Earth Day, 2009

I just thought I'd post some random things I found on the web today.



What makes floods in Manila an "Earth Day" posting? The flooding is being blamed, in part, on storm drains that are clogged by trash and debris. One thing I noticed in the Philippines is that littering is unfortunately common. Another thing (not an Earth Day issue) is the mix of tricycles, jeepneys and other vehicles so typical of the islands.

I have to warn you about this link. It is not for faint of heart, but I encourage you to watch it. If you can watch this without crying, I don't want to know you. This is heartbreaking. One of the terrible things about being there, amidst so much want and hunger and need is knowing two things--first, I could help any one of these people I saw, but second, I cannot help all of the people I see. So, who do you help and how do you decide?

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte

This link tells a similar story, but is set in India. Not as emotionally jarring, but good and (best of all?) very brief at only about 1 minute.

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1249/Food-For-Thought/TVE9PStP

And then this one more, with a more upbeat message about being content with the things we have. Now that I've made my last car payment and I admit I'm thinking about a new, bright and shiney car, I need to remember that the one I have works fine and has only 72,000 miles on it!

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1082/Binamban--The-Glorious-Food-of-Lagonoy-/VFVFOVBRPT0rVg==

Remembering

My very good and great friend, Larry Orchard, passed away on Saturday after a brief but terrible battle with cancer.

He was a true friend in the best sense of that word. When my marriage ended and I had to move out of my house, Larry let me into his home. He was generous and kind about our time together. He did say he liked my cooking. Living there was a vacation of sorts from the stress that I was feeling in the rest of my life. It was a respite I very much needed, and I left after about 3 months, much more able to bear my burdens.

I knew Larry for more than 20 years. The cliche of someone who would give you the shirt off their back applied to him. He always listened patiently to my complaints and gripes when my life or my work was going badly. He endured his final illness with grace and amazing optimism. I miss him.

Monsters vs. Aliens

Movie Review

I went to see this with 4 of my grandkids, Ben's kids, and we saw it in IMAX 3D, and it was very entertaining. I enjoyed the quality of the 3D and they didn't overuse it too badly. A few scenes at the beginning of the film that were just showing off, but after that it was great. There were jokes for grownups and jokes for kids. No new ground being broken, no depth to the story or anything, just a fun afternoon with grandkids. So what, that's a 3 (of 5)? Yeah, I'd say a 3, solid 3, you could do worse with your money. Be sure to see it in the 3D, it's worth the money.

Has Spring Finally Sprung?

Well, there is always hope, and these cherry trees in blossom outside my apartment are certainly one more reason to have some hope that Spring is here and Winter is fleeing. PLEASE!

April Fools

My photos so far have not captured it, but it has been snowing here off and on today. That takes this whole April Fools Day joke just a bit too far, and it is not in the least funny. This Winter has gone on too long for Seattle this year!

Great Wolf Lodge

I went with Becky's family to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound WA, just south of Olympia. We were there for 2 nights and 3 days.

The kids had a great time from the time we arrived. When we first came in with Lukas he ran to windows, where you can see the waterpark area, and he was ready to go. They went into the water and couldn't get out for 3 hours. They were on the waterslides and in the wave pool and the splash pools, they couldn't get enough. Then we went to the room and they got a sight of the kid's cabin, and they were in love again. Lukas got up on the top bunk in the bedroom and declared it his. He loved their TV and the Nintendo (though it costs Grandpa $7/hour) and the bear village ambience. Emelia loved the room too, and was happy with the bottom bunk (hurray!). Zack had a great time, but he tired out and pretty soon he was sleeping in Grandpa's arms on the side. They keep the swim area pretty warm, and of course it is humid, so it felt like being in the Philippines.

The restaurants seem ok, though the service was a bit slow for a kid's place. We had the buffet breakfast and that was better. On Wednesday night we went out to a BBQ place in Rochester WA a friend had recommended and the food was outstanding. Mason and Dixon BBQ, right on Hwy 12.

The HUGE bucket in the photos dumps 1000 gallons of water (that's 8000 pounds or 4 tons) every few minutes. The splash is gigantic and soaks everyone in range. There are multiple smaller buckets around the park, as well as sprays, jets, sprinkles, drips and drops. I don't know how many waterslides there are, but Lukas loved all of the ones he was allowed to ride. Emelia was riding some that older boys were shy about. Poor Zack ended up not feeling very well--he was running a fever and was diagnosed with pneumonia when he got home--but the rest of us had a great time.

Lukas says he wants to spend 1000 nights here!

Just Don't Ask