El Dorado

This is apparently the car or TubaBoy’s dreams. We’ll see if it can be done.

Photo by: LG Kelly

In the crystal ball

The gypsy sees the villa

The riders on the hill

The fire in the fields

—Neil Young

Today was another long day at work without much bandwidth for thinking. There was just barely enough downtime to recharge before diving into dreadful technical documents again. I had to edit three procedures that started in the middle. The writer just assumed everybody would know where he was. I didn’t.

After work, there was running an errand with Beccano and trying to help TubaBoy find a car. He has his heart set on a 1984 El Dorado. I am beginning to wonder if there isn’t more work required to get it up to speed than it is worth. We’ll find out on Friday or so when we go look at it.

Self-tagged Meme

This is another meme. Suna had a good idea. She had everyone who read her blog tag themselves. If you are reading this and haven’t already answered these questions, consider yourself tagged.

What were you afraid of as a child?

Although they were once common in Central Texas, I haven’t seen—or heard—a rattler in years.

Photo Source: Chris Dixon Studios

Snakes. I had frequent nightmares about snakes—but never on a plane.

I think I came by this fear genetically. I remember one time my grandfather almost rolled a duce-and-a-half truck swerving across a back-country road to run over a snake. He always had a large Rolaids jar on the table filled with rattlesnake rattlers.

Granddad was not afraid of snakes. He just hated them with a passion. But hatred almost always stems from fear, doesn’t it?

When he would find a rattler sunning itself in the field or on the road. He would grab it by the tail and swing it rapidly over his head. The centrifugal force would keep it from biting him. When he had enough momentum built up, he would throw the snake 10-20 feet in the air (He was 6’ 7”.). When the snake hit the ground it would burst open. Granddad would cut off the rattles with his pocket knife and add them to his collection.

What sound most disturbs you?

Screaming breaks followed by metal grinding against metal. I don't even like that sound in movies.

What is the greatest amount of physical pain you’ve been in?

I have had a couple of surgeries. Luckily, I was well drugged for them—even during the initial recovery. So, I really don’t remember the pain that much.

What’s your biggest fear for your children? (or children in general if you don’t have some of your own.)

I fear our unelected president has made the world unsafe for Americans through his blind self-interest. I fear that his strong desire to do away with the Constitution will succeed. I fear he and his cronies will be successful in establishing an Iran-style (but Christian) theocracy in the United States.

What is the hardest physical challenge you’ve achieved?

I whipped my body into shape, transforming myself from a road musician to someone who could heft 50-kilo bags of rice over my head for a full work day.

Which do you prefer: Mountains or oceans/big water?

Mountains with a view of the ocean. Such terrain exists in several places in the world.

Ever had a close relative or friend with cancer?

My father

My brother

A niece

A nephew-in-law

A father-in-law

Do I need to go on?

What are the things your friends count on you for?

Honesty

What is the best part of being in a committed relationship?

Love and companionship. A peaceful home.

What is the hardest part of being in a committed relationship?

Committed relationships are hard work. And the things that need work change over time, as with anything that lives and grows. Today i would have to say it is dealing with uncertainty. But maybe that is more a function of me getting older and having less time to recover from setbacks.

Summer or Winter? Why?

Winter. It is easier to stay warm in Texas than to cool off.

Have you ever been in a school-yard fight?

Once. He hit me and ran. I was not fast enough, being fat, to catch him.

Why blog?

Why not?

Did you learn about sex, and/or sex safety from your parents?

I learned in the grand American tradition: from what I heard on the street and men’s magazines. I also remember studying Gray’s Anatomy in high school to try to figure out how all the parts interlocked.

How do you plan to talk to your kids about sex and/or sex safety?

Honestly, bluntly. Trackgrease is in his thirties, so I don’t have to deal with this issue with him. TubaBoy and Beccano both seem to have the information they need. I’m open for discussion, questions, and bad advice.

What are you most thankful for this year?

Suna.