By the Way

Vegas, baby. Viva the Bally's Six.

2011-12-07T07:36:00.001-07:00

Enjoy these snaps from where the flavor of life is always spicy. Had a great time although it took awhile to wash it all off. Three nights is the perfect stay there, anymore and the decadency will get to even the most amoral.

Welcome to my state of Confusionism

2011-12-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

     The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
Confucius

     That is my quote of the day. It is somewhat tied to the news that once again, Freedom Communications, has found it necessary to lay off a dozen or so workers at the Gazette. Although I was not one of the people joining the ranks of the unemployed, I certainly feel for those who were plucked from their desks into that statistic. I am somewhat certain my life will change because of it.
     They said it was to focus on the digital side of news. Please. Anyone can get on the web and go to the Huffington Post, CNN, Fox, the local news station and get a quick overview of whatever kind of digital news you want. Pick your poison. But they don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think Freedom wants the least amount of operational expense possible for a sale. Almost to a bureau status. Let's face it, newspapers are bad business nowadays. It'll just continue to get worse because the venue is in critical condition. On life support.

I did go to Las Vegas. I want to get all those photos together before I post, so be patient. I have some stories to tell and I won't disappoint on the wild and weird factor.

Hope these will give you a smile for awhile. Thanks to Coakley for sending the along.

That's ENOUGH

2011-11-15T21:10:00.001-07:00

... about me. Let's focus on some laughs.

Now that's a bridesmaid photo.

HA Ha ha

Never had turducken before. But I didn't know sex was involved.

Exactly.

I wonder if they thought through this title, or were they going for the inside joke?

They really do look this stupid. There's a little man inside every saggy jean.

We all have our limits.

Even dogs.

I've never gotten this error message. Where does it dispense?

Never trust a two-faced man.

I am sure it's kosher.

I know the feeling. Watched my ship sail in, watched it sail away.

Shit head. I am hoping this was a bad bet.

Some people have it firmly planted.

He was probably a Wall Street trader just weeks ago. Before OWS. The greed factor got to him.

Awh, a yellow lab banana dog. Grilled-cheese Jesus move aside.

Step aside for dog-butt Jesus, that is.

This really is not a funny just in case you were thinking you didn't get the joke. I think it is possible for people to do good, just to do good as a human. Secular Humanism.

Anyway if I've insulted you with any of these jokes, why, thank you very much. And quit being so sensitive. c.

Spiritual Chicken Dance

2011-11-13T19:30:00.001-07:00

On Friday 11-11-11, I turned 51, that would be 40 + 11 for my 'golden birthday'. I have always had a 'thing' about numbers, not sure if I'd call it numerology or not. I'd say not. I really don't look-up what my 'sun number ' is, or other terms people involved with that do. I just know I have a lot of double and triple numbers involved in my life and I feel very lucky.

It was important to celebrate the day. John and Cyn provided their lovely home for a venue. KJ and Greg did a lot of cooking. Janie and Pam made cakes. Many others pitched-in, I am very grateful for this group of friends in Colorado.

A few hours into the party, after the food and cake, some guests left. They had to get up early to work and such. Then I was told to come on downstairs. Everybody was told to come downstairs. John got on a microphone. " Everyone gather around Carol," they were told. "Put your hands to her and then to the sky and reach for the stars." Everyone did. "Everyone reach for the stars and pick out the best stars for Carol and yourselves."

It then occurred to me, "Shit, I hope this is not an intervention."

Then John said, " put your hands under your arms and create angel wings that will guide you through your journey to the stars that will be your daily destination to be the very best, and then shake your butt, or your tail, to shake off the bad days you don't need. So, reach for the stars, create your angel wings and shake off the bad... "

Then he turned on the sound to his computer speakers and it was the chicken dance. It was the most spiritual chicken dance I have ever witnessed. After we all participated, the music went on to 'Rock Lobster' and then 'Love Shack' and then the 'Rocky theme' song.

It was a lovely party. Here are some snaps some from my camera, and many from Pam's camera. Thank you everyone for joining the fun and don't forget to reach for the stars ...

KJ and Cyn

The cakes... Janie thought it was my 50th, thanks for the extra year! The cake on the right was written on by the bread guy at the store. The bakery gal was out. Jesus, lucky we could read the thing, he didn't even fit birthday on one line.

Bob carried the cake. 51 candles,

highly flammable.

The whole room felt the heat.

Luckily the smoke alarm did not go off. The fire department was not called.

The Jones'

I look similar. And I am delusional.

Loving husband, G2

Todd and Barb

Dave and Sue

Not a day over 51. I would love one of those Lifetime face lifts if I am on your gift list.

Janie is the spark in any room.

Like I said, any room. The only cockroach of the night.

Dancing after the intervention chicken dance.

Cyn plays with the Band.

Cyn and OT

So nice to see Shelly and Neil.

Don't let those innocent eyes fool you. Denise or "Little D". Noel's work replacement failed to show-up.

One of the 11-11-11 posters by John.

John and Sharon

Folks at the bar.

The final 5.

The Broncos and Bears won their games today. The Bears won handily. The Bills lost handily. What a weekend. Next stop, LasVegas, Baby. I'll make your Super Bowl bets for you, better go with the Bears.

11-11-11

2011-11-11T19:26:00.001-07:00

It's here. The day when the elevens line up. I guess if it was 11-11-1111, that's be cooler, however I would probably be suffering from the plague or some other middle earthen catastrophic disease, if I was in fact born, which I would not be, since I was born in 1960. What I am saying is that 11-11-11 is pretty cool.

Last night the Survivor crew got together and we had ourselves a great dinner thanks to my wonderful husband who sure can cook. They also threw me a little party. They also reminded me this blog would not be possible without them. I think the quote was "Your blog would be nothing without us." I would have to agree.

I slept in with a mild red wine hangover and woke to find out where to hell was Matt Lauer. I think the segment is 'Where in the world is Matt Lauer'. Anyway I like 'where to hell' better. He was in Barbados. I could feel the sand and the sun of the beach. Soon. Not too soon, like maybe next year. That lucky dog, Matt Lauer.

I got up and ate a box of Dots. Like a whole movie-box. I know, maybe Matt Lauer is not the only lucky one. Then I had a piece of birthday cake and a few leftover ribs. I am telling you this so you don't hate me for being perfect.

Yesterday, I had to go to motor vehicles to get my license renewed. For the love of Pete, could they possibly move any slower? Two elderly ladies were ahead of me. I am talking 70-80 year old plus, with wheel-chairs and cerebral palsy canes. I was thinking maybe their driving days should be over. I wanted to go grab those wheel chairs and help them along. "Okay now we go over here for the photo."... I am bad. Just wait until I am that age.

Tonight is my 11-11-11 party. Cyn keeps reminding me she has the Beam and some Jagermeister as well. I gave up Jager and all other serious shots along time ago. Last time I did 'Butter Babies' to excess, John and Noel walked me home and Noel fell and we laughed and laughed and solved some world problems over a beer we did not need. Good thing Travis sent me the Motrin and band-aides. I just might need them.
Be good or good at it, Carol

Two wrongs don't make a right

2011-11-08T22:32:00.003-07:00

I was searching today on the web for sports stories vindicating Jay Cutler. I always do after a Bear's game when he does an awesome job. I promise you, when I found this photo I was not searching using the word pussy in the search.

It is obviously photo-shopped, however, I nearly fell off my chair laughing when I saw it.

It was a really good game against the Eagles. Those sportscasters from ESPN are morons when doing color for Monday Night Football. With nine seconds left in the game, one of them, not sure which one, because I don't give a shit, said that maybe the kicker should run around in the backfield and try to run the clock down, maybe even taking a safety, rather than kicking it to the Eagles and risking a run back. For Pete's sake, where do they get these MFs.
I got Mag's a Bear's sweatshirt for her birthday and she said she loves it even more than the pocket thesaurus. We got ourselves another Jay Cutler fan in the house.

The only thing she asked from Bryce is that he put on pants for her birthday dinner. He was running around with his boxers on.

Speaking of birthdays, my most favorite day-ever is in three days, 11-11-11. The Russel's are hosting a party and that will be fun. It should be smallish,which are often the best kind, so if you're in town show up.

We are heading to Vegas in a week, so that will be something to celebrate. Yahhhoooooo!

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

2011-11-07T19:21:00.005-07:00

   It was 1979. The Police had just released their second album, Reggatta de Blanc. This was cutting-edge music. Some called it 'new wave', others 'punk'. It seems like pretty fluffy stuff by today's standards. Trust me, parents feared it as much as rap today. I was 18 or 19 and like a lot of youth, of even today, the music I listened to was the soundtrack to my life. I made a decision to stick with the folksy- Americana-Bluegrass over the newer progressive tunes of the Police and the like. I went to a few Grateful Dead shows, a few local bluegrass festivals and I was hooked. What could be more fun than 'kicking shit' (dancing) and drinking beer to some down-home music that could make anyone feel good, even when they were singing about the darkest days of life?
One friend had a recording of 'Will the Circle be Unbroken', a compilation of country/bluegrass music by the best in the genre, including: Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, Bashful Brother Oswald, Norman Blake, Jimmy Martin, and others.
   I wore that album out. As far as I am concerned, along with The Band's, 'Last Waltz', it is the best recording of music by a group of musicians that exists. Oh Brother, Where Out Thou, is in the mix, but a definite third place.
    So when the opportunity arose to go to the NGDB concert, I did not even hesitate.
    I've always felt they never got their due. They are mostly known for their cover of 'Mr. Bojangles'. (Yes, they did play it.) But they wrote great songs like, An American Dream, The Long Hard Road, Modern Romance, Fishing in the Dark, and co-wrote Bless the Broken Road, to name a few. They have morphed over a dozen times through the years. The band included: Bob Carpenter; keys, Jimmie Fadden; drums, harmonica, Jeff Hanna; guitar, lead vocals and John McEuen; playing every conceivable string instrument known to modern man. I admit, I did miss Jimmy Ibbotson, with his California-surfer-good looks, albeit, aged. I saw him playing solo a few years back and he was advertised as "Jimmy Ibbotson, formally of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band... " You know without the tie to the mentioned band it would have been, "Jimmy, who?"
     In between the divorce and has-been jokes they delivered a balance of old and newer and threw in a couple Jimmy Martin tunes (My Walking Shoes don't fit me any more) for good measure. Yes, they are a bunch of old hippies but they are talented old hippies.
     I figured they must have known I was there because they did a cover of The Weight, by the Band, during their encore. The cherry on top. This music is still the soundtrack to my life. But only on weekends, I swear.

This group has been playing together for 45 years. I hope they have many more. Can you say 'Pappa John Creech'?
(Thanks, Denise.)

Happy Birthday Margina Quintana

2011-11-04T10:29:00.002-06:00

With our non-phonetically correct Italian surname we get called some funky names. The school's favorite is Ga-win-tah or Quintana, which makes no sense at all.

Today is my daughter's 15th birthday. A few nights ago we had her 'Survivor' birthday party. We, as in, a small group from the neighborhood, that get together usually on Thursday evenings to have dinner and watch the show Survivor. When asked what she wanted for a cake, she told Charlotte to surprise her. This is the theme they came up with.


As with all special occasions, Noel picked out a fine bottle of red from his wine cellar.

She wore the birthday princess crown well.

She received a Bachelor of Mega Science in Brainiac Engineering from the Colorado School of Minds. (She was disappointed to learn that it was the Colorado School of Mines and not 'Minds'. ) Since we are all alumni of the School of Minds, we took it upon ourselves to help her get a jump on her undergraduate degree.

She got a lot of nice gifts and after a delicious meal of Jambalaya, she went on home to do her four hours plus of homework so someday she can graduate Phi Beta Kappa from some college perhaps, The Colorado School of Mines. I am sure she will include all of us supporters in her address at graduation. " I'd like to thank all of the alumni of the School of Minds for their undying support..."

Survivor

I don't usually mention the show here so much so skip this part if you don't want to read about it.

This is the most awesome season in quite sometime. I love drama, especially when the people who think they are controlling the situation, find out they are not. There's one weaselly contestant named Cochran. I swear he is Woody Allen reincarnated. I get the idea his mother still packs his lunch and includes juice boxes and perhaps launders and folds his tidy-whiteys. Anyway, he has been widely scapegoated by his team as being the reason why they lose challenges and bullied to his face by Keith, a good-looking dumb ass with a large ego. There's more to it but I'll let it go at that. At tribal council he turned the tables and Mr. Chiseled-face Keith gets voted out by the beaten-down nerd. Way to go Cochran for growing a pair. Your former team is pissed and I feel fine.

I am a supporter of the underdog. This one included.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band... the review and photographs have been moved to the next post.

The most interesting Mexican

2011-11-02T09:03:00.004-06:00

Ever watch The Biggest Loser? I have watched a few seasons. This season I have a tough time making it through the taped show. For the love of Pete, these people have been given a chance of a lifetime and they are the biggest whiners. They switched trainers and there's grown men on the show crying because they can't be with their old trainer, really? I am so irritated. Can you imagine not wanted to train with tennis great Anna Kournikova? Just had to get this off my chest. I am finally dead-bored with TV, I knew it was just a matter of time. I am sure a lot of the drama is produced by the producers for more controversy and ratings. For shame. Reality TV is a sham, but you knew that.
Saturday I went to Prairie Home Companion. That was so well done. I know some people don't appreciate the campy humor of Garrison Keillor. Many Sundays I have spent in the car or on the couch listening to the show. I'll say this, he is a phenomenal writer and entertainer.

These four folks are the voices for all the skits.

Keillor thanked Colorado native band, the Haunted Windchimes from Pueblo, left. They were awesome.

*Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.
-----_Garrison Keillor

I pulled in the driveway just in time for the 7 pm start of our annul Halloween bash. It was one of our best parties, I believe. Here's some snaps:

Old neighbors and young neighbors: LA, in the center, shares my interest in serial killers, gloom, I know. " I love serial killers," she said.

Bob ate a sandwich, as Dean, who as either the Unabomber or the drunkest man at the party, knocked his sombrero off. Bob was the most interesting Mexican.

Janie killed it as Dorothy.

She tied with The invisible Man to win the costume contest. We laughed so hard tallying the votes. KJ read one vote as the most Irresistible Man. hahaha.


Invisible Man, aka, Chris Kwapy, Judge Judy and Ashley, who is a beautiful women no matter how she dresses.

John was a cat burglar and Cyn, was one ugly women. No matter what the clothes are, they are still love birds.

Group shot of happy friends.

I danced with Mercury and Terry Barton. We were dancin' fools.

Mexican Bob, Cyn and KJ at the bar.

Joe and Ann watched Nina dance.

Out in the Zak Shack.

John, Todd, Barbara and Alan

Sharon and Nancy

Sharon and friends

Sisters Char and Cyn.

Touchdown?

Greg and fellow Fluke friends.

Judge Judy: "Don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining."

Ron and Char were elements. I heard Ron explain to one lady, " Well there's a periodic chart...." She replied, "I know, I just don't get it." Ron said, " I can't help you then."

Next day: Bob and Pam

Bryan, Pam and Popcorn

Lil Popcorn learning to use the cat door.

Watching the Broncos was painful, and apparently scary for John, on the right. So we re-played their one and only TD over and over just to get a few cheers in.

Then we watched John dog wrestle, which was far more entertaining.

Jack had the upper jaw on him. This was just an act folks.

Char made shrimp with ice hands. Not hers, frozen in plastic gloves.

I made this flower poster or card or whatever yesterday morning, what do you think? Waste of time?

Pretty fall and snow at the Academy. I'll fill you in on other stuff later my friends. chao, ciao, chow-chow dog. C.

Hungry Heart

2011-10-27T21:40:00.000-06:00

Like a river that don't know where it's going, I took a wrong turn and I just kept going.
and going,
and going...

We went out for a last minute camping trip last Saturday night. Just four of us, getting out just to get out, play washers and have some beverages. Who is fooling anyone? We got out to party by a fire.

Our identities have been changed to protect the innocent.

A definite religious experience.

When we got home Sunday morning, I painted the back wall trim to the house and taped the Bronco game to watch after the weather cooled. At about 2:00 pm there was a big cheer. at 2:15, a friend that was helping me paint showed back up after taking a break. He said he hoped I taped the game with an extended time because the game was till going on. Then I heard another big cheer.

Fifty minutes into the game I was wondering how to hell this game was ever going to be tied, sending it in to overtime. It was the worse display of NFL play I have witnessed in a long time. Miami, arguably one of the worst NFL teams, had the Broncos, maybe a slightly better team, at 15-0 with no timeouts. Well like the cheers foreshadowed, the Broncos delivered a miracle and tied the game. Then another miracle, they won it in overtime. It was not pretty. I am not a Tebow fan, but you got to give the guy credit for pulling that win out, maybe with the help of JC himself. Maybe they can run against Detroit on Sunday, ranked 28th against the run. Hmmm. Second religious experience.

The hard freeze came overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, make that Oct. 26. I had to scramble to get the plants and its hard to say goodbye to the fall.

It was 70 degrees when I snapped this Tuesday.. Wednesday, snow and highs in 30's.

Pruning all the trees.

Getting ready for the annual Halloween party. If you are reading this and your local, you're invited.

Jack. Best dog in America (except for your dog).

Look whose tending bar. Not sure what I will be for Halloween yet. Hell, I don't know what I want to be when I grow up yet.

Got all the plants in.

Slack-jaw was in the garden eating my plants Tuesday. Don't tell the DOW, they will come to the hood and kill him because he's deformed. I think he's cute

That's all I got for now.

Let's chit-chat

2011-10-21T08:57:00.000-06:00

Which is kind of hard to do since you can't talk back and I am writing. Let me take this opportunity to say the lack of comments can be a little depressing. Maybe it's because my writing leaves you, speechless, or wordless. You're forgiven.

My sister Ellen had a tumor the size of a soccer ball removed yesterday. She is doing fine. Yes, I said a fucking soccer ball. It was attached somewhere in the nether regions of her ovaries. They took out the whole kit-cat-in-caboodle, if you know what I mean. Maybe you pray or don't- but just think of her because she was so scared and probably still is. Thanks.

This week's paper at the Academy was a little stressful on deadline. The computers were down in the PA office where I work for 1 1/2 days. All elements for the paper flow through the network. It all worked out. I hate that feeling with a lump in the throat racing the clock. Actually it's a love-hate thing.

Talk about stress, everyone excluding my son got up an hour late this morning. G2 took a quick shower to get our daughter out the door on time. He couldn't find his sun glasses and she was down in the car crying and Jesus H. talk about stress.

I just went out to the camper to find the Irish Creme for my coffee, all this stress talk got me craving a little sedation. I am off, what to hell. A little oxymoron, coffee and alcohol. Maybe just moron.

So what do you think about the sheriffs in Ohio killing all those exotic animals? It's a shame. What are those Keystone cops supposed to do? News link here.

What happened to the missing baby Lisa in Kansas City, MO? I think the mother did or knows something. Maybe not. It's hard to know what darkness lurks in a mother. She did change her story to include drinking a box of wine. I am a seasoned wine drinker and if I had drank that much I'd be blotto but I'd sure to hell know better. "Adult time", my ass, adult time is taking care of your kids. News link here.

I can't say I please very many people. I try. What I can do is when I get up everyday, I vote for this guy so he can receive funds to support his non-profit dog rescue in LA. Here's the link to his FB page, if you like his page, he'll send updates on all his great work and you can get off to a good start everyday and vote to help this dude out. Here's the link to his FB page.

Remember, you're doing great, now get going on your adult time.

God loves a drunk

2011-10-19T20:00:00.004-06:00

A segment of the Varsity squad went on a late season camping trip to Trout Creek pass a few weeks ago. The aspens were at their peak and the night temperatures were not even flirting with freezing. Crazy Bob invited his neighbors that seemed like reasonably nice folks. We went out on the ATVs for forty or so miles, photographing the landscape of bright colors and blue skies. We were at a point where it was getting late and the road ahead was too rugged for the novice neighbors. We did a few loops trying to find a way a way back north after driving south for so long. Mark and I ended going down this trail from hell. I haven't been that scared on an ATV in a long while. Large rocks and an off-camber hill. There was no going back. When he saw me hesitate he hollered up, "Just put it in low and crawl." I thought he said, "Just put it in low and GO!", which is pretty much the same thing but a little more urgent. When we reunited with the rest of the group, four of us went one way, Bob and friends went back the way we came, the sure thing.

I asked the guys if they thought we'd beat Bob and his friends back to camp. Mark said, "not at our current speed of 0 mph."

We had a good campfire. Bob played guitar and we sang our hearts out, the usual, Bobby McGee, Midnight Special, Willin'. After a few hours of drunkin' camp singing people started drifting off to bed, until it was Bob, the woman neighbor, and me. The female neighbor was very intoxicated and started hanging all over Bob and me for that matter. I decided my time for bed had come. The neighbor ended up professing her love for Bob. She put the shit in shit-faced. Bob said she was drinking vodka straight. Normally I would say, so what? She's an adult. Evidently, she had not drank alcohol in a very long time since she had gotten a few DUIs, even spending time in jail. I didn't see her in the morning but I did feel sorry for her. She must of been hurting and embarrassed. Plus she loves Bob. Anyway, here's a song for her by one of my favorites, Richard Thompson.

I guess she didn't make the Varsity squad.

Filling the void.

2011-10-18T19:57:00.002-06:00

I cannot stand by and do nothing when my friend Joe says there's a hole in his life where my blog posts used to be. How can I? I have simply just been lazy. I have no shortage of things to say.

I'll finish my NY trip real quick.
I stopped in Western New York. The night we held a BBQ to see some old high school friends it rained hard. It was cleansing the slate for renewal, I suppose. That's how I looked at it. Not that I remember any hard times or bad feelings, but just in case. I don't know too many folks back there, and for that, I blame myself - for not keeping in touch. That, and my memory has gotten so horrible that I have to stop and think to figure out if someone on Facebook, or in my thoughts, is from Lake Placid, Wayland, Alfred or Colorado.
For no reason known to myself, my knee swelled to cantaloupe size overnight before driving to Buffalo. I was worried about being able to drive or walk. I was pretty pathetic. Anyway I hobbled up to my friend's Lyn and Jim's land in Attica for their annual summer party. I was toted around in a golf cart by her awesome friends. We had a great time. Here's some of my favorite pix:

Had a great time catching up with old friends at my sister's home in Springwater, NY

My father is an old guy but he is still sharp enough to skunk us all at cards. It was good to spend some time with him and Betty.

Myself, bloated, on the left, Donna, my absentee college roommate, center, my long-time best buddy, Lyn, right, aka Pinhead. We sure had a great time. Sang every song that needed to be sung; John Prine, Jerry Jeff, Bromberg...ect

Their dog Casper will not flip the treat off his nose unless you say O. K. No other combination of O's or K's will make him flinch. He is precious.

Lyn and Donna take in some conversation, beers and sun.

The dog isn't the only family member with talent. Jess is double jointed in many places.

Jim has been sitting beer cans on his air-puffed belly for years. He says it has gotten easier since he doesn't have to puff it out so far now-a-days.

My son got real muddy. Mud Boy. He had so much fun in their pond.

Not long after we returned home the insanity of school year routine had the family back into the slavery of the clock, up at 6 am, out of the house by 7:30, work, home by 6 pm, dinner by 7, sleep by 10, boredom in between. Maggie has been running on the cross- country team and has been impressive in renewing her personal record, otherwise known as the PR, wish I could run and have a PR. Here's little Mag's running:

Went on a retreat to the Perran's cabin in the mountains to the west. They have done a beautiful job keeping it rustic but well-designed. This was not a religious retreat, however a religious experience. I did the cockroach for the first time in years. This is the process in which, I, usually fairly intoxicated, however surrounded by good friends, who are most likely of the same mind-set get on my back and wiggle my legs in the air. Like kick in glee. I don't have any photos of that but enjoy these:

We had quite the spread. And lots of food too.

Part of the crew.

No matter where I go I am a Lawrence.

2011-09-21T20:53:00.023-06:00

I swear sometimes my life is like a Independent movie. The kind that seems so meaningless on the surface, and even more so after much contemplation. Then after a restless sleep, you realize it was just a character study in relationships. What a waste of time. Or was it?
   I watched the saddest damn movie the other day, it was called Wendy and Lucy. Michelle Williams was a drifter with a dog. I am still sad about that movie and nothing else. I want my two hours back, maybe by now it's more like five hours.

   Back to the story. We left Vermont and drove three hours to my birthplace of Lake Placid, NY. It seemed like a rundown shell of it's former Olympic self. My brother and his wife live there. Their son and his two kids were visiting. I have never met two shyer kids.
    My brother has recently become ill with some undiagnosed condition. Worrisome. My sister-in law is very sweet and they were generous enough to feed and entertain us. My childhood best friend was going to meet up with us, but atlas, her son had a out-of-town baseball championship game. I was really looking forward to that rendezvous. I guess I was disappointed about that. Maybe that's why I drank a bottle of wine.

Anyway the next day we headed to my sister Pam's in Syracuse.
After a terrific steak dinner, we ended up playing Trivial Pursuit, drank some wine but not too much, and had a fun time. If nothing else we sure can laugh. I think a diaper was in order that night too. My kids were intrigued by Pam, mostly because she is highly intellectual and secondly because she's a little nutty.

Pam and her granddaughter Maddy. She was shared a bed with Maggie and me.

Sometime in the middle of the night, my sister Mary's knee had swollen. She may have twisted it and then let it idle for hours driving. The pain was excruciating, and as a registered nurse, she was concerned she had a blood clot in her leg. After an five hour emergency room visit, they figured it was arthritis in her hip. Meanwhile Mags, Pam and I took her granddaughter Maddy to her mom's house. When we all returned to Pam's her husband had gotten us kosher delicatessen goods for lunch. My sister Pam made a sandwich with raw deli bacon, it looked like sliced ham. Yuck, imagine biting into bread and fat. Anyway I sound so depressing I am going to stop now. Damn sad Independent movie about a down-on her luck girl and dog. I will be more up-beat tomorrow. And I won't be part of a character study, promise.

A visit to New York

2011-09-20T21:57:00.003-06:00

I hadn't been back east for almost three years and since Dad is nearing ninety I figured I better get back to see him before it's at a funeral. He seems to have the longevity genes, so notice I didn't say his funeral.
The kids and G2 went to CT and then to RI to the one of my favorite places, Newport, but since I knew I was going to western NY, there was no way I could do it all. G2 dropped the kids off above Providence and I met them outside of Boston. The funny thing about that is my sister, the only one I didn't see, lives in Boston. She was cruising the south of France, so good for her.
My sister Mary picked me up in her Ford Escape, along with the kids and my sister Ellen. That's right, five of us in a mid-sized SUV. I was in the backseat with the kids, who incidentally had their laptops opened. After we ate at the Olive Garden, we spent about ten minutes getting out of the parking lot, going in a circle back past the restaurant at least twice. The laughter subsided after we were misguided by an evil GPS to take only dirt roads with no street lights, and after an ass-flattening-seven hours where at times I was very concerned for our safety, we arrived at Mary's son's Vermont home located in BumFucEgypt. I think I may have been more comfortable if I had ridden a camel, but it was way more fun in the car witnessing my sister laughing so hard, too hard, and in fact a diaper would have been in order.

My nephew and his wife were very generous and friendly. My only complaint was there was way to much water in the air, so thick in fact, I had a hard time fitting it up my nose. Not their fault.

Day two, perhaps three and four tomorrow. I am not used to all this writing and I am tired. c.

Breaking the ice

2011-09-19T22:44:00.001-06:00

I am regretful for not posting here for awhile. I will try and catch you up on my summer adventures. I wish I could tell you about taking a break and reflecting on life, being tortured with turmoil with lack of focus, drinking scotch into the night while I work on a novel or a song, and a bunch of other bullshit but I have done none of that. I have been spectacularly tired. Maybe the lack of focus is true. So tonight I will just say hi and that I am back.

I wished I would have taken notes because my memory fails me so, even without the scotch. I bet I can think of the real interesting stuff...

It's okay to say you've missed me. So come on back I'll have some meat tomorrow. Carol

The birthday party: Kentucky-style

2011-08-15T22:33:00.002-06:00

Wow, had a great time in NY, but before I blow my horn about that, I must back up to Cyn's birthday week. She had friends from her days at Eastern Kentucky (initially I spelled that Kuntucky, forgive my snicker) State. Here's some snaps from some of the many events.

The surprise dinner

First evening at the house, a cocktail hour followed by G2's smoked rosemary chicken, beer-butt-style chicken.

Bellying up to the bar.

I love the light here.

Eating out back.

Yum.

Maggie made a berry buckle for Cyn.

Gary recorded the moment.

Yay...

One of the special guest arrived, the unknown comic.

Aka, Bill.

Everyone was surprised.

Bishops Castle

Old man Bishop was working on the entrance when we got there. It includes a moat. The place has "danger" written all over it.

The guys took the walk to the top.

Took some group shots on the second floor. Like everyone else my eye goes directly to me, except your eye would go to you... not me. Anyway, I have no idea my I am pointing my toe except I may be retarded. We can argue the "point" later.

One of the many twisty stairways.

It's one impressive handmade castle, made by the crusty guy himself, Jim Bishop.

We chatted to him while he ate lunch. More or less he talked at us while he ate. He is very interresting to say the least. Bishop is very opinionated. He's against the government because they are giving the people the shaft going against the constitution mainly by interpretation and state imposed laws. He makes some good points, but I find his conspiracy theories plain unbelievable. Here's the wiki site ( for the castle, not his political views.)

He don't take kindly to drunk taypayers.

The Grand Prix

In our own juvenile way we were calling this restaurant the Grand Pricks, cause we could. A little hole-in the wall joint in Pueblo. I would recommend this place for anyone with an appreciation for good authentic Mexican fare. But don't come here if you like only squeaky clean and sterile places. The bathroom was stuck in the fifties and may not have been cleaned since.

The green chili was excellent and good friendly service. I have cravings for the green chili plate, cravings, I may have to drive down weekly.

The MeloDrama

At Iron Springs Chateau.
In Manitou Springs at the top of Ruxton, food twasn't bad either but I was full from Grand Prix.

The host had heard there was a birthday in the audience.

Cyn was a good joe.

The main actor was a hefty guy but he sure could dance around. He was probably the best entertainer as well.

The big party

Cyn laughed at her hillbilly wine glass, a bell jar on a candlestick-like base.

Sharon, being an artist gave Cyn a drawing about all the big times they have when they all get together.

John played for a sing-a-long. The rest of the night got fuzzy here. I did have a big time and went home and sang and played guitar with my buddy Bob. I thankfully gave up drinking but stayed up till 5:30. WTF, what was I thinking?

G2 had come home at a respectable hour and went to bed. He took care of Bob and I and made up the hangover curing avocado-onion-pepper cheese burger. I figure this was all training for the trip back east. Next time Cyn's friends come to town I need to start training like I am going to run a marathon for at least a month. Good times.

The blind-side and the great kidnap conspiracy

2011-07-25T22:31:00.001-06:00

Cookie Monster

What's in a cookie? Well that's a confusing question, just ask my friends Steve and Debbie.

Steve was getting ready for a big day in his prestigious-level job, meeting with various mucky-mucks surrounding a project he was working on. It was a big day.

He decided to eat a few cookies he had found in his wife's car, because she is an equally good citizen and what's in Debbie's car must be a-okay. After dunking the cookies in his coffee, Steve went to shave and shower. As he looked at his face in the mirror it started to distort. He shrugged it off. After a while his perception led him to paranoia, and he felt like he might be having a panic attack. He called out to Debbie. She asked the right question, "What did you eat?"

"A cookie and a half from that baggie in your car."

"Steve, I have no idea where those cookies came from."

It got worse. He was confused and was wondering if it was PCP or some other evil in the cookies. The meeting was in a half-hour. Calls were made to buy Steve a few hours. Calls were made to their daughter who had used the car earlier in the week. She had visited their son at a mountain resort. Did she know where they came from, what was in them?

Yes, it was determined a friend of their son had baked some pot cookies and it was some pretty good weed. They tossed a few to the daughter as she left, she was apathetic, didn't want them and tossed them under the seat and forgot about them.

Steve finally got it together enough to go into work and make it through the day. He said he finally felt "normal" around 4:00 pm. Funny enough. Of course we are still laughing at the circumstances.
Editor's note: The names were changed to protect the innocent and the not-so innocent. Also the conversation was paraphrased because I could.

Kidnapping Carlos

This past weekend among other things, some of us in the neighborhood group to a road trip to Craig-a-palooza, a birthday party for a guy we all know as Craig. It's his annual birthday bash and no pictures can do this house justice. I did not bring my camera in the party and that's a shame cause I missed out on some classic photographs, ie, a large ass, literally speaking, a Jenga game played with foot-long wood pieces and an absolutely beautiful house.
When we were leaving, Char insisted on taking one of the mariachi band cut-outs decorating the place.

This is a ugly cell phone photo of their kitchen. It was beautiful.

There must of been over 200 people at this party.

"Little D" got us home safe in the Shaggin Wagon. For some reason we were compelled to sing Hot Child in the City to her.

The Mexican dude is safe with us until Cyn's party Saturday. Then he will be returned to Craig and Stephanie, unharmed.

Because we are very cultured folks, we did have a wine tasting before hitting the road.

The sisters looked pretty refreshed for day two of Cyn's week-long plus birthday party.

Day one Friday night: the crowning of her highness on her 50th birthday

Come to think of it, the grocery store does play some cool music nowadays.

I am backing up a bit here by throwing these two photos in here. I got confused, sorry. It's one of the many hazards of aging. Order of historical facts.

Iowa friends of Jones and Tamara stopped buy a few weeks ago. We had a raucous time.

Visited with Bud's folks at their campground. We had a splendid time. Always thinking of Bud Noel.

There's gotta be a part two to this post as it is long and I am tired and confused. Taker easy...cal, you can call me cal. I meant to write csl but I typed cal twice so it must be. Cal

The lack of money is the root of all evil

2011-07-15T11:38:00.003-06:00

Isn't that the truth. Gotta feel lucky to have a job, I suppose. Can't remember the last raise I got. I think it was way before the 10 percent pay cut I and others took a few years ago. Corporate management and board members that hold our company were lining their pockets with six-seven figure bonuses. Just the way it goes. It would be refreshing if a corporate big-wig or such would speak up and say, "You know I have plenty of money, couple mansions, yachts let the workers split up my share...", then all the others would do the same so they won't appear greedy. I know won't happen. It seems the more money you get the more you want. And if you get enough money you set up philanthropies for third world countries. Sometimes people forget where they came from. Reminds me of this funny from List of the Day.

Did I mention I got a stellar review from my boss at the Academy. I hate to be bragadocious. But as you well know, it's about time things started to look up for moi. He said they are "thrilled to have me as their design person." Thrilled is good.

The Selfish Gene

2011-07-11T23:58:00.003-06:00

Figuratively speaking, of course. I think your at the wrong web address if you were hoping any information about gene-centered evolution. However, I have surprised you before. Maybe bored, instead of surprised, it's a fine line.

No, I am not going to lecture about how some people are so selfish, blah, blah, blah, and drivers on I-25 drive like they have blinders on, that's just too easy. I have been selfish myself, plenty, and no one wants to hear that. Just think of this next time your unsure how to act on something. Put yourself last. It will amaze you.
This weekend was Neil's fiftieth birthday and his wife Shelley's fifty-something-ieth so we went over and ate, drank our share and more, had fun and hopefully were as entertaining as we were entertained. Here's some snaps of the birthday bash.

The Stansberry Family. The camping group cleans up nicely.

Wendy and Megan in from Salt Lake.

Janie shakes it during the Zumba dance she did with KJ and Tamara.

They did a really good job.

Hugs after.

The cakes by Janie.

The birthday boy and girl.

Glade and Dick had their cake and ate it too.

Fifties were in the air. Along with rain and lightning.

Rhianna played with the kids.

G2, Jimmy and OT

KJ and Janie watched Neil unwrap his Snuggie. He was thrilled. I think he liked itt as much as the predictable Depends and Ben Gay.

He even tried it on.

Noel showed Neil how the hood works.

Crazy Bob and Blair.

Joe is an awesome player and singer, and driver of revelers. Thanks for the ride home, Joe.

Senior Bob and G2

The big toast at the dinner earlier in the week for the Thompson clan all the way over from England. Can't wait to see them again.

I was thinking (but not just about myself, selfishly) but kinda. I think I like to watch Intervention and Hoarders because it allows me to feel better about myself. I don't have any real claims to accomplishment, but I have managed to keep the house tidy and out of rehab. But like Noel says, I too would be an over-achiever if I didn't drink, and I wouldn't want to be that selfish. eh?

We, the jury, find the defendant....

2011-07-06T22:31:00.002-06:00

I know I am sick of it too. Especially after watching the trial from the comfort of my treadmill. I know they couldn't fill the gaps to say there was definitive proof she did it. However I am damn sure Casey Anthony is guilty. Now jurors want big money to talk to the media. That's justice in America for you.

This photo, from sometime in high school, surfaced on Facebook today. I have no clue where I was or what to hell I was doing. However, I believe this was my Prince Valiant hair cut courtesy of my sister Ellen. I think I chased her around the house to hit her because she was laughing after she cut it. I am in the middle.

Monday was the Fourth of July. So I went to Ron and Charlotte's and did my best to stay somewhat sober. Why? I had to work Tuesday. I am still not over the short week.

Ron's cock was dressed for the occasion

I made a strawberry rhubarb buckle. It turned out great. Rhubarb, not so great on it's own, but nothing a few cups of sugar and strawberries can't cure.

Miss Nina is getting prettier every day.

Dr. Sarah Coakley stopped in.

Washers action.

People watching people playing washers. The husband and wife winning team of G2 and myself were very OFF. Well, we can't win all the time or people wouldn't want to play with us.

Denise.

Fireworks to the east. What can I say, I had a short lens. We've all seen fireworks before. We've all seen a good firework's photo before. Well this ain't one of them. Can't be on duty all the time.

After a week of planning, I have my tickets purchased and I'll be back in New York state the second week of August. I hope to see everyone I can during the trip because the older I get the less and less likely it is that I get back for a vacation if you know what I mean.
Hey chin up okay, I know you're not guilty.

Fresh start

2011-07-03T22:44:00.005-06:00

Good morning, hope you don't mind I did a little cleaning of the old site. Really it's a work in progress, so please step around the mess for a while.

Since I haven't written in awhile, I'll have to use my memory to catch you up on my mostly mundane existence. I will skip the mundane parts so with my limited memory, it should be a brief post, ha ha.

Took a drive to visit my old friend Pam in Morrison last week. She is not old, nor am I, but we have been friends since we were five, so do the math, she's an old friend.

The Hood

We also had a few small dinner get-togethers, the first of the young summer.

The bar was open to a cast of usual suspects

The dog will stop a nothing to get a bite of food.

Nothing, and nothing says dinner party like a chocolate lab up to the table.

Greg made a beautiful roast. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Don't you love lemonade in the summer?

Neil is recovering from knee surgery. Cyn is recovering from me taking her photo so much.

We finally got to celebrate KJ's birthday.

Thursday we went to the Perran's and caught up with their daughters who were in for a visit.

Denise proves she still has the disco dance moves. Her kids were impressed.

Noel sat outback with the jet-set

The island dweller's are proud to be American.

At the bar table, Cyn is, yet again, thrilled to be photographed.

Mags. My loverly daughter.

Cyn insisted Maggie do the bump with her. Mags was thrilled.

Denise had a chocolate 'tashe

Noel poured some spirits and some drinks too.

The Moose and a half Camp Trip..."take off your clothes and defend yourself!"

Here's some scenes from the weekend camp trip, went to a spot off Cottonwood Pass, we call Moose and a half, because there was a cow moose and her baby living in the area. However, I never saw said Moose and baby, but I did see photos.

Do you see the moose in the woods? Me neither.

Dave and Sue came with their dog Pepper. Their four youngest kids were visiting their oldest kid in Detroit. They both grew up in inner-city Detroit and had some pretty interesting stories to tell about growing up there. Mostly about teen angst, then dodging bullets and moving to the suburbs, then moving to fuck out of there. I find it totally interesting and could ask questions about it all night, but then they'd get sick of me prying. However, they both thought that the plowing over of the miles of old burned-out neighborhoods of Detroit into farm land was a good idea.

A flower in the woods. Or is it wood?

It has rained so much in Gunnison County that there's no fire band. But lots of mosquitos.

So we had a great fire. This is the first night when I looked back to the fire when going to bed.

The twins, Kesha and Grace. I am so bad at spelling names, forgive.

Cutie pies.

Mark loving on Pepper.

Pookie getting Greg out of the mud. They thrive on helping each other which is a very good thing.

Top of Cumberland Pass.

Sweet Jesus. Why we live and play here.

Rachel leads the pack.

G2, Mark, Neils's folks,Glade and Richard.

Eileen's ATV shoes. She totally pulled it off.

Neil's brother Keith and his wife Eileen. They are visiting from England along with their folks for Neil's fiftieth. We have known them for years and never tire of seeing them and hearing them talk. " We fired our guns and the British kep' a coming, there was quite as many as there was a while ago..." Happy fourth of July.

Greg cooks and Max is interested.

These were the best ribs I have ate since the last time Greg made ribs.

Building a proper fire takes effort.

Rhianna is Eileen's daughter and claims to be as big as a nerd as Bryce and Mags. She even has the Kindle to prove it. They are excited to meet her.

East side of Cottonwood Pass.

Okay, about taking off your clothes and defending yourself, that's what Sue was saying around the fire. Must have been a survival technique from the Detroit ghettos. She is one of the most funniest ladies I have ever met. Did anyone take off their clothes... next time you'll find out.

So stop back by, it'll be worth it, I promise. I swear, I will try not to swear so much. But I am not making any promises.

Take off your clothes and defend yourself.

My Inner Child is one mean Son of a Bitch

2011-06-22T20:00:00.002-06:00

My Outer Child, however nice, is a facade.

Actually that was a bumper sticker a friend saw the other day. And you know I am nice through and through.

Funny story about the word facade. I once pronounced if faH-kade, (long a's hard c) while talking to this guy, trying to impress. We laughed so hard we nearly peed. So much for my french.

Speaking of french, we had the Thursday group over and the Perran's bought a very nice girl visiting from France who is visiting for a month or so. Her name is Morgan, pronounced
Mor-ghan. Anyway, I'll try not to speak my SOB-inner child french to her but all bets are off when I start drinking. Which I might add is not very often, thank you for asking.

Some of the Thursday gang. The bar out back is now open.

I was considering skiing Friday but was just to tired when the 5 am alarm clock went off. So I slept until 10:00 am until I heard laughing from my darling but brusque children. One of the three deer in our lawn had a jaw problem they thought was hilarious. But only in a very concerned way.

Poor baby.

Mags cut her hair for locks of love. She wanted to do it before school was over with her National Jr. Honor Society, but they ran out of time to organize it. Could have saved me the $100 bucks or so I spent on her hair for graduation. It's all good, what's money anyway unless your broke. Like me.

Great Clips cuts all 'locks of love' donations for free. Which was within my budget.

I did lots of work on the farm this weekend.

The clementis are in full bloom.

Salvia.

Greg's father Day breakfast on the patio. BLT's. I know I rock as a wife.

Thinking of my Dad who was admitted to the hospital on Father's Day with dehydration. He is doing much better and is walking and talking very well. I am making plans to visit him in August with the kids so hang on Daddy-O. Hang on.

Hope all is well with you and yours. CSL

Can't explain...

2011-06-13T16:10:00.000-06:00

So maybe you can. My son posted this on his facebook page and everyone thought it was so funny.
I don't get it. He doesn't want to explain it to me.

Do you get it?

I am back...

2011-06-08T21:49:00.003-06:00

Well I got some 'splaning to do.

I took down the blog for awhile today.

I got thinking and I made a few edits.

It's hard to want to reinvent yourself when you like yourself except for a few *key things. I got thinking and my life is in a physical mess so I probably won't spend as much time blogging this summer but I really do enjoy it so I am not going to quit all together. This is assuming that people actually read this blog. And a bigger assumption that people actually enjoy reading this blog.

Anyway I know, lots of double speak psycho babble. I am okay. Just thinking.

I have been working like a dog in the garden. I've always wondered about that "working like a dog" phrase because I have never, ever seen my dog work or any other dog work. Maybe a 'working' dog, sniffing around for drugs or bombs or whatever they need to find. But I didn't think was very hard work, more like enjoyable hobby because dogs like to sniff a lot anyway. I guess work should be enjoyable.

Here's some garden scenes. I'll label these the before shots.

I am working on it.

New area,

My poinsettias are back outside.

Tomatoes under nylon hail netting.

Homemade pizza.

Weiner's wiener and other small tweets.

2011-06-06T20:30:00.002-06:00

Sorry couldn't resist. I am just guessing but middle school must have been pure hell for this guy.

This is the photo in question.

People, If you get into public service or your ambitions make you some type of celebrity, your privacy is gone. Also gone is your anonymity. That's right no more naked photos or tweeted underpants. They will come back to haunt. And the denial is the worst part, really.

Not sure why, I kind of feel sorry for the bloke. I guess because it probably seemed pretty benign at the time. I mean, who doesn't like to photograph their crotch and send it along to strangers? Hard telling.

"I take full responsibility for my actions," Weiner said in a tearful mess of regret. "The picture was of me, and I sent it.

Now we have to hear about this shit for a few weeks. I am just glad to have participated.

Well I found a stray parrot on my porch this morning. Cute feller, but all he says is "Good morning you old fart!"

Is he yours?

Ha..ha ha. Keep the photos of yourself out of cyber space, heh?

Dried my tears and thickened my skin

2011-06-03T23:31:00.002-06:00

Boy my perspective can get whacked. I know I should delete that last post but I'll keep it there for the sake of humility. I rather be humbled from time to time than a dickweed of fathomable arrogance and confidence.

Anyway, I am luckier, funnier and more talented than most; and the wealth from my friendships and family make me a rich person. So there. Can't buy that with a coupon.

So a few very monumental things have occurred in the past week. My daughter had her eighth grade graduation. The school moved it into the gym because the were weary of the rainy weather we were having. They did the best they could in short notice. They were short about fifty or so seats. Some of the crowd looked pretty rough. I was joking that the parents from my son's academic awards ceremony looked like they came straight from mowing the lawn. Some of these folks at the graduation looked like they came straight from a gang fight. Anyway, she looked wonderful and was honored for her perfect GPA and I couldn't be prouder.

We had our yearly camping trip for Memorial Day weekend. It was fun but so windy it ruined a couple campfire evenings.

The Saturday potluck was a delicious success.

The kids.

The dog.

This is so sad. What are we becoming? This guy was in the water in San Francisco for about an hour and no one attempted to talk him in or save him. What if it was your dad, son, brother?

It seems like John Edward's is getting his just deserts. The guy he was hoping would take the fall for the paternity of his love child, Andrew Young, is coming clean and telling all. What a liar Edwards ended up being. At least he got rid of that mole on his lip.

Talking about desserts, remember I told you about winning the lunch for two to Nosh. Well KJ and I went there today and it was fabulous. Wine and dessert were included. Well worth finding the golden stool at the dog park.

Hope you find your golden stool or mole or love child or whatever you are looking for. CSL

I cried at Safeway

2011-06-03T00:05:00.007-06:00

Yep.

Before you read this, and get all judgmental, I had a very bad day Thursday day. That, combined with the fact I am generally sensitive and I can be well, an emotional wimp at times.

It really started yesterday with the typical work day as a no-count at the AFA.

After work I went to my local Safeway.

At the deli counter I saw an ad posted for my favorite salsa, fresh packed, $1.99 with a coupon. Nearly half off. I asked the deli girl where this coupon could be acquired and she said on a flyer by the door.

On the way to check-out I stopped to get previously mentioned ad. Guess what? A rude customer service lady informed me, "That was in a Sunday-Monday flyer we do not have anymore, so we do not have those coupons."

You'd think the money was coming out of her pocket.

I left the flyer I had in hand at the counter and I left in a huff. I didn't huff, I just turned and walked off.

I was at the self-checkout when I heard the customer service lady and the bag-boy making fun at me for leaving the flyer at the desk and being mad. They may not of even been making fun of me?, but they were using the situation as an jumping point about talking about other customers. Anyway, I should point out here it is in bad form to be talking about any customers when a customer is in ear shot, because I obviously thought they were talking about me. He was going on about when people are really mad they blah blah blah, finally, I turned and said, "Do you have any idea how much money I spend here?" A manager who was walking by at the same time asked me if everything was okay. I told him what happened and he apologized. He took the salsa and a few other things off my tab and said he was really sorry that I felt so bad and please don't leave feeling bad."

I said. "Please don't make me cry." and I started to cry. Not blubbering breakdown and cry, more just lower the sunglasses and no one knows, feeling pathetic cry.

He said, " I just don't want you to leave here feeling so bad."

I said, "Don't worry, it's my whole fucking life, not just Safeway. I just seem to get treated like shit."

He said, " I know how you feel, I get treated like that too sometimes, especially in this position. But you gotta keep going."

He was probably thinking, "Great, another Loonie Tunes, 'psychiatrist at the self-check out please'"

Anyhow, don't you start to cry in public, it's embarrassing and now I can't go back to Safeway, at least not for awhile. And remember be kind to people. You never know when someones having a bad day. Toodles. CSL

Its the end...

2011-05-25T06:05:00.002-06:00

of the school year and I feel fine.

One more day.

Sick of the routine.
Make lunches, get 'em up. Make sure the gym suit is clean, make sure the printer has ink, buy this and money in an envelop for that. Make sure my son has his homework done, make sure he slept, or slept enough..... I am ready to focus on NOTHING.
Anyway, not much else. I worked hard at getting the Academy paper out two days early for their graduation. I hope the weather holds. It looks iffey.

Since I haven't shot a photo all week. Here's some funnies I gathered from web-stalking and Facebook:

Think about it...I never got it either. Rock cannot be taken out by paper. Never.

Hell-fire

2011-05-20T21:21:00.007-06:00

If the Rapture is tomorrow I am sure I will be joining the sinners. The good sinners. You know, the non-violent, non-thieving kind. If by chance it doesn't happen, well, I'll be back here.

I went to a end-of-year get together for Mag's 8th grade class. It was amusing. The acoustics of the gym were horrible so the white noise of the laughs, giggles and screams were deafening. I will not miss middle-schoolers. I swear they are one mean messed-up lot of humans. Especially the mean girls (not mine, ha ha).

The teachers gave each student an "award" by reading what the award was and the students would yell out their guess of the winner. When the award for the one who goes above and beyond came up, the kids were all yelling my daughter's name. But that was not her award. This is what she is known for:

I guess this is the same as going above and beyond but put in less positive way. Going above and beyond, but not when they are wanted to.

Then teachers then announced because the kids did so well on their standardized tests they would fulfill their promise to dance in front of the class.

Got to hand it to them for keeping the promise. Thought they looked more like they were seizing.

The lady's dance reminded me of Elaine's in Seinfeld.

The real winner of Survivor Redemption Island.

Noel, who had the forethought to have Rob selected as his player. For his intellect he got this cool crown and paid the pot $5. I know he doesn't look happy here, but trust me he was enthused.

Yahoo News, if that's what you can call it, had this photo on their home page with the caption, Do you think the media has gone to far in releasing the name of Schwarzenegger's Mistress? Ya think? Not so much for the mistress, she's a grown woman and knew what she was doing. Getting herself a rich baby daddy. It's the neighbors that are really getting the shaft. Yeah, and the kid. The media crossed the line so long ago there's really no line anymore. This is not news folks. It's a sad state of events that has been going on forever. Politicians, movie stars, ect. From Thomas Jefferson to JFK.

Love child. I doubt "love" had anything to do with it. They were talking in the office about how ugly the maid is. I don't think that's what Arnold was thinking about. I wonder what he said to the maid, ..

"your clothez. Giff em to me"

"Want to seez my love muscle"....

"Will you kleenze around little Arnold?"

There's better lines out there I am sure.

Anyhow maybe the rapture will take it out of the "news" shows.

These are from a Boston Bruin's ad campaign that insults the opponent's fans.

(cause they are all old folks in Florida)

These are brilliantly funny. But they pulled the ads after complaints flooded in.

Too bad they buckled. Anyway don't you buckle. I won't either. C.

Is the End Near?

2011-05-18T18:05:00.001-06:00

Probably not, but some nut job that's predicted doomsday twice and obviously was wrong, is saying it all ends Saturday, May, 21.

This is what I am envisioning... from tastefullyoffensive.com

Survivor

The grand-finally for Survivor was Sunday. Rob proved to be too big of a cunning douche to be taken down. That, combined with all the members of his tribe were a bunch of stupid, star-fuckers and they all but gargled his nuts. Maybe they did, but it didn't make the edit. Sorry, I just hate it when the obnoxious-ass wins the prize because everyone else simply folded their cards.

Other Shit

Well nothing much to report on the home front. Noel and I joined Mag's violin lesson last night to get his big beastly stand-up bass tuned up. We had fun with that.

Well I am running out to Mag's class year-end dinner at her middle school. I know, you're so jealous your wishing some ill will on me right now. I'll be sure to catch you up on it right here, so stayed tuned. CSL

Don't Let False Estimations Rule You.

2011-05-15T14:16:00.008-06:00

The LoFi Cowboys

A group of us went up to the Crystola Inn last night. A band called the LoFi Cowboys was the main draw. The lead singer, Chuck Snow, is an old friend from days gone by, when live music was a huge part of my life.

I had spoken to my guitar teacher, Mo, about seeing the group. He had recently seen them, spoke very highly and said I would love them and I did. We had a kick-ass time.

I really loved their country-country-rock interpretations of some fairly well-known songs, You Never Even Called Me by My Name, Country Roads, Wish You Were Here, a Dwight Yokum song I recognized but don't remember the name, The Rolling Stone's Classic, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Powderfinger, and to be quite frank, many I don't remember because I had a few beers, plus it's not what you remember, it's how they made you feel. And I felt great.

Joe and Sharon danced.

Sharon and Sue danced.

Some toga-wearers danced. Almost told the girl on the left I had the same comforter she was wearing. No one wants to hear that.

Chuck picked a lead.

They also had some fine original tunes. Tunes that you are wondering whose song it is because they are catchy and well-done.

I have never met any other members of the group but they all did their jobs extremely well. Chuck said they are about to hit the road on a tour that takes them through Texas to Southern California, I think. Five Blue Moons, remember, it's how they made you feel.

Anyway here's some photos, according to their Facebook page here's some info on the band:
The Lo-Fi Cowboys were formed in early 2009 by local music veteran Chuck Snow. Joined by Kevin Waybright on bass, Ric Carney on drums, and Collin Estes on guitar and piano. They have special guests sit in, which explains the pedal steel player, who incidentally, was awesome.

Awesome bass player

Drummer was right on.

Special guest pedal steel guitar player.

The keyboard player besides playing great keys also sang harmonies and rhythm guitar

Chuck played a lead with his teeth. I think.

The bar is a road-side honky-tonk. I guess the owner was a former Chicago Black Hawk. This info is strictly hearsay. If I was a regular in a bar, like back in the day, this would be it.

In between sets they played Jerry Jeff Walker and David Allen Coe and the like. It was like stepping back in time to college days when that was our type of song. Sure, we liked current songs as well, but
there's something to be said about drinking in honky tonk, just kicking hippies asses and a raising hell.

As much as I love Neil Young, this is funny.

Gardening News

From the bar to the garden. I cover it all. And I do own a garden bar.

The truth of the matter is that it's too cold to garden. I was out there yesterday until shelpping kids around and the dog park became more pressing matters.

Hope my seedlings didn't take a hit after leaving them outside last night. Honestly, I thought I had them inside. Damn Blue Moons. Probably didn't help.

The big garden mess I was working on yesterday.

The Award

Bubs did receive an award for excellence in Computer Programming, a class he did an independent study in, developing his own curriculum and teaching himself. So good for him, now he needs to wrap up this semester, yeah, with a damaged GPA, but just see if he can pass everything. It's that bad.

One of the couples out with our group last night said their daughter, in his school, same year, had odd sleep patterns too, staying up all night doing homework, missing classes from being too tired, ect. For the love of PETE, I hope he does not repeat this nonsense next year. You're thinking, "you're the parent, do something, lights out.", hey I try. I try. I guess if this is the worst of teen angst we deal with everything will be okay.

He does real well in math...

Hey, a math teacher is a worthy profession.

Here's some snaps of my wonderful children yesterday afternoon:

Eyeliner is essential for picking up trash.

Sleeping.

Choco de Baco

Remember: You don't have to call me darlin', darlin'. But I know you want to. C.

Always after me Lucky Charms.

2011-05-14T11:04:00.004-06:00

Thinking Revenge

I am not a person of revenge. Normally. Oh sure, I might have wished bad luck on people who have messed with me in the past: the vice-principal of my son's school, who took it upon himself to over-react, suspend him, sending him into a downward spiral. For which he has never recovered from. Maybe costing us thousands in lost scholarships and therapy. It's human nature. I figure karma will take care of meanness.

Sharon and I went out for a beer at the local brewery Wednesday evening. After all, it is a buck off refills of their jugs, called growlers, so why not. I met her and her co-worker down there and we had a beer and chatted about jobs and kids. Her friend stopped at one beer and said good-bye, When Sharon went up to refill her jugs (better visual than growlers), I ordered us another after we agreed we could handle it.

A man that looked like a leprechaun walked by and sat behind us. I recognized him as the high school administrator that had suspended my son. I do not wish to rehash that whole bit, but if you wish to read about it here's the link, The Holiday Inn Incident and the subsequent, That Chaps my Hide. He was staring at us and listening to our conversation, giving us advice on how to hook-up my phone to the wireless connection. Actually, I was bringing up his photo so Sharon could confirm he was the protocol following evil-doer.

Anyway, Sharon and I had a little buzz going since our first beer was about 50 percent alcohol and we are light-weights, sometimes. We were play-acting like we were romantically involved, talking loudly about "taking this party on the road" and hugging. She was calling me Natalie since I only spoke with him on the phone he would not recognize me. We didn't so much discuss getting this troll into a situation like you see in the movies where the bad guy is tricked into a compromising situation and finds himself naked and locked out of a room where he thought he might get himself into a three-way. But that's what I was thinking and I think that's what she was thinking. Anyway it was fun to think about and if we had more time on our hands it would of never ended that way. Never. Only in our wee heads.

Moving on
It took us a few days to recover from the fabulous Kentucky Derby party and the visit from the in-laws. I do have a little story to tell about that but since I titled this section "Moving on, I will wait till some time when I title a section, "Looking back at shitty times with the in-laws".

We had Survivor at Denise and Noel's Thursday, Very good BBQ chicken and slaw. I be dammed if the grand finally is this Sunday. So quick. I am just hoping Rob, the con guy who continually congratulates himself on being the best Survivor player evah, does NOT win. Piss-off Rob, you and your wife have pocketed two-million from Survivor already. I am sure she has a nanny at home helping her as you sacrifice your daddy-duties to win another quick mil for your narcissistic self. So there, I feel better.

We are going out to see a band tonight. I think it has been a decade or so since we did this as a couple making a night of it so I might have a good post about that, hopefully.

My knee is doing better, thanks for asking and I have lost about 5 pounds on my acupuncture-herb lifestyle change, that seems to be working-but is fairly pricey. Thanks for asking about that too. Hopefully it'll be worth all the money in the end. Have a very wonderful day and weekend, and as always thanks for reading and leave a comment if you'd like. CSL.

The Kentucky Derby Party

2011-05-10T22:02:00.000-06:00

Charlotte and Ron once again out did themselves with the party of the year for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby. Good time had by all.

Lovin' you is easy cause you're beautiful

2011-05-04T20:31:00.002-06:00

La la la la la la la... do do do do do, sorry for the '70's song. Hope that sticks with you cause it's been with me since I heard my daughter singing it. Tag you're it.

I have to mention last weekend because I had a wonderful time with my neighbors Joe and Sharon and their friends, Wolfgang and Maria. I did not make up the Wolfgang name. He is from Germany. She is moving back to Germany to live with him, so it was her good-bye party. I nearly burst my goiter we laughed so hard. I wished I would have taken photos, I really do. Not of the goiter though. What's a goiter? Anyway wished they lived here. She is one funny lady and he is one smart dude. I guess I could say that about most of our friends.

Saturday old Uncle Senior Bob came over and we ate burgers and played music. Fun. I resisted staying up late and felt better for it Sunday. It was good to see him.

Osama bin Laden is dead. The world is safer, that I am sure. As relieved as I am, and as you may be, I think it's in bad form to celebrate it. At least openly, on TV where sympathizers can see it. This is why: remember when they dragged the bodies of American servicemen through the streets of Somalia? (Blackhawk Down) I do. I wanted to kill those laughing and cheering about it. Really nothing can make someone's blood boil more than the want for the revenge for celebrating the death of one of your countryman. Plus radicals have a track record for revenge in a very bad way.

Anyway I am done having a nervous breakdown over my son's grades. Done. I have let it go. Whatever happens happens. These are not my classes to pass and or fail. That said, we have been invited to the award's ceremony at the school next week. So he has done something right.

I have nothing cool to share, photos or funnies. Sorry I 'll get with it. Keep on the Sunnyside.

Just a quickie.

2011-04-29T13:46:00.001-06:00

Not that kind of quickie.

I went to an acupuncturist this morning. It was a groupon purchase that I made very spontaneously a month or so ago. She is treating me for my arthritic knee and to lose weight. When she put the needles into my left elbow my right knee felt so good I could do a squat. Unbelievable. I am ready to make this work.

Then I had my guitar lesson and we played old folk tunes and that was fun.

That takes me to now, where I am killing some time waiting for the washing machine to complete a cycle. Writing to you.

We viewed Survivor last night, and the once strong team is gone or at Redemption Island. If you don't watch this show you don't care trust me. If you do watch the show you don't care either. This is the very worst season ever. At least we can get together and have a good meal and conversation.

Here some funnies from Donna, Donna from Hamburg, NY, that is. Some of these made me feel dirty just looking at them. Do it clean and have a stellar weekend.

Jesus Jane, get a grip.
Now don't you feel good about yourself :[ ... Carol

Waiting for my ship to come in...

2011-04-27T21:32:00.003-06:00

In the meantime I am back up to the AF.

Hope you have a superior work-week-end.

Jack is one good looking chocolate Labrador retriever. You're so good looking too. CSL

Everything I hoped for....

2011-04-24T20:51:00.003-06:00

that sums up last night's David Sedaris' show, or would performance or even reading be better? Hell, I guess I wished it was a little longer if I had any complaint.

I had bought the tickets back in October and gave one to my friend KJ for Christmas with dinner, drinks and the ride downtown included in the gift. Her new favorite restaurant is Nosh, so that's where we went. Everything was splendid until the restaurant started filling up and then our "small plates" started arriving slower and slower until what we would regard as our entree, the Spicy Shrimp, came about a half hour after we ordered it. Then, they were uncooked. They probably thought after the three glasses of wine and the low-lighting, we wouldn't notice, but we did and they took the shrimp off the bill and bought us a round of drinks and all was forgiven. Kind of.

We got to the show and stood in a line for a cocktail. The sole bartender they had working told us she had a fever as she made us our drinks. Hmmmm... hope it wasn't a typhoid fever or meningitis. Hepatitis, bad too. I do prefer ice scoops to hands.

Our seats were fabulous but I did notice the closer to the stage, the closer the seat proximity.

Sedaris started out reading an excerpt from his new book, Squirrel Meets Chipmunk, about a cat getting groomed by a baboon. I was hoping that the night's reading was not entirely in support of the book, but looking back I think this was the funniest material of the evening. The baboon is hoping to find common ground with the cat as a new client. She tries to dis a dog client, revealing she hates the dog, because among other things, he licks his butt. The cat responds, "well what's so wrong with that?"

I love the readings concerning growing up with his dysfunctional family. Although our families were far from similar, there was some pretty hilarious dysfunction going on in our household. I don't know if I could make a life's work out of it. I mean come on, we didn't belong to any country club not even the cheap one.

There was one reading about waiting in line for coffee at a hotel coffee shop with some pesky tourists with lots of time on their hands, chit-chatting with the barista, as he frustratingly waits to order a regular cup of coffee, only to find out they don't sell regular coffee. We've all been behind them at the coffee shop - the Munford's, ordering huge complicated flavored coffee drinks. This is a prime example of how he can turn a typical situation into a reading that people are all but pissing their pants laughing so hard. Such talent.

We had a night-cap at MacKenzies and it was a wonderful evening.

I did drop in on the neighborhood gathering but they were done, I did drink a shorty while Noel picked up.

Earlier this week, we watched Survivor. It has gotten so fucked with Rob there that it is really no fun to watch anymore. I do believe his karma will catch up with him. I will reiterate: I cannot stand reality shows who bring back stale douche-bag contestants for the notoriety and ratings. I can no longer stick up for Phillip as he is just is a complete freak show. I can no longer give excuses for his retarded rants. Then he says he's a Buddhist. Please, a Buddhist would NEVER treat people like he does, nor steal.

Okay enough, I won a golden stool at this year's April Stool's poop pick-up at the dog park. A golden stool is a spray painted, clay, bejeweled-dog turd. I never win anything. But hey, if I am picking up dog shit I might as well win lunch somewhere. At Nosh, no less. I hope they cook the shrimp. Touche. Dog poopay.

Does it get any better than this? I think not.

I took Mags to Holey Rollers to get her a cartilage ear piercing. Never thought I'd be taking her there but I was weak after pulling an all-nighter with my son so he could finish his homework. That's another story, I haven't done that in a long time (30 years) especially without drugs and/or alcohol. But ask me anything about Louis XIV. Back to the tattoo parlor. I didn't feel like driving to Claire's. Mags was skeptical. But I rather give the money to a locally owned place really. Plus it was hardly scary. I know we are so edgy. But never conformists. Conformists would have gone to the mall.

Bumper stickers from the dog park...

Happy Easter, for whatever it means to you. Carol

Untitled Post #314

2011-04-19T21:10:00.001-06:00

Can you believe, 314 posts? Sorry to put you through all this petty shit, but kinda fun huh?

I quit Facebook yesterday. Just temporarily, probably. My daughter said people with ADHD like me should probably limit their time on it, so I am giving it a break. Because she seems way smarter than myself, and really the only thing I ever posted on there were photos of my damn dog, Jack , it's probably best. Sorry for all the commas, but when in doubt, I put a comma in there. Speaking of Jack, he got really dirty at the dog park this a.m., so when we got home I started the shower and called him, and he came in the bathroom and jumped in the tub by himself. This is revolutionary. Typically, I have to lift him in the tub and wrestle him like an alligator to wash him, so that was a nice surprise.

Here's some funnies sent by my friend Ron. Places to eat with names that may, and should keep you at bay. Kinda like Chef's Salty Chocolate Ball's. Nah, I am partial to salty chocolate balls.

Happy 4/20, weed day, tomorrow. I'll light a ~~joint bong~~ a candle for you. Just don't eat at Happy Crack, ok?
Carol

Paranoia, the destroyer

2011-04-18T18:32:00.004-06:00

You know what I am talking about, The Kinks, Destroyer, doesn't that take you back thirty 'er so years.

Hey, you know how I love those foresnic shows and that show "Disappeared"? Well this RIT student was found dead next to the little upstate NY town where I went to high school. Dateline: Wayland, New York. I wonder what happened to him. Will this be a future "Disappeared"?

I shot for the paper and photographed another athlete. A sprinter this time. Her name: GinAsia

She was awesome.

Jack seemingly hates cat ears.

Seemingly. I know this is not right.

Anyway, another long night staying up with my son last night, making sure he gets his homework done. He was up most of the night. Good God, this morning I even lit a candle for him. One of those religious candles I light for the Broncos.

When I was in college, I had a friend, Joey. Good friend and crazy too. His mother, whose name escapes me and doesn't really matter for the story, would light candles for him and all his friends. She knew my name and would tell Joey, "Tell Carol I am lighting a candle for her too." At the time I was thinking, "There's not enough candles on the face of this Earth to help me out, don't waste the matches." But she was a devoted Catholic and she knew about the drinking and carrying on we did. Maybe that's why we all survived it. All those candles.

I'm not religious, just a good person who tries to do the right thing. I hope that counts for something. I will light the candles for the Broncos, my son and for you too if you want, because positive thoughts can go along way. Stay positive. I know how hard it is sometimes.

bunch of stuff.

2011-04-17T12:57:00.002-06:00

So there.

I am he as you are he as you are me
And we are all together
See how they run like pigs from a gun
See how they fly
I'm crying.

I am out in the garden today with a pick-axe getting all the built-up anger and angst out. I love Spring. Hope you are having an angst-free Spring day as well.

The Edward Munch's painting, The Scream: discuss.

Because you didn't come here for me to sum up my life in nonsensical Beatles's lyrics and discuss a painting by some Norwegian guy; plus you deserve as many chuckles in one day as possible here's some funnies from my friend Donna, filed under the title, "It's all in the angle" So true, enjoy.

Add caption

I would love to call any of these photos my own. Well done.

I'm just mad about Saffron...

2011-04-15T12:07:00.000-06:00

My friend Joe plays this Donovan song every once in a while, Mellow Yellow. It was stuck in my head this morning so I decided to look up what the lyrics meant because it is not real apparent. According to the various websites I visited it's about: liver failure, smoking banana peels, vibrators, a type of acid and sex with young girls, or a combination of them all.

I also love the song, Sunshine Superman, which is the title of previous album. "Any trick in the book now baby, all I can find."

Anyway, when these recordings were released in the late sixties, I was only six or seven years old. Born late 1960, I missed the summer of love and the heavy psychedelic era by 10 years. I caught up to it in college in the late seventies, early eighties, the best I could. I was born too late I suppose. Funny now I feel it's all caught up with me.

Yesterday in the midst of my depression over my son's recent troubles I went over to the Buddhist Temple that's located in the chapel at the AFA. I was going over there regularly, once or twice a week, reading and meditating. When they demanded I do a more complicated design at my job, I felt I didn't have the time. I am going to make time for it as long as I am working up there. I feel better and more grounded. I left a dedication card for my son to find his way. HIS way, not mine, which I feel is my whole problem, I want him to go to a great college and do fantastic. The same hopes my parents had for me. I disappointed them and really myself, as I look back on it all. I can change all that.

The alter

The book I am reading there.

Where I sit in the temple.

Outside of the temple is the stained glass of the chapel.

The spherical-type roof of the chapel.

Cool clouds, Tuesday at the dog park. I see a giant insect.

I had jury duty Tuesday morning. I knew Bob would be there too after talking to KJ. I sat between him and a lady I photographed for the paper in Feb. What are the odds? There were maybe a few hundred people there out of the four hundred thousand in El Paso County. After we were dismissed Bob and I went to Nosh for lunch. Yum.

I know, Jack is a spolied brat. I bet his on our bed right now as I type this.

This was athlete of the week I shot Monday. No one, no one, believes in me at the paper.

I believe in me, and really, that's all that matters. I believe in you too. Have a great day.

Thank My Higher Power it's Friday

2011-04-14T22:39:00.000-06:00

I know it is only Thursday but that's my Friday. Don't be jealous, I have one foot in the nut house.

Anyway, My friends had an extra bottle of wine waiting for me at Denise's tonight for Survivor. They've all been though similar shit and read BTW, from time to time and knew I'd need extra support. Thanks.

I don't have much to say right now but it's been a long week. I'll talk about Survivor later. Cheerio. Carol

That Chaps my Hide

2011-04-11T20:24:00.012-06:00

"Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate in their object-relations." - Sigmund Freud

Remember the scuffle I was telling you about at the Holiday Inn? The one where no one was injured and nothing was broken.

I can see separating them, maybe keeping them out of the competition but now it has totally been blown wayyyyyyyyy out of proportion.

   Now both kids, who by the way, have made up, are suspended from school. Normally it would be for five days. But since this is special circumstances, it's only two days. They may go to school but with an adult. I believe this would be to humiliate them. I wonder what child psychologist came up with that?

   Well I have jury duty and G2's up to his ears in work. If we choose at-home suspension, the make-up work will only receive 50 percent of the grade they earn. Talk about kicking a kid while he's down. They will have a mark on their permanent record and they have to do this restitution deal where they have to pay a fine. A fine for what? I may have to seek legal council if this goes any farther. My head hurts. Manitou High School, Manitou Springs, CO, USA, you really disappoint me with your one size fits all policies.

   I am sorry MSHS that my son is such and embarrassment to you. We still love you but Sigmund Freud has it right. It's a mixed-bag.

The Holiday Inn Incident

2011-04-09T12:44:00.005-06:00

This is supposed to be the post where I write about the FIRST robotics competition in Denver and how all the local teams did and put in photos of my son's team. But there won't be any of that.

I learned a long time ago, unless you, or someone you are with is in danger, walk away from a fight. I wish my son would have learned that lesson.

Last night after a great dinner with friends at Rock Bottom, we settled into our hotel and I called my son to say that we were in our room and see how things have gone for the team. He was very tired and a little incoherent. So we said goodnight.

A phone call 30 minutes later from the team's advisor didn't wake me but it was a jolt. There had been a fight, Bubs was involved. I went down to the end of the hall where he sat up against the wall. His face was red because he had been crying. Three parent chaperones and the advisor were talking with him. Not really talking, just standing there really. They were all shocked looking and didn't say much to me at all. The drama was over.

This is how it went down: After about 48 hours of very little sleep and lots of stress,my son and his friend were hanging out in their room. He was on his bed listening to music on his laptop with ear-jacks while reading. The roommates was angry. He had broken up with his girlfriend and it was a long day for all. (He is not a real pleasant person to begin with, in my humble opinion. He's been over at the house and never makes eye contact and is not friendly) Anyway, he told Bubs he was gonna punch him if his ear-jack fell out of the computer again. It did and he threatened him again, and Bubs responded, "fuck you", and the other kid said, "say that again and I'll punch you", and Bubs replied, "fuck you". The kid attacked him and Bryce replied by pushing him back and ripping his shirt. That is the story from both sides from what I hear, as a partial non-participant. So they were both kicked out of participating in the finals.

The kid's mother drove up there around midnight and removed him from the hotel. I wonder if this was necessary. Bubs slept in our room and here we are all home. We are all bummed. What can you do? He's a peaceful kid that's never so much has had a playground fight, ever. Everything he worked for gone because an angry kid could not keep his hands off my son. And yes, he reacted poorly. It's never okay to hit someone no matter what.

This is my point: If the kid wouldn't have threatened B, no swearing would have occurred. If he wouldn't have attacked him, there would have been no fight. In this politically correct world, all participants must be punished. This is wrong in my opinion. He started it, B finished it.

He could have gone to cheer on his team but chose not to. You can take B out of the competition but you can't take B out of the robot. He has done nearly all of the programming and was still tweaking on it.

What more can I say. Tough luck.

Ain't that America

2011-04-06T19:23:00.002-06:00

We had mid-year local voting for city, mayor and council in town yesterday. I didn't vote and I don't care. I have never cared less about an election before. I have taken on George Carlin's viewpoint on voting. Don't get me wrong, I just don't care anymore. Not about squabbling politicians making promises. I've heard the same shit over and over now for the better part of 30 years and nothing has changed. Blah blah blah.

My son failed a mid-term Geography class. The kid has had two B's, the rest all A's his entire high school career. Why the problem now? I think this is basically the problem:

( I borrowed this from Bev at Out of my Head...Into Yours, Check her out, she's a good writer and very funny. )
Anyhow, we've made a deal with the teacher. It's called a contract. If he manages to fly straight, get good grades and turn everything in, the F could become an higher grade. Can he do it? Absolutely. Will he? Maybe. If I have anything to do with it.

This weekend is the big Robotics Competition in Denver. That's where a lot of his free time has gone. Hope they do well, we're going up Friday night. Keep you posted.

A few snap shots from around the farm: Jack looks guilty, what do you think?

Now if I could get him to show his teeth like that guilty yellow lab, Denver, that was featured on You Tube, he could get his own Facebook page.

From the vault in my car formally known as the glove compartment. My own science project. Cupcakes that Cyn gave me for the kids after photographing the Bob Russel family for his 80th birthday on Dec. 28, 2009.

I don't think they want them anymore. Maybe Bryce will experiment with them.

I'll be back, take, Care

Bad Tattoos Part 1 and it's been a tad breezy here...

2011-04-04T17:02:00.001-06:00

Which is a tad of an understatement. Especially for the people that live in this west-side home.

And for your enjoyment, misspelled, ugly and funny tattoos. People these are permanent.

I will not juge you, promise, Carol

April Fool's Day

2011-04-01T20:21:00.001-06:00

Did not even pull a prank today. I have lost my spirit.

My thoughts are with Sharon Bailey and her family. Her mom passed away Wednesday morning In Kentucky. I hope all the good memories can sustain them through their grief.

We had Survivor here last night. G2 smoked a very delicious chicken breast that was out-of-this-world. I made some mac and cheese that was about 30 minutes overcooked. I like it creamy.

Survivor was fun. If you don't watch it or don't give a shit, don't read this paragraph. Well Boston Rob still has a strangle-hold over his team, which includes three young bimbos, a cute ex-NFL player, and my WCS class of '78 classmate Phillip Sheppard. Phil gets real irritated at the bikini clads because they don't do anything and they worship Rob. Things will all change when they merge next week. Rob will be out soon, even if they keep him, he will never win. He's already played and become a loud-mouth celebrity that has a high opinion of himself.

Okay I am working around the house on my son's room and as you can tell, I don't have lots to say so I'll be around next week. K?

The Art of Racing in the Rain

2011-03-31T05:55:00.002-06:00

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog it's too dark to read.

-Groucho Marx

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

SPOILER ALERT! Be forewarned: I reveal details of this book, such as the ending. Don't be mad at me if you continue and then decide you want to read it in a fresh manner. Also, I am not a book reviewer, I am just posing as one.

A Facebook friend recommended this novel and she spoke so highly of it that I rushed out to get it.

With a dog on the cover, I figured that the book would involve one. I am smart like that. Well, I am not so much a dog-lover as a cat-lover who loves her dog. Okay, I am an animal lover; I even love armadillos. I have never even seen one but I heard a story about one as a pet on This American Life, and I loved that one.

The story goes like this: The dog, Enzo, the narrator of the story, is an elderly dog and Buddhist in nature. He is ready to go on to the great beyond and be reincarnated back to mortality as a person. But before he moves on, he has his life story to flashback upon and review. He is also a huge NASCAR fan, but lacks the "redneck" aura. Sorry y'all...

We find out his owner is a young blue-collar, aspiring race car driver named Denny Swift. Working as a mechanic, he has one foot in the racing circuit getting jobs as second-third position drivers on smaller races. Nothing in life comes easy for Denny. However, he manages to fall in love with Eve, a beautiful but stubborn women with very wealthy and pretentious parents. They marry, buy a house, have a daughter named Zoe and life goes on. But not so fast. Enzo knows long before anyone else that Eve has brain cancer; he smells the decay. Clues draw that something is not right. She has on-going migraines and seizures. Yet, she still does not seek medical attention.

Enzo tells of the trials and tribulations of life intertwined with racing references and metaphors. He and Denny watch TV, mainly NASCAR car races, but they are also fond of old movies. Denny flicks on the TV for Enzo to enjoy when he leaves for the garage. As trite as the car -racing messages and life lessons are they certainly ring true: your car will go where your eyes go, never give up, even if you're down laps. I will admit that after awhile I skipped through some of the race car jargon.

The drama unfolds after Eve dies and the manipulative in-laws sue Denny for custody. Through Enzo's eyes, we see Denny's perseverance and loyalty shine through during his climb out of the arduous and painful hole that his life has dumped him. Just just like a race driver, he races on. He reads the road, he has a vision, and with Enzo's companionship and wisdom he earns redemption. Yes, Enzo is wise enough to urinate on the papers Denny is about to sign, giving up on the custody battle and admitting to something he didn't do. He was simply feeling defeated and out of funds and he was giving up. Enzo knew better. Remember never give up, never give in. Keep racing.

Like any dog book, the dog dies in the end. Enzo finally succumbs to old age. It was very peaceful and the author does a good job not making it overly sentimental. After all he is going into a human's body, he believes. It is sad, but not sudden and I even teared up just because I am a softy. I even cried when the above mentioned armadillo died, but I digress.

I loved this book. I expected a light-hearted read and that's what it was. I cannot not love a loving animal book. It was smoothly written. The fairy-tail ending didn't hurt either...