If this is your first time playing or if you haven't read them before, PLEASE read the rules first.

Here's a hint: it's not Heaven.

Dude, I totally forgot today's the day we start Round 4.
When I finally remembered, all I had on me was my cameraphone so the photo is not the best.
You'll manage.

Good luck!

Permallink

Awwwwwww.

Thanks for the link, Brother!

I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been doing a lot of "live" posting to flickr via my cameraphone lately.

It's fun. :P

>What are 5 things you'd like to accomplish in the next 5 years?

1. Pay off car loan.
2. Visit the in-laws on the east coast.
3. Own my (our) own home.
4. Conquer morning sickness and contractions.
5. More cowbell!

y tu?

Permalink

Do you see it? I almost didn't.

It always feels odd to work on holiday projects months before the actual holidays.
I feel like I just lost the rest of my year.

>Do you play any musical instruments?

I took a few violin lessons in the fourth grade until we moved to Germany. Then in Germany I took up the flute (One time, at band camp...) and played that until I moved to Guam in the seventh grade (the middle school I transferred to didn't have band). My friend Burt gave me a couple of guitar lessons a long time ago and I can probably remember how to play chopsticks and the beginning of 'Right Here Waiting' by Richard Marx on the piano.

I'm really good at playing the stereo. I'd like to take up the oboe or cello.

et vous?

"When we started swimming out in the waves I was thinking, These guys are hardcore."

***

I don't consider myself a hardcore anything.

Nor would I use the word "extreme" to describe myself or any recreational activity I engage in. Especially not since the word "extreme" is used to describe practically anything now. Extreme racing? Fighting? Home decorating? Please. I brush my teeth every day with Extreme Herbal Mint. Extreme ain't all that.

Adventurous is more like it. I like to think I'm an adventurous soul. I thrive on discovering and exploring people, places and things-- basically all nouns. Good thing, too, otherwise I wouldn't have a whole lot to talk about on this here website.

Today we took Michelle out to Rick's for some snorkeling. It wasn't her first time swimming in the ocean, but it was her first time to Rick's. The waves weren't big (no one was out surfing) but the water was far from smooth.

I'm always a little wary about taking a new person out in the water because safety is the number one priority in my mind. If I'm not sure what level of swimming a person is at and they asked me to take them out snorkeling, I'd take them to Ypao because it's calm, it's inside the reef, and if at any time that person becomes afraid they can just stand up. That's where we took first-time snorkeler Julie way back when and now she's a total pro, not afraid to jump off a boat halfway between Guam and Cocos Island. Roel told me someone asked him if he was ever afraid to swim out over the reef with me and Julie. "Nah," he replied. "And I don't have to worry about those girls." I don't worry either because out there we look out for each other constantly, we don't stray far from one another, and none of us are dumb enough to venture out in the water in hazardous conditions.

At Rick's I pointed out to the reef and told Michelle, "We just need to swim out over the reef and get past where the waves are breaking and it'll be fine." I saw a little hesitation in her expression but she came out with us and it was great. She did great.

So congratulations, Michelle. You've just been promoted to Hardcore.