A Sunday trip through France!

I took a virtual tour through the Mountains of France today via Google Earth. I stayed mostly in the mountain regions searching for scenes that caught my eye. There was no plane ticket or hotel to stay in, just my computer and some time to explore a map and photos of France. I was lucky to come across a few bridges on the way and thought to include them for my bridge friend. I hope you enjoy the pictures.









Cool looking cave.



What trip would be complete without a beautiful French Castle? This is Carcassonne!

Remnants of an older time.

The few bridges I came across on my journey.


Way too many pictures lined up in a row. Sorry! It is the easiest layout at the moment for me to figure out.

So what do you think of this kitchen?
I think it is incredible. Although, I wonder if I would grow tired of it?

Home sweet home.

One of my long time favorite activities is to drive around and look at houses. I am continually amazed at the creativeness of designers and their ability to continually come up with new ideas. I have tried designing houses with computer software and let me tell you it is no easy task to come up with an idea that has not been seen before. I am including in this blog pictures of some houses that I found while extensive searching the globe via the internet.

My favorite at the moment is when wood and stone are used together. None of these pictures truly capture what I imagine but I will continue looking. These images caught my attention during my travels. I especially like the log homes towards the end of the page.

I hope you enjoy.



Sort of a simple design but I do like the abundance of stone and the wood railing.




Tella Tubbies







This is my favorite home on the entire page. I love how the house looks as if it is a natural part of its surroundings. How awesome is the fireplace on the front porch? I hope there is a fireplace inside too.

This winter scene is awesome. It has so many elements in it that make winter such a great time of the year for our imaginations to run wild.

The stone house is AWESOME. I picture myself inside snuggled up next to the fire or playing with the imaginary kids on the imaginary rug by that same imaginary fire place.

How about the horse drawn carriage? AWESOME also right! I also like the lake in the background and the picture leaves me guessing as to who lives down the street. I hope they are nice! Maybe there is a bar too.

Winter

Oh snow come visit me again.



Winter to me is a time of magic and beauty.

Oh winter how I miss thee!

Just saying.

There is pain and anger all boiling inside

part of me you can't see but part I can't hide.

I shrug and I shake trying to keep it from you

Acting all normal, and trying to smile too.

But my hands are shaking and my face is all red,

I feel these emotions all filling my head.

Like a kettle on the stove I'm about to scream out

this energy and emotion first comes with a shout.

Then rage and anger flows down to my feet,

knowing I should leave and scared of my heart beat.

I'm ready to run and I must go today

before I do something that will keep you away.

It's always the same this cycle of hate

coming with time no particular date.

There is on thing I know and I'l tell to you

step away from me now, this you must do.

Why lord why, do I keep feeling this way

I'm scared and worried that these feelings will stay.

My smile is my weapon that warms my heart

and I think for a minute that these emotions might part.

Come out sun with your happy light

and help this struggling man today and tonight.

I know there is help out here in this place

Can't recognize the voice or even see your face.

But in song and in praise I here of your name

people singing with joy, I want to feel the same.

So tell me where you hide and where I should look

are you for real? or made up n a book.

For now I wait, confused and afraid

for those I have hurt and the mess I have made.

I leave you with this, if your even listening to me

I want to be stronger, a better person, I can be.

Blah, it's Friday!

Why does the night pass so quick? It feels like I just feel asleep only moments ago. I suppose the coffee industry is in on this sleep conspiracy.

With the coming of winter comes the use of the heater. It is so nice to come home to a warm house. Thank you modern technology for making my life so much easier.

I want a scarf! They are, warm, cummfy and help me look very sophisticated.

I must go to work now. Sorry for the short boring post. See you soon!

My Other Girlfriend

I found myself in a compromising position just the other day. My mind was being torn and my heart ripped apart. I knew at the time that what I was doing was wrong, but it felt so right, so I just kept on doing it. I know, I needed to be stronger and hold true to my morals but it is just too hard when staring into the beautiful face of........GOOGLE EARTH!

That's right, my hearts other interest is Google Earth. I sneak away every chance I get just to spend a few minutes exploring the infinite knowledge and information that is presented in that program. Just yesterday I took a trip to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower then flew to the Pyramids of Egypt and explored much of Africa. It was an amazing trip. On m way back to the states I made a slight detour and roamed about the Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro. Cool statue! All great trips must end so I headed back to Petaluma just in time to serve snack to 116 kids. Wow!!! What a day. Where to go today. London, prague? I know! New York City. Anyone want to come?

p.s Google may be able to take me all over the world and show me some amazing stuff but nothing compares to the warm embrace of the significant other. :)

Tis the season to be merry!!! Who the "f" is Merry?

Good morning once again. It's cold out the sun is up early and I am excited for this holiday season. I enjoy seeing the early hints that Christmas time is on its way. Stores are decorating with red and green and houses are starting to show their Christmas flair. Now through December is definitely my favorite time of year. Many say that we start this Christmas season too early but I say humbug to that. This is a magical time for kids and adults alike. We hang up lights, decorate trees, reconnect with family, and eat delicious holiday food. So I say, "Come on Christmas, the happiest time of year."
P.S I miss the snow.

Really? This is what I came up with?

Travel bug,
travel hug,
bring some water,
in a travel jug.
Driving far,
driving car,
hopefully driving,
to a bar.
Brought some soap,
brought some rope,
in this car?
Brought some hope.

Bam! Sweet rhyming abilities, LOL!

Up in the morning.

I must have gotten this early rising habit from the parents. Granted, they are the king and queen of it but I too am an early riser. (At least in this house) Its 8 am, cold, beautiful, peaceful, the coffee tastes great and I'm downstairs enjoying some alone time. The T.V. is off (FINALLY) and the only noises to be heard are the swishing of water in the dishwasher and the faint clicking of the keys under my fingertips. So peaceful.
I often day dream about a future home where I can wake up and enjoy a cup of joe while gazing out over a spectacular mountain view. The warm crackling fire tickles my back as I enjoy the early morning song of mother nature. I do cherish this alone time, before the daily noise starts. Before the thoughts and opinions of everyone around begin to bombard my world. Soon the Flatscreen will be blasting out information from all over the world and this houses' very own political commentator will be preaching his sermon about everything that is said. This alone time for me is never long enough! The day starts quick and the commotion too. I guess I'll just have to get up earlier.

Thanks for reading!

Random thoughts.

"I'm feeling tired as if a heavy blanket of snow were laying over me and the weight from the burden of winter is wearing on my back! Long nights and grey days have soaked me through, and I carry the weight of water in my sole. " However, I am the reflecting light that illuminates all in it's glorious path. Loud melodies of energy flow from the heart whose hue cannot fade and true color never part. So why the contrast of mood do I portray? Perhaps to keep interesting the constant coming of days? Quiet Brain, Quite! I hold nothing to be true. Stop this foolish writing, cried mr JoeBoo.

Like a little Joey Shakespeare right? LOL

Yes yes yes here we go again. Another day filled with sunshine, laughter, high pitched voices, and perhaps a little whining to go with it. Some he said she said and a guy waltzing around the room trying to have the perfect answer or response for every situation and question. I figure that for four hours a day I, or yet we, the staff, need to put our games faces on and show these youngsters what true character is, what good sportsmanship is, how to be polite and get along with others. For four hours i need to have the answers, be on my toes, and hopefully be ready for anything.

If you have worked with kids before than you know a curve ball or two is going to come your way, everyday! Am I going to miss it and go back to the dug out, or is this going to be my shining moment when all eyes are on me and I knock that curveball the heck out of this park. I'm aiming for the later. Why not right? I mean its only four hours that I must be on the top of my game. Granted, it is an exhausting four hours filled with chaos, noise, bloody noises and so, so much more.

What we need to focus on are all the opportunities that present themselves to us throughout the day. It's tuff to spot these though. They are camouflaged or can even be lost in the hustle and bustle that is after school care. But the all stars, the ones who you want on your team are the ones that can pick through all the miscellaneous crap and find little ways to connect and influence the lives of 1 or all 134ish kids that are at the site.

My advice for the rookies;

Smile every chance you get! Be positive as much as you possibly can. Never, never , miss an opportunity to say something nice to one of the littles (or fellow staff). And thank the kids and the parents everyday for coming to your site.

*Remember, after school care should be a second chance for every single kid that walks through your doors. "It matters not what happened outside of these walls. What matters are the choices you make from this point on!"

Smile, have fun, and play. Who knows, you might just be the person that kid remembers for the rest of their life. Make it a good memory!

Mr. Brisson

Day two!

Okay here I go writing once again. Today it's oatmeal and maple syrup with a some black coffee to help get me start the day. The cup of joe is basically a staple of the morning routine and without it I become a consumer of c0ffee house lattes. I wonder what that costs me? 3.20 a latte times 3 days a week equals 9.60 per week. Multiply this by the 52 weeks in a year and I end up spending about 500 dollars (499.20). Thats almost a year of car insurance, and it takes me about a week to earn that amount (after taxes). If your looking for a sugar daddy...well...I could point you in a different direction maybe. :) I'm on cup three of my delicious dark coffee yet I'm not feeling to zippy as of yet. If I find myself driving 80mph to work I guess I could assume the coffee is kicking in. Sorry officer, it's the coffee! It has a grip on me and if you want to give a ticket to someone go to Peets coffee and write them up for selling little crack beans! HA! Tires screech, dust flies, I'm out of there! I think I'm feeling the caffeine NOW! Deep breath, deep breath, just kidding, I'm fine. But I should start heading off to work. Although I have been putting in days that are way to long. I need to start working smarter and not harder. Hmm... how to do that? I guess that will have to be on another blog! Until then, farewell and I hope everyone has satisfying day.

Need to Practice!

One day is all it took for me to not complete the goal I had set for my self. Why, why am I so forgetful? Umm....better yet, lets not try and answer that at this moment. I should be focussing on setting another goal and achieving it. You got to get right back on that horse right? SO, I'm writing tonight and am setting another goal to write tomorrow. Maybe I should start this goal setting business of with tiny little goals just until I get the hang of it. Logical, I know, but sometimes we forget to stop and think of the obvious, or logical solution.

So, I'm going to practice goal setting. And I'll start by writing tomorrow and completing my first goal. I must go now. Thanks for taking the time to read this short note. Happy blogging!

Its been a while!

I'm back! Not running however but at least I'm thinking about it. It is funny how easily one day of not running quickly turns into a few months off the wagon. Oh well. Work is taking over I suppose, and there is always plenty to do at work which I am sure everyone who may read this already knows. Speaking of work, I better get the heck off of this computer and on my way to mi trabajo. Lets see if I can make one entry per day this week. Hey, a goal! I just set a goal. Oh gosh, now I'm nervous!

Until tomorrow,

Joey