Farenheit 9/11...

When Beth and I returned Saturday from our trip we went to see Farenheit 9/11 with Amber. Needless to say, we were highly anticipating this film. It was all I hoped it to be and then some, and I was thrilled the theatre was packed. Michael Moore did a lot less on camera stuff this time, he allowed the story to tell itself through facts, newspaper clippings and stories of other, real Ameicans along with Michael's own narrative.

Some surprises:

* The Bush family had a long standing personal/business relationship with the bin Ladens and the Saudis. Their business dealings have netted over $1.4 billion in revenue over the past two decades.

* While interviewing a man in front of the Saudi embassy in Washington DC, Michael Moore was approached by the Secret Service police. They wanted to know what he was up to. When Michael asked them, "Do you normally guard foreign embassies?" the police officer responded, "No."

* Osama bin Laden once thanked America and it's people for helping to rid the Soviets from Afghanistan.

* There were 24 bin Laden family members in the United States during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and they were all flown out of the country three days later by the US Government, along with 128 other Saudis.

* Those investigating the terrorist attacks were encouraged by President Bush to find a link to Iraq.

* The day before bombing began in Irag, video from the streets of Iraq showed children running and playing, flying kites and men and women walking casually down the street -- hardly the image of oppression President Bush painted of the Iraqi people.

* George Bush guaranteed in an interview he would win the Florida election. We all know he did, thanks to his brother, Governor of Florida, a women who was in charge of the elections in Florida who was a close family friend of the Bushs', Republican appointed Supreme Court Justices and of course, the men who created the voting machines used in Florida, who have been long time Republican party donors. It's just unfortunate their votes didn't match the peoples'.

* After the election snafu, several Representatives in the House created some sort of petition, referring to Al Gore as, "Mr. President." Their actions, had they been supported by a single Congressman, would have ordered a full recount of the votes. Not one Senator stepped forward. Where were the Democrats then?

For those of like mind, I highly recommend this documentary. I also encourage you to visit MoveOn.org for more information on how America can defeat Bush this Fall.

Back to civilization...

Beth and I returned from Wisconsin yesterday about 4:30pm. Our flight was delayed about three hours due to bad weather in Dallas (that's where we made a connection). We were bummed because the vet cloese at 5:00 and we weren't going to make it to pick up the cats before they closed... had to get them this morning. We were so missing them!

The trip was a lot of fun--very relaxing. There isn't much to do when your out in the woods except sit back, relax and enjoy being surrounded by mother nature's finest. It is simply beautiful there with thick, lush greenery and thousands of lakes. Beth's grandparents live one of them, Lipsie Lake, located about 15 miles west of the small town of Spooner in Northern Wisconsin (it's about a two hour drive from Minneapolis). The weather was much cooler than when we were there last year, but no uncomfortable. I did quite well in jeans, a t-shirt and light wind-breaker. The mosquitoes, however, were out in droves and we all joked they were getting ready to pick us up and carry us off. The heat in Vegas is good for one thing... we don't have mosquitoes here.

The highlights of the trip:

* This year we had a special event to celebrate and that was Beth's grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. We went to a really nice people where around 200 people gathered to celebrate. It was a great party and fun to visit with so many people that have know them nearly their entire lives.

* Al Cappone's Hideout. During prohibition, Al Cappone created a hideout in Northern Wisconsin on Cranberry Lake where he flew bottlegged whiskey in from Canada. The planes landed on the lake and the whiskey was transfered to trucks and sent to Chicago. He also built a jail cell there where he was knonw to put enemies when he brought them out to the middle of know where for questioning. It is said the lake there has 30 feet of soot and mud at the bottom of it and its never been searched for bodies. I am sure there are at least a couple, if not many, many more.

* Forte Folle Avoine: This was a French trading post set up on the Yellow River to exchange goods with the native Ojibwa Indians for beaver firs. The site is original and a forte and camp were set up to demonstrate how it would have looked. The site feature living history as actors explained the history while playing the part. That was really cool.

* Friday night fish fry: I was introduced to this tradition last year. It seems everyone there goes out to dinner at one of the many local bar and grills for the Friday Night Fish Fry. The food is always fantastic and plentiful and for a good price.

* Rhubard anything... Beth's grandpa Wayne picked a bucket full of rhubarb from his garden and Grandma (Doris) turned it into fantastic rhubarb custard pie. It was delicious. Supplementing that was four rhubarb coffee cakes we managed to consume over the 11 days we were there from the Spooner Bakery. The bakery there is fantastic. Doris also made rhubard sauce which we poured over pancakes for breakfast. That was awesome! I have got to get these recipes from Doris... when I do, I'll be sure to pass them on if I'm allowed to (I'm sure I will be).

* Rest and relaxtion: There was tons of that. I spent many hours sitting in the living room and gazing out the windows looking over the lake. It was too cold to spend a lot of time outside, but we managed several walks up the road and back and got to enjoy that fantastic, clean country air. I saw countless deer, a fox and a bear while there. We played Scrabble every night and one night, while playing, we heard the garbage can fall over outside. We turned the lights off and peered out the window into the darkness, and sure enough, there was a bear rummaging through the trash. That was awesome. At one point he stood up on his hind legs to sniff the air and he stood somwhere between 5 and six feet tall. I got a glimpes of one last year while in the car, but this year I got to sit and watch him for about five minutes before a noise scared him off. That was really cool. I learned how to play Chicken Foot (dominoes) and played several rounds of that, too. It was so nice to sit around, visit and take in nature. It was exactly what a vacation should be.

On the road again...

But this time it's for pleasure. After working a full month in fifteen days, I deserve some time off. Yesterday, Beth and I flew to Minnesota to spend a week with her family. If you remember, we spent some time here about this time last year. This is my second time to the upper Midwest and I must admit, I do like it. The mosquitos are killing me though. The weather is very mild, in the mid 60s to mid 70s. It was hotter here last year, but also much stormier. I got my first experience with tornado warnings here last summer. After partially living in St. Louis the past year, I've gotten used to those, although they still scare me.

Today we are headed to Spooner, Wisconsin where Beth's grandparents live. We'll be there until Tuesday, and we'll head back to Las Vegas on Wednesday. I am looking forward to a week of relaxing country living that will be sure to recharge the 'ol engine.

Back to work...

It's time to earn my keep once again and say good-bye to the uncharacteristically cloudy Southern California sky. Those clouds were a good thing as they kept temperatures moderate and made outdoor activity enjoyable. I arrived in LA Saturday afternoon. Beth and Amber picked me up at LAX and we headed for Universal Studios to catch "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." I enjoyed the movie quite a lot, although there were a few things I would have changed. Nothing major. That same evening we enjoyed a nice dinner at Gladstones on City Walk, where a bird narrowly missed me and bombed the table instead. Whew, lucky miss I guess. Gotta love patio dining!

We headed back to Anaheim that night where we stayed across the street from Disneyland. The original plan was to spend Sunday at the LA Farmers Market, but instead, we opted to go to Disney's California Adventure and add a second day of Disney fun and go to Disneyland on Monday. The Farmer's Market had to wait until today, but in the end, Beth and Amber decided to nix that plan and drive back to Vegas after they dropped me at Orange County airport.

Disney's California Adventure was a lot of fun. Although it isn't Disneyland, overtime as the park builds up with more attractions, and, more importantly, more vegetation, it will become an even more delightful place. I enjoyed the new "Tower of Terror" that recently opened. Although it wasn't terrifying, it was fun. I'd have to say "Soaring Over California" is one of the more unique rides I've ever been on. Grizzly Rapids (or whatever it is called) is a ride that won't get you wet, it will SOAK you. Going on it at 6:30 at night when the sun is setting is not a good idea. We damn near froze, but we headed straight for the hotel to change into warmer clothes and enjoy the rest of the evening at Disneyland.

We did make one more stop at DCA, however, and that was to enjoy the classic "Disney's Electrical Parade." It was just how I remembered with some new floats, too. From there we headed over to Disneyland and spent the evening riding Indiana Jones, Haunted House, Matterhorn and Pirates of the Caribbean. We spent all of yesterday at Disneyland, but found a lot of it to be disappointing.

Most of Tomorrowland was closed for various reasons. Space Mountain is being renovated and will re-open next year. The Autopia was closed for sometime after someone injured themselves. Star Tours closed due to technical problems. The Rocket Ride, which replaced the People Movers, is permanently closed and being torn out (it was only open three years) and the restaurant we wanted to eat at was closed, too. Beyond Tomorrowland, Pirates of the Caribbean closed for sometime as well due to technical problems. The park had AT LEAST twice as many people in it compared to Sunday (which didn't make any sense) and there were a bunch of teenagers from various high schools there that were acting as the worst of them do. It was a big problem because I heard people complaining about them left and right. Between all the closures, the increased wait time due to those closures and unexpected increase in people and those high schoolers, it was a less than magical Disney Day. It took me a while to get over it, but I did and the day was fun in the end. I just wish it would have been fun from the beginning. I don't ever recall being disappointed while at Disneyland, so this will be a sad first.

In the end, the trip was a lot of fun and a great getaway with Beth and Amber. I am back in St. Louis now and am back to work tomorrow morning. I won't return home until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week and then will pick up and leave for Wisconsin Thursday for a week. I will only have a few days at home this month (I haven't been there at all in June yet) so when I am it will be nice. At least I still get to see Beth plenty.

There are a few photos from my camera phone on the photo blog of the trip... I hope you enjoy them.

Travelin' man...

I leave this morning for a three day trip. Tonight, I layover in Providence, RI and tomorrow I layover in Boston. Saturday, I am flying to LA to meet up with Beth and Amber. We're going to hang out at City Walk Saturday night to watch the third installment of the Harry Potter movies. Can't wait for that. Sunday is kind of open and Monday we are headed to Disney's California Adventure. I can't wait for that! I'll fly back to St. Louis on Tuesday and Beth and Amber will drive home.

Beth's last day with her kids is today, and tomorrow is her last day for the summer. She sure is looking forward to the time off. She needs it.

Yesterday, my roommate Tim and I made use of our season passes to Six Flags. We were only able to go for a few hours, but it was plenty of time to ride all the roller coasters, some of them two and three times. It's nice to go early in the year like this since you can, for the most part, walk right on the rides. At most, you may wait 10 minutes. I posted a picture of "Batman The Ride" on the photoblog yesterday, and there are also photos there from when we went last week. It's a small park compared to Magic Mountain, but it's a nice park and the price for a season's pass was right: $55! One day admission is $45, so we've already made our investment worth it. And, we can use it at ANY Six Flags. Sweet!