tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56627022024-03-07T15:36:54.387-06:00Random Ramblings of RyanJust an extension of the website www.ryancordell.com and the brain behind it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger889125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-41379139591407489082010-09-04T13:03:00.003-05:002010-09-04T13:15:52.041-05:00Somebody's Watching MeSo I have made it to Edmonton, AB. Yesterday as I wandered around the West Edmonton Mall, I decided to check my email. So I tapped into a popular computer stores wifi they were freely distributing. I was shocked to see that there was an email informing me that my phone was found at Yellowstone Park, and currently at one of their information centers. This came as a big surprise, especially as the last call I made was in Glacier National Park. But to be on the safe side I double checked my car where the phone was last placed. It was there. <br /><br />So a quick call was made to the Census Bureau office, who got the call in the first place from Yellowstone. Turns out that a phone was found that had the Peoria office number, as well the number of former coworker. The office workers assumed it was mine, as I had openly talked about hitting the highway and heading west before north. That is the reason they called my parents to let them know about my missing phone. And thus sparked some confusion and concern that I would be attempting my own "Into The Wild" story. <br /><br />After calling my folks to let them know I was alright and in possession of my phone, I began to wonder what the odds that someone who also had worked for our office was also in the park during the same time I was there. Was it someone who heard about my potential adventure and decided on one of their own? Or even more sinister, do I have someone following me? If so, I think I have shaken them here in Canada. I've only seen two cars with US license plates on them. Plus, if they are trailing me, they have lost their ability to contact who ever hired them in the first place. That is unless they also read this and figure out where their phone is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-90945735101733381332010-08-29T18:11:00.002-05:002010-08-29T18:24:57.009-05:00Moving Me Down The HighwayFor the last year or so, this blog has remained fairly dormant. This is mostly because my life has been the same. Working for the Census Bureau was interesting at times, but those stories really couldn't be told in this area. But a week ago last Thursday, that all changed. My temporary assignment ended. I found myself with all the time in the world and some money in the bank. After months of working almost every day, I decided it was time for a break. <br /><br />And while most would take a short little trip, I decided to set my sights a little further. A week ago, Sunday, August 22, I hit the highway with the initial goal being Alaska. Why? I say why not? Before departing I had visited all but five US states. (South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Hawaii, and Alaska) I have told people part of it also stems from the fact that I know many who plan for their retirements, yet never get to experience them. So while I have this break, why not make something of it? The trip was also motivated by a discussion with a friend where we talked about how some people talk about stuff, and some people do stuff. It was time to do stuff.<br /><br />So now I am about half way towards the Alaska border. I'm hoping to upload a few photos from the trip so far, as well as a few stories. But for now, just know that in the last week, I have crossed off three of those states to visit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-49067930856860629372010-07-23T07:46:00.004-05:002010-07-23T07:51:44.026-05:00Fly Like An Eagle<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3711162133/" title="USAF Thunderbirds 15 by rycordell, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3711162133_471a4509cc.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="USAF Thunderbirds 15" /></a></center><br />"Sky-High" is the theme this week at <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/001000.php">PhotoFriday</a>. I took this photo of the Thunderbirds last year at the Prairie Air Show in Peoria, Illinois. Coincidentally, the Prairie Air Show starts again tonight. Still debating if I am going to venture over to see what they have to offer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-3191514753897582042010-07-02T00:11:00.003-05:002010-07-02T00:16:22.075-05:00Step Out On The Leaves<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3911696826/" title="Nymphaeaceae by rycordell, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2598/3911696826_598404f84b.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Nymphaeaceae"></a></center><br />It has been a while since I've posted anything, so I'm jumping back in with a photo for <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000995.php">PhotoFriday</a>. This week the theme is bloom. I took this on a lake in the Upper Peninsula.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-16572302245745957822010-05-11T18:45:00.005-05:002010-05-11T18:50:25.432-05:00Just Like A Yo-YoI think I have a new hero. The kicker is his description of Eric Stringer. <br /><br /><center><div><object width="512" height="322"><param name="movie" value="http://d.yimg.com/static.video.yahoo.com/yep/YV_YEP.swf?ver=2.2.46" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="AllowScriptAccess" VALUE="always" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="flashVars" value="id=19717540&vid=7473410〈=en-us&lang=en-us&intl=us&thumbUrl=http%3A//l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sch/cn/video00/7473410_rnd631f72ef_19.jpg&embed=1" /><embed src="http://d.yimg.com/static.video.yahoo.com/yep/YV_YEP.swf?ver=2.2.46" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="512" height="322" allowFullScreen="true" AllowScriptAccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" flashVars="id=19717540&vid=7473410〈=en-us&lang=en-us&intl=us&thumbUrl=http%3A//l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sch/cn/video00/7473410_rnd631f72ef_19.jpg&embed=1" ></embed></object><br /><a href="http://video.yahoo.com/watch/7473410%E2%8C%A9=en-us/19717540">WSAW: Fake Yo-yo champ investigation and prank</a> @ <a href="http://video.yahoo.com" >Yahoo! Video</a></div></center><br /><br />You can read the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100511/ts_ynews/ynews_ts2002" target="new" title="Yo-Yo story on Yahoo">whole story</a> if you are too lazy to watch the video. And there are <a href="http://deadspin.com/5535220/fake-yo+yo-trickster-fools-every-tv-station-everywhere">more videos here</a>, as well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-5706418790207640342010-04-25T09:18:00.002-05:002010-04-25T10:09:27.801-05:00I'm Moving OnMy blog has now been moved here: http://ryancordell.blogspot.com/.<br /> You might have been brought here from the old location at ryancordell.com/weblog.htm. If so, welcome. <br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> http://ryancordell.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-60986448533342424132010-04-16T01:17:00.004-05:002010-04-16T01:27:44.057-05:00Big Wheels Keep On Turning<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/777288396/" title="Filling Up At The Kwik-E Mart (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1347/777288396_358f832408.jpg" title="Filling Up At The Kwik-E Mart (by rycordell)" alt="Filling Up At The Kwik-E Mart (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />PhotoFriday this week has the theme <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000973.php">Wheels</a>. This is timely, as a couple days ago, my beloved 1989 Toyota Camry passed the 200,000 mile marker. That is around 8 trips around this planet we travel, or .8 of the distance to the moon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-5250417225484634882010-02-12T18:47:00.004-06:002010-02-12T19:07:11.236-06:00Another Brick In The WallOlympic fever is catching on. In a matter of minutes the official torch will be lit. I'm a little upset I didn't make some plans to head to Vancouver for these events. I am a bigger fan of the Winter Olympics, plus I have a good number of friends up there that I would love to hang out with again.<br /><br />And while I will not be physically be there to watch the events, my face will be looking down over Vancouver during the games. How is that you ask? Have I developed that top secret satellite I have been working on? No, not yet. But my face is one of over 13,000 on the <a href="http://blog.molson.com/community/tag/molson-canadian-2010-mural-project/" target="new" title="Just another face in the crowd.">Molson 2010 Mural</a>. A wall of faces that help celebrate the spirit of the Olympics.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://ryancordell.com/weblog/molsonwall1.jpg"/></center><br /><br /><center><img src="http://ryancordell.com/weblog/molsonwall2.jpg"/></center><br />My face has coordinates 50,8 on the big wall, if you want to <a href="http://www.molsoncanadian.ca/2010muralproject/view.php" target="new" title="Look at me.">look it up</a>.<br />While it is not as cool as being on a wall at the Elsinore brewery, it is still an honor to be one of the many.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-33531440758222709772010-02-05T00:34:00.005-06:002010-02-05T01:01:36.374-06:00Dolphins Make Me Cry<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/2626657279/" title="Free Dolphin Show (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2626657279_0750d3f146.jpg" title="Free Dolphin Show (by rycordell)" alt="Free Dolphin Show (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br /><a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000953.php" target="new" title="See other photos, and even add your own.">Surfaces</a> is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. While most probably will go with surfaces as a noun, I have decided to use it as a verb. This is yet another photo from my freighter trip. As we approached the California coast, the sea life came out, and put on a show. I watched as the dolphins played in the wake of the Hanjin Phoenix. A few even chose to race ahead of the ship in a game called bow riding. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tTuKBBQtX8" target="new" title="Bow Riding Dolphins">Here</a> is some of my video of bow riding in action. <br /><br />You can click on the photo to be taken to a larger image.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-23065958857229003162010-01-29T00:10:00.003-06:002010-01-29T00:16:52.367-06:00We Spotted The Ocean<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/2626533099/" title="Captain I Think I See Something (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2626533099_6122d065df.jpg" title="Captain I Think I See Something (by rycordell)" alt="Captain I Think I See Something (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />PhotoFriday's theme this week is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000951.php">distant</a>. Here is another shot from my freighter adventure. Nothing like being half way across the Pacific Ocean to make you realize how small you are.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-11144480151397048812010-01-22T00:16:00.003-06:002010-01-22T00:45:38.360-06:00Rock And Roll McDonalds<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3364368564/" title="God Hates McDonalds #2 (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/3364368564_ab470dcc27.jpg" title="God Hates McDonalds #2 (by rycordell)" alt="God Hates McDonalds #2 (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />This week's theme over at PhotoFriday is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000949.php" target="new" title="See other damaged photos and add your own.">Damaged</a>. <br /> <br />This photo was taken last March near Galveston, Texas, seven months after Hurricane Ike struck. A few days before I took this photo, a good friend in Kansas called me up. He asked me one of my favorite questions, "You want to go on a road trip?" I would guess ninety percent of the time those words are uttered, I respond in the affirmative. The only reasons that would stop me is work schedules or the person has proven to be a horrible road companion in the past. This time it was a no-brainer. The only question I had was when and where? Well, he needed to make a trip down to Galveston to check out <a href="http://www.onemissiongalveston.org/" target="new" title="Helping rebuild after Ike">1 Mission:Galveston</a> and the possibility of taking his church's youth group down to help. Having some time on my hands, I told him I'd pack up the car and head west. A couple days we were on the road to the coast. I was shocked at the damage that remained when we arrived in the area. We lost count of the McDonald's sings that had been blown out. And while we joked about the damage to the golden arches, the destruction to homes was heartbreaking. At the same time, we met some amazing people who both were long time residents, as well as recent arrivals, who made it their mission to help rebuild the area around them. <br /><br />It is amazing the good that mankind can do, when faced with adversity. It is something that we have seen on the news this past week. Sadly, it often takes disasters to really bring out the best in man. Sometimes, I wonder why we can't put our egos, selfishness, and attitudes away and help the less fortunate around us more often?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-83719816366039149232010-01-17T14:19:00.002-06:002010-01-17T14:59:53.633-06:00Now You Know How To Be DumbI have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. Sure it is a great way to keep in touch with friends, especially when you have friends scattered all over the globe. At the same time, it is a little annoying being kept up to date with friends, especially when you have friends scattered all over the world. Some say there is a fine line between posting useless and useful information. I would say that line is that that narrow. Posting about big news like job promotions, major relationship status changes, interesting tales from an interesting life is cool. Posting the daily color of your child's poop, your weekly gripe with your ex, or your latest Farmville/Mafia War/Bejewled Blitz score is not cool. <br /><br />I basically have a couple rules about my facebook viewing. I have hidden all major games and quizes. Also, I give most acquaintances two opportunities before they are hidden or droped altogether. If they start cluttering up my feed with stupidity, BOOM - the hide button. It is there, might as well use it for the good of humanity. Oh, and closer friends get a couple extra chances. <br /><br />So to my friends on the Facebook, let this be your lesson. Before you copy and paste some status, think twice. The reason you might not be getting many comments could be that you have been blocked or hidden from most people's view. <br /><br />Oh, and here is my favorite stupid comment of the week. It is almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Or at least an "I'm with Stupid" t-shirt with the arrow pointing straight up.<br /><center><img src="http://ryancordell.com/weblog/facebookidiots.jpg"/></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-8458136275280565042010-01-15T07:31:00.002-06:002010-01-15T07:40:20.928-06:00Take The Long Way Home<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/2626513991/" title="Clear Skies In The Future (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2626513991_994235cf37.jpg" title="Clear Skies In The Future (by rycordell)" alt="Clear Skies In The Future (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br /><a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000946.php" target="new" title="See others and even join the fun by posting your own photo.">Slowly</a> is the theme at PhotoFriday this week.<br /><br />After years of crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by airplanes, I decided to do something different on my final trip from Korea to America. After some online searching, I found a company where I could book passage on a freighter. Talk about slowing the trip down. What usually took me thirteen hours would take about thirteen days. To top it off, that only landed me on the coast. I then decided to take a train to make the final portion of the journey. <br /><br />Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Those days were some of the most relaxing days I have. I also enjoyed getting to know the crew and a little bit of their lives. Plus, I was able to drive the boat. Sure, it was only for a minute or so, but how many of you have had their hands on the steering wheel of a freighter? Didn't think so.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-19120866199184854162010-01-08T07:26:00.002-06:002010-01-08T07:41:25.573-06:00I've Wandered Much Further Today<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/198711840/" title="Me and My Pooh Blankey (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/198711840_7b9883ddb2.jpg" title="Me and My Pooh Blankey (by rycordell)" alt="Me and My Pooh Blankey (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />The theme of PhotoFriday this week is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000944.php" target="new" title="See other photos and even join the fun by adding your own.">Bed Time</a>. <br /><br />Three summers ago I had the opportunity to travel the rails from Beijing to Moscow. Our first stop was Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Having a few days to explore, we ended up heading out to the countryside to stay with some nomads. While we were there, we were able to ride camels, experience some of the local sports and music, as well as sample the traditional dishes. Oh, and we were able to participate in the milking of the mares. In fact it was the first milking of the year, so we even celebrated with Vodka and fermented mare's milk afterwards. Every night we were with them, we were able to sleep in a ger. Interestingly enough, even though we were hundred of miles from civilization among these nomads, they did provide us with Winnie The Pooh sheets and blankets on our bed. I'd say it made me feel like I was home, but I don't have a cool matching bed set with cartoon characters there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-1620731438353769632010-01-01T00:47:00.003-06:002010-01-01T01:00:01.685-06:00Hip To Be Square<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/206996951/" title="Still Light Around Midnight by rycordell, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/206996951_2de2967232.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Still Light Around Midnight" /></a></center><br />This week the theme at PhotoFriday is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000942.php" target="new" title="See other photos and even add your own.">Square</a>. I did a quick scan of my photos and couldn't find any good ones of the rectangle with equal sides. I did how ever find one of the most famous square, Red Square in Moscow. I took this photo several years ago. Myself and two friends had taken the train from Beijing to Moscow during our summer break. After a couple days in the Russian capital, it was time to go our separate ways. One headed to Domodedovo International Airport for his flight and the other Sheremetyevo International Airport to wait for his flight. I rode the subway with them until they had to head off to different lines. Having another full night before my flight, I decided to wander down to Red Square for one final visit. We had been there a couple times during the previous days, but never in the evening. I was amazed at how beautiful it was at night. Even thought it appears to be early evening, this photo was taken right around midnight.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-42559023151217881152009-12-14T18:41:00.004-06:002009-12-21T20:09:12.504-06:00So This Is ChristmasIt has been a while since I have posted. Mostly because my life has gone from one of world travel or wandering through the woods to one of a working every day for the man. And while I have a few interesting stories from between the punching of the time card, I do not think I can share too much, due to contractual obligations and privacy standards. You can read that as, "I'd tell you, but I would then have to kill you." <br /><br />I'm hoping to toss stuff here a little more often than just the weekly photo, but I am not going to make any promises. In the world of Facebook status, Twitter overload, and the latest news on Tiger Woods, I wondered if my posts were just some more noise out there. But heck, it is my noise, and hopefully someone is reading and enjoying it. So the show must go on. Or at least stumble around now and then.<br /><br />Today I give you this little gem I discovered on a cassette tape in my basement. It is the Christmas greetings from the radio station I could be heard on fifteen years ago. It made me laugh for many reasons when I discovered it. Some of my readers, if they are still coming back, might actually hear their own voices on the clip. And you might even recognize a few others, that is if you were into Christian contemporary music circa 1994. So, unless I post again in the next couple days, consider this my Christmas greeting to you all. In the words of Styper, "He is the reason for the season, He is the reason for today."<br /><br /><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" width="335" height="28" id="divplaylist"><param name="movie" value="http://www.divshare.com/flash/playlist?myId=9762389-6f8" /><embed src="http://www.divshare.com/flash/playlist?myId=9762389-6f8" width="335" height="28" name="divplaylist" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-49590121715907421162009-11-20T00:09:00.005-06:002009-11-20T00:17:15.191-06:00Here In My Car<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/776141179/" title="Clouds and Car (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1052/776141179_72db86bb9e.jpg" title="Clouds and Car (by rycordell)" alt="Clouds and Car (by rycordell)" width="500" height="375" /></a></center><br />Vehicle is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. A couple years my friends laughed at me when I told them another friend was giving me his car. Not just any car, but a 1989 Toyota Camry. A car old enough, I could have been driving it when I got my license. Some were even betting that I would not make it across the state of California, let alone all the way back to Illinois. Well, over two years later, and many many miles down the road it still keeps on cruising. I recently had to replace the front tires after one blew, but such is life. While many would recommend never buying a car from a friend or relative, I would highly encourage accepting free cars. At least it has worked out well for me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-82492314284484216492009-11-13T00:21:00.004-06:002009-11-13T00:34:59.485-06:00If I Win Some Races<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3964811420/" title="washington439 (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3964811420_240e07dcee.jpg" title="washington439 (by rycordell)" alt="washington439 (by rycordell)" width="500" height="335" /></a></center><br />The theme at PhotoFriday this week is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000929.php" target="new" title="Check out all the photos.">Three</a>. In my quest to attend a game at all the major league ball parks, I was able to cross off National Park off the list this year. Sadly, I think the fans were cheering more for the presidents race than the Nationals the night I was there. Oh well, at least someone they rooted for won that night.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-71010987386730728662009-10-09T00:07:00.004-05:002009-10-09T00:13:31.313-05:00Morning Has Broken<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3910511578/" title="Foggy Island (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3910511578_b7022e2926.jpg" title="Foggy Island (by rycordell)" alt="Foggy Island (by rycordell)" width="335" height="500" /></a></center><br />PhotoFriday's theme this week is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000919.php" target="new" title="See other photos and add your own.">Dawn</a>. Yet another photo taken in the woods of the Upper Peninsula. When I was younger I would often spend a lot of time on this little island. There is an old ice shack where they used to store ice blocks for the ice boxes from days of old. Even though the island is smaller than a school bus, it was fun to explore around. I felt like it was my very own place. Even now there is something about it that draws me near. It is amazing how many photos I have taken of it. This one just happened to be taken in the early morning as the fog was lifting from the lake.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-85384155158223348012009-10-02T08:31:00.003-05:002009-10-02T08:44:12.505-05:00A Whole Meal for A Nickel<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/450039403/" title="Tasty Treats (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/450039403_46c970609a.jpg" title="Tasty Treats (by rycordell)" alt="Tasty Treats (by rycordell)" width="375" height="500" /></a></center><br />The theme is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000917.php" target="new" title="See other Fast Food photos.">Fast Food</a> over at PhotoFriday this week. I took this near the Basel SBB train station. I had never seen a vending machine targeting pets before, and actually haven't seen another one like this.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-34768051973667202962009-09-30T23:28:00.004-05:002009-10-01T00:20:41.351-05:00The Thousand Things You've Got To SeeLast week I had the opportunity to spend a couple days in Washington D.C. My main reason for going was a job interview, but that didn't go so well. At least I got the chance to take in a baseball game, see some sights, and hang out with some former students. Plus I learned a few things along the way. <br /><br />These include:<br />1. You can listen to Car Talk recordings at the Smithsonian.<br />2. I love public transit. Not only did I ride the metro more than I actually needed, but I found myself sitting on the replica of Chicago's "L" at the Smithsonian.<br />3. Someone had a really bad idea of putting the National Zoo on a hill. <br />4. Of all the records (those things before CDs for you young folk. And CDs are those things before MP3s for you really young folk.) that they could display in the American History museum they chose one by Elvis and one by Cheech and Chong. <br />5. Turning the light on when you enter the room at 1 am will make you the most hated person in the hostel. I seriously thought about fighting that dude.<br />6. If you are really lazy, you could take a tour of the Smithsonian museums by watching Night At The Museum 2 at the IMAX at the Air and Space museum.<br />7. The Nationals really do stink. Plus their fans really hate Manny Ramirez.<br />8. Inbreeding is not just a human problem. I guess locking grasshoppers up in a case can also cause some problems with their offspring down the line.<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3964942534/" title="Grasshoppers Getting It On (by rycordell)"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3964942534_0ee68bfa69.jpg" title="Grasshoppers Getting It On (by rycordell)" alt="Grasshoppers Getting It On (by rycordell)" width="335" height="500" /></a></center><br /><br />Not a total waste of a few days, even if I did not get a job offer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-87896027969656468902009-09-18T00:11:00.003-05:002009-09-18T00:19:24.873-05:00Pictures Of Lily<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3911696826/"><img src="http://ryancordell.com/weblog/waterlily.jpg"/></a></center><br />The theme this week at PhotoFriday is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000913.php" target="new" title="See other photos and add your own.">plants</a>. This photo was taken on a lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I have often thought about changing my residence to there, even have debated telling people that is where I am from. Nothing against my hometown, but there is just something amazing in my book about the UP. You have to experience it to understand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-36562040664618218582009-09-11T00:23:00.003-05:002009-09-11T00:34:56.583-05:00The Weight Of The Cart<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/1461121504/"><img src="http://ryancordell.com/weblog/bewareofcarts.jpg"/ target="new" title="Beware of Electric Carts."></a></center><br />This week's theme at PhotoFriday is <a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000911.php" target="new" title="See others and even post your own.">Fear</a>. <br /><br />I took this photo in the Hong Kong airport. I never saw electric carts as a threat, but now I fear them. You should too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-17852721517416934622009-09-09T23:53:00.003-05:002009-09-10T00:09:52.856-05:00Video Killed The Radio StarA few years ago, I had the chance to see Fool's Garden play an acoustic show at an Irish pub in Freiburg, Germany. Sadly, most of you who read this post have probably never heard of the band. Others might only know them for their hit song, Lemon Tree. You are all missing out. It was a great show, and only made me appreciate their music more. <br /><br />Well, they have a greatest hits album coming out in a few weeks. They have also recently released a new song, complete with a video to boot. The cool thing is that they have made it fan friendly, allowing their fans to be a part of the video.<br /><br /><a href="http://fools-limited.de/Video_HighTime/video_player/index.php?imgPath=http://fools-limited.de/Video_HighTime/upload_pic/thumbnail_1252557992.jpg" target="new" title="High Times by Fools Garden">Take a look at the video</a>, and see what I mean. Although, you might hope that some technology comes along and helps kill the video star (at least one of them) in the future. <br /><br />If you want, you can even <a href="http://fools-limited.com/Video_HighTime/bin/step1.php?langId=de_en" target="new" title="Be a part of the music.">upload your own photo</a> into the video.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5662702.post-91999698174453524422009-07-24T00:27:00.005-05:002009-07-24T01:02:36.787-05:00A Watch On Our Shadows<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryancordell/3744494050/"><img src="http://ryancordell.com/weblog/sunshpereshadow.jpg"/></a></center><br />This week's theme at PhotoFriday is "<a href="http://www.photofriday.com/archives/challenge/000897.php" target="See other entries, and even add your own.">In Shadows</a>." I took this earlier this week from the viewing deck of the Sunsphere in Knoxville, Tennessee. Twenty-seven years ago my family headed down for the World's Fair. I don't remember being able to go up to the top of the Sunsphere at the time due to long lines, but I am guessing it would have been shorter than took twenty-seven years. <br /><br />As I looked down over Knoxville, I thought it might have been that trip almost three decades ago that started my crazy wandering around the globe. There on the streets of Knoxville, a young and impressionable boy was bumping shoulders with people from all over the world. I was witness to many countries showing off their best and brightest. I think those experiences might be some of the catalyst that prompted me to wander to over thirty-five countries to see first hand what each country has to offer. And for this, I am thankful.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1