New Year’s Blue Moon

It doesn’t look blue does it?

 

 

But – it was the second full moon in December, and that’s the definition of blue moon. 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We (Jim, Me, and Mom) celebrated by going to the beach to watch the moonrise on New Year’s Eve.

 

 

 

 

This seemed OH so fitting, since we ushered in this decade by sleeping at the beach and watching the sun rise on a new century … I had to dig a little to find these pictures:

 

These were taken at a friend’s house on the beach.  He had a New Year’s Eve party – then we stayed the night to see the sunrise.  Jim and I slept in our Van (shades of things to come?) Mom slept on a cot outside and was rudely awakened by the sprinklers on New Year’s morning! The upper left picture is of Mom willing the sun to rise with her drum, and that’s me and Jim feeling oh-so-happy to be together and looking forward to a great new century. 

 

Once in a BLUE moon.

My New Year’s resolution is the same as it always is … lose weight, get in shape … but, this time I started before the new year.  When I stepped on my Wii Fit on New Year’s morning I got a really nice reward – I met my goal!

 

So – now I can say that “Once in a Blue Moon I lose weight!”

Now I set another goal.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

I’m also working on a photo album for the whole decade.  I’ll probably put it on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/chrisguld) when I’m done.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

*May we all reach our goals … or at least have fun trying!*

More Wii Fit

I’m so proud of myself, I can hardly stand it!  I’ve actually done my Wii Fit workout for 7 days in a row.  That’s 7 days without missing even one!  Here’s proof:

 

That is a photo of the screen with the Wii Fit running.  That’s me (actually it’s called a ‘Mii’) at the right, and each footprint represents a day when I completed at least a half-hour of exercise.  There are literally hundreds of exercises to choose from.  With the Wii fit plus, you can put together a routine of the exercises you like best – a ‘playlist’ if you will – and do the same routine every morning. 

 

Here’s a little clip of recording the screen during a yoga exercise so you can get the idea.  You really do have your own personal trainer.  And, it knows if you’re doing the exercise because it senses your weight on the balance board.  In this particular exercise, you only have one foot on the balance board and you’re supposed to put 60% of your weight on it … it lets you know when you’ve got it by the moving bar on the screen and also with the high pitched beep (since you can’t see the screen when your head is down.)

 

 

Woo Hoo – I’ve already started on my New Year’s resolution!  I’ve even lost a couple pounds.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

may we all meet our goals!

A Thing of Beauty

In amongst all the doctor checkup visits, end of year bookkeeping, and general holiday hustle and bustle, I believe it is important to make time for peaceful contemplation amongst natural beauty.

 

 

I’ve been meaning to go with Mom to Morikami Gardens ever since we arrived in Fort Lauderdale a couple months ago.  This Sunday was the day.  I’ve been there many times in the past – and it didn’t disappoint.  We met up with our old friend, Gary and had a great day.

 

 

 

Japanese Rock Garden

 

 

 

 

 

Japanese gardens apparently are nature designed by people.  Every tree, flower and bush is manicured and trained to be pleasing to the eye.

 

 

 

How *do* they use the hedge trimmers at the top of this 12 foot hedge?

 

 

 

Even more pictures on our December Picasa Web Album.

Christmas Morning Sunrise

Our USA Dive club has a tradition among some members to meet on Christmas morning at the Beach in Boca Raton and watch the sun rise.  Whenever we’re here, we participate.  See Xmas 2008 and Xmas 2006.

The weather report was not good for this morning, but it worked out just fine.  A few clouds, a little sprinkling rain, but lots of beauty – and hugs all around.

Here’s Gary Sharp – a long time dive buddy of Mom’s, Mom, and Jim.

And, Robert Scherer – aka Santa Diver.

Do we hear that snowstorms are making it miserable in most of the country!?  We’re glad we’re here.

Not a Day for Kayak Diving!

You can tell it’s been a while since I’ve taken any pictures!  I snapped 112 photos this morning :-)

A great start to our Christmas Day!

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How Geeks Relax

We had nothing planned for yesterday (Sunday) so we did the things that are always *top* on our todo list.  Spend time with family, and treat ourselves to R&R.

 

We both did ‘Sunday services’ with our respective parents.  For me and mom that meant attending a Buddhist meditation session in the morning.  For Jim it meant visiting his Dad in the afternoon and watching the Dolphins football game.  The real value being simply the time spent together. 

 

For R&R – what do you think?  yep!  We’re at our computers (it’s too cold for scuba diving this weekend).  Jim has gotten completely hooked on Flight Simulator X.  He’s always enjoyed Flight Simulator – ever since the days of text only computers.  But, this latest incarnation is completely engrossing.  I hear the voices giving him tutorials on how to fly, and ‘missions’ to accomplish, there’s even a full story line with weather and other flyers along the way.  He’s flying prop planes, jets, and even helicopters. 

 

For me, I grab my old laptop and take it back to the bed rather than sitting at my computer desk where my new computer is all connected to external devices.  Part of R&R for me means sitting somewhere other than my desk and there aren’t many choices in a 30 foot RV.  Besides, my old laptop (Toshiba) has better sound than my new one (Sony) so it’s better for watching video – which is what I want to do.  I watch a little 30 Rock on Hulu, then find a video on cool features of gmail (it convinces me to start using gmail as my primary mail program) and finally settle in to watch some TED videos.  Always informative and inspiring.  If you just want to try one – here’s ‘Protect our Oceans’ by Sylvia Earle.  Or, for something you probably have not heard … The economics of Terrorism.

 

We took a break for dinner – Jim cut up a whole chicken and cooked it on the grill.  He also made a great green salad, and we had leftover Bourbon Sweet potatoes that I made for a Christmas party on Saturday night.  Yum!  Good dinner.  Then we each went back to our respective computers. 

 

Here’s a couple photos from the party on Saturday night.  It was at my Mom’s community.  What a beautiful setting around the pool.