Soundtracks to my Life

Based on a Calvin and Hobbes strip, I have often wondered if I had to choose a soundtrack that would represent my life what would it be. Rock, country, classical, or ??? There is so much good music out there, but that is not the exercise. Finding one that would represent me as a person. Not different stages in my life, but rather the total sum of who I am. What would be yours, reader? What music, when boiled down, would be an accurate representation of who you are, who you were, and who you will be? Think about that and get back to me.
Camping was good this past weekend, except for Monday. Had a case of stomach flu that put me down for the count. I was in bed from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and then from 7:30 pm until 6:30 am. Not fun. But other than the mosquitoes, I had a great time. New trailer is rather spacious - it better be for 31 feet long. Something I said I would never do, we did - i.e. the trailer.
Abby and Tuck had a great time, I believe. They played well and love to sit around and dig in the dirt. Tuck found the biting ants and then freaked every time he saw another. He counseled me at each siting,"Dada, watch out for the biting ants." It will not surprise me if he becomes some sort of animal veterinarian; he loves bugs and animals. Abigail on the other hand screamed almost causing a wreck whilst I was driving a 4x4 road when a bumble bee landed on her. She does not like bugs.
Be back soon.

Trailer Woes and New Bows

Got a trip planned this weekend - Memorial Day. I don't think that anyone else will be traveling. I am sure that most folks will avoid traveling on the holiday weekend, they'll travel the weekend after or something like that. I am quite sure it will be smooth sailing.
Plans are to meet at Big Meadows and camp up behind the Horse Corrals. I might find time to shoot my new bow. PSE X-Force. It is supposed to shoot 350 f.p.s. However, in reading some articles, it may not be the most forgiving bow. We shall see this weekend, when I put a couple of hundred arrows through it.

Things that Go Bump in the Night

For a while now, I have not been sleeping all that well. Probably the stress of opening a new business. Payroll alone is giving me fits. As for things that go bump in the night, that was me last night at 12, 2, 4, and 6 AM. Always up and all ways hitting or stepping on something. I keep telling myself it will all work out, but this adventure is keeping me up at night.
Luckily for me, I have a very supportive woman that I love dearly. I can do no wrong in her eyes. Knowing that helps ease the strain somewhat, but it is always there - boiling right under the surface. I know it will pay off in the end; however, the beginning is what will drive a man to the watering hole.
In discussing this with some of my opposing counsel, they have all said to a man that I have done some good hiring. I think so too...now if we can generate enough cash to make this venture pay off. It is the overhead that makes me batty. How to cut it back is the key question. I know that there are certain ways we can reduce the overhead, but the backlash will be rather substantial. That is going to be a key factor in whether I am successful or not in this business. Much like Solomon, I pray for wisdom to make intelligent decisions.

Stress, Strain, and Single Malt Scotch

Well readers, I am back. After a somewhat lengthy blog hiatus, I have returned with an absolute lack of interest in doing anything whatsoever. Right about now, communism sounds pretty damn good to me. The thought that I could live off the labor of others while working in the communal fields every once in a while does sound rather inviting. I would like to be the communal hunter, providing meat or fish for the bellies of my oppressed brethren. The likelihood of such an event is remote, but a man can dream can't he?...
I have opened a new office in Fresno. Hired a new attorney, a paralegal, and a secretary. If you want to lose weight rapidly, start a new business venture. Such things will drive a man to drink, and right now I am working on two fingers of 15 year old single malt, The Balvenie. Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2005, it is a work of art. Slight hints of honey and vanilla, with an oak-like finish at the end. I do believe that this is one of my favorites.
I have several other types in my liquor globe. I have some Irish whiskies, and some American Bourbons. But the Scotch is my favorite. Sometimes I wonder if that makes me sound like a whisky snob. Then I think to myself, who cares. On hand at the moment, I have the following: Glenfiddich, The Glenlivit, Laphroaig, The Macallan, and Highland Park. I have some Bushmills and Crown Royal as well, but those don't hold sway over me like the others. Should anyone ever ask about what to start with, I would suggest to go with the oldest you are able to afford. Younger whiskys are cheaper for the obvious reasons, but if you are able try and get something 12 years or more old.
In my experience, blended whiskys and young single malts, i.e. less than 7 years old, burn the tip of the tongue. Middle age single malts, i.e. 8 - 12 years, burn the back of the tongue. Older single malts warm up the chest, and therein lies the draw. It is not a whisky I would buy to get drunk, although if you consume enough you can do it very easily. I would buy it for the experience.
On my fortieth birthday, I am hoping to find an old bottle of single malt, i.e. 25 - 30 years old, for the celebration. We shall see what dreams may come.
Time to roll on out of here....back sooner rather than later.

Time to Myself

Just finished Team of Rivals, which was an historical account of Abraham Lincoln's presidential bid in 1860 and the highlights/lowlights of his terms of office thereafter. It was a great read, almost like a novel. It definitely put a face on the man that I had not understood before. I highly recommend this book.
Just getting ready for a mini vacation. J and I are taking off starting the end of next week, on the 20th. We have discussed where to go and are torn between going to the house on the coast or somewhere else. I honestly would like to go somewhere new, where neither of us have ever been. Northern California/Southern Oregon, Arizona/New Mexico, or ???
The problem is having to drive all that way. I would like to relax wherever we decide to go. I would love to show my wife the Lizard Head Wilderness, which is one of my favorite places on God's Green Earth. This place makes you believe that someone with an eye for beauty designed this world. Life seems to take on a different meaning when you are able to take the time and really "see" a landscape such as this.
I think that the north coast would be a great trip. Nice and cool. We shall see.
I am finishing up the story I promised and will post it here soon. Trying to paint a visual picture with words is the key. When I am happy with it, I will post it - not before then.
Back soon...

Box of Rain

Another week from Hell down the drain. We had some rain this week, I think. This is not the rain that we had, but it is a picture of a rain storm that came up the canyon while I was at Mitchell's cabin. It was literally a box of rain that moved up the canyon and then receded several times.
Financially the week was good, psychiatrically it was bad. Taxing. Starting with a client who had nothing but bad to say about me and the system altogether. The system is bad, no doubt about it. No one can be made happy in this system. If you want to go broke/bankrupt and possibly get divorced. Employment divorce takes its toll on everyone involved.
At this point in time, I am just dropping in for a second to continue this blog-thing. No viewers that I can see so far, but really - who cares. Writing seems to give me some peace. In my world such things are invaluable.
Since I have no viewers, I wonder where I can take this. I suppose the sky and the rules as set down by Blogger.com for posting are the limit. I was thinking of recounting some of the people, places, and things that I have met, seen, and done in my short 38 years thus far.
The more I think about it, I think that is where I want to go with this. I am going to start tonight with some of the things that I have seen. Oddities and bone-chilling occurrences going back some time...
Soon, my friends. Soon. Take a deep breath
dp

March 22, 2007

I finally figured out how to log on from the home box. Some technology is too technological.



J left for Solvang, in her new urban assault vehicle - Suburban. I am not positive, but I think that the official name brand of the color is Snow Blindness White. That was according to the sales manager. Although his veracity on other matters of the negotiations was questionable, my corneal burns settled any challenges from me on UV level reflection properties of the paint job. She is traveling with three others from the church, including her sister.



According to the salesman, there are 18 different computers on board. It has that active fuel management, i.e. at highway speeds drops from 8 cylinders to 4. It is also a flex-fuel vehicle, capable of burning ethanol. My fuel mileage is horrible - 12 to 14 mpg; nevertheless, I take heart in knowing that the truckers aren't missing me out there.



We splurged and got the super ultra first class top of the line Scotch Guarding - inside and out. I have hired two people to test it out over the next couple years. They have a total of eight years experience between them. Despite their presenting without any formal recommendations, we are going to take a chance and see what happens. I sure in the end, I will feel like I was robbed blind.



There was another Suburban same year but with every single upgrade available, except the in-seat DVD screen. It was a rental return with 16,000 miles. Approximately the same price. Every digital option, sun roof, heated seat...but the miles. On Star, XM, remote start...but the miles. Leather seats, running boards, tinted windows, polished wheels...but the miles. We opted for the one without the miles. We're gonna drive this one until the wheels come off...

Just checked the clock. Time for Eyelid Theater starring I.M.D. Sandman.

dp

March 20, 2007

Rain. In March. In the central San Joaquin valley. Used to be that as an expression of disbelief for an uncommon occurrence we would say "it's going to rain." I am looking at it out my office window right now and it is coming down in buckets. Thunderstorms expected, but I will believe that when I see it.

Talked to CJ today, and he said that he had found the mythical road that goes all the way to the upper reaches of the north fork of the Kaweah River. We have searched for this road for years. I am not convinced, and will remain thus until it is driven to the end. I have spent many an hour on Google Earth searching the area east of Hartland trying to find a way. The closest I get is the Cherry Gap road, but that leaves about 3/4 of a mile from the river. That in and of itself isn't bad, however, it is 3/4 of a mile of steep mountain.

If you want to see what I am talking about, cut and paste the following on Google Earth in the Fly To window: 36 37' 42.65" N 118 53' 59.05" W

Back out a little and you can see what I am talking about. It is STEEP and choked with manzanita, buck brush, and poison oak. Rattlesnakes abound. All to catch some damn fish, you say? Not just any fish. Native brown trout in deep blue pools that never are bothered by fishermen. Makes me want to lace up right now and head that way. No planter trout here. Natives only.

There is a spot there that is without a doubt one of the most beautiful spots on earth. I don't know what it is exactly called, and I have only been there once. But it is a place I will never forget.... and it is a story that I will relate another day.

Going to go out and catch this storm for a little while.

dp

March 19, 2007

Since my relatives in the great white north have seen fit to make their own blogs, I think that I shall do the same. Parity, you understand.

I must admit that in my favorites, I have a link to:
.... Flying Higher...: The wonder in play.
Which is Bruce and Becky's blog. From there I go from place to place, site to site, and blog to blog so that I can keep track of all of the other components of our very extended family.

It has been terribly hot here lately: high 70's and low 80's. The orchards are in full bloom and the Blossom Trail, I expect, must be quite a sight to see. I was out with the old man at the Sherwood Forrest G.C. Saturday, and could literally see the pollen hanging in the air. I paid for that trip later - so did JW with my snoring due to the allergies.

I'll check back in later. We shall see if this is something that I like to do, or if this winds up being my only post.