Sunday, November 30, 2008

Good Morning!!

Sometimes, without expecting it, we get to see a real life scene from the movies. The , "oh, that doesn't really happen" sort of every day life event that we would likely never notice if it wasn't forcefully pointed out to us..

There I was, patiently waiting in front of the Starbuck's counter for the early morning hot drink, venti size, of course. Some people need their early morning wake up cal, though I must admit that it doesn't seem to be doing much for my room-mate. Do you suppose that you actually have to open your eyes and ingest the stuff for it to work?

Anyway, back to the tale at hand, Short though it may be. There I was, minding my own business, while waiting for my order to be called, when along came a cute elderly couple. Both completely grey and looking fabulous all the same. Matching glasses, matching jackets, matching in every way, except height. She was at least a foot and a half shorter. When, suddenly, they stopped and both mumbled something about things not looking quite right this morning. Then they both smiled, looked at each other, took off their glasses, swapped and settled the new pair upon the delicate frame of their noses. Smiled again, nodded their heads, and with a united "ah, that's much better", headed off toward the hotel restaurant that had been their goal before their vision cleared. I could not help but smile and silently giggle ( I didn't want them to hear and disturb the moment).

It's nothing much, not really. And yet it is. It's little moments in time like that, even just a nod of the head and a knowing smile between two people, friends, intimates, or both, that make up a portion of the happy sides of our lives. There are larger events too, seemingly more important and perhaps they are, but they come along rarely in comparison. I cannot help but wonder if the little things, the events we do not notice unless placed sharply in front of our noses (and our eyes) are the more important ones. They happen every day, subtly effecting and shaping our lives, strengthening our bonds and leaving lifelong impressions without our even being aware, but if they were not there, I think we would all notice the emptiness their lack left behind.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Fire Update--Triangle Fire (Yorba Linda, Brea, Chino Hills, Anaheim Hills, etc)

Up-to-date Map:: every time I refresh it there are changes.

Up-to-date News::KFWB 980, KNX 1070, and KFI 640. There are photos, videos and other information on this site as well as live radio feeds.

Stats, Photos, Video:: OCFA Triangle Complex Fire

Fires

It’s snowing ash here, and the air is filled with smoke. Any car that isn’t caked in ash has been stored in a covered area all day. Helicopters have been flying overhead low all day long (referring to the 15th). Another just flew over, rattling the house and windows as it passed.

I heard on the radio about an hour ago, as we were heading home from the movies, that the Yorba Linda fire, which had jumped into Orange county earlier this afternoon, had worked its way through the Anaheim Hills area and was headed toward Carbon Canyon to join up with the Brea fire. Hopefully, firefighters will be lucky and be able to keep the two fires from joining. I don’t know what the weather is predicted to be like tomorrow, but if winds are anything like they were today it will not be a good sign.

One of the best sites that I could find on the Orange County fires is the Register’s Breaking News Blog You will find a map of the fire area, including evacuation areas and centers at this site, as well as news, statistics and a blog.

Pictures of the fires can be found at

MSNBC fire coverage
FOX News Photos

My prayers are with the many families who have lost their homes and loved ones, and the thousands who have had to evacuate, as well as with the men and women who are putting their lives on the line battling these fires.