What's That Rattling in My Brain?

Maple Walnut Ice Cream

2009-08-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

One of the major downfalls of life in the Southern United States is the complete absence of this one particular food item. I honestly don't understand how such an amazing thing can go unnoticed and unconsumed in any part of the world. It's un-American. I actually believe most of the problems in this country are due to this unhealthy imbalance of maple walnut ice cream distribution. If we work hard to solve this problem we might actually solve all problems; including health care reform.

With that said, Richardson's Dairy Farm in Middleton, MA has been producing the world's best ice cream for more than 50 years out of it's 300 years in operation. They've really done wonders in propagating peace and tranquility in the world through their amazing dairy products and expansive menu of ice cream flavors.

This is one area in which the South can learn and benefit from the North greatly. Thank you Richardson's for your amazing ice cream with it's mapley goodness, whole walnuts, scoops the size of softballs smothered in jimmies. Thank you for making the world a better place to live. I miss you.

Grammar - Their, There, They're

2009-07-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

Their dog is peeing on my tree.
A dog is peeing on my tree over there.
Dogs! They're peeing on my tree.

Fireworks Over Norfolk

2009-07-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

I currently live in the Olde Towne section of Portsmouth, VA. Olde Towne has a rich history dating back to colonial times, which is reflected in it's architecture. One of the best features of the area is the Elizabeth River. I really enjoy going down by the water and soaking up the peace and tranquility. You can look straight across the river towards downtown Norfolk. The city lights up the skyline and has been the subject of much of my photography over the past year.

This past weekend was not only marked by Independence Day, but also by Norfolk's Harborfest. As a result they had three nights of fireworks over the water. I've been anxiously awaiting this event for a while because I'm familiar with the quality of the Harborfest display. Needless to say, the following photographs are my favorite shots from those nights with the Norfolk skyline in the background. I'm pretty excited with how they turned out. Now if I can just manage to get a good shot of the city during a lightning storm I'll be a happy chap.

Taxes or Trees?

2009-07-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here it is July 5th in Virginia and it's actually chilly outside. This is so unusual that it makes me wonder if God is blatantly refusing to humor the climate crisis agenda. The weather this summer has continually been pleasant and spring-like, not our typical hot and humid Virginia weather.

I mean, I might just be a dumb American and just need to trust that the politicians are doing what's best for all of us. But I have a sneaking feeling that's not the case. It's much more likely they're doing what's best for them.

What I want is evidence? Where is all this evidence that has politicians ready to bankrupt the country under the guise of reversing the affects of global warming? Glaciers breaking apart? Isn't that just called erosion? It happens all the time. Ocean levels rising? It seems to me that the beach is just where we left it last year and the year before. Carbon levels rising in the atmosphere? Show me some numbers. And are these numbers representative of what humans are producing or is it from natural causes. For example, a volcanic eruption spews tons of pollutants into the atmosphere that can linger for a long time. Why are we so certain we're to blame and that it's something we can fix with taxes?

What I'd like to suggest is that instead of letting the government hastily tax us out the wazoo in an attempt to control carbon emissions, why don't we start with planting some more trees while we continue to explore more efficient alternative energy sources. Planting more trees seems like a much more practical and cost effective approach to the supposed carbon pollution problem. After all, it's trees that break down carbon compounds and release the oxygen back into the atmosphere.

In lieu of all the hasty decisions being made by this administration, why don't we take a step back and ask some questions and demand some answers. Our government was never meant to walk all over us and deceive us to get it's way.

Bed, Bounce and Beyond

2009-07-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that a trampoline would make a great bed. They're firm yet supportive and cushiony and who doesn't like to jump on the bed? It's the first thing everybody wants to do when they stay in a hotel. And you have to yell at kids to get them to stop jumping on their beds. The main concern of bed jumping is breakage, but a simple futon mattress on a rectangular trampoline would solved that problem. How great would it be to order your kids to go jump on their bed and burn off some energy. The fun isn't limited to kids either. This has joyous implications for adults as well–not to mention significant health benefits. Bouncing is great exercise.

Sketchwall

2009-07-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'd really like a wall sized dry erase board with plenty of markers. I'm not sure if they make a dry erase paint, but they should–they being dry erase supply makers. I've seen chalk board paint and it is pure genius, but regardless, it would be great to have the space of an entire wall for jotting down ideas and drawing on. I have a big head and need lots of room to get ideas out of it. Sometimes paper just isn't enough. For now I'll stick with my sketchbook, but one day I'll have my very own sketchwall.

Zap - First Attempt

2009-07-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

This was my first successful attempt at shooting lightning. I quickly learned that God is amazingly good at zapping stuff right in between my exposures. I was impressed. Frustrated actually. I'd been waiting for some good lightning for a while. I wanted to catch it in the background of the Norfolk skyline. I ran outside set up my equipment in just the right spot and then it stopped. I recited some phrases of frustration in my head while I waited.

The lightning kept dodging me and then I heard the sound of the wind pick up and the rain in the distance. I picked up my gear real quick like and ran for the nearest tree for shelter while still trying to get the perfect shot. After realizing it's nearly impossible to get the perfect shot in a downpour and that a tree wasn't particularly good shelter from lightning, I threw my stuff in my bag and ran for the apartment. It wasn't ideal, but I managed to catch this shot from the balcony. It wasn't the best lightning strike I saw, but it's still pretty cool. It's a pretty good first attempt. I can't wait for the next good storm.

What the Smurf?

2009-07-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

I must admit I'm pretty excited that the Smurfs are getting their very own live action film next year. I hear the little blue guys are going to be computer generated, understandable, and that the human characters will be played by real live actors. The rumor is that Gargamel will be played by John Lithgow, which seems to me to be the perfect choice for that character. I don't know about everybody else, but I'm anxiously awaiting this one for sure.

Some may be politely withholding their criticism of me right now. The Smurfs? you might be thinking. Indeed. Like many others out there the Smurfs hold a special place in my heart for many reasons. The first being that I grew up on T.V in the 80's. Enough said right? Like most kids my age at the time, I was addicted to the Hanna-Barbara line up, which included the Smurfs. It's not hard to get a group of thirty-somethings to go nostalgic about cartoons from the 80's. Hollywood is making millions off it as we speak with Transformers and G.I Joe and probably another attempt at He-Man soon.

Although, the primary reason for the special place for the Smurfs is my grandmother. My Dad's Mom was a bit obsessed with the Smurfs. Don't ask me why, but we all loved that about her. It sort of exemplifies her child-likeness that we all loved and cherished, especially the grand kids. She had Smurf figurines, stuffed Smurfs, things painted Smurf blue and a blue car that she called her Smurfy-Suby (short for Subaru). She was smurfy and we miss her a lot.

I've kept her Smurf figurine collection going in memory of her. Although, I don't know what happened to hers. Someone in the family is hiding it somewhere. You can only find them online in the U.S., but while I lived in Slovakia I was able to find them at a toy store in Prague. And not that anybody else cares about the Smurfs except me and a couple of my friends maybe, but I hope this will be an introduction to a series of posts on the Smurfs. If you've never watched the cartoon you're missing out. It's this very interesting mix of twisted morals, magic, social dilemmas and overall weirdness. It's great.