Lots of material today.
We have the Rhubarb Festival this weekend in one of the local Illinois towns. Not that I am making any reservations. I remember Mother having a couple of rhubarb plants by the small grape arbor in the backyard of the old house. Never had much taste for rhubarb since the time in my youth when I took a big bite of a piece of pie that I thought was strawberry, but was in fact rhubarb.
John's comment about an ND burial plot for me in response to Craig Wilson's Wednesday column brought a small smile to my face. I had read the article myself and my thoughts were about a fellow '71 grad whom I saw many times in the '70's and '80's at the same South Bend bar we had frequented as undergrads, Corby's. He ended up getting a PhD and teaching at ND, maybe even still. He certainly has earned an honorary spot at the bar (although Corby's has long since met with the wrecking-ball).
The Ottumwa lawyer whom I accompanied on my first-ever visit to ND as a high school junior, by rail, bought a condo near campus in his retirement and I think spent (still?) a lot of time each Fall in South Bend to get the full appreciation of the gridiron season. Most people with a second home might go a little further South. Winter in South Bend defines the term, "lake-effect snow".
Sports fans can be over-the-top in support of their teams. There are many stories about local team supporters, as well as college and pro fanatics. Whether it's where they are buried, or what they may be buried in (or with), people can make a statement with those decisions on final arrangements. It makes for good stories, but it's not like it changes the end results. When you're dead, you're dead.
A discussion of final resting places has made it to this blog previously. I do think that it is relevant for the immediate family to have a place to visit their departed loved ones (especially for those tragically called home early). It gets a bit sketchy for the 3rd generation, and becomes little more than history for the 4th generation. At least with a Mt. Rose destination, the girls will be able to celebrate with some kind of repetition, memories of the best of our times.
Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees made headlines for a couple of reasons yesterday. I'll leave the more salacious backpage gossip to the Enquirer, but the baseball story is worth a few comments. While running between second and third last night for what must have been a probable third out infield pop-up, he yelled something at the third baseman who was making the play (likely, "mine", or "I got it"), that caused the third baseman to back off, and the ball dropped for a hit. To my knowledge, A-Rod did not deny that he tried to confuse the third baseman.
The opponents and many commentators have criticized the play as "bush league", a term used to deride action that doesn't belong in "the show". This raises into discussion the whole concept of the "unwritten" rules of baseball. Actually, baseball probably has more unwritten rules than any sport. While each sport may have a few common "sportsmanship courtesies", baseball is rife with do's and don'ts. There are endless varieties of the "hidden ball" trick to get runners to step off base for an easy tag out. Fielders often fake base runners on who is covering a bag, or whether a ball has been caught or thrown. These are all "okay" and generally acceptable in terms of the "spirit of the game".
A pitcher attempting to "send a message to a batter aims below the shoulders with the inside pitch, while the shortstop making the relay on the double play aims at the head of a runner not starting his slide early enough in the play. As a runner, it's your job to "take out" the pivot guy on the double play. It's generally okay to steal signs, if you can. Bench jockey's "ride" the opposing pitcher. You don't say anything in the dugout to a pitcher tossing a no-no. You don't bunt for the first hit in a late game, no-no situation.
The list goes on.
I'm not sure if A-Rod's action falls into the definition of "bush league" conduct. It may be marginal. I want to say that it's not "old school", but it may not be such simply because the old guys didn't think of it at the time. I don't think many of those Hall of Famers lost much sleep on how they won, as long as they won. Think Ty Cobb or St. Louis' Gashouse Gang. They weren't choirboys. (Doesn't the NFL have some written rules that limit the defense's rights on yelling out signals designed to confuse the offense? And the NBA has at least had discussions about player conduct in attempts to distract a free throw shooter.)
Okay. I beat that to death. No wonder my readership numbers are down.
I'm off to the bike. Have a great evening. Buenos dias/noches.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wednesday
Short today. 4 says that she will be adding to her story later. Although, since it is 4PM here, and thus 11PM there, we may be looking at tomorrow.
Big day in the US stock market. Record highs. How high is up?
Another op-ed piece today about how young people need to pursue careers that appeal to them rather than settle for jobs that pay the bills. I think that most parents see two sides to that equation. But if kids can get out of college with no debt, they can at least have some choices. The remarkable successes of our extended family in that regard remain the indelible imprint of Phil and Margaret.
Fred Thompson, the former Law & Order actor, and senator from Tennessee, is set to announce a candidacy for the GOP Presidential nomination. As with Ronald Reagan and "Ahnold the Gubinator", how and when is the public able to distinguish between the characters whom they played, and their inner-selves (or their real reality)? Maybe the public elects the former actors because the public likes the characters portrayed on the screen.
Taking this to another level, don't the politicians seek to establish a public persona that will appeal to the electorate? Think of the most popular Presidents in the last 20 years or so. Reagan captured the populace by presenting himself as a common man, Main Street reachable type of guy. Clinton maintained popularity in spite of impeachment proceedings. Americans like likable guys. Could a constitutional amendment favoring the Gubinator be in our future?
Off to the bike. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Big day in the US stock market. Record highs. How high is up?
Another op-ed piece today about how young people need to pursue careers that appeal to them rather than settle for jobs that pay the bills. I think that most parents see two sides to that equation. But if kids can get out of college with no debt, they can at least have some choices. The remarkable successes of our extended family in that regard remain the indelible imprint of Phil and Margaret.
Fred Thompson, the former Law & Order actor, and senator from Tennessee, is set to announce a candidacy for the GOP Presidential nomination. As with Ronald Reagan and "Ahnold the Gubinator", how and when is the public able to distinguish between the characters whom they played, and their inner-selves (or their real reality)? Maybe the public elects the former actors because the public likes the characters portrayed on the screen.
Taking this to another level, don't the politicians seek to establish a public persona that will appeal to the electorate? Think of the most popular Presidents in the last 20 years or so. Reagan captured the populace by presenting himself as a common man, Main Street reachable type of guy. Clinton maintained popularity in spite of impeachment proceedings. Americans like likable guys. Could a constitutional amendment favoring the Gubinator be in our future?
Off to the bike. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday PM
Ellen Goodman wrote an op-ed piece the other day lamenting the new reality of disabled athletes. I did a little checking on-line and there is actually a bit of a debate out there as a result of a double-amputee runner who has recorded some startling times with the aid of high-tech, carbon fiber leg prostheses called "cheetahs". Some folks are suggesting that the amputee with these prostheses may actually have an advantage over able-bodied runners. But that's a whole different story well beyond my level of interest.
Back to Goodman. I read her occasionally. She's not what I would call off-the-wall, Michael Moore leftish, but she tends toward a blue ideology. Hey, she's from Boston! Anyway, in this recent column about technology making the disabled something less than the traditionally disabled, she also brought into the discussion Tiger Woods' laser eye surgery, and (the horror of it!), the possible cosmetic enhancements of our beauty pageant contestants. I wonder if she is too close to home for the late night crews to get Top Ten lists going for this new view of True to Nature?
Here's a go at my Top Ten of Goodman's Guidelines:
1. Good-bye orthodontics. And to the wealthy orthodontists.
2. Good-bye Clairol and Grecian Formula. Hello Gray!
3. My titanium road bike with index, finger-tip shifting. Gone.
4. Bottled spring water at $1.79 a pop. See 'ya. (I agree with her here.)
5. Laser-mounted pictures in the living room. Fagetaboutit.
6. $150 running shoes. Not. (Again, I agree.)
7. Honey, where's the beta-max?
8. Blackberries, Ipods, HD LQ screen TV's. All gone.
9. Plastic surgeons. Back to Family Practice. Ouch.
10. Gee, (insert name), you sure look good in that white t-shirt and gym shorts.
Some of that's a little harsh, but when you start equating steroids and EPO/HGH in athletes to laser eye surgery and breast implants it's hard to find a base line.
Hope everyone has a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Back to Goodman. I read her occasionally. She's not what I would call off-the-wall, Michael Moore leftish, but she tends toward a blue ideology. Hey, she's from Boston! Anyway, in this recent column about technology making the disabled something less than the traditionally disabled, she also brought into the discussion Tiger Woods' laser eye surgery, and (the horror of it!), the possible cosmetic enhancements of our beauty pageant contestants. I wonder if she is too close to home for the late night crews to get Top Ten lists going for this new view of True to Nature?
Here's a go at my Top Ten of Goodman's Guidelines:
1. Good-bye orthodontics. And to the wealthy orthodontists.
2. Good-bye Clairol and Grecian Formula. Hello Gray!
3. My titanium road bike with index, finger-tip shifting. Gone.
4. Bottled spring water at $1.79 a pop. See 'ya. (I agree with her here.)
5. Laser-mounted pictures in the living room. Fagetaboutit.
6. $150 running shoes. Not. (Again, I agree.)
7. Honey, where's the beta-max?
8. Blackberries, Ipods, HD LQ screen TV's. All gone.
9. Plastic surgeons. Back to Family Practice. Ouch.
10. Gee, (insert name), you sure look good in that white t-shirt and gym shorts.
Some of that's a little harsh, but when you start equating steroids and EPO/HGH in athletes to laser eye surgery and breast implants it's hard to find a base line.
Hope everyone has a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday AM
Just didn't get to this yesterday.
I think that the Criterium was a success. The rain stayed away all day. The crowds were not huge, but the event was well-attended and the races went along as scheduled with no major snafu's.
Another busy week here. The official start of Summer.
More later. Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
I think that the Criterium was a success. The rain stayed away all day. The crowds were not huge, but the event was well-attended and the races went along as scheduled with no major snafu's.
Another busy week here. The official start of Summer.
More later. Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday
The sun has returned.
I did 20+ in the rain yesterday afternoon. I just couldn't justify sitting inside all day, so in one of the interludes from the showers, I took off knowing that I would get wet. It wasn't that bad. My goal today is 25+.
There was an obituary in the national press this week for Jerry Falwell, founder of a Christian fundamentalist college in Virginia in the '70's, now called Liberty University. He was perhaps best known for his leadership of an essentially political group described as the Moral Majority. I always thought he was a bit of a nut, but conservatives tended to cater to this bloc of voters because of their perceived ability to deliver at the polls. Their pro-life, pro-prayer and general bible-toting beliefs helped create the liberal/conservative wedge that still exists in today's political environment. Conservatives have to deal with the likes of Falwell and Newt Gingrich. Liberals are burdened with Rosie O'Donnell and Ted Kennedy. Who wins there?
And now, another off-the-wall item. I stopped at the Kimberly Road SB's this AM. I was sitting on one end of a three-person couch with a coffee table in front. I had been through most of my paper and had placed part of it beside me and part of it on the coffee table. An older gentleman came over, and without comment or greeting, sat on the other end of the couch, and proceeded to pick up the parts of the paper that were beside me. In my world, that was a breech of two protocols; first, you don't sit down on a possibly-shared sofa without first asking if anyone else is sitting there; and second, you certainly don't pick up from a paper pile in front of or next to someone who is obviously reading from the same paper.
A tertiary element of this little morality play is the question of, "Who's being cheap in this situation?" The guy who wants to sponge another person's paper, or the guy who is not all that anxious to share the fishwrap (that he will be leaving on the coffee table when he leaves anyway)? This is slightly different than a similar scenario at the Hy Vee deli where coffee costs a quarter. There, the guy snarffing another's paper is definitely cheap. Then again, at the new Hy Vee, the price of coffee probably doubled. And the snarffer has seen his economic equation go south.
(That Hy Vee example really goes out the window next month when a SB counter opens up inside the grocery store. The dynamics of Hy Vee coffee versus SB's coffee will really complicate this analysis.)
The conclusion to this little episode was anticlimatic. I consciously chose not to say anything to the guy because I think it is equally small of people to make an issue of such an insignificant transgression. But when I see the guy come in again, I'm picking up all of my paper and stuffing it in the cushion on my other side and forcing him to scavenger elsewhere for his reading material. And when I leave, I'm dumping it on a table across the room next to some other paper-hungry souls.
Blogger spellcheck has a problem with "snarffer". We'll just call it a family colloquialism.
Big day for Indy and NASCAR. A racing fanatic could watch left turns for 7-8 hours. I'll pass. Indy has made itself insignificant and the NASCAR race is 600 miles of tedium.
So y'all have a great day.
Be careful out there.
I did 20+ in the rain yesterday afternoon. I just couldn't justify sitting inside all day, so in one of the interludes from the showers, I took off knowing that I would get wet. It wasn't that bad. My goal today is 25+.
There was an obituary in the national press this week for Jerry Falwell, founder of a Christian fundamentalist college in Virginia in the '70's, now called Liberty University. He was perhaps best known for his leadership of an essentially political group described as the Moral Majority. I always thought he was a bit of a nut, but conservatives tended to cater to this bloc of voters because of their perceived ability to deliver at the polls. Their pro-life, pro-prayer and general bible-toting beliefs helped create the liberal/conservative wedge that still exists in today's political environment. Conservatives have to deal with the likes of Falwell and Newt Gingrich. Liberals are burdened with Rosie O'Donnell and Ted Kennedy. Who wins there?
And now, another off-the-wall item. I stopped at the Kimberly Road SB's this AM. I was sitting on one end of a three-person couch with a coffee table in front. I had been through most of my paper and had placed part of it beside me and part of it on the coffee table. An older gentleman came over, and without comment or greeting, sat on the other end of the couch, and proceeded to pick up the parts of the paper that were beside me. In my world, that was a breech of two protocols; first, you don't sit down on a possibly-shared sofa without first asking if anyone else is sitting there; and second, you certainly don't pick up from a paper pile in front of or next to someone who is obviously reading from the same paper.
A tertiary element of this little morality play is the question of, "Who's being cheap in this situation?" The guy who wants to sponge another person's paper, or the guy who is not all that anxious to share the fishwrap (that he will be leaving on the coffee table when he leaves anyway)? This is slightly different than a similar scenario at the Hy Vee deli where coffee costs a quarter. There, the guy snarffing another's paper is definitely cheap. Then again, at the new Hy Vee, the price of coffee probably doubled. And the snarffer has seen his economic equation go south.
(That Hy Vee example really goes out the window next month when a SB counter opens up inside the grocery store. The dynamics of Hy Vee coffee versus SB's coffee will really complicate this analysis.)
The conclusion to this little episode was anticlimatic. I consciously chose not to say anything to the guy because I think it is equally small of people to make an issue of such an insignificant transgression. But when I see the guy come in again, I'm picking up all of my paper and stuffing it in the cushion on my other side and forcing him to scavenger elsewhere for his reading material. And when I leave, I'm dumping it on a table across the room next to some other paper-hungry souls.
Blogger spellcheck has a problem with "snarffer". We'll just call it a family colloquialism.
Big day for Indy and NASCAR. A racing fanatic could watch left turns for 7-8 hours. I'll pass. Indy has made itself insignificant and the NASCAR race is 600 miles of tedium.
So y'all have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Saturday
The holiday weekend is underway...in the rain.
Talked again with 4 yesterday. The saga with the luggage continues. Afterwards, Mom got on the phone with the airlines with some, but not all that much, success. They at least recognize that there is a problem.
They had an outdoor movie at Vanderveer Park in Davenport last night. The paper said that about 5,000 showed up. Great idea for a family event to start the holiday weekend, but naturally, the rain came and they had to shut down midway through the flick.
1 is in DM today for her friend Sarah's medical school graduation. Congrats to the new Dr. H.!
Lots of doping news in the cycling world these days. It was a front page story in today's NYT. Basically, guys admitting they took EPO and other stuff in the '90's. Even a TdF winner. This, and the Landis circus, makes the whole world of cycling a cesspool.
I heard an interesting interview on the radio this week that suggested that the strongest anti-doping policies were in soccer. There, you can't even take an antihistamine and pass a test. I guess there will always be cheats. I just wish that they could get to a uniform, total and unflawed testing protocol that would disclose the users. Ban them for life. These two year sanctions aren't getting it done.
One of 4's high school friends is on the softball roster of Northwestern which is a highly ranked team in the DI playoffs. She's used mostly as a pinch runner. They should be in the College World Series next week in Oklahoma City.
For those who may not have the link, 4's blog is www.trackingkch.blogspot.com. She is writing most weekdays, but does not have a computer on the weekends and will have to figure out whether there is a cheap internet cafe or other access for those days.
Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Talked again with 4 yesterday. The saga with the luggage continues. Afterwards, Mom got on the phone with the airlines with some, but not all that much, success. They at least recognize that there is a problem.
They had an outdoor movie at Vanderveer Park in Davenport last night. The paper said that about 5,000 showed up. Great idea for a family event to start the holiday weekend, but naturally, the rain came and they had to shut down midway through the flick.
1 is in DM today for her friend Sarah's medical school graduation. Congrats to the new Dr. H.!
Lots of doping news in the cycling world these days. It was a front page story in today's NYT. Basically, guys admitting they took EPO and other stuff in the '90's. Even a TdF winner. This, and the Landis circus, makes the whole world of cycling a cesspool.
I heard an interesting interview on the radio this week that suggested that the strongest anti-doping policies were in soccer. There, you can't even take an antihistamine and pass a test. I guess there will always be cheats. I just wish that they could get to a uniform, total and unflawed testing protocol that would disclose the users. Ban them for life. These two year sanctions aren't getting it done.
One of 4's high school friends is on the softball roster of Northwestern which is a highly ranked team in the DI playoffs. She's used mostly as a pinch runner. They should be in the College World Series next week in Oklahoma City.
For those who may not have the link, 4's blog is www.trackingkch.blogspot.com. She is writing most weekdays, but does not have a computer on the weekends and will have to figure out whether there is a cheap internet cafe or other access for those days.
Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Friday AM
Since I typically don't do so well making entries on Friday afternoon, I thought I would lay one down this morning to break the routine. Not that I am that creative at this hour.
4 may be taking over as the required "read of the day". I mean, do events of an old man in the Quackers, or the ruminations of a college girl on tour in Europe have more basic appeal?
The three day weekend is getting off to a good start. Good weather for today, and I fired up Margret for my ride for the day. A front went through last night and cooled things down, and calmed the wind. We are still dry, but that keeps the grass under control. I'm having to water my outdoor plants as well as my tomatoes. I'm sure that the farmers are griping about the need for rain.
Happy Birthday to 1! She is Daughter of the Day.
There has been a shake-up in our local minor league hockey team. The previous team, the Mallards, were the equivalent of an "A" level franchise. Their average attendance had slipped from a high in the mid-8000's when they were a novelty and really good, to the mid-3000's in the most recent season. So for whatever reason, the power-that-be, whoever they are, elected to locate the "AAA" franchise of the Calgary Flames here for next season. Huh? I suppose that the theory is that better hockey will bring out more fans, even at the higher ticket prices. I'm taking the under on that bet.
Today starts the weekend of cycling in Eastern Iowa/Quad Cites. There is a road race from Wapello down to Burlington this evening. Then the racers have closed-course races tomorrow in Burlington, Sunday in Muscatine, and Monday in Rock Island. Closed-course races are called criteriums. Hope the weather holds.
For those interested in history, check out Memorial Day on Wikipedia. It was not until the late '60's that this U.S. holiday was moved from it's May 30th day to the last Monday in May. The rationale was to make a more people-friendly three day weekend to start the Summer. Now, I think that commerce rules and it's all about the money.
So everyone go out there and have a great day.
Be careful out there.
4 may be taking over as the required "read of the day". I mean, do events of an old man in the Quackers, or the ruminations of a college girl on tour in Europe have more basic appeal?
The three day weekend is getting off to a good start. Good weather for today, and I fired up Margret for my ride for the day. A front went through last night and cooled things down, and calmed the wind. We are still dry, but that keeps the grass under control. I'm having to water my outdoor plants as well as my tomatoes. I'm sure that the farmers are griping about the need for rain.
Happy Birthday to 1! She is Daughter of the Day.
There has been a shake-up in our local minor league hockey team. The previous team, the Mallards, were the equivalent of an "A" level franchise. Their average attendance had slipped from a high in the mid-8000's when they were a novelty and really good, to the mid-3000's in the most recent season. So for whatever reason, the power-that-be, whoever they are, elected to locate the "AAA" franchise of the Calgary Flames here for next season. Huh? I suppose that the theory is that better hockey will bring out more fans, even at the higher ticket prices. I'm taking the under on that bet.
Today starts the weekend of cycling in Eastern Iowa/Quad Cites. There is a road race from Wapello down to Burlington this evening. Then the racers have closed-course races tomorrow in Burlington, Sunday in Muscatine, and Monday in Rock Island. Closed-course races are called criteriums. Hope the weather holds.
For those interested in history, check out Memorial Day on Wikipedia. It was not until the late '60's that this U.S. holiday was moved from it's May 30th day to the last Monday in May. The rationale was to make a more people-friendly three day weekend to start the Summer. Now, I think that commerce rules and it's all about the money.
So everyone go out there and have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Thursday
I did talk with 4 today. On my phone plan, the charge is $.50 per minute. It would be the same for 3 too.
I'm still in a little recovery from the golf outing. I'll write more tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
I'm still in a little recovery from the golf outing. I'll write more tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday
Just a few lines this evening.
I just got back from a golf outing in Burlington with my pal Roy and a couple of other acquaintances. I'm beat. It was a nice, but very difficult wooded course with gnarly rough, that I had never played. Lots of prairie grass areas that ate balls. And windy! It took me the whole front nine before I figured out how to keep the ball in play. My back is sore, but it's been worse.
It's great to have 4 adding material each day. You go girl! And nice that 1 has rejoined our literary party.
I'll add more in the AM. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
I just got back from a golf outing in Burlington with my pal Roy and a couple of other acquaintances. I'm beat. It was a nice, but very difficult wooded course with gnarly rough, that I had never played. Lots of prairie grass areas that ate balls. And windy! It took me the whole front nine before I figured out how to keep the ball in play. My back is sore, but it's been worse.
It's great to have 4 adding material each day. You go girl! And nice that 1 has rejoined our literary party.
I'll add more in the AM. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Tuesday
Interesting how the "VT" symbol for Virginia Tech made it on to the uniforms, cars, or other stuff of various athletes in the aftermath of the tragic shootings on that college's campus. We are a nation of sympathizers, but we also have short memories. I guess that it is good to show support for whatever might be the current cause celeb. In the end, our empathy for the parents of those students, or for the owners of the euthanized horse Barbaro, may show one's humanity, but it does little to change bad results or the course of future events.
Theoretically, citizens can raise their voices and usher in change at the ballot boxes. But it generally takes a ground-swell of dissatisfied voters to say, "enough". Or an extended period of collective misfortune that demands blame. Can societal systems secure us from the nutcase? At what price? The ACLU vs. the Department of Homeland Security. The combination of technology and science will make lots of things possible, but where will the lawyers draw the line?
The CSI crime shows illustrate how much were are being watched even today. (I saw a new set of cameras in Bettendorf this AM high atop the traffic signals at Middle and 18th. Just watching.) But just like at VT, who's at fault when a variance is detected? The perpetrator, or the watcher who does not react "properly"? The psychologist who did the interview, or the supervisor who signed off on the "no-action" memo? The chain of responsibility has many links. No wonder the line of applicants for the position of Walmart Greeter is so long.
The NBA draft lottery is tonight. This is the event where they draw straws (balls actually) to see who gets the first pick in the upcoming draft. That pick will most certainly be either Greg Oden of Ohio State or Kevin Durant of Texas, both very gifted players who, absent the new rule that required a minimum of one year of college, would have gone to the NBA out of high school a year ago. While it is unlikely that either of these players will lead a team to a title next year, getting such a talent in the draft can translate into the beginning of a run of many good years into the future. Surprisingly, some consistently bad teams have be able to mess up their drafts year after year.
All for today. I'm off to the practice green at Palmer Hills to chip and putt.
Have a great evening. Buenos noches/dias to 4.
Be careful out there,
Theoretically, citizens can raise their voices and usher in change at the ballot boxes. But it generally takes a ground-swell of dissatisfied voters to say, "enough". Or an extended period of collective misfortune that demands blame. Can societal systems secure us from the nutcase? At what price? The ACLU vs. the Department of Homeland Security. The combination of technology and science will make lots of things possible, but where will the lawyers draw the line?
The CSI crime shows illustrate how much were are being watched even today. (I saw a new set of cameras in Bettendorf this AM high atop the traffic signals at Middle and 18th. Just watching.) But just like at VT, who's at fault when a variance is detected? The perpetrator, or the watcher who does not react "properly"? The psychologist who did the interview, or the supervisor who signed off on the "no-action" memo? The chain of responsibility has many links. No wonder the line of applicants for the position of Walmart Greeter is so long.
The NBA draft lottery is tonight. This is the event where they draw straws (balls actually) to see who gets the first pick in the upcoming draft. That pick will most certainly be either Greg Oden of Ohio State or Kevin Durant of Texas, both very gifted players who, absent the new rule that required a minimum of one year of college, would have gone to the NBA out of high school a year ago. While it is unlikely that either of these players will lead a team to a title next year, getting such a talent in the draft can translate into the beginning of a run of many good years into the future. Surprisingly, some consistently bad teams have be able to mess up their drafts year after year.
All for today. I'm off to the practice green at Palmer Hills to chip and putt.
Have a great evening. Buenos noches/dias to 4.
Be careful out there,
Monday, May 21, 2007
Monday
Glad to see 4 adding to her blog. Sounds like she has limited access, so we may not see entries on a daily basis. Still no luggage, but they talk like it has been located.
They did a feature on the QC Criterium this AM, on tape, for Paula Sands Live. Paul Sands handling the interview. There were several of us standing around, but she was basically just interested in the bike props, including the one guy in uniform. So I didn't stay around to get my 10 seconds of fame.
Former Iowa State basketball player Paul Shirley has parlayed his blogging skills into a book deal. He has gained some note on the ESPN site for the wit in his blog, and I think that it has been picked up by different media outlets as a human interest side to professional bball.
We could get into the debate about athletes from which sport present the best-educated image, but there might not be much opposition to the swimmers, polo riders, and fencers. Then again, when it comes to bad teen movies, the preppies have most of that parody to themselves as well.
Speaking of bias, I can say that on the bike path, it is the Yuppie professionals who far and away best control their kids. They generally keep cover on their charges like a mother duck. This in contrast to all other groups who can't seem to figure out that there might be other people who need their children to ride (and walk) right.
Yuppie singles or couples with no kids in tow do not have the same attentiveness or care when it comes to their dogs. Their animals are frequently unleashed and/or allowed a wide range. Interesting how, where and when the Mothering instinct takes hold.
Hope everyone has a good week.
Be careful out there.
They did a feature on the QC Criterium this AM, on tape, for Paula Sands Live. Paul Sands handling the interview. There were several of us standing around, but she was basically just interested in the bike props, including the one guy in uniform. So I didn't stay around to get my 10 seconds of fame.
Former Iowa State basketball player Paul Shirley has parlayed his blogging skills into a book deal. He has gained some note on the ESPN site for the wit in his blog, and I think that it has been picked up by different media outlets as a human interest side to professional bball.
We could get into the debate about athletes from which sport present the best-educated image, but there might not be much opposition to the swimmers, polo riders, and fencers. Then again, when it comes to bad teen movies, the preppies have most of that parody to themselves as well.
Speaking of bias, I can say that on the bike path, it is the Yuppie professionals who far and away best control their kids. They generally keep cover on their charges like a mother duck. This in contrast to all other groups who can't seem to figure out that there might be other people who need their children to ride (and walk) right.
Yuppie singles or couples with no kids in tow do not have the same attentiveness or care when it comes to their dogs. Their animals are frequently unleashed and/or allowed a wide range. Interesting how, where and when the Mothering instinct takes hold.
Hope everyone has a good week.
Be careful out there.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Sunday
Just checking in. Several items of good news.
4 made it to her destination, albeit without her checked bag. And without having much sleep in her 24 hour odyssey, she was able to convert to the local time that first night. Hopefully, they will be able to track down her bag. She was supposed to meet her host family today. She says that she'll try to blog on Monday.
1 and Matt successfully completed their Green Bay half this AM in under two hours! Great job. Congratulations.
The rest of us made it through another day.
Lots of graduations in the last couple of weeks. Such events make memories for lots of people. The graduates themselves. Their families. Close friends. How about a top ten list of the significant days of an Everyman's (Everywoman's) life:
1. High school graduation.
2. College graduation.
3. Wedding day.
4. Kid's births.
5. First day on first "real" job.
6. Purchase of first house.
7. Early death of a parent, sibling or close friend.
8. First "new" car. (Maybe, first car, too.)
9. First air plane ride.
10. First trip abroad.
And just for yucks, a second 10 which have to occur after age, say, 40:
1. A child's college graduation.
2. Sale of the last "family" car.
3. Divorce.
4. Career/job change.
5. Selling a house/moving.
6. Death of the parents.
7. Cubs winning a World Series. (Just seeing if you're reading!)
8. Diagnosis of a significant medical condition.
9. Experiencing a natural disaster (flood, tornado, fire, etc.)
10. Retirement.
These are kind of interesting thoughts. I've come to believe or appreciate that a person makes little decisions each day, and over a long period of time, those little decisions create a path for one's life. Some of the decision points are chosen. Others occur. I've never been smart enough to play my life like a chess match where you make each move in anticipation of moves further into the game. Much of the time, I think I was oblivious to the fact that I was even at a fork in the road. As I look back in time, I would never have guessed that I would be exactly where I am today.
Too maudlin for a Sunday.
Back to Everyman. Wikipedia doesn't even capitalize the term. If not capitalized, how do you know that you are talking about a person as opposed to a crowd? Anyway, there was some morality play called Everyman, but I have not read it and I know nothing about it. But I have often used the term to describe that indistinct person walking down the street. He is no one in particular, but he is also each of us.
My pal Pete has a lawyer friend Jim from Creighton law school whose nickname is "Orp". Actually, Orp was undergrad at ND when I was there, although I did not know him. Anyway, the nickname comes from some law school 101 class where they describe the action and/or thought process of an "ordinary, reasonable, and prudent" man. Ergo; Orp.
Another great day here. I'm out to enjoy it.
Be careful out there.
4 made it to her destination, albeit without her checked bag. And without having much sleep in her 24 hour odyssey, she was able to convert to the local time that first night. Hopefully, they will be able to track down her bag. She was supposed to meet her host family today. She says that she'll try to blog on Monday.
1 and Matt successfully completed their Green Bay half this AM in under two hours! Great job. Congratulations.
The rest of us made it through another day.
Lots of graduations in the last couple of weeks. Such events make memories for lots of people. The graduates themselves. Their families. Close friends. How about a top ten list of the significant days of an Everyman's (Everywoman's) life:
1. High school graduation.
2. College graduation.
3. Wedding day.
4. Kid's births.
5. First day on first "real" job.
6. Purchase of first house.
7. Early death of a parent, sibling or close friend.
8. First "new" car. (Maybe, first car, too.)
9. First air plane ride.
10. First trip abroad.
And just for yucks, a second 10 which have to occur after age, say, 40:
1. A child's college graduation.
2. Sale of the last "family" car.
3. Divorce.
4. Career/job change.
5. Selling a house/moving.
6. Death of the parents.
7. Cubs winning a World Series. (Just seeing if you're reading!)
8. Diagnosis of a significant medical condition.
9. Experiencing a natural disaster (flood, tornado, fire, etc.)
10. Retirement.
These are kind of interesting thoughts. I've come to believe or appreciate that a person makes little decisions each day, and over a long period of time, those little decisions create a path for one's life. Some of the decision points are chosen. Others occur. I've never been smart enough to play my life like a chess match where you make each move in anticipation of moves further into the game. Much of the time, I think I was oblivious to the fact that I was even at a fork in the road. As I look back in time, I would never have guessed that I would be exactly where I am today.
Too maudlin for a Sunday.
Back to Everyman. Wikipedia doesn't even capitalize the term. If not capitalized, how do you know that you are talking about a person as opposed to a crowd? Anyway, there was some morality play called Everyman, but I have not read it and I know nothing about it. But I have often used the term to describe that indistinct person walking down the street. He is no one in particular, but he is also each of us.
My pal Pete has a lawyer friend Jim from Creighton law school whose nickname is "Orp". Actually, Orp was undergrad at ND when I was there, although I did not know him. Anyway, the nickname comes from some law school 101 class where they describe the action and/or thought process of an "ordinary, reasonable, and prudent" man. Ergo; Orp.
Another great day here. I'm out to enjoy it.
Be careful out there.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Friday
Happy 25th to 2!! She is Daughter of the Day.
We are all anxious to to hear that 4 has made it to her destination in Spain. We know that the airline lost her luggage in Madrid, and that she missed her flight to Seville. She had kept some clothes in her backpack for just this reason, but it is disconcerting nonetheless. It is hard on Mom and Dad when a child is in trouble six or seven time zones away from home.
My pal Pete and I did a 15+ mile bike ride this morning at 5:30. Ouch! I never do early workouts and I can't say that I enjoyed this one, but it certainly frees up your day. It was cold this AM, maybe a degree or two below 40. I wore early-Spring attire; tights, dri-fit long-sleeved shirt, wind-shell, and full-fingered gloves. And I still got cold in the extremities. Not much traffic on the bike path at that hour.
Beautiful day here today. Margret made her first appearance of the year at the office.
I just got very lucky. I was checking my Criterium email account and opened an item which had a separate web address that I also opened. When I determined that that site was extraneous and hit the close box, I got the prompt, "Do you want to close both pages?" Which I answered, "Yes", and the system proceeded to close Blogger as well. On that previous blog site where I had the problems, my entry would definitely have been vaporized. But when I logged back into Blogger, I had a "draft" for this entry. An automatic feature of Blogger. Good deal for me.
In another example of Dad making it into the Technology Age, I used my cell phone as an alarm for the first time this morning. It was simple to set, and worked like a charm (actually, like an alarm). Not that I needed it, as I was awake at five bells. But it was my back-up plan, just in case. You always need a back-up plan.
How high can gas go?
Our neighborhood Hy Vee Food Store opened their new building this week. I'm a bit negatively curious as to whether they will be able to maintain their customer-friendly atmosphere in the new digs. The company opened a totally new facility in another section of Bettendorf a little over a year ago, and I have never felt as good about my shopping experience at that store. They hire more people to staff a bigger store, and those new employees do not have the history of the former operation. We'll see. The parking lot is a challenge, and will be until they tear down the old building and create more space.
Good luck to 1 and Matt for their half in Green Bay.
Big weekend in C-town. Cubs-Sox series at Wrigley. Won't be any parties in that area tonight or tomorrow. Right. 3 is in town looking for apartments. No big news at the Giro, but the Landis doping arbitration hearing in California is a circus. And the left-turn crowd is in Charlotte for their All-Star event. No points on the line, but $1 million to the winner of the race.
So I'm off to have a celebratory libation with 2. Thinking of 4.
Be careful out there.
We are all anxious to to hear that 4 has made it to her destination in Spain. We know that the airline lost her luggage in Madrid, and that she missed her flight to Seville. She had kept some clothes in her backpack for just this reason, but it is disconcerting nonetheless. It is hard on Mom and Dad when a child is in trouble six or seven time zones away from home.
My pal Pete and I did a 15+ mile bike ride this morning at 5:30. Ouch! I never do early workouts and I can't say that I enjoyed this one, but it certainly frees up your day. It was cold this AM, maybe a degree or two below 40. I wore early-Spring attire; tights, dri-fit long-sleeved shirt, wind-shell, and full-fingered gloves. And I still got cold in the extremities. Not much traffic on the bike path at that hour.
Beautiful day here today. Margret made her first appearance of the year at the office.
I just got very lucky. I was checking my Criterium email account and opened an item which had a separate web address that I also opened. When I determined that that site was extraneous and hit the close box, I got the prompt, "Do you want to close both pages?" Which I answered, "Yes", and the system proceeded to close Blogger as well. On that previous blog site where I had the problems, my entry would definitely have been vaporized. But when I logged back into Blogger, I had a "draft" for this entry. An automatic feature of Blogger. Good deal for me.
In another example of Dad making it into the Technology Age, I used my cell phone as an alarm for the first time this morning. It was simple to set, and worked like a charm (actually, like an alarm). Not that I needed it, as I was awake at five bells. But it was my back-up plan, just in case. You always need a back-up plan.
How high can gas go?
Our neighborhood Hy Vee Food Store opened their new building this week. I'm a bit negatively curious as to whether they will be able to maintain their customer-friendly atmosphere in the new digs. The company opened a totally new facility in another section of Bettendorf a little over a year ago, and I have never felt as good about my shopping experience at that store. They hire more people to staff a bigger store, and those new employees do not have the history of the former operation. We'll see. The parking lot is a challenge, and will be until they tear down the old building and create more space.
Good luck to 1 and Matt for their half in Green Bay.
Big weekend in C-town. Cubs-Sox series at Wrigley. Won't be any parties in that area tonight or tomorrow. Right. 3 is in town looking for apartments. No big news at the Giro, but the Landis doping arbitration hearing in California is a circus. And the left-turn crowd is in Charlotte for their All-Star event. No points on the line, but $1 million to the winner of the race.
So I'm off to have a celebratory libation with 2. Thinking of 4.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday
Busy times. Today is 4's departure for Spain.
FFF on Century Heights Avenue last night. Brats. Steak.
2's tax birthday today.
Maybe things will settle down for me so that I can get a good entry in here tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
FFF on Century Heights Avenue last night. Brats. Steak.
2's tax birthday today.
Maybe things will settle down for me so that I can get a good entry in here tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Monday
The weekend was successful in all respects. Again, congrats to 3 on completing her under graduate program on time and pretty well on budget. Mom and Dad are proud of you!
1 did a nice job running 11 miles in the Distance Classic half marathon in Rock Island yesterday. She needed to get in 10 for her preparation in next weekend's Green Bay half and the race was a convenient route. Plus Dad forked over the $$'s for the souvenir shirt. I also wanted to show support for our newest staff person who was running her first (and last) half as well. Jess did a nice job with a finishing time of just over two hours.
One thing I did notice yesterday was that there were few runners who stopped and walked parts of the way. Heck, when I run two miles, I have to stop several times! So it must have been a pretty competitive field. As expected, our Cousin Fran won the +70 age group.
This was a shorts day for me at the office. The forecast was for 92 this afternoon, and I think we got there. I can beg off that I was dressed for a charity golf outing since there is such an event almost every Monday in the QCA. My Summer dress code is "shorts" most days.
My pal Roy has again invited me to be his "guest" at the local country club's Member/Guest event next month. This is the club that I am an "investor" in since they have refused to return my $7500 equity since my resignation six or seven years ago. They have offered to pay off former members at $0.50 on the dollar, generous souls that they are. Anyway, the Member/Guest event is a fun deal for two days and three nights. Now, I have to get my back in shape so that I neither hurt nor embarrass myself.
4 is on a short time line for her departure to Espana on Thursday. I hadn't really looked at a calendar to realize that she would be leaving so soon. After Thursday, we'll next see her in St. Paul for 1's wedding.
The Giro d'Italia started last weekend. The first three stages are on the Island of Sardinia this year. They fly over to the mainland after today's stage, and head North. VeloNews has an Internet update throughout each day similar to what they do for the Tour. The protagonists this year are some of the same riders from last year, absent Basso who has been suspended for doping. Discovery's team has a couple of strong riders, but I don't think that they seriously believe that they can win a podium position. The Italians on several teams consider this race much more important than any other.
The 24 stole the Darlington race yesterday with a car overheating so bad that it was spitting steam over the last 25 laps.
I'm headed out for a short ride and a little BBQ with 3 and 4. Y'all have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
1 did a nice job running 11 miles in the Distance Classic half marathon in Rock Island yesterday. She needed to get in 10 for her preparation in next weekend's Green Bay half and the race was a convenient route. Plus Dad forked over the $$'s for the souvenir shirt. I also wanted to show support for our newest staff person who was running her first (and last) half as well. Jess did a nice job with a finishing time of just over two hours.
One thing I did notice yesterday was that there were few runners who stopped and walked parts of the way. Heck, when I run two miles, I have to stop several times! So it must have been a pretty competitive field. As expected, our Cousin Fran won the +70 age group.
This was a shorts day for me at the office. The forecast was for 92 this afternoon, and I think we got there. I can beg off that I was dressed for a charity golf outing since there is such an event almost every Monday in the QCA. My Summer dress code is "shorts" most days.
My pal Roy has again invited me to be his "guest" at the local country club's Member/Guest event next month. This is the club that I am an "investor" in since they have refused to return my $7500 equity since my resignation six or seven years ago. They have offered to pay off former members at $0.50 on the dollar, generous souls that they are. Anyway, the Member/Guest event is a fun deal for two days and three nights. Now, I have to get my back in shape so that I neither hurt nor embarrass myself.
4 is on a short time line for her departure to Espana on Thursday. I hadn't really looked at a calendar to realize that she would be leaving so soon. After Thursday, we'll next see her in St. Paul for 1's wedding.
The Giro d'Italia started last weekend. The first three stages are on the Island of Sardinia this year. They fly over to the mainland after today's stage, and head North. VeloNews has an Internet update throughout each day similar to what they do for the Tour. The protagonists this year are some of the same riders from last year, absent Basso who has been suspended for doping. Discovery's team has a couple of strong riders, but I don't think that they seriously believe that they can win a podium position. The Italians on several teams consider this race much more important than any other.
The 24 stole the Darlington race yesterday with a car overheating so bad that it was spitting steam over the last 25 laps.
I'm headed out for a short ride and a little BBQ with 3 and 4. Y'all have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Saturday
Graduation day for 3. Yea! Hancher. The first of the girls not to graduate in a football stadium. 2 does point out that her college ceremony was in an auditorium although the university ceremony was in the stadium the night before. The businesswoman speaker today actually gave a speech that was a lot more relavent to the graduates than the political statement given by John McCain at 2's university convocation.
We did the U-Haul thing and got 3 and 4 moved. 1 and 2 helped 4. Mom and James and I helped 3. Din-din later.
My pal Pete and I did a 20 miler last night and ended with a couple of adult barley beverages at Gov's. The part of the ride heading North was a bear against the wind.
More tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
We did the U-Haul thing and got 3 and 4 moved. 1 and 2 helped 4. Mom and James and I helped 3. Din-din later.
My pal Pete and I did a 20 miler last night and ended with a couple of adult barley beverages at Gov's. The part of the ride heading North was a bear against the wind.
More tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thursday
I hadn't planned on writing today, but I had to recognize the big NASCAR news of today: at the end of the season, Dale Jr. is leaving his team, DEI (Dale Earnhardt, Inc.), a team his legendary father formed, and which is owned by his step-mother Teresa. As one writer put it, this is the equivalent of the Boston Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees.
The skeptic in me thinks that the end of the season is a long way away, and a compromise could be reached if Teresa has any sense at all. It's not about money. Jr. wants to win races and DEI hasn't been as good as at least three other teams, each with three or four cars always running up front. In the left-turning world, getting to the checkers is a lot more important than the paycheck. Teresa will be left with the memorabilia sales for Dale Sr., but that market pales in comparison to the numbers Jr. can bring to the table.
It has been almost hot today. 80+. Golick's brats for lunch.
That securities continuing education course this morning was a pain in the keister. It was presented in mostly a video format that had you indicating acceptable responses to various factual situations. (Should appearance on a securities training video be added to an actor's resume?) Hypothetical client requests. Required disclosures. And with a little more technical multiple guess orientation than I had anticipated. If you answered too many questions in a section incorrectly, the program ran you through an alternative set of questions to make sure you got the point. No crosswords allowed.
Busy weekend ahead. Hope everyone is ready to celebrate. Biaggi's at 7:30.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
The skeptic in me thinks that the end of the season is a long way away, and a compromise could be reached if Teresa has any sense at all. It's not about money. Jr. wants to win races and DEI hasn't been as good as at least three other teams, each with three or four cars always running up front. In the left-turning world, getting to the checkers is a lot more important than the paycheck. Teresa will be left with the memorabilia sales for Dale Sr., but that market pales in comparison to the numbers Jr. can bring to the table.
It has been almost hot today. 80+. Golick's brats for lunch.
That securities continuing education course this morning was a pain in the keister. It was presented in mostly a video format that had you indicating acceptable responses to various factual situations. (Should appearance on a securities training video be added to an actor's resume?) Hypothetical client requests. Required disclosures. And with a little more technical multiple guess orientation than I had anticipated. If you answered too many questions in a section incorrectly, the program ran you through an alternative set of questions to make sure you got the point. No crosswords allowed.
Busy weekend ahead. Hope everyone is ready to celebrate. Biaggi's at 7:30.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Wednesday PM
I am headed out for another ride. Not too windy, and pleasant. I may even drag Margret out for a spin.
I have to sit through a three hour securities session in the AM for continuing education. This is a deal that's presented through the old Sylvan Learning Centers, now called Prometric or something to that effect, and is an inter-active deal on the computer. There is no pass/fail grading, but you have to complete the session in the allotted time or they yank your license. Hello? It may be difficult to complete the crossword in such an environment.
Sorry to hear that we'll have no family participants in the half on Sunday. Maybe another time.
One of the loose ends at my house is a small item related to my real estate taxes. Iowa grants a small concession on your bill if you are a veteran. But you have to effectively "certify" that you have an honorable discharge, and of course, this being the government on both sides, there's a specific form that they want. DD-214. I know that I have it. Somewhere. But there are a lot of boxes from my various moves over the years. Maybe an evening project soon. As it is, filing the request now only does something for me beginning a year from now, for taxes payable even later.
So all for today. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
I have to sit through a three hour securities session in the AM for continuing education. This is a deal that's presented through the old Sylvan Learning Centers, now called Prometric or something to that effect, and is an inter-active deal on the computer. There is no pass/fail grading, but you have to complete the session in the allotted time or they yank your license. Hello? It may be difficult to complete the crossword in such an environment.
Sorry to hear that we'll have no family participants in the half on Sunday. Maybe another time.
One of the loose ends at my house is a small item related to my real estate taxes. Iowa grants a small concession on your bill if you are a veteran. But you have to effectively "certify" that you have an honorable discharge, and of course, this being the government on both sides, there's a specific form that they want. DD-214. I know that I have it. Somewhere. But there are a lot of boxes from my various moves over the years. Maybe an evening project soon. As it is, filing the request now only does something for me beginning a year from now, for taxes payable even later.
So all for today. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday AM
I ended up leaving a little early yesterday to get in a ride before the evening rush, so I was a no-show for the blog.
Decent ride on the path. Not that bad of traffic. I did see my 70+ year old cousin/runner who happened to be taking a break as I rode by, so I stopped and chatted him up a bit. He had over-done it just a little in the 80+ temperature, but was ok. He'll be doing the half on Sunday. I think that he's been retired for over 10 years and running is now his life. Replaced hip and all.
Looks like a good day here. I may try to get out again to ride.
As I left for work around 6:15 this AM, I spied three rabbits in my neighbor's relatively small garden. And the only things to munch on this time of year are fading tulips! Last year, they had to put up a four foot tall fence to keep the critters out. Me thinks that the phrase, "Multiplying like rabbits", may be applicable. I hope that they don't like tomatoes.
3 needs to give us a little "countdown to graduation" biop of sorts. I doubt if classes are an issue on time allocation for her at this point.
I have two other geographically close neighbors putting in new fences this week. One diagonally off my back yard, and the other directly across the street. I think the backyard people have dogs that they want to run, while the new people across the street have young children. I've never been a big fan of fences, but like fences, there are two sides to every story. There's a tendency for fences to more isolate neighbors, particularly when soloists like me do not have the natural attractions of children or pets. At the end of the day, certainly in an Internet-driven society, when there is no other connectivity other than proximity, neighbors can be worlds apart.
More later. Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Decent ride on the path. Not that bad of traffic. I did see my 70+ year old cousin/runner who happened to be taking a break as I rode by, so I stopped and chatted him up a bit. He had over-done it just a little in the 80+ temperature, but was ok. He'll be doing the half on Sunday. I think that he's been retired for over 10 years and running is now his life. Replaced hip and all.
Looks like a good day here. I may try to get out again to ride.
As I left for work around 6:15 this AM, I spied three rabbits in my neighbor's relatively small garden. And the only things to munch on this time of year are fading tulips! Last year, they had to put up a four foot tall fence to keep the critters out. Me thinks that the phrase, "Multiplying like rabbits", may be applicable. I hope that they don't like tomatoes.
3 needs to give us a little "countdown to graduation" biop of sorts. I doubt if classes are an issue on time allocation for her at this point.
I have two other geographically close neighbors putting in new fences this week. One diagonally off my back yard, and the other directly across the street. I think the backyard people have dogs that they want to run, while the new people across the street have young children. I've never been a big fan of fences, but like fences, there are two sides to every story. There's a tendency for fences to more isolate neighbors, particularly when soloists like me do not have the natural attractions of children or pets. At the end of the day, certainly in an Internet-driven society, when there is no other connectivity other than proximity, neighbors can be worlds apart.
More later. Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Monday
Always good to hear from the maddening crowd.
I understand that the U-Haul has been reserved for our after-graduation party. This may be the first two-fer of moving college kids on the same day in my history.
Basso fell on his sword in Rome today. My guess is that it involves a deal that gets him back in the peloton next year. I wonder how many others will have to face the music.
Clemons signs with the Yankees for something like $150,000 a day for the rest of the year. My bet is that his wins will cost $1.5 million each. Break that down to number of pitches in those wins, and we're talking about $15K per pitch. If we reduce it to outs, assuming he goes 6 and 2/3's per game, or twenty outs, and you're at $75K per out. Those numbers inspire me as I complete another $250 tax return.
I was glad to hear that they announced that TV show "Lost" would end in 2010. Any bets that it won't make it that far? I bet someone in Vegas will put some odds out there.
I think we are at, or near, Uncle Phil's birthday. He's an old guy. (My recollection of exact dates for birthdays and anniversaries is awful. Keep that in mind as my Alzheimer's progresses.)
There was an article in the Weekend Wall Street Journal written by a young Dad complaining about the over-scheduling of his pre-teens' games and such. I agree that kids can get into more things than seem necessary, but the alternatives in today's techno world are the Internet and HDTV. A heavy schedule of ball games and fresh air seems ok to me. As long as the parents let the kids play the games. And the travel is not out of control.
I remember my first Little League "away" game in What Cheer. And then there was the Babe Ruth game for Phil's team that I was the bat boy for, playing in the metropolis of Cedar, the rains come, the teams scatter to the cars, everyone heads for home, and they leave the poor little bat boy in the dugout!
Off to the homestead. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
I understand that the U-Haul has been reserved for our after-graduation party. This may be the first two-fer of moving college kids on the same day in my history.
Basso fell on his sword in Rome today. My guess is that it involves a deal that gets him back in the peloton next year. I wonder how many others will have to face the music.
Clemons signs with the Yankees for something like $150,000 a day for the rest of the year. My bet is that his wins will cost $1.5 million each. Break that down to number of pitches in those wins, and we're talking about $15K per pitch. If we reduce it to outs, assuming he goes 6 and 2/3's per game, or twenty outs, and you're at $75K per out. Those numbers inspire me as I complete another $250 tax return.
I was glad to hear that they announced that TV show "Lost" would end in 2010. Any bets that it won't make it that far? I bet someone in Vegas will put some odds out there.
I think we are at, or near, Uncle Phil's birthday. He's an old guy. (My recollection of exact dates for birthdays and anniversaries is awful. Keep that in mind as my Alzheimer's progresses.)
There was an article in the Weekend Wall Street Journal written by a young Dad complaining about the over-scheduling of his pre-teens' games and such. I agree that kids can get into more things than seem necessary, but the alternatives in today's techno world are the Internet and HDTV. A heavy schedule of ball games and fresh air seems ok to me. As long as the parents let the kids play the games. And the travel is not out of control.
I remember my first Little League "away" game in What Cheer. And then there was the Babe Ruth game for Phil's team that I was the bat boy for, playing in the metropolis of Cedar, the rains come, the teams scatter to the cars, everyone heads for home, and they leave the poor little bat boy in the dugout!
Off to the homestead. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Sunday
Just a few lines today to check in.
It has been a good weekend, but no major highlights. I played golf with my pal Roy on Saturday, and my back reminded me why I do not play regularly. I suppose that if I did some stretching and strengthening exercises specifically for the muscles that are affected by "the turn" when you swing a golf club that I could play with less pain, but I don't, and I pay when I do play.
I was back on the bike today, and went down for the first time in a while. It was on the bike path at a Davenport street crossing where the street pavement had settled over the Winter a couple inches below the level of the path at the street's edge. That's not a problem when you are riding in the direction where you just drop down a little, but when you are riding into it, you can blow a tire or worse. I tried to lift the front wheel of my bike when I saw the variance, but I lost a little balance and then went down sideways. I wasn't going that fast and my only injury was a little road rash on one finger and my right knee. But the incident is an example of Rule One of cycling: If you ride, you will eventually crash.
My ride was for 20 miles which means that by the weekend I should be ok for the open road. Traffic on the bike path just makes me nervous. Kids, dogs, families and other users require a lot of defensive riding. At least on the road you know that most cars are going to try to avoid hitting you. Most cars.
My writer friend from SB's gave me a signed copy of his book this AM. Very cool. He had been in Indianapolis yesterday to help friends time a half marathon that had 40,000+ runners. I don't know if those numbers were all half runners, or whether there were shorter runs as well, but that's a lot of runners! He said that their software allows for automatic wireless notices to family and friends of splits while you are on the course. And it spits out your splits and whatever as you go across the finish line. That's a long ways from tear-offs in the chutes.
In a separate conversation at SB's yesterday, a couple of women runners from a regular group that meets there on weekends said that Chicago had capped their entries at 45,000. I clicked on the website and it does say that registration is closed. There are a lot of nutty people in the world.
Less than a week to go for 3. Has anything been decided on the celebration? Do we need to make reservations?
Hope everyone has a good week.
Be careful out there.
It has been a good weekend, but no major highlights. I played golf with my pal Roy on Saturday, and my back reminded me why I do not play regularly. I suppose that if I did some stretching and strengthening exercises specifically for the muscles that are affected by "the turn" when you swing a golf club that I could play with less pain, but I don't, and I pay when I do play.
I was back on the bike today, and went down for the first time in a while. It was on the bike path at a Davenport street crossing where the street pavement had settled over the Winter a couple inches below the level of the path at the street's edge. That's not a problem when you are riding in the direction where you just drop down a little, but when you are riding into it, you can blow a tire or worse. I tried to lift the front wheel of my bike when I saw the variance, but I lost a little balance and then went down sideways. I wasn't going that fast and my only injury was a little road rash on one finger and my right knee. But the incident is an example of Rule One of cycling: If you ride, you will eventually crash.
My ride was for 20 miles which means that by the weekend I should be ok for the open road. Traffic on the bike path just makes me nervous. Kids, dogs, families and other users require a lot of defensive riding. At least on the road you know that most cars are going to try to avoid hitting you. Most cars.
My writer friend from SB's gave me a signed copy of his book this AM. Very cool. He had been in Indianapolis yesterday to help friends time a half marathon that had 40,000+ runners. I don't know if those numbers were all half runners, or whether there were shorter runs as well, but that's a lot of runners! He said that their software allows for automatic wireless notices to family and friends of splits while you are on the course. And it spits out your splits and whatever as you go across the finish line. That's a long ways from tear-offs in the chutes.
In a separate conversation at SB's yesterday, a couple of women runners from a regular group that meets there on weekends said that Chicago had capped their entries at 45,000. I clicked on the website and it does say that registration is closed. There are a lot of nutty people in the world.
Less than a week to go for 3. Has anything been decided on the celebration? Do we need to make reservations?
Hope everyone has a good week.
Be careful out there.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Friday
Well, I made it through another week. A couple of ups and downs. Kind of like life.
The peanut gallery has been pretty quiet this week too.
I may buy my tomato plants tomorrow. The Old Wives' wisdom is to wait until Mother's Day, but the temperatures have been pretty steady the last week or so. I remember the last Summer that I had that other house in Bettendorf where I took care of Grandma when I tried to put out plants in mid-April. They didn't die, but they didn't grow either. So around Mother's Day I put out another set. And both sets grew like wild fire. I had more tomatoes that year.
My pal Roy stopped by the office this AM and I think we established a new low standard for meeting decorum. A female friend of his who had been at SB's coffee with him, came along to the office. With her miniature rat/dog. And they were joined by a guy (whom I knew previously) who wanted to talk about the possible purchase of one of Roy's businesses. When they came in, I was in the reading room, and I thought I heard a dog barking. Strange, I thought to myself. So I finished my reading business, and came out to a discussion going on about sending the dog in after me!
We eventually made our way down to the conference room. Dog included. And had a half hour meeting about the possible business transaction. The discussion was frequently interrupted by the rat/dog walking on the table between Roy and his friend! I'm not sure what was decided upon from a business standpoint. But my billing rate for that session was at a record high.
Uncle Phil advises me that he is now in a program at LT as a volunteer in the sheriff's department, or the conservation board. To assist with supervision on the lake. He had to do an in-the-water wet/dry suit test today. These retired guys get into some interesting things.
Hope everyone has a good evening. I'll be back for more tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
The peanut gallery has been pretty quiet this week too.
I may buy my tomato plants tomorrow. The Old Wives' wisdom is to wait until Mother's Day, but the temperatures have been pretty steady the last week or so. I remember the last Summer that I had that other house in Bettendorf where I took care of Grandma when I tried to put out plants in mid-April. They didn't die, but they didn't grow either. So around Mother's Day I put out another set. And both sets grew like wild fire. I had more tomatoes that year.
My pal Roy stopped by the office this AM and I think we established a new low standard for meeting decorum. A female friend of his who had been at SB's coffee with him, came along to the office. With her miniature rat/dog. And they were joined by a guy (whom I knew previously) who wanted to talk about the possible purchase of one of Roy's businesses. When they came in, I was in the reading room, and I thought I heard a dog barking. Strange, I thought to myself. So I finished my reading business, and came out to a discussion going on about sending the dog in after me!
We eventually made our way down to the conference room. Dog included. And had a half hour meeting about the possible business transaction. The discussion was frequently interrupted by the rat/dog walking on the table between Roy and his friend! I'm not sure what was decided upon from a business standpoint. But my billing rate for that session was at a record high.
Uncle Phil advises me that he is now in a program at LT as a volunteer in the sheriff's department, or the conservation board. To assist with supervision on the lake. He had to do an in-the-water wet/dry suit test today. These retired guys get into some interesting things.
Hope everyone has a good evening. I'll be back for more tomorrow.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Thursday AM
I need to get better organized. I left the office a little earlier than normal yesterday, and didn't get to the blog. I may have added and entry if I had access at home, but my pal Roy called and we ended up at Biaggi's for a cocktail. So it could have been a washout anyway.
The IC girls are wrapping up their semester. We have a graduation to celebrate on the 12th, but the details of the party have yet to be finalized. It may be back here in the QC. That weekend may be our last full-family event before 1's wedding in July. Does that draw another strata-line in my life's story?
That's a good question. How many strata-lines are there in a life? Can a life be easily divided? For me, there was always High School (and prior), ND, USAF, IC, C-town, QC, kids, my own business, and then it gets a little less definitive. The lines can be drawn by geography, employment, relationships, family events, and, in basic terms, time.
Hope everyone has a great day.
Be careful out there.
The IC girls are wrapping up their semester. We have a graduation to celebrate on the 12th, but the details of the party have yet to be finalized. It may be back here in the QC. That weekend may be our last full-family event before 1's wedding in July. Does that draw another strata-line in my life's story?
That's a good question. How many strata-lines are there in a life? Can a life be easily divided? For me, there was always High School (and prior), ND, USAF, IC, C-town, QC, kids, my own business, and then it gets a little less definitive. The lines can be drawn by geography, employment, relationships, family events, and, in basic terms, time.
Hope everyone has a great day.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Tuesday
I'm headed out to get in a ride before the masses hit the bike path.
I'm going through a period where I have too many "sticky notes" on my desk. Does that mean I have too much to do, or that I have a short memory? Or perhaps, that I don't get anything done?
3 says that she has her cap and gown and her honors braid. She is ready to go!
Have a good evening.
Be careful out there.
I'm going through a period where I have too many "sticky notes" on my desk. Does that mean I have too much to do, or that I have a short memory? Or perhaps, that I don't get anything done?
3 says that she has her cap and gown and her honors braid. She is ready to go!
Have a good evening.
Be careful out there.
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