We finished up our journey yesterday. I can't remember the last time we just drove to where ever we wanted and had very little planned. I think for us that works out the best.

Thursday we went to Baltimore and spent time in the inner harbor. We were able to slip into the aquarium before they closed and it was very cool.


We stopped at Phillip's express to get a snack and it was alright. I got some fried crab to hold me over until dinner time. I did end up getting shit on by a bird while sitting by the harbor. It happened so fast and I didn't really know what happened at first. The majority of it hit the right lens of my glasses and luckily I was able to close my eye fast enough. Very little got on my pants and sleve. I was still able to wear them the rest of the night. However, I did feel all gross and just wanted to take a shower. My wife said it's good luck...frankly I think it sucked.





We met my uncle Don and his girlfriend (Bev) for dinner at The Rusty Scupper. I had a broiled seafood dish that included blue crab. It was excellent and tasted so fresh.



D.C. was our next stop. We had been there a few times before but it is always fun to walk around and see everything.





This trip we were able to see the new WWII memorial. The layout was very well done. They seemed to touch on so much and I am very happy to see they finally have something honoring this war.




I wish I could get a hold of some of this grass. Sounds like it would do the trick in my backyard.



Our hotel was in Arlington just on the other side of they Key Bridge. It is named after Francis Scott Key who wrote the Star Spangled Banner.



Next we drove up to Pottsville and hit the outlets before heading to my cousins for the night. Apparently they have a nuclear power plant near there. I had never been this close to one before...that I know of.



We had our first home cooked meal of the week with some of my family in Doylestown, PA.

The drive home was uneventful except for some traffic that delayed our arrival by an hour. I tried to get a picture of the bugs on the windshield. I hate bugs on the windshield!

Today is another day in Maryland. We went out exploring today and found our self at Joe's Crab Shack. I can't believe how many locations they have all over the world. The food was pretty good. We started off with the Crab Dip for an appy and I ordered the crab stuffed shrimp.

After that we walked around and ended up going into a Target for something. I noticed right away they had an escalator in the store. This was not just any normal escalator though. This would take you up to the second floor along with your CART!! Yeah that's right I said your cart. In the middle of the up/down sides was an up/down lane for carts as well. It is all open so you can watch your purse or whatever you have in there and you reach the top at the same time. It was the coolest thing I have seen in a while.

Again I will reiterate what I said yesterday.....I need a camera phone. I might even just drive back there before we leave so I can take a picture with my digital camera.

Today my wife (Mary) and I drove down to Maryland for a college fair. She works for Buffalo State as an Admissions Counselor. We decided to make a week of it and go to DC and Philly to see some of our relatives. So far we got down here alright but I have realized two things. One I need a camera phone and the Verizon Curve can not come fast enough. Two I am not a big fan of MD so far. I have been her a few times but not to stay for 2 nights. Just seems to go go go for me. Maybe it's because we drove 7 hours down and I just wanted to get out of car. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better.

Tonight I had a cup of coffee at 8PM which is a big mistake. I usually only have it in the morning but tonight I just felt like a cup so I had one. I ended up going to the Guinness Book of World Records site just to look up something. I used to be a big fan of this book as a kid and usually got it every year for Christmas. There is a little intro and then something caught my eye. That's right folks....Gamers Edition!!!



Most of them seem a little lame but I am sure there are more in the book then on the site. Why would you buy the book if that were not the case. Maybe we can come up with something for (e:jon) to win.

Last week my wife and I had our first ultrasound. It was so amazing to watch this little baby move all over on the screen. I could have sat there all day and watched it. I was almost hypnotized. Things are starting to feel more real and that is not a bad thing. It is great to think the someone will soon be depending on me to help them grow and shape their life.

The ultrasound tech was trying to get some measurements and the baby was being difficult (her genes) but after a short break it was more cooperative (my genes).




The facial features are still forming but you can make out the head and body.

I am out sick today. I usually don't take a lot of sick days but today is the 4th day in a row I have had a sore throat and am starting to cough. I hate feeling like you are a walking zombie. Im also trying to not take anything because I don't like medicine.

That's all...

I feel like everyone is posting about work lately but I kind of need to. Perhaps I just need to hear myself think but lately work has been weird. I have been at Roswell for almost 7 years (April 2nd) and have moved to 3 different positions. I started out at the helpdesk and after 2 years moved to the server team. Two years after that I decided to jump to the network team. Don't get me wrong I love being on the network team. It is something that I really enjoy doing. My job involves everything from wireless, switches, routers and firewalls.

Lately though I feel like I am missing the boat on new technology and concepts. Several years ago I got my Cisco certification (CCNA) and let it expire. I know I know big mistake! I am trying to talk myself into starting the process again. I want to feel excited about diving in and learning again. It has been a while since I have studied outside of work experience. This week I am going to try and get my learn on. I think it's kind of like going to the gym. Once you get in a groove then there is no stopping you.

I am on the verge of turning 30. My birthday this year falls on Easter Sunday and I can't remember the last time that has happened if at all. Some would probably be freaked out about turning 30 but I am excited.

I was given a card with some money in it from my coworkers on Friday. They all knew I wanted to get a PS3 so I immediately went out and got one along with Rockband. I believe they all secretly just wanted to play it and no buy it themselves :) Needless to say we had a blast. Here are some pics to prove it:

Yours truly on the drums


(e:mrdeadlier) singing


(e:paul) on the drums


(e:enknot) rockin out




On a totally other unrelated topic my wife and I are expecting our first child. We started telling people officially this week which is so much fun. At this point I am a little nervous but I am sure that will go away.

Thank you everyone for coming to my party....it was a great time for me and looks like for everyone else also.

This is the first Saturday in a while where 1) I have been home and 2) the weather is decent. Doing things around the house is one of my favorite things to do. It might seem boring to some but just cleaning up the basement or the garage is very therapeutic. Funny how such a small improvement can allow me to step back and say to myself "That looks so much better why didn't I do this sooner." Today is one of those recharge feel good days for me. Hope everyone else's Saturday is a great one.

Today I want to Bagel Jay's on Delaware for lunch. Besides the sandwich being good they served my fountain drink in a styrofoam cup. Is it just me or does a fountain soda just taste better in styrofoam? I have always been able to taste certain things that others don't seem to. For example I can taste the difference between say Poland Spring water and Dasani. I am not saying that I am special or anything but I notice the difference. Although styrofoam is bad for our environment I sure do enjoy drinking from one. Maybe it's the carcinogens that are released that gives it that oh so great flavor.