Kinda didn't take any photos yesterday. Woke early, took a taxi to the airport, flew home, dealt with the "rather harrowing experience" (Syed Shahid Ali, I.O.C. member from Pakistan, as quoted by the NY Times Oct. 2nd 2009) that is this country's Passport and Baggage Control policy execution, picked up from the airport by sis, went to Fuego Spanish Grill for an early supper of tapas and paella including sis & her fiance, picked up Hanji from dear Tom & Tracy, then got home.

It's good to be home. Great trip and good to be back.

Off to Chicago tomorrow. Yea pizza!!!

[For the record, Spanish passport control was the *easiest* I have ever been through on four continents. U.S. elected officials should take some 'fact-finding' trips there to see what we ought to achieve. There: through in less than a minute including line, passport verification, and entry stamp. Simple baggage claim and well marked signage to Customs, with another less than 1 minute transition. Here? Full ten fingerprinting?! Seperate lines for flight crews and diplomats?! Almost lost in the maze between 'Passport Control', getting bags, finding 'Baggage Control', dropping bags off, then going through airport security to get through Hartsfield to pick up bags again to leave?! Bah! I think we'll try to get some tickets to the Olympics in Rio.]

A week ago Monday, on the fourth and heaviest day of rain, we heard a large explosion. We'll probably never know whether what we heard was the tree falling or the transformer blowing. What we could confirm was a 150' healthy oak tree fell, blocking our driveway, the street, and taking the utility pole, the power lines, and 4 smaller trees with it. And my brother in law and his Captain were scheduled to fly into Atlanta later that evening! No power, no ability to get a car out, and the knowledge that restoration was going to take more than just a few hours.
Well, thanks to incredible friends, we were soon extricated from our home, Hanji had a place to stay, and we had a vehicle to get to the airport and beyond (thanks T&T!). A few more calls arranged for a hotel at the airport, started Georgia Power on their way, and notified the City Public Works department of the road closure. Within a few days, the miracle workers had most of the tree cut down and hauled away, power restored, and my brother-in-law & his boss safely on the next leg of their trip with a few pleasant memories of Atlanta.
Once again, Georgia Power reminded us of how a well run, well regulated public utility operates. Makes you wonder why we ever deregulated the phone company nationwide and natural gas in Georgia. Kudos to all the linemen, supervisors, and support staff that worked so diligently, with such great attitudes, throughout the days following the Southeastern floods!
All that's left now of the event is some memories, some photos, and the root ball attached to maybe 30' of trunk. If time allows, I plan to count the rings and learn how old that tree was, before it's cut up and the ivy closes over what was recently a proud, majestic tree..

And that's it. Construction of the sixth story took the tower to task. But, in this case, he can rebuild!

Jake's on a building spree as we discuss future brunch landings. All is good in the realm.

Nothing like a morning big shot even further up the Stratosphere tower this was shot from. It's been a sweet trip, but as they say, "what happens in Vegas, stays on YouTube!"

Hey rwdrake, this one's for you.

At an Elvis chapel no less! With streaming webcam. Be afraid, be very afraid...

Here we are. More to come...no time to write now.

US FIRST is a really cool organization helping inspire and teach kids about robotics, engineering, and teamwork. Today's the finale down at the Georgia Dome. Free to the public and well worth the visit.
Teams around the US built up these tractor trailer bots and compete in teams of three per side. the trailer is dumb, just a towed basket more or less. It's important though, all scoring comes from balls ("moon rocks") thrown or dropped into the baskets. The tractor sections are the robotic part. Remote controlled by a human operator they have four primary tasks:


1. Scoop up 'moon rocks' scattered around the playing field into a hopper
2. Dump the collected 'moon rocks' into an opposing team's towed basket
3. Dodge 'moon rocks' thrown by the opposing team
4. Dodge 'moon rocks' dropped by the opposing team's tractor unit

Each bot has a unique design within set constraints. It's neat seeing all the various design choices.

As Tom said, "Where was this when we were kids?" I'm glad I came.

Starting to look quite beautiful. Yet I can hardly believe we're in Southern California hovering close to the portable heater, already wearing a coat. It's chilly up in the hills!

The appetizers were delicious and we're hoping the wedded couple makes their way out soon. Heh, just as I type that the couple shows up! Pumping bass line, emphasized by the rythmic clapping from the crowd, heck, it's a few glowsticks short of a full rave! Eastern Europe meets Indian at a western style ranch in the hills of Southern California. And they're going to live in Australia!

More and more international matchmaking every day. This is a good thing. Very good.

And a nice wedding it is. Indian wedding at a western style ranch. Kinda neat.

Smart cars and Flip. How compact it is! These should take over the world. Or something between the Smart car and a Tata Nano.

Not mine, at least not tonight.

Sooooo many good jokes, so few pixels...

Tried the jelly donut roll? Sliced Twinkie topped with frosted flakes? Marshmellow whip, banana, peanut butter, and bacon? White bread, baloney, american cheese, and green 'wasabi' mustard? Last but not least, sample the Rice Crispy Treat rolled in blueberry fruit rollup topped with a dollup of marshmellow whip and Snicker's.

Wash it all down with another Jelly Donut, all here at the Dojo of the King!

Passing through the Tullie Smith Farm at the Atlanta History Center we came across a sheep family complete with baby lamb. Mmm, lamb. I can enjoy watching these guys today full inthe knowledge I will eat some of their cousins tomorrow. Mmm, Fogo.

What to do on a random Sunday while the wife and friends are cooking up a storm? Go out with one of your best friends, his great two kids, and see the last day of the Jim Henson / Muppet exhibit! Which I learned was ongoing all of yesterday (thanks Mickey!). So we made it.

I have SO got to throw The Dark Crystal, Fraggle Rock, and some Muppet Show episodes in my Netflix queue.

Gentle about it too. No cake to clean up. Just a little icing on the bride's cheek...
...shortly, back home to puppy, then pick up Frances at the airport, arriving back from work in Cali. We both wish she was here. Dancing at weddings is so much fun!

Mr. & Mrs. Enz are ready to take on the world.

Yep. Never knew this was here. Now I do. Thanks, Flip.