Archive for May, 2008
This is one of those odd months when my third Wednesday and Wapak’s fourth Thursday are back to back, so I don’t think anyone is on the books for today. If I am wrong, feel free to blow right by me.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before but I have a bullshit button. It looks like the easy button from one of the office supply chains. You push the button and it gives you one of five pithy little BS comments. My favorite is “Warning! Warning! Warning! Bullshit level is defcon five.”
So I guess my question is- if you had a BS button when/where would you use it? Or, if you could make a button that said other things that could be tapped at random what kind of content would be on it? I think a Cherry Bomb button would have to include, “Book done yet?”
May 29th, 2008
Remember when Memorial Day was a serious, special occasion to honor soldiers who had served our country and fallen in the line of duty?
Neither do I.
Now it’s a play day; a long-weekend, office-is-closed day; the official start of Summer and Indiana Jones premieres. Not that I mind; I like getting off work, grilling burgers and watching blockbuster movies. Yes, I am on the tail end of a four-day-weekend right now.
The observance was originally created on May 30, 1868, then called Decoration Day, as a day honor those who served and died in the Civil War. Whenever there was another war, men who fell in those conflicts were also remembered in subsequent Decoration Days. It officially became Memorial Day and moved to the last Monday in May in 1971. I don’t know when brats, beer, beach blanket bingo, and bedroom furniture blowout sales entered the equation.
So this weekend, after sleeping in, after stuffing yourself on potato salad and hot dogs, after cheering on Indy as he fights the bad guys on the big screen, remember those brave souls who have already died, and those who are still out there today risking death. It’s because of their tireless, unselfish efforts that you can eat hamburgers at the beach on a Monday. Because if there were no wars, no one would die, and if no one died, you’d have to be at work today.
But, personally, that is a sacrifice I’d be willing to make.
May 26th, 2008
I have been watching a lot of late night TV recently. Let me rephrase that. I have been noticing the late night TV commercials recently. And the Infomercials. Did you ever just want to call up the 1-800 Send-it number on the screen in the next 10 minutes and get double the offer?
I’d like to buy everything offered for a month and see if what was CRAP and what actually worked. QVC doesn’t count, just the crazy commercials where people talk very loudly or very fast. I think it would be a great article. But imagine the lists I would be a part of.
I’d also like to click on all the CRAP in my Spam filter and see what in the Bob they are actually talking about. Now I know that somewhere a CODE RED would be activated and I would get on the list of every CRAP sender in America. I just want to check out the sites without anyone knowing.
Did you every want to just be Sam on “Bewitched” or Jeannie on “I dream of Jeannie” and with a twitch of the nose or a blink of the eye make everything the way you want it? Like McB waving her wand?
Since I probably will continue to watch late night TV for a while….until my sleeping patterns return to MY normal, I think the CB’s should invent a product to sell that will revolutionize something- whether it is the world or the kitchen sink! What is it going to be? I promise to call in the next 10 minutes to get the order for $19.95 plus s&h.
May 22nd, 2008
Actually I don’t have it. I’ve earned it I just haven’t gotten down there yet this week to get it. I hope to have it by the end of the week. But I’m in rural Colorado which means that there are lots of places that are only open part time. And this is one of them. So I may be able to get it Friday, if not then it will have to wait until Wednesday. But the important thing is I earned it!!!!
What is it? It’s the acknowledgment by the state of Colorado that I can legally ride a motorcycle on public roadways. And I didn’t have to take the nasty state test to do it!
ABATE is a national motorcycle group. In Colorado they use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) curriculum as the basis for a two day motorcycle class. It is awesome. Locally they course is taught at the community college. We used one of the classrooms for the book and video part then went outside and rode bikes. The course was painted onto the parking lot, this means I can go back and practice later.
Vroom Vroom Vroom
Okay, to be honest I killed my bike, a lot. My stop and starts? Sometimes more stopping than starting. And I went too slow to do some of the maneuvers because I was afraid to go too fast, which it turns out is really fast enough. And my 90 degree turn? Closer to 270. It’s those big, loopy overcompensating turns that did me in.
But after some really encouraging words from Steve, some even more encouraging observations from my classmates, and plenty of practice I am bordering on competent.
At the end of the weekend we had a skills test and a written test. I earned a rousing 3 or 4 points on the skills test. We could earn up to 20 and still pass. And I missed 1 or 2 questions on the written test. Don’t know how many we could miss, but we all passed, so…
Anyway, there were 5 of us in the class, two teenagers and three of us not teenagers. I was the only who hadn’t ridden in years, and then I rode three-wheelers not motorcycles. They were a neat group of people whom I enjoyed working and learning with, but I must admit my favorite was John. He’s 16 and 6′4″ tall. The bikes we were riding were small 250cc Honda Nighthawks and Rebels. He was quite the contortionist and provided comedy relief.
Now the big question is what kind of bike. I’m wanting something with a sidecar for Chinook, enough power to escape other traffic, and cheap enough I can afford it. So right now the only bike I have is an imaginary one. But I’m looking for other options.
May 21st, 2008
To give us some space and our next author a little breathing room, I bring you this interim post. Think of it as an intermission. Or a commercial. Remember to wash your hands.
Having received, but mercifully missed, a call to my cell phone from someone who, it turns out, was in Costa Rica, I’ve been doing some research on this whole international dialing business. Did you know, for instance, that the United States is #1? Let’s take a big guess here at just who got to make up this list. And the U.S. made sure to put itself in good company, too. Also listed under “1″ are Barbados, Bermuda, Antiqua, the Cayman Islands and Canada. So who is #2? Nobody. Seriously. Russia gets to be #7, but that’s it for the single digits. Why Russia? I dont’ know. Of course they have to share #7 with Kazakhstan.
And it’s not just a question of people we like, because the UK is up there at 44 while France is 33. Clearly the Queen’s people need to hire a lobbying firm. But then even the Pope has to settle for 39.
Way down at the bottom with 996 is Kyrgyzstan. I think it’s last because it’s the hardest one to spell.
And the other countries? Look them up for yourself at http://www.international-dialing-codes.net/
May 21st, 2008
This is just a stopgap until the next post. I’m on a mission to seek out and learn what the heck is lurking in my backyard. I am thinking that the tree in this photo is a lilac. Is that a totally off-the-wall thought? Is there another likely suspect that it could be?
My Trees of Oregon book is useless, at least as far as admitting the existence of trees that are not necessarily native to Oregon.
Here’s a closeup of the blossoms, minus the red arrow.
p.s. Anyone know a good Trees Not Necessarily of Oregon book?
p.p.s. I vote that we take a vote on whether to add “Gardening” to the categories for posts. Is there a second? Anyone… anyone…?
May 18th, 2008
Because it was so cool to see Theresa’s world, and also due to the fact that I’m brain dead from my current work schedule, I’m posting pictures of my walk to work.
I cross the bridge over the highway and parallel to the Welland Canal that joins two of the Great Lakes, Erie and Ontario.
I waited for a ship to cross but I didn’t want to be late for work. It looks so strange to see a boat going over the highway.
Past the Great National Institution formerly known as Brewer’s Retail.
Some lovely lilac bushes for those of you who miss them.
The house we almost bought instead of the one we did buy.
A tree beneath which I always stop and inhale deeply. 
My attempt at artistry. I love the lion, the wrought iron fence and tulips.
It would look much better if Lori came and took the photograph. hint hint
My library.
The older building on the left houses the museum and meeting room. The right hand side with the mural is where the books live.
The back door through which I sneak inside. 
It’s so fragrant on my walk to work. I wish we had smell-o-vision, without allergic reaction.
~ pics are clickable - - bjw
May 13th, 2008
I don’t think I have any obsessions. Or I guess it would be more accurate to say that my obsessions tend to be pretty short term. I don’t think any of them would qualify as a magnificent obsession.*
For instance, I love shoes and have some great ones. But while I do splurge occasionally, I can also go six months to a year without buying another pair. Okay, I bought a pair of Teva’s a few months ago; but that was in anticipation of my trip to Disney World. And while they are very comfortable, nobody is going to ooh and ahh over them** so I don’t think they qualify as part of my shoe obsession.
Yarn - I’m usually okay as long as I don’t go into a yarn store. Once I’m there all those colors and textures spark inspiration and I’ve just gotta have something even if I know it might be months before I get around to using it. But I have to get it then because it might not be there later when I find that perfect pattern for it. That’s logical, right? So that’s not really an obsession either.
Well, there’s books, of course. But books don’t count as an obsession, do they? Oh, look at who I’m asking. Right then, we all know that books are a necessity. And for the most part I’m happy to get my reads from the library. Yeah there are a handfull of authors I have to buy as soon as their new book hits the shelf, but geez that’s such a piddling number of books compared to all the ones I read in a year that I don’t think they should count either.
Food and drink. Okay, sometimes I get cravings and can’t get something out of my head until I’m sated on it. Pasta is one. Pasta in most any form, except with seafood, I can eat almost any time. And chocolate. Okay that doesn’t count either. It’s not like I have to have it every day anyhow. I just have to know that it’s there. In case of emergency. You know how it goes. And if I’m up in Pennsylvania, in that part of the state where they are sold, I have to buy a few bags of Middleswarth potato chips to bring home. But those bags will last me several months if I don’t have company.*** I don’t eat them every day just because they are in the house. Also, while I do love a good margarita I only actually get one when I’m out with friends.**** Friends, good times and margaritas just go together so well.
And then there is this place, the Bar & Grill. Probably my longest running, um, thing I really look forward to. But not an obsession. Just because it’s a place filled with people who say nice things about my shoes, with whom I can have spontaneous book discussions, that I have eaten pasta with, who appreciate fine chocolate and know how to raise a margarita glass in toast to friendship doesn’t mean I’m obsessed with this place.******
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms here at the Bar & Grill. *******
* Whatever you do, don’t search the internet for movies with the word ”obsession” in the title.† It’s just disturbing.
** Ugly would be a good word.
*** Or if I don’t bring them out for company. Heh.
**** Note to self: get more friends.
***** It’s not like I’ve shared my potato chips with you.
****** You know who you are.
† You didn’t listen, did you?
May 9th, 2008
My brain still hasn’t recovered from all the intense thinking and writing that I required of it a couple weeks ago (this is starting to prove problematic for work). So instead of giving you a thoughtful post, I give you the following pictures from my walk home from work on Tuesday. Enjoy!
I love being able to walk to and from work. Well, when the weather’s like this I enjoy it. Not so much when the wind is blowing the rain sideways.
My walk to and from work is almost entirely park or other green space. Walking home, I first go through the Meadows. As you can see, whatever trees these are that line the walkways are fully in bloom. They’re gorgeous. 
My path takes me down through Jawbone Arch, an arch made up of the jawbone of a whale, which you can see in the background of this picture. Jawbone Arch is from an 1886 exhibition that was held here in the Meadows. (This is my favorite pictures of the ones I took).
The second half of my walk home takes me through the Bruntsfield links.
I love the trees this time of year. Truth be told, I love trees any time of year, but bright, new-leaf green against dark-brown bark is one of my most favorite color combinations in nature.
The small sad Christmas tree stuck in the above picture is courtesy of the ferocious winds that we get here, especially in the winter. GP, do you know what makes trees grown those gnarly-knobby bits alongs the trunk?
Everyday along my walk, I get to view Edinburgh Castle (ok, so the back of the castle, but it’s still pretty cool, in my opinion) and Arthur’s Seat. The bright yellow up on Arthur’s Seat is something that started blooming within the last week or so. I’d really like to know what it is. It’s very striking from a distance.
The last 5 minutes of my walk are finally along the road. The architecture here is much different from anything I’m used to in the States. It has age. You can just feel the weight of it. The tenement buildings in my neighborhood are all probably about 110-120 years old, which is actually on the young side for Edinburgh.
I hope you enjoyed walking home with me!
May 6th, 2008
You asked for it. Hope it’s worth the wait. More pictures, by Lori.* More words, by BCB.** But this is the end of it, guys. The weekend just wasn’t all that long.
*Please note that ALL pictures in this post and the last one were taken by Lori. Even the ones I claimed to have taken. Even the ones that she is in. Isn’t she amazing?
**Please note that all the words are mine. Not Lori’s.
Here is the jukebox McB brought along, since she heard rumours that music was not yet readily available in NC. Great tunes and hardly any scuff marks from dragging it into the house.
Then on to the NC Museum of History, where we celebrate the achievements of manned flight and dressing up the State Beast as our namesake, Sir Walter Raleigh.
Yep, we have a quirky sense of humour down here, as further evidenced by this:
Not sure whether this is an historical artifact from the days when phone numbers were only five digits long or whether there was a “house” phone in the elevator. Too busy laughing at the sign to look for a phone. And trying not to burst into a cheesy rendition of a Little River Band song.
Here is a picture of our capital building (or is it capitol — I can never remember) and a statue of some guy who died a long time ago. Just so you know we really were there and not making stuff up.
Speaking of irreverent humour (trust me, we were), we also visited Historic 
Oakwood Cemetery. It’s very old. I’d never been there but I was willing to try to find it. Never mind that no one else particularly wanted to see it. The sacrifices I make. This is one of the pictures I made Lori take. It’s near the entrance to the cemetery and I’m not sure whether it’s a memorial or just a quiet place to sit.
Here is another one I made her take. Because I like old stone buildings. It’s on a lot next to the cemetery. Just look at it. You can see there’s a story there. I know there is. Probably someday I’ll write it.
And that’s it. The tour has now concluded. Please collect all your personal belongings before you exit and deposit your trash in the receptacles provided for your use. Actually, there were more pictures, but this post is way too long as it is.
Oh wait, here are some trees at the beach. One of the first pictures Lori took. No, I didn’t make her take this one. The trunks are all wavy because of the influence of the waves in the ocean. Really.
So now I’ve posted twice in one week — or, technically, twice in two consecutive months. I figure that should satisfy my guest posting obligations until the next CB invasion. No, that was not an invitation. Don’t go getting any ideas.
I do want to say Thank You to Lori, GP, Wapak, McB, RSS, Andi and JenB for agreeing to let me abduct them so I could sell their body parts come spend the weekend in NC and for being such good guests. And such good friends.
~ pics are clickable now - - bjw
May 2nd, 2008
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