Penthouse Suite

Continuing on from my previous post, this is the interior of the penthouse suite. With the housing market the way it is, the unit is not occupied, but beautifully decorated for a potential buyer.
Would you like to live here?

Kitchen with marble countertops and wood paneling.

Sunshine streaming through the floor to ceiling windows.
Ahhh, the warmth!

Happy Halloween!

- Karen

The Axis

Last weekend photographers were invited to the penthouse suites of a local high rise condominium to photograph its views and interiors.
At 6:30AM from the 21st floor balcony, one could see the lonely, yet peaceful city below.

Another vantage point oversees a deserted thoroughfare with only the street lamps to light up the night.

In the distance is a look in on the domed City Hall and its lit up offices. Hmmm, shouldn't they turn off the lights to save energy?

At 7AM, several photographers are continuing creating their art on the balcony at the other end of the building.

Have a nice weekend!

- Karen

Funny Pets & Their Owners

Do you think Rascal is the ugliest dog in the world? Well, he has lots of awards to prove it and he comes from a long line of ugliest dog contest winners.
Click here to watch the video on this handsome little rascal.

I believe this is a cockatoo and he/she feels right at home.

- Karen

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Justin Slagle


Spc. Justin Slagle returns to Forward Operating Base Lane in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter after an air assault mission in the Zabul province of Afghanistan, Oct. 15, 2009. Even as leaders in Washington struggle with the next steps in Afghanistan, troops there are moving to better protect the Afghan people by separating them from Taliban influence and intimidation.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Local Pet Parade

Over the weekend, the community had a pet parade with a few interesting characters.
Here is one group on a sleigh powered by humans.

I did not expect a snake, but there was a boa constrictor.

A dog with lashes.

A Viking dog with bling.

And, would you believe a chicken. Actually, this was one of two chickens in the parade.

Nice Weekend

Take a deep breath...
Wishing everyone a nice and relaxing weekend. If your hometown is covered in rain or snow, enjoy this warm Hawaiian day from the northern shores of Oahu.
No, I am not in Hawaii at the moment, but I did dig through my archives from a few years back to share this moment with you.

Have a nice weekend!

- Karen

Smiling Tree

I spotted this in St. Wolfgang, Austria, but don't know enough German to decipher the sign at the bottom.
So for now, I shall call it the "Smiling Tree" as it looks like the faces were carved from a tree.

Happy Wednesday,
Karen

Wednesday Hero

Sailors & Marines Playing Volleyball With Local School Children


Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) play volleyball with students from Sangley Point National High School during a lunch break at a community service project. Tortuga, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) are participating in Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2009. PHIBLEX is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and develop professional relationships between the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Photo Courtesy Navy.mil Taken By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo Aquino

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Carmen Bearanda?

Wanna Ride?

Have you ever seen a camel ride at a fair? All camels I have seen have only been in zoos.
It was a unique experience for me and I think for others because the line was fairly long even at $10 USD (6.82 Euro) a ride. I had to wait awhile before the crowds cleared to take this shot of the workers.

Being lead by a handler, the rides looked reasonably tame.
According to Wikipedia, camels with one hump like this one are called Dromedary or the more familiar name of Arabian Camel. They usual grow to a height of 6.5 ft. (2m)and weigh between 850lbs. to 1300lbs. (400kg to 600kg).

- Karen

Road Trip

I have not posted any pictures of my dog for awhile so I thought this was a good opportunity after the last trip we took with him.
Maverick loves road trips and enjoys sticking his head out the window to breathing in the fresh air as we drive.
And, yes, I believe that is the moon visible in the sky.

We rented a motor boat to take a cruise on New Lake Melones. Maverick enjoyed sitting on his pillow watching us do all the work.

A photogenic picture of Maverick in Yosemite.

- Karen

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Post Was Suggested By Beth

Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp
21 years old from Rosemont, Minnesota
3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
July 18, 2009


Ben Kopp has been a fighter since the day he was born. When he was born his mother was given morphine to stop her labor so the doctors could deliver her via a cesarean section. But it caused his heart rate to slow and when he was born he wasn't breathing. But he recovered to the amazement of everyone. "Ben has always been up for a challenge," said his mother, Jill Stephenson. "He came into the world a fighter."

On July 10, 2009, Cpl. Benjamin Kopp was wounded in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. He was hit in the knee that hit his popliteal artery and the loss of blood caused him to go into cardiac arrest on the operating table at a battalion surgical center. As a result of his injuries, Cpl. Kopp developed swelling in his brain was put into an induced coma to try and save his life. But he died on July 18.

But his service didn't end with his passing. Upon his death, by his own desire, his organs were donated to people in need saving their lives.

"Please continue to say prayers for all of the men and women who so proudly serve our country," Stephenson wrote online. "Ben had a deep love of country and has just left a legacy of heroism for all of us to cherish. Be as proud of him as I was as his mother."

You can read much more about Cpl. Benjamin S. Kopp here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Molecule Man

Iowa West Public Art from Iowa West Public Art on Vimeo.

If you live in the great state of Iowa or happen to be traveling through "The Hawkeye State", don't forget to visit its southwestern city of Council Bluffs.

The Iowa West Public Art program plans 50 possible sites within Council Bluffs to promote its cultural richness. At one site, a drive through Interstate 29 by the Mid-America Center, will reveal a $1.8 million 50-foot tall aluminum sculpture called Molecule Man created by Jonathan Borofsky. I have been a fan of Borofsky's work ever since seeing his Walk to the Sky & Hammering Man sculptures for the first time back in 2008.

To take a free audio tour of Borofsky's sculptures and works of other well-renowned artists at the Mid-America Center, dial 712-212-9088 from your cell phone and enter the # of the piece. Click here for the informational flyer.

Cell phone audio tours are a product of Guide by Cell at http://guidebycell.com/

Enjoy,
Karen

Come Hither

Due to road construction on a 2-lane highway through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we had a 1-mile escort by following this truck.
We were lucky enough to be in the lead car.

Construction site taken from inside the car during our drive-by.

Have a nice weekend,
Karen

Attention!

This sign was posted in a lily pond. It is sad to think someone had abandoned an animal, fish, or reptile in the pond before to warrant such a warning.

- Karen

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. Michael Egan
36 years old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
104th Cavalry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard
September 19, 2005


News of Egan’s death came to Pennsauken shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday, Krista Egan, Sgt. Egan's sister-in-law, said. His mother, Irene, was on the telephone when an Army sergeant walked up to the door. "My mother-in-law was talking on the telephone to Mike’s wife, Maria, when he came. Maria had just got the news. The Army sergeant told my mother-in-law it was his first time notifying a family."

Sgt. Egan served in the Marine Corps for eight years, was a civilian for a year, then joined the National Guard. As a Marine, he had been previously served in Afghanistan.

"He was well-liked by everyone," Patrick Egan, Sgt. Egan's brother, said.

Sgt. Michael Egan was killed when an IED detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Ramadi. Also killed in the attack were Spc. William Evans, 22, of Hallstead, PA, Spc. William Fernandez, 37, of Reading, PA and Lt. Mark Dooley of the Vermont National Guard.

Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com & You Can Read Much More About Sgt. Michael Egan Here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

A Hotdogger's Ride

The hot dog on a bun-shaped automobile was created back in 1936 to advertise Oscar Mayer's meat products. Today, the Wienermobile, still exists and from what I read there are now 7 traveling throughout different parts of the United States.
I spotted this particular one at last week's local fair.

Traveling all the way from Oscar Mayer's headquarters in Wisconsin to California, you can see what I assume are deceased bugs and grime gathered on the enormous windshields from their journey.

This is the back view. A little intimidating if one was following the mobile from behind.

As a "Hotdogger", this is your driver's seat.
A "Hotdogger" is a college senior who drives this unique mobile around the United States and be an Oscar Mayer spokesperson and goodwill ambassador for a year.
Think of the adventures and the people you could meet!
From what I read, over 2000 applicants apply for this job annually, but only a handful of lucky souls are selected for this adventurous task.

Like the front seats, the back seats look just as colorful and cozy. The little logos add a nice touch and they never let you forget what you are riding in.

If you are interested in following the Wienermobiles on their journeys, click here for their blog.

- Karen

Fancy Lamp

Jamestown in California, a town rich in history and gold was founded in 1848. I suspect the fancy decorations on this lamp I spied through the local antique store's window depicts the town's past.

- Karen