Racing School in the Desert

Every year we have to go to driving school so we can get a break on the Edmunds.com insurance. We go to a track north of Lancaster (where the space shuttle lands) and drive these modified Toyota Celicas. They have cages inside, a stiff suspesion and LOUD exhausts. Yesterday it rained so we were skidding all over the track. Luckily, no one crashed into each other. But the end of the day my ears are ringing. This is a picture of me with my helmet on, waiting to go out onto the track.

About Families and Hospitals

Yesterday I had to have a colonoscopy and I spent a lot of time thinking about Mom and what she is going through. When you check into the hospital they take complete control of you. They take your clothes, your valuables and your dignity. And once they put that IV in your hand you can't even run away. I was dreading this "routine" examination ever since I turned 50 and my doctor started brow beating me to do it. Vivian helped me prepare for it by getting jello and the other things I was still allowed to drink. Then Drew and Tony drove me to the surgery center (yes, "surgery," even though I'm completely fine!). The nurses were very nice and it didn't really hurt since I was under a twilight sedative. The first thing I remember when I woke up was Drew and Tony walking in and looking a little nervous at seeing their Dad flat on his back in a hospital gown (Vivian was at work so she couldn't come get me). I was trying to be really alert and cool but they later told me I referred to the nurses as "librarians." At home, I lay on the couch napping while they brought me coffee and a raisin toast, soup and later a delicious buffalo burger. Having my family helping me put my mind at rest. I know that Dad, Kat, Pete, Jack and Kristin are doing this for Mom, too, as she works her way through this difficult time.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm 58 years old which is somehow unexpected. It seems when I last checked I was about 41. The only thing I've learned about growing older is that there is nothing at all you can do to prevent it. I've also learned that life becomes more precious as there is less of it. I'd say the past five years have held some moments of joy and peace that my earlier days didn't contain. And there are many more years to come. Thank you to my wonderful family for all the gifts, cards, calls and birthday wishes. And here is a picture of me taken by Drew with a camera I got as a present.

Once, These Were Just Hills

As we hiked around San Francisco I let my mind dwell on the fact that once these hills were just hills. If I could go back and gaze at that scene of natural beauty, would it be more rewarding than what greets the eye now? I decided that no, this urban landscape, created by humans, was vastly more interesting to look at. It's the complexity, the interconnectedness, which is so amazing. There is so much to look at, so many shapes and shadows, so many different purposes for the structures: houses, offices, monuments, freeways and bridges. I could spend a long time watching the clouds move about this landscape, changing the light and shadows. Take a moment, enlarge the picture, and visit this place yourself.

Each in His Own Way

We visited Audy this weekend and she said that Tony was "cute." I told Mom this when I talked with her in the hospital. She thought it over and replied, "Drew is handsome and Tony is cute." I took this picture of them riding the "Muni" in San Francisco this weekend and all I can say is I'm very proud of them both.

The Mighty Pacific Ocean

Last Saturday we took Pete to Point Lobos where the surf was crashing on the rocks and running off in foamy riverlets. Every once in a while there was a deep boom as a huge breaker pounded the boulders. I took a dozen pictures and they were all impressive. But this one really knocked me out ... and I can't really say why. Of course, it isn't important to analyze and put such things into words. It will just be a mystery. Like art, like life, like the powerful and frightening ocean.

Steve's emails from India

It's amazing to get pictures and emails from all the way on the other side of the world. Here is his email from Sunday: "Made it to my place in Bangalore on time. I’m not tired at all because I did a lot of cat naps and I’m pumped to get out and take pics. My apt is really a 5 star hotel, washer, dryer, safe, kitchen. Driver almost hit a dog coming from airport. He drove really crazy and honked every time he approached a car or truck, good fun." Today he wrote: "I hope this goes through as email has been giving me headaches. I’ve had an eventful weekend at a few really colorful markets. One of them is unbelievably intense and crowded,but it’s the India I wanted to see. I went back a second time and found so much more as its huge. They’re hundreds of flower vendors so very colorful. I’ve been riding auto rickshaws all over town for about a $1 each ride. Traffic is real bad and air is pretty bad, Its hot but not humid. I’ll try t o send some pics after this goes through. How is Dix?"