The Last Day of February

Geez...February has been kind of a miserable month around these parts.

Flu, colds, more flu...generally yukky.

And then I discovered Facebook and more specifically, Mafia Wars.

This is both good and bad.

It's good because I've been sick and it's something to do that was about at the energy level I've been able to rally.

It's bad because it's somewhat addictive.



Until now, I'd been unaware of my addictive tendencies. I'd played games online before, and I'd been easily able to walk away from it. Not that I was playing this 24/7 or anything, but more than I should have...I'd check in several times a day to see how my energy levels were - do a few jobs, pick a few fights, buy a few properties...you know...general "family" stuff.

I've decided that there are many far more productive things I can do with my time. And since I'm finally feeling better (still tired and achy, but better overall), I'm gonna do those things instead.

As February fades, so too does my time in the dungeons of war...

Looking forward to March...!

Finally! Something to blog about...

LOL.

Today, as most days, I had the television running in the background. Just kinda making noise I guess...

But today, I heard something that made me actually stop and listen for a moment. And then, I laughed out loud. A LOT.

This product, very real, was being discussed.

I could not believe it!

I have been joking about something like this for years - there are those in the family that could do with a little protection of this kind, and it's been a running joke between me and Goofy for...ever? LOL.

Basically, this product is a deodorizer for your pants. rotflol. Seriously.

I was thinking more toward pleasant scents to beautify rather than just eliminate, but whatever.

Bwahahahahahahahahaha

It's a good day when you can see people on TV talking about subtle butts...

hahahahahahaha

Happy Monday!

A Happier Note

A happier image to dwell upon...

Goofy and the object of her affection...

Got the link from my nephew...fun site...lots of fun posts of what other folks are up to too...

http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/

Way more fun than thinking about the economy or the war or ... jobs....bah! More coffee...

Blah blah blah

It's been a long week - and it's only Tuesday, LOL.

It's threatening to snow again here - we still have an inch of snow on the ground from the weekend - and Goofy has long since stopped doing the snow dance of joy.

It's cold too. Really cold, well for Seattle anyway. 18 degrees yesterday morning on the way to work - a little warmer this morning. With the damp in the air it feels much colder though. We're wimps comparatively, I know, but it's our reality.

Our new president has been in office for a week now. We're still in the honeymoon phase, but we're expecting a lot from the poor guy.

It's not going to be easy...between microsoft and starbucks, caterpillar, circuit city, GM, and on and on and on. More than 60,000 jobs gone in the last few days...more likely to go soon.

Ah..I need more coffee...and a nice warm blanket crawl under...it's gonna be a long winter

A Day of Celebration, Reflection and Pause

Today, the United States of America inaugurates it's 44th President.

In a time of turmoil for our country, this day gives us a moment of peace, hope, expectation and inspiration.

Today, we look forward with hope that our country will finally get back to the business of flourishing and being a leader in the world.

Not a leader through force or coercion, but a leader by example.

By being the country that we already think that we are.

Americans somehow believe the hype of American-ism. We believe that we are the best, the brightest, the most informed and enlightened. We believe this to the extent that we offend our neighbors on this planet. And they are offended. Rightfully so in many cases.

However, at this moment in time, we have the opportunity to become who we think we are. Imagine that.



And today, as I watch this historic occasion on television, I am struck by how many histories are made.

Today, our children see the first non-white president inaugurated.

A man that has both african-american and white blood in his veins. A man that represents not only those African Americans that would claim him as solely their own, but the rest of us as well. Truly a melting pot representation of who we really are as Americans.

Today, the United States, in a low point for so many reasons, looks to a new leader with hope and expectation. And we do have hope.

Today, we look to this man to will lead us through these hard times, and hope that is able to shoulder the burden of our need of him.

He is the president of us all, and we all need to be mindful of that as we support him to success-
regardless of our political or religious affiliation,
regardless of our race,
and regard-full of the common goals we share as a united country.

For his success is our own.

We'll disagree and dispute, and come out ahead through the melding of ideas. But in the end, we need to stick together and support OUR president.

Today, we hold our breath and look forward with hopeful eyes to a future that we all need so very much.

Today, we inaugurate our 44th President. All our hopes now rest squarely on his shoulders.

Godspeed, Mr. President.

God Bless America...God bless us all.

Stop and Smell the Roses?

I don't have a ton to add to this. It's something to think about as we go about our busy lives though.

A Violinist in the Metro (incognito)!



Who is he?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington , D.C. and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Anyone Got a Boat?

A photo of my niece and her husband's place out in Snohomish. The property is along the Pilchuck, and this was from Friday afternoon I believe. Generally, the river is way down there past the fence and through the trees. You can hear it more than see it from their place (until you walk down).


This is a peek at a bit of the aftermath, once the river went back to where it belonged.



I believe that this is the third time (second since November 2008) in the last two years that they've had flooding at there place.

This is certainly up there as far as damage goes - wiped out the back yard and the fence this time - four feet (plus) of water in the house....

They are all OK, though. Which is GREAT news. Just tired and frustrated that it's happened again...

Argh!

Funny Kitteh!

hahahaha

Talk About a Rude Awakening...

Monday morning, we woke up to the sound of the pounding surf on the beach below our windows. As the sun rose, the sky lit up and we saw that it would be a sunny day - 83 degrees by the time we made it to the airport.

At around midnight, we drove through the cold and rainy Seattle streets to the snow covered home in the woods. We walked through the snow (in flip-flops) to get into the house with our stuff.

Yesterday, I shoveled snow off the driveway. The car was slipping a bit still trying to get back into the garage, and although I'd waited most of the day for some melting to occur, the ice underneath was stubborn and it needed to be moved off to the side.

Windstorm last night made the power go out for an hour or so. We have a generator and a gentron, so not a big deal - just inconvenient. Heard something BIG go down outside though. Haven't seen it yet this morning, 'cause it's not light yet.

From 80 degrees and sunny, sandy beaches to 40 degrees (50 this morning) and rainy, sandy roads with snow.

I'll take the beach, please.

Y'all Are NOT Commenting

I'm wondering if anyone is even reading this.

I think so, 'cause I get complaints when I don't post often enough, but honestly, I need some feedback. It'd make me happy.

So

DO
IT!

Just sayin'

Magic (Goofy don't care)