There Is Change In The Wind

The Arizona Cardinals are headed to the Super Bowl. This will certainly go down in history as the most monumental event of the week of January 18, 2009; nothing else could be so historical.

An Eight Year Reign Of Terror Is Over
Want to go to a Super Bowl party this year? Please don’t come to my house, you will be disappointed.

I am sorry to announce that my Super Bowl party has been canceled. If you’re an ITP-reader you know why — my plumbing. No, I’ve not had a plumber out to the house yet. Yes, I still could host a party, however I am choosing to take a break.

He Who Travels Far And Wide Doesn’t Always Succeed
On Saturday I decided to go out and do a little shooting. My goal was to find free-standing hearths, and specifically the one which stands in Oconee National Forest.

I started my trip out I-20 with a vague notion of which exit on which I should exit. Having Jill the GPS and my iPhone with me, what could possibly go wrong? I came close. One thing I found out, as if I didn’t know, AT&T’s cell service is not all-covering. As I drove around it became abundantly clear that I was never going to find this free-standing hearth. Dangen! I did manage to find a covered bridge (not very photogenic in Winter) but nothing else.

One the way home I accidentally tempted fate as well. It was mid-afternoon and I had a slight hunger. As I drove along I came upon a Dairy Queen, my mind thought of getting a Blizzard. I went inside and ordered a Blizzard and upon returning to my car realized that I had a mental disconnect. I had order a Turtle and Oreo Blizzard, which if you think about it contains pecans. Remember back a few weeks ago when I had a nasty allergic reaction to a pecan snack. Dangen! I cautiously ate the dessert to see if there would be ramifications. At first I thought something bad was happening so I stopped eating. Every few minutes I’d eat a little more. I’m not declaring that I am not allergic to pecans, but I am still alive.

ITP Flickr Pic
Another shot from my Little Five stroll. You now know why there was nothing new to show today.

I will be headed to E-6 Labs to pick up my 120 film today. Fingers crossed.

Sometimes When You Are A Loser, You Are Also A Winner
The Gods seemed to be smiling upon us yesterday — something had to go wrong. I arrived at the Black Sheep hash any paid my $7 like every one else. I should have known I was in for trouble when a third hare was identified.

The pack took off like a thundering herd. The first check was “solved” immediately, I followed. Confusion ensued but people kept going, and though I hadn’t seen a mark since the first check, I followed. Frustration ensued and when I found the second check, which had not been kicked, I went searching for trail. After running around I found trail, only it was the trail we were supposed to follow from the first check. Undaunted, I followed.

When I arrived back at the second check there was no one to be found, and the check had still had not been kicked. Dangen! Along came Supersuck who had also gone out alone seeking trail and the two of us trudged through woods until we once again found trail.

The two of us followed trail and came across a check which had been turned into an arrow which pointed us straight ahead. Hurrah! Unfortunately it was pointed 90Ëš in the wrong direction and we were forced to spend more time looking for trail.

We now feared that we would most certainly be DFL and there would be no beer at the end left for us. Supersuck and I continued along until we came upon a check had been turned into an arrow which pointed us down a creek. Hurrah! Unfortunately it was pointed 90Ëš in the wrong direction and we were forced to spend more time looking for trail.

After wandering around in the woods Supersuck and I ran to the nearest road where for the second time we came upon Wet Dreams and Hired Snatch. All of a sudden Supersuck identified the area as a recent hash ending and the four of us recognized Surly Temple’s pickup truck. We had stumbled upon the end. Hurrah! Fortunately the beer was already there so we sat and consumed until the pack arrived some forty-five minutes later.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay
Current Music – listening to the “Sound Opinions” podcast
Website Of The Day – Want to join a community of folks who review beers? 97 Bottles is trying to start such a community.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – hashing, probably no more than 1 mile
Monday Morning Weigh-In – skipped

Monthly
Foot Mileage – 3 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 19 (19)
Vegetarian Days – 4
Carnivorous Days – 14
Marta Rides – 0

January Goals
– Complete all necessary work on the dining room (not going to lie, I picked an easy room first)
– Lose no fewer than two pounds
– Run no fewer than 50 miles
– Completely read Softbox Lighting Techniques for Professional Photographers, Conceptual Blockbusting: A Guide to Better Ideas, and How to Be Happy, Dammit: A Cynic’s Guide to Spiritual Happiness

2009 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 190 pounds (today’s weight was 199.5 pounds)
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
РEarn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Jalape̱o Beach SmugMug account I opened the other day.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C (iPhone development) and Ruby on Rails (Black Sheep web page concept)
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]