Spock is crushing Data so far
At this point, Spock is winning hands down! (though voting is still open):
Spock (TOS) 15 65%
Data (TNG) 8 35%
The poll from yesterday…
A Day A The Game
Thanks to Josh and Robin Maher for letting us join them at the Sounder’s game! As the two videos show, we are having a great time and I even went and purchased a Sounder’s shirt. For the record, I never do that…
Kick Off:
Victory:
I even got called out for being a soccer, sorry football nube. That being said, I finaly learned what offsides means (well, the minimum of what a 4 or 5 year old would know), got a short history on a few of the players, and of course witnessed some great theatrics whenever anyone went down or was in any type of collision.
Winning 3-0 also doesn’t hurt to make it a great afternoon.
Elena Hams it up in Ballard
Good friends who I met when living in NYC were up in Seattle recently visiting from LA. Their daughter, Elena… Well, she likes the camera 
My Brother-in-Law is Now Known as the Bunny Guy
Hat tip to VideoGum. Though, regardless of how sad it is, it is funny.
The 900 Mile Loop Through Texas
With family…
My parents invited me to join them on a trip of nostalgia, visit’n, relax’n, eat’n and driving, lots and lots of driving.
We started off our trip by flying into Houston and visiting the Houston Memorial Cemetery to see my Grandpa and Grandma’s burial spot.
Grandpa & Grandma McGrew
From there we stayed with Jap and Louise Lott, who were longtime friends with my Grandpa and Grandma and are still close friends with my immediate family.
Jap & Louise Lott in front of their Houston area home
Jap flew P-51’s in the Pacific Theater during WWII and has stories upon stories upon stories to tell. Honestly, I never get tired of listening to any of his stories. Louise is my 1st cousin twice removed. They have been married 65 years and are still going strong.
Dad & I at the Battleship Texas
On our single full day in Houston we decided to visit the San Jacinto monument, where the Republic of Texas won its independence from Mexico. Which is commemorated by a huge monument (below) and the Battleship Texas [Dreadnaught Class] (above), which of course had nothing to do with Texas independence, though it did have a lot to do with WWI and D-Day and the Pacific Theater during WWII.
In a word, it was bad-ass! Unfortunately, we arrived after the Battleship Texas closed to visitors for the day, but we were able to hop the gate and get on board anyway (does that make us stow-a-ways?). While doing so, we met a volunteer who had just retired from 20 years in the Navy at the age of 37 and was volunteering on the Texas. He was able to give us a great short history of the old lady and truly loved what he was doing. We also met the ship’s curator whose life long dream was to be, well the curator. She shared with us that the voters of Texas approved $25M to place her in drydock and give her a major overhaul.
Washington DC Eat Your Heart Out
As I understand the Monument at San Jacinto is just a tad shorter than the one in Washington DC… Though, I am guessing it is bigger in other ways. Afterall, everything in Texas simply IS bigger.
From Houston we headed for my parent’s home town of Yoakum Tx which is about two hours from Houston. My Grandfather’s place is about seven or so miles from town and is over 400 acres, with a beautiful house placed right at the top of the hill with views of the surrounding farm all around.
View from the House of the South Pasture
A view from the Timber (Western edge of the Ranch)
View of the Shop and Northern Pasture from the yard
It is absolutely amazing out at the Ranch. There is something about the fact that the place as been in the family for three generations, not including my father and me. My grandfather (or Granddaddy as we call him) was born on the place and still lives there and works cattle. I guess it is the one place I have always called “home” even though I have never lived there for more than a few months at any given time.
Whenever I head down, I make sure to walk the pasture, play with the dogs, and soak up that hot Texas heat. I don’t care what time of year I go, it is always a small piece of paradise.
There were cousins, Aunts, Uncles, friends and all assortment of family that joined us. Usually on the back deck overlooking the “flat” and creek drinking cold perspiring bottles of Shiner Bock.
Just a few of us.
Just a few more of us
It is a close family and I love nothing more than getting together and talking (in the shade of course) about the past, the present and the future. With the addition of two new grandkids, the future discussions are just a bit less about politics, the economy, and of course ranch economics.
Sloane, one of the two new additions to the family.
I don’t think I ever saw my new Cousin-Once-Removed, Sloane not smile. I think it is a permanent fixture on her cute little face. I am guessing that she will grow up at the rodeo roping cattle and riding horses, just like her parents Tommy and Courtney. To be honest, this just makes me a bit jealous!
As for the rodeo, we made that too:
City Boy Enjoys a Bit of the Country (and learns not to wear flip flops to the Rodeo)
We were in Yoakum for my Mother’s High School reunion, which also coincided with the annual Tom Tom festival. Tom Tom was always a big event in Yoakum and has the Rodeo (above), parade (below), dancing (below) and a lot more in order to celebrate the annual tomato harvest.
View of the festivities from the dance floor
The "New" Edition Polka Band is tearing it up
Tom Tom Parade down Yoakum's Main Street
It was a great trip, I was able to see Jap & Louise, Grandaddy & Barbara, Aunt Linda, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Corliss, Uncle Owen, Aunt Kay, Uncle Mike, Uncle Howard and Cousins: Michael, Meredith, Wendy, Courtney, Jennifer, Rachel, Bret, and a slew of 2nd cousins, spouses, etc.
It was amazing seeing everyone and I thank you all for your hospitality and generous use of your homes, food and time!
Most of all, thanks Mom and Dad for inviting me to join you both on this amazing trip. I cherish the chance to take this trip and to spend this time with both of you.
More photos will be forthcoming… These photos were all taken with my iPhone.
Best quotes of the week:
“If you can remember when you lost your memory, then you haven’t really lost it”
“If arrogance and intelligence are a recipe for disaster, then my arrogance and stupidity are an excellent match”
“If I have to stay in this place any longer I am going to go crazy”
“I am eager to get to work so that I can get some rest”
“That rancher found the best cross-breed; oil and cattle”
900 Mile Texas Loop:
Houston >> Yoakum >> Cuero >> Yoakum >> Kerrville >> Austin >> Houston
Trout Everywhere Now Live in Fear of Me
After years of wanting to learn to flyfish I finally had the chance to go yesterday with a friend of mine, Brian Harper. We headed up to Lost Lake at Larrabee State Park, which is about a 4.6 mile hike in.
View from the Sourthern End of Lost Lake
We ended up crawling, slithering, and jumping to that floating island you see out in the water. There was a log that was sticking out from the shore on the left and we were able to make our way to the “island” where we spent a little over 4.5 hours trying our hand at the fishing.
Man, this is too much fun!
Giving it a go. I am sure my technique was all wrong my skill at acting (thinking like a fly) were all off, but it was a great time.
Hey, I must be a natural at this.
With this first catch, I think I became hooked. Now I have to go out and get the gear… (yikes)
There were a lot of similarities to sailing (another one of my favorite past times). Essentially you are trying to deal with as many variables as possible to ensure the best possible outcome. I was trying to correlate the change in wind patterns, change in temperatures and intensity of sunlight with fish activity and location. The tracking spreadsheets I could have fun with… This doesn’t even take into account; types of fly, sinking vs floating line, type of leeder, weight of the rod.
Oh, I am going to have a great time.
Twitter Screwing up Direct Messages
I just sent a direct message via Twitter to a good friend and it ended up going to someone else entirely. Fortunately, it was a close friend.
This is unacceptable. People send confidential information via the Twitter Direct Message (DM).
Has this happened to you?
How are these chickens smarter than I am?
How is it that they are smarter than I am?
As you can see I built a two level coop with an attached (enclosed) run and have built a much more klugy run along the side of the house, which is what they were escaping from… Since improved with stakes (so I hope).
Now is not the time for a concussion
I have been waiting patiently through the Fall and Winter for the beautiful Spring weather… Now that I have a concussion, I have been told to take it easy for no less than five days.
No tennis, skiing, biking, etc. I just may start wearing a helmet at all times. Actually, since I already do for skiing and biking, maybe I can pull it off while playing tennis as well.
Nighttime View at Harborview — scroll for pics
Last night, I worked late. And since it was a day of hard work and some accomplishments, I was thrilled when my girlfriend called me back and agreed to meet up for a drink. As I walked to the bar, I realized my cell phone was in the car but figured it wasn’t worth doubling back for.
I WAS WRONG.
I got to my car at the end of my evening, checked my phone and found EIGHT missed messages. I sat and listened to the four voicemails, which went something like this:
1. Nathan Kaiser – hang up.
2. Unrecognized # – “Hi, this is ______ from Amy Yee Tennis Center. I’m calling to let you know that an ambulance is coming to pick up your husband, Nathan Kaiser.”
3. Nathan Kaiser – “Hi, this is ______ from EMS. I’m calling from the ambulance to let you know that your husband here, and we’re taking him to Harborview.”
… I don’t remember the rest of the messages. I pulled out and hauled ass to Seattle’s one-and-only trauma center, cursing my decision to leave my phone in the car. Why the hell would they need to take Nate to Harborview?!?!?! There are other ERs in the area for less traumatic…
As I crested First Hill, Nate’s sister called. I answered the phone asking, “Are you with your brother?!?” Unfortunately, she wasn’t but she’d learned about his situation over Facebook. FACEBOOK! And she reassured me that if he’s well enough to post to Facebook, he’s not in dire straights.
Only my husband would post his condition to his Twitter, which updates his Facebook. Nate’s 900 followers on Twitter and 1000 friends on Facebook knew he was at Harborview before I did. Nuts.
I got to the hospital and found Nate like this:
The ER, Nate and the neckbrace
Turns out, Nate and another sailor collided heads during one of the sailboat races on Lake Washington. He ran off the sailboat to meet my grandfather for a game of tennis, but didn’t realize he’d been really injured. After losing the first set, he walked up to his opponents to shake their hands and call it quits–he was dizzy and couldn’t focus his eyes.
As he walked off the courts, he didn’t hold a straight line. They decided to call 911.
After much examination, Nate was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury, a concussion.
Doctors examining Nate. "You should wear a helmet next time."
Consultation before his release. Glad it's almost over. It's midnight.
The doctor ended the exam with this comment, “Maybe YOU [meaning special-case Nate] should wear a helmet while sailing.”
In his few hours in the ER, Nate received a rabbinical blessing (one of his tennis opponents is a rabbi), a kiss from his wife, and a visit from his father who landed at SeaTac just in time to check his Facebook and learn his son was in the ER.
Thanks to everyone who sent well-wishes.
He’s a bit out of it, but doing better. And he’ll be fine. I’ll leave you with this embarrassing picture and a few classic lines a la our friend Eric:
"Mars, please stop taking pictures."
Hope it finally knocked some sense into you.
Perhaps it improves your looks.
Thankfully it was a head shot and nothing precious…
And from Nate’s bro, Clayton:
There remains nothing harder than the Kaiser cranium.