Day 31 - 1/31/11 - Zero on the Photographic Motivation Meter

So I really have not felt like taking any pictures at all today. Honestly it's be a zero on the motivation meter. So I tried to sum up this fact in this picture. Doesn't this picture just scream "boring" and "lack of motivation?" If so then I've succeeded in portraying my feelings for the day. Thanks for looking anyway!

Day 30 - 1/30/11 - Forward Progress

It's coming along quite nice. I did a little more work on my project today. Anyone know what it is yet? And no, Bre, it is not Wall-E.

Day 29 - 1/29/11 - Cold Fix

So I spent an hour out in the sub-freezing temps today working on my jeep. I got it fixed, it started right up, and now I'm back in the house in the warmth. Can you tell which part I replaced? It's nice and shiny new huh?

Day 28 - 1/28/11 - Snowy Night

Here's a quick pic of what you'd see if you walked out my back door right now. I think we've had snow on the ground for over 2 weeks now. Isn't it AWESOME!!! I love snow and would live in Alaska if I had any friends and family up there.

Day 27 - 1/27/11 - Moving Forward.

I know you can't really tell what it's going to be yet, but believe me, this is a picture of my little equipment build project. And yes, those are roller blade wheels that I thieved off of Ashley's Roller Blades. She hadn't used them for a few years so I decided I was going to. Maybe I'll have more done on it this weekend, or with the jeep problems I've been having, maybe not.

Day 26 - 1/26/11 - That What I'm talking about!!!

So, we had a quick snowstorm today. It didn't dump a great amount of snow, but the timing and contents wreaked havoc in Morgantown, more than I can remember in a very long time. It started out as freezing rain, then sleet, then about 4 inches of snow, all in about a 6 hour period starting at 10:00am the rain and sleet made it very slick under the snow, and just about every main road was shut down. This pic is of my jeep, all lonley in my office parking lot. The office closed early (which has never happened before) but I had to stick around to get something important done. ( I hear you saying "yeah right...he just goofs off all day"). Once my Jeep finally started (I'm having some starter issues with the jeep at the moment), I made it home safe and sound. It was my kind of day. Driving in aweful weather and snowy conditions. My jeep and I live for days like today!

Day 25 - 1/25/11 - Starting Something New.

I'm wanting to start some new photo projects/video projects. But before I can do what I want to do, I have to create some specialized equipment for it. So instead of shelling out about 1K to buy this equipment, I'm going to try my hand at building it myself for a quarter of the price. I bought the first piece of the puzzle tonight at Lowe's for a little over $10. This is a picture of a 1" square aluminum tube. So now I just have to design and build as I go along. Lets see if I am really an engineer. haha. I'm sure I'll have more pictures as I build along. Hopefully I can do it and I'm not biting off more than I can chew. Wish me luck.

Day 24 - 1/24/11 - My Typical Monday Night

Here's a photo that typifies my monday nights for the past few years. We've been getting together playing basketball for about six or seven years now. So nice to play with such a great group of guys. In this photo, my brother Eric is tearing down the lane for a nice finger roll layup.

Day 23 - 1/23/11 - Twins?

Yes I am a twin, but no - that's not a picture of him and I dressed alike. This is a single shot picture of me. No paint shop or any editing on this one. Just me in one shot. Do you know how I did it? Think simple. And Ashley, you can't answer since you watched me take the picture. haha.

Day 22 - 1/22/11 - Saturday Afternoon

So, this is what my Saturday afternoon entailed. New bathroom faucet, new drain pipes, new hot water connections, new cold water connections, and new valves for both. Don't worry. I didn't soak the house this time like I did the last time I worked on this bathroom (1 week after Ashley and I got married - great post-honeymoon story). House is dry, sink drains, and the faucet does not leak. I would say that's a good day's work. And yes, I put the bathroom back together. It no longer looks like this.

Day 21 - 1/21/11 - New Boots

No, these are not my new boots. They are Ashley's new snow boots. And let me tell you, she is getting her money's worth out of them already. She's worn them everywhere since she's gotten them. Not my style but she likes them. Do you?

Day 20 - 1/20/11 - Philippi

I had a meeting with the West Virginia Department of Enironmental Protection today in Philippi for work. On my way back home I got out and snapped this quick picture of the covered bridge there in Philippi. Covered Bridges are pages right out of history. I know this isn't the best picture of it, but it was all I could get quickly.

Day 19 - 1/19/11 - Tudors

I had to spend the day in Beckley taking a class on Dam safety inspections for MSHA. Now I am certified to inspect the huge impoundments on these mine sites. But anyway. That's not the most important thing for the day though. We had an hour lunch break so I went 2 minutes down the road to Tudor's Biscuit World for a "Mary B" combo. Can't beat it. BTW, Morgantown now has a Tudor's over Hibachi's on University avenue. I've heard rumors that it is now open. I will be trying to verify that rumor.

Day 18 - 1/18/11 - Welcome to the family.

Welcome to the Family, Lady! My Grandma got a new puppy this afternoon (Boston Terriers run in the family. haha) Luckily I had to be in Beckley for the night for some training tomorrow so I got to run by and see her! Isn't she precious!

Day 17 - 1/17/11 - Just in time!

Today is one of those days where I went about my business and nothing really stood out to me to take a picture. I kept looking, and looking, but nothing really presented itself. I kept watching the clock, counting down the time I had left to take a picture for the day. So I took this picture just to show that I did take a picture just in time. 11:51pm. Boom! Done!

Day 16 - 1/16/11 - Mexican Train Dominoes

Well, two of the five couples that make up our community home group for church were not able to make it to our weekly meeting. So the rest of us got together for an evening of intense dominoes. Unfortunately, I didn't win. Man, I stink at all these games I've been playing lately.

Day 15 - 1/15/11 - Another Lazy Evening with Zoie

When Ashley is at work, Zoie seems to think she has to be attached to my hip for some reason. Here's a pic of me and her watching "Transformers". She doesn't seem to interested does she?

Day 14 - 1/14/11 - Finally Some Morgantown Poker!

Well, after months and months of saying we needed to do it, we finally got together and played some poker! Unfortunately I did not make it as far in this game as I did in my last game, but it was still fun. Here's the final 2 guys with all the big bucks on the line. Not sure who won, I had to leave before they were finished.

Day 13 - 1/13/11 - Crazy Night!

It's been one crazy night! Popcorn, Diet Coke, Inception on Blu-ray, and some serious Photo editing from my New York trip. Here's some photographic evidence of my crazy night!

Day 12 - 1/12/11 - Last settings

I wanted to try something different today. I decided I was going to randomly pick up my camera, and use it on the last setting I had it on from a previous photo shot...just to see what it looked like. This pictures is of Ashley with a cup of ice cream. Looks like the random settings for this pic was not too far off. However, the white balance is off and it makes her look a little green. Nonetheless, isn't she beautiful?

Day 11 - 1/11/11 - Practices of the past.

Most of you probably do not know where or what this is. What you are looking at is an old Mine Slurry Impoundment (pond) from the Humphrey No. 7 Mine just outside of Morgantown. At one time, this is where they dumped mine refuse, or simply put - leftover rocks and water from mining practices of the past. At one point in the 1950s this underground mine was the largest in the state and employed thousands of workers from all over Monongalia County. This old pond is 88 acres in size and is nothing but bare mine refuse and no more water. One of my client Coal companies has purchased this land from Consol and is slowly working to recover any fuel source from the slurry in the pond while cleaning it up and reclaiming the site. That is why I was up there. Doing my job out in the freezing cold weather. FUN!

Day 10 - 1/10/11 - They missed us

While we were away in NYC, the dogs stayed with Ashley's Parents in Kingwood. I think they have a great time when they are there because they are always so tired when we get them back. This is what they've been doing all evening since they've been home.

Day 9 - 1/9/11 - Goodbye NYC

Well our weekend trip to NYC had to come to an end. And wouldn't it be my luck that the best day for pictures (sunny blue sky) was on the day we were leaving and not going into the city!! Oh well. Just gives me a reason to go back. For the weekend we stayed in Jersey City just across the Hudson River from the southern tip of Manhattan Island. This pictures is a panorama view of the the view of the financial district of the city from across the street from our hotel. Goodbye NYC. Maybe I'll see you again someday!

Day 8 - 1/8/11 - Night and Day

The weather for our second day in NYC was much better for pictures. But it was much colder and worse for walking around the city. First thing on Saturday morning (after eating breakfast at Europa Cafe of course) we went to the Rockefeller Plaza and on up to the "Top of the Rock Observation Deck". We chose to go here to get a good view of the city instead of the empire state building observation deck because I wanted a view of the city that included the empire state building. Ashley and I got the extra ticket to back back at night to see all the city lights. It was well worth the extra 10 bucks. The picture above is a cropped composite of pictures from both our day and night visits. Amazing view!

Day 7 - 1/7/11 - First Trip to NYC

Well, did you figure out what my big weekend plans were from the previous post? It's a picture of a big apple...get it? Well, I took my first ever trip this past weekend to New York City (the big apple...get it now?). Ashley and I went with our good friends, Adam and Nicki Etris. It was a great trip. My problem now was to try to figure out what picture to post as my picture for the day. It was a very snowy day so most of the outside pictures are rather unimpressive, so I'll share this one that was taken inside at Grand Central Station. Look close. Can you find Adam, Nicki, and Ashley? They are not moving and looking directly at the camera. It's like our own "Where's Waldo". haha. Enjoy!

Day 6 - 1-6-11 - Weekend

Well this is a nice picture that is a symbol of my upcoming weekend. Can anyone guess what I'll be doing? BTW, I will be taking pictures every day, but will not be uploading until sunday. so don't think I've given up already. haha.

Day 5 - 1-5-11 - Work

This was the view of my desk at work. Pretty boring huh?

Day 4 - 1/4/11 - Couch Potato

Couch Potato? This is really all I've felt like doing all day and all evening. Looks comfortable huh? This is a nice little composition shot.

Day 3 - 1/3/11 - Mediterranean Market and Deli

I have lived in Morgantown for over 10 years now. I have walked down High Street hundreds of times, yet I have never been to the Mediterranean Market and Deli. That is, until today. Two co-workers and myself had to go downtown for some business during our lunch break. They wanted to eat at the Mediterranean Market. I hesitantly obliged. I got the Italiano Panini Sandwich. I loved the panini bread but I don't know if I'll get the Italiano sandwich next time. Overall, this new lunch spot was pretty good. This is an HDR picture taken from our table looking out at High Street.

Day 2 - 1/2/11 - First Sunday Worship Service

"First Sunday" - On the first Sunday of the year, our church has a special service that focuses more on some rockin good music and worshiping our God than the usual Sunday service. It's a time to get renewed and energized about the new year coming and look forward to what God has in store for us in the coming year. This picture is from that service this morning. Great singing by Adam Etris, Caleb Lovely, Nicki Etris, and Julie Mercer! If you haven't, you should definitely check out Chestnut Ridge Church!

Day 1 - 1/1/11 - The Sorrow of The New Year

The new year is a time for new beginnings, changes, and commitments. However, it also means there are some things that are ending. For me, the sorrow of the new year means that my Carmike Cinemas popcorn bucket is no longer valid. (I know, I know...it is a tough day indeed). Thank you popcorn bucket for your awesome savings you provided me throughout 2010. I will miss you. Maybe I can find an alternative use for you now in your retirement...maybe a mop bucket?