Life Changes?

Nice cool days up here and Thursday decided to go for a short walk by Keller Peak. A short walk on one of our normal areas and Natalia ended up waist deep in water. Can't blame her, she is my child and nothing a towel and the washer can't fix. Friday was another great day as we made our way to the Lego store and to the bookstore for geek fan day activities in great company. Saturday again we stopped by the market, library and park as usual in a rather warm morning. However Saturday we had some very special visitors come up to our cabin to share a few hours and a few games. I really enjoyed playing Survivor with four players and Natalia again managed to sneak in a win. How does this happen? Later it was off to Natalia's grandparents for a BBQ spread.

Still slowly reading Seveneves and it has slowed down a little past the half way point and hope for a strong surprising finish from Neal Stephenson.

Sunday I was blessed to again be able to go on another ride with the AARP folks and a little warm but as always a great ride among great company even though a few of us only joined us partway through the ride. I am getting the itch again to go for a long trail run and since I have a few days off coming up and deciding to spend them at home sharing if possible with my new connection. I will say I am feeling more at peace with myself and less stress lately which is a great thing for me.

Later this week thunderstorms are expected for a few days and I am hoping for that and ready for the storms we have been getting lately. Maybe even lower temps are forecasted. This weekend Natalia sadly will not be present in the house and I will miss her and hope to spend more time with my new "hopeful" companion getting to know each other more. Maybe some running and another mountain bike ride this coming Sunday. Also hoping to learn a new game to share and experience.

Check out the Dice Tower preview videos on GenCon. Here is part 1 of many more.

Fearsome Twosome

Fearsome Twosome is what Natalia called us on Thursday. Another great few days with Natalia and Thursday we hit the bookstore, comic book store and stuffed our faces with shrimp tacos. Friday we went back down to the bookstore for Minion day and it was OK. Not really any effort for activities and it felt forced on the store but Natalia won the final prize which was a poster of Scarlet Overkill. We also picked up a few more figures for Heroscape and Saturday was Star Wars day at the bookstore and another trip was made. This one I was unable to make it and my parents took her. Sadly I missed that activity.

The Navy finally screwed me over this weekend. Seems the new Navy is becoming automated and trying to take out the human intervention. I was pushed to a volunteer unit as I failed to log on to a system that works part of the time. Even after I received order to 4th Marines Airwing. Those orders they cancelled and stuck me in a volunteer unit not being paid. The good news is I no longer have to put up with my older unit and its lack of leadership and huge favoritism. I am now in a non paid status but with opportunities still to pick up side "orders" and among great people with the "no nonsense" politically correctness attitude. I may be concentrating in the funeral honors and hopefully do those for side money and the great honor that comes with that task.

This weekend our area got hit pretty good with rain and much welcomed. Haven't seen so much activity like this in the two days it hit. Hope to see more rain as it is being said we may get this winter. But again weather forecasters are usually never right. Other than predicting global warming and the end of civilization!

Rant: This weekend as well at the Navy reserve center I was not fully amazed at the "bullshit" security implemented. I feel bad for those that feel it was actual security. I went ahead and pointed this out and some was fixed the next day. But what I am still amazed is how the Navy and I am sure other branches choose and pass orders that force us to cower and take measurements to show we are not in the military. Hide your uniform, don't wear your uniform in public or worse be seen wearing it. Wow! What's next, make sure all our flags are taken down at home and any identifying images/items.  But no surprise that our president now chooses to honor the incident by lowering the flag a week later, after so much complaints were made and I am sure were finally seen by this administration. Thanks, but no thanks. Let worry more about a drug addict like Whitney Huston whom contributed nothing to this nation but giving her this honor.

Summer By The Fireplace

A change in weather last week. So far it is mid July and really no hot days. I am sure they will be here but so far a cool summer and even winter. As you can see on Thursday Natalia wanted the fireplace on and decided to make some smores for her.

Temperatures warmed up a bit as the weekend hit and we went to the park as usual and spent all of Friday smoking some pork shoulder that was to repeat again. Natalia is on track as well with the summer reading program at the library and got a prize. I know she doesn't read yet but I read to her every night and I find it entertaining as well. Another normal work week and drill weekend coming up and I am hoping my change of unit will not affect drilling where I have for years.

Still reading Seveneves and an entertaining read thus far. I must say Stephenson's writing has got me thinking and getting a little scared at the scenario he has painted. This is yet another long novel by Neil Stephenson and hope to get thorough it by months end.

Got some Heroclix super hero figures to have more fun with the Heroscape game and maybe next month start budgeting some more terrain. Heroscape is a very fun game that Natalia and me really enjoy. Also found a game about the Natchez Trace called Breaking The Devil's Backbone at the thrift store. The game doesn't see very good but I will play it with Natalia as it gives some historic references.

Sunday was another pleasant ride with the AARP folk out to Mt. Roubidoux. Nice temperatures and as always a nice outing with great company.

Among the few perks at work, I get to listen to stupid questions and if lucky idiotic behavior. Yesterday I was asked for waterproof soil for planting. Then not long after that I was asked by a person how seeds work? Hmmmm. Well, the seeds go in soil and you water it and they grow to whatever the seed is. However, I wouldn't use waterproof soil for that! LOL.

This week the new DC Comics movie, Suicide Squad got a trailer release and I must say it looks entertaining. But not a movie for children.

Happy Treason Day

Independence Day spent with Natalia watching the fireworks. This year we decided to see them in Big Bear and it was rather nice. I was amazed how fast I found parking. In the end a nice day as Natalia got to play in the lake and watch the show with me and her grandparents. Along with the festivities Natalia wanted to play Zombie '15 which we lightly played and she liked fighting the "fatties". Also a bunch of puzzles as Natalia is quickly doing them almost blindfolded. Overall another great time spent with Natalia.

Sunday was another great few hours spend riding with my people. A very nice pleasant ride to see and feed the wild donkeys. A few nice pictures posted on Facebook. Again, looking forward to another ride next weekend.

Finished reading to Try Men's Soul and found it a nice educational read. I will read the others in the series. My weekly trip to the library I saw Seveneves sitting on a table, another lengthy novel by Neil Stephenson and I picked that up for my next read.

No Agenda Podcast has posted Show 200.7 Redux which describes the birth and reason for the show and its structure. A must for every new listener to see why this is the best place for information. Clearly no agenda or corruption in discussing today's happenings and sometimes great history lessons. 

Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist is now on Netflix. See the inside story of Pantani and his struggle. I feel he was set up as gambling was allowed during that time and Armstrong may have had a hand on accusations as we now see some of his nasty actions and his involvement with the UCI and his payouts to the president and organization. A true sad story that took the life of a person.