Do Over

Have you ever wanted to just start over? Just move away to another place and start over. New job, new house, new neighbors, new friends... you know witness protection sort of start over.

Years ago my sister in-law and her husband did it. They moved from Illinois to Hawaii. As a matter of fact I did it too nine years ago. It was refreshing. A little nerve racking but refreshing nonetheless. Hawaii sounds nice.

I don't know what is bringing this on. It is just a thought. Or is it? If you get a change of address notice for us you'll know the answer.

Why the Atom is for ME

This video totally speaks for itself. Especially for those that know about me and the motorcycle.

Apocalypto

I stayed up late last night and watched Mel Gibson's Apocalypto. I just start out by saying that this is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I didn't recognize a single face on the screen or understand a single word that was spoken and I still liked it.

The movie is subtitled so be prepared to read.

This movie was a combination of Gladiator and The Last of the Mohicans. The violence is brutal. The scenery is amazing. The camera work is genius, especially during the final chase scene. And the actors take you back a few hundred years and make you believe you are watching a documentary.

If this movie and The Passion of the Christ are examples of what Gibson is capable of creating I look forward to more of his work behind the camera.

Bugs Everywhere

Our roses have aphids and this is our eco-friendly way of taking care of them. We set free a mighty warrior, a killer, the destroyer of aphids. Today we set 1,500 ladybugs free in our yard.

Here are a couple of photos.


Ash... I would have used my gun on the aphids but it would have hurt my roses ;-)

Gosh Durn Allergies

I should be a church right now. However, my allergies have had my nose in an uproar all day. Sniffling, sneezing, blah, blah, all day. Yuck.

Paul had a "thorn in his side"... if I had written the NT I'd've said that I had a stuffy nose. Not quite as poetic or inspirational.

For fathers day I received Sienfeld's fifth season. I think I'll sit with some of that for a bit. Nothing like a Puffy Shirt to make one laugh and feel better.

Dream Theater

Yesterday was the release date for Dream Theater's new album Systematic Chaos.

Today I bought it. I actually bought the Special Edition which includes a bonus DVD. The best part about the bonus DVD is the addition of the whole album in 5.1 surround sound which is currently playing on my stereo system. So sweet.

I may have said this before and I'll say it again... Dream Theater is amazing.

So far the album does not disappoint. They carry on with the same virtuoso playing they've always had. Tight as ever. The track "Constant Motion" sounds like a tribute to Metallica; sounding much like "Battery" from the Master of Puppets album.

This past week I've had the pleasure of borrowing a friends copy of the Score DVD. This is a concert celebrating their 20 years together. It was the last concert of the Octavarium tour which took place at Radio City Music Hall. Half the concert was just the band and the other half they were joined by an orchestra. This DVD is just awesome and is high on my want list (My birthday is in July).

When it was over and they could talk about it
She said there's just one thing I have got to know
What in that moment when you were running so hard and fast
Made you stop and turn for home
He said I always knew you loved me even though I'd broken your heart
I always knew there'd be a place for me to make a brand new start

Oh love wash over a multitude of things
Love wash over a multitude of things
Love wash over a multitude of things
Make us whole

When it was over and they could talk about it
They were sitting on the couch
She said what on earth made you stay here
When you finally figured out what I was all about
He said I always knew you'd do the right thing
Even though it might take some time
She said, Yeah, I felt that and that's probably what saved my life

Oh love wash over a multitude of things
Love wash over a multitude of things
Love wash over a multitude of things
Make us whole

There is a love that never fails
There is a healing that always prevails
There is a hope that whispers a vow
A promise to stay while we're working it out
So come with your love and wash over us

~Sara Groves

For those that know... you are LOVED!

FIFTEEN SWEET YEARS!!!

Happy Anniversary Hon!

Fifteen years ago I pledged myself to a beautiful woman. For some crazy reason she said yes and has stuck with me all this time.

In celebration we got marked and will jump out of an airplane. Wahoo!

I am proud to be married to my best friend.

Here's to the next fifteen years.

Kathi, I love you.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

This is hard to believe. Portland is not in the top 10.

The 10 rainiest cities in the U.S. by amount of annual rainfall include:
Mobile, Ala.: 67 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days
Pensacola, Fla.: 65 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
New Orleans, La.: 64 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days
West Palm Beach, Fla.: 63 inches average annual rainfall; 58 average annual rainy days
Lafayette, La.: 62 inches average annual rainfall; 55 average annual rainy days
Baton Rouge, La.: 62 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
Miami, Fla.: 62 inches average annual rainfall; 57 average annual rainy days
Port Arthur, Texas: 61 inches average annual rainfall; 51 average annual rainy days
Tallahassee, Fla.: 61 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
Lake Charles, La.: 58 inches average annual rainfall; 50 average annual rainy days

Full article here.

The way we complain and moan about the rain you'd think we were drowning in it.

Shout Out to Troy

I am late with a shout out to my friend Troy for rescuing me in a time of stupidity and panic.

There are times when I wonder why I am still alive. Mothers Day was one of those days.

My lovely wife asked that I finish a Honey-do as a favor to her sanity for Mothers Day. That project involved putting back up some shelves in the garage. These shelves were taken down when my dad and I installed our garage door opener.

In order to put the shelves back up I had to split them in two. One side I put back in its original location and the other I was going to put up on the next wall over. I measured... twice. I marked. I began to drill.

Have you ever drilled into wood and hit a knot? I have. And that is what I thought happened here so I gave the drill a quick push and a second or two later it was back on the move. Not one millionth of a second after completing that push did it take me to realize my error. The lights flickered, the drill sparked and I about shit myself. As words that all sailors know started to uncontrollably fly from my mouth I quickly pulled the drill from the wall. The tip of the drill bit was about 1/2" shorter than it used to be and was glowing red hot.

I panicked. What did I do? What is going to happen? I leave for Mexico tomorrow, and, what if? and, oh, Oh, oh, oh. Call Troy. That was the only thing I could think of. Call Troy. He'll know what to do.

I didn't just drill into a set of wires. I drilled into the wire. The main. I know. Crap. I could have killed myself. Troy assured me of that during his visit.

Troy was quick to respond. He came over and opened up the wall. Checked a couple of things and assured my that we were probably okay for now but should call an electrician to check it out. He told me I was lucky that I only hit one of the mains and not both. And that I was lucky I didn't electrocute my self. Thank God for a ladder and my plastic drill.

Troy put my mind at ease. Thanks man. I owe you one. Sorry I am allergic to dogs or I'd help out with the boys. By the way, the electrician came by while I was gone and said we were okay. He also said I should have known I was drilling through a metal plate. Probably.

Mt. St. Helens

Yesterday we went with our home school group to Mount St. Helens. It was the 27th anniversary of the eruption on May 18th, 1980.

We had a great time seeing the new growth and learn more about the volcano and its history and possible future.

Here is a panorama photo I took:

If you haven't been, go. It is worth the drive. Sometime I'd like to hike the rim.

My favorite statistic given was that the dome inside the crater grows a pickup truck load of lava every second. That is cool.

Home

Finally home. Tired. Pooped. Ready for some sleep.

After countless hours in the garbage (literally) of Mexico and taxi's from hell I'm finally home. It was a long and hard trip. When people hear that I was in Mexico they get excited. They need not be. It was work. Hard work and long hours and little sleep and... and... time to rest. There were no white sandy beaches with Margarita's and fish tacos. Only work. I'm not looking for sympathy, just painting reality. I am glad to do these trips as it gives me good experience and helps me do my job better. It's just nice when they are over.

Okay so not much rest yet. It is Brianna's birthday today and Alex's birthday tomorrow. Love you kiddo's and happy birthday to you both. Thanks for the warm welcome home. We are going to Mt. St. Helen's tomorrow with the home school group. I'll rest after that.

Something hit me as I departed the plane in Houston before heading off to Portland. America is the melting pot that I've always heard it is. In Mexico all I saw was Mexicans. No Asians, Africans, Arabs, Jews, Indians, or other ethnic groups. Only Mexicans. There was an occasional white but that was at either the hotel or the last customer I visited. Once I hit Houston I saw every ethnicity you can think of. Seriously what a great country we live in. The diversity is very exciting. Just an observation.

Craziness

I made it to Mexico City. No issues. No problems.

So far it reminds me of Tijuana on crack. It is much bigger and people drive much crazier. My cabbie was insane. Juking and jiving his way through traffic. Lanes... lanes... I don't need no stinking lanes. Flying in you can see the city go on for miles and miles.

My hotel is in the industrial district so there is not much to see around here. The view out my window... well let's just say I won't be taking any photos.

More later.

Mushroom House

My kids think living in this house would be the best.

I don't know what to think. Part of me thinks it is a beautiful piece of architecture and the other part struggles with the colossal amount selfishness and greed.

On my mind right Now!

I love the sound of rain on my new office's windows. Love it!

I am going to watch Spiderman with Alex tonight. He's just a little excited. Should be fun.

I love my wife. Truly, madly, deeply.

Seaside tomorrow.

Spiderman III tomorrow night.

Hopefully some rest soon. R.E.S.T. not sleep. Although sleep would be good.

Vince Flynn where is my book. Write another soon buddy. Soon.

Yakisoba noodles are soo good.

We sell screeners, not window screens people. There is a difference. A 50,000 pound difference.

Not in any order.

Gripe Sheet

I don't know if this is real or not. It is funny so I'm posting it.

In case you may need a laugh: Always remember that it takes a college degree to fly a plane but only a high school diploma to fix one!
Reassurance for all those of us who fly routinely in our jobs.

After every flight, Quantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, then the pilots review the gripe sheets right before the next flight.
Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor.
Here are some of the actual maintenance complaints submitted by the Qantas' pilots (as marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (as marked with an S) by the maintenance engineers.

By the way, it is relevant to note that Qantas is the only major
airline in the world that has never, ever, had an accident!

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in the cockpit.
S: Something tightened in the cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on backorder.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of a leak on the right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume reset to a more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield
S: Suspect you're right.

P: The number 3 engine is missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after a brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one saved for last......

P: Noise coming from under the instrument panel. Sounds like a midget
pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from the midget.

Sorry Ms. Crow... I won't be joining you on this one.

Mute Math Concert

Last nights concert was fun. You know a band is going to be good in a live performance when the drummer comes out and tapes his headphones onto his head.

Get a glimpse of what you missed here:

Too much music, too little time.

Mute Math tomorrow night with my nephew. Sweet.

Genesis... New Beginnings

There are people out there smarter than me. Seriously. I know it is hard to believe but it's true.

I am reading through Luke and Genesis. These are two of my favorite books of the Bible. This time I am reading with the aid of others. One happens to be Francis A. Schaeffer. I am reading his book Genesis in Space and Time as an aid to my reading of Genesis. He is blowing my mind and I am only two chapters in.

Chapter 1 was about the Creation story. I'll never view it the same. He blows my mind by talking about "before the beginning". I am not going to elaborate because I want you to read this yourself.

I am enjoying my reading and getting more out of it. For a long time I've been reading on my own without the aid of other brilliant minds and my reading just seemed to fall flat. The Spirit was silent.

God used some incredible men to put together what we now call the Bible. The intertwining of ideas and concepts is mind blowing. It could only have been done by one mind. The One.

God is good and true to His word.