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Weekly Video Selection
Drew's Photo-A-Day
Allison's Photos

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Photo-A-Day #53 05/31/05

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Tonight Allison and I went to Mr. Tux so I could try on the different tuxes for the wedding. I didn't bring the camera. Should have but didn't. Anyway after we had some dinner a Box Seats we watched Without a Paddle. Had a $5.00 coupon for Blockbuster so didn't violate my no rentals for a year rule. Reading Patricia Cornwell's Trace now, going quickly. Good read and quick, but not that big a fan of the characters. Give me the clear cut direction of Dirk Pitt anyday. So tonight's picture is of my feet on the table watching the extra scenes of Without a Paddle.

Monday, May 30, 2005

Photo-A-Day #52 05/30/05

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This morning Allison and I took our bikes out for a ride and we saw my Aunt Corrine and Uncle Jeff and the kids. I told Jeff that I am going to sell the motorcycle and he wanted to know if he could take it for a ride. So we traded for the day. Allison and I took a little Jeep adventure. We borrowed my Uncle Jeff's Jeep while he borrowed my motorcycle. We toured around Cumberland, Woonsocket, Wrentham, and eventually Franklin. We had lunch at Franklin Flatbreads and got some ice cream from Spruce Pond Creamery.

We had a great time flying around the backroads with the wind in our hair and John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits blasting from the CD.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Photo-A-Day #51 05/29/05

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On our way home from New Hampshire Allison and I stopped at Kimball Farm for lunch. Kimball Farm is a nice place with Golf, Miniature Golf, and a country store and ice cream. We had a nice couple of sandwiches and continued on our way home.

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Photo-A-Day #50 05/28/05

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Today Allison and I went to Nate and Sarah's wedding reception/BBQ. This was taken right before Matt gave his speech for the two of them. It was very funny and touching. Nate and Sarah were already laughing before Matt even got going.

Friday, May 27, 2005

Trojan Odyssey Over

I just completed Clive chisellers Trojan Odyssey. What a fantastic book. This book really brings the Dirk Pitt adventures full circle. I've been with these characters now for 17 straight books and they are like old friends. The next book is a passing of the torch with Clive Cussler and his Son Dirk co-authoring the book, Black Wind. I'm glad that Dirk Cussler will be taking up the duties of continuing the saga of Dirk Pitt and friends. I may wait a bit to read Black Wind because it will feel like a whole new origin of the story. I think I found a continuity error but can't figure out what book I need to read to confirm it. Oh well.

As with each Dirk Pitt novel Clive Cussler makes an appearance and this is the first book that really felt like the end for me and with Cussler's appearance it got me a bit choked up. I'm excited about the new direction the series is heading and will soon dive into more of Cussler's works. But before that I'll tackle some other books, like Patricia Cornwell's Trace.

Photo-A-Day #49 05/27/05

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Bubbles galore. Rick blows bubbles to create a festive mood during a surprise bridal shower.

Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials Christine and Marc!

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Photo-A-Day #48 5/26/05

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Tara's puppies were playing in the backyard and when I came to the gate Taylor came to say hello.

LOST... till the next fall season.

When is LOST returning to TV. That is the main question I had after last night's 2 hour season finale. It was awesome. It had the humor, the drama and the tension that I have come to know and love about the show. Were questions answered? Yes. Was more revealed? Yes. Do we really know anything about the island? NO!

I was really good about not reading spoilers ahead of time with this show and it really helped me enjoy it all the more. I look forward to the DVD set being released and all the extras.

What annoys me is that now, with the success of LOST, sci-fi and supernatural shows are crawling out of the woodwork, all the while a pretty fantastic show was passed over a few years back and given the boot. You know the show, Firefly. That was a great Sci-Fi show with a great concept. A Space Western that focused on a group of characters and their relationships. I saw about 3 previews for supernatural shows coming out next season, they all look like crap. Bring Firefly Back.

The Iliad, in England?

I am reading the latest Clive Cussler Novel about Dirk Pitt called the Trojan Odyssey. In the course of the book they make mention of another book called "Where Troy Once Stood" hypothesizes that the legendary battle of Troy did not take place in Greece among Greeks but rather in England among Celts. Iman Jacob Wilkens author of "Where Troy Once Stood" dissects the Iliad and the Odyssey based upon the descriptions of places and finds that the descriptions do not match that of Greece. He also hypothesizes that Homer took the oral traditions and tales from the Celts and wrote them down but used Greeks instead of Celts as the stories characters. It is a very fascinating concept. I really love the Cussler Novels because half the time you wonder, is this real, or is this made up.

I remember reading the Iliad in High School as well as college. In college I studied the Iliad in my Humanities Class and there was never a doubt about the story being about Greeks. I really want to read "Where Troy Once Stood" .

And I'm going to see Sahara again tonight with my Dad, it is at the Route One Cinema Pub. I can't wait. Which at this point SAHARA has grossed $64,363,595 (USA)

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Photo-A-Day #47 05/25/05

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This is the image I should have put up yesterday but I did not have my camera with me, so today after the demonstration I went back over to the restaurant that we ate at last night and took the picture of this. This is the Putnam Version of Cows on Parade. They are called the Calves of Putnam and there are various ones about town. In fact there are 34 different calves spread throughout the downtown. I saw threee of them but did not explore further. Each one has a name, I of course find the one named "untitled". To learn more about the Calves of Putnam and view the rest you can go to http://www.putnamct.us/

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Blank Label Comics

A great thing happened int he world of web comics. 6 creators struck out on a new collaboration to mutually benefit each other. I've already talked in the past about Wapsi Square and Shortpacked!. Those are comics by just two of the six creators. Check out Blank Label Comics.

Photo-A-Day #46 05/24/05

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I am in Putnam Connecticut tonight. I went out to dinner at a place called the Courthouse. The town is very pretty with interesting things to see. Man, would have been great to have my camera with me. I won't forget it again. So today's picture is really lame.

Business Cards

Do you ever throw your business cards in those fishbowls at restaurants? I do and today I got a call that I won lunch for myself and 14 others at Vinny T's in Dedham sometime during the month of June. Pretty sweet winnings.

And today I got a $3.00 off my next purchase at D'angelo.

I should go buy a lottery ticket for tonight's drawing.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Photo-A-Day #45 05/23/05

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This is a T-shirt Quilt that my sister Tara made for me. It was made from a bunch of T-shirts from College. Tara has made a number of T-shirt Quilts.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Photo-A-Day #44 05/22/05

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Saw Star Wars Episode III today. Obi-Wan Kenobi is the best character ever. I really loved Ewan McGregor's portrayal. This is one of my LEGO sets, Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter. I hope to one day open and share with my children. Ollie was just hanging out so I decided to put him in the picture too.

Star Wars Episode III : No Spoilers

Today Allison and I went to see the 1:45 showing of Star Wars Episode III. Overall it was a good movie. It was visually amazing, but there was just so much to see that it was just not possible to see it all. It was awesome to see Wookies. The Wookie planet was very cool. I think that Lucas tied things up very nicely overall. However, I found Anakin to be so easily led that it was silly. I also found him to be a hypocrite. The downward spiral unraveled so quickly. It certainly was a tragedy of epic proportions and capped the trilogy and made a perfect segue for Episode IV. I liked the movie alot. I look forward to seeing all the movies when they are re-re-re-released on IMAX 3-D. I think that will be starting around 2007. Should be a good thing to see.

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Photo-A-Day #43 05/21/05

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Mike and Coco doing a U2 picture. What is a U2 picture. Well have you ever noticed that when U2 is photographed no one is looking at the camera. I credit Steve with introducing the concept of the U2 picture to me.

BBQ with Derek and Michelle. Stone Soup with Ellis

Today Allison and I took Allison's friend Jenn to Michelle's graduation party at Derek and Michelle's house. Both Michelle and Derek did very well this year in their studies. Derek, an absolute knuckle dragging troglodyte, barely squeaked by on his doctoral classes with all A's. Way to go Derek. And Michelle also did a fantastic job on her final grades.

The BBQ kicked off with Derek's signature handiwork at the grill including homemade bratwurst marinated in beer and onions and sauerkraut. Also on the menu were hot dogs, burgers and kielbasa. Michelle made a delicious pot of baked beans.

Favorite quote from the Day. "I took in the Bratwurst and there is no other food outside." Which was followed by Derek and I taking in the rest of the food, that wasn't out there, and bringing it inside, where it already was.


Derek slaving away at the grill.


Grilling on a cold May day. However the rain held off.


Here's the crowd enjoying the delectable spread.


Derek and Coco.


Mike and Derek and the creepy stare. They can hold that pose for hours. Creepy.

After the BBQ Allison, Jenn and I headed to Stone Soup to see Ellis Paul play. Yes we saw him two weeks in a row. And guess what he remembered us because I shook his hand at the end of the show and he said nice to see you again and then he said goodbye Allison. No pictures from the show this week. I hate taking pictures during the performance, especially flash photos. We were joined at the show by my mother Denise and sister Tara. Everyone enjoyed the show very much. Once again Ellis did a masterful performance.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Airport craziness in LAX...

So this morning I got up and lazed around the hotel room for a bit, headed down to get breakfast at 7:00am and then caught the shuttle over to LAX. Man what a busy place. As we were riding in I could see long, long, long lines at the US Air terminal, then we got the the American Airlines terminal and I got in went to the self service counter, checked my bag and headed over to the security line, Again a wicked long one. The next thing I know the woman checking the tickets shuffles me off to a bus that then proceeds to the Tom Bradley international terminal so that we can go through the security line there because it will be faster. Sure no problem faster is better especially in line at the airport. So we get to the Thomas Bradley International terminal, walk in like a string of ducklings and get through security and then onto another bus that brings us to the terminal. It was actually very smart and efficient, can't believe that I found something like that at an airport. Who da thunk it!

So I finished Valhalla Rising and there was one part of the book where a scientist invents a way to teleport things, namely oil. The book really doesn't go into the science behind the invention or the process however one thing about it I found very interesting. The telportation moves molecules and atoms and rebuilds them at another location, however when Dirk asks if that could be used on people the answer is a definitive no. And the reason is that despite being about to put your molecules back together there is no way to teleport your essence, your soul, your memories, your higher brain functions. You would essentially come out on the other end as fresh and new as a baby. No memory no nothing. That is a very interesting concept. Makes me think about how Star Trek got around the whole loss of all memories thing with their transporters.

So now Star Wars Episode III is out in theatres. There was a cartoon today from Shortpacked where the Character of Mike is walking up and down the line of people waiting for the movie to open with a one man band outfit playing songs and taunting all the folks in line about how Star Wars is complete and Star Trek is over and how all these geeks in line no longer have anything to look forward to in their lives. It is sad and funny and so frighteningly true. Many of the webcomics had somethign about Star Wars, Scott Kurtz of PVP set up his joke for today over 3 years ago. Pretty funny and great foresight. Read the next couple too.

Spent my flight from Dallas to Providence next to a young mother and a 3 month old baby girl. She was a very good baby ont he plane, some crying but I made funny faces and distracted her and made her smile. Brave mother taking a 3 month old by herself. Very brave soul.

Well I am back home now.

Here are some of the pictures I promised.


Post war blues from Chris Cotton & the Hokum 3's at Cafe Boogaloo.


Another shot of the band. The drummer had the best expressions, constipated, pissed off, confused. That was about all of them. He was a good drummer though.


Book of matches, don't worry I put it in the checked luggage, the skys are safe.

Photo-A-Day #42 05/20/05

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Spend an entire day in the airport, on planes and off and you get pictures of planes.

Heading Home

I'm heading home from LA today. I was just here for a couple of hours last night and on my way to the planes that will take me back via DFW and then onto PVD. Last night I went with the rest of the group to a place called Cafe Boogaloo on hermosa beach. (Sorry I didn't call Uncle Jim, I thought I'd be taking the later flight from Fresno and not going anywhere last night. Next time I come to town.). I had a great flat iron steak with a ragout of mushrooms, beans and fried onions. It was much better than I just described. There was a performer there called Christopher Cotton. When I get back on high speed I'll see about finding his website and posting the pictures I took.

Please keep the prayers coming for Great-Uncle Richard, he's still in the ICU but his kidney function is beginning to improve. And if he knew I was soliciting prayers for him he wouldn't be too happy. He's one of the most generous people I know as well as the most self-sacrificing and independent. The day before the surgery he was ready to rip out all the tubes and walk home. Anyway, get better, Uncle Richard, so you can come back and read about what has been happening on the blog. (Uncle Richard reads the blog daily when he is at home.)

Thursday, May 19, 2005

You can't waste a convertible.

For this trip out in Fresno I had a 2005 Mustang Convertible. And one cannot waste a convertible when one has the opportunity to use one. So this morning when I headed out to the site for the demo I put the top down and drove out through the farm country. I got to see where alot of our strawberries and almonds are grown and picked. It was a 40 mile straight shot across a valley, as far as I could see were farms and then beyond that were whitecapped mountains. Cruising with the top down is just so much fun. The mustang cruises along so well. It is a sweet machine. I now have a sunburn on the left side of my head, but man the ride was worth it.

I finished the Dirk Pitt novel today Valhalla Rising and I just reserved Trojan Odyssey from the library online. I love the library online. They are now doing e-books via the library so I am in heaven about that one. And the e-book is like a regular book except you don't bring it back, after 14 days it automatically stops working and the book is once again available for other users. It is a pretty cool concept.

As far as the book went it was awesome. One of my favorite Dirk Pitt novels ever. So much action and so many cool 'historical' findings. I just love the way Cussler's mind weaves fantastic tales that take history, fiction, and fact and blends them together. Just amazing. Unfortunately I did not have Trojan Odyssey with me so I will have to dig into my e-books on my ipaq to read tomorrow on the flight home. I hope I get a seat with a power outlet or I'm going to be out of luck.

Photo-A-Day #41 05/19/05

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Today's Photo-A-Day is the take-off from the Fresno airport. As soon as the overhead ding went off I grabbed my camera and took this shot. It is really hazy and smoggy so I had to enhance it a bit to get better detail. And I got stuck at the wing so unless we are banking I get no clear shots. Oh well maybe on the flight home tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Photo-A-Day #40 05/18/05

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I got a mustang convertible for this trip. Too bad I won't get to drive it too much.

Back in Fresno

3+ years ago when I started this job I had my first account in Fresno, CA. I am now back here for a demonstration tomorrow. Last time I was here the airport was undergoing renovations. They are now complete and the Fresno airport is looking top notch. I ended up with a convertible Mustang too. One of the new ones. Sweet!

On the flight across the country I tore through my latest Dirk Pitt novel. Clive Cussler has once again woven a story of intrigue, wit and adventure. I've completed 400 pages so far and will finish the book on the return flight. The book is called Valhalla Rising and it is awesome.

There is a teaser trailer up for the Da Vinci Code. Nothing special about it but it is supposed to come out one year from tomorrow. A little early for a nothing trailer if you ask me. But if you want to see it for yourself, here it is.

Da Vinci Code Teaser Trailer

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Photo-A-Day #39 05/17/05

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These are Liberty Dollars. My Great-Uncle Richard gives these to his neices and nephews each Easter. I have them as far back as 1986.

Great-Uncle Richard is in the ICU tonight. He had some complications during an operation this morning and he's in critical condition. Mom and Dad and Tara and Erik and Allison and I went to Sturdy to go and visit him.

Please keep Great-Uncle Richard in your prayers. Thank you.

Monday, May 16, 2005

Photo-A-Day #38 05/16/05

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Back at home. Missed the cats. Here's Duncan.

Platinum Baby...

I just found out that I got my status back on American Airlines. I'm platinum baby!

Here is a waving cat.

Other Random information. Scrubs has been benched for return to the NBC lineup later in the season.

A new sitcom called My Name is Earl starring Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee (Staples in Kevin Smith Movies) is going to be on NBC. I think Jason Lee is an absolute riot and hope this show does well. It is about a small time crook who wins the lottery and decides to right the wrongs of his past. Should be interesting.

Check out a parody movie for Star Wars, called Star Wars: A Lost Hope.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

BBQ, Kenny, Ellis and Antje....

Yesterday Allison and I went to New Hampshire in the morning. I got 3 hours of sleep and then we were off. Went went up to see Dan and Marcia and then went over to see Ken and Alicia for Alicia's MBA celebration party. Ken went to the Bull Run and got some great steak tips and fired up the Webber and got the bbqing going. Here's Kenny at the BBQ.



Kenny the BBQ King.

After we left Ken and Alicia we went back to the house and Erin and Bart came down to have dinner with us and to head down to North Andover to see Antje Duvekot and Ellis Paul at the Crossroad's Coffeehouse.

Antje opened the show and she was fantastic, she has such a wonderful voice and her songwriting is amazing. We were actually seated directly behind her. After the show she signed my copy of her newest CD Boys, Flowers, Miles. And I asked if I could get a photo with her as well. She was very gracious and nice to meet. I look forward to seeing her again in the future.


Drew and Antje.

Ellis took the stage and he played another fantastic set. He played about an hour and then we took a break and then he played some more and asked for suggestions/requests. Allison shouted out Words. Words is going to be our wedding song. So Ellis played Words and it was awesome.

Allison bought Ellis' new CD called American Jukebox Fables. We waited in line to get that signed and we also got our picture taken with Ellis.


Allison,Ellis and Drew.
(Notice how cute Allison's outfit is. It is my favorite one at the moment. Totally brings the blue out in her eyes.)

So when Ellis began to sign the CD he asks, who should I make this out to, and Allison says "Allison" and I say "and Drew". So we had a little laugh at that and talked to him about our wedding and our choice of Words as the wedding song. Now notice that Allison and I was pictured with Ellis, but only I am with Antje. That is because when Drew gets to talk to a cute female singer he forgets everything and gets tongue tied. So The CD is only made out to me and only I am in the picture.

Thanks for taking the photos Bart.

We had a great weekend hanging out with Erin and Bart and seeing Antje and Ellis. And lunch with Dan and Marcia and Aunt Sandy and Aunt Sandy's famous chocolate chip cookies.

Photo-A-Day #37 05/15/05

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Today we had lunch from Chen Yang Li in Bedford NH. Erin and Bart stayed for lunch and we went back to the house to have lunch with Marcia and Dan. I used to go to Chen Yang Li back when I was working at Saint Anselm College's PR department.

Saturday, May 14, 2005

Photo-A-Day #36 05/14/05

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Yep, it was 3:05 am when I arrived at PVD!

Well, I'm not quite not in Kansas anymore....

So I am flying home from my week long trip for work. I started my journey home around 11:00am on Friday the 13th. It is now 2:08am on Saturday the 14th. 15 hours of travel so far. My morning started with a call from the airport telling me that my flight scheduled for 10:48am had been cancelled but not to worry I was rebooked back to Providence on a flight leaving at 1:19pm. Great I now had some time to find the Wichita Harley Davidson shop called Mid Continent Harley Davidson. It's fairly small as shops go but they had a good custom pin and I picked up one for myself and for my father. I then headed to the airport and got my picture of the day, a Big Dog motorcycle that was on display in the lobby of the airport. As I awaited my plane I set up shop at the workstation and updated the blog, checked my e-mail and was able to play a little Runescape.

I got a message from Linda at the Smoky Hill Bison Co.. I found out that Ida's calf had died in the birthing process. I then went to check out the website to see if there was an update about the herd and I noticed that I got another message from Linda that let me know that Ida ended up having twins (a very rare occurance for bison). Unfortunately neither of the twins survived. Linda and Verne did not know that Ida was having twins and during the extraction of the first calf and the frantic work of getting Ida into a chute during a torrential thunderstorm the second calf was missed until the next morning. Ida could have given birth to the second calf at any time after the first one. I can only imagine the confusion and panic and fear or possibly losing one of your birthing cows to a birth gone wrong never mind doing it in a thunderstorm. If the thunderstorm was anything like what I drove through during my trip back from Salina then I can only imagine at the misery of that night. I actually used every setting of my windshield wipers on that drive because it would pour, then trickle, then stop, then pour again and the lightening was a fantastic sight to see.

Anyway I was thankful to Linda to give me an update. The Smoky Hill Bison Co. has an absentee owner program where you can buy a buffalo for a one time fee and then pay for it's care each month. After three years if you have a heifer then I think you can sell it or decide if it will be used for breeding. If it is a bull you can look to maybe sell it as a herd bull for stud or have it for the meat. I need to read through the agreement again. I wonder if that would be a good investment. "So what are you invested in? Well I diversified my portfolio, I have Dell, Disney, some mutual funds and a buffalo. A buffalo? Yep, a buffalo. And next year I may add a couple of emus and an ostrich, and some Microsoft." But seriously I think I may take a closer look at this absentee owner program. Linda was a very nice person and from the website their farm is working to maintain a very healthy herd of buffalo as well as be environmentally conscious. After the wedding I will look at this closer and see more about some serious consideration.

So after checking the e-mail and while playing Runescape the woman at the counter put out a request for 7 people to give up their seats or the seats would be involuntarily given up. They were offering a $250.00 voucher so I checked it out, looked like they would get me home only a couple of hours later than expected so I volunteered and settled in for some serious gaming time. The next flight was to leave at 5:00pm, but then Chicago had a ground halt and that means no flights in or out. Which meant that we could not fly to Chicago at all, until l approx 7:00pm, well we ended up leaving at 6:30pm or so. And when I arrived in Chicago I was greeted with an 11:55 departure time to Providence. Great. So that means a 3:00 am arrival or so and also means getting home at 4:00am or so. But I ended up with a first class ticket, a $250.00 voucher, I played uninterrupted hours of Runescape, read most of Clive Cussler's Atlantis Found (The current Dirk Pitt novel that I am on and the last repeat one before I get to the last 4 or 5 new ones.) And first class was not full so I have my own row and can write this entry to my heart's content. And since I have been awake since 7:00am I am tired and wired and typing like a fiend. If I had had my camera out in time I could have gotten some fantastic shots of Chicago but I wasn't thinking. I did get some nice pictures of the clouds though. That is the first time I took any pictures from the plane. I'm attaching them here.


Clouds from the plane.


Not so great shot of Chicago.

Well looks like we will be landing soon, signing off. Landed at 3:05am, found car at 3:20am, got home at 4:00am. Woke up 7:00am, off to New Hampshire at 8:30am.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Ida the Buffalo Cow update

Sadly Ida the Buffalo did not have a healthy baby bull calf. The calf died in the birthing process and Linda and her husband Verne needed to extract the calf from Ida or else Ida would have died too. The calf had a broken leg and twisted shoulder. I could sense that things weren't right when I was there watching Ida struggling with the birth. Linda and Verne needed to separate Ida from the herd on foot, with a pickup and a tractor during a horrible thunderstorm, but they managed to save Ida. I was also told that Tonka (the herd bull) who is very protective of Ida, was not too happy to be away from Ida.

This morning I read the children's book I got at the Smoky Hill Bison Co. It is called The True Story of Nickel, The Baby Buffalo Who Thought He was a Dog. It is a very cute story, and a little sad too. Nickel lives in Colorado and I think that I have actually seen his herd when I was in Colorado a few years back with Tara and Erik. We could see the herd from the highway and on the Nickel website it shows a map of where the herd is and I swear we passed by that same herd on our trip up to Keystone and Breckenridge.

I'm in the Wichita Airport now and awaiting my flight to Chicago. The Wichita airport is great because they have a bunch of complimentary workstations where you can connect directly to the internet for free. Logan Airport take notice!

Photo-A-Day #35 05/13/05

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It's friday the 13th and I'm at the Wichita Airport. My flight was cancelled and I was booked on another flight at 1:30pm. So I won't be home till real late.

Wichita is the home of Big Dog Motorcycles. They have one on display in the lobby of the airport. I would have liked to go to the manufacturing plant but didn't find out where it was till it was too late.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Buffalo, Downpours, and Demos.

Today I gave a presentation in Salina Kansas. It is about 80 miles North of Wichita. The demonstration went very well. After the demo I headed back to Wichita but first I had to make a couple of stops.

The first place I stopped was the Smoky Hill Bison Co. I saw a sign on the road yesterday on my way to Salina (pronounced Sah-Line-Ah not Seh-lean-ah). I knew I wanted to check this place out. It is a working family farm that raises Bison for meat and other products, like leather and bison skulls. The family makes use of all parts of the Bison that they raise. When I arrived I was greeted by Linda Hubalek the proprietor. Linda was a very nice and inviting woman who was very friendly and knowledgeable about all things related to Bison. She is also an accomplished writer and quilter. She has written two series historical fiction books about her family and their travels from Kentucky to Kansas. From the back cover, "In this first book of the Trail of Thread series, in the form of letters she wrote on the journey, Deborah Pieratt describes the scenery, the everyday events on the trail, and the task of taking care of her family....." Each book in the Trail of Thread series has a companion quilt pattern. On the walls of the visitors center there are a couple of antique quilts that Linda's family brought with them on their travels. Linda's series of books can be purchased at her online store www.ButterfieldBooks.com

But back to the Bison. Right now the cows are calving and a few calves have been born already. One cow Ida was out in the field being watched over by the Herd Bull. Linda said that Ida had been struggling all day with the birth, something that is rare because as Linda said the calves usually are born very quickly. Here's hoping that Ida has a healthy calf. Linda explained how the cows are in one pasture with one Herd bull for the breeding and the young bulls 2+ years are in another pasture and they are the meat bison. At about 2+ years those bulls are slaughtered for meats and other bison products. The visitors center sells bison products as well as Linda's collection of books and the quilting patterns. I picked up a few gifts while I was there and then I took a number of pictures within the Visitor's center and then outside I took some more pictures of the bulls. You can order Bison meat from www.BisonFarm.com. And I recommend that if you want to taste some fantastic meat that you place an order. The Smoky Hill Bison Co. also offers visitors a chance to have an evening with the Buffalo, they take a Prairie Tram out into the pasture to spend time with the bison herd. This is limited to 40 people per night and includes a buffalo burger meal. This happens on Saturday evenings during June-August.

After bidding farewell to Linda and the Bison I headed towards Wichita and stopped at Montana Mike's for lunch. There I ordered a 10oz Buffalo Sirloin. That had to be the most tender and delicious cuts of meat I have ever had. And I usually order items like Filet when I am on the road. This blew that away. Montana Mike's had a very good steak sauce as well. I practically was able to cut all of the meat with a fork, it was that tender. And it had barely any fat at all. From the 10oz I would say that 9.7oz was meat and 0.3oz was fat. So I may say that I would like some Buffalo meat added to my Guy's Registry, if anyone is looking for ideas.

Here are my photos from the Smoky Hill Bison Co.

Also I have never had to turn my windshield wipers off and on more then driving along I-135 South from Salina to Wichita. I got to see some awesome lightening strikes but no twisters. And that is a good thing because the first thing I saw when I got out of the hotel this morning was a trailer park directly next to the hotel. I dodged one there. While I was typing this the tv was interrupted multiple times to report tornados and hail and major downpours. The weather here has been crazy today. Glad I'm at the hotel near the airport for my drive there tomorrow.

I have to say that Kansas has been a very nice place to visit. The people were very pleasant and the food was great. And I got photos of Buffalo.

Photo-A-Day #34 05/12/05

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As I was making my way back from the Smoky Hill Bison Co. I saw this device in a field, it looked pretty interesting. I think it is either for irrigation or maybe for fertilizing or spreading seeds. I honestly do not know what this does but it looked interesting and I can only speculate at the use.

Updated 01/02/06: E-mailed to me by a Kansas native.
"Its an irrigator. The other end of it is hooked to a high pressure well.

When the pressure is turned on, it causes the whole device to move one way or another. Some are allowed to go in circiles, some have a set area.

There is a post at either end of its range. It will hit the post, stay for a few minutes, then reverse direction.

They normally don't move very fast...rarely over 1mph."

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Photo-A-Day #33 05/11/05

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While in Chicago I only had enough time to stop by McDonalds, So I grabbed a Happy Meal, the toy inside was a The Cat stuffed animal. And today I was running late again so I stopped at McDonalds in Salina, Kansas so I grabbed another Happy Meal and got a The Dog stuffed toy. Did you know that you can get chocolate milk at McDonalds now? That is awesome!

I'm in Kansas...

I guess I titled this post that way so that on Friday I could post, I'm not in Kansas anymore, but that would be a very lame joke. Okay so I haven't posted a real post in a while. I've been keeping up with the Photo-A-Day project and yesterday I posted a number of photos of downtown Fort Worth, mostly of buildings that I saw there because we only had about 1 hour to walk around so we really didn't see much.

This morning I got up at 5:00am and headed to the airport for my flight to Kansas. I got to Wichita and headed to the hotel, it was very early so I could only get into a smoking room at that time of the morning, but I talked to the front desk person and she said I could come back and get a non-smoking room later. So I got upstairs and showered and shaved real quick and got on the road for a 2 hour drive to Salina, Kansas. And luckily for me I took everything with me, under the impression that I would return to a non-smoking room, you know one that didn't stink like ass. Anyway when I got to Salina I found that everyone else was staying in Salina, so I called back to work and had my reservations switched. Thank goodness since I wasn't looking forward to another 2 hour drive tonight and tomorrow morning.

So I'm now in a Fairfield Inn in Salina. And when I walked in I was at the reception desk and I turned to my left and saw the pool, I had a deja vu moment. The Fairfield Inn in Fresno California is exactly the same with the exact same layout with the pool and whirlpool set up exactly the same. It was weird. And with all the motels and hotels I've stayed at this is the first time that has happened to me.

There is a teaser trailer up for the Chronicles of Narnia. Looks good.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Photo-A-Day #32 05/10/05

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This photo was taken in Forth Worth, Texas, downtown. After the demo today I went to the downtown for lunch. There are some fantastic buildings all over the downtown area. This one was really nice. I can't tell you what these buildings are because we didn't have enough time to really explore so I just snapped away and will post. If you know what the building is let me know.

Update 1/2/06: This is the Bass Hall

Monday, May 09, 2005

Photo-A-Day #31 05/09/05

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I'm in Fort Worth, Texas for a couple of days to do a demonstration tomorrow. Then I'm off to Wichita for a couple of days. This is the restraunt that I ate dinner at this evening. They had great fried mushrooms. I may go back tonight to get fried pickles.

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Photo-A-Day #30 05/08/05

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On our way home from Plymouth, NH we stopped at Hebert's Candies in Boxboro, MA. We split a sundae. When I was a kid our family would stop there on the way back from NH for a treat. I remember the place as much more exciting and fun. Oh well the ice cream was a nice treat.

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Teaser Trailer

Looks like this will probably play with Star Wars Episode III previews. Previews for Star Wars Episode III are going to be as exciting as the movie itself. Well, not really but they will be pretty good.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Teaser Trailer

Congratulations Nate and Sarah

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Today Allison's brother Nate and his fiance Sarah were married at the Common Man in Plymouth, New Hampshire. It was a very nice intimate ceremony that was attended by Nate & Allison's parents, Marcia and Dan, Sarah's parents, Frank and Barbara, Allison and me and Sarah's sister, Megan, and her boyfriend, Matt.

More photos to come.

Photo-A-Day #29 05/07/05

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This is the wine cellar in the alcove where we ate dinner tonight at the Common Man in Plymouth, New Hampshire. We were there to celebrate Nate and Sarah's wedding. Photos from the wedding are forthcoming.

Friday, May 06, 2005

YeeeHAW!!

The Dukes of Hazzard Movie Trailer is out!

Any trailer that uses the song Black Betty in the opening establishing sequence is just a good time. Gets you pumped up.

Can't Stop the Signal...

Last night was the Serenity Preview Screening and man it was so awesome. A sold out crowd of Firefly fans, Browncoats, were in the building. Two cast members came to see the movie and sign autographs at the end of the show. The cast members who came to our viewing in Boston were Sean Maher (Dr. Simon Tam) and Morena Baccarin (Inara). The ovation was so loud for them.

Watching a movie with a fan base as rabid as Firefly's was an experience. People were singing the songs from the show like the Ballad of Jayne Cobb and the theme song. There was a film crew on site making movies for the DVD and as promotional material. Also before the screening began there was a message from Joss. The man is so witty and dry, he made us all laugh. So many times during the movie the crowd laughed or cheered. It was something to be a part of. The story is great and Joss does what Joss does which is steers you one direction and makes you end up in an entirely different place. Buy the DVD's support this movie when it comes out on September 30th. It is more than science fiction. It is a great story with characters with depth and heart. Something well worth being a part of. The movie made me laugh, made me well up with tears and made me cheer. I was on the edge of my seat in certain parts and jumped out of my skin in others. The movie had everything.

And I got like the worlds crappiest picture of Sean and Morena. Allison and I had the absolute last seats in the back of the theatre. So the photo is grainy. I tried to get a photo at the end as well but that didn't work so good either.

Additional thoughts: I've read a couple of the messages on the Browncoats website and the disappointment that other fans have had with certain aspects of the movie. One thing that I have always had a hard time with regard to fans was the sense of entitlement that rabid fans tend to get. If things aren't completely true to the original in the various forms and incarnations then they pick and pick and pick at things until you only see the minutiae and not the thing itself as a whole. As a whole Serenity was incredible and I stand by that. If I picked it apart then I could find something I would be upset about, but guess what? My tiny opinion about the film doesn't matter so why would I go on a message board and tear down a movie that I helped bring about in the first place. All fans of Firefly helped bring about this movie with DVD purchases and letter campaigns and raising money for charities in the name of Firefly.

What this film symbolizes is something incredible. A failed TV show being made into a Big Damn Movie or BDM, that wasn't a nostalgic tv show from back in the 70's or 80's. This movie should do well in the theatre when it is released. I'll be doing my part.

Okay this isn't movie related per se but I need to rant about something. I travel all over the country for my job and I have been to many many cities. Why does one have to be part Indian tracker part psychic to drive in Boston. I made Allison sick to her stomach because once I get near Boston I tense up and drive like I've never been in a car before. One shining moment from last night was me going down a one way street and pulling a U-turn (how would one spell the colloquial term for U-Turn I can say it but the spelling escapes me.) Luckily the police man who was checking out the idiot driver was helpful in directing us to the Common. Warning: Google maps look pretty but are not very good at all. And are there any roads in Boston that stay straight for more than 15 feet at a time!

Photo-A-Day #28 05/06/05

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Last night Allison and I went to see the preview screening of Serenity. It was awesome. I took this first thing when I got back tot he hotel room at 1:00am. At the show we were all handed these keychains.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Not suitable for work...

Not totally inappropriate, but rather funny. Watch the sound on your PC, not too loud people.

http://www.zefrank.com/punc/

Photo-A-Day #27 05/05/05

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Happy Cinco de Mayo. Today's photo was sitting on my desk when I got to work today. Yes that is Optimus Prime eating his plasma blaster. The work of some creative folks at work who got utterly frustrated with a little project at the end of the day. I think this was to symbolize that frustration with the project. I went to put my computer on the platform and there is Prime sitting there. I talked him down and he's standing tall again.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Photo-A-Day #26 05/04/05

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Mowed the lawn today. Didn't I do a good job?

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Photo-A-Day #25 05/03/05

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I got some new tires for the Civic. My other tires were at 65,000 miles, or rather 64,780 miles but who's counting. They were the original tires that were on the car when I bought them, and they were pretty bald. So I got some new Goodyear Assurance Tires with ComforTred Technology from Sullivan Tire. I'm happy with them so far. And they have a 80,000 Mile Tread Life Limited Warranty.

Brushes with Fame, CDUB.

So last month Allison and I went to see Christopher Williams at the Lyons Den. After the show we both e-mailed him. Here's what transpired.

I wrote:
Hi Christopher,
Last night my fiance, Allison, and I, and her friend attended your show at the Lyon's Den at Wheaton. We were the three folks on the couch who were certainly not college students. We had a great time and enjoyed your show. It was nice to see you back up this way since we haven't seen you since an outdoor concert in Arlington or the a New years show with Ellis at Club Passim. Anyway we missed you not being up and around here to go see your shows. Allison has been playing the new CD all day today I can garauntee it. Thanks for signing it. Anyway we had a great time and wanted to thank you. We keep a blog and you're invited to visit it. It is http://benspark.blogspot.com Thanks for the great night. Congratulations on recently getting married, too.
DREW

Christopher wrote:
hey drew...thanks for your email and for grounding out that show at wheaton.i am glad there were some folks there closer to my age :-) and that were listening too! always nice to have that in a college gig. i hope that you and alsparky are doing well and that the wedding is coming together.thanks again for being at the show!! cw

Allison Wrote:
Christopher,
I just wanted to say that the show was great last night! It had been about two years since we had had the opportunity to see you, so last night was a great treat! I hope that you will continue to play some shows up in this area. And a big congratulations on touring with Jars Of Clay! What a great opportunity. If the show comes up this way my fiance and I will definately try to make it. The new CD is amazing! I've been listening to it all day! Thanks again for a great show last night!
Allison

Christopher wrote:
hello hello...thanks for your email. glad to hear that you are digging the new record!hopefully that is still the case?! i am a bit behind on my email so sorry for thedelay in responding...i am normally slow...but not this slow. been a bit of acrazy month to say the least!
anyhoo...thanks for coming to the show and again for the support!hope the wedding plans are going well! cw

Monday, May 02, 2005

Photo-A-Day #24 05/02/05

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This used to be a train track and bridge in my town. Now there is still the path where the trains ran but no more track. It runs behind a number of houses up and down the street up the street from us. Took a walk after work with Tara and Mom. Checked out many of the houses in the area that are for sale. Someday we'll buy a house. Not soon but someday.

Is this appropriate?

Allison sent me this.


The New Yorker Cartoon of the Week.

I ask you, does that even begin to describe me and my desk?








I mean, honestly.....

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Photo-A-Day #23 05/01/05

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This is the pinstriping on my Dad's truck. All of this was hand done by this guy called The Hook. He does some awesome pinstriping, all with paint all by hand. The whole truck has nice accent pinstriping done by The Hook. It looks great. I'd like to get my motorcycle done too but not sure I want to put that much into it at this time.

April's Trivia final Scores

Apr 05

69 players played during the month.

1. dbarryzzz (514 points, 6 wins)
2. abennett48 (434 points, 3 wins)
3. Richmar (392 points, 4 wins)
4. ahami (354 points, 4 wins)
5. Jim (354 points, 1 wins)
6. Fluffy (335 points, 0 wins)
7. johngalt (334 points, 2 wins)
8. triviamonkey (332 points, 2 wins)
9. ekstaron (314 points, 0 wins)
10. neilio (314 points, 0 wins)

Thanks to everyone who has played this past month. I don't know why folk in Canton cannot play anymore. I wish I knew but I do not. Sorry.


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