Posted 20:46 by Grote 0 comments

Well, I'm Back

Jim and I are back safe and sound and for those who want endless details about our trip to our Nation's capital, you can visit Jim's website at Strange Interlude. The only reason I don't rehash our trip is that Jim is far better writer than me. Secondly, I've spent the biggest chunk of my week trying to find a decent free image host (I found one at www.fotopic.net). However, I will post my pictures that I thought were just different enough to be worth posting. Two items on the sadder side. First about a third (including an entire roll) of the pictures I took didn't come out. Including, Jim giving the "Nothing to fear" speech at the American History Museum and a candid shot of Jim looking at the Lincoln Statue in the National Cathedral while light from the stained glass was on him. I was hoping they'd turn out and they didn't (Sorry Jim). Secondly, since I was using an older film camera, the pictures don't transfer well to digital images. Anyway, before I do the picture thing, after looking at my pictures, be sure to enter the contest at the end of this post!


See Jim centers the pretty girl. I subtly include her in the shot but don't make her the focus.;-)


Challenger Marker, but the three graves in the immediate background belong to the recently deceased Columbia Astronauts.


An artists conception of the upcoming World War II Memorial. Hopefully, it'll look as good in real life as in artist conception form.


From the top of the Washington Monument.


One shot with my thumb (D'oh!) and two very good (imho) shots of the National Cathedral.

So there you have it. Those are the best of my photo highlights, I have plenty more that I'll throw in later on in the year for fun or future contests. Did someone say contest? That's today's secret word! Pick a picture from mine or Jim's site and create a caption or you can take said picture, do some photoshopping magic and e-mail it to me. If you don't e-mail me a picture make sure you identify which picture you're captioning. Contest ends October 12th. Judging will be solely by me so even Jim is eligible for said contest. Winner will recieve some kind of prize. Email me your entries at mgrote@ameritech.net

Posted 19:02 by Grote 0 comments

Blogging on the Run....

I'm over at my good friend Rich's house watching my goddaughters, Adrienne and Susie. We're watching the newly released Sleeping Beauty and I must say that it is a work of beauty (no pun intended). It always has been a favorite, if nothing else for the big dragon at the end. :)

More silliness at work..

Because of today being the second anniversary of the attacks on America. (hold that thought, its too quiet ... ) The girls wanted me to blow up balloons, which is the easy part for me. The hard part for me is tying the stupid not at the end of the balloon. Anyway, where was I? Oh right work and 9/11. We were allowed to wear patriotic garb. Well, except for me mostly because the closest thing I have to said clothing is a semi-old (but I wear it on a regular basis) shirt with the New York skyline (pre-9/11) and the face of the Statue of Liberty overlooking it more or less. The problem? It's not "Red, White and Blue." The skyline/face is black with green lining on a white shirt. I figured what's more frickin patriotic then the Statue of Frickin-Liberty? If I didn't have any respect for the nation, I'd wear a French shirt or some other nation's color that has Red, White and Blue for its nation's colors. *Sigh* Another day, Another dollar.

When it Rains, it Pours

As I went into work today, my car started smoking... not on fire smoking but more of a antifreeze type smoke. Yeah my water reservoir sprung a leak. Total cost? $200.00. So there went all your presents from D.C. Sorry. You might see pictures from my trip (actually mine and my friend Jim's trip) here or on his website. Stay tuned.

Before I sign off until after my trip (most likely) you're probably asking yourself, "Is Mike worried about terrorism this close to the anniversary of 9/11?" Not really. Two reasons. First, there will probably be an air marshall on flight in and out of D.C. Second, if someone is dumb enough to try and hijack my plane, I'm just going to go all Harrison Ford on them and tell them to "Get. Off. My. Plane!"