Some time ago I mentioned that Geofather gave me two of his firearms: a Stevens/Savage 16 gauge shotgun and a Winchester Model 94 .30-30 rifle.
The Winchester is also pre-1964 which means it has significant value. But it has even more value to our own family. Sorry collectors, this gun is not for sale. Ever.
And just within the past two weeks I got another firearm from Dad, his Winchester .22 with a scope sight. I'm looking forward to taking that piece out to the range.
In the meantime Geoana and I went to the gun range a few Sundays ago and put some rounds through the .30-30. We used some old ammo Dad brought me when he gave me the gun and also used some new Remington 150-grain bullets I bought when in Minnesota. Fires well but for some reason the kiddo and I both were shooting high. Maybe the sight needs adjustment.
Enjoy:
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Close Encounters
The other evening we decided to have a family movie night at home. The flick?
See the title of this entry.
This was the first time Geoana has seen this Spielberg-directed sci-fi picture and she's at an age now where the more intense scenes won't distress her much.
We did remind her of our visit to Devil's Tower back in 2009. I refreshed her memory in that all of us "grown-ups" in the vehicle (the group consisted of four adults and two children), once we caught a glimpse of the Tower way off in the distance proceeded to get excited and yell: "It's Devil's Tower!! Look, look, Devil's Tower!"
She didn't understand our excitement then.
Now she does.
And when the closing credits began to roll she turned toward us and said, "I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now."
I get it. She wanted (just like all of us) to know more about the aliens rather than have the movie end with Roy Neary getting on board. However she still acknowledged that it's a rather fun movie to watch.
Since I'm thinking about the '09 trip I decided to let a few of our pictures do the rest of the talking.
See the title of this entry.
This was the first time Geoana has seen this Spielberg-directed sci-fi picture and she's at an age now where the more intense scenes won't distress her much.
We did remind her of our visit to Devil's Tower back in 2009. I refreshed her memory in that all of us "grown-ups" in the vehicle (the group consisted of four adults and two children), once we caught a glimpse of the Tower way off in the distance proceeded to get excited and yell: "It's Devil's Tower!! Look, look, Devil's Tower!"
She didn't understand our excitement then.
Now she does.
And when the closing credits began to roll she turned toward us and said, "I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now."
I get it. She wanted (just like all of us) to know more about the aliens rather than have the movie end with Roy Neary getting on board. However she still acknowledged that it's a rather fun movie to watch.
Since I'm thinking about the '09 trip I decided to let a few of our pictures do the rest of the talking.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
500!
Given that I've detailed our Mayo Clinic trips from July I did last night ponder about which subject should be the focus of today's entry.
Then on my Blogger dashboard I noticed I had just posted entry number 499.
Made the title of this one a no-brainer.
Wow. 500 posts on this blog. Given that I'm not a writer by profession and lately have suffered from both lack of time and some loss of creative energy I think hitting this mark deserves mention.
Which then gives me the true subject of today's post. This blog isn't dying, nor is it going anywhere.
I will keep writing until I die or unless I suffer a life change which prevents further entries. Can't say the same for so many blogs that had their genesis around the same time as this one.
Why the drop-off in blogging for so many? Several reasons.
1) Lack of drive. I sometimes am guilty of this myself and one has to be self-disciplined in order to keep any blog going for the long haul.
2) Creative energy goes bye-bye. I hope that's never the case here although I certainly give myself breathers. That might tie in to reason number three:
3) Lose passion. Some people blog around very specific things and sometimes we lose interest in a hobby, cause, or interest. Since I've kept this blog very much around the happenings of my life (and including my family) I don't lack for material or suffer from waning interest. Plus I've engaged in a couple of new interests in the last few years and these are making more of an impact here in my corner of the Internet.
4) Social media. I don't know how many casual bloggers allowed their sites to go fallow when they got a Facebook account. But I figure it's a lot. I can't blame a lot of them, after all Facebook makes it much easier to do things and one doesn't have to put in quite so much of one's own creativity. Adding a post where you like the latest viral video is much less difficult then sitting at the keyboard and generating prose. Plus the obvious (and quick) feedback from others far outweighs any comments seen on a blog such as this.
And this last one leads to another subject. I do not have a Facebook account, nor will I ever have one. My wife does have one and my conclusion after all these years is that the advantages of a Facebook presence are minimal compared to the downfalls. Advertising aside I find it annoying that some people's incessant postings are comparable to the annoying idiot who talks nearly non-stop and has no filter.
Here's a reality check for the aforementioned: I don't care what you think about this political issue or that candidate for office. I don't care about what online game you are playing. I don't care which restaurant you patronized for lunch yesterday. I don't care to see the latest YouTube video meant to evoke pathos. I don't give a rip about your mental anguish over national and international issues over which you have not one iota of control. Shut up already!
While that last paragraph sounds harsh I think it's something that certainly needs to be said. A few folks reading this might privately agree. And remember I'm not projecting the above on all Facebook members, just those who see it as in end in itself.
As one last point I also enjoy the control I have over this blog. I have the ability to weed out comments that are not legit. I have the power to decide whether or not I will let Google advertise on this page. (Guess which way I went on that one??) I have latitude to decide how this site overall will appear on the 'Net. And I like all of these things. Can't say that for a Facebook wall.
Then on my Blogger dashboard I noticed I had just posted entry number 499.
Made the title of this one a no-brainer.
Wow. 500 posts on this blog. Given that I'm not a writer by profession and lately have suffered from both lack of time and some loss of creative energy I think hitting this mark deserves mention.
Which then gives me the true subject of today's post. This blog isn't dying, nor is it going anywhere.
I will keep writing until I die or unless I suffer a life change which prevents further entries. Can't say the same for so many blogs that had their genesis around the same time as this one.
Why the drop-off in blogging for so many? Several reasons.
1) Lack of drive. I sometimes am guilty of this myself and one has to be self-disciplined in order to keep any blog going for the long haul.
2) Creative energy goes bye-bye. I hope that's never the case here although I certainly give myself breathers. That might tie in to reason number three:
3) Lose passion. Some people blog around very specific things and sometimes we lose interest in a hobby, cause, or interest. Since I've kept this blog very much around the happenings of my life (and including my family) I don't lack for material or suffer from waning interest. Plus I've engaged in a couple of new interests in the last few years and these are making more of an impact here in my corner of the Internet.
4) Social media. I don't know how many casual bloggers allowed their sites to go fallow when they got a Facebook account. But I figure it's a lot. I can't blame a lot of them, after all Facebook makes it much easier to do things and one doesn't have to put in quite so much of one's own creativity. Adding a post where you like the latest viral video is much less difficult then sitting at the keyboard and generating prose. Plus the obvious (and quick) feedback from others far outweighs any comments seen on a blog such as this.
And this last one leads to another subject. I do not have a Facebook account, nor will I ever have one. My wife does have one and my conclusion after all these years is that the advantages of a Facebook presence are minimal compared to the downfalls. Advertising aside I find it annoying that some people's incessant postings are comparable to the annoying idiot who talks nearly non-stop and has no filter.
Here's a reality check for the aforementioned: I don't care what you think about this political issue or that candidate for office. I don't care about what online game you are playing. I don't care which restaurant you patronized for lunch yesterday. I don't care to see the latest YouTube video meant to evoke pathos. I don't give a rip about your mental anguish over national and international issues over which you have not one iota of control. Shut up already!
While that last paragraph sounds harsh I think it's something that certainly needs to be said. A few folks reading this might privately agree. And remember I'm not projecting the above on all Facebook members, just those who see it as in end in itself.
As one last point I also enjoy the control I have over this blog. I have the ability to weed out comments that are not legit. I have the power to decide whether or not I will let Google advertise on this page. (Guess which way I went on that one??) I have latitude to decide how this site overall will appear on the 'Net. And I like all of these things. Can't say that for a Facebook wall.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Now For The Second One
(Dear readers: I intended to have this entry ready last night as I wish to post an item every day this week. However Geoana took a tumble in the shower and wound up at the E.R. I stayed at home but obviously couldn't concentrate on writing at that time. The good news is nothing is broken, she just has scrapes and contusions. Ibuprofen does her a lot of good.)
____________________________________________________
Since we had a few days to prepare and since we knew what we were facing I had hopes this next trip would hold fewer surprises. Or none at all.
I ripped several movies off of DVD and imported them into my iPod Touch. (It's actually my old iPhone 4 but since I've upgraded the device I decided to make good use of the 32 gigs therein.) I also got a book from the library (a C.J. Box standalone novel I have not yet read) and filled the backpack with it and several magazines.
We also brought paper plates and plastic cutlery in anticipation of not eating every meal at a restaurant. The hotel in which we would stay does not have kitchenettes but does include a small refrigerator in each room.
So on Sunday morning, the 27th of July we again start out for the land of 10,000 lakes. (During the previous trip a local told me that there are more than ten thousand lakes in Minnesota, he said they just got tired of naming them once they hit the ten-grand threshold.) We got on the road at an early hour, stopped at Big City Burrito in Kearney for the best breakfast burrito I have had since moving from Arizona (gotta love chorizo!) and generally had a leisurely drive into the state of tall corn. Took a brief side trip into Ames to see the Iowa State University campus. Mighty pretty. Much more green and reminiscent of Austin, Texas than I would have expected.
Useless Geoguy-specific trivia: I now have been in every Big 12 school town/city save one (Morgantown, West Virginia).
Monday morning, and medical procedure takes place. No complications, no issues. Again, given that we've been to this area already there's a lot less desire to walk walk walk and say, "Let's see this."
Tuesday is a day of rest. Gals go clothes shopping and I walk to a nearby gun shop. Don't find much save for a used Bushnell scope that ought to work well for deer hunting. I pick it up for $30. Then I find ammunition for a very decent price at Mills Fleet Farm.
Wednesday we again rise early and make the trek back to the Land of Dorothy. Drove straight through this time. Took in a late lunch at Cabela's in Omaha. It also is there that I finally pull the trigger (pun intended) and purchase a deer rifle. I will have more on that in another entry.
So now we get to be homebodies for a while. Just in time to ring in the month of August.
I can't help teasing Geogal and telling her that it's just for scenarios like this that I should take flying lessons. She doesn't see the humor.
Sure would make the journey a lot faster...
____________________________________________________
Since we had a few days to prepare and since we knew what we were facing I had hopes this next trip would hold fewer surprises. Or none at all.
I ripped several movies off of DVD and imported them into my iPod Touch. (It's actually my old iPhone 4 but since I've upgraded the device I decided to make good use of the 32 gigs therein.) I also got a book from the library (a C.J. Box standalone novel I have not yet read) and filled the backpack with it and several magazines.
We also brought paper plates and plastic cutlery in anticipation of not eating every meal at a restaurant. The hotel in which we would stay does not have kitchenettes but does include a small refrigerator in each room.
So on Sunday morning, the 27th of July we again start out for the land of 10,000 lakes. (During the previous trip a local told me that there are more than ten thousand lakes in Minnesota, he said they just got tired of naming them once they hit the ten-grand threshold.) We got on the road at an early hour, stopped at Big City Burrito in Kearney for the best breakfast burrito I have had since moving from Arizona (gotta love chorizo!) and generally had a leisurely drive into the state of tall corn. Took a brief side trip into Ames to see the Iowa State University campus. Mighty pretty. Much more green and reminiscent of Austin, Texas than I would have expected.
Useless Geoguy-specific trivia: I now have been in every Big 12 school town/city save one (Morgantown, West Virginia).
Monday morning, and medical procedure takes place. No complications, no issues. Again, given that we've been to this area already there's a lot less desire to walk walk walk and say, "Let's see this."
Tuesday is a day of rest. Gals go clothes shopping and I walk to a nearby gun shop. Don't find much save for a used Bushnell scope that ought to work well for deer hunting. I pick it up for $30. Then I find ammunition for a very decent price at Mills Fleet Farm.
Wednesday we again rise early and make the trek back to the Land of Dorothy. Drove straight through this time. Took in a late lunch at Cabela's in Omaha. It also is there that I finally pull the trigger (pun intended) and purchase a deer rifle. I will have more on that in another entry.
So now we get to be homebodies for a while. Just in time to ring in the month of August.
I can't help teasing Geogal and telling her that it's just for scenarios like this that I should take flying lessons. She doesn't see the humor.
Sure would make the journey a lot faster...
Monday, August 18, 2014
The Return Trip (Volume One)
In yesterday's entry I detailed our family's venture into new territory.
So, wrap up the medical stuff at Mayo. By this time it's the later part of Friday afternoon. We decide to blow our inexpensive, efficient hotel in Rochester and head to the Twin Cities.
But we're not in a hurry, after all. So instead of taking the divided but-not-quite-up-to-Interstate-standards U.S. Route 52 we instead chose the 2-lane and tranquil U.S. 63.
Past Zumbro Falls and into Lake City where we meet the fabled U.S. 61. And see the mighty Mississippi. Cross over into Wisconsin at the town of Red Wing (yes, where they make the shoes!).
After a short detour through the Cheese State we are back in Minnesota and not real far from St. Paul.
Hotel is nice but unremarkable. Dinner does not take place in some fancy restaurant but rather involves rotisserie chicken and potato salad from a nearby grocery store. No cheese curds for this family!
I do, however, get myself some Leinenkugel's beer. I feel there's no need to quaff Shiner Bock when I'm this far north.
The next day (Saturday) finds us enjoying a scrumptious breakfast buffet at hotel. Then we decide on a game plan. Head to Minnehaha Park and do some walking. A lot of walking. Did us good but no doubt this entire family is a bit out of shape. We did get to see Minnehaha Falls (after a significant period of walking) but after having been in vehicle and in and out of Mayo Clinic buildings for the past few days the sunshine and urban air did all of us some good.
So what's next? What other touristy thing do we want to see?
Why not go to the largest shopping mall in the United States?
More walking, only this is of the indoor variety. Catch a fast food lunch and attempt to find an open table in the food court. Visit the Apple Store (of course). Laugh at the lack of significant foot traffic at the Microsoft Store. See Geoana get her picture taken with a couple of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Notice vinyl records are making a comeback at Urban Outfitters. See people. Lots of people. Enough to make me long for the openness and sparsity of the Kansas prairie.
Enough mall for us. What is our next move?
Earlier in the day we kicked around the idea of taking in a Twins game. However we elect instead to start making our way south and just see where the road takes us with the concept of finding a hotel when we get tired.
After brief stops at Target (seems there's one on every corner in this area) and then further south at Cabela's in Owatonna we then head west on I-90.
Planned to stay overnight in Worthington but the hotel gods had other ideas.
Turns out that at this time of year, in this part of the country, on a Saturday night, there's hardly a hotel room to be had along the Interstate.
OK, time to regroup. It's now getting beyond 8 in the p.m. and we're all starting to feel the effects of fatigue. We decided to head southwest. Geogal gets on her iPhone and secures us a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Sioux City, Iowa. From what we were later told it was about the last room available in the immediate area.
The hotel gods were still looking out for us.
I like spontaneous but that evening was a bit much. Before Geogal snagged the room I had a contingency plan banging around in my brain: Stop for a brief bathroom and beverage break. I take out my contacts and put on the regular glasses, then we just go all night until we get home. Geogal and I split the driving and do every trick in the book to stay awake.
I still get an uneasy feeling down in my gut just writing about that.
The following day was more run-of-the-mill. Decided to zigzag home via Nebraska's two-lane highways. About midday the outside temperature began rising until it was nearly the century mark by the time we hit our own driveway.
Home for now. But the following Sunday we would be, in the words of Willie Nelson, on the road again.
So, wrap up the medical stuff at Mayo. By this time it's the later part of Friday afternoon. We decide to blow our inexpensive, efficient hotel in Rochester and head to the Twin Cities.
But we're not in a hurry, after all. So instead of taking the divided but-not-quite-up-to-Interstate-standards U.S. Route 52 we instead chose the 2-lane and tranquil U.S. 63.
Past Zumbro Falls and into Lake City where we meet the fabled U.S. 61. And see the mighty Mississippi. Cross over into Wisconsin at the town of Red Wing (yes, where they make the shoes!).
After a short detour through the Cheese State we are back in Minnesota and not real far from St. Paul.
Hotel is nice but unremarkable. Dinner does not take place in some fancy restaurant but rather involves rotisserie chicken and potato salad from a nearby grocery store. No cheese curds for this family!
I do, however, get myself some Leinenkugel's beer. I feel there's no need to quaff Shiner Bock when I'm this far north.
The next day (Saturday) finds us enjoying a scrumptious breakfast buffet at hotel. Then we decide on a game plan. Head to Minnehaha Park and do some walking. A lot of walking. Did us good but no doubt this entire family is a bit out of shape. We did get to see Minnehaha Falls (after a significant period of walking) but after having been in vehicle and in and out of Mayo Clinic buildings for the past few days the sunshine and urban air did all of us some good.
So what's next? What other touristy thing do we want to see?
Why not go to the largest shopping mall in the United States?
More walking, only this is of the indoor variety. Catch a fast food lunch and attempt to find an open table in the food court. Visit the Apple Store (of course). Laugh at the lack of significant foot traffic at the Microsoft Store. See Geoana get her picture taken with a couple of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Notice vinyl records are making a comeback at Urban Outfitters. See people. Lots of people. Enough to make me long for the openness and sparsity of the Kansas prairie.
Enough mall for us. What is our next move?
Earlier in the day we kicked around the idea of taking in a Twins game. However we elect instead to start making our way south and just see where the road takes us with the concept of finding a hotel when we get tired.
After brief stops at Target (seems there's one on every corner in this area) and then further south at Cabela's in Owatonna we then head west on I-90.
Planned to stay overnight in Worthington but the hotel gods had other ideas.
Turns out that at this time of year, in this part of the country, on a Saturday night, there's hardly a hotel room to be had along the Interstate.
OK, time to regroup. It's now getting beyond 8 in the p.m. and we're all starting to feel the effects of fatigue. We decided to head southwest. Geogal gets on her iPhone and secures us a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Sioux City, Iowa. From what we were later told it was about the last room available in the immediate area.
The hotel gods were still looking out for us.
I like spontaneous but that evening was a bit much. Before Geogal snagged the room I had a contingency plan banging around in my brain: Stop for a brief bathroom and beverage break. I take out my contacts and put on the regular glasses, then we just go all night until we get home. Geogal and I split the driving and do every trick in the book to stay awake.
I still get an uneasy feeling down in my gut just writing about that.
The following day was more run-of-the-mill. Decided to zigzag home via Nebraska's two-lane highways. About midday the outside temperature began rising until it was nearly the century mark by the time we hit our own driveway.
Home for now. But the following Sunday we would be, in the words of Willie Nelson, on the road again.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
The Month Of July
July saw the Geofamily on the road for many days. Three trips total.
One was planned. That was the Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match (hereafter just referred to as "Nationals"). Took place in early July.
The other two, however, were not on our radar. These were to the same destination: Rochester, MN.
Yes. Mayo Clinic.
I appreciate your concern but while I won't disclose the nature of the treatment or which family member received care I will say that the condition was NOT life-threatening. Our local doctor decided the condition was outside of his scope of practice and referred us to Mayo.
Therefore we had two impromptu road trips just shortly after arriving back from Nationals.
However we all decided to make the best of things. First, this is a place (and state) where none of us has been. Second, we would be close to yet another new state (Wisconsin) and could scratch that one also off our list. Please refer back to this entry.
Second, the ladies in the family doing what females do, they decided to get in some shopping while we were away from the small burg we call home. And third, since we were so close, hey why not visit the Twin Cities?
So on the road we went. Four states in one day. And since we're not in New England four states in one day tells you just what a long road trip we had.
Heading to Omaha was nothing new. Heck, the car probably knows the way without our assistance. Geogal did spend about a month there last year while in professional school.
Next we cross the Missouri river into Iowa. Previously the only part of Iowa we saw was Council Bluffs so once we were out of the city limits it was all new territory.
I had something of a surprise. I always thought of Iowa as a flat state and it certainly fits that bill in some areas. However the stretch between Council Bluffs and Des Moines was surprisingly up-down, up-down. Some relief in the topography, as my father would say.
Get to Des Moines and leave I-80 for I-35. Heading north I enjoyed the view of some really tall TV and FM transmitter towers. Heck, if the stations near where I live had towers that height I would have no trouble pulling in the signals. But I digress…
After Ames is when fatigue sets in. Now this is the flat Iowa I envisioned. No towns or anything of any consequence until Clear Lake. A good 80 miles of nothing but a lot of farms. And corn fields. Lots and lots of corn fields.
But then you get to Clear Lake. If that name sounds just a little familiar, it was the setting for rock and roll's first tragedy. The plane crash site is just a bit west of the interstate but there is no memorial or descanso along 35 itself.
Heading north from Clear Lake you then have the anticipation of another state. Sure enough, just a short drive takes one over the Minnesota line. A mere 10 miles and you are in Albert Lea and ready to head east on Interstate 90.
Go past Austin (Minnesota, not Texas) and about a half-hour of patience rewards you with the Rochester exit.
All in all the drive takes us around 10 hours.
However the travel time is worth it. Mayo is impressive (and that term still seems insufficient) and the whole time I was there I kept trying to digest the fact that I was on the grounds of the best medical care provider on the whole planet.
Wow.
Then we had the first return trip. Will cover that in the next entry.
One was planned. That was the Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match (hereafter just referred to as "Nationals"). Took place in early July.
The other two, however, were not on our radar. These were to the same destination: Rochester, MN.
Yes. Mayo Clinic.
I appreciate your concern but while I won't disclose the nature of the treatment or which family member received care I will say that the condition was NOT life-threatening. Our local doctor decided the condition was outside of his scope of practice and referred us to Mayo.
Therefore we had two impromptu road trips just shortly after arriving back from Nationals.
However we all decided to make the best of things. First, this is a place (and state) where none of us has been. Second, we would be close to yet another new state (Wisconsin) and could scratch that one also off our list. Please refer back to this entry.
Second, the ladies in the family doing what females do, they decided to get in some shopping while we were away from the small burg we call home. And third, since we were so close, hey why not visit the Twin Cities?
So on the road we went. Four states in one day. And since we're not in New England four states in one day tells you just what a long road trip we had.
Heading to Omaha was nothing new. Heck, the car probably knows the way without our assistance. Geogal did spend about a month there last year while in professional school.
Next we cross the Missouri river into Iowa. Previously the only part of Iowa we saw was Council Bluffs so once we were out of the city limits it was all new territory.
I had something of a surprise. I always thought of Iowa as a flat state and it certainly fits that bill in some areas. However the stretch between Council Bluffs and Des Moines was surprisingly up-down, up-down. Some relief in the topography, as my father would say.
Get to Des Moines and leave I-80 for I-35. Heading north I enjoyed the view of some really tall TV and FM transmitter towers. Heck, if the stations near where I live had towers that height I would have no trouble pulling in the signals. But I digress…
After Ames is when fatigue sets in. Now this is the flat Iowa I envisioned. No towns or anything of any consequence until Clear Lake. A good 80 miles of nothing but a lot of farms. And corn fields. Lots and lots of corn fields.
But then you get to Clear Lake. If that name sounds just a little familiar, it was the setting for rock and roll's first tragedy. The plane crash site is just a bit west of the interstate but there is no memorial or descanso along 35 itself.
Heading north from Clear Lake you then have the anticipation of another state. Sure enough, just a short drive takes one over the Minnesota line. A mere 10 miles and you are in Albert Lea and ready to head east on Interstate 90.
Go past Austin (Minnesota, not Texas) and about a half-hour of patience rewards you with the Rochester exit.
All in all the drive takes us around 10 hours.
However the travel time is worth it. Mayo is impressive (and that term still seems insufficient) and the whole time I was there I kept trying to digest the fact that I was on the grounds of the best medical care provider on the whole planet.
Wow.
Then we had the first return trip. Will cover that in the next entry.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
In Praise Of A Small Town
What follows......could never happen in a more populated locale.
I, along with several other folks, was getting ready for a road trip. Many months in the making, several days in the execution. Our kids are just about ready to compete in a national BB gun competition. Many weeks of planning and fund-raising are about to come to culmination.
Full confession here: I am a worrier.
I'm trying to improve in this area. Learning more from life lessons certainly helps. However for some reason I still cannot shake the "beyond concern" I experience just prior to journeys more than an hour or two. I've always been this way and I have no explanation. However I am aware worry doesn't do me any good and in fact robs me of joy that I should have in conjunction with excursions beyond my own area of familiarity
So, let's go back to two Thursdays ago. I was bound and determined not to worry myself about anything, regardless of what might occur. So, when the water heater decided to draw some attention to itself on Wednesday I assessed the situation, determined disaster was not imminent, and made a conscious decision NOT TO WORRY!
Thursday morning arrives. Even though Geoana took a shower on Wednesday evening (well after I discovered some leakage from bottom of said water heater) a check of the basement once she was finished revealed no further water spread. Giving the matter some thought I made the wisest decision possible: Turn off the water at the main and that would prevent a flooded basement should the water heater decide to expel its contents.
But I WOULD NOT WORRY.
Thursday morning arrives and I turn off the water main just as we are ready to leave the house.
Then comes the waiting for the rest of the travelers, plus the anticipation of what is to come. While sitting in the coffee shop Geogal and I talk to one of the local business owners, a person who already knows me via our mutual involvement in a service club.
Did I mention he owns a plumbing business in town?
We drop the subject of water heaters, he asks some questions, and the next thing I know he tells me his guys can take care of the matter.
I get out my keychain, remove the house key, slide it across the table. Several minutes later, my household is on the road to Arkansas.
(Would that ever occur in a larger city? Even a medium-sized one?)
Fast forward to the following Monday. We get home from an-all-day-and-very-long road trip. One of the first things I do is head down to the basement.
A new water heater sits there, simply doing what it's supposed to do.
Water main is back on. Only a little bit of air in the lines.
And a very dry basement floor.
Don't worry. Don't worry. Don't Worry!
See what can happen when one decides to not worry?
I, along with several other folks, was getting ready for a road trip. Many months in the making, several days in the execution. Our kids are just about ready to compete in a national BB gun competition. Many weeks of planning and fund-raising are about to come to culmination.
Full confession here: I am a worrier.
I'm trying to improve in this area. Learning more from life lessons certainly helps. However for some reason I still cannot shake the "beyond concern" I experience just prior to journeys more than an hour or two. I've always been this way and I have no explanation. However I am aware worry doesn't do me any good and in fact robs me of joy that I should have in conjunction with excursions beyond my own area of familiarity
So, let's go back to two Thursdays ago. I was bound and determined not to worry myself about anything, regardless of what might occur. So, when the water heater decided to draw some attention to itself on Wednesday I assessed the situation, determined disaster was not imminent, and made a conscious decision NOT TO WORRY!
Thursday morning arrives. Even though Geoana took a shower on Wednesday evening (well after I discovered some leakage from bottom of said water heater) a check of the basement once she was finished revealed no further water spread. Giving the matter some thought I made the wisest decision possible: Turn off the water at the main and that would prevent a flooded basement should the water heater decide to expel its contents.
But I WOULD NOT WORRY.
Thursday morning arrives and I turn off the water main just as we are ready to leave the house.
Then comes the waiting for the rest of the travelers, plus the anticipation of what is to come. While sitting in the coffee shop Geogal and I talk to one of the local business owners, a person who already knows me via our mutual involvement in a service club.
Did I mention he owns a plumbing business in town?
We drop the subject of water heaters, he asks some questions, and the next thing I know he tells me his guys can take care of the matter.
I get out my keychain, remove the house key, slide it across the table. Several minutes later, my household is on the road to Arkansas.
(Would that ever occur in a larger city? Even a medium-sized one?)
Fast forward to the following Monday. We get home from an-all-day-and-very-long road trip. One of the first things I do is head down to the basement.
A new water heater sits there, simply doing what it's supposed to do.
Water main is back on. Only a little bit of air in the lines.
And a very dry basement floor.
Don't worry. Don't worry. Don't Worry!
See what can happen when one decides to not worry?
Sunday, June 08, 2014
A venture into a different type of shooting sport
Even though I gave Geogal a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun for her b-day we didn't get a chance to take it out to the range and get familiar with it until yesterday.
Between the three of us we ended up putting 100 rounds through that gat! The gals are much better than I am with shooting that thing so hopefully I will never need to use it for self-defense. (Insert smiley)
Between the three of us we ended up putting 100 rounds through that gat! The gals are much better than I am with shooting that thing so hopefully I will never need to use it for self-defense. (Insert smiley)
Monday, May 19, 2014
Begetting another Whovian
Sat down as a family last night to watch the latest Netflix offering. Classic Doctor Who, "The Three Doctors."
It's been a long time since I've seen a Jon Pertwee episode. And this was Geoana's first experience with the Third Doctor.
Her verdict?
She wants to own a car like Bessie. And she did ask: "Why is Doctor Who dressed like Austin Powers?"
She enjoyed the episode. I pointed out that this is the way a Doctor Who ep should be: science fiction, cheap special effects, and no soap opera.
It's been a long time since I've seen a Jon Pertwee episode. And this was Geoana's first experience with the Third Doctor.
Her verdict?
She wants to own a car like Bessie. And she did ask: "Why is Doctor Who dressed like Austin Powers?"
She enjoyed the episode. I pointed out that this is the way a Doctor Who ep should be: science fiction, cheap special effects, and no soap opera.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Today I Am A Hunter!
At 7:55 this morning I took down my first-ever turkey. Got a good one, too. Just a hair shy of 20 pounds with a long beard, nice spurs, and quite the tail fan.
Sometimes getting up at 4 in the morning is worth it!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
De-winterizing
Finally had two things.
First, a weekend where I am spending both Saturday and Sunday here in town and don't have anything specific on the agenda. Second, temperatures that are finally consistently above freezing.
That can only mean one thing for a travel trailer owner such as I! (See post title)
It's funny to hear camping veterans describe the process. "Oh, de-winterizing is easy! Just add fresh water to the tank, then turn on all the faucets until the pink antifreeze is gone."
Well, cough cough.
They are partly correct.
However I first needed to check out the water pump as there can be a bypass valve that allows water to get pumped through the system without going into the hot water heater. Given that the water heater is six gallons that's a significant savings of pink antifreeze. So, remove the panel that gives me access to the water pump. Don't see any type of bypass valve anywhere. Don't see any type of valve, period.
Hmmm.
Get out the manuals. Have an overall owner's manual for the camper plus I have a manual from the water pump manufacturer. The water pump manual makes no reference to bypass valves. However the camper manual does have a short section discussing bypassing the hot water heater. But I sure can't find these valves anywhere.
Then I read through the manual for the pump itself. Figured I can just move ahead with what I know. Fill fresh water tank (with brand spanking-new white hose). Then click on the water pump switch and turn on kitchen faucet (cold side).
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat noise comes from the water pump. A trickle of pink water flows out of the aforementioned fixture. Nothing more than a trickle. Not the normal flow you'd expect from a faucet.
Hmmm.
Back to the manuals. Add more water to the fresh tank. This time I follow the water pump instructions to the letter. Open all faucets first, then turn on pump switch.
I get a pretty good flow from the bathroom sink and tub. The toilet flushes with no problems. Doesn't take too long for the pink water to turn clear. But still no decent water pressure from the kitchen sink.
Then I get the bright idea to also turn on the outdoor shower (which draws off the kitchen sink water inlets). Again, some pink antifreeze flows through the handheld nozzle but it doesn't have any effect on the kitchen sink efficiency.
Hmmm.
I take the 18-volt battery-operated working light that came with my Dewalt power tool set (thank you, Santa!). Take a look under the galley sink. Then Geogal takes a look. She sees that one of the lines going to the outdoor shower is kinked. True, but I still can't see how that affects the water pressure for the sink. (If anything, you think that would actually make the pressure to the sink that much better.)
Now it's time to break for lunch.
Later I decide to explore something else. The water pump manual indicated the pump would be supplying water to all the faucets, plus the hot water heater tank. But I still have not screwed the water heater tank plug back in the socket. Why am I not seeing water flowing out of the drain plug?
Harkens back to something the tech said when I did the walk-through before leaving the dealer's lot back in frigid February. He noted when I took off a certain panel that would give me access to the back of the hot water heater. Instead that panel led to the water pump.
Hmmm.
How can I take a look at the back of the heater? Check the outside of the camper, then go back in and see where it's located.
Underneath my leather sofa (which folds down into a bed). Pull the sofa up halfway and I see a panel held fast by a couple of wood screws. Remove the screws and viola! Back of the hot water heater.
I then see the three valves to which the owner's manual was referring. Yes!
Hot water is in my future.
But it's not present yet. I still need to put the drain plug back in. That will require a socket of a certain size and the socket wrench sizes I have on hand are all too small. And in my small town both of the hardware/home improvement stores are closed on Sunday.
I can wait.
And I still don't know if this will have any effect on the kitchen sink. However it's great to approach something like this with four thoughts in mind:
1) Take my time.
2) Be willing to learn as I go.
3) Realize that the more I learn about this camper, the better able I will be to handle issues in the future.
and,
4) Have a sense of humor!
First, a weekend where I am spending both Saturday and Sunday here in town and don't have anything specific on the agenda. Second, temperatures that are finally consistently above freezing.
That can only mean one thing for a travel trailer owner such as I! (See post title)
It's funny to hear camping veterans describe the process. "Oh, de-winterizing is easy! Just add fresh water to the tank, then turn on all the faucets until the pink antifreeze is gone."
Well, cough cough.
They are partly correct.
However I first needed to check out the water pump as there can be a bypass valve that allows water to get pumped through the system without going into the hot water heater. Given that the water heater is six gallons that's a significant savings of pink antifreeze. So, remove the panel that gives me access to the water pump. Don't see any type of bypass valve anywhere. Don't see any type of valve, period.
Hmmm.
Get out the manuals. Have an overall owner's manual for the camper plus I have a manual from the water pump manufacturer. The water pump manual makes no reference to bypass valves. However the camper manual does have a short section discussing bypassing the hot water heater. But I sure can't find these valves anywhere.
Then I read through the manual for the pump itself. Figured I can just move ahead with what I know. Fill fresh water tank (with brand spanking-new white hose). Then click on the water pump switch and turn on kitchen faucet (cold side).
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat noise comes from the water pump. A trickle of pink water flows out of the aforementioned fixture. Nothing more than a trickle. Not the normal flow you'd expect from a faucet.
Hmmm.
Back to the manuals. Add more water to the fresh tank. This time I follow the water pump instructions to the letter. Open all faucets first, then turn on pump switch.
I get a pretty good flow from the bathroom sink and tub. The toilet flushes with no problems. Doesn't take too long for the pink water to turn clear. But still no decent water pressure from the kitchen sink.
Then I get the bright idea to also turn on the outdoor shower (which draws off the kitchen sink water inlets). Again, some pink antifreeze flows through the handheld nozzle but it doesn't have any effect on the kitchen sink efficiency.
Hmmm.
I take the 18-volt battery-operated working light that came with my Dewalt power tool set (thank you, Santa!). Take a look under the galley sink. Then Geogal takes a look. She sees that one of the lines going to the outdoor shower is kinked. True, but I still can't see how that affects the water pressure for the sink. (If anything, you think that would actually make the pressure to the sink that much better.)
Now it's time to break for lunch.
Later I decide to explore something else. The water pump manual indicated the pump would be supplying water to all the faucets, plus the hot water heater tank. But I still have not screwed the water heater tank plug back in the socket. Why am I not seeing water flowing out of the drain plug?
Harkens back to something the tech said when I did the walk-through before leaving the dealer's lot back in frigid February. He noted when I took off a certain panel that would give me access to the back of the hot water heater. Instead that panel led to the water pump.
Hmmm.
How can I take a look at the back of the heater? Check the outside of the camper, then go back in and see where it's located.
Underneath my leather sofa (which folds down into a bed). Pull the sofa up halfway and I see a panel held fast by a couple of wood screws. Remove the screws and viola! Back of the hot water heater.
I then see the three valves to which the owner's manual was referring. Yes!
Hot water is in my future.
But it's not present yet. I still need to put the drain plug back in. That will require a socket of a certain size and the socket wrench sizes I have on hand are all too small. And in my small town both of the hardware/home improvement stores are closed on Sunday.
I can wait.
And I still don't know if this will have any effect on the kitchen sink. However it's great to approach something like this with four thoughts in mind:
1) Take my time.
2) Be willing to learn as I go.
3) Realize that the more I learn about this camper, the better able I will be to handle issues in the future.
and,
4) Have a sense of humor!
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Warm up already!
Yes, the temps have been above freezing but given it's April and it's northwest Kansas I'm not convinced we've seen the last of the freezing overnights.
C'mon Mother Nature, I want to de-winterize my camper and see how ALL my systems work!
I think I've already figured out where I want to go Memorial Day weekend (Geogal and Geoana will be going to Omaha to see a show so I'm on my own). More to follow.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Driveway camping, 2014 edition
A sequel to the 2010 story.
Finally got a free weekend, plus one where the weather was forecast to be more-than-halfway decent.
I spent a chunk of yesterday putting gear into the travel trailer. (Most of this was from the pop-up and we actually are able to make use of nearly everything we bought for that unit. If my memory serves me rightly, the only thing I coughed up money for that we couldn't take out of the pup was new tires and bearings.)
This was not meant to be a full shakedown. First of all the camper is still winterized. I'm trying to figure out when to flush out the pink stuff and don't think we are out of below-freezing overnight temps just yet.
Also I did not power up the refrigerator. I'm not fully level (but I am pretty level) however I didn't see any real need to dink around with the power tongue jack and side levelers considering we would not be cooking or needing to chill beverages.
So, just as with the entry noted above, all we wanted to do was overnight in the rig. I did bring out my coffeemaker and a kettle to heat up water for Geogal's tea.
How did it go?
Sorry to say, not extremely well. I had difficulty getting to sleep (it was windy and something outside kept going clink, clink, clink. The only noise I want when falling asleep is white noise) and Geogal realized about about 6 in the morning that the mattress is not adequate for her needs. She retreated to the camper's leather sofa due to back issues.
However everything inside the camper worked fine. Heater kept us at a nice temp and a travel trailer keeps out much more outside noise than does a pop-up. I also got out my old Sirius radio tuner and home connect kit, placed the antenna on top of the camper, plugged it into the radio/CD/DVD/audio unit which also has an auxiliary jack. Nice to have some calming music by which to enjoy one's morning coffee. Also pleasant to boil water on the gas range rather than plug something in.
A purchase in our near future: memory foam mattress topper or a higher-level mattress. At least we figured that out early and didn't have to endure several uncomfortable nights hundreds of miles from home base.
Next time I will have de-winterized the camper and we will give her more of a full shakedown at the nearby lake/state park.
Finally got a free weekend, plus one where the weather was forecast to be more-than-halfway decent.
I spent a chunk of yesterday putting gear into the travel trailer. (Most of this was from the pop-up and we actually are able to make use of nearly everything we bought for that unit. If my memory serves me rightly, the only thing I coughed up money for that we couldn't take out of the pup was new tires and bearings.)
This was not meant to be a full shakedown. First of all the camper is still winterized. I'm trying to figure out when to flush out the pink stuff and don't think we are out of below-freezing overnight temps just yet.
Also I did not power up the refrigerator. I'm not fully level (but I am pretty level) however I didn't see any real need to dink around with the power tongue jack and side levelers considering we would not be cooking or needing to chill beverages.
So, just as with the entry noted above, all we wanted to do was overnight in the rig. I did bring out my coffeemaker and a kettle to heat up water for Geogal's tea.
How did it go?
Sorry to say, not extremely well. I had difficulty getting to sleep (it was windy and something outside kept going clink, clink, clink. The only noise I want when falling asleep is white noise) and Geogal realized about about 6 in the morning that the mattress is not adequate for her needs. She retreated to the camper's leather sofa due to back issues.
However everything inside the camper worked fine. Heater kept us at a nice temp and a travel trailer keeps out much more outside noise than does a pop-up. I also got out my old Sirius radio tuner and home connect kit, placed the antenna on top of the camper, plugged it into the radio/CD/DVD/audio unit which also has an auxiliary jack. Nice to have some calming music by which to enjoy one's morning coffee. Also pleasant to boil water on the gas range rather than plug something in.
A purchase in our near future: memory foam mattress topper or a higher-level mattress. At least we figured that out early and didn't have to endure several uncomfortable nights hundreds of miles from home base.
Next time I will have de-winterized the camper and we will give her more of a full shakedown at the nearby lake/state park.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Winter/spring/winter/spring
Last weekend, nice weather with temps hitting the 70s on Saturday.
This weekend, cruddy weather with light snow falling this past Saturday. Woke up this morning to temperatures in the teens and needing to walk carefully to avoid slippage on the ice!
But now it's the evening and the sun decided to make an appearance. The light snow is just about all gone.
But still, one longs for true warm weather. However this is March and you truly never know what's in store for the next few days. What I just described is not unusual for this time of year.
Nagging question: When DO I de-winterize the camper?
Next nagging question: What should we really call this time of year? Spring doesn't fit. Neither does winter.
Wing? Sprinter?
This weekend, cruddy weather with light snow falling this past Saturday. Woke up this morning to temperatures in the teens and needing to walk carefully to avoid slippage on the ice!
But now it's the evening and the sun decided to make an appearance. The light snow is just about all gone.
But still, one longs for true warm weather. However this is March and you truly never know what's in store for the next few days. What I just described is not unusual for this time of year.
Nagging question: When DO I de-winterize the camper?
Next nagging question: What should we really call this time of year? Spring doesn't fit. Neither does winter.
Wing? Sprinter?
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Now there's this weekend
Weather is exponentially nicer than this time last week.
Last Saturday: Gray skies, temp hovering around zero, occasional snow and ice.
Today: Sunny, wind is calm, temps in the low 50's.
Not a bad day to go out to the camper and lounge around. I popped in a CD and jammed to the sounds of Steely Dan followed by classical pieces.
Geogal joined me a bit later. She appeared OK just sitting and reading her e-book.
Only one drawback to preliminary "driveway camping." The house wi-fi doesn't seem to give a useable signal out in the camper. No matter. Set up my iPhone as a hotspot and that solved the issue. Works just fine for web browsing, I have no intention of watching streaming video out there.
Come to think of it, gimpy wi-fi is a typical issue in campgrounds so maybe this is a useful lesson. Hey, as long as we can pick up a 3G or 4G signal we're good to go.
(My father sighs.)
Opened up the blinds and enjoyed some natural light. Since we left the door open the neighbor's cat chose to join us.
Soon it will be camping season!
Last Saturday: Gray skies, temp hovering around zero, occasional snow and ice.
Today: Sunny, wind is calm, temps in the low 50's.
Not a bad day to go out to the camper and lounge around. I popped in a CD and jammed to the sounds of Steely Dan followed by classical pieces.
Geogal joined me a bit later. She appeared OK just sitting and reading her e-book.
Only one drawback to preliminary "driveway camping." The house wi-fi doesn't seem to give a useable signal out in the camper. No matter. Set up my iPhone as a hotspot and that solved the issue. Works just fine for web browsing, I have no intention of watching streaming video out there.
Come to think of it, gimpy wi-fi is a typical issue in campgrounds so maybe this is a useful lesson. Hey, as long as we can pick up a 3G or 4G signal we're good to go.
(My father sighs.)
Opened up the blinds and enjoyed some natural light. Since we left the door open the neighbor's cat chose to join us.
Soon it will be camping season!
Friday, March 07, 2014
During the past year….
It likely was close to a year ago that I went to central Kansas for 4H Shooting Sports Coordinator training. Given I was doing the bachelor thing at the time (Geogal was in school) I had a fair amount of time to myself on the journey. Once I got close to my destination I realized I was rather early and therefore decided to do something I'd been putting off for years.
Pulled off Interstate 70 at Abilene and headed south to the Eisenhower Center.
I didn't spend a great deal of time there. In fact I only visited one building. (The fact that this structure was a free one to get into also played into my decision-making process.)
Just joking. I was happy this one did not require an admission charge as I had long since wanted to visit the final resting place of Dwight Eisenhower.
Too bad that pic came out a tad blurry. My blood sugar must have been low.
Then I got to thinking, is this the only presidential grave I've visited? Hmmm.
As a small child I remember Arlington National Cemetery (mainly I remember my awe at seeing headstones as far as my eye could focus). So it's highly likely I saw JFK's grave although I don't remember it specifically.
A few years later me, my sisters, my mother, and my grandmother all went to the LBJ Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. I do remember seeing Johnson's headstone from a distance--the tour bus only stopped in the roadway and the public was not allowed in the family cemetery.
But no doubt Ike's grave is the closest I have been to a president's burial site. And yes, I took several silent minutes and paid my respects.
Next time I need to take more of the day, pay the admission fee, and spend plenty of time taking in all that the Eisenhower Center has to offer.
Maybe combine it with a trip to the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum??
Pulled off Interstate 70 at Abilene and headed south to the Eisenhower Center.
I didn't spend a great deal of time there. In fact I only visited one building. (The fact that this structure was a free one to get into also played into my decision-making process.)
Just joking. I was happy this one did not require an admission charge as I had long since wanted to visit the final resting place of Dwight Eisenhower.
Too bad that pic came out a tad blurry. My blood sugar must have been low.
Then I got to thinking, is this the only presidential grave I've visited? Hmmm.
As a small child I remember Arlington National Cemetery (mainly I remember my awe at seeing headstones as far as my eye could focus). So it's highly likely I saw JFK's grave although I don't remember it specifically.
A few years later me, my sisters, my mother, and my grandmother all went to the LBJ Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. I do remember seeing Johnson's headstone from a distance--the tour bus only stopped in the roadway and the public was not allowed in the family cemetery.
But no doubt Ike's grave is the closest I have been to a president's burial site. And yes, I took several silent minutes and paid my respects.
Next time I need to take more of the day, pay the admission fee, and spend plenty of time taking in all that the Eisenhower Center has to offer.
Maybe combine it with a trip to the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum??
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Ladybugs
A few entries ago I made reference to "the bad part of winter."
That negative edge to the time of year when the northern hemisphere is pointed away from the sun hit very hard these last few weeks. Given December was fairly mild January and February seemed especially cruel.
But now we're in March and hope springs eternal. Pun intended.
Today walking from one building to another at my place of employment I spotted a promising sign of the changing seasons.
A ladybug. And then another.
Nothing like a small colorful insect to give cheer to one's day.
That negative edge to the time of year when the northern hemisphere is pointed away from the sun hit very hard these last few weeks. Given December was fairly mild January and February seemed especially cruel.
But now we're in March and hope springs eternal. Pun intended.
Today walking from one building to another at my place of employment I spotted a promising sign of the changing seasons.
A ladybug. And then another.
Nothing like a small colorful insect to give cheer to one's day.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Yep, it's me
Speaking of that last entry, I'm still pondering why the YouTube video didn't embed the way it should have (and that my preview pane showed was good to go).
But let's move on.
Still haven't been able to even as much as driveway camp with my new rig. Too danged cold. Even though this rig has a heater and plenty of propane I still don't feel the urge to replicate the experience of a high elevation with kill-the-annoying-invading-pests low temps.
And this past weekend was really the kicker. Barely above zero for both Saturday and Sunday. Fortunately today the temps were in the range of sanity. Melted a lot of the remaining snow.
Us humans are funny folks. Come June and July it will be so blasted hot we'll all be praying for a blast of cool air. Sometimes I think in the afterlife our ancestors are laughing at us so hard the tears are flowing faster than the local creek after spring thaw.
And, in June and July even in the hot temps I will still enjoy my camper. Got an air conditioner on the top, don't you know?
Springtime, please come!!
_______________________________________
The lack of postings can be summed up by my usual excuse--no time. No kidding.
Last Tuesday evening I was looking forward to a nice, casual stay-at-home evening.
Nope.
Not long after I walked through the front door Geogal reminded me that our child had a vocal concert that very evening. I was even the one who wrote it on the calendar!
Plus it had snowed that afternoon and frigid temps were our constant companion. However I was treated to some nice renditions of old songs and pretty decent performances from the junior high band members. Didn't cost a cent, either.
Earlier in February I committed to putting in some time for the local Rotary Club (of which I am a member) Rotary Radio fundraiser.
Me and my big mouth. Happened to mention I had radio experience and that I'd be willing to re-write some of the ads to make them more "chatty."
Turned out I redid nearly all of the ads. From a whole lot of local businesses. Plus a few new ones.
Time-consuming, but I got it all done. The end result was very positive.
And my mom thinks living in a small town is nothing but never-ending boredom.
_______________________________________
What am I reading these days? Going through the Cork O'Connor series penned by William Kent Krueger. Right now I'm reading Thunder Bay.
Like so many folks I have read through C.J. Box's books featuring Joe Pickett and now just await his new releases. Hey, I'm in luck! Looks like Stone Cold will be out in a matter of days.
And with the Kindle I am also perusing Scavengers by Steven Havill. Set in southern New Mexico (an area with which I am a bit familiar).
Maybe I'm picky but finding quality fiction is very challenging. I don't care for the likes of James Patterson or some of these other "hot" authors, particularly when the violence and brutality scale is way over the top.
Makes finding tomes I like especially rewarding.
But let's move on.
Still haven't been able to even as much as driveway camp with my new rig. Too danged cold. Even though this rig has a heater and plenty of propane I still don't feel the urge to replicate the experience of a high elevation with kill-the-annoying-invading-pests low temps.
And this past weekend was really the kicker. Barely above zero for both Saturday and Sunday. Fortunately today the temps were in the range of sanity. Melted a lot of the remaining snow.
Us humans are funny folks. Come June and July it will be so blasted hot we'll all be praying for a blast of cool air. Sometimes I think in the afterlife our ancestors are laughing at us so hard the tears are flowing faster than the local creek after spring thaw.
And, in June and July even in the hot temps I will still enjoy my camper. Got an air conditioner on the top, don't you know?
Springtime, please come!!
_______________________________________
The lack of postings can be summed up by my usual excuse--no time. No kidding.
Last Tuesday evening I was looking forward to a nice, casual stay-at-home evening.
Nope.
Not long after I walked through the front door Geogal reminded me that our child had a vocal concert that very evening. I was even the one who wrote it on the calendar!
Plus it had snowed that afternoon and frigid temps were our constant companion. However I was treated to some nice renditions of old songs and pretty decent performances from the junior high band members. Didn't cost a cent, either.
Earlier in February I committed to putting in some time for the local Rotary Club (of which I am a member) Rotary Radio fundraiser.
Me and my big mouth. Happened to mention I had radio experience and that I'd be willing to re-write some of the ads to make them more "chatty."
Turned out I redid nearly all of the ads. From a whole lot of local businesses. Plus a few new ones.
Time-consuming, but I got it all done. The end result was very positive.
And my mom thinks living in a small town is nothing but never-ending boredom.
_______________________________________
What am I reading these days? Going through the Cork O'Connor series penned by William Kent Krueger. Right now I'm reading Thunder Bay.
Like so many folks I have read through C.J. Box's books featuring Joe Pickett and now just await his new releases. Hey, I'm in luck! Looks like Stone Cold will be out in a matter of days.
And with the Kindle I am also perusing Scavengers by Steven Havill. Set in southern New Mexico (an area with which I am a bit familiar).
Maybe I'm picky but finding quality fiction is very challenging. I don't care for the likes of James Patterson or some of these other "hot" authors, particularly when the violence and brutality scale is way over the top.
Makes finding tomes I like especially rewarding.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Yep, what you saw is correct!
Drove to Omaha (and back) on Saturday, January 4. Horribly cold winter day.
But we pulled the trigger on a travel trailer. Buying off-season does have its advantages.
Picked up the unit this past Saturday. Looking forward to a lot of fun times in it once the weather warms up. (Remember, my Texas, Arizona, and California kin, we have REAL winter here!)
_________________________________
Another football season is in the books. Satisfaction of seeing the Patriots lose, then seeing the Broncos crap the bed in the Big One.
Actually I don't have any pure hatred for the team from Colorado but being able to avoid several months of nearby (and nearly) insufferable Orange Crush fans is a nice thought to entertain.
At least my favorite team is not the Browns. Yeesh, look up "Poorly Run NFL Operation" in the dictionary and you will see numerous references to the team from Cleveland. Almost makes Jerry Jones look wise in comparison. Not only did they can their head coach after only one year, they also took a whole lotta time to fill the position. A long time in which several teams snagged the A-list coaching candidates.
_________________________________
Speaking of the Big Game, I didn't watch much of it. (Spending my valuable time doing other tasks. Besides I thought the Broncos would win handily, as many others had predicted.)
I did sit down and turn it on in the 4th quarter. Caught this ad.
Hey, members of my family: Does that puppy remind you of Fred? (Or should I spell it Phredde?)
But we pulled the trigger on a travel trailer. Buying off-season does have its advantages.
Picked up the unit this past Saturday. Looking forward to a lot of fun times in it once the weather warms up. (Remember, my Texas, Arizona, and California kin, we have REAL winter here!)
_________________________________
Another football season is in the books. Satisfaction of seeing the Patriots lose, then seeing the Broncos crap the bed in the Big One.
Actually I don't have any pure hatred for the team from Colorado but being able to avoid several months of nearby (and nearly) insufferable Orange Crush fans is a nice thought to entertain.
At least my favorite team is not the Browns. Yeesh, look up "Poorly Run NFL Operation" in the dictionary and you will see numerous references to the team from Cleveland. Almost makes Jerry Jones look wise in comparison. Not only did they can their head coach after only one year, they also took a whole lotta time to fill the position. A long time in which several teams snagged the A-list coaching candidates.
_________________________________
Speaking of the Big Game, I didn't watch much of it. (Spending my valuable time doing other tasks. Besides I thought the Broncos would win handily, as many others had predicted.)
I did sit down and turn it on in the 4th quarter. Caught this ad.
Hey, members of my family: Does that puppy remind you of Fred? (Or should I spell it Phredde?)
Sunday, February 09, 2014
What do you mean I can't go camping yet?
Yes, I bought a new rig in the dead of winter. Sometimes off-season is the best time to buy.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Maybe the bad part of winter hasn't hit yet....
A few entries ago I made note that after the holiday season winter seems to take on a different, and more malevolent, tone.
Fortunately in my own cranium that hasn't occurred yet.
Not that Old Man Winter suffers for lack of effort. While those of us in northwest Kansas didn't suffer quite the cold level other parts of the nation endured (hear that, Minneapolis?) it was still plenty chilly. Last Saturday morning (not referring to yesterday but rather January 4) us three got up early and went on a road trip to Omaha. According to the Suburban's thermometer it was 37 when we left town around 5:30 a.m. Soon the wind kicked up and by the time we were in eastern Nebraska it was down to 17. Factor in the wind chill and it was well below zero. Not to mention the sky was very gray.
However the outcome of the journey was positive (more about that in future entries). We also did a turnaround and headed back home the same day. 593 miles (round trip) after we began the sojourn we again pulled up to our domicile. And slept in the following day.
Compared to last weekend yesterday and today seem downright tropical. This morning I was rewarded with a sunrise and shades of yellow and orange Crayola will never be able to duplicate.
____________________________________
Did I mention I don't mind the holiday season being over?
Before you start calling me "Scrooge," "The Grinch," and other epithets please know I don't have any deep resentment toward Christmas itself. On the contrary I enjoy giving and teaching my child the importance of giving to others, especially when you can do it anonymously.
Yet I seem to be cursed with family members that are VERY hard to buy for. Here are the real-life examples:
Circa 1978--I ask my mom what she wants for Christmas. Long pause. "Well, hmmm." Longer pause. "I guess I don't really know. Maybe a pair of slippers, or perhaps a bathrobe." Geoguy (to himself),.
Now fast forward to the present. I ask Geogal what she wants for Christmas. Long pause. "Well, hmmm." Longer pause. "I don't really know. I guess a bathrobe." She did eventually give me a few other gift ideas.
Geoguy (to himself),.
Then the neighbors hear the sound of Geoguy hitting his head against a brick wall.
Why is it that I'm cursed with loved ones who don't seem to have hobbies or interests? Is it some kind of evil payback for me having about 30,000 hobbies and interests?
That is my big gripe about Christmas. Well, that and a few other things. That list will wait until December of 2014. No need to be a curmudgeon now.
It does appear this just-ended Christmas that GeoSister (the younger) got very wise and gave Mom and Dad an iPad Air. Bear in mind they don't have iPhone and own no other Apple products (to my knowledge). However in talking to Geomom yesterday they seem to be enjoying the device just fine. Who knows, maybe they will even find some apps they enjoy.
Fortunately in my own cranium that hasn't occurred yet.
Not that Old Man Winter suffers for lack of effort. While those of us in northwest Kansas didn't suffer quite the cold level other parts of the nation endured (hear that, Minneapolis?) it was still plenty chilly. Last Saturday morning (not referring to yesterday but rather January 4) us three got up early and went on a road trip to Omaha. According to the Suburban's thermometer it was 37 when we left town around 5:30 a.m. Soon the wind kicked up and by the time we were in eastern Nebraska it was down to 17. Factor in the wind chill and it was well below zero. Not to mention the sky was very gray.
However the outcome of the journey was positive (more about that in future entries). We also did a turnaround and headed back home the same day. 593 miles (round trip) after we began the sojourn we again pulled up to our domicile. And slept in the following day.
Compared to last weekend yesterday and today seem downright tropical. This morning I was rewarded with a sunrise and shades of yellow and orange Crayola will never be able to duplicate.
____________________________________
Did I mention I don't mind the holiday season being over?
Before you start calling me "Scrooge," "The Grinch," and other epithets please know I don't have any deep resentment toward Christmas itself. On the contrary I enjoy giving and teaching my child the importance of giving to others, especially when you can do it anonymously.
Yet I seem to be cursed with family members that are VERY hard to buy for. Here are the real-life examples:
Circa 1978--I ask my mom what she wants for Christmas. Long pause. "Well, hmmm." Longer pause. "I guess I don't really know. Maybe a pair of slippers, or perhaps a bathrobe." Geoguy (to himself),
Now fast forward to the present. I ask Geogal what she wants for Christmas. Long pause. "Well, hmmm." Longer pause. "I don't really know. I guess a bathrobe." She did eventually give me a few other gift ideas.
Geoguy (to himself),
Then the neighbors hear the sound of Geoguy hitting his head against a brick wall.
Why is it that I'm cursed with loved ones who don't seem to have hobbies or interests? Is it some kind of evil payback for me having about 30,000 hobbies and interests?
That is my big gripe about Christmas. Well, that and a few other things. That list will wait until December of 2014. No need to be a curmudgeon now.
It does appear this just-ended Christmas that GeoSister (the younger) got very wise and gave Mom and Dad an iPad Air. Bear in mind they don't have iPhone and own no other Apple products (to my knowledge). However in talking to Geomom yesterday they seem to be enjoying the device just fine. Who knows, maybe they will even find some apps they enjoy.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
Doing the same thing
Last January First I made note that I was hedging my bets regarding traditional New Year's Day dishes. A combination of Deep South (black-eyed peas) and New Mexico (posole).
Given 2013 was a reasonably good one for me (and a heckuva lot better than 2012) I chose to again please my palate with the aforementioned dishes.
The only change is I ate the black-eyed peas in the form of 10-bean soup rather than making them their own dedicated dish.
Here's wishing all of you a happy 2013!
Given 2013 was a reasonably good one for me (and a heckuva lot better than 2012) I chose to again please my palate with the aforementioned dishes.
The only change is I ate the black-eyed peas in the form of 10-bean soup rather than making them their own dedicated dish.
Here's wishing all of you a happy 2013!
Monday, December 30, 2013
More manly stuff
Similar to a Christmas many years ago, I could not fully enjoy my big gift for a few days.
You already know about the work commitments. However there was another rub. The recip saw didn't come with any blades. Given all the retailers were closed yesterday it was not until today that I could pick up a set of DeWalt blades. Found them on sale (Christmas spirit just keeps on coming).
By this afternoon I was in the backyard and some of my trees now are nicely pruned. And I still have all my fingers.
And during our time out this morning Geogal told me she already has a project in mind: a shelving unit for her closet. Other than needing to borrow a router I think I can make this a reality.
A whole lotta years ago I got a motocross bicycle for Christmas. However it was a rainy holiday that day in Houston, Texas so no out-of-doors stuff. The following day all of us trekked to Seguin for nativity celebrations with extended family. Two or three days later (forever, it felt to me at the time) we finally returned home. By this time the rain had retreated and I recall the fun of finally being able to ride that bike.
Just like the fun of going outside and sawing through dead branches.
You already know about the work commitments. However there was another rub. The recip saw didn't come with any blades. Given all the retailers were closed yesterday it was not until today that I could pick up a set of DeWalt blades. Found them on sale (Christmas spirit just keeps on coming).
By this afternoon I was in the backyard and some of my trees now are nicely pruned. And I still have all my fingers.
And during our time out this morning Geogal told me she already has a project in mind: a shelving unit for her closet. Other than needing to borrow a router I think I can make this a reality.
A whole lotta years ago I got a motocross bicycle for Christmas. However it was a rainy holiday that day in Houston, Texas so no out-of-doors stuff. The following day all of us trekked to Seguin for nativity celebrations with extended family. Two or three days later (forever, it felt to me at the time) we finally returned home. By this time the rain had retreated and I recall the fun of finally being able to ride that bike.
Just like the fun of going outside and sawing through dead branches.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Now it's time to relax
No entries the past few days is attributed to Geoguy being very busy at his day job.
Since Christmas Eve onward I was the person on call and this circumstance also resulted in me spending all day yesterday at work. However the up side of all this is that my labor on a Saturday results in me being able to take an extra day off this coming week.
And the fact that I already had put in to take tomorrow off didn't hurt either.
But given my mental fatigue upon coming home in the evenings my creative/writing juices dwindled down to resembling those few grounds at the bottom of the coffee pot. Here's hoping today is truly a day of rest and play for me.
Play, of course, can involve me enjoying what Santa done brung. Among my loot was a set of DeWalt power tools (cordless, of course). A drill, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, and a floodlight.
I already intend to use the drill today to bore holes into a tree stump. Need to get that thing killed, up, and out.
And tomorrow I will get to a retailer to procure some blades for the reciprocating saw. (If you don't know what that is, it's a Sawzall, but DeWalt's version.) So during my day off tomorrow I can go to the backyard and play "Let's see if it will cut this." I've already seen comments and videos online in which this tool can be used to cut tree branches.
As I joked with family on Christmas Day, right now I still have all ten fingers. Let's hope that's the case for the future.
_____________________________________
The gift that keeps on giving: I brought my K-cup brewer home yesterday (it usually occupies my office) because I knew I wouldn't be at work too much this coming week and the womenfolk in my casa would certainly enjoy a cup of fresh java if they desire. Not only that, but Santa also brought me a package of hot apple cider K-cups. Geogal and Geoana sampled those this morning. Luscious. Smells and tastes like liquid apple pie.
_____________________________________
Question of the day: So just how do you greet people today? Seems odd to say "Merry Christmas" but also appears a bit early to wish one "Happy New Year."
How about today I give all of my readers both?
Since Christmas Eve onward I was the person on call and this circumstance also resulted in me spending all day yesterday at work. However the up side of all this is that my labor on a Saturday results in me being able to take an extra day off this coming week.
And the fact that I already had put in to take tomorrow off didn't hurt either.
But given my mental fatigue upon coming home in the evenings my creative/writing juices dwindled down to resembling those few grounds at the bottom of the coffee pot. Here's hoping today is truly a day of rest and play for me.
Play, of course, can involve me enjoying what Santa done brung. Among my loot was a set of DeWalt power tools (cordless, of course). A drill, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, and a floodlight.
I already intend to use the drill today to bore holes into a tree stump. Need to get that thing killed, up, and out.
And tomorrow I will get to a retailer to procure some blades for the reciprocating saw. (If you don't know what that is, it's a Sawzall, but DeWalt's version.) So during my day off tomorrow I can go to the backyard and play "Let's see if it will cut this." I've already seen comments and videos online in which this tool can be used to cut tree branches.
As I joked with family on Christmas Day, right now I still have all ten fingers. Let's hope that's the case for the future.
_____________________________________
The gift that keeps on giving: I brought my K-cup brewer home yesterday (it usually occupies my office) because I knew I wouldn't be at work too much this coming week and the womenfolk in my casa would certainly enjoy a cup of fresh java if they desire. Not only that, but Santa also brought me a package of hot apple cider K-cups. Geogal and Geoana sampled those this morning. Luscious. Smells and tastes like liquid apple pie.
_____________________________________
Question of the day: So just how do you greet people today? Seems odd to say "Merry Christmas" but also appears a bit early to wish one "Happy New Year."
How about today I give all of my readers both?
Friday, December 20, 2013
Almost Christmas
As befitting a working adult, I want Christmas to get here for different reasons than when I was a youngster.
I have things at work that are due by the end of the month.
I still need to give my co-workers (particularly those I supervise) their gifts of baked goods.
I gotta get the stocking stuffers.
And I need to get this blog updated with the latest news.
(I guess I can consider that last one just about done.)
_________________________________
I already wrote about my iPhone upgrade.
Well, the womenfolk in the Geohouse decided they didn't want me to have all the joy of a fast phone with plenty of cool features.
So two Saturdays ago Geogal and I trekked to Kearney and made our last stop of the day at the Verizon store.
A while later we walked out of there with two Christmas gifts. A gold iPhone 5S for Geogal and a blue iPhone 5C for Geoana. And my wallet was a lot lighter.
Enjoy your early presents gals!!
Then the fun really began. It already was dark when we hit the highway back to town.
But wait! Are those snowflakes?
Yes.
About an hour into the drive Geogal is struggling to see where the highway centerline is. And I'm keeping track of how large the white patches are on the roadway.
We got home just fine. Never even lost traction.
________________________________
Just about all of that snow has since melted. In fact the temps were downright mild until yesterday. Then a blast of Arctic air hit us with a vengeance.
However the forecast does not include snow for X-mas. Sigh.
________________________________
Here's hoping the weekend can be productive, relaxing, and joyous.
You can call that my early Christmas wish.
I have things at work that are due by the end of the month.
I still need to give my co-workers (particularly those I supervise) their gifts of baked goods.
I gotta get the stocking stuffers.
And I need to get this blog updated with the latest news.
(I guess I can consider that last one just about done.)
_________________________________
I already wrote about my iPhone upgrade.
Well, the womenfolk in the Geohouse decided they didn't want me to have all the joy of a fast phone with plenty of cool features.
So two Saturdays ago Geogal and I trekked to Kearney and made our last stop of the day at the Verizon store.
A while later we walked out of there with two Christmas gifts. A gold iPhone 5S for Geogal and a blue iPhone 5C for Geoana. And my wallet was a lot lighter.
Enjoy your early presents gals!!
Then the fun really began. It already was dark when we hit the highway back to town.
But wait! Are those snowflakes?
Yes.
About an hour into the drive Geogal is struggling to see where the highway centerline is. And I'm keeping track of how large the white patches are on the roadway.
We got home just fine. Never even lost traction.
________________________________
Just about all of that snow has since melted. In fact the temps were downright mild until yesterday. Then a blast of Arctic air hit us with a vengeance.
However the forecast does not include snow for X-mas. Sigh.
________________________________
Here's hoping the weekend can be productive, relaxing, and joyous.
You can call that my early Christmas wish.
Wednesday, December 04, 2013
Finishing the thought
After posting I realized my last entry didn't finish the story of my Apple upgrades and what devices I want in what order.
Since I got an iPhone on my trip out west the next cool item on my wish list is a MacBook Air (13-inch). Upgraded to 8 GB of RAM. Should work well for everything I need to replace my still-working-but-really-showing-its-age 2006-era MacBook.
THEN I will set my sights on an iPad Mini with Retina Display (Space Gray to match the iPhone).
____________________________
It's really cold today. The type where if my deep freeze unit failed I can just toss everything out in the backyard with no spoilage. Not even anything thawing out, for that matter. Still technically autumn but winter is no doubt here.
At least this is the fun part of the cold season. After the holidays are over, after the last football games are played for the season, after hunting season comes to a close, then we have the cruddy part of winter. February and March especially.
But I'll enjoy the temps for right now. And no time like the present to enjoy dishes such as soups, stews, and spicy chile.
Since I got an iPhone on my trip out west the next cool item on my wish list is a MacBook Air (13-inch). Upgraded to 8 GB of RAM. Should work well for everything I need to replace my still-working-but-really-showing-its-age 2006-era MacBook.
THEN I will set my sights on an iPad Mini with Retina Display (Space Gray to match the iPhone).
____________________________
It's really cold today. The type where if my deep freeze unit failed I can just toss everything out in the backyard with no spoilage. Not even anything thawing out, for that matter. Still technically autumn but winter is no doubt here.
At least this is the fun part of the cold season. After the holidays are over, after the last football games are played for the season, after hunting season comes to a close, then we have the cruddy part of winter. February and March especially.
But I'll enjoy the temps for right now. And no time like the present to enjoy dishes such as soups, stews, and spicy chile.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
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.
___________________________________
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.
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.
___________________________________
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.
Friday, November 29, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
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.
_____________________________
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??
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.
_____________________________
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??
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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.
_______________________________
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.....
Hope there's one under the tree come some morning in late December.
_______________________________
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.....
Monday, October 21, 2013
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.
________________________________________
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.
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.
________________________________________
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.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
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.
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, September 09, 2013
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?
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?
Sunday, September 08, 2013
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?"
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?"
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
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??
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??
Sunday, June 09, 2013
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.
"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.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
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.
_______________________________________
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.
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.
_______________________________________
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.
Monday, June 03, 2013
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!
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!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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.
________________________
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.
________________________
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.
_______________________
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.
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.
________________________
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.
________________________
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.
_______________________
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.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
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.
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.
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