New Year, New Project

Got the urge to do some stuff today, so I worked on the fence for a couple hours. Then I came inside and decided to tackle a small project I had been mulling over for a few months. A digital antenna! Those two words together may invoke images of complicated, expensive and fragile arrays bought from the local big box provider to plug into only the newest plasma LED TV. But actually it was relatively simple and cost me nothing, and looks like something you might hang your trucker hat collection on. I followed directions from here and here, although all of the plans I found were basically the same. I had all of the parts, so it took only some tinkering and time. Plugged it into the TV upstairs and BAMMMM we got digital TV. I had some old antenna (rabbit ear style) hooked up and it was torture to try and watch the glitchy psuedo-static it brought in. This digital antenna is definitely doing the job. Of course, most of what it pulls in is crappy network TV, but we do get UNC-EX which is a great channel with lots of travel shows and cooking programs. Anyway, here's a picture so I don't have to come up with a thousand more words:

Happee Holidaze

It started snowing Christmas morning, and didn't really let up until sometime in the night of the 26th. I'd say that we got about 12 inches here at my house, although the difference between 8 and 12 inches is really just braggin' rights. Regardless of numbers, we got a lot of snow! It was a great time to huddle down in the the ole hibernacula, initiating forced hyperphagia in between periods of dormancy. In other words, snuggle time! Unfortunately, the beastly heaters (dogs) need to go outside a couple times a day. But that made the warm den of the living room even more inviting after the frosty outings.
I really had a superb Christmas this year, and am thankful for all that I have been given. Blessed be me, and don't I know it! Love life - Thaddeus

lotsa pix

What a beautiful day! I woke up in a great mood, ready for anything. On the way to work I marveled at the amazing cloud structures in the sky, and snapped a few pictures to try and capture the fleeting beauty.
At lunch break, after shoveling food in my tender mouth as fast as I could, I hopped over to the Civic Center and bought a ticket to Bass Center 2 . Stoked! Then after work Jessie and I took a little walk to enjoy the sunset. We ended up at the City Market and ate at Pho Fusion, which was phenomenal. So satisfying! Now I'm having a chocolate milkshake and blogging about how awesome my day was...

Brrrrr

It's cold here, 18 degrees and windy. And it's not even winter yet... Oh well, whatchoo gundoo. Last week I got around to shelling some pinkeye purple beans I grew this summer. I didn't grow many plants, maybe equivalent to a 10 foot row, but they were a real treat. I had a few servings of young tender beans, steamed, and they were delicious. The rest I let mature and dry on the stalk to harvest, maybe to make a soup or something. Long story shortened, I grew maybe 15 cents worth of beans. :( Definitely one of those foods that's easier by far to buy from the store rather than spend the time watering and harvesting. But when I do cook them up my tummy will be filled to the brim with sweat equity and personal gratification! Next year I shall stick with the okra and tomatilloes, both of which were worth the effort. So a picture shall end this post -

Nocturnal Imaginings

Don't just sing the chorus, breathe the chorus.

This phrase came to me in a dream last night, it was being sung by a trio, one of them being James Brown, and it really struck me. I've been having some really vivid dreams lately, and have been remembering them more than usual. This one was mostly pleasant and lots of older musical legends were in it (Dolly Parton, Etta James, etc.). Dreams are so intriguing...

Ever Thankful

Just a quick post here to shout out to the universe for giving me what I got. I've had a really rough week, but I'm still kicking. Life goes on in it's infinite awesomeness, and I'm glad I get to experience it. Vague, I know, but I'm trying to look at the big picture right now.
I walked downtown today and picked up this leaf, then came home and scanned it, now I'm uploading it to the internet. Love life y'all. Peace - Thaddius

Creepy Cute

I grew out my facial hair for Halloween (I was Pan, and what's Pan without a goatee?), but I've really been feeling the clean shaven look lately and was itching to get it off. However, I decided to try the moustache-only look, just for kicks. It was awkward, but I did feel very, very cool. It only lasted a day before it went down the drain, but of course I had to digitally capture the awesomeness...