Well, maybe not EVerybody but the folks over at LibraryThing sure do have a freaking awesome idea! Seems like this guy Tim came up with the idea of cataloging one's library online. Since lots of folks are creating catalogs and lists and databases online these days, this was a simple step up. The tiny little idea that makes it so cool is that Tim was smart enough to couple with Amazon and gets a trickle of cash-ola for showing book covers, etc.. Pure genius.
I've already started and be warned: it's addictive. I've been running back and forth from the bookshelves to the desk with armloads of books (gads, I need to dust) and entering either by title or ISBN. It's that easy. You get to add your own tags and/or notes, it shows you immediately how many other folks have a listing for that same book and you can even hook up with other folks with similar interests. All this for free for up to 200 books. I think I'm gonna go for it and buy the lifetime membership...it's only 25$ and man, I've got a lot of books. Looks like I better make another trip to storage and lug some boxes home, huh.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Clay Cup 2007 at Deming Speedway
This is mini-sprint car racing at it's finest folks! Shown above is "The Salute to Fans" where the cars line up 4 wide and complete a lap as a show of appreciation to all the fans, friends and families who support their racing. I'm a little bit of all 3 as I am an Official at Deming Speedway...my Man drives the Push Quad and my DD helps out either on Push Quad or in selling raffle tickets for fund raising.
How do I explain dirt track racing to non-racing enthusiasts...hmmmm. Well, it's all-American fun, for one. For another, it's a great activity to teach kids sportsmanship, patience and common sense. As these cars all use motorcycle engines (250cc, 600cc and 1200cc), this type of racing is basically affordable for your average family. And let's not forget learning how engines work and how to repair/rebuild them...a skill far too many young drivers lack.
Many of you closet Nascar fans will recognize the name "Deming Speedway" as the track where a younger Kasey Khane got his solid start as a racer. In respect of his somewhat humble beginnings, Kasey Khane has sponsored our youngest class of racers for a couple of years now. His Dad and Sister make frequent appearances at the track and are both just wonderful true people.
This past weekend was our yearly blow-out...Clay Cup. Now considered one of the largest purses (read: good money!) for mini-sprint racing, we are honored to have as guests, racing families from all over the country. (Several years had a crazy Australian racing with us...what a hoot and a great driver he is!) This year we hosted the likes of Wes Guettinez in the 007 car from my hometown of Salinas, California as well as Corey Eliason in the 00E, Heath Duinkerken in the 79 car (watch out for this guy - that is one fast car!), Raio Morgan in the 21M (welcome to full 600 class racing and You Go Girl!), TJ Smith in the 14 car and Kyle Evans in the 84 car. All fine young adults and smart racers too. The larger California team (Styles Motorsports) was expecting puppies too...let me know! All these fine racers spend time at Lemoore Raceway in central California.(By the way, all these young drivers need a web page of their own...I'll do em if you'll only ask!) A local driver on the rise is Britton Lorentzen in the 600 class; car 38. What a neat family (Dad Brent and Mom Starla), and a smart racer too.
I get such pleasure out of watching the younger ones grow and learn and develop their own styles. It's pretty neat to root on the older guys each week too. Sometimes I'll hand out "lucky cookies" (recipe upon request!)and selectively, offer a good luck kiss...but only with the wife's permission (grinning at George and his wife of the 58 Kope Racing Team!) and only on the left cheek. Don't ask...we racing folks are a superstitious lot.
Anyhoo, it was 3 days of loud engines, fast cars, new friends, clay dust in the air, smiles and more. I'd say I wish we could do it every weekend but I don't think we'd survive. Just too too much fun.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
That's A Lot O' Llama!
Remember those 2 rescued llamas who shared their "several years old" fleeces with me? Well, that's a 10' X 20' tarp they're spread out on. I've even already picked through the worst parts. Wowser, huh. Oh yeah, I had to climb up onto the roof of the "travel trailer from Hell" to snap this pic. It's done! (More on that soon...must take pictures so y'all can see how great it came out!)
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Half a Bath or a Bath Halfway
The plumbing is done and the leak check is negative. Next I'll learn how to install linoleum flooring and create a countertop too. Then I'll install the sink and new faucet and caulk/seal it all up. Almost done...simply can NOT wait to finish this project!
The Flooring Begins!
Laminate flooring is in! How lucky I was that there was several hundred dollars worth of ash wood laminate flooring left in their original packages in here. I've got it matched, cut and laid...next will be the carpet. Yup, wall-to-wall throughout the trailer! The sample up against the loveseat platform will be secured as a bumper of sorts for where folks will kick their heels.
Happy Bunny
A happy bunny face if ever I've seen one! She's also turning into a red-head with her bit of exposure to our mild NW sun.
Now There's a Digging Bunny!
Believe it or not, this is less than an hour's digging time! Both the bunnies took turns burrowing. I think the cool soil felt good cuz they would just sort of lay there for a minute than back out. I'm letting them dig their hearts out today then will re-trench and re-locate the play yard before their next outing.
Remember how when we were little kids and would dig a hole? We'd get teased about maybe digging all the way through the Earth to China. Well, this could very well be since the bunnies' family is teaching English in China...think they're trying to pay a visit?!?
Remember how when we were little kids and would dig a hole? We'd get teased about maybe digging all the way through the Earth to China. Well, this could very well be since the bunnies' family is teaching English in China...think they're trying to pay a visit?!?
It's been quite the week
First we had my BF's van blow up. No...seriously...it went WhOOsh then burned to the ground. He's fine - just bummed that a piece of his ole hippie days has gone to a better place. Take a look...
For those who've never seen a car (or truck or van) catch fire, they burn incredibly fast and completely. When I was with the Fire and Rescue back east, we'd burn the cars after cutting them up (for practice folks, not for jollies!) and it always amazed me how quickly they went. Guess that's why I rarely lock my doors while driving...I want to make that fast get-a-way! Him though, he did the dive out the window thing and had to leave keys in the ignition, wallet on the dash and one shoe somewhere in that vault of ash. We've spent the past week replacing ID, keys and all that odd stuff guys seem to keep in their wallets. OK, OK, I'll be fair...what's in their wallets is no more odd than what's in our purses.
Let's see...what else has been going on...oh yes! The Bunnies have begun burrowing to China and there is progress on the "trailer from Hell"!
More to come...
That's Me Marrying Another Couple
This past Saturday I married Susie and Brian. It is the 2nd for both of them and all of their children were a part of the ceremony. (That's son Joel ducking his head in the bottom corner. He did a fabulous job as the Ring Bearer!). They had each written their own vows and I'll admit to getting a little teary over his...so beautiful.
Weddings are a whole different ball game when you're the one marrying them and not a guest or the one getting married. I really think that the more I do, the more fun they get.
Weddings are a whole different ball game when you're the one marrying them and not a guest or the one getting married. I really think that the more I do, the more fun they get.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
