I think the definition of success is to be able to relax in one's hammock and not feel the obligation to have to do anything else. I'm not there, yet. But once the warm weather hits I like to settle into the hammock at some point every week just to test my theory.
{ 6:22 AM }
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Sometimes you just have to explore the nooks and crannies of your known turf. Whether it's the city or the suburbs you need to take a detour around the familiar pizza places, family restaurants, and fast food joints and get out and find some local color. Yesterday I hopped the subway with a colleague and had lunch in Chinatown. We found the "Great N.Y. Noodletown" in the Bowery, (right up the street from "Big Whang's"). To our disappointment they were all out of the soft-shelled crab, but we wound up enjoying three heaping plates of shrimp, beef and Chinese broccoli (looks like spinach), and chicken with squid. The dishes were served up with piping hot tea, which was actually quite refreshing on a warm day. And the total bill for the feast was a comfortable 20 bucks.My Tuesday continued to improve as my wife joined me for a spicy dinner date at "Hacienda" in Paterson. The nachos were unbeatable (you know it's a good place when they just assume you want the salsa hot). The food was authentic Mexican, and the margaritas were big, bold, and cold. That bill was a very tolerable $37. So it cost under $50 for me to eat in two fantastic restaurants two states--and two worlds--apart. How's that, Rachel Ray? { 2:05 PM }
It's not evident in the photo, but for the past week the Hudson has been brown, like a river of "Yoohoo." Probably remnants of a mighty runoff from the storm.
{ 2:00 PM }
Monday, April 23, 2007
Gas prices are on the rise. Honeybees are disappearing. But don't worry, hard liquor is now good for you. { 6:49 AM }
Teasing crocodiles for fun never ends well. { 6:47 AM }
Saturday, April 21, 2007
AArgh...Why am I wasting my time ripping out my wet basement carpet when I could be in New Orleans for the pirate convention? { 9:37 AM }
Although I wasn't around to see her figure grace the side of B-17's during WW2, I'm now a Venus Ramey fan. Despite using a walker, the 82-year old former Miss America isn't one to suffer a robbery so she pulled a revolver and shot out the bad guys' tires. "I'm trying to live a quiet, peaceful life and stay out of trouble, and all it is, is one thing after another," she was quoted. Score one for good ole fashioned American self-reliance! { 9:12 AM }
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
As long as I'm digging up pics, here's another. Check out how the waves are whipping up compared to the first pic in this segment. On the water one can't take any weather for granted. We spent part of that day looking for a recently sunk trawler, but to no avail. It's amazing how barren much of the sandy seafloor is; nature's denizens rely on some structure to thrive. But once there, be it a reef, rocky outcropping, or a convenient wreck, whole ecosystems promptly spring up.
{ 5:58 PM }
All that's left of the S.S. James Longstreet visible at low tide. I've been diving her since I first got certified in the '80's. This time we ran into a sand shark near her stern; the fish vanished as quickly as it appeared. The wreck is also a good place to look for lobsters. A flashlight illuminates a creepy interior of twisted metal, far too treacherous to penetrate.
{ 5:54 PM }
Here's a brass .50 caliber round from the wreck of a WW2 Liberty ship.
{ 5:52 PM }
To put a positive spin on all this water, I took my dive watch to the repair shop for an overhaul. I need to make sure it's ready for the warm weather that's bound to show up soon. Here's a pic of water the way I like it--glassy calm several miles offshore in Cape Cod Bay sometime last summer. { 5:42 PM }
Well we didn't get it as bad as others but still wound up with a soaked basement. Ripping up the carpet and re-finishing it with an easy-to-mop-up tile floor might be the home improvement list (as if I need to add to it). Sometimes maintenance-free townhouse livin' sure seems appealing. Especially one with a nice marina view in say...Key West. And a decent paperback in hand. And maybe a drink with an umbrella in it. And Shaggy on the iPod. Rrrrskkkratch!! Back to manning the Shop Vac I go. { 5:19 PM }
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Good write-up on Kurt Vonnegut. I remember reading "Cat's Cradle." I still sometimes think of Ice-Nine when I'm at the seashore. { 10:06 AM }
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
With four generations of fire, police, and federal agents in my family (including my humble stint as a Natural Resources Officer) I support all first responders--police, fire, and EMT's...thanks for your service! { 7:41 PM }
Sasha is one of NYC's coolest photogs (and not just because she did my shoot). Nice shot of Madonna on her site. { 7:19 PM }
Right now on my iPod I'm listening to: Buddha Bar, Social Distortion, and Black 47. { 6:33 PM }
Wow, all this Imus talk. I never listened to him that much. Back in the late '80's when I was commuting to college in my black Firebird I usually listened to Stern. But for a couple years in the '90's I was involved in the Imus WABC telethon for Tomorrow's Children's Fund; a great cause that I was proud to be a part of. Getting up at 3 AM, along with several other diehards from work, we'd drive into the city to man a phone bank. While Imus solicited his audience, we'd take the pledges from the callers. We got to talk to a good cross-section of Imus fans, some of them demanding to speak with Imus, which unfortunately we couldn't do. Though his fortunes may be falling, I'm glad his telethon is still doing well. { 6:14 PM }
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Recording and editing audio for another project. I'm using Pro Tools on a Mac. { 10:35 AM }
'Twas an enjoyable Easter. It was fun to see folks dressed up for Easter mass, and even though it was a bit chilly we had a successful egg hunt; outwitting the bunny at his own game. The afternoon was topped off with a homemade prime rib dinner and a couple bottles of vino. { 10:30 AM }
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Today is opening day of trout season. All those fat browns, rainbows and brookies stocked in the local streams and rivers, just darin' anglers to present their offerings. I'll be heading out to a secret little fishin' hole I've known about for the past couple decades. There's nothing like it-- standing waist deep in the cool, swift moving water of a trout-stocked stream, deftly tossing a fly, lure, or salmon egg at the precise spot of the riffles beside a submerged log and awaiting that adreneline-pumping strike. Maybe I'll see you out there. { 7:38 PM }
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Looking like a bottomless pit, this passage to nowhere beckons. It is easy to see the seductive power of these passages, and why cavers are tempted to explore them. What the heck is down there? With a flashlight, some rope, and a bit of courage, you could find out. Here is a map of family-friendly Pennsylvania caves you can explore on your next road trip.To get the cave creeps in your own home rent The Descent (R-rated). { 7:59 AM }
Humans aren't the only ones to find there way in here. Bats seek sanctuary within the dark confines. Since cave temperatures stay the same year round, they are a comfortable place to hang. This brown bat was unfazed as I crept up and took his photo.
{ 7:53 AM }
Like Arne Saknussemm, an early 19th century explorer left his mark in the passage. He was just one of many to plumb the dark depths. But perhaps the most well-known denizen of the cave was Amos Williams, the Pennsylvania Hermit who, after seeing his sister unjustly executed, swore off civilization and dwelled alone in this cave for 19 years.
{ 7:43 AM }
These amazing formations (done a gross injustice by my camera phone) were created over hundreds of thousands--if not millions--of years, in the complete darkness of the water-carved passages. They are a marvel to behold.
{ 7:40 AM }
On a recent road trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania we stopped to explore Indian Echo Caverns. Located along the banks of a Susquehanna tributary, the cave is a remarkable portal into the distant past. While now sealed with a wall and locking door, one can see why ancestors of the indians once sough shelter within it's wide interior. We were told that mammoth bones and other artifacts were found in the main chamber, but not deeper within the winding passages. Apparently, they feared what might lie within the darkness. With flashlight in hand, we ventured in.
{ 7:35 AM }
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
While out for a recent hike, this dangerous-looking critter grabbed my attention. Turns out he's an interestingly-shaped stick, cleverly modified and positioned along the trail by an anonymous nature-loving prankster. All that's missing is the tell-tale hiss.
{ 8:18 AM }
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
This fella is acting pretty cocky considering turkey season is right around the corner. Normally I wouldn't get anywhere near one of these guys without a camo outfit and a box call, but that's because this one is tame; just one of many critters my cousin and her husband are raising. I found out that turkeys have a behavioral penchant for aggressively pecking at anything colored red, or shiny. Memo to self-Don't hang the car keys from the belt (or wear red pants). { 2:00 PM }
Pretty much sums things up. { 1:54 PM }
May 2005 | June 2005 | July 2005 | August 2005 | September 2005 | October 2005 | November 2005 | December 2005 | January 2006 | February 2006 | March 2006 | April 2006 | May 2006 | June 2006 | July 2006 | August 2006 | September 2006 | October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006 | January 2007 | February 2007 | March 2007 | April 2007 |
