Freakin' Slacker

hehe. I am such a slacking B-logger. I have had too much going on as of late, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Work is ramping up with a new project looming in the near distance, We are fixing up the house to sell in the next few months, and I am trying to fit in hiking/camping/running etc... into the mix. Rar! livin' life to the fullest.

Yeah, anyways, we went down around Goblin Valley a few weeks ago. that was pretty chill. went on a hike, ate campy hotdogs, and got mad at how windy it was. oh well, it was totally worth it to get away.

as you can see, I got in some sweet climbing. I was like 500' up this super hard route, free climbing of course.



well, maybe not 500' feet... but there was some serious exposure... well.. uhm.. hmm..

the only bummer is I got popped down 85 in a 65 on I-6. that REALLY put a damper on my mood that weekend, mostly because I then had to do 65 the rest of the way AND all of the fuckers I passed got a good laugh as they passed and saw me pulled over. fuckers.

Extreme Fire Danger!!!

I shot this photo back in December up City Creek. I didn't know snow was so flammable.

walker Andy ranger.

I went out for a hike this morning. It was good to get out and stretch my legs as this is the first time since February that I have been out. I made it just about 2 1/4 miles up the canyon past the gate about half way to the top of the ridge and the antennas. I want to make it to the top, I just haven't had the ~3 hours in which to do it. maybe if i had rolled out of bed sooner :). I ended up with some unwelcome blisters on my feet which is very irritating. I definitely need to get some insoles for my boots. I swear no one makes a boot for narrow feet, the boots I have now seem to cradle my feet, but it just seems that it is not enough and I usually end up with some classy blisters on my heel. oh well, just have to get some nice calluses built up.
Well, enough of my dribble, I am off to bed.

Oh, on a side note, if anyone who reads this is looking for hiking partners this season hit me or Felecia up. We want to do a schload of outdoor activities this year, so hit us up.

Death

lots of death around the office lately, co-worker lost his dad, and another's wife had a miscarriage. I don't like hearing that kind of news, it just hits home how you can just snuff out at any moment. it's going to be a rough week.

Scooter ride 5¢

Fired up the old scooter today for the first time this year. Lots of wonderful blue smoke came pouring out of the exhaust after I got her going after a few kicks. Getting the scooter down my ice ramp of a driveway was a bit of trick, but i didn't lay it down so that counts for something. It was a short ride down past Liberty park and down 5th east for a bit, but man, it was sooooo needed. This winter has been a bit on the harsh side, and having temps above 40 is a nice break from the ice queens grip.

Felecia and I are headed down to Vegas next weekend for the rally, and I cannot wait. I only have 4 days to work next week and it is going to be a real bugger to get through.

when I post again after the rally, hopefully I will get some choice pictures.

Cheers for now.
--AB

There is no God, Only Chelada.

Yes, I am a consumer whore. If I see some New, shiny, something-er-other I just have to get it/try it. Although, I think after this experience I will be a bit more picky.

God made Beer, or more precise God gave man (and woman) the ability to make beer and it was good. God also told man how to grow tomatoes and how to harvest clams. I have it on good authority that God never EVER told ANYONE to put all three together. So, I can only assume that the devil had his hand in the futuristic beverage named so lovingly "Chelada" or Budweiser and Clamato.

So without further ado, let's get down to sampling this fine beverage.

step one: admiration.
Look at that fine advertising on that can. woo mama.





hmm... gonna drink that whole thing...


Here comes the pour!!!





Oh yeah... let's see if it passes the sniff test... seems ok...





...uhhhhhhhhh......



OH DEAR LORD!! NO!!!! WHY?!?!??!?! <*YACK*> >HEAVE<







HOLY SHIT that is nasty!! Please.. Please. PLEASE DO NOT EVER DRINK THIS!!! I have suffered enough for everyone.

Ok, that is enough for now. I am going to go rinse my mouth out with Killians.

Cheers to GOOD beers.

-_Andy
certified Beer expert

2008 aspirations

I refuse to set resolutions, so I am working toward aspirations in 2008. (aspirations won't leave you feeling empty and sad when you fail to accomplish them)

#1 top of the pile is to continue exercise regiment, I kept everything in check over the holidays and managed to drop a pound! I am also going to bring my drinking level even further down. for most of the past 3 months I have only drank on the weekends, which is good, but I want to further refine that down to only drinking maybe once a week and only moderately. I am getting way too old for hangovers.

#2 Complete home improvements. We kicked it up a notch and have almost finished our crown molding project, I just have to punch the nail head past level and DAP the holes. I suspect come summer our hacienda will be fit for sale.

#3 I want to log about 30+ miles of actual hiking/biking/snow-shoeing/x-country skiing every month in 2008. that will get me close to 360 miles in the year. I have some catch up to do...

#4 Career oriented aspirations will be set once I figure out what is going to happen w/ certifications and SQL server 2008. 2005 ushered in a new set of exams more geared toward different areas of the DB world. so, I am really curious what is going to be next. I am also gearing up to finally learn me some ASP.net and C#. I have the basics down, but I need the guts and glory to be more proficient. I am going to work up a bunch of admin pages at work that should give me a lot of practice, course, these will have to come second to my real work load which currently is growing steadily and shows no signs of slowing. fun.

well, that should keep me busy for another 365.