Cutting Board is complete

The Cutting Board is complete.
Here are some things I did and learned along the way. This was my
first time building a cutting board, so I consider this a prototype.
I learned a few things along the way and that will definitely go to
improving on the next version.

The blocks I used are scrap from a local cabinet making shop.
Everything was stock, so thickness was just
under an inch thick. (I belive stock is the correct term, please
correct) Blocks were also fairly square and straight. I had to do
minimal squaring on the chop saw. Sort of a dangerous opperationsince
they are under 5 inches long)
I trimmed the blocks to width using a bandsaw.
they are all edge and end glued. I have a lot of confidence in the
glue, and hope that my wife will not use it as a butcher block for
tenderizing meat.

I put the blocks together in a way that was time consuming and
awkward. Next time I will build a jig, much like an old typesetters
tray to place glued blocks in. and glue up three sides of a block
placing them in the tray like a brick layer.

I cut two side pieces, or rails, which are 3/4 inch thick. they slide
on the metal brackets under the counter very nicely.
but since they are narrower than the thicker cutting board pieces
there is a lip on either side of the board where the rails connect. I
figure this will allow for sanding when the board becomes worn, cut,
and stained.

The front breadboard edge has a routered round cove underneath for a
finger hold. (which sort of makes it one sided)

I sanded. Alot.

Mineral oil was applied to the cutting surface. Mineral oil really
made the wood grain look very rich. Polyurethane was applied to the
rails and front board.
Next time I will apply polyurethane to first then the mineral oil.
also I might consider a food safe wax for the rails. is there such a
product?

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Garage Door Opener

I installed a garage door opener today.  I bought it about two years ago, i think, from the next door neighbor, before he left.  
I still have to buy two lag bolts, but it works fine with a temporary fix. 
We are so excited.  Becca got to push the button first.  And we drove the car in the garage together.  it was like Christmas.

Roger Levasque visits Doyles Pub -

 
So I did not think meeting a member from the Sounders FC would be such a laid back experience. I was expecting a lot of photographs, lines, crowds, and handlers and PR people. Roger was such a laid back and normal guy that I think the PR agent mistook me for him when I walked up to the bar that night. A nice girl was standing in front of the bar with a cell phone and waved to me as I approched. I should point out, I am fairly certian that she was waving at me, because no one else was ahead or behind me on the sidewalk, it was dusk, and it was about 7:00 pm. He ended up showing a little bit later. As you can see from the photo, we do have a similar build so this is just a hunch. (I never did have a chance to ask if that was the case.)
Anyway, Roger arrived. He met with fans, smiled, shook hands with people, laughed, had a beer, and talked with people sitting around. A pretty laid back guy, He is from Maine, where I hear people are just that way. So however he made it to Seattle, I think he'll find there is a bit like home. Even with its Big City attitude Seattle still has its roots in fishing, and logging industry, much like back East.

I asked him what it was like to work for Sigi Schmidt, and what its like being in the MLS. He responded with an answer that sounded like he has answered the question before. (My effort at asking a unique question fell horribly flat.) The team is getting behind what Sigi has been doing and saying. As an expansion team, it is I am sure vital to start with a good baseline to build from. With Sigi and the reputation he has for being a consistant, and consistanly winning coach, this is probably more a strategic move from the management, than anything. And of course everyone likes to win right? Roger pointed out that in the MLS he has to be "on" all the time. Meaning mentaly and physically sharp, ready, aware of the situation. In college there was room to take a break on the practice field, during a game, in the locker room. But the demand has increased so that at anytime he has to be 'on' during the game, practice, review, everything.
Roger is a guy who probably after a season of soccer, and two games left is enjoying taking a short break, ( Sounders have been off for a week, and play again this Saturday.) only to be energized for the rest of the season. You can tell that behind the laid back personality, there is a guy who knows how to play soccer, and enjoys what he's doing.

Camp Muir

On Friday of last week I hiked up to Camp Muir with 9 guys from our church. I have been attending the men's bible study on Thursday mornings for the past few weeks on and off. Since I have been out of work for the past month I have more free time than I ever imagined, and more ways to spend it than I thought possible. The opportunity came up and I jumped at it. The theme at the bible study is around a book called Wild at Heart. Its inspirational reading for men who want to take risks in their life. Be it a career change, a closer relationship with their wife, or family, friends, and ultimately God. I would say a lot of the talk centers around risk taking, being real, keeping our edge as we grow into middle and old age. Well what does this mean?

I woke up at 5:00 am Friday morning got dressed gave Becca a kiss and quietly let her continue sleeping. It seems to me good adventures start in this way for me. Get up early, try not to disturb anyone still sleeping, because no one in their right mind should be awake, and leave a little something for Becca to remember me by, you know, just in case...

I joined the rest of the group in a grocery store parking lot and we got a head count prayed and loaded up the trucks and SUVs. On the way up Charles and I tried to get a few more minutes of precious sleep while Tim drove. We drove through Ashford which is home to Whitakers and many of the other climbing organizations. It is home to some of the most skilled and expert climbers in the world.

As we entered the national park entrance the mist and fog grew thicker. As we climbed past Longmire clouds surrounded us.
Paradise is the farthest vehicles are allowed up the mountain. we unpacked and left the world behind. just above the visitors center is an alpine meadow filled with flowers and conifers, grasses and brooks. Its perfect for families. The farthest I have been is up in this area. I remember the last time here, I saw groups of hikers with full hiking gear, crampons, hard shelled boots, ice axes, 60 pound packs. I sort of though they looked funny in such a beautiful garden. Like astronauts in a theme park. Becca and I visited another time and saw a group walking single file upwards. It was cold and looked like they were not enjoying themelves. I could tell because they were wearing 60 pound packs and were hunched over. Even with all of their gear and layers, their body language said they were hunched over and miserable.

Our group was travelling light today, a day hike requires much less, but still the same basic supplies. We tore through the alpine meadow, and asphalt trails. It lead us to wonder less why they were paved and more how they actually did it with steep slopes. Paved trail gave way to rock and marked paths. Dewy flowers and mist covered trees gave way to a moon surface. The light grew brighter and less difuse. our pace smoothed out and we reached our first rest stop, about 40 minutes into the hike. Almost instantly I was able to see the top of Mt Rainier as we continued on.
We became level with the top of the clouds we had been under all morning. Now it was less than one and a half miles to Camp Muir. Across the last snow field I stopped every 10 steps to pause and rest. If I went to fast I could feel my blood pumping through my ears and head.
At one point the Camp came into sight, but distances and perspective are skewed so it was hard to tell exactly how far away it was. a quarter or half mile off.
about 30 minutes later I arrived at the ramp to a ridge upon which the camp site rests. It is a group of three or four stone structures, and a wood structure. on the other side of the ridge were three tents set up for climbers making an attempt at ascent to the peak. I have read about base camps in other books. The ridge to me was a line which separated day hikers like myself from those who were seriously taking some risks with their life. There is a sense of raw experience here, and its easy to see how the view of the mountain, effort it takes, the challenge, and friends, all roll into one addictive, transformative state of mind. One that is easily craved and sought after even with the dangers firmly apparent.

To be continued...

Remembering and Memory

My mom says I have a great memory for remembering the color of a weight bench. Its one that has been sitting in their basement for 20 years, its now time to get rid of it. To CL we go!

Remembering and Memory. The human brain is an amazing organ. I know a detail like a color, and then I can barely remember what I had for dinner last night! They say we can improve our ability to remember by using mnemonic devices, or muscle memory improves by rehearsal. Some people remember details others faces and names. I was never good at remembering names. Typically since I work with computers and operating software and programs, I find myself having to remember keyboard commands or troubleshooting routines. Usually if I get stuck I can Google an error code and find the web page with some brilliant developers little known fact or a lackey who was in a similar situation a year ago and made a plea for help. A routine to follow and "unstick" the problem. These are written like digital trail markers for all who might pass that way from here to whenever. Well there it is, my auxiliary memory bank. Now I can go back to remembering... what was it?

As for memories of childhood these I find deeper, more satisfying when it comes to actually wanting a trip down memory lane. And I do at times like to think of the good old days. (Being the ripe age of 35 now.) These memory trips are simple and enjoyable. it is not out of job necessity, or shall I say desperation. One that does not require me to "Get the darn thing to work now" or heads roll.

They say that the sense of smell is the most powerful too in that regard when it comes to our ability to recall the past. I would say this is especially true given that computers don't sweat, or give off a smell like dewy grass on a summer morning, or the heavy perfume of the lady in church. Maybe this is good, maybe bad. I suppose if computers did give off a scent every time it threw an error we all might be living less in our cubicles given the sewer like smell they might constantly emit. Well at least for most of us.

Childhood experiences are wonderful experiences, every kid should have them. Watching ants, daydreaming, swimming, trips to the park. I think of it as the stuff you will keep with you the rest of your life. and even though they say middle school is the worst time of you life, its also the best. you're 13, no job, no worries, if there is a bike involved, your world becomes larger and so do the possibilities.

Ode to Rhubarb Crisp, (Made by my wife)

Oh I don't know if i should say this but the rhubarb crunch takes me
back to my childhood
Rebecca says:
is that in a good way?
tell me more
Joel
well its in a plastic Tupperware container, kinda soft and slightly
above room temperature from being in my backpack.
its tart - not too much sugar
and the granola is mostly soft with shome crunchy bits
I used to crack open my lunch bag and pull the top off and I knew it
was homemade. no Twinkies, ding-dongs, fruit roll ups
I was envious of the other kids then
but now i feel pretty special for having homemade.
I appreciate it now for its value and for its value
of all the homemade stuff that's out there, something made with
rhubarb stands out.
its tart, its red, and its a dessert
compared to meat loaf, meat and potatoes, garden vegetables, corn on
the cob it beats them easily.
OK well not homegrown corn on the cob, they are sort of tied
Rhubarb crisp is sort of like ketchup to Midwesterners.