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And we’re back!

Sorry for the delay.  A pressing family matter kept me preoccupied all of yesterday.  To make up for it, we’ll be posting part 3 later today, keeping everything on schedule.

Now on with the show:

(trailer)

Taos: That first section with so little dialogue really proves Pixar’s ability for storytelling. Plus, the frickin guy is heartwarmingly adorable.

David: Didn’t fulfill the promise of its superb first act. Instead, we’re dealt a less engaging social commentary that sacrifices much of the emotional pull. Still, a fairly strong movie with a few beautiful moments and some bright, occasionally dreamlike animation.

—

(trailer)

David: First I’ll start by saying this was the best midnight showing I’ve ever been apart of; a thank you to Amarillo, Texas.  Second, I was wrong in not voting this movie higher up the list.  Now, I could spend this space and more defending my love for this movie: its detractors always find the need to disparage it.  But I’m tired.  Is it the Superman movie I would make?  No.  (Perhaps you’ll see if it I ever get the chance.)  Was it what people wanted or asked for?  No, mostly not.  But then that wasn’t the point, was it?  Superman Returns, Bryan Singer’s vision, his love letter to classic adventure serials and Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman – The Movie in particular (a movie that I grew up with close to my heart), gets its interpretation of the character so startlingly right that I’ll never understand the… not criticism, but HATE it provokes and endures.  I’ve thought of, read, watched, seen, written and listened to Superman a thousand different ways.  Anytime he is dreamt up with such sure clarity, I’m consumed by the imagination central to the character itself.

Taos: This plays worse and worse every time I see it. So, Superman raped Lois, right?

—

(trailer)

[Editor's note - sorry, couldn't find an English language trailer.  But this one helps set the tone, so no worries]

David: Memories of Murder, a deconstruction of police procedurals, is one of those exceedingly rare thrillers that remembers to actually thrill. It always stays a step ahead of the audience.  Funny, frightening, suspenseful, at times uncomfortable, and just enough insane, director Bong Joon-ho is on top of it all (as always).  This flick just exudes atmosphere (see it during a good evening rain).  And that ending:  !!!

Taos: Interesting little flick about a rural Korean serial killer. Don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of it.

—

(trailer)

Taos: This was the first musical to prove itself as a legitimate storytelling medium. The songs are memorable and the performances are great. Totally earned the Oscar that year.

David: I’m not a musical kind of guy. Leave that shite to kiddy pictures and Kevin Smith. Who by the way, though I’m regretting not including Clerks 2, doesn’t make our list. But one fantastic fucking honorable mention goes out to SModcast. A round of applause, everyone!  [Editor's note:  what the hell is up with that random Taye Diggs cameo at the end of the trailer?]

—

(trailer)

David: In composing our list of 50 films, this was the one that made me stop and say, “I want to watch this again right this moment.” Roger Ebert’s immediate response, as it occasionally is, was absolutely accurate. It’s the best movie Eastwood has ever directed, better than Unforgiven even. This month-long production is a master class. If you afford it the label as I do, it’s the best ‘boxing’ movie ever made. And to top it all off:  has a damn perfect ending.  (I haven’t seen Ray, so I can’t yet say, but I also believe this to be Eastwood’s best performance and thought it should’ve been awarded as such.)

Taos: Not so enjoyable knowing the liberties taken with the true story. Almost a disgrace to the actual person. Still, Eastwood is amazing as always on both sides.

—

And, even though it’s just a dash down the page, in case you’ve missed it so far, here’s Part 1.

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This year, winter break means two trips. The second I’ll be describing shortly, but the first (the one I’m on at the moment, actually, is about family, and friends (or fronds, as my phone would prefer me to type) and holidays. From start to finish, we’ll be in six states but I bet that our first day drive from Phoenix, AZ to Elk City, OK will be a tough record to beat.

A few short notes from the road:
On a roadtrip long, long ago, my mother mentioned that those blue shipping trucks with the yellow Werner logos remind her of her cousin. Now, whenever I see them I think of family, and they’re everywhere.

Here are the lights of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was our first goal – we wanted to get at least this far. While it wasn’t that late when we passed through – maybe around 7pm – it had been this dark for at least an hour. Stopping was really, really tempting! But we pushed on…

When on a roadtrip one of the most important things is keeping your car in top gear. In our case we’ve been considering new tires for a little while now, so we’ve Steven’s been keeping a close eye on them. We started day 2 by topping off the air pressure in Elk City after a major breakfast lunch.

And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the stops along the way. While the goal is technically to end up where we began – a full circuit – we wouldn’t be making the trip in the first place if it wasn’t for the people we’ll be seeing along the way. At my aunt and uncle’s house, we frosted a large tray of tiny cookies before my cousins and their kids arrived for dinner. We had a really lovely stay (thank you!) and it was great to see everyone. For our route, see the Google map below, which may need to be zoomed out a bit.

Now we’re in Lawrence, where it was nearly snowing when we pulled in through a wintry haze, and after the dentist on Tuesday afternoon – the 6th state and holidays at Steven’s family. So… until the next entry, I’ll be focused on staying warm – and collecting road trip stories from you! Please hit the comments button and tell me about a road trip you’ve taken – it can be your last one, favorite one, or worst one, as long as you share!

View Larger Map

I made my annual trip to Amarillo this week.  I go every year at this time as a sort of pilgrimage.  Daddy died three years ago this week, and Judy, my cousin and best friend, died two years ago this week. Yes….December is a bit of a rough month! (Last year Mother had emergency surgery this same week. We really held our breaths praying we would not have a third death at the very same time of year.  Thankfully, Mom came through surgery fine! Whew!!)

I love this annual trip to Amarillo. Amarillo is still home to me,  even though home has been elsewhere since 1980.  The landscape is familiar and comforting, although there’s not much to see. One thing I cannot do without is an Amarillo sunset. You can see the horizon for miles and miles and miles. (Like I said…not much to see!)  The sunsets are often vividly colored…clouds ablaze in pink, red, yellow, and gold against a bright blue sky.  I love these sunsets and have often just driven west to find a place to sit and watch the sun set.  This year my hotel room had a lovely view of the setting sun, so I was able to watch from there.  I had other fun things occupying my time, so I was only able to witness the sunset one time, but I did get my “fix”.

I spent a lot of time in my room this week. It was relaxing, and refreshing, and rejuvenating….and just exactly what I needed.  Ah…if only every day could be like that!! Yes, I live in a fantasy world…but what a lovely world it is!

I saw dear friends, and some of my precious extended family.  They remind me that all I have to do is be me. They love me for me. We can talk. We can laugh. We can cry. We can share.  We can just be.  There are no demands. No games. I don’t have to think twice before I respond. I don’t have to have an internal debate as to the messages that might be hidden in a conversation.  It’s honest. It’s open. It’s loving. It’s as it should be all the time.  I want that all the time. And now my internal debate begins over whether or not that is a selfish desire.  (Breathing…)

When I began making this trip two years ago, it was to visit my dad’s grave. The first year I made the trip, I was there in time to see my cousin Judy for the last time. I visited her on a Sunday in the hospital and knew it would be the last time I would see her. The next morning (coincidentally her birthday), she was gone.  So now I have two graves to visit.  I don’t know why it is so important to me to go there and talk to them there at that spot. I know they are not there. They are everywhere. I know I can talk to them anytime….which, as a matter of fact, I do.  But being there is important to me.  I had a very dear friend take the time to drive me there this year. I usually go alone.  I did get out of the car alone and visit the graves alone.  I had my moment with Daddy and with Judy. I shed my tears, left my flowers (and three pennies for Daddy), and left a little piece of my heart too.  Getting back in the car with someone there to hold my hand and just be there with me was a new experience. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about being that open with my grief. It was ok. It was good. It was comforting and loving. It was nice not to feel so alone at a moment when I missed two people who were so very dear to me so very much.

And now I am home. I think Amarillo is calling me to come back and visit again before another year goes by.  I hope so.  I need my Panhandle fix for so many reasons.

The drive to Amarillo was boring, a scenary consisting of flat lands dotted with oil rigs and cattle ranches.

We got to the motel — another Holiday Inn undergoing remodeling — early and Jim recommended going down to the train yard to watch the choo-choos. He drove us right down next to the track and together we marveled at the sheer volume of freight ramblin’ by.

Earlier, during the drive, I had caught my first glimpse of a tumbleweed. It was a vision fitting of Amarillo, a cow town if ever there was one. I got the impression, things tended to tumble through this place a lot — Trains, travelers and livestock.

For the life of me, I couldn’t see anything sticking around here very long. It had an air similar to that of Monroe, minus trees.

We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant which was packed with families still enjoying the holiday weekend. Jim walked right through the crowded lobby and into an even busier bar.

Despite this mass of humanity, Jim managed to catch a young waitresses’ eye and we had our drinks quicker than I would have predicted. Almost as if it were clockwork, two seats at the bar opened up and we promptly plopped down and ordered food.

Behind me some young WASPs were discussing real estate prices and stock options. It was almost nauseating to listen to, but I had no choice considering our close confinements. Jim didn’t have to worry about overhearing young yuppie talk. His hearing was fading and I had to repeat myself a lot.

Several times we would exchange seats so that I was positioned on his right side. This, Jim said, was his good ear.

To my right at the bar was a hungry young fellow with a black eye and a lot of tattoos on his arms. He was friendly, but not overly chatty. I told him Panama City Beach had some of very fine tattoo artists and he wished us luck in Vegas. I didn’t ask about his black eye and Jim never acknowledged his existence.

After dinner, we headed downtown to check out the bar scene. The first stop, a dive called Sassy’s, catered to the lesbian crowd. We had one beer there and walked down the street to another bar where the scene shifted to a more nightclub feel.

With another long drive ahead of us, Jim advised heading back to the hotel after one drink. I agreed. Jim never insisted that I leave any of the bars when he did and he often told tales of how Gabe would venture out on his own late at night, only to turn up at the hotel just before it was time to head out.

“I really wanted to leave his ass a lot of times,” Jim said.

As it has been noted, Gabe knew how to work a pool table. He would meet people there, win drinks and usually a ride home.

I was too old for that act and my finances left little room for error. So when Jim was ready, even as the club in Amarillo was starting to show some signs of life, I followed.

“The trip really starts tomorrow,” Jim said on the ride back to the hotel.

And he was right. My eyes were in store for scenes I had only dreamed of before. Tumbleweeds were just the beginning.

We left before dawn, conjuring up a famous country song…. Amarillo By Morning. Jim punched in the data and our drive to Colorado was underway.

“You haven’t seen nothing yet,” he said.

Monday Mash

Travel News and Product Reviews

Our friends over at Choice Hotels have opened new locations that are friendly to large families.  These newest hotel locations have hotel rooms that will fit families of 5 & 6.

• Le Bourget Aero Suites - Bloomington, MN    More Bloomington hotels for big families
• Comfort Suites - Gallup, NM    More Gallup hotels for big families
• Quality Inn & Suites - Tampa, FL     More Tampa hotels for big families
• Comfort Suites  – Brunswick, GA    More Brunswick hotels for big families
• Quality Hotel - Bluefield, WV  
•  Qualilty Inn & Suites – Bremerton, WA    More Bremerton hotels for big families
• Quality Inn & Suites - Limon, CO  
• Comfort Suites – Rolla, MO    More Rolla hotels for big families
• Sleep Inn & Suites - Amarillo, TX    More Amarillo hotels for big families
• Econo Lodge - Walnut, IA   
• Rodeway – Newport, OR

Planning Holiday travel?  Remember to find your hotel for your larger family at SixSuitcaseTravel.

Otis & Jolee

San Diego, CA to
Minneapolis, MN and Atlanta, GA
January 2 – 3 and 9 – 10, 2010

Otis was pulled from the Pasadena Humane Society on behalf of Wags & Whiskers in Minneapolis. He was extremely scared at the shelter but they worked with him a lot to bring him out of his shell. Now he is one playful pup – he loves being around other dogs! He needs to get to Minneapolis so Wags can help him find his forever home!

Otis

Jolee was red-listed at the North Central shelter in Los Angeles. A plea on Facebook helped find her a home in Atlanta, GA! The home has been screened and approved and now Jolee needs to make the trip to become a Georgia Peach!

Jolee

These kids will start the journey eastward together but then will head their separate ways after OK City. Can you help them get to their new beginnings??

Please, please, please – I need crossposting help from EVERYONE!! Many of these legs are for me!

Transport Coordinator:
PLEASE CONTACT DIRECTLY IF YOU CAN HELP
Kelly Gibson
mdgrrrl@msn.com

Please provide the following:
Leg offered:
First & Last Name:
Location (city/state):
Please provide full address if volunteering for an overnight.
Email:
Is email available from home or only work?
Home phone:
Cell phone:
Vehicle make/model/color/etc:
Name of coordinators or groups for whom you’ve driven before. If none, please give vet name and contact number.
Recommended meeting place, if any:

Passenger details are at the bottom of the post.

SATURDAY, JAN 2 – Otis & Jolee travel together

LEG 1: San Diego, CA to Yuma, AZ (I-8)
Time zone change, +1 hr
172 miles; 2 hr 40 min
7:00 AM – 9:40 AM PST
8:00 AM – 10:40 AM MST
Filled by sender (that’s me!)

LEG 2: Yuma, AZ to Gila Bend, AZ
117 miles; 1 hr 50 min
10:55 AM – 12:45 PM MST
Filled – thank you Cyndi!!

LEG 3: Gila Bend, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
77.4 miles; 1 hr 35 min
1:00 PM – 2:35 PM MST
Filled – thank you Carla!!

LEG 4: Phoenix, AZ to Cordes Junction, AZ(I-17)
66 miles; 1 hr 5 min
2:50 PM – 3:55 PM MST
Filled – thank you Elizabeth & Barry!!

LEG 5: Cordes Junction, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ (I-17)
78.7 miles; 1 hr 7 min
3:55 PM – 5:00 PM MST
Filled – thank you Elizabeth & Barry!!

LEG 6: Flagstaff, AZ to Sanders, AZ
143 miles; 2 hrs
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM MST
***NEEDED***

LEG 7: Sanders, AZ to Albuquerque, NM (I-40)
182 miles; 2 hr 30 min
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MST
Filled – thank you Tiffany!!

OVERNIGHT IN / AROUND ALBQ
Filled – thank you Dave!!

SUNDAY, JAN 3 – Otis & Jolee travel together

LEG 8: Albuquerque, NM to Tucumcari, NM
176 miles; 2 hrs 30 min
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM MST
Filled – thank you Tonya!!

LEG 9: Tucumcari, NM to Amarillo, TX
Time zone change, +1 hr
114 miles; 1 hr 40 min
9:45 AM – 11:35 AM MST
Filled – thank you Tamy!!

LEG 10: Amarillo, TX to Elk City, OK
147 miles; 2 hr 12 min
12:50 PM – 3:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Marjean!!

LEG 11: Elk City, OK to OK City, OK
117 miles; 1 hr 47 min
3:15 PM – 5:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Marjean!!

ONE-WEEK LAYOVER IN / AROUND OK CITY
Filled – thank you Diane M!!

When leaving OK City the following week, Otis and Jolee split and head off in separate directions.

*************************************
“A” LEGS: OK City to Minneapolis, MN
Otis only
*************************************

SATURDAY, JAN 9

LEG 12-A: OK City, OK to Perry, OK (I-35)
64.1 miles; 1 hr 5 min
8:00 AM – 9:05 AM CST
Filled – thank you Diane H!!

LEG 13-A: Perry, OK to Wichita, KS (I-35)
96.3 miles; 1 hr 30 min
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 14-A: Wichita, KS to Emporia, KS (I-35)
82.6 miles; 1 hr 15 min
10:55AM – 12:10 PM CST
Filled – thank you Penny!!

LEG 15-A: Emporia, KS to Lawrence, KS (I-335 / 70)
73.9 miles; 1 hr 8 min
12:20 PM – 1:30 PM CST
Filled – thank you Penny!!

LEG 16-A: Lawrence, KS to St Joseph, MO (I-70 / 29)
77.2 miles; 1 hr 14 min
1:40 PM – 2:55 PM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 17-A: St Joseph, MO to Rock Port, MO (I-29)
62.7 miles; 1 hr
3:05 PM – 4:05 PM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 18-A: Rock Port, MO to Omaha, NE (I-29)
63.5 miles; 1 hr
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM CST
Filled – thank you Linda G!!

OVERNIGHT “A” IN / AROUND OMAHA
Filled – thank you Jody!!

SUNDAY, JAN 10

LEG 19-A: Omaha, NE to Sioux City, IA (I-29)
96.7 miles; 1 hr 32 min
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CST
Filled – thank you Jody!!

LEG 20-A: Sioux City, IA to Sioux Falls, SD (I-29)
88.7 miles; 1 hr 27 min
9:40 AM – 11:10 AM CST
Filled – thank you Linda W!!

LEG 21-A: Sioux Falls, SD to Jackson, MN (I-90)
91.2 miles; 1 hr 29 min
11:20 AM – 12:50 PM CST
Filled – thank you Rhonda!!

LEG 22-A: Jackson, MN to Albert Lea, MN (I-90)
86.6 miles; 1 hr 20 min
1:00 PM – 2:20 PM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 23-A: Albert Lea, MN to St Louis Park, MN (I-35)
96.2 miles; 1 hr 29 min
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Mark!!

*************************************
“B” LEGS: OK City to Atlanta, GA
Jolee only
*************************************

SATURDAY, JAN 9

LEG 12-B: OK City, OK to Henryetta, OK (I-40)
91.6 miles; 1 hr 28 min
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM CST
Filled – thank you Ethel!!

LEG 13-B: Henryetta, OK to Van Buren, AR (I-40)
99 miles; 1 hr 33 min
9:40 AM – 11:10 AM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 14-B: Van Buren, AR to Russellville, AR (I-40)
73.5 miles; 1 hr 8 min
11:20 AM – 12:30 PM CST
Filled – thank you Luann!!

LEG 15-B: Russellville, AR to Little Rock, AR (I-40)
71.3 miles; 1 hr 10 min
12:40 PM – 1:50 PM CST
Filled – thank you Luann!!

LEG 16-B: Little Rock, AR to Brinkley, AR (I-40)
61.9 miles; 56 min
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST
Filled – thank you Tracey!!

LEG 17-B: Brinkley, AR to Memphis, TN (I-40)
69.4 miles; 1 hr 5 min
3:10 PM – 4:15 PM CST
***NEEDED***

OVERNIGHT “B” IN / AROUND MEMPHIS, TN
Filled – thank you Beth!!

SUNDAY, JAN 10

LEG 18-B: Memphis, TN to Tupelo, MS (US-78)
105 miles; 1 hr 40 min
9:00 AM – 10:40 AM CST
Filled – thank you Beth!!

LEG 19-B: Tupelo, MS to New Hope, AL (US-78)
60.3 miles; 55 min
10:50 AM – 11:45 AM CST
***NEEDED***

LEG 20-B: New Hope, AL to Birmingham, AL (US-78)
71.3 miles; 1 hr 16 min
11:55 AM – 1:10 PM CST
Filled – thank you Stacy!!

LEG 21-B: Birmingham, AL to Heflin, AL (I-20)
73.5 miles; 1 hr 10 min
1:20 PM – 2:30 PM CST
Filled – thank you Andria!!

LEG 22-B: Heflin, AL to Atlanta, GA (I-20)
Time zone change, +1 hr
72.9 miles; 1 hr 10 min
2:40 PM – 3:50 PM CST
3:40 PM – 4:50 PM EST
Filled – thank you Kimberly!!

*************************************
PASSENGER DETAILS
NOTE: All dogs on the transport are UTD on shots and will be accompanied by a health certificate.
*************************************

SENDER:

Puggles & Pitties Pet Rescue
San Diego, CA

http://pugglesnpitties.petfinder.com

*************************************

RECEIVER A:

Wags & Whiskers
Minneapolis, MN
www.wagsmn.com

PASSENGER A:

OTIS
2 year old brindle Staffie
Approx 40 lbs
All shots UTD
Neutered
Very shy at first but very cuddly and sweet. Rides well, loves to sit in your lap.

*************************************

RECEIVER B:

Screened & approved forever home
Atlanta, GA
Contact info to be provided to drivers.

PASSENGER B:

JOLEE
2 year old blue & white Staffie
Approx 40 lbs
All shots UTD
Spayed
Very kissy and affectionate.
Will be coming with a crate; gets carsick.

We pushed through all day Friday… and into the when. When we finally got into Potomac, MD at 1am. It was rough!!! I was sneezing and coughing and blowing my nose every five seconds. And to top it off, I was driving.

We left Albuquerque, NM Thursday morning with temperatures in the teens… Yikes! It had been way too long since I was in temps that cold. But Mike was driving and we made it into Amarillo as the sun started to peak out of the clouds and warm things up.

We stopped off at Wendy’s for a Baked Potato and Green Salad. I immediately ate the Baked Potato and held off on the Green Salad until later…. we ended up sleeping in Little Rock, Arkansas.

From which we left early in the A.M. Friday morning… there was a Starbucks right next door to the Hotel, and I couldn’t resist the temptation of a Pumpkin Spiced Latte with Soy Milk…. From there we pushed into Tennessee where we stopped for lunch. I wanted so much to eat fast food, but we actually found a Panera Bread place. That’s where I warmed right up with a Vegetable Soup and Green Salad with an Apple on the side. That was a very refreshing lunch, from which I got up to take my empty plates to the trash, when I hit the dividing wall and dropped the soup bowl on the floor. It made the loudes crash… for which I was completely imbarressed.

Moving on,… for the rest of the journey to drove in the dark and only stopped for gas and to switch drivers. I ate my Apple from lunch and had some Almonds and drank alot of water. Finally, we made it!!!

December 9, 2009 – Starting this February, the convenience store chain of Toot’n Totum in Amarillo, Texas is planning a $10 million expansion including three new stores and replacing two others. It is expected that these projects will generate close to 80 local construction jobs for the likes of Amarillo HVAC contractors and Amarillo electricians.

The total construction process is expected to take 16 months, and will include new store designs with fresh graphical designs and 16 fueling stations per store.

jobtrio.com Staff
Construction Industry Newswire

I grew up in West Texas, Amarillo, if you want specifics.  It’s a place where everyone is always willin’ to tell ya you’re wrong if you’re not like them, but  I think what scares ‘em is that I’m a whole lot more like them than they want to admit.  Any of them could have wound up like me.  That’s the truth.

When I was nineteen I was doing some ranch work for my uncle and I got thrown from an old pinto named Delilah.  Even though I knew how to take a fall, I landed all wrong and felt a jolt of pain that ran my entire back.  I couldn’t stand on my own and I had to lay there until the ambulance came.

The doctors said I cracked a vertebra.  They put me in a brace and it was awhile before I could get up and around on my own again.  During that down time I was taking a lot of medication, mostly pain killers, to keep the pain at a level where I could move around a little, you know, enough so that I could use the bathroom on my own.

Well, one day a friend of mine was over at the house and he saw me taking all these pills and he asked me if I had to take that much.  I told him that even with as much as I was taking it wasn’t doing much good.  He told me that he might know how to get something that would help more than the pills.

The next day he showed up with a bottle of morphine and a syringe.  He wouldn’t tell me where he got it, but his father had just died from cancer a few months before so I assumed this was leftover from him.  My buddy told me how much to take and showed me how to inject it.  After that first shot, I had to have it.  It didn’t make the pain go away, but it did make it so I didn’t care about it.

For a long time I wouldn’t shoot it into my vein.  I’d pinch up the skin on my leg and inject it under there.  That’s how I had been shown to do it and I had the idea that I couldn’t get addicted so long as I was doing it that way.  All these years later I can’t tell you how funny that idea seems, but I sure as shit believed it then.

So, that’s how it started.  I broke my back and a friend turned me on to morphine.  Since that first day I haven’t really gone any significant time without shooting dope of some sort.

There are too many people each year that truly need the help of the Empty Stocking Fund in Amarillo, and this year is no exception.  Each story is unique in its very own way.  Therefore, when I came across one story in particular, I felt the need to mention it in my blog.

Two sisters from Amarillo, Texas are in need this holiday season.  Health problems plague them both, and it is up to them to take care of one another.  One sister is bound to her wheelchair while the other is no longer able to work due to circulatory problems and diabetes. 

One sister’s medication runs over $100 a month and the other sister’s medication runs just over $50 a month.  These two combined take a big chunk out of their Social Security.  And, since they don’t have any family in Amarillo, they are completely dependent on each other for everything.  Once their monthly bills are paid, there is very little left over.

These sisters are known as Empty Stocking Fund Recipients #15 and for Christmas this year, these two sisters are only asking for winter clothes and food.

If you are interested in helping these sisters or any other needy families this holiday season, you can send your donations to the Empty Stocking Fund at PO Box 2091, Amarillo, TX 79166 or bring it in person to the Empty Stocking Fund coordinator herself, Susie Self, at the Globe-News building, 900 South Harrison Street.  If you would like to donate your gently used items, you can drop them off at the Downtown Women’s Center Thrift City, 600 S. W. 10^th Ave.

Happy Holidays – Realtor® Tom Kile

Amarillo, Texas Real Estate

Escorpión Amarillo; Alacrán; Buthus occitanus. Color amarillento, con un tamaño de unos 12/15 cm., con la cola desplegada. Cola segmentada acabada en un aguijon de color marrón. Ocho patas además de dos pedipalpos (pinzas anteriores) Vive en zonas áridas y pedregosas. En general rehuye los lugares húmedos. Reproducción: El macho y la hembra se cojen por los pedipalpos y giran en círculos durante algunos minutos. Tras este movimiento el macho deposita en el suelo una bolsa de esperma, que posteriormente es recogida por la hembra.

Dieta: insectos y otros arácnidos.

Vida y costumbres: Normalmente activo en los meses calurosos. Se oculta durante el día bajo las piedras, hojarasca o en grietas de las paredes. De noche sale a cazar y tiene una cierta atracción por la luz, posiblemente  a causa de los insectos. Tiene grandes capacidades trepadoras; puede encontrársele en paredes y techos. Su picadura no es normalmente mortal, aunque puede resultar peligrosa en animales pequeños, niños, ancianos, y personas alérgicas. El tratamiento consiste en visitar lo más rapido posible a un médico, que puede aplicar un suero, aplicar un torniquete suave cuanto antes y tomar antihistamínicos.

Asi que un dicho muy popular dice: Si te pica un Alacrán ya no comeras más pan. Nada de nada.

Great news for those who live in Amarillo, Texas. Shark Fights has opened a Revgear section at their Shark Fights store! You can get Revgear MMA gear and apparel directly from there. The store is located at Westgate Shopping Center (7701 W Interstate 40 Amarillo, TX 79121).

Check it for yourselves, guys!

Como convertirse en hombre lobo

La leyenda del hombre lobo se hizo fuerte a fines de 1500 en Europa debido principalmente a la presencia del lobo era muy fuerte en el campo en ese momento.

El temor de la gente de estas criaturas era tan fuerte y tan real que puede haber contribuido a muchas de las leyendas del hombre lobo. El lobo, en su forma natural, se ha observado que poseen cualidades demoníacas: semi nocturna, de color gris, lanzó gritos de alto, los dientes de gran nitidez, los ojos que brillan amarillo, verde o rojo y una tendencia a estar en silencio y no se ven en la mientras que la caza y la recolección.

Este fascinante y aterradora imagen de un lobo junto con el miedo y el delirio de muchos, llevó a la gente a creer que los ataques a su pueblo se debían a hombres lobo. Y desde entonces, la fascinación de la humanidad de saber de cómo convertirse en hombre lobo.

Saliendo ayer tarde de la oficina me encontré un manto amarillo, lluvia de hojas secas. Cubrían casi por completo los parabrisas de los coches estacionados. Igualito que lo cuentan los poetas, pero con coches. Sí, existe lo que cuentan los poetas. Lo vi.

Aún cayendo marchitas parecían divertirse, pegaditas unas a otras. Yo me siento desde hace días así, pero no tan arropado.

Mi enfermera favorita me mete mañana en una cápsula para ver qué le pasa a mi rodilla. A ver si acaba pronto que he de volver en bici por el río y he quedado para ir al cine.

Jope.

Honey

]]> http://amandacolleen.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/hometown-skies/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:40:50 +0000 amandacolleen http://amandacolleen.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/hometown-skies/

This is the first image that pops up when I search “Pampa, TX” on Google. (The “this is only a test” voice after sirens on Saturdays at noon means that you’ve slept in and the weekend has officially begun.) There are several more images in the search that show the variety of weather that the Texas Panhandle has to offer its residents.

Dust Storm 1945

There have been moments in the Texas Panhandle where I could not see twenty feet from my vehicle’s windshield because of blowing dirt. It is no wonder that you can look out over the plains and see wind turbines dotting the land near the highways.

The best part about all of that open space is that you can always see what’s coming.

Wall Cloud 1989

And watch the show (instead of taking cover in your basement or cellar).

The 1995 Tornado

The sky gives us plenty to look at. If you don’t believe that Texas can boast that it has the best sunsets, go here.

Pampa Sunset 1998

2006

I still think that the big wildfires look like medieval battles and cities burning to the ground. You can smell the burnt land for weeks.

Wildfire

Things die rather quickly after the first freeze.

Road to Pampa 2006

And, yes, it does snow in Texas.

Amarillo, TX Snow

I think the longer I am away from this setting, the more I miss certain things about it.

But never the hail.

Ye Old Pancake Station
Address: 2800 Virginia Cir # A, Amarillo, TX 79109
Phone: (806) 355-0211
Website: N/A
Known For: Breakfast
What I had: 2 Eggs (Overeasy), 2 Biscuits & Gravy, 2 Sausage Patties & 2 Pancakes
Price: $7.52
Rating: 8.5 out of 10

With all honestly the reason Denny’s, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, etc. are so popular is because they actually serve a fairly decent meal at a good price. Well this place is like those but if it was cooked at home. It was delicious. I know that’s a weird description but the food reminded me of those generic meals that you can count on but with a down-home authentic style. Here, I know, this is the place that those chains model their food off of.

I got a breakfast special of 2 eggs overeasy, that were just what you’d expect, 2 sausage patties that were great (maybe just a tad over cooked), 2 pancakes that were nice and fluffy and 2 biscuits with gravy, the highlight of the meal. The biscuits were some of the best I’ve ever had and the gravy was fantastic. I used one of the biscuits as a bun for an egg, sausage, gravy sandwich and that was to die for. Seriously those biscuits were heavenly, you could tell someone (mom?) was up at 4 am cooking those.

The staff here was fantastic, they were all older ladies that you would think waited at a diner even if you saw them on the street. This breakfast made me want to be a Texan. It was cheap, huge and delicious. What a good way to start the day. They have a whole bunch of ways to get your pancakes and the one I almost ordered was the peanut butter chocolate chip, sadly I didn’t, the waitress said it tasted like a big Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. I’m actually in love with this place and I would certainly go out of my way to go back. There’s no question why they won the 2009 award for Amarillo’s Best Breakfast.

Eggs & Sausage

Pancakes

Biscuits & Gravy

Further reading:
www.yelp.com/biz/ye-olde-pancake-station-amarillo
www.urbanspoon.com/Ye-Olde-Pancake-Station-Amarillo
www.mrbreakfast.com/r_display.asp?restid=5389

Sep 4, 2009 @ 6:00