They only choose the best of the best to train new officers. It didn't take long for the brass to realize who is the best person for the job of Field Training Officer.
Congrats, Officer Squid.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Creek Watch 1
Creek Watch: Santa Barbara Creeks Through the Seasons
Volume 1: Autumnal Equinox 2008
As you know from my many posts of my hikes, we are lucky here in Santa Barbara to have numerous nearby trails through oak-shadowed sandstone canyons. Invariably the trail will follow, and cross, a creek flowing through the foothills from the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, or (more precisely) the Santa Barbara Channel.
I thought it would be interesting to watch some of these creeks through the seasons. I decided to focus on four creeks, three of which run through my favorite hiking spots, and the fourth is our own nearby neighborhood creek.
They are San Jose Creek, San Antonio Creek, San Roque Creek and Rattlesnake Creek.
San Jose Creek runs near our house, right behind the houses across the street. It is in danger of problems this winter, as it runs right through the Gap Fire burn area. It will be interesting to see how San Jose Creek shapes up this winter.
San Antonio Creek is on the outskirts of the fire area.
San Roque Creek and Rattlesnake Creek are in Santa Barbara.
Here is a map. The blue balloon pointers are approximate spots where the photographs will be shot for this project.
View Larger Map
These photographs were all taken within a week of the Autumnal Equinox.
San Jose Creek:
San Jose Creek from bridge, Downstream
San Antonio Creek, Upstream
San Antonio Creek, Downstream
San Roque Creek, Upstream
San Roque Creek, Downstream
Rattlesnake Creek:
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Rattlesnake Creek had quite a bit of water flowing at this late date in the season (rain year starts October 1).
Rattlesnake Creek, Upstream
Rattlesnake Creek, Downstream
And as a bonus, we shall also watch this meadow that is in Rattlesnake Canyon.
Volume 1: Autumnal Equinox 2008
As you know from my many posts of my hikes, we are lucky here in Santa Barbara to have numerous nearby trails through oak-shadowed sandstone canyons. Invariably the trail will follow, and cross, a creek flowing through the foothills from the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, or (more precisely) the Santa Barbara Channel.
I thought it would be interesting to watch some of these creeks through the seasons. I decided to focus on four creeks, three of which run through my favorite hiking spots, and the fourth is our own nearby neighborhood creek.
They are San Jose Creek, San Antonio Creek, San Roque Creek and Rattlesnake Creek.
San Jose Creek runs near our house, right behind the houses across the street. It is in danger of problems this winter, as it runs right through the Gap Fire burn area. It will be interesting to see how San Jose Creek shapes up this winter.
San Antonio Creek is on the outskirts of the fire area.
San Roque Creek and Rattlesnake Creek are in Santa Barbara.
Here is a map. The blue balloon pointers are approximate spots where the photographs will be shot for this project.
View Larger Map
These photographs were all taken within a week of the Autumnal Equinox.
San Jose Creek:
San Jose Creek from Berkeley Rd. Bridge, Upstream
San Jose Creek from bridge, Downstream
San Antonio Creek:
By the way, when I was hiking here last week, I saw a large coyote! When he saw me, he ran before I could shoot him. My camera was in my fanny pack!
By the way, when I was hiking here last week, I saw a large coyote! When he saw me, he ran before I could shoot him. My camera was in my fanny pack!
San Antonio Creek, Upstream
San Antonio Creek, Downstream
San Roque Creek:
San Roque Creek, Upstream
San Roque Creek, Downstream
Rattlesnake Creek:
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Rattlesnake Creek had quite a bit of water flowing at this late date in the season (rain year starts October 1).
Rattlesnake Creek, Upstream
Rattlesnake Creek, Downstream
Rattlesnake Creek Pool
Rattlesnake Creek Waterfall
And as a bonus, we shall also watch this meadow that is in Rattlesnake Canyon.
Meadow Looking Northwest
(see the hangliders?)
Meadow Looking Northwest
(see the hangliders?)
Meadow Looking Northwest
Meadow Looking Southwest
I hope this project will be interesting to all.
Weird Al
It's been a couple years, but I was reminded about this Weird Al video and thought I'd share.
Chamillionaire released this video (I find it funny that the opening slide has a misspeelling). Don't feel bad if you don't make it more than a few seconds.
Weird Al answered with this one. Sorry I can't embed it.
I love Weird Al Yankovic!
Chamillionaire released this video (I find it funny that the opening slide has a misspeelling). Don't feel bad if you don't make it more than a few seconds.
Weird Al answered with this one. Sorry I can't embed it.
I love Weird Al Yankovic!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Political Cartoon again
I also like Tom Toles's work.
I was actually surprised not to hear, "It's because they hate our freedom!" in Dubya's speech the other night.
I was actually surprised not to hear, "It's because they hate our freedom!" in Dubya's speech the other night.
Monday, September 22, 2008
More Webcams
Early in my blogging career, I pointed you to some webcams.
Here are a couple more. They couldn't be more divergent, but each is interesting.
Times Square Cam. This has several camera views in the Times Square area.
Wildlife Cam. Live from the woods of Western Pennsylvania!
Here is one for Kevin:
Mussel Cam. Don't melt that butter just yet.
Here are a couple more. They couldn't be more divergent, but each is interesting.
Times Square Cam. This has several camera views in the Times Square area.
Wildlife Cam. Live from the woods of Western Pennsylvania!
Here is one for Kevin:
Mussel Cam. Don't melt that butter just yet.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
May you see WHAT?!
Y'all know me; I am a 40-ish-year-old woman. I think just about anyone you ask would say I look around 40-45. I don’t look 30. I certainly don’t look 21!
Today I bought some Bacardi (remember my mojitos?) at our neighborhood drugstore, and I heard a question I hadn't heard in about 20 years.
"May I see your identification?"
I laughed, thinking she was joking, but she said no, she needed it; the policy was to card anyone who looked 40 or under.
What the heck?? What kind of policy is that??
I gave her my id, but instead of checking the date, she ran it through the card reader before I knew what she was doing. That really ticked me off! What an invasion of privacy!
And anyway! Just a quick look at the card would tell her I was over 21. It is slightly obvious! Photo on right=under 21; Photo on left=over 21. Big red bar across front = under 21.
My wrinkles may have given her another clue!
The whole thing is very weird. So I had to write a poison pen letter. {evil grin} I'll keep you posted!
Today I bought some Bacardi (remember my mojitos?) at our neighborhood drugstore, and I heard a question I hadn't heard in about 20 years.
"May I see your identification?"
I laughed, thinking she was joking, but she said no, she needed it; the policy was to card anyone who looked 40 or under.
What the heck?? What kind of policy is that??
I gave her my id, but instead of checking the date, she ran it through the card reader before I knew what she was doing. That really ticked me off! What an invasion of privacy!
And anyway! Just a quick look at the card would tell her I was over 21. It is slightly obvious! Photo on right=under 21; Photo on left=over 21. Big red bar across front = under 21.
My wrinkles may have given her another clue!
The whole thing is very weird. So I had to write a poison pen letter. {evil grin} I'll keep you posted!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Cartoon of the Day
Ted Rall is my favorite political cartoonist. He is quite sharp. He is irreverent and shocking at times. And I love that! (click for bigger version)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Help the Oompus Lupus!
On November 1, we'll be walking with Trish and her team, Oompus Lupus, in San Francisco to raise money for Lupus Research. If you are so inclined, click the image below to find a page on which you can pledge a donation.
Support Lupus Research!
Support Lupus Research!
THANK YOU!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Long Overdue!
Whew! After too long, we finally got our driveway replaced!
BEFORE
Day 1: Ripping and Tearing.
Also Day 1: Placing fill.
End of Day 1:
Day 2: Finishing
End of Day 2: A BRAND! NEW! DRIVEWAY!
BEFORE
It looked like fun to operate this huge, noisy jack-hammer!
Also Day 1: Placing fill.
End of Day 1:
Day 2: Finishing
They'd had this much done in less than 2 hours.
End of Day 2: A BRAND! NEW! DRIVEWAY!
Y*I*P*P*E*E*!*!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Birthday Blog
Miss E had a good birthday!
Here we are at dinner and at home for cake.
As a birthday gift, she got texting restored to her cell phone.
The following weekend, for a birthday treat, we took her and her friend Caitlin to VEGAS, Baby! That was a fun-filled weekend. We stayed in New York, New York.
New York, New York is conveniently located across the street from M&M World.
We also visited other casinos.
Besides walking around the strip and exploring the casinos, we got to see Penn and Teller do their magic act. They are great! If you ever get the chance, go see them.
Just about nothing is illegal in Las Vegas. We stopped by a pet store that sells exotic pets. Unforunately, the Sugar Gliders and Bush Babies were hiding, but the girls enjoyed playing with these baby ferrets. You won't see a California pet shop selling any of these animals.
So cute!
The drive home was the. worst. drive. ever. All of LA had gone to visit Las Vegas for the holiday weekend, and all of LA decided to go home the same time we did. It was awful. Mike had flown back a day early to go to work, so it was left to li'l ol' me to drive the whole way. We made it home safe and sound, eight long hours after we left.
Here we are at dinner and at home for cake.
On the patio at the Beachside.
As a birthday gift, she got texting restored to her cell phone.
The following weekend, for a birthday treat, we took her and her friend Caitlin to VEGAS, Baby! That was a fun-filled weekend. We stayed in New York, New York.
New York, New York is conveniently located across the street from M&M World.
We also visited other casinos.
Besides walking around the strip and exploring the casinos, we got to see Penn and Teller do their magic act. They are great! If you ever get the chance, go see them.
Just about nothing is illegal in Las Vegas. We stopped by a pet store that sells exotic pets. Unforunately, the Sugar Gliders and Bush Babies were hiding, but the girls enjoyed playing with these baby ferrets. You won't see a California pet shop selling any of these animals.
So cute!
The drive home was the. worst. drive. ever. All of LA had gone to visit Las Vegas for the holiday weekend, and all of LA decided to go home the same time we did. It was awful. Mike had flown back a day early to go to work, so it was left to li'l ol' me to drive the whole way. We made it home safe and sound, eight long hours after we left.
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