Rudy's Rants

Melba King Surprise 100th Birthday Party

My aunt, Melba McKoy Thomas King, of Ada, Oklahoma, will turn 100 years old this December.

Melba has been a fixture in Ada for essentially her entire life. She has always been involved in civic affairs there, and has many friends. I think she would very much enjoy seeing them to help her celebrate this very special occasion.

So we’re planning a serious surprise party for her. Here are the details:

Time: 2:00-4:00 PM, Sunday, December 21, 2008

Place: Ada Arts and Heritage Center (a beautiful, historic building), 400 S. Rennie, Ada, Oklahoma

We’re making a serious effort to invite all of Melba’s friends and relatives, but we’re sure we’ll miss some. If you’re one of these and we missed you, please come anyway! No offense was intended.

There’s no need for an RSVP. And please, Melba needs your presence, not your presents.

I’ll be hosting the event (I’m Melba’s nearest relative, and also her legal guardian). So if you have questions, please contact me by email or give me a call at 303-841-7839 (or 303-332-7643).

Please don’t forget that this is a surprise party. I’m guessing we’ll take Melba out for an afternoon snack at a relative’s house, and happen to stop off on the way (about 2:15PM) at the Arts and Heritage Center. I’m pretty sure Melba won’t happen across this information while browsing the internet, and I’m hoping y’all can keep a secret.

And watch this space for any updates. In particular, if we should have to change the details of this event for health reasons, this webpage is how you’ll find out.

There’s Good News, and Bad News, and…

Well, the best news is that nobody was hurt when (this is the worst news) my trusty Acura TL bit the dust:

I was off in Scotland last September and called home to learn that I didn’t have a car any more. My son Devin had borrowed the car (with permission) when his car was blocked in by a tree surgeon, and he had a close encounter with a Comcast van. Judging from the appearance of my Acura, I’d say the Comcast van won.

I moped around a bit, frustrated at my likely choices. I really liked the Acura TL as a daily driver, but don’t like the new model nearly as well as I like the model I had. But I also don’t much like buying used cars. Somewhere amongst my moping, two family members came to my aid. First, my wife Alice was kind enough to say that with me retiring soon, we might be able to get by with my having a smaller car. Then Devin suggested that I take a look at the new Honda S2000 CR. My first reaction was, “Yeah, right!”. My second reaction, however, was “Where do I sign”?

I did, in fact, wind up buying this most wonderful of all second-childhood cars, and I love it. I got a yellow one (actually had to have it shipped in, as there wasn’t one available in Colorado at the time), and here it is:

I’ve actually had the car since October, waiting for an autocross to try it out. All our winter events were snowed out until Feb 10, when I finally had a chance to drive the car for real. Wow! I haven’t had a car that sticks to the road like this since I was 40 years younger and racing a Formula Vee. The Vee, of course, stuck to the road because it weighed 825 pounds. This one sticks to the road because it’s an engineering marvel. (I could be biased. )

Here’s a video of my best run. It’s definitely not a primer on good driving, but I was getting smoother each run, and am happy with the day. It should give you a little bit of an idea what the car is like.

 

 My New Honda S2000 CR in Its First Outing [1:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (239)

Carlos Joins the Ramsey Racers

Around September, I bought a go-kart for our grandson, Carlos, so he could join Devin and me in autocross racing. He hasn’t had very many opportunities to drive it yet, since he started just at the end of our regular summer series, but he’s having a good time. And we’re very much enjoying having him there. Ian (his dad and my son) has been helping us prepare the kart and get it to the events, and the whole family (Ian, Susan, Siggy, and Carlos) come occasionally.

Here’s what Carlos looks like without the helmet:

He’ll be racing in the Formula Junior B class. There aren’t a lot of competitors, but it’s a great way for kids to have a chance to race in a very safe and supportive environment.

One thing I really like about our local SCCA events is their extreme safety consciousness. Whenever the juniors are moving, all other cars are stopped, and remain stopped until the juniors are back in their own grid area. And the stewards who run this youth program (both fathers of girls who race in the Formula Junior classes) are great with the kids.

Here’s Carlos with part of his pit crew (Siggy):

Pretty Tamper Arrives in Parker!

I’ve been looking forward for some time to receiving a very special piece of coffee-making equipment — my new olivewood Thor Tamper. These tampers are custom made by Les Albjerg, and can be found at http://www.thortamper.com/.

Well, it arrived yesterday, and I’ve been really enjoying it. I like its look, its feel, and the tamp it produces. Can’t do much better than that.

My olivewood Thor Tamper in its new home.
Part of the beauty of Thor Tampers is that they’re made to order, with a wide choice of woods. Les and I both felt that his olivewood would look especially good with the two woods (red cedar, birch) in our new kitchen.
I picked the style on the left because I found the shape visually appealing. To my surprise, I also really prefer the feel of this tamper to the more popular shape on the right.
My new toy, feeling right at home in the spotlight.

Sgeulachd Bheag, Poileataigeach

Chunnaic mi an sgeulachd seo ann an litir “chain” a fhuair mi mar post-dealain (’sa Bheurla) an-uiridh. Smaoinich mi gun robh e gu math èibhinn (ach is docha gu bheil am poileataics agaibh eadar-dhealaichte ). Rinn mi eadar-theangachadh, agus dh’innse mi an sgeulachd aig tachartas Gàidhlig no dhà.

Tha an sgeulachd sgriobhte fon-a-seo, ach nach èisdibh sibh ris an audio an toiseach?

Ruairidh

A Bheil Ceann-Suidhe Bush Ann?

Aon latha, anns a’ bhliadhna 2009, chaidh seann duine chun gheata air beulaibh an Taigh Ghil ann an Washington, D.C. Thuirt e “A bheil Ceann-Suidhe Bush ann? Tha mi ag iarraidh bruidhinn ris.”

Fhreagair an saighdear a bh’aig a’ gheata, “Chan eil e an-seo. Chan eil e ann tuilleadh.”

“Ceart, ma tha”, thuirt an seann duine, agus dh’fhalbh e.

An ath latha, chaidh an aon bhodach chun gheata aig an Taigh Geal, agus dh’fhaighneachd e, “Am faod mi bruidhinn ri Ceann-Suidhe Bush?”

Mar a thachair, bha an aon t-saighdear air a dhleastanas, agus fhreagair e, “Mar a thuirt mi riuibh an-dè, chan eil Maighstir Bush ann. Dh’fhàg e oifis a’ Chinn-Suidhe.”

“OK, ma tha”, thuirt am bodach, agus thug e a chasan leis.

Chaidh an ath latha, agus nach ann an nochd an aon duine aig a gheata, agus thuirt e, “Tha mi ag iarraidh comhradh le Ceann-Suidhe Bush”.

Uill, bha an saighdear a’ fas beagan feargach a-nis. Fhreagair e, “Thuirt mi riuibh ron-a-seo nach eil Maighstir Bush ann. Cha bhi e ann. Chan esan an Ceann-Suidhe tuilleadh, ‘s cha bhith esan a’ suidhe anns an oifis sin gu brath tuilleadh. Nach eil sin soillear dhuibh?”

“O, tha sin gu math soilleir dhomhsa,” thuirt an seann duine, “ach tha e cho math a bhith ga chluinntinn”.

Mar sin, sheas an saighdear direach, rinn e nochdach-urraim, agus thuirt e “Chi mi a-maireach sibh.

 

 A Bheil Ceann-Suidhe Bush Ann?: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (86)

Johnston Canyon Trail

The most beautiful hike (of five) that Alice and I took on our recent Pacific Northwest vacation was the Johnston Canyon Trail in Banff National Park, in Alberta, Canada. After returning home, I noticed that this hike is listed in one of our tour guides as one of the six best hikes in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies!

This was such a dynamic and photogenic place that I decided to make a short video so I could show it to y’all. And here it is. Hope you enjoy it!

Rudy

 

 Johnston Canyon Trail [2:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (148)

Mu mo Dheidhinn, ’s mo Bhlog

Is mise Rudy Ramsey. Tha mi a’ fuireach ann am Parker, Colorado, anns na Staitean Aonaichte. Thoisich mi air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh o chionn mu dheich bliadhna. Tha coimhearsnachd bheag de luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig ann an-seo, agus innsidh mi dhuibh mu a deidhinn uaireagan.

Thug mise ’s mo bhean turus a dh’Alba dhuinn fhìn ann an 1992, mar thiodhlac airson ar coig-air-fhicheadaimh ceann-latha posaidh. ‘S toil leum a radh gun do thachair mi ri ceòl ceilteach agus uisge-beatha air an turus sin, agus tha fiamh-ghàire air a bhith orm fad na tìde bho’n uair sin, ach chan eil sinn cinnteach de am fear dhiubh as adhbhar dha sin.

Bha mi a’ seinn anns an fhras fad beagan bliadhnaichean, nuair a chur mi romham gun robh an t-àm air tighinn a bhith ga h-ionnsachadh gu fìor. Thoisich mi air leasanan ann an Gàidhlig a’ ghabhail, agus thoisich mi air seinn gu poblach. Cha robh e fada gus an robh mi a’ seinn (gu dona, tha mi cinnteach) ann am farpaisean, cuideachd.

Tha mi air a bhith gu math fortanach leis na tidsearan Gàidhlig agam (innsidh mi dhuibh mun deidhinn uaireigin), agus tha mi “fileanta” a-nis, ged a tha mòran, mòran agam ri ionnsachadh fhathast. Agus bidh mi a’ seinn ann am Mòd na h-Alba am-bliadhna, airson an darna turus. Bhuannaich mi Mòd Ameireagaidh ann an 2005, agus fhuair mi an darna àite ann an dà fharpais aig Mòd na h-Alba an-uiridh. Feuchaidh mi nas cruaidhe am-bliadhna.

Tha mi an sas ann An Comunn Gaidhealach, America. Bidh mi a’ dol chun an deireadh-seachdainn bogaidh aca mar as àbhaist, agus chun a’ Mhòid, agus tha mi nam bhall ùr air bòrd nan stiùirichean. Ged a thoisich mi air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh airson a bhith a’ seinn orain ceilteach, tha i fhèin cudromach dhomh a-nis.

Tha mòran chuspairean eile anns a bheil uidh agam cuideachd, agus chan eil mi airson blog a dheanamh air direach aon dhiubh. Air an adhbhar sin, cuiridh mi “posts” an-seo anns a’ Bheurla cuideachd, ach tha e comasach dhuibh a bhith a’ faicinn nan teachdaireachdan Gàidhlig a-mhain leis a’ cheangal seo:

http://www.ramsisle.com/rudysrants/?cat=7

no ’s urrain dhuibh an ceangal seo a chleachdadh airson “RSS Feed” Gàidhlig:

http://www.ramsisle.com/rudysrants?feed=rss2&cat=7

Tha fàilte romhaibh beachdan fhàgail an-seo. ‘S docha gum faic mi a dh’aithghearr sibh.

Ruairidh (no Rudy)

Our Pacific Northwest Vacation

Alice and I just returned from a 21-day driving tour of the Pacific Northwest, including Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Island (British Columbia), Banff National Park (Alberta), Montana, and Wyoming. This is our first North American vacation in a long time, and our first long driving vacation ever. We had a great time, had very enjoyable visits with four relatives and their families, and saw some truly beautiful parks.

This vacation was a bit more manic than we usually attempt, as we had a lot of specific things we wanted to do. Aside from the vacation spots, summarized in photos below, we had nice visits with

• Rudy’s sister, Shawna Ramsey, and Patrick, in Reno, Nevada
• Alice’s sister, Jeanne Haster, and Jim, Katie, and Ben, in Portland, Oregon
• Alice’s nephew, Robert Farrell, and Ginger, in Seattle, Washington
• Alice’s cousin, Vicki Holbrook, and Chuck, in Whitefish, Montana

Here’s a very brief set of photo highlights, intended for family and friends. They may or may not be interested, but I can’t imagine that anyone else will be.

Colorado River, Fisher Towers, and Mount Waas, near Moab, Utah (6/10/2007)
Double Arch, Arches National Park, Utah (6/11/2007)
Rudy with his sister, Shawna, at Lake Tahoe, near Reno, Nevada (6/13/2007)
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon (6/15/2007) Pictures don’t do it justice!
Chinese Garden, Portland, Oregon (6/17/2007)
Gatsby Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia (6/19/2007) Our lodging.
High Tea at the Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia (6/20/2007) With Denver Post Travel section (we’re hoping to get into print)
Alice at Butchart Garden, near Victoria, British Columbia (6/21/2007)
Iron Mine Bay, Pikes Road Trails, East Sooke, British Columbia (6/22/2007)
Lake Agnes from the Teahouse, Banff National Park, Alberta (6/25/2007) After a 2.2-mile uphill trail. We nearly froze at the top. You can see the wind in the photo!
Above Upper Falls, Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park, Alberta (6/26/2007)
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (6/29/2007)

I also did some coffee-related things, attending the Pacific Northwest Home Roaster’s Gathering and experiencing several very special coffee shops in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, and even Whitefish, Montana. I hereby express my gratitude to Alice for her tolerance.

Especially enjoyable were several hikes we did, and I shot video of my favorite, Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park. I plan to prepare a short video on this hike. Banff is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

Hatchling Goes Dancing

In June 2007, my company (Z-Axis Corporation) had a podcast contest for its employees. We’ve been using podcasting in our corporate marketing and internal training activities for awhile, and this exercise was intended to encourage folks at Z-Axis to learn more about the technology. I decided to take the opportunity to do a brief video about our race car (”Hatchling”) and the Solo2 autocross racing that I do with our son, Devin.

Devin was actually the reason I got back into autocross racing after a gap of nearly 40 years. I raced a Formcar Formula Vee in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) competition in the 1960s, and did a lot of autocross racing and rallying as well (both Alice and I won Midwest Division SCCA championships in the 60s, Alice in the women’s class and me overall). Well, around 2005, Devin’s interest in cars (especially Japanese sports cars), racing, and tuning was getting him involved with a street-racing crowd. Not a good thing, in my opinon (and in Devin’s retrospective opinion, as well). I decided that SCCA was a much more positive outlet for this energy, and took him to a local SCCA autocross. He was instantly completely at home, and we decided to build a race car together (a 1989 Honda Civic Si Hatchback). We chose this car because it tends to be the fastest car in the most competitive affordable class (Street Touring - Stock). We’ve been having a great time. This video shows what we’re doing.

I should mention that there’s a bit of suggestive language in this video, as I spiced it up slightly for the contest. It didn’t win, but I think folks enjoyed it. I hope you will, too.

 

 Hatchling Goes Dancing [3:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (217)

An Apology, if One Is Needed

Several times over the last few years, I’ve thought of starting a personal blog. Up to now, I’ve always decided against it, feeling that I didn’t really have anything to say, though that doesn’t seem to have stopped anyone else.

It turns out, though, that I really do have things to say. I just don’t have a continuing stream of riveting commentary on the events of the day. This is partly because I’m a jack of all trades, with such a variety of interests that few if any people would want to read about them all. For example, I’d like to post things about specialty coffee and about autocross racing. And I would certainly like to do posts in Scottish Gaelic. Just this short list of personal interests is likely shared by approximately zero other folks. And I’m interested in genealogy, Celtic singling, martial arts, single-malt scotch, and progressive U.S. politics. Not to mention the possible use of a personal blog to post information that might be of interest specifically to my extended family and close friends.

So what I’ve decided to do is to create a blog which will have occasional postings in my various interest areas, and will provide categories and category-based RSS (and podcast) feeds for anyone foolish enough to want to come back for more.

I absolutely don’t promise a steady stream of material — my postings in any given category will likely be relatively infrequent. But I’ll try not to post anything unless I think I have something worth saying, and I’ll try to apply the category coding so you won’t even see postings unless they’re on some topic in which you’ve indicated an interest.

Thanks for visiting, feel free to comment, and maybe I’ll see you here again.

Rudy