Ripples of a Coming Storm

Backyard, Wekiva Springs, Florida, USA. 06/01/10, 8:15 PM.  (Click for the larger.)

Hurricane Houses for Haiti

FACT: Round Houses Stand Up to Hurricanes.

These little cylindrical dwellings would be cheap, I'd guess. And the bonus is that with no corners for the wind to grab, they might last a while and not get shred apart by the storms so common in the area. All you'd need is a section of concrete pipe. Beats the hell out of a tin shack covered in cardboard and plastic. How it holds up in an earthquake I couldn't tell you. Probably better than a tin shack covered in cardboard and plastic.

Background image is actually Haiti. Foreground dwellings created in Google Sketch-Up. Remember Google Sketch-Up? I finally learned how to make a dome from a YouTube tutorial.

River Otter Romantic Comedy

I'm no Steve Irwin, but from what I could tell, these river otters in the backyard were having an argument about how their relationship should proceed.

This was one of the many skirmishes where the female (voiced by Jennifer Aniston in the upcoming film) seemed to be saying to the male (voiced by Vince Vaughn), "I don't like you like that. You're like a brother to me."

Loudly protesting, Jennifer objects to the less-than-gentlemanly behavior of the frat boy Vince.

Rejected once again, Vince skulks down the opposite bank, probably off to rent porn and drink beer with his buddies. (Voiced by Luke and Owen Wilson, with a cameo by Will Ferrell.)

Peace on Earth for Twenty-One Seconds

Wind & Water

Christmas Eve, back porch, morning breeze blowing chimes as the pool is reflected on the ceiling. A coot can be heard on the canal while a jet passes overhead, on its way to Orlando International Airport, likely loaded with tourists coming down for the Holidays. Many of them will step off the plane and think, "We've got to move here."