Saturday, August 13, 2005
When your friends grow up
We all have friends we know from college, high school and even grade school. We knew them when they were young and foolish. As I grow older, it's kind of weird to see them in their "adult" lives. Friends, with whom I played the game hearts and darts (played continuously for one long finals weekend) are now 1) a PHD in Electrical Engineering who went back to get a law degree and is starting a clerkship for a circuit court judge in Puerto Rico 2) a father and teacher who designed an alternative education program for teenagers in technology and 3) one who was in near the beginning of AOL and now working for Meetup. So it's weird, and yet totally cool, to think of them as contributing and influential people in the world. Here's another example, my friend Nora B. is often brought in as an expert on coalitions in foreign affairs and just got this article about the counterinsurgency in Iraq printed in last week's Baltimore Sun. I could go on about the amazing things other friends are doing, but it's time for me to start thinking about planning for the upcoming school year as summer break is nearly over.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Seeing it through to the end
Those of you who are regular readers of the Chen blog are probably wondering whatever happened to the french doors project that I started earlier in the summer. Well, as of today, it is essentially finished. You will find some pictures below that show what the doors look like from the front/sitting room. I was unable to take pictures as to what the doors would look like from bed as I was aiming the camera into the light.
I won't go into any of the details, but the I did learn one thing about myself as well as having a long ago lesson reinforced. Starting with the latter, this project did seem overwhelming to me at first, but as we all must, I broke down the undertaking into small managable discrete tasks and lo and behold here I am. What new thing did I discover about myself? I am simply unable to hammer a nail if it isn't at eye-level height. I have a cemetery here to bent nails.
I won't go into any of the details, but the I did learn one thing about myself as well as having a long ago lesson reinforced. Starting with the latter, this project did seem overwhelming to me at first, but as we all must, I broke down the undertaking into small managable discrete tasks and lo and behold here I am. What new thing did I discover about myself? I am simply unable to hammer a nail if it isn't at eye-level height. I have a cemetery here to bent nails.
Monday, August 08, 2005
A typo of monumental propotion
Residents of the San Francisco Bay Area will agree with me that every conversation eventually turns to real estate. Whether you are renting, an homeowner, thinking of purchasing your first home, in escrow for your second home, it's all about real estate. There is a column in the SF Chronicle that is titled "SURREAL ESTATE." It is the source of the most outrageous, crazy and more often than not, sad stories of people in the Bay Area and their experiences dealing with the stress of owning or trying to own a "piece of the rock."
So, every Sunday, I always take a a quick glance at the open homes section, to check out if there is any home up for sale in my neighboorhood and the asking price. I also take a look at neighboorhoods near me or one's that I dream of living in. Here's what I found in the open houses section this past Sunday.
GLEN PK, at its best! *Great bay views from all primary Rms *Spectacular renovation& expansn *Spacious 6 room home with flex.open flr.plan *3 BRs, 2 exquisite BAs *Custom hd.wd.foors *View slate deck overlooks beautiful flagstone patio & lush garden. Every part of this home has custom detail. Pest control rpt. with clear Sec I, dbl. paned windows, new appliances, custom lighting, woodburn FPLC, near BART.
Everything sounded normal except what I saw next. The asking price on this house was $393,000. Those of you in the Bay Area immediately had to take a second glance. A house that sounded like this would have sold for a price like this, say 10-15 years ago. In today's crazy real estate market, this price would attract a mob of potential buyers.
I noted the address of the home and we went to take a look. Was the house tilted? Sideways? Foundation missing? What was up?
We parked the car, walked in, the place beautifully decorated, renovated, etc. The real estate agent introduced herself to Scott and said right off, "If you're here due to the Chronicle advertisement, there is ONE error I should let you know about......the price. The asking price is actually $939,000."
Ahhh, we said and immediately turned towards the door to exit. The world was in order and real estate returned to its rightful state of insanity!
So, every Sunday, I always take a a quick glance at the open homes section, to check out if there is any home up for sale in my neighboorhood and the asking price. I also take a look at neighboorhoods near me or one's that I dream of living in. Here's what I found in the open houses section this past Sunday.
Everything sounded normal except what I saw next. The asking price on this house was $393,000. Those of you in the Bay Area immediately had to take a second glance. A house that sounded like this would have sold for a price like this, say 10-15 years ago. In today's crazy real estate market, this price would attract a mob of potential buyers.
I noted the address of the home and we went to take a look. Was the house tilted? Sideways? Foundation missing? What was up?
We parked the car, walked in, the place beautifully decorated, renovated, etc. The real estate agent introduced herself to Scott and said right off, "If you're here due to the Chronicle advertisement, there is ONE error I should let you know about......the price. The asking price is actually $939,000."
Ahhh, we said and immediately turned towards the door to exit. The world was in order and real estate returned to its rightful state of insanity!
Blank Slate
This past Friday, we were offered the opportunity to purchase tickets to the opening night of the musical Wicked's run here in San Francisco. We obtained a pair of tickets and so we were primed for an evening at the theater.
It was truly MAGIC. The only thing I knew about the show was that it told the story of the two witches who appear at the beginning of the Wizard of Oz. Essentially, it served as a prequel to the classic by L. Frank Baum.
Because I came in with no expectations or knowledge of songs, I never sat there waiting for "the main song" to be sung. Instead, I was entertained in its purest sense. Each twist of the plot and new song stirred in me the emotions intended by the performers. I laughed and I also cried. The two main characters share an incredibly touching scene/song near the end of the show and it spoke to the importance of friendships in our lives, especially with those with whom we initially think we have nothing in common.
I can't say enough about the show. I highly recommend you see it if you can. We bought one of those souvenier booklets. Usually, I scoff at such a tossing of good hard earned money. But everytime I have picked up the book , I relive the memories of that evening. I now understand how theater can truly be a magical and transforming experience!
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Can it really be 10 years ago already????
Here is a quick article about the 1995 American League Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees. The article sponsor is Coca-Cola and it therefore explains the "chill" references. Where were you and what were you doing when Edgar Martinez hit that double down the left field line in the former Kingdome......
The Seattle Mariners were losers. They even lost their first franchise to a car salesman in Milwaukee after one year of play.
Whether or not that was an ominous sign of the things to come in the next few decades, the M's had no trouble living up (down?) to those expectations. This was, after all, a franchise that once went 14 years without a winning season, and had a club so devoid of star power that the team's announcer was actually voted by fans as the most popular Mariner of all time.
But after years of getting hit with the awful stick, the Mariners' fortunes slowly came together in a perfect storm of destiny and quirkiness in the memorable summer of 1995, when perhaps the most chill group of athletes since the '85 Chicago Bears came shuffling along. This was the year the Mariners were so bad, they knew they were good.
It didn't help that they lost their first legitimate superstar Ken Griffey Jr. to a broken wrist in May. Or at least at first it didn't appear to be a good thing. But instead of panic, the guys remained chill and found a way to eek out wins here and there, each night a different hero.
They found themselves 13 games out of first place in August. But instead of planning their subsequent offseason golf vacations and trade requests now that their franchise player was out of commission, they started chipping away at the Division-leading California Angels.
They didn't set out to dominate and intimidate, like the way Roger Clemens feasts on rookies or the way Bartolo Colon attacks an all-you-can-eat buffet. They did it their way, with a 'what, me worry?' attitude that evoked coolness, chillness, and most of all spectacularness. They were so chill they often waited until there were two outs before making their move, prompting Mariner's fans to say, "Two outs? So what!"
These underdogs were the epitome of cool under pressure. Ice in their veins and arteries. Their 26 come-from-behind wins from July on propelled them to a first-place tie with the Angels on the last day of the season, which forced a one-game playoff they easily handled.
This rag-tag group of overachievers, such as Jay "Bone" Buhner, Tino "We Had Him First" Martinez, "Little" Joey Cora, Edgar "I Defined the Role of a DH" Martinez and Ken "I Was Still Called The Kid" Griffey Jr., were off to face the mighty, mightly Yankees in the first round.
What was that part about being chill? How about losing the first two in the Bronx, just so you can win the next three at home to give the long suffering fans something to really cheer about. And that's exactly what they did. They played in what is perhaps considered the finest Division Series game in the history of Divison Series games. (OK, so this is the first year they had Divison Series games, but it still holds up).
Remember where you were when Kennedy was shot? Ask a Mariners fan where they were when Griffey rounded third on Edgar's 11th inning double to win the game and the series. Then watch them explain how watching one of the most chill teams of all time give them & chills.
The Seattle Mariners were losers. They even lost their first franchise to a car salesman in Milwaukee after one year of play.
Whether or not that was an ominous sign of the things to come in the next few decades, the M's had no trouble living up (down?) to those expectations. This was, after all, a franchise that once went 14 years without a winning season, and had a club so devoid of star power that the team's announcer was actually voted by fans as the most popular Mariner of all time.
But after years of getting hit with the awful stick, the Mariners' fortunes slowly came together in a perfect storm of destiny and quirkiness in the memorable summer of 1995, when perhaps the most chill group of athletes since the '85 Chicago Bears came shuffling along. This was the year the Mariners were so bad, they knew they were good.
It didn't help that they lost their first legitimate superstar Ken Griffey Jr. to a broken wrist in May. Or at least at first it didn't appear to be a good thing. But instead of panic, the guys remained chill and found a way to eek out wins here and there, each night a different hero.
They found themselves 13 games out of first place in August. But instead of planning their subsequent offseason golf vacations and trade requests now that their franchise player was out of commission, they started chipping away at the Division-leading California Angels.
They didn't set out to dominate and intimidate, like the way Roger Clemens feasts on rookies or the way Bartolo Colon attacks an all-you-can-eat buffet. They did it their way, with a 'what, me worry?' attitude that evoked coolness, chillness, and most of all spectacularness. They were so chill they often waited until there were two outs before making their move, prompting Mariner's fans to say, "Two outs? So what!"
These underdogs were the epitome of cool under pressure. Ice in their veins and arteries. Their 26 come-from-behind wins from July on propelled them to a first-place tie with the Angels on the last day of the season, which forced a one-game playoff they easily handled.
This rag-tag group of overachievers, such as Jay "Bone" Buhner, Tino "We Had Him First" Martinez, "Little" Joey Cora, Edgar "I Defined the Role of a DH" Martinez and Ken "I Was Still Called The Kid" Griffey Jr., were off to face the mighty, mightly Yankees in the first round.
What was that part about being chill? How about losing the first two in the Bronx, just so you can win the next three at home to give the long suffering fans something to really cheer about. And that's exactly what they did. They played in what is perhaps considered the finest Division Series game in the history of Divison Series games. (OK, so this is the first year they had Divison Series games, but it still holds up).
Remember where you were when Kennedy was shot? Ask a Mariners fan where they were when Griffey rounded third on Edgar's 11th inning double to win the game and the series. Then watch them explain how watching one of the most chill teams of all time give them & chills.
At the intersection of Cortland and Bayshore
When I moved to San Francisco back in 1998, at this intersection, located in an industrial area of the city, was the independently run Goodman Lumber. I purchased my little Hibachi BBQ there. By the end of 2000, it had closed. The windows have been boarded up and graffiti is started to make its way onto the walls.
Goodman Lumber (2005)
The laws of science tell us that where there is a vaccum (or void) something will come and fill it's place. Enter........Home Depot. By the way, did you know that Home Depot opened 25 stores nationwide in the month of June, 2005?
For its entire existence, the city San Francisco has viewed itself as a unique place, distinctly not suburban "middle America". Residents take great pride in shopping at independently owned, non-chain, businesses. My own neighboorhood of Bernal Heights has only once "chain" establishment, a branch office of Bank of America. So when Home Depot proposed to build a store on that site it was fireworks city and it has pitted two adjacent neighboorhoods at odds with each other.
On the map above, you see that Bayshore Blvd. runs north-south roughly parallel to Hwy. 101 (which is a freeway at this point in the city). Bayshore serves as the political boundary between Bernal Heights on the left (West) and Bayview-Hunters Point on the right (East). Bernal Heights is a gentrified neighboorhood that buys into the "San Francisco is unique" belief. Bayview-Hunters Point is the city's last predominantly African-American area where the money era of the dot.com craze never made it here. I think the Department of Housing and Urban Development would consider it blighted.
Bayview-Hunters Point welcomes the presence of Home Depot because it will bring jobs to their neighborhood and other benefits. Bernal Heights is fighting Home Depot for reasons of traffic and that it will put the independent stores out of business. Here is a anti-Home Depot website that I learned of when I got a message urging me to attend the Planning Commission meeting this past Thursday. Home Depot got was granted its building permit and the store will be scaled back a bit, but it will open in 2007.
So where do I fall on this whole issue? When I first heard that Home Depot had proposed to build a store on the old Goodman Lumber site, my reaction was the reflexive "over my dead body" reaction. But I've learned that I need to temper that reaction because that is what living in San Francisco has taught me to do, which is march lockstep in the "San Francisco is unique" doctrine.
But having taught Economics and seen over and over again, examples of where things (the generic things) happen, and due to whatever incentives or power, adaptations are made and life moves on. Both neighboorhoods have incredibly valid points. I am neutral on this issue for the following reasons. I am not against Home Depot, if it wasn't Home Depot, some other commercial establishment would have come to that space. Granted, most San Franciscans would love to have seen a set of cute "boutique" stores, hip restaurants and art galleries come in all along a car-free pedestrian mall, but we're getting Home Depot. Such is life.
However, MY issue is the fact that due to it's location at that particular intersection and the fact that Bernal Heights and Bayview-Hunters Point are on the eastern edge of the city, Cortland Avenue will become a highway of cars and trucks as residents of Noe Valley, Glen Park and points west will use the only logical route to get to the Home Depot. Cortland Avenue is the street upon with I live. Already, it's a bit hairy sometimes to cross the street when I park my car on the other side, and it's somewhat noisy the cars whizzing by, but to add more cars to Cortland Avenue is an issue for me. In addition, that intersection of Cortland Avenue and Bayshore Blvd. is one that I use everyday to go to work. Granted, there may not be traffic jams at 7AM every weekday morning to get into Home Depot, but I believe that there may be an increase in the number of large semis making Home Depot deliveries.
If it becomes too much of a hassle to try and make this left turn to get onto Bayshore to get to the freeway, I will have find some alternative way to get to Highway 101-North. See? Adaptation and change. So all us residents of Bernal Heights need to accept that Home Depot is coming to our front doorstep. How we decide to deal with the issues that arise will be the important thing.
The laws of science tell us that where there is a vaccum (or void) something will come and fill it's place. Enter........Home Depot. By the way, did you know that Home Depot opened 25 stores nationwide in the month of June, 2005?
For its entire existence, the city San Francisco has viewed itself as a unique place, distinctly not suburban "middle America". Residents take great pride in shopping at independently owned, non-chain, businesses. My own neighboorhood of Bernal Heights has only once "chain" establishment, a branch office of Bank of America. So when Home Depot proposed to build a store on that site it was fireworks city and it has pitted two adjacent neighboorhoods at odds with each other.
On the map above, you see that Bayshore Blvd. runs north-south roughly parallel to Hwy. 101 (which is a freeway at this point in the city). Bayshore serves as the political boundary between Bernal Heights on the left (West) and Bayview-Hunters Point on the right (East). Bernal Heights is a gentrified neighboorhood that buys into the "San Francisco is unique" belief. Bayview-Hunters Point is the city's last predominantly African-American area where the money era of the dot.com craze never made it here. I think the Department of Housing and Urban Development would consider it blighted.
Bayview-Hunters Point welcomes the presence of Home Depot because it will bring jobs to their neighborhood and other benefits. Bernal Heights is fighting Home Depot for reasons of traffic and that it will put the independent stores out of business. Here is a anti-Home Depot website that I learned of when I got a message urging me to attend the Planning Commission meeting this past Thursday. Home Depot got was granted its building permit and the store will be scaled back a bit, but it will open in 2007.
So where do I fall on this whole issue? When I first heard that Home Depot had proposed to build a store on the old Goodman Lumber site, my reaction was the reflexive "over my dead body" reaction. But I've learned that I need to temper that reaction because that is what living in San Francisco has taught me to do, which is march lockstep in the "San Francisco is unique" doctrine.
But having taught Economics and seen over and over again, examples of where things (the generic things) happen, and due to whatever incentives or power, adaptations are made and life moves on. Both neighboorhoods have incredibly valid points. I am neutral on this issue for the following reasons. I am not against Home Depot, if it wasn't Home Depot, some other commercial establishment would have come to that space. Granted, most San Franciscans would love to have seen a set of cute "boutique" stores, hip restaurants and art galleries come in all along a car-free pedestrian mall, but we're getting Home Depot. Such is life.
However, MY issue is the fact that due to it's location at that particular intersection and the fact that Bernal Heights and Bayview-Hunters Point are on the eastern edge of the city, Cortland Avenue will become a highway of cars and trucks as residents of Noe Valley, Glen Park and points west will use the only logical route to get to the Home Depot. Cortland Avenue is the street upon with I live. Already, it's a bit hairy sometimes to cross the street when I park my car on the other side, and it's somewhat noisy the cars whizzing by, but to add more cars to Cortland Avenue is an issue for me. In addition, that intersection of Cortland Avenue and Bayshore Blvd. is one that I use everyday to go to work. Granted, there may not be traffic jams at 7AM every weekday morning to get into Home Depot, but I believe that there may be an increase in the number of large semis making Home Depot deliveries.
If it becomes too much of a hassle to try and make this left turn to get onto Bayshore to get to the freeway, I will have find some alternative way to get to Highway 101-North. See? Adaptation and change. So all us residents of Bernal Heights need to accept that Home Depot is coming to our front doorstep. How we decide to deal with the issues that arise will be the important thing.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Going Organic
My friend Shahana and I have decided to try one of those organic produce delivery services. We decided on Organic Express. We elected to get a large box of mixed fruits and vegetables delivered every two weeks. Yesterday, we got our first shipment. Check out what we got this week.
I'm already hooked!
I'm already hooked!
An elegant evening of French cuisine
Scott is a self-proclaimed "foodie" and has dined at a majority of the well-known establishments in San Francisco. He also knows the chefs names and reputations as well. Down near his current (and soon to be over) gig is one of the four Left Bank restaurants. One of the owners is a man named Roland Passot, the chef at Scott's favorite SF restaurant, La Folie.
Yesterday, Roland hosted a special chef's dinner at the San Mateo location. Here was the menu:
Amuse Bouche
Foie Gras Soup with a Scallop Summer Truffle Ravioli
Seared Striped Bass with Ipswich Clams, Porcini Mushrooms, and a Shellfish Bordelaise
Trio of Beef
Burger Rossini, Braised Beef Short Ribs,
and a Roasted Beef Tenderloin with a Truffle Madeira Sauce
Berry Pot Pie with Crème Fraîche Sorbet
Each course was paired with a different wine (of course I didn't participate in the wine drinking as, well, I know nothing about wine and I don't appreciate it's taste). The food was excellent and the fact that the dinner took three hours to complete was only a sidenote for me, seeing as that I'm all about efficiency. However, the highlight of the evening was dining with two women with whom we had a great rapport. Conversation was interesting, lively and intelligent.
Joan H., myself and Elisa B.
The four of us agreed to meet up again in the near future! I love how it's moments such as these where interesting and dynamic people enter our lives.
Yesterday, Roland hosted a special chef's dinner at the San Mateo location. Here was the menu:
Foie Gras Soup with a Scallop Summer Truffle Ravioli
Seared Striped Bass with Ipswich Clams, Porcini Mushrooms, and a Shellfish Bordelaise
Trio of Beef
Burger Rossini, Braised Beef Short Ribs,
and a Roasted Beef Tenderloin with a Truffle Madeira Sauce
Berry Pot Pie with Crème Fraîche Sorbet
Each course was paired with a different wine (of course I didn't participate in the wine drinking as, well, I know nothing about wine and I don't appreciate it's taste). The food was excellent and the fact that the dinner took three hours to complete was only a sidenote for me, seeing as that I'm all about efficiency. However, the highlight of the evening was dining with two women with whom we had a great rapport. Conversation was interesting, lively and intelligent.
The four of us agreed to meet up again in the near future! I love how it's moments such as these where interesting and dynamic people enter our lives.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
The nomination of John G. Roberts
I know that those on the left are a bit "baffled" by the lack of information on Roberts, but I am of the opinion that the fact that he is the father of young children is a HUGE factor in shaping his opinions on many major issues. This article from CNN's Inside Politics summarizes my thoughts pretty well on his nomination and, what I believe, to be his inevitable elevation to the US Supreme Court.
Summer in Seattle
--Harry Wappler (the former Weather guy on KIRO)
This past weekend, I flew to Seattle to spend the weekend with the family. A shout out to Mom and Dad for suffering through my "funk", I've got to work on being more pleasant when suffering through my own personal difficulties, whatever they are. Mom and Dad are always cheerful and great and accomodating, but the issues are mine so blame me. Enough said.
For those of you suffering through the pains of heat and humidity day after day this summer, I will offer you this painful piece of information. The weather these past five days in Seattle were:
Updated 7:22 PM PDT
Seattle, WA
Sunny
Temp: 78°F (26°C)
FORECAST
Tue (7/27) sunny Hi: 84°F
Wed (7/28) sunny Hi: 82°F
Thu (7/29) sunny Hi: 78°F
and might I add, no humidity! So, golf was played (the streak is alive, FYI) , Mariners games watched, friends seen and I was even put to work helping my college friend John G. finish nailing his new deck and then staining it.
Ahh, and the big news..
The hybrid drove really well. The only weird thing that I think would take getting used to is the fact that you stick the key in a slot, and then press a button to start the car. Then it takes about 10 seconds before the motors (electric and gas) kick in and one is ready to drive. At a later date and time, I will go on my talk about the Economics of all this, but that's for later.
Which Came First?
I have a dear high school friend, Heidi B-P, who has been blessed to have worked/work for two nationally (and internationally) prominent Seattle based companies. Just recently, she left REI to go and work for Starbucks. Being the jealous type that I am, my envy of her took the form of attack. (Sorry, Heids, I owe you.) Being the public relations guru that she is, she spins Starbucks incredible market saturation as being a company that transforms neighboorhoods and creates places of gathering across the land and globe. Oh, I had to disagree. In my experience, Starbucks comes in as a neighboorhood changes and the income levels rise to support the coffee drinking habits of those who move in and live in these areas. It is not my belief that Starbucks is the catalyst of change, instead I believe that Starbucks comes in after the "gentrification" has begun and "cashes" in on an already changing situation.
So, I put Starbucks to the test. Here in San Francisco, those of you who are familiar with the neighboorhoods, the Bayview-Hunters Point area is not the vision of beautifully kept up Victorians with their yuppie inhabitants. It would probably considered "blighted" by the housing department. If you go to the Starbucks website, and type in the zip code 94124 or even the neighboring 94134 when trying to find a retail Starbucks store. Perhaps then you may see whether I am right or mistaken.
Regardless of the answer, a shout out to Heidi for being such a great and longtime friend, and her husband Scott too!
So, I put Starbucks to the test. Here in San Francisco, those of you who are familiar with the neighboorhoods, the Bayview-Hunters Point area is not the vision of beautifully kept up Victorians with their yuppie inhabitants. It would probably considered "blighted" by the housing department. If you go to the Starbucks website, and type in the zip code 94124 or even the neighboring 94134 when trying to find a retail Starbucks store. Perhaps then you may see whether I am right or mistaken.
Regardless of the answer, a shout out to Heidi for being such a great and longtime friend, and her husband Scott too!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Often you lose but you ALWAYS learn
In the ongoing saga of my case against Subaru of America, I had to appear in Alameda County small claims court. Since we last had to deal with this, I had received a letter stating that Subaru of America had filed to "vacate judgement", in essence, they were filing to have a judge overturn the ruling the judge had made in my original hearing on May 4th. In working with Carl, we concluded that I was going to lose on this count. Even though Subaru had NOT showed up to the hearing on May 4th, they still had a right to ask for "vacate judgement" ruling. From there, I would have to plead my case again as I did back in May.
I arrived on time and the representative from Subaru did as well. We were on. The two of us were called up to the table and as I expected, the judge vacated the original judgement. However, he then went on to state that the reason why he the judgement was erased was because back in May, the hearing was only to determine whether or not Subaru could have the court deny venue, in other words Subaru was trying to have the court rule that I had no right to sue Subaru in Alameda County.
When I got the decision letter back in late May, I had won the motion on venue, so Alameda County was where this hearing would take place. That letter also awarded me the money I was suing for. This is where today's judge found error with the first judge's actions. Back in May, all that was being determined was the issue of venue and she (the judge in May) should not have made any decision on the case itself, instead she should have simply assigned we two parties a date to have our case heard.
So today was that day. In that first round at the front table, as expected the decision was vacated. We were then asked to wait our turn for our hearing. We were the last of three. So an hour or so later, we were back to the front and the hearing began. Mr. Pelkey (the Subaru representative) had done his homework and knew his stuff. Remember, my argument is that the second engine block was under the Replacement Parts warranty.
Pelkey argued that the second time the engine melted it was known for sure that the cause was due to the radiator malfunctioning (due to the fan motor falling off), causing the engine to overheat. In looking back at the records from Indiana's paperwork, there is no indication that a radiator malfunction had caused the first engine to melt. Pelkey argued, and the judge agreed, that had the second engine been defective in anyway, Subaru would honor the Replacement warranty, but since the engine overheating was due to the radiator, it didn't fall under the Replacement warranty. He then stated that the radiator, an original part, was only covered under at 36,000 mile/3 year warranty, and that clearly had been passed at the time of the engine's demise. The judge saw it his way and so the decision was to rule for the defendant with prejudice.
So, what is the silver lining in this? The judge asked me if I had anything else to add. At this point, I knew I was going to lose the case. So I asked Mr. Pelkey, then why didn't any light come on telling me that the engine was overheating. Both times, I was driving and then the engine was smoking and dead. He stated something about the cooling sensor only measuring a temperature when it actually was in coolant and had the coolant been drained or leaked out the sensor would have been measuring air temperature. Since the air temperature is always less than the coolant temperature, the temperature gauge would have gone to the bottom of the gauge. Mr. Pelkey did state that this immediately should have triggered the "check engine" light.
LIGHTBULB!!!!! I had been having the "check engine" light go on and off over the course of the past two years. I had taken the car in twice to have Downtown Oakland Subaru try and figure out what it was. In both cases, they didn't figure out what it was but simply reset the computer. Could this have been it? Well, I have the paperwork from both times I went to the dealership and have on the receipt saying they didn't know what it was.
I didn't say this to the judge or Mr. Pelkey. The judge however, did say that I have the right to go after the dealership in Indiana or Downtown Oakland Subaru, but that Subaru of America was off the hook. Now, I'm going to have to ask my Dad's Subaru expert in Seattle what she thinks. Perhaps I still have a case!
Overall, the experience has been a positive one. I've appreciated the candor and humor and general interest in the of both judges I dealt with. I didn't feel stupid and I felt that I made my case in a logical manner both times. I feel that the explanation for why my case was not judged in my favor was clear and understandable. I learned a great deal about how legal matters work and the process that they take. Time to move on, I have to figure out if I make another move or call it quits.
I arrived on time and the representative from Subaru did as well. We were on. The two of us were called up to the table and as I expected, the judge vacated the original judgement. However, he then went on to state that the reason why he the judgement was erased was because back in May, the hearing was only to determine whether or not Subaru could have the court deny venue, in other words Subaru was trying to have the court rule that I had no right to sue Subaru in Alameda County.
When I got the decision letter back in late May, I had won the motion on venue, so Alameda County was where this hearing would take place. That letter also awarded me the money I was suing for. This is where today's judge found error with the first judge's actions. Back in May, all that was being determined was the issue of venue and she (the judge in May) should not have made any decision on the case itself, instead she should have simply assigned we two parties a date to have our case heard.
So today was that day. In that first round at the front table, as expected the decision was vacated. We were then asked to wait our turn for our hearing. We were the last of three. So an hour or so later, we were back to the front and the hearing began. Mr. Pelkey (the Subaru representative) had done his homework and knew his stuff. Remember, my argument is that the second engine block was under the Replacement Parts warranty.
Pelkey argued that the second time the engine melted it was known for sure that the cause was due to the radiator malfunctioning (due to the fan motor falling off), causing the engine to overheat. In looking back at the records from Indiana's paperwork, there is no indication that a radiator malfunction had caused the first engine to melt. Pelkey argued, and the judge agreed, that had the second engine been defective in anyway, Subaru would honor the Replacement warranty, but since the engine overheating was due to the radiator, it didn't fall under the Replacement warranty. He then stated that the radiator, an original part, was only covered under at 36,000 mile/3 year warranty, and that clearly had been passed at the time of the engine's demise. The judge saw it his way and so the decision was to rule for the defendant with prejudice.
So, what is the silver lining in this? The judge asked me if I had anything else to add. At this point, I knew I was going to lose the case. So I asked Mr. Pelkey, then why didn't any light come on telling me that the engine was overheating. Both times, I was driving and then the engine was smoking and dead. He stated something about the cooling sensor only measuring a temperature when it actually was in coolant and had the coolant been drained or leaked out the sensor would have been measuring air temperature. Since the air temperature is always less than the coolant temperature, the temperature gauge would have gone to the bottom of the gauge. Mr. Pelkey did state that this immediately should have triggered the "check engine" light.
LIGHTBULB!!!!! I had been having the "check engine" light go on and off over the course of the past two years. I had taken the car in twice to have Downtown Oakland Subaru try and figure out what it was. In both cases, they didn't figure out what it was but simply reset the computer. Could this have been it? Well, I have the paperwork from both times I went to the dealership and have on the receipt saying they didn't know what it was.
I didn't say this to the judge or Mr. Pelkey. The judge however, did say that I have the right to go after the dealership in Indiana or Downtown Oakland Subaru, but that Subaru of America was off the hook. Now, I'm going to have to ask my Dad's Subaru expert in Seattle what she thinks. Perhaps I still have a case!
Overall, the experience has been a positive one. I've appreciated the candor and humor and general interest in the of both judges I dealt with. I didn't feel stupid and I felt that I made my case in a logical manner both times. I feel that the explanation for why my case was not judged in my favor was clear and understandable. I learned a great deal about how legal matters work and the process that they take. Time to move on, I have to figure out if I make another move or call it quits.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
A Sunday in the park
The Lincoln Park Golf Course is a municipal course here in San Francisco. Scott and I discovered early on that we both were golfers. His friend had reserved some slots for Sunday July 17th, 2005 at Lincoln Park. The course, located in the far Northwest corner of San Francisco (it's address is 34th and Clement), plays to a par of 68 and is about 5,100 yards. Pretty easy you're thinking. Let me remind you that San Francisco is knows for its many hills and now imagine what the actual terrain of our course might be. This accurate description about the layout, beauty and condition of the course.
A moment of rest on the 16th tee
Scott addressing the ball before his swing.
Lincoln Park's signature hole is without a doubt the par 3 17th, which hangs on the bluff above the beach. Due to the fact that the sun doesn't shine until around late afternono, when the fog burns off, I'll show you two pictues, the latter being an idealized picture of the 17th.
Today's overcast conditions
The view of 17 on a sunny and clear day
Now, for the results most of you have been waiting for. It turns out that Scott and I are golfers of about equal ability making on course competition fun. Our rounds were scored three different ways, stroke play, match play and skins. I won all three. Stroke play, Ernie (93) and Scott (94). Match Play (5 up with 4 holes to play) and I earned 4 more skins than did Scott.
Next time Scott will exact his revenge. I have no doubt!
Lincoln Park's signature hole is without a doubt the par 3 17th, which hangs on the bluff above the beach. Due to the fact that the sun doesn't shine until around late afternono, when the fog burns off, I'll show you two pictues, the latter being an idealized picture of the 17th.
Now, for the results most of you have been waiting for. It turns out that Scott and I are golfers of about equal ability making on course competition fun. Our rounds were scored three different ways, stroke play, match play and skins. I won all three. Stroke play, Ernie (93) and Scott (94). Match Play (5 up with 4 holes to play) and I earned 4 more skins than did Scott.
Next time Scott will exact his revenge. I have no doubt!
Saturday, July 16, 2005
A night in the woods
Again with the overstatement. When I used to be able to run, I would drive to the top of the Oakland Hills and go running in Joaquin Miller Park. Every time I would drive up the hill, I would see the signs to the Woodminster Amphitheater and say to myself that I should check it out.
I started at HRS in 1998 and only now in July 2005, did I finally go to a show at the Woodminster Amphitheater. I learned that every summer for the past 39 years, around 3 musicals have been performed over the course of each summer. This years line up has Hello Dolly and Jesus Christ Superstar as the latter show, but the summer started with Oklahoma! which is my favorite musical of all time. Scott and I invited his friend Lyz and I invited Carlos, who came up from Santa Cruz.
The amphitheater itself was a 1940's WPA project and it still retains that simplistic look. To me it felt like a throwback to the 50's in New England. The concessions were not commercial, no one searched our bags upon entering the amphiteater and there were raffles galore. We four agreed that the evening was so fun that we are thinking of getting together a larger group for a performance of Hello Dolly in August.
I started at HRS in 1998 and only now in July 2005, did I finally go to a show at the Woodminster Amphitheater. I learned that every summer for the past 39 years, around 3 musicals have been performed over the course of each summer. This years line up has Hello Dolly and Jesus Christ Superstar as the latter show, but the summer started with Oklahoma! which is my favorite musical of all time. Scott and I invited his friend Lyz and I invited Carlos, who came up from Santa Cruz.
The amphitheater itself was a 1940's WPA project and it still retains that simplistic look. To me it felt like a throwback to the 50's in New England. The concessions were not commercial, no one searched our bags upon entering the amphiteater and there were raffles galore. We four agreed that the evening was so fun that we are thinking of getting together a larger group for a performance of Hello Dolly in August.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Just when I thought I was totally cool....
Oh, I know that I'm not cool, it's a slang term that can be used universally. So, remember yesterday's great achievement of successfully connecting the electrical wires of two lights? I got to ride that high for all of 24 hours.
Last summer, when I was on my big roadtrip, the oven stopped working. When I returned, I bought a new surface ignition and installed it myself. This required me to hook up the gas lines and such.
A couple months ago, the oven stopped working and the smell of gas would permeate the kitchen. Obviously, I stopped using it and baking things in the small toaster oven.
I had PG&E come out and see if they could help me out. This is what I received:
What an ego destroyer!
So now, not only do I not have an oven, but I have no stovetop. Joe, the PGE serviceman, told me not to try and repair this myself. It was the job of a service profession given the fact that the surface ignition I bought and inserted wasn't the one that matched this model of range. How was I supposed to know that there were different designs of surface ignitions.
I humbly accept Joe's directive and am now in the midst of trying to find an Amana approved service dealer in San Francisco. What a crush to my budding sense of home repair ability. Just kidding!
Last summer, when I was on my big roadtrip, the oven stopped working. When I returned, I bought a new surface ignition and installed it myself. This required me to hook up the gas lines and such.
A couple months ago, the oven stopped working and the smell of gas would permeate the kitchen. Obviously, I stopped using it and baking things in the small toaster oven.
I had PG&E come out and see if they could help me out. This is what I received:
So now, not only do I not have an oven, but I have no stovetop. Joe, the PGE serviceman, told me not to try and repair this myself. It was the job of a service profession given the fact that the surface ignition I bought and inserted wasn't the one that matched this model of range. How was I supposed to know that there were different designs of surface ignitions.
I humbly accept Joe's directive and am now in the midst of trying to find an Amana approved service dealer in San Francisco. What a crush to my budding sense of home repair ability. Just kidding!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Biggest Hurdle is Done
I have always been one to have doubted my abilities with those things that aren't considered "academic pursuits". Solve a math problem. Easy. Write a personal essay? With my left hand tied behind my back. Analyze the fall of the Roman Empire. Come on, challenge me! But if you ask me to try and fix my car? Or hook up my television so it could play from both my computer and vcr. (I didn't say DVD player because this one doesn't even own a DVD player.) Dreaming....
So, I've been showing you all these projects I'm doing (like changing the pane of glass in a window) because it's ME doing them. But with each success, I am feeling better about my skills in these things. So today, I topped even myself.
Where the wall is being torn down, there are two separate overhead lights that were controlled by two different switches. When the wall was standing, there was a wire running through the wall to control the left light in the picture below. It was decided that I would lose the switch controlling the left light, but instead control both lights with the switch on the right. That's right, the plan was for me to add a light in series, which I understand now but man did it totally baffle me in Physics.
Yesterday, I went down to my local Cole Hardware and asked the very nice woman how I should proceed. Three minutes and $4.05 of materials later, I was theoretically ready to go.
This morning, I cut the circuit breaker, spent about 15 minutes working on cutting wire, capping wires and connecting wires and VOILA, I flipped the switch and both lights came ON.
Two lights, one switch!
I AM SO PROUD OF ME!!
So, I've been showing you all these projects I'm doing (like changing the pane of glass in a window) because it's ME doing them. But with each success, I am feeling better about my skills in these things. So today, I topped even myself.
Where the wall is being torn down, there are two separate overhead lights that were controlled by two different switches. When the wall was standing, there was a wire running through the wall to control the left light in the picture below. It was decided that I would lose the switch controlling the left light, but instead control both lights with the switch on the right. That's right, the plan was for me to add a light in series, which I understand now but man did it totally baffle me in Physics.
Yesterday, I went down to my local Cole Hardware and asked the very nice woman how I should proceed. Three minutes and $4.05 of materials later, I was theoretically ready to go.
This morning, I cut the circuit breaker, spent about 15 minutes working on cutting wire, capping wires and connecting wires and VOILA, I flipped the switch and both lights came ON.
I AM SO PROUD OF ME!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Stuff
Now that you have been overloaded with pictures and information about my trip, here's a motley assortment of things for your viewing.
From The Onion...The Mason-Dixon Line is renamed the IHOP-Waffle House Line
Back to our regularly scheduled programming. On Sunday afternoon, we drove down to Saratoga to hear and see the The Indigo Girls. It was a gorgeous sunny day with no humidity. We had lawn seats and so we sat in the back under a tree and lounged the day away.
The Indigo Girls, Amy and Emily
Yesterday, I took my car in because I thought that it was running a bit "lame." Back during the time I was trying to figure out how to pursue my case with Subaru, the only automotive place that would help me with my questions was Art's Automotive in Berkeley. To honor their willingness to help, I took my business there. Turns out I needed a new oil filter and I was low on transmission fluid. But otherwise, the mechanic says that I was probably much too used to the great performance a new engine gets and now that it's been driven a couple thousand miles, it's settling into it's normal state.
Since, I had to wait most of the day, I had Shahana come and pick me up. I went into school and officially closed the book on the 2004-05 year. It's now time to start up 2005-06. I couldn't get a ride back to Art's, so I, get ready for this, took AC Transit.
Not only did I take the bus, I had to TRANSFER
I've heard someone say that to have a better experience on the bus, don't think of it as trying to get somewhere. Instead, view it as performance art, and sooner rather than later, you'll be where you need to go before you know it. So true, so true.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming. On Sunday afternoon, we drove down to Saratoga to hear and see the The Indigo Girls. It was a gorgeous sunny day with no humidity. We had lawn seats and so we sat in the back under a tree and lounged the day away.
Yesterday, I took my car in because I thought that it was running a bit "lame." Back during the time I was trying to figure out how to pursue my case with Subaru, the only automotive place that would help me with my questions was Art's Automotive in Berkeley. To honor their willingness to help, I took my business there. Turns out I needed a new oil filter and I was low on transmission fluid. But otherwise, the mechanic says that I was probably much too used to the great performance a new engine gets and now that it's been driven a couple thousand miles, it's settling into it's normal state.
Since, I had to wait most of the day, I had Shahana come and pick me up. I went into school and officially closed the book on the 2004-05 year. It's now time to start up 2005-06. I couldn't get a ride back to Art's, so I, get ready for this, took AC Transit.
I've heard someone say that to have a better experience on the bus, don't think of it as trying to get somewhere. Instead, view it as performance art, and sooner rather than later, you'll be where you need to go before you know it. So true, so true.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
William Jefferson Clinton (#42)
Thursday July 7th, 2005 was dedicated to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. We drove into Little Rock and started at the River Market complex which houses food counters and produce stands. The special of the day at one of the BBQ places was the Big Willie Plate.
The River Market is about a half mile west of the Clinton Museum. Peter and I walked to the Museum.
About one-third of the building sits on the riverbank. The remaining two-thirds is suspended over the marshy banks of the Arkansas River and supported by one beam. Truly an architectural and engineering feat. Originally, Clinton wanted the building to be suspended over the river, with the supporting beam coming out of the water. However, the Secret Service determined that it was impossible to ensure preventing a terrorist to float right up under the building and set off and explosion. The metaphor for having the building reach halfway across the river was to represent a "bridge to the 21st century."
For those residents of Little Rock who deride Clinton himself or the building have come to call the museum, "the double wide."
So what about the contents within the museum? I will say that I found the modern presentation (read more video and less reading) kept me much more engaged and for a longer period of time. My favorite activity in the museum was the decision room.
I sat in the chair designate for the Secretary of the Treasury and learned about how Clinton brought about Welfare Reform, the budget showdown and actions taken in Kosovo. I must have spent a solid 45 minutes glued to the console.
The natural flow of movement lead us to the main gallery where each year of Clinton's presidency is summarized and outlined. In addition, there were displays on sixteen different themes, such as environmental conservation. I learned that on February 5th, 1993, within the first couple weeks of his presidency, Clinton signed into law the Family and Medical Leave Act.
So I know that many of you are wondering whether or not Monica Lewinsky is mentioned. No, she isn't. However, there is mention of impeachment displayed quite prominantly in the chronology of his tenure as President.
In comparison to the Truman Museum, this one felt much more like propoganda. I went through the museum with this sense that we weren't being provided the entire story. Unlike Truman, who allowed dissenting opinions and generated dialogue, the Clinton Library had a very sanitized feel.
I do, however, have to give great kudos to having the gift shop down by the River Market. Separating the retail portion of the museum from the museum itself reduced the feel of commercialism. At least it did for me.
I enjoyed the Clinton museum and all the musems Peter and I visited. After we left the museum, we got in the car and just drove through the city of Little Rock. At one point, we saw a sign pointing us to Little Rock Central High School.
Why does this ring a bell? On these steps in the 1950's, the first African-American students walked into a public school and the desegregation of schools commenced.
Peter, being a huge fan of architecture, directed us through the historic Quapaw district which has many beautifully renovated homes.
Dinner was at Doe's Eat Place. It was a regular dining location for Clinton during his years in Little Rock.
Peter and I split a two pound piece of Porterhouse steak. It was great. This last night before I flew home, I spent at the Holiday Inn Express out by the Little Rock Airport. Alas, the string of Motel 6 stays was finally broken.
Northwest Arkansas
July 6th, 2005 had Peter and I continuing our wandering at our own leisurely pace. Since neither one of us had ever set foot in the state of Oklahoma and Joplin, MO being a mere ten miles from the Oklahoma border, we headed west on I-44 into Oklahoma to have breakfast. The town in the northeast corner of Oklahoma is called Miami. Miami, OK is the childhood home of the NY Yankee legend, Mickey Mantle. Who knew?
In the short time we spent in Oklahoma, I learned that before it became a state, this land was known as the Indian Territory. Native American tribes that had been displaced or had become disenfranchised were given a chunk of land for their tribes. The Modoc Indians of Northern California were moved to this part of Northeastern Oklahoma back in the late 1800's.
Our route through Southwestern Missouri, follow the purple circles
Just as quickly as we entered Oklahoma, we left. Driving east, we saw that the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri all met in one place. Of course, we had to find it. Having just knocked Oklahoma off my list of states never visited, it was time to take Arkansas off as well.
A journey of a thousand miles.....
begins with a first step.
Southwest Missouri is known as the land of caves. In the tiny town of Noel, Peter and I took a tour of the Bluff Dweller's Cave. This was no dinky one room cave. The tour lasted a good hour and we went in all different directions.
Heading south, we entered Arkansas for good and entered the town of Bentonville, AR. Why does that sound familiar?
Look here!
Of course we had to go shop at the Walmart. I purchased a pair of swimming trunks and here's my receipt to prove it.
One for the scrapbook!
We drove around Bentonville and determined that it too was subject to retail stripland along the highway. But we found Bentonville's charming town square, had lunch and took a tour at the Walmart museum housed in Sam Walton's original five and dime store.
Walmart #1, now home to the Walmart Museum
Northwest Arkansas is booming and you could tell by the numerous subdivisions with rows and rows of McMansions. Leaving Bentonville, we commenced on our last leg, Little Rock of bust.
Follow the purple line again.
As you can see we took a route that took us through the Ozark National Forest. According to a book that Peter had, there was a picturesque swimming hole right on our path. Four miles on a dirt road off the small two lane highway and then a .75 mile hike, we got to the swimming hole on the Kings River.
More water needed, but refreshing anyway.
As the sun set, we pulled into Conway, AR and slept at the Motel 6.
In the short time we spent in Oklahoma, I learned that before it became a state, this land was known as the Indian Territory. Native American tribes that had been displaced or had become disenfranchised were given a chunk of land for their tribes. The Modoc Indians of Northern California were moved to this part of Northeastern Oklahoma back in the late 1800's.
Just as quickly as we entered Oklahoma, we left. Driving east, we saw that the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri all met in one place. Of course, we had to find it. Having just knocked Oklahoma off my list of states never visited, it was time to take Arkansas off as well.
Southwest Missouri is known as the land of caves. In the tiny town of Noel, Peter and I took a tour of the Bluff Dweller's Cave. This was no dinky one room cave. The tour lasted a good hour and we went in all different directions.
Heading south, we entered Arkansas for good and entered the town of Bentonville, AR. Why does that sound familiar?
Of course we had to go shop at the Walmart. I purchased a pair of swimming trunks and here's my receipt to prove it.
We drove around Bentonville and determined that it too was subject to retail stripland along the highway. But we found Bentonville's charming town square, had lunch and took a tour at the Walmart museum housed in Sam Walton's original five and dime store.
Northwest Arkansas is booming and you could tell by the numerous subdivisions with rows and rows of McMansions. Leaving Bentonville, we commenced on our last leg, Little Rock of bust.
As you can see we took a route that took us through the Ozark National Forest. According to a book that Peter had, there was a picturesque swimming hole right on our path. Four miles on a dirt road off the small two lane highway and then a .75 mile hike, we got to the swimming hole on the Kings River.
As the sun set, we pulled into Conway, AR and slept at the Motel 6.
Southwest Missouri
You know all those brochures that sit in the lobby of every motel and hotel that advertise great things to do or things to buy in the area you are staying? Well, Peter and I fell victim to one of those and so our first destination on July 5th, was the Airline History Museum located at the downtown Kansas City airport. This airport is used mainly for communter flights and private flights.
The museum, actually a hangar, is run by passionate historians of aviation. Kansas City was the original home of TWA, which stood for Transcontinental and Western Airways. The museum has three rooms of artifacts of long gone era of American Aviation. Here's something that attendents of flights had to be wary of.
Watch out when you go to the bathroom!
The main part of the tour was to see the restored planes the museum has purchased and has volunteers working on restoring. There is a plane who's name I can't remember, a DC3 and the pride of the museum and Constellation, affectionately known as a Connie.
A DC3 being carefully restored to original specifications.
Peter and I enjoying the first class seats of the restored Connie
After the museum, it was time for Peter and I to leave the big city and work our way to Little Rock. We made a conscious decision to stay off the big highways and to let serendipity lead the way.
Follow the purple hatched line, it's the route we took.
By taking the small roads, we saw the beautiful countryside of Southwest Missouri. We stopped by a historical plaque which marked the location where 12,000 men of Missouri camped one winter during the War Between the States. These men entered on the side of the Confederacy. Peter and I were clearly now in the South.
On a cliff above the confluence of the Osage and Sauk rivers.
Our wanderings took us near many lakes and reservoirs. At Stockton State Park, I took a dip. Definately refreshing! The scene of a person taking a swim on a hot summer day in the South was one that I lived.
Sampling the local produce.
Eventually our path lead us onto this famous road.
Historic Route 66
After driving the winding roads of Southwest Missouri, I got onto Route 66, a long straightaway, and found myself going over 75 miles an hour. I got pulled over by Officer Byrnes of the Missouri Highway Patrol. I gave him my California drivers liscense along with the rental car paperwork. He was quizzical and asked Peter and I what the purpose of our trip was. His response, "are you getting paid to do this?" brought howls of laughter to Peter and I. After determining that I had no outstanding warrants for my arrest and had a clean driving record, Officer Byrnes let us go with a warning to "keep the speed down." A hearty shout out to Officer Byrnes!!
As the sun was setting, we rolled into the town of Joplin, MO. The pattern of development of these small cities is to have a charming and architecturallly beautiful downtown that is economically dying. Out near the interstate, all the chain and box stores have drawn residents away from the old town square. We saw this over and over again in most every town we entered.
After hitting up a local for dinner suggestions, Peter and I ended up at Big R's Restaurant.
A local steakhouse in Joplin, MO
I have to say that there was so much hope and potential for Big R's. But the steak I had was mushy and Peter's ribs were nothing compared to Arthur Bryants.
Sleep was found at the Joplin, MO Motel 6.
The museum, actually a hangar, is run by passionate historians of aviation. Kansas City was the original home of TWA, which stood for Transcontinental and Western Airways. The museum has three rooms of artifacts of long gone era of American Aviation. Here's something that attendents of flights had to be wary of.
The main part of the tour was to see the restored planes the museum has purchased and has volunteers working on restoring. There is a plane who's name I can't remember, a DC3 and the pride of the museum and Constellation, affectionately known as a Connie.
After the museum, it was time for Peter and I to leave the big city and work our way to Little Rock. We made a conscious decision to stay off the big highways and to let serendipity lead the way.
By taking the small roads, we saw the beautiful countryside of Southwest Missouri. We stopped by a historical plaque which marked the location where 12,000 men of Missouri camped one winter during the War Between the States. These men entered on the side of the Confederacy. Peter and I were clearly now in the South.
Our wanderings took us near many lakes and reservoirs. At Stockton State Park, I took a dip. Definately refreshing! The scene of a person taking a swim on a hot summer day in the South was one that I lived.
Eventually our path lead us onto this famous road.
After driving the winding roads of Southwest Missouri, I got onto Route 66, a long straightaway, and found myself going over 75 miles an hour. I got pulled over by Officer Byrnes of the Missouri Highway Patrol. I gave him my California drivers liscense along with the rental car paperwork. He was quizzical and asked Peter and I what the purpose of our trip was. His response, "are you getting paid to do this?" brought howls of laughter to Peter and I. After determining that I had no outstanding warrants for my arrest and had a clean driving record, Officer Byrnes let us go with a warning to "keep the speed down." A hearty shout out to Officer Byrnes!!
As the sun was setting, we rolled into the town of Joplin, MO. The pattern of development of these small cities is to have a charming and architecturallly beautiful downtown that is economically dying. Out near the interstate, all the chain and box stores have drawn residents away from the old town square. We saw this over and over again in most every town we entered.
After hitting up a local for dinner suggestions, Peter and I ended up at Big R's Restaurant.
I have to say that there was so much hope and potential for Big R's. But the steak I had was mushy and Peter's ribs were nothing compared to Arthur Bryants.
Sleep was found at the Joplin, MO Motel 6.
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