The Fourth Turning

I just read a very interesting book called "The Fourth Turning." It is about time and it's cycles and seasons and how generations are formed by those seasons. Basically, time is broken down into units called saeculums that are about the length of a long human life (80-100 years). Within a saeculum there a four seasons, just as there are four seasons to the year and four seasons to a human life. Your generation is shaped and defined by the season that it was born and came of age in. Your generations reactions to the seasons are what shape future seasons. It's incredibly accurate. The authors trace back history hundreds of years to show the cycles.

The book was written in 1997 and the predictions that they made for the early 21st century are dead-on so far. We are in the first part of the fourth season of the saeculum. This season is called the "winter" or "crisis" season. Past fourth turnings have included the Great Depression and World War II, The Civil War, the American Revolution, the Glorious Revolution, The Spanish Armada, and the War of the Roses.

This book will give some great perspective on current events and how they may unfold.

Carrot Machine

When I was a kid I had a book called Bug's Bunny's Carrot Machine. The plot was pretty simple: Bug's Bunny built a carrot machine and had to find the right parts to make it produce normal, orange, carrot-shaped carrots.

One time when I was staying at my grandparents my grandma decided that I needed a haircut. I did not want a haircut and I put up a fight. So she came up with this device:

She took a coffee can and filled it with some bolts, washers, and other miscellaneous pieces of hardware. She said that she had read my book and was making her own carrot machine, but it was missing one vital ingredient that would provide the magic needed for carrot production... my hair.

Suddenly I decided a haircut was a pretty good idea. So she put me in the sink, snipped around the bowl, and we added my freshly cut locks to her "machine". To make it work, I simply had to march around the house and shake the can as hard as I could.

After what seemed to me like an eternity, I decided to take a peek under the lid to see the fruits of my labor. Nothing. Not even some of the oddly colored, square shaped carrots that Bugs had gotten from his first attempts. Could it be that my hair was not magical enough?

Grandma assured me that the construction of the device was sound and my hair was plenty magical. The machine simply needed to rest so the carrots would have time to grow. So we left the can on the kitchen counter and went to the other room (apparently it works better if you don't watch). We came back a short time later and... the machine had worked. I was so satisfied by that rust-covered, hairy carrot that I always volunteered to get a haircut when I went to Grandma's from then on.

Treats and Murder

Ginny and I occasionally like to go to the library and check out DVD's and go to the grocery store to get tasty treats. We will then proceed to make our home as cave-like as possible as we enjoy our movies and treats. We recently had one of those days. We checked out a bunch of Agatha Christie murder mysteries and made s'more brownies.

Ingredients: graham cracker crust, chocolate brownie, toasted marshmallows

We got Gidget a treat too

Check out the ingredients for this treat:

That's right: Steer Pizzle.

If there is any confusion about what steer pizzle is, you can find an explanation here.

The Queen Mary and the Aquarium

We went down to Long Beach last weekend when my family was in town. My Great Uncle Bob came home from World War II on the Queen Mary, so we had to check that out. And while we were in the harbor we went over to the Aquarium of the Pacific. It was great. I love aquariums and zoos.

Here's Ginny and I in front of the Queen Mary, me helping out with the anchor, and with the bell:

We also ate brunch on the ship just as I imagine my Uncle Bob did at good ol' table 53:

If you go to the Queen Mary you can also take a tour of the reported haunted areas of the ship. It was creepy. A lot like the haunted mansion at Disneyland... only people really died there.

After that, we went across the harbor to the Aquarium of the Pacific. One of my favorite parts was petting some of the smaller sharks and rays:

After a few minutes of these guys coming up to the wall I noticed that there was a flounder (?) buried in the sand. I didn't think he was real at first, but then he swam off. Look closely underneath the ray:

I also loved the Puffin exhibit. This one guy was crazy. He looked like he was trying to run on top of the water and then he'd splash around like a duck. It was hard to capture with the camera but here's my best attempt:

I think he was really just trying to get the attention of the fine crustaceans in the tank across the room.

Some scuba divers came and fed the fish and they just swarmed them. There was one ray in particular who would not leave them alone. One diver couldn't shake him off. He must have been really hungry.

We also hit a bunch of our favorite places to eat while T-Rex and Scotty were in town. Asakuma Rice (we got just about everything on the menu), The Farmer's Market, breakfast at Le Petit Hotel, and Angelini Osteria (best italian food ever). Thanks again guys!

It was a Chico's Kind of Day

All Week Long...

We recently went to Chico's so Ginny could try on some jewelry

But they made us leave because I set off the alarm and Scott was harassing the customers in the dressing rooms

Sam Comes to Town

My brother has had some major changes lately... moved to a new city... started a new school... new friends... new baseball team.

He's handling it all like a champ. So well, in fact, that he had time to fly out and see his big brother. We always have a good time when we're together.

We usually like to stay outdoors as much as possible- so hiking at Runyon Canyon was a must.

When we got to the top we were pretty hungry, so Sam ate the Hollywood sign.

But if you go to Runyon- look out for snakes

After hiking we went out to Will Rogers Beach for more fun in the sun. I'm the really white one.

After the beach Sam had worked up an appetite again, so he ate Hard Rock Cafe:

And then we both ate some candy and went to see G.I. Joe (Real American Heroes)

Come on back, Sam.

Don't Open the Email

I got hacked... not happy about it. Changing my email address.

Dream Center

I love stories of redemption and restoration.

Last night I heard Matthew Barnett speak. He runs an organization in Los Angeles called the Dream Center. Basically what they do is help broken people find healing and purpose and a new life.

He brought some of the people they've helped with him to tell their story. It was amazing. The people that come to the dream center have been abandoned, beaten, raped, shot, stabbed, or... they have done those things to other people.

They were once homeless, destitute, prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers, gang members... now they are whole people who are part of the solution of helping others. They once had every thing taken from them... now they have courage, hope, love, a purpose and a future.

You don't hear stories like this in the news, but it's happening. I can think of no greater cause than helping those that society has written off.

Film Texas

If you happen to be a producer or studio exec, I'd like to ask that you consider making your next project in Texas.

I had an opportunity last week to speak with the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, about the measures his administration is taking to make Texas a more film friendly state. They put together a great financial incentive package in the last legislative session that makes them a real competitor in the film industry. Texas has ample locations, talent, crew, and a business friendly atmosphere. Bob Hudgins is the Director of the Texas Film Commission and he does a great job.

OK- I know I sound like a commercial, but film and Texas are two things that are very close to my heart.

El Matador

We went to a new beach yesterday... El Matador. It was pretty great. There were all these natural rock formations, and dolphins, and sea lions.

The hike to get down there was cool...

Here's where we set up camp:

And here's the view from the other side:

We even saw El Matador himself, strolling the beach, remembering days gone by in Old España: