Now, I'm a believer...

You may be wondering where I've been since it snowed. Or you may not. Most likely not.

I turned into a sheep.

I was induced by my work though. Honestly. I tried not to conform. I tried not to buckle under the pressure. But in the end, the dark side was just too powerful.

I bought an iPod.

You see, it's not my fault entirely. I won this award at work, which presented me with a $100 gift certificate to Circuit City. Then, on a recent trip, I sat next to a guy on a plane that was watching shows that he had TiVo-ed on his iPod. So I began to weigh my options. And being the music and movie lover that I am, I caved. But it didn't stop there.

Shortly after buying an iPod you are presented with a number of little "surprises". The first, which I got a tremendous kick out of, was the big PSA plastered across the plastic wrap on the iPod itself that boldly tells the user "DON'T STEAL MUSIC".

Oh, ok, Mr. Jobs, I'll keep that in mind as I'm loading songs from my XXXGB (yes, that's GB, and yes, that's triple digits) repository. (And as far as any law enforcement agency is concerned that figure is 000GB, all of which was bought and paid for ;P)

The next little surprise is the fact that this beautifully crafted piece of technology would be found in any CSI's kit due to the fact that no matter what you touch on it, you're leaving a big fat smudge mark. I don't care how clean your hands are. And don't even get me started on the chrome back. Take a picture when you first open it, because it will never look that good again.

This is why everyone and their brother makes skins for it. So I began to research skins (or iSkins), and I found that evidently it wasn't enough that I paid $300 for the pod, I would have to pay another 10-40 for a damn skin to protect it. Of all the reviews, I came to the conclusion that the evo3 from iSkins was about the best as far as protection, looks, and usability go. It arrived and I'm VERY happy with it. I think I could take this thing scuba diving now.

So I loaded some songs and movies and audiobooks in preparation for my next flight and I could not be happier. The video quality should win Apple an award for innovation. Even more impressive is the fact that on a 30GB iPod, I have 4 full DVDs, 2 seasons of TV shows, over 2,000 songs, a few audio books, and some pictures and I've only reached just over 15GB. Compile all of that with the fact that it synchronizes with my Outlook calendar and contacts and I was thoroughly impressed.

I used to rip Apple and iPod users for being trendy. For trying to just look cool. But no more. My XM Radio, that I bought just last May, will now be deactivated and possibly be put on eBay. I haven't used it since. It is the red-headed step-child of the iPod.

And much like my American Express card, I don't leave home without it.

PS- Next flight: 6:30 am out of BWI to Jackson. My alarm clock is set for 2:30am.

Well, write my name in the snow and call me Del.

See what happens when you bitch long enough? It snowed. And a decent amount I might add. I'm guessing 6 inches here in Dover, give or take. But it was enough to get me fired up and moving early this morning.

I was going to go downtown and take some winter photos of Legislative Hall and the other historic spots but at the last minute, I thought, no. I'm going to stay out of the way of DelDOT's road crews. Instead, I'm going back to one of my favorite nature spots: Mud Mill Pond. Besides, I need to see exactly what this Jeep will do.

On my way out there, I came across a stranded motorist on Rt. 8 who had managed to put his 2WD pickup in a ditch, so I stopped and offered to help. He was a younger guy and he told me that he had to take his mother to Kent General Hospital early this morning in the storm. So I unpacked the mighty tow strap and hitched her up. I wasn't sure how my little Jeep would fare on the ice with a decent sized pickup in tow. So I dropped her down in 4-Lo and she did the rest. Without even the slightest hint of hesitation or spin, I walked that pickup right out of the ditch. I was a little surprised (and impressed) at how easy it was so I jumped out of the Jeep to unhook and fell flat on my ass. The guy thanked me graciously and on my way I went. Good deed done for today.

So I stuck to the back roads where no on has dared to go yet and had a little safe fun along the way, plowing through snow and testing out that "Trail Rated" badge on the side of my Jeep. I came across many downed trees, and a few like the ones on this road pictured below that laid completely across. (In case you can't see it, there's one just to the left and further up on the right, there's one blocking the whole road.)

That was my dilemma. Tree and snow and ditch (on both sides) vs. me. So what did I do? I'm in a Jeep! I drove over the damn things! Talk about fun! It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.

So I made it to the pond and to put it simply, it was beautiful. Undisturbed and peaceful. I pulled of to the side and snapped a few photos.

Ah. What a perfect morning. You see, it's the little things like this that make life great. I mean, seriously, lean closer and smell the above picture. It smells like clean, fresh air.

By the time I had finished snapping photos and headed back toward civilization, most of the roads were clear and I was content.

Mission accomplished.

I can't get s'now... sa-tis-fac-tion (hey, hey, hey)

Most people hate snow. I love it.

It's supposed to snow for the first time this winter today and tomorrow. I don't believe it.

Oh, it may snow. But it will be gone by morning. Why? Because that is the way my world works. Unless I was in an airport trying desperately to get home, snow seems to avoid me like the plague.

I'd really like to get some winter photos from around Delaware. I usually get to take at least one set per winter. But this year, I'm afraid I might just get blanked.

Come on snow! Come on snow! The Jeep wants to play!

Reach out and map someone...

Look! I added blog map! (over there ---->) Be sure to use your mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

It's what I do for a living anyway, so why not making stalking me just a tiny bit easier. Please do the local GIS world a favor and map your blog too. Go here and put yourself on the map!

All your friends are doing it...