Sunset In Aberdeen

 

Aberdeen, Maryland.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Little Beggar
2017: Setting Up Your Shot In A Beautiful Setting
2016: Landing
2015: Fields Of Gold
2014: Natural Home Decor
2013: Cats In Trucker Hats
2012: Marbelize It!
2011: Inner Harbor Fixture
2010: Sandía On The Wall
2009: Big Rig Parking AT #34
2008: The Benefits Of Marriage Without The Hassle Of Dieting To Get Into The Dress
2007: Gateway To The West
2006: Taking A Lesson From An Eleven Year Old
2005: Rejoicing And Be Sad

Side Eye

 

This flounder, seen at The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland just couldn't keep his eye off me.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Not Your Average Potted Plant
2018: The Sun Sets On The Sea Of Cortez
2017: Metallum Warrior
2016: Woman With Dog
2015: The Supers And More
2014: Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear
2013: House For Sale: Goats Included
2012: Hanging On By A Thread
2011: Does A Bear Have A Diner In The Woods?
2010: Would You Rather Sit On Your Ass All Day Eating Cheetos And Watching TV, Or Would You Rather See?
2009: The First Bit Of Spring
2008: Pop Secret
2007: The Kind Of Shopping That Makes Me Want To Commit Suicide, Right There In The Middle Of Macy’s
2006: The Benefits Of Memory Loss
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Charm City Power

 

The historic former Pratt Street Power Plant at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.

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2023: Five Hours Of Bliss
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Room For Waiting
2020: A Year Long Carnival
2019: Four Balanced Women
2018: Five Spices And A Few Cuties
2017: Water That Saved The Life Of A Princess
2016: A Few Blocks From Fort Apache
2015: Única…Original
2014: Living The Examined Life
2013: Trucking Like We're On Fire
2012: Looking For A Coffee Fi
2011: Container Port, You Are No Friend Of Mine
2010: Encased In Plastic
2009: No Lifeguard On Duty
2008: Palm Sketches
2007: You Know Who You Are
2006: I Fear The Family
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Daughter Of The Wind

 

A few of the beautiful sea anemones we saw at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: View From The Hill
2018: Where Congress Is Cool
2017: Inside The Queen
2016: Glorious Tulips
2015: Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
2014: ¡Bienvenido! 
2013: We Couldn't Catch Him
2012: It’s Vital For My Existence
2011: Boxed In By Hills
2010: Ask A Trucker
2009: Getting Our Truck Tweaked While Making New Friends And Enjoying A Free Lunch Pie*
2008: Sunglasses Also Required Here
2007: Windows Vista, Trucker Style
2006: Being A Girl Again
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

What Are You Looking At?

 

A crocodile staring me down at The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Remembering The Shrine Of Texas Liberty
2018: Healing, Herbs, And Community
2017: This Is Everything
2016: Shocking
2015: Waiting For Turistas
2014: The Still Before The Storm
2013: Sizzle, Drizzle, And Pour
2012: Dreams Explored Over Dinner
2011: I’m In Love And It’s Not Even Valentine’s Day Yet
2010: Eddie As Fisherman Friday
2009: Birds And Barbells On Muscle Beach
2008: A Girl On The Shores Of Cozumel
2007: I’m Not Exactly Sure What You’re Proposing Here
2006: The Blizzard Of 2006
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Personal Space

 

Ed and I spent the past weekend at a Hilton Garden Inn in Aberdeen, Maryland.  The manager was amazing - he gave us great restaurant recommendations, extra perks on our room, and two free tickets to the local movie theater.  We decided to go see Argylle.

We almost had the entire theater to ourselves - look for Ed all the way up in the back.

We always arrive early for movies because I want to get the seat I like and I want to see all the previews. So, on this day we did the same. Once we were settled in our seats chomping on popcorn I looked around at the empty theater and said to Ed, “It’s like we’re at a private screening. Just us. Imagine if someone came in right now and just sat right next to us?” 

Then, not five minutes later, a couple walks all the way up to the row we were in, starts down the row towards us, and the girl stops in front of the seat next to me where I had my purse and jacket and just stood there.

She wanted me to move my stuff so she could sit there. So I looked at her and said, “Really??” And she said, “Uh, yeah.”

I could not BELIEVE that out of all the seats in the theater, she had to sit right next to me. WTF? 

I looked over at Ed, rolled my eyes, and whispered, “Can you believe her??” He then told me that the seats were assigned. When you make your ticket reservation you choose the seats you want. Ohhhhhhh.

Well, wasn’t I the asshole.  Great.  So now I had to apologize.

I reached over, tapped her on the arm, and said, “Sorry for the comment - I didn’t realize these seats were chosen when you purchased the ticket.” She said, “Oh, no problem."  And we went on to enjoy the movie. 

That said….

Since the movie theater, and our whole row, was still empty the entire two hours and nineteen minutes of the movie, she could have moved over and put one seat between us. It would have been the right thing to do, especially since we were there first.

So, maybe I’m not the asshole. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: The Worst Bar-B-Q In Texas
2018: Bestie In The Caldera
2017: A Living Snapshot Of Another America
2016: C'mere, Give Me A Hug
2015: La Bufadora And Almejas Gratinadas
2014: In The Nick Of Time
2013: This Business Means Business
2012: A Nodding Donkey On The Hill
2011: What A Croc
2010: Flash Of Pole
2009: They Hire ‘Em Young These Days
2008: Setting Sail At Sunset
2007: Happy Bee
2006: It’s Not Unusual
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

When Life Gives You Lemon Sailfins

We went to The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland for Ed's birthday and saw some pretty spectacular fish. 

One of my favorites was this beautiful bright Yellow Tang, also known as a Lemon Sailfin.




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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: How Deep Is Your Love For New Artists?
2019: Barging Through Downtown
2018: Maybe This Time
2017: Queen Of The Copper Camps
2016: He Ran By And Told Me To Share Links
2015: Heading To Shore
2014: Chocolate And Gnocchi - The Best Of Any World
2013: Looking And Smelling Good Behind The Wheel Of A Big Rig
2012: Necessary Evil
2011: Getting Drunk On Summer Fun
2010: How Is It The Fish Don’t Freeze???
2009: A Meal Even 300 Year Old Monks Would Love
2008: Not A Knock Knock Joke
2007: Eddie Shades Friday
2006: The Idiot And The Box
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Hanging Around

 

This is a sloth we saw at The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. He didn't move the entire time I was looking at him.

I think we're related.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: An Inflatable Party
2018: First Birthday As A Married Man
2017: Established 1975
2016: Happy Birthday, My Sweet Prince!
2015: Celebration At Sea
2014: Winter Baby
2013: Let Me Count The Ways
2012: He’s Been Waiting For This Day For Thirty-Seven Years
2011: Twisted Raoul
2010: The Spring Chicken Celebrates His Big Day
2009: Eddie It’s My Birthday! It’s My Birthday! Friday
2008: As Pisghetti Gains Another Year, I Lose Eight
2007: Happy Birthday My Sweet Eddie!!!
2006: The Many Faces Of Ed
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Blue And Crabby

Maryland Blue Crab at Crab Quarters restaurant in Middle River, Maryland.



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2015: Drive Less, Make More
2014: While You Were Sleeping
2013: Between Brattleboro And Bennington
2012: Man At Work
2011: Under A Rock
2010: Practicing For Retirement
2009: Truckers Are So Sensitive
2008: Light Sweet Crude
2007: A Antiquing Conundrum
2006: How Can You Not Love This Face?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore of the Potomac River in Newburg, Maryland.



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2014: Sunday Elixirs
2013: Getting Robbed On The Way OUT Of New York
2012: Not Everyone Learns In The Same Manner
2011: Just Another Day In New York
2010: Practicing For The Retirement Home
2009: United Parcel Servant
2008: Whizzing Through Dallas
2007: Eddie With The Luscious Kisser Friday
2006: ’Tis The Season To Be Tweety
2005: Cat Fiiiiiight!!!

Strangled By The Capital Beltway

The traffic on the Capital Beltway around Washington, D.C. is ridiculous. It doesn't matter what time of day it is, there's always traffic. Of course some times of day are worse than others. Hello, 4:30 in the afternoon.

We have to be on the road, in traffic every day, because that's what we do. Getting stuck in traffic is my job. What I don't understand are the people who choose to be in traffic, sometimes over an hour a day in just one direction. I've been caught in beltway traffic for several hours and I'm just passing through. I can't imagine doing this drive on purpose. What kind of job is worth sitting in traffic morning, afternoon, and night?

I've never in my life lived more than 20 minutes from any job I've ever had. Even when I lived in Alexandria, Virginia, I worked seven miles away in Arlington, and it took me 15 minutes to get there on average. There's no job on earth I would do that required me to sit in traffic for two hours.

Even if that job were in paradise and they paid me in kittens, gold coins, and Twinkies. 



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2014: Even The Deer Are Bored
2013: Happy "Columbus" Day!
2012: Not So Subtle
2011: Satan Called. He Wants His Weather Back.
2010: If Only I Looked As Good As He Does
2009: What Grandmothers Do When Their Grandchildren Grow Up
2008: The View Of The Valley And Meadow
2007: A Beautiful Dimple In The Earth
2006: Dive The Sky
2005: G-Y-M

Power On The Potomac

This is the Morgantown Generating Station, located on the banks of the Potomac River in Newburg, Maryland.  It is a coal-fired power station that supplies large amounts of electrical power to the Washington DC metropolitan area.  It is capable of powering 1.2 million homes.

These pictures were taken from the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge which is part of U.S. Route 301.  The bridge is located at a dramatic bend in the river and marks the line between the Lower and Upper Potomac River Estuary.  It's the only Potomac crossing below Washington DC and was opened in 1940.

According to RiverExplorer.com, at approximately at this point in the river, there was a famous ferry that ran from Morgantown, Md. to Mathias Point in Virginia, as early as 1705.

The ferry was part of the shortest route between the capitals of Maryland and Virginia and served as a principal link in the journeys of many early Americans including George Washington, George Mason, and other founding fathers.  Nearby is also the site of one of the river crossings by John Wilkes Booth after his assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  

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2014: Ma And Pa Kettle Lived Here

2013: "License, Registration and Insurance Card, Please"
2012: Welcome To Hell
2011: When She Passes Each One She Passes Goes Ahhhh
2010: The Key To Being Funny
2009: Wishes Really Do Come True
2008: Eddie Plays It Safe Friday
2007: What Road?
2006: I’m STILL Looking To Get Me Some Good BBQ
2005: Say Cheese!!

The Capital Wheel Blur

A drive-by photo of the Capitol Wheel at National Harbor.



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2013: Shopping, Wrapping And Eating Is Exhausting
2012: This Space Available
2011: The Road To Laramie
2010: Muscling Christ Back Into Christmas
2009: Holiday Gift Suggestions
2008: Weighing In
2007: When You Need Maternity Clothes And You’re Not Pregnant, You Know It’s Time For A Diet
2006: It’s The Real Thing!
2005: Spiraling Out Of Control

All Huddled Together

A Ukranian vendor at the German Christmas Village in Baltimore stocks his booth with hundreds of Russian Nesting Dolls.



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2013: Me And My Shadow
2012: Weekend Update
2011: Midway To A Haven Of Triple X Activity
2010: The Cowboy And I
2009: Christmas In OKC
2008: Ain’t Nuthin’ But A Lizard Pimp
2007: After The Storm
2006: Border Town
2005: Easily Amused

Waterfront Biz

An office building on the waterfront in Fell's Point, Baltimore.  I like the writing on the side of the building, looks old-timey-warehouse to me.


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2013: My Boy And I Love Us Some Cheese
2012: A Visit To The Island Plantation of Hibernia
2011: Now They Are Heard And Not Just Seen
2010: By Request
2009: The Reason My Ass Is Not Getting Any Smaller
2008: Out Of This World Outport Life
2007: Max Says To Go Placidly, As It Is Still A Beautiful World
2006: Dangerous Beauty
2005: Big Bad Cherry Peppers

A Door To Another World

Another look at The Antique Man shop in the Fell's Point neighborhood of Baltimore.  



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2013: Beaver Exploitation In Texas
2012: Perfected And Built By Italians
2011: So THIS Is What We Look Like!
2010: Just Because
2009: Plastic Is A Sure Thing
2008: The All Purpose Swab
2007: Jump The Weeds
2006: Forty Dollars A Gallon
2005: Off With Their Heads!

Collecting America

A Black Americana doll found at The Antique Man shop in Baltimore. 

This shop had a lot of what's called Black Americana or Black Memorabilia, both of which are collectible. They had several cases with many items grouped together, but I also found pieces hidden among other items.

I find many of these items and their history to be very interesting.  A quick Google search didn't turn up what I expected.  I found this article from 26 years ago, printed in the New York Times, but other than that, nothing really significant caught my eye.  And nothing really recent.

These type of antiques are very collectible, many of this genre being bought by celebrities from what I've read.  There are also a lot of fakes out there.  Here are some tips from the Antiques Roadshow page that might be helpful if you're interested in collecting.  

    

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2013:  Approaching Flag
2012: He Didn't Even Need Duct Tape
2011: The Epitome Of Desolation
2010: Eddie Lobster On The Brain, Listening Skills Disengaged Friday
2009: Privacy Issues
2008: It’s Crazy That I’m Crazy For Keanu
2007: Gifts That Keep On Giving
2006: Classic Las Vegas
2005: Off With Their Heads!

Bric-à-brac

We found a fun little shop in Baltimore called The Antique Man.  It was great, SO much to look at! Rooms filled with old hats and jewelry and furniture and dolls and glassware and gadgets and memorabilia.  

I really enjoyed weaving through the aisles touching furniture that looked like it came from my grandmother's house in the Bronx.  Peering into the glass cases that held hundreds of tiny vintage items.  The thing that impressed Ed and I the most?  The fact that the place was so clean.  No dust anywhere.  Which is an incredible accomplishment for a shop like this.  

This is definitely a place that needs to be visited more than once.  There's no way to see everything in one visit and they accept new items all the time, so their inventory changes.  
Next time maybe I'll even buy something!


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2013: Bidding Adieu
2012: Rushing To The Mine 
2011: Ari-Snowna
2010: It’s In The Air
2009: Wish List
2008: He Must Have Learned It From TV
2007: When Pizza Is Involved, Jesus Is Always In Charge
2006: Sexier Than The Rockettes
2005: $3.99 A Minute

Drink And A Movie?

This weekend Ed and I went to the movies to see The Theory of Everything. We really enjoyed the film and Eddie Redmayne did a spectacular job portraying Stephen Hawking.

While waiting in the lobby before the movie, I saw a girl walk by with a drink that looked like a frozen margarita. When I turned around to see where she came from, I noticed that the snack bar had a bar bar.

WTF??  A bar in a movie theater? I know this is trending over the last few years - movie theaters with upscale food and drink - but this was the first time I'd been in a facility that had a bar.  

This takes dinner-and-a-movie to a whole new level.



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2013: Leaving The Blue Skies Behind
2012: One Special Request
2011: Body Language
2010: Move Along, Not Much To Read Here
2009: My Favorite Geek Scores Two Bargains In One Day
2008: Your Beating Heart
2007: All I Want For Christmas Are My Two Front Teeth
2006: Eddie Opens An Eye In Vegas Friday
2005: You’re Giving Me Agida

Breakfast Served All Day

Yesterday we hit Jimmy's Restaurant in the Fell's Point neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland.  After a very late morning breakfast, we spent the rest of the afternoon roaming the area shops.

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2013: A Peek At Mission Learning
2012: Pretty Yung Ting
2011: How To Get Kids To Eat Vegetables
2010: Back In The Saddle
2009: Logging Lots Of Miles
2008: Apples, Fudge And Homemade Jam
2007: Eddie Hick Runs Deep Friday
2006: If You Can’t Make It To France
2005: I’m Sleeping With Someone New