Finally, another post

I don't know why its been so long since I have posted anything. Its been nearly four months. I guess even though I have had stuff to say, I just can really put it into words like I would like. I have done a few things since the last post. I have gone to Texas to see family again, went to San Antonio, went to Las Vegas again, and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium last weekend.

Here are some pictures from the Riverwalk. There are a whole lot of restaurants and shops along the whole way of this. I was walking around a lot and even took a boat tour of the area.

And the Alamo:

Here are a couple of the garden behind the Alamo. I couldn't go in the first day, because it was too late. It was so dang hot there in San Antonio... in the high 90s with an equal amount of humidity. I did my best but had to go indoors after only a while outdoors. The short time I spent there was great and would like to go again sometime.

Now onto the aquarium. I have been to the area a lot, but mostly for work. This was my first visit to the Monterey Aquarium. I have been to Steinhart in San Francisco, but that was over 20 years ago.

Here are some pictures of the different types of jellyfish at the aquarium. These are so interesting they way they were moving.. just pulsing along and moving around the tank, and all the different kinds that there were.

The Kelp Forest Tank

and finally a pair of anenomes. These are two of the brighter colored ones.

Being sick sucks

I caught a cold somewhere last weekend. I don't know where or when, but its the first time that I have been stay at home sick in over four years. I don't get sick all that often, but its been a sucky two days. I thought that I was good on Monday, but I went home at lunchtime because I just ran out of energy for the day. Today, I feel kinda okay today, but I hope thats just not because I all hopped up on cold goofers. DayQuil is good stuff, and I hope its all over. I just have to see how I feel in the morning and if I can go back to work.

Its been far too long.

Its been way too long since I have done any kind of post. I don't know why I haven't written anything. Lack of stuff to say, or just plain laziness. Im thinking its the latter. Now having a few things to say, its time to start up again.

After some prodding from some friends, I have decided to do a wardrobe upgrade. Begered and her sister Runak, who are two of my best friends, were kind enough to assist me in implementing the upgrade. We all went to the Macy's mens store and JCPennys a couple weeks ago. We spent about three hours and about $400 dollars getting a new set of shirts, pants and shoes. I will be posting a couple pictures illustrating the difference. I have to show the difference in just the pants. We found out that I was wearing pants that were eight sizes too big. Yikes... eight sizes. I guess that I just wasn't listening to anyone when it came to improving my clothing.

I don't have enough thanks for Begered and Runak for their help. I did buy them lunch for their help on that day, and I will be buying them lunch for some additional help they gave me last weekend. Thanks you two... you're the best!

Termites, Sharks and Rats

When I came back from lunch today, this truck was parked outside the Starbucks


Termites I can see, but sharks as pests? On a houseboat maybe, but not in a completely landlocked city where I live.

I just thought this was a little bit funny to see.
One of those little oddities seen around town.
See below for one more.





Trader Joe's had something interesting a few days ago...


This just struck me as odd, but if I were advertising for crackers, I might have put something other than a rat on an in store advertisement, but thats just me.

Again, just another one of those oddities.

Okay

I have thought a little bit as to why I don't blog more than I do. Mainly.. I suck at writing. That being said, I have been advised by friends who do read the blog that I should write more, no matter the subject, and it would best to get the practice. So, to that end... here I am.

I went to Vegas again a week ago, and this time it was bit better. Flying instead of driving, met up with my friend Donna again, and I also went to a Cirque de Soleil show. The show is called "Love" and is set to Beatles music. I really enjoyed the show, and I would highly recommend it for any Beatles fan.
Here is the opening to the box office, and the theater entrance in down the hallway under the flag on the ceiling.

Here is another picture down the hallway. This was kind of a neat setup. The floor here where you see the blue transitioning to red does a moving action.



















Here is a link to a youtube video giving some previews of the show. It was well worth the cost of the ticket, about $140 per.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKcqTkPqOJQ

This is a neat little lounge called "Revolution" Of course, Beatles themed.
















Here is a pic of the kitten in the pool that they have over there. Granted.. its a 600 pound kitten.














Finally, flying home, pretty good to see the Valley again.

















I will be attempting to blog more, even if its a boring topic. So with that, enjoy!

Vegas, Baby... Vegas!!!!

Three weeks ago, I was able to take a trip to Las Vegas for the first time in almost seven years. I was able to do a little bit of gambling, who knew you could that there? I was able to see a whole lot of new constuction that has taken place since I had last been there. Here are a few pictures from the trip. Lucky for the three of us that took the trip, we all decided to pick the coldest weekend of the year to head down there. If I remember correctly, it was about a 25 degree high for the entire weekend.

I was able to take this picture of the Bellagio from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Its a half scale verstion, so its about 450 feet high. Very nice view, but cold and windy. With the wind chill, it was about zero degrees. Yikes.


Here is a picture of the Venetian and the Mirage. Sadly, both taken from street level.

And as a treat, geek that I am, I was able to go to the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton. Here are a couple pics from that part:

Me and a couple of aliens:



A couple of the ships from the show hanging from the ceiling. Each roughly about 20 feet long.
All in all , a very nice trip. As a final treat for me, I was able to meet up with a friend of mine that moved to Vegas almost four years ago. We had not seen each other since. A nice sunday dinner and a couple of hours of conversation later, we had to part ways because she had to go to work early the next day. Hope to see her again whenever I get back there.

20th annual Bridge School Concert

I went to the bridge school benefit concert last saturday with a friend of mine and his daughters, (oct 21st). Neil Young puts this show on to benefit a school for children with special needs. Lineup included Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Brian Wilson, Trent Reznor, and of course Neil Young, along with a few others. A very long day indeed. Lawn seats and a total of 30,000 people plus or minus. 4 p.m. to about about 1 a.m. I left about 20 minutes before the entire crowd ended up leaving, and didn't get home and in bed until about 5 a.m. Fairly nice" seats"... lawn seating anyway, and a great all acoustic show. I am so happy that the shows will be available on iTunes for purchase. Foo Fighters were a kick ass show, I would like to go next year (depending on lineup), but will be a little bit more prepared for sitting on a damp lawn for 8 hours. The waterproof padding was nice to have, but will be ready for almost anything next year. I will be buying one of those little chairs next year should I be going.


Here are a couple of pictures.

I apologize for the quality, I only had my cell phone camera.

















Definitely a sea of people. I haven't seen a crowd this big since the last time I went to a football game.