And the first contestant in the 2009-2010 baby race...

is David Allen Mitchell. I stole this photo from Ned & Mary Beth's blog, but they are too sleep deprived to demand photo credit. (Photo by Ned Mitchell, proud papa). We had our quiet time eventually, but he did protest me holding him other than just like the position shown here and also my attempts at the baby burrito. Once he fell asleep, I swaddled him and held him with one hand so I could finish my glass of Post Partum Pale Ale and watch football. I think he still won the battle, but I am far from giving in. I look forward to many more evenings with Baby David in 2010. Great work Team Mitchell!!

For the One True Pride of the Blue

Middle Tennessee got a big bowl win against Southern Miss in the Big Easy on Sunday! Even the Vicksburg Post covered it. I was down there Friday and Saturday nights for the Cowboys-Saints game, and it was great to see so many Blue Raider fans walking around. I was not able to stay for the game, due to some early obligations on Monday morning at work, but I left some good vibes in section 103.

Food Is Good

While on travel in Charleston, I have considered just staying behind and making this my home. The area is beautiful, the people are so nice, and the food...wow, the food. Tonight was another great meal at FIG, a restaurant near the hotel. I had a salad with Benton's bacon for that Tennessee connection and braised pork shoulder for dinner. Outstanding.

Kitty Hooch

Thanks to Laura for sending the kitties an early Christmas present, from kittyhooch.com and all three of them enjoyed it. It remains the favorite toy, almost as popular as food.

You got to know when to hold 'em

This is an older picture, from October, but I just got it from Sara (shown on right) and Philip. We were hanging out downtown from the Fall Festival, and Manu got a little fussy, so I tried to lay him back and he put his hands behind his head and just laid there, relaxed. Glad I could help. Nathan (middle) was on an important phone call. Tomorrow is Manu's first birthday! Happy Early Birthday to one of my favorite Vicksburg babies.

Welcome to Lila Marie

Congratulations to Leslie and Mark on the arrival of another beautiful daughter. Lila, you are blessed to be part of such a wonderful family, including big sister Molly and fierce protector, Sam, shown here.

Come to visit my new office!

I am still unpacking and have not settled on an arrangement (big surprise), but it is open for visitors. This female anole made an appearance this afternoon. I am not sure how she got in, but I captured her, took a picture and released her outside.

Rollin' Up Some Good Times

Occasionally I am invited to sub in a Bunko league. I have a blast, and sometimes we get to dress up! I was dressed as the Titans MVP, since football was no longer the sport to play.

Happy Birthday, Xandi

She scanned these pictures and left them on my computer, they had to be used at some point.

Out of the Ashes: Delta Diners makes a comeback!

We had a few new players this month, Philip & Sara--imports from Boston--and Glenn--back from 2 yrs in Iraq. We set our course for an unknown destination, Posecai's, in charming Greenville, MS. Some were skeptical about this place, since the website indicated it was sushi night (NOTE sushi is never to be ordered in the Delta), but we wanted to impress upon the rookies that the evening is mostly about the drive through the Delta, rather than the chow at the other end. We lucked out on both. There was a water issue, so we drank bottled water with imported ice, and coffee was out of the question. Our waiter, unnamed to my memory, was very gracious with our group. Although he denied me coffee.

My dinner was this delicious Eggplant "boat" filled with shrimp and lump crab meat. And a side of spinach.

Mission Accomplished

Loyal followers may remember her first day at work back in May and it is my pleasure to announce that Xandi is officially a car owner. She worked as a server at the Ware House this summer: making countless trips up and down the stairs, smiling through even the toughest customers, and now you can tell by the look on her face: IT WAS WORTH IT!! She is to be commended for setting a goal, working hard and following through. Definitely more than I did at her age, as I had summer jobs from age 15 on, made money, but never managed the follow-through until I was 19 (summer of '97).

Make the Call, Chris!

And he did! Chris and JMac are getting married. I'll be saving my air miles for wherever and whenever the big day is. Congratulations!

In the News

Our lab is getting a new building, and we had the groundbreaking ceremony this week. It was exciting to see the plans and to be involved in the ceremony. Along with several others, I was asked to speak one line, for those of you who couldn't be there, this is what I said: "Our research on the operational impacts of climate change will guide management decisions on the Corps' water resource projects." Somehow, I managed not to screw it up. Read about us in the Vicksburg Post here.

Best Road Sign in Alaska

Don't Harass the Wildlife

We worked most of the time, but managed to break away for dinner one night and about a 30 min drive up the Cook Inlet. No sign of belugas in the water, but ones on land cooperated for a group picture. The Dall sheep were obliging with photos as well.

Who needs a chuckle?

I can always use a laugh, even at my own expense. One of my co-workers, Jacob and I were asked to film a video for a recruiting film that ERDC is putting together. Here is the product.

Intern Lesson: Part 1

Seems like I should have been posting more about the intern this summer, but since she is an official member of the working class, we have had fewer photo ops. I had to travel last week, leaving the very capable intern to fend for herself here in Vicksburg. She did very well, save a couple of casualities, of which I am not seeking replacement, rather offering to those out there as a lesson learned.

Pre-heated oven containing pizza stone (it lives in the oven) + frozen lasagna=broken pizza stone

Lesson: As miraculous as my pizza stone is, it just can't deal with the thermal differential described above.

Need for measuring cup (I suspect for Kool-Aid, though unconfirmed) + proximity of Granny's china+ butter fingers=broken cream dispenser

I glued and will repurpose as a decorative container for something non-liquid. Lesson here involves looking more thoroughly for proper measuring vessel, or just estimate the measurement. It's just Kool-Aid, not nitroglycerine.

Alaskan Souvenirs

Sure, I could have gotten the moose droppings or the stuffed puffin, but who wouldn't rather have fresh red salmon and halibut? Prepared and served by the inexperienced hand of a road-weary sushi enthusiast.

If you can't beat the heat...

Go someplace cooler for a few days. After this hotter than normal June, I am looking forward to a brief reprieve in Alaska. I may even have to pack a jacket!!

Intern in the news...

Xandi made the paper back in the Boro--scroll to picture 12 of 13.
http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D4&Dato=20090629&Kategori=LIFESTYLES&Lopenr=906290806&Ref=PH

Another one bites the dust...

I have heard it said that cooking is 80% confidence, and I always admit that failure is an option. It is tougher to contend with when you overpromise your capabilities to your guests who are anticipating a yummy product. Case in point is this cake from last Thursday. I showed off some skills with my fancy microwave cake pan, yet we wanted more. I thought I could pull off a caramel glaze, and I called Mom to get her ideas. Readers, please know I am not trying to blame my mother for this dismal failure, I think she would have done things very differently. The caramel was beautiful while cooking, but toward the end it, well, burned. And then it hardened about as fast as we poured it over the perfectly good cake. We had to pry the hard shell off and I spent about 20 minutes trying to clean the plate it was on. The wooden spoon was sacrificed. But I pick myself up, dust myself off...

Happy Father's Day!

For Dad and Granddaddy--thanks for all that you do for all of us, even when it is not the popular choice (see Donovan's expression in below picture). You keep us out of trouble, or at least you try! Love you for it.

Ambitious Neighbors

It is so nice to have active neighbors who take the attention away from you and your lack of progress on most initiatives. Check out this publicity op on the Ware House: http://www.vicksburgpost.com/articles/2009/06/11/news/doc4a2fe433e06b0511795162.txt

What a Glorious Morning

My started-from-seed flowers finally started blooming! What a nice surpise on this rainy morning, to see the first bloom of my morning glories!

First Day on the Job

Xandi arrived Wednesday night, and started work Thursday afternoon. She dressed all in black, per the uniform, and was at work 15 minutes early. I suppose it is pretty exciting to start your first job! Come see her at the Ware House!

Make my Day

On Monday morning, I let the cats out on the balcony while the coffee brewed. I heard some strange noises and went to investigate. It took me a while to understand their issues (note that coffee was still brewing and yet to be consumed). Then I looked up. Millie and Annie were dreaming of city squab for breakfast, rather than kibble. It was reeked of Sylvester and Tweety. No animals were harmed in the filming of this scene.

Rainforest Climate

We have had rain every day for about the last 2 weeks. The river is rising, our cars are dirty, but the plants are thriving. This is one of two hibiscus I have on the balcony that are exploding with blooms.

Happy Memorial Day from Vicksburg

Yet another signature short & sweet parade down Washington Street. It was great to see people out on the streets supporting soldiers and veterans on this important day. Rob and Twitch, aka Lobby Cat, watched from the window, wishing they had a balcony. She wanted to jump, for sure. I would, too, if I lived with that emotionally unstable Dog.

Let the AWWWWWWWWWsss commence

Thanks to Nate Pate for sending me updated pictures of the Tennessee nieces and nephews. Shown here are Donovan (4), Mya (2) and Brionna (4 mos).