We took a short trip to the National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park, Maryland. It's a short trip over the bridge and down Indian Head Highway. It's directly across the river from Mount Vernon and was originally set aside for a park to protect the views from GW's home. They have a colonial era farm there and we spent a few hours running around the barns, smokehouses, fields and pens looking at pigs, lambs, horses, cows, people dressed in colonial wear and plants. The boys loved it and I was pleasantly surprised at the place. Mom and Dad enjoyed seeing the great view of Mt Vernon and talking with the lady in colonial dress. I put a whole load of photos up in flickr. You can find them here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72057594121233330/

Here's Sam working on the flowers with Grandma.  

The weather was perfect today for some early golf (6:50am), done by 11am and then some running around in the yard with the boys. Grandpa and I played golf while the boys, Grandma and Nicole went to the Alexandria Farmers Market and a flower store to buy some plants. This is Dylan lounging on the chaise on the deck.  

Dinner

Dinner
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Champps

Friday

I picked my parents up at the airport this afternoon around 4pm. I brought the boys with me and sang 99 bottles of beer on the wall all the way there. I taught them that song last night when they asked me to sing a song I learned in school. I got something out of college. My Dad, Wacky Dave and McConnell have a early tee time tomorrow. 6:45am and it's gonna be like 40 degrees but warming up fast. I'm tired and have had a few glasses of wine. I'll take some pictures of the boys this weekend and get them up here. I'm sure blurry pictures of sleazy bars in Vegas are getting old.

Pan and Scan

My friend Jessica is trying out for a new job as a blogger and it would help her out if some of you out there read some of these posts. Funny stuff in many cases so enjoy.

THIS IS ME (Feel Free To Stalk Away)
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/EDITRIX_COMPLEX:_Let_Me_Be_Your_Blogger/707

GUILTY PLEASURES: Win Your Fave Lowbrow DVD
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/Contests/GUILTY_PLEASURES:_Win_Your_Fave_Lowbrow_DVD/741

BARBIE DOES HOLLYWOOD (Jessica Style!)
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/HEY,_DOLLFACE:_Barbie_Does_Hollywood_(Our_Way)/710

BOY MEETS GIRL: On Craigslist
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/Viral_Video/Documentary_DVD/BOY_MEETS_GIRL:_On_Craigslist/726

AMERICAN DUD: I Will Be Your Father Figure
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/Animated_DVD/DVD_Marketing/Family_Guy/I_WILL_BE_YOUR_FATHER_FIGURE:_American_Dad_Fanfare/708

SWEET RIDE: Death Cab For Cutie's "Directions" DVD
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/Music_DVD/Viral_Video_(1_post)/SWEET_RIDE:_Death_Cab_For_Cuties_Directions_DVD/714

ARE YOU TAPING THIS? $ex Tips From Video Clerks
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/Adult_DVD/Instructional_DVDs/DVD_Culture/ARE_YOU_TAPING_THIS_Sex_Tips_from_Video_Clerks/723

FREE COCKTAILS? New Bartending DVD
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/Instructional_DVDs/FREE_DRINKS!_Coyote_Ugly,_Here_I_Come.../711

TALK DIRTY: Jenny McCarthy's B-List Break-Up
http://www.panandscan.com/news/show/DVD_Extras/TALK_DIRTY:_JENNY_MCARTHYS_B-LIST_BREAK-UP/722

Back from Vegas

I’m finally feeling fairly normal after a long weekend in Las Vegas with very little sleep.  It was fun but I was glad to be home by 3:30 yesterday.  Nicole and boys came to the airport and picked me up.  I got the little guys a couple presents.  One was a shirt with hot rod cars and flames on them that said Las Vegas.  They were not impressed and threw them on the floor demanding the real present.  Well, I did get them a real present but I expected a little appreciation for the t-shirts.  Anyway, I then gave them two full airport sets, including plane, luggage carriers, food truck, plane tow truck and signs.  They have been fighting over the two identical sets ever since.

I don’t get it.  I buy two of everything but they still find a way to argue about it.  It’s been good hand with them again.  My group moved floors today to our new offices.  Everything went pretty well but I have a lot of boxes to unpack.  Should be fun.

7am

7am
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Leaving las vegas

New york

New york
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

New york

Rainman Sweet

The picture below is the lead singer of Rainman Suite. The last of four bands Jud and I saw at the sleezy Double Down bar. It was one nasty joint but a nice departure from all the glitz on the strip. It was a very small place but the bands were surprisingly good. The worst of the four was an all girl band called the Randies. They trey hard but were a little disconnected. Rainman Suite could be the next Green Day. I bought a cd if anyone doesn't believe me.

We got in at 3am and have beed doing a whole lot of nothing today. A little food, shopping at Tommy Bahama and hanging at the pool. I think the bachelor is having a good time.

Mark Carpenter
General Manager
Web Strategy and Operations
www.aarp.org
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld (www.BlackBerry.net)

More double down

More double down
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Rainman suite

Hot band

Hot band
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Even later

Double down

Double down
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Its late

Long flight

So after my original direct flight was cancelled, I found my way to chicago and begged to get on the 10:30am to vegas. All said and done, I got here at noon and had some good sun time. I'm getting ready to go gamble a little now. Hopefully my luck is working and I'll make a little spending money, the boys demanded presents.

I already miss them.

Mark Carpenter
General Manager
Web Strategy and Operations
www.aarp.org
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld (www.BlackBerry.net)

Night is young

Night is young
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Paris

Pool

Pool
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Aladdin

Vegas

Vegas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Bachelor

Here's some more Kenyan art from Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson airport. I woke up this morning and Dylan was in bed with me and Nicole was working out in the basement. I snuggled with him for a while then he slowly opened his eyes and saw me next to him. He kind of pulled himself up to a sitting position on the bed while still looking at me in a surprised to see me kind of way. I wasn't there when he went to bed so I think he was a little confused. Anyway, he looked at me a little longer and then said "where's my present?"

I have been bringing the boys little gifts after being gone a few days and now it seems to be the first thing they think of when I return. I do think they are actually happy to see me but the present is an extra added bonus. I'm sure they will get one soon.

I spent most of the afternoon in the Atlanta airport today. The meeting I was attending around 1 so I headed to the airport to check in and see if I could find an earlier flight than 6pm. No other flight really made sense so I went thru security and found a Laptop Lane (a little private office you can rent with a computer, printer and stuff) and did e-mail for a couple hours. I seemed kinda quite in the halls while I was in this little closed cube and when I finally left I found out that they had a bomb threat and closed the security check points about 5 minutes after I had gotten by it. They made thousands of people leave the terminal and stand in the rain while they addressed the issue. I felt pretty lucky I didn't show up to the airport 5 minutes later and stood around for two hours waiting to get in. That would have sucked... The air traffic was stopped for 90 minutes so everything was backed up of course so i took a leisurely walk under the runways from terminal T to D where my flight was going to board. The train is faster but I had time to kill. Found a Kenyan art exhibit between Terminal A and B I think and took a few pictures. It was almost all carved stone. Very interesting. I'm home how and ready for sleep. It was good to see Nicole and the boys even with them fast a sleep.  

Hotlanta

Hotlanta
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Not really

Easter Fun

We had a full weekend with the boys, Linda and Gil. I met the boys, Nicole and the Grandparents at the train station on Friday after work and they were running up and down the platform talking to everyone per usual. We went to dinner in old town and then had ice cream, all over their faces of course. I played golf on Saturday as you can tell from the post below. It went pretty well, shot an 89 on a very tight course. It could have been much worse and it was a beautiful day.

We had Kumie, Joe and Bobby over for the annual Easter Egg hunt today. Good thing Mr. Wu started on the spring clean up and mulching yesterday. The yard was in much better shape for the egg gathering than it was last Easter. Mr. Wu still has some work to do but I do love this time of the year when the whole yard starts out perfect, then slowly drifts into disrepair. Anyway, Linda and Gil are on their way home and I'm finishing off my taxes. I play on dropping the check in the mailbox at the last possible moment.

Here's a link to the photo set of the Easter Egg Hunt. Some good shots but right before I started this hole deal, I cleaned the lens and filter and them quickly put them back together. I guess I didn't let it dry fast enough because I was getting some condensation on the filter, so a few shots have some cloudiness to them. Oh well, l'll never do that again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72057594108800192/

I've got a busy week coming up. I'll try to keep you posted.

Golf

Golf
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Morning round

Trash Head

I forgot to tell everyone about my conversation with Sam last night at dinner.  I was sitting at the end of the table and Sam was next to me.  Linda and Gil were eating with us and we were all worn out, me and Nicole from work and Linda and Gil from chasing the kids around.  

Sam was not eating well and playing with his food and utensils.  We were trying to be nice but he was getting a little annoying.  Anyway, at one point I told him to stop doing something and he said “papa, I’m going to put you in the trash can” pointing to the kitchen trash can nearby.  I said, “that’s not very nice” then he said, “you’re a trash head”  

I was too tired and that was pretty funny to get too upset about but we did make him clean his plate.  

Minnesota Stories

I just got down working out and was catching up on some video podcasts that I download to my video ipod a few times a week.  I came across a classic from the producer of Minnesota Stories.  It’s a little music video called “When winter lets go in Minnesota”  You might have to be from Minnesota get the full meaning but hey, it has a cute baby as the star so how can you go wrong.  For you without video ipods, go to http://www.mnstories.com/archives/2006/04/when_winter_let.html to check it out.  If you have a video ipod, go subscribe to this on itunes.  Good times.  

On that note, I’m also very fond of “Ask a Ninja” and the last episode was about “Minjas” or midget ninjas.  Go to this page http://www.askaninja.com and scroll down a little ways and check it out.  This Ninja is amazing and some of the best free entertainment around.  

I’m packing up the office today and I’m feeling much better if any of you people leaving comments care.  Ask the Ninja says, “I look forward to killing you later.”

Ugh

I’m still sick and I’m not getting any sympathy and that’s making me mad.  The cold has moved to my head from my throat and it sucks.  I think I’m going to go sneeze on Kumie and see how she feels about this business.  

Im sick

Got some sort of bug from the boys and I don’t feel well at all. They actually seem to be getting better faster than me but who knows. My group is moving to new office space in a little less than two weeks and I have not started packing yet. I’ve moved a few times over the past 13 years here but have thrown away very little of the paper and other junk I’ve collected. I have time to pack this week but I just don’t feel like it. I’m sick……

As Promised

I've uploaded a group of pictures to flickr for your enjoyment. The museum was really nice and I think the boys would like it again at some point. I forgot to add that part of the experience was a real train ride on the first mile of commercial railroad build in the United States. It was aboard a retired MARC (Maryland Area Rapid Commute) train and the boys enjoyed that. It really didn't go very fast but they just like being on trains. Linda and Gil are in town this week and the boys are loving the attention per usual. They get more Grandparents later this month with Carolyn and Marsh visit. They should be good and spoiled by then.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72057594103098249/

More soon...

I'm too tired to send up a group of pictures to flickr right now, so I will leave you with this and get more up tomorrow. We made it to the B&O Train Museum this morning and spent two hours looking at all sorts of locomotives, box cars, tankers, coaches, cabooses and various other railroad apparatus. Here are the boys getting all excited in front of a 1850 steam engine. The museum had a dozen old trains in the parking lot alone. It's a must see for people with small boys.  

Good Start to the Golf Year

I played a full 18 holes yesterday with Modean, Wacky Dave and McDonkey. The weather was looking a little bleak when we started but the sun was out by the 5th hole and I was doing ok with some early round putting problems. I birdied the second hole, a long par five and birbied a par 3 on the back side. We played at Timbers at Troy which I've played many times and it has always kicked my butt. Something about the fairways sloping quite a bit causes me to find the woods a little too often. I didn't have that problem yesterday and came out with a ten over par 82. Probably seven strokes better than my previous best there and 10 better than average. Not bad for my first 18 holes in 2006. Last week I only played 9 holes on a fairly short course.

It's been raining all day here but we needed the moisture. We plan on hitting the train museum in Baltimore in the AM. It's suppose to be a fantastic spot and not a long drive. I should have a bunch of pictures.

Golf

Golf
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Good round

Thursday Already?

I've been working, coming home, playing with the boys, going to sleep all week. Not too much excitement except for the strange guy that came to the door Tuesday night asking for gas money to get back to Waldorf or Fredneckville or something like that. He seemed to actually have a car parked on the street and had a real hard time telling the story of being screwed out of $200 for some job he did and how the gas station wouldn't lend him 10 bucks for gas to get home. I gave him $7 because that's what I had in a drawer downstairs and he seemed to have had a compact car that would get him 60 or 80 miles away from me and hopefully home. We set the alarm right after that.

Actually, he seemed real nice but a little confused. I was hoping he wasn't going to ask for a ride somewhere like some random guy did to my parents a few decades ago. My dad actually got up in the middle of the night and drove this guy across town to his home. I don't think anyone ever figured out how he got to our little suburban neighborhood but that was the 70's in Minnesota. Today is a different story and I'm not sure I could have taken him anywhere. We just don't have that small town feel in DC.

I'm playing golf tomorrow if the weather holds. It's suppose to be 75 and partly cloudy with a shower here and there. Should be good.

Bataan Death March


We took a long walk around Lake Accotink this morning. I figured it was about 3 miles but it was closer to 4. The boys were good for a bunch of it but needed to be carried on our shoulders for at least 2 miles on and off. Needless to say, it was a good workout and a gorgeous day. We all took a nap when we got back and just did some shopping in the late afternoon. Per usual, I posted a bunch of shots in my flickr account. Click here to see more...http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72057594097137149/

The red flowers are coming up now and the yellow ones are dying off. I don't know what's next but every spring is a procession of different flowers coming up in the front yard. The previous owner did a lot of work with the whole flower thing.  

Cherry

Cherry
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Blossums

Slide

Slide
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Hi papa

Sam

Sam
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Balance