Meyer Ranch Park with the Park Service

Mike and Tammy story hosted a "Saturday After Thanksgiving" Hike and social. The evening started with a dusk hike on the Sunny Aspen Trail at Myer Ranch park.

Mike Mulligan worked with Mike Story and has been friends with him for sometime. Here he is standing in front of a hill of sledders as we wait for more hikers to arrive

What a beautiful evening for a hike. The trail was snow-packed which made it difficult to get any traction without snowshoes or yak trax. As I was walking at the very rear of the pack, behind the normal stragglers, I realized that I was completely out of shape. I guess I need to get out on these winter hikes more often.

I loved the way the sun was shining in this photo. It looks like it actually shed some warmth on us.

Oh No You Didn't....

Lisa: Oh Yes I did. I did dress my German Shepherd as a fairy tale princess. She was not amused. But she indulged me during her photo session shoot. I don't think I'll ever make her wear it again. She really did not seem to enjoy it.

Trinity (in her head): I've been low before, but this one takes the cake. Even my little tennis ball can't cheer me up. This tiara is cramping my ears, and the tulle dress is damping my spirit. I already have difficulty socializing with other dogs without the added pressure of making sure word of these little pink slippers never sees the light of day.

Working For "The Man"

Well...paint me a red stapler, I'm back working for "the man". I recently accepted a new software development position and traded in my library card for a lousy computer chair and goopy keyboard at a desk that doesn't quite fit. Monday, I actually found myself texting a friend that "somebody had a case of the Mundays" and that would be me. I *would* upload a virus to the main frame, but I can't even access my gmail account (NOTE: That opinion in no way reflects the views of my new company or my own opinion for that matter, since I no longer have one. Dang those non-disclosure agreements!).

I miss staying at home all day with my pup, reading on the couch and learning important things like "how the western world came to their conclusions". I miss waking up when my body wants to. I miss my freedom. However, since I am working for "The Man", I am thankful to be learning modern software practices/tools like: the Maven build tool, structuring Java Web Applications with Struts, learning another configuration management tool, and learning how to use the JSTL. At least if I have to work for "the man", I am in an interesting environment with plenty to laugh at (mostly from corporate policies), a culturally diverse group (I've always wanted to learn about India) of people, and great things to put on my resume...just in case I need it again.

Visit My MySpace and Friends

You may have noticed that I've been adding blogs and MySpace pages to my "Check It Out!!!" Links. I thought others might enjoy visiting my MySpace page and the pages of some of my friends. A friendly request though: If you visit my page, sign my Frapper Map and post a picture of yourself on it. It's so much more interesting when I know who you are. And kindly do the same for any of my friends who also own a Frapper Map. We all appreciate it:)

Halloween 2007

I carved 2 pumpkins this year. Let me tell you, it was a lot of work. The patterns are called "Haunted Tree" and "Ghost". Thanks go out to Mike Mulligan who hollowed out the ghost pumpkin for me. That saved me a lot of time.

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble....This is my intense "I'll turn you into a toad" witch look:) I'm very proud of my costume because I only paid $4 for the hat and was able to find the rest of my costume in my closet.

Me and my little minion, Trinity. I love how the curl fell on my cheek. It gives this photo all the character it has. Otherwise, it would just be another dumb picture of me and my dog.

Okay...so I am shamelessly trying to draw people to my blog with this photo. I took all of these pictures with the self-timer on my digital camera, so it's amazing they came out as well as they did.