Journal

This woke me up from my precious beauty sleep (I need beauty hibernation). Anyway, light hail, high winds, mucho rain. Wonderwife and DVD slept through all of it. Heavy rains prevail for now so Im back to bed for an hour and a half. poof!

Below are a few things I’ve been thinking about but cannot get out of my head to move on.

1. I really dislike any/all award shows that congratulate themselves
2. Which is better? A Cylon or a Terminator?
3. Why do people flip you off after you honk your car horn and swerve to avoid them changing into your lane without notice?
4. Why do television marketers exist if all they can advertise is a product and a known song from the past with a vague reference to the product?
5. Let’s lift the Cuban embargo. I want to tour there.
6. I really dislike any/all rap punks artists rappers that talk about themselves and what they got
7. Wishing I had more time to shoot photos and learn Photoshop skills
8. Why do I like sugary snacks so much? Wean off!
9. My hiking shoes have dust on them but not from any trail. @#$%^@
10. What kind of father am I?

I really enjoy the Jefferson County Library Co-op in that I can have the latest releases of books delivered to my area branch. I’ve decided to get back into reading which I have neglected since before Christmas. I find it very relaxing and a great investment of my time. Here is a small sampling of what I’m reading.

A thousand splendid suns / Khaled Hosseini.

The Kite Runner / Khaled Hosseini

Playing for pizza / John Grisham.

7 deadly wonders / by Matthew Reilly.

The last juror [sound recording] / John Grisham.

Blasphemy / Douglas Preston.

Work today was very stressful in that I was learning new concepts and ways of thinking for problem solutions and needs analysis. It kicked my butt. Not only that, it kicked 9 other members of my team as well. It really made me feel inadequate for the job and I don’t like that feeling. Friday should be more of the same and does not bode well.

So why am I up and blogging at midnight? My new laptop arrived and I have to install programs and settings of course!

Like I said, I am completely mental.

**UPDATE**

No, this isn’t my cat or new computer. Both were found on the interwebs last night thanks to my exhaustion, I didn’t want to take a photo.

My brother John celebrated his 26th birthday recently and even got himself a blog. John is engaged to get married in March to a lovely woman who makes him happy. I was asked to be the Best Man. While this may be questionable to some, there is no doubt amongst the Denbow brothers that this is truth. Actually, he was my best man 12 years ago. Hey, what are big brothers for?

Anyway, John has a new blog created that should highlight his world and the upcoming wedding. I’ll take him under my wing and show him how to upload photos/video and even audio posts.

If you live in the Tulsa area or just like to see what people who look like Lurch from the Adams Family television series do for fun, check out his blog!

Ti amo mi hermano.

BW, originally uploaded by Photo-Mojo.

Last week we decided to hang our photographer heads in shame and have studio portraits of Daphne made for us. Wonderwife really wanted some baby pics before Daphne got too old and the grandparents love them.

Here is one of my favorites of the bunch that captures her serene beauty and concentrated focus.

viewing gorillas at the Atlanta zoo

Wonderwife decided to pack up the toaster on wheels (Scion xB) and head east to Atlanta. While there we stopped off at the zoo, Ikea and Trader Joe’s. This was Daphne’s first visit to Georgia outside of the womb and she loved it.

At the zoo she saw a lot of kids and a lot of critters. My favorite part was not the pandas, the monkeys or tigers but seeing her eyes closed, smiling and enjoying the sunlight on her face and the cool breeze in her hair. Made me happy.

Not so happy was the traffic on the road and at our destinations. People were walking in our path, stopped in our path and otherwise not concerned that two people holding a child wanted to just relax and enjoy the day.

Filling our bellies full of Swedish meatballs from Ikea and gathering good food at Trader Joe’s helped make it worthwhile. After that we headed back home from a 12 hour day and relaxed.

When/if we move from Birmingham, I will regret leaving the close proximity of diverse destinations & attractions the southeast has to offer. Most places are reachable in a few hours and offers up plenty of memories.

In preparation for Alabama’s part on Super Tuesday (Feb 5), more presidential campaigns rallied for support here in Birmingham.

President Bill Clinton stumps for his wife Senator Hillary Clinton in her bid to become the Democratic candidate for President. President Clinton stopped first in Huntsville, Alabama and then made his way to the campus of Miles College here in Birmingham.

The Republican front-runner, Senator John McCain stopped at the Birmingham Convention Center and rallied for support before moving on to Atlanta.

Though covering two campaigns of both parties in one day was exhausting, it was very rewarding to see the political process. Both camps had their share of eager supporters who wanted to hear something they could benefit from. They were not disappointed. There is a small amount of pride in covering both rallies at almost the same time. Parking was horrendous at both Miles College and the BJCC. More so at the convention center thanks to the annual Boat Show going on next door. I cannot believe I had the good fortune to see both! Eat your heart out big media! You need multiple reporters and photojournalists but small media got em both. Catch more coverage and my small contributions over at the Birmingham Terminal.

Photo Credits:

Photo Mojo

The Love Lobster, originally uploaded by Photo-Mojo.

It is February! How are you going to plan for your Valentine this year? Suggestion: don’t buy a hysterical looking love lobster and have it sit in the closet until the next year….

Blue Balls, originally uploaded by Photo-Mojo.

Keeping promise to myself to get back into shape with various activities such as this and trail running.