In order to keep my loyal reader base happy, I thought it would be wise to give an update as the first quarter of the fiscal year comes to an end.
Most people would agree it seems like we really didn’t have a summer. The weather was great, but at the same time it didn’t feel like summer. We had a lot of rainy, gray days that we really could have used last summer. I guess those hot dog days of summer add to the whole summer experience here in Cincinnati. One interesting thing most people have observed is the effect the weather had on their gardens. It was a very wet season, cool season, which was great for many plants, but not for others, most notably tomatoes. We just started to get tomatoes a couple weeks ago. Now we have more than we know what to do with. I’d say Don and I picked maybe half of this year’s crop, and he canned 7 jars of tomato sauce, and I’m getting ready to make a huge batch of salsa and lasagna.
The cool weather did make car work easier this summer. We’ve had various projects ranging from oil changes to replacing brakes. It has been fun to learn how to do some of the more expensive, yet routine maintenance on cars; It’s also quite rewarding, too. I’ve also been able to get the Altima back to it’s original shine after a rough winter with a couple coats of Meguiar’s Tech Wax 2.0. Thanks to Greg for showing me his professional car detailing techniques. The garage has also helped me keep the car looking better. He also showed me the benefits of having a floor jack and jack stands. Makes getting under the car a lot easier.
I’ve enjoyed the weekly uptown concerts this summer; it has been great to gather with co-workers and friends for good food, company and music. I also attended the Oxford Wine festival; the first time I’ve ever been to a wine tasting. They also had the “big cheese” of cheese carving there. She works at Jungle Jim’s and is a professional cheese carver. Interesting. I also got to go to Porsches2Oxford again this year. It was a record setting year with around 500 Porsches. Attendance has nearly doubled since its first year in 2005.
I haven’t done too much traveling this summer, but did make it to Florida to visit Matt and Nicole for a weekend. Work has been busy and has kept me from taking much time off this summer. I have a couple getaways planned for this fall, and a business trip, so that should be fun. My brother informed me last week that he got me a plane ticket to come down to New Orleans in February for a week. Apparently my presence at Mardi Gras 2010 is mandatory. I have to admit, I’m a little scared, and not sure what to expect, but it appears to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to take in the experience.
Babies. Lots of babies. Something has gotten in the water; so many people around me are now proud parents or expecting in the near future. It has been fun to watch families grow, and share their excitement with them. Congratulations to all of you, you know who you are .
After a busy Labor Day weekend, I find myself in one of my favorite spots- chair, laptop, and coffee. I went out on Friday night, and then got up at 6 am Saturday to head up to the OSU vs. Navy game with Jason. It was my first time seeing a game at OSU, and I have to admit its quite an experience. We had a great time, but Navy turned it into a nail biter towards the end. Check out the photos here! After baking in the sun I went down to Amy’s for her birthday party. It was a nice, small group having a few beers around a fire pit. Sunday was kind of a lazy day, and met some friends for lunch, and some more for dinner and watched the fireworks on TV. I refuse to go down there and get in that crowd. I guess its not really the crowd that bothers me, but the going there and getting back part annoys me.
So in a nutshell that’s been the summer- busy working, but in general laid back. Check out some of my random photos from the summer here.
Hopefully I’ll get around to posting something before December 
.