tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50327911184407923842024-03-20T21:52:50.814-07:00Eric and Rose's BlogEric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-87806450750338346492011-06-04T03:05:00.001-07:002011-06-04T03:28:15.826-07:00Recent PhotosSome recent pics I've taken around Misawa...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSTqEiyom2vOCIaiANPBF91FsZtpDDVf6gXXfEZmGqEgbbCMfQ6ZzCKjVm8BttIYED9-gI-W5Xsxv3Pb4dwhENny11GAJbRmpTUZPamRyRv6-EXsugd1pU0Ji9Q6XI8GZjusvIPnHOng/s1600/Silhouette.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614309065906420722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSTqEiyom2vOCIaiANPBF91FsZtpDDVf6gXXfEZmGqEgbbCMfQ6ZzCKjVm8BttIYED9-gI-W5Xsxv3Pb4dwhENny11GAJbRmpTUZPamRyRv6-EXsugd1pU0Ji9Q6XI8GZjusvIPnHOng/s320/Silhouette.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4bhLPC56PFMhDoAIvxZdxQNkVM1HSu0KVJesWYghUviox1ZNQxG8jJDM7MkQBWDLVgWFhcx0kF4egn5dUygD9ccoF-PFYjdbvY9rt_ebH0zDTQXmDz8j18ALF6kFqhbAFIn3szQDeWc/s1600/Walking+in+the+Rain.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614308798324325890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4bhLPC56PFMhDoAIvxZdxQNkVM1HSu0KVJesWYghUviox1ZNQxG8jJDM7MkQBWDLVgWFhcx0kF4egn5dUygD9ccoF-PFYjdbvY9rt_ebH0zDTQXmDz8j18ALF6kFqhbAFIn3szQDeWc/s320/Walking+in+the+Rain.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ro5rxZIWBvpbaxswGmGlzm6aQx__eRD-0KTYyLREg9Uduu1df3ZpbKr140ltEOlTsHljqeWigInXlqF5ikoskKMyEvnnVSWqFaUWcKh8KWbkIGF4jwAReHqdQ9U3tAVQPkeiIG81nLI/s1600/Speedy+Delivery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614307891058341602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ro5rxZIWBvpbaxswGmGlzm6aQx__eRD-0KTYyLREg9Uduu1df3ZpbKr140ltEOlTsHljqeWigInXlqF5ikoskKMyEvnnVSWqFaUWcKh8KWbkIGF4jwAReHqdQ9U3tAVQPkeiIG81nLI/s320/Speedy+Delivery.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeD4-OwWyi7D-CGsQqgGTqc2BOtH1Zh8l5oYWHo7nA3k6XrttDASG8uX7ZZECLaZ2sFzAEORlnxLWniEGYJkiDCbwExkwtdl9N0GP57y4VhJZYYybFIOVzeQI3If_FdLHLLIIwCncUqs/s1600/Crazy+Parking+Guy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614305013602754290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeD4-OwWyi7D-CGsQqgGTqc2BOtH1Zh8l5oYWHo7nA3k6XrttDASG8uX7ZZECLaZ2sFzAEORlnxLWniEGYJkiDCbwExkwtdl9N0GP57y4VhJZYYybFIOVzeQI3If_FdLHLLIIwCncUqs/s320/Crazy+Parking+Guy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoljvjqQAIWWZuNZFMFvb1rcpAaWCVU_PP-Y_tXzasPPCX3kRabGgDv58Y8ODyRRyTBLg_5yvDT8i0BPVkwIEcS2Z3di6BHMOacYaOX4V8-I0gsTOnSUQI6pfvW7WYPzhm75kiU-LCFes/s1600/Why+Dont+You+Paint+a+Picture+BW.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614303982470188466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoljvjqQAIWWZuNZFMFvb1rcpAaWCVU_PP-Y_tXzasPPCX3kRabGgDv58Y8ODyRRyTBLg_5yvDT8i0BPVkwIEcS2Z3di6BHMOacYaOX4V8-I0gsTOnSUQI6pfvW7WYPzhm75kiU-LCFes/s320/Why+Dont+You+Paint+a+Picture+BW.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-15405174134719419442011-04-29T23:28:00.001-07:002011-04-29T23:35:55.593-07:00Black & WhiteHirosaki Sakura Festival...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKBxVn_65aguM8jj5te7CLyaWcVwRvcPejuN_vpBm_71TVqjz-N8aii6Ajnbm94qWTONX7hqUy66yS6fZ2ufRr7VgBQZ8W06bFDY1lzC3HHZxmqdkHNMohMFwFO4lhzoRCpe4sOif3Eg/s1600/Sakura+Iwaki+BW.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601261283384090978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKBxVn_65aguM8jj5te7CLyaWcVwRvcPejuN_vpBm_71TVqjz-N8aii6Ajnbm94qWTONX7hqUy66yS6fZ2ufRr7VgBQZ8W06bFDY1lzC3HHZxmqdkHNMohMFwFO4lhzoRCpe4sOif3Eg/s320/Sakura+Iwaki+BW.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi909SMmw8RFav18wRijJOhVt9tP1zTTbr11rN0iPdST1DjnmKYVg1daAS5EOOHTPpPzT3IoLuaXfCmxEgPZkW-Qm4Cs-JG3DwBoheg7vJ_Pdbmfs-77I_v1laOupXcuz9sWF_QirWBBzA/s1600/Sakura+Looking+Out+BW.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601260947049306674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi909SMmw8RFav18wRijJOhVt9tP1zTTbr11rN0iPdST1DjnmKYVg1daAS5EOOHTPpPzT3IoLuaXfCmxEgPZkW-Qm4Cs-JG3DwBoheg7vJ_Pdbmfs-77I_v1laOupXcuz9sWF_QirWBBzA/s320/Sakura+Looking+Out+BW.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSdPT06wuXBH5U5fjRpCVyh9PwRbHQpwFSkqB_KQAKlDFrzTRV4k8g85pxDe3HAXslrK4JvJLxn0xT-7iLM4klX1BRD_TrMIaCzm0Jlivvi0QP37vnM8EP0QxzW8LH_eqD3QQHYf6Ml8/s1600/Sakura+Tower+BW.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601260158504200514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSdPT06wuXBH5U5fjRpCVyh9PwRbHQpwFSkqB_KQAKlDFrzTRV4k8g85pxDe3HAXslrK4JvJLxn0xT-7iLM4klX1BRD_TrMIaCzm0Jlivvi0QP37vnM8EP0QxzW8LH_eqD3QQHYf6Ml8/s320/Sakura+Tower+BW.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-84813490018808093682011-04-23T04:22:00.000-07:002011-04-23T04:34:37.061-07:00Noda CleanupI was down in Noda town about a week an a half ago helping clean up tsunami damage. This is all volunteer work, but the Japanese like seeing us out in uniform. Noda is about 2 hours south of where we're at here in Misawa.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtb1vbPpdJBLV7_j2uNNgyTVg4xUkoOcLj3UBEUIC0a2ESzmw3fdn3qHLd5_DNUWIsaUhKxWKBgCRyXToEH8AdkwwhM0PYlbbhfx8T6ogNdQGbYlLe7zAsc5rBwg0xt39yvxqa0chZn8/s1600/LX5_20110411_0176.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598740588421509714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtb1vbPpdJBLV7_j2uNNgyTVg4xUkoOcLj3UBEUIC0a2ESzmw3fdn3qHLd5_DNUWIsaUhKxWKBgCRyXToEH8AdkwwhM0PYlbbhfx8T6ogNdQGbYlLe7zAsc5rBwg0xt39yvxqa0chZn8/s320/LX5_20110411_0176.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_sXkR3uklBFisL3x3BTp5IO7PnEtGRcs745OTrSglYl4tDT7EHbfR74rPNxmv5Vk5cv3eq5ER_cxpsUobTmgTSpQE7Eym18pdkv4nBJ9gR4aULbqzX0l7rjApVF-HkJzlROugTmurow/s1600/LX5_20110411_0174.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598740394644633186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_sXkR3uklBFisL3x3BTp5IO7PnEtGRcs745OTrSglYl4tDT7EHbfR74rPNxmv5Vk5cv3eq5ER_cxpsUobTmgTSpQE7Eym18pdkv4nBJ9gR4aULbqzX0l7rjApVF-HkJzlROugTmurow/s320/LX5_20110411_0174.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7JB7WtKZTbktDodR1gzElw1oMXqrXNuKhrbiSyK2gSB92WKZlLYtBt1tlPlrjuXbjSW0SyuAO2xGdJqvRwhSqugUJ3kZqEmhrtZfuMhRdRLTjHdyTFb7WRkyil5wmQKdtQGQdACqON8/s1600/LX5_20110411_0172.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598739996351712258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7JB7WtKZTbktDodR1gzElw1oMXqrXNuKhrbiSyK2gSB92WKZlLYtBt1tlPlrjuXbjSW0SyuAO2xGdJqvRwhSqugUJ3kZqEmhrtZfuMhRdRLTjHdyTFb7WRkyil5wmQKdtQGQdACqON8/s320/LX5_20110411_0172.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb6traYzFsbvYxMwd91PBdm7nir1v5anD_Vg8uelysg-a9uMhbU9hyphenhyphen9pm2z6TVyGAa9ISJyGlX1LCjjK2IhnDDBmZeOwv3cpeN6aGwHQWZgfdYfJx7bkFhf-7CNq0StfAgu5MP2YmCao/s1600/LX5_20110411_0168.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598739754600308690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb6traYzFsbvYxMwd91PBdm7nir1v5anD_Vg8uelysg-a9uMhbU9hyphenhyphen9pm2z6TVyGAa9ISJyGlX1LCjjK2IhnDDBmZeOwv3cpeN6aGwHQWZgfdYfJx7bkFhf-7CNq0StfAgu5MP2YmCao/s320/LX5_20110411_0168.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaiFTea1ucYNW1fjAZFHD3ro6pnzReHgDtOZERfhJBYpM9O0mz1IaHmEPYKFaBoQlwfhE7lhhoFh36zCu3mNLNet0SNO__AfUOqJ7U8JwVb0Luq5lykr0b0lTuIwrwI6aRcYxE84cn9A/s1600/LX5_20110411_0165.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598738857564412610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaiFTea1ucYNW1fjAZFHD3ro6pnzReHgDtOZERfhJBYpM9O0mz1IaHmEPYKFaBoQlwfhE7lhhoFh36zCu3mNLNet0SNO__AfUOqJ7U8JwVb0Luq5lykr0b0lTuIwrwI6aRcYxE84cn9A/s320/LX5_20110411_0165.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BptIiuIhFxGLo0TONux0_vnp-5iBpTcmeXoALZyoQ7BJQbwDxCVOlHgtZkz6ZxsrTpacXdUjWVeWwC4eLHdTxF2ZMmi17Cz2Wmt4cIoOLOQgpKinFlGRgjpE-k3Fd_he67GCYPRJZEI/s1600/LX5_20110411_0163.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598738556431868818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BptIiuIhFxGLo0TONux0_vnp-5iBpTcmeXoALZyoQ7BJQbwDxCVOlHgtZkz6ZxsrTpacXdUjWVeWwC4eLHdTxF2ZMmi17Cz2Wmt4cIoOLOQgpKinFlGRgjpE-k3Fd_he67GCYPRJZEI/s320/LX5_20110411_0163.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-407646594641553032011-04-14T04:10:00.001-07:002011-04-14T04:24:53.718-07:00Photoshop Tricks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWya2RWSh2KLdxpj3Y8B3fnLHjG_ueS5jDl7ER3EiQdc8JKJjfY8UEIV3MyNMg-cacF8C7TjKg2Xgo8DGpnkpFCv_ttR28NM4_JlhBsu4Y0hwUqoGImvt4H5LBhc4tPOhyaDIX7GNWzRQ/s1600/Helen3+20110409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595398556584955138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWya2RWSh2KLdxpj3Y8B3fnLHjG_ueS5jDl7ER3EiQdc8JKJjfY8UEIV3MyNMg-cacF8C7TjKg2Xgo8DGpnkpFCv_ttR28NM4_JlhBsu4Y0hwUqoGImvt4H5LBhc4tPOhyaDIX7GNWzRQ/s320/Helen3+20110409.jpg" /></a> Just learning some simple photoshop tricks. Photoshop is alot of fun, but its easy to get carried away.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Kc_BO9YgGNoI_4vl6jSgsuORK7GjqJvTEK7FR9wFh1KPfSUdi0h4fBCuJRVyEF_AALrejjomfkTUYKoNnBKR7Hnzb3ygi5ozr90urWZps8D5vHRymKjCtblkp_IYPpP74cAYwrkvAEM/s1600/Helen3+20110409.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmdK0TyOoMNMG0dgaKi-3SL8i6ZSuNBbvGUy-J0MohCMMH088Pqgq1zEGUS4bO1UvKi_lStpgy2NoVQyqx2GLPtT4J06UhnhiP9y3d2C-uday-8IV4F16jCtvGseuXR7H4UIsxatDkeM/s1600/Angelica3+20110409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595395311085329586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmdK0TyOoMNMG0dgaKi-3SL8i6ZSuNBbvGUy-J0MohCMMH088Pqgq1zEGUS4bO1UvKi_lStpgy2NoVQyqx2GLPtT4J06UhnhiP9y3d2C-uday-8IV4F16jCtvGseuXR7H4UIsxatDkeM/s320/Angelica3+20110409.jpg" /></a>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-53677895929915087512011-04-09T02:18:00.000-07:002011-04-09T02:29:12.771-07:00The GirlsTook the girls down to Komaki Onsen for a photo shoot. I was extremely unhappy with my lens's ability to focus, but I suppose you can't complain too much about a $90 lens. I still managed to get a couple of good shots. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsjoLHhWMuEQ-XLNYt0GAlwMF87HG0VmvpVC9Rd8XcjmFsYpI9XJLTzzLfoiCTcLixPawbQSftm0KEr2r5RVOE2FxgMMU5qTlA11tKpW9HtfZZ25_K1j1uz4lPkV78YluolTXWL99q2s/s1600/Helen2+20110409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593512789087730450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsjoLHhWMuEQ-XLNYt0GAlwMF87HG0VmvpVC9Rd8XcjmFsYpI9XJLTzzLfoiCTcLixPawbQSftm0KEr2r5RVOE2FxgMMU5qTlA11tKpW9HtfZZ25_K1j1uz4lPkV78YluolTXWL99q2s/s320/Helen2+20110409.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZo5B7ki4i5_JQ7qACwHB4of5vl8Rl525c7h2Dsepr-HkJUXzi1P4Wh-x6EENSJ9LwkD4L_jsWFvxsiHTrgwF3difUnOCkh7Bhax5pzaSAKjE0ERB8TRR_Hi5bvN6WCAMxq3AFYeffF0/s1600/Angelica2+20110409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593512456413549154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZo5B7ki4i5_JQ7qACwHB4of5vl8Rl525c7h2Dsepr-HkJUXzi1P4Wh-x6EENSJ9LwkD4L_jsWFvxsiHTrgwF3difUnOCkh7Bhax5pzaSAKjE0ERB8TRR_Hi5bvN6WCAMxq3AFYeffF0/s320/Angelica2+20110409.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsFpvWqPcb0g39w-5UKvnE88XlHtz38NvoexlUD3UgCWLCzYKDmdq-f4YGW7vciaQO2pZ2Kt_jZCpiFX-BjF3xmxB3reWBWhylEn002NpiQme9o8yCR37GzteacjhEQwFm4P6y46xCSA/s1600/Helen1+20110409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593511713563625138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsFpvWqPcb0g39w-5UKvnE88XlHtz38NvoexlUD3UgCWLCzYKDmdq-f4YGW7vciaQO2pZ2Kt_jZCpiFX-BjF3xmxB3reWBWhylEn002NpiQme9o8yCR37GzteacjhEQwFm4P6y46xCSA/s320/Helen1+20110409.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoR58H_-8cdroaMGxNJux-LncR8stueDWBFsDn1u4rtJv6rDbhF1FxjG3Sui4SulGy8mnmd6nWBem25OE3_Yv4w6iZAV1CypU1LyeKLZuZas-wDuW7IpM9GqV64-mzV4UK0bsrnP26CE/s1600/Angelica1+20110409.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593511169179994594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoR58H_-8cdroaMGxNJux-LncR8stueDWBFsDn1u4rtJv6rDbhF1FxjG3Sui4SulGy8mnmd6nWBem25OE3_Yv4w6iZAV1CypU1LyeKLZuZas-wDuW7IpM9GqV64-mzV4UK0bsrnP26CE/s320/Angelica1+20110409.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-24569286898160092392011-04-08T03:37:00.001-07:002011-04-08T03:51:38.390-07:00I Love My Bike<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3RWz2ZjNET0uUFh__gxRxuxVlgHKuYLt73L1_GGIcXB7BSrkyRYz3YuM_wysZAS3ImqAtkyG3k8_8FOeFUdr10v8kgI6Um4Qw-lpIDGUce5Rih-gOvqNmAmyaNLjZYFYSJx025JVgqc/s1600/Elephant+Cage+Bike+Panorama.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593160225685040018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3RWz2ZjNET0uUFh__gxRxuxVlgHKuYLt73L1_GGIcXB7BSrkyRYz3YuM_wysZAS3ImqAtkyG3k8_8FOeFUdr10v8kgI6Um4Qw-lpIDGUce5Rih-gOvqNmAmyaNLjZYFYSJx025JVgqc/s320/Elephant+Cage+Bike+Panorama.jpg" /></a> If there's one good thing that came out of the earthquake its that folks had to live a few days without an endless supply of gasoline. I've taken the opportunity to take another crack at serious bicycle commuting. I say serious commuting, but I only live a 12 minute bike ride from work. Regardless, I've managed to use my car about 3 times in the past 3+ weeks. And, I really enjoy it. My new Fuji Cross Comp isn't the fastest or prettiest, but its the perfect bike for zipping to and from work and around town on errands. Plus, it looks good with mud on it.Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-89376311284573342722011-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:002011-01-29T00:32:27.018-08:00Photography in TokyoI got to spend half a day running around Tokyo this weekend and it worked out very well. I'm not a big fan of large cities, but I love taking pictures of colorful people and big cities offer so much more opportunity. I could easily spend 2-3 days taking pictures just between Shinjuku and Harajuku.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB1MdfWeO8DrJHj0okumCRqTlIYXRC4oNfllwtCrUIcH2LO2K6sb8D8mAPnce3eoYY4c_odGwfpOhw2GmAn7a7TUiTMg2Z2uuFKEOMyhQoXtlMojgupndwYo9OgMytE1vQyKFQ5u86ZI/s1600/Tonjiru+Diner.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567517306578141762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB1MdfWeO8DrJHj0okumCRqTlIYXRC4oNfllwtCrUIcH2LO2K6sb8D8mAPnce3eoYY4c_odGwfpOhw2GmAn7a7TUiTMg2Z2uuFKEOMyhQoXtlMojgupndwYo9OgMytE1vQyKFQ5u86ZI/s320/Tonjiru+Diner.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnaUZBgKy4OBy2rU0IqmLKVEfPUijvxXZmY8OCC7GzRLI2DwvhOmRUbDG1wAz_WBTzPK_llUPMe7tScpIcsfEVkeUyQSrAW45hOyr9FFrxW-s25NLFImOrn7y4qH0S6-uKNRl12lINzA/s1600/Tough+Times+in+Shinjuku+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567516839248913090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnaUZBgKy4OBy2rU0IqmLKVEfPUijvxXZmY8OCC7GzRLI2DwvhOmRUbDG1wAz_WBTzPK_llUPMe7tScpIcsfEVkeUyQSrAW45hOyr9FFrxW-s25NLFImOrn7y4qH0S6-uKNRl12lINzA/s320/Tough+Times+in+Shinjuku+2.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ_e3HV7i4j_1B-sUp94cKc9zimE7S-MMonNPCzwCQ4ceXy0M3gjWM7-kJYazKsFeLq_1ZiVgLmJ85kEYtUxV7KvgL47Yq0WhlE0cwV4onDqYkzSkL9k62iL2XCgdW7zdof4GxsSfMcw/s1600/Pirate+in+Tokyo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567516619646169874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ_e3HV7i4j_1B-sUp94cKc9zimE7S-MMonNPCzwCQ4ceXy0M3gjWM7-kJYazKsFeLq_1ZiVgLmJ85kEYtUxV7KvgL47Yq0WhlE0cwV4onDqYkzSkL9k62iL2XCgdW7zdof4GxsSfMcw/s320/Pirate+in+Tokyo.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqzljTjonQxGpJfVKxNddPw2HYn_0POAAv4aUNbU1uiskjoa3ddKXbnttIjpSOB4bCklZFj-e1IYA0jHwt-7U79ADDjFYSIg0T4IFIPAAzz6ZK7vTMpyXyACDAhv9OQPB9jx_boi2NT0/s1600/Tokyo+Wedding.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567516476282853682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqzljTjonQxGpJfVKxNddPw2HYn_0POAAv4aUNbU1uiskjoa3ddKXbnttIjpSOB4bCklZFj-e1IYA0jHwt-7U79ADDjFYSIg0T4IFIPAAzz6ZK7vTMpyXyACDAhv9OQPB9jx_boi2NT0/s320/Tokyo+Wedding.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp3D_0AmIPqXMGF57E2DpsOsYmDTpi-bgIIOvUSLz97x1YxlCn6GHaCkdZDXr7BN6JHfrB4hZR_ncBAPNjT4hOn1578ypT2BVCw3VVAmtl7A9dhzlTcIlorrRDwh0S3nY-AE6lkfit-g/s1600/Kabuchiko+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567516067500773650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp3D_0AmIPqXMGF57E2DpsOsYmDTpi-bgIIOvUSLz97x1YxlCn6GHaCkdZDXr7BN6JHfrB4hZR_ncBAPNjT4hOn1578ypT2BVCw3VVAmtl7A9dhzlTcIlorrRDwh0S3nY-AE6lkfit-g/s320/Kabuchiko+3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmjAy8BtwRcNEfhaEkNk5ShYLHyWos9cIy5xiJFEfJoGMRXiSxCBvwRjMC-i95_GkAyUv0CtgfUf0vC-4b3ncawqg2BjJvOFHlwM1DsdUjY6haiJjB2oG3JvwDKCTlu3sjdEVQQQaw5I/s1600/Harajuku+Guy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567515854458897122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmjAy8BtwRcNEfhaEkNk5ShYLHyWos9cIy5xiJFEfJoGMRXiSxCBvwRjMC-i95_GkAyUv0CtgfUf0vC-4b3ncawqg2BjJvOFHlwM1DsdUjY6haiJjB2oG3JvwDKCTlu3sjdEVQQQaw5I/s320/Harajuku+Guy.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p7u6NZ7jCQT3ZrBYuUwH08lEp0uS805h-KamhHmT-0v9lDxRwKOftTKLx7aiJ1rm67Hju49UZ5ukWAK-lBQsdOdpIISkKoikVK6v8aLYyXChgpwm31WQr8KNWaIIanfBjNI0mBGPrQQ/s1600/Harajuku+Girl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567515665680026322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p7u6NZ7jCQT3ZrBYuUwH08lEp0uS805h-KamhHmT-0v9lDxRwKOftTKLx7aiJ1rm67Hju49UZ5ukWAK-lBQsdOdpIISkKoikVK6v8aLYyXChgpwm31WQr8KNWaIIanfBjNI0mBGPrQQ/s320/Harajuku+Girl.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-64002249170214788802011-01-14T03:47:00.001-08:002011-01-14T04:03:47.248-08:00Photography in the PhilippinesThe Philippines seems like an obvious place to practice some photography. But, its not without its challenges. First, having been there so many times, I sometimes have trouble stepping back and seeing what I once found exotic or interesting about the place. Second, Filipinos love cameras. It can sometimes be extremely difficult to get a candid shot or a picture without a dozen little kids trying to squeeze into the frame.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydLYcWKsQ30hhIqNM-5OVs8DSljgZKM4bsJTKNg0kHpP3KsJ4EVW2CyMNogTEAR0-9nXZHJ_Aw2gch489zpYLibq3Kf87HeDaukrRjjO-njEsBt3cyQ9JxWC76gvLh0EfVSnpNO3Xrpw/s1600/Street+Games.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562010180355891794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydLYcWKsQ30hhIqNM-5OVs8DSljgZKM4bsJTKNg0kHpP3KsJ4EVW2CyMNogTEAR0-9nXZHJ_Aw2gch489zpYLibq3Kf87HeDaukrRjjO-njEsBt3cyQ9JxWC76gvLh0EfVSnpNO3Xrpw/s320/Street+Games.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpV78ENcNb-FIDH5rYXphtj0nrVTZC2MJgYNtEiP4JJGPoYQYNLDMwAV7tB-Mb3QFFSKkGBW4V3juZs5GGYGQFeoFL0OhefM7bGhOhnURzV2ixGRfJLsb_qKgxV5cIccUtxyJMa_zN90/s1600/Rueben.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562009993689387746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpV78ENcNb-FIDH5rYXphtj0nrVTZC2MJgYNtEiP4JJGPoYQYNLDMwAV7tB-Mb3QFFSKkGBW4V3juZs5GGYGQFeoFL0OhefM7bGhOhnURzV2ixGRfJLsb_qKgxV5cIccUtxyJMa_zN90/s320/Rueben.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnm2sjkFiE71Rx7Lx1ol4v6mCvp09DYsuuZv0Wjokg7WRZ5eXWoitAH5Kpprv82H5mBb3PV1MdmQEEsv3ILS4Xe__IBt7D7mYUbTThioDyNa8twU8BEoaVNrrUBHrGFfCVrtJG0ZKj0U/s1600/Palutan.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562009783140032978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnm2sjkFiE71Rx7Lx1ol4v6mCvp09DYsuuZv0Wjokg7WRZ5eXWoitAH5Kpprv82H5mBb3PV1MdmQEEsv3ILS4Xe__IBt7D7mYUbTThioDyNa8twU8BEoaVNrrUBHrGFfCVrtJG0ZKj0U/s320/Palutan.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBid-X4MGXLBb1lWHLxss8fSSyFW-MZZZs0eDU30S6kLQazQ5oQtuxZw3IBOxCDwCRYVTTArsY_1lbbcEdh31j1taxGW1NDHkFDnsUEMZZ6fJFeOMZWRjOSTMAX2yZKdhyZubqWQYJQw/s1600/Kuliglig.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562009495516577186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBid-X4MGXLBb1lWHLxss8fSSyFW-MZZZs0eDU30S6kLQazQ5oQtuxZw3IBOxCDwCRYVTTArsY_1lbbcEdh31j1taxGW1NDHkFDnsUEMZZ6fJFeOMZWRjOSTMAX2yZKdhyZubqWQYJQw/s320/Kuliglig.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z5hzAYoJ67GPsZTbc2gwQhAbShVXfxRJXEqIZ7ZIt35_Y9mOtkcHSndzqcjVk8avv4QCDHRpLqLYHxqfKqurDDn__r8H6kmR9DweedQ-ij3zN27RW9_CtTApG70mH5Ph_4U-nJG_MdE/s1600/Fish+Bowl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562008701472184274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z5hzAYoJ67GPsZTbc2gwQhAbShVXfxRJXEqIZ7ZIt35_Y9mOtkcHSndzqcjVk8avv4QCDHRpLqLYHxqfKqurDDn__r8H6kmR9DweedQ-ij3zN27RW9_CtTApG70mH5Ph_4U-nJG_MdE/s320/Fish+Bowl.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdyCjHaE4UtGWRaIpu6FSaYy1g3jaoBFJ5O7CF2SQDgedH9b2Tf2xT68WqcJEW1UcCDYd6BrZ-z66xO4sR6zY319jeTfMrZQtml3eSC84CnviZVEYxWQ3gQjaOwYlB0sZfuX8-AZcX8s/s1600/Family+Farming+B+%2526+W.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562008406198871010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdyCjHaE4UtGWRaIpu6FSaYy1g3jaoBFJ5O7CF2SQDgedH9b2Tf2xT68WqcJEW1UcCDYd6BrZ-z66xO4sR6zY319jeTfMrZQtml3eSC84CnviZVEYxWQ3gQjaOwYlB0sZfuX8-AZcX8s/s320/Family+Farming+B+%2526+W.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOsof1LBkaT3NNnOzsq7yM6Y9-VyMhGt4MDwvGdMOZS9xl4dknoXDDhPoHmZEJQNXk9PkjCX_HD63HsNJnghtmblU5oNXjODc7epeYg8z39E_c4lp0yutGUoLSENYwG7b4huMTd0ijyY/s1600/Cooking+the+Goat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562007975711367874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOsof1LBkaT3NNnOzsq7yM6Y9-VyMhGt4MDwvGdMOZS9xl4dknoXDDhPoHmZEJQNXk9PkjCX_HD63HsNJnghtmblU5oNXjODc7epeYg8z39E_c4lp0yutGUoLSENYwG7b4huMTd0ijyY/s320/Cooking+the+Goat.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O3-dkHKjOMb1AvvkkLpriyAcNnaz8IcsEpyUHSpeKmuQEGrR1T6bdsu6fLTwKSpFYVAcusiQlOZEPce9qTDQJmMhpEaBHNkCc9sGlJsy2fwotFBa_56LM2SOHRtaWzV87fd2czrKd8A/s1600/Boy+%2526+Buffalo+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562007636695550818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O3-dkHKjOMb1AvvkkLpriyAcNnaz8IcsEpyUHSpeKmuQEGrR1T6bdsu6fLTwKSpFYVAcusiQlOZEPce9qTDQJmMhpEaBHNkCc9sGlJsy2fwotFBa_56LM2SOHRtaWzV87fd2czrKd8A/s320/Boy+%2526+Buffalo+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QMGUSVCHb-cEcpFDzu4f3N1aw-ASBCoHc5wu1vC-2xmFGhm4cJOFlFB4ANCQsjAbaXSK_YkA4TwnCJf4YeXhg8ZJ6tqA9VlGpawzbI1mMWXymNx4BParFp-B3wTdamAHgJMuMvJZUnY/s1600/Boy+%2526+Buffalo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562007255616319090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QMGUSVCHb-cEcpFDzu4f3N1aw-ASBCoHc5wu1vC-2xmFGhm4cJOFlFB4ANCQsjAbaXSK_YkA4TwnCJf4YeXhg8ZJ6tqA9VlGpawzbI1mMWXymNx4BParFp-B3wTdamAHgJMuMvJZUnY/s320/Boy+%2526+Buffalo.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-38806476729858625672010-12-25T02:26:00.000-08:002011-01-16T02:47:37.319-08:00Christmas in the PhilippinesBefore its too late, I wanted to get up a few pics from our Philippines Xmas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTAb45HY4Pq1xl6rsBN4lCW86MTkSrQYbiqwLOFhh2CJlRVszzgcvJqGFjiBMUtNJW8ucQPLJkN6EU7OM6jA2xSvdCn9rSfBmUNFMVdHUohGYiJ449H5o4qZgOE7SL6eAo0PAdLkchYw/s1600/Mary+Joseph+Donkey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562730844365335170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTAb45HY4Pq1xl6rsBN4lCW86MTkSrQYbiqwLOFhh2CJlRVszzgcvJqGFjiBMUtNJW8ucQPLJkN6EU7OM6jA2xSvdCn9rSfBmUNFMVdHUohGYiJ449H5o4qZgOE7SL6eAo0PAdLkchYw/s320/Mary+Joseph+Donkey.jpg" /></a> We got to go to Marlon's school and see a nice little reenactment of the Nativity.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnPQumg765rRS0J9OfOCtEf5vloZIEwae8p5e9p8Mq38CoKM9Q1ABwCYnq4sgmTBZTdblcSubaXq2A7eU9aHdtFuuNkOGNybwM5pH-oYTUD2fLp-cDIKCUDXtgJk-HrfzRYOWZ6Ba_18/s1600/3+Kings.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562730694001264450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnPQumg765rRS0J9OfOCtEf5vloZIEwae8p5e9p8Mq38CoKM9Q1ABwCYnq4sgmTBZTdblcSubaXq2A7eU9aHdtFuuNkOGNybwM5pH-oYTUD2fLp-cDIKCUDXtgJk-HrfzRYOWZ6Ba_18/s320/3+Kings.jpg" /></a> The Philippines version varies a bit from the one we're familiar with....two of the kings were of middle eastern origin while the third was actually Liberace. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuKdEawDlebIkPndj5PH3BdQdgGYyYVuJbNsUzVuKADGnZsuAE9yN2hu4_HTOlNR9K2axEoPUcYB6M63YmGt7o-RxVwzoZBSXS22Vz8YW6ZbbvdwAhYucGXTNf3cP_MRYZ-rjT13u63Y/s1600/DPP_0044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562730511128233538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuKdEawDlebIkPndj5PH3BdQdgGYyYVuJbNsUzVuKADGnZsuAE9yN2hu4_HTOlNR9K2axEoPUcYB6M63YmGt7o-RxVwzoZBSXS22Vz8YW6ZbbvdwAhYucGXTNf3cP_MRYZ-rjT13u63Y/s320/DPP_0044.JPG" /></a> Rose came up with the fabulous idea of dressing me up as Santa Claus.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZTzAn3u47bSmBFbE0TM2QFzFLIowKvgMdZfDcpVvJjVHXToWM06_HSlNTi1yMLnlyxcVu1mASwza5p4VR4MzhvZlkB3GFBy5h6VDdyBhsaZNoOw74k0mEYACd7jX75kRbHzsDc4mMOw/s1600/DPP_0102.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562729958296764322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZTzAn3u47bSmBFbE0TM2QFzFLIowKvgMdZfDcpVvJjVHXToWM06_HSlNTi1yMLnlyxcVu1mASwza5p4VR4MzhvZlkB3GFBy5h6VDdyBhsaZNoOw74k0mEYACd7jX75kRbHzsDc4mMOw/s320/DPP_0102.JPG" /></a> Rose had put together dozens of plastic gift bags for the village residents and candy for the kids. The bags essentially guaranteed most of them would at least have a Christmas dinner of ramen, eggs, and tuna.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FCYvdqtx0YVUhmuo-K478bolAGOajGWvCdpT41xO1PijsBFbIhuukMG_-X_d75fVWm8qmUS88wH-yKgQwYtr1AnE-2wvrvBW617icHubrSZz98479bHXwp845rXhdQEFSkrb5lIL0xk/s1600/DPP_0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562729404819956994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FCYvdqtx0YVUhmuo-K478bolAGOajGWvCdpT41xO1PijsBFbIhuukMG_-X_d75fVWm8qmUS88wH-yKgQwYtr1AnE-2wvrvBW617icHubrSZz98479bHXwp845rXhdQEFSkrb5lIL0xk/s320/DPP_0059.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm1wyPCtbhc0VLyZqonfUJ-WHta8vP22xUKVBkfhLDArIc4ubE14msLpRM83BiVmNPJwLmUQbDifFpjRNKeBPhr-dXl175nSkL_BoWjDnRrUVW3957XI7xAiEG77hL0xbkRZM5viKLJE/s1600/DPP_0114.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562728845931847778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm1wyPCtbhc0VLyZqonfUJ-WHta8vP22xUKVBkfhLDArIc4ubE14msLpRM83BiVmNPJwLmUQbDifFpjRNKeBPhr-dXl175nSkL_BoWjDnRrUVW3957XI7xAiEG77hL0xbkRZM5viKLJE/s320/DPP_0114.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-35281947976696777402010-10-07T02:00:00.000-07:002010-10-07T02:42:38.106-07:00Messing With PhotographyTrying to get better with my camera...and Adobe Photoshop;)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCn4V6hLWh3Dq3qiBlq8GdIY3I5Vt7ufHdo2s45mTGBRFzZDXSWrSETv6rlqt9U9M7IzFl-Two1fqFuuE645RUuKWjyOZIsP_El4qMA3V4Q3XM5vR_6d6QJp0mWNyXbBbVvVjxyRQXlE/s1600/Steps.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525233620997431858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCn4V6hLWh3Dq3qiBlq8GdIY3I5Vt7ufHdo2s45mTGBRFzZDXSWrSETv6rlqt9U9M7IzFl-Two1fqFuuE645RUuKWjyOZIsP_El4qMA3V4Q3XM5vR_6d6QJp0mWNyXbBbVvVjxyRQXlE/s320/Steps.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxDw1cBhbYtF39RdOXkXWdwo39aXrJEuK0pYHIS_eHgAbFzc3zQx-BhbVBO1PVp1L7veU9i839tWcsMtFrRRzOmdiSDg2Tdy9ZgfN3IH0OIpmL5rgVzuu1IBLnvYYhkP_RyCY8E2bsMI/s1600/Shirakami+Range+at+Dusk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525231665326515298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxDw1cBhbYtF39RdOXkXWdwo39aXrJEuK0pYHIS_eHgAbFzc3zQx-BhbVBO1PVp1L7veU9i839tWcsMtFrRRzOmdiSDg2Tdy9ZgfN3IH0OIpmL5rgVzuu1IBLnvYYhkP_RyCY8E2bsMI/s320/Shirakami+Range+at+Dusk.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjXszX-6t05z2RT8S7irWh4_4MW18cj7QpXL1r3SgBYjisOjj2aV0AuBihX2LAZ6kR0lQDZJN9GdmikeOXaf4W3UoYh1Z-XFYq9bqo6fZrlqP-M_v58e70fEPBFWI6s2YWbK4qxDWJ3s/s1600/Oirase+Unsharpen+Mask.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525230523433953906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjXszX-6t05z2RT8S7irWh4_4MW18cj7QpXL1r3SgBYjisOjj2aV0AuBihX2LAZ6kR0lQDZJN9GdmikeOXaf4W3UoYh1Z-XFYq9bqo6fZrlqP-M_v58e70fEPBFWI6s2YWbK4qxDWJ3s/s320/Oirase+Unsharpen+Mask.jpg" /></a> <div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXF8ZTikeLTJTU1K_Rje_QirUS-Gzz4snTpMUbhWHBO-Wmo3u5_n0ps1ijha2hsYJtoB13A7Ku5-HNuxMQ3qTkzqF6fJQEPay4kyrng__rFUkHzpICgXmhBLrFpf4rWk7p_qfHCNSOZM/s1600/Komaki+Wide+Crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525228925790815106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXF8ZTikeLTJTU1K_Rje_QirUS-Gzz4snTpMUbhWHBO-Wmo3u5_n0ps1ijha2hsYJtoB13A7Ku5-HNuxMQ3qTkzqF6fJQEPay4kyrng__rFUkHzpICgXmhBLrFpf4rWk7p_qfHCNSOZM/s320/Komaki+Wide+Crop.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzQ0n1VthCTw6kjiTnDHIdmef_DTOE1Qp_0VArGyD92Om8xEUMjOLD2LC_8mOMTv_JQE9DMf__Qn1tFtvm5UNZ4EFGiLaT6OykF7tJ88-y7ucCfpxGnaX7Iddio-sFDgmlnNJeRgpWKQ/s1600/Dead+Tree+Fall+Leaves.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525227293857942210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzQ0n1VthCTw6kjiTnDHIdmef_DTOE1Qp_0VArGyD92Om8xEUMjOLD2LC_8mOMTv_JQE9DMf__Qn1tFtvm5UNZ4EFGiLaT6OykF7tJ88-y7ucCfpxGnaX7Iddio-sFDgmlnNJeRgpWKQ/s320/Dead+Tree+Fall+Leaves.jpg" /></a></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-37859037983907744452010-09-01T03:01:00.000-07:002010-09-01T03:04:41.759-07:00Who's Raising Our Children?Had an important day with the girls today. Its always been said that "a boy needs a father". Well, girls need fathers too. We often leave the raising of ladies to the women. There are important life lessons which mothers too often either cannot provide or simply neglect the need to provide. Today, Angelica and Helen learned about Queen and now appreciate the ritual of cranking the stereo up and screaming Freddie Mercury lyrics out the car window. Who else is going to teach them these things, their mother? I thnk not. This is your job dads.Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-52763012131392590642010-08-28T00:58:00.000-07:002010-08-28T03:39:04.920-07:00Festival TimeWell, its festival season in Japan. One thing about Japan is that they're crazy about festivals. Particularly during the summer and fall, you could easily go to a differnent festival every weekend. There are salmon festivals, garlic and beef festivals, blossom festivals, apple festivals, cherry festivals, etc, etc, etc. I've always been one to avoid festivals...not because they're not interesting, but because I've never been a fan of crowds. But, we attended a couple this weekend and and it was pretty fun. The first festival was the annual Misawa city festival. It consisted of alot of folk music/dance performances, food booths, and a couple of parades.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5-Z5EHw6jxTWgJtR-udWBt_vVEZDl2OrSSOwEeXraYj51wFrIv3ue99M6dHdIj-BN0zeI0FDNMsp1qP16SBGcfoZ0XruYGWuzGZoAiKyPowQl_nr2qJJH09spzjOvDyF6y7WNm5tlw8/s1600/Ice+Cream+Guy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510404207562943746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5-Z5EHw6jxTWgJtR-udWBt_vVEZDl2OrSSOwEeXraYj51wFrIv3ue99M6dHdIj-BN0zeI0FDNMsp1qP16SBGcfoZ0XruYGWuzGZoAiKyPowQl_nr2qJJH09spzjOvDyF6y7WNm5tlw8/s320/Ice+Cream+Guy.jpg" /></a> The ice cream guy...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJFMF8kuX4kqK-Ocglqn-pFMgORu5pZsqRZuqqYxIRGIh8T4DRX0F91vTBgxut3z2Mm4JqESdIrYq2uUZ5nLSASFbwB-RCIUyp5dez9JXJYpyc6J73s2l0KXkUBeb3BBXpVVyqX6g33Q/s1600/Little+Drum+Major.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510403859550019538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJFMF8kuX4kqK-Ocglqn-pFMgORu5pZsqRZuqqYxIRGIh8T4DRX0F91vTBgxut3z2Mm4JqESdIrYq2uUZ5nLSASFbwB-RCIUyp5dez9JXJYpyc6J73s2l0KXkUBeb3BBXpVVyqX6g33Q/s320/Little+Drum+Major.jpg" /></a> A little drum major...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFjiH1-UVs3JvspEqDBEkpCXg7I9RPSoJft43nKD-k3lLcmXG-VceZ_oVyyIj1TNhSq189cwI-jivBlLNKB638JDdmC14azfxjKA5aGISPEmzpoeN3cRabGPp1c5cCm6sAZOyT_yS_Wg/s1600/Tuba.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510403472888441970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFjiH1-UVs3JvspEqDBEkpCXg7I9RPSoJft43nKD-k3lLcmXG-VceZ_oVyyIj1TNhSq189cwI-jivBlLNKB638JDdmC14azfxjKA5aGISPEmzpoeN3cRabGPp1c5cCm6sAZOyT_yS_Wg/s320/Tuba.jpg" /></a> Why does the fat kid always play tuba?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85Vodd2WWz70hktZ_a25zzxKGL-b5BAijCOvNCISoLMQnxltknpqybE0PGOlmEP4BGFttPTyLtVJ9AsUVulSYVzSbXoA4mCxfCwXXDBtOgWLn92ImN0IqkMo2y1qIDTN04f-UeeYirV4/s1600/Japanese+Space+Cadets.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510402658231330018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85Vodd2WWz70hktZ_a25zzxKGL-b5BAijCOvNCISoLMQnxltknpqybE0PGOlmEP4BGFttPTyLtVJ9AsUVulSYVzSbXoA4mCxfCwXXDBtOgWLn92ImN0IqkMo2y1qIDTN04f-UeeYirV4/s320/Japanese+Space+Cadets.jpg" /></a> His World of Warcraft username is HannibalTheAnimal128.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnm6hQ08UDrgEQomq_7Nc_QALxGiALssMUr8_5bNbvCCnE8qR7cxbgSxKVFaUZpPZ1gyipnuWM8QxPXrp3-EzBqiTfRUIOYRD6l50rTvci32iCX1TVEYltq3GnGe4WDya6E_-FKUiJAs/s1600/Boobs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510402124763176226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnm6hQ08UDrgEQomq_7Nc_QALxGiALssMUr8_5bNbvCCnE8qR7cxbgSxKVFaUZpPZ1gyipnuWM8QxPXrp3-EzBqiTfRUIOYRD6l50rTvci32iCX1TVEYltq3GnGe4WDya6E_-FKUiJAs/s320/Boobs.jpg" /></a> The kids' fave...</div><div> </div><div>The next day, we took a trip to Aomori City to check out some shopping malls. We didn't intend to go to any festivals, but ran into this one on accident. There was a set of perfoming groups who appeared to be competing with eachother.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HwCxF2llGvhZ-Lne71YMuuScyVzFEA9GUjqIUx5qNG1f1-5z49JQQS5iTQbz2aAMV0FPVlieQHPxY7UdtV1rzgWba7CU_4Te-gUxEfznTsH0naVR1e5y2soEEfMme0NMTLKfNz-I7zc/s1600/Dancing+Group+Crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510370549502016066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HwCxF2llGvhZ-Lne71YMuuScyVzFEA9GUjqIUx5qNG1f1-5z49JQQS5iTQbz2aAMV0FPVlieQHPxY7UdtV1rzgWba7CU_4Te-gUxEfznTsH0naVR1e5y2soEEfMme0NMTLKfNz-I7zc/s320/Dancing+Group+Crop.jpg" /></a> The groups were mostly women and young girls with a few guys mixed in. They were doing an action-packed, martial-arts style of synchronized dancing.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTdWtegzVtrOBwqOwxhcYjceou_FT2Tzwm12vximLXfEQPFWdqciC4h4ExOF_3f2x27nYy1q11mmjIJC1LhhEkKjVWlknSQsdtFozw-JntZv7ygRGFfBYAN6vPDquaBi97wOt04_OuCI/s1600/Dancing+Close-up.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510370046149731298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTdWtegzVtrOBwqOwxhcYjceou_FT2Tzwm12vximLXfEQPFWdqciC4h4ExOF_3f2x27nYy1q11mmjIJC1LhhEkKjVWlknSQsdtFozw-JntZv7ygRGFfBYAN6vPDquaBi97wOt04_OuCI/s320/Dancing+Close-up.jpg" /></a> They were all dressed alike and performing when...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx3ZxB0yT6gy1n6kjFttGx-ydOxH0blhK88czT6ig_ORqAjfo3cJbisAgPBwT38QBln1JlXobnXGH2r-23cBjsRzZTCtElotv-zfhuchZ3gPnjY_nLH0pcVF_WY_ZELI3fBY2IOGGw98/s1600/Dancing+Switch+Crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510369212447742994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx3ZxB0yT6gy1n6kjFttGx-ydOxH0blhK88czT6ig_ORqAjfo3cJbisAgPBwT38QBln1JlXobnXGH2r-23cBjsRzZTCtElotv-zfhuchZ3gPnjY_nLH0pcVF_WY_ZELI3fBY2IOGGw98/s320/Dancing+Switch+Crop.jpg" /></a> Blam!!! They'd flip their outfit and all of a sudden, be in a different colored outfit. As I said, there were several different group performances, and the outfit changing thing was common among them all.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX8cLWEIOq2Ds9fWure1tOvqwZv1Q-udhVg3DuD-_EQtBkIiS7t1w7GhPAVzkQL2gJpwRX5g7n9srnEnsL5hKSkzYh3zgeiyoRjJHGBjWq0UWudf-amy-taXyW6Vh9MkQqO6Q2PVoBJs/s1600/Umbrella1+Crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510368851860839282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX8cLWEIOq2Ds9fWure1tOvqwZv1Q-udhVg3DuD-_EQtBkIiS7t1w7GhPAVzkQL2gJpwRX5g7n9srnEnsL5hKSkzYh3zgeiyoRjJHGBjWq0UWudf-amy-taXyW6Vh9MkQqO6Q2PVoBJs/s320/Umbrella1+Crop.jpg" /></a> There uniforms also consisted of umbrellas, fans, etc.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD-gPnG2gdLcPPRZjcSlEzSBqt90vlj5iZ3yTgL-MKfo5xViZ6vl7gPm7HA5LemYmh9exAr-BpIe-MpmYHhrVRqTgj2V1D1a-6A1BGiZmRqx9FrlauRm0GM-MTehAhaA5NuGXHfOKAdA/s1600/Umbrella2+Crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510368580765984738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD-gPnG2gdLcPPRZjcSlEzSBqt90vlj5iZ3yTgL-MKfo5xViZ6vl7gPm7HA5LemYmh9exAr-BpIe-MpmYHhrVRqTgj2V1D1a-6A1BGiZmRqx9FrlauRm0GM-MTehAhaA5NuGXHfOKAdA/s320/Umbrella2+Crop.jpg" /></a> The dance routine was pretty amazing in itself. But more fascinating was a part of the performance behind the dancers...<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pYZ2EeyYZbDG4KepRz0Zsa-S5h1tdMw5X10Ve5z47BaDUpR7WmXbOnrVbhk12-re_HK13Pj9q-7nEYBmOMt5IiFM14HZmcp8GBygC_MO2BlkKZ37V2oLR35BB5CEhgUMLMlypPdWveQ/s1600/IMG_1317+crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510368142315258082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pYZ2EeyYZbDG4KepRz0Zsa-S5h1tdMw5X10Ve5z47BaDUpR7WmXbOnrVbhk12-re_HK13Pj9q-7nEYBmOMt5IiFM14HZmcp8GBygC_MO2BlkKZ37V2oLR35BB5CEhgUMLMlypPdWveQ/s320/IMG_1317+crop.jpg" /></a> Each dancing group had one or two guys in the back with these gigantic flags. They were waving them around along with the music and it just sent chills down your spine to experience it.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcvTCyUB38Nj5kexFaJjrni3eNPcWrowp5rboWL3Oa_UtBVfcBa2HeiYqtZGaU22hlAvtxLBpYi2O-V-XGeMfOrGAMED_CFKcMp7q8Qk6UC6IkGdv0WJ1jzzSLM79LyY233onY7Itxcc/s1600/IMG_1319+crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510367844800869362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcvTCyUB38Nj5kexFaJjrni3eNPcWrowp5rboWL3Oa_UtBVfcBa2HeiYqtZGaU22hlAvtxLBpYi2O-V-XGeMfOrGAMED_CFKcMp7q8Qk6UC6IkGdv0WJ1jzzSLM79LyY233onY7Itxcc/s320/IMG_1319+crop.jpg" /></a> To stand there and wave such a huge flag took a ton of strength and balance.....<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKnyhHL15KWEL25iLCNkfUkI_3CXzCfc4OaXDRn7CqLP2L7isLickC9FAto6jLmWLqLV2F8mD0Kx-KB7xcVj_MkHoVoAHx42QV0s-Wob0pPIZtKZyX5zySuKr56oXDQjlhLxRLhiNuXA/s1600/Kick+Ass+Hair+Crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510367486382155842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKnyhHL15KWEL25iLCNkfUkI_3CXzCfc4OaXDRn7CqLP2L7isLickC9FAto6jLmWLqLV2F8mD0Kx-KB7xcVj_MkHoVoAHx42QV0s-Wob0pPIZtKZyX5zySuKr56oXDQjlhLxRLhiNuXA/s320/Kick+Ass+Hair+Crop.jpg" /></a> and a badass hairdo...</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-24013373873332464602010-07-21T22:14:00.000-07:002010-07-21T22:49:53.221-07:00Daisetsuzan 2010Well, one trip I'd been planning for months was a summer backpacking trip with Angelica. I wanted it to be 4-5 days and decided to head up to Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido. I did the entire traverse of this park with Ryan Connell last August.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y51duN3VMIm94l-AG2g6JeJ5hNmwDzFsRrfocj0gKOwqd9Y474w1mGqIxPw0zeHFTNH2aSoGwKPP91bIQh8RlfMV82Ck_bQaxX1iFM_DLqSsZjqe4FV9BwljY_KqltwYeKqLKbDm4Q4/s1600/We're+Off.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496598388873101938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y51duN3VMIm94l-AG2g6JeJ5hNmwDzFsRrfocj0gKOwqd9Y474w1mGqIxPw0zeHFTNH2aSoGwKPP91bIQh8RlfMV82Ck_bQaxX1iFM_DLqSsZjqe4FV9BwljY_KqltwYeKqLKbDm4Q4/s320/We're+Off.jpg" /></a> It started out with an 8 hour train ride to Asawikawa and a 1-hour taxi ride to Asahidake Onsen. We camped our first night at the base of Asahidake (Mount Asahi).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oMtA7-wGqOut8SWZCuCs798dHm7ACY27u-44zdDAktVgVZAlbfMMVTqKj2Tv1tZy7SB7kLv-yGAVCm5KCRKvo9gcGIvg2_zES0t4IWj3V9qPn4KHiXx9sfebvqrypYnHZ9Z14f-RYtE/s1600/Respect+the+Shemagh.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496598108576755058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oMtA7-wGqOut8SWZCuCs798dHm7ACY27u-44zdDAktVgVZAlbfMMVTqKj2Tv1tZy7SB7kLv-yGAVCm5KCRKvo9gcGIvg2_zES0t4IWj3V9qPn4KHiXx9sfebvqrypYnHZ9Z14f-RYtE/s320/Respect+the+Shemagh.jpg" /></a> Now, that's a badass shemagh. If you don't know about the shemagh, you probably don't have a need to know. Not even Chuck Norris ever wore a shemagh. That's right, not even Chuck Norris.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBhnejs1uQzM5PLRZGLAMpvSLeTs9of_XoIZf_KeWEtSjDuz8pNRxGeuN3FNsW1UI68egl1eBDEsu_U9NZNtrupa0Eo0IStM5hm1wei3B7YhEeaxPj7baxc6JxzGe5hhNQUk_QuDruUc/s1600/On+the+Lookout+for+Bears.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496597817737799346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBhnejs1uQzM5PLRZGLAMpvSLeTs9of_XoIZf_KeWEtSjDuz8pNRxGeuN3FNsW1UI68egl1eBDEsu_U9NZNtrupa0Eo0IStM5hm1wei3B7YhEeaxPj7baxc6JxzGe5hhNQUk_QuDruUc/s320/On+the+Lookout+for+Bears.jpg" /></a> On the lookout for Hokkaido Brown Bears on our way up Asahidake.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yHtp5Xdigv3B-Yeyi-nVa1r1r28nrI4GnWyptkiWwH5ZmjHq-302fG3tio6BOvzNZ6ey7ztzKI52zEkPNcAag7t3XAI2FE3ICplqxx8XSKDe05k_bFLiFSOURWvpADYs1c0-vfCd_AQ/s1600/Snow!.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496597568293576610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yHtp5Xdigv3B-Yeyi-nVa1r1r28nrI4GnWyptkiWwH5ZmjHq-302fG3tio6BOvzNZ6ey7ztzKI52zEkPNcAag7t3XAI2FE3ICplqxx8XSKDe05k_bFLiFSOURWvpADYs1c0-vfCd_AQ/s320/Snow!.jpg" /></a>While I expected to see more snow being up there a month earlier than last year, I was really impressed by the size of the icefields remaining in July. They made for some challenging traverses.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvu8I0zWMvniGTxJsJpkuQ7A5EncYiOW23-Il0EK48nfScOQmDSOtZFi_lTa5f8DUvYbwYWwEq0oZpKwJmk4Kdf636lNmXmKdzI34xTNE2PT5Sr3luJfBoZK2ANd0VYfgZO9SE-VEnRs/s1600/On+the+Trail.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496597349716185138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvu8I0zWMvniGTxJsJpkuQ7A5EncYiOW23-Il0EK48nfScOQmDSOtZFi_lTa5f8DUvYbwYWwEq0oZpKwJmk4Kdf636lNmXmKdzI34xTNE2PT5Sr3luJfBoZK2ANd0VYfgZO9SE-VEnRs/s320/On+the+Trail.jpg" /></a> Angelica was a trooper the whole trip...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz1Z2UQbluF2DSj7-F5fbuhmiHZeB-41D0vymfPRlByw9FXaaBmlxfz4GNwYHKGbBbXDVmKtsHTY0qiq9kkyQ1o9k3T6lugs-6782HB9zFQbjPujtYzBNe1uyXy5Zd9K_IZkwD666Efs/s1600/Pretty+Flowers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496596973031431746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz1Z2UQbluF2DSj7-F5fbuhmiHZeB-41D0vymfPRlByw9FXaaBmlxfz4GNwYHKGbBbXDVmKtsHTY0qiq9kkyQ1o9k3T6lugs-6782HB9zFQbjPujtYzBNe1uyXy5Zd9K_IZkwD666Efs/s320/Pretty+Flowers.jpg" /></a> Pretty flowers...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJe5_M5iGiRiAv0hJkv0Xnu3_MaK148g3zAtaCX8Aume7t9wvoc3s53L9XD2Cxli91D7rTug_CShBLb1ds10RBQRjZ_DNounQvMi4R5vuemlckkVSmrRBHqRmIZI-ZMKnHMi8Vsrs7YQ/s1600/Nothing+Like+a+Mountain+Vista.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496596603842017410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJe5_M5iGiRiAv0hJkv0Xnu3_MaK148g3zAtaCX8Aume7t9wvoc3s53L9XD2Cxli91D7rTug_CShBLb1ds10RBQRjZ_DNounQvMi4R5vuemlckkVSmrRBHqRmIZI-ZMKnHMi8Vsrs7YQ/s320/Nothing+Like+a+Mountain+Vista.jpg" /></a> Beautiful mountain vistas....<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChonFjPuAj3pkZk5FLGj9kOC2LUtV1gxUb-O902LzqUq5XTZFr8MOmttvbucRuCmRR9tzb72Le7usYe9lnm7TEiqdTD5s1KicSwZee5gE7iDLbWURBckTaBdtz6wOP_UrRQ5wPjuYk4w/s1600/Trouble+Coming.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496596046211886658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChonFjPuAj3pkZk5FLGj9kOC2LUtV1gxUb-O902LzqUq5XTZFr8MOmttvbucRuCmRR9tzb72Le7usYe9lnm7TEiqdTD5s1KicSwZee5gE7iDLbWURBckTaBdtz6wOP_UrRQ5wPjuYk4w/s320/Trouble+Coming.jpg" /></a> Late on the first day, massive cloud formations started to break over the horizon... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwaFezoQBP5G5xg1M1Fv06O49wcN2FUVXx-jAffC9jr0eeXae9tTceEA0woRWn9_sQ1Ki5O-0H9njEkyJyaClc0yqVcrKvnboWHsrIDOvQq9ladz2RlAwsLUsgN09U1EwKOc-Uqi8F6E/s1600/Day+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496595436217863554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwaFezoQBP5G5xg1M1Fv06O49wcN2FUVXx-jAffC9jr0eeXae9tTceEA0woRWn9_sQ1Ki5O-0H9njEkyJyaClc0yqVcrKvnboWHsrIDOvQq9ladz2RlAwsLUsgN09U1EwKOc-Uqi8F6E/s320/Day+2.jpg" /></a>We spent our first night at the Hakuun Dake tentsite. After a whole night of heavy rain and winds buckling our tent over, we decided to head towards the edge of the park. The second day was much more challenging than I could have imagined. We spent the whole day working towards Ishimuro Cabin which is the most comfortable cabin in Daisetsuzan and has the easiest escape route out of the park. I just had no idea how difficult it would be to get there. The entire day, we were confronted with stinging rain and wind gusts nearly capable of knocking you off your feet. The normal route from Hakuun Dake to Ishumuro Cabin normally takes only a couple of hours. But, about 20 minutes from the cabin, we found the trail ending at a collapsed snow bridge, about 50 feet above an angry river. Because of poor visibility and extremely slippery snowfield conditions, we were forced to make a 5 hour detour along a safer route. Even the safer route got the better of me. At one point, I lost my footing and took a 50-meter tumble with my 50lb pack down a 30-degree snowfield. Luckily, I escaped with a bruised leg and a broken backpack strap. About an hour later, we arrived at Ishimuro Cabin, cold, wet, and tired. As can always be expected, the Japanese folks at the cabin took care of us and ensured we got warmed up and fed. Due to the weather, we were forced to spend 2 nights at Ishimuro Cabin. On day 4, we hiked out of the park under sunny skies. We spent our 4th night at a cozy youth hostel in Sounkyo Gorge. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures after the morning of day 2 due to water getting into my camera lens.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UTqUU1f31RPynwxE6TWpUG721p6jDscDlfa-tY801Zr8T3LcJKJNcRMvBbQuIJpVhzBepaygA4RG3jp2NljGlDvwThIjRQDMFeh1B1Ut_yEKootaxq18fH8L8xFT5lW7urwZH8NYFXg/s1600/Got+Me!.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496594965417612802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UTqUU1f31RPynwxE6TWpUG721p6jDscDlfa-tY801Zr8T3LcJKJNcRMvBbQuIJpVhzBepaygA4RG3jp2NljGlDvwThIjRQDMFeh1B1Ut_yEKootaxq18fH8L8xFT5lW7urwZH8NYFXg/s320/Got+Me!.jpg" /></a> That's right...not even Chuck Norris..... <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-91104110993919735742010-07-15T22:03:00.000-07:002010-07-21T22:13:37.317-07:00Time OffAfter getting home from Afghanistan, I got 2 weeks off to hang out with the girls.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdINAguo2qt_2Duyf9A5TYsTLgHjpEWGSocQkm1XxJbAT5jtrhGGprf004koP0KBleKytksRb39oD_oAyhwYQuRLGDd4UiFc3HqeKLiB-dATTVljP8P8iAhxJBfH5U1PolBoP07VcAgw/s1600/Train+Park.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496593637026485634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdINAguo2qt_2Duyf9A5TYsTLgHjpEWGSocQkm1XxJbAT5jtrhGGprf004koP0KBleKytksRb39oD_oAyhwYQuRLGDd4UiFc3HqeKLiB-dATTVljP8P8iAhxJBfH5U1PolBoP07VcAgw/s320/Train+Park.jpg" /></a> Angelica and Helen love this rope swing at the Misawa Train Park. They can spend hours on that thing.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaI68uD3C1XXHniDeBqlarUgq59FvUL0D_-lOtU-khNlWSJnnXZZwz7v0acuvRzhH3PbY9arXWpzSmYrqR53LJ3_67Kg0p3IsYgK_gj_T51TVZ2frsDHF3H9p4nrVJ1B_ZiSeQktmO_c/s1600/Helen+Striking+a+Pose.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496592943748502898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaI68uD3C1XXHniDeBqlarUgq59FvUL0D_-lOtU-khNlWSJnnXZZwz7v0acuvRzhH3PbY9arXWpzSmYrqR53LJ3_67Kg0p3IsYgK_gj_T51TVZ2frsDHF3H9p4nrVJ1B_ZiSeQktmO_c/s320/Helen+Striking+a+Pose.jpg" /></a> We went to the beach to fly a kite and look for seashells. Helen's our little model...alway ready to strike a pose when the camera's zoomed in from afar.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqxfNFNyaBada1J43-XSrBoH61HgFOcbl7_sda0tsbVBcfMqGuuctpwiQzuHp_WZwhUX-dvm8VtITaD2qTjMOzYk6k0mofhVFjngBbtdFBDB0SLAndHJ1YevTbRn_opAyAjb8BAYDTE8/s1600/Angelica+Climbing.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496592522483978594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqxfNFNyaBada1J43-XSrBoH61HgFOcbl7_sda0tsbVBcfMqGuuctpwiQzuHp_WZwhUX-dvm8VtITaD2qTjMOzYk6k0mofhVFjngBbtdFBDB0SLAndHJ1YevTbRn_opAyAjb8BAYDTE8/s320/Angelica+Climbing.jpg" /></a> And, we were able to get back on the granite. Even after 6 months off, Angelica and Helen hit it like they never missed a day.</div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-2061002587579802302010-06-24T09:11:00.000-07:002010-06-24T18:00:38.031-07:00More Fun in Kandahar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-BeKdauoiDMwTF_D_TAIVbNGMZOjfIhGIAUy43DWWZJhkbhSlmzq0mTi4tz7N2VJEECc24nmdcpchTbnrvcmoshTVNlIG9a5Idhon_f4UMzgu7xnV0dGQF7yToUR0saPXXaL_MptNl0/s1600/P1000841.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486384879888171826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-BeKdauoiDMwTF_D_TAIVbNGMZOjfIhGIAUy43DWWZJhkbhSlmzq0mTi4tz7N2VJEECc24nmdcpchTbnrvcmoshTVNlIG9a5Idhon_f4UMzgu7xnV0dGQF7yToUR0saPXXaL_MptNl0/s320/P1000841.JPG" /></a> For Chief Mondloch's birthday, we had a pirate party.Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-37690191012018565192010-06-21T07:02:00.000-07:002010-06-21T17:05:00.423-07:00The "Poo Pond"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAw6sCcVO9tqY4QrEWiVzCkM6k-DKI6Zc8hYUVFQA4Iq1BAFASzGvncEN7UwcuJTf4b9rtilGYDYn1CuhxJxZC5v_oApp5BcXm3nnTAoLxfSa0flKHyNPa8s1jUok5IM-dyfnowSw7IA/s1600/P1000799.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485266259971529666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAw6sCcVO9tqY4QrEWiVzCkM6k-DKI6Zc8hYUVFQA4Iq1BAFASzGvncEN7UwcuJTf4b9rtilGYDYn1CuhxJxZC5v_oApp5BcXm3nnTAoLxfSa0flKHyNPa8s1jUok5IM-dyfnowSw7IA/s320/P1000799.JPG" /></a> Yes, a big pond of poo.Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-56246773725999495052010-06-04T07:33:00.000-07:002010-06-05T09:23:22.269-07:00Afghanistan UpdateWell, its been awhile since I provided an update and I’m sure everyone’s excited to see how the war on terror is going. So, here’s a hodgepodge of happenings since my last update.<br /><br />Anyone who’s ever looked at pics of old airplanes is familiar with the old nose art once popular on our warbirds. Well, aside from an occasional shark mouth or the warthog paint on the A-10, this practice has become somewhat taboo. You’ll no longer see a girl in a bathing suit emblazoned on the nose of a bomber or anything like that. One thing that has become popular is the painting of barricades. Here at Kandahar, we have these concrete slabs all over the place to help protect us from enemy fire. Some units have left these awesome paintings to be remembered by.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDvK0yiYxcDdoDRDTNDpKuSxPNAcd3ue2atdyw_hyi_f1jcqXSLC1huyGUCH_eYTlDkGTOSaEWNQp8wJWiahahBqw-Ec531fD6M8VFSzCBC0srWNOky7KQ0y4_893zcfrNT4klfLE02Q/s1600/Barricade+Art+Baltimore.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479324957369609522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDvK0yiYxcDdoDRDTNDpKuSxPNAcd3ue2atdyw_hyi_f1jcqXSLC1huyGUCH_eYTlDkGTOSaEWNQp8wJWiahahBqw-Ec531fD6M8VFSzCBC0srWNOky7KQ0y4_893zcfrNT4klfLE02Q/s320/Barricade+Art+Baltimore.jpg" /></a>Barricade art left by the 175th Fighter Wing out of Baltimore, Maryland.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZWKaFroW_qJMMzp3kcM05y4Fxlhdgy73wq89isj9xmHRY-bBF8gyPHJP55EzEf5Ju0VJxoVOTHw9Pbh6blaezV0mp6nLieOLpXkrN3fx1_enLRFJ9yk2d1oTbEExuG-hzgJ3lHEmAJE/s1600/Barricade+Art+Arkansas.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479318969521512770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZWKaFroW_qJMMzp3kcM05y4Fxlhdgy73wq89isj9xmHRY-bBF8gyPHJP55EzEf5Ju0VJxoVOTHw9Pbh6blaezV0mp6nLieOLpXkrN3fx1_enLRFJ9yk2d1oTbEExuG-hzgJ3lHEmAJE/s320/Barricade+Art+Arkansas.jpg" /></a> Barricade art left by the 188th Fighter Wing out of Fort Smith, Arkansas. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPanXN5bdxz4pDbyhM8wyrVB9rXfhxKs79NlFsMTRZGKD59m4wXYSA_SoX08tpDplYl5POutxKYC-fFDd8ba0xWCxIsHhnsgefy6omnUkkHHONCnl232dyL4bzMGF88qd07eIkBPJrY54/s1600/Bazaar+School+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479294368852741186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPanXN5bdxz4pDbyhM8wyrVB9rXfhxKs79NlFsMTRZGKD59m4wXYSA_SoX08tpDplYl5POutxKYC-fFDd8ba0xWCxIsHhnsgefy6omnUkkHHONCnl232dyL4bzMGF88qd07eIkBPJrY54/s320/Bazaar+School+1.jpg" /></a> I spent another Saturday with the boys at the Bazaar School. This time, I brought some Explosives Ordinance Disposal guys along. We started out with some crafts…<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqVrIyi95zWx3vIVUziZRe9osgw34GNH3wpdnq94sKLXaNom06tZpdie7vvTuVyJYUOOgHwdjreVDvm4iZiKMQvSsG9TqEAWsSuYaaEuuWRGZc0Mku1dCqiiV4pmxZRu3fpF_QZxMI7U/s1600/EOD+Suit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479109094810879842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqVrIyi95zWx3vIVUziZRe9osgw34GNH3wpdnq94sKLXaNom06tZpdie7vvTuVyJYUOOgHwdjreVDvm4iZiKMQvSsG9TqEAWsSuYaaEuuWRGZc0Mku1dCqiiV4pmxZRu3fpF_QZxMI7U/s320/EOD+Suit.jpg" /></a> And then broke out the cool stuff!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile5d4n-zqqa0AD2ENkCnd5vVRSoigqVB_sG08YhKfO37r8VHStQrUTWFYEwYA5OWK2xqDqviuveJ89G-mQAvgGkRbXm2GEzQ_QpshdryUI8wtViXXBEu0XXdMx-JBdTDzuqpaNXf-8yg/s1600/EOD+Robot.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479106199382938082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile5d4n-zqqa0AD2ENkCnd5vVRSoigqVB_sG08YhKfO37r8VHStQrUTWFYEwYA5OWK2xqDqviuveJ89G-mQAvgGkRbXm2GEzQ_QpshdryUI8wtViXXBEu0XXdMx-JBdTDzuqpaNXf-8yg/s320/EOD+Robot.jpg" /></a> For a robot that’s designed to take explosive blasts, I was surprised it made it through the abuse of these Afghan boys. This poor thing took a barrage of kicks, steps, and twists as the boys interacted with something that was clearly alien to them.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6pArtmgaDcG0DoFcjZbBnsX3DZqOjPkJPnt2ICXHLKH1q6UCJHD5tHdGXjG6B8QtZPBe3kPjPr5bevyvSnWJFQbkJFcqYAUjiZcLsivij3q9loW81DLjVnOQ03Run1AbihZYdmkVoao/s1600/Mark+Allen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479103509991085746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6pArtmgaDcG0DoFcjZbBnsX3DZqOjPkJPnt2ICXHLKH1q6UCJHD5tHdGXjG6B8QtZPBe3kPjPr5bevyvSnWJFQbkJFcqYAUjiZcLsivij3q9loW81DLjVnOQ03Run1AbihZYdmkVoao/s320/Mark+Allen.jpg" /></a> This is my good buddy, Mark Allen. Mark Allen is with the Fort Smith, Arkansas Air National Guard “Flying Razorbacks”. That’s a bottle of nonalcoholic Beck’s in front of him.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBmvg3Q-kgFe_3wdhWze-Hg6dO8Ltghsk0-50lWAMwe-7Xkiy6Q3HE-rvra3c-_eDMgWwXsZmVk-ECIGsfdv8ExOE9sKHOAC-eg4mvcdNNvhxKpgjvwBJmNKOd_t9bvcPuVgNYSXcyaE/s1600/Arkansas+Flag.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479099525279788578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBmvg3Q-kgFe_3wdhWze-Hg6dO8Ltghsk0-50lWAMwe-7Xkiy6Q3HE-rvra3c-_eDMgWwXsZmVk-ECIGsfdv8ExOE9sKHOAC-eg4mvcdNNvhxKpgjvwBJmNKOd_t9bvcPuVgNYSXcyaE/s320/Arkansas+Flag.jpg" /></a> One of the highlights of my tour here was the opportunity to work with two different Air National Guard outfits. The thing I liked the most about them was their sense of identity. Being an active-duty guy, I’ve been assigned to about 10 different outfits. Most of us active-duty guys don’t get too excited about any particular unit. Its really not that big of a deal. With the Air National Guard guys, it’s a REAL BIG DEAL. There are guys that will stay with the same ANG unit for 30 or 40 years. For some, it’s a family tradition with fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters all serving generation after generation in the same outfit. While deployed, they advertise their presence everywhere….paintings on barricades, stickers on the General’s car, and, of course, the flag of the great state of Arkansas flying over some of our compounds.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEBTaam8liwn2QnCrjH2wKmuLFwnMFCLYJFxpVn_ls5Ky_QRT6fTeAUwXp1PuxzVchWxVReDIgYW1vNL1Xfbx3hm27PBt_EZXZx8bjTHZYDaAWztD9Tuhzm_Y_YLN-EeKOEbrvA1yqEg/s1600/ANAAC+Group+Photo+Helo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479093503908832482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEBTaam8liwn2QnCrjH2wKmuLFwnMFCLYJFxpVn_ls5Ky_QRT6fTeAUwXp1PuxzVchWxVReDIgYW1vNL1Xfbx3hm27PBt_EZXZx8bjTHZYDaAWztD9Tuhzm_Y_YLN-EeKOEbrvA1yqEg/s320/ANAAC+Group+Photo+Helo.jpg" /></a> I’ve recently had a few opportunities to hang out with the folks out at the Afghan National Army Air Corps outfit here on Kandahar. One of the big pushes with the war effort is getting these guys prepared to eventually take over the defense of the country. This seems like an awesome task. They’re basically trying to stand up a semi-modern military from the ground up. Some of these guys went from having no military experience to being in charge of an entire unit. Many of them sign on at great risk to themselves or their families. They are really great guys to hang out with and I really wish them the best of luck. This is some of us in front of the MI-17 helicopter, an old Russian helicopter they maintain and fly.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEy9jChBYuhPdh7IkktSLZTjJgbtOkFnNzgUomKKBl0kRVhFX8VCmLx7uv_0HgOPhDhrMPRlQHzY7y9413escXRYYdPOkYqdL-sWNCLZPFRuZT0_zEpF_n7p-1riRCdB5s0UkqPYwiP4/s1600/Food+Guy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478948514188919202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEy9jChBYuhPdh7IkktSLZTjJgbtOkFnNzgUomKKBl0kRVhFX8VCmLx7uv_0HgOPhDhrMPRlQHzY7y9413escXRYYdPOkYqdL-sWNCLZPFRuZT0_zEpF_n7p-1riRCdB5s0UkqPYwiP4/s320/Food+Guy.jpg" /></a> Last week, the ANAAC folks invited us out to a BBQ. It was a fun and interesting experience. One interesting thing was that they had the same Michael Jackson song playing over and over….guess old Jacko was just as popular in Afghanistan. The food was awesome. I asked to take a picture of the spread and this guy thought I wanted a picture of him…not sure who he was.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY87wv0fHIdS8R0CRaTH1b8KDa5-f7E6rXwKMbFDsZbl-7FNmAM38MkP0JGo-QS5jL84YW-o00fBDytEOJsuiv04gSFnMG5BB7zc0J8Q1e1NkzPAdLgZw__-cTYCS8wlcoRqhjINudnU8/s1600/Nice+Spread.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478945041063048578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY87wv0fHIdS8R0CRaTH1b8KDa5-f7E6rXwKMbFDsZbl-7FNmAM38MkP0JGo-QS5jL84YW-o00fBDytEOJsuiv04gSFnMG5BB7zc0J8Q1e1NkzPAdLgZw__-cTYCS8wlcoRqhjINudnU8/s320/Nice+Spread.jpg" /></a> A picture of the spread…<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GQXZaiWwbkN7gUkuaLld3bN9nw6Yq4nqedT5lnlw47IwYv9gqk5YfhO2KYt2kZYujKnJiwAF9fFz3Xbz9o6QRpEZI1UCmpOZF4nmvmujvCQpeksCOMTD198nqOyHlI0aX5zH1w1xVJI/s1600/MMMM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478939256959040002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GQXZaiWwbkN7gUkuaLld3bN9nw6Yq4nqedT5lnlw47IwYv9gqk5YfhO2KYt2kZYujKnJiwAF9fFz3Xbz9o6QRpEZI1UCmpOZF4nmvmujvCQpeksCOMTD198nqOyHlI0aX5zH1w1xVJI/s320/MMMM.jpg" /></a> And, my plate…goat on a skewer, rice with a subtle, sweet raisin flavor, spicy meatballs, honeydew, and some Afghan peaches? The only thing that didn’t taste all that great was the hamburger patty.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgdYT1jL6vMJH3RRqzPOz-9GpuAtUqNQcCCzITxIIzS4wIK1sPAtOra92m2esMbpBouELJTf_gtXRZiYlG04yGwuoQQioDCtv7V9Wo0z7FsXef1Dx-mwS8_0N3xl20st11SscnbGBbg0/s1600/Capt+B.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478936668728329490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgdYT1jL6vMJH3RRqzPOz-9GpuAtUqNQcCCzITxIIzS4wIK1sPAtOra92m2esMbpBouELJTf_gtXRZiYlG04yGwuoQQioDCtv7V9Wo0z7FsXef1Dx-mwS8_0N3xl20st11SscnbGBbg0/s320/Capt+B.jpg" /></a> We recently had our own BBQ as well. I got to organize a cookout for well over 500 folks. This here is Captain Brighton cooking up a shit ton of brats and chicken breasts. My coworkers and I have had lengthy discussions over what exactly a “shit ton” is. We’ve decided that it is military term of measurement which is slightly larger than a “shit load” and somewhat less than an “ass ton”. In this case, it was precisely enough to feed over 500 Airmen. And yes, that is an Arkansas Razorback carved out of the side of that grill. Remember what I said about advertising their presence?<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSESfWygXfWhOWXYuQQle84YYjTmy4IWffldVbW9fHZs5tzpl2H16_QRQfL3XxWbSG1H6i1x1CUMz8sMyAaA9i2HjWDG_GPjq79JW3bNSbqvGcNfc2xMDY3B_HGfHhZ5pm7nbXHi1QAg/s1600/Calamari+Rings.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478933811526828562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSESfWygXfWhOWXYuQQle84YYjTmy4IWffldVbW9fHZs5tzpl2H16_QRQfL3XxWbSG1H6i1x1CUMz8sMyAaA9i2HjWDG_GPjq79JW3bNSbqvGcNfc2xMDY3B_HGfHhZ5pm7nbXHi1QAg/s320/Calamari+Rings.jpg" /></a> Mmmmm….battered and fried calamari rings……<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS8RN80Q_ONgqef0caWOFru4d7ZRRNIjjUcsnPr8hj5noSj2ZpsXuJzBej5zDRXr0iKYhhdUb1kirPtESYwrU_GoOiUJ0HCdBuWXGcB-bl6h0QSsbDE4x9_A5iQFmWTsF2UwBx81yTSs/s1600/AMMO+Goat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478929293567034258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS8RN80Q_ONgqef0caWOFru4d7ZRRNIjjUcsnPr8hj5noSj2ZpsXuJzBej5zDRXr0iKYhhdUb1kirPtESYwrU_GoOiUJ0HCdBuWXGcB-bl6h0QSsbDE4x9_A5iQFmWTsF2UwBx81yTSs/s320/AMMO+Goat.jpg" /></a> To close out my update, I’ll showcase our famous AMMO goat. This little guy hangs out at the bomb dump and pretty much keeps the place tidy by eating absolutely everything in sight. He’s a friendly fella and was quick to nuzzle up to me. Around the time I took this photo, I was reading a book called “The Snow Leopard” about a man’s trek into the Himalaya to study the behavior of the mountain goats up there. In the book, the author goes into great detail about the mating habits of Himalayan mountain goats. Did you know that certain goats actually urinate into their own mouths during mating season? My AMMO Lieutenant was nice enough to inform me that this guy does the same thing. Nice… </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-14289374802361328472010-03-08T06:29:00.000-08:002010-03-08T06:49:57.050-08:00451st EMXS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o7Z0fURviXNicftFVz_p3uqgnfc4Tf6b5gV93wQtKgzrLb3DiJYRYOSR9Os04zsshxFlaoHJ04JBs5V08yIeB_okHluWjAqE3A0O5ayIC4W4eXPiBG0PivhyphenhyphenF5LS0MHxuusCzoRmh8w/s1600-h/Group+Pic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446274872228607970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2o7Z0fURviXNicftFVz_p3uqgnfc4Tf6b5gV93wQtKgzrLb3DiJYRYOSR9Os04zsshxFlaoHJ04JBs5V08yIeB_okHluWjAqE3A0O5ayIC4W4eXPiBG0PivhyphenhyphenF5LS0MHxuusCzoRmh8w/s320/Group+Pic.jpg" /></a> My unit here at Kandahar, the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron. I'm just left of center on the front row.Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-7298172802038396212010-03-07T00:09:00.000-08:002010-03-08T07:16:19.584-08:00Kandahar MarathonWell, we had the 1st ever Kandahar Air Field Full/Half Marathon Sunday. I was really excited about it when I first got here. I kind of feel that the best foot races are the ones that suck the most. Anyone who enjoys running those distances is just a loon. When I run long distances, I'm trying to see if I can push my body through another extremely sucky episode. While I do actually enjoy most of the race, the misery of the last few miles more than makes up for any joy I get out of the first 20 miles. So, after hearing about the Kandahar marathon I thought, "Wow, I just can't imagine too much that could be suckier than running 26.2 miles in southern Afghanistan." Its generally hot and dusty except for the few occasions where the monsoon turns the place into a huge mud pit. If the dust doesn't get to you, the exhaust fumes from the hundreds of humvees, MRAPs, and Pakistani jingle trucks is guaranteed to drive up the suck factor. On top of that, there's guaranteed to be no throngs of spectators cheering you through the finish as in the more popular marathons. You're guaranteed a considerable amount of time with just you and a dusty Afghan road. So, to cut a long story short, I started prepping for it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tlgsc0oSd99Ljn39hOCTmfoafng5y4FP2gGV3nkw_79hm-9I2IQeoFxuHMcrwSSctR_eFY2s8819Uz5z8xqXagjI_Tx0p4TPNzZjppwKA3trBsiMjKf0O1WpMXRX-LYVvqyxR7xNHUA/s1600-h/Pic+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446279561220460706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tlgsc0oSd99Ljn39hOCTmfoafng5y4FP2gGV3nkw_79hm-9I2IQeoFxuHMcrwSSctR_eFY2s8819Uz5z8xqXagjI_Tx0p4TPNzZjppwKA3trBsiMjKf0O1WpMXRX-LYVvqyxR7xNHUA/s320/Pic+2.JPG" /></a> My training went very well for the first 6 weeks or so and then it started falling apart. Late night responses, homework, and work issues were pretty much taking up the little training time I had available. So, I signed up for the half marathon instead and stopped training. I was set on this option all the way up through the night before the race when I started wondering if I could finish the full marathon. The morning of the race, I decided that I would pace myself and see how I was holding up during the half. About a mile before reaching the half marathon finish line, I decided to go with the full marathon. Everyone who knew I had signed up for the half marathon looked at me kind of funny when I continued past the finish line. I was actually pretty happy about my 4:24 finish time considering the lack of training and the last minute decision to run the whole race.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv4M32fwjVrdzVn71xyedMIvoS3MA3pnqzYOXgVW8qhk39DBOxbv0T9_XtAoSGTQa4qHzfHZEYVpVs6h_PfCx1HQQwf1pfTFEhVfOTALBxtQk5hyt5Sf-8_uY8Wd1_0ZjxvO1dYSIcPE/s1600-h/Pic+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446278558657014786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv4M32fwjVrdzVn71xyedMIvoS3MA3pnqzYOXgVW8qhk39DBOxbv0T9_XtAoSGTQa4qHzfHZEYVpVs6h_PfCx1HQQwf1pfTFEhVfOTALBxtQk5hyt5Sf-8_uY8Wd1_0ZjxvO1dYSIcPE/s320/Pic+1.JPG" /></a> Me and a few of the guys before the race. #33, Mike Bunting is a marathon maniac. He finished in a blazing 2:51 even having taken a half-mile detour during the race. He's set to run Boston when he gets home this month.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxjmtYNajjXjkBUw5etqLNfS5-rGNNFLkc5RvmELc1PkaNRpRpju-YkLqVXE4TZoH0m9MY6S2cFYxLrnkcHLJ2XezvmM6IMIQ2o36V_wUKHad5xlocyTLCzMBQLFUArMdWCzCmu9wAxw/s1600-h/Pic+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446277656988513730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxjmtYNajjXjkBUw5etqLNfS5-rGNNFLkc5RvmELc1PkaNRpRpju-YkLqVXE4TZoH0m9MY6S2cFYxLrnkcHLJ2XezvmM6IMIQ2o36V_wUKHad5xlocyTLCzMBQLFUArMdWCzCmu9wAxw/s320/Pic+3.JPG" /></a> Despite the challenges, I'll have to say that this turned out to be one of the more interesting races I've run. While running, I was entertained by the rattle of Blackhawks and Chinooks, the rumble of Tornadoes taking off with full afterburner, and even a couple Russion-era heavy cargo planes landing. I nearly got ran over by a British convoy driver who apparently felt that his task at hand was more important than my little race. This little Explosives Ordinance Disposal robot was even handing out water bottles to the runners. In the end, I was just thankful that no rocket attacks forced us to take cover during the race.</div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-18681422708680505502010-02-23T06:37:00.000-08:002010-02-23T08:45:34.678-08:00No matter where you live in the world, fire trucks are the coolestThe highlight of each week here at the KAF is each Saturday when I volunteer at the "Bazaar School". At the school, we host about 30 Afghan boys for 3 hours of education and activities. This week was particularly fun as I was able to coordinate a fire truck exhibition.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wO3QCHDbyk3Dw_3dmN0hZLt-DjiskJNbcl1tOxOUxCknTc58G7plwRbJPeuGmlgmTran8R_XDrbQslpFMEMS28ZzwC6LeFxZzddX96P9oOad9cNqabLBnIw2UAARDOBeN07A95Jjx60/s1600-h/Firetruck.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441458896940879186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wO3QCHDbyk3Dw_3dmN0hZLt-DjiskJNbcl1tOxOUxCknTc58G7plwRbJPeuGmlgmTran8R_XDrbQslpFMEMS28ZzwC6LeFxZzddX96P9oOad9cNqabLBnIw2UAARDOBeN07A95Jjx60/s320/Firetruck.JPG" /></a> As one can imagine, these boys had never seen a real, modern fire truck. Fires in Afghanistan are still fought with archaic equipment or even buckets of water.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPG5lLQ524FDzmkubcGuxRR5u-gMLiMhMZ11ayhrwLqiYxZ73WcdRERGNqoMg7esq59ozfYssfnfLjBWQVijHsC9-wSya3rPkK_dGrWEJ_9oCgEcL7XjPazAAwIEioy8PadluPiqpvXw/s1600-h/In+the+cab.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441455915607577058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPG5lLQ524FDzmkubcGuxRR5u-gMLiMhMZ11ayhrwLqiYxZ73WcdRERGNqoMg7esq59ozfYssfnfLjBWQVijHsC9-wSya3rPkK_dGrWEJ_9oCgEcL7XjPazAAwIEioy8PadluPiqpvXw/s320/In+the+cab.JPG" /></a> Sitting in the cab...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGwURAAILzfG5dwfNRlxiVhOusoUv7Vju4cr4Jgl41IOaTZ4qCho9rHUsroWuHTpOd_SY1wNQvn1Ow2sTBuIg4tmVlrx2098Rki5jFBXaCnXfENbPdk3GOfUhOBLfZ8s3w5KTsk8exEg/s1600-h/Helmet.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441454064603475362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGwURAAILzfG5dwfNRlxiVhOusoUv7Vju4cr4Jgl41IOaTZ4qCho9rHUsroWuHTpOd_SY1wNQvn1Ow2sTBuIg4tmVlrx2098Rki5jFBXaCnXfENbPdk3GOfUhOBLfZ8s3w5KTsk8exEg/s320/Helmet.JPG" /></a> Wearing a real fireman hat...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9345w51f-3GUbchdPVyGGDVDiQOwCvX4Y8SiGVLZo9U6lIfrhlFyU8RWZvu8Yw58aSAd9jlI5CTiRGPdN_U5U0hsMdEgL0Be1nCQZ_rXtKvEB3QwgAf770cJnK4YhSOxr2txkDSmkoU/s1600-h/Hose.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441470459500594386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9345w51f-3GUbchdPVyGGDVDiQOwCvX4Y8SiGVLZo9U6lIfrhlFyU8RWZvu8Yw58aSAd9jlI5CTiRGPdN_U5U0hsMdEgL0Be1nCQZ_rXtKvEB3QwgAf770cJnK4YhSOxr2txkDSmkoU/s320/Hose.JPG" /></a> And the highlight of the show....the fire hose!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQX5jAXHFSVBRdKYCUJZYyHszlt2r4vKCVnz7p9prcB4qP0xywHY-cmEJ9e42_cwlJEXk1Eza1x9YV7cDQtfsdIKCBocBFCEkD_uVERjqwZHNDpBpAoQgMzE14DrAvCrt6Op0qkxpulk/s1600-h/Hose+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441473343345958674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQX5jAXHFSVBRdKYCUJZYyHszlt2r4vKCVnz7p9prcB4qP0xywHY-cmEJ9e42_cwlJEXk1Eza1x9YV7cDQtfsdIKCBocBFCEkD_uVERjqwZHNDpBpAoQgMzE14DrAvCrt6Op0qkxpulk/s320/Hose+2.JPG" /></a> Worried we would have kids flying around on the end of the hose, I did my best to keep it under control. It got particularly difficult when 3 or 4 of the boys would hang on the valve with it in the "on" position making it hard for me to turn it back off.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce_lRqJ04wFdaEVkhsgHHD_Q5EnlrOzSIsLjzBcYJD_8O_IpzooZ3IhO8TQMYp3o95lqGYRNplqXaa7r1Vu0yPHBYpq18UmKqowoi3NGsncba3Gvbj6mrdAhbuBJst3Q7kZ_h6-Yhi4c/s1600-h/Goodies.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441479785397236578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce_lRqJ04wFdaEVkhsgHHD_Q5EnlrOzSIsLjzBcYJD_8O_IpzooZ3IhO8TQMYp3o95lqGYRNplqXaa7r1Vu0yPHBYpq18UmKqowoi3NGsncba3Gvbj6mrdAhbuBJst3Q7kZ_h6-Yhi4c/s320/Goodies.JPG" /></a> When the boys are good, we get to hand out goodies. They each received a bag full of school supplies and a baseball cap.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM61c15MzmQol0sir3Mpbx-f76np9P18c2n5q2mbmC5y88b53V3kpYG1dUU453ojrtfb7XWKzMS3PGC-EAAznAsgx6exqBHGmRqL10uvFbTpmuEwgjs-x4yJAem9dog9PJc1ZT0VEzZI/s1600-h/Close-up.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441480851222952738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpM61c15MzmQol0sir3Mpbx-f76np9P18c2n5q2mbmC5y88b53V3kpYG1dUU453ojrtfb7XWKzMS3PGC-EAAznAsgx6exqBHGmRqL10uvFbTpmuEwgjs-x4yJAem9dog9PJc1ZT0VEzZI/s320/Close-up.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-53837888230077708172010-02-01T18:58:00.001-08:002010-02-02T08:17:36.512-08:004 More YearsWell, this enlistment will put me out to 19 and a half years...so I'm not officially a lifer yet...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjX1iC4oYMtAJERihFNG7inF21RQui82BNsIVdhPzeJfXTgH8T4KqR-8gxvFjNZqO9NN65DyDW2VxQ1Z_tcooiNw4b3-rKePdsB9eo6rZSztcDa0crgeK7Ov9tE-pcS4FXIoQ6Pr52ic/s1600-h/4+more+years.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433478170783664114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjX1iC4oYMtAJERihFNG7inF21RQui82BNsIVdhPzeJfXTgH8T4KqR-8gxvFjNZqO9NN65DyDW2VxQ1Z_tcooiNw4b3-rKePdsB9eo6rZSztcDa0crgeK7Ov9tE-pcS4FXIoQ6Pr52ic/s320/4+more+years.jpg" /></a>My reenlistments have all been pretty boring events. But, I have to say...that is one badass plane.Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-42143295344642391562010-01-23T21:14:00.000-08:002010-01-24T09:15:40.308-08:00Life on the KAFWell, I just wanted to give everyone an update on what I've been doing over here and perhaps provide a glimpse into the life a First Sergeant at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7NCRqWIbdO8eUWUDRKK1kjdMg1kfAAPsuTjtCsJChjwVswL9mo-MsEzTqFmX4I8rK2uW6mb03r4JKsLDupx3MnGiJbeYXB_vyjyHiduRFMkihpRrt8eZAg0-kKuLTxHM9EzShe0L8Mo/s1600-h/TugOwar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430353645276157762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7NCRqWIbdO8eUWUDRKK1kjdMg1kfAAPsuTjtCsJChjwVswL9mo-MsEzTqFmX4I8rK2uW6mb03r4JKsLDupx3MnGiJbeYXB_vyjyHiduRFMkihpRrt8eZAg0-kKuLTxHM9EzShe0L8Mo/s320/TugOwar.jpg" /></a> On Saturdays, our base hosts a bazaar where local vendors sell their wares to us. Many of the vendors bring along children, all little boys, and allow us to interact with them by playing games and such. This Saturday, we came up with some sports activities which included tug-o-war. For this event, the Afghan men couldn't resist getting involved.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFs1VIZ62Ym_5ovIeR6nNMg9glF4W7XrY-vb98QOlUORvv06x-XugDh8BSRvdcZ3fHo-emQagkbc0igDGYAbJg4bUpR4xCf2rnxDsKESo3fTs64Y1H3uVrQQqsC5L141f842-LT9-Nsw/s1600-h/TillSomebodyGetsHurt.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430349579458987298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFs1VIZ62Ym_5ovIeR6nNMg9glF4W7XrY-vb98QOlUORvv06x-XugDh8BSRvdcZ3fHo-emQagkbc0igDGYAbJg4bUpR4xCf2rnxDsKESo3fTs64Y1H3uVrQQqsC5L141f842-LT9-Nsw/s320/TillSomebodyGetsHurt.jpg" /></a> It quickly turned into mass chaos with the children tying one end of the rope to a pick-up truck and then trying to tie up the GIs. It didn't go as planned, but was still all good fun.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFuvnIyYd65_fxvWhz-igDoH01W75wBxU570qWHDIs4MQzQHpVnQiyZGYBkB47G8y8WhpDm9U0Tb8upS3jjAmGcXxLBpkj6Tk84_33hVWa99_htCycuf1ODE4bzRQZhAkTUnSYhfjk8s/s1600-h/BadAss.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430345448533417682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFuvnIyYd65_fxvWhz-igDoH01W75wBxU570qWHDIs4MQzQHpVnQiyZGYBkB47G8y8WhpDm9U0Tb8upS3jjAmGcXxLBpkj6Tk84_33hVWa99_htCycuf1ODE4bzRQZhAkTUnSYhfjk8s/s320/BadAss.jpg" /></a> I saw this little beauty parked next to a building. After some research, I found that both the Russians and Chinese manufactured knock-off versions of the BMW R71. I believe this is a knock-off with a BMW logo put on it. Its still a neat looking bike.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvqP4rQkzwzPTCFYBOe2JiYfND6nkvCJNedfi7KOeXKDkPHn28zvm3Ehc2IETNtOGZcHPCfHnhyphenhyphenxhgTEUiN2IkiPszy38S7rMDDhdP7AUVvuXM7QISvbUy6N1sir8V9nkFXqy_b1wQcE/s1600-h/Going+Home.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430176181767551906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvqP4rQkzwzPTCFYBOe2JiYfND6nkvCJNedfi7KOeXKDkPHn28zvm3Ehc2IETNtOGZcHPCfHnhyphenhyphenxhgTEUiN2IkiPszy38S7rMDDhdP7AUVvuXM7QISvbUy6N1sir8V9nkFXqy_b1wQcE/s320/Going+Home.jpg" /></a> Our First Sergeants Council had a going away party for the folks leaving. You'll notice everyone has a going away gift except me. They've since left and I'm the "old guy" on camp.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AVSVLC2RKePrCCSytRb7i1_y_nH2t_cDOA33wNgmvN4uODf7PnhqOU8kZeJR3SvYl8WmVgDWk1OgbaiwPQjSwxdO_3SwT3T9t0kkerBKAHxza-fbAI9ErL18ECeWEVG2tVySRWltZNo/s1600-h/B7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430173271985424354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AVSVLC2RKePrCCSytRb7i1_y_nH2t_cDOA33wNgmvN4uODf7PnhqOU8kZeJR3SvYl8WmVgDWk1OgbaiwPQjSwxdO_3SwT3T9t0kkerBKAHxza-fbAI9ErL18ECeWEVG2tVySRWltZNo/s320/B7.jpg" /></a> B....7.....</div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-85485703985270354842009-12-26T07:20:00.000-08:002010-01-02T20:00:07.241-08:00Afghanistan BoundWell, my trip to Kandahar was interesting.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xJ8BoNSOQ4JMXSHLGXMUABQM6NxUlABCnZIVZKO_hwCmGHpUYMkKKgcf2sNU7s0MiEFm3eud0xEK6Bsy-2GNSrlIASMkR-FFRH4f7DkEB7lFSXRVuQCI9DKW6dW86Ge3FIjHJSmrEQc/s1600-h/Deluxe+Suite+at+Manas.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422184844824080546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xJ8BoNSOQ4JMXSHLGXMUABQM6NxUlABCnZIVZKO_hwCmGHpUYMkKKgcf2sNU7s0MiEFm3eud0xEK6Bsy-2GNSrlIASMkR-FFRH4f7DkEB7lFSXRVuQCI9DKW6dW86Ge3FIjHJSmrEQc/s320/Deluxe+Suite+at+Manas.JPG" /></a> They put us up in these sweet accomodations during our short layover at Manas, Air Base, Kyrgystan.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsMxSoDVHB4udwIoyn5E1TikfXj9OM_5PRiSIBHeHu7x0BzkYyEfdEW_KaGPgMmIJ0ymuYf2BlWzRg_oOO7ohjs-cx8FXYdbZxaWo4_P3VfXdiXFog7X-imZqI8yoX8qrMzWwx7eF3E4/s1600-h/Baltika+%239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422179989529058706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsMxSoDVHB4udwIoyn5E1TikfXj9OM_5PRiSIBHeHu7x0BzkYyEfdEW_KaGPgMmIJ0ymuYf2BlWzRg_oOO7ohjs-cx8FXYdbZxaWo4_P3VfXdiXFog7X-imZqI8yoX8qrMzWwx7eF3E4/s320/Baltika+%239.JPG" /></a> My last beer of the year (and for the next 6 months) was a Baltika #9. At Manas, you're only allowed two beers per 20 hour period. I asked the bartender what the best local beer was. He recommended the Batika #5. I tried it and it wasn't a bad beer. But, for my second, I decided on the Baltika #9. The "#" of the Baltika beer tells you the strength of the beer with the #9 having the highest alcohol content, and stoutness. Having tried a couple, I definitely recommend the #9. When you can only have two, its definitely the best beer.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQgKY2W5_59GaUGQQkGNzAgiNXeFHw1f3oHYy_BHbAh73iVsa2NJrCqo0U3u76TFAUKYKiJxUvrqibMnSt07VDyLnc6pOXYfpo_m8eKj7rECnePduJh59E2oJu7TipET5qht7NakTmT4/s1600-h/Flying+First+Class.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422170734239450242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQgKY2W5_59GaUGQQkGNzAgiNXeFHw1f3oHYy_BHbAh73iVsa2NJrCqo0U3u76TFAUKYKiJxUvrqibMnSt07VDyLnc6pOXYfpo_m8eKj7rECnePduJh59E2oJu7TipET5qht7NakTmT4/s320/Flying+First+Class.JPG" /></a> For our trip from Manas to Kandahar, we had two C-130 legs...First Class, of course. The flight, while not the most comfortable, was quite incredible. We flew right over the Hindu Kush mountains. I took a little bit of video footage out the window, but wasn't able to upload to the blog because of my crappy internet connection over here. There's really no way to describe the size and vastness of a Himalayan mountain range. It was simply awesome.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzShV2UtGVab41mhjeu34zBdcHPnb5sS1FzHJ0v8cRjFVuuX1gypeVN_ynWKnxJwpVNDY6mW3V2NsePr6l-So3GFCt4XwHiZdtN2X4fRzM0DpDluzLmnEq_z1BIeQqj44vxMZcqcB5zs/s1600-h/Fly+Gear.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422165824111758386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzShV2UtGVab41mhjeu34zBdcHPnb5sS1FzHJ0v8cRjFVuuX1gypeVN_ynWKnxJwpVNDY6mW3V2NsePr6l-So3GFCt4XwHiZdtN2X4fRzM0DpDluzLmnEq_z1BIeQqj44vxMZcqcB5zs/s320/Fly+Gear.JPG" /></a> Sweet digs.</div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-31119780367893771572009-12-24T07:24:00.000-08:002010-01-02T07:19:43.638-08:00Hanging Out in NorfolkWell, over the holidays, I got held up at Norfolk, Virginia. Luckily, I had good friends in the area. It was nice seeing old friends and finally meeting Ethan and Erik. Thanks to Buz, Bob, and Kristine for putting up with me during the holidays!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge4hoVGU-pUA7M_HOtxKw-lJzzBnFITD_1psTyrX2nL7EBdQ_03hmoLhgFgYP7ERfKoD9gpLJWlUmcg0Wb3kOfg4RuQyNG9m8spbJyb9daQaNsxEHZLjvEUWPibgi7IH6VbLSpsczZUQ/s1600-h/IMGP0077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422160654659617122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge4hoVGU-pUA7M_HOtxKw-lJzzBnFITD_1psTyrX2nL7EBdQ_03hmoLhgFgYP7ERfKoD9gpLJWlUmcg0Wb3kOfg4RuQyNG9m8spbJyb9daQaNsxEHZLjvEUWPibgi7IH6VbLSpsczZUQ/s320/IMGP0077.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw8fCE9oxpWH-y3Ge5bhTUJ6RV59Id4FY9vFTdhBwFtnZ8iwLdbfhMFmuBSpgByUFrujYVx2eYXr0dKbC4lGa3HSstAFW95X35u6AuvK_tR2J1-kCZJ-LG5zsKneJ20_hH8GLUKBo0d4/s1600-h/IMGP0078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422157052582103874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPw8fCE9oxpWH-y3Ge5bhTUJ6RV59Id4FY9vFTdhBwFtnZ8iwLdbfhMFmuBSpgByUFrujYVx2eYXr0dKbC4lGa3HSstAFW95X35u6AuvK_tR2J1-kCZJ-LG5zsKneJ20_hH8GLUKBo0d4/s320/IMGP0078.JPG" /></a></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5032791118440792384.post-41228550759467139942009-12-04T20:34:00.000-08:002009-12-04T21:32:38.936-08:00Amihari Onsen, Winter Mountaineering, and Hiking KiltsRyan and I decided to do a "guy's weekend" before my deployment. We planned on one day of travel, camping out, and visiting onsens followed by a one-day winter summit of Mount Iwate.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtQdyzpl9RXoxE_EGVQfQ2llQBi54LwUtUHsTO-O8l_mqs_OgjewjuP1wD_oRtHMzPWPZgvseYOASRsbl3RZyfRWISBDHglTS3qPedMpfzSPp1-p1exQYp3lchsOGHYXNZaskGyy6WOc/s1600-h/Amihari+Onsen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411609247776741282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtQdyzpl9RXoxE_EGVQfQ2llQBi54LwUtUHsTO-O8l_mqs_OgjewjuP1wD_oRtHMzPWPZgvseYOASRsbl3RZyfRWISBDHglTS3qPedMpfzSPp1-p1exQYp3lchsOGHYXNZaskGyy6WOc/s320/Amihari+Onsen.jpg" /></a>We actually visited two onsens, but one was simply much nicer than the other. Amihari Onsen has hot, slightly sulfuric water piped straight down from an active steam vent on the back side of Mount Iwate. I enjoyed a hot bath outside in the winter air with snow-covered mountains in the background. The water had a tinge of sulfur odor and my skin could feel the difference between the volcanic water and a regular bath.<br /><br />This is the second time I've visited a Japanese Onsen. If you've never heard of them, I highly advise looking it up online and visiting one if you get a chance. The first time is a little awkward. You basically walk into a room full of naked Japanese men washing themselves next to these little sinks. After you wash up, you walk outside, naked, and slip into the bath. Once you get over your modesty, its a quite enjoyable experience.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt4GzMwLgYwALbxcDUTac1pW9lF3oT2h5ANvkk1D_PKdK71EiMK0h7W6JJfzs3N3T0lsnl08GuY4Rh-CJoKgLwBYsTtDp0-31seuZmUDQozb5oTjVaPjL2rpCew0IhxdhK7oEllP0ouc/s1600-h/Kilt.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411609119966165106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt4GzMwLgYwALbxcDUTac1pW9lF3oT2h5ANvkk1D_PKdK71EiMK0h7W6JJfzs3N3T0lsnl08GuY4Rh-CJoKgLwBYsTtDp0-31seuZmUDQozb5oTjVaPjL2rpCew0IhxdhK7oEllP0ouc/s320/Kilt.jpg" /></a> While hiking through Daisetsuzan National Park last summer, I remarked to Ryan that the only thing that could be cooler than making the hike was making the hike in a kilt! Well, I recently found out that Mountain Hardwear made a "mountain kilt." While it doesn't bear much resemblance to an authentic Scottish kilt, I'm a new fan. This thing is quite simply the most comfortable garment I've ever worn. I'll leave it at that:)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC7zTk1kDvD_sCxN_ebTdJVZHRVpscKYEjcKXi_Jw0JZIKUeN4pR9cwPE52K9DeW2U6M1LlmBb-FVip4RBqyI3_AQ7CcCymVeJOqZ4qkgl4ixcWN74iORaKVO1WbHbTkUFIIwKlpzf0c/s1600-h/BBQ.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411608994183775682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC7zTk1kDvD_sCxN_ebTdJVZHRVpscKYEjcKXi_Jw0JZIKUeN4pR9cwPE52K9DeW2U6M1LlmBb-FVip4RBqyI3_AQ7CcCymVeJOqZ4qkgl4ixcWN74iORaKVO1WbHbTkUFIIwKlpzf0c/s320/BBQ.jpg" /></a>We grilled out at the trailhead. Rather than pitching a tent, we decided we'd throw our sleeping bags out right under the BBQ awning. I'm not sure I'd try that in the U.S., but we felt safe sleeping out in the open in Japan.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2UruulhoUMmRqN3YuJs2FQs_kTCDAOh6qyLT-0CpkTQf84W7ViezLKPK7Hiw81zddxhOFVjGBAY7z2zBBsCxWLGSXz7pFS_8DcPQA41C-tmMJLKGKBkzS_SFuRCfCuYuwQCcz0jgO1g/s1600-h/TBone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411608850528199426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2UruulhoUMmRqN3YuJs2FQs_kTCDAOh6qyLT-0CpkTQf84W7ViezLKPK7Hiw81zddxhOFVjGBAY7z2zBBsCxWLGSXz7pFS_8DcPQA41C-tmMJLKGKBkzS_SFuRCfCuYuwQCcz0jgO1g/s320/TBone.jpg" /></a> A big meal to get ready for the next day's hike...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_HZxhjQl_b3n8ihyphenhyphenZCUQ2PaZIzREBfPbkx-1atnDghiMLj-R9X1dzRuJD4UdUaTAba_McO4UI5HY3bd_TWiRMCiBq2ZRGvOevsnfpJQhRevmYUBIHp4vB34tcRBlRixoXMhnzduocQw/s1600-h/Snow+on+the+sleeping+bag.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411608657014848098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_HZxhjQl_b3n8ihyphenhyphenZCUQ2PaZIzREBfPbkx-1atnDghiMLj-R9X1dzRuJD4UdUaTAba_McO4UI5HY3bd_TWiRMCiBq2ZRGvOevsnfpJQhRevmYUBIHp4vB34tcRBlRixoXMhnzduocQw/s320/Snow+on+the+sleeping+bag.jpg" /></a> During our bivy, the wind really picked up and it started to snow. I woke up to find the top of my bag coated with ice. I was concerned that my new down bag would get wet and let me get cold. But, our shelter and equipment allowed us to have a comfortable night despite the inclimate weather.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIPvANsTEXn9Lr37o1pXj5ZeRdHBIJIlkjPqiotd56NbWRrJ-NLUWysVNV-3T0hV_eiXTYZQp_pTlXFIFz6c-lY_MICdG2UnKa8Cj22Ybr1mMWCtxsOV8CiIfCe8P00-icZfT1PcTXes/s1600-h/Setting+out.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411608496324023906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIPvANsTEXn9Lr37o1pXj5ZeRdHBIJIlkjPqiotd56NbWRrJ-NLUWysVNV-3T0hV_eiXTYZQp_pTlXFIFz6c-lY_MICdG2UnKa8Cj22Ybr1mMWCtxsOV8CiIfCe8P00-icZfT1PcTXes/s320/Setting+out.jpg" /></a> The next day we awoke to a thin covering of snow. We suited up and headed up Mount Iwate. <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFHSKFa_ougbDCXjXI93zXtEWZO3gFAjA1-6neqzwqB2d6OlESwYQ8NcPUVtCe3m5LFkKuwKtq4tNjFvuBoK-vRWfpnhQIvAicx6U4faUpuma_DSZFWTKw7UNX8S4Ds2pXELphJz7jqw/s1600-h/Climbing+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411607633493422626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFHSKFa_ougbDCXjXI93zXtEWZO3gFAjA1-6neqzwqB2d6OlESwYQ8NcPUVtCe3m5LFkKuwKtq4tNjFvuBoK-vRWfpnhQIvAicx6U4faUpuma_DSZFWTKw7UNX8S4Ds2pXELphJz7jqw/s320/Climbing+1.jpg" /></a>At just over 2000 meters, Mount Iwate is the tallest mountain in the Tohoku. During the summer time, its just a strenuous day hike. During the wintertime, you need snowshoes and crampons.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSwczGjMycy4srCHJOPVP71vXAOAlhq3jWzCmJcVOs2fO2xCN2I3NicH5XqO8mZMDfzJTiiiDGQHqE1T7IBl96PVXfVQIijCQpZWHg-h4y84AWdQvcxOCg02lwP_Mz3OiyYvJrGp_x-Q/s1600-h/Cheese.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411607441010013634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSwczGjMycy4srCHJOPVP71vXAOAlhq3jWzCmJcVOs2fO2xCN2I3NicH5XqO8mZMDfzJTiiiDGQHqE1T7IBl96PVXfVQIijCQpZWHg-h4y84AWdQvcxOCg02lwP_Mz3OiyYvJrGp_x-Q/s320/Cheese.jpg" /></a> Nothing keeps your body warm and energy stores full like a block of cheddar cheese.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9SmFlZJTAm4VgPkCim_c2bkkH6SFfBFhx2knE-O9LUd0rOVtKaO-6jz46apihmnxrWmVOMet3w3HJcaB6woqzveEgSeUwwROK2wK9ay4wT3Qg-ndbxaRksrEMdZ9SbGMs14aCkq4jfo/s1600-h/Climbing+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411607291909012818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9SmFlZJTAm4VgPkCim_c2bkkH6SFfBFhx2knE-O9LUd0rOVtKaO-6jz46apihmnxrWmVOMet3w3HJcaB6woqzveEgSeUwwROK2wK9ay4wT3Qg-ndbxaRksrEMdZ9SbGMs14aCkq4jfo/s320/Climbing+2.jpg" /></a> Pulling up into the Iwatesan "ampitheater."<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLuODh_4Z-HzBeEPdUC7CM2L7GdLnw3M5w217T12kQ-Z5pLIURahGq26zmyOcqf1jaWzq65fRQk3LuBIhORbLCfGV3i4jnc56tFZ7AqwipAOh4YPUerfmp46yM-UZM9zkbA8ISb9bKTM/s1600-h/Top+View.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411607110754205282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLuODh_4Z-HzBeEPdUC7CM2L7GdLnw3M5w217T12kQ-Z5pLIURahGq26zmyOcqf1jaWzq65fRQk3LuBIhORbLCfGV3i4jnc56tFZ7AqwipAOh4YPUerfmp46yM-UZM9zkbA8ISb9bKTM/s320/Top+View.jpg" /></a> View from the ampitheater.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIPgORa4zbZ3L72K5gdVI7hzowT3-AXUKatXWthyphenhyphen27PvrhAErdO7q5P7bnOEEZsSDLGrPBZnFAKhmOaTFGPtbiyt_b8zjRCmc3cTRnj-pRTSf8s3AAJpUUolk3zldwpKUlaj1ZEO9E18/s1600-h/Ampitheater.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411606828108278946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIPgORa4zbZ3L72K5gdVI7hzowT3-AXUKatXWthyphenhyphen27PvrhAErdO7q5P7bnOEEZsSDLGrPBZnFAKhmOaTFGPtbiyt_b8zjRCmc3cTRnj-pRTSf8s3AAJpUUolk3zldwpKUlaj1ZEO9E18/s320/Ampitheater.jpg" /></a> Mount Iwate looks like a nearly perfect cone when viewed from the east. At about 1800 meters, there is a large flat area which extends off the southside of the mountain. In this "ampitheater", you find two of the three cabins on Mount Iwate. The one in this picture is locked up in the winter. During the summertime, a lucky hiker may find Japanese hikers being generous with their delicious food and sake. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLH4GlcRH50JwbqIVxO3FL-HIRqrqXRqqwjlPeZHyNAlxy9vo0iUBPeO0tOHLAIZiS5S32OQEqR7uSfijIcJqqNV8RzvB8io1y4NhaaFINRNiJWQyw6i-XyBUk1cHyYD9PQiX5sa1y-M/s1600-h/Climbing+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411606656199509554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLH4GlcRH50JwbqIVxO3FL-HIRqrqXRqqwjlPeZHyNAlxy9vo0iUBPeO0tOHLAIZiS5S32OQEqR7uSfijIcJqqNV8RzvB8io1y4NhaaFINRNiJWQyw6i-XyBUk1cHyYD9PQiX5sa1y-M/s320/Climbing+3.jpg" /></a> Once you pull up onto the crater, its just a short walk to the summit. But, being the highest point around, you get hammered by 50-70 MPH winds blowing in from Siberia. This is the most dangerous point of the climb as any bare skin can become quickly frozen and unprotected eyes can become snow blind.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BsOkyliufKNFnt9fElvEZKnQUVtl5cC1vBukEToU5UK8loQzplXgC4EApBtexuIOadxjo1QZUUC47QyDLx4oxDowsKVv3r1IrIIPB0cFzpHUYPqrpVeh8ZOcNQLjR2u9nSxv4IGY1VE/s1600-h/Summit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411606490670716994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BsOkyliufKNFnt9fElvEZKnQUVtl5cC1vBukEToU5UK8loQzplXgC4EApBtexuIOadxjo1QZUUC47QyDLx4oxDowsKVv3r1IrIIPB0cFzpHUYPqrpVeh8ZOcNQLjR2u9nSxv4IGY1VE/s320/Summit.jpg" /></a> Last winter, due to weather, I failed to summit Mount Iwate. I instead spent a night inside a rescue cabin about 300 meters below the summit. I was happy to come back this year and make the winter summit.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruPui-PmOQChEzYUfzV7oppW1HBW1dWjQZC-XPykSdlHe_uB6Vzj6EiRzJQ4IzeDzOLxyxvnabrf7xSyqx-H2pACD6WCVUczKeYL2vtvV5A1Xjyrne17BSaiL2EGx7wM-syo7vmRn3vk/s1600-h/Ramen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411606269260282498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruPui-PmOQChEzYUfzV7oppW1HBW1dWjQZC-XPykSdlHe_uB6Vzj6EiRzJQ4IzeDzOLxyxvnabrf7xSyqx-H2pACD6WCVUczKeYL2vtvV5A1Xjyrne17BSaiL2EGx7wM-syo7vmRn3vk/s320/Ramen.jpg" /></a> There's nothing like a hot bowl of spicy ramen after a cold day on the mountain. <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric and Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17643083179817647697noreply@blogger.com2