January 2012 – Page 2 – Bus Driver Jim

The Point

I’ve been putting a lot of code time into my new PinPoint app. Right now the new data functions consist of three character codes, just hover over them for a description.

I’ve also written a new program that does two cool things, quickly. Pass it a zip code and it will display the polygon for the zip, or for the county where the zip code resides. For example, here’s the Driggs zip code polygon: 83422, and here’s Teton County’s polygon.

Hint: Click on the zip polygon for more information about that zip code. These polygons are available for all U.S. cities via PinPoint under the Oza and Oca functions.

Credits: Polyline data provided by my old friends over at PropertyMaps.com.

Polygon for zip code 83422, derived by clicking Oza on the Data line.

Polygon for Teton County, derived by clicking Oca on the Data line.

Snow Planes

Vintage snow planes were on display yesterday in Tetonia. I drove up there before the sculpture voting and took these shots. The event was held at the Ruby Carson Memorial Park and it had enough snow that they probably ran some laps, but I had to split.

These vehicles have a lot of history and here’s a great article that tells all about them.

SlideShow (Snow Planes)

Sculpting Finished

Today was viewing and voting day for the Snow Sculptures. The event started at noon so I got there early to beat the crowds and cast my vote.

I was also able to shoot the corresponding information signs for each piece, and take one final shot, without people blocking my view too much.

This project is now complete, and organized in sequence below. ( SlideShow )

SlideShow (Sculpting Finsihed)

Sculpting Day 4

They’re really starting to come together today. The first sculpture in this series is now obviously the tongue stuck on frozen pole concept, but after yesterdays shadow spotting, I’m beginning to think there’s more to it… :-)

I also finally realized that this is a Dragon. In a way I’ve contributed to it by transporting Marlene’s boy down here the last couple days from the Victor school, thus giving mom more sculpting and carving time.

SlideShow (Sculpting Day 4)

Sculpting Day 3

Sun block was the name of the game today. Temperatures were low, hovering between -15 at night, to the low 20’s by midday, but the sun was shining bright.

About half of the pieces were being protected from the sun, and at least one was reflecting itself large and proud :-)

The voting starts at noon on Saturday and I’ll be there, right after I cover the Snow Plane display in Tetonia earlier that morning. Good stuff coming up on the horizon!

SlideShow (Sculpting Day 3)

Sculpting Day 2

Much better day for taking pictures! Yesterday was so gloomy that the sky was the same color as the ground. Today is bright, cold and clear. Great day for carving snow.

Enjoy the SlideShow here…

Update: This post was up, and the kids came out! Here you go…

SlideShow (Sculpting Day 2)

Sculpting Day 1

The snow sculpting crews showed up this morning. I was going to hold off taking photos this early, but it had so much character going on, I had to do a walk around…

The best way to view this set is by SlideShow. See if you can spot my bus :-)

SlideShow (Sculpting Day 1)

Tetonia Sunrise

I was driving south on 3000 out of Tetonia this morning when this tasty sunrise made it’s appearance. There was nobody coming either direction so I just stopped, rolled down the window, and took the shot.

Ready To Carve

The blocks of snow haven’t melted, and they’re ready to be carved up tomorrow.

This is part of the first annual Teton Valley Great Snow Fest. It runs all week and should be a lot of fun. I’ll try to grab some shots as the sculpting proceeds.

Boise Leftovers

These are photos left over from my recent trip to Boise. The shots were taken downtown, and on the college campus.

SlideShow (Boise Leftovers)

Chicken Cooked

Steph cooked the Smart Chicken for dinner last night. She treated it like a small turkey, cooked at 350, basted in butter and garlic, and flipped midway. It was $15 bucks for this bird but it’s two great meals for two people! Not bad…

The result was perfect white meat and the first bite caused a wow to emit from my very pleased mouth! Memories of chicken dishes prepared by mom came rushing over me.

This is what chicken used to taste like!

Update: There were pieces left from last nights dinner (not counting the meat for the next dinner) that went into omelets this morning. Add a couple meals to the list…

Organic Chicken

It’s been building up for a while… the knowledge of how commercial chickens are raised today, locked in cages from birth to death and given hormones and antibiotics to keep them alive, has changed my perspective. I can’t consume this kind of chicken anymore.

I can taste the wrongness in how these animals were raised, medicated, and died. It’s a dark, heavy taste, that makes my taste-buds recoil.

There’s a great article here, from my friend Karen, about this subject.

Today I picked up an organic chicken at Brolums. It’s called air-chilled Smart Chicken and claims to be raised without antibiotics or hormones, it’s free range, and has no added water. The cost is $3.99 a pound, ($14.88 for a 3.73 lb bird) and a sell-by-date seven days from now.

I’ve done some research, and this company and their processes seem to be the real deal. I look forward to consuming it, (tonight!) and I’ll post the review here.

btw: I’ve already made the switch to organic brown eggs. The difference in taste is amazing and it’s hard to describe. It’s just, better! :-)

Grandkids Street

There’s a subdivision south of Victor where I pick up a couple of cute little pre school kids. All of the street names are peoples names.

One intersection has the names of two of my older grandkids. Christopher is the oldest of the bunch, born on Christmas day, and is a year older then my son Riley, at 26. Shelby is 20 and married to a Marine. I think of these kids every day I pass this place…

In case you’re thinking I must be really old, well, you’re right. Just not that old. I was a grandfather at 39 and I’m anxiously awaiting a new grandchild from Riley and Jessica, and a great-grandchild from one of the sign bearers.

Snow Boxes

The rest of the Snow Boxes appeared at the Community Center today, and were promptly filled with some great fresh snow. We normally have a lot of that here in the dead of winter, but I bet the crew had to go looking hard for it.

We’re having an unusually warm stretch of weather here. It’s 41 degrees and sunny out there. I know the planners of the upcoming carving event didn’t plan on this…

I hope the snow doesn’t melt inside the boxes!

SlideShow (Snow Boxes)

Toy Inventory

Much to Pipers dismay, I slung her toys over our chandelier for a quick photo shoot.

From left to right:
• Her newest fluttery feather toy, still has the strings separate.
• These little guys used to be separate toys, but have now entangled into one.
• The original feather toy, well used and mangled.
• A new, very soft little feather toy.

I had all four toys going today in my office. I felt like a puppeteer as each one was snagged by a claw while she laid on her back with her wild eyes open wide…

Update: Shot this quick little video while playing with her this morning!