Bidding Adieu

My good friend Gina and her boyfriend, John, threw a going away party this past weekend. She and John purchased a 3 bedroom/2 bath house with 1 acre of land in Crooked River Ranch*, Oregon a few months ago. The picture above is what I bought for her going-away/new home present.

1st panel reads: "Home is where your story begins"

2nd panel reads: "May your wall know joys; may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibilities."

I met Gina at the camera club back in 2004 and she and several other members were really friendly which got me to join the club. Now she is moving 9 hours north of here; however, has extended an offer for us to come up to visit her whenever we want to after they're settled in. Her house has a beautiful view of a golf course and the Cascade Mountains. She will have lots of opportunities to take scenic photos, but I don't know if I can live in a small town with only 4000 people and far away from any stores. I guess I'm just a city gal.

- AV

*Photo by Thomas O'Keefe

Oh Yum!

Sorry to spoil your meal, but check out this eatery in New York City! It looks like these little chubby critters have been hanging out there for awhile. Do they taste like chicken?

For the full video using Windows Media Player, go to HERE.

Have a good weekend!

What's up with this?

I saw this car the other day while I was on the freeway and I just had to take a picture of it with my cell phone. What was this guy thinking graffiting his own car? Would you drive this car?

What would you invent if it was possible?

Aside from world peace, poverty/starvation/disease/crime elimination, if only it was possible, here's my wishlist of inventions... (this is what happens when I have too much time on my hands at work).

Do you have any to add or improve on to "my inventions"?

• Automatic Dinner Maker - it decides what I should eat each night from a list of pre-selected menu items and cooks the meals up to a family of 6.

• Self Cleaning Bathroom - shut the bathroom door, press a button to automatically scrub, clean, and dry the shower, tub, toilet, sink, floor simultaneously.

• WashDryer - place all your dirty close in the washer and when its done, it dries the clothes in the same machine.

• Telemarketer Bonker - when a telemarketer calls, their phone automatically hits them over the head.

• Slowsky Mover - slow moving drivers are automatically beamed to the side of the road until competent drivers pass them.

• Lincoln Log Evaporator - droppings from pets evaporate immediately before they hit the ground.

• Spam Mail Responder - every spam mail ever sent from a spammer is returned back to them on a daily basis.

• Clock Stopper - make time stand still if you're late to work or to an appointment and return it back to normal after you have reached your destination. Or, another use is to have the alarm ring when you're ready to get up.

• Gym Slim - buy a membership to a gym and you automatically slim down to your appropriate weight, look buff, and stay healthy without having to work out.

• Hair Perfect Gel - a little dab and your hair stays perfect even in a category 5 hurricane.

• Nutritious Junk Food - potato chips, cookies, pies, cakes, fries, chocolate, ice cream, ...etc. created to taste like they should, but have the same nutrients as low cal fruits and vegetables.

• Rid-A-Cold Pill - medicine that will prevent colds for life.

• Garbage-to-Fuel Converter - machine that will transform all your household garbage to gas for your automobile. Any extra gas you have can be sold to the oil companies at a premium.

• I-Robot - a twin replacement of yourself you can send to the office when you don't feel like going to work.

• Excretion System Transplant - replace the human excretion system with those similar to dogs (without the tail) so there is no need to use toilet paper.

• All Temp Bodysuit - an invisible neck to toe suit with a controllable temperature gauge that can be worn under a swimsuit to winter overcoat. Only you will know you're wearing one.

This is all I can come up with at the moment.

- AV

Presidents' Day

As a child, I remember Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays as 2 separate holidays. Those were the days. Now I have to work during the Presidents' Day combo. I guess the last 2 companies I worked for didn't consider this a major holiday. It just feels so unpatriotic and un-American.

Has anyone gotten the new George Washington $1 coin yet? It was just released last week with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison coming out later this year. I believe the coins are the size as the Sacagawea Dollar, but with edge lettering. The Presidential Dollars will be issued at the rate of four per year until all of the U.S. Presidents have been featured, currently expected to be the year 2016. Presidents who had more than one consecutive term will only get one coin, but the one President who served two non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland, will be featured twice. Living Presidents will not be coined; Presidents must be deceased for two years before they are eligible.

Probably more than you wanted to know.

- AV

Igor, Welcome to America

My friend who doesn't like kids has been touting about her new nephew her brother & sister-in-law are adopting from Kazakhstan. It took the family several days to get to the city of Arkalyk where the orphanage is located. As you can see from the photo, they will be adopting 4-year old Igor. Isn't he precious? Since he will be living in the Atlanta area, his family has renamed him Corey.

- AV

Valentine's Day Stories, Anyone?

Did anyone celebrate Valentine's Day? Sorry, but it's always hilarious to me to see so many men hovering around the card section of a store around Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day was just another day to me. Why do I say this? Because you and your spouse/significant other are suppose to be good to each other 365 days a year and not just 1 day a year. Just my opinion.

Anyways, I ended up watching "Departed" which just came out on DVD. The movie was violent and so-so, but it is nominated for Academy Awards in "Best Picture", "Best Director", and "Best Supporting Actor" categories.

Here's a trailer snagged from "Moviefone"...




- AV

At the studio

Clare Mullins hosts her own show on the local community KMTV television channel. I met her last week during my first video club meeting when she asked for volunteers to help her prepare for her show this past weekend. I was the only one who signed up from the club. I didn't know what to expect, but here's what I got to do... I helped her buy snacks, moved lots of stuff from her car into the studio in the pouring rain, helped copy photos onto a CD, arrange the studio layout, take photos, network with other volunteers, ...etc. 2-1/2 hours were spent preparing for the 1/2 hr. show, but it went by quickly and I had great fun.

The show is called "Colorful Journeys of Success" where Clare's 2 guests were Sydell and Valentina. She never mentioned their last names. They must be the Chers and Madonnas of the decorating world. :P

Sydell's paintings are painted in such a way that they can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or diagonally on a wall. And, Valentina is an interior designer, not decorator. There is a big difference between the two jobs which I realized after she explained it in detail. Valentina has such a colorful past. As she explained on the show, her strict Italian father forbade her to enter into the arts when she was growing up because one really couldn't make any money so she was forced to study the sciences (I forgot whether it was biology or chemistry.) In any case, soon after her father passed away, she began to study fashion design and spent many years in that industry before her clients urged her to re-decorate their homes as well. At that point, she began to study interior design. This is where she sketches a new layout of your house and/or room and hires contractors to do the physical labor.

Anyways, I found out by talking to the camera crew that I, too, could operate the cameras whenever I want if I take a short course at the studio. Of course, there wouldn't be any pay because it's a non-profit station, but it would be great fun and experience. Hmmm, I might have to take them up on their offer. Just what I need, to be involved in yet another project.

- AV

Look who I met last night

The Ampex video tape recorder team from 1956 (l to r: Fred Pfost, Shelby Henderson,Ray Dolby, Alex Maxey, Charles Ginsburg & Charles E. Anderson)

I went to my first video camcorder club meeting last night and joined. One of the members and speakers, Fred Pfost, was a television pioneer who invented the video tape machine back in the 1950's at Ampex Corporation. Before this invention, there was only live television. For example, if they broadcasted an evening news program in the east coast, it wasn't realistic for the station to show the same live program in the west coast during the middle of the day; thus, the invention of the video tape machine to repeat the same show later in the day. Yes, they were huge and they weighed over 1000lbs.

Fred told the story with tears in his eyes as he reminised about television's early days. He used to travel around the U.S. demoing the recorder to different broadcast stations. As Fred described it, when the audience realized they were watching a taped program for the first time, they literally jumped for joy from their chairs like little children. CBS went on the air with the first videotape delayed broadcast on the "Douglas Edwards and The News" show on November 30, 1956 from Los Angeles.

I regretted not having my camera with me last night as Fred showed off the Emmy he won in 2005 during the National Television Academy's "Lifetime Achievement in Technology & Engineering".

- AV

Beantown here I come

Hubby is going to Boston next month for a conference and I'll be tagging along since I have never been before. I originally had reservations because it's still winter and it's freakin' freezing over there, but this is a good opportunity.

I spent the morning checking out their subway system, where to go, and what to do. I have 3 full days so I'm planning on a 1-day trip taking the Old Town Trolley which gives a narrated 2 hour tour and on-off privileges at 17 sites. The other days will be roaming around at the Faneuil Marketplace, New England Aquarium, and Harvard University campus.

As long as it doesn't snow, I think I might be able to live with the below 30 degree weather. :O I'll be the bundled up roly-poly on the tour bus. Who is crazy enough to be on vacation in such harsh weather?

Although I do remember volunteering to visit our Toronto office during the dead of winter while I worked at Sun Microsystems. I had a chance drive in a snow blizzard for the first time and visit the partially frozen Niagara Falls.

- AV

Follow-Up

I just purchased these Iris' for Jackie's memorial service on Saturday. What do you think? Whenever I purchase flowers for such an occasion, they always seem inadequate.

- AV

Remembering Jackie

When I started this blog, I intended it to be something else than what it is turning out to be. I guess life is just funny that way.

I'm slowly getting over my cold and actually went to sleep right after an early dinner last night. Unfortunately, my spirits aren't very high due to this nagging cough. In any case, when I opened my email box this morning, BAM...it hit me like a ton a bricks...

Someone had sent me a blog about my former neighbor's 5 month struggle with brain tumor, a battle which she lost just last night. She leaves behind a young son and fortunately in the hands of caring family members who will take care of him.

Jackie was a quiet and unassuming single mom who lived about a block away from us. Because we lived in a homeowner's association, we along with 318 other homes in the area were all connected to the same community. Even back then when she was healthy, she always seemed frail as if she would break. Her pride and joy was her son. They both adored each other. During our community get-together's, she would always offer to donate her beautiful soy candles and scrapbook making items to be used as raffle prizes.

I think the last time we spoke was through email over 18 months ago. We both applied for employment to the same company and we wished each other luck. I never followed up with her to see what was the outcome. After that, I moved away and never stayed in touch, but I will always remember her generosity when we were neighbors.

If anyone is interested, here is the blog written by Jackie's brother about her ordeal.

Jackie's Journey

- AV

Cold & Flu Season

Well, I've been sick on and off for the last 2 weeks. Being too arrogant about it, if you can use that term, I continued not to dress warmly as I should have and in the last two days, I had to stay home from work to suffer in silence. Yesterday, I spent all day & night in bed and taken more than my fair share of cold medication.

After all this time, I can't believe medical science has not found a cure for the common cold. I usually don't get sick more than once or twice a year and I have already gotten 2 colds in the last 2 months. Perhaps I should blame my work for keeping the place freezing or should I just blame it on bad luck?

I always feel guilty for not being at work, but all the health articles usually states one should stay home when one is sick as to not spread the germs around. The fun part is going back to work and trying to catch up on all the lost time and stacks of work waiting for me.

- AV

How did he feel?

My husband went to a memorial service for one of his friends last night. I didn't accompany him. Dave was 52 years old and knew he had brain cancer over a year ago. I've only met him a few times during our big annual dinner banquets and we've only exchanged "hi's" and "hello's".

Yesterday, there was a big article about his life in our local newspaper. It mentioned he recently married his long-time girlfriend and has been traveling the world in hopes of seeing all the 7 wonders of the world.

What goes through a person's mind when they know they only have a limited time to live? Does traveling to all the corners of the world have the same meaning as those who don't have a terminal disease?

- AV

Phone Blogging

If this works, it means I can blog with my cell phone. Scary, huh?
I'll only do this during emergencies, but since when is blogging
urgent? :)

- AV

Ramblings for the Week

I didn't mention this before, but my 75 year-old uncle-in-law had another stroke on New Year's Eve. After spending a few weeks in the hospital, he's now in rehab to re-learn how to walk and move one side of his arm again. Our family feels sorry for him because he is always angry at something or somebody. He has all this money, but refused to spend it when he could and now he has to spend it on his hospital bills.

When he was well, he would drive all around town everyday just to save a few cents on specific grocery items. He would yell at his son and daughter-in-law for trivial things like parking their car a little crooked in the garage or not stacking items neatly in the refrigerator. Go figure.

My dad just had aortic stent surgery earlier this week to increase the blood flow to his legs. He had major surgery last year, but still had problems walking by having to rest every half a block. Hopefully, this will relieve the problem so he can go about his business.

Well, I'm updating my resume again. According to the grapevine, I'll be getting a new manager soon. I think it's time to move on to a satisfying job, but I just hate going through the rig'em & roll of sending resumes, filling out applications, writing cover letters, and interviewing. The positives about my job now is location and the hours. I'm torn between these 2 things versus a satisfying job and working longer hours for more pay. Time is more important to me than money at this point in my life.

I was given a new Cingular BlackJack cell phone for Christmas. For the geek in me, it's the perfect phone. It's slim, makes calls, connects to the internet, productivity tool, plays videos, mp3 player, ...etc. Now I just have to wait to see what the monthly bill looks like. Yikes!

As part of my new year's resolution, I am trying to eat less sweets. Before the holidays, I weighed 6 lbs. more than my normal weight. Believe me, I started to panic since eating sweets is one of my weaknesses and I didn't want all my workouts to go to waste. After trying to eat less in the last few days, it appears I am back to my normal weight. Either that or my scale has a weird sense of humor.

- AV

Happy Belated New Year's

Well, I'm back if anyone cares. I spent the holidays participating in the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade. It was an experience I'll never forget meeting friends from all over the world and spending 6 grueling days in training. Oh yeah, we got to meet George Lucas too and take a few group pictures with him.

You see, we were all part of the LucasFilm's Star Wars Spectacular which included 2 floats, 200 Stormtroopers from over 22 countries & 36 states, 180 members of the Grambling State University Marching Band, and other miscellaneous Rebel troops. You might have heard about this in the media or seen the videos on YouTube.

I was honored to hold the famous Grambling State Marching Band banner throughout the parade even though I am not affiliated with the school. I have been in other parades before, but this will undoubtedly be the biggest one in my lifetime with over 1 million spectators along the 5.5 mile parade route. Every nook and cranny were filled with people and sometimes what seems like over 12 rows high in stadium seatings.

Definitely, all of us who participated will remember this experience for the rest of our lives.

- AV

10 Holiday Tips

Someone sent me these tips. Perhaps you might want to adopt one or two of them...

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet
table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see
carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine
single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than
single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but
now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every
sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or
something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's
later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of
gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of
your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk
or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a
sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to
control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party
is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?!

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New
Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.
This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the
buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of
eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position
yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before
becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of
shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each.
Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin.
Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one
dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the
mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean,
have SOME standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the
party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.
Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather
to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other,
totally worn out and screaming,

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

What would you do?

So, I have a friend who has a rich dad and father-in-law. Both are in their 70's and have more money than they can spend. One uses all his money on himself by buying a new car, eating out at fancy restaurants, tip heavily, go on elaborate trips, ...etc. But, the other one is frugual, stays home, eats home cooked meals, looks for bargains before making purchases, ...etc.

I think you get the idea of both personalities. If you were at their age with lots of money to spend. What would you do? Spend it all on yourself before you die or be a penny pincher and pass on your money to others? Why did you choose one over the other?

- AV

Learning to Relax

It's a little over a month since I last blogged. I thought about giving it up due to a lack of time, but I met some nice people so I'm thinking about keeping it up...for now anyways.

I don't like to have lots of free time to do nothing. I'm under this notion that life is short so I try to get involved with lots of things all at once...and this stresses me out.

Here's what I''m involved with at the moment. These are not listed in order...

1. There's my regular job
2. Involvement in 3 volunteer organizations, one of which I am the president until Dec. 31, 2006!
3. Projects within each volunteer organization
4. Taking a class to learn video editing which is finally ending soon!!!
5. Visiting my parents
6. Going to the gym
7. Having dinner with the family regularly

Did I forget anything??? Oh yeah, having time to myself to relax. The only time I have is in the evenings after I'm done with all these other tasks so I can relax, but that means I won't sleep until midnight and I'm tired in the morning. The whole cycle starts over the next day and so on...

Been doing this for so long over the years that I might have developed a ulcer or something.

Well, I am finally trying to learn to relax. So what if I don't finish my homework, complete a project, or arrive on time because I have to look out for my health. I'm even trying to relax while driving which is amazing because I'm usually a speed demon on the roads.

Any tips you have to relax, pass it on my way.

Thanks for listening. (Breathe in, breathe out)

- AV