Random thoughts

Nothing heavy in this post...

First, a note to self.  American Cheese is good on a Cheeseburger.  Cheddar Cheese is good on a Cheeseburger.  Provolone Cheese is NOT good on a Cheeseburger.  Don't do that again.  Yuch.

I'm beginning to understand one possible reason why there might be more Christmas lights up here than elsewhere.  I've never put up Christmas lights in short sleeves before.  I might be able to get used to that.  A single story house makes for a nice low roof line - only a step ladder is needed.  The roof line has lights.  Now to start worrying about the windows, the porch supports, the gazebo, and the long wall.  It's a good thing that Advent is long enough.

The rocket is assembled and has a first code of paint on the body.  The fins will have to be hand painted.  I think the rocket will be completed in time for it's scheduled launch date.

Boondoggles to the LA Bulk Mail Post Office on a Sunday evening are a great start to a date night.

Launch 2 weeks from 2 day

Rocketry of California is having a sport launch on December 13th.  It sounds like a fun day.  I think I'll take G. out for the day and launch rockets.  Of course, launching rockets means building rockets.  I need to put a rocket or two together for the day.  I've got an Estes Rocket kit called "Hi-Flier" - perhaps I'll make a slide show of it's assembly and maybe even a You Tube video of it's launch.  Stay tuned...

PS:  Cruising Estes for a link to my kit I saw a really neat one.  Now I need to build a "Porta-Pot Shot".  I'll add that to my 43 Things list.

Economic Stimulus

Well, Black Friday is over for us.  We spent our money and have done our patriotic duty to provide an economic stimulus package.  We spent more than we should have but not as much as in the past.  It'll have to do.  We did manage to come home with ... well some presents.  I don't think I should say more.  One of these presents might be for you and I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.  You'll have to wait until Christmas.  Sorry.

Made a demo podcast

I got an idea of a podcast I might be able to do with a friend. I put together some theme music that I think is cool. I made a demo last night to give him a sense of what it might be like. My microphone is terrible. I need to get my better equipment out and record with that instead. So maybe, just maybe, I’m actually doing something to accomplish the goal of creating a podcast in my list of (not quite) 43 things.

See more progress on: Create a podcast that is actually worth listening to

Black Friday

Yuck.  Another Black Friday is coming.  Up before the sun and out to the stores.  I don't like it and I wouldn't do it if it were left up to me.  But my wife really likes it so I go out and help her.  It's a group plan.  She drops me off at a store with a list and then she heads off to a different one.  She comes back to get me later and then drops me off somewhere else.  Twice as many stores in the same amount of time.  It works for her.  It's a sacrafice that I make for our marriage.

Christmas & Happy New Year

It's almost the new year.  Year B in the Catholic Church starts this weekend and so does Advent.  As Advent nears my thoughts turn to Christmas.  This year is looking to be an interesting Christmas.  The news is full of stories about people cutting back and spending less on Christmas presents.  Our family will be one of those spending less.  As I ponder this I am getting excited - excited in a good way.  With fewer presents in the way the true meaning of Christmas will be more apparent - the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I think that this may be our most joyous Christmas yet.

But I got to thinking about a friend of mind in Colorado.  This friend was not Christian.  In fact, I think he was an atheist if I remember correctly (and I often don't).  He celebrated Christmas with his family.  I asked him why since I new he would not be celebration the birth of Jesus.  He said it was a holiday to give and receive presents.  I didn't understand it then and I still don't.  But thinking of him I got a little bit sad.  For him this year with a lessening of presents the Holy day won't be a celebration but just another day off of work.  That just makes me sad for him.

So, I believe that if you focus on the meaning of the holiday and celbrate the birth of our Salvation this year that you can possibly have the best Christmas ever.  If you lose track of Jesus and reduce it to gift exchanging then it looks to be one of the worst.  Let's all look to Jesus to guide us, soften our hearts, and celebrate our inheritance of the Kingdom.  And of course, pray for those who will be struggling.

Motorcycles Are Gone

Well, that's it I suppose. At least for now. Sold both motorcycles. They were rusting away next to the house. Maybe this way they'll get ridden again. Someday I may buy another bike. It might even be another XS1100. That'd be nice. Or it might be a new american bike. We just know what the future will bring. I was sad seeing them go but they'll get ridden again.

See you on down the road - maybe even on two wheels some day but for now it'll be four wheels.

How to make pumpkin pie!

"Yummy, yummy, yummy, I've got homemade pumpkin pie in my tummy."

How I did it: I got 4 smallish pumpkins (6 to 8 inches in diameter).  I removed the stem, cut them in half, removed the pumpkin guts, and put them innards down on a cookie sheet.  I had covered the cookie sheet with aluminum foil to keep them from staining the sheets and I let the pumpkin skin take the heat.  I baked them at 350 degress like baked potatoes for almost an hour.  I pulled them out when they were soft and peeled the skin off.  I got about 8 cups of mashed pumpkin.  From there I followed the recipe in a cook book using store bought pie crusts.

Lessons & tips: Bake the pumpkin - don't boil it.  Boiling makes the pumpkin too wet.

Resources: Aluminum foil and a cook book.

It took me 3 days.

It made me happy.

See more progress on: Make pumpkin pie!

Learn to cook - Now!

I just read an interesting article from Britian on Reuters titled, "We can't cook for a downturn, chef says".  According to the article, the Brits have forgotten how to cook meals at home and in the economic downturn they're turning to Fast Food because that's the only way they know how to feed their families for less.  Now they want to appoint a "Minister of Food" to work out policies to teach people to cook and to open government sponsored food centers.  Scary.  I'm glad I know how to cook some things - I made* three pumpkin pies from actual pumpkins yesterday.  I'll taste them tonight.

* I did cheat and use a store bought pie crust.  I guess learning to make pie crusts is my next kitchen lesson.  I'll add that to my 43 things.

Fishing Trip

Another thing to do on my life’s list…

Grab a charter fishing trip that goes overnight or even better, Friday night to Sunday night. I hope to put some Tuna steaks in the freezer. Yumm, yumm.

See more progress on: Overnight or Weekend long fishing trip

Boxes! Sheesh.

Boxes, boxes, boxes. Boxes everywhere. Boxes in the Living Room. Boxes in the Garage. Boxes in the Kitchen, Dining Room, and Office. Boxes in the Guest Room, the Master Bedroom, and the Master Retreat. Boxes are even outside. But no boxes in the Bathroom. Boxes in the closets. Working on emptying EVERY box this time.

See more progress on: Empty EVERY box from the last move

Bake Pumpkin Pie

We got 4 baking pumpkins at the store yesterday. Now I need to turn them into at least three pumpkin pies. One for eating now, one for eating on the next campout, and one for Thanksgiving. I’m the only one that eats pumpkin pie in our house so I have to eat the WHOLE pie before it gets moldy. It’s a tough task but someone has to do it!

See more progress on: Make pumpkin pie!

No More Sierra Nevada Beer

I just heard on a Rosary Army Podcast that Sierra Nevada Company contributes to and supports an abortion mill.  That's not good.  That's not right.

I'm joining the Sierra Nevada Beer boycott.  Too bad, it tasted pretty good.  If you hear that they've stopped supporting the abortion mill let me know - I'll celebrate with a Sierra Nevada Beer but I won't taste it again until then.

Alaska

I've always thought it would be way cool to be far enough north in Alaska (or anywhere I suppose) to be able to experience a 24 hour period where the sun never sets (mid-summer) and a 24 hour period where the sun never rises (mid-winter). Image a day with no night or no day. What is that like?

See more progress on: Go to Alaska for a 24 hour "day" and a 24 hour "night"

Obama Won the Election

The Oval Office turned blue.  he Senate and House both remained blue.  I fear that legislation is going to be passed like a run-away freight train.  Mixing metaphors, not only are we likely to throw out the baby with bath water, I think we'll be seeing that they put some more babies in the tub before they do it!

The talking heads claim it was the economy.  The democrats will tax and spend us into a worse economy.  I predict sweeping legislation that disrepects the right to life, personal property rights, the natural law, and gives up our freedom.  As a friend of mine uesd to claim, "We, the US, have gotten the President that we deserve."  Pray for us.

Election sites to monitor

National Presidential on CNN

California Statewide General Election

Orange County General Election

Which sites are you monitoring?

My vote is cast(?),...

My vote is cast.  The wait was just over an hour.  Now, I'm off to get my free cup of coffee at Starbucks. listen

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It's Election Day Today

So get out and vote!  Or forsake your right to complain for four years...

Deep Thoughts

"In order to succeed at anything in life, you have to do 3 things effectively - manage information, track commitments and allocate resources."

 - http://www.davidco.com/

All Souls Day

For all of our departed brothers and sisters...

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Merciful Father,

hear our prayer and console us.

As we renew our faith in Your Son,

whom You raised from the dead,

strengthen our hope

that all our departed brothers and sisters

will share in His resurrection,

who lives and reigns

with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen