Thanksgiving Post 2014

Thanksgiving 2014

As we finish preparing the mashed potatoes,

load the car, make sure all the doors are locked and

ready ourselves for the short trip over to my sister & brother-in-law's house, some things that are going on in our house have caused me to reflect a bit.

The sound of hip-hop music coming from my daughter's room.  Seems like yesterday she was born and now she's already a sophomore.

The sound of my middle child, now 13, using an electric razor.  Again, it seems like he was just born and now he's shaving?  Wow.

Finally, the sound of my youngest, now 10, running into the office to tell me about a play in the NFL game, where the Eagles fumbled the ball, a Cowboy player picked it up and advanced a number of yards.  He understands the game and loves to watch them.

Sometimes seeing him mature hits me harder than the others, because he's the youngest.  But,what can you do?

What you can do is enjoy them.  Enjoy your time with everybody, if you can, because it is so fleeting. I try to live by that, but I know I come up short.  So, we start over and try again.


To me, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite of all the Holidays.  It's really the pause before Christmas season gets into full swing.  I'm reminded of great dinners at my Grandmother's house, at my parents' house, at my brother's, my sister's and at my sister-in-law's. 

I hope that you all have a relaxing day with friends and family, and that you have time to pause and soak it in.  It will be over in a flash.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I am planning to.

I'll finish with a Haiku.  Normally, I make up silly ones to laugh about going to the dentist, or something else, but today this one is not funny:

Thanksgiving Haiku

Turkey and Stuffing;

Friends, Family and Fellowship; 

Live, Love, Share, Forgive.

New Post for Veterans Day

My Poem Dedicated to All Veterans:

Selflessly they heed the call,
No matter the outcome, they risk their all;


Mountain, desert, water or sky,
Some return, some die;

Words can't explain what it is they give,
Dear God, we pray they all live;

Into the valleys they charged,
Onto the beaches they barged;

They flew the skies,
They heard the cries;

Heat filled days,
Frozen nights;

Sounds that bring death's shroud,
Silence that was so loud;

Without them, we aren't free,
All veterans, I salute thee........

Big, Bad Bikers Who Cannot Do Arts and Crafts plus Q-tips

Mean Looking Bikers

I was out and about today for work, which took me to our San Bernardino office to pick up some materials for a presentation/meeting next week.  As I left the office, I knew I was low on gas, so I headed towards a gas station.  As I'm sitting in the left turn lane waiting for the light to change, off to my left, I see a very large man on a Harley Davidson motorcycle (Road Glide?)  A nice one.  He was replete with a sleeveless, black leather vest with his "outfit" named on the back.  So, I make my turn.

I kind of lost track of the guy, until I ended up behind him in line at the cashier, a few minutes later.  Yes, I know - I should have paid at the pump - easier & quicker, right?  You might be thinking, well "he needed his Twix".  I normally do - but not this time. 

I wanted something to drink, after all it was 100 degrees.  So, I went inside and spent way too much time obsessing about what to get, should it be 12 or 20 ounces, etc., until the guy somehow managed to pull into the parking lot, get off his bike and make his way into the store and end up in front of me. 

Anyway, as I'm only about a foot or so behind this guy (I stay just close enough to dismay those who would cut in line), I notice the name on the back of his vest:  "Chosen Few".  Okay, I get it.  We're mean.  We're select - not just anyone can join.  But....what I don't get, is that this had to be the shoddiest work I had seen in years.  I mean, if you are trying to look sharp and possibly look intimidating, make it clean and professional.  Instead, it was bad..worse than bad.  I could see the pencil marks where he had traced the letters (albeit shakily) - and then, when he cut them out, he couldn't even do so accurately. 

He was so "scissors-challenged" that he didn't even attempt to cut out the middle of the "O", nor the top of the "A".  Seriously man?  You couldn't have vended out that work?  I've seen kids working on their communion banners at church (we've put three through the class) do a much better job. 

I'll give it to the guy, he did look mean;  He hit all the stereotypes of the rough biker;  he was big, he was buying cigarettes, and when he left the parking lot, he was blasting some kind of gangster rap that caused some of the other patrons to dance at the pumps (I'm not even going to go down that road).  He fit the bill of a tough biker...but the logo just didn't cut it (yes, that is a horrible pun...so what?  I laughed).  In the end, he was undone by his lack of arts and crafts skills.  I guess the bigger they are, the harder...okay, may the harder it is to make small, intricate cuts with scissors?  Hmm. 

Q-Tips

This one has been bugging me for a while, but I didn't think it was a topic for writing about - but, here we are.  I admit it, I have used Q-Tips.  I'm guessing that most of us probably have.  It's just that they aren't talked about much (for a good reason!), but, from time to time, I see a "stray" Q-Tip in a place where one should never be. 

Let's be clear, in case anyone still does not know this:  Q-Tips (unless in an overnight bag or in your luggage) should really NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE.  There is no reason they should show up (just one, lonely, messed-up looking swab) at a park, or laying on the ground near the back door at work, or on the side of the street, nor anywhere else we go in public.  I guess I'm going to have to break out a "Dear So-and-So", which have been sparse lately.

Dear anonymous/gross public Q-Tippers:  Let's leave 'em at home.  It's for the good of the country.

Say it Ain't So....

Just when you thought it was safe to watch TV or YouTube again, this guy is resurfacing.  Be afraid, very afraid.  I guess any annoying kid with a helium balloon can be famous. 

Post Road Trip Post

Northern California

I had a great time on our recently-concluded road trip to Northern California.  I had never been to Bodega Bay, nor Carmet (not Carmel, but a small town just North of Bodega Bay), but it was a great place to get away from the heat (103 degrees in Chino the day before we departed) and to relax. 

The sun didn't come out, and I understand that when it does the area takes on a completely different look - but we were okay with it.  Misty evenings and mornings were fine by us.  I finally stopped checking emails and went back to reading the Brad Thor book I brought with me.  After all, isn't the purpose of a vacation to relax a little? 

 View from the deck of the house:

 A photo taken from the beach near Carmet:

 
 I've already written about the drive itself, so I won't get into that again, but suffice it to say, my whole family had a great time.
 
San Francisco 

Our day trip to San Francisco (really to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf) turned out to be very fun.   I think the family (wife, daughter and two boys) all enjoyed themselves.  I have put some pictures up of some of the sights we took in. 

I had a great time as well, and was able to get back to what I do best (worst?):  Annoying random people, while I laugh. 

One of the best (although it was last chronologically) came while we we driving up Hyde Street to reach Lombard.  Traffic had stopped and a lady decided she would go into the middle of the street and take a picture of her son (20's?) - with the ocean as a backdrop.  I leaned out of the driver's window as far as I could until I was ensured of an excellent photobomb (complete with mouth wide open with a stupid grin and arms waving).  Mom didn't notice.  Son did - and he laughed.

The second and third (both captured in pictures) came when we stopped to eat.  The first was at Chipotle, and occurred while my daughter was going to pick up her food, after her number had been called.  I decided I wanted to sit down, but there was little room - except for one seat/stool, which was right next to (and I mean RIGHT NEXT TO) a man and his wife.

I sat down - too close (ya think?).  It is possible my shoulders touched his.  He leaned away.  His wife stared at me.  Then my daughter walked up, and I convinced her to go outside and take a picture of me from the vantage point of the sidewalk.  Wife became very annoyed.  It's hard to see in the photo, since there is a reflection of a young girl, but if you can look through it (I put a red circle around it to help), you will see the look the wife is giving my daughter.  My daughter and I laughed.

The next stop was In-N-Out, where my wife and boys were ordering our food.  It was packed.  We tried to stalk for a table, but gave up after awhile with no success.  I finally found a spot (albeit tight) to sit down.  Again, a crazily-small spot on a stool, which made me completely wedge in between two patrons.  I sat down - not enough room.  So, I spun around and had my daughter take my picture.  The two tried to ignore me - pretty successfully too - as we snapped the shot.  Anyway, we laughed again.  My wife was a little embarrassed, but she laughed too. 

These trips go so fast and become memories before we know it, so I wanted to make sure we all had fun. 

That we did.  Thank you San Francisco!




Alcatraz:

 View up Hyde:

 

 Lombard Street

 Golden Gate Bridge as we left:

The Cure for What Ails You: ROAD TRIP!

Road Trip!

It's been a while since our family has taken a real vacation.  For many years, our annual vacation was a week at Doheny State Beach, but we have not been there in over two years.  Other than a quick, long weekend run to Lake Mohave last year, we haven't had a full family vacation.

I put in for the week of August 18-22 off from work, but we really hadn't made plans as to where we were going to go.  I wanted to make sure we went somewhere, because a week on vacation at home turns into a week of working around the house and checking work emails.  I wasn't up for that.

During a meeting several weeks ago, a work colleague offered up his family's house for several nights.  It is situated on the coast, up by Bodega Bay (North of San Francisco).  I was stunned by the very generous offer, as was my wife.  Absent his offer, I don't think this vacation happens.

Anyway, we planned to take off early (originally 5am, but that didn't happen) Sunday morning.  We woke up around 5 or so, loaded the car, cruised through the drive up ATM and then pulled onto the freeway around 6:20am.  The sun was just trying to peek over the horizon, but it was still dark out.  It was a perfect way to start a road trip.

Everyone (except me) fell back asleep, and the car was silent as we drove up the 71, then the 210 up to and through Pasadena, and finally we hit the 5.  It was still fairly dark out and it was very quiet in the car as we climbed the 5.  For me, this part of the drive is all preliminary. 

The official "road trip" part of a Northern California drive, usually doesn't start for me until I hit the Grapevine.  This time was no exception.  I enjoyed the first part of the trip, but it's still on roads that are too familiar, as it's all on freeways that I drive on fairly regularly.  This time, when we crested the hill and I could see the Grapevine stretched out in front of us, I could feel myself start to relax.  It was very peaceful, just driving along while everyone slept.

I guess this part of the trip reminds me of many of the trips taken in the past.  When I was younger, we would take road trips up to Northern California from time to time, to visit my uncle, aunt and cousins.  I remember a few of these trips specifically;  like the time when I was around 12, riding in a big flatbed truck with my Uncle Tom.  We had some trouble with the two speed shifter in the rear differential of the truck, but my uncle was able to fix it and we were able to move on. 

Another time, I remember riding up with my Aunt Jeanie (brother to Uncle Tom) in her beige Buick Riviera (1974?).  Any trip up the I5 with Aunt Jeanie (and any trip with my dad, for that matter) included an obligatory stop at Harris Ranch to eat.  Great memories.

Back to this trip.  We did exit where Harris Ranch is, but only to gas up the car and to get some snacks.  Everyone woke up when I exited the freeway, and the rest of the trip seemed much more alive - with everyone talking.  It turned out to be two trips in one:  the first leg, which was the quiet, thoughtful part;  the second leg was filled with conversation and laughter.  Both were great. 

We made it up to the Bodega Bay area (which is very beautiful!), met with my coworker and his wife who gave us the lay of the land for the coast house, then departed and left us to enjoy the house, the view and some nice family time.  We're having a blast and feel very lucky to be here.  More posts to come.  

Robin Williams and Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's:  This Changes Everything

When I heard the news of Robin Williams' death, I, like many, was stunned.  I had my own thoughts about it, but I was not going to write anything about it. I read many tributes to him, one from his daughter, some from people who had met him once and some from people who knew him well.  And I didn't think, that anything I would write could be of any value to what was already out there.

Then today, I saw the piece about his having been diagnosed with Parkinson's, and had already beginning the battle against this currently unbeatable disease.  When I read this, tears came to my eyes, as this revelation really hit home with me, as my dad passed away late last year after battling the disease for years.

In the earlier part of my dad's fight with Parkinson's, I talked to him on the phone frequently.  Many times during our calls, he told me many times, that because of the effects this disease was having on him (both body and brain/neurological functions), he could understand why people who had it had a propensity for suicidal thoughts.  I made him promise me that he would never commit suicide and he made me that promise.  He would tell me in later conversations that he continued to have the thoughts, but he wasn't going to break the promise he made.

I'm glad he kept that promise, even though it meant he had to endure years of pain and anguish.  I'll never forget what he told me one day, which to him, summed up a great deal of what this disease does to a person.  His words were:  "It's really hard to go from having everyone want to hear what you have to say about something, to now, where nobody listens to anything you say." 

I did some research and found that while depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts are more prevalent for those who have the disease, the actual rate for suicide among Parkinson's patients is lower than that of the general population.  See here. The discussion in the article attempts to explain this, but the reasons are speculative at best, such as: those with Parkinson's may be debilitated to the point where they are inhibited in carrying out the suicide.

I guess my reason for writing this is to say that maybe we need to take a second and consider this new information.  From what I understand, Robin was already prone to depression, and adding this disease on top of that, must have made it incredibly difficult for him.  This disease changes the brain.  It causes people to think and act differently than they did before.  I think it's quite possible that Parkinson's turns out to have been a major factor in this tragedy.

It's been how long?

Back to Blogging:

When I first decided to start this blog, I envisioned being much more active than I have been - posting much more frequently.  Of course, as you can see, that hasn't been the case.  I guess I come up with reasons for not posting.  They range from "not funny enough", to "I'll do it tomorrow".  Basically, I have stood in my own way.  I'm going to try to post more (where have we heard that before?) and will try to no longer obsess about the content (or lack thereof).  One change is that I will no longer try to make everything about humor.  If it's funny, great;  if it's a serious subject, well that's life, right?  Anyhow, here we go.

30 Years?

I have to say that it's hard to believe I graduated High School 30 years ago (some may say they find it hard to believe I graduated....and leave it at that).  I attended an admittedly informal anniversary within the last few weeks.  I wasn't sure what to expect, although many of us have been in contact recently on Facebook, so there was some recent familiarity.  What I found was that everyone, and I do mean everyone, in attendance was great, friendly, supportive and happy to see each other.  The only thing I wish is that we had more time, but something tells me we will do something again soon. 

How was your day?

We all have bad or stressful days from time to time, and I am no different - having gone through a day-long version not too long ago.  The good part about this crazy day was that for some reason, I kept laughing instead of getting upset (although I was close to stressing out at one point!). 

Anyhow, it really started the evening before, while I was driving home from work.  I was listening to the radio and enjoying my ride home when I heard a "DING!" (system warning sound).  I looked down, only to see that my car was close to overheating.  I had to pull over and let it cool, then was able to nurse it home.  After looking in the engine compartment, I saw coolant was leaking around the water pump - time to take it in.  I made the poor mechanic wait for me so I could drop it off, since I had to leave early the next morning for a work meeting/presentation.  He was closed when I got there - all his employees had gone home - but he stayed around so I could get my car in.  My wife needed her car the next day, so I planned ahead and reserved a rental car for the next morning (they were already closed for the night by this time). 

I was going to Hollywood (Paramount Studios to be exact) in the morning, but didn't have to be there until 10:30am, so I thought I'd have plenty of time.  I arrived at the rental car place right on time (they had just opened at 8am) to pick up my car.  They took a little more time than I thought they would, but I was still good, right?  Two things:  1)  The front passenger tire looked a little low to me (this would rear it's head later) and 2) I was wearing a nice, newly tailored suit for the first time (this would rear...oh, nevermind).

I go to step in the car, and apparently the seat is lower than in my car.  I sit/fall awkwardly into the seat and hear a "rip!".  What?  It can't be.  I reach around to check for damage, and yes, the seat has ripped out of my suit pants.  Well, I still have time, right?  I zoom home and change into my "backup suit", keeping the shirt and tie combination I had chosen earlier.  It didn't really fit as well with the grey striped suit as it did with the full black one, but what was I going to do?

So, I take off.  It's now around 8:30, which is making time tight.  GPS says I will make it 15 minutes to spare, so I hit the freeway.  That's when the "low right front tire" warning light comes on.  My thought?  You gave me a car with a low tire, I'm driving it (on the rim if I have to) to the meeting with no stops. I'll deal with the tire later.

Meanwhile, GPS keeps tacking more minutes onto my schedule, until I reach the gate at Paramount (okay, I went to another gate first - it was my first visit, okay?).  They let me in and give me a map, with my name on it (Paramount welcomes Lance...wow) and yellow highlighting around where I need to be.  I had to traverse some back alleys to get there, but a guy told me to take the first staircase I found on the right - the first staircase on the right was a soundstage where I was NOT welcome, but I quickly righted myself - then I found the conference room where all were waiting (including my boss who had just messaged me with "We're starting without you!" - I wasn't earning any points here!) and the meeting goes well.

2 hours later, it's back to reality.  I limp the car out on Melrose and turn into the first gas station I see - a dirty looking Arco with lots of neat people hanging around.  I pull up to use the air compressor, but there is a guy working on his car (he also lives in it, as I can tell from the curtains around the windows and the toothbrush and toothpaste on the dash) parked in that spot. I park next to him and go inside for change ($1.00 for air and I had a $20).

Inside is just as fun:  Two "gentlemen" are buying "blunts" and looking me over;  a middle-eastern woman is yelling "where is the gum, where is the gum?", even though there is a HUGE rack of gum next to her.  The bored girl behind the glass/counter points to it and says "There is the gum!", to which the lady - okay, now I am referring to her as the crazy lady, because...well, because she is - says "Where is the old school gum?"  The "old school gum" remark cracks me up, but I manage to hold it together while the clerk points out the Juicy Fruit and Big Red.  The lady buys a 10 cent pack of gum with her debit carding, incurring a fee 350% of the price of the gum....oh well.  My turn.  Water, Twix (because I have to have my Twix) and change.

Back out to the air compressor.  By this time, my friend with the broken car is smoking and singing in what I can only guess is Farsi.  I put air in the tire - the hose is so cracked and misaligned with the metal end - and I'm figuring about half of the air is not going in the tire.  After a few minutes (and a few verses of his smoky song), the tire is full.  I put the hose back and head to the car. I didn't let the hose fly back, but it did make a fairly loud noise when it rolled in - causing smoky singer guy to start talking to me loudly - okay, he was yelling.  I just kept the window up and rolled out of there quickly.

I hit the freeway and just started laughing.  It was only around 12:30, but it had already been a long, crazy day;  and sometimes you just have to laugh - it beats the alternative.