Bryan's Bad Vinyl

First I found this on BWH and it seemed like an interesting idea.

What is that vinyl record that you owned that you are none to proud of. The one you would never admit to having owned much less listen to.

Well for me there are several strange ones. One was The Yellow Pages. Another was The Fat Mattress. Now you have to understand that when I was growing up the first 12 albums or so I owned I went to the store and bought anything that was in the bargin bin. In a collection of about 150 albums, however, there are plenty that people would think I was strange for. It was fun just going through them (yes I still have them but not a working turntable). I thought you might get a kick out of this one. I did not realize that this group was much larger than I thought. This is the Crazy World of Arthur Borwn.



Looking at the back of the album I guess I like a bit of the music on here so maybe this is not so bad after all.

Why don't you give it a shot. Got any deep dark secrets in your past when it comes to vinyl records you owned?

PSA

This morning I went out to breakfast. It was a nice enough day. The sun was out and the temperature was about 80 degrees. I pulled into the parking lot and I could not believe what I saw. There, in the parking lot was a mini van. No, that was not the problem. It had all the windows up. That was only part of the problem. What I saw was something pressed up against the window.

How could anyone do that? By now it must have been over 100 in the minivan. What were they thinking. There, right behind the glass was A STUFFED ANIMAL. How could they be so cruel.

Please be careful when leaving your vehicle unattended in the summer. Remember the life you save may be your own stuffed animal.


[PSA presenting the difference between Real Life and the Internet. Title card reads "Discussing Politics: Real Life"] --Red Vs. Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles

Photo Scavenger Hunt - Pets

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

Sorry this is so late. I do not have a pet unless dust bunnies count. So I thought I would borrow my brothers pet.


Meet Dragon. Dragon is a wonderful pet except for one thing. I think my brother and his wife are insane because of this. They have a small house and a very small yard. A dog like this needs his space. I think if I were to get a dog it would be one like this, a Weimaraner. I love that they do not have a lot of fur that sheds all over the place. If you feed them right I think they are a very beautiful dog. Their disposition seems to be great. You have to be careful around kids, not because they would bite or anything but because they may tip someone over by accident. By the way, his favorite time of the year ... Christmas. He loves to open the presents. I do not know how they can put up a Christmas tree with Dragon around.


The only things that worries me a little is this last one. Could Dragon be possed? Oh no.

Uncle

(NOTE: Title added once Lara mentioned it was missing)

No my brother or sister did not just have a baby. I could say uncle for many reasons but how about I list three of them.

First my Internet connection of late has been terrible. Just when I go to settle down to use the always-on internet connection that I pay dearly for I find out that it is not on. Is it my new cable modem dying or my ISP. I am beginning to think it is the ISP. Grrr.

The second thing I am ready to say UNCLE about is blogger. It has been insane for me lately. I have to try many times to get to see a page. I leave a comment and it disappears. I do not get notified that someone has changed their blog and I miss out on what is going on. Of course also part of it is people I would love to know what is going on with them are just silent a lot lately. Since when did they get a life? It was bound to happen some time. LOL

The final thing and I saved the best for last is the stupid political ads. We have a primary coming up im Michigan in under 2 weeks. I could just shoot the people producing these ads. They are all so misleading. They are down right mudslinging half the time and I hate that type of ad. They may not be lying but they are distorting the truth something awful. And I hear the ad and in the same commercial break I hear it again, and again at the next break. STOP THE STUPID ADS. You can not learn anything from them. You can not trust them. If you care you need to find out your information yourself and not trust someone else to do your thinking for you. I think I am going to watch the Disney Channel for the next two weeks. I doubt they will have any political adds over there. I need my safe house. Of course I suppose I could just turn the boob tube off. Ahh, I feel better already.


Humma Kavula is best known for his slanderous "Don't vote for stupid" campaign and claimed that most people thought they were voting for the worst dressed sentient being in the universe contest. –The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Positive News For a Change

A while ago a fellow blogger, Denny, asked people when was the last time they heard good news. Try as I might it was hard to think of anything.

Well this is a story about a gentleman from the Detroit area and I think it more then qualifies.


You can read the original story and the follow up story from the Detroit News.

Basically this gentleman is homeless. He lost his job as a roofer and was unable to get another job. It is not surprising as he is 59 and it seems once you hit 50 no one wants you.

Anyway he was trying to collect returnable cans and bottles and came across a package the contained some clothing and almost $21,000 in bonds. What did he do? He turned it into a shelter/kitchen that he frequents and asked for help finding the rightful owner. A few phone calls later the owner was found. And for his trouble they gave him $100 as a reward.

First good for the man of the hour, Mr Moore. A lot of people would not be so honest or would have kicked up a fuss about how relatively small the reward was. Secondly I am impressed with how people stepped forward to give Mr Moore a little more for being so honest since the reward was so lite. The best part is, besides money so he can get an apartment, they also got him a suit and a interview for a job.

There might be hope for mankind yet.


Since the wives are downtown feeding dinners to the homeless, shouldn't we be at the nudie bar feeding dollars to the topless. –Married With Children

Vampires

Yesterday I gave blood for the 1 millionth time. OK, so I exaggerate just a little but I would guess it is probably at least 75 times. I used to look forward to donating but several things happened. First I started to have trouble with my blood pressure and was even rejected once because of it. I have since went on medication. The second thing is the process is just insane.

It is just about impossible to get out of the place in under an hour. Now I do not mind giving but having to drive there, spend between an hour and an hour and a half, and then head back it adds up to just the near side of 2 hours. Why can’t I do this over my lunch hour?

I find it discouraging. Every time I am handed the same material and told to read it. Come on, this is silly and a waste of time. Next I go through a small screening. Not to bad but usually this is real backed up. Then off to the beds, clean the arm and several minutes later you are all done.

Now yesterday went much better. There was not very many people there. As soon as I finished reading the same material AGAIN I was given a number. Within 2 minutes I was off to screening and asked several questions twice, once by each person that handled the screening (grr) but that went fine. I was allowed to take the screening questions on the computer myself which was probably slightly slower then if they did it. Hey this could be a good thing. Maybe they will allow this to be done online ahead of time. That would be great. Then it was off to the beds. The person that was suppose to draw my blood was in a conversation with the person she was drawing blood from but someone else came along and got me started and, when I was done they came back and finished things. By the time I was done, over to get milk and cookies (just water for me please) ... I was out of there in just short of 50 minutes. Now that was better.

I sure hope they can find ways of speeding things up. I miss the old days when you used to be able to walk up and donate and almost always be done in under an hour.

Anyway I think you need to be nice to me today since I gave blood. I have a sticker that says so.


When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross! –Dirty Harry

Make Mine a Double

What a weekend. First let me say my time I had to spend on the Internet was about non existent on Friday and Saturday and then my Internet access on Sunday almost did not exist. I think I have some catching up to do.

Friday I went to a wedding. Well actually, to be accurate, I went to a reception. I was heading down for the wedding, no idea when and where it was, expecting to contact my Sister and get the details. I waited until just about 5:00 pm to call since by then I knew when I would be down and I got voice mail Uh oh, definite wrinkle in my plan. OK, so we call the home phone. No answer. Not to panic, at least not yet.

I get a hold of my parents hoping they were invited or at least know a little about what is going on. My Mom is going on about different things and trying to get a hold of my Sister and she will have her get back with me by Saturday. I said Mom, the wedding is today. Well, to shorten the story she tried to contact my Sister too and could not get her.

OK, now I was panicking. Leave it to me to do something stupid like leaving home without directions. Here not only was I driving 100 miles for nothing but I also had a busy Saturday and I would have been better off not going to the wedding. Well time to put plan C into affect.

I thought that they were going to one of two places for the reception. First I stopped and got a card because, even if I did not make the reception I at least owed them a card and some money.

As I drove to the first venue I figured I would give my Sister a try again and of course nothing. I pulled into the first haul parking lot. My I must say things have changed a lot there. It has been forever since I have been to Crystal Gardens. The parking lot is tiny but the place looked like it was still classy, at least from the outside. I drove through the parking lot and did not see a familiar car so I left.

Well by them I was fairly resigned to not making it to the wedding/reception at all. Who has a wedding at 5:00 on a Friday anyway? I do not know where I got 6:00 pm from, probably my head substituting a more reasonable time. I went over my parents house. They stepped out for a few minutes but I figured I might as well just go visit for a while before going back home. Out of desperation I made on last attempt at getting my Sister. She answered. I acted a bit cool to her, not because I could not get her before but why didn’t she return my call. She, in her typical fashion, called my parents house instead of me. Arg! Oh well, I could have avoided all of this by having the invite. So I got the information. It was at the other location, the Grecian Center and they were just pulling in. I filled out the card, left a little note for Mom and Dad and headed off to the reception.

The reception was nice. The food was nice. The liquid refreshments, plentiful. Of course our table wanted to get pitchers of beer and they did not have pitchers available. Oh well, more trips to the bar were in store. The DJ was doing pretty good although sometimes I could not understand him. He seemed to have this thing for Frank Sinatra and other things from about that time frame. Now I am not picking on Frank Sinatra but usually at a wedding you cater a lot to the older folks as they are the ones that write the bigger checks. Well, I think I have slipped into the older folks category and I wanted some rock and roll. Well after dinner things got much more lively.

The table I was at was “that table.” You know, the trouble maker table that everyone secretly wished they were there. First thing you know the blank cardboard and markers came out. Time to put together some signs to rate the newlywed kisses from clinking the glasses. There was the tradition, “69". We had a 3 that was turned into East German 3. Basically have you ever noticed for the Olympics how certain countries seem to consistently rank other countries down. There was another sign, “Me 2.” Who could blame her, the groom was good looking ... for a guy. There was a “I’M Drunk” with the letters flip-flopped every which way. Let me tell you the signs were a big hit. At one part another table came and captured the signs so they could take pictures with the “69" sign. A whole table full of girls. Um, I wanted to go join that table. Anyway the all time favorite was “Mud Man.” A nickname he earned from our many labor day weekend camping trips. The groom loved it.

Well this has already been way to long so lets move it on along. One event happened at the wedding I have never seen before. They were dancing in the pigs trough. What the heck is this. It only lasted one dance. The DJ kind of said what was going on but about all I head was that it was either some sort of family thing of some sort of Ohio tradition. So if you have any idea what this is all about I would appreciate you sharing. Now it was cute enough looking but certainly strange looking at the same time. NOTE: It appears that the tradition is if a younger brother or sister is married before the older brother or sister than the older brother/sister has to dance in the pigs trough kind of to shame them I guess. Of course here everyone was having a good time so no shame there.


The final thing about the wedding, I LOVE MY CAMERA. I still have lots of adjusting to do but I took over 300 pictures. Most of them turned out. I had a love affair with the timer button for some reason. I finally changed what I was doing. I also noticed that on occasion it had a hard time focusing and flashed the flash a little to help it focus so that slowed things down but, all and all not bad. I do need to get a better flash then the on camera flash. Now the pictures did turn out but they could have been lit a little better. Also when I wanted to take quick pictures I just could not do it like when they throw the garter of the bouquet. So I guess there is a big flash in my future. Now I already have a potato mashers (huge flash) but it will not sync up properly with the camera and I lose a bit of the features of the camera using it anyway.

I rushed home at 11:00 so I could get some sleep in preparation for the golf scramble. We had a title to defend. It was a slam dunk. We were 11 strokes over on the front 9 and 10 over on the back. That is unheard of on a scramble. But it did earn us a last place trophy. I mean there is no way we will ever be first and everyone else just gets lost in the middle so why not stand out. Our team was even called team LP for Last Place. Now things were a little ugly, especially toward the end. None of us are golfers (could you tell) but one fo the girls had never golfed before. Let me just say what a party animal. Anyway, the other one at least got some pointers and had swung a club before. Toward the end they were swinging at the ball, a miss. Swing again, a miss, hit the call go a few feet, not good enough. Go repeat the previous. I tell you the people behind us got mad and I do not blame them. They started hitting golf balls before they should have. You could hear them hit near by. I am glad they never hit us as I know I would have taken their a** to court. What they were doing was intentional. Anyway lots more about golf but what can I say, the streak continues.

You know the funny thing about this weekend was watching all the drunks. For the most part I do not drink much at all at a wedding as it makes the photos interesting at best. The golf outing I probably only had 3 beers over 6 hours since I thought it might be nice if at least someone stayed in control.

Sunday was a much more quiet day especially with my Internet access all but non existent. I hope everyone had a nice weekend.


Wow, you're pretty, you're smart. Now all you need as a drunken relative behind the scenes embarrassing you with every move they make. --Gilmore Girls

Photo Scavenger Hunt - Action

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

This is a picture of Dawn at the Downs at Churchhill Downs from early May of this year. Every morning they work out the horses. It can be anything from a leasure trot around the tract to a full gallop. Unfortunetly with how bright it was out and the way I had my camera set you do not see any of the traditional blured background as I tracked the two horses racing against each other in the workout. But what you do see, between the two horses, there is only one hoof on the ground. These horses were moving.

How Much is that Gas at the Station?

I was heading somewhere this evening and I happened to notice something. There on the side of the road was a big vehicle for sale. A little further down I saw a good sized boat (not BTE sized but) and a four wheeler. Typical toys for up north. A little further up there were some jet skis. Followed by a decent sized truck. I noticed the same thing on my return trip despite going a different path home.

So now I ask you. Is this because of the bad economy in Michigan. It could be but I kind of doubt it. Is it because of the price of a gallon of gas. Maybe yes, maybe no but I really think it is. I mean a little trip up north, lets say 300 miles. Now lets figure $3.00 a gallon and 20 miles to the gallon (very generous if you are towing your toys) and you have a $90 bill just for one trip. Considering your gas millage could be as bad as 12 to 15 mile to the gallon and the prices goes up. Add a quarter to the price of gas and the price goes up.

Now I have heard a few reports in the last few days saying the price of gas has not changed our habits. I disagree. I know it has changed things with me a little and it will get even worse. I also know my boss has sold his truck and bought a HHR instead. I also noticed the cost of eating out is up and groceries are going up as well.

So is it just Michigan or have you noticed a change too?


I use this to hammer in my "For Sale" signs. You know, every time I swing it I feel like I'm driving in a golden spike on a whole new future and I smile. Although sometimes I hit a sprinkler line, then I just run! --In-Laws

Puns, aka one liners

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says:" A beer please, and one for the road."

6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"

7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green,Green Grass of Home.' "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?" Well, "It's Not Unusual."

8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaims Daisy.

9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.

12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I know you can't - I've cut off your arms!"

13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.

14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.

15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says, "Dam!"

16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. Because", he said, "I can't stand chess- nuts boasting in an open foyer."

18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him..
(Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good).....
A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.


What a terrible pun. Where'd you get those jokes? --The Muppet Christmas Carol

Stir Fry

Yesterday was interesting. I had my first stir fry. Now I have ate stir fry before. I just have never attempted one before. I had to make a trip to the store to get the ingredients. I do not generally use ginger and chili oil, never heard of it. I must say the chili oil had a nice taste to it.

I mixed out the ingredients, cut up the ingredients, par boiled the asparagus (which by the way also a first for me, never made asparagus before) and was all ready. Of course while I was doing this I managed to have two IM conversations too so that may have slowed things down just a little.

Well at first I think I over heated the oil in the wok. I turned the heat down and poured my first ingredient in. After that it was pretty much go, go, go. I dirtied more containers once again as I cooked ingredients and transfered things to and fro but in the end I had a mighty taste dish. I love it. I shall have to do this again but maybe the next time with pea pods. Here is the recipe I made yesterday.


I'd just like you to stir-fry a few ideas in my think-wok. --Drop the Dead Donkey

There be Squirrel's Here

It happened yesterday and today. I saw my squirrels again. Well actually I saw a squirrel. Even in the morning they just have not been around until yesterday. I looked and there was a squirrel climbing up the telephone pole, sitting on top for a minute, coming down and back into the tree. But you see the thing is they typically do this over and over again. There usually are several of them and they are chasing each other. But not yesterday, I only saw one but I did finally see one.


Today, to my surprise, I looked up and there was a squirrel on my deck rail. Now normally that occurs many times in a day, even many times in a morning but again this only happened once.

The squirrel ran around a little bit and then went for the dirt bath. So what is that you may wonder?



A while back I put up planters on the deck rail. Well that never really worked to well and I just left the planter in place but did not plant anything in it. I thought about taking them down but surprise, surprise. The planters are being used buy the squirrels like a dirt bird bath. They come and sit in it. They dig in it. I think they plant things in there. In general they seem to enjoy it so I have left it.


As the day progressed I noticed the squirrel also running through the yard next to me. In general it was interesting to see the squirrel around again but I am curious where all the squirrels are. I guess it is just to hot but I would think they would at least be out in the morning. Anyway it was nice to see at least one back.


Admiral, there be whales here --Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

World Peace

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me!

Somehow this song just came to mind when I read the latest post from Top Cat and with all that has been in the news. I will never understand all the fighting and the killing that goes on in this world. Why can't we all just celebrate the differences in each other rather than hate everyone because of it. Obviously I am just nieve and have much to learn, to understand.

To world piece.



I always drink to world peace. --Groundhog Day

Photo Scavenger Hunt - Doors

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code. Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

OK I have been meaning to do this for over a month ever since I saw BbsGirl start. Then I saw Denny contribute and it was finally time.

Now this is a rather unusual door. You almost might not call it a door. You can see right through it and wind can pass clean through. I thought that this might be a fun door to include however. It features wine, and the baseball park. What more could you ask for.

This is the door onto the field at the Louisville Bats stadium, Louisville Slugger Field. The event going on is Run for the Rose (Rose as in wine). The stadium became the new home for this event about 5 or 6 years ago. The even is part of the Kentucky Derby Festival which is held the two to three weeks before the Kentucky Derby. For those unfamiliar the Derby is the most exciting two minuets in sports, the mother of horse races, the first leg of the triple crown. It is always held the first Saturday in May for 132 years.

Saturday Photo Hunt Blogroll

Stuff

Yesterday the house was hot and the temperature and humidity is doing nothing but go up so I clicked on the air and headed out to the theater. So what did I go see? Cars. Now I know, most people have seen this a while ago but I had to wait for it to come to my little neighborhood theater.

What a movie Cars is. Now I am not going to say much in case you still have not seen the movie but would like to. What a cute move. They had plenty of fun stuff for the kids and the adults. They of course had a lesson to be learned. They had Route 66 which I would love to check out some day. They had some fun stuff in the credits. It was a 2 hour cartoon, how could you not like that. All and all I loved it and I will own it when it comes out.

I have noticed something lately. I used to have a squirrel come up and visit me at least once a day on my deck. Now I was in the house and I was not encouraging this but I was not trying to stop it either. Oh and this was more than just the one squirrel, they rotated I think.

My squirrels also loves to climb the telephone pole in my backyard and sit out on top of it playing the ultimate King of the Hill. They fight and chase each other up and down that poll, they are always running through the tree line jumping after each other. On occasion they miss and fall to the ground but not very often. A little while ago I noticed what looked like baby squirrels in the area, something I have never seen before.

So my question, do squirrels do sort of a mini hibernate when the temperatures get high? I have hardly seen any squirrels in days. None have come to visit on the deck. I just do not see them.

Of course now that I say that I looked out my back window and what did I see? A squirrel climbing the poll, sitting on top for a couple of minutes. It seems like they had to make an appearance now that someone was talking about them.

UPDATE: I found a cute Flicker that has pictures of squirrels. I think you will be amused. Click here.

One last thing to round out my stuff. I received this in email and thought I would share.

We don't need computer weapon to kill moose and squirrel. We've been trying to kill moose and squirrel for 35 years --The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle

Graphically Challanged

I just thought I would pass along a little something. I really enjoy taking picture and they are all digital now. It is the most amazing thing. You can mess up the pictures and, with a decent program and a little effort, you can end up with some OK pictures still. Not only that but you can also crop and combined various different things inside of pictures. And this is just the surface. So how do you do all this.

Well most any program can crop a picture or rotate them. Most any program designed to work with a digital picture can remove red eye, adjust the exposure, and much, much more. But where it really gets exciting is what else you can do.

The industry standard program for working with images is Adobe Photoshop. It is capable of doing a lot. The ability to extract images from a picture and paste them into another is huge. The program is just awesome but with it there is an awesome price tag. Well awesome to Adobe. I believe it lists for $660 or so. Not cheap at all.

Another program out there is Corel Paintshop Pro. Now I do not know much about any of these programs as I have not used them a lot but from what I could see it is very capable also. I am not sure about extracting images but it probably is there somewhere. The thing I noticed is I found the program a little more clumsy to use than Photoshop. Of course part of that may be I have been using Adobe Photoshop LE 5.0 for years which, even though it is very different than Photoshop, it still operates similar. Sometimes changing a mind set can be very hard thing to do. Anyway one very nice thing about PaintShop Pro is the price. It lists for something like $129 or so. Of course the prices are all relative as you can do much better then list. I have seen Photoshop on eBay for $350 or so. I am sure the same can be said for Paintshop Pro too.

The program that I just bought was Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0. Why didn't anyone tell me about this program? It is super. I was looking for a program that could allow me to put together a slide show and place it on DVD. Now Elements does a good and so so job of doing that. In order to put the slideshow on DVD you need Adobe Elements Premiere also. The things I miss in it (I downloaded several programs and tried them out) is not being able to put together a nice title slide. Also it had a little less options for working with the slide show. The other thing, and this is not fair, was the ability to add sound. It can do it but I have not found a program yet that goes far enough. I suspect that if I were to get one of the programs that are $400 or more they may be much more capable. The great thing about Elements is it brings along a lot of the features that Photoshop has. Some of them are not as easy to use or not as capable but I am most impressed what all I can do. The previous two pictures I posted were created with Elements. Now I did a very poor job but what I did was extract my face from a photo, remove the color since the other photo was black and white, and adjust the brightness since the original picture was sort of muddy. I also touched up the original to a certain extent. Finally I over laid my face on the original picture and adjusted the size so it fit into the different sized original picture.

Now the nice thing about Elements is the price. If you get the package of Elements and Premiere it lists at $150. I just got mine from eBay (yeas I do shop at eBay a bit) for $84. If you just want Elements I have seen it, also on eBay, for about $50.

For me I really am enjoying Elements. I am happy I have added it to my toy chest. I will get Photoshop some day but for now I think Elements is going to do just fine. Oh and I thought I would add one picture here. Now my brother in law did this using Elements and he did a great job. There was a lot of time an effort put in here but the thing I find interesting is he only had the program for about a week at that point. I came over and gave him a couple of tips and he ran with it. Anyway this is basically a group picture. Two people where added into the group that where not there for the picture. The individual pictures below were all done with the extraction tools of Elements and lot of effort. The layout, well that was all the BIL. Note I smudged out where they are from and reduced the quality a little so I could upload the picture.

Jail Break

Well that does it. I have been here for over a day and no hope of getting out in sight. Time to take matters into my own hands.

Gab sent along a special cake to help me escape. I am not exactly what is in the cake but I have to go for it. I set the cake down by the window to the outside and then go over to the bars to take a quick look around before digging into the cake.

I looked left and there was the jailer dozing off in his chair. Aren't small towns fun. I looked to the right and there was nothing. To my surprise, before I could return to the cake, there was this huge explosion behind me. When I turned around there was cake everywhere and something else, or rather something else was missing. There was a huge hole in the wall where the window with the bars just was.

What to do. If I flee I will be on the run forever. If I stay I am guessing they will notice the hole in the wall. There is no hidding that even with the matress. What to do, what to do? I finally decided, "what are you, nuts". reached down, grabbed the JELLO SHOTS and headed out the hole in the wall. By the way, totally unrelated but when I was in high school the school store was called "hole in the wall".

Anyway, time to run. I snaked out the hole and went down the street. I made it to the corner and looked around only to see a car running just down the street. That must be what Gab was talking about.

Keeping low as instructed I headed for the car that I so hoped was Crabby. I climb into the back staying low in the seat. And then I said the secret password.....now sweetheart now!

To see where this all started, see here.
To see me doing time, see here.

Will Barman actually escape or will he get sent to prison?

Is this car Crabbies car waiting to wisk me away?

Will Crabby get to DQ in time to get a cone complete with sprinkles before they close?

Did the JELLO SHOTS survive?

Did Gab really mean to try and blow me up or was it a horrible mistake substituting gun powder for baking powder?

Will life ever be the same again?

Stay tuned - same Bat Time - same Bat Channel

Doing Time

Oh my gosh, what happened to me. Last think I knew I was over Crabby's meeting up with her, Milky, and Tumble. There was something mentioned about protesting some sort of Ostrich Man. I remember we all headed off some where and next thing I know I am cuming to inside of this cell. What did I do?

I used my one call to get online on the Internet, something they were none to happy about I must tell you. I checked out Crabby's sit to see what happened. Oh no, I do not understand. And why won't anyone answer my eMail? Help me. Don't just leave me here to rot. Please help me. Maybe Manny will come save me. Help Me.


Sir, I protest! I am NOT a merry man! --Star Trek: The Next Generation

That Was Scarry

Yesterday out of the blue this blog just messed up. All you saw was HTML all over the screen. I thought maybe it was my machine so I restarted the computer, no change. Since I was using FireFox, I thought I would try Internet Explorer ... same thing. So I figured no problem, just go dig up my template that I saved and reload it and I will be all set. I could not find my backup.

Now panic set in. What was I going to do? I went in and looked at the template. It seemed to be fine. I viewed the blog using that template and it looked fine so I saved the template and republished the blog. I think it was the republishing that fixed it. I was back in business.

Just a PSA. Don't do what I did. I thought I made a backup of my template but I could not find it. I am wondering if I did it at work. I mean I know I made a backup. Anyway make sure you make backups just in case. I noticed blogger is good at messing things up. One time I had a post from the past that out of the blue had bad HTML code in it. A republish fixed that also. Kind of scary, at least it was for me.


Though I know should be wary, Still I venture someplace scary! Ghostly hauntings I turn loose Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! --Beetlejuice

Retired, Well Actually Long, Long Weekend

First thanks to you and your kind words and a few surprises in email my birthday was even more of a success. Thank you everyone.

I have been a little preoccupied so I did not write so it is time for a quickie. Well quick update that is.

I celebrated the birthday on Sunday and had a lovely time. Visited with a friend, got a few presents. All and all a very nice day indeed.

I had a chance to watch my niece on Monday and get a few items knocked off the to do list at my parents including getting the central vac working again. I also was in heaven. I worked with a new program that I have been just learning, Adobe Photoshop Elements. I showed my brother-in-law a few things and he ran with it. All together four of us worked on putting together a advertisement for the National Cheerleaders program in Nashville. It was amazing what the program can do and I was impressed all we could figure out. Love, love, love the program.

The next day, the 4th, was insane. I had a parade to see in the morning including shooting over 550 pictures. I have always loved photography since I was a kid. Now is no exception with me current camera, a Cannon Digital Rebel XT. It is a dream taking pictures but I have so much to learn still.

In the parade was a group that I was taking pictures for, the Downriver Community Band (DCB) directed by my high school band director, James Skura. They didn't play near me but I did manage to get some pictures just the same.

After the parade it was back to the folks to finish up a few things and then off to a party at some friends house I camp with every year. I did not end up swimming but the conversation, food and drink was very good and before I knew it, it was time to leave. Part way back to my Sisters I discovered I had forgot my shoes. How can you forget your shoes?

After retrieving my shoes I was a little late making it back to my Sisters. They wondered why it took so long since we both left the party at the same time. That put us late going to the park to see the DCB although we still found some up close parking, sort of. We had an hour to kill and I got a snow cone and a pop and just looked around. I talked with the President of the DCB and it just felt wonderful how appreciative he was that I was taking pictures for them.

The concert was lovely and flew by. The first half I took aver 350 pictures. I was wondering everywhere. At one point someone said they thought I was climbing a tree. I did not go that far but I did manage to get 50 super pictures, a lot of good pictures and only had 10 that I pitched. Not to shabby. My yesterday was spent going through the pictures so I can get a few CDs off to the band. Anyway, a quick turn of the chairs and we were set for the fireworks. They were nice with whistlers, loud bright ones, large ones, shimmery ones, some heart shaped ones. Just about everything but palm trees. Luck would have it some people were shooting off their illegal high priced fireworks and they had palm trees.

Half way in the fireworks had a mini grand finalle. Now having seen the Trenton fireworks before I knew better. Sure enough the low grand finalle was not the end and they licked it up a notch, BAM! After about 20 to 25 minutes the Grand Finalle hit and it was like someone puked up color. (sorry for the awful visual) There was color everywhere and it was hard to take it all in. Manny BOOM, BOOM, BOOMs latter and it was all over. Not the best I have seen but very nice indeed.

I spent the night at my Sisters and them drove into work Wednesday morning. I hate doing that since I never can sleep the day before going into work if I am not at home.

Anyway that is a mini of my very enjoyable long, long weekend. Sorry I made it so long. Oh boy, we are almost back into another weekend. Yea!


James Bond... just in time for the fireworks --Die Another Day

Fireworks

OK, here I am halfway through this holiday weekend (well if you have Monday off that is) and still no fireworks other than arrent fireworks from enighbors. I want fireworks. Bring on the fireworks. WHO IS HIDING ALL THE FIREWORKS?

OK, I just heard three real loud booms. Where are they hiding?

Well while I am hunting for some fireworks, how about sharing what are your favorite kinds. Either a place, like Louisville, Kentucky with it's Thunder over Louisville (my fave) or how about the whistlers. You know the kind where there are a whole bunch of little lights with tails that are moving around in somewhat a circle and whistling away. I have seen some other pretty neat ones like ones that form shapes like a heart of a heart in a circle.

Gotta go hunt me some fireworks.


Didn't I promise you fireworks? --Independence Day

Honorary Canadian

First Happy Birthday Canada. Today is the 138th anniversary of the formation of the Dominion of Canada. This will provide you with more information about Canada Day should you be interested.

A while ago I asked a group of people that I associated with online if I could be considered an honorary Canadian since I was born on July 1st. (Yes, today is my birthday.) Their reply... sure you can. I am sure they assumed I was more than a little nuts but you see, since I discovered my birthday fell on the celebration of Dominion Day, I have always remembered that day with my own little mini celebration.

Growing up right next to Canada helped (I was born and lived just south of Detroit) and the fact they held a combined celebration between the United States and Canada sometime late in June with some of the best fireworks didn’t hurt either. At one point I had a crush on someone in Canada too but that did not work out. I have been curling in Canada and I love the sport. Hockey is way up there too. One of the most enjoyable parties I attended was a meeting with several of the people from the prior mentioned group. Anyway that is where the Honorary Canadian came from. Like Canada I also choose to keep my birthday rather low key.

Next year I turn 50. I am not sure how I feel about that but for now, bring it on. I am back home over the next several days with my family. We celebrate my birthday on Sunday. We will also go see a July 4th parade on Tuesday and fireworks and a fun concert (at least for me) at the fireworks that night. My high school band director is conducting the Downriver Community Band. They are pretty good and it sure brings back a lot of good memories.

So I will be a little busy but I will try and poke my nose back in from time to time. Happy Birthday Canada. Happy Birthday United States. To those celebrating have a safe holiday. To anyone else, enjoy your weekend..