11-Mile Canyon

Took the monkeys for a ride up to 11-Mile Canyon yesterday. What a day! It was sunny and ultimately in the 60s, although we all needed jackets at the start of the day.

It had snowed up there Friday and Saturday - we got lots of rain here in the Springs, for which my lawn is extremely grateful. So there was a lot of the white stuff, but the road into the canyon was not in too bad of shape.

First, we went all the way up to the campground at the top of the canyon to hike. We climbed for almost an hour, finding our way onto an amazing rock table overlooking the South Platte river as it flows through 11-Mile Canyon. The sun was shining, there were a few puffy clouds and it was warm enough that we could take off our jackets while we made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and enjoyed.

The goofy dog is afraid of heights, we have discovered. Once we convinced him to come out where we were, he kind of curled up and whined for an hour. Scared of water and scared of heights. What a big fuzzy baby.

After we hiked down, which was a lot of fun, we went fishing! We find a sweet pool full of big trout, I got the boy going with his fly rod and the daughter picked her way upstream to cross and find a big rock to lay on in the sun while us guys fished. We caught bubkiss, but we enjoyed our day.

Finally came down off the mountain around 4:00 and had barbecue for dinner! Yay spring!

Of course, the wife has the camera in Seattle with her. Damn it. Just means we'll have to go back! YAY!

Ugh

just ugh. I caught a stupid bug and have been miserable all week.

I felt so crappy Sunday I turned down Brownie's offer of a free ticket to see Stanton Moore.

I didn't run Monday, Tuesday at Jack Quinn's or today.

Crap. I am going to run tomorrow, damn it! Maybe I'll work out this stupid cold!

And I'm for starting the Kimchi movie night at Z's Friday - that way we can drink all his beer!!!

Up date on the Mum

She's completely healed - good enough that she's flying to Florida with Dad for a conference tomorrow morning!

YAY antibiotics.

We're all going to Arctic to get shitty tonight! Who's in?

Washington D.C.

Well, I never knew it, and although I didn't get to Hash, D.C. is a MAJOR hashing city! Just check out the sculptures from the National Sculpture Garden:










There was even a dancing hare, with a drum - I think the Kimchi needs a Hash Drum for circle, what do you guys think???


















But of course, no visit would be complete unless I had the opportunity to see my Hash namesake:



I didn't even get a "thank you".

Next time I go to D.C., I will be sure to go find some wankers to run, er, drink with!!!!

OnOn!

Lick My Lincoln

Merry Christmas!!

Well, we just got home from our shift at the NORAD Santa Tracking Center. What a blast! There are more than 100 people answering phone calls and e-mails from children all over the world who want to know where Santa is.

If you don't know about NORAD Tracks Santa, click here.

Merry Christmas, and if you're here in Colorado Springs and want someplace to hang out tomorrow afternoon, we're having an open house, bring a plate of finger food or chips or something, we'll have a keg of Arctic Lager!

Update on Mum ...

I talked with her for 20 minutes today, and I am much relieved. The doctors did not do surgery on her, instead they put in a drain and what amounts to a colostomy bag (yuck) and she has finally begun responding to the antibiotics.

In short, Mom is responding and recovering. The fever is gone, swelling and redness reduced and is looks like she'll be able to enjoy Christmas.

And my sister brought Mom and Dad two new kittens for Christmas. They've been tearing the house up - climbing the tree, unwrapping presents. In a way, as much as I wish that we were there visiting, I am glad we're not.

So, that's what's up now I need to rest some more before the beer mile!

Lots happening in the Guhrilla kingdom

and forgive me (Catwoman) for not posting more religiously.

Here's the deal: about 2 months ago, my Mother, who lives in Alaska, told me she had to have a lump removed from her breast. It turned out not to be cancerous, which is great.

Monday, she told me she had to go to the emergency room; she has been diagnosed with cellulitis, a serious, potentially fatal bacterial infection.

Wednesday, the infection had doubled in size. The doctors put her on vicodin for the pain and put a port in her arm where they have been injecting major amounts of high-power antibiotics in her blood.

Today, the doctor told her she's got "galloping cellulitis" and they are opening her up surgically to irrigate the infection with antibiotics.

So, if you are religious, please pray for my Mother, Linda. This is a potentially life-threatening infection (but the doctors are NOT using that terminology).

On a much lighter note, please come the the Arctic Brewery's Christmas party tonight! It promises to be a drunk and debauched time for all!