Monday, December 11, 2006

Weekend in San Diego!

Wild Parrots?
Breakfast with Shamu and Santa?
Uncle Tom Changes Poopy Diapers?
Killer Whales?
Light Saber fighting?
A First Birthday?

It all happened this last weekend. I was in San Diego, California at my Sister Sandy's house. I got to hang out with her hubby Mike, my nephew Matt and the newest Niece, Cassandra.



Outside my Sister's house, a flock of wild parrots flew over. Strange. We left to have breakfast with Shamu and Santa Claus at Sea World. We ate as the Orca whales did tricks for us. Santa walked around and visited us all, then we went for pictures with him on his sleigh. After breakfast, we took off to see the rest of Sea World.
We visited Shark Encounters, got wet on the Journey to Atlantis ride, and saw polar bears, dolphins, and walrus. We had a great time at Sea world.


While the parents went out for a company Christmas party, Uncle Tom was the babysitter. We played for hours. Then disaster struck! I smelled poopy diapers in the baby girl!

"I was not properly trained for this. Where are my safety goggles and respirator? Matt, do you know how to change diapers?" I asked the five year old.



Matt exclaimed, "Yeah, but that's smelly and I'm busy with my toys right now."

So, I took a deep breathe and peeled off the diaper. Not good. The worst I have ever seen, and I have seen maybe three or four other diapers in my days. After turning green and using at least twenty baby wipes, she was as fresh as new. I put the new diaper on. All done, oh, oops, I forgot her pants. So, then we played until the parents came home.

The next day was Cassandra's first birthday! We had some butterfly cake, ice cream, and birthday gifts. She got cake all over herself and then opened up her present, a rocking horse. She loved riding it!


Sadly, I had to fly home after the party and return to my life.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Shamu and Santa!


I leave for San Diego, CA tomorrow! I am going to visit my sister, Sandy and her hubby, Mike. Also, my nephew Matt, a new neice, Cassadra will be there.

We are all going to see Shamu the killer whale for breakfast at Sea World. Santa Claus will also be there.

Breakfast with Shamu and Santa!

Let the fun begin!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Turkey Day




Sarah and I drove to Sedalia, Missouri to be with part of my step-family. We had great food a Magie Schwarz's sister's house. The food was so good and the company was also. I saw some of my nephews, Nic and Roman.
We celebrated my one of my niece's second birthday. She is Carly, Billy and Margie Schwarz's newest girl.

So here are pics of Carly's second birthday.





We had a fun time and now we are relaxing at home. Well, I am. Sarah is doing school work.




I have been re-training Zoe. I have been teaching her to eat leaves and other things.



Tonight, we are at Sarah's house watching movies.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Weekend

It's almost Turkey Time

Click Here to hear turkey gobble.

I woke up this morning and drove to the city of Davis. I ran a 10k there called the Turkey Trot. I was not first; I was not last. It was a good run, but i am out of shape.

Work is going ok. This last week at work, I was inspected by the State of California (ELAP). I had many things wrong with the lab that I have to correct. It was a little nerve racking preparing for the on-site inspection. I am doing a bit better now that it's over.

Aside from work, I have been playing with my remote control trucks, helping a friend organize an old stamp collection, and running.

I am going to Kansas to be with Sarah for Thanksgiving. I am not sure where we are eating yet. I will be working for Christmas.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Quarters


For some reason, I started collecting those US state quarters. I started putting all my change in a jar, sorting through it for state quarters, and then getting rid of duplicates. So, now I have a fair collection of them. I turns out that I have 34 of the 40 released so far.

So, now I am on the look out for:

New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, North and South Dakota

So, send me your money! :)

**Update: I got North Dakota 11/6/06

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Halloween Night

I am at home relaxing tonight. No kids knocking on the door.

2 weeks a go Sarah came and visited me. We went to a lobster feed (paid for by my work).

This last weekend I visited my Grandmother in Visalia. When I was driving I noticed my truck was at 150,000 miles. It seems I have put about 85,000 miles on it since I bought it. I can't believe that it is still going! I had a great time with my grandmother. I also saw my mom, step-dad Bill, and Daisy the dog.

I have been playing with my remote control trucks, working, and hanging out with my friend Justin.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

California Crazies and a 4th Anniversary

This morning I went to get coffee and there was grown adults jumping around in the parking lot. It looked like some sort of fitness boot camp. One guy is yelling and all these people were doing what he told them... "Get down and give me forty!" Oh well, I wasn't about to join them, despite my need to actually exercise.

I have been going to work and building remote rock crawling trucks. I have been going to a fly tying class and visiting with friends. It finally cooled down here and the weather is real nice.

Speaking of weather, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) sent me a letter saying that I would receive a discount of 15% this month off my energy bill. The letter said:


"Electric customers will receive the credit on their October bill based on the bill received for the summer heat storm which blanketed California from July 16-27."
"It’s a perfect example of the strong customer focus we’re establishing for PG&E."
How sweet of them to help us po' folk struggling after the "storm" we never noticed.

I will see Sarah in about 2 weeks. She is flying out here to visit. I will be in Kansas City area for Thanksgiving. Sarah and I just had our 4th year anniversary. i flew out to KC and we had a great time. We had a nice Italian dinner and exchanged gifts. She gave me a very nice dress watch. It was really great to see her. Sarah's 23rd birthday was yesterday, the 29th. I gave her a penguin,



and the largest book about SPACE I could find.



Zoe the cat and Sarah were doing well.

Here's a pic of my two girls.

Awww

Monday, September 04, 2006

Fishing in McCloud

I went on a fishing trip to the McMcloud River in Northern California. I stayed there a week. My Dad, Justin, and his family were all there. I went flyfishing for trout almost every day I was there. I know, it's a tough job, but I have got to do it.

We ate great food, fed chipmunks by hand,



and caught some trout.

Dad with rainbow Trout

Dennis with Brook Trout


We had a lot of fun!

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Home again



The picture is the Middle Falls of the McCloud River in Northern California.

I just returned from a fishing/camping trip to the McCloud River. More pics and stories to follow.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Gone Fishing'

I will be out for a week fishing at the McCloud river.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Sunday brunch


Once in a while I make a meal I want to share with you all.

Since you know I don't like normal food, you wont be surprised at my choice.
------------------------------------
Grilled Calamari Salad.


Marinade (for two thin calamari steaks):

1/8 cup Peanut oil
1 Tbs Lime juice
spoon full of minced garlic
tsp sea salt
2 tsp pepper
2 tsp coriander

Place steaks in zip lock bag and marinade for 20-30 minutes.




Start up barbecue grill on high heat until preheated.

While the steaks are marinading, prepare the salad.

Salad:
1/2 half a head of Romaine Lettuce hearts
Artichoke hearts, quartered and marinated (Bought in store this way)
Oil and Vinegar dressing (I just used the artichoke marinade as dressing)
Cheese cubes (The cheese I used is Dubliner from Ireland, by Kerrygold)

When the BBQ grill is heated up, the calamari steaks are ready to go on.

** Be careful about the time you cook them!**

Put them on the grill on high heat.
Cook 1 minute, turn, then another minute on the other side.
That's it, only a minute each side.



Slice the calamari into strips for the salad. Add to salad and toss.



enjoy!

Saturday, August 19, 2006

All Work and No play...

Here's a couple of pictures of me at work:
















The picture below is "Toy Zoe." She just arrived in a shoe box, yesterday. Zoe and Sarah are in Kansas. I am in California. So, I needed a Zoe here. So, Sarah sent me a "Toy Zoe" she got from Washington D.C. so I wouldn't be lonely.
She likes to ride around on my remote control truck.

Friday, August 11, 2006

A day in the Life

So, you want to know what I do every day? So do I! Just kidding.

Here is a typical day:

I arrive about 7am without donuts or a little later with donuts. I meet with co-workers and see what's going on around the plant. Then, I start the lab work. I check all the instruments, calibrate, and check quality assurance of lab water and instruments.

After the initial checks, I start collecting samples from different locations around the wastewater treatment plant. I collect small amounts to represent much larger volumes. The best part is that I drive a small electric car called a "GEM car."



So I race around in the GEM car and get the samples, bring them to the lab, and analyze them. I check pH, conductivity, and many other things. I do a lot of wet chemistry and some microbiology. I test the fluid coming in, process along the way, then the final effluent leaving the plant to irrigation or the river.

I make all the lab supply orders and do routine maintenance on instruments.

This week I am preparing to do California State lab certification (ELAP). To complete the tests, I have to perform about ten lab tests on unknown samples that the state knows the answer to. So, wish me luck!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Friday night

I just got done fixing up a post-nap dinner. I decided on peanut chicken and vegetables with noodles, a taste of Thai. I love the peanut sauces! I was supposed to put noodles in but somehow I forgot the cooked noodles in the colander in the sink. It was really good without the noodles! So, I mixed the leftovers with the cooked noodles.

I have this thing with the Dog Whisperer. I love the tv show and wish I had a dog so I could whisper at it. Caesar, the Dog Whisperer, is awesome. He takes old ladies who spoil their dogs until they attack everyone but their owner, and train the old lady, not the dogs. So he trains people, NOT the dogs. It's great! Oh it's shark week also on Discovery channel. Stop laughing, I haven't had cable tv for some time now. You wont believe the things on tv nowadays!

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

The Big City

I was driving today and notice that the freeway I was on was five lane one way. That is a 10 lane freeway! I just have been in rural Missouri or too long I guess, but that is a lot of road. Of course everyday it fills up with cars in the morning and evening for rush hour. There is a good amount of traffic as you get towards the city. I live on the edge of it all, so I can avoid it mostly. The interesting thing is how I have a sense of direction that is "old" from having once lived here. So I get a deja vu but don't know why. I also seem to think I know where I am going, but then turn around because I don't. And yes, I never ask for directions cause I'm a man (and I also have a GPS with mapping)!

Monday, July 31, 2006

Not so nerdy, but a litle

Took this nerd test and...I am nerdier than 65% of all people. Are you nerdier? Click here to find out! not too bad.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Oops I did it again

I went fishing again. I know it's crazy to go so often. I may start to like it, then what? I could go more, maybe every day!

I saw a black bear on the road near the lake tonight. It looked like it was going the same place we were. I went with Justin's dad. We both got Fish Cat float tubes to float around in and fish.



Tonight the fish hated me and I hate them.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Gone Fishin'

Went out on a quick fishing trip to Fuller lake after work today. I tried out my new float-tube thingy.

it was fun and caught some fish.

It was a bit cold up there. I put on a sweatshirt, in July!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Work Stinks! (but I like it)

It doesn't suck like if I worked in a vacuum factory. See I work at a waste water treatment and reclamation facility (i.e. modern sewer plant). You might think that is the smelly part, but it's NOT. It is the public trash dump a mile away that stinks up the treatment plant. When the winds blows from the south, get ready for a ripe smell.

So I work at a sewer plant that smells fine on normal days, but it stinks from a trash dump a mile away. So when I step out of the lab to get some fresh air, I get the pungent odor of, no not sewage, but TRASH!

The dump STINKS! The funny part is that this area is where everyone is building homes. The best part of waking up is the smell of the local dump in your cup.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

4th of July

So this is what I did for the 4th of July:

I worked in the lab for four hours.

I went to a party and watched 4x4 professional rock crawlers (as seen in pictures).



Watched the sun set over a treament storage pond.




Watched the fireworks in nearby Lincoln.

Went to bed.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Camping



After work on Friday, I went up to meet some friends, Justin and Dayna, in the mountains for some R and R. It was a fun road in because it was rough and required four wheel drive. There was a creek to go through and some small boulders and holes. The only people who get to the site we went to had 4x4 and not afraid to scratch their vehicle.

The site was along the Yuba River which gouged out a small valley in the granite mountains. It was about 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the hills than the Sacramento valley. A couple of trout were caught, camp fires, and some four wheeling. Below is a pic of Justin's Jeep.














I am back in the hot valley. I started moving my stuff from a storage unit to my new apartment. I will busy for a few days moving in and working.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

TRAFFIC

I wanted to go the the fly fishing shop for some gear. Simple enough. I left work and hit the freeway. Then it stopped. The traffic slowed to a crawl. I crawled along in the heat which reminded me to fix my air conditioner in my stupid truck.

I must have been in the rural midwest for too long because this California city traffic sucks! I miss the days of a tractor on my way to school. I would have to wait a few minutes to pass when the farmer noticed me behind him. Sometimes a hail storm or a tumble weed would slow me, but no traffic jams in southern Missouri.

I have been working hard. My days are from 7 am to 3:30 pm. I spend the entire day working! Can you imagine, me working for 8 hours? Me either. I am happy to see that our cat, Zoe, is doing well at her summer home in Houston. Her Grandpa Bill and Grandma Helen are treating her well.

See about Zoe here:
http://thecatnamedzoe.blogspot.com/

I just got my new place and when it is cleaned and ready I am moving in. I should start after the weekend, because I am going camping up near Fordyce Lakein the Sierra Nevadas.

I love and miss you all!

Friday, June 23, 2006

3 Weeks and still truckin'

When I left work today a crazy Norwegian woman pulled out in front of me at the Thunder Valley Casino intersection. I was thinking of ramming into her when I noticed a bumper sticker that said, "Caution: Crazy Norwegian Driver!" Oh, well that explains it!

So I have been here three weeks, still have a job, and all is well. I move into an apartment on July first. I have begun to get used to the laboratory and the daily activities. Daily, I collect samples, perform chemical tests, and data analysis. Lots of wet chemistry and paperwork.

It got to about 105 degrees today. I am avoiding the outdoors in the midday. I did get out fishing this morning at some local ponds for bass. Justin's dad and I had a good time.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

First week is gone

I survived my first week!

I run lots of chemical tests every day and have a lot of paper work to complete.

This business is all about quality assurance and compliance with state and federal regulations.
So everything I do has a log to enter the data and calculations, and duplicates of many are done.

It has been a good week. I really am learning a lot about the waste water system and the amount of testing that goes into running a plant. I have a lab and office to myself, except when other people help me (which is very welcome since I don't know what I am doing yet).

I like the atmosphere here because I can step outside and get some fresh air when I need it. If I need exercise, I can take a walk or ride my bike I keep there. I move around a lot in the lab experiments and tests on samples and standards.

I am looking for an apartment here. I have found some nice ones, but they are $900 a month for rent! So, I have decided to look in a different area where they are cheaper. I am going to look at one tomorrow in Lincoln, which is near my work. They want $725 for a 2 bed room.

Wish me luck on finding a place.

I miss my Sarah who is leaving for Washington D.C. tomorrow. She will be on the opposite side of the country for the summer. I know she will have a good time and hopefully, get a great job offer from it.

Monday, June 05, 2006

First Day of Work

I started today as a laboratory analyst for Eco Logic Engineering. My first real professional job!

I am just learning all the "ropes" and will be busy learning it all.

Aside from that, I have a lot to learn. I have great bosses and a team of people willing to teach/train me to do my job.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

California

I am here in warm Loomis, CA.

The trip went well and it took me three days to get here.

I am great and I have settled in here at my friend Justin's house. It is warm here and I am a little tired from the travels.

I start work tomorrow so wish me luck on the new job.

I already miss my family back in MO and all my friends there. I of course miss my baby in Texas and Sarah too.

Friday, June 02, 2006

500 miles to go!

1300 miles down in two days!

From Missouri to Kansas to Wyoming to Utah.

I am currently in Wendover, Utah. I am on the quiet side of town where I can see the loud casinos up the street.

I just had dinner a a great mexican food place called "TACO", and went for a swim in the Best Western hotel pool.

The casino up the street says "Come eat at our 600 foot buffet!"

It is nice here. Maybe I'll stay.

Between the the food and dancing girls...

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Houston

I am in Houston, TX. I have been here for a few days and have aew more. I am staying with my girlfriend's family. They are one interesting family. Several things are happening, some are the reasons I am here.

I came here because we needed to bring Zoe the cat to her summer castle. So Zoe will be watched by Sarah's parents. Her dad, Bill, will be keeping track of her and letting us know what she is up to with short stories on Zoe's blog site: http://thecatnamedzoe.blogspot.com/ .

I also came here to see Sarah's brother, Chris, graduate from high school. My University graduation was in a hot, muggy gymnasium with bad sound and a speaker that I only wanted to stop talking. He was unknown to the students, and likely unknown to most watching before they fell over from heat exhaustion.

In contrast to my graduation, this high school graduation will probably put my University ceremony to shame. It is in the year-round air conditioned Toyota center, home of the Houston Rockets basketball team. It has a serious sound system and box seats. It already sounds more inviting then my own. We go tonight.

Regardless where it is, the graduates don't care. They just want to get it over with, get the fake diploma, and leave to the after party. It is here you really feel like you accomplished something.

I still am not quite sure what it means, but I get to move on. In my case, to a new environment, the professional environment.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

I Graduated!

I Just Graduated!!! May 19th, 2006.

I had some great parties over the weekend. I had many of my friends and family attend a BBQ in my honor yesterday, Saturday. This post-graduation party was so great. I had my friends, sisters, girlfriend, parents, nieces and nephews all there to wish me luck. People came from San Diego, CA and Houston too see me. I could not have better friends and family that support me. I had a great time and the gifts they gave me were more than generous. Thanks everyone for coming!

I have accepted a job in Rocklin, CA. It is a laboratory analyst position. My job will be to run daily tests in a waste water treatment facility. Below is good summary of what I will do:

My Job Description: Conducts a variety of physical, chemical, biochemical, and bacteriological tests and analyses associated with water and/or wastewater systems; performs field sampling and analyses; prepares and monitors flow-through bioassay; operates and maintains a variety of laboratory equipment, instruments and probes; prepares bacteriological media, chemical reagents and standards; cleans laboratory glassware; keeps laboratory records and prepares laboratory reports.

I have a lot a hard work ahead to learn about all of this. I have started my own pre-training for this job. I have been reading everything I can get about the treatment process. I want to learn the overall processes so I am not so overwhelmed when I start. I was real lucky to get this position and I can't wait to start. I will leave from here in Missouri on about June 1st or 2nd. I plan to start on June 5th or 6th. Since I have never driven 1850 miles, I don't know exactly how long it will take.


California or Bust!

Monday, May 15, 2006

JOIN OUR SALES TEAM! (or don't)

I get emails almost everyday now from companies wanting to hire me after seeing my resume on some site like Monster.com or Careerbuilder. However, These are NOT companies I want to work at. They are sales jobs in financial or insurance services.

I get a laugh out of the way they try to snare me in to their web of the Sales-Zone. Here are some of the funny things they say in the emails:


"I think you have many of the qualities we look for..."

"...we hire only the best agent candidates"

"50/50 advertising assistance " WHAT? Only half the time??

This is the BEST one...
" ...we require no upfront investment and actually pay you to get your career started!" Now that is amazing! You pay me to work, WOW!

" First year earnings can range as high as $100,000" YEAH RIGHT

I love these people. They are what make the world go 'round, kind of like centrifugal force.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Old People !?

She says to me, "I have to go to the bathroom so the dog will eat her cookie."

WHAT?!

"Well she is used to me going to the bathroom after I give her a dog biscuit."

So, do you pretend to "go" even when you don't?

"Well, it's her routine..."

Do you sit on the pot?

"Yes, she likes to eat her cookie in there."

Do you drop your pants?

"No, you make it sound like I am crazy!"

[ I can't tell you who this is but you may find out in a MOMent.]

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Homeless + Jobless = Graduation Party!


Hello Everyone!

As you know I am graduating. I am still waiting for that one solid, quality job. I have been offered one chemist position. I didn't quite like it, but I haven't said "No" yet. I have many leads and may end up anywhere in the lower 48. That reminds me, I need to look into chemist positions in Hawaii. My "send resume" finger is tired.

Sorry, back to the point here.

I would like to invite you to a day-after graduation party on May 20th.
It will begin at 4pm and end when you leave.

It will take place at my parents house.
You can park in my drive way at or on the neighbors lawn (no donuts please).

Please RSVP and let me know if you are bringing anything and what it may be.
If you want to bring a side dish or dessert that would be great, but it is optional!

If you are family, you don't have to RSVP 'cause I know you're coming.

Any questions email me.

See you all soon,
Tom

Friday, April 28, 2006

Job Search

I am graduating with a B.S. in Chemistry in May and here is a funny email trying to lure me into an interesting sales position...

Hello Tom,

Your resume was found on the Internet by our innovative candidate search engine and we thought you may be interested in an exciting Sales opportunity with Service Corporation International (SCI). SCI is the largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services in North America. Through our branded Dignity Memorial network of funeral services locations, cemeteries, and crematoria, we represent a best-in-class workforce that carries out our values of integrity, respect, service excellence and enduring relationships. As the industry leader, SCI continues to blaze new trails through corporate innovations and revolutionary services in quality, value and care.

I have found my calling!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Rain Fraud

I think I am under investigation for rain gauge fraud. You see, I received an email today from a climatologist in Missouri. He was "concerned" about my 6.91 inch rain gauge observation I reported to the National Weather Service in Springfield on April 24th.

I seems my data was an anomaly. Some other gauges in town only got about 5 inches, so I am "rain gauging" outside the box. Crap! At least I am not saying there will be a 40 percent chance of 5 percent of the area getting 80 percent of the rain...then they get none! I am giving a precise measurement with a gauge approved by them. Jeez.

How am I a suspect if the world record rainfall occurred at Holt, Missouri on June 22, 1947 when it rained 12 inches in just 42 minutes? I AM IN MISSOURI...home of the world record.

So maybe tomorrow without a cloud in the sky, I will report 12.5 inches in 41 minutes just to break the world record! I will be famous!

I will probably receive a summons to appear in court charged with rain gauge fraud. Have you ever been to weather prison? I hear it's bad or at least there is a 20% it will be.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

My Tornado Alley

After three thunderstorms with the tornado warnings in town, we are definitely in tornado alley. To some we are on the edge of tornado alley, but we are definitely in it. I enjoy the severe and strong storms that come through the Midwest. Being from Northern California, I didn't see these interesting "in-your-face" type storms. So, one of my hobbies is to storm watch. I have bad luck chasing storms. I once missed a tornado by a minute because I drove too far. But, I go out nonetheless and pursue that great picture or view of an interesting storm.




Last night we got 6.91 inches of rain in only 6 hours. More storms around tonight such as the lightning picture taken above.





If you call me and I don't answer, I might be under the house in my storm bunker riding another tornado out.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Spring-a-Ding Ding

Well, the warm season is here. The long cold winter has slid away and now things are growing with a fervor. I have had thoughts of spraying weed killer, yet, it all just started. I planted a couple of new roses in my rose bed, two tomato plants, four Bleeding Hearts (Japanese ferns), and in the round cast-iron planter in my front yard, I threw in a packet of Zinnia seeds I received in the mail as a "guilt bribe" to donate to the College of the Ozarks.

The Zinnias have sprouted up nicely and the squirrels in the Ash tree are feeding their new little ones just born into the world of deadly car tires and dogs. I lend them a hand by filling the squirrel feeder. I have a cat that lives in my greenhouse and I feed the birds that feed the cat. I ruined the Spring for a pair of Starlings because I removed their nest to repair a section of the overhanging roof that sagged a bit.

The main sign of Spring is when the neighbors all start mowing their lawns and finally, I have to give in and do it also. Here in the Midwest, we LOVE to mow grass. in California it was a chore, but here every man woman and child grows up mowing grass. If fact, I never saw many women mowing grass until I moved out here to Missouri. I see Grandmas with straw hats riding John Deer tractors and bikini clad women weed-eating around fences.

The fish are biting so I better go...

Monday, April 10, 2006

Graduation Day approaches

May 19th is Graduation day! Wow, what the heck is this feeling I have? Euphoria or fear...I certainly feel some mental stress on myself as it nears.

I have been busy lately. I have been having some fun, but doing a lot of homework. I did get to go to a KLOUDBUSTER rocket launch with Sarah and her schools rocket club. It was fun and I got some sun.



I made some Bombay Curry tonight. I picked up an Asian recipe book with recipes from all over Asia. This was very good over rice.

Going to play racquetball tonight then study till the late hours.

Friday, March 31, 2006

Link to pictures


A link to pictures of my Spring Break in San Francisco and other places California is below. There is a lot of pictures. You can click on slideshow in the upper left side to view them all. Select "fast" to improve the speed. You can also just click on a thumbnail to avoid looking at them all.

Click Here --> PICTURES

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Post-Spring Break Report

First, I have to say that Enterprise Rent-A-Car was awesome. They treated us great, gave us a nice car, and required no effort on our part to do so. Also, of course, as always, Southwest Airlines gets us there and back.

Sarah and I returned Friday night from Oakland, California. We had a great time with our friends in Walnut Creek, Nicki and Steve. They treated us like royalty while inviting us into their home.

Nicki and Steve took us to San Francisco and showed us all the great tourist sights there. We walked across the Golden Gate bridge and took a ferry across the bay. We walked around Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and sampled Ghirardelli chocolate. We went to Chinatown, ate in Little Italy, and rode a cable car up the steep hills of S.F. I drove down the "the crookedest" [most winding] street in the United States, Lombard Street. We loved our time on the city! Thanks Steve and Nicki!

We also visited my Grandmother in Visalia, CA. It was great to see her. We had a good time there. Poor Sarah did get sick from something. She recovered quickly and we headed to the coast to see my Uncle in Morro Bay.

He welcomed us in his home . We had a great time there. We saw Sea Otters playing in the surf. Then, my Uncle, took us to and Elephant Seal colony north of San Simeon, CA. They were neat to see. We said goodbye to my Uncle and headed north back to the city.

We took crooked and slow highway 1 north toward Monterey. It took us a couple of hours to drive the coastal road. We went through some interesting places, like Big Sur, where ex-hippies move to be away from the big city and sell gas for $3.80 a gallon.

A few hours later we settled into a hotel near the airport to relax before the return flight home.

I will post a link or something to pictures soon.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Spring Break Approaches!!!



It is a little bit difficult to concentrate for 50 minutes straight when the professor drones on about the history of the US Supreme Court. You see, Spring Break starts after classes Friday. Sarah and I have plans to see my Grandmother in Visalia, California. (More about this later)

I spent the last weekend in Lawrence, Kansas, home of the KU Jayhawks. On Sunday morning, March 12, the weather was very active in Eastern Kansas. I awoke at 7:30 am to the sounds of an approaching storm. It is unusual for a strong storm in the morning. The storm started to get more intense. I turned on the TV and it showed a strong storm approaching with warnings that it was growing stronger. The NWS issued a tornado warning at 8 am. The tornado sirens screamed and woke up Sarah and Zoe the cat, who then decided to see about a tornado. We looked out a window to see a lot of swirling clouds and hail. The power went out. Without a computer or TV I got bored, so, I went back to sleep.

Later, we went out and looked at the damage. A lot of the KU campus had damage and school was canceled the next day for clean-up. The National Weather Service says that the damage in Lawrence was not a tornado, it was just wind (a microburst). For more info and pictures go to NWS Topeka, KS.

That evening Zoe the cat and I went home to Nevada, Missouri. I drove through several thunderstorms. At about 9 pm, the tornado sirens went off in Nevada. The storm was 10 miles south of us and not heading into town, but the police drove around town with sirens blaring for 20 minutes. That storm did not cause any problems for my town, but a friend that lives 20 miles east of me did have his house damaged by a tornado.

There were at least 18 tornado touchdowns that were observed in western Missouri on Sunday.
Also, two days before, a tornado in San Diego, CA was reported.

The sky is falling, the sky is falling! - Chicken Little

Anyways, back to my Spring Break plans...

We are going to fly to Oakland, California and visit some friends in Walnut Creek. We are going to go to San Francisco on Saturday and Sunday. We then are going south to visit my Grandmother in Visalia. When we leave her place, we are going to Morro Bay to visit my Uncle Dan. After that, we will go north, look for elephant seals, go to Carmel to Clint Eastwood's restaurant/pub, the Boar's Nest, and onto Monterey. When we have seen enough of the central California coast, we will head back up to Oakland, jump a plane home, and return to our everyday lives.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Restrooms...The Best of


Ahhh, such a nice quiet place. No one around to disturb me. I unfold the newspaper and see who died in Iraq today. The lighting a nice white light, but not too bright. The tile and most of the fixtures are clean. The lock on the door to this stall works. The toilet paper is 2-ply and the planets have all aligned for me.

You see, I like to seek out nice, quiet, comfortable restrooms in the places I go. I go out of my way to go to the better restrooms. Most places you go, you cannot have peace and quiet. Sometimes you pay 50 cents to use a public toilet which is a hole in the ground. Sometimes you find a small oasis of glimmering porcelain and tile for nothing. Whether I am at work, the middle of a forest, or a school, I seek a certain type of comfortable restroom.

First I must define my type of restroom:
1) No interruptions
2) Quiet
3) Clean, preferably because it is not used often
4) Spacious
5) Ambient lighting
6) Plenty of 2-ply toilet paper
7) Reading material *(Possible left over papers or magazines are a plus)
8) Finally the most important thing... it is there when you need it

So here are some of my favorite restrooms and the reasons why.

--Pittsburg University, Kansas, Top floor of Physics Department:
The restroom is quiet and newly renovated. It has it all, doors that lock, coat hangers, and hell, nobody goes to the physics department anyways.

--Pittsburg University, Kansas, Student Welcoming Center:
This restroom is so shiny and new that I wear my sunglasses when using this facility.
It is the restroom that all perspective students families will use, so they keep it really clean to keep attendance up. It can be a bit busy at times, but is normally a nice place to visit.

--Pittsburg University, Kansas, Basement of library:
Here is one of my favorites because of its location and complete lack of intruders. It may not be clean or have good lighting, but the peace and quiet is worth it. Also, a bonus of great bathroom wall graffiti is present here, such as...

"This is a tee pee
for a pee pee.
Not a wig wam
to beat your tom-tom. "

"If you tinkle and you sprinkle, Be a sweetie wipe the seatie."

"Please do not throw cigarette butts in the toilet. It makes them soggy and hard to light."
-----
Now some other places besides my current school.

--University of Kansas:
A quiet but very dark restroom is located in the basement of Bailey Hall. The best thing is that it is near a bus stop when you most need it.

--Also, here at KU, you have to pee in the ground floor men's restroom in Allen Field house, the home of the Kansas Jayhawk basketball team. A large trough so you can't miss is fun when you're camping out for the next game.

--When you gotta go, you gotta go, right? I paid 50 cents to use a small toilet facility on a mountain in Turkey near some Greek ruins. It was a relief to have it there.

--Another place I spend time and work at is the Cottey College Department of Chemistry. As an all girls school, the men's restroom are very quiet and clean. They are so quiet, that when another man does walk in, it startles me.

--Finally, my very favorite restroom of them all...
The Great Outdoors! The last time I used the world as my toilet was a few weeks ago. I was returning from Lawrence, KS to Nevada, MO. I drove by a wildlife reservation in the middle of nowhere. I had to go. So, I pulled onto a dirt road that led me to a small lake filled with migrating ducks and geese. I stood on a levee and did my business while watching the waterfowl, and enjoyed the sounds of nature.

Like George on Seinfeld, I like my restrooms a certain way. I may even seem a bit crazy for even thinking about it, but, hey, it's me.

Since this is such a hot blog topic, I know you want to learn more, so here are some links to other restroom sites:

101 Favorite Restrooms

World Toilet Organization

Monday, February 27, 2006

Backyard Bird Count Results

Below are the birds counted for the
Great Backyard Bird Count
(in my yard) on Feb 19, 2006.

Species-Count:

Mourning Dove -1
Red-bellied Woodpecker -1
Downy Woodpecker -2
Blue Jay -1
Black-capped Chickadee -1
Carolina Wren -1
European Starling -45 (a flock)
American Tree Sparrow -11
White-throated Sparrow -2
White-crowned Sparrow -15
Dark-eyed Junco -5
Northern Cardinal -5
Red-winged Blackbird -4
House Finch -1
American Goldfinch - 9

Sunday, February 19, 2006

My Niece, Cassie


This little alien
is my newest niece.

Ain't it cute?




And this is her brother,
my Nephew, Matt at Padres game.

Matt is one of my favorite nephews.

I love you Matt and Cassie!

Friday, February 17, 2006

The Great Backyard Bird Count


I like to watch birds. I am not an avid bird watcher, but I do enjoy watching them as I am outdoors or looking out a window at my feeders.

This weekend, February 17-20, is the Great Backyard Bird Count. Click on the link if you want to count the birds in your yard for a few minutes on Sunday or Monday and submit the data to a national database. Monday the 2oth of February is the last day. Check out the site to find out how to submit your data.

Anyone can do it. I have about twenty species that frequent my home feeder here in Missouri.

Besides, the Olympics are a bit boring since the snowboarding is done. So, you might as well turn off the TV take a look out your window for the rare Dodo bird or two.

Happy birding, and I'll post my count of birds, because I know you care! Hah hah.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Blog tag, I'm it

People put this crap up on their blogs for some reason and I have become a victim of this "Meme" thing. Zoe the Cat tagged me, so here it is...

Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Pig farm pig-pen inspector
2. Fishing Guide and Instructor
3. Subway sandwich artist
4. Chemistry tutor

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
1. Office Space
2. The Best of Road-Runner, pt. 1
3. Better Off Dead
4. Revenge of the Nerds

Four Places I Have Lived:
1. Nevada, MO
2. Mesa, AZ
3. Auburn, CA
4. Izmir, Turkey (for a summer)

Four TV shows I Love:
1. Seinfeld
2. My Name is Earl
3. Office
4. Seinfeld, again


Four Places I have Vacationed:
1. Turkey
2. Baja, Mexico, Rancho Leonero
3. British Columbia
4. Sugar Land, TX

Four of My Favorite Dishes:
1. Quesadillas
2. Enchiladas (also as casserole)
3. Steamed Dumplings
4. Big, juicy, smoky, Cheeseburger

Four Sites I Visit Daily:
1. National Weather Service, Springfield, MO
2. Zoe the Cat (I just like to see a cat in a sink)
3. Twelve Two Two Fondue (Warning: Some stories make no sense)
4. Geocache.com (Get lost looking for crap you'll never find)

Four Places I'd Rather Be Now:
1. Lawrence, KS
2. Fishing in Baja, Mexico
3. Italy for the Olympics
4. The Bahamas with the Bob and Tom show

Five People I'm Tagging:
----Nobody

Sunday, February 05, 2006

I hate the flu!

Today is day 5 of being sick with something like the flu or bad strep throat. I had a really sore throat which I don't remember having with the flu. But who cares when you are dying, right?

Anyways, I am somewhat better now. Funny things happen when you have a fever. I found Kleenex all over the house. I remember siting in a chair staring at the walls for who knows how long. I try to tell my hands to do something simple like get a drink of water. My hand then just pours the water down the front of my shirt, not even close to my mouth. I am really clumsy when I am sick. I would laugh if it didn't hurt so much.

My sweetheart called me sometimes to make sure I was alive. My mom made sure I was ok too. It sure helps to remember there are people wanting you to feel better when you don't think you ever will.

Don't care about the Superbowl, but there was a Family Guy marathon on FOX.

Tomorrow is Monday, so I guess I will try to reintroduce myself to society. Ready or not, here I come a little more brain damaged...

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Newest "What's the Difference"

You may ask, "What's the difference between a dwarf and a midget?"

Well, you see a dwarf is a person who has a physical or genetic condition so he/she can't grow at a normal rate. According to Little People of America they commonly are 4'10" tall. Sometimes dwarfism means that the arms and legs may be shorter than average. No medical treatment is available for dwarfism.

The term midget is normally a negative description of a person. Formally, midget is someone who is shorter than average, but is proportional to an average person. Because this may be caused by a hormone imbalance, it can be treated medically.

Both seem to be called dwarfs now. The term midget is gone, except to describe something.

One interesting fact is that some little people elect to undergo "limb-lengthening" surgery.

Christy Ruhe stood 4-foot-3 before choosing to undergo a leg-lengthening process that broke her bowed legs, then stretched and straightened them to make her seven inches taller. See pictures from her painful, but gratifying experience. Limb-lengthening surgery is controversial among dwarfs, and it is painful. Still, many choose to undergo the bone-breaking and difficult therapy to gain inches in height. One patient who made this decision, Christy Ruhe, allowed an Associated Press reporter and photographer to closely follow her two-year progress. This is her story.
(Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4242093/ )

Sounds a little medieval!

Friday, January 27, 2006

My brother, David

I normally will write humor (debatable), satire, and general informative type stuff. I want to keep it light and easy to read. I also want to inform those of you that know or care about me.

Today, January 27, is my brother's birthday. My brother, David Lee passed away at an early age of 26 almost five years ago on Jan. 13, 2001. So today is very sobering for me.

My brother had trouble much of his life with alcohol and then drugs. Heroin was what got him eventually. Really, his death was probably the best thing for someone in so much pain from the addiction. I think of him often. Every-time I hear someone struggling with an addiction or appears to be in the grips of some substance or alcohol, I think of Dave. I still have some guilt about what I "could" have done. I wish I could have taken him somewhere, away from all this. But the reality is that he chose the path. My family loved and still love him. We really did our best to help him get out of that lifestyle.

My brother passing has given me a different view on life. I use his death to remind and motivate me to be better, if not for myself, at least for him. I miss having Dave around, we all do. Often, I start thinking how lucky I am to be here, with a family, girlfriend, extended family, that care so much about me.

Happy Birthday Dave

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Letter of Recomendation?

[A stolen joke for you]

Bob Smith, my assistant programmer, can always be found
hard at work in his cubicle. Bob works independently, without
wasting company time talking to colleagues. Bob never
thinks twice about assisting fellow employees, and he always
finishes given assignments on time. Often, Bob takes extended
measures to complete his work, sometimes skipping coffee
breaks. Bob is an individual who has absolutely no
vanity in spite of his high accomplishments and profound
knowledge in his field. I firmly believe that Bob can be
classified as a high-caliber employee, the type that cannot be
dispensed with. Consequently, I duly recommend that Bob be
promoted to executive management, and a proposal will be
executed as soon as possible.

Regards,
Project Leader

KEEP READING...Shortly thereafter, the HR department received the
following memo from the Project Leader:
Sorry, but that idiot was reading over my shoulder
while I wrote the report sent to you earlier today. Kindly read only the odd numbered lines for my assessment.

Regards,
Project Leader

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

IPOD ME

It was the early 1980's and I used my first Apple computer. It was an Apple IIe. It was in the computer lab at my school in California. We used these funny floppy disks and were told not to put them into toasters. I spent my spare time after school learning to use these computers. Several years later, I became a MAC addict.

Then Apple faded away and I became a PC person. The user Windows interfaces were nice and the world changed. My world became a non Apple/MAC world.

Years later, after I thought the Apple company was a fossil, I own an Apple product. I recieved an IPOD shuffle for xmas (Oops, I mean CHRISTmas). It is awesome! I load it up and run, walk, work, or chill. Apple made it back into my life and many people.

I watched an interview with a Sony (i.e. bulky Sony Walkman) executive. The interviewer held up an IPOD and said, "What did this little guy do to you?" The Sony Man blushed and said, "Yeah, we really missed the boat on that one," in a serious understatement. Now I have some Sony Walkman fossils.

So as I am tapping my foot to some latin hip-hop, grooving to Bob Marley, or strutting to Ella Fitzgerald's "Baby it's Cold Outside", I will try not to be rude and act like no-one else exists to me.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Dim Sum Time



I made some Dim Sum steamed dumplings today. Mmm they were good. Below is the recipe I used to make some good stuff.
------------
Steamed Pork Dumplings (For about 15 dumplings or 2 people)

Wraps:
I buy the round wraps at the store used for pot-stickers and dumplings.

Filling:
1. ¼ lb. ground pork
2. A couple dashes of 5 Spice Powder
3. ½ Tbls Soy sauce
4. A couple dashes of salt
5. 2 tsp Sesame Oil
6. ¼ cup chopped scallions
7. ½ tsp finely chopped fresh ginger

In a medium size mixing bowl, add the uncooked ground pork, the chopped scallions, ginger, and the rest of the filling. Mix well using a spoon or you can use your hands. When the filling is mixed well, then on a cutting board or other surface you will prepare to wrap the dumplings.

Get a small drinking glass and fill it with warm water. Place it near where you will wrap. The water is used to seal the edges of the dough wrappers. Lay out a wrap and using a small spoon or knife, scoop out about 1/2 tablespoon of filling into the center of the wrap. You can use more filling, depending on the wrapping technique or size.

After the filling is on wrap, wet the edges of the wrap using your finger.
Now, fold the wrap in half and seal the edges by pinching lightly. Pick it up so the fold is vertical, then pinch tiny pleats around the seam of the wrapping. Tap the dumpling on a flat surface so it will stand up on its own. Go online and check it out and find methods you like.
Now place in a steamer elevated above the water (like vegetables). Coat the bottom of steamer where you will place the dumplings with oil. Steam for about 15 minutes on high or medium high heat covered.

[Makes Approx. 15 dumplings]

---- ----- ---- ----
Soy Sauce style Dipping Sauce:
Use this basic, simple dip for Shanghai Spring Rolls, fried or steamed dumplings, Wontons, and Cantonese Egg Rolls. Makes 1/2 cup

Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Soy sauce
2 Tbls. Rice vinegar
2 tsp. sugar (or to taste)
2 Tbls. finely minced fresh ginger
1 Tbls. finely minced garlic
*Optional* 2 tsps. Hot Chili Oil or Hot Chili Sauce

What's the Difference?

I received some great Christmas gifts this year. I got some great stuff I wanted, such as an IPOD shuffle and a new camera (my last camera was stolen from baggage on airline). I received the odd stuff: tie-down straps for things in my truck, liquor chocolates, bubble bath, and a Merrill Lynch key-chain clock.

I also was given a great book called "What's the Difference?" It explains all those little nagging questions we have about the subtle differences between things. On the cover it states, "How to tell things apart that are confusingly close."

I needed this a long time ago! I learning when I was younger that the prefix in means not. So when I heard my parents talking, "Tom's grades are inadequate" then I would go incognito. If someone, such as my algebra teacher, said "You are incorrect" I would believe that she was saying I was wrong. Little did I know my universe was about to fall apart.

I witnessed a speech were the person stated that another person was invaluable to some project. I thought, "Well that's a rude thing to say." I was twenty-eight years old! What the heck do you mean that invaluable is the same a valuable? I thought myself to be fairly literate and educated to know this, but obviously I had wasted my youth learning the meaning of words. My parents were teachers for God's sake! What other words did I not know the real meaning to?

How about flammable? Can you say inflammable? A bunch a malarkey! If you think I am confused you don't even know the half of it. INCONCIEVABLE!

Sorry, let's get back to the book, "What's the Difference?" I found that I did know some of it, but not as much as I thought. Can you tell me the difference between a hobo, a bum, and a tramp? Right. How about Seltzer, club soda, and tonic water? No?

I don't like the bitter taste of tonic water, so I remember it well. I also did an analytic chemical analysis of tonic water to find the unknown concentration of quinine in it. I found in my research that it was the quinine that gave it the bitter taste. I know a little about these but the book clarifies it nicely. The book adds that the bark extract, quinine, is medicinal and was originally added to help prevent malaria. The other two drinks are just water infused with CO2, but club soda also has some NaHCO3 (baking soda) in it as well.

Finally, you say then what is the difference between me and a barking moonbat? Well, if you don't know then...

Friday, January 20, 2006


Feeding the giraffe a milkbone Posted by Picasa

I Shoveled Horse Manure to Get Here!

Every story has an interesting angle or side to it.

This is that side of how I got to Phoenix, AZ to run the 2006 P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll marathon.

I promised to do hard labor for that person who bought my airline ticket. I told her, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do." I arrived in Phoenix and we drove to New River, my girlfriend's Aunt's home. The place was a modest home in the desert. One of her cats squeeked like a mouse. The coyotes would run around howling or yipping loudly every night. When I would go out to jog at dusk, they would tell me to watch out for the coyotes (jokingly, I think).

I relaxed and trained for a couple of days. I went to Out of Africa wild animal park. I fed a giraffe with my mouth, several times. My dad and girlfriend accompanied me. We had a great time.

Now the story gets interesting. Saturday came and it was time for me to earn my keep. I was assigned some jobs. A full day of light farm chores...scooping lots and lots of poop! I raked and shoveled horse manure into a 6 foot high pile for 2 hours. For another hour or so, I cleaned out a chicken coop and replaced the straw. I raked and shoveled up what seemed like years of dog crap. Two of the dogs liked one area and while it was a lot of crap, it was easy to pick up. The third dog, Tina, is little and is more particular about the poo location. Also, the little ones are harder to scoop. So, an hour later, I started working on rabbit proofing the garden area. I placed a fence around some of the garden. A day later, it seems I may have trapped a rabbit in the garden. Oops.

The next day I ran the half marathon feeling great!

I lacked only one thing:

A t-shirt that said, "I shoveled manure to get here!"

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Another 13.1 mile run!


I just got done running another 1/2 marathon in Phoenix, AZ. The P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll Marathons are AWESOME! My time was 2 hours and 29 minutes. That is 11 minutes and 25 seconds per mile. A little slow for a person my age. My step-father, Bill, also did it in just under 3 hours. Also, he is 69 years old!

It felt so great this year. The weather in the Phoenix valley is so great in the winter compared to the Midwest states. I placed 10,772 place. There was about 20,000 other 1/2 marathons runners.

The 1/2 marathon world record was broken by a Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia. He did it in a mere 58 minutes and 55 seconds.

I was only an hour and a half behind him!

Well, maybe with a little training next year...