Arttic Blast 2008

It is an Icy paradise Slippery roads all around us

So the shoveling snow begins... Judi's idea.

Work halted due to weather.....

Judi teaching me the fine art of removing snow.

Attic Blast 2008 started the week before Christmas. Against weather experts reports, Salem city floor got its fair share of snow accumulation. Schools closed, business closed, but DHS kept us coming to work. There is no Justice. After the first wave of powdery snow felt on the ground, it quickly froze that evening turning into ice. The roads were slippery. Did I mention that DHS made us come to work while every one else played in the snow / ice, Where is the Justice? On Saturday 12/20/08, while the roads in Salem were slippery, we went to Portland to pick up Drew under a disappointing rain, and reports of no snow accumulation for Salem. Once on the road the weather chaos broke lose.

Travelling on I-5, once we past Wilsonville, we saw every 18 wheeler pulling to the side to chain up. We were travelling at 70 mph until that point and down to 20 mph from the point forward. On our way back from the airport, the condition deteriorated into Snow followed by freezing rain, hail and more freezing rain. For sure DHS was going to close operations, but Noooo, they did not; I demand Justice !!!!! On Christmas eve we saw some flakes but no accumulation and on Christmas day we some some flakes mix with freezing rain, yet no accumulation.

"Ese Pobre Lechon"

The tittle "Ese Pobre Lechon" (that poor pig) is the title of a folk Christmas song about a poor pig that was slaughter for a Christmas feast. The song details the death, preparation (rotisserie), and consumption of the pig. Rice with Pigeon peas, Pasteles (plantain dough filled with pork), Morsilla (don't ask but it is make from the pork), and Rotisserie pig over an open fire pit is the traditional main course in Puerto Rico during Christmas.

Not long ago my sister was a grammar school actress aspiring to be a pianist, became a dancer at the age of 21, then a choreographer not long after, then she became a comedian because she disclosed her desire in an interview, and then a radio personality because she is funny. Until now she did everything that came her way. Now she starting to produce her own projects.

This is her first solo show, which she also co-produced. The voice only character of Joselyn was born in the radio, this is the first time Joselyn appears in public.

Mt. Angel Oktober Fest

Woo Hoo !!!! Oktober Fest BierGarten

Wow, how come Judi stay so clear to me and the world so fuzzy?

Here are the party animals

Nothing like greasy food and beer for a person with cardiac issues in his family history.

The beers are kicking and I am feeling no pain. Did you noticed I still have the Maui motive going on?

On September 13th Judi and I went to Mt. Angel to celebrate Oktober fest. Do you think something went wrong when planing the activity? It was a good evening of festivities. Beer, wine, and brats. Most pics did not turned out good.The world looked clear to me when I took the pics, but I was under the influence.

Maui, Hawaii

Photos from a disposable water proof camera Can you find the turtle?

The peacock vs Judi At the garden Near Hana

On the Road to Hana Did I mention it was cold? Near Hana Near a village on our way to Hana I know, ridiculous, but almost warm.

Maui Schooner page by clicking on post title

On 08/31/08, Judi and I went to spent a week at the Maui Schooner in Kihei. When we arrived in Maui we were pleasantly surprised to discovered we gain few hours of vacation. Soon we found ourselves traveling toward Haleakala. We left the room at 0300 in order to watch the sunrise. It was cold, Judi had two sweat shirts and I had a fleece jacket. Luckily we also took our beach towels with us. How cold can it gets in Hawaii?

The road to Hana was an awesome adventure. 52 miles in 9 hours. 300+ curves, 50+ one lane bridges, a volcano on one side, and the coast on the other. Drive couple of meter and stop to snap a pic or two.

Judi and I also went Kayaking and snorkeling. Judi got to swim with the turtles; then she almost bought every turtle figurine in Maui.

The beach was also an awesome site. I walked to "Little beach", a nude beach founded by hippies in the 60's. They still there, and yes, they still naked. I have not been able to eat since last Thursday.

Danzan Ryu Demo

Here is a demo that we did at the Oregon State Fair on the 26th of August. I picked "Escape from the atmosphere", Fresh Aire V, by Mannheim Steamroller as a background music because its radical changes in tempo, just like Danzan Ryu.

Constitution Day

People always ask me if I miss home, but of course, I do. I miss home and I miss Puerto Rico. Home is no longer reachable. My parents no longer live in the house I left them and my sister moved on, so home does not exist anymore. Puerto Rico in the other hand is always reachable. I miss the food and the traditions. I miss the weather, music and humor; and above all I miss Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his 2nd voyage in 1493. Quickly becoming a colony of Spain. In July 25, 1898 United States declare War to Spain and invaded Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Guam and defeated the Spanish armada.

The people hoped Puerto Rico would be free and sovereign. 110 years later Puerto Rico and Guam still under the jurisdiction of United States. Cuba was free and sovereign, in the 50's Castro and Guevara led the revolution which culminated with Cuba as a communist country.

In 1950 the Law 600 created what is known today as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In July 25 1952, the Jones Act allowed Puerto Rico to create its own constitution and Officially adopt its current flag.

WE, THE PEOPLE:

"We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights, placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America."

Home Improvements (Part Deux)

The idiot with the pipe and bath robe was fired by The Furry Herd Production staff.

Here is a little sample of where the project is and where it is heading.

I hate to admit it but making silly movies is a lot of fun, plus it keeps me away from the back breaking hill. This project may have to be completed in more than two phases. Keep in mind that my background in handiness was to call someone else to do the job. this is taking a lot of figuring out as I work along.

Phase One was the completion of steps to reach a second tier on the hill. (DONE)

Phase Two is the completion of the second tier by erecting a 4 feet tall retaining wall and creating a 6 feet wide flower bed. (IN PROGRESS)

Phase Three is filling behind the second retaining wall with dirt. On the West side, the wall will be flushed agaist the hill with very little filiing to be done behind it. On the East side, the wall will require to be filled with dirt 4 feet deep. That is a lot of dirt to be dragged up the hill. (REGRETING IT)

Phase Four is to level the top of the East side of the second wall and creating a third tier on the hill. I calculate that it should give me about extra 12 feet of flat surface. (WHY DOES GOD HATE ME)

Phase Five is to create a path from the top of the steps, Phase One, to the top of the third tier, Phase Four. (PLANING IT)

Phase Six is to create a water feature next to the steps, Phase One. (DREAMING IT)

Salem Budokai 50th Anniversary

Click on POST TITLE for a link to Salem Budokai

Here is a music video of very special workout to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Salem Budokai, and the 30th Anniversary of Koden Bujutsu Ryu.

Salem Budokai's primary focus is on the skills, techniques, and philosophies of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Their curriculum also draws from Kodokan Judo, Shotokan Karate, and Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido.

Summer Project 2007 / 2008

I have been told to update the blog more often; and I have to agree that I do not update as often as I would like. In my defense, I only post what I think is worth noticing. Our life is not that eventful. Judi deals with her cases and I deal with mine. On the weekends we may go hiking, or doing house chores. When we go out beside running errands I document the event and post it here to share with you all.

Here is an update of what have been keeping me busy some of the time. I also became addicted to Ikariam.com, a browser game. Please enjoy the film.

President Clinton (Video Clip)

Judi Proudly display Bill Clinton Autograph.

I wonder... How much would it sell for on E-BAY?

The Video was not uploading on the previous post. I thought maybe to big of a file, so I took out the Furry Herd Production section with the new puppies' pic and the Salemlife Film pic of the Capitol. hopefully it is short enough for viewing.

Well, never mind. That did not work either. The things I do for Judi... I just had to put it all back in (clips and all) and reduced the quality of the video. After all , what is a Furry Herd Production without the herd?

President Clinton

It all happened at the River Front Park in Salem Oregon. Ted Kulongoski (Oregon Governor) and Bill Clinton (Well, You know who) Bill is speaking to the masses Chelsea Clinton and Ted Kulongoski; I think he is checking her out. Judi is about to shake hands with Bill Clinton. Can you find Luis? This is Judi's idea of a close up photo of me and the former President.

She did get her book signed by Bill.

Click on pics to enlarge.

May 18, 2008 at 1130 hrs Judi and I went to the River Front Park in Salem to see Chesea and Bill Clinton talk about Hillary. It was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the mid 80's. Judi and I, along other democrats, sat in the blasting sun from 1145 to 1430 hrs when Bill graced us with his persona. Please let me remind you that I am a McCain supporter and I do believe the troops should stay in Iraq and maybe even make entry into Iran. Anyway, Judi wanted Bill to sign her book "My Life" ("My Confession" if you ask me) by Bill Clinton. Me been such a sucker went and tosted in the sun for couple of hours. I asked Judi to take a photo of me with Bill, might as well, huh. That is a picture of a 1000 words. I can say it is worth all the sun poisoning I got (just kiding, I am genetically pre-disposed for sunny days). I hope you enjoy the movie. I enjoyed making it.

Mother's Day

Mother's day at the McMullen Your host, Jerry McMullen The mothers Judi and Molly The boy really thinks Judi is his mama. Jealous about his mama, isn't he?

On Mother's day Judi and I went to spend it with the McMullen. I have to admit Jerry make some bad "mother" burgers; beefy, juicy and tasty all in the right proportions. My cholesterol went up several points today.

The Vista House

Click on POST tittle for a link The Vista House page.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Here is Judi enjoying the view This picture just don't do any justice to the view The hills are alive with the sound of music, not quite. Here is more of the mountains Our last stop on Friday was The Vista House. I would give you a little blurb on it but you can get much more by just clicking the link

Horsetail Falls

Click on POST tittle for a link to the Falls page.

Click on picture to enlarge.

Water, water, and more water Here you can see the big screen the movie crew were erecting, blocking my view of the Falls Regardless of the evil look I got, I was going to take a picture of the fall.Here is a sample of why a movie is so expensive. workers sit around a lot.

So while on our tour of the historical Hwy we stopped at the horsetail falls, They were filming another movie here in Oregon (that is becoming popular around here) and they were either blocking the falls to stop the people from snooping, or blocking the wind, or for which ever reason it force me to maneuver around the big blocking screens so I could bring to you the beauty of Oregon in photos. Enjoy.

Columbia River Gorge

Click on POST tittle for a link to the falls page.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

I bet you know where we went Yep, second highest fall in USA That is not the highest point GQ man on the scene Now we are talking

Time for a short one mile hike

The falls by the bridge, the camera is not water proofDid I mention that is just one mile hike?Yes, just one mile "up hill" all the wayHere is the little creek that makes the awesome falls.

The short not so impressive little fall that preceded the big fall

Here is the view from the top of the Falls.

On Friday Judi and I went to the Columbia River Gorge. We went to Hood River which is a little town on the Gorge known for windsurfing. Then we went to the historical Gorge Hwy where we came across some cool geographical features. Enjoy.

The Gorge was or is part of the historical Oregon Trail. according to books, it was the most treacherous part of the trail. The wagons were set on rafts and then navigate the river toward Oregon City, the river currents claimed a lot of property and lives.