Grand Cayman was our first port, where we swam with stingrays. We took a boat out into the bay where they gather (for feeding by tourists) in about 3-4 feet of water. They’ll swim right up against your legs with the flaps, and are very friendly. You have to shuffle your feet to avoid stepping on them (and getting a stinger in your foot).

We spent the rest of the time checking out the jewelry and watches available (in abundance) in George Town. I’m not much of a jewelry person… though all the tanzanite was pretty, I couldn’t see myself wearing any of it.

Our second port was Cozumel, which my first visit to Mexico.  We tried helmet diving, which is diving with a air-filled helmet connected to a pressurized air hose.  We got to explore some pretty cool underwater wreckage, including a wrecked plane and a canon from some long-lost era.

And of course, more jewelry and watches. Though we didn’t get to check out downtown, which I hear has more shopping.

But there’s always next time.  We definitely plan on taking another cruise, maybe on the world’s largest passenger ship.

And I definitely recommend Royal Caribbean.

We just returned from our annual ski trip, and everyone returned safe and sound with all limbs intact. It was our largest group yet with fifteen of us in one big house.   In the past we’ve rented a house on or near the slopes, but this year we opted for a place in town.  The French Street Inn was formerly a bed and breakfast and was located just a few blocks from the gondolas and the slopes.  With over 30 inches of snow in during the 6 days we were there, there was plenty of awesome skiing.

With a house in town, it was also easy for those of us who didn’t ski every day to explore some of the other activities like getting a much needed massage!

It was a much needed break, and I believe we may have brought the snow back with us.   We’ve received snow and ice twice this week here in the Dallas area!

You can see the rest of our photos here.

Check out NathanFielder.com for more shorts.

I recently ran across an old fold-out map of McKinney, complete with ads for “Montgomery Ward” and “Cabell’s Finer Dairy Foods”.  I’m guessing it was published around 1965 form the text “Population… McKinney, 1960 Federal Census, 13,763. 1965 estimate, 14,750.

Now grab your purse, Delores, and let’s take the panel-wagon down to Ed’s Drive In for a burger!

McKinney Map c1965 page 1

McKinney Map c1965 page 2

I’ve started following TheOatmeal’s posts since reading “How to use an Apostrophe“.  I think his illustrations are fun and his site is a great example of simple, clean web design.

Thanks Boing Boing and Alan.

Unfortunately, it seems that we’ve only slightly improved our roads over those that the Roman’s built.  Our usage has increased so quickly that we are in a never-ending loop of repairs and relaying pavement.

I wonder what will happen with the crisscross pattern of highways when we all switch to transporters or flying cars… perhaps we’ll finally have plenty of green space like Boston’s Big Dig central artery re-purposing.

I wonder what the no hover-car parking signs will look like…

It’s just one of those minor annoyances, but every day I see apostrophes used where they’re not needed.

Apostrophe.me is a simple and easy to follow “flow chart” explaining when and how to use apostrophes.

The  parent site, TheOatmeal.com, has several fun reads including “How Web Design Goes Straight To Hell”

Thanks to Lifehacker.com

While organizing my old stuff recently, I found two Hi Energy and Progressive Top 40 lists from from Oaklawn Records, still in their original envelopes addressed to me.  Coincidentally, one of the lists was from April, the month of my birthday.  So no doubt I was dancing to these toons at Angles when I turned <ahem> – something something.

Now be honest… how many of you have danced to “Mr Personality” or “Cotton Eyed Joe”?

Here’s the Top 40 Hi Energy list with a few videos of my favs from the time.  I’ve included links to the rest that I could find.

1. The Bomb – Bucketheads
   
   
2. Reach Up – Perfecto Allstars
3. Lick It – Roula
   
4. Baby, Baby – Corona
   
5. Bedtime Story – Madonna
6. Axel F – Clock
7. Your Loving Arms – Billie Ray Martin
8. Release Me – Industry
9. You Can Have It All – Eve Gallagher
10. Mr Personality – Gillette
    
11. Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Harajuka
12. You Belong to Me – JX
    
13. These Are the Days – Human League
14. Here I Go – 2 Unlimited
15. Sleeping in My Car – Mobius Loop (I couldn’t find the Mobius Loop version, but here’s a pretty good version by Dancefloor Driverz feat Joana)
16. Come Back – London Beat
17. Bloke – Republica
18. What Hope Have I – Sphinx
19. Tonight is the Night – Le Click
20. Hot Stuff – DJ Miko
21. I’m Ready – Size 9
22. Move It to the Rhythm – Technotronic
    
23. I Only Wanna Be With You – Barry White (Dance Mix)
24. Nights in White Satin – Sandra
25. Always Something There to Remind Me – Tin Tin Out
26. Don’t Fear the Reaper – Apollo 440
27. Situation – Tom Jones
28. We Got Love – One Family
29. Don’t Be Proud – Cappella
30. Be My Lover – La Bouche
    
31. Keep the Fire Burning – Dan Hartman and Loleatta Hollaway
32. Party People – KGB
33. Keep on Trying – Twenty 4 Seven
34. Love Come Rescue Me – Love Station
35. I Wish – Eric Gadd
36. Cotton Eyed Joe – Rednex
    
37. Take Me Forever – Data
38. You Bring me Joy – Mary J Blige
39. Respect – Judy Cheeks
40. The First, The Last Eternity – Snap

Here are the originals:

• Oaklawn Records Top 40, March 1995
• Oaklawn Records Top 40, April 1995

Unknown Show, 1991-1992

Here’s a show from before our director made the switch to computer-based show design.

“Ouachita” Show, 1992

If I remember correctly, this was the first show that Mr. Cooper designed using the computer, and I think it was the first show of our season.  I believe the design (not to mention the readability) was greatly improved by computer-based design.

“Gavorkna” Show, 1992

This was our main show of the season, and was a bit more difficult.  For one thing, it began with entire band expanding from between the 40 yard lines to the 10 yard lines in about 16 counts.  I remember practically leaping backwards carrying my tonal bass and, oh yah, playing Gavorkna Fanfare.  If you haven’t heard it, see the video below (and note that the guys in the video are stationary).

Since all my friends that are waiting with bated breath can now see the photos.  See the Street Party pics here, and friend pics here.

Thanks, Jeff, for inviting us to this amazing evening.  Here’s us with Jeff…

Michael, Jeff and Rich at the Black Tie Dinner

Here’s a video by Jay Diaz featuring the song.

I added several series to my Netflix que, especially shows I never got to watch consistently.

Thanks to io9

Check out the entire series.

Blue Devils encore performance at DCI 2009

This will be our 7th year, and I’m like a kid at Christmas… don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.  Marching band has always been a love of mine, and these guys are the best of the best.

I’m ready for the goosebumps…

To me, it’s just one of those surprising moments when another mystery of the human mind is revealed.