Hi.

Ok...so it's been awhile. Yeah, nine months since my last entry. Why? I guess I got kinda busy. Then I just got so behind...and I just didn't feel like posting. So, this marks my return to semi-regular posting. Maybe.

It's at least a meager attempt to recap what's been happening this year. The biggest thing for me was my first-ever teaching assignment. I was entrusted with teaching an introductory graphic design class at the college where I work as graphic designer. The class was not expected to happen, as it had been canceled every time it was offered in the past, due to low enrollment. But, I had made some promotional materials for it, and I think that helped get the class over the 20-student hump.

Anyway, I discovered about two weeks before the class started that it was actually going to happen, so I scrambled to put together a syllabus, a series of lectures, and course assignments. I pretty much did it entirely on my own, with ideas I'd had since I was a design student. After the initial anxiety of conducting that first class, I have to say it went really, really well overall. I got very good evaluations from the art department chair and the students themselves, and I was pretty happy with how things went. It was a great experience, and while I was totally spent at the end of each week, I enjoyed it a lot. I'm scheduled to teach the class again beginning in February. It should be much easier this time, as most of the preparation is already done. I hope enough students enroll again.

There were many things about the class I could have written about as it was happening- the students' work, the challenges I encountered, my pleasure or disappointment with their progress or lack thereof. But, I guess it's a bit late for that. Maybe I'll post more regarding the class later, with some samples of their work. Until then, the below photo will have to suffice. They weren't quite as strange a bunch of misfits as they appear to be, but almost. ;)



While I was teaching the class, I basically had no life, so not much else was going on at the time. There were a couple of weeks when I decided to rid the outside of my place of the feral cats that had invaded it. I'd had it with the 12 or so cats that made the back area of my place a litter box and kitty playground/rest area. So, Lisa offered a cat trap that her and Miles had used at their place. The morning after Mother's Day, the Kitty Relocation Project went into full effect. I caught 7 cats in a week, and 9 in all. With the ever-popular canned tuna as bait, the 9 participants found a new home in large park about one mile from my place, where they could roam free as nature intended. The last 3 cats, which are seemingly too smart for the trap, still make frequent visits to my place. But, it's nothing like it was before, and I've since covered the hole in the baseboard of the house where these cats were born. I made a point of documenting the participants each morning or evening they were caught, but after 6 or 7, I got bored with photographing them.


Dumb cat- I mean, volunteer- number one.


Volunteer number two was not a happy camper.


This guy didn't care much for the friendly confines, either.


Nice kitty...er, possum!


This chap was a little more agreeable.


This one had a nasty disposition. So ungrateful.


It took this one awhile to figure out he could leave once the cage door was open.

Some pics from Julian in May...









July saw a "Red, White and Blues" party at the Fergusons', with a very special appearance by the Blue Suede King...












Look out Priscilla- Elvis has a new partner!


I think Laurie may have had a good time.





In late July, I made it back to my beloved Mexico. After meeting up with a special friend in Cuernavaca for a couple of days, I checked out the Yucatan Peninsula. It has a much different feel than other parts of Mexico- the food, the people, their accent, and the fact that it seems much less developed. It has a more tropical, exotic vibe than the rest of the country. Those Caribbean, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters certainly don't hurt.

CUERNAVACA, MORELOS

































PUERTO MORELOS, QUINTANA ROO

























A michelada- beer over ice with worchestershire sauce, Tapatío, Maggi seasoning sauce (like soy sauce), lime, pepper and salt.






An uninvited guest in my room.














MERIDA, YUCATAN





My hotel, Posada Toledo.


El mercado.






Pollo pibil.




















Pollo en escabeche.


Sorbete de elote- corn sorbet.






One of many colonial mansions along Paseo Montejo.






TULUM, QUINTANA ROO

Mi cabaña.



























Lastly, I made quick trip to Bass Lake in September. I had never been up in September before, and I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful and quiet it was. The lake was still full enough to look great and enjoy; it was just a lot calmer, which made it great for kayaking. I'm glad I went- I love it there and need to go up at least once a year.


































I love the interior of Sierra Sky Ranch; it never changes.




Reception there is very laid back.









I'll resist the urge to lay down some political commentary right now, as all these photos were enough to digest in one sitting. However, with the presidential election nearing, I must say I'm really, really concerned the wrong guy is going to win. If he does, I foresee radical, detrimental changes that will affect our nation and society for many years to come, if not permanently. Until next time...