Kreb vs. Calvin

Bonus points for the first to comment on where I am going with that title (those I have personally told are exempt from playing - sorry).

So, weekend before last, I started the wicked project of taking back my yard. For too long I had mowed the grass (infrequently) and ignored the ever growing, ever expand "extra" green that was around all my grass. True, the lot next to me (community area) hadn't been developed yet, so it was mainly weeds as well - though that is not a valid excuse.

Round one was simple enough, the little area near my front porch. Forrest was on hand to see the battle start



I even had 3+ foot "ninja" (hiding) dandelions. I was impressed, but I was not to be bested:



Haha! Round 1 - to ME!



Unfortunately, Round 2, nature kicked back with with persistent vengeance.



It even attempted to take my dog captive!



BUT NO.. I win again.. Silly plants.



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Of course I'm convinced that the hot weather this last weekend was payback - to which I had no recourse but sweat in agony. Round 3... Nature. =(

Formality

This month for me the "Challenge 2008" was a tough one. Being my first month in "maintenance" mode, and not having to lose weight anymore, I promptly... put weight back on. My comfortable 2.5 lbs cushion went straight to my ass, where I weighed in this morning at 162.2 (162.5 is my "max" without losing a point).

And July I have a birthday and a cruise..... I fear my point lead just might be in jeopardy.

Time to have fun - Saturday Night!

Been a little while since I've been rocking out on a weekend - but this weekend is going to be such an occasion.

Studio 7 - 110 S. Horton St - Seattle - 8pm

For $10 its a 6 band show, with three of my favorites showing up at one place. The full lineup is (with myspace links provided):

Riverbend - These guys are new to me. Good sound though
Out From Underneath - New as well
Counterfist - Recommend Playing: Action Minus or FBC (amazing drummer)
London Get Down - the 3rd new one to me
Windowpane (CD RELEASE) - House of Cards
Late September Dogs - Sometimes


Seriously, this should be one heck of a good evening.

The cabin returns

I know it was just a couple weeks ago I had some pictures from the cabin up; but what can I say, that place is a great time, and yields some darn good pictures:

Young Jedi Jack -- It takes a lot of concentration to be a young jedi:



Scott and I got out and did some riding. It was fun enough I decided to buy his old bike (seriously)



Hopefully soon I'll be able to get some longer rides, with even better and more sweeping shots. The lure of being able to get up to places I normally wouldn't be able to go and get a unique shot or two was a huge part of the decision to buy the bike



Of course, I was being a bit stubborn over the weekend, from a photographer's standpoint. I had been feeling I was using HDR a bit too much, and decided not to talk any. Of course, getting back to my computer and looking at this shot - I realize it would have been absolutely perfect for HDR. Oh well.



I'll just have to blame my personal lens inspector:

WRC 2008 - Round 8, Rally Turkey

Another very dusty and hot rally, Turkey was again a made very exciting by the new rule that the fastest car from day 1, starts first. I know that might seem normal, but its not (wasn't) for rally. What this has created is people not wanting to be first after the 1st day of rally (out of 3 days) - specifically one rallies where there is a lot of loose gravel on the road. If you're in first, you have the unwelcome job of cleaning off the road for those behind you.




I won't give too much away, but a couple of the drivers literally STOPPED in the middle of the race to make sure they were not in first. Not something you see everyday in professional racing. Oh...and like always - Subaru sucked. Maybe its time for me to buy one of the other manufactures in WRC cars: Citroen, Peugeot, Ford or Suzuki ... oh that's right, none of them sell their cars in the USA.

And if you dare to comment about the Evo - I'll shoot you. It doesn't count since the last time Mitsubishi actually raced a rally car was 2005, even if their commercials still try to make you think they are in Rally.



As you'll noticed with the counter at the top - there's a nice long break between Round 8 and Round 9 - this is their summer break. So no rally news / etc until August.

Your quick-link bittorrent links for your downloading pleasure:

Turkey - Day 1
Turkey - Day 2
Turkey - Day 3

(I actually didn't watch those specific links, but they are from my tried and true source (he was slow this rally, and I couldn't wait). Someone let me know if they are not "good").

Instant Gratification - Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford) - Turkey Shakedown:

Seasoned Foreign correspondant

Not going to say much, just that I thought this was worth a watch (a rare, fairly serious interview on the Daily Show):