More maps

Ok, I'm not sure why it really matters, but I feel the need to put this out there. And sorry, Mom. I know these posts are emailed to you and you already complained that you don't care about a map; you want to know what's new with us.

Well... this map update is what's new with us. We don't have a life and so we grasp at anything we can get. Especially if it's free entertainment. Free entertainment is good, right?

Maybe because I'm obsessed with maps. While I'm talking to people on the phone at my day job, I have my atlas pulled out and I'm not only trying to figure out where they are located, I'm tryig to imagine what it must be like where they live, whether it's flat or hilly, if the roads are winding or straight, etc. We are moving soon (yes) and of all the crap I'm trying to throw out, I can't bring myself to toss out any of my old road maps. I have a lot of old maps. I even have a huge map of the state of Rhode Island that's bigger than the state.

After all, my name backwards is maP.

I had to make a correction to Frank's map. He reminded me he had been in Indiana. That was when we drove home from Deb's wedding in Florida. When heading back north we decided to skip across KY and go through Indianapolis because driving from Rockford, IL to Paducah, KY once in our lifetime was enough. (Sorry, Laurie B and Denise!) That was a really boring drive. Of course, we had left Minneapolis at 9am and made it all the way to Nashville before we stopped to sleep, 15 hours later. All I remember is flat. More flat. Oh look, more flat.

Frank did not remind me to add Washington DC and Virginia, where we had our own honeymoon. That's two demerit points for Frank and to redeem his good standing, I think he owes me dinner. Ummm, Frank you can make Middle Eastern stuff or more Thai coconut curry.

So here are his green states:

Frank's corrected map

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php

But wait there's more!
We forgot one state for Rachel, too. Guess what mode of transportation she took to get there?
For an added bonus point, guess what town we went to?
Of course, she was barely three years old and doesn't remember a thing.
Too bad; we spent a lot of money on her that trip...

... because we forgot her suitcase in our living room and had to buy all new clothes and underwear and stuff for her when we arrived.


Rachel's corrected map

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php

The wheels are in motion

We made an offer to buy a condo yesterday.

Cross your fingers, hold your breath, and do whatever other voodoo you think may work to help our offer be accepted.

Did you know we did the EXACT SAME THING 13 years ago this week? That was our darling little 720 sf Fremont house.

This condo has almost 200 more sf.
Is that called "Moving up?"

New Blog

Rachel has started a new blog, When Confusion Strikes.

We had been talking about how there are so many "Daily Photo" blogs out there, like Salem Daily Photo, Minneapolis Daily Photo, etc. I swear, the kid takes an average of a dozen photos of either her face or her shoes EVERY FLIPPIN DAY so I ...

...yes you do.
(She's reading this over my shoulder and commenting as I write.)
(Now she's giving me the stink eye.)
(Now it's The Look Of Death. I'd better stop looking back at her and snickering.)

... so I suggested she start a new blog called the Rachel Daily Photo and start sharing some of these repetitive shots. Ok, not boring repetitive, but it's a constant subject matter. She alters the photos and enhances them with photo editing software, and some of the shots are quite good.

You'll have to check it out.

Quote of the day....

Today's Quote: A friend of mine is an agnostic, dyslexic insomniac who
lies awake at night wondering if there really is a dog.

Silly Pam and Goofy Frank

I guess I should explain the picture. When Frank's involved, I find I usually have to explain something.

He does not usually look like such a dope. He's actually pretty darn cute. He was just washing up dishes from Christmas dinner (2007) when he saw Patty was aiming the camera at him. Just as she shot the picture he went all slack-jawed and made this silly face. It's so typical "Frank" that we laughed and kept it.

Seriously, the man can't pretend to be normal for a minute if he thinks someone's looking.

We've been married 15 years... and counting...

Silly Pam and Goofy Frank, originally uploaded by Adventures of Pam & Frank.

By the way, Frank tried to make this face when he had his drivers' license picture taken but the lady said "No way."
Too bad. LOL

New Map Toy

I found a new map toy here: http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php


I played with it for a while and would like to share where we've been.
Pam has been to these states (in blue):
Oh. Airports don't really count, or Colorado would be on the list.


http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php


Frank has been to these states (also blue):
Obviously you can see the paths of two very big road trips starting out in Minnesota.


http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php


And Rachel is working on adding more states to her list but right now she has been here:

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

I'd like to add California to Frank's and Rachel's maps soon...

So... where have you been? Post your map on your blog or flickr and comment here so we can all check it out!

Anne-Marie's busy week!

My friend, Anne-Marie works for a local fire department and sent this email. Holy Smokes, that girl has been busy!  Whenever you see news footage of forest fires out west, the crews are often dealing with this kind the stuff. Fortunately, these areas are not remote, since I-5 is nearby, and were able to be contained quickly.

 

Looking at the pictures of the fire on the bluff can give you a general idea of how difficult it can be to access or navigate this western terrain. Also, the fire up on the bluffs may make you rethink Oregon's reputation for being wet and rainy all the time.

 

Enjoy - and be thankful for people like Anne-Marie and the fire crews she works with.

-Pam

 

Thought I'd show off to everyone what the little town of Jefferson has been busy doing.  All I can say is it's been a very long and hot week. Hope everyone is keeping well.

AM

http://democratheraldnew.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=575158&CategoryID=27387&ListSubAlbums=0

http://democratheraldnew.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=573969&CategoryID=27387&ListSubAlbums=0

http://www.democratherald.com/articles/2008/08/16/news/local/4aaa00_moppingup.txt

http://www.democratherald.com/articles/2008/08/13/news/top_story/4aaa01_fires.txt

Hah!

http://facetheglory.com/?bannerid=video

 

 

MARS APPROACHING

I got this email from my mom today. Normally, I forward her emails to my other blog, Pam's Inbox, because they're forwards of email jokes. In this case, it's an interesting email about Mars. Mom didn't author this, and I have no idea who did, so it will have to remain uncredited for now.

I decided to post this because it could be visible during the Perseid meteor shower, which peaked this morning.

I'm planning to heading out in the wee hours of the morning with Rachel, a SLR camera, and the tripod. She's never seen a meteor shower and I want to see if I can photograph it. Our challenge will be to find a good dark view of the southern sky. We may have to study our big map of NW Oregon and see if we can find a good spot up in the mountains that's clear of Douglas Fir trees.

Wait - What are Douglas Fir trees? Those are the super tall coniferous trees that we are famous for - they're on our license plates. Do you watch Ax Men on the History Channel? http://www.history.com/minisites/axmen Those are the trees and that's the terrain we may be heading into. There are very few towns and homes up in the mountains, so it will be dark and easy to spot the meteors.

I'll post any pictures I get, if they turn out.

Anyhoo, here is mom's email about the Mars event:

---

From: Donna K

Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 7:58 AM
Subject: FW: MARS APPROACHING

Mars
The Red Planet is about to be spectacular!

This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification.

Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.

Mars will be easy to spot.

At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.
By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN

Friends' Eye View

Friends' Eye View
Originally uploaded by passitonplates

Look what I did with some high water pants that I was going to donate to the thrift store.

Now I'm keeping 'em.

Cute, eh?

Bird's Eye View

Bird's Eye View
Originally uploaded by passitonplates

Ok, this is how I see the pants.
I think they're cute from any angle.

I used some fabric scraps to fix these pants and turn them into capris.

Watch my Pass It On Plates blog for an upcoming tutorial.