Ten on the Tenth: Memories of the Oakland Raiders

Photo Credit: http://www.raider-dna.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/blanda-lamonica.jpg
This post may not make sense to many people outside the U.S. (and perhaps not even to many people outside my age and geographic demographic), but the recent passing of Al Davis, renegade owner of the Oakland Raiders American football team got me thinking.   I wasn't a big fan of Mr. Davis, but I still had a strong reaction to news of his death.  After wondering why, I realized something about myself that I didn't know before.  I am a big sports fan, and the first team I ever followed was the Oakland Raiders. I hadn't realized before that the Raiders really mark the beginning of my life-long passion for sports. So, in conjunction with Shimelle's Ten on the Tenth posts, here are ten memories of the Oakland Raiders.
1. As a little girl, watching football with my father. It seemed important to him that I pick a favorite team, so I picked the Raiders. And I fell in love with the cast of characters, most of whom played in the late 60's and early 70's.
2. George Blanda, the Quarterback.  Old, grey, distinguished. I think he reminded me of my dad.
3. George Blanda, the kicker. Yes, the same man. He'd throw for a touchdown and then kick the extra point. Or he'd kick a field goal. How cool is that? He continued as a kicker long after he stopped being a quarterback.  Not surprisingly, he was the highest scorer in the NFL for a long time.
4. Daryle Lamonica, the mad bomber, quarterback following George Blanda.  That's the two of them up top.

Photo credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvZmlp0f_4RfKyLTPRd2Bu3lzA7pYIwVt5SmBXePLhLb6a52LkFWoRpXTxUXEtfBkLy7TT-ZzF_xX5iBzpAfLRq8y5HHtKNcunVjorXtHPGW-uW05tYGqK5fM_kvegudkmA6DBQICPxZN/s1600/Football%2520NFL%2520-%2520Campioni%2520Fred%2520Biletnikoff.jpg
5. Fred Biletnikoff.  Most awesome wide receiver. Ever. 
6. Kenny "the Snake" Stabler.  Quarterback after Lamonica. You can't make this stuff up.

Photo credit: http://product.images.fansedge.com/76-02/76-02907-J.jpg
7. Ray Guy. Revolutionized the role of punter. He looks like he weighed 110 pounds soaking wet, but boy could he make that ball fly!
8. Art Shell. First African American head coach in the NFL's modern era.
9. Jim Plunkett. Mexican American quarterback. And he went to Stanford. Talk about walking right through stereotypes.

10. Silver. Black. That pirate logo.
Where do passions begin? Are they with a person before birth? Or are they born and nurtured by experience? I don't know, but for me, one started sitting on the sticky Naugahyde couch next to my dad, watching a flickering black and white TV set. Thanks for the memories, dad, and for starting my life-long love of sports.

Coming out of the Shadows

Hi Blog Friends,
I'm still here - just incredibly busy with real life!
I've been running a snackbar for a huge cross country (running) meet for the high school; taking team pictures for the middle school volleyball, cross country and flag football teams; attending meetings for school fundraisers; organizing an outing to a college soccer game for the high school team; arranging a dental appointment when my 16 year old told me he had a tooth about to fall out (turns out to be a baby tooth- at 16!); helping the 13 year old get ready for her big historical figure presentation (she dressed as Francis Scott Key); teaching full time; and watching my husband prepare to "retire" tomorrow (he's opening a consulting business).
Not much time for art (or blog visiting), but I did manage a shadow self-portrait. Can you tell what I'm doing?
Hope to come out of the shadows and into the light soon!

A Halloween Story - Storytelling Sunday

It's October, and in America that means it's time for Halloween. I searched my brain for an appropriate tale to share this Storytelling Sunday. I considered a story from my childhood about running around our neighborhood collecting candy in a pillow case because a paper bag just could not hold all that candy (and the one family that gave out full size candy bars). Or a story from my adulthood about almost winning a costume contest at a Halloween Party when Paul and I dressed as Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein (realizing too late that we would have been a shoe-in for first place if I had been the monster and he had been the Bride).  I considered a poignant story about watching the last elementary school costume parade of my children's lives or a funny story about trick-or-treating with out kids (which we do as kindof a rolling party, drinking wine and beer and visiting with friends along the way) and the year we stumbled upon an "eyeball" themed party. 
Finally, I have settled upon a story about a Haunted House and the year Henry got his rodents mixed-up. The after-school program at the elementary school puts together a Haunted House each year. The students paint their faces as ghosts or zombies and build scenes of cemeteries and witch houses before dimming the lights and leading children through a variety of eerie vignettes. When Henry was in fourth grade (about 9 years old), I asked him what role he was going to play in the Haunted House, and he replied matter-of-factly "a hamster."  I was confused and pressed him, asking for more details about what he would be doing, and he said "some zombies will be eating me." I was still confused, but he grew frustrated with my questions, and continued to insist that he was going to be a hamster. 
On Halloween, I went to the Haunted House, waited in line, made my 25 cent donation, and followed the teacher through the door into the interior of the classroom, illuminated now by green strobe lights and eerie fluorescent blacklights. Our tour guide was dressed as a witch. She spoke in hushed tones and carried a flashlight, which she used to illuminate her face from just below her chin for maximum spooky effect.  As we walked through the various scenes, with fog from dry ice blowing about us, I kept looking for my son, the hamster.  We finally arrived at the last scene and there was Henry, laying on a table, has face painted green and a bowl with spaghetti arranged on his torso to look as if his belly had been opened and his intestines had poured out of his body.  He was surrounded by "zombies" feasting on his internal organs and a fellow student dressed in a lab coat and fright wig.  I listened as the teacher said, "And here is our final scene.  It's the laboratory of the Mad Scientist.  I guess he is done experimenting with that unfortunate human guinea pig."

What Fall Looks Like Around Here

Here's a slice of Americana - the pumpkin farms have started to pop up all around my town. What does fall look like around you?
p.s. Scavenger Hunt winners coming soon! And Storytelling Sunday!

A Bit More About Busy Me

The days are getting shorter, and my to-do list seems to be getting longer.  So, while I try to find some time to tabulate the scavenger hunt results, here's a pretty fall sunset and a fun survey, which I found a Carrie's blog.  I'd love to see your answers.
A. Age: 50
B. Bed size:  Queen, shared with very tall husband, cat and dog!
C. Chore that you hate: Picking up other people's stuff
D. Dogs: Yes. But I admit it's an acquired taste.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee (my husband makes it before he leaves in the morning)
F. Favorite color: Orange
G. Gold or Silver:  Gold. I especially love rose gold and white gold.
H. Height: 5’5”
I. Instruments you play: None, although I always wanted to drum
J. Job title:  Professor of law
K. Kids: Two teenagers.
L. Live: Northern California, twenty miles south of San Francisco (on the beach).
M. Mother’s name: Carmen
N. Nicknames: Rinda
O. Overnight hospital stays:  None for me; spent two nights in hospital with Clara when she was one and a half.
P. Pet peeves: Drivers who don't use their turn signal
Q. Quote from a movie: “You should've bought a squirrel." Rat Race
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: I'm one of six. I have three brothers and two sisters. I'm #3.
U. Underwear: Clean.
V. Vegetable you hate: okra (slimy, slimy, slimy)
W. What makes you run late:  Being sucked into the computer vortex
X. X-Rays you’ve had: TMI
Y. Yummy food that you make: artichoke dip
Z. Zoo animal: river otters

Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt: The End

It was a beautiful day in San Francisco:

I followed some bees:

Until I found their hive:

Which meant that I have completed the summertime photography scavenger hunt!  All 21 items!  What about you?  Did you play along? How many did you find?
If you played along this summer, please add a comment below.  Let me know how many you found and what category you competed in (photography only, snapshot- photograph with team member, or overachiever - both categories).  If you played along at all, please leave a comment even if you didn't find all (or even most) of the items, as I'll be drawing a random winner from all contestants.  In addition, there will be at least one winner in each of the other categories. The winner will be the person who found and photographed the most items on the list.  In the case of a tie, I'll flip a coin.  Also, if you get a chance, please leave a link to your favorite photograph from the scavenger hunt list (or email me your favorite, if you don't have a blog).  I'll create and post a list, so everyone can take a look. 
I think that's it! I'll leave this post up all weekend, so you have time to finish up your posting and leave me a comment.  If you have any questions, email me at rinda1961@yahoo.com
And a huge thanks to everyone for making this such a success!

Class Review: A Day with Mary Jo McGraw

As I mentioned recently, this year's Scramp Camp featured the guest artist Mary Jo McGraw. She spent the day with us, teaching two actual classes (one on collage and one on coloring and card making) and the balance of the day hanging out with us answering questions about various techniques and products.  The classes were fine. I made the canvas I posted about here and the cards posted above. I'd give the classes a solid B+ for giving good information and working with each student to create something that fit them individually. I have a recurring gripe about instructors not handing out written instructions, but that's a battle I seem destined to lose.   Mary Jo also has lots of very strong opinions, and she's going to share them with you!  Such candor may not be for everyone.
But . . . the amount of knowledge she possesses about products, stamping, art journaling, etc. is breath-taking! My favorite part of the day spent with her was when she taught us how to draw faces (see mine here) and answered questions about Ranger products and techniques. I wish I could have video-taped that portion of the day because it certainly rated a solid A for content and a willingness to share her secrets! 
Speaking of classes, I signed up for Cheryl Johnson's next photography class, "Painting with Light: The Sequel." I'm really liking her mix of photography tips and photoshop lessons. Plus, for $30, it's hard to beat! Anyone else taking any classes now or in the near future?
P.S.
Just a little "squee" because I found out there's an observation bee hive at a children's museum about 1.5 miles from my work!
And a really big sigh of relief because I took Gypsy back to the vet today for a one month check-in, and my rock star vet Craig says that she's looking really good!!! We're continuing to decrease the amount of medication she's taking, and we're really beginning to think she's going to make a full recovery!