Things that go Vroom!

Let's Roll!

I’m not a true car guy. I can’t take a car apart and reassemble it on the roof of the school. I’m lucky to know where the gas and oil go. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see the beauty in these machines. In 2010, Uncle Eugene and I went to a car show at the local park. Here are a couple of pictures I took that day.

I have more pictures of this day of course that I may post later, including one where a car owner pays tribute to Odie (yes – the Odie of Garfield fame).

In Honor Of James
Ready to go Vroom

Quote of the Day – March 8, 2012 – Explanation of the Universe’s Existance

There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

Douglas Adams

Quote of the Day – March 7, 2012 – What Women Want

After about 20 years of marriage, I’m finally starting to scratch the surface of what women want. And I think the answer lies somewhere between conversation and chocolate.
Mel Gibson

Conversations with Riley # 15 – Typical Girl…

ChocolateRiley: I like chocolate.
Me: It’s a plastic donut.
Riley: It’s a CHOCOLATE plastic donut.
Me: Such a typical girl…

Quote of the Day – March 6, 2012 – Contented Silent

“We sit silently and watch the world around us. This has taken a lifetime to learn. It seems only the old are able to sit next to one another and not say anything and still feel content. The young, brash and impatient, must always break the silence. It is a waste, for silence is pure. Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking. This is the great paradox.”

Nicholas SparksThe Notebook

Quote of the Day – March 5, 2012 – Freedom

“As long as the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free. Psychological freedom, a firm sense of self-esteem, is the most powerful weapon against the long night of physical slavery.”

Martin Luther King Jr

In Which Education Has Become Slavery

Every once in a while, I read an article that I feel the overwhelming urge to share with the world. This morning, thanks to a friend, I found one.

I urge you all to read the following:

A 13-Year-Old’s Slavery Analogy Raises Some Uncomfortable Truths in School

I do not know this girl, but I am proud of her and hope that we can continue to raise such intelligent children. The insight described in this article is profound, and exhibits high levels comprehension and critical thinking; many adults I know are incapable of this.

The fact of the matter is that, while there are many fantastic teachers, in some ways we are still living in a bygone age. The fact that this child would be forced to withdraw from school because she wanted to learn is horrendous and beyond comprehension.

I would love to know what the school’s logic behind this was. I’m sure the official answer from the school is that this was not an official action – however when officials act, the actions become official. Like it or not, the educational staff at an educational facility cannot be considered unofficial by anyone’s definition.

Please read this – in light of all we have been through we cannot allow a few misguided people return us to the stone age. After all, do you want your children being taught  the same message as this girl?

Quote of the Day – March 4, 2012 – Wisest of Counselors

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
Charles William Elliot

In Which I Had Malicious Intent

Friday night, with malicious intent, I drove down the highway.

Friday night,  with malicious intent, I made a couple of pit stops along the way.

Friday night, with malicious intent, I cracked open a new book.

Tis a harrowing tale that brings us here. A tale of such frightening aspects like counting, and buying, and staying in on a Friday eve! Proceed with caution, if you dare to proceed at all.

After waking on Friday morn, I felt the urge to… correction… I felt strongly compelled (!) to count – yes COUNT – the number of books on my bookshelves. The tally: 303. But oh frightening part, the truly truly truly knee-shaking hair-raising turning-you-into-a-quivering-mass scary part is that I realized I needed more. More!

With malicious intent I counted and knew the number 303 was vastly too small. With malicious intent, I vowed to increase this number.

And so, with no compunction for those around me or for myself, on my way home that evening, I stopped at Half-Priced Books. I had the singular goal, the goal of filling in a gap in my collection. I needed Terry Pratchett‘s Small Gods. (You may have noticed the plethora of Pratchett quotes lately – this has been the result of this growing uncontrollable urge to re-read this very book.)

Alas, Half-Priced Books failed me on this occasion. They had precious few of Pratchett’s books, and Small Gods was not one of them. So I had to settle with the following:

Having been disappointed in my quest, I pressed on. Next on my barrage of book buying: Barnes (and his friend Noble). Surely a full priced book store would help me quench my lust for the printed word. “Surely!” I exclaimed as I fishtailed into my designated parking spot at the front of the lot (Summer’s Shadow had grasped the importance of my mission – she’s a good girl and how I love to hear her growl!).

Barnes quickly pointed me to the malicious intent section (which encompasses the entire store) and I managed to find not one, not two, but three (thank you Count, ah ah ah) books that I absolutely had to have:

And so when I arrived home, after feeding myself, and feeding Riley, (Summer’s Shadow wasn’t hungry), I proceeded to do something dangerous.

With malicious intent, I cracked opened a new book to feed my mind.