Meowy Kittmas, everyone!

My cat, Cali, always checks out the Christmas tree each year. Now that she's older, she's really good about leaving the ornaments alone. She does a lot of sniffing and poking about, but she hasn't attacked an ornament in years. This year I put the tree in a different spot, which provided her a much better vantage point for viewing the tree. I snapped a photo using my phone that shows her taking full advantage of this new location.

Merry Christmas!!

Ed Moses -- Against the Tide - Episode 1

Really well done video, which chronicles Ed Moses' swimming comeback attempt for the 2012 Olympics. Ed attended and swam at the USMS Spring Nationals in Mesa this past year. I hope they show some of this footage in the next episode. It was exciting to be there knowing what he is attempting to do.

Calma Company Demo Room -- circa 1980 -- Sunnyvale, CA

OMG!! I love the Internet. I was Googling for other images and came across this image today. This is none other than the state-of-the-art demo room we used to demonstrate the new GDSII IC layout system, which was developed by Calma Company of Sunnyvale, CA. This picture was taken in 1980 and was used in lots of our sales literature. I began working for Calma as an IC Applications Engineer in January of 1980. I worked with Calma GDS1, GDSII, and GDSIII systems from 1973 to 1988. They were the premier layout system for full-custom IC design during that time.

From left to right: Magnetic tape drive, expansion unit, Data General 16-bit Eclipse mini-computer, 300MB hard drive, TTY/Printer, Hazeltine CLI console, Versatec 36" color electrostatic plotter, and a single layout station. This was considered "high tech" back in 1980. Click the picture to view this system in all it's glory.

Sweet little Morran -- Rest in Peace

I have been following the blog of Camilla Engman for several years now. I found her through a photograph of her sweet little Swedish farm dog, Morran. This little dog has been an inspiration to many, as she has appeared in numerous works of art and countless photographs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/morran/sets/53703/). Well, today we all learned that she lost her battle with cancer and has passed over the rainbow bridge. I for one will miss her terribly. Goodbye, sweet Morran.
http://camillaengman.blogspot.com/2011/11/morran.html

Happy Swim Anniversary

Two years ago today, I made the brave leap back into the pool and became a swimmer (again). It's been an amazing journey to say the least -- one I hope to continue well into my 90s.

My first year was spent swimming with a small Masters group at Life Time Fitness in Gilbert while I focused on Open Water events. This second year I made the switch to an official USMS club, Sun Devil Masters, and to date, I've competed in 6 swim meets, one of which was an Arizona State Championship, and another being USMS Spring Nationals (a huge meet with 1804 swimmers!). I have two more meets to go, making a grand total of 8 for the year. I fully intended to include some Open Water swim events, but the desire just wasn't there.

Going into my third year, I'm hoping to continue refining my strokes and bringing down my times. It's incredible how hard it is to change muscle memories learned almost 40 years ago. I was a 25-yard sprinter in high school, and even though I'm now into my later 50s, my body still remembers what it did back in 1970. When I race, it's a battle against the clock and with my old memories. But, with the help of some private coaching, I'm finally making some good progress on creating new muscle memories. Repetition, repetition, repetition and practice, practice, practice. Eventually, I will have forgotten those old memories once and for all.

Here's a little photo montage of me and some of my lane mates, highlighting the past two years of being back in the water.

Birthday Swim Cap!!! (and Sombrero)

My swim club has a tradition of making the birthday person wear an old-fashioned flower swim cap and posing for a picture while wearing it. I went to swim workout Friday evening expecting to wear it, but there was a bit of a snafu and the cap was in the wrong location. Well, after the incredibly tough sprint workout, I was to meet my daughters at Chevy's where they were going to treat me to a birthday dinner. To my surprise, my daughter Cheryl planned a surprise party and invited a bunch of folks from my club and a few close friends. And, to my delight, what was also waiting for me?? Yes, indeed -- the birthday cap.

Totally awesome, right! Besides enjoying some good food and even better company, one of my lane mates (Hank) treated me to a big shot of Patron. Ole!!! Talk about smooth!

Down the hatch!! After dinner, another lane mate (Taylor) treated me to a big shot of Citron! Ole Dos!! This had to be the best birthday I can recall in decades. A good time was had by all.

Cheryl (the party organizer), me, and Cristina.

Me and Leah. Can you tell I'm having a good time?

Hank and Me with the birthday card from Cheryl. Sex Kitten -- LOL.

Not only did I get to wear the Sun Devil Masters honorary birthday swim cap, but Chevy's came out with their own birthday sombrero. Ole, ole, ole!

A huge thank you to my daughter, Cheryl, for setting up the party, and also to everyone who came: Cristina, Phil, Chris, Leah, Karen P., Karen Z., Bruce, Chad, Marc, Kate, Taylor, Roger (who took these great photos), Barbara, Pam, and last but not least, Hank. Love you guys!!!

More Fossil Creek

Kate posted her photos and all I can say is "WOW"! Enjoy!!

 Beautiful, clear, water.

 Me sitting overlooking one of the beautiful ponds.

 Me standing under the falls (and yes, I am in a bikini!!)

 Felissa and Kelly. You can see how clear the water really is.

 The main falls. I just can't get over how gorgeous this place is.

 One of the smaller falls along the creek trail that show the mineral formation.

Another view from above.