Where have you been!?

What am I doing up at 12:30 am? I have been shamed into blogging again. I know, I KNOW. I'm the one who wassoooo gung ho about this and then I just disappear! OK - forgive me but I have been a bit busy lately! In fact I've been busier'n a one-armed paper hanger (ask an old-timer if you don't get that). Here is the scoop: I've been working my ever-loving tail off! My Clark Kent job is mild-mannered webmaster for Judson ISD and it has been anything but a mild summer! We're busy around the house, too and in the meantime I try to keep up sleeping and eating. But not tonight! I'm going to blog if it kills me! Actually I'm really missing this - there are some really fun things I need to put up and it is high time! So, here goes...

4th of July Fireworks

We took the kiddos to the city fireworks show this 4th of July. Both were mesmerized. Cheryl and I hadn't been to a live, public display in a long time, so it was even fun for us!

I shot these pics with our Olympus Evolt 500 - a digital SLR. It was hard not to get a decent pic if you were pointed in the right direction!

fireworks

Toobin for Tots

I know what you're thinking, "How fast was he going when he landed in that tube!?" But, no. This is really how it works. We saw another kiddo with it and had to try the "inner-tube shirt". OK, if you can stop giggling long enough to read on, this really is a cool deal. While he may look a little those videos of fat guys in inner-tubes, this is about as comfortable as Isaac has been in water. We've had a blast the pool this summer and now Isaac can even got out (somewhat) on his own. Guadalupe river, here we come!

Before you run out to get one though, be warned they only come in children's sizes. If the big people try to put them on they're likely going to get hurt or posted on YouTube!

iPhone ... oooooo ... ahhhhhh

Apple computer fans and Gadget heads everywhere have been waiting for this day - the iPhone has arrived (well, at 6:30 pm it will, anyway!) In case you've been in a hole for the last 6 months and have not heard, the 'iPhone' is Apple's insanely publicized entry into the mobile market. Entry is a bit weak of a word for this event; it has been billed as the death of (insert other smart phone of choice), the dawn of a new era and quite a few other titles that hint more at the amazing zeal of the Apple devotee than the deliverable goods on the phone. My own skepticism toward the device may be showing at this point, but I'm duly impressed with the magnitude of the launch event they've created.

I had opportunity to go by the AT&T store today and the zealous (I did intentionally refrain from calling them 'zealots') are camping on the sidewalk already. I've heard tales of individuals around the country that started camping as early as last Monday. While I don't ever plan on doing this, it is quite a sight to see.

The real question now is "Will the phone live up to the hype?" I've already heard a couple of reviews that while positive put the iPhone squarely in the realm of its mere mortal peers. Even Apple exec's have been quoted saying they hope those that buy the phone are not disappointed given the amount of attention. One thing does seem apparent, though - Apple is off on the right foot. The next few steps will be the real test, though!

Webshots - Pretty Pictures

Knowing that both of my brothers' families have enjoyed photography, I thought I'd share a website that I've really come to like for both posting photos and finding great shots - Webshots. I'm constantly amazed at the gorgeous images I find there, not to mention the great layout of the site - it is pretty amazing, too! Here are a couple of things that make it great:

• FREE! - yep, it's free. For the cheapskates like me, "Eeeet's the oooonly way to fly!"
• Beautiful - the site is great and makes you photos look great!
• Comments - there is a large community there, too. If you participate, it is easy to get great feedback on your shots.
  
• Widgets - the site offers easy access to 'code' snippets allowing you to put webshot on your own site, blog or even in an email. I placed the photo in this post with code from my album in webshots. Also, scroll to the bottom of the blog to see a larger module that displays your photos as an animated slideshow.

Webshots is a great place to have photographic fun! Enjoy!