So What Have I Been Up To Lately?

There's been some more spare time on my hands these past few weekends than I've been used to. Yes, a new normal, for lack of a better term has set in, and there are probably a few friends and family members wondering if I'm becoming a recluse.

Well, recluse would have been a fitting term two weekends ago. I've been busy working on getting my coin collection better organized, getting some clutter taken care of, getting some projects done, some barbecuing, some reading.....actually, a whole lot of reading. What I haven't done is catch up on my DVDs though I may take in an episode of Hawaii Five-O later on this evening.

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My reading selection has been short stories. Before my trip to Wisconsin I found in a used bookstore an anthology of science fiction stories written in the 1930s, and compiled by Isaac Asimov. I found myself amazed at how well written these stories are. Dr. Asimov included some commentary on these stories, as that these were his favorites when he was a young teenager working at his father's candy store. They influenced some of his writing style, and as I was reading one of them I was wondering if that's where he got the idea to have the team of Greg Powell and Mike Donovan field test robots in I, Robot. After that story he mentioned that yes, that's where that came from.

I finished that anthology some two weeks ago, and now I'm working on an anthology compiled by Alfred Hitchcock.

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When I was in the sixth grade or so back in Titusville, Florida, one of my favorite places to visit was the local library, where I would check out books on a regular basis. I read lots of science fiction and lots of mysteries. I was particularly drawn to the recurring characters called "The Three Investigators", and these were presented by Alfred Hitchcock. My thinking is that he wrote them, but I may be wrong on that.

Anyway, one book that I checked out was "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Stories That Scared Even Me". I read all of them save for the last one, which was a novel at the very end of the book. I started that story, but never finished it. It had something to do with fireballs falling from outer space and landing in the ocean. My dad read that book too, and said that that last story was the best one of them all.

Some time ago, within the past year I'm sure, I had a dream where I got hold of that book again so that I could read that one last story. Yes, it got away from me, and when I would visit bookstores I would look in the mystery section, hoping that this long out of print collection would return.

I then forgot about trying to find it until a few weeks ago. Someone put the bug in my ear that maybe I could find it on amazon.com, and sure enough, there were several used copies available from various used book dealers around the country. I selected one, ordered it, and it quickly arrived.

It's really interesting re-reading some of these stories again as an adult, some 37 or so years later. Some of them I remember well; the one I read today I didn't remember it until I got to the very end. I haven't yet gotten to that very last story, but I figure on getting there soon. I will finally get to read it, and I think I'll tell you about it when I'm done with it.

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While on the subject of books, I found my original copies of the "Foundation" trilogy by Isaac Asimov. I had them all along; they were in the bookcase downstairs! Oh well, it's just as well that I was forced to re-purchase a few of them as that that's got me going again on the robots, the Galactic Empire, and the Foundation series. I am trying to get the last book I need for the "Caliban" trilogy, which was not written by Asimov, but word has it that he approved the outline before he passed away. That will at least fill in some of the "history" between the Spacers and the Settlers before the Galactic Empire came into being.

As you might be guessing, I find the concept of a long series of novels tied together to be fascinating. Once I'm done, I should probably read another trilogy that I've been meaning to do for some time: The Lord of the Rings.

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Last weekend I wasn't a recluse, although I wanted to be one. I went out and renewed some friendships last weekend, and there are a few folks out there that I need to touch base with. I have a standing invitation to share dinner and company with a good friend of mine who spends half her time in Tucson and the other half in Cochise County, and I really should give her a call tomorrow.

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I learned of the deer tag drawing results two days ago. Todd and I were drawn for antlered mule deer, the middle hunt, and in the very unit that was our top choice! You have to select five "hunts" to apply for, and I'm pleased that we got our top choice. It's down by Willcox, which is some 75 miles or so from here.

Once the monsoon season winds down, we're going to try to get in some scouting runs. We've seen muleys north of I-10 before, halfway between Willcox and Safford. That was from a state highway, and of course they weren't in season.

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Starting two days ago, it's been legal to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without a permit. I've been reading the newspaper and listening to the scanner.

We have not had any shootouts, nor have we had an increase in people wanting to pick fights with someone else so that they could shoot them.

What we have had is some protests over SB1070, and no one got shot at the protests either.

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And speaking of SB1070, it's been largely nullified by a federal judge. As is usually the case with a law that an overwhelming majority of the population is in favor of, a minority segment of vocal malcontents go out of their way to find a judge who will short-circuit the process of legislation and enactment.

In other words, the will of the people be damned.

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One argument against SB1070 that its critics like to cite is that it isn't right for a state to enforce federal law.

Well......consider this.

A sheriff's deputy stops a car for speeding down the county road. He has probable cause to search the trunk, and asks that it be opened. He finds that the speeder has a suitcase stuffed to the gills with counterfeit $100 bills.

Should the deputy simply cite the driver for speeding and then send him on his way, since counterfeiting is regulated by federal law, which a state has no business enforcing?

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The Tucson Unified School District has announced that they are not going to enforce immigration law. In their view, they don't want to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement.

If that's the case, then how come they don't raise similar objections when the state wants them to report suspected cases of child abuse to the authorities?

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The next time you're on the interstate, please drive in the right lane, and use the left lane for passing.

It's the courteous thing to do.

It's also the law in some states.

America's Ruling Class

Ever wonder why things are the way they are in our nation's capital? I mean, we have a ruling party acting in arrogance, passing unpopular legislation, and fearing that they're about to turned out of office they're talking about ramming more laws we don't want down our throats.

On the other side of the aisle, we have an impotent-by-design minority party with just as much contempt for you as those in charge......why aren't they doing anything? Why do they resist an opportunity to be an alternative? Why do they join with the Democrats in raising spending, the national debt, and in providing "amnesty" to those in this country illegally?

Well there's an excellent article in The American Spectator which analyzes this. It's a long read, but well worth it.

America's Ruling Class

Fred Turner Interview!

I just stumbled across this a few moments ago. It's a telephone interview with Fred Turner, discussing Winnipeg, his latest collaboration with Randy Bachman, and some other interesting insights.

If I ever make it to The Peg, I'll have to try one of those Greek hamburgers he was talking about. I'm on a diet as well, but one won't kill me, right?

LINK

Tuesday the 13th of July (Odds and Ends this evening)

I'm one of those people who can forget the name of someone five minutes after being introduced to them, yet I never forget a face nor do I forget a name that's in print. When it comes to dates, my memory is near photographic, so to speak.

Twenty-nine years ago this evening was the last time that I saw my good friend, Hal Liming, alive. I remember it; it was a Monday, the new Foreigner album was out, and I rushed out to get it since I was really big into them at that time. I also picked up an April Wine album that day, Stand Back, mainly because Jim Clench (who later joined BTO) sang lead on two of those songs. "Oowatanite" was a hit in Canada, but I've always been partial to "Baby Done Got Some Soul". If the latter were on YouTube, I'd post a link.

The world lost Hal Liming due to accidental causes on the 7th of August. I know the details, but do not feel at liberty to post them.

As for the 12th of July, it was 25 years ago yesterday that I met longtime friend Chip when I became his co-worker at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, California. We became partners in test equipment design and remain friends to this day. We went on to write some songs together and to play in a garage band.

On the 12th of July 1995, I was in Vatican City, witness to an audience granted by Pope John Paul II. He preached a message in several languages on Christian unity, calling for it, and I have to agree in principle with such a call......however it falls apart on how that's done, and as it is, I think several denominations isn't such a bad thing in and of itself.

The 11th of July, 1988, was the first day I ever set foot in Canada. I was dating a schoolteacher from Wisconsin at that time, and I was invited to meet her parents that summer, which I did. We went off to see her aunts in Michigan, and we did a side trip to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. I haven't been back to the Soo since, but that city holds a place in my heart for some reason. And, I scored two April Wine CDs that were not released in the United States.

The 10th of July, 1980, is remembered for a beach visit that I did near Santa Cruz, California. It was a Thursday, an average day for beaches, and it wasn't crowded.

The 10th of July, 1990, I was at a working group meeting on a Navy base near San Diego, in Coronado I think it was. It was a four day trip, I was dating the lady who became my wife, and I had made promotion to Senior Engineer even though I was not yet eligible for the five year pin.

I draw a blank for the 9th. Tomorrow is the 14th, Bastille Day, and in 1995 I was still in Rome.

The 15th? I draw a blank.

On the 16th of July, 1969, I stood on the shore of the Indian River in Florida that morning with my family as we watched, in person, Apollo 11 lift off to start her journey to the moon. Yes, I can say I've seen history, in person, in my lifetime.

If I could go back in time, I would visit Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina to watch the Wright brothers, Tombstone Arizona in 1881 to watch the Earp/Clanton gunfight, and to the Last Supper some 2000 or so years ago.

I'll stop here as far as dates go.

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In Arizona politics, the last primary challenger to Governor Jan Brewer dropped out of the race, making her a shoo-in to win the primary. Six months ago I'd have bet my mortgage that she stood no chance against Terry Goddard, who is the shoo-in for the Democrats. SB1070 will prove to change that, in my opinion, as that Governor Brewer has some newfound admiration around the country for having the intestinal fortitude to sign that legislation and then fight for it.

Of course, Mr. Goddard doesn't like it, and I don't think the voters here will trust him to enforce that law. I don't see him winning, but November isn't yet tomorrow, so we're in for some more drama yet.

In my state legislative district, I learned that Frank Antenori has a challenger, in the form of Marian McClure, who was termed out of her seat in the lower house, and then lost election to the Arizona Corporation Commission. I can tell you from personal experience that Marian McClure routinely disregards constituent email, while Frank Antenori, in spite of his busy schedule, took the time to answer mine.

I plan in voting in the Republican primary, currently allowed for registered independents, to support Brewer and Antenori and to vote against McCain.

I will vote for McCain's Democratic opponent should he win the primary.

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An exceptionally fine day at work today! I am blessed to find enjoyment in my job. I get the sense that I am making my lead very happy, and she's excellent to work for, and with. As my first lead at Lockheed would frequently say, "I can't believe they pay me to do this!".

I can identify my first lead as Clarence "Lumpy" Smith, Jr. Sadly, he is no longer among the living, having passed over a year ago at the age of 57. He was a great guy to work for.

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Plans for the weekend are slowly emerging. I'm hiring a plumber to fix a minor problem on Friday morning. I may drive down to Arivaca later that day to enjoy some scenery. I don't think I'll go out dancing on Saturday though, as that the Maverick ain't the fun place that it used to be.

Then again, I have only been there once this year, and if it weren't for some quality company I would not have gotten in some fun dances.

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If you like what you're reading here, please feel free to drop me a line. I do not make received email about this blog public; if people want to comment publicly they have that option. What you say to me will be kept private, though I may acknowledge your first name only here.

Don't forget to pet a dog or a cat.

SITREP, 7/12/10

I wasn't originally going to post today because I didn't think I would have anything meaningful to post about. However, with this weekend's events I think that it is appropriate and necessary to publicly thank my network of friends and family, most notably my sister, Aunt Marge, Mark J, Franz K and "Tobi's Mom". My parents have not yet been told of the breakup but I will call them later this evening to inform them. As it was, I did not read Lynette's email to me until the early morning hours, and that was not the time to call. They will be saddened by this as that I'm sure that they were convinced they were meeting a future daughter-in-law.

As for how I feel today, there is no single word to describe it. I can tell you that I am not angry about this, and to be honest, I really have nothing bad to say about Lynette. She was correct in an earlier email from last month in saying that I do not really understand her, and all I can say in my defense is that I'm not sure that a man can really understand a woman and vice versa. I'm not even sure that I understand myself at times, and I'm OK with that.

I do believe that my experience with Lynette was an extremely positive one. I can say that about every girlfriend I can think of, except for one, and I won't identify that one because she's been in the rear view mirror for a long time now.

And as for work, I was productive today, considering that I am simultaneously coming off of a vacation and a breakup. I had three technical problems to solve with a deadline of tomorrow afternoon, and two of them are done. If it hadn't been for a Monday (and the events) I would have had all three taken care of. However, I know that there are two possible solutions to the third task at hand, and I'll know which one is best before noon tomorrow. At that point I can then pull Wednesday's scheduled assignment ahead one half day earlier. (get this....me talking about work!)

As for where I go from here this week, I haven't finished figuring that out yet but I'll come up with something. I have Friday off from work and I will likely treat myself to a drive somewhere. I'm not sure if that will be to Arivaca to take some pictures or over to Greenlee County to take in the scenery.

You know, I forgot to thank my two cats, Moe and Larry. Moe was more interested in me this weekend than he was in the food dish. And Larry, well that guy is perpetually high on life, but he was more interested in cozying up to me than he was in attacking Moe.

That's it for now.

Time to resume life.

Starting Over, Again

Lynette and I returned to Arizona on Friday the 9th without complication. I wish I could say that this was a good trip, but it wasn't. Some issues with our relationship were brought to the surface, and to be honest there were some signs that not all was well even before we went on the trip.

Our relationship is over, and it's time for me to be starting over.....again. As I am typing this, I am realizing more and more that ending this is the right thing to do. For one, I am suffering from a sense of relief. I'm not crawling into a corner for three days to cry my soul out like I did the last time I went thru something like this even though there were a few times that I wanted to propose to her (and it was hard not to). And now that it is obvious that there is no possibility of proposing, I hold no malice to her whatsoever. I regard her as a special lady and I always will. I think I'm a better person because of her, and I'm grateful for the experience. But it's now time to move on.

On the road in Coralville, Iowa

We are now in Coralville, where my aunt Marge, uncle Tony, and cousins Kirk and Todd and their families live. Kirk and Todd have done very well with their families. I feel somewhat embarrassed upon admitting that it's been six years since I last saw them. I really need to get here to the midwest a lot more often than I have been. Perhaps next year I should do a long weekend here in Iowa, flying into Des Moines. Marge and Tony know plenty about family history and I feel the need to learn as much as I can.

Lynette is not doing very well; she's had the same nagging cough that I have had for the past four weeks, though mine is at the end. I'm thinking that we might have to go to an urgent care tomorrow morning. We have done a lot of running around on this trip and that can't be helping matters any. Yesterday we were at her brother Larry's up near Waukesha, almost a two hour drive to get there.

Marge and Tony are doing very well and are in very good spirits. Kirk, Todd, and their wives had some questions about the border situation in Arizona. Kirk didn't waste any time in telling me that he supports that new law (SB1070), and I do too. No one has a problem with legal immigration. We need every good American we can get our hands on, and those who come here via legal means are an asset. As I told Kirk, his wife, and the rest, the federal government isn't doing its job, and that's why Arizona passed this law. Oh well. Enough about politics.

Again, I need to do better at getting out this way.

Tomorrow I think we'll take a longer way to get back to Roscoe. I've heard tell of an Amish community here in Iowa, and I'd like to detour thru there on the way back.

Checking in from Roscoe, Illinois

I am here in the middle of "flyover" country.....where the skies are blue, the hills are rolling, the grass is green, and cornfields seem to stretch in all four directions. We are staying with Lynette's sister Luann, and her husband Jerry. Our flight into Chicago was without any adverse events, which is good, and our stay here has been great!

Roscoe is about three miles south of the Illinois/Wisconsin state line. Clinton, which is where Lynette grew up, is about three miles north of that line. We were over there meeting her parents. I found them to be very nice people, and I have a better understanding now of where Lynette got her "niceness" from. I think if you were to meet her that would be one of the first things you notice about her.....that she's nice, and she tends to brighten up the room around her. As I told Lynette's mother yesterday, I feel very fortunate to have found her.

Today we were in New Glarus, Wisconsin, a small town that's very Swiss. It was settled by a group of Swiss colonists and the town today reflects that heritage. We ate lunch at a Swiss restaurant where I enjoyed a bratwurst roesti and a local beer called Fat Squirrel. It was quite the meal, and I probably shouldn't have had all those carbs, so I think I will have to go out for a walk later on this afternoon/evening when it's cooler.

On Monday, if plans hold, it's off to Coralville, Iowa where we will visit with Aunt Marge and Uncle Tony. My cousins Todd (not the one in Gilbert) and Kirk, their sons, live there too. I don't think our stay there will be as long as I would like but that's how it is when available time off from work doesn't grow on trees.

I can understand why Lynette misses Wisconsin. The scenery is neat, and the people are real nice.

The midwest is a great place to be from.