Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Unbelievable

First, I have to say how lucky we are to have gotten thru the storm virtually unscathed.  A shed and storm door damaged is nothing.  Most of our friends and neighbors came out of it ok too.

The images on television and internet for those who have seen it are unbelievable.

A storm like Sandy, has never been recorded in modern times.  Being deemed as a 'perfect storm' in some respects with Moon, Wind, Tide, all aligning to wreak havoc up and down the coastal areas and inland.

This day in history "On this day in 1991, the so-called "perfect storm" hits the North Atlantic producing remarkably large waves along the New England and Canadian coasts. Over the next several days, the storm spread its fury over the ocean off the coast of Canada. The fishing boat Andrea Gail and its six-member crew were lost in the storm. The disaster spawned the best-selling book The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger and a blockbuster Hollywood movie of the same name."

There was nothing perfect about Sandy except her ability to do damage.


Gov. Cuomo made the remarks during an interview earlier today with an Albany talk radio station, and the governor said that not only has extreme weather been the new norm in New York, but that State and City residents should brace for more of the same as super storms like Sandy seem to occur ever more frequently.
Cuomo spoke to how these events, once counted as unique and shocking, are occurring with alarming frequency, and said:
“There has been a series of extreme weather incidents. That is not a political statement, that is a factual statement. Anyone who says there’s not a dramatic change in weather patterns, I think is denying reality.”

This is the worst storm any of us has experienced and I sure hope this is not a sign of the new weather patterns and systems setting up.

Stay Safe

Photo of the day "Unbelievable"


A colleague at work (Frank) is going to Breezy Point to see if his father in laws house is still standing, and if so, what condition it is in.   Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this storm.



Monday, October 29, 2012

Hurricane Sandy has arrived


Hurricane is chugging up the east coast wreaking havoc as we have breakfast.  I have a busy day working from home making disaster recovery arrangements.

Baked ziti is cooked for lunch as a comfort food.  While we still have power it was a good distraction and I eat when I am nervous.

By 3pm, we start to really see and hear the wind picking up.  Sandy is getting closer.  Leaves all over the place.  My suncast shed has it's roof ripped off.  The sound of it hitting the house was a little unsettling.  No damage to the house.  I tuck the two pieces behind our main shed to keep them from becoming projectiles again.

This day in history "Nearly four decades after he became the first American to orbit the Earth, Senator John Hershel Glenn, Jr., is launched into space again as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Discovery. At 77 years of age, Glenn was the oldest human ever to travel in space. During the nine-day mission, he served as part of a NASA study on health problems associated with aging."

Since food makes me happy, I make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.  Pasta reheats easily in aluminum trays with some sterno.  The leftovers may come in handy should we lose power.

We lose power on and off between 5-7 pm.  We are lucky to get power back and hope the worst has passed.  We will not be affected by the tidal surge or flooding from bay, river, ocean, or sound.  With very little rain so far, we are hoping that our basement doesn't flood.

Stay safe.

This is an historical storm of epic proportions.

Photo of the day "Hurricane Sandy has arrived"


P.S.  A shot of tequila to calm the nerves as the wind sounds like a freight train going through our yard.

Hurricane Comfort Food

As we prepared for the storm, one thing always comes to mind...food.  Since I had an early meeting Sunday morning to discuss hurricane preparedness for our News Systems, I decided to setup a pot roast in the crock pot.

Sue drops Kyle off at work, which in his case is at the soccer fields.  I go to get him at noon, and there are long lines at the gas stations, and full parking lots at the convenience stores.  Everyone is heeding the warning, and filling up on fuel and milk....

I stop at a Handy Pantry and get some bread and soda.  A few glazed donuts and a bag of BBQ potato chips from 7-11, and some pricey gasoline from the local station who ran out of regular....

This day in history "On this day in 1999, a powerful cyclone in the Indian Ocean suddenly intensifies to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane. The next day it struck India, killing more than 10,000 people. It was the deadliest storm in the Indian Ocean since a 1991 storm that killed more than 130,000 people.
Cyclone 05B, as it was designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, began as a tropical disturbance in the South China Sea. When it reached the Andaman Sea on October 24 it became a tropical depression and struck the Malay Peninsula the following day. The storm attained cyclone status on October 27 in the Bay of Bengal and then continued to strengthen as it bore down on the northeast coast of India."

While Sandy is only a category 1 hurricane, it is an unprecedented storm in that it is supposed to for the first time in weather history make a left turn to the West and come straight into the mainland.  It is being dubbed as Frankenstorm, with tropical and Northeaster qualities.  We are supposed to have astronomical tides and flooding as a result.

By dinner time, the school district has already announced that school will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.  We take comfort in knowing that all of us will be able to stay inside as we wait out the storm.  

A hearty beef pot roast with dumplings, comfort food.  

Photo of the day "Hurricane Comfort Food"


P.S. Will start cooking baked ziti and meatballs Monday morning.  There are people who eat to live, and others that live to eat.  YOLO

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Hurricane SANDY - Preparations

Sue gets up really early today so she can see Gavin run XC at Saratoga State Park.  She gets there really early and has a great day.  After lunch in the crowded town with her sister, she makes her way home.  A long day for sure.  Gavin does pretty well with his run after returnig from an ankle injury, placing 3rd for his XC team.

I take Kyle to church where he is volunteering in the PBJ gang.  Community service for national honor society.  I do some grocery shopping and start preparing for the storm.  Hurricane Sandy is coming to town.

After picking up Kyle, he helps me flip the patio tables.  The back, front, and side yards are clear.  The pool has a pump ready should we get the 4-6 inches of rain expected.  An extra tank of propane is picked up, and I start charging some batteries.

This day in history "At 2:35 on the afternoon of October 27, 1904, New York City Mayor George McClellan takes the controls on the inaugural run of the city's innovative new rapid transit system: the subway.
While London boasts the world's oldest underground train network (opened in 1863) and Boston built the first subway in the United States in 1897, the New York City subway soon became the largest American system. The first line, operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT), traveled 9.1 miles through 28 stations. Running from City Hall in lower Manhattan to Grand Central Terminal in midtown, and then heading west along 42nd Street to Times Square, the line finished by zipping north, all the way to 145th Street and Broadway in Harlem. On opening day, Mayor McClellan so enjoyed his stint as engineer that he stayed at the controls all the way from City Hall to 103rd Street.
"

The impending storm may close the subways if they flood.  There is a high likelihood of cancelled LIRR trains, and the airports will be a mess if open at all on Monday and Tuesday.  We re hearing for potential loss of power to 10's of Millions of customers from Virginia to Maine.

We have made sure we have candles, coolers, ice, flashlights, lighters, propane, and some food.  I will be cooking a pot roast tomorrow morning, and hope and pray we don't lose power with this storm.  I couldn't buy a generator now even if I wanted to.

Kyle has a scrimmage today against a U18 team in Commack.  They spank them, and Kyle scores a hat trick.  When we get home I cook two dinners.  Steak for Sue, Kyle, and I.  And chicken for Luke.  Leftovers will be in the menu tomorrow for Luke who hates pot roast.

Sue gets home at around 830, and eats her leftover steak.  I see that there are some meetings tomorrow for work to discuss our data centers and services running in the Northeast...this includes NYC, NJ, Long Island, etc.  It's going to be a long weekend.

So, I bring in the outdoor solar powered lanterns, and make sure we are as prepared as possible.  Will 3 cases of water be enough ?  We have lots of soup, and other canned goods so we won't starve if we lose power.  Why do people run out to get milk, eggs, and bread ?  I got steak, chicken, and pot roast.  That's just me.  Guess we have peanut butter and jelly too.

Stay safe.

Photo of the day "Hurricane Sandy - Preparations"


P.S. The Tequila is optional.  Oh yeah, a battery and crank operated AM/FM/TV/Weather band radio.  

Don't forget to charge your phones, get some cash, fill the gas tanks, and batten down the hatches !

Friday, October 26, 2012

Sequoya Soccer at Sachem East

A busy day at the office followed by an equally busy eve with the family.

Tonight was the last game of the school soccer season for Luke.  It was great watching him play this fall, as he missed a whole year with a heel injury.  He is back in good form, and getting better every game.

On the way home, I go to pick up Kyle from Sachem East.  I drop off his friend and then take Kyle to get a haircut.  Luke calls and wants to know when I will be home...he has soccer tonight and he needs a ride to Sachem East.  He calls his friend Nick Dunn and arranges a ride.

Sue is getting a haircut at the same place, so I run home and get to wish Luke luck before the Dunn's pick him up.

This day in history "Luke gets the assist on the first goal, and then later in the game scores 2 goals.  This is a great and very memorable night for the last game he will play with his Sequoya soccer middle school team.  Luke came off the field with his friends and was really happy to have been able to score in front of the HS coach."

Sue irons a couple of shirts for Kyle, and makes a sweat 16 card minutes before we head out the door.  We make it to Sachem East with 5 minutes to spare.  Couldn't miss this game.  Kyle will get a ride to the party, and I will pick him up later.

As promised, we take Luke for sushi dinner to celebrate.  Back home almost in time to catch Fringe, and of course write my blog.

Hip is feeling a little better.  Rest, Ice, Advil.  I may do a trial mile tomorrow.....

Gotta go pick up Kyle and Gia soon.  Sue is packing a bag as she is going to visit Gavin in Saratoga at his XC meet.  Her sister Karen is going as well.  Early wakeup tomorrow, as Sue needs to be on the road by 530am.

Photo of the day "Sequoya Soccer at Sachem East"


Nick and Luke after the game.  Luke might play some winter indoor soccer with Nick.  Uniforms have to go back to the school, except for the socks.  Nobody wants stinky hand me down socks !!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

HealthCare

No run.  Trying to stay healthy and exercise can hurt you.....

After limping around the office the past few days, decided to go see a doctor.

Health Care has been on all our minds at work with the new health plan that has some difficult choices.

This day in history 'Sandy, the hurricane takes aim at the US mainland'

My visit to a ortho is as expected...useless.  An xray rule out any bone involvement (aka , no fracture or obvious calcification).  I ask what he thinks ?  He says, he has no idea, maybe muscle, tendon, or a combination of....He need to order an MRI.

What did Ortho's do 15 years ago when they didn't order MRI's like they were ordering a sandwich at the local deli.  Anyway, health care being what it is, the pre-approval process starts.  Next week, I may be allowed a diagnostic test, and it will typically cost a reduced rate, thanks AETNA, not $1200, but only $377.

But wait, it is October, and we have already paid more than our share of charges and the plan now kicks in and pays 90%...by the time the test is approved, I hope to not have to use it.  I was hoping the doc would provide advise.  Like rest, ice, advil....but no, he gives a script for physical therapy.

I will likely go for some PT, as I believe that it will help my condition, or at least teach me the proper stretches and strengthening routines.  Healthcare is for the wealthy or poor.  The families in the middle are caught paying more than they should as they try to make ends meet.

How about a nice cortisone shot where it hurts and let me continue running.  As long as the pain goes away, I am happy :-)

Photo of the day "Healthcare"



Soccer, Soccer, and more Soccer

It is FALL, and soccer is a FALL sport.  At least that is the way it used to be.  Now, it is an all year sport of you play on both a school and club team.  Getting ready to visit colleges with Kyle, and soccer is a consideration.  My middle guy may play NCAA College soccer.

After work, I go to pick up Luke from soccer practice.  Sue is at Kyle's soccer game out east.  I decide on home made tacos for dinner.  A quick stop at Lombardi market for the best chopped sirloin in the planet, and a small block of boars head cheddar (so I can fresh shred it).

Kyle comes home in a good mood, I already know that his team took a win 3-1 today.  We teach our children that "it;s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game".  That statement is true  as sportsmanship, teamwork, and such should make the sport enjoyable.  Is soccer supposed to be fun ?  Anyway, winning makes them happy, losing, well, you know...sucks.

This day in history "Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, is born in Malaga, Spain.
Picasso's father was a professor of drawing, and he bred his son for a career in academic art. Picasso had his first exhibit at age 13 and later quit art school so he could experiment full-time with modern art styles. He went to Paris for the first time in 1900, and in 1901 was given an exhibition at a gallery on Paris' rue Lafitte, a street known for its prestigious art galleries. The precocious 19-year-old Spaniard was at the time a relative unknown outside Barcelona, but he had already produced hundreds of paintings. Winning favorable reviews, he stayed in Paris for the rest of the year and later returned to the city to settle permanently."

They play a lot of soccer in Spain...actually it's called football over there.

Luke is logged in while we are eating dinner...he heated up some leftover ziti from the soccer party.  Hey Luke...what are you doing.  Oh, I am trading a player on FIFA...  That's soccer in case you were guessing.

A quick bite and we are on the road to Deer Park for club team soccer practice.  Kyle writes a report on the ride there.  I have a long talk with Kyle's coach about recruiting and colleges, and D1, D2, and D3 soccer.

Home at 10pm...a long day for me.  A longer day for Kyle.  Tomorrow, we do it all over again.  Only this time, it is only Luke with a school game (almost like having a day off).

Photo of the day "Soccer, Soccer, and more Soccer"


I would normally run when there is an hour or more to wait at the field during practice  but I am still sidelined with hip pain.  Really want to work on that magic number.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Hip

Hip hurts.  No run.  Hoping a few days rest do the trick or else I have to see a doctor.  Better this year than next with our new insurance poilcy (huge deductible before the insurance pays for anything).

Work keeps me busy and I have to work late.  I get to work, it is dark, I get back home it is dark.

This day in history "1982, Culture Club were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me', the group's first chart topper and the first of 12 UK Top 40 hits. The song became a major hit after their memorable debut performance on Top of the Pops, when they stood in for Shakin' Stevens who was ill and not able to appear."

Back home for a few minutes, I decide to grab a cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin pie for dinner.

Off to Sachem East for an Athlete Recruitment seminar.  Some interesting information.  I ask a couple of questions.  Getting brave in my old age.

I am trying to figure out what I did to hurt my hip.  I really didn't do anything out of the ordinary.  Do you really want to hurt me ?  So, it hurts when I walk and go down the stairs.  Doesn't really hurt when sitting or going up the stairs.  Pain is centered around the outer hip joint, but alos seems to present in the upper hamstring or lower glute.  What a PIA.

Hungry when I get home from the HS and have some leftover food from the pasta party.  

Leftovers are good.

Photo of the day "Hip"


P.S. What do you think about Bursitis ??

The most common locations for bursitis are in the shoulder, elbow and hip. But you can also have bursitis by your knee, heel and the base of your big toe. Bursitis often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion.
 

Lost

A blog was lost last night while watching the presidential debate.

Did you know we have boats that carry planes and boats that go under the water ?

This day in history "In a televised speech of extraordinary gravity, President John F. Kennedy announces that U.S. spy planes have discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba. These missile sites—under construction but nearing completion—housed medium-range missiles capable of striking a number of major cities in the United States, including Washington, D.C. Kennedy announced that he was ordering a naval "quarantine" of Cuba to prevent Soviet ships from transporting any more offensive weapons to the island and explained that the United States would not tolerate the existence of the missile sites currently in place. The president made it clear that America would not stop short of military action to end what he called a "clandestine, reckless, and provocative threat to world peace."


Is Obama kidding....does he really think Mitt is that stupid.

We are in trouble and need to do something new.

Cuba has missiles ?  Shit...shit who else has them ?

Let's face it.  Most of the world hates us, and we are in everyone's business.

Can a businessman save this country from being owned by China ?

Leftovers for dinner, and a lazy night watching the debate....fell asleep before the end.

Who won ?

Photo of the day "

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Mayan Colander (Sachem East Soccer Pasta Dinner)

Took Kyle to work and then went to pick up more food for the Sachem East Soccer Pasta Dinner that we will be hosting tonight.  Needed chicken cutlets, bread, and salad.

Such a nice morning, I decided to go for a run.  Again, my right hip started hurting.  Very strange and more than uncomfortable.  Maybe I need to stretch more, and use some ice the next few days.  I really don't want to stop for any length of time.

This day in history "On this day in 1959, on New York City's Fifth Avenue, thousands of people line up outside a bizarrely shaped white concrete building that resembled a giant upside-down cupcake. It was opening day at the new Guggenheim Museum, home to one of the world's top collections of contemporary art."

Spend most of the day cooking.  I like to cook, and was preparing for as many as 20 H.S. athletes with good appetites.  With the chicken cutlets, baked ziti, and meatballs in their trays, I limped upstairs for a shower.  

The first set of boys start arriving around 445pm, and I get all the catering trays, and sterno's going.  By 530 or so, there are only half a dozen boys at the house, so I tell Kyle to start eating.  Good thing these guys have a big appetite.  They put a dent in the food trays, and after a few more boys show up, we open up a new tray or two.  

So, I put the Mayan Colander to the test today.  3 lbs of ziti, a couple of pounds of pasta.   We have lots of leftovers and will be eating chicken cutlet parmigiana, baked ziti, and meatballs for lunch and dinner this week.

Photo of the day "Mayan Colander"


P.S. Luke went to his first past party too.  At the Caldwell's.  They had 20+ come over, so you never know.

Magic Number 236

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Late Harvest

Took Kyle to Sachem East early this morning in thick fog so he could take the PSAT.

Decided to go for a run, and after about a mile, started to loosen up a little, and with no real pain kept going all the way into Sayville.  By the time I got back home, I logged over 9 miles.

Was back up at the school waiting for Kyle at around 11am.  I finally txt him at 1120 as almost all the students have been picked up already.  Turns out his girl friends mom picked them up.

This day in history "The Orionid meteor shower peaks tonight, so wake the kids for a teachable moment of wonder – whether you can answer their questions or not, they’ll remember these fragments of Halley’s comet when they see that comet come around again in 2061."

We will be going out soon to peer up into the night sky.  A clear cool night in the northeast, and if I can stay awake long enough, hope to see at least a handful of shooting stars.  Back in August, Luke and I spotted half a dozen or so before the mosquito chased us back into the house.

No harvest moon tonight, so today we went to check the fig trees.  To our surprise, there was a dozen or so ripe figs hanging on after lasts weeks frost.  Most of the leaves now on the ground.  This late harvest is a bonus and the difficult white fig tree has a couple that might actually ripen.

Shrimp scampi for dinner at Luke's request.  A home made pumpkin pie for dessert.

Will let you know tomorrow if we spot any meteors streaking across the sky.

Photo of the day "Late Harvest"


Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold

Too Much Information

Worked from home the first few hours of the day.  Raining so no run.  My gluteus maximus has been hurting...actually below the butt so I am guessing maybe something to do with a strain or something in the hip or hamstring.

I warned about TMI, right.  Somehow a pain in the posterior thigh muscle did not seem to have the same ring as pain in the ass.

Off to the Dr. for a well visit.  Everything checks out of and she gives me some advice and doctors to see next.  Nothing to do with the strain muscle.  She said if it hurts, don't do that (in reference to running)...what where you thinking ??  Anyway, One is for a hand surgeon (I have a small bump, maybe a cyst) to take a look at my right hand pointer finger.  The other is for a gatroenterologist.

I warned you about TMI right.  So, if you take the name of the doctor and break it down into its fundamental components, you get "Gastro" "Enter" and "Ologist".  How does a Dr. decide to specialize in this particular area ?  Why ?  Anyway, my Dr. wants one of these specialists to ENTER and take a look.  Turned 50 this year and she thinks a colonoscopy is a good idea.

This day in history "From its beginnings in the early 1980s, it was clear that MTV, the Music Television Network, would have a dramatic effect on the way pop stars marketed their music and themselves. While radio remained a necessary engine to drive the sales and chart rankings of singles and albums, the rise of new artists like Duran Duran and the further ascent of established stars like Michael Jackson showed that creativity and esthetic appeal on MTV could make a direct and undeniable contribution to a musical performer's commercial success. But if ever a case existed in which MTV did more than just contribute to an act's success, it was the case of the Norwegian band a-Ha, who went from total unknowns to chart-topping pop stars almost solely on the strength of the groundbreaking video for the song "Take On Me," which hit #1 on the Billboard pop chart on this day in 1985."

I watch Sachem East lose to Brentwood.  Sachem has already clinched a spot in playoffs, and looked as if they did not really come to win today.  The good thing is no more players got hurt.  On the way home, I stop at my favorite Bodega for some pernil, rice, beans, chicken, and carne.  I don't have to cook :-)

Watch some Yukon Men as Fringe is not on (stupid baseball).  Stay awake long enough to see them catch King Salmon with a water wheel.  They have a tough life in Alaska I can tell you that.

Don't forget to look up in the sky Saturday night (late as possible) to catch a glimpse of some shooting stars. And you thought I was gonna say Uranus.  Which if broken up into its elements becomes UR ANUS....

Photo of the day "Too Much Information"


P.S. http://news.discovery.com/space/orionid-meteor-shower-121020.html

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Easy Button

I get a txt message from Sue this morning telling me that I have to fix the downspout in the backyard.  Not the typical 7am txt message as I was just getting settled in at work.  We have had water coming into the window well that leaks into the basement.  

Her weather report calls for as much as 3 inches of rain tomorrow.  I better do something to keep the water from flooding into the basement.

I take a lunch break and go to Trader Joe's, the dollar store and Staples.  Where is the Easy Button when you need it.  I have one at work, but the batteries are dead.  

This day in history "On this day in 1767, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon complete their survey of the boundary between the colonies of Pennsylvania and Maryland as well as areas that would eventually become the states of Delaware and West Virginia. The Penn and Calvert families had hired Mason and Dixon, English surveyors, to settle their dispute over the boundary between their two proprietary colonies, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In 1760, tired of border violence between the colonies' settlers, the British crown demanded that the parties involved hold to an agreement reached in 1732. As part of Maryland and Pennsylvania's adherence to this royal command, Mason and Dixon were asked to determine the exact whereabouts of the boundary between the two colonies. Though both colonies claimed the area between the 39th and 40th parallel, what is now referred to as the Mason-Dixon line finally settled the boundary at a northern latitude of 39 degrees and 43 minutes. The line was marked using stones, with Pennsylvania's crest on one side and Maryland's on the other."

Back in the office, I enjoy a PBJ on white bread.  No whole wheat, and a day before my well visit and blood  test.  I sure hope it does not tank up my triglycerides.

Another txt from Sue....doesn't anyone use their cell phone minutes ?  No wonder Verizon offers a share everything plan that gives unlimited phone and txt for a flate rate.  The rate is too high as it does not include data.  So, for us it would actually cost $12 more a month for half the allocation of data.  Where is my Easy Button ?

I digress.  Sue is asking me what's for dinner ?  She reminds me that Kyle needs a good meal.  That can only mean one thing.  Steak, Potatoes, and some veggies.  Where is my Easy Button ?

I can't stop at the market on the way home because I have frozen meatballs to transport and don't want them to defrost.  This only means that I can stop home, and then go back out to the market.  Where is my Easy Button ?

Meat Farms makes my day again.  This time it's shell steaks for $3.99 lb.  I pick up spuds, onions, mushrooms, steak, and bananas.  Turns out I don't need the spuds, onions, or bananas for dinner.  I use red potatoes and broccoli from the CSA.  I get out of Meat Farms with the 4 steaks, etc. for only $22.  "THAT WAS EASY"

So, while cooking dinner (Scarborough Fair Potatoes) in the oven, I break out the duct tape purchased at the dollar store and head outside.  I fire up the grill and then proceed to reattached the downspout extension in the backyard that has come loose.  And Sue didn't even know I scoped out the situation the last time we got water pouring in the basement window.  A roll of $0.99 Duct tape, and we are good to weather the storm.

Scarborough Fair Potatoes - Olive oil, garlic and.......

Are you going to Scarborough Fair:
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

So, we have a nice steak, saute mushrooms, steamed broccoli, and Scarborough Fair Potatoes.  We vacate the kitchen just in time for Sue's religion class.  Time to veg out on the couch.....

I drew the line, sure, not anything like the mason Dixon line, but it was my decision to go with the Scarborough Fair Potatoes instead of the mashed that would have taken me away from fixing the down spout.  

Photo of the day "Easy Button"


Oh yeah, went to Staples to pick up ink for the home printer that ran out of the other day.

When I left Meat Farms there was a liquor store a couple of yards away from my parking spot.  Grabbed a fresh bottle of tequila......That was easy !!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Buy 3 get 1 free

Woke up before the alarm, a usual occurrence lately.  Decide to make a cup of coffee and take 2 advil to give myself a fighting chance at better run today.

Drop Kyle at his bus stop at 625 and then head out for my run.  My body has had 30 minutes to process a cup of water, 1/2 cup of coffee, and my advil (preemptive strike)

Well, still had a bit of discomfort in the right hamstring/glute.  Ran a very respectable negative split of 4.5 miles and for the most part was able to keep a good pace without wanting to turn around.

This day in history "
The Arab-dominated Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announces a decision to cut oil exports to the United States and other nations that provided military aid to Israel in the Yom Kippur War of October 1973. According to OPEC, exports were to be reduced by 5 percent every month until Israel evacuated the territories occupied in the Arab-Israeli war of 1967. In December, a full oil embargo was imposed against the United States and several other countries, prompting a serious energy crisis in the United States and other nations dependent on foreign oil."

Wow.  The oil embargo.  Odd and even days, lines for gasoline.  Rationing.  This was our wakeup call to establish energy independence   The writing on the wall.  Now we have $4 gallon pricing and as much as we want.  No shortages, no rationing, no end to the enormous profits for big oil.  Yet, we keep our current policies to spend billions on clean energy as opposed to bringing in policies to use more natural gas, and produce enough domestic oil.

I have to get new tires this morning when my passenger front tire is found nearly flat and in pretty bad shape.
Mavis tells me that they have buy 3 get 1 free.  $614 dollars with tax and a wheel alignment.  He says tire prices have climbed.  Yes, along with everything else except my salary.  Don't get me wrong, but the small raises the past few years, with inflation, cost of energy, insurance, food, healthcare, etc.  it is tough to be the middle class.

COOPER TIRES are made in America and the tires I bought last time around too.

  China Tariff: The Obama Administration signed a Tariff Order recommended by the ITC which added a 35-55% tariff to Chinese Tires. While this "only" affected the price of Chinese tires directly, the net effect is to reduce price pressure across the board. Since cheap Chinese tires are no longer cheap, other manufacturers don't need to cut tire prices to stay competitive.

Price of Oil: Oil is a component in tire construction, and the price of oil has gone up in recent years.

Photo of the day "Buy 3 get 1 free"


Look on the bright side.  I have a smooth safer ride and with winter coming I needed new tires.  Got 4 years and 50K miles on the last set.  Gonna have to keep this car longer now :-)

Magic Number 251

Worst Run Ever

So, I ask Sue to get up early and take Kyle to the bus so that I can take a long run.  Trying to catch up on the miles and get to my 1000 mile goal.

Not even down my block when I notice how sore my right hamstring feels.  I figure it's a combination of missing 5 days worth of runs, it being a little bit cold, and let me remind everyone, that I am 50 years old.

I struggle up to Broadway Ave, and at mile 1, my knees, shins, and hips are asking me "Why are you doing this".  Again, I mentally take note, and try not to think about it.

This day in history"The embattled Chinese Communists break through Nationalist enemy lines and begin an epic flight from their encircled headquarters in southwest China. Known as Ch'ang Cheng—the "Long March"—the retreat lasted 368 days and covered 6,000 miles, nearly twice the distance from New York to San Francisco."

By the time I made it to mile 2, I felt like one the Chinese who retreated and covered 6000 miles.  So, maybe an exaggeration, but I turned for home none the less.  What the heck, might I be suffering from muscle aches, and pains due to a low grade fever.  I am still congested, and am thinking now that I might have a sinus infection.

Back home from my run, which was a sluggish 4 miles in 40 minutes.  A hot meal and shower and a couple of advil for good measure and off to work I go.

Dinner was a perennial favorite.  Chicken Tikka.  We watched some TV until the debate came on.  I went up to my room to watch.  I just don't know what to believe anymore, and the more I watch, listen and read, the more conflicted I get.

A shot of Tequila toward the end of a marathon debate (I score it 50/50).  I fall asleep before the wife and kids come upstairs.

Photo of the day "Worst Run Ever"

I will be at it again tomorrow.

Magic Number is down to 256






Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Goal

I am feeling well enough to make my way back to the mean streets of Holbrook and Sayville.  A cool 7 mile run...albeit not my easiest run after missing 5 days, and still a bit under the weather.

Decide to meet Sue at Samoset for Luke's soccer game.  A 1-0 loss in overtime.  Damn.  Luke played well but his team could not get one past the keeper.

Back home there are chicken nuggets and fresh cut french fries for Luke.  Sue, Kyle and I are waiting for chicken pot pies to crisp up in the oven.

This day in history "During a game against his old team, the Edmonton Oilers, Canadian ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky breaks Gordie Howe's National Hockey League career scoring record of 1,850 points."

While my boys are no scoring machines like Wayne, they have had their share of goals over the years.

We don't go to see Kyle play because the HS rules are that if you miss practice, you don't play.  Kyle missed weekend practice as he had a fever that day.  Turns out Kyle is asked to play and gets about 60 minutes playing time in the game.

Highlights
Sachem East 1, Patchogue-Medford 0: Kyle Jenkins scored the winning goal with 25 minutes left to play off a scramble following a corner kick to lift Sachem East (6-4) in League I. Chris Gutierrez made seven saves in the shutout.

So you  see, we did not go to the game.  Kyle did not get hurt, or re-hurt.  Kyle scores winning goal.  I am waiting for webcams to be placed at the field so we can see the simulcast on our smartphones...

Two Broke Girls ...funny as ever.  Luke convinces me to bake some chocolcate, chocolate filled cup cakes. As Sophie says on the show "I like cupcakes"

Photo of the day "Goal"




Sunday, October 14, 2012

Felix Baumgartner - 833.9 mph free fall

Still harboring a cold, or maybe now a sinus infection.  I did not run again, and am starting to get worried about reaching my goal.  I have some miles to make up.

Made waffles for Sue, Luke, and Kyle.

Started watching the Redbull Stratos LIVE cast on Youtube along with 8 million or so others.  I could not turn it off.   Felix Baumgartner captured the attention of the web on Sunday when he jumped from a capsule 128,000 feet above Earth and landed safely on the ground in New Mexico.

This day in history ".S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager becomes the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound.
Yeager, born in Myra, West Virginia, in 1923, was a combat fighter during World War II and flew 64 missions over Europe. He shot down 13 German planes and was himself shot down over France, but he escaped capture with the assistance of the French Underground. After the war, he was among several volunteers chosen to test-fly the experimental X-1 rocket plane, built by the Bell Aircraft Company to explore the possibility of supersonic flight."

Baumgartner's leap from the stratosphere (an event dubbed "Red Bull Stratos" by its energy drink sponsor) broke the record for the highest-ever jump from a manned balloon and possibly made him the first person to break the sound barrier during freefall. The feat also made the Austrian daredevil a YouTube sensation.

The timing could not be better.  After several delays, it was go time. On the same day that Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier back in 1923, only this time Felix was truly flying.

What posses a person to do this, or even think about pushing the limits.  It was unreal watching him take that step off the tiny platform after rising to a height that put him in the stratosphere (24 miles high).

Photo of the day "Felix Baumgartner"


Look up in the sky, it's SUPERMAN

Frost

It is cleanup day in the Jenkins house.  I am still not feeling well, and when Kyle gets up to go to soccer practice he doesn't seem quite right.  100.4 fever and a headache.  Uh Oh.  Not my fault.  Luke had a cold last week.

I go outside to get the newspaper and it is cold as predicted.  I notice some frost on my car.  

After breakfast I start to clean the bathrooms and do a general relocated of items to the basement or garage.  As the house wakes up, every gets in on the cleanup.

This day in history "The cornerstone is laid for a presidential residence in the newly designated capital city of Washington. In 1800, President John Adams became the first president to reside in the executive mansion, which soon became known as the "White House" because its white-gray Virginia freestone contrasted strikingly with the red brick of nearby buildings."

I don't think any Mr. or Mrs. President has had to clean the house.  I have come to the conclusion that we either need less stuff, a bigger house, or a maid.  Guess which is the most plausible solution to the messy house syndrome ?  Time to donate stuff to charity.

I put up a crock pot of Beef Stew.  This is one of my fall favorites, and I even got the dumplings to come out right today.  Sue says it reminded her of her mother, who we miss very much.

After dinner, Luke and I go to a couple of local ponds to try out our new weedless frog lures.  Nothing doing as we get skunked.

Photo of the day "Frost"


P.S. This is the type of frost that I see almost every morning parked out on the street.  I am not quite sure why my windshield is so prone to getting glazed over.  Sometimes the thin coating of frost is so stubborn it takes the edge of a credit card to scrape it off......(better than any ice scraper I have ever used). 

Friday, October 12, 2012

Soup

Work from home since I am sick.  Imagine in the old days, when you called in sick, you actually ate toast, drank tea, and stayed in bed.

I opted for Soup.

This day in history "After sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sights a Bahamian island, believing he has reached East Asia. His expedition went ashore the same day and claimed the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, who sponsored his attempt to find a western ocean route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia."

With technology being what it is, I was able to work from home until it was time to pick up Kyle from school.

Columbus opened the door to Eastern civilizations.  It's amazing how fast things progressed historically from that point.

A quick drop at PT, and then I picked up some groceries from stop n shop.  I really gotta try that pea pod delivery service.

Meatballs and spaghetti it is.

Photo of the day "Soup"


Hoping to wake up and feel better.  I miss running, but feel like crap.

Still some soup left for tomorrow.

Under the weather

I have not gone for a run for a few days now.  Weather not cooperating, work, pickups at school, and now a fall cold (URI) Rhinovirus....who knows (nose).  Just don't feel well this afternoon.  Under the weather.

Pick up some Jewish penicillin at the Holbrook Diner, and a roasted chicken from Lombardis market.  For those wondering, Jewish penicillin is chicken noodle soup with matzoh balls.  Ask me what a matzoh ball is if you have to.

Sue teaching religion class tonight.  The 2nd to last of her long , I think 14 year career as a catechist.  Thanks to her and the repetitive nature of 3 boys being taught religion at home, I may very well know more or at least as much about being RC, as about being Jewish.

This day in history "
By 1975, 26-year-old Bruce Springsteen had two heavily promoted major-label albums behind him, but nothing approaching a popular hit. Tapped by Columbia Records as the Next Big Thing back in 1973, he'd been marketed first as the "New Dylan" and then as America's new "Street Poet," but unless you were a rock-journalism junkie or had been witness to one of his raucous three-hour live shows in an East Coast rock club, you'd probably never bought one of his records or even heard his name. That would all change soon, however, for the poet laureate of the Jersey Shore. On this day in 1975, the epic single "Born to Run" became Bruce Springsteen's first-ever Top 40 hit, marking the start of his eventual transition from little-known cult figure to international superstar."

Not really a fan of Bruce - the boss Springsteen, but seemed appropriate blog entry with the born to run.  It took me nearly 50 years to realize that I was born to run.

I lay low most of the night.  A cup of coffee, a cup of tea, a pumpkin muffin ( still good a day or so later).  Early to bed...even got a glimpse of the vice presidential debate.  A spirited debate, and our current Vice President is a little rude ?  You think ?  Kyle says that I can be like Biden sometimes...if I interrupt (more like when I interrupt), I tend to get louder.  A product of my environment as a child.....

Photo of the day "RhinoVirus"




Late Blog Excuse - Rhino's can't type


Thursday, October 11, 2012

3 for 3

So, here is the Jenkins hat trick of sorts.

Kyle hurts his knee three weeks ago and goes to get xray and MRI.  Not broken, knee cap (patella) shifted and caused some pain.  Lucky there was no ligament or cartilage damage.

Gavin hurts his ankle last week.  It looked really bad and he did not tell us right away.  A couple of days later he gets his xray.  Really bad sprain.  10 days on the sideline at a minimum.  Followup with Ortho and and MRI...maybe

Luke hurts his arm, and ends up at Stony Brook for, you guessed it, an xray.  A golf ball sized welt and he is in pain.  They get thru triage, and xray in about 3 hours time.  Contusion.  So we are 3 for 3, three weeks, three injuries.

This day in history "Earle Dickson Born in 1892"  American inventor of Band-aids. Finding his wife prone to kitchen accidents - cuts or burns - Dickson frequently was dressing her small wounds with cotton gauze and adhesive tape. After a number of these accidents, Earle devised a way she could easily apply her own dressings. He prepared ready-made bandages by placing squares of cotton gauze at intervals along an adhesive strip and covering them with crinoline. Now all his wife had to do was cut off a length of the strip and wrap it over her cut. His employment was as a cotton buyer at Johnson & Johnson, where his suggestion to make this a product became a reality leading to Band-aids.

Folks, you cant make this stuff up.  We have band-aids in the house and will soon have rolls of bubble wrap for the young men in the house to help protect them from injury.

Photo of the day "


So, with a family of 5 relatively healthy but active individuals, I already payed out more than my allocated and projected $3,250 for medical, dental, and prescription services.  To put matters into perspective, we still owe about $1000 to providers and a very patient orthodontist.

Thanks to OBAMACARE (which I don't care for), my flexible spending limit max will be reduced to $2500 next year.  This will help pay for part of the Obamacare as I will not have the write off or tax deferred income for higher amounts.   My coinsurance and premiums are slated to rise next year and that is not even part of the Obamacare phase in.  

I project healthcare costs for my family will be about $12000 next year.  A combination of premiums and using the insurance.  There is something wrong with the system.  The middle class is screwed !

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Pumpkin Muffins

After taking a half day off work on Monday, it felt like Monday all over again at work.  Strange how the mind works.

After work, I go to the Ford dealer to see the C-MAX.  I didn't have enough time to test drive, but did get to see it.  Sayville Ford had a loaded version of the vehicle, claim they are selling like hot cakes.  I ask a few questions that they can't answer.  No pamphlets, or information.  A bit disappointing, but if they are selling like hot cakes, then maybe "Anthony" the uninformed salesman doesn't need anything more than the cost of the vehicle and the cost of a lease.

1- If I lease the car, do I get the rebate from the Feds ($3000)
2- What are the safety numbers (crash test).  They say Ford builds safe cares.  Yeah but this is brand new and I want to know if and when they crash one, what the NHTSA rate the car.  I like 5 stars * * * * *
3- When will the C-MAX Energi (plug in version) be available

I get to Sequoya middle school 2 minutes late and see a surprisingly empty parking lot.  Uh Oh !  Did Luke get out really early.  All the late school buses are gone.  There he is , one of two students left standing in the cool mist.

This day in history "On this day in 1992, 18-year-old Michelle Knapp is watching television in her parents' living room in Peekskill, New York when she hears a thunderous crash in the driveway. Alarmed, Knapp ran outside to investigate. What she found was startling, to say the least: a sizeable hole in the rear end of her car, an orange 1980 Chevy Malibu; a matching hole in the gravel driveway underneath the car; and in the hole, the culprit: what looked like an ordinary, bowling-ball–sized rock. It was extremely heavy for its size (it weighed about 28 pounds), shaped like a football and warm to the touch; also, it smelled vaguely of rotten eggs. The next day, a curator from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City confirmed that the object was a genuine meteorite."

I sure hope a meteorite doesn't crash into my car.  But then again, it might be worth a lot of money to a collector and the car may be covered by insurance.

Sue is at Sachem East, where they are losing 4-1.  Kyle is not playing as his legs are sore from injuries.  More Physical therapy scheduled for this week.

Waiting for Sue and Kyle to come home before making chili mac.  That is chili and macaroni and cheese.  One box of Kraft MacNCheese is not enough for 4 of us.  Kyle and Luke grab a sandwich as well.

Feeling kind of chilly and damp in the house.  I decide to clean to pellet stove and chimney stack.  Load a fresh bag of white lightening into the hopper, and start her up.  Some smoke appears, and then fire.  After about 10 minutes the pellet stove is putting out its first heat of the season as I relax in the glow.....



Sue is going to the gym, an invite from Barbara...they are going to get their asses kicked by a drill sergeant.  I stay home and make pumpkin muffins.  I have a cup of tea as I have a scratchy/soar throat.

Photo of the day "Pumpkin Muffins"


Q- What's better than a warm pumpkin muffin on a cool Fall night ?
A- 12 pumpkin muffins

Monday, October 8, 2012

Sports Update

Half a day of work, and the rest of the day in Brooklyn watching MC United win the playoff and Final to take home the winners cup.

The ride to Brooklyn uneventful, but Sue's car does have a low passenger front tire indicator lit.  She says that it happens when it gets cool out.

The first game, a real nail biter that ends in a tie 0-0.  It proceeds straight into penalty kicks.  United's keeper, Nick makes a save and as long as the two remaining United players make their PK's, all is good.  United wins 5-4 against a Long Island rival East Meadow.

This day in history "
On this night in 1871, fire breaks out in a barn behind the Chicago cottage of Patrick O'Leary. Winds blowing off the prairie fed the flames, and the fire spread rapidly, eventually consuming a four-mile-long and two-third-mile-wide swath of Chicago. When the Great Fire was finally over two days later, nearly 300 people were dead, one hundred thousand were homeless, and Chicago's booming downtown was in ashes. Despite the devastation, Chicago would rise again and continue to be the economic center of the American West for decades to come."

This afternoon, Dale was on fire in the 2nd and final game, scoring two goals and nearly getting a hat trick.  A true team effort this weekend, and a come from behind win 5-1 against a formidable opponent from Toronto.  We celebrated at RnR (roast beef and cheez).  We are sure the long ride back to Toronto won't be so much fun...we have been in those situations as well.  Hard work has payed off for United.

Friends and family to view Pictures from Bruce at:



We get another sports update from Gavin who is starting to feel a little better since he sprained his ankle the other night.  Gavin was named Hartwick Hawk Athlete of the week.  We are very proud.  http://www.hartwickhawks.com/awards.aspx?aow=38

Even Luke, who was starving by the time we got home was lucky.  He scored some sushi for dinner.

Photo of the day "Sports Update"


P.S. Even with both knees bothering Kyle, he played very well.  He worked hard this weekend, and had two assists along the way.  Well done Kyle and United !!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Under the Bridge

If you didn't know it was fall yet, today had all the signs.  Cool in the morning.  From sun to rain in only a few hours.  Leaves on the ground.  I think the last of Indian summer is gone.

Kyle and Sue are up before dawn for a trek into Brooklyn for day two of the soccer tournament.  I cant sleep after hearing them up, so around 6am, I go downstairs to wish Kyle good luck.

Shortly after making coffee, I decide to go for a run....no rain yet.

This day in history "On this day in 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California, the most populous state in the nation with the world's fifth-largest economy. Despite his inexperience, Schwarzenegger came out on top in the 11-week campaign to replace Gray Davis, who had earlier become the first United States governor to be recalled by the people since 1921. Schwarzenegger was one of 135 candidates on the ballot, which included career politicians, other actors, and one adult-film star."

I'll be back.  The Governator !

After a brisk 8+ mile run, I make breakfast and wait for Luke to get out of bed.  Around 830, I tell him that we can go fishing at Captree State Park before it rains.

We freeze our butts off at the docks, and after an hour or so, and a handful of fish caught, we head to the bridge.  We stop at the concession for hot chocolate.  I did tell you that it is Fall.  Well,  it is much warmer and less windy down by the dunes.  The fishing is not so good under the bridge and we manage to hook the bottom and loose a few rigs.

Kyle gets an assist again today, but the team falls short with a 2-1 loss.  Sue and Kyle are back home before  Luke and I.  A twist of fate, the team they played today from Canada, gets disqualified for having 17 year old players.  We would have been playing them again tomorrow for the semi-finals, but instead will be playing against a local team from East Meadow.

I send a note to my boss that I am taking a half day off.  I will work from home starting at 6am...don't want to miss the semi-final.  I think ISA United, Kyles team has a good shot at going the distance and winning this tournament.

Photo of the day "Under the Bridge"



P.S. We take the walk thru the dunes and fish under the bridge.  The bay as flat as a lake.  We see a bunch of boats fishing for striped bass...no fish, no bait in the water, no birds working.....  We will try again.  May need to get that night fishing permit.

28 miles covered so far in October.  The magic number drops to 272.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Over the bridge

As is typical this time of year, we have soccer games to go to.  Today, it is in the old neighborhood, Brooklyn.  No mapquest, hotel, or driving directions needed for this one.

We get on the road at 730 and are pulling into the parking area at Aviator field (Floyd Bennet), a stones throw from Marine Park where Sue grew up.  Aside from the turf fields, things look basically the same in and around the old airfields.

Since we arrive about an hour before game time, I let Sue know that I am going for a run.  I can assure you that this is my first time running in Brooklyn, even though I called it home for 10 years.

This day in history "

On this day in 1866, the Reno gang carries out the first robbery of a moving train in the U.S., making off with over $10,000 from an Ohio & Mississippi train in Jackson County, Indiana. Prior to this innovation in crime, holdups had taken place only on trains sitting at stations or freight yards."

No robberies today at the soccer fields, unless you think that $4 for a pretzel is robbery.

I start my run on Flatbush Ave. heading south towards the Gill Hodges (Marine Parkway) bridge.  I only have about 45 minutes so I am not sure how far I will get.  10 minutes later, I have the span in site and notice that the pedestrian lane is in good shape and that bikes should yield to peds.

Just after mid-span I notice the droan of steel belts on the steel roadway.  That familiar sound tires make as they pass over the metal roadway of these suspension bridges is a lot louder when you are not in the car.  A breezy morning as I peer to my right and see Breezy Point.  Endomondo announces 2 miles as I step foot in Queens, pass under the bridge and into Rockaway.

Fisherman are lines up on the seawall, and after hitting the 20 minute mark, I decide to turn and head back to Brooklyn.  No fish caught or hooked in the brief time I am there.  No fish in the buckets..... amateurs.

Back at the field we notice that there is real grass growing in the artificial turf.  In between games, Luke and I adventure over to the marina across the street.  Kyle gets an assist, and the team wins both games today.  Kyle tweaks his right Knee today and sits out the 2nd game.  Wouldn't you know it, the St. Johns University head coach came down to the field to see him play, only he did not play the 2nd game.

A day in Brooklyn takes us to R&R (Kyle got his roast beef and fries w/CHEEZ), and Randazzos.  My childhood friend who lives in Queens walks into Randazzos a few minutes after us...we catch up a bit.  Never in a million years would we expect to see each other here.  Raw, Baked, Steamers, Calamari, soup, more Steamers.....YUM !!

Gavin sprained his ankle the other night and today got the prognosis.  At least the ankle is not broken.  10 days minimum with little to no activity.  At least it is not broken.  He may miss some Hartwick XC meets.  A bummer, but he has a good support system up at Hartwick (we will only worry a little).

Back home, Luke and I go to San Suci and walk a mile into the woods to one of the lakes.  All I can tell you is that there are fish in those lakes....Luke catches two really nice bass.  I hook a couple and loose them in the weeds.

Chicken Cutlets and Penne with Vodka sauce for dinner.  Finally get to sit down at around 8pm.  A little bit tired from the busy day...not as tired as Sue, who fell asleep on the couch.

Photo of the day "Over the Bridge"



P.S. Kyle will ask the Physical Therapist to work on both knees now.  His coach talked to the St Johns coach and it sounds like Kyle will get a chance to go to a clinic at the college in two weeks and with some luck, he will be in good shape and play well for the St Johns coach to see.  We are sure once a college sees Kyle play, and his grades, they will be excited to have him apply.




Friday, October 5, 2012

Jalapeno Poppers

A picture perfect fall day.  Sun shine, mild temperatures, and a quiet day at the office.

After work, I get the chance to pick up some groceries.  Luke is supposed to stay late at school to watch the girls soccer team.  As I am walking into Giunta Meat Farms, my phone gets a txt from Sue..."pick up Luke at 4:40.  So much for staying late and shopping.

I grab some chicken and a few other items and head for checkout.  Get to the school just about the same time Luke is calling me to ask where I am.

This day in history "
On this day in 2011, Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc., which revolutionized the computer, music and mobile communications industries with such devices as the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone and iPad, dies at age 56 of complications from pancreatic cancer."

Perhaps the best run and most profitable American company.  Apple.  Seems they have what everyone wants, and continue to dominate the market.

 I throw dinner together and then head out to the lake with Luke.  Slow fishing again.  I thought Fall was supposed to be better fishing.  Hmm.

Luke and I have a late dinner, Kyle is out with Gia getting scared at one of the Halloween fright night places. Bellport play house.

While Sue is picking him up, I throw together a snack.

I got 6 jalapeno peppers at my CSA the other day.  I saw some cream cheese in the fridge.  So, how about some jalapeno poppers.  Oven baked, no bacon in the house.  So, three get some summer sausage, three get some cheddar, and some stay plain.

Photo of the day "Jalapeno Poppers"



P.S. Holy Shit...these are way hotter than the crap they sell in the store.....I need beer !

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Daisies

Went for a long run this morning.  Sue took Kyle to the bus.  By the time I came down my street, Sue was on her way to work.

I take a photo as the Montauk Daisy at the mailbox is in bloom.

I get to work and realize I left my access card at home.  Duh.

This day in history "
The Soviet Union inaugurates the "Space Age" with its launch of Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. The spacecraft, named Sputnik after the Russian word for "satellite," was launched at 10:29 p.m. Moscow time from the Tyuratam launch base in the Kazakh Republic. Sputnik had a diameter of 22 inches and weighed 184 pounds and circled Earth once every hour and 36 minutes. Traveling at 18,000 miles an hour, its elliptical orbit had an apogee (farthest point from Earth) of 584 miles and a perigee (nearest point) of 143 miles. Visible with binoculars before sunrise or after sunset, Sputnik transmitted radio signals back to Earth strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. Those in the United States with access to such equipment tuned in and listened in awe as the beeping Soviet spacecraft passed over America several times a day. In January 1958, Sputnik's orbit deteriorated, as expected, and the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere"

On a summer night, while sitting outside in the Pomonok houses, perhaps 40 or so years ago, my dad told me to look up the sky.  The small bright star he pointed out was different than all the rest.  It was moving.  It put a chill down my spine, even though it was probably 90 degrees and humid.  No air conditioning in those days, at least not in the projects.

I get to go to see Luke's soccer game.  They win, and are still undefeated.

Sue is up at open school nite as we settle in to watch TV.  Satellite broadcast I am guessing.  It all started with Sputnick.

Photo of the day"Daisies"


P.S. Montauk Daisy is really more of a hardy mum.  Botanical name: Nipponanthemum nipponicum, formerly Chrysanthemum nipponicum

We have a winner !

Let me just toot my own horn here.  I ran one of my fastest 5 miles ever.  I was not being chased or anything,  but since my Garmin watch and footpod are not communicating, I can't really check how fast I am running until my tracking app on my phone tells me how fast I completed a mile.

So, 5 miles in 44 minutes, which was my personal best avg. pace of 8.50 min/mile.  Even my friend in St. Louis who sees my Endomondo updates, commented "Dude, your are getting faster and faster"

After work, I picked up Kyle from school to take him to Physical Therapy. Sue is at Luke's soccer game.  The typical divide and conquer routine at the Jenkins house.

This day in history "The shot heard around the world" On October 3, 1951, third baseman Bobby Thomson hits a one-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the National League pennant for the New York Giants. Thomson’s homer wrapped up an amazing come-from-behind run for the Giants and knocked the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Giants’ hated inter-borough rivals, out of their spot in the World Series. The Giants went on to lose the Series to the Yankees, but Thomson’s miraculous homer remains one of the most memorable moments in sports history.

I have heard the saying, but never knew where it came from.  Before my time.

Back home just in time to pick up Nick (Luke's soccer friend), so we can head to Sachem East for more soccer.. well, "the goal club fundraiser - hero night".  I don't have to cook dinner, so that's a bonus.

At hero night, all the Sachem soccer teams come together in one place.  We eat, and the boys beg for money so they can buy tickets for the Chinese auction.  Luke manages to get $17 dollars between Sue who gave him a ten spot, and me when he asked for his allowance.

The night is going well and the prized are being called out.  Not expecting to win, because Luke gave me one (1) of the tickets and he kept the other 16.  Suddenly I hear Luke exclaim "I won" and he struts himself up to pick up his prize.  A movie basket, complete with Soda, Candy, chocolate, and a $25 gift card for the movies.  This is how we do it !

Photo of the day "We have a winner"



P.S. from the look of things - The coca cola is already missing



Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Kyle gets MRI results

Another late blog post.

I missed my morning run today as I had a meeting in my calendar.  The meeting got cancelled.  I hate when that happens.  I have 300 miles to go and only 3 months to get there.

Working from home so I can pick Kyle up from school and shoot over to the Ortho to get the MRI results.

The Dr. is in the office and we get to talk and review his findings.  The good news is that Kyle does not have any ligament, cartilage, or bone damage.  Dr. Sileo does not see why with some physical therapy, and an optional knee brace, that Kyle can return to activities.

This day in history "2009 - Rio de Janeiro is elected the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics."

And my baby goes to Rio De Janiero, to do the cha cha....  I sure hope I get a chance to go on behalf of the special events team for Reuters.  I will plant the seed now.

I get Kyle back to school in record time and he does not miss his Spanish test.

Sue and I both decide to drive to Commack to watch a rainy soccer game.  Sachem East vs Commack.  a few minutes into the 2nd half, with a 1-1 tie so far, we see Kyle take off his rain gear and start stretching and warming up.  Sue and I look at each other, and as our stomachs do flip flops, we ask ourselves whether it was Kyle who asked to go in, or coach asking Kyle to go in.

Kyle takes the field in the pouring rain, and each touch or contact with another player makes us cringe.  He looks pretty good though and up until the time he takes a fall (contact, slip, or however it occurred).  Soon after that play, coach takes him out.  So, for 15 minutes or so, Kyle played up top and had some good touches on the ball.  Game ends with a 2-1 loss as Commack scores with only about a minute left to play.

We order take-out and pick up on the way home.  Mike will pick up Kyle.

After dinner, I take Luke to party city so he can get a morph costume.  He chooses stars and stripes.  Red, White and Blue.  Our skinny little man has grown a lot and he is now in Men's size costume.

Photo of the day "Squishy Football"


P.S. I got this cool Squishy Football at the Dr. Office 


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Luke is Back, Watch Out

Another late post.  I gotta get with it.  As the days get shorter, it seems I cant get my blog written at night.

Anyway, after work I ran over to Sequoya to catch a soccer match.  A close game the first half, with   a 0-0 tie as both teams defense kept one another at bay.  I do give Sachem the edge in terms of shots on goal and possession.

The 2nd half is different with several goals and assists with strong play by both the starters and the subs.  The game ends with a 4-0 win for Sachem.  The great part for a dad is being able to be there, and see the game, the smiles and determination on the athletes faces.

Kyle and Mike are at the game, as both are sidelined from their school varsity soccer teams.  Kyle with his knee and Mike with a fractured wrist.  The two older brothers trying to hold back their comments to the players and refs.


This day in history "The British naturalist Charles Darwin returns to Falmouth, England, aboard the HMS Beagle, ending a five-year surveying expedition of the southern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Visiting such diverse places as Brazil, the Galapagos Islands, and New Zealand, Darwin acquired an intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, and geology of many lands. This information proved invaluable in the development of his theory of evolution, first put forth in his groundbreaking scientific work of 1859, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection."


A pizza for dinner, and then Kyle and go to college night, where the HS is hosting like 200 colleges.  Not my first time thru, so I allow Kyle the space to make his choice of where to pick up brochures and he professionally goes about asking the admins about their school, curriculum, and sports program.  Most interest is in the schools in the Northeast, except for one in North Carolina.

After this winter, we will see if Kyle wants to explore some schools in the south.  Gavin chose Hartwick, a great school and he is having a blast.  XC team, great professors, friends, and a BIO major.  Kyle is thinking about PharmD, PT, or other science related major.  Time to start looking at some campuses....St Johns, Albany School of Pharmacy, etc.

Late blog because I settle into the couch to watch TV, and fall asleep early.   Luke was not tentative about going in and winning the ball in today's game.  I brought my camera so go a couple of good photos.

Photo of the day "Luke is Back, Watch Out"


P.S. It's going to be a few years till Luke is ready to start looking at Colleges....Not sure how many feet off the ground Luke is at this point, but he is average height for an eight grader.  He is however, reaching new heights everyday.  Luke is Back !