Did I ever say that life goes by fast??? :-). My little brother Jeff got married on Thursday. It was a really neat experience to be a part of. I really wish him all the luck in the world with his new bride Mandy. They were married in the Timponogos Temple and had their reception at a REALLY nice home of one of the largest home builders in the world (Ira Fulton). The dude that owned the home just donated 100 million dollars to ASU and another 25 million to BYU last fall. He donates money all the time and while he has a lot of nice things, I think he is the true definition of what a man of wealth should be like.
Anyway, Jeff and Mandy are in Carmel, CA right now, staying in a honeymoon cottage on 17 mile drive. I'm so jealous.
I have taken a lot of pictures here and there, but have not had the time/patience to up-load any of them. I apologize for those that eagerly awaite seeing pictures :-).
Oh yeah, my friend Damon and his family came into town. He currently lives in AZ and is a border patrole agent. I worked with him at Providian for 4 years and we became good friends that way. We had some other good friends (former PVN co-workers) Gaby (who just finished Med School) and Merilee. It was fun.
Alene is the bomb (as usual) and while on her business trip to Wyoming (the boarder is 1 hour away), she bought a ton of illegal fireworks. We are going to have a fun 4th of July.
Speaking of, we're still trying to figure out what to do. We won't have Caiden, so we are thinking of trying to get away to somewhere in Southern Utah. Our only major drawback is that it is SO FRIGGIN' HOT! I guess we will see how it all works out. We have a week to decide.
This coming week for me is going to be crazy. The construction project going on is going well, but always stressful staying on top of the contractors to ensure they get the job done when they say they will.
Speaking of contractors, I really am leaning toward getting my GC license and starting a business. I own pretty much every tool I'd need. I have the skills (for the most part), so I'm really thinking about doing something, mostly specialzing in re-modeling jobs and purchasing old crack-homes on the side (foreclosed homes) and fixing them up to re-sell them. I want to come up with a business plan and possibly hit up an investor, someone that is likely not wanting to do the work, but is willing to front a little cash to get started on house re-habs. Maybe put in some money with me and then we split the cut a certain percentage. I guess I'll see how that goes. I figure if I can pull in an extra 20k or so on each house (my cut) then I would be doing well. Turn about one house every 2 months or so would be ideal.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Monday, June 12, 2006
Alene is finally home
It was so nice to finally be with her again. That is the longest we've ever been apart and it sucked.
We went to see the new goats. They have three goats (one stud goat, who happens to be a midget and two female goats). The first goat (cloud) had tripplets (all boys). They are SOOOO cute and playful. I'll post pictures later.
The second goat (penny) was still pregnant and ready to give birth any time. She actually DID give birth about an hour after we left the house. She had a girl and a boy.
The midget goat (the father) is scared to death of people and runs away whenever you try to get close to him. He's pretty weird, but he did his job, so I guess that is good. Must be pretty weird for goats to have to share a husband. They say polygamy is banned here in Utah, but not for goats I guess :-)
Anwyay, Alene was still VERY tired from her trip, so she was able to get some decent rest (which I'm happy she has, she deserves it).
School starts for me today, so that sucks :-). However, at the end of this summer I should qualify for my Associates degree, so that will be a decent 1/2 milestone :-).
We went to see the new goats. They have three goats (one stud goat, who happens to be a midget and two female goats). The first goat (cloud) had tripplets (all boys). They are SOOOO cute and playful. I'll post pictures later.
The second goat (penny) was still pregnant and ready to give birth any time. She actually DID give birth about an hour after we left the house. She had a girl and a boy.
The midget goat (the father) is scared to death of people and runs away whenever you try to get close to him. He's pretty weird, but he did his job, so I guess that is good. Must be pretty weird for goats to have to share a husband. They say polygamy is banned here in Utah, but not for goats I guess :-)
Anwyay, Alene was still VERY tired from her trip, so she was able to get some decent rest (which I'm happy she has, she deserves it).
School starts for me today, so that sucks :-). However, at the end of this summer I should qualify for my Associates degree, so that will be a decent 1/2 milestone :-).
Friday, June 09, 2006
Saw a great rock concert on Wednesday night
I went to see the group Eagles of Death Metal with my brother Russ, my friend Jared from work and his buddy John. Jared brought with him another guy named John Ashker, who is friends with his brother and was staying in town for a motorcycle race. We found out that the guy is currently a stuntman and does a little acting on the side. Click on his name for his IMDB bio. Pretty cool!
Anyway, the concert ROCKED! The opening band (the giraffs) SUCKED and I mean really sucked. It wasn't that they didn't try to rock, they tried the shock-rock too hard. The lead singer reminded me of James Hedfield of Metalica, but weird. They were playing and spitting on each other. At one point, the lead guitarist walked over and spit in the drummers mouth. It was sick to the point that I almost wanted to vomit. However, once Eagles of Death Metal (EoDM) came out, everything was in perfect harmony.
Just to give a little background, first, they are NOT death metal. They're name is just a cleaver name, but it spurns from a conversation about how some dude was telling them that the 80's glam rock group "poison" was death metal. They argued back and fourth, then someone chimed in that poison was the "eagles of death metal" (the eagles are a great classic rock band from the 70's and early 80's, for anyone that doesn't know). This is where the name spurned.
The band's sound itself has a lot of inspiration from all kinds of rock and roll, but mostly the group itself is closely associated with Queens of the stoneage as well as Jack Black, and Dave Grohl (foo fighters). In fact, the lead singer has a very tennor or higher-pitched voice like Dave Grohl (however, Grohl likes to do a little screaming in there). The band was formed by Queens of the stonage frontman Josh Homme and by the current lead singer Jesse Hughes.
The coolest part was when we were in line out front, the whole group came out and talked to everyone. They took pictures, shook our hands, and thanked us for coming out to the show. During the entire show and in between each set, they were high fiving each other (for rocking out) and kept doing the typical "Salt Lake City ROCKS!" stuff, except they did it with engergy and put on the show for us like they meant it.
The lead singer is very charasmatic (reminded me of Dave Grohl but with red hair and a big mustache). He kept saying in between each set "SLC has some FINE looking ladies. By far the best looking ladies we have ever seen". He'd also refer to them as "beautiful babies" and "honies". He was just melting all of them and it was GREAT. It's what a real rock star does.
The music itself is also quite catchy. If anyone out there reads this, check them out and give them a chance to rock. They really do.
One funny quote I remember him saying was "truer words have never been spoken by a man with a mustache, but SLC has the FINEST looking baby girls here". I was cracking up on that one.
Jesse (the lead singer) was by far the nicest rocker I've ever met. He put on such an intense show, that his shirt was dripping with sweat by the end. He took it off and threw it into the crowd. I got a hold of it pretty good, but it was so wet, that it slipped right out of my hands. The guy just looked like he was having a blast rocking out on the stage, which is refreshing to see in a rock group. Here is a picture of him. Cool glasses. Cool mustache. Great stage presence (he did a lot of dancing while he played the guitar, which was funny/cool).
Anyway, the concert ROCKED! The opening band (the giraffs) SUCKED and I mean really sucked. It wasn't that they didn't try to rock, they tried the shock-rock too hard. The lead singer reminded me of James Hedfield of Metalica, but weird. They were playing and spitting on each other. At one point, the lead guitarist walked over and spit in the drummers mouth. It was sick to the point that I almost wanted to vomit. However, once Eagles of Death Metal (EoDM) came out, everything was in perfect harmony.
Just to give a little background, first, they are NOT death metal. They're name is just a cleaver name, but it spurns from a conversation about how some dude was telling them that the 80's glam rock group "poison" was death metal. They argued back and fourth, then someone chimed in that poison was the "eagles of death metal" (the eagles are a great classic rock band from the 70's and early 80's, for anyone that doesn't know). This is where the name spurned.
The band's sound itself has a lot of inspiration from all kinds of rock and roll, but mostly the group itself is closely associated with Queens of the stoneage as well as Jack Black, and Dave Grohl (foo fighters). In fact, the lead singer has a very tennor or higher-pitched voice like Dave Grohl (however, Grohl likes to do a little screaming in there). The band was formed by Queens of the stonage frontman Josh Homme and by the current lead singer Jesse Hughes.
The coolest part was when we were in line out front, the whole group came out and talked to everyone. They took pictures, shook our hands, and thanked us for coming out to the show. During the entire show and in between each set, they were high fiving each other (for rocking out) and kept doing the typical "Salt Lake City ROCKS!" stuff, except they did it with engergy and put on the show for us like they meant it.
The lead singer is very charasmatic (reminded me of Dave Grohl but with red hair and a big mustache). He kept saying in between each set "SLC has some FINE looking ladies. By far the best looking ladies we have ever seen". He'd also refer to them as "beautiful babies" and "honies". He was just melting all of them and it was GREAT. It's what a real rock star does.
The music itself is also quite catchy. If anyone out there reads this, check them out and give them a chance to rock. They really do.
One funny quote I remember him saying was "truer words have never been spoken by a man with a mustache, but SLC has the FINEST looking baby girls here". I was cracking up on that one.
Jesse (the lead singer) was by far the nicest rocker I've ever met. He put on such an intense show, that his shirt was dripping with sweat by the end. He took it off and threw it into the crowd. I got a hold of it pretty good, but it was so wet, that it slipped right out of my hands. The guy just looked like he was having a blast rocking out on the stage, which is refreshing to see in a rock group. Here is a picture of him. Cool glasses. Cool mustache. Great stage presence (he did a lot of dancing while he played the guitar, which was funny/cool).
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Man I miss Alene (and other ramblings)
She has been gone for 3 days now. It sucks. I came home yesterday with Caiden and the house just felt so empty without her there. It obviously helps to be able to talk to her, but it still sucks. I can't wait for her to get back. She said she is going to try to get back on an earlier flight, so that would be cool.
Alene's parents goats gave birth to 3 baby goats. They had two female goats that were pregnant. Goats can typically have twins, but I guess only one of them did. Alene is stoked and wants to get up to see them ASAP when she get's back.
I'm going to a concert tonight with my brother Russ, one of his buddies and my friends Tim and Jared. The name of the group is called "Eagles of Death Metal". Although their name sounds hard-core, they really aren't. They are a cool/funny group that somewhat mocks rock in a way, but takes themselves pretty serious. A few of their songs have been in commercials and such, but they haven't had a ton of mainstream success. They are somewhat associated with the group "Queens of the Stoneage" in that the lead singer/found of Queens of the Stoneage was a founding member of Eagles of Death Metal (he still plays the drums for them in their music videos and is credited as being a part of the band). They have a similar style/sound as well. It should be fun as I hear the band is pretty entertaining, even if you don't like their music.
Tim has hooked me up with some great music as of late. I've been listening to the group "The format" for a while and really dig their new album called Dog Problems. It's actually quite amazing if you listen to it. It's mostly about the dudes feelings on breaking up. Generally you only hear about how the girl feels, but it's quite refreshing to hear a guy sing about it. Songs I would recommend are: Matches, Dog Problems, Time bomb, I'm actual
Other music I've been listening to (with their songs I recommend):
The Strokes: Whatever happened?, Last night, Automatic Stop, Reptilia
The White Stripes: Instinct Blues (from Michele Gandry's new movie "the science of sleep")
The Vines: Rainfall, Evil Town, Amnesia, The winning days, Autumn Shade II,
The Shins: Pressed in a book, The past and pending
Petra Haden - This is an interesting project. She is pretty much a nobody in the mainstream world, but well-known and used among many musicians. She's a tripplet and one of her sisters is married to Jack Black. The other plays bass for Beck from time to time. She herself has been in bands like That Dog and The Rentals. She recently released an album of her covering the original hard rocker band "The Who" and their album from 1968 "The Who Sells Out" which was a somewhat mock record of them "selling out" to corporate advertisers, etc. She covered the entire album in accapella style, making all the instrument sounds with her own voice. It took her 3 years to do it and she did it in her apartment. Pretty cool. Anyway, the whole album is good, but my favorite songs are: Tatoo, Mary anne with the shakey hand, our love was, and Armenia city in the sky.
Anyway, listening to music makes me miss Alene even more. We don't always like the same music, but we both appreciate and enjoy it. I wish she was here.
Alene's parents goats gave birth to 3 baby goats. They had two female goats that were pregnant. Goats can typically have twins, but I guess only one of them did. Alene is stoked and wants to get up to see them ASAP when she get's back.
I'm going to a concert tonight with my brother Russ, one of his buddies and my friends Tim and Jared. The name of the group is called "Eagles of Death Metal". Although their name sounds hard-core, they really aren't. They are a cool/funny group that somewhat mocks rock in a way, but takes themselves pretty serious. A few of their songs have been in commercials and such, but they haven't had a ton of mainstream success. They are somewhat associated with the group "Queens of the Stoneage" in that the lead singer/found of Queens of the Stoneage was a founding member of Eagles of Death Metal (he still plays the drums for them in their music videos and is credited as being a part of the band). They have a similar style/sound as well. It should be fun as I hear the band is pretty entertaining, even if you don't like their music.
Tim has hooked me up with some great music as of late. I've been listening to the group "The format" for a while and really dig their new album called Dog Problems. It's actually quite amazing if you listen to it. It's mostly about the dudes feelings on breaking up. Generally you only hear about how the girl feels, but it's quite refreshing to hear a guy sing about it. Songs I would recommend are: Matches, Dog Problems, Time bomb, I'm actual
Other music I've been listening to (with their songs I recommend):
The Strokes: Whatever happened?, Last night, Automatic Stop, Reptilia
The White Stripes: Instinct Blues (from Michele Gandry's new movie "the science of sleep")
The Vines: Rainfall, Evil Town, Amnesia, The winning days, Autumn Shade II,
The Shins: Pressed in a book, The past and pending
Petra Haden - This is an interesting project. She is pretty much a nobody in the mainstream world, but well-known and used among many musicians. She's a tripplet and one of her sisters is married to Jack Black. The other plays bass for Beck from time to time. She herself has been in bands like That Dog and The Rentals. She recently released an album of her covering the original hard rocker band "The Who" and their album from 1968 "The Who Sells Out" which was a somewhat mock record of them "selling out" to corporate advertisers, etc. She covered the entire album in accapella style, making all the instrument sounds with her own voice. It took her 3 years to do it and she did it in her apartment. Pretty cool. Anyway, the whole album is good, but my favorite songs are: Tatoo, Mary anne with the shakey hand, our love was, and Armenia city in the sky.
Anyway, listening to music makes me miss Alene even more. We don't always like the same music, but we both appreciate and enjoy it. I wish she was here.
Monday, June 05, 2006
As usual, life has been flying by
I have had not much of a chance to catch up with it. I went camping with Alene, Caiden, Brady (my nephew, who is 2 years older than Caiden) and Russ and Randa. Alene took us to Maple Canyon, which is a place I've never been. It's very beautiful up there and I enjoyed it a lot. We did some rapelling (some of which took place at night, which was CRAZY). We also did a 3 mile loop trail, half of which was up to the top of the canyon, which did a number on my legs and back (both are sore today).
Alene had to leave town early this morning to go to Denver for a work thing. She won't be back until Sunday and already I'm missing her. I'm not here to air dirty laundry, but we have had a pretty rough first year of marriage. It's had it's ups and downs. The hardest part has been finding a good "middle ground" for us both. I've found that I often get what I want out of life, while Alene feels she isn't getting much of what she wants. She deserves it and I'm trying so hard to support her in that. I just do things that come off wrong. I'm WAY over-protective of her and always fear losing her and wondering if I cold have done something about it before it happened. I have that fear with Caiden too. They are the closest people to me in my life and I care for them deeply. However, it causes problems and doesn't allow her to have a fun and fullfilling life. I need to try harder at not worrying so dang much.
Still, like I said, she has been gone for a little over 15 hours and this house feels so different without her. I miss her. I wish she was here and I could spend my free time with her, rather than vegging on the couch in and out of consciousness, while watching the History channel.
Either way, I love Alene deeply. I think I have a horrible way of showing it sometimes. I show it in the way I want to, but it's not what she needs.
The good thing about being married is learning to become close to another person. I'm still trying to figure that one out, but with Alene, when I do feel close to her and "on the same page" (so to speak), there is not a better feeling in the world that my heart yearns for. It's an amazing feeling.
Anyway, I'm tired. I need to go to bed.
Oh yeah, Caiden started swimming lessons today. He was so cute when he was in the pool trying to learn. He looked so innocent and out of control (as he generally tries to pretend he is in control of everything else). He HATES putting his head under water and only does it for a split second. I think he'll get better and realize he dosn't have to worry so much.
OK, now it's time for bed!
Alene had to leave town early this morning to go to Denver for a work thing. She won't be back until Sunday and already I'm missing her. I'm not here to air dirty laundry, but we have had a pretty rough first year of marriage. It's had it's ups and downs. The hardest part has been finding a good "middle ground" for us both. I've found that I often get what I want out of life, while Alene feels she isn't getting much of what she wants. She deserves it and I'm trying so hard to support her in that. I just do things that come off wrong. I'm WAY over-protective of her and always fear losing her and wondering if I cold have done something about it before it happened. I have that fear with Caiden too. They are the closest people to me in my life and I care for them deeply. However, it causes problems and doesn't allow her to have a fun and fullfilling life. I need to try harder at not worrying so dang much.
Still, like I said, she has been gone for a little over 15 hours and this house feels so different without her. I miss her. I wish she was here and I could spend my free time with her, rather than vegging on the couch in and out of consciousness, while watching the History channel.
Either way, I love Alene deeply. I think I have a horrible way of showing it sometimes. I show it in the way I want to, but it's not what she needs.
The good thing about being married is learning to become close to another person. I'm still trying to figure that one out, but with Alene, when I do feel close to her and "on the same page" (so to speak), there is not a better feeling in the world that my heart yearns for. It's an amazing feeling.
Anyway, I'm tired. I need to go to bed.
Oh yeah, Caiden started swimming lessons today. He was so cute when he was in the pool trying to learn. He looked so innocent and out of control (as he generally tries to pretend he is in control of everything else). He HATES putting his head under water and only does it for a split second. I think he'll get better and realize he dosn't have to worry so much.
OK, now it's time for bed!
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