Zach and Sharon's Blog Home

2011-08-14T09:53:00.001-04:00

My father.

2011-06-19T20:14:00.004-04:00

My dad taught me to throw a football. He taught me how to shoot a bow and arrow. He taught me how to drive. He taught me that getting drunk on champagne or red label Budweiser is a one-way ticket to a brutal hangover. He taught me about the four corners offense and how Dean Smith designed the system. He taught me to respect my mother and that because I respect my mother, I should respect all women. He taught me that words have meaning and I should choose them carefully. He taught me that the “00” in James Bond’s agent number meant he had a license to kill. He taught me how to bait a hook. He taught me how to warn approaching cars of a speed trap. He taught me that boys pee standing up. He taught me that it is best to take two steps off of first to get ready for a steal and it’s foolish not to use them. He taught me that family comes before anyone else. He taught me that Fredo was weak and stupid.
As a boy, he taught me that he was my father, not my friend.

He’s both now.

Saturday Projects: Adirondack chair

2011-06-11T18:39:00.001-04:00

I hate wasting resources. The other week I helped a friend build a fence around his backyard so he would be in compliance with the neighborhood charter.After talking him into skipping on the Mexican workers and just getting a couple good buddies together with a case of beer and putting it up ourselves... A wonderful looking fence was constructed and saved him 1300 dollars! (I just wish we hadn't done it on a day where the heat index was 112) Anyway there were slats of the fence that had to be trimmed to fit perfectly. There were scrap 2x4 boards that were cut short for the stringers.. All of these are pressure and chemically treated for weather resistance. Since they were cut could not be returned to the store and were going to be thrown away.

I wanted something that looked good and would be useful for a while.

Like most of my projects. They all start with a sketch and my little pocket ref book.

First the legs and supports. These are made of really dense support beams that originally were used to carry support the pallets of wood. Super tough! I wanted to never worry about them

cracking and breaking under the weight of a guest. They are really simple. One is slightly higher than the other so that when you rest your ams they are tiled forward. You just have to make one set then make the mirror image with the opposite set.

Next you just have to attach the two sides and add the start of a back brace. If you add glue to each joint as you screw them together it will add significant strength here.

I unfortunately forgot this fact till I was completely done with the subframe. It meant I had to take the frame totally apart and start again. This time taking my time and doing it right.

Time to put on the seat. All you have to do it plank the seat till you are about 3/4 of the way to the back. Again, make sure you apply a layer of glue to the support before you nail.

To make the back rest, screw in a support beam between the two upright struts. If you don't screw it in totally and rest a test board on it you can twist the support beam till it is the correct angle. After attaching the first board at dead center on top, pinch the board with another seat board to make a tight fitting back.

Sorry I got in the groove of working at this point and forgot to take a photo when I finished the back.

Take a measuring tape and using a pinch clamp hold the end to the back support. If you sit in the chair and pull the tape as far front as you feel comfortable with it will give you a proper length for your arm rest. At this point I added some structural supports around the chair. There is a set of beams under the seat and another set at the front of the arm rests to add some strength for when you get up.

Finished! Time to either paint it or pick out a stain and a cushion. At least now I don't feel as much like a hoarder because I kept something that was going to be thrown out.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T18:32:00.000-04:00

Irony

2010-10-18T20:48:00.003-04:00

Zach could not find his razor blades that he himself had "organized" on his bench. Much to his chagrin and my great amusement, I knew where they were and showed him and after showing him the location of something that he had put away I just had to say "You organized it!" This is something he has always said to me when I've lost something after organizing a room and he has always laughed when saying it. Today it was my turn! I smiled. :D

Opinon

2010-10-18T20:47:00.001-04:00

I do not pick. I just point out things.

Pace House

2010-02-25T16:38:00.002-05:00

I was sent a couple photos of our house while and before it was renovated for the bicentennial back in 1976. Seeing these photos has reinvigorated my love for this house. These past few months have been almost spirit crushing by having the medical problems and tax issues but now that they are almost gone and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel it is time to get back to work.
This house has stood through over half of this countries history and I just want to do it justice in my short time I will be able to call it home.

This weekends project. Wring the wall sconces in the back hall way.

Zach

more photos

2010-02-25T16:33:00.001-05:00

I was given some photos of the house when the college first renovated it in 1976 today. I thought I would share.

The Queen Ann chairs below are exactly where our reading chairs are now.

This is a dining room now

Back hallway which I had to totally gut and am in the process of renovating from all the water damage.

more photos

2010-02-25T16:29:00.001-05:00

I was given some photos of the house when the college first renovated it in 1976 today. I thought I would share.

more photos

2010-02-25T16:26:00.004-05:00

I was given some photos of the house when the college first renovated it in 1976 today. I thought I would share.

Some new/old pictures of the house

2010-02-25T16:19:00.003-05:00

I was given some photos of the house when the college first renovated it in 1976 today. I thought I would share to give you some idea the life our house has had.

Bobby McFerrin

2010-02-10T14:37:00.001-05:00

You can try to resist the McFerrin, the man is just so cool.

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

Zach

Inspiration comes from the best places

2010-01-27T21:19:00.003-05:00

When my mother knew she didn't have long left. She started to write a book for Kirk and I to have so as we would be able to know in her own way that we were part of a great family. I have read my copy of that book so many times that I notices tonight that the pages were starting to wear.
As the book goes on, you can tell from her writing that she was putting her heart and soul into this. Well I know that I won't have the memory that my mother did so I am going to start a new separate blog just for me to be able to do this for my child someday. It will be filled with the stories of my life and things that have shaped me into the man I am. Hopefully I will not need to publish it anytime soon, but I want it here encase

Zach
http://zstandridge.blogspot.com/

nothing to report-just cant sleep

2009-10-30T02:25:00.009-04:00

Once again, nothing really new to post. We haven't really worked on the house while we are dealing with more tax issues. So instead of real issues I am fluffing with a survey from Dismas on Facebook.
Enjoy.
Z

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
Damn I cut the hell out of myself. I need to get a buzz shaver
2. How much cash do you have in your wallet right now?
43$
3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Bore, core, fore, four, gore,hoar, lore, more, pore, roar,sore, snore,spore,store,tore,wore,yore...and how could I forget, as a Winnie the Pooh fan...Eeyore?!
4. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
Duda
5. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Funki Porcini playing The Great Drive By from Love, Pussycats & Carwrecks
6. What are you wearing right now?
Old grey sweater and comfortable jeans
7. Do you label yourself?
All the time. But the labels change every few hours or so.
8. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently own?
Dockers,Reeboks, Red Wings, and Wellco
9. Bright or Dark Room?
Dark
10. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
She is a fire cracker when the fuse burns in and you are waiting for the explosion
11. What does your watch look like?
mid 1950's gold and silver mens everyday watch
12. What were you doing at midnight last night?
asleep on the couch with Dracula on the TV
13.What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
"I love you"
14. What’s a word that you say a lot?
Rude!!! (Its from the out of the hood program)
15. Who told you he/she loved you last?(please exclude spouse , family, children)
Since we are excluding spouse, family and children.
I would have to go with Buffy the dog. She was just curled up in my lap with her head over my shoulder before I started this.
16. Last furry thing you touched?
See above.
17. Favorite age you have been so far?
teens
18. What was the last thing you said to someone?
Good night. I love you
19. The last song you listened to?
Bah Samba - So Tired Of Waiting
20. Where did you live in 1987?
Commerce
21. Are you jealous of anyone?
Not any more.
22. Is anyone jealous of you?
Don't know, don't care, either.
23. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
Phone(might not be charged), keys, ipod
24. What’s your favorite town/city?
Sitia, Crete
25. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
In February
26. Can you change the oil on a car?
No, why bother when that's what service stations exist for.
27. Your first love/big crush: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
First? 1st grade Charity Holdridge. She came out of the closet and is now a Youth Pastor in Minnesota
28. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
My left leg always hurts lately
29. What is your current desktop picture?
Eiffel tower in the fall of last year
30. Have you been burnt by love?
Burnt, cooked, charred, toasted, scortched.....

I want THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-24T21:59:00.002-04:00

Purchase a Piece of "Ferris Bueller" History

Now's your chance to own a priceless piece of real estate, made famous in the 1986 classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The Highland Park, Ill., home belonged to the parents of Ferris' notoriously uptight sidekick, Cameron. For a cool $2.3 million, the 5,300-square-foot, mostly glass house can be yours. Rambunctious sidekick and 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California not included.

What's your favorite Bueller quote?

Cameron: "I'm dying"
Ferris: "Your not dying, you just can't think of anything good to do!"

Insomnia is a pain

2009-09-22T15:59:00.006-04:00

Anyone who has known me for a while, or who reads my facebook status updates, knows I am an insomniac to the core.It has come and gone throughout my life. My first memorable insomnia experience was in high school, when I learned that USA Up all night with Rhonda Shear was on at 3am. Not sure why I didn't seek help then. I was regularly falling asleep in class.

Throughout my adult life, it has come and gone in spurts, a night here, a few weeks there. That was until February when it reached an apex. Can I explain what brings it on? Not really. What I do know is that I have "pervasive thoughts." The brain, it just doesn't turn off..like, ever. And while I have heard of people up at night with worry, I'm really just up with my head spinning around dumb stuff. "I wonder if I should buy a new hammock this winter while they are on sell", "What is whoever doing tomorrow?" "What will be the next project on the house" Seriously! It's annoying. Here is what insomnia, at it's worse, looks like for me: Lying in bed till 5ish before falling asleep or awakening at the early hours and either not being able to fall back asleep or waking about once an hour until it's time to get up. Either way, in the last three months I have been looking at my alarm when it turns on at least 4 times a week. Total suckage.

I have tried a bunch of things to address this issue:

* -tried taking a herbal sleep blend. Impact: nothing
* -tried taking melatonin. Impact: weird dreams and waking up angry
* -no caffeine after 2 PM. Impact: some improvement in falling asleep but woke up at 4am just to see the sunrise
* -no alcohol. Impact: no change at all. I knew I wouldn't keep that one long
* -experimenting with TV/sleep timer. Impact: hard to tell. I don't really watch TV
* -stopped taking vitamins at night. Impact: none nut I could eat breakfast in the morning
* -focus on breathing. Impact: annoyance
* -reducing the temperature in the house. Impact: nothing just got cold in the night
* -cannot do the warm milk thing...just can't do it. I don't like dairy
* -taking an anti-anxiety medication for the racing mind. Impact: made me a zombie, a walking dead zombie, but not asleep
* -taking sleeping pills. Impact: they made me zoned out, slow thinking, and made me generally irritable the next day
* -taking pain pills. Impact: I took these but found out that with a good drink at the end of the night I slipped into a drunken stupor that would let me relax and fall asleep. BUT the opiates in them made me have some of the worst dreams of my life. They might not of all been scary but they were all disturbing to some extent.

So here is where I am at right now. Yesterday, I ordered some noise canceling headphones to see if its the constant droning of the ceiling fans that are almost necessary for a big house like ours.
I talked to a holistic healer that suggested that I try mediating while living in Hawaii. So far it is just a time in the afternoons that I can relax without the constant barrage of requests and irritations.
There will come a time when I go back to the modern day doctor but I want to exhaust all options first. At this point, I have found something that kinda helps but it is not something I can do every night. As much as I wish I could.
If you think I am making too much of this, I am. I sat up last night and watched the sun come above the horizon and could still feel myself internally trying to fight the urge to go to sleep.

Zach

DragonCon 2009

2009-09-15T20:38:00.005-04:00

Well I had not planned on going to DC this year but Zach surprised me with a one-day pass for Sunday. I did not get to any panels (tried the SteamPunk Costume panel at 7pm but again they put the track in TOO SMALL A ROOM!!!!). Registration seemed fine in the Sheraton but I was disoriented as they moved the comic artist alley. Thanks to my friend Gail though I was able to find things. I ran into her as I was leaving the art show and she helped me find Sanford (coolest comic artist ever!!) and everything else. BTW, Gail had an AWESOME Deputy Jo Lupo costume!!!! She graciously allowed me to watch the masquerade in her room at the Hyatt but I do not know why I still torture myself with doing so other than tradition (Duck Dogers and the 24 1/2 Century!!!!). DC really needs to revamp the Masquerade. We stayed Sunday night to see costumes and while the pickings were again slim (has been for several years) there were some really good ones especially the 9 costume, the SteamPunk Star Wars and the Willie from Indiana Jones. Actually there were a lot of SteamPunk and all of it seemed good to me so I am glad to see that there is still good costuming going on at DC. While my favorite fungus artist was not in attendance at the art show, I did come across a surprising new artist with a print that I bought for my office. The drawing accurately depicted several species of mushroom in a slightly fantastical setting (yes there was a fairy, no she was not naked) done in colored pencil but done very nicely. I even scored some nice swag (pen and cup!) from the Firefly costuming group and I hope to maybe join! Very nice people and I learned a few things about Stargate that I did not know! Thanks guys! Before DC though, Zach and I were visiting my grandmother and we took her to eat at Rusan's again but this time she actually had some real raw fish (Tuna) and she liked it! She also managed to eat some of her dinner with chopsticks. Every time we visit, she surprises me. I also managed to finish the Mary Poppins scarf that I started over a year ago and even though I still have to block it, the hard part is done! Now I need to see if I can knit Zach a scarf with the pattern he wants. I will prevail! Lastly, I have started reading for fun again (grad school, postdoc and the ensuing early years of teaching prevented me from really picking anything up) and I've been racking up the fiction and non-fiction. Books I've read lately include Magical Mushrooms, Mischevious Mold by George Hudler (actually this was for school as I am going to use it as a text for my fungus course but still fun to read), The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson on the London Cholera epidemic of 1854, Fool Moon, Turn Coat and Summer Knight of the Harry Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (hat to the Swensons). Zach also turned me onto a book that I have just requested from the PINES library system here in Georgia called Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi and I plan to see if I can get his new book called The Windup Girl (read the review on io9.com). I also plan to read "The Red Hourglass: Lives of the Predators" by Gordon Gice which is a non-fiction essay collection on natural predators and how they compare to human society (Thanks Daxton!).
Sharon

P.S. I am also trying to finish that miserable alien shirt from way too long ago. All I have to do is the buttons but I am dragging my feet. I hate buttons! At least on my current machine. Then I can get to my witch costume that I started last year in October. Here's hoping I'll have it ready for Halloween this year. :D

Busy Weekend (Sunday)

2009-07-05T22:24:00.005-04:00

All week I have been fighting with the backdoor by having to slam so hard the wall would shake to properly close. This morning, a little hungover, I finally snapped. Unfortunately waking up Sharon by fussing with an inanimate object at the top of my lungs got her attention a little too early in the morning. (insert fight) We took off to the Home depot and picked up a new door, ceiling fan for the kitchen and a working flood light.
Now I had no idea that we would be doing this today! I promise. But here is is 10:30 at night and I have ripped the old door out and installed a new one better than before, Replaced the mid 70's model fan, and finally got a motion sensor that actually senses motion!
Anyway, everything makes the house a little more homey and a little more toward my goal. Time to take a hot bath and get ready for the work week ahead.

Old beat up back door
.

New leaded glass beauty

BernerCam

2009-06-25T14:08:00.002-04:00

I thought I would retask one of the house cameras as a webcam to watch the dogs while on road trips. If anyone notices a problem please let me know.

Ramblings of an over caffinated insomniac

2009-06-22T01:02:00.004-04:00

Davinci's pizza – we knew that it had shut down a while ago but gone totally like wiped off the face of the Earth?????
New Tate center – Geez, we students of the modest Tate gone past are blown away and completely jealous. This is what happens when you graduate and start working. Your tax dollars help build a better student center that you do not get to use. This sucks, I had to share the study/quiet rooms with idiots making out in the corner.
The Women's studies/Old police station gone – why? I liked that building.
Two new buildings downtown near First Baptist Church – one is very modern looking but the other just looks like the church is remodeling
Hodgons moved! - blasphemy
Lunch Paper now a freaking martini bar!!! – the ever revolving door of bar/food businesses that keeps everyone guessing and coming to downtown Athens swings again.
All you can eat Ihop pamcakes. Who is this pam and how does she get turned into cakes that we should all hop for?
Old Mellow Mushroom downtown was turned into a Tokyo sushi bar. I would love to know what Murphy thinks about that.
I am still irritated about the loss of Blue Sky. I just don't care that Starbucks is supposed to be the better replacement. I liked the anti-chain Blue Sky coffee. I miss the funky art and affected holier than thou waitstaff who always served drinks exactly the way you wanted without charging you for the extra cup. And why is it so hard to study in the upper loft? I think its cursed

Memories

2009-06-22T00:18:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite places in the world has been destroyed! I thought I would share some memories of the Georgia Theater in hopes that typing and sharing them would take the sting away...It was more than a club to me. The whole ambiance from the smells of stale spilled beer and cigarette ash on the floor to the torn and broken ceiling tiles falling from the roof. It was just dirty enough to be unimposing yet had enough history to demand the respect it gathered by all of us.
Unfortunately, due to its age it was grandfathered into not needing sprinklers for safety which ultimately led to its untimely demise.

My favorite memories
1.I got to see David Byrne in concert there, afterward talking and having drinks with him at the GA Bar next door. (One of my favorite memories)
2.I met my one famous girlfriend there. She has a smile that will always cheer me up.
3.80's dance nights in the late 90's with Laura. She looked so happy to be on that stage dancing her heart out and with the lights flashing above us.
4.Walking past the box office every morning on the way to my Jittery Joe's coffee breakfast and saying HI to Jennifer as she left for the night.
5.The REM shows with only 100ish people in the crowd. How could you not love that!

Garden is coming along

2009-06-17T21:30:00.004-04:00

Yeah! We have tomatoes! Lots of tomatoes. So many tomatoes they're threatening to take over the garden and force us to eat salad for breakfast, lunch and dinner so the tomatoes do not go to waste. We're giving them away we have so many tomatoes. As for the kind of tomatoes we are growing, I wanted to try some heirloom tomatoes mixed in with the roma and BetterBoy varieties. Well at present we are inundated with the small roma and pear-shaped heirlooms but only a few medium sized brandywine tomatoes and one or two BetterBoys. Today we picked the first yellow heirloom tomato which is about the size of two large grapes squished together. Not forgetting the two decent sized yellow squash we are waiting to try. The vines are not producing like I am used to so I am going to have to research growing squash in south Georgia a little more for next year's crop. This year was totally experimental anyway so anything we get is a bonus! Especially all the tomatoes. Now all I have to do is keep Zach from eating them all before we can have them on our salads (he'll eat them whole right out of the garden and bowl!).

Sharon

Just had to share a random picture

2009-06-09T19:20:00.004-04:00

Sharon's Grandmother stole/spilled most of my Mojito in her ice water glass to give it the right kick at CPK last Sunday night.

Parents

2009-06-05T11:50:00.010-04:00

I was looking at picture of my Aunt, my mother and I(The kind you get out of the vending photo booths) that we took when I was around 2 or 3 the other day. It stays in my wallet where I can see their smiling faces when I need a pick me up. I looked at her fondly and thought of my childhood and how we played together. She would watch me as I would play in the tree house/fort my Great Uncle and Father built in the back yard.
It also reminded me of the walks she would take me on through the family property. She once told me that spruce gum resin tasted exactly like honey and if I gathered up enough she would make me candy form it. So she smiled as I went to the trees that make up a fence line behind the old cedar house. I pulled a long resin drop off and whole heartedly stuck it in my mouth. Belch! Oh god that was the most awful taste. It seemed as if my mouth turned completely inside out. She sat there on the stump of an old oak laughing and told me that someone (probably Papa Jack) had done the same to her when she was a young woman. So she had passed on the tradition to me. She took me back to the house and to cheer me up we ate frozen blackberries out of the freezer in the carport.

This was 28 years ago and I still remember it as if it was yesterday. Miss you mom.
Now I don't have kids of my own to pass this on to yet. But I do have a great nephew!
Look out Braxton.

Flowering Hostas

2009-05-30T22:53:00.003-04:00

Zach's hostas on the front porch are flowering! Pretty little purple flowers. I have never seen a hosta flower so this is kinda cool for me!

Sharon

Total demolition of the back hallway

2009-05-30T22:38:00.008-04:00

At this point, Zach and I have almost completely demolished the hallway on the back of the house that connects the kitchen/office to the bathrooms/utility room/sewing room. All of the drywall, floor and ceiling molding is gone and now we are left with removing some old wooden beams that need to be replaced. Once we get new beams up, then we can redo the ceiling and walls with new drywall, insulation, paint, and molding. We are also going to put in more lighting so it can no longer be called the "cave" and redo some of the electrical outlets and switches. Then we can pull up the awful black & white checkerboard linoleum (I just don't like it!) and put down some old-fashioned stained hardwood flooring to match the rest of the house. Check out the wonderful crack between the backdoor and the hallway frame!!!

Ideas that come from the worst places

2009-05-28T10:51:00.003-04:00

I have a great friend that flies UAV's more specifically a "removed". He and I were sitting on the back porch having a few drinks / "chillaxing" the other day. When all of a sudden he had the idea to fly his plane down Peachtree around the Hyatt and under the Marta curve in Atlanta. Now we were just having a good time so I just laughed and went on. So anyway, this morning I just had to see if it was even possible to fly through a tunnel at such speeds, while avoiding traffic, and the rubberneckers. As it turns out, this is not a new idea there are many people that have tried it.

Mark, this is for you.

Puffy Star Wars Pillows

2009-05-24T02:58:00.006-04:00

Four summers ago in a town three hours from Cochran, I worked as a sales associate (cashier/stock girl/crafting advice giver) for JoAnn Fabrics in Athens, GA. I loved working there for lots of reasons (people were nice, got a neat discount, loved being around my hobby of sewing & crafting, on the bus route, near a Jittery Joe's, in Athens....) and unfortunately like an alcoholic exposed to alcohol, being too near my favorite hobby materials was like a siren song and so I usually wound up getting something as soon as my shift was done. One of those siren song items was a pair of Star Wars fleece pillow kits where you cut the fleece and tie the ends around a pillow form. I was unable to actually make the pillows though until this last April when I finally procured two pillow forms of around the right size and took the time (2hrs at my sewing table and then my kitchen table due to lighting issues) to make them. I was rather pleased with the result and both my husband and the dogs seem to agree. Zach often uses them to nap on or use as a prop on the floor when he plays video games or watches TV. For now they live on the futon but they will probably very soon live in my hobby room when we get new furniture (crossing fingers) for the living room.

Sharon

Cutting all around

2009-05-24T01:44:00.012-04:00

Well today I finally decided to get a much needed haircut but not possessing any hair styling talent and not having a ton of time to devote to hair do-ing, I opted for a simple bob. I looked up donating what was cut off but apparently since I did not braid it and since it is not at least 10in long, my 2lbs of dead keratin cannot be used for a wig. I'll send it anyway to http://www.locksoflove.org/ as they can make money to support what they do off of my hair.

When Zach got home from his trip this evening he and I also started demolishing ("demo" as the lingo goes) the badly dry walled hallway (We will continue in the morning). We are pulling everything out so we can repair the roof, put up insulation, improve the electrical outlet situations, wainscoting, wall sconces, decent overhead lights, paint and put down real hardwood flooring. Then we can tackle all the other projects around the house like the bathrooms, the kitchen, lack of ceiling fans, lack of insulation under the floors & in the ceiling, new tin roof, the yard, etc.....

Strange Facebook surveys

2009-05-21T02:29:00.005-04:00

That’s right I was tagged for a Meme. Yes, I’m using it for blog fodder. Besides what else am I supposed to do while waiting on the servers?

Directions: Share ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 20 something things about your friends, and let them learn 20-something things about you

Do you like blue cheese? yes I love Rouquefort from Whole Foods
Have you ever smoked? I did for 7ish years. Haven't needed one for 2 years
Do you own a gun? One
What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Is red a flavor?
What do you think of hot dogs? If its real meat then bring it on
Favorite Christmas movie?Christmas Story
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Tea or Coffee
Can you do push ups? As many as you want
What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? St. Christopher (Military Patron) medal
Favorite hobby? Currently renovating my home
Do you have A. D. D? Yup, I have come back to this twice already
Do you wear glasses/contacts? Glasses but I have a few disposable contacts
Name 3 random thoughts at this exact moment: I have to type a progress report eventually, I wonder what condition my house will be in another 160 years. Are drag queens really just gay men with too much fashion sense? "Sorry folks there was a parade passing today at lunch. "
Name 3 drinks you regularly? Tea, Coffee, Mt Dew
Favorite place to be? St Joseph bay
Where would you like to go? Scotland, to Hawai'i, or back to Perth
What shirt are you wearing? My "I failed the Turing test" t-shirt
Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Satin pillow cases with regular sheets
Can you whistle? Yes I can
Where are you now? At work in Pensacola. And I probably won't get to see the beach.
Would you be a pirate? Argghh, Does that mean I have to be a skinny Somali ?
Do you sing in the shower? The shower faucet is being re-chromed at the moment. So no
What is in your pocket right now? Keys,RFID tag, cellphone, ipod, wallet, two jump drives, and an Ethernet crossover adapter
Last thing that made you laugh? Fat guy driving a General Lee on I-10.
Random odd thing. I have a stupid toe.
How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

Zach

2009-05-12T21:40:00.003-04:00

My mom and I at Broadway at the Beach near Myrtle Beach on Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

2009-05-12T21:37:00.003-04:00

My great-aunt Marie and my mom.

Family on Mother's Day

2009-05-12T21:21:00.003-04:00

Zach and I went to visit my mom for mother's day and my "Uncle" Dennis (my mother's cousin by her mother's sister) happened to be there helping her make invitations for the Barnes family reunion. I managed to snap a picture of Dennis and my nephew when they were not looking.

MGC 80th Graduation

2009-05-12T21:17:00.002-04:00

Well it is official! I've been at MGC 3 years. My third year was punctuated by MGC's 80th May Graduation Ceremony. Zach took the picture from way up in the stands before everyone filed in to fill the seats.

Koryo Spaghetti Dinner May 2009

2009-05-09T11:05:00.003-04:00

The MGC anime club, Koryo Fox, that I advise had a last hurrah spaghetti dinner at our house Wednesday night. The kids devoured the spaghetti with meatballs (thanks Zach), cherry vanilla ice cream and the garlic bread. Zach and I were glad to be able to give them a night of fun during finals. We are firm believers in the fact that every college student should have at least one spaghetti dinner (cheap & easy) and a break during finals. Some students watched "Shaun of the Dead" while others played piano and looked up Facebook (I do not have a Facebook account. I guess I'm behind the times. Now I feel old). Some of them will be back next year but some of them are moving on (graduating, transferring, next step of their lives). We'll miss those leaving as this was a good group but we look forward to helping those staying become well rounded indiviuals while maybe watching some good anime!!!

Sharon

Lack of posts

2009-05-07T11:03:00.014-04:00

Sorry folks,

Sharon and I are still alive.
My loving wife has been pestering me to add to the blog lately but the house and work have been taking precedence over a growing list of honey do's.

Up-date:
January 1st
I noticed that there was a water spot on the ceiling of the hallway. That led me to the crawlspace above where I discovered that there were in fact TWO ceilings! The previous owners "PO's", in all their wisdom had built a false ceiling over the original. There was a leak above the office door as well as the storage closet. As I inspected the roof above these two spots I realized the tin roof seam had been folded over pooling water beneath. How ever many years ago this happened caused a rust line along the edge. So, I decided to take down the drywall that was ruined by the water and discovered that the PO's had cut studs on a bias to follow the cedar tongue and groove paneled ceiling slope. As I swung my hammer to remove the first stud I heard a low groaning and saw the other studs falling away as the old ceiling started to bow away. Being under the impeding doom I saw the back door calling my name. As I ran debris fell around, in front, ON me. Showered in 130 years of dust, wood, blown cellulose insulation, and owl poo I fell out the back door.
After the roof is fully repaired, we will be reconstructing the hallway roof at the same height as the foyer. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a contractor in the area that has any real experience with new plaster. So Sharon will be helping me redo the electrical, drywall, and put down new hardwood floors this summer. She has been planning what she wants in there since the day after it happened. The silver lining is I now have not been trusting the PO's "renovations" and have found many problems that have now been fixed.

February:
I removed the god awful medicine cabinets in the bathrooms. Since I already had the walls opened up a friend and I rewired the lights on the ceiling and added vanity lights over the sinks. After the hallway is completed we will be adding exhaust vents to both in hopes of one day being somewhat in code.

Sharon got the antique piano she always wanted as a valentines present this year. It started life as a choir piano from the Catholic parish in Macon. She did not know she was getting it till the day of and only then because I could not get in the house alone. The only people available in the area was a professor and an instructor from MGC. Hopefully we will be able to have it restored int he coming year. At a party last night some of our guest played it and it sounded beautifully.

I promise I will post more but actual work calls.

Zach

If you could create one new law this year, what would it be?

2008-12-25T00:36:00.002-05:00

A great friend of mine asked if I could come up with one new law, what would that law be without any provisions. My response: Students are responsible for their education. Period. No one else.

Sharon

Providence Canyon (17)

2008-11-06T22:11:00.001-05:00

Providence Canyon (17)
Originally uploaded by league of evil geniuses.

Zach says he took this picture but I'm not sure. Whoever took the picture did a really good job. The lighting and composition are nice for a mushroom picture.

Talluha Gorge Camping trip

2008-11-06T22:04:00.002-05:00

Talluha Gorge Camping trip
Originally uploaded by league of evil geniuses.

Thanks to Tina, we hiked Black Rock Mtn and Brasstown Bald on a beautiful, crystal clear fall day.

Halloween 08 Cochran GA

2008-11-06T22:00:00.001-05:00

Halloween 08 Cochran GA
Originally uploaded by league of evil geniuses.

Zach's Pumpkin for 2008 - really scary!!!!

Halloween 08 Cochran GA

2008-11-06T21:53:00.002-05:00

Halloween 08 Cochran GA
Originally uploaded by league of evil geniuses.

Well we decorated the house for our first Halloween as homeowners in Cochran. This was actually our third Halloween in Cochran but so far it turned out to be the best. We had a good number of costumed and properly spirited trick-or-treaters and we actually got to meet some of our neighbors. Thanks to Zach the fog machine delivered as usual some much needed spookiness but I must say the luminaries turned out nice as well!

Boo !!!

Welcome Murphy

2008-03-03T10:04:00.002-05:00

Our new puppy Murphy found our house welcoming and warm. He is a Bernese Mountain Dog and a dignified lapdog.

DSCN7687

2007-05-05T19:13:00.001-04:00

DSCN7687
Originally uploaded by league of evil geniuses.

USS Kearsarge pulled in to fleet week last Monday there are more pictures but you need to go to my flicker page to see them all

2007-05-05T19:09:00.001-04:00

2006-12-12T10:45:00.000-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen , Driving and Crying

Eulogy of the little rat in the corner

2006-11-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

Last night, when we returned from our trip to Athens and Commerce, Sharon discovered that her hampster "Sweet Pea" had died. She was buried last night at the opening terrace of the green house to the left of the door so that Sharon could have a memorial to her. I know I have always said that she was a pain in the ass, but as I was digging her grave I couldn't help but think that she never bit me as she did Sharon, She always sat up in my hand as I held her, and as Sharon was cleaning her cage she would always come to me while running around in her ball. I'll miss you, you little fuzz ball .

2006-09-23T19:13:00.000-04:00

My dear wife and friends

Shelby Cobra

2006-08-30T18:08:00.001-04:00

For thoes of you that haven't heard I am in the planning stage of building a replica car. I found this today and thought it would explain why I want to do this.

Driving a Cobra Replica

"If you want to just gas and go, and never have to worry about replacing an alternator, or snuggling down the header bolts, or getting a wet leg driving in a rainstorm, or learning how to set your carb float level, or driving in traffic on a warm winter day with "winter gas" in the tank, get a Corvette. "

With a Cobra Replica you have to remind yourself that you are driving a hand made race car on the street. There is no compromise for anything other than pure speed. These cars are brutal and unforgiving, with all the refinement of a medieval battle ax. Like being in a relationship with an exotic dancer, you can never take anything for granted. These cars don't have millions of miles of testing refinement before you get yours. For any trip longer than an hour, you need earplugs, and goggles, and carry Advil and eye drops. You will need to learn to "read" the clouds for rain in your path, and have experience in unwrapping your frozen fingers from the MotoLita. You will experience lady passengers "wetting" the passenger seat when you merge into traffic from an on ramp, and then nearly burn their calf getting out of the car.

You will have all the invisibility of a burning Hindenburg, and flee from underground parking lots when uncountable car alarms are screaming your departure. When you shop, you will remind yourself that these cars get more attention than a dead body in a parking lot.

With a power to weight ratio better than almost every supercar, you will find your 1/4 mile times traction rather than power limited. On the other hand, when you stage, out of the corner of your helmet's visor you will see almost the entire audience lining up at the fence, most with cameras up. If you track on a road course with a Porsche club, owners of expensive German machines will come to the fence to watch you power out in smoking oversteer. You won't even try to start your engine in the garage, but push it out onto the driveway, else your loyal watch dog will croak from the exhaust fumes. If you idle next to other "sports" cars at a traffic light, by the green, their girlfriend will be coughing green phlegm into her hanky, yelling at her date to just go! When you refuel, you might as well prop the "bonnet" open, because you are going to have to show your motor to just about every other guy there. When you order your wings at Hooters, your waitress will whisper in your ear "take me for a ride." When you stop at the red light, the girl in the convertible next to you will invite you to "take my top off too."

When you slowly pass a troop of Harley riders, they will look over and give you thumbs up. When you want to ease out into traffic, other cars will immediately pause to let you go ahead of them. When your engine has its hot, crackling, intimidating exhaust sidepipe aimed right at the flank of the GTO, or the Z28, your exhaust pulsation's slowly unscrewing his lug nuts, the other car will remain motionless, as if the slightest quiver of his car will cause your car to stomp it dead. When you leave it open in a parking lot, and come back to find your sunglasses and cell phone still sitting on the tunnel, it is because your car has sullenly warned those who came over to admire it "touch me and I will rise up here and kill you dead."

When you put that tiny silver key into the ignition, and begin your start countdown, your car will whisper "take me for granted, and I will kill you."

When other drivers just hop in and snap up their belts while backing out of their parking space, you will still have two more minutes before you even get all the Simpson's properly on and snugged down. Pulling up in a Cobra Replica is like landing an F4U at an ultralite convention.

In summary, very, very few drivers want this kind of attention, or can tolerate all that a formidable Cobra Replica demands. These cars are intolerant mistresses.

But remember, there will come a day when you have to hang up your car keys for the last time. And perhaps you want to say then "I did it."

-author unknown

You know you want one now

....

2006-08-30T17:32:00.000-04:00

Hey Folks, Im sorry that we haven't updated lately. We have successfully moved to Cochran GA. Sharon is starting her career at MGC , Im working in Warner Robins at Madison Res, and the house is coming back togther as we like it. So here it is Aug 30th and what is this weekend but DRAGONCON!!! If you don't know what it is, come to Atlanta and visit us, all 30,000 of us.
I'll upload pics from it on tuesday and fill you all in on how it was.

News from Athens

2006-06-25T12:34:00.000-04:00

Well a lot has happened since the last entry to our blog and all of what has happened prevented us from updating the blog but now we have finally some time to sit down and relax and finally update everyone on what all has been going on.
1) Sadly Zach's mother Patty passed away on April 9, 2006. I could not have wished for a better mother-in-law. She treated me with compassion and respect and included me in her family from day one. I know Zach, his brother, his dad and everyone who knew Patty well miss her dearly. She always had time to listen or lend a hand. We miss you Patty.

2. Zach and I started housesitting for my former major professor and his wife in May. Zach and I have sublet before but never housesat for anyone. All I can say is that I like the kitchen but having to weed the brick patio is a real pain. I don't know how David and Jean do it. Anyway, we'll be in the house till the first of August when we move on to our next great adventure......

3. Our next great adventure is that we are moving to Cochran, Ga (40 miles south of Macon, close to Warner Robbins) so that I can start a new position as Assistant Professor of Biology at Middle Georgia College! MGC is a two-year residential college in the University of Georgia System. We found a nice two bedroom/one and a half bath triplex a short walk from the school so I won't have much of a commute. The apartment has a nice back porch so I'm going to get Zach a grill for his birthday. In the meantime, I'm working on setting up lectures for my classes. I 'll be teaching introductory biology to both majors and non-majors. My co-workers seem really nice.

4. Right now I'm working part time at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts in Athens. I get a 15% discount which considering that DragonCon is right around the corner during Labor Day weekend, I can really use the discount to get all of my costumes done.

5. And speaking of DragonCon, Zach is going all four days this year! We both got 4-day passes. We're splitting a room at the Hyatt with Gail and Todd. And there are a ton of SG people coming so I'm definitely saving my nickels and dimes for autographs! And Kevin Sorbo is coming!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so getting my picture with him!

6. At the end of April, I went with my friend Mandy, a self-taught NASCAR fanatic, and her fellow NASCARian Cathy to the race at Talledega in Alabama. They're not kidding when they say it is the largest redneck cocktail party. I had a great time. Since it was my first race I took a ton of pictures. At some point I need to scrapbook the race. After I get done with my costuming and lecturing and everything else.....

I'll post some pics from the last two months when I get some more time!

A few more pics from Klingon PuttPutt

2006-04-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

Patty's 51st Birthday Party

2006-04-01T23:21:00.000-05:00

In the evening of April 1st, 2006, my mother had a birthday party thrown in her honor by her friends, Jack and Bettylane. When they party, they party! The band played some great country/rock favorites and the food was really good (especially Susan's mini-Cuban sandwiches and the chocolate covered Strawberries). Patty's friends serenaded her as they brought out her cake. She even did a little dancing with Braxton! All in all I think everyone had a great time. Sharon made a cheese dip with Velvetta, Browned Beef, Rotel, Diced Tomatoes and Chopped Olives for the first time. I think it was ok but not the usual. She just need practice.

I miss you mama..

KAG Putt Putt Challenge April 1, 2006

2006-04-01T23:05:00.000-05:00

Zach and I went to the KAG PuttPutt Challenge at Malibu Grand Prix in Gwinnett today. We brought 12 can goods as our donation then puttputted our little hearts out! We also rode some really fast go-karts! Mandy beat me once again at PuttPutt. We won't talk about how bad Mearl and Zach beat both Mandy and I (38, 36 to 52, 56). At some point I'd like to break 50. May the Force help me make par next time! The picture above is of our team. We did pretty good. I actually got a hole in one on the last hole.

More pics coming soon. I'm soooo tired........

Noggin!

2006-03-11T00:28:00.000-05:00

Braxton is definitely of a different generation. He's only two but already he uses the internet. Noggin is a website geared towards young kids with activities and other things. Thanks to wireless broadband, Noggin can be accessed on the back porch!

Our first days back home in Georgia....

2006-03-11T00:13:00.000-05:00

Here we are back in Georgia for a day and what does Zach, his brother and his nephew do? Shooting BB guns! Ok I'll admit. I popped off a few BBs myself. Rather addictive.
Sharon

Back in Georgia

2006-03-11T00:03:00.000-05:00

Well Zach and I left our home in Honolulu, Hawaii on Wednesday, March 8th, 2006 to start a new life back in Georgia. Thanks to all we met in Hawaii who helped us during our stay. We will keep this blog going for all who want to check out what we are doing in the next phase of our life. I've attached the last picture I took from our lanai of the Koolau Ridge.

The adventure is just beginning!

Braxton and his ribs

2006-03-10T23:48:00.000-05:00

Braxton is Zach's brother's son (Zach's nephew). He is a very precocious and funny 2 year old. The picture above is of Braxton eating ribs during our visit to Georgia at the end of February. Rather good ribs as you can see.

2006-03-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Hey MOO COW!!!
My sister in laws new pet.

I hate to do this!!!!

2006-02-20T06:38:00.000-05:00

Its had its own webcam and I have upgraded it highly but I unfortunately have to sell my eclipse aquarium.
Its a 12 gallon with 26 watts of AH lights, a whisper 10 filter, and I'll throw in a DIY CO2 setup.
Unfortunately, I am in hawaii and shipping would be a killer so this might have to be a locals only.
I am selling it for 100$.

Eleanor

2006-02-14T07:45:00.000-05:00

Ok this is for anyone who is a fan of "Gone in 60 Seconds." Zach and I were on our way back home after driving up the Waianae Coast when we decided to take Farrington Hwy and tool around near Barber's Point. There are a lot of manufacturers and one junkyard in the area. The junkyard just happened to have a striped 1967 GT 500E with weeds growing in and out of it. So of course that is the one thing Zach wanted me to take a picture of after being out all afternoon. Fans of Eleanor enjoy.

Clock in Chinatown

2006-02-14T07:05:00.000-05:00

Zach and I went to Chinatown on Saturday morning (2-11-2006) to get some vegetables, shrimp, and fresh pasta from the farmer's market and I noticed that the clock in the courtyard has Chinese characters in place of Arabic numerals. Zach bought some really hot chili peppers and limes that made for a nice centerpiece on the bar in the kitchen. The chili peppers are called Kgin Ped Dai Mai and reach 70,000 Schofield units. Not as hot as a Habanero but close. We then went home and had shrimp pasta for lunch. Really, really good! And then I made Zach go interview clothes shopping with me to Sears at Ala Moana. Found a really nice outfit for $50 and Zach was very patient. I owe him fishing trip for that. On Sunday we went to Waikiki for the afternoon. Our reason for going was to see if we could bargin for some nice aloha style luggage. No luck with that but we did enjoy some Cheesecake Factory cheesecake by the beach. I had the Key Lime cheesecake while Zach got the Tiramisu cheesecake. Good stuff in small quantities but too powerful to eat all the time. While walking around Waikiki, I took pictures of random things like a view down the Ala Wai canal looking towards Diamond Head, a WWII memorial, and the staircase of a trendy clothing store, 88 T-Shirts, with license plates from all over the US.

Valentine's Day Party

2006-02-14T06:48:00.000-05:00

We hosted a "Welcome to the Lab/Valentine's Day" party today and welcomed Lifang Zhang (research assistant) and ------ (lab assistant) to the lab. Thanks to people for bringing some really good plum sauce chicken wings and fried rice. Anna made a really great salad and introduced us to Papaya Seed salad dressing. Thanks to Mingxiao for the pizzas. Zach liked the mexican one. Zach's fried chicken was a hit that we'll definitely have to have again sometime soon! And of course because we had the party before Valentine's Day the pictures have a V-day theme to them. Thanks to everyone who came!

The Waianae Coast

2006-02-14T06:31:00.000-05:00

Zach and I went up the Waianae Coast on Sunday afternoon two weekends ago. We went as far as Makua Sands Beach before we had to turn around. The surf was so high that a part of the road had been covered by sand and waves further up. The Waianae Coast is the least visited part of the island by tourists. We stuck out like a sore thumb with our rental car and cameras. We also garnered more than a few unhappy looks by the locals. Friendliness is not their forte. There are also large homeless tent camps in the beach parks along the coast so if you ever visit use common sense and caution. But the views are amazing and when the surf's up the waves are huge!

North Shore and around Oahu in February

2006-02-14T05:51:00.000-05:00

Zach had drills weekend before last so we had a rental car and went on a tour of Oahu on Saturday afternoon. Usually we start by going down H1 to Kalanianaole Hwy. around the southern point of Oahu and up the Windward side but this time we went north and started with Haleiwa on North Shore. Before we got to Haleiwa we stopped at the Dole Plantation where I got a pineapple float that I highly recommend and Zach got a chili pineapple hotdog that I do not recommend. Then we moved on to Haleiwa. We got shave ice from Matsumoto's and stopped to take a few requisite beach pictures. Zach got a Chik-O-Stick which I'd never heard of before and tasted like a butterfinger with coconut to me. Then we were off to the Windwind side of Oahu! We stopped at one of the many shrimp shacks along Kamehameha Hwy to check out the prices. Sticker shock made us take a picture of the nice shack, get back into our car and continue our afternoon drive. We spent the rest of our time taking pictures of the shoreline as the sun went down: old sugar plantation ruins, a horse farm, surfers, the sun on a part of the Koolau Ridge and old cars on the highway. Then we went home and had dinner but I don't remember as it was two weekends ago and I should have made this entry back then. Such is life.

Just try to say you can't find our place!

2006-02-13T19:30:00.000-05:00

Last week, if you didn't know it, Honolulu had its picture taken. Here we are in the pic.

Oh my god I have a new favorite ice cream!

2006-02-02T15:46:00.000-05:00

You'll dig GUINESS ICE CREAM! It's the weekend! Let's get going with this recipe!

1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup Guinness stout
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons molasses
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium saucepan, scrape in the vanilla bean seeds. Add the pod, milk, and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let the flavors infuse for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the stout and molasses. Bring to a boil and turn off heat.

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the yolks, sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk in a few tablespoons of the hot cream mixture, then slowly whisk in another 1/4 cup of the cream. Add the remaining cream in a steady stream, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan.

4. Stir the beer mixture into the cream mixture. Cook the custard over medium heat, stirring often with a wooden spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes or until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon.

5. Strain the mixture into a bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Process the custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Makes 1 quart.

6. Eat a lot and stumble!

Hamster and Snake make friends

2006-01-19T06:21:00.000-05:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060118/ap_on_fe_st/japan_hamster_and_snake
I'd never thought I'd see something like this but life is full of surprises. Having had hamsters as pets I could never have a snake and use hamsters as snake food but I guess I'm not the only one who shares that thought!

2006-01-17T05:41:00.000-05:00

I thought that we had seen big waves at Christmas, but I found this tonight and was so amazed that I had to share

Zach and Sharon's Blog Home

2006-01-15T02:53:00.000-05:00

Yeah! Zach set up a fishcam! Actually he was trying to set up a webcam so my friend Mandy and I could chat online but instead came up with the fishcam. Oh, well at least all the aquarists who come by the blog will enjoy the fish.
To Mandy: Zach's still working on getting the webcam working the way we want it to.

Hawaiian Silversword

2006-01-15T01:14:00.000-05:00

Argyroxiphium kauense (Rock & Neal) Degener & I. Degener
This is the latin name for the Hawaiian Silversword. The picture here is of the one growing in the garden of our apartment complex. Check out the link:http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/akau.htm for more information.

2006-01-01T03:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all

More Pics from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2005

2006-01-01T01:06:00.000-05:00

Images in order of appearence: 1) Waianae Range with pineapple fields below. 2) Zach looking for Humpback Whales in the National Sanctuary. 3) Our Christmas Dinner after we'd dug into it. 4) Anna with her Grandmother who came all the way from England to see her!

Christmas Day 2005 in Hawai'i

2006-01-01T00:46:00.000-05:00

Zach and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2005 in Hawai'i. On Christmas Eve, we took Mingxiao on a trip around Oahu to see various parts of the island that she had never seen before. Our goal was to see if we could catch a glimpse of the visiting Humpback whales and maybe some sea turtles. Unfortunately we saw neither but we did catch some really cool waves on the North Shore. Man! Ok I'm not a surfer but I definitely see the appeal. Waves reached at least 20ft and made a booming noise when they crashed. We even stopped by the Dole Plantation so I could get my pineapple float fix. Oh man is that good. Cold pineapple juice with pineapple ice cream. Dang it! Now I want one!
Zach and I made Christmas dinner on Christmas eve repleat with baked ham, green bean cassarole, macaroni and cheese, Hawaiian King rolls, and cranberry sauce. On Christmas Day, we went to a party at Anna's house where we stuffed ourselves on turkey, ham, Jim Bean flavored yams and other goodies. Thanks to Anna for inviting us and for letting us hang out with her and her family.

Great White Shark seen off the coast of Oahu

2006-01-01T00:26:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday a dive tour group out of Haleiwa (on the famous North Shore of Oahu) spotted a 18-20ft Great White Shark while in the water. Check this link out to an article by one of the local TV news stations, KGMB: http://www.kgmb.com/kgmb/display.cfm?storyID=6925. Cool stuff!

Problem Cake #2

2005-12-14T05:58:00.000-05:00

If you remember from our first posts in the summer, I tried to make a chocolate cake that just did not look edible. Well here is cake nightmare number two: burnt and cracked rose cake. Zach bought me a silicone rose-shapped cake mold to make bundt cakes. The picture shows my second attempt. The first one looked better but was still unpresentable. At the time, I thought maybe the modifications that I had made to the first cake recipe had been the problem. Now after two tries both Zach and I seem to think the oven is the culprit but we're still investigating. Zach made some powdered sugar to try and make the second cake look better but I wasn't impressed.

More Christmas decor

2005-12-14T05:45:00.000-05:00

I found some gift bags in the shape of christmas stockings with the Hawaiian saying "Mele Kalikimaka" to hang on the backside of our kitchen cabinets along with christmas cards from family and friends. Zach also decorated the lanai railing with rope light and lighted garland.

Cookies, Mochi and Candy

2005-12-14T05:34:00.000-05:00

I forgot to take a picture of the buffet table before we ate and before I cleaned it up but I realized that I still had some cookies, mochi and candy that I could show. The top picture is of the candy that Mingxiao brought for us to try: Pineapple sandwich cookies and jelly filled Burger Mallows. The bottom picture shows the different cookies and mochi we had to eat. Clockwise starting at the top: chocolate mochi (made from rice flour), butter mochi (tastes just like pound cake!), Walnut topped stuffed sugar cookies stuffed with Keebler fudge mint cookies, Anna's three cookies, and last Zach's Peppermint pinwheels.

Our First Real Christmas Tree

2005-12-14T05:12:00.000-05:00

Past Christmases we have always had an artificial tree but this year we decided to get a real tree! We got a Noble Pine from Home Depot and decorated it with a candy cane theme. We like it and thought everyone else might want a gander.

More Christmas Pics

2005-12-14T04:59:00.000-05:00

More pics of us wearing funny hats!

Our First Christmas Party in Hawai'i

2005-12-14T04:21:00.000-05:00

Anna, Katie and Mingxiao came over for a little dinner party. I wanted to try out a new chicken recipe, Ginger Sesame Chicken, and some new cookies, Peppermint Pinwheel and Walnut Stuffed Sugar Cookies. Zach made the chicken which quickly disappeared off the platter and he also made the Peppermint Pinwheel cookies. I made the Walnut Stuffed Sugar Cookies and an asian salad with spinach, almond slivers, mandarin oranges, and raisins. Zach had to show Mingxiao the tree stand to prove to her that the Noble Pine we had for our Christmas tree was real! We enjoyed opening some christmas poppers wearing our paper crowns and reading our silly jokes. Cookies were swapped as Anna brought some really good star anise, shortbread, and mint cookies. Katie brought salami and gouda. I warned her about Zach's propensity for making sliced meats disapper and it didn't take long for her to see what I was talking about. Anyway, we had a good time eating, watching House on Fox and playing CatchPhrase which Anna learned can be played by passing the game instead of holding on to it till it beeps. Thanks to the gals for coming and bringing good food.

Christmas in Hawaii!

2005-12-10T14:32:00.000-05:00

This year Zach and I are spending Christmas in Hawai'i! This will be our first Christmas away from home and we're going to do everything we can to enjoy the season in Hawai'i. People put up tons of decorations and they have parades, shows, and special events all month long. We even put up our first real tree! We got a Noble Pine from the Home Depot near Ward. The pine smell fills the apartment. For decoration we went with a candy cane theme this year. Here are some pics showing Christmas in Hawai'i. One is of the pink tree from Sanrio at Ala Moana. The other pics are of the Candy Cane Train which kids can ride at Ala Moana. The train goes around one level of the mall.

Hanazen!

2005-12-10T14:28:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite places to eat is Hanazen near Walmart on Keeaumoku Street. Zach and I each decided to try something different. Well he did with his Ahi Natto rice bowl (first pic). I stuck with an old favorite Curry Udon (second pic). Curry with beef and noodles. Yum!

Random Pics from Hawaii

2005-12-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

Here are some random pics I took before Zach and I went to Georgia for Thanksgiving. The first picture is of the Koolau Ridge from our lanai. The second pic is of our shoes in the kitchen. The third pic is of a hibiscus flower in Waikiki. The fourth is a sign for a local yard equipment rental place that always has some funny or catchy phrase. I'm always checking the sign out for a new one. The last picture is of Anna, the master's student in the lab I work in at UH. She took very good care of our fish while we were gone. Thanks Anna! Just a note she is showing the Hawaiian shaka, a hand signal for goodwill.

Thanksgiving Trip to Georgia

2005-12-10T13:46:00.000-05:00

Zach and I went home to Georgia for Thanksgiving due to the generosity of Zach's aunt Carol. Thanks Carol!
We stuffed ourselves, saw family and went shopping on the day after Thanksgiving but those who know me will be greatly surprised to note that I didn't take many pictures. I was too busy seeing people and doing things. But I do have some pictures!
The first picture is of Carol and Daniel. Zach's grandmother Betty, aunt Carol, cousin Daniel, mom Patty, Zach and I went to The Cracker Barrel for lunch at Banks Crossing which is a shopping center in Banks County right across the Jackson County line near Commerce. The second picture is of me, Zach and Patty at our table. The third picture is a nice picture of mother and son. I'll post more pics later as they are currently on the video camera and I need Zach's technical expertise to get them onto the blog. We miss you guys!
Sharon

Tinkering

2005-12-09T16:18:00.000-05:00

Chili's Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake

2005-11-13T16:32:00.000-05:00

Zach and I went to Chili's at Kahala Mall for dinner Saturday night and I noticed a strawberry margarita cheesecake on the menu which I had to try. Basically it is a strawberry cheesecake with lime accents. Not bad. If you're at Chili's and in the mood for strawberry cheesecake and don't have Cheesecake Factory expectations then I would recommend this dessert.
Sharon

"Dressing A Galaxy"

2005-11-12T03:37:00.000-05:00

Ever since I heard this book was coming out I wanted it both as a Star Wars fan and as a costumer (I'm workin' on this!). Needless to say it is everything I had hoped it would be so if you are either of the above go get it! And if you have the opportunity go to Los Angeles to check out the fashion show associated with the book.
Sharon

Halloween Night in Hawai'i

2005-11-12T03:31:00.000-05:00

Zach and I carved new pumpkins for Halloween night as the pumpkins we had carved mid-month for the party were quickly colonized by fungi and had to be disposed of after a few days. I carved a Hello Kitty into a small pumpkin while Zach carved Animal (of Muppet fame) into a large one.

Family Connection to Pearl Harbor

2005-11-12T03:05:00.000-05:00

My maternal grandfather, Homer Nathaniel Chappell, was stationed on the USS Honolulu during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The pictures above show where the USS Honolulu was positioned in the harbor during the attack. The USS Honolulu was a light cruiser and received moderate damage.

More pics from Arizona Memorial

2005-11-12T03:00:00.000-05:00

The first picture is inside the memorial itself. The second is of Zach standing next to an anchor at the entrance to the visitor's center. The third picture is of the USS Arizona Memorial from the visitor's ferry.

USS Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbor, Oahu, HI

2005-11-12T02:52:00.000-05:00

Zach and I went last Sunday to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Both of us have studied the history of WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor but we were not prepared for the short movie that visitors have to watch before being allowed to visit the memorial itself. Very moving as is the memorial at which you are asked to not speak above a whisper. If you visit Hawai'i, you need to visit the Arizona.

Surf Boards at Sam's Club

2005-10-30T04:36:00.000-05:00

You know you're in Hawai'i when Sam's sells surf boards. And there are Star Wars fans who work in the bakery! Check out the Stormtrooper cake!

Puck's Alley

2005-10-29T19:00:00.000-04:00

Puck's Alley is a strip mall Honolulu-style as the businesses fill two levels with parking in back and on top. Both the Cocoichicbanya Curry House that I like to eat at and the Halloween Express store are located in Puck's Alley. The bus stop that I go to everyday to catch a bus to campus is right in front of the Curry House and Halloween Express. I try to get the #6 which takes me right to my building but sometimes I'll catch a 4 or the A Express.

More clouds and mountains

2005-10-29T18:53:00.000-04:00

1) First Pic: Zach and I were standing at the bus stop on University and we noticed that the mountains were extremely visible so of course I had to take a picture. The building in the middle of the picture with the blue windows is the POST building where I work.

2) Second Pic: Zach caught a really good rainbow Friday evening from our lanai. The view from our apartment never ceases to amaze me which is one thing I like about being here. Compare this picture with the one from the Rain post where clouds completely blocked our view of the mountains.

HardRock Cafe Honolulu, Hawai'i

2005-10-29T18:46:00.000-04:00

Zach and I went to a VWR vendor thank you party at the HardRock Cafe on Thursday (Oct. 27). We met up with Mingxiao (see first two pics) and chatted with one of the sales reps for Buchi a company that sells solvent separation systems. The finger food provided was good but the music was a little loud. Mostly we went to check out the HardRock here in Honolulu. Same as everywhere else though inside the restaurant the music was at a pleasant volume unlike other HardRock's where I felt that I was going to be deaf if I sat inside too long.

Pearl from Hilo Hattie's

2005-10-24T03:56:00.000-04:00

Zach and I went to Hilo Hattie's to do some Christmas shopping and instead we wound up getting a pearl for me! One of the female associates gave Zach and I each a key to see if one or both of the keys would open up a box. Zach's key didn't work but mine did and I got to pick out a silk pouch containing a surprise. My surprise was a coupon for 50% off a "pick a pearl". The pick a pearl promotion allows you to pick your own oyster which is shucked right in front of you and if there is a pearl inside the pearl is yours for $13.95. Mine was only $7 and turned out to be a really pretty grey pearl. Zach wants to put it in a ring setting that I wanted for my engagement ring at a jewelry store in Athens.

Mushroom Soup and Tinker Bell

2005-10-23T06:29:00.000-04:00

The first two pictures are of a dried mushroom soup mix that Zach and I bought at a local Japanese Wholesale Market (think Sam's club) known as Marukai Market. The only English on the package is on the while label. Unfortunately I didn't realize that the directions were not on the white label. They are in Japanese on the package itself. Does anyone know how to read Japanese?
The second image is my new t-shirt from the Disney Store. It was on sale ($9.50!) and they had my size! I had to get it as it had a nicely drawn mushroom on it.

On another note, my hat came from the CocoICHIBANYA Curry House in Hawaii. Good curry. The restaurant is a franchise from Japan and the only US sites are in Hawaii. The only bad thing is that the food is good, cheap and there is a restaurant in walking distance from the apartment. I have to watch my curry consumption.

The Beginning of the Mushroom Trail in Hawaii

2005-10-23T06:14:00.000-04:00

Hawaii is home to a culturally diverse population with people from nearly all of the continents and many different ethnic groups. The diversity of cultures is reflected in the food. All different kinds of restaurants can be found around Honolulu and a wide variety of food can be bought at the many farmer's markets in the city. Many species and varieties of mushroom (i.e. fungi) can be bought and eaten more so than I've ever seen before. So being a mycologist and a person who likes to document things, I'm going to document all of my fungal encounters while in Hawaii. Some will be of the edible kind while others will be of the fungi found in the environment such as on a hike. Enjoy the trip!

Rain

2005-10-22T23:24:00.000-04:00

Friday night the weather was forecasted to be rainy with sunshine. Well we definitely got the rain part. A tropical depression is moving across Oahu, Molokai, and Maui through next week. Zach got wet coming home from Ala Moana but I managed to get a smile out of him for the camera. The first picture is of the mountain range that is not visible because of the wall of rain and clouds.

Dairy Cows, Hawaiian Hello Kitty and other stuff

2005-10-22T23:09:00.000-04:00

Zach and I went to Sam's Club down near Ala Moana to drop off two waterproof disposable cameras at the 1hr Photo. It was tasting day! Lots of free food samples. We tried ahi (tuna), coffee from Kauai and gyoza (potstickers). Good food! Then of course we had to try the free ice cream by the local dairy, Meadow Gold, and get my picture with the Meadow Gold Aloha Cow. We then went to Ala Moana shopping center to see if the pet store had a ballast for Zach's aquarium (didn't have one) and I went to the Sanrio store (Hello Kitty store) and they were having a celebration complete with a Hello Kitty in Aloha wear. Then we went to the bus stop to catch the A Express home and I had to take a pic of the Muumuu Factory. More to come....