Funky Clouds

I found a decent explaination for why the clouds formed the way they did the other day.
Link

Weird Clouds

I'm not sure what causes these kinds of weird clouds, but I thought they were neat enough to post some pictures.

All this morning we started seeing these odd "holes" in the clouds. I really have no idea how this happens. I may do a search on it later to see if I can find out. But you would see these types of holes all across the skyline, almost like footsteps. Maybe God was taking a morning stroll.

Here's another pic of the same hole.

Facing the sunrise, it looked like a plane's trail was casting a shadow on the cloud cover from above. There were a few of these also which looked really neat. The big hole in the previous pictures is just to the left of this neat line.

If you follow the shadow from the above picture up over you head and towards the west, you will see another trail cross it's path in the distance. There is also a crazy break in the shadows - another "I don't know." You can see it clearly as it seems to follow the path of the street.

Here's another hole. This was taken hours after the first hole pic at the top. Just a really neat display. I'm not sure if it is caused by updrafts or downdrafts or aliens. If I find out, I'll be sure to let you know.

More Sweet Links

Really entertaining! A Star Wars space battle re-enacted with hands!
Link=

Cali Rezo's digital paintings - all pics are tablet/pen illustrations, not manipulations of photos
Link

My BlackBerry Ringtones

I thought you would get a kick out of these. These are WAV files I use as ringtones for my various BlackBerry notifications. Most newer BlackBerry models released since the 7200 series are able to play WAV files. It's much less intrusive than louder obnoxious ringtones.

BlackBerry Messenger Notification
Calendar Reminder Notification
Level 1 Message Notification
SMS Notification
Telephone Notification

Or you can make your own by clicking here.

To install them to your BlackBerry, open the links on your device and follow the options to save.

Lightening #1

Camera Pics, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Here's a picture of lightening on my trip to southern Louisiana off I-49 during a nice thunderstorm. You could look any direction and see this all over. It was pretty amazing!

Lightening #2

Camera Pics, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Another picture of lightening on my trip to southern Louisiana off I-49 during a nice thunderstorm.

Moo's That Takin My Picture?

Camera Pics, originally uploaded by tgray04.

So we were going to Ginger Browns restaurant on my birthday last November, and someone was parked out front with a small Bull in the back of their pickup truck. You never know what you will see in Texas.

Pearl vs 8700

Camera Pics, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Here is the BlackBerry Pearl sitting next to the 8700 model. It is noticably smaller but this picture does not do it justice - you should hold one in your hands!

The BlackBerry Pearl

Camera Pics, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Here's the pic of my BlackBerry Pearl the day I opened the box. You can see it is quite smaller than the other model BlackBerries.

Some Screenshots of my Pearl

So I wanted to post some screenshots of my new BlackBerry Pearl I thought these were pretty nifty features different from what I had on my 8700 or earlier model BlackBerry devices. I thought you would enjoy these.

So the first is the Messages list. As you can see, you are still able to identify normal messages and messages with attachments. But a few other neat things. If you receive a message from the BlackBerry Messenger app, it shows up in the message list at the time it arrived! It shows up yellow if the message is unread and changes back to blue when the message has been read. The second picture shows Level 1 messages can be identified because they are in red. That's great for those users who like bold fonts by default - this allows users to identify level 1 messages from all the others!

The second thing I'd like to point out is something I ran across under the Options >> Security Settings. Its a way to identify Enterprise messages (BES) from Other messages (BIS, SMS, PIN, ETC.). That way us users who are on a BES but also view other email accounts on the device can determine which ones they are currently reading or emailing from when the message screen opens. Pretty neat!

The last are all of the available emoticons available on the BlackBerry Messenger app. I don't remember seeing all of these selections on the 8700. Most are the same but I think we have a few additional ones.

So anyway, these are my screen shots. If I run across anything else later, I'll be sure to let you know. Start saving up for your BlackBerry Pearl!

No Posts For Today

Sorry I didn't get to post anything today. I've been working straight since 7:30 this morning and just shut my laptop down. I had stuff to post about but I guess it will wait until tomorrow.

Good night ya'll.

Mulder

Mulder, originally uploaded by tgray04.

As you can tell, Mulder is taking care of me during my illness. Thanks, for keeping me nice and warm.

He's a good dog.

I'm sick

I'm sick, originally uploaded by tgray04.

This is what I've been doing all day except when I've been sleeping. Looks like I cought some kind of flu. No fun. Just taking medicine and trying to stay hydrated.

Not really in the typing mood but I just wanted to let you know why I haven't been posting.

Being sick sucks.

My Day

My Day, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Here's how I'm feeling today.

Happy Birthday Kristie!

Happy Birthday Kristie!, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Did you get my eCard?

Meetings! Meetings! Meetings!

Meetings! Meetings! Meetings!, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Seems like all day today we've been in meetings. In fact, yesterday we had meetings to talk about the meetings we would be in today. I love that! I feel swamped though. I have to run around all over the place to get stuff done. People are always saying, "Slow down!", but I don't have time to slow down. Too many things are time sensitive. Too many things rely on other people to actually get things accomplished. I know I can't do it myself and I need to rely on other people to help get the job done. This is something I have struggled with and something I will probably struggle with for years to come.

So perhaps this will come up in my performance review today. This is the time where my boss and I talk about my accomplishments from last year, where I succeeded and where I could have improved. Maybe this "slowing down" thing can be part of my management developmental plan for next year. We will see. I only have 30 more minutes till the review and I'm trying to take a quick breather and relax a bit before I go in there so I don't look so frazzled.

Odd Icicles

Odd Icicles, originally uploaded by tgray04.

I have never seen icicles that grow up. It's a new one for me and quite strange. I can't tell if they were formed from water dropping off the train car and freezing once they hit the ground, or if they actually went all the way from the train car to the ground but started melting and this is all that's left. Anyway, I thought I would post them so I can look back and ask the same question again in the future.

You've Got Snow!

We woke up this morning and had a steady fall of snow! Yes, the flaky white dandruff of the sky is falling on us this morning. Its pleasant and actually easier to drive in than the ice we normally get down here.

It won't last very long - probably be gone by the afternoon, but it was nice to see anyway!

American Idol

American Idol, originally uploaded by tgray04.

So we finally made it home and American Idol is on. Yeah, I know you what you see thinking. But I like it. Its worth seeing the the good, the bad and the ugly.



I can't believe some of these people would even think they can make it, but hey, I guess that's part of the fun!



Simon Cowell-isms:

- You can be something else besides a singer, and the good thing is today you found out you're not.

- I don't know why I'm on this show any more. - The other door.

- why do you keep saying yes? You aren't going to here it from us.

- Its the other door.

- It was absolutely categorized under pointless.

- It was juvenile, tuneless, medeocre and horrible.

- I'm just amazed at Randy's rudeness and audacity, but no.

- You have just summed up Minneapolis mate. Useless everything. Your future involves not singing....... I think he took that in good spirit.

- it was almost as bad as it could possibly get. I don't want to hear anything more from you.

- Its a little one dimensional, this.

- Why can't we find anyone that sings like Ray? We just need to cancel the show because there's no chance of that.

My BlackBerry Theme

My BlackBerry Theme ...

Lunch With Steve

Lunch With Steve, originally uploaded by tgray04.

We're going to expose Steve to a new dining experience on his visit. If it doesn't work out, we can always default to El Sombrero. We just thought he needed a change.

Festus

Festus, originally uploaded by tgray04.

I see Festus here more than my coworkers. Festus (as I have affectionately named him) sits in the gallery where I patiently wait for Larry the shuttle driver to pick me up and take me to my next appointment. We have many adventures, me and Festus; riding the open plains singin the cattle call.



I need real friends.....

Evil Dogs of the Night

Evil Dogs of the Night, originally uploaded by tgray04.

At night they turn into snack eating creatures that will stop at nothing to chew on the Jerky of the innocent. PetsMart beware!

More Winter Wonderland Pics

I know you are tired of my Winter pics, but there's nothing else you would rather see around here, so...

Fortune

Fortune, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Soon someone new in your life will become a very good friend.

: )

Lunch Today

Lunch Today, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Don't tell the wife, but since its such a cold day, we decided to celebrate with our favorite lunch spot.

Objects In Mirror

Objects In Mirror, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Are closer than they appear!

Another Cold Morning

Its a nice chilly morning again here in Fort Worth. More precipitation and below freezing temperatures provided a nice sheet of ice over all the roads for my commute to work. Fortunately I made it to work okay without incident.

I wish I could have taken some pics of the tailgaters I had on the way in. Sure, I was driving like a grandma to work, but that's no cause to ride my bumper for miles! There are 2 other lanes over there buddy! No need to draft off of me!

So I had to not only drive defensively for myself but also for every other goof out there that thought it would be fun to see how close they could ride to my car.

The wife just called. Said she was heading out to work now. I'll be looking forward to the call that lets me know she made it safe to work.

Dinner

Dinner, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Yep, that's it.

Movies

The wife picked out a few movies at our Blockbuster visit last night and she saved them for today. We're down two and just started the third. Since I'm typing this blog from my BlackBerry, it will probably take me the entire length of third movie to get this thing typed.

• First one - Lake House
  I hate to say it, but I really enjoyed this movie even though it had Keanu in it. Sandra was adorable. It was a cute story and I liked it.
• And the second - Little Miss Sunshine
  Just odd. Wasn't expecting this. I guess I expected this to be like the spelling bee movie. Boy was I wrong. It had some good parts like them push starting the VW Bus, the rest was just dysfunctional.
• Last but not least - The Devil Wears Prada
  It wasn't a bad movie at all. Honestly I don't think I would have rented this one on my own, but it turned out to be a good movie. I didn't care for one particular part and thought they could have made the movie better by changing it, but other than that it was really good. I won't spoil it for anyone. Worth renting if you haven't already seen it.

Capturing the Cold

Since freezing weather in this part of Texas is few and far between, I thought I would capture it so I can look back and remember it actually happens. We have plenty of hot days and I really have no interest in capturing and looking back on that kind of weather.

Anyway, it's starting to warm up a little and our Texas-cicles are beginning to melt. The roads didn't freeze too much except on the overpasses but we still decided to stay in the house anyway.

I have no idea what it would be like to live somewhere cold like North Dakota. We watched Fargo again the other day and it made me shiver just to watch it. Way to cold. If my job ever required me to move to the north I would be in dire straits. The pups would hate it more than me though - they won't even go outside if it's raining...

So to all you Northerners out there getting a nice chuckle outa my little post, you are welcome to come down and stay during the summers where it doesn't drop below 100 degrees for 3 months straight.

Breakfast

I think everyone should know how to cook a great breakfast. Not just a good breakfast - a GREAT BREAKFAST!

Anyone can cook what they call breakfast. Fry up some eggs. Throw in a little bacon or sausage. But I'm talking about a really fantastic breakfast.

Learn from your parents.
Work in a restaurant (not fast food) that cooks really great Breakfasts.

I don't normally eat breakfast except on the weekend. I thought I would be a good husband and cook up a nice breakfast for the wife.

I botched it up. She says it was good, but it wasn't.

I should have worked at a restaurant that cooked good breakfasts or payed more attention to Mom or Dad in the kitchen.

Blockbuster Part 2

Blockbuster Part 2, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Now Run Lola Run - that's a GREAT movie!

Blockbuster

Blockbuster, originally uploaded by tgray04.

I hate going to the movie rental store. I stand there and walk around but never find anything I want to watch. I think I've seen almost every movie worth watching...... except Crank - but they're all out.



Dang.

Links of the Day

Skeleton Dance - An old Disney video from 1929
Link

Beck - One of my favorite videos
Link

Target Pricing Hacks - How to get the best deal at Target
Link

Vintage Cell Phones - I don't think I'll be trading my BlackBerry
Link

Mmmmm! Ketchup!

Mmmmm! Ketchup!, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Great on pancakes! Gotta love the IHOP! After this, heading to the local Wal-Mart to stock up on groceries for the great ice storm of '07.

Miami Vice

Miami Vice, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Thanks TV Land for totally traumatizing my morning. Flipping through the channels and run across this - the very first Miami Vice episode. Wow, we got the vest, the loafers, and the sweet sunglasses...

Crocket just said, "Let's blow this popsicle stand."

You got that right.

Cold Front

Cold Front, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Well, the cold front came in this evening on the way home from work. Nasty traffic and nasty rain. Its suppose to freeze this weekend, and everyone knows is Texans can't drive when its cold out!

prettytheft

Thanks for the therapy!

The check's in the mail!

Manger Fun

Manger Fun, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Baby Jesus got tired of the manger and decided to take a trip on Mr. Camel to check out the local scene...

Devin Dynomite

Devin Dynomite, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Could you bring me some Chap Stick?

My Brother

My Brother, originally uploaded by tgray04.

Probably best known for his appearances on America's Most Wanted...

Catchy Jingle

Hey, that is a catchy jingle on the go.blogger.com website!

Life Lesson & Joes Pizza Pasta

So something happened to me this evening that made me think. We were waiting to place an order for an Italian dinner-to-go and Guido comes up to take our order. So the wife gives our order and he finishes filling out the ticket. Then, afterwards, Guido looks at me and says, "are you two together?"

So here's my observation. I stood there for a second and asked to myself, "Why didn't he know we were together? Why did he have to ask?".

Then I realized something. At no point in my life should someone need to ask if my wife and I are together. It should be obvious to anyone that sees us. My wife and I should ooze with love to the point it makes people want to turn away with disgust! Well, maybe not that much, but it should be completely obvious to any observer.

Hold her hand...
Put my arm around her...
Talk to her...
Look at her...
Stand near her...

Treat her like I did when we were dating!

It seems so simple but yet so critical to a good marriage!

Cattle Call...

So the Wagon Train came by the office today around lunch time. They always come by this time of year. I think its for the rodeo in town. It was a nice little wagon train of about 8 or 10 wagons and a bunch of horses. Not sure where they came from, but considering the fact that its raining, I hope its not far.

On of them asked me if I was a yankee when he moseyed on by. I said no, but I wonder what would have happened if I had said yes?

Maybe next year.....