Micro Vacation

Well, it's only for a couple of days, but it's a vacation nonetheless. I am headed down to Beaver, UT to go camping with some friends. Should be fun. I've never been down there aside from driving through on I-15, so it should provide some new territory for these eyeballs to gaze upon. Talk to all y'all when I get back.

Now That's Funny!

Baby laughing at the WII

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Not the Only One...

After doing a little search on the web, I came to realize that I am definitely not the only one to go "bug crazy" over VW's New Beetle. Here are some photos taken by other folks from all over. More on this later...

Peeking in the Window

Side Mirror Reflections

Jelly Belly Beetle!

New Beetles in Barcelona

Midnight Snack

So, a little while ago, about midnight actually, I went on a quick trip over to Wally World to get something to eat. I didn't really have a good idea when I left the house, but once at that wonderful establishment, I didn't have to wander too far before I found something to hit the spot, paid and drove back home.

Now I am sitting here, having eaten a turkey sandwich, crab (probably fake) salad, and had a couple of cups of sweet tea! So, with a nice snack like that, we can turn to take a gander at this last week.

Sunday was a good day, as most Sundays are, and I ended it in rather a strange manner. Just out of the blue, cold turkey (probably no relation to the fellar that ended up in my aforementioned sandwich) if you will, I decided to go for a longer distance run. The past couple of months I've not been running, since I've been doing some working out here at home. So, at about 8:00 on Sunday evening, I started running. I ran, and ran, and ran...and by the time I got home, I had run almost 9 miles! Not bad for cold turkey eh? (Probably still no relation to that turkey on wheat) Anyway, I was pretty pleased I was able to run that and still survive.

Tuesday was my Saturday for the week, so I spent the day in a more relaxed mode than when I have to work. I ended up getting some errands run, and spent some time with Pastor. I worked on his computer some, and ended up staying for dinner. We all had a great time of fellowship.

The new glasses are working out well. I haven't really missed the extra viewing area that my previous "hangar doors" provided. There is a noticable reduction in viewing area, but it hasn't been a problem.

One of the associates at work lives in an apartment complex that has a fitness room. So, I started going over this week and spending some time hitting the weights again. Boy does that feel good! It's been quite a while since I have been able to do it, and I'm quite greatful to have the opportunity to do it again. Just not the same doing pushups and situps at home. Getting back on the bench (bench press) has been the best!

Ok, so did you all know that McDonald's now has iced coffee? Well, they do...and it comes in plain, vanilla and hazelnut. It's not a Starbucks Frappuccino-slayer, but at half the price, it is much more appealing...and oh so good on a hot spring (well, now summer) day! By the way, welcome to summer 2007!

So I was listening to the radio tonight, and I heard the funniest phrase I have come across for some time. It was at the end of a commercial that was talking about some grand little shin dig that some folks are putting together. Near the tail end of the whole thing, the announcer was telling folks what the price of the tickets were. Here's what he said about the young'uns, "Kids 10 and under are free." (Hey, at that price, take two!)

The most interesting and useless trivia fact I came across this week: John Travolta stays up 'till 6 or 7 in the morning and then sleeps during the day, getting up in the afternoon. That's a bit different eh?

Well, that's about the sum of the bloggable stuff that comes to mind at the moment. I've been pressing on with my study in Ruth and the Lord is continuing to faithfully open His word and reveal to me what He has had there all along! Who'd a thunk that one could study a four-chapter book for over a year and still be learning new things? Only a book written by God could do such a thing. It is indeed His living and preserved Word!

Sleepiness is beginning to tug at my eyelids and a warm "post-snack" feeling is beginning to creep over me. A few more sips of tepid coffee and I shall be ready to launch into a night of horizontal repose. G'nite and talk to you all soon!

Got Faith?

Here's a clip of the cutest little girl in the world! Okay, well at least one of them. In it, she's asked what Uncle Derek does...to which she responds, "beep beep", indicative of the car I drive!

Last of a June Evening

I know when I used to think of Utah, I thought of a dry, desert landscape, kind of like the area immediately around the Great Salt Lake. Well, as these pictures attempt to illustrate, there is a lot of beauty to be found, even here in Utah. Hope you all have enjoyed the pics.

Trailhead

Sunset on the Water

One June Evening - 4

One June Evening - 3

Fields of Green

Of House and Fence

Water in the Valley

One June Evening - 2

Woods, fields and fences

Another valley view

One June Evening - 1

Last night I spent a little time driving around and exploring some back roads on the west side of the valley, behind the town of Mendon. Partly at Becky's suggestion and partly on my own, I grabbed my camera and took some pics. Here are a couple of them...

Looking east across the valley...

A barn in Wellsville

Blog Post #250

Well, I did something today that I haven't done in over a decade...I got myself a new pair of glasses! The last pair I had which you all know me by, were purchased by my folks for me back in 1996. As the paint was starting to come off my old ones and they looked like something out of the 1970's, I decided it was time to make use of my vision insurance and get some new ones. The kind folks at Baldwin Optical were able to get me in, get my exam, and help me pick out the frames. The gal that was helping me recommended this pair, and after looking at several others, I decided that I liked them as well. But, to be on the safe side, I called a gal from work who had offered to drop by and help me decide. Ryan and Spring showed up a few minutes later and after looking at the other available frames also concurred that these were the ones. So, to make a short story shorter, they arrived yesterday and I dropped by today to pick them up. The guy that helped fit the glasses for me, after seeing my old ones and then my new ones, enthusiastically welcomed me to the 21st century! Well, that's the news...whadya'll think?



Oh yeah, the good news? The co-pay was under $40!
(By the way, taking a decent picture of one's self is harder than it looks...these were the better ones!)

Why the Non-Beige Craze?

I sat down at my computer

To ponder the state of affairs,

Of computer trends and changes

That have caught most of us unaware.



Have you stopped to look at a new one?

They've changed quite a bit since my day.

For unlike our good ole' beige boxes

These new ones are quite an array!



Some are black and some are blue

With colors their cases to favor,

Some have lights and liquid-cooling,

Some even come in flavors! (CRT-based iMacs)



So what is wrong with the old beige box?

Perhaps a touch bland you might say.

A little bit boring with no sense of style,

But I'd have it no other way!




Paid for by the Coallition of Beige Box Computing
((well, not really, but it sounded good!))

Koffee Kwotes

Coffee is definitely one thing that I really enjoy. It is fun to drink, fun to discuss things over, fun to discuss in its own right. Since coffee drinking is so common, it is easy to talk about it with just about anyone. Here are some quotes that have been made about coffee...which one is your favorite?

- Coffee leads men to trifle away their time, scald their chops, and spend their money, all for a little base, black, thick, nasty, bitter, stinking nauseous puddle water. ~The Women's Petition Against Coffee, 1674

- The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., "Over the Teacups," 1891

- As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold

- Coffee is a beverage that puts one to sleep when not drank. ~Alphonse Allais

- I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon. ~Ronald Reagan

- In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running. ~Jeff Bezos

- A morning without coffee is like something without ... something else

- Coffee : break fluid

- Coffee in England always tastes like a chemistry experiment. ~Agatha Christie

- I drink coffee for your protection

- Give me coffee and no one gets hurt

- Moderately drunk, coffee removes vapours from the brain, occasioned by fumes of wine, or other strong liquors; eases pains in the head, prevents sour belchings, and provokes appetite. -- England's Happiness Improved (1699)

- Ah! How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine! I must have coffee... ~J. S. Bach

- Caffeine Allocation Error: COFFEE.SYS missing, Programmer halted.

- Everybody should believe in something. I believe I'll have another coffee.

- A cup of coffee shared with a friend is happiness tasted and time well spent.

My Favorite Coffee

I have had a lot of different types of coffees...and I've had differing opinions on them. The more expensive the coffee, the more critical I become. I have much looser standards on Folgers for instance than on Starbucks. I do have a favorite coffee however, one that I have only had the pleasure of enjoying a couple of times. My biggest problem is that I have forgotten the name! It is one of the following two coffees: Dead Man's Reach or Bruin's Blend...both by the fine little Southeast establishment, Raven's Brew. Here are the logos for each one. If you have a chance, try one of these two...you won't be disappointed.

Vat Do You Sink?

Latest Shenanigans!

Well, I've been busy as usual. This week threw in the latest curve of working the graveyard shift because we are getting (drumroll please) carpet in the store! So, I've been working since Sunday evening, all through the night. It's been good, though definitely an interruption to a normal schedule. I had the chance to do Sunday School again this last weekend and the Lord seemed to bring it all together. My friends, Derek and Boo Bunker just got a 2007 VW New Beetle, so I will be spending some time with them when I go down to the base for my drill weekend this coming Saturday and Sunday. Other than that I've just been sitting around collecting dust!

Best Quote from Previous Clip

"Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government..."

I'm 37, I'm not old....

This is one of my favorite Monty Python Holy Grail clips.