What would make your parents the most uncomfortable at your next family gathering?

Definitely if my ex-wife showed up...but that's almost like cheating to say that.

(From Consumating)

Ever get laryngitis right before a big audition?

(My latest topic from Consumating.)

Show us what you look like when you're sleepy or sleeping. We are dying to know!



Vote for me at Consumating!

Ever get tired of trying to keep up with the latest foo-faddle or ding-doggy to hit the market?

(My latest topic from Consumating.)

Innocence Lost: Tell us when your childhood officially ended.

That's an interesting question, isn't it? It certainly leaves itself open to different interpretations.

I'll have to go with getting my high school diploma from a local charter school in order to attend classes at Victor Valley College (I was 13 and homeschooled). The other students at the college were much more 'seedy', for lack of a better word, than most of the people I had associated with before (family friends, homeschoolers at conferences). I had to do some growing up fast, but by all accounts I've heard I'm still quite glad I never went to a public high school!

(From Consumating)

Whether they're furry, feathered or scaly, show us your favorite pet!



Vote for me at Consumating!

That September...in the raaaain

The first two days of September brought thunderstorms to the mountain community of Wrightwood, giving much-welcomed rain to the entire tri-community area. Of course, since the region immediately north of the mountains happens to be an alluvial fan, the sudden influx of precipitation caused a flash flood in the Sheep Creek wash, rendering Phelan Road, Palmdale Road, and Bear Valley Road impassable. After church on September 2nd, my parents and I drove up to Wrightwood as the weather looked promising, and sure enough before we even reached the ice cream shop there was a strong downpour and plenty of nearby lightning strikes. I enjoyed the storm almost as much as the ice cream. On the way back down to Phelan/Pinon Hills I convinced my parents to drop me off at the wash where it crosses Bear Valley Road (also known as Duncan, Seville, and Madrid at other stretches). There had been some flow the previous day from the thunderstorm on September 1st, but I suspected that today's would be much worse because the ground was no longer dry and thirsty. My sister was on her way home to do some tabletop RPG gaming with her boyfriend, her cousins, and others, so while I was standing there waiting for the flood she drove by and decided to stay and watch with me. I still haven't seen the photos she took with her Zire but they should be good. We heard a rumbling sound before we could see the flooding, and a few minutes later we spotted it a good ways off - that's when I took the photograph above. You can see water but it's not as obvious without motion. It took a few minutes to reach us but it was still exciting to watch it pass by. My sister's boyfriend made it across in his '95 Camaro just in time, a minute later and he would have had to detour all the way down to Palmdale Road (the 18) and up Oasis to Bear Valley.

The flooding caused a lot of trouble for some of our neighbours who live closer, covering their yards with mud a foot or more deep. I drove out the 2.5 ton military truck that we keep around for stuff like this, but didn't actually have to tow anyone out of the mud. I drove across the wash a few times on the 3rd, and down it to Marco, but I didn't get stuck (ran out of fuel, though!). Dad took his TD-6 dozer out and made Marco passable, and another neighbour took care of Duncan with his big frontloader.

You can see a short video of the flood here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi-ttyYan74

The Comfy Chair

I got a wake-up call recently that made me realise I wasn't taking very good care of myself. Without going into too much detail, I found out that the veins in my legs aren't working right because I sit for too long without any physical activity. This can lead to deep-vein thrombosis.

I'd like to blame the Comfy Chair (from This End Up, which sells fantastic furniture) that's in front of the computer for my condition, but I know that the blame can only fall on me. I've been trying to change my bad habits lately by limiting my computer time and starting a regular exercise regimen.

Even when you're young, thin, and feel invincible, your body will rot right out from underneath you if you're not taking care of it.

Happy Birthday Joseph

Yesterday was my son's second birthday. He's turning out to be quite a vicious pirate. My mother made the shirt herself, the sash is from an old silk bathrobe, and the hat and sword are from the Big Bear Renaissance Faire. He's been given a few very awesome presents so far and I'm sure that he'll be getting even more when he goes to see his mother this weekend.

What's your speciality in the kitchen?

Spaghetti sauce, from scratch (as in, no cans!). I haven't made it in a while, but that's my own fault. Even with storebought sauce, seasoning of your own can go a long, long way. I had a Fennel plant in the family garden that I harvested a bunch of seeds from and I throw those in whenever I make sauce or want to liven up the bland store varieties. I think that's the magic ingredient but basil, oregano, black pepper and sliced mushrooms help a lot as well.

It also helps to have well-prepared and strongly-spiced sausage, but a good sauce will make up for anything (even boring ol' ground beef).

(From Consumating)