Hidden down among the bushes.

Two days ago I stepped outside the house for my walk and was greeted with the flower on the left, hidden down among the bushes. It closed up and has not bloomed again since. Pretty though.
Not much else to report.
The lack of news assures me that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

An insight.

The walk started out this morning to the sweet soprano voice of Joan Baez singing "There But for Fortune" a song the theme of which is empathy. But then I recalled that all great literature music or anything, provides the listener the latitude to search his (her) own soul for the truth and get answers appropriate to the listeners needs at the time. In this case I realized that 'there but for fortune" is another way to recognize the existence of infinite universes. How else to explain fortune? Randomness? I think not. I've said before that I believe that in others of the infinity of universes I am at the same time healthy, crippled, dead and everything in between. Quantum mechanics answers the question again. There but for fortune... And to further complicate the picture, in each universe the principal is presented over and over again with a series of lessons to be learned appropriate to the circumstances.
Or maybe not.
Life's lessons prove that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Heart shaped waffles for breakfast.

The weather was overcast at 1500 feet. There went an airplane headed East. A few minutes later another plane ( or maybe the same one ) came flying West at a very low altitude. Legally he (she) has to be 500 feet below the clouds which would have put him at 1000 feet above the ground. Be surely seemed to be low. No ants and no animals.
Heart shaped waffles for breakfast after which I fell asleep for a one hour nap.
When the sun does come out I'll know that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Garbage in garbage out still works.

Sometimes I have to log in to get to this page and sometimes it takes me here automatically. What's the difference? Who knows? Maybe a quantum computer could help me. And then again.... maybe not. Garbage in garbage out still works.
I've meditated, medicates and done my laundry. I take it to a laundromat around the corner. Today at 8am it was FULL. I squeezed in but will fold at home.
Right now I'm off to breakfast.
Breakfast in the morning shows that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Nothing to report today.

Nothing to report today. I'm reading the book on quantum computing. the title of which is "Programming the Cosmos".
Brother Bob Willa miss his Weds visit for a few weeks due to other commitments.
Back to the book.
Short blogs are all proof that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Quantum computers will offer mathematical proof.

A short walk today... again. I forgot to take my morning meds so I cut it short to a partial walkus minimus. I really feel crappy. So I'll stay in and read. I finished the "Universe and the Teacup". The new book is "Quantum Computing". No closer to string theory but quantum computers can solve anything. I wish I had one.
Obama's choice for Supreme Court Justice is another corporate prosecuting hack. Damn! Well, let's wait and see whose side she's on. Maybe she'll turn out to be a Constitutional Scholar instead of a devotee of Natural Law. We should be so lucky.
Quantum computers will offer mathematical proof that we're all on this flight together.
Dick

Mushrooms and felines.

I was met this morning on my walk by a dark grey cat who decided to check me out. He walked around me once the deigned to allow me to pet him. I've never touched a cat with a coat so thick. After checking me out he accompanied me halfway up the block. Then disappeared.
The photo on the left is one of the variety of mushrooms you've seen before. On the right is a different 'shroom. Lower to the ground with a broader and darker cap. These two groups of mushrooms appeared within a few yards of each other but are not visible anywhere else on my route. Maybe it's related somehow to Fairy Rings.
Mushrooms on cloudy days are the result of us all being on this flight together.

Dick

Thanks to Dennis' wife.

First a correction: I had previously stated that black squirrels are found only on the Stanford campus. Thanks to Dennis' wife who presented him with a birthday iPhone on which we found that they are common in the Midwest. Oh well, another myth gone..
For the last three Sunday morning walks, the LA Times delivery guy has gone out of his way to present me with the Times. Gratis. Thanks to him.
Another nexus with the number three is the observation that for the last three mornings there has been a crow screaming at me as though I were attacking his nest. No way! But the sudden appearance of the crow is an ominous sign in the Native American culture.
The constancy of numbers shows me that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Well, I've had it!

Well, I've had it! Last November voted for change. Now we've got Geithner for Sec of Treasury, Lawrence Summer as economic advisor along with how many other hold overs from the Bush debacle. All those chosen to correct the problem are the same ones who caused it. Now comes his indefinite detention of prisoners who, according the our Constitution, are innocent. On March 7 I screamed that we had been under a dictatorship as GWB suspended Articles 1, 4 & 5 of the Constitution. Only tyranny allows the detention without charges indefinitely. This is beginning to sound like Germany in the 30's and the Soviet Union of the 40's & 50's.
Meanwhile the right wing hacks parrot that closing down Guantanaomo would result in terrorists (never proven guilty by the way) running down the streets of or neighborhoods.
Jefferson who said a country should have a revolution periodically... maybe it's time. I've been convinced for thirty years that the likes of our present self centered politicians won't change anything to the benefit for the public. All of the great social revolutions have come about as a result of the people organizing and forcing change.
Or maybe I haven't thought this through. The up side of the blog is that the photo is of a SNJ which was used primarily as a trainer in WWII.
Being wrong once in a while assures me that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

A thoughtful letter.

This morning the email brought a comment from niece Carole. I tell you that too tell you this. Above her signature was a moving insert of three ducks quacking. Those who know Carole understand of which I speak.
I have noticed lately that there are several thin lines of ants crossing the sidewalk during my morning walk. Here today gone tomorrow.
I finally got tired of picking up fliers dropped on my driveway for everything under the sun. Jeez! So I drafted the following letter. I doubt that it will do more than make me feel better.

Your flyer dropped on my driveway contained some thought provoking ideas. Particularly of interest too me were the one labeled "Think creatively and flexibly" and "Take care of yourself."
I tell you that to tell you this. I have limited mobility and find it very difficult to bend over to pick things such as your flyer off the ground. Since I am unable to pick up such items, it is necessary for me to pay others to do it for me.
Which brings me to the point of this missive. I don't believe it is fair of you to ask me to support your marketing effort by picking up after you. Therefore, beginning June 1, 2009 I am instituting a policy to invoice the sender of any piece dropped on my property $5.00 for each day any item is left on my property.
Thank you for your suggestions and I trust you will honor my new policy in the future.

Drafting letters sometimes makes me believe that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

May 21 sounds like a nice round number.

The day at the Chino Airshow was slightly hazy. This prevented the smoke trails of the aerobatic planes as a result of the low contrast. This photo shows a pretty lady (trust me) and the visible smoke trail of one of the planes. The sharp turn is obvious.
May 21 sounds like a nice round number for some reason. I'm sure it is being reflected in the books I've been reading lately. But lifting my head temporarily I picked up "The Universe and the Teacup" which was written for the lay audience. but it's never wrong to review.
It's forecast to be warm today. Maybe I'll drag my ass out for a bike ride.
Universes and teacups remind me that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

mea culpa

Sorry 'bout that. I just plain forgot. I turned the computer on and took care of my email and checked a few things on Google. Then decided to do some shopping and stop in at the library. So I did. I was focused on the library because I wanted to see if there was anything interesting in the mathematics section of the library. I did find two books of interest so I started on one this am.
The airplane pictured is a Chinese CJ5, used as a poor man's aerobatic plane. A big engine on a sturdy airframe.
3 planes heard and 2 seen on my walkus minimus, extended along with 1 gray squirrel. Which reminds me, Stanford campus in Palo Alto in the only location in the nation where black squirrels are located.
Knowing there are black squirrels soothes me in knowing that we're all on this flight together.

R

A walkus minimus defined.

Here is (are?) a couple of pics from the Chino Airshow. On the left is a poor photo of a flying wing. I'e seen this fly although it didn't fly here. On the right is a P-40 Warhawk as flown by the American volunteers against Japan prior to WWII. It has the famous sharks mouth on the nose although it's hidden here.

I think I've recovered as well as ever. My concern is that now that I've accepted my challenge my life will become even more sedentary. All I need is more weight to carry around. But I plan to continue stumbling around at least my walkus minimus every day. A walkus minimus is once around the large block I live on. About 1/2 - 3/4 mile.
I passed two new ant trails across the sidewalk but was too interested my thoughts to look closely. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Flying wings are more proof that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

The sun was hot and plentiful.

The photo of the Goodyear blimp was taken at the blimp field about 10 miles from home. Once in a while when I'm out and about I'll stop by to see if anything interesting is happening. The plane on the right, J2F Duck, is the one shown inside the hangar at the Chino meeting. This one was taken at the Chino Airshow. I believe it is the type which was used to rescue Poppy Bush when he was shot down during WWII.
The Chino Airshow was great! I got there about 9am and held out until about 1 pm when the battery in my camera ran out(after a fresh charge). The sun was hot and plentiful so I got a good start on my annual tan. I started out with a walk along the flight line admiring those marvelous flying machines of which I'll have selected photos over the next few weeks. The rest of the morning was spent mostly relaxing in my fold-a-chair enjoying the day.
The walking at the airshow resulted in my chohice not to spend 3-4 hours driving to and fro from Topanga for some music. Best to rest.
All those airplanes were on this flight together.

Dick

I've had my coffee and have meditated.

7:00 am. I've had my coffee and have meditated. I plan to miss my morning walkus minimus (extended) because today is the Chino Airshow, an homage to the products of Grumman Aircraft. The weather is forecast to be clear and very warm (90 deg). Shorts and T-shirt weather.
I will be on my feet from 10 am to 3 or 4 pm. I'll bring a fold up chair but I'll still rely on Vicodin and Ibuprofen.
Because I wanted to change photo topics, I'm including a picture taken in JapanTown last year of a Taiko Group.
Watching aerobatics is like watching us all on this flight together.

Dick

Flexeril and vicodin, whooo boy!

In my screed yesterday I complained of a lack of energy yesterday and the day before. I really felt drained. Then I realized I had changed my meds in order to sleep better. For years I have take one Vicodin along with my other evening meds. It cut the pain in my right knee enough to get to sleep. Two days ago el Stupido Piloto decided to take a Flexeril along with the evening meds. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant. Last night I left out the Flexeril and lo and behold! While not ready for a marathon, I'm much better today. The result of my test.... no more Flexeril, thank you.
Sad news. Laura, our Homeland Security Agent during my recent incident, has been given a 30 day notice to move out. The old lady who owned the place died and someone wants the tenants out. Well, they've been good neighbors as well as Homeland Security Agent.
Later this morning I'll see the movie "Angels & Demons".
I finished the book I've been reading. Now I have to go back and learn all the intermediate theories. After I'm done I'll claim the title "el Quantified Piloto"
The effects of mixed meds hints to me that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

I'm back.

The big news of the day is that both ant trails have disappeared. Whatever they were harvesting must be all gone now. I had a photo of a mushroom but it wouldn't download so here's one I took at Chino. Not a good pose but I liked the symmetry. These planes were used to pickup downed airmen from the Pacific Ocean during WWII. Among other things. The Chino airshow is this week end. This Sunday is the Topanga fiddle contest. What to do? What to do?
Sorry about missing yesterday. I got up at 6 am, as usual, and had breakfast. But I didn't even have enough energy to watch TV! So I went back to bed and didn't get up until after noon. Then without eating dinner I went to bed at 8 pm and then got up this morning at the usual time. This morning I did my walkus minimus. Listening to the old folk song "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" reminds me of a parody song "Where Has All the My Energy Gone". I've really been dragging my ass for the last few days. It must be the weather (overcast).
In the last entry I remarked on the trail from Game Theory and the scientific trail that led to Network Theory. Reading this morning led me to the next step which was from Network theory to Quantum Mechanics! Now I'm in a loop. Everything comes back to Quantum Mechanics. Oh well, back to the book.
Overcast days are just another proof that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

This morning I heard on the battery powered radio...

The plane of the day is an Aeronca Champ from the late 40's. And how about that bright yellow!
A new ant trail has begun crossing the sidewalk in a different location. There is no trace left of the old ant trail. Time marches on.
This morning I heard on the battery powered radio a commercial by a candidate for sheriff bragging about the number of citizens sent to jail during his administration in a bid for re-election. I wonder if we all wouldn't be better off if the metric was the number of students graduating from high school or college. Or maybe the number of small businesses started. How positive a thought!
Then my mind wandered to the thread that led my interest from science to network theory. Think about it. My interest in quantum mechanics led directly to interest in String Theory. Trying to understand String Theory led to Matrix Theory which directed my interest to game theory which pushed me to Network Theory. How arcane can I get? I don't really understand String Theory yet. Sometimes it seems like there's too much in the world to learn.
Things I don't understand lead me to the conclusion that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

A fighter plane the masses could fly.

Cool and overcast is the weather report for the day. It will clear up later but it's depressing now.
The photo of the day is of a 1946 Globe Swift. This is a plane that was ahead of its time. 1946! A fighter plane the masses could fly. The Swift is all aluminum and has the 'slipperiness' of a Mustang P-51. And still graces the skies after 60 years. Less the retractable landing gear this is what the Sonex I built was like to fly.
My knees caused me to cut the walk to a walkus minimus. One plane headed East and no critters.
My neighbor commented on my healthy appearance this am. I think its the added weight I am carrying. Another medical marijuana user. Bless the herb.
Using medical marijuana demonstrates that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Topanga on Sunday?

My field trip for the weekend will be to the Fullerton Airport aircraft display. There should be a dozen or so antique planes to ogle. The photo of the day is a close up of the engine on a Stearman. A beautiful rotary engine on an expertly restored machine.
Next Saturday and Sunday is the Chino Airshow and coincidentally, the Topanga Fiddle Contest on Sunday. Maybe I'll be able to make Chino on Sat. and Topanga on Sunday. We'll see.
All the choices support the theory that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

There are no good anti war songs.

A correction. My sense of time has once again been displaced. The Chino Airshow, to which I referred yesterday will held next week end not this week end. Maybe I can find some Taiko around.
I took off on my walk this morning to the dulcet tones of Joan Baez singing a couple of anti-war songs. Which set me off on a silent rant. There are no good anti war songs because of the way the tragic parts of the war were hidden from view. Out of sight out of mind. The direct line from Ira Hayes (whom I've referenced in this blog before) to why GWB should be prosecuted for war crimes flashed through my mind. I could go on for hours but 'nough said here. But I got so distracted that I missed the ant column and had to turn back to see a few stragglers lining up across the sidewalk. Well, all good things must end.
If I can find some Taiko this week end it will verify that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

The ants trudge on.

The ants trudge on... still. Although diminished in number they are still going after more than a month.. still can't see what attracts them. What dedication. What perseverance. I don't want to crawl around on my knees in front of some strangers house. Doesn't seem dignified.
For the first time in a long time I walked in shorts. Even at 7 am. It was warm yesterday and will be warm again it today. I did see a bob tail cat today. The same one I saw a few days ago. Curious but stand offish.
Tomorrow is the Chino Airshow. I'll be gone most of the day.
Although not a mathematical proof, the excellence shown in airshows proves that we're all on this flight together.
Dick

What a day!

It's just after noon and I just got back from a bike ride along the Venice Beach. What a day! I rode about 10 miles, some of it on a bike path along side a busy street. But I made it with no problems.
The biggest problem I continue to have is my inability to lift my head back enough and keep it there due to limited movement of my neck.
The photo is of yet another Stearman. Of note here is the stanchion on top of the upper wing. The wing walker holds onto this during the airshows while the pilot goes through his acrobatic routine of loops and twists. It doesn't' show here but the pilots a little guy.
Daring wing walkers show that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Cinco de Mayo bike ride.

The picture, which you've seen before , is the last taken from The Sound of Freedom. It was recovered from the camera after the incident. Once more, thanks Dave for the beautiful paint job.
Cinco de Mayo. Yesterday was such a nice day it seemed perfect for a bike ride on the beach. So off I went. I probably rode 10 miles. It was a little breezy but not too bad. I am comfortable when riding but tend to have a weak balance response when starting or stopping.
The previously mentioned ant column is stronger today, perhaps a 10 ant wide column which was an intermittent 1 ant wide two days ago. Nature cycles on.
I'm getting used to this strange thing in my mouth. But it certainly helps chewing instead of gumming my food.
My latest read is about Game Theory, a part of math for which I never saw any practical use, except to win Nobel Prizes. I'm beginning to understand. It helps to do more than look at the pictures. Meanwhile... I'm still working on the practice of Matrix Theory.
Game Theory won't disprove that we're not all on this flight together.

Dick

Another great day in Paradise.

The plane of the day is a classic Stearman. These planes trained untold cadets for WWII. At the meeting two of its' brothers did a fly by. With the smoke on. I have a pic of them but the day was hazy enough so that there wasn't enough contrast to make the pic viewable.
The day is another great day in Paradise. The walk is getting slower and slower but I'm determined to march on. Me and the ants, which are still struggling on although in reduced numbers.
For the last year I've also walked past a nearby location which displayed, scratched into the sidewalk and dated 1983, is the declaration, "Tracy loves Todd". I wonder what happened to them.
26 year old declarations indicate that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

The trail of ants is all but gone.

Oh boy! It was a chore to just get around the block this am.
The bad news is that the trail of ants I've been observing for the last month is all but gone. There are a few stray ants on the sidewalk but nothing one could call a trail. Ahhhhh. This too will change.
The photo on the left is of a Peashooter. It is no more than a large engine in the smallest body possible. This is a plane designed early in WWII.
On the right is the P-51D, the highest form of the fighter plane achieved in WWII. What a shame such a beautiful machine was designed to destroy things. Both are from the flying collection of the Planes of Fame museum in Chino.
Planes like the Peashooter prove that we're all on this flight together..
Dick

Chino and miltary cupholders.

Today will be mostly about the monthly meeting yesterday at the Chino Planes of Fame. The photo below is of a B25, similar to the planes Jimmy Doolittle led on the raid on Tokyo during WW II. It holds the place of honor because brother Bob has his heart set on a flight in the forward gunners seat. I can't offer a flight but here's a photo anyway. Dream on, Bob.


But the highlight of the plane is a close up photo of the front gunners position on the right. Notice the multiple cup holder at the gunner's right elbow. Imagine a cup of joe on me during the flight, Bob
The meeting included three WW II pilots who trained at Chino Airport.
I'll include other photos in the days to come. The annual Chino Airshow is in two weeks.
Cup holders in a military plane show,once again, that we're all on this flight together.
Dick

I have some good news and some bad news.

The photo of the day is of a 4 cylinder Ford motor hung on a Pietenpol under construction. The plane was designed in 1929 with the intent that it could be built by anyone with a modicum of skill and using ordinary tools. They're still being built today although usually with modern, more reliable engines.
As is frequently the case, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the column of ants which crosses my path each day goes valiantly on. It even looked a little stronger today than yesterday.
The bad news is I've misplaced my cane. I need it to maintain balance. I think I left it at the sandwich shop where I got lunch. If so, they're closed until Monday. Anyway, because of the balance problem I cut the walk to a minimum (walkus minimus). It wasn't as bad as I imagined so I'll continue my plan to go to Chino Planes of Fame later this morning. There will be a lecture followed by a gaggle of Stearmans overhead at the end. Photos tomorrow Lord willin' and the creek don't rise. The battery is charged and I don't need film. What's left to go wrong?
The Chino Airshow will be in two weeks so I'd better start getting ready. It's usually a good one. Ths year it's an homage to Grumman airplanes.
I got a missive from niece Carole from Back East yesterday. Thanks for the readership and a hearty "Quack quack".
Carole's raucus quacks remind me that we're all on this flight together.

Dick

Aside from the wind it was a beautiful day.

Well, yesterday was an event. Having a working bike I hauled the it down to Huntington Beach and rode on the bike path. It was windy so I didn't ride for long time. I probably rode for only 2 or 3 miles but it felt good when I was moving. I'm not too good balancing at slow speeds but I didn't fall. Aside from the wind it was a beautiful day.
I'm getting used to the denture but still don't like having that strange thing in my mouth.
Budda keeps 'talking' about what I know not. Just talks. I can tell when he wants out. He sits by the door and talks. But that's about all I understand. I certainly don't see any correlation between Budda's speech and natural disasters.
Surfing the Internet this morning I came across an interesting article about the quantum mechanical origins of the honeybee waggle dance. More info? Check it out.
http://science.box.sk/newsread.php?newsid=6321
Honeybees dancing make it clear that we're all on this flight together.

Dick