Odds-n-ends, this-n-that

It's been WAY too long since I've blogged.  As usual, there's lots that I want to say (and show); however, many entries seem to not make it past my brain despite the very best of intentions.  So here goes . . . 


Yesterday was the 69th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor.  It made me recall my visit to Pearl Harbor four years ago and what a somber, humbling, yet uplifting experience it was.  These memories prompted me to look through the photos I took while at Pearl Harbor - I thought I'd share a few.

One of my most vivid memories is looking down on the spot where the USS Arizona lies beneath the water and noticing the oil that is still, after all this time, rising to the surface.


I just finished watching tonight's episode of the Sing-Off.  I caught a few episodes of the show last year and I'm so excited its back!


Yesterday I finished my very first book on tape.  It took me forever to get through it - certainly, much longer than it would have taken me to actually read the book.  Although not nearly as enjoyable as actually reading the book, it will allow me to "read" books that I may not otherwise have time too.  Plus, it's a nice distraction while working out.


In addition to being extremely indecisive (in my opinion to a fault), I can also be, at times, incredibly impatient.  Now is one of those times - well, when it comes to shipping anyway.  Unlike normal people (as I perceive them), Jason and I cannot just order photo Christmas cards, we have to order an assortment of test cards first so that we can choose the one we like best.  This year we ordered 5 cards which differed only in their background.  I ordered the cards on Saturday from the usual sight and they shipped on Monday.  Based on past experience, they SHOULD have arrived on Wednesday.  Because I was excited to see them and wanted to get the final cards ordered ASAP I was obsessively following the tracking information.  Through my anxious watching of anticipated packages, I've learned that the USPS updates its tracking information whenever a package is routed through a sorting facility.  After no update for 2 days, a "processed through sort facility in Charleston, WV" note appeared.  Considering that Charleston, WV is NOT on the way from Kansas City, MO to Oak Creek, WI, I though the package had merely been mis-routed.  The test cards finally arrived on Friday, Jason and I (with the help of Nick) selected our favorite, and I ordered the cards on Saturday.  Like last time, the cards shipped on Monday and I expected them to arrive today.  To my dismay, however, the same thing appears to be happening and I expect to see a  "processed through sort facility in Charleston, WV" note tomorrow.  One time = mistake, two times = calculated route - not cool USPS, not cool.  Enter shipping irritation numero dos.  I ordered a few items from Athleta on the 29th (I could resist a "Cyber Monday" sale).  After no package arriving last week, I checked on the order on Sunday and saw that the items had not yet shipped . . . okay, fine.  The package shipped on Monday from Indy via FedEx and was shown to be at the local FedEx store this morning, which I took to mean that it would be delivered today.  I had Jason check when he got home and there was no package, prompting me to look online where I saw the following note in the tracking information:  "Tendered to U.S. Postal Service for delivery - Allow one to two additional days for delivery."  Apparently, FedEx can get it from Indy to practically by doorstep in 2 days and then they hand it off to the USPS who then takes another day or 2 to deliver.  Ugh.  Okay, that's enough ranting . . . 


Winter (i.e., snow) finally arrived on Saturday.  Yeah!  Just enough snow to whiten things up a bit.  Sounds like there a few more inches on the way tomorrow and possibly again on Saturday.

Australia:  Ideally, I would have been half way through my planned Australia entries by now (plan = one entry per day of trip); realistically, I will have one posted by the end of the weekend.  Stay tuned.