Class of 2005

Cira

What would you like for graduation? Some little girls want a car and some want cloths or an exotic vacation. Some want a big fancy party. But some want snakes. So we got a pair of Brazilian Rainbow Boas. She earned a 3.6 over-all and she is going to De Anza next year. I'm happy and very proud of her.

I've learned to like the snakes; they are very mellow and soothing to handle. And strikingly beautiful. Happily, I'm over my snake phobia now, her graduation gift to me, and I suppose if we keep going I could learn to get over myself, completely. That would be a giant leap in evolution.

Father's Day Gift

3Ous Here we are, just the three of us. Soon to develop into ten little Indians. My dad, James Richard Carls went off to the Korean War shortly after this photo was taken. I did not recognize him when he came back. I still don't know him very well. I forced him to teach me how to drive. We have been at odds since then.

I send him books and interesting mysteries to solve and he solves them with dogged determination. One time, I caused a riot on Christmas day by sending a box of gifts without the little cards that say who should get which wrapped package. I keep changing my phone answering habits and used to leave gag messages on my answering machines. I thought it would be more humorous than annoying but it seems to have been most annoying to the folks at home.

This year, for his birthday/Father's Day, I sent him a large print book by James Brady, about the Korean War; but it was out of print and came from a private individual who was selling a used copy through Amazon. By the grace of god and my dad's perseverance, he found out that it was me who sent it. It is interesting to me what the imagined solution of the puzzle was, compared to the true solution.

Anyway, thanks dad for the mass of curly hair and 5'10'' height, I got from you.

Lords of Dogtown

dogtown

Lords of Dogtown went to second run theatres with impressive speed. Why? Is this part of a strategy to move it to cult classic by artificial means? The DVD could be smoking. I think this is a great movie. There is a story; it is all story: lots of action, character development, romance. This is the kind of docu-drama that has something for everyone. Even guys. Yeah guys.

Story of a time and place, and a happening. Something changed forever. My life, those wheels. and the sport that evolved from another sport, and became part of a lifestyle that did not depend on access to surf. Brought it inland to urban America.

I criticize the cloths (costumes too clean, new, neat, obviously modern), the PG13 rating (so not true of what was really going on) and Heath Ledger's teeth. Very distracting. His acting was fantastic but those damn false teeth got in the way of my accepting him in character. That was a mistake.

I lament that so few people will sit through the credits. My movie partner did so this time, under protest. One other person behind us stayed. The music was great and the credits ended with shots of the original Z Boys skating. Stay for the credits folks.

Secret coffee spot

Krispy Kreme Coffee is hot and really good at the Krispy Kreme drive-through. It is my most valuable secret source of coffee: easy on, easy off, never a line in these times of low-carb obsession. The only trick is driving through without buying a dozen warm, melt in your mouth glazed doughnuts. I admit I bought one the first time but I have resisted most mornings since then. I made up the rule that I could only try each variety once, ever. So I'm not in a big hurry to complete sampling the menu choices. I try to make a late morning latte last until early afternoon. So good for your java jones!