Up Early After A Big Storm Banged Overhead In The Middle Of The Night

You can sort of tell, via the early dawn view from my patio overlook, that the morning of the first Thursday of June has some storm potential.

In the middle of last night, around 3 AM, I began hearing drops of water hit my window, soon followed by wind and an increase in the water droppage.

Big bangs began a short time later, with the big banging lasting for a long time, maybe an hour, or longer.

This was the most lightning striking and thunder booming I've seen and heard in recent memory.

The forecast for today is for some more storming.

Last night I watched a NOVA episode about the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. I'd not seen so much footage, previously, of the damage from that tornado. It was rather sobering.

I don't think it will make me quite so cranky any more when the local TV weathermen go all drama queen over incoming storm action.

I do not know, at present, if the weather will permit any endorphin inducing aerobic stimulation in the noon time frame.

I do know that the weather can not stop me from getting some endorphin inducing aerobic stimulation in a couple minutes, in that glowing turquoise body of water you see in the picture above.

The Trinity River Vision Boondoggle Cordially Invites You To A Historic Ground Blessing

Since this invite came from the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle, and one is asked to RSVP to the Trinity River Vision Boondoogle, I guess it is safe to assume that the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle has now broadened its vision to include erecting statues and building plazas on which statues are erected.

Apparently, before we can have the statue erection we must bless the land upon which the statue will stand.

Hence the cordial invite to the historic ground blessing of the future site of the Major Ripley Allen Arnold Monument and the John V. McMilllan Plaza.

This will take place directly behind the Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus at the doomed confluence of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River.

The announcement does not use the word "doomed" regarding the confluence of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River.

Mentioning that confluence in a Trinity River Vision Boondoggle announcement is sort of ironic, due to the fact that if the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle ever actually becomes anything anyone would want to see, one of those things is a small pond, where currently the two forks of the Trinity River join forces to become a bigger river.

It also seems ironic, to me, that the TCC Trinity River Campus is to be the location of a Major Ripley Allen Arnold Monument. The TCC Trinity River Campus originally was Radio Shack's Corporate Headquarters, before an amazing confluence of Fort Worth/Tarrant County Boondoggles had TCC taking over the Radio Shack building.

Radio Shack's Corporate Headquarters are built at the location of a former monument to Major Ripley Allen  Arnold in the form of the Ripley Arnold Housing Development, a development which was taken by abusing eminent domain so Radio Shack could build the corporate headquarters it could not afford.

It would seem the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle has now broadened its scope to include Native American Spirituality. The TRVB announcement informs us that the Medicine Wheel, pictured on the announcement, represents harmony and connections and is considered a major symbol of peaceful interaction among all living beings on Earth.

More irony.

So, this Medicine Wheel will be an important part of this historic ground blessing ceremony, with a ceremonial Native American blessing by Eddie Sandoval.

An Apache.

The Medicine Wheel is a major symbol of peaceful interaction among all living beings. Yet one more irony, what with the Texas Native American population having been long ago either exterminated or run out of the state, mostly to Oklahoma, with Oklahoma being a state where many of the tribes which used to reside in Texas, now live.

I don't think the Apache ever had a Texas presence. Could not a Comanche spiritual leader be found for this historic blessing?

Hubris, more hubris....

Biking With Fallen Trees & No Zombies In Gateway Park

Handlebars Pointing at FWMBA Trail Sign

Today I decided to get my first Wednesday of June, mid-day endorphin fix by pedaling the Fort Worth Mountain Bike Association (FWMBA) Trail in Gateway Park.

I last biked at this location last Saturday, on the first day of June. At that point in time I found Gateway Park infested with Zombies.

Today the Zombie infestation was completely cleared out.

At some point in time since Saturday a tree has fallen across the FWMBA Trail, almost obliterating the directional arrow. I had been at this location previously so I knew which way to go, even if there was no arrow pointing the way.

I assume all the fallen foliage is wind caused, but, I do not recollect a strong wind blowing since Saturday.

I really don't think all this fallen limbage could possibly be Zombie related damage. However, this location is a very short distance to the west of where I came upon a Zombie attacking a water supply.

Despite the air being a bit humid, I had myself a really fine time spinning my wheels. Most of the trails are under the shade of big trees, which makes for cooler trailing than one is subjected to under the direct rays of the unshaded hot sun.

Speaking of the sun. I was up well before its arrival this morning. Which caused me to have a really fine time having a really long swim in the increasingly warm pool, very early this morning.

I just heard the lunch gong go off. I am fairly sure that lunch today is Jalapeno Cornbread Casserole, Rice, Chicken and some sort of Green Salad, the nature of which I am currently not remembering.

A Walk Around Fosdick Lake With A White Swan Being Kite Bombed With Turtles

The Fosdick Lone White Swan is still taking up residence at Fosdick Lake in Oakland Lake Park.

Today the Lone White Swan's entourage was only two ducks.

I think the Lone White Swan may be being always in the same shady location because he/she has learned that park visitors bring him/her goodies.

Like today I tossed some Swan food at the Lone White Swan in the form of whole wheat bread.

While the Lone White Swan was holding food court, nearby a she of the human type was being a kite launcher for her boyfriend.

You can see the Lone White Swan to the left of the trunk of the tree. The birds seemed not to mind the kite that was being launched and crashing, over and over again, in their neighborhood.

The kite was in the shape of a bomber aircraft. The kite would successfully launch and then do a dive bomb. To me it looked like the boyfriend was purposefully dive bombing the girlfriend. The longest the plane kite stayed aloft was about 30 seconds.

Today the Fosdick turtles were congregated on their main log. This log has done some floating to new locations on the lake due to strong winds of late. Somehow the Fosdick turtles seem to always find where their log has moved to.

This morning my computer based weather  monitoring device had the air quality being sufficiently bad that it was suggested sensitive sorts not expose themselves to it. That warning has since gone away. However, the air is noticeably smoggy, unlike the ultra clear sky I saw on Sunday from the top of Mount Tandy.

The bad air has not had any noticeable effect on my ultra sensitive breathing.

Freshly Vexed & Perplexed By Texas Wind Chime Noise Pollution

Of late I have been freshly vexed and perplexed by the noise polluters known as wind chimes.

Vexed because two neighbors, closer to my abode than 300 feet, have installed a total of 8 wind chimes making a racket that penetrates my windows, walls and delicate ears.

Perplexed because having these noise polluters closer than 300 feet from a neighbor is allowed in this part of the planet.

Awhile back I was talking to my sister who lives in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler. My sister mentioned being annoyed by some new neighbor's noisy kids. I mentioned being annoyed by wind chimes.

My sister's reply to me mentioning being annoyed by wind chimes was to ask "They allow wind chimes in Texas?"

Long ago civilized parts of the planet realized that in densely populated areas wind chimes were a noise pollution issue, and thus banned, unless ones wind chimes were chiming from a mandated distance from innocent ears.

I have blogged about the wind chime issue previously, as in way back in October of 2009. That blogging has generated a lot of comments, mostly from people who share my aversion to unwanted noise pollution, and a few from morons unable to understand the issue.

Just a couple days ago someone named Anonymous made an amusing comment on the above referenced blogging....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Texas Wind Chime Noise Pollution": 

My story starts with an innocent set of wind chimes made of seashells hanging from my neighbor's back porch about 20 feet from my house. Then she graduated to a larger set of metal banger clangers hanging from a shepherd's hook on the side of her 2-car garage - 5 feet from my house. And finally cowbells hanging from a higher hook next to my garden. I could no longer enjoy an open window, my patio, or even my garden. I asked her to move them away from my house...she said no. I said they were making a terrible racket. She said too bad. Then one stormy night my hubby took a pillow case and as Reba's song went, "that's one body that'll never be found." Or in this case -- two. 

I usually do not think it a good idea to take the law into ones own hands. But, there are circumstances, when one lives in an uncivilized part of the planet, where one must take the law into ones own hands in order to protect oneself. Or ones eardrums and peace of mind...

Pedaling Village Creek Finding Myself In A Jungle Under A Giant Mirror Ball

I had myself a mighty fine swim early this morning that gave me a good endorphin boost. But, a few hours later the boost began to wear off, which led me to drive my bike to the Village Creek Natural Historical Area to get a fresh endorphin fix.

Being an addict is a lot of bother. Between needing endorphin fixes and coffee fixes, my addictions are, at times, a tiresome, time taking nuisance.

Which I like most of the time.

Like today.

The Arlington park people who keep the Village Creek Natural Historical Area in great shape, long ago installed a giant mirror ball to make it easy for parkgoers to take photos of themselves. The large mirror ball may have some other purpose, but taking a photo of myself is what I used it for today.

As you can see, the Village Creek Natural Historical Area's foliage has returned to its jungle-like state. This lasts for a few months, til the heat of summer begins the slow fade to losing the greenery in the fall.

In the meantime, with the Village Creek NHA paved trails under a heavy canopy of green, it makes for a cooling shade from the blistering sun.

And now the maid is ringing the lunch bell, which means I must go consume some vittles, which today, if I remember right, is spring greens salad, whole wheat smoked turkey pizza and chicken. Typing that all out it really does not sound all that appetizing.

Why Does The Los Angeles River Vision Have No Happy Hour Inner Tube Floats Or Drive-In Movie Theaters?

I learned today that Los Angeles has followed Fort Worth's lead in returning a formerly scorned river to public recreational use.

It was via a CNN online article titled At last, Los Angeles River opens to public recreation after 80 years that I learned of what amounts to a Los Angeles River Vision, which, near as I can tell, is not yet a boondoggle, so Los Angeles really is not totally following the Fort Worth lead provided by the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle.

Just like with Fort Worth's section of the Trinity River, the Los Angeles River, in the area of the Los Angeles River Vision, is technically an Army Corps of Engineers flood control channel.

I have seen the cement lined Los Angeles River flood control channel many times, both in person and in movies and on TV. I have wondered if the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle's un-needed flood control channel will look like the Los Angeles River flood control channel if it ever becomes anything anyone can see.

The actual name of the Los Angeles River Vision is the Los Angeles River Pilot Recreation Zone. This zone is a section of the Los Angeles River with tree covered oasis islands, views of the San Gabriel Mountains and birds, lots of birds.

The Trinity River Vision can match all that. Except for the mountain views.

A blurb from the CNN article sounds almost TRV Boondogglish...

Oasis parks are colorfully named Rattlesnake, Steelhead and Egret. And, yes, there are even fish in the river -- carp, catfish and bass -- and anglers can drop a line as long as they have a state permit. In this recreation zone, the public can launch a kayak, canoe or other nonmotorized boat without a permit or cost.

Apparently it is safe to eat the fish one catches in the Los Angeles River.

Another blurb in the CNN article indicated an uncanny similarity between modern day Los Angeles and modern day Fort Worth and their rivers...

Now there's been a shift in the Los Angeles culture and the way Angelenos view themselves. They can truly identify a river in the city.

There was no mention made in the CNN article regarding whether the Los Angeles River Vision is having Inner Tube Happy Hour Floats. Or turning any of those Los Angeles River oasis islands into a music venue named Rattlesnake Island Pavilion.

The Los Angeles River Vision might want to think about enticing the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle's J.D. Granger to come help them make the LA vision as visionary as the Fort Worth vision.

It has been a long time since a drive-in movie theater has opened in Los Angeles. Let alone a wakeboard park....

Tiny Bubbles Coin Laundry Will Be Serving Chinese & Fast Food Grill In East Fort Worth

Coin Laundry & Winchester Gun Store Billboards

Driving west on Bridge Street, on my way to the Tandy Hills or Oakland Lake Park, there is a building that, over the years, has been the location of more than one restaurant or bar.

Some time ago, maybe as long as two years ago, the building housed,  if I remember right, a bar called Rockstar Bar.

Rockstar Bar did not rock long.

A few months ago it appeared that the former Rockstar Bar building was being dismantled.

Appearances can be deceiving.

Soon a sign appeared on the building saying "COIN LAUNDRY OPENING SOON."

I remember thinking, how odd, this does not seem like it would be a good location for a laundromat.

Then, about a month ago, a billboard appeared, followed by new signage on the building.

The billboard and signage inform passersby that the former Rockstar Bar is about to become Tiny Bubbles COIN LAUNDRY SERVING CHINESE & FAST  FOOD GRILL

I'm not sure what Chinese & Fast Food Grill means, available in a restaurant called COIN LAUNDRY.

But, I have a hunch that this time the restaurant at this location is going to be around awhile. I suspect it will be opening quite soon, because it was being worked on today, with today being a Sunday, known as a day of rest, when most construction projects don't get worked on.

The First Sunday Of June Back On The Tandy Hills Averting A Burnt Chicken Catastrophe

Smog Free Fort Worth Skyline View

I do not remember when it was I was last on the Tandy Hills prior to this first Sunday of June.

I also do not remember the last time the view from the top of Mount Tandy, of the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth, was through such a clear blue sky, with zero smog putting a damper on the blue.

The wildflowers have now greatly abated, with the Tandy Hills being about as totally green as they will be, before the relentless heat of summer turns the hills my favorite color.

Brown.

Years ago an amusing nurse, known as the Fat Lady, informed me that my signature color was brown.

I was only a couple hills into my hill hiking when I realized I'd not turned off the chicken cooking oven before I left my abode.

I frantically called Miss Puerto Rico, who has key access to my abode, to ask that she turn off my oven, if she was in the vicinity.

No answer.

I then went into running up the hills mode to quickly return to my means of motorized transport to quickly transport myself back to possibly burning chicken.

Just as I reached my motorized transport my phone made its incoming call noise.

It was Miss Puerto Rico indicating she had received my message and had turned off the oven.

And that she'd taken 3 pieces of chicken as payment for her services.

Is forgetting to turn off an oven an early sign of senility?

Today I Found Myself Wondering If The Trinity River Vision Boondoggle's Gateway Park Master Plan Includes Zombie Runs

Zombie Run Party Zone

Early this first morning of June of 2013 I had myself a really swell swimming time.

By the time the noon time frame came around I felt the need for some more endorphin inducing aerobic stimulation, so, since it is Saturday, and creature of habit that I be, as in I go to Town Talk on Saturday, I decided to get my aerobic stimulation via mountain biking at Gateway Park.

The north entry to Gateway Park is about a half mile from Town Talk. Maybe less. As I approached the entry I could see something was not normal, in the form of a guy waving a flag.

Turning left into the entry I saw an "Event Parking $10" sign. I stopped and asked the guy what the event was.

Zombie Run, was the answer.

I asked if parking was blocked to the mountain bike trail. He told me I could park easily at the Beach Street entry. So, that is what I did.

I parked, unloaded the bike and headed to the mountain bike trailhead, ready to bail if it was full of Zombies, like the last time Gateway Park had a Zombie Run.

The Zombie Run Party Zone, photo above, is what I saw when I got to the mountain bike trailhead. I pedaled over to the Party Zone to hear loud music and see groups of girls, scantily attired, doing dance routines.

It was very festive. I learned this was the end point for those who successfully run the Gauntlet of Zombies.

Continuing on to the mountain bike trail, I came across no Zombies, at first, but could hear Zombie attacks in the distance. The first section of trail ended up being Zombie free, start to finish. The next section was blocked, eventually, by yellow tape, so I opted to pedal the paved trail, eventually coming to the trail blockage you see below.

The above Zombie was attacking the water supply whilst waiting for incoming runners. A Zombie water table blocked the trail I was on. The water supply under Zombie attack was to the right of the blocked trail.

There were 3 Zombies at the location where the Zombie was attacking the water supply. A group of runners showed up and near as I could tell if a runner made it to the water supply table it was neutral territory, but prior to reaching the Neutral Zone a Zombie could attack a runner, grabbing the runner's 'flag,' thus rendering the runner neutral. Or, maybe dead. I'm not sure.

In the picture above those are all runners, including Wonder Woman, except for the Zombie with her hands high on her hips, on the left.

The Zombies and runners all seemed to be having themselves a really fine time over exerting in the hot humidity.

Finishing my bike ride and continuing on to Town Talk, today my treasure hunting rendered 2 big bags of oranges, something called Greek Yogurt Butter and a large pork loin, among other things I am not remembering right now.

One more thing.

Something called the Gateway Park Master Plan is part of the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle. A few days ago I asked if anyone knows of a time table for the Gateway Park Master Plan, or any part of the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle.

All I heard was crickets chirping.

Today I wondered if these Gateway Park Zombie Runs are more goofy genius from the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle. It sort of fits in with wakeboard lakes, drive-in movie theaters, happy hour inner tube floats and the world's new premiere music venue.....