Grand Cayman

One of the benefits of working at a university is spring break. Last week during my "spring break" I had the pleasure of spending a few days with my friend Cas in the Caymans. The island is beautiful, the people were friendly, the beach was relaxing and the dining excellent. We stayed at a Courtyard Marriott, which was not as fancy as some other hotels, but had a great pool, friendly staff and comfy beds.

This was the view to the beach from our hotel room.

As you can see from this picture, it's breezy in the Caymans.

All the trees were at an angle!

This was one of the many iguanas living in the palm trees at our hotel. Cas was a master at spotting them in the trees and starting naming them like pets. Fortunately none of them climbed on me while I was sitting by the pool.

Here are a few artistic shots...

Solomons Island, MD

Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast, Solomons Island

Recently Tim and I spent the weekend at the Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast in Solomons Island, MD. Solomons is a quaint little town on Maryland's Western Shore. This was the view from our room--sweet! We highly recommend the Blue Heron. The innkeeper, Amanda, upgraded us to a suite because we were the only people staying on Friday night. Breakfast was yummy and the great room was an excellent place to watch some basketball Saturday afternoon. We had fantastic dinners Friday and Saturday night at a place called CD Cafe.

This was the sunrise on Sunday morning as seen

from our room. I could get used to this!!

Artistic shot...

Rest in Peace

My last grandparent (a.k.a Nono) passed quietly into the heavens after a somewhat brief, but typically fiesty, struggle against the hands of time. We're headed to Massachusetts to pay our respects and visit with family.

Baby, it's cold outside!

This much snow (note the grass in the picture!) closed schools, turned my 40 minute commute into a 75 minute commute, and has left the office a virtual ghost town. Streets in DC are a mess. People are dressed like we live in an Arctic wonderland and the those who braved this horror and made it to the office (myself included!) are boasting of their hardiness and adventurous treks through the snow and ice.
Good times, good times!

Especially the Goats

"Tell Tad the goats and father are very well -- especially the goats."

Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday, he would be 198 today. The above quote was one of his personal telegrams to his wife who was in New York. Tad (his son) had asked about the White House goats, but not about his father. The Washington Post has a nice piece on the great president and the invention of the telegram, the 19th century version of email.

Ouch!

Last week I went to the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning. They found a problem with one of my 20 year old fillings and a crack in the tooth, so I had to have "emergency procedures" done. Not what I was expecting and not a good way to spend the afternoon.

Now that the emergency was fixed, I had to go back a week later to get the prep work for a crown to cover the ugly emergency fixed tooth. My appointment is for 1:00 in the afternoon, so I figure I'll go to work for a few hours, go to the torture chamber then take the afternoon off to rest my weary head. But I have to go back to the city anyway because I'm meeting a friend for the Caps game at the Verizon Center.

On Tuesday this week, I noticed a puddle of water in the basement directly under the kitchen sink. Yikes! We haven't spilled anything lately, nor run the dishwasher, so what's the problem? I can't find anything except a tiny drip right at the joint of the pipe. hmmm. I call the plumber and arrange for a guy to come out on Thursday morning. Now I won't go in the morning, go to the dentist at 1:00 and then go to work for a few hours before the hockey game. That plan will work for me.

The plumber will be at my home "between 7:00 am and noon" they tell me. He does come out, at 11:00 and plumbs for an hour or so, replacing the leaky shut off valve (not the pipe!) and I hustle to make it to the dentist at 12:57 for my 1:00 appointment. At 1:30, after I've asked twice about my 1:00 appointment ("the dentist is running a bit late") they take me in and sit me in the chair. Tools of torture on display on the tray.

1:45 and "the dentist" comes in. She immediately numbs the right side of my face. Wha? I thought this was going to be quick and painless? Not so, they need to clean up the tooth area and prep it for the crown. OK. wheeeeeee goes the drill and ZING goes my tooth.

NOT................ENOUGH...............F'ING.........................NOVACAINE!!!!!

"Oh, did you feel that?" the she-devil said.

"Why, yes, did the violent jerking of my head and grabbing at your wrist give you any indication I was a bit uncomfortable?"

We had that conversation two more times, and several "low dose" shots of novacaine before I submitted.

Not how I planned on spending my afternoon. After an hour and 15 minutes, they say I can go. I think this may have been the first time that I've ever sweated at the dentist.

Oh, and I have to go back in two weeks to make sure the crown fits.

My Visual DNA

This is a quick fun time waster. It shows you pictures, you pick the one that best sums up your feelings or answer to a question, and the almighty internets determines your personality type. It has a gift finder, too, so you can ask someone to do the test and it will send you a list of items he or she may want. Good when you are a little lame on the hint-taking department like some of us.

I took the Valentine Gift Finder test, and this is my personality in a visual nutshell. Take note, all those who may be buying me gifts in the near future!

Here's what your choices might mean about you, Tim:

Starting with your style, you lead the way - trendy with a touch of chic thrown in. You have expensive taste, for you it's all about luxe finishes and statement designs.

You get your kicks from living life at top speed - you've got heaps of energy and confidence that takes you in any direction. Your confidence is what others find sooo attractive!

You are an old fashioned romantic, who loves candlelit walks and romantic dinners. You like it when your date pulls out all the stops - your favorite restaurant, chocolates... the whole package!

Dipping your toes into culture hotspots is your thing. Galleries, monuments and coffee houses are your idea of a good time.

Never one for the high life, you like to enjoy life at a steady pace - taking time to enjoy all the ups and downs.

So... you can be ultra competitive, you like to play games and most importantly... you love to win!

When extra time appears you spend it flexing and getting in shape. Health and fitness is at the top of your list.

To impress, your date should come up with a kooky idea that will light up your mind... You're game, and willing to try most things... once.

Old Time Hockey

I played some old school hockey last night - out on the open ice, under the stars, in the frozen night. The Green Hornets were invited to play the Chevy Chase Club at their private rink. It was a blast, but my water bottle froze before the third period. Not to worry, though, it was too cold to sweat so I didn't need a lot of hydration during the game. They even have a live webcam of the rink! And then after the game, the home team opened the club pub for a night cap! Good times, good times. I love my hockey life.