I Never Win Anything

Do you know anyone who always seems to win things? Someone who whenever there is a random drawing at an event, they always seem to have their ticket drawn? The person who knows nothing about sports yet just happens to win the Super Bowl pool? I think everyone knows one of those people. I am definitely NOT one of them. I usually don't even bother to stick around for drawings at the end of things, because I know I won't win. Just doesn't happen for me. I'm OK with that, I'm used to it. So I'm not really sure why I'm bothering to take a chance with this contest. Maybe it's because I didn't post anything about 9/11, and this is sort of my chance to do that. Or it could be because I have writer's block and have nothing else to post. If you click over and decide to enter because you saw it here, take pity on me and split your prize with me.

Baby Steps

I admire the way that some of my favorite bloggers really put themselves out there with some of their posts. From sharing a diary, to details about a colonoscopy, to intimate thoughts and experiences, it is amazing how open and honest they can be. While I'm perfectly comfortable writing about sports, my garden, my dogs, or Nintendo, I can't imagine being able to write about really personal thoughts and experiences like that.

I didn't even really want to post a picture of myself, until I was Simpsonized.
Baby steps.

Wild Wonderful Web

The internet has become so much a part of most people's everyday lives by now, that I think we sometimes take for granted just how great it is. This week alone there were numerous tricky and important questions that we asked the almighty internet:

1. How do you get chewed gum out of the pocket of a pair of shorts that have just been washed and dried? (This totally worked, by the way.)

2. Tomatoes are taking over the kitchen, what ELSE can we do with them? Decided not to do this, but tomato jam isn't too bad.)

3. Is there any chance I can get PSU tickets for just one decent game this year? (Answer: Yes, if I'm willing to pay a LOT for them.)

4. If I'm not going to a Penn State game, will I maybe get to see the Phillies in the playoffs? (Answer: An optimistic "Yes!", because that's what Philly teams do to you--make it to the post season, THEN crush your hopes.)

5. Will the Eagles beat the Steelers this week? (Answer: Yes. We should have won the Cowboy game on Monday night, and the Steelers are nowhere near as good as....I can't even type that the Cowboys are good. Monday's game took my hatred of them to a whole new level. Let's just say that after Monday's game I feel like we can beat the Steelers. If you aren't from PA you might not appreciate this take on the game, but I liked it.)

Isn't the internet handy?

PhotoHunt: Strings

This was a tough one. These are technically chains, but I think that is in the same family as strings, right? This is a shot from Ocean City, New Jersey, June of this year. I had to take about half a dozen shots before I timed it correctly to get my kid as she swung (swinged? swang?) by me. She is the one on the left, having fun, but concentrating on squeezing her toes to hold her flip-flops on her feet.

Photohunt: Beautiful

From the iPhoto library, circa August 2003. It was the first year for the birds in their new stadium. I remember seeing that our seats were in the 200 section and expecting them to be really good. Little did I know that at Lincoln Financial Field the 200 level is the same as the 700 level used to be at Veteran's Stadium. The same because we were almost at the very top of the stadium, and because the 2 children with us (aged 3 and 4) did not deter anyone around us from yelling, cursing, throwing things, and fighting. (Click the link if you have no idea what I'm talking about.) Remember, this was just a meaningless preseason game, too. Ahh, Philly. A beautiful thing. Is it football season yet? I'm ready!! E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

You Know, For Kids

Ever since we got to try out the Wii Fit at a recent outdoor music festival, we've been dying to get it. It took a couple of months, but Amazon finally came through. After just 1/2 hour with it, I have decided that I totally love it. There are 3 reasons:

1. My Wii Fit age is 7 years less than my actual age.

2. The Wii Fit as a scale is NOT the same as the scale in my doctor's office. Let's just say I'm going with Wii Fit as my scale from now on. (And if adding the extenders to the bottom to take into account the thicker carpet would correct this, I'm pretty sure I lost them.)

3. In Wii Fit, I can hula hoop like a madwoman. I cannot hula hoop in real life. Never could, not for more than about 6 seconds. In the world of Wii, I can have multiple hoops going, while still leaning and catching more. Kinda like this picture, only with a much higher score.



I've set my goal, and I gave myself 2 months to achieve it. Hopefully I will still love my Wii by then.

Photohunt: Wrinkled

This is a shot from Venice Beach, California, from June 2003. His shirt is completely wrinkled, it's tough to see unless you enlarge the picture I guess. The wrinkles in his pants are pretty obvious, aren't they? I remember that it was a really sunny day, but kind of breezy. I tipped the guy at least a buck, I'm sure, and I don't think he moved the whole time I stood there. Tough way to make a living.

This is my Photohunt from my current iPhoto library. (Hey, that's hunting too.) I'll be on the lookout today for a current shot to add for the theme. Although I think the only place I'm going is the mall, and while I know I will see plenty of wrinkles there, I doubt I'll photograph them!

If you happen to know a little something about cameras, leave a suggestion in your comments of a good camera you'd recommend. I have a Canon Elph, which is perfect to grab and go because it is so small. But I'm now thinking I might like an upgrade, something with a better lens, something I might even have to take a class to learn how to use. If you have one you like that is not too ridiculously expensive, please tell me what kind it is.