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.

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!

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...

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.

Comparing Apples and Oranges Disney Style

Yesterday Patti and I were able to spend a day at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando. We had a blast! The other day I was talking to someone who asked me which Magic Kingdom park I liked I liked better, Orlando or Anaheim. I immediately said Disneyland in California, I guess being an annual passholder for Disneyland I am partial to the California park. However, after experiencing both parks in a matter of two weeks, I will have to change my answer. There is no way to compare them, I love them both. There are subtle and major differences in the parks, but mostly similarities.

First of all Disneyland due to available space is compacted so things seem closer together. They both have Cinderella's castle as the centerpiece, but there is no comparison there. Disneyland's castle is cute and looks like it was built for a children’s theme park. Disneyworld's looks like a castle. Both use forced perspective to make the observer think that the castle is larger than it actually is, but Disneyworld doesn't rely on it quite as much. Disneyland's castle is 77 feet tall, and Disneyworld's castle is 180 feet tall.

Next to the castle in Disneyland is the Matterhorn mountain bobsled roller coaster. It doesn't exist at Disneyworld. Disneyworld also left out the storybook land boat ride and the Casey Jr. Train. Disneyland has Indiana Jones next to the jungle cruise, which is also not in the Disneyworld park. Disneyland also has resurrected the submarine ride based on the movie "Finding Nemo". Disneyworld does not have this either (currently).

There are similarities in some of the classic rides that make you think of all of those Star Trek alternate reality episodes. Both have "Pirates of the Caribbean" but Disneyland's is longer with a few more parts to the ride. Both have "It's a Small World" but Disneyworld's is completely inside. Most of the "Haunted Mansion" is the same (on the inside). "Splash Mountain" is the same pretty much except the logs you ride in are different. The California logs have you sitting in a line of about five one behind the other. The Florida logs have you sitting two per row for three rows. It is more like a boat than a log flume. "Space Mountain" is the same but in reverse. The California rockets have you sitting two per row for three rows. The Florida rockets have you sitting in a line of four one behind the other. The Florida rockets are smaller (lower) but the lapbar arrangement is in a T shape and easier to use. I had no problem getting in. The Trains in the Disneyland Railroad seem smaller too.

Then there are the things that Disneyland has done away with or never had that Disneyworld holds on to (thank goodness), such as the "Country Bear Jamboree", "The People Mover" (Tomorrowland Transit Authority), "The Carousel of Progress", and Abraham Lincoln. Disneyworld has the "Hall or Presidents" where Disneyland seems to have gotten rid of "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln".

That being said I had a ball in both parks, no more so in either one. One of the reasons I think I preferred Disneyland is across the plaza at California Adventure. California Adventure is a very fun park, it doesn't get as crowded as Disneyland, and I like the option to parkhop without having to ride monorails or shuttles. It's also nice to be in walking distance of my hotel for the same reason. These things have nothing to do with the actual park itself though. When judging them for what they actually are when you walk in the gates, they are exactly what they report to be "The Happiest Place on Earth".

Happy Anniversary Patti

Eleven years ago today Patti and I were married. Here is the photo from our wedding invitation. It has been a wonderful eleven years! It hardly seems like it should be that long, and then I consider all of the things that have transpired in this short time. It has been a whirlwind, but it has been a wonderful journey. I love you Patti… Forever.

Paradise Pier

Paradise Pier at Disney's California Adventure.