Heading Home
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Looking forward to putting my feet up and watching some final four basketball.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Still in meetings
Still in meetings
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
While I should be on this golf course. I'm ready for this to be over already. Just another hour or two and I can get ready to go home.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Drink at the bar before dinner
Drink at the bar before dinner
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
This would be a good place to take the kids. I'm looking out onto to the croquet court and thinking the boys would do some damage with the malets.
Waterfall
The grounds of this place are pretty wild. This is the waterfall up the trail a little behind the resort. It feeds the creek running past the pools, under the lobby and into the golf course. I just went for a run thru the golf course and I wish I brought my clubs. The conference is going well but I spent a fair amount of the day online dealing with issues back at the office. It's ok really, the view from my room is a nice change from DC. Off to dinner in a little while.
The grounds of this place are pretty wild. This is the waterfall up the trail a little behind the resort. It feeds the creek running past the pools, under the lobby and into the golf course. I just went for a run thru the golf course and I wish I brought my clubs. The conference is going well but I spent a fair amount of the day online dealing with issues back at the office. It's ok really, the view from my room is a nice change from DC. Off to dinner in a little while.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Off to Tucson
Off to Tucson
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
To speak at a conference on continuing education for Architects. It will be good to get out and start selling our new online product that officially has a name now. We are going with "Soloso" Its a made up word like google and hopefully will be as successful. I haven't been to Tucson since the late 80's so I'm looking forward to seeing how its grown. I'm staying a swanky place in the mountains to the north of town so I will probably have some good photo opportunities. I hate leaving the boys but grandma is coming to stay with them and nicole so they will forget I'm gone with all the excitement.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sky Meadows State Park Hike
It was a fantastic day for a hike and the boys were definitely up for it. We covered the 3 and a half miles in about 2 hours and they seemed to have energy to spare. Only a couple of complaints and this hike had a 900 foot gain in altitude. It was basically straight up the mountain for the first mile and half and a more gradual decline. It went through woods, fields and on an old mill road. This was our third Virginia State Park during the month of March. Sky Meadows is a little further away so we started out at 8am and grabbed some pancakes at IHOP in Haymarket.
On the way home we stopped just outside Middleburg at Chrysalas Vineyard. I bought a couple bottles but per usual in Virginia, the red was not as good as the white. The boys played with a dog while I tasted some of the juice. I sold the last crib we had to some local folks that answered my Craigs List ad. We have a bunch of people wanting the doll house and one bite on the Health Rider. Hopefully, they will both be gone by the end of the day.
Here are the pictures from the day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600026492888/
I got a few good ones.
It was a fantastic day for a hike and the boys were definitely up for it. We covered the 3 and a half miles in about 2 hours and they seemed to have energy to spare. Only a couple of complaints and this hike had a 900 foot gain in altitude. It was basically straight up the mountain for the first mile and half and a more gradual decline. It went through woods, fields and on an old mill road. This was our third Virginia State Park during the month of March. Sky Meadows is a little further away so we started out at 8am and grabbed some pancakes at IHOP in Haymarket.
On the way home we stopped just outside Middleburg at Chrysalas Vineyard. I bought a couple bottles but per usual in Virginia, the red was not as good as the white. The boys played with a dog while I tasted some of the juice. I sold the last crib we had to some local folks that answered my Craigs List ad. We have a bunch of people wanting the doll house and one bite on the Health Rider. Hopefully, they will both be gone by the end of the day.
Here are the pictures from the day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600026492888/
I got a few good ones.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Getting Stuff Done
This is the weekend that I had a list of things to finally get done or started. I've accomplished a whole bunch of the stuff including a bunch of listings on Craigslist and the starting of the tax process. I hate taxes because the it always cost me money at the end of the day. I would love to get a refund one of these days, like a really surprising big refund. Not going to happen.
We are planning a big hike tomorrow at another Virginia State Park but this time out towards the Blueridge Mountains. I'm eyeing a 3.5 mile trail that may push the boys past their hiking tolerance but I want to give it a try.
This is the weekend that I had a list of things to finally get done or started. I've accomplished a whole bunch of the stuff including a bunch of listings on Craigslist and the starting of the tax process. I hate taxes because the it always cost me money at the end of the day. I would love to get a refund one of these days, like a really surprising big refund. Not going to happen.
We are planning a big hike tomorrow at another Virginia State Park but this time out towards the Blueridge Mountains. I'm eyeing a 3.5 mile trail that may push the boys past their hiking tolerance but I want to give it a try.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Apple TV
Apple TV
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Got the newly released Apple TV and it rules. It has such a better interface than the xbox media center combo. Good stuff.
Morning Drive
Morning Drive
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
It been warm the last couple and the cherry blossoms are poping out. I went out last night for Gina's birthday and then met JimmyT after a haircut. DC really starts to come alive in the spring. The streets take on a whole new form and the whole energy changes. I start to miss winter when it gets warm like this but will soon forget about it until its dreadful hot in July.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Camera Blues
I was able to get couple dozen photos out of the D70 yesterday afternoon before it decided to completely crap out. It was freezing up and then getting better then freezing again. I took in to Penn Camera today and the dude said they see this all the time. They gave me a form and told me to send it back to Nikon. I guess they see this problem a lot and their is a form with a code on it that says, "fix the problem that happens to all D70's at some point or another" I feel a little better that my $1,000 camera has a hope of being fixed and hopefully won't be bound for the obsolete electronics stash in the basement. That said, the D80 is damn nice and 10 mega pixels. Nah, I want this one back.
Who knows how long it will take to get back so I'm stuck with the Canon for a while. I'll probably dig the movie camera out and take some moving pictures of the next hike. That'll be a nice change I guess. Anyway, here's the link to the flickr collection from yesterday's hike at Leesylvania State Park.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600010252123/
I was able to get couple dozen photos out of the D70 yesterday afternoon before it decided to completely crap out. It was freezing up and then getting better then freezing again. I took in to Penn Camera today and the dude said they see this all the time. They gave me a form and told me to send it back to Nikon. I guess they see this problem a lot and their is a form with a code on it that says, "fix the problem that happens to all D70's at some point or another" I feel a little better that my $1,000 camera has a hope of being fixed and hopefully won't be bound for the obsolete electronics stash in the basement. That said, the D80 is damn nice and 10 mega pixels. Nah, I want this one back.
Who knows how long it will take to get back so I'm stuck with the Canon for a while. I'll probably dig the movie camera out and take some moving pictures of the next hike. That'll be a nice change I guess. Anyway, here's the link to the flickr collection from yesterday's hike at Leesylvania State Park.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600010252123/
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Leesylvania State Park Hike
Leesylvania State Park Hike
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Leesylvania State Park Hike
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
We drove down the potomac about 20 miles this morning and ended up at Leesylvania state park and hiked a little over 2 miles. Of course my D70 crapped out when we got their and I was only able to take a handful of pictures. I guess I will have to take it into the repair shop. I'm sure that will be cheap.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
A day late but I was busy at the 4 P's all day yesterday. It's Jud's traditional spot to celebrate his heritage and I'm able to make it about every other year. Jimmy T, Micheal and T made it as well. Not pictured was Wacky Dave, Donkey, Mary Claire, G-man and a host of others. McConnell didn't make it because his tummy hurt or something lame like that. He's a disgrace, having a name like McConnell and not making out to the bar.
We may attempt to go on another hike today at a park not far from Mason Neck and then I think I'm going to sit and watch basketball. I'm not doing so well in my pool.
I posted a ton of pictures from the Bahamas this morning. I can't believe that was a week ago. I need to go back.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600006501689/
A day late but I was busy at the 4 P's all day yesterday. It's Jud's traditional spot to celebrate his heritage and I'm able to make it about every other year. Jimmy T, Micheal and T made it as well. Not pictured was Wacky Dave, Donkey, Mary Claire, G-man and a host of others. McConnell didn't make it because his tummy hurt or something lame like that. He's a disgrace, having a name like McConnell and not making out to the bar.
We may attempt to go on another hike today at a park not far from Mason Neck and then I think I'm going to sit and watch basketball. I'm not doing so well in my pool.
I posted a ton of pictures from the Bahamas this morning. I can't believe that was a week ago. I need to go back.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157600006501689/
Friday, March 16, 2007
Mucky day
Mucky day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
It was 75 and sunny the past couple days, now its 35 and raining hard. They started laying some drainage pipes in the courtyard this week. Looks like they should have started sooner because now its a muddy mess.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Some Interesting Data
This is new use for eye tracking software. I've used it on web sites before but never like this. Read below and link to find our more.
The Online Journalism Review reports on Jakob Nielsen's use of an eye-tracker to look at how different people read the Web -- particularly news. There are lots of interesting findings, but the best is the revelation that men fixate on any visible genital areas in photos -- even animals' crotches come in for a good eyeballing.
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/070312ruel/
This is new use for eye tracking software. I've used it on web sites before but never like this. Read below and link to find our more.
The Online Journalism Review reports on Jakob Nielsen's use of an eye-tracker to look at how different people read the Web -- particularly news. There are lots of interesting findings, but the best is the revelation that men fixate on any visible genital areas in photos -- even animals' crotches come in for a good eyeballing.
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/070312ruel/
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Sick
Sick
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
So I picked up the stomach bug that gil, linda, dylan and sam had last week. I spent most of the day either sleeping or working in bed today and this was my view. Nicole has the bug now, I'm feeling better.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Home
It was a really nice trip and good break from work and the kids in a way. Linda and Gil took good care of the little ones and they came to the airport to pick us up. Nothing like a couple smiling faces running at you down a concourse. The trip back was basically un-eventful except they searched my computer bag three times during the course of multiple security checks and the flight was late an hour and a half, just like going there. Back to work in the morning and a fairly normal week.
It was a really nice trip and good break from work and the kids in a way. Linda and Gil took good care of the little ones and they came to the airport to pick us up. Nothing like a couple smiling faces running at you down a concourse. The trip back was basically un-eventful except they searched my computer bag three times during the course of multiple security checks and the flight was late an hour and a half, just like going there. Back to work in the morning and a fairly normal week.
Nobu
The waiter at Nobu was nice enough to take this picture. Dinner was great and we hung out in the casino for a while and watched some pretty wacked people hitting on each other. It was pretty entertaining, from the 18 year old boys drinking beer and smoking cigars with blue blazers on to two toasted blonds with almost matching cheap white dresses. Oh yeah, my favorite was the guy that still had his swimsuit and t-shirt on from the afternoon at 10pm in a fairly glitzey casino bar. He wasn't doing so well. Getting ready to home now. The Linda, Gil and the boys are meeting us at the airport. Can't wait to see them.
The waiter at Nobu was nice enough to take this picture. Dinner was great and we hung out in the casino for a while and watched some pretty wacked people hitting on each other. It was pretty entertaining, from the 18 year old boys drinking beer and smoking cigars with blue blazers on to two toasted blonds with almost matching cheap white dresses. Oh yeah, my favorite was the guy that still had his swimsuit and t-shirt on from the afternoon at 10pm in a fairly glitzey casino bar. He wasn't doing so well. Getting ready to home now. The Linda, Gil and the boys are meeting us at the airport. Can't wait to see them.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Nicole's Photographer
Just to prove I'm not Nicole's photographer I had her take a few GQ shots of me around the grounds. I'll add more to the flickr collection I do Sunday or Monday in case you have any interest at all in seeing me pretty relaxed and a little drunk. We had a great dinner at Greycliff last night. That place actually has some history, dating back to pre-Amercian Revolution times. The food was great and the wine list a little too big. I finally settled on something that they didn't end up having so I took a recommendation.
We hit the Atlantis pools the waterslides this moring after a workout. That place is humougous. The Temple slide that goes thru the shark tank is way too fast. With all the water in my eyes, I couldn't see the sharks. The lazy river is about a 45 minute journey with it's own tube escalator and giant free fall and spinnig twists and turns. It was fun but good to get back to the lazy One and Only Ocean Club. I'll ask the waiter at Nobu to take a picture of us all tan tonight. I'm looking forward to some good raw fish.
Just to prove I'm not Nicole's photographer I had her take a few GQ shots of me around the grounds. I'll add more to the flickr collection I do Sunday or Monday in case you have any interest at all in seeing me pretty relaxed and a little drunk. We had a great dinner at Greycliff last night. That place actually has some history, dating back to pre-Amercian Revolution times. The food was great and the wine list a little too big. I finally settled on something that they didn't end up having so I took a recommendation.
We hit the Atlantis pools the waterslides this moring after a workout. That place is humougous. The Temple slide that goes thru the shark tank is way too fast. With all the water in my eyes, I couldn't see the sharks. The lazy river is about a 45 minute journey with it's own tube escalator and giant free fall and spinnig twists and turns. It was fun but good to get back to the lazy One and Only Ocean Club. I'll ask the waiter at Nobu to take a picture of us all tan tonight. I'm looking forward to some good raw fish.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Oh Yeah
The sun was a little hot this afternoon so we called it a day at the pool early. Don't want to get burned, just slighly darker than the milktoast white I was. We are going to go into Nassau tonight for dinner at Graycliff. We did have a reservation at Dune again but decided to try something new. A guy on our dive told us this place was happening. Tomorrow morning, it's back to Atlantas (the vegas strip of the carribean) and some water slides. We have to at least try them.
The sun was a little hot this afternoon so we called it a day at the pool early. Don't want to get burned, just slighly darker than the milktoast white I was. We are going to go into Nassau tonight for dinner at Graycliff. We did have a reservation at Dune again but decided to try something new. A guy on our dive told us this place was happening. Tomorrow morning, it's back to Atlantas (the vegas strip of the carribean) and some water slides. We have to at least try them.
Wacky Dive Masters
We had great weather for the dive this moring. We did a 90 foot wreck dive first and the water was around 80 degrees. It was a little strange getting used to diving again but it all evened out after a few minutes. Not many fish on the first dive but interesting wrecks. The second dive was only 40 feet but had a ton of fish. Saw a 6 foot nurse shark and a 5 foot eal and Nicole did her first cave type swim thru. The dive masters were great and we only had 7 people on the boat so it felt pretty roomy. Here they are hanging off the back of the boat on the way in. I'm thinking they had to go pee but maybe they just liked tempting death by boat propeller. Off to the pool now.
We had great weather for the dive this moring. We did a 90 foot wreck dive first and the water was around 80 degrees. It was a little strange getting used to diving again but it all evened out after a few minutes. Not many fish on the first dive but interesting wrecks. The second dive was only 40 feet but had a ton of fish. Saw a 6 foot nurse shark and a 5 foot eal and Nicole did her first cave type swim thru. The dive masters were great and we only had 7 people on the boat so it felt pretty roomy. Here they are hanging off the back of the boat on the way in. I'm thinking they had to go pee but maybe they just liked tempting death by boat propeller. Off to the pool now.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Relaxing
It was a little cloudy this morning so we got a long workout in then hit the pool right when the sun came out. We laid around there for a while and I got a message and then walked down the bearch to Atlantis. That place is wacked. It's the exact opposite of the One and Only Ocean Club. Atlantis is huge and kind of spring break like. The boys would love the dozen or so pools and water slides coming out of everywhere. I did like the casino and will be back there after in the dinner in the Marina Village tonight. We have a dive tomorrow morning so we are hoping the weather holds and we have sun.
I took a bunch of photos already but this flickr collection is of Versailles Garden I took last night. It starts at the end of the pool pictured above.
It was a little cloudy this morning so we got a long workout in then hit the pool right when the sun came out. We laid around there for a while and I got a message and then walked down the bearch to Atlantis. That place is wacked. It's the exact opposite of the One and Only Ocean Club. Atlantis is huge and kind of spring break like. The boys would love the dozen or so pools and water slides coming out of everywhere. I did like the casino and will be back there after in the dinner in the Marina Village tonight. We have a dive tomorrow morning so we are hoping the weather holds and we have sun.
I took a bunch of photos already but this flickr collection is of Versailles Garden I took last night. It starts at the end of the pool pictured above.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
We've Arrived
This place is pretty awesome. Car service from the airport and a personal greeting from Robert Sands who's card reads "Villa and Notable Guest Manager". We handed off some clothes to be ironed and shoes to be shined to the butler and we are just chilling now and getting a little snack before exploring a bit and having dinner at Dune at 8pm. It's very relaxing but I think we already miss the boys.
This place is pretty awesome. Car service from the airport and a personal greeting from Robert Sands who's card reads "Villa and Notable Guest Manager". We handed off some clothes to be ironed and shoes to be shined to the butler and we are just chilling now and getting a little snack before exploring a bit and having dinner at Dune at 8pm. It's very relaxing but I think we already miss the boys.
De Iceing
De Iceing
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
We are now about an hour delayed and everything is moving so sloooooooowly but we are getting the nasty snow and ice off the wings so we should be airborne soon. We are in first so at least we are comfortable. For you AARP readers, Mel Radowitz got on this flight wearing a blue blazer just like I remember him wearing at work everyday. Hopefully he will shed it when we land.
Snowy Departure
Snowy Departure
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Getting a little Alberta Clipper rolling by and hoping we don't get delayed. Planes seem to be coming and going so i'm crossing my fingers.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Mason Neck State Park Hike
We took a nice and chilly two mile hike this morning at Mason Neck State Park. It's only about 15 miles south of us and at the point where the Occoquan river meets the Potomac. It was in the high 30's and really windy but we needed some fresh air. It was really cold along the river but once we got into the woods it was pretty nice. The park was also basically deserted so we had the woods to ourselves. The boys are turning into pretty good little hikers and made the two mile march without asking to be carried. The interpretive center was nice too, with snake skins and deer skulls for the boys to identify.
California Grandma and Grandpa are coming in tomorrow and we are getting ready to head to the islands for a few days later this week. It will be nice to lay back and relax a little. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will be able to get a little tan going as well.
Here's a link to the 45 pictures I got from today. Enjoy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594570147955/
We took a nice and chilly two mile hike this morning at Mason Neck State Park. It's only about 15 miles south of us and at the point where the Occoquan river meets the Potomac. It was in the high 30's and really windy but we needed some fresh air. It was really cold along the river but once we got into the woods it was pretty nice. The park was also basically deserted so we had the woods to ourselves. The boys are turning into pretty good little hikers and made the two mile march without asking to be carried. The interpretive center was nice too, with snake skins and deer skulls for the boys to identify.
California Grandma and Grandpa are coming in tomorrow and we are getting ready to head to the islands for a few days later this week. It will be nice to lay back and relax a little. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will be able to get a little tan going as well.
Here's a link to the 45 pictures I got from today. Enjoy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594570147955/
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Long Week
It seemed to drag on and on with a ton of work for both of us. Just a couple more days and it's beach time. We watched The Departed last night and see why it won the academy award for best picture and director. Good stuff. The boys have a birthday party today and I think Blanca took pictures at the Purim Parade at school yesterday. Either way, I should have some pictures to post. The boys want Kumie shoes today. Off to the gym.
It seemed to drag on and on with a ton of work for both of us. Just a couple more days and it's beach time. We watched The Departed last night and see why it won the academy award for best picture and director. Good stuff. The boys have a birthday party today and I think Blanca took pictures at the Purim Parade at school yesterday. Either way, I should have some pictures to post. The boys want Kumie shoes today. Off to the gym.
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