vastateofmind

Where we're at right now, I guess. I lived near Dupont Circle for years when I was single, did a brief stint in Bethesda area, then hopscotched around Arlington/Alexandria with roommates before getting married, then settled into current location in far SE corner of FfxCo in early 2000s. But truth be told...tired of the pace of the DMV. And I want to be warmer year-round. So we're working that decision right now.

Learned a LOT about shine during a stopover in Gatlinburg on way to Nashville last summer...and also discovered some damn good shine out there.

They are. And they ALL think that about our legs when we work on deck during summer swim. Little bastards.

I know he's usually an easy target, especially in this sub. But dear GOD, that map and its "legend" makes my f*cking hair hurt.

I never see your profile name/avatar now and NOT instantly think CICADA....

Key statement here, and a decade or more ago, I used to get SO pissed at all of the wintertime whiffs AND hearing about all of the cashing-in up north or out west. But then it just hit me one season...it's my climo, baby. I just needed to accept it and move on, and so I did. We simply do NOT get the kind of storm threats in my part of VA (in terms of both strength or amount dropped) east/south of I-95 and the Capital Beltway that folks do up on the northern tier of MD, the Dulles corridor or out in the Shenandoah Valley. We have the occasional anomaly (e.g., Jan. 3, perhaps this coming weekend), but at this stage of life, if it's white, frozen and accumulating, regardless of amount...I'm good. P.S. -- I always love seeing the big snow photos from your N/W folks, and I've really enjoyed the winter pic thread this season for that reason.

Thx for reminding us about the Mt. Holly discussions...I bookmarked them last year upon one of your references. I've learned a lot about "possibilities" from reading their disco, very informative (and typically, measured). Preach. After Jan. 3, which was impressive for our corner of the world, I won't whine about another snow whiff this year. Wow...congrats, @diatae & @CAPE. OMG...this makes such a huge difference, especially in mood. I despise the few weeks after the holidays, when all the lights come down. But now we're able to engage in post-work 4-mile dog walks WITHOUT having to rely on the flashlight to finish up!

At least it didn't get Short Pump-ed...or did it?

Yeah...but your meme-ing has been pretty epic lately.

DFH camp-out....

I've eyed up some of those way expensive lenses as well since we finished up paying college tuition a couple years ago -- -- but I haven't bit the bullet yet. Plus, I'm getting lazier about pulling out the Nikon to get the better/best results and have been relying on my mobile phone cam to capture life's little moments. Been snagging some good results, too, after upgrading to Pixel 6 Pro in October. If I happen to have my tripod and phone clamp with me, in fact, sometimes I can get heron-on-the-rooftop levels of zoom with the P6P such as you've shared here.

GREAT pics, and I love the snowy owl! He's totally, "Dude....I'm not showing any more than this."

Okay, good meme, and TJ is one of my favorite...and arguably so underrated...actors ever. I really need to get back to finishing the later seasons of The Expanse. Great show. Unrelated note -- I just noticed that it's STILL dusk, a semi-pretty though cloudy-ish sunset, and STILL MOSTLY LIGHT. Dear God, I might yet get past this seasonal affective disorder....

"I will not look at my TSP balance, I will not look at my TSP balance, I will not look at my TSP balance, I will not look at my TSP balance....."

We are at same point as y'all. And balancing the Ozark S4 viewing with the Lost In Space S3 viewing.

Oh, MANNNNN. You can never go wrong with DFH 120.

Literally, same conditions here. Now, to potentially prime you for a banter-based convo....what's on the bottle/can/draft menu for this afternoon??

Serious question -- anybody seen Bird Box, the movie? I bought the book upon which the movie is based a few months ago (based on several recommendations) but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I was curious to know if the movie adaptation was any good. Another sidebar -- currently reading The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, the basis of the hit show on FX from the mid 2010s. Anyway, the book is good, been a real page-turner. I saw only one episode of the TV adaptation while flipping channels several years ago and it was....unsettling, to say the least. Del Toro is one of my favorite film directors, though his project choices are definitely unorthodox.

First, the SS....now this.

LOL. Nevada is part of the "west coast?" CT, OK and St. Louis are off on their own? TX and LA are lumped under the former? WTF even IS this hot garbage used for??

Was 21 when I rolled out of bed about 1.5 hours ago, see that it's DROPPED to 19 when I just went to refresh my coffee. Interesting.

LOL. Well, @nj2va, ask and you shall receive -- here's sunset two days after our Jan. 3 snowfall of nearly a foot.

Well, today's "snow" forecast was a total bust in these parts, but the clouds were trying to break enough to give us a somewhat decent sunset at end of day.

Dear God, I love this movie. And now you've got me hankering for Young Frankenstein. And Blazing Saddles. And even Spaceballs.