Back from the frozen North.

Well, we have been back for a couple days. Travel wasn't bad, we left very early on Wednesday, then came backl on Saturday so we would have one day to relax (a vacation from our vacation). Seeing the family was fun, I think the littles had a good time playing with everyone. Took lots of pictures, here's Z doing his best Sexiest Man Alive pose.



It snowed off and on while we were there, which was a nice change of pace. My favorite part, was when Moonpie (my niece) pointed at a snowflake and said "It's snowing right there!"

Took some pics at Franconia Sculpture Park as well. but mostly artsy stuff rather then large sculpture pics.



Anyway, a couple days off definately put me in a better frame of mind. Might need to look into regular vacations to battle burnout.

Anybody else due for a vacation?

I have roughly 130 hours of vacation saved up. I can earn a maximum of 96 hours a year. A little South Georgia math says I didn't take many days off this year. I figure 3 when we went to Seattle, and 1 when I went teal hunting pretty much covers it.

It isn't like I love my job or anything, it just seems that the sales role doesn't really let you take normal vacation. I'm about to the point that I wish they would just pay me for it (they wont - I tried), since I stand to lose a chunk come January 1. Then again, maybe I should take 4 days around Xmas. Lord knows I have been in a funk. Heck, the last time I took off more then a day around the end of the year (a huge deal in the sales world), was 1999.

Oh well, the last thing people want to read is someone b&ming about their job. I need to find something that pisses me off, at the very least something I can work up a righteous indignation about. Stay tuned, at the very least, I have pictures of knives and cigars. That should cause at least one person to despise me, non?



Custom knives, Ashton ESG, & an Opus X. My righteous indignation settles into dull contentment.

RIP Memo.

I got the call this morning. Turns out Memo was hit by a car on Friday. He was taken to a local vet clinic, but he didn't make it. It's amazing the effect pets have on your life. I'm 32 years old, 6'4 and well over 200 lbs, but I was bawling like a little baby. We always knew it was possible, but had been holding out hope that a well meaning person had taken him in.

He was a good cat, and was a character from day one. He was named Memorial because we actually got him on Memorial day. My wife and I had gone to the grocery, and it was hot. I bet the temperature was around 98-99 and very humid. As we left the store, we passed a woman who had a big rubbermaid container. She asked us if we wanted a kitten. Turns out, she had 6 kittens in this big container, and she kept the top on it to keep them from jumping out.

Since it was so hot, she kept pouring water over the kittens, essentially basting them. We played with them for a few seconds, and walked over to the truck. Once we got everything loaded, M gave me the look I knew was coming. So, we drove over and parked near the woman, and M went to pick out the one she wanted. Two seconds later she is back in the truck with what could only be described as a wet grey fuzzball. We were concerned about the kitten, so I kicked the AC on high, and held him in front of the vent. He immediately stretched all four legs out, to maximize his cooling.

Once he cooled down, he curled up into a little ball and rode snuggled up to her neck until we got him.

That same night, he proved his bravery by attacking my dogs. I have big dogs. Well, one big and one regular sized. My Ridgeback weighs around 110 lbs, and my dalmation is around 60. Both of them sleep at the end of our bed. Turns out Memo had decided this was his space, and was going to defend it. He puffed himself up as big as he could get and took a run at Jack the ridgeback. This cat didn't even weigh half a pound, and he want right after an animal that was easily 200x his weight. When Jack didn't react to his charge, Memo leapt up, and scratched him on both sides of his face, then bolted underneath the bed. Jack was shocked. I was shocked, and Memo was victorious. To add insult to injury, he would periodically attack from under the bed, mostly when the dogs were just falling asleep.

Once he had put the fear of cat into the dogs, he crawled up onto M's neck, and started nursing at the collar of her nightgown. The dogs refused to get back in their beds, and this little ball of fluff, and piss, & vinegar solidified his hold on our house and hearts forever.

I have other stories, but don't want to use them all up. Memorial Faye (everyone needs a middle name when you are yelling at them) you will be missed.

Crap.

Our cat Memo (Memorial) has been gone for 2 days now. It isn't looking good as to his return, since he is usually very punctual. We already contact the animal shelters, and are putting up fliers tomorrow. This will be tough, as he has lots of character. I wish we could have kept him inside 100%, but he would have been miserable.

Crap.

Failing in my duties.

So, it's been two weeks since I last posted (plus or minus anyway), but I just haven't found my muse. I was in NYC, and have some cool artsy pictures, but can't make up my mind on which way I want to go with them. I have some stories about riding in cabs, but can't flesh them out either.

Hmm. I did go see a movie, but it was just OK. I was definitely hoping for more. 30 Days of Night should have been fantastic. Anytime you have vampires and guns it should be cinematic gold, alas not so with this one. It just. Kinda. Dragged. Which is sad for a horror flick. Plus the hero archetype makes a dumb move. I won't spoil it, but I think they could have saved the day with a moderately accurate rifle (they don't have any of those in Alaska, do they?) and a little patience.

On another note, the back is 100% pain free, which is always a plus. At least until I go to class tomorrow, and then a Bullshido throwdown. (A word of caution about the previous link. Bullshido is not for the faint of heart. In all likely hood you will get offended by someone there. Especially if you take TKD.)



Here's a portrait of the artist as a blurry camera (aka a pseudo self portrait) to tide you over until I can figure out what angle I want to go with my NYC pics.