Many of my friends camp- be that with a tent, or a camper of various sophistication. Funny, for growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, my version of “camping” is a lot more primitive. I started in Boy Scouts when I was in fourth grade and was an Eagle Scout with various honors before I graduated from junior high school. It didn’t hurt that my dad was scoutmaster, and my mom was advancement chair. It seemed that the meetings to approve advancement fell on the exact days I needed them to… imagine that.
That said, my idea of camping consists of hiking around 7 miles, pitching a tent, and hanging out for a day. Hiking back and stopping off (smelling bad) at a McDonalds on the way home. I learned that a nice frozen New York Strip will thaw out appropriately at the top of your backpack after about a seven mile hike, and be ready for grilling. I know, freeze dried almost anything, tastes like nothing meant to be ingested. I’ve canoed and climbed, been lost in High Sierras, and tackled the gurgly monster. I’m a member of the Royal Order of the Moose, and Order of the Arrow. I have my Seven League Boot for hiking over 100 miles. I had a really great time gaining these experiences with dear old Troop 274, which now allow me to say “I’m staying at the lodge” when friends suggest camping. 🙂
Happy trail mix day, because without trail mix most people on the trail would die. Although growing up I was finicky, so my trail mix could not have nuts… Yes, I was a wimp.
Author: Bruce
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #1927
As the summer starts to come to close for most people, there are still a few times left go out and roast marshmallows by the campfire. There seem to be two schools when in comes to marshmallow roasting- golden brown or burnt to a crisp. I am a member of the golden brown camp, which I think shows patience and caring when it comes to preparing a meal. We honor the ingredients and the process… blah blah blah. I will not comment on the savages who like their marshmallows burnt.
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #1884
So another silly American holiday… Today is “Chop Suey Day” While a fan of Chinese food, I can’t really say “Chop Suey” is a favorite. I recall watching a documentary about the origin of General Tso’s Chicken aka- the history of “American Chinese Food” and Chop Suey was considered basically an American creation. Having been to China… yup, what I get at the local Chinese Buffet, isn’t anything like what the Chinese eat. Do I have a problem with this? Nope. Both are extremely tasty. OK, duck feet… not so much. Enjoy Chop Suey Day and enjoy some authentic fried rice for me.
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #M0100
Happy Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day!
I remember my first experience with a mouse… it was 1984 and I was in a computer store looking at my graduation from high school present. The way I grew up I had a choice, a trip to Europe, a new car, or a computer… All of those actually had equal value in 1984. I chose the computer. I was wandering aimlessly in the store and a sales guy asked me what I was looking at and experience I had with computers. My dad once worked for IBM so I was looking at the IBM PC. I was then asked about what I liked and disliked about computers- I replied typing in “LOAD” or “BRUN” or whatever. So he put in on a Macintosh… They had me listen to a cassette tape to learn what to do and from that point I was sold on this new generation of “computers for the rest of us.” I drew a dragon in MacPaint. Of course it was the most expensive computer in the store and I had to wait until one came in, but I was happy, and have been happy since. For me the other computers lack something simple- simplicity. Then I’ve been working on one ever since. Yes, I work on Windows machines, but I don’t have to like it.
I recall my school district “training” us on the brand new IBM PS2 computers they had bought. While in the word processor it froze… the guy in charge said “Just press ctrl-alt-del” Huh? Macs don’t freeze. I did as I was told and was shocked when I had lost everything I had typed. When there was a problem (rarely) with my Mac, I would just reboot the program and a recovered file would show up. Why are these PS2s considered “good”? Over the years I have developed a theory- The technology department chooses a computer that will be difficult to use and have issues just to guarantee job security… So far I haven’t been proven wrong. While the number of PC’s increases so does the technology department.
So today is a holiday celebrating moving your mouse around the screen is my kind of holiday… enjoy and take your mouse on a voyage.
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #180/20
What’s up Doc?
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #K-9
woof! woof! woof! Happy National Dog Day!
-from your resident cat person
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #0825
When I was a “kid” there seemed to be two kinds of people- those who listened to Bruce Springsteen, and those who listened to Billy Joel. I really have nothing against Springsteen, (I like his first name) and actually like some of his music, but I was a Billy Joel fan. My mixed tapes consisted of Billy Joel, the Beach Boys, and… something else that began with “B” (I swear Beethoven), but 40 years ago “Born to Run” was released, which was a great album, it just never seemed to make it across the Rockies. That said- Here’s to Springsteen and the music we have enjoyed.
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #1890
What?!? Didn’t you look at the Google Doodle for today?
Many of you might not know this about me, but I once owned a surfboard. Yes, I was a “surfer dude.”
OK not really, I owned a surfboard, when I was in fourth grade, but I never actually went surfing. When my dad moved the family to Los Angeles one of the first memories I had was of him taking us to a surf shop and buying my brother and I each a surfboard. I guess so we could fit in or feel a part of the community, or whatever. I think I tried to stand up on the thing once. Take it out where gnarly surf is? The Pacific Ocean is cold, and I was a skinny kid without much blubber to help keep me warm. Also I was a wimp, and the swimming pool was water was nice and warm without stuff living in it
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #1852
Well folks, today is the last day of the Indiana State Fair. For the record, I am not a country boy (although I think I could sing “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver or at least the chorus). People who have met me usually discover this within seconds. I was raised in the California suburbs of the late 70’s and early 80’s. Nowhere near a farm, or farm stuff. During 3rd grade we did have enough pets to probably be a small farm (dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chickens, goats, rabbits…). It was at this time I was in 4-H. Yes, I wore the green hat and clip on tie and raised rabbits. We had over 100 rabbits and at the time I could tell all the various breeds apart. Now? not so much. While in 4-H I helped show rabbits at various fairs around the greater Bay Area. We even had a few Grand Champions in our little nest (mostly French lops if I remember correctly). Today, I think I’ve been to the Indiana State Fair maybe twice… could be three times. I go and look at the rabbits, then wander around to see everything else. Sue’s even entered something in the State Fair, she won a blue ribbon for a lovely needlework piece (she’s crafty like that). Did I go this year? Nope.
As I pondered about MINIon #1852 I thought about having him hold a pitchfork with some hay on it… nope, too cliche. Then I thought about having him hold something fried on a stick… nope. I couldn’t get my fried Twinkie to not look like a fried Snickers. So I settled on a dutch rabbit, the kind most kids find in a basket Easter morning…
A Year in MINIons- MINIon #0822
Congratulations to my friends Larry & Sarah on the birth of their son, Emmett, today! That’s just AWESOME! 🙂