One of Lauren’s many playthings. This one electronic, interactive and squishy.
Feb 13 2012
Finch And Felines
While house-sitting for friends of mine in Chula Vista I got these images of their two cats showing more than a passing interest in their Zebra Finches. Nature’s frenemies.
Zebra Finch
Gordon
Theo
Feb 12 2012
Afternoon With The Tapias
After being picked up by the Tapias, we made a quick stop at Costco for weenie burps and gas. (Insert your own personal understanding of that sentence here.) Drove south past San Diego Bay, and just north of downtown we saw a pirate ship fire its cannon in mock battle. After another stop, this time at a Target in Chula Vista to pick up a couple of copies of “The Help,” we purchased some delicious-looking/smelling Mexican pastries from La Concha Bakery. Once back at their house we enjoyed a fantastic pasta dinner that Sylvia made, followed by finally indulging in those custard-filled Conos we picked up from the bakery. This was a good snapshot of hanging out with Sylvia and Rodrigo when we aren’t walking in some beautiful corner of San Diego.
Feb 12 2012
My Host
So I started another multi-day house-sitting stint for some friends in Chula Vista and I was greeted by this little beauty on the pillows on my bed in the guest room. Cute, I guess, but don’t blame me if I have some Chucky dreams tonight.
(Just kidding, Heather. It was cute to find.)
Feb 12 2012
Stunned Finch Chick
A little, yellow Finch chick banged itself into our living room window this morning and then flopped down onto the patio. It seemed a bit stunned but otherwise none the worse for its mishap. After a few minutes of sitting long enough for me to get some photos, it flew first onto our barbecue and then into one of our pine trees. From there I’m assuming it returned to its parents for some much-needed feeding and dramatic storytelling.
Feb 11 2012
Here I Go Again
After hearing nothing but positive reviews about this free app and service for at least a year, I finally created an account with Evernote, downloaded the computer app, and even downloaded the app for my as yet un-procured iPhone. Basically, with my account activated, I can jot down an idea, create a short video, record a piece of audio or any mixture of the three, whether on my computer or (soon-to-be) smart phone, and it will automatically sync between the two. I can capture all or part of a web page, take a picture of a person and annotate it with their name using either audio or text, shoot a meal and add details like ingredients, other guests and location, and the “note” will then sync with my computer app or vice versa. I can also access my information from any web browser. Once I create a note, I can edit it, download any attachments, or share it. This will become a lot more meaningful and useful once I get my iPhone.
My first note from a live recording of the Daily Giz Wiz.
Feb 11 2012
Timeline Movie
A cool new service called Timeline Movie Maker created a short video of my Facebook Timeline, complete with cool edits, transitions and even a soundtrack. It’s very impressive technology but it’s a real shame that all you can do is share the video back on Facebook and not automatically be able to post it somewhere like YouTube or Vimeo where the service would get a lot more exposure. I was able to capture the video for my own personal use using special software.
Feb 10 2012
Gopher Reunion
Met up again with the same gopher I took pictures of four days ago. I was counting on it’s bad eyesight and occasional longer underground stays to sneak in between some large pots in the garden to get about two feet away from the hole. This time I sat and watched this runty rototilling rodent for about fifteen minutes, darting in and out of it’s newly excavated burrow. I find it amazing that, besides finding nutritious roots and plants to eat, digging holes in the ground appears to be it’s main goal in life. And it never seems to be finished or satisfied. Every day we’re finding new dirt mounds in our backyard. Good thing our canyon-overlooking yard is located on bedrock.
Feb 10 2012
Early Valentine’s Sweetness
Received an early, unexpected and completely unsolicited box of Cheryl’s Valentine buttercream and sugar cookies from my happily-married, Con-workin’, Buffy-lovin’, Texas-livin’, non-Valentine friend. And I don’t mean Jeff.
Thank you for my extended sugar high, Lisa. The Ladybug was delicious.
Feb 09 2012
McCartney Live
Watched a terrific concert by Paul McCartney streamed live on iTunes to promote his new album, Kisses on the Bottom. It was broadcast in black and white from the Capitol Studios in Hollywood. All the songs were older pieces except for two that he wrote for this album. They were all lounge-style classics including Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, It’s Only A Paper Moon and Bye Bye Blackbird. At first I was worried I wouldn’t care for it since I’m not a big post-Beatles McCartney fan but as soon as I heard the first song, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter, I knew I was in for a real treat. This album will be a must-buy for me.
(All images copyright of their respective owners.)
Feb 09 2012
The Squamata And The Little Piggies
This scaly little critter (who I believe is female) is slowly getting used to me walking in and out of our garage’s back door, so long as I don’t stomp past it like Godzilla. But then again she might become attracted to me if I did. Probably make me battle Mothra again.
Feb 09 2012
Return Trip To The World Of Sea
Once again I took my mom to SeaWorld for our weekly jaunt around the park. We started things off by getting our picture taken with the always-friendly, O.P. Otter, after which we ran into our old Terrific Tuesday friends, Shirley and Paul, whom we see pretty much every time we go. This was the first time we actually walked around the park with them, though. Normally they walk in the opposite direction than we do. (Maybe that’s a hint?) Anyway, we walked together up until we arrived at the Sea Stars where then they kept walking and my mom and I did our usual looking for the Sunflower Star, which we found. (Too difficult to shoot, though.) Plus, there at the Tide Pool, I was able to feed two types of krill (pacific and another kind) to some of the fish living in the pool. For a very brief moment I was a volunteer at SeaWorld. That’s going on my LinkedIn. That was followed by a trip to the bathroom to wash the stinky fish smell from my fingers. (Yes, Lisa? You had something you wanted to add?) We finished the visit with another character photo, this time with the more tourist-recognizable, Shamu.
Feb 07 2012
My Revu Update
So after posting on my blog yesterday about signing up for an online resumé service called Revu, none other than the CEO of that very company discovered and tweeted about my post. That is true customer appreciation and valued interaction.
Here then, in living color and at actual size, is the brief back and forth social moment we shared on Twitter:
Feb 07 2012
Wherefore Art Thou, Romero?
Took my mom for a scheduled appointment with Dr. Romero, her primary care physician. Not front page news, but I just wanted to document it. Flatus discomfort was possibly discussed. She’s fine by the way, thanks for asking.
Feb 06 2012
Gopher It
Carefully and oh-so-slowly sat down to within three feet of the gopher that’s been ravaging our backyard lately. Since I would never consider hurting it I only took shots at it of the photography kind. Amazing are those choppers it has to constantly keep wearing down. They look like extended corn kernels.
My iNaturalist-ings
My Flickr Photostream
