charles statman

2012-01-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

Anne Bodie -

Les Nessman had "imaginary walls" to his office.

there is a cube in front of my office and assholes always sit there and babble on the cell phone and annoy me.

So, I walked around and gathered 'things' from people who no longer work at Cisco, but left their cubes intact.
I set up the cube in front of my office, for my "admin" Her name is Anne Bodie (pronounced Boh-die) (thanks to my pal Ken for the “AnyBody” suggestion!)

Some people here at work are in on the joke, some are not. The ones who are not, are actually expecting someone to arrive and start working next week.

The ones who are in on the joke? are playing along "oh, I think you just missed her" etc...

Les had imaginary walls? I now have an imaginary admin. (she wears a red sweater)

On Monday we tried to go see TinTin but it was sold out, so walked around the mall, and got these pix of Saul in a space ride!

in conclusion, I suffer from decision fatigue.

2011-12-30T20:47:00.000-08:00

Last night of Hannukah

Jesse and Ryan at the top of Alba Road. so fun, they did it twice

Saul modelling his latest haircut

Saul pulling faces and making SILLY after his haircut!

2011-12-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

2011-12-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

2011-10-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

Saul - Evel

with girlfriend Emiko, as a Night Fury!

I got the loot, i'm in my undershirt, and I got the girl! (this is one happy boy!)

2011-10-31T15:46:00.000-07:00

Photos from parents trip to CA

Saul helping Grandfather build paper launchey airplanes

making "crinkeley fingers" with skeleton gloves in the car.

At Natural Bridges beach in Santa Cruz with Grandfather Max and Grandmother Jannie

Saul and Sara

Apparently the BOWL of chowder at Sam's Chowder house in Half Moon Bay is big?

Building puzzles with grandfather at the kitchen table

2011-10-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Movember is Coming!

All year I reply and donate to many requests. Aids-walk, Team-in-Training, Breast Cancer Awareness, Girl Scout Cookies, Walk for Crohn’s disease, and the list goes on. Rarely do I ask for anything in return. I’ve earned a good spot in my life, and am happy to give when I can.

I am also lazy, and have no desire for walking, running, etc, or even fund raising.
So I am NOT asking you for money. I am asking you to participate.
http://mobro.co/cstatman If you want to drop a buck or five, that’s great. If not? That’s fine too.

Log on, register, grow a Mo. Support me, or anyone else. If you are a man? PLEASE go get screened. Make sure you are healthy.

My story:
July 2003, right after my 39th birthday, my left testicle hurt, badly, I had to see the doctor. I’d been pain and denial for almost a year, but WHO wants a doctor playing with their junk? If I had gone in a year early? I may have saved my testicle, and a lot of time sitting in a chair taking chemo. http://cstatman.blogspot.com/2003/08/friday-is-doctors-visit-and-i-can.html#links Eight years later, I have a wonderful son, a good life, and a survivor’s perspective. Screening, and awareness of men’s health issues could have made it all much different.

I’ll be shaving the evening of Oct 31st, to get a clean start on Movember. Please join me! Grow a Mo! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUYItlSn7M And raise awareness about men’s cancers.

About Movember:
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.
http://us.movember.com/about/

2011-09-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

angry, irritated, jebus.

Meg Whitman as CEO of HP?

Why? really? WHY? What have I done wrong, that I cannot go screw up some companies, and still get rich from it.

grrr

in other news? kid? still adorably handsome.

kid's father? still a lazy bum!

2011-09-04T15:17:00.000-07:00

Cucina Bambini Birthday Party. One of Saul's classmates at Yavneh had her birthday today, at a place kids learn to cook. mostly.

Saul did not want to go. Did not like the hat, Did not like the apron. Did not want a pizza unless it was plain cheese.

We made a deal. If he was nice, and played along, I would let him watch some transformers later this evening.

Photos!

2011-08-30T21:42:00.001-07:00

for Kathy

this is the rubber manifold, it is a ~ 90 degree bend, and I would like 2, one for each cylinder.

The chrome backing to the light is the plate I need. I cannot read the number, it looks like V029660 the shiney bit between the black bracket and the red lens

the Carb appears to read "VHBZ 22" if that helps

Thank you

2011-08-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

I am having a bit of an addiction issue. there is a taco truck, really making itself permanent, called Taco-Mania. their marketing line is "que pinches tacos" and? I am addicted.

We took Saul out for Cruise Night tonight. Elaine recommended, and brought her roadster. So we arrived in the corvair wagon, but Saul and Sara got to ride in the rumble seat for a while.

In conclusion, I saw a recommendation for Ernest Cline's new book "Ready Player One" and just finished it. Very nice book, if you grew up in the 80s playing video games? it is a total blast to read. I could not put it down. If you are not big into Sci-Fi and/or games? maybe not so much.

finally, a video of Saul sending message to Mike and Evie.

2011-08-07T20:54:00.001-07:00

photo dump! we went to SF today to visit my pals Gordon and Michael, who were in from Dallas, avoiding the heat and having a vacay. Here are pix of Saul and Sara at a giant wild fountain in Embarcadero Square, across from the Ferry Building.

2011-07-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

1981 Moto Morini 250 2C

‎"Dave" is David Doudna who sold it to me.

With many thanks to Ken Armann, it has clean tank, rebuilt carbs, new timing belt, air filters, battery, etc, etc. etc. Now I need to ride it a bit, just to get it all sorted out. but? too hot outside for me.

yes, new timing belt
and the elusive 6v voltage regulator.
Hooray for Herdan motors in PA.

2011-07-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have not posted in a long time. I am sorry. I've been too much on Facebook, and not enough here.

Hostess cupcakes. or as he calls them "chocolate cupcakes with the teeny tiny white loop-de-loops on them" are a favorite. He can eat one in four, (yes 4) bites. and I taught him how to make rock and roll satan hands. After the sugar crash, however, he sleeps! Seeing him eat these tells me, if we can find protein he wants, he will do the same!

Mike and Evie took Saul to see "Cars 2" when it opened. there was entertainment before the show, and he got ink! well, facepaint tattoo. Not cars, he has been on a big "Green Lantern" kick, so he got the green lantern symbol.

Here he is day after, eating fish fingers. casual and all. :) Sara (probably correctly) believes the Green Lantern movie will be too violent for him still, so we are distracting him, and not taking him.

We were watching Shaun the Sheep, and a magpie stole all the shiney bits on the farm. The sheep made a giant electromagnet, to zap it all down from the tree. Saul loved this and as he tells everyone he wants to be an inventor, we built an electromagnet in the garage.

Giant bolt, wrapped with too thick wire, and not enough turns. but hooked to a 6v battery, it will pick up a washer. hooked to a 230A 12V-DC power supply? it dims the lights in the whole house, makes a horrific buzzing, and will snatch washers from 2 feet away. Saul likes mad science!

Saul and Sara went up to the Lost Coast to go camping with James, Tara, Emiko and Eric. I stayed home for 2 reasons. '

First, I had a work thing I needed to be around for. Work is very "odd" right now, and it is a good time for me to be "in contact"

Second? as much as I love the Bong family? SIX HOURS DRIVE ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND? insanity.

So I stayed around the house and have been working on projects. I believe Tuesday. On Tuesday, I believe two of my bikes will be back from Ken, and all motorcycles at the house (except one honda project in the trailer) will be running.

Last night I went to visit Matt and Dan. Matt just bought a new car, is starting a new business, and is basically, working to turn around the last 2 years of his life, into something different. YAY Matt. So what did I do? As a good, supportive friend I am, I went over with a bottle of Portuguese moonshine a guy at work brought me. I hear some tastes like strawberry, some is fruity, some is tangy, this tasted like drinking battery acid, .... from a running car.

We could not drink it. poor Dan threw up, Matt took one drink and said "no, just NO" I bicycled home and safe at 9:30pm with 3/4 bottle left. I will return it to work. It is bad. the guy who gave it to me? I want to punch him in the mouth.

Photos of plants in the backyard:

as a child, my mom would take avocado pits, shove toothpicks in them, put them in a glass of water, and we'd watch them for a day or so, till finally it was a black, moldy glass of crap. But? it was cool. So around the time Saul was 2, i put a pit in a glass to see what happened. Remembering I live in California, where taxes are high, but the soil and weather is great? it grew. and grew. and I planted it in the back yard with low hopes. this morning? Tree? see those little balls? yeah! baby avocados!

wee avocados

lots of em

some flower

closeup

our Lemon tree

another plant I do not know what is

cool flowers on it

another plant I do not know what is called

and the closeup

I actually dislike these, they grow like weeds, and try to take over everything, but I let these grow for Sara, as she likes them
.

2011-06-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

pix from my camera

Fancy clothes from Kumar!

Jim Learmonth visiting, helps Saul "walking on the ceiling"

Have I mentioned he likes chocolate? Especially "chocolate cupcakes, with the little white loop to loops that are connected"

he REALLY likes these cupcakes

and he is a bed hog. this wee small young man can hog an entire full size futon.

2011-05-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I HAD a dream.

Through healthy diet, exercise, and extreme mental control, I've been trying to make the longest poop I can. And? I've got to estimated 2 feet.

it's a goal, we all need goals. I even txt photos to a pal of mine (sorry Brad).

THEN! this SOB i know (and love) in Ft. Collins, CO, has to CRUSH MY DREAMS.

http://www.poormojo.org/pmjadaily/archives/006472.php

26 feet? there is no way I could go 26 feet. Not even with sponsors like Nike, or even Metamucil.

:(

2011-05-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

Lungi! South Indian men's standard clothing item, very comfortable for lounging around the house. Kind of like Dad in the boxer shorts, as I do not have the stones to wear it outside

this is how we eat cheesy scrambled eggs in the morning

Daddy makes 'em, Saul eats 'em

showing off his tat from carnival today

2011-05-01T13:32:00.001-07:00

replaced the shift shaft seal on my Honda CB 175 (say that 3 times quickly) with hopes that is the cause of oil leak.

Then cleared all 175 parts out of trailer, and sorted the bins from 4 to 2. Motor Parts and Frame Parts. I now have all the motor parts close to ready, and could, if I was excited enough, begin rebuilding. I believe I have enough to build 2.5 motors, but I will probably focus on one when I can.

Then I washed the running 175, and the Honda 350. Which? was missing a nut on the swingarm bolt. What does that mean? it means the bolt that holds the rear half of the motorcycle on was starting to come out. This maintenance is WHY I like to wash my own bikes regularly, to find when parts have failed, or need replacing. Swimgarm bolt is now back 100% in place, with a fresh nut, washer, lock washer and LocTite.

When all was finished, I was a bit lightheaded and woozly. So I came inside for a shower, and realized I am covered in grease. First time in a long while, I used more than hot water and a wash cloth. I soaped up vigorously, and washed all the grease and grime from bikes off. And? I did not feel clean, I felt dry and scaly. So I used my regular washcloth routine, to be sure I was scrubbed down.

Got out of shower and dried off, and I feel a little gross. I will not use lotion to replace the natural skin oil, I'll just wait a day and see how quickly my skin comes back to a balance.

Now? I think I am off to visit the Mythical Hesh, and meet Sara, Saul, James, Tara and Emiko up there. He lives up in the hills a fun motorcycle ride, let's hoe I replaced that seal properly

toodles.

2011-04-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Well, as Julia commented, I am a "milk toast" of course, she is not riding a 1970 350 cc bike with NO fairing, drum brakes, 1" wide tires and flat out top speed is 75. But i digress! :P

Today, I went to pickup the sprinter in the afternoon, when it was warmer

I left work at 4pm on my 1971 Honda CB 175.

and lane split down hwy 101 to Gilroy. Drum brakes, 70mph flat out, tucked under the tank paint, OPEN scrambler pipes (loud) with a leaking countershaft sprocket seal that oiled up the rear tire nicely.

There was some accident in Morgan Hill, everything was backed up, so I split most of the way. My speedo cable broke right after i passed the traffic accident, so I am not sure how fast I was going, but if RPMs are consistent indicator, probably ~ 70. Then I ran out of gas right before my exit, but managed to get switched to reserve before any pushing or radical exit plans were required.

The 175 is a mix of colors, faded red, gold, black, no grip on the left clip-on, no mirrors, basically, a rat bike.

But? got me to the truck in style. No one else on the hwy was on a 1971 Honda 175, the harley guys all gave me thumbs up, till I passed them, and they heard what open pipes on a bike turning 11,000rpms sound like.

It was all fun and games.

Got the sprinter. took the above shot of 175. She leaked enough oil to mark her spot at the dealership.

then home in the truck, I figured out what the problem on the way down was. VERY VERY high winds, tailwind on the bike, headwind in the truck, and side winds thrown in was what was pushing me all over the highway.

Alltogether a fun ride, happy to have the truck back. very sore and stiff now. My back will remind me, last time I raced that 175? I was ~ 33, not ~ 46. WOW. ouch!

home and Saul came to the truck to give me a special welcome home greeting. a nice hug and kiss. Life is good.

2011-04-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

This morning, I needed to drop my Sprinter with Jim M at the Dodge house in Gilroy for service. So I woke up at 6, had a shower, ate some healthy raisin bran, and drove to the dodge house.

Pulled my 1970 Honda CL350 out of the back of the Sprinter. Fred the Red!

I had a meeting scheduled from 8:30 - 9:30 so I wanted to ride as fast as I could, and get to work.

View Larger Map

at ~ 75mph, a 1970 CL 350 Honda has a fierce vibration.

I was worried about the theoretical infrasonic frequency.

and? colder than an iditarod husky's nut-sack

But made it to work, only 20 mins late for the meeting, which is still going on.

all is well, Sprinter will get needed service, I got to ride a bike, and all is well.

2011-03-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

more trip pix

BLR street safety reminders

Colleen at Shiro

Jesper eating fishies!

Campus map

Really DID come here to work

BLR is way ahead of US on biomedical waste safety, I am serious.

There is no "I" in team

Campus

Colleen and AshishP at his place

FOOD POISONING INTERLUDE where we basically lose Friday night through Sunday morning

Eldoper pill 2 for normal mortals, 7 for me. under doctor's orders

riding Harleys in India

first semi-real meal taken

Campus "Resting Area" if you are unwell, you can rest.

No Colleen, you cannot go in that one

fascinated with local signage

now telepresence connection experts, we actually have a lot of info to bring back to San Jose

Massey Ferguson in traffic

the Leela from my window

Colleen and Kumar-bhai at work

She took this and said "there's an Indian guy behind you" I told her "we are in India, there is ALWASY an Indian guy behind me, in front of me, next to me...." there are a lot of people here

Babi!

Lions!

and Tigers!

And Bears, (oh my!)

At the Zoo

2011-03-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

slept well last night, I think all the pills had their desired effect. I'm told the yellow pill with the blue stripe is supposed to stop me up. I has 6 of them a pal of mine says 3 is enough to stop an elephant. The brown pill (Cipro) i know and is good.

I had a bowl of 'shredded chicken noodle soup' off the kids menu last night, and held it in

awake, feeling better, a little shaky, but okay. HOORAY

2011-03-26T07:06:00.001-07:00

sitting in hotel room, trying to be not sick. thought I'd toss up some more photos. these start with the event Tuesday night

prayer light and flower amazement for event.

Aparna and I on stage

everyone on stage

colleen by bathroom at Chennai airport

headed out gate to BLR

2011-03-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

i am getting good care here the hotel doctor has come, and a nice lady from guest services calls up hourly

i took the pills, and am still pooing my brains (guts) out but the interval is getting longer, so maybe I am getting better.

Just ate a big bowl of plain yogurt, will hope to keep that down.

in good care

2011-03-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

in November of 2000 when I started working for Cisco, a coworker told me, never ever eat in the cisco cafeteria anywhere

And I have eaten Cisco San Jose 3 times, and been sick from Cisco San Jose 3 times

Now I can add BLR! :)

We re having bad bad problems. Both Colleen and I are sick, we cannot stop vomiting and diarreah since last night.

Whenever I am standing, I become dizzy and sweaty, this is actually the sickest I have ever been in India. We suspect lunch at Cisco yesterday

Called the hotel physician who sent up 2 tablets of medicine, with instructions to take them, then wait ~ 3 hours, and see if feeling better, if not, he will come to hotel.

Colleen seemed to get it ~ 8pm last night then me 2 hours later, and she is feeling a little better, so I hope I am next, sure I will be.

anyhow, it has slowed my BLR roll. :)

2011-03-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

hotel wireless is not helping me

family coming back from fish cove on bullet

lab team

at work

at mahabalipurim

Me & Aparna getting ready for party

will upload more when I get better connection

Colleen is sick tonight, and in her room, i will also go to bed early

2011-03-20T02:02:00.000-07:00

We have returned from fisherman's cove, and safely back in Chennai proper. Tonight is a big cricket tournament in Chennai, and there are cricket guys everywhere in the hotel. I wish they would not be in the way as we were checking in.

Sara, about that beach, the water is warm, and there were some guys trying to surf, but it appeared to be 2-3ft waves, and not so much surfers. There is a FIERCE strong undertow, and almost no swimmers.

At Fish Cove, waiting for Mathavan our driver, we sat out on the porch at the hotel, and it was ~ 94 and humid, but a nice breeze, very Texan acceptable, not very "fat lazy Texan used to living in Nor-Cal" acceptable however. I am wimpy now.

The drive back was good, although Colleen was terrified every car we passed. She was convinced we were second from being in a driver's ed film.

I got a photo of family of 4 on a small bike, but they were turning, and kid in middle is sleeping. Colleen got a great photo of a blonde family of 4 on a Royal Enfield Bullet coming back, but has no way to upload her photos yet.

she said "summary of driving in Chennai, we just honked and passed an ambulance with its lights flashing

Dinner and visit tonight with some friends, then work tomorrow.

2011-03-19T04:13:00.000-07:00

just quick, had delicious breakfast at the Taj Coromandel, then checked out, and drove south to Mahabalipuram, the temple by the sea south of Chennai.

Colleen was very nervous out on the highway. Less cars, but more passing. and when you round a corner with 2 busses passing each other headed at YOU? well, she was nervous. so she buckled her seatbelt across the car into the only buckle in the back

but she shot flip videos

of the odd signs

Temple on the road

Mr. Service will fix it for you

Family transport. Saul would LOVE it here

At Mabs

Colleen in Temple

Wall of elephants I have always been so fascinated with

Colleen on top at mountain cave

At fisherman's cove. We booked her into a cabin, and I was going to stay in the main hotel to save money. I was a little jealous of her cabin. Which is one of the 'new' ones, and very cool

She LIKES it, it is very nice, and cozy, with view of the bay of Bengal

but! My room is in the new annex. and? looks like something from Architectural Digest. I actually like it so much, I would totally remodel my house to look like this if I could afford it

bed

bathroom

bathtub begging for Jesse Davis Style Bubble Bath Abuse

view out the door

we went swimming at the pool, and had fish fingers at the swim up restaurant, then walked on the beach a little. I accidentally caught a good picture of Miss Johnson

And a self portrait of myself.

Now we wait for dinner at the "upper Deck" at 7:30 then a great night of sleep

(note! she took pix of me, so I am waiting for her to transfer data to her computer, then will post, in case ya'll wondered, why pix only of her, me? coming)

2011-03-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Friday is work day. Breakfast, clear photo. Mostly work, first we went to Sukra to shop for a bit of jewelery, then into office

In meeting rooms, we will chat with the lab teams, take tours of le labs, and learn how they are handling the problems and solutioins we all experience.

Colleen, Enbanathan, Vishnu, Karthi and Gowdaman

Lunch at le Royal Meridian buffet, desert was some fruit and heart cakes.

Back to office, sign welcoming us, next to Quincenera celebration sign

snaps from ride to Malu's home

P James Magic Show. the best advertising all over Chennau

We went to the Jewish Cemetery by the fish market, and I was able to give donation to keep running, and make Kaddish over the dead. (pix from Colleen coming)

then off to FabIndia for a top for Sara.

then to meet Malu's husband Matt, and have pizzas and drinks for dinner at a nice hotel/restaurant.

elephant in my room!

laundry

2011-03-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

Friday morning, and today we head to work.

Yesterday was catchup, work through jet lag, acclimate to India. We had breakfast at the Taj, my iphone hates me, but today I'll get snaps with real camera.

After breakfast, we walked down MG road to Landmark booksellers, then across the street to a mini fashion mall, and back. Very warm and humid, but Colleen crossed the street successfully twice!

We had coffee and small snack, then restful afternoon. Driver took us to Cane and bamboo for some light shopping, then back to hotel to rest. Colleen and I went to the bar to wait for Aparna and Sandhya to meet us for dinner. I think she took one of the best photos of me in a long time.

Aparna and Sandhya arrived, we chatted then took dinner at "Southern Spice" the traditional restaurant at our hotel. Aparna is planning the 15 year party, and very very busy. She even repeatedly violated the "no cell phones" rule. But? it is Aparna after all, so exceptions were made. (she sends best love and greetings to Saul and Sara)

After dinner, I was bad man, and pranked Colleen into eating "after dinner digestive" which I believe is betel nut wrapped in banana leaf. She did not like it, and my apologies for the photo. (again, my iphone hates me, and this is a very unflattering photo) Like I said, bad man.

Last night my mom phoned, I am positive forgot the time change, but I was not able to immediately phone back, and was worried, 4am calls? bad. But got email in and out and all is okay, so back to sleep.

Today? off to work, for work. As many have pointed out, all pix appear to be of eating and such. I will show office today

C

2011-03-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

thirty one transit hours. My door to the Taj Coromandel in Chennai. I am not quite sure why the stop at Chicago O;Hare was added in, but it was a very very long trip. So I will start out with the awesome, here is a pic of Saul

on Sara's BMW

My pal Dale has taught me, "when traveling, drink until you arrive." The Bloody Mary at SFO started out the day with some tomato juice and a little greenery.

I'm not sure if this has happened to you, but often, in a crowd, you will notice someone, and think "OH NO. a trainwreck. a real hot mess" only to be chased down by it? Waiting in line to board the flight, there was the guy. Kind of goofy hair, a little geeky, a little, err, smelly looking. something is a bit off, a Hot Mess.

Traveling this trip with Ms. Johnson, my fearless assistant, and probably replacement in the future. The goal is to teach her the 'social' side of doing business in India. Just as Keith Mountford (RIP) taught me. It is not about meetings, emails, goals, telepresence, etc. It is about knowing someone, and building a true and positive relationship. Well, that's our goal. and 300 hours later, plus some rest, and we will begin Jedi training.

However, back to our flight. Apparently, I was drunk in my office when booking this flight. Because I agreed to the dread "middle seat" for the Chicago leg. NEVER the middle seat. NEVER.

Who is in the asile seat in our row? Mr. Hot Mess himself. And as they say, if you allow someone the time, they will prove themselves. not 10 mins into the flight, he begins serious nose excavation. Not your average 'dart and pick', no, our seat neighbor is digging for gold. Mining nose candy mountain. While furiously and incorrectly fighting with a Soduku puzzle, and farting like a madman. AND? rubbing the product onto the SEAT! not 10 mins into the trip, I already need a shower.

Quick layover at O;Hare. I cannot get off the plane fast enough. We walk out of our United gate, and? NEXT GATE is the Lufthansa boarding gate. No, seriously, no mad runs across the airport, no mess, no fuss. Walk tot he unoccupied counter, and get boarding passes, with one hour and thirty minutes to spare. Chili's airport for a sandwich and hooray.

O'Hare to Frankfurt, all I can really remember is packed flight, sitting in the back, and my behind hurts from the seat. Colleen managed to talk the lady next to her to swap seats with me, so we sat together and worked crosswords.

Frankfurt, longer layover, unclean bathroom, nice airport lounge for a wonderful fruit salad

And boarding for Chennai? not in the same glassed off room usually for Bangalore. This was at a humane gate, where you could walk out, and, say, go to the smelly bathroom two more times.

The gate agent told us we could not re-book, and it was a very full flight. Sit, rest, relax some, stretch, then boarding time, it goes quickly. TOO quickly. and? turns out to be a somewhat empty fight. I had 2 seats, window/asile, to myself. and could stretch out? very nice. I was actually stunned how empty it was. She had 2 seats as well.

By this time, we are so loopy, nothing actually matters, and there is really falling asleep in seats, for ~ 4 hours of flight. I watched some horrible movie with Drew Barrymore, and I cannot really recall what it was, then slept fitfully.

Arrive Chennai, it is hot, there is a certain smell in the airport. but no crowd at immigration control. No problem getting in and through. The luggage takes its time coming, and the cool orange strap I bought for my bag did not make it, someone has opened, but removed nothing from the blue bag. all our business comes, with NO security chalk on any of it.

All the things brought? made it through safely. Kumar, your xBox is on its way. (:)

Quickly through customs, and out into the heat. at 1am. hot, no driver, no sign. and the battery is dead on my iphone, and I am not bright enough to remember the cool charger Brad gave me, because my brain is mostly shut down. I cannot phone Mahdevan, who Aparna specially picked out.

SOme taxi expediter sees us and yells "no no no, driver pickup is here" and points us right at a guy from the Taj holding sign with both our names on it. The hotel arranged a driver? Where is our guy? Not seeing anyone else with sign and our name, and too tired to think, we get into Taj car, and are whisked away to hotel. Quick and near unconscious check in, and up to room. Log on, and find Aparna on chat, telling us "why did we shine our man" Sad. will fix this today, with apologies to Madhevan.

Before sleep, they brought evening tea service. Let me tell you, this is very very nice

SO! am here. Ate tons of carbs on the flights and stopovers, felt bloated and heavy. Took shower (used shampoo, as I felt horrible, but washcloth and warm water for all else, and am good to sleep. Except I wake up every 1 hour on the dot to pee. a lot. and? feel quite less bloated. At 7:am, I can sleep no more. I know this evening will be a touch jet-laggy, but not too bad I hope.

Hoping to call Ms. Aparna out after lunch, to do some tour/shop/chat, and unload much of the schwag I brought in. Maybe even dinner. Tonight will be early to bed

Friday? to the office.

2011-03-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

need to blog more, facebook less!

Diet is coming great. NO carb and calorie counting, I am down to 168 lbs this morning, and I make 4 brisk laps of the building at work. (note, down from 196lbs) but I really want a taquito, right now

No Soap? going very well. very hot showers every morning with a washcloth and excessive scrubbing. My skin is great. My hair, on the other hand... I am using a small amount of Suave shampoo on Monday and Thursday if needed.

And I am due for a haircut this weekend. Departing for business trip Tuesday, and want to wait till the last moment, to have sharp haircut?

Saul is doing great, he went to Death Valley with Sara, and had a fun time. Last night we had a "moment" We were dong the evening battle to get him to eat, and he called me an Idiot. I asked "what did you say young man" He got very remorseful, looked down, and mumbled the first part of the sentence, but not the second.

So I asked again, what did you say? then he told me - blah blah blah "daddy is an idiot"

I asked if he knew what that word meant. Yes
I asked if he meant to call me that. he said it was an accident

then we talked about the Ten Commandments, and honoring your father and mother.

then I asked him what he thought I should do about him dishonoring me and calling me an Idiot

He said "I think if you give me a kiss, I will remember it is not nice and will not say that word anymore"

SMART KID. Me? I'd have just taken an ass-whuppin and been done.

I kissed him on the forehead, and asked him to remember to honor me and Sara, and not say words like that.

We went to tacos later, and I told Matt and Brad the story, and Saul looked down, and said he was still sorry, and that I should not say that word either.

He's a good kid. and smart.

2011-02-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

soapless experiment is going very well. My skin feels great.

If I have an "active" work day, I smell like a man by 9pm. Caveat, I am not using any deodorants either. I would need to wash them off.

the daily bathing is getting better and better. even if I do go back to soap? I know a LOT more about washing myself. I know it sounds odd, but you can learn new stuff.

Again, I do wash my hands with anti everything soap and water every time I go to the bathroom, and before and after any food prep/eating/handing.

My hair is still the problem. My friend Judie gave me some "WEN" conditioner stuff, which has very little surfactant in it, but is still an additive. i have been trying to use a minimal amount of that daily. but ever 3-4 days, I do use a dime size drop of Suave hair shampoo, and work all the oils out of my hair. Otherwise I just look like I am greazy.

So far, I am very happy with this experiment. Last night Saul said "daddy, you smell good and your skin is soft"

#2. He told me I need to make Mr. Squishy smaller, because he is worried I will die.

So I downloaded 2 iPhone apps,
"Calorie Counter" by MyFitnessPal.com which lets me track what I have eaten, and how many calories I am using/putting in. I am "gaming" this by also going lo-carb to lose the initial weight.

the other app is "Couch to 5K" by felttip I hate running, but need exercise. there is a program that helps "train" for a run. This guy made that program work on the iphone. when you start your workout, the phone tells you "walk" then it beeps and says "run" etc. etc I have not started this, as it is wet and rainy, and I am just not that dedicated, but I will be on it this week.'
the video on Lucius' page is so awesome. http://felttip.com/c25k/

Saul has been on a rampage. Sara was out snowboarding, and Saul did not want to eat, did not want to sleep, did not want to go to the potty, we fought over everything. HOWEVER> his version of fighting? still better than most kids!

2011-02-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

Soap Free, or How is your experiment going, Stinky?

Two weeks ago, I decided to try an experiment in soap free living. This does not mean slathering myself in patchouli oil, and being a stinky hippie. I still bathe every single day sometimes twice, as I always have.

My journey was prompted by Sean Bonner, and this link: and this

Here is my qualifier, I always use soap on my hands before any food prep, after “bathroom time” and after working on bikes.

Soap is a Surfactant it is blended to remove oil, clean stuff, and keep things tidy. It also probably removes lots of “good” stuff we need on our skin.

So I thought I would give this a try. No soap does not mean no shower. After ~ 2 weeks, I find myself taking a longer, hotter shower. Usually I am in, shampoo, soap, and out in five minutes or less. Now, I find it takes me seven to ten minutes. For the first time since I was seven, I am using a washcloth. I scrub my skin with the washcloth under hot water, so if I am cleaning my hand, I have that hand under the water stream, while scrubbing. I can actually feel when it is ‘clean’ as my skin is more slippery.

When I am finished with my body, I wash my hair, again, water, washcloth, and kind of a scrubbing, grabbing motion. My hair is the hardest part. It has always been oily, and has not yet “normalized” as they blogs and articles say. So I can feel the hair oils running off, and my hands feel oily. I am waiting for this to happen, and I can probably get a haircut, as less hair would help. Helmet hair from riding motorcycle is more pronounced.

Results! My body has normalized, I feel cleaner when I get out of the shower. I am not using deodorant, as I like the “gel stick” and it is hard to wash off the next day. My face is clear, I break out less. (yes, at 46, I still get acne) I’ve had dry skin on my knuckles and elbows as long as I can remember. It is soft and not flaky. My usual scratches and dings from my life seem to heal faster too.

By the end of the day, I can smell myself. It is not a horrid stink, but I do smell like a man. If I am going out, or need to be clean, I will take a quick evening shower. Otherwise I wait till the next morning.

So far? Success, except for hair. More as it develops

2010-12-29T17:59:00.001-08:00

saul playing with his rc car "Go Go"

2010-12-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

there are a bunch of photos I need to get up here, sorry for the delay

2010-12-27T14:03:00.001-08:00

Saul playing with his new hotwheels track

Game Time « Bad Advice From My Brother

2010-12-22T08:58:00.000-08:00

Game Time « Bad Advice From My Brother

2010-12-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Second night Hannukah Party at Congregation Sinai

I bought myself new rear shocks for the Harley. they are installed!

Lighting candles on the 3rd night

he got "Fish Squirters" a toy to play in the bathtub

And I got 2 black turtlenecks, *that i ordered for myself! Saul took this photo

fourth night!

some nights Fuzoodles, some nights UNDERPANTS!

Matchbox car

2010-12-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Saul got a present from Melissa and Raphael. Train stuff! which eh loves, there needs to be a TY note composed quickly.

Playing with Best Blanket hanging around house

Bean Bag silliness

Eating Latkes last night for Hannukah. Our house still smells like oil, but they were yumm, and he ate.

Lighting the Hannukah candles

with some help

with mom, admiring

Opening presents. Some nights you get the Goliath Pop the Pig, some nights Underpants. Last night was hot wheels cars.

and finally, December 2, Happy Birthday Sara

2010-11-21T20:13:00.000-08:00

Saul and Emiko at the International Motorcycle Show

2010-11-15T17:49:00.000-08:00

Saul Statman’s Very Boring Weekend

Friday night everyone was very very tired, so we made a family nest and we slept in the living room

Saturday mom and I made pancakes.

Daddy worked on his Harley, and I had to stay away because I did not want to get smooshed

At night we went to Cha-Cha Sushi where they know me. I ate plain miso soup and salmon sashimi. After eating the nice waitress brought me strawberries and whip cream for being such a good boy

After Sushi I rode the merry-go-round outside Luckys. I rode 4 times, and gave daddy high-5s, sometimes down-low, but sometimes he is too slow.

Sunday we did guy-things. Daddy and I went to the tool store. I got a cool new flashlight that is my best color and a Velcro belt

We stopped at macdonalds that daddy does not like, but I had a yummy chocolate milkshake

Grocery shopping I rode in cart, and played with my Velcro sunglasses

Sunday night we had dinner at Outback, I had salmon. With my friend Savannah and Donovan and got hand-me-down clothes

2010-11-10T21:25:00.000-08:00

so tired. must sleep dark early makes me sleepy or was that poppies?

2010-11-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

too cool

new bike looking more the way I want it to look

Colin gave Saul a more Orange 'took" he likes

Halloween snaps

his girlfriend Emiko is a Night Fury dragon. Saul is a policeman

Officer Saul with some jailbirds

Trick or treat at Florence's house

Trying on Grandma Jannie's green wig

Emiko's Birthday Party!

on trampoline with mom

Gravity? feh!

they had a pony ride

Mom

2010-10-08T16:52:00.001-07:00

skating with uncle Louis

2010-10-08T11:02:00.001-07:00

Louis came to visit, here are some snaps

sushi for dinner

skatepark

2010-09-27T09:25:00.001-07:00

I have not been posting as much as I feel I should, but will try.

first, some catch up on our best boy - Rosh Hashana at Mike and Evies.

My new Toy - 1962 Chevy Corvair Station Wagon - 110hp, 4 speed manual, upgraded suspension Now the van is for sale

and? Mexico fishing part 2. Return to Loreto - 9-23-10

good morning Bloody Mary at San Jose

Alaska Airlines fancy lounge in LA

the sign says respect their limit of 3. I am showing my respect

We stayed at La Mision hotel in Loreto. it was just beautiful

beds

other side of room

Bathroom shot for Brad

the shower here is bigger than the bathroom at Oasis

view across the Malecon, at the bay (off the balcony)

Bar facing the pool, on the second story

headed out in a Panga to go fishing

View of bar from our room

someone clowning around at the pool

Our pal Raul at world Famous McLuLu's fish taco stand

hoisting a margarita at Mitas Gourmet. Juan Carlos the chef is a master host, the food was divine

appetizer is a cheese spread

clams and cheese sauce

grilled parrotfish with vegetables and a chipolte sauce

Mike catching dorado

on lightweight fishing tackle, for more fun action!

coming into Playa Blanca

on Isla Carmen

this is what a Panga looks like

Sean with the biggest Dorado of the weekend

our boatload of Dorado

World Famous McLulu at her taco stand

appetizers at LaMission

Raul made us Ceviche with fresh dorado

Cream of Shrimp soup to die for.

Plantain and pulled pork appetizer

next day, clowning around in Rhinos

Mike and Glen got theirs stuck

if you enlarge this photo, it is buzzards sitting on top of cactus, with their wings spread to cool off

Dale, looking like a stud

bloody mary leaving Loreto Airport. Raul in the background, showing off his fabulous moustache

2010-09-21T08:23:00.001-07:00

2010-08-29T14:52:00.001-07:00

random sunday pix

Link to Sara's Wisconsin pix!

Saturday was baby shower for Paul and Rebecca. Her dad Ray is running for Alum Rock School Board, and is a great guy with brilliant plan, and if you have $20 layin around, you should plop it in the PayPal donation site on his web page. He says school board is the ONLY office, this is NOT the beginnings of a politician, but I believe in him, and know he would not be a politician, rather, a statesman.

anyhow, photos! (from the iPhone)

Here is Saul and Emiko playing with his etch-a-sketch

James taking a photo of Rebecca

Sara, now smiling!

Emiko strikes a pose

Does he know he doesn't stand a chance?

fortunately, she has a great sense of humor

playing outside, great city view

Saul pondering newtonian motion

passed out at the sushi bar. no more sake for him

playing backgammon with mom

Watching her move

Why are you interrupting our game???

2010-08-18T14:27:00.001-07:00

work has been a little mental lately, and I have not had much posting.

My new phone is here. Iphone 4, yes, a love affair for me. I like it

Melissa, son Raphael and travelling companion Scott departed this morning, for points north east on bikes. godspeed

Saul and Sara are in Wisconsin visiting family.

I am working, cleaning house, and doing stuff, you know, STUFF. and things.

here are some disorganized photos

saul birthday card

spongebob ants in pants

tia julia

monkey PJs

Pirate Schwag from Aunt Donna

windy at Pesdacero State Park

Brad at 5 guys, is Order #1

Saul saving lemons for me in Wisconsin

some bridge in SF, as seen from Fort Mason Pier

2010-08-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

insanely stupidly busy, need to catch up. have lots of photos to import, will work on it tomorrow some.

getting refi papers on the house in order

getting Saul & Sara ready to travel

making list of jobs to do round here

not sleeping well.

it is all good in perspective, it could be worse, so life is nice. We rode his bicycle around the block tonight, and he went to sleep "like a big boy" I read a story, turned off the lights, and left the room. will see how it works out.

2010-07-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

random pix off my cellpone

me in Loreto at the bar, fish behind me

Saul at Willow Glen Yogurt, with orange ice cream

me and he at the grand canyon

2010-07-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

fan-boy!

Last night I had the fan on, to blow cool air into the house. Saul was sitting on the corner of the couch, clowning around...

And THIS is my birthday present to myself. A Valentine ONE, the best radar detector in the world. Upgradeable, supported, solid. I have been using the same old one I've had for 18 years, it was time for new. and I usually scrimp some, and save some, and put my spare bucks in a college account some, but this time, I had a want....

2010-07-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

Saul and Matt at the train show in Santa Clara County Fairgrounds last Saturday

Helping Saul to drive one of the models

in the ride-on train ride

me too!

a railroad bouncey house

bounce bounce

bounce bounce

ya know they are full of germs, right? :P

checking stuff out

lots of train people

2010-07-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Loreto fishing expedition - Mid July

We are sorry, we cannot serve you till 6am. but on the airplane... Brad & Justin kick off the morning with Bloody Marys....

Living in Brad's world is something I will never understand

Dale and me at the airport restaurant

a Motley crew at the bar at the Hotel Oasis

3 shots from the back porch of the bar:

Dale, having a serious conversation, does not know Brad is joking in the background

looks yummy, si? Dinner at LaMission

This was my shrimp dish, and it was even more tasty than beautiful....

Justin, "El Mariachi" having some water, unfortunately, unable to pace himself at drinking. The folks at La Mission were probably not thrilled to clean up after this guy's act....

5:30am headed out to the Sea of Cortez

Our "skipper" Antonio said "Orale Carlitos, tu amigo, es un Mariachi?"
"Por que Antonio?"
"Mira, aye-aye-aye-aye"
poor Justin. Antonio told us, "tonight, either buy him some dramamine, or some mariachi lessons, I do not like his singing...."
(point! I did the same very next day)

Brad puts boat into scale

Look! I caught,,,, well, it is the bait...

Justin and Brad at WORLD FAMOUS McLulu's Tacos

this is what Chips and Salsa SHOULD look like

Tacos and tostadas

Dale, relaxing before dinner

Dan caught a few yellowfin tuna, and had the heads bbq'd tastes amazing, but...

Hotel LaMission, not where we stayed, this is the bathroom in the restaurant, the cleanest and tidiest bathroom in Loreto.

Justin caught a fish

YellowFin Tuna!

Brad? Cabrillo, or Sea Bass they come up from very deep, and the pressure change turns them inside out

Mike, Dennis and Dale by the boat at Playa Blanca off Coronado Island

Brad still on the boat

clowning around

Yellowfin and sea bass

kids wheel them from the beach to the processing plant

Justin in front of his yellowfin

me in front of the teeny tiny red snapper I caught. (we got skunked!)

brad and fish

processing plant

lunch plate at the hotel

this is a darn lot of yellow tuna sashimi

with soy & wasabi and a margarita? yum!

Went for Dinner at Papagayo's, a new restaurant run by a retired Houston Realtor named Lee
Justin stares adoringly at Brad

I have a rita

Brad has a Rita

Lee told us he made the best Key Lime Pie ever, he may be right

in Raul's truck on the way back

This is the roll-a-way bed I was on

it is very sturdy, that is steel!

for some reason, whenever I see the police...

Brad, trying on fishing hats

in the airport, nearly home

2010-07-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

We spent the 4th at Eric and Lissas, bbq meatloaf? yeah, I heart Eric! we did 12 cheese stuffed jalapenos on the grill, Lissa ha one, Eric and I ate the rest. 3 were ATOMIC. each of us got one. YOW! corn on the cob, Not-dogs, friends, illegal fireworks, it was all around fun.

Saul took the occasion to try out Eric's stable of bikes

Vintage BMW

Extremely rare Kawasaki H2- 750cc three cylinder two stroke

Lookin at YOU babe!

FZR1000 with custom license plate for Eric Lind Bong!

Lissa's Honda Trans-Alp is silly!

CBR900 Eric brought back from the dead. it was initially purchased as a halloween prop!

Dad, I think I am starting to get hungry...

Honda CB1- 400cc 'standard commuter'

Sara's FZR400 we gave back

ice cream after dinner on the couch with Lissa

stringing up toys for the animals (arts & Crafts time)

Hanging around with LIssa is always cool

cause she has blacklight body paint!

2010-06-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

Saul hanging out playing computers with Chris

Sherry & Saul at Central Market Playground

Sherry & Saul

Sleeping with me at Chris' house in Austin

Saul hanging out with Zack in Austin

Stores in NE Texas

Sleeping in the Sprinter

Hwys in TX

Texas Wienerland! I have a Texas Wiener.

At the Railroad Museum in Marshall, TX

Sandi. who saved the party, making a fish dish for Sara

Folks 50th anniversary party in Longview

and yes, he is having chocolate cake with Grandfather Max

Dancing at the party

Last rest stop in Texas.

Sunset over New Mexico line

Route 66

Tucumcari historical museum, Saul got to STAND in and climb around a bay window caboose!

New Mexico Rain! We drove from Tucumcari almost to Albuquerque and back. Sara's wallet was found, and we got to see this beautiful rain.

Saul and Sara headed into Petroglyph park outside Albuquerque. We arrived ar 4:51pm, the park closes at 5, but there is also an open area we went up to see.

Climbing up in the rocks, checking out the petroglyphs!

Saul decided he liked running on the sand, back to the parking lot!

Views from the South Rim of the grand canyon

In the "WatchTower" at the canyon

I do not want to walk on the sidewalk

At a scenic outlook, we backed the sprinter up for lunch. Sat in the back, made the ice chest a "table" for Saul. Ate, watched Yo Gabba Gabba on the laptop, and saw the canyon.

View of Sara out takin photos while we had lunch

Saul is the Leader! we went on a mini hike, and he insisted he was in front and the leader.

Saul and Sara pointing out the sites at South Rim

2010-06-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

home. 3am.

straight shot from Grand Canyon home, 12.5hours.

View Larger Map

Stopped in Lost HIlls (Buttonwillow) for last gas, MAY have put Sara and Saul on blankets in the back, for comfy sleep.

more photos coming as soon as I can load them

2010-06-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

up, light brekkies at Chris' house

then over to Bobby for some of the best a2Fay i've every had. so great to see friends.

stopped at Academy for some shopping, home for laundry.

Then with Chris, Sara & Saul to central market to visit with Austin friends who came out.

David took this pic of me and Saul

stopped at Fiesta for some groceries. Taco Cabana for snack, and back to chris.

sleep tonight, clean and pack tomorrow, and off to Longview

2010-06-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

up and out to Cisco's Bakery for breakfast, it was wonderful

Then to Austin Speed Shop to visit JesseD

South to Sherry's house and lunch at Thunderclouds

South to Joe's hung out, and off to the lake for Jet Skiing and fun

Angels hamburgers

then Chris' where Saul dropped asleep

no links, no photos

2010-06-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

what a morning. up, shave, shower.

off to meet Jim Ranes, and then to a restaurant I cannot remember, the name, but need to, it was great!

Fred came, and gave me a headfull of ideas. yay, will work on in 2 weeks when I get home

off to meet with JimL and meet his pal talk about work-y stuff.

Wal-Mart for a lamp for Chris's house.

Joes place, when we rallied and out to Chuy's for well, Chuys. Green chile chicken enchiladas, green chile rice, borracho beans, Dot, no salt, and lemme tell ya, YUMMY!

back at Chris's house, waiting for 11:25, when Sara and Saul arrive.

yay!

2010-06-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

the speed limit in Texas is 80

so I went 80. as fast as the van will go

Got in last night, had dinner with James at Hyde Park Bar & Grill, talked a storm, then went to Chris' house to unload
He got home, we delivered BSA to gal for Ken, came back and slept great.

This morning, woke up, went to Academy, for sandals, which I forgot to bring. Stopped by Tamale House #3 for some breakfast Tacos, then to OMJ;s to eat.

Off to Mac the Welders, where I got to ride OMJ's restorated 305 Honda Superhawk. It ran insanely smooth, fast, light, and fun. Of course, it was very hot outside, and i could not take a long long ride. But what a brilliant bike.

Then we had to get James home for his trip to Stephenville. After, Chris and I went to Joes, to grab him, then down to Cabela's in Buda. Stocked up on some necessities, then back into town. Visited Pointey Headed Steve, who has a hilarious cat that falls over if he ties socks around it. Well, I need to find the YouTube Worthy video that Joe took, to explain.

Loaded up, and out to the Salt Lick for DINNER!

Entrance to the Salt Lick

todays specials

Meat smoking pit

Giant Plate of meat

Beans, pickles

let the destruction commense

peach AND blackberry cobbler

empty giant plate of meat

3 pals at rest

2010-05-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

misc photos

Playin Sticky Fish with Grandpa Buzz

Engineer hat Grandma Jan sent me

Squeezy Bubbles

Washing Hands

load the stove

Grandma Manya's Stove in the Sprinter

Eric & Lissa's house and stove new home

Unwrapped and working for the first time since Ed Rivas at Appliance Associates in Austin has restored it.

Eric & Lissa, Saul & Emiko

2010-05-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Photos off my cell phone, from a few weeks ago.

Saul eating Orange Ice Cream

And playing in the Dandelions at the park by Brad's house

probably one of my favorite pix

2010-05-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

this morning

Shave, haircut and a shower

2010-04-24T16:03:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, we stopped by Matt's to play trains. Saul is running some of the "new" trains I got from eBay. There was some discussion, some lining up of switches, and some more chatter about the speed control, then Saul took the wheel, and is IN CHARGE!

and some quick video of him driving!

2010-04-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

For my guys at work! Thank you for saving the Bubble Wrap, this is what it does!

hangin around Sunday

Sara went to Reno to follow her favorite band, so Saul and I went out today to do GUY things.

We tried to help Brad with his motorcycle, but it became time to walk away. Justin and Mary came by Brad's with their daughters Bonnie and Kate. Saul played in the front yard with them, ... that part was fun.

We came home and had lunch. Sorta. I wore most of it, but anyhow

Then we trucked over to Matt's to play with trains. Saul drove the train, flirted with the neighbor's girlfriend, then we were off to other numerous and unspeakable errands.

THEN we got Jasmin and Jocelyn, two of the neighbor girls, and took them to the mall for their birthday. They bought? shoes, I told you they were girls. Saul got a Jamba Juice plain orange juice. It took so long, the counter girl gave us another, so the girls split that one.

Stopped at Safeway for juice boxes and cleaner on the way home, where we are now.

Did I mention he played in the "rides" at the mall?

2010-04-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

WARNING. GUY Stuff

for the record? I just unleashed the most AWESOME fart of my life.

raisin bran for breakfast

Cheesesteak and a big Sprite for lunch

got back to the office, ran into the facilities, because I THOUGHT I had a clinker brewing.

sat, prepared, and VOILA, the most brilliant, resonant, gigantic fart EVER!

I was able to do it with confidence, because I was right there, if it was the poop I thought it was, would have unloaded in the proper receptacle
but?

it was great
I released..... , and ..... BLAMMO!

loud, long, large, and spectacularly satisfying.

that is all.

2010-04-05T08:21:00.001-07:00

i got sick, you got sick
all G-d's chillen's got sick

We are fighting off the sick. Saul seems to be pulling out the recovery first.

I am working from home today, watching him, and trying to clear this gunk out of my eyes.

C

2010-04-03T11:17:00.000-07:00

Park CleanUp! Mollie Tobias with the city of San Jose is a volunteer coordinator. She is also my hero of the day. She helped get a ton of college and high school kids to come help spread woodchips in our neighborhood park.

Here are some pix

the black arrows on the green post is the level the play surface SHOULD be up to.

A crew from the parks department dropped off a lot of woodchips. they can do that, but do not have the budget to spread them around! This is where Mollie helped. By getting volunteers to spread the chips? it all becomes possible!

Play structure with not enough chips

Sad rocking dolphin, he is too high up for anyone to climb on!

Turtles, well, that concrete will hurt if you fall on them

Enter a crew of volunteers

young, energetic, and wanting to do something good for the community

applying muscle to solve problems. These are some very positive kids, who spent their Saturday morning working for someone else. I was impressed

Saul was impressed too! He came to say hello, and tell the folks "Thank You!"

Swingset? Reachable! Usable! Hooray

the 'clubhouse'? Well, he can climb onto the seats now. it is not sticking way too far up, it has padding, it looks nice, yeah?

Happy Dolphin, Happy Seahorse, now people can get on them to play!

And look at those turtles!. No more exposed concrete base. Now this looks like a neighborhood playground.

When they finished spreading mulch, the volunteers started pulling up Ivy. Sure, it looks green, but it is just a breeding ground for bugs and rats. These kids pulled, cleaned, and took it by the wheelbarrow load to a city truck to be hauled away.

They worked in the planter to loosen some of the dirt, The city crew is going to try to come up with plants and flowers.

cleaning up shovels and rakes stacked

Mollie in the center in the green shirt is chatting with the volunteers

Some of the volunteers actually USING the playground! this is what it is all about.

2010-03-31T18:39:00.000-07:00

trailer is coming along, cots setup to air out, we are closer and closer

At the Clubman Show, Ken's wife Cindy puts out a lunch spread. Ken eating, and a srsly cool old racer

Passover at Mike and Evies, 2010

and a PASSOVER BASKET from Grandma Susie and Grandpa Buzz!

which had a pooping cow, so I gave him my pooping pig. he has a pooping farm now

2010-03-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

for a kid who does not like eating, I must say, plain cheese pizza is a favorite!

flying a kite with mom, one kite is in the air behind me taking photo, other kite is on the ground

this is Canoas Park playground, in our neighborhood. I am calling the city parks department tomorrow, then my GREAT council member, Pierluigi Olivero, to ask they put some more bark down. See how high the turtle is?

Here is Saul standing at the end of the kiddie slide. Notice how high it is? yeah, kids come down the slide, then drop to the ground. hmmm.

My beautiful wife Sara standing at the swingset. for perspective, she is 5'7" and the swing is at her bellybutton. If you can get onto the swing? you have to get someone to push you, because you cannot reach the ground...

2010-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

A beat up package arrives!

he begins to open it

Packing Bubbles? He's never played with these!

Now what's this exactly?

Allow the snappy hat dancing to commence!

2010-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:00

Playing Trains at Matt's. We are close to setup!

Getting Ready for Purim, he is dressed as a policeman again.

Watching the Congregation Sinai Purim Puppet Show

the Congregation

the Puppet Show Production

Parade around the sanctuary, (he was very interested in this other child's light up sword thing)

Rabbi Berkenwald with some puppet help

Saul and mom's arm

Jumping in the Bounce HOuse

He is a big fan of the bounce house!

2010-02-25T19:55:00.001-08:00

2010-02-21T19:32:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, my pop brought me a N-Scale train set for a present once. He set it up on a 5' x 2.5' plywood board. I called, and just found out, it was so it could slide under my bed!

Well, it's been kicking around for years, and yesterday I decided it was time to fix it up for Saul. He and I took it to Matt's house, Matt is big into model trains. We looked at everything, took inventory, then the three of us went to the model train shop. The only woman in the model train shop? Is definitely the owner's wife, who helps out on weekends. I could not find where they kept the cans, but there is definitely an inventory of "Chick-A-Way" or it's twin product "Girl-B-Gon" under the counter somewhere.

We bought some track, some switches. Next stop Home Depot for some wood to build a box under the set, and legs, so it is off the floor. Our plan? to re-work the old train set.

Photos follow

Matt and Saul working on the railroad

Saul eating a Z-Bar and drinking some juice box All the wile, telling us a fascinating and interesting story.

old plywood spacers from under the track

Saul turning the screws on us. (Playing with clamps)

Joe the red headed Menace says it is not truly a project till someone is bleeding. I managed to catch my fingers on a staple under the board, ripped across them all. There are bloody fingerprints on the inside of one of the box sides under the track now.

Saul providing some much needed adult supervision. Had he been watching, I may not have cut myself! :)

Tools on the deck

This board is not straight

These switches are too old, they do not bounce back

Old switch after receiving too much power, many years ago

Almost clear

Clipping the old wiring away to make room for the new

Starting to lay it out. We soldered every joint, and glued it all to the surface of the wood

Taking shape

Measuring radius for curves

Yes, I was working on this also. Soldering all the wiring for new switches (we moved from 4 to 6)

View from the north

View from the south, with building to show the "spurs" we will be using to stage cars, and make a small town.

Matt at dinner with his fancy purple (not gay) margarita!

Tomorrow we are gonna try to take some cars, and let Saul drive them around. I still need to buy a better transformer, mine cannot power all the switches. And? Maybe a new engine.

I think we will lay "ballast" or sand, some grass, and a little layout to look more train-ey. Will see how it goes.

I never knew Saul would like Trains as much as he does, but this is cool and fun.

2010-02-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

some final pix from Chennai!

note the "one family, one child" sign

tex mex, in Chennai. No, did not eat there

Saul playing with the remote control car (Thanks Kumar!!) that he has named "go go"

Inside the trailer. Sara's dad built me some wonderful cabinetry while he was here. All the camping gear will live out here.

his plans

trying to show after urethane

\

2010-02-11T11:25:00.001-08:00

back, wore out. Sara's folks are in town, and it is WONDERFUL! Sue made roast beef and potatoes the other night. at my house! meat and potatoes! YUM! Buzz has been working on building cabinetry for the trailer project, it looks fabulous. I am so happy that is getting closer.

AND! they have been working on Saul to get him to use the bathroom properly, all the time. It is slow going, but going.

speaking of, here is a school photo of him, that I like very much.

2010-02-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

Quick summary for those not on facebook

Saturday: blr lunch with Kumar and family? Brilliant. Rush to airport to find out: Flight cancelled, then rebooked 2 hours later.

guy next to me waited till wheels hit the ground landing, and filled 3 bags with puke.

bus from plane to gate? full of mosquitoes.

Security at hotel scans bags, Bullet (motorcycle) exhaust pipe got them interested, so unpacked in lobby. Taj is still a very beautiful hotel.

Saturday night, Dinner with Aparna and friends at her dad's private fancy club.

laundry South India is hot. you sweat out clothes quickly here

Breakfast at the Taj

Sunday, nice, quiet restful day. Sunday night, dinner (sushi)

Aparna showing patented brilliant smile that won Miss Chennai 1989

Me at work Monday morning

man on standard bicycle, note, 1 kid on front, one on back. I missed the shot of the guy with 2 kids, riding in traffic, talking on the cellphone. I am totally not skilled like these guys

pretzels?

Had lunch with my friend Ravi today, we spent three hours chatting. He is doing some very cool things. then we took walk to the bookstore and back - now? packing to get ready, tomorrow I must check out at noon, then spend time with folks till 11pm trip to airport for 2am flight.

2010-02-01T23:05:00.000-08:00

Having visit to Damodara's home, Ed, Honey and me :) such a cute kid

Last day in BLR, hanging out with Kumar's son Babi

chennai has been a mad rush, not much photos, but will upload and sort soon

Ed got delayed on flight home, and I think slept at Dulles NEVER fly through Dulles! I know, somethings you have to? no. and he is safely home now.

2010-01-29T19:23:00.000-08:00

Well, it's my last day in BLR. Yesterday was long at work, meetings and such, but productive and exciting. Then back to hotel to clean up and rest some. Ashish Puri and Ashish Kole met with me and Ed, we went out to buy some presents for someone, then had dinner at the French Quarter, a restaurant owned by one of Ashish Puri's KM pals.

I had? Shrimp A-2-Fay! (etouffee for you non cajun) Delicious. well, by Shreveport standards, maybe not West Monroe.

Ed's flight was at 3:30am, and had to get him back to hotel lickety split after dinner. AshishK bid farewell, after reinforcing some positive breathing exercises, which I did this morning to surprisingly great results. Then AshishP and I helped Ed get packed while calling AMEX travel. There is supposed to be a HUGE showstorm on east coast US when he lands, and we were hoping to see plans, to make sure he is not sleeping at Dulles intl in the snow.

We stopped at Athena nightclub in the basement of the hotel, but it was too loud, and I am too old. :)

Today I took my last breakfast at the Leela, and am waiting for driver to arrive. Will go spend lunch with my friend Kumar and his family, then off to airport for flight to Chennai

sorry for blurry, my camera and I do not get along. it says "begals"

Morning in the courtyard at the Leela

street graffiti

the fountain at work, at the end of the clubhouse. was food day for the clubhouse?

i think I understand the overpopulation problem

motorcycle exhaust pipe wrapped and ready for packing

goodbye room

goodbye sweets I should not eat

Ed, AshishP, AshishK (Ashish P would not make this face if you could see Eds other hand??? )

me, ed, AshishK

2010-01-28T08:53:00.000-08:00

Today had some meetings, then went to the world famous Sandhya Motors company to get spares for my Royal Enfield. Back to office, then out for dinner with Ram and his family

Ram & Ed in the lab

it's not LASERS?

Bangalore at night

family dinner

fancy restaurant

2010-01-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

2010-01-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

Jai Hindi! India celebrated her 60th Republic Day today. 60 years as a republic! we had breakfast, not knowing what to expect My friend Kumar came with a buddy of his, and we travelled about seeing B'lore on R-Day in style

There was a flower show at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, with a stunning amount of people, and beautiful flowers

Kumar and me, and some amazing flower displays

Flowers AND babes in uniforms

Ed, stunned at the amount of people

giant nuts

We do organic well

trees along the roadside

Police Bullet 350! And? Video of stunts for Ind Day!

Then we left the gardens and went for lunch at a great veg restaurant, then drove out into the country to visit the Art of Living. *not martha stewart Here Ed is looking at a papaya tree just by the Ashram

on the way out, we saw this tree. It looks like,

but even close up, you cannot tell. I do not think it was

Then we went to Pyramid Valley, to see the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement giant pyramid!

came back to town very wore out, had to cut the day short to handle some things, had a quick dinner, and am about to fall asleep tired wore out from one of the most brilliant days, at 9:30pm

2010-01-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

another day done. 9:45pm, and I am beat!

Woke up to a brilliant South Indian Breakfast, then went to work. Got a job to get done. Lots of meetings,

mmmmm

Ed Sheffield, Man of Action!

Interact! there are inspirational signs all over the buildings, I liked this one

meeting

lashing as a form of scaffolding construction

tonights dinner was light, and involved the cheese plate

thats a DOUBLE Gin and Tonic for those of you keeping score. Here's one to Keith. MHRIP

2010-01-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

We met with Ashish Kole for drinks, he was off with his wife to see the hit movie "3 idiots" But Ed and I went for Dinner with Ashish Puri at Shiro, a brilliant japanese fusion club in fabulous UB City. Fabulous BIG!

we ate under the giant head but! could not get a good photo

Ed wonders what the people above him are doing

Me and Ashish. (my jet lag is showing)

Menu at Shiro

That's a Spicy Martini!

Which Ashish drank well

I am normal and boring

LOOK AT THAT PLATE OF SASHIMI! LOOK AT IT! YUMMY

I Heart Fish!

Under the big head

outside

2010-01-24T05:59:00.000-08:00

my new date

lamb chops and cheese lunch

sunset

Ed working on the phone

2010-01-23T22:32:00.000-08:00

23 hours, 39 minutes travel time, and I made it to the Leela Palace in Bangalore.

After the long flight in on the most uncomfortable seat Lufthansa had, I find this delicious, inviting bed and shower. At 3:45am local, I used them both.

Breakfast downstairs at the Citrus cafe? I love some indian Breakfast.

So does Ed, my manager.

Walking around the grounds, there is a pool

a jaccuzi which I may try to defile later

lots of beautiful trees

Ed posing by a pillar

Shout out to my Willow Glen Crew! Rollin with the bucks is the only way to go

More as it develops

(For Ed's wife Pat, here is video of traffic shot in 2007 outside my hotel window)