Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

Thursday, July 24, 2008

John Heemsbergen


Yesterday I went to a memorial for a friend who lived here in Lordsburg. He passed away Sunday, and his friends gathered at the airport to celebrate his life. He and his wife ran the local airport, and it seemed like the most appropriate place to see him off. How many of us on our final journey get to go from an airport... Well that was John.

In his memorial it was said that he liked driving fast things. He flew planes, rode motorcycles and jet skis, fast cars, he built and drove a race car for the races in Las Cruces, and that only what I know about. For all I know there was a rocket somewhere in there. He lived life fast! That was one thing that was generally known about John, but there was more that I thought better defined the man.

In all of the memorial remembrances it seemed that everyone agreed that he was a thoughtful and kind man. He was well thought of, and that was evident in the number of people that showed up to the memorial. What could be said or thought of a person that could be a better memorial than that! People will remember John fondly.

John crammed life into every minute of what time he had, and experienced life to it's fullest. He lived the saying that was displayed in his workshop shown in the photo above. In a Jimmy Buffett song there is another phrase that I felt was true of him, "I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead," and John did. We should all do so well.

Monday, July 21, 2008

About My Car...




Filling it with gas?

$49.73


Service job at the Wal-Mart?

$40.00


New paint job at Earl Shieb?

$310.00


Having someone take you home from Phoenix when it all goes to hell?

Priceless!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

RIP


After 170,333 miles (140,000 being driven by me), and ten years of service, our Plymouth Acclaim kinda sorta gave up the ghost. We drove it around Phoenix, the engine was staying hot, and when it started to get really hot we took it to a mechanic to get the diagnosis. It was a blown head gasket, which means water is in the engine and in the oil. The mechanic said it would take more money to fix than to replace. BAD NEWS!


Last year we had it repainted, we put in a stereo, Sirius radio, 80,000 mile Michelin tires, last month a brand new battery, yesterday we had a $40.00 service job at the Wal-Mart, filled it with $49.73 worth of gas. I'm feeling better that I delayed that $7.00 deluxe typhoon wash at the Chevron (hey look for that "silver lining"). At least it got a last meal...

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The Three Best Rides at Sea World Orlando

First is a hyper-coaster named "The Kraken." This coaster is a twist you every which way type, doing; loops, cork screws, bat-wings, and emmelman loops. It also drops you a few times. A decent thrill ride! In front of the ride there is a practice seat for people (who have recently lost 100 lbs for the sole purpose of fitting in roller coasters) to try out and see if they fit before they wait in a long line... I didn't fit. I sent JJ and Stephanie on the ride while I waited. They rode it about a dozen times before we left.


Second, "Journey to Atlantis," a half boat/log flume, and half roller coaster. It has a great drop, some twists and turns, and promises to get you soaked. I fit in the seat and it fulfilled it's promise (6 times). The kids liked this one too and rode it about 9 times. Sort of a cross between Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn... Not bad.


Third... The girl in the picture got to ride on the nose of that killer whale (Shamu). It propelled her across the water's surface at about 10mph it took her to the bottom of a very deep salt water pool, and then shot her about 30 feet in the air as she stood on it's nose. This ride is also a wet one, but the thrill comes from standing on the nose of the baddest predator in the ocean. Even the great white sharks leave this bad boy alone! As far as my fitting on/in this ride... Yeah I bet I would, but no thanks.