Paid in Sunshine

Long-Outdated Photos

2011-11-23T10:20:00.003-05:00

Fountain Cheerwine in lovely Chapel Hill, NC, where we had an awesome, very cheap dinner amidst the glad tidings of a UNC football win.

Lititz, from whence we received mailed chocolate following the trip. Ashley blamed me, but I think Karen might have more to do with it.

Sure, we both have striped interior hoods over blue shirts. What of it? Maybe we're both finishing grad school this month too?

Nom nom nom

The mighty capitol skyline, Harrisburg, PA

Look at those Luke-Luke ears flapping! Who's our favorite Puerto Rican street mutt?

A summer trip in Instagram

2011-07-23T16:41:00.000-04:00

That's One Small Step for Ben

2011-05-28T08:43:00.007-04:00

And one giant leap for birthdays!
We're back from a whirlwind adventure to the Space Coast.

Astronaut Training eXperience was a success -- another notch in SpaceBear's Orion's belt.

We were there a few days after the launch of Endeavor, just as crews were preparing for the final launch of Atlantis, ending the 30-year shuttle mission -- perfect timing for our fair astronaut's 30th birthday.

With many WWP-like Southeast Asians (and Germans with multiple cameras/sock & sandal combos), we toured Kennedy Space Center's flight decks, drove by the Vehicle Assembly Building, and glimpsed the bald eagles and alligators who patrol the Kennedy Space Center National Seashore and Wildlife Refuge.

Here's the control room used for the first manned missions to space, including the Gemini launches.

Afterward, our trusty astronaut needed a good rest before a restorative stop at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream for a chocolate malted.

You'll be glad to know we timed our trip to coincide perfectly with the spring lovebug onslaught. Oh, Florida! ;-)

We also swam near the dolphins, gulls, egrets, pelicans diving for dinner/duckweed.

We even stopped by old haunts, confirming the presence of a) fire ants and b) hicks.

And, of course, when in Rome:

You've gotta hit up some Disney action.

I think it's safe to say we're Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow folks -- sustainable fish grown and served in all the EPCOT restaurants? Tours through the hydroponic veggie plots? Friendly welcomes by our international friends in Canada, Japan, Germany, Norway? And leisurely strolls through my beloved French homeland? Oui!

Blurry adventures through space

And time.

I think we can safely proclaim: it's a magical, inifite world out there.

Astro-Bulletin:

2011-04-09T11:19:00.001-04:00

Someone just received his Core Confirmation Packet from the Kennedy Space Center!

Woot!

That's one small birthday for man

2011-04-03T09:16:00.003-04:00

Operation 30th Birthday Liftoff: announced. Guess who's going to space camp at long last?

Birthday boy is winding down the 2011 festivities this weekend, though he's packing bags for a trip to Cape Canaveral in May to keep the celebration going strong.

All Your Base Are Belong to Us

2011-03-24T07:36:00.003-04:00

Quick programming note to alert all other friends that Dave M. is currently trouncing everyone in the unique postcard category.

Last year, he thrilled us with his "Best wishes on your Pan-African alternative holiday to Christmas" card.

Now, he's the star of his own themed superhero postcard. It's amazing, ~~Halk-Kar~~ Dav-Em. We eagerly anticipate the accompanying comic book!!

Sprung Spring

2011-03-19T20:23:00.002-04:00

(UVa, overlooking the new beach volleyball courts)

Alternate Blog Title: Matt, Try not to be jealous of our southern seasons

(our parking lot at 7:35am Thursday)

(Evening's walk to see the "Super Moon")

(Nearby neighborhood in bloom)

(Recent rainbow, photo taken with iPhone while driving on Rt. 20 during my commute home)

(Ben spies the season's first leaves)

2011-03-16T21:49:00.005-04:00

Occasionally, we must ask ourselves: how can I get me some good maple syrup flavor? Fortunately, this past weekend had our answer in spades.

Behold scenes from the 2011 Highland County Maple Festival.

Maple Funnel Cakes

Peds w/Pork Rinds

Sundry Goodz

Long Lines

Rustic Museum

Scenes from the Golden State

2011-01-13T09:35:00.005-05:00

Bouncing to and fro across the biomes and weather patterns of this great nation gives a diversity to our most recent photo posts. Consider this tree from the courtyard of the hotel I recently stayed at in contrast to the feet of accumulated snow we recently encountered.

Although my time and energy (and spending cash) were dominated by work or its related endeavors, I was able to carve out some time for myself around dawn to run and walk. I was particularly struck by the view from under a pier.

I also saw something interesting that seemed to fit well with J's mycological preoccupation, documented it dutifully, and present it here.

I realize belatedly that there is nothing obvious in this photo to give a sense of scale. Opening it in another tab or window, however, will allow you to see a larger version wherein human footprints are discernible. Suffice it to say that the sucker was big!

We're both home safe and sound now. Who knows where we'll go next?

Scenes from the Garden State

2011-01-01T15:27:00.005-05:00

Christmas Blizzard 2010

PTSD prevents me from recounting our harrowing journey from the Menlo Park mall to the Webster Hilton on 12/26. Allow these photos, taken upon our return, to paint you a more pleasant photo of the Jersey Snowpocalypse 2010 (not to be confused with our many Old Dominion snowventures of the 2009-2010 season).

Monday morning, we awoke to calmer skies and put those muscles to heave ho'ing a whole lot of the fluffy stuff. Remind me again why we're avoiding snow-blowers?

Poor Finn, who finally achieved garage status at home, found himself in a chilly predicament.

No surprise; the avian residents of the 'boro made out just fine. I await the day you get to the master gardening chapter on the pitfalls of feathered vertebrates, Karen Cultivates. ;-)

A New Year's Day Energy Tip from Ben

2011-01-01T15:18:00.004-05:00

An Ode to Christmas Cheer / New Year's Day Energy Enhancement

Step 1: Make cup of coffee in new "afternoon joe" device

Step 2: Open astronaut ice cream sandwich from Ashley

Step 3: Dunk (with Kittelsen-approved dunking method)

Step 4: Commence sugar/caffeine high

Merry Christmas One and All

2010-12-24T20:36:00.003-05:00

Santa's in the Sandwich Islands as I write, making his way to our eager home. May your morning be filled with tidings and good cheer, presents and treats, happiness and surprise, and may your sweaters always match.

Merry Christmas 2010!

Day on the Slopes

2010-12-17T09:33:00.003-05:00

Beaver Creek, Avon, Colorado, December 16, 2010: Snowshoe Adventures at 10,000+ feet.

We even got to take the lift

Ben thanks our fathers for supplementing his wardrobe: shirt and neck warmer courtesy of Don and ski pants thanks to J. ;-) It pays to know outdoorsmen in your size, huh?

Warming yurt -- a welcome place to kick the snow out of your shoes.

Today, we reluctantly descend and leave our beloved Westin Beaver Creek, which was lovely, overpriced, and wonderfully comfortable. The good news: we may see some prairie dogs at lower elevations!

This side of the Continental Divide

2010-12-15T19:00:00.006-05:00

We've just finished Western Family Nacho Night, after a long soak in the saline infinity hot tub out in the snow. And wow, it sure feels like vacation!

I owe all of you an apology, because it's difficult to describe how pleasant and wonderful our time has been without sounding like I'm a braggart or like I'm insensitive to those who don't have the privilege that we are blessed to find ourselves with now. That said, THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!

Tomorrow: braving the elements for a snowshoe venture, which will involve three chair lift exchanges and trail mix. Don't be too jealous (Matt, that mostly means you. Luke would LOVE wearing a Northface dog-jacket in Beaver Creek).

Destination: Vacation

2010-12-15T10:55:00.002-05:00

It's lightly snowing in Beaver Creek, Colorado this morning, and your daring adventurers are off for some alpine trekking. Photos and details to come. Vacation: it's the best!

Gobble Gobble

2010-11-25T18:59:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from all your friends at PaidinSunshine!

Hope your holiday was merry and bright! We had ourselves a feast and a half -- but we're saving our turkey for dessert. ;-)

Another Year, Another Day at the Races

2010-11-07T10:43:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, an elite crew with a special in-field pass set off for an artisan sandwich picnic and some annual Montpelier Hunt Race fun.

In between the races, we scoped the tweeds, riding boots, and braided manes. (Hat shopping involved mixed results, and ultimately no new acquisitions.)

There was steeple-chasing galore. Even when jumping the box hedges--or losing their jockeys (read: not underpants)--, the equine specimens maintained their composure in the slightly elevated altitude.

...And the day ended with a pink nose after cheerful hours in the sun.
Take that, potential Vitamin D deficiency!

Exciting Times in the ATL

2010-11-07T08:48:00.003-05:00

Highlights of our visit to Atlanta last weekend: Amazing FroYo, swank downtown hotel, first snow of the season, Confederate bas relief monuments, the many flavors of CocaCola, time with our favorite seminarian, puppetry, biscuits and grits.

Stone Mountain: where we learned about the importance of proper footwear, quartz monzonite outcroppings, "heroes" Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis, and a carver named Lukeman.

Snow machine! Stone Mountain was preparing for winter festivities as we sweat our way down the mountain.

Serendipity. Our rental was silver Corolla, which we took to the Ponce Whole Foods.

A stolen image at the Center for Puppetry Arts prior to an unexpectedly good performance, The Ghastly Dreadfuls. Unpictured: creepy, creepy puppets.

Can one man try all 66 flavors at the World of CocaCola?

Only after a 4-D experience featuring water and wind (note the droplets on Ben's shirt!).

Perfection! Thanks for a lovely trip, Jenna! It was a wonderful crash course in Atlantia.

Blue Ridge Wanderings

2010-10-24T10:02:00.003-04:00

There are Northerners are among us this weekend. Some photos:

Yankee Horse Ridge trails after a picnic lunch

Morning moonset over Avemore

How much is that Luke-man in the forest? (The one with the waggly tail?)

Base of Crabtree Falls at the Tye River at sunset

Acorn foraging

More to come, hopefully documenting a required visit to Aunt Sarah's Pancake House and horse farms.

Weekend Roundup

2010-10-03T18:00:00.003-04:00

Foggy Saturday morning in the Shenandoah, following days of epic flooding.

A new hiking trail, replete with mountain scapes, critters, and backyard viewing potential. We even scoped out some bittersweet and went back today to "liberate" a few twigs.

And, finally, evening fun at the tot lot. Intersperse the weekend with some choice noming, a handful of migraining, Jersey Shore season one, online pillow shopping, and stacks 'o work, and you have a sense of the fascinating times of Began, October 2010.

Sorry!

2010-09-24T20:22:00.001-04:00

Too busy sitting on our new couch and/or parking in our new garage to blog!

North Carolina's Just Fine by Me

2010-09-19T11:00:00.005-04:00

Operation 36-Hour OBX or Bust: Moderate Success

*only one tire was busted on this mission. Blame the Bodie Light House... Upshot of busted tire: we met friendly surfers from Montreal and a talkative Republican who relocated to the area at the top of the housing bubble.

In all, it was a lovely two days featuring great blue cheese, my first taste of the infamous Wahoo fish, listening to the waves crash by our deck, hiking the sand dunes with Mennonites, thinking about A Kingdom Strange, feeding leftover salad to a mess of turtles, and listening to a slew of podcasts (and the new Brandon Flowers' album on repeat).

The biggest drawback of the trip wasn't the drive or the AAA rescue; it was the damn bugs, which ate me alive. Why me, bugs? Do I taste like Ina's cheesecake to you? Don't you know how many calories I contain? Show some moderation!

Life Outdoors Pts. 1 & 2

2010-09-12T12:27:00.002-04:00

In slimy news, Ben, underwater ally, has attracted a new porch pet.

For a few days now, we've been captivated by the amphibious doings of this fella, who I think of as Lester.

Japanese beetles beware!

Late last night, we even spotted him on one of our deck chairs, peering toward us through the blinds. Creepy!

In other out of doors news, we've succumbed to the nerdiest of Saturday evening activities. We watched LOTR vol. 3 with about 40,000 of our closest DC-area companions. Outside. While an orchestra played along. It was pretty awesome, even if I still don't fully understand the appeal of the precious ring. We had a Wegman's-based picnic, chatted with friends, clapped at the good parts. I got to wear my North Face for the first time this season, and Ben swapped Belgian brews with a like minded connoisseur. Place this in the category of Things I Wouldn't Have Sought Myself That Paid Off. Thanks for inviting us, Gillian!

Happy Labor Day

2010-09-06T19:05:00.002-04:00

After a long week of work and a weekend filled with more work, we took off for some mountain air and off-site family nacho night activities.

Hope everyone had a relaxing day. Let's raise our glasses to more Mondays off! ;-)

August, in Photos

2010-08-26T09:08:00.007-04:00

It's been a busy month. Here are some highlights:

Tetris wars.

Air and space.

Roadtrip!

P'boro Preserves. Watch out for Nessie...

Belgian brews.

Upstate pastoral.

Lukeman.

Fritters.

The Farm Museum.

Cooperstown, Lake Otsego.

Hotel Palomar hijinks.

Ben, stand closer to that buffalo!

Rural fun at the state fair.

Celebrity run-ins; soap.

Friends and new cameras.

Not pictured: touring the White House! New (very busy) position at work! The start of Ben's fall semester! Clean carpets! Couch shopping! Lots of time in the car! NJ bagels! Pit-stops at Wegman's! Dulex international membership on Ancestry! Two distinct "frog in Ben's hand" experiences! Ensuing use of disinfectant!

Phew... Onward to September. We're excited for cooler breezes, harvesting our pots and pans garden, adventures to NC, Hotlanta, Columbus, etc., etc., etc.