tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38354190030168822492024-03-14T03:57:12.143-06:00My Mint Oreo'sRichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-50690970042924636262011-06-09T21:42:00.000-06:002011-06-09T21:42:34.501-06:00MoviesWhen a new movie come out like "Tron legacy", "Transformers" or "Thor", I generally enjoy where the producers take the story line even if it is in a different direction than what I would have wanted. I try and not let plot twist and little mistakes about the movie distract me form enjoying it but some times I just cant help it. During these times it is good to know that someone out there has the talent to change the story. At "<a href="http://www.howitshouldhaveended.com/videos">How it should have ended. com</a>" has taken it upon himself to correct the mistakes in movies and tell them in a more logical way. here are a few that I like.<br />
<br />
"Tron" Orignal <br />
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iIMb3hGzWW8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
"THOR" <br />
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1DTgNkkX2eU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
The new "Star Trek"<br />
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WbJ-y6BWfUc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
"Transformers"<br />
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JEdZ-yjxHLI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
One of my favorites is "Twilight"<br />
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Nqvg0C90FhM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
I love the comments and jokes they put in each movie.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-8113454174962411712011-05-30T21:31:00.002-06:002011-06-06T23:01:17.418-06:00Music to museI love music it has the ability to be inspiring, soothing, and so much more.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tn1d5DmdMqY?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/go9c7SaxUH4" width="425"></iframe>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-92021005248417570412011-02-01T23:55:00.001-07:002011-02-01T23:55:49.488-07:00Christmas decorations<p>last year I reported the overall decorating that I did on my house with a total number of light broken up between outside and inside.  Well this year is no different it just took me longer to post about it.  So last year my grand total was <a href="http://mymintoreo.blogspot.com/2010/01/recap-of-2009.html"><font color="#000000">1775 lights</font></a> inside and out this year I added more.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_2tbFn3I/AAAAAAAAAJo/bvb6zYZX5hI/s1600-h/DSCF6785%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF6785" border="0" alt="DSCF6785" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_3PlwznI/AAAAAAAAAJs/7A3BZeBjmGQ/DSCF6785_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>For one thing my artificial tree grew over the course of the year I know what you are thinking artificial trees can not grow. I would tend to agree however,  I had to add 50 more lights to completely cover my tree this year bring the total to a whopping 1,000 on just my tree alone.  last year I had a similar problem and I thought I would be just <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_36ahMsI/AAAAAAAAAJw/fhSNlLgCowY/s1600-h/DSCF6787%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF6787" border="0" alt="DSCF6787" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_4QSGHTI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/er2yMaKlj3c/DSCF6787_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>fine but no the lights from last year ended 2-3 feet from the top of the tree.  Needless to say I was very perplexed and confused, so I concluded that my tree even though it is not real grew a foot or two.  We also placed our tree in our living room window to add to the overall outdoor lighting experience.</p> <p>In addition we also splurged and purchased a DVD of a fireplace to help set the mood for Christmas.  I can tell you even though it was a fake fireplace just watching it and <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_5FZSjfI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/PoQgn3NqKUo/s1600-h/DSCF6871%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF6871" border="0" alt="DSCF6871" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_5px6kJI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/mmLpjFT1Ezg/DSCF6871_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>hearing the popping sounds of the burning logs I could actually feel the warmth of a real fire.</p> <p>This year we decided to start buying the LED light set, and slowly over the course of the next few years would replace our existing light with more power efficient strands.  However this year I just added to what I had because I’m like that, and I bet you can not tell which strands are the new one right<img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_5zYCCEI/AAAAAAAAAKA/gHvxA3PspW4/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" />.   </p> <p>These pictures don’t show it but one of the old strands ( the <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_7fq8NtI/AAAAAAAAAKE/-EXSi6raFDs/s1600-h/DSCF6865%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF6865" border="0" alt="DSCF6865" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_7jMi2uI/AAAAAAAAAKI/7oDvxo5kkIM/DSCF6865_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>same ones I used last year and suspended them form my celling on my patio) was set to a chase setting which created a interesting effect seeing as everything else was just solid.  This strand is on the gutter and above the main level window and door. </p> <p>I also for fun put some lights in my girls window just to <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_8nC9wDI/AAAAAAAAAKM/N9_2ldDEiEI/s1600-h/DSCF6867%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF6867" border="0" alt="DSCF6867" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUj_9EkG9eI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/rgsAdVHkRos/DSCF6867_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>increase the excitement level for them.  I did this because I can remember back when I was growing up seeing the lights twinkling through my bedroom blinds and light up my celling.  I loved watching as one of the old c9 bulbs would blink while the others would be continues.  Just having those light on would make me so excited about the Christmas season, and I wanted my girls to have the same memories.  </p> <p>So now comes the time where I tell you the total number of lights for this year with an astounding 2520 I can smile knowing I broke my personal record.  The break down goes as follows 1,000 lights on my growing tree, and 1520 on the outside of the house.  So until next year this is my new record for decorating.</p> Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-12189426192411015532011-02-01T22:33:00.003-07:002011-06-09T23:18:43.448-06:00VolcanoesThis semester in my classes we are learning about volcanoes, and everything that goes with them. So I thought I would share with you so<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUjslNg2VnI/AAAAAAAAAJM/aGg7HePkGus/s1600-h/fig32%5B2%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="fig32" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUjsmNyC1pI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/__lQRiWnsQA/fig32_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fig32" width="244" /></a>me of what I learned first off geologist have a index rating for volcanoes that is similar to the rector scale meaning a change from a 1 to a 2 is 10 times more powerful. This scale is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_Explosivity_Index"><span style="color: black;">Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)</span></a> (check the link for more info)and ranges form 0 to 9 in intensity rating. Each volcano has a different rating based on the plume height, frequency of eruption, its occurrence, and the total amount of ejected material. With a little back ground I wanted to share some new knowledge about a type of volcano that I did not know much about they are called a “Maar” volcanoes and are very deadly. They form like any other volcano by magma rising to the surface however in this case the magma comes into contact with an underground aquifer. Water is instantly flashed to steam and as a super heated gas it need to expand rapidly but being trapped under ground applies pressure which is quickly over powered in a atom<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUjsnm6PGDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CihfwQPojrs/s1600-h/Fig1-maehara-5-18-bm_large%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Fig1-maehara-5-18-bm_large" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUjsoSCRp9I/AAAAAAAAAJY/lCWQi3eKKQE/Fig1-maehara-5-18-bm_large_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fig1-maehara-5-18-bm_large" width="244" /></a>ic like explosion earning a VEI of 5-6. Some of these eruptions produce super heated plumes that can rise 55 kilometers in the atmosphere in case you are wondering NASA describes space as starting at 100 kilometers from the surface of the earth just to give you an idea of the height these plumes can reach. They produce pyroclastic density currents(PDC) which are super heated ash flows that can travel up to 100 miles an hour, destroy anything in there path. These PDC are what is responsible for the destruction of the city <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUjspDIXk2I/AAAAAAAAAJc/yJ7qhtmKi4s/s1600-h/080710maar%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="080710maar" border="0" height="165" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TUjsp-M1uJI/AAAAAAAAAJg/TVJUAN6yX6g/080710maar_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="080710maar" width="244" /></a>of Pompeii and all the people that lived there (note Mt. Vesuvius is not a maar but is a Strato-volcano like Mt St. Helens). It is common to find maar’s as a shallow lake sometimes as deep as 10 to 200 meters and as wide as 60 to 8000 meters. I will describe more volcanoes and what I have learned in upcoming posts but until then get to know what your walking around on.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-20817044634236632192010-07-14T23:01:00.001-06:002010-07-14T23:01:48.860-06:00New Songs<p>It has been a while since I posted any music I relay like Andy Mckee.  What he can do with a guitar is incredible and enjoyable to listen to</p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:2d6beed8-0512-4195-b7b1-26456b30d1ee" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="546949f7-a9f7-4411-9a08-7cbac3b00b88" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSnWhsmlGec&feature=PlayList&p=EB60B72F9CEAE54C&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TD6WO2-LbvI/AAAAAAAAAH4/qTDBqrROV8k/video74506285d67f%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('546949f7-a9f7-4411-9a08-7cbac3b00b88'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/lSnWhsmlGec&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/lSnWhsmlGec&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div></p> Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-72663476383306497932010-07-14T22:46:00.003-06:002010-07-14T23:02:33.874-06:00I did not know they could do that….<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:6a4bd3a7-e496-4b2b-9776-4aeb2ef29e21" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div id="7767f702-8f45-4d61-841d-756ad4f49cd0" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMCf7SNUb-Q&feature=player_embedded" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('7767f702-8f45-4d61-841d-756ad4f49cd0'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/TMCf7SNUb-Q&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/TMCf7SNUb-Q&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/TD6StS1gEBI/AAAAAAAAAH0/CUeUbMQJjec/videoe3137769a894%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div></div></div>I was reading a post about dolphins on another<a href="http://www.alittleperseverance.com/"> blog</a> and got interested in all the other videos that were similar. It took a few minutes until I came across this one and had to share it.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-30841770793608250812010-07-11T18:28:00.002-06:002010-07-11T19:27:27.494-06:00Sweet<div style="text-align: center;">It took awhile and a lot of hard work but I did it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I passed my Calculus I class.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I. Am. Awesome. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just wanted you to know,<br />
<br />
about me and my awesomeness.<br />
<br />
Go me.</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-87599180761682945892010-04-28T15:44:00.003-06:002010-04-28T16:32:23.918-06:00GeologyAs some one who is fascinated by Geology to the point that it even persuades my humor it was great to see a movie with some geology humor in to. What is great is that I'm not the only one who can laugh at a good geology joke. During the movie Planet 51 I was delighted to see one of the main character had about the same level of interest in geology as I do. Then when I thought this movie could not get any better there were two seen that made me laugh so hard so that I thought I would share it with you.<br />
<br />
In this first clip "Rover" is collecting rock samples and finds more than just a rock what made me laugh is how he dealt with this pest (which is a scorpion / lizard).<br />
<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v-uaIjTJLdE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v-uaIjTJLdE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
On this planet when it rains it does not rain water; however, in its place is something I would never want landing on my head. <br />
<br />
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4abEnsO288&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4abEnsO288&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
As a student of geology hoping to one day be a planetary geologist this movie was interesting.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-74650976246269410252010-03-05T10:27:00.002-07:002010-03-05T10:28:47.642-07:00The Reason for the Break<p>It has already been two months since my last post it all comes down to habits my are not the most predictable.  Have you ever had the moment where you do something very well for awhile then the habit slowly fades?  For me the most stand out moment where this will happen is when I play one of my all time favorite video games Final Fantasy 1.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S5E-7dZUc9I/AAAAAAAAAG4/vx9xPvpqdMw/s1600-h/ff1uscover%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="ff1uscover" border="0" alt="ff1uscover" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S5E-763upJI/AAAAAAAAAG8/dM-zJ_wKhYw/ff1uscover_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="244" /></a>Every time with out fail when I reach the last dungeon (which is also the fist one in the game) all of my ambition to finish off the game disappears. I think that has happened in a different way to my blog.  However I will try to rekindle my habits and post more regularly. </p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-52418662223863453952010-01-03T23:04:00.003-07:002010-01-04T20:14:47.997-07:00Recap of 2009<p>I have been neglectful when it comes to posting the experiences and stories of my life.  Over the past few months I started a few entries but they never seemed to get off the ground.  Which brings me to this point where I realized that a new year is upon me and I had not finished out the 2009 year on my blog.  So the point of this post is to share the last few months worth of adventures with a little back story.</p><p>One year ago about a week before Christmas 2008 we moved to in my opinion the best and newest apartment that we had ever lived in to date after M and I were married.  With the move happening so close to the holidays I did not have time to properly decorate our new home.  This was a problem I was going to rectify for the 2009 season.  </p><p>When it comes to decorating with lights I try and emulate Clark Griswold from the Christmas Vacation movie.  My only limiters this year was the amount of lights I could put up and the limited space on my 8 foot by 8 foot patio.  I started putting up lights out side over my Thanksgiving break yes before Thanksgiving Christmas lights were going up over at my house.  I am pleased that I was able to put up 835 lights on my patio I know what your saying "835 that's nothing".  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S0GE-FQivSI/AAAAAAAAAGc/0XMwiNoxRWA/s1600-h/PC310062%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="PC310062" border="0" alt="PC310062" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S0GE-8UpXeI/AAAAAAAAAGg/XFYNm3i00lo/PC310062_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="303" /></a>Well to that I would remind you that my story is not done yet there is still more to come.  We also this year revived a new Christmas tree from my sister (thank you), and for the first time picked out an entire matching set of ornaments (the non-breakable ones) and a complete set of clear lights specifically for<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S0GE_Rk3jeI/AAAAAAAAAGk/-ISh1A-YW8Y/s1600-h/PC010296%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S0GE_xg0w1I/AAAAAAAAAGo/BkZi-BjAcIQ/PC010296_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="318" /></a> the tree. What is truly amazing is the fact that it took 950 lights to completely cover the tree which we set up in our front room window.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S0GFAeUhCUI/AAAAAAAAAGs/vQ7BU0lpqxw/s1600-h/PC010276%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/S0GFA2CpIWI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tufy3WuoygM/PC010276_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="309" /></a>So my 2009 total lights count with the tree and outside lights combined is 1775 .  </p><p>For New Year's eve I spent it taking down 1775 lights and putting away all of our Christmas decorations.  With all the decorations down and in there place we can now start seating up the baby stuff before the next semester begins. </p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-31701067957745931992009-12-01T21:22:00.000-07:002009-12-01T21:22:02.983-07:00Christmas GiveawayMy wife told me about this website called <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/10606/christmas-giveaway-2009/">5 minutes for mom</a> that is giving away a lot of great prizes. Right now they're running a seasonal Christmas giveaways and dads can enter too. So now I'm going to head over to <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/10606/christmas-giveaway-2009/">5 minutes for mom</a> and enter in a few giveaways.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-65205932051740398542009-10-03T23:39:00.009-06:002009-10-03T23:53:23.739-06:00Just To Prove A Point...In reference to the previous post or "my search for my windmill" as a good friend compared it to I was visiting the church web site and saw this little tidbit.<br />
I was unable to post the youtube video here because of a sizing issue but here is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhDhiojBPA">link</a> to view it.<br />
Now that this subject is on my mind I keep running into the same phrase "What Matters Most." Just the other day my girls were watching the vegie tails movie "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" I just happend to walkn into the room when one of the charicters said somting the struck me as intresting. "Sometimes a test helpes us decide what matters most" here is a clip so you can see what I was talking about. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/screenplay/vi1106772249/">http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1106772249/</a> Then just this evening when I was at the presthood sesion of general confrance (which was very very good) more of the same advice was given. Now all I have to do is apply it. My quest for the windmills is on thanks to all of the advice I have recived.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-17856107028048003702009-09-29T21:51:00.006-06:002009-09-29T23:49:24.827-06:00What Matters Most?Over the last few day a simple idea has been reappearing before me, it appeared within the sources for the talk I was asked to give and in the material for my other church lessons. All I can think about is that there is a very important message that I need to pickup on and seriously apply. Thinking back on my life there are several moments where I could have been doing better in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-collage education yet I chose to play and entertain myself. For those choice I have received my reward now I must make a choice, continue to goof off or buckle down and focuses on what matters most. It may seen like a simple decision to make but for me it is and has been very difficult. My study habits are (I admit) mediocre at best (however compared to High School there leaps and bounds better) my desire to work on my studying habits is almost nonexistent (any suggestion would be welcomed). I don't meant to sound like a complete slacker it is just that I have lost sight of what matters most to me and I an unsure about how to reestablish that focuses. It seem that others have a solid goal that is not easily forgotten and one that propels them though other non related classes. I would love to know a way for me to have the same drive I see in others when it comes to information/classes that I see no value in. I'm not trying to sound negative about myself or my ability's to learn but it is hard lately to feel confidant in my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">studies</span>. It all comes back to what mattes most and figuring what that is.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-73389834479799204502009-09-05T22:06:00.003-06:002009-09-05T22:25:58.842-06:00RelaxingSome times I find it hard to actual relax for the most part what I do to take a break has involved a move, watching t.v., or playing a game. Each time that I walk away form those activity's I'm anything but relaxed. It wasn't until recently that someone mentioned a way to tell if what your are doing is relaxing or not. I was surprised by the simplicity of the notion that I almost did not pay attention to it, but if it had not been for the start of another semester and a new calling on top of my teaching I would not have listened. With gratitude for thos that shared this message to me I now share this lesson or message with any who want simple key to relaxing. That key is a question to ask your self and the question is this if the activity that you are doing to relax (weather it is watching TV, or playing a game) if you can not walk away with a feeling of refreshment and readement for what is next then that activity it is the wrong thing for you to relax. For me I have found that guitar music help me relax, so I have noticed that my last guitar music post is now on the next page of my blog I thought it is time to post another sampiling of Andy McKee. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JsD6uEZsIsU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JsD6uEZsIsU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8mYm4FhGauA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8mYm4FhGauA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I enjoy this music and I hope that it help you relax and prepair for the rest of the day.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-62486578070259083582009-08-23T20:56:00.003-06:002009-08-23T21:03:48.260-06:00Yellowstone Travel StoryIt has taken us a few days to finish this story and post the pictures of our vacation to Yellowstone, but it is finally done and you can see it at my <a href="http://www.alittleperseverance.com/">wife's blog</a>. Due to its length (and I really do not want to transfer it over to my blog because I'm being lazy) and size of the file I will not post it here. The post was a joint effort and once you read it you'll know why.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-74936461541165476292009-08-21T23:14:00.004-06:002009-08-22T23:41:07.058-06:00Another SemesterIt is official the fall semester starts next week, and it puts me one semester closer to the goal of graduation. We did have one last adventure before going back, and it took place in Yellowstone National Park. Growing up my family would go to Yellowstone at least one a year for a vacation I thought maybe I should continue that tradition with my family. I was shocked to discover that my wife of almost 7 years has only ever been to Old Faithful once and never camped in the park. With this camping trip I not only had two wide eyed girls but one in awe wife. It was cute to watch my children light up with each animal that came into view. To hear there little excited voices asking questions about Old Faithful, geysers, and any bug that came into view. Most of all it was entertaining to watch as my wife experienced more of Yellowstone for the first time. :)Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-48366365287585637022009-08-07T18:48:00.002-06:002009-08-07T18:55:07.306-06:00Summer 09'This summer has been very fun. M has enjoyed her time during her internship. We have seen some new sights and done lots of activities for the girls. But if you were to ask me what one thing was the most exciting that would be finding out that we are going to have another child. Yep that is right we are expecting number 3 in February.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-56305140699470818432009-05-21T23:19:00.003-06:002009-05-22T00:03:03.145-06:00Tails of an Overweight Aging Man.<p> It is two weeks till the end of the semester when the needed one credit class began on a Tuesday night. Surrounded by younger and more fit peer the first and last class session began. This class room session was to inform the class as a hole what to expect and what items were necessary for completion of the field part of the course. Stuff like bring your own tent, clothing, food, water, and lights at least three. Being a one credit class the task to complete for the weekend classes were nothing more than show up and participate. </p> <p> With all the excitement of a child awaiting Christmas morning<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> I got all the necessities packed and ready to for the weekend field course. Arriving five munities before the pack up and head out time I was able to stow my belongings in the pack truck and stand around for everyone else to show up. With a quick pep talk about the location of our journey and a reminder of what to expect we headed out on a hour and half to the first site. Now I bet you are wondering what it was that earned the title of this post. Our first stop was a old lava tube that was not very difficult to navigate or explore. That is right I signed up for a caving class. Being a Geologist at heart and soon with a diploma (give or take a few years) it was like being lead into a candy shop as a child and told have what ever you want. Everything from the way the cave moved to the structure of the cave it’s self was extremely interesting to me. Often I would be seen just staring at a seemingly boring bit of rock but I would see different colors, shapes, and fracture patterns (some a bit odd by the way) and just try to figure out what happened down in the cave. </span></p> <p> Cave two turned out to be another forty five munities away on deeply rutted with patches of ruff basalt popping out every few feet. Thankfully my friend whom I will call Dave was an expert when it came to going off rode with many years of practice and a few old trucks to vouch for it. As luck would have it we had to park the vehicles and hike for about one and a half to two miles over broken up basalt in the middle of the hottest part of the day. On the plus side the wind was cool and kept the hike pleasant. New camel pack and friend the journey to the cave went by quickly. However this cave turned out to be very different for the first. It too was a old lava tube but its size made the other look like a golfer hole. The temperature in this cave was much colder that the last and as a point there were ice goblins and ice stalagmites and stalactites. But the most difficult obstacle was the cave floor being covered in an inch of ice at times.</p> <p> On the journey back to the parked vehicles the group spilt into several smaller groups that all found there way back with the last group containing the instructor and his aids excitedly telling everyone that they had discovered a new cavern not on any of the maps. Promising all that would attempt to go and enter the cavern that the trip would be well worth the effort required but nothing more was said other than you will need gloves and knee pads. Upon entering the cave witch stood only five feet tall and rapidly narrowing down to a foot to two feet tall with a jagged ceiling and floor one would wonder if they had a nasty prank just pulled on them. Crawling on the rock was tiring and craning my neck up to see were I was going caused a sharp pain to develop in my neck making it difficult to look where I was going for long. It turned out that I was being left in the dust by everyone else I could tell that the instructor felt bad for me as she stayed close to me to make sure I could make it to the end. During part of this journey some of the other class members would stop and roll over to rest and giving there legs and arms a much needed break one such individual was resting up ahead of me when the incident happened. Our instructor aid, who was ahead of me, reached the point right next to the before mentioned caver who reached out and grabbed the instructor’s arm and said her name. All I heard was her scream witch caused me to look up to see what had happened. But when I looked up to see her turn on her side slightly and start punching at every part of the resting caver intent on doing as much damage as she could. As for the caver he was trying the best he could to curl into a more defensible position an almost impossible feat as the cave was so small. This bit of amusement seemed to brighten the gloomy and sharp predicament I was in by leaps and bounds as I was the only one behind them and could easily see what happened. Roars of laughter could be heard echoing all around the group as the story was retold to those who were up ahead. After army crawling a tenth of a mile the cavern opens up into an antechamber with an exit to the surface further on after a short crawl and a bit of a tight fit. This chamber was spectacular a large gas bubble like one that can be seen when driving through a lava flow. On the outside it look like a giant mound or hill but on the inside it is empty. </p> <p> It was decided that this unknown cave would be the last on our trip for that day and we broke out camp in a little valley with the hope that it would shield us from the now very cold and gusty wind. Needless to say that night was miserable to cold and windy to sleep but the next day was full of promise at six a.m. (anyone who know me knows better that to require me to be up and coherent at 6 a.m. let alone cheerful). The next cave was the most technical and thankfully the last that we would be doing that day. It started with a 20 to 30 foot repel into a cavern which was full of rock mounds which were the result of the ceiling caving in. This cave also had a short crawl the only difference was the floor was covered in about six to seven inches or more of find sand. Compared to the previous cave this short crawl (maybe a hundred feet) was like crawling on velvet. Unfortunately the cave did not have any alternate exits which meant we had to ascend out of the cave the same way we went into it. Not wanting to go first I watched all the others use the ascender doing the equivalent of 30 pull-ups. David (my new friend) wanted to go early on and hooked into the lines and with surprisingly little effort was up and out of the cavern (he is in the air national guard). When my turn came Another one of my instructors that were on the outside of the cave started joking around that they would pull up all of the ropes except two for the instructor who was still down in the cave (who by the way was the same instructor who was startled in the previous cave). Panicked stricken she started asking the only reaming person in the cave who had come well prepared for rock climbing (and was the person who startled the instructor in the previous cave). </p> <p> With more words that I would care to type I emerged from the cave with the distinct thought of being over weight or lacking muscle power or both (more likely the later). True to there word they yanked up all but two ropes for the remaining instructor who despite the disadvantage emerged out of the cave without the aid of the extra lines and ascender.</p> <p> As for the title of this post it was stated to me by David (who is the same age as me) the day before and I quote this question and answer session that made me smile and laugh he asked me. </p> <p>David “Do you know how I can tell that I’m old?” </p> <p>Rich “How?'” </p> <p>David “I’m at the end of the group.”</p> <p>(Short pause)</p> <p>David “Do you know how I can tell that you are old?”</p> <p>Rich “How?”</p> <p>David “You are behind me.”</p> <p>(Much laughing)</p> <p> I hope you have enjoyed my tail of an over weight aging man who is me. ;-)</p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-33453896650210092992009-04-14T23:48:00.001-06:002009-04-14T23:48:49.890-06:00Crystal cave continued.<p>A while back I posted about a cave full of <a href="http://mymintoreo.blogspot.com/2007/09/fortress-of-solitudein-mexico.html" target="_blank">giant crystals</a>.  Just recently I found some more information about this cave of wonders in Mexico.  It can be found <a href="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/giant-crystal-cave-3569/Overview/#tab-Videos/05856_00" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-46462227387291788872009-03-29T23:56:00.002-06:002009-03-29T23:59:29.756-06:00Guitar<p>I have always been a big fan of guitar music as well as learning different songs to play on the guitar. I have recently stumbled upon two You Tube videos that astound me so I thought I would share. I wish that I could play like this (maybe if I try hard enough).<br /></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:cfb2fada-5a46-4c35-b77e-6c9303a8a8f9" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;"><div id="81b1574d-a308-462e-9767-e1097e45bc1a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2BOApUvFpw&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SdBfEAn9flI/AAAAAAAAAF0/zF4tuRgnhOI/video918825540747%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('81b1574d-a308-462e-9767-e1097e45bc1a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/r2BOApUvFpw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/r2BOApUvFpw&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt="" /></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:97721c45-0a88-41ea-a7fe-49e4b391fcbc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;"><div id="3d679439-8ee6-4eee-91c2-ec636d2d090a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4&hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SdBfEn-SH1I/AAAAAAAAAF4/-bZwyt-MHIY/video6930a802990a%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('3d679439-8ee6-4eee-91c2-ec636d2d090a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ddn4MGaS3N4&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Ddn4MGaS3N4&hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt="" /></a></div></div></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-60511444231393525112009-03-03T00:35:00.002-07:002009-03-03T01:15:49.682-07:00Super Who?<p>Just the other day I was trying to catch up on some blog post that I have been neglecting to read when I spotted one that called me to action. I found my self glued the the computer following the links to an amazingly entertaining site. It was at this web site that I spent a good hour of my time turning myself into a superhero. After nine try's to get the one that I liked and felt that matched me (well almost my muscles are Bigger ;).... ok not really) the best. Now for your enjoyment here is the Fearless Caped Fighter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/Sazds5E01MI/AAAAAAAAAFM/9AG9U3K0SVg/s1600-h/MyHero106.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="449" alt="MyHero (10)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/Sazdto-2LMI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/YDsWWYPYK_8/MyHero10_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>You can like me spend some time and make a superhero of yourself at <a href="http://www.cpbintegrated.com/theherofactory/" target="_blank">The Hero Factory</a>. </p> <p>Just for fun I thought I would share with you some others I created before I found my hero. </p> <p>First off there was the Courageous Masked Hero.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazducimVKI/AAAAAAAAAFU/k21cPDYZrT8/s1600-h/MyHero13.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="MyHero (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazdugFLCJI/AAAAAAAAAFY/J3vnxyeP39M/MyHero1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Next came the Courageous Masked Knight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazdvHSeXqI/AAAAAAAAAFc/HWtIQO_WZDI/s1600-h/MyHero5.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="MyHero" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazdvrEVTZI/AAAAAAAAAFg/m0sK07hMw1c/MyHero_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Followed by the Strange Caped Jedi.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazdwATp0uI/AAAAAAAAAFk/NBiWEaWMOGk/s1600-h/MyHero112.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="MyHero(11)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/Sazdw9hRNNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/7e8oC91tPKU/MyHero11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Which lead to several others that started to look alike but with different color outfits, hair, and capes or even no capes like.</p> <p>For example The Incredible Bearded Superior was the second to last one I did and the one I would have gone with. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazdxQxGzAI/AAAAAAAAAFs/BB1gzucV9Nc/s1600-h/MyHero92.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="MyHero (9)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/SazdxkS6KaI/AAAAAAAAAFw/u0bQ6PAxDso/MyHero9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Go have some fun create your own super hero. </p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-9020306488660970732009-03-03T00:34:00.002-07:002009-03-03T01:14:41.763-07:00Wii Have Advanced Into the 21 Century<p>I can still remember the Christmas when our family gift was a Nintendo Entertainment System. We had the original Mario brothers game that included duck hunt. We as a family spent hours playing those games. However, my favorite memory is the one of my oldest sister playing mario brothers. If the Wii had been invented back then her movements would have defiantly aided mario jumping the chasm or enemy. Watching my sister send shock waves to the gaming system through the remote's cord every time she needed to jump always made me chuckle. Maybe that is why I did not see her playing it much after that. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/Sazde5mx5TI/AAAAAAAAAFE/gCiVVdSQs7M/s1600-h/WII_DETAIL%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="WII_DETAIL" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/Sazdff6CAvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/-G3g2svFvWg/WII_DETAIL_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" align="left" border="0" /></a> However, Now that there is a gaming system that uses those motions to interact with the games I think she would do really well. </p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-53747052786086266132009-01-08T11:35:00.002-07:002009-01-08T11:51:29.080-07:00Whirl wind<p>First off I want to say sorry for not posting lately. However, these last few weeks have turned out to be very busy. It all started with the week of finals I had one critical class that I needed to pass. Meaning that I was studying every chance the I could get. I did not find out what my grades were until Christmas eve. Which only increased my stress levels to the point of my pre test levels. I did pass all on my classes in case anyone was wondering. Also during finals week we needed to pack up our house and move. When we just barly finished moving into our new apartment the promised snow storm hit dumping about a foot of snow. Then it has been a struggle to maintain our health and unpack. For our hoidays we spent christmas at home thanks to the dangrous driving conditions. Our new year's eve we visited M's family and had butterfinger milkshakes. This break before school starts again has not felt like a break, it was more like a whirl wind of activity. To top it off just yesterday we paid our fees for the next semester that starts this coming Monday. Our goal is to be finished unpacking before school starts again.</p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-64944339200407156632008-12-11T11:45:00.001-07:002008-12-11T11:47:10.835-07:00M.I.A.For the next few days I will not be posting due to finals.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3835419003016882249.post-88205584260708109722008-12-02T11:07:00.002-07:002008-12-02T11:14:29.179-07:00Lagoon<p>This post is very late but I kept forgetting to post about my trip to <a href="http://www.lagoonpark.com/" target="_blank">Lagoon</a>. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5MKoFfhI/AAAAAAAAADc/GbfewNdwaPU/s1600-h/rattlesnake1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="rattlesnake1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5MgjEHEI/AAAAAAAAADg/SC2DWWDwnRU/rattlesnake1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" align="left" border="0" /></a>Just this last summer M and I along with two good friends went to Lagoon for a long over due day of fun for ourselves. First off we went on the Rattle Snake Rapids several times well before the day became hot to avoid the crowed. We did not stop riding it until each member of our group was drenched. It was my favorite ride when they first put it in several years ago and it still one of my favorite rides. A new feature of this ride is the the onlookers can drench the people who are on the ride. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5NJalYxI/AAAAAAAAADk/4dAvtaetDyU/s1600-h/rattlesnake2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="165" alt="rattlesnake2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5NrrWTII/AAAAAAAAADo/PGX8N1aY80o/rattlesnake2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a>But seeing how we went early to this ride that was not a problem for us. The only thing we forgot to do was put our money and tickets into a plastic bag to keep them from getting soaked. Right after this ride we chose to continue with the wet them and rode the log ride once. It was not even a question after that ride we were going to try and dry off using the roller coaster and other rides to supply the wind. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5OTcq04I/AAAAAAAAADs/0-Zqc-KkgYU/s1600-h/tidalwave1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="167" alt="tidalwave1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5O00dMrI/AAAAAAAAADw/i59o9PKe2tQ/tidalwave1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> The tidal wave and the turn of the century were the ones we chose to attempt to sped up the drying process. Wet jeans just don't fit well. Well these two rides put M past her endurance and she became very sick. Even though she has been on them before and had a great time riding them this time it was too much and I think that she might not be able to go on rides again. Which was vary sad to say the least because we loved to go on rides together. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5Pszfx2I/AAAAAAAAAD0/O54GUaycn-4/s1600-h/cliffhanger1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="188" alt="cliffhanger1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5QBRiiaI/AAAAAAAAAD4/ancMbF_HovI/cliffhanger1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> The last time we went to Lagoon we had fun running from ride to ride and our favorite then was the Cliffhanger. So we took our friends over to it so we could show them what they had been missing. I love this ride, the seats are two rows that the operators can lock into position then rotate so the row is completely upside down twenty feet above the ground. To make it more interesting they shoot water up at the passengers. Only this time when I rode this ride I got a bloody nose from being held upside down too long. So even though it is a ride I enjoy I do not know if I can go on it again. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5QR7tg2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/2deBmXYvuw8/s1600-h/spider1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="spider1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5REFuUmI/AAAAAAAAAEA/_6znVGhtTu8/spider1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" align="left" border="0" /></a> To the left of this ride was the spider I have never been on this ride and did not care for what it looked like but our friends had and loved it so they encouraged me to ride it with them while M stayed on the sidelines while her sickness was going away. The Spider was a fun ride but it ranks up there with the wild mouse (which I hate and will never go on it again, However M likes the wild mouse) I would go on the Spider again but it would not be the first thing I would run to. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5R0WUqEI/AAAAAAAAAEE/YgsQVhShPAo/s1600-h/wicked2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="194" alt="wicked2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5SAi_nEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/OAQYXVWVKgA/wicked2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> The one I would run too would be Wicked this ride is one I could ride on all day it only last about ten seconds but it is a blast. I have only seen a few pictures of rides that looked like this and even then I wanted to go on one. This is Lagoon's newest ride and was vary popular the lie took about twenty to thirty minutes to get through; however, it was well worth the wait. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5SxwGuVI/AAAAAAAAAEM/PsJWhHB8ITA/s1600-h/wicked1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="wicked1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5TCsRBwI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/VST5myVtODY/wicked1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="156" align="left" border="0" /></a> I especially liked the sound effect of a rocket when the ride started signaling the take off up the vertical tower leading to a straight drop off. Just describing it makes me want to ride it again. M thought I was nuts to even want to go on a ride like this what can I say I must be a little nuts. It was very fun and I know M would have had a blast on it. There is one ride that M and I really enjoy it is the Top Eliminator this ride simulates real dragsters. It is position on tracks so that no one will crash but the control of the speed is all in the hands of the rider. Reaching speeds of 75 mph in less that 2.8 seconds to read more about it <a href="http://www.lagoonpark.com/show_ride.php?id=6" target="_blank">click hear</a>. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5TWaMXFI/AAAAAAAAAEU/NFLT0ZTK92g/s1600-h/images%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="172" alt="images" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5ToUZiBI/AAAAAAAAAEY/EAOcAdA39tM/images_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" align="left" border="0" /></a> We raced three times to see who could get the best time and with four cars to race it was perfect we all could race against one another. The picture is bad but you can get the Idea. Each of the rides we went on can be found at <a href="http://www.lagoonpark.com/explore_rides.php" target="_blank">Lagoon's web site</a>. Before we could call it a day we had to ride three more rides one of them was the white roller coaster (this is another ride the I do not like) it is Lagoon's legacy ride it is old and made out of wood. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5UI7cmxI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8MLiSOVWojo/s1600-h/rollercoaster1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="164" alt="rollercoaster1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5Uz6Y2TI/AAAAAAAAAEg/zNCB_MePmTA/rollercoaster1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" align="left" border="0" /></a> Not one that is smooth in the turns or the rises. Every time I ride it I'm very thankful to not have died. I know others enjoy it so I will not make it out to seem worse than it is. Every time I go to Lagoon I ride it but every time. Manly it is because someone in my group wants to try it out. Even after all of my attempts to convince other wise. It wont be until after the ride that I will hear that they should have taken my advice. Unlike the Wild Mouse I will ride the White Roller coaster just in case any one was wondering what the difference is between the two.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5VfiYjZI/AAAAAAAAAEk/x9gb_SdKQUg/s1600-h/rocket2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="243" alt="rocket2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5VrupBDI/AAAAAAAAAEo/fYaaSrmI898/rocket2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" align="left" border="0" /></a> Next is also a new one that I have wanted to ride when it first was put in the park but M did not and even this trip would not ride it. The Rocket is a intense ride the like the name states stars off like a rocket. At about one hundred feet stops and drops back down to the starting platform. I thought for a second during this ride that I was going to die but just for a second other than that I enjoyed the comments from my friend as the ride took off. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5WGWkVtI/AAAAAAAAAEs/jzj1fqHu-1g/s1600-h/rocket1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="161" alt="rocket1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5WcaVDHI/AAAAAAAAAEw/o8KTrizPof4/rocket1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" align="left" border="0" /></a> I wish that I could remember exactly what he said but that is impossible for me to recall. Just the force form taking off make the restraints feel loose and like I could fall out. Then on the way down the seat feel like they disappeared because now I was falling faster than gravity could pull giving a weight less effect even though the ground was rushing toward me. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5W2Tz1zI/AAAAAAAAAE0/70EWiLocf4s/s1600-h/bat%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="bat" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_lZRUM-k2Zsg/STV5XnSfUPI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wU-cXWu3XVE/bat_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" align="left" border="0" /></a> After the Rocket we all rode on the Bat which is the only hanging ride that Lagoon has and we all enjoyed that ride even M who said she would enjoy riding it again. It was a mild ride but still very fun and I could enjoy riding it several times. After all of our rides were done we went around to the games and tried our luck at several different ones. M won on the Mini golf challenge, and we almost won several times at the classic bottle and ball game. The one we won at was the whack-a-mol game which is where we won a couple of care bears for our girls. The only bad part of our day was the driving in Utah. That is always going to be a sore spot for me.</p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00224609086367702574noreply@blogger.com2