Claim Jumpers

And the Holiday keeps rolling on, this time at Claim Jumpers:

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And of course, the star of the evening...

       

I Should Be a Genius...

Based on this study, I should be a genius...

Chocolate, Wine, and Tea Improve Cognitive Performance

Typical Day

Today was a typical Christmas Holiday day. It started at the Smoke Zone with Dave enjoying a fine cigar...

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We had periodic updates from Paul, who is in Illinois with Heather and her brother Jayden, regarding the tornado warnings in his area...

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Then it was off to dinner with Theule’s...

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which of course included our wonderful grand-daughter, Penelope!

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Life is GOOD!!!

Merry Christmas!

       
She liked the Care Bear...

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And Mia liked the tree:

Finally

       
After about 7 months without being able to hold Penelope in my arms, I held her. Life is good!

Snow?

Who could have even predicted we’d ever get snow 3 miles from the house. On the way to the tower I took these pictures in the Newhall Pass. Then, at the tower I was able to get a panoramic view of the valley’s snow fall. Cool.

Here’s the Newhall Pall by the house (14 and 5 interchange)

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Facing north from Burbank Tower:

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Look what flew into Burbank!

One of most ultimate planes on earth flew into Burbank....here’s a hint...

Mexico '08

Having my parents join us (as a surprise) was a delightful treat. Anne and Max, Sandy and I along with Mom and Dad had a great, relaxing time.

Mexican Sunset

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I have to admit, traveling on the high seas reveals the most gorgeous sunsets...

Mazatlan from the sky...

I was able to take my iPhone with me in the sky above the Sea of Cortez to snap away. My favorite shot was the panoramic view of the beach and bar.

Zipping, Para Sailing, and Snorkling...Ahhhh

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I must say, Zipping through the forest for almost an hour with 10 different lines was quite the thrill. The four of us (Mom, Dad, Max, and I) loved every minute of it!


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Celebrating Thanksgiving early

Since Sandy and I are going on a cruise, missing Thanksgiving, Sandy decided to cook up a Thanksgiving meal last night with all the trimmings. We had a good time with friends and family. Life is Good. (Paul decided to jump out of the picture. He knew the camera would break.)

Morro Bay

Camping in Morro Bay, good times. After Uncle Sammy's funeral in
Fresno, we scuttled over to Morro Bay to take in the sea. Sweet.

Sandy's Birthday

We're at the Grove in LA at Maggiano's Italian restaurant for Sandy's
birthday. We came on a limo, life is good.

Home, Again

I’m finally home after being in Oklahoma City for 2 weeks in a FAA Instructor Course. Good times. Since Sandy is still in Louisville hanging with Alicia, Casey, and Penelope, I’m being accompanied in the car with our other child...(It’s difficult taking pictures at 70 MPH...)

Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial

I'm at the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, it's quite sobering. Inside
there are several artifacts and videos of survival/rescuer stories and
videos. They have parts of the Rider Truck, memorial pictures and
stories of the dead. I'm glad I made the trip.

Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Division Museum

Today my morning was spent at the 45th Infantry Division of Oklahoma. I was actually impressed with their collection and spent at least and hour and a half there reading and looking at the collection. My favorite part was the actual write-ups and models of the Medal of Honor recipients. They even had a lot of Hitler’s stuff taken during his last days.

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Here are a few more pics

Fire on Google Earth

So, the red area is the evacuation zone and where the fire is going. Latest is that it may jump I 5 freeway eastbound and work it’s way up to Santa Clarita when the winds shift northward. The 4.77 mile line is from our house to the center of the fire. (Did I ever mention that I love Google Earth?


PS, it’s interesting watching a fire from Oklahoma City.

More Fire

Eating at Claim Jumpers near the house we saw the fire coming over the
hill toward the house. Wonderful, I'll get to see my house burn down
in the paper. Here's a picture from the restaurant window; you can see
the flames just above the lights of our housing area. (fairly with the cellphone camera).

Fire! Here We Go Again

Listening to the fire fighting planes fly over the house reminds me of that time of the year. It’s fire time! Another fire is getting too close to home. Such is life.

Kyle may join OJ

Kyle aquired a "tool" that will help him join OJ as well. What goes on
in Vegas "stays" in Vegas.

MIA joins OJ

Mia decided to meet up with OJ

Winner!

Kyle's first attempt at gambling nets him $100, go figure. We were at Chumash Casino in Solvang, CA

She's a real cuddle bug

Kyle's band

So Kyle and friends started a new band:

Tribute To Walt

Channel 2 News did a tribute to Walt Fuller, my friend and ex-boss that passed away in the Metrolink collision.

Tribute to Walt Fuller

Metrolink Collision

At 3:35pm this afternoon, Walt Fuller (Tower Manager of Burbank Tower--my ex-boss) and I had a discussion before exchanging good-byes, and, he left for the train to go home. It is 2:00am and no one has heard from him. His wife has not heard from him. The Metrolink Train collided with a freight train and he is missing. Our prayers go out to the family and Walt. We can only hope for the best, that he is discovered this evening.

UPDATE: Please pray for the family and friends of Walt Fuller as he has passed away in the train.

Angels are in

It doesn’t get too much sweeter than clinching the AL West by beating the Yankees. Here’s what I’m wearing to work tomorrow:

Still enjoying Google Earth

Google Earth also displays weather (real-time), so I can see when it’s raining in Goodyear, AZ. It never rains in Southern California though.

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Alicia and Casey's

One thing I love about Google Earth is the street view. They even drove by Alicia and Casey’s apartment. I think I even see their car in front! Really cool:

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Pretty cool.

Grandparents Day

Let us not forget that today is declared Grandparents Day, thanks to President Carter (one thing he did right...).

Lake Elsinore has gone to the Cats

Steve, you’ll love this: Bobcats take over foreclosed house in Lake Elsinore.

Cats on a bank-owned roof: Bobcats claim foreclosed house

More blog entries

Mom says I don’t blog enough (who’d a thunk my mom would be into blogs...). So here’s a picture of Paul, his girl-friend, Heather, and Heather’s brother Jaydon getting ready to go fishing in Ventura.

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They caught a crab...

Pismo, Good Times

Three days after retirement we spent the week on the beach at Pismo Beach. Our friends have a couple of Honda Pilots (the dune buggies) and we had a great time riding the dunes of Pismo. What a way to transition to the semi-retired life! Click here for more pics.

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Officially Retired from Air Traffic

It started in Oklahoma City, Alicia being 1 1/2 years old and Paul 6 months, 1985. There they “screen” new hires to see if they have the right stuff to be a controller and I passed. From there it was Oakland Center for about 5 years working radar (even got to control the SR-71 and U2 often). Then it was off to Palo Alto Tower for a couple of years. By now Kyle was born and life long friends established (Alicia and Paul’s kindergarten teacher, Anne, and her husband Max), it was off to Southern California at Burbank Approach Control (now part of Southern California Approach Control in San Diego). Santa Monica Tower after that for 4 years.

Finally to Burbank Tower in 1997 (with a stint at LAX in between). Controlling planes and supervising crews has been an absolute joy. Although I’m going to miss the action greatly, moving on to other challenges will be equally fun and challenging. Right now I’ll be instructing new controllers in a classroom and simulator setting for the time being with WCG (Washington Consultant Group).

Life is Good.

Rossi Wins!

Matt, Paul and I had a great time at the races. Thousands of motorcycles littered the hillsides. We even got to hang with my nephew, Ben. Life is good.

Cannery Row, Motorcycle Country

Thousands party on Cannery Row, good time!

Laguna Seca Moto GP Qualifications

They are racing for time to see where they start tomorrow