Newport, TN and the Smoky Mtn Ntl Park

I was working in Newport, TN and had the chance to visit with the Vinson's.  Becides having a great visit with some hometown family (The Vinson's) in a far away place (East TN), I also got to enjoy some of the area thanks to their awesome tours of the Park!

Now for Newport... Yes, they still have the old stoplights.  I thought it was awesome, until I needed to see if the light turned green.  You can't really see the lights very well when you're driving.  I also thought the old G.E. sign was pretty cool since you don't see things like that anymore, plus my Dad used to work at G.E.  There you go, Dad!

The Park.. I saw 2 bears!  Two bears that could have eaten me.... if I hadn't been in the car many many yards away.  But they were out there in the wild looking for food.  I got a picture of one of them.  We also saw a coyote!  But I didn't see the roadrunner.. ahh.

Here are some scenic pictures, including pictures of Rhododendron.  The Vinson's were really excited about the Rhododendron because it had just started blooming (for me, of course!) HA!  To learn more about the plants check out this site...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron (I had to look it up for spelling.)

Chicago and Our New Place

These first few were from the 94th floor of the Hancock building.  It takes like 40 seconds on the elevator to get to that floor.

The leftovers of our real Chicago style pizza. 

Those four are from our office building.  The window was really dirty though.   

I got pictures of WRI   Y field before they changed the name!  You can see what that awful cold weather does to a person's face too!  YEESH 

That's our new place...well some of it.  You see this magnolio when you walk out onto the balcony. 

Charleston Trip 2008

This first one is from Charlotte, NC.  The rest of these photos are from the hotel courtyard and right across the street.

It Could Happen to You

I love that movie, It Could Happen to You.  A cop has no tip money and gives the waitress half a lotto ticket as good faith he will return with tip money.  (I think that's how I remember it.)  He wins the lotto and splits his winnings with the waitress.  The (soon-to-be or already) ex-wife of the cop sues, and the cop/waitress are left with nothing.  People send money to the couple for their good deeds.

We have a true version of this story today.  Mr. Reggie Damone of Jewitt City, CT returned a check for $185,000 to the riteful owner.  She rewarded him with $50.  Now we can pitch in and contribute to his reward.

You can look up his address on www.whitepages.com

It's Been A While... A Long While

Today was going well... or as usual.  Nothing much going on.  But then I heard a lady crying in the restroom.  And I waited.  We talked.  She's going through a divorce.  It's really difficult to be across the hall from counselors. 

But here's why I bring this up.  I'm tired of being the weird one.  Other people need to step up to the plate, usually out of their comfort zone, and listen.  I'm pretty much the exact opposite of a counselor.  I never know what to say.  But I hope that lady knows that I don't think she's strange for crying, and that I understand its hard.  Its ok to cry. 

But as I was saying, step up to the plate.  Don't be afraid to help someone.  Make this your new years resolution.  Make a new friend; share your life with someone.  We're human, and its what we're supposed to do.  Its messy, but I'm sure your life is already that.  Be slow to pass judgement.  

I'm done preaching.  Have a Merry Christmas.