Take Back Your Photos!

I just found, well a few days ago, this great website, if you're into photography... it's called Better Photo. It has great stuff on it! You can set up your own gallery, a free one (but only 30 pictures, so make it your best), or look at other ones that people have posted with specific cameras... I made a gallery, but haven't put any pictures on it yet, I need to clean up my computer first.

My computer a few days ago had only 488 MB of space left on the hard drive. Mostly due to pictures. So I deleted a bunch of songs and pictures that I knew I'd never use and now I have about a gig and half. I'm trying to find someone (or maybe will buy one myself) with an external CD burner. My laptop doesn't even have that! That way I can put all my pictures on CD's and print index prints, that way I know what pictures are on what CD's. I also have a special photo/CD album that is made for that. That will clear up practically my whole hard drive!

If I can't find a CD burner, then I will probably put all the pics on my iPod then transfer them to my Dad's computer and burn them. We'll see how that goes... I take so many pictures! I'm starting to take some better ones, I guess it just takes practice. There was a lightning storm last night, and you know what that means! Bust out the film SLR! I know I got some good ones, I think I'm going to go early to church so I can drop off the film at Walmart and get it developed! I can't wait! That's all for now, I'll keep you posted when I put pictures online!

Whose Yard is the Longest?

I just went to see The Longest Yard last night with Jenni. So, I used up 2 out of 4 free tickets! It had a lot of funny parts, but was a little, well, maybe a little more than a little, crude at time. So I give it half a star (you'll only get it if you watched it).

Today, I am going to go biking right after work with Nick, and maybe Mike and Matt. The dynamic duo against the K-Bros! Dum dum dum..... I think we are doing the trail across from Deerfield today. That is such a fun run. Maybe I'll do it once, race pace, then cruise through again to hit up the free ride park... We'll see.

Tomorrow is the big day! For us Royal Rangers that is. The Fair Hill Poker Run. Bike Line is renting 2 bikes for us, but they don't have any front suspension in a large size, only medium. So we are going to need either fully rigid or full suspension. I emailed Bike Line, but will also call them later to see if we can get the full suspension for the front suspension price. Hopefully that will fly, but I don't like the Bike Line people too much, I'm a Wooden Wheels kinda guy.
I've been checking some other peoples posts... I like what I see. Check out the Bike riding donut guy and Bike Nerd. Pretty neat. Well, I gotta eat lunch!

I Won!

We have been having these contests and stuff at work recently... actually, they just ended, but it was an 80's theme, and we had different brain teasers, movie quotes, word searches, all that kind of stuff... and the first person to turn the paper in with the right answer won stuff. The biggest things I've are movie tickets to Regal Cinema. I got 2 on Saturday and 1 more today. I am CraZy! I also got some stuff, like points I can redeem for other stuff, like movie tickets, but the movie tickets are the only real prizes.

Benjamins practice was cancelled, so I just went over to pick up Pastor Bens bike. Mike K gave it to him because it costs to much to repair and he (Mike) just bought a new one! Ben wants me to see if I can get it in working order for Saturday. We'll see. Maybe if I didn't have to work everyday, but I'll see what I can do. I think it may just need some basic tune up, tightening of cables, air in the tires... but it could certainly use a major overhaul, like a new fork, brakes, cables, derailleur, chain, cassette, tubes/tires... you get the idea, I guess everything but the frame. Actually, not really, but if you did all that, it would probably last another 20 years, but it should be fine right now with a basic tune up.

Well, I'm just going to post this and move on. I'm looking at mountain bike repair books, trying to see how to fix Pastor Bens bike...

Back by popular demand...

Yes, after many, many, many requests, I decided to put a new post on here. Hmmm... Let's see...

Well, for starters, Jenni is back. She got back on the 11th. Sure feels good to see her again. Practically everyday after work I go over her house. Today though, I am going to pick up Benjamin, my youth pastors son, to his baseball practice. After that though, I will drop him off at his house, pick up a free cheeseburger from Burger King (the Star Wars scratch game), then head over Jenni's house till 9:30.

Yesterday, Jenni & I went to the beach, well, Cape Henlopen State Park. It was fun, for me anyway. It was windy (duh! It's the beach...) but the temp. overall was a little cold so it made it feel pretty chilly. The sun was in and out and eventually came out and stayed out around 2 or 3. So needless to say, Jenni spent the whole time bundled up on the blanket surrounded by towels, while I took pictures of the waves and the beach, and sea gulls, and dunes, and trees, and sand, and other stuff like that.

It was a fun day. After we left the beach we drove around historic Lewes. Did you know it was the first town in the first state? I didn't, but now I do!
Oh yeah! Before the beach, Nick got me up at like 7:30 to go riding with Trooper Troy in White Clay. Well, as soon as I rolled out of bed, I threw on some bike shorts and gloves and was gone. Right when we were almost done the ride, I bonked, and hard! I wanted to puke, because I knew I would feel better after I did, but I couldn't. I forgot to eat before I went. I did bring a nutrigrain bar, but forgot to eat it in the car and though that I would be fine for a 3 mile ride, but uhhhhh... I didn't feel so good. Next time, hopefully Thursday after work or something, Nick and I can go back, and I am going to whoop him! I stayed with him, and only held back at time because I was worried that Troy was going to get lost, but he's nothing special...

That's what I like about being home, I can bike with someone my own level and it's fun! I mean, Nick and I don't really think we're all that or anything, but it's fun to have grown men begging you to slow down. But, I guess we do have the age factor on our side, and with Nick out of school, he's biking like every day, so he has an obvious advantage on someone like Troy, who hasn't ridden in since the winter (which he did keep up pretty well though)!

Either way, I really like that trail Nick showed me. There are some nice fast downhill sections, with just a little bit of uphill. I also got to try out the Camelbak, which I enjoyed! I am proud of that purchase. Oh, there are some "log bridges" that go over the trail and Nick and Troy didn't try it, but I thought, why not, I'll never know if I can do it unless I try, so I tried it! And bruised my butt bad! And scraped my arm and leg, but it was worth it, now I think I'll be able to get it later with no problem, well, maybe if I don't have any flashbacks...

This saturday is the Poker Ride with the Royal Rangers, and I don't know what to do! Do I call in sick? But I don't want to make up the hours on sunday or monday... Do I just go to work? But, I've been preparing the guys in class for this for like a month... Although, Ana did volunteer that she might work the hours for me... I'll see if she's still up to it. If not, maybe I will call out sick, take off my regular sunday & monday, then work the following monday to make up, because with the parents out of town, it's PARTY! Sike nah, but I think I think I'll take Jenni to the beach again, because it was so chilly yesterday, that I never even took my shirt off, let alone apply my SPF 38 sunscreen!

Well, I better get back to work. And I want to post this post before I somehow lose it all somehow... Oh, I'll put some pics on here when I get home/a chance.

Google Maps are crazy cool!

I just found out about Google Maps! They are really great and you can even toggle between a regular online map or a satellite photo! Check it OUT! I am using it a AAA now because it really helps me to locate members location! Anyway...

I did my second lesson on mountain biking in Royal Rangers last night. I did a little better because I prepared a little more, wrote stuff on the dry erase board, even had a little movie clip to play. All in all, I think it's coming along pretty well.

Jenni comes home in 2 days (not counting today)! I can't wait! After today, just 2 more days of work then she's here!

Well, that's really it for now because it's pretty busy here at work and I gotta go!

Neutral Bouyancy

"The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched and their power disppears. Ah! sir, live - live in the bosom of the waters! There only is independence! There I recognise no masters! There I am free!" --- Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne.

I have just recently been dying to SCUBA diving, as I think I already mentioned... but it's getting worse! I got some books on SCUBA diving and there are so many great pictures that I wish I was in or could take them!

I think the main reason I am so drawn to SCUBA diving is... well... I can't really explain it. It is one of the most relaxing things I have ever done, aside from sleeping. I love how pretty much the only thing you hear is the bubbles and your breathing from the regulator and maybe a far off boat starting up, but for the most part, it's pretty much silent. It can be so serene. I know, I know... I have only dove in a pool and a lake with 2 feet of visibility, but I loved every second of it. Especially the lake, seeing fish and old trees in the water...

You know, I used to want to be an astronaut, and since I can't do that, I think that SCUBA diving is the closest I'll ever get to being in space and floating. So instead of an astronaut, I'm an "aquanaut!" That's fine with me!

I think that for my honeymoon, Jenni & I will go to Maui, well, I haven't told her yet, but I don't think she will object. I found this great, well, maybe not great, but good enough, deal for lodging and Jeep rental, SCUBA/snorkel diving, and other stuff for $675 per person for 7 days, anyway, HERE is the link. Also, the link for the Dive Shop, Maui Dive Shop is HERE.

Yesterday, before I came home from work, I stopped at the Library and had a great time, got like a million books on digital photograhy and even used the new self checkout machine! Then, I came home, jumped in the pool with my mask and snorkel and explored! Then I got the vacuum and cleaned the pool underwater. I felt like I was an underwater welder or something! Well, I better get going, after teaching the second installment of mountain biking in Royal Rangers I may do some night swimming, if it's still hot... Well, See ya!

If you can't stand the heat... go inside.

Ok, I thought yesterday was hot, but today... Wow! It's so stinkin' hot! I woke up around 10, although I was really up, but just fighting sleep around 9. I then watched a little T.V., then got in my swimsuit and did some snorkeling in the pool. Then I skimmed and vaccumed the pool, now am typing this. There was other stuff that went on in between the pool and this, but it's just boring stuff.

Anyway, it's about 90 degrees outside, the pool is 70. I was a little cold at first, I'd like it a little warmer, or if I had a wetsuit... Anyway, it's really humid too, so that makes it feel a lot hotter than it is.

I'm currently making a family website, it's going to be pretty lame, but I know my parents will like it. Comcast, our Internet provider, has a free website builder. THey make it really easy so anyone can do it and the features are pretty decent. When I'm done, I'll put the link on here.

I've been listening to Jack Johnson for like a week straight. I don't know, I just can't get enough. I'm like totally in the Jack Johnson mood! Whatever that is...

6 days till Jenni comes home! I can't wait! I'm picking her up at the airport, well, with her family, on Saturday at like 10 or 11 p.m. You don't know how excited I am! Oh crap! I forgot to get her a birthday card! Her birthday was May 23rd and she was gone during it, but I got some good gifts and all, but I just forgot the card. No big deal, I still need to check with her on when we are going to celebrate it.

Has anyone gone to Rate My Professors yet? You should, it's great! Just pick your state, then school, then find your teachers and rate them! You gotta see what somebody put for my Dad! Here, check it out!

I have recently been getting these urges to go SCUBA diving. I only went once, well a bunch of times in a pool, but once in a lake, Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. Someday, and probably sooner than later, I am going to take a trip to Florida and go SCUBA diving. I'll probably take Jenni and Cassidy with me, mostly because they're certified as well.

Well, I'm gonna go, I'm working on the website! Peace! Ride hard!

It's...so...hot...

I'm not used to it being this warm outside! It's probably like 82 degrees out. Kinda humid too! So, less the need to be said (needless to say), I am inside with the shades pulled and curtans drawn and the fan on to keep my room at a nice loe 70 something...

I just saw an ad on TV for the "Landrider" the bike that shifts automatically. I don't want one, I just want to try one. I'm really interested in how it works. I think it would somewhat of a hassle for me though. I mean, it's probably great for all of those people that don't do anything but ride to Starbucks in town (my parents), or do very mild trails, no extreme singletrack.

Speaking of singletrack, I keep thinking about going singlespeed. I know, it will probably be hard at first, but think, its quiet, theres no maintenance practically, and it's cheap (there's no derailleurs to replace). But, I probably won't cross that bridge in a while because I just bought a new rear derailleur, a Deore LX for $45. My old Acera broke, which I am glad because that thing was junk. Anyway...

Last night I went clothes shopping, by myself, at Kohls. I went nuts! I got 4 new button up long sleeve casual shirts (w/the sleeves rolled half way up), one pair of khakis, one pair of jeans, one pair of shorts, and a pair of Asics. The shirts are totally not me, well, they are now, but it used to not be like me. They are pretty colorful, but I stayed away from the overly pink and purple and girly blues and stuff. Oh, the Asics I got are the Lightning/Smoke Pearl/Orange.

Well, I gotta go, I gotta find something else to do.

Why do we do this?

Why do we make silly little "blogs" about ourself? Some do it just for updates, as I usually do. It saves time, so that instead of emailing everyone, they can just check your page. But I have noticed that a lot of people do it to get a specific message across. I think thats cool. I'd like to try that. I already did, with my thoughts on "work," but maybe I will try to make people think...

I like to think that what I type actually reaches people. I don't mean that people feel good, or uplifted, or inspired by what I write, although that would be great, I just like to think that there are actually people who are listening to me. I think of it as a placebo medicine. People may not be listening to me, but if I think they are, it makes me feel like they are. See? I'm sure you understand.

You know what. I just got kinda bored for the meaningness. Maybe I'll do that now and then, but for now, I'll just put whatever I usually put!

Thank you for calling AAA, my name is Mike, how may I help you?

Yep, that's my line. Why do we work? I think I know why I work. I work for the money to buy things. I have a job that pays well, but I don't enjoy it too much, but that isn't a problem, because I am still in college and this isn't any kind of job that corresponds with my major either!

I think that when someone finds a job they truly enjoy, I mean, the one thing they have always dreamt of doing, and they do it, THATS when they stop working in a sense. Is something that you think is fun and enjoyable work? It can be, but if you enjoy it, it's at like a whole new level. I can't wait to find that job that I look forward to doing, getting up every morning and heading out. I'm not even sure what that "perfect" job is; maybe tv camera work, movie camera work, directing, producing, owning my own production agency (weddings, website, commercials)... We'll see.

Sometimes I really think that the main reason I work is to buy nice things. Granted they are things that I enjoy, but would I still buy all those nicer things if I wasn't comparing myself to others, or the "Jones'?" No one ever has a problem with something until they compare. Say my mom gave me a piece of cake, maybe even brought it up to my room, I would love it and be grateful (excuse the corniness, almost done). But say she also brought one to my little brother and I found out that he got a bigger piece, I would be upset because I compared what I had to what someone else had. I think comparing can sometimes be a very unconscious thing.

I don't know what I'm talking about except that I look forward to the day that I can get up from bed while my wife is still sleeping, go to the job that I love, meet my wife for lunch, head back to work, then make it home in time for dinner and my sons baseball game and daughters dance recital. Sounds good? I think it sounds great.

When the world ends, I'll collect my things.

Heyya! I don't really know where that title came from or if it means anything. I think it may be part of a Dave Matthews song... Anyway, I have a little update for ya. Last night, I took Benjamin (9) and Joshua (?) out to Burger King, then Toys-R-Us. I can tell they had a lot of fun, even Joshua, who didn't get any toy except for his Burger King meal toy. Benjamin picked out a lightsabre and an Anakin Skywalker fighter ship.

Oh, I'm getting a Camelbak MULE for $38.99! How about that! I found this great deal on MTBR.com. It was advertised for $38, but then when you click the link, it goes up to $59. I did their "price match" and they accepted it, so I got one! Should be here probably in a week or so, I don't know. I'll tell you when the ship it, just standard ground shipping.

Yep, I like blogger a lot better than xanga. It seems more adult, and there's not ads or banners everywhere. It is for the upper crust of society...

Oh, another little update, Apple is giving out (well, not GIVING out...) $50 vouchers for those with faulty 3G iPod's (battery). All I need is proof of purchase, my old roommate purchased it originally, we'll see what I can do.

Jenni & I 

This is the bike I want!

Someday, unless I lose interest, this is the bike I want to get. Woops! I though that I could upload a picture directly on here. Never mind, I'll have to show you when I get home. It's a 2005 Specialized S Works M5 Hardtail Disc. I kind of really like the red version, although I am usually a not so flashy color kind of guy, but that red is really sweet! Oh, I'm at work right now if you didn't know, I get off at 5, but I have a date tonight. SIkE!

I'm taking my youth pastors son out for his birthday. I actually don't remember how old he is, I think 10. I really can't remember. We are going to Toys-R-Us and Burger King because he loves Star Wars and Burger King has Star Wars theme stuff now.

I am really starting to like this new blogger thing! It just seems easier to use. You can do more with it I think too. We'll se how many people I can convert to it, just like I converted them to Mozilla Firefox!
So... Jenni still isn't back yet. She comes back on the 11th, at about 10 or 11 pm. I'm going with the Safrit's when they go pick her up so that should be great. I've been dying to see her and talk to her, but I think I've been doing pretty well. Well, I do ok when I try and put my mind on other things, but when it's quiet and bro and sis are out doing stuff, I'm like "Crap! I guess I'll just sit here." Don't get me wrong, I don't want to join them in their fun, I just want to have MY fun! Nick is off seeing his little lady friend, and Ana is always visiting friends. I just want to hang out with Jenni at Chesapeake City like we used to.

I just started teaching the Mountain Biking merit in Royal Rangers. I did it last night, for the first time. I started with the basics, actually a lot of info, but just basics. I think next week I'll talk about nutrition and what is needed to do a long ride. Then, "homework" for the next week will be to bring in (not physically) the name of at least one item that should be in an emergency repair kit. We'll see how things go.

It's just about 3 o'clock, 2 more hours. I can't wait to go. Then it's just one more day and then I'm free! Until next tuesday... Oh crap! My moms birthday is coming up! Luckily I get paid this week. I'm getting her and my Dad (us kids will probably split it) some Panasonic noise reducing (I don't like to call them "cancelling") headphones with airline adapter and stuff like that. They are flying to Ireland soon so that will really help. I honestly can't find those headphones. They were really cool though, I keep looking for them. I just spent a few minutes looking, but couldn't find 'em! Oh well.

So I figure this is long enough for my 3rd post. I think I'll cut it off here. Ride hard!

I don't know what to title this one.

I think I really like the layout of this new blog thing. I think it's kinda cooler than Xanga. Well, at least cooler looking.
When I get home I am going to download Picassa or Picasso, the picture thing, because I've downloaded it before and really like it. It's just like Apple's iPhoto. Really easy to use. But anyway, you can use it with blogger. It would be cool if it holds a bunch of pictures because that way I can get rid of webshots, or at least just use one website for posts and pics. Well, I gotta get back to work, I'll try and get a decent update in here soon.

First Post

This is my first post in Blogger. I have a Xanga... We'll see which one is better... my xanga is www.xanga.com/mjpetrucci2000