Well here we are at the end of 2004, and what an eventful year it's been.  It seems hard to believe another year has gone by!  I wish I had lots of wise and wonderful things to say right now, but alas.  Maybe later.  Instead I will fill out the obligatory -

End of the year list of things about me if I can even remember as far back as January because surely something must have happened then and not just in the past two months

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?  Shook Dennis Kucinich's hand, attended church of my own volition (Quaker Meeting)
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?  I don't really make resolutions, but have general ideas on how to behave better; overall I think I'm a better person than I was a year ago
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?  Yes, a dear friend in Montana
4. Did anyone close to you die?  No, though several of our nice library patrons passed away
5. What countries did you visit?  I kept my fanny within US borders this year
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?  More peace and love in the world, a job as a "real" librarian
7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?  No specific dates, but the election season is unforgettable.  Also, the tragic events of the past week will never be forgotten.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Finding my path in Quakerism, teaching myself to crochet, starting to blog
9. What was your biggest failure?  Not quite improving my housecleaning habits
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?  I had a couple of crummy colds, but other than that have been blessed by good health
11. What was the best thing you bought?  Two things - my digital camera and my espresso machine.  However, material possessions don't necessarily make me happy.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?  Anyone who volunteers to help improve the life of others or to help preserve the environment 
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?  I'll just be honest here - I am appalled by the behavior of our President, as I believe it continually sends a bad message to the rest of the world (whether it is his intention or not)
14. Where did most of your money go?  My family - maybe next year I'll have more to give away
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?  Volcanic activity at Mount St. Helens!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?  Pirates of the Caribbean theme song
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
    & nbsp;   a) happier or sadder?  Both happier and sadder
    & nbsp;   b) thinner or fatter?  About the same, maybe thinnner
    & nbsp;   c) richer or poorer?  About the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?  Beading, reading, hiking with Chris and Nolan - this list could really go on and on....
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?  Maybe not quite so much time in front of the computer
20. How will you be spending New Year's Eve 2004?  Quietly at home with Chris, watching movies and relaxing, and blogging ;)
21. Did you fall in love in 2004?  I'm already in love!
22. How many one-night stands?  No.  Sheesh.
23. What was your favorite TV program?  TV is the devil and will rot your brain
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?  Hate isn't an appropriate feeling to have towards people.  I do hate manga, but that's ongoing.
25. What was the best book you read?  This is tough.  I did finish some books, which has been difficult for me lately! Best children's books - Silverwing (Oppel), Thief Lord (Funke).  Best fiction - Cryptonomicon (Stephenson).  Okay, it was last year but it was really good and very long and counts for two years.  Best non-fiction - The Devil in the White City (Larson). 
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?  Bhangra!!!
27. What did you want and get?  My digital camera and espresso machine, and yarn and beads and some books
28. What did you want and not get?  More beads and yarn and books.  I don't really want lots of things anyhow.  Time.  I'd like more time.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?  Just sqeaking in under the wire - Napoleon Dynamite
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?  39!  It was a quiet day.
31. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?  A yardstick?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?  It's a proprietary secret.  But I can tell you the color purple, and sometimes green are involved.  Low budget, low key.
33. What kept you sane?  Chris and Nolan, Princess Peachpit, and coffee.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?  I do not particularly "fancy" celebrities - let us not forget that they are people just like you and I, and have all the same bodily functions as you and I.  Except maybe Johnny Depp.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?  So many to choose from...the whole bit about electronic voting machines gets my dander up, but then I'm really not to keen on the war in Iraq,
36. Who did you miss?  Anne, Peg, and Jackie
37. Who was the best new person you met?  Christy, the librarian at Nolan's school, and all my wonderful new blog friends (I won't name you because I might miss someone and there are many of you!)
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.   I guess it would be that I have the power to spread as much kindness and peace to the world as anyone else, and that I have a personal drive to do so. 
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.  I'm more about the music than the lyrics, but my favorite of the year would be the following - from "Rhyme of the Remittance Man" by Amadan (which is the Robert Service poem set to their wonderful music).  It reminds me what is truly beautiful and important in the world.

Well, the cherry bends with blossom and the vivid grass is springing,
    And the star-like lily nestles in the green;
And the frogs their joys are singing, and my heart in tune is ringing,
    And it doesn't matter what I might have been.
While above the scented pine-gloom, piling heights of golden glory,
    The sun-god paints his canvas in the west,
I can couch me deep in clover, I can listen to the story
    Of the lazy, lapping water -- it is best.

Okay folks, that's probably it for me until next year!  Please, have a safe New Years celebration, and may next year bring you and your loved ones much

JOY
LOVE
PEACE
HAPPINESS
BLESSINGS
GOOD HEALTH

"Who's the only one here that knows illegal ninja moves from the government?"

Napoleon Dynamite.

Well duh.  It turns out that NOAA has an excellent tsunami information page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TSUNAMIS

Next, PBS has an interesting series of animations showing how a tsunami is formed.

I'm trying to track down another animation for you, but really need to get ready for work now.  Drats.

I believe when the music historians look back on this time period, they will decide the best music is from movie soundtracks.

I'm turning into a crocheting machine (must be pronounced "croshaying masheeeeen").  I finished my scarf, an amulet bag, and started a different type of bag.  Yay!

I can always tell when a cop drives by the front of our apartment building.  Their engines have a particular sound.  One just drove by.  Go go go!

Nolan is heading into the mountains for New Years with his dad.  It's something of a tradition - they play in the snow with his cousins, and light fireworks.  Chris and I will be sticking close to home, and if it's like last year I'll be reading in bed at midnight.  Or maybe "croshaying" to beat feet!

Chris brought home about sixty pounds worth of atlases from the library tonight.  After watching King Arthur the other day, he's studying the Sarmations.  He's very interested in the history of that time and area of the world.  The library is awesome.  Half of it is in our house at any given time it seems.  We have a few books laying around.

That's all.  It's past my bedtime, and I have to have Nolan up by 7:00 a.m.  Good night!

At last I've got a few Christmas pictures to share with you.  Every year we've been cutting down on gift-giving (though my brother jokingly called it a "carnage of greed").  Many of the gifts given this year were homemade, or very practical (shoes for me, capilene long underwear for Chris).  I crocheted scarves for everyone, and also little amulet bags for my mom and Alison.  My dad has taken to decorating dried gourds with a woodburner, and he's got quite the skill!  Brother Chris got a prayer wheel made by the potter he's living with, and was more surprised than anyone.  Here's the pics, hope you enjoy!

Nolan and his basilisk

Alison and her new colored pencils and amulet bag

Nolan practicing with his luna stix

Gourds hand decorated by my dad (with a woodburner), and a salt crystal light - very cool!

My brother's Prayer Wheel - absolutely awesome!

Look at me go!

Family photo - note mom's scarf!

I note that there is one aid agency that seems to be missing from the lists I've seen on CNN and other places.

American Friends Service Committee

This group is the Quaker based aid organization who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1947 for their international work.  Here is what they say about how they will help the survivors of this week's tragedy:

let the local people determine what response is most needed;

provide support for groups or communities that might not be served by larger aid responses; and

offer pragmatic, immediate help that builds longer-term recovery so that communities can rebuild long after the media attention and compassionate responses for aid have diminished.

Thank you. 

I came across this article, and there are some disturbing though credible ideas in it.  Please take the time to read it, as it is very interesting (and not very long).  More than anything, I think it brings to light the possibility that seemingly unrelated events could actually be connected.

Earthquake: Coincidence or a Corporate Oil Tragedy?

On another note, I'm going to do a bit of research on the correlation between the full moon and earthquakes.  I'll try to get that posted tomorrow, as tonight I'm going to watch a movie with Nolan.

Blessings, and may all your loved ones be safe tonight.

It's cold here this morning!!!  Thirty-one degrees!  Brrr.

Last night, Chris and I took a little jaunt to Wal-mart after I got off work.  I did the little blood pressure test deal, and great news!!  I'm almost alive!

107/63  pulse 88

Wow.  It's always very low.

Rival RC100!!!  My new rice cooker.  Isn't it cute?!!!  I can't wait to try it out.  Thank you sweetheart :)

Badaunt asked a couple of questions about tsunamis, so I figured I'd best get right on it and answer them for you.  It's been surprisingly difficult to find basic information about tsunamis!  Part of the problem I believe is that many of the sites are experiencing high traffic right now, as people are trying to understand exactly what happened in Southeast Asia.  Before I get into basics, here is an amazing animation I found on the USGS event information site that shows yesterday's event:

To see the original (it's much bigger), click here.

FEMA (Federal Emerg ency Management Agency) has some good information on tsunamis and how to prepare for them.  The following quote is from their site:

Tsunamis are ocean waves produced by earthquakes or underwater landslides. The word is Japanese and means "harbor wave," because of the devastating effects these waves have had on low-lying Japanese coastal communities. Tsunamis are often incorrectly referred to as tidal waves, but a tsunami is actually a series of waves that can travel at speeds averaging 450 (and up to 600) miles per hour in the open ocean. In the open ocean, tsunamis would not be felt by ships because the wavelength would be hundreds of miles long, with an amplitude of only a few feet. This would also make them unnoticeable from the air. As the waves approach the coast, their speed decreases and their amplitude increases. Unusual wave heights have been known to be over 100 feet high. However, waves that are 10 to 20 feet high can be very destructive and cause many deaths or injuries.

Tsunamis are most often generated by earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor. Landslides, volcanic eruptions, and even meteorites can also generate a tsunami. If a major earthquake is felt, a tsunami could reach the beach in a few minutes, even before a warning is issued. Areas at greatest risk are less than 25 feet above sea level and within one mile of the shoreline. Most deaths caused by a tsunami are because of drowning. Associated risks include flooding, contamination of drinking water, fires from ruptured tanks or gas lines, and the loss of vital community infrastructure (police, fire, and medical facilities).

From an initial tsunami generating source area, waves travel outward in all directions much like the ripples caused by throwing a rock into a pond. As these waves approach coastal areas, the time between successive wave crests varies from 5 to 90 minutes. The first wave is usually not the largest in the series of waves, nor is it the most significant. Furthermore, one coastal community may experience no damaging waves while another, not that far away, may experience destructive deadly waves. Depending on a number of factors, some low-lying areas could experience severe inland inundation of water and debris of more than 1,000 feet.

Also, the USGS (US Geological Service) has some good information on the Life of a Tsunami.

The length of time a tsunami takes to reach shore depends on how far away the earthquake occurred that caused the tsunami.  As I read through the reports on CNN, I see that it took two to two and a half hours to reach Sri Lanka.  Tragically, had there been warnings immediately after the quake, many people may have been saved.  Unfortunately, the Indian Ocean does not regularly experience tsunamis, and no warning system is in place in those countries.

It is truly a tragic event that has occurred.  I sincerely hope that all people can set aside their differences and come to the aid of those that have been affected.  It matters not your color or religious beliefs - humans are suffering, and humans can come to their aid.  Peace, blessings, and prayers to all.

The 9.0 earthquake and tsunamis in Southeast Asia are truly tragic events.  I pray for the quick recovery of the people affected by the disaster.

I thought it might be of interest to put the size of the earthquake into perspective for you.  You may or may not know that the Richter Scale, which is used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, is based on a logarithmic scale.  What this means is that each whole number jump in magnitude "represent s a tenfold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value."

I found another site which includes mathematical explanations for the Richter Scale, if you are so inclined.  I am not at this time.  But more interesting to the lay person, if you will, is this table of relative earthquake energies.  I'm just cutting and pasting the whole sheboygan for you, since there's some explanation that goes along with it (and I hope the formatting is okay).  I hope you find it helpful in understanding the events that took place!  Here it is:

Let's take a look at the seismic wave energy yielded by our two examples, in comparison to that of a number of earthquakes and other phenomena. For this we'll use a larger unit of energy, the seismic energy yield of quantities of the explosive TNT (We assume one ounce of TNT exploded below ground yields 640 million ergs of seismic wave energy):

Richter       TNT for Seismic      Example
Magnitude  &nbs  p;   Energy Yield    (approximate)

-1.5          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;   6 ounces   Breaking a rock on a lab table
 1.0          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;  30 pounds   Large Blast at a Construction Site
 1.5          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp; 320 pounds
 2.0          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;   1 ton   &nbs  p;  Large Quarry or Mine Blast
 2.5          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp; 4.6 tons
 3.0          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;  29 tons
 3.5          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;  73 tons   
 4.0          &  nbsp;   1,000 tons   &nb  sp; Small Nuclear Weapon
 4.5          &  nbsp;   5,100 tons   &nb  sp; Average Tornado (total energy)
 5.0          &  nbsp;  32,000 tons
 5.5          &  nbsp;  80,000 tons   &nb  sp; Little Skull Mtn., NV Quake, 1992
 6.0          1 million tons   &nb  sp; Double Spring Flat, NV Quake, 1994
 6.5          5 million tons   &nb  sp; Northridge, CA Quake, 1994
 7.0         32 million tons   &nb  sp; Hyogo-Ken Nanbu, Japan Quake, 1995;
    &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;   &nb  sp;   &nbs  p;      ;          &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;   Largest Thermonuclear Weapon
 7.5        160 million tons   &nb  sp; Landers, CA Quake, 1992
 8.0          1 billion tons   &nb  sp; San Francisco, CA Quake, 1906
 8.5          5 billion tons   &nb  sp; Anchorage, AK Quake, 1964
 9.0         32 billion tons   &nb  sp; Chilean Quake, 1960
10.0         1 trillion tons   &nb  sp; (San-Andreas type fault circling Earth)
12.0       160 trillion tons   &nb  sp; (Fault Earth in half through center,
    &  nbsp;   &n  bsp;   &nb  sp;   &nbs  p;      ;          &  nbsp; OR Earth's daily receipt of solar energy)

160 trillion tons of dynamite is a frightening yield of energy.
Consider, however, that the Earth receives that amount in sunlight every day.

I cannot wait to see this movie!    

We're big fans of both Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.  The best movies EVER!!

I also want one of these.    

Life is good.

Nolan finally received the metal detector he has been wanting for a couple of years!  We took it out to the beach where we were staying and tested it out the morning of the 24th (we did our family festivities on the 23rd).  And what fun it was!!!  It didn't take too long to get the hang of it, nor did it take long to start finding loot!  I'm hoping he'll find enough to pay for college.  Ha.  We found an assortment of coins, iron chunks, and aluminum cans.  Not too shabby for our first day out.

Uncle Chris reads the directions while Nolan gets ready to detect!

The first find - a corroded penny!

Treasure and riches!

:x

Well, we're working again, or so it seems.  I hope it holds up, as later I have much to share about our Christmas festivities!  I've been going mad that tblog is not working.

GRRRRRRRRR....

Welcome again to all AMADAN fans visiting from their website!  If you'd like to read about the recent shows at Kell's click HERE.

Merry Christmas!!!

I know I said the last post was it before Christmas, but we need to check and see if our new little blogger pet feature works.  It's down there on the left hand side, and supposedly changes as the "mood" of your blog changes.

Nolan is very excited for Christmas.  He's happy to have two weeks off of school, and is looking forward to some fun times.

Kitty is happy whenever we pet her.  She likes to meow a lot.

I'm saying some really dorky things to make our blog seem happy!!!!

Okay, goodnight now!  We're going to go read our book.  We're currently reading "Dragon Rider" by Cornelia Funke.  She has got to be one of my favorite children's authors.  Nolan wants you all to know that we just finished watching Van Helsing.   And Chris' back is killing him.

Meow!

Well, it's time for me to sign off for a few days now - tons of things to do before Christmas.  Nolan and I are heading off to a nearby RV park to meet Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow, then Chris, my brother, and his girlfriend will be joining us on Thursday.  I'm looking forward to the relaxation time, though part of tomorrow I'll be making a couple of last minute gifts.  Ahem.

Nolan is hoping to gets many lumps of coal, and maybe a stick or something.  I haven't gotten him anything yet - JUST KIDDING!!!  He's standing here looking over my shoulder right now, and changing the fonts while I type.  He wanted you all to know that we're listening to Dana Lyons and some other fine music.  He's made a final decision on the font, so you're blessed with only reading one.

I hope that all of you have  a wonderful Christmas, or any other holiday you might celebrate.  Enjoy the time with your loved ones, and be sure to drink some eggnogg!

Blessings, Peace, and Love to you all.

Chris and I just took this nifty little quiz, and got the same answer!!!  Imagine that.

Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose. You are a
mystery novel dealing with theology, especially
with catholic vs liberal issues. You search
wisdom and knowledge endlessly, feeling that
learning is essential in life.

Which literature classic are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Check out the TypoGenerator site to play too!  Have fun!!!

Yesterday, as mentioned, was Nolan's big chess tournament.  He ended up with one win and four losses, but had a great time.  I know I promised you all pictures of the intense chess action, but THEY KICKED THE PARENTS OUT OF THE ROOM WHEN THE MATCHES TOOK PLACE!!!!  I can't really blame them, I suppose.  Too many distractions for the players, and it is hard to keep quiet sometimes.  But I did take a couple of pictures of him before his matches ~~~

I heard there were about 110 kids at the tournament, and 58 of those were in his age group!!!  The important thing is that he had a really good time.  I did too, despite being banished to the gym with all the other parents and siblings.  I got lots of crocheting done!

The tournament consists of five matches, lasting up to an hour.  Then of course, there is the time between the matches when they record scores and complete computer matching for the next round.  What this means is there is alot of time to fill (especially since some of the chess matches only last a few minutes).  Nolan read quite a bit, we played UNO, and ate lunch.  But as the afternoon wore on, we succumbed to total dorkishness.  I present to you -

NOLAN TOSSES YARN IN THE AIR AND MOM TAKES PICTURES OF IT!!!!!

Please folks, control yourselves - I know the excitement is mind numbing!  We are available for holiday parties, street fairs, and birthday extravaganzas, but our fees are steep and our schedule if quite booked.  Do watch for us on the knitting network though!  We'll be featured during "Crochet Madness Week."

Somebody stop us.

Today was Nolan's big "Holiday" program at school (must be pc you know).  He had a speaking part in the show.  Three lines, actually.  As always, he spoke clearly and without hesitation - all those puppet shows and plays at the Montessori paid off in his public performance confidence!  It was a nice program, and I think they covered all the bases well.  Fair enough.  In fact, they even addressed Ramadan (sounds like AMADAN)!

Looking ahead to Saturday - Nolan has a big chess tournament.  This particular tournament is a state qualifier, so if he gets 3 or more points (from 5 matches) he can go to the state tournament next spring.  Two years ago he achieved that distinction, and it was quite a fun experience!  There aren't too many qualifying tournaments in our area, so hopefully he'll do well.  I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of the intense action to share with you all!!

The lucky little devil is off school for two full weeks as well!  Sorry Badaunt.  My parents are in the area next week, so we'll be spending some time with them before they head south for the winter.  Hopefully the weather will be good, as they're staying at a nearby campground with a nice beach for walking and photos.  Maybe the eagles will be hanging around, and I can get some good pictures of them.

What else....hmmmm....just getting ready for Christmas!  Still have a bit to do, but not much.  I don't get too worked up about gift giving anymore - it just isn't what's important about the holiday!  Much to my mother's chagrin, I couldn't really come up with much that I wanted this year.  I just don't need any "stuff"!!!  Beads and yarn.  That's it!  A new pair of shoes.  Heck, I'd rather just spend time with people I love.  Every year we scale back a little bit more.  It's a good good thing.

Okay, that's all for tonight!  Time to get some reading in before bed!  Sweet dreams y'all!

WELCOME AMADAN FANS!!!

Scroll downwards for pictures and my take on a recent show.....

If you don't know who Amadan is, well, you're missing out!  But at least you can check out their website!

To Jeremy, Eric, Andy, Naoyuki, Mikey, and Kevin - we love you and thanks for sharing your boundless energy and talent with us.  The world is a better place bcause of you.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;   &nbs p;     ;         & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;   &nbs p;     ;    -- Anne, Chris, & Nolan

Nice to see we popped back onto "hot blogs" - guess that means I ought to entertain you all.  Here's a couple of pictures for you (some of you may have seen them already, but it's been a while).  Enjoy!

I'm off to work!  Everybody have a wonderful day!!!

It seems that students are using libraries less and the internet more for their research needs.  The internet is fine and good, but shouldn't be the only source of information!  Books are good - books have editors, and fact checkers, and the words on the pages don't change from day to day.  ANYBODY can put up a webpage (look at me, for instance).

I love this quote -

One concern is commercial influence online; some search engines run ads and accept payments to include sites in their indexes, with varying degree of disclosure.

"If I'm going to go to the library, chances are somebody hasn't paid a librarian 100 bucks to point me to a particular book," said Beau Brendler, director of the Consumer Reports WebWatch.

Monday morning rolls around again....the world is still a crazy place, Christmas is only twelve days away, and my cold is still hanging on to drive me mad!  Slowly but surely it's going away, but I'll be glad to be healthy again.

Chris and I had a nice weekend.  Nolan was with his dad, and was very excited because a friend was staying overnight Saturday.  I"m sure they had a great time.  Saturday I worked, and it wasn't too bad.  Not too busy.  And an odd thing happened - our state's governor elect (they're concucting a hand recount, and he's still winning) Dino Rossi, showed up at the public meeting room for a little town hall meeting.  There hadn't been anything in the news about it, so not too many people were there.  Chris went, and was very glad to hear what he had to say.  If he does indeed win, he will be the first Republican governor in Washington in 20 years.  He's very pro small business (who get totally jacked in this state), and not an extreme right ideologue.  I think it could be a good change for this state.  Something he tried to get passed a couple of years ago (but couldn't), was that state employees would no longer get new cars in the motor pool every two years.  Seems like a good idea to me!  I'm willing to give the guy a chance and see what he can do for our state.

Yesterday we headed south for the Quaker meeting.  We've been going every other week.  The group that gets together is fairly small, and each time there are different people attending.  They all seem very nice.  I'm very happy to have found something that speaks to my heart, and am looking forward to becoming more involved (we're getting name tags!).

In the afternoon my monthly bead group met for our holiday gathering and bead exchange.  Very nice, and lots of chit chat about beads, bead shops, and bead shows.  One of the women that attends the group is an uber professional, and makes absolutely gorgeous things.  Her website - check it out.  All of the women are very talented, and I love spending time with such an inspiring group.

Chris and I went for a drive between the meetings, and he showed me some very pretty areas that he's seen while driving around for work.  It really is beautiful here, as long as you get out of the town we live in!  We had a nice breakfast, and got a chuckle over the loud woman in the restaurant telling her friends all about her trip to Hawaii where "we broadcast for six hours straight live" (read this in a loud voice).  I added "and then I broadcast to the whole restaurant how I broadcasted from Hawaii and I'm a broadcaster."  That's nice lady, but you probably don't want to hear about how "I worked for five hours straight at the library and checked out hundreds of books and answered the phone because I work in a library!" while you eat.  But the potatoes were good!

What else...oh yes!  We've been watching lots of movies.

• Chronicles of Riddick - great sci-fi, better than Pitch Black


• They Call Me Tater Salad - hilarious comedian Ron White


• Maverick - a great classic, funny funny funny, I love Jodie Foster


• Control Room - a fascinating documentary about Al Jazeera and the first two months of the Iraq war, highly recommended for a different view on the media


• The Hero - Jet Li is always good, the wire work was amazing.  Very beautiful colors and scenery.

Well, I've spent just about enough time writing all this up.  Time to get some things done around here!!  If only the cat had opposable thumbs, maybe she'd clean up the house!

Here at last!  Photos from the Amadan show we attended last Saturday night at Kell's in Portland.  Much fun was had by all, and as always the music was awesome.  Oh - and a few observations on the pair of evenings (minus the ill conceived red boa).

• No matter how cute you are, don't sing into the didgeridoo player's mike - it hurts his ears.


• It's difficult to try and meet somebody you've only seen a picture of in a realllllly crowded bar, but then you feel kind of better when you find out she didn't make it, but you're bummed she didn't make it and hope to catch her next time.  And you'll plan better next time, too.


• You really shouldn't pollute my air space with your hair products.


• The guys in the band sure are nice to all those drunk people!


• The safest spot to stand is next to the stage by the little Christmas tree, until the moshing starts.


• Wow!  I just found a fifty dollar bill!  Thanks for the sharp eye, Chris!


• I think that girl that looks like she came from the set of Friends might just pass out and keel over at any second.


• What is it with the didgerdoo?  Why do people insist on touching it while Andy's playing?  If I were him, I'd be tempted to use it like a pool cue now and then.


• Hmmm, that guy has been lurking around by himself all night and he looks creepy.


• Don't spill your beer on my arm while you rave about Jeremy's cowbell playing, please.


• I didn't understand a single word that really drunk guy just said to Naoyuki!  But Naoyuki seemed to - he must have lots of practice!


• AMADAN ROCKS!!!!!

Eric and Jeremy

The view from the end of Andy's didgeridoo - DON'T TOUCH!

Eric

Mikey

Kevin

Andy

Naoyuki

Jeremy

AMADAN - official press photo

As always, be sure and visit the AMADAN website where you can hear their music (I highly recommend Rhyme of the Remittance Man on Hell Bent 4 Victory), read about the extremely talented band members, check showtimes (they might be headed your way next year), and see tons of photos from past shows (The Montana shows were pretty fun)!  I can't rave enough about how great these guys are.

AAARGH!!!!

Well, it was back to work yesterday, and more today and tomorrow.  I'm still feeling a bit under the weather, but am hopefully on the mend.  This has been kind of a strange cold.  Today it's a headache, and some coughing.  Oddly, through it all my nose hasn't been congested at all.  For me, that's realllllllly strange!

The next few weeks are going to be busy!  I'll try to stay caught up with all of you best I can.  I still have those Amadan pictures to get up here, among other things.

Huh.  I'm rambling in a delirious manner.  I best go get ready for work.  They need my rambling there today - extra hours for me$$$

Boy, we've got some pretty weather here today!  Ha ha.  My heart goes out to Chris, who is working out there in the skunky rain.

Go figure.  Put even just a little caffeine in my system and what do you know?  I'm feeling a little better.  It finally occurred to me that maybe the headache I had was partly caused by LACK OF CAFFEINE.  Duh.  I hadn't had any since Monday morning, and here it is Wednesday!  One cup of tea (not even all of it yet), and voila!  Head stop hurting.

It's interesting how much of an effect caffeine has on me.  Despite the fuss I make over how much I love coffee and the like, I really don't consume huge quantities of it.  But, I do have it every day.  My body gets it's fix in the morning, plus an occassional soda or cup of tea - enough I guess to be missed.

Well, maybe I'll be able to get a little bit done today.  Folding laundry seems like a good task.  Doesn't require too much effort, and I can sit down while I do it.

Being sick is just no fun I tell you!  I'm listening to a random mix of celtic music to help my spirits too.  Any of you have Musicmatch on your computers?  Sometimes I love to pick one of their online "radio" stations and let them do the thinking for me.  Especially when I want to hear a certain type of music.  Real radio stations just don't cut it for genre listening, plus they have all those pesky commercials and annoying DJ's.

Boy, I can really tell I'm feeling better now!  I actually have the desire to write things down today!  Woohoo!  Maybe I'll get to all of the photos we took at the Amadan show and post a few here.  Note if you go to their site, Chris and I got mention on the first page (see us beaming from wherever you are)!  I have a lot more to say about them, so will hold it until I post the pictures from the show.  Also, if you go to their site you can hear some of their songs.  They are the best!!!

Woohoo!  I feel almost normal now!!  Jump for joy and praise the Lord!

Our trip to Portland was full of all sorts of adventures, including a trip into the hills to a tree farm to hunt Christmas trees.  Now, an adventure with this crew is never dull, as you can see by the pictures.  We had a great time.

After successfully bagging three trees, we all had lunch at the Helvetia Tavern.  I had one of the best burgers I've eaten in ages there.  Yum, yum!

We arrive on a cool cloudy day...

Tough and safe!

He always finds something to play with...

Papa Dave bags a trophy Noble Fir!

Do not mess with Papa Dave.

Happy hunters display their prize catch!

What you see here, my friends, is the only remaining evidence of somebody's seemingly clever idea to bring a giant red boa to a crowded bar.

NO!!!!!  It was not me!  How dare you.

Nor was it any of my friends.  They are just not that type.  But those types are out there, and one of 'em decided to bring her giant red boa out to the AMADAN show Friday night.

Did I mention it was a GIANT RED BOA?  Not just your common garden variety boa.  Nope.  This one was huge.  HUGE!

You know honey, it's just not a good idea to bring a giant red boa out to the bar, then dance around right by the stage where it's crowded and about ten million degrees!  People don't really like to have giant red boas fluffed in their faces.  And that waiter with the tray of teetering empty glasses and bottles didn't really like to have that boa flipped around up over his head as he headed past on his way back to the bar.  And the really tall woman that was just walking by - she didn't really didn't want to dance with you and your boa.  I'm pretty sure that the look of utter disgust on her face was a good indication of that (and you're very lucky her tank-sized man friend didn't squish you like a bug).  And maybe when somebody took your boa from you, danced off, and didn't come back with it, it was a HINT that you were incredibly annoying!  And maybe, just maybe, when you finally retrieved your boa, came back to your table and your goth friend shoved you, it was a BIG HINT to go home.  Which, to the glee of everyone around you, you heeded.

More tales from our trip tomorrow - until then I'm gonna go get some sleep!

Just got from our trip, many stories to come.  But in the meantime, here's a nice little poem for you -

White House Has Peace Groups on New Enemies List

by Tony Peyser

We’ve got shoe bombers
And sleeper cells
And Jihadists who
Call us infidels.

Al-Qaeda wants us
To meet our makers
But what the heck:
Let’s infiltrate Quakers.

Chris and I are heading off to Portland this later today to visit with friends and see our favorite band AMADAN!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Last night Chris came across an interesting website called The Smoking Gun.  Some of you may be familiar with it already, but it was new to us!!

Where else can you find mugshots of all your favorite athletes, movie stars, musicians, and other assorted celebrity criminals in their finest moment?!!  The very extensive list includes, but is not limited to:

• Tonya Harding


• Hugh Grant


• Glen Campbell


• Bill Gates (yes, I said Bill Gates)


• Noelle Bush (presidential niece)


• Patty Hearst


• Vanilla Ice (not nice, baby)


• The Unabomber

Well, I could just go on and on.  The website also has a wide variety of news stories about various high crime and misdemeanors, ha ha.  It was interesting how often Courtney Love's name showed up as I scrolled down the list.  Hmmmm.  Here's one of my favorites, about a couple having a very "passionate" argument.

Well folks, happy reading!