FIELD DAY-If You Plan It, They Will Come

Today is our annual Field Day at school. The theme of this years field day is The Olympics. All of our activities have an international flair. For example, we will have Ireland’s Potato Race, Greece’s Torch Relay Race, and China’s Dragon Race. Those activities sound pretty straightforward and actually make sense.

BUT,--------Is it just me? What is it with Portugal’s Popcorn Machine? I thought popcorn was given to the world by Native Americans, not Portugal. Perhaps it has to do with Chapter 5 of the report, "Savory Snacks in Portugal to 2010".

Then there's Italy’s Balloon Toss. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the French the first in the balloon category. I know the event is using latex balloons and not hot air balloons. But the first rubber balloons were made by Faraday for use in his experiments with hydrogen. There is more information on balloon history at Balloon HQ. I never saw a mention of Italy. Although I suppose they could have introduced the use of animal bladders and entrails as balloons in antiquity.

Finally, there's Australia’s Marble
Grab. Australia has got some marbles. they haven't lost them yet. (Sorry! I couldn't resist.) Their marbles are actually named Devils Marbles and they are huge. I'm sorry but my babies aren't going to be able to grab them anytime soon. Check out these pictures of them at Australia Marbles.

Forecast for today is HOT and HUMID, high around 92. There was a slight chance of rain but now I think that has passed. Regardless of the weather, fun will be had by one and all. After all, we will be outside running and playing and getting wet tossing all of those Italian water balloons. Maybe they will be filled with Perrier water as a concession to the French who kindly gave the world the hot air balloon.

© 2008 Barry T Horst


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We'll Cross That Bridge When We Get To It

Well the inevitable has begun. I went to work yesterday morning and I noticed that they have officially started work on our portion of Interstate 35. Actually it isn't work on the Interstate. It is on the Sun Valley Drive bridge that crosses the Interstate. The bridge currently has one lane each way. And let me tell you, during peak times it can take an act of Congress to get across. There is a Pilot Truck Stop at the intersection which draws a lot of traffic. But within the past year there has been an Ashley Furniture Warehouse, MHC Kenworth Truck dealership, a truck tire center, two new freight trans-shipment centers added to the current Mack and Volvo Truck Center already located within a couple of square blocks. Add to this they are building a new hotel behind the McDonald's. Oh I forgot to mention that the Pilot also added a truck maintenance facility to add to the traffic.

Wow! That's a lot of trucks in the area. There are certain times of the day when both lanes of the bridge are lined up with 18 wheelers. The west bound side of the bridge is waiting to turn and get on south bound IH-35 but can't move because oncoming traffic is stalled because the east bound lane on the bridge is at a stand still. They are waiting to turn left and head to north bound IH-35 OR go straight to one of the various truck centers OR to turn right to go to the Pilot Truck Stop. If the trucks turn right they have to go across another lane of traffic to get into the Pilot. This wait causes traffic behind them' and sometimes on the bridge, to stall. Of course the trucks are waiting because they can't cross due to that one vehicle at the light that wants to turn left but can't due to the idle traffic on the bridge. AAARGH!!!! All I want to do is go straight but I can't.

Then sometimes, if you hit it just right; No Waiting. Pass right on along.

As the construction continues they will be putting a third lane north and south on IH-35 from New Road in Waco south to Sun Valley.

© 2008 Barry T Horst


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Things Are Not As They Seem

Sometimes things I read or hear strike me as being kind of odd. For instance, last night I was looking at a website for Canadian products. The name of the site is, interestingly enough, Canadaonly.ca. I did some browsing around and marveled at the choice of items. I am sort of jealous. The Canadians seem to have some items that i think I would really enjoy. For instance, Smoky Bacon flavor Lay's Potato Chips. Yum!!!

Then I saw it while perusing the meat selections. Canadian Peameal Bacon, described as "The world's most famous bacon." Okay, this sounds interesting. I continue reading and there it is, "Our extra lean Peameal bacon is shipped from the U.S. direct to you in an insulated container....." (Emphasis added.) I thought the whole purpose of the website was to hawk Canadian items. That sort of reminds of the salsa made "...in New York City!"

Then I started thinking of other things. I went to the store the other day and was looking at the frozen bread. And, of course, there it was frozen and sitting in a box in the freezer, New York Texas Toast. It was made in Ohio.

Soooooo, I did a little research. Mars Bars are not made on Mars. Nature Valley Granola Bars are not made in Nature Valley. Andes Mints are not made in the Andes and Klondike Bars are not made in the Klondike.

Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing may be made on a ranch, in a valley. But I don't know for sure. I think it's because the valley is hidden.

© 2008 Barry T Horst


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If It's Not One Thing, It's Another

As I mentioned yesterday I have gotten my computer half-way back to normal. It works without any problems now. I just have to work to assemble the programs that I still need to do a few things that I still can't get done. For instance I lost all of my audio and video editing programs. They will take a while to get again since many were free.

Now the next problem coming down the road is with my DVD player-recorder for the TV. It seems that it gets rather tired after playing DVD's after 10-15 minutes. It freezes and simply does not want to play the disc at all. It has been freezing for a while but it at least had the decency to wait until and hour into the thing. At least then i could watch at least one show. Now that it has changed to 10-15 minutes I can't even watch a 30 minute show without it acting up. I suppose it feels like it has not been getting the attention it wants since I have been dealing with the computer.

I have an LG DVD Player-Recorder with HD Tuner, Model # RC797T. I got this past Christmas. Wouldn't you know it start acting up after the warranty ran out. And of course LG has brought out a new model and there are no local stores that still carry this one. I have emailed Customer Service at LG and described the problem. I will let you know what happens. Until then I guess I have to break out the cheap Insignia from Best Buy.© 2008 Barry T Horst


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Picture Monday, May 19, 2008

HOORAY! It seems that all of the sordid computer "issues" are taken care of. I have been able to get my pictures from Sea World up and posted.

Below is the dolphin tank. The dolphins are a little hard to see because they were under water when I snapped the picture.

This is a picture I took inside the shark exhibit. I love this picture because of the blue cast from the lighting and water. After I took this picture I turned around walked to the piranha display. While looking at them I overheard two girls talking about them. One of the girls said she thought their mouths looked "cute." I thought, "Cute like a paper shredder!"

Here is Julie and Jace in the children's area getting wet and having a great time doing it.

The day is beginning to get long. Here is Scott and the others looking for a drink and a bit of refreshment.

Jace is getting tired and is intent on seeing that his Mom, Jessica, gets tired also.

Proof positive that Jace's plan worked. Here they are, both having a well deserved rest.

© 2008 Barry T Horst


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Fridays vs. Mondays

I found this video online. I think it shows how we as techers feel on Friday afternoons. After a restful and relaxing weekend it is time to head back to class. Sometimes we have to push it to get there.Thanks to elRellano.com.© 2008 Barry T Horst


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