It's those last 20 miles that test your determination

Anytime we take on a challenge is it the jumping in that is hard?
Is it keeping your pace up?
Is it avoiding distractions and keeping focus?
Perhaps its the emotional support from the people that love you?

Last night it was the shits.

Nina and I had just traveled some 960 miles enroute from Fullerton, CA to Portland, OR and my stomach was not happy. I wasn't sure what I had eaten that could cause the distress but the boy was distressed. It was gurgling, and snapping, and popping. It was rice crispies of the intestine.

To make matters worse after 960 miles of clear weather free driving we reached a point where the streets were covered in ice, temperatures were subzero and my X3 was making me question if all wheel drive was enough to get me to my destination.

With the exception of the beautiful snow covered trees of Mt Shasta we didn't see a speck of snow or ice on the ground. Once we came through mountain pass into Salem, Santa's winter wonderland surrounded us. There was no snow falling on us but there was a good 6" base that lit up the sky like daytime. Truly beautiful this snow was. What? Gurgle, spat, ugh.

As we passed the exit to Keiser, OR the home of friends Tish & Bill I said to myself that we should stick to the road despite the repeated calls from my nephew Warren warning of congestion, delays and all around traffic nightmare. He suggested that we stop in Wilsonville for a little while to do some shopping or have dinner while the road cleared up. We didn't make it to Wilsonville.

At Washburn approximately 8 mile (yo Em wassup?) south of Wilsonville traffic came to stop. So the thought of stopping for the night at the local best western seemed like a good idea. I could tell Nina was worried about driving in the snow and if it hadn't been 28 degrees there would probably have been sweat on her brow. But in these temps mini icicles had begun to form on her eyelashes. No rooms at the Inn but if we travel 2 miles the wrong direction we might have a chance at a room at the local fleebag. Nope.

I decided to tough the weather out. I have never driven in the stuff and, oops, what was that? O crap lets hit the restrooms Sweetie! It was horendous.

Imagine the worse stomach flu you ever had. The smell of old fish combined with a trash dump. That gooey stuff that gatherers between your toes when you don't wash your feet for two weeks.

Oh yes it was pleasant.

But I had to suck it up (not literally you sick f's) and trudge through this wonderfull white christmas eve that I had always dreamed of. Yep it was now past midnight so we were ho ho hoing all night.

The radio was no help either. Apparently the state of Oregon does not think it important to have an all news station so trying to find out more info about the weather conditions we were headed toward was not going to happen. Instead we had to listen to an interview with "Uncle Ted" the rocker/gun nut who says if Obama is elected we are all done for. I guess there is no live radio on Dec 23rd.

Our journey ended at 1:45 am after leaving Fullerton at 6:30am. FUN!

No chains on, I had AWD after all. My X3 had some slip and slide last night and Nina was very appreciative once we made it to the safety of her sisters.

Here's to my FIRST White Christmas! Gurgle, churn, spat, ugh.

Much love to all!

Things That Aren't Here Anymore

There was a popular local Newsman in Los Angeles by the name of Ralph Story. Growing up I associated the guy with boredom because it seemed to me that he never talked about anything I cared about. So when Dad watched one of his programs I found something else to do.

This year I discovered a two episode series of Ralph's called "Things that arent here anymore" and the "More things that aren't here anymore". A delightful survey of Southern California attractions that we loved as a kid and no longer exist. I have to say that watching the shows brought back fond memories for me like the time the lion attacked our station wagon at Lion Country Safari or getting bit on the arm by a roaming goose at Busch Gardens. Yes! Those were the "safe and sane" years.

I imagine that in 5 years there will be another series (perhaps helmed by the great Huell Howser) profiling those things that are not around since the collapse of our economic system. It doesn't take a genius to realize that the CDs are running empty at the Local Entertainment Store not to be replenished as the Digital Age is upon us. With the expense of producing goods increasing I see that the era of the "touch and feel" economy will dissappear. We will no longer care about having a solid piece of whatever to show for the money we spend. Could the Quatloo be that far off?

Here is the beginning of my list of "Things that won't be here anymore":

1. The Middle Class.
Shocking as it may seem I believe that as more individuals lose their jobs and more get dumped on the street as a result of foreclosure that the US as we know it will be like many third world countries. There will be Rich and there will be Poor. I think that the US economy has ridden on the backs of the middle class for too long and we are fast approaching the day when the middle class will no longer be able to afford to keep the government afloat and will fail. What side will you be on? Rich or Poor? That is unless we adopt The New Economy.

Wow that's a big one!

I better let that settle in with you before I write "More Things That Aren't Here Anymore".

Birthday

It's just another birthday for me. After the many that have passed in my life the process becomes rather routine. But there are a few attributes to good a birthday.

1. Any birthday that includes a party is a good one. I don't much like getting presents (at least not as much as when I was a spoiled kid) but I like spending time with my friends and family on such an occasion. And when the only person in my life who has EVER been able to surprise me succeeds, well it makes it all that more fun.
2. Birthdays celebrated in Vegas are always cool because you hope that you will be extra lucky. Not as such for me at the online poker table last night. Vegas is great for birthdays because you can let loose, drink too much, and no one will be the wiser.
3. When your company gives you the day off for your birthday, it's always a good birthday. I don't know why more companies don't do this as it makes people feel like their employers care about them eventhough they clearly don't.
4. A birthday that lands on a Friday or Saturday is always better than birthdays during the work week because no matter how much fun they are you always know that tomorrow you have to come back to this stinking place.
5. Birthdays when you are kid and your parents are not divorced are probably the best birthdays. They are almost magical sometimes. It's on a day like today especially that I miss my Mom & Dad. They were gems.

To all those out there that have birthdays may your birthday be great