Missing Hot Rod

Well, tonights Jazz game is not on free over-the-air tv, so I am listening to the play-by-play done by Mr. Hundley. I must say, I miss hearing that familiar voice. Jazz games just aren't the same. I am sure Craig will grow on me with time.

Anyway, it is 4th quarter 96 to 91 for the Lakers with about 5 minutes to go. I can't believe how much fun it is to huddle around the radio and listen to the game. I can almost picture what is going on, and it is coming in High Def. Let's get this going Jazz!

On another note, I must mention that I spent all Saturday putting together a nice little swingset for my boy. It literally took 9 hours with assistance from my lovely glowing wife Jaime. Ashton really enjoys the "hang glider swing" as he calls it. I kind of wish he would use the slide more... that requires no effort on my part. You see, he sits on the glider swing and insists I push him as hard as I can while he hangs on laughing for joy. It really made the hard labor on Saturday worthwhile to see him so happy on his very on swing set. Now if I can figure a way to keep the neighbor kids off...

Early Risin'

I've been waking up early on M,W and F to play basketball with my bro-in-law Bob. Okay, so I've technically never made it on a Friday, and I usually miss the Mondays, and Wednesdays are tough too get up for too. Let me revise my prior statement: I have occasionally gotten up to play ball at 6 AM at the old church house. It's been a lot of fun, and nice to know that I can still run up and down the court without completely passing out. That is reassuring, especially since I haven't been out running since November 2007. I did run 1 mile last month pushing the boy around in the jog stroller. If only we could have this global warming kick in a little sooner, I'd be happy to be out early in the morning running up and down the hills.

Anywho, this getting up early reminded me of a time in the house I grew up in on Oak Grove. I have 3 older siblings who would wake up extra early for Jr. High and High School, and I had to wait for them to shower so I could get ready. For some odd reason, I would pull my groggy head out of bead with a blanket in tow. I'd lay down in the hall outside the bathroom and curl up under the blanket drifting off to sleep while waiting for the shower to come available. This routine became just that, very ritual and routine. Finally number 1 (Tara), stopped going to school. At this point in life, besides my parents, I had never been this closely related to someone who actually proved that school would one day come to an end. This was promising for my future.

With one less person to wait in line for, I could wait less time under that blanket in the hall. Of course, now my school was earlier as I advanced to Jr. High.

As I look back, I think the real reason I got up so early was not so I could ensure a healthy breakfast, unrushed and thoroughly enjoyed... no the real reason was so I could watch Fox's early morning cartoon lineup. Sadly, not much has changed as I advance into adulthood. While I don't wait in the hall under a blanket for the shower, I still wake up, grab some cereal and watch Fox in the morning. Unfortunately, they no longer have cartoons on in the morning, so I am stuck watching Damon Yauney tell me I need to wear a jacket on my way out the door.

Here is a picture of my mom's Easter Bunny roll. It totally goes with the story I know.

Travelin' Man

Well well, I just got back from Vernal, Utah... again. This time I inspected a proposed town-home project, an existing mobile home park and took some pictures for another appraiser. Okay, so the mobile home park wasn't in Vernal, it was actually in Roosevelt, but that was on the way. Because it takes over 3 hours to get to Vernal, I had to stay in a hotel Friday night and wrap up inspections and comp searches on Saturday.
I stayed in the only hotel in Vernal that offers a nightly rate as opposed to an hourly rate, if you know what I'm saying. It was actually quite nice, and I probably had the best night of sleep I've been afforded for awhile. Vernal was cold and foggy and I couldn't help but wonder why anyone would want to stay there for more than one night. I guess my blog is officially, anti-Vernal in nature, but I digress.

I will be leaving my home again, this time for a whole week. I have a class I need to take in Arcadia California. I am sad to say, the hotel looks to be a few steps down from my Vernal stay. Hopefully there won't be a mixed oil/horse crap aroma in the air like the one in Vernal.
Everyone who posts comment while I am gone will get a fridge magnet or something when I get back (limit one per household, you may actually only get a picture of magnet or a telepathic projection of one; if you have a stainless steel fridge, magnet will not work)
Have a good week everyone, please send your hello's while I am gone... maybe I'll have some down-time to update my post and recent/current experiences installing our new vanity.

Put me down for Ross Perot

As we all know, Mitt Romney has pulled out of the presidential race. I won't say anything about the conspiracy theory of McCain and Huckabee and alleged collusion. I am disappointed Romney has pulled out. I'm throwing my vote in for Romney to be an apostle. Maybe that's the real reason he pulled out. Taking the higher calling... but seriously, I will have to review the candidates all over again and decide where to put my vote. Let's hope a McCain/Huckabee ticket isn't in our near future.

And no, I won't jump on the Obama bandwagon, just because Mitt is out. I have yet to hear what Senator Obama intends to 'change'. He is an eloquent speaker, but I have yet to see any substance to his flowery words.

P.S. anyone see the resemblance? Steve Martin wore a CTR ring and is therefore a Mormon (sarcasm), in fact my friends brother-in-law is Steve Martin and he is Mormon. McCain is really Steve Martin and therefore Mormon. So you can vote for him and its just like having Romney in the race. What???

I just flipped off President George; I'm going do Dizz Knee Land

Well here it is one week and two days from the family trip to Dizz Knee Land. The last time we went my boy was about 4 months old. It was in this happy place he made his first distinctive, non-gas induced smile. I guess it truly is the happiest place on earth. This time, he might actually remember something from the trip, although not likely at just over 2 years. Perhaps he'll have his first ride-induced up-chuck. I'll make sure to capture that moment on the memory card and post it for all two of you who read this blog.

Here is a pic of My son and I inside the "A" in California Adventure.

I just checked the Hotel we are staying at, and they make no mention of having Internet access. I have to wonder, is it because everyone has the Internet, or has Internet access become the new 'Color TV' amenity. Either way, if they don't have Internet I will be so upset. How can I update my blog on vacation? I mean, as you know, I update this sucker every single day of my life. I hope my two readers (my mother and my snowball in heaven), will be able to cope with the short withdrawal period.

Christmas Seasons Greeting (Warning)

I am officially doomed this Holiday Season. I turned on Utah's official Christmas Station at work, and I can't keep the cheer out of my heart of coal. It happens every year, radio stations play the holiday music way to early to even think about the Holiday. In fact this year they played it 13 months too early. You heard me right, they are playing Christmas music for Christmas 2008 right now. I am outraged! I am making my stand by not calling in to win any of their contests and promotions. They'll be sorry when I get through with them.

To be honest, this holiday season I am thankful for making it this long before letting the yule-tide penetrate my Cochlea (I'm talking ears people). Oh well, it does bring a certain cheer to the season. Listening to Christmas music is like running a race. You have to be careful to keep a good pace in order to have energy to finish out the race. And be very careful to get plenty of fluids, but not too many. There is nothing worse than running on a full bladder. Conclusion: Don't listen to too much Christmas music at any one period of time, and drink egg nog in moderation.

Vernal, Utah

Yesterday I spent the day driving to and around Vernal, Utah. This booming metropolis is growing like the weeds that fill up the city limits. I spent all day looking at my subject site, a nice single family development located just outside of Vernal. The rest of the day I drove to lot sales in the area.



I am always shocked at the growth in the town on each visit. I have not been to Vernal for about 6 months and already much has changed as new development comes bursting forth. Why is it growing so quicky? Some say it is the oil shale lying beneath the earth in the region and the race to develop feasible oil extraction methods. Of course, that is ludicrous, it is because Vernal is so beautiful. I mean what is not to love about a town who's primary theme is a dinosaur? Every restaurant, every car dealership, every city park mentions dinosaurs or has a cartoon depicting a giant ancient lizard. In fact, the golf course in Vernal is called Dinaland Golf Course. I think a vote should be held to re-name Vernal to Dinaland.



My other theory of the popularity of Vernal is the city-wide dress code. While standing in the slowest Wendy's line imaginable, I realized I was overdressed for the occasion. I had on a yellow polo shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Boy was I embarrased! Every single man in that fine establishment was wearing tight jeans (mine were far to baggy for the locals) and a t-shirt, of course belt buckles were a-plenty with nearly half of the men wearing a baseball cap.