| Gord's profileMan in the MoonBlogListsNetwork |  Tools  Help |
|
June 28 The Stuff of ThoughtHere's the punchline, which you'll have to save for later: Sitting on my son's desk is a book titled, "The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature." This is summer reading. For someone interested in neuroscience. He's 19.
Here's the story: Back in May, my family noticed the approach of Father's Day on the calendar. They created a plan: let's take Dad to Wrigley Field and let's all go with him. It will be a family day together. Which he will enjoy. Plus the Cubs are actually winning this year. Of course, getting everybody's schedules to intersect on the same day is never easy, so oldest took on the responsibility of calling middle son in Colorado to make sure everything would be cool. Then he was supposed to call the house and relay the message. And beautiful spouse would buy the tickets on-line. This seems simple, right? No one has to drive anywhere or pick anything up. We don't have to rely on anyone else to get the tickets for us. What could possibly go wrong? A week later, spouse asks oldest, "So whatever happened? You never called back about the tickets." "Yes, I did! I called you about a half hour later and told (Insert Name of Guilty Party). It was fine." Youngest? "Oh. Yeah. I forgot to tell you." (Insert punchline from above.) However, all's well that ends well. (That's a book too. But it's not on anybody's desk.) Those tickets were no longer available. But others were. Orioles 4, Cubs 7. Wednesday night. It was sweet. June 25 ForvikLet's say you enjoy sailing. Not just pleasure sailing on a scenic lake, but actual out-on-the-open-seas sailing.
And let's say that you decide to circumnavigate the British Isles. Alone. And let's say that things don't go so good and your boat capsizes. But you're able to get ashore. In the Shetland Islands. Off the Scottish coast. Where the ponies are. And let's say that you like it there. And you want to stay. But . . . all you have is a tent. Wouldn't you then figure that life could only be improved if you then: *moved to an uninhabited island only a couple of acres in size ? *contacted the Queen ? *declared your independence from all manner of government taxation ? *and decided to make yourself the ruler of a small (OK . . . miniscule) new nation?? http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080621/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_island_independence
Here is Stuart Hill's website for his new nation: http://shetlandconversation.squarespace.com/forvik/ And the BEST part is . . . no, not the picture caption that reads "Stuart standing outside the temporary accommodation block." Which apparently consists of a single small backpack tent. no, not the use of the word "plenitpotentiaries" within the first few paragraphs of text no, it's this: "I invite anyone in Shetland, or indeed anywhere else, who is interested in this project to apply for citizenship. Many benefits will be available to both individuals and companies."
June 24 Rhinestone copRemember when cops took special pleasure in being tough? At least on television, police could always wipe the bad guys off the city sidewalks, pull a bullet or two from their shoulder without anesthetic, and throw back a cold one at the corner pub, all before heading home from their shift.
And when they got ready to hit the sack, there were never any rhinestone thongs. From Victoria's Secret. Causng eye injuries. And prompting law suits. I guess those were the good old days. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080620/od_nm/thong_odd_dc;_ylt=AjToDjTpRHgqBk52qsoKG8Wek3QF
June 23 The joy of bicyclingBicycling can be a relaxing way to see a city.
When our youngest decided to participate in races we knew we would be in for some very relaxing moments. Such as this weekend when we relaxed in his college town watching thirty or so young people pedaling along the city streets. After 30 minutes of laps around the campus streets at about 25 mph, the race organizers put up the lap count. Six to go.
Now we got even more relaxed as the young men jockeyed for position toward the front of the pack. He was back in fourth posiiton about a half-second off the lead, which is a very good position to relax in. Rain started to sprinkle the streets. The key turn on the backside of the course became especially relaxing.
From my position on a corner near the finsh line I had a good view two blocks away to that turn. On the last lap, a bunch of guys relaxed their way onto the pavement. I knew it was right in his group where the accident happened, but I hoped he had made it through. About sixty seconds later the riders in front were finishing. He was not in the group any longer. Spouse and I relaxed our way along those two blocks to the scene of the spinout. There we found two young guys relaxing on the pavement. Our son was not too bad, with several cuts and scrapes, a banged up shoulder and bottom, a blown tire, its valve broken off and embedded in his shoe between his toes.
The other fellow was not so lucky, having hit his head. He was being attended to and eventually got a ride to the hospital. I am hoping that a concussion was the worst of his injuries, because his eyes didn't look real good.
We relaxed our way back to the car, carrying the banged-up equipment, then made our way to a drugstore for some clean-up supplies, and then got a bite to eat. But not before he hit the race tent to pick up his $10 prize for sprinting to an early lap lead.
He was out one rear wheel and tire, possibly a helmet, and some skin, along with the entry fee. I don't think he was going to win, but he would have been in the top five. That usually gets you your entry fee back, maybe a bit more.
June 22 Ever had to wipe down a room?Thursday night found beautiful spouse and me downtown. Like the amnesiac Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) and the mystified Maria (Franke Potente) on the run in European capitals, we had to make sure to wipe down every space we used, destroying all trace of our ever having passed a night there.
The first part of the evening we rendezvoused with my favorite cousin, someone I have learned I can rely on in desperate circumstances. Like camping trips. This time we were at a favorite French crepe place on Clark St. I made sure to destroy all traces of the food delivered to our table, including three pate flavors and a couple of Belgian beers. The crepes proved particularly difficult to erase as my spouse ordered a Nutella & whipped cream dessert after I had already demolished some beef bourginone and creamed spinach. The light crepe batter, toasted to perfection, wrapped the creamy insides in their loving embrace. But I obliterated everything anyway.
After dinner we carjacked a windowless Jeep that we found across the street in the parking garage. I was prepared to hotwire it, but it turned out that my cousin had the keys in her pocket. She dropped us back in the Loop. Then we had to find somewhere to hole up for the night.
Since spouse’s brother had just bought a condo in a downtown skyscraper, we thought that might be a good bet. The doorman (they’re always clueless) noticed nothing as we slipped by to ride the elevator to the 46th floor. We had a hard time jimmying the lock open, even with the key. Once inside large windows allowed us surveillance over the city’s skyline, and the full moon rose into the sky. We had to find somewhere to sleep.
The king-sized bed seemed like the best bet. With the light from the city shining into the bedroom we spent a restless eight minutes trying to relax enough to doze off for some desperately needed slumber. Eventually we got up to close the drapes, helping to mask the city’s glare.
In the morning we changed the sheets, and wiped down the bathroom sink and vanity so spouse’s brother would hve no evidence of our passing the night there. We were back on the run. June 18 Strawberry Moon tonightYesterday the moon was very fine, looking very full, but tonight is the full moon itself, last night's just a prelude.
Tonight's full moon is known as the Strawberry Moon. Because they are growing and pickable right now. I suggest you look up at the ripe, ripe moon. Also, there could be a larger than average "moon illusion" tonight at moonrise. Tha's where the moon near the horizon seems to be much larger than a normal moon. It isn't. That's the illusion. Here is a link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20080617/sc_space/seeahugemoonillusionwednesday June 17 A thousand full moons at Irish castleAn amazing astronomical event, not likely to be seen twice in a single lifetime!
The full moons appear at the 1:20 mark.
June 12 Pulling the stars from the skyAfter these entries about Alicia, I feel the need to post this clip.
It's only 45 sec! June 11 Who is Alicia??Because of two readerboat comments, I will try to explain, as best I can, who Alicia Keys is.
Zeynep is wondering, so I am guessing has never heard of Alicia. P says, "i would LOVE to see alicia keys. love her. think she is smart and beautiful and genuine and outrageously talented. i want to be friends with her. and sing duets with her." So, I am guessing that P is somewhat familiar with her. Alicia Keys has only been recording for a few years and has only a couple of CDs out. However she has won eleven Grammys, including five on one night in 2002. She performs in the R & B category, but her sound is pop oriented. She is only 27 years old, so if anyone else out in Gordland has never heard of her, don't worry. All is forgiven. Here is her website: Born Alicia Cook, she is biracial, her Mom being Italian/Irish background, her Dad Jamaican. She grew up in Harlem (New York City neighborhood), and was a childhood piano prodigy which got her started in the music industry. She performed at her church. The last name Keys is a stage name in reference to the piano. As P mentioned she is smart, graduating her high school at age 16 as class valedictorian. Her very first recording was on the soundtrack of the Hollywood movie, "Men in Black" with Will Smith. Her concert was rockin' even though everyone in the room seemed younger than us. We're getting used to that. June 08 AK 471. Allstate Arena, last night
2. Beautiful spouse and me 3. Alicia Keys (with Jordin Sparks opening) in the suburbs 4. Missed Jordin 5. (Late start due to a busy day driving eight hours for nothing, 6. And barely missing bring trapped in the flood counties of south-central Indiana. 7. Not a big Jordin fan anyway, 8. Sorry) 9. Second opening act followed, they were OK 10. But we wanted AK 11. Alicia was awesome 12. She opens with a big-screen video of her home church sending her into the world 13. To find her “starmaker” 14. The video ends with a huge smoke-effect engulfing her as she exits the church 15. Then a similar effect onstage 16. An empty black piano appears from the mist 17. Then total darkness & a lightning effect 18. There she is at the keyboard 19. Huge screams from an adoring crowd 20. About half African-American, half not 21. Nine-year old girl next to spouse was at her first concert ever 22. She borrowed the binoculars for most of the show 23. But we had good seats 24. (We usually go there for hockey, 25. So it was a different crowd) 26. Alicia came out about 9:45 and played two hours straight 27. She’s a powerhouse 28. Vocally 29. And did more performance numbers than I expected 30. She does a good job for someone who’s not a dancer 31. But when she sits at her keyboard, she is 100% more relaxed and comfortable 32. Very warm, caring, and appreciative with her band, her fans, everyone 33. Dedicated one number to her cause: AIDS relief in Africa 34. She wore leather pants and heels for the whole show (but with three different changes on top) & long flouncy hair 35. I think the pants explain part of the late start 36. At one point she was lying on top of her grand piano, reaching for the keys 37. No problem playing from that position 38. I’ll bet she practices 39. Played all her hits, saving “No One” for last 40. Of course 41. Her one song encore (on a second all-white grand piano 42. That appeared at front of stage nearest audience) 43. Was “If I Ain’t Got You,” probably her biggest hit ever 44. Young Mom next to me had her 4-year old on her lap most of the night 45. It was a late night for a 4 year-old 46. She made it through “No One” 47. But missed the white piano June 05 CriteriumSunday we found out what a criterium bicycle race looks like. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were only about 20 min from home.
My son (he's 19) participated in a trip around the block. Each lap took about three minutes, on ordinary streets, closed to traffic and led by a pace car. The race consisted of "30 minutes plus three laps," which meant that after the lap that occurred during the 30th minute, then the officials put up a lap counter with a numeral 3 showing.
At that point everybody knew that the end was near. Of approx 40 riders, probably 30 of them were in a peleton. That's French for a clump of cycles considered as a mass. My son was about five back from the lead and looking very comfortable. On the final turn of the last lap he pulled ahead and won easily.
Prize was a cool medal and a check for $100.00. The entry fee was $35.00. So he was ahead, and it was the first time that he has ever won a prize bicycle race! Last time he was leading when he had two flats.
He is currently racing in Category 4, and generally you move up one category each year if you continue training. Cat 5 is for beginners, but he trained hard at college all year so he started in Cat 4 this season. Cat 3, the story goes, is CONSIDERABLY harder. Everybody is a serious rider who puts in dozens of hours each week training, either on roads or on rollers (spinning). If he ever moves beyond Category 3, then he can't participate in any more amateur races, such as his big college event. So you know that's not going to happen any time soon. June 02 Found thisI found this posted on Yahoo! Answers which is a Q & A posting site that I sometimes frequent. All I did was change the spacing to make it look like a poem. And improve the spelling just a bit:
(it is attributed to emjay, that is the only name I have)
Is this a good surprise kiss plan?well I’m leaving for missouri. and I see him at church b4 I go. we have only kissed like twice. but I wanna kiss him goodbye. we cant let any teachers see. It’s a reallly small church. At the end of service I’ll go up to him and be all smiley and stuff and then say quietly 'come here' and be all flirtly and stuff. and if he asks why I’ll just say come here again and maybe gently grab his hand and lead him into this unused sanctuary that will be dark.
then I’ll feel for his face (its dark) and gently put my hand to his cheek and maybe brush his lips with my fingers (so I can find them) and then kiss him. if I’m not too dazed by the kiss I’ll put my other arm around him. he isnt ready for it??? or do I have the ok to go ahead and make out with him? I’m afraid I’ll do sumthin wrong.
should I text him during service so right after he doesn’t go outside the building? Can I say something as simple as 'would you let me kiss u goodbye' ?
June 01 More cycling, pleaseHere is what is happening in our family relating to two-wheeled transportation:
1. Oldest just picked up his brand-new motorcycle (Yamaha 600 cc sport standard, for any enthusiasts out there) yesterday. We went with him so he could drive it home and not have his car there. It actually took two trips, one to drop off the payment, and a second trip back later in the afternoon to actually get on the bike since they didn't have it ready even though he had his deposit down for two weeks and called them multiple times telling them that Saturday would be the day. Still, he was thrilled as were his parents. It is really fun to watch your son pull into traffic on a bike that he has never ridden before and follow from behind as he makes every light that we just miss. We barely caught him about two miles from the house. Everything went extremely well on the initial ride, especially the large lawn maintenance truck with trailer that was following him from about 30 feet back going 55 mph.
2. Middle son has also purchased a new motorcycle (Suzuki GXSR, also a 600) and is moving home from his Western adventures. He has a new job in our area that starts in July, so he has about a month off to move home, find a new apartment (probably with various buddies as roommates), and have some fun before the realities of starting a new job. True to form, he has a new girlfriend to leave behind and pine over once he gets here. So, we're looking forward to having him home. Haven't seen the bike yet, all we know is that it is a couple of years old and is "totally cool." My brother had one of these a few years back, so we have fond memories of what it looks like to see your son leaning over the handlebars on a machine that takes less than 4 sec to reach 60 mph.
3. Youngest does NOT have a motorcycle. However we are leaving in a few minutes to a bicycle race in which he is competing for various amounts of prize money. These are prizes in the $75-$100 range which basically pays you for parts and wheels and so forth. Nobody makes a profit at this, believe me.
4. And then there is me. I am thinking about getting my bike out of the basement and going for a ride. But I have to pump the tires up first, because it hasn't been ridden since last summer, and that's a hassle so I might not get to it until next weekend. |
|
|
