Today is my birthday….I took this photo a few weeks ago when I was still 42. Now I’m the big 43 (I better look for a new 43 photo op)! But, I still feel like a kid….I better get working on that bucket list (see earlier “Bucket List” post), I’ve got a lot left to do!!!!
Happy Birthday to me!
I know I’ll get flack for this….but, first I’m one of the few in the Northwest that does not like coffee – I have never drank a cup in my life. SO, what would I know about Starbucks? Well everyone I know goes there, so I had to adapt. I have come to really enjoy their hot chocolate (when made correctly) & I do love the food they offer.
Now where is the problem you ask? One, I have really gotten sick of walking in there and waiting forever for a drink. Two, I bet about 15% of the time my drink is messed up – the worst is when they automatically assume I want coffee in my hot chocolate – this one happens the most or when my “extra hot” hot chocolate is not that hot. I know, I could easily after already waiting forever ask for a “re-do.” But, that sucks. Three, TIPS – these people making the over-priced coffee should get tipped also….what is with these tip jars everywhere (Starbucks, Subway, EVERYWHERE!). Four, “The Regulars” – hey I understand you have no life & love spending every spare minute at your local Starbucks & love that they start making your drink as soon as you approach – but hey you don’t own the place like you think you do. Move over & quit glaring at everyone that you don’t recognize.
Finally, my biggest pet peeve is the workers having these huge extended conversation with every “regular” who walks in the door. The line already takes forever & finding out what “Mr. Regular” did over the last few minutes since he was last there really is meaningless…. Some of us have work & lives & would like to get on our way. Instead of talking to your buddies, make my drink right!
I am enjoying photography more & more….My biggest problem is I don’t know what the hell I’m doing….
Just when you think you know what you want to do, you get a photo that wow’s you & others. This photo is a great example. People have commented on how great this is. People have wondered what I did with Photoshop to get this effect….Well, This photo was me goofing around while driving my car & taking a photo through the windshield….
John WInger (Bill Murray in the movie Stripes):
Actually, I’m a photographer. I took this job because I love people. There’s nothing I enjoy more than meeting someone like yourself… …and getting to know you, then taking photos of you while I drive.
Yes, I was driving, taking photos & enjoying the scenery. Also, this photo was not touched up or manipulated digitally.
I love how it looks!
Waterfall
I’ve been to Spokane before & liked this city, but did not get to check it out very much. This time I was able to see a little more and I like it. It is a great little city. The rushing waterfalls in downtown are cool & The Davenport Hotel (where I stayed on my last visit ) is phenomenal – one of the nicest places I have ever stayed. This time I’m at the Holiday Inn Express – not as nice as the Davenport.
I ate at Anthony’s last night – great little seafood place overlooking the fork where the two waterfalls combine. Two things I heard: 1. Off to the right in the photo is where the site of the World’s Fair was years ago. 2. The waterfalls are very low and even dry up, but at one point they were one of the biggest falls in North America – again, that’s just what I heard, not sure of the validity 
I’d have to give Spokane a Thumb’s Up! I’m going to try and schedule a Summer visit.
I saw this while driving the other day & it totally reminded me of Steve Martin’s old yell “Well Excuuuuuuuuuse Me!” – Steve Martin’s old comedy albums are the best!
If you have not listened to some of the old Steve Martin “albums” it is a must. He is a brilliant comedian & has always been one of my favorites. His “Comedy is not pretty” – “Let’s get small” and “King Tut” comedy cd’s are a riot.
Make sure you take the opportunity and listen to some of these timeless comedy routines. I have listed to them with my 10 year-old twin boys and they laugh. It’s nice, clean funny stuff that transcends the ages.
Enjoy!
Baseball started this weekend and I could not be more excited…My twins moved up this year to Triple A Little League. Now the kids pitch 100% of the game (No coach intervention) and they get to steal bases & slide. It’s like real baseball. I’m lucky my boys get to be on the same team – VERY Lucky.
When my kids started sports, I had friends & coworkers & even strangers say “Man your life is over…you’ll be going to sports all the time.” Well they were partially right – I am at a sporting event all the time year round – BUT nothing could not be better then watching my kids play. Whether it’s baseball, soccer, basketball or golf, I cannot get enough of it.
I am so lucky that for the past 6 years I have been able to coach or assistant coach and that the kids have always been on the same team. Baseball is the best though! Usually you get pretty good weather & my kids really shine. Zack pitches & Reilly catches (Not much is cooler than watching Zack throw a strike & Reilly catch it!) or Zack dominates at shortstop & Reilly plays 1st or 2nd base. And on offense Reilly is the big hitter (5 for 5 during this weekend’s tourney) & Zack hits & runs faster than anyone. Their team this year only has one extra player so everyone gets lots of playing time.
We also hit the golf course three times this weekend & they get a bit better each time. We braved a bit of rain & cold, but they really liked it a lot.
So as Spring starts to slowly move in, I could not be happier & more thrilled to watch the kids play ball! My life is not over.
The Fog
What an amazing sunny day it was on the way to work….That is until I got to the St. John’s Bridge. Foggy, Foggy, Foggy….It was a very unusual today – like a cloud was just hanging on the bridge.
I drive this way almost every day to work & this was the first time ever I have seen it look like this. It was almost like a scene from a Batman movie. Very cool view…..It was also 26 degrees on April 1st in Portland, Oregon – that is crazy….
image: livin' the life