Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Great Global Warming Swindle



A DVD Review of:

The Great Global Warming Swindle
A documentary by Martin Durkin
© 2007 WAG TV

Knowing I would have a little time to do nothing over the holidays, a friend handed me a DVD, The Great Global Warming Swindle, and said I should watch it. As the title indicates, the producers have a different view than Al Gore did with his bag of lies, An Inconvenient Truth. I am certainly no climatologist but I do know just how easy it is to skew statistics in order to generate supporting data for a presupposed position.


The Great Global Warming Swindle takes the viewer down the obvious road that leads to believing that the global warming debate was created to facilitate certain political and financial agendas. There are lots of people with big titles from prestigious institutions all of which lend credibility to the story. There are discussions about statistics and modeling, and the way models can be tweaked to create favorable statistics.

Perhaps the most valuable part of the DVD are the Extra Features which go into more detail on climate history, sea levels, CO2, industrial society, IPCC, political science and a bunch of other great areas of study.

I believe the most poignant observation made is the enormous and direct connection between political candidates, sources of revenue, and the stigma associated with the “non-believers”. Also of significance and along those same lines is strong criticism about the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the lack of uncensored peer review.


One of my favorite parts of the whole DVD is the refutation of Al Gore’s cartoon of mosquitoes flying up a mountain and the idea that Nairobi was founded in a place that was not malarias because it was too high. Professor Paul Reiter, Pasteur Institute, says the fact is that Nairobi was founded on the rail way line that would act as a station before completing the difficult engineering required to descend into the Rift Valley. Professor Reiter goes onto say that there was malaria in Nairobi despite high, altitude from the beginning.


Pollution is, without a doubt, bad and certainly deserves our attention. However, I have my doubts about global warming being caused by CO2 gasses produced by humans. Long term studies must be conducted to learn what, if any, affect humans are having on warming and cooling trends. This DVD points to Sun spots as the likely culprit and producers offer up substantial data to support the theory. The United States voted for Hope and Change in 2008 and that is what they are getting: lots of high hopes and ever-changing climates – both environmental and political.


I think the world would be far better off if the militant global warming crowd focused on saving the human race from cancers rather than the warming or cooling trends, the causes of which remain a mystery.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Chrsitmas


(from left to right) Wyatt, Isabelle, Stacey, and Greg.  Not shown is Amelia who was hiding in Mom's womb at the time of the photo, December 24th, 2008.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Monumental Job


I have the honor of placing this brass monument at the intersection of Lakeview Avenue at Santa Ana Canyon Road and another just like it to the east a hundred feet or so.  They will be set down about 1 foot inside of a protective well for surveyors to use for generations to come.  The "PLS 8395" is my California Land Surveyor's license number.  Proudly my license number and employing firm, Johnson-Frank & Associates, are stamped into the brass so that future surveyors can identify the brass cap and differentiate it from other types of monuments. 

The hard part will be managing traffic.  If I close one lane for more than about 10 minutes, the entire eastbound Riverside Freeway (SR91) will begin to back up as well as the northbound Costa Mesa Freeway (SR55) even though we are working on surface streets. 

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Avatar Review


I took my son and nephew to see Avatar today. What a trip! An expensive trip that cost me $40 bucks! Against my better judgment, we decided at the last minute to see the 3D showing. I’ve seen a bunch of the 3D flicks and each time I regret it. The glasses and/or picture always seem out of focus. It seems like I always waist the first 20 minutes trying to clean and adjust them only to find that they will never be as clear as no glasses at all.

After I succumbed to the poor vision with the polarized 3D glasses, I settled in for the 2.5 hour movie. I won’t blow the details or the plot; it won’t be necessary. From the opening scene to the finish, the movie is completely predictable. That’s not much of a surprise in and of itself since the director/producer, James Cameron, came up with the whiz-bang plot for Titanic. Like we didn’t know how that one was going to end! I was surprised to see just how many clichés were implemented in the story line. All that aside, I need to point out the very cool equipment that was featured right out of 1985. Cameron managed to use all of my toys that I played with in the 1980’s. There were the AMP suits from Robotech and the RDA Scorpion Gunships based on the Hummel. The graphics were pretty neat too, although the 3D glasses and effects blurred the quality. The Shrek trailer was equally as impressive.

I took it as a smooth blend of Star Wars, G.I. Joe, Alien, and Rambo: First Blood. I enjoyed the movie because it drew me into the story and the effects seemed to work. I wish Cameron would have spent some time introducing a quality plot with twists and turns but after spending hundreds of millions on the effects, that wish proved to be too much to deliver. Unless you are going to make it a family event, you might want to wait and rent Avatar on Blu-ray.

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Voice of An Angel - Katie Castillo

This is Lenny Castillo's daughter singing her heart out!

Be a Good Scout - Be Prepared










The Washington Times reported (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/may/10/20040510-122711-8996r/) on Monday, May 10, 2004 that “Metropolitan Police officers took more than a minute longer to respond to emergency calls last year than they did in 2002, according to recent police department statistics. The statistics, contained in the department's fiscal 2005 budget performance report, show that the average response time for the highest-priority calls -- Priority 1 -- was 8 minutes, 25 seconds in fiscal 2003, up from 7 minutes, 19 seconds in fiscal 2002 and 7 minutes, 47 seconds in fiscal 2001.”


Imagine struggling with a carjacker armed with a knife and high on meth. He is trying to take your car and in the back seat is your sleeping infant.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The People of Fullerton Give Away Millions of Dollars to Help the Poor


Well, not exactly. By a margin of 3-1 (with one abstention - Nelson) the city council of Fullerton approved a $9,500,000 32-unit condo project. There are just a few problems that should be pointed out.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Boy fights for life after jump-rope accident

I read about this a few days ago and was deeply saddened. When I got home, my wife told me about it and that little Jeremy attends my daughter's preschool. There is a lump in my throat as I type... Please read the article by Barbara Giasone for the O.C. Register (cut and pasted here for convenience)...


(Left: Jeremy Friedrich, 4)

FULLERTON - Donations for medical expenses have been pouring in to a Fullerton bank account for a 4-year-old Fullerton boy who continues to fight for his life after becoming entangled in a jump rope.

Jeremy Friedrich was playing with his sister, Emily, 6, on Nov. 29 when the rope he had tied to a back-yard play set accidently wound around his neck .
 When his father, Mike, found him, he said on his Web site that Jeremy wasn't breathing and his heart had stopped. His mother, Naomi, tried CPR but it wasn't until paramedics arrived on the scene that Jeremy was able to be resuscitated. He was taken to St. Jude Medical Center, and then transported to CHOC, where he is in a coma and periodically breathing on his own, his aunt Rebecca Avila said.


"Mike had been watching the children, and stepped inside the house for a minute only to find a window had broken," Avila said Tuesday. "He stopped to pick up the glass, and then noticed Jeremy."


The Friedrichs posted an update on Jeremy's condition Tuesday on their Web site, caringbridge.org with the link oursuperherojeremy, and asked that people join a unified prayer time today from 5 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. They have also asked that people show additional support by participating in a short time of fasting.

"The doctors are beginning to press us for some critical decisions," Naomi wrote. "So now seems to be the time for all of us, as one body, to turn to the Lord, imploring Him together."


A relative said the decision relates to having a tracheotomy.


Avila said her sister, Naomi, has been telling friends, "If one other parent could be spared from this heartache (by knowing the dangers of jump ropes), that's what's important."


The Friedrichs have been active in Fullerton Pop Warner and Little League, where Mike has coached children for seven years.


Prayers and wishes from those friendships and from strangers across the nation have brought thousands of visits to the Web site for Jeremy.


The Friedrichs have another son, Seth, who suffers from Perthes Disease, which is a rare hip disorder, friend Suzanne Alexander said.


"It's tragic what has happened to this family," Alexander said.


Avila said the family has minimal insurance coverage. Regardless of the outcome, Jeremy could need long-term care.


To help the family, contributions may be mailed to the Jeremy Friedrich Fund, P.O. Box 10151, Fullerton, CA. 92838 or go to any branch of Fullerton Community Bank and deposit directly into the Friedrich Family Fund.

The Impact of a Life

I started off yesterday trying to be uplifting. I remarked on a few birthdays and how a few folks, some of which you may have never heard of, have changed our lives. The fun came to a screeching halt when I received word that James Wernke's lifeless body was found in Brea Creek behind St. Jude Medical Center. I didn't know much about James except what was being reported on television and on the internet. My lack of insight didn't matter when my wife walked across the street to tell our neighbors the sad news. My neighbor's daughter, a young nursing student at Cal State Fullerton, knew James. Needless to say, she and her mother broke down in tears. Every member of the household was disturbed by the sudden and untimely death. Last night they participated in a rosary vigil at St. Juliana with friends and family.


Although I did not know James, I know that the impact he made on the lives of those grieving was substantial. James wasn't just liked by many, he was LOVED by all.

May the Peace of The Lord give comfort to all who who feel the loss of James Wernke, and especially his family.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Body of missing ballplayer reportedly found

(from the Orange County Register)
BULLETIN:


Santa Ana College baseball player James Wernke, who disappeared over the weekend, has been found dead, according to news reports. Wernke's body was reportedly found near a creek bed in Fullerton. There was no immediate word on how he died.

December 15

KABC Los Angeles reported that today is Don Johnson’s birthday. Of course you might remember Johnson from 1980’s TV show, Miami Vice. That sent me pondering just how many great people were born on December 15th and have changed our live, knowingly or otherwise.

One such person is Tim Conway, born in 1933. His comedy has made millions laugh for decades. His shticks include all manners of slapstick and wacky hysteria. Here is a short 3 minute classic.



Another important figure in our lives is chemist and inventor, Arthur D. Little, born 1863 and pictured below. You can thank him for all things rayon. He didn’t invent it but he did patent it.



Born in 1848, Edwin Howland Blashfield, "decorated" the dome of Library of Congress. If that doesn’t sound impressive or life changing, take a look at the dome the next time you visit the Library of Congress.


Last up is a person you have never met, and unless you are a history buff, you never knew existed. His name is Nero Claudius Augustus Germanicus and he was the 5th emperor of Rome. He was born in 37 (that’s Year of Our Lord 37, not 1037 or 1137) and ruled from 54 to 68. Like his predecessors, he did a lot in a short time. Wikipedia has a pretty good brief history worth reading.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Lofty Idea Auctioned Off


The Orange County Register is reporting that the Harbor Lofts in Anaheim (adjacent to Angel Stadium) put 60 condos on the auction block! 

With original prices starting at an inflated $350,000, some units were auctioned for as little as $250,000. 

It looks like these lofts were someone's lofty idea for moving more apartments... That's redevelopment for you!

Sheriff: Aide Becomes Right Hand




News - The Orange County Register

LAKE FOREST – An up-and-comer. A man with incredible talent and leadership. A man who speaks his mind.

That's how Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens describes

Friday, December 11, 2009

Police: Man raped woman at knifepoint in Fullerton

Police: Man raped woman at knifepoint in Fullerton
FULLERTON – Police are searching for a man suspected of raping a woman at knifepoint inside her apartment this afternoon.


The attack was reported around 1:15 p.m. at the Pinetree Apartments at 1501 S. Highland Avenue near Orangethorpe Avenue, said Sgt. Fred Casas of the Fullerton Police Department.

The initial investigation revealed a man forced his way into an apartment and raped the victim at knifepoint, Casas said.

A perimeter has been set up around the area.

The attacker is described as Latino, in his 40s, with short black hair and a mustache. He was wearing a brown winter jacket with blue jeans, Casas said.



Posted using ShareThis

Woman Kills Intruder (911 Call - Audio Only)

Caution: The 911 call may be disturbing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Only in Flori-DUHHHH!

From the Associated Press:


Neo-Nazi Murder Suspect Gets Court Coverup
Fla. Judge Rules State Must Pay for Cosmetologist to Apply Makeup to Hide Offensive Tattoos on Man on Trial for Murder”


Is this a joke? You have got to be kidding, right?  Nope, it's for real!  I hope Judge Michael Andrews gets thrown off the bench, how ever that has to happen in Flori-DUH!!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

There's A New Sheriff Comin'...I Hope!


"It is my belief that the Sheriff should be in the business of protecting people's rights, not restricting them. I will issue concealed weapons permits (CCW) to any

Geocaching




Over the long Thanksgiving weekend I spent several hours doing some geocaching with the kids.  We ended up finding 2 out of 4.

Here is a cache hanging from a branch.  Notice the spikes on the tree to the right? 

Friday, November 20, 2009

No Right Of Protection

I read this a few years back and thought it worthy of bringing up again.  Many believe this ruling lends support to 2nd Ammendment advocates because it begs the question, "If our government won't protect us, who will?"




Monday, November 16, 2009

Steven Wright Jokes and One-Liners

You know how it is when you're reading a book and falling asleep, you're reading, reading . . . And all of a sudden you notice your eyes are closed? I'm like that all the time.



Last night, I walked up to this beautiful woman in a bar and asked her, "Do you live around here often?" She said, "You're wearing two different colored socks." I said, "Yes, but to me they're the same because I go by thickness." Then she asked, "How do you feel?" and I said, "Well, you know when you're sitting on a chair and you lean back so you're just on two legs then you lean too far and you almost fall over but at the last second you catch yourself? I feel like that all the time."

Right now I'm having amnesia and dejavu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before.

Lots of comedians have people they try to mimic. I mimic my shadow.

I got a new shadow. I had to get rid of the other one . . . It wasn't doing what I was doing.

Some Funny Borrowed Pictures That People Have Been sending Me For Years

This would constitute a "BAD DAY" in surveying!



And when Yoday gets a little R&R, he like to catch up on "stuff".

I've been guilty of this a time or two...

So that's why he moved to NY!
 
Get us outta here!!


Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Special Election - 72nd Assemby District


MARK YOUR CALENDAR: November 17th is our special election here in the 72nd Assembly District. Cast your ballot or be cast! 

 
For the latest election results, go to http://www.ocvote.com/, where you can also verify your polling site and current voter information.

Monday, November 9, 2009

To The Next Level




In January 2009, I wrote an article for Professional Surveyor Magazine that showcases what works and doesn't work when it comes to land surveying education.  Take a minute and check it out here!



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Iconography on Youtube (click here)

A friend emailed this to me.  It is a very interesting anaylsis that just might make you think a little more about branding.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Hey, Can I Call You Back?


The Fullerton City Council took up the issue of cell phone and communication devices being used by staff and officials during council, commission, and Redevelopment Agency meetings. The issue was brought up by Councilwoman Keller who had a problem with someone (unknown if it was another council member or staffer) who refused to stop texting during official hearings.

Keller brought up a very good point: All of the messages received or sent during the meeting could be made public since they occurred during an official meeting. Let's imagine what some of those messages might say and play a game of Who Said It!


"I'm going to be late. They keep going on and on about the Fox Fullerton, the parks, and money... So boring!"

"Wire the money to my off-shore account...You remember the number?"

"Get a load of that babbling oaf!"

"We pay them too much."

"After I recues myself, I'll text you what I think."

"Recues myself? They'll never connect the dots."

"The Angels lost!"

"NY won!"

I'll let you come up with some of your own and post them!

Bottom line is that it did not pass. The general consensus was that people need to be able to text their kids and spouses during the meetings. Personally, I would like to have seen it go through. Better luck next time!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Trouble With Public Awareness

(This post was originally directed at the Land Surveying community.) 
I’m not a professional teacher, rather a professional who teaches. It is a part-time job and one that I find very rewarding despite the extraordinary low pay and the demanding hours. For those that haven’t taught as an adjunct professor (a fancy way of saying part-time college teacher), the first semester is the hardest. After a few semesters of getting your handouts, outlines, exams, and instruction dialed in, you can almost go on autopilot. Teaching gets a little easier and a lot more fun!





That’s all well and good at the college level, but what happens in primary education, locally known as K-12? It seems that each year brings with it a new way to teach those old subjects which had been taught the same for years. Not being a professional teacher and not attending those conferences that your child’s teacher attends during the summer, I cannot comment on the reasoning behind the constant changes in the delivery of instruction. Whatever the reasoning, the results are damaging.


Each semester the number of students who lack math skills seams to increase. I shouldn’t be surprised since I am (was) one of those who skated by, under the radar. My high school had numerous math classes for those who didn’t appear to be academically skilled, such as “business math” (not what it sounds like) or “personal finances”. These classes allowed for us non-intellect-types to still graduate even though we were clearly mathematically disadvantaged. The majority of students entering my classroom are quite capable of learning algebra, trigonometry, and geometry yet few have ever studied math beyond pre-algebra. Why? Is it possible that these highly skilled and educated professional teachers have failed in someway? I am not certain of the cause, but I am certain of the effect.



The first two weeks of our introductory course is spent assessing students math skills or lack thereof. The following weeks are spent trying to get the students up to speed with basic trigonometry. This tends to cause all surveying instruction to be behind schedule for the rest of the semester. It also forces survey instructors to be substitute math and trig teachers which isn’t fair to the students or teachers.



Recently, I learned that surveying is not alone in this anomaly. As it turns out, many other community colleges (and whisperings from university faculty as well) are dealing with the same situation. One solution which I think is really a work-around for the real problem, is to offer a “trades math” or “mathematics for the trades” class. The courses tend to be geared towards carpenters, plumbers, and machinists, but they are also applicable to land surveying. I suppose if one wanted to know just the bare minimum to get by on exams and as a field surveyor, this might be good enough. However, for those who have the vision of becoming professional land surveyors, this may be just the beginning.


That begs the question, what can we do as a profession to help our cause of recruiting quality students to become quality land surveyors? I think we need to dig deeper into the heart of the community.


We, as professionals, not professional land surveyors but simply professionals, need to be involved with our community organizations. We need to be represented and involved in the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations that benefit our communities at large. The other professionals in our community, the bankers, elected officials, retail owners, etc., know as little about us as those high school kids; and yet we wish to be accepted as professionals. Most, if not all, can only identify with the "guy in the orange vest and the tripod" stereotype. Generally, the person they see is the technician who may not be our ideal icon of surveying. Think of the old black and white photographs of surveyors in the field, with their instruments, plane tables, and dressed appropriately. Although I can imagine the surveyors with the whiskey bottle and shirt off were avoided, the old photos represent surveyors that I could relate to as professionals, whether in the field or the office. Personally, I don't know of many engineers involved with other-than-engineering/surveying organizations. A few belong to the local chamber of commerce but they don't represent us, the professional land surveyor. We should endeavor to have the public perceive us as the professional we are.








As individuals it is our responsibility to represent the profession in the best light possible. We cannot rely on our field crews to do this for us, especially considering that few field crews have licensed staff. Our presence in the community is extremely limited. Most land development-related contracts are administered through the civil engineer or architect which means the property owner, our parent client, never sees or hears from us directly except when we need access to the site. Let's face it; we have done a poor job of promoting our profession beyond the classroom. The public, which is made up of property owners, retailers, elected officials, bankers, doctors, etc., need to see the face of the professional land surveyor.


One on one. Often, while my wife and I are at functions for our son's school, parents will ask what I do for a living. I could say I'm a surveyor and leave it at that, but I'm not one to sit quiet- I love to sell the profession! When they ask me this, my eyes light up. I tell them I'm a professional land surveyor. They get a funny look as their brain tries to add "professional" and "land surveyor" together. I take the opportunity to expand their knowledge of surveying, you know…that "guy in the street". I tend to add my own Hollywood touch about how exciting it is to work on some very cool projects or the necessity to have an affinity for history. For me, surveying really is that exciting and cool, so it is easy to express my fervor for the profession. I seize on the opportunity to impress upon them the importance of consulting with a professional land surveyor. Whether they are considering a minor addition to their home or developing that piece of family property they've been holding on to for years, I want them to know that consulting with a professional land surveyor at the beginning of the project can save significant dollars for them by identifying potential issues before they become significant problems. Often, the public thinks that they can do what their neighbor or friend did on a piece of property. After all, can’t I do with my land as I see fit? Only after hiring the architect with the $30,000 plans and the civil engineer with the $15,000 dollar plans and environmental reports do they hire the professional land surveyor who points out that what they thought were the property lines aren’t really the property lines. And then they scoff at the surveyor's invoice for a $2,000 boundary. We need to get the public excited about what we can do for them. We need the public to realize that they need our professional services. We need the public to appreciate our services. To do so, we must become community partners and show the public what we have to offer our communities as individual professionals.


Perhaps, if we invest our time in our communities, we might show up on the radar of primary educators. Perhaps parents will learn just enough from you about what we do that they will tell their children why math is important and all of the great things that they can do with it.


Help your neighbor help us!

Rio Hondo College President Under Fire From Faculty and Community

Whittier Daily News has reported that Rio Hondo College President, Dr. Ted Martinez, has been given a raise and a boost in benefits. There are some strings attached but is it appropriate to have the administrative leader getting a raise while the faculty and staff are taking cuts in pay? Of course not! But should we blame Dr. Martinez or the RHC District Board Members who voted to give him the raise? I don't think I would turn down a huge raise or the $700 per month car allowance. But perhaps the board members should be reminded of who they represent. Read the whole story from the Daily News at http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_13631708.  


Greg Sebourn

The Beauty of a Storm

The Beauty of a Storm
Orange County, Ca.

My Grandma - A Eulogy

LET'S TALK ABOUT 1914 FOR A MOMENT.



FOR STARTERS, GRANDMA WAS BORN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1914 IN HER FAMILY'S ATWOOD RANCH HOUSE.



IT IS WORTH NOTING THOSE ALSO BORN IN 1914:

JACK LALANNE

JOE DIMAGGIO

DANNY THOMAS



AND WHO DIED IN 1914:

JOHN MUIR, THE FAMOUS NATURALIST FOR WHICH NUMEROUS ROADS, PARKS, HOTELS, AND NATURE RESERVES ARE NAMED.



IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT IN 1914 WOODROW WILSON SIGNS MOTHER'S DAY PROCLAMATION AND BABE RUTH MAKES HIS MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT WITH THE RED SOX. MOTHER'S DAY AND BASEBALL- TWO OF MY FAVORITES!! (PERHAPS HER NICKNAME "BABE" CAME FROM BABE RUTH???)



GRANDMA WAS BORN INTO A PERIOD OF TIME FILLED WITH TURMOIL. IN JUNE OF 1914 ARCHDUKE FRANZS FERDINAND WAS ASSASSINATED. WITHIN ONE MONTH WORLD WAR I RAGED ACROSS EUROPE. TWO DAYS AFTER HER BIRTH HOWEVER, GERMAN AND BRITISH TROOPS INTERRUPTED WWI TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS. (PERHAPS THEY PAUSE KNOWING THAT A GREAT WOMAN WAS BORNE) WORLD WAR I CONTINUED UNTIL THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES IN 1919.



ALTHOUGH SHE WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, SHE SAW THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS CREATED AND THE 19TH AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS GUARANTEEING THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN TO VOTE.



SHE LIVED THROUGH MANY NOTABLE EVENTS. LIKE THE 1933 LONG BEACH EARTHQUAKE OR WHEN ATWOOD FLOODED ALONG WITH MOST OF ORANGE COUNTY IN 1938 AND THE FLOOD-WATERS CLAIMED MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE, 43 OF WHICH WERE FROM ATWOOD! ALL OF THIS DURING A TIME THAT WE READ ABOUT IN SCHOOL AND KNOWN AS "THE GREAT DEPRESSION". SOMEWHERE IN ALL OF THAT SHE FOUND THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, GRANDPA LEO, GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL, GOT MARRIED, AND HAD KIDS!



THEN THERE WAS WORLD WAR II. FROM PEARL HARBOR TO HIROSHIMA, GRANDMA WAS RAISING MY UNCLE BOB AND MOM ARLINE. WITH AIR-RAID SIRENS AND BLACKOUTS SHE WAS A WIFE AND MOTHER. WHAT A TIME TO RAISE CHILDREN! I BET GRANDMA'S PARENTS WERE ABEL TO TELL HER A THING OR TWO ABOUT RAISING KIDS IN WARTIME.



GRANDMA WAS THERE WHEN THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA HELD THEIR 3RD ANNUAL NATIONAL JAMBOREE IN 1953. SHE SAW AIRBASES OPEN IN '42 AND CLOSE IN '99. SHE WATCHED WALTER KNOTT START UP HIS BERRY FARM AND WALT DISNEY TURN ORANGE GROVES AND STRAWBERRY PATCHES INTO DISNEYLAND!



SHE SAW THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE FADE AWAY INTO HISTORY AND SPACE TRAVEL EXPLODE BEFORE HER WITH THE FIRST LUNAR LANDING. JUST IMAGINE HOW MUCH TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST 100 YEARS. FROM TUBE RECTIFIERS TO SUPERCONDUCTORS; FROM TRANS-ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH CABLES TO SATELLITE TV.



SHE SAW MORE IN HER 93 YEARS THAN MOST OF US WILL EVER READ ABOUT, LET ALONE LIVE THROUGH!



OF THOSE 93 YEARS IT IS MY HONOR TO HAVE BEEN HER GRANDSON FOR 35 OF THEM. SHE WAS MY MOTHER WHEN MOM HAD TO WORK. SHE WIPED MY NOSE AND PUT FOOD IN MY MOUTH. SHE LET ME PLAY WITH GRANDPA EVEN THOUGH SHE NEEDED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE STORE. SHE WAS MY GRANDMA AND I WILL MISS HER IMMENSELY.



JUST LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM; SHE DID THIS. SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE INTO THIS WORLD AND TOGETHER TODAY. THIS IS HER LEGACY.



A Dedication To My Loving Wife, Stacey. Thank you for all you do for me!

Brad Paisley - I Thought I Loved You Then


I remember trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mesmerized
3 weeks later in the front porch light taking 45 min to kiss you goodnight
I hadn’t told you yet but I thought I loved you then

Chorus
Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.

I remember taking you back to right where I first met you
You were so surprised
There were people around
But I didn’t care I got down on one knee right there
And once again I thought I loved you then

Chorus
Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.

I can just see you with a baby on the way
I can just see you when your hair is turning gray
What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more
But I’ve said that before.

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Well look back some day at this moment that we’re in
And I'll look at you and say I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then...