As it were...

Eyjafjallajökull is that volcano that erupted in Iceland last spring. For weeks afterwards I saw collection after collection of amazing pictures. I've been meaning to blog them all along, and now's the time.

These first three came from boston.com's The Big Picture. There are many more there, and much bigger than I have, so be sure to check them out.

This next one comes from The Telegraph in the UK. Those are the northern lights over the volcano. They have lots more on their site, and bigger too.

Lastly, my buddy Ked posted a video of time-lapse photography that's really amazing. The original is much bigger, you should watch that one.

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.

No, not me, didn't you read my previous post?

In the last several months I've noticed more and more people standing at the end of off-ramps of freeways here in town holding signs saying "Homeless and hungry". Seeing one made me sad. Two seemed odd. 8 seemed suspicious.

My wife has seen those folks being dropped off and picked up by a van, and I've seen them together in a group. It would seem that there's an organized pan handling gang in town. It bothers me most when I see them with little kids and puppies, sitting there for hours.

Anyone know more of the story?

It's been just over 2.5 months since I quit my job to go freelance. So far it's been breathtakingly wonderful. It's almost unsettling, I keep looking for that thing I've missed that will bring it all crashing down, but so far I haven't found it.

Work is steady, clients are paying on time, it's fun, and I'm getting the time I always wanted to do Other Things. Usually summer is my least favorite season, but this year Michigan has been nice, staying cool and wet, only adding to the enjoyment.

So yes, things are going well. :)

Just as I'm finishing cleaning the toilet my daughter comes in and says "Are you cleaning the toilet?"

"Yes I am" I reply.

"Why?" she asks.

"Because it was dirty" I reply again. "Are you cleaning the toilet?" I ask.

"No" she answers.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because it's clean!"

Duh.

Today my daughters were talking about a cake they saw on Cake Boss, and my wife said "Often weddings are more about the family, and less about the people actually getting married".

My youngest then said "Really? I thought they were all about the cake".

I find both perspectives interesting.

Well, it's been a month since I started my new career as a freelancer. Things are going well so far. I slacked a little the first couple weeks, my first real vacation in a lot of years. Work's been nice and steady.

The freedom's been wonderful. We've been to the zoo, the museum, the gardens, IKEA, and up north so far this month. And we just go whenever we feel like it.

I've spent some quality time grilling, playing baseball with my girls, building arrows for their toy bows, and playing video games with them.

And best of all, the work has been fun and interesting.