Random Cell Phone Pics

One reason, actually there are several reasons, why I've not purchased an Apple iPhone is because I like my current phone - an LG model, that works just fine. It doesn't have a high resolution mega pixel rating, but oftentimes it surprises me with the picture quality. I was checking out my SD cell phone card today and I came across a couple of shots that I had taken - just on the spur of the moment. That is the real advantage of a cell phone camera, it's available anytime to capture a shot that you would otherwise miss. I don't intend to make 13 by 19 framed photos from my cellphone pictures, that just doesn't work, but it's nice to reflect on an image that reminds you of a fun time - especially one that you had pretty much forgotten about or that you forgot that you had even taken a picture. Two of those kind of photos are posted to today's blog - to the right and at the bottom of the page.

Friday Night at the Movies

We had a fun time at tonight's gathering. We decided to eat relatively healthy, well... at least the entree (chicken sandwiches from Chick-fill-A). In addition we had some chicken noodle soup, a reasonably healthy choice I suppose, and for dessert we forgot about all the nutritional do's and don'ts and instead we had some rather decadent pastries. What the heck - live a little! Dave stopped off at a fancy bakery and purchased several interesting selections i.e. berry tarts and key lime pie with vanilla ice cream (the real stuff). Tom shared his video clips from China, a very interesting experience I might add, and I showed a few clips from my visit to Louisville last month. We decided to watch a sci-fi flick, The Chronicles of Reddick (part 3). I like some of the movies from the sci-fi genre, however - it's not my favorite category. But this one was pretty good, with a decent story line and fantastic computer generated scenes. During the movie we had popcorn. Oddly enough that is a recent addition for movie night, as somehow we just forgot to fix popcorn at previous gatherings. It will probably be a staple now.

After the movie we discussed world problems, politics, religion and the new TV shows for the fall season. We shut things down around one o'clock - tired, but satisfied. You can see a picture of the guys to the right and at the bottom of the blog page.

Great Place For An Outdoor Snooze

I'm into relaxing this week - it must be the weather. Yesterday I posted the picture of our backyard swing, which is a great place to meditate - today it's about the patio hammock. I find it a good place to relax while the meat (oftentimes, it is more likely to be fish) is cooking on the barbecue grill. Got to be careful not to doze off though. That almost happened once, and while I was cooking too. Oh, and you also need to be cautious so you don't fall out. The concrete is a rough place to land. I'm not saying if that ever happened to me, you know - just be careful. Anyway, if you like to have a place to relax outdoors, a place where you can get horizontal and snooze if you aren't cooking, you can't beat a hammock. Check out the blog pictures to the right and at the bottom of the page to see my patio hammock.

Fall Weather

When the Delta breeze kicks in, it's always nice to just sit in the swing in our backyard and take it easy. The first of many fall days, that hopefully will provide amble opportunity for such leisure, is now upon us. At least that is the case in Elk Grove, where there hasn't been any measurable rain for about four months now. It is that window of weather which occurs right after the rigorous summer heat - and just prior to the rainy season. I always enjoy this time of year, but even more so now that I'm retired. It use to be difficult to find time to relax during the start up of a new school semester, but now I no longer have to deal with that issue. You can see my favorite spot in the backyard to the right and at the bottom of the blog page.

Baby Face

To the right and at the bottom of the blog page you can see the picture of the one cat that will be placed on the Dog Wall of Fame. I told Al, some time back, that I would only post one cat picture - and it would be Baby Face. She wasn't real cooperative about having her picture taken (typical cat "tude"). I had to kind of sneak around the side of the car, where she was hiding, and surprise her. Anyway, as soon as I get some more 13 by 19 glossy paper for my Canon printer, Baby Face will be amongst the top dogs in the neighborhood. Hope they don't get too rilled up.

New Shows

Fall is always a fun time to watch television. This week some new shows will make their debut - and others, from last year, will start their new season. Nancy and I decided to check out a few shows tonight. We saw the first episode of The Big Bang Theory. It was fun to watch and it had some funny lines, but I'm not sure there will be enough interest by viewers to keep it going an entire season. I kind of hope so though, because I think that I'm going to like it. Two and a Half Men is a sitcom that I like to watch each week. Nancy doesn't watch it very often. It had a pretty good start - with Jake staring off to junior high school. Nancy and I both like Dancing With the Stars and this should be a good season to watch, since we like many of the participants who will be competing. I don't have a favorite just yet, the men will be dancing tomorrow night.

I also followed the news today regarding the President of Iran speaking at Columbia - Glen Beck (CNN) had particularly good coverage of this event. Additionally, I checked my DVR list and decided to view the recent 60 Minute interview with Alan Greenspan. Very interesting, I may decide to get the audio version of his new book. Greenspan still seems to have significant influence over the economy. All and all, kind of a media type of a day.

John, a former neighbor, finished up the work on our pool this morning. We had a new pump installed. I added chemicals and vacuumed the entire pool. It's good to go again. The new pump is quieter and more powerful. John did a good job. He's almost eighty now and still likes to do some of my projects. It takes a little longer, but he does a good job and charges a fair price for his labor.

Quiet Sunday - Fall Weather

As usual, on a tranquil Sunday like today, we don't try to do a whole lot. We got up a little later than normal (we had stayed up late to watch the movie "Keeping the Faith"). We had our breakfast, actually more like a brunch, and read the paper. I watched some football, the Patriots with Brady and Moss looked real good, and afterwards I cleaned the pool and did a couple of little things around the house. This evening - I watched 60 minutes. I wanted to see the interview with the President of Iran. He's speaking at Columbia University tomorrow. Gina, our next door neighbor's daughter, attends Columbia on a scholarship and I'm wondering if she will try to attend the event. Also, I imagine Glenn Beck will have plenty to say about his speech. All of this should prove interesting.

I watched the new season of "Shark" tonight. I like James Wood, the actor, and he is very good in the TV series. There appears to be several new shows coming up for the fall season that look promising. I'm checking out "The Big Bang Theory" tomorrow.

It is going to be a fairly active week coming up and our weather is looking more fall like each day. I like when the season changes. I get re-energized. I should have a new picture to post tomorrow. I still have to do a little more editing on it. It will be a bit of a surprise, as you will see.