Kopi Luwak

What the heck? Has Stu lost his mind? No, just verifying some interesting brain fodder. Kopi Luwak is the coffee that makes the current coffee house prices look cheap. Don't rush right out and buy some just yet. Realize that the coffee beans for Kopi Luwak have been through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet which from what I can tell is nearer a cat than a monkey but lives in Indonesia. I've smelled my cat's poo. I've smelled my dog's breath after eating my cat's poo. I do NOT want a cup of this coffee.

Ouch!

Pain is relative. Each of us has our own threshold of pain tolerance. What I find bothersome may to others be debilitating, yet what others find bothersome could knock me down for days. But, I firmly believe that the ones who have it the hardest are the ones who support someone in pain. I was reminded yesterday how much Linda does for me and how helpless she can feel. Yesterday Linda hurt her back. Not just a little twinge, but a knock-me-down, I can’t stand up; I can barely get myself to and onto the toilet kind of hurt. The last time she hurt her back like this was when Daniel was only a few months old. That time the doctors found she had a bulging disc. I am dong what I can to help, which as I am remembering now, isn’t much other than getting things and giving support. Not the way I wanted to be reminded how much she does for me when my pain hits me hard. Ouch.

Trouble @ Walmart?

These people must have REALLY wanted a cheap TV or something! Wow! Click HERE for the story.

I'm Thankful...

It's November, the month of Thanksgiving so I thought I'd go with an early thankful post. What I am most thankful for is that tomorrow is election day. Why am I so thankful for that? I am worn out! The ads, the phone calls, the arguments, the lobbying, the in fighting, the indecision, the nation divided. This election has been the worst one that I can remember, and I can remember them from as far back as when Jimmy Carter was elected (at least that is the first one I really aid any attention to). By far the thing about this election I have truly HATED is how it has made so many people into political racists. Maybe they were already there, but it is really showing all around the TV, news, blogosphere, etc. It seems that the only arguments anyone can come up with these last weeks are why I should not vote for someone because they are ..... and we get it from both sides, it is not party specific. What I would much rather be hearing is why should I vote for McCain and Palin, why should I vote for Obama and Bidin, why should I vote for Nader and whoever the schmo is that is his running mate. So, I am thankful that tomorrow we get to vote (I did already via mail in ballot BTW) and exercise one of the greatest rights we as Americans have, and that the ads are near the end, as are the phone calls. I am NOT looking forward to what I expect will be some major whining and complaining once this election has been decided, there are going to be some people on one side or the other that are VERY unhappy, and I expect I will "get" to hear about it. Happy Election.....Leave the emotions at home and GO VOTE!

Yawn, Another Boring Weekend - NOT!

So there we were, four grown men, Boy Scout leaders at that, out for a hike around the lake. It was a chilly October Saturday afternoon, spritzing rain, sleet, snow, sun with a high of about 36 Fahrenheit. We were taking part in the Arapahoe District BSA Camporee outside of Ward Colorado, camping with 25 boys and 11 adults from our troop, over 150 total at the camp for the weekend. The boys were in hot competition shooting shotguns, riding bicycles, shooting BB guns and other fun events that could be thought of. It was after lunch, and the four of us decided we'd leave the boys to their devises and hike around the lake, about a 2.5 mile hike. As we approached the spot where an earlier group taking this same hike had seen the wildlife, we paused in search of our own adventure. To be fair, I was the only one in this group that had also been part of the previous hike, so I knew where to look and pause. But, alas, we saw nothing. The other 3 with me were incredulous and did not believe the stories we told of the morning hike, thinking we had mistaken what we saw for something else. Not seeing anything on this hike just solidified those thoughts. Now mind you, on this hike we had the troop Scoutmaster himself and three Assistant Scoutmasters, not a squeamish bunch by any means, brave and strong, tromping through the aspens and lodge pole pines, with some meadow sprinkled in for good measure. Okay, back to the hike, we proceeded from the pausing point, with some ribbing being taken by yours truly. As we rounded a bend in the path and passed a grouping of small trees, almost like 10 foot high shrubs, with me in the lead, we see coming straight at us, out of nowhere, running at quite a clip with obviously more steam to be made, 3 (not 1, not 2, but 3, count 'em 3) Moose. The cow in the lead must have been in heat, as the bull had his nose in her backside and didn't even notice us. The third was another cow along for the run. As they approached, I quickly stepped back two steps and over three so I was behind one of the other men, cowering. Thankfully at about 20 feet from us they turned back towards the woods. We breathed sighs of relief just as they approached the edge of the woods and turned back toward us. I kid you not, I made full eye contact with that lead cow and she was not going to change her direction from us for anything, I almost ran, for fear of getting trampled. Again at about 20 feet they turned toward the woods, and this time proceeded into them and out of sight. We all breathed again, talked it through wildly and actually paced off the distance from where one of us was standing to where the closest moose turned. 21 feet...... We continued our hike with some great stories for the rest of the camp, only pausing for the other 4 moose we encountered that felt the need to cross our trail one-by-one within 20 or 30 feet of us, pausing to check us out before moving over the hill. So in 2 hikes on the same path I encountered 8 moose, granted some from the first hike were probably the same from the second hike, but still. The first hike we didn't get within 100 feet of the moose. The second hike won. The rest of the camping trip was fairly ho-hum after that, all we had was a moose through our campsite in the night, a troop that refused to stop chanting at all the other troops, ours included, after we were all in our tents, snow in the night so that we woke up to 3 inches on the ground on Sunday morning, and a tent with 5 boys in it collapse under the snow in the middle of the night so that they had to be rescued. It was a great time!

A New Adventure

I have been given the opportunity to make even more of a difference in my life, my sons lives and the lives of many other boys and parents as well. A few weeks ago I received a call, the timing was exactly right. The subject was something I had been thinking about for a few weeks, and I was in the right place in my head when the call came. Her name was Judith, and her call went something like this. "Stu, I have a question for you and I need you to say yes." My immediate response was a resounding, "Uh oh!" She countered with, "I need you to to be an ASM." My response, with no extra thought was, "Sure." I think she almost fell over with how easy the sell was.

An ASM you ask? What's that? Let me fill you in. ASM stands for Assistance Scout Master. Yes, that's right, I am now one of the adult guides (I would say leaders, but that would be wrong) for Daniel's Boy Scout Troop, which is also the Troop that Josh will join when it is his time. BSA Troop 117, like all BSA Troops, is boy led. What that means is that we as adult leaders/guides need to learn how to stand back and just gently nudge, allow mistakes to happen in a safe environment, and learn from the boys as they learn from us and each other. I spent all day Saturday getting trained. I've got my patches all sewn on my uniform and the iron heats up quickly when I need it. I look gooooood.

I am excited about this opportunity to help make a difference and to take new steps with my sons. I hope they are at least a little excited about this as well.

Beirut Remembrance Walk

Below is some gently edited text from Doc Doolittle, a gentleman I have known for a short time but am getting to know better and whom I have a great amount of respect for. As my readers know, my blog doesn't ask for donations to causes, it doesn't take political stances, it is only for the things I care about. Thanks to all for taking the time to read and remember. Text below:

Greetings to all

I wish to take a few minutes of your time to share. I am not asking that everyone who gets the word contribute to the cause but I am asking that you, and any you forward this on to, take a moment on 23 October 2008 to Remember the Peacekeepers that lost their lives in Beirut on that date in 1983 as well as those between 1982 & 1984.

I will be comforted in knowing that my efforts to get the word out and for people to remember these fallen warriors is enough. This is not a political event; nor is it likely to get much publicity. I am doing what I can in their memory and with your help this will be a successful event.

If you have any questions please contact me at the published email address in the text below

Thank you for passing the word

Beirut Remembrance Walk - 25th Anniversary of the Bombing of the Beirut Barracks 23 October, 1983, to benefit The Wounded Marine & Family Assistance Program and Veterans Memorial Day Tribute.
In this first-time walk of remembrance, Doc Doolittle (Sgt. USMC 1/81 - 6/91, Marine Security Guard Beirut 7/85 - 7/86), challenges everyone to never forget the sacrifices that were made by our Marines, Sailors and Soldiers as he walks 271 miles from Virginia Beach, VA to the Marine Corp Base at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. "Our goal is simple; we will organize a walk to honor our fallen brothers and their families", Doc states.
This walk is to not only mark the 25th anniversary of that tragic event, but also to remember each Service Member's life lost in Lebanon from 1982 - 1984. It is so friends, family of the fallen, veterans and anyone else has an opportunity to walk a mile for one of our own that were killed in country. The walk will kick-off on 1 October in Virginia Beach, VA and cover 271 miles (one for each man lost), and will culminated at the Beirut Memorial (Jacksonville, NC; just outside Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base) on 23 October, 2008. In Doc’s words, “I am walking to remember those Marines, Sailors and Soldiers that "Gave All" during that period. I know a number of family members and veterans and it is the least I can do to show honor to them and the memory of the fallen.”
A $10 donation will provide lodging, food and support transportation on the walk and all monies over and above costs will be divided equally and sent to the two sponsors listed below.
For further information on how you can be involved, please contact Doc Doolittle here remember_peacekeepers_walk_2008@hotmail.com

The Wounded Marine & Family Assistance Program by clicking HERE

Veterans Memorial Day Tribute (Denver, CO) by clicking HERE

Really?

So my family and I were at a local chain store that shall remain nameless, but it rhymes with shmarget. We were checking out, and the cashier, in her nicest voice asked if we had found everything okay. My response was "No, we couldn't find any Silly Putty." You could actually hear the crickets in the next county. I don't think anyone had actually said no before, at least to her. She did not offer to point us to it, nor did she call on her handy-dandy radio to see if another person in the store might be able to offer assistance. In fact, she offered no assistance what-so-ever. So my question is, why ask? I guess it's store lingo for "How ya' doin'?" Isn't our new society great?

16 Years

As we head off to go camping this morning (probably on the road early afternoon) I want to take a minute to say Happy Anniversary to my wife Linda. This Friday is our 16th anniversary. Wow! I can't say it has all been perfect when you look at moment-by-moment, but when you look at the bigger picture as a whole, it doesn't get much better. A reminder to friends and family to take a step back every now and then and refresh yourself. Why you are with the one you chose, and who chose you. Have a great week~!

Happy Birthday USA

That's all........have a great 4th.

What? Are you kidding me?

Just saw this article on 9news.com this morning. Another seething moment. We are facing major issues with gas prices, everyone is preaching being green and Denver RTD is considering cutting back on their light rail service, even cancelling an entire line, that has only recently been built and opened. My opinion, if they need to make cuts, cut some of the bus runs that are using the fuel, not the electric light rail system. Once again, are you kidding me?

$^@%@@$#$#%^

As most of my readers know, it takes a lot to get me riled up. One of my peeves, however peaked recently and it's still got me seething a bit. I am not a smoker, and have never been one, except for the occasional cigar, so maybe I just don't understand. I am truly enjoying Colorado's smoking ban in how I don't smell all smokey after a night of pool in a bar. I have friends who smoke, but they are much more considerate than some of those out there that have grabbed my by the knickers and got them in a twist. The phrase that comes to mind, every time I see it happening is,"my world is not your ashtray." The biggest offenders are the ones who feel the need to flick their mostly smoked cancer butt out the window of their car. The excuse I've heard is that they don't want their car to smell of cigarette butts, or they don't really have anyplace to put them. My thought, your car already stinks from smoking in it, and you remembered to bring your cigarettes and your lighter, why not a soda can or cup or use the ashtray that some cars actually still have. The offenders that drop a butt on the ground and either step on it or not are second worst. When the butts are littered all around the ashtray that the establishment has placed for you, but not in it, drives me crazy. And finally, sitting on the only seats near the door of the bar, creating a cloud you have to walk through to get to your car, or to use your cell phone. Thanks. I understand that nicotine is harder to kick than heroin, but I don't condone trying heroin instead. Enjoy your vice, I will enjoy mine, just remember that mine don't make an ashtray of your environment, please don't make one of mine. 'nuf said.

Sometimes it Fits.....

Not my story, but one to share anyway.
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong?
He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'Eric grinned.... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before? ''No,' I replied.
'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T
I used to like Eric.............

My Mom

A note this morning to honor my mom. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I wanted to thank and praise my mom for a few moments. I have the greatest mom in the world (you may think yours is the greatest, but I disagree). My mom has ALWAYS shown with words and actions that she loves me with all her heart and with no reservation. I have never had to wonder if she loves me, she tells me, and it shows. Decisions that she and my dad have made throughout the years have helped to shape me into the person that I am. I have chosen my own path based on a foundation built by my mom and dad, and as an adult I am proud to be who I am. I don't call her enough, I don't have the opportunity to spend as much time with her as would be nice, but our love crosses the miles to each other none-the-less. Thanks mom, I love you, we'll see you in June.

Ponderings 2

You can thank my sister Cami for these ponderings (pared down list from what she sent out).

1. Can you cry under water?
2. How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
3. Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
4. Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
5. Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
6. What disease did cured ham actually have?
7. How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
8. Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
9. Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
10. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
11. Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
12. If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
13. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
14. If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
15. Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
16. Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
17. Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
18. Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Thanks Cami, now how am I supposed to concentrate on the golf course this afternoon? :-)

Ow!!!!!

I went skiing yesterday with my friends Barb and Mary. Barb, as most of you are aware, is the president of the Lockheed Martin Ski club and likes to ski hard and bumps and black runs. However she decided to slow down for Mary and me yesterday. We lost Mary 2 runs in after lunch as Barb and I headed off to explore a part of the mountain that Mary has bad memories of. We did some steep blues, groomed and not and then a couple of black runs as well, one of which I completed on my back-side with my skis in hand. I was beat by then, but alas, I did not want to give up, so we hit a couple more runs. The one that did me in completely was the steep blue run that looked like a bunch of buried VW bugs spaced randomly through the run, but not very far apart. Let me put it this way, I have NEVER skied bumps before and my legs were nearing the jello stage, I was not happy with my results. So, I took the bailout off the side of the run and got to the bottom without collapsing, but only barely. Today, I am paying the price, my legs hurt and are weak, along with my back and ankles. I try not to complain, as I did it to myself and I had a great time doing it, but it's not going to be fun this weekend having to mow the lawn for the first time this season with legs like they are right now.

Wasted....

I can't even think straight this afternoon. I had the "pleasure" of getting called into work this morning at 12:48am and not getting out of there until around 11:30. The good news is that we made some GREAT progress, the bad news is that I am so wasted. I tried to nap when I got home, slept about an hour, intermittently, watching Master's hi-lites from last year and other calming golf stuff. Looking forward to this years' Masters this week as well.

Hope this blog finds you all in better shape than I am today. I'll get some sleep tonight and be fine I'm sure.

Ponderings

1. Why do we have such high expectations for ourselves, yet such low expectations for others?
2. If you buy powdered water, what do you add? (Thanks to Steve Write for that one)
3. How is it our kids can remember every line from every movie or TV show they've seen, but not remember to change their underwear?
4. Why do we pay professional athletes so much money and our teachers so little?
5. Who was your childhood hero? Does he/she still seem heroic now that you're an adult?
6. Love and laugh with full abandon, it will take the stress right out of your life.
7. Always smile, especially in distressing situations, it will make them wonder what you're up to.

Blah, Blah, Blah

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Did you get this far? Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Not much to say today.Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Happy Easter Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.

Colorado, You've got to Love it or Hate it

Since 3 of my 4 readers live here, this won't be much of a story. What a state! Yesterday we had record warm temps topping out officially at 74 F. There was rumor of snow for today, so when I woke up for a bathroom break around 5 or 6 this morning, I checked out the window and saw dry pavement and green grass. I went back to bed and tossed and turned my way to about 8:30. Linda looked out the window at that time and called me over. By 8:30 we had at least an inch maybe 2 of snow sticking in the grass and most of the roads as well. Predicted high today is in the high 30s F. Guess I won't go for a ride on my bike today. Have a great one today, We're going to try to stay warm............

Linda Turns 40!!!!!!!!

Just a quick post to wish my lovely bride a happy 40th (or is that 20-20th) birthday. This Sunday (yes, Superbowl Sunday) she achieves the ripe age of 40. I have know her since she was 18, started dating her when she was 19, and we have been married now for over 15 years (yeah we dated that long before we got married, wouldn't want to rush into that, huh John). Happy birthday honey, I love you!

Read John's 1/31/08 Blog

I just read John's blog post of 1/31/08, he also posted the same blog in his Tailhook Association blog. I am posting here to point my readers in his direction. Click here to get there.

His blog is about a news article, and I found 0ver 70 on this subject on the google news website. The article is about how the city council of the city of Berkeley California (where my wife is from and her dad still lives) has voted to not only try to get rid of the US Marine Corps recruiting station but to also designate a parking spot directly in front of said station to a protest group one day a week. While I am a firm believer in free speech, and their right to protest, I think the city has gone a bit far with the parking spot.

Anyway, I just wanted to direct my few readers who don't happen to see John's blog as well, his way. Thanks for bringing the issue to our attention John. From one who serves our country to another (each in our own ways) semper fi.

OposibleThumb

Wow, a clear realization today on exactly how important having an oposible thumb really is. As most of my few readers already know, I had a small skiing accident on Saturday and injured my right hand thumb (I am right handed). This morning I bit the bullet and payed my Kaiser co-pay to ensue nothing was broken, etc. even though my good friend Ginger is an RN and had checked me out last night. Anyway, x-rays show nothing obviously broken, just a sprained thumb (called the classic skiers thumb since it is so popular. I now have a hard fiberglass splint around my thumb, up my forearm, and wrapped with an ace bandage. It hurts in waves, but the hardest part is the simple things, thus this post. I have only had the splint for a few hours but have already proven how hard it is to do some of the more mundane things. Here is my list so far, I'm sure it will get longer as the days go by (in no particular order).

Use the computer mouse
Type (this has been a very difficult post)
Turn the ignition key in the car
Tuck in shirt while trying to keep my pants near the top.
Shoot pool (sorry guys)
Hold all things properly to go #1
The paper work after going #2 with the wrong hand
Eat with the wrong hand (can't hold the fork without my thumb)
Open one of those blister packs with the cold medicine

The list goes on and on. I will come out to pool this evening for the team, but won't bring my cues. If in a pinch, I can shoot, just not comfortably nor hard enough to break or for a good stop shot.