Florida Weekend I

Even if you are 'local traffic' the traveling is very sketchy after the recent few years of hurricanes.

Interesting architectural style. This home was abandoned, no longer has road access, but someone has strategically placed a sofa to enjoy the ocean front view.

Some shots from the beaches around Matanzas Inlet and Marineland, FL.

In a dark room with Jeff Corwin...

Jeff Corwin was the Keynote speaker at the Educational Technology conference I am attending. I must admit, that even without animals, he was an intriguing speaker. The guy really has an interesting job. I was most impressed with his ability to intelligently discuss conservation issues in a manner that indicated how critical the situation is without sounding radical or alarmist. I left feeling I should try to do a little more in this arena.

Another thing I have learned over and over is that there are many teachers that love teaching to the point that they have alternate careers to finance their teaching dreams. I met an English teacher in the public school system from LA who writes scene transitions for the theater, movies, etc. He is currently getting lots of work since has been non union for a few years. I didn't even realize there was writing work that was that specific.

I met another lady who teaches elementary school, but develops learning software on the side. We should give talented men and women like these raises so they can focus on education full time. We would all be better off.

The only negative so far is the the number of exhibitors that are exclusively demonstrating software products that help kids meet expectations on standardized tests. Most of you with kids know this, but the testing has gotten out of control. In my humble opinion schools with low test scores need management intervention that involves a bigger budget not a smaller one.

Efficiency at the expense of customization...

I take maybe 3 or 4 substantial trips a year. For me, substantial means 3-4 days away from home involving flights and/or rental cars. Since I am an educator, we usually wind up making our own arrangements.

I made my usual reservations this time which included reserving seats. I got an e-mail a few days ago that my flights had changed. No biggie, it only translated into leaving about 10 minutes earlier.

Both flights were completely full, which means they probably consolidated. I actually applaud this effort and think it makes good business sense. However, in the process I was told they were unable to honor my seat reservations. On my second flight I was relegated to seat 49C even though I purchased this particular flight over 3 months ago. My question is...what is the process for deciding who gets what seats. We were talking a giant flight here with tons of seats...why did I wind up in the absolute last row in the center aisle? Random draw, punishment for flying coach, flying alone... hmmmmmm

Useful information...

I tend to Lollygag around the Internet, but I am always impressed and amazed at the useful information out there. I am traveling to Orlando to a conference. I wanted to edit some videos of a pine nursery that we are using for course development. Those of you who work with video know that these aren't small.

I have a little USB external hard drive (40 GB) that is useful for moving files between my desktop and laptop. However, I never tried moving video files. I attempt to move a 4.7 GB 24 minute video clip over and I get a message box "File too large for destination folder system." I do a little search on the internet and several folks recommend typing (drive letter): /fs:ntfs /nosecurity in a command prompt for a painless quick fix.

I type in the magic string and it works. The file limit of 4GB on the FAT32 drive is no longer an issue on my newly reformatted NTFS drive. Even a Horticulture dude can solve problems with the help of the great number of helpful IT bloggers out there.

More Botany...

Another snow day here today. So I pulled some misc. pictures from the camera to remind me of sunnier days. This orchid is called 'Howard's Dream'.

I did a video shoot at a NC Forest Service Nursery in Linville. We were in a little valley. Every inch of the pines were covered with lichen.

I couldn't help myself....

A Chicken, Goat, and Two Birthday Parties

Seamus had a big day today. He first attended his first Birthday Party. His friend Clifton turned one. He wasn't a huge fan of the hat, but he tolerated it long enough for the Happy Birthday Song.

His next birthday party was his friend John-Mark who turned 30 today. John and his wife have miniature goats, chickens, sheep, peacocks, rabbits etc. Basically heaven for little kids.

Of course even with all these animals his absolute favorite was their new puppy. The boy loves dogs. He also got to see fireworks and a huge bonfire. Needless to say... going to sleep tonight was no problem.

I'm a lucky guy...

Now I am not the seasoned road warrior that Bullbunky is, but I have to travel for work occasionally. Today, when I checked into the Hampton Inn in Wilkesboro, NC I was informed I was the Guest of the Day.

This included a Reese's cup, a labeled parking spot by the front door, and a 10% coupon to a local restaurant. Now the parking spot was something...too bad someone parked their big SUV in it. It was pouring rain. Well, peanut butter and chocolate is always a good combination.

Reflections on 2007

Milestones for Seamus in 2007:

1. Born
2. Began sleeping through the night at 2-months (yahoo !!)
3. Discovered own hair
4. Ate solid food
5. Understands red, blue, yellow and possibly orange
6. Knows dogs and differentiates between Tucker and Bear
7. Learned how to properly pet dogs
   
8. Can locate pictures of a caterpillar or an owl
9. Developed an affinity for animal puppets
10. Can say 'mamma', 'da da', and 'nanna'
11. Discovered love for cantaloupe
    
12. Got first tooth, now has seven teeth
    
13. Eats almost anything (Note: different textures must be kept separate :-)
14. Learned to crawl
15. Took first steps

Most of this is pretty standard stuff for an 11-month-old, but the achievement I am most proud of is that a couple of months ago he learned to pee on command.

No Paparazzi

Xtreme Walker

Seamus shows how to move the walker on difficult surfaces.

Finally a brief holiday....

Well the semester is finally over. I have contract work to carry me through my time 'off' during the holidays. Don't know why ...but I can never seem to say no to that stuff. In the meantime, here is the latest of Seamus.

You might be able to notice the scab on the side of his nose and under his lower lip. I had my first near heart attack this past weekend as a door to some carpeted stairs (that should have been closed) was open and he (being the little daredevil he is) decided it would be fun to ride down. I am really hoping he doesn't inherit my trait for broken bones (1 arm, 1 wrist, 1 nose, some ribs, one little toe, all before age 19). ...it isn't looking good though. Thank goodness it was only scratches and bruises. ...of course I am developing OCD over doors and gates now.

My current personal Christmas spirit indicator:

Thinking...

Some excerpts from a collection published in a recent edition of Funny Times. The collection was assembled by Jon Winokur. These few struck a particularly strong chord.

If two men agree on everything, you can be sure one of them is doing the thinking. (-Lyndon Johnson)

I do this real moron thing, it's called thinking, and I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions. (-George Carlin)

Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. (-John F. Kennedy)

If the Aborigine drafted an I.Q. test, all of Western civilization would presumably flunk it. (Stanley Garn)

Winter Sunrise

...just another beautiful morning in the mountains.

Water Horse and Grandparents

Seamus loves his bath. Around 7:30 he starts heading towards the bathroom and keeps an eye on me if I go anywhere near it. Bathing is more or less my duty. I always loved the water and Christine works in the water, so I guess it runs in the family. The orange nose is probably sweet potato or carrots or something. He usually signals getting being tired of eating by first smearing it on his face and then feeding the dogs. The dogs love him as he never goes a meal without sending something their way.

Papa and Nanna Tignor and Seamus who obviously was not feeling photogenic. Christine took my Mom back after her two-week Thanksgiving visit for which the three of us are very grateful. My folks kept about 18 foster babies over the years, so there is nothing like having a pro come up to assist. Pictures of the O'Brien's and Seamus soon as they will be arriving for Christmas in short order.

Tuesdays are for coffee...

DDD

My Mom is spending Thanksgiving with us, so it gave Christine and I a chance to go see a movie. We rarely go the the cinema anymore because the one in the small town where we live stinks "literally" and "figuratively." Also the cost of movies is a little shocking these days and Netflix seems to be a great alternative service for us.

We decided to see Beowulf in Digital 3D, no IMAX playing it near us. We made the drive and got to the cinema just as a new church was letting out. Apparently, this theater rents space out to a church on Sunday mornings...true building multi-use.

Let me just say that I wasn't expecting much. I had memories of a Godzilla movie I saw in 3D as a child. Well things have come a long way. For starters no free cardboard and cellophane 3D glasses. There is a $2 charge for glasses that you keep (only option). These are plastic and the colored lenses are gone.

Overall, I was impressed with the technology. It did take about 5 minutes for my eyes/brain to adjust, but after that it was natural. Crisp depth and unlike the old movies lots and lots of different layers.

Beowulf was OK, very gory, and a few gratuitous scenes to highlight the 3D technology, but overall I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to future 3D offerings.

This Year's Holiday Card

Tucker and Bear, finally get a much deserved break from the humiliation of being the focus of a greeting card. Seamus doesn't seem to mind yet, but I expect this will change in the not-so-distant future.

Christmas can be scary....

Seamus was a little overwhelmed by this animatronic dog. I took this video with my digital camera, so it is not of the highest quality.

I know the holidays are near...

The poinsettias are looking great this year. I think I have enjoyed growing them more than the students. It still amazes me that the small cuttings I stuck back in August now look like this. Our target delivery date was December 5th and unless something drastic happens we planned just about perfectly.

Backporch Shot

Nice sunset this week....and yes, somewhat manipulated in Photoshop :-)

Pumpkin Boy

Seamus is definitely an outdoor kid. I guess most of them are.

Christine took these shots this week.

A couple of kid shots...

Never too late to raise a good capitalist. Although at this point a spoon and pan would be as good as anything in the catalog to him.

Babbling away about something important.

Crazy Creative with Flash

Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

If you have used Flash you are going to love this effort by alan becker.

The Boy

Christine recently had some portraits made of Seamus. It was nice they caught him smiling.

Fall Scenes

One of my favorite Dahlia cultivars. Only a matter of weeks, possibly days until a good frost ends this year's show.

A brief (all to brief) rain event caused quite a bit of petal fall.

I never get tired of the show the Sugar Maples put on every fall.

Some great yellows on campus.

Weekend Getaway

I finally used some of those Hilton Honors points for something pleasant. Nana and Poppa agreed to take care of Seamus for a couple of days so that Christine and I could get away. They live in Richmond and there was a relatively new Hilton at Virginia Beach, so the destination was chosen. I couldn't use the points on Oceanfront, but they did upgrade us to a room with a side view and even a faux balcony. It had a sliding door and everything, but no place to stand. We were actually quite pleased with the accommodations. There was even a large flat panel TV.

The restaurant on the first floor had good food and marvelous lighting. Every night they lit candles and got the fire pits going. The little arrangement above was right next to our table.

We could also hear the band playing bar side if we left the 'balcony' door open. The weather in the 60's at night actually made it quite nice to do just that. We actually didn't make it to the bar, but it stayed busy and folks seemed to enjoy the band. I really liked the layout.

Seamus and Nana got along famously.

More weekend goofing off...

Despite being a very dry summer we have had a lot of foggy mornings that give way to hot sunny days.
...makes for some interesting light.

What a day for a bike ride!

I don't have any pictures from the ride, but it was just gorgeous here. Warm, sunny, and dry. The leaves are just coming into color. Perfect...perfect. Even more perfect my Mountain Bike, affectionately named the pumpkin for its color. I bought this bike back in 2000 when I first moved to Vermont. It was only about $700...mail order from Performance. It has been a good bike and survived many of my foolhardy mistakes and resulting crashes.

I recently have been unable to get the shifting indexed properly. Admittedly, I am not the best wrench in the world, but I can do the basic adjustments. I found a local place called RollsRite. The owner was in the middle of moving to a new location, but said he could squeeze me in. I dropped off the bike to an empty shop and returned to pick it up to one stocked with bikes.

I honestly believe my bike works better than the first day I rode it almost 7 years ago to the day. John Mudge (proprietor and mechanic) explained the maintenance he performed on my bike...too exhaustive to mention here, but let me give you a quote "your rear dérailleur was bent about 1 degree and there were a couple of brake cables that were frayed a little and kinked so I replaced them". It brought a little tear to my eye (OK, I exaggerate), but this guy was freakin' awesome and obviously understands the art and science of working on a bicycle!

It was seriously like being on a new bike if not for the dings and scratches I have given the Pumpkin over the years. :-)

Is it safe to let a 9-year-old babysit an 8-month-old?

Christine took this cute shot.