| I win! |
[Jul. 6th, 2009|09:27 am] |
Yes, I know, you've seen this hat before. I have a little bragging to do. I entered it in the county fair and it won first place and a giant yellow judge's choice ribbon. I took a photo with my phone of the diplay (they hung it right above a nicely made kilt-lovely!) but I've no idea how to get the photo off of my phone. If I can get M. to help me I'll post it tonight.
I wish I'd called grandma to tell her about it. Too late now. Ah, well. |
|
|
| Death |
[Jul. 5th, 2009|11:14 am] |
My father's mother died at seven this morning. She would've been 93 on the 22nd of this month. She's been ill off and on since last October. She had hip replacement surgery a few months ago and never quite recovered. She's been in and out of the hospital and convalescent hospital for the last month. Last week they put her on hospice care and she was able to die in her own bed. It's been a long haul and it's a bit of a relief that it's over.
I miss her already. She taught me to embroider when I was six. She took care of me when I was sick as a kid. Grandma knitted things for me when I was little and hemmed my prom dress for the junior prom. She helped me re-make a bridesmaid's dress for Alexis' wedding. She was big and strong and hard-working and a good example of how to live. I think I get my talents for hand work from her. I wish I could've told her about getting a first place and judge's choice award in the county fair this year for a hat I knitted. She always said I was so clever when I showed her my latest project, but I don't think I ever made anything she couldn't have made just as well. |
|
|
| Week In Review |
[Jul. 1st, 2009|12:05 pm] |
My schedule has been odd lately and I find myself looking at my calendar to remember where I've been almost as much as to see what's coming up. Last week I had Tuesday and Wednesday off and I can't for the life of me remember what I did Tuesday. It might be because I didn't do anything.
Wednesday I had a lovely lunch with Gail and we did some shopping. Doesn't that sound girly? We ate at Harry's Hoffbrau near my house. I adore that place. I always either have a hot turkey or hot roast beef sandwich, open faced with gravy and stuffing. Mmm. Gail had a reubin sandwich that looked outstanding. Made me wish I'd had a reubin, too.
Then off to Dom's to buy Gail a tent. Last year when she went camping with M. and me she borrowed my little one and really liked it, so she got herself a head lamp and a new tent (and for any sporting goods geeks out there it was a Eureka Tetragon 5 which is just right for car camping and not too expensive. M. and I actually use ours for backpacking, but it's kinda heavy for that. I have new tent lust for an ultra-lightweight two man tent--but then I'd need two men.)
I tried on boots while at Dom's. I've needed new hiking boots for a while. I limped my old ones through last year with new insoles. I've been putting off buying new ones because a) they're expensive and, more importantly b) I hate breaking new ones in or discovering what I bought isn't comfortable once I get it out of the store. I got past a) since the state will (eventually) pay for the new ones as a part of my uniform allowance. I put b) aside since my old ones are getting uncomfortable, as I discovered when we went to Angel Island. I ended up with blisters and I think the new insoles make them a bit too small.
After Dom's we went down to REI since Gail wanted a few more things and had her dividend from them to spend. Dom's didn't have the boots I wanted, so I figured I'd check out what REI had. I ended up buying a pair of Keen's boots. They felt good and both Gail and SRB have them and like them. I haven't worn them yet, but I think they'll be good. Gail got herself a nifty folding chair and a Swiss Army knife. I'd call it a very successful day of shopping, but maybe not so girly.
I wanted to spend Wednesday night on the couch, but M. wanted to meet some friends and hear some music at a place in Santa Clara so I tagged along. The band turned out to be Tempest and the show was free! I was glad I went. I had intended to go somewhere else in Santa Clara that evening, but my plans were thwared by the evil husband monster. Still, a well spent day.
Friday M. and I drove down to see Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area south of Pismo Beach. This was "work"! I drove a state vehicle and the state will (eventually) pick up the hotel tab, so we had a most expenses paid vacation. We had a terrific tour of the dunes with a colleague, then dinner that evening with Khent. Saturday I watched the interpretive programs in the park while M. rested. Sunday breakfast at McClintock's in SLO, then home to the heat. We both had a great time and it was pretty relaxing considering I was on the clock.
Monday I took a group from work to visit Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and see their sand mine that's open to the public. We'd like to open a mine on the Tesla property, so we went to find out how it's done. Eleven of our staff went and we spent about 2 1/2 hours there. What a neat place.
Now I get to stay home and enjoy life for a bit. My grandmother is very sick, so I may end up going to Santa Monica soon.
I think by three it's going to be too hot to work in my office again. Oh, joy. |
|
|
| More Pirate Photos |
[Jun. 25th, 2009|11:29 am] |
Here are a few more photos from Saturday's pirate festival, thanks to Jessica. I like the one of Issaac with the cannon especially.  
|
|
|
| Weekend, part II |
[Jun. 22nd, 2009|01:03 pm] |
Yesterday Mike and I went to Angel Island with Paul, SRB, Rita, and Rita's co-worker who was very nice, but whose name I can't remember. Our reasons for going were two-fold. I wanted to visit the newly renovated and re-opened immigration station, and we wanted to show our support for state parks. Here are a few photos:
We were joined by some Angel Island volunteers in this one.
Here we are in front of the visitor center:
The weather was absolutely perfect and we had a great time. I'm a bit sore today from the hike, which was only a mile each way but seemed to be uphill both ways. The immigration station was really interesting, and I think I'll have to go back and get the full tour. We ran out of time a bit, since we had to get back in time to take the last boat home.
|
|
|
| What I did this weekend, part I |
[Jun. 22nd, 2009|11:02 am] |
I spent all day Friday trying to finish my new corset, which I've been working on for three years. I gave up around 11 p.m. (I know, I'm a wimp) and began the fight again Saturday morning. Mike finally finished up the hand sewing while I was in the shower and off we went to the Pirate Festival in Vallejo. Here's what it looked like:
A bunch of our kilted friends were there. In this photo are Khent and Star. The guys almost all wore their black Utilikilts. Star looked great, as always.
After the crowd and noise of the festival we all retired to a nearby pub/food establishment for some relaxing and liquid refreshment. I kept the hat, but lost the corset:
It was a really fun day spent with some of our favorite people, but very exhausting. You can see photos of the whole extravaganza at http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/kilted_pirates-t50246/index.html
|
|
|
| Visit a Park With Me! |
[Jun. 12th, 2009|12:07 pm] |
Who wants to go and visit a State Park with me on June 21st? California State Parks Foundation is asking people to show support for our parks:
"One of the most important, easiest and fun ways to support your state parks is to visit them! And that is just what we are proposing you do on the weekend of June 20th! Come out in force we'll show Sacramento that state parks are important and that they are an important revenue source! While you're there, take pictures with our SOS Poster (downloadable at our website), wearing a green ribbon, green clothes, or create your own sign telling everyone what state parks mean to you! What better way to celebrate Fathers Day and the First Day of Summer than being in your favorite state park and showing Sacramento that state parks are important to you, your family and friends? Bring as many people out with you as you can to enjoy the park."
I'm going to go to a park that Sunday. If you want to go with me, let me know and we'll figure out which park based on who's coming. I'll make a sign for us.
|
|
|
| Christmas Every Day |
[Jun. 12th, 2009|10:30 am] |
Well, it's Christmas every day around here. Wednesday I got my cell phone (whoopee). Yesterday I got a bunch of those evil clam shell packages containing: a cell phone case, car charger, travel charger, and hands free device. I managed to open them without drawing blood, only minor scratches. I can't figure out how the hands free is supposed to fit in my ear and no instructions came with it. There isn't anything on-line that tells, either. I guess I'm just supposed to know.
Yesterday morning I went down stairs to call my mom from someone else's phone. As I was down there complaining the guys from the phone company were in my office (I had no idea) hooking up my phone. I finally have an office, computer, desk and phone. At some point I'll get my new desk and then I'll really be set!
So, I guess you could say I'm settling in. Still not much to do, but at least I'm comfortable. |
|
|
| Phones Everywhere |
[Jun. 8th, 2009|03:32 pm] |
That's right, I've got phones everywhere but don't try to call me.
Why, there's a phone sitting right here on my desk at work. It's not hooked up to anything so it isn't very useful. There's a phone accross the office, but it belongs to the superintendant who is in the office next door. So it isn't very useful either. I can use it to call out, but I can't get calls.
Then there's my cell phone. Useless in this canyon. I keep forgetting to turn it off and the battery runs down. I charge it, turn it off next time I get to work, then forget to turn it back on when I go home. Again, useless.
I have a home phone from which I can make and recieve calls, but no one ever calls me on it anymore. Now that every call I make is to a different area code I tend to make calls on my cell phone, if it's working (see above).
And the big news of the day...the state has gotten me a cell phone. For the last two years this would've been fabulously useful. I've been using my personal cell for business since I started at Seacliff. Now it means I'll have another phone and charger to keep track of, turn on and off at the appropriate times, plug in, and probably forget. Best of all, it won't work when I'm at work, only when I'm at home. Where the heck am I going to put it? My purse only has a pocket for one phone. Ugh. I can't believe I'm going to have to carry two phones. Supposedly this is for MY convenience. Yeah, right. Again, not so useful.
Just e-mail me. |
|
|
| Things I Learned at the Capitol |
[Jun. 3rd, 2009|09:52 am] |
I learned a few things at the capitol yesterday.
Did you know that the state could save $100 million by commuting death sentances to life in prison? Yet another reason to abolish the death penalty.
Our legislators are very, very patient people. They listened to over 100 people speak against the budget cuts last night.
We spoke in a room that had a huge mural behind the legislators. The mural had depictions of at least five of our state parks. I think that says something about the importance of our parks. The room accross the hall where we waited and watched the testimony before us had beautiful photos of our great parks. Huh. What does that tell you?
It is totally possible to become incoherently terrified in the 60 seconds we were given to speak. I managed not to, but it wasn't easy.
State park advocates are polite. One of the legislators suggested that if we needed money we should've taken the $100 million to allow a toll road to be built through San Onofre State Beach. No one booed, very much to my surprise. After all, if we sold San Onofre this year, which park should we sell next year to finance parks?
For every $1- spent supporting the state parks system, $2.35 is returned to the state's general fund through purchases in local economies and in the state parks themselves by park visitors. The proposal to close parks could cost the state as much as $352.5 million in potential revenue.
State parks drive $2.9 billion in economic activity in local communities.
What can you do to help state parks? Go out and visit a park and enjoy it! |
|
|
| Budget Conference Committee |
[Jun. 3rd, 2009|09:26 am] |
Last night I testified before the Budget Conference Committee at the Capitol in Sacramento. I only had sixty seconds to speak, so here's most of what I said:
If State Parks are closed we will lose irreplaceable cultural resources. I'm here today to speak for Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, one of our tiny, under-represented parks. This would be one of the easiest parks to close. It's less than a city block and only two buildings.
Due to deferred maintenance the historic Fischer-Hanlon House is in poor condition. If closed this building will crumble, and with it we lose the opportunity to share the everyday life of a 19th century family with visitors.
California only has two of it's four capitol buildings left. Let's keep the other one preserved and open as well.
This budget crisis, though painful, is temporary. Our State Park resources, with our care, can be forever. Please don't close our State Parks.
(In case you don't know, the governor has proposed cutting all general funds for State Parks over a two year period which would result in the closure of 220 out of 279 parks.)
|
|
|
| Parks, Again |
[May. 31st, 2009|06:27 pm] |
My park isn't on the closure list, but we can't let them close over 80% of our parks! 220 parks are on the list.
How can you help State Parks?
1. Go to www.thatsmypark.org, click on "Take Action" and follow the steps to fax the legislators.
2. Attend the rally tomorrow at Natural Bridges State Beach at 5:30.
3. Attend the public hearing on the proposal to close parks before the Legislative Budget Conference Committee on Tuesday at the State Capitol, 9:30 room 4203.
I'm not sure which of these I'll make it to, but I think I'll be at the Capital Tuesday. Maybe I'll see you there? |
|
|
| Owl Rescue |
[May. 28th, 2009|02:30 pm] |
This morning I had a phone meeting with my boss. She wanted to chat at 8:30, so I had her call me at home. This made for a slightly lazier than usual morning, which was nice.
I got into work about 1 1/2 hours later than usual and almost immediately got dragged down to the park to check out an owl in distress. Our environmental scientist and a maintenence guy got the fluffy little birdy into a box and I took it to the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center in Modesto. It took a little over an hour each way, so I've spent most of the day in the car.
The owl turned out to be a female great horned owl, about two months old. The lady at the center said they've gotten a lot of these owls lately. The teenagers try to fly away and don't get very far before they get scared and confused. There wasn't anything wrong with our owl, it was just a bit discombobulated. The lady held the owl on her hand and spread out its wings. What a beautiful creature! I'm glad we were able to rescue her.
Now I'm at my desk. I have a very short list of things I need to do and I don't feel at all inclined to do them. Ah, well. |
|
|
| Calming Down? |
[May. 26th, 2009|09:55 am] |
Well, things seem to be calming down for me, finally. It may just be wishful thinking... I don't anticipate any travel soon, I'm not moving, starting a new job, trying to settle in, or any of the other stressful stuff I've been doing forever. I just have to get up, go to work, and come home. Ah, what luxury!
A week ago Sunday we went to the Livermore Scottish Games. It was 104 degrees and not so much fun. I felt sick when we got home and spent the evening laying around.
Last Monday we had an all-staff meeting at work. How long could that possibly take? Apparently five hours or more. Ick. I had to leave after (only) four hours, since I had arranged to have a tour of the Tesla property with an historian. Mike came along for the tour and some of the staff who could escape the meeting from hell joined us. It was a great tour and Dan was fascinating. He had photos of what the place used to look like and was able to stand where the photos were taken and show us the sites of the buildings. I must remember to send him a thank-you note. It was still hot out and the wind was blowing fiercely, so it was exhausting after a little while.
Wednesday I went to a Defensive Driver Training class that the state requires for all employees. It was actually a pretty good class and maybe something all adults ought to take as a refresher. What did I learn? Don't drive while using a cell phone, not even the hands free. It ain't worth it. This goes for you, too.
I took Friday as a furlough day, so I ended up having a four day weekend. Ah, what complete luxury. What useful thing did I accomplish with all of this free time, you ask? What lofty goals did I reach? What long-term tasks did I complete? Well...not much. I did, as the Brits say, bugger all on Friday. Ok, I paid bills and cleaned up the ten tons of mail that were lying around. Nothing exciting.
Saturday I made a nice pancake breakfast (the only cooking I did all weekend), then Mike and I went over to Rita's new apartment. It's really nice! We walked out and had a lovely lunch, then back (uphill after lunch-ugh!) and Mike installed a medicine cabinet and worked on her fridge. After Rita's we joined Cristina, her family, and 20 or so of her best friends in celebrating her college graduation. Her dad gave a lovely dinner at an Italian restaurant in Millbrae. It was fun and boy, lots and lots of food. I'm still full.
Sunday was a day made for lounging. I sat outside in the sunshine and knitted for a bit. We had lovely weather this weekend. Mike worked steadfastly on his new kilt. I listed some things on Craig's List and got rid of them. By afternoon I felt guilty about not doing anything and I attacked the sewing room. It was so full of stuff from the apartment that I couldn't see the floor. I got it about 70% cleared out and re-arranged. I can actually get at things again. There's still a lot to do, but I can find my desk and that's a great improvement.
I didn't sleep Sunday night so I made up for it Monday morning. It was beginning to look a lot like Sunday until I got a call saying the chairs I wanted from Craig's List were available and we should come and get them. We took a little drive over to San Rafael and got our new Danish Modern chairs (4 for $100!) then stopped for dinner in Berkeley. Now, when I think of dining in Berkeley I think of either ethnic or chi-chi expensive food. Nope. We went to Looney's for BBQ. Ah, heaven. I had pulled pork, hush puppies, and sweet potatoes. Mike had ribs, collard greens, and beans. It was a great finale to the weekend.
Now I'm at work and should be working. I'll be in the office through Thursday, off Friday (I think) then down to Santa Cruz to help out with the animal collection in the tide pools on Saturday. Life is good.
|
|
|
| Overrated |
[May. 8th, 2009|10:37 pm] |
The four things that are overrated list, thanks to Shapely Prose:
1. The Beatles
2. Romantic weekend getaways
3. Star Wars
4. Madame Bovary
Your turn!
|
|
|
| Off to Los Angeles |
[May. 8th, 2009|11:04 am] |
|
After a long fight with brain cancer my uncle died at 5:00 this morning. I'm off to southern California and don't expect to be home until after my meeting in Monterey next Thursday. |
|
|
| Children's Panel |
[Apr. 30th, 2009|12:29 pm] |
I'm working on an interpretive panel that talks about the benefits of visiting the park to children. There's this huge California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights thing (huge in parks, the document itself is only about eight pages) and it gives reasons why kids should enjoy the outdoors. Things like: "Children who have gone through wilderness survival training had reduced occurrences of deviant behavior. (Gaston et al., 1978)" Well, thank God for that!
Here's what's bugging me about this document: some of the big reasons for kids to go out and play, explore nature, camp, and follow a trail are to prevent childhood and adult obesity. I'd rather have kids do all of those great things because they're fun and great learning experiences, not because we must all fear teh fatz. Do I really have to say on my panels that kids should go outside so they won't be fat? What about kids who are already fat? Wouldn't it be better to say go forth, have fun, and be healthy than to say go forth and don't be fat?
How's about I say: "Go outside and have fun, because fun is good for you." Yeah, I like that. |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
eliseeagle's journal