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.

McDonald - Dunn Forest (the bike ride)

This is self explanatory

Likewise !!!

The Quarry

Likewise !!!

The Oregon Amphibians Click on picture to enlarge. Click on Post Title for the Amphibians education page.

It was not a pretty day, overcast but dry. Temperature in the 50's, so I went biking. I went back to the trail Judi, the furry heard, and I went last weekend. This time I went alone. I went to explore the trails that branched from the main trail. fun stuff if you ask me.

I came across this old Quarry which as you can see was filled with water and massively populated with this strange looking Amphibians. It was very entertaining to watch them swim and come to the surface for air. If you wonder why I did not take the pups? well, I did not take them because I did not wanted to slowdown in the down hill sections of the trail. After all, speed is the fun part of Mountain biking.

Davies Nettleton Loop

Welcome to Corvallis, OR

Click on post title for a trail description

Judi and the herd enjoying the hike

Yep, Campeon found some green goo and smear it all over his coat.

This is Judi on the trail went I thought it was hot.

This is Campeon giving me his opinion about my photographic skills

No doubt a lot of joy for the heard (pack)

The trail wizard is about to do her magic

Escargot anyone? one big slug laying on the trail. How can something so nasty looking can be so tasteful? (a little Olive oil, Shallots, Garlic, ... hum, hum, hum)

Well, the weather was good and the weatherman said more rain comming; So we pack the heard an went to the woods. I discovered that Corvallis is loaded with trails and is just about 25 miles away. I hope to do a trail a week, I hope, but you all (Y'all for the Alabama Friends) know how that works.

Davies Nettleton Loop is a 6.35 miles loop with an elevation gain of just 800 ft. and it takes a total of 3 hours to complete. The trail is moderate and not a single track trail but it is a fire / logging road which made it perfect for the heard and us.

Spawn of Hell, Phil

This is not Rain is hail. See, I felt like collecting the ice pellets and made my own frozen margaritas. Yeah,yeah,yeah, It is not that I like my truck so much, but I do, it is that I seem to always park in the same spot.

Well it was a weekend of hail and snowflakes; more hail than snowflakes. Nope, no accumulation of snow no matter how much I prayed for it. Judi being a cheese head was tired of the white stuff falling from the sky. I have to admit I still get exited about snow and like to look out of the window to see its progress.