Side by Side

bonding,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

This is the long awaited picture of the "kids." Lexie is the gray one and Caesar is the other one. Lexie got her name because she looks like a gray ghost which was the nickname of the aircraft carrier Lexington in WW2. Caesar got his name because Kristi just thought it would be a good name for him. I think she chose that because he acts like a little emporer.

It's About Time

I don't have a whole lot of it these days. We're back from Vermont (if ya didn't already know). We came back under duress. I'll put some pictures up soon. It's so cool we've been married for a month already. It just keeps getting better. Well, I'll go into more detail later.

Oh Wow

We are almost there. I am beyond excited. We got two cats this week and I may put some pictures up later in the week. Don't hold your breath. I may not post again until the middle of October. Just pray that we remember to get the claw clippers before we have to redo the couch. We'll see y'all soon.

Later

Three Weeks to Go

I am getting infected with the antici--------------------pation bug. Three more weeks till the big day. We are in the final run down to mawiage. I can't wait till the week after. I get to spend a week alone with Kristi in a place far far away.

How Time Do Fly When Your Having Fun

It has been exactly 365 days since Kristi made me the happiest man in the world. Where did the time go? MomDadSuzySam's banniversary was great friends of Mom and Dad showed up for their weekly run to Slope's while we were there and got to join in the festivities. Becky and Kristi and I nearly bought the same exact cards. She just chose the ones we didn't. This is wierd/cool Kristi thinks too much like us.

Well It Is the Weekend of Labor

And how. We finished moving the big stuff today. Mom and Dad have been together for 50 years this year. Today actually. Sam is a year past driving and Suzy is 29 yet again. I can't wait till Monday when I get to sleep in at least till seven or eight. We're heading out the door for Roswell to celebrate all the honorees tonight. We even have one of them with us Sam helped move us up here today. Well, hopefully I'll remember to post again before the end of the week.

I'm A Little Late With This

S reminded me that I had been neglecting my blog. That is not good since I don't live in the epicenter of Elkinsdom any more.

School is going along just fine. The kids are a challenge, but what do you expect with the population I serve. I have a wonderful assistant that I don't know what I'd do without. She reminds me of myself as an assistant... anoyingly knowledgeable.

I still believe Floyd.

&^%*&%*&% the Press and the UCI

Hey guess what the French lost again so who will they trash this year. The conviently American winner. OOPs we leaked confidential information, AGAIN. Oh its ok he just a filthy American. Let's ruin his entire future on a whim.

Logically how could the testosterone have helped if it didn't show up earlier in one of the three or four other p tests he had to take each time he wore the yellow jersey in the preceding two weeks, o wait, THREE WEEKS.

I wish the great American racers would fall in love with the Giro like I have. Then I wouldn't have to go through this torture every year. I really don't like the French as a whole. They aren't losers they just can't win.

Floyd Is Still Alright By Me

The type of steroids that would cause that positive result are not overnight fixes. In other words they could not have helped him to that super human turn around. They would have had to be present during the previous week and gradually helped and if they had been there he probably would not have blown up the day before. I continue to be very much a Floyd fan.

Floyd Rocks!!!! Floyd Rocks!!!!

I am breathless. This has been one of the best Tours in the last 20 years and yes I'm including Greg and Lance. Il Pirata's victory is the only one close in my estimation. Excitement? This was the epitome of excitement. Floyd gives up the yellow jersey to gain an unwilling ally. Insanity to give up 30 minutes! or pure genius? Let the other guys work for a few days in the flats and scoop the jersey back up in the mountains. Blow up in the most spectacular way in the Alps.

Wait that wasn't part of the plan.

ANIHILATE!!!!!!!!!!! the competition the very next day. Take it easy for a day and ANIHILATE the competition again in the final time trial and take back the Yellow Jersey for good and all by a minute.

I shall always thank God that I was alive to see this Tour. I hope Floyd has a few more of these up his sleeve. I shall be praying for his recovery from impending hip surgery.

Picture This for a Shower

CalhounInvite,
originally uploaded by randrewelkins.

Here are the pictures from the shower on Saturday in Calhoun. Anyhoo, the day was awesome. Kristi's family can't get over how excited I was about the cooking utensils. I love to cook. One aunt offered to marry me. Bread machine, mixing bowls (ceramic and stainless), MORE springform pans, cast iron skillets (graduated 3 of the suckers), and so much more. Peruse the slide show. This was one huge shindig. To top it all off I got to end the day at Pirates of the Carribean with Kennedy. He's not going to be back from New York before I have moved. Weird.

Someone Is Giving Us A Shower We're Not Taking It

Tomorrow we are heading up to Rome to be showered with more wonderful gifts. I can't wait to see what we get this time. I also get to show my Mom and a sister or two my new home up close and in person. Well, it's time for me to go float off into la la land. I'll update on the loot later.

Home Sweet Home

condofront,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

Well, folks we have found us a place to live. FINALLY. We'll be staying in Calhoun to start off with. Then moving into Rome within a year (as the plan goes).

Ain't it purdy? Take a look around. The tour starts at the front and works its way back. We have the front of the condo, then the view from the entrance, next the front room (office), and move into the living room with laminate floors, off of this is the master suite (with walk-in closet), finally the kitchen "suite" the dining area cooking area and pantry. Also there is a laundry and garage (two cars). At last we reach the back yard. You will have to remember this as you look at the pictures, but do take a look.

OOOO Velvet

Case2,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

My cello is very happy now a days. It has new accomodations

Happy 4th of July

This fourth rocks. I am not your usual American. I woke up to the third stage of the Tour de France, and I'll see two soccer games before I go to bed (one is even live and in person). I am grilling ribs and watching fireworks. To top it all off; last night I bought a biography of Hamilton (Chernow) and a biography of Franklin (Isaacson), and I'm reading a book on Washington and one about Jefferson (that one is on again off again in the reading).

Remember we shrugged off the bonds of tyranny more than two hundred years ago. Let's not fasten them on again.

Happy 4th

On the Road Again

tractor,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

Good to be back on the road again. I got road shoes for my "tractor." That's what I call my cyclo-cross bike, because it gets the job done. The engine is gas right now (just ask Kristi) but I'm working on making it a diesel. I actually went and did my fav-o-rite thing to do on the bike today. I went exploring. Of course I was just across Trickum in the neighborhood there, but I had fun. Gotta go shopping for supper fixins. Bye

Latest Veggies

LatestVeggies,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

On a happier note would ya look at these veggies. The maters still haven't turned yet; a few may get sacrificed soon to the southern breakfast gods (fried green tomatoes). I still need to take a out a few chipmunks that absolutely love my veggies. Well, anyhoo this is the latest update on the garden. RAIN, pray for RAIN.

A Sad Day

Musashi has taken that last long dive. He succumbed to injuries sustained at the hands of our former algae eater (Squeegee). Musashi battled on for a few days after Squeegee was "removed from the bowl," but he just couldn't make it with half a tail and the numerous sores all along his body. He will be missed greatly, not least by Hiroshige who remained untouched by the evil Squeegee.

Musashi and Hiroshige

MusashiHiroshige,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

I forgot these guys earlier. They are my desk buddies. That is Musashi on the left and Hiroshige on the right. If you look down on the bottom of the bowl you'll see what looks like a plant. It is. I put that dwarf waterlily bulb in there a month and a half ago. Finally, it has put out shoots. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Later

Aren't We Cute

Aren'tWeCute,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

I'd forgotten this picture. We were at Kim and Rob's for our engagement party. Isn't that Pig window just beautiful. Yes, it hangs right over the dinner table. I personally like it. Well, the big day is getting closer and closer. I just can't wait.

Ummm... Tastes Like Dirt

Has anyone seen the US national soccer team? Somebody said they were in Germany, but I haven't seen them there. I saw a really good junior college team get the stuffing beat out of them by the Czech Republic. They were even wearing US jerseys. I swear it even looked like they only play on repainted football fields. Disgusting.

Hope the real team shows up by Saturday. Its a long way to walk back home.

zuchinibloom

zuchinibloom,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

Would ya look at these vegies. There's a new bloom every day. This so rocks. I hope the beans do some serious beaning before the end of August. I'll be severely displeased if I have to yank those bad boys up without getting anything off them. I think I'll have a pretty good haul from everything else. I'm pretty stoked about the garden. The beans have some itty bitty pods popping out. They were too small to get a good picture of so they'll probably make it into the next photo shoot. Make sure to check out the whole photo group when you click on that beautiful bloom.

Zuchini

Zuchini,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

This is my summer occupation, and these are the first fruits. I have started a garden in the backyard of my townhouse. Nothing gets the wheels moving for a relocation like planting a garden. About the time the zuchini and cucumbers and beans and maters started showing real promise I get the job offer from Rome. Now that we're definitely moving everything is busting out with produce. I hope to get a good bit of stuff off the veggies before I have to take them up. Make sure to take a look at the whole garden I'll be adding more pictures as more veggies develop.

Rosenmuller Studenten-Music #1 Paduan a3

This is the End My Friends

8.22 This is it. My last day with the behemoth that is Fulton County. I should probably go sign in so there is no mistake on my final pay check. Life is so good. I got payed and can pay bills again yipee.

10.02 Well, this is a busy day. Took a request for a certificate of attendance and guided a mother to the counselors office. Played some backgammon. Went to Target with Moss. Now I got to check the communications and move some equipment to storage. Busy, busy, busy.

1.05 Done and done! I have been fed my "last supper" (really lunch). I have moved what needed moving and stored what needed storing, found my former department head a new tape dispenser since hers had grown legs, and last but not least I faxed my documents off to mortgage company and signed out at the office. I'm no longer employed by Fulton County.

Well, I'm off to be a house wife for a few weeks.

Weird, Just Weird

I can't believe it I have less than one whole day left as a Fulton County BOE employee. All my life I wanted to be a teacher in Fulton County (OK for the past 10 years) and now I'm leaving it behind. Well, that's what they get for shunning me. I'm gone. I'm moving on up. Some time tomorrow I'll walk into Roswell High School for the last time as an employee. I'll have to pay for football tickets again. If I ever make to a game again. Rome is a bit of a drive just to reminisce.

Some good things: there will be a Slope's BBQ in Cartersville by the time I move and one in Adairsville within a year and one in Rome possibly within 18 months. How blessed can one man be?

You know what the weirdest thing is? I won't miss Roswell one bit. One or two people maybe but the place, the staff, and the job? NAH!

Which Way Does the Hood Go?

fortegrad06,
originally uploaded by ralknz.

Well, it has finally gotten here and passed. The 2006 graduation ceremony is over and done with. It was a phenomenal bit of planning and execution. What with the programs in our seats and the cooler full of water for the teachers. NOT. Well with the perfect planning of the procession. In all fairness the procession hoo ha was all about being clueless as to what we should be doing and making the best of the situation. A lack of administrative communication.

We did enjoy ourselves once we got seated and the phones came out on silent. We learn well from our students. Picture of a picture taker. Games were played and people learned the intracacies of their phones.

This was my last official act as a Fulton County teacher. I must say I enjoyed it immensely. Two more days and the end will have been achieved.

School's Out ... Forever

Well, not exactly. In one way it is; Mom and I are leaving Fulton County BOE for good. She is retiring and I got hired away. So, school isn't really out for ever. I start in Rome about the middle of the summer. Gots to do all that new teacher orienting stuff and what not.

Tomorrow is really cool we get to dress up like Hogwarts and march around the stadium. OK, it's not really like Hogwarts, but we get to wear our robes and hoods. Of course mine will be for the correct degree, but the wrong school unless Mr Smith can pull a miracle. I'll even settle for a Georgia hood instead of the Ohio St. hood I'll be doomed to wear tomorrow night. I'm supposed to be in a blue and gold hood for Georgia Southwestern State Univ., but of course I waited till the last minute. Pictures will be forth coming.

More music soon also.

Chillin and Grillin

The busy season is upon us. Weekends are packed for the foreseeable future. This weekend we went to Calhoun for a going away party for Jen, one of Kristi's best buds, on Friday and cake testing on Saturday morning. After that we went to see Da Vinci Code, then rushed home for a wedding. We got home at 5.05 the wedding was at 6.05. We were out the door by 5.30 and in our seats by 5.57. O we are good. With the Lord's help.

Next weekend is Graduation at Roswell (my last), Saturday is a concert on the green with JMI, and Sunday is tux clarification day. The folks we're renting our tuxes from got things a little hinky jinky. Gotta straighten that out.

And it just goes on. Eventually we move into the girls only showers. The only thing about that is that I don't get to relax. I start with the new teacher orientation stuff up in Rome. I have a feeling we won't know what is going on until Mid-October.

About the grillin thing. I got home from Church today and fired up the grill and cooked some polish sausages outside. They were good. I'm slowly getting the hang of this grilling business.

Well, I'm gonna go for now

Leo the Hero

This is the little guy we gave to Kristi's Mom for mother's day. His name is Galileo, but he goes by Leo for short. We miss him already. We're saps. He only spent one night, but we were hooked from the get go.

10 Days, But Who's Counting

Well, in ten days the little angels will be cut loose and by the 31st of May my tenure with Fulton County will be over. I've got a lot to do in the next few months; moving, starting a new job, and getting married. When it rains it pours.

Oh, yeah, the weekend off! I am now a person with grilling experience. I've always been good at the socializing part of grilling, but never actually been in charge of the grill. I bought one and cooked out for friends on Friday and the parents and in-laws on Saturday. It was fun and I think there is a new grill monster in the world today.

Later

Rain Rain (don't) Go Away

Yesterday afternoon was kind of nice. It rained all afternoon so I couldn't go to work after school. I like it when I get to spend suprise time with Kristi. Did some cleaning around the house and after dinner made some foccacia [sic] bread from some left over pizza dough. Yum O! Foccacia bread and Orange Julius' what a night.

I've got a self induced four day weekend so maybe I can get caught up on the landscaping and getting the house organized(my part at least). Then I can start getting ready to move in a month or two. This is going to be a crazy summer.

Gotta Go

When In Rome ... Give Us A Ring

Well, I got a job offer from Rome City Schools. I will be working with severe and profound intellectually disabled students. I am on cloud nine. I have been working for nearly 10 years to get a teaching position. I give up my desires and there you go. If you give up what you want you just might get what you need.

O my lord there is so much to do between here and there. I'm gonna have to find a place for us to live. First off I'll have to decide where I'm gonna stay until the wedding. Do I go ahead and get look for a house, or find a something to stay in for two months while We look and get married.

I think I'll take baby steps.

TTFN

Where Am I...Am I Where...I Am Where?

I'm just a little confused today. I got up 15 minutes earlier and was 20 minutes later getting to work. Go figure. I'm bored with my job. I need to get a real one. One that I was actually trained for. Not feeling inspired to say much of anything except K is out of town tonight. I'll just have to work late and go to bed early. (I'll work late but I doubt I'll go to bed early). I'm gonna go do my job some more.

I Have No Idea

8.22 Well, the experiment went bust. Il forno only makes it to 1550 (good to know), glass used has low COE, and the mold broke in to a bunch of pieces. The glass melted enough to form a column from the pot to the mold. Kind of pathetic looking really. The pot is in excellent condition. I need to see if the glass is fused to it. I really haven't taken any time to look everything over yet. Just noticed the obvious. Later.

11.18 The pot was in excellent condition though useless with a six pack of Miller High Life and a bottle of salsa fused to it. That process won't be repeated until I have access to a better furnace and I figure out why the mold broke. Oh by the way I could go into diabetic shock from all the little bitty cheesecakes I found in the teacher's lounge about half an hour ago. Sometimes there are good things about being a teacher. Tomorrow I'll be returning to the time tested practices of actually placing the glass in the mold and heating it. So old fashioned. I may even put some pictures up to show my ineptitude.

Glassy Eyed is a Good Thing

12.13 I have come across the flower pot method of delivery for kiln forming glass. Take a flower pot, fill it with glass, run the kiln up to a high temp 1700+ (crossing my fingers), and let it flow. Have no clue how this will work. The kiln in question is an old bead furnace and mostly reliable. It mosey's on up to 1000 then heats up slower and slower the nearer it gets to the top end. We'll see how this process works out. The temp on the glass is also in question because I'm using old beer, and salsa bottles (reuse the refuse). These glasses have a higher COE than most art glass frit. May break down and use some flux in the future.
Later

It's a Bright New Day

Well, Easter has come and we have remembered the sacrifice and gift of Jesus. It was a beautiful day and the service was extremely powerful. Holy Week was excellent with beautiful weather and wonderful lessons on the passion of Christ (the exaltation and denigration). Too much to say and not enough words.

It's That Time Again

It's time to choose who will win the NCAA tournament. I have as is usual chosen by the most occult methods the teams whose names I liked or didn't hate. Unusually, I am not doing so well this year.

Tis the season to go crazy

Things are blooming. That means two things. Work is picking up, and I'm in danger of getting stopped up. Once everything starts turning green I will have absolutely no free time. (i exaggerate sometimes) It will be a nice to change up the days. Life has gotten a little repetitive recently. I get to spend more and more time outside working in yards. Well, I've got to go check on the glass in the kiln.
Later

More Wishing from Me

I forgot all about hard to find music I want.
Any Buck Owens
Blue Grass Gospel

Mom's Big Bash is Past; Guess Who's Next

Well, Mom's big day was really big. Everyone showed up. I even made it through the Praxis Testing in time to get there before the visitors started showing up. I had good time and enjoyed making the cheese cakes and seeing everyone. But, for real I need to inform the world of what I want for my b-day.

Of course I want books and books that are rather hard to find. So, here are some links to make y'alls lives easier.

Murder Mystery
Venetian Reckoning
The Death of Faith
Fatal Remedies
A Sea of Troubles

Racing Fiction
The Tour

If I think of anything else I absolutely must have I'll update.

Up Coming Events

Big Brother is on his way home. He sold his house in three days for more than suggested retail. We still don't know where he'll be laying his head when he gets here. Is he going to live close to the church close to the family or somewhere in between. I'm just glad he'll be near by.

I will be playing at his new church on Ash Wednesday, March 1. His first program at the new gig. I may join the Atlanta Philharmonic if he gets the directorship there. After the Ash Wednesday thing we'll be cranking back up at the RPCO. We'll be playing again there on the Sunday after my birthday.

This Friday and Monday will rock. I'm going to be doing some of the ground work for some glass projects that I hope to do in the near future. Figuring ramp speeds and compatibility of different glasses.

The Most Exciting Life

Its Wednesday

We're Back and We're Magnifique

This Sunday, Feb. 5, the RPC Orchestra is back in action. We will be playing at the 9.45 and 11.15 services. The selections are some hymns to be named later and Two Magnificats by Pachelbel. The fun fact of this performance is that I haven't seen the music yet. Speaking of that. I need to go see if Mr. Moody can bring me the music so I can run through it before rehearsal tomorrow night.

Zum Geburtztag von Herr Mozart

Well, today 250 years ago the world was blessed with musical genius. Mozart was born and we got stuff like opera in the vernacular and all kinds of excellent music from piano concertos to opera. At the moment I am working on (at least I'm thinking about working on) Rondo ala Turca.

I went for a walk yesterday at a park I haven't been to before. It was highly enjoyable and about 2 and a 1/4 miles. Lots of up and down and wild life around. It's also on the way home from school. Huge plus.

Later

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The time has come to return to the blogging business. I just took a hiatus over the holidays, but I think next year I shall utilize Swordfish in appraising the world (and myself) of what would be good gift giving ideas, in both directions.

I have learned how exciting preparing for a wedding is. Really, I have. Last night we decided on the menu for the reception. Kristi and I are so meant for one another. Every item I wanted she wanted. We love the same foods (except the spicy stuff but there wasn't any of that on the list)

Randy is interviewing this week for a church job here in Atlanta. If he gets the church job he may also take a position as conductor with a local orchestra.

Well that's all for the time being.