So this is a Live Journal

I have been taking Athena to agility classes

2009-10-27T16:04:27Z

This is her going over a 26 inch triple jump.

Oh, what the heck, from saminz

2009-09-28T23:40:31Z

Opps, forgot to put in a cut.

1. Venison
2. Nettle Tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush - That sounds especially delicious!
11. Calamari (not again)
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart .
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese once
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters (not again)
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac
37. Clotted cream
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail (I'm assuming since I had oxtail soup in Germany)
41. Curried goat
42. ~~Whole insects~~
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. ~~Fugu~~ (not much of a fish eater
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. ~~Eel~~
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. ~~Sea urchin~~
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. ~~Kaolin~~
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. ~~Caviar and blini~~
73. Louche absinthe (I have had absinthe, but it looks like this a specific preparation of absinthe)
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam (many time while camping)
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish (not again)
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake.

Because my life is consumed by two white demons

2008-10-20T15:54:15Z

Might as well put up a post about them. Or well a post that points to a website about them.

So, the economy is dependent on NASCAR...

2008-10-03T17:38:05Z

Why else would include extending tax breaks for NASCAR tracks?

Wasn't Bush going bring integrity back to the Presidency?

2008-09-10T21:03:01Z

I guess that really doesn't extend to all of the executive branch, though it would be startling if there was one ethical section of the executive branch.

The Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal — including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.

Sounds like the place to work. But no, the Bush administration is not too cozy with the oil companies, the just are sleeping together.

RIP Nike, you were special

2008-08-18T18:14:38Z

There was no doubt she was an alpha female and the matriarch of the house.

She wasn't hostile, but you had to earn her acceptance. For 16 years she was the one who decided who was admitted into the pack and who wasn't. She was a good judge. Even at less than half Thor's size, she was the dominant one. She always let the bigger dogs know she was in charge. In training class when she saw the rottweiler (three times her size), she immediately went after him to make sure he knew who was boss. She wasn't what I would call a good dog. She was independent, strong willed, intelligent, sly, sneaky, and full of energy. She would catch mice, birds, and once a possum. She didn't like loud noises. During my remodel, she would jump onto the six foot cinder block wall and walk down a couple of houses and jump into a backyard that she found inviting. I'm glad I have understanding neighbors. When I traveled for work, when I would return home she would wait for me to fall asleep and then sneak onto the bed an lay against my back. No, she wasn't a "good dog", but she was special, she kept me on my toes, and she new how to run a pack.

Good bye Nike, thanks for helping lead the pack.

They have arrived!

2008-07-21T16:42:31Z

Athena and Shongo have joined the family. Athena is the girl in front and Shongo is the boy in back.

More pictures here

Soon to be new members of the family

2008-06-24T14:50:58Z

Our new little girl.

Our new little boy.

We can't take them home for another four weeks. We can't wait.

The real horrors of a recession

2008-04-09T15:05:25Z

This article show those really tragically hurt by the bad economy. It is hard not to feel for these people who can not longer meet their basic needs. What will happen to their self esteem?

I don't usually do memes, but ...

2007-10-17T21:48:42Z

The rules are easy: just post six things that recently made you happy. Then tag six other people and ask them to post this meme on their LJs.

1. Seeing Nike (my 15 year old husky with geriatric vestibular syndrome) start chasing Killer (my cat) again.

2. Planning the first ski trip of the winter.

3. Seeing my wife's face when she came home after I spend my day off cleaning the house.

4. The rain.

5. A new 18v cordless drill.

6. Finding a way to ground a wall socket in mom's house (this was needed so the medical equipment people would leave the equipment that mom's husband needs so he can finally leave the hospital).

Since I have a thing against chain letters and emails, I can't bring myself to tagging anyone. But if anyone who reads this wants to do it, they can still blame me.

RIP Thor, you were a great companion

2007-09-14T17:21:29Z

Thor was wonderful companion for 15 years.

He was protective without being overly aggressive. He was powerful but gentle. Even my niece who was afraid of dogs fell in love with the big brown beast. If you were sad he would rest his head on you. Thor was always there if you were sad or down, giving what comfort he could. When I was first dating my wife, we were lying on my couch (a kind of intimate moment) and Thor came in and dropped a dead rat on the floor. My wife, after the surprise, took the gesture as a present from Thor showing that she was accepted into the pack. When my wife brought her cat into the house, Thor accepted it as part of the pack. Thor loved to play. He would chase a ball until he was to tired to move. When he was excited he would grab a toy and give it to you to throw. I got him a duck that quack when he bit it. When I would come home from work, he would be at the door waiting to say hello, then he would run and get the duck and bring it to me to throw. He would make it quack a few times and stop so I could grab it and play tug of war. Thor grew up with Nike, a husky a couple of months older than him. I left them with my vet for a weekend and when I pick them up the vet told me he had to keep them is separate kennels. They had played so roughly that they knocked a hole in the dry wall. Nike spent a lot of time with Thor the past week, like she knew what was going to happen.

We found out about three months ago that Thor had three tumors, one in a lung, one in the intestines, and one on one of his glands (I can't think of which one right now). My wife and I talked about what to, and scheduled another appointment to get more information. The day before the appointment Thor stopped eating and drinking. When we took him into the vet, we were told the tumor in his intestines was very aggressive and was now involving the pancreas and had metastasized. There wasn't much they could do, but give us some pills that might help Thor feel better. One evening he seemed to feel better and he ate a little, but the next day stopped again.

Good bye Thor. Thank you for 15 good years.

I was in Australia last month

2007-08-06T15:10:32Z

Flew into Sydney, traveled around Queensland, and sailed a boat thru the Whitsunday islands. If you are interested here are the pictures.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res0feo0/australia/

Edit: I forgot to give credit, the narration was done by my wife.

buddha41 @ 2006-03-31T08:17:00

2006-03-31T16:24:16Z

To go along with blackbyrd2's post, prayers have no affect on patient recoveries, and maybe they hurt recoveries.

UCI liver transplant unit lets patients die

2005-11-14T16:17:49Z

This is incredible. The University of California system that has schools such as UCLA and Berkley, just got an severe black mark. The liver transplant unit at the University of Irvine has been turning down livers and letting patients die. It seems that the person who was running the unit preferred to do elective surgeries instead of transplants and drove other doctors away, here is one of the articles . Over 90% of the livers offered to UCI were getting turned down. I wonder if he can be tried for murder?

If it weren't for Darwin, Hitler would have never come into power

2005-08-29T16:38:17Z

That's right, it came from a Christian museum and the religious right knows everything. At the Institute for Creation Research museum in Santee, a San Diego suburb, there are placards that say Darwin "came at just the right time to be the catalyst for a revival of ancient paganism" and that evolution birthed Communism, racism and Nazism.

It seems like these creationist museums are propagating, like a bad rash. But without them we wouldn't know that dinosaurs were in the garden of eden (they were all vegetarians until Adam and Eve got thrown out), and there were a pair of dinosaurs on Noah's ark (I'm not sure where in the Bible those tidbits are from, but good Christians wouldn't lead us a stray). To learn more about these amazing museums, here is a recent article from the Los Angeles Times.

Well the pictures from my African trip are up.

2005-08-09T14:29:08Z

If you are interested you can find them here .

Back from Africa

2005-07-17T19:28:06Z

Well I made it to the peak, and had a wonderful safari. Here is a picture from the safari (a website is coming, but I need to go thru the 500 pictures, so don't hold your breath).

The adventure is about to begin

2005-06-24T15:28:30Z

On Monday I leave for Africa. If anyone is interested here is the itinerary:
Note: Using frequent flier miles is not the most efficient way to travel.

June 27 Fly LA to Newark NJ, arriving in the afternoon. Spend evening and part of next day with family.
June 28 Depart JFK 6pm for overnight flight to Amsterdam
June 29 Arrive Amsterdam 7ish in the morning, connect to 10am flight to Kilimanjaro. Arrive Kilimanjaro 9pm. Tour guide takes us to hotel in Moshi (Away from home 2 1/2 days and we are just reaching our destination!)
June 30 Morning - orientation with our climbing guide and overview of the "fun" we are in for during the coming week. Afternoon - deliver 38 pairs of shoes and 20 soccer balls to Amani Children's home (www.amanikids.org for more info)
July 1 Start the climb - 3 hour drive to park gate, 3-4 hour hike through rain forest (9,170ft)
July 2 7 hour hike through moorland to Shira Caldera (11,900ft)
July 3 7 hour hike across Shira plateau to Moir camp (13,800ft)
July 4 5-7 hour hike through alpine moorland to Lava Tower (14,950ft)
July 5 2-3 hour hike to camp, additional hike after lunch to acclimatize, back to camp (15,925ft)
July 6 This is the day to send all your good chi, positive karma and energy our direction. 8+ hours hiking over 15,000ft. End at Crater Summit camp. There will likely be snow.
July 7 2 hour hike to the SUMMIT, Uhuru Peak (19, 340ft). Take pictures to prove we did it, enjoy the view, begin descent down the mountain. We'll camp at 12,000ft.
July 8 Short 4 hour walk to the gate, then back to the hotel for a very necessary shower and sleep in a bed.
July 9 Meet Safari guide, go to Tarangire National Park. Game Viewing. Overnight in a lodge.
July 10 Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Game Viewing. Overnight in tented lodge
July 11-12 Serengeti. Possible stops in local villages en route. One night camping, one night lodge.
July 13 Nogorongoro Crater. Game viewing in the crater overnight in lodge (former coffee plantation!)
July 14 Game viewing as time permits. Back to Arusha for shopping and shower before night flight to Amsterdam (with stop in Dar Es Salaam). Leave Kili airport 9pm, get to Amsterdam 7:30 next morning.
July 15 Long layover in Amsterdam airport. Flight leaves at 2:15pm, get into JFK at 4:10pm.
Go through customs at JFK. Catch shuttle to Newark Airport Marriott. Eat, sleep for a few hours.
July 16 Get to airport by 4am for 6am flight to LA.

I didn't know there were dinosaurs in Eden

2005-05-26T14:52:39Z

I'm stunned. They don't have museums like this in California. You learn something new every day.

Well it is finalized, I'm going to Africa in July.

2005-02-15T16:20:23Z

My wife and I have been working on this trip for months. We will be hiking Kilimanjaro and taking a safari to Tarangire Nation Park, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro crater. We are very excited. But this means for the next four months we need to seriously prepare for Kilimanjaro, hiking every weekend without fail.

Not surprised

2005-01-19T17:18:33Z

People in other countries think the world is more dangerous because Bush was re-elected. . Now with Rice as the number one diplomat, it isn't going to get any better. I can't see how someone as arrogant as her can "mend ties with our allies."

Off to Tahoe and a week of skiing

2004-12-10T20:00:52Z

You all be good now, yea hear!

buddha41 @ 2004-12-10T08:11:00

2004-12-10T16:13:40Z

I thought this was funny, and believable.

Rumsfeld demands body armor

Interested in the Incas, here are photos from a trip to Peru

2004-12-07T16:52:32Z

My photos </br>
The trip was in 2000. I spent several days in Cuzco and 14 days hiking thru the Andes, ending up in Choquequirau. It was a great trip.

Nothing like good customer service.

2004-12-03T18:10:19Z

This was nothing like good customer service. I have Verizon DSL. The basic package includes 10 megs of web space. Most of that was taken up by two trips and I wanted to put up pictures from another trip, plus pictures from my house remodeling.

So I went to Verizon's DSL website and went thru the add web space links, and added 100 meg to my space. Then I went into the webpage builder to upload pictures and all the webpages and pictures were gone.

I called customer service and found out that I'm not the first one this has happened to, and there was nothing they can do to get back the files. So I asked for some monetary compensation for my troubles and they told me that that Verizon Online only gets $2.50 of the cost of the DSL and they were willing to credit me for three months, a whole $7.50. Then they passed me to Verizon Data Services who gets $30 a month for providing the DSL line. They told me that it was Verizon Online problem not theirs. When I said that they are all "Verizon" and should be working together to satisfy their customers, I got again that it isn't their problem, talk to someone else. And this all took almost two hours, most on hold. Big corporations are so much fun!