tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83997410704077277642024-03-05T14:41:20.619-08:00Bear Family NewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-18389335729740303332017-07-16T23:15:00.000-07:002017-07-16T23:17:14.463-07:00Electric or Gas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About a year ago, I installed 14 solar panels on my roof. They do a pretty good job. I still pay a little for electricity, but the panels produce the overwhelming majority of the electricity we use.<br />
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Right now, I have a full house. That means we average 6 or more people in a week and about 3.5 dogs. I say this because besides myself, there is my wife, mother-in-law and two daughters. One lives here a bit over half time and the other half at their boyfriends parents. Her boyfriend is here about half time. There is a niece with a newborn that comes here to work remotely about 8 hours, five days a week.<br />
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You might wonder why I would mention dogs. First we have three full time dogs. 2 Outdoor medium sized mutts, and one indoor psychotic mutt that is half Chihuahua and half Jack Russel Terrier. Finally, my daughter and her boyfriend share a dog that is half Doberman. I think the other half is Rhodesian Ridge Back. It is a huge dog and is usually in doors cause of issues. So why do I count them, because the remainder of my family seems to think that the big dog needs to TV running when we have to go out, so the dogs consume electricity. Even the two outdoor dogs often have music playing to keep them calm.<br />
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At some point we will go from a full house, to an empty nest where it will be just my wife and myself and I am wondering what to do about electricity and gas. First, we will be producing more electricity than we will be using and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is required to buy our surplus electricity and pay for it. I can't wait for that first check from them. I am going to get a picture of it, frame it and hang it on the wall! I want everyone to know they finally paid me, instead of me paying them.<br />
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After that, then what? I still pay for gas. I buy my gas from another company, but it is sort of a joke. PG&E still charges for using their pipes to deliver the gas and that costs more than the gas does.<br />
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So I made a list of the things I use gas for:<br />
Wall Heater<br />
Stove and Oven<br />
Water Heater<br />
Dryer<br />
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Gas is still cheap, so I always have the option to just continue using gas for these things, but I will be producing more electricity than I consume, so here are some ideas that I have come up with:<br />
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Heater - I have a pellet stove in the living room, so that may be my answer. There is a full heat pump (Electric heating and air conditioning system that is in the Sun Room and my In-laws bedroom. At some point, we may need to move into that bedroom cause it is not up half a flight of stairs. If I want more heat, I already have an nice electric space heater. It is one of those oil filled radiators.<br />
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Stove/Oven - I really don't like electric ranges, but I hear the induction ones are very nice. My wife already uses the toaster oven more than the gas oven, so we might keep it that way.<br />
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Water Heater - Is much larger than we need. I might get two small ones, one for the upstairs and one for the down stairs and just turn them on when we need them. I am thinking of doing that soon for my mother-in-laws bathroom now. I could add a solar water heater. The technology needed is so simple, even I can design one.<br />
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Dryer - We did have an electric dryer in the past when we rented. It was ok, but not great. I image they have improved over the years and we are willing to set up a clothes line in the backyard and drying racks in the sun room.<br />
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I still want to improve the insulation in the two attics we have and probably put an awning over our bed room window to keep it from getting too hot in the summer.<br />
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Those are my ideas for now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-21279978691663452052015-08-05T22:19:00.000-07:002015-08-05T22:42:54.706-07:0030th Anniversary - Cruise to Alaska<br />
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Day 1 (Saturday) We flew from Oakland at 9am to Seattle. For the first time on a vacation for us, we did not have to get up at 4am and go to San Francisco. We arrived into Seattle, and took the hotel's shuttle to the hotel. We Stayed at the Best Western Executel near the airport. I thought for sure that we would have to check out luggage, so I told the clerk that we were there for our 30th anniversary. We were able to go right to our room!<br />
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I had made reservations for a dining tour. We took the light rail to Pikes Market. The tour consists of visiting 6 different restaurants. Walking to each one, while our tour guide tells us the history of the area. You definitely walk off anything you eat. We first discovered this type of tour when we went to Puerto Rico last year. One exciting thing did happen. We were at the place where they throw the first, enjoying smoked salmon. I was right next to the guy who was catching the fish. I noticed with each throw it was getting closer and closer to me, but I decided not to move. Yep, I got smacked with the fish. Right in the face. It didn't hurt, but the guy was so worried that he had hurt me. When we returned to our hotel room, there was a card wishing us a happy anniversary signed by the individual staff members.<br />
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Day 2 (Sunday) We take the shuttle to the cruise ship. The process of getting on went a lot quicker than I had expected. We took Holland America. The only other cruise we had been on was with Carnival and that ship was huge. It was like a city. Our ship held less than 1,300 people. It was much more intimate, which we liked. It was more like a town, and we got to know people. <br />
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I am prone to sea sickness, so we started taking sea sick pills right away. This meant that we slept more than we wanted and missed a few events that we would liked to have attended. One of the very first things we did was take a tour of the ship. I recommend this to anyone who takes a cruise. It saves a lot of time not getting lost. The ship was beautiful and funny enough, our room was very large, though the beds were not. The food was great, the crew was great and the views were amazing. <br />
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We woke up really early by chance on the day that we visited the glaciers, so we went up to the crows nest and sat in the two lounge chairs that are right in front. We stayed there most of the day, till we arrived at the glaciers, when the opened the bow for us so we could go outside and get an amazing view. The place was called Tracy Arm. There were so many icebergs, so many animals, whales, sea lions, dolphins, bald eagles ...etc. The ice was so blue, absolutely beautiful.<br />
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Our first port of call was Juneau. There we had two major excursions: The first was the dog sled camp. You could ride a sled in the snow, but it requires a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier. This is a lot more expensive and my wife is afraid of helicopters. At the camp, the sleds are on wheels, but the dogs are the same. We got to meet one of the mushers that will be in the Ididitarod next year. We got to check out the gear and play with the puppies. They were so cute and we had a great time.<br />
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Next we went on a whale watching tour. We saw lots of hump back whales, and bald eagles. The problem is that I tried to take pictures, but whales are quick and the boat was rocking. I only got a few pictures, and they weren't that great.<br />
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The second port of call was Sitka. There is port at Sitka, so they ferry us in on small boats to the small dock. It is a beautiful place with islands all over the place.<br />
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From there we took the local shuttle to visit the Bear Fortress. This is where the rehabilitate bear cubs that loose their mom. Interesting that Alaska is one of the few states that shoot bear cubs that loose their mom. The Bear Fortress is a non-profit organization. They are going great work, and the space they have is 17 times the average amount of space a bear would have at a zoo. All of the bears seem so happy, so playful.<br />
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From there, we visited the Raptor Center where they help injured Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, Owls ...etc. Again, they do great work. Those birds are amazing.<br />
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The next port of call was Ketichan. There we bought a few souvenirs and we waited until all of the tours left. There is an office there, where all of the tour companies have a counter. I negotiated a really good price for us. We were going to be there last customers of the day. We ended up getting a private tour. I explained that we really did not care about the stops they normally make, we wanted to see a bear in the wild. Util then, I had never seen a bear in the wild. It is on my bucket list and one of the things I felt entitled to.<br />
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Our tour guide brought us to a place she new where the fishery was and she showed us where to look. During that time, she was looking around trying to find a bear. Next thing you know, she comes over to us, white as a sheep. While looking behind us, a bear came out to cross the road. Apparently both our guide and the bear were very surprised. So, our guide tells us where the bear will come out. This time, I decided not to try and take pictures, just enjoy the view. Sure enough, the bear appeared and we watched it cross the meadow, taking its time. We watched till it dissipated from view. It was magic.<br />
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We went and looked at the totem poles before returning to the ship.<br />
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The last port of call was in Victoria, BC. Here we took the bus into the downtown. Where we checked out the Empress Hotel. Wow, amazing. After, we walked out of the tourist area and went to a Tim Hortons, which is a famous doughnut shop franchise. My family loves their coffee, so we bought some. Then we went to a regular grocery store and bought some bottles of maple syrup. We love real maple syrup and they sell it in these beautiful bottles for so much less that we pay in California. <br />
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The final day, we returned to Seattle. It was great because we were able to check our bags in on the ship and get our boarding passes. We flew home and spent one day recovering before going back to work.<br />
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It was a Happy 30th Anniversary.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-39989088967648400932015-06-24T21:24:00.002-07:002015-06-24T21:37:53.554-07:00Eulogy of Edgardo Sing 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On behalf of the family, I would like to thank all of you for attending
either the viewing or this service today. It means a lot that so many
would take the time during a work week to attend and show your respect
for this great man from another century.</div>
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Uldarico
Edgardo Sing Huapaya was born in 1919. This was one year after the end
or WWI. </div>
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We was born in Mala, Peru. In case you don't speak Spanish, that translates to "Bad Peru". That is where I learned to speak my "Bad Spanish".</div>
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His
father was from Canton China and his mother was a Peruvian Indian.
Edgardo, as he was known, did not have an easy childhood. He lost his
mother at age 5, and his father passed away when he was 15. With only a
5th grade education, he began to work with automobiles. Keep in mind
that at this time, few people had cars, especially in Peru. This sort
of made him a geek of sorts. Was he the Sheldon Cooper of his time?</div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Edgardo
was determined not to repeat the mistakes of his parents. He took an
interest in a 12 year old girl that was the friend of his younger
sister, Elsa. He found the only girl completely different from himself. Her father was from Canton
China, and her mother was a Peruvian Indian .... and Chinese. They would wait until she turned 18 to get married.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">One
measure of a man is the family he leaves behind. In this case, Edgardo
and Lina ... okay, mostly Lina had: Santiago, Lina, Carmen, Ceci, Martha
and Juan. Unfortunately, when you live to 95, you run the risk that
you may outlive some of your children. In this case, both Ceci and
Santiago passed away before he did. Again, Edgardo did not have an easy
life, but he always worked hard to take care of his family. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Edgardo did not have a degree, but he seemed to know about everything. When he retired at almost 80, he focused on growing fruits and </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">vegetables</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">.
He raised chickens and turkeys, including Poncho. The largest,
meanest turkey I have ever known. We eventually got even with Poncho at a Thanksgiving dinner. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All of the animals would follow Edgardo
around the garden all day long. As Edgardo grew older, he would fall down. When
this would happen, one dog in particular, Queenie would lay down with
him and protect him until help found him. Eventually, he fell down so
much that he had to retire from the garden. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Those
who know me, know that I strive to be "Green", but I was nothing
compared to Edgardo. He found ways to reuse almost anything, which he
stored an a little know residence called "#4". For those of you who do
not know about #4, think of it as his version of the Western White
House.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Edgardo's greatest accomplishment was the love he gave to his family and the values and wisdom he passed on to </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">them.
He made each grandchild feel like they were the center of the
universe. He leaves behind, Aaron, Lobelly, Aranja, Nina, Adrianna,
Alejandro, Lila, Ceci, Enrique as well as Carlos and Kike, who both serve in the Air Force of the United States of America. In addition, he leaves behind one great
grandson, Sam.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">When
it came time to retire, Lina and Edgardo chose to live with us in
California. I can never express how grateful I am, that my daughters
came home every day from school to family. They are both fluent in
Spanish, to the annoying point that they like to let me know that they
speak Spanish much better than I do. In the end, when Alzheimer stuck,
the children both decided to quite their jobs to take care of the
grandparents full time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">You
might think that these older people of the last century,
last millennium, were not technical at all. Well, let me tell you.
They Skped and they Skpyed a lot. They have Skyped on Laptops, tablets
and Smartphones. They Skyped In the house, with a mouse ... Sorry, not sure how Dr Suess got in there. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">During
birthday parties, the family in Peru would be singing along with the
rest of us, right there on Skype. In fact, Skyped contacted us about their
story. Such techies! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">I
have heard people say ... I will never put my family in a home. It is
not that easy! My family suffered greatly dealing with the evils of
Alzheimer's. Thank God, most people will never experience how truly
awful this disease is. Break down, after break down. Carmen, Lila,
Ceci and Martha, would dust themselves off, and the very next morning,
they would be back tending to the needs of Edgardo. </span></span>We lost Edgardo over a year ago, but his body finally left us this week.</div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Lina,
our heart goes out to you. This December you would have been married
for 70 years. Imagine that. Lina, we all know this loss
is devastating to you, but remember you are surrounded by family.
Family that flew in from Panama, Peru and Turkey to be with you. When
you look at the faces of your family, you will see Edgardo and he is
here in the hearts and minds of all of us. You will be surrounded by
love until it is your time to join Edgardo. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Edgardo, may you rest in peace </span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-83849337829045563012013-05-09T21:53:00.000-07:002013-05-09T21:53:01.472-07:00New Phone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am not one of those people that buys a new phone every year. I don't like buying new phones, computers or cars, but every so often, it becomes necessary. I used to have a HTC EVO 4G. I got mine the very first day it came out. In fact, I was the second customer in the store the day they went on sale. At the time, the EVO 4G was the most powerful phone out there. It had a huge screen and was the only one that had 4G. One major flaw with the phone, is that the battery was the same batter that HTC had used in all of it's phones. This was ridiculous. This powerful phone, using so much more electricity than any model they had ever produce before had the same battery. Running out of battery half way through the day was a daily event. I finally got on Amazon and found an after market battery that had twice the capacity.<br />
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With smartphones and computers, after a couple of years, you really feel their age and it was time to get a new phone. I had become so frustrated with my EVO 4G. Naturally, I looked at what else HTC, had. The HTC One. Made out of steel, is something I like. I really use my phones and they take a beating, but what I did not like, is that the screen size was almost the same as what I was already useing. Then I found out something that made me sick. They changed the design so that you could not replace the battery, nor could you add memory. The two key reasons why I did not buy an iPhone.<br />
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Google, bought the cell phone portion of Motorola and they are coming out with a phone, but again, the screen was not very big. I really love Google and Motorola and American companies, but I'm old, my eye sight is not great and I need a bigger screen.<br />
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I have noticed that Samsung, seems to really be on the cutting edge of smartphones these days. The one thing I don't like is that their phones are made of plastic. I got down to the Galaxy 4s and the Note 2. I loved all of the extra neat things in the 4s, but the screen size of the Note 2, solved my problem. I purchased a extra tough case and insurance that fixes my phone anytime it gets damaged <br />
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Getting all of my apps and data has proven to be a lot easier than I had feared. So, the honeymoon is on. I love my Note2!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-9270462835955113752013-04-22T16:55:00.000-07:002013-04-22T19:54:47.907-07:00To My Nephew Charlie : James Bond<br />
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Recently, my nephew Charlie has been producing a series of reviews of the James Bond movies. He has done an excellent job and I am very proud of him. He has his own page on YouTube, which you can visit. For those of you who are not part of our family, or who have not been paying attention for the past 21 years, Charlie's real name is David Charles Bear 2, so his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSFVw9bKoolIfJkn05Qouw" target="_blank">Youtube page is titled David Bear. </a><br />
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Charlie is not really a film critic as he is a film reviewer, which I think is more noble in that he doesn't spend most of his time complaining about movies but really enjoys them and talking about them.. Charlie's has a very structured way about presenting his film reviews. He states that what is presented is only his opinion, yet backs up his opinions with facts.<br />
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So, why am I writing this? First, while I listen to Charlie's reviews and nod in agreement with his logic, I find myself disagreeing with a number of his conclusions. I would never do a series of reviews on my own. After all, my nephew has already done this and has done a far better job that I ever could. What this is, is a collection of facts. Yes, my opinions are facts. I am his uncle and not a film reviewer who has to worry about such things as credibility If I list any facts, that are not quite correct .... well, don't confuse me with the facts!<br />
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Let's start with some fluff. When it comes to theme songs, there is only one clear winner; Live and Let Die. Hello? That is Paul "I am a Beatle" McCartney" and that song rocks! Way further down the list there are other classics such as Goldfinger, but really. Live and Let Die could and should be the theme song of every James Bond movie.<br />
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Bond girls? The winner is clear, Dianna "Emma Peel" Riggs. She was not only beautiful, but tough. She could kick your butt before it became popular for good looking women like Sharon Stone and Angelina Jolie. Sure there are others like Ursula Andress, but they really are not in the same league. The only one that even got close, was Hallie Berry. Again, just like Live and Let Die should be the theme song of every Bond movie, Dianna Riggs or Halle Berry should be in every Bond movie.<br />
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Favorite Felix Lighter, the original Jack Lord is hard to beat, but the current one is Jeffrey Wright is pretty good.<br />
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There have been so many great Bad Guys such as Gert Frobe as Goldfinger, Harold Sakata and Robert Shaw. Lotte Lenya was so memorable, that she was spoofed in the Austin Powers movies as Frau Farbissina. A lot of actors played Ernst Blofeld, but I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Donald Pleasance<br />
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How about those "Other Bond Movies"? Such as Never Say Never, Casino Royale, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and the Life and Times of Ian Fleming.<br />
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Never Say Never is a great Bond movie. Why? Sean Connery. Hello? Never Say Never came out way after Roger Moore was James Bond. It seemed that every Roger Moore movie was sillier and sillier. Never Say Never, is what brought me back to Bond, James Bond. It was the only Sean Connery James Bond movie that I was old enough to buy my own ticket and see it in the theater.<br />
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Casino Royale, the first one is a classic James Bond is spoofed. What a cast! David Nivens, Peter Sellers, Orsen Wells, Woody Allen, Deborah Kerr, William Holden, John Houston, Jacqueline Bissette and Ursula Andress? It was funny as heck and deserves a special mention and yes it is a Bond movie.<br />
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I put On her Majesty's Secret Service in this special category. In many ways it was the best and the worst Bond film ever. If only Sean Connery had played James Bond. Emma Peel and Telly Savalas were outstanding. It was enough to make them bring Sean Connery back for Diams are Forever!<br />
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The Life and Times of Ian Fleming is the story of the author of the James Bond series, Ian Fleming. Ian Fleming had a very interesting life, that is what inspired him to write the James Bond series. Ian Fleming was played by Jason Connery; the son of Sean Connery. I'd watch this movie anytime over more than half of the other James Bond movies.<br />
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So, who was the best James Bond? Simple, it is Sean Connery. Next, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig and then Roger Moore. I have to stop here, because Roger Moore was actually Ian Fleming's choice of actors to play James Bond. Fortunately, Ian passed away before he could see what Roger Moore did to James Bond. To be fair, a lot of the problem for Roger Moore was the silly stories and poor writing. Finally a special place in James Bond hell is reserved for Timothy Dalton. If I were asked if I'd like to have my finger nails pulled out or watch a Timothy Dalton James Bond movie, I'd need some time to think about it.<br />
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When it comes to the movies, I tend to group them by who did them. The worst are the Timothy Dalton movies, The Living Dayligths. and License to kill, although I find common ground with Charlie, by pushing those movies up by one and agreeing that the Quantum of Solace was the worst Bond movie of all time.<br />
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As for the best Bond movie ever, it is and will always be the first movie Dr. No. It set the tone and it broke all the rules. My second choice is From Russia with Love. I know a lot of people have Goldfinger as their number one choice.<br />
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All of Sean Connery's movies go right to the front of the list. If I was ever annoyed by anything in any of his movies it was the surgery to make him look Japanese and think that they pulled it off in any way shape or form. In general Pierce comes next. Golden Eye, brought life back to this dieing series of films. It went on too long, but that seems to be a trend in many action movies. I really loved the last one he did "Die Another Day". It was a shame that Pierce could not have enjoyed movies with better story lines.<br />
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Roger Moore brought such bad humor to the Bond series of movies. His best were Live and Let Die, remember the "Cola or the Uncola nut". In a View to a Kill. Who could take their eye off of Grace Jones?<br />
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George Lazenby did what any of wish we could of. He was a model who heard that Sean Connery was out. Went and got a hair cut so that he could look like him and got to be James Bond for one film! I can't get angry at him at all. It was like he won a contest on one of those reality shows.<br />
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Daniel Craig, the first half of Casino Royale is one of the best, but the end of that movie... Venice ... sigh. The thing is that Sky Fall is a master piece. It fixed all of the problems with the Daniel Craig series. It brought back Q and Moneypenny. M dies in the line of action.<br />
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Timothy Dalton, ... oops just threw up. Well, you know how I feel about him and his bond movies. His two movies, were three too many!<br />
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Reflection: When they next reboot the series, they should do, as my dad says, the books! Set back in the times they were originally written. It could be cool ... like cool jazz!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-16656896496042353332013-04-17T18:35:00.000-07:002013-04-17T18:35:53.424-07:00Venezuela - It's About the Middle<br />
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Those of us who live in the USA, like to call ourselves Americans. Being an American does not just mean that you live in the United States of America. Being an American means that we love freedom and we seek out justice and hate corruption. We are not the only Americans. Ask anyone from Mexico, Peru, Venezuela or Argentina. They are Americans too. They will point out that South America is part of the Americas and that is true, but it is not what is important. What is important is that they share our same values. They really are just like us. They desire the level of freedom that we enjoy. They want justice and hate corruption.<br />
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When Hugo Chavez first came to power, in Venezuela, he targeted the poor. He started providing subsidised food, housing and transportation. This sounds very noble until you realize that he was taking over and shutting down ranches and farms. Venezuela purchases virtually all of its food from other countries.<br />
If you said something or did not vote they want, you are off the list. You see wasn't helping the<br />
poor, he was controlling them through hunger and the need for housing ..etc. If this was not bad enough, Chavez has been trying to add to be poor by attacking the middle class and this is where Chavez went wrong. Despite their efforts to control information by taking over the media and rewriting the history books used in school, the Internet and specifically Social Media is the big leak in the damn. With each election, the numbers continue to leave Chavez and his thugs.<br />
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It is all about the middle. Whether it is the middle class or middle age. It is one thing when young people, and especially students protest. It is completely something else when their parents, uncles, aunts and even grand parents protest. When the mid-aged take the streets to call you out, your government is in serious trouble. You better know, that you have done wrong and in a big way. When you have lied, cheated, stolen and wronged people so much that people in their 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond take to the street and stand up against your thugs in uniforms and and guns, you must know that your time is up. You have crossed a line. It is time for you to leave.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-91629143186328422092013-03-14T21:53:00.000-07:002013-03-14T21:53:30.046-07:00Socialism and Venezuela<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently returned from Venezuela. During this last trip President Hugo Chavez passed away. I first went to Venezuela during the early 80's and have spent time there before and during the time that Chavez was in power. Venezuela is a country that proudly claims to be a socialist country.<br />
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Venezuela is a beautiful country of mostly hardworking honest people, but the Chavez government is dreadful. I could talk about their control over people using the food supply. I could talk about the increase crime, especially concerning murder and kidnapping or how the senior generals in the military are lining their pockets by giving safe passage through their country to drug traffickers all of which are very serious, but I won't.<br />
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Instead, let's look at the media. The Chavez government has taken control of most of the media, shutting down or taking over those that oppose his views. Controlling information, re-writing history books, making outrageous claims over and over until many people don't know any better and believe the lies. Billboards are splattered all over the place proclaiming how great Chavez is, sometimes whole buildings are painted to achieve this purpose, but there is a hole in the dam.<br />
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It seems that Venezuelans are addicted to the Internet, especially social media. It is amazing how many have smartphones and use them. The truth is starting to spread and the opposition is making significant headway as the truth becomes known.<br />
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To my friends on the left. If you think Chavez was good for Venezuela. You don't know. My friends in Venezuela are in what is left of the middle class, They lived through the Chavez government each and every day. To my friends on the right who think Obama is a socialist. You don't know. I would take Obama or Bush any day of the week and twice on Sunday. If you think I am wrong go visit a real socialist country like Venezuela.<br />
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So here is the lesson. If any one posts a comment that I don't like. I will delete it, just like Chavez deleted the press when they expressed opposing views.<br />
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Good luck to the people of Venezuela as you take back your country!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-86812038650141547612013-01-02T17:34:00.001-08:002013-01-02T19:44:33.315-08:002013 New Years Resolutions<br />
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<b>2013 Resolutions. The results of 2012 are on the second half of this page.</b></div>
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Improve drainage at home.<br />
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Finish reorganizing Garage.<br />
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Finish writing family cookbook.</div>
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Go fishing</div>
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Go hunting</div>
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Travel to Margarita Island</div>
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Complete first draft of book on being green.</div>
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Visit more family back east.</div>
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Take over care of backyard from father-in-law.</div>
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Re-organize the shed</div>
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Improve disaster preparedness.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Take advantage of AARP benefits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Play in the COHS alumni water polo game. This will be the last year that it will be played in our original pool.</span></div>
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Attend the COHS Class of 78 reunion.<br />
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Get more active: Hiking or swimming.<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Canning:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Trade with more people that can</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Make chili beans and soup. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax</span><br />
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Update Bearfamily.com/green page</div>
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Create Bearfamily.com/preparedness page</div>
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Be More Green:</div>
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Plant more ginger, herbs, lettuce ...<br />
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Increase the number of LED lights in use.<br />
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Better composting</div>
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<b>Recap of 2012 resolutions:</b></div>
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Clean Garage. Mostly Done, replaced the cement in the floor of the garage and laundry room, including a drainage system. Installed shelving, almost done going through the entire contents.</div>
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Tear out gazebo and build new deck in the back yard. Done, we also put in a new deck.</div>
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Improve disaster preparedness. Done.</div>
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Get an AARP card. Done</div>
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Play in the COHS alumni water polo game. Done and wore t-shirt designed by Gumby.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Seeing more COHS friends. Done</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Get more active: Hiking or swimming. Failed</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Improve our financial situation (reduce debt) Done</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Canning: Trade with more people that can; make: spaghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax. Failed, I made spaghetti sauce and I traded, but just a little. Need to do more. Did not do any freezing or canning with was.</span><br />
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Plant more ginger, herbs, lettuce ... Fail<br />
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Increase the number of LED lights in use. Done<br />
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Better composting Faile</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-81374468161640361322012-12-24T22:13:00.000-08:002012-12-24T22:42:12.260-08:00Christmas 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello Friends and Family,<br />
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2012 has been quite a year. This year, we lost a number of people that were near and dear to our hearts. First was Vicki Hong, who we have known ever since I got started in the hotel industry back in the 1980's. In fact both of our families got to know each other very well over the years. She died while shopping for shoes, which is the way she would have wanted it, but she died way to young. <br />
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Father Larry was one of the original priests at our church when we first moved to El Sobrante. He was Irish and had a wonderful wit. Both of my daughters served with him when they were alter-servers. This kind soul is now resting in heaven.<br />
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Probably the most difficult passing, was the passing away of Jamito Smith. I had known his since he was a boy. I had worked briefly with his dad at the Hotel Durant back in 1980 -81. Jamito's dad passed away way too young and when he did, Jamito stepped up to the plate as the man of the house and the leader of his extended family. Jamito was married less than a year when he passed away of cancer, a terrible disease that Jamito fought tooth and nail each day of the last few years of his life. Jamito is part of a very large family, who all loved and respected him. He was a gentle giant and is dearly missed. He was far too young. He never made it to 40.<br />
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Just when you thought that enough, was enough, Lee O. Fisher died. He died while working as a surveyor, a job which he loved. Mr. Fisher was a very special man to many of us around my age who were in Boy Scouts. We all benefited by his participation. I can't remember him missing a camping trip, even though no one was busier, Mr Fisher always had time. He was the father of a real life Brady Bunch. It turns out you never really know someone until it is too late. Mr Fisher was a true hero and accepted all as his own. There was quite a turn out at his service, even though it was during the week. Lee Fisher will not soon be forgotten.<br />
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Fortunately, the entire year did was not filled with death and sadness. A major branch of our family managed to find us. We all are direct descendants of my Great, Great Grandfather John Bear. Leona Bear and Henry Alfred Bear were brother and sister. Many years ago, these two branches of the family lost track of each other, but this year, we were once again united thanks to my cousin Nick! I have had the pleasure of meeting a number of descendants of Leona Bear, including Larry who lives pretty close by and I am proud to call each and every one of them family. <br />
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This year, I got to play in the COHS alumni water polo match. This was the third match that I've had the pleasure of participating in. I consider each match a blessing.<br />
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I got to spend a lot of time with friends from school during my visits to Southern California; but once again, death struck and we lost classmate Bob Davila. I knew Bob from swimming and water polo. I have only seen him a couple of times after 35 years, but each time he was very kind of complimentary to me. I enjoyed watching him play bass guitar. He was really good.<br />
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Finally, Christmas at my house is a major event. My wife's family celebrates on the eve and my family celebrates on Christmas day, so my kids have always been spoiled and celebrate both, but wait... there's more. My in-laws anniversary is December 23, so Christmas really becomes a 3 day affair at our house.<br />
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I am grateful for everything I have, especially my family and friends and I have my health. The picture at the top of this blog entry includes my in-laws, who live with us as well as my wife and two daughters. We are especially fortunate this year to have my two nephews and sister-in-law who all immigrated to the USA about 9 years ago. Both nephews serve in the US Air Force. They were not born Americans, they chose to become Americans and serve in our armed forces. They came here legally. <br />
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I realize just how lucky I am, because I have the best friends and family in the world and the rest of you are stuck with me!<br />
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Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-45601022796213412872012-02-09T17:06:00.001-08:002012-02-09T17:06:55.942-08:00More Family History<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Monday, February 6, 2012</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Ed.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Here is some information I want to share with you, about the connection between Sweeney’s, Phillips and Bear families.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The emails are from a fellow genealogist, who has been working on the Jennings family line. Rebecca Jennings married my gg grandfather, Edward Sweeney. Rebecca had a brother named Morgan. Morgan is in Kathryns family line.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I will send my family tree as soon as I can find a little time.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">From Kathryn Knewson</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">email address knewson@erie.net</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sent via email on</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Dear Ed,</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Edward and Rebecca Jennings had nine children. Of those, I have only been able to find where three of them, Mary, Juliett and Edward, married. Juliett married a Civil War veteran, Chester Phillips and had three children. The boys were Jonathan and Edward Phillips. The only girl, Sarah Phillips married John Bear. I am unsure of exactly how many children they had but they did have a son, Henry who served in the Spanish-American War. I have a copy of the pension record which states that Henry who was married and evidently had several children, was committed to a VA Mental Institute where he died more than 25 years later, never having gotten well enough to return home. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I came across the Bear family connection when I found Henry living with his grandparents, Chester and Juliett Sweeny Phillips in the 1900 census. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Mary Sweeny married a James Anderson on December 2, 1861. I believe they had at least one child, Amanda Anderson who I found living with the Sweeny's in the 1880 census. Amanda was age 15. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">What does idiotic mean in the census? I am not sure. The census taker would not be a mental health professional nor was their much understanding of mental health. It is possible that they were just a little different or maybe only marginally retarded or it is possible that they had a physical handicap. Idiotic in the 1800's did not mean then what it needs know. Venango County does have an institute for mentally retarded children but I have not been able to get any records. I talked to a woman who worked there and she stated that while she was there, part of her job was burning old patient records. These orders to destroy these records means that there would be no record of any of the</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">patients from long ago. I do not know at what year they were to stop burning records.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1850 census - only Jonathan is listed as being idiotic</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1860 census - none are listed as being idiotic</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1870 census - only Jonathan is listed as being idiotic</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1880 census - There parents are deceased. Sarah is listed as head of household.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Jonathan, Martha, Jemima and Rebecca are listed as being idiotic</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">There are many questions on this family that I do not have. I know no one to ask so I have to dig for the information. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I have never been able to find where the Sweeny's are buried. (Chester Phillips is buried at Cooperstown. There is no</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">stone for his wife but that doesn't mean that she's not buried there. I find no record of any of their children being</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">buried there or anyone with the surnames Sweeny, Phillips, or Bear). The Sweeny's lived in Cooperstown. It is</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">possible that Edward and Rebecca Jennings Sweeny were buried at the old Pioneer Cemetery in Cooperstown which I</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">have not gone through but it does not explain where their children are buried.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sincerely,</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> Kathryn Newson </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The following is from Kathryn Newson, sent via email on Feb 1, 2000. This is the will of Chester Phillips son in law of Edward Sweeny Sr.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I, Chester Phillps of Jackson Township, Venango County, PA being of sound mind but weak of body and believing that my departure from this life near at hand and that I may be better prepared to pass from this time to Eternity,do make this my last will and testament. Revoking or making dead all or any former wills by me made. First I, command my soul to Almighty God my Creator my body to be berried in Keas Graveyard and to my daughter Sarah Culbertson I do give and bequeath all I own or possess in personal property and real estate on the following conditions that she gives me a pleasant berrial and pay what little bills I may be owing and gives each of my boys John and Edward $5.00 and I do constitute and appoint H.A Bear, my grandson sole executor of this my last will and testament.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.01in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in"> signed Chester Phillips May 1909.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">From Kathryn Knewson</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">email address knewson@erie.net</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sent via email on 1/30/2000</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; border-top: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: none; border-right: none; padding-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0.01in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in"> Ed,<br />I do not have that much more information on the descendants of Edward and Rebecca (Jennings) Sweeney. You always refer to him as John instead of Edward. Why? I have never found his name given as John.<br />Sarah Phillips who m John Bear on 16 Dec. 1875 had 3 children that I have been able to find but there may be more. 1) Henry Alfred b 9 Nov. 1878; 2) Manda E. who according to the census records was born about 1878 which either means that Henry and Manda were twins or the census record is wrong; 3) Leona b ? m ____ Nelson who is the only sibling listed in Henry's military record.<br />1) Henry Alfred Bear whom I found in the census records at least once to be living with the Sweeney's, d 2 Nov. 1952 at the VA Hospital at Chillecothe, Ohio, buried Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, PA., m Sara Gertrude McGruff on 12 April 1905 in Olean, NY. They had 5 children: a) Charles, b) Isabelle, possibly never married; c) Robert; d) Donald; e) Chester. Henry served in the Spanish-American War. I have a copy of Henry's pension record. The VA Hospital that he died in and where he had been a patient for many years, was a hospital that the VA used for "Mental Illness". I don't remember if the record ever gave a diagnosis or not. I have never had a military record that was so large. <br />As far as the Jennings family, Jacob was the youngest of 5 surviving children of Zebulon (Jr.) and Joanna/Johanna (Little) Jennings. Zebulon Jr. was b 26 Nov. 1735 in NJ, d 16 Oct. 1776, buried at Westfield, NJ. Zebulon (Jr.) served in the Revolutionary War with the 1st Regiiment of Minute men of Suffolk Co., NY. I have been told that Zebulon supposedly died as a result of injuries sustained at the Battle of Long Island but I have never been able to confirm this. Several people have entered the DAR through Zebulon Jennings (Jr.). Zebulon married 17 June 1762 in the Presbyterian Church, Westfield, NJ. Joanna/Johanna was b 15 Sept. 1746. I have seen her first name spelled both ways and I'm not sure which way is correct. In his will, Zebulon bequeathed his elder dau, Sarah, 5 pounds, & his younger dau Susannah, 3 pounds. To his 3 surviving sons, Henry, Jonathan, & Jacob, he gave 3 pounds & all of his lands. After Zebulon's death, his widow m Ephraim Woodruff & had at least 1 child, a dau. Sometime between 1785 & 1790, this family left NJ and came to Fayette Co., PA. Jacob was the only one of the children who came north. The rest went west and are found in Washington Co., Ohio (Marietta area). <br />Zebulon Jennings (Sr.) was b 1709 d 1777, buried at Westfield, NJ. He m 1st Sarah _____ d 31 March 1770, buried at Westfield, NJ. (I have been told that Sarah was supposedly b in 1724 but I find that difficult to believe since her son Zebulon (Jr.) was b in 1735. She would only have been 11 years old). I have only found reference to them having one child, Zebulon. Zebulon (Sr.) m 2nd Rebecca Squire. Zebulon's will was proved in Trenton, NJ in 1777. In it he bequeathed all of his property to his wife Rebecca during her lifetime & at her death it was to go to his 3 grandsons, Henry, Jonathan, & Jacob. (Zebulon Jr. was already dead). Zebulon (Sr.) was an elder in the Westfield Presbyterian Church. <br />Zebulon (Sr.) was one of the 7 brothers although some think that perhaps they were no closer than cousins. They were: Joseph; Zebulon b 1709; Jacob b 1711; Benjamin b 1716; Jonathan, John, and David. At least the father of Benjamin has been proven to be Benjamin. It cannot be proven who was the emigrant ancestor. Therefore the American history begins with Benjamin who was probably either a son or grandson of the emigrant.<br />Kathryn Newson</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><b>1880 Federal Census. </b>Jackson Township, Venango County, PA. Enumerated June 2 &3. 1880. Sheet 3; Line 30; House 30; Family 30.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b>Born Where Father Mother </b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b>Name Age Relation About Born Born Born Occupation</b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Chester Phillips 50 Head 1830 PA PA PA Farmer </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Juliet Phillips 53 Wife 1827 PA Ireland PA Keeping House</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Jonathon Phillips 24 Son 1856 PA PA PA At Home</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Edward Phillips 22 Son 1858 PA PA PA At Home</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1880 Federal Census Notes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1. The curse continues as both Jonathon and Edward are Idiotic (mentally Challenged), just as their </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> aunts Martha Sweeney (1001-2.05), Jemima (1001-2.06), and Rebecca (1001-2.08) and their uncle Jonathan Sweeney (1001-2.04) were.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Living Next to Chester in 1880, was his mother. Sheet 3; Line 19; House 28; Family 28.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b>Born Where Father Mother</b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b>Name Age Relation About Born Born Born Occupation</b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sarah Phillips 65 Head 1815 PA PA PA Keeping House</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Jacob Phillips 28 Son 1852 PA PA PA Farmer</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Michael C. Baugher 62 Border 1818 PA PA PA None</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Lawrence Baugher 15 Son 1865 PA PA PA Farm Labor</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Living next to Sarah Phillips in 1880 was her grandaughter Sarah R. (Phillips Bear). Sheet 3; Line 15; House 27; Family 27.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b> Born Where Father Mother </b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b>Name Age Relation About Born Born Born Occupation </b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">John Bear 26 Head 1854 PA PA PA Farmer</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sarah R. Bear 20 Wife 1860 PA PA PA Keeping House</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Meanda Bear 2 Dau 1878 PA PA PA At Home</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Henry C. Bear 7-mo. Son 1879 PA PA PA At Home </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1880 Federal Census Notes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1. Sarah R. (Phillips) Bear is the daughter and youngest child of Chester and Juliet Phillips.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">2. She is living next to her grandmother Sarah Phillips, who is living next to her son Chester and his wife Juliet.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><b>1900 Federal Census. </b>Jackson Township. Enumerated on June 6, 1900. Sheet 10; Line 12; House 65; Family 65. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b> Approx. </b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b> Month Year Where Father Mother </b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b>Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Born Occupation </b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Charles Phillips 71 Head Oct 1828 PA PA PA Farmer</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Hanliett Phillips 73 Wife Jun 1826 PA Ireland PA None</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">John Phillips 35 Son Nov 1864 PA PA PA Farm Labor</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Edward Phillips 32 Son Mar 1868 PA PA PA Farm labor</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sarah Sweeny 65 Servant Nov 1837 PA Ireland PA Servant</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Jemima Sweeny 65 Sis in law Feb 1835 PA Ireland PA None</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><span ><b>Henry A. Bear</b></span> <span ><b>20 Grand Son Nov 1880 PA PA PA </b></span> <span ><b>Machinist on Lathe</b></span><b>.</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1900 Federal Census Notes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1. Charles is Chester Phillips.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">2. Hanliett (Should be) Juliet (Sweeney), Phillips. Census Taker did poor job of taking this census.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">3. Chester and Juliett have been married for 48 years at this time.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">4. Sarah Sweeny is employed as the Phillips family servant.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">5. Jemima has no occupation as she is Idiotic (mentally challenged)</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">6. Apparently Jonathon, Martha, Rebecca have all died since the last census report of 1880. The 1890 </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> federal census for PA was destroyed by fire.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">7. Henry went on to fight in WWI. After the war he suffered from Post Tramatic Stress Diorder and ended up living out his final years in a Veteran's home, where he died.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">8. Chester was a veteran of the Civil War.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">9. Jonathon and Edward are both idiotic (mentally challenged).</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><b>1910 Federal Census. F</b>or Connellsville Township, Ward -5, Fayette County, PA, Taken On 1910 that On Page , at House ; and Family Shows: Approx. Approx.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b> Month Year Where Father Mother </b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b>Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Occupation </b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sarah G, Bear 31 Wife 1879</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Charles M. Bear 3 Son 1907</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Mary Isabel Bear 2 Dau 1908</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Catherine Gales 23 </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1910 Federal Census Notes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1. Sarah is shown as a wife.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">2. They are renting this house.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">3. Henry A. Bear, husband was a Railroad Engineer and was probably on a run somewhere.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><b>1920 Federal Census: </b>West Newton (Ward 1) Township, Westmoreland County, PA, Taken On that On Page , at House ; and Family Shows: Approx. Approx.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b>Month Year Where Father Mother </b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><i><b>Name Age Relation Born Born Born Born Born Occupation </b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Henry A. Bear 40 Head 1880 PA PA PA Railroad Engineer</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sarah Bear 39 Wife 1881 PA PA PA Keeping House</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Charles Bear 13 Son 1907 PA PA PA Not Working</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Isabel 12 Dau 1908 PA PA PA Not Working</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Robert Bear 9 Son 1911 PA PA PA</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Donald Bear 7 Son 1913 PA PA PA</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Chester Bear 5 Son 1915 PA PA PA </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1920 Federal Census Notes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1. Sometime after this Census, Henry was committed to the VA hospital for Mental issues. He was in hospital for 25 years before he died. He died at VA Hospital.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><b>1930 Federal Census</b>: Franklin (3rd Ward) Township, Venango County, PA, Taken On April 10, 1930 that On Page 11-A and 11-B, at House ; and Family Shows: </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"> <i><b>Year Where Father Mother </b></i></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Name <i><b>Age Relation Born Born Born Born Occupation</b></i> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Sarah Bear 52 Wife 1881 PA PA PA Keeping House</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Isabel 22 Dau 1908 PA PA PA Teaching School</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Robert Bear 19 Son 1911 PA PA PA</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Donald Bear 17 Son 1913 PA PA PA</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Chester Bear 16 Son 1915 PA PA PA </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1920 Federal Census Notes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">1. Sometime after this Census, Henry was committed to the VA hospital for mental issues. He was in hospital for 25 years before he died. He died at VA Hospital.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-63224482854939955082012-01-29T22:48:00.000-08:002012-01-29T22:50:31.003-08:00Finding More Family (Bear - Sweeny)<div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; ">We received this email. It is so exciting to connect with family that we assumed was lost forever! Will keep you posted.</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; ">Ed</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; ">Sunday, January 22, 2012</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; ">Dear Ed.</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: times, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>My name is Duane Edward Sweeny, III, I too, go by "Ed". I saw the Bear Family Web page and found some of my family members named on the Bear Family Tree., I am sending this email to let you know that you and I, are distantly related. My Juliet Sweeney married Chester Arthur Phillips and they had three children, one of which was Sarah Phillips. Sarah married John Bear and they had at least two children: 1. Meanda<span style="background-color: rgb(0, 255, 255); ">?</span> born in 1878 2. Henry Alfred Bear, born in Nov. 1879 and I believe he died on February 10, 1922. Henry had served in the Spanish American War, and sometime after spent many years in a Veteran's hospital. He ended up </span><span>committing</span><span> suicide.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>I have attached a copy of a genealogy report that shows my Sweeney/Sweeny blood line. I don't know if you are the genealogist for the Bear family or not, but I would like to contact the family genealogist so we can compare notes and share other information about our families.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>I, am so happy to have finally foud the connection of the Bear and Sweeney/Sweeny families. Please contact me or let the family genealogist contact me.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>Thank you, for your time.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>Ed Sweeny.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'bookman old style', 'new york', times, serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-size: medium; ">Email: </span><a href="mailto:familyresearcher98@yahoo.com" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:familyresearcher98@yahoo.com" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: medium; color: rgb(35, 71, 134); outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; "><span id="lw_1327278534_1" class="yshortcuts">familyresearcher98@yahoo.com</span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-11992523215585068422012-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:002012-01-02T10:00:27.463-08:002012 New Years Resolutions<b>The first portion is my resolutions for 2012. Below that is a recap of how I did in 2011.</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Clean Garage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tear out gazebo and build new deck in the back yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Improve disaster preparedness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Get an AARP card.</div><div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><span>Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><span><br />Seeing more COHS friends.<br /><br />Get more active: Hiking or swimming.<br /><br />Improve our financial situation (reduce debt)<br /><br />Canning: Trade with more people that can; make: speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax<br /><br /><br />Be More Green:</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><span><br />Plant more ginger, herbs, lettuce ...<br /><br />Increase the number of LED lights in use.<br /><br />Better composting<br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><span><b>So, here is how I did in 2011:</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>2011</div><div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); ">Get an AARP card and use it. I did not do this. I guess getting an AARP card would make me feel really old!<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); ">Read a book that is not related to work. <b>Done.</b> Cobra by Frederick Forsyth, my favorite living author.</div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><br />Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game. <b>Done</b> So glad that I did! This year, I got the coaches phone number and registered my email address when I was at the game, so I hope finding out when it is for 2012 will not be a problem like it has been in the past.<br /><br />Seeing more COHS friends. <b>Done.</b> This continues to be one of the most rewarding things I do.<br /><br />Get more active: Hiking or swimming. <b>Nope. </b>I better do a better job in 2012.</div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><br />Improve our financial situation (reduce debt). <b>Yes</b>, but still have a long way to go.<br /><br />Canning: Trade with more people that can; make: speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax. <b>Yes and no.</b> Pam McKovich is big into canning and food storage. We are doing a lot together. I did no make spaghetti sauce, but traded with a friend that made some. I did not make soup and did not pursue freezing (in jars) or using wax.<br /><br />Be More Green: <b>Yes</b>, but there is always room for improvement. This year, we bought another Hybrid car and increased the number lights in use.</div><div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); "><br />Plant more ginger, herbs and lettuce. <b>No, </b>but I did plant two banana trees and a blueberry bush.<br /><br />Increase the number of LED lights in use. <b>Yes</b>. Very pleased with our progress.<br /><br />Better composting. <b>Not really</b>.<br /><br />Let fruit we grow not go to waste. <b>Did better</b>. Will never be perfect.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-71068531583005331542011-12-24T17:40:00.000-08:002011-12-24T19:56:35.180-08:00Merry Christmas 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZybTO5ZkeQTYo40xXnj1BJuNI5601L6CoA7Lto6-EJCXZCN2VDQcHpyCI8FUA3OfmnyXpW4o3Hi41z7HF_siurLEC8BXCyVGAIaYpV5Ny7jR4NCi71CLZ1xNd54sn_zwo6nU0opDFwWS/s1600/IMAG1296+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZybTO5ZkeQTYo40xXnj1BJuNI5601L6CoA7Lto6-EJCXZCN2VDQcHpyCI8FUA3OfmnyXpW4o3Hi41z7HF_siurLEC8BXCyVGAIaYpV5Ny7jR4NCi71CLZ1xNd54sn_zwo6nU0opDFwWS/s400/IMAG1296+%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689909898592328082" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas time is here once again. I want to let you, my friends and family know, just how much I appreciate and love you. </div><div><br /></div><div>A special note of appreciation to my nephews Carlos and Kike, who are serving in the Air Force of the United States of America. Carlos is in Okinawa and Kike is going through basic training near San Antonio Texas. Carlos is now a citizen of the US and Kike is on the fast track to becoming a citizen. There is something to be said for someone who chooses to be an American. Carlos and Kike, we are very proud of you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lila finished her first year at the University and hopes to graduate in about a year. Ceci finished her certification as a medical assistant and will return to school so that she may become a nurse.</div><div><br /></div><div>My brother Bob and got married to his girl friend Reva of 20 years. This year our extended family did a much better job of spending time together. </div><div><br /></div><div>I got to visit many long time friends, especially from school and Boy Scouts. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want to wish all of you, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-38629523942816635502011-11-21T19:45:00.000-08:002011-11-21T20:52:07.716-08:00Apple versus Android<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl6OrkHBDy7_ib-o6hkfeKzAct0qbpucBJZWgsCaROZlqW6mJ7s5D2fVc5SJZTL2L1dlEPF6R-KpgXG9wcEflPgNxWk_hzT8ggqAV85xI88JLx97_5lv92dCb9lnMEJ5s8w8ztgVSXLeC/s1600/ipad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl6OrkHBDy7_ib-o6hkfeKzAct0qbpucBJZWgsCaROZlqW6mJ7s5D2fVc5SJZTL2L1dlEPF6R-KpgXG9wcEflPgNxWk_hzT8ggqAV85xI88JLx97_5lv92dCb9lnMEJ5s8w8ztgVSXLeC/s400/ipad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677672035535091490" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div>I often get asked, especially by my family, what phone they should get, or what computer. I am waiting for someone to ask me what tablet to get. I wrote this blog entry to try and get ahead of curve for just once.</div><div><br /></div><div>When selecting a smartphone, one of the most important questions is what network will you be using. Where you are makes a big difference in the coverage you will experience. We live in East Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. In this area the major choices are:</div><div><br /></div><div>AT&T - I hear a lot of complaints from people on this network.</div><div>Metro PCS - Cheap, but we had lots of trouble with coverage.</div><div>Nextel - Great technology, but not being kept up. </div><div>T-Mobile - Lots of complaints </div><div>Sprint - Great coverage</div><div>Verizon - Great coverage</div><div><br /></div><div>I have the EVO 4G. About a year and a half after it was released, it is still one of the most powerful phones out there. It uses the Sprint network, which means that my data plan is truly unlimited. This phone uses the Android operating system and is made by HTC. I would have preferred an American company like Motorola, but one was not available without changing networks, which can be a real pain. The Evo 4g is a great phone. Verizon has an equvilant phones such as the Thunderbolt or Droid Incredible 2.</div><div><br /></div><div>The android phones are high powered, but not nearly as intuitive as the iphone. If you are a novice, but want a cool phone, pick the iphone via Sprint or Verizon. All the people that work for me and have iphones with At&t do nothing but complain about their service.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are things reasons I like my Evo 4G over the iphone:</div><div>I have had 4G right from the start and the slowest my phone goes is 3G.</div><div>I can replace my battery and buy an after market battery to increase the amount of time between charges.</div><div>I don't have to use itunes.</div><div>I can run flash.<br />I can upgrade the amount of storage space I have anytime I like.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lately I have been thinking a lot about tablets. I use an ASUS netbook. Asus is the company credited with inventing the concept of a netbook. It is basically a small laptop, with no DVD/CD drive. The Asus has a solid state hard drive, which makes it more durable and uses less power. Because it is so small it will run on battery power for over five hours and it fits easily, in my backpack and is easy to operate in tight spots like the middle seat of an airplane.</div><div><br /></div><div>Small size and long battery life are qualities that tablets are known for. I find that wow my Evo 4G has one of the largest screens on the market (4.3 inches), I am 50 years old and find it is often still too small.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want something larger, but I want it to be my phone too. I want it to fit into a shoulder harness so that it is out of the way, but easily accessible. A belt holster just won't do with a tablet.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two camps when it comes to tablets: the Ipad and Android tablets such as the Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Currently the ipad has over 70% percent of the market. They must be doing something really right and it is difficult to overlook this. The battery life is amazing compared to the Android tablets. The ipad is one beautiful machine. Still, the ipad has many of the limitations that the iphone does such as having to use itunes, it can't run Flash and you can't upgrade the amount of storage ...etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tablets come in two flavors: Wireless only and wireless plus a cell account such as Verizon running 3G. The difference means additional cost upfront, plus an ongoing cost just for using the tablet. Wireless only means it will only work when you are somewhere with wireless access unless you have what you want loaded on the tablet and that gets back to storage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some people say the ipad is too big and too heavy, but I'm not so sure. The older I get, the worse my eyes are, I start to think that it can never be too big.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still it is a pain that when you want to type that you loose half of the screen. If I carry a tablet, do I still need to carry around my netbook? If so, what is the point and why do I still want one? I want one that I can make phone calls with. I want to replace my smartphone and my laptop with one device.</div><div><br /></div><div>I should mention that the HP Web OS (Palm) is really great software, but I have the feeling that it is too little, too late.</div><div><br /></div><div>Microsoft gets a lot of praise for their Windows Phone 7, but they just don't have market share. Windows 7 is available on some tablets, in fact I have an ASUS tablet running Windows 7. I use it only for work. It doesn't need a wireless or 3G (4G) connection. Again Windows does not have a significant share of the tablet market, but you can never count Microsoft out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The above are just my opinions.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-69157031509777008192011-10-29T19:32:00.001-07:002011-10-29T20:50:24.979-07:00Wedding for a Special Friend<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-EW-QRom2viNcAtf0B_F9Bn4t4oRv6TE7gX1LBE8mQcUFFwvAG1DxXNodNTVVvkvJa7DNlfyHkG6SZAbWlJrgBmPDtqejcyHBFn6_2FsTYsQ-PHEk7cOETSC8UZ8fkQ5hBmEfrHYU-5b/s1600/Jamie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-EW-QRom2viNcAtf0B_F9Bn4t4oRv6TE7gX1LBE8mQcUFFwvAG1DxXNodNTVVvkvJa7DNlfyHkG6SZAbWlJrgBmPDtqejcyHBFn6_2FsTYsQ-PHEk7cOETSC8UZ8fkQ5hBmEfrHYU-5b/s400/Jamie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669124989610158338" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Today Jaime married Autumn and became Mr & Mrs Smith. We were invited to their wedding. I really don't know much about Autumn. The few times I have seen her, she has stayed close to Jamie and taken great care of him. It doesn't matter, because if Jamie has chosen her, then she must be pretty special.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have known Jaime since he was a small boy. Jamie, his brother Pedro (aka Shuman) and sister Mariemilia are the celebration of two great families, the Smith and Manrique families. When I first met Jaime, he was called Jaimeto. His brother Shuman was still breastfeeding and his sister would not be born for years to come. Jaimeto's father was called Jaime. Jaime was a very generous man. He helped many of family members (both on his side and his wife's) to have a place to live and find a job. Jaime was one of the most generous people I have ever known. He never had a lot, but what he had was yours. Jaime was always the life of the party. He loved to laugh and share that laughter with others. Sadly Jaime left us too early.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though Jaime and his wife Rebecca were divorced, Rebecca made sure that all of Jaime's friends and family where with him in his final hours. One thing about this amazing family is that when one falls or needs help, there is always one or more to step forward to offer support, or step in their place to move forward. Rebecca was never the life of the party, but she was always strong and loving. She kept her family moving forward and provided the love and support her children needed, but it didn't stop there. She is one amazing woman. This family is very big and very close. It is made up with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.</div><div><br /></div><div>So back to the wedding... Jaime and Autumn got married and there was not one dry eye anywhere. Jaimeto has cancer. He has been battling cancer for some time now. He has been in a wheel chair for years. This is a marriage made of the purest love. </div><div><br /></div><div>When it came time to speak about the newlyweds, and propose a toast. One family member stepped up to the plate, each to be overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. First was Jamie's younger brother Shuman. He mention that his brother has had a rough time. He broke down, but immediately, his sister came to him to support him. She expressed her love to the couple. She mentioned how after her father passed away, that it was Jaimeto that stepped into that role for her, but it was too much for her as well and she broke down. Jaimeto took the mic to express his gratitude and love for his friends and family too, but the emotion overwhelmed him as well. Their mother Rebecca took the mic, followed by their grandmother. "This is not a time for tears ...". This family does not know the meaning of defeat, but they do know the meaning of the word "family".</div><div><br /></div><div>Over thirty years ago, I was first invited to this family's house for Christmas eve. Only two people in this huge family knew me and they did not know me that well but we worked together at a hotel. They brought out a huge bag with one present in for each person, including me. I was shocked. This family took me in to their home and treated me like one of their own. To this day, I feel a special connection with them. They are part of my family. Jaimeto, I am grateful to you and your family in ways you can never know. I love you very much and am grateful that you included us in our wedding. You are a shining example of what family means.</div><div><br /></div><div>May God bless each and every one of you.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-37576553528325651532011-10-15T16:06:00.001-07:002011-10-16T10:06:10.733-07:00COHS Water Polo Alumni Match 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtXDf6rAfqx2319h1Fz3rEM-xbBaSX8iHOKZkVSBFhFYiZCz5SL4ppnELXc-cGFcmYstRWL26GCqX3ONsEh1IbFQn37b8AU0Vod2YZfRi3p4nyvHYQTrh-xXx-EX9VqXKQzMGSTDLtn8w/s1600/h2oPolo10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGQ95xN1eJGBXTwOlzUBDnyFD4L9pxYkQ3r96gD-Mvb2GRgA2XcBsgRAQ3EigkUV4EUjMMiEkm_-QJ_K9R07vlzNsfYhosAv91PJmWZG2Fsr0v9ITdLs-3FRYK63y6LHXKnZ0r_OD6t9W/s1600/h2oPolo1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGQ95xN1eJGBXTwOlzUBDnyFD4L9pxYkQ3r96gD-Mvb2GRgA2XcBsgRAQ3EigkUV4EUjMMiEkm_-QJ_K9R07vlzNsfYhosAv91PJmWZG2Fsr0v9ITdLs-3FRYK63y6LHXKnZ0r_OD6t9W/s320/h2oPolo1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664136762187125554" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I had to come down to Southern California for work, so I extended my stay by a day so that I could get together with my classmates at our Pizza Night, which was great. For some reason my wife insisted that I stay an extra day and not worry about coming home until Sunday morning. She said that I don't get to visit my friends from school very often.<div><br /></div><div>Friday morning Diana (Cobos) Campbell gives me a ride from Anaheim and we go directly to Charter Oak. I want to know when the alumni match will be. In the office, the lady says that they have not set the date yet, but gives me the phone number to one of the coaches. I call and leave a message on his voice mail. About 10 minutes later, he calls back and explains that the match tomorrow (Saturday) at 10:00am. What a lucky break. </div><div><br /></div><div>With less than 24hours notice, I get my phone and start calling friends. Cobos calls her brother. I post a notice on Facebook and we put the word out. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibTCidK8wJGdnDFU1UoyBHhKpZn4kMIuAioKoPfYCPJMgWqhiruSRSoF4vtNnXorP43_ffVwCak8TfJFPWso-X-KYr9eKkjcv4AYbCaoN1TWCSj4y2TbkNpSvT4j-PZNMElvaq80FHv5T/s1600/h2oPolo6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibTCidK8wJGdnDFU1UoyBHhKpZn4kMIuAioKoPfYCPJMgWqhiruSRSoF4vtNnXorP43_ffVwCak8TfJFPWso-X-KYr9eKkjcv4AYbCaoN1TWCSj4y2TbkNpSvT4j-PZNMElvaq80FHv5T/s320/h2oPolo6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664137040105819842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Craig "Gumby" Schaeffer and myself are the only ones this year that can play. Eric Schubel makes it, but it recovering from an injury, so he and his son are there for moral support as well as Inez Schaeffer, Diana (Cobos) Campbell, Pam McKovich and her son Hunter, Steve Brady and others.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtXDf6rAfqx2319h1Fz3rEM-xbBaSX8iHOKZkVSBFhFYiZCz5SL4ppnELXc-cGFcmYstRWL26GCqX3ONsEh1IbFQn37b8AU0Vod2YZfRi3p4nyvHYQTrh-xXx-EX9VqXKQzMGSTDLtn8w/s1600/h2oPolo10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtXDf6rAfqx2319h1Fz3rEM-xbBaSX8iHOKZkVSBFhFYiZCz5SL4ppnELXc-cGFcmYstRWL26GCqX3ONsEh1IbFQn37b8AU0Vod2YZfRi3p4nyvHYQTrh-xXx-EX9VqXKQzMGSTDLtn8w/s320/h2oPolo10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664137258902579442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This year things are a bit different. They are charing $10 for alumni to play, which is fine. The money goes to help the water polo team. Craig and I are smarter than we were two years ago. Then, we warmed up rather well. Too well. By the time the game started we were already tired. We had spent too much energy warming up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another difference is that instead of one huge alumni team with about 25 substitutes, we are split between those that graduated in this millennium and those of us that graduated in the last millennium. This is a serious concern for us older folks. We are going to have to play a lot more as our team is much smaller.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both Craig and I started. We like to think that we did no harm. We substituted in and out throughout the game. During one play, I passed the ball to Craig and he scored. Chalk up one for the geezers! At the end of the fourth quarter, it was tied. We played one more period and managed to win the game 21 to 20. That is the same score we won by last time we played, two years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great game. We were all puffing and wheezing, but we pulled it off. Hats off to COHS varsity water polo, especially number 9. We may have won, but they played a full game before they even played us.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you all next year and hopefully we will have more time to prepare and more Lancers from the 1970's. Maybe coach McNeil will show up, who knows?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-85993469320650315502011-10-15T16:06:00.000-07:002011-10-15T16:28:51.324-07:00COHS Water Polo Alumni Match 2011I had to come down to Southern California for work, so I extended my stay by a day so that I could get together my classmates at our Pizza Night, which was great. For some reason my wife insisted that I stay an extra day and not worry about coming home until Sunday morning. She said that I don't get to visit my friends from school very often.<div><br /></div><div>Friday morning Diana (Cobos) Campbell gives me a ride from Anaheim and we go directly to Charter Oak. I want to know when the alumni match will be. In the office, the lady says that they have not set the date yet, but gives me the phone number to one of the coaches. I call and leave a message on his voice mail. About 10 minutes, he calls back and explains that it is tomorrow (Saturday) at 10:00am. What a lucky break. </div><div><br /></div><div>With less than 24hours notice, I get my phone and start calling friends. Cobos calls her brother. I post a notice on Facebook and we put the word out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Craig Schaeffer and myself are the only ones that make it to play. Eric Schubel makes it, but it recovering from an injury, so he and his son are there for moral support as well as others such as Inez Schaeffer, Diana (Cobos) Campbell, Pam McKovich and her son Hunter, Steve Brady and others.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year things are a bit different. They are charing $10 for alumni to play, which is fine. The money goes to help the water polo team. Craig and I are smarter than we were two years ago. Then, we warmed up rather well. Too well. By the time the game started we were already tired. We had spent too much energy warming up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another difference is that instead of one huge alumni team with about 25 substitutes, we are split between those that graduated in this millennium and those of us that graduated in the last millennium. This is a serious concern for us older folks. We are going to have to play a lot more as our team is much smaller.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both Craig and I started. We like to think that we did no harm. We substituted in and our throughout the game. During one play, I passed the ball to Craig and he scored. Chalk up one for the geezers! At the end of the fourth quarter, it was tied. We played one more period and managed to win the game 21 to 20. That is the same score we won by last time we played, two years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great game. We were all puffing and wheezing, but we pulled it off. Hats off to COHS varsity water polo, especially number 9. We may have won, but they played a full game before they played us.</div><div><br /></div><div>See you all next year and hopefully we will have more time to prepare and more Lancers from the 1970's. Maybe coach McNeil will show up, who knows?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-84751001120692545342011-10-14T23:05:00.000-07:002011-10-14T23:31:27.909-07:00COHS Pizza Night<div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P-HDSotOloI8r2Vuk48XLf5snUdqTB5-0U0d58BzAsKr2N6zm_u5C-Klw4T_T4f5LLnio1_75OFuZU3QN6qeK5jRMVZW_IJT4E4jAyPW7NSCrM7dB7I38kh90Kna7LQ4pmAU7_TMMvEB/s1600/IMAG1166.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P-HDSotOloI8r2Vuk48XLf5snUdqTB5-0U0d58BzAsKr2N6zm_u5C-Klw4T_T4f5LLnio1_75OFuZU3QN6qeK5jRMVZW_IJT4E4jAyPW7NSCrM7dB7I38kh90Kna7LQ4pmAU7_TMMvEB/s320/IMAG1166.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663598236684800722" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Before I get started about the Pizza Night, our hearts go out to Deann (Call) Lent, her family, friends and neighbors. She lives in Seal Beach. On Wednesday a crazed gunman entered a beauty salon and murdered eight people. Deann's son goes to school with the boy, whose father did the killing and the mother who was one of the murder victims. Deann, our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.</div><div><br /></div>We have been doing COHS Pizza Nights for a few years now, but this was absolutely one of the best. We had a great turn out including two of our teachers:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8GuxTHZh00ksI88YRbeUCbeM8gzRate_ccaBHpvTlnTmLSDgjqdrUD-Ce2tfZHtUZIPGn8U7fHuFv-CCK4TTHJRexjyvBseRtgRpSrwyAXmonkBy8h8Sh4AgjMc_XNq4Q-BWL-kR9AuZ/s1600/IMAG1170.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8GuxTHZh00ksI88YRbeUCbeM8gzRate_ccaBHpvTlnTmLSDgjqdrUD-Ce2tfZHtUZIPGn8U7fHuFv-CCK4TTHJRexjyvBseRtgRpSrwyAXmonkBy8h8Sh4AgjMc_XNq4Q-BWL-kR9AuZ/s320/IMAG1170.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663598506798899458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Mr. King was our music teacher in 8th grade at Sunflower Jr. High. He was so cool. He was into racing cars. He dressed more like us than your normal teacher. He introduced many of us to the Beatles for the first time. We explored what kind of music we liked. We did not sit in rows, instead we sat in a circle where everyone could see everyone else. It was so great to talk about music, cars and our times in school with Mr King and he could not have been more gracious.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JFcHX2rWMasch8F1ffoAwM3uV5A63IJtUX8bhWG6IbsJQZKUiX18iN9jbxK3IDWbfX8sVIbPmB8BolgcnlwhidXRvsb0T902w-YYRoTtEKLtjORirTsfn6gTgmFGh07ybzXirtNPX5TT/s1600/IMAG1165.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JFcHX2rWMasch8F1ffoAwM3uV5A63IJtUX8bhWG6IbsJQZKUiX18iN9jbxK3IDWbfX8sVIbPmB8BolgcnlwhidXRvsb0T902w-YYRoTtEKLtjORirTsfn6gTgmFGh07ybzXirtNPX5TT/s320/IMAG1165.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663599714557897042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px; " /></a><div>Mr. Hall was my German teacher for all four years at Charter Oak. I was born in Frankfurt Germany. I immigrated to the US when I was only a year old. No one wanted to learn German more than I, yet I had a tough time. On my first vocabulary test I got a "D". This was devastating. I did not give up and Mr. Hall never gave up on me. After high school, I would continue to study German for 3 more years in college. Mr. Hall is actually Dr. Hall. He received his PHD during my senior year. A special thanks to Pam McKovich, who arranged Mr and Mrs Hall to attend our pizza night. It was very special to be able to spend time again with him after so many years.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a larger than normal turn out. Not everyone who thought they could make it did, but quite a few did show up who didn't think they could. My brother Dave was able to attend our gathering and it is always nice to see him. We had a number of first timers. I hope they felt welcome as we all share a special bond.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eric Schubel is normally part of our group of regulars. He was recently in an accident, but after four days, his injuries have not improved. He decided to go to Urgent Care. We wish him a swift and full recovery. Eric says he will be at the alumni water polo match tomorrow. He won't play, but he will be there to cheer us on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to everyone who made this such a special evening.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YL7oHK1XzuOuv4xfwxr-zEDKJamFzGe_1a0DFJwzIW8COGGzGF5MhaGcANnFt-QKsPYt_QMVxOPOqLxTrnHJEZ75VtieBPrb2y0osIo3GsZb2Itm3BqSwAR0GOZLQauDIoV-uSaPKcCz/s1600/IMAG1167.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YL7oHK1XzuOuv4xfwxr-zEDKJamFzGe_1a0DFJwzIW8COGGzGF5MhaGcANnFt-QKsPYt_QMVxOPOqLxTrnHJEZ75VtieBPrb2y0osIo3GsZb2Itm3BqSwAR0GOZLQauDIoV-uSaPKcCz/s320/IMAG1167.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663602337758724210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px; " /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-60082038791547440882011-08-12T21:59:00.000-07:002011-08-12T23:36:18.127-07:00Bob and Reva's Wedding<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSMt3xhBv3_EUmbgMg63KmJ2-vgVZaAt0szyR2snaJ8bPN5_YiYbaURAeXI9mZhwgvEcuv3_zPjUzEKBJ-a7gm5c0o7S323z1q5I-R-Gu2ruT_Fr_m20RYRT7Ki9PO5nTWenfNL5VLGIr/s1600/IMAG1101.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSMt3xhBv3_EUmbgMg63KmJ2-vgVZaAt0szyR2snaJ8bPN5_YiYbaURAeXI9mZhwgvEcuv3_zPjUzEKBJ-a7gm5c0o7S323z1q5I-R-Gu2ruT_Fr_m20RYRT7Ki9PO5nTWenfNL5VLGIr/s320/IMAG1101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640217076231519842" /></a><div>
<br /></div>My brother Bob has had the same girlfriend for twenty years. They have been living together for most of this time. After these years, they decided to get married. They honored me by letting me officiate their wedding ceremony. I'm not a minister or anything, but in California, a couple can petition for a one time license allowing a friend of family member to perform the wedding.<div>
<br /></div><div>The paperwork was not moving fast enough. I received a call from the San Luis Obipso court. They informed me that there would not be enough time to finish everything, but I could go into the court and get sworn in immediately. They said they were open the Friday before the wedding, but I decided to drive down the day before with my wife Carmen. We left early in the morning and drove straight to the court house. I figured it didn't make any sense to tell Bob and Reva. It would just stress them out. I would take care of it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Carmen stayed with the car and I went in. I raised my right hand and swore to protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It was very exciting, I thought that any moment they would give me a helmet and a rifle. Then I had to swear to protect and defend the constitution of the state of California as well. I was ready. If anyone tried to overturn Prop. 13, I would whack them over the head. It is interesting that the swearing in ceremony really had nothing to do with marriage. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9i9aIByNwWmVYbBhbPtRzNwUquDN293s0nEwqHWZuSehymearbRCpGcNskgrXX4Jyo_FG2IZS7XceM4ASw7yNZw9lRU_Z3Hstb30b1ZAv_rvDesb4Tz7UokFo_eyOf0ZV95Y7RJ36AKN/s1600/IMAG1080.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9i9aIByNwWmVYbBhbPtRzNwUquDN293s0nEwqHWZuSehymearbRCpGcNskgrXX4Jyo_FG2IZS7XceM4ASw7yNZw9lRU_Z3Hstb30b1ZAv_rvDesb4Tz7UokFo_eyOf0ZV95Y7RJ36AKN/s320/IMAG1080.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640218301438268002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px; " /></a>
<br /></div><div>We checked into our beautiful hotel, the <a href="http://www.royaloakhotel.com/">Best Western Royal Oak</a>. Our room was great. That evening we enjoyed the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Farmer's Market. The best Farmer's Market that I know of. It takes place in the evening. They shut off several blocks in the downtown. It is much more than a Farmer's Market. It is a huge party, complete with Barbecue, Live Music and more. We bought lots of fruits and vegetables. More than would fit in my backpack. Our eldest daughter asked us to get some Kettle Corn, so we got a big bag of it. For dinner, Carmen enjoyed a Tri-tip sandwich and I had 2 beef ribs. We both shared an ear of grilled corn and a dessert to die for. It was a chocolate brownie, with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce. We were stuffed!</div><div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdd0A1oqkGfJLXAoL_vqTYaaF7vKAFd-361ZA0Ji6mDqBq6SPnVO3Z4I8jdIOzSewCE8X0ZhVZzJTgHLqPmRKAAs6xF3M2k-QtpuIEMMEmjb6uwflQmph1PtUYT3MDRDVFMrvtaPVkJn5/s1600/IMAG1087.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdd0A1oqkGfJLXAoL_vqTYaaF7vKAFd-361ZA0Ji6mDqBq6SPnVO3Z4I8jdIOzSewCE8X0ZhVZzJTgHLqPmRKAAs6xF3M2k-QtpuIEMMEmjb6uwflQmph1PtUYT3MDRDVFMrvtaPVkJn5/s320/IMAG1087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640218748615891682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px; " /></a>
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<br /></div><div>The next morning, Friday, we woke up to beautiful weather. We had breakfast in downtown SLO at McClintocks. This place is an institution. We were joined by our very good friend of many years, Susie Norris. We chatted catching up and before you knew it, it was time for her to go.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We headed back to our hotel and enjoyed the hot tub. Next was lunch time, which meant that we were going visit our friend Jennifer in Templeton. We brought the fixins for strawberry short cake. Jennifer was ready with a delicious lunch of homemade tomato soup and garlic cheese bread that was to die for. I should mention that she has two of the cutest 6 year old twins you could imagine and they kept us entertained the entire time.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR-xASwSlyBPow86zjWZ957hpmHbKLxGw0_AVV51tPtUfVZViePyFNJL-OBfntG1sHP-JQ6PNIQOVjc6hn7bVWHORBtcHdoji_YH5wwSyTnU2F4ueKgjOwmwmKU8GzsnAQumJhwQx75JQ/s1600/IMAG1095.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR-xASwSlyBPow86zjWZ957hpmHbKLxGw0_AVV51tPtUfVZViePyFNJL-OBfntG1sHP-JQ6PNIQOVjc6hn7bVWHORBtcHdoji_YH5wwSyTnU2F4ueKgjOwmwmKU8GzsnAQumJhwQx75JQ/s320/IMAG1095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640217379248318386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>As we approached early evening, it was time to get ready for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. While Bob and Reva live in a lovely house in Morro Bay, they have rented a beautiful ranch for the wedding located in Los Osos. This is fitting, since our last name is Bear and Los Osos is Spanish for the Bears.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEngh6r4QPTzyDS7egaUt2pw6xWdvVvaWLS2dl40d8X2ZY0KivRqWf27xfhg3-kuWjiRhc6u6cgFiLcXYhweNYKhdhgQZPZLQknqxYLFzMhEhyphenhyphenqL0REmcoBuXhoPHl8tN3OH5jhU6nn5-/s1600/a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEngh6r4QPTzyDS7egaUt2pw6xWdvVvaWLS2dl40d8X2ZY0KivRqWf27xfhg3-kuWjiRhc6u6cgFiLcXYhweNYKhdhgQZPZLQknqxYLFzMhEhyphenhyphenqL0REmcoBuXhoPHl8tN3OH5jhU6nn5-/s320/a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640219404511426498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 160px; " /></a>
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<br /></div><div>Our eldest daughter has rode down with my youngest sister Becky and my Dad. Lila is in charge of the music. Our youngest daughter Ceci had to stay home because she has classes all day Saturday, and she took care of Carmen's Parents who are 91 and 83.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2Yc2Vc6NuqtnbFK5P6UPaRqug99SwKcyp8GxbDyRizqgeqGJjdiqfb7D2hHYgox6GLSwyU2UFIx3BuJAp2g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Reva is working so hard to pull off the perfect wedding. Our two families come together for dinner after the rehearsal for the first time We get along perfect. Reva's best friend, Katie has hire a wonderful Mariachi Band, and we all enjoy the music thought the evening. We have a fantastic time. The families have become one.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwrKtFU7uAhEYZCrjW7yXFcEIJZJYRNb9D4IHtPmwAwX7Hs56yK9EpclR4ijHokJrIVlgr21nAb4F33ElwSwQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next morning we get up bright and early to help prepare for the wedding. Reva is like a little tornado working so hard. It is time for Carmen and I to get ready for the wedding, so we head back to our hotel room to shower and change. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>As I am getting dressed, my cell phone rings. It is my cousin Mary. She asks if I am around the family. I tell her no, the only person here is Carmen. She pleads with me not to tell the family, that she does not want them to worry. I assure her I won't and she tells me that they have been in a car accident. The car is totaled. I ask where is she, she tells me the name of the hospital, but does not know the name of the town. I look up on my phone and sure enough the hospital is in Templeton, same exit that we used to visit our friend Jennifer.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I drop off Carmen at the ranch, and head up to Templeton. I have Carmen tell everyone that their car has broken down and that I have gone to pick them up. The wedding is supposed to be at 4pm, it is now after 3pm. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>At the hospital, I find the only person that is unhurt is my aunt Joyce. She was sitting in the back of the VW Van with her seat belt on. My uncle Puzz was the first to be release. He has cracked ribs and a knot on his forehead the size of a baseball. Both of his elbows are bandaged. I check on my two cousins, Mary and Christine. The doctors are still working on them, so my aunt suggests that we go to the vehicle and get their belongings. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Fortunately, the VW Van is only about five minutes away, but you never realize how much stuff you have in a vehicle until you have to take it all out. We head back to the hospital. The doctors finish sewing up the forehead of Mary. Christine looks like she is in rough shape. She is laying in bed in the fetal position. She has cracked ribs as well. The doctors give her a shot of some sort of pain killer. It must be some amazing stuff, because before I know it, she is walking and later that night would be dancing!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We head back to the wedding. They have a room booked in Morro Bay. We get to the junction. Left is the wedding, right is their hotel. They are all in a lot of pain. The slightest bump in the road causes my uncle to moan. He is 85 years old. They choose the wedding. To me this is the greatest complement that anyone could pay to Bob and Reva.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The wedding starts 2 hours late, but then again it could not start without me, could it? It is a beautiful wedding. Katie's daughter sings so beautifully. It could not have been more perfect. Everyone has a great time and it is all over way too soon.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>My cousin Hank was not traveling with his family. He came down by himself. He gets his family back to Sacramento.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Bob and Reva, we love you very much and wish you a long and prosperous marriage.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwtGupQnvrTHjzHEeU4tf_Ob2pETxuk7uGrhR2BsPFxO7bmsH3bm5se5n8Yvl8p_vP8-yziL6doXWrQCb4aHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-7388903621736567172011-07-01T22:57:00.000-07:002011-07-01T23:01:57.368-07:00Preparedness Reminder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vURNoA8TdA1OIIcCaun28FhNT1-OMdi_hSia1cwdg4e5qTU_vUSgiCwwqVmO-65lc8gjEpaZoPuaB64_iRFL3ENZuhwGk0YJYDkcB_miGPiTyzOPRFuLzspT_40ENA_lL-JDfjJDWQZS/s1600/266353_1643303063007_1849770113_1035522_7584580_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vURNoA8TdA1OIIcCaun28FhNT1-OMdi_hSia1cwdg4e5qTU_vUSgiCwwqVmO-65lc8gjEpaZoPuaB64_iRFL3ENZuhwGk0YJYDkcB_miGPiTyzOPRFuLzspT_40ENA_lL-JDfjJDWQZS/s320/266353_1643303063007_1849770113_1035522_7584580_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624631229959721682" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">A couple of months ago, we sold our RV. We had not taken a trip in a few years. To be exact, we had not taken a trip since the price of gasoline had shot past $2.00 per gallon. Years later, gas is between $3.00 and $4.00 per gallon and there is no reason to believe that it will ever go below $2.00 a gallon ever again. The RV got between 7 and 8 miles a gallon. That means that if we get 8 miles per gallon and gas is $4.00 per gallon that it costs us $.50 per mile to travel. That is a very expensive rate of travel. Many times it would be cheaper to drive and rent a hotel room.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">There was another reason for selling the RV. The economy sucks and like a lot of people, we needed the money.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Besides recreation, there was another use of the RV, that I had appreciated, but not as much as I do today. That RV was also our preparedness kit. The entire family could live in that RV if we needed to. It had drinkable water, a shower, toilet, 2 sinks, clothes, back packs, food ...etc. The RV even had a generator. So why do I appreciate the value of the RV as a preparedness kit more today than any other day prior?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Earlier this week, it rained. Here we are in California, famous for our great weather and yet it is raining in June, almost July. I can't remember when this last happened. The good part of the rain, is that all of my rain barrels are full, and that will come in handy later as you will see. The bad part is that at work we lost power at about 3pm in the afternoon. This is not good for a technology company, that prides itself on providing the best customer service in the business. We rely on a phone system that requires power, computers that require power, servers and support databases ...etc. that all require power and we have none. Did we have battery backups? Yes, but they don't allow you to operate for very long.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I was thinking about when the power goes out at our house. We no longer have the RV and it's generator, but that is no problem. We have a standalone gasoline generator. I thought about what other ways I have to produce electricity. I have an inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter that has two outlets. In addition, we have oil lamps, LED flashlights, radios that operate on batters, solar power and cranks. At home we are in pretty good shape when the power goes out.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">That brings us to today and our subject today is water. This morning just after we had all finished our showers, some idiot ran over a fire hydrant. The water flowing out was threatening to flood some local businesses, so the cut the water off. The area affect was pretty big. So we have had no running water from 9am until about 9pm this evening.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The first thing to do in any crisis is to evaluate your situation. In our case, we started by checking what we had in the way of water. At our house we have two types of water stored. First, we have rain barrels. They are all full, but this water is not good to drink, but it can be used to flush the toilets. Toilets are important! We have two toilets and seven people live here, so we have plenty of water for our toilets, in fact we offered to provide rain water to our neighbors for their toilets as well. The second type of water we have stored is drinking water. We keep old plastic milk jugs full of water.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Recently I was reading that plastic milk jugs are not ideal for storing water. A much better option is plastic soda bottles. The second thing I read recently is that you should store one gallon for each person, per day for two weeks. We did not have that much water stored, but there is the ice in the freezer and the water in the hot water heater. This is a big advantage over the hot water on demand systems.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Next, task was to see where we could get more water. My sister-in-law lives about ½ a mile away, so we went to her house and she had water. We filled up every water container we could quickly find. Outside, we have two water containers filled with rain water. When someone wants to use the toilet, they take one of the containers of rainwater to refill the toilet tank after it is flushed. Our toilets are low flush toilets. One uses 1.7 gallons the other 1.5 gallons a flush. As a guy it is pretty easy to take a leak outside. We have lots of bushes. Enough said.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">During the day, we found more water containers and set up a system of providing water where it was needed throughout the house. As we discovered more water containers, we collected them together and were prepared to make a second water run at the end of the day. The assumption was that we would not have water when we woke up in the morning.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">We do have other backups, for example we have two different water filters designed to filter water when camping.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Both the power outage and the water outage, were a blessing in disguise. It made us think about our preparedness status. We thought about what changes we should make so that we are more prepared for the next time we have to deal with a crisis. In California, we all assume that some day, we will have a huge earth quake, called “The Big One”. We need to be ready for the Big One! So in the case of water, we are going to collect and fill 2 liter plastic soda bottles with drinking water until we have enough for one gallon per person for two weeks.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Water is just one of many things we must be prepared to provide in a crisis, so we won't stop there, we are analyzing our food supplies, camping supplies, clothing, transportation and alternate places we can go in a disaster, such as relatives houses. We no longer have our RV preparedness kit and we need to fill that void.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Let's be realistic, Democrat or Republican we can not afford to trust in our government in the time of crisis. Katrina taught us that lesson.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-90722761145465838762011-05-22T22:27:00.000-07:002011-05-24T23:27:34.905-07:00Vacation 2011 with Dad<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7FCbKwq1YkXv4se5n54loJxuP5LW4pdAezyUd5bmo12Rb3akfA39KOjdakouXnv7qScTjea55LxgHOxQy4xfD__JOtH7FS8s-G7VjERcZzpRd6lOJu5alEWue_PDDDILfh5oLhShIh7g/s1600/IMAG0828.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7FCbKwq1YkXv4se5n54loJxuP5LW4pdAezyUd5bmo12Rb3akfA39KOjdakouXnv7qScTjea55LxgHOxQy4xfD__JOtH7FS8s-G7VjERcZzpRd6lOJu5alEWue_PDDDILfh5oLhShIh7g/s400/IMAG0828.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610522008484852498" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div>My dad (that is Grandpa to a lot of you) and I had been talking about going to the Grand Canyon for years now. The original plan was to ride mules to the bottom, but that plan really never worked out. My dad called me earlier in the year to ask "When are we going?" I decided at that moment this was the year to go, so I made all of the arrangements.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">I started by driving down to Southern California, and spending the weekend with my friends from school. We had a fantastic time. We did not normal Pizza gathering. This is nice, because the group is small enough that we can all talk to each other. I enjoy the regulars such as Gumby, Eric Schubel and Cobos and others, yet each time there are people who have never come before. In this case, Steve Brady was one of the people I grew up with, play little league baseball, swam and played water polo. I had not seen him since high school. We also had a couple of others that had not attended before including some from the class of 1975 (Debora Coffey) and even someone from Royal Oak!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZvF5MAFB1gQd_0RA6UpsHpDINyG2aV5jx0SRmmVcOPDLTxL7qGH1Myn4ZHmQQualEja1Wm6VAimKROAPx9JogLLuR3NMa2r66iWpCIJEFXkxAWEk-rkQkfLypjCWx7Hm_lWfz3yiBRwU/s320/IMAG0804.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Beside the pizza gathering I managed to visit the Renaissance Faire and even a birthday party for someone I did not know. There Gary Dahle's wife, Judy was performing. How cool was that? Did you know that Cobos could juggle? Now you do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-jWlGX3fPDoM9vhTaiYWOOSoXDEFmbujhts7cptvhe_YJHYFHbwkHIEZYw7h1tPniGgnXZBSle1_fKJ-aEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Monday, I drove up to Las Vegas and Checked into the Golden Nugget. It is the longest running four diamond casino resort in Las Vegas. It is in the older downtown section, but what a beautiful place and what a great value. I love the pool with a slide that goes through a shark tank!</div><div><br /></div><div>I picked my dad up from the airport and we enjoyed a nice dinner and went to bed. The next morning, we were off on a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. My dad knew about this, but what he did not know was that we would be picked up in a stretch limo. First Class all the way!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL_VY3559LtFDMddxWMQxml9zMN04aDEru4qFXGlS1xsHQIlgQBgmkd5Z6U1gil-6OwJlwlRrPFd8oN2l-5WyCeqc1E3Q7MmUZyAQubchuNPrJed-JrjFIkM8YeekGpELbm2lTQJB0QhV/s320/IMAG0850.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is pricey, but worth it. These memories are ones that we will cherish forever. I had never been on a helicopter before and my dad was only on one in the military. He said this was a much nicer ride. We flew over Hoover Dam, and saw where the Colorado River emptied into Lake Mead. The water from the river is very muddy and the lake is blue. Where the two come together is beautiful.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ugSpxzDk7sVLw2YttGSxSsic69P-ejKKC7T7CIFB-fhbgO3wBAL0y-r055DeqaCgVT2N0GpDjV6t8mAAdmdBmwnjfOm7iJLCNYu6g-1mtg6OaVklCJ9pZggkLVIP6tHLn-080xpwwnl-/s320/IMAG0819.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The tour covers the West Rim and while I have been to the Grand Canyon before, it has always been at the South Rim. I was not expecting too much. I knew that the Grand Canyon was a national park and therefore protected. What I did not realize was that parts were owned by Native American tribes and that the tour company had business arrangements that allowed us to fly over, into and land in the Grand Canyon.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was amazing. We landed and they served us a Champagne Brunch. I was not expecting more than a snack and my dad had no idea at all. The brunch was served in individual picnic baskets. I wish I had taken a picture. Imagine two Bears and they give them picnic baskets! LOL</div><div><br /></div><div>I knew we would land, but I figured it would not really be in the Canyon. It would be on some private property close by, but no, we were inside looking up at the canyon walls and the river was not far below us.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxiCzCEi8VQricenpDW1FbFHde9NVc0lKQ2GcgFuuDM4uX4klVyUmv006lewVzyWh6HVnnRjDKuwr6GJTLrN6abERQN1IxxyIVaJ5b35_tBP2CXMrTNSTgVExjR1yxPRK2QwRblTiP3bR/s320/IMAG0831.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Before too long, it was time to return, we took a different, but equally stunning route back to the airport that included flying over the length of the Las Vegas strip. On way back in the limo, we say Batman!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHXIOSymSmdjQ_4rmGr2N_juDDGvQK86mi5KvLnDNTyJe1S_Lj3qxT3uxZA8thmmEMqbJHv_gvTTMK8ttgEHPHc1QuTj7diADGiYYoEFQiQj2TrU3R4aj1OUOgP7BSJ8_tgQ5CJO4028h/s320/IMAG0848.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Back at the resort, we went swimming and yes, my 72 year old dad went down the three story slide though the shark tank. What a fun place!</div><div><br /></div><div>My dad treated me to dinner "The Steak House" in Circus Circus. Who knew that something that elegant and delicious would be hidden in Circus Circus? Well, my dad did. Best steak dinner ever!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC6QO_cWsNSyDkZbAoqRXSjwXdXj0iKQyzMDcJ_PhQfHyDBxP6uMbAAUrrCSElBKXP8or5I4-9KRuOvkPaj9zMqwOzRjaoVVRftAX-o8h709RwdWou_U2voZ_VM1Gufu6VmKw3mayoGpd/s320/IMAG0852.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We finished off the evening with the Penn & Teller show. Next to the Beatles Love show at the Mirage, this is my absolute favorite show in Las Vegas.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we drove from Las Vegas, across the new bridge over Hoover Dam, around the West Rim of the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff Arizona. We stayed a nice enough hotel, it was a 2.5 star property. After we checked in, we checked out the meteor crater. That evening we went to Black Bart's for dinner. That was my surprise to my dad for dinner, that night. What is so special about this place is that besides having great food, the waiters and waitresses get up and sing and dance like in the old western movies!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSH5E0zoAgijnVMaoN_vppyy4xjB4-Y1rAJgPLq2wuwN0beSxO444WBs_dpSSBpXzsGTiP_MX6_YHh2wSqSZXUgYBEsrKQicKVZmzzRUR8kjOi0gLgtGw38I7OCjniHP0_CGGdBC7uSqG/s320/IMAG0863.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning after breakfast, we made our way up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for a different experience, a different view of a different part of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is deeper and wider than the West Rim. It is the part of the canyon that is most often visited. It was beautiful and we enjoyed a picnic in the shade of the canyon. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EqtmuN5UtDmrmcp-Ml085V938Bv2IDULjps8rN2ImdJmcIJ3k6u2OnjFGmIZHsVIhiLPe1N9Hl6RsYCHwMwf-uT4tK82VtKGoKollHRztsy4XK-hjlUxK06fCKcGdPiGhamJLcqj0YFU/s400/IMAG0872.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>While at the South Rim, we enjoyed a number of different vistas, and had a couple of close up encounters with Mule Deer. They did not seem to be afraid of us at all. This perhaps because they have rangers armed with guns protecting them. These animals are truly beautiful and the South Rim is Magnificent.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ivm9C0zDlc5KvSPxkhJtQkQZv0es2PF_HrYiaSCKrA0KWBWpoWuRs0xn8Y0Z4u-AMpGDgAc-ibradit4qBvnFFrfVRBSXdnVqjmk9TZI3UXVapOYLcnoB5glNp9jyma6f46zB22DqHXQ/s320/a.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We finished the day by driving back to California and spending the night of Cinco de Mayo at the Americas Best Value Inn of Blythe California. I was very pleased at our accommodations and found their website for booking reservations to be very easy to use and helpful. I chose Blythe because we did not want to drive too far on any one day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday morning we are up bright and early. After breakfast we head off to Indio, California. Date capital the USA and stopped at Shields to enjoy some dates, pick up a Mothers Day present for my mom and get some dates to bring to the friends we were about to visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Millers live in Palm Springs. My dad had not seen them in close to 35 years, yet when we lived in Southern California we saw them all the time, were in each other houses. We were in Boy Scouts together, along with the Browers who made the drive to Palm Springs. All of these people are like family to us and it is a shame that we allowed so many years to pass without seeing each other. We did however try to make up for lost time. The Miller's are such great hosts. That soup was delicious. We enjoyed our afternoon with them and the Browers talking about old times.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4lo2Dzuq_d4COkajHT7OunTs-MXGaPynoOcQIoVDcdsNC8z5Uvh7Q8DVUdzv2zIV_bQ9O-cQmRjoU1qSi-FXftKaAorr-MJdH1F-js8mEhGMw02-JGH2g5MECYvK8VsetMFwhgOO952u/s320/IMAG0884.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>From there, we managed to cross the LA basin without too much traffic to have dinner with my brother David in Sherman Oaks. It was good to see Dave. Dave works in the film industry. Since he lives so far, we don't get to see him as often as we would like. We need to take a picture next time we visit him. After dinner, we drove through the Grape Vine and spent the night in Buttonwillow.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we got up bright and early. Had a McDonalds breakfast in the car while we drove home. It was the only time we stopped at McDonalds. We got home, by noon the day before Mothers Day.</div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoy spending time with my dad and this trip will provide fond memories for many years.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-33198730575374180152010-12-30T20:38:00.001-08:002011-01-01T19:27:34.968-08:002011 New Years ResolutionsFirst let's start off with how I did with last years resolutions:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Resolutions for 2010:</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game. Failed. We did not know when it was. Need to set up communication with the coach.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Seeing more COHS friends. Yes, and it was wonderful!</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Keep another 5-10 pounds off. Nope, I think I am the same.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Get more active: Hiking or swimming. Nope.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Get more active: Helping other people. About the same.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Improve our financial situation (reduce debt). Significant improvements, but still have a ways to go.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Canning: Trade with more people that can; add to what I make: salsa, speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax. Did salsa, relish and Chinese pickles and two types of pickled peppers in addition the the normal canning of pears and jams. Did not do spaghetti sauce, soup or anything like that. Also did not freeze or can using wax. </span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Be More Green - this is way to general so I want to accomplish some of the following: Did a few more things, such as hook up a 205 gallon water cistern to collect rain water.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Plant a tree - No</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Plant more vegetables: tomatoes, onions and garlic, ginger, herbs - Did tomatoes, onions, garlic, but ginger. Herbs did not work out well.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Increase the number of LED lights in use. Yes, several.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Better composting. Yes</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Let fruit we grow not go to waste. About the same.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><b>Resolutions for 2011</b></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Get an AARP card and use it.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Read a book that is not related to work.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br />Play in the COHS alumni waterpolo game.<br /><br />Seeing more COHS friends.<br /><br />Get more active: Hiking or swimming.<br /><br />Improve our financial situation (reduce debt)<br /><br />Canning: Trade with more people that can; make: speghetti sauce, soup. Add to methods of canning such as freezing and using wax<br /><br /><br />Be More Green:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /> Plant more ginger, herbs and lettuce.<br /><br />Increase the number of LED lights in use.<br /><br />Better composting<br /><br />Let fruit we grow not go to waste.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-70910432938931002472010-12-27T10:20:00.000-08:002010-12-27T19:05:51.060-08:00Bucket ListDecember 28, 2010 I turn 50 years old. Inspired by the movie with Jack Nicholson, I have decided to write my "Bucket List".<div><br /></div><div>Eat lunch with Laura (Tamura) Harris and Kim (Charles) Byrnes.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Travel - Take the trans-Siberian railway. Visit Australia and Africa. In Africa visit Egypt and Kenya and go on Safari (shoot animals with camera).</div><div><br /></div><div>Take a train to Chicago and back.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Go to the Grand Canyon with my dad.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Get my picture taken crossing Abby Lane.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take a cruise to Alaska</div><div><br /></div><div>Swim with dolphins</div><div><br /></div><div>Travel the Amazon</div><div><br /></div><div>Live off of the electrical grid. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have my own well in the back yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have an electric car.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a waterless urinal installed at my house.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a composting toilet in the Back Yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pay off my house and owe no money.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be an extra in a film.</div><div><br /></div><div>Harvest a bison.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grow Bananas at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Write a book, that is not a manual.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perform with a band (not just singing)</div><div><br /></div><div>Perform Standup in a Comedy Club</div><div><br /></div><div>Buy nothing for one week and eat from the food that is stored at home.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Buy nothing for one month and eat from the food that is stored at home.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Make a significant difference in the life of a total stranger.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-1033177775055715742010-12-13T19:17:00.000-08:002010-12-13T20:11:32.604-08:00But I'm Not 50 Yet!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03d_RARCI-kPrg1MaH33AgEsHPQNarJrqe4nNqRLaR79XFZYg5F3Lab4Kg_uH-hM3ZxOyWoYRLYytIrLa5QpRtzptMH3Uv5XxlYjGN6RTn4uopgjOH2g_6A3712wixRmHPPTyCqIAwSwe/s320/IMAG0447.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550372639823976418" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>After attending a a biker wedding, I got back just in time to get cleaned up and go to the Roundtable in Ontario, California. I was in Las Vegas the prior week and instead of flying home, I decided to visit my high school friends in Southern California.<div><br /></div><div>The idea is that I post that I am going to be at some pizza place and about 15 people show up and we eat pizza and have a good time going down memory lane. Each time there is some sort of surprise. This time would be no exception.</div><div><br /></div><div>Debbie Watanabe is someone I never knew. Debbie is David Watanabe's little sister. I never knew he had a sister. Turns out that my little brother David and her were very good friends. In fact they found each other via me on Facebook. So, Debbie says that she is going to come to have pizza with us and that she is going to bring Donald Hoffman! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYI7TFhroR5hZkRdIRn3KhOYwlUXBLmgBN4xWO9qWJwtAc114Qo_jHwj4BdK_1jdlk_A_DcSj4mFlQecxCDTLK9YVU8gmt7p5QuDvZ52CdsdULtJTud5C3vbVh4tATC5EDCByoD2V3Cm7u/s320/IMAG0443.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Hoffman family lived 4 doors down on the corner. Each of the kids names started with the letter "D". There was Deann, Dell, Duane, Donald and Danielle. Donald, now Don and I did everything. We played, fought, laughed, cried, built forts, flew kites, rode bikes and got into trouble whenever possible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Donald did now know that I knew that we was going to be joining us. I had also looked at his picture on Facebook, so when he popped in, smiled at me and extended his hand for a handshake, I looked in his eyes and said ""Donald Hoffman". He could not believe that I recognized him. I could see "Donald Hoffman" in his eyes, but I confessed that I had been tipped off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the coolest things I remember about Donald, Duane and Dell is that one day, their dad bought Navy surplus bunk beds, that were bolted to the wall. They were three high. When you are a boy, there is nothing cooler!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back to Debbie, she is as wonderful as she is beautiful. It is hard to imagine her brother David sitting on her so she would not change the channel on the TV. In fact, if we had known how pretty she was, David would have been treated like a king in high school.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Deann Call Lent arrived with her two youngest sons, her husband Tom and her mom! Her mom was so cool, I really enjoy meeting the parents after all these years. It is always special when Deann can attend. She lives so far away and has such a large family, it is amazing that she can fit us in. We are all grateful to the reunions that she does so much work on. Deann has been married three times, but I must say that the in her case, the third time was the charm. Tom is great, and really should be an honorary Lancer. Tom does not get just the customary handshake, Tom gets a great big bear hug. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My brother Dave, who had not responded to my message asking if he would be able to attend showed up about 30 minutes later. That was a great surprise and he and Debbie and Don had a lot to chat about.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two of my closest friends are Cobos and Judy Zeiter. They were both there. In fact, I can't remember a pizza event they have not attended. Cobos brought Logan, her grandson. I have known him since he was a bulge in his mommy's tummy. He is such a good kid and always manages to steal all the attention.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrkasq3hqNz4QR4gos_8iaZfXg0ljeqjA721TxFW2-3bLXM_NKSOkuzaIG-aecgHEx_8NtMvqN5OSJZQfzL3xai1lJ2uv2uyNQWuRQx7YrNnVVH-rzv2fRkE0ojdKQjujfeuCUBjDDd86/s320/IMAG0446.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This evening, Cobos and Judy were up to no good! To my surprise, they came ready to celebrate my birthday. What a surprise that was. Gifts, Cake, Cards and all. I keep thinking about Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The old man kept exclaiming "...but I'm not dead yet!". John Cleese would respond, "You aren't fooling anyone!". I wasn't 50 yet, but apparently I wasn't fooling anyone, especially my friends...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4fbLN3P9CYTPyeeueotFk3nnbIj6Dvv6waz30AiwRAlazuMSCWzrSlIdNi5eyyoxeMS30SadcY0r2wDYT2BKYDq_PQgstI97681ewLEhwgsHzAZRqJrPFidacF5Pce6DvSJhIVfvC4US/s320/IMAG0452.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399741070407727764.post-56133149678251198582010-12-11T22:55:00.000-08:002010-12-13T19:25:51.163-08:00Biker Wedding<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzcVvLKcxp124Hyr4vRVCmM8Uzc35eDiNQUIGQ7eTQrF_fxpPYjwyKmO-GF63nS28Mlcax1QxOUC6jH2BZf-Dab9KlIWTxNaPOpUHIMmduU6dgIcSzfmZ49DtXGxKmmsnppiFf2M1RUe3/s1600/IMAG0432.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzcVvLKcxp124Hyr4vRVCmM8Uzc35eDiNQUIGQ7eTQrF_fxpPYjwyKmO-GF63nS28Mlcax1QxOUC6jH2BZf-Dab9KlIWTxNaPOpUHIMmduU6dgIcSzfmZ49DtXGxKmmsnppiFf2M1RUe3/s320/IMAG0432.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550360415199514530" /></a><br />David Miller was in the same boy scout troop that I was in. Troop 477, the "Eagle Machine". All of our families were close. Dave was several years younger than I was. Our family moved away the day after I graduated high school. At that time, Dave was shorter than I and was a clean cut kid just like his parents.<div><br /></div><div>When we had the Boy Scout reunion, the Miller's were on the road and were unable to attend. It was a case of next time you are down here, let us know. So I did, only to find out that David was getting married on that day. I had dinner plans and had started some lunch plans, so I thought perhaps we could get together for breakfast, but honestly, the day of a wedding is so hectic. </div><div><br /></div><div>I just let the lunch thing die, but I didn't tell anyone. I decided it would be a surprise. I could not get anyone to go to the wedding with me, but a good friend (Cyndi Riggle) loaned me her car. The wedding was scheduled to start at 1pm, but they were going to wait for David's nephew who had to take the SAT test that morning, so I decided to show up just before 1pm. </div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I did surprise them, attending a biker wedding was an even bigger surprise to me. You see, David had become a biker. He was now taller than I, with long hair and a long beard. He had taken the nick name of "Bear", which I thought was an excellent choice!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVl__IJ4dIkmBxZQ8ukh4iZ-iNlyaKRHEQcUBqaHHWL6ea-qXeZVIJbTk2UXhtwduraH1NN7LQ91_L3dERWg5Gq0Ii5VhVCt32lMqj03AV000VG4ZPv4q-wrndzDxh9Gw_GKMfu_xnKK-/s320/IMAG0434.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was old not to wear a suit, so I wore a dark blue polo shirt and blue jeans. The wedding party was dressed in black shirts with their biker club emblems and patches. They wore jeans, chaps, leather vests and knives in some cases. There were a lot of tattoos and some piercings. Despite the picture you might paint in your mind, everyone was happy, polite and respectful. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxBaZZGUXU9_fp4OyHc2HyHolBVOD8khC1bhdUR9Mgb6Eog7sMG4Gb2ofduADRbPZfgYozgmdNWB-WydeQOeg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I was there for the wedding ceremony, photos, dinner and the cutting of the cake. Like all weddings it started late.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0RmhWUGOE0idTukm28IjySdI-DdaenDe3ahkllqfzlx2WDIjTT1rxSqpGfGE-HKC7y0gwDR-vxGJt0ew6eg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed seeing my friends from childhood. David and his parents Eleanor and Charlie. When it was time to go, there were hugs and kisses just like any other wedding, but the most important part .... David is truly in love and is a very happy man.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2_z8sxGWSw3kxwyCRARGyRSuPmH6KAtFdWDCFV7XXh2C9yV7LsaD6zG2SF2LX24gEhi0kIg5ONJIdpWlGOGAuhQSowd7lWGgmPMdzWYgn01ZGV7fAMOqYssRh0PtZwrQ4GvHmFlZ7gb6/s320/IMAG0437.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I wish him and his bride a long and happy life.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0