Good Neighbors

It took Duke Energy 130+ hours to restore our electric. All food was lost in the fridge and Min's salt water reef aquarium lost most of her fish. The dry Hurricane Ike hit the area mid Sunday the 14th we lost power about 2PM. Lost of damge from winds from 50 to 80 mph. We were out at a locale Taste of Clermont which got blown out and closed right after the band got done.

The picture was taken about 4PM during the height of the storm. The tree fell 50' from where I was standing. It had the road totally blocked. A local neighbor drove through my neighbors yard in his pick up truck. I was standing in the road taking pictures dodging pine cones. He stopped and said something about coming back. About 15 minutes later I see the pick up truck with the bearded guy standing up in the bed coming back. They brought a huge chain saw and started to remove the tree.

Soon other men began to help and within 20 minutes had half the road open to traffic. If these good men had not returned I am sure the road would have been closed for at least a day or two. We were lucky, no major damage to the house and no one hurt. Just no power and cold showers, the house is all electric. We lost power at work for 5 days as well. My oldest son told us we are living the Amish way for the next few days. It was bad but nothing like what th folks in the Gulf are dealing with at this time. Our prayers go out to them.

People Are Strange

When your a stranger, people look ugly when your alone.
Live on the Dock is always a Carnival, like real life.
The man just seemed to want to walk around above people that day.
A nice fellow out for a mid day walk and some enjoyment.

Pucker Up

That is what the Sheep head was thinking I am sure. Not a good eating fish but they put up a good fight. Min enjoys her fishing off the dock in Lakeside, Ohio. Her Grand Mother also enjoyed it there as a child. Deep roots.

Not Happy ...

What hair color do they put on the driver's license of a bald man?

Avalanche

Well I got a email last night, and I have to go to a meeting today with Infragard and the agent at the FBI. It should be a interesting meeting and I am sure there will be lots of questions. I will be wireless for awhile today since you have to leaves electronic devises at the check in. Not sure all what will come from the meeting. Time will tell. Should only last about one hour I was told. I am not sure if I have the option of stopping the process at this point, we will see.

Just more time away from my job and expense of time is important to me. Which is a good reminder to get somethings done soon on the home front before winter begins to set in here soon. Rob is going to paint the house so that is another expense I need to handle. Need to get things done but time always seems limited. The book was a good news flash in what has been not the best month. But there is always something that needs attention, reminds me, I need to have that blood work up done. Vampires.

The business of the faith

I was honored to have one of my pictures chosen for a limited edition of Author: Mara Einstein's Book that is to be released in Italy. The publisher found my picture on a website I often post to. The book is written of course in Italian. I guess I need to learn to read Italian in order to fully appreciate the book. Of course I could always just buy the English version which is most likely what I will do. Different cover but same basic words and meaning. For my friends who speak and read Italian you can find out more about the book and purchase it here.

I can not pay any bills with the income but it does look nice of the coffee table and in the book case. It was a nice surprise to find the copies in the mail box. Mara Einstein is teaching of Average Studies to the Queens College di New York and university professor to the business school of the New York University. Before teaching it has worked to the executive marketing for the NBC, MTV and for numerous advertising agencies. Maybe someday I will get to meet her.

Let the Music Play

It seems the smear has stopped, not sure if the lawyer talked to Google yet or not. It could have been the FBI and Infragard, I sent them the logs from my websites. When I talked to the Agent he felt it was clearly a hate issue and he would look into the matter.

All just goes to show how one insecure person will go to stop or try to hold onto control of a site and the people who use it. I had a admirer from some little town called Surrey in Canada visiting my site repeatedly and the about me pages quite a bit. Also someone from Irvine and West Hollywood, "Maywood" seemed to also enjoy my work. All right around the time the smear blog began, interesting timing.

I will email the 40+ people who contacted me and let them know there is a place where they can meet old friends from photoSIG. Some of the ban or people who have left photoSIG are gathering at Flicker Ex-Siggers hang out and picture exchange and conversation. Not a replacement but a place where some can meet others since they are no longer allowed on photoSIG. For some a replacement since they are ban, others a place where you can speak freely and without interruption.

Fun on the Dock

You remember standing on your head when you were a kid. Now it would likely cause injury and physical therapy. It was fun watching the cousins as they were having one last play session before vacation time was over. Sitting out on the end of the dock leaning against the flag pole is very relaxing and gives time to reflect.

Life on the Dock

Evening time is when people like to sit and watch the sunset. Min likes to fish off the end of the dock about this time, the golden hour. Lake Erie can get a bit wavy, but the boats do not seem to have a problem.

Saw a freighter come into Marble Head Ohio rock quarry docking area. Getting another load of stones. The trip was fun but it was not the same without Sam. Never even got to play one game of Shuffleboard. Was relaxing and did get some family time in, always nice to do that. Life's priorities.

Fish Story

Some tell the truth.
Others tell stories.