Site updates are in progress! I’m reworking the layout of the site, so please bear with me as I make changes over the course of the next 1-2, or 2-3 weeks. I’ll try to not keep things broken or wierd looking for too long.

UPDATE: 2/3/09 – Ok, so this is slow going, and I’ve been caught up doing other things. I’ll work on the site, time permitting.  🙂

UPDATE: 2/22/09 – Things are coming along well–site re-work is nearing completion. A few more cosmetic issues to address, and I’ll be done. yea!

I’m setting up a twitter account…is this fun?

Update: ok..it’s done…find me on twitter as snerbel!

…for Christmas?

For the fist time in my 20+ years of amateur photography camera ownership, I have equipment that doesn’t attach to the camera: two flourescent photo lights with stands, diffusers, a backdrop stand (that was my birthday gift), gels, and an AC master slave flash. Cool!

There there’s the PS3 game Rachet and Clank (yay!) and nifty “RealTriggers” for the PS3 controllers.

What were your favorite gifts?

We went to see Madonna last night, at Philips Arena. Her “Sticky and Sweet” tour.

With a start time of 8PM, a DJ opened for her, playing for..oh, maybe 30-45 minutes. Then, the wait was on. I don’t think Madonna started until around 10PM. But the show rocked from then until about 11:30PM. That made for a tough Tuesday morning back-to-work. 

The concert had a rock edge, and she performed many old favorites with updated music. The show was just as appealing visually–lots of background video, intricate stage movements, lowering and raising dancers all around. The cylindrical screen displayed videography while she sang from the center. That was cool.

I think she turned the music up a bit too much…or my ears are a bit more old…  :-p

I was disappointed in the video screens that would normally display close-ups of the performance. Our seats were only 5 or so rows from the floor, but we were in the rear club section. The screens in the arena displayed Madonna no better than I could actually see her. There were only a few Madonna closeups on those screens, as they tried to take in as much stage action as possible. I would have preferred more close up shots to make up for the distance.

Oh, and did I mention that the music was really loud?  🙂

GM is asking its employees to write letters to congress, to urge that the automotive industry gets a chunk of government money…tax dollars…to the tune of $25 Billion, to tide them over the slow economic times.

Should it happen? Or shouldn’t it?

Granted, the automotive industry supply chain is huge, and reaches far and deep.  If these giants were to flop, I can certainly imagine a huge impact. But, is the money being sought going to help? Will it strengthen the companies so they can bear economic downturns, or will the money simply allow the industry to survive in the shape it is now, making no demands on improving it?

“Give a man a fish,” comes to mind. What do we as tax payers get out of providing this money? Is there a real plan that will make the companies stronger and more successful in the long run? In the letter that GM sent to employees, the statement “$25 billion of government support that our industry needs to bridge this current period” says nothing about benefits to tax payers–other than avoiding the substantial loss of jobs and additional economic downturn that would likely occur. It’s a threat–give us your money, or you’ll pay much more.

Will we get higher quality vehicles as part of this investment? Will vehicles run more efficiently? Will they be more environmentally friendly?

An idea tossed around in our household last night, was how about making a purchase deal with the automotive industry–a deal to purchase $25 billion worth of vehicles. Small, energy efficient, no frills–and I mean: no frills–vehicles that can then be loaned to low income families to support efforts of going to work. Auto insurance industry gets a boost. Gas companies get a boost. Service stations get a boost. Families that otherwise cannot afford transportation, but are in areas where mass-transit is horrible, or decent paying jobs require a commute, could benefit from such a plan.

I don’t think the industry should ask for our money without providing a plan for how they can grow and improve themselves. Maybe they’ve gotten too big. Should we always be at the risk of an economic crisis because a large player goes under? Is there not enough room for several smaller players, so that if one of them doesn’t survive, we all don’t get dragged down, too?

I’ve been glued to the TV and the computer all evening, watching results and projections trickle in. I haven’t been this glued to politics in–well, I don’t even remember anything like it.

McCain’s concession speech was good, and gracious. I’m glad that there was no trace of the accusations or insinuations that have tarnished the campaign ads that we’ve seen so far.

Looking at the results map, I’m surprised to see Florida and North Carolina turning blue… Way to go! Too bad that Georgia didn’t get out of the red.

Congratulations, President Barack Obama!

Not that we need to tell you whom to vote for, but don’t just vote your pocketbook! At the very least, make yourself a list of issues that are important to you, and do a comparison. Make sure you keep the future in mind, and the platform that your candidates stand by. Do you really want to say the words “President Sarah Palin”…to me, that is scary.

Check out the Republican and Democratic party platforms and look at the differences. Make a decision. Vote.

If you’re for Barack Obama, and don’t think you need to vote on Tuesday because the polls are favorable towards Obama, change your attitude! Go out and vote! Make sure you state your voice and carry your opinion to the end. We were in line last week for 2 hours. Others have waited longer. Secure and carry out your right.

I could say that all ye republicans stay home, but no, you should vote, too. But do so in full sight of the facts. Don’t rely on TV ads as your sole source of information, or on word of mouth.

VOTE VOTE VOTE! Preferably, for Barack Obama! 🙂

Here in Georgia, advance voting began yesterday. Given the long lines that are expected on Election day next week, the choice to vote a bit early may help. We took the plunge, and proceeded to the most convenient voting location.

We stood in line for about 2 hours before getting in front of the ballot machine. I estimate about 800 people were in line. Now, it’s a waiting game to see what the results are. Fingers crossed…

We took Truffles to PetSmart last night. PetSmart had a Halloween picture session, along with a pet parade, and a pet costume contest. Truffles had a great time meeting other doggies big and small all dressed up in their cute costumes–she even met another doggie with the same name!

After meeting doggies, and munching on Pup Corn snacks, Truffles walked in the pet parade where all doggie participants and their owners walked around the store. Judges observed the paraders, and awared four prizes to the best costumes.

Truffles, in her caterpillar costume, walked away as one of the winners in the costume contest. We’re so proud.  🙂

Oh, and she’s now 4 lbs and 3 oz, at just over 6 months old.

We also entered her picture in the PetSmart halloween photo contest. You can view the picture gallery of all entries at http://animal-pictures.petsmart.com/. Go to the album and do a search on “caterpillar” and give Truffles a cool vote! I did misspell her name in the posting…doh! 🙁