Just another day at the zoo

I was on vacation and away from the office for 12 days and going back has kicked my butt!  I am having trouble getting motivated and that is just not like me.  The days usually fly by but I find myself watching the clock now.  Maybe it is because summer is officially over and the days are getting shorter - outside but not in my office.  Whatever it is, I better snap out of it soon!!

This past weekend I went with my daughter and granddaughter to an air balloon festival.  It was a blast and I got a lot of great pictures.  Too bad the battery died on my camera just as the majority of the balloons took off. Good grief.  Every time I use my new camera I learn a valuable lesson.  This time I learned that even if you think you have enough juice in the camera, recharge the battery the night before.  Better yet, buy a back-up battery.  I think where I went wrong was taking so many pictures of the air show and the sky divers as they made their descent.  With a fast shutter digital, it is so easy to take 30 - 50 pictures before you even realize it.  And, how many pictures do you really need of the same group of guys floating to earth?  I ended up with a bunch of rear-end shots, from teeny tiny to full screen!

This was a three day festival and they were expecting over 85,000 to attend over the course of the three days.  We went on Saturday and I am pretty sure we were three of at least 50,000. Long lines at every concession stand and the kids' activities were super crowded.  Walking down the main street my daughter was attacked by a life size cardboard cutout of Barack Obama. (Someone must have bumped it from behind and it fell at her, face first.)  We started to laugh and obviously offended one of the campaigners who screamed, "Hey!  There are thousands of us!  Thousands!"  I assume she meant BO supporters but regardless, it took me a minute or two to convince Tenderheart it really was not the time or place to engage in a discussion of the merits of cardboard. <smile> 

I am still trying to figure out how to manage my pictures, taking them from the camera to the computer without a trip to Walgreens first and tonight was no exception.  Maybe tomorrow.

Big thanks to Betty for helping me get rid of those pesky SPAM comments.  Funny, how you can see a button/word/action on the screen but never really see it.  Duh!  Now I know how to use "Actions" on each comment.    

Tags: air balloons, barack obama, skydivers, camera,

Patrick's Saturday Six - Episode 231

What’s in a name? Well, when it comes to your own, it’s all about whom you ask. This week’s set of questions will take a look at your name to try to find what secret meanings or hidden traits you might not even have known you have. And just to make sure you get a good picture of yourself, there are two memes to work with.

For both memes, use your real first name, but if you’re not comfortable posting your real first name, just list the traits it lists to that name. Neither quiz lists results as words that start with each letter of your name, so you should be able to disguise your name if you wish.

Here are this week’s “Saturday Six” questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal…but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as “first to play,” you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. Take the quiz: What Is Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

2. Which single sentence best describes your personality?

3. Of any negative traits listed in the results that you think are really true about your personality, which one do you most wish you could change?

4. Take the quiz: What Does Your Name Say About You?

5. Which of the two results describes you better, the first set or the second?

6. What single word from the second set of questions best describes your personality?

 

My answers:

 

What Donna Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

 

2.  Which single sentence best describes your personality?

 

You are loyal and people can count on you.

 

3.  Of any negative traits listed in the results that you think are really true about your personality, which one do you most wish you could change?

 

You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

 

 

 

What Your Name Says About You

Your name says that you are mostly: Shrewd but overbearing Your name also says you are: Moral but jealous Unconventional but unstable Ambitious but stubborn

What Does Your Name Say About You?

 

5.  Which of the two results describes you better, the first set or the second?

 

The first set of answers.

 

6.  What single word from the second set of questions best describes your personality?

 

Stubborn

Embarrassing Moments - Part V

Some years ago I worked in a high rise building. I happened to have an assigned parking place in the basement which had many advantages.  It gave me quick and easy access to the underground elevator. 

In the winter, the wind whipped through the parking garage with a vengeance and we found ourselves hurrying to the elevator bay to get out of the cold.  Because of the pressure of the interior of the building against the outdoor suction of the wind, the door leading to the elevators did not always close properly.  A notice was sent out to all the tenants of the building to take extra care to close the door and not allow the building's heat to escape into the garage. 

One morning I found myself rushing into the building, trying not to be late.  My arms were full of folders and pages of the current project assigned to me and my purse was hanging precariously on my shoulder. I entered the elevator bay by myself and realized I did not hear the heavy outside door close behind me.  Without turning to look, I reached back with my free hand and pulled the door handle.  No, wait!  I did not feel the metal of the door handle.  I realized I was feeling material. Kind of a wool blend  - like a suit. 

I turned back and, to my horror, I saw the stricken look on the face of a very tall, handsomely dressed black man. I had grabbed him below the belt and all I could do was blurt out "Oh, I am so sorry. I was reaching for the door handle!  I am sooo sorry."  He didn't (or, more likely, couldn't) respond.

Awkward silence followed as we stood in the elevator bay waiting for what seemed like an eternity.  I could feel my face was hot and I just prayed he would say something to break the tension.  Nothing. We got on the elevator,  just the two of us, and he no doubt moved to the furthermost part of the elevator from me. Silence. 

I prayed he would exit the elevator on one of the first floors ahead of me but instead we continued our ride together.  Oh, please, Lord.  Don't let him be a co-worker.  I eventually got off at my designated stop and he continued on, never to be seen by me again.

Naturally, I had to share my story with my girlfriends in the office and as politically incorrect as it may have been, I reinforced a stereotype that day. He had made quite an impression on me, as I am sure I did on him as well.

Tags: embarrassing moment, elevator

Doing the Daughter Thing

I barely got back from Denver, did a little laundry and found myself on the road again.  This time I headed to East Texas to spend time with my parents.  My dad, who recently turned 80, learned he needed a pacemaker. While it is a routine procedure these days, I do not consider putting lead wires into my dad's heart a casual event.  I was glad to be back from my trip in time so I could be there with him and my mom.

My dad is "Mr. Personality" and has been in sales all of my life. He doesn't meet a stranger and loves to strike up conversations when given the opportunity.  At the hospital was no different.  (I wrote a recent journal entry about Daddy turning 80.) 

I brought my camera to show my parents the recent shots I had taken of my trip and also the latest and greatest of Miss L, my granddaughter.  So naturally, I looked for a photo-op there at the hospital. And, I found one.

Daddy was given the option of whether or not he wanted to be put to sleep for the procedure and since he is "a tough old bird" he decided he would rather be awake. Everything went well and he was back in his room by 2 PM, hungry as a horse and threatening anyone who came near his chocolate pudding.   

(That's betadine all over his arm, not his natural shade of yellow!) When they got him up to go to the bathroom Daddy took that opportunity to go visit someone he knew down the hall.  Mom finally went looking for him. "Where is your dad?!"

The doctor wanted to keep Daddy overnight for observation so once he was up and about, Mom and I left him with his book and in the care of the nurses.  We enjoyed a nice visit over Bodacious Barbeque (one of my favorites!) The next morning we brought Daddy home with only a sore arm and instructions he was not, according to him, to help with dishes, set or clear the table or lift anything heavier than the remote for two weeks.  Yeah, right! 

Actually, the yard was in a mess from the remnants of Hurricane Ike that made its way to their backyard and that was on his mind.  Nothing major but lots of little broken limbs and plenty of leaves. Fortunately they hired someone else to come do the yard.

During his time in the recovery area, dressed only the hospital gown, it did not stop him from visiting! 

One last shot when I said, "Look pitiful, Daddy."  He's a hoot!

 

Tags: Daddy, pacemaker

Rocky Mountain High

What a great time I had visiting with my son and getting to see more of Colorado.  I had only been there in the winter previously and always thought it was beautiful.  Getting to see it at this time of year was wonderful since I could enjoy so much more of the contrast in the land. It was about a week too soon to see the Aspens at their peak but I caught a glimpse of what was to come. I loved it all!!

I cannot remember all the places Sport pointed out but I know we saw the follow cities/towns/communities/points of interest.

Denver, Aspen, Buena Vista, Salida, Vail, Breckenridge, Independence Pass, Continental Divide, Arkansas River, Twin Lakes, Mt Princeton, Mt Shavano, Mt Elbert,  Mt Yale, Pyramid Peak, Maroon Lake

Denver skyline - from Sport's living room

 

 

Denver's Bronco Bowl - as seen from Sport's window

Mt Princeton - on the way to Salida

Beautiful scenery at Maroon Lake

Just a hint of Aspens changing colors.

Finally found some changing aspens.

Old Monarch Pass

I think this is Mt Shavano

 

Tags: Colorado, Mt Princeton, Mt Shavano, Vail, Aspen, Salida, Denver, Buena Vista, Bronco Bowl, continental divide, Maroon Lake, Independence Pass,

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Room with a View

              

            

Even though this is actually a stock photo from the internet, it is alot like the one I took looking out my son's living room window.  Sport has got the coolest condo.  He's 17 floors up and at the end of the building so his living room has full length windows on two sides overlooking the skyline. His home office also looks out on the city and his master bedroom has a view of the mountains. No wonder we can't talk him into moving back to Dallas.

Tags: Denver skyline

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The Airport - the best laid plans

What a great time I have been having these past few days with my son in Denver. I will post entries with my pictures as soon as I figure out how to download them!  We were all over Colorado and logged over 500 miles in his 4 x 4.  Oh, my aching butt!

In spite of my procrastination the night before I was to leave, I was packed and ready to go in plenty of time.  Rather than worry with parking and transportation, I arranged for a shuttle pick-up. I was calm and relaxed ... I had made my list and checked it twice. All I needed to do was check-in and read my book.

The shuttle service sent a cab for me and as we were sailing along I decided to go ahead and get my money ready to pay since I had already been quoted the trip price. I was just sick to realize I had not put my wallet in my travel bag! 

If I had been in the regular shuttle with other passengers I would have been out of luck but since it was just me in the cab the driver turned around, drove back and I retrieved the wallet. I got to pay for that extra round-trip excursion but it could have been so much worse.  I could have been at the airport when I realized my mistake and there would never have been enough time to go back. Whew!!!

                                         

At the Denver airport I saw something very interesting.  One of those little transportation carts was coming through the terminal. I noticed the passengers were older but what caught my attention was the fact that this cart was receiving what looked like an official escort. There was a uniformed policeman walking in front and another one in back and surrounding the cart were four members of the various armed services in full uniform, all walking along with this cart.

The transportation cart I was riding stopped, the way traffic (used to) pull over for funeral possessions. I asked the driver of my cart what was happening.  I learned that Denver was hosting the The Congressional Medal of Honor Society annual convention. There are only 100 living recipients of the Medal of Honor (as of 9/10/08) and as each one arrived at the airport, they were receiving this special honor guard escort.  Very cool. My driver said she had gotten to transport two gentlemen so far and the younger members of the military chosen to be escorts were really moved to be part of the process.

I read up on the convention and learned that Carrie Underwood is singing as well as Randy Travis and Lady Antebellum.  Later this week, Clint Eastwood is being presented with a special award. A lot of this is open to the public.  Wished I had known and I might have stayed longer!

Tags: Medal of Honor, Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, Clint Eastwood, Denver, veterans