HASSAYAMPA INN RETRO SCANS...

CHOPPER 1, CHOPPER 1.....

Working my part time job today at The Mustang Grill at the Prescott Airport. 3 Apache Helicopters had a scheduled fuel stop today. They did not come into the Restaurant so my Pilot shots didn't happen. They had already landed by the time I arrived, so I missed the landing. They were sitting majestically on our dessert Tarmac ( if that's the right lingo) right next to a Lear type jet (remember I'm a Cook not an Aviator).

It was a nice looking ride, something AIG might own for Bailout Executives (had to throw some politics into this). I'll betcha this one even has a Ice Maker. The wind was blowing like the day the Edmund Fitzgerald went down (sp?). Anyway... the the wind was blowing like a bat outta h**l as it does alot in the winter here in Prescott as we are in the Zone where Low and High weather fronts meet as they come across the continent. It's always sunny (boring) and clear. Here's a video of their take off.

Let me know how I did on this post as it is my 1st with my new DSL HIGH SPEED connection.

XLIII...You make the call

YOU MAKE THE CALL
My prediction is that if Arizona is successful running the ball against Pittsburg...They will win.

OBAMAMAN....

Its time for the BIG O to take control of our out of control Government. Faster than a bill through Congress, more powerful than a G.M. Lobbyist, able to leap tough tasks with a single bound. Look up on the Hill, it's OBAMA MAN!

HISTORY...OBAMA STYLE

The road was long and the journey unpredictable at best.
As the crowds amass our hopes swell.
Tradition, Steeped in Freedom.
AMERICA

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!...

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN...

SETTING UP AT THE ARENA FOR THE WEEKEND.
5 SEMI TRUCKS, 60 ROADIES
QUITE IMPRESSIVE

"JANE THE PLUMBER"....

Again I apologize for my devious nature. This is actually photo shopped (obviously) thanks to driftglass yet I couldn't help myself and post this image. It goes back to the mask that one can wear. I guess if you want to dwell on Joe the plumber, you should look like Joe the plumber.
Tomorrow is a big day in our History and should not be taken lightly. We will have to live with our decisions (unless the voter machines break down, Bush goes to war with the war powers act, a national catastrophic phenomenon interrupts, or aliens take over) no matter what happens tomorrow.

TIME IS MY ROOM

TRICK (AND/OR) TREAT...

Just "hanging out" here in the AM on Halloween morn still waking up early from my nocturnal stint in the pastry kitchen. This may turn out to be a long post (for me) as I have been caught up with posting a image here and a image there with not much to say. I find myself in a unique place right now, unemployed except for my part time Sous Chef

job at the the Arena in P.V. It's a different experience, kinda reminds me of the fast food outlets I managed at Snoqualmie Pass with the full service side of the VIP lounge by the sky boxes that line the 2nd floor of the Arena. Problem is, it is all scheduled around the events (Hockey, Concerts, Basketball, Home shows, etc.) with too much time in between each event to provide a steady income.
Times are kinda scary right now with the economy being a unknown, massive layoffs nationwide, the wars in the Middle East, the housing foreclosure debacle, and the question of who our next President will be. I am hoping that we all end up united and not divided with the upcoming change. Time of course will tell. Any opinions out there "my friends"?

The hope here is that the American ingenuity and creative freedom we have been globally known and stand for pulls us through these hard times. I think it comes down to each individual and the way we treat our neighbor and fellow citizens. It really is as simple as using your

signal when changing lanes or turning a corner. I am reminded of Orly, my faithful companion of 17 years, that offered his unconditional love & forgiveness, regardless of any mistakes I made in our relationship. When we carve away the outer layers of
our personalities many things may appear, some good & some evil. We can only be honest with ourselves and face our problems with the understanding that none of us are exempt. As a human being my worst trait is being defensive. I try and live a common sense approach to things, but I think we, or at least I am hard wired this way. It could be that we are living Halloween every day of our lives, wearing the masks of who we pretend to be, hiding the true self. Its OK you know to admit fault, it sometimes relieves the burden of pressure that builds up inside.

On a lighter note, hey it's Halloween,the one day where you can wear the mask of a politician, or a Super Hero. No matter who you are inside you can be someone else.

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

PARTYTIME PREDICTION...

PREDICT TODAY IS THE DAY
Somewhere around 2:00 p.m. west coast time Obama will disclose his V.P. choice. In time for the evening news, to late for Rush Limbaugh.

THEN ITS PARTYTIME

HIGH SPEED CONNECTION

I just came home from work to a wireless high speed connection (compared to my "SLOW" connection of my net zero dial up I'm in heaven) I think it may have something to do with cloud cover as my neighbors wireless signal is coming in STRONG. The monsoon season is here in the great southwest, with a chance of storms running about 65% every day ...for now. What this means is that I can upload pictures and stuff to this post in about 1/16 the time as with my dialup connection. So if there are any spelling mistakes, it's only because I'm typing really fast & furious before I lose this connection. President Clinton is talking on c-span right trying to re-connect with the mass's after he made a fool of himself during Hillary's run for the white house. ? WHY DO THEY CALL IT THE WHITE HOUSE? Food for thought ...Maybe they ran out of colored paint. If B.O. gets elected (Barack Obama) he could always paint it, but first he has to get past the "MAVERICK".

HEY AT LEAST HE JUST WANTS TO FIGHT#*!#*
[if you don"t watch the news you missed that one...]
So Fanny & Freddie are in the news last couple of days ( Iran's probably laughing their ass's off while blasting off big bottle rockets) {{ Rockets Red Glare}} [[[ CAN YOU DOUBLE PARENTHESIZE... IS THAT LEGAL?]]] it seems that somehow the powers that be over looked another cluster f_ck! You would think they would have learned from the mistakes of the past.....

( IE. ENRON, BEAR STEARNS, IRAQ, SAVINGS & LOAN SHUTDOWN )

I SAY WE SEND IN THE HEAVY HITTER

The news of the energy crisis... high gas prices... effecting our food prices at home as well as our food service industry is really coming to a head. Now I am no genius but if you use the flood damaged corn to fuel bio fuel through subsidies to our farmers, the cold hard facts of supply & demand are blatant. Can we make bio fuel from HEMP OR SWITCH GRASS... Oh no...can't do that. Our farmers only know how to grow corn. O.K. Lets drill... We don't know where we will refine this oil, but we need to drill. ALASKA...Ya that,s the place... the furthest place from our refinery's. Hell we already export 70% of the oil from the pipeline to Japan as it is. How bout keeping that oil in country and using that to wean ourselves off foreign oil. I know...let's nationalize oil production, compete with the big corps, incorporate alternative energy and give them a run for their money. We'll still need a Chuck Norris to keep them in line but hell I'll take that job. It's got to pay more than a buck ten ninety four.

Gotta go for now... lost my connection twice while I was conversing... If you want to donate to the high speed connection fund e-mail TOM @ motf57@gmail.com LOVE YOU GUYS

POLITICS AS USUAL?

O.K.... THE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.THE THREE STOOGES HAVE MADE THEIR CASE AND ONLY TWO PREVAIL.

Hillary gave it her best shot, but fell short of the mark. She hung in there like a trooper hoping the super delegates would put her over the top. In my mind she was a little over confident from the beginning, and she should have left Bill at home. The Clinton Machine had a new type of hurdle to jump with the sexist/racist factor new to the American public. I think they had too many enemies from their time in the white house, and alot of the old timers just didn't want to deal with their style. Now she can divorce Bill and move on. V.P.? Nada...she won't want it, and it defies "change we can count on". She may be making a deal for Sec. of State, but she may have to duck sniper fire, or lining herself up for a Supreme Court Judge position.

Labeled as a socialist, a Muslum, politically inexperienced, and religious fanatic, BO..Barrack Obama is one thing, a survivor. He has survived the onslaught of all the powers that be to become the choice to run against the "old school". His Internet fund raising techniques will be a model for the future and his ability to draw a crowd, astounding. His oratory delivery has been Kennedy like, and his vision for the common man is inspiring. We will see (if elected) if he is able to bring about the end result he envisions. Is the President really the decision maker, or is the position just a pawn in the chess game.
Pedict Biden will be V.P.
Here's Johnny...This is a classic set up...the rebel of the Republican party, not conservative enough for most on the red team, but he's been flip flopping their way in some areas. Strong on "staying the course" touting his fiscal strengths on earmarks, and needless spending. Financed by the lobbyists, affiliated with the Keating 5, and probably funnels his kickbacks thru Cindie's accounts tied to liquor distributors from the Hensley family, said to be Mafia driven. Who else can you buy a Budweiser from? Known to have a temper, a partying history, and wrecked 5 planes while in service. But he is a Hero. A hero of another failed war. I think this could go either way, my hunch is that they will try to put down Obama with whatever it takes, and his cool common sense approach will expose their negativity and the people will decide. If they can't control the dysfunctional electoral college, and if the race factor doesn't decide the outcome, I don't think Mcain has a chance. Feel free to comment about what you feel. Click the comments at the bottom of the post, you can remain anonymous if you like.

FATE OF OUR FUTURE

If Man is to survive, he will have learned to take delight in the essential difference between people and cultures. He will learn that differences in ideas and attitudes are a part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

TURBO SAYS "YOU HAD BETTER HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...OR ELSE"
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM MOM'S GARDEN

WELCOME!!!

I want to welcome a new member to the Big Sky Blog Group. His Name is Eric Knudsen. Eric worked at the Hassayampa Inn with me for about 3 of the 4 years I was there, came on board as the Sous Chef at the Quality Inn for about 2 years, and is now going to be working in the Sweet Tart kitchen starting June 1st. He is invited to be a co author on the Sweet Tart blog page so watch out. He may even provide a link to his own page down the line. Welcome to Sweet Tart Eric. I would provide a picture here but he's kinda scarey..( actually I don't have one). Heres a few pictures of his work.

WEBCAM BLOG

Week two of my job at Sweet Tart has come to a close, and with a whole day off my body doesn't know whether to get up at 1 AM or sleep in til 7. I ended up getting up at 4:30, a nap at 10AM, and here I am around noon putting my second blog together for the "BIG SKY BLOG" (waiting with anticipation I bet)....My challenge this week is to incorporate a few web cam shots into the writing this time. It may not work so hang in there... I have added a new invitee {is that a word?} Sherry Cluckey, alias scluckey@hotmail.com my Father Howard's gal in Olympia, WA. I am hoping my computerless Dad will get over to her house every now and then to look over his son's blog. Or maybe he will take it a step further and we all chip in for a cheap laptop with a $10.00 Dialup. Any way.. welcome.

I know you all think I'm pretty goofy, strange, deranged, and just basically misguided for writing here and I want you all to know that I am all of the above. I have substituted watching t.v. for some of my computer time (now I just listen at the same time). It keeps me out of trouble and the cigs away from my finger tips. My battle with the evil addicting substance has still got a hold, but the new Chantix drug is coursing through my veins for a week now, snipping the synapses of my brain into revolution of the evil weed. I had better start a new paragraph after that last sentence.

This picture looks philosophic in nature. The guy has his glasses in hand with that serious political glare of how effective he wants you to believe he is in his elected office. Sort of reminds me of Dick Cheney without the smirk. (you know why they call him Dick don't you?) Don't get me going with the political scene, it will only turn into a Hodge Podge of innuendo, finger pointing, here say, frustration, labeling, screams, shouts and load gasps of expelled air. I think I am a Obama man as the Bush-Clinton machine has had it's rein for too long now with total dysfunction, and the corporate system won't let Ron Paul or Nader any where near the media or the debates (Ron & Ralph who?) in fear of their bottom line control of the profits they have become so accustomed to.

Well far be it for me to be able to figure it out here...feel free (it is America) to post your comments or e-mail me at motf57@gmail.com
about whats happening, new thing in your life, even send a message to the other parties involved in this blog...Doris & Gail in Montana, Ken & Cindy in Indiana, My father Howard & Sherrie in Olympia WA. and last but not least My buddy Lloyd in Omaha.
Looks like my webcam experiment was a success, so look for some other experiments with links, attachments, additional "cool sites" etc. Kinda learning as I go along. There will be no video as long as I'm on this dial up here at home. I may have to go to a Internet cafe to give you a video experience or maybe upgrade to high speed someday. Remember to look for your BLOG ALERT E MAIL as I post. If you would like to become a co-author in this page let me Know.
Love to all...Tom

WEBLOG #1

Well here goes...this my first attempt at being a blogger. This page will be (hopefully) emailed to a few of my family and friends as I post each time. There should be a place for all to make comments if you want so be easy on me. I don't mind a good healthy exchange either so don't hold back!!!
Just finished my first full week as Pastry Chef at Sweet Tart http://sweettartcafe.com/ and its proving true that you learn something new every day. As a person we all seem to get into a pattern of what "works" for us as individuals and then we find out that there are many ways to look and achieve specific goals. This experience so far has been a humbling experience as the #1 item on my job description is to learn "their way" of pastry production,
which has taken me out of my comfort zone. If you add in the hours of ...wake at 1am..start at 3am...& home by noon, I am all turned around. The old saying "STORMS MAKE OAKS TAKE DEEPER ROOTS" sticks in my mind right now as I embark on this journey. The title of this blog is the Big Sky Blog for the goal I have to move back to Big Sky Country with intentions of bringing a similar set up as Sweet Tart to Great Falls working for myself instead of working for someone else. It may be a pipe dream but its my dream. Of course one has to take friends & family into the equation so the hardest part for me is patience. If it is meant to happen it will. So for now I am back in school, learning other methods of production, watching close the business model before me, and soaking in the experience.
Well how did I do for my 1st blog entry? You can always e-mail me at motf57@gmail.com or try posting your comments on the blog page. Love you all...looking forward to my next post.