Favre's Latest Record

Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Congratulations to Brett Favre!

#241 and #242

Here are some neat quotes from around the league.

Dan Marino's videotaped message to Favre after touchdown pass 421
"Hey Brett, it's Dan Marino. I'd like to take a minute to congratulate you on breaking one of the great records in sports. I loved holding the touchdown record for the past 13 years, but if someone was going to break it, I'm glad it was someone like you, who has always competed at the highest level and always played only to win. Over the past 17 years, you've been a credit to the Packers, and to the National Football League and to the sport that we all love so much. Brett, congratulations on touchdown 421!"

Mike Holmgren
"As proud and amazed as I am of what Brett is and has accomplished on the playing field, the thing that impresses me the most is what kind of a man and leader he has become off the field. I have taken great joy in watching him develop as a person and father over his career."

Terry Bradshaw
"Brett Favre is the best I have ever seen. And I've never said that about anybody. He's simply the best. He's got the strongest arm, athleticism, field presence, leadership, poise and tenaciousness. He plays hurt, he's fun, he's infectious. He has everything I want to see, including the game-time decisions, the strengths, and all the intangibles."

Dover's Monster Mile

As promised, here are a few pictures from our past weekend at Dover. These are not to be mistaken with Brian's masterpieces. These are from Ellie's new Sony Cybershot DCS-W200, which was a surprise from Brian.

We had a great time! Like any sporting event, it's very different being there in person. Terribly cliché, but the smell of gasoline and rubber and the incredible roar of the engines, was just incredible. It was a picture perfect day, not a cloud in the sky, which provided for excellent tailgating and a lobster red sunburn.

However, no weekend is complete without staying in the very Days Inn in Easton, MD that boasts, "Don Johnson Slept Here." Seriously, who knew?!

3-0 or 420

Photo by AP Photo

Morry Gash

Hmmmm...where to start, 3-0 or 420.

In a come-from-behind 31-24 win, Favre threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings, which tied Dan Marino's record for most TD passes. He also had his 60th career game with at least three TDs, had his 49th career 300-yard passing game and led his 38th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime. Wide Receiver, Donald Driver also surpassed Antonio Freeman as Lambeau's all-time reception leader. The Pack take the NFC-North lead.

From last week, I think this is classic Favre as he reflects on nearing both the the records for the most touchdown passes and the most interceptions.

From Packers.com:

With both records about to become his, Favre reflected on Wednesday on the best touchdown of his career as well as the worst interception. The former was easy for him to recall. It was his first pass in Super Bowl XXXI against New England, a 54-yard TD strike to Andre Rison when he audibled to a play called "Razor." Read more

[...]

As for the worst interception, there were a few choices in Favre's mind, but the most-discussed was his famous "from the knees" throw in Detroit that was picked off and returned for a touchdown. It happened on Sept. 28, 1997, with the Packers facing third-and-3 near midfield.

"I could not convince him after that I thought it was going to be a great play," Favre said. "So if you ask Mike, he'd probably say that was one of the worst. If you ask me, it was that close (placing his thumb and forefinger a half-inch apart) to being an unbelievable play." Read more

"I Do...?"

Nearly ten years, ago when Brian said, "I Do," never did he imagine that he said:

"I Do...want to root for the Green Bay Packers."

"I Do...want to go to hockey games."

"I Do...like that you obsess over your fantasy football league."

"I Do...like Tony Stewart (uhhhh, I mean Joe Gibbs drivers)."

"I Do...really, really want to go to the NASCAR race in Dover this weekend!"

Yes! We're off to Dover this afternoon. We're going to the race tomorrow with a good friend and her husband. Check back later, as Brian did say, "I Do...love to take pictures!"

Congratulations to Brett Favre

Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images
NFL Photos
Today, future Hall of Fame and Packers' QB Brett Favre became the winningest (is that really a word?) quarterback in NFL history in victory vs. Giants. See Favre's highlights.

As surprising as the Packers 2-0 record is, so is my fantasy football team! For the second week in a row, it looks like a win is highly favorable, minus a major implosion by Tom Brady in the rest of the game.

Here were this week's starters:
QB T. Brady, NE
RB L. Tomlinson, SD (ouch, only 5 FF points; lowest of my starters)
RB A. Peterson, MIN (gulp, only 11 FF points; and he's a Viking, double gulp)

WR S. Smith, CAR
WR C. Chambers, MIA

WR W. Welker, NE (good last minute start in place of L. Coles)
TE B. Watson, NE
PK A. Vinatieri, IND
Def Steelers

On the bench:
QB B. Favre, GB
RB M. Barber, DAL (ouch, scored 20 FF points)
RB D. McAllister, NO

RB B. Jackson, GB
WR L. Coles, NYJ

WR V. Jackson, SD

PK M. Crosby, GB

Def Bengals

GO PACK GO!

According to a story on MSNBC:

Pittsburgh is the runaway leader, with 34 percent of the women living in the Steelers’ market identifying themselves as fans. Green Bay was second with 29.4 percent, but no other market surveyed had even one-quarter of its women identify themselves as fans.
Read more

Personally, I think the Green Bay percentage is low. Plus it does not take in to account for fans that don't live in the "Packers' market."

Vote that the Packers have the best fans!
GO PACK GO! GO PACK GO! GO PACK GO! GO PACK GO!

Eleven Tears

The company I work for lost eleven employees on 9-11. In the lobby of our New York headquarters, there stands a memorial in their honor.

Eleven Tears: Drops of water representing 11 invisible tears fall at random intervals from the ceiling into the 11-sided reflecting pool, creating ripples that expand and intersect in the water. Below, etched into the base of the pool, appear the names of the eleven employees who perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, as well as words of remembrance about each of them.

It's a lovely memorial, an ever present reminder of the sadness we feel for all that were lost that day, and to their family and friends who still feel their immense loss.

We remember today.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Once again, I have agreed to humiliate myself and field a fantasy football team in a friend's league. For Week #1, the Cheeseheads are starting:
QB T. Brady, NE
RB L. Tomlinson, SD
RB D. McAllister, NO
WR S. Smith, CAR
WR L. Coles, NYJ
WR C. Chambers, MIA
TE B. Watson, NE
PK A. Vinatieri, IND
Def Steelers

On the bench:
QB B. Favre, GB
RB M. Barber, DAL
RB A. Peterson, MIN
RB B. Jackson, GB
RB F. Taylor, JAC
WR V. Jackson, SD
WR M. Muhammad, CHI
WR M. Jones, JAC

After Thursday's 2007 game opener between the Colts and the Saints, my score was 14 to 31. Check back for Fantasy Football score updates. I'm hoping to beat last year's record of 4-9-1.

PACKERS UPDATE: First I must start with the Packers. It wasn't the prettiest of games, that's for sure. But, I'll take the win (16-13) against the Eagles to start off the season. If nothing else, it will give their young team some confidence. It's a good start even though they're without Vernand Morency and Greg Jennings. Special teams was almost special, as they contributed to two turnovers that set up 10 points. Also Rookie Kicker Mason Crosby had a 53, 37, and the 42 yard game winner with two seconds left.

On to Fantasy Football, all of my players have played, my opponent still has TE Todd Heap and PK Matt Stover to play on Monday night. So far, my score is 140-106.

TUESDAY UPDATE: I won! At least I won one fantasy football game this year. Final score 140-116. I've also made some roster adjustments. We'll see how the season progresses.

Had this been a real emergency ...

I believe I heard a very exciting story this evening at dinner. But I'm not completely sure.

This was because the storytellers, two friends of ours, brought their two daughters, also two friends of ours.

The daughters are a 4 year old ("4 and a 1/2", she's quick to correct), and a soon to be 3 year old. As a side note, when the younger is reminded that her 3rd birthday is next week, she is very excited for as long as 0.7 secs. Then she's on to the next item.

My wife and I had one of the kids on each of our laps, while our taller friends told the story.

Below is a summary of the story, as I heard it:

- - - -

Our neighbor had a burglar ... Brian, Brian, Brian, BRIAN, BRIAN, BRIAN, BRIANBRIANBRIANBRIANBRIAN...(The 4 1/2 yr old was in full Emergency Broadcast Mode. About a foot away from my ear.) ...

We saw the burglars leave their property and we called the neighbors to see if they were ....Your sock's are soooooo BIG that you fall ALL the way to the bottom!! . . . HAHAHAHAHAHHA .....

A couple of days later, the burglars returned and we saw them as they .... BRIAN! BRIAN! BRIAN! ...um....um ....

Then I walked over and moved their getaway veh ..... You are 72 years old. HAHAHAHA !! ...

Two of the burglars escaped on foot when ... Brian, BRIAN, BRIAN! BRIANBRIANBRIANBRIANBRIAN! ... Are you going to the concert? ...

Meanwhile, the third burglar pulled away while I held the burglar's shirt, and ... Brian! Brian! Your neck is SOOO big, ... I mean...... um ... um....

So I had the shirt from the burglar in my hands when the police arrived .... Your neck is SOOOO tall it goes all the way up THERE! HA HA HA! ......

Eventually, the canine unit came out, sniffed the shirt and took off straight toward the... ...Your hair is so big, it goes from here to THERE! HAHAHAHAHAHA ...

They couldn't find anyone, but the next day the police returned and told us ... BRIAN! BRIAN! BRIAN!...{silence}...

And, surprisingly, the burglar wasn't a 15 yr old, the burglar was ... Brian, Brian, Brian! You have a leaf-shoe! HAHAHA ....

It turns out, she was one of the students from my... BRIAN! BRIAN! BRIAN! Your eyes are THIS big !!... HAHAHAHAHAHA ...

- - - -

Anyway, I think it was a very exciting story and may have had a surprising twist at the end.

However, with certainty, I can report, the test of the Emergency Broadcast Child (EBC) worked perfectly well, and, importantly, had this been a real emergency, I would be instructed that my "head is THIS big! HAHAHAHA..."

Brian

PS. Just so you don't get the wrong idea, the two shorter friends at dinner are some of our favorite Emergency Broadcast Children. We always enjoy seeing the entire family, both sides, the taller and the effervescent.

mul·li·gan

Dictionary.com defines a mulligan as "a golf shot not tallied against the score, granted in informal play after a poor shot especially from the tee. "

Well, my score was still 1,357,892, and you didn't think a golf score could be that high! Neither did the other three players in my foursome. They were better than saints and had an abundance of patience!

Blokus...not just for 3 year olds

Our 4 1/2 and almost 3 year old friends taught us a new game. Admittedly, they always have a little assistance in playing. But, I have to admit that this game is slightly addictive. Perhaps it brings out the competitive nature in me. I recently picked up the hexagonal version of Blokus (the original is a square).

The purpose of the game is for each player to place his/her 22 pieces on the board (or at least the maximum number of pieces).

The game ends when a player is blocked and can no longer place any pieces on the board, s/he must miss his/her turn. The other players continue in the normal order of play until no one can place any more pieces on the board.

Medical Mal-pricing

As some of you know, I broke my arm a few weeks ago.

(For those interested in that story, see the post entitled: "In a beautifully choreographed ...")

There are important life lessons to be learned from this experience, namely: Don't anger the Emergency Room staff.

Let me explain. I did not go with a plan to anger the staff, there was no premeditation. Instead, a few hours after the accident, I went to the ER in a relatively calm manner.

At this point the alert reader will note I did not go to the ER right away. Why? (Husbands, world wide, already know the answer.) I had to clean the mess I made before my wife got home.

Anyway, expecting to wait 2 or 3 eons before I would be seen by medically inclined people at the ER, I brought a book to read. Surprisingly, I was admitted immediately. But it was a ploy, the ER people had developed new places to wait, inside the treatment area.

Periodically, medically inclined people would stop by and administer medical things in my general direction, sometimes directly at me. ("A proctology exam??! ... It's my arm! MY ARM!") Mostly, I was waiting with other people in the middle of the ER.

Every once in a while, announced over the loudspeaker, someone who needed more immediate medical attention, (e.g. "Code Yellow", serious but stable), would arrive "by air", i.e. helicopter. Otherwise, after they get those folk stabilized, there was just more waiting.

It was only later did I realize that important decisions I made earlier in life, would affect the the outcome of my current situation. And when I say "important decisions", I mean, picking the appropriate book to read in an ER.

- - - -

I chose to bring a book by the literary giant, Dave "Will Shakespeare" Barry, known to many for his deep, thoughtful, and carefully crafted booger jokes. He writes more than booger jokes; sometimes he ignites strawberry pop tarts and sometimes he explodes toilets. So, he is a true renaissance man.

If you have read any of his material, you may know that you will uncontrollably, and sometimes loudly, snort milk out of your nose. Fortunately, I wasn't drinking milk. But I found myself accidentally laughing loudly, very loudly.

- - - -

While reading the Dave Barry book, I had an outburst of uncontrollable laughing. It was poorly timed. Below is an unre-touched transcript based on the actual event.

Loudspeaker: Code Yellow, by air, 4 minutes
Me: BWAAAAA HA HA HA HA, .... HA HA ....
Families, Patients & ER Staff: (Really loud & stern glaring. Directly at me.)

I did not realize that this faux pas (from the French, faux meaning 'idiot', pas meaning 'says something stupid, out loud.'), would be recorded in my 'Permanent Record'. Yes, the very same 'Permanent Record' that has been in existence since elementary school. In which, every teacher told you, your every misdeed would be recorded. "Brian! That's going on your 'Permanent Record'!"

Apparently, I had a new entry.

Shortly after this, the ER People did some more medical things at me, referred me to a orthopedist, then shoved me out of the ER with a temporary splint. Apparently, they did not want "my kind" hanging around. "Look at his 'Permanent Record', let's discharge him."

- - - -

After a couple of days of waiting, I was able to see an orthopedist for approximately 37.3 seconds.

His entire conversation with me consisted of:
1) An unintelligible mumble, which translated as, "I don't want to be here, I'd rather be golfing".
2) "You have a break, these heal", which translated as, "You have a break, these heal".

Just kidding, he used a few additional words. But not many. Because it was a clean break, apparently a text-book "night stick wound", I did not need a full cast and was prescribed a brace. See image below.

Ultimately, I had to "co"-pay $165 USD for my brace, (which equals: £82 GBP, €121 EUR, ¥19,213,420,370,841 YEN) . I'm not sure, but I believe my 'Permanent Record' affected the rate of my "co"-pay for the brace

Also, I believe my insurance company had to pay only 3 cents. They haven't paid yet; they are still on the floor laughing because I actually paid the $165.

- - - -

Medical administrator: I need pre-authorization for a forearm brace.
Insurance claims person: A forearm brace? Sure. ... Wait! Look at his 'Permanent Record' ! I'm only authorizing 3 cents for him. HA HA HA! Have the stooge, I mean the client, "co" pay the balance. HA HA HA HA ...

- - - -

In my humble opinion, $165 is expensive for a piece of mass produced plastic. But I have no one to blame except for my 'Permanent Record'.

Next time I plan to break my arm, I may go to a witch doctor instead. I think that costs only three chickens. Or, I may go to a new-age crystal healing person, that way, they could bill my aura. I've seen my aura's bank statement, he's flush in aura money, and he has a better 'Permanent Record'.

Brian

PS. This is a joke image, you can't actually buy a forearm brace on a TV shopping channel. Who would want to?

PPS. hmmm.....However, shortly, you be may lucky enough to buy this beauty on ebay. It's a one of a kind, exquisite, 'work of art'. I'm sad to part with it. Minimum bid: $165.


(c) 2007

All in Perspective

Every year, Beloit College in Beloit, WI, publishes its Mindset List of 70 items that "provide a look at the cultural touchstones that have shaped the lives of today’s first-year [college] students."

Here's a few highlights for the class of 2011.

• They never “rolled down” a car window.
• Nelson Mandela has always been free and a force in South Africa.
• Pete Rose has never played baseball.
• Russia has always had a multi-party political system.
• Classmates could include Michelle Wie, Jordin Sparks, and Bart Simpson.
• Al Gore has always been running for president or thinking about it.
• U2 has always been more than a spy plane.
• Fox has always been a major network.
• They drove their parents crazy with the Beavis and Butt-Head laugh.
• The “Blue Man Group” has always been everywhere.
• Thanks to MySpace and Facebook, autobiography can happen in real time.
• Smoking has never been allowed in public spaces in France.
• Tiananmen Square is a 2008 Olympics venue, not the scene of a massacre.
• MTV has never featured music videos.
• The space program has never really caught their attention except in disasters.
• They get much more information from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert than from the newspaper.
• They’re always texting 1 n other.
• They never saw Johnny Carson live on television.
• The World Wide Web has been an online tool since they were born.
• Dilbert has always been ridiculing cubicle culture.

Complete Mindset List

Do Not Call the ASPCA or PETA

Statement: Mid-Atlantic Squirrels are not as smart as Squirrels in the Midwest.

Proof: How do I know this? Because, you see a significantly larger number of roadkill squirrels.

Reason: My theory is that winters are not cold enough in the Mid-Atlantic region to sufficiently naturally select the smarter of the bunch.

Now, before, you get upset or send the ASPCA after me or call PETA, please understand that I have no ill-will for the furry, little mammal. Really. I grew up where mosquitoes are the state bird; Bambi could be dinner; Nemo is caught through a hole from one of 10,000 frozen lakes; home to Blatz, Schlitz and Pabst; where real football is played outside on the frozen tundra; and where lutefisk isn't just for breakfast any more.

Truly, I like them. They provide plenty of entertainment for our squirrel-proof bird feeders. And, we even feed them corn from a squngee (very entertaining!).

What the cars fail to select, the red fox in our neighbor's bush completes.

Grace via Hummingbird

(photo by ©Dan True from hummingbirds.net)

Off and on all summer I have put out my hummingbird feeder. However, to no avail. I put out the feeder later than normal in the season or perhaps it was nesting season.

This morning, I thought I'd try it again and put it out before going to church. As I pulled into the driveway, I looked toward the backyard and saw a hummingbird hovering and then head toward the feeder. Since then I've seen as many as two hummingbirds together at the feeder.

It's what I needed to see today.

In a beautifully choreographed ...

In a beautifully choreographed, meticulously executed, oh-so-graceful move, I accidentally broke my left arm.

But all was not lost. Because of my left arm's sacrifice and, from years of practice, subconsciously, I was able to save most of what was in my right hand, a Healthy Choice brand 'Sweet Bourbon Steak', TV dinner, recently microwaved.

I suppose I looked like an American Football player sprawled on the ground, with his hand in the air, grasping the football to show he had caught the winning touchdown pass. Except, he would be holding a microwaveable TV dinner... and ... he would be on my staircase ... and ... he would be thinking that his socks were pretty slippery.

But he would have been proud that the TV dinner was saved. Well, most of it.

The rest of my TV dinner was artfully decorating part of my wall. (Jackson Pollock. Ha! He's called an abstract expressionist? Ha! He has nothing compared to my creation! I bet he had never expressed Garlic Mashed Potatoes!)

- - - - -

Before you think I'm only focused on the food, let me just say, recently I've taken up a sport - the great game of Golf. When people see me golf, they usually say I remind them of Tiger Woods, if he were to have John Daly's physique, and if missing the golf ball on the down stroke was okay. Actually, I'm not as bad as John Daly, but my wife can tell you that I'm trying.

At this point, the alert readers may say:
1) Ah-ha! A wife! Why would she let me, a circumferentially growing boy, eat TV dinners?
2) Why would such a beautiful creature marry a goober like me?
Let me just respond to each:
1) My wife was visiting her sister for the weekend.
I was left home. Alone. Unsupervised.
2) I don't know.

- - - - -

I have learned the difficulty of having full use of only one hand. Although, there are some things that aren't as difficult as I imagined:

• Typing on my Blackberry - not too difficult,
• Driving - not too bad,
• Typing on my Blackberry while I'm driving in heavy traffic - not easy, do-able, but I'm practicing. (Just kidding; I would never, ever do that and publicly admit to it. Instead, I would just tell you I was kidding. Um...I've said too much.)
  
• Socks - not too bad,
• shirts - not too bad, and
  
• I've convinced my firm that I'm just wearing loafers and I'm not wearing a tie again until the cast/splint is off.

Anyway, all of this is relatively easy with only one hand, especially when it's compared to the most difficult task that I've found: buttoning my suit trousers.

Two days ago, I may have spent 10 minutes trying to button my trousers with my one available hand in a men's room stall at my firm. I was banging from side to side, making an awful racket. A couple of times, I heard footsteps of someone entering the mens room. Both times, I heard them stop, then turn, and scamper out.

I don't remember exactly, but I could have been grunting slightly while I was attempting to button my trousers. Really, I am not making this up. Had I heard all of that from a men's room stall, I would have scampered, too. I dare YOU to try to put on your suit pants with one hand in your company's rest room !

- - - - -

So, in closing, after two days of having full use of only my right arm, I have learned important lessons and come to appreciate important aspects of my world around me, namely, my left arm.

Brian

Up-set

A work team outing found us at today's Legg Mason Tennis Classic quarterfinals where we saw the 6’9”, NCAA top-seeded John Isner from the University of Georgia defeat the Number 2 seed, Tommy Haas.

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those touched by the Minneapolis bridge collapse. As a Minneapolis-native, my thoughts immediately went to family members and friends that live there.

San Diego

What I enjoyed about San Diego:

• Visiting my aunt and uncle
• Running into a cousin whom I hadn't seen in nine years and his wife, whom I hadn't met before
• Playing golf at Aviara
• Staying at the Four Seasons (what's not to enjoy!)
• Jamba Juice (it's always a treat when I visit New York or California)
• Gaslamp Quarter
• Walking the streets of San Diego while Comic-Con is in town - I've never seen so many light sabers in my life! (who are these people and where do they find the time!)
• Seeing the Mexico border
• There's nothing like coming over a hill and seeing the vast Pacific coast

Fore!

This is a warning to any creature with two or more legs, we have recently taken up golf. After taking lessons more than five years ago, a friend who is currently taking lessons convinced us to venture out on to the course.

Needless to say, we are having a blast. Our area has some lovely regional nine-hole golf courses. A great place to learn and not feel completely overwhelmed.

However, when we need to feel completely overwhelmed, we can play at courses like we did this past weekend. We were in San Diego and played at the Arnold Palmer designed course at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara Golf Club.

Honoured in 2006 as Golf Magazine's number one golf resort in Southern California, and as Condé Nast Traveler readers' number one golf resort on the West Coast, Four Seasons Resort Aviara Golf Club offers superb golf facilities. Its memorable coastal layout – par 72 over 18 holes and 7,007 yards – was designed by Arnold Palmer. The course is sculpted around natural topography, with water hazards positioned as visual extensions of the lagoon. The club includes a 32,000-square-foot (3,000-square-metre), two-storey Spanish colonial clubhouse with a complete golf shop. Read more

Seventeen balls later, we still had fun and hadn't killed, marred or injured anyone including ourselves. Brian says we really got our money's worth as we had enough shots for 36 holes! By the way, I single-handedly lost three balls at the hole pictured here.

What comes after triple bogey?

You can tell a lot about someone by the way they say "Good-bye"

You can tell a lot about someone by the way they leave for an errand or leave for work and say "good bye". For example, my wife, who is very efficient, will be the first to leave the house.

This is because her work schedule starts earlier in the day than mine, primarily due to the life-balance, technical fact that I'm lazy. So, when she leaves for work in the morning, I may still be preparing for my busy day, typically in a supine position.

At that time, she may sit on the 4-Post, Queen-Sized Preparation Area, next to where I'm still preparing, and lean over to chat with me about the day. Because, I'm typically still in my diligent preparation phase for the day, I'll manage to look at her with only one eye, because the other eye is closed so it can focus on continuing the preparation activities.

So, we chat, and then she kisses me, and says good-bye and that she'll be back at her usual time, which is only 2 or 3 hours after her colleagues leave their offices for the evening. For me, that translates.... um... let me get my calculator....yes ... about 4 or 5 hours after I stop working for the day.

Anyway, you may have drifted from my point. Here is my point. After she makes up her side of the 4-Post, Queen-Sized Preparation Area, she efficiently leaves the room where I was still preparing. But, she actually doesn't leave the house. She says "good-bye", but doesn't leave the house. She just leaves the room, where I've probably fallen soundly into preparation, and she goes downstairs.

This is where, in my Preparation Area #2 of our facility, she may have breakfast.

Because of the differences in our work schedules for the aforementioned reason, I haven't been able to coordinate our schedules to actually see what she's doing outside of Preparation Area #1, where I've rolled to another position of preparation. Regardless, she's probably doing something efficient, charitable, work-related, or frequently, all of the above, as well as, the chores for the next three weeks.

After a half-hour or so, I may hear the downstairs door open, close, then dead-bolted in a very efficient manner.

Anyway, you may have drifted away from my point again. My point is that my wife chooses to efficiently say good bye while she is upstairs. She could have waited till she completed all of the other efficient activities in the morning, then return upstairs, say good-bye, go back downstairs, then leave the house. But that's not very efficient.

I'm not complaining at all, I wouldn't want her to change anything, and, like most everything about her, I admire her efficiency, too.

Besides, probably, I'm back in deep preparation by then.

Brian

Happy Independence Day!

No ER visits as a result of the slip 'n slide or the firecrackers; a friend's death-by-chocolate, caramel and extra cocoa, yummy brownies; the brand new grill initiation and an afternoon spent with friends. Despite a downpour and a few thunderstorms, we had a great 4th. Hope you did too!

The Hazy Days of Summer

Flying into New York this week, I was looking out the window and could barely make out the profile of the city. You could tell it was a city, but it was hard to distinguish the major characteristics of the city. Like a sheer veil of clouds that had settled over the city. It made it look rather mysterious. Such an enigma to be explored.

Gullible as a Squirrel

A squirrel can find a bird feeder within 100 miles. Needless to say, our bird feeders and the birds trying to feed at them have been tormented by many a squirrel.

Last month, when we were in the Mall of America in Minnesota, we walked by the Wild Bird Store and saw a feeder by Droll Yankees, called the Yankee Flipper Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. Here are its many claims:

• Motor driven, battery powered, weight activated perch ring
• Weight calibrated to allow birds to eat, flips squirrels off
• Powder coated in forest green
• Advanced technology provides the ultimate experience
• Hottest Selling bird feeder in the industry

Key words that sold at least one member of our household: motor-driven, flips squirrels off, advanced technology ... SOLD!

So this weekend, we took the plunge to the new feeder, obviously as much for the entertainment factor as to squirrel proof. We have waited patiently, however, the feeder itself seems to be a deterrent as we have yet to see a squirrel take a spin. Only time will tell who the gullible one is!

**We promise, no squirrels were hurt in the making of this post.

Final New York Observations

Here are a few differences that I noticed between New York and Washington, DC.

1. Magazine stores - there's nothing like it in DC
2. I am admittedly an urban dweller, but even I would miss green
3. Where else can you find Ess-a-Bagel and La Maison du Chocolat in one city?
4. The metro is so much cleaner than the subway
5. But, the subway runs 24 hours
6. There are as many Jamba Juices as Starbucks; you're right, impossible
7. New York's Chinatown is really a Chinatown
8. How much electricity is used in Times Square?
9. In New York, an entire block can have the same address number
10. Where do I find soup dumplings in DC?

Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)

When you find yourself in New York's Chinatown, besides the fun street shopping and knock-off you-name-it, scout out Joe's Shanghai Restaurant for soup dumplings. A friend recommended this culinary experience and we will be back for sure! You will find Joe's at 9 Pell Street between Mott and Bowery. It's a very small, one-way street and it's easy to miss. In this rather compact setting, the seating is sort of family style for smaller parties.

From Joe's Shanghai Restaurant:

Xiao Long Bao or "Little Dumplings from Basket" was originated from Nan Xiang, a suburb of Shanghai. Their perfectly symmetrical shape, resembles a pagoda.

These tender pouches, "little dumplings", are freshly made to order. They arrive at the table in piping hot bamboo steamers. Each plump dumpling contains a little pork meatball surrounded by a delightful meaty broth.

To prevent burning one's mouth and to savor the dumpling, the preferred method of consumption is to bite off a little piece of the doughy wrapper, suck the broth with a "slurp", then eat the rest.

There are two variations available at Joe's Shanghai - crab meat and pork meat. Each basket is freshly made to order, so don't forget to order your Soup Dumpling upon arrival at your table. Otherwise it might be a long wait.

A cartoonist, Robert Zimmerman, had drawn "Soup Dumplings: A Survival Course" comic strip that was once published in the newspapers. It comedically depicts the hazard of eating a fresh, piping hot dumpling. Although a little extreme, the danger of burning one's mouth is no different from the dangers of enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

Art Appreciation

I admit that I'm not one to appreciate all-things art. To me, a canvas with a single stripe of paint isn't necessarily art with someone's deep, inner spiritual meaning of life. I just have a difficult time with that.

I know it's all about styles and preferences. I suppose my preference is a PICTURE of something . . . anything, as long as it is even a somewhat recognizable object. I say this somewhat in jest, as I do like a few modern artists such as Gregg Robinson and I can even appreciate the abstract work of Salvadore Dalí.

My art appreciation was tested this weekend at the Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the International Center of Photography, which although recognizeable objects, not spectaculorly photographed. However, I'm most spoiled as I believe Brian's photography could easily match most I've seen this weekend.

New York

We're in New York for the weekend. We recommend seeing Frost/Nixon written by Peter Morgan starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, which we saw this evening. It was really well done.

The most exciting news so far is that Brian is the new owner of a Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100K (digital single-lens reflex camera for non-camera acronym knowing people like me!). His camera buying experience at J&R is captured on the Digital Photography Review discussion forum.

We are staying in the theater district and Times Square is a mere three blocks away. Right next to our hotel is a magazine store, literally a little store with magazine racks surrounding all sides. We both commented on how New York-esque the store is.

Look-ALike?

Does anyone else think that Brian looks a little like Tony?

Will Tony have a new teammate next year? Brian predicts that Dale Earnhardt Jr will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008. You heard it here first!

No Drivers Injured in the Taking of this Photo

No worries, Brian had nothing to do with taking this photo. He took the real photos (like the car), check back later.

Tony Stewart made an appearance in the Home Depot suite (I was within an arm's length). Rain was the other appearance of the evening, which postponed the race until Sunday. On the spur of the moment, we decided to drive back down to Richmond. It was a really fun race. Richmond is a short track so you can easily see all of the cars going around the entire track.

Tony had a pretty good race. After starting 22 and a few radical car adjustments, he moved steadily up to fourth. However, several cautions toward the end of the race, and no long green flag stretches to work his way through lapped traffic, he got caught in a late race crash. Despite the damage to the front of the car, he managed to complete the race and take eighth.

A Spot of Tea

We are to Richmond to have a spot of tea with the Queen. (Did you read that with an English accent?)

Okay, Queen Elizabeth is/was in Richmond. And, yes, we are going to Richmond. However, not to have tea with the Queen.

We're going to Saturday's Nextel Cup NASCAR race! We are Tony Stewart fans, or as Brian says when I tease him about that, "we like the drivers that race for Joe Gibbs." Tony is one of them, along with Denny Hamlin #11 and JJ Yeley #18 who race in the Nextel series. But, for tomorrow evening's race, we will definitely be Tony fans as we're guests of The Home Depot! Check back for a few pictures.

Nostalgic Weekend

Visiting Luther College feels like coming home. It's a feeling that is hard to explain until you've experienced it. It's the community that is Luther College.

The weekend celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Norsemen and Pike Kor (Valley Singers) Alumni Choirs. (No! I haven't been out of college for 25 years.) It was a fun weekend to re-connect with a few professors and to see how Luther has changed. The highlight was being able to sing with the current Norsemen, Pike Kor and Nordic Choirs.

If you ever find yourself in Decorah, Iowa, I recommend the following:

• Stay at Hotel Winneshiek
• Eat at Mabes Pizza
• Shop at Vanberia
• Tour the Vesterheim Museum
• Take a class at Luther College
• Get dessert at Whippy Dip

Premeditated Stupidity

When other people break their cameras, it's usually an accident. These normal people accidentally break their camera in normal ways - drop it on the floor, drop it in the vat of guacamole, drop it out of the helicopter - you see, perfectly normal accidents.

Sadly, my camera's demise was not an accident in a normal sense. My camera's demise was a self-inflicted, but fatal camera-wound.

Sometimes these normal people lament that their accident was partially self-inflicted or 'they saw it coming, and they could have avoided it'.

Regardless, they should not award themselves the dolt of the year awards, yet. I think I'm the bigger dolt, and may be able to out dolt them for this year's award.

On the other hand, if the accident was completely out of their control, then, they have no chance and I'm a shoo-in to win the dolt of the year award.

Like a tv series you may have watched recently, based on actual events, the following takes place between the minutes of 6:23pm and 6:31pm, a couple of months ago ... give or take.

Heres my account.

- - - -

As some may know transferring images from my camera to an iPod through the iPod Camera Connector is painfully slow. (For you non-camera people, just pretend what I said makes sense)

Well, in one of my infrequent bouts of lucidity, I thought I should provide A/C power to preclude my camera's battery from draining.

"You're pretty smart, Brian" I said to myself. Ironically, I didn't remember where I put the original A/C adapter....

I thought, "No worries. I'll just use my trusty iGo universal a/c power adapter"

Tickled with my oh-so-smart-work-around, I quickly assembled the power adapter.

Once assembled, I proudly thought, "Power Problem solved, I'm brilliant." Which, at this point, I recovered from the temporal bout of lucidity, back to my normal self.

Unsupervised, I continued, "Well, good, the power adapter tip fits the camera ...hmmm... I wonder what this little plus symbol thingy means? I'll just plug it in and see if it works"

- - - -

Have you heard the piece of wisdom, "Pride comes before a fall"?

In this case, pride came before an almost inaudible 'pffffttt' sound
... and a very bright, but brief flash from my camera's rear LCD.

"Note to self: When using a power adapter, check polarity of the adapter tip."

- - - -


Sometimes, normal people lose their photographic equipment in some brief but catastrophic instance. Sometimes, they feel they may have been able to avoid their demise. If so, they may be able to get a lesser charge. Or, perhaps they were innocent bystanders.

Unlike their incidents, I did not stand by innocently on anything.

Nor would I be eligible for the lesser "negligent camera-cide" charge.

Nope. My camera's heinous demise was calculated and careful.

My camera's demise was premeditated stupidity.

(c) 2007

It's 10PM. Do you know where your photos are?

Recently, someone asked the question if I secretly take photographs of people in public or am I overt about my photography. He phrased that question this way, "Do you steal pictures or take them?"

His question lead me to think of this topic. You may ask - What was the brilliant sequitur that led from his question to your topic "It's 10PM. Do you know where your photos are"?
Well, it's not hard to answer: I have the attention span of a gnat.

- - - -

When the gentleman used the phrase of "stealing pictures", I realized I stole other people’s pictures.

You may ask - What do you mean by "stealing other people’s pictures"?

Well, I'm glad you asked. You know, sneak into their house at night, and grab their Compact Flash Memory cards, the photos off of the wall, too. Just kidding.

What I really mean - those times when I notice somebody figured out a great vantage point to compose a presumably great image.

In such cases, I just wait, pretending to be interested in something else, "Oh look! A new menu item on my camera! How Exciting!"

But as soon as they leave, I run to their spot and clik, clik, clik....

Then, after my completely random shots, I calm down and actually try using my underused brain to figure exactly what they were composing.

I believe this compulsion is diagnosed as "Shot-Kleptomania".

I didn't compose that shot. It was somebody else's; I'm just a copy cat. It all makes me feel guilty, but not enough to stop. Yep. Textbook case of Shot-kleptomania.

- - - -

As a matter of fact, while I'm confessing, I think I've stolen shots right out of travel guides, too!

- The cliché shot from Carlton Hill looking over Edinburgh - Yep. Did It.

- cliché shot from Notre Dame, “cleverly” looking with the Gargoyle over Paris. Yep. Copied that too.

- cliché shot from the volcano looking down at Waikiki. Yep. I'm so shameless.

- Oh! I have years of the Thomas Jefferson memorial that is so-cleverly-framed-by-the-cherry-blossoms.
Same shot, different year. Yawn.

I have no idea who first took that shot years ago, but I'm compelled to take that same ...[yawn], excuse me....take the that same shot every year. What's with me?!

- - - -

I know I'm not alone in this. So 'fess-up and here are my questions for you:

Does everyone suffer from CSC (Cliché shot compulsion), like me?
Does everyone suffer from Shot-Kleptomania as I do?
Finally, what do you do to get something unique?
Please tell me, so I can copy it. ..... Ugh! ..... This is bad, I can't stop!

(c) 2007

Blackberry Anonymous

Periodically, you may see me at a Starbucks before work, sipping my latte, business-section of our local paper tucked under my arm, reading my Blackberry, apparently doing something high-powered and important. Not true. I'm really surfing the internet, looking for info on the latest gadgets, checking scores on ESPN, playing Sudoku, or other not very important nor high-powered activities.

Sometimes my colleagues, also at the same Starbucks, see me "diligently working", which causes them to start "diligently" reviewing the contents of their Blackberry, apparently something high-powered and important.

In reality, they are doing exactly what I am doing ... surfing the internet, playing games, and other not very important nor high-powered activities.

Warning! Not suited for children under 85
Graphic scenes of Blackberry Addiction

If you have an addiction prone personality, don't get a Blackberry. Really, don't do it.

The Blackberry addiction is why we Blackberry junkies call them "crackberrys". The Blackberry addiction is a secret and dark world, known only to other "berry-heads". Sometimes, you may hear us use certain code phrases to other junkies like, "I'm going out for some 'juice'. Do you need some?" In the world of Blackberry junkies, this means, "Lets get 'juiced' on our Blackberrys".

Frequently, you can find us behind dumpsters of even the most prestigious firms, shaking in the cold, typing on our Blackberrys, mumbling to ourselves. It's sad, really.

Don't let those pinstripes fool you, even the most respectable looking professional can be an addict crying out for help.

Is someone you love a Blackberry Addict?

If you suspect that one of your family members may be a 'berry-head' there are certain tell-tale signs you should monitor.

1) Watch how they handle small objects in your house. Do they grab these objects with both hands and repeatedly tap the object with their thumbs? This is particularly true of small pets and children. Does this behavior seem to be subconscious, as if the berry-head doesn't realize he or she is doing it?

2) Listen for phrases indicative of a Blackberry addiction. For example, you may ask that the 'berry-head' call you on your phone; the berry-head my slip and say, "Sure, I'll "PIN" you".

3) Look for physical effects of the Blackberry addiction. Check the tips of their thumbs. Calluses on the thumbs don't lie. Little "Johnny Professional" is really little "Johnny Berry-head".

Help a berry-head become free from the pain

Next time you see a 'berry-head' on the subway/tube/metro/bus getting their "juice", that is, getting their Blackberry fix, help them. Such flagrant public use of a Blackberry is their cry for help. It's your moral obligation to knock the Blackberry to the floor and stamp on it.

You will be doing them a favor. On the outside, they may be turning red and shouting, but on the inside, they are very grateful that someone cares; they are relieved someone has freed them from the addiction.

Public Service Announcement #20
Sponsored by the Blackberry Freedom Foundation

(c) 2007

Black Tie, Stars and Packers

That sounds like an interesting combination! No, I didn't actually wear a gown to a hockey or football game.

I did attend the annual black tie Folger Gala-75th Anniversary Celebration (thankfully, no pix are available). The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is a world-class research center on Shakespeare and on the early modern age in the West. It is home to the world’s largest and finest collection of Shakespeare materials and to major collections of other rare Renaissance books, manuscripts, and works of art.

The Folger opened in 1932 as a gift to the American nation from Henry Clay Folger and his wife Emily Jordan Folger. It is administered by a Board of Governors under the auspices of Amherst College, Henry Folger’s alma mater.

Thankfully, the Stars game didn't start until 9pmEDT as I didn't get home until well after 10pm from the Gala. It was a heartbreaker. Marty Turco had an outstanding series, but despite three shutouts, the Stars still couldn't advance. When does pre-season start?

On to the football draft! The Packers pick 16th overall in this year's draft. (They could trade up or back in the draft on or before draft day.) First pre-season game is August 11th in Pittsburgh. I feel a road trip in my future!!!

Two in a Row

The Stars forced a final Game 7 in the series as Marty Turco shutout the Canucks again in tonight's Game #6. With a score of 2-0 in regulation, Turco has been good. Of course, I am rooting for the Stars, but Turco and Vancouver's Roberto Luongo have definitely made this series fun. Off Wing Opinion's Eric McErlain calls it the "best goalie showdown in recent memory."

One point of interest. Other than Game #1, neither team has been able to score more than 2 goals.

GM 1: Canucks 5, Stars 4 (4OT)
GM 2: Stars 2, Canucks 0
GM 3: Canucks 2, Stars 1 (OT)
GM 4: Canucks 2, Stars 1
GM 5: Stars 1, Canucks 0 (OT)
GM 6: Stars 2, Canucks 0
GM 7: Mon, April 23 @ VAN 9 pm ET

No Joking Matter

Lest you think I jest, here's today's Washington Post headline about the BlackBerry outage earlier this week.

RIM finally breaks silence on Blackberry outage
The addition of a new software routine caused the multi-hour failure of the Blackberry messaging service.

Upgrade at your own risk: Don't get between a BlackBerry and its owner!

In Memoriam

O/T #3

Three of the Star's five games so far have gone into over time. Fortunately, unlike the other O/Ts, this one went in favor of the Stars, and it didn't take four periods! In previous posts, I've been fairly critical of Marty Turco. I would have to say that he's been very good in this series, despite the Stars being down 3-2 in the series. Offense needs to pick up their game in order for the Stars to get any further.

As of 1amEDT and with less than four minutes remaining in the third period, it looks like the Minnesota Wild will be golfing for the remaining of the NHL playoffs.

Put the BlackBerry Down...And Slowly Walk Away

Here's a story for all of you, including myself, BlackBerry addicts out there!

Praying for the Virginia Tech Community

Our thoughts and prayers are with Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff as they mourn the loss of friends, family and colleagues. As many of you know, Brian is a Hokie alum and has many fond memories from his time in Blacksburg. As an engineering student, he had several classes in the buildings that have been mentioned over the past couple of days. I also have a cousin that is currently a coach.

When tragedies like this happen, it's always such a stark reminder of how precious life is and how quickly it can end. It's sobering that it can take such a tragedy to put life into perspective.

Please say a prayer for those impacted by the immense loss.

Shutout

Due to the birthday party we attended on Friday, I missed the game. No marathon game though. Star's goalie, Marty Turco posted his first playoff game shutout, making 35 saves. The series is tied 1-1.

The Minnesota Wild didn't fare as well in their game. They're down two games in their series.

Four

Do you remember your fourth birthday? Or, for that matter, any other memories when you were four? It was the topic of discussion on Friday evening.

Any recollection I have is from pictures I've seen or stories I've been told. I know that when I turned four, my sister would have been four weeks and two days old. So, I might have had a more quiet birthday. Plus, my Mom caught a staph infection while in the hospital with my sister, which delayed her return home. My Grandma came to stay with us for a little while, there's some fun pictures of my brother and me playing in a big leaf pile.

Quad O/T

After nearly seven periods of hockey, the Stars lost 5-4 in the sixth-longest game in Stanley Cup Playoffs history. Star's goalie, Marty Turco stopped 51 of the 56 shots, while Vancouver's Roberto Luongo faced a record 76 shots in his playoff debut. The game, which was played in Vancouver, ended at 12:32 a.m. Pacific time (3:32 a.m. EDT). Needless to say, I only made it through O/T #1!

All around it wasn't a good night, the Minnesota Wild also lost their game 2-1 to Anaheim.

My Hero

After suffering since Thursday with a kink on one side of my neck and stiff muscles on the other side of my back, my massage therapist worked wonders today! She does a type of massage called, connective tissue. No pain, no gain.

Die-Hard Stars Fan

As I have mentioned many times. I'm a Stars fan. Forgive me for being a little gun shy when rooting for the Stars in the playoffs. The last few years have been rough. They've had a great regular season and somehow fold in the first round of the playoffs. (Don't even get me started on Marty Turco.) Nevertheless, I will be rooting for the Stars on Wednesday night. And, I'll be keeping one little eye on the Minnesota Wild.

Wed, April 11 at VAN 10:00 p.m.(CBC, RDS, VERSUS)
Fri, April 13 at VAN 9:00 p.m.(CBC, RDS, VERSUS)
Sun, April 15 at DAL 9:30 p.m.(CBC, RDS)
Tue April 17 at DAL 8:00 p.m.(CBC, RDS )
*Thu, April 19 at VAN TBD(CBC, RDS, VERSUS)
*Sat, April 21 at DAL 8:00 p.m.(VERSUS, CBC, RDS )
*Mon, April 23 at VAN TBD(CBC, RDS, VERSUS)
*if necessary

Happy Easter

Eight adults, seven children, pork loin roast, egg and ham dish, baked french toast, sauteed asparagus and snap peas, seven Easter baskets, an Easter egg hunt, delicious cheese and cracker plate, mimosas, salad, cupcakes and cheesecake brought by friends...we had a blessed Easter! Hope you did too!

The sound of pitter patter...from twelve little feet

My favorite lines from today...

Said in a whisper, "Do you have Easter baskets for us, because you did last year."

"Two little monkeys jumping on the bed..."

"The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house All that cold, cold, wet day..."

"We're playing in the closet." (from a room that we use for storage, there were six children sitting on the floor around a lamp)

The sound of the phone dialing Timbaktu.

"I found this quarter/dime/nickel/penny..."

"You don't always get what you want." (one sibling to another)

Midwest Greeting

One nice thing about growing up in the Midwest is relationships. My east coast-reared husband reminds me that our connections and relationships are a special thing and in some way unique to the Midwest.

As an example, this evening, our church played host to the Houghton College Choir. As I read about the Brandon Johnson in the program, I learned that he had completed his undergraduate work at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Like my alma mater Luther College, Concordia is one of the five Norwegian-founded, private, four-year liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

After the concert, I introduced myself by saying I needed to greet a fellow-Midwesterner and that I had attended Luther. Before I could even realize it, he was giving me the Midwestern greeting, which is almost always a hug, even if you don't know the person. We exchanged a few college notes, he told me that he and Luther's Nordic Choir's conductor, Craig Arnold grew up in the same town. I told him that I was recently at Augustana College and that their choir conductor is a Luther grad. And, then we said mean things about St. Olaf. Kidding!

References Available Upon Request

In preparation for Easter brunch/lunch, I included a little information about each of the families and children that are planning to come. This was one of the responses.

Nice. Only in Washington do you get everyone's bio with an invite to Easter--good work.

Everyone is invited, no references required!

"Striving for Peace: The Impact of One"

This past weekend, Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, hosted the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Forum honoring the 2005 Peace Prize recipients the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei.

The theme of this year's Forum was "Striving for Peace: The Impact of One." The weekend's highlight was the closing plenary speech by Dr. ElBaradei's speechwriter. It was inspiring, and I'm not an easy critic.

I attended the Forum to participate on an alumni panel of representatives of the five sponsoring colleges to share careers for the common good and "The Impact of One." The panel was moderated by Jonathan Henkes, Vice President for Advancement at Augustana College. Panelists included Dr. Cyndi Jones, Senior Technical Advisor for Nuclear Security at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Augsburg); Dr. Jarret Brachman, Professor and Director of Research for the Combating Terrorism Center at the US Military Academy (Augustana); Dr. Rein Uritam, Professor of Physics at Boston College (Concordia); and little 'ole me (Luther).

The weekend wove in a musical presentation and concert by Brulé and AIRO, one of the top-selling Native American recording artists. Now normally this might not be my type of music, but it was a really neat group and music genre.

Host Augustana College is in an area rich with Native American history. The 2007 Forum Poster features "Buffalo Woman," a painting by Colorado artist Willow Arlenea. The Lakota (Sioux) Nation has passed down the "The Legend of the White Buffalo"--a story now approximately 2,000 years old--at council meetings, sacred ceremonies, and through the tribe's storytellers. There are many variations on the legend, but all are tied to a central theme - when one white buffalo is born and lives to maturity, then there will be peace and harmony throughout the nations. White Buffalo are sacred amongst native peoples.

Here's a little background about the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.

Chicken McNugget Saves the Day

Most often, it's the guys who are accused of liking/having/coveting gadgets. I admit that I am a gadget girl. Have gadget; will travel: iPod Nano, BlackBerry, Bluetooth, laptop...

On my most recent business trip, my need-of-gadget almost got me into trouble. On arriving at the airport, I realized that I had forgot my hard token. Not the hard token! Yes, the hard token. A small, thin, oval-shaped piece of plastic, slightly larger than a large chicken McNugget that magically displays a numerical code to access my laptop. Which without it, there's no email, no access to work files, nothing, nada, zip.

After pondering options, which in any superior circumstance at best, would mean no hard token until Tuesday, I asked the cab driver to return all the way home to retrieve the hard token. In all seriousness, it's an irreplaceable item. For instance, if I forget my toiletry kit, underwear, jewelry, all of which I have done at some point in time, I can theoretically stop at some type of store; however, the hard token can not be substituted.

PS - if you're in Miami, I highly recommend China Grill and Mark's South Beach! Yum. Unfortunately, I don't highly recommend the Miami Beach Resort & Spa.

We have a new niece!

Avery Victoria was born on February 12. She was 8lbs, 1oz and 20 1/4 inches!

Guys guide to prepare for PMA: Diamonds, Dinner, & Flowers

There are two events that occur that send shock waves throughout the Camera enthusiast world, Photokina which happens every other year, and the PMA which occurs annually. Each of these international conferences/trade shows/pilgrimages are used by Photographic equipment manufactures such as Nikon, Canon, & now Sony to introduce their new wares.

The manufacturers use 'leaks', pre-show announcements, pre-show demo's in order to build the buzz. In the minds of the enthusiasts, these new products quickly transform into their own Grails. Consequently, the enthusiasts focus almost all of their energy into anticipating, predicting, and planning their acquisitions on their new objet du désir. To the enthusiast, this enveloping preoccupation can be to the exclusion non-essentials such as bread or water.

I wrote the below entry in a renown & global digital photography forum called www.dpreview.com.


Guys,

As you know, one of our own special holidays is just around the corner. That's right, the Glorious Days-of-PMA Festival, also known to some merely as "PMA".


Perhaps like you, during such time, I wonder if I've been good enough so that when Mr. Sony Claus or Mr. Santa Canon visit during PMA season, I'll get more than coal. So to make sure we don't get coal during the PMA season, now is the time to prepare.

Some may ask, "How do we prepare for the Glorious Days-of-PMA Festival"? Here I will give my guidance to the Men of dpreview.com. Women of dpreview should shield their eyes and, for their own sakes, not read the following.

Men, we prepare for this important holiday, the Glorious Days-of-PMA Festival, with a little investment in one of the lesser known holidays. Here I speak of "Valentines Day".

Although this lesser holiday often passes the photographic gadget lover with out notice, it is important to fulfill the requirements of this so-called Valentines Day.

**"Why?", you may ask. Because, in order to earn the right to the new camera and PMA ...(Here Is The Secret)... we must fully satisfy the traditional Valentines Day requirements.

Moreover, nota bene, this so-called Valentines Day, unlike the other holidays, requires work on our part. There is no grace here.

Before I detail the preparation for the Glorious Days-of-PMA Festival, let me address the skeptics and unbelievers for a moment.

Perhaps you don't believe that Valentines Day even exists, as once I didn't believe. Well, my gracious wife of... um ... 8... no, wait ...um...9 years carefully and gently pointed out this holiday on an official Hallmark(c) calendar. There it was, in plain pink and white writing; smack-dab in the middle of a perfectly good workweek. Wednesday, 14th of February, 2007 is, in fact, "Valentines Day"

Although the history of Valentines Day is shrouded in a bit of mystery it somehow relates to martyrdom on the 14th of Feb. This makes sense to me, since husbands and boyfriends have to do most of the work on this holiday. (Which I'm told does not nearly make up for the remaining 364 days of the year)
Anyway, back to preparation for the Glorious Days-of-PMA Festival.

Men, the important things to note are the traditional Valentines Day requirements that are placed on the shoulders of photographic gadget lovers.
Why?
As I said earlier -

In order to earn the right to the new camera...[ raise your hand and repeat after me ]... "We must fully satisfy the traditional Valentines Day requirements." [OK, say it again...stop..OK...put your hand down...close enough. ]

In order to earn the right to the new camera & trip to PMA you may ask, "What are those traditional V-day requirements"? Well, I'm glad you asked.
They are:
1) GIFTS
2) FLOWERS & CHOCOLATE (which I have been taught are not gifts)
3) TIME WITH YOU (which still is a mystery to me)
4) THOUGHTFULNESS (in all the above.)

Below are the preparation instructions & some explanations.

1) GIFTS
1.1) You will buy a gift for your spouse/girlfriend/co-signer/better-half.
1.2) You will be thoughtful in your gift, which means that,
1.3) You will not buy something from your wish list, instead,
1.4) You will buy a gift that she really wants.
1.4.1) She may have been hinting at this since early Jan.
1.4.2) If, like me sometimes, you weren't really listening, you may:
1.4.2.1) ask her sister or
1.4.2.2) ask one of her friends, (except the slutty one).
(I have asked her sister, and it helped). Regardless,
1.5) You must have the gift by COB Tuesday.
EXPLANATION: It is expected that photographic and other gadget lovers, for this day, ** will NOT ** spend money on their collection of gadgets, photographic supplies, cables, lens, filters, software, lighting supplies, tripods, mono-pods etc. As shocking as this sounds, your wish list is 'streng verboten'.

2) FLOWERS & CHOCOLATE
2.1) 12 Red Long-stem Roses, plus,
2.2) The other type of flower she really likes anyways.
2.3) You will buy Chocolate - something:
2.3.1) with a fancy name,
2.3.2) in fancy packaging,
2.3.3) from a fancy store.
EXPLANATION: M&Ms are great for you, not for her. This has to do with her sense of portions. If she eats just one, she does not consider herself to be bad. So, you can help her to find a way to eat as many "just ones" as possible. Boxes with individually placed / wrapped chocolates is such a mechanism for her to eat "just one" through the entire box.

3) TIME WITH YOU.
3.1) Yuck.
3.2) Eeeuuuw.
EXPLANATION: Why would someone want to spend time with you or with me? Now, wanting to spend time with my beautiful wife, that, I understand. Anyway, plan on at least dinner...make it, if you have skills. Or, go to a really cool place you know. She may have already hinted. If all is going to plan, and you really want to earn that camera ... go to a different, but equally cool place for dessert.

4) THOUGHTFULNESS (in all the above.)
4.1) Start planning your work today!
4.2) Start working your plan tomorrow!
EXPLANATION: All of this must be as carefully thought out as you have with your predictions on the new camera models and their corresponding names.

BOTTOM-LINE.

Men, look at the names on the forum list, I don't expect all of you will make it through Valentines Day successfully.

However for the few of you that will do the right thing and prevail, here is the bottom-line: If you have accomplished your Valentines Day mission competently, you MAY, at the end of the complete & successful Valentines Day regimen, mention only one thing about the Glorious Days-of-PMA Festival.

At the end of the day, when it is quiet, when the Valentines Day mission is a success, and you are close to each other, you can say only this one thing - You may say, "We should go somewhere in March."


Men, good luck on your mission.



brian

Two Inches

Many of you think I jest when I talk about DC and snow. This is a news story from this weekend. If you read the article, one would think we're expecting six inches or a foot, perhaps two feet! Alas, two inches.

DC Gets Ready For Snow
Area Prepares For Possible Snow

Read the full story.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

We wish all of you a blessed Christmas and New Year!