LM Day at Great America

For the third year in a row, Akshay and I spend the day at GA for the Lockheed family day. This time we were accompanied by family and unlike last years rain, we had a gorgeous day at the park. Not so much coaster riding as in the past (kids this time round) but a great day none the less.

Best of all, Ryan overcame a personal hurdle, and rode and even (mostly) enjoyed a roller coaster ride. And just in case, here's a picture with proof. He's there in the middle next to his Dad, and behind his Tante and sister. Woohoo and good going kiddo!

Had to throw in a pic of me with the kids. It was a typical example of our day, goofiness, one of us taking a picture, on a ride.

Last Time at Redwood City H4H?

This would be me, reliving a summer in my childhood. My Father, being the money-wise Dutch man that he was, didn't feel the need to rent a cement mixer when paving over part of the back yard. So he and I spent many days mixing with shovel and hose, and pouring and smoothing cement sections. It all felt very familiar though I've had 40 years to forget what hard dirty work it was.

It may be our last time at this build site as we once again grouped together to spend the day working outdoors instead of in front of a computer. We've been working on this site for a year now, and it's supposed to be completed in April. Hopefully we'll manage to attend the dedication ceremonies this year, but failing that, here's a salute to the volunteers, the corp members and the site, not to mention a gratz for the families that will be moving in. The blue hat is Robin one of the Americorp workers and the blue shirt is our 'leader' Jonothan.

The Halfling Seer

I was on my way to the Antonica docks to catch a bell to Thundering Steps when I came across a crowd gathered near the drawbridge. I moved my steed closer and caught a glimpse of a little halfling standing in the center. Lending a ear, I heard the halfling, Jeahara, say to a half elf, "Now ask me a question".

And everyone in the crowd did just that. "WoWill I find love", "Will I have a family", "Become a great hero", and much more in that same vein. Intrigued, I took a number a took my place in a not so orderly line.


Now I could also hear the fortunes being told, and well, they seems a bit preoccupied with gnolls, death, cookies. A half elf asked about a family in her future and was rewarded with te following fortune;


"Yes! You will Marry a Gnoll and have many Gnoll children!"

and was given a wooden puppy on which to practice her parenting skills. Another asked if he would be the best fighter and was told,

"You will fight the best...oh my! You will fight the best when your house is infested with cheese eating...err...GNOLLS".

When prompted, I shouted out that I was nnumber 4 and soon it was my turn to ask my question:

"I wish to know if I will have many a swashbuckling romanitc adventure" I asked.

Jeahara answered, "Yes, but you'll regret it."

I then said, "arent all fun things to be regretted later?"

Jeahara said, "You should become a night housewife...and bake me cookies!"

"I like cookies but my cousin is the baker in the clan" I replied.

Jeahara stated, "I see it in your future"

"Will the cookies keep the fleas away?" was my next question.

In response Jeahara then handed me a tortured halfling skeleton and said "This..however..he didnt follow my advise and he died!. Sad isn't it."

And I realized that she was indeed a true seer of the future and muttered,"oh dear, he tasted my cookies!".