CCCLXV in MMX: a daily photo journal

Day 107: A Spring Day on Campus

2010-04-20T09:43:00.001-07:00

Day 107: A Spring Day on Campus
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Hands down, I believe we have one of the most beautiful campuses in Virginia. And, it's hard to believe that 19 years ago I interviewed for a position here at St. Christopher's School. I remember when I drove up to the school how incredibly beautiful the campus was. It was but one of the many reasons I decided to accept the offer to teach here and to this date, the grounds are still spectacular.

Day 106: A Cruel Lesson

2010-04-20T03:34:00.001-07:00

Day 106: A Cruel Lesson
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Spring is often viewed as a gentle season. If one can survive the cold old man winter put into place, it just makes sense that spring should be easy by comparison. For weeks now we've watched "momma" bird create a nest in the bottom of an outdoor light fixture. She came and went without a hitch but today for some reason, she was unable to escape. Concern for her and the safety of her eggs became a top priority for our family and we went to work. I managed to remove the base of the light fixture which allowed momma bird to escape without damaging the nest. When we peered into the nest, here is what we found-4 newly hatched baby birds.

My bride and I were quite concerned with our discovery-we're both bio majors and teachers. We knew that the likelihood of survival would be remote unless momma bird returned. My daughter made a few calls to pet stores, animal rescue centers, and my sister who happens to be a vet but their news was less than promising. These birds seemed to be to young to survive without momma's care.

We kept the nest inside for the night because it was going to drop into the 30s(just above 0 C for my aussie friends) and then we placed the nest on a ladder near the lamp in hopes that momma would return.

Well, the day went by and despite the newness spring provides, these baby birds were not meant to be. It was a sad time for my family. :(

Day 105: A day at Deep Run Park

2010-04-19T19:28:00.001-07:00

Day 105: A day at Deep Run Park
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Spent the whole day with the wee one while mom was out of town at our son's baseball game. A good chunk of our day was spent at Deep Run Park. We played on the playground, had a snack, feed the ducks, and told stories. This photo was taken just after she threw her last piece of bread. She sat and watched the duck swim away.

Day 104: The Ice Bucket

2010-04-19T19:03:00.001-07:00

Day 104: The Ice Bucket
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Our track team is finally using ice buckets as a means to stem injury and today was no different. As we were walking by the icing session, Coach Bruner commented that his boys were unable to handle the ice bucket very long. My eldest daughter on the other hand has been using this method for quite some time as part of her training and she has developed a threshold for the cold. Let's just say that she put the boys to shame.

That's my girl!

Day 103: Running to Dad

2010-04-19T18:57:00.001-07:00

Day 103: Running to Dad
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It doesn't happen everyday, but when my daughter runs to greet me after a long and strenuous work day, it is certainly the best part of my day. When she runs into my arms and squeezes me tight, I feel the stress of the day wither away.

Day 102: A missed day!

2010-04-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Today I really let myself down. I went 101 days without missing a photo op of sorts but for some reason day 102 slipped right past me. I never thought it would bother me as much as it is but if anything comes out of this project, it is a promise to myself that this will be the 1 and only photo I will forget this year.

Day 101: Pitching

2010-04-16T03:32:00.001-07:00

Day 101: Pitching
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

My son was so excited to hear that he would be the opening pitcher in today's game. He did a nice job despite the cold drizzle and light wind but let's just say the parents didn't fair as well.

As for the quality of the photo, I was stunned that the resolution was quite good using a BB at 5x from this distance.

Day 100: Highlighting Passages

2010-04-13T21:32:00.001-07:00

Day 100: Highlighting Passages
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

After a quick shower, it was time to finish up homework for the evening. After crossing out the completed assignments, it was time to do a little reading and highlighting. As one can see, my son is busy at work discerning which passages require some additional attention.

Day 99: Rock Climbing and Happy Birthday

2010-04-13T13:16:00.001-07:00

Day 99: Rock Climbing and Happy Birthday
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was my daughter's birthday and we opted to take her and a friend climbing at Peak Experience-an indoor climbing facility. My son and I were lucky enough to climb too.

It was a great day that started with Chipotle for lunch, followed by rock climbing, Sushi for dinner, and then an incredibly rich chocolate cake for dessert.

Happy Birthday Pea!

Day 98: Costco Gas and the Memory Game

2010-04-13T13:07:00.001-07:00

Day 98: Costco Gas and the Memory Game
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

For some reason, I am unable to remember the hours of operation for Costco's Gasoline. I checked their website and I even called but the information could not be found. So in an effort to burn this info into my mind, I decided to take a photo of the hours of operation and I plan on keeping it in my Blackberry.

Am I getting old?!

Day 97: Charlie Brown Xmas Tree

2010-04-13T13:02:00.001-07:00

Day 97: Charlie Brown Xmas Tree
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I was walking towards my car in the parking lot when I stumbled upon this baby pine tree in the shadows of this telephone pole. Over time however, this tiny little tree will dwarf this pole but before that happens one of them will have to come down.

I know which one I want, how about you?

Day 96: Ubuntu

2010-04-13T12:50:00.001-07:00

Day 96: Ubuntu
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

This laptop is like an old shoe. It's about 7 years old but this Gateway has been running Ubuntu for at least 2 years and works great as a web based machine in our kitchen. What I like most about this laptop is that everyone in the family uses it and has found that Ubuntu is a snappy OS and is not that difficult to use when the destination is the web. I can only imagine how snappy this OS would be if it were on loaded machine.

So as a result, our home has 4 OSes-OSX, XP pro, Win 7, and Ubuntu.

Day 95: Pollen, Pollen, Pollen...

2010-04-08T05:41:00.001-07:00

Day 95: Pollen, Pollen, Pollen...
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

The quantity of pollen in the air and on the surfaces of just about everything is just phenomenal. I'm one of the lucky ones who does not have severe allergies.

Now what I find so astonishing, from a science perspective, is the amount of energy plants dedicate towards reproduction.

On a side note, I wonder if forensics would consider using pollen to check for fingerprints? As one can see, my prints are visible on the surface of my car and the clarity of the print is quite good.

Day 94: It was a close game

2010-04-08T05:31:00.001-07:00

Day 94: It was a close game
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It was a great baseball game. Both teams had wonderful pitching and fantastic fielding. Despite the final score, it would be fair to say that the game could have gone the otherway just as easily. My son was on the losing team but I convinced his Giants will be able to redeem themselves the next time these two teams meet up.

Day 93: Keens

2010-04-06T09:54:00.001-07:00

Day 93: Keens
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It must be spring! I broke out the Keens this weekend when I went out for my morning bike ride and they stayed on while I plowed through a few hours of yard work. What are your favorite outdoor shoes?

Day 92: Easter Parade on Monument Ave

2010-04-06T09:51:00.001-07:00

Day 92: Easter Parade on Monument Ave
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Easter is my favorite holiday of all times. The Easter Parade is but one facet of this glorious holiday season but when the weather is nice, it a wonderful way to end the weekend. There were thousands of people walking around enjoying the sunshine, flowers, music, and food. It's also a great place to do some people watching.

Happy Easter!

Day 91: Red Caboose

2010-04-04T19:21:00.001-07:00

Day 91: Red Caboose
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It was a busy morning today but a trip to the playground led to this little treasure. The Red Caboose is located on the grounds of this elementary school and along with the playground, a child's imagination can run wild.

Day 90: Dyeing Easter Eggs

2010-04-04T19:03:00.001-07:00

Day 90: Dyeing Easter Eggs
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today the kids dyed Easter Eggs. As one can see, we had quite a few eggs and some happy children in the process. It's a tradition I hope that continues for many years to come

Day 89: Playball

2010-04-04T18:49:00.001-07:00

Day 89: Playball
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

The day started off sunny and warm but a 6:30 game caught players and parents by surprise. Winds gusts close to 30 mph and a drop in temperature was enough to skip the slurpees and go for hot cocoa. Let's just say we are looking forward to some warmer days.

Day 88: Vent

2010-03-30T13:14:00.001-07:00

Day 88: Vent
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was another busy day. I primed some more sections of our kitchen and before I knew it, it was 11:30pm when I realized I had neglected to take today's photo. As I shared my dilemma with my bride, she mentioned why not take a picture of the vent above the bed because it is the last thing you will see before you close your eyes. Hmmm, good idea! So there you have it! Nighty Night.

Day 87: Priming the kitchen

2010-03-28T20:28:00.001-07:00

Day 87: Priming the kitchen
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I started priming the walls of our kitchen this evening. The sage green will need 2 coats of primer to cover it up but in the end, our kitchen will be brighten it up which will make my bride happy.

Day 86: Coal Chute

2010-03-28T20:21:00.001-07:00

Day 86: Coal Chute
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was opening day for my son's baseball team. It was a long day but at one point, I had the opportunity to take a walk into Carytown. Carytown is a section of Richmond that is pretty arty and it attracts a pretty diverse crowd. Now on my way to Carytown, I came across this coal chute on the side of one of the buildings. I still find it fascinating that urban residents had to have regular deliveries of this sooty material in order to heat their homes.

Day 85: The 1/2 gallon container gets smaller

2010-03-28T06:21:00.003-07:00

Day 85: The 1/2 gallon container gets smaller
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today I opened our refrigerator to pour myself a glass of OJ. When I retrieved the container, its appearance seemed thinner. Upon further inspection, the OJ container now lists its volume as being 1.8 quarts. Why?!

Day 84: A new stage

2010-03-28T06:21:00.001-07:00

Day 84: A new stage
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Well the wee one hit a new stage today. She's moved up into a booster seat in our new car and she is so proud. When I brought the new booster home, she had to sit down in it immediately. But what really made her happy was the fact that it had pink trim and flowers all over it. A perfect match for my little girl.

Day 83: Colorburst

2010-03-28T06:17:00.001-07:00

Day 83: Colorburst
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Early spring always surprises me with small bursts of color that seem to appear out of nowhere. Today was one of those days where my daily trek to the middle school brings my by a plot of ivy. What caused me to pause was how rich the color was in these flowers and how they seemed to come out of the blue-sorry couldn't resist. Now I'm not 100% sure but I believe these are bluebells.

Day 82: Lease Me

2010-03-23T17:46:00.001-07:00

Day 82: Lease Me
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Toyota is having its fair share of woes but their latest lease was too good to pass up. So we took the plunge and I'm happy to say that we finally have a 2nd car that can hold the entire family safely.

Day 81: An Old Building

2010-03-22T19:05:00.001-07:00

Day 81: An Old Building
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

In one of the older sections of Richmond, there is appears to be an abandoned wooden building which I believe may have served as a school or school offices at one time. I came across this structure while my son was at baseball practice and I couldn't resist checking it out. As one can see, everything is made of wood. There is wood rot in the typical places and the paint, which I am sure is loaded with lead, is peeling everywhere. I love the character of older homes and couldn't resist taking a photo of this piece of history.

Day 80: Yard Debris

2010-03-22T03:44:00.001-07:00

Day 80: Yard Debris
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It was a beautiful weekend and yesterday I managed to get lots of work done around the yard. We're still dealing with a torn up front lawn because of a new sewer line but we are making progress. As one can see we have lots of yard debris and I'm hoping it will be taken by our trash service. If not, it looks like another trip to the county landfill. We still have a long way to go, but the yard is getting tidier and tidier with every passing weekend.

I could sure use a DIY Yard Crasher! Anyone seen Ahmed Hassan? It would be great to have 10-20 people to help with this yard.

Day 79: Problem solving and the Riding Mower

2010-03-22T03:34:00.001-07:00

Day 79: Problem solving and the Riding Mower
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I was really excited to break out my new riding mower today but the battery had another idea. The past winter wore down the battery to the point where I could not get the engine to turn over. This is a new mower and I only used it 1 other time this fall but I was determined to bet it started. Being a nube with this type of equipment, I hit the web to check and validate that I could jump start the mower with my car without damaging the car or the mower. As I suspected, one can jump start a riding mower with your car!

Day 78: Hooray for Spring

2010-03-19T15:45:00.001-07:00

Hooray for Spring
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I know we haven't hit the spring equinox just yet but today felt like spring. The daffodils and jonquils are popping up everywhere and the sun's rays had everyone on campus in good spirits.

Hooray for Spring!

Day 77: Heading home

2010-03-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

Day 77: Heading home
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

t was another long day. PT, baseball practice, followed by a drive home at dusk. I almost feel like I put in another day of work and I still have things to do when I get home. Phew this parenting stuff is wearing me out but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Day 76: Yum Yum Good

2010-03-18T14:08:00.001-07:00

Day 76: Yum Yum Good
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It was a crazy busy day today! Everyone seemed to be going every which way in the family but my bride had the wisdom to take a moment to email me and suggest that we get Chinese food for dinner. The funny thing was I was thinking the same just moments before I received her email. But to add to the digital karma, after reading my bride's email, my daughter texted me saying that she was studying China in one of her classes and she asked if we could get Chinese food too. Coincidence?

Day 75: Icing down after PT

2010-03-18T13:56:00.001-07:00

Day 75: Icing down after PT
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It certainly looks a lot worse than it is but as part of her PT routine, my daughter has to ice down her knees for 10 minutes. The good news is that the pain has gone down and her strength and flexibility have improved. At this point, because she has Osgood-Schlatter, it appears that we will have to deal more with pain management as we wait for the "growing pains" to abate.

Day 74: Snack time before bed time

2010-03-15T18:45:00.001-07:00

Day 74: Snack time before bed time
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Tonight we got the wee one ready for bed, teeth brushed, hair brushed, and we actually had her in bed until she looked up and said, "I'm hungry". So we head downstairs to get a little snack of multigrain Cheerios. As one can see, she is a happy camper. Nighty night!

Day 73: Taxes are done!

2010-03-15T18:38:00.001-07:00

Day 73: Taxes are done!
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Where would I be without Turbotax?! I took about 4 hours to complete, but our taxes are done and have been e-filed. Time to clean up the mess and start a new folder for 2010.

Day 72: Martinis

2010-03-13T19:19:00.001-08:00

Day 72: Martinis
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I finally had some 1 on 1 time with my bride this evening so we headed out to Maggiano's for dessert and a couple of martinis. She had the Lemon Drop whereas I had the Pomegranate Martini along with New York Cheesecake and berries. I was actually going to photograph the dessert, but we started eating it before I could take the photo.

I suppose not being able to wait was a good sign! :)

Day 71: Nature's Geometry

2010-03-13T19:12:00.001-08:00

Day 71: Nature's Geometry
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

After returning from the Great Wolf Lodge, my bride sent me out for some supplies. I found myself at Kroger and as I was spying the fruits, I came across a rather large bunch of bananas. I've seen large bunches of bananas before but I've never quite seen them arranged in this fashion and with so many. It had me wondering what the entire cluster may have looked like.

Day 70: Great Wolf Lodge

2010-03-11T18:35:00.001-08:00

Day 70: Great Wolf Lodge
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today we ventured to Williamsburg to spend the night at The Great Wolf Lodge. It is a family friendly place with a massive indoor water park. The Lodge has something for everyone, including our 3 year old. I'm a bit water logged for the first day but you can be sure I will be able to rally tomorrow. Nothing like some family fun to end our Spring Break.

Day 69: Baseball Practice

2010-03-11T18:16:00.001-08:00

Day 69: Baseball Practice
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

As my children get older, it seems like the days increase in length as well. Today was the start of my son's regularly scheduled late evening baseball practices but fortunately for me, the temperature was still mild.

Day 68: More and more mulch

2010-03-09T19:16:00.001-08:00

Day 68: More and more mulch
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

If you saw yesterday's photo, today's shouldn't be much of a surprise. After dropping off yard waste and the county dump, I loaded up with a mound of mulch destined for our yard. The bad news is that I probably need 3-5 more truck loads. The good news is that the county uses the yard waste that is dropped off by residents and turns it into mulch. The mulch is free for the taking and for that I am grateful.

Day 67: Yard Work

2010-03-09T19:10:00.001-08:00

Day 67: Yard Work
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Part of our Spring Break Staycation is designed to get some much needed yard work done. We've been at this house for under a year and the yard requires some TLC. I've already made 2 trips to the dump with yard waste so it makes sense that this wheelbarrow under cover of night is the focus of today's image.

Day 66: Recycling?

2010-03-08T10:29:00.001-08:00

Day 66: Recycling?
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Seems like I've been a day behind for a number of days with my posts but my photos have always been taken the day the photo was due.

I've been through the Atlanta airport 2x in 4 days and I am perplexed by these recycling cans. They use electricity to sort the recyclables. To me it would have made more sense to have 3 different containers stacked on top of one another rather than go through the expense of purchasing these electric recycling containers and paying for power. What do you think?

Day 65: Google Swag

2010-03-07T03:43:00.001-08:00

Google Swag
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

We received a Google Swag Bag at the Google Teacher Academy for Administrators and it was full of some neat gifts. However, at the networking dinner, they had 1 more item to add to our bag. Many of us were wondering, hoping, and dreaming that perhaps the new piece of Google Swag was going to be a Nexus phone but hey that's what dreams are all about.

Now I just have to figure out how to stem off the arguments my kids will have over who gets to keep this piece of swag. In any event, thank Google for a wonderful opportunity.

Day 64: Google Teacher Academy for Administrators

2010-03-06T06:50:00.001-08:00

Day 64: Google Teacher Academy for Administrators
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

What a day! Met lots of incredibly bright people, enjoyed meeting folks in my PLN F2F, and I learned lots! It's a shame this program is only 1 day because by the end, I felt prepared to have some in depth conversations about teaching, learning, and empowerment. I look forward to chatting with many of you as we continue our journey.

Day 63: Lunch @ Schilo's

2010-03-06T06:27:00.001-08:00

Day 63: Lunch @ Schilo's
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

After checking into my hotel in San Antonio, Texas, I made my way over to the riverwalk in search of an eatery that was not Tex Mex. As I wandered around, I came across Schilo's Delicatessen. A German deli with the vintage flair of the early 20th century and the gizmos of the time period. Now the food was outstanding and the restaurant itself had lots of things that were worthy of photographing but it was this sign that caught my eye. I suspect it's the 19 years I've been working with MS boys that influenced my decision for today's picture but I just found this too funny to pass up.

Day 62: El Caporal

2010-03-03T17:55:00.001-08:00

Day 62: El Caporal
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

On this cold and damp day, what could be better than take out from El Caporal for dinner. Let's just say everyone was quite happy with the meal and there were hardly any dishes to wash too.

It's a favorite eatery for the Cuevas household so if you are in search of excellent Mexican food, check out El Caporal.

Day 61: Pudding Ying Yang

2010-03-03T05:35:00.001-08:00

Day 61: Pudding Ying Yang
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

My bride was feeling under the weather today so my son and I purchased all of the accouterments for the evening's dinner and dessert. As we were shopping my son expressed a desire to have pudding, then it expanded to include the Oreo cookie pie shell, and finally it had to include 2 flavors.

As I was preparing the meal, he mixed the pudding, placed it in the refrigerator, and then added it to the Oreo cookie pie shell to produce the Pudding Ying Yang.

Day 60: Lava Lamp

2010-03-03T05:22:00.001-08:00

Day 60: Lava Lamp
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I've always been a big fan of lava lamps and this one is particularly special. I purchased this lamp while I was a science teacher and it was a big hit with my MS boys. Well, I know longer teach science and the lamp has come home with me but it has been passed down to my MS aged son.

Day 59: In Memory of Jackson Ramsey

2010-02-28T19:27:00.001-08:00

Day 59: In Memory of Jackson Ramsey
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today my daughter experienced her first candle light vigil. Her diving coach's son and her friend died yesterday. He was only 16 years old but in that short span he touched a vast number of people with his smile, kindness, and good natured personality.

My daughter is handling it well but I couldn't help but give her a big hug after the vigil because I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a child.

Day 58: Orange Nehi

2010-02-28T18:51:00.001-08:00

Day 58: Orange Nehi
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I've been spending quite a bit of time with my daughters lately so today I decided to take Little Boy out to eat for lunch. His favorite pit stop in Richmond is The Boardwalk. But don't let this tiny and unpretentious establishment fool you. They serve the best hot dogs I've ever eaten. They even beat the dogs that are served on the hot dog carts in NYC but that's a story for another day. Anyway, my son gets the Sgt Santa dog which is as plain as they come but I on the other hand opt for the Kraut dog. The Kraut Dog is sauerkraut, spicy mustard, and swiss. Now along with our dogs, we spring for Orange Nehi to wash down our dogs and here is the bottle cap to prove it.

Day 57: Cinderella's "Glass" Slippers

2010-02-26T19:30:00.001-08:00

Day 57: Cinderella's "Glass" Slippers
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I'm a lucky fella! I found Cinderella's "Glass" Slippers. I know a little princess who will be quite happy when she wakes up tomorrow and sees them.

Day 56: Concept II Rowing Machine

2010-02-26T04:21:00.001-08:00

Day 56: Concept II Rowing Machine
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

In December, I made my first Craigs' List purchase. As far I can tell, I got a great deal.

I don't run as much as I used to and biking in the winter is just rough so I ended up taking up rowing and I love it. They had these rowing machines when I was in college at William and Mary and I enjoyed using them then. You could imagine my surprise when I found one that was in excellent condition. It provides a great workout without all the hassles of going out in the cold or going out to the gym.

Row, row, row your boat!

Day 55: The Water Tower

2010-02-25T07:53:00.001-08:00

Day 55: The Water Tower
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today we found ourselves being dwarfed by one of Henrico County's most famous landmarks. The "Welcome to Henrico County" water tower is visible from Interstate 64 but as one can see here, we could almost reach out and touch it. It quickly became a topic of conversation with my kids and the science guy in me couldn't help but talk about water pressure, lightning rods, volume, etc...

Fortunately for me they know that their dad will almost always find a way to incorporate science. I just can't help it! I have a passion the science.

Day 54: My Shy Daughter

2010-02-23T18:48:00.001-08:00

Day 54: My Shy Daughter
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It was my daughter's first day of physical therapy today and while she was stretching, I thought I would be able to sneak a photo. Well, as you can see, I was unsuccessful or as she would tell me, "FAIL".

Anyway, I enjoyed some primo father daughter time.

Day 53: Sleeping Beauty

2010-02-22T19:03:00.001-08:00

Day 53: Sleeping Beauty
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Preparing the wee one for bed is one of my favorite daily rituals. We read stories, listen to music, laugh, play dolls, and eventually brush our teeth. But right before she goes to bed, she prepares a small sleeping area for me on the floor complete with cushion and blanket. Once asleep, I sometimes find myself just gazing at her because she is my princess aurora.

Day 52: Gaston is ready for spring

2010-02-21T19:36:00.001-08:00

Gaston is ready for spring
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

With a high close to 60 degrees today, one would never know that we had 3 large snowstorms in 2 months. Well we took full advantage of the warmth and Gaston had lots of play time. He loves to retrieve tennis balls but you better have a second on hand because he'll never give this one up.

Day 51: Old Fashioned Barbershop

2010-02-20T12:41:00.001-08:00

Day 51: Old Fashioned Barbershop
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

This morning, I found myself in older section of the city. If I'm not mistaken, this part of the city is either western Jackson Ward or Carver. That said, across the street from Maggie Walker HS, was this barbershop. Now I don't have a problem going to places like Supercuts or the HairCuttery, but nothing beats a hair cut from a barber.

Do you know why the barber pole is white, red and blue?

The origin of the barber pole is associated with the service of bloodletting.[1] During medieval times, barbers performed surgery on customers as well as tooth extractions. The original pole had a brass basin at the top (representing the vessel in which leeches were kept) and bottom (representing the basin which received the blood). The pole itself represents the staff that the patient gripped during the procedure to encourage blood flow.

The red and white stripes symbolize the bandages used during the procedure: red for the blood-stained and white for the clean bandages. Originally, these bandages were hung on the pole to dry after washing. As the bandages blew in the wind, they would twist together to form the spiral pattern similar to the stripes in the modern day barber pole. The barber pole became emblematic of the barber/surgeon's profession. Later the cloths were replaced by a painted wooden pole of red and white stripes. Copied from Wikipedia

Day 50: Post Fantasy Football

2010-02-20T12:18:00.001-08:00

Day 50: Post Fantasy Football
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

On Friday, 4 dads and their sons had a post fantasy football celebration. We had Krispy Kremes, OJ, and we watched football follies. Our original setup was to have each of us participate individually but next year, the dads will be teaming up with their sons for some good old fashioned father son bonding and surname bragging rights. Maybe we'll move up to bagels too.

Day 49: The Knee

2010-02-20T12:07:00.001-08:00

Day 49: The Knee
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Spent 3 hours at the sport medicine center at Johnston Willis. Exam and x-rays confirmed that my daughter is dealing with IT band issues and Osgood-Schlatter. With all the growing, running, and racing, it's no surprise now why my daughter's knee's hurt.

The good news is that she backed off and hasn't run in awhile which prevented any potential damage to the growth plates. She's bummed she couldn't run in the state meet but I reminded her that no one remembers what you did in 8th grade. You're better off getting the rest you need so she can race another day.

Day 48: Which way is up?

2010-02-17T20:06:00.001-08:00

Day 48: Which way is up?
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

When I first started my daily photo journal journey, my children were not sure what to make of it. As I move into the 2nd month of this project, they've become curious about what the picture of the day will be and they are surprised by the different places people come from in order to view them. Today I was hoping to get a shot of the family on our way home but it just wasn't working. So to pass the time, they took my BB and started snapping pix. My son took this one and exclaimed, "wow this is pretty cool looking." And you know what, it is because it's difficult to tell which way is up.

Day 47: Melting/Freezing and an Icy Heart

2010-02-17T19:09:00.001-08:00

Day 47: Melting/Freezing and an Icy Heart
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

The heavy snows are finally melting away, but the very cold evenings refreezes the run off that is flowing from just any and all structures and plant life. The small icicle caught my eye as I was heading to my office but it was the heart shaped ice formation just above the icicle that became my focus after I reviewed the image later in the day.

I only wish I had noticed it when I was taking the original photo b/c it would have been the focal point.

Day 46: Pretzels

2010-02-16T03:15:00.001-08:00

Day 46: Pretzels
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

When I was reaching into the UTZ barrel of pretzels for a snack, I found the texture and 3D nature of the pile of pretzel rods to be worthy of today's photo. Unfortunately, it did not come out as well as I had hoped. Perhaps a limitation of the BB's camera phone or the reflection of the flash on the walls of the barrel.

Day 45: Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T18:19:00.001-08:00

Day 45: Happy Valentine's Day
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

You gotta love Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Day 44: Finish Lynx

2010-02-13T18:31:00.001-08:00

Day 44: Finish Lynx
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was the Virginia Independent Schools State Indoor Track and Field Championships. At the finish line, we run the Finish Lynx system which takes 1000 photos/second which gives us the ability to discern time to the hundredth of a second with relative ease. In this photo, one can see the finish of the girls 3200m as they crossed the finish line. The blue lines mark where the chest crosses the plane of the finish line and the computer determines the time. Distance races are typically easier to read than sprints but at higher levels of competition, it is often necessary to have a camera on both sides of the finish should a runners be so close that 1 camera is insufficient.

Day 43: Cotillion

2010-02-12T18:01:00.001-08:00

Day 43: Cotillion
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I believe it's a southern thing, but having grown up in the NYC, I'm new to the concept of the cotillion. Boys and girls get together and learn how to dance certain dance steps and socialize safely. In this photo, my son(on the left) and a friend just finished having dinner and they are now off to dance the night away.

Day 42: SpongeBob

2010-02-11T16:45:00.001-08:00

Day 42: SpongeBob
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Our family loves SpongeBob. We watch the cartoon, we have a SpongeBob beach towel, we've seen the movies, we have the doll as you can see, but there is rarely a weekend that goes by where we don't sing his silly songs. Who would have thought that such a silly cartoon would elicit so many smiles and laughs.

Don't believe me, listen to the F.U.N. Song @ www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.29036165 . You get to listen to 25 free songs on Rhapsody so why not give it a whirl and let him bring a smile to your face.

Day 41: In Need of Color

2010-02-10T18:31:00.001-08:00

Day 41: In Need of Color
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

After 4 snowstorms in 2 months, I found myself in need of some color. As I was shopping for supplies, I found it so interesting that we can have fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter. It's hardly a revelation or an epiphany but when the temperature drops and there's lots of snow, ice, and wind a little color is great way to cheer things up.

Day 40: Lite Bright

2010-02-09T18:01:00.001-08:00

Day 40: Lite Bright
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

When I came home from work today, there was evidence that a certain 3 year old was quite busy today. There were dolls strewn about, a tent was created between a chair and sofa with a sheet, but what caught my eye was the Lite Bright. When I asked the wee one what she had created, she said "It's a snail daddy". My bride always apologizes for the messiness but play is messy. Play time is where we learn, explore, and take risks-hopefully in a safe place.

I say we should break out the Lincoln logs too.

Day 39: Icicles

2010-02-08T14:26:00.001-08:00

Day 39: Icicles
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

The big thaw started today. It was 37 degrees this afternoon and it felt like spring because we started the day in the teens. As a result, there were icicles hanging off many of our buildings. Some seemed to exceed 3 feet in length and I couldn't help but consider them to be icy fingers.

Day 38: A Morning of Contrasts

2010-02-07T12:56:00.001-08:00

Day 38: A Morning of Contrasts
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I'm a morning person and this morning was no different. As I sat at my desk, the sun was peering through a frost covered window but it managed to mask the cold temperature one would experience if one were outside. The light on the other hand produced an interesting setting. The halogen desk lamp provides ample light but today, the sunlight entering the room made it appear dark.

Bright,dark, warm, and cold...any other day they probably would have canceled each other out. This morning however, it was a cozy place to catch up on some reading while drinking my morning java.

Day 37: Storytime over Skype

2010-02-06T16:03:00.001-08:00

Day 37: Storytime over Skype
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Cabin fever is starting to set in at our home but we were able to break up the monotony with a special guest. Grandma Suka from Florida, set a time to read a few stories to our 3 year old over Skype. It was a fabulous experience for all especially since Suka doesn't get to see her grandchildren often.

Now the question I have to ask myself is why haven't we done this more often?

Day 36: Paw prints in the snow

2010-02-05T19:11:00.001-08:00

Day 36: Paw prints in the snow
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was a snowy day but fortunately we were spared the bulk of the frozen precipitation. That said, while on a walk with Gaston, our family dog, I couldn't help but notice how close together his paw prints were in the snow. He loves the snow and I enjoyed watching him romp around in it.

Day 35: Granny Smith Apples

2010-02-04T18:03:00.001-08:00

Day 35: Granny Smith Apples
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Sometimes the mundane produces a fantastic opportunity and such was the case today. As we were dealing with the crowds at the grocery store, because of a pending snow/sleet event, my children asked if they could get smoothies. Fortunately, the long wait for the smoothies allowed me to take this photo of granny smith apples aka nature's sweet tart. Now all I have to do is wait for my bride to make her wonderful apple cobbler with these apples. Mmmm Mmmm Good!

Day 34: Working Together @edSocialMedia Bootcamp

2010-02-03T18:15:00.001-08:00

Day 34: Working Together @edSocialMedia Bootcamp
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It was a fantastic day today at the edSocialMedia bootcamp. The most most impressive aspect of the workshop was the degree of collaboration that occurred among the participants. The vast quantities of content that was collected, created, and synthesized was impressive. The energy in the room was infectious and I really believe that all of our participants left with at least 1 idea that could be used on their respective campuses. A special thanks to @traviswarren, @ernestkoe, and @steveritchie for the guidance and wisdom.

Day 33: Pre edSocialMedia

2010-02-02T14:47:00.001-08:00

Day 33: Pre edSocialMedia
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was a busy day. We had a delayed opening because of icy conditions and I had to prepare our workspace for the edSocialMedia Bootcamp.

Also, at the development office's staff meeting, there was a great deal of excitement about the possibilities socialmedia can provide our school.

To Ernest, Steve, and Travis, welcome to Richmond and St. Christopher's School. We are looking forward to learning lots.

Day 32: Frozen Water Garden

2010-02-01T18:34:00.001-08:00

Day 32: Frozen Water Garden
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

In an attempt to avoid cabin fever, our family headed over to the Short Pump Mall for some lunch, sunshine, and a little silliness. There were so few people at this outdoor mall that I couldn't help wondering aloud about when the zombies were going to come out. This of course had my 2 older children chuckling not so much about the zombies but at the bizarre statement their father had just made.

So as we wandered around, we came upon the water garden which is typically teeming with foliage and fish but as one can see, winter has this garden in its grip. It's not quite the same but it certainly possesses its own unique beauty.

Day 31: Snow Removal Tools

2010-01-31T19:06:00.001-08:00

Day 31: Snow Removal Tools
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today I spent a few hours shoveling the previous day's snowfall. Fortunately the sun was on my side because the snow that remained on our cars and driveway melted away. My truck however is still surrounded by a barrier of snow but the rest of the driveway is clean.

In this photo are the tools I used to help me through this task. A standard snow shovel, a flat shovel, and my dad's New York Fire Department boots-my dad was a New York City Fireman for 21 years. These are by far the best winter boots I have ever worn.

Day 30: A Foot of Snow

2010-01-31T02:46:00.001-08:00

Day 30: A Foot of Snow
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

It snowed all day today and at some points it was snowing almost 2 inches per hour. The result, just about a foot of snow. I spent some time shoveling today but my efforts were for naught. Even if I get my driveway clear, our cul-de-sac probably will not see a plow for 2 more days. I'm anticipating a day off on Monday but I hope we can get our van out by Tuesday. As for my truck, looks like it will remain in this spot for quite some time because I have no snow tires or chains and of course it is rear wheel drive.

I guess we'll have to go out and play in the snow! :)

Day 29: Leisure Reading

2010-01-30T06:22:00.001-08:00

Day 29: Leisure Reading
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

I'm a little late with "today's" photo but in keeping with this project, the photo was taken yesterday but I didn't have the time or energy to post it last night.
So here I am Saturday morning posting and writing about Nicholas Sparks' book The Last Song.

After a very long evening at a track meet, I was prepared to drive home when my daughter asked if we could stop at Barnes and Noble so she could pick up a book. So off we went to BN and we came out with her choice of leisure reading for the weekend. I originally wanted to take her picture holding the book but this was the closest I could.

If she hasn't finished it already, she will certainly have it read before lunch today.

Day 28: Go Tribe

2010-01-28T19:07:00.001-08:00

Day 28: Go Tribe
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

This is one of my favorite coffee mugs because the WM emblem still has its feathers-class of 1989. The NCAA thought this symbol was insulting to Native Americans despite the fact that the College of William and Mary had an Indian School. Unfortunately, the mug has been relegated to sitting on my desk because it developed a crack after being placed in the microwave without any liquid.

Day 27: Wrecked Cars

2010-01-27T19:42:00.001-08:00

Day 27: Wrecked Cars
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars are loads of fun but there is no good way to keep them organized. So after the daily ritual of putting the cars away in a large plastic bin. The result, a pile of "wrecked cars".

Day 26: Preparing for Virtual Immersion

2010-01-26T18:14:00.001-08:00

Day 26: Preparing for Virtual Immersion
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today I helped Spanish classes connect with classmates on the other side of campus using Skype in preparation for the first day of the Virtual Immersion Program with a class in Colombia. How far we have come! First it was penpals, then epals, then Group based Skype sessions, and starting tomorrow, we will have 12 webcams connected to 12 students. Tomorrow we will join the Human Network-thank you Cisco for that tag line.

To read more about this program, go to http://ow.ly/10NBr .

Day 25: DC or Marvel ?

2010-01-25T17:34:00.001-08:00

Day 25: DC or Marvel
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today was activities day at school and we were fortunate enough to have Dave from Dave's Comics come by to speak to our students about comics, storyboards, storylines, and superheroes. As an avid superhero fan, it was a real treat to have Dave discuss the nuances of the industry. Unfortunately, I think we may have disappointed him when we started to develop our digital comic strips using Pixton because as he put it, "he loves the smell and feel of the paper."

Day 24: Looking into the past

2010-01-24T16:51:00.001-08:00

Looking into the past
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Richmond, Virginia, Maymount is a wonderful refuge from the daily grind. The Maymount website actually lists it as 100 acres of history, habitats, and horticulture but one really has to visit this urban oasis to fully appreciate all it has to offer.

So after a few hours in the Nature Center, the wee one and I headed out to the grounds. It was a cloudy day but we were content to be outdoors frolicking up and down hills, sitting beneath trees, and exploring the many creeks that run through this property. As we made our way to one of the creeks, we had to cross over a stone bridge. I took several shots of the bridge from different angles but opted for this one.

This stone bridge has openings which allowed me peer through creating a portal effect that was irresistible.

Day 23: Saturdays in January

2010-01-23T21:00:00.001-08:00

Day 23: Saturdays in January
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Saturdays in January are often spent at our school's indoor track facility. It is a wonderful place for runners from all over the state to compete especially since it is considered to be one of the fastest tracks in the state.

My role during these track meets is not as a coach but as a USTFA official. I'm the starter for all of our home meets but I also serve as a clerk, umpire, and rules interpreter if there is a grievance.

Today's photo has some of the items I use during the course of the meet.

.22 caliber starter's pistol, ear protection, a box of shells, discarded shells, a whistle, and my official's badge. I placed the relay baton in the photo to add a little flair.

Day 22: A Lonely Campus

2010-01-22T17:55:00.001-08:00

A Lonely Campus
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

St.Christopher's School is often buzzing with activity but Friday evenings are often quite peaceful. As I was leaving for home this evening I gazed across the grounds and could not help but wonder if the campus felt lonely. It wasn't an eerie feeling but I sensed that the campus felt as if it had been abandoned for the evening. Sepia tone was used to give it an aged appearance.

Day 21: Courting Candle

2010-01-21T19:05:00.001-08:00

Day 21: Courting Candle
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

The courting candle was used to limit the amount of time a potential suitor could spend with a father's daughter. If the father was dissatisfied with the potential suitor, the wooden peg was lowered to reduce the amount of time that could be spend with his daughter.(When the flame reached the iron candle holder, time was up.) This candle was given to us after we were married and I guess I am fortunate that my bride replaces the candle regularly so I can keep hanging around. ;)

Maybe I'll use it when my daughters start dating.

Day 20: St. Chris Robot

2010-01-20T19:41:00.001-08:00

Day 20: St. Chris Robot
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today, our robotics team aka team Snufaluffagus, showed our Board of Governor's their latest creation. After seeing this robot in action, I found myself longing for the science classroom. Maybe I'll return to the science classroom as I get closer to retirement.

Retirement? Who am I kidding I'll be working as long as I can because I love working in an environment where I am always learning.

Day 19: The Pink Night Light

2010-01-19T18:38:00.001-08:00

Day 19: The Pink Night Light
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Our 3 year old loves the color pink. She has a pink room, pink pajamas, pink slippers, a pink chair, and now she has a pink night light. It's actually much larger than a standard night light but because of its size, it casts a rose colored hue on her pink walls which seems to sooth her. I wonder if I would sleep as soundly if I had a pink night light? Hmmm.

Day 18: That's One Big Mouse

2010-01-18T19:21:00.001-08:00

Day 18: That's One Big Mouse
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

This afternoon, I had the distinct pleasure of having my 3 year old design a series of interesting and imaginative scenarios for us to play. We buzzed around the circular driveway on her tricycle, we put out fires with her firetruck, and played with Barbies on the back porch. It wasn't until I got to the back porch that I saw my shadow and realized that the wee one had placed Minnie Mouse ears on me.

Day 17: Lost Socks

2010-01-17T07:51:00.001-08:00

Day 17: Lost Socks
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

We've all experienced it, but I do believe as a family we have reached an all time high for unpaired socks. Most of the socks seem to be from our children but their are a few rogue socks from mom and dad too. I don't quite understand where they go but somewhere in this house there are orphans that need to find their way home. If you see them, tell them we are looking for them.

Day 16: Mr. Mom

2010-01-16T12:25:00.001-08:00

Day 16: Mr. Mom
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

Today is the 1st day of 3 that I'll be playing Mr. Mom. So far, everyone is fed and clean but let's just say the kitchen needs a little work. Hope my bride has fun with her sisters. It's Nana's birthday so it's bound to be a good time.

Day 15: Winter offers some color

2010-01-15T13:55:00.001-08:00

Day 15: Winter offers some color
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

As far as winters go, this one has been one of the coldest and dampest ones I can remember. Today it was warm, sunny, clear, and quite mild for January in Virginia. The sunshine was a welcome respite from the bleak days of winter and as the sun cast its rays upon the campus, I was struck by how red these leaves were. These shrubs are not new to the campus but then again maybe Old Man Winter released his grip just long enough to see a hint of color.

Day 14: Webcam Mania

2010-01-14T12:36:00.001-08:00

Day 14: Webcam Mania
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

We just received 12 new Logitech 9000 webcams for our Virtual Immersion program for our 8th grade Spanish class. Let's just say our Spanish teacher is very excited about the potential. To read more about it please visit my blog post at here.

Day 13: Gumby

2010-01-13T11:10:00.001-08:00

Day 13: I'm Gumby
Originally uploaded by hcuevas_98

This past Christmas, my mother-in-law, aka Nana, gave me Gumby for Christmas. I have fond memories of the Gumby cartoons as a child but the memory that always makes me chuckle is when Eddie Murphy appeared as Gumby on SNL.

So why did I did I pick Gumby for today's photo? Let's just say it's been a long day and I needed something to perk me up. So as I was looking at the pile of work on my desk, I saw that doll sitting in my office and he made me smile. From that point on, we were on a mission to find a good place for Gumby to say hi and make everyone else smile.

Day 12: Under the Weather

2010-01-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Last night was certainly a prelude to how our 3 year old is feeling today. The poor thing woke up several times last night and she was able to hang on albeit in an erratic fashion but by about 1:00 she was out of gas. I hope she has a great nap because there is nothing better when one is under the weather.

Day 11: Fire Phasers

2010-01-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

This summer I received this Star Trek PEZ Collector's Edition for my birthday. Now as my Day 5 post indicated, I love candy and it's taken lots of will power not to dive right into this box of PEZ. So now you know. Not only am I a candy fiend but I am also a huge Star Trek fan.

Day 10: What do you call pancakes?

2010-01-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

On most weekends, I make the family pancakes or waffles. There's no secret recipe but I do use Bisquik which seems to be our family's favorite pancake mix. This weekend was no different and as one can see, pancakes were the carb of choice.

One small request. If your geographic area has a name other than pancakes, would you please include it in the comment section and tell us where you are from.

Thanks, and can someone pass the syrup?!

Day 9: Counting Laps

2010-01-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

I've been involved in track and field and cross country since high school but my latest stint is as a certified USATF official. As the starter for all of our home meets, I often find myself acting as the clerk, umpire, or lap counter. Today however, my son spent most of the day at the meet moving hurdles, getting starting blocks, and counting laps. Now counting laps on the surface appears to be quite easy and it is until runners start getting lapped. Well my son seems to have a knack for this job but I think he enjoys ringing the bell on the final lap best. As one can see, there are 4 laps to go.

Day 8: It's all a matter of perspective

2010-01-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

We had a light dusting of snow today and everywhere I looked there were lots of options for today's photo. As I was going through my day I was struck by how the individual blades of grass perforated the thin blanket of snow. Taking a photo from above or at an angle did not provide the desired outcome but I was determined to photograph this scene. I thought about laying on the ground but I was already too cold to lay down on a concrete walkway. On a whim, I held my Blackberry Curve upside down and as close to ground level so I could get the trees in the background. A quick 180 degree rotation and here is the result.