Cool Programs

I am sure that there are countless programs out in cyber space that YOU think are the coolest thing since sliced bread.

My own mother, someone who thinks that computers are the biggest time wasters, that nothing and I mean nothing is worthy of staring at a computer screen for hours on end just happened to let me show her this program. http://earth.google.com/

She said ok...yea yea the aerial view of the Grand Canyon is pretty neat. Flying above the Colorado river is sweet. So then we went to Georgia (where she was born) We touched down in Daisy then skrolled down with the mouse pad until we came to the RedMill Rd. She started to get real excited.

"There is the old mill!!!" she said
then aunt Bessie's house, Uncle Charlie's property, the tree she wrecked her bike into, the cemetary where someone she knows is buried (she is in my lap now)

She says "OH My Gosh I can't believe such a thing as this even exists"

I tell her I'll show her how to google earth herself.....just get back a little.

"Ahhh not tonight son I'm tired" she says

I have finally found something on the internet that she actually thinks is worthy to spend a little time on.

If you've not experienced it for yourself.........YOU should.......atleast once....You too will be hooked!

Forgetful Women

Asking her if she remembers a certain something or other she replys,

"You know I forget everything....................cept for the things you say and do"

I don't have a chance!!!

Hummingbirds are getting thicker

MaleRubyThroat
http://www.hummingbirds.net/rubythroated.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbfgTKNI_tE
The video doesn't do justice to how many there really are here at the house. It's getting hard to go into the house....j/k.

We have one feeder with 4 feeder holes. At one time I saw 2 birds a piece on 3 of the holes and 1 bird on the last hole = 7 birds total at one feeder. Didn't get a picture of that, but here is one of two birds in the same hole on the left and the two in the same hole on the right. Look how it hovers above the one sitting on the perch.


















We have 4 feeders in the front of the house and 2 in the back yard. Tracie says she wants to REALLY load up on the feeders for next year.

After a little research I see that some of the hummingbirds are banded. Now I'm looking for a band to report where these little guys/gals have stopped for a drink of nectar.

Six Flags over Texas

Tracie and I are addicted. We even have the annual passes to this amusement park.

We enjoy keeping are hands held high over our heads as the Titan races toward the ground at 60mph. We will even go the additional time spent in line to ride in the front car. Mr. Freeze and it's cool blast of speed is also one of our favorites. The batman's double upside down spiral with our feet hanging in space is best done in the front seats. The superman's free falls gets our nods of approval.

OK so we are speed junkies that like living on the edge. Nothing wrong with wanting to live hanging over the edge. Controlled excitement!

We decided to head to the park this weekend. We left the house later than normal, enjoying the sleeping in of a Saturday morning. Traveling down I-20 at slightly higher than the posted speed limits, the traffic ahead suddenly throws on the brake lights. So we sit...........................for over a hour and one half. Easing forward ever now and again. Must be a bad wreck ahead we think.

Imagineing mangled bodies hanging out of wrecked vehicles strowed across the interstate with clothes and loose papers blowing everywhere. What kind of gruesome sights are we about to witness causing the traffic to back up like we are experiencing now?

Finally the traffic just opens up around the Terrell. The only evidence we see of a wreck is several skidding tire tracks across the highway and off into the dirt. (My imagination is always much better) Hope know one was killed!!

We get off of I-30 and head toward the giant red tower of six flags. Anticipation is running high as we enter through the metal detectors at the gate. Which of the death cheating rides are we going to head for first. Tracie chooses the bob sled ride in the Mexico section. We never ride it so what the heck, lets do it! Weaving in and around people walking slowly (don't they know WE are here to ride the rides for Christs sake) we find the line longer that we are willing to stand still. Off for the best ride in the park----TITAN.

Fathers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE

This man is a special father!!!!

more details http://www.teamhoyt.com/history.shtml

San Diego --- Tijuana

Nothing like a vacation from work.

Tracie had a sales conference to attend at a plush golf resort just north of San Diego. I decided to fly out after her and spend the weekend taking in the world famous San Diego zoo and a day trip to Tijuana.

I fly from Shreveport to Houston and then on to San Diego. The flight in from Houston was uneventful except for some turbulence encountered while skirting a small storm cell near San Diego. Drop into the airtport and start my search for Tracie. ring ring--- my cell phone beckons my answering. It is Tracie looking for me.

I say "I'm here at the airport.... but just not sure exactly where??". She starts describing the different store fronts she is seeing near her. "Starbucks, Books A Million" None are apparently near me.
Then I hear a alarm going off. I can also hear it on her phone.She must be close. She say's "oh my gosh I just set off the security alarm". I see the lights flashing and go to her rescue(or mine for being lost) I see several security guards and many people eyeing her suspiciously. (note to self can't piddle in San Diego either)

After quick hellos, we load in the rental car and head off for a bite to eat. A sea food restaurant overlooking the moonlit bay is the choice. The crab cakes were divided and the decrative lettuce devoured. It was funny to have been there and watched it all go down.Then off to the golf resort with plush bed pillows lettered with "Sweet Dreams" all we needed was a mint under the pillow to top it all off .

We get up early to drop off some fellow travelers at the airport. The balance of the weekend is ours to adventure with as we wished. The zoo had been mentioned as a must thing to do when in San Diego, so it was to be our first destination. A informative tour guide and short city trolley ride there let us off at the zoo's entrance.

We took the cable car over the zoo to see everthing from above. It's a big zoo with a tour bus that makes rounds throughout on a regular schedule. Our favorite animals in order were the polar bears,pandas,gorillas w/ baby, and the sleepy kaola bears.
The polar bears were very active-- fighting, diving into the water and even playing with a ball. They were real showoffs! After visiting the rest of the zoo animals we made a second trip back to the polar bears before leaving. They had slowed down after eating but were still willing to showoff for a series of up close photos. (I'll post a video later)

We get back on the tour bus to finish up our day. After a stop at Old Town and a bite of Mexican food we arrive back at our vehicle on the bay. We head over the mile long bridge to Corronado Island to watch a west coast sunset. The Pacific water was very cool to our tired feet. The breeze off of the water made it almost cold. Not exactly what I expected, but the sunset view was good and the warm hand holding mine made the end of the day very special.

We headed out in the direction(we thought) of our next hotel. Getting on Interstate 5 heading south towards National City until we see the sign saying "Last USA turn around---exit here". We excitedly turn around, careful not to venture into Mexico afterdark to never return or be heard of again. We pulled over at a local McDonalds to ask directions. Didn't think we were going to find anyone that could speak English, but alas a young black man pointed our destination out toward the north "a few miles that ways" he says.

After negotiating the one way streets off the interstate, we pull in to the old style Howard Johnson. Not near as nice as the fluffy pillows of the night before, but it would satisfy our desire for a place to sleep and shower. We sleep in until 7 ish eat a quick breakfast and head to Tijuana to get the Mexican experience only heard about until now.

Parking on the US side and walking over was suggested by many so we followed the advice and headed on over----crossin the booorder---in my best spanish accented imitation.

It was just a short walk and through a gate or two and we were in Mexico. That was easy! I knew I wanted to find a bargin or two so Revolution street was the place to be. It is the gateway of the open air market and street vendors.The vendors would come out on the sidewalk and try and catch your attention to something in their store.

"Now it is my turn", "Let me show you something you need", "You are my first customer of today and I give you good deal" were the choice lines used to snare prospective customers. We learned quick to say NO or NOT INTERESTED to most of the unwanted advances. The kids were even in on the game of salesmen, peddling small trinkets or bracelets for a dollar or two.
I'd say "how much?"
They'd say "four dollars"
How about two? I'd say
"No! Three Dollas" they'd say
Truely amazing how expert they were at their salemenship skills.

Bargining with store owners over their wares, we end up with a few cuban cigars, a pair of designer knock-off sunglasses, small bottle of Tequila, a straw hat ,and various other things for gifts in the future. We partake in a few Margaritas (two for one ya know):^)
chips and salsa then try another local restaurant for Corona's and more strawberry margaritas(more two or three for one)whew!! and a burrito dinner that we shared.

Good and buzzed we decide we've had enough fun for one day so we head back across to good ol US of A only to be detained in line at the border for over a hour. What a buzz killer.

Had a brief stop with the US border patrol from Plano, Tx that wanted to chat. He asked Tracie what she did for a living. She looked at me and said I don't want to tell him do I?" I said "No don't tell him" The patrol says "come on tell me".
"We build simulator bombs" was her reply
Somehow we managed to avoid the body cavity searches and got to cross back into the US.

We managed to get early flights back to Houston....only to get to spend the next several hours waiting on flight delays.
Late in the day we arrive in Shreveport, La to find out Tracie's bag has been lost.

The next day they deliver her bag to her job.

Nice to get back from vacation!!!! To Rest Up