Tag Archives: Recreation

Update on Alex the Parrot

Posted on October 30, 2013 | 3 comments

alex

Alex, my pet parrot, is now about four years old. As you may recall, he (she?-it takes a DNA test to tell) is a Quaker Parrot (although, not a practicing Quaker) also called a Monk Parrot (although he doesn’t seemed inclined to Gregorian chant or making brandy.)

The dog and the two cats go through a couple of bags of food each month. They need checkups and shots, anti-flea medicine and licenses. Alex, on the other hand, goes through 2 bags of parrot food per year. I will admit that I take off my good shirts and don an old denim one so he can climb all over me, with minimal damage. He likes my company, and I enjoy his after a long day when I don’t feel like talking.

My point?

Like many people, I view each of my pets as individuals.

On the other hand, it’s far too easy to look at people not as individuals, but in terms of their appearance, attributes, background or whatever.

Weird, huh?

3 Comments

Posted in Culture, Immigration, People, Philosophy

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Ham Radio Kind of Day

Posted on September 14, 2013 | Leave a comment
Hams can be found anywhere. NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, Expedition 24 flight engineer, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station. Courtesy NASA

Hams can be found anywhere.
NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, Expedition 24 flight engineer, uses a ham radio system in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.
Courtesy NASA

I went to the hamfest in Virginia Beach, VA today. No, it’s not a meeting about pork products – it’s an opportunity for amateur radio operators (hams) to get together and buy or sell equipment.

I like looking for “treasures” at garage sales and thrift shops, although for many, the statement “As is, no refunds” means “It’s broke and parts aren’t available.” Hamfests seem to be different. One reason is that ham radio equipment is meant to be experimented on, so repair information and parts tend to be available. Today, however, I was less inclined to buy a radio that needed repairing and more interested in tools and parts to finish up some of the projects I’ve been working on. I was successful.

After getting home, I set about on some of the to-do’s that needed attention, pausing to flip on my radio. In a matter of (literally) seconds I was engaged in a short conversation with a ham radio operator in Serbia.

I plan on adding a nap and then cooking out on the grill. That’s my kind of day.

Related articles

Leave a comment

Posted in Communications, Culture, Education, Family, Media, People, Philosophy, Science, Space, Technology

Tagged , , , , , ,

It Ain’t as Bad as They Say

Posted on August 9, 2013 | 1 comment

I’ve been struggling the past week to write.

There’s been a lot going on. Today is my mother’s birthday – the first since she died.

My father was recently diagnosed with leukemia, although at his age, it’s kind of a wheel of misfortune. Something was bound to come up.

I had a referral to yet one more specialist, and I’ll be undergoing yet another procedure on Monday.

All this is distracting.

However, I’m neither complaining nor asking for sympathy.

I love my family and any time I get to spend with them. I love my job and the people with whom I work. I enjoy music and being able to play a little. I can go upstairs to my office and turn on the ham radio and talk to people all over the world.

I am working on a thrift store telescope because I love the skies.

My dog thinks I’m the greatest thing in the world. My parrot thinks I’m his entire flock.

Best of all, my wife is my best friend, and everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

I’m blessed with everything anyone could want.

However, recent events have prevented me from writing any brilliant insights, major philosophical revelations or earth-shattering thoughts.

But, then again, I’ve never done that before.

Go figure.

1 Comment

Posted in Communications, Culture, Family, Future, People, Philosophy

Tagged , , , , , , ,

No! Really!

Posted on July 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

 

Al-Capone-9237536-2-402

First, I sat down and started to write. An ant walked across my screen. Then another. And another. (Yes, I know it sounds like the Monty Python bit, “A Minute Past.”)

My computer has been invaded by ants.

Other people’s computers get viruses – mine gets ants.

So I decided to play with the dog. As you may know, Louis is a hound just over a year old. He’s grown on the outside but a big puppy on the inside. A very BIG puppy. During the recreational activities he lunged and hit me in the nose.

I’m sure tomorrow at work people will ask. “Who punched you?”

Rather than try to explain I’m just going to say, “Big Louie. It was just a playful tap.” Let their imaginations run wild.

Leave a comment

Posted in Communications, Culture, Family, Friends, History, Humor, Media, People, Philosophy

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Renaissance Man

Posted on July 10, 2013 | 2 comments
Leonard da Vinci

Leonard da Vinci

I’ve been described as a “Renaissance Man” because of my wide range of interests. I’ve always thought that it was kind of cool to be described that way.

However, my dog has enlightened me. He’ll be lying calmly. I walk toward where I leave my car keys and he’s up and moving like a lightning bolt. “Car! Ride!”

I walk out the back door to the deck. “Grill! Food!”

There’s a noise outside. “Squirrel!”

You get the picture. Unfortunately, I realized that Renaissance Men are…

“Book! Read!”

“Computer!”

“Guitar!”

“Ham Radio!”

Maybe that’s why the dog and I get along.

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Blog, Celebrity, Communications, Culture, Education, Friends, History, Humor, Leadership, Media, Music, People, Philosophy, Science

Tagged , , , , , ,

Far Out Vacation

Posted on April 8, 2013 | Leave a comment
Cheech & Chong(Back in the Day)

Cheech & Chong
(Back in the Day)

Some friends of mine decided to take a vacation trip to one of the states that has recently legalized marijuana. Not exactly my cup of tea, but to each his own.  They’ve never entirely left the sixties.

However, curiosity got the best of me so I stopped over to see if their trip had met their expectations.

“So how was the vacation?” I asked.

“Ummmm. I’m not sure. I sort of can’t remember it,” he said.

“Well, where did you finally decide to go?” I continued.

“I think was either Washington or Colorado,” he answered somewhat vaguely.

“I wish we’d taken pictures,” added his wife. “All I know is it’s a week later and we’ve each gained 20 pounds.”

As for me, I think I’ll stick with Universal Studios and Disney.

Leave a comment

Posted in Arts, Business, Culture, Fiction, Friends, Future, Government, Humor, Media, People, Philosophy, Politics, Science

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,