Bling Bling

Gambling with other people's money is good times, esp. when it forces you to try new extremely intimidating games. Chris, with his convoluted craps plan, was the big winner for the night (although we quickly deviated from his plan, but it worked out great). "Daddy needs a new graphing calculator" drew a few looks from the table attendents, but it was worth the extra 5%. His take...drum roll please...$33.50 (plus the initial $10). I'll take the appropriate action and finally utilize that donation box on IHJ. Taking second place on the winner list was Sarah who doubled her money on quarter slots (not to mention the free Bud Lite that Emily got from the appropriately*-dressed cocktail waitress). We found an old school machine with actual reels and an honest to goodness pull-arm and let the money roll in. Unfortunately, it wasn't old school enough to have the coins come tumbling out. We had to deal with a printed ticket instead. On the converse side of things, both Julie and Andrew walk away empty handed. Julie, since we couldn't find a $.25 slot machine with hearts on it, we put your dollar on a machine with dolphins (appropriate, eh?) but it went away just as quickly. Since we didn't conform to your specifications, however, you are off the hook on payback. Andrew, your bet gave us the least trouble because 17 seconds after it was placed, it was gone*. Because it was so easy, I will let you off the hook for paying me back if you agree to put it towards future debts accrued on the frisbee golf course. As for the only bet that requires research, synthesis, and understanding, we will have to wait until February to find out how Ryan did. It does give me a reason to follow football this year, though. Go Steelers!! All in all, a great night at the casino. The only downside is that Emily has now become afflicted with the "There's No Way I Can Lose at Craps" bug, which we all know will come back to haunt her. As for me, I think my own personal Gamblor* has been sated and Senior Tuesdays at the Northern Lights Casino will tide me over until my next Vegas Vacation.

Sunday July 29 2007

File under: travel, misc

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on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 05:32 am PDT Chris said: WOOHOOOO!!! Take that formal education and understanding of probability!! All you ever brought me was years of work and $50K in debt whereas dumb luck has once again fed me for a couple more days! ************************ on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 07:30 am PDT Sarah F said: AWESOME! Although I can't beleive the coins don't come rushing out... All those quarters would make you feel rich. I was feeling soo lucky this weekend- I just knew we'd win something. I'm glad Emily got a Bud out of it too! ************************ on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 08:38 am PDT Sweet Julie said: Dolphins! HOW cool is that! I thought hearts would be much easier to find in Vegas. Thanks for playing you guys! That was fun. ************************ on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 11:51 am PDT cardboard said: pure madness ************************ on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 04:18 pm PDT Andrew said: Dude. 00 sucks. ************************ on Mon 30th Jul, 2007 10:07 pm PDT Joe said: I see you didn't try mine...the easiest money there... ************************

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Get Rich Quick (or Gambling By Proxy)

I once again find myself in the Las Vegas area. "Who goes to Las Vegas in July on purpose?", you ask. Good question. In its defense, the weather has been quite exciting with thunder storms, flash floods, and temperatures that have more or less stayed below the 100 degree mark. But enough pleasantries; let's get down to business. Last time I passed this way, I talked to a few people about my idea of gambling by proxy. This time, I want to make that dream a reality for us all. The concept is this: for all of you who aren't able to make it to casinos, whether because of time, geography, or overbearing spousal reasons, I offer you my time and location* so that together we might both become rich. The rules go like this. You name the amount, game, and bet (e.g. $10 on roulette 15) and I will go place it. I'm thinking the games that lend themselves to this would be roulette, craps, slots (please be as specific as you like with the type of machine), and blackjack (although you would have to accept my decisions*. If you lose, you pay me the amount lost. Kind of like if you were here, but without having to deal with the crowds, stress, and heat. If you win, we split the winnings 75/25 (yes, the bigger amount is for you*). The concept here is to allow anyone to be a part of the BdW experience, to participate in this adventure that I am on, to have a little innocent fun while on your government-mandated 15-minute coffee break at the office. The action and outcome will be documented here. And besides the excitement and fun this will create, you will be helping to support BdW (web hosting ain't free, ya know.) So get your bets in by Friday night and then leave the rest to me.

Wednesday July 25 2007

File under: travel, misc

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on Wed 25th Jul, 2007 09:50 pm PDT MOM said: Okay, so not being a Casino junkie, I need more direction here but I'm not willing to cast my bet in the presence of all these bloggy eyes. How do we, the faithful, let you, the bookie, know our $$ desires? ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 08:49 am PDT Condiment Sandwich said: 20 bux on a spring wedding to a blond with an intriguing laugh ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 08:52 am PDT Saxtor said: Good idea, Wren. But the colorblind shouldn't bet on red... ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 11:50 am PDT whuppin stick said: your take is way more than the casino's, which makes my odds a bit out of favor. ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 12:29 pm PDT Wren said: Condiment Sandwich, you're on! ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 05:44 pm PDT Sarah F said: Come on people!! This is our chance at the big bucks!! I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas and I’m so happy I can now live vicariously through you. I’d like to bet just $10 on the quarter slots and can you wear your luckiest clothes that you have? If you win, you can take someone out for a drink or desert on me too before you send me my cut. (good karma for next time) Thanks buddy! If we lose, I’ll send you cash so that Dragan doesn’t know about my “habit”. ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 06:23 pm PDT Ryan said: $10 on the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl. ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 06:52 pm PDT Andrew said: Alright. $10 on Black w/ $10 on the corner of 4,5,7,8. If you loose, send me a bill. If you win anything, take half and put it on Black. Put the other half in between 20/23. Take whatever you win from that and put it all on Red. Then walk away. ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 09:38 pm PDT MOM said: Wait a minute...Condiment Sandwich--are you the blond with the intriguing laugh and did you just propose to my son? ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 09:54 pm PDT Sweet Julie said: How about $1 in quarters in a quarter slot machine with Hearts on it?! ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 09:57 pm PDT Saxtor said: Off topic: Marg, congratulations on getting mentioned on one of my favorite blogs! ************************ on Thu 26th Jul, 2007 10:15 pm PDT MOM said: Saxtor,Thanks for the head's up. WOW, I'm famous! Someone actually uses my library! Who does this blog? I want to check and see if they have any overdue books. ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 05:19 am PDT Ryan said: make it $20, and the checks in the mail ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 07:24 am PDT MOM said: That comment about overdue books...I was just kidding, librarians aren't like that, really. ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 08:06 am PDT Saxtor said: I'm seeing $71 bux here. Chris, how'd that PayPal button work out on IHJ?! ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 11:28 am PDT Chris said: Being egocentric as I am, I've always wanted to be the craps shooter in the hopes that my roll would win some high roller a ton of cash and yell "Yee-ha!" and give me his cowboy hat for good luck. Unfortunately I'm in Ohio, so you're going to have to live the dream. I realize the instructions may be a bit long, but I figured half a paragraph shouldn't be too much for a guy who memorized pi out to over a hundred places just for fun! Alright, I want $10 on the Pass Line. If you crap out (2, 3, 12), walk away and put $10 on double zero at the roulette table. If it's 7 or 11 let it ride once, starting over with $20. If a point is set (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) then bet an additional (one-time) $10 High Horn Yo ($2 on 2, $2 on 3, $2 on 12 and $4 on 12). Ater you finish making your point or seven-out (your turn finishes) if you've got less than $20, bet it in whatever manner you feel is fun and let me know if we win; if you walk away with more than $20 though, then hold on to it so that I can put up a poll on IHJ to decide what my official high-roller nickname is going to be, I'm leaning towards "f(g)-Money", but I'm accepting suggestions. Let me know if you have PayPal (the button is for settling debts mostly Saxtor, I'm not expecting too many random contributions), otherwise I'll send the $20 to Anacortes. I can feel the anticipation already! ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 11:35 am PDT Chris said: I forgot to say, you can have an extra 5% of the winnings if you promise to say "Baby needs a new graphing calculator!" when you throw the dice the first time. ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 07:52 pm PDT Chris said: Man, I really need to read what I write. Hope it's not too late, but High Horn Yo puts the last $4 on 11, not 12; sorry. ************************ on Fri 27th Jul, 2007 11:18 pm PDT Joe said: well, i think it's a dumb idea but here's what you can do for me...you have to get your video camera ready tho or i'm not paying. put $20 down on the bar, order a jack and coke (and whatever you want). Pick up the jack and coke, breathe a sigh of desire, then pour it out on the carpet right in front of the bartender while saying, "one for my homies". then immediately grab your drink and take a drink, a single drink, if it's a shot then just a sip and say "and one for me." then...pour the rest out on the carpet and say, "another one for my homies, cuz they be good homies." do it just like this on video and another $20 is yours...i feel like i would win this way. ************************ on Thu 02nd Aug, 2007 02:03 pm PDT mandy said: i really like joe's idea. i'll give you $20 if you do this, but it doesn't have to be on video. you could do a slideshow instead with some sort of rap music in the background. another $20 if you dress up like flava flav ************************ on Sun 05th Aug, 2007 06:15 am PDT Sean said: I'll throw down $50 for you to do your little turn on the catwalk on ameture night at a strip club. ************************

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Lake Swimming

The talk of the town these last few days is all about how hot it is. No, it's not 117� like some places, but mid-eighties is still pretty hot for us wussy Northwesterners. And what is there to do here in Anacortes when the going gets hot? WHISTLE LAKE!!!! We made it to the parking lot before the throngs of cooler-toting, party dudes descended, and made a bee-line for the relative seclusion of the skinny dipping spot (although no skinny dipping occurred.) The water was cold, but it was a refreshing cold. A quick swim across the lake and back was enough to remind me it has been too long since I have been swimming, as my arms were barely keeping me afloat*. Yes it's hot, but if it wasn't for the heat, a dip in Whistle wouldn't feel nearly as good as it does, and for that reason, I'm not going to complain. (Well, okay maybe a little.)

Wednesday July 11 2007

File under: Anacortes, misc

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on Wed 11th Jul, 2007 03:59 pm PDT cardboard said: this weather is even to hot for swimming...not really sure what to do but keep complaining ************************ on Wed 11th Jul, 2007 06:16 pm PDT gretchen said: you guys are a bunch of wussies. i say that if it is 68 or above, the weather is great for swimming. ************************ on Wed 11th Jul, 2007 09:18 pm PDT Wilbur said: i gotta get my ass out there REAL soon. who wants to go thursday!? ************************ on Thu 12th Jul, 2007 04:36 am PDT Chris said: I agree with gretchen, what happened to the calibur of Anacortesians who were more than happy to take a jump in the lake in early January will snow was still floating on the surface? Sheesh, you leave for a couple of years and everybody gets all soft! ************************ on Thu 12th Jul, 2007 09:06 am PDT Sarah said: Ahhhh....Whistle Lake. Such wonderful memories. ************************

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Scraptacular

Scrapbooking is all the rage these days. Back in my employed days at www.PhotoWorks.com*, we were always taking the scrapbooking crowd into account when designing our products. ("Who would possibily want to order an empty book? Oh yeah, scrapbookers.") Besides knowing that scrap bookers might want to purchase an empty book and fill it with pictures themselves, I didn't really know much of the nitty-gritty about the world of scrapbooking. When I got back from Asia, I was thinking that I should a book together for myself. I had saved maps, ticket stubs, and of course had lots of pictures. When looking around and talking to people about scrapbooking, I found that it was much more complicated than putting pictures and ticket stubs in a book. You needed embellishments. "Embellishments, embellishments, embellishments", a scrapper* friend told me. That same friend recently put together a scrapbook of my scooter trip for me as a gift. Let me tell you, it was a fine piece of work. Embellishments galore! Now that I have an idea of what a proper scrapbook looks like, I might have a go at my Asia one again. Not that I have a chance of equaling the style that is this, this, and this, but I can try.

Saturday June 23 2007

File under: pics, misc

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on Sat 23rd Jun, 2007 07:02 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: Did PhotoWorks wrong you in some way? Who do you now recommend for our photo-based projects? ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:10 pm PDT Saxtor said: I'm with Ryan. Are you withdrawing your endorsement on personal grounds, or has their product suffered in some way? ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:33 pm PDT Cyndi said: Ok, little wierd, but Ok ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 12:36 pm PDT Cyndi said: Ok, I cant spell today, I have a cold ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 04:48 pm PDT Amanda said: oh come now wren, you're embellishment enough! ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 05:52 pm PDT Wilbur said: nice! that's TOTALLY how i'd picture you'd look in scrapbook form. ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 07:37 pm PDT Jule said: that is scraptacular! ************************ on Sun 24th Jun, 2007 07:38 pm PDT Jule said: ah crap, that is what your post is called, i am not original at all, ************************ on Mon 25th Jun, 2007 12:20 pm PDT Sean said: Only 15 piece of flair? Come on. ************************ on Wed 27th Jun, 2007 06:53 am PDT Nesbitt said: I read the following article and thought Blog Du Wren. Thought you would enjoy it. Not sure if Baltimore's haul would be nearly as good.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/21/garden/21freegan.html?pagewanted=1 ************************

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Local Music Equals Local Fun

Saturday evening, I found myself at Boulevard Park in Bellingham rocking to the sweet sounds of Spoonshine (Best. Band. Ever.). Even though the weather wasn't perfect (although it did clear up for a moderately nice sunset*), the turnout wasn't as good as it could of been, and I didn't have any juggling buddies to throw clubs at*, it was still the best Saturday night I've had in a long time. Oh, and any day that you get to hang out with a caped wonder can't be a bad day. Speaking of local music, rumor has it that the Red Note (current band of former Perfect Day frontman and local legend Shane Chapman) is playing at the Brown Lantern this Saturday night. It'll be a raucous good time, no doubt. (Okay, everyone is entitled to doubt. Far be it from me to tell you how to feel.) Anyway, it is good to poke my head in on the local music scene every now and again. Knowing the guys (or gals) that are up on stage always makes for a more enjoyable show.

Sunday June 17 2007

File under: Anacortes, misc

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on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 09:27 pm PDT jenelle said: indeed. I was fortunate enough to see those guys busking at folklife. it think it's safe to say that most bands which include an upright bass are going to be good. by the way, it sounds like you didn't make it to the solstice parade. whatsamattuh, you don't like seeing nekked peoples on parade?! ************************ on Fri 22nd Jun, 2007 08:49 pm PDT Wilbur said: yea next time they're playin around here call me i'd like to go see em. shane's playin this saturday? what time? i'd like to come down and see. prolly see ya there... ************************ on Sat 30th Jun, 2007 10:08 am PDT trista said: RED NoTE! RED NOTE! ************************

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Wear Sunscreen

Graduation season is upon us (and has been for some time if the "Dads and Grads" ads are to be trusted). It is a time for new graduates, whether from high school, college, or even grad school, to look ahead. It is also a time for non-graduates to offer congratulations and advice. Congratulations are easy. Advice can be a little more tricky. In a famous graduation speech/column* (often falsely attribute to Kurt Vonnegut*), Mary Schmich of the Chicago Times compiled her own list of advice to graduating seniors. It grew in popularity from a forwarded e-mail eventually to a top 40 song. If you've never heard or read it, I highly recommend it. The speech can be found here and Wikipedia's entry on the history of it can be found here. Not that many folks about to, or having just, graduate(d) read BdW, but I thought it would be fun to compile our own list of advice gleaned from our own personal meanderings, just as Ms. Schmich did. To start off the list, I will borrow 2 pieces of advice that I've come to greatly support. Know thyself* (Those Greeks really knew what they were talking about.) and Just do it (Perhaps a little pushy for an advertising slogan, but often valuable as advice when faced with decisions of action/inaction.) What say you?

Thursday June 14 2007

File under: misc, participation

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on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 04:49 pm PDT cardboard said: I have heard many but the advice my boss has given to be the most inspirational. The first is "You can never listen to to much ACDC or Van Halen". The second i might botch a little but comes from one of his dads good friends and goes something like this "man back in the 60's everyone was shooting smack and doing hard drugs while i was just smoking good weed and smiling the whole time." Another classic that i throw out pretty often but dont seem to live by is this "you will never look when your an old man and wish you had worked more" ************************ on Thu 14th Jun, 2007 10:31 pm PDT Emily said: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." - "Who is George Bernard Shaw" (Another quote, non widsom-related, from my favorite movie Dream for an Insomniac.) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 12:10 am PDT Horge said: A few classics: "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but don't pick your friend's nose." and "It's better to be pissed off than pissed on." Otherwise, one of my own thoughts: the real power of a degree is not in the department or school which issued it, but in the fact that you did it. ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 08:54 am PDT amanda said: you sound smarter if you speak with Wikipedia quotes ;) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 08:55 am PDT amanda said: you sound smarter if you write with Wikipedia links ;) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 09:06 am PDT amanda said: but no, seriously, part of working is being unemployed and it's ok ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 11:28 am PDT Sean said: Stop Whining! - Mr. Kimble; Kindergarten Cop ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 03:13 pm PDT Amanda said: Serve others. ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 04:21 pm PDT Jule said: Be passionate about the things you do, especially those you do for fun. and make sure to invest in your 401k...(I had to put some practical advice in there) ************************ on Fri 15th Jun, 2007 04:45 pm PDT Saxtor said: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." - Michael Pollan ************************ on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 05:52 pm PDT Chris said: Start accepting your own mistakes and failures instead of your parents' money; you learn more and your success is sweeter. ************************ on Mon 18th Jun, 2007 08:32 pm PDT erin said: at my graduation from undergrad our speaker was whats-his-name Hilton... and he left us with one piece of advice, "put the shower curtain in the tub". i wish this story was a lie... that's what you get for going to a state school in ohio. ************************ on Tue 19th Jun, 2007 08:27 pm PDT Wren said: I just came across this list of advice and I couldn't pass up sharing it. Enjoy! ************************

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Public Water Features

As far as public art goes, I would have to say that water features are my favorite (with the exception of maybe functional art like bus shelters, etc.). In my meanderings around and about, a good water feature will always stop me in my tracks. One of my favorite attractions in Rome was Trevi Fountain. The Bellagio's fountain in Vegas captures me. At the mall in Pattaya Thailand, I sat and watched a funky little water feature for hours (while I ate $0.65 oreo blizzards by the dozen). It isn't just in far away places that water features add to the interest of an urban landscape. Just the other day in Seattle, with a couple hours to kill, I thought I would do a quick tour to see what I could find. Pictured to the right is a calm little fountain next to Key Area at the Seattle Center. Also at the Seattle center is the famous International Fountain which, esp. in the summer, doubles as functional art keeping people cool. Downtown has a couple neat little fountains like this one at the Baimbridge Ferry Terminal, this serene waterfall at the birth place of UPS (privately maintained), and one of my favorites at 5th and James. Also vying for a top spot in my favorites are some of the basalt fountains at Amazon.com. I didn't get a chance to trek up to Cal Anderson Park to snap a picture of that great fountain. So next time you are scurrying through a city with your head down, look up and enjoy some of the public water features!

Friday April 20 2007

File under: misc, pics

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on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 10:59 am PDT Saxtor said: I too pay attention to water features, but less for the aesthetic (though not always) and more for the sound and the feeling they elicit. The UPS one is a great example of this. When you walk by that place, you're drawn in by the heavy vegetation and obvious park-ness of it. But once inside, the sound is completely different than the cacophony of the city noises. Water features can express many different types of sound, this particular one suggests being in the forest. Also, when you walk into the enclosed area of the UPS park (or in proximity to most water features), the air temperature drops a measurable amount that tells you you are in a different place. The smell also changes (sometimes to chlorine). What amazes me is every time I have passed the UPS park, I have only seen one or two people at a time sitting and enjoying it. Also, I have been by the Amazon fountains countless times on my way to Uwajimaya from the train station, but it wasn't until you brought to my attention that that was Amazon did I have the foggiest clue the purpose of that building. ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 04:28 pm PDT per said: there's a project in Vancouver by Arthur Erikson that employs the water feature in a stealth way. It's a courtyard bldng where the lower level facing the street becomes a sheet of water that pours out of the 2nd floor above. visually it's open as the main entrance, but the water completely eradicates any noise pollution from the clanky vroom vrooms happenin at street level. http://www.hillside.ca/1540/erickson.htm http://www.architecture.uwaterloo.ca/faculty_projects/terri/gallery/waterfall_gallery.html ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 10:16 pm PDT Mom said: Imagine a huge waterfall in Spring during the early melt, imagine surround-sound and then you can imagine what a large water feature does in the center of a bustling city. Downtown Minneapolis has such a place as well, next to Symphony Hall--a place to really get away from the city. Also, remember that touch-of-the-wild fountain at REI. ************************ on Fri 20th Apr, 2007 10:58 pm PDT Sweet Julie said: I like cascadas, personally. ************************ on Sat 21st Apr, 2007 04:04 pm PDT amanda said: what about the one in your own backyard?? i like that one too ************************ on Sun 22nd Apr, 2007 11:56 am PDT Sean said: I enjoy peeing from high places.Wren enjoys peeing down his leg. I have pictures. ************************ on Sun 22nd Apr, 2007 09:03 pm PDT Wren said: Speaking of water features, Sean, I happened by the Seattle International fountain again this weekend and realize this was a much better angle for a photo. ************************ on Sun 22nd Apr, 2007 09:38 pm PDT Sean said: Uhhhh that's a lot of peepee.I like the Swiss Family Robinson water gathering contraption. ************************

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Simpsons plus Word-nerdiness equals Happy Wren

The keen eyes of a friend found this recently and knew I needed to see it. From 1995, Lisa in Wordland is a comic featuring many beloved Simpsons characters and much word-nerdiness. It is even more pertinent, as I have been thinking of word play [almost] non-stop for the past week or so. Some of the priceless phrases: "If bombastic periphrastic grandiloquence be the music of life, then rattle on, I say. Rattle on!" courtesy of Sideshow Bob. Or maybe you prefer palindromes (from Otto, of course): "Tired nude man in a pajama I am. A japan I named under it." But since a picture is worth 1000 words check these out.

Thursday March 15 2007

File under: misc

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on Thu 15th Mar, 2007 08:44 pm PST Antonella/ -lil tee said: Eye just knew this was for ewe. ************************ on Thu 16th Mar, 2007 06:55 1m PST jule said: go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog. by the way, that is a palindrome, not a description of my eating habits, although, I am sure many will disagree ************************ on Thu 16th Mar, 2007 10:09 1m PST saxtor said: That is an awesome palindromemordnilap emosewa na si tahT ************************ on Thu 16th Mar, 2007 12:33 pm PST amanda said: RELEVANT ************************ on Mon 19th Mar, 2007 12:23 am PST Horge said: If you're into palindromes, you ought to give a listen to Weird Al's song "Bob" off of the album "Poodle Hat". The whole song (http://www.alsongs.com/index.cfm?view=alsong&songnumber=170) is just a bunch of palindromes, which he sings like Bob Dylan... I just introduced my girlfriend to Al's zaniness and she loves it! ************************

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Puzzle for a Rainy Day

Jigsaw puzzles can be a great way to pass time on a rainy day (or rainy week as the case may be). With both time and rain in abundance, I figured there is no better time than the present so I biked down to the local thrift shop to snatch up a puzzle. One thousand pieces for $.50 (not bad), however the pieces kind of smell like smoke (not good). The scene is of a beach, with trees, people sunbathing, waves, and lots of sky. Anyone hankering for a challenge, I'll set aside all the sky pieces for you. Speaking of puzzles, I ran across this one the other day in my internet meanderings. It is simple but challenging. I'm somewhat ashamed to say that it took me the better part of an hour to solve although I did solve it. Anyone familiar with tangrams (Mrs. Doran alums, I'm looking at you here) should have a hoot of a time with this one. I say, let it rain!

Sunday February 4 2007

File under: misc

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on Mon 05th Feb, 2007 04:37 am UTC Emily said: Time and a puzzle!!! I'm jeolous. I absolutely love puzzles. I tend to loose steam when the sky is the only part left too. Have fun :) ---emily aka The Nevada Junior 2nd Place Puzzle Contest Winner 1992 ************************ on Mon 05th Feb, 2007 07:15 am UTC Saxtor said: I haven't seen a puzzle in well over a year, and yours was the second one in the same day. ************************ on Mon 05th Feb, 2007 04:38 pm UTC Chris said: Ok, here's the real question: What do you do when you finish a puzzle. I spent a good couple of days finishing a big puzzle with Jenn and once we were done she wanted to take it all apart and put it back in the box. I just can't bring myself to do that after investing my time. ************************ on Tue 06th Feb, 2007 01:59 am UTC gretchen said: laminate it. ************************ on Tue 06th Feb, 2007 07:51 am UTC Horge said: I don't know if anyone else has menioned this to you Wren, but that tan-looking piece over there on the left definitely goes together with that other tan-looking piece one to the top and middle. Also I'm pretty sure that some of those blue ones are sky pieces. You thank me later with a check in the mail. :) ************************

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Still Cold

For anyone that lives or has spent a winter in either the midwest or the northeast, you can pretty much discount this post. Us northwesterners have a slightly different sense of cold. So when it snows (for the second time in a winter!) and there is still ice on the roads 4 days later, that is something of note. So I shall note. Billy the snowman still guards our front door, although he has already started his eventual journey to the ground. He is also missing a face, for which I put the blame on either mischievous neighbor kids or hungry crows. Our water feature (a.k.a. pond) in back of the house has some great ice on it but still keeps plodding along. The earlier heavy rains caused a bit of a flood at Smiley's Bottom which has now frozen over and turned into a great ice sliding spot. (We northwesterners don't really have ice skates as they would only get used even less than once in a blue moon.) Luckily I'm in a place to enjoy the snow, cold, and ice how it should be. I've got nowhere to go (and even if I did, my car isn't agreeable to taking me). The cold even makes some things better. Last night, for example, I had the pleasure of a dip in a hot tub under the clear cold sky. A scandinavian style roll in the snow made it that much more refreshing. So to Jack Frost, I say this: Keep up the good work!

Sunday January 14 2007

File under: misc

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on Tue 16th Jan, 2007 06:04 am UTC Saxtor said: I am with you, this Winter has been jawesome! ************************ on Wed 17th Jan, 2007 06:39 pm UTC Chris said: Viva la Jack Frost!! We've had a sudden Arctic Blast/ Ice Storm down South here and since Texas doesn't know what to do with ice I haven't had to go to work for two days now. Thank you ill-prepared city planners! ************************ on Sun 21st Jan, 2007 03:42 am UTC Auntie Rose said: Wren: Have you read Emoto's book on the effects of emotions on water crystals?Its Awesome ************************

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*Sleeping Around 2022-2023
*Project Hotdog Halfway Complete
*Giant Juggling Club

Websites du Friends:
* Wren the Juggler
My I-guess-I'm-a-Professional-Juggler juggling website
* Wren and Della
Della and my juggling website
* The Real Food Show
A circus-inspired elementary assembly show to teach kids about healthy eating
* Della Moustachella
Della's performance website
* The Fun Bags
Della and Sadye's Performance Troupe


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