Horatio

Nowadays everthing has an OS. We have several PCR machines (these just heat stuff to different temperature in a pre-programmed pattern), and the newest is running Windows. The others just run simple programs, and they run for many years now. The newest (1 year old) failed yesterday. Bluescreen. Ruined the work of a whole day. Now I prefer the older ones, even though the newer is a bit more convenient to program. The blue screen of death. Lucky you. As it already happened several times this winter, after melting of the whole snow the temperatures again dropped dramatically and we got new snow today, to be continued the next days. This is getting boring... At least I'm living in one of the warmest (well, lets better say less coldest ) parts of Germany, so we have comparably little snow. The highest this winter was maybe 10 inches one time. Fortunately, it is always melting before new snow is falling, otherwise we would have 30 or so. Now we have lots and lots of mud.

Your plan doesn't sound good... it sounds GREAT!!!!!!! Please get one of those little Nikon Coolpix. They are inexpensive and take phenomenal pictures. Please keep us updated with pictures! I am really excited for you!

We were supposed to get about an inch or two and we didn't! Yeah!!!

We got a lot of snow this past weekend, and are supposed to get more tomorrow night/Wednesday. They're saying 10-18 inches for the incoming storm last I checked. o.O If it is the storm that was here, it goes on for a couple days. Snow fell, followed by rain, freezing rain, sleet, then some rain, snow, rain, and this evening more snow with freezing temperatures to make driving creative. What a mess. Of course, I cleaned the driveway. That's the only reason it will snow again.

Happy Hammie Birthday Otter! May your birthday be the best! We haven't hear from you in such a long time and wonder how you are, what's going on and how life is treating you. Hope you stop in for your birthday celebration. *hands Topazia a piece of birthday cake for being so fast* Hope this special day is one you will remember! Horatio

OHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I just looked outside! SNOW!!! Lots and lots of snow! And for Memphis, I do mean lots! A few inches at least! Okay, for you people in the midwest, this is nothing, but for Memphis, this is the equivalent of a blizzard! Pictures to follow... maybe.

I wish. No, I have already asked... I get one try. You want to take it for me?

There is some great music in some of the really old musicals.

Dead baby jokes? I have not been entertained by any of those.

You are too fast Topazia! Kep, as this is your special day, we wish you a day with lots of friends, laughter and love. We will start off your birthday celebration with the traditional birthday song... HAPPY HAMMIE BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY HAMMIE BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY HAMMIE BIRTHDAY DEAR KEP, HAPPY HAMMIE BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! May all your birthday wishes come true. Hope you stop in to get a piece of your cake. Horatio

Thank you Jesusfreak. You are probably right. Good thing they are pass-fail.

Your teacher picks the worst topics. I was trying to think about when someone last sang to me and I cannot remember a positive thought. Please do post your paper.

You are so right! What a very special kanga!!! The Royal Flying Doctor Service! What a great cause!!! Please post a picture or drawing!

I believe you have lots of talent. It makes lots of sense why you would think some of the things you are asked to do is dumb. You are far more advanced than most of the people in your class. And the teacher tries WAY too hard to be 'modern', often failing with hilarious results. I could see where that would happen. One big problem is that a lot of my teachers try WAY too hard to identify with the popular crowd, leaving us outcasts in the dust. This year I manage to have a lot of teachers who like me, but the only one I can really relate with is my History teacher. He's a geek, and he's really not afraid to show the class that he is. Even though he makes references to Soylent Green and Chuck Norris Facts in the middle of lessons, everybody likes him. He sounds like a teacher I would really like. He must have a good personality and be very confident in himself. That's great!

Your calculator needs an operating system so it can out-think you and make you crazy. I'm taking two courses, Aircraft Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Program Management. Should be interesting, I hope. And that English test was easy for you... but English is my worst subject.

Come on, you do not really need to be in great shape for riding short distances. People are just too lazy. That's a lot. I have a distance of 8 km (5 miles) each way to the institute. This takes me 20-30 minutes, depending on the traffic lights and my motivation. Usually it is something between 25 and 30. By the way, this way by car needs approx. 20 min, so it is not much faster. I also ride at all weather conditions, but I have to admit that sometimes a car would be nice. Public transport on this way is horrible, takes more than 1 hour. So I ride, even though I have a ticket. You are so right. Americans are really lazy. I go to the gym and will watch people sit in their cars to wait for a spot to open up that is very close to the door. What???? You are going to the gym. Public transportation in Memphis is also really bad. Thank goodness I don't have to rely on it.

We all want more!!!!!!!!

I believe you have lots of talent. It makes lots of sense why you would think some of the things you are asked to do is dumb. You are far more advanced than most of the people in your class. And the teacher tries WAY too hard to be 'modern', often failing with hilarious results. I could see where that would happen.

Florida is not the place to own a sled, but if I was up north, I would go sledding. I went sledding when I was on a trip in Vermont. It was so much fun and I wasn't worried about the weight as much as I was worried if I could remember how to steer properly. LOL There were these visions of running into a tree that kept popping into my head. LOL Luckily I had no such encounters. Also, the Germans who use bicycling as transportation are in great shape. Americans should use more bicycles in the towns that are not really spread out. Urban sprawl has taken over America and there are only a few places remaining where riding a bicycle for transportation would be ideal. In Memphis, I have a friend who is a psychologist and he is an avid bicycler. He uses his bicycle as transportation is all kinds of weather. I really admire him. I do believe he bikes over ten miles each way to work.

Thanks everyone! I figured I would be boring you with nonsense while I tried to learn how to use this supercomputer. The next trials will be airplane, airport, etc. pictures. It will be great to get back to work and try and take some photographs of what my eyes see. The really amazing thing is that for the first time in my life, I have actually read the manual. Well, not sat down and read it from cover to cover, but pretty close. When I went down to Alabama the other day, I was attempting to photograph a guy's collection of about 200 things. Well, just about two hours into what would be a ten hour day... I got this message that my memory card could be damaged and must be removed. Seeing as how I purchased an 8 GB card, I didn't think I would be needing another, so I didn't have a back-up. After reading the book again, I found out that the card was not a manufacturer approved for my camera. Even the camera store guy didn't know that. He has been in the business all his life. The store was his father's and he worked in while growing up, then took over the business when his father passed away. Now I have the card from the correct manufacturer, but this time I purchased a 16 mb card. LOL They didn't have any SD cards or I would have a back up, but I did order one of those. Wish me luck. For other news, my new bike is in!!!!! The bad news is that I can't get it. *cries... a lot* Well, not at least until my cast is removed. Then I need to verify with the doctor that I can ride. I can't see why not, but who knows. There is one other thing... I have enrolled in a couple classes at the local university. Before I start class on the 15th, I need to take an English Competency exam. I am not so sure about this. LOL Of all the subjects... they pick my worst one! Of course, I also need a math test, but I'm not too worried about that one. Well, the Trig part I probably won't remember, but I can study a little on that. Anyway that's all the news I have.

I believe you have lots of talent. It makes lots of sense why you would think some of the things you are asked to do is dumb. You are far more advanced than most of the people in your class.

We were lucky, very few power outages.

Ohhhhh, the fall must have been funny. Of course, not for you, but if anyone was watching. I must say that bicyclists in Germany have a tendency to ride very, very fast. There is a mental picture I have and I must admit I am smiling. Glad the snow was soft and you weren't hurt. Perhaps your mother knows something. We do have some layovers in Sydney, but not on the Airbus or B-777. So, I hope you return as soon as your work is complete. As for the weather... snow, rain, snow, rain. I agree, quite disgusting!

More pictures: Ice Bushes Ice Branches Iced Myrtle Ice Holly Hydrangea and Holly Power Lines Okay, that's enough to bore you all silly. I'm still learning so please bear with me while I overwhelm you with dumb pictures.

Great news! How is Shane? Hopefully both of you are feeling much better now. Shane is on antibiotics now lol, and is sounding much better. He's still coughing sometimes, but not as much. Today mom is coming over to take me out shopping. Have fun at the mall.