29 July 2009

There’s a very long, sordid story to be told about why I was still in Florida for most of Wednesday.  Suffice it to say, that it was ultimately beyond my control, and I can’t recall the last time I was so frustrated.  But, in an attempt to make the most of my situation, I enjoyed a delightful breakfast and lunch with my mom and McKenna and Warren, and then Helen and Dick joined us, as well.   By dinner time—early dinner—we all headed toward the airport.  A restaurant on the way, and a 6:30 p.m. drop-off and I was soon on my way back to Wisconsin.  I got back to my truck, and except for some nasty construction-related traffic, the trip was uneventful and I got to the faire site right at midnight.   Tired, glad to be back in cool summer temperatures, and with a cat who evidently missed me, I went almost straight to bed.

My photo is of a collage-style photo frame my mom keeps hanging on the wall.  It depicts many memorable moments—and indeed many of my favourite photos—from thoughout my younger days . . . and hers. Feel free to ask questions!

~MB

Tags: Daily

28 July 2009

“This is the Day . . . this is the Day . . .”

My little brother got married, today! Woo hoo! After a number of years of searching for the right person to share his life, and complete his little family, today, Melanie became Mrs. Gribble.

The ceremony was planned for today, a Tuesday, mostly to allow me to attend. In the middle of a nine-weekend renfaire, the only way I could be there was if they picked a mid-week day, and since flying to and from Orlando is such a challenge, a Tuesday was pretty perfect. I was very grateful that they were willing to plan with me in mind. The gathering of folks was small and intimate—my mother’s chosen family of friends, many who harken back to the days when they all lived in Kansas. I think we were a party of 21 or so for the luncheon reception—which was fabulous!

As you can see from my photo, Melanie looked beautiful for her wedding day. William was as dashing as ever in his tuxedo, despite the extreme heat and humidity. And, McKenna was perfect.

My mom pretty much planned the ceremony itself. There was some music, a very brief homily, a couple of scripture readings (yours truly got to do those) and all the typical wedding stuff. It was lovely.

After the wedding and the luncheon, we all went back to the house for cake and gifts. By the time the crowd dispersed, it was time for another meal. William and Melanie left for their Key West honeymoon after a smaller informal dinner at a local barbecue joint.

It was a beautiful day. All went well. And, most importantly, they’re married! Woo hoo!

~MB

Tags: Daily

I’m so disappointed in myself.
I was sick for 2+ days and managed to take photos. Yesterday, the first day I was feeling well enough to get out of the house and engage in that game of life, I forgot to take a photo.
Yeah.
Smack (hand to forehead)

Cheers.
~KR

Listening to:
Too Shy by Kajagoogoo
from Too Shy: The Singles and More

Tags: Daily

28 July 2009
Better today, but still not 100% – not even close. I did manage some coffee in the morning and some chicken soup mid-afternoon. By 16:00, I was starting to even feel a little perky. Odd.
I watched 5 hours of True Blood on HBO in between naps of varying comfort and lengths. Come bedtime and with no photo, I simply took a photo of this empty flask that is currently living on my bedstand.

It’s an elegantly etched thistle on a beautiful 12oz pewter flask.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on 29 July 2009)

Listening to:
Forgiven by Hothouse Flowers
from People

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Tags: Daily

27 July 2009
After the excitement and overall brilliance of the previous day, I was very frustrated to wake up on this Monday with a 102°F fever. I got up, did a quick report, fired off an email to the boss and went back to bed. A few hours later, I got up did some more reports that are necessary on Mondays, sent them off to their respective distribution lists, then went back to bed. I tried to eat but was unsuccessful. The mere thought of coffee was barred from my brain. Only water was my friend, and it wasn’t a constant companion. I slept fitfully through fever dreams and sweats off and on throughout the day. Yet, somehow, even in the midst of the discomfort, I did manage to take a photo. This is where I spent my day.

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 29 July 2009)

Listening to:
Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution by AC/DC
from Back in Black

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Tags: Daily

26 July 2009
Chelsea vs Club America – the final game in the World Football Challenge – came to Arlington, TX today. It is one of the first major events held at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium just 13 miles from my house. I do not support either club, but on the day I was hoping to see Club America come away with a win, especially since Chelsea did not field their first XI. It was not a win for Club America, but it was a big win for soccer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. Myself and 57,000 other futbol supporters joined together in a peaceful gathering inside this remarkable stadium drinking too-expensive beer and eating too-expensive food while yelling at the top of our lungs. It was electric and I’m glad to have not missed it.

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 29 July 2009)

Listening to:
The Lying Lies & Dirty Secrets of Miss Erica Court by Coheed & Cambria
from Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Vol. 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 80
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire

Tags: Daily

25 July 2009
Pay no attention to the man watching you strangely as you focus in tighter on a filthy ashtray outside your watering hole. Ignore him and hope for ignoring in the return. Finish the composition and with nonchalance walk to the vehicle and drive from the scene.

And so I did.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on 29 July 2009)

Listening to:
Caribbean Blue by Enya
from Book of Days

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Tags: Daily

24 July 2009
I always work to music. It’s calming and shuts, to me, the door to the noisy reality that is corporate world. This day, I also turned on the Visualizations in WinAmp and enjoyed a Visualization that I myself had scripted within Milkdrop.
In full throes

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 29 July 2009)

Listening to:
Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be by Jizzy Pearl
from AC/DC We Salute You: A Tribute

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Tags: Daily

27 July 2009

I have no good excuse for why I was still tossing things in a suitcase at four o’clock in the morning, but I was. And now, the sun is starting to lighten the sky and I’m going to take a nap.

If I hadn’t taken a photo today of my bloody mary, this post could be my Sunday post, since there has yet to be sleep . . . but since I did, and since I know how insane my Monday is going to be, I’m taking the liberty of bending my own rule and calling this Monday, even though I have yet to wake up and start the new day.

Just, go with me, here, okay?

~MB

Tags: Daily