Review for Jumper

Damn good movie. They rushed it a bit and it might be a little confusing without reading all three books (for the general idea(s)) but it was entertaining and enjoyable. Once again I laugh in the face of the so-called critics ;)

THE AWSOMEST SUMMER

I will dare to make a prediction for this summer. Last summer was great but this summer will blast it away. The greatness can't even wait for summer! This Sunday I am heading to Minneapolis to spend St Patrick's Day listening to Gaelic Storm and The Wild Colonial Bhoys, among other local bands. I do pl;an to meet up with a college friend (though he does not blog) while I am up there. In May, I'll be traveling to Texas with my family to visit grandparents. I also will be attending a wedding in Deposit, NY and then taking in NYC while I am there. I am sure I'll find many a concert to go to, as well as, weekend paddling opportunities. FYI, I believe the Clumsy Lovers are in Minneapolis sometime this summer. My whitewater trip might get postponed due to the combination of Texas and NY. Though if I can get it done over a weekend (maybe take a half day on a Friday) I'll go through with it. There are many more things I could mention, but I'll wait until closer to time.

This summer is going to be LEGEN... wait for it... DARY!

Revenge is Damp

Apparently I am trying the forward by reverse method of improving my Sea3d rank, but that is not the point of this post. Yesterday I ventured into my local library, I ended up checking out a book called A Dog's Life. So far this is a hilarious book... at least for me (a dog person). It is written from the perspective of the author's adopted dog. So far the best quote is "Revenge is damp." I recommend this book to anyone that considers themselves a dog person.

Back to Sea3d

It really is too bad I was born in the 20th century. I should have been born when much of the world was unexplored... primarily the age of sail. I bring this up not just because of my skills in the outdoors but because I have returned to playing Sea3d after close to 6 mos. absence. Sea3d is an online free version of Settlers of Catan. I consider myself to be quite good (and a little lucky) at the game. My highest rank on the site was 198 in October 2006 (std 4 player) and I am now trying work back to it from 430. To give a little insight to the ranks, there are 1,960 active players.

EDITED TO ADD: At 8:34 tonight I am at rank 378.

To One Great Week!

This has been a great week for me. Lately I have been getting bored and tired of my job, but this week I managed to find new energy for my job and the week went by quickly. The greatness is because I have discovered two new groups in Pierre that could provide me with much entertainment and fun in the near future.

Pierre Young Professionals had a social tonight to kickoff this new group. Apparently the founders doubted what there turnout would be, but it seemed great. We had to move to a larger building nearby for more space!

Thanks to the launch of the new SDCKA blog, I now know about the Pierre Kayak Club. Like I said it has been a good week. There was another great thing, but I will refrain from mentioning it specifically so as not to jinx it ;)

Life is Good, Life is Great, Life is Grand!

Kayaking is sexy...

Kayaking is sexy, how else does this older gentleman score this entourage?

(Photo courtesy of Canoe & Kayak magazine)

Just hasn't worked for me... yet ;)

Life is good, life is great, life is grand!

My Fav Youtube Videos

I can't let foolhardiness die... this blog will continue strong (somehow I am re-motivated to blog). Here are the youtube videos that I have favorited:

too many wants, not enough greenbacks

There are many things I am currently looking at getting, but I need to prioritize. This blog entry is more for myself than anyone else.

1. My pickup is missing two wheel caps and I found a better deal than the Chevrolet dealer in town.($35/ea.)
   
2. I also would like to get a cradle to attach to my rack to protect my kayak better. ($120 for either set)
3. Either $500 to have a spray-in liner put into my pickup bed or a $100 for a kit to do it myself (a lot of work though).
4. $950 for another kayak
   

I also would like to get myself a 42" LCD TV but I have a CD that I have called my new TV fund that is going to mature in 6 months (though I have rolled it over twice already).

I don't think the government should be handing out these refunds but I am not about to send mine back either. Instead of sticking in the bank for my ever dropping interest rates maybe I'll put it towards some of these items!

Conspirators Start Your Engines!

Now this could be interesting...

I have my canary...

I haven't been blogging much lately because I haven't had much to share with the online community. But before I share anything today, I first need to explain yesterday's post.

My friend, Cutler, met Julia through eHarmony this last fall (I think) and they are now engaged. This is the best advertising for eHarmony; now those that know either Cutler or Julia have an proof that it can succeed. That is why I decided to join eHarmony a couple of weeks ago. I have already found a couple of young women that I am interested in and have began to send emails through eHarmony. Will I have the same luck as Cutler? Time will tell, but it is easier than trying to figure out who is single in the bars! (well assuming everyone is honest on eHarmony, but I'd imagine the cost minimizes falsehoods)

Recipe for a Great Saturday

1. Get up at 5AM.
2. Coffee Up and Shower.
3. Head to RC.
4. Dunn Brothers Irish Cream Latte
5. Breakfast and coffee with Cutler and Julia at IHOP.
6. Few minor errands, Phoenix To Go, head back to Pierre (one last coffee from Dunn Brothers).
7. Scrumptious General Tsao's Chicken for supper.
8. Judd Hoos show at the Longbranch (downtown Pierre).
9. Back home at 1:30AM (technically Sunday).
10. Send email about recipe for a great Saturday ;)
11. Realize there are still two days left in this three day weekend! Oh wait, none of you are privileged government employees ;)

Time to "get re-psyched"

I really need to get re-psyched about blogging. So a week or two ago, I did something I have not done since before college (maybe even high school). I went exploring much like my wanderings in Yakima. I chose the hill behind my apartment, the public library, and the YMCA.



As you can see the Cultural Heritage Center is built into the hillside! I've always been very impressed with this structure.

Also, I was finally took the time to change a few lyrics to the Big and Rich song Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy:

(Intro)
DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DE-DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DAA-DAAAAA
DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DE-DUM-DE-DE-DUM, DE-DAA-DAA-DAA-DAA-DAAAA!

Well, I walk into the room
Passing out Spanish pieces of eight
And it kills and it thrills like the masthead on my Sloop bow
And I buy the bar a double round of rum
And everybody's getting down
An' this town ain't never gonna be the same.

(Chorus:)
Cause I batten down my hatches
And I sail into the city
I make a lot of noise
Cause the girls
They are so pretty
Paddling ashore
In my old kayak Leroy
And the girls say
Save a boat, Sail a pirate.
Everybody says
Save a boat, Sail a pirate

Well I don't give a dang about nothing
I'm singing and Bling- Blanging
While the girls are drinking
Long necks down!
And I wouldn't trade ol' Leroy
Or my Sloop for your Escalade
Or your freak parade
I'm the only Blackbeard left in this town

(Chorus:)

(Spoken:)
I'm a frigate
That's what she said
In the bottom of my sloop hold
As I was gettin' buzzed on suds
Out on some empty blue sea.
We where flying high
Fine as wine, having ourselves a big and rich time
And I was going, just about as far as she'd let me go.
But her evaluation
Of my pirate reputation
Had me begging for salvation
All night long
So I took her out giggin frogs
Introduced her to my old island parrot
And sang her every Bilge Pump song I could think of

And we made love
(Chorus:)

What? What?
Save A Boat Sail A Pirate
Everybody says
Save a Boat Sail a Pirate.

A friend told me, "You sir have earned a place in the Club of Awesome Parodiers, wherever they are."

I replied, "So, Weird Al's basement?" Cletus T Judd might be a better fit ;)

A sad day for adventure seekers....

Edmund Hillary died yesterday. To commemorate his passing I propose that everyone find the tallest point within your town, go to the top, and reflect upon living life to the fullest and the great outdoors ;)

No Fear

and I don't mean the formerly popular line of t-shirts...

Pirate Motivational Poster

It also works for criminal organizations with spiffy t-shirts ;)

An unusual gift

Well, I've had a great Christmas, but before I retire to the couch to pass out watching TV I'd like to share with everyone the most unexpected gift I received this year... a ship's wheel! Most of you know I have always been fond of all things nautical (in terms of the age of sail). Well apparently my parents tried to get me one for my college graduation but the local antique store wanted a considerable amount for it. Well, apparently, the store had a few different ones this year and reduced the asking price considerably (actually, I think the first one they saw was considerably larger). But without further ramblings, here it is:
Now I just need a house so that I can hang it properly (my apt only allows me to hang stuff with finishing nails)... or a ship for it ;)

A New Fav TV Show?

...time will tell, but so far so good ;)

Epic Conditions

Upcoming episodes on The Weather Channel (times in Mnt)

Cobloggeration

Well, I owe someone an ode to cobloggeration ;)

New Hobby

Well, I have just started on a new hobby. I am starting to get into home roasting coffee. I am very near the stage of coffee connoisseur as my friend, Cutler. A video of my roaster in action:

I could have gone the way of roasting with a hot air popcorn popper but the company I ordered this from through in 10 pounds of "green" coffee beans for free.

A couple of roasts I have already done:
I roasted some beans from Java to what I believe is a Full City Plus and some Ethiopian beans to what I believe is City.I know most of you aren't coffee drinkers but everyone is welcome to come over for a cup :)