standardized tests, and actually don't know anyone who really does. 

But, since I had a clear goal I put aside some of my personal life for a while and hit the study guide. 

I did have a partner in this process.  Geogal had (by then) graduated from her program and knew she needed to study for her licensure exam as well.  So our August getaway saw us laying beside a swimming pool, getting tanned, and us with our noses in the respective study guides.  (Not all the time, of course.) 

End of story.  We both passed our exams and now have those all-important pieces of paper that grant us the ability to practice our professions in the state of Kansas. 

Then comes a new school year and a child who is VERY active in sports and other extracurricular activities. 

Plus a new BB gun team season where I am again the head coach. 

And now you know why I haven't been posting much to this blog.  But that will certainly change. 

This is why we like college football

First, it was great to see a Big 12 matchup being featured on ESPN's College GameDay yesterday morning. 

The Big 12 is a conference definitely in need of such a spotlight game.  Given the defections of the past few years and the increased attention on the SEC and Pac 12 last night's contest between Baylor and Oklahoma State was positive for all involved. 

Second, look at the teams!  How many years did Baylor and Oklahoma State play in the shadow of OU, UT, Nebraska, and Texas A&M?  Nice to see former punching bags playing football at Top 25-level. 

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This piece from ESPN makes a convincing statement about the Rose Bowl gods forcing Oregon to pay for those comments made by a couple of players last week. 

But what about this?  Oregon loses to a Pac 12 team that has NEVER made it to The Grandaddy of Them All. 

Irony??

Yeah, that

Couldn't have made it more clear to Geogal yesterday evening.  Watching the tail end of yesterday's Apple keynote and I let out a "whoop whoop" when they unveiled the iPad Mini with Retina display.  She was in the room. 

Hope there's one under the tree come some morning in late December. 

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Winter is coming, as it seems to do every year around this time.  Cool nights, chilly mornings.  Dry hands. 

I did grow some tomatoes in the backyard this summer.  Didn't start too well but the delay had nothing to do with heat or drought.  The two varieties I planted were Fourth of July and Big Beef.  I had a couple of good looking Big Beef ones on the vine, then one morning they were just gone. 

Scratched my head over that one.  If someone wants to vandalize my property they could do much more than snatch a couple of underripe veggies.  Then the answer presented itself a few mornings later. 

The culprit was a fawn. 

Fortunately the small deer decided to venture elsewhere and I did finally get a decent crop of nature's goodness. 

Today, however, the tomato vines already have suffered some frost but I just don't have the heart to pull them out of the ground yet. 

As if that's going to delay winter's arrival.....

Now That's An Odd Coincidence

Earlier today I was listening to SiriusXM NFL radio.  The commercial break was fast approaching and the hosts made reference to the upcoming topic of "the passing of Bud Adams, who died at age 90." 

I said out loud (to no one in particular):  "You mean Bum Phillips." 

Nope, turns out they were right. 

Phillips died last Friday.  Adams died today.  Both reached the age of 90.  Both will always be identified with the (former) Houston Oilers. 

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I know what I will be doing tomorrow night.  Same thing the last time Apple had a product announcement. 

I'm already making it clear to my loved ones that I want an iPad mini for Xmas.  Hope they introduce a Retina model. 

Crisp

A good word to describe the last two mornings. 

Summer is winding down, fall is nearly (officially) here, and cool beginnings to the day are upon us here in NW Kansas. 

I've even seen a gang of turkey hens traipsing through my backyard during the past week.  Life is pretty good.  

Football also is here (hooray!), and I thought by the fourth Saturday of college football that we'd be done with all the money games and state-legislature-mandated contests (anyone bother to watch Texas A&M play Sam Houston State University?). 

Nearly every college pigskin pundit is lamenting today's contests. 

Patience, patience. 

Hey my family members!  What is the mood climate in Austin today?  I would have tuned in for last Saturday's matchup of Ole Miss versus the Longhorns but the television coverage was limited to the Longhorn (a.k.a. The Reason Texas A&M and Nebraska Left The Big 12 Conference) Network.   Which means more folks saw the game at the stadium then saw it on TV. 

At least I can watch tonight's K-State against Texas game on ABC. 

I'm not publicly taking sides for this one.  My supervisor bleeds Wildcat purple and many of my kinfolk see nothing but burnt orange on fall Saturdays. 

A conversation, then a hotel visit

While getting gas midweek last week (prelude to an overnight business-related trip) on the other side of the pump was a pickup-travel trailer combination.  Given my interest in these particular types of camping rigs I gave it more than a quick glance while simultaneously filling my vehicle's tank with petrol.  Not a large rig but not small, either.  The tow vehicle was a Ford 3/4 ton with a diesel engine.  The driver noticed my interest and greeted me. 

I began the conversation by mentioning I am looking to purchase a rig of my own in the near future. 

His response?  Not what I expected:

"Let me give you a piece of good advice.  Don't buy a travel trailer.  Just keep your truck, load it up with what you need, then use hotels for your camping." 

Given we were on opposite sides of the gas island I couldn't see his expression but I'd wager he wasn't smiling. 

We talked for about another minute or so.  Turns out he was from Georgia, headed for Idaho.  Does this trip twice a year. 

Fast forward to the evening.  I'm now in Wichita and checked into my hotel.  Free wi-fi, but free does you no good when you can't connect.  The room is acceptable but nothing beyond that.  No kitchen (of course), need to head out for the evening meal. 

Even hearing the fellow's wisdom from earlier in the day I still long to camp.  Not worry about when the linens on my bed were last changed or laundered.  Cook for myself if I desire.  Not having to hear doors closing up and down the hall for a good chunk of the night.  Being able to run a fan all night if I desire (white noise), some hotel AC/heat systems have this feature, some don't.  My stay last week did not.  Still feeling like you are in your own space. 

Hotels have their purpose, but I've "camped" in enough of them the last 10-15 years to last me a lifetime. 

My prediction was correct, and it sure didn't take long

As I noted in my last entry I did indeed watch the iPhone presentation (not live, but on Memorex) this past Tuesday evening.

First, I noticed the event only rolled out the two new iPhone models.  I was not surprised by the offerings but the absence of any other products seemed to make this past week's Apple "special event" a bit disappointing for ol' Geoguy.  I very much missed Steve Jobs this time around, particularly when I saw the time remaining and Tim Cook appearing to wrap up the iPhone 5C and 5S details.  I thought, "Could he be taking a cue from the master and about to do a 'just one more thing...' product intro?" 

Sadly no.  Everyone at the live event then got to hear three songs from Elvis Costello.  That moment I was glad I was not subject to live event "real time" and could just hit fast forward on my Apple TV remote.  I am not a Costello fan.

Seems I am not the only one who found the event or the presentation lacking something.  Maclife's Michael Simon shares his take.  

Still the phones themselves are impressive.  When the 5C's introduction concluded I remember thinking:  "Every kid in America will want one of these."  I then annotated that sentence to include "every kid in every industrialized nation..." 

It's less than a week later and Geoana is already making her case to get an iPhone 5C.  Both her mother and I explained to her that the cost of the phone will include a monthly data plan, which does add a certain amount to the monthly bill.  Thus the child is now taking more stock of her cash on hand plus anticipated income via pet watching and babysitting.

How will all of this play out?  Keep visiting this blog.

As for me I am more than ready to see what Apple will add to their next release of the iPad mini (the model I am likely to own).  And I can certainly wait until next month to find out.  And yes, Geogal did read the previous entry and didn't think my last sentence was particularly amusing.

Monday Night

Walked a great distance with Geogal.  That's fine, considering I was rather sedentary last night. 

And no, I will not be watching the unveiling tomorrow of the new model iPhone (or plural).  I still work for a living and ply my trade in a field that has nothing to do with technology.  I will do the same thing I did when Apple gave its keynote at the WWDC earlier this year:  watch it on Apple TV in the evening. 

I don't expect any drool moments for me tomorrow.  No, I'm still pining for the combination MacBook Air and iPad mini.  And those Airs they unveiled back in June are at the top of my birthday list. 

Are you reading this, Geogal?

End of one week, beginning of another

We went to a wedding yesterday.  Nothing of note for us, really.  In telling people about our whereabouts this past weekend I used the phrase "peripheral invitees" liberally.  The groom was a former classmate of Geogal this past year and that is the extent of our knowledge and/or contact with the wedding party.  I had never met the guy before yesterday afternoon and Geogal hadn't seen him for many months.  We knew two people who also attended.  (Another classmate of my dear wife and his significant other.) 

That was it. 

Ceremony was uncomplicated, lasted a total of 40 minutes.  Reception was a ways away.  Geogal and I were among the first to arrive at the reception site.  Turns out most folks were locals and had gone home to change into more comfortable attire before hitting said reception.  We decided to hit a furniture store and check out some living room sets before going back and making a reception appearance. 

Now, take into account that the wedding commenced at 2:30.  Done by 3:10.  When will the dinner be served?  We don't really know.  The only things provided for the guests were lame salty and sugary snack foods and an open bar.  I'm not drinking (because I'll be driving later) so I made do with weak punch and tonic water on the rocks (no limes available, either).  Yeech. 

Around 6:15 they began the food line.  Meal was actually OK, fried chicken with mashed potatoes, corn, and dinner rolls (gotta like the Midwest).  But the whole time we were wiling away the minutes trying to make conversation with the other couple Geogal and I were fending off starvation (lunch had been many hours before).  We also recalled many of the things we did correctly at our wedding more than two decades ago.  Things such as providing a map from the church to the reception site, since many of our guests were not local.  Also having real food available almost from the time the reception started.  And so on.  I suppose since we are not relations nor close friends with the wedding party we can be complete snobs. 

So, after hearing one of the most inappropriate toasts I have ever heard anywhere (given by a man of the cloth, no less), being visited by the groom at least twice and noticing he was way drunk by that point and throwing around the "F" word gratuitously never minding whether or not there were small children in earshot, and eating our fill, we decided to take our leave.  Good idea, too.  We did well to get out of there before the dancing, carousing, and drunken fistfights began. 

So that was our Saturday. 

Today was much more relaxed.  More low-key.  Just what we needed. 

And did I mention Geogal and I are now hooked on watching "Duck Dynasty?"  

More post vac

What did we do on vacation?  Practically nothing. 

No joking.  Got suntanned by the pool.  Got a bit sunburned by the pool.  Get in the pool.  Get out of the pool.  Go back to room and relax.  Go back out when sun goes down.  And so on. 

Got to eat Thai food.  Got to eat duck.  Got to eat at Chevy's (Ontario Mills), a nice repast after getting off the plane.  And no visit to The Golden State is complete without satisfying one's burger fix at In-N-Out. 

Our return flight featured on-board TV, courtesy of Dish Network (watch it on your device, such as my trusty iPhone).  Which would not have been bad had I been able to choose from several of the college gridiron matchups taking place at said time. 

Problem was, we only got to choose from about 15 channels, none of which I watch much.  Food Network, Bravo, HGTV, Animal Planet.  Among the offerings was NBC 4 from NYC, which featured Notre Dame playing, oh I forget, someone else.  Not an exciting matchup.  I think watching paint dry could have proved more entertaining.  However the on-board features including something called "flight tracker."  Watch the progress of your plane overlaid on a map. 

I was in hog heaven.  What a joy it is for yours truly to look out of the window and be able to correctly identify the highway and landmarks below.  Doesn't take much to make me happy. 

Suitcase unpacked and taken down to the basement

Which signals the end of "summer" in the Geohouse.  More so than the arrival of the school year or the passing of Labor Day. 

Seriously, we really did an unpacking over the past weekend.  Geogal and I returned from a sojourn to the California desert (the nice, nice part) and Geoana stayed here in our burg as school already had commenced. 

Vacation getaway was a long time in coming.  Given last summer didn't really have one, and the summer before involved a family-centric trek to Rocky Mountain National Park Geogal and I were more than ready for a trip that involved only us.  Time to reconnect after her school and related sacrifices over the past 12 months. 

I'm also happy to report the trip had no glitches whatsoever, not even with the TSA.  In fact both our flight to and flight from So Cal featured planes that were about 1/2 full.  (Never happens to old Geoguy!)  Stretch out and relax...

Going home was interesting.  Land in Denver in the early evening.  Get luggage.  Catch shuttle to long-term parking.  Drive out of DIA.  Grab a bite.  Hit the grocery store for items not available in our small town.  Gas up.  Then get on the Interstate.  Already dark by this time. 

Talk to keep ourselves focused.  Listen to podcast to keep ourselves focused.  Get coffee to keep myself focused.  Pull into our driveway at 1:30 a.m. after 4 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. 

Then try to act as if the following day is normal. 

Is is yet time to be thinking about our next get-away-from-it-all??

A fine Sunday evening ahead

The new season of Ice Road Truckers will begin this evening.  And to make a good situation even better, all of the eps this year take place in Manitoba.  No Dalton Highway.  Why is that good?  Because one week ago today Geogal took a coach up to the Arctic Circle which involves going up the Dalton.  Had this roadway been featured in this year's IRT, she would have been insufferable whenever we caught an episode. 

"I've been there!"  "I've seen that curve."  "I recognize where that is."  "The TV camera just doesn't do justice to what that area REALLY looks like."   And so on. 

And tomorrow the 2013 WWDC will open in San Fran.  I will be working and therefore won't be able to watch the keynote live but if I have the chance I will watch it on 21st century Memorex tomorrow evening.  I'm looking forward to the upgrades and improvements that are no doubt coming to the Mac line.  Just before we dropped Geogal off at the Denver airport I commented that Geoana and I would be heading to the Apple Store at Cherry Creek after we discharged our Alaska-bound family member.  I even alluded to being "bad."  To my surprise Geogal said I had permission to be "bad." 

I only wound up buying the new Apple earbuds ($30). 

While I drooled over the Macbook Air I decided to take a pass, mainly because I was curious over how this product would be upgraded in just a short while.  I know full well the newer iPads and iPhones won't be introduced until the fall so buying an iPad mini at that time wasn't happening. 

That's OK.  I can wait. 

God has a sense of humor, and reliving an old childhood game

As all of you know, Geogal is in Alaska as I write this.  I'm not here to lament, nor give a summary of her adventures.  Rather I will just point out that this past Saturday morning, in which Geoana and I went to the nearby state park for the annual kids fun day (translation:  free admission and free outdoor activities), the morning low in our town was 39.  Degrees.  Fahrenheit.

Just for fun I looked on the Net for the morning low in Fairbanks.  45.  Projected high for Alaska's second-largest city?  82?

High for us in our Northwest Kansas town the same day?  Didn't even get out of the 60's.  Who woulda thunk it that a location in Alaska would be warmer than one in the lower 48?  At the beginning of June?

Saturday also was very cloudy and very windy, combined with the cool temps.  Built character.  However the following day dawned with clear skies, calm winds, and more June-type degrees.  I'm sure the local park superintendent (whom we know) was cursing the weather gods.

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On the way to Denver (which is where Geogal caught her plane to The Last Frontier) I decided to engage all of us in the license plate game.  Not a bad way to kill 5 hours on the highway.  Plus the child and I continued it until we again saw our own front door.

Ready for the roll call?

Kansas (of course)
Nebraska (not hard around here)
Colorado (natch)
Texas
North Dakota
New Mexico
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Washington
South Dakota
Wyoming
Arizona
California
Iowa
Louisiana
Illinois
Ohio
North Carolina
Florida
Indiana
Missouri
Nevada
New York
Montana
Arkansas
Kentucky
Wisconsin
Tennessee
Utah
Oklahoma
Idaho
New Jersey
Oregon
and....Alaska!   (Yep.  Spotted in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Aurora, Colorado)

Maybe it would have been easier to list the states we didn't see.  Pretty much the entire central and western US was accounted for.

Nice to know we don't always have to have a movie going during a road trip.  Plus, we get to duplicate the journey at the end of this month when Geogal returns. 

Fresh Eyes

Geoana and I have only one more Star Trek movie (featuring the TOS case) to watch:  "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." 

Which means, of course, that we already have viewed the first five cinematic adventures of the Enterprise crew.  I decided early on that I would not give my opinions of the flick before we watched it, in order to let the almost-teenage girl formulate her own opinions. 

She wound up with some interesting ones.  So far her favorite one of the bunch is "Star Trek III: The Search For Spock."  Maybe it's just that any flick featuring Klingons as the enemy is bound to be good.  She also gave approval to "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."  (Regarded by many Trekkies as the movie equivalent of "Spock's Brain" in as far as the badness factor goes.)  However the child thinks there is plenty that is redeemable about the movie.  And I have to admit, watching these movies again after all these years gives me a different perspective as well.  The first movie isn't too bad as far as the story (though it sure could use some more action) but it's just so godawful LONG.  The second flick is my personal favorite.  Three?  It's OK although I still can't fully accept Christopher Lloyd as a Klingon.  The fourth installment is just pure fun.  And the Shatner-directed fifth movie might have a few rough spots but it's far from being unwatchable. 

And speaking of unwatchable pieces of celluloid, I did catch the Mystery Science Theater 3000 take on "Manos, The Hands of Fate."  Yes, almost as bad as "Troll 2."  Wonder what other pieces of trash I can get through Netflix? 

But lest you think I do nothing but watch terrifically terrible movies or Star Trek offerings exclusively, some weeks ago the child and I watched "The Sound of Music."  And lo and behold, just a couple of weeks later her music teacher has the whole sixth grade viewing this musical.  Good taste abounds!

Score one for the Geoguy!

About to call it another school year

Geoana's school is wrapping up this coming Thursday.  Geogal takes her last final exam on Wednesday. 

Then we can all enjoy one day of respite before Geogal flies out to Alaska at the end of the week. 

That is a summation of the Geohouse life for right now.  We are all very busy. 

Geoana will be saying goodbye to elementary school.  Our school system here seems perpetually disabled between the old-style system of elementary being through grade 6, then 7-9 for junior high, and grades 10-12 designated as high school; and the newer milieu of middle school (grades 6-8) then high school being a four-year long journey through the academic salt mines.  As such, she will be in junior high for a grand total of two years, then on to high school for grade 9. 

I know--it makes no sense to me, either. 

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Geoana and I completed our viewing of the Original Series episodes of "Star Trek."  Tuesday evening we watched #79 ("Turnabout Intruder") and relished Shatner overacting in a couple of the scenes.  And if that wasn't enough we also concluded another series this week, "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."  The DVD had the two-parter that aired in January, 1968, before the cancellation ax hit. 

On to the "Star Trek" movies. 

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Speaking of TV shows, some weeks ago I decided to give "Mad Men" a try.  Since Netflix has it streaming I didn't need to wait for a DVD in the mail.  I've always been interested in the period of the 1950s and 1960s and I heard that the "MM" producers are sticklers for accurate detail.  Therefore I watched the first and second episodes of the series.

And I'll pass.

Just wasn't enough to hold my interest. 

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Geogal will be twisting the knife for the coming five weeks.  She will be in Fairbanks, Alaska as part of her clinical placement to complete her schooling.  But on the weekends she will be free to do as she wishes.  Doing things that will likely include going up the Dalton Highway as far as the Arctic Circle, seeing some of the same route the "Ice Road Truckers" do, and enjoying the flora and fauna of The Last Frontier.

While I work.

It's my own fault.  I encouraged her to go for the adventure.  Alaska is a whole lot better than Peoria, Illinois.  

It's April, nearly May

Things in the Geohouse are as busy and hectic as ever.  Yesterday saw the whole family heading to Colby for a 5 on 5 girl's basketball tournament.  Left the house at 6:45 in the morning.  Got back to the house at 6:50 in the evening.  In between were 5 (yes, 5) games in which Geoana's team came in second overall.  The team consisted of six girls which made for six very exhausted gals come evening.  Geoana is also very sore today to boot. 

Thankfully some things are ending at this time of year.  Geoana's school only has a few weeks left.  BB Gun team is done for the season.  After-school volleyball is also now history.  AWANA is over.  All of these things will make for more relaxing evenings (I hope).  And not a moment too soon since the weather is now warm enough to create the need for yard work.  First order of business is to scatter some more grass seed as last summer's Phoenix-like combo of high temps and no rain took a toll on the turf. 

Since Geogal is still in school, and will be until August, no summer vacation is on the schedule.  However Geoana will get a chance to go to 4-H camp the first week of June (should be a blast).  And Geogal is headed to Alaska for her first clinical of the summer.  Yes, she will be in Fairbanks for five weeks.  Her second and final clinical will be somewhere less exciting but much more convenient.  Kearney, Nebraska, only about an hour and a half drive from here. 

How's the watching of the original series of "Star Trek" going for me and the child?  We're nearly done.  Just have about 8 more episodes to go.  We've discovered that some of the Season 3 eps are not nearly as bad as some fans have made them out to be.  However last Wednesday we watched one that really reeks!  ("The Mark of Gideon")  Just how did that race of people create a replica of the Enterprise that fooled Kirk so well? 

Another topic that I've thought about revealing here in this forum.  My watching of what many consider to be the worst movies of all time.  Over the years I've had the chance to view "Plan 9 From Outer Space" (like many folks of this day and age I wanted to give this one a watch after seeing "Ed Wood"), "Troll 2," and most recently, "The Conqueror."  (You just haven't lived until you watch John Wayne playing a Mongolian reciting dialogue that smacks of Shakespearean English.)   I still need to catch "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" and "Manos, The Hands of Fate."   Haven't even checked Netflix yet for availability. 

Spring is definitely here.  Last week we had a combination of mild days, one heavily rainy day, a dusting of snow, and then we were treated to a 90-degree this very day.  Geogal and I went for our normal Sunday constitutional and were struck by the oddity of summer temps with most of the trees around here still bare as though it was mid-January.  And there is another cool-down set for about this coming Wednesday.  Rain and maybe even some snow.  Spring is definitely here. 

What I've been doing

Given the dearth of postings recently all seven regular readers of this blog might wonder about my overall functioning.

I'll set the record straight:  I'm not dead.  I'm not dying (that I'm aware of).  I am not being lazy.

I was, however, very busy over these last few weeks.  How busy?  I haven't had a Saturday at home for three straight weeks.  I've logged a whole lotta miles behind the wheel since the end of February.  My stress level reached all-time highs.  And I had a trip home last Sunday following a visit from Old Man Winter in which Interstate 70 had only one lane open between Topeka and Junction City.  Plus that one lane was itself sometimes snow packed in stretches.

Late February--qualifying BB gun competition at Oakley, Kansas (about 100 miles from here).  Long day.

First weekend in March--Drive to Omaha on Saturday.  5 hours.  275 miles.  The following day--drive back home.  Same distance.  Same time frame.  Tiring weekend.

The child and I dropped Geogal off at Omaha as she had a month-long clinical at Creighton University Medical Center.  Just this past Friday the kiddo and I got into our big vehicle and trekked back to Omaha.  Clinical is complete, drove back home yesterday.  At least this weekend is a long one, allowed us to take this Easter Sunday to rest and relax.  Plus this just-ended trip also gave us time to drop into the Apple Store and handle the latest offerings from Cupertino.

(I think yours truly will be getting a MacBook Air plus an iPad mini to celebrate Geogal's completion of her school program, which should wrap up in late August.)

Third weekend in March--head to Rock Springs 4-H campground for shooting sports instructor training.  Placed in a cabin and stuck in a room with seven other guys.  Naturally there are those who snore, and in accordance with the old adage the snorers were the first ones to fall asleep.  Was glad to be home.

Fourth weekend in March--the state BB gun tournament.  I am the head coach and this year we had enough shooters for three teams.  Saturday the 23rd was a very long, tiring day.  And I already mentioned that a snowstorm decided to hit Kansas that day which created the rough road conditions for the long trip home.  Again, was truly happy to see my front door.

Since Geogal was at Omaha all month, guess who got to do the single-parent thing?

Now I don't want this entry to sound like some old guy who does nothing but complain day in and day out.  I had a few high points during this time.  Got to meet several good folks at the 4-H event and even saw a few of them at the BB gun tourney.  (And I will likely see them again since our shooters now have the state 4-H tournament on April 13.)  Also went to an RV dealer in Omaha (actually Council Bluffs, Iowa) on both trips.  This weekend we found a unit that seems to fit our bill.  However we didn't do a deal just yet given there are still several variables in our near future such as where Geogal will get placed for her next two clinicals as well as other smaller details.

Still, I got jazzed realizing our family will soon have some camping ventures, this time in a hard-sided rig with more amenities.

And I will keep on posting here.  I'm not dead, just dead-tired.

First One In Feb.

People who follow this blog know there are periods where I will let a lot of days/weeks elapse between posts.  There are typically three reasons for why this happens.  First, I might not have anything new or significant to share and therefore posting for the sake of posting seems tedious.  Granted, this is MY blog and I am free to express what I desire but I also want to ensure the readers will peruse something that is worth their time, even if the said time is only a few minutes.  Second, I might be under the weather although God has blessed me with overall good health.  And third, I could be so busy and occupied with other responsibilities that sitting down an writing a blog entry isn't even thinkable. 

It's actually a bit of all three that explain the four weeks between posts.  Since the holiday season ended and the downhill cruddy side of winter took hold I have a lack of engaging, interesting material to share here.  Not like the summertime which could involve camping trips or national BB gun tournaments.  Not like the fall where I like to espouse my thoughts on college football.  Under the second category I did have a head cold that came on about two weeks ago.  I'm over the worst of it but still have the drainage and occasional coughing fit that still keep me grumpy.  The third reason is the most relevant one at this time.  Regular readers of this blog know I took a new position at work back in August and this job is far more demanding than my previous one.  Also this is my first year of being the head coach for our BB gun team and that is a task that is more than willing to take whatever spare time I might have left.  Combine this with a spouse who is away M-F and you have the recipe for a very tired and taxed Geoguy. 

But what has been going on? 

The lack of significant free time and the winter season combine for me to get creative in how I will relax.  However I think I've found something leisurely with which to occupy myself. 

Research. 

A fun type of research. 

Readers here know that we sold our pop-up camper last summer.  We learned quite a bit about camping from having that rig.  We learned what works and what does not work for us as a family.  For me it also was a good introduction to towing, backing up, and how to efficiently store one's gear. 

So what is next for us in the wide world of RV-ing?  (as some now call any type of vehicle camping)

Travel trailer.  Something that will accommodate the three of us as well as allow space for a fourth person since Geoana will likely want to bring along a friend.  Something hard-sided.  (A hybrid trailer would definitely fit our needs and would be well within the weight limit of our tow vehicle but since we have camped in bear country and likely will do so again, that rules out a hybrid.) 

I've been looking over material that's available online but also last weekend Geogal and I traipsed to the library (which now has both fiction AND nonfiction books--shout out to the Geo bro-in-law).  I picked up a tome titled "How To Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV."  Yeesh, I have a lot of stuff to learn.  They definitely are not all created equal.  And even going with a reputable brand name doesn't guarantee no problems or issues. 

Since we won't be buying until next year at the earliest I have plenty of time to consume and digest the necessary information so we don't end up with buyer's regret.  And maybe it's good that I have that much time with which to work as the subjects are numerous.  What is the maximum weight for our vehicle?  (And the owner's manual only tells you so much.)  Will I want to go with a weight distribution hitch?  (Probably so.)  Do we want a rig with a slide out?  (At present I'm inclined to say no, but that might change.)  What about an anti-sway mechanism?  (With as windy as it is around here I'm inclined to say yes.)  New or used?  (Likely the latter, but sometimes private parties want exorbitant prices for the rigs they are selling, so who knows?)  How does one go about emptying the gray and black water tanks correctly?  How do you light the pilot?  Just how does the refrigerator run on propane anyway?  What other gear will we need to buy once we actually make a purchase? 

I'm sure these things will work themselves out.  And I have the assurance that Geomom and Geodad knew virtually nothing about these things before they bought a fifth-wheel rig after Dad retired.  And they had plenty of positive camping/traveling experiences so I know none of this stuff is rocket science. 

In the meantime I'm enjoying myself with the reading and the learning.  And the looking at rigs on eBay or any other "for sale" sites.  Plus none of this costs me a doggone dime.  Hopefully the work I'm doing now will save me many dimes down the road. 

Back to normal?

Geogal is back in school.  So is Geoana. 

No back-to-reality for me.  I've worked steadily throughout the holidays, being home only on Christmas Day and New Years Day. 

But things now do have a secure sameness to them.  Even though Geogal is still 80 miles away during the week both Geoana and I have our daily routine and the adjustment we had to make during the early days of September is paying off now. 

I'm enjoying a relaxing evening at home for the first time in several days.  Yesterday was BB gun practice, the day before that we were taking Geogal back to Colby, the day prior was an all-day basketball tournament for Geoana and when I got home that early evening I felt I had been beat up six days from Sunday. 

And by the way, I learned the hard way that I cannot sit through several hours of kid's basketball without aggravating my back. 

Uh-huh, when I got home I could feel the inflammation in the same old place.  Reminded me of the bed rest I had to undergo after the doc "cut on my back," as my supervisor puts it. 

But fear not, family members.  I may have had a small setback but I've taken things easy for the past two days and the pain seems to be lessening.  Ice and ibuprofen also help.  Geoana has (possibly) another tournament coming up on January 19.  I've got to figure something out in the meantime.  No way am I sitting that long on a relatively hard surface again. 

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Other thoughts: 

Black Monday was indeed that way for several NFL head coaches.  Some of those I saw coming, some I didn't. 

And Andy Reid will bid "goodbye" to Philly cheesesteaks and say "hello" to BBQ. 

A story I saw (but did not read) on yesterday morning's ESPN main page.  "10 Reasons The Irish Will Win The BCS Championship."  Not surprisingly, that piece is nowhere to be found today. 

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I will NOT be going to the RV show in Wichita this weekend, much as I want to. 

Probably a good thing, too. 

Maybe next year. 

Happy New Year 2013

Covering two cultures today. 

On my stove, all day long, are two stockpots simmering.  One has posole (that's hominy stew seasoned with red chile, for those of you not in the know), the other has black-eyed-peas.

Posole is a traditional New Year's Day dish in northern New Mexico, eat it for good luck.  Same for black-eyed-peas in the South.  Since both sides of my family hail from Texas I was raised with the belief that one eats black-eyed-peas for good fortune in the new year.

Yes, I'm hedging my bets.

And they both taste good on this cool January day.  It snowed again yesterday and dumped a couple of inches, enough to make things look pristine once again.  These dishes cooking simultaneously also make for a rather pleasant smelling domicile on this first day of 2013.

Just for good measure I also roasted up some green chiles I bought a few days ago.  Now this place really smells like a restaurant in Las Cruces, New Mexico.   

Will this be it for 2012?

Depends on if I have anything meaningful to say/write tomorrow. 

Now on to other things.  We did have a white Christmas, courtesy of a winter storm that dropped a few inches of the snowy stuff on our burg just a little less than a week before opening the presents.  And then Mother Nature decided to give us her own little gift on the Big Day in the form of another dusting.  Just enough to cover up the slushy-then-frozen-again glop that was prominant in the streets.  Since last week the temps have hovered somewhere between 0 and 20 so not much of this wintry mix has melted off.  Makes driving interesting in some areas.  Fortunately I have two vehicles that are equipped with four-wheel-drive so the slippy slide isn't much of a problem. 

Yes, 'tis the last day of the regular NFL season.  Yawn.  I'm already wondering which coaches will be pink-slipped tomorrow.  ESPN is already reporting Andy Reid will be shown the door.  I'm supposing Norv Turner will be added to the list as well (if he isn't than that is definitive proof he has incriminating photos of someone or someones up in the high levels of the Chargers organization).  Rex Ryan probably will not go which is a major mystery to me.  And, since Al Davis has gone to that great owner's box in the sky I presume the Raiders' coach (whoever that is) is safe for now.  Jason Garrett?  Maybe. 

And on the subject of football I am looking very much forward to the Cotton Bowl.  Like I told someone a few days ago, it's not the Red River Rivalry but the fact remains Texans and Oklahomans simply do not like each other much. 

And sorry, my purple K-State friends.  I just don't think Collin Klein and company will be able to keep up with the pace of Oregon.  The rest of the bowls?  Naaagh, who cares? 

However I did get quite a laugh over seeing yesterday's New Era Pinstripe We Had To Come Up With Some Creative Name Because Seriously Who Would Have Ever Thought Teams Would Want To Play Here In December Bowl, which featured wonderful Big Apple wintery weather replete with snow showers.  Just wait long enough and you might see the same thing for bowls in Boise, Albuquerque, Washington D.C., and even Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Hell, I'm still waiting for a group of civic leaders to announce the creation of the (insert corporate sponsor name here) Mile High Bowl to be played every December in Denver.  It could happen. 

Another Day After

Yet one more Christmas is in the books.  I'm not breathing a sigh of relief, nor am I feeling great sadness.  Given everything else happening in our lives it seemed this year that Xmas was merely a small diversion from our busy existence. 

Are we all happy with the gifts?  Of course.  And while Geoana is not Ralphie Parker, she did get a BB gun for Christmas.  Not a Red Ryder carbine, but an Avanti model 499, the kind they use in competition. 

Yes, her own gun.  She's already got designs (no pun intended) on how to customize it as only she can.  Possibly involving the use of pink camo tape on the stock. 

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In thinking about my past two road trips I decided for 2013 I am in need of a FUN jaunt.  I don't know yet about the destination but given my prior two ventures (Kansas City at the beginning of November, and Texas in early December) I decided I am sorely desiring a time to just enjoy hitting the pavement for the sake of the travel.  While neither journey was unpleasant in itself, my back pain prevented me from fully enjoying the KC experience (even though I hit Arthur Bryant's for BBQ) and the length, the post surgery issues, and me being the solo driver for three states and almost 900 miles one-way took away from a Texas venture I normally cherish. 

Shared these thoughts with Geogal earlier today.  I also challenged her to come up with a fun destination.  I imagine we will compare notes sometime before she completes her school program. 

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Speaking of the Texas drive, a thought occurred to me somewhere on the road where fatigue was beginning to take its toll.   Should I follow through on a childhood dream and learn to fly a single-engine plane?  With the end result of getting a pilot's license? 

There.  It's public now.  Now I will have to, if just to save face.  Once Geogal completes her schooling we should have the funds to make such a goal possible. 

Merry Christmas!

From the Geohouse to your house (or whatever dwelling you reside). 

Forget trying to be cool in front of the family

Last weekend, during the family visit to the homeland (a.k.a. Texas) I briefly brought up the latest cool iPhone app I found. Spy Mixology. Grabbed my phone and was going to give them a demonstration. And the app doesn't work. Doesn't do anything. Just stays on the opening screen. A visit to the App Store suggests the reason: it's been updated and has a new name (The Covert Cocktail). Updating it, plus the other apps that boasted of newer versions, brought back the list of drinks that appear in the James Bond movies, the recipes for each, and the required liquor cabinet for any die-hard 007 fan wishing to imbibe just like ol' Jimmy. Unfortunately the update process came about a bit too late for my family visit. So much for impressing them with my electronic advances. There's always next time.

RIP another one

Some time back I shared my thoughts on the passing of songwriter Hal David. Then on Wednesday Geogal texted me asking if I heard Dave Brubeck had died. (For the casual reader, I listen to a fair amount of jazz in my spare time.) Since Geoana doesn't listen to the genuine American form of music I decided to have her listen to a segment of "Blue Rondo A La Turk." She liked it. Now we are on a road trip. I brought along my boxed CD set, "Time Signatures." Yesterday along our journey the little one got to hear the entire tune, she REALLY likes it. Of course, that piece was just one of many I listened to while cruising down the interstate in The Lone Star State. Seemed like a fitting tribute. I first heard Brubeck's name in elementary school music class. The music teacher played a piece of his for all of us, then we broke out into groups to come up with some type of routine to be set to the tune, called "The Unsquare Dance." It's a two-minute-long song but as with most things Brubeck, it's anything but simple. The teacher used this to, among other things, teach us what a "coda" is. My classmates and I came up with a few routines to do to this piece, but obviously nothing matching the skill and technique of these two professional dancers:

Twas the Sunday after Thanksgiving

And the house again smelled of roast turkey.

I wasn't cooking up another bird.  I was, however, making turkey stock from the bone remains of our feast of a few days ago.  Pressure cooker makes it easy.

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I normally am not one who posts YouTube videos on his blog.  I think that smacks of laziness.  However this evening I tried making my case to Geoana that the theme from "Hawaii 5-0" is one of the best TV tunes of all time.  Took her to the iMac and brought up the YouTube of said opening.

And then I found this:



Which then led us to view this:



And finally, this:



I was laughing so hard by this time I was snorting.  Child wanted to know if I was OK.   Just fine, no asphyxiation here, just appreciation of 80's TV with some Star Trek mixed in. 

Post-turkey

Speaking of the fowl normally consumed on Thanksgiving, I noticed Syfy started their James Bond marathon yesterday with a true turkey--Octopussy.

Should I say the Texas Longhorns also acted like gobblers out on the gridiron last night?  Nah, I'll take the high road.

Geogal returned to her dorm today (fewer distractions so she can get her research paper done).  She left orders with the child that I am to be closely monitored so as to decrease the inflammation around the part of my back where the doctor did his work.

I'll never take normal functioning for granted again.

But anyhow, today will be more of watching college students break each other's bodies (football) and reading.  And watching DVDs and/or Netflix streaming.

Pray that I get better soon.

I'm Still Around

Reason for my absence?  Medical.

I've already blogged here about my back issues but unfortunately the problem didn't respond to either the physical therapy or the spinal epidurals.  So on Nov. 12 I underwent surgery.  I've been home bound ever since given I don't see the doc again until next Wednesday.  And yes, I am a bit restless.

So anyhow, my pre-surgery pain and post-op restrictions mean sitting at the computer keyboard is out of the question.  Today I decided to invoke parental privilege and use Geoana's iPad.  I'm in the Laz-E-Boy recliner tap-tapping out this piece on the virtual keyboard.

Rather than compose a piece that is very lengthy I decided instead to just put out short entries that will update you, dear reader, on the latest goings-on around here.

But for today's entry, how can I not refer to tonight's college game?  Texas versus......TCU?

Yeah, kind of the sentiments of my family.  Regardless what the sports writers and announcers on ESPN postulate, Texas versus Texas Tech is NOT a new rivalry game.

Shoot, I don't even know who Texas A&M is playing this weekend.

Other parts of the country are suffering the same issues due to conference changes.  Colorado versus Utah (instead of Nebraska); the aforementioned Huskers playing Iowa instead of CU; no West Virginia against Pitt.  Lots of folks will just have to "deal with it.".

But members of my clan will be at Austin for tonight's game.

Have fun.

First Frost

Got the first frost of the season a couple of nights ago. 

But one night before that, Geoana and I went to the homecoming game.  The usual: I want to see football that's fun to watch and moves quickly with no TV time-outs and she wants to hang with her friends. 

But this past Friday night followed the arrival of a cold front and I sat in the stands for three hours in temperatures that were not unusual for the inside of a refrigerator.  Even Geoana came to me just before the end of the game and complained she was cold as a popsicle. 

Did I mention it also was my birthday?  Hurridly opened my gift before we headed out to the game.  An Apple TV.  In just a few minutes I had it connected and running a beautiful picture to my bedroom television. 

And while I am becoming Frostilicus at the stadium Geogal texts me:  "Watching Netflix on Apple TV very very cool." 

My body is in permanent shiver and wifey is at home enjoying my birthday present.  Just seems like there's something wrong with all of that. 

By the way the home team won.  In overtime. 

Next time I need to bundle up even better and not try to be macho man. 

I Stand Corrected

The other day I wrote about the latest electronic gadgets.  In my usual snarky way I inferred Barnes and Noble responded with a "whimper" when being faced with Amazon's new Kindle offerings. 

Then yesterday I learn B&N rolled out new models of Nooks.  Turns out they were not asleep at the switch after all. 

Looking at the specs it seems the latest Nooks are definitely comparable to Amazon's products.  However they still won't dislodge the iPad from the numero uno position.  But if I was in the market I would give the Nook HD or HD+ a shot.  Being ad-free (as the Nook products are) would seal the deal for me. 

That sound you heard

...was NOT the earth stopping its rotation. 

Or hell freezing over. 

Yesterday I decided to sit down and do a math story problem just for fun.   You heard that right. 

(For the non-family member readers of this blog, please know I've been locked in mortal combat with arithmetic since elementary school.   A scholar of algebra, I ain't.) 

But at Geoana's orientation a few weeks ago the teacher had a problem on the board that intrigued me.  This weekend the child brought it home as a handout labeled "R-U-Up 4 The Challenge?" 

"Farmer Jensen has some geese and some goats.  Between them they have 86 legs and 60 eyes.  How many geese and how many goats does Farmer Jensen have?" 

Took me only a few minutes and some pencilwork to figure it out.  Mainly utilizing some Mr. Spock logic.  (Actually, the real Mr. Spock would have quickly figured out an algebraic equation for the solution.) 

However Geoana said she cannot get any outside help for this question and took a stab at figuring it out herself.  I figure we can compare answers tomorrow evening. 

And shoot, it wasn't that hard of a problem.  Nothing at all like this:


The Simpsons _ Aptitude Test Cheater by hulu

Weekend report

All's quiet here.  I am doing nothing of excitement this weekend, which is likely a harbinger of the next many weekends to come.  No major projects in the works but a whole lot of responsibilities stemming from my recent promotion at work and simultaneously heading up the local BB Gun team. 

And for today it amounts to laundry, some light cleaning, and scraping the outdoor window frames before I give them a touch-up coat of white paint.

No hunting in the near future.  I haven't yet read the state's forecast but I wouldn't be surprised if the pheasant population is down this year given the drought and high temps.   Hmmm, maybe Geoana and I can just get out to the gun range and blast away some clays. 

Upgraded the iMac to Mountain Lion.  Like it, but some of the features will not see any use from me.  Such as the share button in the Safari browser that can immediately link what I am currently viewing into a Twitter or Facebook post.  I don't have accounts on either of these services and never will.  That's a subject for a whole different blog entry.  However I am enjoying some of the other tools built into the OS, such as Dictation (did just about a whole blog post a few entries back via the Mac's built-in microphone with only light editing needed from the keyboard).  I also find iMessage useful, I can text with Geogal right from the Mac.  The notifications panel is much improved and overall the entire interface is very smooth.

Next order of business is to upgrade my iPhone and Geoana's iPad to iOS 6.  Geogal already has done so with her iPhone and immediately noticed not only is the native YouTube application gone, but she couldn't install the one offered by Google currently (her system said "you already have this app," or something to that effect).  Probably just a bug the nerds in Cupertino can fix before too long.

Now that fall's here the tech news is heating up.  Not only did iPhone 5 just hit the market but Microsoft is planning an event for late October, likely to roll out Windows 8.  Is this also when the Surface will be released?  Or even give a release date?  With pricing?  With demo units that won't freeze up while onstage?

You already know about Amazon's new line of Kindles.  (With the tech press so eager to declare something, anything, "the iPad killer!")  I'd say Walt Mossberg at All Things D is more accurate when he deemed it topnotch for watching or reading Amazon's content, but not great as an overall tablet.

My guess about reactions to the new Kindles?  Apple:  "You don't even know what we have up our sleeve!"  Google:  "We have deep pockets."   Barnes and Noble:  "whimper"

And if Apple will indeed roll out a product that will fall between the iPod touch and iPad, (the iPad mini, perhaps?  Or iPad nano?)  you can bet it will not be long before said creation hits the market, what with the holiday season approaching and all.

Interesting times. 

R.I.P. Hal David

Going through several of my regular sites yesterday I learned of the passing of Hal David.  Not unexpected, given he was not well enough to accept the Gershwin Prize along with Burt Bacharach in May of this year.

I suppose now is as good a time as any to confess I've been a closet Bacharach/David fan for a lot of years.  I liked their songs before Mike Myers (in the guise of Austin Powers) and "My Best Friend's Wedding" made the songwriting duo retro-hip.  I distinctly remember mom and dad's record collection containing some of Burt and Hal's hits.

Whether it was a Top-40 song such as Naked Eyes "There's Always Something There To Remind Me" or a mega-country hit "To All The Girls I've Loved Before," I had the surprise, years later, of learning David created the lyrics.

And, one of my last days in high school I took my rather large final wood shop project home in the family Suburban.  As I took it out of the back of the truck I had the radio going (naturally) and KRST played a song I had never heard before, a country oldie.  "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" by Gene Pitney.  Years later I learned it was written by you-know-who.

And now in my DVD wish list is "Lost Horizon."  Not the 1937 flick with Jane Wyman but the 1973 musical from Columbia Pictures.  I want to see it if only to watch what amounted to the last nail in the coffin for the Bacharach/David duo.  The fact that the movie was a total bust sure couldn't be blamed on the tunesmiths.  And some of the user reviews on imdb.com indicate that the picture really isn't all that bad. (Maybe it was just a victim of bad timing.)

Farewell, Mr. David.  Rest assured I have an iPod full of your compositions that will keep my mood upbeat all day.
 

The National Pastime can really hurt sometimes

The other day news hit that the Houston Astros fired their manager.  Not a big surprise given their season but also this is another reminder of the long-standing pain associated with being a fan of that franchise.

Well the pain ever end?  Yes I remember World Series not that long ago where the Astros were the participants from the National League but lost four straight games to the Chicago White Sox and I do recall 1980 where the Astros made it to the playoffs only to be dispatched by the Phillies.  

But this very same season the hot team in the National League is the Washington Nationals.  The freakin’ Washington Nationals.  This is a team that was moribund not that many years ago.  Anybody remember the Montréal Expos?  When major league baseball was talking about contraction what was the team at the top of their list?  

Yes, the franchise that (at this writing) has the best W-L record in baseball.  

Why can’t this type of thing ever happen to my beloved Astros?  So sorry to see they’re flirting with a 2004 Arizona Diamondbacks-type season.  

How bad is it for the Astros?  Even the Macalope took a swipe at them in today’s piece.  

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With a little less interest I also noticed that the bicycling authority (or whatever the USADA is) decided to finally revoke Lance Armstrong’s victories.  Vacating wins seems to be the in-thing for sports authorities these days whether it’s bicycling (Armstrong) or college pigskin (Penn State). Sticking with the baseball theme of today’s blog piece let me ask: When is major-league baseball finally going to do the right thing and return the career home run record to Hank Aaron as well as restore the single-season home run record to Roger Maris?

In The Words Of That Great Yankee Sage...

...Yogi Berra, "It's like deja vu all over again."  

August 1979, the original family of Geoguy piles into a Chevy Suburban and transports the elder Geosister to her dorm at The University of Texas. 

August 1986, Geoguy and Geodad travel 240 miles south on Interstate 25 in the aforementioned Suburban containing many of the former's belongings.  Destination:  dorm room at New Mexico State University. 

Today, all three members of the current Geofamily travel to Colby, Kansas to help move Geogal's Items Essential For College Living to her dorm room.  Included in the two-vehicle caravan is a Chevy Suburban (but not the same one as in the prior mentions). 

That's right.  For the next year I will be doing the "single-father" thing while Geogal pursues her dream.  I take comfort in the fact she's less than a 90-minute drive away and experience has taught us we can endure just about anything for a year when there's a larger goal in place.  After discussing many different living arrangements we finally agreed the dorm was the best route.  Don't have to worry about utility payments, can walk to class even if a snowstorm hits the area, and is either the same cost or less expensive then living in one of the several (crappy) apartments in the area. 

Hey, we're not so glum.  We will still see her on the weekends.

The cooler days of August

I'm obviously not in Arizona in writing a title like that. 

Yes, the heat did break somewhat.  No longer are we sweltering under triple-digit temps.  Even if the daytime highs are still in the 90-plus degree range it's sure better than it was just a few weeks ago.  My garden is starting to produce more tomatoes and squash, the chile peppers are growing, and I'm thankful I kept watering everything even when all looked hopeless. 

It's also nice to wake up to temps that are in the 60's or even high 50's.  A crispness to the morning is but a reminder that the summer oven is just about on its way out. 

And I now have NFL preseason games to watch.  Sure, the games don't count and won't have any bearing on the real season but seeing the guys in full pads going against each other is another reminder fall is just around the corner, to use a tired cliche. 

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Will I be upgrading the iMac to Mountain Lion?  Yes.  Just not for another few weeks.  I'm certainly ready to begin using some the newer features of the OS but don't see the hurry in doing the download.  Probably better to wait until Apple rolls out the 10.8.1 version as I've read some posts about mouse-related issues. 

For my venerable MacBook, however, it's a different story.  I have written before in this blog that it is on it's last OS (Snow Leopard) due to having an older processor that cannot run either Lion or Mountain Lion.  Still, not bad for a laptop I've had for six years come next month. 

And now I can wait and salivate over the prospect of getting a MacBook Air sometime in the near future. 

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For Geoana, school starts this Friday.  Where did the summer go? 

Wait, scratch that.  I can tell you exactly where it went.  The end of May and just about all of June was focusing on the Daisy BB Gun tourney in Arkansas (not just practice, practice, practice, but fundraising as well).  And when we returned from the competition the gals unpacked their bags, threw the clothes into the washer, then turned right around and packed again for church camp.  After camp?  Geoana putting in a lot of time at the sewing machine as she entered a few items into consideration for the county fair.  She also baked and created a couple of art projects to boot.  Not until fair was in the books did she spend more of her time at the swimming pool with her friends.  And now here we are. 

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Despite what you may think, I do have other interests that don't include electronic gadgets or the outdoors.  I continue to read, largely for my own entertainment.  I write a while back that I was reading something called Borderline by Nevada Barr (an author who was unfamiliar to me at the beginning of the summer).  It's a worthwhile read even if her prose doesn't quite match up to that of C.J. Box.  Borderline took place entirely in, or just adjacent to, Big Bend National Park.  Turns out that novel was just one in a series where the central character is a park ranger named Anna Pigeon.  Similar to how Box's Joe Pickett continues to find himself in scraps involving political issues in the new Wild West of Wyoming, Pigeon seems to be a magnet for murder.  I decided to get in a little earlier on the Pigeon series so now I'm reading the second book (A Superior Death).  Why the second book and not the first?  The library here doesn't have the first one. 

Just a few days ago I finished reading Box's Cold Wind, published last year.  Right now there's only one Joe Pickett novel of his that I have not yet read, Force of Nature.  I could read it but with Box I like to stretch out time between the reads and savor them when I have the book in my possession.  Besides, once I read Force of Nature I will then have to wait until the next Pickett book comes out. 

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Geogal bought me a new propane grill just recently.  I disassembled the tried-and-true Char-Broil that I owned since 2007.  I simply could not get it to work right after the episode where our own Cold Wind knocked it over last year.  Replacing all of the burners, the gas fitting, and all the other doo-dads would have cost more in parts than me just buying a new one. 

So a new one it is.  It's another Char-Broil (that brand and Weber would be the only two I will buy if I'm considering a gas grill).  It's smaller than the previous one, and since there's only three of us in the household grid size is not really a problem.  I've already used it a few times and really enjoy (again) the convenience of firing up a propane beauty versus lighting charcoal. 

The fact that Geogal bought this at our local department store didn't hurt, either.  They are in the process of being bought out by another chain, so the existing merchandise must go, at 30% off.  I think I spent more in charcoal last year than what Geogal paid for this new grill. 

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And there you have it.  Several vignettes which I might have posted in separate entries had I not been so fatigued at the end of my recent days. 

My own thought (and then someone else's)

On the penalties handed down to Penn State football today, I have no objection to most of them.  One always can hope the punishment can achieve its expected outcome:  to convince institutions that the administration should always be more powerful than a sports program (or an iconic coach).

But erasing the victories from 1998 to the end of last season?  I think one of the ESPN commentators got it right--the NCAA doesn't want Joe Paterno's name appearing in the record books.

However I think Paul Mirengoff at Powerline makes an excellent point.

"I once was lost, but now am found."

No, no great old hymns of the church here.  (Although I do like a whole lot of them, but that's a subject for another day.  Probably should be a Sunday.)

Shortly before we departed for Arkansas Geogal asked if I had seen her USB device in which you can insert your camera's SD card, then just attach the drive to a USB port and transfer pictures to your heart's content.  I hadn't seen it, and we didn't find it before leaving on the trip.

However while Geogal and Geoana were at camp the week following our return I was straightening up the master bedroom and found said drive on our dresser.  Shared the happy news upon their return and  now I hope she has that thing in a safe place.  I then joked that I was on a bit of a roll and that now the only thing left to find is her iPod shuffle.  It's one of the second generation models in that it is quite small (even for Shuffles) and is meant to be clipped to an item of clothing while the listener engages in whatever type of activity.  I can't recall when we last saw it, but it's been unaccounted for for at least a year (maybe even two).

So I made the joke and then forgot about it.

Two days ago Geogal lets out a shriek, then a "woo-hoo!"  Sure enough, she found her Shuffle.  It was at the bottom of one of her bags, still attached to a set of headphones that she hasn't used in quite a while.  It's now back at home on its docking station.

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Took a look at the Big 12 football schedule this morning (just for funzies, you know).

Who knows who will win the conference?  Especially since the two perennial powerhouses (Texas and Oklahoma) haven't been up to snuff recently.  I'm not bothering to follow pundits or sports websites regarding their predictions so I'm just flying blind at this time.  Here's the games to which I am looking forward:

Kansas State versus Miami on Sept. 8

Iowa State at Oklahoma State on Oct. 20.  (Will the Cowboys will be thinking payback?)

UT goes to Lawrence to play KU on Oct. 27.  For some reason the Longhorns often leave the Sunflower State with a "L."

November 17--The Sooners will be in Morgantown to take on West Virginia.

Then on December 1 the Longhorns again travel to The Land of Dorothy to battle K-State.  Will Bill Snyder's team be more focused on their ranking and a possible high-up bowl invite instead of concentrating on football field?  Or will both teams just be playing for respect and a lower-tier bowl berth?

Who knows, it might be a good product?

I'm not out to slam Google or Asus or anyone else who had a hand in this device. 


But this is just too danged funny to keep to myself. 

HT:  Curious Rat

About that weather...

Don't know if any of you noticed, but June was one very hot month here.  Hot and dry.  This is our fourth summer here and while in past years there have been just a handful of days where the mercury inched over 100 degrees it's been a different story in 2012.  Just about felt like we were living back in Chandler. 

Sometimes the heat is tolerable with the occasional t-storm but even those have been a rarity the past few weeks.  While the lack of thunderboomers cuts down on the danger of tornadoes, one wonders if the drought is worth it.  Given the heavy agricultural bent to this area and the resulting early wheat harvest due to the heat and lack of rain it is near impossible to talk to folks and not have the topic revert to the weather.  Our garden has yielded only one crookneck squash and three (count 'em, three) tomatoes.  I've given up on the yard, deciding it wasn't worth the effort and high city water bill to keep the grass looking just passable. 

Funny how during the winter we keep pining away for warmer weather.  But I'll bet nearly everyone around here is eagerly awaiting the days when the daytime temps top out in the 60's and the nighttime reading hovers just above the freezing mark.  (Note to self, read this entry again in late January, early February 2013.) 

In the winter we have wind chill.  In the summer we have heat index.  Either way, it's rough. 

For now we will keep cool by watching our Sunday evening guilty pleasure:  Ice Road Truckers. 

Alone

Since Sunday afternoon the gals have been at church camp.  I, however, have been here holding down the fort.  You might think I'd be either bored out of my skull or pining away for my loved ones. 

Nope. 

They'll be back tomorrow and I will be glad to see them.  But between work and having a quite large "honey do" list this week has flown by.  It wasn't uncommon for me to glance at the clock and murmur to myself, "9:30 already?"

The journey to Arkansas and back was uneventful.  Great road trip, and we didn't kill each other or vow to disband and join other families at the end.  Nothing was lost, save for a pair of $2.50 sunglasses Geoana left in the Wal-Mart restroom (at least the third time she's done that, always at a Wally World for some reason).  Not even as much as a flat tire to impede our voyage. 


And the Cosmosphere was worth the stopover.  We only went through the Hall of Space museum and after three hours the gals were ready to head out.  Not me.  I could have spent about two more hours there, easy. 

And I spent quite a few minutes just looking at one item.  Gus Grissom's Liberty Bell 7 capsule, which spent 38 years at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.  Some years back I enjoyed watching the Discovery Channel documentary on how the explorer team found it and brought it back up.  I wish they had it on DVD.

(Free free to click on the pic to enjoy the full size)

Oh, and seeing the actual command module from the Apollo 13 mission wasn't bad, either. 

We got home on Thursday and on Friday Geoana and I watched "The Right Stuff."  On Saturday we enjoyed "Apollo 13." 

I think she's much more up to speed on the history of the U.S. space program than her classmates. 

Yes, pictures!

I'm back!

The delay in posting was not due to fatigue, the lateness of Daisy in getting the scores out (due to a computer crash on their part), or laziness on my part.

No, it turns out the hotel that hosted the event (connected to the convention center) does not offer free wi-fi.  Now I'm not being a total cheapskate, rather it's just the principle of the thing.  Most hotels where I stay just offer complimentary wireless access as a matter of course.  But not this one.  And no,  I will not name names.  (They know who they are.)  

On to the important matters!

Feel free to enjoy some of my pics.  By the way, our team finished seventh overall when all the numbers were tallied.  Seventh out of 53 teams shooting.  That ain't bad.

First pic

Taken at the Daisy Museum in Rogers.  One has to wonder, with the way it's displayed, if someone might just knock it over. 

"What happened next was a source of controversy in our household for years to come." 

We're here! (In a new state)

Not a state of confusion.  Or anger.  That's good news.

However we are in Arkansas.  Rogers, to be exact.  Here for the Daisy BB Gun National Tournament.

But that doesn't start until Sunday evening.  In the meantime all of us are looking at doing some exploring here in The Natural State.  It's certainly nice and green in these parts, although like the rest of the country there's no escaping the horrid summer heat.  But no matter.  There's air conditioning, plenty of H2O, and swimming pool availability.

I promise some pictures over the next few days.

The Days of June

This is one of those months where I just don't have much going on.  Therefore, no fodder for the blog.

Current events?  Fugeddaboutit.  I don't do that much here and besides the summer doldrums have hit everywhere.

Sports?  Not right now.  Much as I am interested in the college football playoff system I am actually more juiced by the prospect of seeing the SEC champ meet up with the Big 12 leader at the end of the season.  Too bad the Big 12 team will get its a__ kicked for the next many years to come.

Weather?  (Always everyone's favorite topic around here.)  In northwest Kansas it's Arizona hot right now, and will be for the next several (i.e. many) days.  Sure reminds me of the summers when I lived in Chandler, Casa Grande, Tucson, and, well you get the idea.

But in real news, Geogal shot her first skeet this past weekend.  We were helping with a trap shoot fundraiser and one of the gals there got Geogal to participate in one of the rounds, using a borrowed Beretta 20 gauge semi automatic.

She's hooked.  I foresee a July and August where we go as a family to the gun range.  Geoana's youth 20 gauge should be a better fit for my lovely wife, who right now is sporting a nice bruise courtesy of the Beretta's recoil.

The family that shoots together stays together.

Gadgets?  Nope.  I refuse to join the masses who are waxing huge expectation-predictions onto the Microsoft Surface.  I'd be willing to weigh in when we have an actual release date and prices to boot.  At this point it still just looks like a prototype.

Will I covet the new Macbook Pro with Retina display?  Possibly but my sights are actually set on one of the new Macbook Airs.  But rest assured my nearly six-year-old Macbook is still running quite well, thank you.

What's going on around the house?  Geogal and Geoana are watching our friend's kids this week (there's five of them).  Geogal cooked up some Hamburger Helper (provided by the family) for the little ones' lunch today and experienced some spillage.

Spillage that resulted in my task this early evening standing over our range with a razor blade and a full bottle of ceramic cooktop cleaner.  But the good news is that once I was done you would never have known just how cruddy everything looked at midday.

At least I have a short work week this week.  Looking forward to a little downtime and going to a place I have never been.

Now with the material

Wake up this morning, the first of June, and I see it's raining.  And cool.  I won't make a metaphor out of it but suffice to say I was jonesing for hot black coffee all morning.  And felt sleepy on top of it all. 

No matter, I'm sure within a couple of days it will be back to the hot dry wind and near-100-degree temps. 

Speaking of the hot dry wind there was plenty of it last Saturday.  Given most of the local farmers planted wheat it gave a real meaning to the verse "amber waves of grain." 

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Sold the pop-up camper a couple of weekends back.  Given we will not have a chance to camp this summer, nor the next (courtesy of Geogal's school commitment) our household decided to let it go and have someone else enjoy it.  Doesn't hurt to have some extra cash lying around, either. 

We certainly got plenty of fun out of it.  It was a great way to start learning the basics (and the culture) of the campground.  At first I started the self-pity exercise when I thought of everything I had spent in gear.  But wait. 

After procuring the thing in April of 2010, we bought a Coleman camp stove, two lanterns, wheel chocks, a dogbone adapter (allows you to plug the 30-amp connector into a household outlet), camp dishes, a wash basin, and numerous other doo-dads.  Then it dawned on me, all of these things can be used in our next rig. 

Ah, our next rig. 

It will be a travel trailer.  Preferably a bunkhouse model (useful if Geoana wants to bring a friend along).  Not too big, something that our Suburban can pull with little to no effort.  Climate control.  A bathroom.  A working kitchen (to allow means to cook if it's raining outdoors, which did happen our last night during last summer's trip). 

Yes, I've already got my eye out even though we won't be buying for at least two years.  Ebay and the local classifieds are great ways to lose myself in the pleasure of fantasy.  I can even imagine a return to trip to Yellowstone.  And Rocky Mountain National Park. 

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Finished reading LBJ: Architect of American Ambition.  I'm now enjoying some fiction.  First I breezed through my latest C. J. Box read, Nowhere To Run, and when returning that book to the library Geogal found a tome that might interest me.  The author is Nevada Barr (whom I had not heard of before a few days ago) and the book is Borderline.  Takes place in Big Bend National Park.  How could I not like this read?  I'll be sure to post my thoughts in an upcoming post. 

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Any other upcoming summer activities?  For me a fair amount of home improvement work.  I see a whole lotta painting to be done before summer turns into fall. 

The vegetable garden is much smaller this year.  Some tomatoes, crookneck squash, onions, and green chile.  Not the nicely hot Big Jim variety of peppers from last year's garden but a more mild yet flavorful variety developed by New Mexico State University (yeah!). 

That's all for now.  Welcome, June. 

Bookending May

It's the end of the month.  I intended to write a longer entry this evening but got sidetracked due to wife and child tearing out the old carpeting from the basement family room.  I avoided the harder work (mainly due to being at the office earning a living to provide for my family) but still helped out with some rearrangement and sorting out of the electronic pieces including, but not limited to, the home theater system. 

So in between that and the other responsibilities of the evening I now find myself at the keyboard with the clock closing in on 10 p.m.  And the sandman is fast approaching. 

I will write more tomorrow, I swear!