Terrapin Station

A seriously hungry guest for breakfast fed by Nana on the Deerfield patio.

Park Bench Batopilas, Mexico

Steve visits St. Louis

Steve came home to see his parents and they are very happy!

Megafauna Extinctions Debate

Picture: Carolinas Bays possible impact craters associated with ice age extinctions Event Summary

Reading "Bio Diversity" by E.O. Wilson around 15 years ago was my first exposure to the possibility - endorsed as highly likely by Wilson- that paleo indians had hunted many ice age megafauna species to extinction. The thesis shocked me. I had assumed human caused extinctions to be the exclusive province of post Enlightenment modernity, earlier ages presumably lacking the technical power and alienation from nature required for such overkill.

Paul Martin and Richard Firestone are eminent scientists currently working on the puzzle of the disappearance of large ice age mammals They have very divergent hypotheses about the causes. Martin lays out a compelling argument for megafauna extinctions that have coincided with human population movement. Firestone is presenting evidence for a combination supernova/impact event series as the extinction culprit. He made an attention getting presentation at the recent Mexico meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) So, maybe humanity is off the hook on this one.

Here is the scoop on Firestone's ideas from Jon Hagstrum, who is personally involved in analyzing micro meteorites embedded in mammoth tusks and bison skulls. Super cool stuff!! Check the links.

Jon writes: "According to Rick (Firestone) the supernova's first radiation wave was around 40,000 yrs ago (ka), the shock wave at 34 ka, and the debris wave at 16 ka knocking loose comets etc. impacting at 13 ka. I've attached the summary of events from Rick's book. Also, I've attached the AGU abstract that he included me on (that's why I have it) that will be presented in December"

Thanks Jon! Stayed tuned for the December paper. Read the abstract. AMAZING!!

The Chinese Century

The Beijing Olympics is just around the corner. China is set to lead in every category! The next generation of super-watermen ( divers, swimmers & surfers) is now being trained in an undisclosed Chinese laboratory.

OK.... this has nothing to do with family and friends but it does qualify as foolishness. This photo is a repost from the Horse's Mouth , a blog brought to my attention by Bill. What the heck is happening with these babies? Did the spectators have to pay? Were the babies cloned here or are they only visiting?

Dan's Stand Up Move!

You've gotta love the 'Give Blood' tee shirt. Thats the spirit. On his recent visit to Half Moon Bay, Dan insisted upon a surf session. Here is a clip of Dan battling the waves and winning! His first stand up move- Africa Beach, August '07.
Way to go,dude! And I hope that rib heals up real soon, bro.
Come vist again before too long.

Tennis Anyone?

The The Half Moon Bay High School tennis team is gearing up! The season starts this week.This picture is from the Half Moon Bay Review sports section showing a team drill with Sarah waiting her turn on the back row left.
Read the news article about the team HERE

Kings Mountain Art Fair Weekend!

One of Sarah's favorite artists who shows at the fair is Jane Kiskaddon. Jane works in Marin CA. This is her painting "Living Room" More artists, art fair info Here

Paul MacCready

(Photos are of Blaine Rawdon working on MacCready projects)

I read today that Paul MacCready Jr., known as the "father of human-powered flight," for designing the first aircraft to make a sustained, controlled flight powered solely by a human, has died. He was 81. I had the opportunity to hear Paul at the San Mateo Unitarian Church several years ago, and after the service he demonstrated several very small airplanes, one of which was literally made of matchsticks and cellophane. It was powered by a rubber band and fluttered like a bat around the church auditorium. Everyone wondered why this marvelous machine wasn't available at the local hobby shop, but Paul said it was too delicate for production. As I recall his comments were inspirational from the standpoint of celebrating the power of human innovation, but paradoxically quite pessimistic about the outlook for mankind and our world. When I was looking for photos of the Gossamer Condor and the Gossamer Albatross, I came across these photos of Blaine Rawdon working on the Gossamer Penguin and the Solar Challenger, two of MacCready's projects. Both photos are from 1980. While in St. Louis this summer I heard from Dad that Blaine had undergone very painful surgery for cancer of the jaw. I hope he is doing well. More wonderful pictures of MacCready projects are Here. More on Blaine's Gossamer work Here

Back to School

Sarah and Mac contemplate the arrival of the first day of school. This year will be different. We will be organized and stress free!

Sarah's schedule includes;

AP English III, AP Art/Drawing, Chemistry, French II, World History, Algebra II and the tennis team is starting its season. (Tennis schedule Here . See HMB High Here)

Fun!

The Cougars are on the Prowl..

Abalone Rockefellar?

Click to enlarge this photo

Bounty of the sea! Sarah and I had the great good fortune to camp with friends at the mouth of the Albion river near Mendicino this past weekend. Much paddling, diving, fishing and eating.Here fresh caught abalone and sea urchin are viewed with interest & some skepticism as to edibility. All doubts were put to rest later that night at a great sea food feast.

View trip album HERE

Participants included:

Tony, Kay, Paul, Rob, Ralph, Debbie, Daphne, Rorke, Erin, Magnus, Piper, Kit, Marty, Cindy, Sarah P. Sarah K, Mike, Bob, Holly, Heather, Patrick, Adam and many others. What a crew!

Catch It if You Can

The study of high energy physics is a never

ending endeavour at our house.
Pictured here: a recent test of the falling-china-

gravitational-acceleration
one-handed-catch theory.

Blow Up Blow out

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Is this an example

of spooky pre-halloween

synchronistic connections?

Or just random coincidence

You decide.

In June I took photos of an open water swim session for people new to the experience. Some were anxious, needing encouragment by the coaches to enter the water. It was not until several days later that I examined the photos closely and noticed that one swimmer had been encouraged rather strongly by the application of a surf board to her bottom. Accident? I don't think so, but we will never know for sure. My discovery of the crime 'hidden' in the unmagnified photo made me think of the film 'Blow Up.' In it a photographer sees evidence of a murder in enlargements of photos he has taken. As in my photo only the crime is clearly seen, not the criminal's identity. ( Who was wielding the surfboard?) I saw the film at the Shady Oak Theatre, I think in 1966 or 67.. Black and white and strange! Not your average fare. It made an impression. A few days before the open water swim episode I had also seen "Blow Out' on cable- a take off on the 'Blow Up idea.' In it John Travolta's character discovers evidence of a murder in a sound recording he has made. The surf board crime caught on film set me to thinking of these earlier movies.

Now here is the spooky part. Ready?... OK. The very next day after noticing the photos and thinking back on the movies, who dies but Michaelangelo Antonioni director of 'Blow Up'. What do you think? Time to found a religion?

Afghan Fund Raiser

Another picture from the front from our boy Badass in Afghanistan

As we know, war funding is under more and more pressure in congress.

Twelve billion/month isn't quite cutting it. So our troops have been reduced to fundraising on their own. Ad revenue is certainly one option, and Bob's unit believes in advertising only products that they can personally endorse. Note the viking helmet and authentic Ibex horns. Goes well with the Gatling gun don't you think? What Exactly does PJCA on a Spade stand for? Devils Canyon is a Belmont CA based Brew created by local talent with Kings Mountain connections. Support Our Troops- drink one today! Check it out HERE

Word has it that shortly after this picture was taken, Badass led his unit on a secret training exercise designed to practice nighttime Humvee diesel repair while stuck in a riverbed. How did that go, Bob? Military secrecy prohibits me from further disclosing expedition details except to say that a few Devils Canyon brews would have been a big help had they been available (Which I'm sure they were not.)

What makes glow plugs glow?

See you soon, Bob.

Addendum: Thanks to GoBevGo for pointing out the crewman repairing the rear rotor on the helicopter in the the background. Click pic to enlarge and see.)

Locals Only!

A Classic Pose: Sarah and Mac with the Haumersen Surf Team. Long Beach Island, New Jersey at the foot of 34th St.
Check out the photo album HERE

Paddling out to the Line Up

SURF NEW JERSEY!!

Open Water Swim Practice

Listen Up!

















.

Wet suit stretch tableau

View ALBUM

Listing is 'Live'

See Detail More Pictures

etc HERE

Log Rolling, California Style

Heroic, but one guy can't move a killer log all by himself.







This thing must weigh 1000 pounds!

Saving lives at Africa Beach (formerly Munyon's) by removing a dangerous waterlogged piling from the surf. This log rolling beach cleanup SWAT team includes the usual suspects plus imported muscle, log removal specialists Magnus and Piper to handle this extra tough job.
On three... PUSH!
Other pics from the same afternoon ALBUM


CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS

Half Moon Bay CA: Coastal Investment Opportunity!

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Steps to the beach, trails and shopping, a once in a life time opportunity!

Act Now!!

The Listing Frenzy is upon us: The opening gun for showing is Tuesday.

View ALBUM of clean house snaps from yesterday.

The Half Moon Bay small business full employment act has been put into force on Garcia St.! Photography Guy, Floor Repair Guy, Carpet Shampoo Guy, Window Washing Guy, Painting Guy, Hauling Guy, Property Inspector Guy, Termite Inspector Guy, Staging Gal, Cleaning Guy and lots of other guys & gals are swarming. The kitty cats were not pleased.

Huge credit for unending staging aid and moral support from Linda E. -staging artist Kings Mtn. denizen and positive thinker par excellence, fitting her work here in between feeding the mutitudes of musician and technicians at Neil Young's ranch and supporting Pegi Young's first CD launch tour.

Shown above, photography guy Mike. We will all be able to view his handiwork on the Web MLS listings shortly. While working, he recognized the framed original of Sarah's pen and ink that went into the high school calender last year. He had the same art teacher and learned the pen and ink trechnique from her and now owns the print shop in El Granada that produces the calendars. The joys of a small towns!

Party Day

PARTY ALBUM
Follow the link to view some of Sarah's Photos of Party day for Dad in St. Louis

Badass & Grumpy

The Tip of the Spear
(Mr. July
'Soldier of Fortune' Magazine)


What We're Fighting For
(Mr.July
Ms.Magazine)




CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
They each have a mission: 'Badass' Bob here pictured in Afghanistan patrolling oil pipelines, and 'Grumpy' Jordan caught in an unguarded moment at an undisclosed location patrolling ..well...Pipeline!

They're both Kings Mtn. boys, as American as apple pie, bald, bearded, bad, comfortable with sand and exuding an aura of menace. They have the tools & the 'tude' to get the job done. (Grumpy's 'gun' is purple, but hey -why not?)
You don't want to mess with them.
Stand clear and let these guys do their work.

Birthday Party at the Rand's !!

June 24 at the Rand's, Dad presiding over his initial birthday blast - just a warm up. The biggie party is coming up.
Click HERE for a picture album of the gathering.

The highlight was 'Uncle' Bill D's birthday poem. Wow!!

Summer Solstice

CLICK & ENLARGE
















The end of the day June 21.
Top L. E. at the Garcia Street house, planting flowers
in the backyard to prepare to sell the house. She is an artist!
Then a sunset walk on the beach with Bryan.
No green flash, and no shells for L.E. but magical beauty
nonetheless. Still plenty of light at 9:00pm.

Bob, Bobby & Bronco

CLICK TO ENLARGE PIC
Mr. Badass Bob and Bobby taking a break in the Bronco on a jeep trail in the Sierras this past weekend.
Mr. Wizard did it again, rescuing a stranded 4 wheeler in the middle of the night on a remote trail with his McGyver know-how. Bubble gum and bailing wire. Is there anything these guys can't fix? I hear Bob invented a new technique for putting a running jeep in gear by lying under it, manually shoving the linkage into place and then rolling clear ( cat-like) before his legs were crushed. Did I mention the jeep had no breaks? Good thing the garage wall was there to stop the vehicle - no telling where it might have ended up. Needed new siding on the garage anyway. Bob was off this morning for his last military tour - this time in Afghanistan. See you in September Bob!

Read about Bob's outfit - The 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard HERE
(Note: you may get a security warning message from your browser - but don't worry, the National Guard site won't hurt you.)

Birthday Gift for Dad?

Must have Aquada!

Sarah Cleared for Action!

This is what the knee in

question looked like 6 months ago.

Yikes!

(See a ACL

Reconstruction

Video by Sarah's

Doctor HERE )

This is what it looks like today.

Go Sarah go!

CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE

According to the knee doctor Sarah's ACL graft has healed perfectly. Yay!

Lake Berryessa Torture Session

Left B.T. Loving it.

Below Getting Ready

The South Bay Iron Team: What a day, first a 2 mi open water swim in the lake, then a grueling 100 mi bike ride with a total elevation gain of 10,000'. No shade, no mercy! Man was I glad to be a volunteer not a member of the team. They followed up the next morning with w 15 mi run. Target: an August Iron Man in Cananda. They will be ready!