Power wash completed

deck after power wash
I just finished power washing my front deck. It made a noticeable difference removing much of the mildew and dirt. Now I need to replace the planks with pieces cut out and treat the wood with Thompson’s (or something comparable).

Trip to Fort Lauderdale

Mike, Zack, Travis and I met up with Roger (from Columbus), David (from NYC) and Ryan (from DC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 13-18.

Happy hour at our hotel. (L to R, Zack, Roger, me, Mike, David, Ryan and Travis)
Happy hour at our hotel

At Score bar in Miami. (Disappointed Miami doesn’t have a smoking ban.)
At Score bar in Miami

Fort Lauderdale beach
Fort Lauderdale beach

Navigation via iPhone(s)
Navigation via iPhones

Attempt at synchronized dancing
Attempt at synchronized dancing

In our hotel room
In our hotel room

Happy 30th Clayton – Cruise photos

Below are photos from my recent (and first) cruise on Carnival’s Ecstasy. We left from Houston on Saturday, September 20th and returned Thursday, September 25th.

We visited Cozumel (awesome) and Progreso (not so awesome) Mexico. There were close to 30 friends and family onboard to celebrate our friend Clayton’s 30th birthday.

Afternoon drinks at JR’s in Houston
Drinks at JR's in Houston, TX

Artsy thing in downtown Houston
Downtown houston

About to set sail on the Carnival Ecstasy from Houston on September 20, 2008
About to set sail

Mike and I in our cabin, aboard Carnival Ecstasy on September 20, 2008.
Mike and Garrett in our cabin

The gang at Society bar watching and doing Karaoke
The gang at Society bar watching and doing Karaoke

Matt, Josh and Dave at a show on Carnival Ecstasy
Matt, Josh and Dave at a show on Carnival Ecstasy

The gang at Stripes club aboard Carnival Ecstasy
The gang at Stripes aboard Carnival Ecstasy

Derek, Matt and I awaiting birthday champagne
Derek (in background), Matt and Garrett

Garrett, Mike, Dave, Travis and Zack in Cozumel preparing to reboard
Garrett, Mike, Dave, Travis and Zack preparing to reboard the ship

Socializing with the help at Stripes club
Socializing with the help

Who says you can’t drink during the survival drill?
Who says you can't drink during the survival drill?

Chichen Itza – ancient ruins
Chichen Itza

Formal dinner at Wing Song
Formal dinner at Wing Song aboard Carnival Ecstasy

Mowing the grass and yellow-jackets

Shortly after I began mowing the grass tonight, I felt a shocking sensation in my legs. At first I didn’t think much of it, until the pain became more intense. Upon looking down, I noticed 6-8 yellow-jackets on my legs. After swatting them off, I ran inside to get away. When I got inside I felt similar pain on my back and neck. I found two more yellow-jackets on my back and managed to swat them away.

I’m going to postpone mowing for a day or two. I still have minor pain and local swelling which should be better within a few hours.

A yellow-jacket that didn’t survive:
this yellow jacket didn't get away. on TwitPic