I'm pretty much DOMINATING this thing...

Here are some pics from Alcatraz...can't wait to get back there. I STRONGLY recommend you all go there. A whole island of AWESOME.


I have several more than I've posted, but I'll just give you a taste.

This is looking out from the entrance to the prison, away from San Francisco. Perfect weather for a prison visit.

This is inside, obviously. The interior is not nearly as big as you would think. During the whole time Alcatraz functioned as a prison, they only processed around 1500 prisoners. This row of cells is called "Broadway". They won't let you up on the upper tiers (I asked).

As you can see here, "Indians Welcome" has been painted on the wall. We are clearly not looking at the Blackfoot City Pool. In the 60's apparently a bunch of Indians all of a sudden felt like they had all these "rights" and stuff, and staged an occupation of the island. Beat.

Whoa mercy, who is this bruiser? I can' t see too good, is that Marvin Hubbard? I actually gave half a ham sandwich to our ferryboat captain to punch me in the face several times on the way over, just so no one would want to "R" me... This is a shot of the prison yard. I was the only one with the nads to go out there that day.

And this parting shot...well, this is the formidable asscrack of a tremendously corpulent broad on my ferry. I swear you could've slipped an entire pizza pan in there, like you were plopping a quarter in a pay phone.

Like a Phoenix Rising From The Ashes...

...the blog lives. At least in my heart it does...

Well...what can I contribute? I uploaded a slew of photos from my camera yesterdee, so I will throw some of them up here for your viewing pleasure.

Here are a few pics of the hotel I stayed at last week in Palm Desert, CA. It's called the JW Marriott Desert Springs. Some of you have been to trade-shows for each of your respective industries, and I don't know how they stack up compared to the "tech-world"...but they are a consistently bizarre experience, in great contrast to the day-to-day activities and behavior found in the office environment.


Anyway, this one on the right is the hotel lobby. That's not a pool there in the center, it is an interior part of the lake that surrounds most of the hotel. They bring boats in through retractable doors to shuttle people to different parts of the hotel.

And this one is a picture taken from the opposite side, looking down from the 6th floor.

And this is looking out toward the pool. Not all that bad for February, though I didn't have a chance to go poolside.

And as I'm sure this is riveting for all of you, let's just keep this roller coaster going. These are pictures of the Omniture booth, which I have the pleasure of setting up and tearing down at each event, along with two union boys. I actually enjoy their company more than that of any of the d-bags in the high falutin' technology society.

So there you have it. I've got more pics from Alcatraz and Hawaii I'll throw up later today.

Werd.

Sunday 28 Jan 2007

Mom drove to Church today. Went well. I took a few pictures as we drove down Independence Ave. It is the main drag of Accra-similar to State Street in SLC. One photo is a couple of street vendors (hawkers) with their baskets of wares on their heads. I would guess 8 out of 10 women hawkers carry everything on their heads. A few of the men do also. The other photo is of a small herd of goats grazing by the roadside (remember this is the main drag).

A Minor Technical Difficulty

A little blog history: Blogger (the service we're using to run our blog) was recently purchased by Google. I created the blog on Blogger's old system. Unfortunately, Google is slowly phasing that system out and converting it to their own which is called Blogger Beta. When I went to login today it forced me to switch our blog to the new system. Before anyone hyperventilates, this really isn't that big of a deal. All you have to do is set up a Google account. If any of you use G-mail, that account will work. For those of you who don't have a Google account, the blog should prompt you how to create one the next time you login to post or comment. You will need to switch over to Blogger Beta if you want to create new posts so please switch. If you have any questions or problems doing so feel free to call or e-mail me. Sorry for the inconvenience, I didn't realize Google was going to force the switch, but like I said it really shouldn't be a big deal. The way the blogs works won't change other than the way you login and like I said, the system will let you know about the changes.

Bats in the air!! for Lindsay

More pictures

This is what I get when I tell her to smile. Cute.



















Ready for summer. And yes, we wore those shoes when we went out today. Tough feet I guess.















Buddies. . .at least for that brief moment.











Jaida's missing. Someone may have eaten her. Wonder who it could have been. Yikes. Super chubs.

Completely normal sleeping position. She learns that from her dad.

Utah County here we come. . .

Looks like Mike's going to be running a new office for Meridian Title that they're opening in Lehi sometime in April. He'll be the manager. . .running the show! We're pretty excited. It should be a good opportunity for him. So when Mom and Dad return, we'll probably look for a house somewhere down that way. Fun stuff. (probably not Eagle Mountain though--sorry Chad and Wendy. . .too far away!)\

Celebrities and Sycophants

For those of you who don't know, I spent the weekend as a chauffeur (sp?) up at the Sundance film festival. I got the job through my buddy, Zach Longson, who got the job through a friend of his sister's, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, we were working for a woman named Mimi Kim. She is the owner of the club in Park City, Harry O's. She also has an a-list clientele that comes in for Sundance that she takes care of via her driving service All Access. No, I didn't meet anyone famous. I saw a few people on the street--Anthony Hopkins, Sienna Miller, etc. Most of the people I was driving work for My Space or Fox. I did have a chance to drive some big shots from Citibank, Vida Tequila, and a guy named Alex Von Furstenburg who is the son of designer Diane V.F. and her husband (I don't know his name) who is the owner of the home shopping network. They're billionaires. Alex flew in on the family's private jet and came down the stairs of the plane with about a dozen twenty-something models and a couple of his buddies. They all piled into our cars and we drove them straight to some parties in PC. He's got a pretty rough life.

Overall, it was a pretty lame experience. It's exhausting being on call all the time. People who are used to being coddled are usually pretty demanding. Surprisingly, I found that the more money they have, the nicer they were which seemed counter-intuitive. I guess it's the ones that don't have as much money or fame that feel like they've got something to prove. It's these non-celebs that don't have a ton of money that will say anything to get what they want. The weaseling that I witnessed all weekend was nauseauting. I should make pretty good money when it's all over with so I suppose that it will have been worth it, but I honestly don't know how anyone could make a life taking care of the super wealthy/famous. I found it to be degrading, miserable work.

I'm now back home (I was staying in Park City) and just back to the daily grind of school. Other than that, not much to report. Mom, I understand that you called me out when you talked to Lindsay for not being in touch more often. I apologize, but it was a very hectic weekend. I was averaging about 3 hours of sleep per night and we were working 16-18 hour days so I didn't really have time for much. Things are much more mello now. Unfortunately, I don't really have anything exciting to report.

Shane, just a piece of blogging etiquette (sp?): you can't, in good conscience, call anyone out for lack of blog activity unless you're blogging on your own time. That means anything that you post while you're on the clock doesn't count in your favor because, technically, you were being paid to do it.

Mom and Dad, loved the pictures. Hope all is going smoothly.

I'm Going to the Super Bowl!!!

All right...no I'm not...but this man with the enormous cranium is. We've already looked into the possibility of getting tickets...not happening.

Anyway, I didn't want to post over Dad's most recent blog, with fascinating pictures (keep 'em coming!) but since everyone else appears to have "gone dark" as Jack Bauer would say, I'm forced to keep the North American engine running...pretty much on my own. Strong work everyone.

So, for any of you looking for ways to avoid "doing your job", as I eternally am...here is something from the archives that I put together a while back for a Cougar Football site of some of my friends, that combines -wait for it---football AND religion! It's timely with the current events, yet also relevant to those thrusting in the sickle! We all win!

I know, I know, the sweetness of my sweetitude knows no bounds...

Well, let’s get into it then…here’s a little exercise for you, next time you get bored in Church (that’s assuming you go. We have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” attendance policy here at CPDC)…What if, just what if you had to assemble a football team…entirely from the Book of Mormon? Ludicrous? Perhaps. But could the day come when you are called to do this? “Oh get off it, Shane,” you say, “We don’t have time in our religion for such absurd nonsense…leave us be to focus on our history of normal theological principles, like polygamy, and getting our own planet.” All right, before you fire off the email you’re currently cobbling in your head…relax, Elder. Breathe a second…I’m just saying we’ve got some pretty radical concepts kicking around our faith…so I for one am getting ready…ruling nothing out as a possibility…let’s entertain this one for a moment…don’t be afraid of it. If you are prepared, then you shall have no fear...

So, who would you take? Who has demonstrated the unique skills needed to fill the varied positions of a full roster? Two real reasons for doing this: 1- It’s a pretty solid challenge, harder than you might think. 2- As you flip back and forth through the pages, contemplating who is going to hurt you the least as that weak side cornerback, everyone around you will assume you have wandered off the path of the lesson on your own personal journey of enlightenment…and they will be impressed by your newfound enthusiasm for scriptural knowledge… This is my team. I fasted and prayed about my picks, so don’t think you can dispute them…

Quarterback - Your Anchor. Your Leader…without a solid QB running your offense, you may as well clear your schedule for the Telestial Bowl, so choose wisely you must…fortunately this is the easiest selection to make: Nephi. A no-brainer pick. Large in stature. Sticks to the playbook, but also knows how to audible when necessary. You think he would put up with any jawing in the huddle? Known to have frequent visions, so he shouldn’t have a problem finding the open receiver. Has shown great arm strength with the bow and sword (see Laban’s head). Can take a beating, so you won’t have to worry about him pulling himself off the turf. Of course, I’d feel better knowing his Wonderlic score, and we don’t know much about his footwork…but I don’t think you’ll find a better option for under center.

Tailback – I’m going with Samuel The Lamanite. He was able to dodge a whole bunch of arrows and stones. Fearless and agile. Let’s see Barry Sanders do that. Plus he jumped off that wall…not to mention perhaps the most compelling factor…he’s not white. White guys do not make the best running backs. We all know it.

Fullback – Earl Campbell…is not mentioned anywhere in the Book of Mormon (and only once in the Doctrine and Covenants). I checked the Index. In light of that, I’m going to take Enos as my fullback. One minute, I’m bashing white running backs, and the next I’m taking one as my fullback…well I’m assuming he was a whitey…I guess if we’re getting technical they were all Jewish? Whatever. Enos was a wrestler…he said so himself. Likes to get physical, mix it up, and all that. Plus “Enos” just sounds swarthy…swarthiness is a highly desired quality in fullbacks. And in pirates, incidentally. Enos probably would have been a decent pirate too.

Receiver – 1- Abinadi. High pain threshold, a “must have” in any receiver running routes across the middle. Hopefully Nephi won’t hang him out to dry too often. 2- The Brother of Jared, even Mahonri Moriancumer. Sounds like a receiver’s name. I think it would look great on a jersey. 3- Jared. Not as good as his brother, but not a bad third option. I may have to hold open tryouts for that fourth spot…I have no idea who to put here.

Tight End – Mormon. This position was made for Mormons. Moroni will play the other side. Now, don’t start thinking that such an important figure is getting short-shrifted and deserves a better spot than 2nd Tight End. I’m going to run a two tight end set most of the time and he’ll get plenty of touches, when he’s not picking up the blitz. And I’ll need Father and Son to make up for the thin ranks in my receiving core.

Offensive Line – I’m taking four Kings and one Chief Judge as my front line. They were always going on about service to their fellow beings, so what better position to serve in than as un-glorified linemen? Nobody else wants that job…and they’ll still be Kings, so they’re still going to pull chicks…no need to sweat it. Benjamin at Center. Lamoni at Left Guard. Limhi at Right Guard. Mosiah at Left Tackle. I think he’ll do a good job of covering Nephi’s back. Assuming Nephi is right-handed, which I am. Choose The Right, I s’pose. At Right Tackle, Pahoran. I think this is a solid line. They could be undersized, but certainly reliable. I just hope “pulling” isn’t a problem for Limhi.

So there’s my offense…now for the other side…

As anyone with any sense, or love of righteousness would agree, the only real defense is a 3-4 defense. I’m pretty sure that Marvin J. Ashton was quoted in a BYU devotional as saying that any other defensive “scheme” was contrary to God’s Plan. If you want to run a 4-3, or have “cat backs” or whatever they are…you might just as well start preparing for that lake of fire, Heathen.

Defensive Line – The Three Nephites. Tireless, these fellas must be. Courageous, no doubt. My only concern is that they could report to camp late, skip practice, etc. as they always seem to be tied up rescuing sister missionaries or picking up hitchhikers.

Inside Linebacker – Alma the Younger and Amulek. They both had wild pasts. That kind of experience will only help. If they find a way to summon up a dose of that old darkness, don’t be surprised when they decleat you and then hock one in your ear hole. Alma does not mess around. He killed that dude Amlici for saying he wanted to be king…what’s he gonna do when you try and run a draw on him? Your funeral, brother.

Outside Linebacker – The stars. The glory hounds…but they earn it out there. If you’re going to have any success in the 3-4, these two have got to be exceptional. Strong. Fast. Killers. Captain Moroni. He was the only other serious consideration for quarterback…but I think he’s better off on the other side of the ball. He was born for this position. An expert in stratagem. Is he blitzing? Is he in coverage? He will rattle QB’s out of their jocks. On the other side I’m putting Teancum, Captain Moroni’s right hand man. This guy’s M.O. was infiltrating enemy camps, sneaking into tents, and lancing dudes in the heart with a javelin. A javelin. Badass.

Safety – Strong: Ammon. I think you’ve got no choice but to encourage the removal of opposing player’s limbs during regulation…either way, a first rate selection for this position. I would pay a hundred bucks to see Ammon and Jack Tatum throw down in The Octagon. Weak: That guy Gideon who chased down King Noah…we don’t know much about him, but he went down swinging, in the end. Sounds like a tough guy to me.

Corner – I’ll admit, I’m stumped on these. I’m running out of good options. Until I can figure something better out, I think I’ll throw Nephi and Lehi (Helaman’s boys) out there and see how they fare. I could get torched with these two, but I think I remember Nephi running around a lot, finding dead judges and what-not. May have to double check that. And Lehi, his bro…well they are from the same gene pool…so…we’ll see. I’m gonna get lit up like a Christmas tree with these two, I can just feel it. I may have to do more feasting on the word and see who else I can dig up…but I’ll let it simmer for now, and seek revelation later.

Special Teams – Helaman’s Stripling Warriors.

Punter – Nephi’s bro, Sam. He just seems like a punter.

Kicker – Alma’s son, Corianton. He’s got a weakness for harlots. Just the kind of mischief and moxie you want in a kicker. Kickers spend most their time checking out the cheerleaders anyway, so I think he’ll be pleased as punch.

I really need to figure out that corner situation, but even then…who would they play? Could Laman pull together a squad for a Promised Land scrimmage? Korihor could be a worthy adversary on defense. I mean, any defense with an Anti-Christ…you’ve gotta be concerned…this is going to require some more scripture study…

we're gonna like Ghana!

Dear Family,
All is going well here. We have almost unpacked everything, but are still finding new treasures of decor, contact lists, treatment protocols, etc. left by the Merrills. Our first Sunday(yesterday): We rode out to a remote branch - Kpong Branch, located near the dam forming Lake Volta which is advertised here as the "largest manmade lake(hence reservoir) in the world. It was about an hour and a half drive through the bush. Lots of poverty, but the people seem happy. The branch was funtioning very well. The branch president is a Ghanaian who is an MD and a PhD in public health, who worked in St. Louis for about 20 years after he left here because the president of the country then had him on a hit list. He has now come back to help his country. His specialty is what this country needs the most - public health. We had a good visit over lunch after the meetings were over.
I will try to post a few photos taken on the trip. The kids that live next to the Church in their yard. A soccer game with a typical couple of women with big stuff on their heads. Some of the Kpong Branch primary kids. Also included is a shot of the bat trees. The dark clumps hanging from the branches are about 10-15 fruit bats( they apparently eat fruits not insects) hanging together. Hope all is well there. It is here.
Love, Dad/Grandpa