Bog Down

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Finally, Day Off n I've got so much to do I can't figure out what to do next. (Ok, so I'll blog in between...). I got up early n went for an errand drive to Plymouth. On the way home daylight was diminishing, but I stopped to take a few pics. (like this icy bog at sunset).

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A few shots turned out alright, even tho the cam batteries were dying out. I haven't sprung for the expensive recommended Batts yet. I found out the dispay darkens n some pics come out dark or dim in cold, low-batt conditions. (Still haven't finished the cam manual reading, either).

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I also decided someday I want to spring for a better 8+-megapixel model, for better close-up quality resolution. I'm getting alot of fuzzy birds n planes lately. I'd like to zoom way in on a Poppin or a plane taking off right next to me n have a good one... (got a ton of bad ones).

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Yep, I bet it's nice n toasty in Scottsdale Arizona. We're coming up to SuperBowl Sunday in just a couple of days. I saw a bunch of people picking up party supplies at the market today. My dilemma is that I have to work n miss the game. I could tape it on SLP, but my recorder has bad quality playback in SLP mode, which would make it tough to watch when I get home. I'll prob try, anyhow.

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I'm really going to miss the commercials! It's my fav part. Oh yeah, n maybe my local team will get that trophy. In which case, the local news is reporting, the parade would have to be to City Plaza on Super Tuesday, which is Prez-Primary Day, which would really mess up the voting thing for some folks, never mind everyone else's schedules. Talk about bad traffic...

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Naturally, I get to miss sleep to vote before work. The last governor's election had a two-hour line snaking around the school's corridors. I don't have that kind of time this turn. Hope I make it thru work without too many stupidly-tired mistakes.

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Turns out that I am arm-sore as hell today. It's amazing I can even type this stuff. Got a hot-water bottle on the shoulder now- The snow has melted down alot. Looks like tomorrows precip may be rain. I'd like a week off from shoveling.

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Now back to my 2do list...

SnoBeach

I finally made it down the Hill to Mcove during daylight. Here's the Back Beach n some dinghies by the D bridge.

The boat ramp is on one end of the street down the hill, on Bcove, which is visable out the window. Mcove is right the down my street the other direction, visable from the front yard.

One guy was out there running his little motorboat...BrummmBrrhh!

Nailed

I feel like a dweeb for reporting we got over a foot of snow here yesterday, because I haven't got any pics of it for you here yet! Right around the canal zone hit the jackpot compared to surrounding areas.
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The bulk of the accumulation hit while I was working, before 3 am. I had to shovel a pile higher than my trucks rear bumper to get out of the parking space. Then after I got back home, I had to clear enough footage for my truck to get in the driveway, while it waited blocking the narrow road. The plow stuff was up to my thigh. It was cold in the teens F with a gusty drifting wind piling some places higher than others. I finished up shoveling at about 5 am, not quite yet sunrise.
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Trying to wake up today before work was terrible- So stiff, I could barely move. I got up later than usual, n was rushed to get out the door. I didn't get outside before sundown (so no pics).
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Today the snow has settled a bit lower, though still about knee-deep out front here. I've had my quota of shoveling for the week... sandwiched between work shifts. All the kids in town had a snow-day. Of course I have to wait a few more days for time off again.
I wonder how sore I'll be for Day Off this week...

Yummy Neon

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I'm so hungry I shouldn't even be looking at this sign, cause I can't afford any of Marc's food this week. I just wanted to share the pretty lights n see how they'd come out on the digi yesterday while picking up the mail. These dudes own the entire block next to the bluffs, n run four different restaurants there. One is just Ice-Cream. They have eat-out food industry down to a science!

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I like seeing so much at once in this pic. The reflection of the trees on the bluff, the inside of the pizzeria, n outside the front window. This is the side view of the place. I cropped out the rest of the exterior building from the original to just show the window.

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RU hungry? (It works for me)!

Put Off

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I'm Still alive, somewhat.
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Another day when I'm so exhausted I can't seem to accomplish enough before running out of free time again. The places I should go for errands are all closed for the day, so procrastination reigns, irking the heck outa me.
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The only one pushing myself along is myself, n I'm one determined guppy trying to take over the entire sea. A little bit of kelp is getting into my path, slowing me down, too.
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At work folks always try to figure out why I'm always in a hurry, n why I always do my best. Some claim it doesn't matter, or I shouldn't care. But it does, n I do care, because it matters to me what I do n how I do it. I'm always trying to improve the semantic flow. I'm really not trying to impress others, I want to impress myself.
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I'll bash a leg, hit an elbow, or get some other nasty injury, never make a sound, n just continue on, no matter how much it smarts. I've claimed in the past that some one could shoot me, n I'd probably keep right on going.
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It's not that I don't feel the pain. It's that the pain didn't stop me. I've been through so many painful things, physically n emotionally in my life, that it would take something pretty big to stop me from trying.
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There are people where I work now who I've worked with at other places before. One is a woman from my software production days, who always used to ask me, "Where's the fire?"
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Finally getting older herself, she understands my standard answer to her question now, which is: I point to my heart and boldly state, "Right here, the fire is right here!"
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The abilities of the human body are truelly amazing. I'd never realized I'd be able to do so much for my size and age. The body grows stronger the more you work it. Strength n endurance, as well as grace in constant motion, are qualities I currently possess n don't wish to relinquish due to aging.
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I'm short in stature compared to most other humans around me. This may've played a role in shaping my determination, n doesn't stop me, either. But it does give me a certain critical viewpoint.
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What I can't stand, are folks who fail to understand how much more difficult tasks can be for me than for taller them. Tables, counters, shelves, are all standardized to inconvenient heights for me. With the amount of movement involved in my current work activities, I constantly have to lift my arms. While others are actually resting their shoulders, mine are getting zero rest for hours on end.
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So I feel a reluctance to lift up my arms when I don't need to. The burning of an arthritic rotator cup in the winter chill is beginning to snow on my toboggan run, slowing me down, which I hate! Yep, those "sore arms" are caught up to me today.
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Outdoors there's only a few flurries in the dark here on the Cape, with another West Canadian bitter cold snap paying a visit right now.
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Everyone needs to slow down every once inawhile...

Freeze-Game

The Patriots conference game against the San Diego Chargers is tomorrow, n I'll have to leave for work in the middle of the game. I wanted to take a pic of a plastic blow-up Patriot I drove by earlier, but it was deflated on my way back. If they win, I'll prob get another chance at it. It's getting pretty cold for that contest in Foxboro, which isin't too far from here, (less than an hour). ...
The tv news said it's way too cold for the Packers vs Giants game in Green Bay Wisconsin tomorrow, too. Wonder if folks will freeze to death in their seats...
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The sub-frozen air is certainly blasting now, n prob will spew a few flakes around here also. Most of what we had before melted away, except for some refrozen ice, n ugly, diminshed snow-heaps.
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Besides the cold n the Pats, not alot is going on around here lately except trying not to complain, not spend money, or not read those nasty bills! Three bucks a gallon or more for heating oil, n gasoline also, is a disaster, even for the Electric Co delivery charge for my place.
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Even if the prez dishes out another tax-rebate, it'll be too little, too late again, n all go to pay for the outrageous heating cost.
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These days, anything above freezing is warm, n even that costs too much...

Where Are U Hiding?

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Maple Beard has several cavities where the critters may be hibernating. In the summer, screech owls have babies there.
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The blogworld seems to have slowed to a crawl! I keep running out of new posts to read, n have to go searching for the new, branching out. Commentors are fewer this month as well.
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Everyone is busy trying to recover from the holiday rush, I guess. My stuff isin't even finished yet, but hey, now I have more time, while everyone else seems to have less, for blogging at least.
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Where did everyone go?
(Wish I had a lurk meter)!

DinghySpeak

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"Hey GreenSix, I can see ya over there. How's it going?"

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"I didn't know you were awake, GreyEight. It's getting pretty late in the day."

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"Yeah, it'll be a long night. I see your Captain was too lazy to flip you over again!"

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"Cappy had alot of clams in his basket today, and was so sore from all the mud-claw digging, he forgot all about it. It's real cloudy out, too. Looks like rain! Sigh."

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"Maybe he wants the rain to wash the mud out so he doesn't have to."

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"I wish he'd take better care of me, he is really lazy when there's no immediate payment involved. At least he tied me to my little sign-pole this time so I don't float away again..."

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"It's about time the Harbor Master finally lifted the Shell-fishing ban! That orange warning sheet isin't tacked up to the placard anymore, now that it's just us townees, and the littering tourists have all been gone awhile."

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"I'm sure glad there's a reason to get out around the coves again, myself."

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"I hear ya, it's good to rest for the night, but I can't stand watching the tides come in and out, without ever getting into our saltwater all month!"

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"For shore!"

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"Uh-o! Hang onto your paddle, GreenSix, here comes those seagulls again!"

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"Aw, come on! Please miss me this time you pesky, messy, fly-by bombs."

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"I'm glad to be hull up for this round. Sorry about your sore, sandy Keel."

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"It would serve Cappy right, if I spring a leak and he has to bail me out to get back here with those heavy clams next ride out!"

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"Time for my nap now, Better luck tomorrow, small craft!"

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"Talk to you later, GreyEight-footer. Stay afloat!"

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"...Shore snore..."

Duck Duck Geese

Swimming across from me in the smooth saltwater were six Canadian geese last Sunday afternoon. They were too loud not to notice. I was taking pics n they were too far away to capture well. They appear microscopically invisible in the reflection shots I took.

Small groups of geese stop to visit the saltmarsh here on their migration pathways. You can hear "gonking" echo up the hill to my house often, almost daily.

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The geese sounded like they were argueing about something the whole time I was framing shots. The sun broke through for just a second, low on the horizon behind me, before hiding back under the multi-layered, broken clouds.

To my surprize, the large birds splashed n fluttered, suddenly moving straight at me, n then took off, flying just a few feet over my head! I've mentioned on ESR several times, most wild animals don't seem to be afraid of me.

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I scrambled to try to get them in the viewfinder of my digicam, but they were much quicker than me. I'm not very used to the viewer on the new cam yet. They were too close to get in the overhead position, but I finally got one beside me in the viewer. Then only got one more shot off of them heading to the South of the bright spot in the clouds. They sure flew fast!

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They must have been debating what direction to head out in, n had been out there swimming in circles awhile. The second they saw the bright light, they knew where the sun was n took immediate action.

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I sense a direct analogy to my personal philosophy...

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Often finding the right direction to continue progress going forward where you seek to go in your life, you need to be sure of your direction. So relax while you find your bearings, because it'll be full speed ahead once the light points you the right way...

(Note: Of course, going the wrong way is all wasted energy)!

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Subject: This is helpful?

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Today's annoying network TV commercial:

* On the news at 11:

"How to make yourself happy"

(Note: I didn't watch it)

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SnaggleTooth's wiseguy answer:

1. Lower your expectations

2. Lower them even more... expect nothing!

3. Then anything you get seems good!

4. Instead of working to get what I think I want, I tend to be happier avoiding what I know I don't want.

By the Ramp

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Finally, I made it out down the hill with my cam during a few daylight minutes Sunday before work. The clouds broke up just enough to get in some good reflection shots. You'll be seeing a few more from this session later on.

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I don't get sick of the colors n sights around here. The best part is not having people around making me feel self-conscious. It's a luxury to be the only human out there. That particular afternoon was chilly, but not frozen.

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The past three days have been above normal temps. Later today will be the second above fifty F! The heat's off, n I'll take it!

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Today's the NH primary. I'm wondering how that'll go...

First zzz's, then work again. Off I go-

Blues Loss

A video clip of a solemn James Montgomery caught my eye from the background TV I had on. Sound up to adible, I was saddened to learn Weeping Willie Robinson, a Boston Blues music icon, had his funeral today. (Page 2 of the Globe article gives more current details.)
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After moving to Beantown back in '59, Willie had fallen on hard times in recent years. He'd been homeless for awhile before getting into that assistance house where smoking a ciggarrette in bed did him in- on the night of December 30th.
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James n some other friends like BB King had played music with him, n given him help n encouragement on many occassions. A benefit concert was given to help him out a few years back. He played at the summer Blues Fest in my village, n recently at the blues club a few blocks away from me. I still have flyers with his name on them.
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I'm sad for those he inspired, befriended, n made fans. He was a good person who deserved better in life than what this economy is dishing out this decade. Bless you, Willie! Your name n music will live on in our souls.
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I'm sad that he couldn't quit his nasty smoking habit, n that it took him so suddenly. Leaving us with that bitter taste of tough life in our mouths.
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I'm glad though, that on New Years Day 2003, I was able to bring myself the determination needed to banish the smoking habit from the remainder of my life. I guess that's a five-year milestone I would never have brought up, had I not heard the news about Willie tonight, by way of noticing James familar face in my background scenery.
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Darn, I miss those guys... Where are those old cassettes n Cds? ... but I don't miss the smoke at all anymore!
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Here's the best photo I have of my now dusty Toy-friends, previously published on ESR in '06. I wish it was warm enough now for an outdoor clean-up.

I need to watch out for those deadly dust-mites...

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Willie, here's to you-

DayOff is Frozen

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I wonder how the "L Street Brownies" (Boston), n the "Polar Club" (same thing around here), actually get themselves to jump in the ocean water, n raise their charity money...
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I have enough trouble contemplating removal of one layer, let alone getting almost naked n swimming in icy water, then getting out in the colder air- yikes!
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Not me, especially in today's sub-Z.
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I'll have to go check out my fav beach for ice flows soon. It's supposed to warm up into the above frozen for the week-end tho, in time to go back to work, naturally. The ocean water isin't quite cold enough for ice formation yet. The windchills out there on the beach are bone-chillers, no matter the number of layers. It's definately a three-layer-day again-

I haven't had much Cam ambition lately. After the daylight gets longer again, I'm sure it'll be easier to wake up before sundown. Days are lengthening a bit, just very slowly. These Swans were begging for goodies well before the New Year at rear Main Street. It's illegal to feed them in our town, tho- N if I'd known they'd be there to greet me, I would've brought some bread for them.

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I must have that disgusted look on lately, 'cause a young dude (about 25) at work tonight said, "Come on, the year is only 2 days old, give it a chance!"

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A weird dream from last zzz's has me wondering today. I once wrote a song played on electric guitar with lyrics in a dream of being on stage, and remembered it upon wakening. I dreamt of playing that song again, in front of a famous musician. What does that mean? (I think I just miss my guitar again)!