Photography Phriday

Don't you hate when you think you have a good picture and then someone either intentionally or accidentally gets in the background and screws it up??? All I'm saying is, if you're going to do it, do it right. Here's some pros...

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Get all the last-minute auction action!

Movie Critiques from real people not cynical critics.

So much for buying the latest and greatest fishing tackle.

Anyone looking for an early Christmas or Mother's Day Present?

Utah's Arches are falling down, falling down, falling down!

Not your average How-To site.

HOLY EXHAUST BATMAN! Only 110 grand for a Batmobile with only 58 miles???

And you though mix-tapes were dead?

Extremely rare! Two-Headed baby in Bangledesh, unfortunately doesn't make it.

YouTube of the Week

Drunk Animals in Africa!

WEEKEND UPDATE

It was another pretty chill weekend for us, in fact I think I'll phone in the update today, since Dani gave a pretty good rundown of it on her blog yesterday.

They only things I might add are that we did go to the beach, and for a swim, even though I had to convince Dani to go in the water, it was so nice.... as always. Also, on Saturday morning, I ran from my house to Dani's house! From San Clemente to Dana Point, it was about 8 miles. It was a great run, but its wierd to me now, 8 miles sounded like a lot when I was only running 3 or 4, but now its like, well if you can run 8 you can run 10 or 12 or 15, I mean its only 1/3 of a marathon!

Photography Phriday

My lovely fiancee's and my engagement photo session, taken in San Clemente by our friend Rick.

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Can you name the 100 most common English words? GO! (This is fun, I only got 38. Either I have a very small vocabulary, or I only use really big words.)

Ever need to make some quick edits on a photo on some other PC?

Only in Texas.

Want to watch a movie (or TV) from any computer anywhere anytime?


If you thougth gasoline was stinky, try running your car on poop! ( I just love that CNN used poop in an article title. )


Hot deals on shades, accessories, and crap you don't need. One deal at a time.


Looks like the US will prevail in overall medals, but China's taken a commanding lead in Golds.


Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe!

YouTube of the Week!

WEEKEND UPDATE

This weekend was much more relaxed than usual, since I had to work and be on call for support. But it was still a great weekend. So here's the update:

FRIDAY

My friend Nate Deibler is getting married this weekend, so on Friday we had a bachelor party for him. No drinking, drugs, or stippers, just good fun. We started off the night by getting a delicious meal at Claim Jumper. I had the liver and onions.... mmmmmmm.... so good. I also learned about a new drink, the Rocky Brown. "Iced tea with grenadine and cherries, heavy on the grenadine" says our friend Rocky Brown when the puzzled waitress asks him what a Rocky Brown is. Later she asks, who Rocky Brown is, and he non-chalantly replies, "Oh, he played for USC."

Then we rolled over to Saddleback lanes for some bowling. We bought two lanes for an hour, so in true Nate style, he says, "let's do speed bowling. Bowl as fast as you can for the hour whichever lane has the most total points wins. But if you hit the lane guard that comes down, you loose 20 points." None of us had ever done this before, but were all for it. We didn't have any amazing scores, but it was actually alot of fun to bowl this way, everyone was on their toes so you never had to sit around waiting for someone to realize it is their turn. After bowling we headed over to the Irvine Spectrum for a game of Diminishing Bridge in the spectrum. It was a fun night, just rolling around town with a dozen or so guys was fun, and something that should happen more often.

SATURDAY

I had to miss part two of the bachelor party (5 mile hike to a bridge that goes nowhere to bungee off of) because I had to work this weekend. I worked 52+ hours this week to try and make up for our department being short staffed. So I was a little busy with that this weekend, but it was kind of nice to get to stay at home and watch alot of olympics. I got my fill of all the little aired sports I'd been wanting to see, handball, field hockey, fencing, water polo, equestrian, etc.... instead of continuous and incessant Phelps coverage.

Brent and Kim came down to visit us at the beach for a few hours so it was fun to catch up with them and go swimming in the ocean. They always get sentimental when they come to the beach house, which Brent's dad and uncle owns, and tend to talk about their dreams and stuff. Its great, and actually very inspiring to think about my own dreams.

SUNDAY

More of the same as Saturday, working and olympics. Dani and I still managed a couple hours down at the beach and in the ocean, we just can't stay away. Then I felt the need to go for a "quick jog" but I got into it while I was out and ended up running 5 miles. I can't wait for the next race! Dani and I got a registry started at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I was getting a little carried away with zapping all the cool gadgets and gizmos and stuff, and Dani said, OK, time to go. She could tell I was registered out. So then we went to the Sunday Night Service at Mariners that was relocated to the Cafe on campus due to a wedding. It was great, I love the vibe of Church in that kind of venue, low key, acoustic type worship. Praying together for the people around you, it is very real and inviting.

So all in all, it was a much needed, very low key, relaxing weekend.

Photography Phriday

Phun with Phacial Hair

Weekend Update

Sorry for the delay, I know you've been waiting for the update. It was yet another completely fun filled weekend, so let's get to it.






FRIDAY

The weekend started early as we had a half day on Friday because DealerSocket, the company I work for (also the best company in the world, really, we won an award naming us that), had our 3rd annual Beach Luau. So we went down to the beach, Dani came with, got to meet all the work peeps. We hung out, grilled, played some football. Good times. Then Dani and I took off as we had a double date with Phirsten (our couple name for Phil and Kirsten). We went to the spectrum to see Dark Knight, finally. It was a great movie. Lots of fun superhero action, but also lots of plot, thinking, crime drama kinda stuff, to keep you interested.


SATURDAY

We got up early for the FUEL Grow Hike. We went out to Whiting Ranch wilderness for a 'moderate' hike. Of course it was claimed to be moderate by Mike Landa, my buddy that runs 100 mile ultra marathons. So it was a decent hike. We read some verses together, prayed, and talked about finding time alone with God. It was cool to get out and hike with some friends.
After being good and athletic for a while we thought we go to The Hat for lunch for some good ol' pastrami dip sandwhiches and a bag full of french fries. Delicious.
Then Dani and I got to spend some time relaxing at my place and nap in the hammock under the sun shade, storing up some energy for our next activity. Last week Dani asked if I could teach her how to play basketball!! That's right she, just out of the blue asked me to take her to play basketball. (Guys, in case you're getting any ideas, you might want to click this.) So I was super excited to, so we scouted out a vacant basketball court in Dana Point. I thought that we could just have some fun playing around, maybe give her a few pointers. But as often happens with Dani, I was pleasantly surprised to see that she was a super quick study, and picked up skills like a champ, and even better, wants to play again!
The evening was spent grilling at our friend Scott's house. Lots of food, fun, and friends. We grilled, ate, drank, swam, jacuzzied, smoked cigars. Good times. One disappointment however, I bought a Heineken mini-keg to share. But it sucked! Has anyone used one of these before? All it did was spew out foamy beer. OK, two disappointments. At the end of the night we discovered that Scott had one of those little Fischer Price picnic tables. I thought it'd be fun to try and sit in it. It wasn't that fun, for me, for everyone, lots of fun. I was stuck, but did anyone try and help me out? No. They all stood around laughing pointing and saying, "NO don't move, I'll go get my camera!"


SUNDAY

Dani and I finally went kayaking in Newport Harbor! We've been wanting to do that for a while now. And it was all we hoped for. The harbor is even bigger than we thought, once you're in the water. We paddled for over 3 hours and about 7 miles, and still didn't even see half of it. My favorite part though was the fish! There were fish (Yellowfin Croaker, I think) LEAPING out of the water, sometimes as high as 3-4 feet! And they were everywhere, so I'm definetely bringing my pole next time.

We saw these huge seals jumping up on the boats that were moored in the middle of the harbor, and they would play king of the mountain pushing each other off the boat and barking when victorious.

(One for the One Armed Album!)

Photography Phriday

Last summer, we went out to eat with my family while my mom and sister were in town. I love oysters, and I love hot sauce. So there I was eating these oysters and select a random hot sauce of the shelf of dozens of hot sauces to choose from. I chose Dave's Insanity Sauce. Which measures 180,000 on the scoville scale (didn't know that at the time). Anyway, I just piled up a heathly dollop of insanity sauce on my oyster, and my sister had the presence of mind to take pictures.

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Remember the card game Speed? Here's a fun online version.

This could definetely encourage me to wake up.

Shop and Save by sharing hot deals.

When flowers hurt... why don't we do this at the Rose Parade?!?!

Will China keep it from raining tomorrow???

Yet another reason why the Ruskies are hard core.

You thought that one lane back road you take home was scary? Check these roads out.

Hollywood, by The Numbers.

YouTube of the Week: TRACTOR FIGHT!

(gotta love Bollywood)

WEEKEND UPDATE

This weekend was an amazing weekend that reminded me why I love "Livin' Out West!" It was busy (so forgive the length of the post), but it was so relaxing and free. So, here's the update.

FRIDAY

Dani and I got out of work as early as we could, and booked it to the Doheny State Beach (pictured) in Dana Point for a quick surf session. The waves were great, the water was 70 degrees, and it was just nice to be out in the ocean with my fiance. So we played in the waves for a bit, then had to bail to go get ready for dinner. We had D46 with Fuel on Friday night, where we all sign up and get placed into groups of six and have dinner at different restaurants. We were placed in a group at Buca di Beppo. It was good company and a delicous meal served family style. Then we met up with all the other tables at The District for desert.

SATURDAY

I got up bright and early for another surf session, I'm beginning to see why this sport is addicting. It was my friend Mike's birthday, and he's just getting into surfing as well. Dani was having breakfast with friends, so Mike, Kara, and I rode bikes from my house down to San Onofre State Beach. I towed 3 surfboards behind my bike, it was a good workout, and definetely good traithlon training. It felt so good to hit the water after the ride. And once we paddled through the waves the sun came out and it was so beautiful and peaceful out there. Just kinda makes everything else fade away and you're just alone with yourself and God. Even if there is some overweight hairy surfer floating by you, there's still just something freeing about being out there.

We had to keep it short however, because it was on to the next adventure for me. Dani and I decided to cash in her birthday present for me, whale watching gift certificates! We had heard that the blue whales (100 ft/100 tons) were here feeding right now, and stood a good chance of seeing them, but no luck on the whales. We did however see a TON of dolphin. They were so much fun, swimming and jumping all around the boat. Once again, being out on the water was very freeing from the cares and concerns of the world, and all that mattered was enjoying the beauty of the ocean with my fiance.

Here's some video I took of the dolphins jumping just in front of the catamaran, the video doesn't do it justice, but it gives you an idea.

Saturday night, Dani and I checked out the Saturday night service at Mariner's. It was cool! A much smaller crowd, but still a great service. Then we went home and watched Batman Begins, I had never seen it, and loved it, so now I'm ready for Dark Night!

SUNDAY

We got up early again and went up to Newport to kayak in the back bay with Dani's Maid of Honor, Donna. It was very peaceful and quiet in the back bay. And fish were jumping all over the place! We'll definetely have to go back there with a rod.

Dani had plans with friends the rest of the day, and I spent the rest of the afternoon around the house, it was nice to get some stuff done, but it was nicer to lay in the new hammock, under the sun shade, in the 70 degree breeze, drink a Heineken, read a book, and love life. I didn't plan on going down to the beach, as I already felt like the weekend was too good to be true, but I got online to check the conditions anyway. When I saw the water was 74 degrees, I couldn't resist running down for a swim. I planned on just dipping in for about 20 minutes, but conditions were so perfect, I couldn't bring myself to get out and stayed in the water for 2 hours! The waves were just the right size, for the best body surfing I've ever experienced! I wouldn't have thought it possible, but it was yet another wonderfully freeing experience.

Then to top it all off, we had a core leadership team meeting at our pastor's house. And what did Justin want to talk about all night? Freedom. What makes you feel free, and what freedom are you fighting for? It was an appropriate and fitting end to an amazing weekend.

Photography Phriday

Mosaic Mosaic

After all the buzz the mosaic post from last Friday generated, I thought I would make a mosaic of my family's mosaics. Here we have mine, Dani's, Ashley's, Aunt Linda's, Brent's, Kim's, and two from Mom. Mom couldn't decide on the pictures, so she had to do two. I know, wierd, she's normally so decisive!

(Click on the pic for a big view)