Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #70: My 2009 Gallery

Carly has a great idea for the end of the year, show off your favorite photos from 2009. Now, some of mine aren't necessarily the best I've ever taken, but some I like for other reasons. Some from the dogs, or just because they are goofy. So, here are some of my favorites from 2009.

This year I took a lot of sunsets, sunrises and moon shots. What can I say, I like that kind of thing?

During September we added a new member to the family. I think Cruise is comfortable here.

Of course, we can't forget Quincy.

We also went to Disney World in June. I managed to get my first shot of lightning. Not the best ever, but I was happy.

In February Jenn took me To La Jolla, California to see a golf tournament. It was very cool out there. When we got back we had a surprise in our freezer, which the grandparents thought was a refrigerator.

This year I joined a 365 Flickr group which been a lot of fun. Here's one I like that I took in the fall.

Also in the early fall, I got a shot of some fog in the forest preserve on the way to work.

Okay, that's enough for now. I also created a set on Flickr with some additional pictures, if you want to check them out.

Now go check out the other collections through Carly's site.

Weekend Assignment #263: Predict the Future

Karen wants us to use our psychic abilities this week. That shouldn't be too hard, I've been practicing all week. 

Weekend Assignment #263: Predict one, two or three things you expect to happen (or so you claim!) before 2009 is over. It can be a logical extrapolation from current conditions, wish fulfillment, an attempt to show off your psychic ability, if any, or random silliness, or some combination thereof.

Let's see what I can come up with. 

First, in sports the Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup, The Bulls will win the NBA Championship, the Cubs and White Sox will be in the World Series together and the Cubs will win. Hey, the White Sox won just a few years ago. Then, after all the fires have been put out around the city, the IOC will determine that Chicago can't handle a major sporting event, so they decide to have the 2016 Summer Games in Des Moines, Iowa. That way, it's still close enough for the people living in Illinois to travel to see the games. How nice of them! 

In economic news, things will calm down, and, I hope, most people will get jobs that lost them a short time ago. No joke there, I just hope that it happens. 

On the tech front, a cell phone will come out that can dial the phone number of someone just by thinking of that person. It will work flawlessly, then people start drunk dialing their ex-girlfriends constantly. Lawsuits will be filed, people will get rich, all because the people designing the technology never had girlfriends. 

That's all I can come up with at this point. 

Extra Credit: Have you ever predicted something unlikely, and turned out to be right?

Last summer, when oil was at $150 a barrel and gas was $5 a gallon, I said that oil would be at $50 by the end of the year. I was joking, but I turned out to be right. 

So, since I've proved my psychic abilities, won't you call my psychic line for a free reading? Only $10.99 a minute. Call today! 

Do you have any predictions for this year? 

Weekend Assignment # 249: Looking back at 2009

I like this idea. Karen wants us to write up a look back at this year we are just starting. That leaves so many opportunities. I hope she didn't want me to be totally serious. I think she knows me well enough by now to realize I won't.

Weekend Assignment #249: Today is January 2, 2010. Tell us about the most interesting things that happened in 2009, in the world and also in your life in particular.

First off, I want to say thank you to everybody who voted for me in the special election for Barack Obama's senate seat. I figured I was the only one without some ties to the corruption that has been basically running our state for years, so I thought I might have a chance. Of course, because of said corruption, it was impossible for me to win; but, hey, I got some votes. Thanks!

On a related note, though not surprising to me, Gov. Rod Blagojevich was not impeached from the office of governor for our great state of Illinios. It turns out that really wasn't hair on his head. I knew it looked too weird. Who knew it would turn out to be a parasitic alien that was taking over his mind? When you thing about it though, only a crazy person, or alien, would keep having shakedown conversations on his phone when he knew it was being tapped. Unfortunately Glaxord, the alien, got away before we could find out what his true plans were. All I have to say is that I'm going to be watching people's hairdos more closely. You hair stylists and barbers keep your eyes peeled. The world is counting on you.

Back at home, we did end up winning the Mega Millions Jackpot back in July. Our share turned out to be only $45.75 after taxes. Who knew that many people played numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6? Oh well, at least we were still able to buy 400 shares of GM stock. Let's hope they turn it around soon.

On the national front, Barack Obama took office in January. By the second week the economy was completely turned around, all of the terrorists surrendered at once, and the unicorns came back to Earth. It has truly been a year of Change so far! I can't wait for 2010.

Extra Credit: How did you do on your 2009 resolutions, if any?

I didn't do so good there. I still eat all the M&M's I can get my hand on, I don't run as much as I should, and I don't eat right. But hey, I was busy running for that senate seat. Next year will be different.

(Edited to correct the month Obama takes office; because I'm an idiot)

Happy New Year!

I will be in bed before the year ends so I'm writing this now. I have to work in the morning and I'm too old to stay up that late then go to work. I would have one thing going for me; I get one extra second to sleep. If you want to know why, read Phil Plait's explanation. It's very detailed, and very interesting. Well, to me anyway.

What do I hope for next year? I hope that gas stays cheap but, at the same time, the world economy turns around. Mostly I hope our economy does, but we need to whole world to stabilize for everything to kick into gear. Also, I hope that I win the lottery. Hey, I get to ask something for myself. It's my blog after all.

Happy New Year!