Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Teacher of the Year!
I am very proud to announce that Michelle was been voted Teacher of the Year at Fowler High School this year.
Being that this award is one that is voted on by ones peers at the school - Michelle insists she didn't vote for herself - it is, at least in my opinion, better than receiving an Oscar.
In any case, as I told Michelle at dinner last night, she is my teacher of the year not just this year, but every year.
Congratulations Honey!
Being that this award is one that is voted on by ones peers at the school - Michelle insists she didn't vote for herself - it is, at least in my opinion, better than receiving an Oscar.
In any case, as I told Michelle at dinner last night, she is my teacher of the year not just this year, but every year.
Congratulations Honey!
Friday, June 15, 2007
And then there was 1
It's been a relatively unexciting day in (possibly) Robin land, except that one-by-one they appear to be disappearing.
The one we rescued and put back in the nest was still there this morning waiting to be fed when we got up. And they were all still there at lunchtime too. However, as of the time of writing we are now done to just one remaining in the nest.
I did just disturb one of the escapees as I went outside to check on them such that it hopped over the planter and then made a crazy, all-out dash across the pool to the back fence where it was met and fed by its father. Very cool. We like to think that that is the one we helped last night and that what it had learned from the experience led to its success today.
Anyway, unless something amazing happens before sunset tonight this may well be the last of the posts on the Robins as I am heading out of town again in the morning. We wish them well!
The one we rescued and put back in the nest was still there this morning waiting to be fed when we got up. And they were all still there at lunchtime too. However, as of the time of writing we are now done to just one remaining in the nest.
I did just disturb one of the escapees as I went outside to check on them such that it hopped over the planter and then made a crazy, all-out dash across the pool to the back fence where it was met and fed by its father. Very cool. We like to think that that is the one we helped last night and that what it had learned from the experience led to its success today.
Anyway, unless something amazing happens before sunset tonight this may well be the last of the posts on the Robins as I am heading out of town again in the morning. We wish them well!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Robin Chicks - Take 2, Day 13
Well, what a day of (maybe not) Robin activities!
We were very excited to notice that one of the chicks had taken the plunge (almost literally) and left the nest to explore the big wide world this afternoon. Michelle noticed it sat on the ground by the outside fridge and was initially worried that it had hurt itself. It became clear after a little while that it was just overwhelmed with its new surroundings and was waiting to build its confidence up before exploring; helped I am sure by frequent encouraging visits by both parents after it also figured out how to 'cheep' for the first time to get their attention.
And therein began its troubles. We were fascinated to watch how the adult birds would demonstrate how to fly by take short hops on to objects and then fly back down to try and get it to do the same thing. The only problem was that they got a bit carried away and demonstrated flying over the swimming pool. Sure enough, the chick tried to do the same thing and fell in. I hadn't even considered the pool as a potential hazard for a young bird but nevertheless found myself dashing out to rescue it with the pool net and brought it back to the safety of the porch to dry off.
No sooner had I done that and returned inside did we watch another chick spread its wings for the first time and manage a controlled descent to the porch. This one wasted no time in having a go at the proper flying thing and yes, no more than 5 minutes after its adventurous sibling found itself swimming in the far side of the pool. Cue another rescue. The picture above was taken a little while after the second rescue - it still has some ruffled feathers that aren't quite dried off yet.
But that's not all... a bit later on the cats were demanding to be let out to do their business so we let them out the front and kept on eye whether they snuck round the back. Sure enough, we spot Cornflake lurking in the porch and grab her to bring her in. Miko, however, was a bit smarter and crept around behind the plans at the back of the garden and all we saw was her darting across at the back of the pool with something in her mouth. Yep, she had caught one of the chicks! Michelle and I jumped up and ran outside, cornered Miko and got her to drop the bird. We were relieved to see that although clearly petrified it was not actually injured. I brought it back and sat it in the porch where it proceeded to sit very still as the evening got darker and darker.
Finally, we felt sorry for it and hatched a plan to pick it up and place it back in the nest so that it can get a good night's sleep before having another go at the flying thing tomorrow.
It's nerve-wracking stuff this bird rearing game. The cats are sleeping in a locked garage tonight.
We were very excited to notice that one of the chicks had taken the plunge (almost literally) and left the nest to explore the big wide world this afternoon. Michelle noticed it sat on the ground by the outside fridge and was initially worried that it had hurt itself. It became clear after a little while that it was just overwhelmed with its new surroundings and was waiting to build its confidence up before exploring; helped I am sure by frequent encouraging visits by both parents after it also figured out how to 'cheep' for the first time to get their attention.
And therein began its troubles. We were fascinated to watch how the adult birds would demonstrate how to fly by take short hops on to objects and then fly back down to try and get it to do the same thing. The only problem was that they got a bit carried away and demonstrated flying over the swimming pool. Sure enough, the chick tried to do the same thing and fell in. I hadn't even considered the pool as a potential hazard for a young bird but nevertheless found myself dashing out to rescue it with the pool net and brought it back to the safety of the porch to dry off.
No sooner had I done that and returned inside did we watch another chick spread its wings for the first time and manage a controlled descent to the porch. This one wasted no time in having a go at the proper flying thing and yes, no more than 5 minutes after its adventurous sibling found itself swimming in the far side of the pool. Cue another rescue. The picture above was taken a little while after the second rescue - it still has some ruffled feathers that aren't quite dried off yet.
But that's not all... a bit later on the cats were demanding to be let out to do their business so we let them out the front and kept on eye whether they snuck round the back. Sure enough, we spot Cornflake lurking in the porch and grab her to bring her in. Miko, however, was a bit smarter and crept around behind the plans at the back of the garden and all we saw was her darting across at the back of the pool with something in her mouth. Yep, she had caught one of the chicks! Michelle and I jumped up and ran outside, cornered Miko and got her to drop the bird. We were relieved to see that although clearly petrified it was not actually injured. I brought it back and sat it in the porch where it proceeded to sit very still as the evening got darker and darker.
Finally, we felt sorry for it and hatched a plan to pick it up and place it back in the nest so that it can get a good night's sleep before having another go at the flying thing tomorrow.
It's nerve-wracking stuff this bird rearing game. The cats are sleeping in a locked garage tonight.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Robin Chicks - Take 2, Day 12
Here's a pic of the second batch of Robin (?) chicks as of this morning - Wed June 13th - which by my calculations makes them approximately 12 days old.
Over the past couple of days they have grown alot, aquired a good coat of proper feathers and been to toilet a bit more. Yep - that white and black stuff covering the outside of the nest is their poo and wee. Kind of gross from our human perspective, but at least they are keeping the interior of the nest clean and tidy.
We're expecting them to start to wander outside of the nest any day now so we are keeping a close eye on Mico and Cornflake this time around. Finger crossed...
Over the past couple of days they have grown alot, aquired a good coat of proper feathers and been to toilet a bit more. Yep - that white and black stuff covering the outside of the nest is their poo and wee. Kind of gross from our human perspective, but at least they are keeping the interior of the nest clean and tidy.
We're expecting them to start to wander outside of the nest any day now so we are keeping a close eye on Mico and Cornflake this time around. Finger crossed...
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Lupe G Ulloa
Lupe passed away peacefully on Sunday June 3rd.
Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and kind wishes.
She will be missed.
Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and kind wishes.
She will be missed.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
They're Back!
Nervously, I can report today that the (not) Robins are having another go at raising a family beneath our porch.
I am hoping for their sake that they have developed a new strategy for avoiding the ruthlessly carniverous monsters the prowl beneath their nest. I haven't seen the male around at all since I got back from my trip so I can only assume he is either rounding up a posse of his bird friends in order to make a frenzied attach should the cats corner the chicks, or he didn't agree with them returning to that particular nest and is off sulking somewhere.
In any case, I am hoping to be around long enough this time to offer some protection when the chicks get ready to head out into the world.
I am hoping for their sake that they have developed a new strategy for avoiding the ruthlessly carniverous monsters the prowl beneath their nest. I haven't seen the male around at all since I got back from my trip so I can only assume he is either rounding up a posse of his bird friends in order to make a frenzied attach should the cats corner the chicks, or he didn't agree with them returning to that particular nest and is off sulking somewhere.
In any case, I am hoping to be around long enough this time to offer some protection when the chicks get ready to head out into the world.
Warming Up
We stopped by Meleena's softball game last night and watched her in action. She has a pretty good swing and can hit the ball pretty good but needs to work on the running part of her game.
Girl softball teams sing lots of songs.
Girl softball teams sing lots of songs.
Would you disturb her?
It's been a bit of a rough few weeks in Kingsburg and neither Michelle nor I have been around much to give our cats the attention they crave. I'm convinced they are becoming ferral as they don't seem to want to hang out with us in the evening when we are there any more. Or perhaps they are just punishing us.
This is a picture of Miko in a rare inside moment. She's actually not supposed to be on the table as it leaves cat hair on the runner but, well, look how comfy she is.
Now, if it were Cornflake... Just kidding Michelle! ;)
This is a picture of Miko in a rare inside moment. She's actually not supposed to be on the table as it leaves cat hair on the runner but, well, look how comfy she is.
Now, if it were Cornflake... Just kidding Michelle! ;)
Hanako's Monkey
I spent most of this week in San Mateo hosting some visitors from our Japanese partner, MJS. Hanako is my Japan Product Manager and she was in town helping with the cultural, linguistic and boring product-y stuff that we get up to at NetSuite.
Anyway, as part of the 'California Experience' we arranged for our guests - we went to the Oakland A's game the night before - we took them to Celia's Mexican restaurant and ordered the requisite Margaritas and other traditional fare. Just as we were wrapping up the meal, this teenage kid (along with his mother!) came over and asked if we would like to contribute to his college fund by having him make us a baloon animal. He himself was wearing a crown with a Monkey on it. Of course, in the interests of global peace and harmony and stronger business relationships with our Japanese partners, I immediately announced that it was Hanako's 21st birthday and that I would like to get her one of those. It took him forever and much laughter ensued as he entertained us with his balloon blowing and manipulation prowess.
Anyway, here's Hanako in the office the next day proudly displaying her Monkey-crown-balloon-hat-thingy.
Anyway, as part of the 'California Experience' we arranged for our guests - we went to the Oakland A's game the night before - we took them to Celia's Mexican restaurant and ordered the requisite Margaritas and other traditional fare. Just as we were wrapping up the meal, this teenage kid (along with his mother!) came over and asked if we would like to contribute to his college fund by having him make us a baloon animal. He himself was wearing a crown with a Monkey on it. Of course, in the interests of global peace and harmony and stronger business relationships with our Japanese partners, I immediately announced that it was Hanako's 21st birthday and that I would like to get her one of those. It took him forever and much laughter ensued as he entertained us with his balloon blowing and manipulation prowess.
Anyway, here's Hanako in the office the next day proudly displaying her Monkey-crown-balloon-hat-thingy.