One more day...

One more day of work before 10 days off, 6 to be spent at Mt. Bachelor just outside Bend.  The weather is looking good--temperatures will be dropping this weekend and there is some new snow falling with more to come.  Boofis is excited to ski on her birthday, but Schmoopie is not looking forward to finally taking ski lessons.  In fact, I'm not sure she is actually aware that she is going to be required to ski this trip.  Sal may even strap on some skiis if the set up is right.

We're staying at a place in Sunriver, about 20 miles south of Bend, hoping that there will be snow on the ground for a little cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing out the back door.  If there is no snow in the valley, that's ok too, we'll just have to commute up the mountain.  I'm definitely missing Spokane and the possibility of snow falling at our house.  Here in Portland, if we do get snow, it will probably only be a light dusting of wet, soggy slush.

Speaking of Spokane, we are just about halfway through our time here in Portland.  I think we've adjusted to being here, but most of us can't get back to Spokane soon enough.  Well, time to do some reading before bed.

Christmas photos and the blog title

Yesterday we took photos of the kids for the annual Christmas card.  It was quite the production.  Veep had a vision for the photo with a background of moss-covered rocks up the street.  So we dressed the kids up and braved the rain for a roadside photo session with cars driving by.  After much coaxing, pleading, and threatening, we got some good photos.  Afterwards, while trying to glean the right photo, I thought it interesting as I flipped through the pictures, they seemed to tell a brief story of our kids.  From silly photos, to fighting, to me threatening  Sal with removing his tongue if he didn't put it back in his mouth (you can see me grabbing his tongue, it has worked in the past to get him to stop spitting in the car).  Anyway, I thought others would appreciate the narrative of the photos, so they are all over in the "glasses" album to your right.

I also wanted to answer Sijbrich's question as to the title of my blog.  It is simply a reference to amblyopia, which is poor development of the optic nerve which can sometimes lead to tracking problems with the eyes if severe.  I have a mild case, which is somewhat ironic since I rely so heavily on my eyes for a living and hobbies (visual arts).   Plus it just sounds kind of catchy.  I guess I'm also pursuing a head and neck prosthetic theme as a result.  We'll see how long I can keep it up.

Where I've Been

In an answer to Sijbrich and Dean, here are my maps.  Pretty sad in comparison.
 

Spectacles Spectacle

So VP has a new camera which both of us really enjoy.  She has always been a photographer with a vision, and now she has the right equipment to really get the photos she envisions ( a digital camera that actually takes the picture right when you push the button?!--novel idea).  Needless to say, I've packed the "spectacles" album to your right with photos from the last 5 months.  I think there are some pretty amazing photos myself, both landscape and portraits.  Anyway, anyone who cares to see our family, enjoy.

Welome welcome

Welcome to my new blog.  This blog is about me, my wife VP, my three children (schmoopie who is 8, Boofis who is 6, and Sal who is 2.5) and our adventures.  I figure I'll throw a little in about my job as a radiologist, and, of course, a stream of consciousness about my hobbies which include, but are not limited to, skiing (right now since it's winter), road biking (right now in the basement since it's winter), music (just listening mostly), and snowshoeing and cross country skiing (sometimes).   At least those are the main ones for now.

With that said, here's the latest.

VP and I agree that "Men in Trees" is a pretty lame show.  We've watched it two weeks in a row now, hoping to hear my brother's music in the background.  Maybe we missed it or maybe it will be in next week's show, but I'm not sure I can take another hour.  I couldn't give a flying fig about what happens with Jack and Marin now that Lynn is back in the picture.

Sal is bouncing around the bed, time to shut things down.

Test, this is only a test

Civilance, civilance, civilance (at least that's what I think they say at soundcheck)