winter

I'm hearing it already...people are sick of winter. You don't often hear that before Christmas...I guess people are looking for the next big thing (as usual), and sometimes change can be fun, or maybe theyre just plain cold. I for some reason never get tired of winter, I mean, I enjoy being able to put clothes on, layering (I have more options), and bundling up under my covers. Its about this time of year that I actually consistently remember to put my coat on, or my gloves, and I actually remember to make time to scrape the ice from my car in the morning. I'm also one that for some reason or another, doesnt always take change as easily as i could. I love mixing certain things up, but others are harder for me to deal with. Its sort of odd. So, I'm used to winter now, comfortable with it.

For the record Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year. I dont generally get down in the winter though. I love snow, I dont mind the overcast days. I stare at winter's big pointy teeth and laugh. I should show you pictures of when I went to the top of a mountain in 20 degree weather and there was ice all over the trees. I didnt warm up for about 8 hours even after getting back in the heat. But...I loved it. I loved sleeping in a tent on the side of the road in West Virginia (about 20 yards off the road, so not so sketchy), and waking up with frost on my pillow. Seriously. Just make the most with whats in front of you, thats all. Ever notice how the night sky is clearer in the winter? Its either that or the stars are just better....I dont know. Anyway...enjoy it while it lasts, spring is soon.

pix

new pix up on my site (link is to the right)...and more soon

Jenn and I

I love this picture! more pictures soon...

thoughts on PNG

Papua New Guinea is quite an interesting place...after going there two years ago I'll probably always be interested in going back. Here are some quick facts about the country:

the word "Papua" is derived from a Malay word describing the frizzy Melanesian hair, and "New Guinea" (Nueva Guinea) was the name coined by the Spanish explorer Yñigo Ortiz de Retez, who in 1545 noted the resemblance of the people to those he had earlier seen along the Guinea coast of Africa.

The Per Capita income compared to the United States:
Papua New Guinea: $556 (164th)
United states:$39,496 (3rd highest)

Wow, thats average income per year, per person. So.....they make a lot less money over there. I guess they probably spend a lot less too. They're money is called Kina, and each coin has a hole in it.

As with many South Pacific islands, the Japanese occupied portions of it during WWII, and left a number of unexploded bombs. They were buried in time, and each year many accidents occur as a result. I heard one story of somebody simply starting a fire on plain dirt, not knowing what was right under the ground there. It was bad. I've actually read a pretty good book on that sort of thing..the remnants of war. It was very good. Called Aftermath. I'll post some pictures from my experiences.

Napkin Skills

yes, yes, you all are asking, you all want to know...how do I end up with so many napkins? It's an art my friend. Let me pass on the knowledge of my ancient art. Basically, whenever you are anywhere that napkins are present, grab a bunch. You'll use a few probably, but then, ah, there are some left at the end. Fold them up, put them in your bag, in your pocket, in your purse, in your glove compartment, anywhere. The key is this: take them with you. Then, later on can have two ways to enjoy your napkins. 1. you can store them up in a depository at home where your diverse array of napkin colors and styles will impress guests to no end. 2. Napkins will be coming out of the woodwork throughout your day, because you'll keep finding where you hid them. Who has ever had too many napkins? I dont see any hands...

So, cherish your napkins, protect them. Ensure them a long life, and that will ensure you that you will never, ever actually have to buy a napkin. Now, you must keep in mind. These places are giving their napkins away. They seriously are. They actually plan for people coming in and taking them. SO...we are given full authority to take them. This is in no way a questionable moral area, because I'm not saying take like a massive stack, just a bunch. Its give and take just like any well-balanced relationship: I give them business, they give me napkins.

Also amusing...I was at a Carl's Jr. in Saltillo, Mexico back in high school...and they had a huge sign on the wall inside the place that said "Free Napkins". I guess maybe there was a shortage at one point or something. Napkin rations must have been imposed. "Sorry ma'am you're only allowed half a napkin. Nope, you're just going to have to live with that mustard right there"

Is the milk still good?

In other news...the case about the guy who was killed by the flying shrimp (as his attorney describes it) was finally determined...the shrimp was not at fault. Seriously, do you remember that? It must have been a few years ago the whole thing started because the guy wrenched his neck dodging a shrimp at a Japanese steakhouse. Not sure how long the link will work, but check it out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11245302/

Oh, back to my first thought. I dont think I'm very good at applying the sniff test to my milk. How long is too long? Historically I would drink milk that was questionable and be okay. If it says Tuesday, is Thursday okay? I dont think I have the right senses to be able to determine if its still good. I was going to eat a bowl of cereal this morning, then I poured it out in fear, because...well, I'm not sure if I can handle it like I used to. I mean it didnt smell bad, but it did taste a little different. Not BAD though. I'm afraid because i know that if I drink lots and lots of milk (2 glasses or so), that doesnt work out too well for me. So, I'm scared that drinking what John calls "funny milk" or even slightly funny milk....may result in the same misfortune.

I mean seriously this Gouda cheese I'm munching on tastes more questionable than the milk. Cheese is like that though...with its sharpness. You know? I guess thats why its Cheese, and not milk. I do know one thing. When you have cheese in your milk jug, its time to throw it away.

By the way, the Gouda is fine. I dont eat bad cheese. I think right now Pepperjack may be my favorite though.

a glorious day

Just to let you know...Valentine's Day goes way back, before Hallmark existed. I'm a bit surprised at how many people are becoming skeptical about the day itself. It's true that some people think its over-hyped and over-important. I wonder why so many people take it so personally that lots of people actually enjoy that day. I think it should be respected as a great day to celebrate love. I remember always looking forward to it, through elementary school. I loved the little bag that we decorated, and waiting for it to be filled with little candies and notes from other classmates. My mom used to give me little bears for valentines day (really small) and I always thought they were special.

So the day itself. It became more popular in the 1700's but the history that brought it about goes further back than that. Read about it on this website:

http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history

I'm not necessarily absolutely nuts about the day, I just think it should be given more respect. I think people are just upset that they have to wait a whole year until Christmas rolls around again.

satellite

the pressure is overwhelming to tell you about something controversial, or something shocking...but...I usually just end up with a quick snippet of what amuses me. Theres apparently a space suit floating in space as the newest satellite...they launched it from the International Space Station (ISS) on purpose....to monitor the conditions it endures around the earth...you could get to it through the spaceweather site on the right, or just use this link.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/26jan_suitsat.htm

definitely a different idea

Aloha It's You

yup...most of the Lu'au pictures are up on my website now. Some I didnt actually take, and I have yet to add the ones from the Lu'au cams that were circling around. Enjoy....

being a pilot

a pilot once told me that his job was best described as "hours of boredom followed by moments of stark terror".

Did you know that when they used to send up those U-2 planes the guys would be up there in them for like 8-12 hours at a time? Thats literally sitting in the same spot the whole time. the logistics of that can be troubling, but engineers always have a solution....

another fun fact, the U-2 aircraft doesn't have any landing gear in its wings, they're along the fuselage. It's got two wheels kind of like a bicycle. When it lands the plane actually comes to rest with one of the wings touching the ground (they're reinforced with titanium skids). Then they manually install "pogos" under each wing that have wheels to support the wings.

pictures

I'm going to put lots of pictures up on my picture website soon...probably this weekend. Some from the Lu'au, some from the smallgroup, some from whenever. So....once I finish with all the work I have to do this week, I can actually start to think about doing that.....

Music to Check out

I can't think of an original thought...so, here's a list of music I want to check out. I just know most of these groups have new discs out there and I want to see what they sound like...give em a chance, if you know what I mean. Some are just older CDs that I never got, and I'm curious about them. I dont know the name of the discs though. I'm going to use my free month of Rhapsody (online music) to see what they sound like.

Finch
Franz Ferdinand
Bethany Dillon
Coheed and Cambria
Cool Hand Luke
Mogwai
Ida
Interpol
P.O.D.
Surfjan Stevens
The Darkness

Happy Thoughts

It's a beautiful day!!

an old poem

I love poetry...I haven't posted any for a while. This one may be a bit "meloncholy", if I understand the word right, perhaps not. Its from back in my days when my life was sort of skewed and I was trying to find my footing. Probably about 2 years ago or so. I post it because poetry is beautiful, but also....because I like to see how my thoughts have changed, and I have much more of a grasp on God's solid foundation now.

I was going to change the title, but....true to art, I have to include it as originally penned:

Can I Cry now?
A roadblock, or emptiness, which can it be?
Too many or too few of these feelings within me
The weight can be heavy and hard to grasp
I often feel like a warrior strapped to the mast
What more can be done, and what more said?
I've exhausted my thoughts on my prayer worn bed.
The emotions swirl but point me nowhere
Not too long ago I thought something was there
But where is there, if not some middle domain
Where minds just wander as people sort through the pain
It might be there, but not yet chosen
Not selected, or decided if it should be unfrozen
Perhaps left to stay unchanged, unneeded, unattached
Is where some see the spark best matched


There's definitely a lot in there....a lot reflecting some thoughts I was having about life in general....some of my more imaginative, figurative thoughts

Name That Caption

This was in BWI airport, after arriving back from Papua New Guinea in 2003. I can only think to call it "oops", but I'm not sure why. What would you caption these photos with? By the way, I have no idea who that other guy is. I'm not really sure what my mom is doing with the ice in this picture below....things get strange around the holidays.

Old Times

So, in response to Johns lovely flashback picture, I've got a few to throw out there...apparently I was putting on a show of my own. I'll title the second one...the creature awakes.

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris Facts (thought you might enjoy these. If you're a guy you'll understand)

1. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

2. Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

3. The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

4. If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can’t see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.

5. Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.

6. Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting infers
the probability of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.

7. Chuck Norris doesn’t wash his clothes, he disembowels them.

8. In fine print on the last page of the Guinness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Chuck Norris, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone else has ever gotten.

9. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.

10. The Great Wall of China was originally created to keep Chuck Norris out. It failed misserably.

11. If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, “Two seconds ’til.” After you ask, “Two seconds ’til what?” he roundhouse kicks you in the face.

12. Chuck Norris doesn’t churn butter. He roundhouse kicks the cows and the butter comes straight out

13. The quickest way to a man’s heart is with Chuck Norris’ fist.

14. Nagasaki never had a bomb dropped on it. Chuck Norris jumped out of a plane and punched the ground.

15. When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to pay taxes ever.

16. Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris

17. In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.

18. Chuck Norris can touch MC Hammer.

19. Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

lost and found

music is making a big comeback in my life...because I got some for Christmas, and I'm trying to organize things on my iPod again. I started to back in the summer when I got it, but a bunch of stuff is still out of whack, like song titles, album names, and extra stuff I really dont want on there.

So here's the big story of the day...aside from the great coat I got for Christmas. I have been missing 4 CDs for about 6 months, maybe more...and I finally found ALL of them. Yes, all of them. About two weeks ago I was sitting there looking through all my CD cases again, just to make sure I didnt misplace them, and Steve (my roommate) asks me what I'm doing. Turns out...he had two of my CDs the whole time...so I got back my Neil Diamond and United Hillsong CDs. He didnt know I was looking for them...I didnt know he had them. Gotta love communication.

So, the other two....I remember having Joni Mitchell in my Grand Am...then it vanished. I've looked under the seats a million times since then...and yesterday I decided to try ONE more time. I looked under the passenger seat, and UP under, almost inside the seat was a CD case with Joni Mitchell and Juliana Theory in it. Wow....it really was in there, so I wasnt crazy. I dont know how it got jammed up there, but I'm pretty happy.

I promise..new pictures this weekend. New and old. Throwback and recent holiday photos.

I figure all my questions on here should just be rhetorical because not many people respond anyway....but what are you doing for New Years? (or if thats boring...what did you get for Christmas?)

its a competition

just to let you know, my lack of posting is directly related to my increase in productivity at work. Seriously. If I'm posting....I'm not getting my work done. Except for later today when I'll be posting some fun photos from home. I have to scan them first. I got a better digital camera for Christmas, so more of those fun photos should end up here. Its used, but good. Those 4 megapixel jobbies really take large photos. I'm gonna have to increase the compression or something....so I can actually keep the photos without having to compress them all more. That would take too long.

Music stuck in my head today: Thrice from the new album Vheissu (I dont know what that means)

I was trying to decide if I need the new Death Cab for Cutie CD. I got it for my sister for Christmas....and I like it, but I wasnt sure, because it sounds a lot like the one before. This morning one of their new songs was the first song I heard on the radio. Thats enough for me to know. Back to Best Buy with my gift cards.

Three of my cousins got better ipods than me for Christmas. They have video, and a bigger screen. When I bought mine back in like, June I guess, Mine was the biggest, and the best. Oh well. It works fine. I love it.

I love rambling. Just for the record, Ska is not dead. (it just likes to reincarnate itself :-))

Game show

congratulations...you've won the chance to access free ebooks for life, in addition to being amused by the most ridiculous, completely fake online encyclopedia. Enjoy!

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http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page