A time to share

Friday, January 30, 2009

Chambers Bay



(Click images to enlarge!)

Opened just over a year ago... been hearing good things about it...
The U.S Open Championship will be played there in 1015.
Mike and I went to Chambers Bay on Wednesday. In a word, Spectacular!
I told my wife later about how much fun we had and how great the course was. She mentioned, "How can it be so wonderful as you say, when there are no trees on the course!?"
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess. You have to be a golfer to appreciate the interesting beauty of a place like Chambers Bay. Unlike any course in the area. Beautiful landscaping, challenging terrain, and picturesque views. We had a blast!
The course is basically out of my normal price range. They want about $150 to play the course and caddies are encouraged. I am a cheap so and so... 70 bucks in January is still a steep price and a caddie, haha... no way, 45 bucks and they also want you to pay a 25 dollar gratuity! Ha! Who they kiddin'? Not me, I just wanna golf baby!
We walked the course and like I said, it was a Sweet January day, no wind, no rain and a little sunshine. Perfect.
I shot a 95 and should have been about 7 strokes better. That's golf.
Situated above Puget Sound in Pierce County. Chambers Bay was built on an old rock Quarry.
Someday I'll find a deal on a chance to play here in the summer months!

Prune This


Every year it's the samo samo...
These wonderful fruit trees need pruning.
Notice how tall the "sucker" branches are. Those are the ones growing straight up.
This year was interesting as we just had a nice 1 inch dusting of snow!

This shows of the tree after being pruned.
Notice no more tall, gangly branches!
This will allow more nutrients to go to the growing of the fruit!

For him who has eyes to see

And for him who has ears to hear!
The truth be known, and the truth will set you free.
It's all about control, controlling you and me and our money.
The U.N want's to control the U.S and dictate to us things like how much energy we can use, what kind of car you can drive, how many children you can have.
We are headed towards something like having energy credits and how many you can buy. Al Gore has a huge financial stake in this... SO DO YOU! Wind power, Solar power, all good ideas, bu tlike the mass appeal of recycling, they will cost more to implement than they are worth. They will require Government subsidies to keep running. Who pays for Government subsidies? YOU and I do! Think how absurd that is! You will be taxed (pay) to keep these things running and also have to pay for the use of it.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Positive Feedback

We all need it, positive feedback that is...
I have been wondering about the magic I performed last Friday for the 11 year old b-day party.
I felt like I didn't make a connection with the audience.
Last night and tonight I spoke with two adults that were at the party. They both gave me positive affirmation of the event!
One fella told me that two days later they were still talking about many of the effects I did, bewildered by them. Especially the trick with the red and white rope! (Acrobatic Knot's)
I spoke with the father of the boy tonight, he said, "Timmy, you wouldn't believe it, Jeremy is reading the book(Joshua Jay's Magic, The complete course) and has cleaned a whole area of his room with cards and coins all over and is practicing the coin roll!"
I guess one could say that is positive affirmation!
Still no pictures from the party.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

To The Head of The Class-Less

We as a nation elected a leader who is the head of the class-less! Yep, Barry Obama.
Did you notice during the inauguration "his" people chanting Na Na Na Na, Good bye... as President Bush left the podium? Or the many Boos they gave him?
Class less acts and very childish, Like 5th graders taunting another child.
Head of the classless, look who elected him. Homosexuals who rant about their lack of equality as they parade themselves semi clad in our streets proclaiming how great they are and how intolerant, and bigoted everyone who disagrees with them is.
In actual fact, they are the bigots and intolerant people.
Look at the Benediction given by the "esteemed" Rev. Joseph Lowery during the inauguration. (Printed below in it's entirety)
How racist! The blacks in this country claim that white America is racist, when the truth is, they are the racist people in today's America. Simply read the last paragraph to see who is still racist. I emboldened for you.
All the white folks I know don't give a hoot where a black man sits on the bus, but I do notice they cannot let go of their "blackness." In fact they rub your nose and face in it any chance they get.
They cannot seem to let go of the past, and the fact that some of their ancestors were slaves. That they were slaves does not make them evil, the slave masters were the evil doers. Now though, they do evil to themselves by becoming slaves to their own misery and minds. They enslave themselves with their hatred and bigotry.
The bible tells us that God can and does use evil for good.
A prime example of that is the evil of slavery that brought the black race to this country. Do they see any good from that evil? Where would they be today, those that prosper in this great nation if "whitey" hadn't brought them over here?
Would we have a president Obama? Not likely!
Head of the classless, I say again to describe Obama. His wonderful mentor Bill Ayers was turned away from the Canadian border, not allowed in recently. Wonder why?
He is a terrorist, and never gave any sign of remorse. Just the opposite actually, wishing he could have blown up more.
Classless is a man like the "esteemed" Rev. Wright, another of Obama's mentors.
Who preached, "God Damn America."
I say God bless America and the they should too. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, God allowed Joseph to be taken captive and a slave for the good of the Israel nation.
Could it be that God allowed the black man from Africa to be taken captive to America for their eventual betterment and perhaps the betterment of others?
Without a strong America, where would the Rev. Wright be able to preach his hate filled rhetoric!?
Ironic how the black man in America, and the homosexual call the white man a hate monger. The only hate I hear is coming from their skewed world view.
The only one holding them back is the man in the mirror!
Any excuse will do! Play the blame game. The woe is me mentality that will keep them hitched to their own lost ideals. Victim status that never ever seems to get any better.
Funny how we only "see" through the lens of our own upbringing.
I could use the "victim" card too. My mom, having been married about six or seven times and my dad at least six. I whine and cry about my lot in life, but I don't. I made the best of it, learned to enjoy my life, my wife, my children and am thankful for my wealth and health.
I could drag up the old baggage of my childhood days when I was beaten by my older brother and sister on many occasions, and my mom drank alcohol too often, and we had many family "feuds" that ended recklessly and "enjoy" wallowing in it, and remain in self pity and woe!
I choose to move forward and to not dwell on the past.
An old rock band made an album called "Living in the past."
Recently they went on tour and named it "Living with the past."
I think that is an appropriate way to deal with one's past. Learn to live with it. Quit wallowing in it and get on with your life!

It is the black man who refuses to let go of racism, not the white. They teach it to their youth as a mantra.
"The man" made the black man do cocaine. It's the "man's" fault.
Again I say, walk over to a mirror and look in it!
You will see the only one who has made the choices that have put you exactly where you are today.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself and start all over again!

You got one life to live, so live it in peace,live it in truth,live it in love!
I can only pray that Obama moves toward the right as he finds out the truth.


Text of the benediction by Rev. Joseph Lowery during President Barack Obama's inauguration, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:

___

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou, who has brought us thus far along the way, thou, who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee.

Shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand true to thee, oh God, and true to our native land.

We truly give thanks for the glorious experience we've shared this day.

We pray now, oh Lord, for your blessing upon thy servant Barack Obama, the 44th president of these United States, his family and his administration.

He has come to this high office at a low moment in the national, and indeed the global, fiscal climate. But because we know you got the whole world in your hands, we pray for not only our nation, but for the community of nations.

Our faith does not shrink though pressed by the flood of mortal ills.

For we know that, Lord, you are able and you're willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds, and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor, of the least of these, and from favoritism toward the rich, the elite of these.

We thank you for the empowering of thy servant, our 44th president, to inspire our nation to believe that yes we can work together to achieve a more perfect union.

And while we have sown the seeds of greed — the wind of greed and corruption, and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other.

And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance.

And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.

Bless President Barack, First Lady Michelle. Look over our little angelic Sasha and Malia.

We go now to walk together as children, pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone.

With your hands of power and your heart of love, help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid, when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Curioser and Curioser

Haha..
Sometimes it is just being made humble.
I did a birthday party magic show last night for someone I work with, yes it was a paid gig.
I practiced my effects for several days, neglecting to work on the Vanishing Bandanna as it is a very simple effect.
Well, that is the one I messed up!
It is a simple comedy routine and it was comical!
I'm pretty sure they didn't know I messed up, but to me, it was very frustrating. You can nail all your effects but one and that is the one that you will think about the most, aren't people funny that way!?
I used to play a lot of sports, I could go three four four in baseball and play stellar, but also make an error at shortstop, and that is what I will think about all night long. I guess that's the way people improve?
I struggled to make a connection with the kids, there were about seven or eight children, all boys except one girl.
Later I got to thinking about it, it was a good show, but I think the boys are at an age where they can't show their emotions in front of each other. Like, hey, you're not going to fool me. Funny, but their facial expressions tell the truth. They were fooled and paying attention!
Funny how simple things are admired, like a ribbon spread on the table, and then making the ribbon flow like a wave back and forth, or a simple fan of the cards and closing the fan one handed. A reverse fan showing a deck of blank cards.
The round "O" of the mouth when a wand penetrates a metal cup.
You never know what is going to be someones hot button when it comes to magic!
As an aspiring magician, I need to be aware of the affect some of the "simple" things in magic that a non magician finds fascinating. When one becomes fluent in something it is easy to forget how magical some things can look.
I think it important to acknowledge comments when they are made. Sometimes I am so "busy" setting up for a "move" or the next phase of an effect, that I don't "hear" a spectator's comment. I hear it, but glide right over it. This is somewhat disrespectful to them and doesn't endear them to you. We need to learn to pause and say something to them. Pausing is important in magic as in life. In music, without pauses, all you have is noise. The same can be said about magic, slow down, enjoy the moment, PAUSE and let the MAGIC register with your audience!
Last Tuesday I enjoyed some time at our Bigfoot Clown Alley meeting. A friend of mine, Leslie Thyagarajan was invited to perform his brand of magic and to teach some as well.
Leslie was well received. It did my heart good to have him come and enjoy the evening!
He rocked the house!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Couldn't Wait

For better weather, it's just like that sometimes around here...
Growing up in the Pacific North Wet, you just gotta learn to deal with it!
If you've lived here for any amount of time you know I am talking about the wet weather, yes, the rain!
We have had lots of water coming down from the heavens in various forms this winter season. Snow, snow and more snow. More snow than I've ever seen here. I enjoyed it!
But then the rains came with warming temperatures. Flooding began, rivers overflowing their banks and making a complete mess of things. I laugh at us puny humans trying to contain and control these wonderful waterways. We try by strange methods, Cutting down mass amounts of trees to build homes and erect great expanses of concrete and asphalt parking lots at gigantic stores. Where do we erect these great buildings of commerce? In the hilly areas? No, we put them in the old flood plains that were once designated as refuge sanctuaries, that is until our elected officials decided to change the rules (In mid stream!)to get more tax revenue.
Anyway, I digress, what I enjoyed was golfing yesterday! Yep, got out and flogged the balls around.
Mike and I ended up playing at Auburn because it was about 29 degrees at Druidsglen and they hadn't "tarped" the greens. The last couple of years the management at Druidsglen has been having the grounds crew cover the greens with tarps in the evenings, that way, the next morning, they could remove the tarps and the greens would be playable. Guess they thought the "worm had turned" and the weather would stay warm.
Regardless, Druidsglen was unplayable so we drove to Auburn... Hahaha...
It was underwater!
Well, not all of it, but it was an interesting sight!
I had a blast sloggy my way thru mud and muck. Truly, the water changed the course. It was pretty magnificent to see. Coulda used a row boat to take us to our tee shots on hole #7.
Mike had a great round in the 70's. I shot about an 83, parring the last five holes. My putter was awesome, the rooster tails were splendid!
I gotta learn to bring my camera. It was too cool!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Arrived Safely!

Ryan and Marcus arrived in Boulder Safely on Friday.
They had a good trip and the only set back was at the beginning on this end. They headed out about 12:30 on Wednesday. The Snoqualmie Pass was closed because of avalnches. They had to turn around and head South on I-5. A more round about way. They got a little lucky because no sooner did they get thru Chehalis, then I-5 was closed right behind them. Water over the roadway. Lots of flooding around here.
They spent the night with soem friends in Boise, Idaho, arriving about 11pm.
Got up early and bee lined it to Boulder Co.
Safe is good! Car held out.
Right on!
Hope his new life is all he hopes for!

Britain's Got Talent

I have a strange sense of humor...
I actually thought this was funny!
Fell down laughing, laughed out loud!
Reminded me of a little girl that had dinner at our home several years ago!
I think she was in the third grade, made me look like a piker!

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Be Safe

Got woke up early yesterday, I had asked the wife to wake me before Ryan left. I thought it would be around two pm because he wasn't getting his vehicle from the auto shop til afternoon, or so I thought!
But she woke me around 11:30 am. after 4 hours of sleep. Middle of the night you might say!
The truck was loaded and ready to go. Stuffed is a better term!
He decided he didn't need to tow a trailer. All his stuff would fit in his Rodeo.
Well, that isn't exactly the truth. A lot of stuff is still in my basement. Like a double bed, a nice road bike, a nice BBQ in the garage, and many other odds and ends.
Guess he'll buy bed in Boulder!
His friend Marcus chose to take on some of the driving with Ryan. That is right on!
There plan was to take Interstate 90 to Boise Idaho, spend the night with some friends and then a long trek to Colorado.
The weather has been extremely wet lately. Rain has been described in the paper as a deluge. That, coupled with all the snow has made for some treacherous roads.
They headed out about 12:30 but had to turn around because Snoqualmie pass was closed due to avalanches. That cost them about two hours and a longer, more circuitous route.
Spoke with him about 10:15 last night and they were about an hour away from there Boise stop!
What an adventure!

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Tomorrow's the Day

Wednesday is upon us and Ryan is almost ready to drive off into the sunrise, (he is heading East)...
Debating whether to rent a trailer or try to pack his stuff in his Rodeo. My 2 cents worth is to rent a trailer.
He had an oil change today and they checked his brakes... bad news, good news.
Bad news is his brakes are shot! Good news is he didn't find that out while driving over some slippery, wet mountain pass on his trek to Colorado!
Bad news is, he has no money(he quit his job a few months back) good news is, his mom and dad will bail him out! Hey, I've been hearing a lot about bail outs lately! :)
Ryan's girlfriend, just back from Colorado for her last two quarters at the U.W. (Yeah!) Came over to spend time with Ryan before his departure.
We took them all out to dinner at El Caporal. Our favorite Mexican restaurant.
We had a good time, don't know what came over my wife, but I liked it!
She got silly and let her "hair" down, as the saying goes! Really got playful. It was a riot!

We got a nice phone call today from Eric! It was kind of weird to answer the phone by saying, "hello?" and to hear your son calling from Iraq. It is thrilling and a moment of weird emnotions! Mostly good but still, it takes you a moment to realize that this is real and he is on the other end of the phone.
Everything o.k? is another thought that quickly and silently runs through the mind.
Sometimes I don't know what to say or talk about. We talk about small talk. Just to be "cnnected." About Christmas, the New Year, the weather, it is really cold in Al Asad at present, crystal cold, no change.
Eric is due to come home to the states in April. This is good news to us! He was scheduled to stay in Iraq until June. I wish he was here now. He is my son, I love him, I want him safe. He keeps us safe. That is a strange turn of events!

Monday, January 05, 2009

Two Weeks Later and...

lots has happened!
Christmas came and went!
Had family times. Snow all around! it is beautiful!
Ryan spent some time with us, that is a treat to have him home and time for him and Katie to do some bonding!
It's been cold out, the snow took a long time to disappear, funny how people are...
Always wanting a "white Christmas" then getting one and complaining about how much trouble the snow is. Ryan and I enjoyed hot tubbing in the inclement weather, we spoke of this weird phenomenon that is people never being happy. It always rains, it's too hot, it's too cold etc...
We decided that we live in a very cool place in our world!
New Years eve found me at home with just the wife and I!
Katie was celebrating with a friend and Ryan was at a party with his church people!
Happy New Year! 2009! They are cruisin' by!
Ryan got the job in Boulder Colorado, so he is planning on driving there this Wednesday, this is a bad time of year to be heading over so many mountain passes!
We spent some time moving him out of his Seattle house. All his stuff found it's way into our basement. He is planning on renting a U-Haul trailer to tow behind his Isuzu Rodeo. I spent several hours getting his vehicle in better running condition.
Changed spark plugs and wires. Replaced a head light and a rear blinker light! Fixed his driver side mirror.
He is going to get an oil change and filter too.
Hope all goes well!