Der Amiländer spricht...

Der Amiländer...

2010-03-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

...has decided to focus more on his fiber blog, since that is mostly what he does these days.
This blog has been neglected and will probably continue to be so.
Please visit me at http://larsstricken.blogspot.com/

Uh oh! Look who moved into the guest bedroom over the weekend.

2010-03-01T14:54:00.001-08:00

It's a Union Custom Loom. This one has been around for a few years, possibly since they first started making them in 1918. The guy I bought it from had rescued it from an old barn and cleaned it up and reassembled it. It's going to take some fiddling around and a little more tender loving care before it's up and running again. You guys know me though, a woodworking and fiber project combined is my favorite.
P.S. Future Guests, I'll need a little forewarning to shuffle things around and set up the bed for you;)

Düsseldorf to Portland

2010-02-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

Sam Martin braves 'Forbidden Love'

Will adapt German soap for the U.S.

By Scott Roxborough

Feb 16, 2010, 02:29 PM ET

BERLIN -- Sam Martin, a former vp at cable network HBO, is set to adapt a story line from hit German soap "Verbotene Liebe" (Forbidden Love) for the U.S. market.

Martin, through her new aid+abet shingle, has acquired the remake rights to "Christian & Olli," a popular "forbidden love" story line about a gay couple living together in Dusseldorf. Christian and Olli have become cult figures in Germany and globally through the spread of clips of the soap on YouTube. The original soap is produced by GrundyUfa in Germany and airs on public broadcaster ARD.

Aid+abet plans to adapt the story, setting it against the backdrop of present-day Portland, Oregon. Through Martin's production agreements, HBO Films and HBO Entertainment will have first-look rights at the property before it is shopped to other networks

It's all happening over at the fiber blog recently.

2010-02-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

Most of what I've been doing recently is more related to weaving and is being entered on my fiber blog.
http://larsstricken.blogspot.com/

Sigh....

2010-01-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

...one of the most beautiful things I've seen in quite awhile. I need to go buy some wood.

Sam Maloof was a true artisan.

The rag rug saga continues.

2010-01-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

My first rug on the cobbled together loom is finished. The loom needs a few minor modifications but is overall quite functional.

Read the saga and gaze upon the photos here;P

Loom update....

2010-01-18T09:40:00.000-08:00

...can be found here.

Finally back in the woodshop

2010-01-10T20:57:00.000-08:00

I recently took up weaving rag rugs, partner thought there were too few around the house thet were clean and available when miss muddy pawed puppy came in from outside. I have lots of scraps left over from sewing as well as lots of worn out clothes, sheets, etc. so I knocked together a very basic frame type loom and have made 3 so far. I decided though to make a better loom and headed for my woodshop. I don't want to spend any money and so am limited to scraps on hand, okay, the dowels I picked up at the rebuilding center for $.50 each, $6 spent so far.
Armed with these items and the instructions for assembling an Ashford rigid heedle loom. As well some assumptions on what the size of the assembly diagrams might be, I began building today.
(Clicking on the photos makes them larger)

So far it looks like this. There is still a lot of work to do, but I'm optimistic about the eventual outcome.

In defense of marriage, there are no limits.

2010-01-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

Christian warrior and Oklahoma lawmaker Sally Kern, who once declared gays more of a threat to America than terrorists, has set her sights on outlawing some forms of heterosexual divorce:

Scheduled for introduction in the 2010 legislative session by state Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, House Bill 2279 would restrict the "use of incompatibility as a ground for divorce" in Oklahoma.
The bill would not allow for divorce on the basis of incompatibility if:
There are living minor children of the marriage
The parties have been married 10 years or longer
Either party files a written objection to the granting of a divorce

If passed, the act would become effective on Nov. 1.
More at Pam's House Blend.

Future versus Past

2009-12-30T11:36:00.000-08:00

Lars knows that calendars exist. He also acknowledges that they can be useful to determine when a future event might occur. He, however, even though reputed to be of moderate intelligence, finds it extremely difficult to fix past events to a specific time, month or year.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

Fröhe Weihnacht! God Jul!

Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noel!

Really!? It's a childrens book?!

2009-12-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

a co-worker had a copy of Robert Service's Cremation of Sam Mcgee. He said ; "yeah, it's the greatest children's story ever. I was surprised and started quoting lines to him, it's definitely morbid. he insists that it's a children's story though. ( he also thinks I might be an alien because I could quote from the poem;D)

Robert Service (1874-1958)

The Cremation of Sam McGee

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.

Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell."

On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.

And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."

Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
"It's the cursèd cold, and it's got right hold, till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet 'tain't being dead — it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."

A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.

There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you, to cremate those last remains."

Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows — Oh God! how I loathed the thing.

And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.

Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May."
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."

Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared — such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.

Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.

I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; ... then the door I opened wide.

And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear, you'll let in the cold and storm —
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."

Text found here.

Forgive me Barber for I have sinned...

2009-12-20T21:15:00.000-08:00

...it's been 6 months since my last haircut. That was the haircut I gave myself. i took the clippers and cut all my hair off as short as I could, just like the haircuts my Mother gave me as a child.
It wasn't until the early 70's that I was allowed to have anything other than a "buzz cut". i complained long and loud enough that I was sent to my grampa to have my hair cut. Gramps left it all a little bit longer, except for the bangs. He'd cut across the front and the exclaim; "damn, it's crooked", then cut a lilttle more before swearing it was still crooked. It was not until he had cut all your hair away from your forehead before he thought that it was finally cut straight across and he was finished.
Throughout the years my hair has been cut by family and friends far more often than by a barber. The haircut before the one I gave myself was about 6 months before the one 6 months ago, my cousin, more accurately, my cousins son, gave me that one. I thought it looked pretty good, especially since he'd never cut anyones hair before.
I'm telling you all this because; Geoff went out with some friends this evening and then showed up at home early saying that I needed a haircut and he was willing to give it a go. He has cut my hair before but does not like doing it. Yes folks, I live with one of the very few gay men that does not naturally know how to cut hair. And, being one of the very few homosexual men that doesn't really pay that much attention to how his hair looks, I agreed. It scores points in the relationship, spending time together and all that. In the past he has tried and while he is cutting my hair I hear things like, "oh shit", "oops", etc. It's usually good enough for me, though others have had a different opinion.
He did ,however, at the end of the haircut, ask if he could trim my eyebrows. "Hell no! I'll take care of that myself. I really would rather have Boris Yeltsin eyebrows than Liz Taylor eyebrows."
It's been about an hour since the haircut. I have not yet looked in the mirror, maybe tomorrow.

Christmahanakwanzolstice

2009-12-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

via JMG.

To My Democratic Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2010, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.

To My Republican and Independent Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2010.

Good news from the conservative front.

2009-12-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

Major Conservative Blogger Defects From Right Wing: I Can't Take The Hatred

This is something of a shocker. Charles Johnson, author of the very popular conservative blog Little Green Footballs, has announced that he can no longer endure the hate of the right wing and is leaving the movement. Johnson's manifesto:
Why I Parted Ways With The Right

1. Support for fascists, both in America (see: Pat Buchanan, Robert Stacy McCain, etc.) and in Europe (see: Vlaams Belang, BNP, SIOE, Pat Buchanan, etc.)
2. Support for bigotry, hatred, and white supremacism (see: Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Robert Stacy McCain, Lew Rockwell, etc.)
3. Support for throwing women back into the Dark Ages, and general religious fanaticism (see: Operation Rescue, anti-abortion groups, James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Tony Perkins, the entire religious right, etc.)
The list continues; My source is via JMG

Schon 'ne Woche vorbei?

2009-11-24T09:12:00.000-08:00

Was kann ich dazu sagen? Es gibt nicht so viel zu erzählen. Ich stricke meistens leise vor mich hin.
Ich arbeite noch, zwar gegen meine Willens;) Der lieber Partner quengelt mir immer noch an dass ich zu viele Biere trinke. na ja, je so mehr man mir mitquengelt, desto mehr brauche ich der Trost dass der Bier mir bringt;) Nun, wenn das nicht eine gute Ausrede ist....;P
Es gibt ein Feiertag diese Woche, Donnerstag ist Dankagungstag. Also, ich habe eine Viertagewochenende vor mich, freu, freu. Heute aber muss ich den Abfall rausschleppen, auch das Recycling und Gartenabfall. Es wartet auch ein Spülbecke voller schmutziger Geschirr auf mich Zuhause. Partner muss langere Stunden in diese Woche arbeiten, dafür gibt es Mehr für mich zu tun wann ich nach Hause gehe. Ich muss auch was kochen, määh, armer Lars. Nun, noch ein Mal in die Bresche, es gibt noch arbeit zu erledigen.

Thanks Stefan...

2009-11-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

... for sharing these words. The entire entry is here, in German only, Steven Milverton .

Roughly translated;
To be a partner in a marriage is more than just to be a part of the whole. Each contributes his/her presence and decisiveness to the success f the marriage. The individualistic thoughts and actions of each commands respect. Respect and acting respectfully towards each other allows each partner in the marriage freedom to grow and blossom in their uniqueness. This, after all, is the reason they fell in love with each other in the first place!

Auf Deutsch:
Partner sein in einer Ehe ist mehr als nur ein Teil des Ganzen zu sein. Jeder trägt in einer Ehe auf seine Art Wesentliches und Entscheidendes zum Gelingen des Ganzen bei. Die Individualität des Denkens und Handelns verlangt Respekt. Denn Respekt und respektvoller Umgang miteinander lässt dem Ehepartner den Freiraum zur Entwicklung und Entfaltung seiner individuellen Einzigartigkeit. Und in die haben Sie sich schließlich einst verliebt!

Knitting related.

2009-10-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

see My post on my fiber blog

What?!!! Who?!! Have I been in contact with this person?!!!

2009-10-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

I just got this e-mail from our Human Resources person;

Hello All,

Please remind your staff that if they are sick, & especially if they have a fever, to not come to work. We have our first official case of h1n1 in our factory. Don’t freak out…let’s just do our best to not let it spread. If you know one of your employees is sick & they have come into work, send them home. Please communicate with each other about holes in your staffing & be ready to help out other departments. Also, if you see your staff sneezing in their hands, remind them to sneeze or cough in the bend of their elbows instead.

Squash infestations and violence

2009-10-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks there has been a steadily growing number of squashes, pumpkins and gourds inhabiting the front steps to the house. Last night i decided I should do something to quell this infestation. I grabbed a kitchen knife and went out to face the pests down. A couple of them turned quite menacing, and I backed down, for now.
I may have to try a surprise attack. I've heard that after halloween they can turn into zombies.

I'm Pickled

2009-10-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

4 weeks ago I came home from work to find that Geoff had bought cucumbers for me to make dill pickles, of course it had to be on a Monday. Dutiful little Hausfrau that I am, I immediately washed them...
...and put them into the "crock". in my case, a large plastic bucket made for fermenting homemade beer. Note, making ones own beer is fun once or twice, but is a lot of work, especially the part where you have to bottle it.

After fermenting for 4 weeks it was time to bottle them.

20 quarts of dill pickles ready for the winter. That's a lot of hamburgers to look forward to.

Apple pie seems to be all the rage just now.

2009-10-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Martin in Broda made one because Mr. Urs made one. So now I have to show them how it's really done, what do the Swiss and Germans know about true pie ;P, their version is actually a tart.
1 cup of butter cut into 2 cups of flour with a pinch of salt until crumbly looking.

Using a fork stir in 5 Tablespoons of cold water and 1 Tablespoon of vinegar just until it holds together.
Divide dough in half shaping it into balls, DO NOT KNEAD IT. Roll out 1 crust and fit into pie plate. Roll out second and set aside.

Mix sliced apples, a pinch of cinnamon, plumped raisins, chopped nuts and brown sugar together.
This pie was 4 large apples, all other ingredient measurements are to your preference.
Stir in 2 Tablespoons granulated tapioca or flour to absorb excess juices.
Fill the pie, add top crust cut to vent steam and bake at 350-375F. for 45 minutes to an hour.

I really wish that there had been vanilla ice cream in the house when it came out of the oven. I'll have to plan ahead next time.

One coat of carnauba wax away...

2009-10-07T12:23:00.001-07:00

...from finishing,but I couldn't wait to show you all.

The chair is almost finished, and finally partners penchant for going to estate sales paid off ;)

2009-10-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, 9:00 Saturday morning, partner calls and says that there is an estate sale that I have to go to, and right away, they're selling tools. So I haul my lazy self out of my lounging mode and drive off to this "promising" sale. For once he was right, I found a few tools that I thought might be useful. (remember, clicking on the pictures makes them larger.)
3 Splitting wedges, an antique saw, 3 antique hand powered drills, abunch of drill bits and a bunch of files, most of which will need handles, we'll go into that some other time.

The one drill, a breast drill , I found quite useful today for boring the mortises for the back spindles of my chair.

And, as always, when working on a project, a bigger hammer is the answer.

The chair is now all glued together and needs only a little fine tuning and finishing.

There are two schools of thought on how many spindles there should be in the back. One says that an odd number is more asthetically pleasing. This however puts one of the spindles directly in the center, where your spine will rest. The other theory says that an even number of spindles is far more comfortable, I opted for comfort. I have sat in a chair that has a spindle right in the center, it does put pressure directly on the spine. I would really rather sit in a chair that has support on either side of the spine, which actually almost massages the muscles to either side of the spine and is so much more relaxing.

Now, for those who think the whole thing looks a little flimsy. Remember that all the pieces are hand shaved from wood that is split to follow the growth of the tree. Nothing is sawn across the grain of the trees growth. All pieces maintain the strength that a tree naturally has to resist the forces of wind, etc.
Chairs built in this fashion have lasted for over 300 years. When you sit in this chair, it flexes and accomodates you. I find chairs like these not only beautiful, but also desirable.

304 colors...

2009-10-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

...need to be rearranged for a new display wall. A guy can go crazy doing this, good thing I was already crazy.

A beautiful day for working in the garden.

2009-09-27T14:44:00.001-07:00

A lot of the work is done using your eye to line things up. All holes are drilled at compound angles.

Chair progress

2009-09-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I got a bundle of sticks, which I shaved down to make back spindles for the chair.They are now drying in a makeshift wood kiln so that when I fit them to the chair they'll regain moisture and tighten themselves into the mortises.
The pieces I used to make the arms warped while drying so I put them in the steamer with the back comb in hopes of straightening them out a little.

Fancy steam box isn't it?
The arms are now clamped to a flat surface and the back comb is clamped to a curved surface.
My fingers are crossed. Hopefully everything will be dry enough to start fitting together over the weekend.

It's starting to look like a chair

2009-09-20T17:26:00.001-07:00

I attached the legs this weekend.
Hopefully the hickory for the back spindles will arrive tomorrow so I can start that part.

Oh No! What to do next?

2009-09-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

as they say, I've painted myself into a corner.
I have 3 projects on knitting needles. A Gigantic lace tablecloth for Geoff, based on 3 patterns from the recently re-released works of Herbert Niebling, the father of modern lace knitting, yes guys, men have been knitting for centuries. a lace skirt for my nieces little girl, which is actually almost finished. I wanted though some quick and mindless knitting and have started a neck scarf as well.
I sewed up 3 new vests for Geoff last weekend, and remodeled one. There is still fabric for another 4, or is it 5 new ones as well as a 20 or so that still need taken in for him and his new size. Hmmm.... low on the list since he has 10 new ones since December.
The windsor project could use some attention. i put the legs on top of the water heater to dry out some and they are probably dry enough to be fitted to the seat. The arms warped a little while drying so I'm thinking that I could steam bend them to a uniform shape, the crest also needs steam bent and the back bow is probably ready for shaping. The guy that I ordered the red oak for the spindles called today and said that he went out to split out the rivings today and that his red oak log wasn't much good and would I mind if he sent me hickory rivings instead. Yeah, sure, I'll take hickory, it's a little harder than oak and will be a little more trouble to work, but I want to get some progress made on this chair.
I also got an e-mail today saying that the plans for this clock shipped today. before I can build it a need a scroll saw. I don't have an extra $500/600 bucks for a good one and know that I'll regret buying a bad one so I'm thinking maybe I should build this, at least then i'd also have a lathe for my next chair project and save energy and help the enviroment as well.
Please, someone come amd organize and settle me down before I project myself to death!

Onkel, diene Name heisst Übelheit

2009-09-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Onkeln existieren ja um ihren Neffen schlechtes Wissen beizubringen, rauchen, trinken u.s.w.
Was hat mein Onkel mir Jetzt beigebracht?
Das es solche Dinge wie Holzuhren gibt.
GucktMa!
Nun gibt es noch ein Hobby die ich wirklich muss aufheben. Bad Onkel!

Poodle Art?

2009-09-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've never really liked poodles that much, but this is just wrong! More.

The Swiss are coming

2009-09-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Revolt batteries has announced that they have chosen Portland as their new headquarters.
Go Portland! Future electric car capitol of the world.

Chair Intermezzo, or, a 3 vest weekend

2009-08-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

I did mention on face book that I escaped going out and picking peaches only by beginning to sew on a vest for Geoff. Not that i don't want to pick peaches, I just don't want to end up canning a bunch of peaches on this particular sunday.
It turned out to be a 3 vest weekend for Geoff. He works in a paint store and has a required shirt that he has to wear. He hates it. I have sewd him vests, (and shirts) for the past 19 years. After he got the Paint store job with the shirt requirement he balked and started to wear the vests as an individuallizing statement, he has been told to not wear them but has somehow always managed to retain the right of individuality. I think that his "colorfulness, (with vests") has gained him the trust of clients who don't know what they want as far as color is concerned and rely on someone with individuality. Therefore, Geoff and his "signature" vests are a part of Miller Paint.
He has, however, lost a few pounds since I started making the vests for a more ample Geoff. I did experiment with cutting one down this weekend. Geoff says that it works.
I also like to work, sometimes, with fabrics that have a very "pictorial" imagery. This particular one has been cut and sitting around for several months, I just this weekend finally sewed it all together.

Geoff happened to stop by the fabric store last week to get me more interfacing and came home with some spider fabric. Dutifully turned in to a vest. ( I may say dutiful, but it's been awhile since I did anything sewingwise.)

Now, there are only 8 fabrics left in the line up. Oh, did someone notice that on face book this morning I mentioned I had material for 8 vests on hand, but somehow after making two vests today I still have 8. Well, Geoff went to the fabric store today to buy more lining for 2 of the vests, and magically came home with more fabric.

Maybe you guys that have to wear business suits everyday and your only claim to individuality is in the neck ties that you wear, I imagine that's how it is with Geoff.

The line up. Yes Rita, I know that the 2 on the far right have been in the lineup since December. (Ja Rita, ich weiss wohl dass die 2 ganz Rechts sind noch Da seit Dezember.)

Chair challenge

2009-08-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

The yew wood is not shaving into spindles very well. Either I need better quality wood, more experience or some tips on using yew. I've ordered John Brown's book on building Welsh stick chairs and should have it Monday. The Welsh stick chair predates the Windsor chair and is a little more my style, less fussy, cleaner lines. They look a little more contemporary. The techniques are probably also a little more along the lines of how I work, no lathe, more hand carved. I'm not opposed to the use of power tools, I just like the tool marks of the handtools to be there. I'm also not opposed to sandpaper, but not to the point where the handmade look disapears. So, power tools and sandpaper will be used, but not to excess.
I would also like to find a couple of different size travishers, (only other chairmakers, and perhaps my uncle Rex, will know what that is,) for working on the seat, or make some myself. The guy, Curtis Buchanan, that taught me had a few old shoe makers tools that worked quite nicely. I'm going to need to spend some time haunting antique stores.

Na, also, fingt es an.

2009-08-25T21:52:00.001-07:00

Von vor 15 Jahre gibt es dieser Foto von mein Vater und sein Geschwister; Links nach Rechts hintere Reihe, Onkel Marvin, mein Vater Forest, auch als Bevan bekannt, seine Zweitnahme, Onkel Chris, wir waren alle Beide nach sein Grossvater Lars Christian benannt, und Onkel Rex, er hat eine Walesmädel verheiratet und woht jetzt in Wales. Vordere Reihe.l>r, Tante Charlotte, Tante Clara und Tante Berniece.
Mein Vater nahm sich Heute ein Bisschen Zeit von sein Job als "Greeter" in der Walmart mir anzurufen und mir wissen lassen dass Tante Clara ist Heute gestorben. Obwohl wir hatten keine enge Beziehung, tut es mir Leid, sie ist die erste diesen Geschwister zu sterben und ich weiss wohl die Anderen werden sie in die zukunftige Jahren folgen. Naja, so ist der Leben.

The Germans have a saying;

2009-08-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

"Wo es gehobelt wird, Da fallen eben Spänne", where there's going to be planing done, there's going to be some shavings falling. The closest I can think of for american is, If you're going to make an omellette, you've got to break some eggs. or, let the chips fall where they may. I kind of prefer the German version as it's more my style.
There are shavings falling all around me. I glued the two boards together for the seat plank and planed them smooth.

That curved piece for the arms has been cut...

and now looks like this.

The legs have been shaved into rough shape and the seat has been carved out almost to completion.

I'm now using the plane to true up and taper the legs before putting them aside to dry while I work on the back spindles and leg stretchers. I'll have to get back to that tomorrow though, right now I need beer and relaxation.

It's time to build another chair.

2009-08-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Last year I took a windsor chair building class and built this chair. Story here.
Now, a fullyear and a week later it's time to use that knowledge, all by myself with no instructor. And starting with totally raw materials, no pre-turned legs or already split out spindle stock.
Here the draw knife, shaving horse and spokeshave that I'll be using to shape the legs and spindles.

The pieces of yellow Pine and the various tools it will take to carve the seat, bore the spindle holes, etc.

An overall view of the various raw materials and tools.

Froe, axe, splitting wedges and pounding tools for getting the raw materials to a working stage.

The approximate expected finished project.

I've got some maple, yew, cherry and holly wood. The piece of yew that is curved is what I expect to turn into the arms of my chair. I'll be using a band saw to cut these pieces
and an electric planer to do most of the smoothing of the seat blank before carving. Otherwise it will be almost entirely built with hand tools.

I'll keep you apprised of the process, progress and result. I expect it's going to take a while.

1977, who wasn't fashionable?

2009-08-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Billings Gazette, Saturday, september 17, 1977. Just 4 days before I turned 16.

Unfortunately uncles only come equipped with 2 hands.

2009-08-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

We spent Sunday and Monday at the beach. The surf isn't too scary if uncle is holding your hand, which is a little tough when the 3rd needs a hand too.
They took off for the return trip to Montana at 6:30 this morning. Too early, uncle still has to work today.

Onkel Geoff kann mit Kinder spielen

2009-08-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hmmm..?

2009-07-23T14:22:00.001-07:00

It's pretty obvious to me what the female figure has in her hand, but what's that the male figure is holding?

Mexican 'Drag Queens' Sought in Murder of 'Midget' Wrestlers

2009-07-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

Brothers Alberto and Alejandro Jimenez, known as Parkita and Espectrito II, were found dead in a hotel room last month. Police had first said they were looking for two hookers, who are understood to have poisoned the pair before robbing them. But investigators now want to speak to two local drag queens. They believe they may have assumed their male identities and gone into hiding. A hotel worker discovered the bodies of the wrestlers laying in the beds. It's believed the grapplers overdosed after taking a dose of eye drops combined with alcohol. In Mexico, it is a common crime for gangs of prostitutes to rob their clients after they pass out from ingesting tainted drinks.
via JMG and Towleroad.

Wahrscheinlich wuchs ich nicht auf diese Planete auf

2009-07-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

Ihr wisst ja das meine Schwester kommt, samt Ehemann und Enkelsohn. Jetzt will meine Nichte auch mitkommen, samt zwei Kinder. Also, drei Erwachsene, vier wenn die Schwesters Schwiegermutter auch kommt, und drei Kinder. Mir ist es selbstverständlich dass die Allen werden Irgendwo in mein Haus schlafen. Andere Leute aber glauben dass sei verrückt, die sollen sich in ein Hotel verstecken. Partner ist ausser sich, er bringt sich aber langsam wieder zur Besinnung.
Er soll doch wissen das meine Familie ist, wenn nur ein Bisschen, wahnsinnig.
Vor etwa 6 oder 7 Woche kam es ein Telefonanruf. Bruder war in Portland und wollte wissen ob wir wollten mit ihm essen gehen. Keine Vorwarnung, es gibt doch nicht genug Zeit wenn man von Nevada fahren musste;) Die ältere Schwester hat dass Selbe vor ein paar Jahre getan. Eine Tage eine Stimme durch die Hecke rufte ob ich da sei. Es war Schwester, aus Montana.
Weder Schwester noch Bruder waren in Oregon mir zu besuchen aber so lange sie Hier waren sollten sie sehen ob ich zu Hause wäre. Partner soll sich nur freuen das die jungere Schwester gibt Vorwarnung;P

Punk Rock Pig

2009-07-13T18:45:00.001-07:00

jedes jahr wenn Ollie Lula Mae die Borsten schiebt ist es immer das Selbe, sie trägt erst ein Mohawk.

Every year when Ollie Lula Mae sheds her bristles it's the same, she goes with a mohawk first.

Meine Schwester kommt...

2009-07-09T12:09:00.000-07:00

... und ich freue mich schon. Sie wird ende Juli mit Ehemann und Enkelsohn ankommen. Ihre Schwiegermutter wird vielleicht auch mitkommen, denn würde es leckere echte mexikanisch Essen geben.

Damals war der Lars noch ein heisses Nummer...

2009-07-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

...auch wenn er schmutzig war.
Geoff hat eine Kiste alte Fotos entdeckt, vor etwa 11/12 Jahre war der garten noch sehr jung, ich auch.
Na, eben denn schnitzte ich grossartiges Kurbissen.

Now, this is sh**-house-rat-crazy

2009-06-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

More than 200 people show up for bring-your-gun-to-church day. (click)

Ken Pagano, the pastor of the New Bethel Church in Louisville, KY, recently invited his congregation to bring their unloaded firearms into the house of worship to “celebrate our rights as Americans!”

He shoots regularly at the local firing range, and his sermon two weeks ago was on “God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry.”

Karmic comeuppance

2009-06-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

(sowieso wohlverdiente Strafe auf Deutsch)
Having had hernia surgery now for the second time i'm having to learn to ask for help rather than just doing things myself, whether I should or not. It's extra punishment though when I have to ask the non-gay guy, that I've always been manlier than, to lift something for me. This could turn out to be more painful for me than the surgery.

Art in Poland

2009-06-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

I only know that this is a statue somewhere in Poland.

Das erste Besuch aus den deutschen Blogosphäre

2009-06-18T08:23:00.001-07:00

Es waren Jürgen, von jirjen blog
seine Frau Petra und ihrem Töchterlein Isabel. Es war sehr angenehm. Das Essen schmeckte, fragt doch Mal diwe Isabel, sie hat jetzt eine neue lieblings Essen, Maiskolben.

Zwar, kammen sie nicht nur um mich zu besuchen, Petra hat ein Cousin in die Nähe. Ich danke sie aber dass sie nahmen den Zeit während ihren Urlaub um mir zu besuchen.

ich lebe...

2009-06-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

Also, 10 tage nach der OP. Es geht mir okay aber gar nicht bestens. Wahrscheinlich gibt es ein Haematoma und der Arzt will dass ich noch 2 Woche warten soll bevor ich wieder in der Arbeit gehe. Sch****, ich bin schon sehr langgeweilt. Er wird mir aber in eine Woche wieder anschauen und mir denn sagen ob ich Fit genug bin um sehr leichtes Arbeit zu erledigen.
Wenigstens habe ich eine Ausrede bereit wann Jirjen am Sonntag kommt zum BBQ. Mein Haus ist nicht so sauber weil ich kann gar nichts tun.

On my mind

2009-05-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Let's start with a picture of Maisie, just because the rest of this Beitrag is a bit more serious.

Some of you will already be aware that the California Supreme Court has upheld that states ban on equal marriage rights for same sex couples. More here.
For all the news on gay Marriage, good and bad. in the U.S. look Here.
The Gay Dissenter has posted some of the Judge Moreno's, the only Judge who did not want to uphold the ban, comments as well as his own commentary Here. Quicke also has a few words Here.

Now, why is this important to Lars at this point in time?

6 Years ago I needed a bilateral inguinal hernia repair. After I was given the anesthesia the attending nurse asked if I had a wife or girlfriend that the doctor could call after the surgery to let know how everything went. I replied no, but my friend that was just here and who will be coming to take me home later should be called. The nurse replied "Doctor can't do that".

Monday I'm going in again to have the repairs repaired and if I hear that kind of bigotry again I'm calling a civil rights group into play. I've already made it known that I found this type of discrimination bad and that I expect better treatment this time around, and I MEAN IT, dammit.
A couple of lesbians that I work with asked me why I couldn't just say that my partner is my brother and avoid such a situation, why should I have to? After 19 years together?
If we just keep pretending and lying we're saying that we are second class citizens and don't need the same rights and protections that heterosexual couple families have. It's time to take a stand and demand the equal protection that we are constitutionally supposed to have.

Update; the doctors office just called to say that he will talk to whomever I ask him to.

maisie at the coast

2009-05-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Because I'm lazy and wanted a new post without actually having to think of something to say.

Facebook Friends

2009-05-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

A face book friend(?) posted this picture from 1978 on her page. I don't think I would have recognized myself if she hadn't tagged it as me.

I'm going to miss Maisie this week

2009-05-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

You probably remember that Maisie loves going to the beach. Well, she agreed to take Geoff to the beach for an entire week. I'm not sure if I'll miss Geoff, but I'm positive I'll miss Maisie.

ääähhmmm...okäääy....

2009-05-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Anfang Juni leben Partner und ich 19 Jahre zusammen. Vor 11 Jahre habe ich sein Mutter erst kennengelernt. Vor ein jahre hab ich noch ein Mal sein Mutter getroffen.
Vor ein Paar Tage hat seine Mutter ihn erzählt dass sie und ich machten ein Spaziergang entlang den Flüssufer und hatten eine sehr angenehmes Unterhaltung.
Also, zweimal getroffen aber sie hat schöne Erinnerung an mich, und sie ist eine Schwulhasserin. Bin ich so charmant? Oder hat sie Alzheimerskrankheit?

die Fische füttern

2009-05-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

Ein Garten Filmchen

2009-05-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Panfreundlich

2009-04-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Maisie is crazy

2009-04-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Endlich was Neues.

2009-04-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Die jungste Strickprojekt. Ein Dreiecktuch die am oberen Rand ist fast 2 Meter lang.

Rhubarb Cake

2009-04-12T21:35:00.001-07:00

I decided a cake was in order for easter. The rhubarb is coming in strong for spring, though not quite ready yet. Luckily I still had some in the freezer from last year. So, sourdough rhubarb cake, an original recipe from Lars's kitchen.

Dice 4 cups rhubarb and mix with 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon nutmeg, let stand for 2 hours until the juice is drawn from the fruit. Strain the juice from the fruit.

Mix together;

1 Cup sourdough starter

1 Cup flour

1 cup "juice"

Let this stand for 1 hour to"work"

use remaining "juice" to bring 1/2 cup Craisins (dried cranberies) to a boil . Let stand to Plump the craisins, drain and reserve the juice.

Cream together 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup butter. Beat in 3 eggs, 1 at a time.

Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon Soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

Mix dry and sourdough/wet ingredients into butter mixture alternately until all is well blended.

pour half of batter into greased and floured 10 inch spring form pan. Sprinkle on half of rhubarb/craisins . Pour in remaining batter and sprinkle on remaining fruit.

bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 40 to 50 minutes, until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Cool and release from pan. Drizzle with a powdered sugar / juice glaze.

Lebenszeichen

2009-03-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

Wirklich, ich bin nicht tot. Ich könnte Ihr sagen was ich zur Zeit tue aber das würde ich natürlich nicht tun weil das würde Euch auf fatale weise mit euer abgrundtiefen Nichtswürdigkeit konfrontieren ;D
Na, wirklich, ich stricke nur leise vor mich hin und tue so wenig wie möglich.

Saint Josephs day and San Juan Capistrano.

2009-03-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

The mission in San juan Capistrano California.
Lars at the Mission several years ago.

The Story of San Juan Capistrano's Mission Swallows
The Swallows of Goya	Credits
The miracle of the "Swallows" of Capistrano takes place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistano, on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day. As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows. Each year the "Scout Swallows" precede the main flock by a few days and it seems to be their chief duty to clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the "Old Mission" of Capistrano. With the arrival of early dawn on St. Joseph's Day, the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano. The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812. This Chapel, said to be the largest and most ornate in any of the missions, now has a more humble destiny--that of housing the birds that St. Francis loved so well. After the summer spent within the sheltered walls of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight again, and on the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling the Mission bidding farewell to the "JEWEL OF ALL MISSIONS" San Juan Capistrano, California. More from wikipedia.

News from the left coast.

2009-03-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's snowing in March in Portland, Oregon!? This climate change business is getting out of hand.

Cousin finally moved out over the weekend and the House Guest that was going to be here over the weekend had given me the wrong date and won't be here until next weekend, a whole week more to clean house.

I managed to get a couple of decent pictures of the dog Hair blanket, finally. They're here, just in case you still want to see any more of that project.

The cold that I was coming down with on Thursday seems to be getting better, hopefully it won't drag on and on.

Lily Langtry

2009-03-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

Lily Langtry war Mal eine berühmtes Sängerin. Sie war auch Mal das Hündchen einer Freundin in Wyoming. Sie war halb Coyote.

Vor fast eine Jahre hatte ich ein E-mail von Freundin. Sie wollte wissen ob ich Jemand kannte der würde die Haare des Hundes die sie über die Jahren gesammelt hat zu Garn spinnen. Ich machte eine Vorschlag und dann hörte nichts mehr bis vor ein paar Monaten.

Noch ein E-mail, aber dies Mal wollte sie wissen ob sie könnte der Garn zu mir schicken und könnte ich ihr eine Decke stricken. Sie hat stricken versucht aber könnte es nicht lernen. ich sagte 'ja, okay. Schick es mir." Dann vergass ich Alles darüber...na, bis eine Packette ankam.

Freundin hat der Hundefell zu Vipfibers geschickt um gesponnen zu werden.

Zwischenzeits hatte ich ein Schal gestrickt und war neugierig wie eine die Männer von Men Who Knit würde der Muster umschreiben um ein Dreieckschal zu stricken. Er tat das und postete der Muster. Also, da musste ich dies Muster verwenden um mein Projekt zu stricken. Aber ich wollte eine Decke stricken, nicht ein Dreieckschal. MMario sagte "einfach, fing in Mittel an und stricke 4 Schals gleichzeitig."
Der braver Lars tat genauso und strickte rund und rund, und rund und rund, und mehrMals rund. Auch während er verbrachte Zeit mit sein Piggy Draussen.

Endlich ist die Hundedecke fertig.
Irgendwie aber, kann ich gar kein gutes Foto machen. Eine Freundin wird dieses Wochenende hoffentlich versuchen besser zu tun. Bis dann musst Ihr meine schlechte Fotos anschauen.

Nächste Woche wird die Decke endlich wieder nach Hause in Wyoming reisen. Als Lohn wird Lars ein neuer Ring für Partner bekommen. Die Freundin ist doch die Selbe die hat vor 17 Jahren ich und Partner Ringe geschmeidet, und seit dann sie auch repariert. Partner hat aber seinen verloren. Jetzt wird er ein neus bekommen.

Rätsel fast gelöst

2009-03-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

Geschichte wird kommen.

Und nun isses so weit....

2009-03-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

...Vetter muss aus mein Haus sein am 15. März. Eben auch der Lars hat kein mehr Geduld. Ich kann meine Zimmern nicht benutzen so wie ich angewohnt sind, ich kann Nichts finden weil Alles ist irgendwo anderes als es sein soll. Ich will mein Badezimmer nicht mehr teilen u.s.w. Auch kauft er selten sein eigenes Bier und statt dessen trinkt meins.
Es ist mir egal ob er muss zurück zu sein Eltern fahren oder ob er muss in einen Hotel sich stecken, er muss raus! Drei Monaten sind ja genug, auch für Familie!

Na, endlich...

2009-03-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

...ist der grosser Strickprojekt fertig. Es wird Später Bilder geben. Erst muss ich mein Atmen holen.

Wüsstet Ihr, http://www.vipfibers.com/ ?

Teaser

2009-02-22T21:42:00.001-08:00

Obviously Lars is knitting something big, that he is doing it outside while spending time with piggy is beside the point.

Lebens Zeichen.

2009-02-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

I'm alive. I didn't have to dig a trench, it's the citys problem. I do, however, have to file a claim and get the city to pay me back the money that I already paid the plumber. That won't be fun.

Februar mag ich nicht.

2009-02-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

Bei der Job bekammen 16 Leute ihre Kündigungen, alle Anderen müssen noch 20% weniger arbeiten. Partner muss auch 10% weniger arbeiten.
Es gibt noch viele Arbeit in meine Abteilung aber kein Hilfe und der Holzkopf mit dem ich arbeite ist jeder Tag tölpelhaftiger.
Montag Nachmittag kam der Klempner und sagte mir es sei nicht ein Problem für ein Klempner, sondern ein problem für ein Abwasserleitungsarbeiter, hier ist die Rechnung für dieser Rat, Danke sehr.
Der Abwasserleitungsarbeiter kam gegen 18 Uhr Dienstagabend und liess sein Kamera durch den Rohr los. Vielleicht ist es die Baumwürzeln. Na, dann war er die Würzeln vorbei und es gibt noch Problemen. Heutmorgen soll er wieder kommen und von der Strasse rein bohren um zu sehen was er sehen kann. Wenn ich ein Graben entlang dem Haus ausgraben muss werde ich schreien, weinen, und mich betrinken.

Hab nicht gebloggt aber war nicht untätig.

2009-02-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Geoff has finally come over to the darkside, he's finally got his own tattoos. I had to do the needle work myself, but at least he's got ink.
Endlich ist Geoff zur Dunkelseite gekommen, er hat sein eigene Tätowierung. Ich musste ja selbst der Nadelwerke erledigen, aber wenigstens hat er jetzt Tinte.
Er hat auch zwei neue Mütze. Wenn Ihr wirklich wissen wollen wie sie gestrickt sind, frag Ma, ich werde versuchen zu erklären wie ich sie gestrickt habe. Ich schrieb aber keine Notizen und was ich Ihr sage wird nicht genau sein.
He also has 2 new hats. If you really want to know how they were knit, ask, I'll try to explain how I knit them. I didn't make notes though so the instructions will be vague.

Auch bekam Cous-effe eine neue Mütze. Sie passt doch wohl zu seiner Dreads.

Even cousephew got a new hat. It suits his dreads well.

Shhhhhh......

2009-01-30T11:46:00.000-08:00

.....be very, very quiet. Lars must be taking a nap. He sure isn't blogging.

Nachricht aus Portland

2009-01-26T13:18:00.000-08:00

Der Burgermeister. danke Gay Dissenter das Du es schon überbesetzt hast ;)

Ein Bürger.

Nun denn, was ist wirklich wichtig?

Was erwarte ich...

2009-01-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

...jetzt dass Obama ist Präsident. Obwohl es ist nur 10 Minuten her.
Ehrlich gesagt, nicht Viel. Es wird Genug sein müssen das ein neuer Wind weht. Die Problemen waren zu lange in der Entwicklung um so Bald weggeschafft zu werden. Es gibt aber Hoffnung. Hoffnung muss ja reichen.

Der Handwerker.

2009-01-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

Cousin wollte mir skizzen als ich strickte in den Sessel dass ich baute.

Some Good News

2009-01-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

Coffee can reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's. The Story.

Jetzt tanzt der Bär los.

2009-01-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Ab Heute durfen keinen im Fabrik mehr als 32 Stunde der Woche arbeiten. Die Ökonomie ist wirklich so schlecht, Leute können nicht unsere teuere Fliesen zur Zeit leisten. Lass uns nur hoffen es geht zur "Phase zwei" nicht.

In Verwirrung geraten.

2009-01-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

Der lieber Spontiv hat es mir wirklich angetan. Schaut Mal was er da auf sein Blog geschrieben hat.

"Spruch des Tages (8)

12. Januar 2009 in Sprüche, Zitate

Je tiefer wir über uns nachdenken, desto weniger wissen wir, wer wir sind. "

Nun, ich will nicht wissen wer ich bin. Also, muss ich jetzt denn tiefer über mich nachdenken?

Oder, und das wäre doch einfacher, lass Alles wie es jetzt ist und denke gar an nichts?

Too lazy to post, so...

2009-01-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

... what do a man and a floor have in common?

Lay 'em right the first time and you can walk all over them for years to come.

A psychosomatic knee?

2009-01-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

My knee has been twinging today, it hasn't completely given out on me, but it's being problematic.
I think that it realizes that I have 5 floors to set in the next week and is not happy with the thought of how much time I'll be spending on my knees, (wipe that smirk off your face Zing, I don't mean it that way.) Luckily they are very small floors so it won't be too bad.

Der Vetter Update

2009-01-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Ihr wurdet Euch ja daran erinnern, oder?

Also, Vetters Sohn ist eine Woche später angekommen. Ein sehr netter Jung wenn auch ein Bisschen wild aussehend. Tätowierung und Bob Marley Haar. Dann kam die Feiertage und alle die Unwetter, es war nicht leicht raus um nach Arbeit zu suchen. Ich bin aber geduldig und weiss das es wird Irgendwann gut laufen. Der Liebster aber, der hat sehr wenig Geduld und klagt mir tagtäglich an. Wann wird der Bengel ein Job finden, wie lange noch wird er bei uns wohnen, u.s.w.
Liebster versteht wahrscheinlich nicht wie es mit Familien geht. Sein eigene Eltern hat er in ein Viktualenladen getroffen und sie sprachen mit ihm ohne zu erwähnen das seine Schwester lag im Krankenhaus. er musste das am nächsten Tag erfahren von Irgendjemand anderes. In meine Familie tun wir was wir können um einander zu helfen, so geht es einfach, ohne Fragen.

Jetzt ist der Wetter besser die Feiertge sind schon vorbei und, nach meiner Meinung soll der Jung fruh aufstehen und die Strassen "hitten" um ein Job zu finden. Statt dessen geht er bis zum zwei oder drei Uhr ins Bars und schläft bis zum Mittag oder später. Danach wird er vor der Rechner sitzen und Da nach Arbeit suchen. Das geht aber nicht. Vielleicht muss ich ihm ans Nasenringe fassen und draussen im aktuellen Welt ziehen.

Na, es ist wirklich nicht so schlecht, oder es wäre nicht so schlecht wenn Liebster mir nicht so belästigte. Bin mir doch sicher der Jung wird hier was finden und eventuell glücklich sein wird. Ich hoffe nur das er hat Geduld und wird nicht deprimiert bevor das geschehen ist.

Irgendwie mag ich es ihm ins Haus zu haben auch wenn wir uns nicht oft sehen, weil er schläft oder sitzt in eine Lokal. Es ist gut endlich Familie bei mir zu haben.

Vorsatz;

2009-01-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

Ein neuer Jahr und neue Anfangen, also...
...wenn ich in der Arbeit bin soll ich weniger Zeit aufm Internet verbringen ;D

Na, ich war niemals gut mit neues Jahres Vorsätze...

Greetings

2008-12-31T10:24:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to one and all!!

Sourdough Banana Bread

2008-12-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

UPDATE, I forgot to list the flour in the ingredients yesterday, hope no one tried it yet.

Jetzt auch auf Deutsch, per nachfrage von Mandy bei Schokoladenschaf

Most american recipes are measured by volume, both wet and dry ingredients. The primary unit is the Cup, 1 cup equals 8 ounces or 237 ml.

Everyone already knows that I have a weakness for things made with sourdough. So here my recipe for sourdough banana bread.

Most american recipes are measured by volume, both wet and dry ingredients. The primary unit is the Cup, 1 cup equals 8 ounces or 237 ml.
Everyone already knows that I have a weakness for things made with sourdough. So here my recipe for sourdough banana bread.

This makes 1 9x5 inch loaf, I usually bake it in a bundt cake pan though.

Meine Pfanne, um 3/4 voll, hältet etwa 1.25l
Ingredients;
1/2 cup butter or shortening
120 g Butter
1 cup sugar, I usually go with 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 white sugar
200g Zucker, ½ weis/1/2 braun
1 large egg
1 grosse Ei
1 cup active sourdough starter
240ml Sauerteig,
1 cup mashed banana, very ripe and mushy is best, the ones that no one will eat because
they're too ripe, frozen ones are good as well.
240ml zerstampfte Bananen, sehr reif
2 cups flour
475g Mehl
1/2 teaspoon salt (Teaspoon = Teelöffel)
½ Tl Salz
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 TL Backpulver
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
½ TL Natron, hier bin ich nicht sicher welche Wort geht, Soda, Speisesoda, Natriumbikarbonat
pinch of cinnamon
ein Prise Zimmt (Danke Grouch)
dash of vanilla extract
ein kleines Bisschen Vanilla
grated rind of an orange
die geriebenes Schale eine Orange
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
110g Wallnüsse, gehackte
1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate chips
110g Schocko chips

Method;
beat together butter and sugar/s
Butter und Zucker zusammenmischen
beat in egg
Ei gut einmischen
beat in sourdough starter, vanilla, orange rind and mashed banana
Sauerteig, Vanilla, Orangeschale und Bananen einmischen
beat in 1/2 the flour and allow to sit in warm place for at least a 1/2 hour
misch halb die Mehl ein und lass den Teig in ein warmes Raum eine halbe Stunde stehen.
sift remaining flour and other dry ingredients together
die übrige Mehl und alle trockene Zutaten zusammensieben
beat in dry ingredients
misch die trockene gesiebte Zutaten ins Teig ein
stir in walnuts and chocolate chips
die Baumnusse und Schoggi einruhren.
grease and flour baking pan, pour in batter and bake in preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit (177 C.) oven for 1 hour.
Die Pfanne mit Öl und Mehl beschichten, tu der Teig hinein und backe eine Stunde in ein schon heiss 177C grad Ofen.
cool 10 to 15 minutes and turn out of pan. Cool thoroughly before slicing and serving.
Lass 10 bis 15 Minuten abkuhlen und dann auf ein Teller ausdrehen (?Wort)
This can be frosted with powdered sugar glaze.
Ziere mit gepulverte Zucker
Toast it and serve it with orange marmalade for breakfast.
Als Toast mit Marmalade kann man es zum Frühstück servieren
After a couple of days when it starts to be a little stale, slice it and use it to make french toast.
Nach ein paar Tage wennes alt werdet kann man es als „French Toast“ servieren
I decided to frost this one with an orange/grapefruit marmalade and chocolate frosting.
Ich entscheidete dass dies mit Marmalade/ Schocke Ziere geziert werden sollen.

It's not a dream...

2008-12-25T17:18:00.001-08:00

...it's a white christmas. Officially the whitest christmas ever in Portland, well, since records have been kept.
We went shopping on christmas eve with cousin and met a friend for drinks at the Benson Hotel.

After a long day playing in the snow, Maisie decided to take a nap by the christmas tree.

Okay, christmas is over, the snow needs to melt and go away!

Snow pig on a snow day

2008-12-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

I made it to the bus stop and came to work today. I'll be going home early though. I'll need to stop on the way and stock up on beer and cigarettes though.

Ollie pig decided to come out of her house last night, she quickly changed her mind and shifted into reverse and was back inside in no time.
I had plenty of time to work on Partners newest Vest, we'll go for the view from the back first. The collar comes all the way around and across the back of the neck.
The front view.
Pattern redrawn and sized from the jacket "B" in the center.

Seit 1968...

2008-12-22T13:02:00.000-08:00

... hat es in Portland nicht so viel Schnee und Unwetter gegeben. Puppy findet aber das es macht Spass.

Auch in Portland gibt's Schnee

2008-12-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

Travel

2008-12-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

German Tourism Bureau unveils new gay travel portal.

Die neue Weste

2008-12-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

Geoff wollte eine neue Weste, er hat abgespeckt, sie sollte besonderes sein. Was er ausgewählt hat.
Was ich durchmachen musste weil ich wollte sicher sein dass er möchte wurde was daraus kommen wurde.

37%....

2008-12-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

of Americans can't locate the U.S. on a map.
Of those surveyed though;
47% say that America is the greatest country in the world,
31% agree that America is the best state of all the United States,
22% feel that that America would be a great place to explore when they get a passport.

Note: The article is satire, though not unbelievable.

More Religion

2008-12-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

After a comment yesterday when I mentioned a certain american religious group, I thought I'd share another religious practice that takes place in some parts of America. Even though it is illegal in all but 1 of the 50 states.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. —Mark 16:17-18
They prefer to call themselves serpent, rather than snake handlers as they use only poisonous snakes in their religious services.

They are often associated with pentecostal or baptist sects but prefer to be thought of as non-denominational christians who follow the teachings of the king James version of the bible.

Here's a you tube video.

Some Holiday Cheer.

2008-12-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

Those friendly people from the Westboro Baptist church have a Holiday message for us. Their website is godhatesfags.com if you want to know more about their beliefs and good works.

More here.

Schon?

2008-12-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

Was, es ist schon Donnerstag? Wie der Zeit vergeht, auch wenn es nicht Spass macht.

Lars mounts his soapbox

2008-12-05T12:33:00.000-08:00

In 1992 a measure was brought to the Oregon voters, Measure 9, which stated in part;
Be it Enacted by the People by [sic] the State of Oregon:
SECTION 41 (1) This state shall not recognize any categorical provision such as "sexual orientation," "sexual preference," and similar phrases that includes homosexuality, pedophilia, sadism or masochism. Quotas, minority status, affirmative action, or any similar concepts, shall not apply to these forms of conduct, nor shall government promote these behaviors. More.

It was defeated in the November 3, 1992 general election with 638,527 votes in favor, 828,290 votes against.[2]

The ballot measure was the effort of the Oregon Citizens Alliance, a conservative group active in Oregon politics in the 1990s. Supporters of the measure felt that their traditional values were under siege in the face of growing acceptance of homosexuality by society. Opponents stated that the measure was unfairly discriminatory, that it was unconstitutional, and that it demonstrated the homophobia and bigotry of its backers.

Although the measure failed, its legacy can still be seen today. The Oregon Citizens Alliance went on to introduce a series of watered-down ballot measures along the same lines as Measure 9 (most of which failed). On the other hand, opposition to Ballot Measure 9 formed the basis of much of the current gay rights movment in Oregon, including the organization Basic Rights Oregon.[3]

In 2004 and 2005, there was controversy and political disagreement concerning the status of same-sex marriage in Oregon. In 2004, Multnomah County began issuing same-sex marriage licenses, which began a political battle over same-sex marriage that ended later that year with an amendment to the Oregon Constitution. In 2005, the legislature introduced a bill to create civil unions which eventually died in committee and did not become law.

I was one of the 422 couples who did manage to get married before the courts decided to shut it down after 1 week.

Th experience affected me a lot more than I would have thought it would. Not so much that was allowed to marry my partner Geoff, but more that I was finally considered a valid member of society. A very short lived feeling as the anti-gay forces quickly swung into action. Within one week of the November vote to deny same-sex-couples the right to marry I had received my refund check from Multnomah county for the marriage liscence.

With the recent passage of proposition 8 in California the anger and frustration again surfaced in me.

As recently mentioned in The Gay Dissenters Blog, it does take a toll on ones psychological well being when ones fellow citizens are constantly attacking and voting on your personal rights.

The question, in my mind, that needs answering at this point is not whether same-sex-couples should have the right to marry, but whether marriage itself is a civil right or a religious rite.

If it's a civil right then it and should be available to all citizens that choose to "marry" their fortunes together, homo- or hetero- sexual.

If it is a religious rite then it has no place anywhere in state doings, health and welfare benefits, inheritance issues, tax breaks, housing, hospital visitation etc.

And, no, I do not think that granting same-sex-couples the right to domestic partnerships or civil unions is the answer. There is either a state sanctioned domestic partnership for all couples or there is the right to marry equally and with the same jargon for all couples. If marriage is a religious rite then churches can bless the union separately from the state registry of the union.

But wait, there's more.

2008-12-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

The story thus far.

So, on Tuesday evening at 8:30 still no cousins kid in sight, I call my cousin and say"hey, where's your kid".
"He's still here in Casper, there was a problem with his car and I can't get the part 'til tomorrow to fix it."
"Okay then, I'll not worry that he's in trouble on the road somewhere." (Did you all notice the strong hint of so-why-in-the-hell-didn't-anybody-call-and-tell-me-about-the-delay in my voice?)
"Well, I was going to call and tell you when he left so you'd know when to expect him."
"Oh, okay"

The kid is 27 years old and is communicating with me through his father.

Darf ich meine Verwandheit mit diese Leute jetzt künden?

Just kidding. Maybe he does windows and it'll all be worth the ärger.

I'm an Omnivore.

2008-12-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Found over at Lorelei's

The rules:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari Yuck!
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich (I did grow up as an American)
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes (I've grown my own)
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans (Popeye's chicken's is very good)
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters (Oyster stew is okay, or smoked oysters, don't really like them though)
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float (Love it!)
36. Cognac with a fat cigar (Had both, but not at the same time. Does that count?)
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (Jell-O shots, great for parties)
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. ~~Whole insects~~ (No way!)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear (It's a cactus used in mexican cooking)
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal (I prefer Burger King)
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV (Hello, I live in Portland)
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin (I’m sure I ate clay at some point during my childhood)
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. ~~Frogs’ legs~~ (No. No, no, no.)
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis ( at the Rose and Thistle pub on saint Andrews day)
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette (Never again)
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. ~~Roadkill~~ (We didn't even do that in Wyoming)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef (I would never pay that much for a steak)
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab (Partner tried it New Orleans, He did NOT like it)
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

61% isn't so bad. A lot of the stuff I haven't tried I've never even heard of.

Okay, now I’m hungry. What’s your omnivore score?

I hate when that happens

2008-11-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

Just when you've avoided cleaning the house long enough that it's disgusting enough that your partner is maybe going to clean it and you won't have to, your cousin calls and says that his son is moving to Portland but his freind that is here is moving back to Wyoming and couldn't his son stay with you for a couple of days until he finds a place of his own. Now you have to clean the house because it's your relative that is coming. With only two days notice. Well, I lived in Casper, Wyoming for a couple of years and I can understand his hurry to leave there.