The journeys that take us

I'm constantly amazed at how things change and how they stay the same. Nothing is ever quite stagnant; nothing constant no matter how familiar.

We grow.

We change.

We evolve.

I'm currently quite silent in the world of social networking/social blogging. I've tried to go back to it and it's just not there for me anymore. Some of this could be due to the changes in 360 that made my fairly popular blog unreachable by myself and others, it could be the changes in my personal life that have me more focused on the here and now rather than cyberland, it could be that - as a blogger - I'm changing and evolving.

While sad, I doubt that's a bad thing all told.

So for now I climb the ride and find where it takes me .....

....and invite any of you along for the trip if you wish .....

**the photo above was taken of a very cooperative gull along the Severn River, Summer 2007

Things that make you go hmmmmm

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A passenger who went through an airport security checkpoint -- before remembering that he had a loaded gun -- is facing charges after going back to report his error, authorities said.

Gregory Scott Hinkle, 53, of Davis, West Virginia, went through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, an airport spokeswoman said.

The rest of the story is here.

Basically the TSA contacted the airport police and he has to go to court on charges. The question I posed to my Live Journal crowd (sorry those posts are friends only) was should the man be charged? It's a difficult decision.

On one hand he most certainly broke the law and unless he's been under a rock for the last 7 years then he knows that toothpaste is iffy on carryon. Firearms? That wasn't easy to do back in the day. Now when you cannot take tweezers and manicure scissors on board, it should be blatantly obvious that a gun is a definite no go.

Then again, exactly how did that gun make it past security? Jon and I had the screeners all up in arms in 2006 when I (without thinking) tossed a package of makeup remover towelettes in his carryon. As it went through XRay the next thing I know we had 3 screeners looking and "Ma'am, Sir - you need to step this way" in a 'shoot first ask questions later' tone of voice. After they discovered what it was they wouldn't let me have it back either the turkeys.

So yes the question is raised - just how did a gun make it past security at Reagan National? just a few miles from The White House?

We definitely got off lucky ---- this time anyway.


**the picture above was taken in 2006 during the cherry blossom festival in Washington DC.

Econ 101

It's really quite simple. When people have the happies they spend. When the rabbits are frightened they hoard and don't spend.

You're thinking no it's not that simple but yes it is. I don't just follow the stock market; I watch how the summer vacation/travel season is and - more importantly - how the Christmas buying season is.

This year the Christmas buying season sucked. This is a very important indicator. The rabbits are frightened and staying around the den and NOT spending. Therefore retailers are feeling the pinch and cutting jobs. Therefore unemployment has risen. You see the picture yes?

For now I'm ignoring the housing issue (in regards to this post and Econ 101) because it was a *created* mess that should've been corrected sooner. I will say this - I think lowering the interest rates to bolster confidence and encourage the frightened rabbits to spend was a good thing. Problem was they dinked with it tooooo long. It should've been allowed to self correct sooner than it was.

So - if we don't go a buying the economy suffers - is that what I'm saying? Well actually yes it is. I still find the best economic indicators are for the retailers. This doesn't mean go spend spend spend. Rather *think*. Everything best in moderation. Panic is bad. Rational thought is good.

Small movements Ellie - small movements.

***

the picture above was taken from the top of The World Trade Center -- Baltimore and it was taken of the shopping area of The Inner Harbor.

The Wild Granny

Yes for those of you not familiar with The Maryland Renaissance Festival, that is what we call Mom - The Wild Granny. She's actually Keeper Of The Rum on the (virtual) pirate ship The Polly Dodger.

Mostly she just has fun. She dons garb, totes her mug, parks it at The White Hart (a pub with a stage inside the festival) and waits for visitors. You'd be shocked and amazed at how many people stop by to see her when she's there. She missed last year due to her stroke in October but the year before (autumn 2006) it was a steady stream of people until she decided she was just too tired and needed to go home.

Sadly - little did we realize then - that year was to be her last year. I can't forsee her being able to attend anymore. She can barely make it outside. She's been so very weak since her stroke. In essence she basically goes nowhere anymore. That is truly sad.

Today is her 71st birthday. After last October at times I wondered if we'd make it this far. Now I wonder if we'll make it to this milestone next year.

Enough of that: for this evening we hit Outback Steakhouse for her 2 favorites: steak and Death by Chocolate Martini. She'll come home to an icecream cake that she'll be too full to eat and will probably have some for breakfast tomorrow morning.

It is difficult to watch the passing of time knowing full well that you need to make your memories now because the tomorrows become more uncertain with each passing day. I will worry about that tomorrow --- for today we celebrate !

the picture above was taken summer of 2007 at the Virginia Renaissance Faire

the winter moon

There is something peaceful about the full moon through winter bare trees.

Shining brightly, illuminating the night

So close and yet so incredibly far.

A Pang of Longing

The tangy smell of sea air

The sound of the waves breaking

The sound of the gulls screech

The taste of fresh seafood

The sounds of summer laughter

I miss the water

I miss the summer

~~the photo above was taken @ Solomon's Island. The main blog picture (the waves on the sand) is of the Chesapeake Bay by Calvert Cliffs

Nourising the body/nourishing the soul

Home sick today.

I don't know how much is sick and how much is sick.

Either way, a little Todd Rundgren, a little Gilbert O'Sullivan, a little Stephen Bishop and all is feeling better.

I just wish I knew an easy effective way to upload my ITunes purchases to imeem ... I'd love to share my favorite playlists.

For now just take my word for it -- they're perfect for whatever ails.

The photo above is of a wonderful stone bridge in DC. It was taken during the Duck's Tour summer 2006. I'm not familiar with which bridge it is though.

Thoughts on moving forward

A new year.

A new beginning.

New thoughts. New days.

Changes. More changes.

Changes upon changes.

The changes from a year. The things that haven't changed. The things that will change in the future.

A year ago I was a prolific public blogger on Y!360. Now that blog is all but closed and awaiting whatever the fates and follies that Yahoo chooses. I have tried repreatedly to safe the entries and comments but I want to save them intact not just bits and pieces. I find I much prefer to leave it as the ghost of christmas past rather than save a skeleton.

Today. I have a few of the friends on Multiply. I find that while different, it is still the best alternative to Y!360. Note I don't say substitute because in truth it isn't: in ways it's much preferred but in others it doesn't have the magic that 360 had. Perhaps that will come with time.

I will keep this blogger because sometimes I wish to blog things that are just for me. If they're read and commented upon so be it but since this is less public that is doubtful. Often it's just a place to expound on the thoughts that roam my brain free range and without fences.

Often it's a place to make sense out of the senselessness that my life can be at times.

Sometimes --- more frequently lately --- it's a place to chart the changes that time makes.

May I look back upon this in a year with a fond smile.

May this blog celebrate the spring as well as the winter.

the picture above was taken in 2006 at The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. It is looking across the Tidal Basin at the Jefferson Memorial