Have a candy!

Actually they're bubble gum!
Shot taken tonight at Almeda Mall in Houston, TX

Crowded bridges

Shot taken on I-10 in Louisiana, on the Basin Bridge.

Sleeping Bootsy

Boots taking a nap under the Christmas Tree

Flight of the Navigator

Another shot of the "frozen" egret. She took off when I tried to get closer for a better shot...

Solitude

An image from the Galveston Bay.
Not too many boaters at water, for sure due to the cold weather...

Freezing

It was sunny, but freezing... it was the next day after those two inches of fallen snow in Houston...
Shot taken on Dec. 5th in Shoreacres, TX

Today's joke... well, it has to be a joke! Just got it from a friend... a Chicagoan friend...

John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock
(MADE IN JAPAN)
for 6 am. While his coffeepot
(MADE IN CHINA)
was perking, he shaved with his electric razor
(MADE IN HONG KONG)
he put on a dress shirt
(MADE IN SRI LANKA)
designer jeans
(MADE IN SINGAPORE)
and tennis shoes
(MADE IN KOREA)
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet
(MADE IN INDIA)
he sat down with his calculator
(MADE IN MEXICO)
to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch
(MADE IN TAIWAN)
to the radio
(MADE IN INDIA)
he got in his car
(MADE IN GERMANY)
filled it with GAS
(from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer
(MADE in MALAYSIA)
, John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals
(MADE IN BRAZIL)
, poured himself a glass of wine
(MADE IN FRANCE)
and turned on his TV
(MADE IN INDONESIA)
, and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA
AND NOW HE'S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM A PRESIDENT
(MADE IN KENYA)

Winter knocked at the door

No, this image isn't from Houston, but it's snowing! You can see some pics from Houston that I took this morning at http://bdintrainactiune.blogspot.com/2009/12/raritati-texane.html

Dreaming of Springtime

Every day is getting colder and colder, even right here in Houston. The meteorologist promised us some white stuff for tomorrow... I just hope he is wrong!

Today's joke:

The teacher asks the first graders what do they know about medication, if they know some drugs and what are they for.
First one to answer is Tommy. He says "Advil".
- Excellent, Tommy! says the teacher. Do you know what's that for?
- For cold and headache, answers the kid.
- Very good, Tommy! how about you, Mike? continues the teacher.
- Robitussin, says Mike.
- Good choice, Mike! And what's that for?
- For cough, answers Mike.
- Very good, Mike! says the teacher again. How about you, Johnny?
- Viagra, says little Johnny.
- Gosh, says the teacher, you amaze me, Johnny! Where in the world did you hear about this and if you mentioned it, what's that for?
- It's for diarrhea!
- Johnny, who told you it is for that?
- I heard my mom telling my father "why don't you get a Viagra, maybe that piece of s*it will harden!

Rametz Monastery

The front entrance of the new church



The old church

The monastery is located in the proximity of village of Rametz, Alba County, Romania (about 20 km off the State Route 1 from the city of Teius), in the Rametz Gorges, by the Stremt River (Trascau Mountains). The Rametz Gorges are extremely narrow, with steep walls. The region was declared natural reservation.

Today's joke:

An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Rimini (Italy, of course!), went to the local church for confession. When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said:
"Father.. During World War II, a beautiful Jewish woman from our neighborhood knocked urgently on my door and asked me to hide her from the Nazis So I hid her in my attic."
The priest replied: "That was a wonderful thing you did, and you have no need to confess that."
"There is more to tell, Father.. She started to repay me with sexual favors. This happened several times a week, and sometimes twice on Sundays."
The priest said:
"That was a long time ago and by doing what you did, you placed the two of you in great danger, but two people under those circumstances can easily succumb to the weakness of the flesh. However, if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven."
"Thank you, Father. That's a great load off my mind. I do have one more question."
"And what is that?" asked the priest.
"Should I tell her the war is over?''

La multi ani, Romania!

Romanian and EU flags



Romanian map in 1918



Military parade on December 1st

Today is the Romania's National Day! It used to be May 10th while Romania was a kingdom, then the communists changed it to August 23rd, the day when they seized the power and turned against Nazis, and finally after the fall of communism, the gov't changed it to December 1st, the day when back in 1918 the missing part of Romania, Transylvania, became once again part of Romania.

No honey bunny

Yes, I know... the winter is near! But not in southern Texas!

Today's joke:

A lawyer boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blonde flight attendant to take care of them for him. She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator. He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out. Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior. Shortly before landing in New York, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin:
"Would the gentleman who gave me the crabs in New Orleans please raise your hand?"
Not one hand went up ... so she took them home and ate them.

Two lessons here:

1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are.
2. Blondes aren't as dumb as most folks think

Orchids

Hope you gonna like this one too... :D

Red Rose of Texas

Dedicated to everyone who visits this blog! I know, some of you will say "hey, it's supposed to be yellow rose of Texas", but this is it, it's red and it's from Texas!

Today's joke:

Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day.
One remarked to the other:
"Windy, isn't it?"
"No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday..."
And the third man chimed in:
"So am I. Let's have a beer."

Chrysanthemum

Seasonal shot...

Today's joke:

Two neighbors were having a conversation:
- John, may I use your lawnmower?
- Sure, as long as you don't take it out of my backyard!

Before fall comes

Shot taken two months ago... and of course, postworked!

Foggy Morning...

...in Virginia

Today's joke:

A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind the bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.
"Oh, I really liked it," she said, "especially the really tight pants and all of the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other for 25 cents."
Dumbfounded, her date asked:
"What on earth do you mean?"
"Well, I saw them flip a coin and one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was: "Get the quarter back! Get the quarter back!"

Have a cup o'coffee!

...on route 77!

Virginia Sunset

Shot taken near the city of Strasburg, VA.

Today's joke:

A guy goes to the Government to interview for a job. The interviewer asks him:
"Are you a veteran?"
The guy says:
"Why yes, in fact, I served two tours inVietnam."
"Good", says the interviewer, "That counts in your favor. Do you have any service-related disabilities?"
The guy says:
"In fact I am 100% disabled. During a battle, an explosion removed my private parts so they declared me disabled, it doesn't affect my ability to work, though."
"Sorry to hear about the damage, but I have some good news for you, I can hire you right now! Our working hours are 8 to 4. Come on in about 10, and we'll get you started."
The guy says:
"If working hours are from 8 to 4, why do you want me to come at 10?"
"Well, here at the government, we don't do anything but sit around and scratch our balls for the first two hours. No point of your coming in for that"

Louisiana Swamps

Shot taken from the Basin Bridge

Winterized

The winter is near...

(Shot taken in Arieseni, RO)

Twilight in New Mexico

A shot before dark in New Mexico...

Arizona (part II)

More images from Arizona! The shots with the gigantic boulders are from Texas Canyon area (yeah, it's called "Texas" but it's still in Arizona!)...

Arizona

Some images from my recent trip to Arizona

Sunset

Evening colors in Houston, TX

Detroit

I took this shot from Windsor (Ontario), the only place where you can get a real good view over Detroit downtown.

Today's joke:

There were two golfers on the golf course. One of the men pulled out a cigarette, and asked his friend for a light. His friend pulls out a 12 inch Bic lighter.
- "Woah, where did you get such a large Bic?"
- "Oh, my genie got it for me."
- "Your genie? You have a genie? Where is he?"
- "He is in my golf bag."
- "Can I see him?"
So the friend looks in the bag and out comes the genie. The man says to the genie; "I am your master's best friend. Would you grant me just one wish?"
The genie says "yes, just one wish". So the man wishes for a million bucks. The genie goes back in the golf bag without saying a word. Pretty soon, the sky starts to get dark. Then it gets even darker. The man looks up and sees a million ducks. He gets real upset, and says:
- Wwhat is the matter with your genie? Is he hard of hearing? I said a million Bucks, not a million Ducks."
- "Do you really think I asked for a 12 inch Bic?"

Living under snow

Winter is near, so be prepared for the worse!
About this shot, it was taken in the village of Arieseni, Romania. As I mentioned in some of my previous posts, that's a very beautiful area for those who love winter games, winter views and fresh but cold air!

Today's joke:

25 signs you've grown up:
Your house plants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
You hear your favorite song on an elevator.
You watch the Weather Channel.
Your friends marry and divorce instead of hook up and break up.
You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
You're the one calling the police because those damn kids next door won't turn down the stereo.
Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
Your car insurance goes down and your payments go up.
You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonalds leftovers.
Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
You no longer take naps from noon to 6 PM.
Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good stuff."
You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
"I just can't drink the way I used to," replaces, "I'm never going to drink that much again."
90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
You no longer drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you!!!

Autumn in Midwest III

Autumnal view from the City of Belton, Missouri (that's just south of Kansas City).

Today's joke:

Two women are chatting:
-Yesterday my doctor told me I'm pregnant...
-Cool! And who's the father?
-That what he couldn't tell me...

Autumn in Midwest II

A small hill by freeway I-29 in Missouri.

Autumn in Midwest I

A country road in Iowa.

Me... in her sunglasses!

The winter is coming, but I'm still dreaming of hot summer beaches!

Today's joke:

Mary's bedtime pray:
- God, please make somehow that London to be Denmark's Capital because that's what I wrote on my exam!

Red Lillies

A shot taken minutes after the rain stopped...

Today's joke:

-The swimming is not allowed here, says a cop to a civilian who was nearby a lake.
-OK, OK, answers the civilian. I don't want to swim, but to drown myself...
-Then you're lucky, otherwise I'd fine you!

The Clock Fruits

Of course there's no such a fruit or plant, but the rear-end of these poke weed berries (lat. phytolacca americana) looks like a clock... Well, somehow they are related to the time if you try to eat them: they're dangerously poisonous!

Today's joke:

Little Mary Margaret was not the best student in her Catholic School.
Usually she slept through the class. One day her teacher, a Nun, called on her while she was sleeping.
"Tell me Mary Margaret, who created the universe?"
When Mary Margaret didn't stir, little Johnny who was her friend sitting behind her, took a pin and jabbed her in the rear.
"God Almighty!" shouted Mary Margaret.
The Nun said, "Very good" and continued teaching her class. A little later the Nun asked Mary Margaret:
"Who is our Lord and Savior?"
But she didn't stir from her slumber. Once again, little Johnny came to the rescue and stuck Mary Margaret in the butt.
"Jesus Christ!" shouted Mary and the Nun once again said "Very good," and Mary Margaret fell back asleep.
The Nun asked her a third question:
"What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?"
Again, Johnny came to the rescue. This time Mary Margaret jumped up and shouted:
"If you stick that damn thing in me one more time, I'll break it in half!"

Autumn Afternoon

This is another manipulation... the trees are actually located along the freeway I-75 in Michigan, just north of Bay City, while the shot with the river is from Frankenmuth, same state but taken in summertime.

Today's joke:

WIFE: "If I died first, would you remarry?"
HUSBAND: "Definitely not!"
WIFE: "Why not - don't you like being married?"
HUSBAND: "Of course I do."
WIFE: "Then why wouldn't you remarry?"
HUSBAND: "Okay, I'd get married again."
WIFE: "You would? (with a hurtful look on her face)."
HUSBAND: (makes audible groan).
WIFE: "Would you sleep with her in our bed?"
HUSBAND: "Where else would we sleep?"
WIFE: "Would you replace my pictures with hers?"
HUSBAND: "That would seem like the proper thing to do."
WIFE: "Would she use my golf clubs?"
HUSBAND: "No, she's left-handed."

The Balloon Girl

Shot taken in a really freezing night in the City of Sibiu (aka Hermannstadt).

Today's joke:

Did you know that while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers until after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen - had to be a girl. We should've known. Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost......

Crystal Clear

I've checked it out, it's clear, it's cold, it's just perfect for a hot sunny day! Don't try it during the winter!
Shot taken in the neighborhood of the Moeciu Village, Romania

Today's joke:

A Prayer for daddy

"Dear God, this year please send some clothes for all those poor ladies in Daddy's computer,
Amen."

Paris Soir

It really was evening, so there's nothing related to the Parisian evening paper! Just been playing in my Photoshop... hope you gonna like it!

Insects of the South

I've selected these two pics for today, a butterfly captured in Tennessee and that ugly spider, which from what I've learned it's a wolf-spider, a female that carries her babies on her back...

Toppings

Another old shot from the City of Sibiu - aka Hermannstadt - (the old side of the city), Romania.
Hmm, two months ago I met a German couple in Harlingen, TX... they were traveling by their own RV brought from Germany (registered in Germany), which RV was broke down. They asked me for help, initially they thought it's the battery and a jump start will do it, but it wasn't that simple, so I gave 'em my cell to call ADAC (German version of AAA) for help... well, finally the problem was fixed after hours of waiting and lots of calls. Anyways, what I wanted to say, this German guy, Raymund, told me that he visited Sibiu and he founded a really pleasant city, but before visiting it, he was warned that there are Romanians that live underground by the roads, and as soon as they see some foreigners, they attack (robbery)!!! The minute I heard that, I laughed but then I realized how the things work when you don't want tourists to go somewhere else, especially when it's about East...

Today's joke:

Q: It is true that Czechoslovakia asked USSR for help?
A: Yes, it's true! They requested it in 1939 and the approval came in 1968!