superjeeptown

New Old Bike

2011-09-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

I would like to present to you my Dad's bike, well it's my bike now. He had it as a college student in Ames, IA and now I have it @ UW. I have made a few improvements and updates, as recommended my my buddy Elder Blomdal. Its not done and I would like to make it a fixed gear, but I am on the way.

I modified the handlebars from the traditional curved down like a ram, to curving up like a bull, I like it, I also added the new handlebar tape and the matching green chain.

Notice the lone brake handle on the middle of the handlebar, its the only place it would really fit!

My classmates have dubbed me Bret for President of the Bikes, maybe its because my bikes are so bright, or because I have helped them fix theirs! I really need to put the carrier on the back and get flares to keep the water off when it rains...oh wait it only rains twice a year!

A day on the UW campus

2011-04-30T14:22:00.000-06:00

Granted this is a day with very few people here on the Saturday before Finals week but there were a couple gems.

I had to get to book buyback real quick during a break in my class, luckily some nice student left their bike unlocked so I took the NEXT "Powerclimber" all the way there and back in record time! Thanks random irresponsible bike owner! P.S. you need to replace your pedals the bearings are pretty worn.

I actually saw this yesterday, but seeing 'ol Ben with a Lei was just comical, holding the key to knowledge in his hand, I really wish that he had been throwing a hangloose sign, that would have been awesome!

What you can't see is the snow falling, I will remind you that it is April 30th, its okay I still have been wearing shorts, its called rebellious!

Do you need a little direction or inspiration?

2011-04-26T13:37:00.000-06:00

Dear Doctor Cowan

2011-03-22T18:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Scammer,
AKA Dr (so called) Frank Cowan,
fcowan253@gmail.com -email

So are you legit or are you trying to scam me?

If you are the latter and you are trying to steal from me, I am sorry for you. There are so many other things you could do with your life. Like actually have one and do positive things for the world instead of posing as a doctor inventing companies and identities and falsify info to trick people.

What a waste of your time and your life, In the end this kind of behavior will not pay off. Your $700 dollar scam is going to get you NO WHERE good. I just wanted you to know so that you can't say one day that you had no idea.

There that is it, you have wasted enough of my time. I will move on.
Bret

Land of the Free?

2010-10-25T18:24:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we think that our country has left discrimination & hate behind. It hasn't.

Please watch the trailer.

Arizona is facing Anti-Ethnic Studies laws, which are oppressive policies and legislation, SB 1070. This will only increase structural and systematic prejudices and ethnic discrimination, things that have weakened our country for centuries.

We have to stop it.

Suby I love you

2010-10-15T14:13:00.001-06:00

We have a new addition to our family, a 2000 Subaru Outback. I have dubbed her SUBY. She is blue and awesome, its my commuter car for school... I recently added the bike racks (I am the Ward mission leader so I get to give our elders rides once in a while...and lets face it we have 3 bikes of our own, we needed it, and it was cheap off Craig's list. (actually they both were, and we needed both).

I found this ad for what we can expect from Subaru next year, I think they have the right idea...re-badge a kia optima and give it a catchy name...
Mediocrity!

I saw this sign about a year too late...

2010-10-13T15:44:00.001-06:00

So this weekend (Oct 9) my parents went up to Estes Park, CO to celebrate my dad's 57th birthday, wow 57 is that really how old he is? It was a day trip so we got invited.

We had a great time, saw some wildlife, (only if it was in Estes as Niki and I both slept on the way to and from Estes Park, we both have problems in the back seat of a sedan on winding roads up moutains...enough said. ) The Elk were great and fun to watch, it was a little cold, but we went shopping and spent most of the time indoors looking at cool stuff.

I got an awesome belt buckle and Niki got some sweet scarves, yeah we are big spenders!

If she said she wanted an engagement truck you wouldn't hesitate!

This was my favorite picture, I have been trying to convince Niki that we need an anniversary Truck, but she isn't buying it, (No pun intended), but it was still funny!

In case you were wondering...

2010-09-12T01:23:00.000-06:00

I am a Mormon.

Arches National Park May 6-8, 2010

2010-05-19T10:33:00.040-06:00

We went to Arches back in May, yes I know this is delayed, but its better late than never! This is by far the best national park ever! we did some serious hiking and rock scaling, Niki and I, the Simmons (Sam, Steph and Reed), the Curtis's (Mike, Rochelle, and girls) his brother Matt and his family and their Dad Steve.

Niki and I in our sweet shades and hats.

Us on our way back to the truck after a hike, this is a good scenery shot.

As is this one...Its amazing out there!

Niki will kill me when she sees this one...I sure she told me to delete it...

Niki standing in the middle of "Kissing turtles arch" how romantic!?

Niki on top of another arch with our nieces running around, yes Rebecca I can see your cast in this one!

What family hiking trip would be complete without the classic, "I am about to eat a lizard," pose? Thanks to Mike we have this one documented, in fact I videoed it for posterity's sake.

I wonder what the lizard tells his buddies, "I was almost eaten today! Good thing I bit the dudes finger off and then karate chopped him into next year!" Yeah that is probably it!

Ever wanted to have a unicon serenade you?

2010-05-15T13:29:00.004-06:00

I found this randomly today...if you need to sweeten up your day, well check it out!
I really like the Boys II Men and Michael Bolton songs!

We were M.F.E.O.

2010-04-19T22:34:00.003-06:00

Okay so today I get home and Niki says, "guess what Bret?" (Like I am supposed to be able to guess). Instead of making my off in right field guess of "you were abducted by Aliens that looked like Elvis" I just said, "What?"

She then begins to tell me that she was almost nearly, and very closely hit by a car while riding her bike. I was like, "WHAT?! And you waited until just now to tell me?" I kinda think that is a serious thing you know!

She begins to tell me the story about having a green light, crossing the street, the last car didn't stop, they both hit their brakes, Niki flew over the handlebars, the car stopping in time, her getting her jacket dirty, scraping her hands, causing a traffic jamb and everyone stopping staring and asking if they can help, etc. etc. I am just so glad that the accident wasn't more severe and that Niki is okay. Its good I wasn't there, or some jerk in a car and I would have shared words, Mostly me sharing with him!

Here are a couple pics for your viewing pleasure,
if your stomach can handle it! ha ha!

These were very difficult to get by the way.

Oh and Niki's bike is just fine! We are going to have to get her some gloves, not to mention a helmet!

It reminded me of the time that I was in a bike accident and had to go to the hospital and get my perscription and back home all on my bike in the Dark! it was awesome!
Here is my poor hand.

So I decided that this is another random piece of evidence that Niki and I were Made For Each Other. (Not that I needed it).

The list of exciting websites continues...

2010-04-17T01:02:00.001-06:00

I have also created a webpage. This is for my tech for teachers. Its in its rough draft form. Just don't tell my teacher that!
http://sites.google.com/site/donaldbretgadbury3efolio/
Feel free to browse and comment at your leisure.

Exciting web pages

2010-02-23T14:13:00.001-07:00

Here are three web pages that I thought were noteworthy, and shareworthy and postworthy!
The first is actually a second...a second Blog for Me. I am going to dedicate it for things that involve Niki and myself, I will leave this one (Superjeeptown) for me and Jeep stuff. This first post was obviously for a class assignment, so bear with those for a few months, I will get some other good posts in there!
#1-http://nikiandbret.blogspot.com/

This is for a song that I really like, from artists that I really like. Simon and Garfunkle singing "El condor Pasa." This came back to my attention yesterday as part of a Spanish assignment. Its incredible how universal this song has become, just check out some of the other videos, you will find, russians, mexicans, japanese and more remaking this song. just to think that S&G borrowed it from a peruvian.
#2-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuG35Tbrtbw&feature=related

The Last is maybe less interesting to everyone, but I think its awesome. This guy in Oklahoma customizes trucks to be 6 doors and super awesome! Here is one he did for an Icelandic tour company.
#3-http://www.customautosbytim.com/

Blissied Life is Marry

2009-11-16T19:52:00.020-07:00

As a celebration of our one month anniversary, I just wanted to post a bunch of pics from our wedding since we got the internet, FINALLY!

Enjoy! We will get reception and honeymoon pics up soon also!
Thanks to you all who have supported us in this joyFUL time!
Bret & Niki

Bret is engagged to be Marred!

2009-07-24T00:50:00.004-06:00

That is correct! you read that right. (Maybe you read it right but I didn't write it right!) I am getting hitched! I know it seems like an incredible turn of events! I proposed July 19th and she accepted! I have a picture of us before, and the cubic zarconium ring! its beautiful!
Niki and I will be getting married in the Bountiful temple Oct 16th!

Sasha- The legacy continues

2009-06-22T11:51:00.004-06:00

So here is a picture of the lovely Sasha!

I know that you were all very anxious to see her! the bad news about that is, I am moving to Wyoming and can't take her with me, so the whole reason that I took the picture was so that I could post her up on Craig's list and sell her. check out the ad.

I can't take the 'ol, not so tired girl with me so I am trying to let her go.

But if anyone knows of a person in need of a decent car, I would rather give it away...so let me know if you know anyone!

Five hundred, thenty-five thousand six-hundred minutes

2009-06-06T21:13:00.004-06:00

So its been Six years (3,153,600 minutes total) since I returned to US soil from the South American Continent.

Reminicent of the Musical RENT (which I have never seen!)

I can still remember the sight of the Santiago city lights fading from my view as the plane lifted off the ground and took me away from the place that had won my heart for the past two years.

Chile! (pronounced Ch-ie-lay)

I had labored and sweated and worked amoung the Chilean people sharing the most important message on the earth...about Jesus Christ and the Restored Gospel! Not all accepted and not all even wanted to even talk to us, good looking americans, well some of my companions were at least. However many lives where changed, most importantly mine!

Life is good! I had a great day! My friend Niki and I played earlier. We went for a bike ride around a quarry, and a walk on the Lake Michigan beach! Had some great soup for lunch and played some ping pong. We were 1 and 1 but couldn't finish the 3rd game as her family showed up from Utah...

Anyway, I came back to my cousins house, watched BOLT! such a good show! I went for a run and really enjoyed getting out.

Its been a great day and I can't believe that its been 6 years. I am sure that I have wasted many of those moments, but I think that I have also made the most of others.

I wish that I had been able to go back and visit, but I haven't been able to. Someday...some other moment.

ROMAN SEBRLE (Who?) The greatest athlete in the world-and others that you DON'T know...

2009-05-07T21:10:00.004-06:00

DISCLAIMER: This is in no particular order...Really!

Make sure you click on all the links or you will be very very lost...

1- The first is one who I remember watching as a child, Every Saturday we would find ourselves watching American Gladiators...This lady Kelly Mollica rocked! A firefighter, really cute and tough!

2- Maybe Steve Prefontaine should be at the top of the list because: #1 he is a runner, and #2 actually accomplished worthwhile goals in his life. (Let's see Olimpics vs American Gladiators...hmmm...Sorry Kelly...I can only imagine the hate mail now).
His story is almost the stuff to make a fairtale, even with a sore ending its worth the study. He definitely made his mistakes though, as do all humans, super athletes or not! Here is a man driven to excellence. A man who persisted on pushing his limits. He was not built like a runner, one leg was significantly shorter than the other, he was small. And only when you consider drive, stamina and dedication do you realize his strengths. Those were areas that he was anything but underdeveloped.
He is oft quoted, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Wise words.

3- Lets go to another Track athlete... Jim Thorpe. "... winning two gold medals at the 1912 Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden...heptathlon and pentathlon gold medals which labeled him as the world's greatest athlete." I'll admit I am taking this quote out of context slightly to make the point that he was the man! Read the article yourself if you really have to know, but know that the man was also honest. That makes him a great athlete in my book!
Let's get another chap's opinion shall we?
In 1912, King Gustav V of Sweden told Jim Thorpe, "You, sir, are the World's Greatest Athlete" after Thorpe won the decathlon at the Olympics in Stockholm. Traditionally, the title of World's Greatest Athlete has been given to the man who wins the decathlon, a two-day event that features runs of 100, 400 and 1,500 meters, the 110-meter hurdles, the long jump, the high jump, the shot put, the discus, the javelin and the pole vault.

4- Here is one that you wouldn't expect to see...

see the full article

Tony Azevedo?
Everyone has his parochialism, all fans have their own slant on what athletes are the best.

But how can one argue with this:

Jump into a pool. Tread water for an hour. Don't touch the sides or bottom. Swim about two miles. Throw a ball the size of a volleyball upward of 70 mph. All the while, get punched, pinched and kicked in the mouth, eyes, nose and places you don't want to think about.

That's water polo, a sport that requires the skills of baseball, the strategy of soccer, the teamwork of basketball, the endurance of a marathon, the exertion of swimming, the grit of hockey, the contact of football, the danger of boxing and . . .

"Wrestling. Think of wrestling in the water," Azevedo said. "You're focused in on trying to score, working with teammates while you're getting roughed up like you wouldn't believe. You should see the stuff that goes on under the water. And all the while you're trying not to die from drowning. I'd put water polo up with any sport in the world."
Hmm Good argument...

5- Strongest Man competition, well although this is also entertaining to watch...I don't think it meets the definition of athlete...

6- Lets see what the Wall Street Journal has to say about this topic!
interesting finds! Is it a coincidence that there is a hurdling picture here? I don't think so!

Any comments? disagree? etc.

Jon Cold Swift

2009-04-27T08:10:00.014-06:00

You gotta give that man! Some serious props for the good work! My friend Heather sent me this link and I liked it so much I decided to post it up!

Let me tell you about why I love it, its the fusion of two songs, that I like, and that I think compliment each other. Its the elements of the cello, piano, bass drum and vocals that all work together in perfect harmony, yes it sounds cheesy, but you can't deny it! I also love the motivation behind the arrangment! that is love! I wish I could do cool stuff like this!

Birthday player

2009-03-18T10:54:00.001-06:00

So for those of you unawares...don't worry I don't hate you...I had a birthday a few days ago... March 8th to be exact, I am now 27! yahoo! i think, oh yeah that is right, 2009 minus 1982....that's uh let's see, um...seven, carry the one, 10 minus 8 equals.... yes 27!

I wanted to share some of the birthday celebrations cards and presents! I must say that honestly this has been one of the best birthdays of my life!

Thursday there was a "Bret's Birthday Bash" (not solicited by me, mind you).
Friday there was a Bret's Birthday Bowling Party
Saturday my boss took me to dinner since our birthdays are the same day!
Sunday I went to the Johnson's for Lasagna and red velvet cake, hmmm
Monday I brought a birthday cake for FHE treat!

I got the funniest card from my Montana friend, Kristin Scott, pictured here, I love the pictures!
The caption on the inside is "You are a legend in your own mind." I laughed for hours! I won't show you the rest, because its private ha ha! but you can see there was time spent in the making of the card! (there was also some amazing blueberry, coconut, mystery bread, SO SO good!)

I got a record player Holla! I have a record collection, well i had started one, and didn't have a player for the big vinyl discs of black! Laura somehow managed to convince her grandma to give it up! and at least 250 records! that count may be an embellishment, but its a huge huge stack! I listen to one record a day!

I got a beautiful tie (thanks Heather), and some raisin nut bran (thanks Mamá), the best cereal in the world!

I also got a sweet card with a cutout of Lightning McQueen! from My favorite movie! CARS, Awesome! and a plate of cookies that didn't last very long! (Not pictured!) Double Awesome!

All in all I think I didn't fare too badly, although I didn't get any kisses, not even one! You might say, "Well Bret you are 27 and unmarried, what do you expect?" and all I would be able to respond to that is, "well played well played..."

Trucks gone mad!

2009-03-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

Ram truck challenge
I would totally win this!

What is in a name?

2009-02-25T22:03:00.008-07:00

So my vehicles (there are four of them) are all precious to me. so precious that they are Baptized (given a proper name).

Actually in Chile when you get a new car (or new pair of shoes) its traditional to "baptize" the new item by scuffing the tire or shoe. You are always worried about getting that first scuff so they do that to get it over with!

1st there is Sunny the '73 Cj-5 Super Jeep, My first love and most cherished...she was named by my brother, he did a good job! Sunny is yellow with orange and white stripes... so Sunny was a fitting name...

I recently acquired two new additions, Sasha and Shadow... Sasha is a '92 Toyota Celica, (Picture to be inserted later) she is my POJ, teal green, no power anything, trunk no worky, missing one hubcap, no AC, missing 3rd gear, hunk of junk, beater car, drive 80 miles to work and back baby. I call her Sasha as it is a combination of two words, SA-ckcloth and ASH-es, put them together and you get SASHA! because that is what she is, my sackcloth and ashes.

Shadow was pretty much named from the factory, its a black '84 Honda motorcycle with "custom", "designer", "patriotic" decals. Its great, its name is Shadow.

Then there is the trusty pick-up truck, the '97 GMC, she has been my trusty sidekick through so much, moving probably at least 1000 girls in and out of the branch, driven to Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Missouri, not to mention the road trip to Iowa and Tennessee. There is also the countless times towing Sunny to jeeping trails and back again!

She is a stout little tug and gets looks and comments wherever she goes. She reads 221,000 miles on the odometer, so she has come a long way through this life...

My problem is this, what do I call her? I need to keep the "s" name thing going on, and it has to fit the persona of the vehicle...

One day I was in the Shower thinking about "s" names...
Samantha, or Sam, Syndi, Sara, scheumauker, shamu, Shelly, Sacajawea, etc... scrunchii, spaghetti, salami... When i started getting to things I knew it was time to stop... so I send this note to all of you pleading for relief, help me name my #2 love ___________. If your suggestion is chosen you will receive the grand prize!

Hints: 1- The "s" names are in.
2- I espeaka espanish.
3- If it plays to the darker side, and the not too girly side it will be a plus.
look at the picture for help.
4- Silvia or the like is NOT a good suggestion

Please submit all entries by mail (or however you want) at the following address no later than March 8, 2009 12:00 pm CST. One entry per household per year. Family members are not discouraged to participate as their input will not be discarded immediately.

The greatest advertising ploys in the world

2008-12-23T14:06:00.005-07:00

In the wake of this Christmas season and a record low retail Holiday spending I though that I would share some examples of advertising that I have enjoyed...I am sure there are real names for all these...but I don't know them so i will make them up. Also some of the definitions are interchangeable and intermixed...

#1- Peer pressure-i.e. Keeping up with the Jones'
I have had a love affair with Nike since my best friend Luke Jenkins showed up wearing these awesome Nike Basketball shoes when I was only in 5th grade (before that I didn't see brands, we could never afford it anyway), I figured that was the missing link to my game. I dreamed that if I had Nikes I would have some serious skills. Instead I play like this...

#2-Euphoria- you will be happy IF you have this...
One blessed day I received my first pair of new, bonified Nike Air Jordan Sneakers! I loved these shoes... I wore them until they stopped fitting and way after...I was so excited! My day had finally come! I would be "The Man" on the court, the only one around with skills the coach would rejoice, My teammates would bow and the girls would swoon! ( We all know which of those reactions was the most important).
But unfortunately my skills hadn't improved any from the time spent lacing up those shoes, and I was still a mediocre baller in a world seeking and adoring extraordinary ball skills.
It was all a clever little ploy, an advertising masterpiece if you will. I was caught up in keeping up with the Jones' well the Jenkins was their name, while what really matters is heart and effort, not branding or color scheme! (this last line was unintentionally poetic...hmmm!)

#3- Performance Enhancing properties- that you inherently receive by buying something, it doesn't make sense but we all fall for it...
Soccer sometimes get a bad wrap...in-fact my hometown stake president who is quite tall and talented at basketball teases his 5'-8" son about the height requirements to play soccer...loosely it is that "you just have to be tall enough to touch the ground!" I guess you had to be there. Regardless of your personal feelings for soccer, there is just something about watching the worlds greatest athletes doing some amazing things. Although I am not a great soccer player either...I do remember the coolest FHE activity human foosball! what do you think about this one? oh heck yeah foosball...

#4- Elitism
Here is another example of some sweet advertising...Diet pepsi truck...don't be ashamed if you went out and got one after hearing that P-Diddy had one.

#5- Red herring
Here is another one, its a classic advertisement, Jordan, His shoes, running, Gatorade; all shameless plugs, "Life is a sport, Drink it up!" All in the name of increasing the exposure of a product type and exploiting a niche in the market. Surprisingly this comes from a supposed holy, wise monk in the middle of no where.
Question #1 is this really in an Indian mountain village?
Q#2 Is Jordan really sweating?
Q#3 Is that Gatorade located in a remote area past the expiration date?
Q#4 Do monks speak English?
Q#5 How does this all correlate? how does gatorade fulfill the ever burning questions that only a monk who has dedicated himself to years of meditation?
Or was this all blue screened witty advertising? I will let you make that call!

#6- Fulfill a need
This one is an advertisement you probably saw either flipping the channels at 3 am, Saturday @ 11 am after the good cartoons were over or on everyone's favorite; the Cooking channel... We can all relate to the never ending problems presented by leftovers, tupperware is unorganized, ziplocks get messy in the fridge, foil isn't airtight, and who can really use plastic wrap anyways? The answer? No you don't just throw it out... It's Chef Tony's SMARTLIDZ! Don't knock it till you try it...is that even the saying?
Anyway products like these sell themselves because they actually solve a common problem.

#7- Paradigm Shift
The superbowl commercials have always been historic...take this Apple Commercial...
Here is one too... Mac has always has been interesting..."On January 24^th, Apple Computer will introduce the Macintosh. And you'll see why 1984 won't be like "1984."
My question is why did they air this commercial for the superbowl? besides the obviously attractive (big question there) woman, do you think that most of those watching the commercial even understood what the commercial was about? not to mention that the punchline was very vague. Maybe the US open would have been a better choice to spend millions on a witty commercial...but what do I know...

#8-Scare tactics
Mostly used by pesticides/security salesmen one of the lowest forms of advertising...
And how about Terry Tate Office Linebacker! This doesn't even have to advertise anything worthwhile, because it is just a cool commercial! It just makes me laugh!

#9- Funny
I think one of the greatest commercials I have ever seen was this one featured in the 2000 SuperBowl ads.. Herding Cats... no one even knows who or what this is advertising for...again it almost doesn't even matter...

#10-
Well i don't have a tenth example...i am open for suggestions...

Christmas Letter entry

2008-12-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

My mom asked us to write our own paragraph for the family Christmas letter...Here is mine-

I am still living in St. Louis, MO, and as you can tell by the pictures, am enjoying life! I am dating a wonderful girl, Elizabeth Erekson who is from St Louis, we have been "officially together" for a few months and enjoy our time together. This is us at the Balloon Glow, it was absolutely splendid! We actually helped a couple take their balloon down when they were ready to pack it up, it was so much fun! The other picture is us at the Branch Halloween Party, I am a Rodeo Clown and she is a Red Hat Lady, (the other red hatters, mad hatters, if you ask me) were not there yet. As a side note I was nominated one of the costumes most likely to scare small children.

This year has been a busy one, I has been able to attend multiple weddings, none of them mine, almost every single month this year! Its been a great opportunity to see all you family and friends! This picture shows me busting a groove with my cousin Ellie at Willie Harnish's Wedding. I seriously have had a wedding every month...
January- Okay no wedding, but I was home for Lethe's return from Spain.
February- Crissy Palmer- I didn't get to go...
March- Tim & Alisa (Harnish) Cook 8th, Dustin & Elizabeth Dews 15th
April- Derek and Alyx Cleaver
May- Willie and Liz Harnish
June- Tim and Crystal
July- Spencer & Kaylee Straub, Bryan and Laura
August- Robert and Jaime Marshall
September- Kelli
October- Cory & Jessica Gumm (cousin)
November- Lethe and Tristan 28th (Bart's birthday)
December-Jessi and Cody

I participates in many activities that keep me super busy, as expected! I am active in Church services as Branch Clerk, as a Temple worker, and Institute President just to name a few. There is a Spanish branch that I also regularly attend to keep the Espanol up to par.

I like to work on the jeep, who has been affectionately named Sunny, I have a motorcycle and a truck that I tinker on and play with a lot. I also have two bicycles and used to commute on one almost everyday.

I love to serve wherever I can, I have a friend named Heather who was paralyzed in an accident, a few years ago, that I see frequently. I love spending time with her and her family; playing games, eating and just having fun. I also am able to help with "manly" chores around their home.

There are plenty of outdoorsy activities to participate in, biking, hiking, jeepin' and plenty of parks, museums and venues to see in the area.

I am currently looking for a new job and hoping to stay in St Louis but I know that only time and the Lord can tell what will happen.

Snowy days are coming!

2008-11-20T16:39:00.004-07:00

I just want to go play in the snow somewhere! just watching this makes me laugh like crazy...I think that high-5 is my favorite.
I am so glad that there are creative people in the world who come up with this good stuff! thanks Laura for forwarding this to me!

I got the tagged fever

2008-11-17T17:22:00.006-07:00

So Bart my loving brother lovingly tagged me, all that means I think, (please correct me, because Google didn't help) I pick the 4th photo in the 4th folder? whatever that means, I will try it and if I don't like it, I will just pick one that I like and write about it...ha I will rebel against this system, just like I refuse to forward ANY email, unless I make it my own first.

This is probably the worst picture in the album, I should delete and recount...
1) This was a little over a year ago... Raymond, Eric, Ben, David Guptle and I gathered as many Osage oranges we could find and played Home Run derby with them! it was awesome!
2) Ben's bat got all sticky from all the hedge apples (I just learned this from the web page) we smashed!
3) We honestly didn't get quite enough because we ran out in a few minutes. But it was a hoot! it was the classic boys being boys ploy.
4) Another tale that should be told...We also got golf clubs out and smashed the smaller pieces. It was awesome until I swung soo hard that the club left my hands and flew a good 30 feet into a bush. We couldn't even find it and to this day it remains unclaimed. I think that it was just the 3 iron anyway...who uses that?

I tag Chantal, Kristen (my cuz), Karen, and Emily(EJE's sister)

Steel kisses

2008-11-12T13:28:00.012-07:00

I love singing too...
This is a video of a guy playing two instruments simultaneously, the flute, not sure what metal they make them out of, but they are metal, and it looks like he is kissing it...and the other instrument is the most versatile of all, his vocal chords, I was impressed...

So at the tender young age of 12 or 13 I decided to subject myself to the rigors of Junior high choir. I felt it was a noble cause, a talent that should not remain hidden or undiscovered. I felt it my civic duty to express myself in this new musical medium.

Honestly though, at first I think it was because I thought "all the cute girls are in choir, if you want to get one of them, you gots to sing too!" SO I joined in the singing frenzy. Believe you me, some of those kids in the Junior High Choir were, how shall I say it, well I can't think of anyway to say it mildly, they stunk! Although I didn't have a lot of experience I knew it! So I stayed with it and lasted longer than my other hard rockin' amigos, but I never did land me a cute singing babe...

Let me tell you the sad tale of one of those cute singing babes, Jessica Spears. She was definately my closest catch, I almost completed this conquest. She has since been very aloof for many many moons in Idaho. I was always totally lost in her voice, and her curly blond hair, she had a great smile too...ah err ah... (sorry EJE) her voice, yeah her singing... she sang like an angel, and I could never do enough to convince her that I was cool... or maybe there were other reasons... Nope I am pretty sure that was it, I just wasn't cool like that. well life goes on...

Anyway I have included a few samplings of songs I love, they have all the right ingredients, good vocals, nice harmonies, vocal percussion, high energy, its an award winning combination! There is some Ben Harper the guy that taught me that vocal percussion was cool, M-Pact the awe inspiring harmonies, and some Rockapella the standard of Excellence if you will in the A capella scene, I once drove all the way to Idaho from Cheyenne just to see these guys in concert! That my friends is some real love...you can't tell me that you don't know who these guys are...

Here is one song I am sure you'll recognize, Folger's theme song.
The following song brings back some "good ol' days" I sure have fond memories of that show. The theme song for that show has got to be their most famous... Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.

My buddy Brandon and I would watch it, as they were rich ranchers and had a satellite dish, and we would play the game on their Mac PC for hours, I really liked it and have known what Speulunking was since the 3rd grade, even though I can't spell it...It was a great resource for when I went spelunking er a caving in the ice cave, I could impress the ladies with my advance vocabulary...okay maybe not, but the ride there in my truck was a plus, unless it died on the way home...hmmm.

I have also included Shambala, its a personal favorite...I can't say that I love the video per se, I don't understand the profile dancing but its still a great song.

I was once in a group, PopRox, we sang this song and had a great time with it.

I absolutely love M-Pact, Willie may jab and tease but I have always been a fan. They were responsible for inspiring me to continue pursuing singing and to make it a goal to be in an a capella group. This is another lives song from m-pact, not bad for a live outdoor venue, eh?

Okay so that is it, I am a fanatic, I'll admit it... its okay, to each their own...right?

Map my run rocks my socks, and shoes

2008-11-12T11:40:00.005-07:00

So I don't just do jeeps, I have other loves, running is one of them... I was shown this amazing tool by my former roommate Robert, who got married, and have been using it ever since, I share it here for your enjoyment and use!
The only problem is that i now know for sure exactly how far I am running (It also can track mile splits, MPH, shoe usage etc.) the only problem being that with this knowledge comes responsibility, I can't just claim to have run 10 miles in an hour!
I also am showing a recent run, yesterday, its a 6 miler that wasn't too tough...there is plenty of great areas around here where I run! life is good and I am
happy when I get to run. Attached see a picture of me getting pumped up to run my second half marathon, as part of the Teton Dam Marathon, we had a relay team and I was the first leg. Also for your viewing enjoyment is a picture of me running at a BYU-I XC meet near the airport. This is the last kick right before the finish line.
Enjoy!

Craig Road 6 mile run
Find more Runs in St Louis, Missouri

My jeep club's link

2008-09-30T07:47:00.000-06:00

I like it so I am letting you check out the site...

Jeepin'... er ah 4 wheelin'... I mean diggin'...

2008-09-26T12:09:00.001-06:00

So as this is called super jeep town I feel it appropriate to update with some Jeep stories and Pics...

Last weekend My girlfriend and I went to Fulton, MO, with my jeep club to Powatomi Off road park, its about 100 miles due west of St Louis.

I was tired as I stayed up all night putting needless accessories; seatbelts, lights and the like on the jeep, and making sure it all worked well. SO driving to the park, around the park and home was quite an adventure!

The park had mud, which I gleefully barrelled through getting Elizabeth and me muddy, rocks, tight, loose rock trails, trees and creekbeds! it was awesome, here are a few pics that I could get of us in action.

Most of the other jeepers were impressed with my skills and most jealous of my vintage "Retro Ride."

2008-08-09T23:48:00.002-06:00

Sometimes people ask me what my dream is...and the answer i usually give, which is completely valid is not really the absolute catch-all answer.
The Usual answer is that that I would like to have a horse ranch in Colorado. I have visited two in my life, (or been on one and driven past one) and just really liked them, I think its a noble dream!
It lends to a super simple life, which I am a fan of 100%.
But the real answer is something I feel is somewhat more obtainable and realistic (we need realistic dreams too). To build furniture. I have limited experience in this (see picture on the left) but just think that it would be absolutely the greatest hobby/activity/dream job!
I guess I should start with the table my parents gave me, i kinda busted a leg...so the whole leg, support framework will need to be repaired...somehow...

Old Family Pictures my mom has been sending me

2008-08-04T00:17:00.002-06:00

2008-05-24T15:04:00.001-06:00

http://willieandliz.blogspot.com/
at some point they will have pics up, it will be after the honemoon I am guessing...

Marriage...its great!

2008-05-24T14:56:00.005-06:00

So I am right now in Utah...My cousin Willie just got married on Thursday...It was amazing! and that boy scored a seriously outstanding sweetie! I am sure he is thinking, "how on earth did I pull that one off?" The rest of us are! ha ha well anyway It was a beautiful sealing and the reception was great too!

I was very impressed with them, her family and i really was at home with the dance portion!

On another note, my cousins, (Willie's sister and two brothers) sang a great song called Forever by Ben Harper, look it up, make it yours, and cherish it, it's really really good...
I am going to try to track down a link to it... click on the title it will take you to Youtube, sorry that its a lame video with the song, but it was either that or a bunch of covers...lame. If that doesn't work use this link below...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwJyFyBQVEM&feature=related

2008-03-23T03:12:00.001-06:00

This is Sunny, she is pretty much my girlfriend, I buy her stuff and we always try to spend time together on the weekends, actually we work on improving "us" all the time. As you can see its a work in progress.
I have added a 2.5 inch lift, 33" tires, custom bumpers and various other items. I am going to be featured in my companies newsletter in the next issue! This is one of my favorite pictures of her...the sunset behind her, its beautiful!

This is not a toy as some might call it, its a serious Tool, like the others around it.

I thought one with us together might be appropriate!

Gatorade, is in me

2008-03-23T03:03:00.003-06:00

So I have decided that Gatorade is in me...

but I don't think that it really helps me at all...do I run any faster, or jump any higher than I would without it? I just don't know, but I do know that it tastes good and comes at a very great price at Costco, luckily my roommate has a membership there!

Rapelling Aussie Style at some park in Illinois

2008-03-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

Rapelling Aussie Style at some park in Illinois

2008-03-03T21:45:00.001-07:00

So this is a picture from the ground up, notice the trees growing behind me? I am rapelling Aussie style...I think the video is more fun to watch I will get that on here too... Looks fun eh?

superjeeptown

New Old Bike

A day on the UW campus

Do you need a little direction or inspiration?

Dear Doctor Cowan

Land of the Free?

Sometimes we think that our country has left discrimination & hate behind. It hasn't.Please watch the trailer.

Arizona is facing Anti-Ethnic Studies laws, which are oppressive policies and legislation, SB 1070. This will only increase structural and systematic prejudices and ethnic discrimination, things that have weakened our country for centuries. We have to stop it.

Suby I love you

I saw this sign about a year too late...

In case you were wondering...

Arches National Park May 6-8, 2010

Ever wanted to have a unicon serenade you?

We were M.F.E.O.

The list of exciting websites continues...

Exciting web pages

Blissied Life is Marry

Bret is engagged to be Marred!

Sasha- The legacy continues

Five hundred, thenty-five thousand six-hundred minutes

ROMAN SEBRLE (Who?) The greatest athlete in the world-and others that you DON'T know...

Jon Cold Swift

Birthday player

Trucks gone mad!

What is in a name?

The greatest advertising ploys in the world

Christmas Letter entry

Snowy days are coming!

I got the tagged fever

Steel kisses

Map my run rocks my socks, and shoes

My jeep club's link

Jeepin'... er ah 4 wheelin'... I mean diggin'...

Old Family Pictures my mom has been sending me

Marriage...its great!

Gatorade, is in me

Rapelling Aussie Style at some park in Illinois

Rapelling Aussie Style at some park in Illinois

Sometimes we think that our country has left discrimination & hate behind. It hasn't.

Please watch the trailer.

Arizona is facing Anti-Ethnic Studies laws, which are oppressive policies and legislation, SB 1070. This will only increase structural and systematic prejudices and ethnic discrimination, things that have weakened our country for centuries.

We have to stop it.