The Living Desert

Natalia had another field trip this week and this one took us to the Living Desert Zoo. It was a very nice place to visit with very nice presentations and gardens. On the way back home I saw the huge dinosaurs by Morongo and stopped so Natalia can see it since these giants were part of PeeWee's Big Adventure movie. A movie she has been watching much lately and she was very surprised at this.

"I love the forest. It is bad to live in cities: there, there are too many of the lustful"

- Friedrich Nietzsche

This week Natalia was again sick and I got sick as well. All our time after the Zoo was spent at home being comfortable.

Well, it was 50 books to check out for the prize and that didn't happen for us. We hit 40 books instead. I on the other hand am still reading Babbit. So far this year I am reading at a much slower pace. Apart from reading this week, House Of Cards was put up. I got through the whole season in two nights and another cliff hanger.

We got a little snow this past week after expecting at least a foot of snow from all the forecasters. Just goes to show everyone forecasting is a guessing game. One thing that happened to me this week was the day I was expecting to have to dig the berm to get in my driveway, I found a surprise. As I pulled up I noticed someone shoveled the driveway for me by hand. What a great surprise and Thanks! Pay it forward some said. True, I have in the past cleaned up neighbors driveways, so maybe this was my payback.

Marvel Legendary has hit my game table again and trying many more combinations. Hoping to have some money saved up and get a few more expansions for even more combinations. This coming week I look forward to using the Fantastic Four in their fight with the Mole Man and Galactus. I am sure Natalia will join me in the quest. This is a great solo game that keeps me going back to.

I Love My Backyard

Natalia, Yuli and me went out on a nice walk around the trails in town. Creeks are running and starting to get Yuli used to the water. It was very nice to go out with my two girls out on the trails. We are a bit behind on books this month to hit our 40 for Natalia. We missed one night as Natalia fell asleep early. This week Natalia has a field trip to see the desert life among other animals and it sounds fun.

We got about 4-6" of snow early this week and quickly warming up and melting. Maybe another small storm in a few days bringing about the same amount of snow.

Again another week of very little work and to get creative with my small income. Seems the norm these days Now currently reading Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

Below is a great quote from Benjamin Franklin over 200 years ago and I will say it still remains true to this day.

"Five hundred thousand pounds of sterling annually laid out in defending ourselves, or annoying our enemies, would have great effects. With what face can we ask aids and subsidies from our friends, while we are wasting our own wealth in such prodigality?"

Benjamin Franklin - 1779

I have a small rant and it has been awhile. Is it just me or do other people go through the "drive thru" at fast food places and end up waiting a long time for the idiot in front whom complicates things? That way is meant for fast ordering. Not complicated orders or for you to take your long time deciding and changing your mind. Know what you want, order, pay and drive off. 

Dice Tower this weekend had two live plays. Here is the live play to Smash Up! and a surprise game. I would love to play this game.

I Cheated On My Dirty Friends

Last Sunday Anthony Zahn was in town and I got to go on a very nice pleasant road ride. In the end it was 40 miles and I thought I would have problems. Not problems at all, other than the uncomfortable seat which felt like sitting on a 2x6 but I enjoyed myself. Hoping to hit the road another time but hard to find a group these days. Got to catch up a little on his doings and sad to hear things are not going so well, but we both keep getting up and moving on. Upon my arrival back to my car I was caught by my dirt friends cheating on them for a road bike. I had to quickly make an excuse.

Back to slowly reading about the war of 1812 and decided to go with another old sci-fi book. Finished reading The Man Who Mastered Time, a book published in 1929. This is one of the books offered by Singularity & Co. of their preserved projects. I like any of the old type reads as so many have predicted things happening now and I like to see what the world was like back then. I like how this book started and was hoping for the same but it became a semi love story much the same way as the Time Machine. I wondered why they bothered to prepare for battle when they have a time machine and can alter any future. Either way an entertaining book. My next read will be Babbitt, another Sinclair Lewis novel.

Looking forward another few days with Natalia and a friends birthday party and her schools Pajama Party tomorrow. Next week a field trip I hope we can both be able to make. Hoping for some cooler temps and maybe some wet stuff this weekend.

"I've... seen things you people wouldn't believe... Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those... moments... will be lost in time, like tears... in ... rain. Time... to die..."

- Roy Batty, Blade Runner

Tour of California got its official announcement and hoping to find a spot around the lake to see some riders on Friday with Natalia.

Oh The Things That Happen To Me!

Natalia had her Valentine's day party at school and came home with a bunch off real nice homemade items from her friends. Also can't forget another small stash of candy. No hikes these days as Natalia rather stay at home and play around. Still need a few more rocks for my planter in the front yard.

Our local library has another nice program, where reading 50 books by the end of the month gets us a cool bag. Wow! Natalia and me are going for it! Finished reading Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here and I can say - WOW! A book written in the 1930s and so much if what Lewis wrote can be seen happening today. A book everyone must read. What to read next?

"He continued to tell himself that his main ambition was to make all citizens healthy, in course and mind, and that if he was brutal it was only toward fools and reactionaries who wanted the old clumsy systems."

- Sinclair Lewis

Still got the touch or skills. Revived an old rapid fire shifter on a Bontrager bike I bought about a year ago. Now the front one may need some love as well. Got a set of used bars to fit my small body and got rid of the super wide riser bars and 130mm stem. Now to clean up good, get rid of those lame pedals and maybe take her on a maiden voyage soon. Hoping to find more parts from her time, especially a nicer seat. 

Another trip to court and another continuation. This will never end. Been dragged for almost a year her fake allegations and no final ruling. At least It didn't cost me hundreds of dollars to be sent home again as usual. So sad that the system drags these fake allegations. Sad that someone lies so much and doesn't even spend that much time with their daughter. It all comes down to money for lawyers and in the end a few dollars for support while the child suffers and I truly fear will have a good happy up bringing.

In the many things that only happen to me, I got a call from the Navy asking me where I am at. Just when I thought I fulfilled my 8 year contract, someone put in a 4 month extension for me. I had no idea, requested or signed any such agreement. But somehow they have paperwork that can't be produced. Someone screwed up and finger pointing I am sure was everywhere. How could such a thing happen? Really?! It's the Navy! So four more months for me. No big deal.

Please take the time to listen to the No Agenda Show and cut through all the lies and manipulation the media and government engage in. John and Adam just cut through it all for the real news. Don't live in fear but simply sit back and laugh and know what is next. 

What Do You Say?

Spring is here and looks like winter never hit us. I do not like it, but you never know up here. Work has been tough to come by this months as usual in January. Cut backs to increase bonuses for others not me. I take those days off to relax and stay home. Have a stack of books to read, and board games to learn. Got a new game for Natalia and a fun short one. She already beat me the first time playing.

A moment almost brought tears to my eyes a few days ago when I catch Natalia in a quiet place in the house talking to God telling him she is glad she is at daddy's house. WOW! What do you say or think? All this and knowing the system really doesn't care what the child wants or is best for them. I continue to spend money and fight false reports and be used by the lawyers that have no interest in the child but on acquiring more retainers.

Currently reading Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here and one book everyone must read. So many things in this book are happening now. Shocking to see what can happen with out checks and balances and our constitution.

Around the house I got a bunch more bulbs to plant around and may have too many. Hopefully they pop this year but they will be planted for next year. I will have many cut flowers soon. I will take any recommendations on flowers and plants for this area. I also hope my pumpkins come up this year as I plan on planting a few for October. Also a new board game will hit the gaming table this weekend and hope Natalia likes it as I am sure she will.

I was blessed again Sunday with another great mountain bike ride with my favorite people. The inner city trails of Riverside are bright green and in great conditions. This week Anthony Zahn brought me horrible news of the passing of Douglas Magnon. A person whom I came to know through him and cycling and shared the road with. Another great person taken from us in a rather quick matter. Enjoy the ride my friend!

Another Dice Tower live play and this time it is Small World. Enjoy!

A Little Of Everything

Still spring like temps but starting to get chilly earlier in the day. A few real windy days on the mountain and some rain this week and maybe another day this week. Nothing to brag about.

Natalia had the big birthday party for her dolls this week and it went off with no problems. I was in charge of the cookies. Another great week in town with a short hike in the quietness of the forest. Another trip collecting rocks for another planter I am working on in the front. Natalia and me are playing more an more board games and it puts a big smile on my face and hopes. She learns so much from these games and I love to spend the time around a table in a quiet house playing. We also been going through so many books lately on our daily night reading that I am starting to wonder when we will read every book on the library.

Natalia also this week introduced herself to PeeWee Herman. I know the stories but his movies and shows are somewhat classics. Now she knows what PeeWee's bike looks like and knows the dance.

Got to ride my mountain bike again this past week and it was a nice ride as usual. Long but with many long stops to share tall tales and pictures. I will say I do not like the many trails being cut all over Riverside but there has been a few descent additions. So many riders in Riverside nowadays and surprising as years back it was just mainly our group. We all knew each other. I did have fun banging away on some downhill sections and just for a few seconds riding like I like.

Work again has started to cut hours and really hurting my income, but that is always expected of it. Sadly seems this time around the many managers there do not care of peoples situations but their owns.

This week I hope to get into Sinclair Lewis' book It Can't Happen Here and get through it quick and see what it is about and keep moving through the French and Indian War.

This week another live Dice Tower play-through of Memoir '44 with Tom and Sam. I know, very geeky.

The Skies & Another Waste Of Time

Spring like temperatures again and slowly getting the urge to start planting but I know I have to wait as we will still get more snowstorms this year. I did get a great deal on tulip bulbs at work and planted them all scattered. Maybe a little too late for this spring but we will see. I love tulips but sadly they do not last too long. The big talk has been the awesome skies with their sunrises and sunsets.

A weekend at home like many the way Natalia likes them. At home in town playing games and relaxing. Some forest walking, park playing and library trip is what it's all about. Natalia tends to beat me at all the games. Even dominoes where the odds are 50-50 it is more like 100-0.

Natalia tells me she is not going to school when she is with her mom and tends to stay over at her grandparents often. I know my ex will lie to me about this as she does with everything else.So off I go again to investigate and find out the truth.

Another deposition planned to waste my time and this time my attorneys fault as he didn't call me cancelling and another wasted day. The amount of money and time being wasted to this day and will never end with the nonsense and lies. But I keep taking punches and getting up. Bigger is that I have decided to stop dumping money in an attorney and getting dragged along with postponements and false claims. I can no longer keep paying and rather use that money for Natalia. I know it will be more headaches but this will never end with the changes and false accusations.

Picked up a book about the French and Indian War at the between 1755-1763 and hope to slowly learn more about it. Also put on order Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here as a recommendation from the No Agenda Show.

Below is a geeky video of a live play through of Robinson Crusoe. A game on my game table slowly trying to learn.

The Camels Left A Mess In The Room

Well not really. The camels didn't leave a mess after Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar left some gifts for Natalia and me. They did however take one of Natalia's picture she left for them.

This holiday season we got many board games to experience and enjoy. I am into the board gaming scene lately and amazed at the many great games and themes out there. Finding games to play with Natalia has been a pleasant challenge. I can recommend a few good ones. Pictured is My First Carcassonne for younger children and slowly Natalia is getting the strategy and enjoying it.

Already with a slow start to my reading this year but we are just starting. I find myself re reading again some of the H.P. Lovecraft stories. Still trying to decide my next read. It is always a little hard to decide what story and world I will give my time to.

Natalia back to her school and she was looking forward to it. They sang her happy birthday and had a little celebration there as well. Quiet days at work and at home but that usually doesn't last.

This past Saturday was my last day serving and in uniform. felt a little sad and I do not like good byes so I just left Saturday with no word. I can not do another deployment with the custody and the way the state of California has been treating me. Plus I will say lately it seems to me that the I won't be really doing the job but simply wasting time and fulfilling nonsense requirements. So with that I close this chapter in my life and and exciting one and will miss it and miss any opportunities. I leave it to others to do the job. I ow move on to yet another chapter in my life and curious what it will bring as I have been through so much and experienced so much thus far in this world.

Are Those Hot Wheels Inside That Coach?

Natalia is now 5 years old! Another great week for Natalia full of gifts. More dress up items, Hot Wheels, clothes, a red fire truck and her first purse. It has been great for me to be here and experience all this with Natalia and my parents. This weekend we wait for the 3 Kings to stop by the house and drop off some gifts for Natalia and me. I hope they don't leave a mess as they have in the past.

The snow melting and not many good spots to go playing. So I went to my secret place and got in some good runs. I, however got a workout and some sweating pulling Natalia into and around the woods in search for some nice slopes.

The story again out here has been the traffic. For some reason this year highway 330 has been used much and causing hours of delays while highway 18 has been somewhat clear. In the past highway 330 has been a bit unknown by many but locals and was always the sure way up faster. Not this time around. The worse of this has been those stopping in the middle of the road to chain up or worse, to play in the snow in traffic. It will always amaze me the lack of common sense and security for their children.

I got to go back out again on a mountain bike ride again with my people after a long hiatus and it was short and easy but that is never the issue. It is about getting out there together. Again another stroll to Mt. Roubidoux in Riverside in pretty cold conditions but by the end it started to warm up and back to work for me. I do hope we get together again as many Sundays as possible. This weekend I have what may be my last drill weekend. Not really feeling it anymore and that can be a good thing. However to wear the uniform is a great thing and an honor.

"We live as we dream. Alone."

Are dreams real? Natalia asked me this and I would have to say yes. We spend a good percentage of our existence here sleeping and in a dream state. So why can't that be real as oppose to when we are awake. In the end all experiences are kept in the mind and processed by your mind which is the same as dreaming.

This summer we see another Marvel movie and this one taking another obscure character in the Ant Man. From what they did with Guardians of the Galaxy I can expect this one to also be entertaining. One complaint is that I dislike the main actor and hope to get past that.

You, Me & Dr. Doom

Two storms since last post and nothing major. The story here has been the traffic. Last weekend with almost no snow we had huge traffic of about 4 hours just to get to town. This weekend after our recent storm I am sure it will be even worse. I get all the shopping I need and stay at home for days with Natalia. I am not leaving town at all. This storm left us with the cold powdery snow which is easy to clean up and driveway all clear. No storms forecasted anytime soon and a rise in temperatures again.

It was a good Christmas and I was looking forward to it. Santa got Natalia all she wanted. She got her super heroes and Hot Wheel track and cars. I got a few board games. Yuli too got a present from Santa but like many kids she rather chew on my old towel from boot camp. Natalia likes her cars and the Dr. Doom she asked for, Now we have a villain to play with.

Work has been OK and I got to enjoy myself a bit selling chains for hours. Just to listen to the questions people ask. To my surprise no one has argued with me over sizes. After that fun, I get to go up the hill and see the chaos and the people trying to figure out chains. I will say people in general lately, at least here have lost common sense and the ability to figure things out. People just don't try or want others to do for them. But the installers along the roads up here are not complaining and just taking in the money from these people.

The new year is here and I really do not celebrate. I thought with the recent traffic I would celebrate the new years in traffic on the 330 with countless others. But the roads were cleared and I got home rather fast after zooming past a few cars almost stopped with chain issues.

Spent much of the past weekend "geeking" out watching the Dice Tower do its 18 hour gaming marathon. Did not accomplish my reading goal this year and I knew I was not going to due to my deployment. Took me a while to get adjusted. This year I will set a goal of 30 books and hope to get that accomplished by the end of the year.

Again we see another attack from us against North Korea. Now we blame them for a hack of a movie that was clearly an inside job but this government looses no chance to create enemies and instability. Why should we. We now must make sure South Korea buys our weapons and training. So fear must be instilled constantly to increase sales. With that being said a few days later Sony gets hacked again but this time it wasn't blamed on North Korea. Sony whom has gotten hacked over 50 times in recent times. We also now are starting to see "terrorist" events in Canada. Hmmmm.... I simply ask everyone to question and not fall for the fear tactics being used so much and open today.

Below is a great video I want to share with all.