Koi Matters

Several weeks ago our Koi pond was raided by, well we never knew what. Whatever it was ripped up the lily pads, ate the water snails but didn't touch any of the fish. Odd but when all was said an done not a bad loss.

A few nights ago we weren't so lucky. Whatever it was, or maybe it was something different caught and ate one of the koi and also ripped the water lily to shreds.

Saturday morning when I went to check on them, yet another was missing. I found this one several feet away from the pond looking very dead. But there was still a whisper of life in him, so I tossed him back in the pond and he sunk to the bottom, but I could see some movement and so for the next hour, I worked on reviving this koi fish, moving him back and forth to get oxygen moving through his gills, pulling him out of the water and then plunging him back in, "swimming" him around. I was up to my arms in cold cold water and finally left him on his own, hoping for the best but certainly thinking the fish would be floating on the surface next time I saw him. Miraculously he survived.




"Thanks for not giving up on me"




He made it but you can see by the redness around his mouth and gills that he had a tough going.

I didn't see any marks on him so I don't know if he had jumped out or if it was an unsuccessful hunt for some opossum or raccoon.



Here he is back with his pals.

However the following day the big white one was missing.


I had to get serious. I bought chicken wire to cover the pond and a live animal trap to catch the invader. It didn't take long to catch something. Unfortunately it was a stray cat. Getting the pissed of cat out of the trap was a chore, but we did. We re-baited the trap and shortly after it was sprung, again by one of the many neighborhood cats. By this time it was late and I did not want to mess around with another angry cat in the cold and dark.

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. I felt really bad for the kitty we trapped. The cage is covered with ivy but still I'm sure the cat is soaking wet and going to be really, really mad. I do not look forward to its release.

Gotta go let the cat out of the bag, or trap.

Purple Belt-- A long journey

Years ago, like 1994, wow, that's almost 15 years ago, I saw the first Ultimate Fighting Championships on video and watched this skinny Brazilian Joyce Gracie beat guys of all sizes and styles doing this thing called Juijitsu, Brazilian style. There were only a couple of places in Los Angeles that taught such classes, one was the Gracie studio which as you can imagine was hugely popular and that of the cousins of the Gracie's the Machado brothers. I went to the Machado brothers and for years grappled and trained with many amazing fighters, many who went on to compete internationally in a variety of Mixed Martial Arts competitions.

When I would go on location or travel I would look for the local juijitsu studio to train. Having trained with the Machados guaranteed a open arms and respect at the various dojos I visited. They were and are quite famous in the Martial Arts community. I received my Blue Belt and continued to train, although with my work and travel schedule demands it was inconsistent to say the least. So my skill level plateaued with me losing the gains I made every several months. After many years I finally decided to hang it up and try some new sports.

I missed it a lot but I thought that after a while I would forget about it and it would just be part of my history. But I never really did. Then quite by coincidence, fate one might say a friend of mine had just finished working on the David Mamet film Red Belt, about MMA competitions starring one of the Machado brothers. I went on line to check it out and found that John Machado had a gym near the Fox Hills Mall, minutes from my house. I dug up my old Gi and went down to check it out.

That was a little over a year ago. I have been able to train more consistently, and have at long last pushed up my game to new levels, earning after all of this time my Purple Belt. It has been an amazing journey. The Machados and their students are very supportive, always encouraging and positive. I am very happy and proud to be part of the community again.



From left to right, Renato Magno, John Machado, Jon Danniells (me), Rigan Machado, Andre Lima


Skye has been taking Tae Kwon Do at the same studio and loves it and has just started studying Capoera. I think training in the martial arts provides amazing lessons far beyond the physical aspects and recommend it highly.

A non-Traditional Thanksgiving

The Plan
Wednesday was a blur. I had laid out a set of lessons for Skye that could be done in the car, "Carschooling", as I power shopped. We loaded up at Salvation Army, racing to make sure we could get Cindy to her flight on time. And we did, just barely. Now with Cindy on her way to be with her family, I turned my attention fully on the what Skye and my Thanksgiving was going to be. We had a couple of very gracious invites to Thanksgiving get togethers, which were very tempting. In fact, it was not until we were in REI buying Skye new boots that I conclusively decided that we were indeed going on our Thanksgiving camping trip to Bryce National Park. First thing first, the old Explorer needed a new battery. It had been two weeks since calling AAA for a jump and being told that the car wouldn't start again with the battery I had. It did start again and again, but I wasn't about to go up in the snow and continue to push my luck. Dropped the car off at the mechanic and had him fix the rear brake light, so I could take care of my pending fix-it ticket I had gotten the week before.

Then of course, was the matter of Thanksgiving dinner, Turkey dogs and smores sounded just right to Skye, and I concurred. So a quick stop at the grocery market and then off to home to pack. Then it occured to me that I would want to print directions and I was in the middle of printer hell, at home. So to Staple we went to buy a new printer. (Really there is a story behind the printer computer home nightmare, but not for now)

Packed, did some work calls/e-mails filing, downloading etc., packed some more, dinner, research trip, install and get working new printer, more packing(will try to do some school work and/or trip-oriented type lessons) watched an hour PBS program, The History of Thanksgiving, put Skye to bed, quick blog, showered, in bed by midnight-ish.

Alarm goes off an hour and half latter, 1:30am. Take bike rack off car, unload work-stuff, accumulated crap and then load and pack vehichle. Wake up Skye on the road at 2:40 am. On schedule to be in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving buffet brekfast.




You can see what a lovely day met us the following morning on our arrival in Vegas. Actually this is how the sky always looks in the Venetian. Actual Vegas was cloaked in dark clouds and rained as we raced about the Strip looking for a buffet that was actually opened at 7 am, Thanksgiving day.




The immortal Siegfreid and Roy and tiger friend. Finally after getting lost in several almost empty casinos, we landed in Caeser's Palace for a feast of plenty.




Had to include this pic, made me laugh and scared me too. BTW, this was one of many of these ads, freeway billboards as well. Gunsales rocketed after Obama won. WTF?!?!

On the Road Again
We got back on the road a little latter than hoped for, but not too bad 9 am. We had approximately 4 hours left to drive, find a camp, get firewood, etc, cook and enjoy our Thanksgiving delight.

We breezed through Arizona, into Utah. Skye helped navigate and we were making good time, until.......

We couldn't find a small road that would connect us to the highway that fed into Bryce. We went a bit further north and found a road that should have gotten us there, except we had to turn back after the snowy conditions made it seem like a bad idea to continue on small winding icy road at 7000 ft elevation.

I was begining to feel like Skye and I were getting ready to do a reenactment of the winter before the first Thanksgiving feast, you know almost no food, freezing, miserable, "was coming to America such a good idea"

Finally we found a road further north that was larger and less snowbound, connected to highway and made it to Bryce a little after 4pm.




Skye on her cell phone, telling her friend about camp and our upcoming feast.




Success!!! We managed to set up camp, get a fire started and prepare for dinner.




Meanwhile Skye explored around camp. She sighted a deer when she got to the top of the hill.




Roasting dogs and marshmellows over an open fire, yum!




It was snowwing during our Thanksgiving meal and through the night. Fortunately we had pretty good sleeping gear, so that once you were bundled up for the night it wasn't quite so cold. Now getting ready for bed and waking up, very different matter, cold, cold, cold.

Bryce, Bryce, Baby

This is camp the morning after, not so bad. But as much as I love the smell of a bacon at campfire in the morning, it was way to cold. So of to the local cafe for a nice breakfast, warm bathrooms, and the internet.(Lakers continue to win)




Stretching out in amazingness of Bryce National Park. We escaped the crowds by hiking into the canyon, yes there were tourist buses and SUVs packed with vacationers, but still pretty empty compared to most of the year.




Absolutely exquisite.



The trails were pretty muddy which led to us mud-skiing as Skye called it. It made for getting out of the canyon a tedious yet comical adventure.





Post card perfect.



After several hours of hiking, Skye had had enough and was ready to get back to camp.




Skye spotted this gorgeous buck and was snapped out this shot. It became one of the highlights of the trip.

Back at camp, after numerous attempts we realized the snow wasn't quite right to make snowmen, not sticky enough, I suppose. So we made 2 dimensional snow men instead.





We had Turkey dogs and smores again. Much windier and colder than night before.

Leaving Las Vegas

We woke up early, before the sun. We had decided to swing through Zion National Park on way to Las Vegas for and early dinner and then home. Cindy was coming home on Sunday and Skye had a girl scout Christmas Ornament -making event she didn't want to miss.

The skies were clear and just incredibly beautiful for viewing the wondrous sights of Zion.




Skye checking out the rocks and waterfalls.



We only hiked to one of Zion's many sights the Weeping Rock. I really would have liked to stay for a few days but such was not our schedule.

Crazy Vegas

So after a couple of nights of roughing it and getting in tune with nature what better way to acclimate back into the "civilized" world than heading to down town Las Vegas and the "Fremont Street experience".

We had a great Sushi dinner at MGM Grand and checked out the Strip and the casinos now in full splendor and holiday Saturday night crowds.

And then down to Fremont Street.

Being in Las Vegas, completely stone-sober, after camping with my 10 year old daughter on a Saturday night, well let's just say it was a new eye-opening experience for me.




Surrealism at its realistic best. Like a scene out of Blade Runner.

The light show was pretty spectacular, and most important of all Skye loved it.





































Skye was sad to go so soon.





Last looks on the Strip

The parking structure was madness. Some guy offered me $20 for my free parking space. I didn't want to be bothered and felt a little funny taking money for a public spot and helping this guy cut in line, but when he added "This is Vegas, man" I guided him to our spot. When I got our car and realized that I had parked illegally.(There was a "parking ticket" on my window. It as from the casino not the city, so more of a warning than anything else)

I grabbed the ticket, rolled out of the space, allowing the guy to get it before anyone else could and took his money, his voice echoing in my mind, "This is Vegas, man" as I drove away.




We got home around 1:30 am. Exhausted but having had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. And we still had Sunday as well.

Thanksgiving Eve

Where to begin? Too much to say, too much to do, too many thoughts. Cindy flew off today, a family matter. Skye and I decided earlier today that we would make an adventure of this extended weekend. So in the next several hours we will be heading out of LA towards Bryce National Park in Utah. I'm gonna try to time it so that we can have an early breakfast in Vegas before the Thanksgiving gorge gets started and so that we can get to the park by noon or earlier. It's getting late and I have not fully packed. So, there you are short and sweet. Much to follow I'm sure.

Lakers Live

For whatever reason, I have not attended many live events, such as concerts or ballgames, etc. I love 'em, just haven't had or made the time and opportunities. So in spite of the fact that I am a die-hard Lakers fan since watching Magic as a kid growing up, I have only made it to one Laker game. And in that game, Kobe got injured in the first quarter and the Lakers got stomped.

Now thanks to dear friend Charles, I can now say that I've been to two Lakers games and this time it was the Lakers doing the stomping.

In truth, it was a rather lackluster game but it was a win and I saw it was another die-hard Lakers fan who understands basketball. So it was absolutely fantastic.




Add to that we took the Metro to the game, going Green to see the Purple and Gold.

That was Tuesday, the Lakers also took down Phoenix last night, putting them atop the league at 9-1.



Wow this blog is becoming a sports blog, never imagined that.

So in that vein, big shout out and reminder Lance Armstrong is racing in the Tour de France again this year. Maybe I'll make it to France to see it live.

Week in review- A mixed bag

Burn Baby Burn

I'll start with Sunday morning in this week's retrospective, since I woke up this morning to ash floating down around me and covering our cars.




Yesterday one couldn't see Downtown from our house.




The city was in sight this morning, albeit in a smoke-filled Armageddon-like haze.




The morning barely managed to burn through the clouds of smoke. After watching the news for an hour, flipping through channels, we still had only an inkling of where the fires actually were. I found this very informative map on-line. Click to go and see our little ring of fire.




I'm still playing around with the underwater feature on my camera. Meanwhile, we had an invader raid the pond a couple of weeks back. All the fish were fine but whatever it was completely destroyed the water lily's and ate all of the snails. It must have been a French opossum with a midnight craving for escargot.




Speaking of exoskeleton deaths, Alvin passed the other day. She is already missed. Cindy and Skye had a nice ceremony for her. I was working on a pilot and couldn't make it to the service.

We have been meaning to have a garage sale for a while now. I don't why, we both abhor them. They are so much more trouble than they are worth, at least for us. If we enjoyed them, it might be a different matter but......




One of the lamest garage sales I've ever been involved with. If it weren't for the arrival of garage sale wizard, Kip Haynes who managed to sell our one big ticket item to one of the two customers who showed up we would have netted less than $20.




Meanwhile when cleaning for a small pizza party on Sunday, (as if it weren't already smoky enough) we discovered to our horror and humor, a definite sign of being too busy and crazed, that the cans for the beer can chickens from the China Olympic's party were still sitting on the grill. Only to realize that they actually predate that party, going back to the Fourth of July. Oh my, oh my....






The garden is doing well but is in much need of weeding and maintenance.

Let's see, Cindy and I are both working on the remake of Fame.

I, we all started running last weekend, Skye and Cindy posting two 4 mile workouts up in the Kenneth Hahn back country, only to be smoked out this weekend.

The Lakers posted there first loss, happening unfortunately the same evening as my pre-garage sale meltdown. They still hold the best record in the NBA, to the point that Shaq is now expressing an interest in returning blaming his and Kobe's difficulties on coach Jackson. Oh Shaq, retire already with your dignity still some what in tact.

Like I said a mixed bag.

Laker's undefeated

The Lakers are one of two teams that remain undefeated. And they are doing it in a convincing manner, beating their opponents by an average of 22 points. Basketball, particularly Lakers basketball is pretty much my only mainstream sports obsession. Tonight they went up against the Houston Rockets and after going into the half leading by a mere 2 points they dominated and ended up winning by 29 points. They are playing great defense and playing like a team. GO LAKERS!!!!!!

Cindy's and Skye's first 5k, Laker's continue to win and oh yeah, Obama WINS!!!!!!

It's been a pretty great week. The Laker's continue to win(4-0), Cindy and Skye ran in their first 5k and Obama won!!!!!!!

Cindy and I are working together on the remake of Fame!



Skye finishing her first 5k.



The family that runs together, um, um, ........




New and improved rodeo clown make-up.

Sorry to not be more interesting or coherent or .... but trying to dash this off, Friday early eve, end of workday/week. So gotta go.

Yay, Laker's and
even bigger hurrah to Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Lakers Go

The NBA season began last Tuesday, October 28. And the Laker's started things off right by beating Portland 95-76 and continued with destroying our crosstown rivals the Clippers by39 points, a final score of 117-79. I now it's a long ways until the Play-offs and Finals but this is a great start. Tonight they play their first away game, so we'll see if they can keep up the onslaught.

Go Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy Halloweeny ....I'm Getting Old

A friend was having a costume themed birthday party, just in time to give the ol' Halloween costume a trial run.

A bunch of years ago I went as Vincent Van Gogh for Halloween. A bandage over my ear, some semi-appropriate duds and voila, that was that. My reddish hair and reddish beard and broken nose was enough to pull off the mad painter.

But this year when I went to repeat the number, I realized my red highlights had been replaced by gray and silver. And my face was a little rounder.

So, as I have in past years I went to pull together some kind of clown outfit. Except the "fat" pants, pretty much fit. They weren't snug but they sure weren't funny ha ha big either. So I hoped in the car at the last minute throw something together for Kip's costume party.





I thought beat up and tired lookin' rodeo clown was fitting for the evening.



Cindy on the other hand still can play off the Cruella look.



Cruella and the Clown out to scare friends and family