With 2-1 Win, Red Wings Go Up 3 Games to 1

Hockeytown U.S.A.--- that's where it looks like the Red Wings will win their 11th Stanley Cup. After beating the Penguins in a cage death match in Pittsburgh 2-1, they travel back to Motown for game 5 on Monday. Back to the friendly confines of Joe Louis Arena- where they have lost only once in the playoffs this year.

The question I have to ask is: how come the Penguin players who are tough hockey players are whining like little school girls who got their hair pulled on the playground? I mean after each and every loss they cry like stuck pigs? Crosby and their butt- headed coach needed three crying towels each during the post game interviews.

I think they will be calling the commissioner tonight and demanding that he only allow Detroit to play four skaters for the rest of the Finals to give Pittsburgh a chance... LOL.

Crosby... boo- hoo- hoo... sorry kid... you're gonna have to wait at least another year before you win a Stanley Cup.

Put a fork into the Penguins- they're done. Go Red Wings!

101 in 1001-- Item #38-- Pray Everyday For 30 days

Why I chose this goal: Talking to God-- praying-- should be as easy as talking to your spouse and family. So often I've let life get in the way of talking to God. And when it happens I am the big loser. So I dedicated myself to several goals that will further my faith in our Creator. This goals and #40 (attend church for 7 Sundays in a row) and #41 (go thru the bible) are focused on achieving this. Do it Now... that's been my motto... but there's never a hurry to talk to God... but why wait?

What I did: I paused for a moment each day to thank Him for the blessing he has given me and my family. A beautiful world to live in, a great family, good health, etc. I also listen to the "Thru the Bible podcast daily" ... it is a five year study of the bible with the now deceased Pastor J. Vernon McGee. It's available at www.ttb.org and on i-tunes if you are interested.

WVCN-FM 104.3 Baraga MI 12:30 PM, M-F

WRDT 560 Detroit MI 8:30 AM, M-F

or here: http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.hvKSLdMYIsG/b.1096911/k.73DC/US__Canada_Station_Listing/apps/kb/cs/contactsearch.asp

Global Warming Noticed Across the Solar System

Warming is occurring across the solar system Mars, Pluto, Triton and Jupiter are all warming up in addition to our own earth. I wonder if they drive SUVs on these planets and moons? Here's the link:

http://seoblackhat.com/2007/03/04/global-warming-on-mars-pluto-triton-and-jupiter/

What's odd is why this has been kept so quiet. I mean it seems evident that others have known these facts for quite some time now... some since 1989 according to the sources that include: MIT and NASA (not the Republican Party). Not that this makes a bit of difference- but maybe the stuff we are doing to the earth isn't affecting the climate as much as Al Gore would have us believe.



Does this mean he'll return his Noble Prize?




The growing consensus among some scientists/ climatologists is that the sun (Sol) is going through a warming cycle.





What do you think?

101 in 1001-- Item # 2-- One Day Fast

Why I chose this goal: I have heard so much about fasting lately. Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. Our pastor talked about how he did a week of fasting and praying. I hear about how it cleanses your body, and mind and soul. So I figured why not? Its only 24 hours, right?

What I did: i fasted for 24 hours. From 6 pm on Monday night to 6 pm yesterday. I must say it was an interesting experience. I had lots of energy early in the day and accomplished a lot. Yard work, repairs on my bike, 3 mile walk, made wine... etc. Making wine kept my mind occupied and I think that was important.

About noon I started to feel hungry and grabbed a glass of water. Again about 3 o'clock... again water. by 5 o'clock when I made BMO dinner... I was starving. I dropped him off at wrestling at 6 pm and then came home and grabbed a small bite to eat.

It was tougher than I thought. I think the big thing was keeping occupied and doing something. That was a key. When I ran out of stuff to do... i felt hungry. I also felt a little light headed and believe it or not I felt I was thinking a little clearer... but also a little slower if that makes any sense. Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness and it must have been really tough to do it for 40 days. Gandhi went on a hunger strike as a form of protest and it really took a toll on his body. I can now understand some of that--- if only a little.

Anyone else out there tried fasting for any length of time?

Six Things...

Yes, it's back to the five errr six things posts.

1. K and I went to see the Padres game on Sunday afternoon. Man was it a loooooong game... all 18 innings of it. We got up from our seats after the tenth inning. We were in the car and driving home in the 11th. We were at the KFC picking up a bucket of fried chicken in the 13th. Enjoying dinner with the kids in the 14th. Taking a shower in the 16th. Karen fell asleep in the 17th and I woke her up when Adrian Gonzalez ended the game by beating the Cincinnati Reds 12-9 with his three run homer in the 18th inning. The game started at 1:05 pm and ended nearly six hours later, just shy of 7 p.m.

2. Erin was home for the weekend. She has worn the Korean made Red Wings jersey for both games and the Wings have won both games... it looks like she has herself a new shirt. BTW the next game is Wednesday @ 5 pm PDT.

3. We saw the new Indiana Jones movie on Memorial Day. In spite of what others said... it was pretty darn entertaining!

4. K is off to Washington DC this week.

5. I started up 6 gallons of California Zinfandel-Shiraz wine today. It came as a kit and hould be good (and drinkable) in only a month! We need more bottles!

6. The Red Wings are up two games to none in the best of seven Stanley Cup Finals. This was their second shut out win over the Penguins... so far they've won 4-0 and 3-0... This begs the question: will the Penguins be able to put one past Detroit's red hot goalie, Chris Osgood?

Red Wings 4 Penguins 0

After 33 scoreless minutes, Mikael Samuelsson scores twice in under 10 minutes as the Red Wings go on to beat the Penguins, 4-0, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. What a sweet win for Detroit.

In the first period it seemed as if the refs were ganging up against the Wings. Taking the goal away with a crap call against Holmstrom... butt at least it wasn't his back end getting him the penalty. I turned the game off and didn't get back to it until the third period and we were up 2-0.

I wanted to put on my Wings jersey... but every time I wear it the Wings lose. Erin put it on and we scored twice in the second period. It looks like she brings the Wings good luck.

Only three more wins and it's Stanley Cup time.

The Rainy Day City, Bad Baseball and Aztec Tickets

What a turn of events here. Yesterday and today we "enjoyed" some much needed rain. We even had a 25 minute rain delay at last night's ballgame. Now they are saying it may give us some thunderstorms later this afternoon... but looking outside at the sunshine that seems doubtful. Maybe even some rain on Sunday afternoon.

That brings up a problem... since we have tickets to the 1:05 pm Padres vs. Reds game. They were part of the freebie deal from the Coronado Bridge walk. Speaking of baseball... The Padres are finding new ways to stink up America's past time. With a roster full of slow, weak hitting, role playing, has beens- it's no wonder they have a firm grasp on the worst record in MLB. Now with their #1 and #2 starting pitchers on the DL, the only way to go is down. Combined with the Tigers pitiful season... I can't wait for football season.

My oldest son and I are going to buy season football tickets for the SDSU Aztecs this year. This should be fun and more economical-- seeing as how I can buy two season tickets to the Aztecs (6 games) for the same price as two tickets for just one Charger game it.

101 in 1001-- Item #10-- Floss My Teeth for 21 Straight Days

Why I Chose This Goal: As A Dentist I've been asking patients to do this for my entire professional career. I'm good about flossing... but do I really do it every, single day? I thought about it and there is usually a day or so that I'll miss during the month. So I wanted to prove to myself that it can be done... and I can do it.

What I did: I kept track next to my floss and tooth brush (sonic care btw) with a paper and pencil. Sure enough 21 days in and I hit my goal. Sometimes at night I did have to get out of bed after I had lain down for the evening and get out the floss... but it only happened once or twice. Usually flossing while checking my e-mail was the easiest thing.

101 in 1001-- Item #98-- Read a Classic Piece of Literature

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Why I Chose This Goal: What self respecting writer could continue to read trashy paperback novels his whole life? Well Not me! This book has been arguably described as the best fiction by an American Author in the 20th century... and it comes highly recommended by my 15 year old son. He was assigned to read this in his 9th grade English class.

What I Did: Upon BMOs suggestion, I checked the book out of the local Public Library and read it from cover to cover in about a week. It turned out to be everything he said it was. I had tried to read Moby Dick and Catch-22... but after perusing the Cliff's notes decided neither was a good fit for my tastes.

This also makes it 4 of 12 books toward meeting goal #30.

101 in 1001-- Update

12 of 101 completed.

In the works:

#10 floss every day for 21 days--- 20/21
#26 250 mini courses--- 36/250
#36 cook 7 new dishes--- 2/7
#1 lose 25 pounds--- 5/25
#30 read a book a month for 12 months 3/12
#38 pray for 5 min/day for 30 days--- 20/30
#61 visit Italy--- late Aug/early Sept
#73 lanscape backyard--- 4 of 5 planter boxes completed
#98 read a classic book--- reading "to kill a mockingbird" now
#41 go thru the bible--- listening to through the bible broadcasts
#47 go to a football game at the Q--- considering SDSU season tickets
#51 go to disneyland--- on tap this summer BMO and Conner

101 in 1001-- Item 11-- Do the Coronado Bridge Walk

Why I Chose this Goal: I had always heard this was a fun thing to do. 4 miles over a picture perfect harbor in a picture perfect town. So I did it!



What I did: Signed up early... thank goodness! It was sold out with over 8,400 entrants. It was four miles on what turned out to be a really hot Sunday... May 18, 2008.

101 in 1001-- Item #42-- Make a List of 101 Places to Visit

Why I Chose This Goal: It's always nice to have a dream list of places you'd like to see. I read over the book "1,000 Places To See Before You Die" by Patricia Schultz to get some ideas. I can recommend this book to any traveller out there who wants to explore the cool, exotic and special places out there in this big, big world of ours.

What I Did: I made this list:

The first 51 not so local places to visit:

1. Holy Land
2. Florence, Italy (uffizi gallery)
3. Peru or Argentina
4. Yellowstone park
5. alaska
6. Venice, italy
7. drive route 66
8. grand teton park
9. mt rushmore
10. lovells, MI
11. train trip th/ canadien rockies
12. sydney, australia
13. new orleans
14. scottish highlands/ islands
15. tour of europe
16. roswell, nm
17. great wall of china
18. north dakota
19. rodeo in wyoming
20. bullfight in spain
21. paris, france
22. rome, italy
23. naples, italy (vieled christ)
24. berlin, germany
25. croatia
26. poland
27. africa (safari)
28. cairo, egypt (pyramids)
29. take a boat cruise
30. smithsonian institute
31. henry ford/greenfield village,MI
32. hockey game at joe louis arena
33. montreal, canada
34. sea of cortez, mexico
35. acapulco or other mex resort
36. galapogos islands
37. fiji island
38. new zealand
39. carlsbad caverns, nm
40. glacier national park
41. badlands, sd
42. greece
43. swiss alps
44. budapest, Hungary
45. stockholm, sweden
46. oslo, norway
47. ireland
48. dracula castle, romania
49. vienna, austria
50. stonehenge, england
51. boston, mass

The 50 local spots to visit:

1. Yosemite Park
2. Tijuana
3. Phoenix
4. temecula wine country
5. Getty Museum
6. Drive up highway 1
7. venice beach
8. baseball game at dodger stadium
9. football game at Q
10. saltom sea
11. death valley
12. grand canyon
13. las vegas/hoover dam
14. LA chinatown
15. santa monica
16. gruman's chinese theater
17. la brea tar pits
18. spring training in peoria
19. padres game
20. kobey swap meet
21. parade of ships
22. star of india @ halloween
23. midway museum
24. golf at coronado
25. catalina island
26. idyllwild
27. el centro
28. march AFB museum
29. state capitol in sacramento
30. grunion run in pismo beach
31. QM in long beach
32. tour LA
33. san candreas fault
34. balloon ride
35. movie studio in hollywood
36. santa barbara
37. edwards AFB (shuttle landing)
38. pasadena--- rose parade
39. julian bluegrass festival
40. anza borrego desert
41. zion national park
42. disneyland
43. san juan capistrano
44. night in little italy/ gaslamp
45. all day @ boomers
46. ronald reagan library
47. nixon library
48. solvang danish village
49. torrey pines reserve
50. outlet malls

so there it is Item #42 checked off and another book read... making it 3 of 12 for goal #30.

101 in 1001-- Item #97-- Publish a Family Newsletter

Why I Chose This Goal: The need to feel connected with our family and friends who live hundreds or thousands of miles away. Each year I send out a one pge Christmas letter and thought that expanding it to several times a year would be a goo, family thing.

What I Did: Yesterday I mailed out a six page "Gazette" to both family and friends. Is it a little corny? Yes. Is it the best writing in the world? No. But it does get to everyone that is important in my life and it shares not only information with them but also photos (both current and archived). I hope that in some small way I can stay more connected with them both now and into the future. Judging from the positive response I have been successful.

Biking at Lake Miramar

Well I added my new bike to the $1 bike carrier and... I made a trip out to Lake Miramar! It was a blast. I "only" biked 5 miles... that's one lap around the lake. This bike is such a smooth ride. I was in gears 3-3 through 3-6 most of the time although I started in 1-5 and was in 2-4 for a few of the hills. The gears are 1-2-3 on the left hand and then 1-7 on my right hand. That's 21 in all. I really don't know what that means other than by shifting it makes it easier to climb hills in the lower gears.








The car carrier was a breeze to set up... although I was a little concerned about how it sits against my hatchback window. But it proved no problems and I got it there and back without incident. Perhaps I'll begin to take it down to the Belmont Park Boardwalk and ride it out there. I guess the sky is the limit now. I mean, once I get into better biking shape I will be able to go down to Coronado or maybe ride some trails. Here's a photo of me after the ride:








My face says... I think I'll be back tomorrow... maybe for two laps!

101 in 1001-- Item #29-- Do Not Curse for One Day

Why I Chose This Goal: Because I need to try and lose the inner sailor in me. By cursing I set a poor example for my family.

What I did: Duh... I didn't swear today! IT really wasn't too hard. Initially I thought I might team this up with Item # 33 (Don't speak for one whole day) but I decided to do them separately.

The New Look

I just did a re-make of my blog spot. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom and check it out.

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Bike Maintenance and Repair

I checked this out from the library yesterday and it was a pretty quick read/scan by me. The book, written by Terry Meany, served as a quick overview of the different parts of a bicycle and some basic how-to type of stuff. It pointed out some "Have-to-have" stuff if I ride on the open road.

The world won't end because I read this book... but it provided some useful information and is a good general reference. For instance did you know that some gears on my 21 speed bike are never meant to be used?- that's what Terry says. I just wonder which one's they are. This is book 2 of 12 for the year.

NewsFlash... Rain in San Diego

Just when we thought it was safe to go outside... it rained.

The weatherguy's pronouncement last month was that we had seen all the rain we would see until October. Well thankfully he was wrong. We woke up this morning to the gentle sound of rain on the rooftops. Starting last night after midnight, the light rain (many would call it drizzle) is still falling and it's almost noon. The plants and grass are rejoicing... I am sure they prefer natural rain from above to the chlorinated stuff we irrigate them with for most of the summer.

What is interesting is that right about the time our shower and bath water smelled like strong chlorine, I noticed that my grass outside was beginning to brown out right near the sprinklers. I wonder if these coincidences are related to each other? Does anyone out there know?

101 in 1001-- Item #20-- Buy a New Bike

Why I Chose This Goal: I have wanted to begin riding, again. My beach cruiser and the hills around here don't mix too well at all. The beach cruiser worked fine on the relatively flat streets near the old house and we used to ride often. But the few times I tried it here, I was huffing and puffing and walking my bike up the hills. So I figured why not invest in a quality bike and begin riding? Eventually I would like to ride my bike to work (3.3 miles one way). It's a lofty goal but I figure it's do-able... I just need to leave early.

What I did: This was an expensive goal. I wanted to get a quality bike and well. I've always thought of Schwinn as a quality bike maker. So after some months of research, I selected the 28" Schwinn 700c Trail Way Hybrid Bicycle. I always needed a taller bike and the 28" wheels (although not a common size) give me the room for my legs. It's a hybrid meaning it's made for road use (streets of San Diego) and also mild trail riding. It also has 21 gears- more than enough to conquer these hills. The reviews I found compared this bike to $400-500 bikes. I also bought a helmet! All total it was $226.25. Perhaps in a few years one of my 101 in 1001's could be riding in the Tour-de-Poway? You can never tell.

What Should I Do With My Life?

I recently finished this Po Bronson book. It's an anecdotal compilation of the life changing stories from hundreds of people. Many went from high profile (but non-fulfilling) careers to making changes in their lives in order to live peacefully with themselves. Many downsized from high paying business, legal and dot.com jobs for a slower, simpler life. Most had made their fortunes before they opted out. I would give it 3 of 5 stars. This is book #1 of my 101 in 1001 Item #30 (Read a book a month for a year).

101 in 1001-- Item 57-- "Watch" an Opera

Why I chose this Goal: The intention was to open my mind to more cultural events. Notice the Items it occurs around (#56 Attend a classical music concert and #58 Attend a play). Also notice that I amended this to now read "watch" vice attend an opera.

What I did: I cheated. I doubted my stamina and fortitude to sit through an entire opera at an opera house. I am now watching I Puritani on KPBS (channel 11) complete with interviews and sub titles. Perhaps I could attend another if it were in Italy or Germany... but perhaps not.

While we were living in Portugal, we attended the American Opera Porgie and Bess at the Expo centre in 2000. It was torture! Several friends were in the orchestra (Angela, Retta and Julla- two from Russia and the other from Serbia) and we wanted to support them by attending the show. BTW Julla was a real Bohemian... the guy could and would drink anything. He downed a half bottle of "Grappa" one evening and didn't even bat an eye.

Conclusion: Watching or attending an opera doesn't make you cultured. If you like it then go for it... as for me I think I've watched my last opera.

101 in 1001-- Item #75-- Renew My Passport

Why I Chose This Goal: My old passport expired in April and i needed a new one. Afterall- how can I get to Italy without one?

What I did: The Passport people made this pianless and easy. Since I already had a passport, I went online to:

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html




and filled out the application form and placed my old passport, new form and passport fee into an envelope and mailed it off. It took less than a month to recieve it.

It arrived in yesterday's mail (whooa... .we just had a little earthquake action- a 3.7 about 35 miles away). The new one's are e-passports (electronic) and they have a small microchip in each that can be accessed through radio frequency. It's supposed to "speed" your way through customs. They suggest putting this into a RF secure cover so your info (and whereabouts) can't be stolen.

101 in 1001-- Item #85-- Become involved in the HOA

Why I chose this Goal: To become part of the solution rather than whining and complaining about the problems. I'm interested in one day using solar energy and this will help me influence the future look of our neighborhood and make it easier to "go solar".

What I did: I volunteered for the Architectural Guidelines committee.

101 in 1001-- Item #84-- Get involved in SDCDS

Why I chose this Goal: Getting more involved in my profession and local organization is a good way for me to meet other dentists and influence the local community.

What I did: I volunteered to be on the nominating committee.

101 in 1001-- Works in Progress

I've really taken the bull by the horns with this project. Below are nine items that I am working on right now:


Item #11- Do the Coronado Bridge Walk.... I paid my entry fee for May 18.
Item# 20- Buy a Bike/begin riding it. A Schwinn 700c Trail Way Hybrid is in my future.
Item #26- Do 250 mini courses a year. I have completed 2/250 so far.
Item #38- Pray for five minutes for 30 straight days... 2/30.
Item #61- Visit Italy. With K there for 4 months I'm planning an early Sept visit.
Item #73- Landscape backyard. I'm 4/5 done with this project.
Item #75- Renew Passport. The checks in the mail. Just waiting to get it back.
Item #81- Wear all my clothes once in 6 months. Check back here on November 1.
Item #95- Re-write Big Dam Adventure... started last night.

101 in 1001-- Item # 68-- Buy a New Weedeater

Why I chose this Goal: Our old weed eater died and we needed a new one. Not a really innovative or thought provoking reason.

What I did: I went down to the store and selected a Poulan featherlight weed eater. When I got home I added the fuel, pull started it and edged around the front yard before cutting the grass. It works great.

Not glamorous, trendy or sexy... this was just something I had to do.

101 in 1001-- Item # 74-- Decline plastic bags whenever possible

JUST SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS !


Why I choose this Goal: Plastic bags... what a waste of resources.

What I did: We bring reusable cloth bags to the store whenever possible or ask for paper bags. We use two cloth bags for shopping and bring along old plastic or paper bags and re-use them if we have lots of purchases. We also have a cloth bag for our library books.





What to use your old plastic bags for(so they get at least one more use):

1- Dog poo. Use it to pick up after your pet does his "business".

2- Use them to line your trash can in your home. Don't buy more plastic bags--- recycle the old ones--- or better yet use paper.

3- Use them at the store when you go shopping.

4- Put them in your recycle bin on garbage day.

5- Return them to the recycle bin at your grocery store so they can recycle them.

101 in 1001-- Item #94-- Reduce our Water Use

Why I chose this Goal: Water is a key resource and also a controllable monthly expense. Saving water in drought-torn Southern California is good for the environment and also my bank account.

What I did: This was pretty easy. I put some water saving technology to work.

1- Repairs: Fix the leaks, drips and singing toilet. This wasn't too hard. Just a wrench and a toilet repair kit.

2- Showers: I replaced our shower heads with 1.6 gpm shower heads. Talk about stimulating! No longer does BMO take those 15-20 minute showers. The pressure of these nozzles gets him in and out in less than 5 minutes.

3- Sinks: I replaced all the aerators on our sinks with 2.0 gpm ones. Less water gets used for everyday needs.

4- Yard sprinklers. They were set to go off at 8:30 for 5 minutes 3 times a week. With the warm weather I am resetting them to a 6:15 start up for 6 minutes four times a week. Earlier watering times will soak in better with less evaporation. With no rain expected until next fall the plants will need a little extra to survive the hot and dry summer.

5- Cut Grass at a taller height. Letting the grass grow at a taller height keeps down evaporation loss and crowds out weeds (less chemicals on the lawn). Taller grass means less watering! (it doesn't mean letting your grass grow a foot and a half tall!!!).

6- Toilets: I added a liter jug filled with water into each tank. This means for every flush we use 1 qt less of water. It adds up!

7- Peak hours: This doesn't really affect how much water we use but it does affect electricity use. Off hours means lower energy costs.

8- Dishwasher: We don't rinse and scrub our plates as much before putting them in and we run only full loads in the evenings only.

9- Laundry: We do laundry only two days a week and always in the evenings or on weekends. Using our new water saving/ energy efficient front loaders we do only full loads.

How much water will we save?

This was our usage rates ( sort of hard since they (sometimes) estimate stuff every other month...)

Dec 2007 16 HCF (Hundred Cubic Feet)
Jan 2008 13 HCF
Feb 2008 06 HCF
Mar 2008 10 HCF
Apr 2008 10 HCF

that averages 11 HCF per month.... let's check again in a few months and see where we are after these changes.