Monday, Monday, so good to me

Monday mornin', it was all I hoped it would be...

I’m not going to sing, don’t stress, but I like this song and today seemed a good fit for it. Can you name that artist? If you guessed Hinder you would be mistaken, but if you guessed The Mamas& The Papas you would be correct. I had a fun filled weekend with some light packing and swimming. Monday has started off brightly and hope this is a sign for the rest of the week!

It's Friday...

I was startled from my slumber around 4am with the crack of thunder. The rain, thunder, and lightening continued until about 6:30 this morning. I'm a bit sleepy and felt a little sunshine needed to be brought to my life today, so I have a photo from the nature walk Wednesday. Enjoy.

Big Bugs take over Inniswoods...don't panic they are made of wood.

The Inniswoods Metro Park has a display of large bugs crafted out of all natural materials. Last night during an almost thunderstorm I braved the park and the large bugs.

The bugs will be at the park until Oct. 14

I'm about to be eaten by a gigantic spider!

Prying Mantis-well beyond my 5'2" self

This colony of ants is no laughing matter

I think I could take this grasshopper on!

Unexpected Wednesday Sighting…

Many times, I wonder, what should I blog about. I don’t lead a rock star life, so it makes for a stretch to find worthwhile items to include for all to read. Well today, I have an item. I don’t know if it is really blog worthy, but it struck me as a bit weird so that’s why I’m including it.

I work for a large university. My building is older and has not seen many renovations in the past few years. This being said the ladies rooms in the building leave much to be desired. I walk into the ladies room this morning and there is a sign on the circa 1980 chairs (that likely have not been cleaned since they were new) before you actually enter the facilities that states: If you sleep on these chairs please return them to their original formation. WHAT!!!!! Why is someone sleeping in the ladies room? There is a perfectly good student lounge just around the corner which is much cleaner. I mean, I’ve been in a couple of very posh bathrooms. Heck, I took photos of the bathroom in Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. However, this restroom is gross, why, why? I ask again why?

Jazz and Rib Fest 2007...

Columbus hosted the annual Jazz and Rib Fest this past weekend. My friend Des and I decided to take in this bit of culture Saturday evening. The night turned into what can only be described or at least how I am going to describe it as...a comedy of errors. The plan was for me to meet Des at 7pm then head down to the Fest. Well, I just made the 7pm meet. I had worked for my parents earlier in the day and late quitting time.

We parked in the City Center garage with a $3 event parking charge- petty fair I guess. We then walked down to the river and the fest. Des of course knows everyone and we stopped a couple of times to chat to her friends. We reviewed the evening’s offerings of music and decided on the Caribbean Jazz as our final destination.

We started our walk across the river to the correct stage and were directed by the mass of Columbus Police to go to the far bridge (Broad) to cross and reach the stage, a bit of a jaunt of such a beautiful night, we were off. We make it across the bridge to the stage and decide to get our fest of barbecue before the music began. We reviewed our options, decided Smoke Shake B.B.Q was our place--they did win 1st choice by the Hometown in 2005! We waited and waited and waited and waited in line. Just over an hour passes and we have just almost gotten to the front counter to order our much awaited barbecue, when it was announced they were out of all food but ribs. WHAT!!!! We had waited in line for over an hour and not barbecue as promised! Outrage! Neither of us actually like ribs we were disappointed, but decided to fest on the food with the shortest line, for at this point, we have mosted most of the jazz. We ended up in the chipped potatoes line, it may not look that great in the pic, but boy it was the bomb Saturday night. We made it to the music to fest on our chips and listen to some lovely jazz. The musicians were tremendous. The lead singer, well, I think she may have started to loose her voice. All in all we had a great time and next year I will plan to get in line for my barbecue earlier in the day.

Stage from across the river

Broad Street Brige

Barbecue Place

Cheese Chips

End of Evening-Aren't we the cutest!

Knitting...

Did you all know I'm now knitting, ok so I'm a novice but I'm trying. This is my first scarf. It went my sister for her birthday. I'm now working on my 2nd scarf. I'm not a particularly fast knitter.

Read a good book…

I highly recommend as a fun, light summer read “Manhunting” by Jennifer Crusie. This was the first book she ever wrote and although not perfect is a good Crusie read. This book does not require intense thought which is what makes it a great summer read. It is a nice romantic read that will satisfy any romance reader’s fancy. You can read more about Crusie at jennycrusie.com.

Bastille Day-come and gone

As the French were celebrating Bastille Day (July 14), the beginning of the French Revolution, I was spending the weekend working for my parents. The weekend was filled with sacking and loading feed at the mill and slopping hogs at the farm. I swear every high school junior should do that for a weekend, if they love it then they can be farmers, but if they don’t then it would be great motivation for them to go to college or learn a trade. I bet I could start a program with grant funding and everything, but I don't think I want to put that much thought into it.

Christmas in July...

This morning on the news, I heard the most brilliant marketing plan, yet ridiculous issue. One of the companies that makes one of the game boxes (X Box, I Box, one of these) is warning customers that they may be sold out before the holiday shopping season even begins. This is brilliant marketing, get those who know their kids are going to want this thing to buy it now and then miraculously have more on the shelves in December for those not quite on the ball.

Anyway, this made me think of Christmas in July.

(pic is from Gallery Hop, Dec. 2006)

Oh and did anyone notice it's Friday the 13th??

Summer in the Country...

Photos of creek below my parents house. The water is much lower now than when the photos were taken, Ohio needs some rain.

[Oh how I love having the digital camera to capture random items to post on blog.]

Weekend Trip to Ann Arbor...

Michigan will have a new resident for a year. My sister will be completing a one year internship in Ann Arbor to finish her graduate degree. I think she picked the hottest weekend of the year to move, but all boxes and possessions are securely in her new apartment.

I'm back-aren't you so excited!

Oh how much time has passed since my last post? The year has flown by and I feel again the need to document my miss-adventures. The end of March I took a new position at The Ohio State University. I am an academic advisor and LOVE it! I have a feeling it will be a long time before I make another career move. I’m very content in my little office with no window. Ok-so if I could I’d have a window, but I do have my own office again, so that’s terribly nice. :)

I will do my best to keep this up to date from here on out!