Bunny!, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

I was taking some pictures of the fog this morning and spotted some movement on the path. This bunny just sat there for a couple of seconds, long enough to get this shot, then hopped into the brush on the other side of the fence.

DSC_0202.JPG, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

I took this when playing with the macro mode of our new camera. I really like the D60 more every time I use it.

Pittsburgh downtown panorama 2, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

I'm going to try and redo this and get the exposures more even, but this was a quick merge in Photoshop. On the whole, I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

Someone cut a hole in our ceiling., originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

Our sprinkler started leaking some time this morning, and had to have the head replaced. They're supposed to fill in the hole next week some time.

The waiting game., originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

Most of my work day Friday was spent watching screens like these. Both computers are running ImageX to create images of the hard drives. I then re-applied the images, found something I missed, then repeated the process.

Ducks, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

The duck on the bottom was quacking at a constant rate and we decided he was saying "stroke! stroke!" to the other duck.

Moon, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

I tried taking some shots of the moon, and obviously I still need work. I think this cropped shot worked out pretty good though.

puck mouse, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

We were cleaning the server room at work and this was going to be thrown out. It's a horrible mouse shape, but I had to have it for some reason.

DSC_0080.JPG, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

The sunset does really awesome to clouds. I wish I had my camera earlier, the sky looked great today.

DSC_0069.JPG, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

We've been told since we moved to Pittsburgh to try Primanti Bros. They put fries and everything on the sandwiches, but I wasn't impressed. My sandwich was too spicy and the slaw was horrible.

Old steps down to the Monongahela River, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

Old broken down steps on the banks of the Monongahela River.

Tiger, originally uploaded by yakk0dotorg.

Taken at the Pittsburgh Zoo. The rest of the (unedited) pictures from the trip are here

University of Memphis Mascot, TOM II, Passes Away Wednesday

Oct. 15, 2008

Memphis, Tenn. - TOM II, the Bengal Tiger mascot of The University of Memphis, passed away this morning surrounded by those who loved him. He was 17 years old.

TOM, which stands for Tigers Of Memphis, was acquired as a kitten by Bobby Wharton and the late Ray Daniels of the Football booster group Highland Hundred in the fall of 1991 and was hand-raised by William P. "Nickie" Nixon at St. Nick's Farm. Wharton led the Tiger Guard, the Highland Hundred committee responsible for caring for TOM, for all 17 years of the Tiger's life.

"TOM was an important part of the University family for a long time, and we are devastated at his loss," Wharton said. "It was a privilege and a true labor of love to head this project. I will miss him dearly."

The Tiger Guard is solely responsible for funding the Tiger project; no University dollars were ever used in TOM's care and maintenance. He outlived all four of his siblings by a number of years, a testament to the level of care and love he received. He also far exceeded the life expectancy of a male tiger.

TOM II was recently diagnosed with cancer during an annual medical examination.

"We had a very close relationship with TOM," added Wharton. "Once it became evident that his quality of life would begin to suffer, and after consulting with our veterinary team, it became obvious that the right thing to do would be to allow him to pass on with dignity and without pain and suffering."

Wharton added that is was among the toughest decisions he has ever had to make. TOM II will be cremated, as was the original TOM in 1992.

The University of Memphis Athletic Department has already made arrangements for a permanent exhibit to honor all previous and future TOMs in the new Athletic Hall of Fame, which will begin construction this fall at the corner of Southern and Normal.

The Tiger Guard is already making arrangements to secure a new Tiger to serve as TOM III.

"The Tiger project is an important tradition and source of pride for The University of Memphis family dating back over 35 years, and we will honor the memory of TOM II by keeping the tradition alive," said Tiger Guard member Scott Forman, who will take over as the project chairman for TOM III. "It's part of what makes our University unique".

A memorial is planned for the Tigers' Homecoming game versus Southern Miss on October 25. The Tiger Guard asks that any memorials be sent to the Highland Hundred via the Tiger Football office at 136 Athletic Office Building, Memphis, TN 38152.