Hot Off The Press!

Sorry I (Steve), haven't blogged much lately. I've been traveling quite a bit, but the good news is the training for my promotion is complete, and I will be home more in November. Just got this little tidbit off the company newsletter!! YEAH FOR ME!

Congratulations to NEW CHECK AIRMAN!
Saab Line Check Airman
Brett Musick
Steve Norton

Have a great day!

Camera Found!

This week has been wild and crazy. I, Amy, have entered the working world again. My previous employer called me last Friday and requested that I come in to train yet another person who was hired to replace me. (This is the fourth one.) After some haggling over my "consulting fees," we finally came to an agreement (I'm worth a fortune, don't you know?); and I have been back at work. It's fun seeing my friends again, but I have to admit that getting up early and working all day is quite taxing when one is not used to that. (And yes, I can hear all of you working people saying "Waa-waa." I don't blame you.)


Steve had his check airman flight with the FAA this week. (Someone from the FAA rides along and watches how Steve coaches and grades the pilot on his check flight. The FAA has to approve Steve's new promotion.) Everything went great, and Steve is spending the rest of the weekend completing check flights. Yeah, Steve!

I finally found the camera which was accidentally left in my car. Here are the pictures from last Friday and Saturday:Since you're not allowed to take pictures IN a voting location, Steve decided to take a picture OF the voting location. The number of campaign signs is ridiculous.

For lunch we went to Fogo de Chao. It's our favorite place to eat in Houston.

We LOVE spending time together.

We finally found a restaurant that serves rhubarb pie (Steve's favorite). House of Pies has them year-round. We bought a whole one to take home.

The Chinese Elm that Steve planted on Saturday.
The Bald Cypress that Steve planted on Saturday.

We had a great time hanging out last weekend. November kicks off more travels.

Happy Friday!!!

Nothing To See Here

Amy and I bought some trees this weekend. Like all projects we started out with the intention of procuring the said tree prior to the intense sunlight and heat of the day. But sadly it wasn't to be, we acquired the foliage at about 1PM leaving me to plant them at the precise time of day I was hoping to avoid. But all is well, and they look great; I would share some pictures but cannot seem to find the camera at this very moment.

I'm headed to Washington DC this weekend, Amy won't be joining me due to the possibility of extreme boredom with a rather hectic work schedule for me. In other news this weekend we got to vote! Where I am from in Washington all the ballots are mailed out. I honestly don't think that they even have polling places, if they do I've never seen them. But voting is fun, and early voting was even more enjoyable. Although the lady behind us who had a panic attack when she realized she was going to have to use a computer was a bit exhausting.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I was excited about the possibility of returning to swim coaching a couple of days a week. It looks like I am going to get my wish, I have a lot of free time in November (although I didn't get Thanksgiving off) so I sent an email expressing my wishes - more to come on that subject.

On the next post you can look forward to pictures, we just need to find that pesky camera. Have a great day!

The People We Meet

There was a recent comment on our blog that we lead such interesting lives. I have to admit that some of the things that happen to me (Steve) especially are straight out of a movie script. My wife was along for just such an adventure last year. I'll try to keep this short, as I know some of my posts get carried away with every last detail.

I was in St. Louis for an extended training event and Amy came to visit me one weekend. We took time to go to the park and the zoo. We saw the Arch and some other sights. Then we decided we were hungry, we got on the train and came to the conclusion that we would no doubt see an area with lots of dining choices on our ride back to the hotel. And if we didn't that was okay we would just eat at the hotel.

As we neared the half way point on our journey I mentioned something to Amy about the game plan we had concocted and the passenger next to us immediately inserted herself into our conversation. She insisted that if we needed a place to eat she knew just the spot. I told her that we would appreciate the advice, to which she responded that she would take us to the perfect spot. So now our evening involves this complete stranger.

She explained that there was a wonderful strip of restaurants near the stop where she gets off and she would lead us to them. Then she proceeded to ensure us that she could be trusted because she had her employee ID card on a lanyard around her neck which she held out for my inspection. You may be wondering where she worked -- she was a card dealer on one of the riverboats of course.

So we get off the train and follow her for quite a while. No doubt I told you all about when Amy and I were teased with the promise of nice cheap purses in NYC and had to follow this girl in pitch darkness for about 7 blocks -- anyway -- we followed this woman nearly a mile. At one point on the walk I began to doubt her motives, and questioned how much further, she confidently held up her employee badge and stated "You can trust me, I'm not a con artist or anything!" Amy and I looked at each other trying hard not to laugh outloud at this woman. Finally we could start to see some activity. And honestly she was right, this area surely was a happening spot with lots of choices, however remember she had one particular spot in mind.

We arrive at a bar! She stands outside of it all proud, opens the door and says "After you!" it then became clear, she was expecting us to go in there and buy her some evening drinks to show our gratitude for her gracious guide work through the maze that was her neighborhood to her favorite water hole.

Remember, I don't like confrontation, but you would have all been very proud of me. Amy and I pretended to look at the menu in the window, then in my nicest possible voice I thanked her very much for helping us find such a neat part of town; but they didn't really have the type of food we were in the mood for in this bar. She was devastated, she thought surely she had found her meal ticket for the night. Quick on her feet, she offered to take us to another bar farther up the street. We finally were able to loose her, and we found a quaint little Mexican place to eat at, which was very delicious.

Remember to read the blog below and leave your answer, I will reveal the source of this material once we reach ten comments (that would be a record for our blog). And I much like Ms. Valerie was also laughing out loud when I first saw this video and continue to laugh at all subsequent viewings.

Funny

I got this video on the email -- I have a challenge -- LEAVE A COMMENT!! --- I want to know if you think this video is real, or a staged event. If you are not a Blogspot member you can leave an anonymous comment, but I am curious how many real readers we have.




The answer tomorrow

HAVE A GREAT DAY

Is That Smoke I Smell?

In an effort to save money I have wired the house for TV in such a way that all of the TV’s operate off of one DVR. The cable companies are on to this behavior as they have programmed their DVR’s not to work on more than one TV, instead the other TV's get a warning notice. It took a while but I eventually figured out a way around this, the problem is it requires the audio amplifier in the living room to be on and muted for any other TV in the house to work.

After spending a tidy sum at Best Buy I eventually figured out a way to use a radio frequency remote control with macro capability to operate the DVR from anywhere in the house and we were in business. By the way I heard an ad recently for AT&T U-Verse which offers a DVR that records four shows at once, and (gasp) you only need one for all the TV’s in the whole house. Amy and I would sign up at once if only it was offered in our neighborhood.

Anyway, back to the story; the other day Amy and I were watching the news in our bedroom. Out of the blue the TV suddenly went blank, I quickly figured out that for whatever reason the audio amp had turned off. I turned it back on, and soon after it again turned off. After two more attempts I finally make my way to the living room and realize I’ve entered a cloud of smoke, and it is putrid. I open the entertainment center to see even more smoke billow out.

I spent the entire morning, venting the house, and checking all of the speaker wires just sure that there must be a short somewhere. I don’t find any shorts, but I do re-insulate all of the connections, and try to turn it on again. I have it on for about an hour, when suddenly – you guessed it – smoke, again, horrid smelling white smoke begins pouring out of the device. I finally draw the line in the sand and decide the unit is defective.

Fortunately it is under warranty and I send it to Samsung who promptly returns it repaired and deodorized. I reinstalled it with its own additional heavy duty cooling fan. I’ve decided in the future that if an electronic device turns off for some unknown reason, there is likely a reason; and I should probably get myself out of bed to figure it out.

Have a great Tuesday.

His Honour

First of all happy Monday, this week will no doubt be an outstanding one! I (Steve) was suppose to be in Tulsa with my adorable bride, but sadly it was not to be, all the flights that were available to me were sold out or overweight. So I had resigned myself to a most boring weekend at home, I scheduled a training session with this Marine recruit I am working with (he is training to pass a most difficult swim test) for 6AM on Saturday. After I was done with him I decided I needed to work in the yard. I got a hot fire going and burned all the unnecessary foliage, I transplanted a couple of plants (Surpirse Amy!!!), and I pulled weeds, I rototilled the flower garden, edged the lawn, washed the driveway, killed ants, pruned the trees, and cleaned the hot tub. I was pretty tired when all of this was done at about 1PM so I was looking to forward to getting cleaned up and relaxing the rest of the day in the living room.

Just then my phone rang, it was work and my services were needed. The schedule they assigned me is six days away from home, which would normally be unacceptable, but since Amy is away it works out, this time anyway. The only problem is I wouldn't have worked myself into a stooper had I known I was going to have to do more work in the evening.

After ranting a little about the neighborhood children in my last post I was thinking of when I was a kid and all the crazy stuff I did. I certainly did some things that I'm sure embarrassed my parents to no end. I decided I shall start a new series, I have quite a list of fun stories to tell -- oh man I'm getting red in the face just thinking of some of the shenanigans I pulled.

But for now the story of my first speeding ticket. I was working for a Church and had been called in the middle of the night to fix a water leak at the pastor's home. I had a buddy with me, and we were done with the small repair within about 30 minutes. On the way home (in a church vehicle mind you) I was driving through a small town named Bixby in Oklahoma. It was nearly midnight and the road was pretty empty. I honestly don't know how fast I was going, but anyone who has ridden with me knows I'm not a big fan of the accelerator. When I was learning to drive anything more than a half inch depression on the gas pedal got a stern exclamation from my Grandfather "There goes another gallon of gas, right out the tail pipe, you'll learn when you pay for gas...." He had lots of sayings, one of my favorites was at the bowling alley "Right for the gutter, you aimed that ball right for the gutter!" My cousins and I heard that one quite often, ever the encouraging one. Anyway the point is I wasn't driving fast or reckless so when I saw flashing lights ahead I thought nothing of it.

As I neared the flashing lights I realized that the police department of Bixby had set up roadblocks at every road of a four way stop. They had quite the set-up, there were portable light units, at least fifteen tow trucks lined up, and about seven police cars. I honestly thought to myself, 'These guys are serious about catching drunk drivers, I sure am glad they are here!' Once I reached the officer in my lane I handed him my drivers license as requested which was from Utah. He took immediate attitude and scoffed at my out of state license with an inquiry as to why. I explained that I was a student, to which he wanted proof. Then he asked "Why are you in such a hurry?" My jaw fell open a little, I was so astonished at his line of questioning. I responded "Excuse me?" "Why were you speeding?" "I wasn't aware that I was." "Yep, you were going at least 45 and this is a 35 zone!" He goes on to explain that he isn't giving me a ticket for the out of state license but is for speeding, and tells me to pull around the corner.

I wait for about ten minutes and nobody comes to issue the said ticket, there is so much going on at this intersection these people actually forgot about me. Eventually someone comes and asks why I am there. I stupidly tell them I was waiting for a speeding ticket. I get the ticket and move on. Over the next few days I begin to stew over the chain of events that took place that evening, I didn't believe that anyone actually used a radar device on me, I began to realize that these Police Officers were just making things up as cars arrived at the road block. There was just too much activity to be that organized, I mean for crying out loud they forgot why I was pulled over to begin with.

I went back to the scene and quickly learned that there were no posted speed limit signs anywhere on the road where I was pulled over until after the said intersection, and then the speed limit was 45. I decided I had a case and was headed to court. I learned that I could choose not to pay the fine, and instead appear before the judge to plead my case, the court date was on the ticket. The day finally came, I was ready with pictures, an affidavit from the guy that was riding with me, and Google Earth satellite imagery of the area in question. I went all out, I get dressed and leave work early one day to go win my case.

I arrive at the ridiculously small City Hall/Courthouse/Police Station/Jail. And much to my surprise the building is all but abandoned. I go in the court room to see an empty room with no lights on. As I wander around the building a little more I realize that undoubtedly the Officer wrote the wrong date on the ticket. I check it again to make sure and then realize to my horror that I am actually the one who made an error, my court date was last week. I find the Police Dispatcher and ask him what I need to do, and most importantly is there a warrant for my arrest for failure to appear?

He is nice enough and assures me that there was in fact no warrant, but I had a failure to appear hearing the following week. So the date comes and I learn that my boss also has a summons to appear at the same hearing I am headed too. We carpool and walk into the courtroom which is filled beyond capacity. We hear that the prosecutor is meeting with some people to negotiate plea bargains, but sadly we don't have an opportunity to meet with him before the court is called to order. Enter 'His Honour'.

This little bald man introduces himself as Judge Studeny, and begins to go over the litany of rules for his courtroom. He proceeded to explain (which I still see as unconstitutional) that when we were called to the front and read the charge our response was to be either guilty or no contest. He told everyone that if they dared to plea not guilty the consequences would be severe; he would require a jury trial, and when we were ultimately found guilty he would order us to pay all costs associated with the trail including the jury wages etc. Anyway at this point I am dumbfounded, I feel like I am on a TV show or something. Judge Studeny then begins a short monologue about the consequences cellular telephones making any noises whatsoever in his courtroom.

He explains that if any phone or pager rings for any reason, no matter the excuse. The owner will be promptly arrested for contempt of court, put in jail for ten days, and fined $700. Good grief!!! -- so my boss and I are frantically attempting to remove the batteries from our phone should there be some fluke and an unsuspecting alarm that might go off. I can't get my battery out and actually consider smashing my phone under my chair leg, this is how terrified I am of Judge Studeny.

It turns out this hearing had nothing to do with me trying to prove my speeding ticket invalid, no no, instead this hearing was all about trying to skip out on paying the fine. I go to the bench when my name is called, plead guilty as directed, and then pay my now doubled fine.

I tell the story frequently, especially the part about the cell phones, because I just thought it was so outrageous. Time goes on and I begin to forget about Judge Studeny, then it happened. My last semester in college and a required class -- Aviation Law. I sit in the front row as usual, and see a stoic short, bald professor sitting in front of me, looking down his nose at the class of what he no doubt sees as misfits. The clock reaches the start time, and the professor begins to talk, about -- you guessed it --- cell phones! -- The moment he speaks, I literally gasp, so loudly that a few heads turn. I realize, it's him!! It turns out his hatred for cell phones goes far beyond the court room and into the classroom. He explains that if any cell phone goes off for any reason during the semester the owner of the phone will fail the course and have to repeat it.

We all hate cell phones at one point or another in our daily lives, but seriously, Judge Studeny please lighten up on the phone rules, its okay. People aren't out to get you with their phone, they aren't trying to be disrespectful or is some way pull one over on you. They just forgot to turn it off. Its true that your threatening tactics probably work well to mitigate any accidental ringings. But in the end life is too short to make such a big deal about what amounts to an inconsequential stupid thing. Don't sweat the small stuff -- its just a phone.