Cooper is shocked

Not really, but the boys drinks at lunch were 4$ each. Even with our 25$ gift card, today's lunch for four was more that we spend at Brent's for dinner. I think that Buca must mean 'let's get as much from these people as we can'. The service (when we had it) was slow. They did not ask how things were till after they brought the check - which we had to beg for. They also waited to clear the plates till we were packing up to leave.

The food was fine, the prices high, the service slow, and the restrooms dirty.

Pyrospotting

I spotted Phil Johnson (famous Pyromaniac) at a SoCal luncheon spot. I do have an advantage - I know his schedule and I work with him.

He was even in one of his favorite shirts.

Christmas Shoes

This year for our annual trek to Disneyland, we spent the night in Anaheim. We wanted to start the day without too much traffic induced stress.

Cooper introduced a new level of fun - he did not bring any proper shoes. He did have his sandals that he wore in the van. After some convincing he said he could make it through with his socks and sandals.

We were blessed that the predicted 3 inches of rain never came.

We had a great day with our friends.

Family Tradition

One of the things we do as a family during the Christmas season is see the DWP light display at Griffith Park. This year the DWP went green - they switched all the lights out for LEDs. We like the new designs, especially the Observatory. If you plan to see the lights, go mid-week. The line on weekend can take several hours.

Your other right

I spotted this sign while getting on the freeway. Am I missing something?

The look of a winner

Campbell's team won again today - that means we have another 2 games to play in the play offs. Kerry told Campbell if his team won he could have ice cream. It's SoCal freezing tonight (45) so Kerry is warm at home, and C1 and I are having a great cold time have ice cream at BR31.

If his team wins both games next week they will be number one in the league and will go on to play in the regionals.

Beautiful day for a hike

Since we had such a great time on Thanksgiving on our hike, we decided to take a mini in town hike on Friday. Beautiful sky and a nice breeze.

Happy Thanksgiving

We got up early this morning and started a 5 mile hike at 7am. We took this photo at the summit - C1 was not happy looking towards the sun.

Great that we are all healthy.

Let me be the first ...

Let me be the first to wish you 'Ppy Holiday'. We've eaten here twice since they painted the sign. I think thay didn't want to cover the neon - I would have done something different.

Computer upgrades

Ted is doing some upgrades. I like classics, but I'm not sure I like classic computers. In the workplace

Memory Walk 2007

This year our family participated in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in downtown Los Angeles. Our team had 7 members including my mom, Kerry and the boys, and Natalie and her friend. The walk was billed as a 2 mile walk through downtown to raise money and awareness of Alzheimer's. We had a great time together. More pictures

The wanted and unwanted

We've had our share of wildlife in our area. The hummingbirds are in our garden all year long, and other creatures come and go throughout the year. Last week we had some very bold and very unwanted guests just outside our dinning room window. They, like the hummingbirds, seem to enjoy the pineapple sage.

The bush is going now. Sorry birds.

More on the fire

We took a quick ride up to the lake this morning to see the water dropping planes skim across the lake. It was amazing. The fires are all burning away from GTY and our house, but homes in other areas are in danger.

For more pictures click here.

Santa Clarita Fires

There are fires burning all around Santa Clarita. Many of our staff is under some form of evacuation orders.
While at lunch we drove to the lake and I was able to get some shots of the fire, the smoke, and the helicopters.

Early Saturday Morning

Campbell's game this morning was at 7:30am. He had to be on the field by 7:00am. Campbell played well this morning, and was a great defender.

One of Campbell's team mates is an amazing player; today while playing goal keeper, he faked like he was going to punt the ball, but dropped it and took it all the way across the field and scored against the number one team. This is not unusual, he does this about once a game.

Cooper's game is later this afternoon.

Warning an 'S' is coming

Mister Language Person (Dave Berry) says: The apostrophie is frequently used in signs to alert the reader that an 'S' is coming.

This has not been a good week for signs. Or would that be sign's?

Whaaaaat?

Closed for business? What are they open for? We found the owner inside, and he explained that they did not want to say 'out of business', but wanted people to know they were coming back. I suggested 'Closed for Renovation' or something similar. I don't think they're coming back.

We're having a heatwave

We had an HVAC failure in the Server Farm. We did not even get close to our all-time high temp of 111f at the ceiling, but it got warmer than I like.

It was repaired and then 2 hours later it died again. As I left for the day it was all back and happy again.

Let's hope for joy through the night.

Happy Birthday To Me

I arrived at GTY today and found that the fun factor in my office was off the scale. Besides the balloons there were snacks and gifts.

Had a great birthday weekend at my mom and dad's house.

Back to School

Nothing says Autumn, like the return to school. I took this photo of the boys on their first day this year. I forgot to post it.

Top of the world

Today while Kerry was at a showerI took the boys on a hike to the top of Wild Wood Canyon. The Santa Annas had not started yet, so we were able to have a great view from the top. We could see the course of the LA river (don't laugh, it's a real river and you can see it), the buildings of downtown, the Burbank airport, and even a glint of the sea.

Hiking with the boys was the best part of the day.

Newest Tourist Stop in Minneapolis

What would a visit to the MSP airport be without a stop at the world famous Senatorial Restroom? After pushing through the throngs of camera wielding tourists, I was able to snap this photo. Notice the large restocking cart, and the TSA agent walking out. There was a flow of people (men and women) looking into the entrance. Groups of people stood around snickering. The room is located just inside security near the MN Lotto shop.

Make sure you turn your iPod off before entering.

So Polite

I have not been any other place where there might even be an option of not paying first. As expected they did not recognize me, so I had to pay first. Grandpa at the next pump - he was known, so he did not pay first.

You've just heard a message on materialism ... where do you go?

The Mall of America. I just wrapped the GTY booth upp at the DGM conference. John Piper just delivered a message on the vapidness of the American Dream; It was powerful. I had planned on driving to the forest, but a huge electrical storm forced me to change plans. I ended up at materialism central - The Mall of America. The largest enclosed something in the world. I walked around and enjoyed the people watching. The weather is going to be better on Monday, so I'm planning to go to the forest then. Minneapolis is a city full of everything.

GTY in Minneapolis

I'm in Minneapolis at the DGM conference for GTY. The sessions have been great; John was amazing.

Have met so many people who have been blessed by John's teaching.

Now waiting at Hell's Kitchen -- America's Leading Pyromaniac

"Best damn food", so so says the sign.

Had lunch with America's leading Pyromaniac and spouse at Hell's Kitchen. They bill themselves as having 'the best damn food'. Phil noticed that many of their offerings feature pears. Is this a nod to the current thought that the forbidden fruit was not an apple but a pear.

Not in LA

This sandwich shop is called 'Potbelly'. While their logo has a stove on it, I don't think it communicates what they'd like. All I see is 'eat here and get fat'. This is MN so it may be what they want.

This sandwich shop is visible from the table Mary Tyler Moore sat at in the opening of her show. The courtyard between the buildings has been enclosed to keep out the elements - but a huge rain fountain from 6 floors up splashes down.

Minneapolis she's some beautiful.

Camping Again

We're camping again at our favorite place at the beach. Other than the trains, we've had no real problems - no migraines, no rodents under the tent, and no Heather-has-two-mommy types in the next camp.

Great low tides, wonderful weather the perfect camp site.

The boys have loved running in the surf and riding their boogie boards.

And keeping with our family's tradition, we are leaving a day early. We had to make our camping plans 6 months ago - once again something has come up requiring us to return early.

Next year we'll try to stay the whole time.

They should have paid more for a motto

The bottom line reads, "Where Your #2 is Our #1 Concern!"

I'm sure the staff love having that on their shirts.

Excitement part 2

The fire trucks rolled again, but this time they were not coming to GTY. A motor home went on fire in the parking lot of the building across the street. The flames were so hot, the tree in front of the motor home also went on fire.

After about 5 minutes all that was left was the soggy chasis of someones vacation - and the odd smell of burned plastic.

Excitement at GTY

Nothing says fun like 911. Our city sends everything for 911 - a truck, the paramedics, and an ambulance. The transported party is resting well and expects to be back at GTY soon.

Curtain Call

At the NRB breakfast this morning I was the unexpected entertainment. During the breakfast I noticed that the man next to me had a streak of sun in his eyes. I thought I'd be helpful, so I got up and gave the curtains a gentle nudge to close them and ... 25 feet of curtains, rods and all came crashing to the floor. Everyone turned around and saw me standing in the midst of untold yards of fabric. What could I do but bow? So I did, and received an ovation.

I left breakfast early, I had another curtain call..

Not my McDonalds

I was driving into Dallas this morning and decided to stop in at McD for breakfast. I was not ready for wood walls, real tables, and grand crystal lighting. The food was still the same.

No BBQ in Memphis?

Jay said he could not find any BBQ near or on the way to the airport - but he was able to find a Cracker Barrel in Mississippi. I'm not sure how hard he looked; he loves Cracker Barrel with a deep and abiding devotion.

Lunch in Memphis

I'm in Memphis a few days for buisness. Before I left I asked a TN native for the name of a good BBQ place. Without hesitation he suggested Rendezvous - then quickly added - it's great food but a terrible neighborhood. After walking down an alley worthy of South Central LA. We walked into the restaurant and walked into their basement. The lady at the desk said that they were closed, but if we wanted ribs we could eat.

We wanted ribs, so we did eat. And how we ate. Best ribs I've had: great dry rub, cooked over oak charcoal. Other than the don't-go-there-after-dark neighborhood, it was perfect.

If I'm in Memphis with the family in the future, I'd bring them here.

For take-out via FedEx visit: Hogsfly.com

No longer shameful @ Target

I think thay are aware of all the connotations and that makes it worse. This used to be something shameful, but now you can buy clothing to assert a sinful/shameful trait.

Next from Target: Hookerware.

It says 'please'

This morning I found this sign on a huge stack of boxes. Some punctuation might help; as it reads here, the sign poster is asking the reader not to touch Dan Dumas.

Someone writing with a red pen has commented, 'I will not touch Dan Dumas'. I concure with the red writer.

I think the oringinal sign poster was Dan Dumas, and he is asking everyone not to touch the stack of boxes.

I think the red writer may have recently read a punctuation book by Lynne Truss.

33 percent

Out off sorri. I'm not sure what to say - hand lettered signs frequently have psychedelic spelling. This one is just so far from right.

Van Nuys CreepAway

We missed the first Van Nuys bus by 3 min - we saw it pull away. After waiting 30 for the bus - we've sat still for another 30 while the driver repacked the luggage to fit more people on board. We are just now at terminal 3 and the bus is full, 10 passengers standing. It's been 15 hours since we started our journey home. Cooper is out and Campbell is fading fast. If there is no traffic we should have a 35 min ride to VNY, then if we can find our car pass, it should be a quick 30 to Valencia, and rest. This year we hit the ground running - our friends from the international office are here starting Thursday, & we are having a light dinner and proper tea on Friday.

September looks calm.