Dear Folks,
This week has been somewhat busy. Saturday was a trip to the Grants, NM area to look for camping spots. Found a couple based on the map, but did not care too much for either. One was at a lake, another at a monument. Turned out to be a long day.
Sunday was chore day followed by a Randy Travis concert in the evening. See, local country radio station KRST was celebrating thirty years of radio, so they put on a concert of four country acts with Randy Travis as the head liner. Mr. Travis put on a really good show. Too bad the crowd was light. A shame.
Monday was back to work, but followed by a Singles Meetup at the local triple A baseball club, the Albuquerque Isotopes. Half of me wanted to go with the prospect of meeting someone and the R&R opportunity while the other half just wanted to go home. I surmised that I'm not going to meet anyone if I lock myself in at home. Nothing materialized though.
Tuesday was a pretty standard day. Work, cook evening meal, wash dishes, and feel distressed over all the things I'd like to do, but at the same time, take no action on it.
For today, I left work for a dentist appointment at 3:30. Turns out I have cavities. Yes, those dreaded cavities. Will go back in at the beginning of October to take care of two and then polish off the other two at my next six month general checkup / cleaning. Then it was off to visit mom since, relatively speaking, she was just down the street. She lives in Rio Rancho, NM which is where my long time dentist practices. We went out for supper. Mexican food. Ate too much as usual. A little bit miserable. Just finished up cooking a dish to hold me over several days and finally nailed that black widow I spoke of in a recent post.
On an odd note, I've got this sudden urge to start taking math classes again at the local community college. Start at the beginning - 2 plus 2 anyone? Don't ask me where this is coming from.
Take care folks,
Regards
Mighty
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Garden Falls
Here's a garden update for you. Lets start with the butternut squash. Putting on a few flowers, but no fruit yet.
Another squash.
The black beans. The dead leaves are not from the plant. I picked them up from around to use as mulch.
The small red beans.
I've added more to the garden last weekend (really about 9 day's ago) in the section of the failed rice. I planted some radishes, green leaf lettuce, snap peas, and bell pepper. All have come up except the bell pepper.
And look at this on my patio!
This is a big fucker. I've had black widows on my patio for many years. I got a new wood fence a couple of years ago and they haven't been around. Last year, one I think. But this summer, they are back with a vengeance.
Now on to a little peace and tranquility. Visited the Jemez Falls this last weekend. Here's a pool side pic.
Very serene.
And at last, the Jemez Falls.
Another squash.The black beans. The dead leaves are not from the plant. I picked them up from around to use as mulch.The small red beans.I've added more to the garden last weekend (really about 9 day's ago) in the section of the failed rice. I planted some radishes, green leaf lettuce, snap peas, and bell pepper. All have come up except the bell pepper.And look at this on my patio!
This is a big fucker. I've had black widows on my patio for many years. I got a new wood fence a couple of years ago and they haven't been around. Last year, one I think. But this summer, they are back with a vengeance.Now on to a little peace and tranquility. Visited the Jemez Falls this last weekend. Here's a pool side pic.
Very serene.And at last, the Jemez Falls.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
life -n- death
"Yet I, for one, believe that there is a complement to everything. With youth, comes age. With time, there is space. And with birth, there is death. There are constants that impact our lives that a pill cannot change. Aging remains a subtle, no doubt vital, part of our progression to this mortality. We spend all of our time trying to avoid death when, truth be told, we don't even know when death happens."
Ben Jones in the opinions column commenting on the apparent desire of most folks to live longer, if not forever young. (Source: The Daily Lobo, University of New Mexico, "Longer life - but do we want it?", volume 113, issue 162, (July 27-Aug 16,2009), page 4)
Ben Jones in the opinions column commenting on the apparent desire of most folks to live longer, if not forever young. (Source: The Daily Lobo, University of New Mexico, "Longer life - but do we want it?", volume 113, issue 162, (July 27-Aug 16,2009), page 4)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
By Request
The Butterfly Pavilion at the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens:
No butterfly's here, but still pleasing the eyes.
No butterfly's here, but still pleasing the eyes.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Safe Journey
Had lunch today with my friend from India. Spirits where both high and low during our time together. He is working to crate (wood box) his most prized positions for friends here to ship to him when he gets settled in back in India. He plans on leaving next week Sunday or Monday on a train trip to California to see his parents for a week. They have U.S. citizenship. He'll also visit old college friends as well. Then it is off to India. He says that once he leaves, INS will not allow him back into the USA, even for a visit/vacation. That brings extra sadness to him. If he could return for vacations, his departure would be more upbeat.
As I said before, not much I can do for him but wish him well. I was really at a loss for words most of the time.
Recall that I said in my other email that he had not obtained an educational front? Well, I was incorrect. I recall a conversation a month or so ago with him in which he indicated that he did secure an educational position toward a PhD with a professor where I work, but the time span to renew for a change of status was running short. Did not know if there would be enough time for the application to go through and for that matter, for INS to approve it. Well, we know the answer now.
I spoke to a mutual friend about two weeks ago who said [his] friends from India are indicating that there will be heavy pressure for him to find a wife. I guess it must be part of Indian culture. Mind you, as long as I've known him, he has never shown an interest in finding a companion. His interest have mainly centered around math and physics. And he's got the brain for it. Really knows his stuff.
Here's to you RP. Hope peace finds you at the end of your journey.
Well, in lighter happenings, after lunch, I took a trip to the Botanical Gardens to check out the Butterfly Pavilion. Photo's next time. I also made pit stops to several bicycle shops and an automotive parts store. Projects to follow.
Projects on tap:
1) Continue cleaning up the pig pin.
2) Fix and shine two bicycles for donation.
3) Do some basic automotive maintenance on my car.
4) Get a handle on the finances.
Number 4 basically means starting a ledger tracking my expenses. The thought of looking to buy a home has been crossing my mind as of late, so I guess I'll need to know where I'm blowing my money. If I still feel the same in six months to a year, then I'll have the data to show if I can handle it financially.
As I said before, not much I can do for him but wish him well. I was really at a loss for words most of the time.
Recall that I said in my other email that he had not obtained an educational front? Well, I was incorrect. I recall a conversation a month or so ago with him in which he indicated that he did secure an educational position toward a PhD with a professor where I work, but the time span to renew for a change of status was running short. Did not know if there would be enough time for the application to go through and for that matter, for INS to approve it. Well, we know the answer now.
I spoke to a mutual friend about two weeks ago who said [his] friends from India are indicating that there will be heavy pressure for him to find a wife. I guess it must be part of Indian culture. Mind you, as long as I've known him, he has never shown an interest in finding a companion. His interest have mainly centered around math and physics. And he's got the brain for it. Really knows his stuff.
Here's to you RP. Hope peace finds you at the end of your journey.
Well, in lighter happenings, after lunch, I took a trip to the Botanical Gardens to check out the Butterfly Pavilion. Photo's next time. I also made pit stops to several bicycle shops and an automotive parts store. Projects to follow.
Projects on tap:
1) Continue cleaning up the pig pin.
2) Fix and shine two bicycles for donation.
3) Do some basic automotive maintenance on my car.
4) Get a handle on the finances.
Number 4 basically means starting a ledger tracking my expenses. The thought of looking to buy a home has been crossing my mind as of late, so I guess I'll need to know where I'm blowing my money. If I still feel the same in six months to a year, then I'll have the data to show if I can handle it financially.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Top - Down View
I'm hooked on Google Earth tonight. Looking up - local golf courses. In the desert mind you. Don't ask.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Unfortunate
I've found out unfortunate news today. A friend of mine from India will have to leave for India in the next two or three weeks. He very much wanted to stay here, but was unable to obtain qualified reasons to stay. That being work related, continued education, or marriage. Unfortunate. His specialty is science and physics and he says that there is little of that work in India. I'll be meeting with him this Saturday.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
8 Mile Accent
Hiked the La Luz trail today with my brother and two friends. Started rise and shine. The neighbor and I left at 6am to pickup the other friend and then we met my brother at a point along the drive to the trail head. The trail starts at the base of the Sandia mountains and ends at the Sandia Peak Tram. The worlds longest tram. The trail is eight miles in length with around 3100 feet of elevation change. The plan was to hike the trail up and then take the tram back down. Although there is a three mile trail from the base of the tram to the La Luz trail head, we opted to park one car at the tram base and then car pool to the trail head. Since this was our first time hiking it, we did not know how rigorous the trail would be. We hit the trail head about 7:20am.
So along the trail . . . Look out, here comes the sun.
This tree does not look too happy.
What a view!
Needle Point.
Aren't we there yet! 2.8 miles to go :( The trail was really rocky and rough for about the next 1.5 miles. Made the trail to this point look pretty good.
Sheer cliffs.
Here comes our prospective ride. Viewed a short distance from the end of trail.
Made it. Ready to take a break viewing the scenery and then take the return trip down the tram.
Verdict? Tough trail. We did fairly well for our first time hiking the La Luz trail. Six hours total to hike it with breaks to chat, photo ops, snack, and flat out rest. Feeling pretty good right now, but that could change in the morning. Luckily, we are all fairly active people; not couch potato's, but not marathon runners either. I think we will all end up a little sore, but will recover fairly quickly.
So along the trail . . . Look out, here comes the sun.
This tree does not look too happy.What a view!Needle Point.Aren't we there yet! 2.8 miles to go :( The trail was really rocky and rough for about the next 1.5 miles. Made the trail to this point look pretty good.Sheer cliffs.Here comes our prospective ride. Viewed a short distance from the end of trail.Made it. Ready to take a break viewing the scenery and then take the return trip down the tram.Verdict? Tough trail. We did fairly well for our first time hiking the La Luz trail. Six hours total to hike it with breaks to chat, photo ops, snack, and flat out rest. Feeling pretty good right now, but that could change in the morning. Luckily, we are all fairly active people; not couch potato's, but not marathon runners either. I think we will all end up a little sore, but will recover fairly quickly.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Mr. Clean
L.S.T.S. - ponder that acronym while I discuss the following - Goodwill Stores.
Yes, Goodwill Stores. The place where you donate the stuff you do not want anymore. Well in an effort to start cleaning up the apartment, I collected a small box of stuff and took it down there for donation. While there, I decided to go in the "clearance" section of the store. Large bin after large bin of shit lined the room. Does Goodwill get this much crap? Apparently so. I allowed myself 20 minutes to dig through the bins. No wait, make that one hour 10 minutes. Ran away with a few items which is a direct reflection of the above acronym. Have you solved it yet?
L.S.T.S. - Leave Shit, Take Shit. Goes hand in hand doesn't it?
The reason for wanting to jettison stuff is a desire to clean up my place. It has really started to get to me over the last few months for some reason. Is it true that a clean environment equals a clean mind? Perhaps. Also, I got a new bed frame for my futon. All oak. Very nice. Needless to say, the place has gotten even worse over the last few day's. Check it out . . .
Couch with the old futon frame. Would have given it to Goodwill, but I couldn't get it in the car.
The only bright spot in the apartment. Complete with new covered bed frame. Feng Shui I tell you.
But alas, just out of view.
Calgone - Take me awayyyyyyyyy!
Anyways, feeling overwhelmed and depressed with the desire to cleanup the place first before I start many of the projects I'd like to do. Feeling lonely too. Oh well. Nothing new in that department.
Well, my mom was over earlier this afternoon to remind me of now my one bright spot (see above photo) should be a model for the rest of the place. She's got a garage - enough said. She likes country, so I put it on one of the local radio stations. I'm still listening to if for some reason. A lovie-dovie song they played a moment ago is setting the mood:
Sissy's Song by Alan Jackson
Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me
I mentioned in my last blog I went camping. Photo's and stories to come another night. Time to rest though a bit before bed. I'll do some reading so I won't see the mess.
Good night.
Yes, Goodwill Stores. The place where you donate the stuff you do not want anymore. Well in an effort to start cleaning up the apartment, I collected a small box of stuff and took it down there for donation. While there, I decided to go in the "clearance" section of the store. Large bin after large bin of shit lined the room. Does Goodwill get this much crap? Apparently so. I allowed myself 20 minutes to dig through the bins. No wait, make that one hour 10 minutes. Ran away with a few items which is a direct reflection of the above acronym. Have you solved it yet?
L.S.T.S. - Leave Shit, Take Shit. Goes hand in hand doesn't it?
The reason for wanting to jettison stuff is a desire to clean up my place. It has really started to get to me over the last few months for some reason. Is it true that a clean environment equals a clean mind? Perhaps. Also, I got a new bed frame for my futon. All oak. Very nice. Needless to say, the place has gotten even worse over the last few day's. Check it out . . .
Couch with the old futon frame. Would have given it to Goodwill, but I couldn't get it in the car.
The only bright spot in the apartment. Complete with new covered bed frame. Feng Shui I tell you.But alas, just out of view.Calgone - Take me awayyyyyyyyy!
Anyways, feeling overwhelmed and depressed with the desire to cleanup the place first before I start many of the projects I'd like to do. Feeling lonely too. Oh well. Nothing new in that department.
Well, my mom was over earlier this afternoon to remind me of now my one bright spot (see above photo) should be a model for the rest of the place. She's got a garage - enough said. She likes country, so I put it on one of the local radio stations. I'm still listening to if for some reason. A lovie-dovie song they played a moment ago is setting the mood:
Sissy's Song by Alan Jackson
Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me
I mentioned in my last blog I went camping. Photo's and stories to come another night. Time to rest though a bit before bed. I'll do some reading so I won't see the mess.
Good night.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Change of Plans
Well, after doing my good deed working late tonight to see the movie Moon, I had a change of plans once I hit the movie house. Turns out I misread the play dates for the movie. It runs from this Friday through next week Thursday.
Well, on the way home, I stopped for traffic at a light. Right behind a police officer. While waiting, I was rear ended. Cop heard it. Guy behind me backed up and pulled into a nearby parking lot. Me and the police officer followed. In the few seconds before the police officer pulled into the lot, me and the other guy had pretty much agreed to call truce. The police officer arrived and said OK, but before letting us part, he asked for our drivers license. Turns out the other guy did not have one. That's grounds for an automatic accident report. Turns out he also did not have his vehicle registration. The officers released me after they got me a case number to reference. I'm unsure what happened to the other guy. I can only assume he had is car towed, but don't know for sure.
Well, on the way home, I stopped for traffic at a light. Right behind a police officer. While waiting, I was rear ended. Cop heard it. Guy behind me backed up and pulled into a nearby parking lot. Me and the police officer followed. In the few seconds before the police officer pulled into the lot, me and the other guy had pretty much agreed to call truce. The police officer arrived and said OK, but before letting us part, he asked for our drivers license. Turns out the other guy did not have one. That's grounds for an automatic accident report. Turns out he also did not have his vehicle registration. The officers released me after they got me a case number to reference. I'm unsure what happened to the other guy. I can only assume he had is car towed, but don't know for sure.
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