Archive for the 'Entertainment' Category
My Uncle gave me a 55 gallon tank last year around the Sept/Oct time-frame. He also gave me all the fish that went with it. The tank and stand that it sits on are 40+ years old. This is really a family heirloom. It has passed through several hands over the years and now it has a home in my house. I love the fish and have added a few here and there. My favorite fish include a big orange Cichlid, 2 Jack Dempseys, and 5 Silver Dollars the size of small pancakes. The orange Cichlid rules the tank with an iron fin except when he gets in the way of the monstrous Jack Dempsey. The Cichlid is about 5 inches long and the Dempsey is over 6 inches long. For some time I have been considering buying a freshwater puffer. Last month my cousin asked if I had considered them and I replied that I was afraid it would get eaten. My cousin informed me that the puffer is aggressive and would probably do fine. I talked with the fish salesperson about this situation and he confirmed that the puffer would hold his own. So I purchased one of the little guys and put him in my tank. What a mistake that was. My orange Cichlid immediately ate the puffer! He spit it out almost as quick but continued to attack. Then my Dempseys attacked along with a Pacu. In the meantime the Cichlid is laying on the bottom of the tank under a piece of aquarium wood on his side. Then he ends up on his belly dead! Now my big Dempsey is acting funny. He seems to be having a breathing problem and is resting on the bottom. At times he is up swimming around just fine. My little Dempsey changed colors last night to almost transparent and was resting on the bottom. My Pacu also lost a lot of color and was on the bottom. This morning everyone seems to be doing better; however; the big Dempsey is still acting a little strange.
I can’t believe I did this! I should have visited AquariaCentral.com (where I have an account) and researched a little better. The puffer is now in the great sewer land. Yes, I flushed him. He was hurt where the little Dempsey took out a hunk. I wish the puffer the best but not in my tank!
I am on a rolllllllllll. I have won again as you can see from the picture above. This is probably one of my best weeks ever (in the past three years) for scoring! The only score that has ever come close was in the past few weeks when T. Owens scored me 41 points.
I don’t think I have a shot at the playoffs but I might end up with a winning season.
I’ve been inspired by Shoemoney’s Conference Travel Tips, so I thought I would add some of my own. As you can see by my photo, I’ve attended a few conferences.
Tip #1: Check your luggage – Everyone will not agree with this tip but this is my opinion. By checking my luggage I can take a bigger bag than I need for all that conference booty that I like o pick up (pens, shirts, hats, CDs, etc…). I used to pack a carry-on size bag and no checked luggage but I found my self needing more room on the way back. I do suggest packing a small carry-on bag that contains toiletries and an extra change of clothes just in case the big bag goes missing. Also, don’t overpack or you will pay dearly at the check-in counter.
Tip #2: Hang out in the back of the plane – On a long flight, forget sitting the whole way. Get up and go to the back where the stewardess sits. My legs are a little long and its hard for me to sit for more than a couple of hours. The flight crew are people too and they get about as bored as you do. Usually they enjoy the conversation. My last flight the stewardess shared her magazines with a couple of us. Don’t forget the back of the plane is where all the food is stored – all you have to do is ask!
Tip #3: Use public transportation and save money – I have used public transportation in many of the big cities and it truly offers a cheaper alternative than taxis and rental cars. I rarely rent cars and taxi drivers don’t like credit cards (not that I trust them with my cards). If you’re concerned with safety, call the hotel and ask them about the local public transportation and it’s safety. I have found hotel staff very helpful in this area. I must admit that I haven’t mastered buses and I don’t like to take them but I have. Stay away from the St. Louis subway/train unless you feel really comfortable in big cities – scary ride. Practice situational awareness at all times!
Tip #4: Down time / find things to do – There are times when conferences get really boring and I can no longer stomach stepping foot on the floor. When this happens, you need an alternative. I have recently found geocaching to be a great way to see the “city” and have some fun! It’s amazing what can be found right next to ya – and you never knew it was there. If geocaching doesn’t grab you, try looking in the local phone book. Its full of history, site seeing info, maps and my favorite – discount coupons!
Tip #5: Early departure times – I like to leave early. This allows me to get to my destination in time to check the area out before it gets dark. It also allows time to change flights if some unforeseen event occurs that prevents immediate travel. What I really like is getting back home in time to sit and decompress before real life sets in again.
Tip #6 (Last one): Home is home, treat it like so – Travel has a way of changing my outlook. It’s almost like I’m living two lives – conference life and real life. When traveling you eat different foods, you hang out with different people, you stay in hotels that you might not be familiar with, you do totally different things than when at home. When I get home from travel, it’s hard to break out of that mode. The kicker is that your family expects you back the same way you were when you left. You have to find your own process for getting back to normal but of all the tips this is one you have to try and master.
I hope you enjoyed my tips. Pleas add your own. Maybe the rest of us can learn something new!
I’m on a winning streak! I have won again this week and the week is not even over. My current score is 93 – 71 and my opponent has no players left. I have 2 players left. I hope I don’t have to eat crow after tomorrows game. Yes the Yahoo league that I’m in does allow negative scoring. I feel safe however. If I lose, I doubt you will hear it from me.
Just when I’m about to give up, I actually win another game! I have moved from last place in my league to next to last. Now that’s got to excite even the most uninterested. You’re probably wondering how I did it. Well I had 41 points from one player – Terrel Owens. TO was out of control with 4 TDs and a bunch of yardage. The extra good news is that I am picked to win this weeks game by over 30 points! Go team go!
I have been taking a picture of the hill outside my office building for the past year. I have compiled all these pictures in a PhotoStory movie for your enjoyment. I took one to two pictures a week hoping to catch the changes in colors of the trees. I am continuing to take pictures and may change to the back of my office building to capture a better view.
I hope you enjoy:
Link!
I thought I would lose this week and I did, but not nearly as bad as I thought I would. I was only defeated by 3 points. The amazing part is that I played only 1 out of 3 wide receivers! Yep, 3 slots and I could only fill 1. My other 2 slots were filled with players who had bye weeks.
Next week looks bad as well. I am without a QB for next week. These byes are killing me. I may trade a QB to be ready for next week. I may also have a running back that may be out for next week.
At any rate, I can’t continue like this and have any chance at getting into the playoffs.
This is the entrance to the basement of the Coeur d’Alene Eagles basement. So what’s so important about a door? I’ll tell ya. This is possibly the entrance to the best breakfast served in Coeur d’Alene, ID. This door is only open on Sunday for breakfast but it’s well worth the visit.
We saw a sign on the street for breakfast and decided to open the door. we found a set of steps leading into a basement. There is a strange feeling that comes over one when you think about whether to try the steps or not. We took the steps into certain abyss, but to our surprise we found tables with people sitting and eating. Most of the people were older but not all. We were a little stunned and trying to figure out if we were in the right place and if we were welcome. A voice from the right says, “You’re in the right place”. We moved to the front and paid our whopping $6.00 (this could be the cheapest thing in the whole city). The serving line moved fast and we were in front of these nice older ladies ready to take our order. I asked for eggs (fixed with peppers, onions, and real eggs), bacon, a sausage link, slice of french toast, and some hash browns. The food was really good and the atmosphere was excellent. This is truly one of the hole in the wall places that would be so easily looked over.
Side notes: the paint on the walls is a really strange burnt pink color, you service your own plates, you can have as much food as you want, everyone is extremely friendly, the workers donate their time, the money is given to charity, no one wears gloves or hairnets (just like I like it), and there were several people that came into the room on crutches and canes.
If you are ever in Coeur d’Alene, ID on a Sunday morning, and you don’t make the stop, you’ve missed out!