Happy Birthday wishes go out to an old friend today. I hope you're well.

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DOUGHNUT 9/11

You may remember back in March, I saw Michael Moore in front of the Watergate when he was shooting footage of the Saudi Arabian embassy. Well, on Friday night I went with friends to see Fahrenheit 9/11 and that footage made it into the movie, but also, at least three of the guys that I worked with could be seen standing in the background. Unfortunately, I didn't make it into the movie, but it was pretty neat to see the other guys. However, what was not cool was the sight I saw after the movie.

We went to the nearby Krispy Kreme doughnut shop to get a late night snack, and after I enjoyed my chocolate iced glazed doughnut and O.J., I decided to hit the men's room. I had never been to this place before, so I had no idea that the restrooms were designed for single occupancy, but I would soon learn this the hard way. When I opened the door (WHICH WAS NOT LOCKED) I nearly went blind because right there in front of me was a guy with his pants down around his ankles, sitting on the throne.

I of course turned and ran but it was too late. The horrible image I had just seen was burned into my eyes. Why this brain donor did not lock the damn door is beyond me. I should sue Krispy Kreme for mental anguish!

Please forgive me for giving you such a disturbing mental image. To make up for it, here are a couple of pleasant photos from a recent road trip. I especially like this little church up on top of a hill. It was so peaceful.

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In March of 2003 I posted a photo of "Crazy Tractor Man", a pissed-off tobacco farmer who had driven his tractor into a pond near the reflecting pool in DC and claimed he had a bomb. Yesterday he was sentenced to six years in jail. You know, it just doesn't pay to make bomb threats.

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THE BIG SPILL

I haven't been in a big Washington-style traffic jam for a while now, but on Monday night, I spent about an hour and half in complete gridlock on upper Peach Street in Erie. The article here explains it better than I can, but what happened was that this tanker truck filled with a nasty chemical was leaking. Before long, interstate 90 had to be shut down, traffic had to be diverted into the city, and people in a half mile radius of the truck were evacuated. The tanker eventually exploded and split completely in half. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. I was able to snap this photo yesterday morning after the interstate was reopened and the spill was cleaned up.

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Happy Father's Day, Dad!
Don't worry. No one is giving you a tie this year.

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CROAK-A-D0T

IT'S ALIVE! Well, not really, but it's done. Sunday was the big day when I unveiled "Croak-A-Dot", my Leapfrog at the Erie Zoo. It was quite an experience leading up to the big moment. The schedule was really tight, but it was all worth it when I pulled the cover off, and heard the "Oooo's" and "Ahhh's" from the crowd.

As soon as I stepped away, a bunch of kids swarmed the frog, all wanting to touch it and see their reflections close-up.

From Across the street you could see my frog (still covered) a "naked" standing frog, and a huge inflatable frog that was brought out by "Froggy 94", the radio station covering the event. The "Naked Frog" was given away in a raffle just before the unveiling, and should be decorated and back on the streets sometime this summer.

The frog is completely covered in about 2500 small round mirrors which reflect the environment around it. It's amazing to just stand and watch the colors from t-shirts and moving cars dance across the surface.

Early tests with tile grout and black silicone both failed, and cost me three days time, so once I decided to glue the mirrors on with epoxy-resin and bronze powder (for coloring) I had only eight days to complete this frog and still (occasionally) go to work. The whole week, I got almost no sleep, and at the time of the unveiling, I had been awake for thirty straight hours. If it hadn't been for my family coming in and mixing hundreds of small cups of resin, going to get materials for me, peeling off the plastic mirror coverings and just lending all kinds of moral support, this frog never would have been completed on time. Thanks guys. I owe you.

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