Wednesday, February 25, 2009

SJSU Color

Blossoms at SJSU

Dreams of Spring
Every Winter I dream of California Spring, which typically starts in mid-Feb. That dream of Spring helps me get through the cold of Winter. This is my favorite time of year.

These blossoms are near Sweeny Hall at San Jose State University.

Monday, February 23, 2009

My TOC Thing

Tour of California in San Jose

I have become jaded on bicycle racing
I used to collect and watch the bicycle racing DVDs but they now linger unwatched. It was the Floyd Landis doping affair that killed my love of bicycle racing. After all the previous doping scandals that was the last straw for me. Well Floyd is back, so is Lance Armstrong; yawn. I did walk two blocks from work and watched the Tour of California ride near by SJSU last week. That was my TOC thing.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Sunday, February 22, 2009

A very good day

Me on a bike

A very good day
Yesterday was a very good day. In the morning I went on a bicycle ride around the reservoirs south of San Jose, then later had lunch with bike club friends. Yesterday evening, Sue and I went to dinner at Valleriano's in Los Gatos, to celebrate our first date anniversary (16 years). The food and wine were great, we had fun. It was a very good day.

Technorati Tags: , ,

Friday, February 20, 2009

SJSU Blossoms

SJSU Blossoms

The blossoms are returning to SJSU and with them my favorite time of the year. This photo was taken slightly over a week ago not far from the building I work in using a 32-year-old film camera, my Nikon F2. I love color negative film's ability to hold subtle detail in the highlights, like the translucent bright petals of this back lit blossom.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Celebrating Frances's Birthay

Frances, John and Sue

Today is Sue's Mom, Frances's birthday. She is 83. I had lunch with her. I picked her up at the San Jose airport. She was returning from a trip to visit friends in Florida. I took her to lunch. It was a lovely day. I am really glad I was able to spend time with her today.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Cat goes to vet, others kiss up

Cats on Sue's lap

On Monday, when Shadow spent the night at the vet, the two remaining kitties got very friendly both with us and with each other. This is very unusual for them.

We speculate they either were really missing Shadow or were afraid they would be next! Pixel, at least, was quite happy to see Shadow's return.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

Monday, February 16, 2009

Layoffs looming for State workers

Layoff notices going to state workers

The budget crisis is about to result in layoff notices to tens of thousands of state workers. Our state's credit rating is already in the toilet, all because of a tyranny of a minority of legislators. This is what we got for imposing a 2/3rds vote to pass a budget and imposing term limits. The voters of California wanted a legislature that did nothing and that is what they got!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

March 2009 B&BB Newsletter

March 2009 BBB

Here is the March 2009 issue of the Black and Blue Bottom, the Almaden Cycle Touring Club newsletter. These are in PDF format:

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The SJSU Bell

The SJSU Bell

Shadow is five today

Shadow and Pixel

Burmese cats Shadow (above left) and Pixel are brothers and cousins. They have the same dad and their mother's are sisters. Shadow has inflammatory bowel disease and has been a sick kitty. He is scheduled for more surgery next week.

They are great cats, inseparable friends and a source of constant entertainment. Sue and I are crazy about them. Five years ago today Shadow was born.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Friday, February 06, 2009

Winterail 2009 Teaser

SP Steam Engine

This is one of the photos that will be in the show my son Kenneth and I are doing on the Darrough Brothers, Jack and Bill Darrough. The photo of Southern Pacific C-8 class 2-8-0 Consolidation 2740 was taken by Bill Darrough in Bakersfield, California on November 30, 1937.

This show is a follow up on the Bill Darrough show that ran at Winterail 2007. If you want to see the 2007 show, a version is here!

Jack Darrough is still alive and plans to be at Winterail 2009. Hope to see you there!

Tickets are still available for Winterail 2009. Check this website for info.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Today Pixel is Five

Sue and Pixel

Today Pixel, our sabel Burmese, is five. He is a great cat. Sometimes he sticks his tongue out. I have no idea why. He is like a little baby and will lay on his back in my arms like one.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

My Obama Inaugaration Day

Obama being inaugarated

January 20, 2009 was the last day before classes started at SJSU. It was a busy day at the help desk. We were in the middle of training. Stopping that to watch the inaugaration was simply not an option. I was able to time my first coffee break so I could be in the coffee shop to see the swearing in ceremony. It was great to see that!

People watching inaugaration