More Zoo Pics

Howdy Y'all, just a quick post...I went back to the Zoo earlier in the week and finally got some good pictures of the Elephants. They have been eluding my lenses up until this time. You can see all the pics from this session at...

http://www.mathaywardphoto.com/WoodlandParkZoo

Let me know what you think!

Mat

Apparently, Poopy Diapers aren't so great.

Well, apparently Sophie got tired of waiting for her procrastinating parents to potty train her. She took it upon herself today to let us know that she didn't enjoy sitting in her own fecal matter anymore when there is a perfectly good toilet down the hall. She just all of a sudden started taking off her diaper, putting the potty seat on the toilet and going when we weren't looking. We wouldn't have known if it hadn't been for the Almond Roca sized floaters she left in there. Toilet paper and all. Unreal, she just knew. 3 BM's and a squirt of urine and I'm convinced we have ourselves a smart kid here. For those of you that don't know, she is only 14 years old and I couldn't be more proud. Here's a picture of her when she was just 1. Ha Ha, just kidding. This is her on the pot just today. While this is probably way more information than someone just browsing blogs would like to read about, I'm sure some family members will think it's pretty cool.

Last Day of Vacation

Well, I have to get back to work tomorrow. I'm not too sore anymore, but the Doctor was full of beans when he said I would have no problem getting back to normal after 2 days. 5-7 days is what I would recommend if you are getting neutered in the future.

Today Savannah had her first Dentist appointment at 10. Lea had an appointment as well. At the same time, Lea had made an appointment at the Grade School next door for a tour and some information about a program we are considering enrolling in. It's hard to believe that Savannah is going to be in Kindergarten this year. I wasn't too thrilled with the school to be honest, but with this program we are thinking about, Lea would be a part of the class one day every 2 weeks and in later grades, one day per week. Even though we aren't too happy about the school, I think we're stuck there as it's quite a process to switch to another school unless you move.

So anyway, Sophie and I walked to the school for our appointment and then we hung out all day. Lea forgot to mention that she had a "few" plans after the appointment, so Sophie and I got to hang out for about 6 hours. She was really good too, hardly any poopy diapers. It was good Father/Daughter bonding time and I got to watch the Wiggles again. It's been a while (almost 2 days).

A goal I had for this week while hanging on my rump was to clean up my hard drive. I burned most of my archived images to CD's and deleted a ton of stuff. I realized as I was copying Sophie's baby pictures that in the last two years my Photoshop skills have improved by about 10 million percent. I found this picture in some and realized today that I had a real diamond in the rough. I think it came out pretty good. What do you think?

I hope that you are all doing well. Remember, don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff.

My Vacation is Winding Down

Well, my recovery is still in progress. There are shades of Black and Blue that I won't be talking about in too much detail, use your imagination then multiply it times 10. The photo of the Zebra below was published on the top front page of section B in Wednesdays Seattle PI. That is a huge newspaper and they even spelled my name right! I was pretty excited to see it.

I'm hanging out with Sophie right now as Lea and Savannah are at the store buying toys and clothes for children in Africa. It's a pretty great program, they put fun items in a wrapped up box and kids get to open them up. Savannah is really excited about it. Now if I can talk Lea into letting me fly to Africa for a photo safari :)

Take care y'all. For those of you that don't know me, if you happen to click on my brothers name in any of the comments on this blog and you read his blog...I cannot be held responsible. He is this tattooed poet dude that lives in the armpit of Oregon and I think that all the years I beat him to a pulp as a child have finally caught up to him.

Watch the News

I just heard from the Zoo's Media Relations Director. Sadly, the Zoo had to Euthanize an older Zebra recently. They sent out a press release today to all of the local news and newspapers with a photo I had taken of the Zebra last month. They credited the photo with my name so I will probably be published tomorrow and possibly have my photo on the news tonight. Obviously, a sad circumstance, but I am glad I was able to get the shot for them.

Wow, two blogs in one day. I'm pooped.

All is well

Well, nearly 48 hours since the "whacking." I'm feeling much better now. Thank you to all of my friends, family and blog readers for all of the well wishes, the cards, the flowers and the candy. They are all very much appreciated (next time just send cash please). I took a sick pleasure in sitting in front of my computer and the TV for two days straight. I could see the veins popping out in my wifes forehead as the piles of plates and garbage were beginning not only to pile up, but to smell bad around me. She would start to let me have it and I would interrupt with "Doctor's Orders." I should have told her that he said 5 days of relaxation. Hindsight is 20/20.