Lake Adjacent

Quiet Home

2009-07-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday morning, Ashley and we were up at 4:30 am to await Sally's arrival to fly with Ashley and the boys to Salt Lake City. Before 5, the boys were in their car seats, hugs were had all around, and Ezra waved as they headed off. Ashley was good enough to tweet and/or call to let us know all had gone well (even though Ezra was a bit squirmy) and they were all reunited with Bryce and Francis.

But for us, and Carolyn in particular, being in our once again quiet home, absent of the cries of Ezra's "Mimi!" or those of Porter wanting to be transfered back into mom's arms, little 'tokens' reminded us of the fun (and challenges) of having the Hales living with us for a month. A binkie in the back seat of the car, a bib draped over the high chair, the miscellaneous Cheerio, our cat seeminly searching for his newest friend, a bedtime story book that won't be re-read for awhile.

Carolyn will be heading to SLC later this month while Bryce is off at a conference, so she will be able to seem them soon, but the daily bath, or request for "up, up", or the walk down to the lake to see the geese through a toddler's eyes - all will be missed. The house is pretty quiet.

Orcas?

2009-05-18T09:00:00.001-07:00

DSC_0081, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

On the calm trip over, we saw a small pod with these taller, floppier dorsal fins. Were they orcas or a larger form of dolphin?

Stowaways

2009-05-18T08:58:00.001-07:00

DSC_0065, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

About 17 miles out, we had first one of these stoways land on our lines who was soon joined by three of his friends. The seemed to need a place to rest and were totally fearless as can be seen here. They checked out the cabin and the cockpit before leaving after twenty minutes or so.

Dolphin Escort

2009-05-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

DSC_0008, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Dennis, Stephen and I motor-sailed to Catalina this weekend under overcast skies and very calm seas. We again enjoyed being greeted by a huge pod of dolphins who effortlessly kept up with us and played off the bow as we made our way toward the island. I have plenty more photos on my flickr page.

The Collector

2009-04-13T10:22:00.001-07:00

The Collector, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Ezra enjoyed his first Easter egg hunt with grandparents and parents pointing out the plastic eggs (no chocolate) and Ezra added to the hunt by picking up a few extra items.

Greatgrandson

2009-04-13T10:19:00.001-07:00

Greatgrandson, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Wanda joined us in a visit to Ashley and Bryce's for Easter dinner and an opportunity to meet her newest grandson, Anderson Porter Hales. Bryce cooked a great tri-tip, Carolyn provided roasted vegetables and fresh fruit, and Ashley started it with appetizers and finished it with a great homemade cheesecake. All of it was great!

Ezra Welcomes Porter

2009-03-22T21:01:00.001-07:00

DSC_0013, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

A sweet kiss from Ezra, Sunday morning in the hospital welcomes him to the family.

Anderson Porter Hales

2009-03-22T20:59:00.001-07:00

DSC_0024, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Carolyn holds and welcomes our second grandson, Anderson Porter Hales, with love and kindness. He came quickly into this world on Sunday morning, March 22, after about 3 hours of labor for Ashley and 5 minutes in the hospital!

Anderson comes from Carolyn's grandmother's side of the family (and Ashley's middle name) while Porter is Bryce's grandfather's middle name and which will be what their number two will be called.

Carolyn is staying overnight to help with Ezra and we expect Ashley and Ezra to return to their home tomorrow, Monday.

UPDATE: Corrected Porter's birthday - Ashley is right, March was previously reserved for her.

Hail Hail

2009-02-19T13:40:00.001-08:00

CIMG4627, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Carolyn called me around 8:15 Tuesday morning to let me know our home had just been pummeled with hail! It covered our backyard, the street and the common area with a blanket of faux snow. You can check my flickr site for more pictures.

Valentine Weekend

2009-02-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

DSC_0007, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Well, I had to share my bride this Valentine's weekend with another male in her life, our grandson, Ezra. Ashley and Bryce had requested our babysitting "talents" last autumn for a two day marriage seminar put on by their church. Carolyn drove down there mid-afternoon Friday, and I drove down from Upland through rain slowed traffic after work which took a mere 2:45!

We had a good time with Ezra except he didn't really want to keep to his schedule for sleeping and was definitely missing his mom. So instead of first going down at 7:30 it was more like 10:00, and his wakings during the night probably lasted longer than normal because mom and dad weren't there. We enjoyed playing with blocks, reading books, eating, and taking a long walk around the neighborhood. We even stopped in for lunch at Fuddruckers and Ezra had his own sliders.

He went down for a nap around 2:00 and so did we! Ashley and Bryce returned around 5 and Ezra was sure glad to see them. Bryce and I picked up Valentine's dinner at a good pizza place; we just should have asked for the olives to be shaped like a heart. Then it was off to home and a good night's rest.

DSC_0035, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Winter Hibernation

2009-02-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

Well, Carolyn has been bugging me to blog again which sent me to blogger to find that it has been nearly 3 months! I guess I've been in a blogger hibernation since the election and the subsequent holidays. I can only blame my laziness or lack of inspiration for my failures.

This weekend was once again a beautiful one in Southern California and after a few chores - washing both cars, doing a couple loads of laundry, taking the vacuum cleaner to get repaired, etc. - Carolyn and I made a picnic lunch and took it down to our lake. We'd thought about going to Irvine park, but the day had sorta of gotten away from us so we stayed very local.

I spread a blanket on the grass and we ate tuna fish sandwiches and ate navel orange slices while watching the three resident swans slowly paddle by. One had its wings slightly open like the images you see of the "Tunnel of Love" boats. Then, the largest decided to come ashore and slowly waddled towards us, followed quickly by the two others. Carolyn, having experienced their aggressiveness before on a paddle boat ride with Darla, grabbed her sandwich and drink and moved away while I rescued her shoes, my sandwich and the brownies. (I might consider laying down my life for good chocolate!) I retreated a bit as the big fella nipped at me, and then I reached in and grabbed our blanket. Carolyn commented that she was glad Ezra wasn't with us as he might have really been afraid.

Anyway, we gathered ourselves together and finished our meal on the front porch while watching the local game re-take the grassy knoll at the end of our street.

Thanks, David

2008-11-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

So, how much do you think Barack owes David Palmer, the calm, competent, African-American President on 24, for his success?

Although, I didn't vote for him, it was pretty amazing watching the unbridled joy exhibited by his supporters of all races, genders, and ages. I wish him well and hope that he rules from the center. We can only hope.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club

2008-10-01T14:50:00.001-07:00

Hilton Grand Vacations Club, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

I'm quite late in posting about the eight days we spent on the Big Island in early September with Ashley, Bryce and Ezra who had just turned one!

The three Hales drove up Saturday morning, August 30, and John and Sally met at our house to say goodbye and take charge of Francis for the week. PrimeTime shuttle was waiting to take the five of us to LAX for the 1:00 pm flight on Delta. Conversations en route were limited as the driver kept the front windows open during the hour drive even though I asked about the a/c. Oh, well.

Thankfully, the flight wasn't full, so Ezra was able to sit between Ashley and Bryce in his car seat rather than having to be held the entire five hours. We arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon, and while Bryce and Ashley grabbed our bags, I headed off to grab our rental SUV (big enought for the five of us and our bags and stroller). It was then about a 45 minute drive to the Waikoloa area to get to our condo; a two bedroom, two bath, second floor unit with a full kitchen and a nice covered deck.

Here is view of the pool area at the condo.

HGVC Pool, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

This is the view from our deck.

Palms from the Patio, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

On Sunday, we made it to church (Lutheran) where we practically doubled the congregation and Ezra (with Ashley) was the only child to go forward for the children story. Afterwards we headed home and before long we headed out to explore some of the beaches within an easy drive from the condo. This was a pattern that was typical except the necessary times for naps - Ezra and me.

DSC_0103, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

DSC_0112, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

We often ate at home with steaks grilled by Bryce, or pizzas ordered in, but we made it out to several dinners including one at the Hilton on the patio while the sun set and the staff lit tiki torches. And Carolyn and I had one romantic dinner on our own as did Ashley and Bryce while Ezra kept us company.

About mid-week, we traded the beach for the Hilton's huge pool complete with wading area, waterfall and water slide. The pool was uncrowded as most people with school age kids were at home for back to school events. We all enjoyed the water slide and convenience of lunch and drinks delivered to our lounge chairs or wandering over to view the dolphins that you could swim with for a fee.

DSC_0075, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Dolphin Quest, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Late in the week we took a long drive over to Hilo and enjoyed the greenery of the eastern side, a picnic and several waterfalls.

DSC_0142, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

It was a great week and I got to really interact with Ezra. He even called my "Papa"!!

Ezra turns One (almost)

2008-08-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

I thought it would be sugar, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Saturday, we enjoyed a birthday celebration for Ezra who turns one on August 29, but since we'll be flying to Hawaii on the 30th, Ashley and Bryce hosted family, friends and neighbors for a great BBQ a week early.

Both of Ezra's great-grandparents attended along with grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins and a backyard full of kids. Ezra enjoyed a special cupcake frosted with tofu which you can see he enjoyed while the joys of sugar will await an older age. Bryce BBQd hamburger, hot dogs and brauts that were delicious alongside potato, pasta and green salads, fruit, chips, soft drinks and beer.

Ezra cleaned up in the gift department with art from Mimi and some of the kids, a new outfit, beach and bath toys, trucks, drum and flute, and, of course, books. A beautiful and great day.

Happy Birthday Ezra!

Follow this picture to others from the party on my flickr page.

Sunday in Newport

2008-08-12T13:51:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, after church we drove to Balboa Island to pick up a painting Carolyn had done from last year which had been held by a fellow artist after a show. After finding a parking spot just large enough for the Mini, we walked around the island enjoying the views of the bay, the boats, and the homes with their gorgeous flowers.

DSC_0009, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

We then took the Mini across the Balboa Island ferry to the Balboa Peninsula. I always enjoy that ride with the breeze, views of the bay, the Pavillion and the tourists taking their first rides.

Island Welcome, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

CIMG3493, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Besides enjoying a sunny day, our purpose was to scope out views that might be good artistic vantages for Carolyn when she paints in the "Paint the Peninsula" immediately after we return from Hawaii in early September. We found interesting spots near the Cannery and on Lido Isle looking over to the Peninsula that Carolyn noted and will probably use. Then we enjoyed quite a late lunch around 4 pm in the Lido Village area and watched as wedding parties returned from bay cruises and couples left on romatic gondola rides.

Balboa Park

2008-08-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

CIMG3448, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

We drove down to San Diego on Saturday in heavy traffic caused by several accidents that added an hour and a half to the normal drive. I hadn't seen little Ezra in about a month and I had to remind him of Papa!

After he awoke from his nap and we had eaten our Subway sandwiches, we loaded up the car and Bryce drove us down to Balboa Park. Not disuaded by the usual full parking lots, Bryce found a spot that was just being vacated within a short distance of the fountain. We strolled down past the Arboretum, watched wedding parties come and go, took pictures of the flora and then had a mid-afternoon beverage under umbrellas by an open grassy area with large modern sculptures. Ever time Ezra got down on the ground, he made a bee-line for the adjoining water feature. Whether crawling on all fours or with his knees off the ground, he moves quickly which required a quick grab to move him back to our table.

Bryce got Ezra laughing as he tossed him in the air or swung backwards. Follow these pictures to my Flickr account.

Whoopee, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

4th Water Battles

2008-07-07T10:26:00.001-07:00

DSC_0053, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Here are Dennis and Steve taking on a numerically superior force in the harbor of Dana Point on the 4th of July as swarms of zodiaks, jet skis and kayaks held an afternoon long water battle. Steve and Sharon were out first but when Sharon was thoroughly soaked, Dennis took the point and doused with the best of the younger set. Steve Kanda and I declined the offer to follow in his footsteps deciding that drier was better.

Steve, Sharon, Gloria and Dennis Hughes left the harbor in the late afternoon and the Kandas, Carolyn and I took a ride around the harbor in the inflatable loudly proclaiming our neutrality so as not to be soaked by those still patroling the harbor looking for willing victims. We motored past yachts decorated with bunting and flags while barbecues were being used for burgers and steaks.

We followed suit when we got back to our boat. We cooked bison burgers accompanied by potato salad, 7 layer bean dip, fruit salad, brownies and red wine. The wind had tempted us earlier to think about sailing but it had faltered and the humidity was only partially relieved by a slight breeze. We enjoyed our food, wine and conversation, and then at 9, the fireworks began at the harbor entrance which we enjoyed from the boat.

As the fireworks ended, low lying fog began to creep into the harbor and the bridge leaving the island was clogged with cars attempting to leave. We just stayed put until around 11 when the traffic finally cleared and then it was home after a long but very enjoyable day.

Beep Beep

2008-06-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

We've all seen the shoe polish signs on SUVs on the freeway signifying support for some child's soccer or softball team. "Yay AYSO All-Stars - Britney, Brittany, Brittknee and Sallee". Today I followed one with similar printing on the rear window - "Honk to Free Tibet".
Do they really think that will help? Will the Tibetans, Chinese or the UN hear? Or will the slow moving SUVer just be confused when I honk at him because he's driving too slowly in the fast lane?
Just thinkin' like George Carlin.

Yosemite

2008-06-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

A week ago Wednesday (June 4), Carolyn and I awoke quite early and left our home by 4:40 a.m. with a fully packed Altima on our way to Yosemite for Carolyn's art group and a little R and R for me. It's amazing how much stuff you end up taking for a mere five days!

We were at the tunnel view parking lot at 10:50, so we made great time and after breaking out my new Nikon for a series of photos we continued on to Upper Pines campground where we checked in and began the setup process. The new tent went up quickly and the battery powered air pump work very well on the queen sized air mattress. Food, cooking utensils and anything with a scent went into the metal bear box with a padlock for extra security.

Tunnel View, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

The art group got together in the late afternoon over at Lyndelle's and Rod's campsite in North Pines where we all enjoyed a BBQ of buffalo burgers and numerous side dishes brought by everyone. The weather was nice and warm and the water was pouring from the waterfalls and down the Merced.

Thursday the artists set up in the meadow across from Yosemite falls and I walked all over the meadows taking photos. Then I headed over to Lower Yosemite Falls for more photos including my shots of a young buck which was foraging in the stream created by the falls. I "snuck" up on him like a Native American, but he was probably immune to fear of humans so it was no great feat. Rod was in the area later and caught a video of a Lynx with a squirrel in it's mouth! In the afternoon, I walked from our campsite up to Mirror Lake and back. That evening, since the Lakers were playing game one in Boston, Bob, Charlene, Fred, Carolyn and I went over to the Village lounge and enjoyed beer, wine and dinner while suffering through the Lakers loss.

Mirror Lake, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Friday, Carolyn joined the others as they painted from the tunnel view of the valley while Bob and I drove up to Glacier Point for a few photos of Half Dome, Nevada and Vernal falls. When we got back to the artists, they weren't finished so Bob and I visited Bridalveil followed by lunch and a short film at the Visitor Center before connecting again with them near Swinging Bridge.

Half Dome, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Saturday, I hit the trails by myself up to Happy Isle and on to the bridge view of Vernal Falls. Then it was up the Mist Trail with way too many stone steps. As I got nearer the spray produced by the falls, I pulled out a plastic garbage bag and covered my camera case and then threw in my Oakley sunglasses to protect them. With people going up and down the narrow steps, I'd often have to wait for traffic to clear before heading up. Within about 200 feet of the top, I stopped to reposition the bag covering the camera and I couldn't find my sunglasses! Hoping that they had dropped out within a few dozen yards, I headed back down. Down as far as when I had put the glasses under wraps. No luck!! I was really pissed at myself and discouraged at losing a costly pair of sunglasses so I mellowed out a bit on huge boulder with a good view of the falls and then headed back to camp. I made a lunch and had a beer before finding the painters over on the Merced river in North Pine campground.

Vernal Falls, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Sunday we managed to pack up and cram everything back into the car after enjoying a BIG breakfast over at Curry Village with everyone else. Heading out of the valley around 11 am, we stopped at the historic area adjacent to the Wawona for beverages and ate our lunch under the trees. Then it was off towards Fresno and down the 99 sucking up gas at $4.59 per gallon. Ashley called on our way down and invited us for dinner! Bryce cooked both hamburgers and romaine lettuce on the BBQ (that was a new treat) with cookie dough baked into bowls and topped with vanilla ice cream for dessert! A great way station on our trip home.

Cruising

2008-06-01T12:22:00.001-07:00

Cruising, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

I like this one for it's serenity.

Tandem flight

2008-06-01T12:21:00.001-07:00

Tandem flight, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

This was a shot I took using the sports mode. Great shutter release and focus for something moving relatively fast.

Blogger Awakened

2008-06-01T12:19:00.001-07:00

In the Pink, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Perhaps it's been just that time or more likely that I just passed my 60th birthday and the trauma of that event has been weighing heavily on my heart and the obvious fact that I have significantly fewer days left on planet earth than those I've already enjoyed. Morbid, huh?

But with a five day camping trip planned to Yosemite this coming week, and after conversations with Bryce, I splurged on myself and purchased a belated birthday present - a new Nikon D60 with an 18-55 mm lens and an included 55-200 mm telephoto. So yesterday, I viewed the video and scanned the manual and was out this morning taking a variety of shots. This one is of Carolyn's roses blooming beside our home.

Victoria Gardens

2008-04-18T15:18:00.001-07:00

CIMG2781, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Here is Ezra enjoying his first train ride with Mimi at Victoria Gardens on Friday, April 11, when we cared for Ezra while Bryce and Ashley attended a dinner gathering for Providence Christian College.

Easter

2008-03-26T14:07:00.001-07:00

Easter Sunday was a glorious and quite warm day here in Southern California; John and Sally said the temperature guage on their car showed 90 degrees when they arrived with Margaret for Easter brunch. Joined by Lisa, Katie, Wanda, Ashley, Bryce, and Ezra we enjoyed appetizers and champagne, wine or beer before sitting down to a great mid-day brunch prepared by Carolyn (quiches of spinach/bacon and crab) and accompanied by Sally's salad.

Ezra enjoys his appetizer of avocado. All he needs are the chips!

CIMG2619.

After brunch, an egg hunt was conducted where only John, Bryce and I searched after the ladies found the most obscure outdoor places to hide the eggs. Luckily we found them all. Then it was off to the grassy common area overlooking the lake for a rousing game of croquet. John took my title as the master of disaster when he became "poison" and knocked off most of us, practically putting me into the lake! Ashley had Ezra as her personal caddy.

CIMG2625.

Ezra became the understandable center of attention a good deal of the time and willingly allowed everyone to get some time with him.

CIMG2627.

The day ended with a birthday celebration for Ashley and Bryce whose birthdays were coming up in a week, but who will be in Portland on their actual anniversary. Sally made a dynamite chocolate cake that we all enjoyed. It was a great day with our extended family!

CIMG2631.

R.I.P. Gracie

2008-03-24T10:58:00.001-07:00

CIMG2449, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

This is how we'd like to remember Gracie, our cat of over four years. She enjoyed the sunlit spots in our master bedroom for her frequent cat naps.

Over the last few days, we'd notice that Gracie was not just taking naps, but was listless, lethargic, with raspy breathing and was seeking out dark, cold places to lie. She wasn't hopping onto our laps or onto our bed during the night. When she was petted, she didn't raise her head very high, nor was she purring. I took her over to the vets on Saturday and waited in line for about two hours to see the doctor. Gracie just lay on the laminate examining table and didn't react much to the palpitating and prodding.

The vet wasn't hopeful, but suggested a blood test and Xrays which I authorized. About an hour later, the vet called with bad results. Gracie's white blood count was quite high and red count was very low. She had severe abnormalities with her liver and kidney functions as well. With her prognosis so poor and intensive care costing over $2000 just for the weekend (with no likelihood of a better outcome), we chose to put Gracie to sleep.

Carolyn came back to the vet's with me and we said our goodbye's to Gracie who looked at us with vacant eyes. It was hard to see her in such a state. It will take some time for us not to round a corner in our home with the expectation that she'll be lying in that little bit of sunshine over there.

Next Time - Hand Wash

2008-03-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

This last weekend seemed like it might provide the opportunity to finally wash my car, but late Sunday dark clouds rolled in along with booming thunder and a quick downpour which left my car even dirtier than before. I could barely see out of the rain and dirt spotted side windows.

So, Tuesday I thought "what the heck, I need gas anyway, so I'll take the Altima to the car wash." I filled up (after getting a new bank loan for the gas charge) and paid my money, and they even gave me a $2 discount. Then I waited for what seemed like a pretty long time for the car to come out of the wash area. It finally appeared and the guys began drying and washing windows. The horn beeped, I tipped the guy, got in and drove across the street.

Almost immediately, I heard something dragging and thought I'd caught a mat in the undercarriage. Another motorist honked to get my attention and I stopped in the center turning lane to check on the problem. MY BUMPER WAS HANGING BY A SINGLE BOLT!! I was mad! How could they have let me drive off after having the bumper ripped off in the car wash?

I jury rigged a way to support the bumper with bungee cords and drove slowly back to the car wash. The manager told me he had been looking for me! Right. The wheel faring had been slightly askew and unbolted which provided enough for those major brushes to just take the whole bumper off. I couldn't believe that there was so little holding it on. With a few zip ties and another bolt, we secured it a little bit further so I could make it to the Nissan dealer right after work.

The required fastners (plastic) only cost about $12 and there was enough light when I got home that I was able to re-affix the bumper securely, thankfully. The next time the car needs it, I'll do as I normally have by hand washing it, saving both some cash and some damage.

Quotes

2008-02-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

I read "The Patriot Post" three times a week and I particularly like the quotes they often publish. Some of my favorites from the February 13th edition:

"The government solution to any problem is usually at least as bad as the problem." Milton Friedman

"Vote for the man who promises least; he'll be the least disappointing." Bernard Baruch

"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." H. L. Mencken

"We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex - but Congress can." Cullen Hightower

Cruising Mexico Way

2008-02-19T09:38:00.001-08:00

I'm delinquent in posting about our week long cruise from San Diego down Baja California aboard the Dawn Princess and our stops in Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Carolyn's art teacher and her husband organized a plein air art excursion which allowed a few of us spouses to tag along and enjoy a time away from rainy Southern California.

We were joined by Paul and Marcia Stevens who were kind enough to pick us up at our house for the drive to San Diego and we were barely able to cram all the suitcases and art supplies into the back of their SUV. The day (Sunday, January 27) was overcast and raining intermittently, but the boarding process was quick and easy and by 4 that afternoon we were casting off lines and heading out to sea. I was surprised that the Dawn Princess managed its departure without any assistance from tugs.

The first day/night was rainy, but about midway down Baja the weather turned sunny and began to warm to the low 70s.

CIMG2191, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

After a day and half sailing, we arrived and anchored off of Cabo San Lucas. The artists painted "Los Arcos" from the deck in the morning while I challenged Paul to a best of 3 shuffleboard contest (its a requirement on your first cruise!) and then we took a tender to the harbor in the early afternoon. The marina/port area has certainly been modernized since our last visit! We took a long walk all around the marina to the beach so Paul and I could take a quick dip into the rather cool ocean. We saved a few bucks by not taking a water taxi back to the tender dock but did work off a few calories by walking both ways; calories that would later be consumed in a great dinner.

CIMG2198, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Late that afternoon, the ship departed for Mazatlan. Perhaps because I wasn't feeling up to par, or because we spent the entire afternoon at a hotel's pool area while most of the artists painted the off-shore islands and the wind blowing made lying in the sun less than pleasurable, but I wasn't overwhelmed with this day's visit. Carolyn broke off from the group and painted a market scene across the street. Typically, she made friends with one of the shop owners who looked after her during the afternoon and even bought her bottled water. When she tried to give him a small gratuity at day's end, he was more than gracious and would accept nothing.

CIMG2228, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

That evening, I chose to have dinner in my cabin hoping to feel better while the ship moved through the night towards Puerto Vallarta. Instead of taking any shore excursions, the Stevens and us took a cab downtown and then walked by the shops lining the waterfront. The promenade on the beach had some very strange and intriguing sculptures.

CIMG2254, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

The other painters hooked up with us early in the afternoon after we had enjoyed a few margaritas. Then the ladies found another interesting outdoor marketplace to paint while Paul and I headed to the beach just to enjoy the warm sun and the opportunity for a nap.

CIMG2269, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

We then spent two days at sea returning to San Diego and the weather slowly changed from moderate and sunny back to cooler and windy and eventually rain. We had come full circle, weather wise, but we had had a very nice time with good friends, great food, and a needed time of relaxation; and we hadn't even gained any weight!!

Ezra's First Christmas

2008-01-07T16:25:00.001-08:00

A few pictures from Ezra's first Christmas.

CIMG2151, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

CIMG2142, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

CIMG2128, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Christmas Day

2007-12-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

Early Christmas morn around three
I awoke to the wind and a crash
Leaping from bed in the dark, just me
Wandered about as winds continued to lash

Windows rattled, and all seemed alright
But was concerned that the sound really mattered
The patio umbrella was no longer upright
The glass patio table had been shattered!

Then, it was hard to get back to sleep
I tossed and turned as I thought
About previous hours in dreams so deep
And gifts unopened and recently bought

Dawn came and the family slowly awoke
None had heard the nights tragic noise
But sorry that the table had broke
Now, open the gifts, for both girls and boys!

Christmas Chaos

2007-12-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

The last two weekends have been full of parties and events while at home the construction (and destruction) continue to require that three downstairs rooms remain quarantined by plastic and blue tape and Ashley's old bedroom is in disarray as a new closet is constructed and leaking patio doors repaired. There are very few places not impacted as furniture and items from the now empty rooms fill the remaining rooms to overflowing.

Two weeks ago, it was a friend's Christmas gathering where a twenty foot juniper had been chopped down and all of its 700 pounds somehow wedged through the single entry door and propped and braced in the two story living room. During halftime of the USC-UCLA game, the men mounted 12 and 16 foot ladders to hang the lights while the wives steadied the lower rungs. We all brought a few ornaments to help decorate the "larger than normal" Christmas evergreen. Then it was off to a get together of those going on the artist's cruise to Mexico in later January. While the artists got their itineraries and supply lists, the non-artistic spouses plotted excursions to be taken such as an ATV tour or zip line over the jungle.

This weekend, I spent my Saturday continuing to work on the guest bathroom stripping the remnants of the wallpaper (I have a little more to go) with a deadline to get it completed before our family comes to spend Christmas Eve. Then it was off to the company Holiday party again held at the Fairplex in Pomona. We had a good time, but the dinner serving was somewhat indicitive of the problems within the real estate industry. The salad literally had three leaves and the vegetables consisted of three string beans and one baby carrot. Good thing I like steak!

Sunday, after church, we drove up to Pasadena to visit Ashley, Bryce and Ezra. Bryce was kind enough to take us over the classic city hall where we five took a family Christmas picture although I'm not sure Ezra looked at the camera very often. Then we went to Pei Wei for an early dinner before dessert at the Hales and then home.

I Should be a Consultant

2007-11-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

Scotland has spent over $250,000 to come up with a new slogan. Can you guess what the saying is?

Turkey, Demo and Paint

2007-11-27T14:21:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving weekend was stretched out an additional day as Carolyn and I took two days and a night off from eating too much, enduring enough and sanding too often to escape to a B&B in Lake Arrowhead where we did a little shopping for necessities and Christmas while enjoying walking in the cooler air, new restaurants and conversations with our ex-Mormon, now Catholic, B&B hosts.

Thanksgiving day found me surrounded by Carolyn, Wanda, Lisa and Katie and all of us overwhelmed with the amount of food available for consumption - turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn casserole, yam casserole, a cranberry molded salad, biscuits, plus pumpkin and Jack Daniel chocolate, pecan pie (and I'm sure I missed a few dishes)! I ate enough but not so much that I fell asleep watching USC play late in the afternoon.

A few days before, work began on tearing off and replacing the leaking deck above the garden room and with each layer of deck removed, new surprises were unveiled. Like decks built over old roofs and a swarm of live termites in the corner of the deck even though we'd just had our home tented two or three months ago! Terminix will be re-tenting us in the near future although we have yet to discuss the second required bagging of all food and the boarding of our cat or where we might stay. I'd hope that the first time it was on us and this time those costs should be on them. We'll see. So as part of our Thanksgiving entertainment, all but Wanda laid on the floor and identified dogs and fish and other items in the dark spots (mold?) that speckled the garden room's ceiling.

On returning home late Monday afternoon, we found our contractor had removed all the carpet downstairs except the living room, the ceiling drywall in the garden room and the fireplace which will be replaced by a newer version. Our downstairs is now bisected by a firm plastic barrier that only allows the wind to pass through. A new closet will be built in Ashley's old room and stucco is being broken back to allow proper flashing and paper to be installed. Each conversation with our contractor seems to be "we found this new problem", but it will be good to have all the work done correctly.

While work started on the home, Friday began the process of painting our sailboat in earnest. The previous weekends we had taken off almost all of the topside hardware including railings, cleats, pulleys, etc., so Dennis, Steve and I began the process of sanding with finish sanders and by hand all of the deck and then taping off the areas that weren't going to be painted. A primer coat was in place by Friday late afternoon, and the first coat for the smoother surfaces done by Saturday mid-day. Sunday morning (thank goodness for Saturday night church) we were able to put on the second coat before I headed home and to Arrowhead and the Hughes hustled off to the Charger game.

This coming weekend, Carolyn again will be a boat widow as we tape of the non-skid areas and begin painting them. Then, if there is any money in the kitty, we'll have new windows fashioned and we'll begin re-installing all the hardware and railings that we took off. We should be sailing again by January!

Downsizing

2007-11-05T11:03:00.000-08:00

Not that we're actually downsizing, but it seemed that way late Saturday after spending the better part of the day moving furniture from the garden room into the living room and emptying the back room of all its assorted paraphenalia. This was all done in preparation for a soon to appear construction crew who will be demolishing our deck and rebuilding it once again so it might become watertight.

As water has intruded into the garden room, the ceiling and some drywall will also have to be replaced, so moving the furniture seemed to be the logical thing to do. Our living room now has an eclectic, crowded look with two main seating areas, two couches, eight chairs (?), two ottomons, two coffee tables, a piano, and a multitude of paintings, vases and other decorative items. Only the dining room, of the three back rooms, has any furniture, and that too will have to be moved, sometime, somewhere, when the contractor is ready to install the stone flooring.

All that heavy lifting, coupled with multiple trips upstairs carrying boxes, and then gardening and washing both cars, had the expected effect of creating one seriously sore old guy. I need to exercise more!

Now all we have to do is to bring order to the semi-chaos of the game room as it acquired a few of the leftovers from downstairs. I also need to extract the Christmas decorations from the attic in case they become inaccessible during the construction. However, we have managed to eliminate or give away a number of items which prompted a trip to the Salvation Army.

I expect that my evenings this week will be full getting the remaining rooms in order while we await the start of remodel number 2!

Fires Nearby

2007-10-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's been burning for four days now in Southern California and most everything smells like the sweatshirt you wear around the mountain campfire. The car washed on Saturday greets me each morning and evening with a new light blanket of soot.

The Santiago fire has crept to the borders of Lake Forest as of yesterday and threatens Foothill Ranch and has burned homes within the canyon roads that meander off El Toro/Santiago. As I came home from church last night, I could see the fires burning just beyond the 241 toll road. They weren't moving fast but I was glad our home is more than a few miles away. I took Carolyn out for a fire-sighting drive along Portola Parkway and the toll road and it was pretty eerie.

Our prayers go out to those who have had homes lost and/or have had to evacuate.

ARRRGGHH!

2007-09-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Avast and Land Ho!

Dolphins! and Tall Ships

2007-09-11T12:53:00.001-07:00

Dolphins!, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

CIMG1611, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

CIMG1604, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

On Sunday, after Carolyn returned from her first day of a "paint out" on the Balboa Peninsula, we met Dennis and Gloria at the boat for a late afternoon sail. We were greeted with a great wind, hundreds of dolphins, and the Tall Ships Festival that concluded with a sea battle while we sailed by.

I Hate it When

2007-09-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

the electricity goes out for hours! Mid-afternoon on Monday, Labor Day, all grew quiet in our home, the constant hum of the A/C and all else electrical went silent. Soon neighbors checked with each other to see if it was more than our own circuit breakers.

Cell phone calls to Edison (you can't call on a cordless) resulted in twenty minutes on hold before my patience and my cell phone's battery dwindled. Evening came and I headed to Chipotle for dinner and cooler climes as the temperature downstairs steadily rose to the low to mid-80s. I resisted any exploration into the higher temps of our second floor.

The night faded and without TV, internet, lights, cooking facilities, etc., I grabbed a sheet and pillow and bunked down on the living room floor with a flashlight perched on my shoulder so I could read a book that has lingered at my bedside for the entire summer. It would have been really convenient to have one of those exploration lights that strap to your forehead.

Even though we have a reasonably plush and comfortable carpet, it's not as wonderful as our king-sized bed, so at 3:30 I thought it might have cooled enough upstairs to venture into our bedroom where I was able to sleep even though it was probably 80+ degrees. This morning I awoke to the alarm on my cell phone, and showered by flashlight before heading to work and grabbing an Egg McMuffin and coffee along the way.

I finally got ahold of Edison and I'm not sure if we'll have electricity back on until sometime tomorrow. Fun!

The Happy Hales

2007-08-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

The Happy Hales

2007-08-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

All is going well as everyone adapts to a new member in the family. From what I've observed, Ezra has been behaving pretty well and Ashley is mending from her surgery. Bryce is quickly learning the joys of being a true servant!

Bath is finished

2007-08-30T14:01:00.001-07:00

Bath is finished, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Bryce performed Ezra's first bath under the heat lamp while Ezra stretched. Check out his long fingers!

Bryce and Ezra get acquainted

2007-08-30T13:58:00.001-07:00

Bryce and Ezra get acquainted, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Mimi and Ezra

2007-08-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

Ezra Chalmers Hales!

2007-08-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

At 6:20 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, Ezra Chalmers Hales entered this world at 6 lbs. 5 oz. and 19.5 inches. Ashley had endured about 36 hours in the hospital trying to have as natural childbirth as possible, but Ezra's heart beat was dropping and ultimately Ashley had a C section to ease his distress.

When we saw him, a little after 7, Ashley was recovering from the ordeal and Bryce was holding him. He's a cute little one! Pray for Ashley's quick recovery and everyone's easy transition into new roles as parents and grandparents.

Wipeout!!

2007-08-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Check out this video from the X games showing a major wipeout on the Big Air skate ramp.

Jihad: The Musical

2007-07-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

For my fellow lovers of parody and all things Scottish, check out this excerpt from the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh!

OC Camping

2007-07-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we vacated our home after bagging up all of our food and cosmetics (Carolyn did most of it) in preparation for the tenting of our house and its fumigation for termites. Needing a place to stay, we headed to our 27' sailboat which is berthed in Dana Point marina for an 'upscale' camping experience.

I picked Carolyn up at the marina on Friday evening and then we headed to a wine tasting party at the Whitney's (fellow Israel travelers) in SJC. We ate appetizers and tasted ten different vintages as we learned to swill with the masters. I think we will have a very well-stocked wine refrigerator in about a week!

We had way too much stuff as is typical of any camping or vacation trip we take. More clothes than we need and more than enough groceries. Meanwhile, we walked over to the harbor for a variety of meals ranging from coffee and pastries to a Saturday 4 o'clock late lunch at the Beach House and watched the boats as they entered the harbor under a very light wind. In fact the wind was so light all weekend, we never made it out of our slip.

We tried out the various sleeping combinations on the boat including fighting for foot space in the V-berth or with Carolyn in the V-berth and me stretched out on one of the built-in sofas. We read, sketched, painted, enjoyed sunsets or cloudy skies, and walked around the harbor. The less-than-wonderful part was having to walk up to bathroom and enduring tepid, at best, showers.

As of Monday, we are back in the house and as of today we now have the gas back on so I'll finally be able to get a HOT shower!!

Water Battles

2007-07-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

Waterworld 4th

2007-07-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Our 4th revolved around water. I began the day finishing up with our neighbors in the decoration of their party boat for the annual Lake Forest I boat parade. The Bethke's had decorated their home with flags and bunting while the boat was wrapped in red, white and blue with Uncle Sam perched in his wheelhouse atop the canopy of this modified stern wheeler. But this year, we forsook the champagne breakfast at the club and the parade that followed.

In the late morning, we headed down to the Dana Point harbor to enjoy the day and evening on our boat. Unfortunately, the parking lot reserved for boat owners was already completely filled by the time we arrived, but I was able to find an open space at the end of the "island" by the yacht club after having dropped Carolyn and all our gear at the dock. Carolyn had down a yeoman's job taking down the various coolers and sacks of snacks by the time I made my walk back from parking the car.

After calling Dennis and warning him of the parking problem, we got situated, affixed a temporary sun shield (which was a little too small as can be seen by my red face) and inflated our "Zodiac" boat. Dennis dropped off Gloria shortly after noon and ended up having to park on PCH and walk back to the slip.

The activity in the harbor was like a five hour water fight! We drove out in our inflatable into a barrage of boats wetting each other down with super-soakers, buckets and pump assisted hoses. Many wore "protection" consisting of shop eye protection, swim goggles, diving masks, umbrellas and even foul weather gear. We yelled our neutrality claiming we were the Switzerland of the harbor, and, for the most part, avoided the soaking afforded others who were either firing on others or bailing to avoid sinking.

Dennis took us out by the restaurants and then down the main channel, and then the outboard quit. The first time it was because we were out of gas which we quickly refilled, but the engine would keep dying only moments after starting again. This continued until we got close to the Pilgrim, and then it wouldn't start anymore, so we reluctantly 'accepted' a tow from the Sheriff's boat who berated the idiots who would act up even in his presence. He even threatened to arrest the guy who ran into us while we under tow. I think he was more interested in soaking down another boat than watching where he was going.

We enjoyed the afternoon watching the chaos in the harbor, swimming in the channel, and snacking on chips and guacamole. Dennis and Gloria left around 4:45 and we just hung out before lighting the BBQ and cooking up some really good burgers before the fireworks began.

We positioned ourselves on the bow for the show, and it began with a bang and some great fireworks including several that were heart shaped. But after about seven minutes, the fireworks just stopped. Five minutes or so passed, and a few more bombs burst in the air, and then nothing. We waited thirty or forty minutes, and with no additional displays, we packed up, locked up the boat, and got in line to leave the harbor. As we left around 10, the fireworks suddenly started up again! I guess the wicks must have been wet.

The only thing that would have made the day better is that the next day would have been a day off as well!!

Jerusalem

2007-06-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

The final three days of our visit to Israel were in Jerusalem where we started off by visiting the Garden of Gethsemani, a quiet respite from the clamor of the various ethnic quarters within the walled city.

Some of these olive trees in the garden were 1500+ years old. Perhaps some were even there as Jesus knelt in agonizing prayer while his disciples slept.

As we walked throughout the city, we were met with men and women who dressed quite differently from the sneaker wearing crowd from Compass Bible Church.

The moslem Dome of the Rock dominates the view of Jerusalem with it golden dome which rests on or near where Herod's temple stood before being destroyed by the Romans.

On our free day, we walked through the market place and purchased spices and a few other items as well as visiting the King David hotel which has welcomed many politicians and celebrities.

The presence of Israeli military was quite evident throughout the city, although I was amazed to see young female recruits walking in flip-flops with purses and carbines.

Standing on the rampart walls.

This is the site of the Garden Tomb, an alternative site of Christ's crucifixion and burial (rather than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre). Doesn't this look like a skull (Golgotha) to you?!

Entering the Garden Tomb through an enlarged opening which allowed easier access. A track existed to allow a stone to rolled in front of the opening. It was a much more serene and peaceful location the the Church and one which felt more in keeping with Biblical accounts.

Late Tuesday afternoon, we left the City and drove to a kibbutz for dinner before heading to the airport and our 11 p.m. flight. Overall, it was an excellent trip and one which will influence every Biblical passage that concerns the Promised Land when it is re-read. Shalom!

Shabbat

2007-06-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

After arriving in Jerusalem late in the afternoon on Friday, we checked into our hotel and watched from our high-rise hotel room as traffic dwindled to nothing. It was Shabbat and everything closes down as we found out with elevators that stopped at every floor so you wouldn't have to "work" by pushing a button and cappucinos couldn't be made as a lever would have to be pulled or a button depressed.

So, Saturday, May 5, we boarded our bus and headed east towards the Dead Sea leaving Jerusalem to its Shabbat slumber.

The Dead Sea - The sun glistens off of a salt lake that is 32% minerals.

Our first stop was at Masada, the ancient desert fortress of Herod the Great which was occupied by Zealots as Rome sacked Jerusalem, and where they held out against the Roman legions for three years before commiting mass suicide as the Romans siege ramp allowed a final conquest.

About half of us decided to hike to the top of Masada, rather than take the perfectly good Swiss tram. With an elevation climb of about 900' and desert temperatures, I struggled to make it up in an hour (I think I worried our executive pastor if I was going to make it all) while a few young guys ran up the steep and stair lined path in about 20 minutes!

After lunch and my two minute ride on a camel around the parking lot for $2, we drove to an overlook which gave us a view of Ein Gedi, the oasis that David retreated to while being pursued by Saul and his men. Then it was on to Kumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a bedouin boy in 1947.

We finished our Dead Sea adventures with a "swim" or rather a float in the Dead Sea. A pastoral directive was made that everyone who hadn't been there before had to try it. Mud was slathered on as a beauty aid and we floated high in the water while reading the Jerusalem Post. Just don't get any of the water in your eyes or mouth!

Up to Jerusalem

2007-06-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

On May 4, we left the Sea of Galilee area and headed south towards Jerusalem. Our first stop was Beth Shean, a Roman city which was destroyed in an earthquake but which is now being partially restored so its splendor can be experienced.

A main street was bordered with columns on both sides with broad walkways of marble or inlaid mosaics that opened to storefronts. The original shopping mall!

The Romans lived an easy life with public saunas (the short pillars in the above picture supported a floor and allowed hot air to heat it), steam rooms, gymnasiums, pools and public facilities complete with running water. You'd go down for a steam, massage and manicure before heading over to the amphitheater to watch plays or sporting or gladiator events. When you'd eaten too much, just go outside to the vomitorium to relieve yourself.

Then we were off to Gideon's Spring where Gideon, at God's direction, reduced the number of his chosen soldiers to only 300 before going to battle against the Midianites (Judges 7) by selecting those who drank by cupping their hand while keeping their sword ready in the other hand.

Afterward, we had lunch and a swim in Sachne National Park where many chose to jump off a thirty foot cliff into the water. I chose to float and explore a luminescent cave. Since it was Shabat, and services would be closing, we continued south and then up to the hills of Jerusalem to our hotel.

Before arriving at the hotel, we stopped for a brief overlook of Jerusalem from one of the surrounding hills. The Dome of the Rock with its gilded surface screaming for attention amidst other older churches, buildings and fortified walls of the Old City.

Sea of Galilee

2007-06-06T16:22:00.001-07:00

It's taken a bit longer for me to post about our trip to Israel, but these postings will continue.

On Thursday, May 3, after visiting the Church of the Beatitudes, we continued our stops at various spots along the Sea of Galilee.

CIMG0661

This was part of the ruins in Korazin and the buildings made from the black basalt stones of the area seemed to bear the burden of Christ's admonition (Matthew 11:20ff) for they had not repented even after experiencing many of Jesus' miracles.

CIMG0667

This was the synagogue in Capernaum where Peter's house (supposedly) is shielded by a futuristic church built over and above its ruins.

St. Peter's Fish

For lunch, we experienced St. Peter's fish cooked just like the Galilean fishermen would have, however, I seriously doubt that Peter had multi-lingual place mats.

Israel and US Flags,

After lunch, we took a sail on the Sea of Galilee as a small storm blew through dropping a little rain on our excursion. It made us think of the much more violent storm that Jesus calmed with his voice. The Israeli and US flags were raised as a tribute to our country and the fact that Israel strongly appreciates American support.

Mount of Beatitudes

2007-05-16T10:53:00.001-07:00

DSCF0067, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the Church of the Beatitudes sits at the high point of a natural ampitheater where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount. The natural setting allows those at either end of the area to hear a speaker clearly. The beautiful gardens provided a wonderful spot to start the morning and review that sermon and contemplate that we now sat close to where Jesus once taught. Carolyn took the opportunity to continue her travel sketches.

Israel - Tel Aviv to Galilee

2007-05-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

After waiting 45 minutes for a pilot to arrive after our change in aircraft at LAX, we set off for Altanta where our two hour layover became a fifteen minute sprint to make our connection to Tel Aviv. All 50 of us made it, and we arrived in Israel around 6 pm Tuesday, May 1 after leaving Monday in the early afternoon.

We met our big purple bus and Ilan our tour guide and headed off to the Dan Panorama hotel on the shore of the Mediteranean. Attempting to reset our internal clocks, many of us walked along the seaside to the old port of Jaffa and held out until about 10 pm before hitting our beds.

With our suitcases outside the door by 6:45 and a buffet breakfast, all of us were on the bus for our first day of touring (a pattern that would continue almost every day). So, Wednesday morning we first stopped at Caesarea where Herod the Great had a summer palace, ampitheater, and hippodrome for chariot races and other competitions.

Herod's Ampitheater

Exit from Ampitheater

Herod had a fresh water pool as part of the lower palace that has since been lost to centuries of storms.

Beyond the Hippodrome, the remains of a Crusader's fortress from the 11th and 12th centuries lay at the edge of the sea. The vaulted entry required a quick ninety degree turn which would expose an attacker to the arrows, spears and hot oil of the defenders. This fortress architecture was one we'd see often in the remains of various battlements.

Touring other Roman historic sites, we made a short stop at a two-level aqueduct that provided running water (hot and cold - just kidding) to Caesarea. Then it was on to Mt. Carmel and the spot where Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal. What an unfair fight that was!

This was the view from Meggido of the valley of Armeggedon, perhaps the spot for the final battle of all battles.

After a full day of touring, we finally arrived at the Sheraton in Tiberius a full 211.06 meters below sea level on the Sea of Galilee.

Shalom!

2007-04-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally leave today for our church-sponsored trip to Israel. Two long days of travel will bracket seven days of touring Old and New Testament sites as well as experiencing the new in cities quite old. Prayers for the safety and health of all 50 who will be traveling are welcomed.

If you want to keep up with our travels, starting Wednesday you can read about our experiences on the church website: compasschurch.org

God the Ultimate Artist

2007-04-23T11:46:00.001-07:00

Sunset 2, originally uploaded by torhutchins.

A week ago we were blessed with an amazing sunset where the colors danced across both cloud and sea.

Ordination Sunday

2007-04-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

In the past, the 15th of April has always been a day of destiny re taxes as the Federal government demands that we provide them with the remainder of any monies due them. Now, it will mark a new and better anniversary, and of destiny, the ordination of Bryce Allan Hales into the Presbyterian Church of America!

Wanda stayed over night with us so we could head up to Christ Church around 9 a.m. to witness and be a part of the service which would include Bryce's ordination. We arrived to find John and Sally, Margaret, and the Crocketts already there and Bryce, Carter, Oliver and Ken dressed in kilts. Bryce's and Ashley's friends from Edinburgh, Craig and Judith, even managed to arrange their vacation to attend.

Scott, a PCA pastor from Santa Barbara, gave the sermon which centered on Acts 16 and the various types of people encountered by Paul as he preached from the rich (Lydia), downtrodden (slave girl), and hardened (jailer). He spoke on how all of these types will be congregants or persons seeking Christ in Bryce's future calling. The sermon was followed Bryce's responding in the affirmative to his call and the laying on of hands by the elders.

The service was followed by a brunch hosted by John and Sally where we all congratulated Bryce on his accomplishment and prayed for his usefulness in the service of Christ.

Easter

2007-04-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

A long and fun day at the Hutchins' home this last Sunday, Easter. We were out of the house quite a bit earlier than the normal Sabbath as we drove to Monarch Beach to pick up Wanda for the 10:30 church service. Since it was expected (and turned out) to be a more crowded service, we got there about twenty minutes early before enjoying both the worship and the sermon.

Then it was home to put in the glazed ham, the potato casserole, and stuffed zucchini for our mid-day meal. Lisa and Katie made it to the house around 1:30 and Ashley and Bryce about a half hour later after Bryce had preached at Christ Church. The meal was great and we enjoyed catching up on Ashley's pregnancy and Katie's college and spring break plans.

Lunch was followed by an egg hunt (mostly chocolate) and then by our Easter tradition of a game of croquet on the common area lawn overlooking the lake. I think I've found my hidden sports talent as I with my black ball streaked through wicket after wicket traversing both 'fairway' and 'rough' so that I was able to reach the last wicket before any of the others had made it halfway. Then I chose to become poison by not hitting the last stake, and instead, searched out the others in my version of a death star. I eliminated them all only to be chastised for my malevolent level of play! Oh, the competition!!

After a second round in which I gladly set aside my mallet, we went back to the house for dessert and then a new game that Ashley and Bryce suggested. We split into two teams, the dream team of Bryce, Katie and Tor, and then the Others, and each person provided a slip of paper for each of four historical/current persons. A team then gave hints to each person's identity and points were awarded for each one ID'd correctly within one minute. Each team taking consecutive turns until all the people were identified. The second round used the same people, but this time, you only could give a one-word description. So, it helped to be able to remember the twenty-eight possibilities. And, finally, the third round used the same people, but this time you had to act out the person with charades. The breadth of pop culture was evident when both Britney Spears and Harry Belafonte were included as choices.

It was pretty funny to watch the charades required for Fannie Flagg or Calvin Coolidge! Everyone had an enjoyable time and all left with leftovers and chocolate.

Can You Read This?

2007-03-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid, too.Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe tuo fo 100 anc.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.

Plumbing and Other Home Issues

2007-03-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

After having water dripping from our master bathroom toilet for over two weeks every time it was flushed, two weekends ago I finally tackled its "repair". Saturday afternoon became an ordeal.

The tank had to be removed and with a fixture about 30 years old, the bolts securing the tank to the bowl were frozen, rusted, and immune to torque. So, taking my trusty hacksaw blade (not saw, as the frame wouldn't fit between tank and bowl) I sawed away at the bolts for what seemed hours. In the process, portions of the porcelain cracked! Then it was out to the front yard to wash out the tank (hi y'all, welcome to West Virginia), and then off to Ace to acquire the new fittings required. With new valves, gaskets, bolts and flushing arm, the tank was finally secured to bowl, and, of course, on the first flush, water again cascaded onto the floor!

Frustrated, I gave up for the day, only to awake the next morning having dreamt that I could fix it with another gasket sandwiched between the bolts and the tank. A cursory inspection of the guest room toilet showed a similar arrangement, so I was off on the second repair attempt. Tank off, bolts re-worked, tank re-installed - same result with the better part of the weekend spent on this.

So, the answer was a new toilet. How about one like the Toto downstairs? Seemed like a good idea even if we are able to proceed with a master bath remodel/expansion this year as the toilet could be re-installed. We called up our plumber (notice the sequence) and gave him the model number of the new toilet we wanted. Mid-week he arrives with the new model only to find that we have a 10" rough-in and the new toilet, and most new ones, require a 12" rough-in! Luckily, we didn't have to pay for it and he was able to find a cheaper one that fit. The only issue is that this toilet is a complete throw away with a new bathroom. Oh, the joys of home ownership!!

In preparation for a remodel, we've talked to a general contractor who is currently designing how our bathroom and closet could use the deck above our morning room. Carolyn and I gave them a list, room by room, of what we'd like to do, and I tremble at what the estimate might be. The list was somewhat depressing, because I don't think there were many rooms that we didn't foresee needing some work whether it was new flooring or a complete addition. But we really like our new kitchen and downstairs bath, and, of course, our lake adjacent location.

A Week in Canada

2007-02-05T15:56:00.000-08:00

We left very early on Saturday (1/20) from LAX to Vancouver via Air Canada for a week long ski vacation.
We took a taxi into Vancouver, where we were staying at the Sheraton Wall Centre on the 30th floor. Three floors are owned by Club Intrawest, so we were able to use our resort points. It was quite a view and quite strange to see sea gulls flying about 15 floors below us.

Saturday was fairly sunny so we enjoyed a walk down to the harbor and took the Granville Island ferry (a party boat refugee from Lake Forest 1, I think) over to a restaurant and shopping area. We toured the market filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, fish on ice, bakeries, etc. In the area outside, people sat and drank coffee or watched the various street performers.

The next day, Sunday, was a bit more drizzly, so Carolyn bargained with the the driver for the Big Bus and got a 2 for 1 deal that allowed us to get on and off at various spots within the City. We briefly stopped at Stanley Park and marked it for a future visit when the skies are bluer and drier. As we left the Park, we saw a great sign welcoming us to Vancouver, "a nuclear weapons free city"; so I quickly put aside my suitcase nuke so that I wouldn't violate any city ordinances. Then it was off to Chinatown where we walked through a Chinese garden and ate Dim Sum at the Jade restaurant, coming away with food enough for a snack the following day.

We walked back from the Gastown area and found a sports bar not too far from our hotel. We were able to get a great table and watch the Colts beat New England with a great comeback! All the while enjoying some great beer and making friends with our neighboring tables.

Monday, as the rain became more steady, we checked out and grabbed the Perimeter bus to Whistler and Club Intrawest which is situated between the Fairmont and the Four Seasons and only 75 yards or so from the slopes of Blackcomb. We rented our skiis and toured the village after having checked into our one-bedroom suite.

Tuesday, we had a bit of moisture in the air so on the lower slopes it was a bit damp, but higher up the mountain (top of the mountain 8000') the snow was great! The following days it was sunny, but with no more snow, and the lines were short or non-existent. We enjoyed two days on Blackcomb and another two days on Whistler before returning to Blackcomb on Saturday.

We'll definitely go back again! Great skiing and meeting people from the Britain, Scotland, Australia, Eastern Canada makes a trip really fun and interesting.
As we left Sunday, Carolyn took a number of shots of the inland waterway that the road from Vancouver skirts. Many times she was looking straight down with no guardrail or shoulder as they are working on expanding the road to four lanes in time for the 2010 Olympics. When we got to the airport, Carolyn was stopped in security and they took away her small knitting scissors and some hair product (over 4 ounces) - she wasn't a happy camper because neither was cheap. Then the plane was late getting in and the flight attendants were even later as they were coming in from the East coast. When all was cleaned and re-fueled, we were an hour late so we didn't make it home to 1 am. I was pretty tired the next day at work, but the trip was certainly worth it!

Christmas Eve

2007-01-31T12:48:00.000-08:00

The Regal Beagle - Francis.

Pictures from Christmas at Ashley and Bryce's apartment with the newest Hales.

UPDATE: The full series can be found:
http://flickr.com/photos/fisker/

Pictures from Mammoth in December

2007-01-31T12:33:00.000-08:00

A few pictures from our three-day weekend with Pattie and Chris in Mammoth.

The Weather Turns

2007-01-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

Warm winds began the week, but winter arrived today. As I drove up Mountain Ave. a little before 8 am this morning, I drove by the Coffee Bean which had SNOW on its outside patio umbrellas. This shot was of a tree and lawn right outside of my office window. In seven years, I've seen it cold in Upland which is just below the mountains, but this is the first time I've seen snow.

The Holidays End

2007-01-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

The re-organization continues at the Hutchins' household. This last weekend, we took down the Christmas lights, put away the mantel decorations, dis-assembled the fake tree and tried to cram it into a storage box that was only large enough for it before the box was opened the first time. All this accompanied with a little sense of melancholy at the demise of the holiday season and the absence of family.

We also tackled a rearrangement of the game room. The aquarium had to be moved to the end of the room which necessitated emptying 2/3rds of the water. In front of the pine table, we placed the two person couch and shifted my chair to the side by the bar. It really opens up the area; we really like it. Unfortunately, our two long-lived goldfish did not survive the move!

Saturday, we attended Compass Bible Church's first Saturday night service in our new location and then had a great Italian dinner at Cosmos around the corner. We're not sure if this will be our preferred service time or not, but Mike's preaching was excellent as always.

With more free time on Sunday, I forged ahead with straightening the garage. I'm glad to say I can now see the work surface of my workbench and the laundry table has room to actually fold clothes! And after the chores, I was able to watch two NFL post-season games that I had DVR'd in about 2 hours.

A Funeral and Celebration

2007-01-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

Carolyn woke me up the other day around 2 am. She hadn't been able to sleep and had been on the Internet and visited our blog where she noticed a comment from a prior co-worker, Pike Oliver, that another co-worker, Jim Maloney, had passed away and his funeral was today. Jim was only 53 with a wife, Janet, and three children. Jim had had health problems over the years, but still he was relatively young.

I drove over to Fullerton from work and Carolyn joined me from home. I was amazed at the number of people who filled the sanctuary. Probably between 300 and 400 people came to celebrate his life. It was touching to hear his son Russ (20 years old) talk about his dad and the fun and chaos that would surround their camping trips. I found out that Jim was quite the outdoor cook with great BBQs or dutch oven cooking on camp outs. Friends and neighbors talked about his generosity, his inclusion of other kids as extensions of his own family, the way he coached baseball or taught kids how to surf and business associates spoke of his good mind and ability to sell anything.

After the five preplanned eulogies, comments were elicited from the audience. The last one spoke to the heart of the matter. Jim had had a heart issue about a year ago and on a business trip after his recovery, this gentleman asked Jim if he was certain of his destiny if he were to die. Jim said he thought so, but was asked if he wanted to know with certainty. It appears Jim accepted the Lord within months of his death.

I met numerous friends and associates from my years with Southwest Diversified and Interra before and after the service. Faces often recognized even with the graying of hair with names sometimes having to be elicited. It was good to re-acquaint ourselves and learn so many others are believers.

But, beyond renewed contacts, the conversations prompts me to seek out more opportunities to just be with others, to create memories, and to love those around us.

A Quiet New Dawn

2007-01-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

So 2007 began with bright skies and the quiet of a suburban world sleeping and enjoying a day off. My internal clock only allows a limited sleep-in however, so I was up by 7:15 and soon reading the paper and making coffee.

I made sure that Carolyn got up by 8:00 so we could continue our tradition of watching the Rose Parade in our pajamas, but the champagne didn't make its way into the OJ during the parade although it was consumed later in the day. The float which featured two fire breathing dragons was my personal favorite.

In between several football games and a diet busting snack platter of cheese, crackers, guacamole, chips, adult beverages and the occasional chocolate, we even managed to continue our de-clutter challenge. Clothes have been given away, magazines searched for good travel articles, financial papers filed, etc. Carolyn has straightened her art room and begun organizing her knitting projects. This will definitely be a continuing goal for 2007.

While I detailed no resolutions for this new year, I do have some goals in addition to the house organization already mentioned. First, to continue my weight loss (19 pounds in 2006) and increase my aerobics (I try to walk 30 minutes at lunch) and strength (maybe lifting weights). Second, to complete reading through the Bible in a year. John Elliott gave me a Daily Bible and Carolyn and I should keep each other accountable to stay current (I am as of day 2). Third, to read more and watch television less which will be easier after the football season is over. I have several new, good books awaiting my perusal on my bedstand. Fourth, with the help of Dennis and Steve, paint the sailboat and sail more often and further offshore. Lastly, to get out and about more, walks in the harbor, short weekends away, movies during the week, day trips to visit Ashley and Bryce, the sort of things that eliminate stress, foster closeness and create kind memories.

I trust your 2007 will be one of growth, happiness, and completed goals.

A Strong Wind Blows

2007-01-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

Carolyn thought it was raining last night after we had heard the wind brushing trees against the house. She went out on our deck and found that our jacuzzi lid was open! It had been closed earlier and I couldn't imagine why or who had opened it.

As I went out on the patio, I found both umbrellas from our deck (the second story) and our patio table overturned. The wind had been so strong that it had uplifted both of them along with opening the jacuzzi cover. In addition a large terra cotta planter had been blown over and broken. Our own little Katrina!

Luckily nothing major was broken (like the glass patio table) and we just collapsed the umbrellas and locked down the jacuzzi cover and called it a night.

We've had our share of house issues (several which would be solved with a larger master bath and closet on the deck off of Ashley's old room) and we don't need anymore.

Here's hoping that in 2007, we stay dry and secure in our little home.

The Year Past

2007-01-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

The year ended quietly with a New Year's eve spent at home after a dinner out at the new Lucille's BBQ newly opened in the Orchard shopping center on El Toro Road. They serve enough that Carolyn and I could split a platter and still have enough to take home.

Late November and December has been filled with: Thanksgiving with Wanda and Lisa in Yosemite; our anniversary (number 33!); Carolyn's birthday (number XX); a short three day weekend up at Mammoth with Chris and Pattie; a company Christmas/Holiday party; a CBC Christmas party; shopping and wrapping presents; a Christmas eve day sermon by Bryce; meeting Bryce and Ashley's new dog, Francis, and spending the day exchanging gifts and enjoying an Indian feast; a quiet Christmas morning at home with Wanda; and the final three day holiday for 2006 with football and munchies.

I actually have photos of some of those events and will work to get them posted.

Overdue Update

2006-11-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

First, I haven't blogged in a while, it just seems that everything has been routine and uneventful over the last few weeks. And most of the people who lurk here are people I speak with on occasion.

A week ago, Carolyn experienced the pleasure of living in California as she was in the cool mountains of Lake Arrowhead for a church women's retreat and returned Sunday for our last afternoon church service which was followed by dinner with Pattie and Chris on the pier in San Clemente. From the mountains to the sea in a few short hours.

This past weekend, after reading Saturday's papers in bed, Carolyn and I drove out to Casper's park where her art teacher and other oil painters were set up to paint. We enjoyed a couple hours of quiet among live oak trees, rolling hills, passing horses while hawks soared above. Then it was off to a park in Laguna Hills to participate in a welcome BBQ for Sharon Hughes' sister and her family as they have immigrated from South Africa.

Sunday, we attended our first morning church service at our new location, and then headed down towards Dana Point. We lunched at Fred's Mexican Cafe which had been suggested by John Elliott. A total sports bar with at least five different NFL games going on numerous TV's. Then down to the harbor for a Hutchins only sail. The winds were light but the day was warm, and we enjoyed our couple hours of slow sailing on flat seas.

Today, finally, the election is here and I can look forward to the absence of political mailers, calls, ads and analyses. What is likely to happen in the Congress?
My guess is that the Senate will remain in Republican control with the loss of maybe three or four seats. The House is more problematic, but the Republicans could still maintain control by a few seats. If the Dems win, I'm not looking forward to the agenda that Pelosi will put forward.

That Was Close!!

2006-10-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Driving to work this morning around 7 on the 5 freeway, I was in the commute mode doing about 70 mph in the fast lane with a VW in front of me and a black pickup to my right about two car lengths in front when from the third lane a SUV swerved in front of the truck. His move was like a backward question mark - a quick swerve into lane 2 an overcorrection immediately back towards lane 3, he did a 180. Now skidding backwards at 65 mph and tilting as if he might topple over, he hit the front quarter panel of some unlucky driver in lane 4, and both came to rest against the guardrail with the SUV still facing the wrong way.

Meanwhile, the rest of us who had slowed 5 or 10 mph continued our daily commute, glad that someone's inattention hadn't ruined our day. But it had given us a good feeling of what it must be like on the typical NASCAR track.

Reunion

2006-10-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday is when I really found out how old I am!

Carolyn accompanied me to my 40th high school reunion held in a VFW on the bay in Newport. Newport Harbor High and Corona del Mar joined together for the event which included a cash bar, buffet, dancing and a lot of trying to figure out who that guy or gal was, even with name tags which bore our senior class pictures.

As an overall impression, I was surprised by how grey/silver or thin (to bald) their hair had become, how much weight they had gained, and how personalities remained the same. For the women, gone were the days of flips, page boys, or beehives (thank goodness), now replaced by straight dos or very short cuts. For the guys, a few sported long grey pony tails, but the rest of us wore it shorter trying to cover as much scalp as possible. A number of my classmates were still trim and athletic, but more often, the female gymnast now weighed about 180 or the football player carried a pretty good gut.

The oddest thing though was the random connections that occurred during the evening. I found my old boss from Ponderosa Homes was in the same class at NHHS as I was at CdM. Perhaps, we had discussed that coincidence back in the 70s, but neither of us remembered it. Chris Babbitt showed up (another NHHS grad) who played in the band back in those days and whose bandmate played the sax (sometimes two at a time) throughout the night's dancing. I found another CdM grad who was involved in the project in Lake Elsinore I worked on when I worked for TMC.

We enjoyed dancing, conversing and our evening, but I'm glad a reunion only comes around every decade or so. I don't have a need to relive high school.

Too Much

2006-09-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

After a friend of mine lost 17 pounds in 9 days and over 22 pounds in 15, I decided I could take more than a little off myself. So on Monday I began this wellness campaign which includes cleansing and a 'fat burning' system.

Well, one of the things they want you to do is to drink about 80 ounces of water a day. So on Monday, I had just finished my third bottle, and I said there was no way I could drink that much as each bottle was 8 oz. and another seven bottles was impossible! That's when I noticed the bottles showed a serving size of 8 oz. and were, in fact, 16 ounces! Whoops! That was manageable.

As of this morning, I've lost five pounds and have hopes for five to eight more by next weekend. An appropriate time, as my XXth high school reunion is on October 7.

Labor Day Weekend

2006-09-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

We started the weekend with the Orange International Food Festival on Friday night with Ron and Jane. After finally finding a parking spot that wasn't limited to permit parking only, we walked the many blocks to the Circle of Orange and joined about seventy thousand new 'friends' as we walked by booths selling Irish/German/American beer or knockwurst or fish and chips or apfelskivers or other favorites from around the globe while various bands played Irish jigs or cover songs.

After settling on one ethnic food or another, we ate standing up off to the side of traffic barrier all the while watching the parade of people. I was sort of surprised to see the number of sleeve tattoos on women. Do they think that really enhances their tank-top look?

Saturday was a planned boat work day as we readied the boat for another trip to Catalina in two weeks. We scrubbed the decks, tried out installing a tarp for temporary shade over the cockpit, installed a BBQ, emptied the head, tested the dinghy, and installed an inverter. Then we kicked back and enjoyed appetizers followed by wine, salad and steaks cooked on the newly acquired BBQ which Steve managed to do by flashlight and without dropping them overboard.

We also met some new dockmates, Angelica and David, who have newly converted from powerboats to a 27 foot Erickson that they have outfitted with radar, microwave, etc. so they are comfortable for week-long stays in Catalina. For new sailors, they provided us with some interesting tidbits on sailing or cruising strategies.

The "work" and sun must have really taken it out of me because on Sunday, I was totally worthless about doing anything productive. I just took my time reading the Sunday papers while watching the US Open tennis match with Andre Agassi's farewell match and then watching Vijay Singh roar past Tiger in the third round of the Deutsche Bank golf tournament. Finally, I rose from my chair to make it to the 5 o'clock service at church which was followed by dinner with Chris and Pattie at the Stadium Brewing Company and a later night meander through Barnes and Nobel. We left with an eclectic selection on knitting, poker and The Count of Monte Cristo that we plan to read to each other over the next decade (it's over 550 pages long!).

Monday started with a cruise across the lake with Darla as we met Dennis for a champagne brunch at the club. Mostly muffins, bagels and a little fruit washed down with coffee, OJ or bubbly or some combination of all three. The day was already warm and quite still - almost sultry and we wondered if there would be any wind for sailing later in the day. No problem on that account!

After having worked without sailing on Saturday, we had arranged to meet with Dennis and Gloria for a sail. By the time we got to the harbor, the wind was up and we were soon off. The seas were more confused than normal and the swells were fairly large. Several other sailboats were sailing with reduced rigs, but we had both the jib and main fully unfurled and soon we were close to rail down as we sailed up towards Laguna. All four of us had to be on the high side with feet braced against the opposite side of the cockpit. Some of the time, I played "rail meat" and sat with my legs over the high side of the boat.

With all of us on one side, it was a little tight and Carolyn caught the mainsheet in her face as we tacked. Luckily, she didn't get hurt too badly, though she thinks she may get a fat lip. Her day didn't get any better as her hat flew off later and we rounded back and forth trying to retrieve it which just made her stomach do flip flops. She ended up with a numb lip, a lost hat and nothing in her stomach - not her favorite sailing experience.

Home after a dinner stop at In N Out, we watched the recorded golf tournament as Tiger won his 5th in a row. Amazing! Now it's back to work and the hope to fine the faux wood on my desk.

Mammoth

2006-08-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

Chided by both my daughter and a Bible study friend (a blog lurker) about my lack of recent posts, I succumb to the brow beating and pull myself up to my keyboard.

Two weeks ago, Chris and Pattie Brown invited us up to their Mammoth cabin/house for a long weekend. Bringing Carolyn along, they arrived at my office in Upland around 4:30 on Thursday afternoon to begin our trip up 395. Traveling through the upper desert community of Adelanto, I tried to figure out where or why Lewis Corp. has purchased or controls hundreds or thousands of acres. It is easy to understand why I'm not in marketing, as I have difficulty in imagining either the demand or appeal of living in that wasteland of sand, heat and Joshua trees. We make a short stop at Bravo Burgers beside the stadium for burgers, sandwiches and onion rings.

Chris drove and I sat shotgun while Pattie and Carolyn talked and knitted in the back seat. Another short stop for gas and we made it to the house around 11 pm. Stopping at the market for a few needed morning supplies, the temps were quite cool for a summer night considering the highs we had been experiencing in Lake Forest. The Browns gave us the larger of the two downstairs bedrooms and soon we tucked under several blankets (!) and off to a lengthy slumber.

On Friday, we hiked up to a small lake, taking the scenic stream trail, and while Carolyn walked and sketched, she was devoured by mosquitoes (she is really sweet!) while they hardly bothered me. The water was running quite strong for a late summer hike because of all the snow this past season. Probably, a reason for the number of mosquitoes as well.

We ate out that evening at the Mogul on delicious steaks and I had a baked potato with everything. Of course, then we had to share desserts so as to not be too piggish. The next day we took it easy again with just a hike up to a new development that overlooks the golf course and out to Lake Crowley. I checked my wallet, but I didn't quite have enough for any of the few houses for sale as they were over $3 million.

We cooked tacos on Saturday and followed up with a raucous game of Balderdash. I was leading until Chris suckered me into about four straight 'Chris definitions' and surged past me for the win. That evening, he just had a better BS quotient than the rest of us.

Sunday morning, we all worked to get the house spic and span, cleaning bathrooms and the kitchen, taking out trash, washing linens, vacuuming, etc. I think we were good enough 'tenants' that we're likely to be asked back sometime. It's a fun place any season of the year.

The trip home was uneventful except for the long lines in Bishop at Schat's Bakery and the car that overturned on the north bound side of 395 about two minutes before we got there (dozens had stopped to aid and assist). We got home around 6 to find our house in order and a cat who was definitely missing human contact.

A Long Week and a Half

2006-08-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

After getting home on 7/14, I tried to readjust my mental clock to Pacific Daylight Time by just taking it easy over the weekend. It was hot and the AC seemed to be keeping up until Sunday morning when I heard the air blowing through the vents but it didn't seem to be cool. I checked the compressor to find that it wasn't working - dang!

I went up to Ace Hardware and picked up two new fuses for the unit hoping that was the issue, but to no avail. So, while the temperature climbed within our house (especially in our bedroom), I left a message for an AC repairman on Sunday and was able to talk to him Monday. The first available appointment was Wednesday so I knew I was in for several days of hot weather.

Wednesday, the repair was made, and, thankfully, it was only a bug which had died across the contact points, so it was just a service call, rather than a new compressor. All went well, except for the realization that without Carolyn around, I don't eat that healthy, preferring the ease of fast food to the planning and effort required to cook for myself.

On Monday, July 24, the day before Carolyn's return, I came home from work to find that the electricity was totally off in my house and those of my immediate neighbors. So, no AC, lights, television, electricity - nothing. I wandered around with a flashlight in hand and tried to balance it on my shoulder while attempting to read. That night, the heat drove me downstairs to sleep on the couch in relative coolness.

When I awoke, the electricity was still out and I thought about reserving a hotel room to welcome Carolyn home as opposed to the hot, dark house on Islamare. As it turned out, Carolyn was supposed to arrive at 7 pm, but an engine warning light caused a four hour delay in her arrival which allowed me to go home and check on the house before leaving for LAX. At 6, the electricity was still off, but a crew was across the street removing and reinstalling a new transformer. Thankfully, we were connected by 7 and I was able to crank on the AC before driving up to LAX.

Carolyn appeared from the Customs area at around 11:30, tuckered and tired from her 18 hour trip from Edinburgh hauling her suitcases packed with her clothes and Ashley and Bryce's books. We were home by 12:30 am - tired and thankful to find the AC pumping cool air out like crazy.

Amsterdam - A Land of Bikes

2006-07-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 7, we flew directly from Edinburgh to Amsterdam and caught a taxi to the Hotel Toro (I kind of like that name) which is located in a very quiet section of the city, just down from the British Consulate, and across a pond from the Vondelpark, a beautiful, large park where people were constantly jogging, biking, sunning and picnicking.

Saturday, we grabbed a tram into the heart of the city and honored Rembrandt by visiting his works in the Rijkmuseum along with other old masters like Vermeer. In one room, they had a great 'light' show which focused your attention on various people or techniques in Rembrandt's "Night Watch". We made our way up to the Central train station and rented four bikes from MacBike for the better part of the week (I've never seen so many bikes in one place!). We wandered past canals, eating at a canalside cafe, through Dam Square, and finally back through the Vondelpark to our hotel.

Sunday, we broke out the travel Scrabble and Carolyn and I tried to stay within shouting distance (score-wise) of the two scholars without a lot of success. Then it was off to the Van Gogh museum, enjoying a snack of Dutch pancakes and fritters, and later followed by a canal tour (homes built on pilings don't all remain vertical). Bicycling with Bryce as our navigator, we made our way around the city, had dinner at Wagamamas, and made it back to the hotel in time to watch the World Cup finals. I didn't cry when France lost.

Monday, we bicycled to Anne Frank's house and toured the 'apartment' where up to eight people hid from the Nazis. It wasn't as small as I'd imagined, but with eight people, covered windows and the need to remain silent during work hours, it was claustrophobic enough. Only Otto, the father, survived the concentration camps. Another canal-side lunch and more bicycling through the city and the Vondelpark was followed by a wonderful (and expensive) dinner at the Blue Pepper, an Indonesian restaurant recommended by Roy from the hotel. A late evening of Scrabble finished the evening with Bryce smoking us with his first word (Allstars) which used all seven letters and was worth 77 points.

Carolyn and I went off on our own to Haarlem by train the next day. Amsterdam is the only place I've seen a multi-story parking structure just for bikes! We walked through the city, visited Corrie ten Boom's museum where we saw the small (24" deep) hiding place that hid Jews and resistance members during the occupation. Dinner was take-away pizza and beer back at the hotel.

Wednesday, the four of us ventured out of Amsterdam by train to Den Haag where we went to the Maurithuis and saw Vemeer's, Rembrandt's, Van Dyck's and Rubens' along with other artists. After lunch, we walked and walked and finally found the International Court of Justice which is only open by prior appointment, but it was an impressive looking building with gorgeous grounds. We bought bread, cheese and wine for a dinner on the hotel's veranda overlooking Vondelpark.

Our final full day in Amsterdam, we set out to the train station to go to Utrecht, a small town southeast of Amsterdam with canals which we were told was quite attractive. With Bryce leading the way, our party of four got strung out a little, and after several turns on various small roads, I looked back and found that Carolyn was no longer behind me. We spent the next twenty minutes or so searching to no avail so we continued on to the train station hoping she had found her way there. Bryce found her waiting in front of the train depot after already turning in her rental bike. After settling down from that episode, off we went. We stopped at a musical instrument museum but when we found it cost more than seeing Rembrandt, we passed and continued past canals, shops and into the large vaulted church.

But it was at lunch, that the day got really interesting. We found a cafe that had tables and chairs right alongside the canal so you could watch the various water craft passing by as you ate. Ashley and I sat opposite each other nearest the canal (about 1.5 feet away) and Bryce and Carolyn sat inboard of us. We had nearly finished lunch when Ashley in trying to adjust her chair, caught a chair leg on the cobblestone, and suddenly her chair was tipping towards the canal. As it tipped, her center of gravity shifted, and there was Ashley doing her best impression of a 1940's musical featuring synchronized swimmers, as both hands raised over her head she practically dove into the canal!! This before either Bryce or I could halt her momentum. In a moment, she was fully immersed; a second later, Bryce and I were pulling her from the water while Bryce shouted at some lady who was taking video at the time (perhaps Ashley will be soon starring in a Dutch version of Funniest Videos).

The waiter pointed Ashley and Bryce to the restrooms while saying that it (falling in the canal) happens every so often. So while Ashley tried to dry off under the hand driers, Carolyn went power shopping, returning in about 15 minutes with a whole new outfit (minus shoes) - skirt, blouse and underwear. Thankfully, Ashley wasn't hurt and actually laughed about it which allowed us to laugh as well. One waiter from Israel told me that when he had first arrived in Utrecht, he had never seen running water and was convinced by a 'friend' that it was shallow enough to walk on, so he tried to do his best Jesus impression and failed faster than Peter.

If this picture had been taken at the right moment, Ashley's head would have been appearing in the lower left hand side of this photo. Needless to say, that finished our adventures and we headed back to Amsterdam to pack for Friday's departure - me to home, Ashley, Bryce and Carolyn for two days in London and then back to Edinburgh through the 25th when all three will be heading back to California.

Week in Edinburgh

2006-07-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

We began our trip to visit Ashley and Bryce and celebrate Bryce's graduation on June 30, a Friday. I'd taken a day off as our flight left at 5:50 and I didn't need the hassle of driving to and from Upland for a half days work. Intending to leave at 1:30, we actually left around 2:00 only to find as we entered the freeway that Carolyn had not brought her sunglasses. So a quick trip back home and we were heading to LAX at 2:15. Then, around the 55 we began to hit traffic and my stress level began to rise, but we muddled through the traffic and after parking our car, we arrived around 3:30.

Plenty of time, until I made an error and after asking a TSA employee, got in the baggage security line before checking in with British Air. Wrong! After waiting 20 minutes or so, I was told I had to check in first only to find the BA line almost Disneyesque in its length and circuitousness. But they were fairly efficient and we even landed the bulkhead seats. Carolyn scouted out the shortest baggage check line and we made it to the gate as they began to board.

Flying through the night, we transitted in London and arrived in Edinburgh around 4 pm to be greeted by Bryce who drove out in his dad's rental car to ferry us to their flat. John and Sally had arrived a week earlier and taken the 'kids' to the Isle of Skye. So through Friday morning, there would be six adults in their flat with one bathroom and Bryce and Ashley forsaking their bedroom for rollaways in the living room. Troopers!

That Saturday night, we had stir fry in the flat and then walked down to a local pub for a few beers while we watched one of the semi-final games of the World Cup and Bryce and John expounded on the intricacies of the offside rule.

Sunday, John had an offer he couldn't refuse - to play golf at Muirfield while the five of us went off to church at New Restalrig and prayed for his soul (just kiddin'). Then it was off for Indian food for lunch and walk around the National Art Gallery looking at Rembrandt's etchings and other old Masters. We timed it right as the heavens unleashed rain while we were inside and we saw several people come in the museum who had not been so lucky. Ashley made a great French onion soup for dinner along with fresh fruit which was followed by a challenging game of Cranium and a short walk in the twilight at 11 pm!

Monday, we walked the Botanic gardens, the Royal Mile down to Holyrood Palace (finding it closed in anticipation of the Queen's arrival within hours), had lunch at Deacon Brodie's pub and even tasted a little haggis. That evening the six of us huddled around the laptop to watch "Love Actually". Tuesday, July 4th, Bryce, Carolyn and I celebrated by touring the Whiskey center, and for dinner we had all-American tacos and some desserts we had picked up from Peckhams including their last slice of apple pie. Then the competition really got fierce as we engaged in a game of Scrum (ask the Hales - sr. or jr.) where the losers wear their shame proudly.

Wednesday was Bryce's graduation at the University of Glasgow which was founded a measly 555 years ago. Bryce has on his full Scottish regalia with clerical tartan kilt. It was rather warm though and it couldn't have been that comfortable in his wool and robe as I was sweltering in a sport coat. The ceremony was serious and included at least two prayers in Latin that we were requested to recite aloud. Then it was off to a favorite Glasgow Indian restaurant for dinner before we stopped at the Necropolis on the way home.

Thursday while the Hales took a drive to the English border, Carolyn, Bryce and I (Ashley was continuing to do work on her doctorate) made it up to Camera Obscura near the Castle which displays old photographic techniques as well as optical illusions, etc. A quick stop at the Jolly Judge Pub, then it was off to do some shopping at an art supply store and the National Gallery.

Dinner that evening was back by the Castle at the Witchery at 6:30. Ashley led the walk, striding out a good clip while the rest of us tried to keep up. By the time, we made it (around 6:35), I was ready to take off my coat and have a cocktail. It's a very fine restaurant, and John was kind enough to spring for the entire bill. Of course, Ashley's doctoral graduation dinner is on me! We four parents stopped by the Cumberland Pub to say hello as Ashley and Bryce celebrated his graduation with a number of their friends, but we quickly decided that this was a younger person event.

Friday, we're out the door by 9 and on our way to Amsterdam as the Hales head back to California. More pictures can be found here.

Inconvenient "Truth"

2006-06-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Al Gore was on Larry King last night speaking of his new film, "An Inconvenient Truth", which has attracted a fair amount of media attention about the impending demise of life as we know it. I could only stand to listen to about 15 minutes, however, because I had conveniently forgotten how ponderous and pedantic his speaking tone is.

Then, today, this article from canadafreepress.com was highlighted on the Drudge Report. Perhaps, a caution as to not be swayed by the power of film without reviewing alternative views and theories.

Scientists have an independent obligation to respect and present the truth as they see it," Al Gore sensibly asserts in his film "An Inconvenient Truth", showing at Cumberland 4 Cinemas in Toronto since June 2. With that outlook in mind, what do world climate experts actually think about the science of his movie?

Professor Bob Carter of the Marine Geophysical Laboratory at James Cook University, in Australia gives what, for many Canadians, is a surprising assessment: "Gore's circumstantial arguments are so weak that they are pathetic. It is simply incredible that they, and his film, are commanding public attention."

But surely Carter is merely part of what most people regard as a tiny cadre of "climate change skeptics" who disagree with the "vast majority of scientists" Gore cites?

No; Carter is one of hundreds of highly qualified non-governmental, non-industry, non-lobby group climate experts who contest the hypothesis that human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing significant global climate change. "Climate experts" is the operative term here. Why? Because what Gore's "majority of scientists" think is immaterial when only a very small fraction of them actually work in the climate field.

Even among that fraction, many focus their studies on the impacts of climate change; biologists, for example, who study everything from insects to polar bears to poison ivy. "While many are highly skilled researchers, they generally do not have special knowledge about the causes of global climate change," explains former University of Winnipeg climatology professor Dr. Tim Ball. "They usually can tell us only about the effects of changes in the local environment where they conduct their studies."

This is highly valuable knowledge, but doesn't make them climate change cause experts, only climate impact experts.

So we have a smaller fraction.

But it becomes smaller still. Among experts who actually examine the causes of change on a global scale, many concentrate their research on designing and enhancing computer models of hypothetical futures. "These models have been consistently wrong in all their scenarios," asserts Ball. "Since modelers concede computer outputs are not "predictions" but are in fact merely scenarios, they are negligent in letting policy-makers and the public think they are actually making forecasts."

We should listen most to scientists who use real data to try to understand what nature is actually telling us about the causes and extent of global climate change. In this relatively small community, there is no consensus, despite what Gore and others would suggest.

Here is a small sample of the side of the debate we almost never hear:

Appearing before the Commons Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development last year, Carleton University paleoclimatologist Professor Tim Patterson testified, "There is no meaningful correlation between CO2 levels and Earth's temperature over this [geologic] time frame. In fact, when CO2 levels were over ten times higher than they are now, about 450 million years ago, the planet was in the depths of the absolute coldest period in the last half billion years." Patterson asked the committee, "On the basis of this evidence, how could anyone still believe that the recent relatively small increase in CO2 levels would be the major cause of the past century's modest warming?"

Patterson concluded his testimony by explaining what his research and "hundreds of other studies" reveal: on all time scales, there is very good correlation between Earth's temperature and natural celestial phenomena such changes in the brightness of the Sun.

Dr. Boris Winterhalter, former marine researcher at the Geological Survey of Finland and professor in marine geology, University of Helsinki, takes apart Gore's dramatic display of Antarctic glaciers collapsing into the sea. "The breaking glacier wall is a normally occurring phenomenon which is due to the normal advance of a glacier," says Winterhalter. "In Antarctica the temperature is low enough to prohibit melting of the ice front, so if the ice is grounded, it has to break off in beautiful ice cascades. If the water is deep enough icebergs will form."

Dr. WibjÃ¶rn KarlÃ©n, emeritus professor, Dept. of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, Sweden, admits, "Some small areas in the Antarctic Peninsula have broken up recently, just like it has done back in time. The temperature in this part of Antarctica has increased recently, probably because of a small change in the position of the low pressure systems."

But KarlÃ©n clarifies that the 'mass balance' of Antarctica is positive - more snow is accumulating than melting off. As a result, Ball explains, there is an increase in the 'calving' of icebergs as the ice dome of Antarctica is growing and flowing to the oceans. When Greenland and Antarctica are assessed together, "their mass balance is considered to possibly increase the sea level by 0.03 mm/year - not much of an effect," KarlÃ©n concludes.

The Antarctica has survived warm and cold events over millions of years. A meltdown is simply not a realistic scenario in the foreseeable future.

Gore tells us in the film, "Starting in 1970, there was a precipitous drop-off in the amount and extent and thickness of the Arctic ice cap." This is misleading, according to Ball: "The survey that Gore cites was a single transect across one part of the Arctic basin in the month of October during the 1960s when we were in the middle of the cooling period. The 1990 runs were done in the warmer month of September, using a wholly different technology."

KarlÃ©n explains that a paper published in 2003 by University of Alaska professor Igor Polyakov shows that, the region of the Arctic where rising temperature is supposedly endangering polar bears showed fluctuations since 1940 but no overall temperature rise. "For several published records it is a decrease for the last 50 years," says KarlÃ©n

Dr. Dick Morgan, former advisor to the World Meteorological Organization and climatology researcher at University of Exeter, U.K. gives the details, "There has been some decrease in ice thickness in the Canadian Arctic over the past 30 years but no melt down. The Canadian Ice Service records show that from 1971-1981 there was average, to above average, ice thickness. From 1981-1982 there was a sharp decrease of 15% but there was a quick recovery to average, to slightly above average, values from 1983-1995. A sharp drop of 30% occurred again 1996-1998 and since then there has been a steady increase to reach near normal conditions since 2001."

Concerning Gore's beliefs about worldwide warming, Morgan points out that, in addition to the cooling in the NW Atlantic, massive areas of cooling are found in the North and South Pacific Ocean; the whole of the Amazon Valley; the north coast of South America and the Caribbean; the eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caucasus and Red Sea; New Zealand and even the Ganges Valley in India. Morgan explains, "Had the IPCC used the standard parameter for climate change (the 30 year average) and used an equal area projection, instead of the Mercator (which doubled the area of warming in Alaska, Siberia and the Antarctic Ocean) warming and cooling would have been almost in balance."

Gore's point that 200 cities and towns in the American West set all time high temperature records is also misleading according to Dr. Roy Spencer, Principal Research Scientist at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. "It is not unusual for some locations, out of the thousands of cities and towns in the U.S., to set all-time records," he says. "The actual data shows that overall, recent temperatures in the U.S. were not unusual."

Carter does not pull his punches about Gore's activism, "The man is an embarrassment to US science and its many fine practitioners, a lot of whom know (but feel unable to state publicly) that his propaganda crusade is mostly based on junk science."

In April sixty of the world's leading experts in the field asked Prime Minister Harper to order a thorough public review of the science of climate change, something that has never happened in Canada. Considering what's at stake - either the end of civilization, if you believe Gore, or a waste of billions of dollars, if you believe his opponents - it seems like a reasonable request.

An Apple a Day

2006-06-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

My Nano had stopped working - a scroll wheel that wouldn't scroll - so after reformatting it and trying the self-helps from apple.com, I drove over to Victoria Gardens at lunch yesterday only to find out that I needed to have an appointment to meet with tech support. So I set one up for 5:30 and headed back to work.

Back again after work, I waited at their "bar" for my appointed time. The tech checked it out and told me that it was toast. How could that happen, I queried. His response was that like a cop, he only saw the dead body and not how it occurred.

Nevertheless, after being questioned about what platform I was operating under - Windows I said under my breath - he found a replacement for me. I signed a single paper and was out the door, heading home to re-load my music. Nice service!

Rub a Dub Dub

2006-06-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

... three men in a tub (or dinghy).

Saturday I went over to Dennis' home to work on our new boating addition. The dinghy we had purchased at the swap meet was fairly dirty - I think it had been on some yacht's fantail getting coated with the exhaust from the engines. Dennis thought rubbing alcohol would clean it the best, but I had brought some paint thinner to try out as well. The thinner seemed to do the better/faster job and by mid-afternoon, we had it pretty clean.

Stephen arrived and showed with pride how well the engine operated in a trash can filled with water. He had painted the engine cover and checked out the innards. It started easily. Then he was off to get stencils so that we could paint the registration numbers on boards that fit into the sidewalls.

Around four, we took the boat and engine down to the harbor for a test run. The engine would start and then stop in about 3 seconds. Stephen was frustrated! It probably didn't help that we ran out of gas, but after a refill, the engine still wouldn't run continuously. Stephen postulated that a small float inside the gas tank prevented free-flow of fuel.

So we didn't make it out of E slip and the motor went back with Stephen for further tinkering. Here's hoping that we get out of the slip on our next try!

Porpoise Driven Life

2006-06-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

Random thoughts

After our mid-channel crossing to Catalina, I'm hoping to see another pod of dolphins or porpoises every time I go sailing.

PDL would make an interesting boat name, but we'd need a wider stern for it to fit.

Choosing boat names is really hard when you're trying to please four or more persons.

We enjoyed Katie's concert which was a compilation of 60s and early 70s music a week ago. The scary part was that everyone wore vintage clothes and some of those plaid slacks could have been mine.

Dennis and I had success at a nautical swap meet last week where we bought an inflatable dinghy and 3 h.p. engine, etc. Now the hard part is cleaning up the dinghy enough that the ladies will join us. That will be this weekend's job.

I have too much stuff. I need to clear out my closet of clothes that either don't fit or are so out of style that it will take at least twenty years before they will be cool enough to wear in a retro concert of 2026.

Last weekend I finished "Neither here Nor there" by Bill Bryson. A very funny book that had me laughing out loud (ask Carolyn - thanks B&A), sometimes when comments were a little off-color. I'll try to be as observant of the world around me on our upcoming trip to Edinburgh and the Netherlands (note, I don't say Amsterdam because I don't want people to thing I'm going there for that, no not THAT).

I ponder - should I upgrade my mega-pixels? My Fuji has 3.1 - so last year - should I invest in a 6+ SLR type or a small pocket camera or be satisfied with my current results?

When did I lose the ability to sleep in for any length of time? Sometimes I can sleep in to around 7 a.m., but later than that is nearly impossible. I'm more likely to be up by 6:30 on the weekend. Of course, I can enjoy a good nap with golf, on the beach, or in front of a boring movie so perhaps that makes up for the early to rise nonsense.

Ponder on!

A Faint Cry

2006-06-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

As I nestled into bed on Wednesday night, I asked Carolyn if she had noticed our cat, Gracie, in the last few hours. No, she had not, and she set off on a quick house search, but to no avail.

Earlier that afternoon, we'd had a Cox service call and Carolyn had seen the cat then, but we hoped that she had just found a new chair or corner in which to nap. Thursday, I awoke and began my morning rituals with no cat in sight, and later Carolyn called to say that she had searched everywhere without success.

Had Gracie slipped out of the house during the previous day's service call? Was she trapped in the garage?

When I got home Thursday a little after six, Carolyn had not yet returned from her activities and while I opened the mail in the kitchen, I heard a faint cry. Where was it coming from? I couldn't tell and it was only occasional so I couldn't place it.

I checked the garage, outside, the deck, opened cupboards and cabinets, looked behind and under couches and furniture. Nothing! Carolyn arrived home and we heard the cry again. I looked in the neighbor's yard, retraced my steps and called out for the cat.

Gracie cried a bit more frequently and Carolyn followed the sounds to the back room which was open. She called me in. Gracie was caught between two chairs stacked atop each other and couldn't get out! I moved the furniture and extricated her and she bounded out after nearly 24 hours eager for the treats that Carolyn gave her.

Video Posted

2006-05-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Check out the video of the dolphins here.

And you can see Carolyn enjoying St. Maarten's Carnival here.

Catalina Journey

2006-05-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

The boys, Dennis, Steve and I, took our maiden voyage to Catalina this weekend and returned to tell the tale. I met the Hughes at the boat a little before 6 on Saturday morning and we quickly loaded our gear and enough snacks to last us at least half way to Hawaii if we missed Avalon. It was overcast but the seas were quite calm with no wind.

Leaving the slip around 6:10 we began the six hour, thirty-six mile motor-cruise following our GPS as Catalina wasn't visible until we were about ten miles away. The engine ran smoothly until about 2/3rds of the way there, when we heard a small thump and we were only running on three cylinders. We eased off a little on the speed, and even though the engine vibrated more, there were no indications that we'd blown a head gasket or seriously damaged the motor.

Steve at the Helm

In mid-channel, I noticed some activity a hundred or so yards to our north. It was a huge pod of dolphins! We changed our course to get closer and suddenly we had dozens riding around our bow wake! It was fantastic as they easily swan by and under our bow. Now all I have to do is figure out how to post the video I shot!

Dolphin Pod

After a mile or so, they decided it was time to join the main pod and they disappeared as quickly as the had arrived. It was too cool!

As we neared Catalina, the overcast skies began to clear and when we arrived at noon, we had sun and blue skies. We called out on channel 12 asking about moorings and were told to switch to channel 9 which we did. We met the Harbor Patrol at the entry where they assigned us to mooring 71 after taking our $22 per night fee. Steve was at the helm as we wound our way through the narrow channels to our mooring which we handled with apparent ease.

Moored in Avalon

After eating lunch that we had brought, we called for the shore boat and waited about twenty minutes to be picked up. After going ashore at the cost of $4.75 per person each way, we decided an inflatable should be among our first new purchases.

Steve's company provides internet service to the entire island and he frequently flies over to the island via helicopter to handle ISP problems. So he has a contact on the island who set us up with some free tours. We toured the Casino (Italian for a place of meeting or entertainment) which was built by Wrigley in the late 20's and has a great movie theatre and a huge dance ballroom which is the equivalent of ten stories above. Then later we squeezed on to a "submarine" to view the fish and kelp beds in the preserve adjacent to the harbor.

Fish Frenzy

After walking around Avalon a bit more, we had dinner at Antonio's, Italian food with peanut shells on the floor, before heading back to the boat. Being cheap, we went over to the dinghy dock and hitched a ride with another boater aboard his dinghy thus saving $14.25. Meanwhile, we found that he has an older dinghy for sale which we may buy. Since we had all gotten up rather early, we hit our respect berths just before ten and I was able to get to sleep first, thus starting the snoring contest. Dennis was in the V-berth and didn't contribute much, but Steve and I battled each other through the night for the title of most annoying.

It rained several times through the night, but by morning it had stopped so Steve donned his wetsuit to go overboard to clean the kelp off the prop and do some general scrubbing. After encouraging me that this would be clearest place for me to see the underside of the boat, I jumped in with my trunks and mask for the underwater viewing. It was brisk! I think I was in the water for about a minute and half until I struggled up our improvised rope ladder (a swim ladder now being added to our wish list of boating options).

By nine (check out time), we had our gear stowed and had dried off enough to head on home. For that early, the wind was pretty strong and it strengthened throughout the day. Coming from the southwest, we were able to set our GPS and set our course for a single, long tack of 36 miles straight to the Dana harbor. After getting out of the lee of Catalina, we averaged about 7 mph and arrived about 3:30. We came home sunburned, safe, and satisfied at our first Catalina adventure.

Leaving Catalina

More pictures here.

St Maarten/St Martin

2006-05-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

A week away in the Caribbean began on Friday night, April 28, as we flew the red-eye on Delta from LAX thru Atlanta with a four hour layover before our flight to the Dutch/French island of St. Maarten or St. Martin.

We deplaned the old fashioned way on a rolling stairway and walked across the tarmac to a small building where we quickly passed through customs but then had to wait quite a while for both of our bags. Then it was off to get our tiny KIA car from Thrifty and we headed out to find our way via mostly unmarked streets to find the Divi Little Bay Resort. We had just arrived at the outdoor (but covered) reception area when the skies opened up and the warm rain poured down for ten or fifteen minutes. By the time the skies cleared, the two bellmen were nowhere to be found so we trudged our bags down to the end of the peninsula to our first floor one-bedroom condo. Our view was across the bay to the city of Phillipsburg and the area where up to three cruise ships would dock.

Sunday, we walked into town to check out the Carnival which brings groups representing various islands into town to dance through the streets to the rhythms of bands that preceded them on tractor trailer rigs. After several hours of dancing, they finished up going down the one-way, one-lane Front Street as the music played from concert style speakers and reverberated off the buildings that line the street. Let's just say that most island women have no body-issue concerns and anorexia isn't a cultural problem. It was quite an experience and when the music began to ring in our heads a little too much, we headed over to boardwalk for some barbecued ribs and either beers or rum drinks.

Tuesday, we drove around the island - two countries, no border control - as we enjoyed scenic outlooks over beautiful turquoise shaded waters. We stopped at Orient Beach, a long crescent shaped beach, for a few hours of sunning and lunch. We avoided the far end of the beach which houses a 'naturalist' resort and paid our $14 for two beach chairs, an umbrella, and two drinks. Being on the French side, there were a few topless women including two who sat beside Carolyn which meant I never looked at Carolyn when I talked to her! After a good lunch, we continued our roundtrip.

Wednesday started off a lot cloudier than the previous days, but we headed out for a half day catamaran snorkeling trip on the Golden Eagle IV. After being the lone passengers boarding at Bobby's Marina, we picked up a full compliment of passengers from the three cruise ships docked in the harbor. Meanwhile, we made friends with two of the crew members, Kars, a tall, curly haired blond from Amsterdam spending six months working after finishing high school, and Billy, a Scottish lad from the Borders south of Glasgow who was spending a month trying to figure out his next move which was probably the Navy. The snorkeling was OK off a tiny island, but as we walked along the beach a boat from the 'naturalist' resort arrived with a group of unclothed passengers. Let me assure you, none of these people were models, and we cut short our stroll along the shore. On the way back from the island, it began to rain rather heavily. Our seats along with quite a few others was not covered so we got fairly soaked!

The following day we tried another type of boat - a 12 meter. I was a backstay grinder and Carolyn was a winch wench as we sailed aboard US 56 against a Canadian boat in a short race. We were beaten to the starting line but after rounding the second mark we had taken a one boat length lead. However, by the time we closed in on the finish line, a slight wind shift required us to go to the far side of the finish line and we lost by about a boat length. As we cruised back into the harbor, they let me take the helm. I wished for a little more wind than we had, but it was a good experience and a good workout. I can't imagine how exhausting a four or five hour actual race would be.

Our final full day on St. Maarten, we headed around the island again, stopping at the French capital of Marigot where we wandered through the marketplace and purchased a memory water color, and then drove to the ferry for Penel Island. Penel can only be reached by boat and has two competing beach managers and two restaurants. We perched on the Yellow beach, but Carolyn soon shifted 15 feet to the Blue beach at whose restaurant we ate. Carolyn had a huge barbecued lobster while I tried the pork ribs. At four, we took the final ferry back to our car and headed home to Divi.

Saturday, we had to pack it up and fly out, however, a baggage handler decided to drive his baggage ramp under the right engine and wedged it under the engine cowling. We ended up sitting on the plane for four and half hours (at least we had AC and a movie) while we waited for a replacement plane to be flown in from Puerto Rico. By the time we got to Atlanta and passed through customs, we had missed our connecting flight by several hours so Delta put us up at the 'glorious' Holiday Inn North. Since we had only had crackers and cheese since noon, we were fairly hungry and the only place open at 1:00 am was the Waffle House. Evidently, a Southern staple, it comes across as a low rent IHOP which would not receive an "A" from any Health Dept., but we were hungry. To bed around 2 am and up at 6 am, it was back to the airport and then on to LA.

Other than the plane problems, we had a great, relaxing trip with beautiful beaches, fun activities and good food.

St Maarten Pics Posted

2006-05-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Check on the Flickr image and check out some of the pictures I've uploaded from our trip. Trip details to follow.

UPDATE: I guess if you use Firefox which I don't at work, the Flickr image doesn't appear below the archive list. So click here.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

2006-04-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

Won't be back for a week or so. Friday night we fly to Atlanta then onto St. Martin for a week's worth of sun - both Dutch and French. We may get to see some of the celebrations for the Queen on Saturday or Sunday which should be interesting.

I'm hoping to take a sail aboard a twelve meter America's Cup yacht during our stay and may well work in a day sail on a catamaran as well. Otherwise, we plan on enjoying the warm sun and water, kick back and forget about work or remodeling for awhile.

Prayers for our travel safety and ability to rest/sleep on our red-eye would be appreciated.

Interestingness

2006-04-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

Venècia
Originally uploaded by bcnbits.

Sometimes when I have no piles of paper on my desk, I will check out flickr's "interestingness" section. There are some amazing photos posted every day - an inspiration for an amateur photographer.

I particularly like this one of Venice. Hopefully, the light and timing will afford many opportunities to take my own reflections during our upcoming trip to St. Martin.

Easter Must be Close

2006-04-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

You almost can always tell when its close to Easter or Christmas because that's when you find numerous publications questioning various aspects of Christ's life or Christianity in general.

This year is no different as we find one 'explanation' for Jesus' walking on water.

Then of course there is the newly found Gospel of Judas that 'proves' he was the closest to Christ and offered Christ up for crucifixion at Jesus' direction.

And, soon will come the movie "The Da Vinci Code" which is based on the premise the Jesus fathered a child with Mary Magdalene and the Catholic Church has hidden the 'secret' for milenia.

Can you imagine the riots if these sort of stories/films were made about Islam?

Jack Bauer's Theology

2006-04-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

For all my fellow 24 fanatics, Jack's theology at least per this blog.

It Can't Be That Long Ago!!

2006-04-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

When younger, these notices bring up a different set of emotions. Yesterday, a post card arrived in the mail announcing my 40th (!!) high school reunion.

Four decades, last century, last millennium. Before landing on the moon; before personal computers, cell phones, PDAs, or the internet; before Japanese cars were preferred over Ford or GM; before California toll roads or car pool lanes; before housing replaced orange groves; before cassette players let alone CDs or DVDs; before high rise condos off of Jamboree; before college, wife or daughter.

I used to count years after college as a small percentage of my life without being in school, now they're counted in decades after. Carolyn was nice enough to say that if I chose to go, I'd probably be one of a few who had no (or little) grey hair, however, there is that thinning issue. I wonder how many of my schoolmates are Great-grandparents!

Thar She Blows!!

2006-04-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

Carolyn was having a Southern Living party Sunday afternoon, and after I had mowed the lawn, trimmed the hedge and swept, the sun was out and the sea beckoned so I called Dennis to see if he wanted to sail. He thought that sounded like a good idea as he didn't want to have to do too much yard work anyway.

I met him at the harbor a little after 2, and he had already gotten the boat ready for launch. A few kayaks by the bridge required us to do a 360 before we were able to get the mainsail up, but soon I was skippering down the channel as Dennis hauled in bumpers and stowed them.

We set an almost due south course and the wind was fairly strong with swells that were fairly small. About two miles offshore, I noticed a small wisp of water or was it a breach from a porpoise? I alerted Dennis who grabbed the helm while I grabbed my camera as we witnessed a whale's back arch out of the water about 100 yards ahead of us!! It was quick and we watched intently to see if we could see him breach further north, but to no avail and I wasn't able to get a picture. It's hard chasing after a whale in a sailboat.

The wind continued to pick up and our GPS had us cruising at over 7 knots at some times while our knot meter on the boat was showing 4.5 or so. But our leeward rail was almost in the water sometimes and the lower part of the jib was splashed with water. As we turned back towards the harbor, we spotted a pod of porpoises to our south apparently chasing bait fish and churning the water as they swam south away from us.

We had been hoping to see a whale aboard the Journey, and now we finally have. It would have been fun to see a few more or for a little longer, but that's what sails are for.

Recovery Sunday

2006-03-26T17:26:00.000-08:00

Sunday is definitely a day of rest after Stephanie Kanda's wedding yesterday!

Carolyn was off in the morning to have hair and nails done while I ironed my shirt and steamed her dress and my suit. It was then up El Toro road to the Rancho Las Lomas wedding site which is tucked into the hills above Cook's Corner and which is populated with caged parrots and other birds along with horses and even a zebra.

The wedding programs with Carolyn's rendering of Las Lomas looked great and they even included a thank you to her inside. We sat near the Gomes, LaVoie's and Leus with both Christina and Anne-Marie acting as bridesmaids. It was an outdoor ceremony which included the Jewish tradition of breaking a glass as a symbol that their marriage should be as difficult to break apart as it would be to put that glass together again.

The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour outside on the patio and by the pool. We enjoyed catching up with Alex Gome, David Paul Leu, and Drew Kanda along with their parents before going inside for the entry of the wedding party and the first dances. Steph and Manny (Emanuel) obviously had been working on their moves!

And Steve held it together well enough to waltz his daughter around the dance floor, but it was a little more difficult, and he was a little more choked up, when he gave his toast to Steph and Manny before dinner. He loves 'his little girl' very much!

Dinner was tri-tip cooked perfectly along with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes, and we were up often to hit the dance floor or converse with our friends at various other tables. Or we would make our way over to the chocolate fountain to dip strawberries or cake for a little extra energy boost.

We were nearly the last groups to leave at around 11:30 and Steph and Debbie encouraged us to take some of the flower arrangements home. During the evening it had begun raining, and we were all thankful that it had held off until we were all inside, however, it was still raining as we left and we ended up nearly soaked as we waited for the valet after taking a bit of a walking detour!

Home around midnight, I hit the bed pretty quickly but Carolyn had a difficult time getting to sleep before 2 a.m. So needless to say, today has been rather low key with a spa soak, some college NCAA basketball, and an afternoon nap to replenish our strength. It's amazing what a night of partying and dancing can do to tire you out!

It was a wonderful day and evening, and we are happy for both the Kandas and the newly minted Pasternack's.

Update

2006-03-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in so long, I'm totally out of practice. Perhaps it's just because things have been rather normal lately, except that Bryce and Ashley were home for a week checking on job/church opportunities in the So. Cal. area.

Bryce enjoyed zipping all over the area in Carolyn's Mini Cooper while Ashley endured hours and hours of interviews and meetings or classes. We liked having them stay with us and got to have dinner with them about half the time they were here (when they weren't with friends or the Hales).

On Saturday, we hosted a Hales, Crockett, Bunker, Hutchins "make your own tostada" dinner which was followed by a few games of Catch Phrase. It's the most funny when you get clues such as "something I like" - could we get a little more information!

Then, John and Sally hosted a lovely last dinner for the six of us at Mission Viejo Country Club on Sunday.

It's now a little quieter at home and Gracie has no 'dog lovers' to annoy. Unfortunately, Carolyn came down with a cold which she's blaming on a British virus. Hopefully, the warmer weather we're having now will help her feel better.

Rainy Day Ramblings

2006-02-27T15:59:00.000-08:00

Well, the Hutchins have been house-bound for about ten days as Carolyn broke out with these bumps on her body Saturday the 18th. We had been up to our kitchen designer to talk about alternatives for a master bath/closet expansion, but Carolyn was feeling a little weird and itchy so we stopped in our doctor's early in the afternoon.

We were fairly surprised when he declared that Carolyn probably had chicken pox! Evidently, a light case in your youth doesn't guarantee immunity in adulthood. She started on an anti-viral and benadryl to ease the itching. But that pretty much eliminated any plans for activities in which Carolyn came into contact with others. So no church, Community Bible Study, art classes or Bible Study. Good thing that the Olympics were on to keep us occupied, and that, so far, I have avoided contracting the pox myself.

Carolyn's CBS friends have been very generous in bringing dinners so neither of us have starved (or had to learn to cook - me). Although the virus can drag you down, Carolyn has tried to do various cleanup projects around the house and has sometimes worn herself out by attempting too much.

This weekend we threw out old picture frames that were broken or tarnished, reorganized the library closet including decades worth of pictures, cleaned out financial files, and straightened both the art studio and the back room. We would stop when we came across a particularly poignant or funny photo, or to examine Carolyn's various hair styles or the length of my hair or beard.

We also came across my travel journal from our 1992 European trip with CVCHS when we chaperoned 15 high schoolers through six countries in 21 days. I read some of it to Carolyn last night and it brought back memories of Munich, Dachau, St. Marks Square in Venice, climbing the steps up the Florence Duomo with Ashley (463 each way), eating gelato in Rome, going to the Louvre in Paris and discovering Ashley had lost her stuffed Lambie in some earlier hotel. I seemed to focus on our meals and the cultural differences or toilets of the countries we visited. But we had a good time!

Today, after much heralding, rain has again returned to Southern California. This will be another test of our recent home repairs and my driving skills as I seek to avoid colliding with my fellow commuters.

"Walking Man" - pointilism

2006-02-13T23:33:00.000-08:00

Boat, Play and Model Homes

2006-02-13T09:03:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning continued this winter's bright and sunny days, and I headed down to the harbor to work on the boat with Dennis while Carolyn headed off in other directions for other chores. It was warm in Dana Point even though one could feel the fog hovering offshore less than a mile out.

I polished the stainless steel stanchions and re-stained the teak handrails while Dennis worked on cleaning the transom and the interior. We fixed the drain on the sink, re-wrapped rigging tape on turnbuckles, and a myriad other little chores before Steve came down around 3 and we both hauled Dennis up the mast in our bosun's chair to check out the spreaders and take down the wind indicator so it can be replaced. Dennis gave a show to a three year old passenger on an adjacent boat who was fascinated at how high he was.

After stopping by Wanda's briefly, I headed home for dinner and a shower before we left for the play "Hitchcock's Blondes" at SCR with tickets courtesy of Lewis. We had turned down dinner with Chris and Pattie to see the play which turned out to be a bad decision.

The play resolved around an unfinished early film by Hitchcock and an attempt to decipher the film from individual frames recovered from the deteriorating celluloid. But the '19 year-old' film student, threw around the F-bomb as verb, adverb, adjective and noun so much that we felt assaulted. Added to the profanity were continuing references to sexual acts as either the film professor tried to seduce the student or 'Hitchcock' tried the same or to degrade his leading lady's body double. We felt more and more uncomfortable so that we finally left our front row seats and walked out before the intermission! Today's OC Register's review would indicate that the reviewer, at least, was unaffected by any of that, a warning that we need to be vigilant in our entertainment choices.

Sunday morning we drove into Irvine near the former Tustin blimp hangers to check out a couple of model homes for interior design and master bath research. We'd received an initial design for a remodel of our bath and master closet late last week and we wanted to see how the newer homes were incorporating some of the features we want. Priced modestly in the low $1 millions (cough, cough), these nearly 3000 sq. ft. homes gave us ideas on the size we need for both bath and closet and a possible upstairs laundry room. We took pictures showing large tubs, transitions from stone to wood, and vanities both dual and his/hers. We have a bit more research to do on both layout and materials although I laid out the proposed size of the bath on our bedroom floor using books to show where corners and fixtures were. Carolyn enjoyed my hands on display.

The rest of Sunday we enjoyed painting (Carolyn), watching some of the Olympics (Tor), and church (both). We may also have contemplated how much different the two coasts were this weekend with 85 degrees in our neck of the woods while New York city got 26 inches of snow. Viva California!

Ready to Eat

2006-02-12T20:07:00.000-08:00

Gracie waits expectantly to be served on the good china!