A Good Weekend

It was a lovely weekend, and I didn't even have to travel anywhere.  I worked sort of late on Friday, and just as I was wrapping up I received a text from JC asking if she could stay the night on Saturday night.  But of course!

Saturday morning and afternoon were the mundane weekend things.  Yoga, Cooking food, Staples, Target, Grocery store, Mowing lawn, etc.  As I was finishing the mowing, JC arrived.  We loaded up the kayaks and headed for the river.  It was a lovely, leisurely paddle that ended right at sunset.

Sunday was the morning meets and lunch, and then JC headed out.  I couldn't waste such a lovely day by staying in the house, so I loaded the kayak again and went down to the river for a 4 hour paddle.  Yes, four hours!  It was great, but I think I'll be sore in the morning.  I paddled 10 miles total.  5 upstream and 5 downstream.  Funny how that works.  Also, about half of the paddle was through the trees with lots of downed trees and tricky navigation.  A couple times I had to paddle so much I was breathing hard.  I went farther up the river than I had ever gone before be a large margin.

And.....I also saw and got some good shots of wildlife.  On Saturday we did see a muskrat, but I didn't get a picture.  But that does remind me of a song.....

You may notice the pictures are heavy on blue heron.  Because they're just so cool.

The first time we saw the blue heron on Saturday.

Swallowing a juicy morsel.

JC on the water (not walking, but paddling)

Awesome sunset.

Did you know ducks like to eat the green scum along the edge of the river?  True story!  They were so energetic in eating it that I could here them munching and slurping.

In a tight spot with my kayak.  My kayak was high centered on a log, which is why I had time to get my camera out and take a picture. 

The blue heron on Sunday.

Butt shot!  Hahahaha!

Not sure what the deal was here.  He did this without flying.  He did this right after 3 or 4 geese flew overhead.  So I'm not sure if this was his "king of the water" pose or if he was trying to intimidate me.  Maybe both.  I was probably 50 feet away though, so not sure it was at me.

After he finished fluffing his feathers, he almost disappeared there among the cattails.

Look at all those birds on the wire!  They fly in big flocks and like to roost in the cattails.  They all sing together kind of in the same manner that frogs do.  Not sure what kind of bird they are.

Of Interest

Someone told me about this news article about a blind female engineer who works for Apple.  I found it interesting.

http://mashable.com/2016/07/10/apple-innovation-blind-engineer/#mmPXOMbNZOqQ

Last week we had a lot of rain.  In one of the parking lots at work while it was raining cats and dogs on morning, facilities sent out an e-mail at work warning of floods.  This was the icon they used.  My boss tried to get into his car to get his wallet during that time, and he said the water was almost up to his knees!

I can also tell there has been a lot of rain when my yard looks like this.

Complement

In relation to a couple previous posts, here are a few supplemental pictures.

I was going to freak you all out and say these were my new glasses:

 Or maybe these were:

But I forgot I had those pictures earlier, so I ruined my own fun.

Also, it is peach season here.  Can you say "delicious"?

All for now......

Peachy Experiment

In the vein of "food experiments at work (think muffins)", here's a good story.  There's a guy at work who is one of those brilliant yet often impractical people.  Lately he's been gone a lot.  First he had training for a week.  Then I think he went to Poland and Italy for two weeks.  Then maybe he was back for a day or two, and then he took vacation for a week or so.  At some point during all of that apparently he was in the office long enough that he brought a peach into the office one day, likely intending to eat it as a snack.

Then he forgot about the peach.  This wouldn't be difficult to believe if you saw his desk.  He pretty much doesn't sit there.  He uses it to store stuff.  Maybe a week or 10 days ago when I walked past his desk I noticed this peach and that it was starting to get moldy - in the beginning stages of moldy.  I kind of kept my eye on it to see what would happen to it.  Unfortunately I didn't have the presence of mind to take a picture then.  But last week it definitely was extra fuzzy with white and bluish green fuzz.

This week the guy was back from vacation and he hadn't even noticed the peach after more than a day, so I pointed it out to him.  I took a picture before he threw it in the garbage.  This is what happens when you let a peach sit out on your desk too long.  In case you've never done it yourself.

That's real peachy.

On a completely different note, someone e-mailed me a link to this article about leadership.  You can read it for yourself and see what you think.  The part that caught my eye was the paragraph below, mostly because Uncle Bex sometimes teases me about being this way.  At least one of the leadership characteristics comes naturally.  :-)  OK, maybe one or two of the other ones do too.  Like honesty.

"Continuous learning. Show me a know-it-all and I’ll show you someone who doesn’t have a clue about being human. Curiosity and an insatiable desire to always do better is the mark of a great leader. They are rarely satisfied with the status quo, and welcome new knowledge and fresh (even if challenging) input. It’s all about investing in yourself."

Glasses Update

Two or three weeks ago I received my new glasses.  Here are the old ones:

Here are the new ones:

The ladies at the glasses place said they have a little bit more of an "open" look.  They have a very similar shape to the old ones except on the one outer corner.  And they're a different color of course.  I suppose an engineer would call that an incremental update and/or a digit change.  I've adjusted the nose pads a little bit too so you see less of my eyebrows through the lenses.  I think they'll work for the next couple years.

Modularity

Do you know what company had a genius idea related to modularity?  Gillette.  That's right, the company that makes shaving razors.  I was in that aisle at Target the other day and was struck again with how well they created that business model.  First of all, you can buy several different handles.  A "manly" one or a "womanly" one or a travel size one depending on your need.  But all the handles have the same interface to the disposable blade heads, and you can easily snap them on and off to change them.  That way you can be environmentally friendly by throwing less of the shaver away.  And, customers can try different types of shaving heads.  3 blades!  5 blades!  Sensitive skin!  With aloe and vitamin E!  The possibilities are endless.  And I'm sure they charge more for the blade heads that are "new" styles while using minimal raw materials.  Genius, I tell you.  Maybe other razor companies have a similar model, I haven't really done much research.  I don't even know if Gillette was the first.  But still, it's a good illustration of modularity.

Oh, and while I was at Target (and TJ Maxx), I bought another matching bedside table and matching lamp so everything matches and stuff now.  See below.

High Class.  Right there.

Ignore the state of the closet still.

The summer is crazy, so that's all I have for now.

Big News

Today in our sleepy little town there was a shooting.  A prison inmate was in the courthouse and apparently took a gun away from a deputy, and when the deputy tried to get it back, the guy opened fire and killed two bailiffs.  The shooter also died - it's suspected he was trying to escape and not that this was related to the other recent shootings going on in the country.

Because the courthouse is relatively close to the beach and apparently some thought it would be crass to play beach volleyball, beach volleyball was cancelled for the evening.   So I worked late and then went for an enjoyable kayak paddle this evening instead.

But I was wondering.....is it considered lack of respect to go on with your life when you don't know the people who were killed?  I mean yeah, I feel sad in a vague way like I feel sorry for the starving children in Africa.  But what else do I do?  Maybe stop and reflect on life and say a prayer or something.  I don't know - maybe it's my borderline Asperberger's showing up or something.

The news reports also had one government representative's statements about how we need to make sure the proper procedures are in place to keep everybody safe in the courthouse.  And how we need to do better to prevent these tragedies.  How much more security and procedures do you need?  It wasn't like the guy brought his own gun in - it seems like he took a law enforcement person's gun.  The metal detectors can't stop that.  It seems like you call it what it is - a tragedy - and move on.  And maybe you train deputies on procedures to use to make sure an inmate doesn't take your gun.

I thought I had something else as well,but it escapes me at the moment.  This amused me on facebook this evening:

Have a good week!

The Science of Stuff and Things

As I was sorting through some of my work e-mail, I found a link to this video on the science of happiness.  It's a video that's less than 10 minutes, is fairly entertaining, and has a few interesting statistics.  So if that's your kind of thing, I suggest you watch it.

As I was looking through my old bookmarks, I found this article on the 5 biggest worker shortages.  The article is from 2012 so it's a bit outdated, but I think engineers are probably still on the list.

We're trying to hire several people at work, and it's slow going to find good talent.  I'm not the official hiring manager, but I've been on the interview panel.  Sometimes interview candidates say some really surprising things.  And sometimes the calibration between all the interviewers afterward can turn on a dime.  People can be somewhat positive about a candidate, and then if one interviewer is kind of down on the interviewee about one thing, it can turn the whole conversation in a different direction.  It's a very interesting study in human nature and the power of persuasion and group think.

I'm feeling too lazy to actually post real stuff like my trip to China and how my 4th of July went.  I'm like Goose Goofs Off.  Not today.  I'll do it tomorrow.

Personality Test

Hi all - I know I've been a bit silent lately, but I was in China for two weeks of work.  I wasn't able to post for several reasons - the first being that I was busy and tired by bed time.  The second being that google and facebook are blocked by the government unless you have a VPN connection.  There will be more details on China in future post(s).

I haven't had time to compile everything, so in the meantime here is an interesting Japanese personality test.  I don't want to put any preconceived notions in your head, so I'll give a few more details in the comments.  But take the test before you look at the comments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTKqvpHfwgQ

Hopefully your 4th of July plans are taking shape and looking good.  I know mine are!

Domestication

My mom probably thought it would never happen, but I think I've become at least 15% domesticated.  Here is an example.  This is what my guest bedroom used to look like for several years:

Functional. You've gotta love the desk lamp I got for a high school graduation present.

This is actually an upgrade from what it was originally.  Until about five years ago there wasn't a nice sunset painting, and I added the rugs maybe two years ago.  I call my decoration scheme "spartan".

In the past month, I have purchased an end table, a lamp, and had a couple more paintings framed and hung so it now looks like this:

Ahhhh.....kind of relaxing, huh?

OK, OK.  I admit it.  The awesome desk lamp is still in the room.  TJ Maxx only had one end table that size and when I checked again on Sunday the smaller table that matched it was gone.

Tropical meets college dorm spartan.

It's almost inviting I think.  As long as you don't look at the other wall.

I've thought about putting up a curtain or maybe some bi-fold doors on the closet, but I just can't decide and kind of like the "open" look.  If you have any super great ideas on what to do about the closet, let me know.  Well, any great ideas other than moving the tools to the basement or the garage.  ;-)

It is a guest room, so feel free to come and visit and utilize it!

Normal Weekend

This past weekend was exciting mostly because I stayed home and did "regular" stuff like going to yoga class, replacing my rusted out mailbox, and transplanting some plants that accidentally got left underneath the deck and were growing through the deck boards.

Pre-transplant.

On Sunday I went to a couple graduation lunches for two robotics kids.  The evening involved my first paddle of the season.  Woo-hoo!

That is all.  Except for these pictures I took while kayaking.

The first paddle requires an obligatory selfie.

Large goose family.  Probably Catholic.

Look, a tree branch crossing the river.....with the help of a muskrat!  There were several muskrat sightings in fact.

Speaking of muskrats, that reminds me of a song....

Momma duck with two babies.

Have a lovely week!

Preparing Dagmar

The long memorial day weekend was memorable.  I flew to the western part of ND and drove to the eastern side of MT to hang out with Ananias at preps for a few days.  It was quite enjoyable.  I did a little bit of work, and we had some fun goofing around during our "free" time.  Some of these bullets may be a lot of inside jokes, but that's what happens when you go to see your sister.

1. Here at Dagmar........we're serious about our oral hygiene.
2. Preps is a great lesson in succession planning
3. Ananias was fully equiped with a yoga mat and a travel foam roller.  It's almost like we have the same problems.  Cousin Gary says you don't just lick it off the rocks.
4. When someone else is hogging the foam roller, using your metal thermos is an acceptable alternative.
5. Because I care.....that's why I'm making you feel terrible about yourself.
6. Suicidal pheasants - there were lots of these on the road!  I was super excited to see them, but I suppose if I lived there it would be like seeing a raccoon or opossum dead on the roadside here.
7. The competition was quite fierce during ping pong
8. I almost got to play stickball, but it was cancelled due to wind.  Maybe next time.
9. Ten o'clock bathroom yoga.  True story.
10. Uncle Menser says:  "Chee, I wear any size shoe doh"
11. Smoothies.

Ananias reminded me about this post and how clever I was back then.  Big sister from Big Sky country wear big glasses.  For some reason that really struck my funny bone when I heard it again.  I feel like this blog has lost some of its wittiness when I go back and read some of my older material.

Speaking of older material, my cousin posted on facebook some pictures of my grandpa's grave and gave a nice tribute to him.  She went there to place flowers for Memorial Day.  It reminded me of my first REAL blog post ever.  I thought I had said some nice things about him, but when I went back and looked it turns out I didn't.  But if I had written something, it would be to say that he was an amazing guy.  He was always very cheerful and upbeat even though life wasn't always rosy for him and included burying 2 wives, 2 children who didn't make it to adulthood, and seeing one of his adult children die before he did.

Some other more serious and memorable things:

1. Morning bible studies - they just do something to soften the heart.
2. Seeing some "old" friends (BDubs, Mo, CandJ Vig).
3. Getting to know Button, ML, AL, and the rest of the crew better.
4. Hearing stories from others of how they came to know God and how their faith is being strengthened in their lives now.
5. Being reminded again that we all have struggles whether we're young or old.  They aren't the same struggles, but we all still need mercy and love and encouragement in fighting our battles.

And finally!  We get to the pictures.  Like usual, I forgot to take many people pictures - and forgot to take one with Flat MelBMarvis.  She did make a brief appearance, but not when we were outside in the beautiful scenery.

Because they care there at Dagmar.

Stickball got rained and winded out, but this rainbow didn't.

Eastern MT has some beautiful scenery, especially in the spring when everything is green.

Somebody has good taste.

This wasn't the most beautiful scenery we saw, but it's what I managed to snap a picture of.  I never had my camera at the right time to get a good picture of a suicidal pheasant.

Ananias pumping some iron.  Here at Dagmar we're serious about staying in shape.

If only I had remember to get Flat MelBMarvis in the picture, it would have been perfect!

If you think this is where you claim your ski year, you would be partially right.  This is actually where you claim ALL luggage at the Williston airport.

"THE" gate.  It has two doors - one for United and one for Delta.  But the trail leads to the same place on the tarmack I think.  You get to use the stairs instead of a jetway.  I think this is the smallest airport I've flown into including all the ones I've been to in third world countries.

Thankfully some other people donated some people pictures:

Button - a new friend!

Straining the mixer motor by mixing natural peanut butter.

BDubs!  Hanging out with Sheldon.  He's not insane.  His mother had him tested.

Travel and Softball

Today was our first softball game of the season.  I'm already injured.  Plus, I agreed to play on a Thursday softball league as well.  So I'll have double the opportunities to get injured.  I wonder if this is a sign that the whole season will go badly?  Or does it mean I got my injury out of the way for this summer?

The injury isn't super serious.  I got hit in the back between my spine and left shoulder blade by a ball thrown really hard from the shortstop toward the first baseman.  But my back intercepted it before the first baseman got it.  The shortstop caught a line drive, and I was needing to tag up on first base.  As I was turning to go back to first base I could see that I might be in the line of fire, but it all happened so fast it was hard to know what to do other than try to make it back to first and hope it was low enough to not hit me in the head.  I'm very thankful it didn't hit me in the spine or the head - that would have been much worse.

I'm also going to try to make sure I ice and take care of this right so it doesn't turn into the kind of escapade that getting hit with a racquetball turned into.  I just got myself healthy!

Also, over the weekend while driving I listened to several travel podcasts.  A couple were on how to pack light and efficiently.  There was also an interesting one on finding your courage when traveling solo.  If you have an hour to listen and are interested in that one, let me know what you think.  Do you agree with what they say about how travel solo helps you learn about yourself?  Do you agree that for introverts it helps you come out of your shell, and for extroverts it helps you learn to be by yourself?  Are there other ways to learn the same things without traveling?  If you're a regular reader, I think you know I'm not against travel at all.  Are they over-selling the value of travel or not?

The website where I found the podcasts (thanks Uncle Bex) is called The Budget Minded Traveler.  Here are some links.

Ninja Packing Tips - Pack Light and Carry On:
http://thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/ninja-packing-tips-pack-light-and-carry-on/

Pack Light and Carry On for Males:
http://thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/pack-light-and-carry-on-for-males-featuring-travis-sherry-jason-moore-and-nathaniel-boyle/

How to Negotiate with Airlines:
http://thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/how-to-negotiate-with-airlines-with-sam-cornthwaite/

Connecting People Through the Transformative Power of Travel:
http://thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/nathaniel-boyle/

Find Your Courage Through Solo Travel:
 http://thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/find-your-courage-through-solo-travel/

Enigma and Mother's Day

When I placed my order at Culver's the other day, I realized it might sound like a strange order to some.  I ordered a hamburger without onions, but then I ordered a side of onion rings.  And I was the only person in the car.

Last weekend I was in my childhood area for Mother's Day.  It was a good weekend and probably the first time in 15-20 years since Mom had all 3 of her daughters home for that day.  There was also SM that day, so it was a good day.

Dad shaved his mustache off after having it for 40 years.  He looks a little bit different, but at the same time not really.  He looks more like my cousins without it.

Other activities included going to a bridal shower for one of my cousin's fiance, playing with my niece (going on a walk and giving a bike ride), and going to see the fancy new pig barn that BIL-Dan and Muggles have.

Here are a couple pictures from the weekend.

BIL-Dan grilling his inch thick pork chops.

Mom and Bill

Bill and Ananias

Photobomber Bill, Muggles, MelBMarvis, and Ananias

Muggles, Bill, Mom, MelBMarvis, and Ananias

BIL-Dan, Bill, and Muggles

Most of the family except my brother and his brood.  Even Sully got in on the fun.

Teaching Bill about photobombing early in life.

Pops (sans mustache) and Mom

The new fancy pig barn.

Oh, and my bad travel luck has returned.  The plane had mechanical problems in Fargo, so I sat there for an extra hour, which resulted in missing my connection when I got to Chicago.  So I rented a car and drove home from there - I got home at 2:00 AM and the next day at work was intense training on electromagnetic compatibility.  It took me most of the week to recover from that and halfway catch up on sleep.

Some Spring Stuff

This view amazes me every year.

Here are a few pictures I've taken recently of some of the spring scenery around here.  We had some beautiful sunny weather about a week ago, but the last week has been kind of gloomy.  We got all our April showers at the end of the month, and May is starting out with a few too.

Busy eating.

Not scared of me - I probably walked within 10 feet of these guys, and they just sat there.

Magnolia blossoms

More magnolias

Red winged blackbird

This kayak bondage is an outrage!