Wednesday, September 28
Tuesday, September 27
Oktoberfest
This past weekend Oktoberfest began in Alamogordo, NM.
For those of you who don't know, Alamogordo is home to one of the German air force bases. For the past 9 years, the Germans to have hosted Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest began shortly after three pm on Saturday. After missing the first bus, we all patiently waited for the second bus (some sarcasms intended). Once we boarded the bus, we were off to the air force base. When you arrive, you are herded through metal detectors. Once you make it through the entrance, you are given a beer mug. From there you walk straight over to the beer stand (or wine stand) to get something to drink. From the time you arrive to the time you leave, you don't stop drinking (certainly if people keep filling up your drink for you - thanks Dr. Rod! :) ).
So who all was there...you had me, the guys, and Buzz's coworkers.
Needless to say with that crowd there were plenty of stories told, a few confessions made, and new stories made. Two noteworthy stories concerned odd things done in a tennis court and nights spent singing karaoke. Several adventures made include the life altering experience for a random German chic (this moment also now stands in the top three best life moments for Dr. Rod), a certain someone getting sick on the way back to the hotel, and hitchhiking a ride back to the hotel after leaving the bus to get sick.
For those of you who don't know, Alamogordo is home to one of the German air force bases. For the past 9 years, the Germans to have hosted Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest began shortly after three pm on Saturday. After missing the first bus, we all patiently waited for the second bus (some sarcasms intended). Once we boarded the bus, we were off to the air force base. When you arrive, you are herded through metal detectors. Once you make it through the entrance, you are given a beer mug. From there you walk straight over to the beer stand (or wine stand) to get something to drink. From the time you arrive to the time you leave, you don't stop drinking (certainly if people keep filling up your drink for you - thanks Dr. Rod! :) ).
So who all was there...you had me, the guys, and Buzz's coworkers.
Needless to say with that crowd there were plenty of stories told, a few confessions made, and new stories made. Two noteworthy stories concerned odd things done in a tennis court and nights spent singing karaoke. Several adventures made include the life altering experience for a random German chic (this moment also now stands in the top three best life moments for Dr. Rod), a certain someone getting sick on the way back to the hotel, and hitchhiking a ride back to the hotel after leaving the bus to get sick.
Other Weekend Sidenotes
I flew in Friday morning to El Paso and was shortly thereafter greeted by Buzz. The guys were driving in and would arrive around midnight (small side note - who drives ten hours on a non-holiday weekend???).
We were all graciously provided with the weekend schedule ahead of time. The activities began Saturday morning at 7 am, ran through Saturday evening, and ended after the football games on Sunday (Go Cowboys - they won again!).
First Planned Activity: Watching the Balloon Fest
At 7 am Buzz and I were at Plateau Espresso ready to watch the hot air balloons launch from around the town. (And it does have to be said that Junior was up and there at 7 am. Where were the guys?) While we waited for the guys and for the balloons to launch, we chatted with one of Buzz's coworkers, her son, and Buzz's boss.
The balloons began taking off around 8 from two different locations in Alamogordo. One by one each was aired up and took off. The only interesting balloon was a large red cat. The cat sparked lots of conversation. Why? Because all that could be seen was the back of a balloon and two ears. After much debate as to what the balloon was, the balloon finally began to turn and we were able to see the front side. It was a cat winking at us.
After the balloons extravaganza, we had time to waste and drove up to the Space Museum. There were two moments to make note of. One moment was the flight game. There we learned that women make better pilots. :) The second was the children's area. Apparently, the area is more fun as an adult (though the term adult is used loosely).
Second Planned Activity: Cookout at Las Ventanas
The afternoon was spent watching football and grilling. There are those who are still grieving Purdue's loss in the second overtime (during which Buzz disappeared for an hour and 15 minutes ;) ).
Third Planned Activity: Oktoberfest
See Next Post
We were all graciously provided with the weekend schedule ahead of time. The activities began Saturday morning at 7 am, ran through Saturday evening, and ended after the football games on Sunday (Go Cowboys - they won again!).
First Planned Activity: Watching the Balloon Fest
At 7 am Buzz and I were at Plateau Espresso ready to watch the hot air balloons launch from around the town. (And it does have to be said that Junior was up and there at 7 am. Where were the guys?) While we waited for the guys and for the balloons to launch, we chatted with one of Buzz's coworkers, her son, and Buzz's boss.
The balloons began taking off around 8 from two different locations in Alamogordo. One by one each was aired up and took off. The only interesting balloon was a large red cat. The cat sparked lots of conversation. Why? Because all that could be seen was the back of a balloon and two ears. After much debate as to what the balloon was, the balloon finally began to turn and we were able to see the front side. It was a cat winking at us.
After the balloons extravaganza, we had time to waste and drove up to the Space Museum. There were two moments to make note of. One moment was the flight game. There we learned that women make better pilots. :) The second was the children's area. Apparently, the area is more fun as an adult (though the term adult is used loosely).
Second Planned Activity: Cookout at Las Ventanas
The afternoon was spent watching football and grilling. There are those who are still grieving Purdue's loss in the second overtime (during which Buzz disappeared for an hour and 15 minutes ;) ).
Third Planned Activity: Oktoberfest
See Next Post
Monday, September 26
A Twist of Fate
Hurricane Rita has finally hit. Several of my extended family members found themselves evacuating and then riding out the storm.
My Aunt and her family left on Wednesday from Houston. The plan was for them to drive north and stay with my grandparents. The plan didn't work. Why? Massage amounts of traffic. After 24 hours on the road, they had made it only 100 miles. Now they were exhausted, hungry and running out of gas. At that point, the decision was made to turn around and head south. Instead of heading to my grandparent’s house, my Aunt decided to drive to her in-laws house.
Eventually my Aunt arrived at her in-laws house. Everyone was ready for some R&R. And did rest come? No. Why? The evening they arrived my aunt's mother-in-law had a heart attack. If my cousin Danny had not been there she would have died. My cousin Danny preformed CPR. Once the paramedics arrived, they were able to jump start her heart. Without the CPR that my Aunt's mother-in-law received, she would not have made that night.
My Aunt and her family left on Wednesday from Houston. The plan was for them to drive north and stay with my grandparents. The plan didn't work. Why? Massage amounts of traffic. After 24 hours on the road, they had made it only 100 miles. Now they were exhausted, hungry and running out of gas. At that point, the decision was made to turn around and head south. Instead of heading to my grandparent’s house, my Aunt decided to drive to her in-laws house.
Eventually my Aunt arrived at her in-laws house. Everyone was ready for some R&R. And did rest come? No. Why? The evening they arrived my aunt's mother-in-law had a heart attack. If my cousin Danny had not been there she would have died. My cousin Danny preformed CPR. Once the paramedics arrived, they were able to jump start her heart. Without the CPR that my Aunt's mother-in-law received, she would not have made that night.
Wednesday, September 21
Quote of the Day...
"Through the years I have found it wonderful to acquire, but it is also wonderful to divest. It's rather like exhaling."
~Actress Helen Hayes
~Actress Helen Hayes
A little spring cleaning
Granted it is fall, but it's time for a little spring cleaning.
Every fall I find myself ready to get rid of the old and make room for the new. And this year will not be exception. So far I am doing pretty well, but I have to confess something. The only reason I'm actually getting rid of things this year is because I have someone looking over my shoulder saying, "When will you ever use THAT again?" For example, the other day I began going through several piles of things. I had managed to go through most of my clothes. I was getting rid of anything that had not been worn in the last several months or that no longer fit. Then I came along to my decades clothing...things kept for parties and such. My first instinct was to keep my old costumes; but I have to admit, I haven't worn any of it in a few years and do not see myself wearing any of it in the near future. It all went in 'good bye' pile.
I now have two large boxes and one bag of things going to Good Will. As the pile grows, I find myself amazed at how I ever managed to fit it all in my closet!
Every fall I find myself ready to get rid of the old and make room for the new. And this year will not be exception. So far I am doing pretty well, but I have to confess something. The only reason I'm actually getting rid of things this year is because I have someone looking over my shoulder saying, "When will you ever use THAT again?" For example, the other day I began going through several piles of things. I had managed to go through most of my clothes. I was getting rid of anything that had not been worn in the last several months or that no longer fit. Then I came along to my decades clothing...things kept for parties and such. My first instinct was to keep my old costumes; but I have to admit, I haven't worn any of it in a few years and do not see myself wearing any of it in the near future. It all went in 'good bye' pile.
I now have two large boxes and one bag of things going to Good Will. As the pile grows, I find myself amazed at how I ever managed to fit it all in my closet!
Sunday, September 11
A little bit of heaven
Every once in a while it's nice to have a treat, something you haven't had in a while. Today's treat was homemade blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup. How can you ever go wrong when two great things like blueberries and pancakes are put together?
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