tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13229039446114676502024-03-13T18:47:59.388+00:00Lemon ZestLutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-47352504451084254492012-06-21T05:42:00.000+01:002012-06-21T05:43:36.285+01:00You win this round SafewayI must begin this post by noting my Safeway story is no where near as good as Dave Chappelle's<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oG7BdhcNt6g/T-KkwX3zAfI/AAAAAAAAB2c/nMNNc9z3PlY/s1600/chappelle+safeway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oG7BdhcNt6g/T-KkwX3zAfI/AAAAAAAAB2c/nMNNc9z3PlY/s1600/chappelle+safeway.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivUzfuuJNQI&feature=player_detailpage#t=30s">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivUzfuuJNQI&feature=player_detailpage#t=30s</a>
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Ok, back to me.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">For those of you don't know, I used to live less than a block from a Giant Grocery store. It was awesome. I was that guy that never had anything in the fridge. I could go over when I felt like eating. In short, it was my personal refrigerator. This was until this past May when the store was closed to make way for <a href="http://www.wisconsinavegiant.com/rendering5.htm">Cathedral Common</a>s. I'm not sure all the cause/effect logic used, but since this Giant was from the 50's they couldn't have fresh produce. The only was to fix this was to close the current store for 2 years and put 5 stories of condos on top of it. I must say though, when it's done it should be awesome. Did I mention construction hasn't started?</span><br />
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My situation isn't horrible now. Luckily, there is a Safeway relatively close, down the street from me. It's not to far, but It's down a huge hill so when ever I have to go on a hot night like tonight, I just figure on getting sweaty on my bike. Not nearly as convenient as before. Oh! What a man must do for food!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_JxMdHJmlk/T-KhyL8uQPI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/okMKbNwwu84/s1600/map+to+safeway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_JxMdHJmlk/T-KhyL8uQPI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/okMKbNwwu84/s400/map+to+safeway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I was low on normal people food. My nomad lifestyle wouldn't cut it. My gf was gonna come over so cereal for dinner wouldn't fly. I decided <span style="background-color: white;">I would ride my bike down the hill to Safeway and stock up on groceries and catch the bus back home. It started as an epic shopping trip. I got juices, chips, 3 frozen pizzas, various fruits, ground beef, sugar (I swear thieves break in to use my sugar and toilet paper. That's my only justification for how it runs out so quickly), etc. I walked around like I knew what I was doing. I know everyone was jealous of me. "Look at that guy! He's so cool. What an epic grocery store trip!"</span><br />
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So I get to the register, and I realize I forgot my wallet. I had everything else. Phone, keys, ipod, umbrella (wtf?), glasses (cause you know that contact lenses might just fly out of my eyes). No wallet.<br />
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Shit.<br />
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One of the most embarrassing moments I've had in awhile. What made it worse that the store is usually open 24 hours, but was closing early tonight for water pipe maintenance, so I couldn't ride home to get my wallet and then pay. I had to take all of my stuff off the conveyor belt and put it back on the shelves. The worst part was that I'm pretty sure that a girl I went out with like 4 years ago and never called back was a few people behind me in line. Ugh. Shoot me now.<br />
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I put all my stuff back on the shelf and walked out of the store. At that point I realized I had a $10 bill in my backpack. So I walked back in and bought a frozen pizza for dinner. The whole episode reminded me of Oregon Trail when you would shoot 5 buffaloes but could only carry 2 lbs of meat back. That pizza may as well have been squirrel.<br />
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Moral of the story? Call people back and bring your wallet.Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-61396688367315977202012-04-13T05:31:00.003+01:002012-04-13T05:38:05.852+01:00I Should Update More<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZz6lJgVifM/T4es3zt6d3I/AAAAAAAAB1w/NVSnKoqvz9A/s1600/SmileyDoggie.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZz6lJgVifM/T4es3zt6d3I/AAAAAAAAB1w/NVSnKoqvz9A/s400/SmileyDoggie.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730739125627811698" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaLTl_HFUYM/TZqEYgo1RLI/AAAAAAAABgk/ibaqwbf6S70/s1600/IMG_7736.JPG">Trixie the dog</a> isn't mad I don't update more, she's just dissapointed...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-37626798678916743382012-04-10T00:05:00.000+01:002012-04-10T05:05:05.355+01:005k Fridays and Luther's Return to Greatness<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">When I was in 8th grade we had to run the mile at the end of the school year. That was the first and last I broke the 7:00 minute barrier. After running the DC half marathon a few weeks back, I've been bitten by the running bug. I've decided that my new goal (besides getting licensed) is to run a 5k in less than 20 minutes. It sounds really ambitious as I type, but I'd love that feeling of finishing a race with not that many people around me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixyijZaIUOs/T4Ow8CyQAuI/AAAAAAAAB1g/2OXcJ_qwSIQ/s1600/Pacers_logo_2.JPG" style="text-align: center; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixyijZaIUOs/T4Ow8CyQAuI/AAAAAAAAB1g/2OXcJ_qwSIQ/s400/Pacers_logo_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729617696531677922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 132px; " /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>The first step is <a href="http://pacersevents.com/race/crystal-run-5k-fridays/">Pacer's 5k Fridays</a>. Every Friday in April there is a 5k race in Crystal City. The first was this past Friday. I did ok. My time was 24:23, so I've got nearly 4.5 minutes to cut. Sounds a lot more daunting now that I've typed it. Ugh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the race was a lot of fun, regardless of my time. There was only one thing that really bothered me. Just before the end, some guy totally cut me off. I know what you're thinking, but he really did.</div><div><br /></div><div>The black next to me is the offender. The arrows are the paths that a normal runner would have followed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZJTWsEFd6k/T4JtlEoXuEI/AAAAAAAAB00/s8Mqja__Ro0/s1600/Cutter2.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZJTWsEFd6k/T4JtlEoXuEI/AAAAAAAAB00/s8Mqja__Ro0/s400/Cutter2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729262159634348098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the path that he followed:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELUFPyJYCZE/T4JtkTdDYKI/AAAAAAAAB0o/7B2wDs5WRaE/s1600/Cutter.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELUFPyJYCZE/T4JtkTdDYKI/AAAAAAAAB0o/7B2wDs5WRaE/s400/Cutter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729262146433540258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't believe me, here's the frame by frame:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwou0HHkwEc/T4JtoJwUVBI/AAAAAAAAB1I/uN-b8iE3_v4/s1600/proof.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iwou0HHkwEc/T4JtoJwUVBI/AAAAAAAAB1I/uN-b8iE3_v4/s400/proof.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729262212549465106" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I have too much time on my hands. This guy cut me off for no reason. It was so ridiculous even this random girl is staring over. I think my favorite part is that I'm so excited to have my picture taken that I've still got a giant smile on my face.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnPtdwhbfQA/T4JtnL7B97I/AAAAAAAAB1A/LKcQTvdV8ZQ/s1600/Still%2Bhappy.jpg" style="font-size: 100%; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DnPtdwhbfQA/T4JtnL7B97I/AAAAAAAAB1A/LKcQTvdV8ZQ/s400/Still%2Bhappy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729262195951400882" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Anyhoo, the next race is Friday. We shall see how it turns out. Also, if you're in the area, you should totally do the race too. It's a lot of fun and it's right after work. See you Friday!Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-31892927730660034592011-12-20T05:46:00.003+00:002011-12-20T06:01:36.308+00:00Wise Guys Over at Soccernet<div style="text-align: left;">
Ok, since I'm a huge sports dork, I usually like to check sports stories before I go to bed. You know, just to make sure I don't miss anything. My go to source for soccer stories is ESPN's Soccernet despite the frequent sensationalist articles and Arsenal bashing.</div>
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Tonight when I checked it, I noticed the story links below. I'll let you draw your own conclusions...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRj8Y6-Hat8/TvAiaQ2M5cI/AAAAAAAABzo/d8J5ZLyGALE/s1600/Soccernet%2BSack.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688084163963184578" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRj8Y6-Hat8/TvAiaQ2M5cI/AAAAAAAABzo/d8J5ZLyGALE/s400/Soccernet%2BSack.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; height: 269px; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
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Soccernet is clearly being run by 12 year olds. Or at lease people as mature as me. To top it off they gave the sack article an ambiguous title as well.</div>
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Stay classy Soccernet...</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-48941321564076878142011-12-15T05:15:00.008+00:002011-12-15T06:12:55.704+00:00My Batch of Fail is Ready<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SMRteliIwE/TumFMQBCWdI/AAAAAAAABx4/Mpr4zXfcCb8/s1600/martha-stewart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 273px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SMRteliIwE/TumFMQBCWdI/AAAAAAAABx4/Mpr4zXfcCb8/s400/martha-stewart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686222450036201938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Quick! What do Martha Stewart and I have in common? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's right, absolutely nothing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Which is why I must have been crazy to agree to join in the <s> christmas </s> um <s>holiday</s> winter cookie potluck at work. In classic Luther fashion, I decided to wait until the last minute.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I decided to bake peanut butter kiss cookies becauase I love them (donations currently being accepted) and the recipe sounded really easy. The one I found consisted of just peanut butter, vanilla extract, sure, and egg and the hershey kisses. The website claimed they would come out looking like this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bnc67TPOdpQ/TumO4ZP1w2I/AAAAAAAABzM/sZYH4hwHlPc/s1600/cookies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bnc67TPOdpQ/TumO4ZP1w2I/AAAAAAAABzM/sZYH4hwHlPc/s400/cookies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686233104033104738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This whole baking thing is easier than Ithought. I don't know what everyone complains about. BOOM! roll up some peanut butter. BOOM! put it in the oven. BOOM! Eat up! I think I could replace Martha Stewart with this whole thing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-TiqGpnKyI/TumLa7xkMFI/AAAAAAAABzA/1h4sb0FkdDE/s1600/Luther%2BStewart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-TiqGpnKyI/TumLa7xkMFI/AAAAAAAABzA/1h4sb0FkdDE/s400/Luther%2BStewart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686229299370405970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 273px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe they should have given me her show during her... um... extended vacation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCFGld-jn5g/TumLQfkG4EI/AAAAAAAABy4/FV5S5NC5npk/s1600/martha-stewart%2Bjail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCFGld-jn5g/TumLQfkG4EI/AAAAAAAABy4/FV5S5NC5npk/s400/martha-stewart%2Bjail.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686229119999074370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 307px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then the first batch came out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I guess i flattened out the peanut butter balls too much and then placed them too close together which resulted in one giant cookie instead of 12 different ones. My bad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vUUdoRtQFM/TumLOWRYS-I/AAAAAAAAByQ/MUfgAjicawA/s1600/Oops.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vUUdoRtQFM/TumLOWRYS-I/AAAAAAAAByQ/MUfgAjicawA/s400/Oops.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686229083144866786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While extremely cool. It wasn't exactly what I was going for. I may have to remember this for the future though. A man with a cookie this large could do many things. Mwahaha.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVM2G1kM--k/TumLN2ElD8I/AAAAAAAAByE/1JpiowCG-Rc/s1600/Big%2BCookie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVM2G1kM--k/TumLN2ElD8I/AAAAAAAAByE/1JpiowCG-Rc/s400/Big%2BCookie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686229074501242818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, on to the second batch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've learned from my mistakes this time nothing can go wrong. I made the balls smaller and spaced them out a bit more. I even put some flour on the foil so they wouldn't stick (<i>Baller</i>). I pulled these out of the oven and the result was even worse!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mE9eRDyD_EM/TumLP65VKnI/AAAAAAAAByo/qR_6QLtSkOs/s1600/Burned.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mE9eRDyD_EM/TumLP65VKnI/AAAAAAAAByo/qR_6QLtSkOs/s400/Burned.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686229110155979378" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ugh! I burned them! At least the first batch was edible. These tasted bad and made my apartment stink. At this point I decided to give up. I was tired and defeated plus Living Single was coming on BET or whatever station that was, so I had to be free for that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moral of the story? Don't f*** with the Martha.</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-33689655815906472982011-12-02T11:59:00.000+00:002011-12-02T18:33:23.469+00:00Turkish Delights: Hagia Sofia<div style="text-align: left;">So our first day we decided to get the most touristy stuff out of the way, so of course Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque were first on our list. I've got photos from the Blue Mosque too, but I like Hagia Sophia better, so they come first :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of the images have writing on them. I was fooling around with fonts because I'm thinking about making a book of the photos. Coming Soon!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For those that don't know, Hagia Sofia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople of the Western Crusader established Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935. That was stolen from Wikipedia.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1UYAPD-O84/Ttj2ntVrTmI/AAAAAAAABxI/cHbdNToDJjg/s1600/IMG_9823.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1UYAPD-O84/Ttj2ntVrTmI/AAAAAAAABxI/cHbdNToDJjg/s400/IMG_9823.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681562091973725794" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">View from the second level. I love this photo. I took one from the other side that should look the same because the space is symmetrical, but it just didn't look the same.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-iwTxnx5PU/TtfPfcNNJzI/AAAAAAAABvo/cDlrO40gttI/s1600/IMG_9806.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-iwTxnx5PU/TtfPfcNNJzI/AAAAAAAABvo/cDlrO40gttI/s400/IMG_9806.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681237594005645106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I put the camera on the ground and set the timer. Not to call myself an innovator, but I caught other tourists copying this idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byo6KlCV5RQ/TtfPDUNrG0I/AAAAAAAABvc/B5pZ2TkQegQ/s1600/IMG_9796.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byo6KlCV5RQ/TtfPDUNrG0I/AAAAAAAABvc/B5pZ2TkQegQ/s400/IMG_9796.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681237110823787330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Probably should have put this one first. This was the view when you first walk in. The two kids on the left must have either thought that I was a celebrity or someone important or, they just don't see that many black people. They nervously asked if they could take a picture with me. They seemed nice, so I said yes. Its not every day people meet someone as awesome as me...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1T_YAim-Qg/TtjsNfleNpI/AAAAAAAABw0/oCRk4yBc9yE/s1600/IMG_9864.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1T_YAim-Qg/TtjsNfleNpI/AAAAAAAABw0/oCRk4yBc9yE/s400/IMG_9864.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681550646489003666" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were mosaics everywhere. We didn't do the audio tour so we just stumbled upon them. This one depicts Mary sitting on a throne with Jesus on her lap.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUZBjW3MAoM/TtjsNHOHaUI/AAAAAAAABwk/HCFwmX57rxM/s1600/IMG_9857.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hUZBjW3MAoM/TtjsNHOHaUI/AAAAAAAABwk/HCFwmX57rxM/s400/IMG_9857.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681550639948589378" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These giant wooden disks were all over the place inside. We didn't know what they meant at the time, but after an "exhaustive" wikipedia search, I discovered that they are " gigantic circular-framed disks or medallions hung on columns. They were inscribed with the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the first four caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and the two grandchildren of Mohammed: Hassan and Hussain, by the calligrapher Kazasker İzzed Effendi."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvwqmyxF0no/TtjsMhcqhSI/AAAAAAAABwY/ANZ1JYYv5Ts/s1600/IMG_9828.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvwqmyxF0no/TtjsMhcqhSI/AAAAAAAABwY/ANZ1JYYv5Ts/s400/IMG_9828.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681550629809063202" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezd1insAOE0/TtjsMcAVegI/AAAAAAAABwM/X29ezUDS1D4/s1600/IMG_9809.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezd1insAOE0/TtjsMcAVegI/AAAAAAAABwM/X29ezUDS1D4/s400/IMG_9809.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681550628348066306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The apse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rBQ66IhuTc/TtfPfokYzoI/AAAAAAAABv0/xsZ7Ahfi6qk/s1600/IMG_9859.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--rBQ66IhuTc/TtfPfokYzoI/AAAAAAAABv0/xsZ7Ahfi6qk/s400/IMG_9859.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681237597324103298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Comnenus Mosaic. The Virgin Mary is standing in the middle, holding the Child Christ on her lap. He gives His blessing with His right hand while holding a scroll in His left hand. On her right side stands emperor John II Comnenus, represented in a garb embellished with precious stones. He holds a purse, symbol of an imperial donation to the church. Empress Irene stands on the left side of the Virgin, wearing ceremonial garments and offering a document.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One cool thing we heard while we eavesdropped on another tour group was that when the monarchs changed. they just changed the heads on the mosaics and kept the bodies the same. So, laziness prevailed, even back then!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, I must point out that anyone can take a picture of something, but it takes real skill to take a picture of someone taking a picture of something. Baller.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZGNl3hjoIo/TtjsOIcNJ7I/AAAAAAAABw8/QeR6Ter2e6Y/s1600/IMG_9872.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZGNl3hjoIo/TtjsOIcNJ7I/AAAAAAAABw8/QeR6Ter2e6Y/s400/IMG_9872.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681550657455990706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sweating column. We didn't know what this was at first, but we saw the line for it and jumped in. Apparently if you put your thumb in it, rotate your hand and make a wish it will come true if your thumb come out wet. I wished for kittens.</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-81016535638370679372011-11-11T04:12:00.012+00:002011-11-16T20:54:47.187+00:000 For October & Turkish Delights<div>Hello everyone. My name is Luther. you ma not remember me because I've been gone so long.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are reading this you are no doubt a die hard follower (Derek, Haley?) that I have managed to not annoy too much with my lack of posting, so you know its been awhile. Like all of October. So, what happened this October?</div><div><br /></div><div>1.) Cardinals win the World Series in epic fashion.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g-ghhtjpcNQ/TsPPaHQNKUI/AAAAAAAABu0/6C_9pbb9OKA/s1600/World%2Bseries%2B2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g-ghhtjpcNQ/TsPPaHQNKUI/AAAAAAAABu0/6C_9pbb9OKA/s400/World%2Bseries%2B2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675608002947524930" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What can I type that hasn't already been written? I'll just say that I was in tears during/after <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/scoreboard/index.jsp?tcid=nav_mlb_scoreboard#date=10/27/2011">Game 6</a>. If anyone wants to get me the dvd when it comes out. I would accept it...</div><div><br /></div><div>The only negative about the World Series was that I wasn't able watch all of game 7 because I was on my way to...</div><div><br /></div><div>2) Turkey!!!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8k5DNQnuoE/TryhFtCBkuI/AAAAAAAABuY/ELFAGLNQthM/s1600/Turkish%2BFlag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8k5DNQnuoE/TryhFtCBkuI/AAAAAAAABuY/ELFAGLNQthM/s1600/Turkish%2BFlag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8k5DNQnuoE/TryhFtCBkuI/AAAAAAAABuY/ELFAGLNQthM/s400/Turkish%2BFlag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673586749939487458" /></a></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Way back in the summer travelzoo had a massive sale on flights to Turkey, so the gf and I decided to go. I guess Turkish Airlines is making a major push to become a global leader, so they went out and sponsored Manchester United and FC Barcelona. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1aUvIMuGeb0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Kobe Bryant is now their spokesman, but he wasn't on the flight with us :(</div><div><br /></div><div>So we finally landed in Istanbul on Saturday night. Our hotel was in a touristy part of the city near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. The first night was so crazy. We took the Metro from the airport to the Sultanahmet stop where our hotel was and there were so many people out and we couldn't find our hotel partly because of the jetlag and partly because of the language barrier. </div><div><br /></div><div>We turned a corner and Hagia Sofia was right there. It was amazing to see it after studying it since my first year of architecture school.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2t4KcLTp98/TsQffs39DwI/AAAAAAAABvM/E-8PoS8MU1U/s1600/IMG_9631.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2t4KcLTp98/TsQffs39DwI/AAAAAAAABvM/E-8PoS8MU1U/s400/IMG_9631.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675696059875921666" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After getting directions from a really nice guy who was selling maps (I know very fitting) we found our place. After we put our bags down we decided to go out and see some of the city, and of course take jumping pictures.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUtTAkCI-4w/TryhE36vvJI/AAAAAAAABuM/8zSndY5bQ3c/s1600/Mosque%2BJump.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUtTAkCI-4w/TryhE36vvJI/AAAAAAAABuM/8zSndY5bQ3c/s400/Mosque%2BJump.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673586735681879186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxL3MTLnAKw/TryhEhku6mI/AAAAAAAABuA/BfjgeK7oTfg/s1600/Hagia%2BSofia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxL3MTLnAKw/TryhEhku6mI/AAAAAAAABuA/BfjgeK7oTfg/s1600/Hagia%2BSofia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxL3MTLnAKw/TryhEhku6mI/AAAAAAAABuA/BfjgeK7oTfg/s400/Hagia%2BSofia.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673586729683970658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>There are way too many pictures and stories of me being loved and feared in Turkey, so I will break this post into at least a few parts.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--TMv9vAc4LY/TsQUQK1IQEI/AAAAAAAABvA/wl3BBFiU0RY/s1600/kobe-bryant-turkey.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--TMv9vAc4LY/TsQUQK1IQEI/AAAAAAAABvA/wl3BBFiU0RY/s400/kobe-bryant-turkey.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675683698411323458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;">to be continued...</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-69413103683937669512011-09-26T15:14:00.009+01:002011-09-26T16:24:02.489+01:00DJ Lance...<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ng7mkbYrww/ToCOi_a8j4I/AAAAAAAABtI/4r1ZN8O0R-0/s1600/23_dj_lance_rock.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ng7mkbYrww/ToCOi_a8j4I/AAAAAAAABtI/4r1ZN8O0R-0/s400/23_dj_lance_rock.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656677863768493954" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, a few weeks ago my friend Derek asked me if I could dress up as this character DJ Lance from the show Yo Gabba Gabba for his daughter's birthday. They live in Illinois so I would record the message and email it to them. I said yes, how hard could it be? I looked DJ Lance up on two of my favorite and most trusted reference websites, wikipedia and youtube. I came up with this gem:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="488" height="252" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/riJRODogRVI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Ok, this may be a little more difficult than I thought. It seems like they're all really good dancers and there the whole issue of the costume. I decided to get the costume off amazon.com first and worry about the dancing and music later.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I was looking for the costume, it was kinda tough because I didn't want to get something too loose. The images on the packages just had photos of DJ Lance. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj7BQsc-dN8/ToCU1uvtGWI/AAAAAAAABtY/fcSzIOSlxY8/s1600/Lance%2Bcostume.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj7BQsc-dN8/ToCU1uvtGWI/AAAAAAAABtY/fcSzIOSlxY8/s400/Lance%2Bcostume.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656684782779439458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 385px; " /></a></div><div>Like it would really fit like that... All my years trick or treating taught me that costumes never fit like the real thing. I didn't want to look like I was wearing DJ Lance's sweatsuit. When it came in, It was a decent enough fit and I just wore a pair of sambas for the shoes. Close enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the video I just tried to do what he did in the youtube video. My gf filmed it with her iphone and we played the youtube video in the background to get some music. This was the first take. i would have done another, but the polyester was getting way too hot and no one want to see DJ Lance sweat. So, i'm typing too much. Here's the video :)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwrudQZtsL4f2B3Q9Igne6tNzNafS5sfTKEQilimuOsmyLqApPeRNs09xP7HnLjvrcbk9s_lqYG3BUDr2zA2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Derek said that she loved the whole thing and kept replaying it. Mission Accomplished. Happy Birthday :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*Note I cannot take credit for that awesome wood paneling. That's my gf's place, not mine...</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-6899168766994633382011-08-24T05:23:00.006+01:002011-08-24T06:20:12.993+01:00Stuff the Earthquake "Reginold" DidAs everyone knows there was an earthquake in Virginia (another reason not to live there) Tuesday afternoon. I was scarred. The building shook, the lights swayed and my supervisor ran out of his office quicker than I thought he could run. <div>
<br /></div><div>I've been thinking, why don't they name these things. Hurricanes get names, it only seems natural for earthquakes to get names. I start the tradition and name this one Reginold. Afterwards everything eventually got back to normal. When I got home, I was eager to see what the damage to my apartment was. It was serious. My lego robot had fallen off the shelf. <div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjHJCtZwijQ/TlSB6sjNOUI/AAAAAAAABsI/DyjF4Asw38k/s1600/lego%2Brobot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjHJCtZwijQ/TlSB6sjNOUI/AAAAAAAABsI/DyjF4Asw38k/s400/lego%2Brobot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644279078393297218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>With time, I think we can rebuild him. In related news, Reginold failed to make up my bed and wash my dishes. After looking at the photo above, I also noticed that he got my rug dirty. Next thing you know, he's gonna be asking for money. Some people... Sheesh!</div></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-83434702570676324992011-08-19T01:59:00.005+01:002011-08-19T03:30:54.089+01:00Why Aren't There Adult Lunchables?<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUYkywqNHlI/Tk3Khj5zYRI/AAAAAAAABrs/XyDMrQLXpqM/s1600/Restaurant.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 167px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUYkywqNHlI/Tk3Khj5zYRI/AAAAAAAABrs/XyDMrQLXpqM/s400/Restaurant.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642388586087276818" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div>Wednesday, I brought a lunchable to work to eat for lunch (of course...) Anyway, my coworkers tried to persuade to leave the lunchable in the refrigerator and get Baja Fresh. A supposedly "grown up" place to eat. Like any financially responsible adult that's comfortable with himself, I ate the lunchable at Baja Fresh. I was made fun of. These angry facebook rants below are just a sample:</div><div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKYQjiv66J8/Tk23JYDIlzI/AAAAAAAABrU/yiYdYWICrUc/s1600/Facebook.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKYQjiv66J8/Tk23JYDIlzI/AAAAAAAABrU/yiYdYWICrUc/s400/Facebook.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642367279867402034" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a good thing I'm so mature. Did you see how I handled these haters? Haters aside, this begs the question: Why aren't there adult lunchables? The normal ones are way to small. We decided that the crackers need to be deli meat sized and instead of the fun sized candy bars, Oscar Mayer should man up and put in full sized ones. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And while we're on the subject of manning up, is that Capri Sun really filling anyone up?</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMKd0Ju7QBc/Tk3C69rVx4I/AAAAAAAABrk/sVfyGYvFDxI/s1600/Hillary-very-angry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMKd0Ju7QBc/Tk3C69rVx4I/AAAAAAAABrk/sVfyGYvFDxI/s400/Hillary-very-angry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642380226409645954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 254px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A normal human can finish one of those in about 3 seconds. A few years ago, they came out with larger Capri Suns (6 seconds to finish), but they changed to flavors so those were no good. I haven't seen the larger ones in stores. It shouldn't be that difficult, although it did take them 20 years to realize that getting that straw through the top was nearly impossible.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Scientists/Oscar Mayer/Capri Sun, we're looking at you... Make the Lunchable fun again.</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-20765771926386970922011-07-27T17:09:00.000+01:002011-07-27T22:09:56.631+01:00The "52" Project: Bed Jumping in Amish Country<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEd2v2gnMb0/Ti4yo7SuhQI/AAAAAAAABqA/fWA1EfibaAg/s1600/Bed%2BJump1.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEd2v2gnMb0/Ti4yo7SuhQI/AAAAAAAABqA/fWA1EfibaAg/s400/Bed%2BJump1.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495862579463426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In keeping with the spirit of the 52 project’s lateness, my latest update is from last month. If I could ever post these on time this would be an impressive set. Anyway, back to the picture. Last month my gf and I went to a wedding in the middle of Amish country in Ohio. When we got to the hotel, the first thing that I did (the first thing anyone should do) was to jump on the bed. Seriously, I don’t understand people that go to hotels and don’t jump on the bed. Think about it: there's a huge bed, someone else will make it up and (most important of all) your mom won't yell at you. It's more ridiculous to not jump on it. Anyway, hope you like the pics :)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ubo6odP9Is/Ti4ypAjgqLI/AAAAAAAABqQ/dYMA7J1lzcI/s1600/Bed%2BJump3.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ubo6odP9Is/Ti4ypAjgqLI/AAAAAAAABqQ/dYMA7J1lzcI/s400/Bed%2BJump3.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495863992035506" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zWJrksZjag/Ti4yo2Rmi4I/AAAAAAAABqI/wwETZn9SBP0/s1600/Bed%2BJump2.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zWJrksZjag/Ti4yo2Rmi4I/AAAAAAAABqI/wwETZn9SBP0/s400/Bed%2BJump2.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633495861232569218" /></a></div><br /></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-71048000693754782952011-07-07T13:33:00.006+01:002011-07-07T17:34:34.688+01:00Happy F***ing Birthday Amurica<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHJQsgtJIp0/ThXWXpz7jJI/AAAAAAAABpM/cbBH9kGQzNY/s1600/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9065.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHJQsgtJIp0/ThXWXpz7jJI/AAAAAAAABpM/cbBH9kGQzNY/s400/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9065.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626639011318303890" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July. This year we went to the Iwo Jima Memorial. The fireworks were awesome from there. Its across the Potomac in Virginia, but there are some really great views of the memorials.</div><div><br /></div><div>The show starts around 9:15, so my gf and I decided to get there around 7:45 so we could get a good spot watch. We were lucky and found space on a retaining wall/bench just behind the statue. The past few years, I've noticed that a lot of people watching the fireworks are really rude. Last year we sat on the steps of the Lincoln to watch and we had to deal with people stretching/laying out over a lot of ground when others (like us) had very little space. People get out there in the heat and turn into a greedy, angry mob. This kinda explains it:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvOw_vTRTfQ/ThXfLoE2ZvI/AAAAAAAABpU/bIHvTS2Pp_s/s1600/mob%2Bmentality.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvOw_vTRTfQ/ThXfLoE2ZvI/AAAAAAAABpU/bIHvTS2Pp_s/s400/mob%2Bmentality.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626648700298618610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 392px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This year people were getting mad that later arriving people were sitting up front on the bench like we did. No one bothered us, but an older couple next to us started yelling at a woman who tried to sit in front of them. They said (screamed) that they had been there for4.5 hours so it was wrong for anyone to sit in front of them. The couple was so mad. I was just about ready for them to go Vancouver and flip something over and light it on fire. The whole situation was ridiculous and made me really uncomfortable. Personally I don't understand arriving nearly 5 hours early for a 20 minute show that's free and then getting angry when someone sits in front of you. If they really wanted no one to sit in front of them, they should have just sat up front at 3:00 or whatever ridiculously stupid time they got there. But thats just what i think. I hope karma teaches them a lesson.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I took a lot of pictures. Hope you enjoy them :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXGjFIGA_7Q/ThXWXGi3XRI/AAAAAAAABpE/S0Vp84H1_6s/s1600/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9095.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXGjFIGA_7Q/ThXWXGi3XRI/AAAAAAAABpE/S0Vp84H1_6s/s400/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9095.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626639001851485458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEBpl7fzdWA/ThXTI1WtyKI/AAAAAAAABo8/JJ0AJQL3WmI/s1600/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9101.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEBpl7fzdWA/ThXTI1WtyKI/AAAAAAAABo8/JJ0AJQL3WmI/s400/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9101.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626635458184071330" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31he0eSTbfI/ThXTIEKjthI/AAAAAAAABos/Mo86TXCiI1Q/s1600/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9084.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31he0eSTbfI/ThXTIEKjthI/AAAAAAAABos/Mo86TXCiI1Q/s400/Iwo%2BJima%2BFireworks_9084.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626635444979742226" /></a></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-37779417880220560092011-06-29T12:17:00.002+01:002011-06-29T19:51:40.233+01:00The "52" Project: Hangin' with Mr. Lemon<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sX_oXJm8VrM/Tgt0EqqMYlI/AAAAAAAABoc/Gnv-w3r0wWI/s1600/Clones%2Bfirst%2Battempt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GpD3sWZx_U/Tfd8RTliN7I/AAAAAAAABn8/1nxmUtsb-wM/s1600/Clones%2B%25281%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GpD3sWZx_U/Tfd8RTliN7I/AAAAAAAABn8/1nxmUtsb-wM/s400/Clones%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618095696925308850" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hey there. I'm back with the latest installment of the 52 project. This is actually the first photo to ever capture my bathroom and front door (sort of) in the same frame. You should consider yourself lucky for being able to share this moment. I actually took this picture back in April when I first got the fisheye lens, but due lazin- I mean business I'm just posting it now.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sX_oXJm8VrM/Tgt0EqqMYlI/AAAAAAAABoc/Gnv-w3r0wWI/s200/Clones%2Bfirst%2Battempt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623716183221756498" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">There's really not a lot to explain about this one, just the many ways I hang out in the apartment. This picture is actually eerily similar to the first ever clone picture that I ever did (right down to the clothes I'm wearing!) way back in the winter of 2009. I was much less mature back then and my photoshopping skillz (yes the "z" was necessary) were not at refined as they are now. Anyway, I hope you like this one and it was worth the wait :)</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-34706221714404723492011-06-09T14:58:00.006+01:002011-06-09T15:20:08.999+01:00Google Coolness<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7gfRIYSql8/TfDR6y7ewJI/AAAAAAAABng/sZv4tQLOGLA/s1600/Les%2BPaul.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x7gfRIYSql8/TfDR6y7ewJI/AAAAAAAABng/sZv4tQLOGLA/s400/Les%2BPaul.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616219543364878482" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bdmAqJLCG0/TfDV-sN1R6I/AAAAAAAABnw/vU9Ei0KyT2M/s1600/les-paul-WI-0109-fb-98937354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>Have you seen <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a> today?!?! In honor of Les Paul's birthday, today's Google Doodle is a playable guitar. And get this, you can even record your 'songs'!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bdmAqJLCG0/TfDV-sN1R6I/AAAAAAAABnw/vU9Ei0KyT2M/s1600/les-paul-WI-0109-fb-98937354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1bdmAqJLCG0/TfDV-sN1R6I/AAAAAAAABnw/vU9Ei0KyT2M/s320/les-paul-WI-0109-fb-98937354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616224008328791970" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>So, who is Les Paul?Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009)was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible". He is credited with many recording innovations. Although he was not the first to use the technique, his early experiments with overdubbing (also known as sound on sound), delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects and multitrack recording were among the first to attract widespread attention. Thanks Wikipedia :)<div><br /></div><div>Have fun recording those songs today!! And Happy birthday Les...</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-39449827289454074452011-06-07T17:58:00.003+01:002011-06-07T23:04:43.434+01:00Sad End to a Long Journey<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-yvPxgqhU8/Te6gOHZc0mI/AAAAAAAABnY/yhp4-pY3Ep0/s1600/Nike%2BFlip%2Bit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-yvPxgqhU8/Te6gOHZc0mI/AAAAAAAABnY/yhp4-pY3Ep0/s400/Nike%2BFlip%2Bit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615601949741994594" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pww5hV5XBOc/Te6O3_aGOII/AAAAAAAABnQ/XCVQEosffAM/s1600/Nike%2BFlip%2Bit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>For you regulars out there, Haley, you may remember my ordeal with the soccer jacket. Basically I ordered a jacket I saw in a French soccer commercial from a random store in Chicago. Somehow during the blizzard they had earlier in the winter, the order details got mixed up and it was never shipped. By the time they found out the problem the jacket was already sold out.<div><br /></div><div>For the full rundown read <a href="http://lemonyzest.blogspot.com/2011/02/jacket-update-polish-phone-tag.html">Polish Phone Tag</a> and <a href="http://lemonyzest.blogspot.com/2011/02/chicago-needs-to-man-up.html">Chicago Needs to Man Up</a>. Both quality reads I would say.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I kept up with them throughout the months. I kept getting the story that the jacket would be shipped in a few weeks and that I should call to check on it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Today, after waiting 4+ months, I finally decided to give up on the store and cancel the order. I'm patient, but not so patient that I'm going to order a winter jacket in June.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3eVOus36mo/Te6N_Kb7BLI/AAAAAAAABnI/pm6U97ovRNE/s1600/nike%2BJacket%2B2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3eVOus36mo/Te6N_Kb7BLI/AAAAAAAABnI/pm6U97ovRNE/s400/nike%2BJacket%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615581901650330802" /></a></div><br /><div>What could have been... Sigh... </div><div><br /></div><div>The weirdest thing about the phone call was that the guy acknowledged that it was weird that it had never shipped and that it had been a long time, but he then sounded surprised when I wanted my money back. He claimed he was going to call Nike, and he made it seem like there was still a chance I could get it. None of that for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>The refund should show up on my statement in 2-3 business days. We shall see.</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-75718917837705945652011-06-07T11:39:00.002+01:002011-06-07T16:45:14.161+01:00Lost and Found<div>Summer is finally here, a few weeks ago I decided to put away my winter stuff and clean up my cluttered apartment. There are three suitcases in my closet, so they were the obvious location for me to hide junk that I wasn't using, but didn't want to throw away. Inside of one of them I found a bag of stuff from when I first moved here. When I looked inside with was like a time capsule.</div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, I found an old watch that I thought I had lost soon after I moved. When I was in high school I bought my dad a watch for Father's Day, but he never wore it, so midway through college I started wearing it. When I moved to DC, I wore it for a few weeks, then it disappeared. I though I left it on the train or someone stole it. I was devastated because as you can see below, that watch was awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09ZwoY0G77s/Te4-6YbCNsI/AAAAAAAABnA/R_MXtvEqg4o/s1600/Cool%2Bwatch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09ZwoY0G77s/Te4-6YbCNsI/AAAAAAAABnA/R_MXtvEqg4o/s400/Cool%2Bwatch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615494958086764226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">See what I'm talking about?!? Pure awesomeness. I'm shocked you could buy that watch in stores and that I was foolish enough to give it away in the first place. Now all you naysayers out there may say "Hey, that's not your car, that lady kissed all the tourists if you paid her a dollar and those cups are wood, you'll probably have to get three tetanus shots after drinking from them." Ok... true, true and true, but it was still a cool watch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The other thing of note I found was a business card this random girl gave me when I was out at Buffalo Billiards watching college football one afternoon. She was a grad student at American University and she told me that she was hosting a watch party for Grey's Anatomy or some show like that. She wrote her number on the back of her card, gave it to me and said I should come by. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wasn't a fan of the show, and for whatever reason I didn't think she was interested (I know, it's amazing I have a girlfriend now with that ninja-like intuition) so, I threw the card in a pile of junk when I got home and didn't think twice about it. Posted below, is not the actual card, but a replica that I created to protect the true identity of the girl in question:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrtaNEd1XFw/Td7Mr9ipXWI/AAAAAAAABlY/-4orA7wmZsI/s1600/American%2BBusiness%2BCard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 123px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrtaNEd1XFw/Td7Mr9ipXWI/AAAAAAAABlY/-4orA7wmZsI/s400/American%2BBusiness%2BCard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611147241376537954" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, so it's <s> obvious </s> possible that the card was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; "><s> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; ">heavily </span></s> </span>a bit exaggerated, but the facts still remain. I inadvertently spurned some poor girl's advances. Sigh.... it isn't easy being a heartbreaker... On the bright side, my apartment is now clean and ready for summer.</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-48962949936382234252011-06-01T04:25:00.009+01:002011-06-01T05:24:36.784+01:00The "52" Project- Ocean City<div>So I'm pretty sure you're sick of looking at that fire post. That is if anyone still reads this. Work, my primetime to work, has been really busy lately so I haven't had a chance or a lot of motivation to post. There are a few drafts in the pipeline, so watch this space :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway on to the photo. This one was taken at Sunset Park in Ocean City this past weekend. Aside from clone pictures, I think my favorite type of photo is the mid-air jump, so it's only natural to combine the two. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-JtX8z4JY8/TeW1mXBfTUI/AAAAAAAABmg/xfqN0pVIA5U/s1600/Karate%2BKid.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-JtX8z4JY8/TeW1mXBfTUI/AAAAAAAABmg/xfqN0pVIA5U/s400/Karate%2BKid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613092181207108930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There's no real story behind this one, just me thinking that it would be cool have a picture of e jump kicking myself. I must give credit to my gf for being the one to actually pull the trigger on this one, with no tripod no less.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-28574743170376617272011-05-06T14:24:00.009+01:002011-05-06T15:41:50.727+01:00FIRE!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4V4Fy8mvOw/TcP3ZIxnRcI/AAAAAAAABj8/xQwsUqk-vpE/s1600/alley%2Bfire1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4V4Fy8mvOw/TcP3ZIxnRcI/AAAAAAAABj8/xQwsUqk-vpE/s400/alley%2Bfire1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603594372603397570" /></a></div><br />*click* *click* BOOM!!!!!<div><br /></div><div>That's what woke me up this morning. Strangely enough I didn't immediately get up after hearing that. There had been some workers out yesterday morning; I thought they were out earlier this morning. Annoying, but no reason to get up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then my upstairs neighbor started going crazy. It sounded like he was going back and forth between rooms making way too much noise for that early. Is anyone gonna let me sleep?</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I heard sirens in the distance. At first I was mad. Its was just after 5:30 so I had about another hour to sleep. I'm never gonna fall back asleep. Then they go closer and I thought, "good, now someone's gonna get in trouble for all that noise..."</div><div><br /></div><div>As the sirens got closer, it became clear there was something wrong. I decided to get up and take a look and outside my window was red. I pulled the blinds open and saw a fire bursting out of the garages across the alley. The fire truck hadn't arrived yet. At this point I was more intrigued than scared. I went to the living room to get my camera (The blog must know of this!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I opened those blinds and the fire had grown. OH S***!!! It seemed to be only to be feet away from my building. Now I'm in panic mode. I flung into action. PUT PANTS ON!! GET YOUR SHOES!!!! GET OUT!!!! I could actually feel the heat in my own living room. I had my camera out, but the wrong lens was on and there was no way I could focus even if it was right.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At this point the calvary(firemen) show up. I swear there had to be at least 25 of them. They put the flames out in maybe 25 seconds. It was quick. After that there were a few minor fires that sprung up, but they handled those easily. They actually ended up having to cut up the room with a giant saw to get the last of it. It was a crazy morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9HUHmr1zco/TcP3YjbS4RI/AAAAAAAABj0/-Lvz7W4LXdY/s1600/Alley%2Bfire.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9HUHmr1zco/TcP3YjbS4RI/AAAAAAAABj0/-Lvz7W4LXdY/s400/Alley%2Bfire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603594362577674514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyX5Aojsl8g/TcP3YYHyJvI/AAAAAAAABjs/XOalf6bNrCY/s1600/Firemen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyX5Aojsl8g/TcP3YYHyJvI/AAAAAAAABjs/XOalf6bNrCY/s400/Firemen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603594359543047922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On a sidenote. It's really hard to find pictures of firefighters that aren't of them undressed. I mean seriously. It's ridiculous:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ry27qL2BiE/TcQBSxtk5kI/AAAAAAAABkc/NB3MD674B9c/s1600/NSFW.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ry27qL2BiE/TcQBSxtk5kI/AAAAAAAABkc/NB3MD674B9c/s400/NSFW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603605258449512002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm gonna post this safe dalmatian one instead and call it a day. Thanks firemen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2MSqYaYBo9I/TcQBSqtF3DI/AAAAAAAABkU/QGvWoBXMRaQ/s1600/fire-dalmation-cliche.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2MSqYaYBo9I/TcQBSqtF3DI/AAAAAAAABkU/QGvWoBXMRaQ/s400/fire-dalmation-cliche.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603605256568429618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-27091869386148893062011-04-26T04:15:00.006+01:002011-04-26T14:05:58.589+01:00Poppy Leaves, GF in London and More Photos!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_d3ONNGS7Q/TbZGQ_ToBbI/AAAAAAAABjk/C9rje2zFQnE/s1600/Poppy%2Bnose.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_d3ONNGS7Q/TbZGQ_ToBbI/AAAAAAAABjk/C9rje2zFQnE/s400/Poppy%2Bnose.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599740444367390130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, so this week Poppy has gone back home. I promise this is probably my last Poppy picture. It was so sad when she left. She didn't even wave goodbye :(. To make matters worse, the gf left for London the weekend, so I was left here all by myself this weekend. I thought I would do so much "me" stuff this weekend. "Me" stuff turned into me sitting around my apartment on Saturday in my underwear watching espn. I know exciting stuff.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Around 6pm I decided to turn off 'Flip This House', brush my teeth and get out in the nice weather. I had just gotten a fisheye camera lens last week, so this was the perfect opportunity to try it out. The photos below are from the Lincoln and WWII memorials. Hope you like them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Op4Gmjj4p_A/TbZB-DsKN9I/AAAAAAAABjc/-fpktF4n8AU/s1600/IMG_8218.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Op4Gmjj4p_A/TbZB-DsKN9I/AAAAAAAABjc/-fpktF4n8AU/s400/IMG_8218.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599735721080010706" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the Lincoln. I was taking longer exposures so there are a lot of ghosted people in the images. I kinda like the affect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUhmO7JHIY0/TbZB9s9fCcI/AAAAAAAABjU/QBlEaXa__gE/s1600/IMG_8216.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUhmO7JHIY0/TbZB9s9fCcI/AAAAAAAABjU/QBlEaXa__gE/s400/IMG_8216.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599735714978662850" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tourists were ridiculous. You wouldn't believe how many people stood in front of the camera after they me setting up the shot. Ugh. Tourist season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zI6HdfaSYM/TbZB9QhYg0I/AAAAAAAABjM/EtlCnIB0kyQ/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zI6HdfaSYM/TbZB9QhYg0I/AAAAAAAABjM/EtlCnIB0kyQ/s400/IMG_8185.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599735707344601922" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjh5DHJxHx4/TbZBNpuhc2I/AAAAAAAABis/iBE5sNOgFt4/s1600/IMG_8228.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jjh5DHJxHx4/TbZBNpuhc2I/AAAAAAAABis/iBE5sNOgFt4/s400/IMG_8228.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599734889476879202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyAsxxDCbUM/TbZBNb-dzZI/AAAAAAAABik/pn9TRhjt14c/s1600/IMG_8223.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyAsxxDCbUM/TbZBNb-dzZI/AAAAAAAABik/pn9TRhjt14c/s400/IMG_8223.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599734885785652626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XrRnzwfjiaM/TbZBO4wr83I/AAAAAAAABjE/QFRxWbClSyA/s1600/IMG_8269.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XrRnzwfjiaM/TbZBO4wr83I/AAAAAAAABjE/QFRxWbClSyA/s400/IMG_8269.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599734910692356978" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah, the fixie makes a cameo appearance!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IysAaqrpbvE/TbZBOPOgQ7I/AAAAAAAABi8/u9oUH5zM7ko/s1600/IMG_8266.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IysAaqrpbvE/TbZBOPOgQ7I/AAAAAAAABi8/u9oUH5zM7ko/s400/IMG_8266.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599734899543131058" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DznvqEb8Qw/TbZBN94z_6I/AAAAAAAABi0/KwjtoC-NNlY/s1600/IMG_8262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DznvqEb8Qw/TbZBN94z_6I/AAAAAAAABi0/KwjtoC-NNlY/s400/IMG_8262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599734894888746914" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxeqCsu9G5s/TbZAVrEH4SI/AAAAAAAABic/8IglbbuBb7A/s1600/IMG_8317.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxeqCsu9G5s/TbZAVrEH4SI/AAAAAAAABic/8IglbbuBb7A/s400/IMG_8317.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599733927763239202" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would like to thank Illinois for being in a such a photogenic location.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TQYpZ1HHiw/TbZAVYK4WtI/AAAAAAAABiU/oUAhDqLrWcc/s1600/IMG_8308.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TQYpZ1HHiw/TbZAVYK4WtI/AAAAAAAABiU/oUAhDqLrWcc/s400/IMG_8308.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599733922691308242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think this was the only shot that no one walked through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1UPuPBn538/TbZAU0UEZ4I/AAAAAAAABiM/guIaGl4Vlpw/s1600/IMG_8294.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1UPuPBn538/TbZAU0UEZ4I/AAAAAAAABiM/guIaGl4Vlpw/s400/IMG_8294.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599733913066170242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Black and White. I dunno... It just felt right to make this one B&W.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYJpVynaZh8/TbZAUvdthVI/AAAAAAAABiE/yNofLq0C27w/s1600/IMG_8289.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYJpVynaZh8/TbZAUvdthVI/AAAAAAAABiE/yNofLq0C27w/s400/IMG_8289.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599733911764436306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h8pgfvWr3Y/TbZAUAubhEI/AAAAAAAABh8/E_Ev1088_Wo/s1600/IMG_8275.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h8pgfvWr3Y/TbZAUAubhEI/AAAAAAAABh8/E_Ev1088_Wo/s1600/IMG_8275.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h8pgfvWr3Y/TbZAUAubhEI/AAAAAAAABh8/E_Ev1088_Wo/s400/IMG_8275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599733899218093122" /></a></div></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-50380159003065518712011-04-18T02:35:00.006+01:002011-04-19T14:41:53.652+01:00The 52 Project: Meet Poppy<div style="text-align: left;">Ok, at this rate my 52 project is going to end up more like a 37 project. I still don't understand how people take a picture a day for an entire year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7zRik28f5E/Tauhna66d3I/AAAAAAAABh0/x29IPY7pa08/s1600/Poppy%2Bjump.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7zRik28f5E/Tauhna66d3I/AAAAAAAABh0/x29IPY7pa08/s400/Poppy%2Bjump.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596744660551366514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">But anyway, on to the next photo: Meet Poppy the Dog. I introduced her in the last post, but that was after just a few days with her. After spending most of the weekend with her I learned these things:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. She's big, but still timid around other animals... especially Mo the cat. </div><div style="text-align: left;">2. She loves attention, so if you stop petting her expect to get nudged. </div><div style="text-align: left;">3. She'll fetch a ball, but if you throw a stick, she'll run to get it then chew it up. </div><div style="text-align: left;">4. <s>She farts way too much.</s></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. She'll lay on the couch, but only if you're touching her. </div><div style="text-align: left;">6. When she goes to shake your hand she swings her paw way too hard.</div><div style="text-align: left;">7. If you run, she <b>will </b>chase you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I really don't have a story for the photos this week. Just hangin out with Poppy. Hope you enjoy them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpUaokkUS2U/Tauhm1TicaI/AAAAAAAABhs/1XqPSIZ9c4A/s1600/Poppy4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpUaokkUS2U/Tauhm1TicaI/AAAAAAAABhs/1XqPSIZ9c4A/s1600/Poppy4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpUaokkUS2U/Tauhm1TicaI/AAAAAAAABhs/1XqPSIZ9c4A/s400/Poppy4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596744650454102434" /></a></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-32461086317491612542011-04-11T19:19:00.007+01:002011-04-14T14:23:48.340+01:00Where my Dogs At: The Story of Poppy the Dog.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U15xV8jIbVA/TaY3cFLX1yI/AAAAAAAABhc/liZnOu6HON8/s1600/Luther%2Band%2Bdog.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U15xV8jIbVA/TaY3cFLX1yI/AAAAAAAABhc/liZnOu6HON8/s400/Luther%2Band%2Bdog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595220542620161826" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm getting a dog!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At least for about 10 days that is. My girlfriend's ex-roommate's good friend is getting married so naturally my gf was selected to watch the dog, Poppy. I refer to her as "Poppy the Dog" just to avoid any confusion. Last night was her first night staying over, so of course I had to stay at my girlfriends house for support. You know, if Poppy needed an emergency game of fetch or something serious like that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgkNvyD1Jck/TaNHFv6rhbI/AAAAAAAABhM/b9l7UPBpPnQ/s1600/Poppy%2Bthe%2Bdog.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgkNvyD1Jck/TaNHFv6rhbI/AAAAAAAABhM/b9l7UPBpPnQ/s400/Poppy%2Bthe%2Bdog.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594393326211794354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Poppy is such a good dog. She <s>always</s> sometimes responds to voice commands and never barks. I tried to get her to jump on the bed/couch/whatever piece of furniture was near when no one was looking but she knew she wasn't allowed up there so she didn't do it. I know, no fun. There was actually an epic standoff last night between Poppy the Dog and Mo, the cat that owns one of my gf's roommates. I was fortunate enough to catch the entire thing. At the end of the day, it ended up being just a staring contest. Poppy was more curious than anything else. I believe photo below is an accurate portrayal of the events:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9_8kxCUvh4/TaY7fbuQvgI/AAAAAAAABhk/90hsmV71HX0/s1600/Standoff.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9_8kxCUvh4/TaY7fbuQvgI/AAAAAAAABhk/90hsmV71HX0/s400/Standoff.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595224998258195970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I'm not making any promises but I'm gonna try to incorporate Poppy into my baller lifestyle. Hopefully, pictures to follow! </div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-1793971098046775482011-04-05T03:45:00.006+01:002011-04-05T04:49:32.335+01:00Cherry Blossom Tournament Weekend<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ06pPws6tE/TZqEYm_-yAI/AAAAAAAABgc/_OQOF4XUt2o/s1600/IMG_7732.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ06pPws6tE/TZqEYm_-yAI/AAAAAAAABgc/_OQOF4XUt2o/s400/IMG_7732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591927445654521858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 176px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So this past weekend was the annual Cherry Blossom Soccer Tournament here in the city. This is the second year that I played with my weeknight coed team 'Trix are for Kids'. For those not familiar with the format, the tournament is setup just like the World Cup. There are 32 teams split into 8 groups of 4. The top 2 teams from each group advance to a 16 team single elimination tournament on the second day. Last year we ended up making it to the semifinals, this year we weren't as fortunate and ended up getting knocked out in the quarterfinals. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although we got knocked out a bit earlier than I had hoped, it was still a really fun time. Among the highlights were meeting Trix the dog, catching the Cherry Blossoms and scoring 5 goals (yahoooo!!!). The lowlights were the hail/rain/cold, playing all of our saturday games on a field with a giant puddle and getting a ref on the first day that was bad yet serious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, pictures are below. Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxc_OlbcWE4/TZqQqqczPtI/AAAAAAAABgs/Vz7q4Q5g3ds/s1600/Cherry%2BBlossom%2B1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxc_OlbcWE4/TZqQqqczPtI/AAAAAAAABgs/Vz7q4Q5g3ds/s400/Cherry%2BBlossom%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591940949957885650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I successfully avoided the mud pit all day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxc_OlbcWE4/TZqQqqczPtI/AAAAAAAABgs/Vz7q4Q5g3ds/s1600/Cherry%2BBlossom%2B1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KC7cflbi0E/TZqQrHyk7wI/AAAAAAAABg8/MpiANsu2Fdw/s1600/IMG_7728.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KC7cflbi0E/TZqQrHyk7wI/AAAAAAAABg8/MpiANsu2Fdw/s400/IMG_7728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591940957833850626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Halftime talk. Jeff is not interested.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaLTl_HFUYM/TZqEYgo1RLI/AAAAAAAABgk/ibaqwbf6S70/s1600/IMG_7736.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BaLTl_HFUYM/TZqEYgo1RLI/AAAAAAAABgk/ibaqwbf6S70/s400/IMG_7736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591927443946816690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me with Trix the dog. Our unofficial mascot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWwE5NAkcaI/TZqQq4ItZ4I/AAAAAAAABg0/LnB8bibEoHw/s1600/IMG_7722.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWwE5NAkcaI/TZqQq4ItZ4I/AAAAAAAABg0/LnB8bibEoHw/s400/IMG_7722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591940953631713154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got mugged by this girl. No foul was called...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LI_dMsyipfU/TZqD7UdoibI/AAAAAAAABgE/nhSszTFpPO8/s1600/IMG_7717.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LI_dMsyipfU/TZqD7UdoibI/AAAAAAAABgE/nhSszTFpPO8/s400/IMG_7717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926942462413234" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">God is a Trix fan :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEJAE4-tKPY/TZqD7PkXX1I/AAAAAAAABf8/t3o2VeAtbaM/s1600/IMG_7707.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEJAE4-tKPY/TZqD7PkXX1I/AAAAAAAABf8/t3o2VeAtbaM/s400/IMG_7707.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926941148471122" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My excellent girlfriend braved the cold, rain and hail to watch all the games.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HH0riFQKaUQ/TZqD7I48ekI/AAAAAAAABf0/MQloB2AOo68/s1600/IMG_7700.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HH0riFQKaUQ/TZqD7I48ekI/AAAAAAAABf0/MQloB2AOo68/s400/IMG_7700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926939355740738" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jeff and Emily trying to soak up some sun to get warm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsIxWAfTHuc/TZqDfcfEESI/AAAAAAAABfs/NsNih-VxNf4/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsIxWAfTHuc/TZqDfcfEESI/AAAAAAAABfs/NsNih-VxNf4/s400/IMG_7693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926463579558178" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dave and his ridiculously hard shot. Look how high he's off the ground!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qf2EsmSf8Kw/TZqDfCjEKWI/AAAAAAAABfk/xH-OJRU37pU/s1600/IMG_7655.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qf2EsmSf8Kw/TZqDfCjEKWI/AAAAAAAABfk/xH-OJRU37pU/s400/IMG_7655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926456617019746" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdUJavVi-0g/TZqDfMZpR2I/AAAAAAAABfc/HTlnUxXHOW8/s1600/IMG_7647.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JdUJavVi-0g/TZqDfMZpR2I/AAAAAAAABfc/HTlnUxXHOW8/s400/IMG_7647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926459261863778" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6PCCptzTGw/TZqDeyZWs6I/AAAAAAAABfU/rWZrepT7Lfk/s1600/IMG_7613.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O6PCCptzTGw/TZqDeyZWs6I/AAAAAAAABfU/rWZrepT7Lfk/s400/IMG_7613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926452281324450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjzcVFArgoU/TZqDe4laznI/AAAAAAAABfM/-OSCGII8ths/s1600/IMG_7601.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjzcVFArgoU/TZqDe4laznI/AAAAAAAABfM/-OSCGII8ths/s1600/IMG_7601.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjzcVFArgoU/TZqDe4laznI/AAAAAAAABfM/-OSCGII8ths/s400/IMG_7601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591926453942537842" /></a></div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-68194187541109120732011-03-22T15:40:00.002+00:002011-03-22T20:03:37.143+00:00The Infamous Adele Chapin<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MvAe24OtV0c/TYjs-ZPoxMI/AAAAAAAABXc/gNnxABqksFY/s1600/Infamous%2BAdele.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MvAe24OtV0c/TYjs-ZPoxMI/AAAAAAAABXc/gNnxABqksFY/s400/Infamous%2BAdele.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586975894425617602" /></a></div><div>Have you met my coworker/frenemy, <a href="http://www.goshgeegolly.com/">Adele Chapin</a>? She may look nice and innocent, but believe me, she's not to be trusted. About a week ago, she invited me to a happy hour that her roommate was organizing at the Metropolitan Club. It was for Haiti or some other good cause like that. The important info was that there was going to be an open bar and free appetizers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was excited because Adele sent me the invite over gchat because she also writes for a local magazine so she usually has the hookup for good parties that famous people attend. Maybe I would meet Pdiddy or Katie Couric and then they could introduce me to Wyclef and then maybe we could hang out on a boat in the Caribbean or something like that. Oh yeah this is gonna be great.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGah_sIC2T0/TYjrx97PhVI/AAAAAAAABXU/tNsaKohGX7o/s1600/luther-pdiddy-cannes-nc-thumb.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGah_sIC2T0/TYjrx97PhVI/AAAAAAAABXU/tNsaKohGX7o/s400/luther-pdiddy-cannes-nc-thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586974581422261586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My dreams, however, we dashed seconds later. In the one minutes it took me to respond. Adele had already uninvited me and invited another friend. In case you don't believe the time frame, I've posted a screenshot. Yeah, I know. Adele at her worst. No Diddy, No Boat, nothing.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gcg8qrBOU4/TX4j2U61TzI/AAAAAAAABW8/N0wDwwDqlyk/s1600/Adele%2Bscreenshot.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gcg8qrBOU4/TX4j2U61TzI/AAAAAAAABW8/N0wDwwDqlyk/s400/Adele%2Bscreenshot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583940004221374258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI1Ny5eR7Dc/TYkAgFJMdDI/AAAAAAAABXs/8ZsTsiQte7c/s1600/im-on-a-boat.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI1Ny5eR7Dc/TYkAgFJMdDI/AAAAAAAABXs/8ZsTsiQte7c/s400/im-on-a-boat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586997363866367026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px; " /></a></div><div>Adele actually felt bad about this, so she managed to get another invite, so I was officially on the list. The boat party was back on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, she assured me that me wearing jeans and sneakers would be ok. Before I left work I put on a blazer I got from H&M. You know... just to be on the safe side. I mean, how could they deny me? I was wearing a stylish blazer. They should be so lucky to have me there drinking their free drinks and eating their free food.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PkfKkn65ecg/TYj5Kv5eRGI/AAAAAAAABXk/cnON4kJUK8w/s400/blazer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586989300804633698" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>So we get off the metro and walk over to the place and I notice that it's like a block away from the White House and everyone walking in was very, very well dressed. We walk through the front door and Adele and her friend tell the door man that we are there for Haiti. When I try to walk through he tells me to wait to the side. After the people behind me all walk in, the tells me that my jeans, white sambas, t-shirt and blazer are just too casual to get in. After hearing this Adele and her friend walk back and the doorman notices that she's wearing jeans too. Hers are deemed 'dressy' enough and she is allowed to stay.</div><div><br /></div><div>While writing this post, I decided to go to the Metropolitan Club's website where I found that they do have a <a href="http://www.metroclub.org/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=315594&ssid=206258&vnf=1">dress code</a>: </div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Members and their guests must wear appropriate attire at all times while in the Clubhouse public spaces. For gentlemen this means the wearing of a suit, jacket or blazer and neck tie (string ties, ascots, and turtlenecks are not acceptable), and for ladies this means the wearing of commensurate attire, often defined as business attire. The only acceptable exceptions are national-dress, military, or religious attire. During weekdays, Members and guests in athletic or casual attire must use the Club’s side entrance or enter through the rear of the Club"</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I could have gone in through the side entrance, but that just sounds altogether embarrassing, so I'm glad I didn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>To her credit, Adele actually did feel bad and promised to invite to something else. I can only hope.</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-14157683490086912912011-03-14T14:35:00.001+00:002011-03-14T18:36:32.748+00:0052 Project: Hi Vis<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU0Uav_TbJo/TX2erVnKDtI/AAAAAAAABW0/trYGQd8GIHY/s1600/Nike%2BT90%2BStrike%2BHi-Vis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU0Uav_TbJo/TX2erVnKDtI/AAAAAAAABW0/trYGQd8GIHY/s400/Nike%2BT90%2BStrike%2BHi-Vis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583793580382228178" /></a></div><div>Most people know that I love soccer. What most people don't know is that I'm obsessed with soccer balls. I know it sounds weird and a bit ridiculous, but it's true. Whenever I go into a sporting goods store, I always have to go back to the section with the soccer balls and its always tough for me to not buy one. It's kind of like Mel Gibson with The Catcher in the Rye in Conspiracy Theory. In case you were wondering, there are currently 5 soccer balls in my apartment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, to the photo. This is my latest purchase. Its the Nike T90 Strike Hi-Vis ball for those of you keeping score. During the winter months the English Premier League uses a yellow version of their ball because of its higher visibility. It's probably a con to get people like me to buy more stuff, but I like it because it's yellow. I know its ridiculous, but c'mon that's gotta be the least of it. I mean look, there's actually a hover board and optimus prime's head in the background of the shot :)</div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322903944611467650.post-28427418002033532932011-03-12T04:19:00.005+00:002011-03-14T14:10:27.500+00:00I'm Back Baby<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7GCwPD1CDY/TXr0944g1jI/AAAAAAAABWs/826Eht2_sJ0/s1600/Working.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7GCwPD1CDY/TXr0944g1jI/AAAAAAAABWs/826Eht2_sJ0/s400/Working.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583044032157767218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yeah, so I've been away for awhile. The past 2 weeks have been really hectic at work with a huge project we are working on, but now worries. Things have slowed for a bit, so expect the awesome updates to resume. Aren't you so excited??? </div>Lutherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00137722533997287398noreply@blogger.com0