Random Musings

Tue - June 21, 2005

Spruce Goose

Looks like I blog once in 6 months
Better sometime than never !!

We watched "The Aviator" yesterday. I did not know that this movie was about Howard Hughes. It is a sad story. We went to Corvallis a few months ago, but did not visit the museum where they have "The Spruce Goose" or "Hercules" built by Howard Hughes.

Posted at 05:31 PM

Thu - February 3, 2005

Longest row ever !!

The entire trip was 12.3 Km (7.7 miles). I did it in 90 minutes at an average speed of 8 kph. I row a very heavy boat called a Wherry. The shells that most people row are a lot lighter and faster. This is the most I have ever rowed in a single non-stop rowing session. On the way back, I thought I was going to die.

Posted at 07:56 PM

Tue - August 17, 2004

My Dad is arriving today

My Dad and Chakku are arriving today at 10:30 PM. Chakku is staying for 3 days. My Dad will stay for about 3 weeks. I am planning on taking him to San Francisco.

Posted at 04:45 PM

Fri - August 13, 2004

Accolade

A day of recognition

Our team was recognized at work by our president and many others for our recent progress. He said "Having common practices and tools across the aerospace group is essential to reducing our costs and improving our productivity. I am very pleased to read of your success with the PDM implementation. Keep up the good work and spread the word to anyone who will listen. Great job" This was very gratifying.

Posted at 04:58 PM

Mon - August 9, 2004

Hot and Sticky

This summer is just awful. One can't be expected to be chipper every day because of all of the sunshine. I want the rains back. There is nothing like a dull cloudy day to get some excellent reading in.

We took a picnic to Gas Works Park. Cam made Hummus, Tabouli, and Cucumber salad. It was excellent. We watched some Irish dancers practice at the park. The light was great at sunset. I lost my key, and I had to go back to the park to get it. It simply fell off my pocket. It took me only 5 minutes to find it !!

Ho Hum ...

Posted at 09:42 PM

Sun - August 8, 2004

Dahlias are beautiful this year

A little early for Dahlia's, but they are spectacular !!

Posted at 10:50 PM

Thu - January 1, 2004

new year

it looked and felt very old.

Posted at 12:28 AM

Sun - December 28, 2003

Finished printing and matting

I finished printing and matting pictures for the show. Tomorrow, I will complete the framing of the pictures. Cam helped a lot, I could not have completed the tasks without her. I suppose I waited too long to finish everything.

Posted at 10:17 PM

Sun - December 21, 2003

Simple is good

Coffee has been a big disappointment for me in the US. Everything else is good, for good coffee, I still have to go to Madras (Saravana Bhavan). Recently, Cam discovered an article about good coffee making. It seems that the biggest component of making good coffee has to do with always having fresh beans and grinding them just before you make coffee. Also, it mentioned that a simple drip coffee maker usually makes the best coffee. I had a flask I got a long time ago at Starbucks that never worked right. It always dribbled and was very difficult to clean. So, I finally returned it to the store today and exchanged it for a simple coffee grinder. I actually got an exchange value of $28.00, the grinder was $20.00. I got $8.00 bucks credit at the store. I wish they had given me cash. Anyhow ...

We also bought a small amount (1/4th of a lb at $10.00/lb) my favourite kind of coffee beans (Lighthouse blend) at the Solstice Cafe. We brought it home and made my first cup using the Indian (stainless steel) coffee filter. I also used the davara and tumbler to have a civilized cup of coffee, at 6:00 PM no less.

It was excellent. This may actually work for me. Now, if I only had murukku to go with it ....

Posted at 06:18 PM

Fri - December 19, 2003

Big day at Boeing Surplus

We finally made it. Jerry, Cam and I went to the Boeing Surplus store when it was actually open. It was quite amazing. Boeing sells unwanted items that has been marked as surplus from office buildings and manufacturing plants at these stores. Things are very cheap here, if you take a Boeing employee, you get an additional 20% off. We were told you could buy entire airplanes here sometimes. However, we went looking for some work tables. We found a very sturdy looking office table which was marked for $35. It was 50% off for year end. On top of that we got the 20% off. So we bought it for $12. I am sure that this table would cost over $100 if bought new. Cam got a tall adjustable stool for painting at $17:00, I got a projection screen for $20, a library step stool for $5 and a fluorescent lamp for $3. We spent a total of about $70. Very nice indeed..

Here is the web site.

http://www.boeing.com/assocproducts/surplus/

Posted at 06:36 PM

Thu - December 18, 2003

Christmas Carols

The ELDEC Carolers did a fine job of singing Christmas hymns at work, It was quite inspiring. It took a lot of practice, but they sounded very good. What a nice reminder of the holiday season. All of us also received a $15 gift card good at Fred Meijer from the Activities committee at work. I love them !!

Posted at 10:53 PM

Wed - December 17, 2003

Widow's Peak

We saw this movie today. It was quite good, we enjoyed it. Mia Farrow did a good job with the Irish accent. I do not usually "get" the plots of movies. But this one, I was able to guess the plot long before the movie ended. I surprised myself.

Posted at 09:21 PM

Light at the end of the tunnel

Finally I am seeing an end to the crazy hours we have been putting in at work. At the end of this month we will have a new company merge with ours. I have had a big role to play in this project.

Posted at 09:10 PM

Tue - December 16, 2003

Back to work

I am able to go skiing on weekdays as I am putting in extraordinary hours at work. When I returned to work today I realized I totally forgot about a meeting I was about to be at yesterday. In fact, I did get a call on my cell phone at the top of Skyline. I did not pick up, but it was my colleagues trying to find out where I was !! I had to make reparations today.

Posted at 09:09 PM

Mon - December 15, 2003

Pole Plant & Carve

I went skiing for the 2nd time this season. This is quite amazing as last year, the ski slopes were not even open. I went to Stevens pass again. Stevens pass is at an elevation of about 3000 feet at the base and about 5000 feet at the top. They already have a 90" snow base which is quite amazing for December. I am still taking lessons, and I have 3 more trips left for the season. I have an additional ski rental and lesson on top of that. So, I will be able to go 4 more times. I am seriously considering investing in my own pair of boots and skis. My instructors and friends think that my skiing skills are improving very well. This time I learned how to "pole plant" and "carve". Pole planting is intended to get your body in the proper position before you make a turn. Carving is a way to gently flex your knee from side to side allowing for the skis to make rapid turns going downhill. Carving is a little scary to do on steeper sections of the downhill. I only try in in the more flatter sections. All in all I am enjoying myself this season.

Posted at 09:03 PM

Lots of fresh snow in the mountains

Strangers on a train

Working very late today

The Rainmaker

President Jimmy Carter is in Seattle tomorrow

Here is the whole crew

Doug is showing off some of his moves

Went skiing today !!

Went rowing today, skiing tomorrow

Mac Frenzy

Taking more pictures of Cam's paintings