For some unknown reason, I just subjected myself to watching the end of the Yu-Gi-Oh cartoon on WB with Jason. Oh. My. God. Cartoons have reached an amazing low – that was so incredibly stupid! A cartoon about people battling with cards. Wow. Can it possibly get any worse?
Oh, maybe it can. Now we had a commercial for “Hulk Hands! With real Hulk sounds!”
Thank goodness I can still get the Flintstones, Scooby Doo and the Jetsons on Cartoon Network…
It still needs some work, and I may change it to be just one column instead of having a sidebar – to make it even more zen and simple and clean – but here is a taste of the new cookie skin! What do you think?
Mike and I were talking last night about some upcoming trips that we have in the works, and it lead to a discussion about travel in general, and the things we like to do when we go and visit places. He said that he likes to see the sights and sample the local cuisine. However, he has to be careful, because he will try to cram too much in to one day, and in the end it just stresses him out, so the idea of traveling as a tourist doesn’t appeal to him.
I don’t travel like that. I’m a very laid back traveler, as I’m sure Jennifer can verify for me. I just want to be there – wherever there may be – soaking up the local feel and rhythm. Sure, there are specific sites I must see – like the Old North Church in Boston last summer. But if I miss something, that’s ok. If I feel rushed, I slow down. I’m on vacation, I have all the time in the world.
And of course, I have my camera with me.
My camera is my best friend when I’m traveling. In some ways it’s like my shield, protecting me from the strangeness around me. Nothing looks strange through my viewfinder. If I’m alone, it’s ok, I have my camera. I can always take pictures. It makes it easier to ignore the strangers around me, as the introvert in me comes out and I don’t want to have to deal with them. If I’m with friends, it inspires me to point out the interesting things that I see. I must have a camera there – or two, or three.
The summer after my senior year in high school, we went on a family vacation. Our first stop was Minnesota, and I was having a blast doing things with my cousin Renee. Then it came time to head on over to North Dakota – and I didn’t want to go. “I’ll be bored” followed by “there will be nothing to do.” My Mom pointed out to me that everything in life is what you make of it, and if I went there with that attitude, I would be bored. I was making myself miserable. So the first day after we arrived, I took my 35mm SLR camera out and went to take pictures. The park, the lake, Main street. Eventually I saw other kids my age, and they asked what I was doing. We started talking, and before I knew it I was having a great time and meeting new people. My camera helped give me a reason to be out there, to meet them. Sometimes I need that nudge.
As I drove in to work this morning, I realized something. Some people talk about how they see things in HTML. Me? I see the world in pictures. There must have been at least five things that I spotted during my commute that made me wish I had time so I could pull over and take pictures. Signs, colors, buildings, flowers. I analyze everything by the photo I could take of it. After that I think about what I see as a blog post. Is there a story to tell here? What is it? Why is the man sitting there on the corner – does he have a home? What is the history of that old church building? Can I blog about it? What story can I share?
I see the world in photographs and stories. How do you see yours?
I have a skin idea that I want to create for my site and I can handle doing almost all of it myself. I need help with just one item though – using CSS to lay out the photos from Pixelog. If you consider yourself a CSS guru and you’re willing to help out, let me know – I can e-mail you the details on what I’m trying to do. Then you can laugh at me and tell me that I’m dreaming an impossible dream. No, no, really – I know it can be done, I just don’t know how to do it.
If you’re interested, please let me know!
I seem to have taken on a new role as a P.R. person lately. It’s all good though, I don’t mind at all. Just spreading the news here!
Mike is in a group called the Lager Rhythms. They are an a cappella group, although they cheat sometimes and use harmonicas when they perform. (Don’t tell the a cappella police though…) Several H-Town Blogs members have seen them perform and can verify that it is a fun and entertaining event. This Saturday, for the first time in months, they will be performing again IN PUBLIC for all to enjoy!
Place: Anderson Fair (Their site has a map to their location)
Date: June 21, this Saturday.
Time: Doors open at 8, and they will probably go on stage between 8:30 and 9. You should get there early anyway, so you can get a seat, relax and eat and drink and visit and so forth. It’s not a huge venue, and last time it was standing room only for late arrivals. You get to be up close & personal, nice and cozy.
Cost: $8 at the door. Bring extra cash if you want a CD or a t-shirt, which I’m sure they will have for sale.
Anderson Fair serves both coffee and alcohol. It is not a nightclub or bar in that sense, move of a pub type feel, or a restaurant as they call themselves. It is a kid friendly enough venue that I might bring my son with me. He has seen them perform and had a blast.
AFTER THE SHOW: We will probably hang out right there at Anderson Fair for a bit while they mingle with the crowd, and then find a local spot for a late dinner or dessert. Katz’s is just down the road, and I haven’t had their fried pickles in awhile…
Hope to see you there!