On top of the boulder

 

Some fun climbing

 

There's the Strip

 

Why they call it Red Rocks

 

Overlooking the scenic route

 

For future reference

 

My trusty (rented) steed

 

Only 25 miles from the strip

 

Only 30 miles from the strip

 

The Wynn's $500 Golf Course

 

ouch!

Apparently this broke his arm. But he held on...

Owning a car isn't cheap

CanadianDriver: Owning a car isn't cheap
Well, seeing as I need new tires, I would concur. This is an interesting take on the non-direct costs of owning a car - specifically, that car-related theft (smash and grab's) are a bigger cost than you might expect. for instance, the neighbour across the street just suffered an attempt on his VW Passat. Because it's a newer model, it only has one keyed door (front driver's). The attempt at breaking-in cracked that lock completely, and for some reason, stopped the remote key fob from working. Meaning Curly (the neighbour) had to call a repair service just to get into his own car. Bah humbug.

My house (to be)

 

Red Rocks from the air

 

Grand Canyon from the air, Pt. II

 

Grand Canyon from the air

Air Canada's flights to Vegas return by flying over the Grand Canyon.  

The Strip

The night time view from my suite at the Wynn 

The Strip from the air

Warning, these casinos are bigger (and hungrier) than they look.  

The Right Way

The next time you feel peeved at Larry Brown lecturing his Knicks about the right way to play after losing the Olympic Gold, remember this and think to yourself, at least he didn't know how to dress the right way...

Year in Review

Fimoculous has the most comprehensive lists of lists going. From words to books, film to dvd, websites to ideas, architecture to toys, music to gadgets, photo to comics: this is your one-stop "list of best of 2005 lists."

Perhaps I should read this

That's one scary photo of me taking on Vegas!


PS - apparently this isn't as obvious as I had though. This is me shooting the SLR on a long exposure through the Wynn's hotel window, and forgetting that the flash was on, creating some sort of surreal "drunken nigel playing Godzilla" effect.

It's that time of year again:: Slate's best books

The Year in Books - Slate picks the best books of 2005.
Some interesting choices , but Ian McEwan's Saturday looks like it's going to be a winner across the board from multiple best of lists

collision detection: Narwhal tusks

Narwhal tusks: Delicate sensing organs?: "This violates all known tooth anatomy"

Isn't the net great!
The close-ups showed that 10 million nerve endings tunnel from the tusk's core toward its outer surface, communicating with the outside world. The scientists say the nerves can detect subtle changes of temperature, pressure, particle gradients and probably much else, giving the animal unique insights. "The tusk is not about guys duking it out with sticks and swords."

Cheltenham Badlands, Autumn 2005 

Cheltenham Badlands, Autumn 2005 

Devil's Pulpit in Autumn 

Fall Leaf

 

First Floor

Dining room, floating stairs and living room

New kitchen to be!

Mine!

Well, ok, so it's mostly the bank's. And my parents. But I paid for some of it! 

11th hour

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

John McCrae

Approach to Sherman Falls