For the record.

I don't understand how any sane human being (i.e. one who can hold a job at a company such as Pfizer that requires higher education and the ability to function in society) can insist that the Prius was at fault.

Diagram 1 shows the Prius coming to the intersection, looking to the West to see a blue truck almost an entire length of the lot away and deciding to continue with the right of way left turn.


Diagram 2 shows the Prius making the turn and being slammed into by the blue truck. Please note that the speed limit in the parking lot is 10 mph. Prius was slowed even more to make a left turn on the snowy parking lot.


Diagram 3 shows the results of the crash. Note the Prius is now turned 90* from the impact of the blue truck. One would ask, how could a vehicle going 10 mph and slowing down to stop have made another vehicle spin 90* while also ripping gashes in the side of the Prius from the impact?


I tell you what, I certainly cannot see in any shape or form how he can insist that he was in no way at fault for this incident. He HAD A STOP! UNBELIEVABLE!! On top of it, he claims he was planning on turning right at that intersection. How he was planning on doing so while going 30 mph on snowy terrain is beyond me. Had I waited for him to "turn", he would have still broadsided us when he spun out.

GET THIS!!!!!!!

So the jerk that hit us sent a claim to his insurance company saying that I was at fault. State Farm called and I had to re-explain that I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY and he HAD A STOP. State Farm once again agrees with me and is denying his claim. But wait, it's not done yet, he can still take us to small claims court after SF denies his claim. And don't think he won't, he is enough of a jack ass to do it. So if (when) he does, I have to go to court and again prove that I was right and that he was 1) speeding and 2) not even planning on stopping at the intersection. The way this is going, I'm sure he will file a lawsuit and I'm sure it will be scheduled for when I plan to be in St. Louis. Karma better be a real bitch to this guy.

If he does sue, I'll be tempted to coutner sue for mental anguish and shitty gas milage that we've had since he trashed the Prius.

Hustle up the Hancock

Today was the Hustle Up the Hancock for Kevin. Hustling up 94 floors (very early in the morning)! His other years' times are 15, 20 and 18 minutes. We'll find out soon what this year's time is.

Kevin says, "it really is an experience every time."

Thanks, Kevin! You are an inspiration to us all! Good Job!

Kevin - Before.

Kevin - After

Ice Storm!

Lil' Jon in the ice storm.

While he likes walking on top of the drifts of snow, and appreciates his fabulous winter coat from Aunt Melissa and Uncle Craig, Lil' Jon is not a fan of the ice rain!
We have had very weird weather today. Winter Blitz, as the Weather Channel calls it. :) It threw off the satellite TV; may be covered in ice.

Canyons in Los Alamos

Here is a view of Pueblo Canyon looking south-southwest. Pueblo Canyon runs downhill from right to left. It intersects Acid canyon (above), which goes up toward the swimming pool and Walnut Canyon (below), which goes up toward the golf course (not shown).



You can see our neighborhood just to the left of the pool. There are a number of trails visible on the canyon "bench" on both sides of Pueblo Canyon. The trail I take from the pool to the bottom is the Ranch School Trail. It is very hard to see in this view, but it comes down the east slope of Acid Canyon and ends at the footbridge that crosses the bottom of Pueblo Canyon. This bridge was washed away in a flood on July 15, 2006. To find it, start at the clearing at bottom of Walnut Canyon Road, the wide white area near the bottom of the photo and look to the right a short distance. The trail I built last fall (not shown in this picture from Spring, 2006) starts at the clearing and runs to the left down Pueblo Canyon a short distance, then turns left to go up parallel to the road but on the other side of Walnut Canyon. It connects with Walnut Canyon Road just beyond the bottom of this view. The prominent U-shaped trail on the opposite side is a dirt road that starts at the Los Alamos Jewish Center on Canyon Road. The portion of this road that is horizontal in the picture is the remains of an old pipeline road. There used to be a high bridge called the Peggy Sue Bridge that continued the horizontal segment of road to the right across Acid Canyon. This year I plan to work on widening a trail off to the left down Pueblo Canyon. The trail is about 250 feet above the bottom of the canyon. The views are spectacular, but the present trail is too narrow and dangerous to be gawking at the views while walking.

Google Earth view of 905 Circle Dr.

Resolution of Los Alamos is now much better Google Earth than a couple of years ago. This picture shows our neighborhood called 2500 Central . Circle Drive enters off Rose street on the left. The first house on the left is 900 Circle Dr. and the numbers increase as you go around the outside of the road. The four houses in the center island are 926 to 929. Ours is 905 Circle Dr., which is the right hand side of the third pair from Rose St. That is the Mesa Public Library just behind our house. The architect wanted it to look like a bird from the air, and for that he got some sort of award. Other architects like it, but the building is not very functional. The building just across Central from 2500 Central is the new movie theater called the Reel Deal Theater. The developer was Bill Deal, who we occasionally see at Santa Fe Opera functions. The dark area in the upper right is Ashley Pond, named after the person Ashley Pond, who founded the Los Alamos Ranch School (see http://www.losalamoshistory.org/school.htm). Los Alamos Canyon appear in the upper right.

A bit more from Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year Parade

Chinese New Year

Yes, it was lots of fun, but a bit chilly (of course). We had lunch at Moon Palace, which is some of the best Chinese food in Chinatown, according to me. I took Melissa and Ma on an adventure on the CTA (I took us on the wrong train.) :) But we got there just in time. The "lions" came out to the restaurants to eat cabbage and oranges to give the business good luck.

Happy New Year! May it be auspicious!

Here is Melissa at the Parade :)

Year of the Pig

Last Sunday was Chinese New Year and to celebrate the coming year of the Boar (It's your year Dad), Laurie and I went to Chinatown for the parade and lunch.








In the restaurant.

Greetings!

Laurie and I would like to welcome you all to our new blog designed to keep everyone in the family in the loop. We hope you enjoy reading and posting family news!

Melissa and Laurie