Sunday night – crepey day

Hey friends..
   I’m writing from my secret lair in Tim and Jen’s basement..

There are two screens of Super Bow going in the house.. I’m hoping each group thinks I’m with the other.

We’re over here having a crepe party that Deb orgainized. There’s some amazing stuff up there.. savory and sweet.. meat and veggie.  WThe girls ahd quite a production line going.

I had an asparagus , crushed samosa and yogurt one.. it was excellent. After the savory stuff came desert.. complete with flaming liqueurs.

If I;d stayed upstairs I’d surly be asleep on the floor by now . Those that j..know me that the moment I stop moving, I fall asleep especially if I’ve recently eaten… That’s why I escaped for the basement.  (uh-ohhh… I think I’ve just been discovered down here !!!)

I’ve got good cause to be sleepy.. Diane , Chai and I decided to snowshoe the Long trail south from Bolton Notch road back to our house.. I think it’s about 3.5 hours.. but it was touch coing today.. Chai was eager to hit the trail

The snow wasn’t deep.. but covered enough to make snowshoes OK.. at least for the first 3/4ths of the trip

Chai was drinking out of this whole in the ground.. .. we thought.. tilee we looked around and realized we were on a beaver pond we’d not known was there.. The ice wasn’t think.. so we backed off carefully.. There was some recent beaver work all around us

Like this tree.. Wonder if the beaver was proud or disappointed with this project ?

As soon as we started to climb we started following one of several moose tracks. Chai was eager to find this one.. by the … uh.. markers we found he/sh wasn’t far off.

WHover it was.. it sure had big feet !!

Here’s an idea of how big..

I realized while hiking that my birthday is only a week off.. that means it was time for one of my long time traditions.. the au naturel snow angel. Believe it or not.. every year on or near my birthday I do the snow angel equivalent of skinny dipping. regardless of weather.. Today was in the high 20’s so it wasn’t too hard. . not sure why I do it.. but why break tradition. ?

Diane was the phtotographer and spared you all the worst.. but heres the result./..   I tell you.. it certainly wakes you up !

As I got up and tried to warm up, I found someones tree graffiti. I don’t like it when someone carves up a tree.. but I have to admit that this one is pretty amazing.

The rest of the hike we spent trying to find the white blazes in the snow (again).. We ended up getting off the trail one and managed to make an unintentional  loop using an abandoned stretch of trail.. When we came off the steep and rough old stretch and found our own tracks, Diane said it felt like the movie Ground Hog Day.. Ground Hog day was yesterday and I missed it completely.. Must have been the Retrograde of Mercury.. I’m blaming everything on that for the next few weeks. .

I did my trubute to Sam as I do everyday I’m outside…

You could tell that the animals were hungry..w e found chewed bark everywhere

We found lots of signs of moose… including tracks, scat.. even hair… but no beast.. It was a wild moose chase…

The trail has some beautiful views off the cliffs.. the scenery was nice too..

We fianlly came on Duck Brook shelter.. we took a short resat and wrote in the journal there. We noticed that someone had taken the SamStone we’d placed there.. we like that !

From there it was mostly down hill. That side of the trail had less snow and more ice. It was treacherous in some parts.. but relatively short..

There was a nice view of our house and barn as we started to descend towards Stage Road

We got home around 2.. tired and happy… The rest of the day we worked around the house until it was time to come up and have the crepe fest..

I’ve definitely been discovered now..I hear voices !  Must abort… must abort.. more tomorrow..
nite all.. nite sam !
-me


Saturday night – in retrograde

Folks…
  Friends Sybil and Joanne haveboth written me to tell me more about the retrograde of the planet Mercury that we’re entering. A retrograde is when a planet appears to move backwards through the signs of the zodiac. Right now Mercury is going retrograde into Aquarius.. the sign of my birth.  I think it’s pretty interesting that Mercury is coming up so much in my life.. I’m reading a book chapter on mercury the day that the first space probe to orbit  mercury arrives at the planet.. and now I hear it’s entering an interesting (if not terribly uncommon) astrological cycle.  I’ve always loved the element Mercury… Quicksilver some folks called it. . I remember that we used to play with it as kids.. rolling little balls of it around in our hands.. losing it in the floor boards and carpets of our youth. Now  it’s considered so toxic that a drop is enough to evacuate a school (I still have several kilos of it stashed away in a safe place.. but don’t tell)

I’ve never put much stock in things in things such as astrology.. but with what we’ve seen and experienced this past year.. who’s to say that the movements and positions of planets  couldn’t effect our world and it’s working ? .  Though it’s a stretch for me, I love the thought that the movement of a planet through a pattern of stars perceived her on Earth could effect everyday life here..
Sybill tells met that

… Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travelers, tricksters and thieves.

“Gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travelers, tricksters and thieves !.”. That’s such a cool collection of professions.. I think I’m at least 5 out of the 6 of those ! I Joanne tells me that we can expect the following during a retrograde of Mercury:

1. Communication breakdowns. Anticipate crossed wires, misunderstandings, confused communications and incorrect information. Double check all relevant information for accuracy. Take time to verify instructions, numbers, directions and appointments.

2. People tend to change their minds in midstream, backing out of contracts or agreements at the last minute. It is NOT in your interest to sign contracts during this cycle. It’s OK to consider options, but do not expect or plan to complete negotiations until after Mercury has moved forward.

3. Mechanical problems seem to arise with greater frequency. This includes vehicles, computers, locks and keys, and other vital appliances. If something mechanical breaks down, the culprit is generally the transport mechanism, such as piping, tubing or wiring. Expect a greater frequency of car problems such as flat tires, stalling and accidents. Whenever possible, be prepared with an alternate plan. Throughout the retrograde and shadow periods, back up your computer regularly. Have at least one backup copy stored in a separate location.

4. Schedules get thrown off, often requiring last minute adjustments. Be accessible and flexible.

5. Repairs completed under a Merc’ Retro may have to be reworked.
Hold on to documentation such as receipts.

6. It is best NOT to start new projects under this cycle. Wait until Merc’ moves direct for a more productive beginning, such as opening up a business, an account, mailing proposals or starting a new routine.

7. Expect increased accident-proneness in fingers, arms, hands, limbs, nerves, lungs, vessels

8. Anticipate delays in receiving info- mail can be delayed or info might be filed incorrectly.

9. Watch the tendency to do silly things like lock yourself out of your car or home. And be sure you have the proper paperwork on hand when leaving for outside appointments.

10. Undergo surgery only if it is essential. If surgery is absolutely necessary, be sure that all documentation is in order and that the surgeon knows exactly what is to be performed.

11. Travel plans go awry. Double check flights & accommodations. Prepare for last minute changes or glitches.

My understanding is that this retro period will be  over in early march.. so until then … keep the above in mind.. or not …. as you see fit..

While we’re still on the topic of  our quickest planet.. here’s a cool new picture beamed back from the MESSENGER spacecraft 2 weeks ago.. I knew about the Spiders from Mars.. but never heard about them on Mercury.

OK.. enough about the cosmos . Here’s what’s going  closer to home (and I’m sorry about the italics.. my editor wont seem to allow me to turn them off) .

It’s been a couple of days of very interesting weather.. I caught this sunset on Thrusday night from Champlain.. As always.. pictures of sunsets don’t do them justice. the sky was a blazing red after a day of  rain and sleet

By Friday night we had ice everywhere. the windows all looked like those old rippled glass shower stall doors. Here’s a picture of some of our old Christmas lights as viewed through the ice on the back door.

This morning everything had a thin sheet of ice on it.. very cool.. and treacherous driving ..

Diane and I did a quick run into Richmond this morning.to say hi to my friend John M whom I knew was going to be at Bridge Street. While I was there, I had a great talk with Marvin. He showed me the new ink he got in honor of Brandon K. Brandon worked at Bridge Street  and was Marvin’s daughter in law’s brother. Marvin chose ‘Bam-bam’ because that’s what Marvin’s grandkids called Brandon.  We talked about how the families were doing, how the folks at the Cafe were doing. We also talked about Myspace.. about how the kids use Myspace when someone dies.. I went home and looked up Brandon’s Myspace.  It brought tears to my eyes thinking about him.. and thinking about the early days after Sam’s death .

After Bridge street we went home.. I took a run while Diane took Gabe and Jack up to the mountain. Soon after we got back Avery, Dani. Kevin and Hannah showed up for a surprise brunch they’d put together. It was such a wonderful surprise..

The girls brought these cool fake mushrooms .. they looked absolutely real but were actually made of merreinge and chocolate .  (editor’s note. I just Im’d my friend Bryan.. one of the students I’m working with how to spell merrenge marainge ? mierengge  ?  he said

johncohn at ibm<..timestamp style="display: inline; font-size: 11px;"> (12:25:54 AM)….timestamp–>: how do you spell merrienge ? as in the thing on top of a pie ?
Flessen0<..timestamp style="display: inline; font-size: 11px;"> (12:26:17 AM)….timestamp–>: Ummm John you just asked ME how to spell ..

)

Then we sat around and watched Kevin and Nate’s ‘Bigfoot ‘ video

Gabe got home around 5:30 after a good day at Bolton.. we all piled in the car and headed to Green Mountain Gymnastics for an open Gym day.. The coaches there worked the kids pretty hard.

While the kids did sit-ups, I stole out and took Bryan and the gang working on the IBM project a bag full of empty calories and caffeine. Bryan is working on the Flash programming tonight (and is still at it as I type at 12:30 AM)  The Game lab was full of intense young game devlopers doing their homework on a Saturday night.. ok.. doing their homework is playing halo.. but.. hey.. it’s still homework !

After that.. I zoomed back picked up Gabe and Diane.. and a passel of other kids and we went to Rocky’s for dinner..

All in all.. a very satisfying day…   I’m still just watching out for that trickster Mercury

All for now.. more later.. Love you all. Love you Sam
-me

Friday night – slugs

It’s about 9ish on Friday night an Diane and I are (almost) asleep on the couch. The wind outside is howling and it’s sleeting/raining/snowing something firece. Everything is covered with a sheet of slushy. heavy ice.. which is why  …..   Diane and I are (almost) asleep on the couch. The wind outside is howling and it’s sleeting/raining/snowing something firece. Everything is covered with a sheet of slushy. heavy ice.. which is why   … Diane and I are (almost) asleep on the couch. The wind outside is howling and it’s sleeting/raining/snowing something firece. Everything is covered with a sheet of slushy. heavy ice.. which is why    …

OK.. no fair  , I was goign to keep doing that, but I already got away with one gibberish post for the week. It feels good being inside on a night like this.. This old house is creaking and groaning like soem sort of old ship. Everytime the wind kicks up the house sways so much that you can hear the old ciggarette machine we have clunk agains the chimney. Theis house just can’t stay warm on a night like this. e once had a friend of mine come in here with an ‘air door’ to guage the tightness of our construction.. The report came back saying that we have the equivalent of a 3 foot square hole in leaks…   But I like it when it’s like this. It’s like the house has some sort of story to tell.. think of how many students sat in here on stormy days and listened to the same thing.

I spent the day inside with students, too.. though not here.. at Champlain. We’re trying to finish up the project we’ve been doing together.. and still have a long, long way to go. It’s so much fun workign with these creative students. though. I think it would be so cool to go an be a professor somewhere.like here. or maybe a student again… I dunno

Speaking of creative students.. I have a treat for you all today.. my friends Professors Nate and Kevin have given me permission to post their definitive research on the true nature of BigFoot. Watch it and learn the truth …

And since we’re on the topic of deep science… I’d liek to also turn you all on to one of my favorite websites: xkcd.com. It bills itself as A Webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language.  It bears the follwoing warning:

 Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).

The site has tuff like this

and

Ok… enough for now.. my batteries (and my laptop’s) are low. More tomorrow.. have an ice night !

Love you guys.. love you Sam
-me

thursday night – not forgetting

Ok… No pictures tonight. I’m blogging from the bathtub on my blackberry. I’ve had a long day and need to relax. I hope this thing is waterproof.
My theme today is forgetting…. Or not. I’ve found myself getting increasingly forgetful as the pace of my life begins to accelerate again. This morning, for instance, I almost forgot to run because I started working on my laptop. When I remmbered, I only had 20 minutes before my next meeting. I grabbed my cell phone and Chai and headed out. I couldn’t figure out why I couldnt see… Then I remembered I was still wearing my reading glasses.I dialed up my conference call on my run and almost forgot to put my phone on mute. I came home and almost forgot that I was due at Champlain at 11. I took a 30 second shower then hopped in the car. I forgot my ibm badge.
The whole day kept in that vein. So many things I’d forgotten to do, say, bring or think. Late afternoon diane called me to tell me that we’d both foegotten to bring in the pump from the pool. It had frozen and exploded ….oooops.lots of dumb stuff. No real consequence.. Kinda funny when you think of it.
All this stuff came back to me a half hor or so ago wheb I talked to my friend larry on the phone. He’d called a few days back to tell me he had dreampt of Sam. In the dream, Sam said “tell my dad that its ok to let go a little”. The funny thing is that I’ve been worrying/thinking about some of the Sam ritules I’ve been doing for the past year.do I always touch his pictues.? Do I always touch the Sam rock ? Do I always have on my Sam pin. I think the message from larry is basically reasuring me that the rituals are not what keeps sam in my heart. He’s there forever. That’s the way I rewad it whether its the view of a concerned friend or a message from another world. I’m not forgeting you, sam… There”s no way in the world.

Ok enough of this tiny cellphone keybaord. More tomorrow

G’nite all g’nite Sam
-me