As promised, a little Laker update. I have not had time to do much more than check out headlines and such and then maybe catch up with highlights from the internet. But it is the begining of the season and there have been no epic games to speak of.
Artest is fitting in nicely, no craziness yet and with both Bynum and Gasol healthy, they are crushing teams like last night, Golden State; 130-97, even with Kobe having an "off-night". He only had 20 points, usually averaging 29, putting him second in the league. Which is where the Lakers are as well, right behind the Suns.
They play again tonight against the New Jersey Nets who are looking desperately for a win. Otherwise they will continue to be winless, this season giving them the not so honorable stat of worst beginning of a season ever. Something tells me that that bit of motivation won't be enough..
So there you have it. Now back to stories from the "farm".
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Case of the Headless Chicken
Night Marauders or things imagined
The other night I thought I heard a disturbance down in the chicken run. I rushed outside with a flashlight to check on the ladies and although there was some clucking, they all seemed fine and were huddled together, "sleeping".
When I went to check on them in the morning, two were walking around and one was still in the spot they were in the night before. I walked over to discover that not only was she stiff as a board she was missing her head. Before I could do anything, (I didn't really know what to do, mind you) one of the other chickens walked past me and started snacking on her unfortunate friend.
I snatched the corpse and took her outside of the run, while I dug a deep hole.
I was confused.
The chickens had chosen to, instead of roosting up high, to all settle down between the planters in what happened to be the moistest area in the run and it had been pretty cold the night before. Maybe she died of exposure and I was to blame because I hadn't built their coup yet. I felt more than horrible.
Skye however pointed out that the entire head was gone, no bones, no beak, nothing was left of her from the neck up. She then reminded me of the birds bad habit of sticking their heads through the fencing to get a better look around.
That was it then, raccoons were to blame.
Then the next day a second chicken died. These were never that healthy looking of birds, which instead of playing the part of an animal rescue bleeding heart, I should have turned on my heels and left that horrible little pet shop in Sun Valley. So I dug another hole, thoroughly confused. One hen left, Blondie and she looked pretty healthy although she was still pretty funky and had matted feathers and just not that clean, something I wrote off as just the way chickens are, until I saw chickens that were properly cared and housed not jammed into a pen at a "pet shop".
Blondie was lonely and let me know by clucking, a lot. I realized I needed to find a friend for her before the neighbors freaked out about the cluck, cluck, clucking.
But first I was going to finish the chicken coupe. I was actually modifying a little structure, I had built a ways back to hide a big AC unit. Anyway, the work went quickly and soon Blondie had a nice warm home. It's been a couple of weeks since those two passed, I still blame the raccoon for the first bird and I think the other died from a few things, hastened perhaps by the quick cold snap we experienced. Blondie has since cleaned herself up and looks pretty healthy. Even her beak which had been snipped by the "pet shop" has almost grown completely back. As to "friends" for her, well that is another story.
Stay Tuned....
A raccoon could have maybe done such a dastardly deed. Regardless I would be making their evening quarters, more accurately converting and modifying an existing structure. Now I just need to finish
The other night I thought I heard a disturbance down in the chicken run. I rushed outside with a flashlight to check on the ladies and although there was some clucking, they all seemed fine and were huddled together, "sleeping".
When I went to check on them in the morning, two were walking around and one was still in the spot they were in the night before. I walked over to discover that not only was she stiff as a board she was missing her head. Before I could do anything, (I didn't really know what to do, mind you) one of the other chickens walked past me and started snacking on her unfortunate friend.
I snatched the corpse and took her outside of the run, while I dug a deep hole.
I was confused.
The chickens had chosen to, instead of roosting up high, to all settle down between the planters in what happened to be the moistest area in the run and it had been pretty cold the night before. Maybe she died of exposure and I was to blame because I hadn't built their coup yet. I felt more than horrible.
Skye however pointed out that the entire head was gone, no bones, no beak, nothing was left of her from the neck up. She then reminded me of the birds bad habit of sticking their heads through the fencing to get a better look around.
That was it then, raccoons were to blame.
Then the next day a second chicken died. These were never that healthy looking of birds, which instead of playing the part of an animal rescue bleeding heart, I should have turned on my heels and left that horrible little pet shop in Sun Valley. So I dug another hole, thoroughly confused. One hen left, Blondie and she looked pretty healthy although she was still pretty funky and had matted feathers and just not that clean, something I wrote off as just the way chickens are, until I saw chickens that were properly cared and housed not jammed into a pen at a "pet shop".
Blondie was lonely and let me know by clucking, a lot. I realized I needed to find a friend for her before the neighbors freaked out about the cluck, cluck, clucking.
But first I was going to finish the chicken coupe. I was actually modifying a little structure, I had built a ways back to hide a big AC unit. Anyway, the work went quickly and soon Blondie had a nice warm home. It's been a couple of weeks since those two passed, I still blame the raccoon for the first bird and I think the other died from a few things, hastened perhaps by the quick cold snap we experienced. Blondie has since cleaned herself up and looks pretty healthy. Even her beak which had been snipped by the "pet shop" has almost grown completely back. As to "friends" for her, well that is another story.
Stay Tuned....
A raccoon could have maybe done such a dastardly deed. Regardless I would be making their evening quarters, more accurately converting and modifying an existing structure. Now I just need to finish
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Malibu Marathon
I was so not prepared for this marathon, to the point where I had to think of it as a training run just to maybe get through it. Some how, some way I just relaxed and enjoyed the run. It helped that the course was so beautiful.
We started out at 7 am and it was cold. But after a mile we were warmed up and enjoying the cropland/breadbasket that is California. BTW I am realizing more and more how relatively easy it is to be a localvore or even a semi-localvore in California.
I started having lots of fun in the run, kicking it off rocks and berms, yeah it was fun. In fact, it was the most fun I ever had on a marathon. Usually miles 20 - 26 are absolute hell, somehow this time, in spite of the hills the last five miles were incredible. I actually sprinted the last 1/4 mile.
What an amazing locale for a run. It makes it easy, right?
Feeling good after a 26.2 training run.
Kicking it at the beach ending.
Little time to rest though, cause Dec. 5, Death Valley awaits!!!!
We started out at 7 am and it was cold. But after a mile we were warmed up and enjoying the cropland/breadbasket that is California. BTW I am realizing more and more how relatively easy it is to be a localvore or even a semi-localvore in California.
I started having lots of fun in the run, kicking it off rocks and berms, yeah it was fun. In fact, it was the most fun I ever had on a marathon. Usually miles 20 - 26 are absolute hell, somehow this time, in spite of the hills the last five miles were incredible. I actually sprinted the last 1/4 mile.
What an amazing locale for a run. It makes it easy, right?
Feeling good after a 26.2 training run.
Kicking it at the beach ending.
Little time to rest though, cause Dec. 5, Death Valley awaits!!!!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Week in Review
Not Off the Presses
The last week[(s) I have been spinning not sleeping so time- weirder than usual] has been absolute craziness, so the blog has taken a backseat. Here are some of the headlines/topics that I will try to cover in the next day or so.
The Case of the Headless Chicken
Backyard Buddies
Prius Headaches
Bunnies
You say Tilapia I say Tomato I say Tomato
Go Lakers
STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!!
The last week[(s) I have been spinning not sleeping so time- weirder than usual] has been absolute craziness, so the blog has taken a backseat. Here are some of the headlines/topics that I will try to cover in the next day or so.
The Case of the Headless Chicken
Backyard Buddies
Prius Headaches
Bunnies
You say Tilapia I say Tomato I say Tomato
Go Lakers
STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Separation Anxiety
Look, I understand I can be a ridiculous bundle of dichotomies; one day being a techno-gadget-consumer-whore to the next where I can see the virtues of No-Impact man. It is why one day Ann Rand is a model of self-determination and the next she represents the ultimate in capitalist buffonery and worship to the corporate myth of the free market that does not, will not and in our world of duplicity, human nature and greed can not exist. So it is with a good-sized grain of salt that I relay my trippy relation to recycling and re purposing.
I ran across this link, Living in a World Without Waste while surfing years ago. Not only did it inspire me at the time, but it made me feel less foolish as I dragged bins of cans and bottles and my daughter to the recycling center getting a few cents here and there, certainly not worth my time in a monetary exchange but well worth it in the example I was trying to set and the concept of where our stuff ends up after we blithely consume.
A bit from the above BBC article:
I am well on my way to sorting and dividing to Kamikatsu standards;
In the County provided Big Blue Bin I toss in plastics and various papers that have somehow avoided the shredder, worm bins and/or rabbit house, rat apartment or world of re purposing.
Glass gets separated by color green,brown, and awaits a field trip to the recycling center where I will get a few dimes for my efforts.
Aluminum cans gets re purposed into things like jewelry and Christmas ornaments or get crushed and to the recycling center. These are the most valuable bits of waste and are what those people who wake up real early and sort through our garbage and recycle bins before they get picked up by big trash trucks are primarily after.
Yard clippings; weeds and diseased plants go into the Green County provided to dealt with in an economy of scale.
Food that we don't eat for whatever reasons go; vegetable type stuff goes into worm farms; foods with animal proteins go to black soldier fly Bio-pod
Rabbit and rat litter into planters and the various composters
Corn get mixed into rat and rabbit litters and into the chicken run
Paper products into shredder; mixed into litters, also used in compost
I have been sorting and keeping this stuff to take to a Hazardous Materials collection site. I have yet to make the journey;
Batteries
Those "Green" flourescent light bulbs. " “Green” bulbs may be non-hazardous, but they still contain mercury. Mercury, even at very low levels, can become air-borne and be deposited into the environment, such as lakes and other water bodies."
Aerosol spray paints
Compsotable silver ware, cups, plates. They will go into the compost bins and we'll see how "compostable" they are. Still toying with these "eco-friendly" goods.
These are routes that I have not utilized yet but working that direction.
Freecycle-First to friends and family and then on-line.
Craigslist-Bricks and Pebbles
Repurposed items
Soda stream to make sodas and carbonated waters and avoiding containerage
Exploring paths of consumerism and eco-happiness--to be continued........
I ran across this link, Living in a World Without Waste while surfing years ago. Not only did it inspire me at the time, but it made me feel less foolish as I dragged bins of cans and bottles and my daughter to the recycling center getting a few cents here and there, certainly not worth my time in a monetary exchange but well worth it in the example I was trying to set and the concept of where our stuff ends up after we blithely consume.
A bit from the above BBC article:
The Japanese island where the rubbish collectors never come
The Mayor of Kamikatsu, a small community in the hills of eastern Japan, has urged politicians around the world to follow his lead and make their towns "Zero Waste".
He told BBC News that all communities could learn from Kamikatsu, where residents have to compost all their food waste and sort other rubbish into 34 different categories.
I am well on my way to sorting and dividing to Kamikatsu standards;
In the County provided Big Blue Bin I toss in plastics and various papers that have somehow avoided the shredder, worm bins and/or rabbit house, rat apartment or world of re purposing.
Glass gets separated by color green,brown, and awaits a field trip to the recycling center where I will get a few dimes for my efforts.
Aluminum cans gets re purposed into things like jewelry and Christmas ornaments or get crushed and to the recycling center. These are the most valuable bits of waste and are what those people who wake up real early and sort through our garbage and recycle bins before they get picked up by big trash trucks are primarily after.
Yard clippings; weeds and diseased plants go into the Green County provided to dealt with in an economy of scale.
Food that we don't eat for whatever reasons go; vegetable type stuff goes into worm farms; foods with animal proteins go to black soldier fly Bio-pod
Rabbit and rat litter into planters and the various composters
Corn get mixed into rat and rabbit litters and into the chicken run
Paper products into shredder; mixed into litters, also used in compost
I have been sorting and keeping this stuff to take to a Hazardous Materials collection site. I have yet to make the journey;
Batteries
Those "Green" flourescent light bulbs. " “Green” bulbs may be non-hazardous, but they still contain mercury. Mercury, even at very low levels, can become air-borne and be deposited into the environment, such as lakes and other water bodies."
Aerosol spray paints
Compsotable silver ware, cups, plates. They will go into the compost bins and we'll see how "compostable" they are. Still toying with these "eco-friendly" goods.
These are routes that I have not utilized yet but working that direction.
Freecycle-First to friends and family and then on-line.
Craigslist-Bricks and Pebbles
Repurposed items
Soda stream to make sodas and carbonated waters and avoiding containerage
Exploring paths of consumerism and eco-happiness--to be continued........
Friday, November 06, 2009
Gone Too Long or maybe Too Long Gone
It’s a few minutes shy of three in the morning, Friday morning. I woke up around an hour ago, after falling asleep while trying to watch the Daily Show. I woke up to infomercials, with two Giant Chinchilla rabbits frolicking around and remembered that I had left a couple of fresh Tilapia in the sink downstairs, one scaled, one not; with the “How to Cook Anything” cookbook opened to the section detailing how to clean fish.
For some reason, it had seemed like a good time for me to learn how to do that. As I started to gut one of the fish, it struck me that it really wasn’t a good idea. I mean the idea itself might be worthy, but the timing certainly was not. That actually might be a good analysis of much of my wanderings and musings. Cindy has always been a good balance to this trait of mine. But she has been away and even with regular and consistent phone therapy, I am veering much to close to the edge.
This morning or rather yesterday morning, Thursday morning I was up at 3:30. By 4:30 I had Skye up and we were on the road to San Diego to pick up a couple of rabbits that we had fallen in love with on our Tuesday field trip to the 2009 National Rabbit Breeders Association convention.
We dealt with the official aspects of buying “pedigreed” bunnies and set forth to contend with the exodus of 13,000+ rabbits and their human devotees, after their week-long cultural niche orgy love-in. We then headed back to LA or rather Carson so that Skye could fulfill her obligation as Impromptu Master for her Public Speaking Club.
It was after she finished this and while the other club members spoke and did whatever else speech makers do when they get together (I say this blithely even though I was on my Speech and Debate team in High School) that I went to the local grocery mart to get some water for the aforementioned and still unnamed bunnies. Turns out it was a Philippine market with a pretty good selection of fish. So I picked up some Tilapia, so that Skye could see what the 30+ inch-long fish in the 180 gallon horse trough in our garage were going to grow into and so that I could get some experience in processing said fish. I also picked up a squid to grill and chicken to do up “Beer-can style” for the Inaugural Backyard Buddies gathering we were hosting on Saturday.
Backyard Buddies is my idea. A good idea, I think. But good ideas are little more than that until put in action. And that is where my timing, practically and convictions often collide. It is at that intersection that my wife Cindy has taken on the difficult job of Crossing Guard/traffic cop, duties that don’t really translate well to long-distance, remote participation.
In her absence, I have managed to fit in a Ken Keesey-like 3 week “car schooling” road trip, to visit her on location, in Georgia. I have set in to motion, our own little Urban Farm, complete with chickens and rabbits, Tilapia and catfish, worm farms and soldier grub pods, more plants than one could ever imagine fitting on our very vertical piece of rock. All the while juggling Skye’s education that includes Shakespeare work shopping, book and public speaking clubs, Girl scouts, various martial arts, Aerial Arts (Trapeze and the like), her social networks of “park days” and weekends full of birthday parties and holiday themed get togethers. We managed to shoe horn in at least 4 costumed events and yes we designed and sewed her outfit. And a second yes to doing the 3 R’s and a goodly number of “electives”
For good measure I have been trying to keep physically and mentally sound by keeping up my FUNctional fitness routines, Brazilian Juijitsu and of course I have my gauntlet run of marathons, starting with the Malibu Marathon in week or so.
My listings and ramblings are but a tip of the iceberg of my recent going-ons. Thus far my Titanic has yet to collide in the seeminly global-warming impervious ice-berg field I’m barging through. But that could be said of the White Star’s crown jewel until that fateful April night.
It is now 4:15. I am signing out, dozing off.
For some reason, it had seemed like a good time for me to learn how to do that. As I started to gut one of the fish, it struck me that it really wasn’t a good idea. I mean the idea itself might be worthy, but the timing certainly was not. That actually might be a good analysis of much of my wanderings and musings. Cindy has always been a good balance to this trait of mine. But she has been away and even with regular and consistent phone therapy, I am veering much to close to the edge.
This morning or rather yesterday morning, Thursday morning I was up at 3:30. By 4:30 I had Skye up and we were on the road to San Diego to pick up a couple of rabbits that we had fallen in love with on our Tuesday field trip to the 2009 National Rabbit Breeders Association convention.
We dealt with the official aspects of buying “pedigreed” bunnies and set forth to contend with the exodus of 13,000+ rabbits and their human devotees, after their week-long cultural niche orgy love-in. We then headed back to LA or rather Carson so that Skye could fulfill her obligation as Impromptu Master for her Public Speaking Club.
It was after she finished this and while the other club members spoke and did whatever else speech makers do when they get together (I say this blithely even though I was on my Speech and Debate team in High School) that I went to the local grocery mart to get some water for the aforementioned and still unnamed bunnies. Turns out it was a Philippine market with a pretty good selection of fish. So I picked up some Tilapia, so that Skye could see what the 30+ inch-long fish in the 180 gallon horse trough in our garage were going to grow into and so that I could get some experience in processing said fish. I also picked up a squid to grill and chicken to do up “Beer-can style” for the Inaugural Backyard Buddies gathering we were hosting on Saturday.
Backyard Buddies is my idea. A good idea, I think. But good ideas are little more than that until put in action. And that is where my timing, practically and convictions often collide. It is at that intersection that my wife Cindy has taken on the difficult job of Crossing Guard/traffic cop, duties that don’t really translate well to long-distance, remote participation.
In her absence, I have managed to fit in a Ken Keesey-like 3 week “car schooling” road trip, to visit her on location, in Georgia. I have set in to motion, our own little Urban Farm, complete with chickens and rabbits, Tilapia and catfish, worm farms and soldier grub pods, more plants than one could ever imagine fitting on our very vertical piece of rock. All the while juggling Skye’s education that includes Shakespeare work shopping, book and public speaking clubs, Girl scouts, various martial arts, Aerial Arts (Trapeze and the like), her social networks of “park days” and weekends full of birthday parties and holiday themed get togethers. We managed to shoe horn in at least 4 costumed events and yes we designed and sewed her outfit. And a second yes to doing the 3 R’s and a goodly number of “electives”
For good measure I have been trying to keep physically and mentally sound by keeping up my FUNctional fitness routines, Brazilian Juijitsu and of course I have my gauntlet run of marathons, starting with the Malibu Marathon in week or so.
My listings and ramblings are but a tip of the iceberg of my recent going-ons. Thus far my Titanic has yet to collide in the seeminly global-warming impervious ice-berg field I’m barging through. But that could be said of the White Star’s crown jewel until that fateful April night.
It is now 4:15. I am signing out, dozing off.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Trip down memory lane
Farmer Jon, or perhaps fishmonger Jon
I've been looking for containers to use as part of an aquaponic system that I will maybe someday put together. My latest stab in the dark took me back to my ol' stomping grounds where I spent my formative years, looking for of all things a plastic horse trough.
As a kid, this place was one of my favorite places. It made me want to "go rural". I can't believe it's still there, just like I remember it. So very few places in L.A. have any sort of history. It was fun showing Skye a little bit of my history.
This is the house where I grew up from I think like 4th grade to college. Oh the memories.
Woodland Hills Academy was Parkman Jr. High School where I attended 9th grade.
And then off to Taft High, 3 pretty dismal years.
When I went to school, I remember there were a couple of armed plains clothes detectives who regularly frequented our hallways.
Skye and I swung by the other day and there were two squad cars parked outside which was a little disconcerting.
In-and Out Burger survived, but McDonald's did not.
This Pollo Loco was where a McDonalds used to be, home to my first job and perhaps a good part of my fear and loathing of McDonalds.
Location of my first savings account, but it was a Llyond's Bank way back then.
Corbin Bowl survives. Bravo!!!!!!!
Pierce Community College
I took classes at various times, particularly during the summers, as well as running through the campus with Taft High's cross country running team. The campus' pastoral setting made me want to retreat an "easier" way of life out in the countryside, but that was not to be.
Skye enjoying a suburban farm moment.
This was not here when I was a kid. Pretty cool. Skye and I picked up some corn and some sugar pumpkins that we would later convert into pumpkin pies, more on that latter.
I love corn mazes, but Pierce didn't have them when I was growing up.
All in all a wonderful journey
I've been looking for containers to use as part of an aquaponic system that I will maybe someday put together. My latest stab in the dark took me back to my ol' stomping grounds where I spent my formative years, looking for of all things a plastic horse trough.
As a kid, this place was one of my favorite places. It made me want to "go rural". I can't believe it's still there, just like I remember it. So very few places in L.A. have any sort of history. It was fun showing Skye a little bit of my history.
This is the house where I grew up from I think like 4th grade to college. Oh the memories.
Woodland Hills Academy was Parkman Jr. High School where I attended 9th grade.
And then off to Taft High, 3 pretty dismal years.
When I went to school, I remember there were a couple of armed plains clothes detectives who regularly frequented our hallways.
Skye and I swung by the other day and there were two squad cars parked outside which was a little disconcerting.
In-and Out Burger survived, but McDonald's did not.
This Pollo Loco was where a McDonalds used to be, home to my first job and perhaps a good part of my fear and loathing of McDonalds.
Location of my first savings account, but it was a Llyond's Bank way back then.
Corbin Bowl survives. Bravo!!!!!!!
Pierce Community College
I took classes at various times, particularly during the summers, as well as running through the campus with Taft High's cross country running team. The campus' pastoral setting made me want to retreat an "easier" way of life out in the countryside, but that was not to be.
Skye enjoying a suburban farm moment.
This was not here when I was a kid. Pretty cool. Skye and I picked up some corn and some sugar pumpkins that we would later convert into pumpkin pies, more on that latter.
I love corn mazes, but Pierce didn't have them when I was growing up.
All in all a wonderful journey
Monday, October 26, 2009
Running on empty
Overbooked maybe????
Juijitsu(My class)-Playa del Rey; Girls scouts Westchester; Pick up race bib USC, retrieve and collect costumes, (Baldwin Hills); Back to pick up Skye and buddy from girls scout to take to Capoeria (Santa Monica) via trip back to Baldwin Hills for forgotten Capoeria uniform(Oops); Home school Halloween Family dance (Studio City); Back home to drop off Skye and then off to USC to run in the Human Race at just past mid-night.
And all the while working on "school work", a little car-schooling, here, some audio-book bits there, and utilizing hand-held digital devices for edu-tainment.
Nike's Human Race 2009
After being up since around 6 am and then bopping all around LA, it was more than a little tough to trek on down to USC 10ish to jostle around with a few thousand other runners, many being college age USC types.
Once I got there, parked and got all checked in and was hanging around the start the energy was infectious. And I was ready to bust out a good 6 mile training run.
Considering the first mile was little more than a shuffle of packed in sardine-runners, my 50 minute run wasn't awful and the fact that I had plenty left in the tank as it were, was a positive. But I did feel a bit sluggish and heavy.
I am in full support of making LA more beer friendly.
This was post-race. The girl on the phone in the foreground was one of many. Cell phones, Facebook, texting... All of the connectiveness, that at times disconnects us from our immediate surroundings lends itself to many questions and discussions that will be obsolete almost as soon as they are voiced, given the speed at which technologies and trends are changing.
Unbooking
As full as Friday had been, Saturday wanted to match it. But I was done. There were several "350" events that I had wanted to make it to, there was the Film Maker's Alliance picnic, there were friends that I had planned to see and just couldn't. I hibernated on Saturday. And actually did more of the same on Sunday, when Skye was away for the better part of the day and I was supposed to run my long-training run and didn't.
Early Morning Miles
I put in 20 miles Monday morning, heading out around 6 am, 3 plus hours on the road. I was feeling and running slow. The result of not enough sleep, bad diet and mostly weeks off of training and being jammed in a car for many hours a day of road tripping.
Tuesday-Speed Work
I hit the road to work on some speed, put in a good fast 1 hour bit. 15 minutes into it and I am feeling dehydrated and heavy as a clydesdale. And then I remember that I should really be taking a day off.
Ouch!!!
Juijitsu(My class)-Playa del Rey; Girls scouts Westchester; Pick up race bib USC, retrieve and collect costumes, (Baldwin Hills); Back to pick up Skye and buddy from girls scout to take to Capoeria (Santa Monica) via trip back to Baldwin Hills for forgotten Capoeria uniform(Oops); Home school Halloween Family dance (Studio City); Back home to drop off Skye and then off to USC to run in the Human Race at just past mid-night.
And all the while working on "school work", a little car-schooling, here, some audio-book bits there, and utilizing hand-held digital devices for edu-tainment.
Nike's Human Race 2009
After being up since around 6 am and then bopping all around LA, it was more than a little tough to trek on down to USC 10ish to jostle around with a few thousand other runners, many being college age USC types.
Once I got there, parked and got all checked in and was hanging around the start the energy was infectious. And I was ready to bust out a good 6 mile training run.
Considering the first mile was little more than a shuffle of packed in sardine-runners, my 50 minute run wasn't awful and the fact that I had plenty left in the tank as it were, was a positive. But I did feel a bit sluggish and heavy.
I am in full support of making LA more beer friendly.
This was post-race. The girl on the phone in the foreground was one of many. Cell phones, Facebook, texting... All of the connectiveness, that at times disconnects us from our immediate surroundings lends itself to many questions and discussions that will be obsolete almost as soon as they are voiced, given the speed at which technologies and trends are changing.
Unbooking
As full as Friday had been, Saturday wanted to match it. But I was done. There were several "350" events that I had wanted to make it to, there was the Film Maker's Alliance picnic, there were friends that I had planned to see and just couldn't. I hibernated on Saturday. And actually did more of the same on Sunday, when Skye was away for the better part of the day and I was supposed to run my long-training run and didn't.
Early Morning Miles
I put in 20 miles Monday morning, heading out around 6 am, 3 plus hours on the road. I was feeling and running slow. The result of not enough sleep, bad diet and mostly weeks off of training and being jammed in a car for many hours a day of road tripping.
Tuesday-Speed Work
I hit the road to work on some speed, put in a good fast 1 hour bit. 15 minutes into it and I am feeling dehydrated and heavy as a clydesdale. And then I remember that I should really be taking a day off.
Ouch!!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Another glorious Super Duper park day
Hurray the Super Duper
Always a frame work for lesson planning or life-learning or as the case was most recently was a "teachable moment"or is presented by the monthly Super Dupers, basically a home school show and tell that precedes one of our park days.
Skye wanted to be a gypsy. Well there's a lot there. We went to the library got some books on gypsies, realized very early on that Skye's outfit would be gypsy-inspired as their "traditional" dress was rather glum and dour. We dispelled a couple of the bigger misconceptions and myths in regards to gypsies, but have yet to really jump into the "study" of gypsies as I had imagined.
We did however at the last moment succeed in coming up with an idea of a costume. We were able to use scraps of fabric that we had acquired from a friend at one of the studios drapery department. So the costume was environmentally friendlier because we were using fabric that was otherwise on the way to a landfill.
Materials in hand we started pattern-making(which Skye ended up not using) and cutting and pinning and sewing up the skirt for her outfit.
The machine we have is an industrial machine and quite sturdy and efficient, a real task horse and fast as the dickens and hard to control at least for amateurs like Skye and myself. Add to that our rushedness because of the looming parade, all of a week and a couple days before Halloween and the "teachable" moments became about planning, taking on unrealistic goals and learning when to "cut bait" as it were.
After cleaning up the garage enough so that we could use it, and finishing up all the other bits and pieces that make up life I took the skirt pieces which Skye had already pinned together done much of the sewing and took over so she could get to bed before too late, which at our house is pushing 11 o'clock. She's a night owl and one of the wonderful things about home schooling is being able to allow for her natural sleep rhythms. So I was off to sewing into the smaller hours of the night or morn, depending on one's perspective.
Skye was fine with the first version of her Skirt. I however thought that it was too full and decided to remove a panel or two, and then I thought if the hem were weighted say by some beading it would fall better and then to hide the bunchiness of the drawstring we could add a waist band. I decided this the morning of the 11 am costume parade.
Did I mention part of the great fun of the Super Duper is the potluck that follows? Yes we would be cooking up our proscuto wraped figs with melted manchego center festivally displayed on these black driftwood trees that suited the halloween theme.
So at 9:30 I was sewing back Skye's skirt after tearing out some panels, redoing the drawband that I had torn out to add the waistband which I decided was too complicated for the time being, and putting away all the lovely beading I had dug out, all the while hoping that Skye could manage to make the figs on her own.
Skye in her gypsy outfit. Very simple and scaled down, embellishments may or may not follow.
Had I not attempted to re-do things and "fix" it, it would have been a doable and simple project.
This is an older version of the "fig tree" . Skye was successful in her cooking exploits and together we hung the fruit and made it to park day just in time, in spite of LA's mean traffic.
We were there the better part of the day, had wonderful food and conversation and I am realizing the time right now and will finish off this post to avoid a less than nice 'teachable" moment.
Always a frame work for lesson planning or life-learning or as the case was most recently was a "teachable moment"or is presented by the monthly Super Dupers, basically a home school show and tell that precedes one of our park days.
Skye wanted to be a gypsy. Well there's a lot there. We went to the library got some books on gypsies, realized very early on that Skye's outfit would be gypsy-inspired as their "traditional" dress was rather glum and dour. We dispelled a couple of the bigger misconceptions and myths in regards to gypsies, but have yet to really jump into the "study" of gypsies as I had imagined.
We did however at the last moment succeed in coming up with an idea of a costume. We were able to use scraps of fabric that we had acquired from a friend at one of the studios drapery department. So the costume was environmentally friendlier because we were using fabric that was otherwise on the way to a landfill.
Materials in hand we started pattern-making(which Skye ended up not using) and cutting and pinning and sewing up the skirt for her outfit.
The machine we have is an industrial machine and quite sturdy and efficient, a real task horse and fast as the dickens and hard to control at least for amateurs like Skye and myself. Add to that our rushedness because of the looming parade, all of a week and a couple days before Halloween and the "teachable" moments became about planning, taking on unrealistic goals and learning when to "cut bait" as it were.
After cleaning up the garage enough so that we could use it, and finishing up all the other bits and pieces that make up life I took the skirt pieces which Skye had already pinned together done much of the sewing and took over so she could get to bed before too late, which at our house is pushing 11 o'clock. She's a night owl and one of the wonderful things about home schooling is being able to allow for her natural sleep rhythms. So I was off to sewing into the smaller hours of the night or morn, depending on one's perspective.
Skye was fine with the first version of her Skirt. I however thought that it was too full and decided to remove a panel or two, and then I thought if the hem were weighted say by some beading it would fall better and then to hide the bunchiness of the drawstring we could add a waist band. I decided this the morning of the 11 am costume parade.
Did I mention part of the great fun of the Super Duper is the potluck that follows? Yes we would be cooking up our proscuto wraped figs with melted manchego center festivally displayed on these black driftwood trees that suited the halloween theme.
So at 9:30 I was sewing back Skye's skirt after tearing out some panels, redoing the drawband that I had torn out to add the waistband which I decided was too complicated for the time being, and putting away all the lovely beading I had dug out, all the while hoping that Skye could manage to make the figs on her own.
Skye in her gypsy outfit. Very simple and scaled down, embellishments may or may not follow.
Had I not attempted to re-do things and "fix" it, it would have been a doable and simple project.
This is an older version of the "fig tree" . Skye was successful in her cooking exploits and together we hung the fruit and made it to park day just in time, in spite of LA's mean traffic.
We were there the better part of the day, had wonderful food and conversation and I am realizing the time right now and will finish off this post to avoid a less than nice 'teachable" moment.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Home Sweet Home
The first days were spent downloading from the trip,literally, be it physically with our luggage and goods or virtually from various digital mediums.
Daisy the Banished Cat welcomed us home by making a point of reminding us why she was banished peeing and poohing defiantly on couches and beds, which of course meant stripping them down, cleaning and laundering sheets and such and then rebannishing Daisy.
Then came the rains, which had me punching holes through out the house trying to track down leaks and drips. Somehow knowing that I had to repair one ceiling (where I put up the trapeze-type rig) made me feel like a few more holes wouldn't be that much work. I will regret that latter I'm sure.
The pursuit of the aqua-invaders had me looking from above as well, pulling out the extension ladder and climbing all over our roof as the rain made things nice and slick. At one point, I was up on the roof with a shop-vac, cleaning out gutters and then tracking the water's paths with food coloring. More to-do's jumped on the already endless list.
Then it became the scramble to re-insert ourselves back into our L.A. community.
Monday brought a surreal park day, with us just barely getting there before more rain and me unable to coherently tell much about the trip and of course that feeling like you've been gone forever and yet never left.
Tuesday saw Skye starting a Shakespeare program and just starting to prepare for her speech for her Public Speaking class, which was to be 6-8 minutes, can feel like an eternity when speaking in front of a group.
Wednesday we were back swinging around in our aerial, and then practice, practice, practice on the speech, oh that speech.
Thursday---The dreaded speech,.........
SKYE won the BEST SPEAKER AWARD,
BRAVO!!!!!!!
We reunited with our two rats and a wonderful park day.
Friday had me rolling around, back to jui jitsu training. Add in all the typical chore type things, errands and nonsense and continuous unpacking, training for the upcoming marathon(s).
Daisy the Banished Cat welcomed us home by making a point of reminding us why she was banished peeing and poohing defiantly on couches and beds, which of course meant stripping them down, cleaning and laundering sheets and such and then rebannishing Daisy.
Then came the rains, which had me punching holes through out the house trying to track down leaks and drips. Somehow knowing that I had to repair one ceiling (where I put up the trapeze-type rig) made me feel like a few more holes wouldn't be that much work. I will regret that latter I'm sure.
The pursuit of the aqua-invaders had me looking from above as well, pulling out the extension ladder and climbing all over our roof as the rain made things nice and slick. At one point, I was up on the roof with a shop-vac, cleaning out gutters and then tracking the water's paths with food coloring. More to-do's jumped on the already endless list.
Then it became the scramble to re-insert ourselves back into our L.A. community.
Monday brought a surreal park day, with us just barely getting there before more rain and me unable to coherently tell much about the trip and of course that feeling like you've been gone forever and yet never left.
Tuesday saw Skye starting a Shakespeare program and just starting to prepare for her speech for her Public Speaking class, which was to be 6-8 minutes, can feel like an eternity when speaking in front of a group.
Wednesday we were back swinging around in our aerial, and then practice, practice, practice on the speech, oh that speech.
Thursday---The dreaded speech,.........
SKYE won the BEST SPEAKER AWARD,
BRAVO!!!!!!!
We reunited with our two rats and a wonderful park day.
Friday had me rolling around, back to jui jitsu training. Add in all the typical chore type things, errands and nonsense and continuous unpacking, training for the upcoming marathon(s).
ETC.
ETC. ETC.
ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC.
ETC. ETC.
ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC.
The garden was left mostly untended, its plethora of tasks looming on the horizon, like the dark rain clouds that welcomed us back.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Up, up, and a way and away
2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.--Fireworks and Glodeo
To prevent setting up camp in the dark we found a campground just south of Albuquerque, more like an hour south, but we did successfully find the campground and then managed to set up the tent, nice and secure and then we headed north to the 2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Like I said, we camped out around an hour south but the traffic made it more like 2 1/2 hours til we got to the fair ground parking. We didn't quite make it to the Glodeo but we did see the hot air balloons illuminated from the highway as we sat in traffic.
And we did make it in time for the fireworks. And in time to sit in traffic on our way out.
I figured we would have to wake up around 4:30 to get to the Fairgrounds in time for the Mass Ascension.
I was wrong. We really needed to leave at like 3:30. This is after we had already been in traffic for around an hour and still a long way to go. You can see a balloon in the background.
Our first balloon sighting.
And a few more.....
Until the sky was full of balloons.
Of every shape and size. And this was just from the car.
Hurray we finally made it. ... More balloons.
A scare crow will rise among us
We saw Pink Elephants little before all the balloons had lifted away.
Looking up into the belly of the "beast"
Up, up and .....not away.
After checking out every last balloon until the field was empty, we went to find out more at the balloon museum. Who knew that the history of hot air balloons could be so interesting.
During World War II, the Japanese launched thousands of balloons rigged with bombs. They floated to the States on the Gulfstream. Balloons made it as far as Michigan. Interesting little tidbit.
What is he carrying????
By the time we got back from the museum, much of the fair had packed up, taking a break from
crowds and maddness, except those who still had Darth Bader pins to sell.
And of course, the chainsaw scultping competion.
Because is there really any better way to pay respect to Native Americans than using a gas powered chainsaw to carve out images of them from enourmous logs.
The Mad Dash Home
We had planned to camp out for a few more days and enjoy more of what the southwest has to offer but we were both done. So after grabbing some carnival snacks we beeline home.
Although we passed many more worthy and redeemable sights along this last leg, we did make time to see our old the Ostrich friends.
Maybe more like acquantencies.
The place was too surreal for words.
A final goodbye to Arizona,,,,Hello California.
To prevent setting up camp in the dark we found a campground just south of Albuquerque, more like an hour south, but we did successfully find the campground and then managed to set up the tent, nice and secure and then we headed north to the 2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Like I said, we camped out around an hour south but the traffic made it more like 2 1/2 hours til we got to the fair ground parking. We didn't quite make it to the Glodeo but we did see the hot air balloons illuminated from the highway as we sat in traffic.
And we did make it in time for the fireworks. And in time to sit in traffic on our way out.
I figured we would have to wake up around 4:30 to get to the Fairgrounds in time for the Mass Ascension.
I was wrong. We really needed to leave at like 3:30. This is after we had already been in traffic for around an hour and still a long way to go. You can see a balloon in the background.
Our first balloon sighting.
And a few more.....
Until the sky was full of balloons.
Of every shape and size. And this was just from the car.
Hurray we finally made it. ... More balloons.
A scare crow will rise among us
We saw Pink Elephants little before all the balloons had lifted away.
Looking up into the belly of the "beast"
Up, up and .....not away.
After checking out every last balloon until the field was empty, we went to find out more at the balloon museum. Who knew that the history of hot air balloons could be so interesting.
During World War II, the Japanese launched thousands of balloons rigged with bombs. They floated to the States on the Gulfstream. Balloons made it as far as Michigan. Interesting little tidbit.
What is he carrying????
By the time we got back from the museum, much of the fair had packed up, taking a break from
crowds and maddness, except those who still had Darth Bader pins to sell.
And of course, the chainsaw scultping competion.
Because is there really any better way to pay respect to Native Americans than using a gas powered chainsaw to carve out images of them from enourmous logs.
The Mad Dash Home
We had planned to camp out for a few more days and enjoy more of what the southwest has to offer but we were both done. So after grabbing some carnival snacks we beeline home.
Although we passed many more worthy and redeemable sights along this last leg, we did make time to see our old the Ostrich friends.
Maybe more like acquantencies.
The place was too surreal for words.
A final goodbye to Arizona,,,,Hello California.
Return to Hotsville
A Week Ago Today
After our amazing hike to the Top of Texas, we headed down to our friends in El Paso.
This marks the first time we retraced our steps.
Last time we visited, as fate would have it one of our hosts got horribly ill on our arrival, hopefully we wouldn't cause a relapse.
We didn't, thank God and our friend was back to his charming self (with this blog I always am wondering about whose name and or pictures to include so pardon my oddness of not using names at times)
Upon our arrival we were whisked away to a triple art opening at El Paso University which was cool, but not as cool the former speak-easy bar we were off to next.
Back in the days of the Prohibition,( you remember that remarkable failure, no ?...I guess neither does everyone opposed to legalizing marijuana. Different times, different issues,.... not so many, really.)
Anyway, Hollywood movie stars would arrive at this wonderful spot in New Mexico on its private runway. It looks much like it would have back in the day, except for the cityscape that was built up all around it. That and some other things, but it retained much of its original charm and was ultra hip and cool.
We had dinner at another lovely El Paso dig which boasted a wide selection of beers. And then off to bed, for we had a long day ahead of us on Friday.
Back to Hatch
We had a lovely brekfast, (I finally got the juevos rancheros I had been searching for) at a local joint amidst cotton fields and then headed north to Alburquerque and hot air balloons, but not before a quick trip through memory lane.
Last time we were in Hatch, New Mexico was on a Sunday at around 5 am, the weekend after their big annual celebration. Then it looked like, well a small tourist trap the weekend after its big annual celebration.
Now however, the mess had been cleaned up, the posters had been stowed away and it returned to its semi-quiet stature of being an off the main drag tourist trap. During the day all the shops were open and the wonderful aroma of roasted peppers floated through the entire town. There all things of chili, everywhere. What a difference it makes to visit a place when it's open.
Hatch, New Mexico Chile Capital of the World
I especially liked the added effect that drying the chili's on the roof had.
Fields of fire
This looked very much like one of the installation pieces we saw the night before at the art opening, a piece called "Snagged".
Don't know how I really felt about the piece itself, but it did spark several conversations on cotton and its place in the Rio Grande Valley and how legalizing marijuana would be the best thing that could happen to Ciuad Juarez, El Paso's sister city in Mexico, juat across the River and also currently the most dangerous place in the Western Hemisphere.
So perhaps it reached its goal, at least in part.
After our amazing hike to the Top of Texas, we headed down to our friends in El Paso.
This marks the first time we retraced our steps.
Last time we visited, as fate would have it one of our hosts got horribly ill on our arrival, hopefully we wouldn't cause a relapse.
We didn't, thank God and our friend was back to his charming self (with this blog I always am wondering about whose name and or pictures to include so pardon my oddness of not using names at times)
Upon our arrival we were whisked away to a triple art opening at El Paso University which was cool, but not as cool the former speak-easy bar we were off to next.
Back in the days of the Prohibition,( you remember that remarkable failure, no ?...I guess neither does everyone opposed to legalizing marijuana. Different times, different issues,.... not so many, really.)
Anyway, Hollywood movie stars would arrive at this wonderful spot in New Mexico on its private runway. It looks much like it would have back in the day, except for the cityscape that was built up all around it. That and some other things, but it retained much of its original charm and was ultra hip and cool.
We had dinner at another lovely El Paso dig which boasted a wide selection of beers. And then off to bed, for we had a long day ahead of us on Friday.
Back to Hatch
We had a lovely brekfast, (I finally got the juevos rancheros I had been searching for) at a local joint amidst cotton fields and then headed north to Alburquerque and hot air balloons, but not before a quick trip through memory lane.
Last time we were in Hatch, New Mexico was on a Sunday at around 5 am, the weekend after their big annual celebration. Then it looked like, well a small tourist trap the weekend after its big annual celebration.
Now however, the mess had been cleaned up, the posters had been stowed away and it returned to its semi-quiet stature of being an off the main drag tourist trap. During the day all the shops were open and the wonderful aroma of roasted peppers floated through the entire town. There all things of chili, everywhere. What a difference it makes to visit a place when it's open.
Hatch, New Mexico Chile Capital of the World
I especially liked the added effect that drying the chili's on the roof had.
Fields of fire
This looked very much like one of the installation pieces we saw the night before at the art opening, a piece called "Snagged".
Don't know how I really felt about the piece itself, but it did spark several conversations on cotton and its place in the Rio Grande Valley and how legalizing marijuana would be the best thing that could happen to Ciuad Juarez, El Paso's sister city in Mexico, juat across the River and also currently the most dangerous place in the Western Hemisphere.
So perhaps it reached its goal, at least in part.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Guadalupe Peak
Car Camping
So watching hundreds of thousands of bats busting out of that ridiculously deep cavern was more than awe inspiring.
On the map Carlsbad Cavern and Guadalupe Mtn National Park looked pretty close together. Given that it was night time and the road was somewhat less than an Interstate, in regards to size and speed, well lets just say that the lightning and thunderstorm didn't bode well.
When we rolled into the campground at Guadalupe, it was dark, really dark, I guess. It was hard to tell with the tumultuous downpour and the hail. Hail? Are you kidding me.
I did get a glimpse of our surroundings with the flashes from the lightning storm that was crackling and zapping.
We Would NOT Be Setting Up the Tent In This Weather!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the Hotel Prius, which was much more comfortable than I had imagined.....
that being said I hadn't imagined too much comfort crammed in the driver's seat under the steering wheel.
Guadalupe Peak--Texas High Point-- 8,749 ft elevation
One of the reasons we endured the rough sleep was so that we could get an early jump of the hike.
It was another 8.4 mile hike, 4.2 up and 4.2 down, just like the one we did in Oklahoma, except this one was marked strenuous and at the trailhead, it was suggested that you give yourself between 6 to 8 hours to complete. What follows is the description from the National Parks newsheet: "Difficulty:Strenuous. Approx. 3,000 ft elevation gain, steep, rocky path....Hike to the "Top of Texas" at 8,749' for spectacular views. Avoid the peak during high winds and thunderstorms. During warm temperatures, carry a gallon of water per person."
We were down in 5 1/2 hours and pretty worn out.
Just heading up. As fate would have it, on our toughest and most picturesque hike, my camera battery ran out and it was one of the first times ever that I went out without a back-up battery
Along the way up, we came across these most amazing looking grasshoppers, in the midst of what they might of wanted to keep private.
Maybe they put a curse on the camera and sucked out the batteries energy, because this was the last photo we were able get.
Thank goodness for the Iphone. Looking out over a little bit of Texas and a whole bunch of New Mexico and some Old Mexico.
It was cold and windy and views that went on for ever and ever. Our hardest and most grueling High Point to date.
Skye takes some of the pictures of me.
The Guadalupe Mountains as we hit the highway heading towards our good freinds house in El Paso, with a fresh battery.
So watching hundreds of thousands of bats busting out of that ridiculously deep cavern was more than awe inspiring.
On the map Carlsbad Cavern and Guadalupe Mtn National Park looked pretty close together. Given that it was night time and the road was somewhat less than an Interstate, in regards to size and speed, well lets just say that the lightning and thunderstorm didn't bode well.
When we rolled into the campground at Guadalupe, it was dark, really dark, I guess. It was hard to tell with the tumultuous downpour and the hail. Hail? Are you kidding me.
I did get a glimpse of our surroundings with the flashes from the lightning storm that was crackling and zapping.
We Would NOT Be Setting Up the Tent In This Weather!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the Hotel Prius, which was much more comfortable than I had imagined.....
that being said I hadn't imagined too much comfort crammed in the driver's seat under the steering wheel.
Guadalupe Peak--Texas High Point-- 8,749 ft elevation
One of the reasons we endured the rough sleep was so that we could get an early jump of the hike.
It was another 8.4 mile hike, 4.2 up and 4.2 down, just like the one we did in Oklahoma, except this one was marked strenuous and at the trailhead, it was suggested that you give yourself between 6 to 8 hours to complete. What follows is the description from the National Parks newsheet: "Difficulty:Strenuous. Approx. 3,000 ft elevation gain, steep, rocky path....Hike to the "Top of Texas" at 8,749' for spectacular views. Avoid the peak during high winds and thunderstorms. During warm temperatures, carry a gallon of water per person."
We were down in 5 1/2 hours and pretty worn out.
Just heading up. As fate would have it, on our toughest and most picturesque hike, my camera battery ran out and it was one of the first times ever that I went out without a back-up battery
Along the way up, we came across these most amazing looking grasshoppers, in the midst of what they might of wanted to keep private.
Maybe they put a curse on the camera and sucked out the batteries energy, because this was the last photo we were able get.
Thank goodness for the Iphone. Looking out over a little bit of Texas and a whole bunch of New Mexico and some Old Mexico.
It was cold and windy and views that went on for ever and ever. Our hardest and most grueling High Point to date.
Skye takes some of the pictures of me.
The Guadalupe Mountains as we hit the highway heading towards our good freinds house in El Paso, with a fresh battery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
