Kyle's First First Class Trip

Just a short trip down to Houston. We had no choice to go first, coach was full.

The Baron von Raschke

Wabasha's favorite son?

While enjoying a 4th of July concert Under the Bridge in Wabasha we ran into one of Glenda's childhood heroes, The Baron von Raschke. The Baron was a famous wrestler from the 7o's and 80's who was know for "The Claw" (that is what The Baron and Kyle are showing you in the picture). The Baron was among the top in the world of professional wrestling for many years and even played Madison Square Garden to a sold out crowed.

Glenda was taken back to her youth and giggled like a school girl when she met him. It brought back very fond memories of watching the Baron battle it out with the likes of Andre the Giant and The Crusher with her dad on Sunday mornings.

Wabasha, MN

We decided to get out of the heat and celibrate the 4^th in Wabasha, MN. Home of the Lillies. AKA GaGa and PaPa. This is Kyle in GaGa’s garden. Yeah, that’s corn in the background. 

 

In the Category of things that don't suck

wow

4 dads, 6 boys, and a lake - Pig Boy 2008

A great Memorial Day weekend!

Words

When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you CAN make words mean so many different things."

"The question is", said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that’s all."

 

 

I am finding this passage to take on great meaning lately.

Selfish

I got upset today. I know that is nothing new nor is it something to really right about. I probably get upset more than I should. But that is not why I’m writing. I’m writing today because I got upset at my son for being selfish. Remember, he’s eight. Of course he is selfish. That is what little boys are. I know that, but I’m the dad and it’s my job to point out to him that being selfish is not a good thing to be. In actuality, I don’t believe that either, there are times when it is perfectly great to be selfish, but you don’t tell your eight year old that. So it got me thinking about our society and are we a selfish society in that we are selfish to a bad point? The easy answer, and I bet the popular answer, is yes. But I don’t know that we are. We do selfless things everyday but if we are not selfish, we don’t brag about it nor do we really notice when others do because we expect it. I did a cursory look around the net for some simple site where one can go to brag about a simple selfless act, but could not find one. Not sure if anyone would ever read a site like that, but I would think it would be uplifting.

Take Me Out...

Bryan scored some great seats.

Looks like the Simpson’s are Longhorn fans.

The Future

I wonder if we will see a much bigger Kyle with this pose at the ballpark someday.

The fun

Yea, traveling is glamorous.

T5

After an uneventful flight over (in first class) I feared the worst, a connection through the now infamous T5 at LHR. However it could not have gone more smoothly. Much better than T4. Of course I am carrying all my bags.

Space?

I'm off again, back to Brussels with a side trip to DC on the way back. This time I have a phone that will supposedly work over there. If so I can send updates on the road.

Now about the photo. Looks like a bad shot of a space magazine but it is actually the counter at Wolfgang Pucks at ORD.

Extreme bocce

Kyle playing extreme bocce at Eastwind Games.

Grandpa and coffee

Say goodmorning. You owe me a dollar.

News Flash: Obama is Black

 Well, it finally happened on the main stage. It was really only a matter of time before it did. Geraldine Ferraro made a comment that Barack Obama is the Democratic front runner because he is black.

 

This is the point where you are wonder which way I’m going to flop on this debate.

 

Wait no longer.

 

She is right.

 

Now before you go off calling me a racist think about it. He is the 46 year old junior senator from Illinois elected just 3 years ago. He is a prolific speaker and in fact gave the rousing speech at the DNC in 2004 which placed him on the main stage of American politics. He has very little experience and in my opinion hasn’t really offered much in the way of what he would actually do if elected… other than change things. So why is he wildly popular? Because he is fresh, young, and not seen as an old established politician. A huge part of that is due to the fact that he is black. Ask yourself if all things were equal except the color of his skin would he be the likely nominee?   

 

Now, all that being said, I don’t think this is a bad thing and I certainly don’t think that Ferraro is a racist because she said it. It is no less true that Hillary is where she is today because she happened to be married to Bill. It is no less true that W is in the white house because he is the son of GHWB. It is no less true that a big part of the reason McCain is where he is today because he was a POW. We all use our strengths to advance ourselves and our cause. Obama does and should use the strength of the color of his skin. I am just glad that society has finally reached a point that being black is considered a strength.  At least for some and as it looks now, enough to get him the nomination.

 

 

 

A Texan and His Word.

As you know I am a proud Texan. Something that endears me to some and is frowned upon by others. Regardless of how you feel about Texan pride one must admit that it is based on a profound history of brave and honorable men and women. Unfortunately since the time of the Carpet Baggers, not all those that make it in Texas government deserve the right to call themselves Texan.

This is true of Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. I have no idea if Mr. Patterson was born in Texas or not, but I can tell you he can't be a Texan. You see, the State of Texas received a generous donation of land near Big Bend under the condition that it be conserved. The deed stipulates that the land must remain in public hands unless written permission by the donors is received. Unfortunately Mr. Patterson instead decided to pull a move befitting the seediest Yankee lawyer and put the land up for sell to the highest bidder. When asked about receiving permission from the conservationists who donated the land, he stated that he would ignore that restriction in the deed because it is unenforceable.

That may be, but my daddy taught me that a Texan's word is gold. That a promise in Texas is stronger than any contract. Now I'm not stupid, I know that this is a quaint view, but damn it, if the State itself can't keep a promise what does that say about being a Texan?

Venus and Jupiter

It has been a while since I have left for work before 06:30 as I did this morning. So it was a surprise to be greeted to an astronomical event. The Venus and Jupiter, two brightest objects in the sky outside of the Sun and the Moon, were in the sky right next to each other. Now, I know very little about astronomy but this was pretty cool. I wonder how often this really happens.

Settle a few things

Had a great night last night with friends at the pub. Of course when you get me and my friends together and throw in some adult beverages it usually sparks some great and controversial subjects. I won't go into all of the debate points now, but I do want to clear up a few things.

1. The US is the worlds largest economy. I searched and searched for the "most fair" documented proof on the web and quite frankly could not find any source that did not say that the US was the worlds largest economy. They only thing that came close was the International Monetary Fund which lists the EU as a single country and was slightly bigger than the US. A point that can be argued at the next meeting is if the EU is a country.

2. The definition of mercenary is "Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain." Therefor I think it is unfair to say that all of the US Military is mercenaries because while many may in fact join in part for monetary or material gain, I would have to say that the vast majority are also motivated by the desire to serve their country.

3. Prince's "1999" was debuted on the album "1999". Which was 1 year prior to the movie "Purple Rain". It is still, at this point, undetermined if the song was sung in the movie. It does not appear on the sound track.

A Rich Man

It is amazing that when some call, many come. That is the sign of a very rich man.