I’m currently in training learning how to administer an LMS (Learning Management System) called Moodle. It’s basically a tool that allows teachers and such to provide online courses to their students and it allows them to do grades and other things of that sort all online. Could be a new direction for me, so I’m giving it the old try.
Beautiful couple of days here – decided to spend it doing a bit of leaf peeping, and saying hello to our animal friends down at the sanctuary. Also stopped by an apple orchard and got some apples for making some apple stuff probably later today, a huge butternut squash from the farm, and some other grocery odds and ends. Also getting the place ready for the upcoming seasons, shutting down the outdoor hoses, moving the grill into the storage shed, etc.
We lost the proposal that I was hoping we’d win. Kind of a bummer for me, because that project kept me busy and I was controlling my own destiny a bit. Feeling a little depressed over it actually. The firm that won I didn’t think did the kind of work they were asking for, and for more money, so I’m not sure what the decision process was – maybe they were just sick of us after almost 10 years. Maybe it’ll bite them someday, but probably not. I personally think they made a mistake, and not to toot my own horn, but there’s no way they’ll get the same level of service that I was giving them, at least not at first. But it wasn’t up to me, and they’ll survive. The question is will I? Where do I go from here? I’ll have to try to find some other stuff to do.
Working for a consulting firm kinda sucks sometimes. Oftentimes I wish I could just work at a job where you know what it is day in and day out, and you don’t have to worry about billing and getting your utilization numbers up all the time. I not really complaining too much though – in a lot of ways it has been a dream job for me.. That’s what was nice about this project though – it kept me safe. Perhaps, I’ve become too complacent, and if so, then that’s all on me. Then again, maybe I’m being overly dramatic. Perhaps something positive could occur out of all this. New opportunities could lie ahead. I guess I just don’t like that it wasn’t on my terms.
We have a friend flying in from out of state to visit for a while, so it might be a nice distraction for a day or two. Meanwhile, the city is jack hammering the street out in front of the house in preparation for repaving it. Loud and annoying.
Went for a walk around Jamaica Pond this afternoon. It was nice.
Let’s see. I sent in one of my Gloucester photos for possible inclusion into a future Cape Ann Calendar. Of course, the editors would have to think it was worthy of putting in there but I figured I’d give it a shot and see what happens. We’ll see – I’ll be sure to announce it here if it actually happens.
A while back I had mentioned that a bunny in the back yard (nicknamed Brazen because she seemed rather brave to me) was building some sort of nest under a hydrangea by the back patio. I’ve checked the area and the nest is still there, covered up with leaves and straw, but remains empty, and I haven’t seen the rabbit in a while. It may be possible that she decided not to use it, which is rather unfortunate. I’ll keep checking now and then to keep tabs on it but it may not be happening there.
My knee is starting to feel a little better, but damn, I’m still hobbling around. I guess I’m not as mobile as I used to be, getting older and all. That kinda sucks.
Sean the pumpkin is really coming along – although the little pumpkin growing on the vine is still la yellow color. When does it start turning orange? Googling around it says they should get sun – I may need to pair back a leaf or two that seems to be obstructing it. There’s also another pumpkin starting to form further on down the vine as well, although that one is still very small.
We had a special guest over the house today and she was amazed at the photos I had taken (she saw the printed glass shots I have around the house and probably some on my Insta account). She said I should be selling these things. She’s probably right. I need someone to assist me in this endeavor!
Ended up watching the TV version of IT last night, having only seen bits and pieces of it over the years and thinking it was corny. But actually, when you watch it straight from On Demand, it actually wasn’t all that bad! I always figured John Ritter was playing the lead character, but he actually doesn’t.
This atmospheric cobblestone alleyway is Boston’s famous narrowest street. It was once home to artisans and to the service people who worked for the adjacent mansion dwellers. On the north side of the street, brick walls enclose examples of Beacon Hill’s hidden gardens.
My new album is out! Go check it out on Spotify, ITunes, and record stores everywhere!
In other news, I went ahead and ordered a Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens for my camera to try my hand at some wide angle shots. Total impulse buy, but it was on a killer sale so I popped on it. Might be kinda cool for some scenic shots – we’ll see. I’ll probably need to get a bigger bag at some point – carrying around three lenses is getting to be a bit much to carry!
Enjoy another shot from the Boston Seaport that I took!
For some reason, Labor Day this year just doesn’t feel like Labor Day to me. I can’t really say why. Maybe because we’re kinda subdued right now. Even did a Target run! I finally did beat all 13 levels in that Landfill game today I mentioned a few weeks ago (Aug. 15th entry)- boy I must have spent hours on that – that was a good distraction for a bit.
Get out there and enjoy the day!
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”
― William Shakespeare, Sonnets
Well, it’s the last weekend of summer (unofficially). Kind of a bummer, but can’t really complain. Had some really good times, and got to see some neat things this summer. Had some great times down the Cape, and saw some strange sites down in Spring Lake. Now will be a time to buckle down a little bit and focus on some other things for a while.
When I went to go walk by this place, I didn’t realize they were doing all this construction and restoration work around it. Still, a rather cool edifice.
Here’s a couple of pictures from last year’s Schooner Festival up in Gloucester. I literally took hundreds of photos that day of which here is only two. I really need to go through those because I probably have some other great shots of the various schooners sailing about the harbor. The next one is in a couple of days but I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make it. If not, I still have these to look and marvel at. It is pretty cool seeing them all together like this – they race them later in the afternoon against each other.
Here’s a shot along Boston’s Fort Point Channel. The small red building on the left just past the bridge is where the Boston Tea Party happened all those years ago. At the very end of this walkway is now a Starbucks coffee shop. Been kinda busy this week with other things hence the lack of updates!
Ladydoc got an iPad recently so I’ve seeing how this page displays on that device and I got to say, it looks pretty amazing. I feel it kind of makes my photos stand out better. Not sure how it looks on a Android tablet. I guess the better your display, the better they look is the bottom line.
Did you know the shortest suspension bridge in the world is the footbridge that crosses the swan boat lagoon in the Public Garden? I actually just learned this from picking up a book about Boston’s littler known facts from a Little Library outside the Legal Sea Foods in Newton where we had lunch yesterday. I had not been back to that spot in years – they did the place over, looks pretty good!
I’d have to say the Seaport area is my go-to favorite place in Boston, naturally. Anyways this afternoon we’re going to a watch party to see the horror movie “It.” One of the hosts was to scared to watch it with us in the theater when it came out but is willing to watch it on their big television screen. She’s not much into scary movies apparently. We’ve already seen it when it first came out but are going to watch it again to get ready for Part 2 in a couple of weeks, which I think she said she will gusto up and join us for!
Spent yesterday in Boston so I brought along my trusty DSLR to see whatever I could see while I was there. The great thing about Boston is it’s so historic and I love the seaport area so I feel it lends itself to some great shots. I’ll be uploading more pictures in the coming days so stay tuned. It also just happened to be that they let Old Ironsides out for a spin so I have a bunch of those coming. My legs are a little sore from all the walking I did yesterday though!
Went to Fenway Park last night as part of a work outing. Started pre-gaming at the Landsdown Pub, where we got free shots of rum, which lead to us getting free t-shirts advertising said rum, and a possible social media shot that I haven’t found yet. More later…
