In the Hog's Head

Taking advantage of the bridge from the park, we also popped into Old Town, and finally were able to sit down and have a pint at the Hog’s Head (which keeps random hours). Highlights of the brewpub included: the pints of IPA we enjoyed, the otherworldly feeling of the woody, dusty, basement setting, the dollar bills immortalized and push-pinned to the ceiling (and the two Brits with the story).

There was a couple already at the bar when we arrived who, in the best of possible worlds, were quite obviously loaded. As I was taking this picture, the female half said I had to get her dollar in the photo because there was a story behind it…She said that she had pinned it there last year when she and the gentleman with her were having a secret affair; and now she’s pinning another one up because they’re no longer a clandestine couple, but happily unattached from their formers and with each other. They spent the better part of the next half hour making fun of each others ring tone song purchases and being boisterously loud and in love. It was quite funny. (and of course...I have no idea which dollar bill it was or if it is even featured in the photo).

...and the waters receded...

After some months under water, the park and bike trail near our place has finally reached flood free status. We’ve been casually observing the water level as it has receded, passing by once or twice a week to see its progress, and were finally rewarded last weekend. We were shocked. In fact, we were so shocked that the vehicle barricade was removed that Joe almost had a head-on collision with a senior center transport shuttle on its way out of the park.

The park itself looks as though it weathered the flood quite well; it has taken on the aroma of a muddy tidal area (for those who know it…think Dyes Inlet), and the paved road looked like land in the final stages of desertification, but the grasses were lush and long and the trails clear.

Before and After:

Flooded: taken 01/12/2006

Er...not flooded: taken 05/20/2006

Not the best before and after shots, because it's been so long since I took the first ones...but you get the main idea ( (1) flooded road (2) the flood waters were up to almost 6 feet high against the park ranger building-you can still see the dirt and grime line from where the flood waters stopped on the road the and the building).

The first time we came to the park, back in November (pre-flood), I fell in love with the huge trees, so while Joe hunkered down to study in the grass, I ran around with my camera trying to capture the trees…most of my shots were done with my film SLR (black & white film) and are still in the camera (5 more shots on the roll), but I also snapped a few with the digi…mostly just enjoying the pictorial quality of Joe’s relaxed manner and the relatively quiet (for a Saturday) day.

Being felt up by the Patriot Act

I recently completed my first air journey since our trip to Thailand. I was "randomly" selected at both my entry and exit point airports for the "special search." Normally I would not be too ruffled about this, I'm not carrying any lighters or knives or shoe explosives...maybe some knitting scissors and fearsome bamboo knitting needles with ridiculous green sock tip covers (they were the only ones available at the moment I needed them and are quite silly), but seriously I just try to be friendly and let them run that stupid sensor wand over me and go on my way.

I can't really think of the last time I beeped going through the metal detectors at an airport (which, as I recall was the only way to really get you pulled to the side and security super checked...long long ago), I do believe it was when I wore my overalls once and the metal clips at the top set them off. The overalls serve as a good indication of the time period...you know, some time in the early '90's.
oh dear, how things have changed.

Because my ticket had printed a special distinction they pulled me aside immediately and grabbed my bag for me. This woman comes over to me and as she's walking up I can see that she's donning rubber exam gloves. I'm trying to be friendly and make a passing joke about the rubber gloves, to which I received a cold glare and was told that they were "for her protection." Yikes.
Then I got the legal run down.
"Would you like a private room?"
Is that really necessary?
"We're required to ask, however, this is a fully clothed search."
Thank goodness for that. No I'll just stay right here in the public eye, thanks.
"I'm going to be patting you down in areas covered by your clothes and if required some areas that are covered by your undergarments, do you understand?"
Go for it.

Apparently the outside and inside of my arms and legs did not pose a significant threat, nor did my stomach...so we never really made to first base even.

And then there was the bag search...ah I love packs, no matter how many dozens of them that come through each day security staff always seem quite baffled by them. They can't quite figure out how to open them or where all the nooks and crannies are; so although my clothing and books were subject to search, my toiletries kit was never found (I think I may have been absconding with nail clippers...shhh don't tell--on second thought I think they're allowed now anyway). They can never get stuff back in right and usually just give in and let you do it, although she did try to let me leave without my camera and my boarding pass which would have been both annoying and awkward.

A desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world.
- John le Carre


**Google's quote for the day.
John le Carre is the author of several books in the mystery genre, including "The Constant Gardener" which sits on my shelf, waiting for me to not be afraid to read it.