The week through 14 November 2010 I spent as usual with the added tasks of getting everything arranged for my trip to Australia for a sibling reunion with my older sister, Maureen and younger brother, Warren coming from New Zealand, to meet me at my older brother, Des'ss home, an hour out of Melbourne in Australia.
Just before leaving I got the disturbing news that Maureen was rushed into hospital, very ill with a life threatening infection from a knee implant done 5 years earlier. I determined to catch my intended flight to Australia and arrange to go to New Zealand from there so I got a shuttle to the airport on Sunday 14th November for an 11:40 pm flight. We were supposed to go in one of Qantas's big new Airbuses but Qantas was having uncertainties concerning the Rolls Royce engines and we were switched to the usual 747 - to my relief! Our flight was delayed as one of the passengers got ill after boarding and medics determined it was unsafe for him to fly so he and his luggage had to be taken off the plane - allowing us to finally get away at midnight.
I sat next to a young dad from Melbourne who was a security person at Melbourne University and who had been to the USA for seminars on University security. He was pleasant and we chatted from time to time between movies (the New Zealand film "Boy", "Centurion" and "Dinner for Idiots")
We touched down at Melbourne airport after a 15 hour (a bit bumpy) flight at 10:00 am Tuesday 16th November, having skipped Monday 15th altogether due to the international date line, and I was met by older brother, Des's youngest child - daughter, Fleur, and her two-year old daughter, Hope who I was meeting for the very first time - she is a real little darling (five-year old son, Finn, was at school). It was so great to see Fleur again. Fleur's husband, Martyne was away on business so I was still not going to get to meet him but Fleur drove me to their home in Melbourne for a meal and rest and to determine if I'd stay two days with them before going to Des's place - at Clifton Springs, an hour away on the huge (about 100 mile around) Port Phillip Bay that Port Phillip and Melbourne city are on the inland coast of. We decided that due to Maureen's condition I should go directly to Des and June's place. (It meant that I would not get to meet Finn until Sunday when Fleur came back to Clifton Springs.) Fleur drove me there - a bit over an hour's drive. All the way, Hope sang and talked happily to the little stuffed animal that I had brought from Los Angeles for her. We arrived there about 2:30 pm local time.
It was so great to see Des and June again - it had been far too long. They settled me in and Junie gave me a tour of their wonderful house and large grounds and gardens with a great view of the huge bay - we caught up on things a bit and had a late, 9:00 pm dinner, got the latest update from younger brother, Warren in New Zealand on Maureen's condition and I asked advice on whether I should fly there as soon as a flight was available. Warren said that Maureen was in a medically induced coma and that she wouldn't know that I was there so there was no point in going. I considered the idea of going to just give her the unconscious person assists but realized that she was supposed to stay in the coma to heal and it would be counter-productive to pull her out of it as is done for an accident-injury coma where the person can't wake up. Warren and Lyn were definitely staying in New Zealand to be near Maureen. We all determined I should stay in Australia and monitor the situation from there. Unfortunately this meant that I would not be seeing Warren and Lyn and Maureen's family at all this trip but of all the family members I had seen them most recently so I had to be satisfied with that. After getting the news from New Zealand I got some long delayed sleep.
Wednesday, 17th November after a wonderful comfortable sleep I was up and showered and out for breakfast and further chatting and catching up with my big brother and my wonderful sister-in-law. We had a pleasant lunch and then set out on a drive to show me round the parameter of the large peninsula called "The Bellarine", that Clifton Springs is part of and that juts obliquely into huge Port Phillip Bay (creating its own smaller St Leonard's Bay - a bay within a bay). We saw Portarlington, Indented Head and went all the way to Point Londsdale where we could look out to the open sea of Bass Straight and see the opposite peninsular that helped create the huge bay. Then we were off home again. It was a very pleasant drive and a great look around a very lovely area. We watched the news on TV and had dinner and then updated the news on Maureen's progress in intensive care at the hospital in New Zealand. Things were still a bit uncertain - the doctors originally had not expected her to survive but she is tough and was busily proving them wrong so that things looked more positive now. So off we went to bed.
Thursday, 18th November - up, showered and breakfast and we set off before lunch for a day trip. This time we went directly across The Bellarine peninsular through Drysdale and Wallington to the beautiful open ocean coast and Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads (where we stopped for a very enjoyable lunch) There was a beautiful surf beach and it was quite windy, with wind-surfers and kite-surfers and a short walk to a lookout and a little further on was the lighthouse. Then we drove on as far as Torquay still on the coast before we made our way home across the peninsula with several stops to look for garden things that Des and June were wanting. It was a wonderful day of new discoveries for me. We watched the TV news and had a super dinner again thanks to June's great cooking skills. After getting the update on Maureen's very slow improvement Des went off to bed to read and June and I watched the movie "Moe's Last Dancer" and then I checked my email and off to bed.
Friday, 19th November, 2010 - up and showered and breakfast. I helped hang out the washing to dry and went shopping with June. I tried to get some US dollars changed at the small local bank and they wouldn't change them as none of my notes were "perfect enough"!!! After lunch we set off on another outing to Queenscliff on a small peninsula at the end of the large peninsula we had been exploring each day. It is a wonderful place with great old hotel buildings, old homes, a fort and ferry berth for the large vehicular ferry that goes across the bay to the peninsula on the other side of the bay opening. I changes US dollars there without them giving it a second thought. We stopped for garden things for their amazing garden again on the way home and had another delicious dinner after watching the news on TV. We caught up on the family news from New Zealand and Maureen's slowly improving condition and then June and I set about watching another movie - about the history of a Hungarian family from the late 1800's through to current times. It was a bit of a slog and June went to sleep part way through and then went off to bed. I checked my email and hit the bed myself.
Saturday 20th, November - up showered and breakfast. I washed June's car for her and then I sat out in the garden and did a pastel drawing of one of the garden areas. As we were sitting down to lunch, Des and June's oldest child, Dean arrived with his wife, Vicki and their 15 year old twins, Phoebe and Liam - who I had not seen since I held them in my arms when they were a few months old! It was so great to see them all again! We all had a great catch up and a pleasant afternoon. Phoebe helped me downloading my eBooks onto Des's computer so June could have a read of them and Des and Dean with Liam's help, cooked a great BBQ dinner with chops, sausages, chicken-skewers and seafood. Vicki had brought some very nice Italian starter-snacks before dinner and after dinner June presented a fabulous pavlova desert - the favorite for both me and Liam. June said it was for my birthday, which had been a couple of weeks earlier and for Liam. It was a really big meal and I got away with a glass of wine without any adverse effects. We got an update on Maureen's slowly improving condition in New Zealand and then we had fun until midnight with Dean being the life of the party due to having just a little more wine that the others present. Great fun! They all stayed over-night.
Sunday 21st November 2010 - up and showered and breakfast before most of the others were up - except for Des who is always up first. Soon we were all up and about sitting in the sun in the garden where I totally neglected a hat an started a pretty good sunburn on my face. We had a chatty morning tea and Fleur arrived from Melbourne with young Finn and Hope. I finally got to know Finn, a very in-communication and bright little lad who made friends very fast. We all had a pleasant lunch and then a pleasant afternoon tea - still out on the lawn in the sun - and finally I had to say goodbye to Dean, Vicki and the twins as they went off on their faily long drive home. This was going to be my last day at Des and June's place as I was going to go back and spend my last full day in Australia exploring Melbourne city from Fleur and Martyn's place where I would spend two nights and then catch my plane back to the USA. I got packed up and after Fleur bathed and fed the kids I gave my appreciation for a wonderful stay and said goodbye for now to my big brother, Des and his wife, June - then Fleur, me and the kids set off for Melbourne city. When we arrived the kids went off to bed and Fleur made a great dinner for the two of us and then while she prepared for an important interview with an architect the next day I watched the movie "Moulin Rouge" and then we were off to bed.
Monday, 22nd November - up and showered and breakfast and prepare for a day in the city. We all got in the car and got the kids started on their day - we dropped Hope off at her "pre-pre-school" and I got to take Finn in to his school while Fleur did a quick trip to the doctor to get her injured toe dressed. Then Fleur made the time to drop me off at the main square down town before going off to her appointment with the rather famous architect. It was 10:00 am and she arranged to pick me up at 4:30 pm so I'd have six and a half hours to wander around and get to know the city. I did just that - going to the tourist center and getting gifts for friends, visiting the art gallery and the arts center, Albert Park, the memorial shrine, the botanical gardens (where I had a pleasant lunch), a river walk, the South Gate area with riverside restaurants and shops, and the main down-tone shopping area. I got souvenirs and some goodies for our dinner and then went to our pre-determined meeting place where Fleur arrived promptly and collected me. We picked up the kids and were off home to their place for play, kids dinner and bath and bed - TV news and salmon and salad dinner with strawberries and cream and chie tea for us adults. Fleur prepared for her trip. She is going to be taking the kids right across the continent to their other grandma's place so she can meet Martyn in New York to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary and she is leaving the day after she gets me off to the USA. I watched the movie "Up In The Air" and then packed for an early departure to the airport in the morning and went to bed.
Tuesday 23, November 2010 - up showered and breakfast. We got the kids and my bags into the car and I took Finn into school and said goodbye to him while Fleur stopped by the library and then we dropped Hope at her play-school. Fleur dropped me at the airport where we said our goodbyes. It was about 9:30 I think and my plane went at 12:00 noon so I had comfortable time to change my Australian money back to US dollars, get through immigration and customs, grab a little snack and get on the flight without a mad rush. I had an isle seat next to a very pleasant your man from Melbourne who is currently living in Vancouver, Canada and was returning there after being home for his sister's wedding. He had a high affinity and great smile and we chatted away for quite a bit of the flight. I watched more movies - "The Other Guys" and an animation one, "Madagascar". Meals were fair and we landed about 6:45 am local LA time after about 14 hours in the air and no real sleep. I got a shuttle home and started unpacking and catching up on communications - e-mail to Suesan in Las Vegas - Sue let me know she was off to her sister's in San Francisco for Thanksgiving - (Jackie having Thanksgiving with her kids) - Joe's girlfriend, Vivian off to her family for Thanksgiving - Joe having Thanksgiving with me per our long tradition. So off I went without any sleep and did all the shopping to cook a Thanksgiving turkey dinner! Finally I got some sleep - I don't know why but it wasn't enough!
Wednesday 24, November I was back to work training staff at the medical center down town Los Angeles and then went to lunch with my boss and the son of the owner of the Texas hotel where my boss is being resident consultant. When I got home I prepared all the turkey and trimmings ready to go in the oven the next day.
Thursday 25th November 2010 - Thanksgiving day. I got the oven going early and by the time Joe arrived at noon everything was cooked and ready to go - turkey and stuffing, sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, onion, gravy, cranberry sauce, fruit juices, pumpkin pie, ice cream. cream - the works. We ate until we could eat no more and then watched a couple of movies on TV and chatted to catch up on each others news. We repeated the meal again at dinner time and then Joe went off having to work the following day, which I was not required to do.
Friday 26th November my trip with the stress about Maureen's condition and lack of sleep from the point I left Australia to return home, seemed to catch up on me and I felt a slight cold coming on so I dosed up with vitamins and spent most of the day catching up on sleep.
Saturday 27th, November 2010 was a lazy day watching TV and catching up on things that needed to be done - including writing this blog entry. I continue to get daily news on Maureen's condition in New Zealand and happily she is continuing to improve so we are planning on having our sibling reunion at some future date.
More next time.
Love to all,
Barry
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
October 15th, 2010 through November 3 2010
Hello again folks!
The first week from 15th October 2010 went along routinely - supervising at the dental office in Artesia on Friday and then a bike ride and a couple hours of sun before having dinner with friend Jackie. No bike ride and sun on Saturday due to rain and on Sunday some pleasant hours and a meal with friend Joe. Monday I had no work but Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 I supervised at down town Los Angeles Media Medical Mall and then Friday 22 October at Artesia dental clinic again and dinner with Jackie.
Saturday I got in a bike ride and some sun and then in the evening went to the International Association of Scientologists 26th Anniversary Celebration. - (Amazing progress into society including two major drug companies abandoning all psychiatric drugs, dozens of psych facilities closed down and scores of psychs jailed for crimes against their patients.)
Sunday I had time with Joe again who was just back from Las Vegas with his girlfriend , Vivian.
No work Monday, October 25th so another bike ride, weight exercises and time in the sun. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were duplicate days of the previous week. Saturday was overcast so I worked at home on the new eBook for the website. Sunday was time with Joe who took me out to lunch for my birthday coming up the following day.
The Sunday, Oct 31 Halloween day - bike ride so at 10:00 pm I drove to the huge Hollywood Halloween block party and successfully postulated into existence a parking space amongst the thousands of cars and hundreds of others unsuccessfully searching for a place to park. I joined the tens of thousands of others there. I simply wore black trousers and a bright red jacket as Halloween colors but I was stopped on two occasions by two different pleasant young guys who wanted to know who I was dressed as. As it wasn't as anyone at all except myself I asked them who they thought I was being. The first one said, "Mr Rogers from the kids TV show" and the second one decided "Woolverine from the movie". I told each of them that they were correct and they went on, very happy with their skill at guessing! It was a wild, wild party with unbelievable costumes - some very beautiful and some really horrible as appropriate for Halloween.
I decided I would know when it was about to turn midnight and become my birthday and I "just happened" to glance at my watch at 11:59 pm on the last minute of October 2010 and saw the month turn over to November - and there I was at this huge party with thousands of people having fun for my birthday!!!!
I got home and to bed about 4:00 am and slept late and as it was a beautiful sunny day I did a bike ride and spent some time at the beach. When I checked my e-mail I had dozens of emails birthday greeting from family members and friends - I was quite amazed at the quantity of them. I had some special phone messages also from Romy and GAry (whoes birthday is the same day as mine, from my sister Maureen in New Zealand and from my dear friend and ex-room mate, Marcelo and his family. Very nice - thank you all so much.
Tuesday November 2 was a normal work day supervising students at the medical center and today Wednesday 3rd I held a graduation lunch for them. Lots of preparation time and a very enjoyable high-toned lunch and presentation of certificates to those who had completed courses.
Tonight I completed a difficult (for me) illustration for the Out-of-Body Experiences eBook and I have only one more to do now - the most difficult of all - and then I can start putting the book together and get it up on the website.
That brings us up to date so I'll get back to you all in a week or two.
Love,
Barry
The first week from 15th October 2010 went along routinely - supervising at the dental office in Artesia on Friday and then a bike ride and a couple hours of sun before having dinner with friend Jackie. No bike ride and sun on Saturday due to rain and on Sunday some pleasant hours and a meal with friend Joe. Monday I had no work but Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 I supervised at down town Los Angeles Media Medical Mall and then Friday 22 October at Artesia dental clinic again and dinner with Jackie.
Saturday I got in a bike ride and some sun and then in the evening went to the International Association of Scientologists 26th Anniversary Celebration. - (Amazing progress into society including two major drug companies abandoning all psychiatric drugs, dozens of psych facilities closed down and scores of psychs jailed for crimes against their patients.)
Sunday I had time with Joe again who was just back from Las Vegas with his girlfriend , Vivian.
No work Monday, October 25th so another bike ride, weight exercises and time in the sun. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were duplicate days of the previous week. Saturday was overcast so I worked at home on the new eBook for the website. Sunday was time with Joe who took me out to lunch for my birthday coming up the following day.
The Sunday, Oct 31 Halloween day - bike ride so at 10:00 pm I drove to the huge Hollywood Halloween block party and successfully postulated into existence a parking space amongst the thousands of cars and hundreds of others unsuccessfully searching for a place to park. I joined the tens of thousands of others there. I simply wore black trousers and a bright red jacket as Halloween colors but I was stopped on two occasions by two different pleasant young guys who wanted to know who I was dressed as. As it wasn't as anyone at all except myself I asked them who they thought I was being. The first one said, "Mr Rogers from the kids TV show" and the second one decided "Woolverine from the movie". I told each of them that they were correct and they went on, very happy with their skill at guessing! It was a wild, wild party with unbelievable costumes - some very beautiful and some really horrible as appropriate for Halloween.
I decided I would know when it was about to turn midnight and become my birthday and I "just happened" to glance at my watch at 11:59 pm on the last minute of October 2010 and saw the month turn over to November - and there I was at this huge party with thousands of people having fun for my birthday!!!!
I got home and to bed about 4:00 am and slept late and as it was a beautiful sunny day I did a bike ride and spent some time at the beach. When I checked my e-mail I had dozens of emails birthday greeting from family members and friends - I was quite amazed at the quantity of them. I had some special phone messages also from Romy and GAry (whoes birthday is the same day as mine, from my sister Maureen in New Zealand and from my dear friend and ex-room mate, Marcelo and his family. Very nice - thank you all so much.
Tuesday November 2 was a normal work day supervising students at the medical center and today Wednesday 3rd I held a graduation lunch for them. Lots of preparation time and a very enjoyable high-toned lunch and presentation of certificates to those who had completed courses.
Tonight I completed a difficult (for me) illustration for the Out-of-Body Experiences eBook and I have only one more to do now - the most difficult of all - and then I can start putting the book together and get it up on the website.
That brings us up to date so I'll get back to you all in a week or two.
Love,
Barry
Friday, October 15, 2010
Update thru October 14, 2010
Hi again friends and family members!
Thursday, September 30, 2010, the day after my last post, I had the honor of being invited to Celebrity Center for a four-hour sitting in front of a movie camera with a very professional team from Golden Era Studios, to relate all my personal experiences directly with my wonderful friend, L. Ron Hubbard. It was quite an emotional time for me, reminiscing about the wonderful moments he shared with me. The Golden Area crew are interviewing all those who had personal relationships with him so these are preserved for all the future people who will want to learn more about this wonderful friend of all mankind.
Friday, October 1, 2010 I supervised at the dental office in Artesia and took my bike and gear with me so I could stop off at the Los Angeles river bike-track on the way home. There I went for a bike ride and got a couple of hours in the sun. That evening I had dinner with friend Jackie and that night went to bed very early and set the alarm clock for 4:00 am Saturday morning!
Saturday, October 2, I was up at 4:00 am and on the road at 5:10 am - on my way to Henderson, Nevada - next city right beside Las Vegas. The car performed beautifully and the traffic was light and I was able to pull off the freeway into the desert and get some wonderful photos of the beautiful red dawn sunrise. I had taken my breakfast with me and ate it as I enjoyed the beautiful morning sky.
I arrived at my friend Suesan's place some time after 10:30 am and she set me up with bed and bathroom for my two night stay. Soon the other family members began to arrive for a family lunch - Suesan's older daughter, Wendy and her husband, David with four-year-old son, Logan and three-month-old daughter, Lilly. I was introduced to Lilly for the firt time and got to hold and hug her. What a beautiful little being she is - so cheerful and happy. Then Suesan's younger daughter, Grace and her husband, Scott arrived and we all had a wonderful lunch together. After that, Suesan and I went to Wendy and David's place and I played with young Logan for quite some time while Suesan helped Wendy with Lilly. Logan is a great kid.
In the afternoon I did interviews on Wendy and Grace to help them out with some work and personal problems and then Grace and Scott took Suesan and I out to dinner that night.
Next morning, Sunday, October 3, 2010, I gave Suesan her interview to help her with a health problem she had been having and then Suesan and I went into Las Vegas to the "strip" and had breakfast at the Bellagio and had a great look around their indoor seasonal garden and stores. Then we caught the trolly to the new Las Vegas City Center with it's new towering skyscrapers and world famous stores. Two of the towers lean in opposite directions to each other. We walked back to the Bellagio and saw the fountains play to the music score of "The Pink Panther" and then went on home and to Wendy's place to help entertain Logan while Wendy handled Lilly.
We had dinner and I watched a nature program on TV while Suesan caught up on some work from her remote home office.
After breakfast in the morning, Monday, October, 4, I said goodbyes and headed home hitting rain when I got to Pasadena and getting in about 3:30 pm or so.
Tuesday 5th , Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th I supervised the staff courses at the Wilshire medical center and Friday 8th at the Artesia dental office - after which I went for another bike ride and sunning. Same biking and sunning again on Saturday, October 9th (after a good work out with weights).
On Sunday, 10th, Joe came by and we went for lunch and then he went off to spend the evening and night with his girlfriend, Vivian, at Universal Citywalk. It is so good to see him persisting and building a rewarding relationship.
I had Monday 11th off and did the bike ride, sunning routine (and worked a lot on the website www.past-life-test.com as well).
Tuesday 12th through today, Thursday 14th I supervised the medical and dental office staff - and that brings us up to present time once again.
Do good works and I'll talk again soon.
Love to all,
Barry
Thursday, September 30, 2010, the day after my last post, I had the honor of being invited to Celebrity Center for a four-hour sitting in front of a movie camera with a very professional team from Golden Era Studios, to relate all my personal experiences directly with my wonderful friend, L. Ron Hubbard. It was quite an emotional time for me, reminiscing about the wonderful moments he shared with me. The Golden Area crew are interviewing all those who had personal relationships with him so these are preserved for all the future people who will want to learn more about this wonderful friend of all mankind.
Friday, October 1, 2010 I supervised at the dental office in Artesia and took my bike and gear with me so I could stop off at the Los Angeles river bike-track on the way home. There I went for a bike ride and got a couple of hours in the sun. That evening I had dinner with friend Jackie and that night went to bed very early and set the alarm clock for 4:00 am Saturday morning!
Saturday, October 2, I was up at 4:00 am and on the road at 5:10 am - on my way to Henderson, Nevada - next city right beside Las Vegas. The car performed beautifully and the traffic was light and I was able to pull off the freeway into the desert and get some wonderful photos of the beautiful red dawn sunrise. I had taken my breakfast with me and ate it as I enjoyed the beautiful morning sky.
I arrived at my friend Suesan's place some time after 10:30 am and she set me up with bed and bathroom for my two night stay. Soon the other family members began to arrive for a family lunch - Suesan's older daughter, Wendy and her husband, David with four-year-old son, Logan and three-month-old daughter, Lilly. I was introduced to Lilly for the firt time and got to hold and hug her. What a beautiful little being she is - so cheerful and happy. Then Suesan's younger daughter, Grace and her husband, Scott arrived and we all had a wonderful lunch together. After that, Suesan and I went to Wendy and David's place and I played with young Logan for quite some time while Suesan helped Wendy with Lilly. Logan is a great kid.
In the afternoon I did interviews on Wendy and Grace to help them out with some work and personal problems and then Grace and Scott took Suesan and I out to dinner that night.
Next morning, Sunday, October 3, 2010, I gave Suesan her interview to help her with a health problem she had been having and then Suesan and I went into Las Vegas to the "strip" and had breakfast at the Bellagio and had a great look around their indoor seasonal garden and stores. Then we caught the trolly to the new Las Vegas City Center with it's new towering skyscrapers and world famous stores. Two of the towers lean in opposite directions to each other. We walked back to the Bellagio and saw the fountains play to the music score of "The Pink Panther" and then went on home and to Wendy's place to help entertain Logan while Wendy handled Lilly.
We had dinner and I watched a nature program on TV while Suesan caught up on some work from her remote home office.
After breakfast in the morning, Monday, October, 4, I said goodbyes and headed home hitting rain when I got to Pasadena and getting in about 3:30 pm or so.
Tuesday 5th , Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th I supervised the staff courses at the Wilshire medical center and Friday 8th at the Artesia dental office - after which I went for another bike ride and sunning. Same biking and sunning again on Saturday, October 9th (after a good work out with weights).
On Sunday, 10th, Joe came by and we went for lunch and then he went off to spend the evening and night with his girlfriend, Vivian, at Universal Citywalk. It is so good to see him persisting and building a rewarding relationship.
I had Monday 11th off and did the bike ride, sunning routine (and worked a lot on the website www.past-life-test.com as well).
Tuesday 12th through today, Thursday 14th I supervised the medical and dental office staff - and that brings us up to present time once again.
Do good works and I'll talk again soon.
Love to all,
Barry
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
September 6th to 29th 2010
Well here we are again with the month all but gone. It's October in two days!
Starting Tuesday the seventh September - and eighth and ninth I supervised staff training at the Media Medical Mall in downtown Los Angeles. Friday I supervised a dentist to completion of his course in Artesia and went to dinner with friend Jackie. Saturday was a bike ride and catching some sun. On Sunday 12 th my very good buddy, Joe Lin came over and we hung out and then went to lunch and for a hike up Griffith Park to the observatory. The last part was blocked off for filming of some kind.
Monday 13th I supervised staff at Media Medical Mall and Tuesday 14 September I toured a denatal client and his staff through a Ideal Dental Practise in Pasadena. Wed 15th and Thurs 16th it was the Medical Mall again and Friday 17th was dinner with friend Jackie and her daughter and Saturday 18th was a bike ride and then a Metro-Rail outing with good friend Sue Z - to Pasadena for the annual Auditor's Day Event (we both wished we had gone to the larger event in downtown Los Angeles instead). Sunday 19th Joe came by again and we spent time shopping for food and getting a meal.
Monday 20th I had the day off so it was bike ride and sun again. Tuesday through Thursday 23rd I supervised staff training at the Medical Mall and had dinner with Jackie and her daughter as they really needed someone to talk to. Friday 24th September I supervised the Office Manager at the Artesia dental office to completion of her course - and again had the usual Friday dinner with Jackie and Kara.
Saturday 25th was exercise, bike ride, sunning (and lots of work on the website - as I do every day). Sunday 26th, Joe dropped in again - we went to lunch and came back haome fast due to the overpowering heat. Joe fell asleep on the couch watching a ball game so I let him sleep while I worked on the website.
Monday 27th I had off for exercise and sunning but it was just too hot - 113 degrees - so I got back to the air-conditioned car fast and home and fell asleep with the heat.
Tuesday 28th I was in Artesia in the morning, training the dentist and his office manager and in the afternoon at Media Medical Mall training staff. Today is the 29th and I'm off there again today - and tomorrow.
Friday I have off work and have something very different potentially lined up. Same for this coming weekend - I'll tell you all about it next post - which will be more exciting than this one.
Love to all,
Barry
Starting Tuesday the seventh September - and eighth and ninth I supervised staff training at the Media Medical Mall in downtown Los Angeles. Friday I supervised a dentist to completion of his course in Artesia and went to dinner with friend Jackie. Saturday was a bike ride and catching some sun. On Sunday 12 th my very good buddy, Joe Lin came over and we hung out and then went to lunch and for a hike up Griffith Park to the observatory. The last part was blocked off for filming of some kind.
Monday 13th I supervised staff at Media Medical Mall and Tuesday 14 September I toured a denatal client and his staff through a Ideal Dental Practise in Pasadena. Wed 15th and Thurs 16th it was the Medical Mall again and Friday 17th was dinner with friend Jackie and her daughter and Saturday 18th was a bike ride and then a Metro-Rail outing with good friend Sue Z - to Pasadena for the annual Auditor's Day Event (we both wished we had gone to the larger event in downtown Los Angeles instead). Sunday 19th Joe came by again and we spent time shopping for food and getting a meal.
Monday 20th I had the day off so it was bike ride and sun again. Tuesday through Thursday 23rd I supervised staff training at the Medical Mall and had dinner with Jackie and her daughter as they really needed someone to talk to. Friday 24th September I supervised the Office Manager at the Artesia dental office to completion of her course - and again had the usual Friday dinner with Jackie and Kara.
Saturday 25th was exercise, bike ride, sunning (and lots of work on the website - as I do every day). Sunday 26th, Joe dropped in again - we went to lunch and came back haome fast due to the overpowering heat. Joe fell asleep on the couch watching a ball game so I let him sleep while I worked on the website.
Monday 27th I had off for exercise and sunning but it was just too hot - 113 degrees - so I got back to the air-conditioned car fast and home and fell asleep with the heat.
Tuesday 28th I was in Artesia in the morning, training the dentist and his office manager and in the afternoon at Media Medical Mall training staff. Today is the 29th and I'm off there again today - and tomorrow.
Friday I have off work and have something very different potentially lined up. Same for this coming weekend - I'll tell you all about it next post - which will be more exciting than this one.
Love to all,
Barry
Monday, September 6, 2010
Through Labor Day - Sep 6, 2010
Thursday, August 26, was my good friend, Joe L's birthday - we agreed to celebrate on the weekend.
Friday, August 27, I did a bike ride and got some sun while I did some writing.
Saturday I went out to a birthday meal with Joe and another friend, Wayne.
The next day, Sunday 29, I fixed the screen sliding door on my patio and in the evening went to the movie, "Inception" with Joe. I had decided not to see this one but it was Joe's birthday choice and I ended up really enjoying it - though as Joe said, "It was a bit of a visual overwhelm."
Monday I supervised my students in the medical clinic in downtown Los Angeles and on Tuesday, August 31, I had to drive out to Artesia to consult a dental doctor on his clinic. He was just back from a trip home to Bulgaria.
Wednesday, September 1, I had no students but Thursday I supervised at the medical clinic downtown again and on Friday drove out to Artisia again to supervise the dentist through the final part of his course - he had not quite been able to complete the course before going to Bulgaria.
That evening, Friday Sept. 3, I packed my wagon and took off up north on the 101 Freeway for Ventura where I had a pleasant dinner and went to see the movie, "The American". Don't bother to see it. It was pointless. Other audience members came out asking, "What was that all about?"
After the movie I drove down to Oxnard's Channel Island Harbor, where there is safe parking, and set up camp in the back of my wagon and had a good night sleep.
Saturday, September 4, I had breakfast, cleaned up and took off further north for Santa Barbara and checked out the roadside/shore-side art swap meet and got some good ideas for art projects (if I ever have the time and inclination). I went out on the pier and than drove around for a bit, took lunch with me and set off back a bit south to Loons Beach where I spent an enjoyable couple of hours baking on the sandy beach in the sun and investigating the rocks.
Then back further south to Ventura again for dinner at "Nature's Grill" (great grilled chicken Cesar salad) and another movie - "Going The Distance". It was quite fun but rather raunchy.
After the movie, back further south again to Channel Islands Harbor and set up camp and another night's sleep. Although the days are sunny and hot, the sea mist comes in for the evening and it gets really cold outside. I had stopped at McDonald's for a hot chocolate to warm me up before bed and although it warmed me up nicely, the sugar and caffeine kept waking me up every 2 hours through the night. No matter I still got plenty of sleep.
Sunday I was up, breakfasted and cleaned up and I then determined to go into Oxnard city and find the "happening" area which I had not previously been able to do due to the huge widely- spread nature of the place. I went to the California Visitor Center and the lady there knew what I was talking about and drew me a map of how to get there. It was very nice but small compared with the equivalent places in Ventura (and San Louis Obispo, which I did not visit this trip) but the movie "Avatar" was showing in 3D. As it is my favorite movie of all time and I hadn't seen it in 3D, I bought a ticket for the 8:00 pm show and then took off for other places in the meantime.
I went to Ventura Harbor and had another good walk around there amongst all the tourist shops and boat-cruise centers and enjoyed the crowds with the little kids having an exciting time. Then I went across the sand duns to see the beach and sea but the sea fog was on its way in and it was getting too cold.
Off I went to Ventura city for dinner at Nature's Grill and then back to Oxnard center for the movie. There are 10 movie auditoriums in the big theater building but until 30 seconds before the movie started I was the only one it the Avatar auditorium and I was afraid they might cancel the showing. Then two ladies turned up and they played the movie for just the three of us.
I put on the 3D glasses and emerged myself into that fantasy world of great beauty and danger (and only ducked once as a canister came hurling at me). It was even more magical in 3D than the first time I had seen it on flat screen.
After the movie I decided not to stay away for Monday September 6, Labor Day, but took off south on the 101 Freeway for home at 11:30 pm. I was quite surprised that the trip took slightly under an hour - glad I missed the Monday night rush home as that would have been a long slow trip.
Today, Labor Day, I went for a bike ride, and got some sun while I did some more writing. Then I went to Trader Joe's for some supplements and when I got home crashed on the bed for a couple of hours sleep, after which I caught up on my email, watered my plants, put away my travel stuff and watched a bit of TV before catching up on this blog for you.
I'll talk to you all again soon.
Love,
Barry
Friday, August 27, I did a bike ride and got some sun while I did some writing.
Saturday I went out to a birthday meal with Joe and another friend, Wayne.
The next day, Sunday 29, I fixed the screen sliding door on my patio and in the evening went to the movie, "Inception" with Joe. I had decided not to see this one but it was Joe's birthday choice and I ended up really enjoying it - though as Joe said, "It was a bit of a visual overwhelm."
Monday I supervised my students in the medical clinic in downtown Los Angeles and on Tuesday, August 31, I had to drive out to Artesia to consult a dental doctor on his clinic. He was just back from a trip home to Bulgaria.
Wednesday, September 1, I had no students but Thursday I supervised at the medical clinic downtown again and on Friday drove out to Artisia again to supervise the dentist through the final part of his course - he had not quite been able to complete the course before going to Bulgaria.
That evening, Friday Sept. 3, I packed my wagon and took off up north on the 101 Freeway for Ventura where I had a pleasant dinner and went to see the movie, "The American". Don't bother to see it. It was pointless. Other audience members came out asking, "What was that all about?"
After the movie I drove down to Oxnard's Channel Island Harbor, where there is safe parking, and set up camp in the back of my wagon and had a good night sleep.
Saturday, September 4, I had breakfast, cleaned up and took off further north for Santa Barbara and checked out the roadside/shore-side art swap meet and got some good ideas for art projects (if I ever have the time and inclination). I went out on the pier and than drove around for a bit, took lunch with me and set off back a bit south to Loons Beach where I spent an enjoyable couple of hours baking on the sandy beach in the sun and investigating the rocks.
Then back further south to Ventura again for dinner at "Nature's Grill" (great grilled chicken Cesar salad) and another movie - "Going The Distance". It was quite fun but rather raunchy.
After the movie, back further south again to Channel Islands Harbor and set up camp and another night's sleep. Although the days are sunny and hot, the sea mist comes in for the evening and it gets really cold outside. I had stopped at McDonald's for a hot chocolate to warm me up before bed and although it warmed me up nicely, the sugar and caffeine kept waking me up every 2 hours through the night. No matter I still got plenty of sleep.
Sunday I was up, breakfasted and cleaned up and I then determined to go into Oxnard city and find the "happening" area which I had not previously been able to do due to the huge widely- spread nature of the place. I went to the California Visitor Center and the lady there knew what I was talking about and drew me a map of how to get there. It was very nice but small compared with the equivalent places in Ventura (and San Louis Obispo, which I did not visit this trip) but the movie "Avatar" was showing in 3D. As it is my favorite movie of all time and I hadn't seen it in 3D, I bought a ticket for the 8:00 pm show and then took off for other places in the meantime.
I went to Ventura Harbor and had another good walk around there amongst all the tourist shops and boat-cruise centers and enjoyed the crowds with the little kids having an exciting time. Then I went across the sand duns to see the beach and sea but the sea fog was on its way in and it was getting too cold.
Off I went to Ventura city for dinner at Nature's Grill and then back to Oxnard center for the movie. There are 10 movie auditoriums in the big theater building but until 30 seconds before the movie started I was the only one it the Avatar auditorium and I was afraid they might cancel the showing. Then two ladies turned up and they played the movie for just the three of us.
I put on the 3D glasses and emerged myself into that fantasy world of great beauty and danger (and only ducked once as a canister came hurling at me). It was even more magical in 3D than the first time I had seen it on flat screen.
After the movie I decided not to stay away for Monday September 6, Labor Day, but took off south on the 101 Freeway for home at 11:30 pm. I was quite surprised that the trip took slightly under an hour - glad I missed the Monday night rush home as that would have been a long slow trip.
Today, Labor Day, I went for a bike ride, and got some sun while I did some more writing. Then I went to Trader Joe's for some supplements and when I got home crashed on the bed for a couple of hours sleep, after which I caught up on my email, watered my plants, put away my travel stuff and watched a bit of TV before catching up on this blog for you.
I'll talk to you all again soon.
Love,
Barry
Monday, August 23, 2010
July 24 through August 22, 2010
Time to do a catch-up again after a month.
Starting back on Saturday, July 24, I went with friend Sue Z. to the third and final of the three weekly events for the anniversary of the maiden voyage of the elite ship, Freewinds. We went by underground Metro this time to avoid the crazy Hollywood traffic. It was a great event.
On Monday July 26, I got a surprise (and disturbing) call from my older sister in New Zealand informing me that her husband, Wally, had died during the night. He was well on in age but in good health but Maureen was thankful that he went so easily without going through illness, pain and suffering.
I finally got products up on my website on Wednesday July 28. (And just today I finalized the color and pricing. Check it out at http://www.past-life-test.com )
Friday, July 30, was my brother-in-law, Wally's funeral way off in New Zealand. I felt I should be there but had been told not to go all that way, so did my best to comfort family with communication and flowers.
Saturday morning July 31, I had breakfast at Home Restaurant with friend Jackie K. In the afternoon on Sunday, my friend Joe visited and we went off to see the movie "Salt" - very wild and violent but a good plot and acting.
Monday August 2, I met Fabian who owns the company I am now doing some supervising of students for. He's a very nice young guy with great goals - I gave him a lift to LAX airport as he was on his way to Texas to save a hotel that was being driven into the ground by incompetent consultants.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I supervised some of Fabian's Los Angeles clients at their Medical Complex in down town Los Angeles. Thursday evening August 5, I had a long phone call with sister, Maureen in New Zealand and was relieved that she is carrying on well after loss of her much loved husband.
Friday morning, August 6, I had a call from friend Jackie K., her husband Dan was here from Florida and we all met for breakfast. It was great to see and spend some time with Dan again.
Suesan W. was down from Las Vegas for 2 days so on Saturday 7th we went to brunch in Burbank and then I drove her to the airport for her trip back to Las Vegas. She is delighted with her new grand daughter, Lilly. After dropping Suesan at the airport I went for a bike ride and got a flat tire - had to stop every 5 minutes and pump it up again to get back.
Sunday, 8th I had another welcome visit from friend Joe and we went out to eat at Whole Foods for some good organic "grub". That evening I went to the bike shop in Burbank and got a new tire for the bike. The young guy there said he'd put it on for me for just $4 but after he did it he said "no cherge" and I only had to pay the few dollars for the tire.
Tuesday night, August 10, I had one of the student supervisors I used to work with at Hubbard College, Cathy F., come by for dinner and we caught up on each others news. Nice to know that the staff as well as the students miss me.
Wednesday evening, August 11, I went to a seminar and met an old friend, Peter M., from my ship-board days and had some wonderful catch-up communication. I was joined by one of my ex-student's from the college, Hiro S. and his girlfriend, Angelique - great people all.
Friday, 13th, I got in a bike ride and two hours in the sun and also got my web site address on the back window of my car www.past-life-test.com in tidy white letters.
Saturday morning was breakfast with Jackie and her daughter, Kara.
Sunday, 15th, Joe and I met up with friends, Marie H., and Christine M., in West Hollywood at another Whole Foods Store and had a healthy meal and then had fun at "The Grove" outdoor mall and the "Farmer's Market". We used to all supervise students at the same company and we call ourselves "The Four Stooges" when we go on our occasional stay-in-touch outings. We always have such fun!
I got in another bike ride and some sun on Monday, August 16th and supervised students at the medical center on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Thursday August 19, I had to arrange and run a graduation for the students so spent time making course completion certificates and arranging to pick up food and all the trimmings needed. It went well once I got there - my car gave up on me about 3 block from getting all the goodies there and I got it going by pure intention over the top of the protests of the physical universe. Got it home OK as well. However the next day, Friday 20th, it refused to go and I had to get AAA tow it to the repair shop and leave it there over the weekend.
Jackie had to pick me up for breakfast on Saturday due to not having my car. Her daughter Kara joined us at the restaurant.
Saturday night I took Sue Z. out to dinner for her birthday - at the Cheese Cake Factory Restaurant at "The Americana on Brand" outdoor mall and fun-place in Glendale. We had our usual good time.
Joe came again on Sunday and we went to meet a friend Jerad, and his friend, Ian, at Starbucks in Glendale and from there we all went to dinner at Whole Foods. Moor good times! Joe is going to be coming by each Sunday for a while so I'm happy about that.
Late that evening I got a bee sting between my fingers while watering the plants on my patio. Those little beggers pack quite a sting for a bit.
Today, Monday, August 22, 2010 I got the car back with a new fuel pump and new fuel lines and it's running like a dream now. I spent a lot of time today changing the colors on my website. One of the browns woudn't change to gray so I have a call in to support and am waiting to get that handled.
I have my three days of 3 hours a day supervising at the Medical Center coming up starting tomorrow, Tuesday 23, - so will catch you all up on the news in a week or so.
Love to all,
Barry
Starting back on Saturday, July 24, I went with friend Sue Z. to the third and final of the three weekly events for the anniversary of the maiden voyage of the elite ship, Freewinds. We went by underground Metro this time to avoid the crazy Hollywood traffic. It was a great event.
On Monday July 26, I got a surprise (and disturbing) call from my older sister in New Zealand informing me that her husband, Wally, had died during the night. He was well on in age but in good health but Maureen was thankful that he went so easily without going through illness, pain and suffering.
I finally got products up on my website on Wednesday July 28. (And just today I finalized the color and pricing. Check it out at http://www.past-life-test.com )
Friday, July 30, was my brother-in-law, Wally's funeral way off in New Zealand. I felt I should be there but had been told not to go all that way, so did my best to comfort family with communication and flowers.
Saturday morning July 31, I had breakfast at Home Restaurant with friend Jackie K. In the afternoon on Sunday, my friend Joe visited and we went off to see the movie "Salt" - very wild and violent but a good plot and acting.
Monday August 2, I met Fabian who owns the company I am now doing some supervising of students for. He's a very nice young guy with great goals - I gave him a lift to LAX airport as he was on his way to Texas to save a hotel that was being driven into the ground by incompetent consultants.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I supervised some of Fabian's Los Angeles clients at their Medical Complex in down town Los Angeles. Thursday evening August 5, I had a long phone call with sister, Maureen in New Zealand and was relieved that she is carrying on well after loss of her much loved husband.
Friday morning, August 6, I had a call from friend Jackie K., her husband Dan was here from Florida and we all met for breakfast. It was great to see and spend some time with Dan again.
Suesan W. was down from Las Vegas for 2 days so on Saturday 7th we went to brunch in Burbank and then I drove her to the airport for her trip back to Las Vegas. She is delighted with her new grand daughter, Lilly. After dropping Suesan at the airport I went for a bike ride and got a flat tire - had to stop every 5 minutes and pump it up again to get back.
Sunday, 8th I had another welcome visit from friend Joe and we went out to eat at Whole Foods for some good organic "grub". That evening I went to the bike shop in Burbank and got a new tire for the bike. The young guy there said he'd put it on for me for just $4 but after he did it he said "no cherge" and I only had to pay the few dollars for the tire.
Tuesday night, August 10, I had one of the student supervisors I used to work with at Hubbard College, Cathy F., come by for dinner and we caught up on each others news. Nice to know that the staff as well as the students miss me.
Wednesday evening, August 11, I went to a seminar and met an old friend, Peter M., from my ship-board days and had some wonderful catch-up communication. I was joined by one of my ex-student's from the college, Hiro S. and his girlfriend, Angelique - great people all.
Friday, 13th, I got in a bike ride and two hours in the sun and also got my web site address on the back window of my car www.past-life-test.com in tidy white letters.
Saturday morning was breakfast with Jackie and her daughter, Kara.
Sunday, 15th, Joe and I met up with friends, Marie H., and Christine M., in West Hollywood at another Whole Foods Store and had a healthy meal and then had fun at "The Grove" outdoor mall and the "Farmer's Market". We used to all supervise students at the same company and we call ourselves "The Four Stooges" when we go on our occasional stay-in-touch outings. We always have such fun!
I got in another bike ride and some sun on Monday, August 16th and supervised students at the medical center on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Thursday August 19, I had to arrange and run a graduation for the students so spent time making course completion certificates and arranging to pick up food and all the trimmings needed. It went well once I got there - my car gave up on me about 3 block from getting all the goodies there and I got it going by pure intention over the top of the protests of the physical universe. Got it home OK as well. However the next day, Friday 20th, it refused to go and I had to get AAA tow it to the repair shop and leave it there over the weekend.
Jackie had to pick me up for breakfast on Saturday due to not having my car. Her daughter Kara joined us at the restaurant.
Saturday night I took Sue Z. out to dinner for her birthday - at the Cheese Cake Factory Restaurant at "The Americana on Brand" outdoor mall and fun-place in Glendale. We had our usual good time.
Joe came again on Sunday and we went to meet a friend Jerad, and his friend, Ian, at Starbucks in Glendale and from there we all went to dinner at Whole Foods. Moor good times! Joe is going to be coming by each Sunday for a while so I'm happy about that.
Late that evening I got a bee sting between my fingers while watering the plants on my patio. Those little beggers pack quite a sting for a bit.
Today, Monday, August 22, 2010 I got the car back with a new fuel pump and new fuel lines and it's running like a dream now. I spent a lot of time today changing the colors on my website. One of the browns woudn't change to gray so I have a call in to support and am waiting to get that handled.
I have my three days of 3 hours a day supervising at the Medical Center coming up starting tomorrow, Tuesday 23, - so will catch you all up on the news in a week or so.
Love to all,
Barry
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Latest "happenings" through July 25, 2010
Well, the day after I wrote my last blog entry we had a bit of an earthquake (5.4) and things shook around for a bit but it wasn't too bad! That was Wednesday July 7, 2010.
On Friday 10 July I had dinner with my friend Jackie at the Home Restaurant nearby and the following day, Saturday did a bike ride but it was really far too hot and I had a bit of heat exhaustion afterward.
I rested up and that evening attended the first of three Saturday evening events to bring us all up to date on Scientology's progress in creating a saner and safer society.
It was amazing to learn that our ship, Freewinds, was featured on a comemorative postage stamp for the island nation of St Kitts and that it had been invited as the only civilian ship to participate with the US Marines and Colombian Special Forces, in anti-pirate exercises off the South American coast. Freewinds has been upgraded again to a condition better than when she was first built and that has created quite a stir in the nautical world.
At the event, I also ran into a young man (but old friend) who I had not seen for several years. It was so nice to meet up with Josh again now that he is back in Los Angeles.
The next day, Sunday July 11, I attended a seminar and got some very helpful data regards helping others.
Monday, I had a one-time supervising job way out in Artesia at a dental office. It was a long trip for a couple of hours of course time but I need the pay (which is a good rate), and on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I supervised staff on courses for a couple of hours each day on the upper floor of a down-town Los Angeles high-rise building.
Friday I spent the entire day working on my website business and then Saturday morning I had breakfast with Jackie K. She always has interesting news about her week.
In the evening it was the second of the three Scientology events and I went with friend Sue Z. These events are held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood where the Oscars and other awards shows are now held. This one was wonderful with new entrance courses released in 15 languages covering all the life subjects that people have difficulty with.
Sunday was the official opening of the new Church Organization in Pasadena, City of Roses, and I drove out to witness that. We are certainly very much loved by the city officials there and the new organization is really beautiful. It was a huge crowd but I did get to have a quick look inside.
My friend Suesan W. was down in Los Angeles for a few days on business and she'd had her birthday a couple of days before arriving. So on Monday evening, July 19, 2010 I took her out to dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory restaurant at the Americana on Brand. We had a great meal and a great time and she got a little surprise icecream cake and the birthday song because I tipped off out waitress that it was her birthday.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I supervised staff on courses at the down-town Los Angeles high-rise again for a couple of hours each day.
Friday, July 23, 2010 was the 23rd birthday of one of my ex-students - my wonderful Japanese friend, Hiro. I was thrilled to be invited! The home where he held the party was on the very edge of the hillside of the magnificent Valley with beautiful mountains across the valley on the other side - and a waterfall and swimming pool at the edge of the property as it falls away to the beautiful, uninterrupted panorama view.
About 10 of my ex-students were there and they were so happy to see me (and I, them) that it made the evening unbelievably enjoyable for me. Hiro and his American girlfriend both came in traditional Japanese dress as did a few of the other people. The BBQ was great as were the games and best of all I got to hold the big boa constrictor snake belonging to Bruce, owner of this wonderful home. The boa curled happily around me for about half an hour. We loved each other! It's actually the first time I've touched a snake and I was quite amazed at the amount of affinity I had for it.
Next day, Saturday July 24, 2010, I had breakfast with my good friend Jackie K. again and in the afternoon went for a bike ride and got in some sunning.
In the evening I went to the final of the three Saturday evening Scientology events at the Kodak Theater with my good friend Sue Z again. This time, because of the traffic the previous Saturday, we just walked over to the metro and for 25 cents got the underground right to the stop for the Kodak Theater. It was Sue's good idea and was really hassle-free.
The event was great - going over our social programs - Citizens Commission for Human Rights in the mental health fields to stop psychiatric abuses, The Way to Happiness for improved morality, Human Rights for improved justice and freedoms. Drug Education to cut drug use way down, Volunteer Ministers to give aide at disasters , etc. The way that city, state and national leaders speak about up now indicates we have attained opinion-leader status in these areas and for the Church itself. Then we got a preview of the new mega-website for the Church and for L. Ron Hubbard. It is huge with over 500 videos now viewable in 16 languages - making 8,000 videos on the site in addition to all the other data. L. Ron Hubbard's biography is now the most watched biography on the entire internet.
Today, Sunday, 25 July 2010, I went for a bike ride, got a couple of hours of sun to ensure I keep the vitamin D3 in my blood high - and after handling my e-mail and writing this blog entry I will do more work on the website.
Love to all and I'll blog to you again soon.
Barry
On Friday 10 July I had dinner with my friend Jackie at the Home Restaurant nearby and the following day, Saturday did a bike ride but it was really far too hot and I had a bit of heat exhaustion afterward.
I rested up and that evening attended the first of three Saturday evening events to bring us all up to date on Scientology's progress in creating a saner and safer society.
It was amazing to learn that our ship, Freewinds, was featured on a comemorative postage stamp for the island nation of St Kitts and that it had been invited as the only civilian ship to participate with the US Marines and Colombian Special Forces, in anti-pirate exercises off the South American coast. Freewinds has been upgraded again to a condition better than when she was first built and that has created quite a stir in the nautical world.
At the event, I also ran into a young man (but old friend) who I had not seen for several years. It was so nice to meet up with Josh again now that he is back in Los Angeles.
The next day, Sunday July 11, I attended a seminar and got some very helpful data regards helping others.
Monday, I had a one-time supervising job way out in Artesia at a dental office. It was a long trip for a couple of hours of course time but I need the pay (which is a good rate), and on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I supervised staff on courses for a couple of hours each day on the upper floor of a down-town Los Angeles high-rise building.
Friday I spent the entire day working on my website business and then Saturday morning I had breakfast with Jackie K. She always has interesting news about her week.
In the evening it was the second of the three Scientology events and I went with friend Sue Z. These events are held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood where the Oscars and other awards shows are now held. This one was wonderful with new entrance courses released in 15 languages covering all the life subjects that people have difficulty with.
Sunday was the official opening of the new Church Organization in Pasadena, City of Roses, and I drove out to witness that. We are certainly very much loved by the city officials there and the new organization is really beautiful. It was a huge crowd but I did get to have a quick look inside.
My friend Suesan W. was down in Los Angeles for a few days on business and she'd had her birthday a couple of days before arriving. So on Monday evening, July 19, 2010 I took her out to dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory restaurant at the Americana on Brand. We had a great meal and a great time and she got a little surprise icecream cake and the birthday song because I tipped off out waitress that it was her birthday.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I supervised staff on courses at the down-town Los Angeles high-rise again for a couple of hours each day.
Friday, July 23, 2010 was the 23rd birthday of one of my ex-students - my wonderful Japanese friend, Hiro. I was thrilled to be invited! The home where he held the party was on the very edge of the hillside of the magnificent Valley with beautiful mountains across the valley on the other side - and a waterfall and swimming pool at the edge of the property as it falls away to the beautiful, uninterrupted panorama view.
About 10 of my ex-students were there and they were so happy to see me (and I, them) that it made the evening unbelievably enjoyable for me. Hiro and his American girlfriend both came in traditional Japanese dress as did a few of the other people. The BBQ was great as were the games and best of all I got to hold the big boa constrictor snake belonging to Bruce, owner of this wonderful home. The boa curled happily around me for about half an hour. We loved each other! It's actually the first time I've touched a snake and I was quite amazed at the amount of affinity I had for it.
Next day, Saturday July 24, 2010, I had breakfast with my good friend Jackie K. again and in the afternoon went for a bike ride and got in some sunning.
In the evening I went to the final of the three Saturday evening Scientology events at the Kodak Theater with my good friend Sue Z again. This time, because of the traffic the previous Saturday, we just walked over to the metro and for 25 cents got the underground right to the stop for the Kodak Theater. It was Sue's good idea and was really hassle-free.
The event was great - going over our social programs - Citizens Commission for Human Rights in the mental health fields to stop psychiatric abuses, The Way to Happiness for improved morality, Human Rights for improved justice and freedoms. Drug Education to cut drug use way down, Volunteer Ministers to give aide at disasters , etc. The way that city, state and national leaders speak about up now indicates we have attained opinion-leader status in these areas and for the Church itself. Then we got a preview of the new mega-website for the Church and for L. Ron Hubbard. It is huge with over 500 videos now viewable in 16 languages - making 8,000 videos on the site in addition to all the other data. L. Ron Hubbard's biography is now the most watched biography on the entire internet.
Today, Sunday, 25 July 2010, I went for a bike ride, got a couple of hours of sun to ensure I keep the vitamin D3 in my blood high - and after handling my e-mail and writing this blog entry I will do more work on the website.
Love to all and I'll blog to you again soon.
Barry
Monday, July 5, 2010
Through 4th July Independence day holiday.
It's been a busy weekend!
On Monday June 28th I had a visit from Hiro S., my Japanese ex-student. Then on Monday evening I went with Sue Z. to see the movie "Knight and Day" (staring Tom Cruise). It was fast paced action and very funny.
I've spent so much time this week on the eBooks - compiling, finding the settings all moved during compiling and having to rearrange every page again - figuring out how to set up affiliate sales - and am still struggling with how to put them in zip files, upload them to my website and make a download link for buyers. It's all so new to me and slow going but I'm slowly getting there.
Friday Hiro S. came and picked me up and we had lunch together at Square One - local restaurant. Hiro has a lot of respect for me and seeks help with his life plans. His dad runs a Buddhist temple in Japan.
Friday night I had dinner at Home Restaurant with Jackie K.
Saturday was a work on the eBooks day and then on Sunday, July 4th, Independence day I had a day of play.
At 3:00 pm I set off on the 18 miles to Sunland to friends Javier and Vanessa G's home and a BBQ. My friend Joe L. arrived and to my surprise 4 of my ex-students arrived there also - Damiano S, Jerome G, Juan Carlos R, and Hiro S,. again - along with a couple of other old friends Mark and Jerald who I had not seen in many years - and lots of Javier and Vanessa's family members.
We had a great BBQ meal with hot dogs, beef, chicken, salads, olives, pickles and other goodies.
Then out came the watermelon, pineapple, cherries, chocolate biscuits, donuts and cake and ice cream - desert choices. Of course I had some of everything!
Then six of us ended up playing Texas Hold Poker. There was myself from NZ, Joe from China, Juan Carlos from Dominican Republic, Mark fro Germany, Damiano from Albania and Jerome from Holland. Incidentally the host, Javier is from Ecuador and Vanessa is from the USA. It was an international poker game for sure - I wasn't first out but I didn't win either!
By the time that was over it was getting dark and the local families all began setting off their fireworks in the street. Some were very impressive, particularly as they were bursting directly above our heads.
That was all over when suddenly the major firework display at the nearby Sunland park started up. Wow! That was really something! Just amazing - really, really impressive and very beautiful.
It went on for a long time and what we though was the final big climax kept turning out to be just part-way-through surges.
When it was all finally over and we had chatted around we all took out leave and headed off home.
Today, Monday, July 5, was the off-work-holiday for everyone as the 4th fell on Sunday this year. This morning I answered a call for help from Sue Z. and drove to her place to help her with a computer program problem. She eventually got some very nice business cards created and ordered and was happy for my help.
The rest of today I watched an old Yul Bruner movei, "Men of the Sun", on TV and I have worked for hours on the eBooks problems.
Well - that's the update for now - I'll talk to you all again soon.
Lots of Love,
Barry
On Monday June 28th I had a visit from Hiro S., my Japanese ex-student. Then on Monday evening I went with Sue Z. to see the movie "Knight and Day" (staring Tom Cruise). It was fast paced action and very funny.
I've spent so much time this week on the eBooks - compiling, finding the settings all moved during compiling and having to rearrange every page again - figuring out how to set up affiliate sales - and am still struggling with how to put them in zip files, upload them to my website and make a download link for buyers. It's all so new to me and slow going but I'm slowly getting there.
Friday Hiro S. came and picked me up and we had lunch together at Square One - local restaurant. Hiro has a lot of respect for me and seeks help with his life plans. His dad runs a Buddhist temple in Japan.
Friday night I had dinner at Home Restaurant with Jackie K.
Saturday was a work on the eBooks day and then on Sunday, July 4th, Independence day I had a day of play.
At 3:00 pm I set off on the 18 miles to Sunland to friends Javier and Vanessa G's home and a BBQ. My friend Joe L. arrived and to my surprise 4 of my ex-students arrived there also - Damiano S, Jerome G, Juan Carlos R, and Hiro S,. again - along with a couple of other old friends Mark and Jerald who I had not seen in many years - and lots of Javier and Vanessa's family members.
We had a great BBQ meal with hot dogs, beef, chicken, salads, olives, pickles and other goodies.
Then out came the watermelon, pineapple, cherries, chocolate biscuits, donuts and cake and ice cream - desert choices. Of course I had some of everything!
Then six of us ended up playing Texas Hold Poker. There was myself from NZ, Joe from China, Juan Carlos from Dominican Republic, Mark fro Germany, Damiano from Albania and Jerome from Holland. Incidentally the host, Javier is from Ecuador and Vanessa is from the USA. It was an international poker game for sure - I wasn't first out but I didn't win either!
By the time that was over it was getting dark and the local families all began setting off their fireworks in the street. Some were very impressive, particularly as they were bursting directly above our heads.
That was all over when suddenly the major firework display at the nearby Sunland park started up. Wow! That was really something! Just amazing - really, really impressive and very beautiful.
It went on for a long time and what we though was the final big climax kept turning out to be just part-way-through surges.
When it was all finally over and we had chatted around we all took out leave and headed off home.
Today, Monday, July 5, was the off-work-holiday for everyone as the 4th fell on Sunday this year. This morning I answered a call for help from Sue Z. and drove to her place to help her with a computer program problem. She eventually got some very nice business cards created and ordered and was happy for my help.
The rest of today I watched an old Yul Bruner movei, "Men of the Sun", on TV and I have worked for hours on the eBooks problems.
Well - that's the update for now - I'll talk to you all again soon.
Lots of Love,
Barry
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Through Sunday June 27, 2010 - Changes!
The big news is that I am no longer at Hubbard College. It has become time to get serious about my future and staff pay at the college wasn't going to take me where I need to go.
So I'm working hard at getting my first two eBooks published!
On Tuesday June 8, I went to a really good seminar by a panel of four top entertainers at the Garden Pavilion of Celebrity Center International. Got some real gems of tips to help with my creative work.
The following day, Wednesday June 9, I went to dinner at the Granville in Burbank with my friend Suesan W., who was down in Los Angeles from Las Vegas for three days on business.
Her daughter, Wendy and husband David are expecting their second child early next month - a girl this time.
On Saturday, June 12, I drove to Tarzana to visit my friend Joe L. in his new house and from there we went out to lunch at a Japanese restaurant and then went to see the movie The "A" Team. It was wild action and very funny with great characters. Then we did some food shopping and I drove on home to Los Angeles again.
Roman, the son of my ex-room mate from Argentina, Marcelo N., had his 6th birthday on June 15 and then Marcelo's wife, Maria, had her birthday on June 17. As they live out of state in Arizona now it was just long distance good wishes to them both. Marcelo posted his first YouTube video of his recent visit to Argentina and motorbike tour through the country. It was great to see the fun he and his two friends were having.
I had a very excited call from Florida from a Japanese friend, Hiro, (one of my ex-students) saying that he had attained the state of Clear. That was so wonderful to hear.
Friday, June 18, I had dinner with my friend Jackie K. and her son, Rex, at the "Home Restaurant" close by. We always have a good time catching up on what the other has been up to.
Saturday night, June 19, was an outing for "the four stooges". I went with friends Marie H., Christine M., and Joe L. to Santa Monica Pier and had dinner at the Mexican restaurant at the very end of the pier. We sat outside viewing the Pacific Ocean and had a great meal and a lot of fun. The four of us used to work together and have stayed in touch ever since. When Marie and I are together we are like a couple of kindergarten kids and roar with laughter at each others wise-cracks much of the time. Joe and Christine just look at each other and say "there they go again!" After the meal we went to the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade (no traffic, walking street) and looked at all the expansive things we would like to buy. Then we were ready to come back home again. It was a fun night.
Sunday, June 20, I went to a seminar with my friend Sue Z. on "How to live a beautiful life." It had some really useful and applicable data.
My sister-in-law, June (oldest brother, Des' wife) in Australia had her birthday on Tuesday, June 22. June has the most wonderful sense of humor. There's a possibility I will be visiting them later in the year along with my younger brother Warren and his wife Lyn and my sister Maureen (oldest of us four siblings) and her husband Wally, all from New Zealand.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 I went for my four-monthly doctors check and everything was boringly normal as usual. It seems like just a required social formality for Dr. Celo. He's from the Philippines. He always seems a bit disappointed that there is nothing wrong for him to "fix".
I've had email communication from friends: Elena K. in Russia, Matteo in Italy, Lynnaire in New Zealand, Takahidi in New Zealand and siblings in Australia and New Zealand as well as many friends here in the USA.
Yesterday, Saturday, June 26, I went for my usual bike ride and a couple of hours basking in the sun and then in the evening went to dinner with friend Sue Z. at the other Granville restaurant in Glendale. We both had a very yummy turkey salad and our usual good conversation and then we walked around the huge Americana (outside mall) and enjoyed the musical fountains displaying, etc., before heading off our separate ways.
Today, Sunday, June 27, I drove up to the Griffith Observatory and then did a long walk up one of Griffith Park's many hiking tracks, meeting lots of cheerful people (and lots of friendly dogs too).
I have to meet another friend, Simi V. in the morning to loan her some acrylic paints and brushes.
That's about it for this entry.
My love to all who read this.
Barry
So I'm working hard at getting my first two eBooks published!
On Tuesday June 8, I went to a really good seminar by a panel of four top entertainers at the Garden Pavilion of Celebrity Center International. Got some real gems of tips to help with my creative work.
The following day, Wednesday June 9, I went to dinner at the Granville in Burbank with my friend Suesan W., who was down in Los Angeles from Las Vegas for three days on business.
Her daughter, Wendy and husband David are expecting their second child early next month - a girl this time.
On Saturday, June 12, I drove to Tarzana to visit my friend Joe L. in his new house and from there we went out to lunch at a Japanese restaurant and then went to see the movie The "A" Team. It was wild action and very funny with great characters. Then we did some food shopping and I drove on home to Los Angeles again.
Roman, the son of my ex-room mate from Argentina, Marcelo N., had his 6th birthday on June 15 and then Marcelo's wife, Maria, had her birthday on June 17. As they live out of state in Arizona now it was just long distance good wishes to them both. Marcelo posted his first YouTube video of his recent visit to Argentina and motorbike tour through the country. It was great to see the fun he and his two friends were having.
I had a very excited call from Florida from a Japanese friend, Hiro, (one of my ex-students) saying that he had attained the state of Clear. That was so wonderful to hear.
Friday, June 18, I had dinner with my friend Jackie K. and her son, Rex, at the "Home Restaurant" close by. We always have a good time catching up on what the other has been up to.
Saturday night, June 19, was an outing for "the four stooges". I went with friends Marie H., Christine M., and Joe L. to Santa Monica Pier and had dinner at the Mexican restaurant at the very end of the pier. We sat outside viewing the Pacific Ocean and had a great meal and a lot of fun. The four of us used to work together and have stayed in touch ever since. When Marie and I are together we are like a couple of kindergarten kids and roar with laughter at each others wise-cracks much of the time. Joe and Christine just look at each other and say "there they go again!" After the meal we went to the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade (no traffic, walking street) and looked at all the expansive things we would like to buy. Then we were ready to come back home again. It was a fun night.
Sunday, June 20, I went to a seminar with my friend Sue Z. on "How to live a beautiful life." It had some really useful and applicable data.
My sister-in-law, June (oldest brother, Des' wife) in Australia had her birthday on Tuesday, June 22. June has the most wonderful sense of humor. There's a possibility I will be visiting them later in the year along with my younger brother Warren and his wife Lyn and my sister Maureen (oldest of us four siblings) and her husband Wally, all from New Zealand.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 I went for my four-monthly doctors check and everything was boringly normal as usual. It seems like just a required social formality for Dr. Celo. He's from the Philippines. He always seems a bit disappointed that there is nothing wrong for him to "fix".
I've had email communication from friends: Elena K. in Russia, Matteo in Italy, Lynnaire in New Zealand, Takahidi in New Zealand and siblings in Australia and New Zealand as well as many friends here in the USA.
Yesterday, Saturday, June 26, I went for my usual bike ride and a couple of hours basking in the sun and then in the evening went to dinner with friend Sue Z. at the other Granville restaurant in Glendale. We both had a very yummy turkey salad and our usual good conversation and then we walked around the huge Americana (outside mall) and enjoyed the musical fountains displaying, etc., before heading off our separate ways.
Today, Sunday, June 27, I drove up to the Griffith Observatory and then did a long walk up one of Griffith Park's many hiking tracks, meeting lots of cheerful people (and lots of friendly dogs too).
I have to meet another friend, Simi V. in the morning to loan her some acrylic paints and brushes.
That's about it for this entry.
My love to all who read this.
Barry
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Memorial Weekend end of May 2010
I got on the road finally at 8:00 pm Friday night, May 28, 2010, and headed north on the 101 Hollywood-Ventura Freeway to Ventura and found Ventura Harbor and also had time to check Channel Islands Harbor a bit further south again at Oxnard, before setting up camp for the night in the back of my wagon back north, in the parking lot at Ventura Harbor.
Unfortunately I was disturbed at 3:00 am by security telling me I was in a no-camping area so I moved to the boat-ramp parking lot and wasn't disturbed for the rest of the night.
In the morning, Saturday May 29, 2010, the rest-room facilities were adequate to get shaved and washed up for the day and I then drove back north to the Ventura Harbor parking area and made breakfast before I went to Island Packers, the company that runs the boats to the Channel Islands.
Island Packers told me there were no available seats to the islands that day due to the long weekend and people booking ahead. But after a lot of maneuvering I managed to find a seat for the next day, Sunday and booked passage to Santa Cruz, the closest island.
Not prepared to wait around the whole day Saturday, I found that the tall ship, a schooner, "Bill of Rights", was going out for a four hour sail, leaving at 1:00 pm, and that there was a seat available. So I booked on that for a bit of additional adventure. Both my trips were going to leave from the Island Packers Office further south at Channel Islands Harbor - back at Oxnard - so I headed back there.
I was in luck with the weather! We left harbor at 1:00 pm and headed out into a beautiful sunny but very windy day. Perfect weather for a schooner under full sail. We cut the engines as soon as we got out of the harbor and the passengers got to help hoist the three huge sails as we got under full sail. It was glorious! The crew couldn't stop raving about what a perfect day it was for sailing - one like they had not experienced for many months.
I took dozens of photographs and spent most of the time on the very bow (front) of the ship as she careened through the beautiful blue waters giving us spectacular views of the Channel Islands.
We returned and birthed again about four and a half hours later. What a wonderful exhilarating day!
I got into my wagon and headed back north to Ventura and found the city center and the wonderful Natural Food Restaurant and had a great meal - a change from all my own food that I'd been eating until this point.
Then I went directly across the street to "The Downtown", a 12 movie complex, and saw the movie Prince of Persia - highly enjoyable and highly recommended - a wonderful fantasy of both adventure and romance.
I camped in the back of my wagon that night (Saturday) back south in the parking lot of the Channel Islands Harbor and was not disturbed.
In the morning, Sunday, May 30th 2010 I was up early and cleaned up and breakfasted and was at the Island Packers office at this Channel Islands Harbor location at 8:15 as required for our 9:00 am departure.
As soon as we got out of the harbor in our two-tiered, fast motor-ferry we hit dense fog and ran by radar and fog horn blasts for the one hour crossing to Santa Cruz island. In spite of the wet fog and the cold I stood at the very bow of the boat for the whole crossing, thoroughly enjoying the wave-motion and speed and hoping fruitlessly to see some sea-life.
As we reach the island, magically, the fog cleared and presented a beautiful sunny day. We disembarked at Scorpion Anchorage and had to climb up a ladder to the pier as the boat captain (and his dog) kept the engine running to hold us against the pier - and off we went for an exhausting day of long hiking trails - but with exquisite views!
I ate my packed lunch overlooking the magnificence of Potato Harbor and its barking-seal colony with amazing views of Santa Rosa Island and Anacapa Island. After a good rest and lots of photographs I headed back along the long trail via the island camp ground to the beach near the anchorage where we left the boat, "Islander".
After an hour in the sun the Islander arrived to take us aboard again - and down the ladder backwards we went and onto the deck and our homeward journey.
Again I stood at the bow for the entire trip, hoping to see and photograph dolphins and whales but we didn't have the luck the other boats had that day. What we did see, however, were New Zealand Mutton Birds. They were so stuffed with fish they couldn't get into the air and had to get out of our way flapping and running on the water with their wings hitting the water with loud slaps. They migrate for greater distances than any other bird on earth and have to eat for days to build up energy reserves for their long flights.
We did see more seals as we reentered harbor and made our birth at about 5:30 pm.
I drove back to Ventura and had dinner again at the same Natural Food Restaurant and then again went across the road for a movie - Robin Hood - again highly enjoyed and highly recommended. It was not the known story of Robin Hood but a pre-story of how he came to be Robin Hood.
Back I went to Channel Islands Harbor to camp the night - again undisturbed - and in the morning after cleaning up and having breakfast I decided I wasn't up to another island adventure after the exhausting hours of hiking the previous day - so I decided I'd drive further north to Santa Barbara. I got part way there and found a beautiful sparsely-populated beach, Loons Beach, and spent 3 hours loafing in the sun. I did then drive the rest of the way to beach-city, Santa Barbara, but was so tired I didn't even get out of the car - just turned round and got on the 101 Ventura Freeway back home, arriving late evening after having driven only 202 miles the entire 3-day weekend.
I unpacked my wagon, put stuff away, made dinner and went to bed.
It was a magnificent adventure. I'll visit the other 4 Channel Islands in the future. It's made me want another trip to Los Angeles' own Catalina Island again soon too!
Until next time.
Love to all,
Barry
Unfortunately I was disturbed at 3:00 am by security telling me I was in a no-camping area so I moved to the boat-ramp parking lot and wasn't disturbed for the rest of the night.
In the morning, Saturday May 29, 2010, the rest-room facilities were adequate to get shaved and washed up for the day and I then drove back north to the Ventura Harbor parking area and made breakfast before I went to Island Packers, the company that runs the boats to the Channel Islands.
Island Packers told me there were no available seats to the islands that day due to the long weekend and people booking ahead. But after a lot of maneuvering I managed to find a seat for the next day, Sunday and booked passage to Santa Cruz, the closest island.
Not prepared to wait around the whole day Saturday, I found that the tall ship, a schooner, "Bill of Rights", was going out for a four hour sail, leaving at 1:00 pm, and that there was a seat available. So I booked on that for a bit of additional adventure. Both my trips were going to leave from the Island Packers Office further south at Channel Islands Harbor - back at Oxnard - so I headed back there.
I was in luck with the weather! We left harbor at 1:00 pm and headed out into a beautiful sunny but very windy day. Perfect weather for a schooner under full sail. We cut the engines as soon as we got out of the harbor and the passengers got to help hoist the three huge sails as we got under full sail. It was glorious! The crew couldn't stop raving about what a perfect day it was for sailing - one like they had not experienced for many months.
I took dozens of photographs and spent most of the time on the very bow (front) of the ship as she careened through the beautiful blue waters giving us spectacular views of the Channel Islands.
We returned and birthed again about four and a half hours later. What a wonderful exhilarating day!
I got into my wagon and headed back north to Ventura and found the city center and the wonderful Natural Food Restaurant and had a great meal - a change from all my own food that I'd been eating until this point.
Then I went directly across the street to "The Downtown", a 12 movie complex, and saw the movie Prince of Persia - highly enjoyable and highly recommended - a wonderful fantasy of both adventure and romance.
I camped in the back of my wagon that night (Saturday) back south in the parking lot of the Channel Islands Harbor and was not disturbed.
In the morning, Sunday, May 30th 2010 I was up early and cleaned up and breakfasted and was at the Island Packers office at this Channel Islands Harbor location at 8:15 as required for our 9:00 am departure.
As soon as we got out of the harbor in our two-tiered, fast motor-ferry we hit dense fog and ran by radar and fog horn blasts for the one hour crossing to Santa Cruz island. In spite of the wet fog and the cold I stood at the very bow of the boat for the whole crossing, thoroughly enjoying the wave-motion and speed and hoping fruitlessly to see some sea-life.
As we reach the island, magically, the fog cleared and presented a beautiful sunny day. We disembarked at Scorpion Anchorage and had to climb up a ladder to the pier as the boat captain (and his dog) kept the engine running to hold us against the pier - and off we went for an exhausting day of long hiking trails - but with exquisite views!
I ate my packed lunch overlooking the magnificence of Potato Harbor and its barking-seal colony with amazing views of Santa Rosa Island and Anacapa Island. After a good rest and lots of photographs I headed back along the long trail via the island camp ground to the beach near the anchorage where we left the boat, "Islander".
After an hour in the sun the Islander arrived to take us aboard again - and down the ladder backwards we went and onto the deck and our homeward journey.
Again I stood at the bow for the entire trip, hoping to see and photograph dolphins and whales but we didn't have the luck the other boats had that day. What we did see, however, were New Zealand Mutton Birds. They were so stuffed with fish they couldn't get into the air and had to get out of our way flapping and running on the water with their wings hitting the water with loud slaps. They migrate for greater distances than any other bird on earth and have to eat for days to build up energy reserves for their long flights.
We did see more seals as we reentered harbor and made our birth at about 5:30 pm.
I drove back to Ventura and had dinner again at the same Natural Food Restaurant and then again went across the road for a movie - Robin Hood - again highly enjoyed and highly recommended. It was not the known story of Robin Hood but a pre-story of how he came to be Robin Hood.
Back I went to Channel Islands Harbor to camp the night - again undisturbed - and in the morning after cleaning up and having breakfast I decided I wasn't up to another island adventure after the exhausting hours of hiking the previous day - so I decided I'd drive further north to Santa Barbara. I got part way there and found a beautiful sparsely-populated beach, Loons Beach, and spent 3 hours loafing in the sun. I did then drive the rest of the way to beach-city, Santa Barbara, but was so tired I didn't even get out of the car - just turned round and got on the 101 Ventura Freeway back home, arriving late evening after having driven only 202 miles the entire 3-day weekend.
I unpacked my wagon, put stuff away, made dinner and went to bed.
It was a magnificent adventure. I'll visit the other 4 Channel Islands in the future. It's made me want another trip to Los Angeles' own Catalina Island again soon too!
Until next time.
Love to all,
Barry
Sunday, May 23, 2010
May through Sunday 23, 2010
Things are going along OK.
At the College I'm working on finding new apprenticeship and internship sites for the students so they are not slowed in their progress by lack of sites. I have to get up early to take one of the apprentices to a new site.
After "bird sitting" my friend Joe's four parakeets for a week I took them around to his new house in Tarzana and we went out to a great lobster meal at a Chinese restaurant and then went to the movies and saw "Iron Man 2"! It was great!
I've been having dinner Friday nights with my friend Jackie from Florida. She is whipping the company that hired her into shape as their Executive Director.
I'm still hearing regularly from my friend Elena in Russia. She may come to the USA for a vacation in a couple of months.
I went to brunch with my friend Suesan W. last Sunday as our last brunch before she moved to Las Vegas to be closer to her two daughters, one of which is due to have her second child in about 6 weeks.
I had a great niece in Australia hve her 2nd birthday and her brother have his 6th birthday.
Last night, Saturday May 22, 2010, I had dinner at the Grandville restaurant in Glendale with my friend Sue Z. We had a great time.
Both Saturday and Sunday last week and again this week, I went for bike rides and got a couple of hours in the sun. I also worked on my poetry book.
I'm looking forward to the final of "Dancing with the Stars" tomorrow night.
That's about all for this time.
Love,
Barry
At the College I'm working on finding new apprenticeship and internship sites for the students so they are not slowed in their progress by lack of sites. I have to get up early to take one of the apprentices to a new site.
After "bird sitting" my friend Joe's four parakeets for a week I took them around to his new house in Tarzana and we went out to a great lobster meal at a Chinese restaurant and then went to the movies and saw "Iron Man 2"! It was great!
I've been having dinner Friday nights with my friend Jackie from Florida. She is whipping the company that hired her into shape as their Executive Director.
I'm still hearing regularly from my friend Elena in Russia. She may come to the USA for a vacation in a couple of months.
I went to brunch with my friend Suesan W. last Sunday as our last brunch before she moved to Las Vegas to be closer to her two daughters, one of which is due to have her second child in about 6 weeks.
I had a great niece in Australia hve her 2nd birthday and her brother have his 6th birthday.
Last night, Saturday May 22, 2010, I had dinner at the Grandville restaurant in Glendale with my friend Sue Z. We had a great time.
Both Saturday and Sunday last week and again this week, I went for bike rides and got a couple of hours in the sun. I also worked on my poetry book.
I'm looking forward to the final of "Dancing with the Stars" tomorrow night.
That's about all for this time.
Love,
Barry
Sunday, May 2, 2010
April 2010 is gone - it's May 2!
Well it's been an interesting few weeks!
Things are getting too tough for me on this new post at the college. I can't keep up with all that is required of me at my age. It's really a bit like a really busy Counselors' Intern Supervisor (with lots of interns) having to also do the Case Supervising of all the counseling sessions his student-interns do on people (I have to check and correct the long, detailed Administrative technical application write-ups) plus I have to handle the interns on their drilling and applications including the ones in remote areas by phone. I'm just not keeping up and I'm wishing I was back being a student training course supervisor again. I guess at almost 70 I can't expect to do what I did at 40 - yet I can't agree with that either and just feel I should be able to. I just found out that two earlier people, much younger than me, failed to manage this position - very comforting I must say!!!
Last Saturday, April 24, 2010 I went round to Suesan W's place for a nice dinner and a great chat. She's moving back to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks to be with her daughters and their family's - a new grand-daughter is due in July. I will miss the visits with her.
I've been helping my friend, Joe L. move for a while now. He's finally full moved from his apartment right near the end of my street, to a house he's bought in Tarzana, a city about 40 minutes north of LA. He's renting out three rooms so it pays off his mortgage and he lives rent free! I'm going to miss him dropping around regularly. I'm currently bird sitting his 4 parakeets/budgies until I go to his place for brunch and take them back to Joe next Sunday. They are such cute little things - so chirpy! I think that they have the idea they are supposed to drown out the TV for noise.
Joe also gave me some things he isn't taking to his new place - not enough space in his room with the three other rooms rented out. There is a nicer weight-lifting bench than the one I have, a stationary exercise bike which will be great during the winter weekends and any week nights, and a lot of excellent timber from bunk-beds he had and which I'm going to use to rearrange my bedroom.
Things are getting too tough for me on this new post at the college. I can't keep up with all that is required of me at my age. It's really a bit like a really busy Counselors' Intern Supervisor (with lots of interns) having to also do the Case Supervising of all the counseling sessions his student-interns do on people (I have to check and correct the long, detailed Administrative technical application write-ups) plus I have to handle the interns on their drilling and applications including the ones in remote areas by phone. I'm just not keeping up and I'm wishing I was back being a student training course supervisor again. I guess at almost 70 I can't expect to do what I did at 40 - yet I can't agree with that either and just feel I should be able to. I just found out that two earlier people, much younger than me, failed to manage this position - very comforting I must say!!!
Last Saturday, April 24, 2010 I went round to Suesan W's place for a nice dinner and a great chat. She's moving back to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks to be with her daughters and their family's - a new grand-daughter is due in July. I will miss the visits with her.
I've been helping my friend, Joe L. move for a while now. He's finally full moved from his apartment right near the end of my street, to a house he's bought in Tarzana, a city about 40 minutes north of LA. He's renting out three rooms so it pays off his mortgage and he lives rent free! I'm going to miss him dropping around regularly. I'm currently bird sitting his 4 parakeets/budgies until I go to his place for brunch and take them back to Joe next Sunday. They are such cute little things - so chirpy! I think that they have the idea they are supposed to drown out the TV for noise.
Joe also gave me some things he isn't taking to his new place - not enough space in his room with the three other rooms rented out. There is a nicer weight-lifting bench than the one I have, a stationary exercise bike which will be great during the winter weekends and any week nights, and a lot of excellent timber from bunk-beds he had and which I'm going to use to rearrange my bedroom.
I have a friend, Jackie K., I used to work for - she was my Executive Director - visiting from Florida. She's staying with her daughter and doing a job here in LA for a couple of months and right after I get off at the College on Friday nights, we meet at a restaurant for dinner for about an hour or so before she heads back to her daughters place. That's making a nice change for me. (I stay with her and her husband when I'm in Florida.)
So Friday, last day of April, was another great meeting and dinner with Jackie.
Next day I had a good bike ride up the LA river (yesterday, Saturday May 1, 2010) and a soak in the sun.
Later in the evening I went to dinner with Sue Z. at The Granville in Glendale and had a delicious chicken salad with blackberries, strawberries and other good things mixed in it. Sue had a similarly delicious turkey salad - and of course we had our regular fun conversation. Then we strolled around the wonderful "Americana on Brand" huge outdoor mall, watched the magical, lighted, musical fountains displaying and bought some books at Barns and Noble bookstore.
Today, Sunday May 2, 2010 I drove to a remote cove and was the only person there for the first hour. It was so nice being at the seaside again. I got some great wild- flower photos and some cute close-ups of a little gecko lizard who was keeping me company in the sun.
That's it until next time.
Lots of love to all,
Barry
So Friday, last day of April, was another great meeting and dinner with Jackie.
Next day I had a good bike ride up the LA river (yesterday, Saturday May 1, 2010) and a soak in the sun.
Later in the evening I went to dinner with Sue Z. at The Granville in Glendale and had a delicious chicken salad with blackberries, strawberries and other good things mixed in it. Sue had a similarly delicious turkey salad - and of course we had our regular fun conversation. Then we strolled around the wonderful "Americana on Brand" huge outdoor mall, watched the magical, lighted, musical fountains displaying and bought some books at Barns and Noble bookstore.
Today, Sunday May 2, 2010 I drove to a remote cove and was the only person there for the first hour. It was so nice being at the seaside again. I got some great wild- flower photos and some cute close-ups of a little gecko lizard who was keeping me company in the sun.
That's it until next time.
Lots of love to all,
Barry
Monday, April 12, 2010
March 29 to April 11, 2010
Hello my friends and family members,
The last days of March went well and April started with and early party on Saturday 3rd at the Golden Age Theater where L. Ron Hubbard's story "Murder Afloat" was presented after a great performance by songstress Jeannie Deva. The party was for Sioux Hart's birthday. She took along her beautiful Raw Food Recipes book and it was a total hit. She picked up an agent and the promise to get her on Oprah Winfrey with her book. At the party after the presentation I met all the cast - RF Daley, the Director and commentator is already a friend as is the female lead, Raven Kane. I met Travis Oates the commedian part, tall Richard Reich and little Robert Towers. There were lots of great eats and other friends to touch bases with.
Sunday I helped my friend Joe L. move some of his furniture to his new condominium. His Mom and Dad helped load my wagon. It was nice to meet them for the first time. His Mom gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. They don't speak much English.
On Wednesday 7th April we had a wonderful event at Hubbard College, hosting some top city officials, police chiefs and others in order to recognize them for help they had given to the college. The food was delightful and their appreciation was unbounded.
Saturday 10th April I worked on my taxes all day and Sunday I went for brunch with Suesan W at the Granville restaurant in Burbank. Great communication and good healthy food. On the way home I got all my shopping done including getting a shower filter replacement from Home Depot. The rest of Sunday 11th I completed my Federal and State taxes. I owe a little to one but get it back from the other. The evening was wet with a late spring storm.
I'll talk to you all again soon.
Love,
Barry
The last days of March went well and April started with and early party on Saturday 3rd at the Golden Age Theater where L. Ron Hubbard's story "Murder Afloat" was presented after a great performance by songstress Jeannie Deva. The party was for Sioux Hart's birthday. She took along her beautiful Raw Food Recipes book and it was a total hit. She picked up an agent and the promise to get her on Oprah Winfrey with her book. At the party after the presentation I met all the cast - RF Daley, the Director and commentator is already a friend as is the female lead, Raven Kane. I met Travis Oates the commedian part, tall Richard Reich and little Robert Towers. There were lots of great eats and other friends to touch bases with.
Sunday I helped my friend Joe L. move some of his furniture to his new condominium. His Mom and Dad helped load my wagon. It was nice to meet them for the first time. His Mom gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. They don't speak much English.
On Wednesday 7th April we had a wonderful event at Hubbard College, hosting some top city officials, police chiefs and others in order to recognize them for help they had given to the college. The food was delightful and their appreciation was unbounded.
Saturday 10th April I worked on my taxes all day and Sunday I went for brunch with Suesan W at the Granville restaurant in Burbank. Great communication and good healthy food. On the way home I got all my shopping done including getting a shower filter replacement from Home Depot. The rest of Sunday 11th I completed my Federal and State taxes. I owe a little to one but get it back from the other. The evening was wet with a late spring storm.
I'll talk to you all again soon.
Love,
Barry
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Catch Up To Sunday March 28, 2010
It's been a great couple of weeks.
Last Saturday was the amazing anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard's birthday at the Shrine Auditorium. Included were videos of the opening of Ideal Organizations in Rome, Washington, Quebec and other major centers of the world. The comments of national and local leaders attending the openings were very telling - the common theme being, "You help every one, no matter their race, nationality or station in life" and "You don't only fight for your own religion but for all religions."
The following day I went for a bike ride and got my couple of hours in the sun - during which time I wrote more poems for my future book on poems about reincarnation.
It was a great week at the college - I got my highest apprenticeship and internship completions in a week at 8 and highest ever apprenticeship "task" completions at 25. Beside my own post, the whole college did great and we were given a wonderful luch at our weekly staff meeting.
Friday night I had a visit from neighbor, Sue Hart, to show me the magnificent book she has just published on raw food recipes. It's about 12" by 18" with all glossy colored photos she took herself of the amazing dished she created. It is done just in time as a gift for her daughter at her bridal shower.
I had some fun emails from my Japanese friend, Taka, in New Zealand this week and news from my niece, Christine there about the amazing accomplishments of her teenage son, Ben. I had news from my brother, Warren there also and got the usual cheery emails from my Kiwi friend Lynnaire. I received other communications from friends around the USA making weekly contact.
This Saturday I did my bike ride and sunning during which time I wrote poems. Then in the evening I went to Mimi's Restaurant for a very enjoyable dinner and chat with my good friend Sue Z. We always have a great time together.
Sunday I did a second bike ride for this weekend and had more sunning while writing more poetry. I have a great suntan already and Spring has just begun. It's almost time to start my long weekend outings again.
I just shot off an email to my friend, Elena, in Moscow to ensure that she is OK - having just seen a TV report that there were terrorist explosions in the subway there. I know she uses the subway so am hoping she and her friends and family are all fine.
That's it until next update.
Have a good week all!
Love,
Barry
Last Saturday was the amazing anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard's birthday at the Shrine Auditorium. Included were videos of the opening of Ideal Organizations in Rome, Washington, Quebec and other major centers of the world. The comments of national and local leaders attending the openings were very telling - the common theme being, "You help every one, no matter their race, nationality or station in life" and "You don't only fight for your own religion but for all religions."
The following day I went for a bike ride and got my couple of hours in the sun - during which time I wrote more poems for my future book on poems about reincarnation.
It was a great week at the college - I got my highest apprenticeship and internship completions in a week at 8 and highest ever apprenticeship "task" completions at 25. Beside my own post, the whole college did great and we were given a wonderful luch at our weekly staff meeting.
Friday night I had a visit from neighbor, Sue Hart, to show me the magnificent book she has just published on raw food recipes. It's about 12" by 18" with all glossy colored photos she took herself of the amazing dished she created. It is done just in time as a gift for her daughter at her bridal shower.
I had some fun emails from my Japanese friend, Taka, in New Zealand this week and news from my niece, Christine there about the amazing accomplishments of her teenage son, Ben. I had news from my brother, Warren there also and got the usual cheery emails from my Kiwi friend Lynnaire. I received other communications from friends around the USA making weekly contact.
This Saturday I did my bike ride and sunning during which time I wrote poems. Then in the evening I went to Mimi's Restaurant for a very enjoyable dinner and chat with my good friend Sue Z. We always have a great time together.
Sunday I did a second bike ride for this weekend and had more sunning while writing more poetry. I have a great suntan already and Spring has just begun. It's almost time to start my long weekend outings again.
I just shot off an email to my friend, Elena, in Moscow to ensure that she is OK - having just seen a TV report that there were terrorist explosions in the subway there. I know she uses the subway so am hoping she and her friends and family are all fine.
That's it until next update.
Have a good week all!
Love,
Barry
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Another two weeks has gone by to March 16, 2010
Hi friends and family members,
Life is going along and it appears that our heavy Los Angeles rainy period may be mostly over as we are getting lovely warm sunny days and its still almost a week before Spring officially starts.
We made the change to daylight savings time here this last weekend - early Sunday morning.
Things are going along well with my Apprentice and Intern Supervisor post at Hubbard College. I just completed a week of affluence statistics and it looks like it will be good this week too.
I have had a slight change of schedule at the College - I now have the full weekend off but now work Wednesday night and Thursday morning in addition to my 1 to 6 pm schedule each weekday.
So this last Saturday I was able to have brunch with my friend, Suesan W., and we had a great chat about all manner of things we share interest in.
Sunday I went for an hour bike ride and then had a couple of hours baking in the warn sun. In the evening I had a pleasant visit from my friend Joe L. I don't see him so much while his parents are visiting him from New York. They are due to go back in April.
I am currently in the middle of doing my yearly taxes - (I have an Avatar marching on Washington in the internet FairTax tax revolt - along with about 200,000 others [so far]. It will culminate in an actual march on Washington on tax day, April 14.)
This morning I was woken from sleep by an earthquake - only 4.4 on the scale but it was enough to wake me up and shake me around a bit. No damage done anywhere.
Tonight I filled out the Census forms and will mail them back in the morning.
Saturday night is the huge L. Ron Hubbard birthday anniversary at the Shrine Auditorium. I will go with my friend Sue Z.
That about catches up with recent events - more later.
Love,
Barry
Life is going along and it appears that our heavy Los Angeles rainy period may be mostly over as we are getting lovely warm sunny days and its still almost a week before Spring officially starts.
We made the change to daylight savings time here this last weekend - early Sunday morning.
Things are going along well with my Apprentice and Intern Supervisor post at Hubbard College. I just completed a week of affluence statistics and it looks like it will be good this week too.
I have had a slight change of schedule at the College - I now have the full weekend off but now work Wednesday night and Thursday morning in addition to my 1 to 6 pm schedule each weekday.
So this last Saturday I was able to have brunch with my friend, Suesan W., and we had a great chat about all manner of things we share interest in.
Sunday I went for an hour bike ride and then had a couple of hours baking in the warn sun. In the evening I had a pleasant visit from my friend Joe L. I don't see him so much while his parents are visiting him from New York. They are due to go back in April.
I am currently in the middle of doing my yearly taxes - (I have an Avatar marching on Washington in the internet FairTax tax revolt - along with about 200,000 others [so far]. It will culminate in an actual march on Washington on tax day, April 14.)
This morning I was woken from sleep by an earthquake - only 4.4 on the scale but it was enough to wake me up and shake me around a bit. No damage done anywhere.
Tonight I filled out the Census forms and will mail them back in the morning.
Saturday night is the huge L. Ron Hubbard birthday anniversary at the Shrine Auditorium. I will go with my friend Sue Z.
That about catches up with recent events - more later.
Love,
Barry
Sunday, February 28, 2010
A month has gone!!! (Sunday 28 February 2010)
Hi everyone,
It's unbelievable that a month has gone by since my last blog entry.
I did manage to get in one nice long bike ride and a couple of precious hours in the hot winter sun before more weeks of rain, rain, rain started.
Things have been very busy while I'm getting control of the new post at the college and doing lots of homework for it in the evenings at home. I've also been working additional hours, as Cathy, one of the other supervisors, is home in Taiwan for vacation. Vacation! - what a nice thought - no chance of that for me in this economy.
A couple of weeks ago I had an enjoyable dinner with my friend Suesan W. and then when she went to Las Vegas to visit family I stopped by her place a couple of days to be company for Bear, her beautiful black cat - even arranging for Bear to send her an email and picture of himself!
Last Saturday I went with my 3 course supervisor friends, Marie H, Christine M. and Joe L., to the Author Services Showcase Theater and watched the audio enactment of L. Ron Hubbard's exciting story, On the Trail of the Red Diamonds! I met up with some other old friends. The four of us then had good eats and a lot of fun afterward too.
I've done my usual shopping trips to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Nature Mart and Vons and
I've done some student tutoring and a stress interview for a friend recently.
Saturday after noon (yesterday) after work I was so tired I didn't do any of the chores I had though I might do, but just had a very mellow time watching a DVD of 3 episodes of the old TV show, The Dukes of Hazard (Duke family from the town of Hazard.) It was useless, senseless and highly enjoyable fun - I don't get much time for that sort of thing.
Today we had a meeting with some of the members of New Era Seniors International to determine or future involvement - there are going to be some changes.
That's about what I can remember of the past month aside from the continuing good communication from all my friends.
I'll write again soon.
Love to all,
Barry
It's unbelievable that a month has gone by since my last blog entry.
I did manage to get in one nice long bike ride and a couple of precious hours in the hot winter sun before more weeks of rain, rain, rain started.
Things have been very busy while I'm getting control of the new post at the college and doing lots of homework for it in the evenings at home. I've also been working additional hours, as Cathy, one of the other supervisors, is home in Taiwan for vacation. Vacation! - what a nice thought - no chance of that for me in this economy.
A couple of weeks ago I had an enjoyable dinner with my friend Suesan W. and then when she went to Las Vegas to visit family I stopped by her place a couple of days to be company for Bear, her beautiful black cat - even arranging for Bear to send her an email and picture of himself!
Last Saturday I went with my 3 course supervisor friends, Marie H, Christine M. and Joe L., to the Author Services Showcase Theater and watched the audio enactment of L. Ron Hubbard's exciting story, On the Trail of the Red Diamonds! I met up with some other old friends. The four of us then had good eats and a lot of fun afterward too.
I've done my usual shopping trips to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Nature Mart and Vons and
I've done some student tutoring and a stress interview for a friend recently.
Saturday after noon (yesterday) after work I was so tired I didn't do any of the chores I had though I might do, but just had a very mellow time watching a DVD of 3 episodes of the old TV show, The Dukes of Hazard (Duke family from the town of Hazard.) It was useless, senseless and highly enjoyable fun - I don't get much time for that sort of thing.
Today we had a meeting with some of the members of New Era Seniors International to determine or future involvement - there are going to be some changes.
That's about what I can remember of the past month aside from the continuing good communication from all my friends.
I'll write again soon.
Love to all,
Barry
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Big Change In My Life
Hi again all,
I'm late getting this post up, being that it is already Tuesday night. Kept going to start it and going to start it but things kept coming up that tore my attention off in other directions.
The big change in my life is that I have been made the Apprenticeship and Internship Supervisor at Hubbard College. This post has never been held single hatted before so I've had to create it from scratch. I have my own room for the administrative apprentices and interns and it's rather odd as it's not a course room with all the strict course study requirements. The apprentices can make phone calls to the businesses where they are apprenticing and they use their computers in the room, etc, etc.
With "new post non-existence formula" (expanded version) I have been very busy learning the apprentiship and internship requirements and learning to guide and correct the guys and gals on their applications and sumissions. Additionally I have interns out around the country and overseas as far away as Taiwan to contact and guide and take care of. It's meant some long hours getting things in control and dodging the confusion that blows off as I put in procedures and schedules and rules and other stable data.
It's an exciting fun game and so far I've had accolades for the progress made. It's actually a pilot to see how successful it is so we'll see what happens in the longer run.
Friday night I went out to dinner with Sue Z. and we had a good time.
I've had lots of good communication from my special friend, Lynnaire in New Zealand this week and more from Elena in Russia.
I continue my daily political activism emails on a daily basis - was so thrilled whan the balance of power moved from the current Presidents party so that things are a bit more balanced and the slide into unwanted socialism is somewhat slowed. Still lots more to do by me and the tens of thousands of others who work a little each day to change the direction of this great country.
That's about it for now.
Love to all Barry.
I'm late getting this post up, being that it is already Tuesday night. Kept going to start it and going to start it but things kept coming up that tore my attention off in other directions.
The big change in my life is that I have been made the Apprenticeship and Internship Supervisor at Hubbard College. This post has never been held single hatted before so I've had to create it from scratch. I have my own room for the administrative apprentices and interns and it's rather odd as it's not a course room with all the strict course study requirements. The apprentices can make phone calls to the businesses where they are apprenticing and they use their computers in the room, etc, etc.
With "new post non-existence formula" (expanded version) I have been very busy learning the apprentiship and internship requirements and learning to guide and correct the guys and gals on their applications and sumissions. Additionally I have interns out around the country and overseas as far away as Taiwan to contact and guide and take care of. It's meant some long hours getting things in control and dodging the confusion that blows off as I put in procedures and schedules and rules and other stable data.
It's an exciting fun game and so far I've had accolades for the progress made. It's actually a pilot to see how successful it is so we'll see what happens in the longer run.
Friday night I went out to dinner with Sue Z. and we had a good time.
I've had lots of good communication from my special friend, Lynnaire in New Zealand this week and more from Elena in Russia.
I continue my daily political activism emails on a daily basis - was so thrilled whan the balance of power moved from the current Presidents party so that things are a bit more balanced and the slide into unwanted socialism is somewhat slowed. Still lots more to do by me and the tens of thousands of others who work a little each day to change the direction of this great country.
That's about it for now.
Love to all Barry.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
January 2010 Is Half Gone!
Hi my dear friends and family members!
A few things have been happening in my life recently.
With Hubbard College underway for the year, new students are arriving and many people are touring the college as a result of the amazing blogs by our students on the website (address www.HubbardCollege.org ).
On the 7th of January I had dinner with my good friend Sue Z. who had just returned from 2 months on the East Coast at her older daughter, Kristin. We had a great time catching up with each other and parted in joyous mood.
On January 10th my yonger brother, Warren, in New Zealand had his birthday, and this was the same day that I went to brunch with another good friend, Suesan W. We had a pleasant time and good meal. (I dropped off at Suesan's, place a lot of stuff I was donating to the school where her son and daughter-in-law teach.)
On the 13th I was called into the executive office at Hubbard College and offered the position of Apprenticeship Supervisor, a rather specialized position that I would have to figure out and create as I went along. I accepted and have had 3 days on the position so far. The amount of confusion and backed-up work in this area was pretty startling so I just began putting in "stable data" per the Hubbard technology on handling confusions. As the doctrine of "confusion and the stable data" says will happen, as I put in different stable data, more and more confusion would blow off until gradually things are starting to smooth out and come under control. I now have the start of a functioning "machine" for the apprentices who are applying the Hubbard administrative skills in local companies. It think it will get them smoothly through their required apprenticeships very satisfactorily. The next couple of month will prove to be interesting to say the least.
Yesterday, the 16th January my older brother, Des, in Australia had his youngest daughter, Fleur, add another year to her life. Fleur and Mattyn have a young son, Finn and a baby daughter, Hope.
It was also yesterday - last night - that I went out to dinner with my three long time friends, who worked with me for so many years as student course-supervisors - Marie H, Christine M, and Joe L. An outing with these folk is always hilariously funny and we really enjoyed ourselves at Mimi's Cafe'. The big news was Joe's current budding romance. (He's playing it cool and taking it slowely.)
Today, Sunday January 17th 2010 is my only full day off in the week so I'm having a lazy time of it. It's a bit too cold and windy for a one and a half hour bike ride like I did last Sunday, so I'm going to go a pick up the big framed award that we have been presented for our volunteer work with New Era Seniors Inc., of which I'm president (and for which I've been presented with Presidential Awards by the two most resent Presidents of the USA).
And my friend, Christine M, who was one of my dinner friends last night, has a birthday today so I'm going to drop round to her place with something I found she really wants.
Tomorrow is the birthday of the daughter, Christine G., of my sister and oldest sibling, Maureen, in New Zealand - and as New Zealand is a day ahead of us, she is already having her birthday now. Suitable greetings have been sent. (It is also the first wedding anniversary of the youngest son of my youngest sibling, Warren. That's Neil and his wife Isla.)
I'm still getting regular emails from my graduate student and friend, Elena, in Russia, and that is a very happy thing.
If anything else interesting happen before the end of the weekend I'll add to this blog.
Until next time...
Lots of love,
Barry
A few things have been happening in my life recently.
With Hubbard College underway for the year, new students are arriving and many people are touring the college as a result of the amazing blogs by our students on the website (address www.HubbardCollege.org ).
On the 7th of January I had dinner with my good friend Sue Z. who had just returned from 2 months on the East Coast at her older daughter, Kristin. We had a great time catching up with each other and parted in joyous mood.
On January 10th my yonger brother, Warren, in New Zealand had his birthday, and this was the same day that I went to brunch with another good friend, Suesan W. We had a pleasant time and good meal. (I dropped off at Suesan's, place a lot of stuff I was donating to the school where her son and daughter-in-law teach.)
On the 13th I was called into the executive office at Hubbard College and offered the position of Apprenticeship Supervisor, a rather specialized position that I would have to figure out and create as I went along. I accepted and have had 3 days on the position so far. The amount of confusion and backed-up work in this area was pretty startling so I just began putting in "stable data" per the Hubbard technology on handling confusions. As the doctrine of "confusion and the stable data" says will happen, as I put in different stable data, more and more confusion would blow off until gradually things are starting to smooth out and come under control. I now have the start of a functioning "machine" for the apprentices who are applying the Hubbard administrative skills in local companies. It think it will get them smoothly through their required apprenticeships very satisfactorily. The next couple of month will prove to be interesting to say the least.
Yesterday, the 16th January my older brother, Des, in Australia had his youngest daughter, Fleur, add another year to her life. Fleur and Mattyn have a young son, Finn and a baby daughter, Hope.
It was also yesterday - last night - that I went out to dinner with my three long time friends, who worked with me for so many years as student course-supervisors - Marie H, Christine M, and Joe L. An outing with these folk is always hilariously funny and we really enjoyed ourselves at Mimi's Cafe'. The big news was Joe's current budding romance. (He's playing it cool and taking it slowely.)
Today, Sunday January 17th 2010 is my only full day off in the week so I'm having a lazy time of it. It's a bit too cold and windy for a one and a half hour bike ride like I did last Sunday, so I'm going to go a pick up the big framed award that we have been presented for our volunteer work with New Era Seniors Inc., of which I'm president (and for which I've been presented with Presidential Awards by the two most resent Presidents of the USA).
And my friend, Christine M, who was one of my dinner friends last night, has a birthday today so I'm going to drop round to her place with something I found she really wants.
Tomorrow is the birthday of the daughter, Christine G., of my sister and oldest sibling, Maureen, in New Zealand - and as New Zealand is a day ahead of us, she is already having her birthday now. Suitable greetings have been sent. (It is also the first wedding anniversary of the youngest son of my youngest sibling, Warren. That's Neil and his wife Isla.)
I'm still getting regular emails from my graduate student and friend, Elena, in Russia, and that is a very happy thing.
If anything else interesting happen before the end of the weekend I'll add to this blog.
Until next time...
Lots of love,
Barry
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Christmas 2009 - New Year 2010
Hello family members and friends,
It's been a very busy time for me! Lots of cards and greetings from various states and cities around the USA and from New Zealand, Australia, Russia, etc. Thank you all.
I had my Christmas dinner with my friend Joe on Christmas Eve and then spent a very lazy Christmas day sleeping, eating goodies and watching TV.
The following day I went to "The Americana at Brand" open-air mall to enjoy the festivities, watch the musical-fountains and take in the movie "Avatar". Avatar was breathtakingly beautiful and very exciting - one of the best movies ever in my view. Very highly recommended.
Sunday night the 27th, was the the premier of the 2010 New Years Eve Event for the millions of people in the international Scientology communities. It was being filmed for replay in countries around the world on New Years Eve. It was spectacular and the venue for the release of all the remaining L. Ron Hubbard lectures - hundreds of them - recovered, restored to delete all sound imperfections from the anciet recordings and digitalized. Plus translated into 15 languages. An absolutely amazing feat that has taken 10 years to prepare yet they can now be turned out at the rate of a million per week. Now all original L. Ron Hubbard research findings are available to all people of Earth.
Although Hubbard College International was closed between Christmas and New Year for students, we faculty and staff members worked - or rather studied. I had the responsibility of supervising all the others through the new state laws that apply as we prepare for full accreditation. On my feet from 9 am to 9 pm for those days on end was very tiring but I accomplished it.
New Years Eve I watched on TV as the new decade arrived all around the world and on New Years Day I watched the wonderful, world-famous Rose Parade.
The following day I went to see the musical movie "Nine" expecting to enjoy it as much as I did the earlier one "Mama Mia". Alas, I was very dissapointed! "Nine" was as as downtone and down-pulling as "Mama Mia" was uptone and uplifting. "Nine was also cut in that broken style of past and present and past again and then present and past again - that made it frustrating. Not recommended viewing!
Saturday I spent, getting a new tire for my car, doing my organic food shopping from various places and doing a big laundry. I also took a nice long newsy phone call from my sister in New Zealand. All the family members there are doing well.
Sunday, today, I drove up to Griffith Park, found a parking place and hiked up to the Griffith Observatory - saw the telescope, planetarium, planetary exhibits and took photos of the snow on the distant mountains and of the skyscrapers of Los Angeles city on the planes below the observatory. I hiked back down to the car and drove through lovely Griffith Park on this beautiful warm, sunny winter day.
Tonight I have done some study and watched a bit of TV and am now ready for a good nights sleep before heading back to the college tomorrow for the first day of the new year. It will be great to see all my wonderful students again.
Happy New Year to all!
Love,
Barry
It's been a very busy time for me! Lots of cards and greetings from various states and cities around the USA and from New Zealand, Australia, Russia, etc. Thank you all.
I had my Christmas dinner with my friend Joe on Christmas Eve and then spent a very lazy Christmas day sleeping, eating goodies and watching TV.
The following day I went to "The Americana at Brand" open-air mall to enjoy the festivities, watch the musical-fountains and take in the movie "Avatar". Avatar was breathtakingly beautiful and very exciting - one of the best movies ever in my view. Very highly recommended.
Sunday night the 27th, was the the premier of the 2010 New Years Eve Event for the millions of people in the international Scientology communities. It was being filmed for replay in countries around the world on New Years Eve. It was spectacular and the venue for the release of all the remaining L. Ron Hubbard lectures - hundreds of them - recovered, restored to delete all sound imperfections from the anciet recordings and digitalized. Plus translated into 15 languages. An absolutely amazing feat that has taken 10 years to prepare yet they can now be turned out at the rate of a million per week. Now all original L. Ron Hubbard research findings are available to all people of Earth.
Although Hubbard College International was closed between Christmas and New Year for students, we faculty and staff members worked - or rather studied. I had the responsibility of supervising all the others through the new state laws that apply as we prepare for full accreditation. On my feet from 9 am to 9 pm for those days on end was very tiring but I accomplished it.
New Years Eve I watched on TV as the new decade arrived all around the world and on New Years Day I watched the wonderful, world-famous Rose Parade.
The following day I went to see the musical movie "Nine" expecting to enjoy it as much as I did the earlier one "Mama Mia". Alas, I was very dissapointed! "Nine" was as as downtone and down-pulling as "Mama Mia" was uptone and uplifting. "Nine was also cut in that broken style of past and present and past again and then present and past again - that made it frustrating. Not recommended viewing!
Saturday I spent, getting a new tire for my car, doing my organic food shopping from various places and doing a big laundry. I also took a nice long newsy phone call from my sister in New Zealand. All the family members there are doing well.
Sunday, today, I drove up to Griffith Park, found a parking place and hiked up to the Griffith Observatory - saw the telescope, planetarium, planetary exhibits and took photos of the snow on the distant mountains and of the skyscrapers of Los Angeles city on the planes below the observatory. I hiked back down to the car and drove through lovely Griffith Park on this beautiful warm, sunny winter day.
Tonight I have done some study and watched a bit of TV and am now ready for a good nights sleep before heading back to the college tomorrow for the first day of the new year. It will be great to see all my wonderful students again.
Happy New Year to all!
Love,
Barry
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