Twins

I came home and found that M and Adrian where napping and that the both of them matched.  The funny thing is that M and Adrian got dressed separately.  M informed me that Adrian picked out and put on his own clothes.  What a sweet heart.

A fond farewell.

Last Sunday went traveled down south to Granite Falls to where our friend Nicole' parents house is.  A couple of her friends and family members where there as well.  It was a small send off party before she leaves for graduate school at Harvard.  We had a really nice evening and will miss our friend.  We wish her all the best at school and look forward to seeing her again soon.

Happy Mothers Day! (optimus matris umquam niger eyed susan)

While surfing the for pictures of flowers I came across this one. It's called "optimus matris umquam niger eyed susan" other wise know as the Best mom Ever Black Eyed Susan. Apparently you can only find it during this time of the year in a remote part of the world near the southwest edge of Maryland.  I guess I know where I'm going today.  "Maryland or Bust"

A quick rant.

I wanted to get this out so I don't dwell on it all weekend.  Our apartment complex has a no dog rule with the exception of service dogs.  I absolutely have no problem with the service dogs being here in the apartments.  What I do have a problem with is people who have dogs that really shouldn't.  I guess it ultimately boils down to me being jealous of those who have them and me not.  The last time I talked with our apartment manager we where told that dogs weren't allowed because of what some previous tenants dogs' did to an apartment.  Not only that but one young lady who has a dog was supposedly being asked to leave because she had gotten a dog against the rules of the lease.  Not that long ago I ran into the young lady and her dog named Chinook, and realized I was missing my dogs back east, also I couldn't be angry at such a loving dog as that.  This brings me to this evening; as I was pulling into my parking spot I saw an man walking what seemed to be a young puppy out to take his trash out.  I know that M and I are not in the position to have a dog , but it's the principle of the whole thing that I take issue with.  Ok now I feel better.  Thank you for listening. 

The demise of the independent video store.

I willingly had a hand in the demise of the independent video store.  There is now a self dispensing video rental machine in the Fred Meyer lobby.  It's been there for about two or three months.  It costs one dollar per movie rental per day, and up to fifteen days before it charges the cost of the movie.  After you re-insert the movie back into the machine it then charges you the fee for the rental time.  It is quite handy because I can return the next time I'm in the store.  On less trip to make and saved gas.  I will be the first to admit that I would always go to a local store over a chain any day but this one time was a test to see if it was worth it.  In a way it was but I did miss the human element.  As of now the self dispensing machine is quietly sulking in the darkness waiting for it's opportunity to upsurge the independently owned.  Lets try to keep the upper hand unless they come out with self dispensing gratification machines then we'd be really...... well you get the idea. GO HUMANS, GO!!!!

For those who are interested I rented the new release of I Am Legend, starring Will Smith.  Admittedly I was a little disappointed to find out his name is not Legend.  First off I did like the movie, second for those who haven't seen it can expect a movie sparse of other actors besides Will Smith and some supporting actors.  It is one of those movies that starts in one point of time and goes back to the past to revisit bad memories.  That and extremely brief explanations of what led to Will Smith being all alone on the island of Manhattan.  There is his faithful companion through most of the movie, his 3 year old German Shepherd.  I would recommend watching this movie with the lights turned off and an open mind.  Also in the extra features there are the quasi animated shorts that have to do with the movie's theme.  Here is something to look for in the beginning of the move when Will's character is driving through the city: A Batman & Superman giant sized movie poster with the Superman emblem over the Batman emblem.  Perhaps it's a hint for 2012 of a coming movie?????????????  

We got some more images of the baby today. We had to check on some things after the last ultrasound. The baby was dancing around when we first got there but by the time we got to take the video clip the baby had gone to sleep. It's still pretty cool to see. The baby is about 2 inches long now. Adrian was excited to see the baby again and when I asked him if he is going to be a good big brother, he responded "no, a gigantic brother!"

Ms. Cole makes a visit.

My friend Nora who was in the BADC with me in high school was in Washington on a work trip came up to visit for the day.  Adrian and I took her on a driving tour around Bellingham.  Our first stop was at Sehome Arboretum.  There was a map that showed all the trails around the arboretum.  In large friendly letters it said "You Are Here" the sign was very helpful. 
After dinner we went for a walk down to Joe's Garden which is about a quarter of a mile away.  I wanted to take a picture of us walk over there so I went to take a picture.  Nora quickly posed as M froze in mid sentence.
This photo and the second photo are not in order, sorry.  Here Adrian was not wanting to walk through the woods to Joe's Garden, and he wanted to go back and take some pictures of the grass and dandelions. 
A quick photo be fore Nora left to go back down to Seattle.  It was nice to catch up on all thats been going on in her life and back east in Maryland.  It was really nice to see her because I hadn't seen her since our trip last May.  I've known her now for ten years now and I hope she is able to came back and visit again soon.  

Smile

This past Saturday and through out this week the Dali Lama is visiting Seattle.  The theme of his visit is called Seeds of Compassion.  On Saturday there was a large gathering at Qwest Field where the Seahawks play during the football season that was televised.  Me being me I forgot about it until there was only a half hour left.  It was an opportunity for me to see the Dali Lama with out driving and paying to get into the venue.  Words can't describe what is was like to see him there in my living room.  When I got to the station that was broadcasting the gathering the first shot I saw was of him with the biggest smile on his face than any other I've seen.  He was smiling and than began to respond to a question that was asked of him.  Every time I see his picture it makes me smile and think of happy thoughts.  Almost like the bumper stickers that say "SMILE" that enviably make you well .... smile.  I stood there and watched and listened intently to every word that he said.  Afterword I had a sense of joy about me.  It may sound weird but it made me happy.  I would encourage you to take a minute and think of the Dali Lama's face and I guarantee it will put a smile on you face. :)