One of the MANY reasons I love Andrew

A few months ago, I purchased a fabulous device that allows me to rip my old cassette tapes right into itunes. I have HUNDREDS of cassette tapes, ranging from video game sound effects, bootlegs of concerts, mixes, the majority of my Jimmy Buffett music collection, but most importantly, old high school band concerts. And some of the best moments of those concerts are the commentaries by my friends. If you look over to the right, just over there, you see a new track in my playlist called Die! Die! Die! World, I give you, Andrew.

 

Andrew is probably going to kill me for posting this old photo of him, but it was taken around the time of the recording. Now in all fairness to Andrew, he was retaliating to a prank I played on him that involved cork grease. I'm just happy that after all these years, an gem like this MP3 exists. No hard feelings, right, Dru?

I'm gonna go right ahead and say it...

...I don't like our state bird.

For those of you that don't know me, well, that's silly, I don't think many people are reading this yet, but I live in Connecticut and our state bird is the robin. Seeing how Spring is upon us, except for that little snow storm this morning, my least favorite bird has been popping up everywhere. Am I wrong in thinking our state bird should be a full time Connecticut resident? Why not the cardinals, who tough out the winter? I never get tired of seeing a bright flash of red as a cardinal darts across the snow. Or the sparrows? They're adorable and completely overlooked. Nope. We get the robin, the Johnny Come Lately of the bird world. Hey, the weather is nice, I'm gonna fly on back to Connecticut and bully the locals so I can have all the worms I can eat!

I mean, just look at it. Fat, pompous, loud bird. They aren't even easy on the eyes. No, I think the robin is one ugly thrush. I hope the neighbors cat picks off a couple of the buggers.

Happy Birthday, Munchkin!

Oh, the many faces of Addy. I often wonder what my pets must think of me. More often than not, I've got a giant camera in their face, but just like people, they get used to it. I think Addy in particular loves being in the spotlight. Whether she's hunting turkey vultures behind the safety of double pane glass, lying on my equipment as I try to organize for a shoot or sitting in the sink, Addy is a character. Addy was named after the first few minutes in the house. She ran from toy to toy, pouncing on bean bag chairs, chasing her big brother Potter. It was clear she had A.D.D. hence, Addy. She's transitioned from being a stow away at my last apartment to a troublemaker that will find any and all pieces of velcro in the house and chew them, but I wouldn't give her up for the world.

And hey, she shares a birthday with William Shatner. It doesn't get more prestigious than that!

Mia's Baptism

Another Baptism, another super calm baby. Mia handled the day like the little champ that she is. Her baptism gown came all the way from Italy and she looked absolutely adorable in it.

Mia started to fade just in time for pictures. It's understandable though, she had a rough day.

A Sunday Evening with Grace

Today's goal was to get a picture of James and Grace together. Not all that easy to do with a defiant three and a half year old who's used to getting all of his auntie's attention when it comes to the camera. James has reached the NO phase, which I can handle for a couple hours at a time. There's lots of redirecting of his attention because the boy has a lot of energy. But Grace, well, she already loves the camera.

That's one happy baby.

I have two pictures that I like of the cousins together and I like them for completely different reasons. First:

James being a goofball and Grace's reaction is priceless. 'What is wrong with this kid?' she must be thinking.

I think that'll work for Grandma.

Time to settle in for the night, fold some laundry, watch a couple episodes of Firefly (thank you Science Channel!) and rest up for the last week of sanity I'll ever have at my job. Sigh...

NY Excursion

It took me much longer than I would've liked to get this post online, but hey, that's what happens when you're sick. After a very long work week and a quick photo shoot at the office today, I've finally found the time to sit down in front of the computer and knock this out.

I can't say enough how much I love Empanada Mama. As you can see from the top left photo, it's a tiny restaurant, but I guarantee you, it is worth any amount of wait. I also recommend that you order an extra batch to take home with you; leftovers are just as good. I tried the Chorizo (right middle) for the first time and it was phenomenal, but I think my favorite is still the Hawaiian (bottom left). I went with a Sweet Plantain for my dessert empanada, and while enjoyable, it didn't top the Fig, Mozzarella and Caramel from my first trip. The Romeo and Juliette, Guava and Mozzarella, is a close second. Topped off with a Guava frozen margarita and you have the perfect dinner.

So here are some of my photos from the night. I was playing around with my point and shoot camera and thought these were a fun perspective on the night. We spent the night and a great Irish Whiskey Bar called Failte, and we had the entire upstairs room for our party. Well, we were supposed to, but the make out couple in the center bottom photograph were not part of our group and wouldn't leave, so I figured they were fair game for shooting.  The end of the night is epitomized by the bottom right photo. Ah, passing out on the train.

Oh, and I just want to say, this poster is still creeping me out. What is up with the girl second from the left? Where is her neck? And the girl on the far right? Can you say Photoshop Disaster? Yikes!

Happy Weekend! I'm planning on sleeping off this sinus infection while watching DVD concerts. I bought Ben Folds performing with WASO ages ago and still haven't watched it.

Addy

I just realized Addy hasn't made her way onto the blog yet. Here she is, in all her quirky glory, trying to steal Tupperwear. Oh, Addy...

I've just processed pictures from last night's excursion into the city, but I'm saving those for tomorrow, along with my left over empanadas. Yum!

American Wigeon

I had my camera with me to do some before and after portraits at the gym this morning and I was greeted by a newcomer. I've been trying to get some shots of the Hooded Mergansers, but they are the flightiest, yes pun intended, birds I've ever seen. This little guy, however, loves the camera. After some research at home, I'm pretty sure he's a young American Wigeon. Take a look at the link for comparisons.
American Wigeon Facts, Figures, Description and Photo

He's much smaller than the Mallards and has this adorable baby blue bill that is tipped with black. I'm hoping he sticks around and that his feathers come in brighter. I wouldn't blame him if he took off though, the locals were anything but kind to him.

Poor little guy.

Be sure to check out the music player up at the top. I'm trying to find a song to go along with each post. Grooveshark, you rock for having a copy of Smoosh's The Quack. That's all I have to say.

I'm gearing up for a trip into the city tonight to celebrate a friend's birthday. I can't tell you how excited I am to hit up Empanada Mama again. They have some new items on the menu that sound amazing.

I smell WAFFLES!

With waffles in the title of this post, why would I go and post a picture of pancakes? Because I'm contrary like that! IHOP is offering a free short stack of pancakes today and whenever I hear pancakes, I think of waffles, thanks Mystery Science Theater!

Go out and enjoy a short stack for me; I'm stuck at work. Don't forget to wash it down with a hoggle of coffee!