Mitch

I took Mitch with me to do some field work at the beach. He had a blast! I really like this dog, wayyyyy too much dog for most people, but such a cuddlebug. He would try to drink the water, but get a horrified face everytime (did that stop him though?). He was also afraid of the waves, though he would chase them out. It was fun to watch him scramble to get out of the way at times.
Here are some silly pics of us having fun at the farmer's market

Travel photo contest

I'm thinking of entering a travel photo contest. You get to submit 3 pictures, and I am having a hard time choosing. So, I ask for your help. Vote at the poll on the right, and let me know what you think!

A. Sand dunes in Coastal Peru

B. Lago Llanquihue, Chile

C. Torres del Paine, Chile

D. Lago Peohe, Chile

E. Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru

F. Cusco, Peru

G. Pan de Azucar, Chile

H. Colon, Panama

I. Colonial Panama City, Panama

J. David, Panama

K. David, Panama

Garden update

And, I've got a new foster dog now. It's only temporary, a relief for a foster that has 2 dogs of her own, family coming in for the week, and a home ripped apart for remodeling. This boy Mitch, is one hell of a lot of dog. He is part shepherd, and very large, got to be 90 lbs. He is one of those creatures who tests his boundaries, constantly. Seems to crave discipline though, he just needs to respect you. I am working very hard to get him to know that I am the boss. He loves to run with the bike though. Scared me actually. He ran so fast that I was pedaling as hard as I could and he was still dragging me so much that his collar was making him wheeze. Can't let him do that very often, yikes! I will get some better pictures later, he is a beautiful dog. Total cuddle bug too. Has a bark that will shake your socks off, don't think anyone will mess with me while I have him around, that shepherd protectiveness is very apparent!

Statue of Liberty

I finally convinced Holie to do the stupid tourist thing and visit the Statue of Liberty, it took some work.

It was very windy out there, with amazing stormy skys and beautiful colored clouds. One little girl walked by us, laughed and pointed. Her mother felt obliged to explain that it was the continuation of a conversation about the wind in everyone's hair, and that we were just particularly fine examples, not freaks for any special reason. I looked at Holie, and had to agree, don't you?Here are a couple of views of the statue from the jaunt around. It was actually much more interesting and impressive than I expected.Holie, showing her feistinessThe skys eventually did hold up to their promise of rain, and we got rather wet. Didn't help that we had to stand in line for the ferry for an hour.The sun on the sycamores through the black clouds was... well the picture doesn't do it justice, but still looks nice so...

Beautiful morning, beautiful Holie

I was playing with my camera one morning, and Holie looked so beautiful... so I took lots of pictures of her.

NYC with Holie

Holie and I in Central Park

Cynical me, glaring at the camera...

Holie and I at Ground Zero

The beauty of pollution

Tommy #1 One of Holie's favorite customers, a charming goofball.

Tommy # 2, a quieter man, but sharp tongued for all that. Incredibly kind though, really cool guy.
The Tommys are staples at Holie's bar, and tons of fun.

Holie and I at Katz's Deli

New York City!

On a rather spontaneous note, I'm in New York right now. I came to visit my dear friend Holie who is giving this place a go. She had to work last night, so I joined her at her bar, here's a pic of Holie working hard:

She's got a pretty good spot, lots of cool regulars and good tips! I actually managed to stick the entire shift out with her, unfortunately bars close at 4 here. ugh. but, luckily, I am still on California time. Mostly I didn't want to walk to her unknown apartment alone, in NY at _ in the morning. Actually enjoyed myself though. And, isn't she cute?

My labmates

Meet my blonde buddies, the cool girls I work with. From left to right, Emily, Brynn, and Jenise. Brynn has actually left us recently for more California focused work, and we miss her so... but she came back for a visit today!