Thursday, December 25, 2008

Remembering old things

So, I was sitting around on this Christmas day reminiscing things of the past when I realized I have been a blogger in a previous life. If you care to read up on more of my adventures my old blog is http://sasquatch.travellerspoint.com/. It was my travels in New Zealand. I was as horrible then as I am now about the whole thing.


Any way, since I'm on here I'll wish every one a very Merry Christmas! I hope that the holidays were good to all and everyone got all the warmth and happiness they wanted this year. And, if you didn't here is a little something to help you smile and feel the Christmas spirit.... for what is better than an ugly Christmas sweater to celebrate with?

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Lol! L8r. ur, u2, rofol! OMG! bff, TTYL? WTF?



I'm about to rant about text language so if you are a user of any abbreviations you need to pay special attention to how dumb you sound. No, seriously though.... WTF is up with text lingo? Are you really that busy that you can't add a couple extra strokes to make actual words? LOLers are the biggest annoyances. Are you really laughing out loud? or is it more of a quiet giggle inside? Maybe QGI is more fitting than Lol. And, am I really that funny that I have you rollling on the floor laughing, or you are laughing out loud every single text that is sent? Or, are you just that uninventive to express your entertainment in the conversation that lol is the only thought you can muster? Oh, I just got it-I'm that funny that all you can think are those three letters. From now on I'll take it as a huge compliment instead of it being totally annoying that you can't answer a single text without LOL included. But, what is the excuse for all the others used? Has the fact that you have graduated from middle school and have learned how to spell and use your words escaped your mind? Do we need an English teacher to sit and critique every text you send? The whole reason of text is to communicate..... so, please, let's communicate. I don't want to have to read another language and have to translate it into English.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Tonight our love is celebrated

After putting a few topics into a hat and randomly pulling one out I have decided that old people sex is not the topic I want to touch on and I have decided that I would throw fate out the window and write about our Mexican, Jose.
Now that Jose is gone and out of our lives we all miss him a little more than we thought we would. Jose came to us in the autumn of our lives. I came home one day and our Mexican was living on our couch paying his dues by cleaning the living room, vacuuming the house, doing the dishes and occasionally raking the leaves. Jose sometimes ate us all out of house and food. Many days would be started off as I would get up in just enough time to have a quick bowl of cereal before I had to race out the house, only to find the empty packaging tucked nicely into the garbage compactor. Or going upstairs expecting to find the left over dinner from the restaurant the night before and finding nothing. And, the favorite was when the entire package of cookies was eaten by the time we got home from work that day. The other aggravation that Jose caused in our household was his undying love for techno and Shania Twain-playing at the same time from two different stereos. And occupying the computer and downloading so much Mexican Porn that the internet would not work (that last statement has no real bearing, just a hunch). In the end Jose got fired, his ticket bought back to whereever he came from and he has left us. But, regardless of all these follies in the working of our perfect little Jose infested paradise, we sincerelly miss our hombre. We miss watching Pirates 17 times in a month, or coming home and wondering if he had decided to cross back over the border because no one had seen or heard from him in hours and hours.
To celebrate our love for our dearly departed Jose we have decided to create a shrine, a homage of Jose in the living room next to the ancestors. Jose, Tonight, we celebrate our love for you.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

And the winner is....


The baked potato!!!
So while I had my weekend get away to Zion a few weeks ago I had the brilliant idea for my halloween costume.... I was packing up camp and Evelyn was making our lunches for the day (like the good wife she was to me that weekend). I looked over at her and she was trying to wrap the sandwiches up in some tin foil. Well, the roll dropped to the dirt and started to roll away, draping her torso in a layer of tin foil. I decided then that I wanted to be something involving foil for halloween. I thought for a total of like ten seconds when I came to the conclusion that a baked potato would be perfect!!! I spent the rest of the day figuring out how to best come to my optimal baked position.
Tin foil would be the look I was going for, but it would rip way too easily so I decided to go with the silver emergency blankets.... no rippage. and then batting for the potato part. It took only about an hour to get everything together, but I think it came together really nicely.
I went to my party and when I walked in everyone was a little confused at what just walked through the door, and then everytime- "are you a, a baked potato?" When it came around to the contest part I won the most creative hands down. The other categories were most seductive, and the most classic or something lame like that. So I chose to believe that I flat out won the best costume. Anyway, I just wanted to share a little in my brilliance. Happy belated Halloween!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The most splendid weekend that Utah can offer

So this weekend I had it. I reached my boring, Utah Valley filled life. I needed an adventure. I needed something that would make me happy and make me remember why Utah is great. I decided to pack up and head south. I called up a few friends, most of whom lamely denied because they have sold their soul to some other cause-namely work and school. My dear friend Evelyn was the only one that was cool enough to blow everything else and head out on a true, real adventure where we only knew one thing.... we were going to Zion, the rest would be decided by a coin toss, a mud wrestle, a homeless person, and a ouiji board. Okay, no ouiji board.

We left for our adventure around 9 pm on Saturday night. Neither of us had slept the night before.... really, I finally crawled into bed at 7 am for an hour or two and she made it a couple hours before that. We drowsily drove the 4ish hours to Zion park. Texting, singing, and pooring out our hearts to help keep us awake. (A special thanks to the male gender here, you were the biggest donator to the conversation, thus saving two very fun and attractive girls from becoming a smudge on the asphalt). We set up our tent on the special spot that we agreed upon and decided to hit the sack. All went well until a cougar started to lurk around our tent. I decided that I was not going to sit back and watch while a feline of the night ate me and my best friend. I started the alarm on the car and it did the trick, scaring both the cougar and Evelyn into a near state of panic. Well, the alarm also awoke the guardian of the near by ghost town. During the night the She Witch tried to send as many curses and spirits our way. It is a good thing that one of my dear friends is a Navajo and he has taught me some tricks about how to properly avoid shaman spells. Evelyn and I woke up to a bright, curse free morning.

Our first day into the trip we decided that we needed to hike Angel's Landing. We started the hike out in the most miserable time of the day. I was so happy that it was October and the most miserable time was only around 87 degrees. We happily hiked through the sand that was so hard to walk through, up the switch backs that were so amazing to climb, through Refrigerator canyon, up the Wiggle Wiggles of Walter, to Scout point-where I must point out that I created a sand angel on Angel's Landing, and then up the amazing ascent of the final peak. This was my first time up Angels. I was in awe. As you climb you have cliffs on both sides of you. Looking down is humbling as it makes you realize how miniscule and small you truly are. I kept thinking, I would love to free fall off this at some point in my life. Today is not the day, but soon enough. As I climbed I couldn't help but stop and notice the view. It was marvelous. The canyon cut out by the Virgin River, the changing of the colors, the red and white sandstone and the spirit of the land were all things that I needed so much from this weekend. Sitting and eating my lunch up top I felt the power and love of a Father above.

After the Landing we decided to end the day with the river walk. Well, I'm half way wanting to go and do the walk, but more than half way wanting to just bust out and swim and play in the Virgin River. As we are skipping (yes, literally) along the path I spot the most perfect little waterfall area. The river goes over some big boulders and creates awesome swimming holes at the base. While Evelyn is scoping out the area from the top of the boulders I decide that there is no way to enter cold water but to dive in. As I'm locating the perfect spot to jump in I look around and I have drawn and audience. On the path avbout 20 feet above and 30 yards away I look and see that I have gotten quite the fan club. They start cheering me on. I mean, it is evening in the end of October in a cold river, people are excited to see the torment and gasps of breathlessness from me as I jump in. I can't let me crowd down. I jump. WOW! that was cold!!! That started it. Evelyn and I both started jumping in from the boulders. When we decided that our skin was sufficiently numbed we climbed out and started the much longer walk back. As we were shivering down the trail people stopped and talked to us and asked us all about it. So Fun, so worth it, and so refreshing, and so cold!

That night we crawled up to a much needed and much appreciated fire as our dutch oven dinner cooked. As I was sitting being a little outdoor domestic and preparing dinner I had a visitor. A 5 or 6 year old girl from the camp next to us. She was so curious and wanted to become friends so badly. When I asked her name she could only reply "French, I no understand." Well, my little french friend was so cute, she came back a couple more times just to observe. I heard her talking to her parents later practicing "What's your name?" But, she never came over to enquire. Our bodies were so cold before that the only thing we can think of is that they kicked into hyperdrive to warm us up, because that night it was so hot that both of us were sprawled out in our skivvies on top of our sleeping bags.
The next morning we sorely and reluctantly woke up and started our hike to Hidden Canyon. As we started up the trail my body was less than happy to be climbing steep switch backs again. We conquered the beasts though and a magnificent look out from the cliff side, able to look up and see our accomplishments from the day before. As we continued into the canyon though I was so awe stricken at the beauty around me. A narrow, sandy bottom (and no, not the tush kind of bottom) slot canyon. Red rock and changing leaves everywhere. I think Hidden Canyon may be one of the most beautiful spots I have ever been able to experience in my life. It was amazing. We had fun climbing up onto the cliffs, around rocks and arches, building a fertility goddess out of sand, and some much needed pondering time.

As we climbed down the cliffs we passed many people. Many of who were passed the prime of their lives. It was inspiring to see a couple in their late 60s hiking and climbing, or a young family climbing and playing together. It reaffirmed to me that not all of family life has to be boring. It is what you make of it. I hope that I am always ready to go and conquer, explore and create adventures that will give me breath as I drown in the monotony of life :)

Monday, September 22, 2008

Okay, so I had a messenger coversation with a good friend of mine who I once upon a time dated. We started talking about dating. The conversation had a very interesting take on the different perspectives of the dating world. Two single post college individuals. Me, and a male friend we will refer to as McLovin from now on. Now many may think this is boring but I was laughing at the whole thing so I decided to post it, cause it's my post and I can cry if I want to. I did do a little editing for readers' sake and for the sake of the innocent. Also, this conversation was over mobile messenger so there are a few text typos.


Death Eater One says:
well, whatev. i'm done with people and relationships
McLovin says:
Lol not a bad plan
Death Eater One says:
yeah. They only ever cause trouble and heartache
I know.... But, how many dates have you been on lately?
McLovin says:
But then you are like what is my problem
McLovin says:
I have blown off girls hotter then here i am ten times better
McLovin says:
In every way
McLovin says:
Who cares
McLovin says:
I dont have to go on a date to know women are interested in me
Death Eater One says:
No, I'm not saying that at all
Death Eater One says:
I'm just saying.... I have been on too many ridiculous dates and seriously, there are few that are actually worth keeping around
McLovin says:
I dont go on dates i go to activities where i get attention
McLovin says:
The last official string of dates i went on was
McLovin says:
In july
Death Eater One says:
oh, so you don't have to get to knowthe girls. they just see you and give you an ego boost?
McLovin says:
The girl was hot but i smoker i dumped on her
McLovin says:
I would not say that
McLovin says:
Its not like i am using a girl like i think i could have this chick its alike
McLovin says:
I have a social life
Death Eater One says:
i c
McLovin says:
Thus i am an eligible bachelor
McLovin says:
And besides dates are a bad way to get to know people anyway
McLovin says:
Because they put a face on
Death Eater One says:
yeah, but If I don't go on dates with a guy he automaticaly goes into the friend zone
McLovin says:
You see how someone inter acts with others
Death Eater One says:
You can do that after some dates
McLovin says:
For you or for him
McLovin says:
No you cant
McLovin says:
You are not looking at it from a guys perspective
McLovin says:
Granted it took me till like six months ago to figure this out
Death Eater One says:
That's cause I'm a girl, if you haven't noticed
McLovin says:
But its a fact
McLovin says:
If a guy asks a girl out
McLovin says:
He has already played his hand
McLovin says:
She knows he is into him
McLovin says:
Her
Death Eater One says:
why is that a bad thing?
Death Eater One says:
A date tells nothing
Death Eater One says:
only whether or not you'd like to play another round
McLovin says:
Then he is another notch on your belt
Death Eater One says:
so not true
McLovin says:
To you because you are insecure
McLovin says:
Its true
McLovin says:
If a guy has spent money on a date he is already pretty commitde to play another sound
McLovin says:
Unless you do something atrocious
McLovin says:
Anyway
Death Eater One says:
Na, I don't think so. I think a date is just two people realizing they want to see if there is any potential.
Death Eater One says:
Nothing more nothing less
McLovin says:
You just need to be a little cock i e r and decid you can do better them that guy and blow him off
McLovin says:
Thats because your a girl
McLovin says:
A mormon girl
Death Eater One says:
its not about doing better. Everyone has things to give. It's about finding the best fit and complimenting each other
Death Eater One says:
what's that got to mean?
McLovin says:
Lol
McLovin says:
It means you are being naive and narrow minded
McLovin says:
You have a million guys ask you out on dates
McLovin says:
But you blow them all off
McLovin says:
What percent do you think would go on a second date
Death Eater One says:
probably half warrant a second date to see if I want to get to know them more
Death Eater One says:
then probably half of that get a third date
Death Eater One says:
and then probably a tenth of that get more dates
McLovin says:
See if you are smart you should know the answer to vigor questions before you waste time with a date that is my opinion
McLovin says:
Lets look at it from a guy perspective again
Death Eater One says:
See, you brought the point up ealier though....people all interact with different people totally differently. Why not give it a shot to see how we interact?
McLovin says:
If i can get to know you figure out if you like me without risking ego or finances am i gonna do that
Death Eater One says:
That's the problem....ego has to be taken out of relationships if anything is gonna work
Death Eater One says:
that is the one thing that I know for sure
McLovin says:
Yeah right it does
McLovin says:
Look at it this way
McLovin says:
I am hanging out an activity
McLovin says:
Or you
Death Eater One says:
what?
McLovin says:
There is a girl or guy there you are interested in
Death Eater One says:
okay, got it
McLovin says:
If they spend there time chasing someone else in the group you know where you stand
McLovin says:
If they chase you
McLovin says:
Same picture
McLovin says:
To a point
Death Eater One says:
ok
McLovin says:
If you go on a date right away
McLovin says:
You do not glean that information
Death Eater One says:
Uh, yeah you do cause you're on a date with them
McLovin says:
Because there is no competition
Death Eater One says:
it's better than them chasing whoever at the party
McLovin says:
No you dont
McLovin says:
You are there the only one there
Death Eater One says:
You skip the chasing at the party stage
McLovin says:
I take you on a date prior to that point
McLovin says:
And you dont know
McLovin says:
If i am taking someone else out
Death Eater One says:
You already know that your interested in each other because you are on a date together
McLovin says:
Etc
Death Eater One says:
Exclusivity doesn't matter
Death Eater One says:
see, the way I see it......
McLovin says:
In this whole
McLovin says:
Date thing
Death Eater One says:
You got yourself hurt and now you have decided not to chance anything else until you know she's the right one
McLovin says:
When you look at social
Death Eater One says:
but, ifyou sit and wait at parties until you know she is the right one then you have probably already lost her
McLovin says:
You have it backwards
Death Eater One says:
cause if she's worth having then someone else will have already swooped in and gotten her
Death Eater One says:
oh really?
McLovin says:
You dont wait at a party
McLovin says:
Nope you have to be the alpha male
McLovin says:
If you are the one getting the attention she is not getting swooped
McLovin says:
Off her feet because she is giving you the attention
Death Eater One says:
but if you wait to know she's the one....you've already lost her by waiting
McLovin says:
The idea that you are going to lose someone to them
Death Eater One says:
girls are impatient
McLovin says:
Getting swooped off there feet by someod else
Death Eater One says:
I'm not saying swooped off their feet.
McLovin says:
That concept is inherenty insecure
Death Eater One says:
I'm saying someone is going to come in and get to know her and ask her out. Forgoing the whole game that you have created
McLovin says:
They are impatient
McLovin says:
But as long as there is progress
McLovin says:
So your saying that someone is going to look at the ward list
McLovin says:
Decide she is got
McLovin says:
And ask her out
McLovin says:
Over me who has got to know her and made her comfortable with me
McLovin says:
In a non threatening environ ment first
McLovin says:
You are sadly mistaken barring the guy
McLovin says:
Is much better looking then me
McLovin says:
But if she goes after the much better looking guy
McLovin says:
She is not the kind of girl you want anyway
McLovin says:
Does that make sense
McLovin says:
Plus
McLovin says:
Lets examine for a moment the guy that swoops in and asks a girl ou t on a date
McLovin says:
Not only has he played his cards with that girl
McLovin says:
He just played his cards with the whole social circle
McLovin says:
So the girls in the circle say well he asked her out so a he is taken and b i am number two on the list
McLovin says:
So he just soiled the whole batch assuming he does not sink a whole in one
McLovin says:
Make sense
Death Eater One says:
Yeah, but- see......there does have to be progress
Death Eater One says:
and, if you sit and make very little progress then she's gonna lose her interest
Death Eater One says:
But, if you get to talking to her at one little gathering and then decide to ask her out you are keeping yourself far ahead of the game
McLovin says:
So you face book her you text her whatever
Death Eater One says:
Or, you could take her on a date and see way quicker if there is anything there
Death Eater One says:
If you were interested enough to talk to her at the party the date isn't going to be bad
McLovin says:
Let her know hey maybe i am interested but you have competition
McLovin says:
Lol
Death Eater One says:
I do think that you need to have some back ground on the girl before you ask her out. developed something. But then take her out
McLovin says:
You are not getting the point
Death Eater One says:
How is this all working out for you?
McLovin says:
Girls want guys to play there cards right away
Death Eater One says:
cause I'm seeing this from a girls perspective
Death Eater One says:
why not?
Death Eater One says:
no guess work
Death Eater One says:
that just leads to miscommunications and misunderstandings
Death Eater One says:
if you play your cards then the game is over and you can move on
McLovin says:
Guys learn to not give girls what they want or they get
McLovin says:
Smashed
McLovin says:
The game is not over
Death Eater One says:
well you can't propose marriage or even a relationship after the first date
McLovin says:
The game is still being played the woman has all the cards
Death Eater One says:
neither party is going to accept. It's still way too early
McLovin says:
Trust me
McLovin says:
The first date is just the beginning of the game
Death Eater One says:
You don't have to become exclusive, but actively seeing if you want to continue is necessary
Death Eater One says:
then you're dating stupid girls
McLovin says:
Yeah
McLovin says:
All girls are stupid
Death Eater One says:
so, instead of spending your time talking to ridiculous girls at a party why don't you take a quality one out on a date?
McLovin says:
Part of it is dating hot girls they are more into the game then most
McLovin says:
Shrug i like the game
McLovin says:
I start dating a girl and if she is to easy i get bored
Death Eater One says:
Okay, so why are you complaining?
Death Eater One says:
Not all people are into the game
McLovin says:
Im not i am saying you need to play the game
Death Eater One says:
I'd rather do the date thing and get the cards and guess work out of the way. You don't have to wonder anymore. You can say-Yeah, we went out, didn't work. Let's go find a better fit
McLovin says:
Not look for a steady eating relationship out of the
McLovin says:
First date
Death Eater One says:
Believe me..... guys are ususally the ones that are ready to jump into a steady dating relationship from the first date
Death Eater One says:
guys are always the one that propose the next step to the relationship
McLovin says:
Thats because guys need to get laid
Death Eater One says:
some girls are ridiculous and think that a date means more than it does
Death Eater One says:
and, those are the girls that get caught up in the same game that you are talking about
Death Eater One says:
well, if they weren't so horny and they thought about things a little more with their big head they'd not have so many crash and burn sessions
McLovin says:
All girls get caught up in it
McLovin says:
New guy moves into my ward
McLovin says:
Med student intelligent good looking
Death Eater One says:
Not all girls get caught up in it
McLovin says:
Every girl in the ward starts chasing him
McLovin says:
He is the alpha male
McLovin says:
The girls are playing his game
McLovin says:
That is why guys need to have a booty call friend
McLovin says:
So when they go on a date they can act rationally
Death Eater One says:
So, you agree guys are irrational?
Death Eater One says:
they don't think through things and end up getting what they walked right into
McLovin says:
When they dont have control of their hormones
McLovin says:
Yeah
McLovin says:
Well i know they irrational
McLovin says:
Beatse what i am saying works both ways
Death Eater One says:
let
Death Eater One says:
's hear this Dr. Phil
McLovin says:
The baptism i went to on saturday
McLovin says:
One of the alpha females shows up
McLovin says:
She has a ring of like six guys around her
McLovin says:
Guys are dumb they all go for the hottest girl
Death Eater One says:
I lost your point
McLovin says:
The point is guys and girls both play the game
McLovin says:
Works both ways
Death Eater One says:
So why not get the game out of the way and just see if it will work out?
McLovin says:
So guys are equally as irrational as girls
Death Eater One says:
There is no trying to read minds, there are no end left open
McLovin says:
Lol eventuckly you will understand
Death Eater One says:
Wait, you
Death Eater One says:
are saying that I am the one that will evolve into your mind frame?
McLovin says:
You probably will although girls are different but most guys will
Death Eater One says:
I don't know...... I'm all about no games.
Death Eater One says:
Boy likes girl, girl likes boy.....why play them against others? Why not just see how it works out? Maybe it will won't. But, maybe it will be the best thing ever
McLovin says:
So am i but eventually you learn you gotta play
McLovin says:
Anyway i am probaly boring you
Death Eater One says:
See, I dont' think you do. When a guy plays the game I realize we aren't compatible and we both move on cause he want to play and I'm not willing to play
McLovin says:
A guy playing the game right you wont know he is playing the game
McLovin says:
Anyway are you there
Death Eater One says:
But, the game will end and eventually people will realize they wasted a lot of time and thought with the game

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Scribbles of the idle minded...

Okay, so I just got back from my biggest adventure since I've been home. I went up to Idaho for the wedding of a best friend-the saddest news since I got home. RIP to you both. You are loved and you will be missed. Alas, the show must go on. The world of singledom will continue. We will recast and call back some of the old players see how they fit in with the new characters to create a stellar new cast for the new season.

Anyway, the wedding was normal. Bride, Groom, Flowers, Crazy Relatives, Drama, Female Best Man (Me). It had it all. Plus this weekend had the added benefit of a built in douche. A 6 hr. car ride with this individual too. When the ride was done and through I felt like I had just completed a task on a check list. Not able to escape from a nightmare....Check. I also did have the most spectacular game of bowling in an awesome Best Man's dress. I got up to bowl and next to me was the most stereotypical bowler/biker dude. Shirt sleeves ripped, arms bulging, gut busting open through a leather jacket. Spikes on his bracelet and the bowling bag he brought his Harley logoed shoes and ball in. Well, the dude gets up to bowl and makes like Twinkle Toes Fred Flintsone. He's awesome. So anxiously I get up next to the dude and start to bowl. I can feel his glare staring me down about to murderize me with just the look. Anyway I challenged him and I totally was able to get 6 Strikes with 3 Spares mixed in there. I beat him by 4 points!!!!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

The Home Stretch


So, before I conclude this summer of adventure and awesomeness I need to touch up on one huge event while I was in Alaska.

Well, we found ourselves with a weekend off, a few extra dollars in our wallets (how? I have no idea) and a hookup with the local airline. So Whit, Steve, Randy, Neal and I decided we needed to get out of Juneau. We booked a plane and flew up to Skagway-about 100 miles north of Juneau. Once there it was great. We had access to the rest of the world. We could drive and drive and drive. FANTASTIC!!!!! We had new found freedom and we needed to take advantage of that. Randy and Neal rented a car and off we went. Up to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. New experience for all of us. None of us had been to the Yukon before and 2 of us had never been to Canada. We called ahead since none of us had anything to cross the border with. They told us not to even try. We tried. And, succeeded. It was great. As soon as we crossed the border the skystarted to clear up and it turned into blue skies and 80 degrees outside. Awesome. The White Pass was so gorgeous. When we were in Skagway we were the total and complete tourists that we all despise so much. We took as many stupid pictures as we could, acted as idiotic as possible (okay, just the pictures part was true). I also ate Caribou. It was delicious, and I would love to go back just to redo the experience. Well, as we drove home the clouds sunk in as we crossed back over the border. As light as I felt before I felt equally heavy and bogged down by the return of the grung clouds. Aaaaaggggggh, it was horrid to be back. Then, the flight back into Juneau topped things off. I was stuck again, I had just spent the most awesome weekend in the sun with my four favorite people in Juneau. It was spectacular.
Well, that having been said.....I'll start the end of the summer of AK. After a week long stint in Arizona Whit and I ended the Summer just as we started it. In the SLC airport nervous and anxious. The difference in the two was neither of us are excited to end it. Back to the world and life of the Utah bubble. Before we came back I did do round III of Hawley lake. And, just as spectacular and fun as the previous two rounds. It was a good transition stage. Sadly enough it wasn't enough of a stage to really fulfill the needs of our transition from Neverland. What's next on my adventure agenda? South America, Turkey, Mexico, India? Stay tuned for the next installment

Saturday, August 23, 2008

No Bears are out tonight, cause daddy shot them all last night?

Here in Juneau there are a couple of things that are regular....the rain, the XtraTuffs (I need a pair), Wxcl days, eagles, and bears. Well my friend Annie left this week and before she left we decided we needed to go bear watching a few times. We went one night and Annie, Whit and Steve left me alone in the darkness of the Mendenhall Glacier Moraine Ecology Trail (that's a mouthful). I was walking along the railing, cause that's what I do, alone. I was mainly concerned with not falling into the river or off the rail down the 12 feet to the ground, and also not getting eaten alive by all of the stupid mosquitos that are up here. Well, I was intensely concentrating because I was walking through the underbrush of a tree next to me. Well, up in the tree not ten feet from my head was a black bear watching and ready to pounce at me. For some reason I was tuned into this just in the nic of time and I was able to jump out of the way of this charging bear. AWESOME. Well, the other three heard my yell of triumph and came running. By the time they arrived on the scene the bear had already sulked off into the woods and was now MIA. Do any of them actually believe it happened? No, they all think I'm lying. And, I am. It would have been so sweet if that is how it happened. But, it didn't....this is the true story.

Whit, Annie, and I were at the glacier bear watching the night after that story happened (the bear never attacked me and that is the only fabrication...they really did leave me and I really did see a bear and by the time they came to see him he had already gone back into the darkness). It was still light outside and there were tourists everywhere getting excited about the bears, the salmon are spawning and are totally awesome and everywhere and so are the bears. Well, we were watching this little guy debate about jumping into the lake when a bigger bear came and chased the little tike away. They were running around the hill. Well, we decided we wanted to see the chase up close. We started to predict where the hunt was going down.....We were walking on the trail when out jumped the little guy (He was the size of a large man on all fours). Annie about piddled in her panties, whit didn't seem to care much at all and I was super stoked to try and touch him. Well, he came up to within a foot of me. I was so tempted to reach out and pet him-but then I would turn into one of the tourists that we all make fun of so frequently. I stopped with pictures of me standing next to him. The whole time we were waiting for the big guy to come charging out-thankfully he never did. I'm not so sure I would have walked away with dry panties if he had. It was the perfect ending for our adventures with Annie. One crazy girl meets up with two crazy girls=a lot of fun and trouble.----These pictures were not zoomed in at all. The bear was only an arms length away!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

There are a few things that ever individual needs to do while they are in Alaska. One, skinny dip in the Pacific. Two, Eat as much seafood as you can. Three, go climb onto a glacier. Four, see a bear. And five, go salmon and halibut fishing. Well, I have gone salmon fishing. Great fun it was actually. The salmon have arrived here in the fresh water streams. It's just like all the documentaries show, they are in like 2 inches of water splashing and swimming, just trying to get upstream to harvest their eggs (I haven't yet seen them jump up a waterfall-but I will). Well this week I was out walking and talking on my phone when I decided to go walk my jogging trail. It's a nice little trail with wild blue and salmon berries all over and frequent bear sitings, a cool mountain stream and a quaint little bridge and rope swing. Well, I was walking and saw the salmon on their trek up stream. I got so close to them that I could have reached my hand out and grabbed five of them. Two problems with that-number one....GROSS! I hate touching fish, and number two, I was alone without a camera and I felt like I needed a witness to this great event. So, I went home grabbed Whitney out of bed and made her come with me and video tape the whole thing. Of course, she's Whitney and had to pretend to be the crocodile hunter. I was known on the video as Rebecca the Huntress. So, here are a few moments of the glorious, yet typical Rebecca/Whitney outing here in Alaska. I do want to remind everyone that yes, I did catch and touch a salmon with my bare hands!

The first video is how I was actually able to catch the salmon, the second is me triumphantly collecting my prize.

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Unthinkable has Possibly Happened

I've been here for 3 months now, not the longest time to be somewhere; but a really long time to go without the sun. Yesterday morning I woke up to the rain yet again and realized that I may be quite ready to go home to the sun. The past three weeks I can remember 1 day without rain. Ridiculous? Yes, I think so too!!!!! I never thought that I would get sick of Alaska. Rain, shine, boredom, WXCL, tourists, I've done them all and I have been loving every second of it-but here I am sitting at work getting paid minimal pay....not even minimum wage; a good $2.50 an hour!!!! I know, that some people wouldn't get too excited about $2.5o an hour but I do. I mean, if I sit getting paid this wage for 8 hours a day I get $20 for that day. $20 a day pays my rent for the month! Now, add an additional two hours to that and I get $25 a day and that will pay rent and buy me a meager meal. If only I ever got paid for 10 hours.



Well, the unthinkable that has possibly happened-now hold your breath for this...I may be a little home sick. Now, I can't tell if this is because of the torrential rain or if I in fact do miss Provo. I'm fairly certain it is the rain though. But, the moral of this post is that I will be coming back. Despite the full time job offer I've been given. Despite all the fun times I've had cavorting around Juneau. Despite all of the spectacular scenes and wilderness I've seen. Despite the fantastical friends I've made. I will be returning home. Well, at least to pick up my car and start off on my new Adventure.

I know that this post started out as my admitting that I, the unreachable Rebecca, have actually become home sick. Well, I want to start another little tangent. My tangent is about the fun haters. The people that tell free spirited individuals that following their passion is something that is getting in the way of other more important things. Such as a family, career, marriage, etc. To those individuals who want the free spirits to stop roaming, I say stop breathing. For some of us the times we are the happiest is when we are planning and executing our adventures. It is what we are and who we are. The only security we have is in the insecurity we create by choosing to go on these adventures. It is the only thing that we can count on. And yes, I may be talking about myself-but I say we because I know that there are more out there. And we're sick of being told to grow up. So, until we're ready to stop having our adventures and stop living please, let us be!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

I have decided officially that I hate the JPD. Now, I haven't heard many good things about them but I usually try not to take judgment on things until I have first hand experience to base them by. Well, this week I was out with a couple friends around one in the am. We were driving home from down town....Well, our lovely car L'il Blue has a few quirks and awesome traits. One of which is the speedometer isn't exactly correct. BEing the only car on the road I was in no hurry and I was enjoying the evening drive home using it for a little bit of contemplation on the day. All of the sudden I was looking in my vanity side mirror and seeing red and blue lights flashing. What?! I know I wasn't speeding, my car doesn't go fast enough to really speed. The second thought that went through my head was $h!# We don't have insurance. When the officer strode up to the window he said "I pulled you over because you weren't speeding, and I'm bored and have nothing else to do, and maybe since you are obeying the speed limit you are actually driving defensively because you have been drinking tonight and now you are driving and I'm and A hole and have nothing else to do but torment you at 1 in the morning." Okay, so I took some liberties in the actual quote but he did say that I was not speeding and I was driving cautiously so he figured he would stop me and check. Well, fine and dandy but now I have a $160 ticket because we don't have insurance on our $500 beast of a blazer. I wish that the Juneau PD would patrol and go out on calls where people actually need them. I have heard of more than one instance when the police were called because of actual criminal activity but were too lazy to go and check on a single woman when her home and car were being broken into. From now on I am no longer the defender of the police here. Thank you for nothing JPD!
And then, yet again I was pulled over. What for this time? Oh, the same thing....bored cops looking for someone to pull over for fun. I wasn't speeding, I wasn't swerving, I wasn't passing on the right, I used my blinker--I was just driving cautiously again and they wanted to make sure I wasn't drunk. My quick wits kicked in and this time I told him that I was dd for the night. It worked!!! I got away without him checking my insurance. My insurance was purchased and the court date came around. I hate the enforcement in this town. They are all ridiculous....An underage kid gets caught driving drunk, speeding, and wreckless driving multiple times and gets his fine reduced....me, who jumps through the stupid hoops gets stiffed with the entire bill. Oh well, this will be the last time as well. I now know the secret to getting away with being pulled over--claim to be the designated driver and you're golden in this town. I just hope they don't pull me over with the warrant that will be out for my arrest when I don't end up paying my fines :)
This was the 4th time we got pulled over. We tried to take pictures without turning around and making it obvious

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Ode to summer loves

Classes have just let out, summer vacation is here. You think to yourself that you are going to rock this summer. It is going to be a blast, you've got all the plans, the box of otter pops, the new suit...you're ready. The only thing you need to pull the whole thing off is a short term significant other. You quickly scout those who are around and hastily make your move. You know we're all guilty of it at least once. The only problem with this hasty decision is that you have barely gotten their name much less anything about who they are. The short term significant other becomes even shorter term than you thought and pretty soon all social gatherings have the potential of becoming the most awkward. Who are they going to show up with...are you expected to talk, what do you talk about? A one time mistake like this has helped me to learn...the first offer isn't always the best offer. Hold out for a little while. If the summer sizzle is getting to you choose someone and make a game out of it. Once mission is accomplished the game is over and someone else becomes the object leaving there no awkwardness, just a friend you can share a sly little look with.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Four Square Revolution



So, yesterday my work day was ending and I was completely bored. All day the clouds were low so there were no flights going out even though I rolled out of bed at 6 to get to work and sit and wait. Well after many hours of waiting I got the most spectaclar idea.....Parking lot four square. Well, Whit (happy 21st!) and I grabbed a roll of masking tape and went to work making our arena. When we finally got done I was certain that nobody would really come out and play with the two morons of TEMSCO. I was wrong. We soon had 12 people playing with us!!! Young and old alike. We played until rides started to leave people behind. It would have done any playground moniter proud to see how well we all played together. No slams, no holds, no carries, no backstops....it worked perfectly. Tweedledee and Tweedledum started a new revolution. No fly days? No problem, just bust out the red four square ball and have a blast reminiscing of the old days of elementary.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Death by Venom

This morning I had quite the scare. I was in the shower and as I was scrubbing my leg I found a rather tender spot. As I brushed my loofa over it stung like nobody's business and it was red and a little swollen. Well, knowing that we have spiders in our house in mass numbers, and also knowing that there are brown recluses here in AK my mind automatically thought that I was bitten. I had never had a bite that stung and I know that when you are bitten by this spider it swells, hurts, and eats away the flesh. As I got out of the shower and searched my bed, my clothes, my whole room. I had Whitney verify that there were indeed marks and redness on my leg. I hadn't made the whole thing up. Nothing, not a single trace of anything venomous. I continued to keep an eye on my leg as I went to work. About half way through the day I remembered I had been hit by a metal door the day before and that was the cause of the pain and redness. I was seriously relieved that I wouldn't have to maim my gorgeous legs and scar them so that I could continue to walk with two legs. I'm so blessed to not have been bitten by a spider this morning. I thank the stars for that.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Summer of 08!!!




Well, here I sit in Southeast Alaska. My friend Mike has made a few songs about our happenings. Actually it is only one song it is just continuous. The same two chords. He just sings many many verses. One that continues to stick in my head is "it's another rainy day in Southeast A-K." I have been horrible at writing in my journal, and that only benefits me. So, maybe if I know that this will be read by actual people instead of the imaginery 'prosperity' of my supposed future it will keep me writing and updating. I'm here with a great friend, Whitney, her two siblings Josh and Sydney. We're trying to keep it real while earning a little cash too.

I have had an awesome time here in Juneau. It is everything I ever could have imagined. We got into town did our drug test as soon as we stepped off the plane...before we would have any time to taint our samples. By that evening we had some instant friends and a new vehicle. Lil' Blue. He's sexy as well as tempermental. I wouldn't have it any other way though. He totally complete's the image I had of what my Alaskan experience would be. We then drove home....to our nice half of a double wide in a sweet little trailer park conveniently located next to Costco, and the prison. I was walking one evening and stumbled across a lot of razor wire fencing. There I was standing at the Juneau Prison. Awesome, just means the police drive by on an hourly period. Then, I found out the other awesome fact....all my neighbors are half way houses located for easy drug testing at the facility around the corner. I love my ghetto meth lab district!!!

So far I've done some really stellar things. We hiked Fish Creek. Whitney pretended that we were Lewis and Clark. Well, we found this old beached boat and needed to go and explore it. The only thing that was holding us back was a river. It was shallow, slow enough that we could have easily forded it. Shoes and socks were thrown off and I start the trek to cross the creek. About half way through my eyes are teared up because it is so cold that I'm not remembering to blink. Whitney is behind me telling me to hurry up. I get 3/4 of the way across and realize that because my eyes are watery I can't see how deep the water was getting and I was getting into the main channel of the waterway. We made an executive decision to turn around and return to safety. Mainly because there was no way we would want to get back into that water. When we were back on solid ground it took about another 5 minutes for feeling to return to my feet. Lesson learned-don't try to ford across a runoff river in Alaska. It will end poorly. Zipling and hiking have become passions of mine up here. Also, sneaking into salmon bakes. We have decided on a weekly ritual-the foreign film every Tuesday night at the local bagel shop, The Silverbow. Aweseom bages and a free movie can't be beat.

I celebrated my birthday this week. It was the first one that I really spent away from home. I loved it. I woke up and then Whitney and my boss had set up a day of river rafting. So fun!!! We went to the Mendenhall glacier and then floated the water that ran off into the river. Afterwards I got all dressed up and we went to dinnerat the Twisted Fish with 20 of my closest Juneau friends. I was treated to king crab legs. They were so delicious. Thanks again Steve!!!

Work here is radical. I work as a ramp rat at a helicopter company. I fuel the aircraft and get our tourists ready to go up. Sometimes it can be monotonous, but really, who fuels helicopters for a summer job? I love my co workers too. It is a party all the time.