QV closing
secondary smoke
fate of QV
Comments
It was a plan in the making for the better part of a year and the masterful concoction of Lisa, Amy, Steve and myself.
Amy and Steve married just three weeks before Lisa and I exchanged nuptials. We’ve always been close, so having a week long 20th anniversary vacation in tandem with Amy and Steve sounded like great fun.
Although we first settled on Vancouver as our vacation destination, it wasn’t long before we realized Vancouver was also having their gay-pride celebration the same week. This boy was not interested in such distraction. The city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, however, had a bevy of activities that interested us: sailing, whale-watching, zip-lines, old-town charm, fantastic scenery and great food. (Well, Amy wasn’t so keen on the zip-lining at first, but she came around.) We also decided to fly in and out of Seattle because we wanted to visit old friends, the Stackhouses, and it was flat cheaper not to fly internationally. So, we made plans to take a ferry across to British Columbia.
Our entire flying experience with United Airlines was less than stellar. All of our flights were delayed causing us to miss every connection. We were fouled up so bad on the way home, our luggage beat us back by a full day and we were diverted through Denver for a complimentary overnight stay without clothes or a toothbrush. Thank goodness we didn’t let United’s poor performance keep us down. Every time one of us got a little grumbly, the others would encourage with laughter or gratitude. On the positive side, the delays gave us opportunities to visit over a fine craft beer or two.
Our first memorable experience was the flight out of Austin on a 50-seat regional jet CRJ 200. Our small aircraft hit a thunderstorm updraft sending our plane abruptly up and banking 30°. Drinks went arcing across the cabin like the Bellagio fountains, and someone’s tomato juice left a bloody trail on the ceiling and overhead bins before landing on Steve’s head and shirt. This unfortunate incident gave the flight attendants opportunities to comfort the passengers with extra creature comforts (no free drinks though), and Steve reason to shop for a new shirt at the airport. We reached Seattle after 11pm (PDT) after the Enterprise computers shut down. By the time we reached our hotel and checked in, we were spent.
On our first morning, Lisa and I met Heather Stackhouse down at historical Pike Place Market early for local coffee, flaky apricot pastries and a personal tour (Steve and Amy understandably slept in). We discovered ladies cutting fresh flowers behind mounds of bouquets, butchers throwing fish in the market, and farmers giving out samples of their sweet treats. Among the throng of shoppers, made up of an equal mix of beatniks and foreigners, were workers pushing their wagons of wares, street musicians and mimes, and clowns and cops.
Later on, we picked up Steve and Amy and drove on to Anacortes, Washington to catch a ferry to Sidney, BC. On our way to Anacortes we passed vineyards and timber yards. We passed lonely watering holes. One such forlorn saloon adorned a sign blinking, “Bikini Baristas.” We almost stopped to take a picture (of the sign).
The ferry trip to Sidney was spectacular, navigating west through the San Juan Islands. The Washington State owned-and-operated vessel was clean and comfortable. We didn’t encounter any whales abreast our boat, but we gawked at a lone sea otter pup floating on his back nearby. As we passed, he curiously stared back at us. It was mutual captivation.
Once we landed in Sidney and past through customs, it was a short drive to Victoria. We would have gotten to the Queen Victoria Hotel a lot sooner but the speed limits Canada were entirely too slow for us Texans: highway speeds averaged 70 kilometers/hour (45 miles/hour).
Part 2: Our sunset sail and zip-lining in the Canadian forests.
Comments
Rebecca Sings in UIL Preview Concert
Tonight, the James E. Taylor High School Choral Department presented its UIL Preview Concert. The families of the performers enjoyed listening to what the students prepared for this spring’s competition. Rebecca’s choir, called Camerata, greatly improved since the Christmas concert. They are singing more balanced, with better dynamics and intonation. Choir was surprisingly challenging this year, but I can tell you (with some authority) Rebecca’s voice has developed greater power, improved diction and vowel shapes.
She was feeling mildly feverish tonight, but was required to participate since the concert counts as a test grade. Still, she looked and sounded marvelous!
Comments
Justus Performs at Stanford Open
Back in January, Justus and I made a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area for his competition at Stanford University’s Stanford Open. Zach, a fellow athlete of Justus’ traveled with us.
We flew in the day before their Level-9 session which gave us an opportunity to attend the Open’s NCAA session where Nebraska, Cal State, Washington and Stanford Universities competed. The Pavilion was rockin’, sounding more like a WWF event than a gymnastics meet. Justus’ meets are comparatively quiet. I think it took Justus and Zach off-guard to see and hear so much enthusiasm from the student body.
The next morning we enjoyed an amazing buffet breakfast at the hotel, and went for a morning stroll along the San Francisco Bay. We also decided to search out a go-cart racepark for a few hours of fun before the big meet. We went to two places – both turned us away either because the boys were too young or Justus was too short. A major bummer. So, we settled for a game of putt-putt!
After catching a late lunch we drove back to campus and made our way into the Pavilion. Justus performed his season-high on Pommels, and tied his season-high on Rings and Parallel Bars. For Level-9, Age 12, he scored first place on Rings and Parallel Bars!
We celebrated by joining other teammates for frozen yogurt near campus. Afterwards, Zach, Justus and I headed back to the hotel where the boys enjoyed late night snacks, pillow fights and wrestling matches on the bed. It was a great day.
Unfortunately, Justus woke up the next morning ill. I mean really ill. I left the boys at the hotel while I ventured to a neighborhood drug store for a solution. We had a long journey home in front of us. I had to find something to keep his stomach malady in check. In the end though, nothing seemed to help. Thankfully, we made it successfully through every security check and leg of the flight without him puking, but it seemed like he was puking in a bag everywhere else. The boys were real troopers.
Below are photos of the trip and video of his performance. Enjoy!
Comments
Urinetown? Never heard of it? Neither did I, nor was I thrilled about my daughter participating in such a crass-named buffoonery, until I read the credits of the production: twelve total Broadway awards, including Tony awards for Best Original Score and Best Direction of a Musical (2002).
As it turns out, Urinetown is a delightful musical comedy, poking fun at politics and abusive corporate greed, and includes satirical tips of the hat to other musicals such as Les Misérables and West Side Story — really all musicals in general.
“In an attempt to regulate water consumption, Urinetown has outlawed the use of private toilets. The citizenry must use public, pay-per-use amenities owned and operated by Urine Good Company, a malevolent corporation run by the corrupt Caldwell B. Cladwell.” — BroadwayMusicalHome.com
Rebecca played “Old Ma” Strong, the Mom to the main character who started a revolution against the municipal government and the corrupt Urine Good Company. She also danced in the ensemble as a police officer and rich bureaucrat.
Below are pictures from the production. Enjoy!
Comments
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Comments
Justus Finds the Ground – Head First
A couple of weeks ago at the gym, Justus had a grip malfunction while doing Giants on the rings.
Quick terminology lesson:
- “Grips” are leather straps that cover and protect the palms of the gymnast when on rings and high bar. On each grip is a wooden dowel to aid in the gripping the bar or rings.
- “Giants” are large looping swings that take gymnast repeatedly through 360 degrees of motion while hanging on by his fingers.
While Justus was practicing a series of Giants, the dowel on his left grip slipped and the inertia of his swing pulled his hand off the ring. Almost immediately, with all the swinging force acting on his remaining right hand, his right hand also peeled off and he went airborne. It all happened so quickly. There was no time to re-grip or respond with survivor instinct. He was now a projectile flying upside down, and had no idea what to do. He simply closed his eyes and waited to hit the ground.
Later, Coach Sean would tell him it’s happened to him five times in his career, and the only way to prepare is to go into a tight tuck position and wait until impact.
Eventually Justus landed… on the back of his neck and head. His body crumpled with such force, his chin violently struck his sternum and he blacked out. Everyone who saw it happen reported to us later, “It was really scary.” We, unfortunately (or fortunately), were not there. I imagine the whole gym of students and coaches, and the observation room full of parents gasped, and sat in silence waiting for a sign that he was okay – like an injured football player on the field.
Justus has fallen several times before. When fighting gravity in gymnastics, falling is the most natural part of it all. But never has any of his falls been so bad a coach has called – until that evening, only minutes following the accident. We received phone calls from concerned friends too. Other parents seemed equally concerned how Lisa and I were holding up – I think some of them were replaying it in their own minds as if it were their own son.
To add to our parental consternation, Justus hadn’t been feeling 100% and had a lot of homework that day. Momma’s intuition urged her to go pick him up early rather than having him take the usual carpool, but she didn’t. And that was my fault. I managed to convince her the trip was unwarranted: She would spend an hour of her time in the truck to save him an hour of his time at home, an economy that at the moment seemed foolish to me.
Justus came home very sore and understandably emotional. We ended the day doling out lots of hugs, prayers of thanksgiving and Advil.
On the days following, Justus was poked and prodded by his sports medicine doctors, x-rayed, and given several painful deep-tissue messages. Other than a deep bruise on his sternum and diagnosis of a possible slight concussion, he recovered quickly, only loosing a week at the gym. The doctors believe the muscle development of his back, neck and shoulders possibly protected him from more serious injury. Still, he was unable to perform on Rings, Vault, Pommel and Parallel Bars due to the soreness in his chest. With the first meet of the season coming up, we knew he would go, but we didn’t know how many events he would compete, if any.
Last weekend, I drove Justus up for his first Level 9 competition: The Valeri Liukin Invitational at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Frisco, home to Olympians Valeri Liukin, his daughter Nastia, and others – Carly Patterson, Rebecca Bross, to name a few. Justus was cleared to compete on Floor, High Bar and Pommels. The highlight of his day was immediately following his Pommel performance. The judge called Justus up to the judge’s table and told Justus to tell Coach Sean that he looks just like Sean did when he was competing. Apparently, the judge had been around long enough to have judged Sean when he was a teen.
Comments
Kayaking with Justus
Early Saturday morning, Justus and I got away for a kayaking trip down the Colorado River in Columbus. The trip started near the Business 71 bridge at Howell’s Canoe Livery and ended at Beason’s Park. The six-mile trip took about three hours – we stopped a couple of times to swim and have snacks along the way. We enjoyed the fish, birds, and cattle along the route. Even the underwater plants were beautiful, waving in the river current like colonies of flags. Some sections were so quiet and peaceful we could only hear the occasional breeze in our ears – no rumbling of cars or humming of air conditioners.
Below are a few pictures. I’m not sure why the water looks so green in the pictures… reminds me of Guar gum (e.g., Slime). The water was actually visible down about five feet – enough to see gar and catfish swimming nearby. Mr. Howell said, “you shoulda brought your poles, the bass are really biting.”
Comments
A Short Trip to McKinney
The first and last time Lisa and I were in McKinney (north of Dallas) was in the spring for Justus’ State Gymnastics Championships. We were joined by Mom and Dad Hyde and Lisa’s parents and spent an afternoon together enjoying the town square shops and restaurants. Our time together was too short, and we left with the feeling there was so much more to enjoy we hadn’t yet discovered.
Justus, as I mentioned in a previous post, was awarded a week-long gymnastics camp at OU for his 6th place finish at Regionals. On our way to pick him up in Oklahoma City, Lisa and I sneaked in a couple of days in McKinney. Wednesday evening we celebrated our belated 19th wedding anniversary at the best steak house on the square. As we walked out of the Chophouse we found a horse-drawn carriage waiting near the front door, complete with Christmas lights and two large white horses. Lisa said, “Look at that beautiful carriage!” I told her, “Honey, that ride is for us.” (I made the secret reservation.) We completed our bottle of wine on our ride through the historic district at sunset.
On Thursday, we toured the Chestnut Square Historic Village. I took a lot of pictures (see below), and then we closed out our day with Lisa getting a pedicure while I enjoyed a few beers at the local English pub.
Comments
Flashback – December 2007
Comments
Order of the Rising Sun
Justus attended Camp Peniel a couple of weeks ago near Marble Falls, Texas. This was his fourth summer to attend the Christian camp. The name “Peniel” means “face of God” and comes from a curious passage in Genesis 32. It is the same name given by Jacob for the place he wrestled with God.
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
— Genesis 32:30 (NIV)
This place certainly challenges and recharges our kids. Justus was busy from sun-up to sundown with swimming, games, fishing, photography and Tehas. Tehas is a young men’s development program, similar to Boy Scouts, except with emphasis on Colossians 3:12-14 and Ephesians 5:1, teaching young men to grow in Christ-likeness: faithful, humble, honest, selfless, caring, having integrity, inward strength and sacrificial. The Tehas program includes four progressive ranks: Pathfinder, Brave, Warrior and Chief. Each rank is based on the completion of quests in Bible memory, reading and study, outdoor skills, service, nature study, sports, crafts and leadership.
Each year Justus has received several Coup (pronounced “coo”) which are awards for accomplishing quests (similar to patches in Boy Scouts). One type of Coup that can only be granted by the collective agreement of all the Chiefs is a recommendation to the Order of the Rising Sun. According to the Tehas handbook, a camper is granted this recommendation by demonstrating “exceptional teachability, leadership, a servant attitude and a heart for God.” Upon receiving the third recommendation, the camper receives a Tehas (indian) name and is granted acceptance in the Order of the Rising Sun through a special ceremony at dawn.
Well, I’m proud to say Justus was granted his first recommendation to the Order of the Rising Sun this summer! This is a rare deal (only two were given all last summer). Below are pictures of the pow-wow where the Coup were announced. Justus received many glowing compliments from his cabin leaders, friends and chiefs. I was well-pleased.
Comments
Great Aunt Maxine Celebrates 100 Years
This past weekend we had the privilege to celebrate my great Aunt Maxine’s 100th birthday. What a joy. SHE is a joy! My beloved Bama (Nancy Sisson) was one of four Price sisters. Of the four, Maxine was the eldest and is the only one still living this side of Heaven. Despite the need for a walker, she still rides her stationary bike twice a day. She still has the same twinkle in her eye. She’s still walking with the Lord, and she’s still praying her family and friends through life. I’ve decided Maxine is my new hero. 🙂
When I think about the weekend, several memories stand out:
- There were 5 generations present in that one room.
- When Maxine first saw me, she thought I was my mom. Truly, the cycle of life marches on.
- When Maxine’s daughter Ann was introducing people around the room, she told Maxine she didn’t have to stand. With spunk in her voice, Maxine replied, “No. I can stand.” And up she went.
- Maxine proudly wore the birthday candle headband most of the party. Very silly…and fun! Watching her is like watching my Bama again, and my heart soars at the thought of seeing her and Papa in heaven some day.
- I love the heritage of God-fearing, God-loving people that I call my own.
- As we continued to enjoy the weekend and to celebrate Amy’s birthday, my heart was filled with gratitude.
Truly, we are blessed.
PS – Included in the snapshots from David’s phone are some of Rebecca enjoying horsy-rides outside a local restaurant we patroned that evening.
