December 2007 Archive

December 2007 Archive

Wonderwife Loves Me Part 1103

2007-12-07 00:02:16


Ginger Cookies, originally uploaded by eagerlittlemind.

ginger cookies & Christmas frosted sugar cookies (not seen)

I’m This Many Old

2007-12-07 00:08:00


i'm this many old., originally uploaded by hessiebell.

Happy birthday to myself! December 7, 1972. Or as Dad put it to me once: "the second day of infamy!

Wii Got One!

2007-12-17 20:46:06

I am not a fanboy or wait in long lines for something. You will never see me camping out overnight in front of a business for something. I just don’t have the patience for it. When someone asks who my favorite artist is I will rattle off a few names instead. If there is a 20 minute wait for a table, I move on. There are too many choices these days.

Yet I found myself standing in front of a Target store at 7AM this past weekend waiting in line for the Nintendo Wii game console. On the coldest day of the year here in Birmingham. Freezing temps and high winds would not deter me in order to get this unattainable game set. I am still trying to work out why I did this:

  1.  I am not a gamer
  2. I have enough toys/gadgets to play with
  3. It was too early to go shopping
  4. It was too cold ( we hit 79 degrees the day before)
  5. The Wii is impossible to get since it’s debut last year
  6. WonderWife objected to it
  7. I may not have enough time to use it
  8. Is it worth the price or will I get a return on investment?
  9. I haven’t set one foot into a retail store for purchasing this season
  10. Video games are an on average $50!??

My original intent was going to Best Buy but when I got in line I was told that the tickets to purchase the consoles were given away (about 30) I rushed down the hill to Target. They were giving away tickets to before they opened of all the Wii’s they had in stock. I got ticket 61 out of the 66 in stock. Whew! At 8am Target employees watched in horror/delight as frigid customers pushed, shoved and generally lost all sense of chivalry to get inside, even though they had a ticket and were guaranteed a Wii. For those who stood in line just in case, they were the worst because they were the most desperate. I have heard people doing the same on Black Friday but I didn’t believe it. It isn’t worth it, people!

Wonderwife never thought I would go through with it but was surprised to see one when she got out of the warm bed that same morning. Upon hooking the machine up to the tv, setting up the enclosed sorts games and selecting the bowling game, she was hooked as I was. She became especially enthralled with it after beating me senseless from the first game and every bowling match since then. She isn’t a gamer either.

I would say I am very impressed with the whole package and can see the lure it has on it’s users and would-be players. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand other than we just had to have one. It accesses the internet easily with wifi and you can create your own realistic-looking characters (called Mii’s) based on your appearance. Hook up with others from the internet and play against each other.

After the first day of bowling, boxing, golf, tennis and baseball I am worn out and physically sore. THAT is how interactive & physical the Wii system is. Well played, Nintendo, wii enjoy it!

 

 

Houston Holidays

2007-12-28 22:34:10

Houston Museum of Natural Science #3, originally uploaded by Photo-Mojo.

 

Hey everyone, greetings from Houston Texas. We've been here almost a full week and we're itching to get back home to Birmingham, Alabama. This year's Christmas festivities were fun and we saw quite the city and Galveston island quite a bit. The museum of natural history featured Lucy, the world's oldest human fossil remains on tour from Ethiopia. She looked good for her age! The Moody Gardens had their annual festival of lights at the three pyramids in Galveston. Neat!

The baby girl has been properly spoiled on her first Christmas. The only problem is figuring out how to get it all in the car for the drive home!

We're on the road tomorrow (Saturday) and will be back home on Sunday.

Peace, love & happy new year!

 

Not Just Another Photo Site

2007-12-18 00:36:15

smugmug-logo-big-white.jpg So after a 14 day full blown trial of SmugMug, I finally took the plunge and became a Pro member. The comparisons to Flickr can't be emphasized enough. Flickr doesn't allow you to watermark, prevent right-click saving to your computer protection, photo sales etc, etc. The subscription is usually $150 a year for the Professional account but they are helping people migrate from Flickr so they offered 1/2 off. Sold! There is even a migrating photo tool called "Smugglr". Cute. No worries Flickr fiends, I just renewed my annual subscription to Flickr too but those photos will be personal, social and for the awesome Groups. The site is for my professional work and is still in it's infancy with limited photos but be sure to stop by! Link: Photo Mojo on SmugMug

Christmas Memories & Reflection

2007-12-19 21:50:54

Obviously when you are a child Christmas has a different meaning than it does when you are an adult. As a new father this year it takes on a more special meaning. The Denbow family Christmas was celebrated early because of our visit to Wonderwife's family in Houston this weekend. We wanted the girl to have her own special first Christmas  to open our gifts early. With 4 sets of grandparents, this girl is going to be hauling in the loot and daddy learns what it means when they say "Some assembly required" and everything needs 4 "D" batteries! I tricked my daddy into opening this present early! After the unwrapping and the oohs & aahs, Wonderwife & I sat on the sofa and watched the baby in front of the Christmas tree. Is this what it means to be content? The perfect gift was in front of us. In the past, my parents went overboard in the giving of presents to all three of their children. Every year the living room floor was covered, in stacks full of wrapped goodness under the tree. Sometimes the gifts were too big to go under and had to be presented in another way. that bike saw a lot of pavement My parents worked hard and scraped by to put money away into savings so we kids could have a better living but from our view, you would never know it. We were always loved and provided for- to excess? I don't work nearly as hard as my parents did/do but I have so much more now than they did when they were my age. Does it make me take what I have for granted? Not at all because I understand their sacrifices and appreciate their generosity more than they can know. I can only hope to provide for my family in the same way. I want my child to know she is loved and taken care of. Wonderwife is a huge part of that since she is at home. Daphne will be better adjusted in this way and I am grateful we can do it. Yes, Christmas is for children, but as a parent, I get the best gift of all. No assembly required. Look at those pecs on that guy (no, not the action figure)! Chris' Christmas Christmas with Grandpa Denbow

Wonderwife Loves Me Part 1103

2007-12-07 00:02:16


Ginger Cookies, originally uploaded by eagerlittlemind.

ginger cookies & Christmas frosted sugar cookies (not seen)

I’m This Many Old

2007-12-07 00:08:00


i'm this many old., originally uploaded by hessiebell.

Happy birthday to myself! December 7, 1972. Or as Dad put it to me once: "the second day of infamy!

Wii Got One!

2007-12-17 20:46:06

I am not a fanboy or wait in long lines for something. You will never see me camping out overnight in front of a business for something. I just don’t have the patience for it. When someone asks who my favorite artist is I will rattle off a few names instead. If there is a 20 minute wait for a table, I move on. There are too many choices these days.

Yet I found myself standing in front of a Target store at 7AM this past weekend waiting in line for the Nintendo Wii game console. On the coldest day of the year here in Birmingham. Freezing temps and high winds would not deter me in order to get this unattainable game set. I am still trying to work out why I did this:

  1.  I am not a gamer
  2. I have enough toys/gadgets to play with
  3. It was too early to go shopping
  4. It was too cold ( we hit 79 degrees the day before)
  5. The Wii is impossible to get since it’s debut last year
  6. WonderWife objected to it
  7. I may not have enough time to use it
  8. Is it worth the price or will I get a return on investment?
  9. I haven’t set one foot into a retail store for purchasing this season
  10. Video games are an on average $50!??

My original intent was going to Best Buy but when I got in line I was told that the tickets to purchase the consoles were given away (about 30) I rushed down the hill to Target. They were giving away tickets to before they opened of all the Wii’s they had in stock. I got ticket 61 out of the 66 in stock. Whew! At 8am Target employees watched in horror/delight as frigid customers pushed, shoved and generally lost all sense of chivalry to get inside, even though they had a ticket and were guaranteed a Wii. For those who stood in line just in case, they were the worst because they were the most desperate. I have heard people doing the same on Black Friday but I didn’t believe it. It isn’t worth it, people!

Wonderwife never thought I would go through with it but was surprised to see one when she got out of the warm bed that same morning. Upon hooking the machine up to the tv, setting up the enclosed sorts games and selecting the bowling game, she was hooked as I was. She became especially enthralled with it after beating me senseless from the first game and every bowling match since then. She isn’t a gamer either.

I would say I am very impressed with the whole package and can see the lure it has on it’s users and would-be players. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand other than we just had to have one. It accesses the internet easily with wifi and you can create your own realistic-looking characters (called Mii’s) based on your appearance. Hook up with others from the internet and play against each other.

After the first day of bowling, boxing, golf, tennis and baseball I am worn out and physically sore. THAT is how interactive & physical the Wii system is. Well played, Nintendo, wii enjoy it!

 

 

Houston Holidays

2007-12-28 22:34:10

Houston Museum of Natural Science #3, originally uploaded by Photo-Mojo.

 

Hey everyone, greetings from Houston Texas. We've been here almost a full week and we're itching to get back home to Birmingham, Alabama. This year's Christmas festivities were fun and we saw quite the city and Galveston island quite a bit. The museum of natural history featured Lucy, the world's oldest human fossil remains on tour from Ethiopia. She looked good for her age! The Moody Gardens had their annual festival of lights at the three pyramids in Galveston. Neat!

The baby girl has been properly spoiled on her first Christmas. The only problem is figuring out how to get it all in the car for the drive home!

We're on the road tomorrow (Saturday) and will be back home on Sunday.

Peace, love & happy new year!

 

Not Just Another Photo Site

2007-12-18 00:36:15

smugmug-logo-big-white.jpg So after a 14 day full blown trial of SmugMug, I finally took the plunge and became a Pro member. The comparisons to Flickr can't be emphasized enough. Flickr doesn't allow you to watermark, prevent right-click saving to your computer protection, photo sales etc, etc. The subscription is usually $150 a year for the Professional account but they are helping people migrate from Flickr so they offered 1/2 off. Sold! There is even a migrating photo tool called "Smugglr". Cute. No worries Flickr fiends, I just renewed my annual subscription to Flickr too but those photos will be personal, social and for the awesome Groups. The site is for my professional work and is still in it's infancy with limited photos but be sure to stop by! Link: Photo Mojo on SmugMug

Christmas Memories & Reflection

2007-12-19 21:50:54

Obviously when you are a child Christmas has a different meaning than it does when you are an adult. As a new father this year it takes on a more special meaning. The Denbow family Christmas was celebrated early because of our visit to Wonderwife's family in Houston this weekend. We wanted the girl to have her own special first Christmas  to open our gifts early. With 4 sets of grandparents, this girl is going to be hauling in the loot and daddy learns what it means when they say "Some assembly required" and everything needs 4 "D" batteries! I tricked my daddy into opening this present early! After the unwrapping and the oohs & aahs, Wonderwife & I sat on the sofa and watched the baby in front of the Christmas tree. Is this what it means to be content? The perfect gift was in front of us. In the past, my parents went overboard in the giving of presents to all three of their children. Every year the living room floor was covered, in stacks full of wrapped goodness under the tree. Sometimes the gifts were too big to go under and had to be presented in another way. that bike saw a lot of pavement My parents worked hard and scraped by to put money away into savings so we kids could have a better living but from our view, you would never know it. We were always loved and provided for- to excess? I don't work nearly as hard as my parents did/do but I have so much more now than they did when they were my age. Does it make me take what I have for granted? Not at all because I understand their sacrifices and appreciate their generosity more than they can know. I can only hope to provide for my family in the same way. I want my child to know she is loved and taken care of. Wonderwife is a huge part of that since she is at home. Daphne will be better adjusted in this way and I am grateful we can do it. Yes, Christmas is for children, but as a parent, I get the best gift of all. No assembly required. Look at those pecs on that guy (no, not the action figure)! Chris' Christmas Christmas with Grandpa Denbow

Wonderwife Loves Me Part 1103

2007-12-07 00:02:16


Ginger Cookies, originally uploaded by eagerlittlemind.

ginger cookies & Christmas frosted sugar cookies (not seen)

I’m This Many Old

2007-12-07 00:08:00


i'm this many old., originally uploaded by hessiebell.

Happy birthday to myself! December 7, 1972. Or as Dad put it to me once: "the second day of infamy!

Wii Got One!

2007-12-17 20:46:06

I am not a fanboy or wait in long lines for something. You will never see me camping out overnight in front of a business for something. I just don’t have the patience for it. When someone asks who my favorite artist is I will rattle off a few names instead. If there is a 20 minute wait for a table, I move on. There are too many choices these days.

Yet I found myself standing in front of a Target store at 7AM this past weekend waiting in line for the Nintendo Wii game console. On the coldest day of the year here in Birmingham. Freezing temps and high winds would not deter me in order to get this unattainable game set. I am still trying to work out why I did this:

  1.  I am not a gamer
  2. I have enough toys/gadgets to play with
  3. It was too early to go shopping
  4. It was too cold ( we hit 79 degrees the day before)
  5. The Wii is impossible to get since it’s debut last year
  6. WonderWife objected to it
  7. I may not have enough time to use it
  8. Is it worth the price or will I get a return on investment?
  9. I haven’t set one foot into a retail store for purchasing this season
  10. Video games are an on average $50!??

My original intent was going to Best Buy but when I got in line I was told that the tickets to purchase the consoles were given away (about 30) I rushed down the hill to Target. They were giving away tickets to before they opened of all the Wii’s they had in stock. I got ticket 61 out of the 66 in stock. Whew! At 8am Target employees watched in horror/delight as frigid customers pushed, shoved and generally lost all sense of chivalry to get inside, even though they had a ticket and were guaranteed a Wii. For those who stood in line just in case, they were the worst because they were the most desperate. I have heard people doing the same on Black Friday but I didn’t believe it. It isn’t worth it, people!

Wonderwife never thought I would go through with it but was surprised to see one when she got out of the warm bed that same morning. Upon hooking the machine up to the tv, setting up the enclosed sorts games and selecting the bowling game, she was hooked as I was. She became especially enthralled with it after beating me senseless from the first game and every bowling match since then. She isn’t a gamer either.

I would say I am very impressed with the whole package and can see the lure it has on it’s users and would-be players. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand other than we just had to have one. It accesses the internet easily with wifi and you can create your own realistic-looking characters (called Mii’s) based on your appearance. Hook up with others from the internet and play against each other.

After the first day of bowling, boxing, golf, tennis and baseball I am worn out and physically sore. THAT is how interactive & physical the Wii system is. Well played, Nintendo, wii enjoy it!

 

 

Houston Holidays

2007-12-28 22:34:10

Houston Museum of Natural Science #3, originally uploaded by Photo-Mojo.

 

Hey everyone, greetings from Houston Texas. We've been here almost a full week and we're itching to get back home to Birmingham, Alabama. This year's Christmas festivities were fun and we saw quite the city and Galveston island quite a bit. The museum of natural history featured Lucy, the world's oldest human fossil remains on tour from Ethiopia. She looked good for her age! The Moody Gardens had their annual festival of lights at the three pyramids in Galveston. Neat!

The baby girl has been properly spoiled on her first Christmas. The only problem is figuring out how to get it all in the car for the drive home!

We're on the road tomorrow (Saturday) and will be back home on Sunday.

Peace, love & happy new year!

 

Not Just Another Photo Site

2007-12-18 00:36:15

smugmug-logo-big-white.jpg So after a 14 day full blown trial of SmugMug, I finally took the plunge and became a Pro member. The comparisons to Flickr can't be emphasized enough. Flickr doesn't allow you to watermark, prevent right-click saving to your computer protection, photo sales etc, etc. The subscription is usually $150 a year for the Professional account but they are helping people migrate from Flickr so they offered 1/2 off. Sold! There is even a migrating photo tool called "Smugglr". Cute. No worries Flickr fiends, I just renewed my annual subscription to Flickr too but those photos will be personal, social and for the awesome Groups. The site is for my professional work and is still in it's infancy with limited photos but be sure to stop by! Link: Photo Mojo on SmugMug

Christmas Memories & Reflection

2007-12-19 21:50:54

Obviously when you are a child Christmas has a different meaning than it does when you are an adult. As a new father this year it takes on a more special meaning. The Denbow family Christmas was celebrated early because of our visit to Wonderwife's family in Houston this weekend. We wanted the girl to have her own special first Christmas  to open our gifts early. With 4 sets of grandparents, this girl is going to be hauling in the loot and daddy learns what it means when they say "Some assembly required" and everything needs 4 "D" batteries! I tricked my daddy into opening this present early! After the unwrapping and the oohs & aahs, Wonderwife & I sat on the sofa and watched the baby in front of the Christmas tree. Is this what it means to be content? The perfect gift was in front of us. In the past, my parents went overboard in the giving of presents to all three of their children. Every year the living room floor was covered, in stacks full of wrapped goodness under the tree. Sometimes the gifts were too big to go under and had to be presented in another way. that bike saw a lot of pavement My parents worked hard and scraped by to put money away into savings so we kids could have a better living but from our view, you would never know it. We were always loved and provided for- to excess? I don't work nearly as hard as my parents did/do but I have so much more now than they did when they were my age. Does it make me take what I have for granted? Not at all because I understand their sacrifices and appreciate their generosity more than they can know. I can only hope to provide for my family in the same way. I want my child to know she is loved and taken care of. Wonderwife is a huge part of that since she is at home. Daphne will be better adjusted in this way and I am grateful we can do it. Yes, Christmas is for children, but as a parent, I get the best gift of all. No assembly required. Look at those pecs on that guy (no, not the action figure)! Chris' Christmas Christmas with Grandpa Denbow