Is it really Friday already?

The Friday Fiver!

1) Of the various cultures, ethnicities or nationalities you belong to, which most strongly do you consider yourself?
My descendants were from Germany...and here. My Grandpa was a Cherokee Indian. When it all boils down, I'm American...and proud.

2) Is there a culture you cannot claim heritage from but which you feel quite close to?
No.

3) What's one language you wish you knew fluently?
Spanish - I'm choppy at best right now.

4) If you could move anywhere in the world and be guaranteed a job, etc., where would you go?
Boats, beaches and ballads, bebe! The Florida Keys

5) If you had a time machine, and could witness any one event without altering or disturbing it, what would you want to see?
The birth of Christ, the birth of rock and roll (Sun Studio) or an average day in the life of my Dad when he was 20(ish) years old.

HNT #6 - Smiles all around!

Smiles all around!



Good friends, cold drinks and a night out on the town.

You have to be kidding...

A few articles that caught my attention today...

Coyote Captured in New York's Central Park
- I guess I've seen my fair share of coyotes so it's hard for me to comprehend why this is a headliner...but then again, I don't live in New York.

Mississippi outlaws sex toys
- I guess it speaks for itself. I'll stay clear of that state for awhile...I'd never stand in the way of a woman and her toys. Think it'll create an underground toy railroad? Headline next month: Battery Sales Plummet - Women Revolt

Charges dropped - Debra Lafave
- HUH? What was she thinking in the first place? I'm sure blondie could procure just about any guy with more experience at a local watering hole. What gives?

What Movie?

"It's gonna be a brutal assault on all your senses. I'm gonna twist ya. I'm gonna flip ya - frap your body 'til your bones hurt! When you squeal, I'm just going to go faster and harder."

I'll give you a hint...it came out in 1998. Don't know what made me think of it this morning but I dig this quote!

Happy Patty's Day! Hope everyone is safe and sound tonight.

HNT #5 - Find the Shamrock

"Find The Shamrock"...

We finally found the B&W setting on my camera and decided to take a pic of my calf. ;o)

HAPPY Patty's Day - HNT!!!

Overhaulin'

...is possibly one of the coolest shows on cable. I'm hopelessly addicted....even more so than those home improvement shows. Chip Foose is simply killin' it! The man is a genius...truly an artist. I've had bloodshot eyes all day because I stayed up late watching him take a 1930 Model A Ford "rat rod" and transform it into something I'd almost be too scared to drive. Who am I kidding? I'd drive the hell out of it. His attention to detail is outstanding. Who would have thought of making a checkerboard firewall? The pics don't really do it justice. Makes me think. Hmmmmmm...wonder how much those plasma torches are now. ;o) You'll get a kick out of this Dad.


Before:


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After:

Weekend happenings

Larah, the boys and I decided to beat-it out of town by heading up to the lake last Friday night for some much needed R&R. Upon returning home from work, we packed and were on the road in about an hour...a new record for me.

Much earlier that day we decided to purchase fishing licenses because I heard that the State Game and Fish Department stocked the lake with game-fish. I was taken aback by the cost of said fishing licenses...the last time I purchased a combo small game\fish license I think I spent no more than 25 bucks. The fishing ONLY license was over 30 this year. Not only does the Colorado SGF get our lottery money, they have to gouge our pocketbooks to hunt and fish too. grrrrrrr!

Now, I wouldn't classify myself as a professional fisherman nor do I pride myself on my fishing technique -I'm more the "drink in one hand and a wakeboard in the other" type- but we did end up catching a good buzz and a few fish Saturday afternoon and I have the pictures to prove it! Larah even brought in possibly the biggest grass-bass I have ever seen!!! Apparently there ARE fish in Jackson Lake. I've heard tales that fish other than the notorious party-carp roam the waters there but I've never been able to catch them so I dismissed any such claims as crazy-talk and went about my business.

After a couple of hours the weather turned on us so we loaded up the truck and proceeded to drive around the park. I was amazed at how much the park has grown. I remember when the park consisted of baron lots with nothing more than a fence separating each plot...sometimes there wasn't even a divider. Now, property owners are building multi-story houses with large decks and garages. Alas, it really is one of the only places in Colorado where you can own a piece of land so close to a large body of water.

We headed back to the lake house to replenish our drinks and I managed to crank out steaks and salad for dinner...then retired early.

We woke up to snow and below freezing temperatures on Sunday. After breakfast we decided it was too cold to go fishing so I broke out the DVDs, a blanket and some milk and cookies. ;o)

The drive home was interesting to say the least. The closer we got to Denver, the more snow seemed to fall. Wrecks and stalls littered the interstate and I was worried I was going to miss the Sopranos premier. I did see a Texan with a big Ford .5 ton in the ditch though...I know it sound bad and it's probably bad karma but it did make me smile.

Anyway, we made it home safely and the Sopranos was just starting. All in all...a great weekend and it was just what the doctor ordered.

(oh yeah! To the fishermen in the boat over my left shoulder...I'm sorry for catching all your fish! Those poor guys were out there all day and I think the only thing they caught was a cold.)

Fill up my jug...

...and I'll hush up my mug. Just got my annual review back and I think I need a drink to celebrate my ability to "walk on water". That was actually said in the meeting...walk on water. Makes it sound so easy, huh? Like I have an innate ability to crank these projects out and make them shine.

Uuuuummm, no. It wasn't easy and of course I didn't do it alone. Wonder why my blog sucks lately? I worked my ass off over the past review cycle. In any case, it's time to celebrate being part of a very small team who brought home and closed-out the biggest project in the history of this company (at least for this phase and payment milestone). It's time to celebrate high marks in a really tough review cycle. It's time to celebrate...so fill up my jug and I'll hush up my mug.

Snow, snow and more snow

It's snowing here today...big, phat, wet flakes. It's the kind of snow that makes you want to cuddle up in a blanket - hot chocolate in-tow - and sit next to a fire while watching a really long movie. Yes, March in Colorado is finally here. March and (early to mid) April seem to be the most volatile months as it relates to weather at least in CO. Interestingly enough, it was like 65 degrees yesterday.

This snow really doesn't hurt my feelings...quite the contrary actually. We desperately need the moisture... so I can board as much as possible this year.

Speaking of...I heard that Jackson Lake just opened the boat launches. While still a bit too cold (can you imagine the shrinkage factor right now), hearing about it actually made Spring-fever set in. Time to dust off the Jimmy Buffett CDs and get my liver...I mean, my body...back into "boarding shape".

A love story

A friend just shared this article with me. It's a tragic love story about a man and...well...just read it. Reading this just about brought a tear to my eye.

Snowboarding vs. Working

Yes, it's official...I prefer snowboarding over working (especially on a Friday).


I could get used to weeks like last week...

• Took Monday off and extended my stay at the lake.
• Worked on Tuesday.
• Was off sick on Wednesday.
• Worked on Thursday.
• Boarded all day Friday.