I am CuTRis

My wife and I are enjoying our new present!

My wife and I welcomed our new son into the world yesterday!

And so the fire raged on as no one could find the "FIRE HOSE ."

The data comes in and it is usually dirty. It requires cleaning before it is accepted into the data warehouse. All day long people send this data. They typically think it is just pushed into the warehouse and put on its appropriate shelf. Little do they know how much work goes into it! The warehouse is virtual, yet it is also real. The work is virtual--yet the data is real. Out of all the many jobs I've ever had, this is definitely one of them.

Cutris gave it a lot of thought. Then the thought floated away on a thought bubble. "Where did the thought go?" Cutris thought. But the thought was fleeting...

Actor Harry Morgan best known for his role as Sherman T. Potter on M*A*S*H , died yesterday at age 96.

Much brain power required.

Herman Cain Continuing Controversy UnAssociated Press December 5, 2011 Even though Herman Cain has suspended his presidential campaign, he remains the subject of controversy. Today it was reported that two more women, a chicken and a sunflower have accused him of sexual harassment.

Cutris shows the outside of a huge beaver lodge. As impressive as the outside is, it is nothing compared to the interior. Here is a photograph that Cutris has supplied which shows the inside of the beaver lodge. Amazing!

My wife is on bed rest as we wait for our son's coming birth. As a result, we did not venture out to the two Thanksgiving invites that we had. We still had a good meal, as I made this duck for us.

I went hiking (the Mazomani Trail) at Louisville Swamp in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge today. It was 37 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudy. The snow was melting, but there was just enough to brighten up the scenery. I saw one juvenile Bald Eagle , a lot of animal tracks and a Yellow Perch trying to fight its way upstream through a tangle of branches in a culvert. Aside from the usual assortment of woodpeckers and a lot of trees cut by beavers, I didn't see too much wildlife--but the scenery there is fantastic! Here are some photos I took... Jab's Farm Ruins Tracks! One of the Rock Ledges The Swamp The Giant Rock

I am literally "between jobs." I gave my notice (i.e. told my boss I was leaving), worked two weeks and haven't started my new job yet.

I managed to find a few hours to go hiking today! I went into the (west end of the) Wilkie Unit in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge . The temperature was in the lower thirties (Fahrenheit) but I was plenty warm if I kept moving. Along the way I found a deer skull, a Cooper's Hawk , a Belted Kingfisher and viewed the nests of the heron colony. Here are a few photos I took. Blue Lake Deer Skull Heron Nests Leaf Carpet Beaver Dam Bald-Faced Hornet Nest Great Horned Owl

For your enjoyment, and in case you missed them, Cutris (in a dual role) will now reenact all of the Lethal Weapon movies in eight seconds. The scene is punctuated by the crazy rantings and reckless behavior of Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Also important is the shouting of Rigg's name by Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). Now sit back and enjoy the show!

Today is, 11-11-11

This disaster training video is kind of cool. I know the guys who did the recording of it. The credits for the creation can be found HERE .

How would I describe Dick? He's not big or small; he's an average size Dick. Dick is smart. He knows about different parts like bolts; and nuts. Dick's nuts are galvanized. It seems that someone is always looking for Dick! Guys are always calling, looking for Dick. Women like Dick too. I work with Dick every day, but soon I will be working somewhere else—so I won’t see as much of Dick. Maybe you work with a Dick too! Do you have a friend who is a Dick? Here is a picture of my friend Dick. Photo of Dick measuring his wood DISCLAIMER: No Dicks's were harmed in the creation of this post. Proper authorization was obtained prior to posting this post. A sense of humor may be required to fully appreciate this posting.

TOL - "Yes Cutris , what is it now?" Cutris - "I have another question. During my life as a Mongol, did I have any computer aptitude?" TOL - "That is a ridiculous question. Computers hadn't been invented yet!" Cutris - "I know that, but was the aptitude there anyway?" TOL - "Yes, I must admit that it was." Cutris - "Cool... that's what I thought..."