Thanksgiving Break

I am happy to have had almost five full days in Maine for Thanksgiving. It allowed for plenty of downtime, working on some songs, seeing lots of people for the first time in ages, and lie around the house. People seem to be doing quite well.



Oh, I also got to try out perhaps the greatest invention of the century. Rail bikes can go fast.

Around Town: Brunswick Edition

Casco Rd, Bunganuc Rd. 11/28.





More fungus to come later.



Cattail sword fights were a big part of growing up.















I've been meaning to explore this area for a while. Early reconnaissance shows positive signs.







It was a good place to relax for a while.



Here begins my series on moss and lichen.



The lichen points north.



A fine dusting of snow helps.



Half dozen species by the look of it.



There was ice here and there, but none quite so nice as this little piece hanging onto a branch tip. Probably the size of a thumb nail.













Good day for a stroll.

Earworm

Black Dub - Silverado

Movember

Fresh back from an excursion in Nepal, my brother is raising money through the Movember Foundation for men's health by growing a sweet 'stache. I am jealous and wish I were joining. You should give him money.

Let This Be A Movember Lesson

From Moustaches Make A Difference:

Brain Teaser!

Brain teaser: is this one of the greatest music videos ever or the greatest?

No Shave November

Because I already have a beard and did not think to shave it off before today, I am hereby participating in No Trim November. To be fair, it's already been a week or so since I stopped keeping it neatly trimmed close to the face in order to protect myself from the growing cold.

BUT hopefully other people will also take this chance to participate in No Shave November, Movember, or Novembeard (here's a breakdown).

See you at the end of the month.

Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

The numbers I've seen most recently for attendance are 215,000 +/-10%. Compare that to the Beck rally, which was estimated at 87,000 with a similar margin of error.

They didn't seem prepared for the numbers. Although there were large screens and speaker towers set up, there weren't nearly enough for the size of the crowd. Amanda and I ended up spending most of the time wandering around rather than trying to catch a glimpse or overhear what was actually happening. When we did wander down the sides near the stage we could catch a glimpse of what was happening, but overall I'll have to catch up online with what exactly I was there to see.

Entertainment for the day consisted mostly of the smattering of signs.



I do, every day.





The one on the right is actually pretty accurate for the rally in general.



This is what a crowded National Mall looks like.



This too.





Don't we all.



Remember, remember.



It was a beautiful day for a stroll.



Memes ran rampant.





Rather convincing.





A recent pumpkin carving contest featured a model Death Star as a metaphor for defense acquisitions: hugely expensive, of dubious strategic value, vulnerable to insurgent attack, and suffering from major intellectual property rights issues.



Amanda is blessed by His Noodly Appendage as a Blue Meanie looks on.



Death was patient enough to wait until they finished the song.



Behind the stage was a little more room for stretching and napping.



I would not buy that comic.

A few captured by others that deserve mention:









Also, an interesting aerial view comparison of rallies.