I'm still in a bit of a state of shock over this... but here is photographic evidence that our tenants of the Robin variety have finally been successful in their bid to start a family.
I had actually just decided to take a quick picture of both the male (who we hadn't seen much of) and female hanging out together in the nest when I realized that there was something different. So, I waited patiently for them to head off together to find some more food before taking the opportunity to sneak out and snap a couple of pictures of their offspring.
It looks like there are at least 2 chicks and possibly three. No names yet. We'll keep you posted...
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
San Luis Reservoir
It was a beautiful day in Central California yesterday and I just couldn't resist taking this pic as I drove past the reservoir on my way back home from San Mateo.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Wii Craigy
Well, what do you know? There's Michelle and I just stopping in to Best Buy this evening after a 'necessaries' run to Target and I notice a hastily typed 'We have a limited supply of Nintendo Wii's' note sticky taped to the door of the store. I figured they were just left over from Sunday until I noticed someone at the checkout with one and wandered over to the gaming area to take a quick peek. Sure enough, locked away in the secure cage were three Wii packages with two remaining tickets resting nonchalantly on top.
I guess I do have the required physical attributes after all (see picture) because, no less than 5 minutes later we were at the checkout purchasing two of them along with a couple of Amos Lee CDs and the greatest hits of a band called 'Guy' that Michelle remembers from High School. The whole experience felt like we were being naughty. I was convinced something would go wrong at the checkout and I was preparing to make a scene if we ended up being denied at that late stage but it all went smoothly and we walked out with two of the most highly sought after pieces of electronic kit to be released in recent memory.
Now all I have to do is decide whether I will actually hand over Jim's to him or put it up on eBay and have him bid on it. ;)
I guess I do have the required physical attributes after all (see picture) because, no less than 5 minutes later we were at the checkout purchasing two of them along with a couple of Amos Lee CDs and the greatest hits of a band called 'Guy' that Michelle remembers from High School. The whole experience felt like we were being naughty. I was convinced something would go wrong at the checkout and I was preparing to make a scene if we ended up being denied at that late stage but it all went smoothly and we walked out with two of the most highly sought after pieces of electronic kit to be released in recent memory.
Now all I have to do is decide whether I will actually hand over Jim's to him or put it up on eBay and have him bid on it. ;)
Wii-less
I've finally figured out why I haven't been able to get hold of a Nintendo Wii through the legitimate channels. You have to look like this, or at least know someone who looks like this so that after you/they camp out overnight outside Best Buy the grumpy store people will be persuaded to give you a ticket instead of the hundreds of other people that have slept outside to get one.
And while I might have the body, I don't have the outfit.
In any case, Jim promised me that he had a contact that could make my Wii-dreams come true. Jim - I'm still dreaming...
And while I might have the body, I don't have the outfit.
In any case, Jim promised me that he had a contact that could make my Wii-dreams come true. Jim - I'm still dreaming...
Monday, April 23, 2007
Tequila and Lemon
Had a great time at Chuck's Birthday party on Saturday night? I know that we did. Those of you who were able to make it know how much fun and laughter there was into the early hours of Sunday. Those of you couldn't make it... we're sorry!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Sentries
Went out for sushi on Wednesday evening in the hotel next to the office here in Tokyo and had to walk past this trio on the way to the toilets. I've always been a little uncomfortable walking past suits of armor, having to discretely double check that there really is no one inside and looking over my shoulder to see if they are following me once I pass them. It turns out that after a long day and a couple of glasses of sake it's easier to believe my paranoia is real.
These guys are perched at the top of an escalator in front of the lifts that take you to gym. It's like they stand guard in case anyone who is actually staying at a different hotel should pretend to be staying here so they can sneak in and use the gym in this hotel every morning. It's a shame they're only really scary at night.
These guys are perched at the top of an escalator in front of the lifts that take you to gym. It's like they stand guard in case anyone who is actually staying at a different hotel should pretend to be staying here so they can sneak in and use the gym in this hotel every morning. It's a shame they're only really scary at night.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Robin's Nest
Here is a picture of this year's attempt by two local Robins to build a nest under our back porch. If you look closely (or at the larger version of the picture at the flickr site) you will see the soon-to-be-Mummy Robin hanging out in there. I assume she is auditing the construction quality and comfort levels of her new home and preparing a list of suggestions for her mate when he returns in readiness for laying.
They've tried to do this in the same spot every year since we moved in to the house and it's never worked out for them... mainly because the ledge they chose was too narrow to accomodate the nest for long and it would fall out. Their tenacity and can-do attitude has always impressed me, however. So this year, using all the handyman skills my Dad passed on to me over the years, I built a shelf to provide some extra stability and protection from the wind. I'll keep you posted as to progress and hopefully will get some better photos also.
They've tried to do this in the same spot every year since we moved in to the house and it's never worked out for them... mainly because the ledge they chose was too narrow to accomodate the nest for long and it would fall out. Their tenacity and can-do attitude has always impressed me, however. So this year, using all the handyman skills my Dad passed on to me over the years, I built a shelf to provide some extra stability and protection from the wind. I'll keep you posted as to progress and hopefully will get some better photos also.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Justin King
These guys supported Luce at the Little Fox in Redwood City on Friday night and Michelle and I stopped off there for the night on the way back from Albion. Justin King himself is a bit of a guitar virtuoso who you can find various videos of on YouTube but he now appears to have decided to do the band thing.
Check out the new material from this EP at www.justinking.com.
Check out the new material from this EP at www.justinking.com.
Pathway
While driving around the Mendocino County coastline on Thursday we stopped at one of many 'Vista Points' that are littered along those rare stretches of Highway 1 that have more than 6 inches of dirt at the side of the road before plunging hundreds of feet down to the rocky shoreline. It makes for quite exciting and sometimes scary driving - particularly for the passenger who is closer to the edge when travelling south. :-)
Albion River Inn (www.albionriverinn.com) was perhaps better even than the last time we were there 6 years ago and the restaurant proved to be excellent both for dinner and for breakfast. And it turns out that Michelle is really pretty good company and someone who I am very happy to be walking this pathway with.
You can view other photos from our trip by clicking here.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
14th Anniversary Trip
Michelle and I are heading up the coast this week in honor of our 14th Wedding Anniversary. We're stopping over in Sunnyvale tonight as I have a breakfast speaking engagement tomorrow - where you have to be super interesting in order to get people's attention way from their coffee and croissants - and then am taking the rest of the week off.
I can't quite believe it's been 14 years - or 15 according to the card we got from Mum and Dad ;-) - since we donned bullet-proof vests for our early morning outdoor ceremony in Visalia. It really does seem like yesterday. Well, that's what I think. Michelle says it seems more like last week. I guess that's what makes us so perfect for each other.
I can't quite believe it's been 14 years - or 15 according to the card we got from Mum and Dad ;-) - since we donned bullet-proof vests for our early morning outdoor ceremony in Visalia. It really does seem like yesterday. Well, that's what I think. Michelle says it seems more like last week. I guess that's what makes us so perfect for each other.
