We're Off to Florida -- Happy New Year!

We're not going to Miami, but close enough... We're flying into Tampa and heading down to North Port to stay with Shane's parents.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

The New Ten Commandments

This list was found on the Atheistic Forum (http://www.atheist.net/) and inspired by the list in Richard Dawkin’s The God Delusion.

1. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

2. Treat the natural world with respect. -- a. Protect and preserve the environment. -- b. Treat living things with respect. -- c. Seek to create a better world.

3. Rejoice in your life. -- a. Live life with a sense of joy and wonder. -- b. Appreciate what you have. -- c. Look after your emotional, physical, social and intellectual health.

4. Seek knowledge and understanding. -- a. Always seek to be growing in your knowledge and understanding. -- b. Always check your understanding, ideas and beliefs against the best available facts or information, and be ready to discard any belief if it does not conform to this best available information.

5. Seek moderation in all thoughts and actions. -- a. Understand your cravings and do not be a slave to them.

6. Have integrity in all your words, actions and thought. -- a. Keep your agreements and promises. -- b. Take responsibility for your action.

7. Protect and care for the weak and vulnerable.

8. Recognize harm and act to prevent, stop or minimize it.

9. Respect the right of others to act and think differently; seek to understand the reasons for their thoughts and behaviors. Honor their contribution to the richness of your world.

10. Strive to make the world a better place --a. Leave a contribution for future generations -- b. Seek to further the knowledge, understanding and wisdom of others -- c. Nurture and support the ethical, intellectual and emotional growth of your family

Brandywine River Museum

Today, I took my Mom to the Brandywine River Museum. If you are a NC, Andrew or Jamie Wyeth fan, this is the place to go. They also have various Christmas displays this time of the year. They have a large model train set and various trees with ornaments made from all-natural things from the woods. For more info, go to http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/.

Wolf Moon by Andrew Wyeth

This is a print I have in my kitchen. I saw the real thing today at
the Brandywine River Museum.

Stop by Andrew Wyeth

The Brandywine River Museum has a large room dedicated to the art of
Andrew Wyeth. This is a new painting, called Stop, that was on display dated 2008. While I
was there, Wyeth's granddaughter stopped by and discussed about eight
of his paintings. Very cool.

UPDATE: 6/2/09

I came across this photo of Victoria Wyeth who conducts tours at the Brandywine River Museum six times a week, according to the USA Today article.

Ornament Display

At the Brandywine River Museum, they had a display of Christmas trees
with ornaments made from seeds, twigs, dried plants and such. This
deer (fox?) is just one example.

Where History Will Happen

They have already constructed the platform for the inauguration. It
is the center lower area. I doubt I'll be able to get this close on
January 20.

Christmas Portrait

Shane's mom got us a flexible tripod for the camera that attaches to almost anything.  We attached it to the door knob of our kitchen door to take this self-portrait after exchanging gifts.  

Mark and Shane Exchange Presents Part 1

Shane and I waited until the day after Christmas to exchange gifts.  We wanted to do it at home and just between us.  He gave me this iPhone clock radio, which I requested.  I love it!

Mark and Shane Exchange Presents Part 2

Shane seems pleased with his Bose headphones.

Mark and Shane Exchange Presents Part 3

This one is of me being silly opening the stuff in my stocking... I got various candies (Hot Tamales, chocolate, and Reese's Cups), shaving cream, nuts, etc. Shane got his favorite candy, Toblerone, razors, Airborne, a kitchen and bath design magazine and other various stuff.

Christmas Day Photo Montage

Here's a short photo montage of pictures we took on Christmas Day 2008. In addition to Shane and myself, there is my mom, sister and triplet nieces (and Jack the black dog and Lady the tan dog).

Elves with Bad Posture

Kelly, Megan and Nicole wear their elf hats for the last time. That
is $3 I'll never see again.

Merry Freakin' Christmas!

My niece Megan enjoys her celebration of Jesus's birth.

Merry Christmas!

Someday, I'd Like to be a Dentist!

Subway Ad for Atheism

This ad campaign is on buses and other mass transit around DC. I saw
this one in my Metro car.

Doing the Charleston Elf-Style

This is my mom and my cousin Mike along with myself cutting an elfin rug.

Cookie Day

M&M, Oatmeal and Peanutbutter with Hershey Kisses... Mmmmm

"It's Christmas So We'll Stop" -- Frightened Rabbits

I just discovered this band -- the Frightened Rabbits -- and I love this song. There are some good lyrics -- "We can be best friends with the people we hate." I also love the background choir. There's not much video here... just music. "You're a good girl and I'm a good boy."

The full lyrics are below:

It's Christmas so we'll stop
It's on with the lights to warm the dark
It can cloak elsewhere
As the rot stops for today
Let the rot stop just for one day
Only good red eyes, red suits, and faces will radiate
And the cold will hide its face
Now the cold is turned away
We can be best friends with the people we hate
'Cause we've all got blood
And it's warmer than you think
Yeah it is warm and it is thick
We all breathe out clouds
We're built to give at least once each year
Now that's better than never I guess
And life might never get better than this
With the perfect excuse for out natures to change
And wear shiny clothes
Oh it's Christmas so press pause and we'll go

Oh it's Christmas so we'll stop
'Cause the wine on our breath puts the love in our tongues
So forget the names
I called you on Christmas Eve
In fact forget the entire year
Don't reflect just pretend and you won't feel scared
You won't feel a thing
'Cause it's all been tucked away
And once you're tucked in bed
You'll hold on to the day for the last few seconds
Your gray dull face is protected from the wind
And I'll protect you I promise I will
And the rest of our lives will be just like Christmas
With fewer toys
You're a good girl I'm a good boy
So I thought

Oh it's Christmas so we stopped
Were it not for the tick of the clock
And the spinning of the Earth in space
We could always be this way
And as we sleep at the fall of the day
In the room next door the tree lights brighten the rodents' eyes
And catches a glimpse of the dust beginning to rise

The next day life went back to its past self
The next day life went back to its past self
The next day life went back to its past self
The next day life went back to its past self

Heads Roll Off

It's the Frightened Rabbits video of Heads Roll Off. I love the little kids dancing in this video. No. I'm not a perv; I just think it's a cute video.

It's Alive!

My iPhone died last night. I pressed all the buttons and called it from another phone, but nothing would make it stir. It just stopped. It had plenty of battery left -- I had just charged it. I came home and thought if I synched it, it might start again. It synched, but did not come on. I saw all the data was still on it, but it was DOA. I searched on the Interwebs to see if anyone else had the same problem. They did. I saw directions to hold both the top and lower button in together for about 5 seconds and it would reboot. Five seconds passed and nothing... then suddenly... a Christmas miracle! A small apple appeared on the black screen and after a few minutes, it came back to life. Don't scare me like that iPhone!

Holiday Wreath

We bought this at Eastern Market. I added the bow though -- I'm very
crafty.

Our House

This is our house on Capitol Hill. We had it painted a few months ago. It used to be a horrible shade of yellow, but we like the gray much better.

Our Christmas Tree

Cactus I mean.

Old Friend

I ran into an old friend in Old Town Alexandria. He told me be just
got a new job that starts soon.

Scottish Parade in Old Town Alexandria

We happened upon this parade while shopping today. We wondered why
all the roads were closed.

Union Station Christmas Tree

This tree was donated by Norway. You would think they could afford to
buy one. They were selling all sorts of Norwegian stuff around it,
including the canned seafood below.

Fishballs for Everyone!

Starchy Dinner

I got a roasted chicken at the grocery store and made some Stove-top
stuffing and nuked some mashed potatoes and corn. Too starchy? I
need to go on a diet.