Author: Bill

Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day—or so the childhood chant goes, but here I am, staring out the window at what seems like the hundredth downpour this week. I had grand plans for a hike today, dreams of conquering hills and singing with the birds, but alas, the rain has other ideas. Yet, here’s the twist: I’m going anyway. Because if life gives you rain, why not make a splash? Let’s lace up those waterproof boots and turn this day into an adventure. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even find a puddle or two to jump in. After all, what’s a little water to a determined spirit?

I’ve been extremely busy lately, and I’m not sure why. Yesterday, I went road biking and ended up so exhausted that I went straight to bed instead of balancing the books. I definitely need to address this issue tonight.

Good morning. We seem to be stuck in this cold weather slump as it has been the case all winter. When will we see 60 degrees? Everyone is sending me political nonsense, and I wish they would stop. It bothers me. I think that you should not involve friendships into politics as it will ruin them. If you want to argue this with me, ignore that last remark.

My friend Angi has been posting some new works of art on her page. Very good stuff. One of my pictures has been chosen for publication. It is my icy branch one, and it will be in the International Library of Photography’s “A Journey into the Imagination.”

Oh, shoot, better get to work. I was waiting around for my roommate. Thought he needed a ride to work, but I guess not.

Edited 3/26/2024: Sorry, I was not blog-savvy back then. I didn’t mean to offend!

Still don’t know how to use my camera yet. Because of that, I haven’t been reading my emails. I must have millions of them by now. If you are one of those and it is important, call me. Otherwise, I am just too busy playing (learning) my new camera.

Good morning, folks! So, what’s the latest scoop? Just snagged myself a shiny new camera and I’m itching to give it a whirl this spring. With a bit of luck, I’ll be snapping shots like a pro by the time my Alaska adventure rolls around. Had to play hooky yesterday, thanks to a nasty 24-hour bug. Feeling a tad better now, though I’m still a bit stiff. On the bright side, the weather’s been holding up pretty nicely! CT has made a grand re-entrance. Alrighty, time to dive into the work pile and get caught up before my delightfully impatient boss has a meltdown.

Good afternoon! The sun’s out, guns out (if you’re into that sort of thing), and it looks like we’re hitting the sweet 50s today. Time to break out the camera, chase some light, and soak up that Vitamin D. The only pickle I’m in – where on Earth to go? Hmm, decisions, decisions!

Ah, the sweet, sweet sound of “TGIF” – it’s music to my ears! This morning’s adventure? Heading to breakfast for the Town Meeting. Plus, the countdown to camera day is ticking away, and it’s Friday to boot. Seriously, could the stars align any better for this guy?

Today’s Chaos, Courtesy of Work

Talk about a day at work that felt like navigating through a labyrinth blindfolded. But hey, I’ve made my great escape and now I’m off to hit the ground running. Literally. Fingers crossed and hoping against hope that tomorrow decides to play nice and hit that sweet 50-degree mark.

Today, I’ve got a trio of musings to share. First up, it’s the age-old clash of the seasons: spring tries to make its grand entrance, only for winter to crash the party like an uninvited guest. Then, we’re diving into the thrilling world of financial escapades (not the fun kind, sadly). And last but not least, a little something on the universal joy of employment. Ah, jobs, can’t live with them, can’t afford internet without them, right?

Snowpocalypse Now!

Alright, gather round, because I’ve got a tale that’s straight out of a snow globe. You know, one of those days when you peek outside and it looks like Mother Nature decided to throw a snow party and forgot to invite the sun? That was my today, folks. Despite common sense whispering (okay, yelling) at me to stay put, the call of the wild—well, more like the call of the snow-covered sidewalks—was too loud to ignore.

So, there I was, suited up like an explorer ready to conquer the Arctic, or at least the local park. The mission: a run. The reality: a graceful (if I do say so myself) dance with the elements. Snowflakes coming at me like confetti at a parade, turning the world into a blur of white. It was beautiful, in a “I might slip, fall, and star in my own winter fail video” kind of way.

Halfway through, my body’s sending me hate mail, but my soul? It’s doing the Macarena. There’s a strange joy in battling the elements and not just surviving, but thriving. It’s all quiet, except for my panting and the snow’s soft hiss as it hits the ground.

By the time I’m trudging back, I’m half-frozen but fully alive, armed with a new adventure to brag about. Here’s to the runs that test us, the icy paths that best us, and the stories that make it all worth it. Who needs a treadmill when you’ve got a winter wonderland and a dash of reckless optimism?

Financial Freeze Frame

Oh, and just when you thought things couldn’t get more exhilarating, let’s talk finances. Picture this: you’re ready to take on the world, and then bam! Your bank decides to play freeze tag with your accounts. Yep, that’s me—stuck in a financial ‘It’s Complicated’ relationship with Sikorsky Financial Credit Union and CITI cards. The former has put my card in the financial equivalent of the penalty box, and the latter? Well, they’re just not playing ball anymore. As for the dire straits threatening my blog’s very existence? Stay tuned. It’s an ongoing saga of suspense, intrigue, and hold music.

Work Woes or The Eternal Slumber Party

Last but not least, let’s commiserate about the one thing we all love to hate: our jobs. If anyone’s got the secret potion to surviving the 9-to-5 (or, in my case, the “whenever I open my eyes to whenever I pass out at my desk”), I’m all ears. Currently, I’m typing this with one eye open, nursing a headache that’s probably plotting to take over the world, and contemplating the existential crisis of getting out of bed to pee. Ah, the glamorous life of an adult.

And why, you might ask, am I torturing myself like this? Well, friends, it’s all in anticipation of an email from Adorama. Yes, that’s right, in the midst of financial freezes and job-induced insomnia, I’ve gone and bought myself a new camera. Because in the end, it’s those little sparks of joy (or retail therapy) that keep us going, right?

So here’s to navigating snowy runs, financial icebergs, and the wild ride of employment. May we find the humor in the chaos and the stories worth sharing.

Hey, has anyone taken a peek at the new forum? It’s pretty rad. You get to shoot messages back and forth with other folks and dive deep into whatever floats your boat. And if your boat seems to be sinking because you can’t find your topic, just go ahead and launch it yourself! Meanwhile, in my corner of the world, it’s just an endless playlist of snow, cold, and a severe lack of exercise. Tried to mix it up with a photo walk last night, but it was more of an excuse to indulge in some extra munchies than anything else.

And here’s the thing – I think I’ve hit the ceiling with my new camera. Craving more control, you know? But jumping to the next level feels like diving into a pool of cold hard cash. I’m pondering a photography class, leaning hard into digital because, let’s be real, film is about as appealing to me as a screen door on a submarine.

At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly
compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, “If
GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be
driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon”.

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press
release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we
would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to
buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason.
You would have to pull over to the side of the road, close all of the
indows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before
you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause
your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would
have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive – but would run on only
five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all
be replaced by a single “This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation”
warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask “Are you sure?” before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out
and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn
how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate
in the same manner as the old car.

10.You'd have to press the “Start” button to turn the engine off.

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On this day in history:

2002: Me Fat – Today is blue. I am blue because my body fat reduction and/or weight are not where I want it to be. I seem to be gaining weight with muscle mass.

I no longer own a PDA. I broke it and decided to de-tech myself a little. I now carry the cheapest cell phone available and thats all I need. What I do need is a new camera and a powerbook. Ahhh, that is what I really whant. Summer is soon and I must save for a trip to alaska (be nice with a new camera), and some mountain bike parts. I think this summer I want to go on bike/hike super adventures and take pictures … opposed to racing.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

2002: Emotional Alchemy – Sharing the anticipation for a book called “Emotional Alchemy,” following an outstanding mountain bike ride and a need for rest.

This curated list of blog posts offers a glimpse into my biking adventures, poetic reflections, and life’s simple moments, painting a vivid picture of the journey through years.

Battling a wicked head cold today, an unwelcome companion that’s thrown a wrench in my usual routine. Despite the sniffles and the fog of feeling under the weather, there was a small victory: I got my camera back. Managed to capture a single moment from last night’s hike—a glimpse of the world through my lens, now waiting on my photos page for eyes seeking a bit of adventure from the comfort of their screen.

Being sick always brings a pause, a moment of decision. Do I press on, or do I allow my body the rest it’s practically begging for? It’s a crossroads between stubbornness and wisdom, a choice between taking a day to recover or pushing through the haze of illness. The decision looms, a testament to the constant balancing act we perform between our ambitions and our limitations.

So, here I am, weighing my options, contemplating a day of rest versus the pull of daily commitments. It’s a reminder of our vulnerabilities, a moment to listen closely to what the body needs versus what the mind wants. In this quiet contemplation, the path forward will emerge, guided by the simple need to heal and recharge.

It is dad and grandmas birthday today and I am trying to think of something to get them. I dont know. Went to the City this last weekend and had some fun. The biggest highlight is the Toys R Us in NYC. It is absolutly awesome. See my picures page for examples. Now I am just trying to get through this day. I am extreemly tired. I cant even finish this blog.