Bat Safari

I went on a Bat Safari the other day. That sounds cool doesn’t it? In theory it is, but in reality it wasn’t.

It started off bad and progressed into pathetic. I got to the State Park that it was being held at an hour and a half before the actual start time (I want to say they changed the start time, but knowing my memory I was probably remembered it wrong). I asked the park rangers where everyone was meeting for the bat safari, and was told at the Nature Center.

At 6:10 another person showed up (it was suppose to start at 6:00) looking for the bat safari. We couldn’t even ask the ranger in the Nature center, because it closed at 5:00. At 6:30 I found another park ranger, which informed me that the meeting was at the other park entrance 8 miles away. So I informed the other bat safari patron a, and away I went.

At the other park entrance there was no one to be found. So I headed off on the dirt trail in search of them. Unfortunately I headed in the opposite direction that they were. Luckily, I met a park ranger about a half a mile down the trail and he drove me back to the bat safari.

At the safari, the instructor taught us about bats (it took about 15 minutes; I have no idea what he was talking about to everyone else the 45 minutes that I wasn’t there). At dusk we headed out to track bats (he had an ultra-sonic detector). From dusk to about 8:30 we didn’t hear anything and most of the people headed home (it had started raining). At around 8:45 the rest of us headed back.

At the parking lot, the instructor gave the area one last sweep with the ultra-sonic detector, and he heard one (ONE). Somewhere in that direction over the lake, but by then you couldn’t see five feet in front of you (by now it is well past dusk, and it is dark out).

The whole experience was disappointing. I was expecting it to be like a scene out of Batman, but what I got reminded me of the static from an AM transistor radio (with a few clicking noises added in).

East Palisades

Da Bud and I went for a hike at the East Palisades. I had gotten a new pair of boots and the rain had stopped for the day and I’ve wanted to hike the East Palisades. I had already hiked the West Palisades, so it makes sense I try the other side of the river.

This may become one of my favorite local trails. It’s not for the faint of heart (although I did see three silver hair ladies hiking it, I may be in worse shape than I thought). The entrance is off of Northside, and the views of the houses manors/mansions are incredible (rich or poor, it’s nice to have money).

The trailhead starts at the parking lot and drops in elevation (fast and steep) to some marsh land. Through the marsh you head to the Chattahoochee River. As you follow the trail you can see fishermen on the river rocks (shoals) trying to catch Georgia trout. The trail follows the river for a little over half a mile, and then starts climbing (over 250 feet in about a half a mile). At the top you are given a chance to catch you breath at a scenic overlook. From the scenic overlook it’s a short three quarter of a mile hike through the woods back to the parking lot.

The Da Bud and I enjoyed this two and a half mile hike, and we recommend it to all our fellow hikers.

Kudos to REI

Last week I went to REI for boots. My old boots had torn near the sole. They were less than a year old and still had a lot of treads, but I knew I had to get a new pair before they fell apart on the trail.

At REI the salesperson told me about the different brands. The ones that fit wide feet well were from Merrell. The problem was that the torn boots were Merrell boots also. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to buy another pair of Merrell boots. After all, the last pair I had came apart. As I told the salesperson about the last pair I had, she sent me to customer service.

The customer service person informed me that REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and they would be more than happy to exchange them for a new pair. After pulling up my record (I am a member), I was told to pick out a new pair. I tried on a couple of pair, and chose a pair of Merrell boots (they are still the most comfortable boots I’ve owned). I walked over to customer service wearing the new boot and turned in my old torn boots. The customer service person rang up the new boots, subtracted the cost of the old boots and I paid the 25 dollar difference.

I have never had a company do the right thing like REI did. If REI had just given me a discount on the new boots, I would have been happy with them. But, they went above and beyond what I would have considered fair. Kudos to REI.

New Job

I've recently been promoted to the position of Administrator of Policies and Procedures. This is a far different type of job than my last one (Technical Instructor). Not only is it different than my last job, it is different than what I thought it was.

I started the new job on a Monday, and the person who had the position before me came in (he's retired, but was contracted for 4 months to do a project) and went over the job duties. One of the job duties is writing technical specifications for contracts. I've never wrote a contract in my life. I started feeling overwhelmed. That night I dreamed of writing a contract for a bus and receiving a Flintstones type bus with everyone slicking their feet out of the bottom.

The rest of the week my anxiety level was high. I hate change anyway, and this just intensified it. It has gotten easier as the weeks pass, but I'm still a bit anxious. One of the things about this job is that during any given day you are working on 5 or 6 projects. I am a very linear thinker. I like finishing something before I start something new. With 5 to 6 projects, you work on this a little, then that a little, and then check on something else. It makes me feel I'm not getting anything done. I've been going home thinking, I've gotten nothing accomplished. This is not true, I've gotten a little bit of many thing accomplished. I've just not finished anything.

I know I just have to give it some time. After all, it's a new job.

Ben Franklin Day?

I am a veteran, so I understand Veterans Day. I honor those who have fallen defending my freedom, so I understand Memorial Day. I am an American, so I understand the 4th of July. I am a Catholic (lapsed), so I understand Christmas. I live in Atlanta, I partially understand MLK day.

I don't understand Presidents day. I understood Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday. These men did something that deserved honoring them, but lopping them in with Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, William Taft is insulting to them.

I don't understand Columbus day, ether. Are we celebrating someone getting lost? Because, if we are I think we should have a Labrador121 day. I get lost all the time.

Another one I don't understand, but I do like, is Thanksgiving. Are we celebrating that the first settlers didn't die, or the way we back stabbed the Indians for helping us. But, I'll forgive this holiday because it has pie.

I recently heard of a petition to make Saint Patrick's day a Federal holiday. I can partially see this because Saint Patrick was a righteous dude (you don't get the title of saint by being a bum), but, lets face it, it would be a holiday for the Irish so they can drink (remember, on Saint Patrick's day everyone is Irish). And, we already have a Christan holiday (Christmas) even if it doesn't resemble one anymore.

I would like to see a new holiday; Ben Franklin day. If anyone in American history deserves a day, it's Ben. This is why I think this:

1. Every holiday we celebrate has become a reason to eat, drink and party. Who better than Ben Franklin epitomizes this spirit?
2. The public library, which allows me to use their Wi-Fi to blog. I also blog at the coffee house, which Ben has no relationship with.
3. Ben was a great inventor. A person who used his head and hands. Isn't that inspiring to the generations of couch potatoes.
4. Last is my main reason. Day Light Savings Time. I can run and do things again.

Support Ben Franklin Day.

My Blond Moment

I left the movies the other day, and as I got close to my truck I noticed scratches all down the passenger side. I un-tucked my shirt and started rubbing the scratches with it. I was fuming. The scratches weren't as bad as they first appeared, but they were bad enough.

I paced around my truck swearing and trying to determine what I should do. About the time I decided to take truck to the car wash to get a better indication of the damage, I noticed that the GRRA (Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta) magnet was missing from the bumper. I kept staring at the bumper, because something was different. Not only did someone take my magnet but they installed a trailer hitch. Huh??????

Yes, I was having a blond moment. My truck was parked four spaces down from the truck I thought was mine.

Somethings I Find Funny

My motto.

Joe is going to have a fine pimp coat.

Never have to clean the litterbox.