In Lincoln, Nebraska, downtown, there are old brick and mortar buildings converted to shops, bars, and restaurants. One in particular, the old train station est. 1869, was magnificent stone and marble. The grand lobby, once the transportation hub of this locale, had tall cathedral like spaces. One could only imagine the activity and drama that played here. Echoes.

Outside, an old long silent locomotive relic dated 1901 was the item of interest. Studying the design I tried to guess what was what and how it worked following which pipes lead where and did what. That’s my thing. Fun to analyze for authenticity. What was period and what was added later. Tech for it’s era it must have been a fearsome thing to get close to such a monster when it was fired. Steam would be hissing and oil and water oozing and dripping. Groans and sounds from deep within as the beast heated or cooled. Breathing and heaving and that’s just standing idle. When it went to work, whistle shrieking, the engine must have been glorious. I get my thrills pushing the thrust levers forward (9200lbs cumulative) and hurtling down the runway. Opening the throttle on this iron horse would give me goose bumps for sure.

Watched a great film last night on VHS. BEHIND THE SUN– Abril Despedacado (Portuguese with English subtitles). Pay note to the visual metaphors – things that go ’round. The most enjoyable way to watch movies, for me, is to avoid knowing any of the story line before hand. Newspaper reviews and especially sneak film preview clips and trailers are a spoiler. The only advance info you need is Brazil-1910. But if you must… here’s a screenshot

Our 12 year undersink kitchen disposal wasn’t disposing. Being a simple contractors’ grade [cheap] it was immediately suspect. Maybe the cutting knives are dull… Tap water backs-up and the dishwasher is challenged to drain. Instead of summarily replacing the unit, try drain cleaner. Not the whimpy Drano™ or Liquid Plumber™ as seen on TV but something really caustic like: Pro Drain Opener – 93% sulfuric acid with the skull and cross bones warning. None of these are recommended for use in a disposal appliance but what’s to loose. Try two applications (1/2 cup wait 15 min). The trap downstream of the unit gets hot like a gun barrel so there is some good endothermic reaction going on. The pipes are good to go again after flushing with cool water. Check for leaks.

We all slid into the hotel shuttle, leaving for the airport at o’dark hundred. Usually it’s just the crew but this morning we shared with a road warrior. The man in the suit leaned forward into the drivers space and retrieved a cell phone and charger from the cigarlighter. As this was unusual he felt compelled to explain: He’d left it from last night to re-charge. The driver politely inquired if his battery was restored now. I interjected, “yeah, but the VAN probably won’t start now…(joke)” I dunno — I like to keep control of my stuff. Pretty amazing that he felt comfortable to leave his high buck Samsung PDA / Wireless in such a public place – downtown no less. The van spends the night out front. I wonder if they even lock it.

Our Hawaiian Island cruise includes a side trip to the Republic of Kiribati, some 850 miles south of the big island and I found out why. Thanks to the Jones Act of 1920, which protects US shipping interests from cabotage: No foreign vessels may begin and end voyages from a US Port without making an international call. The law still stands on the books today and is strictly enforced. Thus, the jaunt to Fanning Island — the closest point. No complaints on this end. Close to the equator, this atoll looks like South Pacific Paradise!

more reading –
geography and history
social economic impact

Outdoor guide to clairvoyance and clear vision: The best method to keep blood, sweat or raindrops from your eyes is to wear a brimmed hat. A rolled bandanna tied across the forehead works equally well. Keep your head down. Eventually, droplets will roll into your eyebrows and even though it tickles avoid all temptation or urge to wipe with the backside of your hand. Try a head bop instead. Touching the eyebrow will destroy the natural channeling effect by matting the hair and displacing its natural oily characteristic. If this happens you’ve had it. Seek shelter and a dry soft terry cloth towel.

CSPAN2 was not programmed on my remote. I never gave it a thought. But I have been alerted that it may be worth my while to tune in. And it’s true (thanks Mom!) that BOOK-TV has potential. I watched and interesting review with author Jennet Conant, and her book Tuxedo Park: A Wall Street Tycoon and the Secret Palace of Science That Changed the Course of World War II . On the other hand came next was a real downer. Some scholar from Johns Hopkins speaking before a group of scholars about a book he had written about a scholar. Booorrriinng. I switched over to Discovery Channel and learned what to do/not to do when confronted by Black Bear. Rule No. 1: Never turn tail and run away. This only serves to confirm, in the mind of the beast, that you are no longer a threat but PREY! He is likely to charge and run you down. Try and back out of the situation slowly. Literally walk backwards. Avoid eye contact. Some folks have tried removing trail packs and flinging them off to the side hoping that the bear creature would become confused or distracted perhaps takeing a greater interest in the food stuffs therein. Bad idea. You want that pack strapped to your backside where it will serve as protective barrier between you and teeth and claws (see playing dead). Do not squat down or lay down. Only play dead as a last resort — if the bear has already let you have it. Pepper spray seemed a terrific defense…

So much information right to my armchair via the remote.

I had no idea! I thought it was a school yard thing… There are actually rules and strategies. It is decision making, wits, speed, dexterity and strategy between players who are unable to reach a decision using other means. The result of which is considered binding agreement between them. RPS !

The battle is not over, we are not claiming victory but the coalition is making progress. You will learn however, that chemical weapons WERE used. Naw — this is not a rehash of political commentary. This is about the homeland. The ants are invading kitchen and pantry. I tried the squash under thumb method, but for B.O.U.R.Gurl, that wasn’t cutting it and “Barney” an estimator from Exorbitant Exterminator Co wanted a 12 month contract. So, armed with a leaky old pump sprayer and Ortho’s Malathion-50, I laid down a perimeter barrier on the outside. Fortunate thing. That stuff smells bad — like a Georgia Paper Mill in the summer time. Worse, my exposed hands were wet from the stuff. I’m not poisoned but the stink has been on me for 2 days. Collateral damage. The pesky critters have been beaten back. For now.

The last obstacle on the ‘ride around the lake’ is a rather sheer traverse down the face of a dam. The rider’s style is to hang ones fanny out over the rear wheel. This distributes the weight aft lessening the chance of an end-o (end-over-end). I was briefly into it when I realized that there were influences that I hadn’t factored properly. The grassy slope was newly mowed (scalped close), and soft red clay mud exposed. The surface was treated with heavy moisture from last light rain, fog, and mist. Whooop! Both wheels slid out and down I went. Not a header. The angle gap between upper torso and the steep terrain merely closed up. That’s all. Mud and dirt fouled body side and moving parts. No injury to report. Nothing to see here folks.