CaptainOrange

We've already discussed how February is a terrible month . We need not get into the details again. I do want to add that, as you might expect, it's not entirely February's fault. I guess it's been a case of shooting the messenger. Things start building up all through the winter. I distract myself and deny, but by February, I can't maintain the illusion that I'm happy and it all goes down-hill from there. So the shortest month gets the short stick, or short shrift, or something amounting to "up yours." I know--I can be cruel that way. I'm really my own enemy. And, I've been improving how I handle things during the winter, but I'm still not able to manage it with any real grace. I can't shake the feeling like I'm faking it. Volleyball was one of the activities that I typically engage in to get some exercise (which helps a lot). Unfortunately, I felt compelled to withdraw from the team that I have been on for the last 3-4 years. Anoth...

The clothes-line that I installed this spring was a great success. There was a certain art to finding enough sun this year, but we managed to run our 70s era dryer only a precious few times during the summer and fall. You might have noticed that it's gotten rather cold outside. Cold enough that hanging our laundry on our spiffy new outdoor line has become impossible. Happy Days of Summer... Sniff Now that we've gotten used to not running the clothes dryer, I just had to find a way to continue the energy savings during the winter. We already had a stand model that we've used off and on since we were married. It looked like this thing on the right. Well... almost. Ours was rusted in several places, two of the bars had fallen off due to failed welds and the piece that bridges the lower middle part had mysteriously gone missing. So, yeah... it falls down a lot--especially when you have two cats. Clothes don't dry too well on a concrete floor. a clever disguise Afte...

5 sec exposure and an inactive crowd made for a cool shot Although I have been a bit down for the last couple of months, it isn't as though there haven't been highlights. A big part of my coping with the bad weather of summer and the stress of putting on a new roof, guests and plumbing turmoil is diving into frivolous asthetic pursuits. fireworks over the Broadway bridge In early September there were some really terrific fireworks on the riverbank, just off Broadway Ave. I knew I needed to have a little fun, so I put on my Quester's robe, pulled up the hood and did a little climbing. Of course I took my camera gear. It was quite crowded and I enjoyed my strangely visible anonymity as I scaled the brickwork to my perch. If you've played Assassins Creed, you'll have a vague inkling of how cool I felt. As a side benefit, I got some nice pictures. Album:  Fireworks Leo's Favs... OAK! In the following weeks, I enjoyed more sun than we saw all summer. It...

My sister-in-law was visiting this summer. You may remember that I posted some great pictures of her children as part of my summer update . The visit was not without its tribulations. Teela: There is a bad smell in your basement Me: Yeah, it's your room. The one with the toddler and the baby sleeping in it. Teela: My baby doesn't smell like THAT! Me: If the diaper fits... Note the suspicious looking pipe... Sewer, diapers -- it's all the same right? Two days after the above conversation, we found water on the floor of the guest room. Me: Are we sure this is water? Teela: #$@! We quickly packed our guests off to Liz's house and I tore apart our beloved and oft used guest room. I ripped open the sodden drywall to discover some mold and quite a bit of trouble. The biggest problem was that there was no sign of where the water was coming from. A plumber arrived and promptly chipped a hole in our floor. Plumber's Gift Culprit. I imagine you can te...