MADDOGS
THE ADVENTURE CREW: Master, The Nomad, Sweet Bird of Freedom (aka Freeta Roam), Pixie & Pod, Miss Cycle, Ivan the writing muse, Jude, and the brains of the crew--Croc. DOUBLE-CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGETuesday, May 24, 2005
She is mad, I tell you, MAD!
Post by Jude
I love a good book. And for me that usually means a murder takes place somewhere between the covers. The book doesn’t have to be a murder mystery per se, but the lifeless body of someone, someone else wanted dead, does add a bit of spice.
I can’t be the only one who lies (or is it lays) awake nights thinking of how to commit the perfect murder on paper OR thinking about devious ways to kill off some despicable character.
I even have dreams (not nightmares) about people chasing me with guns and if the bullet finds its mark, that would make me the murderee. And if I could only remember the complete dream in the morning, I’d have the perfect plot for a book.
Speaking of plots—they are much easier to come up with than write. A plot idea may pop into the brain in seconds, but it takes months—or longer—to write a complete book. I probably have three dozen plots laying (or is it lying) around, waiting to be written into books. They multiply under my bed like dust bunnies. They fill my closets like last year’s discards. They lurk in dark corners, waiting for a chance to spring out, grab me by the throat and squeeze the last labored breath out of my body.
Plots are such wonderful things, but writing is so hard. Granted, it is pure delight to read a good book, but writing one is the madness that drives me.
One day I hope to read a good book, and have it be mine.
I love a good book. And for me that usually means a murder takes place somewhere between the covers. The book doesn’t have to be a murder mystery per se, but the lifeless body of someone, someone else wanted dead, does add a bit of spice.
I can’t be the only one who lies (or is it lays) awake nights thinking of how to commit the perfect murder on paper OR thinking about devious ways to kill off some despicable character.
I even have dreams (not nightmares) about people chasing me with guns and if the bullet finds its mark, that would make me the murderee. And if I could only remember the complete dream in the morning, I’d have the perfect plot for a book.
Speaking of plots—they are much easier to come up with than write. A plot idea may pop into the brain in seconds, but it takes months—or longer—to write a complete book. I probably have three dozen plots laying (or is it lying) around, waiting to be written into books. They multiply under my bed like dust bunnies. They fill my closets like last year’s discards. They lurk in dark corners, waiting for a chance to spring out, grab me by the throat and squeeze the last labored breath out of my body.
Plots are such wonderful things, but writing is so hard. Granted, it is pure delight to read a good book, but writing one is the madness that drives me.
One day I hope to read a good book, and have it be mine.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
SMOKE, BOMBIN' & A BAG OF CHIPS
post by Jude:
My Crazy Psycho Daughter in Seattle as been burning herself ragged. And I don't mean she's at Burning Man (although she does go there). And I don't mean with Fire Dancing (although she does do that. She is the debatably sane, organized, anal-retentive nit-picker resident Virgo at www.neodandi.com . She sews and sometimes models--all the while kicking everyone's ass in kinetic motion. So if you're lucky enough to be in or near Seattle next Thursday, May 26th, check out the clothes. They're totally smoke, bombin' & a bag of chips!
My Crazy Psycho Daughter in Seattle as been burning herself ragged. And I don't mean she's at Burning Man (although she does go there). And I don't mean with Fire Dancing (although she does do that. She is the debatably sane, organized, anal-retentive nit-picker resident Virgo at www.neodandi.com . She sews and sometimes models--all the while kicking everyone's ass in kinetic motion. So if you're lucky enough to be in or near Seattle next Thursday, May 26th, check out the clothes. They're totally smoke, bombin' & a bag of chips!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
OUTSMARTING THE MAN
POST BY JUDE
When supermarkets started requiring savings cards/club cards to "track" a customer's buying habits, I protested by not patronizing those stores. Now I do. Kind of.
My son got a card at Safeway and when I shop there I enter my home phone number and up pops Adam's name. That means my buys are attributed to him--so in effect I am still incognito.
Then I got a card at Albertsons, but put a wrong telephone number down (also an alias and ficticious address), and promptly threw away the card figuring I'd access their bargain buys by entering in the wrong number. But I forgot my wrong number, so I was soon back in my original fix.
Last year I got a membership at Camping World--a great place--www.campingworld.com-- using my cell number. BUT they mis-entered it into their computer, flipping the first 2 digits. So the first time I shopped there, my cell number didn't work and they had to look up my name.
The good part of this story is: I can actually remember the wrong number at Camping World, so now I give out that wrong number at other places, including people that I don't want calls from.
Hmmm, I'm thinking if I use this wrong number long enough, I won't get any more telemarketing calls.
I wonder if this will ruin my credit record.
I wonder if my wrong number actually belongs to someone.
When supermarkets started requiring savings cards/club cards to "track" a customer's buying habits, I protested by not patronizing those stores. Now I do. Kind of.
My son got a card at Safeway and when I shop there I enter my home phone number and up pops Adam's name. That means my buys are attributed to him--so in effect I am still incognito.
Then I got a card at Albertsons, but put a wrong telephone number down (also an alias and ficticious address), and promptly threw away the card figuring I'd access their bargain buys by entering in the wrong number. But I forgot my wrong number, so I was soon back in my original fix.
Last year I got a membership at Camping World--a great place--www.campingworld.com-- using my cell number. BUT they mis-entered it into their computer, flipping the first 2 digits. So the first time I shopped there, my cell number didn't work and they had to look up my name.
The good part of this story is: I can actually remember the wrong number at Camping World, so now I give out that wrong number at other places, including people that I don't want calls from.
Hmmm, I'm thinking if I use this wrong number long enough, I won't get any more telemarketing calls.
I wonder if this will ruin my credit record.
I wonder if my wrong number actually belongs to someone.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Vina or BUST!
SUNDAY- MAY 15, 2005
The Crew never made it to Vina, CA (home to Abbey of New Clairvaux) so the destination was a bust.
BUT at Wheatland we turned where a sign said we could see a historic marker. Four and a half miles later, we found the marker. Then we moseyed on down the road and found Camp Far West Lake.
We had a most excellent adventure where we ended up, so the implied message is:
FREE YOUR MIND--AND YOUR ASS WILL FOLLOW.
The Crew never made it to Vina, CA (home to Abbey of New Clairvaux) so the destination was a bust.
BUT at Wheatland we turned where a sign said we could see a historic marker. Four and a half miles later, we found the marker. Then we moseyed on down the road and found Camp Far West Lake.
We had a most excellent adventure where we ended up, so the implied message is:
FREE YOUR MIND--AND YOUR ASS WILL FOLLOW.
Historic marker. Johnson's crossing on the oveland emmigrant trail lies 1 1/4 mile in the distance. It was the first settlement west of the Sierras and the departure spot for miners going east.
Wonderful piece of rusy farm equipment, no longer satisified adorning this front yard, is looking for a new home. Any takers?
Watching the white truck pull the red truck pulling the boat out of the lake.
Camp Far West Lake. The next photos were taken from the bridge in the background.
Friday, May 13, 2005
TV and DAYS GONE BY
POST BY JUDE:
Never was exposed to TV until I was 9, after my parents divorced (the second time). And the town moms & I lived in didn't get good reception, so Ed Sullivan's head would be in the upper left hand corner of the TV and his torso in the lower right, with wavy lines between. My favorite show was James A. Mitchner's Adventures in Paradise--and because of that show I still want to go to Tahiti.
Borrowed a TV when man first walked on the moon.
Owned my first TV in 1979, when I was 31.
When raising my kids, often got angry at the TV and would lock it in the garage for months at a time.
Gave up TV when I went back to college and took some English and Writing classes--age 42.
Now I watch CSI Las Vegas and Joan of Arcadia, if I remember to. I probably miss half of them. And Austin City Limits, if the singer/band interest me AND if I can manage to stay up that late (11pm).
Sometimes I watch DVDs--at times excessive (2-4 a week), other times it's pretty sporadic (1-2 month).
Truth is I feel DEAD when I watch a lot of TV, like I'm not living life, like I'm cast off from what's real. I'd rather sit and think--or sit and not think, than have that irritating hunk of other people's junk bomb-blasting my brain cells.
I rarely listen to the radio and usually only when driving. Most of my driving is without sound. Sometimes I listen to CDs in the van, but that too is way less than 50% of the time.
I guess what all this boils down to, is that I'm comfortable with quiet. Afterall, that is when I get writing ideas.
Never was exposed to TV until I was 9, after my parents divorced (the second time). And the town moms & I lived in didn't get good reception, so Ed Sullivan's head would be in the upper left hand corner of the TV and his torso in the lower right, with wavy lines between. My favorite show was James A. Mitchner's Adventures in Paradise--and because of that show I still want to go to Tahiti.
Borrowed a TV when man first walked on the moon.
Owned my first TV in 1979, when I was 31.
When raising my kids, often got angry at the TV and would lock it in the garage for months at a time.
Gave up TV when I went back to college and took some English and Writing classes--age 42.
Now I watch CSI Las Vegas and Joan of Arcadia, if I remember to. I probably miss half of them. And Austin City Limits, if the singer/band interest me AND if I can manage to stay up that late (11pm).
Sometimes I watch DVDs--at times excessive (2-4 a week), other times it's pretty sporadic (1-2 month).
Truth is I feel DEAD when I watch a lot of TV, like I'm not living life, like I'm cast off from what's real. I'd rather sit and think--or sit and not think, than have that irritating hunk of other people's junk bomb-blasting my brain cells.
I rarely listen to the radio and usually only when driving. Most of my driving is without sound. Sometimes I listen to CDs in the van, but that too is way less than 50% of the time.
I guess what all this boils down to, is that I'm comfortable with quiet. Afterall, that is when I get writing ideas.
Monday, May 09, 2005
ROADTRIP!
After a tan-fan-dang-go day on Saturday, The Crew took off on a roadtrip the next day. Wandered down the river, looking for a place Jude had been about 7 years earlier. She was lost most of the time, but even in the lost state the Nomad drove right to the town that Jude couldn't remember the name of.
. . .home to Foster's Bighorn bar, cafe, & collection of big game hunting trophies, photos and stories. Jude was lucky enough to meet some locals who added to the lore--like how there are underground streets between the two bars (this one & another across the street) and the hotel; why prohibition never came to this town; and how the safe had a room built around it, with a narrow door, so no one could steal the safe.
For more info: www.fostersbighorn.com/index.htm
Adam in his new work hat.
Jude had the valley family (those that live in Sactown) over for a pot-luck on Saturday. It was totally stress free and FUN. She's going to have to do this again.
Rippley's Believe It or Not--Adam brought Black Forest cake as his contribution! Is that karma or what? See the post on April 24th.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
ANOTHER STORY
The Crew traveled to Placerville (aka Hangtown, aka Dry Diggin's) today, 49 miles east of Sactown, and toured the Gold Bug Mine.
The truth be told, Jude knew more about gold and mining than the volunteer docents. Well, that is another story.
ANOTHER STORY--
Back in another lifetime (1971), when Jude first moved to Sactown from San Diego, she took up the weekend hobby of gold panning. That first summer, she panned an ounce of gold...Troy ounce that is (12 Troy ounces to the pound).
She started out at the John Marshall gold discovery site on Hwy. 49, but quickly discovered that there was more gold to be found further north, above Grass Valley, Nevada City.
She met 3 gold dredgers--Bob, Sam, & Ray, at Foote's Crossing on the Middle Fork of the Yuba, who taught her a lot about gold and how to get it.
The next summer, she traded her ounce of gold for a 2-inch dredge. The man who got rid of the dredge had had no luck at all--but the 3 dredgers (they had a 5-inch dredge) let Jude run her rig on their claim.
A 2-inch dredge meant that Jude had to cart off ALL rocks and debris that was over 2 inches in diameter. BTW a dredge is like a vacuum cleaner (powered by a lawn mower size motor) with a first-stage regulator--Jude could get air underwater as long as the motor was running. She wore a wet suit & weight belt. There was A LOT of carting off to be done. The idea was to vacuum down to bedrock where the gold was.
One time the 3 dredgers ran into a rock that was too big to move with a wench (it was the size of a VW bug) so the dynamite came out. The dredgers worked construction in southern CA during the off-season, so they must have pilfered the TNT. Once in place, it was set off with some good-sized batteries. KABOOM!
Of course the TNT killed all the fish in that part of the river, so everyone had to go swimming and gather up all the dead fish before they floated downriver & someone figured out that someone upriver had used TNT.
That summer, on weekends only, Jude made about $1000 mo. compared to her M-F job of $400 mo. The largest nugget Jude found was about the size of her little finger and weighed one ounce. She sold all the gold, except for one nugget that looked like two quail in a nest, to the anonymous gold buyer that came through about once every 3 weeks. The nugget she kept was made into a necklace.
That summer the market price of gold was $60 ounce, but because Jude was selling high-quality placer gold, it went for $120 ounce. Today the market price was $429 ounce, and placer would go for about $800-$850-maybe a little higher.
The Crew carries a gold pan and Jude has been known to run a couple of shovelfuls of dirt & gravel through it from time to time. It's always exciting to see a little color.
The truth be told, Jude knew more about gold and mining than the volunteer docents. Well, that is another story.
ANOTHER STORY--
Back in another lifetime (1971), when Jude first moved to Sactown from San Diego, she took up the weekend hobby of gold panning. That first summer, she panned an ounce of gold...Troy ounce that is (12 Troy ounces to the pound).
She started out at the John Marshall gold discovery site on Hwy. 49, but quickly discovered that there was more gold to be found further north, above Grass Valley, Nevada City.
She met 3 gold dredgers--Bob, Sam, & Ray, at Foote's Crossing on the Middle Fork of the Yuba, who taught her a lot about gold and how to get it.
The next summer, she traded her ounce of gold for a 2-inch dredge. The man who got rid of the dredge had had no luck at all--but the 3 dredgers (they had a 5-inch dredge) let Jude run her rig on their claim.
A 2-inch dredge meant that Jude had to cart off ALL rocks and debris that was over 2 inches in diameter. BTW a dredge is like a vacuum cleaner (powered by a lawn mower size motor) with a first-stage regulator--Jude could get air underwater as long as the motor was running. She wore a wet suit & weight belt. There was A LOT of carting off to be done. The idea was to vacuum down to bedrock where the gold was.
One time the 3 dredgers ran into a rock that was too big to move with a wench (it was the size of a VW bug) so the dynamite came out. The dredgers worked construction in southern CA during the off-season, so they must have pilfered the TNT. Once in place, it was set off with some good-sized batteries. KABOOM!
Of course the TNT killed all the fish in that part of the river, so everyone had to go swimming and gather up all the dead fish before they floated downriver & someone figured out that someone upriver had used TNT.
That summer, on weekends only, Jude made about $1000 mo. compared to her M-F job of $400 mo. The largest nugget Jude found was about the size of her little finger and weighed one ounce. She sold all the gold, except for one nugget that looked like two quail in a nest, to the anonymous gold buyer that came through about once every 3 weeks. The nugget she kept was made into a necklace.
That summer the market price of gold was $60 ounce, but because Jude was selling high-quality placer gold, it went for $120 ounce. Today the market price was $429 ounce, and placer would go for about $800-$850-maybe a little higher.
The Crew carries a gold pan and Jude has been known to run a couple of shovelfuls of dirt & gravel through it from time to time. It's always exciting to see a little color.
Gift shop, museum, & entrance to the Gold Bug hard rock mine. Mine started in 1888 and was worked until WWII.
Jude, where the Gold Bug mine dead-ends--115 feet of mountain on top of her.
The stamp mill (not the original building) which houses the apparatus for crushing the ore. Eight stamps which weigh 1500 lbs each--what a VW bug weighs--move like pistons dropping on the ore, 100 times per minute. The men who worked here went deaf in 2 to 3 days. They also worked bare-skinned with mercury and inhaled ore dust as fine as flour.
Archives
April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 January 2007 March 2007 April 2007 June 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 March 2008 April 2008 June 2008
