Hey, it's been awhile since I've actively modified the links along the left of my blog... by awhile I mean a few weeks... but anyway, there are two fun new additions. One is Loren's blog about being car-less. I'm proud to say that it features some sentimentally discussed photos from our camping trip with Loren & Tyler to the Shenandoah Valley National Park last year. It was a fun trip, and while the beloved vehicle that transported us has gone to her higher reward I hope we all go camping again soon, and I'm excited to see more posts soon!
The other new link is to Long Bets, an interesting site I just found out about today. I think it's pretty fascinating but I'm at work so I haven't had a chance to dig into it too much. I thought others might find the concept and the organization itself interesting too, so I invite you to check it out!
Friday, January 12, 2007
Chessie's Big Day Out (pt. 1)
Chessies Big Day Out 1
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
Last weekend it was beautiful here in Connecticut so we took Chester the dog out to the park. He was very happy and we had about a 2 hour adventure where he swam, and where Lyndsey, Chester, and I all enjoyed the outdoors.
There are actually quite a few more photos to follow, but I only uploaded the ones from my camera, so here's the first of a series of 9 that start off the story of Chessie's Big Day Out.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Iraq Coverage Spotlight
Slate, as usual, has a pretty good bit of analysis on last night's speech and the proposed actions. I can't say it's an uplifting read, but worth passing one's eyes over, if you have 10 minutes for reading.
www.slate.com
Articles of note: "How Bush Bets the Farm on Maliki," "How the Dems could Stop the War Expansion," "and Why they Won't,"
Interesting news sidelight: Gates Says Timetable for Surge Unclear. Cause, you know... that's cool.
www.slate.com
Articles of note: "How Bush Bets the Farm on Maliki," "How the Dems could Stop the War Expansion," "and Why they Won't,"
Interesting news sidelight: Gates Says Timetable for Surge Unclear. Cause, you know... that's cool.
The President says
"Blah blah blah blah blah."
It's funny, going into last night I read a couple articles that touted W's love of surprising people, of delivering speeches where he defied expectations. Then, I sat down on the sofa and watched last night's declaration... and I have to say... it was pretty unsurprising, that's for sure.
I guess it's hard to claim disappointment when you go into an event with zero expectations, but somehow disappointed is what I feel.
Man, what a mess we've made over there. It's really, incredibly worrisome how thoroughly Bush & Co. have mucked this all up.
It's funny, going into last night I read a couple articles that touted W's love of surprising people, of delivering speeches where he defied expectations. Then, I sat down on the sofa and watched last night's declaration... and I have to say... it was pretty unsurprising, that's for sure.
I guess it's hard to claim disappointment when you go into an event with zero expectations, but somehow disappointed is what I feel.
Man, what a mess we've made over there. It's really, incredibly worrisome how thoroughly Bush & Co. have mucked this all up.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Don't Forget!!
Just a little testimonial on the fact that New Orleans (and certainly untold dozens of other gulf coast communities) is still not in a place that anyone could rightly call recovered. They still need the funding they have never received from the federal government, and they still need us all to figure out ways to help, however and whenever we can. Note to self: still need to get my butt down there, can't believe I still haven't.
Just a little link from work
Check it out, folks. Jack Abramoff, Georgie Bush... smiling for the birdie.
They look chummy, don't they? I think so.
They look chummy, don't they? I think so.
Monday, January 08, 2007
An Admission
Alright, I have to admit it, I've been neglecting ye olde blog. But, never fear, I'll be back in full force in the days to come. Why, you might ask, have I been so absent, so silent, so sparse in my posting of photos, random blathering and other formerly reliable drivel???
Well, the reason, folks, is that I've been spending way too much time uploading music to my new mp3 player. I've been happily ripping tracks (681 to date, to be precise) and um... I've still got many more to upload.
While I've now explained myself, it's no excuse. This weekend Lyndsey and I went for an awesome huge walk in a park with the Ellis' dog Chester. He went swimming, and it was a gorgeous day. I took way too many pictures, and that means that before too long I'll be uploading a bunch of random happy outdoor pics to Flickr... and they'll soon be gracing the pages of this fancy little cyber-zine. Also, I'm just gonna try to prioritize writing a bit more.
It's like a resolution, a week late.
So, that's all to say... expect more soon. More photos, more rambles, more junk of various kinds, and more fun fun fun.
Hope everybody's week is starting off in style.
Well, the reason, folks, is that I've been spending way too much time uploading music to my new mp3 player. I've been happily ripping tracks (681 to date, to be precise) and um... I've still got many more to upload.
While I've now explained myself, it's no excuse. This weekend Lyndsey and I went for an awesome huge walk in a park with the Ellis' dog Chester. He went swimming, and it was a gorgeous day. I took way too many pictures, and that means that before too long I'll be uploading a bunch of random happy outdoor pics to Flickr... and they'll soon be gracing the pages of this fancy little cyber-zine. Also, I'm just gonna try to prioritize writing a bit more.
It's like a resolution, a week late.
So, that's all to say... expect more soon. More photos, more rambles, more junk of various kinds, and more fun fun fun.
Hope everybody's week is starting off in style.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Year of the snail?
snail
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
Happy New Year everybody!
So far, 2007 appears to be the year of the Guitar Hero for me. If you are not familiar with Guitar Hero, it's an amazing game that involves... sort of... playing the guitar through a video game system.
It may not sound completely concrete, but if you haven't seen it in action, that's about the best I can do to describe it for you.
More soon, but I wanted to get a post up to welcome in 2007. So far... an interesting year. Can't wait to see what else happens as the months unfold.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Award for Best wedding picture goes to...
Joseph is the Man for taking this picture
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
Joseph gets the prize for my favorite wedding picture of all. Over Christmas I got to see a bunch of pics I hadn't seen yet and that was fun. Between peoples' digitals, the disposable cameras at the reception, and the photographer Matt & Kristi's wedding was very well documented. There is a whole bunch of stuff that's great fun. Still, I think this photo is just amazing. I took some liberties with the original that Joseph sent to Matt, opting for a landscape rather than portrait layout, and turning it into a B/W pic whereas it was color in the original.
I hope you enjoy it, and Happy New Year to everybody.
Cheers.
+ John
Thursday, December 28, 2006
TerraPass
Okay, so here's the quick version of follow-up on yesterday's last post:
TerraPass, it's something worth checking out. My brother spotted the TerraPass on the back window of my car while I was leaving after Christmas to head back north. It looks something like this:
A quick conversation followed between Matt, my mom and me about some specifics. One of the best questions was, "so... what do you get for the $$" which is a pretty good question.
The answer is that there are no tax benefits right now. There are no real perks except peace of mind, really and um... a cool doodad to stick on your car. But the general idea is that you can buy a patch and some credits that are supposed to counterbalance the amount of CO2 that your car emits in a year. TerraPass purchases the credits in a couple forms, details provided here. As I posted yesterday, there's a pretty comprehensive study of carbon offset providers available here. By comprehensive, I mean to say I still haven't read it because it's pretty long.
The long-and-short of this little post is that I'm happy with TerraPass, and somewhat happy with myself for getting one. I'm not posting to brag, but because I hope others might find the carbon offset idea appealing. After a couple years of not owning a car, I was thinking a lot as I went out to buy the one that I picked up this fall, and offsetting the emissions made me feel a little happier about the fact that I have chosen to live, for now, in a place where public transportation for work is just not possible.
All that said, if you have more details or want to weigh in, feel free. Until then, happy third day after Christmas. Ho ho ho.
TerraPass, it's something worth checking out. My brother spotted the TerraPass on the back window of my car while I was leaving after Christmas to head back north. It looks something like this:
A quick conversation followed between Matt, my mom and me about some specifics. One of the best questions was, "so... what do you get for the $$" which is a pretty good question.
The answer is that there are no tax benefits right now. There are no real perks except peace of mind, really and um... a cool doodad to stick on your car. But the general idea is that you can buy a patch and some credits that are supposed to counterbalance the amount of CO2 that your car emits in a year. TerraPass purchases the credits in a couple forms, details provided here. As I posted yesterday, there's a pretty comprehensive study of carbon offset providers available here. By comprehensive, I mean to say I still haven't read it because it's pretty long.
The long-and-short of this little post is that I'm happy with TerraPass, and somewhat happy with myself for getting one. I'm not posting to brag, but because I hope others might find the carbon offset idea appealing. After a couple years of not owning a car, I was thinking a lot as I went out to buy the one that I picked up this fall, and offsetting the emissions made me feel a little happier about the fact that I have chosen to live, for now, in a place where public transportation for work is just not possible.
All that said, if you have more details or want to weigh in, feel free. Until then, happy third day after Christmas. Ho ho ho.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
First Non-Flickr Post in Awhile
Hey, So I have been thinking for awhile that I'd like to start highlighting some stuff I think is cool on this here blog-o-mine, and without realizing it I started that just a few moments ago (I know... I know... that post ended with, "good night." So that was a lie. But only a small one.
I'm really posting myself a reminder. Tomorrow I'll post something brief about carbon offsets, because I think they're cool, but I also think my knowledge of them is minimal. I'm working on learning a bit more and I already bought one only days after I purchased the second Honda Civic of my life. That being said, my knowledge is still limited. On WorldChanging.com I ran across a report somebody did on overall quality and comprison of various offset providers. I have yet to read it, but if you have time and feel curious, check it out here. Now, really, good night.
I'm really posting myself a reminder. Tomorrow I'll post something brief about carbon offsets, because I think they're cool, but I also think my knowledge of them is minimal. I'm working on learning a bit more and I already bought one only days after I purchased the second Honda Civic of my life. That being said, my knowledge is still limited. On WorldChanging.com I ran across a report somebody did on overall quality and comprison of various offset providers. I have yet to read it, but if you have time and feel curious, check it out here. Now, really, good night.
'Tis the Season for a Gorillapod
'Tis the Season for a Gorillapod
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
So... I was home for a very quick visit and took a bunch of pictures... most involve cats in some sort of activity because my brother and his wife, Kristi came up from Savannah with their two cats so the house was quite full of furry things.
I managed to occasionally deploy my Gorillapod, here you see where I latched it onto a floor lamp to take a photo of the Christmas tree so I didn't have to stand on my head.
More photos soon, but for now Merry Christmas, Jolly Festivus, Happy New Year, Zippy Kwanzaa, and a very extremely Contented Chanukkah (which I've almost certainly misspelled, while I'm fairly sure I managed to get Kwanzaa. Not sure what that says about me, but regardless... goodnight!)
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