Monday, January 30, 2012

Bye Bye Occupy


Bye Bye Occupy
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

They have until noon to get the tents and camping equipment out of this once lovely park in Downtown DC. Yes, camping free of charge with garbage disposal, toilets and running water provided by the city has run out. I hope the movement of "getting business out of Government" can continue but not as a shantytown in the middle of the nations capitol.

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Hot Slopes


IMG_5747
Originally uploaded by homerclees.


Skiing was fun but the 50 degree weather and all man made snow caused some icy slopes and did a number on my knee. It was about twice the size of the other one last night and this skiing once a year thing is hard on my calfs as well. I've been limping around all day.

It does feel good to get out and at least see some snow in this pathetic winter. The boys are hooked and want to ski all the time now. It was fun to see them get excited about moving down the hill at a good clip. I enjoyed the few long runs I did do and Nicole was very good with Dylan who was having a tougher time getting the turn thing down.

Here's a few photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157629089409365/

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Ski Bums


Ski Bums
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It was 52 today and the snow was pretty spongy but the boys really enjoyed the bunny hill. Bryce Resort is a nice little place with two chair lifts and a couple magic carpet lifts but it was perfect for a couple of beginners. Nicole did a great job helping Dylan learn and after a run or two, Sam just went off on his own. He's all about speed but he learned to stop as well. I think skiing is in our future vacation plans. They already want to bypass Paris in April and head to the Alps.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Cooper Kettle


Cooper Kettle
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dinner after some tough tubing. Dylan lost Sam at some point and got pretty upset and we found him wandering the slopes crying but it all worked out.

Bryce Mountain


Bryce Mountain
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Left the boys on the tubing hill while Nicole and I have a drink at the bar. They are getting all grown up.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Old Bill


Old Bill
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Bill hasn't taken a drink in 30 years but he had a sip of this Hendricks Martini bought for him by Rob in Seattle. Rob was an original e-biz council member but could make the 5 hour fight from Seattle to attend the dinner. Bruce, Eric and Pete made it.

Monday, January 23, 2012

First Paper


First Paper
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This is Sam writing what I think is his first type written paper. It's painfully slow but typing requires practice.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Wanna be a Cowboy


Wanna be a Cowboy
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Not really but this print in front of me is kind of funky.

Olives


Olives
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I realized that it had been a good six weeks or so since I've had a grey goose martini and it tasted really good. I'm in Texas today, participating in the ACS leadership conference. Early flight tomorrow so I can watch football with my boys.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Big Snake


Big Snake
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Being unloaded at the National Geographic Society today. What else is in that truck?

Monday, January 16, 2012

Holiday Hike


DSC_3943
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We did an almost 4 mile loop at Hemlock Regional Park near Clifton yesterday in sub freezing temps. It was a nice hike and the air was crisp and clean. The boys complained at first then when they starting throwing rocks into Bull Run they changed their tone. Something about throwing rocks into water makes them happy.

We made it home so Dylan and I could watch football in the afternoon and pretty much hung out in front of the fire and chilled. We have a nice little holiday today to continue chilling and getting ready for the work week.

The lost a close game on Saturday 23-20 against an evenly matched team this time at least. Dylan had some great shots but only got one to fall while Sam was getting back in the grove with 12 points. Not the dominating season we had last year.

Here are some pics from yesterday. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157628888419499/

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Jeff and Me


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Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Taken in 1967. Almost the same height difference between Sam and Dylan today. Of course Jeff an I are not twins.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Reading Glasses


Reading Glasses
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Bought some new pharmacy magnifier type glasses with a non-metal frame today. I kind of like this look. I can see too.

Car Wash


Car Wash
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Listening to Car Wash while I'm getting a car wash. You can't plan these things.

Monday, January 09, 2012

A Little Snow


A Little Snow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A little surprise snow fell today and while it isn't much, it did drop a nice little layer of white on the ground. It's already tapering off and it will be 50 tomorrow but it's better than nothing. Glad I kept the lights up, I love the way they look in the snow.

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Danger Hike


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Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We took a great stroll through the woods of Ft. Belvoir this morning. It was our first real hike in almost a year. Sam's leg is improving and we figured a couple miles would help the re-strengthening process. Of course, hiking near a major military base has it's issues. We didn't find any live howitzer shells or grenades but you never know. Do the boys look scared?

Here's a link to all the photos I took with my new Nikon 1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157628781895331/

Saturday, January 07, 2012

Honey Badger


Honey Badger
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Rough game tonight against a stacked team. They lost 51-18. The team we played was built with all ten players having played together for a while and all requesting the same coach. The league is supposed to be put together with parity in mind but it turns out two teams ignored that and decided to teach their kids that winning is more important than sportsmanship. Anyway, Honey Badger (Dylan) had 8 points and Sam, coming back from his stress fracture just had 2. Sam was obviously in some pain and at time he was pretty winded. He's pretty upset and doesn't really understand that it will take him a little while to get back up to full speed after being laid up with a boot and crutches for 8 weeks.

The were up 6-4 after the first quarter but went on a huge drought in the 2nd and 3rd, only to wake up again in the 4th. Next week we go back to playing a team that followed the rules and didn't build a dream team. it should be closer.

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Twelfth Night


Twelfth Night
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The twelfth night is upon us and if Wikipedia is correct, it will be bad luck for me to leave ornaments hanging tomorrow. I can't lose the tree yet, or the outside lights for that matter. I suppose it needs to come down on Sunday but the outside lights are going to be with us for a couple more weeks.

We been doing a lot of travel planning so fa this year. Ski trip at the end of January and a family trip to London and Paris in March/April. Nicole and I have a bunch of business trips woven in there so we will be busy for the first few months of the year. I'm looking forward to traveling with the boys these days. They've reached the age where they can handle longer flights with the help of iPads and Nintendo DSi's. They've done California, Minnesota and NYC many times now and have been to New Mexico and a couple trips to Orlando. It's time they started seeing things that aren't in North America. Europe will be good for them and I'm looking forward to seeing them experience it for the first time.

We need start planning summer soon and we have reservations in Yosemite for Thanksgiving. 2011 was a good year and here's hoping 2012 is as good.

Sunday, January 01, 2012

New Year Touch


New Year Touch
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We met about half the flag football team for a little pick up game at Bush Hill today. Sunny and 60 made it a perfect day to get outside but it sure doesn't feel like January. Sam is bootless now and was limping around a bit but was able to move pretty well. I hope he doesn't pay the price tonight. A cold front is heading this way so we are inside in front of a fire the rest of the day.