tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183038722024-03-07T10:25:46.581-08:00spaceJASE blogThe ramblings of an artist.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-54957861653247990322012-12-27T07:31:00.000-08:002012-12-27T07:31:15.726-08:00It's the little things...I haven't seen this one friend of mine in several years.<br />
We occasionally send email to each other and watch each other's blogs. (He's much better at updating than I am)<br />
Every year around my birthday he surprises me with a gift.<br />
I say "surprise" because I don't ever expect it - although he has never failed.<br />
It's one of the highlights of my birthday because each gift is carefully chosen, very appropriate for our shared interests, and often a little quirky.<br />
This year he got me a "Big Golden Book" - for kids. The art is fantastic and I thoroughly enjoy it.<br />
Thanks, Dude.<br />
:)<br />
<br />spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-43576998223101917382012-04-14T16:28:00.001-07:002012-04-14T16:28:22.647-07:00Pirate Cat - Eric Canete<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHK6eOI1yG92V0nSwlgwpS0l2vX4Mm6lMv15sKNLMSR51OkEMkuuCAdjZQdIUc0aYAyBW277OLY2Od5ZHIXLn2mk8U49zppI9toKu5W4NHZk9rtZos10tmhUQ8ojuHYcBsvTqOA/s1600/IMG_20120414_182400-702647.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHK6eOI1yG92V0nSwlgwpS0l2vX4Mm6lMv15sKNLMSR51OkEMkuuCAdjZQdIUc0aYAyBW277OLY2Od5ZHIXLn2mk8U49zppI9toKu5W4NHZk9rtZos10tmhUQ8ojuHYcBsvTqOA/s320/IMG_20120414_182400-702647.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731402367259172274" /></a></p><p>I saw Eric at C2E2 and bought the sketch collection book he was selling. He drew this for me. It's pretty damn awesome. Thanks, Eric! </p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-19324502917330347632012-04-13T05:46:00.001-07:002012-04-13T05:46:52.748-07:00Ground Hog<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdDhaVaPn-LQ8KdhqS1HXQT-co2MFFkyPj5LyyNuhYdH-1EMMsEfGQfbJ7KRDRc_yujb6o08VpA9bNFf4mMEwLcXQ_CjYiSy97jIGV1lztDASBs-GLT9FYIZVARWvAujFEZB6iQ/s1600/C360_2012-04-08-14-44-53-712748.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdDhaVaPn-LQ8KdhqS1HXQT-co2MFFkyPj5LyyNuhYdH-1EMMsEfGQfbJ7KRDRc_yujb6o08VpA9bNFf4mMEwLcXQ_CjYiSy97jIGV1lztDASBs-GLT9FYIZVARWvAujFEZB6iQ/s320/C360_2012-04-08-14-44-53-712748.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730865974500826178" /></a></p><p>I scared him and he's making a beeline for the back porch. I'm pretty sure he lives in the basement... I don't go in the basement much if I can help it. This rental house is pretty old and broken down. It smells like sewage down there. </p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-35816160192387660612012-04-09T21:18:00.001-07:002012-04-09T21:18:53.915-07:00They Were Watching Me<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePbl97On1X9LAuv3onmMpntCkIDtG6sJ4H98CiRPQhJIrQp2vTuDWwM8bnTrQ3Qh6EoUtNq3qesREGTa7a0s9zXM7SERQSgCqoHyfZ8TazmIbNMULjAYfmE2CIpRmO1wDQ54Cjg/s1600/C360_2012-04-09-19-41-54-733916.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePbl97On1X9LAuv3onmMpntCkIDtG6sJ4H98CiRPQhJIrQp2vTuDWwM8bnTrQ3Qh6EoUtNq3qesREGTa7a0s9zXM7SERQSgCqoHyfZ8TazmIbNMULjAYfmE2CIpRmO1wDQ54Cjg/s320/C360_2012-04-09-19-41-54-733916.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729621813566601330" /></a></p><p>So I dug their eyes out and chopped them up into bits. Then I boiled them and ate them. But maybe I should have planted them since they were all ready to go...</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-36726759299644391712011-12-27T11:35:00.001-08:002011-12-27T11:35:09.536-08:00Birthday card<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAMLD8vCpG5bC7kUbhMX7AZmPazNfPlCaHCXmGOPJ59A8ZNVJcML-XQZrvuCJw1ypHuQNDyGiYOgV2oBTesiF7OoWr3REZCgDxwhhKFPrfOra2gh2UVWkMN4RJl9tGSO_78GBYw/s1600/C360_2011-12-27-00-58-28-709537.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAMLD8vCpG5bC7kUbhMX7AZmPazNfPlCaHCXmGOPJ59A8ZNVJcML-XQZrvuCJw1ypHuQNDyGiYOgV2oBTesiF7OoWr3REZCgDxwhhKFPrfOra2gh2UVWkMN4RJl9tGSO_78GBYw/s320/C360_2011-12-27-00-58-28-709537.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690893984274760818" /></a></p><p>Yay for arts and crafts! :)</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-68968971902006446142011-12-25T22:01:00.001-08:002011-12-25T22:01:04.758-08:00Christmas Eve Chippie<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90D6NKRs6vW8bU0XVZ_OHzxEtkpsk3pdbz3huGoPJKfH7IpKabda-x9TtKJxCaXCCfCo4nh58Bl-OdwGjG9iX8XMGQjh4kpZaiH9R3t7ArrjKNBWLVo3q17r000o681fdl-OCng/s1600/C360_2011-12-24-00-16-42-764759.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90D6NKRs6vW8bU0XVZ_OHzxEtkpsk3pdbz3huGoPJKfH7IpKabda-x9TtKJxCaXCCfCo4nh58Bl-OdwGjG9iX8XMGQjh4kpZaiH9R3t7ArrjKNBWLVo3q17r000o681fdl-OCng/s320/C360_2011-12-24-00-16-42-764759.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690313117980970514" /></a></p><p>Chippie loves the tree. He sits by the plug until we turn it on and then sits under the tree. :)</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-85336908451873282132011-12-01T08:51:00.001-08:002011-12-01T08:51:13.530-08:00Dad & Pat's cats<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPftGsWDgLSZWKFre4JiJ-XSjB2v022ZCdRJtFQuAUIVkDQzpQyDjDwetlDUZfAbQR5r1neskem3_EW8zvoClfBj_iaVInKS07vIqTPbMIl965pc9JUfK57YfFHpNQn-DpA8Bgug/s1600/C360_2011-11-24-15-32-57-773531.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPftGsWDgLSZWKFre4JiJ-XSjB2v022ZCdRJtFQuAUIVkDQzpQyDjDwetlDUZfAbQR5r1neskem3_EW8zvoClfBj_iaVInKS07vIqTPbMIl965pc9JUfK57YfFHpNQn-DpA8Bgug/s320/C360_2011-11-24-15-32-57-773531.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681203526476890098" /></a></p><p>Leelu and Zorro :)</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-81638375298121592222011-11-05T17:16:00.000-07:002011-11-05T17:17:02.863-07:00Mouse<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1m12Fr4eQMDfdmlEJJFEScujj9T2I5iqQmZcOn1bb4XNqsBj262gGtJFM7C-XauuoN9upmTcr7IG1Ui5wA1LKQSNPnP9_pJ3-tZtxB0iEJ7ZVOzq5nZHWcgU93SzNMWppmNlXA/s1600/C360_2011-11-0519-33-22-722864.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1m12Fr4eQMDfdmlEJJFEScujj9T2I5iqQmZcOn1bb4XNqsBj262gGtJFM7C-XauuoN9upmTcr7IG1Ui5wA1LKQSNPnP9_pJ3-tZtxB0iEJ7ZVOzq5nZHWcgU93SzNMWppmNlXA/s320/C360_2011-11-0519-33-22-722864.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671670202946368498" /></a></p><p>Michael Thomas caught this little guy tonight. I praised him until he dropped it. Then I scooped it up into a Tupperware container and took it outside.<br> More fun for cats when it comes back!<br> I'm always surprised at how well playing dead works at fooling the cats. They drop the little things on the floor and start batting at them, like, c'mon wake up dude! (That's when I grab them up.) Then the cats wander around looking for it. I took away their fun toy! :(</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-9099968300869752722011-10-29T08:40:00.001-07:002011-10-29T08:40:17.315-07:00Making iTunes put my audiobook chapters in order by book<p>It is a seemingly impossible feat. In fact I haven't been able to make it work the way I'd like. All my book chapters are listed alphabetically with no care to the actual book at all - or sorted alphabetically by the first sentence in the chapters. Anyways, it's a real pain to listen to on my old school iPod.</p> <p>That is until I used the search function under music. Even though my books are listed as audiobooks, the search will find them BY BOOK TITLE. It might help that I have sorting set to album and the album set to be the book title... but there ya go.</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-61233534251580010802011-10-26T16:52:00.001-07:002011-10-26T16:52:37.116-07:00Christmas in October<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjz3rFzOQoPvDyaH227QxURua4dM_Boc5nAjgoncXMzQL078kVkIb_u7jAokoP9_JK-qGUimNRs_qKbzBbQ-CsCIOUEq-SENaOD5h8kEAoxx6CfyIaOiU4z9E_86UDChDNt6QTg/s1600/C360_2011-10-2409-12-56-757117.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjz3rFzOQoPvDyaH227QxURua4dM_Boc5nAjgoncXMzQL078kVkIb_u7jAokoP9_JK-qGUimNRs_qKbzBbQ-CsCIOUEq-SENaOD5h8kEAoxx6CfyIaOiU4z9E_86UDChDNt6QTg/s320/C360_2011-10-2409-12-56-757117.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667953051423810386" /></a></p><p>I know the corporate giants have to maintain their profits even in this crappy economy but, really?!?! </p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-13613966068557852182011-10-20T07:30:00.001-07:002011-10-20T07:30:22.799-07:00Boxing Food for the Elderly<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17xRIRv_LtVUC91qKsJtwChCunX6GtjkFcALgaZKeujPA_NLqD9FLiZEHSaCj06aQ_E4NFLmZb-7FsyHtX6hGy97PBA_a9DNiniWxqH5W-RVDOlHTfV8ms3MH4gQc9pc5PWGuDQ/s1600/C360_2011-10-1712-10-22-722800.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17xRIRv_LtVUC91qKsJtwChCunX6GtjkFcALgaZKeujPA_NLqD9FLiZEHSaCj06aQ_E4NFLmZb-7FsyHtX6hGy97PBA_a9DNiniWxqH5W-RVDOlHTfV8ms3MH4gQc9pc5PWGuDQ/s320/C360_2011-10-1712-10-22-722800.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665581653829637426" /></a></p><p>At Second Harvest Food Bank</p> <p>Our Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie boxed ~448 boxes in 2 hours.</p> <p>I stacked them all. :)</p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-5140940868959217522011-10-15T09:17:00.001-07:002011-10-15T09:17:08.873-07:00Deus Ex - funny<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5KkJ0lLfGIAHjaotj8oLLsCy9fgFKwQSHFcjna0pzgaglOz3COgiQHS-gFNgqo0q3NXFzIUbYqVbiLz9eerqLWN2srfS4jyjMKuZdm-uSf3QdJnN3DUQCdaRzBzf0iTkGGFUGA/s1600/IMG_20111011_125439-728875.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5KkJ0lLfGIAHjaotj8oLLsCy9fgFKwQSHFcjna0pzgaglOz3COgiQHS-gFNgqo0q3NXFzIUbYqVbiLz9eerqLWN2srfS4jyjMKuZdm-uSf3QdJnN3DUQCdaRzBzf0iTkGGFUGA/s320/IMG_20111011_125439-728875.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663753749020323090" /></a></p><p>After tranquillizing this guy, his full body IK put him and his gun in this position. </p> spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-26833163189403513142010-12-13T08:01:00.000-08:002010-12-13T08:01:29.181-08:00Another dreamLast night I dreamed I was in SF looking for a job. (Laid off a couple weeks ago so it's relevant.) I found my way to the underground parking lot of this huge conglomerate company building and went upstairs to talk to people. I noted that I would probably lose my car in the concrete maze.<br />
<br />
Upstairs I had a good conversation with people and even saw a couple friends. I'd have to take a pay cut, but it'd be worth it to actually have a job and work with people I like. Then my buddy and I took the elevator downstairs. When the elevator stopped, I got off but my friend didn't saying the cars were even lower. I was left standing there because the doors closed too quickly to get back on. Rather than wait for the elevator I went to find the stairs to meet up again. But I couldn't find the stairs... People milling around said I'd need to take this other elevator back up a couple flights and then transfer over to the original one and go down a few floors.<br />
<br />
I managed to do that but emerged in an area I had never seen before. Cars were exiting here and I couldn't see any way to get to my car's area. So I thought I'd go around... but it led me out of the building to a park like clearing that was fenced off and gated. I waited until some people were leaving through the gate and got in.<br />
<br />
What I found was the most beautiful cliff side park full of flowers and butterflies with the sun setting behind me. The cliff and rocky shore below was illuminated in such an awesome way that everyone there was calm and serene. I took out my phone and took a couple pictures to show AJ. Then I sadly left that place to try and find my car and get home.<br />
<br />
When I made it back to the building I found the maze even more complex. So steep in places I couldn't get anywhere. I started looking over ledges to the floors below crying out for help. And the strangest creatures were making their way through the maze now... not people anymore. I saw a father and daughter medusa-like snake people. (No snakes on their heads.) The father ignored my pleas, but the daughter stopped and wondered at me for a moment before her father took her away.<br />
<br />
Then I realized it was a dream and took an overhead view to see I was on the opposite side of the building from my car and told myself how to get there.<br />
<br />
Weird.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-49461560262962017292010-11-18T07:06:00.000-08:002010-11-18T07:06:53.655-08:00WTF dreamEveryone has WTF dreams sometimes, right? I had one last night.<br />
<br />
Here goes nothin'...<br />
<br />
I found myself sitting co-pilot in a drag racer. Do they even have those? I was upfront like in an old biplane and the driver was behind me. It was meant to be an "experience" - maybe I had payed for it. Anyways, when the lights went green we took off like a bat out of hell and it was an amazing ride. The world came to a stand-still as we sped up and whizzed by - people looked like blurred streaks in my peripheral vision. At the end I got out and helped bring the car back to the starting line for the next rider. I realized that we had ended up in a field filled with campers. Maybe a KOA campground? Everyone knew to stay away from the drag strip so there were no issues. (I asked.) I think my wife was there and our two daughters were there (about 4 and 7) asking me how it was. The funny thing is... in reality I have no children.<br />
<br />
Eventually we made it back to the starting area which was kind of a workshop inside a building. We pushed the car backwards into the 'garage' but couldn't enter that way so we went to the other end of the building and entered. What I saw was hundreds of lobster tanks. (like at an Asian supermarket where they keep crabs in waist level white tanks, not a fish tank like at a restaurant) The tanks were full of lobsters and being tended by Asians. (I think Japanese) Everyone was making sure the lobsters were OK and not fighting. My assessment was that they were having fun since I saw some balled up and 'playing'. They weren't wearing safety bands on their claws. The funny thing here was just before the dragster was going to take off, everyone had to 'clear' their hands from the water. As if they'd get electrically shocked.<br />
<br />
One guy was being a smart-ass and pulled two lobsters out and held them up as the dragster took off. So I sat down at a bench and happened to sit next to Amy. (Amy Demerest (Sweet) who I know from our life in Japan long ago.) Amy handed me a form with a bunch of entry areas for people to fill out their name and address. I don't know what the form was for... but it was filled out completely. Or so the person behind me told me. I needed to start the next page. But then I realized that the last entry space on the first page was open so I started to fill that out. But I couldn't remember my address. I kept trying to think of where we live and wrote down one prefecture in Japan... but it was wrong. We had moved. But I couldn't remember the name of our current prefecture. Then I realized our house address was 4301. That's our current actual house number... in America. By this time I had scribbled out 2 addresses and was trying to write a third...<br />
<br />
But my wife woke me up. It was time to leave and drop her off.<br />
<br />
WTFspaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-41342715622739921952010-09-30T12:14:00.000-07:002010-09-30T12:14:11.202-07:00R.I.P. Stephen JahnerLast week I found out Steve Jahner died. I haven't heard the results of the autopsy but apparently he collapsed in his store one afternoon. At least I know if he was in his store he was probably happy - whistling or humming a tune while helping people.<br />
<br />
I'm totally bummed out about Steve passing away because I hadn't talked to him in a few years. My wife and I recently moved back to the midwest and I was really looking forward to stopping by the store and catching up with him.<br />
<br />
Steve gave me my first job working at his comic book store "Capital City Comics & Books". I was... 14 or 15? It was great. I was always working - Steve made sure of that. And I did all the grunt work from dusting EVERYTHING to alphabetizing EVERYTHING. After a couple years he'd let me open/close the store so he could sleep in or something. Basically he taught me about hard work and responsibility. If I messed up I'd have to make it up elsewhere. It happened from time to time. But Steve didn't hold anything against anyone for long.<br />
<br />
I studied superheroes and layout while sorting comics, learned about new authors and the world outside sorting books and got some anatomy in while organizing adult magazines. (That was usually my punishment for being late.)<br />
<br />
Steve also taught me how to play guitar. I didn't practice enough, (just like piano) but he kept pushing me. I learned about a whole slew of new music from him. Classics like Jethro Tull and Earth Wind & Fire.<br />
<br />
All in all - I will sorely miss Steve. I will think of him most every day because he gave me the nickname "space JASE". I use it everywhere. My website is www.spacejase.com - I owe you a lot Steve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlZMkxiauGkEDBce2W_IPnlYt4Bpd4s-b1Ut9om7pKPICOhpZbj3QFgn2udzzMTEqnC2OkIXkTlivtVHOa4aigM6hU3ifpPW6-CpvYNbJMDsY9_a_1coyetiom2qZyrrFRPSMAQ/s1600/bilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlZMkxiauGkEDBce2W_IPnlYt4Bpd4s-b1Ut9om7pKPICOhpZbj3QFgn2udzzMTEqnC2OkIXkTlivtVHOa4aigM6hU3ifpPW6-CpvYNbJMDsY9_a_1coyetiom2qZyrrFRPSMAQ/s320/bilde.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks Steve.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-65209915472791265342010-09-21T06:56:00.000-07:002010-09-21T06:56:02.951-07:00Death by window...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-ZAAvn8VRE9s5eh9hGsZcQoD126tCfq4JQvtN0Yr6M3mssp75iA-dxfW31U_0y8lxoZrFiQ7r2n5zXauZcib-SKBfbz9r1flNd8my9dJ7GYUD4opoeICHzcGbt8vg7VGUtENFA/s1600/IMG_20100917_091830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-ZAAvn8VRE9s5eh9hGsZcQoD126tCfq4JQvtN0Yr6M3mssp75iA-dxfW31U_0y8lxoZrFiQ7r2n5zXauZcib-SKBfbz9r1flNd8my9dJ7GYUD4opoeICHzcGbt8vg7VGUtENFA/s320/IMG_20100917_091830.jpg" /></a></div>This guy surprised us one morning when he bashed into one of the front windows. Chippie was sitting there so maybe the bird was defending territory against our cat. Anyways - it was sad to see him die. It was quick, but not instantaneous. He was trapped in the bush outside the window and after a few ragged breaths he went limp. I thought he might just be stunned so I put him on the front steps. A couple hours later he was stiff. I meant to bury him but something took him away that night.<br />
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It probably seems morbid to blog about him - but I was contemplating the passing of animals out in nature. It happens all the time and if no animal takes note, certainly no human does. I mean, if he had a family, they probably wonder what happened to him. Why didn't he come back that afternoon? But if birds only have a few seconds short term memory, do they notice stuff like the passing of a family member? Surely they have some sort of longer memory or imprinting that allows them to know where their nest is - or who their mate or child is... right?<br />
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When our cats have died, the other cats came around and sniffed and pawed at them. And kind of sat there for a minute in turn. But that was it. Maybe death is just what happens and when it's done there isn't much to think about in an animal's mind. Why do we as humans make a big deal about death? Is it because we impact each others' lives more than other mammals? Do we remember people because we have longer memories and therefore feel more of a sense of loss?<br />
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I don't know the answers, but I thought it sad that this big beautiful birds suddenly met his demise with a stupid window.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-47172247358905012642009-09-14T10:04:00.000-07:002009-09-14T10:07:45.213-07:00It rained last night and...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFgXL7fykutY0lX0Pcl9urS3_CPjwU9fEGQcyQ_BLgnDnidObcllDpaGp0ThxDhz78yPbiXoaslnql2uK2CCddnYydQBbfPgvadto8h_Nz4NTLSPYahHXFoY6Cs8O4Ol9a8w2Rw/s1600-h/DSC04501.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFgXL7fykutY0lX0Pcl9urS3_CPjwU9fEGQcyQ_BLgnDnidObcllDpaGp0ThxDhz78yPbiXoaslnql2uK2CCddnYydQBbfPgvadto8h_Nz4NTLSPYahHXFoY6Cs8O4Ol9a8w2Rw/s400/DSC04501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381370569784244994" border="0" /></a>and this guy was hanging out under the potting soil. His eyes are so big and completely black. I think he must have been blinded by the camera flash.<br /><br />I love these little creatures.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-69368618584219196112009-08-01T08:55:00.000-07:002009-08-01T09:00:24.722-07:00The weekend already...The week went so fast! I'm drinking coffee on Saturday wondering where the week went.<br />A couple meetings with coworkers, a couple tech demos for clients, a day trip to LA for a screening, up to SF for meetings... sometimes the week drags by, but not this past week. Good stuff.<br /><br />Now - relaxing. :PspaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-28639031908772752762009-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:002009-07-12T00:19:57.656-07:00gold LEGO minifig score!Went to the LEGO store today.<br />Spent too much $$ and got this as a prize:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/852688-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 556px; height: 376px;" src="http://www.1000steine.com/brickset/images/852688-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My only complaint is that the hands are peach colored. Why couldn't they have made them gold? It's a simple paint over job - if you bend the legs at all the peach plastic is revealed. Still - I appreciate the novelty of it and that it was free. Thanks LEGO!spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-57733477044143813412009-05-17T10:52:00.000-07:002009-05-17T10:57:22.953-07:00hot hot hotGot in the car yesterday and it told us it was 111 degrees. SHEESH.<br />No wonder people hang out at the mall so much! The LEGO store has nothing to taunt me with. I should have bought those air conditioners from Chris...<br />Global warming is alive and well here in the Bay Area. Oh and smog allergies as well.<br />*HACK*spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-21105152800993831422009-03-20T08:17:00.001-07:002009-03-20T08:53:53.918-07:00Stuff you're not supposed to know.How is it when you find out stuff that you're NOT supposed to know - it weighs so heavily on you?<br /><br />Stuff I'd rather just forget keeps rolling around in my head. It makes me feel pissed off sometimes, and uncaring other times.<br /><br />You know - when you find out some politician did something crazy... you get weirded out.<br /><br />But that's not what's on my mind... and I'm not telling so don't ask.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-64074937067550633612009-03-13T11:42:00.000-07:002009-03-13T11:44:55.730-07:00Friday the 13thToday is once again... MY DAY! I love Friday the 13th. I somehow feel lucky while so many others cower with superstition. Be afraid all ye worrisome people. Be very afraid. :)spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-44879585968975410832008-11-09T16:09:00.000-08:002008-11-09T16:17:39.921-08:00Uncle again!!! ...and... AGAIN!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13vo6_hihnoxYeYSxFxruBL3WzyZGfls7Uy5_yKwu-cgSUmxPkvdEJ4xvJpw7SjWytUQvLRTuE8EqOcDyElo1SJOgRuoGLEf2lCt-gpLtt-vO8Cep0YzCZnRf_YdMLIvAimUSEg/s1600-h/struve+twins.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13vo6_hihnoxYeYSxFxruBL3WzyZGfls7Uy5_yKwu-cgSUmxPkvdEJ4xvJpw7SjWytUQvLRTuE8EqOcDyElo1SJOgRuoGLEf2lCt-gpLtt-vO8Cep0YzCZnRf_YdMLIvAimUSEg/s400/struve+twins.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266816065507624050" border="0" /></a><br />Tuesday last week while everyone was out voting, Maria and Greg had their twins Harlow & Lyla. They sure are cute! Yet again I have the chance to build on the "crazy uncle" or "cool uncle" status. I'm sure it will eventually turn into "wacky uncle from freaks-ville". We shall see how things develop.spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-18312881834369891962008-11-01T13:04:00.000-07:002008-11-01T13:09:12.772-07:00Uncle time(s) 2!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFnIDlyhMJ91UfNmtaZpCjMw0h8kyI6nK7JJ7a1unYgaLauZ89gt9cTxUObh0cxFcu697LKbC9cDy1fWdD6myxfeOqEddzMZCqLD5nXgSOF7tUMmh_QP9PRBqm1u51U0mtpE2qw/s1600-h/Anna+footprint%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFnIDlyhMJ91UfNmtaZpCjMw0h8kyI6nK7JJ7a1unYgaLauZ89gt9cTxUObh0cxFcu697LKbC9cDy1fWdD6myxfeOqEddzMZCqLD5nXgSOF7tUMmh_QP9PRBqm1u51U0mtpE2qw/s400/Anna+footprint%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263783265873875698" border="0" /></a>Check her out: "Anna Elizabeth Sharlow" is getting printed - not for committing her first felony, but for being tracked along her life long journey as a human.<br /><br />I meant to post about this earlier, but I'm an uncle AGAIN.<br />My other sister Carrie had a baby in October.<br />Congrats Brad & Carrie!<br /><br />Now I get to be the "cool" uncle twice over! (Soon to be four times! More on that as the situation develops!)spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18303872.post-53226421734078183092008-09-19T08:51:00.000-07:002008-09-19T09:03:10.661-07:00Chip!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi03zSLC8kCuHLjU7nWbQq7D2dNlY90j4hMr68me6jCKHRDzwB87dpyN42e4d_fqKjsKL4tLRzeEEukdJI4nGTz-jJGpm-Kj86h4PwU4YpeGL-EwMvRrd_1GWQFkVlI9aUWYAmsw/s1600-h/DSC03462.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi03zSLC8kCuHLjU7nWbQq7D2dNlY90j4hMr68me6jCKHRDzwB87dpyN42e4d_fqKjsKL4tLRzeEEukdJI4nGTz-jJGpm-Kj86h4PwU4YpeGL-EwMvRrd_1GWQFkVlI9aUWYAmsw/s400/DSC03462.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247762518984922578" border="0" /></a>"Chip" could be short for:<br />Chipper<br />Chipotle<br />Chippy<br />Chocolate Chip<br /><br />We're not sure, but Chip is the newest Harlow family member. He's pretty cute and a ball of crazy. Yesterday I found him IN the fireplace behind the screen. He was covered in soot so we bathed him with a warm wet washcloth. He laid there and purred. I think he felt like his Momma was cleaning him. He's 6 months old.<br /><br />Michael Thomas is on good terms with him, but Maddi has yet to let him get close without growling. She's very territorial it seems.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysuKm27_6DRtxjFJQkDK2r4wcN0xYaar8WYlS70Orw7rf5STzWZ13a25ypFWMlHubjJ6aC9NRNZuID-UjBne9mqZS0dK_pdVXhJ8Ilv_xZUV5tWIGZbJS89q2T6IVZlW1gBiYWg/s1600-h/DSC03437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysuKm27_6DRtxjFJQkDK2r4wcN0xYaar8WYlS70Orw7rf5STzWZ13a25ypFWMlHubjJ6aC9NRNZuID-UjBne9mqZS0dK_pdVXhJ8Ilv_xZUV5tWIGZbJS89q2T6IVZlW1gBiYWg/s400/DSC03437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247763247333162082" border="0" /></a>spaceJASEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452573686841704651noreply@blogger.com2