My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on May 23, 2011

I worked my way home west to east in southwestern Ohio either pursuing or being pursued by the severe thunderstorms passing through Monday night. I had to clear a tree and branches in our lane before I could safely get my car into the garage (photo below). The wind was blowing ‘straight-lined’ so hard that at one point it wrapped a traffic light completely around the cable it was hanging from on Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Township. While looking at the telephone and electric lines oscillating up and down one would think it was emulating a frequency wave. Even though it was nasty here, I can’t imagine what those living in Joplin Missouri are going through … death toll currently at 116 people. (EDIT: Death toll rises to 122 as of 5/24. Added video clip below)

Category: Photos, Video, Weather | 2 Comments »
Tags: sw ohio, thunderstorms, weather

Posted By RichC on May 23, 2011

European financial markets were down and Wall Street is sliding as well (11AM). The talk around the water cooler regarding the false prediction of May 21st being the beginning of the “end times” may be good for a smile, but one look at the S&P 500 Heat Map quickly removes the smile (at least for those with a few dollars invested in equities).

Category: Financial | No Comments »
Tags: economy, finances, investing, stocks

Posted By RichC on May 22, 2011

The day arrived and disappeared in an instant … with a wonderful ceremony, I might add!

On Saturday, May 21st my daughter Katelyn officially became Dr. Katelyn Corbett, M.D. She was presented the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the commencement ceremony from NEOUCOM (now NEOMED – Northeast Ohio Medical University). We had a perfect day with family and friends … and celebrated the well deserved hooding ceremony, diploma and commencement addresses; all the pomp and circumstance expected at a traditional graduation ceremony.

The graduating class of 124 received their Doctor of Medicine degrees and they were all impressive — none more than my little girl. Yes … I’m a proud dad (as was her mom, brother and first year resident Dr. Drew Oostra).

Actually the entire family was proud to celebrate the occasion! It was especially nice to have both sets of grandparents able to come to graduation … a challenge as they get up in age. We were also joined by my brother Ron and his wife Claire (below left) and one of Brenda’s sisters, Ann, from Atlanta. We were also honored to have Barb and Randy Oostra (below right), and since EJ Thomas Hall at the University of Akron is a large enough venue, we could accommodate all who wanted to attend.

Since this is a personal blog, I’ll mention that few — very few — milestones in life are as bittersweet as a graduation. Life moves along, close friends move apart and responsibilities grow. I can tell already that the same will soon be noticed and the reality of growing up will be setting in for Katelyn and her close friends. One of her friends, now Dr. Chad Henson (below left), gave the student address; it was well delivered. Most, if not all, have achieved a degree of maturity that is beyond most of my acquaintances … as you can tell from the photo of the three close friends we just took sailing last week –  Dr. Ashley, Dr. Laura and Dr. Katelyn (below right).

Thankfully the girls … women … DOCTORS … can take a normal picture too!

Ashley, Laura and Katelyn

All would not be complete without a couple presents and a bunch of cards (below left) … oh and a great photo of my Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa Corbett) with Katelyn (below right).

As much as I “think” I’m the number one guy in my daughter’s life, I’m running into some stiff competition … Dr. Drew Oostra (great support for Katelyn … and all around great guy).

EDIT: Adding link to audio modified YouTube video.

Adding a little slideshow …

Category: Archive, Health, Personal, Photos | 9 Comments »
Tags: akron, doctor, family, graduation, katelyn, medicine, neomed, neoucom, ohio

Posted By RichC on May 20, 2011

Category: Automotive, Misc, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags:

Posted By RichC on May 20, 2011

I’m posting Kickstarter link for a device designed to check the quality of engine oil. It is called Lubricheck and I’m hoping that someone reading this with engineering thoughts on how realistically accurate the device might be?

I’m a mileage oriented oil changer, but with the price of synthetic oil, diesel oils and just plain quality motor oil … it might be nice to know “when” to really change the oil. (I’m really looking forward to the “diesel” version for cars, trucks and marine diesels …  1st run will be  for gasoline engines only)

Check out the promotional video below and leave a comment on their Kickstarter page if you want them to pursue the diesel version.

Category: Automotive, Technology | 3 Comments »
Tags: device, lubrication, lubricheck, monitor, oil

Posted By RichC on May 19, 2011

Who needs a dinghy … fly instead! Nice views … (Check out PercyMichael’s  YouTube clips of the Krucker amphib)

Category: Aviation, Recreation, Sailing, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: aviation, ocean, reefs, sailing

Posted By RichC on May 18, 2011

Brenda and I made a multipurpose trip to Florida to enjoy a little sailing with our soon graduate from medical school daughter Katelyn and two of her graduating friends Laura and Ashley; we also planned to do a little work on our boat Encore (projects and maintenance will never end). Besides the personal recreation, we prepared and packed up Brenda’s Mom and Dad for the drive home from their winter condo in Delray Beach (photo before leaving below). I do not envy the health concerns that come with getting older, either for myself or those burdened with caring for me.

For the most part all went well although it felt like a whirlwind few days … of course that wasn’t helped by my not feeling too well last week (a sorted story and history for another time).

The girls enjoyed their time aboard and their prior week vacationing on the beach together. Reflecting back on my time in college and the trips taken with my friends, they were some of the greatest memories.

Unfortunately this time of year also has one dealing with the non-biting (from what we can tell) but extremely annoying Plecia nearctica – aka: Love Bugs. Katelyn seemed to attract them the most … I’ve surmised she is the sweetest … which she is to which many will attest.

Besides their habit of swarming around and plastering themselves to the windshields and grills of cars, they pretty much prevent achieving any kind of respectable finish on the brightwork of our boat. About all I could accomplish was to get a couple coats of Cetol on my handrails and the cleaning and sanding only of our toe rails (credit where credit is due … primarily Brenda’s labor!)

All in all, a day sailing or by the water, even with the “love bugs,” is better than a day at work!

 
Dr. Ashley, Dr. Katelyn and Dr. Laura | Mom and Dad Howard in Delray Beach FL

Category: Personal, Photos, Sailing, Travel | 3 Comments »
Tags: encore, family, florida, friends, love bugs, sailing

Posted By RichC on May 17, 2011

Spending a quiet night aboard Encore under a full moon during a still evening and high tide.

Category: Photos, Sailing | 2 Comments »
Tags: encore, photography

Posted By RichC on May 17, 2011

I’m trying to work through my checklist this afternoon on the boat since Brenda is off on her way driving her parent north for the summer. They will soon find out how well my son has been managing the house, feeding pets and knocking off the short chores list we have given him after his spring semester and finals ended. I’m not expecting perfection, but I am hoping the homestead is in a condition that won’t embarrass Brenda when she arrives with her parents.

With the afternoon sun baking down on me, it is time to take a quick break to check on emails and the few things from work which might need tending … besides, my body needs a little hydration and has not adapted to the heat just yet!

I also promise a catch up post tonight and will add a few personal photos from the week … more for my personal archive than anything worth reading by those other than close friends and family. I suppose that’s the advantage of having a “desultory” blog.

Category: Personal, Sailing, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: boat, temperature, thermostat, weather

Posted By RichC on May 16, 2011

In keeping with short blog posts, I’m picking up a few bugs over the miles and know I’m going to be griping when it’s time to get the WD-40 out and start my cleaning. The windshield isn’t much better!

EDIT: On my return trip I added bugs to bugs!

Category: Misc, Photos, Travel | 2 Comments »
Tags: bugs, encore, florida, love bugs, lovebugs