I have been contemplating a blog post regarding my thoughts on gun-control in the wake of all of the media and happenings with that topics in recent weeks. I came across the post below from another blog. Since I can't say it any better myself, I will just share the link. It is long, but a good scan will get you to the information that concerns you the most. Enjoy, and feel free to comment on my blog with your thoughts.
Summary of facts about gun control
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
An Answer to a Controversial Topic
I had a discussion recently with someone. It is a topic about which I have conversed on more than one occasion, but I have come to realize that not everyone shares my view on the issue. I find it hard to believe that so many people can be wrong, but I thought I would take a quick moment to voice the truth.
What is a better method to the sport?
Fishing with live bait vs. Fishing with artificial lures
I answer this question by defining the word "fishing". (This is probably not Webster's definition, but it works for me.) By doing this, we will determine that one of the above options is not even sport.
Fishing is the act of using a bait and specific actions to cause a reaction by a fish to make it bite. Sometimes this is just a reaction, and the fish bites out of curiosity. Sometimes the bait imitates a food item that causes the fish to naturally want to eat it. However, it is still artificial, so you are providing the fish a sporting chance to make the distinction.
When using live bait, this definition does allow the act to be defined as "fishing". Let's examine what live bait is doing. You throw a worm, minnow, or crawfish out into the water and wait for a fish to come. First of all, you are using something that the fish would naturally eat that carries the natural scent, flavor, and action. Where is the sport in that? Also, the bait is doing all of the work. You are not doing anything with the rod to create a certain appeal or action. Where is the skill/sport in that?
If it is not "fishing", then what is it?
By examining these aspects of live bait, I have determined that using live bait to gather fish is not "fishing". It is "trapping". For this, we will refer to Mr. Webster. He allows two definitions. Using live bait works for both.
Trapping
1.) to catch or hold as if in a net
(The "net" is the tractor beam coming off of an irresistable piece of food. The fish with no will-power does not stand a chance.)
2.) to take physical control or possession of something suddenly or forcibly
(By using something that does not allow the prey to have a choice to determine if something is real or not, the so-called fisherman is using force.)
Do not criticize me for using Webster's with one and not the other. It is my blog, and I can do that. If you are criticizing that effort, then you should probably keep reading. You are probably the one that has something to learn.
When is live bait okay?
I know what you are saying - "Stephen, you are being ridiculous in your interpretations. It is just fishing. What is the big deal?"
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that live bait does not have its place. If you are fishing for food, you should absolutely use whatever you want to get the fish to bite. If you are fishing for sport, fun, or for the satisfaction of knowing that you outsmarted the fish, then live bait is out of the question.
I will never criticize someone for using live bait to catch food unless they are bragging about their catch, or unless they are trying for largemouth bass. Largemouth bass (in my opinion) should not be kept except in managed ponds and lakes due to their low reproduction rates. If they are not being kept for food, then live bait should not be used. Also, these bass are agressive eaters. They often swallow live bait before the hook can be set because of the human delay with a bobber. The hook then causes major damage to the fish. This often causes them not to survive. This can happen on occasion with artificial baits, but it is less likely to happen because of the timing in the hookset.
If you prefer to still go to the lake, river, or pond and not challenge your skillset and trick innocent fish into eating prey while you hide a hook in it, then go right ahead and keep on doing it. Just don't brag about it to me.
What is a better method to the sport?
Fishing with live bait vs. Fishing with artificial lures
I answer this question by defining the word "fishing". (This is probably not Webster's definition, but it works for me.) By doing this, we will determine that one of the above options is not even sport.
Fishing is the act of using a bait and specific actions to cause a reaction by a fish to make it bite. Sometimes this is just a reaction, and the fish bites out of curiosity. Sometimes the bait imitates a food item that causes the fish to naturally want to eat it. However, it is still artificial, so you are providing the fish a sporting chance to make the distinction.
When using live bait, this definition does allow the act to be defined as "fishing". Let's examine what live bait is doing. You throw a worm, minnow, or crawfish out into the water and wait for a fish to come. First of all, you are using something that the fish would naturally eat that carries the natural scent, flavor, and action. Where is the sport in that? Also, the bait is doing all of the work. You are not doing anything with the rod to create a certain appeal or action. Where is the skill/sport in that?
If it is not "fishing", then what is it?
By examining these aspects of live bait, I have determined that using live bait to gather fish is not "fishing". It is "trapping". For this, we will refer to Mr. Webster. He allows two definitions. Using live bait works for both.
Trapping
1.) to catch or hold as if in a net
(The "net" is the tractor beam coming off of an irresistable piece of food. The fish with no will-power does not stand a chance.)
2.) to take physical control or possession of something suddenly or forcibly
(By using something that does not allow the prey to have a choice to determine if something is real or not, the so-called fisherman is using force.)
Do not criticize me for using Webster's with one and not the other. It is my blog, and I can do that. If you are criticizing that effort, then you should probably keep reading. You are probably the one that has something to learn.
When is live bait okay?
I know what you are saying - "Stephen, you are being ridiculous in your interpretations. It is just fishing. What is the big deal?"
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that live bait does not have its place. If you are fishing for food, you should absolutely use whatever you want to get the fish to bite. If you are fishing for sport, fun, or for the satisfaction of knowing that you outsmarted the fish, then live bait is out of the question.
I will never criticize someone for using live bait to catch food unless they are bragging about their catch, or unless they are trying for largemouth bass. Largemouth bass (in my opinion) should not be kept except in managed ponds and lakes due to their low reproduction rates. If they are not being kept for food, then live bait should not be used. Also, these bass are agressive eaters. They often swallow live bait before the hook can be set because of the human delay with a bobber. The hook then causes major damage to the fish. This often causes them not to survive. This can happen on occasion with artificial baits, but it is less likely to happen because of the timing in the hookset.
If you prefer to still go to the lake, river, or pond and not challenge your skillset and trick innocent fish into eating prey while you hide a hook in it, then go right ahead and keep on doing it. Just don't brag about it to me.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The End Of A Rough Patch
The stress level has been down quite a bit in my house lately. It's funny how one little phone call can change things. A couple of weeks ago, I got the call offering me a job.
For those who are not aware, I was let me go from my previous employer in April based on budget issues and the need to eliminate my position. Although it was no fault of my own, the method in which it was handled was far from professional or respectful. Needless to say the last four months have not been easy.
I have tried hard to keep a positive and optimistic attitude during the whole situation. I feel like I did the best I possibly could. It was difficult even making myself get out of bed each day, especially after I was awake all hours of the night worrying about the future.
It is hard to count the number of times that someone asked me, "What do you do all day?". I spent the majority of the days and late nights doing job searches and submitting applications/resumes (literally hundreds). Sure, I had a lot of interviews. The ones where I thought a good fit was evident had the employer thinking differently. Then there were the ones where I realized quickly that it was not the job for me. Those were usually the ones that actually wanted my services. It was tough to explain to others that I would even consider turning down a position in my given circumstance. However, those close to me knew that I needed to find the best long-term opportunity. Constant prayer and support from close friends and family helped. I knew that God had a plan. My impatience with Him lacking to reveal it, though, was growing.
It did take a toll on me mentally, but I tried to find inexpensive (aka FREE) ways to occupy my mind when I just needed a break. I spent many afternoons at the community swimming pool taking advantage of my HOA dues. I read a few books between swims, and my tan became quite impressive (yet very uneven). I also fished a little to try to get away from the reality. The summer heat did not make that the best solution on most days. I mowed the yard (even sometimes when it did not need it). I rode my bicycle on area trails. I built charts and graphs on spreadsheets to track different statistics (mostly regarding my workouts). I have to admit that I did watch a lot of television. I saw every episode of a five-season show that was cancelled seven years ago. I became quite the enthusiast of valuable antiques by watching countless auction shows and even visiting local antique stores just to look.
With me being home a lot, it was only a matter of time before the house started reflecting it. I did my best to pull my weight while the wife was out earning the money. I cleaned pretty well (although there are still some areas that she insists on doing herself). I also did my fair share of the cooking. I can safely say that on most days dinner was ready by the time she arrived home from work.
If you know me well, you are aware that I always try to find a positive or a lesson learned in any situation. If I have to pick an obvious one during all of this, it would have to be that my wife and I learned about priority when it comes to spending. We have always been smart with our money, but during these months we became even smarter. We learned to get by on a lot less, and it is easy to see how that will be useful in the future (especially as we try to save for the possibility of moving). I am not saying that we will continue to live exactly as we have and put all of the extra in savings. I am saying, though, that we know what we are capable of. That will be reflected by some of our newly-formed spending habits. Another lesson was that of patience and the understanding of purpose in God's plan and timing.
The hard part now is getting back into a routine of working. The new position does consist of a long commute, so I am already trying to train my body to get up earlier. (I don't start until Monday.) I have never been a morning person, and most of my career has involved jobs with flexible or later hours. I will do it, though, and every single time I start to complain I will reflect on this particular blog entry as a reminder of the alternative.
For those who are not aware, I was let me go from my previous employer in April based on budget issues and the need to eliminate my position. Although it was no fault of my own, the method in which it was handled was far from professional or respectful. Needless to say the last four months have not been easy.
I have tried hard to keep a positive and optimistic attitude during the whole situation. I feel like I did the best I possibly could. It was difficult even making myself get out of bed each day, especially after I was awake all hours of the night worrying about the future.
It is hard to count the number of times that someone asked me, "What do you do all day?". I spent the majority of the days and late nights doing job searches and submitting applications/resumes (literally hundreds). Sure, I had a lot of interviews. The ones where I thought a good fit was evident had the employer thinking differently. Then there were the ones where I realized quickly that it was not the job for me. Those were usually the ones that actually wanted my services. It was tough to explain to others that I would even consider turning down a position in my given circumstance. However, those close to me knew that I needed to find the best long-term opportunity. Constant prayer and support from close friends and family helped. I knew that God had a plan. My impatience with Him lacking to reveal it, though, was growing.
It did take a toll on me mentally, but I tried to find inexpensive (aka FREE) ways to occupy my mind when I just needed a break. I spent many afternoons at the community swimming pool taking advantage of my HOA dues. I read a few books between swims, and my tan became quite impressive (yet very uneven). I also fished a little to try to get away from the reality. The summer heat did not make that the best solution on most days. I mowed the yard (even sometimes when it did not need it). I rode my bicycle on area trails. I built charts and graphs on spreadsheets to track different statistics (mostly regarding my workouts). I have to admit that I did watch a lot of television. I saw every episode of a five-season show that was cancelled seven years ago. I became quite the enthusiast of valuable antiques by watching countless auction shows and even visiting local antique stores just to look.
With me being home a lot, it was only a matter of time before the house started reflecting it. I did my best to pull my weight while the wife was out earning the money. I cleaned pretty well (although there are still some areas that she insists on doing herself). I also did my fair share of the cooking. I can safely say that on most days dinner was ready by the time she arrived home from work.
If you know me well, you are aware that I always try to find a positive or a lesson learned in any situation. If I have to pick an obvious one during all of this, it would have to be that my wife and I learned about priority when it comes to spending. We have always been smart with our money, but during these months we became even smarter. We learned to get by on a lot less, and it is easy to see how that will be useful in the future (especially as we try to save for the possibility of moving). I am not saying that we will continue to live exactly as we have and put all of the extra in savings. I am saying, though, that we know what we are capable of. That will be reflected by some of our newly-formed spending habits. Another lesson was that of patience and the understanding of purpose in God's plan and timing.
The hard part now is getting back into a routine of working. The new position does consist of a long commute, so I am already trying to train my body to get up earlier. (I don't start until Monday.) I have never been a morning person, and most of my career has involved jobs with flexible or later hours. I will do it, though, and every single time I start to complain I will reflect on this particular blog entry as a reminder of the alternative.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Link to Article - OU Offensive Lineman Still Plays While Undergoing Chemo Treatments
I just had to share this story, especially considering what my family has experienced over the past couple of years.
CLICK HERE FOR STORY
CLICK HERE FOR STORY
Sunday, August 12, 2012
What's really important?
I recently received a phone call that changed my perspective on things, at least for a while.
It was on the morning of July 31st. My mother was the one on the other end. She informed me of the sudden passing of a man of whom I had a lot of respect. Mr. H was the father of two of my dearest friends. I knew that I would be packing up immediately to head east to do what I could to help the family during this time of loss.
I guess this is the first time that the circumstances were fortunate that I am currently out of work. I had nothing holding me to stay at my own home for the next few days. Just like that, the pity party I was having for my lack of employment was suddenly forgotten. It was insignificant. After a few phone calls of notifications and communication with the family, I accepted my first assignment. I was asked to pick up the youngest son from the airport as he flew in from Yankeeland to the Lone Star State.
He and I have been through a lot in our lives and friendship of about 18 years. We share many experiences that teenage friends and young adults go through. We don't speak quite as often as we probably should, but that made no difference. It was not the first time I had picked him up from the airport, but I never imagined these circumstances. (The previous time had been for a different type of life-changing experience - my wedding.) Following a somber embrace at baggage claim, we began our three-hour journey to reunite him with family. He told me immediately that he did not want to talk about the obvious. He asked about what was new with me. I did my best to keep conversation away from his dad, but every topic eventually came back around to the reason he made his unscheduled flight.
Luckily my brother lives a few miles from his family. My brother and I were both available over the course of the next few days to do whatever the family needed. Sure, we mowed the yard and helped with a few errands, but I learned that sometimes just being there is gesture enough.
I tried the whole time to put myself in the place of this family and especially in the place of these two young men that are my age. No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to even imagine the pain they were experiencing. Maybe that is why I had a tougher time at the funeral than I thought I would. Yes, I will miss seeing and visiting with Mr. H when I travel that direction. That was not the emotional feeling I had overcome me at the funeral, though. My pain was for the family and the void that was now created. Another emotional factor was the fact that my own father was the minister officiating the funeral. Hearing him speak, I could not help but imagine how I would feel if it was my father that was gone.
In retrospect of the entire week, I feel like I learned one of those maturing life lessons about priority. Lately I have had days when I have felt down about my employment and financial situations. This experience helped me to realize that this minor setback in my life is not quite so important in the overall plan of life. What is important is how you live your life (that dash on the headstone) and how you affect others while you are here. Family and friends are important. How you treat others, no matter the status of your relationship, is important. I doubt anyone who knew Mr. H would have a negative thing to say about him, his faith, or his priorities. He was not the most outgoing person in the world. He was not one to go out of his way to meet new people. He was, however, a well-respected and loved father, husband, grandfather, co-worker, son-in-law, father-in-law, friend, and Christian brother. I promise that those titles meant more to him that how much was in his bank account or how much land he owned. I can learn a lot from Mr. H.
I will close with this. At the funeral, his youngest son bravely read an excerpt from Mr. H's blog pertaining to his thoughts on death and Christ. Here is a link, so that you, too, can read his words - http://popgunstories.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/easter-2/. You might also find it interesting to read other entries from this fine man.
I also feel like it is fitting to include a picture of what was important to Mr. H.
It was on the morning of July 31st. My mother was the one on the other end. She informed me of the sudden passing of a man of whom I had a lot of respect. Mr. H was the father of two of my dearest friends. I knew that I would be packing up immediately to head east to do what I could to help the family during this time of loss.
I guess this is the first time that the circumstances were fortunate that I am currently out of work. I had nothing holding me to stay at my own home for the next few days. Just like that, the pity party I was having for my lack of employment was suddenly forgotten. It was insignificant. After a few phone calls of notifications and communication with the family, I accepted my first assignment. I was asked to pick up the youngest son from the airport as he flew in from Yankeeland to the Lone Star State.
He and I have been through a lot in our lives and friendship of about 18 years. We share many experiences that teenage friends and young adults go through. We don't speak quite as often as we probably should, but that made no difference. It was not the first time I had picked him up from the airport, but I never imagined these circumstances. (The previous time had been for a different type of life-changing experience - my wedding.) Following a somber embrace at baggage claim, we began our three-hour journey to reunite him with family. He told me immediately that he did not want to talk about the obvious. He asked about what was new with me. I did my best to keep conversation away from his dad, but every topic eventually came back around to the reason he made his unscheduled flight.
Luckily my brother lives a few miles from his family. My brother and I were both available over the course of the next few days to do whatever the family needed. Sure, we mowed the yard and helped with a few errands, but I learned that sometimes just being there is gesture enough.
I tried the whole time to put myself in the place of this family and especially in the place of these two young men that are my age. No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible to even imagine the pain they were experiencing. Maybe that is why I had a tougher time at the funeral than I thought I would. Yes, I will miss seeing and visiting with Mr. H when I travel that direction. That was not the emotional feeling I had overcome me at the funeral, though. My pain was for the family and the void that was now created. Another emotional factor was the fact that my own father was the minister officiating the funeral. Hearing him speak, I could not help but imagine how I would feel if it was my father that was gone.
In retrospect of the entire week, I feel like I learned one of those maturing life lessons about priority. Lately I have had days when I have felt down about my employment and financial situations. This experience helped me to realize that this minor setback in my life is not quite so important in the overall plan of life. What is important is how you live your life (that dash on the headstone) and how you affect others while you are here. Family and friends are important. How you treat others, no matter the status of your relationship, is important. I doubt anyone who knew Mr. H would have a negative thing to say about him, his faith, or his priorities. He was not the most outgoing person in the world. He was not one to go out of his way to meet new people. He was, however, a well-respected and loved father, husband, grandfather, co-worker, son-in-law, father-in-law, friend, and Christian brother. I promise that those titles meant more to him that how much was in his bank account or how much land he owned. I can learn a lot from Mr. H.
I will close with this. At the funeral, his youngest son bravely read an excerpt from Mr. H's blog pertaining to his thoughts on death and Christ. Here is a link, so that you, too, can read his words - http://popgunstories.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/easter-2/. You might also find it interesting to read other entries from this fine man.
I also feel like it is fitting to include a picture of what was important to Mr. H.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
How Important Is A Family Name?
I have been catching fish for as long as I can remember. I have caught dozens of species. I have always known that there are separate species of panfish that I catch, but for some reason they always just lump in my mind as "bream" or "perch". An incident yesterday has changed my perspective.
It is not uncommon to encounter these small fish in ponds and lakes while fishing for bass, especially when using soft plastic worms or lizards. These little freshwaters jewels will be tempted by the curly tails of these lures and grab them as they come through their area. It can be annoying when my concentration is focused on landing bass. If I have a rod rigged with a Roostertail or Beetle Spin, I will often toss them out to snag these guys. Yesterday's sunset fishing trip was no exception.
I was slowly working a Texas-rigged 4" watermelon red lizard near the banks of a local pond. It was rigged with a 1/16 ounce bullet weight and a 1/0 hook with the hope that a largemouth bass would find it appealing. After a few casts, I felt a tug. Experience told me that it was not a bass. A few casts later the lizard went through the same area and the tug was felt once more. This time I decided to give a good hookset to see what would happen. (Keep in mind that I have done this a bunch of times, as "bream" bites are very commonplace in the ponds I frequent. The mouths on these fish are so small that the hook is not ever near getting into them.)
As I jerked the rod, a small fish came flying out of the water over my head. There was no fight. It was all in the air and over with in less than a second. I looked and saw this fellow dangling from my rod.
I was amazing that it was able to inhale an entire 4' lizard and a 1/0 offset worm hook. As I began to examine the situation, I noticed that this particular fish had a larger mouth than most I see. It forced my interest to grow, so I came home to research the topic. I began to learn that all of the fish I catch like this are not bream or perch. They are, in fact, all part of the sunfish family. Within the sunfish family, we find bluegills, red-eared sunfish, long-eared sunfish, green sunfish, and a whole lot more. The largemouth bass is also part of the sunfish family. This family will often inhabit the same waters and mate causing a variety of hybrids. My particular fish seems to be a hybrid version of the green sunfish based on its markings and mouth size.
Again, I have caught hundreds of sunfish. I have heard that name many times, but I have continued to refer to them as bream and perch. It will be a hard habit to break, but I am going to do my best to give these little fish a bit more respect and refer to them by their family name - sunfish.
On Another Note....
I also got the chance to meet Nolan Ryan yesterday. I don't normally get excited about meeting celebrities, getting pictures made with them, or receiving their autographs. I have met my fair share, and they are just people. This was an exception. As a child, I idolized this man. I had pictures on my wall and even saved newspaper clippings that mentioned him. I knew his birthday and remember having a small celebration in my room for it one year. I am definitely grateful for the opportunity to satisfy the dream of a 7-year old Stephen.
It is not uncommon to encounter these small fish in ponds and lakes while fishing for bass, especially when using soft plastic worms or lizards. These little freshwaters jewels will be tempted by the curly tails of these lures and grab them as they come through their area. It can be annoying when my concentration is focused on landing bass. If I have a rod rigged with a Roostertail or Beetle Spin, I will often toss them out to snag these guys. Yesterday's sunset fishing trip was no exception.
I was slowly working a Texas-rigged 4" watermelon red lizard near the banks of a local pond. It was rigged with a 1/16 ounce bullet weight and a 1/0 hook with the hope that a largemouth bass would find it appealing. After a few casts, I felt a tug. Experience told me that it was not a bass. A few casts later the lizard went through the same area and the tug was felt once more. This time I decided to give a good hookset to see what would happen. (Keep in mind that I have done this a bunch of times, as "bream" bites are very commonplace in the ponds I frequent. The mouths on these fish are so small that the hook is not ever near getting into them.)
As I jerked the rod, a small fish came flying out of the water over my head. There was no fight. It was all in the air and over with in less than a second. I looked and saw this fellow dangling from my rod.
I was amazing that it was able to inhale an entire 4' lizard and a 1/0 offset worm hook. As I began to examine the situation, I noticed that this particular fish had a larger mouth than most I see. It forced my interest to grow, so I came home to research the topic. I began to learn that all of the fish I catch like this are not bream or perch. They are, in fact, all part of the sunfish family. Within the sunfish family, we find bluegills, red-eared sunfish, long-eared sunfish, green sunfish, and a whole lot more. The largemouth bass is also part of the sunfish family. This family will often inhabit the same waters and mate causing a variety of hybrids. My particular fish seems to be a hybrid version of the green sunfish based on its markings and mouth size.
Again, I have caught hundreds of sunfish. I have heard that name many times, but I have continued to refer to them as bream and perch. It will be a hard habit to break, but I am going to do my best to give these little fish a bit more respect and refer to them by their family name - sunfish.
On Another Note....
I also got the chance to meet Nolan Ryan yesterday. I don't normally get excited about meeting celebrities, getting pictures made with them, or receiving their autographs. I have met my fair share, and they are just people. This was an exception. As a child, I idolized this man. I had pictures on my wall and even saved newspaper clippings that mentioned him. I knew his birthday and remember having a small celebration in my room for it one year. I am definitely grateful for the opportunity to satisfy the dream of a 7-year old Stephen.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Vegas Summary
It has been a month now since we returned from our trip to Las Vegas. I thought I would take some time to share photos and information about our trip. As most readers know, I was laid off from my job less than two weeks before our scheduled vacation. After much debate, we decided to go through with the trip. We just had to be more careful with the budget.
We arrived Sunday night at the airport in Vegas. We finally meandered our way through the airport to luggage pickup and to the shuttle services. We were able to get a nice little evening tour of The Strip and see several other hotels as we patiently waited for other passengers to be dropped off before the bus made it to the Monte Carlo.
Upon check-in, we were told that the room we requested was not available for our first night. We asked for an upgraded view once our requested room was available. The desk clerk was very pleasant and did everything to make the error right. We ended up changing the next day with very little inconvenience. Also upon check-in, we were informed that their were tickets waiting for us for a show at The Wynn. We did not order tickets to any show, so this would require further investigation.
It was late, and we were still on Central time, so we found a quick bite to eat at the Monte Carlo food court and headed to our temporary room.
Monday
We woke up and were ready to explore. I will not go into detail about every sight and every meal we encountered, but I will hit some of the highlights.
We walked up and down The Strip and took in all of the interested things to see. It was disappointing to learn that the lion exhibit at MGM Grand was closed for remodeling. The street performers were entertaining, though. Also along the way, we enjoyed walking through the novelty-type stores like the Coca Cola store and the M&M store. It did not take long before we were approached by a couple of different vendors with tempting offers to hear a timeshare pitch. I knew better, though, than to commit most of a day to something like that.
Later in the day, we got the call that it was time for us to change rooms.
We also began to investigate the mysterious tickets waiting for us at The Wynn. After several calls and a visit to the concierge's counter, we learned that a good friend had reserved tickets for us to see Le Reve on Tuesday night.
We kept the evening journeys low-key, but we did get to see some of the night visions.
Tuesday
We had already planned on spending part of Tuesday at the hotel pool area. I woke up fairly early. I went and got us something quick to eat in the room. I then headed to the gym for a quick workout while Jennifer rested.
When I returned from the gym, we went to the pools only to learn that if you are not there early the available seating is limited. We chose a couple of less than ideal lounge chairs and kept an eye on other guests. As soon as a couple left from a prime seating area, I jumped at the open chairs before someone else had the opportunity. We enjoyed having lunch brought to us, as well as the excellent opportunity to watch a variety of people.
A lot of our fellow tourists were obviously from Europe. This, at times, provides more up close and personal viewing due to their swimsuit choices. Aside from that, we did enjoy the relaxation in our chairs and floating in the lazy river pool.
After a few hours of sun, it was time to head back to the room to get ready for our show that evening.
We chose to purchase a 24-hour bus pass to get us to The Wynn. After picking up our tickets, we had some time to kill before showtime. We had not eaten, so we walked through a couple of area hotels to try to find a desirable and affordable restaurant. We were successful. We then headed back to The Wynn to watch Le Reve.
The show was fantastic. I really was not sure that I would enjoy that type of entertainment, but it was by far the highlight of the trip. We were in the second row (the "splash zone"), but we barely felt a few drops. Le Reve highlighted a combination of acrobatics, dance, pyrotechnics, and synchronized swimming to convey a story. We were thoroughly entertained the entire time. I was personally impressed with the pure strength and coordination of the performers. They did not allow photography during the show, but we were able to snap a few before and afterward.
After the show, we decided to walk back to our hotel instead of taking the bus. Along the way, we saw a variety of characters and types of tourists. We also took a few minutes to watch the free outdoor show at Treasure Island. That is 15 minutes I will never get back. Unfortunately, though, the stupid songs get stuck in your head for longer than desired.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, we were proud of our advanced planning. We had purchased the 24-hour bus passes the evening before. That meant they were still good for an adventure to the downtown area the next day. Also as a part of advanced planning brilliance, we took advantage of the day-long pass for the buffet at the Monte Carlo. Therefore, before heading to downtown, we had a huge brunch that would hold us over until we made it back to the hotel for the dinner buffet that evening.
After eating way too much, we boarded the correct bus and began the trip north. We decided to get off a couple of stops early and venture by Gold & Silver Pawn to see if we could meet some of the Pawn Stars. We were not the only tourists with that plan. I was, however, the only one of the group that had already mapped out the walking path from the bus stop to the pawn shop. Therefore, I took the lead for about a dozen people walking through a part of Vegas that would be less than appealing to most. Jennifer was a little concerned for our safety, but we made it without harm.
I was not optimistic about being able to actually see any of those on the show. Research had told me that they are rarely in the store when filming is not being done. The store was smaller than expected, but I did recognize several items bought on the show. I would estimate that half of the shop was devoted to merchandise for the show. I did not feel the need to to purchase a mug with Chum Lee's face on it.
Following the brief stop at the pawn shop, we walked toward Fremont Street.
Fremont Street is the area of Vegas that you have seen in movies featuring Sin City in the 1970s. This strip is home to the 4 Queens, the Golden Nugget, and several other classic casinos.
It was interesting to see them since I have an interest in the historical aspect of the city. There were street performers and vendors all along this area. At night, ceiling presents a light show, but we were there during the day.
The walking downtown takes its toll on the body. The wife was tired after several blocks, so we stopped for a brief rest in the Golden Nugget. Not wanting to look like we were just using the stools for rest, Jennifer decided to make her Vegas gambling debut at one of the slot machines. It was quite a complicated machine. Before we figured out what we were doing, she was already down $0.95. It was then time to head to the mob museum a few blocks away.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a certain interest in all things to do with organized crime. Vegas offers several options in the way of mob experiences. I researched quite a bit and learned that this particular museum would be my best value with actual historical significance.
Plus, I read that they had the actual barber's chair in which Albert Anastasia was killed in NYC. That was definitely something worth seeing in my opinion. The museum is new, but it still had a lot of interesting information. It is located in the old building where the actual Las Vegas Kefauver Hearings were held. It was neat to sit in that room while going through the museum.
After the museum, we boarded the bus just before our passes expired and headed back to the hotel. We once again ate way too much at the buffet. We were going to go visit the piano bar at New York New York, but Jennifer was not feeling up to it. We spent the rest of the evening in the room.
Thursday
The day to head home had arrived. Our flight was not until the afternoon, so we called to make sure we could get a later check-out time. We packed up and actually decided to play a little bit in the casino. I helped Jennifer a little to figure out the video blackjack, then I explored the exciting world of penny slots.
Jennifer won $5 at her game. I won a few bucks on mine before losing it again. Overall, I lost less than a dollar, so it wasn't too devastating.
We then got a cab and headed toward the airport. It was time to get back to her parents' house in Louisiana to check on our furry little son.
We arrived Sunday night at the airport in Vegas. We finally meandered our way through the airport to luggage pickup and to the shuttle services. We were able to get a nice little evening tour of The Strip and see several other hotels as we patiently waited for other passengers to be dropped off before the bus made it to the Monte Carlo.
 |
| Our hotel (as taken from the cab on our way to the airport on Thursday) |
It was late, and we were still on Central time, so we found a quick bite to eat at the Monte Carlo food court and headed to our temporary room.
Monday
 |
| Enjoying an Icee at the Coca Cola store |
We walked up and down The Strip and took in all of the interested things to see. It was disappointing to learn that the lion exhibit at MGM Grand was closed for remodeling. The street performers were entertaining, though. Also along the way, we enjoyed walking through the novelty-type stores like the Coca Cola store and the M&M store. It did not take long before we were approached by a couple of different vendors with tempting offers to hear a timeshare pitch. I knew better, though, than to commit most of a day to something like that.
 |
| New room view |
 |
| New room view at night |
We also began to investigate the mysterious tickets waiting for us at The Wynn. After several calls and a visit to the concierge's counter, we learned that a good friend had reserved tickets for us to see Le Reve on Tuesday night.
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| Bellagio Fountains |
We kept the evening journeys low-key, but we did get to see some of the night visions.
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| Obviously it had been a long day |
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| Great view of our surrounding hotels while waiting on the monorail |
Tuesday
We had already planned on spending part of Tuesday at the hotel pool area. I woke up fairly early. I went and got us something quick to eat in the room. I then headed to the gym for a quick workout while Jennifer rested.
When I returned from the gym, we went to the pools only to learn that if you are not there early the available seating is limited. We chose a couple of less than ideal lounge chairs and kept an eye on other guests. As soon as a couple left from a prime seating area, I jumped at the open chairs before someone else had the opportunity. We enjoyed having lunch brought to us, as well as the excellent opportunity to watch a variety of people.
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| Poolside nachos |
A lot of our fellow tourists were obviously from Europe. This, at times, provides more up close and personal viewing due to their swimsuit choices. Aside from that, we did enjoy the relaxation in our chairs and floating in the lazy river pool.
 |
| Of course I was ready to go before Jennifer. |
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| Jennifer in the lobby at The Wynn |
We chose to purchase a 24-hour bus pass to get us to The Wynn. After picking up our tickets, we had some time to kill before showtime. We had not eaten, so we walked through a couple of area hotels to try to find a desirable and affordable restaurant. We were successful. We then headed back to The Wynn to watch Le Reve.
 |
| The "stage" after the show |
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| A hot-looking couple before Le Reve |
Wednesday
 |
| Brunch buffet - YUM |
After eating way too much, we boarded the correct bus and began the trip north. We decided to get off a couple of stops early and venture by Gold & Silver Pawn to see if we could meet some of the Pawn Stars. We were not the only tourists with that plan. I was, however, the only one of the group that had already mapped out the walking path from the bus stop to the pawn shop. Therefore, I took the lead for about a dozen people walking through a part of Vegas that would be less than appealing to most. Jennifer was a little concerned for our safety, but we made it without harm.
 |
| A shot from the back of the pawn shop facing the front door |
 |
| Items that were bought on the show were clearly marked as such. |
Following the brief stop at the pawn shop, we walked toward Fremont Street.
 |
| We passed a couple of historic wedding chapels on the walk from the pawn shop to Fremont Street. |
Fremont Street is the area of Vegas that you have seen in movies featuring Sin City in the 1970s. This strip is home to the 4 Queens, the Golden Nugget, and several other classic casinos.
 |
| Fremont Street |
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a certain interest in all things to do with organized crime. Vegas offers several options in the way of mob experiences. I researched quite a bit and learned that this particular museum would be my best value with actual historical significance.
Plus, I read that they had the actual barber's chair in which Albert Anastasia was killed in NYC. That was definitely something worth seeing in my opinion. The museum is new, but it still had a lot of interesting information. It is located in the old building where the actual Las Vegas Kefauver Hearings were held. It was neat to sit in that room while going through the museum.
 |
| It was a little scary to see how comfortable she felt with the Tommy Gun demo. |
After the museum, we boarded the bus just before our passes expired and headed back to the hotel. We once again ate way too much at the buffet. We were going to go visit the piano bar at New York New York, but Jennifer was not feeling up to it. We spent the rest of the evening in the room.
Thursday
 |
| The Star Wars slot machine had a vibrating chair with speakers that played theme music as I played the game. |
Jennifer won $5 at her game. I won a few bucks on mine before losing it again. Overall, I lost less than a dollar, so it wasn't too devastating.
 |
| Hello Mr. Lincoln! |
We then got a cab and headed toward the airport. It was time to get back to her parents' house in Louisiana to check on our furry little son.
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| Our view of the Grand Canyon on the flight back home |
Saturday, May 26, 2012
As my first blog entry, I figured I would test the waters (no pun intended) with a report of my morning fishing trip.
Although I have discovered new ponds in the area that have produced decent fishing trips, I have missed fishing one of my favorites this spring. I began fishing this particular pond four years ago. This year, though, it had become quite overgrown with vegetation and difficult to fish. I noticed a few days ago that one side had been cleared just enough to reach the water. Knowing that it was also hard for others to fish, I figured the fish would be ready to bite something artificial. After dinner last night, I decided to give it a try while there was a little bit of daylight left.
Within 15 minutes, I had missed three bites on my Stanley Ribbit topwater frog bait. Realizing these fish were not in an aggressive enough mood to go for the kill shot, I decided to add a treble hook as a trailer. I still missed a couple of additional short-strikers, but I did land three bass before it was too dark to see where I was casting.
As any fisherman knows, one topwater bite is worth two or three beneath the surface. There is just nothing comparable to seeing and hearing a bass break the surface to inhale a lure as it skates along the top of the water. After getting home, I could not get get those strikes out of my head. I repacked my small box of lures (I only take a handful of options to each pond trip) and three rods. I set my alarm to wake me up extra early to try to recreate those feeding explosions.
I arrived back at the pond about 6:45 a.m. this morning. As I pulled my rods out of the back of the truck, I was startled by the sight and sound of a skein of geese quickly descending upon my location. I was concerned they would land directly where I was standing, but they missed me by a few yards. I still don't know why they chose that spot as a place of rest, but they did hang out for a while before taking off again. I had forgotten how large a goose actually is. It reminded me of the time my roommate in college killed a goose on a hunting trip and surprised me with the giant bird spread out on our porch.
The geese encounter was interesting, but I sacrificed sleep for another reason. I was there to catch bass. I started right away casting the frog to the same areas where I had caught fish less than 11 hours before. After dozens of casts, I realized the frog might not be the key player this day. I had brought a few other options for such an occasion. After just a few casts with a Zoom Fluke, I had my first bass of the day.
I was glad to get the first one, but I wanted that topwater bite (the Fluke is subsurface). I began tossing a buzzbait. It wasn't long before I landed this bass and then two others like it.
I missed a couple on the buzzbait, but the treble hook dangling from the back helped snag some of the lesser aggressive strikes. My total count for the day was now at four, but the strikes suddenly stopped.
Before heading home, I figured I would try one more attempt to land another fish. My thought was that they might want a slower approach since the buzzbait is a quick-moving target. I threw an XPS Z-Pop (Bass Pro Shop version of the Pop-R). I was experimenting with different speeds and popping cadences when POW! The calm water exploded and my lure was gone. I set the hook and brought in the last bass of the day. It wasn't the monster that I first thought it might be, but it was still enough to make the trip fun. My scale said it was 2.46 lbs.
I was back home early enough to have eggs and biscuits fixed for Jennifer before she even got out of bed. Overall the day started off nice. It was a good escape from the other things on my mind lately.
Although I have discovered new ponds in the area that have produced decent fishing trips, I have missed fishing one of my favorites this spring. I began fishing this particular pond four years ago. This year, though, it had become quite overgrown with vegetation and difficult to fish. I noticed a few days ago that one side had been cleared just enough to reach the water. Knowing that it was also hard for others to fish, I figured the fish would be ready to bite something artificial. After dinner last night, I decided to give it a try while there was a little bit of daylight left.
Within 15 minutes, I had missed three bites on my Stanley Ribbit topwater frog bait. Realizing these fish were not in an aggressive enough mood to go for the kill shot, I decided to add a treble hook as a trailer. I still missed a couple of additional short-strikers, but I did land three bass before it was too dark to see where I was casting.
As any fisherman knows, one topwater bite is worth two or three beneath the surface. There is just nothing comparable to seeing and hearing a bass break the surface to inhale a lure as it skates along the top of the water. After getting home, I could not get get those strikes out of my head. I repacked my small box of lures (I only take a handful of options to each pond trip) and three rods. I set my alarm to wake me up extra early to try to recreate those feeding explosions.
I arrived back at the pond about 6:45 a.m. this morning. As I pulled my rods out of the back of the truck, I was startled by the sight and sound of a skein of geese quickly descending upon my location. I was concerned they would land directly where I was standing, but they missed me by a few yards. I still don't know why they chose that spot as a place of rest, but they did hang out for a while before taking off again. I had forgotten how large a goose actually is. It reminded me of the time my roommate in college killed a goose on a hunting trip and surprised me with the giant bird spread out on our porch.
The geese encounter was interesting, but I sacrificed sleep for another reason. I was there to catch bass. I started right away casting the frog to the same areas where I had caught fish less than 11 hours before. After dozens of casts, I realized the frog might not be the key player this day. I had brought a few other options for such an occasion. After just a few casts with a Zoom Fluke, I had my first bass of the day.
I missed a couple on the buzzbait, but the treble hook dangling from the back helped snag some of the lesser aggressive strikes. My total count for the day was now at four, but the strikes suddenly stopped.
Before heading home, I figured I would try one more attempt to land another fish. My thought was that they might want a slower approach since the buzzbait is a quick-moving target. I threw an XPS Z-Pop (Bass Pro Shop version of the Pop-R). I was experimenting with different speeds and popping cadences when POW! The calm water exploded and my lure was gone. I set the hook and brought in the last bass of the day. It wasn't the monster that I first thought it might be, but it was still enough to make the trip fun. My scale said it was 2.46 lbs.
I was back home early enough to have eggs and biscuits fixed for Jennifer before she even got out of bed. Overall the day started off nice. It was a good escape from the other things on my mind lately.
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