Traverse City Pictures

Since pretty much everyone who reads my blogs, were there with me. I figured instead I would focus this entry into just sharing some of my pictures. If you want more, or the full catalog of pictures... let me know and we can try to arrange a way to get them sent out. Otherwise for now enjoy :-).

Fun in DC

Mom, Sara, Mason, and Colby came down this past weekend. They all seemed to have a good time. Sara got a chance to improve on my place a bit. Added some color to my main room, found a great deal on a TV stand, and added a second bookcase, so I don't have any overfill anymore, and finally can empty the box that Stephen got for me.

I'll post a few pictures before Sara can :-). I'm pretty sure it was the kids first time on a metro.
They seemed to enjoy it okay. As you can imagine, Mason really enjoyed hanging by the poles and twirling around them.

The kids did then later take some flying lessons at the air and space museum.

But then sadly we were barely able to make a dent out of the Natural History Museum.
Overall I think Mason and Colby had a blast. Now I"m just trying to convince Sara to bring them back :-). There is still much they can see :-).

TV and Swords

Nothing too much has been happening recently persay. However, I have been upgrading some things. As many of you probably already know, I've bought a new TV. Basicaly my old one was annoying me too much. Either it was distorting images or it was making strange vibrating noises. Eitherway, it was crappy. Having my remote die on me was like insult to injury.

On the other hand that all might have been just justification for me to buy a new toy.... Eitherway it looks amazing :-).

Its a 40" Samsung. The nice part about it is that it is a 120 hertz refresh rate. Which is pretty nice. Debatable if I can really tell the difference. But I *know* there is a difference, and the mental game is probably 80% of it anyways. On Screen is Planet Earth that Jim let me borrow. An amazing series btw.

Along with a new TV I also have a new Sword. Basicaly, this sword I bought back in Octoberish I believe, but placed it on layaway. It just recently came in.
The style is a two handed Shamshir. The curve of the blade give it an increadibly elegant look and feel. This blade is made for cutting, more than stabbing. It is razor sharp all the way up the blade, and then the top 20% or so is also sharp on the back. The blade is amazing light, and sharp and strong enough to cut through small trees.
Plus this is my first "real sword" in that this was the first sword I ever bought that was designed to be used. The rest may be classified as replicas or display models. The sword was made with special heating and cooling methods to give it its strength, and allowing it to maintain its sharpness. To put into perspective though, the sword cost more than the TV.

Hiking and Fencing

This past weekend I went down to visit Ken and Becky in Charlottesville. On Saturday we went hiking. Of course on our first hike in a while, we did a hike straight up hill for about 1 mile. Needless to say I was quite exhausted by the end. But I made it, and the view was worth it.
Then on Sunday, I was able to go fencing at the Salle that Ken goes to. So yeah to getting back into fencing... Though I did get my butt kicked. Evidently I'm out of practice :-).
So Fencing was lots of fun. And I hope to get back into it I think. But we will see. For now though, my legs are really sore :-p. Hopefully though after a few days I'll be better.

So one of the hikes we went on in Terrace, was the Ferry Island hike. While by itself isn't too spectacular. Some local artists decided to get creative with it, providing a slightly more unique experience for those on the trail :-).

Most of the pictures were of the sort of peoples faces I guess. But a couple also deviated into stuff slightly more different... I'll post some of my favorites :-).


























And then there were some that were noticably different......































So these are some of the different carvings found throughout the hike. Finding these on the trees made it actually kinda fun :-).

And here is a picture of Breakfast being made.

Sidepost, news

Just yesterday I sat down with my boss, had my 23 month evaluation, where he signed my papers meaning they will keep me around. Actually what they means is that it took me off the 2 year long probation period. So they can no longer fire me for any reason they want.. I'm protected by the union rules and the like. In reality it doesnt mean too much, as I have never really been in danger of being fired. My boss has continually told me he has been happy with my work, and that if there were ever any concerns he'd let me know way in advance. But still, its just nice to know that the probationary period is over....

Hike part 2.

I took way too many pictures of mountains during my trip. I think its because In Michigan, as well as in the East Coast, really nothing. Well rather the ones we do have, are like small hills in comparison.

Nevertheless about midweek we went to the Lava Bed Parks.

As you can see the ground was covered with the lava rock. It was about 250 years ago that the volcano erupted.
And of course you can't go to a lava bed park without seeing the Waterfalls.
When the lava rolls down the hill, and covers a tree, it burns the tree out, and when it cools of course it forms these tree holes in the rock.
But even here, you can't escape the mountains :-).

But since Mountains seem to be my theme this post, this here was perhaps my favorite. There is something special about a mountain in the background, with water in front. I think my favorite was seeing the reflection of the mountain on the water before it. Ironicaly this picture was taken in late evening. Thus the darker tones to the picture. Yet that in a way I think accentuates the mountain.

Anyways, hope everyone enjoys these pictures :-).