Back to writing...

Yes.... I have started to burn up the Keyboard again, working on my Book. I now have Chapter 2 complete and started on Chapter 3 already. The first two came out close to 27,000 words and another 1,000 into the next.

I think now, the hardest part is behind me and Chapter 3 is concentrating on the funeral/facing being alone and my Germany trip to visit my Mom and Family... which (exception of my Mom) I have not seen for 29 years. Something my Aunt was pushing me to do and I'm glad I let her talk me into it. It was really good to see my other Aunt/Uncle and my many Cousins, that by now had married kids themselves. First thing, when back in the old Country... I knew time flies... but it was a big surprise how many things did not change much at all. I still knew my way around Town (walking or driving), like I only been gone a year or two. Besides that, my Accent (Pfälzisch)...    was coming back quicker then I could say...
where do we get a Beer and Bratwurst?

So, I do intend to finish my Book no later than the end of next year. My best Pal doing this?
Microsoft Office Word 2010 for better Grammar, so others beside only Me can read it too.

Flying high.. with a lot of noise!

Talk about noise, there is one place you'll find it!

It's at an Air Show of course. This year, I had purchased Tickets in July (Box Seats.. right up-front) for the Day time Show and for the Night time Show. The place; Miramar Marine Base in San Diego. This show was from the 12th (Fri.) to the 14th (Sun). We were to be there on Saturday the 13th. and spend the night in San Diego afterwards.

It all started with getting up at 5:30am in the morning that day. Going for Breakfast was first on the Menu of the day and finish no later than 7:30am, as I wanted to be at the Show before 11:00am. We actually made it there a little earlier than that, because it was clear Freeway all the way there.

Finding our seats was no problem, after the Bus.. that took us all from the Parking Lot to the Main Entrance.. it was pretty easy lay'd out. The thing that we did notice after a short while, was that.. it was Hot and Sunny and a Hat alone was not much of a shelter from the burning Sun. This forced me to go out and look for a Umbrella you mount on the Chair. Found them, but not cheap.. at $39, but what do you do?

Back to put up this very nice (Blue Angel) Umbrella and having done that.. I realized that wasn't a very nice thing to do. Why, you might ask? Well, think Air Show and the Folks in the Row behind you. I actually felt sorry for doing that to them. We were not the only ones, so the sorry part fated quickly on my part and Qing didn't care in the first place. You know the Chinese and their Umbrella's go everywhere. Got to keep that Skin "White"! Oh yes... even here, it has not changed much.

This, I must say... this has been the "Best" show I've been to so far. I have been going to Air Shows since I was a little Child in Germany. What made this Show special, was the 'Night" Show! I never had the pleasure to see one of those anywhere. The Fireworks alone was the most amazing display I can ever recall, so close/near to the Crowd... simply amazing.

I especially liked the "Robosaurus", that came at the night show and picked up a couple of Cars (parked in the wrong place) and bit it right in half in front of you. It is after all , the largest operational Transformer build in the World... awesome!

The next morning, it was "Denny's" for some Chow and Brew with my Cousin and Family first. After eating, we parted and Qing and I were going to stop on the way home... in La Jolla. That became an Adventure on it's own. Qing's Son, all happy/smiles the day before. Now turned into a spoiled brat, because this was something "We" (Qing and I) wanted to do for us and "He" wanted no part... looking at Birds/Seals on a beautiful Beach. Just enjoying the nice day and a relaxing (yeah...) walk. That's when his shoes all of a sudden became "Glued" to the Path near the Beach. Qing, oh ... she did let him know what she thought of all this in a not so quiet way, where it became kind of embarrassing to me... with People staring us down.

 Anyway, as the Photo will show... he was not too happy. Kid's... all smiles when you do stuff they like... but hell, when they need to join in what you like? In my day's as a Child... I would have gotten a "Kick" in the Pants... to move! Or be ready for "More" coming your way.

Almost finished with the Backyard steps

As the Photos show, I can be pleased the way they came along. All that is left now, is to fill in the void below the Steps with dirt and top it off with Bark for the natural look. After that, I will install 12Volt lighting on the right side along the Steps and add a nice California Palm Tree to the upper left.

This will have to wait a while, as I need a break.. that was after all pretty physical work and out in the bright Sun/hot Temp's too. To think, I've put in exactly 76 ( 3 1/2 in. ) screws to tie it all together. Drilling beforehand and using a Ratchet to drive them home. The lower base, which is made up of 4" Concrete with 10" stakes into the ground to strengthen the Staircase to the maximum.

It just surprises me, that I did not think of doing this earlier? It's not like, I'm afraid of heights!

So, that complete's the Stairs project! Now, whomever is thinking of going to the "Great Wall" can practice here... right in my Backyard.