Neato Mosquito

As anyone who knows me knows, I'm kind of a computer junkie. I work in front of my computer, I get my news from the internet, my collection of music/video is vast, etc. As such, I come across alot of cool things. I am going to share some of the more recent ones, because I can. :)

1. This one wasn't found on the internet originally, but I have to show you what I'm talking about. I'm not a big hip-hop/rap fan - Marina can attest to that. I generally find the musicianship lacking greatly, let alone the messages music in that genre sends. I found one fantastic exception though. I was staying up really late one night from a bout of a sinus headache, and I was watching Letterman. Usually I turn off these shows when they do the musical act, but I didn't this time. I really won't explain further. But listen to the sound of her voice at 2:24-2:30...its amazing.

2. Again, as anyone who knows me knows - Honda is my favorite. Here's a commercial they came up with a couple years back that I thought was pretty awesome. It is a fantastic example of a "Rube Goldberg" machine.

3. This brings an entirely new dimension to 'playing with your food'. (Hint: click the last sentence).

4. After watching a recent Nicolas Cage movie, Kn0wing, I found this article. It shows some interesting time capsules - I'd love to attend some of the opening ceremonies for these!

5. Did you know the church uses Twitter now? Seems everyone is on that bandwagon. I found that at this site. I think it would actually interest more than just techies like me--it has all kinds of cool ways to apply the gospel and technology. Just check out the Projects section - especially the Google Maps one.

Half Blood Prince

For anyone who is interested, there is a new trailer for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, which comes out July 15 of this year.

Happy Viewing!

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/harrypotterandthehalfbloodprince/

April 15th

April 15th.

A day that has become synonomous with Taxes being due. April 15th. In my life, April 15th is synonomous with the day I become a "real" therapist. Watch out world! I can start seeing clients on my own today.

I "should" feel like this:

But I feel more like this:

*Disclaimor, this is a picture from an 80's dance, not what I REALLY look like. :)

Facebook

Adventure in the Bahamas

We went on a cruise for our 2-year anniversary/birthday/etc. Here are our favorite pictures! Our top 25 favorite memories:

25. A leisurely drive to Miami, with an overnight stop in Savannah, Georgia

24. Figuring out our "Blues Name" at a BBQ restaurant in Savannah, mine is "Jailhouse Dog Davis"

23. Getting an amazing deal ($83!) on a four star room at the Hyatt in downtown Miami overlooking the river-- thank you hotwire.com!

22. Watching cars go by in Nassau, Bahamas and looking for the scrapes on their bumpers-- apparently they drive like we play bumper cars!

21. Finding the "real" Happy Valley-- it's a Chinese restaurant

20. Getting up early to watch the sun rise over Half Moon Cay

19. Going to the obn-board sushi cart every day :)

18. Rolling with the movement of the ship, and being the only ones NOT drunk!

17. Eating lots and lots of yummy food!

16. Eating real Cuban food in Little Havana, Miami

15. Shopping in Nassau, and bargaining for a "Coach" purse.

14. Laughing at everyone else who apparently fell asleep in the sun.... they had some amazing sunburns!

13. Enjoying 70 degree weather in March

12. Seeing beautiful and picturesque beaches

11. Being amazed that the water really is THAT clear!

10. Not having to cook, clean, or make our bed!

9. Snorkeling just off the beach of Half Moon Cay and snorkeling over corals teeming with fish in Nassau

8. Finding cool towel animals on our bed

7. The Love and Marriage game show--hilarious!

6. Hearing some of the FAQ's aboard the ship-- including, "What elevation are we at?" and "What religion are the people who wear the patches behind their ears?" The cruise director blithely answered "A-pache"

5. Exploring Gibbs Cay, a beautiful uninhabited island just off Grand Turk

4. Snorkeling in Grand Turk less than half a mile from a 7,000 foot underwater precipice

3. Kissing a sting ray

2. Kissing each other

1. Being suspended 500 feet above the sea going 50 miles per hour-- parasailing is AMAZING!

* No stingrays were harmed in the making of this video

Our Dog is Funny

Memory

As I've been sitting here in my chair at 2:30 in the morning working on an Oracle upgrade for work, my mind has started to drift. Luckily the upgrade is running several hours of self-automated scripts.

I'm reflecting on memory, specifically. Recently in one of my classes, my professor stated, "When everything else goes away, all you have left is your memories". I am going to attempt to recount some important or interesting memories I have had, hopefully without waxing too nostalgic. Maybe one day when I have amnesia, this will help me remember.

1. When I was probably 7 or 8, my family lived in California. My mom has always been a major green thumb and always interested in plants and horticulture. One day a fellow of what I remember to be hispanic origins was talking to my mother about the landscaping in our neighborhood. I think at the time my Dad was at work. I distinctly remember not liking him. At all. He and my Mom went to examine some ivy or vines or something for what seemed like an eternity. She started to be gone so long that I became extremely upset. My 7 year old mind had decided my mother had run off with this guy. It was truly heartbreaking for me for the hour or so she was gone. Of course she came back and didn't leave my dad for a hispanic landscaper. I think this is one of my earliest memories that taught me the importance of family.

2. In the winter of 1993 to 1994, my family moved from Stanton, California (for real.) to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. That was an INCREDIBLE adjustment, even for a 9 year old. Some of the most important lessons and developments I have made, were made because of that move. I met some people that were great friends for a long time. It also exposed me to prejudice for the first time. People in CA were by in large very progressive and tolerant of differences, but I found Bloomsburg to be somewhat different.

3. The setting is winter 2001, Cincinnati, OH. I was on a charter bus, somewhere. I was a member of a singing/dancing group known as the Glen Este Counterpoint Show Choir. Some of my most fond and painful memories come from this time period. Without digressing, suffice it to say that I hope my children get involved in something half as meaningful as that was to me. Being involved in a competitive team with a morally straight leader is an experience to be coveted.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada, August 10, 2004. Imagine the picture of a 19 year old young man in a suit, walking down Fremont Street. Not the glitzy part with the Stratosphere; take Fremont east a mile or two, and you know where I was. In a suit. In 117 degrees. Talking to every drunk, drug addict, prostitute, and down to earth good person (quite the mix, no?) about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't know if that day had any impact on others, but it helped shape my character that would allow me to spend 2 years serving the people of Las Vegas. I've come to love them, despite the wayward ways of many of them.

5. By now you're probably not reading anymore. If you are, time for a nice juicy memory :P. The love of my life, Marina, and I were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple. An unusually hot day in March, we were surrounded by our family to celebrate the best decision I will ever make in my life. That was nearly 2 years ago, and I wouldn't have done it any differently. I love you, Marina.

Ok, ok, I suppose after writing all that a couple of things come to mind. One, why on earth does it take so long to update an Oracle database??? And two, maybe this is more appropriate for a journal; BUT, my hope is that those few that read this will delve back into their past and relish the memories of both the happy and sad times. You'll be pleasantly surpised at what you can learn, feel, remember and enjoy.

Good night all!