Birds and Cats

Piko likes our 'keets. Sometimes we pick her up to look at them, other times we put the bird cage on the floor. Here's a picture I took today, about 5 minutes after I put the cage on the floor:

From 12-31-08

It is linked to a gallery with a few other pictures of Piko too.

Happy New Year!!!

Fog Rain and now more Snow!

Here's a picture I took yesterday, of the river behind my apartment complex as the fog was just beginning to clear up:

From 12-27-08

And we got a bit of snow this morning. I hope that's all for now. It rained all day yesterday, so most of the existing snow on the ground already melted.

Piko under the tree

This photo is linked to a gallery with some more pictures of the cats, the tree, and more snow.

From 12-20-08

Festival of Trees

Greg and I went to the Washington County Humane Society's big fundraiser for the year, The 2008 Festival of Trees. It was so nice! Here's a slideshow of the pictures I got:



Sure helped to start putting me in the holiday mood!

We're getting a little more snow tonight. BUT... We're bracing for a huge storm on Tuesday. Right now they're saying it could be up to 12" of snow. UGH. That's gonna make driving near-impossible. I wonder if they'll let me work from home on Tuesday...

Stay warm, safe, and dry!

Again!

More snow today, and still more coming tomorrow through Wednesday. Well, if we're not supposed to get as much snow as last year, we're off to a pretty good start.

From 12-6-08

Lots of snow, tonight's sunset

Tonight's sunset was so pretty:

From 12-2-08 Sunset Snow and Icy Things

Also in the gallery linked to this picture are some shots of the snow and ice out there. We got around 7 or 8 inches of snow by Sunday. Supposedly more on the way tomorrow, maybe another 3 inches.

From 12-2-08 Sunset Snow and Icy Things

Damn cold out there!

Winter Storm

We're under a winter storm warning:

WIDESPREAD SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL THROUGH TONIGHT...BECOMING
HEAVY AT TIMES BY THIS EVENING. ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF
5 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY MONDAY MORNING...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

Here's a picture that is linked to the gallery with other photos:

From Thanksgiving Piko and Snow 11-30

There's a couple cute pics of Piko in there, as well as a few from Thanksgiving Dinner. It was a nice long weekend. I needed the break!

Stay safe, warm, and dry! :)

Yep, winter is here

What's that white powdery stuff falling from the sky???

I even lit a fire in the fireplace. Cold outside, but cozy and warm in here. Oh, and the Packers are losing to the Vikings. Let's hope they can get their act together in the 2nd half of the game.

Almost Winter

Took this picture the other day:



I think all the leaves are gone now. It's cold and rainy/snowy outside today. Nothing's sticking on the ground, though. My car was covered in snow this morning. Glad I didn't have to scrape all the ice off and head out to work.

The maple tree in my yard finally decided to start changing color. And a few days after that, more than half the leaves are gone; scattered around on the ground waiting for a rake. Here's a pic of the tree:



I think the cold weather is here to stay. *sigh*

A rainbow

Here's a picture of a rainbow I saw yesterday while I was at Kmart.



It was pretty awesome. I used to see rainbows almost every day when I lived Hawaii. Now it's a REALLY rare occasion.

I'm moping and getting used to being alone again. Heather was here from Saturday until Wednesday. She stayed here 3 of those 4 nights. It was so good to have her around even if it was only for a little while!

I took Monday off work and we went down to visit my folks, and to shop at Gurnee Mills. It was great! Although I have to admit, I'm still sore from all the walking. We got out the door and on the road before realizing the wheelchair battery was still in the garage. DOH!

Anyway, I'm glad it's Friday and I can be lazy. I'm tired, still not used to the time change (keep waking up at 5am,) and I wanna drink more rummy cokes.

Laterzzzzzz.... :)

Sunrise and Daylight Saving Time

Did you all remember to turn your clocks back an hour last night? I didn't... ;) Woke up this morning thinking, "oh boy I slept until 8 a.m.!" I went outside for a smoke, and the sunrise looked soooo cool. So when I got back inside, I took this picture from my bedroom window:



It would have been better 5 minutes earlier, but I didn't think to bring my camera outside when I first went out. Amazing how fast the sunrise can change, becoming almost too bright for a picture.

I realized it wasn't as late as I thought when I finally sat down at my computer to read email. There it was, lower right corner of the screen, 7:15!! Later I'll go around the apartment and change all the other clocks. Today is the day that reminds me I own far too many clocks for one person. :)

Election time on Tuesday. Remember to vote early, and vote often. *sigh*

Halloween Sunset

One last picture:

From 10-31-08

Sunset, 6:10 p.m. Halloween 2008

Fall Colors, Halloween 2008

From 10-31-08

This picture is linked to a few more shots I took this afternoon.

Snow and changes

It snowed again today. Tonight is supposed to be the coldest yet of the fall season, with a hard freeze likely.

More news that makes me a little bit anxious: API Software, Inc. to be Acquired by Francisco Partners

Luis and Iris Garcia are ready to retire. There's a new CEO, interim CFO, and a lot of promises that things will only improve - with no layoffs. There was a lot more discussed during our company meeting this morning, but bottom line is there should be no pink slips being passed out.

I know API is a good, strong company so I don't know why this news makes me anxious. Maybe it's just change in general...

*sigh* Life goes on. Time will tell. I love my job, and have no desire to go elsewhere.

Snow - blah!

Well we got the first snow flakes of the season tonight. It's supposed to snow some more overnight. I REALLY hope there is no snow on my car when I leave for work tomorrow!!!

I made some really good food for dinner tonight. Here's a link to the recipe:

Chicken Florentine

It was sooooo good. I also made Susan's bread. She has a recipe for low-fat french bread with sesame seeds on the top. I'll have to post that recipe soon too.

Well it's almost bedtime for me. Gotta get up and go out early tomorrow... I have so much to do at work.

Boston Legal

Sneak Peek #1 of Boston Legal: Dances with Wolves

Chicago - Dialogue Parts 1 and 2

Part I

Terry
Are you optimistic 'bout the way things are going?

Peter
No, I never ever think of it at all.

Terry
Don't you ever worry when you see what's going down?

Peter
No, I try to mind my business, that is, no business at all.

Terry
When it's time to function as a feeling human being, will your Bachelor of Arts help you get by?

Peter
I hope to study further, a few more years or so. I also hope to keep a steady high.

Terry
Will you try to change things, use the power that you have, the power of a million new ideas?

Peter
What is this power you speak of and this need for things to change? I always thought that everything was fine.

Terry
Don't you feel repression just closing in around?

Peter
No, the campus here is very, very free.

Terry
Don't it make you angry the way war is dragging on?

Peter
Well, I hope the President knows what he's into, I don't know.

Terry
Don't you see starvation in the city where you live? All the needless hunger, all the needless pain?

Peter
I haven't been there lately, the country is so fine. My neighbors don't seem hungry 'cause they haven't got the time.

Terry
Thank you for the talk, you know you really eased my mind. I was troubled by the shapes of things to come.

Peter
Well, if you had my outlook your feelings would be numb, you'd always think that everything was fine.

Part II

Group
We can make it happen
We can change the world now
We can save the children
We can make it better
We can make it happen
We can save the children
We can make it happen

Sunrise, a bun, and blaze orange

  Sunrise, 10/19/08. It's coming later and later and I'm seeing the beautiful colors when I venture out in the early morning hours.

  The bunny is back, and all grown up. Well, that's if it is the same rabbit I took pictures of earlier this year. Back when it was warmer, sunny, everything was green and growing... :)

  The neighbor took his boy out hunting yesterday. Mom must have said "Leave those stinky dirty coats outside!" There they were, hanging from the eaves and blowing in the wind.

Most of the trees have given up their leaves by now. I'm not going to venture out to Holy Hill today. It's a bit chilly outside, and very windy. I'm sure the wind will be a lot worse up there on the hill. It's a good day to stay inside and do laundry and maybe bake a cake. :)

Sunday dinner

   Salmon, rice and Brussels sprouts. Turned out really good!

There was something going on at Holy Hill today. When I drove by, there was a loooong line of traffic both into and out of the place. So I kept on driving. I didn't want to spend Sunday afternoon in gridlocked traffic. If there's still a lot of leaves and color out there next weekend, I'll try it again.

A small snake, fall colors

Here's a couple pictures I took this morning:

From Piko, a snake, and fall colors

I saw the snake yesterday as it went back underneath an air conditioning unit next to the back door. Today it seemed to be sunning itself, well, that is until my camera got too close!

From Piko, a snake, and fall colors

I'm going to try to get out to Holy Hill today to get some more pretty fall colors pictures. We're almost at peak for the colors. Soon the leaves will be gone and the cold air will be upon us... *sigh*

Both pictures are linked to the Picasa gallery with a few more shots.

Have a nice Sunday!

Thanks, Brian

He has this song's lyrics posted on his Facebook page. Now it's stuck in my head!

Led Zepplin - Goin' to California

Spent my days with a woman unkind,
Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
Made up my mind to make a new start,
Going to california with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me theres a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.
Took my chances on a big jet plane,
Never let them tell you that theyre all the same.
The sea was red and the sky was grey,
Wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today.
The mountains and the canyons started to tremble and shake
As the children of the sun began to awake.
Seems that the wrath of the gods
Got a punch on the nose and it started to flow;
I think I might be sinking.
Throw me a line if I reach it in time
Ill meet you up there where the path
Runs straight and high.
To find a queen without a king;
They say she plays guitar and cries and sings.
La la la la
Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin to find a woman whos never, never, never been born.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams,
Telling myself its not as hard, hard, hard as it seems.

Sunday pictures

 Here's a picture of Cirrus and Ella, doing what they do best - bicker!

The rest of the pictures are in this gallery:

Pine Cones, Berries and Keets

They blew it

Sheeeesh! After having the BEST record in the league, you'd think the Cubs would at least show up for these division series games. *sigh* So the Chicago Cubs are swept in their NLDS and are out of the running. I'm disappointed to say the least. Sadly, not too surprised. So we go back to being ever-faithful Cubs fans for a team that still does what they have done for years. Lose.

The Brewers managed a win last night. They play again this morning. If they win today, then it's back to Philadelphia. Although I'm not much of a Brewers fan, the team is very popular at work. That's what happens when one lives in the Milwaukee area, I guess.

I think the White Sox are still going at it, too. However, baseball as I know it is over for the season.

Have a great Sunday. :)

Fall is upon us...

 
It got down to 30 or lower last night! Brrrrrr!!! Yesterday morning I had to find the ice scraper in the trunk of my car, then scrape the ice off the windshield. blah. The lawn is all frosty this morning, even more so than yesterday. I'm just glad I don't have to go to work this morning. I think ice-scraping would have been a much bigger effort today than it was yesterday.

I guess this means we have officially entered the Fall season. Knowing Wisconsin's manic depressive weather though, this will last maybe a week or two before the temperatures turn to freezing and the snow starts to fall. It seems like we go right from winter to summer, then summer to winter with very little spring and fall weather. *sigh* I do like springtime the best. It seems entirely too short though. Maybe time is just flying by because I'm not a kid any more.

Last time I had my camera out, it was warm and sunny. I was taking in some down-time in Madison. Now my days are hectic as I work on this new system and try to keep up with all my other client tasks. And it's freezing outside!

I also got some cute shots of Piko the other day. I think this one's a good shot so I've posted it here.
 

Keyboard

Sunrise on Lake Monona

Well it looks like I can send a picture to my blog from my cellphone. HOWEVER... my provider puts a bunch of other junk at the bottom. I will have to figure out how to get rid of it.

Paul Newman 1925-2008

Paul Newman dies at 83

Cubs/Brewers

Tonight should be interesting. The game is being broadcast on both ESPN and Fox Sports WI here tonight. If the Cubs win, could put the Brewers down in the wildcard race. I guess it depends on where you live, Chicago or Milwaukee, whether you say Cubs/Brewers or Brewers/Cubs.

I' m a CUBS FAN even though I live near that Milwaukee town... hehehe So it's Cubs/Brewers. ;)

I don't like the ESPN broadcast because they seem to cut right in with commercials, rather than waiting till between innings. I was watchin a game the other day, and I don't remember who was at bat... but ESPN cut in with 3 commercials when the batter was still at the plate and the count was 3-2!!! Talk about RUDE!!!

Well and anyway, GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!

An afternoon in Madison

I spent the afternoon of 9/17 in Madison, WI. It was nice, relaxing, and reminded me that I don't get out much!

The day started out pretty mellow, getting ready for my onsite trip to Meriter on 9/18. I had to sort out some medication refill issues so I requested 4 hours of personal time off. After getting the prescription sent/refilled, I took off to go check into the hotel. I knew I was staying at the Hilton on Monona Terrace, but sort of thought I'd wind up in a 2nd floor room looking at the street. What a pleasant surprise to find out that not only could I check in early, but the room was on the 8th floor and looked out over Monona Terrace and the lake! Glad I brought my camera. :) The view from the room was really nice. I went out walking around on the terrace and got a bunch more pictures. The air was warm and the sun felt good, so I sat out there for about an hour, enjoying the peace and quiet.

I wanted to go to Restaurant Magnus for dinner. Highly recommended by Heather! She's been there several times and loves the food. The restaurant was just 2 blocks from the hotel, so I walked over at dinnertime - only to find out they were booked for a banquet that evening and the only seating available was outdoors. I didn't really want to sit out there because their outdoor seating is right next to the sidewalk and street. So I walked back to the hotel and went into the restaurant there. It was very pricey! Thankfully I hadn't used any of my food budget for the day and was able to get the sesame-encrusted seared ahi. Very tasty!

After dinner I went outside and sat at the front entrance to the terrace and watched the sunset on the Capitol building. I've been to the Capitol building before, but somehow this seemed different that night. Maybe it was the sunset, or maybe the great food I had just eaten. Maybe it was because I was finally taking it easy for a few hours and doing something different. Maybe it was all of the above! Whatever the reason, it was a very nice night.

My visit to Meriter went well the next day. There are some updates and edits for the summary document, but basically now I am ready to begin setup of the new system. So I really really have a lot of work to do!

Here is a link to the gallery of pictures from the 9/17 day in Madison:

Madison, Wisconsin and Lake Monona

And now I have to get some work done... Enough fun and games with my pictures and blogs!

Bye...

Photo Blogging

Here is a picture I took last week of a strange bug. I set up a Blogger account, and am testing the "Blog This" option in Picasa3.

Let's see how it works. :)

True blue Cubs Fan

Yep I think I am. I watched a cubs game the other day, and kept shutting it off when they were losing. Can't stand to watch them lose! I watched a game today, brewers and cincinnatti. They lost. I watched all 9 innings, every sad homerun pitch thrown by the brew-crew... after the top of the 9th, the game mercifully ended with a score of 12-2 i think...

Go Cubbies!!!

I'm watchin the repeat showing of the no-hitter by CZ. Nice theyre going good!!!!!

New picture

Check it out... down at the bottom of the side bar.

Carlos Zambrano throws a no-hitter at Wrigley North!! First one since 1972 I think... Long time. Go Cubbies!!!

Profoundness

I think I used to have a Blogger blog. I've been posting to Profoundness.net and my Profound Revelations blog for so long now, I forget when I might have looked into Blogger. Well, who knows... Maybe when profoundness.net expires I'll go for a freebie blog. :)