Most of these coins are from countries where governments represented on them are no longer in power. My Dad gave them to me with a bunch of old trinkets that his grandpa, Ernest Ray Sprague, gave to him. I think the coins are mostly things my dad picked up in his tour of the South Pacific in the 70's with the Enterprise.
Avery is charged by her second grade teacher to come in with foreign money. We are going to throw a curve ball into her geography lesson and mix in some social studies and poli-sci in history.
They'll probably just notice the different colors of metal. I'm charged with taking a quick inventory to make sure nothing is worth a few G's per chance... to spice up her collection of Aussie coin and decade old money that was just prior to the EU. I would hate for that kinda thing to end up under the tire swing via some Gap Kids Overalls.
1. Research proper cleaning technique: Cleaning coins is hotly debated among collectors and could negatively affect their value. I am going to identify coins first.
A few coins:
1972 Hong Kong Dollar with Queen Elizabeth on the back. Been around for more than One-hundred years. No problem letting this one go with her.
1961, 1972, 1974, 1976 Peso. Again have at it.
the rest:
Ecuador
Netherlands
Peru 20 Centavos ... which is worth about 10 bucks probably or $35 at an online "police auction"
Argentina
and two odd ones that have the Mandarin symbol for dollar but no date or country.
... I'm not too worried where any of them end up.
Jan 27, 2009
Jan 24, 2009
An Intro
I would like to give you an intriguing background story on your author. One that instantly seals the deal with you, the reader. David James Duncan is the pro at that. But this isn't fiction and I don't know what the truth is. Sometimes I have heard it said I was a C-section baby with hours of excruciating labor and other times I was almost born on the way from my Dad's house on Lake Maloney to North Platte General. Sometimes my dad was driving, other times I think I have heard that he wasn't there. It is an event that I can gather as much data as possible on, but in the end the conclusion comes ultimately in faith about like The Big Bang theory, or evolution vs creationism... I wasn't really there so I'm not going to fight anyone about it or go to the extreme and place a bumper sticker on my car about it.
Jan 21, 2009
Jr. Bonner - Riding Sunshine
Ace: "Lord, that does ease the pain of a loser." (as he takes a shot of rotgut) "If this world's all about winners, what's for the losers?"
Jr: "Well somebody's gotta hold the horses, Ace."
Jr: "Well somebody's gotta hold the horses, Ace."
Jan 9, 2009
Prehistoric Shark Tooth, Cat Tooth?
In 2007 I found a 2" shark tooth (or something) at 800' elevation while elk hunting in territory that I will only disclose to a scientist who doesn't hunt elk...
I originally thought it was just the splintered joint-end of a major mammal bone that had been eroded and serving as a calcium supply for rodents in more recent times. But I showed it to my wife's cousin and he kinda freaked. He told me that it's the most common fossil in the world, but this one, given it's size and location, needed to be shown around. I showed it to him in early August of 2008 and I am finally taking the time to document it. I guess I figured, "what's another couple months?"
Dec 26, 2008
Blast Off!
"One, Two, Blast off!" Watching my four-year-old girl, Regan, leap from the arm of one couch to the cushions of the other I am reminded to stay child-like in my later years. Knowing that life is what I make of it and I can be anything but it first starts in my mind. Not pretending, but deciding what I should each day... and acting upon that decision.
Now, I could have reminded Regan that we don't jump on the couch, but it's the day after Christmas and I am enjoying my children. If she had fear and hesitated in her leap she would have fallen short and then while she was crying in my lap I would remind her of our somewhat-enforced safety rule. Instead she said "Blast Off!" with confidence and instantly sprang and stuck the landing no less.
Where shall I spring to now?
Now, I could have reminded Regan that we don't jump on the couch, but it's the day after Christmas and I am enjoying my children. If she had fear and hesitated in her leap she would have fallen short and then while she was crying in my lap I would remind her of our somewhat-enforced safety rule. Instead she said "Blast Off!" with confidence and instantly sprang and stuck the landing no less.
Where shall I spring to now?
Dec 18, 2008
Oz Wedding Redeaux- a vivid dream
Mobhit.
Gerry bought huge farm under a new business name for the wedding. I
parked the 912 and was taken in by a detective as i arrived. He
showed me the crime scene in the building I parked near and the 912
transmission linkage came out in my hand as I parked. He took me on
the tour and ithe hit happened the day before. Apparently the hit
was the wrong day... And the wrong wedding party. (this farm venue
was already booked for weddings when he bought it). The Detective
told me that he wouldn't be attending todays ceremony if it were him.
Everyone was shot even the priest doing the ceremony. I saw all of
the body markets on the floor. After questioning me Sarah was
brought into the scene by the detective. (It's probably the only time
I have ever seen her not smiling and I had to dream her expression to
get it). We passed each other without saying a word.
I wandered aimlessly through the whole pre party and finally found
Lisa but failed to mention anything due to being surrounded by
others. It seemed that some were catching wind of this but no one was
talking about it. Due to the interrogation I still hadn't gotten
dressed and was running around looking for my suit. Older ladies were
giving me tasks to keep my mind off of things cuz they knew. I rinsed
some blown glass vase and the glass flowers in it. I tried to go back
out into this farm complex to find the building where I parked the
Porsche and got questioned in hopes of finding my suit but couldn't
find it instead found polo ponies returning from a match. I kind of
got stuck in between these horses going from field to barn and they
were real jittery animals. Jacked on roids for being athletes I
thought to myself. I was at this wrong building full of industrial
cleaning supplies and such when I stopped for a moment to watch and
approach a group of monitor lizards. As I came closer one ended up
being a strange owl that I almost reached out to touch but pulled my
hand back at the last moment.
Gerry bought huge farm under a new business name for the wedding. I
parked the 912 and was taken in by a detective as i arrived. He
showed me the crime scene in the building I parked near and the 912
transmission linkage came out in my hand as I parked. He took me on
the tour and ithe hit happened the day before. Apparently the hit
was the wrong day... And the wrong wedding party. (this farm venue
was already booked for weddings when he bought it). The Detective
told me that he wouldn't be attending todays ceremony if it were him.
Everyone was shot even the priest doing the ceremony. I saw all of
the body markets on the floor. After questioning me Sarah was
brought into the scene by the detective. (It's probably the only time
I have ever seen her not smiling and I had to dream her expression to
get it). We passed each other without saying a word.
I wandered aimlessly through the whole pre party and finally found
Lisa but failed to mention anything due to being surrounded by
others. It seemed that some were catching wind of this but no one was
talking about it. Due to the interrogation I still hadn't gotten
dressed and was running around looking for my suit. Older ladies were
giving me tasks to keep my mind off of things cuz they knew. I rinsed
some blown glass vase and the glass flowers in it. I tried to go back
out into this farm complex to find the building where I parked the
Porsche and got questioned in hopes of finding my suit but couldn't
find it instead found polo ponies returning from a match. I kind of
got stuck in between these horses going from field to barn and they
were real jittery animals. Jacked on roids for being athletes I
thought to myself. I was at this wrong building full of industrial
cleaning supplies and such when I stopped for a moment to watch and
approach a group of monitor lizards. As I came closer one ended up
being a strange owl that I almost reached out to touch but pulled my
hand back at the last moment.
These were in two consecutive dreams since I woke up in the middle
and got my bearings before drifting off to finish the dreams
sequencially.
I even had conversations with others regarding why Sarah brought my
Porsche to Oz, especially since I sold it back in the states. Oddly
it had moss under the boot from sitting in Oregon so long. I met her
brothers and cousins. I ran and walked through three diff buildings
over a couple hundred acres when it was all said and done.
I wrote this while laying in bed immediately after I awoke. It was
too detailed and vivid to let it go without some written closure to
signify it was just a dream. I had only two drinks that night to
induce this. Nothing else.
Eliot
Sent from my iPhone
Dec 11, 2008
Dec 10, 2008
Motorcycle rental in Gold Coast Australia
After about 3 weeks in Australia I still hadn't gotten out to see "Australia". Sure, we did the Koala Preserve on Phillip island, and saw the Little Penguins March from the sea to shore as they do each night after dusk at the Phillip Island (half-way through Regan asked "Where are the adults?"). We even got to pet the Koala's at David Fleay's Wildlife Park in West Burleigh- which is a way more natural experience than the other tourist attractions right off the Gold Coast highway.. and half the price).
But I felt like I needed to go out and see something on my own and there was no other choice for me but to rent a 2008 Ducati Monster. The place to do it is Scoot and Toot. The owner, Danny Grofski, treated me real well. If you don't have an endorsement you can pick up a scooter -like so many of the "schoolies" do once they sober up. My rental came with clean and "newish" helmet, armored jacket, gloves, backpack and a map... although I forgot the map on the counter.
I hired the bike (Aussie term for rental) for a 24-hour period but there are many different timing options. I did the loop up to Natural Bridge and down through Chillingham into New South Wales and back to Gold Coast, Queensland the first afternoon and then got early the next morning and did it again! It wasn't the desert outback experience that we all think of... for me, it was way better. I saw the rain forest of Southern Queensland in its Spring-blooming glory. It was what I pictured New Zealand to be like- green, lush and the twistiest of twisty motorcycle roads.
I do think it might be one of the best roads for motorcycling that I have yet experienced. I was constantly torn between taking in the scenery and seeing how far I could lean the bike over around the switch-back of blind corners. A huge purple tree in full bloom around one corner gave me no choice but to bring the twin to an idle for a picture. I think Ducati-Red goes perfectly with the backdrop but that's me.
Chillingham was just a dot of a borderline-anti-establishment community and one of the highlights of my stops along the way. I slowed down to a safe speed as I rolled through town, passing the two little "businesses". On my way out of town I saw my first Aussie roadsign that let me know there was no speed limit! I opened up the throttle through the first turn and then knowing that I wasn't probably going to stop again with no speed limit my heart told me to head back into town and see what I was about to miss.
I stopped at the "fruit, etc" stand for a cup of coffee and browse the baskets of fresh fruit grown behind the lean-to. I got a chuckle when I told the lady I had to come back because "I didn't read all of her signs my first time through". I bought some candy for my girls called "Chillingham Dog-Droppings" which were black licorice rings covered in chocolate- nicely twist-tied in a baggie with a home-printed name-tag inside. They were a hit when I got back home.
I also asked her for some advice on what to put on a bite that I recieved while swimming with the girls. I showed her the inflated wound and she handed me a small bottle of "Neem Seed Oil" for $4AU. I don't know if it worked but it smelled like sesame seed oil and helped the itching nonetheless.
As I left Chillingham for the "drive according to conditions" limitless rainforest road ahead I only stopped one other time. I was waved down by a girl in her twenties or so. Her brother, as I am told, was returning the neighbors cow that got loose on the highway around the next bend. They heard the bike screaming up the valley floor and so she ran down to stop me. It was the first time I was glad to see a girl in sweats and milking boots, however weird the situation was. I asked her to snap a pic before I roared out of there and headed back to Surfers Paradise.
Among the fleet of nice new scooters, Scoot and Toot had other full-size bikes for hire such as a late model Buell 1200, new Triumph cruiser and "Zed-750" Kawasaki, but the Ducati was pretty much a no-brainer and I could not have been happier. Thanks, Danny- maybe next time you'll let me go over the 250km/24hr odometer limit without a fuss.
But I felt like I needed to go out and see something on my own and there was no other choice for me but to rent a 2008 Ducati Monster. The place to do it is Scoot and Toot. The owner, Danny Grofski, treated me real well. If you don't have an endorsement you can pick up a scooter -like so many of the "schoolies" do once they sober up. My rental came with clean and "newish" helmet, armored jacket, gloves, backpack and a map... although I forgot the map on the counter.I hired the bike (Aussie term for rental) for a 24-hour period but there are many different timing options. I did the loop up to Natural Bridge and down through Chillingham into New South Wales and back to Gold Coast, Queensland the first afternoon and then got early the next morning and did it again! It wasn't the desert outback experience that we all think of... for me, it was way better. I saw the rain forest of Southern Queensland in its Spring-blooming glory. It was what I pictured New Zealand to be like- green, lush and the twistiest of twisty motorcycle roads.
I do think it might be one of the best roads for motorcycling that I have yet experienced. I was constantly torn between taking in the scenery and seeing how far I could lean the bike over around the switch-back of blind corners. A huge purple tree in full bloom around one corner gave me no choice but to bring the twin to an idle for a picture. I think Ducati-Red goes perfectly with the backdrop but that's me.
Chillingham was just a dot of a borderline-anti-establishment community and one of the highlights of my stops along the way. I slowed down to a safe speed as I rolled through town, passing the two little "businesses". On my way out of town I saw my first Aussie roadsign that let me know there was no speed limit! I opened up the throttle through the first turn and then knowing that I wasn't probably going to stop again with no speed limit my heart told me to head back into town and see what I was about to miss.
I stopped at the "fruit, etc" stand for a cup of coffee and browse the baskets of fresh fruit grown behind the lean-to. I got a chuckle when I told the lady I had to come back because "I didn't read all of her signs my first time through". I bought some candy for my girls called "Chillingham Dog-Droppings" which were black licorice rings covered in chocolate- nicely twist-tied in a baggie with a home-printed name-tag inside. They were a hit when I got back home.
I also asked her for some advice on what to put on a bite that I recieved while swimming with the girls. I showed her the inflated wound and she handed me a small bottle of "Neem Seed Oil" for $4AU. I don't know if it worked but it smelled like sesame seed oil and helped the itching nonetheless.
As I left Chillingham for the "drive according to conditions" limitless rainforest road ahead I only stopped one other time. I was waved down by a girl in her twenties or so. Her brother, as I am told, was returning the neighbors cow that got loose on the highway around the next bend. They heard the bike screaming up the valley floor and so she ran down to stop me. It was the first time I was glad to see a girl in sweats and milking boots, however weird the situation was. I asked her to snap a pic before I roared out of there and headed back to Surfers Paradise.
Among the fleet of nice new scooters, Scoot and Toot had other full-size bikes for hire such as a late model Buell 1200, new Triumph cruiser and "Zed-750" Kawasaki, but the Ducati was pretty much a no-brainer and I could not have been happier. Thanks, Danny- maybe next time you'll let me go over the 250km/24hr odometer limit without a fuss.
Billabong Wedding
Brent and Sarah's wedding in Nagambi... the wine country of Australia. The setting was 480 acres of which about 120 acres were used for Gerry's vineyard. If I were to guess only about 350 acres were for the racehorses of Limerick Lane. That leaves a "small" portion for the house which backed up to an amazing billabong (or pond). Avery and Regan were amazing as the flower girls, the bride was stunning, the first dance was performed perfectly by Zia accompanied by Adam Deneen who isn't even a professional piano player- but definitely could be.
The marriage ceremony was held in the early evening and the party lasted until about 3am and the lighting on the place was phenomenal. Gerry lit up the island snag trees in blue which was soooo cool. The picture does it no justice.
Walking With Dinosaurs - Behind the scenes of the BBC live experience
While we were on our trip to Australia we got to visit the compound that manufactures all of the dinosaurs that are designed and made for the Walking with Dinosaurs live experience brought to you by the BBC. Avery got to drive the T-rex but Regan was a little bit unnerved by getting that close and chose to stay on my shoulders.
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