Save Us, Godzilla!!...
The Godzilla Dryer (WMV)

The Godzilla Dryer (QuickTime)

Here is an example of how my little brain works....

For some time now, I've noticed that whenever I pull the lint tray out of my dryer, the sound of the wire mesh against the metal of the dryer makes a sound that reminds me exactly of the sound that Godzilla makes, when he growls...

I finally had a chance to prove my theory yesterday, when a Godzilla movie was showing on the Sci-Fi channel. I took video of me taking out the lint tray from my dryer, and video of Godzilla doing his yelp. It's uncanny how alike they sound!

Throw in some clips from the movie, add a snippet of the song "Animal", by Def Leppard, and you have this blog!

I'm looking forward to the comments on this one... :-)

Fall Vacation: Day 5 (White Mtns -- New Hampshire)...

White Mountains (NH), Fall Foliage - WMV
Avalanche Falls, NH - WMV

The all-day rain that was threatened yesterday did materialize, but was mostly just a light mist. The big rain storm blew threw overnite, before we got to The White Mountains.

We missed the 'peak' colors there, probably only by about a week -- most of the leaves had fallen already, and the big rain the night before didn't help things. But these areas are higher in elevation than the areas in Vermont, Connecticut, & Massachusetts, which we will be going thru on Friday & Saturday. So, I'm hoping that we will catch these lower elevation areas at their peak of color. Plus, the weather is supposed to be mostly sunny the next two days, so I'm optimistic about some really great pics to take & share w you all.

But, despite missing the peak colors in the areas we went today, and despite drizzly weather, some decent pics were still taken. I also too a few videos, including ones of fall foliage & of Avalanche Falls, both in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. (Click on the WMV links at the beginning of this blog to view the videos). And, of course, the scenery was beautiful.

Enjoy these pics from today. Keep your fingers crossed for some excellent fall foliage pics for Friday, and especially Saturday!

Click the pics to enlarge. More on Friday.

Fall Vacation: Day 4 (Salem & Maine)...

Head Light Lighthouse - Portland, ME - WMV


Today was another good day, even tho it was pretty windy along the coast, and overcast.

The first new place we visited was Salem, Massachusetts. Of course, being close to Halloween, and in Salem, we went to the Salem Witch Museum. Was a good presentation there, but I noticed it was very politically correct. The two most noticeable things about Salem (besides all of the Witch themes & shops), were that alot of the people there wore black, in whole or in part. And there were at least 3 schools doing field trips there. Goth is a fairly popular look. The natives were all very nice, and helpful people.

Next, we headed up the coast, to Portland, Maine. When we got there on the coast, it very windy, and HELLA cold! But, it hadn't started raining yet. Took quite a few pics of a couple really kewl lighthouses that were there, as seen on this blog; as well as various coastline pics. Also, I took several videos of the Head Light Lighthouse. To view one of them, click on the "Head Light Lighthouse - Portland, ME - WMV" link, above. You can see & hear from the video how blustery n cold it was -- but it was well worth the it!

All in all, it was another good day. Had some exceptional food.

Tomorrow -- Thursday -- is definitely going to be a rainy day for all, or most of it. Hopefully it won't spoil our fall foliage watching. Come cloud or rain, pics will be taken!!

Looking ahead, Friday and Saturday have some really good things planned, including some really good foliage viewing opportunities -- and the weather is supposed to be clearing up. So, tomorrow isn't 'do or die' as far as chances to catch the fall colors. But, I'll take what nature gives me, and of course, share some of them w you.

Until tomorrow -- you know the routine. Click the pics to enlarge. Enjoy!

Fall Vacation: Day 3 (Boston)...

Boston: Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market - WMV

Today was entirely devoted to historical sights around Boston -- and there are plenty. We saw all of the 'big' things: Old North Church, Boston Commons, historic graves & buildings. I haven't been to alot of really large cities -- but of the ones I have been to, Boston is the best 'smelling' city. Well, at least the parts that I saw today. I took a video of the outdoor foodmarket at Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, which was filled with especially tastey aromas. We had a delicious lunch there. (Click on the "Boston: Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market - WMV" link, above, to play the video). All in all, alot of walking -- even took a subway! But was another good day. On Wednesday, we go further up the coast, to Maine. A bit of a disappointment today, tho -- we got a call that the Whale Watching Cruise that we had booked for Wednesday, had to be cancelled, due to expected strong seas. So, I can't tell you exactly what to expect for Wednesday's posting -- you'll just have to check back to be surprised.

For today's posting, I could share the typical, expected 'historical' pics -- Statues of Paul Revere, famous buildings, etc... But, I figure you have likely already seen them in books, or on TV. So, instead, I'm gonna post some more 'unique' views of my day in Boston.

As always, click the pics to enlarge. Enjoy!

More tomorrow nite...

Fall Vacation: Day 2...

Newport, RI Shoreline - WMV

Was a very good, first full day of being a tourist.

We started by touring a very ornate and beautiful mansion in Newport, RI - 'The Breakers'. Very breath-taking: 22 Carat gold leaf ceilings, French Chandeliers, Marble bathtubs, Italian decorative tile... unfortunately, I can't share any of that w you, because pictures were not allowed inside. I'll post a few pics of the outside, and you can let your imagination run wild as to the inside. But trust me -- whatever you imagine for beautiful, extravagant, & powerful, you'll need to multiply by ten to get close to what was there. It was very much like those European chateaus for Kings and Princes. Our tour guide was excellent - I wish I could've snapped a pic of him.

Next, we moved along the coast a ways, where I took a short video of the Newport shoreline. (Click on the "Newport, RI Shoreline - WMV" link, above, to play the video). It was a warm day (mid 70's F*), but windy along the beach. Alot of people were out enjoying the very nice, indian summer day: walking along the beach, jogging, driving around in sports car convertibles, or out sailing.

I took a several pics there, but I'll give you a taste of some of them. There were some really great views.

Then we toured an American fort, dating back to around the Revolutionary War. Again, an excellent tour guide. Was an interesting tour, including pitch black, underground passages.
Next, we finished the day by checking out a replica of the Mayflower. It was interesting - had a couple actors there, in Pilgrim costume, playing parts as if the actual voyagers.

All in all, was a really good day of seeing lots of unique things, that I'd never see anywhere else. Tuesday will be a complete day in Boston. I'll share pics of that with you in tomorrow's blog.

I took several pics today, and a few short videos. I wish I could post all of them here. But I hope that you will enjoy these pics that I have posted. As always, click to enlarge.

Happy Birthday, America...

July 4, 2006 Fireworks WMV

Well, we've reached yet another July 4th -- America's Independance Day! The wisdom of the Founding Fathers, as put forth so brilliantly by Thomas Jefferson in The Declaration Of Independance, continues to be a beacon for all who love freedom. Despite her shortcomings and failings, America continues to be what Abraham Lincoln described her as: the last, best hope of mankind.

230 yrs isnt a very long time to be a nation, as far as nations go. But here's to ya, America -- may you never lose faith in those values that gave you birth. And a special thanks to everyone past & present, who has served or is serving in our country's military. Be safe. Be strong. And be proud. We're proud of you.

Click on the "July 4, 2006 Fireworks WMV" link, above, for a short video I took of tonite's fireworks. This Windows Media video should load very quickly, and play in it's own pop-up window. And, as always, click on the pics to enlarge.