I got this from [Kellan](http://laughingmeme.org/articles/2006/09/05/world-metros):
Here’s a list of the various public transportation systems I’ve ridden on:
Sadly, they don’t have a selection for the Portland, Oregon [TriMet](http://www.trimet.org/) system… but I’ve been on that one, too!
I’d noticed a shiny new red vending machine in [Stop and Shop](http://www.stopandshop.com/) a few months ago, and I finally stopped to check it out. The machine is managed by a company called [redbox](http://www.redbox.com/), and it is essentially a DVD rental vending machine. For $1 per night, plus tax, you can rent a DVD from their selection. Get it back before 7 p.m. the next day and that’s all you pay. After that, it’s another $1 for each additional day, and after 25 days without returning it, the DVD is yours to keep (and you just paid an outrageous amount to buy a movie).
The selection is understandably limited by the physical size of the machine. They do have some of the day’s more popular titles, and it is stocked with new releases on a weekly basis. There is no membership to sign up for – you just provide a credit card at the time of rental. The touch-screen on the machine allows you to browse the inventory of DVDs, make your selection, and pay. The DVDs themselves are vended mechanically from a slot on the side of the machine. They come encased in hard plastic. To return the DVD, simply go to any redbox kiosk and put the DVD back in the slot. Presto! You can also browse the selection of your local redbox kiosk from the website, and place your order there. Then, just go to the kiosk to pick it up.
You can get a free one-night rental if you visit the [website](http://www.redbox.com/) and provide your email address. We did so a few weeks ago, and last night I stopped by to pick up a DVD. The whole process was as simple as could be, we enjoyed our movie, and I returned it today with no hassle.
It certainly won’t replace [Netflix](http://www.netflix.com/)’s breadth of selection or nifty feature set, but it can’t be beat for simplicity and price. At some point, they’ll probably enable the kiosks to download any movie you want, and then burn it instantly to DVD… *then* Netflix will have something to worry about!
If you’re interested, find the [nearest redbox](http://www.redbox.com/Locations/KioskSearch.aspx) location and check it out!
Nope, I’m not getting paid anything for this post, I just think it’s really cool.
I’ve been tagged by [Mr. Farnham](http://heartlandgemutlichkeit.blogspot.com/) to do a [book meme](http://heartlandgemutlichkeit.blogspot.com/2006/10/tag-nab-it-im-it.html). So here it is!
* One book that changed your life: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity It’s a book about getting organized and getting things done, but it’s also about reclaiming space in your mind and in your life to help you focus on the things that matter most.
* One book that you’ve read more than once: GTD again.
* One book you’d want on a desert island: Some book about survival and how to get off of an island as soon as possible. I am not going to assume that I’ll be stuck on this island forever; I want something practical!
* One book that made you laugh: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
* One book that made you cry: Can’t think of one.
* One book that you wish had been written: “What Are They Thinking?: Explanations of the Weirdos Around You”
* One book that you wish had never been written: Can’t think of one.
* One book you’re currently reading: Life Photographers: What They Saw. It has excellent interviews with photographers from the staff of Life magazine. It’s about more than just photography, though. It’s about history, culture, life, and work. It’s a joy to read.
* One book you’ve been meaning to read: The Neutronium Alchemist : Conflict (Neutronium Alchemist, No 2). The next in a series of books that I had started reading a few years ago. I haven’t been able to find this volume at our local library, unfortunately.
* Now tag five people: Alright, let’s see who’s paying attention (or at least monitoring [Technorati](http://www.technorati.com/):
* [Chuck](http://gtownskaterpunk.livejournal.com/)
* [Christine](http://www.amusings.net/clg/) (Update: posted [here](http://www.amusings.net/clg/november2006/111506.htm)!)
* [Jenny](http://raingirl3179.livejournal.com/)
* [Leanne](http://leannesthelawry.blogspot.com/)
* [Michelle](http://mikao.blogspot.com/)
Tonight I did a little black and white photo shoot on Catherine’s eyes.
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Check out [the gallery](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/baby/catherines_eyes/).
Earlier this year, I started a project to go through all of the photos from our wedding and honeymoon, take out some not so good photos, do some cropping, retouching, rotating, and color editing, and then upload them to the site. I got a bit sidetracked after Catherine was born, but I finally finished up. Here, then are the results! I left the originals alone so that you can compare. If you have already seen the photos, why not go back and relive the fun? If you haven’t seen them, check them out for the first time! I had hoped to finish this up by our anniversary, but oh well! 🙂
* [Our Wedding](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2002/our_wedding/) (original)
* [Our Wedding – Digitally Remastered](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2002/our_wedding_dr/)
* [Our Honeymoon](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/travels/2002/honeymoon/) (original)
* [Our Honeymoon – Digitally Remastered](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/travels/2002/honeymoon_dr/)
Here are some examples:
Well, hopefully sooner if possible. 🙂
It has become sort of a tradition (since last year, anyway) for us to take a trip out to the Midwest every fall. We do it in October because of a number of events: my birthday on the 6th, Dad’s birthday on the 15th, and our anniversary on the 26th. Also, the weather is not too hot, and tourist destinations are less crowded.
As you may have guessed from [Recent Diaper Changes](http://prwdot.org/2006/10/22/recent-diaper-changes/), we recently took this fall trip, from Friday, October 13 to Saturday, October 21. Here’s the low-down:
Today I have two lovely women to celebrate!
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I would like to wish a very happy fourth anniversary to my wife, Rebecca. You’re the greatest wife a husband could hope for, and the best mom a dad could want!
I would also like to wish a very happy five month birthday to my daughter, Catherine. I love watching you grow and learn new things. I am looking forward to many more happy years of getting to know you!
All my love to the two most important women in my life!
Over the past week or so, Catherine has had her diaper changed in the following locations:
* The back seat of Becky’s grandpa’s car.
* The front seat of said car.
* The hood…
* The trunk lid…
* My old bed at home in [Mount Vernon, OH](http://www.mountvernonohio.org/).
* In the nursery at [Mansfield First Alliance Church](http://www.firstalliancemansfield.org/).
* At [Mark](http://www.firstalliancemansfield.org/mark_carter.htm) and Kirsten’s apartment in [Mansfield, OH](http://www.ci.mansfield.oh.us/).
* At Megan, Matt, and Henry’s house in [Columbus, OH](http://www.cityofcolumbus.org/).
* At Becky, Todd, and Luke’s house in [Wooster, OH](http://www.woosteroh.com/).
* At a changing station in the restroom at [The Barn](http://www.thebarnrest.com/).
* On the desk in [my dad](http://www.mvnu.edu/facstaff/professors/FineArts/swood.html)’s office at [Mount Vernon Nazarene University](http://www.mvnu.edu/).
* At a changing station in the restroom at the [Madison, OH Public Library](http://www.madison.lib.oh.us/).
* In the living room at the Lyttle house in [Williamsville, NY](http://village.williamsville.ny.us/).
* In our hotel room at the [Days Hotel and Conference Center, Toronto](http://www.dayshoteltoronto.ca/).
* In the washroom at [St. Lawrence Market](http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/).
* On a park bench outside of [Casa Loma](http://www.casaloma.org/).
* In the washroom at [Spadina Garden](http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=toronto@157&cur_section=din&property_id=183144).
* In a public washroom outside of [Toronto City Hall](http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall/).
* On the floor in the washroom at Quizno’s on Yonge St. in Toronto.
* On a bench near an elevator in the [Royal Ontario Museum](http://www.rom.on.ca/).
* On the floor in the washroom at [Indochine](http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=toronto@157&cur_section=din&property_id=13178).
* In the washroom on the Observation Level of the [CN Tower](http://www.cntower.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?ac=417).
* At various rest stops along Interstate 90.
Wow. We’ll give you more details on the stuff other than diaper changes soon. 🙂
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My Daughter
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I just wanted to write a little bit about why I love life with my daughter, Catherine.
When I first walk into Catherine’s room in the morning, and she opens her eyes and looks at me and smiles, it melts my heart. Just about anything that I was worrying about for the upcoming day goes away. Catherine looks so incredibly happy to be awake… she smiles, giggles, and then dances around on the bed like waking up is the most fun thing in the world. I only wish that I had that kind of energy and enthusiasm every morning when I woke up. 🙂
Catherine loves playing little games. We’ve recently invented a new one: The Fort. It goes like [this](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/baby/home_catherine/P1130059.JPG.html) and then like [this](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/baby/home_catherine/P1130060.JPG.html). Underneath, it looks like [this](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/baby/home_catherine/P1130062.JPG.html). She loves it, and so do I. She also enjoys playing with [the simplest things](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/baby/home_catherine/IMG_0615.JPG.html). 🙂
Since Becky is breastfeeding Catherine, I don’t get to feed Catherine all that often. But on the rare occasion that [I do get to give her some pumped milk](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/baby/home_catherine/IMG_0612.JPG.html) (for example last week, after Becky’s surgery), I love it. I can completely understand why Becky enjoys it so much. Catherine looks at me like I’m the best thing in the world.
All of this is why, even after the occasional night where she wants to stay up until 2 a.m., I can do nothing but love her.
P.S. I have finally added some banners featuring Catherine. There are three of them. Please feel free to keep refreshing the page until you see one. 🙂
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A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel
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This past weekend was Homecoming at [Gordon College](http://www.gordon.edu/). Not only that, but it was our class’s 5th year reunion. So we were awash in a sea of events and people!
On Friday night, we met some other Gordon CompSci majors and professors for dinner at [Acapulcos](http://www.acapulcos.net/). It was nice to have a chance to sit down and catch up with some folks I hadn’t seen in a while. I took a few photos there, which you can see in the [photo gallery](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/october_compsci/).
Several of our friends made special trips up for Homecoming: [Joanna](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/gordon_college_homecoming/P1130023.JPG.html) and Shawn came up from Florida, and [Leah](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/gordon_college_homecoming/P1130052.JPG.html) , [Bob and Baby Lucas](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/gordon_college_homecoming/P1130053.JPG.html) came up from New Jersey. [Jenn](http://www.misspresident.net/) and Matt came up from New Jersey, too, and stayed at our place for the weekend! (They also “rang” [the bell](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/gordon_college_homecoming/P1130050.JPG.html)… ) We made room for them in our apartment… we had to move Catherine back into our room temporarily, but everything went smoothly. 🙂
On Saturday, we headed over to Gordon for various homecoming activities: a reunion luncheon, class photo, and meetups with our respective department faculty. We got to reunite with quite a few people who we hadn’t seen much, if at all, in the past few years. After all of the activity, Becky and I hosted an open house at our apartment. It gave us some more time to visit with the folks we had seen briefly at homecoming. We had a very nice spread of food, a number of babies to admire, and plenty of [DDR](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Dance_Revolution) for anyone who wanted it. Good times were had by all! All of the photos from the day can be found [here](http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/gordon_college_homecoming/).
Most of the festivities had died down by Sunday, but we did have breakfast with Jenn and Matt, and lunch with Bob and Leah.
It was great to see everyone over the weekend, and we wish that we had more opportunities to see all of our old friends from Gordon! Hopefully we’ll get to see you all again soon!
