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.

The Long Road Home

We are on the start if our all day journey back to Valencia. We will be in a car, 2 planes, a bus, and another car. Our first car leg to NO we went through some heavy rain just after the 17 mile bridge.

LA? No LA!

I've lived in our near Los Angeles all my life, but I have to come to Louisana to see someone arrested and handcuffed from a restaurant. The 6 men sitting at the table next to our table left went to the parking lot and took down the 4 people who sat at a table near ours. The had them down on the ground knees in their backs, and were searched. Caused a small stir, the manager was on the PA reassuring everyone that all was fine and under control. Besides this I read about 2 drive by shootings in the paper this morning. I love how save I feel in rural America.

Mmm Food

After our swamp tour we stopped by Cane's for lunch. The only have one main dish - fried chicken strips. It is one place we always stop when we are in LA. They started in 1996 and today there are over 50. The closest to our house is in LV NV. Their sauce and sweet tea make are stand out items.

Apple Pan of New Orleans

We had lunch at The Central Grocery on Decatur in New Orleans. It is the original home of the Muffuletta - a sandwich of salami, mortadella, cheese, and an olive salad. Even Cooper liked it.
After lunch we walked through the Quarter: it has gotten much better since last year. More people visiting & more shops open. We spent some time in a shop that mokes loomed rugs - four large working looms and four crazy cats. Wonderful rugs at wonderful prices.

TSA Search

In Houston everyone had to leave the plane so the TSA could do an unscheduled sweep of our plane. No one from SWA could ever remember this being done before. Perhaps someone introduced some contraband mid-flight. I thought I heard the door open over Austin. Now were are really late. I hope we can eat soon, before our minds ache.

Air Bus

C1 & C2 enjoy the fun of the Southwest air bus. iPod movies, snacks, and games. What more could they want?

Safety features

We went to see Granpa and Metella's new car. The boys wanted to see if they could fit in the trunk. The noticed the glowing emergency trunk release and wanted to try it, but Metella would not close the trunk with them inside - she's no fun.

iPhone home

On Saturday we visited 2 Apple stores to play with the new iPhones. First stop was at the Grove - the phones were fully activated, but hardly charged (they had been in non-stop use since 9am). Kerry noted that you get purchase an iPhone or a new pair of Jimmy Choos. We decided to buy neither.

Later we took C1 and C2 to the store in Northridge - C2 played games on the Mac while C1 and I waited to use an iPhone. We had about 5min before we got the low battery warning. Kerry overheard someone in the store ask what an iPhone was - they must be from Brazil.

Springfield for dinner

We read on the internet that eleven 7-11 stores had been converted onto Kwik-E-Marts as a promotion for the new Simpson's movie. The store has been transformed; They had squishees, Buzz Cola, and other Simpson related items. The clerks have special uniforms and are all Indian (I'm sure they were hired just for this event). Fortunate for us, one of the eleven is in Burbank - so we drove on down. The boys ate hot dogs and drank squishees sitting picnic style on the sidewalk . This is just another day in our life as a road trip.

Art imitates Life

I was down in San Diego for GTY business with Jay, when we found this huge re-creation of one of Life magizine's most famous photographs.

It stands about 25 feet, and is right next to the USS Midway (retired). Perfect location.

Kerry 'Babe' Fickett

Today was the Parents vs Players game for Campbell's team. Kerry had great form while at bat. I had 1 at bat, and a brief time in left field, before my migraine sent me home.

Campbell's Piano Recital

Campbell had his first recital. He performed 'Crawling Spider' on the grand piano at the GCC chapel. Grandpa and Metella made a special trip to hear him play.

Rainbow's end

Last night after the boys went to bed, our first family pet died. Rainbow had been a beautiful blue and red Beta. He lived in a bowl on our piano for almost two years.

A few weeks ago he started to fade - his color became less blue and more ashen. This Tuesday he started to swim on his side and last night he went to the bottom of his bowl and stayed on his side.

While the boys were sleeping we placed him into an Altoid box and buried him in the East garden in an area that we are preparing for replanting.

My second visit

In 1993 I visited the Simpson's house in Springfield - it was a housing tract in Nevada, where one of the houses had been painted and decorated to look like the house in the cartoons. The HOA must have been in a coma the day that request came through.

Today at the cinema there was a display for the new Simpson's movie. I gave Kerry the phone, and she took the picture.

I enjoy watching the Simpsons from time to time, so this was a bit of fun for me.

Another reason Americans are too heavy

The park where Campbell plays baseball has every feature you could want at a park - restrooms, water, shade, fields for baseball, soccer, and football, and picnic tables. And for those who do not want to get any workout - bring your computer and connect to the free wifi. I know it's Valencia, but should our parks be like Starbucks?

Campbell as Pop

For Campbell's birthday Metella got him a cake from Porto's. Tonight we had another serving from the cake. Campbell decided to have the chocolate flower as his dessert. Unlike Pop's flower, this one was made from pure chocholate. Yum, Yum.