My more recent happenings will be found with Niki on another post that can be found here...

http://nikiandbret.blogspot.com/

If you would like to see it, follow the link and subscribe.

Bret

New Old Bike

 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

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?

Dear Doctor Cowan

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?

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

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...

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...

I am a Mormon.

Arches National Park May 6-8, 2010

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?

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.

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...

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

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

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!

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

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

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...

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

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!