More Snow

Here's what I woke up to on Lake Chelan this morning, and that's after I shoveled a couple inches before I went to bed. It warmed up some and this stuff is wet and heavy. I couldn't even get out of my driveway until late morning. I really do hate this snow but I'm finding there's a bigger problem that I didn't count on. I believe I might be at risk of loosing my social skills, and I didn't have much to start with. I got dish TV, the Internet, my guitar and cell phone, but that doesn't leave anyone to talk to. I had to set a mirror on my coffee table just so I could see a live person. This might have seemed a bit funny for a few days but not anymore.

Wendy Cowell Benefit

The Wendy Cowell Benefit was held last night in Wenatchee with about 450 people attending. I was invited by good friends Don and Laura Mounter, who invite me to local functions when I'm in town. I feel a bit like an outsider as it's been 10 years since I've lived here. This was a first class example of a community coming together to help out one of their own. I had the pleasure of meeting Wendy and was very moved by her emotional speech telling of the tragic loss of her daughter last year. I did get to visit with many friends from the past and do apologise for not remembering some names. I wish I had a full hour to catch up with each and everyone as time is always so short. This community spirit is something Julie and I haven't seen since moving away. I really didn't realize that until last night. You're all so very lucky to live in such a great place.

I hate Snow

Yesterday I flew out of Phoenix at 5 PM, heading for a small Arctic city called Wenatchee. I got into Seattle at 7 PM in a snow storm, and went out to dinner with a good friend. Of course I'm freezing in the Seattle wet snow as I make my way back through Security. I was sent through the body scan twice. I think I was so cold that my shriveled up boys didn't show up on the body scan. They didn't believe I was the dude on my passport. How embarrassing... Now I finally made it to my lake cabin with snow all over, single digit temperatures tonight, and nobody to even talk to. So check out my pics. Flying out of sunny Arizona to a cold Seattle airport, then to an even colder house where I will work for 5 weeks. I don't belong here in the cold..I know in my heart that I should be in Monte Carlo in the warm sun with a cold drink, where the women don't wear tops. That is the honest truth.

Toothache

I can't believe my luck. I get this bad toothache before my London to Phoenix flight yesterday. I take a pain pill which does nothing. Then on my flight it gets worse so a very helpful flight attendant brings me some sort of a liquid, that she said might help with the pain. It was called a G & T and I was to drink one every 2 hours. I still don't know what it was but it sure worked well. This morning I got right into my Cave Creek AZ. dentist who took ex rays and found a cracked tooth. I was then sent to an oral surgeon for the dreaded root canal. So there I was taking pictures of the miserable event, and I am getting good at those pictures, don't you think. I sure didn't plan on this but it does give me something to write about.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to my lovely wife. I got to celebrate last night with Julie and good friend Debbie. Aren't I the lucky one. We had a wonderful dinner out last night here in London but won't see each other for 6 weeks. I'm now packed and will take the normal 10 hour flight to Phoenix today. I will stay there for a week then will go up to Washington State through March to get some work done there. This is our same routine each spring but I will still miss my bride as always....

Brussels, Belgium

We arrived Friday afternoon in Brussels with good friends, for a short break weekend getaway. Brussels is the capitol of Belgium and at 1.8 million, is Belgium's largest city. Since WW 2 this has been the main center of International politics. European Parliament offices and NATO headquarters are found here as well. Belgium currency is the Euro , and the common language is both French and Dutch. Belgium is well known for their chocolates, beer, and the Belgium waffles that you can buy on most any street. Some of the large exhibits still remain from the 1958 Worlds Fair that was hosted here. The weekend was a bit cool but we saw most of the cities historical sights. I needed a few more days to try all those different beer's. Ther never seems to be enough time. I've posted this entire album on facebook.

Eurostar International Train

Traveling from London into Europe starts from Kings Cross, St Pancras station in Central London. The trip goes under the English Channel into France then branches off to most countries in Europe. We are about 2 hours into Paris and this last weekend we traveled to Brussels, Belgium which took close to 3 hours. These are very comfortable cars with a well stocked kitchen and bar. If we travel very far into Europe, we have found it ends up being cheaper and a lot quicker to fly.

Jersey Boys

This afternoon we went to The Prince Edward Theater in Trafalgar Square on the West end of London. We saw the Jersey Boys which was the story of the young group from Jersey, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Joe Pesci was the manager & front man for the Four Seasons in the early years. The musical/play, was a really good mix of all the hot hits and the rough life of a band trying to stay on top of the music charts in the 60's. Old-timers like us do enjoy the old hits. Any of these shows strictly forbid the use of cameras or videos once the shows start. I did get this inside shot of the very impressive theater, built in 1930. We were sure surprised to find huge crowds on the streets, that were attending the Chinese New Year's celebrations in Chinatown. This weekend an estimated 250,000 attended the Chinese New Year's events in Trafalgar Square, which is part of Chinatown, right where we were. I feel just terrible about missing any New Years party. Now I have to get up at 1:30 AM to watch the Superbowl. I can't take much more of this!

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussuad's house of wax was opened here in London in 1884. I went through the museum this week in West London. At 28 pounds, ($45.00) it was one of the more expensive tours that I've been on in London. That cost didn't keep buss loads of tourists from queuing up to get in. The huge building was full of celebrities, sports figures, and world leaders, among many other influential famous people. These gorgeous women are sure easy to get along with, but they don't have much to say. I've posted my entire museum album on facebook.

Usher

Usher is the hot R&B star from the US who has a massive following from the younger crowd. Last night I got an urgent call from Julie, who got private box tickets to see Usher at the O2 arena. I was just trying to relax, mind you, after a busy week in the city but once again duty calls. This is the first appearance to the UK for the R&B star and we saw the second of 5 sold out gigs. Usher might be the closest act to the late Michael Jackson, who was scheduled to perform here in London at the time of his death. Usher will be part of the Superbowl halftime show this coming weekend.

Maybe a new job!

I do feel quite comfortable in this chair so I could through my hat in for a job here. I was called to the oval office today for a meeting and photo shoot, because of my vast expertize in foreign affairs. And what's crazy is that I might even be over-qualified in these types of affairs. The politicians today don't understand, that too much involvement in foreign affairs and relations can literally drain all of your energy. Then you got nothing left for your own current affairs. And I get it! It's a terrible thing when that happens. I think they really need me.