Thursday Tweets

Do you know what a tweet is? If not.. check out this earlier post for more information! What is a Tweet?

Please feel free to tweet away.

Tod: Was excited to see Hannah who just returned from Cancun. But sad she was up all night sick!

Tod: Can't wait to watch MSU vs. Kansas tomorrow night!

$5 Quiz - This Day In History

Okay people.. I got $5 burning a hole in my pocket... so here's your latest Team Henderson Blog Quiz:

What amazing event happended 30 years ago today (3/26/79)?

First one with the correct answer wins!

Update: Steve B. is the WINNER... he correctly answered that the MSU Spartans defeated the Indiana State Sycamores to win the NCAA basketball championship in 1979!

Wanna help Steve double his winnings? Figure out how I am somehow associated with one or more of the main characters in that victory! This offer only open till MSU tips off tonight at 6:37 pm (Pacific time)!

Answer: Janice got it right! Larry Bird and I have the same birthday!

P.S. Sorry, obviously many things happen each day. I am looking for a particular event and only that one wins.

Home Sweet Home

We are so excited for Jon and Rachel as they approach their wedding (April 25th). It's just around the corner. In fact, here's the 'wedding advent calendar' that Julie made for them.. counting down to their wedding day. It's almost time to start using it. This was given to Rachel during her wedding shower. The attendees were provided little slips of paper on which they could write some encouragement, words of wisdom - or just a funny note. Then, they put the notes inside each of the daily drawers. Rachel should really enjoy the daily surprise as her wedding approaches!















Last weekend we helped Rachel move into the apartment they are going to share once married! It's the cutest place up in San Francisco. Here's a couple photos taken as we moved some of Rachel's things into the apartment and started to assemble some of the beautiful IKEA furniture pieces they picked out together.

Here's Julie doing her best Mrs. MacGyver - assembling chairs! She is such a loving, helpful person.



















Can you tell Rachel is excited to be in her new home? Here she is sitting on her brand new chair!



















Jon has a hard time not being right next to Rachel ;) So you knew this picture was coming.



















Here's Jon assembling a beautiful shelving unit that will reside in their kitchen. Jon's excellent with tools and has a very calm personality - which makes this type of effort a pleasure! He is going to be a huge asset to this marriage!



















Moving into a new place is a lot of work. Here's Rachel diving into cleaning the bathroom! She's definitely a trooper.



















Best of luck to you two in your new home. It's beautiful!

Awesome Walk - Dammit!

Our longtime friends, the Harfords are in town for a family visit. It's always fun to spend time with them.. and we were honored to host them last night at our place. This morning we all went to breakfast and Tim and Ramon were able to meet and eat with us. Here's a picture of three of the guys at the restaurant.















After a time of fine food and fellowship the girls - Becky and Julie - ditched us to go to a scrapbooking faire in Pleasanton.That left the 4 men (Ramon, Tim, Tim and Tod) with some free time. So, we decided to walk the Dammit Run trail in Los Gatos. The Dammit Run trail involves some serious uphill walking. Here's Tim and Ramon scaling the most aggressive part of the trail! That's Lexington Reservoir in the background.















Taking a breather... almost to the top!















Here's the four of us making it to the summit!














Afterwards, Tim got into his Lotus Elise and I fired up my Lamborghini. We drove home to watch the NCAA games! It was a great afternoon.

Taking the Rants on the Road

The Team Henderson blog was created for the purpose of keeping in touch with family and friends and passing along information about what we're all up to. From time to time I've chosen to include some political commentary because I am keenly interested in this beautiful country of ours.

Lately, I've become convinced that I need to limit the content on this blog to its original intent; a fun and informative place focused on the entire family.

On the other hand, I do desire an outlet for those political/philosophical 'rants' I'm prone to from time to time. So today I came up with a very simple solution. I've started a second, distinct blog that I will utilize for posting that type of commentary.

If you'd like to view and comment on them you are more than welcome to. In fact, I hope you visit. You can find a link to the new blog below and also in the left hand column under 'Who Do We Watch?'

On the other hand, if you're not interested.. you can do .. well, nothing... and just enjoy the posts on the Team Henderson blog free from political content.

Either way - I appreciate you being a part of our lives and our blog community.

New location of the Henderson Rants blog: http://todhenderson.blogspot.com/

Thursday Tweets

Have you heard about Twitter? Twittering?

Twitter is a micro-blogging service that enables users to send and read other users updates known as 'tweets'. Tweets are text-based posts that can be up to 140 characters in length. Think of it as text messaging for the internet.

The underlying idea is that instead of writing long blog entries or emails.. the author writes many, smaller messages providing insight into their life. These all get distributed to everyone in the author's network. By seeing a constant stream of little bitty factoids about a person, as opposed to occasional blog entries, you are supposed to get a better 'picture' of their life.

Micro-blogging is also a big, big part of Facebook - except FB allows pictures, etc.

So, to lighten up the mood a bit on the 'ol blog... let's all treat ourselves to some tweets!

I'll start.. and you feel free to tweet back using the comments feature of this old school blog ;)


Tod: is excited because he has the next three days (F, Sa, Su) off from work!

Tod: has an amazing daughter who is leaving for Cancun tonight for Spring Break with her friends!

Tod: is looking forward to eating less chocolate and running more this weekend - if it would just not rain!

Tod: just finished reading a book and needs a book recommendation! Anyone read a good book lately?


Your turn to twitter!

Everyone Tries to Avoid Consequences

It's good to see that at least someone's focusing on the real issues in this AIG fiasco.

Apparently, with the overwhelming evidence coming to light it was getting harder for Senator Dodd to keep up the charade. It's natural to try to avoid consequences when we make poor decisions. But, people of Connecticut... are you comfortable with your senator creating this massive problem then lieing about it right up to the point that someone uncovers enough evidence that he's compelled to tell the truth? Is it reasonable to expect a bit more from your public servant? Isn't he up for re-election soon?

This just in:

[Senator Chris] Dodd [Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee] just admitted on CNN that he inserted a loophole in the stimulus legislation that allowed million-dollar bonuses to insurance giant AIG to go forward – after previously denying any involvement in writing the controversial provision.

“We wrote the language in the bill, the deal with bonuses, golden parachutes, excessive executive compensation that was adopted unanimously by the United States Senate in the stimulus bill,” Dodd told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer this afternoon.

Dodd had previously said that he played no role in writing the controversial language, and was not a part of the conference committee that inserted the language in the bill. As late as today, Dodd’s spokeswoman denied the senator’s involvement.

High Drama for Suckers

Have you ever had a friend who was a total drama queen? You know the type - they run around creating all kinds of drama and then have the audacity to complain about having to 'deal' with the drama? In many cases they create drama just so they can 'solve the drama' and look like the hero! Drama, drama, drama.

Well, I hope you're aware that's exactly what Congress is perpetrating on the American people with this whole AIG bonus fiasco.

Step 1: Create the Drama
Last month, the Senate unanimously approved an amendment to the stimulus bill aimed at restricting bonuses over $100,000 at any company receiving federal bailout funds. The measure, which was drafted by Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., applied these restrictions retroactively to bonuses received or promised in 2008 and onward.

But then...

The provision was stripped out during the closed-door conference negotiations involving House and Senate leaders and the White House. A measure by Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., to limit executive compensation replaced it. But Dodd's measure explicitly exempted bonuses agreed to prior to the passage of the stimulus bill.

Oh.. and lest you believe that Mr. Dodd knew nothing about these bonuses before he wrote that little ditty it is now widely being reported that: The bonuses were paid legally, part of a program that had been disclosed in advance in filings that American International Group Inc. made with the government.

Step 2: Sell the Drama
Here's what Mr. Dodd had to say yesterday about the AIG bonuses: "One way or another, we're going to try to figure out how to get these resources back," said Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., the panel's chairman.

Well, Mr. Dodd, you could have not put your amendment into the bill. That could have been one way or another to avoid this problem.

Step 3: Swoop in to 'Fix' the Drama
Well, now that you have created a problem... you'll need someone to fix it.. and I know you folks think you have just the right people for the job: yourselves!

"Recipients of these bonuses will not be able to keep all of their money," declared Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in an unusually strong threat delivered on the Senate floor.

"If you don't return it on your own we will do it for you," said Chuck Schumer of New York

House and Senate Democrats were crafting separate bills to tax up to 100 percent of generous bonuses awarded by companies rescued by taxpayer money.

So, there you go. Now Congress is considering turning it's considerable might and power to writing legislation that steals money (ill gotten i agree, but legally gotten) from individuals it feels make too much money. This is downright scary people. All under the guise of 'doing the right thing'?

Of course, this is just a drama - and it's likely Congress will do absolutely nothing - because they likely can't, legally (meaning following the rules they legislated). But, they'll put on a good show for you.

Step 4: Laugh at the Suckers
Yes. The next step is to laugh at YOU and I - the suckers. Because for some reason we actually think the problem is the AIG bonus payments!

Congress has effectively - intentionally - allowed those payments that they knew all about - well before they wrote the Stimulus Bill.

If people weren't such suckers for a good drama.. they would sit back and take a look at all this and realize that Congress is the problem. They write the laws and they write the checks. And yet they are so good at playing you that they think they can sell you on the idea the problem resides at AIG. Sadly, they seem to be succeeding gloriously!

Step 5: Get Re-Elected and Repeat
Of course, their biggest laugh at your expense will come when you vote your Congressperson back into office in a couple years.


BTW.. if you think this an isolated case.. check this out. Remember Speaker Nancy Pelosi yelling at the auto industry executives about their private planes? How does she get around? Commercial flights.. just like she expects others to .. right? Ummm, she flies in a private plane - compliments of the US taxpayers and piloted by the US Air Force. Every time she takes off her shoes and kicks back in that leather chair after takeoff I'm sure she lets out a big laugh.

Nature Cruise

Last Saturday my sister's family, friend and I took a 5&1/2 hour nature cruise to and around the Coronado Islands. The islands are approximately 15 miles from San Diego and are within the Mexican territorial waters.

PORT OF SAN DIEGO
The cruise initiated from the Port of San Diego and we enjoyed exploring a bit before we left. Here's a small bit of the San Diego skyline down by the port.















Here's the obligatory jumping picture! Yes, my family has the spirit! Nice photo taking Vicki! Behind us is the Star of India - now permanently moored in the bay and acting as a naval museum.















There's some great public art to be viewed as you walk along the coast line. Here's a couple samples - one featuring Vicki.



















SAN DIEGO BAY
Here's some pictures taken while the boat was still within San Diego Bay (before getting out to the Pacific Ocean).

You can see why San Diego is such a favored retirement community. Imagine waking up in one of the houses that overlook the bay every morning!















The end of the land that forms San Diego Bay is Point Loma (where nearby Taylor and Courtney attend Point Loma College). Here's the lighthouse on the point. Interestingly, this is the second lighthouse they installed. The first one, for some reason, was built over 400 ft above sea level. The problem was, that when inclimate weather would come in the lighthouse would be obscured by the cloud cover and so the lighthouse was relatively ineffective.















A buoy in the bay. A warm spot for a nap.



















UNDER THE SEA

Common Dolphins
The first wildlife we came upon was a huge pod of common dolphins. The captain informed us that the pod was approximately 1/2 mile across. There were hundreds of dolphins all around us. We would drift into the pod and enjoy them swimming around us (right next to the boat - see 1st picture). Then, the captain cranked up the engines and the dolphins started running after us and playing! It was an awesome display.


























Grey Whales
Frankly, about the only exciting thing about chasing down a grey whale is to see a tail fluke. Once you see the whale blow (1st picture).. then you stand a chance of seeing them dive and show their tail fluke. Then, it's over and off to other sights and sounds. Note San Diego in the background of the first picture.






















Risso Dolphins
These initially look like killer whales.. with their large dorsal fin. However, they are Risso Dolphins. They are about 4 times the size of a common dolphin - but only about 1/10th as social. For the most part, they just kept their distance from our boat and kept on their way to wherever they were going. We were told that these type of dolphins are only spotted off the coast of San Diego a few times a year.










SEA BIRDS

Brown Pelicans
The Coronado Islands are one of the principle breeding grounds for the brown pelican. Approximately 12,000 inhabit one of the Coronados. These are incredible animals to see in flight as they fly incredibly low to the water in search of food. The second picture shows a couple in flight.
























Cormorants
These birds are amazing swimmers. We were told they swim even better that penguins and are fierce fishers.














Umm.. what do you suppose causes the tops of the rocks on the Coronados to be so.... white?? (Hint... what's the stuff that is white that gets on your car sometimes?).
















Boobies
These birds are relatively rare boobies. Apparently, there are only about 200 of them along the California coastline. Most of them nest on the Coronados.
















American Oystercatcher
This is a very unique with their dark body, yellow/pink legs and red beak. These are very rare birds and it was great to spot a couple as we toured around the islands.















ISLAND WILDLIFE

A beautiful cove. You can imagine just how beautiful the snorkeling is here during summer.















The boat got us quite close to several of the Coronados. In one cove we visited a couple sea elephants surrounded by a number of sea lions. Here's the big daddy.












Here's some beautiful blue sea urchins that are exposed during low tide which is when we visited the islands.











And finally, here's some sea lions luxuriating in the afternoon sun.

From Green to Maize and Blue - Name that Belly!

All this talk about Green is making me think of MSU.. which makes me sick ;)

So, I needed an infusion of Maize and Blue!

Who's belly is this?

Turning Green Part III

Okay.. you knew this whole 'turning green' thing was heading somewhere... so let's just get to it.

Yes, this is Lurinda turning green on our Nature Cruise (I'll post more about that shortly (the cruise I mean ... not Lurinda turning green).

To be fair, she did really good for quite awhile but then the motion sickness got to her as it did to many that were on the boat (including me for a brief moment!). So, she definitely was not alone.

Sorry sis! I was relieved when we got back to shore and you were feeling better ;)

Love ya!

Turning Green Part II

Now I'm turning green because Julie has been off this afternoon to Fort Funston with the dogs!

Fort Funston is in San Francisco and is unique in that it allows dogs off leash! Yes, the quadpedals (4 legged) are allowed to frolic on the beaches and in the ocean to their hearts content.

I am totally jealous!

Turning Green Part I

While down in San Diego last weekend I got the chance to hang out with my sister, Lurinda, which was cool. However, that meant that I had to hang out with her camera as well.

Let's just say - I have a serious case of camera envy. Yep, I'm green as Shrek in the camera area.

Check that baby out.

For you camera enthusiasts that's a Nikon D300 body.. with a 1.7x telephoto adapter.. with like a 70-300mm f2.8 lens (if memory serves me) at the end. I think it weighs 6 pounds.

To give you a sense of the zoom... Lurinda asked me to use her camera to take a picture of her and Chris. No problem I said. Well, I literally had to walk 30 feet away just to get their two torsos in the frame together at minimal zoom.

Sheeesh... and don't even get me going on the click-click-click-click-click sound I had to hear all weekend as my little camera-that-could would go click..............click..............click.

She's back in Michigan now. I think I'll be okay.

US Marine Corp Private Chris McGee

Friday I had the distinct honor of attending the graduation ceremony for my nephew, Chris, who completed 13 rigorous weeks of Marine Corp boot camp to become one of America's 370 newest Marines!

It was an educational two days visiting with Chris at the training facility and learning more about the Marines and the process he just completed as well as witnessing his graduation! I hope you get a chance to hear many of the stories of his training.

Graduation day started out with a flag ceremony at the General's House. It was a moving ceremony that allowed the parents and friends to hear inspirational words from the commanding Brigadier General of the training depot. It is clear that they love their job and understand how to mold new recruits into a cohesive Marine Corp. They should be very proud because I can already detect many changes in my nephew!



















The graduation ceremony took place a couple hours after the flag ceremony. Chris was a part of India (I) Company. I company comprises 6 platoons. Chris was part of platoon 3211. Here's the platoons lined up and ready to march on the 'parade deck' into graduation. ('deck' is the Marine term for ground).









Here's the Marine Band leading the platoons through their final drills.















Here's the Marine mascot - an english bulldog! Join the Marines! Walk the Dog!



















Here's platoon 3211 at the far side of the parade deck on a spectacular Friday.














And here's the platoon in front of the review stands.















Here's a zoom of the platoon. Chris is 2nd from the right in the back row (or in the middle of the picture in the rear!).















Immediately after the graduation mom (Lurinda) hit the parade deck to give her Marine a huge hug and some words of pride and congratulations!















Here's the proud father with his new Marine.



















Here's Cassie - glad to have her boyfriend back!



















This is my sister's great friend, Vicky, with the graduate!















And here's Uncle Tod representing Team Henderson on this most auspicious of occasions! We are all immensely proud of the service and sacrifice to which you are dedicated. Chris, you have our very best wishes as you enjoy your leave and then return for additional infantry training! Ooh-rah!