tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72218300220466619512024-03-19T04:02:20.954-05:00The Shenanigan FilesElizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-73890862963703937522016-02-04T20:13:00.002-06:002016-02-04T20:13:47.637-06:00My New Role at Campus OutreachHi Friends! Once again, it's been awhile since I've written. I've made some dramatic changes in life over the past few months. Over a year ago, God started to put the desire to serve in a missions related capacity in my life. Through my singles group at church, where we spend time helping others through local mission projects and through some overseas missions service, I knew that God was calling me to use my talents to glorify Him. In November, I stepped away from my job doing design in the corporate world to accept the position of graphic designer for <a href="http://campusoutreach.org/get-informed/vision/">Campus Outreach</a>.<br />
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My design work will be serving missionaries outside of the US as they minister to students on their local campuses. I'll be designing materials for Bible studies, conferences, summer beach projects, training materials, fundraising materials, and marketing packages for the ministry as well. These items will be used to engage and inform students about what is available to them through the ministry of Campus Outreach, keep missionaries funded and functional in their roles, and take the burden off of their shoulders to make these things themselves.<br />
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Through this ministry, these students are offered the opportunity to know Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers freely to them. I'm excited about doing the work for this great organization and furthering God's Kingdom with the gifts He has given to me. All of the Campus Outreach staff, including myself, are responsible for raising our own funds. I'm currently at 35% of my goal, and I would love to be able to start work in the office at 100% by April 1st. I would love to have you partner with me as I strive to reach this goal by joining my fundraising team. I would also ask you to pray about making that gift a recurring gift each month or designate your one time gift as an annual donation in the comment section of the website, as that will help me stay fully funded and will allow me to focus on the much needed work at hand. However, one time gifts are also greatly appreciated and never looked down upon as "lesser" by any means. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the link provided on <a href="http://www.campusoutreach.org/ministries/grc_home">this page.</a> I will be happy to tell you more about what I am doing!<br />
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The link below will guide you to my personal fundraising page.<br />
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<a href="https://donate.campusoutreach.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298&fid=5hAWH4zZ1Lc%3d&fdesc=S6rom2ZimaRR406%2fGzs%2fC0R70hm73PLIng%2bSGA9bqnI%3d"><span style="font-size: x-large;">DONATE TO LIZ DOUGLAS</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrIWsEv2hdJqvKyymle8LMER4qTUotig7AikJ_DK1I-jF6uqJeKobtacCIsLCGUaJgHjIsLIwKEMhtXzV87xFVsEbDHXrWTfr5BptFMctIxRExzCNJaWm62D2oPsoj36T8ndv7pA6LtY/s1600/PrayerCard-Email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrIWsEv2hdJqvKyymle8LMER4qTUotig7AikJ_DK1I-jF6uqJeKobtacCIsLCGUaJgHjIsLIwKEMhtXzV87xFVsEbDHXrWTfr5BptFMctIxRExzCNJaWm62D2oPsoj36T8ndv7pA6LtY/s640/PrayerCard-Email.jpg" width="411" /></a></div>
<br />Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-34052875235790822082015-07-01T22:12:00.000-05:002015-07-01T22:12:03.691-05:003 Years LaterIt's been nearly three years since I've posted here. I suppose this blog is just one of those things that fell by the wayside for a while while other pursuits became more prevalent to my life. It's been an interesting few years of ups and downs, but mostly ups. Again, as I posted three years ago, there are some exciting things on the horizon. I've also had some amazing experiences. Last year, around this time, I was walking along the coast of Northern Africa, seeing a different culture, exploring a different way of life, and once again, seeing God work in His magnificent ways. I have been incredibly fortunate to experience the things that I have experienced, to have traveled to the places I have traveled, and to have known the people I've known. I know there is so much more to come, and I can't wait to see what the rest of this year brings. Each one is passing more quickly than the last, and I want to savor each day. <br />
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North Africa, a day at the beach. June 2014</div>
Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-77574535835789013102012-08-30T22:40:00.000-05:002012-08-30T22:40:19.142-05:00It's been ages......since I've written anything on this blog! So much has happened in the span of time between now and my last post. I won't really be updating much tonight, but suffice to say after a very brutal season of life, there are so many wonderful things happening right now! I'm kind of in awe in how God has brought me out of some situations that had left me feeling trapped and honestly, quite hopeless, and given me a completely new set of circumstances and blessings that have left me in awe of the works of His hand.<br />
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More to come....Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-42755369093635401712011-12-24T02:02:00.000-06:002011-12-24T02:02:53.063-06:00The Thrill of Hope.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLdKp47R1BE/TvV-MXrMsOI/AAAAAAAAC94/yDsVaKxXC0A/s1600/star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLdKp47R1BE/TvV-MXrMsOI/AAAAAAAAC94/yDsVaKxXC0A/s400/star.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bachelor-at-wellington.blogspot.com/2011/11/star-of-bethlehem.html"> Lord Thomas of Wellington</a></div>Once again, I've fallen behind in posting. Mainly, it's because life decided to smack me in the face with a sock full of lemons. I had what one might call, "a series of unfortunate events" befall me as of late, and well, dealing with the real world took over any online...<i>Shenanigans. </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(See what I did there?)</span><br />
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However, this post isn't about losing a job, appliance malfunctions, or basement floods. (Yes, for real) This post is about grace... namely, a family that loves and supports me through all things, friends that lift me up in every way possible, and faith that God is sovereign in all things and nothing that passes in this world passes without His Word.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And speaking of His Word...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9xFYxOBoRA/TvWBmR_oKkI/AAAAAAAAC-E/Oc6xA3ds7y0/s1600/nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9xFYxOBoRA/TvWBmR_oKkI/AAAAAAAAC-E/Oc6xA3ds7y0/s400/nativity.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.turnbacktogod.com/nativity-pictures/"> turn back to God</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That, dear friends, is the greatest grace of all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that Word that came, that Word full of glory and grace and truth, what of Him?</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbk9WrNTkao/TvWDMyAce_I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/bxtL9jUQEPs/s1600/host.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbk9WrNTkao/TvWDMyAce_I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/bxtL9jUQEPs/s400/host.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scripture-for-today.blogspot.com/2011/11/matthew-1331-32-birds-of-air-come-and.html">scripture for today</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He is our thrill of hope. He is why our weary world rejoices. He is why yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. World, fall on your knees! O hear, the angel voices! O night, divine! O night... when Christ was born.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas to all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-71259436482711243702011-09-23T08:51:00.001-05:002011-09-23T11:06:16.725-05:00Niagara Falls! No Barrel Required!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA4umRfJwIePBLS6qBI-QrrSb6MoUlaBoajdgmqdrf88JeQ-j2h79870iJazvH6DsEQaPJY16le-LYsn2OeY7cGaQ60hKO1xHQB2nctRsg2IHi9pyJwYnNJalLtVQAk81Hlv1yQlUeHw/s1600/100_6833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA4umRfJwIePBLS6qBI-QrrSb6MoUlaBoajdgmqdrf88JeQ-j2h79870iJazvH6DsEQaPJY16le-LYsn2OeY7cGaQ60hKO1xHQB2nctRsg2IHi9pyJwYnNJalLtVQAk81Hlv1yQlUeHw/s400/100_6833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> "Hi, I'm Liz, and I'll be your guide today, here at Niagara. If you'll follow me, we'll take a magical journey behind the falls and to their base, where the roaring rush of water will leave you in breathless awe. Please put on your stylish, yellow ponchos, and watch your step as we travel through the underground tunnels. It's slippery!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dsJGN3Fa31k0xPQF_hmYOFKyTyQt4Apj4v1maku-RJKz1zK0-38vg0PbxnGogYvAeVYIlK5I1F1CUHx1O-2uUd8E0vewdN40fS8Xznj81J4T5ObozSM2SXkG1ATBRvws1DzbomVFgYs/s1600/100_6852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dsJGN3Fa31k0xPQF_hmYOFKyTyQt4Apj4v1maku-RJKz1zK0-38vg0PbxnGogYvAeVYIlK5I1F1CUHx1O-2uUd8E0vewdN40fS8Xznj81J4T5ObozSM2SXkG1ATBRvws1DzbomVFgYs/s400/100_6852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"I know, I know, it's not the most flattering look for a girl, but trust me, you really need the poncho."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcGgfwlG6SllkhceYw8nxmr1g9JvoUrsJ0Zx2xxqeFw7lRv0U2uRV1jvxh1TfZkVzKlOPTen4LUEN1eGrqS6dkIdZoxTtDesUPTOP9x0N2vjj-_tN5BaSdiPBq8nA87X6MDg5oXy-XFE/s1600/100_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcGgfwlG6SllkhceYw8nxmr1g9JvoUrsJ0Zx2xxqeFw7lRv0U2uRV1jvxh1TfZkVzKlOPTen4LUEN1eGrqS6dkIdZoxTtDesUPTOP9x0N2vjj-_tN5BaSdiPBq8nA87X6MDg5oXy-XFE/s400/100_6854.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"Here we are behind the falls! Isn't it exciting...and wet? I bet you're glad for that poncho now, aren't you? We'd get closer, but there's a couple up there taking upwards of 20 or 30 photos of themselves, eating into everyone's time, so this is as close as we're getting. But, as you can see, it's a continual wall of white, and believe me, the scenery doesn't change much from this vantage point anyway."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRK8LBLQoiRig7hCx-L8keQTLLWeC6RXJkdWJQeM7j_cWsrvVEQv_PEw2b74NYHhfHPB0IhiSRrU7rzXasuyfvJbgOCqSVe4RAt3LPKn6arj3v4oBOPIyleFVnFsnsOOT3zf73-dpwFs/s1600/100_6851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRK8LBLQoiRig7hCx-L8keQTLLWeC6RXJkdWJQeM7j_cWsrvVEQv_PEw2b74NYHhfHPB0IhiSRrU7rzXasuyfvJbgOCqSVe4RAt3LPKn6arj3v4oBOPIyleFVnFsnsOOT3zf73-dpwFs/s400/100_6851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"Ah, back on the outside and at the base of the falls! Be careful not to let your camera get too wet. It's extremely misty down here!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVVTcG0V5X0ebe5B6hrXES5NXGpRB7nAaEg1KAC9XVAfIa-IWynrq_aDQIerUSrtM3_jxiCn5zH-_yClgimDQ2MA2vSs7e4ooUvKGTd3Qg7XW6JF6QqpJSt14dD7kWMbjLmgzufoS5cQ/s1600/100_6839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVVTcG0V5X0ebe5B6hrXES5NXGpRB7nAaEg1KAC9XVAfIa-IWynrq_aDQIerUSrtM3_jxiCn5zH-_yClgimDQ2MA2vSs7e4ooUvKGTd3Qg7XW6JF6QqpJSt14dD7kWMbjLmgzufoS5cQ/s640/100_6839.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>"Here we are, surrounded by great towers of rock, rushing curtains of white water, and spiraling clouds of mist! I hope you can all hear me over the roar. It really is a marvelous sound, isn't it? That sound is caused by the 750,000 gallons of water that spill over the falls every second! That's the combined total for both the American and Canadian falls of course. Though, the Horseshoe falls does claim the lion's share."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqhbqHMd56icezZP71iwpABB_LRSbvfniL9BbQ2CmegK251offtlZOxQQfi15sEzgCsXMZx9pTB41oPmTCGof2Sccj1IdAF_g8KPzQOdqhR3tjHmEXPlR-XgldW5bC03R1xHcRuQSODE/s1600/double.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqhbqHMd56icezZP71iwpABB_LRSbvfniL9BbQ2CmegK251offtlZOxQQfi15sEzgCsXMZx9pTB41oPmTCGof2Sccj1IdAF_g8KPzQOdqhR3tjHmEXPlR-XgldW5bC03R1xHcRuQSODE/s400/double.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>"Looking downstream, past the edge of the Horseshoe falls, you can see the American falls, and Bridal Veil falls, the small fall barely separated by Luna Island. The American side of the Rainbow Bridge is also visible. Speaking of rainbows, we've got them! Double rainbows! So beautiful! What does it mean? Well, we don't know, but hey, 'it's a double rainbow, all the way! Whoa, that's so intense'!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfQycTXdHLa3suIq06CIpRh0IBWtBLN2S_gMNifIf3JtYunJVC8X1gRY3KxQd22hEbFgERVSxBFUJg6Ge0FGgr69c5_tlCsrMws0VfT7NY3OxCVjnqZk4ll3L9zxZo4_R4CEj3zBqDaM/s1600/100_6850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfQycTXdHLa3suIq06CIpRh0IBWtBLN2S_gMNifIf3JtYunJVC8X1gRY3KxQd22hEbFgERVSxBFUJg6Ge0FGgr69c5_tlCsrMws0VfT7NY3OxCVjnqZk4ll3L9zxZo4_R4CEj3zBqDaM/s400/100_6850.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"Thanks for taking the behind the falls tour! We'll take a few moments for photo opportunities before we head back up to the top. Yes, miss, I'll take a screaming photo with you! How fun! There's still a lot more Niagara to see!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Bv_lrgmDdWYcIfx1caQwCMutt2XbOQcJJ_zYM6g8ltjbbAT-gnBZT7CZh3pg_DCoSColON70Da1EppjyX_vhNagpnQnMjo12MgdYdskwK5B9xpy_AATPBqxeNYG8iJ3Zegb33zP4_lw/s1600/100_6849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Bv_lrgmDdWYcIfx1caQwCMutt2XbOQcJJ_zYM6g8ltjbbAT-gnBZT7CZh3pg_DCoSColON70Da1EppjyX_vhNagpnQnMjo12MgdYdskwK5B9xpy_AATPBqxeNYG8iJ3Zegb33zP4_lw/s400/100_6849.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Poncho, don't fail me now!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmsXgUS7lsP9UtipkM81IXa6SRGkBmDNvKPDuiiDDgCmABEckg_6FucD9_Vkp2h0qPjURaSh4UtL29bqmKRhce3BsLR8_sSEBcblFOoKSdDVwFX3LUrphT6alYJfuv3S-_24Mn_WPLA8/s1600/100_6841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmsXgUS7lsP9UtipkM81IXa6SRGkBmDNvKPDuiiDDgCmABEckg_6FucD9_Vkp2h0qPjURaSh4UtL29bqmKRhce3BsLR8_sSEBcblFOoKSdDVwFX3LUrphT6alYJfuv3S-_24Mn_WPLA8/s640/100_6841.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Isn't this exciting!? I sure think so! Alright, let's head topside!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuZgu_HTGtawjL2JSI1wQKdLgg5FuRhmXBroEoOLpk7pHiYtjRrmzgo-1S1JlzUjJoZa8umzbuw21TV5UZC5hdZBd4NYN9eCKyhikaEgDVWx7a3MXC9Re-NnBIKVsvPs1f9Ejxwka1SI/s1600/100_6872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuZgu_HTGtawjL2JSI1wQKdLgg5FuRhmXBroEoOLpk7pHiYtjRrmzgo-1S1JlzUjJoZa8umzbuw21TV5UZC5hdZBd4NYN9eCKyhikaEgDVWx7a3MXC9Re-NnBIKVsvPs1f9Ejxwka1SI/s400/100_6872.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Do you see all the seagulls on that little rock formation, out in the river? Isn't that picturesque? I think so, especially surrounded by all that rushing water!"</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJbUMLdf7iRl963ItOat6ySlUsFFVeh2IQZTxRIg4kOm4FEJiDDmGSyiNgOUY23QUg3du1lF_mDUXbezG7IfsDX2glR6leKegi5K6KlSNHnsimoIduzBDUHwZQOeIximGAiQUvgIauR0/s1600/100_6862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJbUMLdf7iRl963ItOat6ySlUsFFVeh2IQZTxRIg4kOm4FEJiDDmGSyiNgOUY23QUg3du1lF_mDUXbezG7IfsDX2glR6leKegi5K6KlSNHnsimoIduzBDUHwZQOeIximGAiQUvgIauR0/s400/100_6862.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Ooooh! Misty!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiHm66_Z8ryIy5rlxo4rsPgPbcdc9lQ4OyuHuFv8ZnWOt7QGIIeax_ZAoDD9m8tSo7tGYhXazlh1A5g1dpf4Ziz0dHu2o6vEs-PoXecV0XaznQlV9byj5ebLek2JPD037AEgR-br65pA/s1600/100_6881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiHm66_Z8ryIy5rlxo4rsPgPbcdc9lQ4OyuHuFv8ZnWOt7QGIIeax_ZAoDD9m8tSo7tGYhXazlh1A5g1dpf4Ziz0dHu2o6vEs-PoXecV0XaznQlV9byj5ebLek2JPD037AEgR-br65pA/s400/100_6881.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"The entire panorama of Niagara is impressive! I hope you're all taking full advantage of your camera's various settings!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjPMkCz2gFIQrEvxCKkoHEGHkNY9V34PznYcylPfLPobgqK5ncwAp5NWcdRNgUZqBX8TytXG_-q6wnXW3hoxSOsNIkhkETcsIXSDiLJSXqBDrQlk1AJ6uzxFeMe-yAV1IFKi0WcD2EvA/s1600/100_6871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjPMkCz2gFIQrEvxCKkoHEGHkNY9V34PznYcylPfLPobgqK5ncwAp5NWcdRNgUZqBX8TytXG_-q6wnXW3hoxSOsNIkhkETcsIXSDiLJSXqBDrQlk1AJ6uzxFeMe-yAV1IFKi0WcD2EvA/s400/100_6871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"Oh, and be sure not to miss the stranded scow in the middle of the river, just upstream of the falls. It's been there for 93 years now, just rusting away a little more day by day..."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>At about 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday August 6th 1918, a steel copper bottomed sand scow (barge) was engaged in dredging operation in the fast currents on the American side of the Niagara River opposite Port Day at the entrance of the Niagara Falls Power Company hydraulic canal. <br />
<br />
The scow was being towed by the tug boat - "Hassayampa" being operated by Captain John Wallace. The scow had two deck hands aboard. They were Gustave Loftberg, age 51 and Frank Harris, age 53. The tug and scow were owned and operated by the Great Lakes Dredge and Docks Company. During the operation, the tug suddenly struck a sandbar approximately a ½ mile upriver from the Falls. The taunt rope that held the barge to the tug snapped "like a thin string". <br />
</i></div><br />
"I'd tell you the rest of the tale, but we'd be here all day! Read the rest of the thrilling story at <a href="http://www.niagarafrontier.com/scow.html">Niagara Frontier!" </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ0FldzHMv-2ymTXBvPqfU6Gnk1PRaIqc_XI8zux7ENkQR_yvp1csg3WESdEsw4amDsSrIdlHMcaODKq4moFhBf4xtQO8-K5P2mspMR0N8jf5Ry5f2_lyOfPQFnHh-x1VtlICrVIrrsY/s1600/100_6857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ0FldzHMv-2ymTXBvPqfU6Gnk1PRaIqc_XI8zux7ENkQR_yvp1csg3WESdEsw4amDsSrIdlHMcaODKq4moFhBf4xtQO8-K5P2mspMR0N8jf5Ry5f2_lyOfPQFnHh-x1VtlICrVIrrsY/s400/100_6857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"Ma'am, if you'll stand right there, I'll take a picture for you. There's a beautiful rainbow right behind you. Alright, great shot! I hope you've been enjoying the tour."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUrxK4yM7_wWOy-mk6M9SZmyZV9NnczawgH2c435NbS0vPNZakNBRSwwVmGNh9RHimAE1TUaqN4sYuQs8PkWt3oFemFF6L4RMXKGIie40JNhGoUgqp21RjM9q5C3rAUTRu6IOjqfh4Y0/s1600/100_6858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUrxK4yM7_wWOy-mk6M9SZmyZV9NnczawgH2c435NbS0vPNZakNBRSwwVmGNh9RHimAE1TUaqN4sYuQs8PkWt3oFemFF6L4RMXKGIie40JNhGoUgqp21RjM9q5C3rAUTRu6IOjqfh4Y0/s400/100_6858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> "Would you mind taking a picture for me as well? This is my first day as a Niagara guide, and I'd like to document the occasion. Thanks!" <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgB6dafsUWmJVmWPt3acv3pdcM9K8Yi1ylWzeWl74mOE5o4Aad2lpBSNDva-jRTf6283k62gKk8NMpfF8Jf7pns5oUJHLs2IWcu9uf_FieFtoGN9XO-k1bupxzz5dje8okEjOYC4m2Ks/s1600/100_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgB6dafsUWmJVmWPt3acv3pdcM9K8Yi1ylWzeWl74mOE5o4Aad2lpBSNDva-jRTf6283k62gKk8NMpfF8Jf7pns5oUJHLs2IWcu9uf_FieFtoGN9XO-k1bupxzz5dje8okEjOYC4m2Ks/s400/100_6865.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>"Yes ma'am, those are seagulls, and no, they're not really scared of humans. However, they're probably getting mad at the fact that you're not offering them food. I would slowly step away now if I were you."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflqj6miyAvjwzLO5jdFnkys5L4nm1zLmMuJkfoyeMp0ewcOlADgrgSp-gQ1I2o37bcfyESExXSHkXI8_Ct0ZDI1kjAs99-zxwfrnSCbeoQiUDFwQ9MRbgAQI8yPJDqYwwxnT5silrzv0/s1600/100_6867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflqj6miyAvjwzLO5jdFnkys5L4nm1zLmMuJkfoyeMp0ewcOlADgrgSp-gQ1I2o37bcfyESExXSHkXI8_Ct0ZDI1kjAs99-zxwfrnSCbeoQiUDFwQ9MRbgAQI8yPJDqYwwxnT5silrzv0/s400/100_6867.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>"Yes, the Daffodils are much more docile than the birds. That's a lovely shot. I think it'd make a nice profile picture for the Facebook or the Google+. You certainly are a fun loving person, aren't you? Well, I hope you've enjoyed your tour of Niagara Falls! There's a gift shop to your right, and the restrooms are located on the side of the main building. The bus will be leaving shortly, so please make your purchases and meet us back on board soon! Thanks again from everyone at Niagara!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyivn9lwlDn2HQo5SE4uy-Ose1sdU-ngVvl69EV4acs20fCdE_9O3vkT1tbXd0L591tFxFoWekdwNdGI94qdv7O_vMSlLEorJaUJuYczdY_ggmoDrjjjrR4Ked9DMeyCWrf-i-UKWu7I/s1600/niagara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyivn9lwlDn2HQo5SE4uy-Ose1sdU-ngVvl69EV4acs20fCdE_9O3vkT1tbXd0L591tFxFoWekdwNdGI94qdv7O_vMSlLEorJaUJuYczdY_ggmoDrjjjrR4Ked9DMeyCWrf-i-UKWu7I/s400/niagara.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>"Am I really a tour guide for Niagara Falls? No... but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Enjoy this parting shot! Gorgeous falls, deep blue sky, double rainbow! So beautiful!"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next up, Jenny and I visit Niagara Wine College. Ice Wine? Yes, please!</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-9885539864967556022011-09-16T15:55:00.000-05:002011-09-16T15:55:02.590-05:00Niagara on The Lake... and Beyond!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZu_bkvYBIyMt39HtSpXlLsrwOVD2AX_raZMVJTYtJR7KdmIzNPBrz3yuNZ4kaqfyyiOvKwu61zbNfc_tKeyiigJElkS3Dxc-DGLt5yoFCHvoeERdWgIa7uAZmpwzaiZaPjXL49RswbA/s1600/niagara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZu_bkvYBIyMt39HtSpXlLsrwOVD2AX_raZMVJTYtJR7KdmIzNPBrz3yuNZ4kaqfyyiOvKwu61zbNfc_tKeyiigJElkS3Dxc-DGLt5yoFCHvoeERdWgIa7uAZmpwzaiZaPjXL49RswbA/s400/niagara.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Niagara Falls is a place of natural, awe inspiring beauty. Looking out into the horseshoe chasm as the waterfall roars over the edge is a breathtaking sight. On the day Jenny and I visited, the falls tossed us the added bonus of a picturesque rainbow! Hundreds of people were there, as I'm sure they are every day, taking pictures and staring in awe of the churning, surging power before them. It truly is an amazing work spun by the hand of God. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7syJt8QWhg7yAtEhKiovDiGapX1I89wVbxzxMocwo2LFlEe6LvIkwPQvbGmtcx9FZYkJNWQxnQj_LR9H3HaH9m8EEaimMIgYfLpA5YE3mU1AwR89Nzt4cfsaAIEPR6OflaISDmLwR54/s1600/100_6880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7syJt8QWhg7yAtEhKiovDiGapX1I89wVbxzxMocwo2LFlEe6LvIkwPQvbGmtcx9FZYkJNWQxnQj_LR9H3HaH9m8EEaimMIgYfLpA5YE3mU1AwR89Nzt4cfsaAIEPR6OflaISDmLwR54/s400/100_6880.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And then you turn around... and jutting up to the falls is this gigantic city of hotels, shops, restaurants, and casinos. Call me ignorant, but I had no idea this stuff existed right beside the falls. What was I expecting? I suppose I expected to be surrounded natural grandeur, but you know, souvenir shops and nickle slots are pretty close, right? There was a bit of a disconnect, at least to me, between the fierce and overwhelming force of nature on one side, and the glass and steel empires of man on the other. It was a little jarring.<br />
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And because of that... I needed ice cream.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDmTTwiqnSIvNGpQAUfhpGBrXuLu9-TGfCNpMxIykQ-gYmFVpTQ-LKFt0HtKjXfrna_l08p6WDlBfQRgmg19Op9XbGZ1Q1m50XSLg50rb6K3wX9XhNUFEgCuW0jaBE-Ou1mBTVgsCC4E/s1600/100_6811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDmTTwiqnSIvNGpQAUfhpGBrXuLu9-TGfCNpMxIykQ-gYmFVpTQ-LKFt0HtKjXfrna_l08p6WDlBfQRgmg19Op9XbGZ1Q1m50XSLg50rb6K3wX9XhNUFEgCuW0jaBE-Ou1mBTVgsCC4E/s640/100_6811.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>However, I didn't get any. This terrible picture actually took place at the start of our adventure, before the falls, in the little town of Niagara on The Lake. It just provided a nice transition into this part of the story. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2V0Ljt-9T4jLuoIaxwmZ2BDfQs2T6GZVnMU4t8YV1GXGvSmoTHFCkUMVQyz0FtSGhWyT97OW22QUkheldm1-rV5_vIrmz2ovlzoUs39I9qIAa1u_x74H_H_m1hH_eCVb2IWA37khZmk/s1600/100_6812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2V0Ljt-9T4jLuoIaxwmZ2BDfQs2T6GZVnMU4t8YV1GXGvSmoTHFCkUMVQyz0FtSGhWyT97OW22QUkheldm1-rV5_vIrmz2ovlzoUs39I9qIAa1u_x74H_H_m1hH_eCVb2IWA37khZmk/s640/100_6812.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Niagara on The Lake is a charming little town, full of beautifully quaint architecture and wonderful little tourist traps. As a tourist, I felt it was my duty to fall into several of them. Again, ice cream comes in handy, as the first thing I want to show you is right behind Jenny. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGByHG-8X7ct2_wvFyTIqHNCjhvL0PxBrGN9zS0goTeuvvABSGhy5hX0-qe6ccQxjJHFSs0RbOM3ISCzgtNv3KGi_RKjlg2bULll1uqVqqYoVNA6wSW6qZV7uw5ePdRXAXzNRO3gVTNM/s1600/POW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGByHG-8X7ct2_wvFyTIqHNCjhvL0PxBrGN9zS0goTeuvvABSGhy5hX0-qe6ccQxjJHFSs0RbOM3ISCzgtNv3KGi_RKjlg2bULll1uqVqqYoVNA6wSW6qZV7uw5ePdRXAXzNRO3gVTNM/s400/POW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.governorswalk.ca/neighbourhood.htm"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Governor's Walk</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Granted, I can't really call this gorgeous building, The Prince of Wales Hotel, a tourist trap, but it did draw me in like a moth to a flame. It actually reminded me of New Orleans from the outside. It's the kind of place where you walk in and immediately regret your decision to wear blue jeans and a jersey peacoat, because you're sure the Queen and a service of High Tea are waiting right around the corner, and well, she really doesn't appreciate sneakers. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgot7xE8e28Bylej4e5wpRotoTkiWeXRZ_ZVSpq08JijQdTtoWuJi_ftEiAA3MkLoTzE3Dmh8QXDmnkmNckIFWGJV_Lt7zJTNmKpBCnZHJl0ZqlxqHb0GIILJ03GBm8BGDPqBB-0lZkPbI/s1600/100_6805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgot7xE8e28Bylej4e5wpRotoTkiWeXRZ_ZVSpq08JijQdTtoWuJi_ftEiAA3MkLoTzE3Dmh8QXDmnkmNckIFWGJV_Lt7zJTNmKpBCnZHJl0ZqlxqHb0GIILJ03GBm8BGDPqBB-0lZkPbI/s400/100_6805.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> The interior of the hotel is elegant and sumptuous, filled with rich woodwork, beautiful marble and bronze sculptures, and glorious Tiffany style windows. Every inch of it is filled with Victorian luxury.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFQj0Cl9jpAEzPF8eLPsH_v0z_JkExcN69hG6n7RooeW2Wd0rb8MMyUZxfemuudyGV_DCrAUyxE6wdB9XJHWlIgeFaZ_51kaqXb315hp0zgoNEADuAqRhgSmqK3I2GrmvBIMPP8ql0Zs/s1600/100_6804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFQj0Cl9jpAEzPF8eLPsH_v0z_JkExcN69hG6n7RooeW2Wd0rb8MMyUZxfemuudyGV_DCrAUyxE6wdB9XJHWlIgeFaZ_51kaqXb315hp0zgoNEADuAqRhgSmqK3I2GrmvBIMPP8ql0Zs/s640/100_6804.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tourist. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL3DAgIGHtg5LJfDp_kWSaCNr-dg8LnJZF8oCBl7ow6-y3j5R3MwFnH66nefjq7CUonUXPxRyyVd_D_FSB3Cxis58UevZnm8Lbk1uGoyTdXNNKVHAZHpB02Yb0AIHFJ6ZiZy_6eptUF8/s1600/100_6808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL3DAgIGHtg5LJfDp_kWSaCNr-dg8LnJZF8oCBl7ow6-y3j5R3MwFnH66nefjq7CUonUXPxRyyVd_D_FSB3Cxis58UevZnm8Lbk1uGoyTdXNNKVHAZHpB02Yb0AIHFJ6ZiZy_6eptUF8/s640/100_6808.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This building is also there. I don't remember what it is, but I thought it was pretty, and I'm a sucker for old stonework. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleBRT6W4XQa4o3YvUPnDfYXAZPzoVEo-POAsSXmKsoWHqCuFx6vTv_riyQ3Lw0EuBLyf5_xB3fK2hfpDwP7qT4WEUDRRYjM7KMQiiwEJITTLOIUa6VsbuMfJYoOXGnCPyhLS4WgI5pDU/s1600/100_6809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleBRT6W4XQa4o3YvUPnDfYXAZPzoVEo-POAsSXmKsoWHqCuFx6vTv_riyQ3Lw0EuBLyf5_xB3fK2hfpDwP7qT4WEUDRRYjM7KMQiiwEJITTLOIUa6VsbuMfJYoOXGnCPyhLS4WgI5pDU/s400/100_6809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Usually, my photography skills are not so lacking when I decide to document a trip to a foreign land, or well, anywhere, but for some reason, I don't think I really captured the essence of this pretty little patch of Canada. However, this is the best shot that I have of the main drag of Niagara on The Lake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5wUEC6Io-EO_4puMBZdp2qWlLb6yujnS1r6tArgEvOlOTdboSD_S0Hg4PzHwnFdakVyq42PWpYPOWV6Tv1ZCrd92LqFTUb9eJHBpCMoRTPVxhkceSBIfn89jlWXyOjlyVDlV6lafco4/s1600/100_6807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5wUEC6Io-EO_4puMBZdp2qWlLb6yujnS1r6tArgEvOlOTdboSD_S0Hg4PzHwnFdakVyq42PWpYPOWV6Tv1ZCrd92LqFTUb9eJHBpCMoRTPVxhkceSBIfn89jlWXyOjlyVDlV6lafco4/s640/100_6807.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>This clock tower is located on the main street of Niagara on The Lake and commemorates the Canadian dead of WWI. It's known as a <span class="correct-word"><a href="http://ninjawords.com/Centopath">Cenotaph</a> which is "</span><span class="definition-marker"></span>A monument erected to honour the dead whose bodies lie elsewhere; especially members of the armed forces who died in battle." Normally, I'd make a joke about 1.21 giagawatts when I see a clock tower, but I'll show a little respect here for the brave Canadians who died on foreign soil long ago. Thank you to the vets of a friendly nation!<br />
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OK, off to see some water!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrdfHN639y5oqkJFzWUIuUgBLP8Xmugds8YMox411Yp4y3g0gsoVUuvj5I2N0dDywrI3002T1ii3kCHLnhBXanq9Ch985eBaJFobHVpB52gH5jaJQj0kYrqMK_h3mWYMcMc2GehTMLfA/s1600/100_6815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrdfHN639y5oqkJFzWUIuUgBLP8Xmugds8YMox411Yp4y3g0gsoVUuvj5I2N0dDywrI3002T1ii3kCHLnhBXanq9Ch985eBaJFobHVpB52gH5jaJQj0kYrqMK_h3mWYMcMc2GehTMLfA/s640/100_6815.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Here's <a href="http://www.niagaraparks.com/heritage-trail/brocks-monument.html">Brock's Monument.</a> Who was Brock? Well friends, he was a British Guy:<br />
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"Major-General Isaac Brock, Commander-in-Chief of British forces in Upper Canada was stationed at Fort George in Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake). He had just returned from a victory over American forces at Detroit. Now he observed the build-up of troops on the American side of the Niagara River from Buffalo to Youngstown.<br />
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On the fateful morning of the battle, Brock raced from Fort George to Queenston. In a valiant effort to retake the Heights of Queenston, he was fatally wounded while leading his troops into battle.<br />
All seemed lost for the British until General Sheaffe, summoned from Fort George, marched with his men of the 41st Regiment, militia and Native forces and gained the rear of the Heights. With one line charge the Americans were routed. This tactical movement ensured a victory for the British and gave the inhabitants of Upper Canada new hope and commitment to the British cause."<br />
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Or, in my own version of history, I think he's the guy that insured Canada would always have the cooler side of Niagara Falls. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7wNKfugkDbgHGB4aQ5KfC53bCCnM4KUL63kYuBiHn519D2m2nvjtcUNXofB0aGlwuBJ-UMWlKExQr44HQRa_aCYPp1y6Wc_90o0IZpChWNDMsHhH9XiacZ2E55Y289P5d9MYHXnkbd4/s1600/100_6816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7wNKfugkDbgHGB4aQ5KfC53bCCnM4KUL63kYuBiHn519D2m2nvjtcUNXofB0aGlwuBJ-UMWlKExQr44HQRa_aCYPp1y6Wc_90o0IZpChWNDMsHhH9XiacZ2E55Y289P5d9MYHXnkbd4/s400/100_6816.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> I believe that's New York across the way. I was excited to see it, if only at a distance. I've never been to the far Northeastern portion of America, and I hope I get the chance to visit it someday. It looks... just like Canada. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvCULpLVe7WruUwO5WtQHSeP5hzhLkxlz0_M3q94IRaxU73sXZC5hQiTR7rr04lttDOsGR9IGkD3Ne4hReWJnHQAuWLpCJJxcr170ppqiihJrqSC-F7pStNeGZneM85bm5_xfV6nMJyQ/s1600/100_6822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvCULpLVe7WruUwO5WtQHSeP5hzhLkxlz0_M3q94IRaxU73sXZC5hQiTR7rr04lttDOsGR9IGkD3Ne4hReWJnHQAuWLpCJJxcr170ppqiihJrqSC-F7pStNeGZneM85bm5_xfV6nMJyQ/s640/100_6822.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Here is the Niagara Rapids Whirlpool! It's an unusual little spot in the Niagara river where certain turbulent convergences create this swirling, churning vortex! Check out the science behind <a href="http://www.niagaraparks.com/media/geology-facts-figures.html">here!</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuBYEoq1inSBJiweB05TOv1PiXNPJqGzHc9EmAxHiI7SBNbzqF-LGb6zMTvAc_a35QcFB6Ts7j6L1u4wtssoo_UqpzBcSQ2FnuBx9glar-bef_u4m5amKkxZ_lXDh72d7-w1kGismxnQ/s1600/100_6820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuBYEoq1inSBJiweB05TOv1PiXNPJqGzHc9EmAxHiI7SBNbzqF-LGb6zMTvAc_a35QcFB6Ts7j6L1u4wtssoo_UqpzBcSQ2FnuBx9glar-bef_u4m5amKkxZ_lXDh72d7-w1kGismxnQ/s400/100_6820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> I think this is the same area, just a little removed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-AjpJJHBAuhLFvJ8B-3BQEWLsoprOGq4R12WtyeyIUY0yQpyPuPjK9kpQwpMfQRTTdKVFV04jFR7aiTWlI56Y7mUHAj2bavQWEhbtCSRqGC_lgI-B0b6B8GIGF8dqKSFe11Q3kQ7hSc/s1600/100_6823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-AjpJJHBAuhLFvJ8B-3BQEWLsoprOGq4R12WtyeyIUY0yQpyPuPjK9kpQwpMfQRTTdKVFV04jFR7aiTWlI56Y7mUHAj2bavQWEhbtCSRqGC_lgI-B0b6B8GIGF8dqKSFe11Q3kQ7hSc/s640/100_6823.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're not normally this pink. However, if you look past our bubble gum faces, you can see the skycar that travels over the whirlpool rapids. (Top left.) We didn't have time to ride it, but it looked like it was a pretty fun time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that's where I'm leaving it, because this post is long enough, and it's almost time for me to jet. Hence, the falls gots to waits. However, next time, it's full tilt to Niagara!</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-23928682474937583152011-09-07T12:13:00.003-05:002011-09-23T14:57:58.593-05:00O Canada!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzO1-cyggaBCwLQGKq8DaAun9F7hbDLvxbtGLXbK7Ewm-9xQJEitVBz7G1WhWEIWTDEqMLyNYSe6B95F4nlqWVBjvyQCDvbHTM-dynzws6I2NYHGjW8zNBWM3AX6F2YVsjLPLrWfucE8/s1600/canadian_flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzO1-cyggaBCwLQGKq8DaAun9F7hbDLvxbtGLXbK7Ewm-9xQJEitVBz7G1WhWEIWTDEqMLyNYSe6B95F4nlqWVBjvyQCDvbHTM-dynzws6I2NYHGjW8zNBWM3AX6F2YVsjLPLrWfucE8/s400/canadian_flag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mygapyearcanada.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-canada-day-to-all-canadian-oyster.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> mygapyear.ca</span></a></div><br />
You're not my home or native land, but I still think you're pretty spectacular. For my 30th birthday this past April, my best friend, <a href="http://chefjennylyn.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a>, surprised me with a trip to Canada! Yeah, I know, greatest best friend ever. In reality, it was all thanks to the Pampered Chef... well, Jenny's ability to sell their awesome products.<br />
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Now, I've been to Canada a couple of times, once, I visited one of their fine French speaking airports for 48 hours... FORTY EIGHT HOURS, thanks to a menacing snowstorm that refused to budge. Angry passengers were yelling at angry airline staff in angry Canadian French. Me, I slept on a plastic chair with my sister and nephew and subsisted off day old bagels and questionable beverages... not the best introduction to a country I've ever had. The second time, thankfully, was much more fun, and can be read about in <a href="http://lhiiiz.blogspot.com/2008/10/and-then-there-was-alaska.html">my very first blog post!</a><br />
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This trip to Canada however, was nothing but straight up awesomeness. But, it did begin a little strangely... I won't rehash, but to say that the worst string of tornadoes to hit Alabama in my lifetime struck the day before we left, leaving everything in a state of havoc. Driving to Jenny's in complete darkness, no streetlights, no store signs, not even a visible moon, was one of the eeriest experiences in my life.<br />
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Anyway...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDUtKdxN2MnfVqFq4qesoUVSOyxbUCK2zKXWGYfmXOD259gyQKZSup8iUR7CNXEtk0F25NP4JRtnDdLwMNRRd8cZvOeIWBo8kiiuif0KA5EGsm7P6DzroF9jWyVktYNyidqhtdKvwe0E/s1600/100_6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDUtKdxN2MnfVqFq4qesoUVSOyxbUCK2zKXWGYfmXOD259gyQKZSup8iUR7CNXEtk0F25NP4JRtnDdLwMNRRd8cZvOeIWBo8kiiuif0KA5EGsm7P6DzroF9jWyVktYNyidqhtdKvwe0E/s640/100_6764.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"What do all these lines <i>mean</i>?"</div>We flew to Canada, hopped our transportation shuttle, dropped our bags off at the hotel, registered, and proceeded to immediately get lost on the streets of Toronto. Now, navigation isn't a strong suit for either of us, and I'm pretty sure we won't be earning our merit badges in map reading anytime soon. Originally, we were looking for China Town, hoping to grab a spot of dinner. Instead we ended up in the gay district looking very much like the helpless, hapless American tourists that we were. <br />
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Eventually, we decided to scrap the plan for China Town and headed towards the somewhat closer Greek Town... not that we knew how to get there either. Thankfully, some kind Canadian lady took pity on us and approached, asking if we were lost and if she could help. With her directions and only a couple of wrong turns, we found our way to Greek Town. We were both pretty exhausted from all the walking getting lost entailed, so much so, we didn't bother to take many (any) pictures, but take my word, Greek Town was excellent, mainly because it offered me a meal consisting of Souvlaki, feta cheese, lemony rice, and pita bread- much better than the... unsatisfying bag of nothing... offered on the airplane.<br />
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And that was day one in the great province of Ontario!<br />
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Day 2, which happened to be my birthday, started very early... all thanks to a couple of high profile Brits. I won't lie... I was excited about the Royal Wedding. I'm not much older than William and have always been interested in the exploits of the British crown. I thought Wills was handsome, Kate, absolutely stunning, and Harry was dashing (and ginger and awesome!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11WPVS476Mo0YQzd41ty_i8uTez5lWCCSBFXHs15SVApbRn7ixzF7KmtsdPSYvXHcf-HTl67n5JBpqzwSH8N3dCNBWiAgNFBt06GTcaMXTElvUDi_wZNpI7CQo6uJ1gbfqw00mSm_O48/s1600/100_6774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11WPVS476Mo0YQzd41ty_i8uTez5lWCCSBFXHs15SVApbRn7ixzF7KmtsdPSYvXHcf-HTl67n5JBpqzwSH8N3dCNBWiAgNFBt06GTcaMXTElvUDi_wZNpI7CQo6uJ1gbfqw00mSm_O48/s400/100_6774.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That dress was <i>perfection.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">After watching the wedding, it was breakfast time... and the Pampered Chef knows how to put on a spread, but you'd kind of assume that given that they're "The Pampered CHEF." It was amazing, but we still went for birthday donuts afterward, because, well... 30.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9Mlo6wjclx5uL8LaGU-THSwgD7dIxYx4lq2cbwZY-FzZfaZHpifUoOQnx6jvGfv-PbXU1GJq7AnCtyhcLqMFPPKWqGCgQ_1S_Fy8BlNG_5sP016qhxz9TnnTt16PUdYPuhoiJ5i0-3s/s1600/100_6778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9Mlo6wjclx5uL8LaGU-THSwgD7dIxYx4lq2cbwZY-FzZfaZHpifUoOQnx6jvGfv-PbXU1GJq7AnCtyhcLqMFPPKWqGCgQ_1S_Fy8BlNG_5sP016qhxz9TnnTt16PUdYPuhoiJ5i0-3s/s640/100_6778.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tim Horton's!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpK4oBPwxXWYfWbjILZ8jV_PykVjINXmTbuaVcTesylbqaqVMCZqvBpNzWPmywTDneVBEEtLqOCvPf3YwF2EavgLhQtnk0W0-K4kd1y4hykZe3IFnpItYaep9yY4GSNN73wzbGIO7FMo/s1600/100_6781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpK4oBPwxXWYfWbjILZ8jV_PykVjINXmTbuaVcTesylbqaqVMCZqvBpNzWPmywTDneVBEEtLqOCvPf3YwF2EavgLhQtnk0W0-K4kd1y4hykZe3IFnpItYaep9yY4GSNN73wzbGIO7FMo/s400/100_6781.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">*Cue Homer Simpson face*</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd never actually had Tim Horton's before this trip, but I'd heard their goodness extolled constantly by Jenny. Personally, I thought they were pretty good, and the one that has cinnamon in it is outstanding, but nothing compared to the wonders offered by our local <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/45/490377/restaurant/Birmingham/Gardendale/Fultondale-Bakery-Fultondale">Fultondale Bakery.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After Tim's... I think we took naps. I know, we're not exciting, but that wedding was at an unholy hour! Besides, it was my birthday, and trust me, that nap was a present. After that, it was time to explore the city a little, and by explore the city, I mean find a place for a birthday lunch. (Seriously, we did do more than eat on this trip.) </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtycInMOHnKfo9bUsbbgKPog1r0ued_53BiKOkp8ucEGXUEkSiZQ7UhYMNDwwMCUW12WY88w6QNoZkduMG2xXrhYT-GAeSUrdO2K-Dgehsbzj8Dr-F-sBupaY3kZwi5JhrGfK7UbqyxPE/s1600/100_6789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtycInMOHnKfo9bUsbbgKPog1r0ued_53BiKOkp8ucEGXUEkSiZQ7UhYMNDwwMCUW12WY88w6QNoZkduMG2xXrhYT-GAeSUrdO2K-Dgehsbzj8Dr-F-sBupaY3kZwi5JhrGfK7UbqyxPE/s640/100_6789.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Though, obviously, eating was a big part of it.<br />
POUTINE! Yes, Canada's famous concoction of fries covered in cheese curds and gravy finally made its way my face. I must say, I wasn't a great fan of this particular gravy, but the concept is a good one. I do like my fries with an obscene amount of ketchup, but this was a nice departure, and with a better gravy, it'd be awesome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySNbcTUMYzEVoHT7IAZawIHVgZA3z7DaLsCgKyHmx6F8XeBWVqOC1do5smsNK5O5qEh-DDD8FOza2GcH4gDypYAhxY2U1S48L14Gjnx3tWpyOz1ZwGcqqEp73JtnnXDK36wsVSMstM78/s1600/100_6786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySNbcTUMYzEVoHT7IAZawIHVgZA3z7DaLsCgKyHmx6F8XeBWVqOC1do5smsNK5O5qEh-DDD8FOza2GcH4gDypYAhxY2U1S48L14Gjnx3tWpyOz1ZwGcqqEp73JtnnXDK36wsVSMstM78/s640/100_6786.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Jenny liked the beer. I still can't stand the stuff.<br />
We had this birthday lunch at a little brewery, Les 3 Brasseurs, which we found while walking around downtown. We didn't know anything about it, but the food was tasty, the service good, and they offered free tours, which was a nice bonus. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0FAkbwqODH7J9mMmIdIS2OPZ1qt2xyeC1PQBi_dibfJkuYIIhEhCq0EOBsS5RFbFExuR_WzCV-c6FZsIpbz3WN9K2QimWxwraJ5rRhyooPMuW2uGMopVetIqGRWXdMWoMzMSJkR3SRs/s1600/100_6783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0FAkbwqODH7J9mMmIdIS2OPZ1qt2xyeC1PQBi_dibfJkuYIIhEhCq0EOBsS5RFbFExuR_WzCV-c6FZsIpbz3WN9K2QimWxwraJ5rRhyooPMuW2uGMopVetIqGRWXdMWoMzMSJkR3SRs/s400/100_6783.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> This gigantic copper kettle is where the hops (or barley or whatever) are cooked... I'm not sure. I'm by no means an aficionado on the brewing of anything, and it's almost sad to have me attempt to explain it. I just know it's a very important part of the process. It's a beautiful piece of equipment, that's for sure. This is the only portion of the operation that's viewable from the dining area of the restaurant. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_xXg7qiOhFfcSDi8izXQxA80wRsP2lp72VEy9umP07ONK8B20tT6pejHGbVndzEq0hj5dhOljWv5XY1l1s3GVimEYXDU_zwT8QBY2QaCW03RV5ryr3cWwWDRoJblqbJU2hT97ZMV4g8/s1600/100_6796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_xXg7qiOhFfcSDi8izXQxA80wRsP2lp72VEy9umP07ONK8B20tT6pejHGbVndzEq0hj5dhOljWv5XY1l1s3GVimEYXDU_zwT8QBY2QaCW03RV5ryr3cWwWDRoJblqbJU2hT97ZMV4g8/s400/100_6796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Here we are out of the public eye, in the working portion of the brewery. These tanks hold the brew and allow it to ferment for however long is necessary. Also, there's a random guy for your viewing pleasure. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6snglwXz1Dwsr_LAs31KmJOMcIOMRgoVv3IYcFHuv-88eQyNZMIkX9IZtWrilcWTDu4pqvpS8EleXc4zRPMxCXJuJ74UAH6fsuZS-qNoiXyDeEhEzZpPQ8XbgdPPQArnFz19FHQn4J8/s1600/100_6797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6snglwXz1Dwsr_LAs31KmJOMcIOMRgoVv3IYcFHuv-88eQyNZMIkX9IZtWrilcWTDu4pqvpS8EleXc4zRPMxCXJuJ74UAH6fsuZS-qNoiXyDeEhEzZpPQ8XbgdPPQArnFz19FHQn4J8/s400/100_6797.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is where they keep all the grain for the various kinds of beer they make. The guy is pointing something out that's probably important, but I was too busy laughing at the pic I'd just taken, (this one) because Jenny seems to be sauntering through the room like she owns it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU-n7PHWMiPBGsh5fJbadTRHUIyLgOkrQssTjO1yE79TOX4rlTShxF4WiQ8Uzsf3WWhYNfdLRjuPUp34odB2m0XtkyK4f4S9tkZqituAV4sVibrL8udBx635zYrDCL8DSQK9cgu2dYxg/s1600/100_6798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU-n7PHWMiPBGsh5fJbadTRHUIyLgOkrQssTjO1yE79TOX4rlTShxF4WiQ8Uzsf3WWhYNfdLRjuPUp34odB2m0XtkyK4f4S9tkZqituAV4sVibrL8udBx635zYrDCL8DSQK9cgu2dYxg/s640/100_6798.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>Maybe she does. Jenny's really, <i>really</i> enthusiastic about beer. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoBXQDuArJtTZkzbS57K87PWRNWQhHuY5XlTqtfI9JX_HmTuScQpMBqyYQN04Vl1C5AMpRDkT4mseq3TbRe-wiZIxPaBdJPRnIBwrliX04gQOXj-Fz62dU_q4S19KpTaIw2ct75gEIWQ/s1600/100_6799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoBXQDuArJtTZkzbS57K87PWRNWQhHuY5XlTqtfI9JX_HmTuScQpMBqyYQN04Vl1C5AMpRDkT4mseq3TbRe-wiZIxPaBdJPRnIBwrliX04gQOXj-Fz62dU_q4S19KpTaIw2ct75gEIWQ/s400/100_6799.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i>Really... enthusiastic. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu6BawTi35PK1zBXbWckK4OFsReeeCnlDLbkFHnPX5orUbo_qeRNkRr-oyjFsG0OKJM_JagLRmRFlWAco_ty4Wc1-cRc9PwrqQBZ6k1hKttdrMLLbsCEsDWlyk-wPDZvjsjvyJ5sjAHM/s1600/100_6800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu6BawTi35PK1zBXbWckK4OFsReeeCnlDLbkFHnPX5orUbo_qeRNkRr-oyjFsG0OKJM_JagLRmRFlWAco_ty4Wc1-cRc9PwrqQBZ6k1hKttdrMLLbsCEsDWlyk-wPDZvjsjvyJ5sjAHM/s400/100_6800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Me, I still don't like the stuff, but I enjoyed the tour. All of the equipment is interesting, and some of it is downright beautiful. Leave it to an artist to be overwhelmed by the aesthetics of beer while not caring for the taste of it! I will say, I would absolutely love to design a beer (or wine) label. They're often beautiful/funny/cheeky works of art. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqhYM44ZkYPUg5MpyKbyDK8RyijDVW8SiFebr8qpxsBhe-6o7bE1TNKwcmBA9zX00aG1RwOb5MfLG_Ihrf3uTrR9gcZyO3MQOTMLytKUjN4KbUzSJxKrgwfjeihjAOOiUFK820zFRoJI/s1600/100_6801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqhYM44ZkYPUg5MpyKbyDK8RyijDVW8SiFebr8qpxsBhe-6o7bE1TNKwcmBA9zX00aG1RwOb5MfLG_Ihrf3uTrR9gcZyO3MQOTMLytKUjN4KbUzSJxKrgwfjeihjAOOiUFK820zFRoJI/s640/100_6801.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>A big thanks to this guy, who took us on the tour. I don't remember your name, brewing guy, but I'll never forget you! (Until, I probably forget you.) After that, we played at being the tourists we actually were. We did a little sight seeing, visited the mall, ("Let's go to the mall! ...Today!") took pictures in front of all the American stores, partook of wedding day cupcakes during a replay of the royal vows, and generally enjoyed the rest of the day and the Pampered Chef banquet that night, in my honor. (Well, probably in honor of the thousands of reps there, but delusions are fun!) All in all, it was a great way to turn 30.<br />
<br />
Next post... NIAGARA FALLS!</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-59203169345584452332011-08-23T11:25:00.001-05:002011-08-23T12:04:24.520-05:00Pardon Our Progress...I was writing about Canada, when all of a sudden I realized I was tired of my blog... the way it looked, I mean. So, I'm changing it. I hate everything I've done so far, so this might take a while. Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-27258505362986442032011-08-04T11:58:00.003-05:002011-09-23T15:00:39.799-05:00Debby Downer posts about Deadliest Catch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah... I'm a slacker. Ok, now that we've covered the basics, let's move along to something else. <s>The only reason I'm blogging today is so I'll feel less horrible about myself. You know what's nice? Being the only person in a group not invited to something... and everyone else having no problem talking about it in front of you. Happy Thursday, Liz, you suck. </s></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><s><br />
</s></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><s>Fine. </s></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, here's more outdated Deadliest Catch stuff. Well, first there's some baseball with friends. The Mariners apparently play this sport, but I think that might be debated by the fans of the game. Lynn, Travis, Kristina, and I all made it into the season opener, sans tickets, thanks to some expert schmoozin' by Trav. The Mariners were my first pro baseball game, so going back was fun. I do have fond memories of that day and the team, even if they didn't exactly win.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMaTWk3YleytUhlakaHi3U-ps-3KTJp0Lt4h0iDDzbhwSDUqaEdXjt3DyX_c9o_Ol9zRgmHS-VzEemhhxkbpaoUTVqBY0KOo30BsqBFrvBXiWVrzjJq3oeopvNPTPz1wgkOI95tKcxPI/s1600/100_6641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMaTWk3YleytUhlakaHi3U-ps-3KTJp0Lt4h0iDDzbhwSDUqaEdXjt3DyX_c9o_Ol9zRgmHS-VzEemhhxkbpaoUTVqBY0KOo30BsqBFrvBXiWVrzjJq3oeopvNPTPz1wgkOI95tKcxPI/s400/100_6641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here's somebody hitting a ball that somebody else probably caught.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuiletAIIDgwV-goja2itXswHFlWkjKiBPN76PT9FELU8_-U5RMWdUpUnjBhyphenhyphenZySToigS__ngbGYuR4V1OgoLi4ioc5_jE62yRKkMCh0RVOD1wKsYkyQ4NEjyhAm-dWJiYpLNdM6Ooy4/s1600/100_6640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuiletAIIDgwV-goja2itXswHFlWkjKiBPN76PT9FELU8_-U5RMWdUpUnjBhyphenhyphenZySToigS__ngbGYuR4V1OgoLi4ioc5_jE62yRKkMCh0RVOD1wKsYkyQ4NEjyhAm-dWJiYpLNdM6Ooy4/s400/100_6640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lynn and I are totally pumped to be at the game, especially since we were late, and tickets were going, going, gone! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSpWR9JH3gTIgQT45riOiHexuUNqV6Ew0tS1JaXqOqCbbzxNwJvBM5U8Q8v-IhQwULilA_reuhnpKQAWz_CuiiLn3JiPeId_v5b_gQ4f9j7AiDLWF1-8iw0AoNKPu_Ep6hkcb7MiKsfg/s1600/100_6642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSpWR9JH3gTIgQT45riOiHexuUNqV6Ew0tS1JaXqOqCbbzxNwJvBM5U8Q8v-IhQwULilA_reuhnpKQAWz_CuiiLn3JiPeId_v5b_gQ4f9j7AiDLWF1-8iw0AoNKPu_Ep6hkcb7MiKsfg/s400/100_6642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...And here's a visual treat for all of us. I now know what Santa does in the off season. He goes to Baseball games, wears a giant hot dog on his head, and probably forces parents into difficult conversations with their children. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnny3btkcN_Epr7Z0XrncKIgA0ZUBB8JCTKLtFuUVfTmYJO77KTLlZjIbcdnIf1cT_Qsg_g2Bt_sfUt2vtkLlBaJUGkmibYBv6BHCrlGCWN8GvurzgUusPJSCPWj8ZitMpJ4PJvNOXW8/s1600/100_6643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnny3btkcN_Epr7Z0XrncKIgA0ZUBB8JCTKLtFuUVfTmYJO77KTLlZjIbcdnIf1cT_Qsg_g2Bt_sfUt2vtkLlBaJUGkmibYBv6BHCrlGCWN8GvurzgUusPJSCPWj8ZitMpJ4PJvNOXW8/s400/100_6643.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish this picture was better, but it's not. Look past the kid on his phone and the grampa in the jacket and see beyond to the dude in the jersey that seems to be sprouting odd, bear-shaped growths. Yeah, that guy... look at him. He's wearing a Mariner's uniform covered in teddy bears. WHAT IS GOING ON THERE? ...Should we hide the children?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgPxbBKfqrh0JRprBAVgHzfQLVAscaKvVu99bjq7bz3WPZfRSoiB6a9YYAYZ-vG9J2dcHNWi_d14WCiJ1_-zdNfphvzEL8d-NbjsfQCvjHZvH9Cj4YL_o4wD-pztWuvza3aGMSExpPr8/s1600/100_6644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgPxbBKfqrh0JRprBAVgHzfQLVAscaKvVu99bjq7bz3WPZfRSoiB6a9YYAYZ-vG9J2dcHNWi_d14WCiJ1_-zdNfphvzEL8d-NbjsfQCvjHZvH9Cj4YL_o4wD-pztWuvza3aGMSExpPr8/s400/100_6644.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you can't tell by the Sad Sam faces in this picture, the Mariners pretty much stunk it up. I felt bad for Lynn... he was so excited to go to the game!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qVJxXN2zOkCzHocGyZxJ2mMKcxOzgYAXdHCCVI07gFfbiw2LX5Q9YIL5urpX4tYieRx1kDgcM3n5jhb4OyfLzEdcDdjsqgNbrwdQpMXT-9FJhRFbFdp18yAyWm2m9PDiKa3GLuXtxWI/s1600/100_6646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qVJxXN2zOkCzHocGyZxJ2mMKcxOzgYAXdHCCVI07gFfbiw2LX5Q9YIL5urpX4tYieRx1kDgcM3n5jhb4OyfLzEdcDdjsqgNbrwdQpMXT-9FJhRFbFdp18yAyWm2m9PDiKa3GLuXtxWI/s400/100_6646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still, it was fun to watch. Live sports are always interesting, and the atmosphere was charged, though it was more a "trade 'em all!" kind of charged... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurqsQSX9NdE31YJ9hHCsZ7eHj0vpSy50lMcRxtG4McTryzHi9njLYmckDDAlCFv_alUzl8ghn0supXlBLhmBjqXqJWGp5F2zc6aBk6jHpSX6mat4BMPUjr2cpkbk3lksy-aZInnlSUgg/s1600/100_6645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurqsQSX9NdE31YJ9hHCsZ7eHj0vpSy50lMcRxtG4McTryzHi9njLYmckDDAlCFv_alUzl8ghn0supXlBLhmBjqXqJWGp5F2zc6aBk6jHpSX6mat4BMPUjr2cpkbk3lksy-aZInnlSUgg/s400/100_6645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our final shot at the game... I forgot to tell Kristina and Trav we were doing "happy fun times faces" for this one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alright, here's some CatchCon stuff... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtDf8U_o4xLAvEntu_qn1VH6QB8gFw_T-ce5y33OXaMuJl-vRa2RoCIO4pEiDpo2K-IOkimnHnLfhkdqJuAL64jD9SV5ysB4zGfKfOWTCcTzBW4-Ci4ZBPx9VQXQ-BxilF7ZdKv2U5HU/s1600/100_6677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtDf8U_o4xLAvEntu_qn1VH6QB8gFw_T-ce5y33OXaMuJl-vRa2RoCIO4pEiDpo2K-IOkimnHnLfhkdqJuAL64jD9SV5ysB4zGfKfOWTCcTzBW4-Ci4ZBPx9VQXQ-BxilF7ZdKv2U5HU/s400/100_6677.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Deckhand relay... always fun to watch. Here you see Mike "THE BEAST" Fourtner getting into a survival suit in record time. It looks like he's about two feet off the ground, but if you look closely, you can totally see his left leg is still on the ground. Optical illusions FTW! Also, his GIANT BOAT shoes may be used as flotation devices in case of emergency.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEQOK0wf-IFTke1u8aSP2VbXoRWs-GDZdRwvh4TA2wbz1iezePr1vY9nZ1MicEEQHoq7079Ob-0C3QuIVXNqTS0AbQdGdDiIH4A1O55-dvksw29keUbARRyKSNX0UOv0MYIrQZQJaQUQ/s1600/100_6681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEQOK0wf-IFTke1u8aSP2VbXoRWs-GDZdRwvh4TA2wbz1iezePr1vY9nZ1MicEEQHoq7079Ob-0C3QuIVXNqTS0AbQdGdDiIH4A1O55-dvksw29keUbARRyKSNX0UOv0MYIrQZQJaQUQ/s400/100_6681.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Around the time everyone else finished the first station of the relay, Mike was done with the whole thing and safety ensconced in his apparently condemned survival suit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzttFbVv1GvobwxYg1S4mqkpQkYWtw7YdnciKbAHSP1PWcEIdIjb5ZP4LL9H8fE8-B-jKsqGVZTJ8VaZxiEPdL57uGvbvLGhyphenhyphen35O0TLWJYfaxL7c_n09Vf_0n6QidGJiE66G3WwqwIg88/s1600/100_6682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzttFbVv1GvobwxYg1S4mqkpQkYWtw7YdnciKbAHSP1PWcEIdIjb5ZP4LL9H8fE8-B-jKsqGVZTJ8VaZxiEPdL57uGvbvLGhyphenhyphen35O0TLWJYfaxL7c_n09Vf_0n6QidGJiE66G3WwqwIg88/s400/100_6682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, everyone else gets in on the fun. Gumby is pleased.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1gq7VNQ4kDALI7L9Pl0vy2FdQPPxCqs66glVYUoX2Js8CiP1ZIhT1ihHXpa-V9_tr6-cC2Tj-QoGiQksoC-8AQU8qtbPBXeTrBa9DIi77euOhJrm8yAgjojW3VT9Ye4V146jyJN69Ng/s1600/100_6683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1gq7VNQ4kDALI7L9Pl0vy2FdQPPxCqs66glVYUoX2Js8CiP1ZIhT1ihHXpa-V9_tr6-cC2Tj-QoGiQksoC-8AQU8qtbPBXeTrBa9DIi77euOhJrm8yAgjojW3VT9Ye4V146jyJN69Ng/s400/100_6683.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jake Anderson gets some nice air as he tries to wriggle into his suit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhnLDQ9pj8SehUwv7s3s82rpMQW_OYn_zJ7EY3xjYzk4lbk6LkgDO31TT4M_Q0SXf2quUk6GCNpFcjeyFz_TdOImDdl_eNd7JfQj1FoUfX1R69n4dZnY58pQTWAxrozhiTOKKY99r_f8/s1600/100_6684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhnLDQ9pj8SehUwv7s3s82rpMQW_OYn_zJ7EY3xjYzk4lbk6LkgDO31TT4M_Q0SXf2quUk6GCNpFcjeyFz_TdOImDdl_eNd7JfQj1FoUfX1R69n4dZnY58pQTWAxrozhiTOKKY99r_f8/s400/100_6684.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, you've got to help a brother out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmVt_F9fQECDprHa_IJPxymT70_ZUFXw6Cg0dBXVMeLvVqxorcZuKZvziCkdA0eUakztURIO1cXYe_mqc23Wi1RcCK-dcmiwWQjzJeIzrKWjXOo-q_dLBfo1tsksKy8KYX5pkEwBVEEw/s1600/100_6685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmVt_F9fQECDprHa_IJPxymT70_ZUFXw6Cg0dBXVMeLvVqxorcZuKZvziCkdA0eUakztURIO1cXYe_mqc23Wi1RcCK-dcmiwWQjzJeIzrKWjXOo-q_dLBfo1tsksKy8KYX5pkEwBVEEw/s400/100_6685.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poor Lynn, he got caught up in the "toss the hook" portion of the event, and it took him a little longer to get to the suits. Also, notice his hat. That Mariner's game was pretty bad...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fp7SaQVJbikdVYf8zJGWlIaaS7Ubwqdg020V869EKS5etleYlkE5zNxn4h347mMd-MZqEKoml5unM2rL744VIjss0jTYJiFAxBFoh08dbdFeYhi2zETRT9Cg2NiZ3Qsq1Mnufo3p5fY/s1600/100_6687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fp7SaQVJbikdVYf8zJGWlIaaS7Ubwqdg020V869EKS5etleYlkE5zNxn4h347mMd-MZqEKoml5unM2rL744VIjss0jTYJiFAxBFoh08dbdFeYhi2zETRT9Cg2NiZ3Qsq1Mnufo3p5fY/s400/100_6687.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's some determination on that face right there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzG9Y8LwtbJbNOAZuhtb4ueLkJOhU_WLsKuVS2Obn606eZuVskyXA3Q6pqr8AsKMOwG14ENqNqA896qmCGoq2MNJJwOnnRjXVQGIfxU4qEzMycPwTPq_GlrCrP2t9cUVtXh6k52CpAMTI/s1600/100_6689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzG9Y8LwtbJbNOAZuhtb4ueLkJOhU_WLsKuVS2Obn606eZuVskyXA3Q6pqr8AsKMOwG14ENqNqA896qmCGoq2MNJJwOnnRjXVQGIfxU4qEzMycPwTPq_GlrCrP2t9cUVtXh6k52CpAMTI/s400/100_6689.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lynn was in his suit in record time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS8cuNLkGzNjJFAFLyFeaUvYIjeDNNY7tMUl89Tf3BtCyLodHhznNtWafC99TLSYsteLU3-ztgefvDxYgRSJN9D3_jdVjYS661sq7Npxk4Zs-rNwGoCaj22YR672AB3YfzObjDlLRiv4/s1600/100_6690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS8cuNLkGzNjJFAFLyFeaUvYIjeDNNY7tMUl89Tf3BtCyLodHhznNtWafC99TLSYsteLU3-ztgefvDxYgRSJN9D3_jdVjYS661sq7Npxk4Zs-rNwGoCaj22YR672AB3YfzObjDlLRiv4/s400/100_6690.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And well, Lynn, you look kind of murderific in this shot. Just sayin'. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOM3hohGJ8gohwioobEWiOEmNjqnEeXuo1WwEX5YLgKUg97o5Nz6SEJ4y_owv2j2km720Zchr_O5oTJ2Gg5X9g_TPQn4nPTEEVAHjHK8jy5g63M_2MdrPvgErN78M4p8sAs2Ul4NzHg0/s1600/100_6651.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOM3hohGJ8gohwioobEWiOEmNjqnEeXuo1WwEX5YLgKUg97o5Nz6SEJ4y_owv2j2km720Zchr_O5oTJ2Gg5X9g_TPQn4nPTEEVAHjHK8jy5g63M_2MdrPvgErN78M4p8sAs2Ul4NzHg0/s400/100_6651.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">A little later, or earlier, I don't remember timelines at all... Lenny was out there on the ground coiling line like a pro. You know, Lenny doesn't get his due on the show, but Lenny's awesome. He's a super nice guy, and funny, and totally rocks the deck and engine room. So, let him know! Give him a shout out on <a href="http://www.crabwizard.com/crabwizard-forum/">Crabwizard</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHoJV4zdLq1JkTAHR60pFDLUoabtWpq55wVO_lx770N_gS0ZJJO9dksZDrsrgHXp0ulwNgwF7NOEyOTpONUp1yxls7lkjsNdL0eYnS0yyrvAZEezIcHH73CbWhzDuCUNcZIUI-NYtnHo/s1600/100_6655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHoJV4zdLq1JkTAHR60pFDLUoabtWpq55wVO_lx770N_gS0ZJJO9dksZDrsrgHXp0ulwNgwF7NOEyOTpONUp1yxls7lkjsNdL0eYnS0yyrvAZEezIcHH73CbWhzDuCUNcZIUI-NYtnHo/s400/100_6655.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The Captain's Panel. This is one of the most enjoyed aspects of CatchCon. Jeff Conroy, moderates the forum and the Captains answer questions posed by fans about what was seen during the season, or whatever is on their minds relating to the show, crabbing, life in general. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSzTYZpmolKQSeOvPC6PgUZ3UQeYGiS81hAv9ooem0NHZW4-HumETixiCdWc3UtTB3UdZ6_8FfJ_jAuZdpZvYtYMKUu6pVxx4jBFiYV35kTZ7KfL-snuKGfJNOOdBGEZNV2a9mKbo1gU/s1600/100_6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSzTYZpmolKQSeOvPC6PgUZ3UQeYGiS81hAv9ooem0NHZW4-HumETixiCdWc3UtTB3UdZ6_8FfJ_jAuZdpZvYtYMKUu6pVxx4jBFiYV35kTZ7KfL-snuKGfJNOOdBGEZNV2a9mKbo1gU/s400/100_6658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here, Captain Scott Campbell Jr. a newbie to the show, but not the fishing biz is answering a question about something or other. Capt. Keith looks on, and as you can see he was still wearing a brace from some recent surgery. Of course, it's no secret I'm a Wiz gal, but I really like that Capt. Scott and his Seabrooke. I think they're a good addition to the show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEinaybe3zZEMyXlfDAbeEi6H_-u7ds9i9eXUyWJVab2v8nXt84XnExrnh0MgAeOTOLMcPdgKpNLnd653XGQcZSWRZ53d4Tzyk_JCGjCJK3zqENFvvb90H__Wxati1LwrIuoLph2CXIY/s1600/100_6661.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEinaybe3zZEMyXlfDAbeEi6H_-u7ds9i9eXUyWJVab2v8nXt84XnExrnh0MgAeOTOLMcPdgKpNLnd653XGQcZSWRZ53d4Tzyk_JCGjCJK3zqENFvvb90H__Wxati1LwrIuoLph2CXIY/s400/100_6661.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jake Harris was around being a goofball and enjoying the festivities... and his brother was somewhere else shooting off his mouth. I won't go into it, but suffice to say, he needed to check himself. And that's all I have to say about that. I hope they're both doing well, and getting through the sad times/ problems that have plagued them so heavily during the last few years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IGBW6oiLah0-SZieopPcunQdiC56tjhz_W2K4N1CEu91uE_ALAjyA5WLqsU4tBxq7MQ8C3_0W9hsiksOduzQAPwK1rOb_FFboFWrfazqPAYypj2RzTJ7KKt06XY7Xnim__AiEi4B6kM/s1600/100_6647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IGBW6oiLah0-SZieopPcunQdiC56tjhz_W2K4N1CEu91uE_ALAjyA5WLqsU4tBxq7MQ8C3_0W9hsiksOduzQAPwK1rOb_FFboFWrfazqPAYypj2RzTJ7KKt06XY7Xnim__AiEi4B6kM/s400/100_6647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This was a huge highlight from my trip. I finally got to meet this lady! This is my friend Mel and we've talked online for years on various forums and facebook. It was our love of the <s>deliciously handsome</s> er, highly talented <a href="http://www.coreyfishes.com/">Corey Arnold</a> and of course, Deadliest Catch, that brought us together. I was so thrilled to finally get to meet her. I can't wait to see her again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-I9z2URk8Z2SY5ro3PPkmzUUdwHE0rlksFrGYfuZZpieGW747GdPPZayQFpuCRsLqasXngaAAF-EJzje08VB7d9iPCEyBaDgC-slavPD6MwSkTsuh1uUfnIJkP4hRIMfFUBH7d5pzh0/s1600/100_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-I9z2URk8Z2SY5ro3PPkmzUUdwHE0rlksFrGYfuZZpieGW747GdPPZayQFpuCRsLqasXngaAAF-EJzje08VB7d9iPCEyBaDgC-slavPD6MwSkTsuh1uUfnIJkP4hRIMfFUBH7d5pzh0/s400/100_6694.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't get to see that much of this guy, which kind of sucks. As most DC fans know, Trav jumped aboard the F/V Time Bandit this season, and has been doing some excellent racing with Time Bandit Offshore, so if you know of a super boat race in your area featuring the one and only Travis Lofland, make your way out there and support him and the crew. Oh, and Travis, head back to B'ham sometime soon, K?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGvu8mS-iuFk1seuJmCZiwUo8p1p91CgD7RF7ouHv-kWFTvbnd4y5Ute4hhq_IrJiWetPZu0w8NaLZDWXHcXS0XyTZUBaoLwKDuO8NjXtTSWCpUrUmuBYRZiMKzOU4I4cXE5zS6WfzOo/s1600/100_6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGvu8mS-iuFk1seuJmCZiwUo8p1p91CgD7RF7ouHv-kWFTvbnd4y5Ute4hhq_IrJiWetPZu0w8NaLZDWXHcXS0XyTZUBaoLwKDuO8NjXtTSWCpUrUmuBYRZiMKzOU4I4cXE5zS6WfzOo/s400/100_6695.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> Paul Sr. from American Choppers was there and unveiled the Deadliest Catch Bike. I don't have any pics of Paul, but here's a couple of the paint job on the tank and fender of the bike. There was some cool chrome work as well, though I didn't care for the wheels. However, my pics don't do the paint justice. Check out the pics from CC and of the bike on <a href="http://www.crabwizard.com/photos/catchcon-2011/">Crabwizard</a> for more, including Sr. introducing the bike.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN9aCXf7fWDcKWLeZw1EdPmtTTj2FNS8t531gYYqqVc3Zn-9ybqP0DSoACRDcCDO2oteicaolLgfgAybMTt127kZZuSlczzF9CFxIfn2n-8u18v733xVZgcfyeq638B1f0IqOL3zK75k/s1600/100_6697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN9aCXf7fWDcKWLeZw1EdPmtTTj2FNS8t531gYYqqVc3Zn-9ybqP0DSoACRDcCDO2oteicaolLgfgAybMTt127kZZuSlczzF9CFxIfn2n-8u18v733xVZgcfyeq638B1f0IqOL3zK75k/s400/100_6697.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that color scheme, and of course, seeing the Wizard, even in illustrated form, is always a treat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, I think that's all I'm going to cover. Everything else was just good times with friends, and I don't really have any more pictures. <s>Sorry I'm such a Debby Downer today, but you know, being snubbed is just<i> so</i> fun.</s></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next post: Tornadoes abound, I turn 30, some English people get married, and I find myself in Canada. Such is my glamorous life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-30875954795592760052011-06-14T15:58:00.001-05:002011-06-14T15:59:50.367-05:00CatchCon 2011: Part Two-It's About a Staircase!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjlSqioNfwoIoA27kSjcFGNQ5k9VKP6VC23aueK9PzOimKWOd7J0X-HUIAT7W29QVdIPZZIAjNSnSmglhY2qvsK55WSbppEOKtH_RWR4giuBBAPsLvTqyA0jvw0AD2M-zGJiPH3ImuyE/s1600/100_6578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjlSqioNfwoIoA27kSjcFGNQ5k9VKP6VC23aueK9PzOimKWOd7J0X-HUIAT7W29QVdIPZZIAjNSnSmglhY2qvsK55WSbppEOKtH_RWR4giuBBAPsLvTqyA0jvw0AD2M-zGJiPH3ImuyE/s400/100_6578.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We were being filmed coming into the pier. I'm not sure they've done that before. I honestly don't recall from years past. Most of us were on the bow of the boat, taking pictures, thus ruining what would probably have been a dramatic shot. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1XVJN5YcNMkkIBkI5P1NylwqG9NeGBzsVh441UACCz5KOD5Ru379ZQ62bMuqztg8amMfWR53Y_EP6O1-sFCWj-vAtgIqTIW_QrkUMMiSHGjPPJe4SVgQ56ff9iUHhJuvCquuk5OWddY/s1600/100_6584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1XVJN5YcNMkkIBkI5P1NylwqG9NeGBzsVh441UACCz5KOD5Ru379ZQ62bMuqztg8amMfWR53Y_EP6O1-sFCWj-vAtgIqTIW_QrkUMMiSHGjPPJe4SVgQ56ff9iUHhJuvCquuk5OWddY/s400/100_6584.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made him pose for this shot. I'm awesome at interrupting serious work. Anyway, that's a monkey fist knot and it weighs down the line he's holding so that he can toss it to someone on the pier and drag the big lines through to tie up the boat. Hooray for not drifting! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7_m2iLIaCY0v8NQHKC74IDRgcc7tYET3G46S0xG_S8ckbGusibpHXL1I8QLck02WeFMYawNNGgVLCRxXI7z0vE21dykCcEjGmnUFq-vUgKhPp_QXS6QZ9v-oELtWkWuXJ8iVj9tZApk/s1600/100_6588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7_m2iLIaCY0v8NQHKC74IDRgcc7tYET3G46S0xG_S8ckbGusibpHXL1I8QLck02WeFMYawNNGgVLCRxXI7z0vE21dykCcEjGmnUFq-vUgKhPp_QXS6QZ9v-oELtWkWuXJ8iVj9tZApk/s400/100_6588.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we were secure, the NW slipped in beside us, being driven by none other than...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMs8aSHdT5yULqp_DnUgFIA9d49vRQLhe6Q7PpXMzYD4m6SLG6fPJdZ1wVWZZLwvQfY7Wm5w3nWaeS1JKUv7dU-Cts0v4kWpkxLo-QlnsJ7ZfgRCMJl66iQDp3LRWlUbmwHJaGAsgEEA/s1600/100_6614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMs8aSHdT5yULqp_DnUgFIA9d49vRQLhe6Q7PpXMzYD4m6SLG6fPJdZ1wVWZZLwvQfY7Wm5w3nWaeS1JKUv7dU-Cts0v4kWpkxLo-QlnsJ7ZfgRCMJl66iQDp3LRWlUbmwHJaGAsgEEA/s400/100_6614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Edgar Hansen! Jake Anderson was of course, there to help out as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEnOyFz9eD3bzB4DraZDOrq6dP-F01rZmug97Ga5-x-b_u5RIGo4wIllFfpcQ6QZ_K9sLEje83CzwvziWLApLODLGcs1BmkDh19JNBssOHFVKPLLWBWRWt0BUeycJM0SnT-Oh2s0fnuI/s1600/100_6611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEnOyFz9eD3bzB4DraZDOrq6dP-F01rZmug97Ga5-x-b_u5RIGo4wIllFfpcQ6QZ_K9sLEje83CzwvziWLApLODLGcs1BmkDh19JNBssOHFVKPLLWBWRWt0BUeycJM0SnT-Oh2s0fnuI/s400/100_6611.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Edgar's not fond of taking direction from others when it comes to tying up the boat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCa9Fy6ilnbY5ZmtmO7uEYBhWr8bXH5k6vpwFFJAwOIYRxQWqw84bAqjp_s3yK1SNd1KCI0LIp1SZqiMBYgXfaS90a2PPb2LiJmtsN7PqVi1atTQY1kZjokfx_oNfH3Pz0XSFJOaxONk/s1600/100_6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCa9Fy6ilnbY5ZmtmO7uEYBhWr8bXH5k6vpwFFJAwOIYRxQWqw84bAqjp_s3yK1SNd1KCI0LIp1SZqiMBYgXfaS90a2PPb2LiJmtsN7PqVi1atTQY1kZjokfx_oNfH3Pz0XSFJOaxONk/s400/100_6605.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Matt Bradley was around for the ride too! Good to see him back on the deck, even if he doesn't look happy to be there. (Oh, and Ryan, if you happen to read this, show up next time, k? How else can we get fake married and freak out our loved ones?)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTssX9Y2EtVQIv4mdx69ltB9jnBqCMGtam0XcdeSd-ZleAi7H8mgAm2kGbGR_EZkqLrD1XQ0CPzX3V2AB8QsKQ9eA85YKAOZeDDA-YzZxeTNTB4GVWf0EJbgyHkTUzqku86a0NCfNDGvY/s1600/100_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTssX9Y2EtVQIv4mdx69ltB9jnBqCMGtam0XcdeSd-ZleAi7H8mgAm2kGbGR_EZkqLrD1XQ0CPzX3V2AB8QsKQ9eA85YKAOZeDDA-YzZxeTNTB4GVWf0EJbgyHkTUzqku86a0NCfNDGvY/s400/100_6607.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here, Jake and Matt are setting buoys between the two boats along with Danny Maki! Danny is one of the new crewmen on the Wizard and a super guy! It was great to get to meet him, and I'm looking forward to the next time I see him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-QAULK52EzdppaUntaagprRExtFCewd-UxJkNjrdDgko_ioL-3uNe8zd9-pLOOs2fP74HeqGD1cbMhJzFgn-MBTyFYENX64dC8zjDfakKjGQu64peWoK7kvqVoT6__WUHMQA7991Gm0/s1600/100_6600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-QAULK52EzdppaUntaagprRExtFCewd-UxJkNjrdDgko_ioL-3uNe8zd9-pLOOs2fP74HeqGD1cbMhJzFgn-MBTyFYENX64dC8zjDfakKjGQu64peWoK7kvqVoT6__WUHMQA7991Gm0/s400/100_6600.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also managed to snag a shot of the elusive Norman Hansen. I once spent an evening just talking to Norm about all kinds of stuff. He's actually a very nice guy with a great personality, just kind of quiet. I'm sure he doesn't remember me in the slightest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl_6pSzxo8KO4CJ0vbipAW6jw6DUPdlcXcqz7FvXMtaaTUpcExxDL9kFfU0Cb2xy61N-fjtPuf8uM7QO23Vnwe_QmSEFLon8FUjrmvkdi-ii-ykzVEE_10qOaa7mZOjJlOeLRPn6nDIU/s1600/100_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl_6pSzxo8KO4CJ0vbipAW6jw6DUPdlcXcqz7FvXMtaaTUpcExxDL9kFfU0Cb2xy61N-fjtPuf8uM7QO23Vnwe_QmSEFLon8FUjrmvkdi-ii-ykzVEE_10qOaa7mZOjJlOeLRPn6nDIU/s400/100_6615.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monte and Keith directing the action on deck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRm-iADj7Pkh8Dg-suA5ZmbFqBZGf_BL47rksIDPrVXZRdq0MyUzc6XlNTxdCbDOzwt-x0HmrVXLcq8PrNr7_sOMjyCUODCGAPpb_hLt1ylVCzN_hfWQruYd95U9HirV9FoDChbwiEj8/s1600/100_6602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRm-iADj7Pkh8Dg-suA5ZmbFqBZGf_BL47rksIDPrVXZRdq0MyUzc6XlNTxdCbDOzwt-x0HmrVXLcq8PrNr7_sOMjyCUODCGAPpb_hLt1ylVCzN_hfWQruYd95U9HirV9FoDChbwiEj8/s400/100_6602.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the camera guys was filming everything. I tried to stay out of his way. I probably failed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrhyCNmxLpF4AMJRM78lkA8sbdiFlbFIXUuChnwmwL4fEeGNvW6-IPYHht-_6EmAw-WtXNkC6WuSA66ztTAG0XsG3Xe_98svU1BM6DnTiaiXFaEyjQqvy7j20bHlda6IFylyclyJHkbc/s1600/100_6619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrhyCNmxLpF4AMJRM78lkA8sbdiFlbFIXUuChnwmwL4fEeGNvW6-IPYHht-_6EmAw-WtXNkC6WuSA66ztTAG0XsG3Xe_98svU1BM6DnTiaiXFaEyjQqvy7j20bHlda6IFylyclyJHkbc/s400/100_6619.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here you can see Soper running the crane... FROM BEHIND HIS BACK, just like he does during the season, so that he can keep his eyes on the deck. Great skills... he has them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xkLLtruLYxEKNeVbDO9GEY4bVU5CPi90-aQT_n07X-dYm-LwcUynt9WNPBgSB32oao1yK5csExj3-ryaPdWkcdfHrzDoc5T7s4RfVJsQHvfTYI0PykzGV-wwczZHvQMysKFFCN5ZEMg/s1600/100_6627.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xkLLtruLYxEKNeVbDO9GEY4bVU5CPi90-aQT_n07X-dYm-LwcUynt9WNPBgSB32oao1yK5csExj3-ryaPdWkcdfHrzDoc5T7s4RfVJsQHvfTYI0PykzGV-wwczZHvQMysKFFCN5ZEMg/s400/100_6627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> At one point, the crane actually sprung a leak, and here's Lenny, well, his hands at least, taking care of it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupEJ1ofERzJ33ghdxynVTfQ-bbXXWjOe-lQugJ5Q_R8dEzztiKEgSGB9Jj3OV1vjJSvEKFASnVJ4nX6KTW5h50cWF_UKZ2McYa8gbtdCL57dj-ZnpzuazjffcTdkmUd48fGf85PkK1Ec/s1600/100_6621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupEJ1ofERzJ33ghdxynVTfQ-bbXXWjOe-lQugJ5Q_R8dEzztiKEgSGB9Jj3OV1vjJSvEKFASnVJ4nX6KTW5h50cWF_UKZ2McYa8gbtdCL57dj-ZnpzuazjffcTdkmUd48fGf85PkK1Ec/s400/100_6621.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sorting table has to be moved out of the way so that people can walk on the deck during the tours... outside of bagging bait, it's times like this when it's handy to have greenhorns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_DcB5k55VNmc6ZkfmodAIPHUnw1enpcpya1oso_wqNiRNEH9xYH7do7q3cKCsPY4uo2s31MeXdWgG46o0Fh1e1_Zcx8x88J0_0MrRgN38zBL1l-IXf2hqSMqeli3SWgjgOJUtEaAaBM/s1600/100_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_DcB5k55VNmc6ZkfmodAIPHUnw1enpcpya1oso_wqNiRNEH9xYH7do7q3cKCsPY4uo2s31MeXdWgG46o0Fh1e1_Zcx8x88J0_0MrRgN38zBL1l-IXf2hqSMqeli3SWgjgOJUtEaAaBM/s400/100_6624.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know this isn't the most interesting shot ever, but I like it, a lot. The crane was swinging over my head, and I managed to snag a shot as it buzzed past. I figure this is a "crab's eye view." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvIc0cxoKT_5cuI94DP0HmGldcRz9XLO3EIhsH4_i5Q7iDrpzdIQ3u4XBn4GQmjIaJoLlPP4rjuK4q3Gq3Uo1XxFT_LK_5Th2QbvSntY2iDVA8YWkvAd4uR3VZO0vCT8J90l721Mtick/s1600/100_6633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvIc0cxoKT_5cuI94DP0HmGldcRz9XLO3EIhsH4_i5Q7iDrpzdIQ3u4XBn4GQmjIaJoLlPP4rjuK4q3Gq3Uo1XxFT_LK_5Th2QbvSntY2iDVA8YWkvAd4uR3VZO0vCT8J90l721Mtick/s400/100_6633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After moving the table, it was time to bring the gangway down onto the deck so that people could travel onto the boats. That giant metal staircase is weird. The stairs aren't deep, and they're too long, but not quite long enough that you want to take two at a time, so you end up just kind of shuffling down it while the boat is rocking, praying you don't take a header down the sucker. It's like the stairway to heaven... by which I mean, it's surprising nobody had died on the thing yet. Deadliest Catch, deadliest staircase. "On a staaaaaaircase I ride..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, I'm ending this one here... with a staircase... because I'm <s>lame</s> awesome like that. Next up, the Mariners disappoint Lynn Guitard, and CatchCon 2011!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-24805584128826255492011-05-31T14:14:00.001-05:002011-09-23T15:02:40.386-05:00CatchCon 2011: Part One- Sailing, Sailing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbLUUCSxcYtBrr2NYRddLI111etOvmHOmuGlorVCiG16iRVjScgNP30onoh09ODYW0a9vYLl9SYr31s0lnu2rRApcab9OyfttsIfXdYOTiVLY-4lGRLs327j6l8TojeYU4VWR0RfG5Eo/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbLUUCSxcYtBrr2NYRddLI111etOvmHOmuGlorVCiG16iRVjScgNP30onoh09ODYW0a9vYLl9SYr31s0lnu2rRApcab9OyfttsIfXdYOTiVLY-4lGRLs327j6l8TojeYU4VWR0RfG5Eo/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> CatchCon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I'm finally posting about Seattle where another round of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch convention, CatchCon took place. Like the previous CatchCons, it was full overrun with fans and fishermen alike! Of course, my experience is usually a bit deviated from the norm at these events, and this year was no exception.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The flight into Seattle was the standard cross country adventure, nothing to write home about... or blog about for that matter. The ride home however was a terror-filled, white-knuckled panic fest, but I'm getting ahead of myself. After landing, I met up with my fabulous friend, the wonderful Cindi, since she was landing only a half-hour after I did. Together, we grabbed our bags, headed outside and met up with our friend Lynn and two of his friends Brianna and Danielle, who were good enough to come pick us up from the airport. Lynn and Cindi are pretty much bff, and he's just a great guy all around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5mssbINoem0QZrVvNvzbkwhz1-UOpKbI5iXM8NCK0xftq3ailHGJWpQPw5qxJJtmBqOlCwI0PmubNYBd_mLm7h-GtLdf-yYL_6XOvZP6Pu6nK5jBctSiWS9r1RfYkGy8p4aHNOzhOO0/s1600/Photo0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5mssbINoem0QZrVvNvzbkwhz1-UOpKbI5iXM8NCK0xftq3ailHGJWpQPw5qxJJtmBqOlCwI0PmubNYBd_mLm7h-GtLdf-yYL_6XOvZP6Pu6nK5jBctSiWS9r1RfYkGy8p4aHNOzhOO0/s400/Photo0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me, Brianna, Cindi, Keith, Danielle, and Lynn at The Market Arms... good times!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We ended up in Ballard at a little establishment called the Market Arms, just outside of PacFish, where we met up with Keith, Monte, Lenny, Gary, and a few of other people. It was a fun night of swapping stories, playing a few darts, and making new friends and catching up with old ones. However, it was getting late, heading towards the 2 A.M. mark, and we all had an early morning coming at us hard, so we turned it in for the night. The morning would bring us back to PacFish for our annual visit to the F/V Wizard!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-SYQgxE8hxLvW5A0oIiKu-z4XYDWgmcyn1y30jt4AOac-07QwmQX9JljtGKKWyMaOP-3BRpNP7wrTMzXJE6yOhESyklVvqgb_u_hzWU82tIFvvOHDwAd2l7wx4ztjiiRPn7gdRpFzu0/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-SYQgxE8hxLvW5A0oIiKu-z4XYDWgmcyn1y30jt4AOac-07QwmQX9JljtGKKWyMaOP-3BRpNP7wrTMzXJE6yOhESyklVvqgb_u_hzWU82tIFvvOHDwAd2l7wx4ztjiiRPn7gdRpFzu0/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+017.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once the lines were untied, we started off pretty quickly. Unfortunately, Monte and the new greenhorn Danny were still standing on the deck of the Pinnacle! However, Keith maneuvered the boat close enough for them to hop aboard, no man left behind on the Wizard!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhFT-nuVB1EkvxCpdcAn57Mji3-2C_6RnKu58lks1nvDVjqHeQra73mHj9k2-A0S-HV5Ks_fiwvmh5uMJIzrKn34f1qY8wcmiA35y7Ys4dWIBcVzfPSluhUjHVrURFYBZB3hhV3aoN_s/s1600/100_6524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhFT-nuVB1EkvxCpdcAn57Mji3-2C_6RnKu58lks1nvDVjqHeQra73mHj9k2-A0S-HV5Ks_fiwvmh5uMJIzrKn34f1qY8wcmiA35y7Ys4dWIBcVzfPSluhUjHVrURFYBZB3hhV3aoN_s/s640/100_6524.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lynn! He's becoming a seasoned vet of the CatchCon shindiggery now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsV0QhORh98YhIS5RdvSrcPEqWFWjXOOS4_knSDX_NOVLyxoOeBqszE8dM-sceFJr77PnItXQwjKPMSR5ONA8yXkb5268K7WgI1mArAIPIJQxZkKt2ALWjNI9XpIUJK6RaXMFwxAAcjQ/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsV0QhORh98YhIS5RdvSrcPEqWFWjXOOS4_knSDX_NOVLyxoOeBqszE8dM-sceFJr77PnItXQwjKPMSR5ONA8yXkb5268K7WgI1mArAIPIJQxZkKt2ALWjNI9XpIUJK6RaXMFwxAAcjQ/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Craig Terrill was kind enough to pose for a pic with Jackie and me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a huge crowd on the Wizard this year for the morning crossing. Craig Terrill from the Seattle Seahawks, several people from Discovery Channel, friends and family of the crew, Peter Moran from <a href="http://www.rezinmarketing.com/">Rezin Marketing</a>, who does a great job for the Wizard, and then there was us! It was a gorgeous morning for a boat ride.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvbHtx9j9Qb0AbtnH4nL_-j5WX6iqfZc_2Cz-kFyUO0h3mGZpSFoGdR3deqo02Efpt_iifxQv89VKgJC4WrkPhdX-tH03ggzdn1Adwb6RDqokmrrGa_qpBrnWggD3vrMR0VBlHdMAYPg/s1600/100_6521.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvbHtx9j9Qb0AbtnH4nL_-j5WX6iqfZc_2Cz-kFyUO0h3mGZpSFoGdR3deqo02Efpt_iifxQv89VKgJC4WrkPhdX-tH03ggzdn1Adwb6RDqokmrrGa_qpBrnWggD3vrMR0VBlHdMAYPg/s400/100_6521.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Norwegians!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS_gNdlFZVBqkN9rRS1tt6kmpeOuoDpC1PNchnBOlyDgasq4JNpvUKV3Xj9-KkZdWoX-xiIcKhJTU8zOY10u61Y076WFHPJCPHj3NO9jGgOn55jcoBCrSG1FXgie3PU7qbaYrKFy8Shg/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS_gNdlFZVBqkN9rRS1tt6kmpeOuoDpC1PNchnBOlyDgasq4JNpvUKV3Xj9-KkZdWoX-xiIcKhJTU8zOY10u61Y076WFHPJCPHj3NO9jGgOn55jcoBCrSG1FXgie3PU7qbaYrKFy8Shg/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+025.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Of course, the F/V Northwestern was gearing up for the ride over as well... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdOWP_vR5e7Yt_UvFU_Ru9COsBp7lM3ERfGyZqIZ9NYAEIxCzI2kUdW0HoG_Ud_7lU0MEVKJ11_Syo7FbJe8RwthjbNtrKRXN9KgNB3zXQ_rBOtvKWXqwfeFyr-tTfUuECCyZTsuodmE/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdOWP_vR5e7Yt_UvFU_Ru9COsBp7lM3ERfGyZqIZ9NYAEIxCzI2kUdW0HoG_Ud_7lU0MEVKJ11_Syo7FbJe8RwthjbNtrKRXN9KgNB3zXQ_rBOtvKWXqwfeFyr-tTfUuECCyZTsuodmE/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...Complete with camera crew!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUClASNnsaf6mf9KxFVOpGY1jpPOeF91w150ei2l_7qVsiBVsYruZnhwgGiCsl0Vk_0EfIcmlDLKgOmc_z-NZ11BuRna-NVZpnGWi8iKCenCs3L3xjjX8kDaI-lxHjyLJUCDCdjohhBBo/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUClASNnsaf6mf9KxFVOpGY1jpPOeF91w150ei2l_7qVsiBVsYruZnhwgGiCsl0Vk_0EfIcmlDLKgOmc_z-NZ11BuRna-NVZpnGWi8iKCenCs3L3xjjX8kDaI-lxHjyLJUCDCdjohhBBo/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+030.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Captain Sig Hansen. Sig wasn't on the boat by the time we arrived at the Locks. I'm not sure if he hopped aboard or drove over to the pier actually. All I know is that he showed up at some point after the boats docked. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen6Nd7edFiwxfvS6Mxq9qnYNBUmZ0KIAbVgRxV4ahfwvGyTSBJg36bzkt_I9E0aYFOpE8v8zJcK_g1CW-H0wPzK9we-H09cZdfyWvnzw9RHrcOhEkmoI7OsFPD2vscnv6PFOGqqqy4kU/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen6Nd7edFiwxfvS6Mxq9qnYNBUmZ0KIAbVgRxV4ahfwvGyTSBJg36bzkt_I9E0aYFOpE8v8zJcK_g1CW-H0wPzK9we-H09cZdfyWvnzw9RHrcOhEkmoI7OsFPD2vscnv6PFOGqqqy4kU/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We make this same face and take this same picture at every single event we attend together. We're awesome. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7E3JJAQB-8lUTsSd0pEo_nTqpqvdbNlWs3J78dU6tPFNRkXS_W99otkWFhM1ZURKAjqBIALfjHaMbncxg9_ioygFlTm9FV1bq2BH22zEtcRfMQEI6QP6ByYi0Hhzmu_vu1FgotVPypA/s1600/100_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7E3JJAQB-8lUTsSd0pEo_nTqpqvdbNlWs3J78dU6tPFNRkXS_W99otkWFhM1ZURKAjqBIALfjHaMbncxg9_ioygFlTm9FV1bq2BH22zEtcRfMQEI6QP6ByYi0Hhzmu_vu1FgotVPypA/s640/100_6556.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's a shot of a lot of the folks with us for the day on the bow of the boat. Discovery, business partners, deckhands, and a Seahawk or two are all enjoying the ride. Still, I think Jax and I had the best seats in the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG6VP5rdomYUjvamiquOZEb6kvwE_K2QbQQdqUPMdL87SgP6mhLyqwA_hdRUkrh2_DR9O46KGERuv73yutIXRvX3_8xLCn6_OlGtqOyzdTFDokp9fJNRD_EkLeYzIoKaodsOKPAUr1CM/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+032.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG6VP5rdomYUjvamiquOZEb6kvwE_K2QbQQdqUPMdL87SgP6mhLyqwA_hdRUkrh2_DR9O46KGERuv73yutIXRvX3_8xLCn6_OlGtqOyzdTFDokp9fJNRD_EkLeYzIoKaodsOKPAUr1CM/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+032.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Riding high! Jackie and I get a great view from the top of the F/V Wizard's Wheelhouse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsSwNkoVIZ40Nagr08FJFKBZ1-4UaCpcxE5vun-hOsZgcBfq29wmo-yYU6TSotNsYvUvanaoqN4oLh0jr7le0MYhMkLhH_AAT6KLDzn-ebAvX-lP44vreRSJeYw_2pIuqRrIeeWK1CFg/s1600/100_6539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsSwNkoVIZ40Nagr08FJFKBZ1-4UaCpcxE5vun-hOsZgcBfq29wmo-yYU6TSotNsYvUvanaoqN4oLh0jr7le0MYhMkLhH_AAT6KLDzn-ebAvX-lP44vreRSJeYw_2pIuqRrIeeWK1CFg/s400/100_6539.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a stowaway or two make their way to the deck as well! It seemed a few ravens wanted to take the ride from the terminal to the pier! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTZLj0yLvtaM8t1ScGm-y2LvS4qQMXuHLEn5h9aGkoXHAljcIEyKqFJeKkqKKiXtAEWZKHw1kJxuBAlLMK7T6BF_020NM39MxQ5R5_yNcoyG1Y2vVK-DgLKXnWwWv_2BZ4Jo7eHlXRiE/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTZLj0yLvtaM8t1ScGm-y2LvS4qQMXuHLEn5h9aGkoXHAljcIEyKqFJeKkqKKiXtAEWZKHw1kJxuBAlLMK7T6BF_020NM39MxQ5R5_yNcoyG1Y2vVK-DgLKXnWwWv_2BZ4Jo7eHlXRiE/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+036.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKowEFDMYFoB0EMipyUp4VVMrM_Cs8_z-3d21ArVVaJuD98SPHUjyRLf8qF5Fb2zBoNd6U0eNO5Lu6TwugCdpvxQ6oyRYqtFRD9py7CjMRCiJkYd4qufW0BGUP8LD0rwcWIFsJ5DzyI8Q/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKowEFDMYFoB0EMipyUp4VVMrM_Cs8_z-3d21ArVVaJuD98SPHUjyRLf8qF5Fb2zBoNd6U0eNO5Lu6TwugCdpvxQ6oyRYqtFRD9py7CjMRCiJkYd4qufW0BGUP8LD0rwcWIFsJ5DzyI8Q/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+055.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought this was a nice shot of Gary Soper. Soper's a cool guy, quiet, but with a great sense of humor. It's always nice to get to see him when I'm around for one of the functions. You'll probably recognize him from the cover of Season 6's DVD box! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPYmOcP3DFK2OxNR5b5uKJ3n6nGbftItD0Jm0PF8mi0mzNVeVAPnPuaEohfArvw0Iifhrmkl035xYNZEeFF38FT3i8LqPl3OxV6iWCWX9MPkv04a3gFaPEgWNnVGcwzkkdihc5_b-wHc/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPYmOcP3DFK2OxNR5b5uKJ3n6nGbftItD0Jm0PF8mi0mzNVeVAPnPuaEohfArvw0Iifhrmkl035xYNZEeFF38FT3i8LqPl3OxV6iWCWX9MPkv04a3gFaPEgWNnVGcwzkkdihc5_b-wHc/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I always love sailing in and seeing the city appear in the distance. The grey, cloud-filled sky just screams "Seattle!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5F0Mopxiqrxr6qdS7Iuua1F4YjzVuvCE6Aj_aiXmbw7NtqYnhyIq5l-_IdJQkZqzqJNnZYuL7hKN5yFrY4sCsUpXzAZnUgvZ9ujhlU-X4Cn-ZRGIPoCAxe0xymbAqECc7pwpE9F1-LI/s1600/100_6565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5F0Mopxiqrxr6qdS7Iuua1F4YjzVuvCE6Aj_aiXmbw7NtqYnhyIq5l-_IdJQkZqzqJNnZYuL7hKN5yFrY4sCsUpXzAZnUgvZ9ujhlU-X4Cn-ZRGIPoCAxe0xymbAqECc7pwpE9F1-LI/s640/100_6565.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, what ride into Seattle would be complete without a picture of the Space Needle?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF2l17zVMGaGtruCaGKDyO3gnESDCQNK-S_WMX6wU_zZki6c_Jh4wI3gSQ7j-SCUa45Pbe-r-uwC68GodPXagX_Tjy2uqIOdHHlGF5_HROieMg3rxdK6SlaSLATHpdffzuVBni2U_NvY/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF2l17zVMGaGtruCaGKDyO3gnESDCQNK-S_WMX6wU_zZki6c_Jh4wI3gSQ7j-SCUa45Pbe-r-uwC68GodPXagX_Tjy2uqIOdHHlGF5_HROieMg3rxdK6SlaSLATHpdffzuVBni2U_NvY/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we were sailing in, a Coast Guard chopper seemed to appear out of nowhere and fly directly over the boat! I've only seen them two other times, once at a previous CatchCon during a rescue demonstration, and again in Panama City, FL after a very tragic double red flag day when they were out searching for several bodies. The memories are chilling, one for what could happen, the other, for what did. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZsvAmA4tGroZWoBy5uWhNJVIhVN2AsKi7agM-lJ4H8yttONEpAsOhApCk_VAaxcSglJIuGFHSuE_NNNq3uu700yjD5Fd30mT9HWLPG7i_5YUJcCd6RtB_OvT3-FegagsWEkxxkn85Fg/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZsvAmA4tGroZWoBy5uWhNJVIhVN2AsKi7agM-lJ4H8yttONEpAsOhApCk_VAaxcSglJIuGFHSuE_NNNq3uu700yjD5Fd30mT9HWLPG7i_5YUJcCd6RtB_OvT3-FegagsWEkxxkn85Fg/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+063.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you, US Coast Guard, for all you do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5AxjSIcO3v5Vq_NLneUfUagWIgmLv4hiFuyehe9a4fX7vI6pbQ7CKDvtRFnyGOFwypSj1R7LIH2iGkm2-hEBbbBOGr8AuEUKQbBIyA2F1k5EZGQSDf6uD0NaxxXAYw8CBFX7G87tBME/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5AxjSIcO3v5Vq_NLneUfUagWIgmLv4hiFuyehe9a4fX7vI6pbQ7CKDvtRFnyGOFwypSj1R7LIH2iGkm2-hEBbbBOGr8AuEUKQbBIyA2F1k5EZGQSDf6uD0NaxxXAYw8CBFX7G87tBME/s400/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> There it is, The Bell Harbor Conference Center, and the pier I've come to know so well. The next day will be a long one...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrrWbxGhciZJ-fU_vHuImA0A7u0BVDLZCb0fL1t6zwVI0nzSj3thqkhWlwJ1GgOL8kCJ2EWAR0tK2-IdbE5i8PKuEZ9goekavVY_6G5Dyu_4z0E2cxJ_e_KFPuC0INZVJ4ci2VkyCZ-M/s1600/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+065.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrrWbxGhciZJ-fU_vHuImA0A7u0BVDLZCb0fL1t6zwVI0nzSj3thqkhWlwJ1GgOL8kCJ2EWAR0tK2-IdbE5i8PKuEZ9goekavVY_6G5Dyu_4z0E2cxJ_e_KFPuC0INZVJ4ci2VkyCZ-M/s640/CatchCon+2011-Seattle%252C+WA+065.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, as always, I'm loving every minute of it! Next up, docking the boat, "hey, look, it's Edgar," and other shenanigans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-34544694982201380702011-05-03T10:08:00.001-05:002011-05-03T10:16:56.439-05:00Alabama Tornado Outbreak April 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-n5YkFWc30LAteZThcQHsuZZsR-T_aAVf3RKT1O2D2bAOOH7R0N3-4mBHZYj32nw7gTBJeCZ6bJm2VrTD3CezmWrMlCIoPJGIJ4VtP5lLgsdeMxfoTHcKoCevpFG67nkKcPHWZsNBHc/s1600/5663209152_acdc3b44c0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-n5YkFWc30LAteZThcQHsuZZsR-T_aAVf3RKT1O2D2bAOOH7R0N3-4mBHZYj32nw7gTBJeCZ6bJm2VrTD3CezmWrMlCIoPJGIJ4VtP5lLgsdeMxfoTHcKoCevpFG67nkKcPHWZsNBHc/s400/5663209152_acdc3b44c0_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/heycameraman9/5663209152/">heycameraman@flickr</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1.5 mile wide wedge Tuscaloosa-Birmingham tornado in downtown Tuscaloosa, AL.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On April 27th, my home state, Alabama, along with several other Southeastern states, was hit by a devastating outbreak of severe weather. It has now been estimated that roughly 362 tornadoes touched down over a three day span, the 25th-27th, 312 of which occurred on the 27th. The destruction and loss of life was staggering. We had excellent warning, days of notice that severe weather was coming, and for many, up to half an hour of tracking coverage before an actual strike... still, the absolute power of the storms was too much, and despite the fact that these storms were taken very seriously by the majority of the populace, they were simply to strong, too big, too deadly, and many were killed in spite of their safety measures. So far, over 350 deaths have been recorded, and over 300 people are still unaccounted for.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismUuJ34SQ3xlqiimC5bWwibCjE2GLueyNKqt6dHbo8BkX3_qZu-Alb4wL55I18V4q4Mw_Y5uk6K1gp9BQ3gHE42UF2qDhmZqJR1VCt0V9btt-P5HpwC1HitllSPJyI-KDqlLsiP2Nlso/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-03+at+8.44.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismUuJ34SQ3xlqiimC5bWwibCjE2GLueyNKqt6dHbo8BkX3_qZu-Alb4wL55I18V4q4Mw_Y5uk6K1gp9BQ3gHE42UF2qDhmZqJR1VCt0V9btt-P5HpwC1HitllSPJyI-KDqlLsiP2Nlso/s400/Screen+shot+2011-05-03+at+8.44.56+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2132346949"> AGU Blogosphere Dan </a><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0pt none; clear: none; color: #00e000; cursor: auto; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0pt; outline: medium none; padding: 0pt; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; text-indent: 0pt; text-transform: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: inherit; word-spacing: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: none; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0pt none; clear: none; color: #00e000; cursor: auto; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0pt; outline: medium none; padding: 0pt; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; text-indent: 0pt; text-transform: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: inherit; word-spacing: inherit;"><a href="http://blogs.agu.org/wildwildscience/2011/04/29/incredible-video-of-tuscaloosa-tornado/">Satterfield </a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Statistics courtesy of <a href="http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/april_2011_tornado_information.html">NOAA</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> The clean up and relief efforts have started, but this isn't something that can be fixed in a week or even a month. The people affected by this storm will need long term support. The areas hit were highly populated, both urban and suburban. Communities I have known my whole life are gone, and people are left with nothing. These are my neighbors... these are your neighbors. Please offer whatever support you can, time, money, goods, blood, prayer... all of it is needed. Remember them when the next sensational story overshadows the coverage of their suffering. Below are some links where you can donate or sign up to volunteer your time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/responding_to_deadly_tornadoes/">Samaritan's Purse</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.redcross.org/">American Red Cross</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf">Salvation Army </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://feedingamerica.org/">Feeding America</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.servealabama.gov/2010/default.aspx">The Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://foundationbirmingham.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/tornado3/">The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Local churches are also organizing aid distribution and drop off sites, so check in your community to help at these aid stations. Also, contact your city hall for more information. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have been affected by the storms, please contact <a href="http://www.disasterassistance.gov/">FEMA</a> to apply for federal aid. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE7wV-IpIrX5krAKuG1Yv41-qtUP-P1GXHl380qyCpV9EvJgrjLKCcXWVuS4VdjZvZ28YLtym08qJDetGKEw7EG0xbF-AHnQJHq9OpyBkWyW6nNGgDTVArL8ctZtrjQ9tdNAcZ2O5Gsw/s1600/tuscaloosa-tornado-from-33-40_jpg_scaled500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE7wV-IpIrX5krAKuG1Yv41-qtUP-P1GXHl380qyCpV9EvJgrjLKCcXWVuS4VdjZvZ28YLtym08qJDetGKEw7EG0xbF-AHnQJHq9OpyBkWyW6nNGgDTVArL8ctZtrjQ9tdNAcZ2O5Gsw/s400/tuscaloosa-tornado-from-33-40_jpg_scaled500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://americannation.info/archives/devastation-and-death-in-the-south-nearly-300-dead-from-killer-storms-rampage-video/"> American Nation.Info</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPkU7FuIENgVKrUAjRubtYwAB0UKfVE4qyALY-vVpb7IpbgNCo_y1xVjWZb581VKx_M2Ll20N6s6THiKwB8R6LCLbzWlNqFVNesqrZnpfJyuKV2rLJlcExmIBhoeFHCSU4R2xo9wRtnU/s1600/bp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPkU7FuIENgVKrUAjRubtYwAB0UKfVE4qyALY-vVpb7IpbgNCo_y1xVjWZb581VKx_M2Ll20N6s6THiKwB8R6LCLbzWlNqFVNesqrZnpfJyuKV2rLJlcExmIBhoeFHCSU4R2xo9wRtnU/s400/bp1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/04/tornadoes_kill_over_200.html">Boston.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This site has many pictures of the devastation and puts a human face on much of it, such as this photo of a grandmother comforting her granddaughter... this tragedy happened to real people. (Fair warning, some of the reader comments are atrociously ignorant.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcBCujj8JTKxTPEPyEk1iU-dlN4sJQj26B9ibaMuc6oOWs0XgOWnedDajgKTKe8ejkuaD9KMT6dbxmRiWtbgfbMGvM47D11aI_pkCfL4jTiDhOM2ipLraDRhkt78vwfgoxiYXl1fjFw8/s1600/14527497_BG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcBCujj8JTKxTPEPyEk1iU-dlN4sJQj26B9ibaMuc6oOWs0XgOWnedDajgKTKe8ejkuaD9KMT6dbxmRiWtbgfbMGvM47D11aI_pkCfL4jTiDhOM2ipLraDRhkt78vwfgoxiYXl1fjFw8/s400/14527497_BG1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14527497/tornado-touches-down-in-cullman?clienttype=printable">myfoxal</a>(courtesy Beth Shelburn's fb page)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cullman County's tornado, destroyed much of downtown Cullman, including homes and businesses.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0giIsnvHwuzd9J8QqxX-oqWzAhhjGfAeVY_-hn-zLoC8FiaTERxntlEjktKXAT2hsXWv25_vPowNikkC4InFgIZrc2pxr3F8t8qFi-qPEg0wf1_4q1ojhnxe2jIxVHjMmK8yWE_kMfA/s1600/209717_1673879814679_1467948282_31347457_5531978_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0giIsnvHwuzd9J8QqxX-oqWzAhhjGfAeVY_-hn-zLoC8FiaTERxntlEjktKXAT2hsXWv25_vPowNikkC4InFgIZrc2pxr3F8t8qFi-qPEg0wf1_4q1ojhnxe2jIxVHjMmK8yWE_kMfA/s400/209717_1673879814679_1467948282_31347457_5531978_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://wxbrad.com/?p=1101"> wxbrad</a><br />
The damage path of the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham tornado as seen from 41,000 feet.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A few, pictures from own community:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmI_BwDI1O2Y3dh4rurkvGJi9jgAbkZ9BywkqV5AHJP5Y26XZLJCiihrDHYe0_GQQ6q75QhTk5iiicv1dDOYKIJfHwZLwvBGjA_Qkr-BKJeDKDFBo9jvWmUfOp4uhMmMM9dIwri3lc5E/s1600/100_6965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmI_BwDI1O2Y3dh4rurkvGJi9jgAbkZ9BywkqV5AHJP5Y26XZLJCiihrDHYe0_GQQ6q75QhTk5iiicv1dDOYKIJfHwZLwvBGjA_Qkr-BKJeDKDFBo9jvWmUfOp4uhMmMM9dIwri3lc5E/s400/100_6965.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> These apartments have been condemned. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXUcOEhALqkuLHzTOA1JMAs6vxoQPC9M6gaLxukb-ueJxHC9NiGiI9jHYHST8vhyjBhBKFjKLCK3OXldz4HZLaUrw8Ls7LpNCYn2dTIn8rUfMJuUBUsuZl0HvDNe6PIWbBr-UdTLkiFw/s1600/100_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXUcOEhALqkuLHzTOA1JMAs6vxoQPC9M6gaLxukb-ueJxHC9NiGiI9jHYHST8vhyjBhBKFjKLCK3OXldz4HZLaUrw8Ls7LpNCYn2dTIn8rUfMJuUBUsuZl0HvDNe6PIWbBr-UdTLkiFw/s400/100_6967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Metal siding was ripped off like paper.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0RbUogeOySCkBtQyKNS7Vtny38dWML1RdWkpLq_5znofykynWhTULEXr3WFNm_j7OYzVVma8CGfB6XuAVS5ApY5KFc7yLpjU-2ZoZ4RjqT1s2Pbiu04jFqPR5ffvg5d6RNHXCzbD_lU/s1600/100_6968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0RbUogeOySCkBtQyKNS7Vtny38dWML1RdWkpLq_5znofykynWhTULEXr3WFNm_j7OYzVVma8CGfB6XuAVS5ApY5KFc7yLpjU-2ZoZ4RjqT1s2Pbiu04jFqPR5ffvg5d6RNHXCzbD_lU/s400/100_6968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Completely destroyed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X3szL1N277M-d5lAT77Ie1oKsuAyC6mJrSz4-aUeR0xrtfJh5u9lvBZ_7ETzrEJcuZn_qaMP-ODmiU7MP99KMkJDfNxtzch3boqytubPo-BDOgMdUY3tMfxLzHxWkAEI0bIoL1kdG8Q/s1600/100_6969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X3szL1N277M-d5lAT77Ie1oKsuAyC6mJrSz4-aUeR0xrtfJh5u9lvBZ_7ETzrEJcuZn_qaMP-ODmiU7MP99KMkJDfNxtzch3boqytubPo-BDOgMdUY3tMfxLzHxWkAEI0bIoL1kdG8Q/s400/100_6969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Total loss, owner has decided against rebuilding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The damage shown here is along the main stretch of highway and in no way shows the complete picture of what was affected. Other homes and businesses suffered greater damage. It is surreal, the extent of the destruction state wide, regionally wide. I have debris in my yard from 60 miles away, people's mail, parts of their homes...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Cullman, Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, Hackleburg, Cordova, Concord, Athens, Fultondale, Smithfield, Rosedale, and many, many other communities need our help.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'." Matthew 25:40</i></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-24408405109222309802011-04-06T23:32:00.000-05:002011-04-06T23:32:05.647-05:00Deadliest Catch, Seattle, and More! ...All Over Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8djDGu2K0syhdt4Hl7hKWbXZajZ6mEJLnmbc36CZlCdRay6kaLhA2I8CfBRTYe9pSX6-Y34kUqDFUGhyphenhyphen8H15uzYEwYCB-Cxv8oyYuvlZ67UNsVkBpUbLKrZ_ObpjSZSYgr9wbiXYdo2w/s1600/wizettes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8djDGu2K0syhdt4Hl7hKWbXZajZ6mEJLnmbc36CZlCdRay6kaLhA2I8CfBRTYe9pSX6-Y34kUqDFUGhyphenhyphen8H15uzYEwYCB-Cxv8oyYuvlZ67UNsVkBpUbLKrZ_ObpjSZSYgr9wbiXYdo2w/s400/wizettes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Me and my friends! (Photo courtesy of Discovery)</div>Yep! I'm heading off to Seattle tomorrow, as I've done pretty much every April for the past 3 years. It's time for Discovery's Deadliest Catch CatchCon again, and I'll be right in the middle of it! I'm hoping to see some old friends and make some new ones. For anyone who won't be going but wishes they were, be sure to check out the live webcam on Discovery which will be streaming from 12:30-6:00 PM PST on Saturday, April 9th! Who knows, you might even see me hanging out on the F/V Wizard!<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1129733088"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/deadliestcatch/catch-con/live-event-video-2011.html">LIVE WEB CAM! </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN81VGrRqGC8QiY6Ms5MTsKnguQLdS9msAzuDMKdHhQXmXdOk-OIRbWixBQ_2LIrbqEBqkestMidMtGopdR57CUxw3UNwVJGGVxX48xtvSfbmjYHueXM8oHW8tEDJ_XQiHim9oQGgeWvo/s1600/keith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN81VGrRqGC8QiY6Ms5MTsKnguQLdS9msAzuDMKdHhQXmXdOk-OIRbWixBQ_2LIrbqEBqkestMidMtGopdR57CUxw3UNwVJGGVxX48xtvSfbmjYHueXM8oHW8tEDJ_XQiHim9oQGgeWvo/s400/keith.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hope to see you there! (Photo courtesy of Discovery)</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-15703436992700474602011-03-17T23:26:00.004-05:002011-03-20T14:45:56.071-05:00Somewhere Over The Rainbow...Cake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH3Bq-OIHXKW1Sd7oJ6GFAY2Z-4-Nx-jOLoNyCM_3En6yoqouWpAZ82nro11Te4EAYvgpP3lOZh6D4c_k8T6HAtlGfQfg7r50cewFuN-4rbawOKy0UhFco6iIKK3c6dh6iVTT57jgB78/s1600/March+16th+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH3Bq-OIHXKW1Sd7oJ6GFAY2Z-4-Nx-jOLoNyCM_3En6yoqouWpAZ82nro11Te4EAYvgpP3lOZh6D4c_k8T6HAtlGfQfg7r50cewFuN-4rbawOKy0UhFco6iIKK3c6dh6iVTT57jgB78/s400/March+16th+072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night, my best friend and I got together to do a little baking. Of course, if you've met either of us, you know this wasn't a polite little get together to make dainty tea cookies. No, this was an exercise in creative insanity. Previously, I'd experimented with making a <a href="http://www.bukisa.com/how-to/make-an-awesome-rainbow-cake">Psychedelic Rainbow Cake</a>, and found that not only was it amazingly fun, it was magically delicious! Now Jenny, my best friend, happens to a Pampered Chef consultant, but not just any Pampered Chef consultant! No, she's the <i>REAL</i> Pampered Chef Consultant... and you should check out her blog: <a href="http://chefjennylyn.blogspot.com/2011/03/rainbow-cake-with-marshmallow-fluff.html">Real Kitchen. Real Life</a>, which features this cake today. It'll be worth your time. Trust me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, if you don't know us... this is Jenny:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFTElXkw57gbCwmQPyrN-OlaKchk-4XNpA7wEp6B8aF_J5DTgLfqwj5Z7w6tb09w5Lk5GaLcyeMtZ0ebGNb-1wNCwAEPOQc13a3IbBZP5NjZDnUqEwB2QGf-qoU6sgWq4vbx1I8UmrpM/s1600/March+16th+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFTElXkw57gbCwmQPyrN-OlaKchk-4XNpA7wEp6B8aF_J5DTgLfqwj5Z7w6tb09w5Lk5GaLcyeMtZ0ebGNb-1wNCwAEPOQc13a3IbBZP5NjZDnUqEwB2QGf-qoU6sgWq4vbx1I8UmrpM/s400/March+16th+064.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is me:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheaAP0psRC9RyzMKVYzkwqO2V44woQbiAODgyXvrg8kRBcp_t7bdd8h0-jYMSZfcC4pqw5_pUbGhxmdGYhHEYaiqYTs3h_zaW9pdMkWYcmxAkeHCNrDUftJmdgoByJCAYzJW281NifH8/s1600/March+16th+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheaAP0psRC9RyzMKVYzkwqO2V44woQbiAODgyXvrg8kRBcp_t7bdd8h0-jYMSZfcC4pqw5_pUbGhxmdGYhHEYaiqYTs3h_zaW9pdMkWYcmxAkeHCNrDUftJmdgoByJCAYzJW281NifH8/s400/March+16th+066.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course, you've met the cake already.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Jenny and I might have a slight flair for the dramatic, and honestly, we'll take any opportunity to make something more eventful than it would normally be. So, instead of just making the cake, we decided to add a St. Patrick's Day Flair by dressing up in as much green as I could wrestle out of my closet. What made it even better? The fact that nothing matches. None of those greens go together... at all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRweByYd5iroYlYFwni2ISFzmMIrXklRXnlWbnDPj3rp2BEP5wzpubl7yHZQ0qv1OXu3Ua6Sj0SUue_kYAbwz42Iu4xlbLuVWwP70BLp3OA8hv1VAEzqWeQ7GluzL57Fp8EnwHOFSA1U/s1600/March+16th+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRweByYd5iroYlYFwni2ISFzmMIrXklRXnlWbnDPj3rp2BEP5wzpubl7yHZQ0qv1OXu3Ua6Sj0SUue_kYAbwz42Iu4xlbLuVWwP70BLp3OA8hv1VAEzqWeQ7GluzL57Fp8EnwHOFSA1U/s400/March+16th+013.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Here I am whipping some eggs together. I am, apparently, really, really happy about that, but why not? Those eggs make cake, and what's not to like about that?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWgGmdhRuNu92KxN2WCu6r-Nv59zSfsMuaroFz02JuOyo2a8fLRHHKiZR_7SK41G7ND7lnfUc6UBMxivTMCms9nsvuRp5aDlcUy_zIxl4HkBPiJIXSK4MNHeSvdtBrIRJG9ulFAwFKRc/s1600/March+16th+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWgGmdhRuNu92KxN2WCu6r-Nv59zSfsMuaroFz02JuOyo2a8fLRHHKiZR_7SK41G7ND7lnfUc6UBMxivTMCms9nsvuRp5aDlcUy_zIxl4HkBPiJIXSK4MNHeSvdtBrIRJG9ulFAwFKRc/s400/March+16th+023.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Here's Jenny mixing the cake, and wearing my favorite pair of socks. Jenny's an unconventional kind of girl who sees a sink as more than just a place to wash dishes or fill stuff with water. She views it as a physical challenge. Balance, coordination, and the ability to mix a cake while teetering on the edge of a thin strip of counter are all skills Jenny aspires to perfect. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfjCk66lOLp1MTRKZbnrjSmfHnhN9PUaUhAya7hmFfP61navjEXmqD3wWiaKxtMuyVOeTkK5_SMdYjAXN6Z1qDIlINpiJy9ieOCB3PiN_Xvp8YX4Wj9mGmPaD7qVroA13HrV2yt3cAJc/s1600/March+16th+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfjCk66lOLp1MTRKZbnrjSmfHnhN9PUaUhAya7hmFfP61navjEXmqD3wWiaKxtMuyVOeTkK5_SMdYjAXN6Z1qDIlINpiJy9ieOCB3PiN_Xvp8YX4Wj9mGmPaD7qVroA13HrV2yt3cAJc/s400/March+16th+035.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Of course, we all know the most important part of a rainbow cake is the color. Otherwise, it'd just be, er... cake. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!) Still, you might think coloring a bowl of white batter would be child's play, like melting crayons in the toaster, but I assure you, it's an exact science. Just look at that concentration!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVU21-jKr1pxw_qJYwyP-VAWbupRMd2dFqWl6-YtnWbo3_ekuQqrs8lG_HJqbjI_H-ze9eyhgmGgU6NsiMBOCXL3tMmOO6RUaf2pixdZHz-HuEYrk3zPu0v8K1LW06NK1JiHrO57u8EQ/s1600/March+16th+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVU21-jKr1pxw_qJYwyP-VAWbupRMd2dFqWl6-YtnWbo3_ekuQqrs8lG_HJqbjI_H-ze9eyhgmGgU6NsiMBOCXL3tMmOO6RUaf2pixdZHz-HuEYrk3zPu0v8K1LW06NK1JiHrO57u8EQ/s400/March+16th+042.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Each of these colors were mixed using a very complex systematic equation to obtain optimum colorization. This might be above some of your heads, but I'll go ahead and write an example for you. Because, as an artist, I know all about the maths.<br />
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There are two bottles of blue, one neon, one regular. Here is the ratio: A bunch of neon blue to Not as much regular blue. Thus, your equation would be:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>(a bunch of)Nb+(not as much)Rb="yeah, that looks good."</i></div><br />
Exact. Science. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcEeHr7TDUuCMkU6PvW3GSXPBpHyheiHMSaoT2op8ASAE64UQ_jztCYcXurrkbgQdKBgvjxMq5wSurETBauQwNCYnO_G_4U_l6SI6In-m0BaSO-ejXcbZLjqX9tDhEFJkweEj8fNdXo8/s1600/March+16th+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcEeHr7TDUuCMkU6PvW3GSXPBpHyheiHMSaoT2op8ASAE64UQ_jztCYcXurrkbgQdKBgvjxMq5wSurETBauQwNCYnO_G_4U_l6SI6In-m0BaSO-ejXcbZLjqX9tDhEFJkweEj8fNdXo8/s320/March+16th+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Now, like all exact sciences, take chemistry for example, you don't really have to pay attention when you're pouring stuff from one thing into another. Just assume it's right. It'll be fine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-IYGgG07Ubx6Ejbdbc0ry5Hn6HWpioJmByx0s7JHHnsFZnsSvLECtLPjXO8RszWfPckaFhVyz4YD21O6o67P08AlhJ0-qw1zrToyU5Je3DC4fLdd5gKphWkLhi9kW_ATv0WlrhDeC4k/s1600/March+16th+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-IYGgG07Ubx6Ejbdbc0ry5Hn6HWpioJmByx0s7JHHnsFZnsSvLECtLPjXO8RszWfPckaFhVyz4YD21O6o67P08AlhJ0-qw1zrToyU5Je3DC4fLdd5gKphWkLhi9kW_ATv0WlrhDeC4k/s320/March+16th+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See? It's awesome! That's what science (magic!) does. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2k6n1FrdyCCX5nh5x9uObaznUVeuq4A8z7TW3LJViQlSa5CI0EOMhIvr18oVmNKxwMskXoPFtGAilRHT2daXq03u-C9dWPg_3HWinkFSR-YH7FmPgt5J9ESHIrRtlWJd0yk9xvqwrpI/s1600/March+16th+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2k6n1FrdyCCX5nh5x9uObaznUVeuq4A8z7TW3LJViQlSa5CI0EOMhIvr18oVmNKxwMskXoPFtGAilRHT2daXq03u-C9dWPg_3HWinkFSR-YH7FmPgt5J9ESHIrRtlWJd0yk9xvqwrpI/s400/March+16th+056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After you've baked the cake and let it cool as much as your greedy face will let it, spread on some icing. Now, don't go thinking this is some kind of canned crap. Oh no, this is the homemade stuff, with marshmallow fluff no less. You don't get much better than that!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoQWriYWjjGbBPB_x1nMIB1OKO7nJYrFt93B5McA_Jn3BiFlvM4zrkSXXhtVriAMCxmiWhrmMRE7yUzrAq57iihw2oj7s3l_fV_6TllAqp0Bz9rQ749Hi8wMIyMxZkqA1u7wf0GyqDpQ/s1600/March+16th+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoQWriYWjjGbBPB_x1nMIB1OKO7nJYrFt93B5McA_Jn3BiFlvM4zrkSXXhtVriAMCxmiWhrmMRE7yUzrAq57iihw2oj7s3l_fV_6TllAqp0Bz9rQ749Hi8wMIyMxZkqA1u7wf0GyqDpQ/s400/March+16th+071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Slap those layers together, ice the rest, and cut into that rainbow on a plate! (Two layers! Double rainbow on my plate! So beautiful... What does it mean!? ) All memes aside, I have to confess that we didn't actually eat any of the cake, we just cut it to show it off for Jenny's blog. She's going to take it to her brother's birthday party, so others can experience the wonder. However, I did have some (most of) the one I baked last time, and let me tell you... if that's not a frosted lucky charm, I don't know what is!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Happy St. Pat's!</div></div></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-73498437199775512402011-02-22T12:20:00.000-06:002011-02-22T12:20:48.397-06:00Home Sweet Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO8ZIpTguC87znE5O3kGMln5yuO9wX6cPF6Fg5TGM_yD6JhD5uN4LR9g4RmjXesxhCvTL7hze0wKRA2QPWkfkiz84ydd4NXCY3CHa2_QRA8XBJX8E0Z_RTViUNXvEeO_L7xvpKt_h-m4/s1600/boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGO8ZIpTguC87znE5O3kGMln5yuO9wX6cPF6Fg5TGM_yD6JhD5uN4LR9g4RmjXesxhCvTL7hze0wKRA2QPWkfkiz84ydd4NXCY3CHa2_QRA8XBJX8E0Z_RTViUNXvEeO_L7xvpKt_h-m4/s400/boxes.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>This is not my living room. This is some girl named <a href="http://www.karensperspective.com/category/moving/">Karen's</a> living room, but it's doing an amazing impression of mine... or really, of any room in my house. But, that's OK because all of those boxes like these that I own, are at <i>my</i> house... <span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><i><b>MY</b></i></u></span> house! I've been living there since Friday, and I love it. Finally, <i>finally</i>, after all the crap - waiting so long for it to hit the market after the bank took it over, dealing with the <s>UNRIVALED MORONS</s> nice people at the bank while buying it, the six months of clean up it took, the endless time, money blood, sweat, tears I shed, I'm there!<br />
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Thank. You. God. -and I mean that!<br />
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Give me a little time to finish unpacking all those boxes (or at least hide them in the attic) and I'll post some pics of what the place really looks like. It's all going to be a bit mismatched, not like a magazine perfect home, unless it's <i>Eclectic Hand-Me-Downs Monthly</i>. But, I love all my rooms, love having my stuff there, having it feel like home, and also the little extras it has. It's a nice place...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPPdTOOW_Kb2YFuw-K5lDCN3LMZCZ513BS3FjQLdJmDDq_dBw0ZSBxkL-JDvbXKFsm-eZZBB6NUdP42Ccx2p-BmGNchLrJ5vOc61LCjPUJK12ssGfPN_ChabDgfmhCahV9ew3XSfv4tw/s1600/Pear-Tree-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPPdTOOW_Kb2YFuw-K5lDCN3LMZCZ513BS3FjQLdJmDDq_dBw0ZSBxkL-JDvbXKFsm-eZZBB6NUdP42Ccx2p-BmGNchLrJ5vOc61LCjPUJK12ssGfPN_ChabDgfmhCahV9ew3XSfv4tw/s400/Pear-Tree-blog.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://chloesblog.bigmill.com/bed-and-breakfast-recipes/">chloe's blog</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It comes with its own fruit, like these ^</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslq1CrmF6htPb58NVf8oOoNKzDiwtTActSwVpqmrm49XG64wUj6tedkpRpriQrLh57xJ0B4zkm3endoPyTpVYpSXV5JWTQ5gNo2mN55GBEm3M7uv5lrPhn0fhm1nlHs52VzgEtldJg0w/s1600/basketball-court.415620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslq1CrmF6htPb58NVf8oOoNKzDiwtTActSwVpqmrm49XG64wUj6tedkpRpriQrLh57xJ0B4zkm3endoPyTpVYpSXV5JWTQ5gNo2mN55GBEm3M7uv5lrPhn0fhm1nlHs52VzgEtldJg0w/s400/basketball-court.415620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.servicemagic.com/rated.ResidentialConcrete.8790447.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> residential concrete</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A basketball court set up, almost exactly like this ^</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c3iyAYcPqOKHzyyweguIGLWb8RwKI7TQtNYAGca_kxIwipbq4Cy3hTEjM4ycBC7btvxpa9AV2dtnqQ3v_5n-RQdG5pQ64Sbn6AIefRZTfKNuCk5EUeVoHI3a7lrdQsMJ8jLao0KNTxM/s1600/STOVES-WOOD-HAMPTON-H305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c3iyAYcPqOKHzyyweguIGLWb8RwKI7TQtNYAGca_kxIwipbq4Cy3hTEjM4ycBC7btvxpa9AV2dtnqQ3v_5n-RQdG5pQ64Sbn6AIefRZTfKNuCk5EUeVoHI3a7lrdQsMJ8jLao0KNTxM/s400/STOVES-WOOD-HAMPTON-H305.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.darboystone.com/html/stoves/wood/hampton-h300.php">Darboy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really excited that I have a cast iron fireplace like this one! ^</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I know my posts this year haven't exactly been jam packed with awesome, but it's only February, and moving will keep a gal busy... and broke, ($30 for a shower curtain?! Oh, Target, you gots to be kidding!) but it's exciting to me at least! (However, I will say April's going to be an AMAZING month, having nothing to do with moving or houses, and I can't wait to blog about it!)<br />
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Well, I guess that about does it for now. :)Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-89044140674338043322011-02-14T12:43:00.000-06:002011-02-14T12:43:23.379-06:003 Blogs of Note!At last blogging, I was excited about my move. Saturday, it finally happened! When I get the place set up a bit, I'll do a nice big post on that. Today however, on this Valentine's Day, this Single Awareness Day, as it's known to those of us flying solo, I'm going to deviate from the standard posting of hearts, flowers, and dangerously armed flying babies and tell you about something else.<br />
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There are a few blogs I'd like to post links to, because I think people should read them. I believe this, firstly, because I write two of them, secondly, because my best friend writes the other. Yes, shameless self promotion brought to you by The Shenanigan Files. <br />
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I've recently started writing on a site called Bukisa. The things I put there really don't fit how I write on Blogger, but they are things that I want to say. It's a write for profit site, and assume I'll at least make enough to order something off the dollar menu once a year. I'd appreciate if you'd at least swing by and give it a look.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVysI8zeo7U_PWyPcjetk_VTPiLrL1PgBTQUF1MT-NxAPrKfbbqvjOM-S8k7HH1xVza2DnWhUlVT26QuuMAQbOurhTfiU6t2kYwgdDW6gfvn0-gACZbBb_zlqeJfgVbwDDQLYaN2paHLI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-14+at+12.35.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVysI8zeo7U_PWyPcjetk_VTPiLrL1PgBTQUF1MT-NxAPrKfbbqvjOM-S8k7HH1xVza2DnWhUlVT26QuuMAQbOurhTfiU6t2kYwgdDW6gfvn0-gACZbBb_zlqeJfgVbwDDQLYaN2paHLI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-14+at+12.35.32+PM.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I write other things here!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.bukisa.com/people/L.A.Douglas">L.A. Douglas on Bukisa</a> <span style="font-size: small;">(Notice how I went with initials? That's professionalism! I write about different issues I run across, advice, "how to" articles, and various other musings. I've only published two articles at the moment so it really won't take much time to drop by and have a read.)</span></b></span><br />
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The second blog I'm going to recommend is anything but professional, and I have to think if you've read this blog, you're aware of my other one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDASBY4cxXpBCyflO-IwvsYT6vQWvgaBXACXC_lkkUW1RvYsI7uG3VJ27T5ey5pYvaLyVcA6DOl_0le1qzn4pfKPXLDHC-yYD7jLnKljgg1E9bFxOlnGB5m_nCCtoiap-wJPA9zlzlFfY/s1600/100_6010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDASBY4cxXpBCyflO-IwvsYT6vQWvgaBXACXC_lkkUW1RvYsI7uG3VJ27T5ey5pYvaLyVcA6DOl_0le1qzn4pfKPXLDHC-yYD7jLnKljgg1E9bFxOlnGB5m_nCCtoiap-wJPA9zlzlFfY/s320/100_6010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I made it myself!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://ugly-sweater.blogspot.com/">The Ugly Sweater</a></b><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>(It's about... well, exactly what you'd think it'd be about- ugly/tacky sweaters. However that is simplifying it. It's about all kinds of knitwear, some Christmas disasters, some intriguing art projects, and of course, animals in clothes. It's a good read if you don't like to take life too seriously.)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The third blog, is one that I really think you should visit! It'll improve your life through deliciousness!<b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbXJWdQCD5jvrnQUTq49lrFiWGEJPvk4AR6W_RLRrZjSg9GNuDfqHk4XQ3aMIcDpMzQPS9KtfAbhN6nWR55D6ED6flf4mFCLu57aK5hAsXV3BZT4zV3DEMV86eNHnjz2gNRQq2C2QgzA/s1600/Feb13%252B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbXJWdQCD5jvrnQUTq49lrFiWGEJPvk4AR6W_RLRrZjSg9GNuDfqHk4XQ3aMIcDpMzQPS9KtfAbhN6nWR55D6ED6flf4mFCLu57aK5hAsXV3BZT4zV3DEMV86eNHnjz2gNRQq2C2QgzA/s1600/Feb13%252B014.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You know you want them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://chefjennylyn.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Real Kitchen. Real Life</span></a> (Finally, I'd like to introduce you my best friend, Chef Jenny-Lyn. She's a Pampered Chef consultant, but her blog is so much more than that! Sure, she tells you the value of the products, how to use them, but she also posts wonderful recipes- like Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits! Plus, she's got a terrific sense of humor so you're not stuck reading a boring blog about kitchen products and bland food. You're reading a blog about great kitchen products and amazing food, and amazing food is my favorite kind of food!))</b></span><b><a href="http://ugly-sweater.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></a></b></span>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-62986497147010531142011-02-10T21:24:00.001-06:002011-02-10T21:27:38.881-06:00Finally Moving!Well, here it is February of two-thousand lebben, and I'm still not living in that house I bought back in... September? Granted, the place was unlivable for a few months, and at first, downright deadly, but it's good to go now. Then, December happened and I got sidetracked by sickness and surgery, and January seemed to be the month of perpetual weather insanity. Thus, ensuring that every single time I tried to do any moving, a great and terrible snowpocalypse would rear its frozen head and shut me down... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwnZ932EWImAGC4CX_VdFjO86mynDMAthTJUyMC3WxsUR6n0Wu-upiSTzZI3IxXMX4u9-ksSrGdbWbj2QmuHA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
...which of course meant it was time to play in the snow like a kid with a get out of school free card. Be sure to enjoy my cousin eddy style headgear, lack of make-up, and nerd glasses. <br />
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And, as I sit here today, and look outside the window I'm pretending I have beside me, I can see that the whole of the landscape is again, covered in a nice layer of "winter precipitation" as the cautious weathermen here usually refer to any sort of snow or ice. However, this weekend, they, the television prophets of doom, the conjurers of meteorological fortune have promised me fair winds and a balmy 65 degrees. That being said, I have a u-haul with my name on it waiting for me Saturday morning at 9 AM, and some friends <s>who I've tricked into,</s> er... who love me enough to help.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-swa3a8dmKKxxipKAiP23Sh0DCI7_vHwkwvhfD99U2jInO98cdLIqV2SLogfr46uUrnePHcENtfFNqvSOdvBVCMBbWYT9yCCl-yzIDcl5p_IG3OU11q9hCMq8PQmSFusXj7ZwAfl4bks/s1600/marshmallows%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-swa3a8dmKKxxipKAiP23Sh0DCI7_vHwkwvhfD99U2jInO98cdLIqV2SLogfr46uUrnePHcENtfFNqvSOdvBVCMBbWYT9yCCl-yzIDcl5p_IG3OU11q9hCMq8PQmSFusXj7ZwAfl4bks/s400/marshmallows%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here's what I woke up to this morning. The roads however were clear and dry, so work went on as usual.<br />
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Anyway, back to the house (of which I have no new pictures yet.) The place actually looks pretty good, and despite the albatross hanging from my moving van's rear-view mirror, I've even managed to get a few things in the place. It's a far cry from the mold infested, grease covered, cat pee saturated monstrosity I originally purchased. Still, like any older house... and it's hard for me to believe a house built in 1970 is over 40 years old, it has its little quirks. The other night, I was repairing a tile on the counter in the kitchen, just a quick fix until I can find an actual match, but as soon as I'd finished and stepped back to admire my handiwork, three tiles fell off the side. House, your sense of humor is a jerkface.<br />
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Well, for now, that's all I've got. Anyone reading this, enjoy your weekend, and if you're one of my friends, come help me move! I'll pay you back with baked spaghetti, chocolate cake, and the begrudged obligation to help you move when you need me.Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-25333550424781608432011-01-22T22:38:00.000-06:002011-01-22T22:38:17.766-06:00Well, Well, Well...2011 is bright, shiny, and new. Already, it is the best of times, it is the worst of times.<br />
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Show me what you've got, year.Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-8115792461106982482010-12-24T13:53:00.001-06:002011-03-17T23:45:59.016-05:00So, I Had Some Surgery......and it went well, or so I assume, given the fact that I'm not dead. Although, when I first woke up, I felt as if I'd rather be. Pain and I are not close friends. I don't like it and it doesn't like me. However, it came to visit, and it brought its friend nausea along. Jerks. Thankfully, the whole ordeal didn't last too long. I was in there at 7:30 A.M. and home by 4:00P.M. I don't think my bed has ever felt better.<br />
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The doctor said I was an easy surgery, and that I should heal up quickly. My reply was something along the lines of "I want drugs." ...And drugs he gave me! Drugs that are right now making my head swimmy and my thoughts all wobbledygook, and I'm not going to lie, it's awesome. I really don't even know what I'm writing, so I hope it's coherent. I just popped another Percocet so I'm not long for the waking world, I bet. <br />
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What's great though, is that for the first time since before Thanksgiving, I can eat without being in tremendous pain afterward. Granted, I'm not eating a lot and I've lost 7 lbs in a little under a week, but what little I can eat, doesn't hurt me. I forgot how that felt. The incisions still hurt, quite a lot, and I feel like I've done a million crunches, but that'll fade. I'm just glad it's done with. The doctor said I needed to have it done as soon as possible. I didn't realize it was as serious as it was, but that seems to be the way I roll.<br />
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I'm hoping, later tonight, I can post a Christmas blog like I usually do, but if I fail to, thanks to my love affair with narcotics at the moment, know that I wish anyone who reads this a joyous, Merry Christmas!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6JrA9LPsJ42-4uxMx-DyrVUYWhXLG-v6OprhdUux8Ba7HkcT6fJjEHb_iq54mZ-e2cwMslwkPA-J7qIvi8KKzKOKdrQdrv2XT-Gs1S4H4cABuV0VDZ3H64ZDFrNQXZuPrnFltGdknBU/s1600/nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6JrA9LPsJ42-4uxMx-DyrVUYWhXLG-v6OprhdUux8Ba7HkcT6fJjEHb_iq54mZ-e2cwMslwkPA-J7qIvi8KKzKOKdrQdrv2XT-Gs1S4H4cABuV0VDZ3H64ZDFrNQXZuPrnFltGdknBU/s400/nativity.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-34862404852578199572010-12-20T10:55:00.002-06:002010-12-22T23:53:06.232-06:00Raise Your Hand if You're Not Having Surgery...Not so fast Liz! Not so fast. <br />
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Well, it's official. I'm having my Gallbladder removed <s>Wednesday</s> Thursday morning at 7:30 A.M.<br />
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Merry. Christmas.<br />
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Still, I can't say as I'm all that upset; I just wish it wasn't TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I've been in a lot of pain for a while now. I can't eat without stomach cramps or nausea, and really, as long as I'm awake, I feel pretty bad. I finally broke down and went to the doctor, assuming I was dealing with something like a stomach ulcer from the stress of the past few months...all related to the insanity that is home ownership. However, they did an ultrasound and found it's actually gallstones. yay. <br />
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My mother and sister have both had this surgery, so maybe the condition is genetic. I don't know. I just want to feel better. If anyone is reading this, please pray that there are no complications. They both had some and I'd really, really like to avoid keeping up the family tradition. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlK2t9MNIKcMOjsiIxTF6B-H4YixMqcGC4uFVt9Sx2FhR5wtcbekI-_SWrWsL-w-Ci9wibB_XcloOHab2bgLj6Zb8lAay6MbVfyCUrvgOA-Wxxv8WF75LlU_FLcglSCKAdFmnuXP9tF0/s1600/437260_enlrg%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlK2t9MNIKcMOjsiIxTF6B-H4YixMqcGC4uFVt9Sx2FhR5wtcbekI-_SWrWsL-w-Ci9wibB_XcloOHab2bgLj6Zb8lAay6MbVfyCUrvgOA-Wxxv8WF75LlU_FLcglSCKAdFmnuXP9tF0/s320/437260_enlrg%255B1%255D.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div align="center">Yep.</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-84998228747109389682010-12-17T01:00:00.001-06:002010-12-18T23:18:55.080-06:00The Grinch That Stole Christmas......has apparently moved from the top of Mount Crumpit to Birmingham Alabama, or a surrounding suburb. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU16hZg5tczPh0LfUoF0t4FgaIxd2I0dNeBg2kq-AOL9SSreArUq8yIy-BKvlKh15MSlmFnkFsnSlDbkurrXSGG9zFwngurUcNbjHOE-7fWW97c4hct0EHlg-HUlfmdHH0BfHWtmm9-Q/s1600/T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU16hZg5tczPh0LfUoF0t4FgaIxd2I0dNeBg2kq-AOL9SSreArUq8yIy-BKvlKh15MSlmFnkFsnSlDbkurrXSGG9zFwngurUcNbjHOE-7fWW97c4hct0EHlg-HUlfmdHH0BfHWtmm9-Q/s400/T.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Crews clean up the debris from the city of Birmingham's Christmas tree in Linn Park, which was set afire by thieves early Wednesday. </i></div><br />
Apparently, the person that did this was looking to strip the tree of its lights, and the lights of the copper in their wiring. I can't imagine that the wiring from a few strings of lights would yield a great enough quantity of copper to make such an undertaking worth the time and effort involved, but I suppose when you're short on both scruples and brains, even the most idiotic of schemes seems like a gem.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>City officials didn't have many details Wednesday, but they said that, about 4 a.m., someone took the lights off the tree and apparently began using gasoline to try to separate the copper from the plastic casing. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The fuel ignited.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"The fuel ignited." Imagine that. By the time the firefighters showed up, the tree was in ashes. The tree, which cost $7,500 was not going to be replaced by the city, the charred stump instead being covered by another symbol of the holiday season...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRI0c-m4iMiCU6jOll_n9MvzxsNsyBWsLcKg3uIPrZOn2x32g2V65uC56g1SM8aSCEoWGr-o58etOmCbu5JwmaNfbIn-6I2xfyLyIfXq0y0rzyVAoGg8NuJ2RVbDK_HssxX7O1yvAeps/s1600/cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRI0c-m4iMiCU6jOll_n9MvzxsNsyBWsLcKg3uIPrZOn2x32g2V65uC56g1SM8aSCEoWGr-o58etOmCbu5JwmaNfbIn-6I2xfyLyIfXq0y0rzyVAoGg8NuJ2RVbDK_HssxX7O1yvAeps/s400/cone.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
...the festive holiday Christmas cone. Feel the wonder. This guy did. <br />
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...And this is where the story gets good. You see, like in The Grinch, Christmas couldn't be stolen by someone whose heart was three sizes to small. The citizens of the city, the businesses, and radio stations all came together to make sure that the people of Birmingham could see a tree shining from Linn Park again, and soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<i>As a result, little more than 24 hours after the tree was destroyed, shining holiday lights and ornaments will return to Linn Park this morning, a donation of radio station 98.7 Kiss FM and a quickly formed consortium of neighboring cities, business and individuals.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ63GuUSzU5BGVjDBT3reLaAvUbTAE3M57bzyT6FFCh64tj-3wmEldhdvAQr5fNqxiARUT3wARUIE-xyFh8CeigG3Tn-CenZnY0TtJr0Rva62O8RVlfzr8DC6FcxSDdttf-3bq1fzGl1o/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ63GuUSzU5BGVjDBT3reLaAvUbTAE3M57bzyT6FFCh64tj-3wmEldhdvAQr5fNqxiARUT3wARUIE-xyFh8CeigG3Tn-CenZnY0TtJr0Rva62O8RVlfzr8DC6FcxSDdttf-3bq1fzGl1o/s400/tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm tricky, tricky with the crop tool! There's the new tree now!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">It wasn't so much about the tree as it was that people felt compelled to do something, to take something sad and make it glad. Now, to me, as a Christian, Christmas is about more than a fancy tree, pretty lights, or beautiful gifts, and nothing can steal that, not a Grinch, not a thief, not getting stuck with a fruitcake at the family gift exchange, but still, in a time when so many are concerned with the economy, terrorism, and the strife of politics, it's nice to see people come together, put their differences aside, and make sure that at least for a little while, all is bright.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e6ykV2Zno6CcwUw_CHpbNsNGCbnVmYSLwcoqdMKwB0qrbb2R7D7JEu4FUFTYimSVJzq9Ob1ryDJuo_IyKuRBVJRAjwMLoNE1xiYsx-qviYUIUN68J4pHpjQEMpj8Tv_M8rIIy59U1C4/s1600/linnpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e6ykV2Zno6CcwUw_CHpbNsNGCbnVmYSLwcoqdMKwB0qrbb2R7D7JEu4FUFTYimSVJzq9Ob1ryDJuo_IyKuRBVJRAjwMLoNE1xiYsx-qviYUIUN68J4pHpjQEMpj8Tv_M8rIIy59U1C4/s400/linnpark.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acnatta/319266101/in/photostream/#/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">acnatta's flickr</span></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Linn Park 2006)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Christmas day will always be</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just so long as we have we</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fahoo fores dahoo dores</div><div style="text-align: center;">Welcome Christmas bring your light."</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dr. Seuss-The Grinch That Stole Christmas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">All quotes and images from The Birmingham News unless otherwise noted. </span></div></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-64185756078394408302010-12-10T11:16:00.000-06:002010-12-10T11:16:15.722-06:00A Very Potter Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;">In keeping with the Harry Potter theme, I thought I'd do a quick post showing a few items I made last year for some friends for Christmas. Every once in a while, I manage to tear myself away from the digital medium and make something tangible. All of this stuff was a lot of fun to make...and of course I kept some for myself as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first things I made were some personalized signs, Honeydukes for myself, Flourish and Blotts for my friend Carrie, and Hogsmeade Apothecary for my friend Cindi. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qtqk4__IViuenE2ZAU8t1DEaZdKT6vaq6m0NN4qrtDr-R__YrR3wPmIz-WWexGvbKHgvVb8mjq6C1ZkiKXeQclOtFiOnQr8nQ2dgZ6LWDNTxewLKigvriX_xrCNfqfnSXScbT4OgHRA/s1600/honeydukes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qtqk4__IViuenE2ZAU8t1DEaZdKT6vaq6m0NN4qrtDr-R__YrR3wPmIz-WWexGvbKHgvVb8mjq6C1ZkiKXeQclOtFiOnQr8nQ2dgZ6LWDNTxewLKigvriX_xrCNfqfnSXScbT4OgHRA/s400/honeydukes.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Honeydukes of Hogsmeade</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpCXdo1zywQixIi1t2ZcWp-CHRCYaNaywnB1wMPjTtjvP78mZawVlZDW9tmoEC2DV-4t3PWcrF5MNC6sPMh7ipXG-SWvYaBmS_aZRIjwdzeH6Ksp7R0SqQaO8xDl92fTuPZfZdTqcWFs/s1600/blotts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpCXdo1zywQixIi1t2ZcWp-CHRCYaNaywnB1wMPjTtjvP78mZawVlZDW9tmoEC2DV-4t3PWcrF5MNC6sPMh7ipXG-SWvYaBmS_aZRIjwdzeH6Ksp7R0SqQaO8xDl92fTuPZfZdTqcWFs/s400/blotts.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Flourish and Blotts of Diagon Alley</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GVlf0qFVCJEYqRBoOWVTMgIWi2n-CVtSTvlG-2n2XM6lTqi7v_RIu7WiwjrJWe513abb_wX2EmIFCN4UVXpc5FDtB7b5Vei89ljEvCHLvhS-Bainoe8CNj67B1bmN5uPzk2uPFCTetE/s1600/apoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GVlf0qFVCJEYqRBoOWVTMgIWi2n-CVtSTvlG-2n2XM6lTqi7v_RIu7WiwjrJWe513abb_wX2EmIFCN4UVXpc5FDtB7b5Vei89ljEvCHLvhS-Bainoe8CNj67B1bmN5uPzk2uPFCTetE/s400/apoth.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hogsmeade Apothecary</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each sign was painstakingly done by hand. I'm telling you, painting all that fancy text is no easy task! However, it was a lot of fun to see them materialize. I'm probably going to make a couple more just for the heck of it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ9kSNc3964JaU07YzQ25sJFn2f9CPzUwr7ymLBKjbD_yx28AVZ1m0bDKvM7pgs_W-jp8sUWki_eM_0xJLGmIFmbxpug-pt_XwznZId_AB9elXUReG6O9I2QBWdMlBSlzHCEuMFQHtVM/s1600/beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ9kSNc3964JaU07YzQ25sJFn2f9CPzUwr7ymLBKjbD_yx28AVZ1m0bDKvM7pgs_W-jp8sUWki_eM_0xJLGmIFmbxpug-pt_XwznZId_AB9elXUReG6O9I2QBWdMlBSlzHCEuMFQHtVM/s400/beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankfully, I've yet to run across anything gross...except "jalapeno," that should never be in bean form! Ever! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">("Flavor," spelled the American way for yanks! ...Not because I just totally forgot to spell it the proper, British way. "Flavo<b>u</b>r" ...you Brits and your superflous usage of 'u'!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51v05AzLckkhy4VoCR2_QuzK_h3FoKTVN04qAiVi7drYobPVw-OjNuKpTOkAhftZtjFu_4_vBrIs2XYWF4VMJ-AKLvburbOU_F6TJQXo0ihM7VYuFdHxgQY-PLgYHeM2DRsA-lL6zmQ8/s1600/acid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51v05AzLckkhy4VoCR2_QuzK_h3FoKTVN04qAiVi7drYobPVw-OjNuKpTOkAhftZtjFu_4_vBrIs2XYWF4VMJ-AKLvburbOU_F6TJQXo0ihM7VYuFdHxgQY-PLgYHeM2DRsA-lL6zmQ8/s400/acid.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Acid Pops, a special Christmas edition</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QSFGNfEts5dGCFjhU6qTZa9ZTN5ugHdI36ndv9JffS8L1yhOp2OY0LsRXF2Vb1yL1anBusXc1SASql2_MC4eUHjPSXci9yIITxV4Si5lQlUWExAztqXEk_BsVxezySVe4bwQ4csG3nw/s1600/bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QSFGNfEts5dGCFjhU6qTZa9ZTN5ugHdI36ndv9JffS8L1yhOp2OY0LsRXF2Vb1yL1anBusXc1SASql2_MC4eUHjPSXci9yIITxV4Si5lQlUWExAztqXEk_BsVxezySVe4bwQ4csG3nw/s400/bars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Honeydukes Best Chocolate</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mildly sweet chocolate for pleasure and use against dementor effects"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib74BJVK82UOWC8sk_X_fyAN11tZYn51CYwqE7CNM6ItaVZeGfjN18uJpkYprD2W4L3eOt044fiWcay-g2HBP40Vyc7-1bDrBoPUghdJJMtPMkgDKAtJIwghSz8yQyyEvSqNIipVMyN0/s1600/ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib74BJVK82UOWC8sk_X_fyAN11tZYn51CYwqE7CNM6ItaVZeGfjN18uJpkYprD2W4L3eOt044fiWcay-g2HBP40Vyc7-1bDrBoPUghdJJMtPMkgDKAtJIwghSz8yQyyEvSqNIipVMyN0/s400/ice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Honeydukes Ice Mice. These were especially fun to make. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xip9oCrME6wrZLYje3nUhq19pKOQQS_ezCdl1YtJy-Hb-kpFDPqtGy9fZtMDvIPSZFMD6_EilKzBWRly4tftntf0_04O24AqGmv7M7MyjyLtzIyFA2NSqF1cLA3iHAfW0grTFlMoHto/s1600/candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xip9oCrME6wrZLYje3nUhq19pKOQQS_ezCdl1YtJy-Hb-kpFDPqtGy9fZtMDvIPSZFMD6_EilKzBWRly4tftntf0_04O24AqGmv7M7MyjyLtzIyFA2NSqF1cLA3iHAfW0grTFlMoHto/s400/candy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Honeydukes Holiday Collection!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you go, fun with packaging design! The best part, each of the packs contains actual candy...of course! The Acid Pops contain green, Christmas tree shaped pops, the beans are of course, beans, the chocolate bar is a huge chocolate bar, and yes, the ice mice pack is actually filled with white gummy mice! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I included a few other things as well, just your basic Hogwarts necessities...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn-1adsgMQQhKEAw6kzYXj8D7ppmCXlNihghxk3z5S7wNHWqo9xi8zCzbDNHsp5_s8694xGPAxaZcZp5-J3lQlPFA9q-MPedv7a47O_Mm6n-v2WIVQEzmUK6nGryy2nurcH0GsnHovIY/s1600/letters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpn-1adsgMQQhKEAw6kzYXj8D7ppmCXlNihghxk3z5S7wNHWqo9xi8zCzbDNHsp5_s8694xGPAxaZcZp5-J3lQlPFA9q-MPedv7a47O_Mm6n-v2WIVQEzmUK6nGryy2nurcH0GsnHovIY/s400/letters.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hogwarts Letter and school supply list!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Easily done with some sketchbook paper, a little tea, and a printer, oh and minor skills with a quill. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTbwgLJy9nSZnAx7avdK_05EA1aR274t9dW1WqLjtFBQQIvQGsLuF2gdd-wQ0j4qBAVPZgPQ-F2hyRkxlWChxDTbqKJWo2a-5S40Gvmo4KkztR8BOFnPA2I5FJU9nb3VUC1Ba2bnwMkw/s1600/wands2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTbwgLJy9nSZnAx7avdK_05EA1aR274t9dW1WqLjtFBQQIvQGsLuF2gdd-wQ0j4qBAVPZgPQ-F2hyRkxlWChxDTbqKJWo2a-5S40Gvmo4KkztR8BOFnPA2I5FJU9nb3VUC1Ba2bnwMkw/s400/wands2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtLUCwZDPEGQsv3Hjw9FVTwKEY7LzWo-hWhZo5mGIU0_d6LQF94XF1SjIjhvteeAAXC7DFgfheU6a4qJpkrI8JRrIP1AEy9h6AFTsFapWqLzwme_pvt5RliSn2NQymUIXhphyCVlOvdk/s1600/wands6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtLUCwZDPEGQsv3Hjw9FVTwKEY7LzWo-hWhZo5mGIU0_d6LQF94XF1SjIjhvteeAAXC7DFgfheU6a4qJpkrI8JRrIP1AEy9h6AFTsFapWqLzwme_pvt5RliSn2NQymUIXhphyCVlOvdk/s400/wands6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A wand, of course! </div><div style="text-align: center;">What Wizard or Witch worth their salt would be caught without one? Yep, made these as well...even cored them! Ollivander, you got nothing on me! ;) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, to make sure all of these items got to their respective destinations, I didn't bother with the Muggle Postal Service. Thankfully, the wizarding world has its own delivery systems...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9l_oyo7FztSnxVpRKHVylq88XHxcdw0MFCHPmYSaAhslNttZ0fRY-7XoVU_qUsP2t8plLI9gjO9v48x3APWMpiN3UraxH4OgMjDmpA09PJ0wjSFtm4Q8yrzd8RHYZ51JnEWp3O4FDmY/s1600/boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9l_oyo7FztSnxVpRKHVylq88XHxcdw0MFCHPmYSaAhslNttZ0fRY-7XoVU_qUsP2t8plLI9gjO9v48x3APWMpiN3UraxH4OgMjDmpA09PJ0wjSFtm4Q8yrzd8RHYZ51JnEWp3O4FDmY/s400/boxes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Owl Post boxes! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The Owl Post image is from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Postcard Book, so I can't take credit for that. I did however clean it up, vectorize it, and apply it to the boxes.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a very fun project and Cindi and Carrie were both happy with their gifts. Stuff like this makes me realize how very much I 'd love design, especially something with a strong theme. I haven't gotten to do much this year since I'm still in the middle of the world's most ridiculous house purchase/move, but maybe I'll get a few Christmas ornaments made before the year's out. I've really only got one more post until I'm caught up and it's been what I've been doing with my life since July. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-25570571684385677002010-11-26T02:28:00.001-06:002011-09-15T11:48:56.710-05:00HOGWARTS!<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ9hNGcUFKg0L6XJAuYdRCGOnc87eOzIDKYcaC1Cm7Ea3pThOl_SZurpC7Ub93K-1xgLGPh7LicY0aVCeklCgfYDrY8OHC_PB2cBvzaMh8wbAubs_usVNlsNspqBwzT863_i0vbeY6-Y/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ9hNGcUFKg0L6XJAuYdRCGOnc87eOzIDKYcaC1Cm7Ea3pThOl_SZurpC7Ub93K-1xgLGPh7LicY0aVCeklCgfYDrY8OHC_PB2cBvzaMh8wbAubs_usVNlsNspqBwzT863_i0vbeY6-Y/s400/049.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">In July, I, and three friends, Cindi, Carrie, and Jackie grabbed a portkey to Orlando to visit Universal Studio's newest attraction, THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuKHVQO5uk0mvfKX3CgdUK6ItCgbC_D5oMmmOkDenwUTmvxC3OTSGF2I_6M87XQb7avcxr6wX6Lb9UuHGmj5CyaN8e01wisUGjK847cxvD251Na4kg0f_ftH8ck010uhjd9ey_HN2m8c/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuKHVQO5uk0mvfKX3CgdUK6ItCgbC_D5oMmmOkDenwUTmvxC3OTSGF2I_6M87XQb7avcxr6wX6Lb9UuHGmj5CyaN8e01wisUGjK847cxvD251Na4kg0f_ftH8ck010uhjd9ey_HN2m8c/s400/051.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're all pretty big Potterheads, so seeing our favorite places from the books and movies come to life was fantastic. The castle, was utterly amazing. Granted, the surrounding palm trees do take away a bit of the authenticity, but, eh, when you see something that doesn't make sense, just claim a Wizard did it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WAmoG2aO4LV2Y-nsORdGlQtWkMu6xjQ-MAniy37FksCQU6TLitrBfHJFxbf5AzrTJ4_6xJ4pgfKAI4owzjCWh72A8uwmBbigrcOwwWHpGZuEsjigScuFtNgvJuzCd1aG8VCNXGvnP3U/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WAmoG2aO4LV2Y-nsORdGlQtWkMu6xjQ-MAniy37FksCQU6TLitrBfHJFxbf5AzrTJ4_6xJ4pgfKAI4owzjCWh72A8uwmBbigrcOwwWHpGZuEsjigScuFtNgvJuzCd1aG8VCNXGvnP3U/s400/050.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">We got to the park a little before it opened, but they actually let us in early. There were NO lines whatsoever! We immediately made our way to The Forbidden Journey, the ride inside the castle. We tried to take our time as we went through the Halls of Hogwarts, but like I said, no line! We saw the founders in their portraits, and of course, they talked and moved, just as any good magical painting should. I think my favorite thing was the Dark Arts classroom. I don't have any pics from the interior, but if I can snag some from Carrie, I'll update them here! Anyway, on with the rest of the show!</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzXG_fKPtKXWFIVFoGCZxx_K7NJJNl-gR8OTe3oKwQg2kjxgF1qfwQIJd5c1hPx6Pajc-7s3M3_YpE8Ggl6fht7J_D3cxklsjUPPCTdrjYOkeY2MMWEV2kUnpN2EgB75VOvc6xRYwaxA/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzXG_fKPtKXWFIVFoGCZxx_K7NJJNl-gR8OTe3oKwQg2kjxgF1qfwQIJd5c1hPx6Pajc-7s3M3_YpE8Ggl6fht7J_D3cxklsjUPPCTdrjYOkeY2MMWEV2kUnpN2EgB75VOvc6xRYwaxA/s400/053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">The crest of Hogwarts outside of Argus Filtch's Emporium, which also serves as a locker bay for Muggles who can't use shrinking charms. </div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufyJ4qWbgWT_VNc3DyT3rG_aXuUAqWzMukPxYqUVxZk9-WoiY0l81sxYenCSwFRd2pSRYWM31M1tOnPevEtX4QLUu1Bawv_gXey5n218wM_dxYmCnH2rplmefOKyVpkaazhBbWVIm0xU/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufyJ4qWbgWT_VNc3DyT3rG_aXuUAqWzMukPxYqUVxZk9-WoiY0l81sxYenCSwFRd2pSRYWM31M1tOnPevEtX4QLUu1Bawv_gXey5n218wM_dxYmCnH2rplmefOKyVpkaazhBbWVIm0xU/s400/079.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">Before I get ahead of myself, running off to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, let me tell you a bit about Hogsmeade. You enter the HP section of the park by walking into Hogsmeade. The day we were there, it was overcast and a bit drizzly, which really enhanced the atmosphere. True, it was a bit warm, but at least it looked the part!</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoxE_cO9yNuTjbr7Wo7hB9TXWkYm3qts0tO1EvDQOdSarOd75MnTro3qrRX4hkw1cBoCxtdWStMiwvCCdSDkavU-XzQazaqi-x-euitMwYO1hrNLBif9lNfn1p_uGf57iwdKi7T8q6p4/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoxE_cO9yNuTjbr7Wo7hB9TXWkYm3qts0tO1EvDQOdSarOd75MnTro3qrRX4hkw1cBoCxtdWStMiwvCCdSDkavU-XzQazaqi-x-euitMwYO1hrNLBif9lNfn1p_uGf57iwdKi7T8q6p4/s400/044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">Here, you can see the large number of Muggles that are waiting to get into Ollivander's Wand shop. Ollivander's was, by far, the most popular attraction. We got into the shop, but we didn't stay for the show. More on that later.</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2c2352Ft9e94drYkM06K3zu92kH14lszAcVy7mxJcnsc7127jwXm9Vsb6fKPJwvQ3jfP14Mzq3laIRp5Kb4aFVFSD6lys8jdlAENi8Q02NTgAmavpZJvtZwNp_rC-A-Ox3j0wMj27Mc/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2c2352Ft9e94drYkM06K3zu92kH14lszAcVy7mxJcnsc7127jwXm9Vsb6fKPJwvQ3jfP14Mzq3laIRp5Kb4aFVFSD6lys8jdlAENi8Q02NTgAmavpZJvtZwNp_rC-A-Ox3j0wMj27Mc/s400/055.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">As you enter Hogsmeade, you are greeted by this happy little Gryffindor snow Wizard and his owl.</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc2FiADbSUtHix0-RGnw3WOOHtnF4JEfL5CPYEd50q4-uzsxhhrrjEHRGqieXTslWvqWKH1_TkYwujBzGUP-tT09QVjLWs7b5mC8aD0EJ6EOB6li45X_ggCieXLsCLrmWdTZejfldFm8/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc2FiADbSUtHix0-RGnw3WOOHtnF4JEfL5CPYEd50q4-uzsxhhrrjEHRGqieXTslWvqWKH1_TkYwujBzGUP-tT09QVjLWs7b5mC8aD0EJ6EOB6li45X_ggCieXLsCLrmWdTZejfldFm8/s400/059.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">I loved the stack of Cauldrons in front of Potages. The entire design of the village is so whimsical.</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCRHTE99QCWHhddRTSnMV_NYvN3bqWfIkCZCdj8Q-RjtQ64px9ghE5vgzSGuaUzI3_bF5ztQe1034lwdka11FAakKim2lx_A6aG4AqVy1Cbm4t0HpmEHcdz_931Ze33WHaBSTSjmmX_I/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCRHTE99QCWHhddRTSnMV_NYvN3bqWfIkCZCdj8Q-RjtQ64px9ghE5vgzSGuaUzI3_bF5ztQe1034lwdka11FAakKim2lx_A6aG4AqVy1Cbm4t0HpmEHcdz_931Ze33WHaBSTSjmmX_I/s400/060.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;">Hermione's lovely dress robes in the window Gladrags. The robes very gently float as they are displayed. Harry's are in the opposite window.</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrjvRETcTxKHiGVHx5-lGwh60hJO2m_NUfSr09Be7AfX_3JkGqyfOMckfvZHLmkB7b7iqIJsaNLcFsT1FW6HZZLrR_dj55nxHWPwcPgMEhCD0V5Rxsw6gxtN0rjCSDpa_PFOBcxphsf8/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrjvRETcTxKHiGVHx5-lGwh60hJO2m_NUfSr09Be7AfX_3JkGqyfOMckfvZHLmkB7b7iqIJsaNLcFsT1FW6HZZLrR_dj55nxHWPwcPgMEhCD0V5Rxsw6gxtN0rjCSDpa_PFOBcxphsf8/s400/096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rafters outside of the Owl Post are of course, filled with owls! I do regret the fact that I didn't get to send a letter from Hogsmeade to myself, simply for the fact that I really wanted that postmark. Yep, it's a functioning post office!</div><div style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPG_olk9KvdSZjjp7Xoo1ijGFDs0LUc_UWQiX-8-yv48YDJB_ixF6rW5FM4hzcrACD5-zr3_OYOEU4uDu7IsrpavnxZRU-ez1TT9yKS26RBF0_XLTQ_17PhpacY1oUz448QeGRE2u7Bc/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPG_olk9KvdSZjjp7Xoo1ijGFDs0LUc_UWQiX-8-yv48YDJB_ixF6rW5FM4hzcrACD5-zr3_OYOEU4uDu7IsrpavnxZRU-ez1TT9yKS26RBF0_XLTQ_17PhpacY1oUz448QeGRE2u7Bc/s400/065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of post offices, you usually see wanted posters in them, but this one was just hanging out near the Hogshead, behind the Butterbeer wagon. I'm pretty sure Sirius Black was cleared of all charges, so we didn't bother to look for him. Honeydukes and Zonkos were next on the list!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e9EtWwruTKzlu0F0Cy3XaSrQ21zP8p6cXkJvAVSpY4bcnGbytQBCnF4qt9CLkjEKxxvyYcimiFAbgZNIOtgfUJ5w2I7PDjw7F2_cYVE2n2WGwgUs3scU3xQwIzuZf2VNQ66WdBhgqP8/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e9EtWwruTKzlu0F0Cy3XaSrQ21zP8p6cXkJvAVSpY4bcnGbytQBCnF4qt9CLkjEKxxvyYcimiFAbgZNIOtgfUJ5w2I7PDjw7F2_cYVE2n2WGwgUs3scU3xQwIzuZf2VNQ66WdBhgqP8/s400/073.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You could find pretty much anything you wanted, from a stack of chocolate frogs or Bertie Botts to a Sneakoscope, they had it. I will say, the cauldron cakes are excellent, and they make the best cookies and cream fudge I've ever had.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwneYmAWLI03Wz8GTzHXLcAdKOGQWwG9gioscdjfCPjmgIh9ZdW-NQ3b2Q6aMPNiZUsQUHY9-4x9VzBpAh6rOS9i6F1aR89HpI7z3u2CxAh_rblhAs_-VmFplVeI3sougIpiuMMU8HO2I/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwneYmAWLI03Wz8GTzHXLcAdKOGQWwG9gioscdjfCPjmgIh9ZdW-NQ3b2Q6aMPNiZUsQUHY9-4x9VzBpAh6rOS9i6F1aR89HpI7z3u2CxAh_rblhAs_-VmFplVeI3sougIpiuMMU8HO2I/s400/070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The shelves at Zonkos, packed with many an item from the books and movies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq5QB6cCXrmumUoxIUFgMmJFcnp6i32ffYvGzf9pyun4-RdIyY-5NHMo1yAR0pCNz-1o134OLbLjQAMHqh0X0-ziA_zndvrwjpsaY4EofGHl94oYfnuxUFKnVGUVfnLmRWQ96LYTRVdk/s1600/069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUq5QB6cCXrmumUoxIUFgMmJFcnp6i32ffYvGzf9pyun4-RdIyY-5NHMo1yAR0pCNz-1o134OLbLjQAMHqh0X0-ziA_zndvrwjpsaY4EofGHl94oYfnuxUFKnVGUVfnLmRWQ96LYTRVdk/s400/069.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All I can think of is Umbridge!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j-JFXgorH7geT240SR86UBHsh02CKHvVryuwH0CRNOApqurER6IlBEWEYU_ZjKU6Hb8llfefvWCXVY73NnxZ_7QZOh7lyxc6U841on0fHq3WqaNsuRWf8TcPIosPaLViq0oIH4t7BdU/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j-JFXgorH7geT240SR86UBHsh02CKHvVryuwH0CRNOApqurER6IlBEWEYU_ZjKU6Hb8llfefvWCXVY73NnxZ_7QZOh7lyxc6U841on0fHq3WqaNsuRWf8TcPIosPaLViq0oIH4t7BdU/s400/088.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah, frozen butterbeer. How does it taste? It's like a thick, slushy cream soda with a creamy butterscotch head. Honestly, it's amazingly delish, but have more than one and you might contract diabetes. It really is that sweet. So sweet in fact, that Cindi actually got a little ill from it and decided to call it a day. If it's a bit much for you, there's always pumpkin juice, which, though sugary, isn't nearly so saccharin as butterbeer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouxzfhc490TOQTwYG-iqTCHEWoV3IAGBJr_xICX0IBs2KWAbzEKcgsDW_E6DceLJasLZt2lj4Xm2V8W_KJINSySrUpUTO14tRsAbkOYsVfXroXeREq3hBlwMNRD2o7OWSIuG37OvdtWI/s1600/092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouxzfhc490TOQTwYG-iqTCHEWoV3IAGBJr_xICX0IBs2KWAbzEKcgsDW_E6DceLJasLZt2lj4Xm2V8W_KJINSySrUpUTO14tRsAbkOYsVfXroXeREq3hBlwMNRD2o7OWSIuG37OvdtWI/s400/092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankfully, the Hogshead offered water, so I didn't die from a sugar overload. One cool thing, the head snorts and moves and talks, but of course, you expect that of magical taxidermy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-TylolhUVOPS5ZZkQ2dOl4a1poVs-L9iZmDBDMkX-JTpMzQnhnNaA2ErpzE4vosFcrbFjdtVlqO_GRgY_DFt1KeNjT_4ePuntjobuDoDNQqIiXJwHp1R-cdqazEro2pboaITGnb8fi4/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-TylolhUVOPS5ZZkQ2dOl4a1poVs-L9iZmDBDMkX-JTpMzQnhnNaA2ErpzE4vosFcrbFjdtVlqO_GRgY_DFt1KeNjT_4ePuntjobuDoDNQqIiXJwHp1R-cdqazEro2pboaITGnb8fi4/s400/091.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of Hogsmeade pubs, here's a quick shot from inside The Three Broomsticks, where you'll be happy to see that there are, indeed, three broomsticks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRglQfHQnuyyLkY5dw9glfoW0A-1JY_ggE42xc2K42QNdmXFd5RPpLFHCBb9v6LElkMdt3fVqbX37cHpXWNACwNfa37bBZsDpJAUhb9Ghiz_-LjDTLAMA84eK8-xjMKhu_-xC7eP5GlEE/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRglQfHQnuyyLkY5dw9glfoW0A-1JY_ggE42xc2K42QNdmXFd5RPpLFHCBb9v6LElkMdt3fVqbX37cHpXWNACwNfa37bBZsDpJAUhb9Ghiz_-LjDTLAMA84eK8-xjMKhu_-xC7eP5GlEE/s400/078.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What visit to Hogsmeade would be complete without a visit to the Hogwarts Express? Not ours!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTomlw3k7lhB7HGEQGiMyfvsVkoctUpAld9M6sfOMI4kiNFl8Il8h1HC1KijueqFh-COIEmqNA1CYKtkLyPVF3LFCv6m_aBcoyJ_2ZKj6NNO_QbyVApc5PsEVdkvNElRzXs5UeSD8lEU/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTomlw3k7lhB7HGEQGiMyfvsVkoctUpAld9M6sfOMI4kiNFl8Il8h1HC1KijueqFh-COIEmqNA1CYKtkLyPVF3LFCv6m_aBcoyJ_2ZKj6NNO_QbyVApc5PsEVdkvNElRzXs5UeSD8lEU/s400/081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aw! Look at all the little Muggles! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmHdwAQWleg7GIlPLEla5eJJs9r2oSUPpVquKpKdda-MMP63zedVu4TFqciUVTIqLN1-LnLeegtdGoh9VhvMFA2MuDyRqyXZWGzMY4DLOEHZNyNYB6HUzv8OdG54DdK-ejLYjaJeTt5Q/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmHdwAQWleg7GIlPLEla5eJJs9r2oSUPpVquKpKdda-MMP63zedVu4TFqciUVTIqLN1-LnLeegtdGoh9VhvMFA2MuDyRqyXZWGzMY4DLOEHZNyNYB6HUzv8OdG54DdK-ejLYjaJeTt5Q/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another nifty attraction in the WWoHP is the Dragon Challenge, based off of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0BVgheqKbAElMQdkYpbtNYaihbFAVVJlLhLYTjoy_AwZGcOEfqD3H32H6mp_ubERVZPW6FrtcD-e-yBrwov3KcnucV9UFv7BgRSXnt6qSkKy_PnUmEBcLu_0WTVsl26TBZuhPcmDFv4/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0BVgheqKbAElMQdkYpbtNYaihbFAVVJlLhLYTjoy_AwZGcOEfqD3H32H6mp_ubERVZPW6FrtcD-e-yBrwov3KcnucV9UFv7BgRSXnt6qSkKy_PnUmEBcLu_0WTVsl26TBZuhPcmDFv4/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't touch it! It's a portkey! Voldemort is such a total jerk if you do. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdNC_Iao1Y4-E7YvpWpnZ4Vxv04ejtYCrgBlfoHzEe3468RxqgyS3fgeLnm5p9N8wiQfe-ukxJjfewnorQR-WDSwEEzeefFyW-EqQVx9MH4lsp9x_R1_Fk1H_GlWGLebWSGrMN-6QYjg/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdNC_Iao1Y4-E7YvpWpnZ4Vxv04ejtYCrgBlfoHzEe3468RxqgyS3fgeLnm5p9N8wiQfe-ukxJjfewnorQR-WDSwEEzeefFyW-EqQVx9MH4lsp9x_R1_Fk1H_GlWGLebWSGrMN-6QYjg/s400/025.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can choose to ride either the Chinese Firebolt or the Hungarian Horntail. (Now, long ago, this ride used to be the Dueling Dragons, and I've previously ridden it. The ride is the same, but the walk to the ride is much cooler now that it's HP themed.) Between the two coasters, I have to say the the Fireball is the winner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKuanFyj3c97e30BQ33sFfKdoIfKu2IZ-Mca5yq6DGEgdDnWwbvksF2y4LUjsZw6Xt0uqH3q21UQdiuXuo55HRCy4Gg39SkEn9VpKFrydpKNdL9NmmgBLg52kgc_Va17SRKBgBFCqYFM/s1600/102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKuanFyj3c97e30BQ33sFfKdoIfKu2IZ-Mca5yq6DGEgdDnWwbvksF2y4LUjsZw6Xt0uqH3q21UQdiuXuo55HRCy4Gg39SkEn9VpKFrydpKNdL9NmmgBLg52kgc_Va17SRKBgBFCqYFM/s400/102.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dervish and Bangs had The Monster Book of Monsters, safely caged! They also sold cauldrons, Quidditch kits, robes, and all kinds of HP paraphernalia. From D&B, you could walk directly into Ollivander's shop, which was small and cramped, and so crowded that you literally couldn't turn around inside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOl43X3Buea9LcvK-xVeyQAxij082Q4wxJkf7PDyRlZHVtxEXncmWq4q-JDGodwu9lgnjc2EYJ618Lf3z7GYs9kJIMvPrNLxWt97-hu7z7zikF0NilHAErh8P0q1uf8QWMsTaFcJjCME/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOl43X3Buea9LcvK-xVeyQAxij082Q4wxJkf7PDyRlZHVtxEXncmWq4q-JDGodwu9lgnjc2EYJ618Lf3z7GYs9kJIMvPrNLxWt97-hu7z7zikF0NilHAErh8P0q1uf8QWMsTaFcJjCME/s400/106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is one of the few pictures I was able to take in Ollivander's. Few because the crush of the crowd was just ridiculous. I had to raise my arms over my head and just snap this...so there you go...a ton of wand boxes and a giant owl. Did I buy a wand? No. I couldn't see spending 30+ bucks for a replica when I can very easily make one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaFUyMmhqVN2j6mUne17vo2uZAqXQmoU8zEIql5HcT2qk4Qja6HTlns0mXlkemERtfN2mSs9FBZ6HXR2nxfVAuDDsPNcJqSksfkkGoysVIIyMryiO_z0eedMUboXzBoXpH7S7gaCLpao/s400/104.JPG" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...And one more quick shot. Sure, I didn't buy a wand, but I did get some souvenirs. Usually, I don't buy theme park junk, but I couldn't pass it up this time. I'm now the proud owner of three HP t-shirts, a Slytherin mug, a Dark Mark wax seal set, luggage tag, and House bar glasses. Oh, but I am a nerd!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54XAJXwqCP-wo9Lf_yzDEFXJa0cLKL6m0twQG1w6MSgj1HcPyNFW1WimGgXek4LBwdvS2fB1kyWEiqtYZtkAtvoeDRevatFYiDLiq_eGG1kVhV5oWeN4AjU4h8j1dFfSwlgyenWWALM/s1600/114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54XAJXwqCP-wo9Lf_yzDEFXJa0cLKL6m0twQG1w6MSgj1HcPyNFW1WimGgXek4LBwdvS2fB1kyWEiqtYZtkAtvoeDRevatFYiDLiq_eGG1kVhV5oWeN4AjU4h8j1dFfSwlgyenWWALM/s400/114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I've got many more pictures which I could post, and kind of want to, but this post is already ridiculously long and not very linear, so I'll go ahead and wrap it up now. Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you were amazing and my friends and I really enjoyed our time, so thanks. I hope to see you again soon. </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-7958038591607200592010-11-16T23:56:00.001-06:002010-11-16T23:56:48.568-06:00Zombies, Zombies, Zombies!<div style="text-align: center;">What do you get when you take a bunch of people, some fake blood, and a hot June night?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8aSrg2SkyFdAWz7tDT6Szje5X0A79bwCtsRSjdxgsYweQNT1KqF6a6J_0z6HAbj7Y1gfiJETDexNC_xY_WF108UT_ONKS4nVVddNmKhEX7pHWDlrr_VcP5eXnfl9uRp2-p8AXjIUDVU/s1600/zomb12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8aSrg2SkyFdAWz7tDT6Szje5X0A79bwCtsRSjdxgsYweQNT1KqF6a6J_0z6HAbj7Y1gfiJETDexNC_xY_WF108UT_ONKS4nVVddNmKhEX7pHWDlrr_VcP5eXnfl9uRp2-p8AXjIUDVU/s400/zomb12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I like to call this pic, "victim's last snapshot." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You get the Birmingham Couchsurfer's Zombie Crawl!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What is couchsurfing you ask? Well, it's a great travel organization used by millions of people. I'm not going to take the time here to explain it, but check out the<a href="http://www.couchsurfing.org/"> link</a> for more info. Birmingham has a very active CS community, and there is often a function taking place, as well as a weekly meet up. The Zombie crawl was my first official function. I'd been interested in joining the CS group for a while and this seemed like a good opportunity to get involved. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56V4befWFQOObUy-MMwgSbRY45egGKQJvx2KUVoGBbPw-Go5C8IMwz-dObbKjFym9WqRRBWViqhAeC4cicTQ64tMYO2nknT2kM9A4audrhwCW9KIMMEUEz5BK_D3g_NhZTZHs-MCaaLM/s1600/zomb4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56V4befWFQOObUy-MMwgSbRY45egGKQJvx2KUVoGBbPw-Go5C8IMwz-dObbKjFym9WqRRBWViqhAeC4cicTQ64tMYO2nknT2kM9A4audrhwCW9KIMMEUEz5BK_D3g_NhZTZHs-MCaaLM/s400/zomb4.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The undead football player, 80's mall pop singer, and granny. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started the night at The Barking Kudu. At first, it seemed like there might only be three or four of us, which...well, doesn't make for a very good horde. However, as the dark and heavy blanket of night came to settle over the city, legions of the undead began to walk the streets...and get organized. After all, we were a Zombie horde with a purpose, not just a bunch of aimless, brain-hungry undead. Once a pretty good crowd had gathered at the Kudu, we broke off into teams and were given lists detailing a scavenger hunt and several meet up times. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83SQSa59yQrnTr1Pg6ecgYkk96vaubFIyiF5ElMyU4D811wArfDTd9QgVRCZyKOoSyBH95bGe2M-5PvPrM5-KXGnW7GMS3ACD5BegZ32GY3ljCiV2N4XZkV3gRGrZQpvkA2-heWyzxko/s1600/zomb7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83SQSa59yQrnTr1Pg6ecgYkk96vaubFIyiF5ElMyU4D811wArfDTd9QgVRCZyKOoSyBH95bGe2M-5PvPrM5-KXGnW7GMS3ACD5BegZ32GY3ljCiV2N4XZkV3gRGrZQpvkA2-heWyzxko/s400/zomb7.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Haha! Pointing!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are finding one of the Couchsurfing stickers that had been placed in various locations throughout the city. There were many things on the list, 'find all the CS stickers, take a picture with an Elvis statue, etc, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nZDMvXph6NCVWTaEdw_U9FZKcXzol6Rf83K4fLU0fn94J2c8V6NBMsy_xbNbVQto3-NCHNivQYZwQeAaZ_Xu2l2NgX7gcmfaxIxK6qN5VgEwYyf7LK3kEkeTDDJmG2eJS7lIMbct5jI/s1600/zomb5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nZDMvXph6NCVWTaEdw_U9FZKcXzol6Rf83K4fLU0fn94J2c8V6NBMsy_xbNbVQto3-NCHNivQYZwQeAaZ_Xu2l2NgX7gcmfaxIxK6qN5VgEwYyf7LK3kEkeTDDJmG2eJS7lIMbct5jI/s400/zomb5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Most unattractive picture of me ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This however, was worth bonus points. There were two cops in the middle of the intersection and Vickie, aka, undead granny starts to hobble over to them. "Excuse me! Excuse me, officers!" The officer takes one look and goes for his gun. He doesn't draw, but you can tell he's freaked out to the max. Vickie proceeds to explain what we're doing and asks if we can get a picture. He laughs and says that he thought she'd just been attacked. As far as the picture, he didn't mind, "as long as it doesn't end up on myspace." No worries sir...it won't be on <i>myspace</i>. (However, you never mentioned blogger.) So, thank you to one of Birmingham's finest for playing along. Also, apparently I didn't get the memo that we were all going to be really happy in this picture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6PfUABTsuGcRU8b0pKsUT354zp7e0ZZARpWaVqldFkoZA5wJRz165PikzGl8Aa37ugxdvxwXa_R-7CGgyYVnQ8i0P-6rvJIhtwq1wPYacPLvfkpF0qilFqL0ETDd5YrfZAhNwAVtxeo/s1600/zomb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6PfUABTsuGcRU8b0pKsUT354zp7e0ZZARpWaVqldFkoZA5wJRz165PikzGl8Aa37ugxdvxwXa_R-7CGgyYVnQ8i0P-6rvJIhtwq1wPYacPLvfkpF0qilFqL0ETDd5YrfZAhNwAVtxeo/s400/zomb2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rowdy Roddey Piper!</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">We continued to drag ourselves through the city, stopping to stare into windows, startling unsuspecting restaurant patrons, disturbing local pubs, and causing general confusion and mayhem. Eventually, we invaded Innisfree Irish pub where the music was live and loud. Thank you <a href="http://jaspercoal.com/">Jasper Coal</a> for a fun show!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love a little rough-throated Celtic punk, especially when they bust out the bagpipes! Yes, I admit it. I love bagpipes and I'm proud of it. Eh, anything that's got a Dropkick Murphy/Flogging Molly kind of feel to it is always good in my book. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyGTCraBYHZ99cs8mKhShCpd41gAgoKW2U3m7ZjqL9vqfAOoOFCZjQ92SmuZ4t8-Dx4QPk-Q3Of1wQ67IQ8RFFg529PN_n3ShkP6pvYz6sNic4ug3XxGma3s4k3jNbft8ayOEB3fXdJM/s1600/zomb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyGTCraBYHZ99cs8mKhShCpd41gAgoKW2U3m7ZjqL9vqfAOoOFCZjQ92SmuZ4t8-Dx4QPk-Q3Of1wQ67IQ8RFFg529PN_n3ShkP6pvYz6sNic4ug3XxGma3s4k3jNbft8ayOEB3fXdJM/s400/zomb1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">To quote a friend: </span>"Hoppppppps, GRAIIIIIIIINS!" </div><div style="text-align: center;">Zombie Michael Jackson up there is actually wearing my jacket. Why is the majority of my closet also ripe for costuming?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CF77olpDdqOzEOjCoHDo1rxfm1CKxEK_L4Mo56P4OMafSkkL97DPk5j2d0S_xSCDAYZNO7WK8cLQRMyzC2t8kkClPo-tTc6MF9B-aeQxRKWqStP_gO_y1K6NoBP1aIHyP49cbFoGNeU/s1600/zomb10.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CF77olpDdqOzEOjCoHDo1rxfm1CKxEK_L4Mo56P4OMafSkkL97DPk5j2d0S_xSCDAYZNO7WK8cLQRMyzC2t8kkClPo-tTc6MF9B-aeQxRKWqStP_gO_y1K6NoBP1aIHyP49cbFoGNeU/s400/zomb10.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was much dancing, singing, and clapping of hands... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_FaYFPJfdikgS_Ho7_AtirpuYsaVgtUNhwh6JJpIBLJ7fF3Klqja0VwxIyclqZy0Bu_1Bp6o04gqusvyOjjBWjYAY7QYv3v-7qmCkNDXuTXypo1mZxckrlNwghsm8eurt6e3kQXrl5k/s1600/zomb13.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_FaYFPJfdikgS_Ho7_AtirpuYsaVgtUNhwh6JJpIBLJ7fF3Klqja0VwxIyclqZy0Bu_1Bp6o04gqusvyOjjBWjYAY7QYv3v-7qmCkNDXuTXypo1mZxckrlNwghsm8eurt6e3kQXrl5k/s400/zomb13.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...Oh, and of course eating of brains, that too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD36uw80jKGQRzayAX98gEB_icmNbYN6EglypB7K5EbiWPN-p62Xu8ToM07wIs1KZYfLYLILFBo5Csw_ccneTvnQGZuIAvf91isbXA7r6RN-UrMtb9-IfSLFCgwluhxK-iCrFnLQypvUk/s1600/zomb6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD36uw80jKGQRzayAX98gEB_icmNbYN6EglypB7K5EbiWPN-p62Xu8ToM07wIs1KZYfLYLILFBo5Csw_ccneTvnQGZuIAvf91isbXA7r6RN-UrMtb9-IfSLFCgwluhxK-iCrFnLQypvUk/s400/zomb6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The crawl was great fun, and our group scored pretty big in the scavenger hunt, but still, it wasn't the main event of the evening. You see, by now, it's close to midnight, and something evil's lurking in the dark...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="325" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XvAMGrhZJCY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XvAMGrhZJCY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="325"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> White tights need to stay in the 80s.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">What Zombie crawl would be complete without a performance of Thriller in the heart of downtown at the stroke of midnight? Yes, yes, I know, probably a lot of them, but ours wasn't! We had some audio problems and it's not like we're professionals, but the crowd seemed to enjoy it. We sure did!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJQiUghRkDJ2PQzaAW5nw-yc6J6WtJDLakWjzEHKX9qedf2IezcIuLP3Pw9GDnJXxC2m5fQLuuBGT11Y_YFlTtPEag8CAMEdk3buZQMtN5zw7GJakN-BfX3UraBlqjyuLKceXpOcgMbk/s1600/zomb8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJQiUghRkDJ2PQzaAW5nw-yc6J6WtJDLakWjzEHKX9qedf2IezcIuLP3Pw9GDnJXxC2m5fQLuuBGT11Y_YFlTtPEag8CAMEdk3buZQMtN5zw7GJakN-BfX3UraBlqjyuLKceXpOcgMbk/s400/zomb8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At this point, with this many post dance, sweaty, thirsty Zombies roaming around, Dave's had the funk of forty thousand beers. It was a great night, and a fun event for a CS newbie. Oh, and why did we choose June instead of say October? Because, much like the Spanish Inquisition, no one expects it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A big thanks to the wonderful Crystal Murphy for the pictures and for organizing such a great event, and to Vickie Edwards for such a great welcome into the CS group!</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221830022046661951.post-30588617356775350052010-11-11T23:38:00.002-06:002010-11-11T23:46:57.104-06:00Return to New Orleans, or Meeting MIKE ROWE!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
That's right. I met MIKE ROWE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 50pt;"><i>MIKE ROWE!</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj-9ECrpCvbXTnnaGBamcJctR9ZI-S-DoFwhoXcMWh_uRSh7iTJPgSnSmpAguGKWF39AFsCiyfXIZEX8MbsjCKAxdbUe8pxaKXPdnYY74qRiAOj_Dwpc2wMNZNhhnbwUKBHbcwEe-2BI/s1600/dirtyjobs-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaj-9ECrpCvbXTnnaGBamcJctR9ZI-S-DoFwhoXcMWh_uRSh7iTJPgSnSmpAguGKWF39AFsCiyfXIZEX8MbsjCKAxdbUe8pxaKXPdnYY74qRiAOj_Dwpc2wMNZNhhnbwUKBHbcwEe-2BI/s400/dirtyjobs-3.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mikeroweworks.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i><span style="font-size: small;">This guy! :D</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><i><br />
</i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, I didn't meet him right away, so I'm not starting there...just keep that in mind...because I did, and it was awesome. </span></span><br />
<br />
Where I am starting is around 11:55 AM, June 5th, 2010. At this particular moment in time, I was sitting in the back of my father's car as he and my mother drove me to the Amtrak station to meet my train to NOLA. I'd never truly traveled by train before, just taken one for a short sight-seeing trip in Colorado, and I don't think the train at the zoo really counts. I mean, the engineer rides ON the engine. It doesn't ring of authenticity.<br />
<br />
My train was scheduled to leave at 12:30, and with fifteen minutes of driving yet ahead of us, I was cutting it close, which for me, is fairly standard operating procedure. Still, you only have to arrive thirty minutes beforehand, so I wasn't that worried.<br />
<br />
Until...<br />
<br />
I looked at my ticket again, and then once more, and saw that 12:30 was actually 12:03. Thank you, random moment of dyscalculia! This of course, brought about my loud exclamation of "OH CRAP!" After explaining my moment of retardation. 1.21 gigawatts and 88 mph later, I was there at 12:01. I grabbed my bags, kissed the folks goodbye and ran for the platform. Thankfully, Amtrak was keeping it real by running late as well. Mom had followed me and after another frantic goodbye, I was left standing by my train, a frantic, disheveled mess, suitcase and ticket in hand when I heard from behind me, "Elizabeth?" Turns out, my friend Brannon, who I hadn't seen since college, now lives in New Orleans as a tattoo artist. It was nice to catch up, and a reminder of how funny life can be.<br />
<br />
And now, time for some pictures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5_Dw5tO0ahNGgWWT7irNKSHvb47c3c8K22KkujGVkItzd6D2kxkpT30WVLKZhnhLSuOFwdg2fIWjKG3CzV5-ZmW-5NnbVSLpg8Q8RcyTkTLer-TGPslWYtf4mu4tHYPgoh4xGq7TebI/s1600/100_6216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5_Dw5tO0ahNGgWWT7irNKSHvb47c3c8K22KkujGVkItzd6D2kxkpT30WVLKZhnhLSuOFwdg2fIWjKG3CzV5-ZmW-5NnbVSLpg8Q8RcyTkTLer-TGPslWYtf4mu4tHYPgoh4xGq7TebI/s400/100_6216.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just thought this was a gorgeous scene.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAmUCD9BZ2Z4QJwDAVhyphenhyphendLDd5bu5by5hgkYS5fTy_-KWiNYpnV7tqFiFLRueQcfRfLZdbIWGX7BVVmyWaCmGITp4uoaq_6ndVQNR_hYwZLb_xhyphenhyphenoR3BDKYMzLZwafeCMxcU05_QeUVHI/s1600/100_6218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAmUCD9BZ2Z4QJwDAVhyphenhyphendLDd5bu5by5hgkYS5fTy_-KWiNYpnV7tqFiFLRueQcfRfLZdbIWGX7BVVmyWaCmGITp4uoaq_6ndVQNR_hYwZLb_xhyphenhyphenoR3BDKYMzLZwafeCMxcU05_QeUVHI/s400/100_6218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Flying into New Orleans last time, I wasn't treated to a view of one of the "Cities of The Dead." I was amazed by this. Yes, I know that due to the water table, folks are placed in mausoleums instead of buried, but WOW, at the size and scope of these cemeteries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu7BG3egToiZ1XAVlFTgDAU4D4cInwuudlPxNfgaJqgY7wtduCe43C3oxzki1L-hIR8IogWLxuttYGhrnMt5OJJp4M89ftSmD5Y9NumjrZ5FXEh7mDs64a9A1dCU7WTFdLAY0SsC2l-w/s1600/100_6219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu7BG3egToiZ1XAVlFTgDAU4D4cInwuudlPxNfgaJqgY7wtduCe43C3oxzki1L-hIR8IogWLxuttYGhrnMt5OJJp4M89ftSmD5Y9NumjrZ5FXEh7mDs64a9A1dCU7WTFdLAY0SsC2l-w/s400/100_6219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why aren't more Zombie movies centered in New Orleans?</div><br />
I was really enjoying the train ride. I had a huge window, an entire row to myself, and having dinner in the dining car was a novel experience. I read. I wrote. I drew. I took a nap. All was going smoothly until we hit Slidell, and then, things got strange. <br />
A <i>gentleman</i> who I have affectionately named "The Crackhead from Slidell," and his lady-friend boarded the train, lawn and leaf bag luggage in tow, and settled into their seats. A couple of minutes later, I'm minding my own business, leafing through the book I brought, when I hear from behind me, "I gonna keel ya" <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(phonetics for your pleasure!)</span> "I gonna crack ya skull, cause you a n-word, bit**! I'm a man, a mother fu**ing man! I <i>am</i> Naw Awlans, ninth ward, born n' raised!" <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(on the playground where he spent most of his days...)</span> He repeated this roughly thirty to fifty times, standing up and pointing at his lady-friend, who sat in her seat, doing nothing, as if this was par for the course. <br />
<br />
Everyone else in the car was <em>obviously</em> uncomfortable, except for one old lady, God bless her, who actually berated him for his callous and casual use of the n-word and profanity. As I watched, ducked down, between the crack in my seat, I assumed he was about to kill her, but instead, he apologized and acted humbled. Then, he turned to his lady again, looked at her lovingly and said "gonna bash ya skull in."<br />
<br />
Anyway, security eventually, forcibly, removed him to his own compartment, where I'm sure he had a wonderful time, because when he returned, as we reached New Orleans, he was in a fantastic mood. <br />
<br />
Now, instead of focusing his crack filled rage on his lady, he enlightened us all to his evening plans. "I gonna take on all a Bou'bon street tonight, all a Bou'bon street wit mah man, Reggie Bush! We tight, we tight, me and Reggie Bush, me and Reggie Bush! Tonight, we gon' git all the p<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(meow!)</span>y on Bou'bon street. Me an' Reggie Bush..." We, the other passengers, let him leave first. <br />
<br />
And that, my friends, was my first train ride.<br />
<br />
After this, I was glad I wasn't venturing out in the Big Easy alone, (and certainly not to Bourbon Street...not with Reggie Bush and the Gentleman Crackhead were on the prowl.) I was again meeting up with my good friend Cindi! After dinner and a restful night at our hotel, we hit the town. We shopped, toured the city, and ate wherever the locals said was good. I snagged a new book and a Mardi Gras mask at the French Market and lusted after a dress a couldn't afford. That afternoon, we were meeting up with Captain Keith, Florence, and Monte at a local oyster festival, but first, some pics:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz6_go6mXza2mP53vacafHvCBF7sZEQGHed-2smpS0pN8201P0keqmc-e0kJxQA1odBY8vv4cUm9YR_AJqKzajpmQCaqHuEVYPNNR-EToXzjx3ceJWf-yeOJMbVFscxsCjpwGrdBjhKI/s1600/100_6222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz6_go6mXza2mP53vacafHvCBF7sZEQGHed-2smpS0pN8201P0keqmc-e0kJxQA1odBY8vv4cUm9YR_AJqKzajpmQCaqHuEVYPNNR-EToXzjx3ceJWf-yeOJMbVFscxsCjpwGrdBjhKI/s400/100_6222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not Reggie Bush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DYaPpM3TQ1dbpK69-_AwEqiQl1g06iECsZu7JSI1jnz-G2qd-rA6wlOm1oZXWwXtFMRY8FmCSXOOm2_AAUcOwHRgGpfWb1zXjbUqq0PQDd_Gbg3GM7yrDR8PdHcmquOK38IgM3H5Mm8/s1600/100_6225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DYaPpM3TQ1dbpK69-_AwEqiQl1g06iECsZu7JSI1jnz-G2qd-rA6wlOm1oZXWwXtFMRY8FmCSXOOm2_AAUcOwHRgGpfWb1zXjbUqq0PQDd_Gbg3GM7yrDR8PdHcmquOK38IgM3H5Mm8/s400/100_6225.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saint Jeanne d' Arc, The Maid of Orléans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSbWL1RwJtOoBACoYU-WAhJbfBDGf6bR_jDwTFq20Q3yIZwDBeyv8ujvaU0AlkJmXrYxpREY9wGH7CaGfrdIfUhvl0QqjRmSgvvSRr0JR8GpfDYCBkBPah2rohQ4gbvfcT4cK82fQk60/s1600/100_6232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSbWL1RwJtOoBACoYU-WAhJbfBDGf6bR_jDwTFq20Q3yIZwDBeyv8ujvaU0AlkJmXrYxpREY9wGH7CaGfrdIfUhvl0QqjRmSgvvSRr0JR8GpfDYCBkBPah2rohQ4gbvfcT4cK82fQk60/s400/100_6232.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Jackson Square</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After downing a quick lunch of a shrimp po'boy and a drink of the frozen persuasion, we headed down to the oyster fest for the main event. The Captains and crews from Deadliest Catch were in town for the <i>After The Catch</i> Filming and several of the guys, including Monte, were participating in the oyster eating contest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJXm7JnbHCg2pW_effm57HSmB-Y9RlezXkz0xTOWvmQXvse93qhDcqtZWoVyd8ajooxt5mFP0Qn0N2OocuoUkUWFmI_3wrKKUtvexXqKE66V-_8sZDf5rPPZDh54g8zePwESAJB3rOI/s1600/100_6247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJXm7JnbHCg2pW_effm57HSmB-Y9RlezXkz0xTOWvmQXvse93qhDcqtZWoVyd8ajooxt5mFP0Qn0N2OocuoUkUWFmI_3wrKKUtvexXqKE66V-_8sZDf5rPPZDh54g8zePwESAJB3rOI/s400/100_6247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jake and Edgar were representing the F/V Northwestern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAe9b_szy52xu1A9_VnxKrereIJ5O9b-Eq3-DltzyIxZeEi0nvXVvpY_ZcCcdm-T1pjlCfrNeP7C_sKxLHOaktUBfKF37tTzEGKyK9_xcNTDDGhGMAi21JBe0xMQ6Pls0ifKK1VfToIo/s1600/100_6243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAe9b_szy52xu1A9_VnxKrereIJ5O9b-Eq3-DltzyIxZeEi0nvXVvpY_ZcCcdm-T1pjlCfrNeP7C_sKxLHOaktUBfKF37tTzEGKyK9_xcNTDDGhGMAi21JBe0xMQ6Pls0ifKK1VfToIo/s400/100_6243.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monte was standing up for the F/V Wizard. Mike Fourtner was ready to chow down for the F/V Time Bandit, and Wild Bill of the F/V Kodiak was also willing to put down his beer for a round of oysters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqMJdEEu4v1mf_uidhnC-p6lg7UHVV65NR4wyJ2aEeKVKyyio_hyphenhyphenzE-IJOpsvvFfIvNWAsogJdSuiw9NBT-iwZ19P9swd8oqzPmT5oasXq8zbLJEW4MrB4UMyXjG8iBgf9ySyoXLRuOE/s1600/100_6250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqMJdEEu4v1mf_uidhnC-p6lg7UHVV65NR4wyJ2aEeKVKyyio_hyphenhyphenzE-IJOpsvvFfIvNWAsogJdSuiw9NBT-iwZ19P9swd8oqzPmT5oasXq8zbLJEW4MrB4UMyXjG8iBgf9ySyoXLRuOE/s400/100_6250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm just going to say that Mike Fourtner is a beastly beast of a man. Everyone was fighting their way through the plates of the slimy, wriggly oysters. Some even gave up, but he was downing them like his life depended on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbQQBadTUpKb9DMA_7D6mxmII74ehuUX29KP9_JdK8VSs11tW5GDruOKRA3pe88zxMZII7SGv9IMsPXVeeDO_OXT-4V1Ew0lRQrHNZ6lclkXkwfmGtNhZL_x-Jreg1pGShz0dGW-7QL4/s1600/100_6251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbQQBadTUpKb9DMA_7D6mxmII74ehuUX29KP9_JdK8VSs11tW5GDruOKRA3pe88zxMZII7SGv9IMsPXVeeDO_OXT-4V1Ew0lRQrHNZ6lclkXkwfmGtNhZL_x-Jreg1pGShz0dGW-7QL4/s400/100_6251.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Welcome to Monte experiencing oysters for the first time. We later informed him that you aren't supposed to chew them. I think he finished with a grand total of four. Mike there, yeah, still going. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnWUeKtn6MAN_xgIsYhyIu3RX7M_QGPe5jY7FosPOnLHO3UXur_buGowxtNzg66u9Fugn0gd0P3sgdGr6SvtEpY001GAvIhsxGeGQXIsMCQf_IyvanuZHBx5B7k5ENg6QDiRgSZFi69E/s1600/100_6258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnWUeKtn6MAN_xgIsYhyIu3RX7M_QGPe5jY7FosPOnLHO3UXur_buGowxtNzg66u9Fugn0gd0P3sgdGr6SvtEpY001GAvIhsxGeGQXIsMCQf_IyvanuZHBx5B7k5ENg6QDiRgSZFi69E/s400/100_6258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Edgar put up a pretty good fight, but I think he's about to blow out a vein in his forehead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls6WISWVjv0bB0IC1Flht6sRX1wKpJvpbKD7PxpVDCWskltPoq55euPzZb7RK1SPJErJXZC8v12OhhDOZfLU9f8ZE7_s-GwC8Gh-V51ZD7RCY8Y_PpZAUiwtdtOBXUW_kMbrjqlhaXmA/s1600/100_6264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls6WISWVjv0bB0IC1Flht6sRX1wKpJvpbKD7PxpVDCWskltPoq55euPzZb7RK1SPJErJXZC8v12OhhDOZfLU9f8ZE7_s-GwC8Gh-V51ZD7RCY8Y_PpZAUiwtdtOBXUW_kMbrjqlhaXmA/s400/100_6264.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unsurprisingly, Mike walked away with the championship boot and the admiration of at least four other crab fishermen. I can't recall how many he actually ate, but it seems as if it was something along the lines of 38 in a minute...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After that, the guys headed off to do some filming and Cindi and I headed back to the hotel for a little relaxation and swimming. I met up with my friend Brannon and we took a tour of the wax museum, talked about art on the steps of his house, and grabbed a beverage at a local coffee shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrNRPFBNo0_znC44c8tVz8CwS6eL2OMhl-7kPBeLRnFQydTThoJBhkgf_ly4CGDh16myjbgAN8S8hGIZDocavCKqIIIRA3QNgPKXxg_xIJemVUd_3MadPa1cUO9nm5m-SsWOsP5pDEjE/s1600/100_6266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrNRPFBNo0_znC44c8tVz8CwS6eL2OMhl-7kPBeLRnFQydTThoJBhkgf_ly4CGDh16myjbgAN8S8hGIZDocavCKqIIIRA3QNgPKXxg_xIJemVUd_3MadPa1cUO9nm5m-SsWOsP5pDEjE/s400/100_6266.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A night at the<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> wax </span>museum. Can't you feel the history come alive?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later that night, Cindi, Travis, Keith, Florence, Monte, and I all ended up at the Spotted cat for a little live jazz. Live music is always a good thing, and at one point, there must have been ten or more musicians all playing at once in this tiny venue. It was loud, it was packed, it was awesome! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlrOFT_bslWU3MtF5x7DsPW2ZDuM3BvmsZJZr06UBe51WIu34Cu3DSM1XW04dEdDifRqpd-pPyEqaH5ogwnObKGQ2vW8xHwAV8qPL2Jr81XA55zcGbEBBD2EbETaOf1uNurii3LizzBQ/s1600/trump.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlrOFT_bslWU3MtF5x7DsPW2ZDuM3BvmsZJZr06UBe51WIu34Cu3DSM1XW04dEdDifRqpd-pPyEqaH5ogwnObKGQ2vW8xHwAV8qPL2Jr81XA55zcGbEBBD2EbETaOf1uNurii3LizzBQ/s400/trump.bmp" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the musicians playing a solo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8F8vptSLnkzmt1ip5UNuBsUcQbikZ2-RoYRyTcie3hmhn0rTZhM2b3ulX1TLKEBHA5r2sWrHRlK3AwDCQFCs-8hi39_8wegk5nzUQ6KNGifErMAucnQA8xqLUAyVEnswxgUcTVGrpMM/s1600/girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8F8vptSLnkzmt1ip5UNuBsUcQbikZ2-RoYRyTcie3hmhn0rTZhM2b3ulX1TLKEBHA5r2sWrHRlK3AwDCQFCs-8hi39_8wegk5nzUQ6KNGifErMAucnQA8xqLUAyVEnswxgUcTVGrpMM/s400/girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cindi, Florence, and me enjoying the music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sx8AMjGi7EQKqZjgDqMNz5UBRShUCaL_k7Z_aaWWOJs4iSkA40yhT2lEpXrwCEa3RYjcaPFlecD29agVySRmla2_E49bI80qXQQiDoP3OogjO-oGhVMHSy6dbManfcTCjffhUAkWawY/s1600/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sx8AMjGi7EQKqZjgDqMNz5UBRShUCaL_k7Z_aaWWOJs4iSkA40yhT2lEpXrwCEa3RYjcaPFlecD29agVySRmla2_E49bI80qXQQiDoP3OogjO-oGhVMHSy6dbManfcTCjffhUAkWawY/s400/music.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keith and Monte with the rockin' trumpet player.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(all spotted cat pics thanks to Cindi!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so went the night. The next day the 'round table' portion of the filming was taking place and Cindi and I were really hoping we'd be able to sit in on the actual shoot. However, that was not to be. The set was completely closed during filming so we made our way to the back lot and watched the live feed from the trailer with Florence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg17bSVSJpw6jZ5zcwQaG8pHvqV2T7MFElpYUKwtIVlEatMWas-BY_GkOVPioW1fV-FOelA9oKk7EpeBv2P1KocFC9b7lUaVAcvrJz2efGaWX7e9Vkea9cVf6JlbOBbGK-gBQ7lKEsLv8/s1600/filming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg17bSVSJpw6jZ5zcwQaG8pHvqV2T7MFElpYUKwtIVlEatMWas-BY_GkOVPioW1fV-FOelA9oKk7EpeBv2P1KocFC9b7lUaVAcvrJz2efGaWX7e9Vkea9cVf6JlbOBbGK-gBQ7lKEsLv8/s400/filming.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks Cindi!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The filming was fun to watch. Of course, you see more than what makes it to the final cut, and let me just say, some of my favorite moments were left in the editing room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaAPMwPP0YuMtWtl2MNdi8jBdQXZwzBfMVcS-oiRd6_O3m4fHme8vxSeOoehLVo-2GTkJsfnV4q55JLP0etYs1JwQrIiPVcNm9iglZURHmaS4FLVDuwcVJrnmI98F3oFUq7vtwYOFA-E/s1600/backlot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaAPMwPP0YuMtWtl2MNdi8jBdQXZwzBfMVcS-oiRd6_O3m4fHme8vxSeOoehLVo-2GTkJsfnV4q55JLP0etYs1JwQrIiPVcNm9iglZURHmaS4FLVDuwcVJrnmI98F3oFUq7vtwYOFA-E/s400/backlot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks Cindi!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Between takes or while another group was being filmed, the guys would come out to the lot to talk, hang out, or watch the filming as well. Judging by my face, Monte is telling a story that I obviously don't believe. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdZzTMvnMYTJ1R5BbIDby7Div6O2RokiEuvPTp06jMS_-RllXdHyIPewj9QlBYY_XHu8W8ei9sODpPVqlI3p0YF4WEWefOFINjDfWuUAXUdjtnRg9eiIUw-X1Ax3njBu25VMXx5pVuxY/s1600/buds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdZzTMvnMYTJ1R5BbIDby7Div6O2RokiEuvPTp06jMS_-RllXdHyIPewj9QlBYY_XHu8W8ei9sODpPVqlI3p0YF4WEWefOFINjDfWuUAXUdjtnRg9eiIUw-X1Ax3njBu25VMXx5pVuxY/s400/buds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I caught Trav in the middle of a sentence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Post filming, we were allowed in for the after party. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRPBkWZzOeRKahfSTmn1EsQCOG4aTOb7POkJmr-FfRMGMadMMcU8-_uuNNy-OTD2BRxlJRFMMU3-ZSJ7qYgJKi3Sb8GLS_CJumH99eQcvVDHkTEBsdcdTo5ktlOPm3hzw9sNOVOVOyeQ/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRPBkWZzOeRKahfSTmn1EsQCOG4aTOb7POkJmr-FfRMGMadMMcU8-_uuNNy-OTD2BRxlJRFMMU3-ZSJ7qYgJKi3Sb8GLS_CJumH99eQcvVDHkTEBsdcdTo5ktlOPm3hzw9sNOVOVOyeQ/s400/group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeff Conroy, Andy Hillstrand, MIKE ROWE, unsure, unsure, Trav. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, let me just say that Cindi and I don't often get starstruck. The guys we work with are just our friends. The other guys are just the other guys that happen to be on the show. However...I will not lie about this, meeting MIKE ROWE was a dazzling, starstruck, act like a stupid fangirl moment. Cindi was all but shaking and I was pretty sure my face was cracking from my smile. Coherent thought and for that matter, basic tact and manners were...well, it just wasn't going to happen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Andy Hillstrand saw Cindi and I standing off to ourselves giggling like retards and he asked us what the deal was. We told him we wanted to meet MIKE ROWE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"MIKE ROWE? You want to meet MIKE ROWE?" he says, "Well, come on!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He proceeds to grab Cindi by the arm and I follow in hot pursuit. He then tells MIKE ROWE that "these ladies here want to meet you and get a picture," or something like that...it's all a blur. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDbeQMSIRrao0ICArRqsNhdY_aAPEO4JQwOXlP6Sgks3wnxnmHNntu0O_vyHCGao_1bacN5-dmc76yux1apZtWvZfvC96b6-8ZODWR3vl5FFI2ohjFcXQTXq9Vxzwl1_ikvyzgW4XmJw/s1600/mike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDbeQMSIRrao0ICArRqsNhdY_aAPEO4JQwOXlP6Sgks3wnxnmHNntu0O_vyHCGao_1bacN5-dmc76yux1apZtWvZfvC96b6-8ZODWR3vl5FFI2ohjFcXQTXq9Vxzwl1_ikvyzgW4XmJw/s400/mike.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MIKE ROWE! and me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxVvVFDdaXzmqd-u6pjzsRSo1hJ_Yq4B5F8Se9TtgFRG47BdR45bw7kTPqU2K3EQ3TksKClTpi66m-DVGahqO2i7Q260c0Xf557lkQT-3qeTXBmnJ1NOjTKh2Eav_jBd705cqUHiDDg0/s1600/mikecindi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxVvVFDdaXzmqd-u6pjzsRSo1hJ_Yq4B5F8Se9TtgFRG47BdR45bw7kTPqU2K3EQ3TksKClTpi66m-DVGahqO2i7Q260c0Xf557lkQT-3qeTXBmnJ1NOjTKh2Eav_jBd705cqUHiDDg0/s400/mikecindi.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">MIKE ROWE! and Cindi!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks Cindi! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The following is the conversation that took place upon meeting MIKE ROWE! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cindi: "You're MIKE ROWE!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MIKE ROWE: "Eh, everybody's gotta be somebody."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cindi: "But you're MIKE ROWE!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MIKE ROWE: *<i>laughter, classic MIKE ROWE sigh, </i> "Doesn't anyone introduce themselves anymore?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me: "Hi MIKE ROWE, I'm Liz, and you'll have to forgive our inability to be anything but raging fangirls right now." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cindi: "I'm Cindi, and I'm sorry, but MIKE ROWE!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MIKE ROWE: <i>*smirks, laughs, continues to be awesome.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(not verbatim, but pretty darn close.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21TpVak0WHacXqgpoWyJtpGaaU1REFk29xKYDW3JAWESCQYexb3AM4BJZ55RfAZzVnM-xiwdiqN3kMhr5WSXMN6g0xSf2K0ya7Wat-jCXSWttG1clzFejO6gr4sJN3HuqHFgTpzXrfwA/s1600/1413489330102_1018594329_1225351_5336332_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21TpVak0WHacXqgpoWyJtpGaaU1REFk29xKYDW3JAWESCQYexb3AM4BJZ55RfAZzVnM-xiwdiqN3kMhr5WSXMN6g0xSf2K0ya7Wat-jCXSWttG1clzFejO6gr4sJN3HuqHFgTpzXrfwA/s400/1413489330102_1018594329_1225351_5336332_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Thanks Cindi!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">MIKE ROWE and Monte enjoying a big plate of crawfish, cold beer, and a laugh. Cindi and I shamelessly photographed him the entire time.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxONED1cUBTSzUjssZtc_xpWDVRnubRKOdVNEDhZfTzcgpQwwVMNxCnlxE5RooOlSFpxmmKmvdPKe0yZKBZm4reeqag5ucAOC-NN5fLU0toqm0eIgcLuO7yTiCBpnp3ebI52-akS56R9E/s1600/100_6292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxONED1cUBTSzUjssZtc_xpWDVRnubRKOdVNEDhZfTzcgpQwwVMNxCnlxE5RooOlSFpxmmKmvdPKe0yZKBZm4reeqag5ucAOC-NN5fLU0toqm0eIgcLuO7yTiCBpnp3ebI52-akS56R9E/s400/100_6292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Oh, hi MIKE ROWE. Uh...no, no, I'm not sneaking candid photos of you like a rabid, tabloid paparazzi...I'm just...uh...aiming my camera in your general direction...constantly. Stop looking at me." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">...click!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He actually wasn't even looking at me here. Someone was beside me was calling his name and I snapped this just as he looked in my direction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2eH-jgn0styLeGZL30Ex4wCvZ4mmOAClWsXwNPmdx8zrgDpX9vun-A42L3XL0Ux8LZ9Nxg-umi2Z4anBPQJ9-oTG88TL4it-f0p8lw4ZkBzx91UL5XGEEBpsnJZKKm-tcwe_PiP5Keg/s1600/1412527986069_1018594329_1223562_2269233_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2eH-jgn0styLeGZL30Ex4wCvZ4mmOAClWsXwNPmdx8zrgDpX9vun-A42L3XL0Ux8LZ9Nxg-umi2Z4anBPQJ9-oTG88TL4it-f0p8lw4ZkBzx91UL5XGEEBpsnJZKKm-tcwe_PiP5Keg/s400/1412527986069_1018594329_1223562_2269233_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks Cindi!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MIKE ROWE signed autographs for us on the only thing we could find, drink coasters. I'm just glad that as an artist, I always have a sharpie with me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Keep it dirty Liz" -MIKE ROWE</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGh4b8XqmOROqA_gCtmvMbasQRMgm-WlqCfYI0fcuCoD4OFA24FVq-39dsGV8YNcKd0IH_ZSDJyO7QwsxrkZGSca2sFKEDUltQtKdASKtBu_oRInY5DyxZUDdbhpbxBeUYNHFaqhJNJ4/s1600/100_6284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGh4b8XqmOROqA_gCtmvMbasQRMgm-WlqCfYI0fcuCoD4OFA24FVq-39dsGV8YNcKd0IH_ZSDJyO7QwsxrkZGSca2sFKEDUltQtKdASKtBu_oRInY5DyxZUDdbhpbxBeUYNHFaqhJNJ4/s400/100_6284.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, not everything centered around meeting MIKE ROWE. Here, Sig takes command of the bar mixing up, if I recall, a vodka cran. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmhylLaLoNSifyBzgCPjXfYyNb87vFXdDkykOK0-dtJgBpMIc1VR5vZz1qfv24bl_Q988RNrC-xPTWZgvnqtfKMEX5SQbkiFrQF3MNorqYf4VBFte7AUGAutlSSVY2RWMpZy4HmfHrs0/s1600/100_6294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmhylLaLoNSifyBzgCPjXfYyNb87vFXdDkykOK0-dtJgBpMIc1VR5vZz1qfv24bl_Q988RNrC-xPTWZgvnqtfKMEX5SQbkiFrQF3MNorqYf4VBFte7AUGAutlSSVY2RWMpZy4HmfHrs0/s400/100_6294.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Russell Newberry showed up which was a real treat. I was not expecting to see him, and it had been a while since we last talked. Russ is a total goofball...and I mean that in the best possible way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqTW-l5pHr9f7MYQvSgvA6vhhzoAz31JOxKZIneT6pBGXfwZPnIpFq1DWFIBMA1qAe2AltWJAe7d-0hnC2DxP6xFetQbFRMBCiaVkmfG8dLwyfQrdtSztoWiNXl9LA3hOOmBFA3ddGkc/s1600/100_6291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqTW-l5pHr9f7MYQvSgvA6vhhzoAz31JOxKZIneT6pBGXfwZPnIpFq1DWFIBMA1qAe2AltWJAe7d-0hnC2DxP6xFetQbFRMBCiaVkmfG8dLwyfQrdtSztoWiNXl9LA3hOOmBFA3ddGkc/s400/100_6291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Travis takes over for Sig. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT49mSwEpNGI75Krr2jdtVh1H5g5gdRIRlaMAxsQjh2BLo9agcFddSyukI0WACs7hTzewCWDXh0tkX_vH_7olG4yee-yEKIeap08t0h4Lg78tqumXWGyHLXACdocrwXiCEtgTPDqKvXKo/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT49mSwEpNGI75Krr2jdtVh1H5g5gdRIRlaMAxsQjh2BLo9agcFddSyukI0WACs7hTzewCWDXh0tkX_vH_7olG4yee-yEKIeap08t0h4Lg78tqumXWGyHLXACdocrwXiCEtgTPDqKvXKo/s400/073.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a more somber note, Phil was remembered and given an honored spot on the wall by the round table. The table itself had been made specifically for the show and had the image of Phil's necklace, a king crab in gold, painted onto the top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYA3PWVGXw7VDtjOmNbayX9qzPzGUpfzXCBdAqfGxh217oIObOJAtNPhUCdmWyQUzIhHy3nE0l6drZCfY5guYYDnZ7w3bB19G0W7yJr0Appg37dxDJGKtrRxGkmDZWwZU6j2BpLPJ5Rk/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYA3PWVGXw7VDtjOmNbayX9qzPzGUpfzXCBdAqfGxh217oIObOJAtNPhUCdmWyQUzIhHy3nE0l6drZCfY5guYYDnZ7w3bB19G0W7yJr0Appg37dxDJGKtrRxGkmDZWwZU6j2BpLPJ5Rk/s400/081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lovely Florence with Chef Kevin Belton of <a href="http://www.neworleansschoolofcooking.com/">The New Orleans School of Cooking</a>. Kevin was on ATC showing the guys how to make gumbo. He also gave a very interesting talk about the history of gumbo and how its name is a derivative of West African word for Okra, "ki ngombo." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of Kevin, cooking, and gumbo, that brings me to this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vUuf-mJcpPXDw83hKGS3AkhdTVL5djas-jqG9H0evNvP4ZEE9_bkDuzJGTnYuOvSatQ8R5flDFphk9oQvaBvgVuupOcpNMScDg6xm4hzc0cZ2GYFzHXUQ-vmQiwlp2alSvCirQkBfsQ/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vUuf-mJcpPXDw83hKGS3AkhdTVL5djas-jqG9H0evNvP4ZEE9_bkDuzJGTnYuOvSatQ8R5flDFphk9oQvaBvgVuupOcpNMScDg6xm4hzc0cZ2GYFzHXUQ-vmQiwlp2alSvCirQkBfsQ/s400/099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the party, Kevin took us to the famous <a href="http://www.kpauls.com/kpaul">K Paul's, </a>the restaurant of Chef Paul Prudhomme. Kevin is a regular there and we got top notch service and excellent food. Since I'd never had it before, I ordered the rabbit, and it was spectacular...along with everything else. Still, nothing topped the company. It was a great finish to a great trip. After dinner,we roamed the quarter for a while, were treated to an impromptu concert by a large street band, and surprised a fan or two. To close the night, we dropped by one last party where Cindi and I bid our farewells to all in attendance. I've been to New Orleans twice now and it has yet to disappoint. I'm looking forward to the next time I sway on down to the Big Easy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do believe this is the longest post I've ever written. I hope someone out there enjoyed it.</div>Elizabeth Douglashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972893410555882013noreply@blogger.com2