7.31.2009

Some people go to Mecca

Some people go to Jerusalem, or to Bodhgaya.

I plan to go to this Chainsaw Art contest.

7.30.2009

News in Oklahoma

This is what I'm talkin' about when I think "news".

From Tulsa World, 7/21/09

Eric Bailey: Noodling with TU's Bryan

Mike Bryan, 21, puts a large catfish into a live well during a noodling trip. Sunday July 19, 2009 SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World

By ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Published: 7/21/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 7/22/2009 10:21 AM

I spent Sunday morning with Mike Bryan on an area lake, watching him "noodling" for catfish.

Bryan, a TU senior linebacker, took a Tulsa World photographer, a KOTV photojournalist and me to display his talent for catching 30-pound-plus catfish with his bare hands.

An upcoming feature will talk about how his group (including his girlfriend and best friend) caught eight fish. Seeing them plop big fish after big fish in the boat was amazing. His girlfriend even caught two herself.

Bryan was a very hospitable host. In dealing with him for four years, I expected that, but he made sure that everyone was comfortable and got everything they needed. He even asked if we wanted to try it (no thanks!)

Bryan said his adventure was one of the last he'll have this summer because once two-a-day practices start, he won't have time to get on a boat.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=25&articleid=20090721_29_B2_Ispent626899

7.29.2009

Another not-post post

I am in Oklahoma, where they still have dial-up, and I just let my 3 1/2 year old niece paint my nails. They look pretty awesome in that paint-all-over-your-hand style that is all the rage with pre-schoolers. The color is sparkly pepto pink. What a time for my camera to konk out.

More posts to come. Far Flung is just sleeping right now, and not in that "no honey, that racoon by the side of the road is just sleeping!" kind of a way. We will wake from our slumber and the onslaught of minutiae from my wildly pedestrian life will resume.

Go outside and enjoy your summer. You shouldn't be spending so much time on the dang computer anyway.

7.22.2009

4H Animals


Far Flung is back! After my month-long stint of working long hours with limited to no internet access at a nerd camp (all geeks, no bullies), I am back to posting.





I have heard from one brave member of Team Far Flung who missed us, and much like the Nielson TV rating folks, I will imagine that for each person who bothers to actually contact me, there are millions and millions of like-minded Americans. So, since I had one letter informing me of being missed, I am assuming everyone, and I mean EVERYONE missed me. I may also be able to assume that this one particular reader is a crack-pot, but I doubt that is the case. She has proven in the past to have impeccable taste and plenty of good sense.


Our latest Far Flung outing was to the San Diego County Fair, where I met an amazing girl who won the Best Dressed Sheep contest. She and her sheep dressed as members of the band Kiss. I think Kiss had broken up long before our winning gal and her sheep were born, but quality music once again proves to have lasting value.


Although the outfits did impress me, what I was absolutely most taken by was this young woman's complete understanding of the economics of livestock production. Our hero is in the 5th grade, and took out a loan from the bank to buy this sheep as a baby sheep. When the baby sheep was just a few weeks old, she locked in a selling a price with Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad. -On her own. She negotiated with the buyer at Tip Top by herself.


When asked why she locked in a selling price per pound a few months ago, this 5th grader explained market fluctuations to me.


After learning a bit about how livestock and meat prices have been very reactive and unpredictable lately, she then told me how much it cost, per pound, to raise and fatten up her sheep. She knew the cost of feed. She knew how much she needed to fatten up her sheep for its sale to be profitable. She knew that if she didn't sell the sheep she would still have to re-pay the loan. She knew that it was better to lock in a safe profit early rather than gamble on the possibility of a big payoff/no payoff later. Did I mention she is in the 5th grade?


Here is my proposition - ever person running for office as a policy maker, board member, congressman, or senator must raise and sell a 4-H animal before they can be considered a viable and legal candidate. If everyone setting fiscal policy in California were as clever and reasonable as our new 5th grade friend, we would not have our current budget issues.






7.04.2009

Not much time to post

since I am actually working a contract for a month with long hours and crummy pay, but I do leave you with this little gem:

Heroes of the Torah Drinking Glasses