Rocky

Me thinketh some merry making fun maketh us more producktith. Gosh, Sister Ex, I'm a shaken, of course at the fun that was had today. so glad the semester over for niKa. My kiddo lost the first game of her softball tournament today so the team is eliminated. Last year they won the hole ball of whacks, but this year they were missing several of their power players from 8th grade. She's disappointed, but has the hope of being team captain next year and rallying her team from the start of the year. Last night, her psych told me she's doing very well (which I knew, but need to still convince the men with black robe disease). (Black robe disease, I learnt today, is what happens to mostly good people when they are ordained to issue judgements over the masses...In AZ it starts in Superior Court). Otherwise, things going well. Tnks. Perhaps we should all practice our cyberhandshakin... and I don't mean parkinson's disease.

Z, You and Zillions of others...love Arizona in the winter. And it's been a wonderfully mild spring so far (thank you God). Since you listed Italian food with such emphasis, then I recommend Oregano's. I know they have them in Flag so OhshucksImnotinArizona should be familiar. I think they have at least one in Tucson, and I know I love 'em (a bottomless or endless bowl of pasta for six bucks).

tonight would have been a good night for dback baseball... snakes kickin philly booty. my 13 year old (female) plays softball... this week is the last week of the season however. Yes, Lydia, sold purples... seems she should be a part of Rev Tom's lsd trip.

But where is the seller of purple?

Rocky's kitty purrs like a motor boat, and Rocky's daughter is thankful. Simon, did ya help the Dine people by giving them a winning bid on roofing their new casino? Yes, well the three alcoholics probably have more sense than some of the Mor_on judges I've seen in action lately... but I'm trying to come up with a snappy retort. Simon, been to any diamondback games this season? And Rev. Ex, I don't know, how DOES one cyber handshake? Or is it that because we are hiding behind a cyber firewall, we can shake other things?

Please-B-hay-ve: The common Navajo greeting, Yá’át’ééh, is much more than “Hello, how are you?” To the Diné people, it means, “Everything is good between us,” - Frank Morgan of Diné College.

Thank you niKa and behaveyourself, for the hugs. And Rocky's daughter thanks you also, but wondered why no hugs for Rocky's cat. I told her I haven't mentioned the cat as much... but would say something. btw, These three judges walked into a bar. One was Jewish, one was Catholic, and one was Mormon...

just so no one worries unnecessarily, what happened in court yesterday was UNjust, but basically remains unresolved and unfinal. I still have custody of my daughter, so it is far from as bad as it could be. and tnks Exxie for da hug.

thank you John. I will be ok. I just gotta watch myself or if I really get on a roll when I address this kind of thing, I won't want to stop. I'll have to be sitting at my keyboard typing like crazy or it will just spill all over the floor.

Well, misery loves company, but here, I will spare you the detail. I'll feel better tomorrow. [This message was edited by Rocky on May 02, 2003 at 5:17.]

Well, less than 18 hours and counting down. I spoke to a guy today that is formally considering running for state senator here in AZ, and works for the state attorney general's office representing child protective services. I called him because of his declared political ambitions, but ended up telling him about how my kid works as an intern on days off from school for the AG's flack (press secretary) because she was flack last year for the state democratic party when I was tracking down about 350 candidates for state office. Anyway, he knows the guardian ad litem (lawyer for my kid, or GaL) and knows my ex's former divorce attorney (who shut down his private practice, partly because I caught him in numerous lies, even in writing). So I got to bad mouth the blankity blank who converted the ex to mormonism and learned that this other guy I talked to thinks the GaL is a pretty good attorney. So, yesterday, the GaL tells me we will try to work out a settlement first, but if no settlement, we will have a hearing. And he had already told me that he can't see Amy living with her mother as long as the violent person is there. So... I will still be a nervous basket case, but it will be fine. He has been gathering information and I think will be prepared to use it to twist arms. I mostly hope he doesn't do it very much to me. More tomorrow evening. And, May 1 is the National Day of Prayer. So, I know you dear folks have been praying for me and my kiddo and I thank you berry much. And Ex, I love that last one, Rev Tortellini. So, Rev Tort, keep your mind on the goal!

Karm, what's your favorite tat so far? (short for tattoo, btw) My 13 year old might think about killing me if I got one, since I am trying to break her of a habit of writing herself notes on her arms and legs with a nearly permanent marker. Seriously, Z is correct, but I would phrase it differently... Patagonia Lake State Park is substantially milder than either Phoenix or Tucson in the summer. And all of you Arizona folks know that 80-85 degrees is most pleasant around here. Saturday would be crowded, but a midweek would not. I can't say for July 12 yet. And simon, I think you'd love the place. It's much more comfortable than running a 10K in Emporia in March.

How awesomely cool man! From one of the youngsters (at 48)

I should also add that I will have a somewhat difficult time planning vacation until after my current custody situation is settled (in a couple of days) and the Arizona Legislature and Governor Napolitano agree on a state budget and the lawmakers adjourn Sine Die for the year. That might not happen until June 30 or the first week of July.

I am most enthusiastic about Patagonia Lake State Park. Sonoita Creek feeds the lake. It is most refreshing in the summer compared to Tucson or Phoenix. As Z can verify, the park is on the road (State Rt 82, I believe) between Patagonia and Nogales. But it doesn't present the feel of either Mexico or a hot, desperate desert. I love photographing wildlife and birds in the area, as well as the variety of landscapes. Last summer, on the dirt road from Patagonia (the town, not the park) to a Nature Conservancy Preserve on Sonoita Creek, my kiddo and I happened upon a lethargic diamondback (no, not Curt Schilling), but a real reptilian sort, with a huge bulge (probably a mouse) in the middle, sitting sunning itself on a mild, cloudy afternoon. I might be able to dig up some of the photos and send them by email to interested parties. By way of disclaimer, it was indeed alive, but it couldn't seem to get itself out of the road. I shot it, but only with my camera. AND (the most important part) all of the pics were taken from the safety of my rental vehicle. BUT, desert dwellers might be familiar with the Ocotillo plant, which might resemble a stiff, upside down octopus with tiny leaves and orange flowers. Well, what I thought I was familiar with was soooo different from what I saw on the short trip from Rt 82 to the state park (not snakes) but thousands of Ocotillo, more richly green than any I've ever seen in the Phoenix area. And that was only the beginning of the wonderful scenery, Again, it rained that day, in the middle of hot, thirsty days in Phoenix. Then, in Tucson on the way back to Phoenix that evening, again, in the middle of severe drought conditions, it deluged and was truly lovely.

I love you guys, but Thursday is the day... I have great anticipation for it too... only mine is called nervous. :D-->

no need to apologize to me for not wanting an outing in Phoenix in summer months. I've lived here too long to be ignorant of the related facts. Last summer, I went to Patagonia Lake State Park. It was lovely. Cool, rainy and very pleasant. I'm not physically up to camping, but I'd love to hang out there for a daytime get together. Flagstaff is also nice, but I've been there more often. However, if there has been and will be enough rain to support wildflowers in the area, I'd love to photograph up there. Someone ought to try to get Simonzelotes to join in the event too. He lives in Phoenix.

Hey Hey Fellowshipper, I can only wish it were a joke... hopefully I didn't offend anyone by posting that link, but that is a real member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Don't think he's had the foundational class, silly fellow (him).

Thanks niKa. Guardian ad Litem is coming to visit this evening. When he phoned, he actually came out and said he can't see allowing Amy to live with her mother. Sooo... I stay the course. Report card, received on Friday, should help. Mostly A's, one B+. And that's essentially for the time frame since I first got full custody.

Yes, #8 seems like it wasn't there before. Missing is the old gymnasium that lacked heating when I was there. It would have been in the NE corner of the campus, further North than anything shown on the diagram.... I think. The link below, if it works, is to a satelite photo, from mapquest.com http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?size=...o%2b%2bHw%3d%3d

And John, your pictures are wonderful for bringing back memories and a feel for the 1970s and early 1980s. Btw, wasn't the dorm that now houses the teachers' hall of fame once called "Owens Hall"?

Hey ExaJesis, back in 1986, when the Great Exodus began, the eloquent Mr. Shreve, if my memory serves me, was working for the US Postal Service in Mesa, Arizona. I have no idea if he still lives in Mesa, or works for the Post Office, but a quick search at http://www.ussearch.com shows 6 John Shreve's in Arizona, one in Mesa, and 3 others in the Phoenix area, 2 in Tucson. If anyone knows his middle name or initial, that might help find, but obviously since no one has seen him, we hope everything is well with old friends.

I kinda remember him. I know another one also. http://www.azleg.state.az.us/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=89

you got it. one week from today.

Thanks chums. Because the ex has a tendency to be loco in da cabesa, Amy told me her mother asked her how she was doing (the last six weeks, since I've had full custody), because even though she would like custody, she wants to know the kiddo is ok (she's doing some work on acceptance and adjustment) "in the event" things don't go as she wants. I think my task is to go to court and talk about Amy, even though the other parent thinks she going to have a chance by discrediting me as opposed to giving the court assurance about her bonehead husband. So, thanks and I think it's all going to work out this time (for a change).