Tuesday, September 30, 2008

American National Bank


A different perspective.

And for my post for yesterday, I apologize for the lack of explanation. I am a political j*u*n*k*i*e. I eat, breathe and live politics from the time I get up until late at night. I read news sites and political blogs, and listen to 'talking head' pundits, etc. Sunday morning means waking up early to watch 'This Week' with George Stephanopolous, 'Meet the Press' or even Face the Nation... =) So, Thursday for me is the Vice Presidential candidates debate!

I wasn't always like this - I never paid attention to politics at all before the Iraq war started. I think in late 2003 I really started to try and 'learn' politics. Before 2003 I really couldn't tell you one difference between Republicans and Democrats. I didn't know who was what, or even which party I identified with. Anyway, I try my best not to push or force my political views on anyone - but this is a very momentous and important election this year. Perhaps the most important I'll see in my lifetime.... but like everyone else, I'm getting close to election burnout (but not yet) =) or at least maybe a burnout with the media and it's coverage of the election.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Hard Bodies


When I quit smoking back on June 24, I promised myself I'd try to start working out to keep my mind off the smokes... so I decided to join Hard Bodies Training Center in downtown Terrell. I joined along with Jim from over at Terrell Daily Photo because I thought I might stick with it more if someone else was working out with me too. I'm famous for not sticking with anything for very long, but since joining on Aug 2nd we've consistently been going for 8 weeks now! I can see some difference and will be posting a before and after photo later in the year!

Friday, September 26, 2008

72 year old things....


Today's photo is a tree down the street from me that's quite a presence in its area! it's grown from curb to curb and has demanded the local sidewalk stand up and pay it reverence... The homes in my area of town (by this tree) range in age from over 120 years or so on up to current... I imagine this tree is around 72 years old =)

and in presidential news, here is the 72 year old republican candidate... He decided to go to the debate being held tonight in Oxford, Ms, which has everyone excited. This first debate between McCain and Obama is must-see TV - I've already started getting ready for my debate watching drinking game. I'm going to take a drink every time McCain says 'My Friends'... I wonder how many Terrell citizens will skip homecoming tonight to watch the debate!


Thursday, September 25, 2008

BC


Forgive my pet indulgence this week, but just one more photo of my kittie that doesn't photograph well... BC, which stands for black cat, just never seems to show up in shots. With a flash his fur is highly reflective and without a flash he blends into the background... I've lightened this one slightly...

He's getting along with Frosty, but he doesn't let the kitten get anything over on him! BTW - I snapped this one when Frosty was in the middle of a leg-bite attempt... BC is looking at him like 'silly kitty, just try it!'

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Thanks, but no thanks....


I asked Frosty to play a quick game of pool tonight... he said, "thanks, but no thanks...."

McCain's been demanding Obama meet him in townhalls to talk to 'real people' about real problems for weeks - and now that the date has came upon us, McCain is saying "thanks, but no thanks...." Mccain is trying to postpone the first presidential debate until when? oh, the SAME day as the VP debate... can Palin not handle a debate?!? how can she handle the presidency??

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Catherine Street - Terrell


This is a house up the street from me that I've always liked. Someone recently started making some improvements, and I have to say that I like what I see so far.... I love older wood frame houses like this...

And, congratulations to Marley for guessing correctly that there were 9 hot air balloons in yesterday's photo!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

One balloon..Two balloons..Three....


This was my first view of the Plano Balloon festival as I was exiting the freeway on Friday morning... how many balloons can you see? answer tomorrow!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Skywatch Friday


As I arrived to work on Friday I was greeted by a number of hot-air balloons taking off above the skies of Plano, Texas. It's time for the annual Plano Balloon Festival of 2008 sponsored by EDS Credit Union - and this is the EDS Balloon in my photo! =) They have all kinds of balloons, different colors, shapes and size that will be lifting off early in the morning (Saturday) and it's quite a sight to see - check the link above for additional info and scheduling throughout the weekend....

And who can look at a hot-air balloon and not think of that classic Fifth Dimension song - 'Up, Up and Away in my beautiful Balloon'!!


Thursday, September 18, 2008

Cuppa Coffee



Today's photo is a small building near downtown that was a former convenience store (no gas pumps) that was remodeled and made into a coffee shop. The coffee shop closed a while back and there's been a for sale sign outside for a long time until just recently... so now I wonder what will be opening up next in the place.

I like this sign on the side of the store.....

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Frances Street Home



Today's photo is an old Victorian home right behind my house, one street over on Frances.... a recent owner spent quite a bit of time and money in remodeling and painting the outside. I'm not sure what the inside is like, but it's a beautiful house (and actually for sale right now also =)) If I could afford it, I'd love to have it... maybe after I win the Lottery!

Also, I've 'shopped the original to get the photo above - here's what it really looks like currently (at dusk)....

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

St. John Catholic Church



A short post today... this is a small church just around the corner from my house...

Monday, September 15, 2008

Terrell Toadstools



I've been doing quite a bit of walking lately, trying to keep my mind off smoking =) i stumbled across these 'shrooms in an empty field behind Taco Bell.....


here's an 'under cover' view! ;-)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Iris Theater



Jim over at Terrell Daily Photo recently did several posts with the newly replaced Iris Theater neon sign, which is currenly occupied by Books and Crannies bookstore. The owners of the bookstore paid to replace the movie sign to its original condition and colors... the neon looks really cool in the downtown area at night... Now if only someone could replace the Buford Drugs neon sign!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

modern day dinosaurs


Today's photo was a 'Hummer' advertisement applied to the entire side of a building in downtown Dallas. I really can't see the need for anyone to be driving one of these until they can get about 35 mpg... it just seems to exude such extravagance and exemplifies the wastefulness of our natural resources... Since stopping smoking I've been trying to walk more at times when I'd be driving...

as a side note to current events, my sister told me that gas prices in SE Missouri had risen to $5.00 a gallon as of yesterday probably due to Hurricane Ike coming across the gulf and hitting Texas. Our winds have really picked up today and I've got one small branch that has fallen from the pecan tree in the front yard, but for the most part it's just a beautiful rainy windy day here in Terrell!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Aquarium life


Not sure exactly what these finger-like things were, but they swayed and moved around in the water... I need to go back to the Dallas World Aquarium soon since I didn't have enough time inside to see everything before they closed..... and my camera batteries died before I was done too =)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Downtown Dallas


My sister and I dined at a pizzeria in downtown Dallas while waiting for the Amtrak to arrive at Union Station (it was about 3 hours late! call or check online before traveling for updates!) The view was wonderful though, and the atmosphere was nice too... but I think the company was most special!!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Dallas



My sister's vacation trip to 'Dallas' wouldn't be complete without a trip to Southfork Ranch, home of the famous Ewing oil family... it's funny to look back after all these years at the people and their relationships in this family tree from the Southfork Museum.

Monday, September 8, 2008

DWA - Sawfish


Today's photo is one more from the Dallas World Aquarium that I went to this past Sunday... the aquarium had a tunnel that allowed visitors to walk underneath for a one-of-a-kind view... this sawfish was sitting on top of the glass keeping a watchful eye on us =)

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Pink Flamingos


Today's photo is a shot of some pink flamingos at the Dallas World Aquarium...

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Raindrops keep falling


We got some much needed rain this week; the left-over from the Gustav storm as it reached northeast Texas.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Final (yawn) night of the convention


Getting up every weekday at 4:30am to workout has been causing me to get tired much earlier in the evenings... the political speeches tonight at the Republican National Convention didn't help any - and apparently even John McCain felt the same as me, cause he seemed to tire during his own speech. I hope this isn't an indication of things to come =) I dunno if I could stand 4 state of the unions of his speechifying....

What a vast difference compared to the lively, shrill and sarcastic tone the party set last night with Secessionist Sarah. As a democrat, I have to admit that Pain is an exceptional speaker - she modified and delivered the speech that was written for her last night very well. She's no Hillary Clinton though... and putting 'lipstick on Sarah Piggy' don't make her Hillary Clinton either....

Ok, no more politics for me for a while... it makes me angry =) can this election season please just speed itself along so I can control my blood pressure? My sister is coming down from Missouri for a short Texas vacation so I may take a few days off (or just post some 'reserve photos' ) over the next few days =)

Happy weekend all!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Tweety


Today's photo is a view from my living room in Terrell, Texas... being the political junkie that I am, I'm watching msnbc and surfing the net during coverage of the Republican National Convention being held in St. Paul... =)

It also reminds me of an audio clip that I heard on the radio the other morning - it was a clip of Joe Lieberman from several years back and he said something along the lines of -- when I think of political parties in America right now it reminds me of driving a car. If I want to move forward, I need to put my car into D (Democrat) - if I want to go in reverse, I choose R (Republican). A nice little nugget from 'ole Joe.

Finally regarding yesterday's post... I have to admit I do not have first-hand knowledge that Best Metal Products is the 'best' but - it is located in Terrell and the name says so, and I've never heard anyone ever say it wasn't the best, so - I'll have to say I believe it is the best metal! If I were looking for metal, that's where I'd go... =)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Best Metal Products


This Best Metal Products of Terrell located right near downtown, and is the view just to the left of yesterday's old building =)

As a 'news item of the day' -- we're getting a little wind and rain from hurricane Gustav today! the temperature was nice and there was a breeze most of the day and mostly overcast... not a lot of rain, but it felt hurricaney =) in political news, the Republican Vice Presidential candidate is being vetted by the media as a result of apparent oversight (or lack thereof) from the McCain vetting committee. And there are too many things to list, but this seems to be turning into an interesting race.

Monday, September 1, 2008