Look harder

Those little streaks and flecks you see scattered through the shot?
Yep
Snow

Say what?

This came to my inbox this evening:

Fairfax County Winter Weather Advisory

...The National Weather Service has issued the following WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 8 PM EDT
SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS
ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 2 AM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...1 TO 4 INCHES...WITH THE LOWEST AMOUNTS NEAR
INTERSTATE 95.

* TIMING...RAIN WILL OVERSPREAD THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON AREA THIS
EVENING...MIXING WITH SNOW LATE TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL
FALL DURING THE DAY ON SATURDAY. THE ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL END
BY MID TO LATE AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...HEAVY WET SNOW WILL LIKELY ACCUMULATE ON TREES. WITH
FOLIAGE STILL ON TREES...THE SNOW MAY LEAD TO BROKEN TREE LIMBS
AND POWER OUTAGES. HAZARDOUS TRAVEL ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS IS
ALSO POSSIBLE.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE UPPER 30S.

* WINDS...NORTH 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

Snow for Halloween - are we living in Rexburg?

Birthday Bonanza

My birthday fell on a Sunday this year. For the past two years, Jill and I have traveled to NYC to watch the first and second parts of The Lord of the Rings trilogy at Radio City Music Hall, where the music is performed by live orchestra and choirs.

This year, the birthday "celebrating" started early. (I'll explain why "celebrating" is in quotes later). A wonderful friend of ours came over on Saturday evening once CJ had gone to sleep so that Jill and I could slip out for the evening. We decided to use another pair of our AMC passes, so we drove over to the mall to catch a late show. Jill had checked on a few before we left, and -- based on some web-crowd-sourcing -- so we decided to see Contagion.

It turned out to be an incredibly shocking and make-you-think thriller.

You know how most times you leave a great movie and there's a buzz in the theater as everyone is leaving. Not from this show. I guess the way to describe it was everyone was subdued and pensive, slowly shuffling out of the theater. I don't want to spoil the movie in case any of you might go see it; just know that you'll probably want to wash your hands every 5 minutes for the rest of your life and carry hand sanitizer at all times... Hence the "celebrate" -- it was great to get out and spend time with Jill, the movie was well-acted and intense, but it was kind of a downer.

On Sunday, I slept in, then played with CJ before her morning nap. We went to church (although CJ wasn't feeling very well so she and Jill came home early). I got to play the organ in sacrament meeting, and then substituted for the primary pianist during their run-through of the primary program today.

When I came home, Jill had been busy getting dinner ready and setting up our traditional scavenger hunt. I found this taped to the front door:

Which sent me to the Target cube that holds our Wii-motes, where I found this:

Which led me to the kitchen, where Jill recently added homemade chicken soup stock to the freezer:

Which led me to look behind the shower curtain, where I found another card with a note that said "Here's a quarter, nickel, and dime / It's just too bad it's not yours or mine".

Which led me to CJ's piggy bank where we drop in our change.

This clue was the hardest. I had to think back to a conversation Jill and I had about wanting to be more deliberate instead of accidental. The clue took me to this black box we have, that was mostly empty when we moved but somehow ended up on the floor next to the game cabinet - where it has remained. Inside I found:

CJ helped me unwrap the box. The picture below doesn't do them justice, but the one on the left is my new shoe! and the one on the right is my trusty dress shoes that I bought while working the 2008 campaign cycle. I think there's still a little life left in the old pair, but I am super excited about the spiffy new shoes to wear around my new corporate halls...

Then I opened some cards that I received in the mail. The ones below were from BYU-Idaho (a snail mail card and an e-card):

I also got a nice card from my grandparents that included some old photos of when we went to Camp Michigania when I was a wee lad. I had a blast both years I went. I think some of the younger cousins went recently; we need to swap stories.

Mom sent a card, too. She reminisced about the scavenger hunts, piñatas, and themed parties I had as a child.

My dad sent a funny card:

And I also got a card from some nieces and nephews:
(back/front)

Everybody wrote something =)
(inside)

My littlest sister, who's serving a mission in Florida for our church, sent me a funny card:
(inside it says "...Age is Relative")

I also got eCards from two Aunties:

and promptly added them to my Amazon account =) Thx Aunties!

But that's not all!

Jill put our food processor to much use today as she made some fabulous and delectable dishes for dinner and dessert.
Here she is slicing the potatoes for homemade zuppa toscana, a la Olive Garden (except better!).

She also made homemade breadsticks. Yum!

Just when I thought the evening couldn't get any better, she turned off the lights...



...started some mood music...



...and brought out a fancy, two-tiered cake that she made completely from scratch while singing Happy Birthday! (I happened to be on the phone with my dad at the time, so he joined in, too).

It was white cake with Nerds inside. Between the layers were chunks of kiwi. And it was frosted with a mango, buttercream frosting (with more Nerds).

I dove right in and quickly ate my way towards a sugar coma. Definitely ate too much, but couldn't help myself!

(Yes, Jill had some too - this wasn't just all me...) :-P

Spoke with family on the phone this evening and heard from a few friends.

All in all, a pretty incredible birthday, spent with my two favorite people.

Apparently a few things are straggling in the mail, so I look forward to extending this birthday clear through 'till Halloween ;-)

Fair Winds

The elders quorum had a sailing activity, courtesy of several very generous members, out on the Patuxent River (set sail from near Broomes Island).

View Larger Map

Jill & CJ stayed on land (we didn't have a baby life-jacket for CJ) - they swam in the big pool and played with some of the other folks that came. After my quick cruise, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to real life: homework for Jeremy and a baby shower for Jill & CJ.

Here are some photos from the trip:

Heading down to the dock

Getting ready to raise the sail

Catching some wind

Tying off the rigging

Heading out on the Patuxent

Getting ready to drop sail

Floating, so we can swim

Self-portrait; on the bow, headed back to the dock

Artsy; passing motorboat

Artsy; channel marker thingy

Flying the US and USMC colors

Another artsy attempt; moored motorboat

What's wrong with this picture?

Headed back to the dock

For better-quality pics, go see the album.

What a fun trip. A BIG THANKS to everyone who made that activity possible.

Don't Worry

DHS Secretary Napolitano tells us of "recent specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information" and urges public vigilance (repeating an earlier warning given by her Press Secretary).

The Washington Post reported yesterday:

U.S. officials are investigating a possible al-Qaeda plot to detonate a vehicle-borne bomb in Washington or New York City around Sunday’s 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

A handful of individuals may have entered the United States in recent days as part of the plot, which officials said originated from the tribal areas of Pakistan along the Afghan border. One of them may be a U.S. citizen.

Numerous officials familiar with the information cautioned Thursday night that while the threat is specific and worrisome, it is based on raw intelligence that is unconfirmed. Law enforcement agencies across the Eastern Seaboard were scrambling to determine how serious the danger is and to find any possible terrorist plotters.

[...]

Members of Congress were also briefed on what law enforcement and intelligence officials described as the first specific and credible threat related to the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The concern was amplified by the knowledge that before he was killed in May, Osama bin Laden had seemed fixated on attacking the United States again on or around Sept. 11.

Then, the local county alert system sent out this message today:

This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. Residents of Arlington County may be aware of warnings issued by federal, state, and local agencies regarding potential attacks that may occur during this time. Police Chief M. Douglas Scott would like to assure residents that the Arlington County Police Department has plans in place to address needs as they occur. The police department would like to remind our residents of ways that they can assist in preventing future acts of terrorism.

“See Something Say Something”

The Arlington County Police Department joins our federal and local partners in the “See Something Say Something” campaign. The campaign is a simple and effective program developed to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism, crime, and other threats and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities. Remember that the suspicious activity does not need to be criminal in nature to report it to the Arlington County Police.

The 7 Signs of Terrorism awareness are listed below:

1. Surveillance: Recording or monitoring activities. May include drawing diagrams, note taking, use of cameras, binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices, or possessing floor plans or blueprints of key facilities.

2. Elicitation: Attempts to obtain operation, security, and personnel-related information regarding a key facility. May be made by mail, fax, e-mail, telephone, or in person.

3. Tests of Security: Attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.

4. Acquiring Supplies: Attempts to improperly acquire items that could be used in a terrorist act. May include the acquisition of explosives, weapons, harmful chemicals, flight manuals, law enforcement or military equipment, uniforms, identification badges, or the equipment to manufacture false identification.

5. Suspicious Persons: Someone who does not appear to belong in a workplace, neighborhood or business establishment due to his/her behavior, including unusual questions or statements he/she make.

6. Dry Runs/Trial Runs: Behavior that appears to be preparation for a terrorist act without actually committing the act. Activity could include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.

7. Deploying Assets: Placing people, equipment, and supplies into position to commit the act. This is the last opportunity to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.

Arlington County residents are encouraged to contact the police if they observe suspicious situations by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line at
703-558-2222.

But, don't worry, we're safer now.

[update]
Hearing Rumors of a Plot, Cities Make Their Security Forces Seen (New York Times) - complete with photo of law enforcement armed with automatic weapons by NYSE

Terror threat darkens Pentagon 9/11 ceremony (AP/Boston.com) - "Panetta offered no details on the latest threat."

N.Y., Washington tighten security amid probe of bomb threat (WaPo) -

With the latest news, officials vowed to tighten security even further. D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said at a news conference that officers are working 12-hour shifts citywide, with 200 to 400 additional officers per shift.

“You will see a heightened level and presence out in the community,’’ said Lanier, who urged people to “keep your eyes open.’’ The city’s heightened reports of “suspicious activity,’’ she said, included people calling about vehicles parked with someone inside.

In Montgomery County, police will be deployed in uniform and in plainclothes. They will monitor “soft targets,” such as shopping malls and government buildings, as well as individuals who live in Montgomery and could be targets, officials said.

a little fall of rain

Stopped in a parking lot. A little fall of rain today.
Only a few highways and bridges closed...

Reston Park'n'Ride
From Justin Hart

County Alerts
Flooding and Huntington Area Evacuations 7:06 PM
Heavy rain continues and roads are flooded throughout the county. Structural flooding also possible. Residents on Fenwick Dr. Arlington Terrace, Mount Vernon Dr., Liberty Dr. in Huntington strongly suggested to evacuate immediately

Beltway Closing at Cameron Run 7:14 PM
Beltway I-495 closing in both directions over Cameron Run due to high water. Traffic will be detoured.

Beltway Closed @ Mixing Bowl 8:16 PM
Beltway I-495 now closed at Mixing Bowl; no traffic allowed east on I-495; traffic being rerouted.

Emergency alert 8:46 PM
Only call 9-1-1 for an emergency. For non-emergency questions call the Hotline: 571-350-1265, TTY 711.

Heavy Rains Continue, Stay Home 9:56 PM
Stay off the roads, especially at night. Fairfax County has received 5 inches of rain in the last 3 hours. Heavy rains will continue until approximately midnight.

officially official

It's officially official. I completed my Certificate in Homeland Security Studies back in May (with a 4.0, I might add).

I just received my actual certificate.

My first certificate got destroyed (along with all other diplomas and certificates) when a particular office flooded due to bursting pipe. Then, the printer was behind schedule. Finally, they were all re-printed. But for mine (and, I imagine, others), the faculty members that were supposed to sign the certificate disappeared for the summer. But now it's here:

I'm no expert in academic "stuff" -- but is that ribbon they included supposed to mean something besides just being the school colors?

[update]
Received a Diploma Care and Feeding document:
Congratulations on receiving your degree! We hope this explanation will answer some of the questions you may have about the graduation material enclosed. As you may have noticed, the diploma is written in Latin. You will find an English translation of the text on the reverse of this page for your convenience. You should know that while the diploma is a ceremonial representation of your degree award, the transcript is the legal documentation of it. We’ve also offered a few suggestions for displaying your diploma. Again, Congratulations!

Ribbon
Originally, when diplomas were made of sheepskin, they were presented scrolled; each diploma was inserted through the looped portion of the ribbon. Although today’s diplomas are made of parchment, we still include the traditional ribbon, which may be used for decoration.

The ribbon may be unstitched, pressed, and then arranged diagonally across a corner of the diploma...

...or, the ribbon may be left as is and displayed in the lower left-hand corner.

Must be that time of the year

Yep . . . school is starting up again.

Lone Man #14

Work
Home
Busy...getting ready for Jill and CJ to come home!

Still haven't found Note #13

But I did find this shortly after Jill left, while I was cleaning up some things around the house:

That's why we need a cross-cut shredder ;-)

Lone Man #13

• Woke up to no power; thx #Irene
  
• Checked in with home teaching families and friends in the area
  
• Read; reviewed my lesson by sunlight =)
  
• Got ready for the day, grabbed a key for Plan B, went to choir practice
  
• Church
  
• Taught EQ
  
• Home, power back on, quick snack
  
• Home Teaching visit
  
• Run home, grab some green beans, head to dinner
  
• Dinner with Clint and Paul
  
• Sunday Phone Calls: Skype with Jill and CJ, talk to Dad, talk to Mom
  
• Blog
  
• Bed
  

Lone Man #12

• Started running errands at 7am
  
• Vacuumed a room or two
  
• Picked up a box from the Post Office
  
• Tested flashlights, in case Irene knocks out the power
  
• Boiled a big box of pasta to have handy
  
• Started charging extra batteries
  
• Did laundry
  
• Did dishes
  
• Watched Sherlock Holmes while folding laundry
  
• Talked to Jill
  
• Updated CJ's blog
  
• More house chores
  
• Got a phone call, asking me to teach the EQ lesson tomorrow
  
• Scriptures
  
• Start lesson Prep
  
• Lone Men Night Out in the Storm: Dinner with Clint, "where it all began"
  
• Safely home, talk to Jill, continue lesson prep
  
• Print off lesson stuff, get ready for bed
  

Lone Man #11

Work
Temple
Weather upgraded to Tropical Storm Warning
Home
Talk to Jill
Read
Bed

some insight scoop into the damage at the DC temple

Subject: Some additional information about the earthquake damage to the Washington DC Temple

Date Published: August 26, 2011
Date of Information: August 23, 2011
Source: Individual with access to the information, as reported by a second individual who had direct access by virtue of his position

Summary: The earthquake gave the DC Temple a good shake. Damage inside was minimal, but external damage was significant and required repairs - some of which have occurred. Structural engineers have been consulted and the temple is operating normally.

Source states that second individual had just entered an office on the 3rd floor of the temple when the earthquake struck. The rocking motions were strong and he braced himself in the doorway; he observed pictures moving on the walls and chandeliers swinging about a foot off center, each way.

The temple did a check of the patrons in the various rooms to see if there were any injuries and to inspect for damage. Inside, a few ceiling tiles had popped out of the guides in a few areas and several plastic caps that cover the fire extinguisher/sprinkler heads had fallen off. Pictures were crooked on walls and items slid around on tables. But as of August 26, no other significant damage has been observed within the building.

An inspection of the exterior of the temple determined that 4 of the 6 metal spires had broken off, about 8 feet from the top for the various broken spires. The pieces split into two as they came down, resulting in sections about 4 feet long. Two segments punctured the roof: a section over the bridge/walkway and a section of the main roof. These were repaired within the next day or two - in anticipation of the possible tropical storm.

Other pieces fell (or were flung) to the sides of the building.

• One piece of the spire fell next to the baptistery entrance and hit with such force that it make a good sized hole in the concrete and actually curled the tip of the metal spire in such a way as to resembled something between a shepherd's crook and the wicked witch of the east's toes as the curled up when Dorothy removed the slippers.
  
• One section struck the temple van, which is in the repair shop because the engine wouldn't turn over.

About 15 minutes after the earthquake, a sealing was performed.

The temple has been operating normally, but will close early on August 27 in anticipation of the severe weather system moving towards the area.

Lone Man #10

Learning and Meeting @ GU NSO
Why are Georgetown's colors blue and gray?

and a Tropical Storm Watch for the area

Lone Man #9

Found in the bottom of my stuff-to-be-dry-cleaned-hamper:

Things Jill loves about Jeremy: He loves me! (9/15)

Missing: 13

Lone Man #8

Some of my day:

• Got up, went to work, forgot to drop off the dry cleaning
  
• Talked to my brother-in-law who just returned from his mission
  
• Was fairly productive at work, until a little earthquake had us all out on the lawn. I helped give the scoop to my office mates as I searched twitter and local news on my phone.
  
• Building manager closed the office, so we filed back to the garage and headed home.
  
• TMo service didn't work, so connected via WiFi on the Bb and could send/receive calls again
  
• Checked in on home teaching families
  
• Took out the trash
  
• Dinner
  
• Scriptures and read the new Ensign
  
• Organized some work files
  
• Did an online writing assessment
  
• Read about "the 'quake"
  
• Talked to Jill
  
• Blogged and went to bed
  

Some pics:

Hook'n'Ladder made it around our dinky roundabout.

It made it through.

Good thing there weren't cars on the road...

Some Europeans with a news organization wandered over and started talking to some folks; we turned our faces and walked away...

Minor injury being treated

Another fire truck that drove past our buildings

Lone Man #7

Schedule

• Up and out the door for work
  
• Grabbed some eggs and cheese on the way home; forgot that I wanted some bread, too. Oops. Distracted by the new brand of queso on sale; bad call - not that great.
  
• Made dinner and watched Behind Taliban Lines (Frontline)
  
• Remote technical support for the family... (gotta love TeamViewer)
  
• Packed a lunch and cleaned up from dinner
  
• Scriptures, and caught up on some of the Sunday School lessons I hadn't read yet
  
• Tried some online personality assessments
  
• Updated CJ's blog
  
• Debated between book and random movie from netflix queue, grabbed both. Made a list of other things to read from the sources cited in the book.
  
• Talked to Jill and went to bed
  

Found the following note: Hidden inside the little container that holds the fingernail clippers:

Things Jill loves about Jeremy: I can always proudly say he's my husband. People think better of me when they hear that. (6/15)

Missing: 9, 13

Lone Man #6

Had a good, quiet, albeit lonely, day.

• Got up, ate, got ready
  
• Home taught a great little family
  
• Went to choir practice
  
• Went to church
  
• Came home, changed, and made a late lunch/early dinner
  
• Wrote a few missionaries
  
• Wrote some thank you notes
  
• Caught up on SeenOnTheRoad and blogged a little
  
• Plan my week
  
• Made lunch
  
• Talked to Jill for a little bit
  
• Scriptures
  
• Phone calls
  
• Get ready for bed
  

No new notes today...

Lone Man #5

How I kept myself busy today:

• Got up, read scriptures, got ready for the day.
  
• Went to the Post Office. Got Gas.
  
• Did a week's worth of dishes I've been putting off.
  
• Chop carrots for lunches and salads. Make lemonade.
  

  Aside: These small Kool-Aid packets were on sale, so we tried them. It feels wrong to need to pour 1 cup of sugar (or splenda) into a 2 quart "soft drink"....anyway

• Late breakfast of leftover blueberry pancakes.
  
• Hang up my suit coats I've left on the couch.
  
• Tried to renew vehicle registration online; realized I needed to get emissions.
  
• Read a few pages of Preventing Surprise Attacks while waiting for emissions test.
  
• Came home and renewed registration.
  
• Work on pre-registration stuff and pre-assessments (for school and stuff).
  
• Ate leftover breadsticks and tried canned Maryland crab soup for lunch (wasn't that great)
  
• Take out the trash.
  
• Go to the library and pick up a book for Jill.
  
• Unloaded the dishwasher
  
• Dealing with Twitter (Un)Support on a hacked account issue for one of my handles. It's incredibly hard to (1) get answers and (2) manage your personal data (ie, tweets) -- pondering closing them all down in a fit of frustration over data control / data liberation.
  
• Received 4 emails from the property management company for our apartment complex regarding service requests. Only problem: they weren't from me, and they were from 4 different complexes. Responded to each of them notifying their service center of the problem.
  
• Cooked dinner and cleaned up.
  
• GVidChat with Jill and CJ !
  
• Course planning and other prep
  
• Traveling salesman made the house smell like bad men's cologne; only had the door open for 15 seconds and had to run the a/c for about 20 to get rid of the headache. Good luck, guy...
  
• Read CJ her bedtime story
  
• Finalized course planning for the whole grad program. (Until I meet with my yet-to-be determined academic adviser, that is...)
  
• Spoke with Jill one more time
  

Didn't mean to have so many driving excursions, but hadn't planned on needing emissions (the e-mail renewal notification didn't tell me I needed emissions, so I only found out once I Notes found today -- (mushy/almost-TMI warning ;-) ) Pantry:

Things we love about Daddy: He is so smart! He thinks things through and knows how to make good decisions. (12/15)

Back of Preventing Surprise Attacks:

Things Jill loves about Jeremy: His hairy chest! =) (2/15)

In the freezer between some meals Jill left for me:

Things we love about Daddy: He gives the best hugs and snuggles. (10/15)

Need to find: 6, 9, 13

Lone Man #4

More notes I found around the house:

On the "homey" saying hanging by the front door (apparently I never look up when I walk in the door...):

Things We love about Daddy: He makes us miss home. (1/15)

On our multi-frame with wedding pics and baby pics:

Things we love about Daddy: He lvoes Mommy and everybody knows it. (5/15)

In my collar stays carrying case:

Things Jill loves about Jeremy: He makes me feel beautiful, amazing, and smart. (14/15)

Need to find: 2, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13

Lone Man #3

Some more notes hidden around the house:

Found in the medicine cabinet:

Things CJ loves about Daddy: He loves Me! (7/15)

Found in Good Night Moon

Things CJ loves about Daddy: He reads me bedtime stories and lets me sit on his lap. (8/15)

Found tucked in between the plates in the cupboard:

Things Jill loves about Jeremy: He loves to do dishes (or at least he loves a clean kitchen!). (3/15)

Lone Man #2

[update] this day should be #1 (8/16) - I just happened to write it later. I wasn't planning on counting the number of Lone Man days -- it started as just post #1, post #2 -- so I won't bother to fix it. I did add some photos below, though.

Went to the U.S. Marine Corps Sunset Parade on the grounds in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial with Chance & Jenny and Jaron and Tana.

The Commandant's Own and the Silent Drill Platoon put on incredible performances.

Very moving to hear the 21 gun salute followed by taps played by a lone bugler standing atop the massive base to the Memorial; it still gives me chills.

I tried to snap some photos with my Bb and snag a few seconds of video. Of course, Chance took lots of photos. Here's one he posted to his photo blog:

(click through for a larger size)

Been a busy day and a half, even being a lone man. If I have a moment I'll update with some of my shots.

Lone Man #1

Jill & CJ are out having fun with family out west. But they've hidden some notes around the house to remind me Things CJ/We love about Daddy.

Since they've left, I've found this note in the oatmeal container:

Things we love about Daddy: He knows hot to keep a secret - you can trust him with your secrets. (11/15)

I find this in my netbook:

Things CJ loves about Daddy: He lets me play with his keyboard - what a good sharer! (15/15)

And this in my suit coat:

Things CJ loves about Daddy: He calls me Goober! And it makes him smile. (4/15)

I'll have to keep my eye out for other notes! Love you both!

Yum!

Our food.

Baby's food.

Everyone cleared their plates. =)