Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Tiny House: Huge Increase in Carbon Debt

Been gone a bit. I spent most of my weekend in front of the grill, really cooking up a storm. Sausage, steaks, corn on the cob, potatoes, chicken, et al. Lots of fun - I love to grill. Old Smokey lived up to her name this weekend!! I heard the polar bears had to move 10 miles further North by the time I was done dumping all that carbon into the atmosphere.

The Wx has been beautiful, so I have that going for me, which is nice. Even better my daughter-in-law and grandson stayed an extra couple of days. It is so nice having everyone around, I miss my daughter and her family as well as my son. Wish we lived closer at times, but perhaps this is for the best.

Hope you all had a good weekend, and sorry about the higher temperatures and severe hurricanes I have probably caused!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Mute Monday Come Early: Courage

NEVER FORGET





Saturday, May 24, 2008

Who Gives a Shit

Warning: Wandering rant interspersed with crude epithets.

Normally I wouldn't bother posting anything to do with the total cluster fuck that is the American electoral process, where "We the people" have been totally disenfranchised, but this shit has got to stop. There is a brouhaha in the American Media (read the bought and paid for Media) about Whorellary Clinton mentioning Bobby Kennedy's assassination. So what? One Kennedy more or less makes no difference to me. She was trying to rationalize her continued campaign of defeat, showcasing her lack of intelligence by whipping the proverbial dead horse right up the the very gates of hell. She had made similar statements before but now the party wants her out, so their pet media outlets have turned this latest statement into an "outrage" to try and leverage her rather large ass out of the picture. Not that I'll miss the screeching hagged out old harpy.

I just wanted to illustrate how useless the American media is along with the substandard candidates all the parties chose to run. Whorellary, Osama Bin Obama, and McCain are all minor leaguers when it comes to intelligence and leadership ability but their parties have decided to foist them upon us as our "choice." How much longer are we the public going to put up with this crap before we send all the jackals in Washington packing, smash the popular presses, and start anew?

Sorry, just tired of being fed shit by the ruling class.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Still Rainy

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Blah

Been gray all day. It did sputter a bit, but no rain of any consequence on this end of the valley. Didn't even take any pictures today because the overcast just took the life out of all the colors. I do hope as it cools a bit more this evening it will decide to rain over lovely El Mirage.

On the bright side grandpuppy Cashew and grandson Max are here visiting, so I have that going for me, which is nice. It'll be nice to have them around this weekend.

Must go, have some burritos in the oven and my stomach reminded me it is high time to check them.

What do you Mean it's not Friday?!?

Woke up thinking it was Friday. Crap, it is only Thursday. Not that I hate work or anything, just ready to be done with the week. Ok, I am not enthralled with work, but it does have its moments. Maybe if I could take a siesta at midday things would be different, a quick power nap might be just the ticket. Meanwhile, I suppose I better go to work and wait to turn the alarm clock off until tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Holiday

It has finally cooled off and has become very windy as a low pushes in. I don't know about the rain the weatherclown was talking about, but the breeze is nice. Time to fire up the grill and have some bratwurst. Time to get set for the Memorial Day weekend, going to grill some beer can chickens, maybe do some Buffalo style drumsticks and watch the grandpups and grandson run around the house. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone, but will miss my son. I am hoping he'll finally be at Bagram and set up to the point where we can do a video call.

It has been a hoot talking with my sister-in-law and our daughter-in-law over the computer - being able to see them while talking. Very Jetsonesque. I am hoping we'll have connectivity with our son as well. Ain't technology grand??

Here's a picture of an A-10 for Indigo, I remember he said he liked them and this one was visiting from Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Hot Time in the City



Made it up to 109 today. It was real enjoyable walking from squadron to squadron in the great out of doors. I wear a broad brimmed hat to protect my bald noggin from the UV rays, but even that wasn't helping much. I should clean up the back yard tonight, but I will see if it cools a bit first. Happy Monday everyone!!!!!!!!!

Our Mexican Pipe Organ Cactus is in Bloom


Austrella Staying in the Shade to Avoid "Hot Paws"

Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Big Lie: Random Less than Sane Rant

Ever feel lied to, short changed, or neglected by the "system?" There's a good reason for that - it is run by people that could give a damn about you and I. The elite control us through religion, government regulation and only feed us what they want us to hear. Sound as though I am spouting '70s paranoia? Listen to the candidates as they pander to each group for votes, and their slight of hand is just the tip of the iceberg. Watch as big corporations merge and our choices, few as they are, dwindle.

Bush made an interesting comment on how countries of the Mideast have a stake in how things fall out in Iraq. My question is then why aren't Saudi troops in there and why won't they increase oil production for us? Are they a grasping ungracious unwashed two-faced people that leave the dirty work to foreigners while they sit on their indolent asses eating figs and praising allah? My answer is to pull our folks out and let the Saudi royal family take responsibility for their own region. The terrorists will topple them long before they set their sights on us and the world would be well rid of them. We are wasting the best of our young people to bail the thieves out and keep them in power.

Finally if the elite and corporate America really wanted us to be energy independent it would have already happened. And what the hell is the "clean coal" the big coal companies keep yakking about on TV supposed to be??

Mute Monday: Different Strokes

A palm tree embraces technology


Saturday, May 17, 2008

Where is that @#$%@ Sandman Anyway...

I'm not talking about the Sandman for Logan's Run either. Can't seem to sleep tonight for some reason. Had a great day, got out with Mrs. Phos a bit. She had physical therapy, I had a Dr.'s appointment, but after that went and had a Bagel at Ben's Bagel shop. Pretty damn good. Nosed around the shopping area there a bit , but didn't find anything exciting. Went to the market and forgot to get Kosher salt. I can't cook without it so I'll have to get out tomorrow and pick some up.

There is a new teacher's store opening near the house so Mrs. Phos and I might walk over and check it out. We'll have to hit the a coffee shop in the same strip mall - we have been meaning to check out so that could be gravy.

We did get to chat with our son - we hooked up a network camera so we could see him, though in fact we got it primarily to see Max. Won't let Ben know that though. Ben is leaving tomorrow at O-Dark-30 and we are hoping we'll be able to link up with him while he is in Afcrapistan. Hate to see him in that shit-hole but it comes with the job.

Well, suppose I better try to turn in so I am not Mr. Grumpy tomorrow. Bad enough I was ready to backhand a screaming brat at the market since mom couldn't be bothered to take charge of her own child. I know kids pitch fits at times, but the parents need to deal wiht it. Another Phoenix Thug in Training...

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend - we'll be up in the 100s tomorrow!!!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Rainy Days and Thursdays...


More rain creeping into the Valley of the Smudge -we won't see any of the rain on this side of town, just the wind and blowing dust. Downtown Phoenix and Glendale received quite a bit though, so at least someone will benefit. After the low moves East a high comes in to dominate (almost sound like Jin reading her tarot cards) the temps will soar into the triple digits. Bring it on!!!

And life goes on. Pink talking about following your dreams and Jack K talking about acting responsibility (that is my interpretation) kind of dovetail nicely with my thoughts lately. Or maybe it is just a post-midlife crisis on my part, though to be fair Mrs. Phos never let me have the first one. People evolve over their lives, hopefully in a good direction and may find themselves trapped, to a point where they are the proverbial hamster on the hamster wheel. The faster you make the wheel spin the faster you get nowhere. Or maybe it is just the lack of sun talking...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Sometimes Being in the Hole is a Good Thing

Austrella making use of the comfy pit Yukon dug under the Lemon tree.




Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Rain on the Plain falls mainly on the Phos

I didn't think much would come of the clouds rolling in this morning, just a gloomy day. It did rain, while I was walking back form one of the hangars, of course. The day was nice and cool, nice enough that I could plant Mrs. Phos's new rosebush without breaking a sweat.


Clouds rolling in over the White Tank Mountains



View from the Firehouse



The Rains Come



Spring Showers Bring...

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mute Monday: Change

Friday, May 09, 2008

Tagged by Jewels: "5 Things"

5 things in my bag

I do carry a messenger bag at work it has the following:

- CD case with Update software

- CD Case with diagnostic and restore software

- A screwdriver

- An External Hard drive for backing up computers

- Various cables


5 Things in my room

- Glow in the dark Buddha

- Dream catcher

- Mrs. Phos

- Austrella

- Yukon


5 Things I’ve always wanted to do

- See the Grand Canyon

- Whack Martha Stewart in the head with a board

- Have my own cooking show

- Figure out what I want to be when I grow up

- Get my health sorted out


5 things I am currently into

- Blogging

- Photography

- Reading

- Cooking

- Watching my grandson grow



I was also supposed to tag 5 others, but I don't like putting people on the spot, so if you want to play, feel free...

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Hot Damn, Almost Friday

Been a long week with much suckage but have no fear, Friday's here!!! I am stoked for the weekend, and in case you may have forgotten this Sunday is Mother's Day. So if you have a mother, best pick up the phone and give her a call. Somehow or another wives get in on the action, even though your wife isn't your mother, with the possible exception of those residing in Arkansas where that kind of thing is pretty common, she gets a gift as well. Want to keep the women folk happy or the men folk will never hear the end of it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!


Soap Bush in Bloom

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

The Tease

It looked as though we might actually see some rain today, the clouds were moving in from the North and South, but it was not to be. The clouds did make for a nice sunrise and the bees enjoyed the sun while tapping the Saguaro flowers. All in all it was a very pleasant day.


Sunday, May 04, 2008

Mute Monday: Communication



Saturday, May 03, 2008

The Lowe's Bunny

Made it out to Lowe's home improvement store to pick up a few odds and ends - turned out we weren't the only ones shopping. No price tag on the bunny...



Jewels has a pet lizard, ours are Free-range...

Friday, May 02, 2008

Early Morning