First, it is the surface of the sun today at a balmy 103 degrees. There is a slight breeze that occasionally blows the heat around. The good news is it is only 20 percent humidity, which means you can't see yourself de-hydrating.
Second, there are few things in this world that scare a Chihuahuas. For instance, running up to 80 lb Rottweiler doesn’t scare them. Or for that matter, standing on the edge of a two foot high curb stretching your hind leg to desperately piss on the bush (that a MUCH larger dog must have marked previously) just to loose your balance and fall those two feet to the mulch. And then look at me like I pushed him or something. However, there is one thing universally true that Chihuahua are deafly afraid of…The Vet.
Interestingly, when we approached the door of the new Vet, he sensed something wasn’t right (bear in mind - new Vet and he has never been here before). I opened the door and he stopped immediately. I proceeded inside to convince him it was alright and safe to enter. He looked at me like I was crazy for having crossed the line of death and he had no intentions of following. He locked up tighter than the tracks on a tank. I spend a couple of minutes coercing him to enter. Two hundred pound man out willed the 11 pound Chihuahua. Pathetic I know…
I took him because he was reverse sneezing and sounded like he had some congestion (much more than normal). The Vet told me that some dogs (especially Chihuahuas) have allergy problems and the reverse sneezing/congestion are signs of this. He also told me there is little to do about it. I asked about anti-histamines. He said I could give him Children’s Benadrile, but that only works for about 10% of dogs and is only a treatment and not a cure.
He did a full exam on the Taco and even took his temperature (which was as painful to me as him and I just had to watch – ever since I hit 35 and started getting the FULL physical exam, I have much more sympathy for anyone who gets something stuck there…). He examined his teeth and notice that one of Taco’s gums is a little recessed. Apparently, if there is an infection in the mouth it can cause more nasal congestion. So, to rule this out the doctor gave him some anti-biotic for 10 days. We'll see how he does after that.
Nothing else... Hope everyone is good back in O-H-I-O.
Just me...
Being creative...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Dark Night...
Another beautiful day in Northeast Texas. Sunny, blue sky and right around 100d degrees. I actually have been enjoying the heat. As long as the humidity stays low.
I just got done watching The Dark Night. This and Ironman have begun to tie themselves to the upcoming Avengers movie. I highly recommend it, it lives up to the hype. Bale is as awesome as before, and Heath redefined comic villians. This is how Batman should have been done the first time. Tim Burton wouldn't have been able to achieve this dark and gritty version. Later...
I just got done watching The Dark Night. This and Ironman have begun to tie themselves to the upcoming Avengers movie. I highly recommend it, it lives up to the hype. Bale is as awesome as before, and Heath redefined comic villians. This is how Batman should have been done the first time. Tim Burton wouldn't have been able to achieve this dark and gritty version. Later...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dealey Plaza
I first want to start this post by letting Dad know that actually visiting the site only strengthen my belief in what happened. I bet you’re rolling your eyes right now…
I will explain the above sentences for everyone else. Dad, who remembers the event, believes the findings of the Warren Commission and doesn’t give much credit to the “conspiracy theories.” In addition, he REALLY enjoyed Oliver Stone’s embellished version of the event in the movie “JFK” released in 1991. I, however, am one of “those people” who believe in a conspiracy theory. Therefore, since I live in Dallas I thought I would visit the site and museum.
I will explain the above sentences for everyone else. Dad, who remembers the event, believes the findings of the Warren Commission and doesn’t give much credit to the “conspiracy theories.” In addition, he REALLY enjoyed Oliver Stone’s embellished version of the event in the movie “JFK” released in 1991. I, however, am one of “those people” who believe in a conspiracy theory. Therefore, since I live in Dallas I thought I would visit the site and museum.
It is a unique place and rich with history. The basics of this event are as follows. JFK arrived at Love Field for a political visit. He left Love Field and proceeded on a “Tour” of Dallas in a lengthy motorcade on a pre-determined route (which the Secret Service refrains from now). The motorcade path brought his limo down Main Street to Dealey Plaza and the triple over pass. It is named because three routes pass under the overpass built for the rail lines. As the motorcade came to the end of Main Street, it turned right onto Houston Street and then Left onto Elm Street. It was after his limo made the left onto Elm Street that the assassination took place. Most witnesses remembered hearing three shots. The first was very faint and sounded more like a “firecracker.” The second and third were clearer, louder and produced an echo. The second shot produced the “magic” bullet and the third was believed to be the fatal shot.
This is a picture of the view from the street looking at Oswald’s alleged (that word added for Dad :) ) perch. Kennedy’s limo was at this position when the first shot was heard. In all the photos, you will see many large trees. They were mere shrubs or did not exist at the time of the assassination. Therefore, in this case the view would have been unobstructed and probably a distance of 150 yards.
According to the Warren Commission and supported by private photography, this first shot did not strike anyone. Witnesses stated it was a faint sound and were not sure what it was.
This is a picture of the view from the street looking at Oswald’s alleged perch :). Kennedy’s limo was at this location when the second shot was heard.
This is the infamous second shot that is more commonly referred to as the “magic” bullet. It got this name because, according to the Warren commission, it broke every physic rules known to man. The explanation goes like this. The bullet first passes through JFK (and through a bone), makes an abrupt u-turn and pierces JFK again. Wait, that is not all. It then travels through portions of the car, then strikes the governor not once, not twice, but THREE more times. It is explained that to do this the bullet made multiple turns like on a Le Mans racecourse. Further, it is explained that this is possible in freak nature events. Right… Now if what I just told you seems unlikely, you will love this next piece information. They found the bullet! That isn’t shocking, but what is shocking is its condition. It is in pristine condition like it had never been fired. This from a bullet that pierced four bones, a seat and a car door. Hummmmm!!
This is a picture of the view from the street looking at Oswald’s alleged perch :) . Kennedy’s limo was at this location when the third and fatal shot was heard.
If the Warren Commission Report seems unusual at this point, then it really is going to get complicated here. This is what most experts believe to be the fatal shot. This is the shot most seen on videos where Kennedy’s head suddenly moves rearwards and “debris” is seen exiting the rear of his head. Now, just reading this you might assume the assassin is in front of the vehicle, but not the case according to the Warren Commission. They determined it was medically and physically possible for the body to “jump” towards the location of the shot instead of the usual movement in the same direction of the bullet. You see, if it weren’t possible, then the bullet would have had to come from the front, which would have place a second gunman on this infamous Grassy Knoll. Thus defining a conspiracy and messing up a “clean” investigation. There were three witnesses standing in front of the location that some believe the second and third shots came from. All three witnesses say the shot came from behind them. One stated that he felt like he was “in the line of fire.” A police officer riding a motorcycle in the motorcade chose to park his bike and run to the fence on the Grassy Knoll instead of the Book Depository Building. Another witness reported seeing a “puff” of smoke from the fence area. No gunman or gun was ever found in that location and was the basis for removing the possibility of a second gunman.
Now if I might digress! I stood at the window to the right of where Oswald sat on the Sixth floor of the Book Depository Building. When I was in the Army, I qualified as a Expert rifleman. I struck 35 out of 40 targets. Had I hit just one more (36) I would have made Sharpshooter. Oswald qualified as a Marksman shooter when he was a Marine with a lower score. You are trained in the military to shoot “center mass” to reduce the possibility of missing. I thought two things about looking out of that window and trying to make those shots.
First, the easiest shot he allegely took was the first shot. Because JFK was sitting back into his seat, Oswald would have had the clearest “look” at his target. In addition, this was probably 150 yards which is a good engagement distance (moving target or not). Finally, with the limo having just made the turn onto Elm Street, it would have been moving very slow. However, this is the shot he missed? The other two shots would have been significantly more difficult. Both because of the distance and speed of the target. The second shot was probably 200 to 250 yards and the third at least 300. I don’t know if you have ever hit a target at 300 yards with a rifle that doesn’t have a scope, but it is really hard when the target ISN'T moving. Of course, these were the shots he hit?
This is a picture of the route.
My second thought is this, why take the shot on Elm Street? If he was truly the only assassin, waiting for the motorcade to turn onto Elm Street doesn’t make sense when the better vantage point is right in front of him. Even an inexperienced and unintelligent sniper would have recognized the advantages of taking the shots on Houston Street before the turn onto Elm Street. There would have been a clearer “look” at the target because of the distance his seat was from the Governors. Oswald would have had a clear view of his entire torso sitting in the seat. It would be easier to hit a moving target that is directly in front of you, moving towards you, and slowing (for the turn).
This is the position that "those people" believe the second and third shots came from. The car in the picture was where (got lucky with this picture - I lined up with the X on the ground and the car came into the picture) the limo was when the third shot struck Kennedy. Notice this is in a concrete structure build as a "walk" for Dealey Plaza. This would have produced a much louder sound and the echos witnesses heard. I'm just saying...
Dad is probably pulling his hair out now and everyone who doesn’t care quit reading half way through. Oh well, I had fun writing it…
Later.
Flight to Orlando (yesterday)
I am writing this on my flight from Dallas to Orlando for my first visit to the Specialty Pharmacy Facility. It is currently 1215 Central time. Why is this important? Because I should already be in Orlando… My flight was supposed to leave DFW at 850 this morning. Everything was going great, we boarded the aircraft (Mike – you would have loved it, a 757), began pre-flight preparations and even closed the door. That was when the Captain came on the intercom to tell us our plane had been “flagged” by maintenance. Apparently, during landing an unsuspecting (I would guess) bird was “sucked” into the port engine thus causing enough damage that the maintenance crew “grounded” the plane. Now normally being delayed (even for work) is upsetting to me. However, when the engines, that are attached to and (more importantly) provide lift, become “questionable”, then I have NO problem being delayed.
We were immediately de-planed and returned to our customary waiting positions in the terminal. We received few updates, but what we did hear was they were trying to “repair” the engine. This was when I began to have visions of hurrying maintenance persons carrying spare parts and duct tape. I was starting to have less positive thoughts about this flight. Just then, a page came that told us this aircraft was indeed NOT flying today and they had found us (almost like running to the back room, checking inventory and dusting off an unused 757) a new aircraft. They instructed us to vacate Concourse A and proceed to gate 26 in Concourse D. DFW is a great airport with phenomenal Terminal Transit Trains, so this relocation took about 5 minutes. When we arrived to our new gate, there was a crowd of people by the AA desks…
After taking a new seat, we heard that the flight at this gate going to Cancun had been cancelled. The AA attendant announced it was cancelled because of mechanical problems. It began to seem like an epidemic. However, moments later she announced that the plane that was going to Cancun was now going to Orlando. This seemed to irritate a few of the Cancun passengers, so she clarified her announcement by stating that they plane was mechanically safe to fly to Orlando, but not Cancun. Hummmmmmm! I now have visions of the maintenance crew joking how there is “no way she can make it to Cancun, but might be lucky to make it to Orlando…go ahead and send it, they will never know”. Therefore, the attendant made the announcement to begin boarding. Ironically, boarding went much better since everyone already knew where to sit!!!
Nonetheless, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t just right. So, since I was sitting across from the flight attendant (Mike-I managed to get aisle seat row 9 which is emergency exit behind First Class. Stretching my legs as I type) I asked her what made the plane safe to fly to Orlando and not Cancun. Surprisingly, she answered honestly. She said “money.” As it turns out, the Cancun flight simply takes a full plane to Cancun and (usually) a half plane back to DFW. On the other hand, the flight from Orlando goes to California and then on to Hawaii. So, the airline cancelled its least profitable flight so a more profitable flight could continue. Now, if I had been on vacation going to Cancun at this particular time, I would have been “pissed.” However, since I needed to go to Orlando, I believe the Airline made a responsible and cost effective decision to scrub the Cancun flight and give us their plane. Which, at present is functioning fine and completed its journey if you are reading this post?
That’s it for now. I went to Dealey Plaza on Saturday and will post my thoughts on that later. Dad, you will really enjoy that post…Later.
We were immediately de-planed and returned to our customary waiting positions in the terminal. We received few updates, but what we did hear was they were trying to “repair” the engine. This was when I began to have visions of hurrying maintenance persons carrying spare parts and duct tape. I was starting to have less positive thoughts about this flight. Just then, a page came that told us this aircraft was indeed NOT flying today and they had found us (almost like running to the back room, checking inventory and dusting off an unused 757) a new aircraft. They instructed us to vacate Concourse A and proceed to gate 26 in Concourse D. DFW is a great airport with phenomenal Terminal Transit Trains, so this relocation took about 5 minutes. When we arrived to our new gate, there was a crowd of people by the AA desks…
After taking a new seat, we heard that the flight at this gate going to Cancun had been cancelled. The AA attendant announced it was cancelled because of mechanical problems. It began to seem like an epidemic. However, moments later she announced that the plane that was going to Cancun was now going to Orlando. This seemed to irritate a few of the Cancun passengers, so she clarified her announcement by stating that they plane was mechanically safe to fly to Orlando, but not Cancun. Hummmmmmm! I now have visions of the maintenance crew joking how there is “no way she can make it to Cancun, but might be lucky to make it to Orlando…go ahead and send it, they will never know”. Therefore, the attendant made the announcement to begin boarding. Ironically, boarding went much better since everyone already knew where to sit!!!
Nonetheless, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t just right. So, since I was sitting across from the flight attendant (Mike-I managed to get aisle seat row 9 which is emergency exit behind First Class. Stretching my legs as I type) I asked her what made the plane safe to fly to Orlando and not Cancun. Surprisingly, she answered honestly. She said “money.” As it turns out, the Cancun flight simply takes a full plane to Cancun and (usually) a half plane back to DFW. On the other hand, the flight from Orlando goes to California and then on to Hawaii. So, the airline cancelled its least profitable flight so a more profitable flight could continue. Now, if I had been on vacation going to Cancun at this particular time, I would have been “pissed.” However, since I needed to go to Orlando, I believe the Airline made a responsible and cost effective decision to scrub the Cancun flight and give us their plane. Which, at present is functioning fine and completed its journey if you are reading this post?
That’s it for now. I went to Dealey Plaza on Saturday and will post my thoughts on that later. Dad, you will really enjoy that post…Later.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Texas tea!!!
Short commute...
I made it an entire week driving back and forth from work on half a tank of gas!!! And that was with running the 'life support system'...(Texans don't call it air conditioning). Very happy. ;)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Fourth of July Weekend.
I went exploring a little more on Friday. To say this is a big place is an extreme understatement. I found a cool little hole in the wall place that has really good slushes. Moreover, when the temperature gets to 100 or close, slushes are really good.
I went to Irving to watch their Fourth of July Parade. It took about an hour and really had a small town flare to it. At first, I could not understand why so many people were carrying umbrellas since the weather was supposed to be perfect. However, after standing on the bridge for about 20 with the sun beating down and watching everyone around me chillin in the shade of their umbrellas, the logic became clear to me. Thankfully, I found a little room down the street to stand under a tree. This is a link to the pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/91874780@N00/
That evening the fireworks were on Television just like Red, White and Boom. However, I could not see those outside my window. I could see five other fireworks that looked to be from various towns. Only one picture came out. Most of them were so far away they looked like the size of a penny.
On Saturday, I decided to try a local water park out. I thought of Abby, she would have loved it. I stayed there for about five hours. Lounged in the “lazy” river, floated in the wave pool, rode the tube slide and the rode the speed slide once. The latter did minor damage to the “gems” and I decided that was enough. I went home and collapsed from exhaustion.
All in all a pretty good Fourth of July, I just wished I could have been at Abby’s birthday. Please tell her I said Happy Birthday.
Another cute picture of Taco on “watch”. Until next time…
I went to Irving to watch their Fourth of July Parade. It took about an hour and really had a small town flare to it. At first, I could not understand why so many people were carrying umbrellas since the weather was supposed to be perfect. However, after standing on the bridge for about 20 with the sun beating down and watching everyone around me chillin in the shade of their umbrellas, the logic became clear to me. Thankfully, I found a little room down the street to stand under a tree. This is a link to the pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/91874780@N00/
That evening the fireworks were on Television just like Red, White and Boom. However, I could not see those outside my window. I could see five other fireworks that looked to be from various towns. Only one picture came out. Most of them were so far away they looked like the size of a penny.
On Saturday, I decided to try a local water park out. I thought of Abby, she would have loved it. I stayed there for about five hours. Lounged in the “lazy” river, floated in the wave pool, rode the tube slide and the rode the speed slide once. The latter did minor damage to the “gems” and I decided that was enough. I went home and collapsed from exhaustion.
All in all a pretty good Fourth of July, I just wished I could have been at Abby’s birthday. Please tell her I said Happy Birthday.
Another cute picture of Taco on “watch”. Until next time…
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Past week and Twin Peaks...
I have had a good week this week. I am off work tomorrow and will be scoping Los Colinas out for the Fourth of July Parade. Should be fun. I am anxious to see how many fire works I will be able to see from my balcony. My apartment sits on a hill in Valley Ranch (for you Cowboy fans – this is where they practice) with a very good view of Dallas. Apparently, there is something similar to Red, White and Boom where the fire works are coordinated to music. I am going to try to take pictures.
I have quite a few things to do at both facilities. It is good to be busy. I will be traveling to Florida in two weeks and to Arkansas in four weeks. Taco is going to love me…
I am going to try to go to Lake Lewisville on Saturday. It is the largest lake near me. I hope I can find a place to rent a Jet Ski. There are several places here to take scuba diving lessons and certifications. Both are expensive hobbies, but I would really enjoy them. It is nice to do things that I find fun.
This announcement will probably only interest the men, but I have found a new beer friendly restaurant/bar to go to while traffic dies down. My previous favorite location was, of course, Hooter’s for their aesthetically pleasing environment. My new favorite is a place call Twin Peaks. This, of course, referring to the mountain cabin restaurant décor. This place is a much-disciplined establishment that encourages the servers to wear proper mountain cabin attire. For proof, please see photo…
Yes, those really are the “uniforms” the servers wear, and Coors draft is just $2.50. God bless Texas.
On a serious note, I have had minor back issues this week. Because of the unusually striking pain, I decided to visit a Chiropractor (got her name from the St Ann’s bulletin). After examining the X-Rays, it turns out that I have some compression of the L5 vertebra in the lower back. In addition, I have a calcium deposit that is pushing on my pelvic (right hip) bone. This certainly did explain where my constant and persistent lower back pain is coming from. So I will be partaking in some therapy to attempt to reverse some of this damage. It appears that, wrecking a 5-ton dump truck and pushing a parked Ford 150 pickup truck 48 feet over two curbs with Honda Civic did some damage.
That is all for now. It is a beautiful night at about 75 degrees with a medium breeze. Taco and I will be spending the rest of the evening on the Patio…
I have quite a few things to do at both facilities. It is good to be busy. I will be traveling to Florida in two weeks and to Arkansas in four weeks. Taco is going to love me…
I am going to try to go to Lake Lewisville on Saturday. It is the largest lake near me. I hope I can find a place to rent a Jet Ski. There are several places here to take scuba diving lessons and certifications. Both are expensive hobbies, but I would really enjoy them. It is nice to do things that I find fun.
This announcement will probably only interest the men, but I have found a new beer friendly restaurant/bar to go to while traffic dies down. My previous favorite location was, of course, Hooter’s for their aesthetically pleasing environment. My new favorite is a place call Twin Peaks. This, of course, referring to the mountain cabin restaurant décor. This place is a much-disciplined establishment that encourages the servers to wear proper mountain cabin attire. For proof, please see photo…
Yes, those really are the “uniforms” the servers wear, and Coors draft is just $2.50. God bless Texas.
On a serious note, I have had minor back issues this week. Because of the unusually striking pain, I decided to visit a Chiropractor (got her name from the St Ann’s bulletin). After examining the X-Rays, it turns out that I have some compression of the L5 vertebra in the lower back. In addition, I have a calcium deposit that is pushing on my pelvic (right hip) bone. This certainly did explain where my constant and persistent lower back pain is coming from. So I will be partaking in some therapy to attempt to reverse some of this damage. It appears that, wrecking a 5-ton dump truck and pushing a parked Ford 150 pickup truck 48 feet over two curbs with Honda Civic did some damage.
That is all for now. It is a beautiful night at about 75 degrees with a medium breeze. Taco and I will be spending the rest of the evening on the Patio…
