Syracuse - Fall

Changes
In Singapore the sun rises at the same time every morning.  Twelve hours later, almost to the minute, it sets.  Each day is hot and humid, differences are measured in degrees - a few one way or another.  If you're observant, you can trace the slow passing of the seasons by noting where the sun rises against the backdrop of skyscrapers.  In February it passes over the far left of my balcony and by November it rises over the far right.  I used to tell myself I didn't miss the seasons.  Truth is, I miss three of them.  Luckily, we passed through upstate NY at the peak of fall.  Everyone was complaining about the lack of color but I wasn't one of them.

Adirondacks - Snowbound

Skiing for Dummies

Black ice stretched our Syracuse to Speculator drive from two hours to four.  As we crawled along behind a trail of cars we saw an overturned cable van and a truck that was wedged into a wall of trees.  We were lucky to have escaped - it was slow going and almost dark by the time we arrived.  We were there to ski (men) and snowboard (women) and we awoke early the next morning, bought ski pants and headed over to Oak mountain for our "intro to" classes.

Syracuse - XMas

All the Fixings
The Chans got the full Christmas treatment.  Tree trimming, light hanging, present wrapping, stocking stuffing, egg nog drinking, fire in the fireplace starting and a lot more....

NY - The Borscht Belt

Aka The Jewish Alps
We left Syracuse stuffed - Stella's cheeseburgers, fries, tater tots.  I suggested dessert for the ride back but she slumped in her chair and formed and X with her forearms.  Three hours later, somewhere on route 17 she sat up and said "STARVING!"  She pulled out her phone, tapped at it and announced "The Fat Lady Cafe is not too far from here."  We pulled off 17 and headed for White Lake, near the town of Bethel.  We wound past deserted Borscht Belt bungalows and saw many Orthodox jews walking on either side of the dusty road, smothered head to toe in traditional dress.  I didn't see a fat lady at the Fat Lady Cafe, just a lovely view onto Kaunoeonga Lake.

Syracuse - Tying the Knot

What a Handsome Couple

Syracuse - A Less than Complete Recap

It Started With a Surgery
The matriarch and her petite Asian helper sneaked into the hospital, past security and up to the third floor.  I, of course, was stopped and interrogated before finally receiving a name tag, which later gave me great leeway to roam the halls and buy muffins from the cafe un-pestered.  I lorded it over the helper, pointing at it and mocking her for being stuck, muffin-less, in the room.

Syracuse - Carpentry from Bali

Recreating the Bali "Bar Rocker"
While in Bali we visited a coffee shop for breakfast and sat in ingeniously designed rocking chairs.  The "Bar Rocker" is a typical plastic lounge chair fastened onto a set of wooden legs.  As we sat on them rocking, I non-chalanted that "I could make these, they're pretty simple."  Of course, Dodo jumped at the chance, taking three photos of them and smiling.  She won't admit it now, but she didn't think I could.  Nothing like a good challenge.

New York - B&B

Communing in Sugar Loaf
We drove down 17 for about 4 hours and settled at our B&B in Sugar Loaf.  Not sure they're a "community of craftsmen" but there were a block or two of arts and crafts stores around the corner from where we stayed.

Syracuse - Relaxing

Underappreciated
I've not spent so much time here in twenty years.  It was relaxing and fun.  I played a lot of golf, spent time with the old lady and Geppie.  Ate tons of ice cream from Gannons.  Ate fish sandwich at my favorite place in Baldwinsville.  If I ever hit lotto, I will spend each summer here.  Sal is all back together wrist-wise.  No sling anymore and identically arm-strong.  Goodbye Cuse, I am gonna miss you.

Syracuse - Raspberries

AKA "Picking" Therapy
Over the rolling hills we drove, along route 20 towards Skanaeateles.  A long train of tailgaters followed as we slowly looked for Navarino farms, our berry picking target.  Once found, we got to work quickly.  We were late to the party, most of the bushes had already been picked clean.

Syracuse - It's Alive...

FrankenSal!!!

Syracuse - Therapy

Welcome to the Torture Chamber
The plate and screws are in.  Sal is now sporting a removable cast.

Syracuse - Taming the Jungle

It's a Green Oasis Up Here
The tree has taken over.  It's the fastest growing tree I've ever seen.  The back yard is totally shaded and green, it's really beautiful.  I spent a few hrs hacking at weeds, mowing the lawn and trimming the bushes. 

Becoming a Chauffeur - Part 4

The Dreaded Five Hour Course
I was going to sit inside a windowless room for five hours on a sunny Saturday.  As upsetting as that idea was, I was happy to be getting it over with.  I picked a course at Shoppingtown in the third floor of a JC Penney's.  The room was normally used to do JC Penney training but was rented out by the Branch Driving School for the occasion.  I was first to arrive at ten am sharp and had to turn on the lights.  It looked like a place where old furniture went to die.  The same could be said for the air, it smelled tired as if it had been recycled over and over, trapped for years.  Soon I was joined by the octogenarian teacher and about 8 students.  They ranged in age from about 16 to 28.  The class started off like a funeral and slowed down from there. 

Becoming a Chauffeur - Part 3

Taking the Written Test
I don't remember studying for this test the first time I took it around 20 or so years ago.  The study materials are on the internet now and I perused them and took some practice quizzes.  The stakes are much higher, how embarrassing would it be to fail this test at age 45.  Matter of fact, I was determined to get a perfect score so I studied for a few hours.  When the day arrived, Sal drove me over to the DMV and waited for me in the parking lot.  When I walked in I almost feinted, there were about 400 people sitting there.

Syracuse - Life's Simpler Pleasures

Hanging with the Salster
I had a great time at home waking up early for eats with the Breakfast Crew, running on the treadmill in the basement, spending time with Sal and Geppie and doing simple things like visiting Wegmans for grocery shopping.

Syracuse - Snow-Doh

A New Nickname
For a spell, a nice fluffy batch came down.  Dodo followed me to the porch to take photos.

Syracuse - Family Portrait

Can't Believe We Got Everyone to Hold Still...
D, what's up with the eyeballs?

Syracuse - Games

Water Pong
Otherwise known as beer pong, but we had an underage kid so it was what it was.

Syracuse - the Toothpaste Incident

We Know How This Worked Out...
We interrupt this deep nap with a word from our sponsor...