Most Recent Stories & Articles for Holidays, Vacation, and Travel
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Happy Earth Day Everyone!
- Posted On: 4/23/2006
Yes, today is Earth Day! So, what did you do to celebrate our world? How did you show your graciousness toward the bountiful resources that have provided for life on this planet in a universe of endless wonder and uniqueness? Me? I fixed a fossil-fuel burning car and a lawnmower and my wife trimmed the hedges and pulled weeds. Hmphf... not very respectful of us. -
Bend, Oregon
- Posted On: 6/29/2005
My family and I visited Bend, OR for my sister's wedding on June 18 (had to note it so I won't forget it). Oregon is so green! After living in the dry valley of Arizona all my life, it's great to see such lush surroundings.Although the pictures I took of the wedding are stored on my dad's Canon S500 (rockin' camera!!!), I did get some great shots with my A95 and I added them to a new photo gallery titled "Bend, OR", but here are some sample photos:*All original photo quality has been reduced, but should still be considered copyrighted material owned by Eric Swanson. All rights reserved. (thanks for supporting copyrights!) -
Leaving Town
- Posted On: 6/16/2005
I'm out a' here! Gonna go see my sister get married. See you all in a week! -
MY BIRTHDAY!!!
- Posted On: 12/21/2004
Tomorrow is my birthday... I hope to get a mansion on an island paradise, but I may just get a few cards and hopefully someone will donate to a charity or volunteer some of their time in honor of my day. Is tomorrow any one else's day? My mom's was the 19th and my step-son's is the 26th. Crazy.
I have "effectively" communicated to my side of the family that we, as adults, should not be scrambling around every year to buy gifts for each other on Christmas. Send cards in June, buy us that new convertible in September, and help out those in need during the holidays. Get together with us and spend some time playing games and talking! Let's go to the park and barbeque! Let's go skiing or something. Kids, on the other hand, should get a couple of kick-ass presents! And then it should stop when they are "old enough" to realize that holidays are about each other and that we don't need to express that through gift-giving, but should rather express it by enjoying one another's company. Besides, who wants the stress of corporate Christmas? Avoid the store lines, parking spaces, and of course, the dreaded "So-and-so bought me this crazy expensive gift and all I got them was a $5 gift certificate to McDonalds! I feel like such a fool." Get back to celebrating with one another!
Now, back to my b-day! Those are the days where you should get everything you truly need and maybe a couple of things you want. I want a digital camera, but I told everyone not get it for me, 'cause I don't want them spending that much money on me. I got bills to take care of. What do I need to be snapping photos for? (sigh) 'Cause I wanna I suppose...
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Scared of Santa?
- Posted On: 12/21/2004
Steven, the Web Designer of the 21st century, has graciously linked me. But, even better was his post about a site with pics of people scared of Santa!
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Mom's B-Day
- Posted On: 12/19/2004
It's my mom's birthday today! Looks like we will enjoy the ancient tradition of gluttony at Charleston's and then hit the movie theaters to see "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events". I've been looking forward to this movie. Jim Carrey is such a character... and he certainly proved he could act in "Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind" (in my opinion).
The Day After
Moms are great, aren't they? My mom is a caterer and she loves her job. But, if you were a veterinarian, would you want gifts for your dog on your birthday?!!! I'm amazed... She got spatulas and one of those heat glove things. Yes, I suppose I'll upset my other family members should they ever read this. My mom is the sweetest thing and she'll love her gifts... all of them. Every year I contemplate what to get her... Walk through all the stores and look at all the stuff... Soooooo much stuff. Especially this time of year! And I usually wind up with the same thing just from different places. This year was Bath & Body's bubble bath. I believe last year was Victoria's Secret's bubble bath. Sometimes it's Walgreens "Mr. Bubble" bubble bath (cause she likes it, not cause I'm cheap!). I will mix-it-up sometimes by throwing in a long, handwritten card, or toss in some lotions, possibly convince my dad to use the lotions to give her some foot and back rubs once in a while... But, she loves her bubble bath! So, I give it to her. I love that woman.
My Review: "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events"
hmm... Always good when a review starts like that, eh? The movie was like watching a kid's adventure book! Sure, it could have been better. But, I really liked it. Only problem? It's the kind of movie you can only watch once! Once you've seen it, you really won't get much more by seeing it a second time. So, go see it in the theatre if you're gonna see it! Can't go wrong with Jim Carrey's facial expressions and good humor...
