You don't really need a scientific study to tell you the percentage of the population that eats out. Especially on a Friday evening. One drive down the main drag of most towns show restaurant after restaurant, parking lots filled, crowd backed out the door waiting their turn. It has become a way of life for many. I know several families who never eat at home. In fact the number of "3- meal -out- a - day" diners has risen 23% in the past five years according to one study I saw.

I'd get tired of that very fast I think. Eating out for us is still something special. Or something we do on vacation or travels. I enjoy dining out, but really I am lucky in that I've never seen a restaurant that could beat what I get at my own table. Kristie and I enjoy cooking. It's an important part of our lives to cook and eat together.

Tonight I was "in charge" and with her assistance we made a great sweet red sauce served over egg noodle pasta with a serving of stir-fried ( slightly steamed ) veggies and Hillshire Farms Hardwood smoked chicken sausage. You need to try it sometime.

After dinner it was coming up a thunderstorm so we unplugged everything and set down together ready to ride it out. The storm didn't last long and as soon as it had past I was cuing-up some soft romantic music. There is nothing better than to be snuggling together for a nap on the couch while soft Randall Bramblett music plays in the background.

Next thing you know it is hours later. Now that is what I call real reality programing.

Last few books I read. A bakers dozen plus one ( in no particular order )

1. The Bible =basic instructions for everything - read a little every day
2. Clear the Decks - Daniel Gallery - Humorous novel about Navy Pilots - I laugh out loud every time I read it.
3. War in the Falklands - London Times Team = Very in depth history of the Falklands war.
4. Flying High - James Wynbrandt = Biography and history of David Neeleman and JetBlue
5. Blessed Life - Robert Morris = down to earth biblical principals that have challenged my heart.
6. the Source of My Strength - Charles Stanley = comfort for times of grief.
   
7. Anytime, Anywhere - Martin Caidin = Novel of A ragtag group of pilots
8. Thriving on Less - Leo Babauta = How to downsize your life
9. Sunshine Skies - David Henderson = A history of regional Airlines in the southeastern U.S.
10. the Case Files of Sherlock Holmes - Dr John Watson = a reproduction of Doctor Watson's actual notes of several great cases.
11. Sun Stand Still - Steven Furtick = What if we truly had audacious faith?
    
12. Amazing Encounters with God - Clayton King = stories that open your mind to God's power.
    
13. So You're Dead - Kevin Garrison = A tongue -in-cheek look at life and death by a fellow pilot
14. Plan B - Pete Wilson = What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?
    

I came across this article on the web today about how the drug runners are becoming more creative and more high tech in their smuggling. It has become an ever changing battle just to keep up in the Drug Wars

It seem they have a new tool. A drug running submarine. Here it is after capture.

Colombian Marines seized a makeshift submarine capable of smuggling up to 12 tonnes of whatever. It was large enough to have space for four crew members.

I don't need it for smuggling anything, let alone drug running but wouldn't it be cool to own a sub?

At least one U.S. company are marketing one. The Phoenix 1000. And it's a big one. At over 2oo feet long ( 213 ) with more than 5000 sq feet of space on four levels. The web site doesn't list a price but you can imagine I am sure.

A little more realistic is the Triton 1000. Made by the same company the Triton is 3 meters long and seats two people.

Still no mention of the price but again I suspect it is well beyond my budget.

Maybe I should just build my own. Lets see here. I have a a couple 55 gallon drums and lot of garden hose and a hack saw. I'm thinking bike pedals for power and an old broken oar as a rudder.

Let me get back to you on this one after I draw up some plans.

About a year ago Kristie and I enjoyed a relaxing night of live music. Last night I traveled to Greenville to hear Randall Bramblett again. Unlike the 2010 show this was a full band show. Actually it was a hybrid show featuring the Australian Guitar guru Geoff Achison, his band featuring Randall.

I'd never heard Geoff Achison before other than a couple short clips on his web page. But I'll make every effort to be there any time his is back in this area. This guy was amazing on guitar. He wasn't using any effects, not even a volume pedal, but the sounds he produced defy logic. It is obvious that not only does he have coming from Australia in common with Tommy Emmanuel, but he shares many very similar techniques. His extremely fiery playing was perfect for Randall Branblett's soulful southern blues styles.

Like always I had to treat myself to a DVD and cd which are currently set on continuous repeat on my stereo.

It was a great night of music to cap an musical week.

The World Greatest Band played in Greenville last night at the BiLo Center.

Here is the set list:

Set One

The Spirit of Radio
Time Stand Still
Presto
Stick It Out
Workin' Them Angels
Leave That Thing Alone
Faithless
BU2B
Freewill
Marathon
Subdivisions

Set Two

Tom Sawyer
Red Barchetta
YYZ
Limelight
The Camera Eye
Witch Hunt
Vital Signs
Caravan
Drum Solo (Love 4 Sale)
Closer to the Heart
2112 Part I: Overture
2112 Part II: The Temples Of Syrinx
Far Cry

Encore:

La Villa Strangiato
Working Man

a full review to come

This afternoon I was talking to an older man, a farmer about a planned trip his family wanted to make to Disney World taking him, his wife and the two grand kids. He kept saying, "I just don't sponsor this idea." I guess meaning he did not want to go or that he wasn't to keen on going. I never heard anyone say that before. And it caused me to think of other unique ways of saying the same thing.

"I just don't cotton to that." " It don't light my fire." Can't switch on a bulb". Then there is the, "It don't float my boat." It doesn't blow my skirt up." "It don't make my skillet fry faster". One truly funny one I once heard was, "That idea or 'idee' jus' don't shine my shoes." And a final thought if you really don't like the plan you say, " that'll make a donkey cry."

Bye

Does it seem like you can't get as much done as you used to? Maybe this is the reason. Our days are shorter than last year. Seems the massive earthquake that struck northeast Japan back on March 11 shortened the length the day by a bit.

I was reading that scientists using new more accurate data of the 8.9 magnitude quake found it was so intense that it actually accelerated Earth's spin, shortening the length of the 24-hour day by 1.8 microseconds. If you are wondering a microsecond is a millionth of a second.

Maybe that doesn't seem like much to you since each day is about 24 hours, or 86,400 seconds, long. BTW the speed which the earth turns actually changes several times during a year. It can vary by one millisecond ( 1,000 microseconds) due to seasonal variations in the planet's mass distribution such as the seasonal shift of the jet stream.

I was also interested to read that Japan is no longer located in the same place. The same data also showed Japan moved about 8 feet. Wonder how that will effect GPS landings ?

And if that was enough our seasons will change too. The earthquake also shifted Earth's figure axis by about 6 1/2 inches.

But don't worry. This is the first time this kind of thing has happened. Last year the 8.8 magnitude quake in Chile sped up our days by 1.26 microseconds. And the 2004 9.1 quake in
Sumatra shortened the day by 6.8 microseconds.

Well I'll sleep better now.

the ABC's of this week

A - Air conditioner - Wife's car, "the 'lil Dragster " needs a/c service...again
B - Baseball Game - Attending the game on Anderson Night
C - coffee - enjoying a fresh bag of Kenyan AAA via my great friend Sue who just returned from a mission trip.
D - Dad is doing much better this week
E - Excited by H.G guys night. in the planning stage
F - Friends - I am blessed to know the best
G - picking up the Genset ( it's for sale btw )
H - the Handlebar - looking forward to seeing Randall Bramblett in concert there this week
I - the Invitation at church yesterday. A miracle occurred in many lives.
J - John 17:23
K - Katelyn graduates this week. Is that really possible than my "Sugar Cub " is 18 ?
L - LZU - thinking I'm gonna fly there to visit the "Flying Machine" for dinner this weekend.
M - Music - This week is truly filled with great LIVE music. 4 nights
N - NewSpring - love my church
O - Obvious answers to some of the little problems we face. Others not so clear, yet thankful for all.
P - Pastor Perry Noble - thank you Lord for placing such a man of God in my life.
Q - Quiet time - God has been teaching me to be silent and listen
R - Rush - Worlds greatest Band. In G'ville this week.
S - the "Shock" - girls softball playoffs - the Monk is starting game two on the mound
T - Temperature - saw 99 degrees at my house yesterday
U - U.K. & Ukraine - Our Partner Churches in Europe, as well as Kenya - praying daily
V - Visiting - the New Foundations Children's home
W - Wife - More than I ever dreamed - I love her so much
X - "X" marks the spot for every thing else I forgot to list
Y - Yard - be careful what you wish for. I don't like to mow, and now my lawn is turning brown in this heat.
Z - Zaxby's I got a free meal coupon.