Proof!

Here's the proof how crazy my wife is. I won't say exactly what it is proof of, but she and I both know what is going on here and this is the proof that it really happened!

Merry Christmas

Here is a mobile phone photo of our tree. I'll post some others later (sure, sure). This is our first "real" tree. For our first Christmas many years ago, we had bought a nice artificial tree that was small and easy to manage. It is still a very nice tree, but now sits in our pub.

This year we went all out and bought a big Fraser Fir from a lot on the side of the road near the house. We had grand plans of going to a tree farm and picking out one or better yet, finding a live tree to plant in the DeerCamp tradition, but settled on this very nice tree instead. The photo below shows the arrival of our first tree, delicately balance on top of the car. Yes, I was more concerned about the car finish than getting the tree home, but everyone survived.

Did I mention the pub (phase 1) is done?

It was a good learning experience and a lot of fun. Many thanks to Señor Leño for his pub building expertise!

Mac + Rankin/Bass claymation = nirvana

Fran's morning walk

Every morning Fran has to take an overly animated Santorini outside. I'm sure he has to make a morning pitstop just like everyone else, but as he hears the key turning in the door lock he can hardly contain himself...he starts jumping and growling in anticipation. If we don't tell him to sit and stay (which he does for the most part) he will blast out the door emitting a sort of growling yelp and streak over to the bushes looking for any intruder.

After that exciting dash to see who is in the yard (nothing ever is) he then frustratingly just walks around sniffing, forgetting that he has to make his morning pitstop. Of course, the time he takes to finally find his perfect spot is inversely related to the amount of time either Fran or I have before we leave for school or work.

But this time of year, it is worth it to get up a few minutes early to look at the colors as Santorini picks his perfect spot...especially when you have a nice coffee in hand.

Hey Goracle, you inconveniently forgot this chart in your ridiculous movie

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/sun/images/sunspot_num_graph_big_jpg_image.html&edu=high

Although I shudder at the thought of citing Wikipedia...

The Dalton Minimum was a period of low solar activity, lasting from about 1790 to 1820. Like the Maunder Minimum and Sporer Minimum it coincided with a period of lower than average global temperatures. Low solar activity seems to be strongly correlated with global cooling, although the mechanism by which solar activity causes climate change is not well understood.

The Maunder Minimum is the name given to the period roughly from 1645 to 1715, when sunspots became exceedingly rare, as noted by solar observers of the time. The Maunder Minimum coincided with the middle — and coldest part — of the so-called Little Ice Age, during which Europe and North America, and perhaps much of the rest of the world, were subjected to bitterly cold winters. Whether there is a causal connection between low sunspot activity and cold winters is the subject of ongoing debate (e.g. see Global Warming).

coincidence? no, coincidence is when you make a movie full of scientifically unproven facts that promises gloom and doom but then make money off of instant solutions sold conveniently in the theater lobby.

Apple Smug Alert

We Knew This Was Going To Happen: iPhone Equipped Passenger Takes On Flight Crew Over Weather

from www.planebuzz.com:

One of our subscribers sent me this story today. We all knew this one was inevitable when the latest iPhone commercial rolled out -- now didnt we?

"Oh joy! I can't wait for the next ground delay or long taxi due to weather somewhere to get a smart ass with a freakin I-phone shoving it in my face saying "It's NOT raining there... SEE !" Too late ... already happened to me. We push back, get advised of a ground stop in MEM due to storms in the area. Go to the penalty box and wait. My Captain does the lecture over the PA... not one minute later, we get dinged from the F/A "Some guy with an IPhone says the weather is good, and wants to know what the real reason is for the delay. Is something wrong with the plane?"

I want to tell this clown what he can do with his IdiotPhone - but the Captain does it even better. He gets on the PA and makes the following announcement :

"If the passenger with the IPhone would be kind enough to use it to check the weather at our alternate, calculate our fuel burn due to being rerouted around the storms, call the dispatcher to arrange our release, and then make a phone call to the nearest Air Traffic Control center to arrange our timely departure amongst the other aircraft carrying passengers with IPhones, then we will be more than happy to depart. Please ring your call button to advise the Flight Attendant and your fellow passengers when you deem it ready and responsible for this multi-million dollar aircraft and its passengers to safely leave."

Needless to say, the pax was pretty embarrassed. The F/A later told us the rest of the plane was outright laughing at this dude. What a clown."

the comments at the website are almost as funny as this post.

More Fall Colors

The weather has been kinda cloudy the last few days. Hopefully I can take some photos on a sunny day soon before all the leaves commit Hari-Kari!

First Fall at Bradley House

I've been going in early and coming home after dark, especially with Day Light Savings shift, and didn't notice until this morning how beautiful the neighborhood is becoming. Who needs to go to Shenandoah to see the leaves turn? All we have to do is just step out on the front stairs!

Yes Virginia, There Isn't Any Media Bias

ABC's Good Morning America, which aired two gushing profiles this summer on the 30th anniversary of John and Elizabeth Edwards, has found no time to air a similar story on the 30th anniversary of George and Laura Bush. The presidential couple celebrated three decades together on Monday, but GMA made no mention of it on Monday or Tuesday. In contrast, on July 31 the ABC program fawned over the well known story of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife celebrating their 30th anniversary at the restaurant Wendy's. As pictures of the couple at the fast food outlet appeared onscreen, Good Morning America anchor Diane Sawyer lauded: "And they are going to renew their vows. Happy anniversary." Less then two weeks later, GMA reported on the story again. Sawyer crowed over the fact ABC would be showing photos of the wedding vows, what she called, "the very first pictures of a very personal backyard ceremony." Reporter David Muir described the pictures, which also appeared in People magazine, as "incredibly personal."

Night Out in Williamsburg

we went to meet Leno and family (inc brother and sister-in-law) in downtown old Williamsburg. after dinner and a few beers in Chownings tavern, we went on a Ghost walk. we learned some pretty good history about some of the old buildings interspersed with ghost tales.

after the walk we ended up back at Chownings Tavern, the last subject of the ghost walk. we went back in supposedly to see the ghosts we had just heard about, but more likely b/c everyone wanted to try another beer and snacks.

So today's recommendation is Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout.

We liked the tavern alot and might try to incorporate some of the look into our own still-as-yet-to-be-built pub. While we wait for the pub to materialize, we might be able to recreate some of the food:

Chowning’s Tavern Brunswick Stew

(8–10 servings)

1 stewing hen (6 pounds) or 2 broiler/fryers (3 pounds each)
3 medium potatoes, diced
4 cups corn cut from cob or 2 cans (1 pound each) corn
2 large onions
sliced 2 cups okra, cut (optional)
2 cups lima beans
3 teaspoons salt
4 cups fresh or 2 cans (1 pound each) tomatoes
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar

Cut chicken in pieces and simmer in 3 quarts water for a thin stew, or 2 quarts for a thick stew, until meat can easily be removed from bones, about 2 1⁄4 hours. Add raw vegetables to broth and simmer, uncovered, until beans and potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Add chicken, boned and diced if desired, and the seasonings.

Note: If canned vegetables are used, include juices and reduce water to 2 quarts for a thin stew, 1 quart for a thick stew.

Also note: Brunswick stew is one of those delectable things that benefit from long, slow cooking. It is a rule in some Tidewater homes never to eat Brunswick stew the same day it is made, as its flavor improves if it is left to stand overnight and reheated.

EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE

i spent the first part of this week in what the AF calls a Phase II exercise...we are deployed to a bare bones base under the worst conditions in the middle of an all out war. it's the worst of all things and always leads to alot of confusion--since you can't blow things up or kill people there are alot of simulations that always tend to get fouled up.

in any case, i spent alot of time in a rubber gas mask, sweating profusely, hiding under a desk every couple of hours. it's a very claustrophobic and tiring thing to do, especially when my main job is to type on a non-user friendly "portable" computer system. two layers of gloves do not improve your typing at 3 in the morning, but i've become pretty proficient at typing using the end of a pencil.

funny thing is, just one year ago i was on the AF inspection team going base to base grading poor sweating saps in rubber gloves and claustrophobic masks. how's that for karma?

SMOKEY THE BEAR LIED, PEOPLE DIED!!!!!!!!! IMPEACH SMOKEY!

Reid’s inconvenient theory will get House airing

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has been derided for saying that global warming contributed to last week’s wildfires in Southern California.

On Tuesday the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming announced a hearing:

“A Spark Neglected: Wildfires and Global Warming,” it labeled the proceedings scheduled for Thursday.

“Select committee to examine link between changing climate, frequency and intensity of wildfires,” the description continued.

A committee spokesman said the hearing “was prompted by the wildfires out West and the view of some scientists that the increasing size, frequency and intensity of these fires is affected adversely by global warming.” A panel of scientists will testify.

http://politics.lasvegassun.com/2007/10/reids-inconveni.html

you've got to be kidding

Camping at Big Meadows

we went camping with Spent and Timorah last weekend. trying to second guess when the leaves would turn and hoping the weather wouldn't be as cold as last year. it was 0/0 visibility when drove in on friday night and when we woke up saturday morning, but a beautiful sunny day by saturday afternoon. a previous fire ban had been lifted by the time we arrived, so what was teetering on being a cold, dreary weekend turned out perfect.

Bye-bye beach

there is supposed to be a final video taken from the condo balcony from my cell phone showing here, but evidently that didn't work. stop by later...

fixed..enjoy

Wedding in rural Virginia

We went to a friend's wedding this past weekend. It was held in the front garden of a bed and breakfast in the city of Irvington, Va. Great weather, great hotel, great people, and lovely wedding/reception.

We'd like to come back and stay at the B&B sometime in the fall. Today's recommendation: Hope and Glory B&B.

View from the new place

Chair view

Looking West

Looking East

I got tired of the hotel downtown Panama City and started hunting around for something that had a kitchen. One thing led to another and I stumbled onto this luxury condo. Not too bad, eh? The daily rates for the "off season" started 1 Sep, so this 2 bedroom, 2 bath, fully equipped place turns out to be cheaper than hotel I just left. All I was looking for was a kitchen, but I guess I'll take the granite counters, big screen TVs, and sunset views from the 21st floor if I have to!

Views of St Andrew Bay (Panama City) Florida

After catching a late flight home from NYC, I had to unpack, wash, and repack to go to training here in Panama City. OK...Fran was in charge of the washing. But I helped! :)

Anyways...originally I was supposed to be here early summer and Fran and Santorini were going to come too. But that didn't happen and I am here by myself. It is still hot and summer-like here and I know Fran would really enjoy it. So she'll have to settle for a weekend end visit or two. Sorry Santorini...no visit for you!

The training is pretty good. Same computers, new F-22 related processes, as much simulator time as I can work into the schedule. Definitely worth the wait.

Central park from empire state bldg

edit-all the photos are now available here

Today show

Got up early this morning to try and be part of the smiling, happy, people in the background of any morning show. Good Morning America didn't have anything going on outside so we wandered down to the Today show near Rockefeller Plaza.

Sure enough, throngs of people with dumb shirts and dumber signs, struggling to get their 15 seconds of fame. So...we jumped right in and burrowed our way to the front. About that time I realize the high percentage of teeny-bopper girls and their under-dressed teeny-bopper moms. This can only mean one thing...some boy-band is playing a concert outside the studio.

Yep...turns out it is Maroon 5, and lots of swooning is going on. We were able to find a gap near where the hosts would later come out to broadcast the weather from and introduce the band.

It was interesting to watch and figure out how the cameramen "choose" who in the crowd to film. When their camera was not on, they'd point the camera at most obnoxious people and then ENCOURAGE even more obnoxious behavior, promising they'd be on TV. So when the producer was choosing what camera to choose for the next cut, he had a plethora of obnoxious swooning behavior to choose from.

Fran and I were surrounded by such behavior and so they filmed the people on the left and then on the right, but passed right by us. We both laughed at how silly people would act in order to get on TV. Sorry mom and dad, I won't be a TV star today! We got close though.

During and off camera shot, the cameraman pointed his camera at one of the previously mentioned under-dressed and hyperactive teeny-bopper moms standing right next to Fran and asked the mom if she could dance. That was all this woman needed....she let loose with some embarrassing dance moves instantly and shrieked at Fran to start dancing too.

Fran immediately knew she was in a bad position by the time the desperate woman shrieked a second time at her, as if her life depended on Fran's dancing. Fran hesitantly started with some subdued movements, but she must have been able to sense the "I will abandon you on the spot" look I was giving her, which was actually tough for me, b/c I knew I was about 2 inches from being on national TV. I am sure that the shrieking flailing teeny bopper mom was on TV b/c the red light came on, but no one has reported seeing anyone that looked like me scowling on national TV.

So close to being a star...and yet so far!