12/12/12

Well, 12/12/12 is winding down, so it's time for a blog update.  Haven't been here since 11 of 11, you know. . .

I really tried hard today to capture 12:12:12:12:12:12 on my GPS unit's clock.  Missed it by one measly second, however.  (Take a look at the pic below in the upper right corner of the display.)  Ah, well, story of my life. . . always just missing something.

Another miss is that it's somewhat funny that I really enjoy writing, but often come up with "writer's block" when I sit down and want to update my blog.  Don't know why, especially with all the writing I've done in the past, even if it tends to be related to other topics.  Guess I'll just have to ponder that awhile as this Gregorian calendar day comes to a close.

Back later, hopefully in less than a year!

Where were you on this day in 1963?

I remember it vividly, I was a Freshman in high school. . .

We were out on the practice football field, working on our band's halftime show for the weekly football game when we got the news.

Shocked, stunned, disbelief, tears.

Mr. Perkins, our band director, gathered us all around, had us hold hands, then led us in prayer for family and country.

Not much in the way of academics for the remainder of school, but we all learned a valuable lesson about the fragility of life that day:

November 22, 1963

RIP, JFK, RIP.

November Eleventh, Two Thousand Eleven

Well, well, here we are again, on another anomaly of the Gregorian calendar: 11/11/11.

Heck, I wanted to post this a 11:11:11 AM on 11/11/11, but work got in the way, as usual.

One more year of this next December, then we'll have to wait until 3003 to start all over again (03/03/03). Hold my place in line, won't you?

In addition, it's also Veteran's Day, where most folk take a few moments out of their busy schedule to honor family, friends, and loved ones who have or are serving in our Armed Forces.

My father served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII, spending most of his time stationed at Langford Lodge outside Belfast, Northern Ireland. While there, he met my mom on a blind date at a USO show. . .

Coming of age during the Viet Nam era, between a medical condition and my student deferment, I managed to miss that quagmire. Several of my classmates from High School never made it back. . .

Currently, my son is following his grandfather's footsteps, as Eric's currently serving in the USAF, now stationed in Colorado after a five-year stint at Spangdahlem AFB in Germany. And just like his grandfather, he met his bride overseas, altho Sarah was raised in Park Rapids, MN. They didn't meet on a blind date - my daughter Colleen holds that honor this time round - but served together on the base's Honor Guard (Sarah's also USAF).

So as the day's activities wind down, and late-evening reflection settles in, I'm thankful that so many gave so much so that the rest of us can sleep peacefully tonight.

Thanks, Dad! And Thanks, Eric & Sarah, for carrying on.

Love,
Dad

October Tenth, Two Thousand Ten

Have been reflecting today on the fact that this is the tenth time in as many years that I've experienced a "once-in-a-millennium" date. Doing some crude math, it will be 14 generations from now that my family and peers will get to experience this phenomenon again. I wonder if there's some weird name for this date anomaly?


It all started, of course, with January 1st, 2001 : 01/01/01.


Today being 10/10/10, it means that we've only got two more years to enjoy this quirk of the Gregorian calendar before it becomes a footnote in our minds and current history.


Something to add to the bucket list, I suppose. . .

Odd how things like this pop into one's head while folding laundry!

The New Porsche

Well, everybody and their brother over on FB wanted to see photos of my new Porsche 914, I guess I should post one on the blog, too. So, here it is, my brand new car:

What can I say? It was on sale at Target for all of 89 cents - how can one pass up a deal like that on a Porsche??

'Twas a great gag, because I never said that it wasn't a real one, but that's what everyone thought I'd bought! Some folk even wanted to go for a ride!

Don't you just love a good joke??

Now What?

Well, here it is, the tail end of July, and 2010 is more than half over. Somehow or another, the first decade of the new millennium has flown by, and it won't be long before the second one begins.

A lot's happened in my corner of the world over the last year, and it leaves me with the feeling of "what now?" Nothing bad, mind you, just life happening. Some of these feelings were brought on by helping Bev to move a bunch of materials home from the State Diagnostic Center, where she's stepping down after 30 years of service. Certainly puts a little different perspective on things.

Considering the overall state of the US economy, my little business is actually doing quite well. Lose one, gain two, lose two, gain one, as life takes different directions for my customers. A few major repairs have helped defray the increased cost of chemicals, but how long can one continue to charge 2005 rates with 2010 costs and still maintain a stable customer base - let alone pay for Obamacare?

Somebody asked me this last week about "really growing your business", which he defined as having 8 - 10 employees out making the rounds. I asked him if he wanted to babysit, which brought about a rather weird expression on his face. I waited until it finally "clicked" in his head what I meant, and then explained to him that if I was 35 years younger, I'd seriously consider the challenge. But I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum at this point, and having employees is not on my agenda. Sub-contractors now and then for oddball work that I don't/won't do, but that's about it.

I'd like to go see my son, his wife and their little boy while they're still stationed in Germany. We'd tentatively made some plans, but then the USAF told him he's got to go play in the sandbox for awhile, however they haven't given him any further details. That leaves him not knowing if he's coming or going, let alone when. I was hoping to make it over before the winter weather really sets in so he and I could enjoy a day at the 'Ring playing, They're scheduled to return to the Sates in February, so the window is rapidly closing, sadly.

I also want to make a trip up to see my daughter and her family in Kelowna, again before the winter weather really sets in. With the onset of home-schooling this year, there's somewhat more flexibility, just the challenge of working it in around the possible European jaunt and the fall trade show seminars. Be nice to spend some time with the grandkids, who are all growing up way too fast!

Have had a lot of fun over on FB with the announcement of the latest addition to my fleet, a green 914 Porsche. Everybody's dying to see pics, so I guess I'd better go buy some batteries for the digital camera. . . LOL!

Was going thru my storage unit late today, looking for cables to hook up a printer, and realized that I've got a ton of work to do to clear out all the "stuff". Everything from old car club newsletters to antique car parts makes for a huge chore, to say the least. And since I don't want the kids to have to sort thru it all someday by themselves, I'd better get started while I still can remember what everything is! Of course, it may end up sending me to the funny farm. . .

Ah, well, droopy eyelids tell me it's time to close this Miscellaneous Mumblings entry for now. More to come when the next batch of thoughts strike me - or my daughter nudges me, whichever comes first!

Cheers!

Whew!

What a whirlwind month April has been.

So glad it's over, now to get back on schedule and caught up with all my customers.

Of course, you get started, and then the rain comes - heavily too, no less. A corollary to Murphy's law?

Murphy was an optimist, wasn't he??

Hard to Believe

My oldest granddaughter, Mikayla, celebrated her 10th birthday today.

My goodness how time flies, I remember getting the phone call in the hospital's waiting room from her dad, telling me about the arrival of my first grandchild.

What a joy it's been being a grandparent, seeing her and her sibling's growth from a different perspective.

Happy Birthday, my dear Mikayla!

Lots of love from Grandpa. . .

Interesting Times

Haven't been to the blog in awhile, 'twas a "long hot summer."

Fall's upon Fresburg, the leaves are beginning to turn, we've had our first rainfall - light and steady all day, like a soaker hose on the lawn.

The winds of change, too, are beginning to blow.

As winter approaches, so does the cold.

Hunker down, things may get rough for CA.

But Spring will return. . . April showers bring May flowers.

Still.

Here they come!

Daughter Colleen, husband Mike and the kids are headed this way for their annual summer vacation in CA.

Lots on the calendar, with so many friends & family here, plus all the places they want to share with their kids.

Got the pool all cleaned up and ready, hard to keep kids out.

New project isn't ready, but tours will be given. Next year!

Mike has to be gone for some of the duration, but Father's Day with Grandpa should be enjoyable.

Watch out, Mouse House - the Banman's will be invading you too!

Ah, summertime!

Number Six has arrived. . .

Well, grandchild number six has arrived.

Son and his bride had baby Jakob in March, their first. For the time being at least, Jakob is the fifth-generation "only son" in our family tree. Will the spell be broken? We'll see what God's plan is for Eric & Sarah's new family. . .

Daughter & hubby had baby Caitlyn the end of April, their fifth. She's got three big sisters to help her deal with their only brother. OTOH, Caleb's gotta deal with four sisters! Interesting family dynamics, for sure.

Babies sure give us older folk a new perspective on life.

Time marches on. . .

Something in the works. . .

Depending on what happens in the next 10 days or so, there might be some more activity on this blog.

We'll leave it at that for the time being. . .

Stay Tuned!

2009 Has Arrived. . .

. . . and what an interesting year this is going to be.

Besides all the turmoil that's going on within the economic and the political worlds, several things are in the cards for me this year, at least as of now:

1. Eric will become a father around the end of February, first of March. He and his bride Sarah are having a little boy, Jakob William, who will also be, for the time being, anyway, the fifth-generation only son on this branch of the Long Family Tree.

2. Colleen will become a mom to baby number five sometime near my birthday at the beginning of April. They still haven't decided on a name yet. . . but are mulling over several possibilities.

3. For about two month's time, Colleen will be exactly half my age. Only time in our lives that this will ever happen. Have to wait until 2015 before Eric reaches the same point, which will last for almost three months.

4. My business is hanging in there, but may have to make some serious considerations about the service levels I'm providing and corresponding pricing structures in order to stay profitable in this weird economic climate.

And so the New Year begins!

A Little Footbal Humor

Was cleaning out a drawer today, and found this clipping from the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, dated Wednesday, 09/20/1978. It appeared in the late Herb Caen's column, with a footnote that the author is unknown or forgotten. So, for any of you who are football junkies, here is a humorous takeoff on the Lord's Prayer:

Our football,
Which art on television,
Hallowed by thy game.
Thy fullback run,
Thy pass be flung,
In Miami as it is in Dallas.
Give us this day our four quarters,
And forgive us our trips to the bathroom,
As we for give our fumblers.
Lead us not into conversation,
But deliver us from thinking;
For this is the distillate,
Of the opiate of the masses,
Forever,
Amen

Great, but awkward, weekend

Just got back from MN, where my son got married over the weekend.

Since they're both in the USAF, stationed in Germany, didn't really have a lot of time to visit and get to know my new daughter-in-law, but she seems very sweet, my son appears to be happy, and what more can a parent wish for?

There were, however, some awfully awkward moments, especially when it was paparazzi time after the wedding ceremony. . .

Oh well, at least I didn't have a fashion faux pas with my tie choice.

Summer Olympics Water Polo

Watched the Men's Water Polo finals last night between the USA and Hungary. Was interesting, as it was a live feed via the internet, so no commercials, and no inane talking heads mucking up the soundtrack. Of course, the night owl that's in me made it easier, as it came on just after midnight CA time and ran until about two am. I see by the local NBC station's broadcast schedule that the game's going to be on this afternoon, don't know if it's worth watching again, due to the outcome. (USA lost 14 - 10, but it was a GREAT match for the first 3 quarters!)

Anyway, the one thing I'd forgotten about water polo, especially at this level, is how incredibly FAST the game is played. And I remember my daughter making the same comment, after she and her cousin got to watch a Team USA game in person at the Atlanta Olympics back in 1996. It really does move quickly, and you have to pay very close attention just to keep your eye on the ball - and we're not even in the water! Even the camera crews had trouble at times keeping up.

It's really too bad that this sport doesn't get more media attention here in the States. It's a terrific team game, and once you understand it, incredibly exciting to watch - especially the battle for the "hole" position! (WP folk will understand that comment!) Gotta give NBC credit this year for at least having live feeds available of both the men's and women's games - usually all we get is a soundbite.

To think that water polo is the OLDEST team sport at the Olympics, and it still doesn't get any real respect or prime-time TV coverage - at least with the USA's drive-by media, that is.

Sad, really. . .

Road Trip

Been looking at the calendar, and for the next three months, there are three trips lined up, one short, two long, distance-wise.

Woo Hoo!! A chance to get out of this valley.

Much as I like living here, since it's so convenient to other major spots in CA, the itch is building to move on.

No decisions as of yet, but the thinking process is mulling things over.

Guess it's all part of the process that takes place as beginning one's sixth decade on this planet we call home gets closer.

Hmmmm. . .

One of these days. . .

. . . I'm going to get around to joining The Procrastinator's Club!

'Nuff said.

Interesting Phone Call

Had a very interesting phone call from my son today. He's stationed in Germany with the USAF, so I don't get to see him very often. We email back and forth about once a week or so, and every now and then he calls.

So today we talked about his mom's visit a couple of weeks ago, his cars, the fact he hasn't received his birthday gifts yet, and a few other things. Then, in the middle of a sentence about some of the big, old, cathedrals he, his girlfriend Sara, and his mom were visiting in Cologne, he said something about history repeating itself and kept right on talking.

Took awhile for me to process that little tidbit, and then the light went on!

Hmmmm. . . very interesting, indeed!

A Bittersweet Day

Yesterday, July 16, 2008, was bittersweet for me. I watched ruefully, a ton of memories flooding my mind while my last Corvair rolled off into the morning sun. I've owned this van since early 1970, literally 38 years of memories:




Some of those include:

• The great deal I got on it from it's previous owner because it wouldn't move - and fixing it in his driveway with borrowed tools!

• All the wonderful little trips Bev & I took in it while we were at Chico State, a couple of which especially stand out in my mind. Care-free days!!
  

• A trip to Colorado with Mom & Barbara to see family, and breaking down in Reno, NV on the return leg - over a $2 part. Fortunately there was an auto parts store just two blocks away and we were back on the road quickly.

• Working with Jim to get the Spyder dashboard and all the other new instruments up and running before we left to attend the big Corvair show in Seattle.

• Taking a break in Redding, CA on the trip to Seattle because it was so hot and Jim & I were concerned about the high engine oil temperatures - never mind that we were hot, too!

• Rolling slowly along the shoulder of I-5 in Northern CA at some point in time while taking photos of the odometer turning 100,000 miles. Still have those photos in a box somewhere. . .
  

• Removing half the interior so I could fit my motorcycle inside and then stuffing the van full all around the bike when I moved to Fresno in the early '70's.

• More trips with Bev as we settled in Fresno, often to Corvair-related events.
  

• All the little customization things I did to it over the years, like the Spyder dashboard and extra instruments, side marker lights all around, Chevy Pick-up exterior mirrors, Chevelle station wagon wheels and the fattest tires I could stuff into the rear wheel wells without cutting up the body, and, of course, the wire wheel covers (on a van??)
  

• Driving it around Laguna Seca racetrack near Monterey, CA - no, not racing, but in a parade lap:
  

• Planning for years to have the two dents in the rear fixed, and the whole van repainted, but never getting it done. . .
  

• Somewhat sadly stopping it's use as my regular daily driver because it was going through a quart of oil with each tank of fuel, and I was getting spoiled by a vehicle with air conditioning.

• All those years of using it as a storage shed alongside the garage on Fourth St.

• Several years of using it as a storage shed inside a mini-storage unit. (Weird, I know. . .)

• Finally having the courage to let it go. . .
  

Good bye, old faithful friend. . .