May Days

This has been the month of weddings.

First we threw a bridal shower for a coworker who was away from friends and family and unable to have a more "traditional" shower. Although it wasn't quite as feminine as usual and the number of games was more limited, it was still a lot of fun. And it was great to do something nice for someone else. It still amazes and impressed me the generosity of everyone towards Wendy and it just goes to show what a great group of people we work with.

Our second bridal shower was for family. Andy was away on business,although this was the more traditional variety so he wasn't invited anyway. But the girls and I trecked up to Conneticut and had a nice time. Everyone was a little unsure at first whether it was worth the drive, but I'm realizing that it's important to keep up with family. Can be difficult sometime, not always at the most convenient times, but important none-the-less. It had been a good couple of years since we had seen that side of the family, and longer for a few people, so it was good that we went. Great opportunity to catch up, spend some time together, and get excited for the big event in August.

Coming up this weekend, Wendy's actual wedding! Here's hoping for nice weather and great photos....

Random Driving Thoughts

This last weekend I drove up to my mom's for Easter. After having lived in NJ for 13 years I'm used to the drive, but it's still 5 hours in the car. With no one to talk to my thoughts tend to wander. Like a good driver (and consumer) I always tend to notice the billboards. This time I got to thinking though as more and more electronic ones seemed to be popping up. Is the electronic billboard really better? I mean, you can use a single, electronic billboard for multiple advertisements - thereby reducing the amount of unsightly & unnatural roadside decorations - but it also must require a large amount of electricity to run constantly. So which is better? More billboards that don't use electricity or fewer billboards that do? Then I thought - what if the "electric" billboards weren't really electric, but instead solar powered? Seems like a potential best of both worlds. Wonder if they exist yet?

Day at the Beach

I was fooled by the sunshine out my window into thinking that it was warmer than it was. Plus, the girls were off playing paintball and Andy was out bike riding. I was inside, cleaning and putzing around the house. Not fair. So, I grabbed my new camera and decided to head down to Sandy Hook and the beach.

I stopped first by the Twin Lighthouses in Highlands, thinking I'd get some shots there. A few, but nothing that really excited me. Do like this one of the canon.


Then I headed out onto Sandy Hook. Once I realized how cold it actually was - and how VERY windy it was - I was actually quite surprised by the number of people out. Most were surfers, but there were several people walking around or riding bikes. One bicyclist was even wearing ski goggles to help with the blowing sand. I got several decent pictures of the dunes and waves and a couple from down at the old Ft. Hancock, which is at the very tip of Sandy Hook. They still have marine biology classes here, but for the most part it seems pretty deserted. The rows of old military housing were just too freaky. Reminded me of something out of some creepy, scary mystery movie that would take place on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard or something. Course the gray clouds and cold probably didn't help. Great photos though.