This week end concluded with one last hockey game for TJ. The rink has a bar that overlooks the ice. Once again Jody is happy......

It is Sunday night. We are all tired yet pleased with an eventful week end. We conducted a short interview program on the way home from the rink across town. We shot the program in 8 segments.

Enjoy our new show: "The Ride Home"

This morning TJ took a 4 hour placement test for the Cobb County High School Magnet Program. This test took its toll on TJ since he had to skip a High School hockey practice and a Rec Team league hockey game. We are very proud of him for his efforts and sacrifice. His team won without him. Ryland's team did not do so well.

Jody, Ryland, and I went to pick him up from the test site. Sam stayed home to recover from a sleep over party he attended last night.

I recommended that we go out for lunch after we recovered TJ.

This made Jody very happy.

We decided to go to a new restaurant that just opened a local airport. We were not sure where the restaurant was. We know we had to be close.

We found it! Jody again was happy.

I had the privilege to sit next to one of Cobb County's smartest. Apparently, the thrill was not reciprocal. I think that TJ is only pretending that he does not dig getting a snap with this old man.

Ryland was thrilled that he got the window seat and saw some planes take off and land. He also saw few helicopters flying about as well...

TJ is reviewing his experience at his test this morning. He we pretty confident that he did well. We will see. He is usually a good judge of his own performance on tests. He is the man of the day to me this fine day.....

No stock picks for me after yesterday market finish.. Holding onto the cash for now...

We had another snowy day in Hotlanta. The kids got more opportunity to enjoy this one than Wednesday night's. Sam and Ryland rolled up a snow man. Then...


they took the dogs for a walk.

Nice view from the deck. Being such a nice day, we decided to...

BBQ some ribs.

It is never a bad day for BBQ. After I finished my beer, I needed another. So....

Ryland had to take over for a spell.

We have a a great dinner of ribs, corn and mashed potatoes. We are finishing out the evening watching "Mr. Bean's Holiday".

Hotlanta has a white touch tonight. It is not often that we get snow in Atlanta and even less often that it sticks. Ryland was diggin' it right away. Jody get a few shots of him out on the deck playing while the snow was still falling.


Aspen thought the white stuff was interesting too.


Later when the snow stopped falling a slow drizzling rain continued. I tried to get some shots of the snow covered deck. Our neighbor across the pond still has his Christmas lights strung up on his fence. This is the same deck that I was sunning myself in the posting last Sunday.

The BBQ grill hasn't been covered all winter. This one cought us by surprise.

TJ and Zach rolled up some snow in the front yard and put up a snowman. This is the last picture it shot. I was freezing my toes off.
Hopefully the temperature doesn't drop too low tonight or the streets will be iced over in the morning and that will make a tough commute. Not street clearing equipment here in Hotlanta.

Favorite Stock Today: Still Cash. This is a tough time to make money. I am holding cash ready to get some good positions when the time is right. Lot of losers out there this week.

Today - Sunday - was a rough morning for me. TJ had a High School hockey practice at 5:45am. He then had a game across town at at 12:00 noon. By the time the game was over and the long drive home, I wanted to catch a little nap.

Upon returning home I achieved my goal a stole a few winks out on the deck in the afternoon sun. I requested a wake up call at 4pm so I could watch some football and have a beer or two.



Ryland was prompt with the wakeup call. Right on time and effective.


All is well - another job well donw by Ryland.

TJ and took a hike today with TJ's friend Zach. We went to Kennesaw Mountain Battle Field National Park. Today was one of the rare occasions that downtown Atlanta was clear from the top of hill.

Kennesaw Mountain is an historic Civil War battle site. The mountain overlooks the rail lines into Atlanta. This site was the defense line to protect Atlanta. Unfortunately, for the Atlanta defenders and Atalanta, Sherman took his army off the railroad north of Kennesaw and moved around Kennesaw on wagons unopposed and sacked Atlanta.



This is a nice flat piece of the trail. It winds through some woods for about 2 miles. It took about 3 miles of narrow up and down grades to get this point. This was our turn around point. We headed back after this. Moderate effort...

TJ snapped one of me at the top of the mountain. This is about one mile of uphill climb at the beginning of the hike. Downtown Atlanta is at my back.

TJ and Zach after the first mile. We went a total of about 6 miles out and back. Fun workout.



Favorite Stock Today: Cash. I did pick up some DSX last week near its 52 week low. I speculaed the botom for this one. Outlook is very good for this dry bulk shipper. At 24.50 per share and a $0.58 quarterly dividend - that is a 9.5 yield without growth. Lots of bad news about the economy last week. Cash is a good position unless you think you have spotted the bottom of the market.

We had two hockey games today. TJ's was first - victory 6 to 3. No pictures from TJ's game. I coach his team. Not time for pictures. We remain in first place in the league.

Ryland played next on his All-Star team. It was a good game. Unfortunately, they come up short 3 to 2. Ryland played a great game and I managed to get a few shots during the game.

Ryland's line getting set for their next shift on the ice...

Ryland picking off a puck and breaking away from the bad guys.

Carrying one into the zone...

Turnin' and burnin'

Photographer groupie makin' eyes at the shooter...

Ryland and I went to a Gwinett Gladiators minor league hockey game tonight with some of Ryalnd's teammates and their families. It was a nice evening. We got there a little early and had to wait for the coach with the tickets. So we walked around the arena and got some fresh air..

Ryland patiently waiting for coach...

Here is the whole group of grinders and their entourage..

Nice arena and ice. The game was pretty boring.. Not sure why - not a lot of energy from either team.. The kids still loved it though..

Here is a shot of the group enjoying the game.

A crazed fan obsessed with the mascot.

The crazed fan settled for the coach..

Friday night turned out to be Guitar Hero night at the rockin' Hotlanta Wales living room.

TJ led the way with an outstanding expert level performance - setting a blistering pace for the rest of us to follow.


Next was Rockin' Pajama Daddy with some Aerosmith. Rockin' daddy in Guiness Pajamas is a real hit with the groupies.
After Rockin' Daddy finished, he turned his attention to his groupie -who was surfing the internet looking up the latest the paparazzi has to offer on Rockin' Pajama Daddy.

Sammy took center stage next with some Pete Townshend.
He took it all the way with full theatrics..


Then came Ryland with his best rockin' Sponge Bob stage show...

Upon complete his show, Ryland proceded to strangle the dog and.....
jam his thumb in Sam's eye.
Not at all happy with this, Sam proceded to toss Ryalnd across the room..

Just another relaxing family night in Hotlanta....

Favorite Stock Today: Solarfun Power Holdings (SOLF) This not only held in today's panic selloff - it closed up from yesterday. My best performer this week. New CEO and new big contracts produced some gains this week.