Just some Updates

Adam has been a very busy guy since school started. Adam is a sophomore this year and he is taking a hard class load that includes Honors English, AP European History, Spanish III, Algebra II and Physiology & Anatomy. Between history and english he's got about two hours of home work a night, mostly reading and writing. If he gets homework in any of his other classes as well (thankfully not every night) then he's looking at 3 to 4 hours of homework.

Consequently he decided not to sign up for a fall/winter basketball league but he still plays several days a week with his friends here in the neighborhood. He is however keeping up with his martial arts and this upcoming weekend will be taking his third black belt test, going for his second degree in Karate.

So in addition to his school work he's been going to the dojo for extra workouts and practice at home too. His techniques are beautiful and powerful and his conditioning is fantastic. A five mile run barely winds him and he's got his mile time down to 6 minutes. He is more than ready for the test but gets very nervous about being on display in this type of situation. Before he's always had others to test with but he's on his own this weekend as he is the only candidate going for their second degree. If he passes (and I think he will) he will be the senior most student at the dojo and he has been asked to consider assistant teaching the lower belt classes.

Andrew is a Junior this year and starting to stress over the SAT's and thinking about college. He is seriously thinking about attending the police academy after getting a degree in criminal justice so he's started to research schools in the area and as time permits we will start visiting the ones he is interested in.

He just finished his drivers ed. classes and we're waiting on the DMV forms to arrive in the mail and then I will take him to take his permit test.

Andrew has been helping coach a team at VCAA but he also signed up to play fall baseball in the Chatsworth league. They have a 16-18 year old division and yesterday was their first game. Andrew looked great dispite not having played since June. He went 1 for 3 but the hit was a double that brought in two runs.

He decided to try the Chatsworth league this fall because it is one of the most competive but he has a couple of different leagues vying to have him come play for them in the spring but I'm going to leave the decision of where he plays up to him.

Recent Reading

If you like mysteries with a historical setting then I highly recommend MESSENGER OF TRUTH by Jacqueline Winspear. This is the newest Masie Dobbs mystery set in England after World War I and Winspear does a wonderful job capturing that time period.

If you like village cozies I just finished Anne Purser's FEAR ON FRIDAY which was a nice light little mystery. FEAR ON FRIDAY is the fifth in a series, MURDER ON MONDAY etc. So far the only one I haven't cared for was the Thursday installment.

On the Star Trek front I've recently read the new short story anthology CONSTELLATIONS which was a very enjoyable collection of stories set during the TOS era. One story in particular stands out in this volume, it's entitled "Make-Believe" and written by Allyn Gibson. It's the kind of story you never forget.

Also set in TOS era is the new novel PROVENANCE OF SHADOWS, by David R. George III. The first book in the Crucible trilogy, PROVENANCE OF SHADOWS focuses on the character of Dr. Leonard McCoy and is quite simply an extraordinary story. The second book will focus on Spock and the third on Kirk.

Next up on my reading agenda are the two new Starfleet Corps of Engineers eBooks and I just got the new Ruth Rendell mystery, END IN TEARS from the library. I've been on hold for weeks for the Rendell for weeks and am still waiting on the new Elizabeth George, Rhys Bowen and MC Beaton mysteries but hopefully my turn for those will come up soon.

Wonderful Memories

Andrew and I had a wonderful time at the convention in Sacramento this past weekend.

We arrived without incident on Friday afternoon and after checking in we meet up with a good friend Boyd Harmon. Boyd lived in Sacramento for a few years so he knew quite a few people attending and he kindly gave us a quick tour of the immediate area pointing out the best places to eat.

Andrew has been to several conventions with me in the past but hadn't seen some of the guests that were attending this convention, specificly Marc Alaimo, John DeLancie and Armin Shimerman. Of course the big event of the weekend was Sunday when the guests were Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner. The convention was sold out and Sunday they had to turn a lot of folks away.

They spent two hours onstage, individually and together and it was almost like watching an old episode of Burns and Allen with Nimoy as the straight guy. Mr. Nimoy is starting to look a bit frail but Shatner is as energetic as ever.

All three kids have been attending conventions with me since they were small and as we flew home last night I couldn't help but reflect on all the wonderful memories we have from various conventions we've attended throughout the years and the great people we have meet along the way.

Sacramento Here We Come

Andrew and I are off to Sacramento first thing in the morning for the Star Trek convention. Adam decided not to come with us because he has so much school work over the weekend and even if he brings it with him he knows he'll be to distracted by the convention to actually do it.

Back Again

Just got back a couple of hours ago from Mom's. She's doing really well right now, the new heart med seems to be helping a bit. She still tires quickly but at least now just crossing the room doesn't exhaust her.

I took advantage of my time there to clean the house thoroughly for her. Dad does all the shopping and cleaning now but there are things he just doesn't think to do and all her lovely figurines and things needed a good cleaning as did the appliances.

It was kind of nice just the two of us. The last two times I saw her the past few months she was too ill to even carry on much of a conversation. We spent a lot of time just talking and going down memory lane.

Daddy arrives home tomorrow so she's only on her own tonight. We talked with him on the phone and it sounds like the whole clan had a great time at the anniversary party and Uncle Tony and Aunt Ann were completely surprised.

It's nice to be home though, it feels like I've been gone more than I've been home this past month but the boys and I have one more short trip coming up. This next weekend we're heading up to Sacramento for the convention celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek. I managed to score us free passes!