30 April 2012

April 30 - "Something That Makes You Sad"




That's right, it makes me kind of sad that today, being April 30th, is the end of the "Photo A Day Challenge". (Please forgive the shameless plug for Kaiser's Storage in this picture. It does just happen to be the closest paper calendar to me this morning!)

Anywho, thanks to the wonders of the interwebs - my sadness doesn't have to last long. Because a simple Google search lead me to.....




Woohoo! Long live Photo-a-Day-May!!!!!!

Seriously, this thing has been good because whether it's legit or whether it's something trivial and mindless - it has forced me to at least type a few words each day. And I think that has some value. Hope you think so too. :)

29 April 2012

April 29 - "Circle"


This creatively colored picture hanging on our refrigerator signifies that I am part of the circle of friends of a little girl who apparently is very selective with the boys she chooses to warm up to. While my reputation requires me to remain outwardly ambivalent about this accomplishment, it secretly puts a smile on my face. Don't tell anyone. I'd hate to ruin my street cred.

28 April 2012

April 28 - "1pm"


This is what 1pm looks like on the (somewhat cheap feeling, yet still personally meaningful) watch that I recently got, signifying that I've been working for the same health system for the past 10 years. In an era of vocational portability, I'm proud to have staked my claim in one place for my entire career as a paramedic. Lots of cuts to insurance reimbursements and state funding have resulted in layoffs and cutbacks recently, but hopefully they continue to fall in departments other than ours so I can be celebrating another such nominal prize 10 years from now.

27 April 2012

April 27 - "Somewhere You Went"


Tonight we went to Burlap and Bean to see Ryanhood play a cozy little show - which normally would've been good enough, because I love B&B and I love Ryanhood. But this night was even better than it might have been. You see, several months ago they had a little deal where they asked people who they should have come play a show at the shop. So I suggested this wonderful band from Arizona whom I'd recently discovered on Noise Trade.

Sometime in December I learned that the booking manager, Tara, had managed to get Ryanhood to come play. Score! On March 1st, as soon as tickets went on sale, I bought them and reserved the best table in the house. I made a Facebook event and invited all my friends to come out and enjoy this awesome band who largely none of them had ever heard of. A handful of them said they'd come, which made me happy - even though I was hoping to sell the show out.

Then, a couple weeks ago, Christi (my campus pastor who also happens to be a co-owner of Burlap & Bean) asked me if I was getting something special for having been the one who suggested Ryanhood come to town. This was the first I'd heard of perks and benefits, beyond having one of my favorite bands come to one of my favorite venues anyway. She said she'd look into it at their next staff meeting and let me know.

The week before the show, I got an email from Tara saying that my tickets & table for the show were going to be free. Neat. Oh, and I could get to the show an hour early and meet the band and listen to them do their sound check, if I wanted to. WHAT? Um... yes, please.

So we got to B&B tonight at around 6:30pm and there were the guys sitting in the leather arm chairs in the shop, talking to Kyle - the sound guy. "Are you Tim?" Ryan (RYAN green / cameron HOOD) asked  me as I walked over. (I tried my best not to totally geek out.) "Yes. Yes I am. Good to meet you." I made some (probably awkward) small talk and then they went up onto the stage to do sound check. By this point, I was still excited, but past the initial geekdom. Melissa and I sat down on the couch to listen to sound check while enjoying some hot beverages. (Which were on the house. Another perk of my "prize". Free coffee all night long!)

After sound check, Ryan & Cameron came and sat back down and we hung out there for the next 15 minutes or so, just talking. Cameron though I looked familiar, but I assured him this was the first show I'd ever been to. I told them how I'd stolen gotten their album "The World Awaits" from http://www.noisetrade.com/ a year or so ago and quickly become a fan, going on to contribute to their Kickstarter campaign to finance their newest record, After Night Came Sun. (Side note: Their goal was $3,000 - which was pledged within the first couple hours. By the time the week was over, the total was up over $10,000. 340% of the original goal. Is that a testament to fan support or what?) I felt as though it was good conversation, not just me being a creepy stalker fan. (Which was probably for the best. Even though staring blankly and giggling would've been a fun alternative.)

Anyway, it's getting a little late for me to make a long story short, but the crowd of 30 or so that slowly arrived was probably 75% made up of people whom I'd invited. So I spent my evening with some of my favorite people, drinking beers and listening to some incredible music - including all 4 songs that I'd requested on the Ryanhood FB page earlier in the week!

Though I've been to much more "epic" shows (Dispatch at Red Bull Arena - woah!), as well as shows for more well known bands (does Petra count? Okay, so I don't really listen to many well known bands), I think I can honestly say this was the best all around concert experience of my lifetime. Thanks to the wonderful crew of people who own or work for B&B, the fantastic friends who came out to support a band that I love (and that they now love!), and a couple of super talented and genuinely nice guys from Arizona who flew 3/4 of the way across the country for a show at a little coffee shop in the suburbs of Philadelphia!

26 April 2012

April 26 - "Black & White"


This is our railing in front of our house. Since we've moved in (over 2 years ago) it's been painted white. And I've hated it. Because wrought iron railings are just barely tolerable to me when they're black, but plain hideous when they're white. This past Monday my lovely wife finally took matters into her own hands and put the first coat of black paint on it. It'll need a second coat, but hasn't gotten one yet. So for now, it's black and white. (If you look close enough.)

25 April 2012

April 25 - "Looking Down"



Looking down these days I see bright green. That's some hockey tape holding my second toe to my great toe in classic "buddy taping" fashion. Last Wednesday I tried to run up the stairs too quickly and instead kicked the rise of the stairs with my bare foot, thus fracturing the big toe. It hurt a lot. And still hurts a little. But he's doing much better with a little help from his friends. 

24 April 2012

April 24 - "Something You're Grateful For"


Okay, so I could get all philosophical or sweet here but instead I'm gonna keep it real. I am thankful for toilet paper. Having been on backpacking trips before where we tried to "leave no trace" and use pines needles or other such natural alternatives - trust me, TP is king.

23 April 2012

April 23 - "Vegetable"


Sadly Awesomely, this accounted for my vegetable intake yesterday. And that wasn't until 8pm when I went over to watch the Kings / Canucks game with Mr. Randy King.

HEALTH!!

22 April 2012

April 22 - "The Last Thing You Bought"


After Wednesday night's embarassing 10-3 loss, I officially declared my old, black John LeClair jersey to be bad luck for the Flyers. (Also factoring into the decision - a loss in the Winter Classic and a loss in Newark when we went on a road trip to see the Flyers play the Devils. Both times I was also wearing said Jersey.) So I found a reasonably priced tshirt on eBay and placed my order. I think it was cheaper because they figured JVR wasn't going to play any more this season. But low and behold, the day after I ordered the shirt - he's back in the lineup.

The shirt did not arrive in time for Friday night's game. But there it was in my mailbox on Saturday morning. So I wore it today and.... bingo! Destiny! Flyers win. Pens go home. And while this is not proof that this shirt is good luck, I am at least hopeful that it's not bad luck. Only time will tell as the playoffs move into round 2.

21 April 2012

April 21 - "Bottle"


So I opened up the recycling bin a couple days ago and this was sitting in there. That's right - it's a bottle of Sam Adams wrapped in a KFC bag. And it was mine. This was (obviously) too awesome not to share for this photo of a month thing, so I broke form slightly and am publishing a photo that wasn't taken today. You're welcome.

20 April 2012

Apri 20 - "Something You Drew"


I tend to see pictures when I actually take time to sit and pray. Sometimes I write them down. Sometimes I draw them. This is from a couple weeks ago. It actually made sense to someone. Go figure.

19 April 2012

April 19 - "Orange"






For quite some time, as I walk the dog, I see these little orange signs on various front lawns in my 'hood. They say "Vivint". I never had a clue what they were for. To me, it sounds like a lawn care place. So while looking for something orange to take a picture of, I finally got down to looking up what the heck this company is. As it turns out, they provide the following services - home automation, solar energy and home security systems. I suppose all these houses around us might be on the cutting edge of technology... but no, I'm going to go ahead and say they've all just got the security system. I've got a Jessie. It's cheaper and also keeps me warm.

18 April 2012

April 18 - "Hair"


This is my hair. It's there. You just have to look really close. Like 1/16 of an inch close. Possibly 1/32.

17 April 2012

April 17 - "Something You Don't Like"


Okay, I know I usually don't get involved in sporting matters on the social media front. But after Sid the Kid  24 year old, grown ass man so eloquently stated on Sunday how he doesn't like anyone on the Flyers based on the fact that he doesn't like them (huh?), this just seemed like a no brainer. And while I don't share the enthusiasm of the classy Philly fan behind him in this picture - I still don't like him. Never have, probably never will. Sorry friends in Pittsburgh.

16 April 2012

April 16th - "Flower"


I don't know what kind of flowers these are, but apparently they smell good. I say this because Jessie stops to smell them everyone time we walk past this yard. Not like a typical dog "do I want to pee here?" sniff, mind you. She literally just stands there smelling them in several different spots for a minute and then keeps on walking. But she stops to smell the flowers. Life lessons from an effing dog.

15 April 2012

April 15th - "Sunset"


I couldn't get a good view of a sunset whilst at work because we had a call right when we got it. Lame, right? So this stock photo from my awesome PC will have to suffice. (Yes. This is cheating.)

14 April 2012

April 14 - "How You Feel Today"


Itchy. Blurry. Red. Puffy.

Yay tree pollen.

13 April 2012

April 13th - "Something you found"



I went to the wildlife refuge today in hopes of actually finding something. Nothing interesting presented itself, though. So please accept this somewhat lame substitute. I found that they are rebuilding a dock that Jessie and I used frequently up until Hurricane Irene washed it away last September. This is a good find, because this dock is a wonderful place to watch baby turtles sunning themselves on the rocks.

12 April 2012

April 12th - "Stairs"



I tend to walk the dog in the back alleys of our neighborhood and there are all manner of steps to nothing in particular. Not exactly on the level of the Winchester House, mind you, but still. I guess those unable to walk up a 4 foot fill still want to be able to enjoy an afternoon on their tiny lawn. Or something.

11 April 2012

April 11th - "where you ate breakfast"



Breakfast is pretty much the only meal of the day that I consistently eat at the table. Even if it is cluttered with mail, books and some new sweat socks.

10 April 2012

April 10th - "Cold"



They were handing out these free ice packs at the Devils/Flyers game we went to with the Kings back in March. It's a convenient little size, which is the only reason I will tolerate the Devils logo being anywhere in my house. Go Panthers.

09 April 2012

April 9th - "Younger You"



Younger me liked to underline stuff in his bible(s). Very neatly. But it became more about how it looked than what I was actually underlining. So older me just reads now and saves the underlining for more scholarly types.

08 April 2012

April 8th - "Inside Your Wallet"



I wonder how many people doing this picture thing posted pictures of their credit card numbers without even thinking about it. I didn't.

07 April 2012

April 7th - "Shadow"



If it weren't Easter weekend and somewhat busy around here, I probably would've found a more creative way to express this. But anyway, this is Jessie. She is my shadow as often as it is possible for her to be so. Sometimes I find it charming, like when we go walking for miles without a leash. Sometimes I find it annoying, like when I just got done working overnights and all I want to do is sleep but all she wants to do is go walking for miles.

06 April 2012

April 6 - "Lunch"



As evidenced by the open netbook in the background, I was unaware of today's topic beforehand. Otherwise I would've tried to make lunch something fancier than some southwest eggrolls from Lean Cuisine and a can of Sierra Mist Cranberry (aka: Holiday Hawk) leftover from 4 months ago. Oh well.

05 April 2012

April 5 - "Tiny"



This tiny bit of copper pipe probably would've cost a couple hundred dollars to have replaced. Luckily, we've continued to renew our home warranty for our first couple years of home ownership - so today it "only" cost our $75 deductible.

The man in me believes that I should have been able to effect such a simple repair on my own. But then I remember what my dad says every time I ask if I can change the oil in my car at his shop: "I'll change your oil, you can start the IV's." The Home Depot mindset today has everyone believing that they can do any repair they put their mind to. But if everyone does all their own home repairs, how are the skilled craftsmen and repairmen supposed to make a living? I suppose we could argue for hours on both sides. But as for me, I have leak free plumbing once again with relatively little pain in the pocket and now I still have the rest of the day ahead of me. God bless you, kind plumber.

04 April 2012

April 4 - "Someone Who Makes You Happy"



This is kind of cheating, because this photo has already been on Facebook for several weeks. But it's such a good one! It deserves more play.

03 April 2012

April 3rd - "Mail"



Upon first glance, this might seem pretty unremarkable. The fantastic part about this image, however, is that this pile of mail arrived at my home today and is addressed to various former residents of same. I wish there was some sort of moratorium on mail delivery after a certain period of time has passed since you've lived at a given address. Because we've lived here for 2 years and we're still getting mail for the couple that originally lived in this house but moved out some 10 years ago. Seriously.

02 April 2012

April 2nd - "Colour"



Today's colour is: green! I mean, it's spring, right? I love the infusion of green at this time of year - though as an allergy sufferer (particularly as a result of tree pollen) it's often a miserable time. Thankfully, there is Zyrtec. (PS: Bonus points if you can identify this greenery.)

01 April 2012

April 1st - "Your Reflection"



Initially I thought to go take my picture in a puddle from the weekend rain. Alas, the spring sun of the past two days has dried up all of the puddles in my immediate area. So, instead, I went with the time tested "reflection of a reflection" shot. This configuration of mirrors is what I use every Friday to cut my hair. Aren't you glad you know that?
I was just criticizing myself for not really posting anything fun and/or worthwhile on my blog for a while when I saw this on the wonderful blog of Ms. Emma Orbin:




Now this is something I can get behind (if only because my anglophile side loves the spelling of "colour") and can fill up my blog for the next several days to boot!

Hopefully I actually be good about doing it each day. Here's to creativity!