Music Monday

Today we have one of my all time favorite bands. The Scottish based band going by the name of Travis has put out five studio albums since they completed their lineup by adding an art student (who had no music experience) as singer/songwriter fifteen years ago. That is one story I would love more detail on.

This song is from their most recent album, The Boy With No Name. The Song is Closer, and watch for a cameo by Ben Stiller, a friend of the band.

If I had to describe this video in 2 words, I would have to say "Synchronized Shopping-carts."




Album: The Boy With No Name
Recommend: Definitely the whole album

Pergolla!

I can never say that word without thinking of 2 men wearing lederhosen, standing on top of the Alp's, one with a flugelhorn and the other, hands cupped shouting out the name of a cough drop to the world. Yeah, I'm a little weird.

So, thanks to Brent's design abilities, the second to last bit of the landscape plan is now in place. It took a day and a half, and it's just a lot taller than I had intended, but I like it. So does Paige, as she has been begging for it for nearly 3 months.

Keeping up with reality

I have, not including home improvements and gardening, 2 hobbies. As a statement of how much I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ I would like to say that both hobbies tend to gravitate towards the church, specifically the temples. However, both of my hobbies have disadvantages attached.

I like to be good at the things I like. Specifically I like to be best at the things I like. With my photography the problem is that there are so many people doing it. Therefore the disadvantage of taking Temple pictures would be my own pride, but to assuage my conscience I like to say that it's that so many people do it better than me.

Photography does help me with my other hobby, which is 3d Animation. Of Temples.

Reality.

Not Reality.

As far as I know, (and I have looked) the only folks doing this kind of temple art better than me are the folks designing the temples. But even this has disadvantages. Mainly, I can't keep up with reality. The Church keeps changing around the temple grounds, so when I go to take some reference photos, well, everything changes.

Take for example the changes recently finished at the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Six months ago when Paige and I got married there, the grounds were still in the same state they were when I started that model a bit over a year and a half ago. (I bounce between models, so I never really finish one). This week the temple finished with some major changes to the grounds, as follows.

Before

After

Actually, making it look like the real thing is where the challenge and fun come in. As I add the new features it often helps me get the proportions for features I already had in better aligned. Plus as someone who does a lot of wedding photography at Timp I'm really excited about the changes they have made. The patios are on both sides, though there are only new doors on the south side. But on Saturdays, when 6 wedding parties are trying to take pictures at the same time, there is a much better chance of getting a good setting.

Besides, it gives me a chance to show off my 3d skills.

Music Monday

Todays Music is a bit on the unusual side. Mainly because there is a strange juxtaposition between the name of the band and the output they created. You would expect something less dreamy and laid back from a band that for some reason I'm not sure I even want to know decided to call themselves Incubus. I mean, it's one of those bands where the lead singer prefers to sing with his shirt off and his pants hiked up to below his hip. This song however is one of my favorite compositions of all time.

This is one song that always relaxes me, so I try not to listen to it while I drive. (Drive, incidentally being the name of the only other song I know by this band. I like it, but not enough to post it.)

There is no official music video for this one, so here is a fan made slide show of appropriate scenery for their song Aqueous Transmission. The video is for the full version of the song, so if your in the mood to kick back, when the music is done you can sit and listen to the minute and a half of frogs at the end.



Album: Morning View
Recommend: Just this song, though maybe their song Drive from the album Make Yourself as well.

Crazy Reception Kids

We loved having many of our friends and family bring their children to our reception. We loved the joy and laughter they added to the day; they make great free entertainment.

We had little girls dancing everywhere.

We had the carpets cleaned.

We had CUTE wrestling.

Gotta love all those kids!

10:15 from the way I saw it

After frantic calls to just about every "place of healing" from my dentist to the emergency room (did not reach an acupuncturist), we got a call back from a dentist's emergency line. Joyce had given me the emergency number to her dentist, but he had another taking his calls that night. Turns out, Dr. Anderson is a very nice man as well. He and his sweet wife came met us at the office and the "fun" began.

It was my pleasure to sit next to Brian in the dental office. By the way, the feeling in my hand is slowing beginning to return and I have hope for a full recovery. I could not help but think, as Brian was squeezing all the blood out of my hand, that there would be a role reversal down the road...I totally expect him to be there holding my hand during child birth! (and smile and say "No, it doesn't hurt...squeeze as hard as you like.")

Now, I said it was a pleasure to be with him, but I should explain a bit more. I hope that I will never see him in the same amount of torment and pain...EVER. That being said, I loved being able to watch the dentist at work. Perhaps you too have been curious about what they are doing behind your head...let me tell you, fun stuff. Blood does not bother me at all, and it was so much better than any video. My main regret is that we did not keep the tooth. (Brian did not want it and I was not feeling like I should claim it - it was his.) And yes, the actual instrument used for the extraction looks just like a big set of pliers with a narrower end.

At about 10 o'clock, I dropped him off at the house to go fill his prescriptions. I missed the Walgreen's in town by about 7 minutes; so, off I went to Draper, who's claim to fame includes the nearest 24 hour pharmacy. I used the drive through for the first time in my life and even got to finish my book that I was reading while I waited. We got the drugs he needed; no more driving on the freeway at 11:30 on a Saturday night for Paige.

However, all's well that.... well, that ends. This was my first responsible adult helping pained loved one; I think I did pretty well...it bodes well for all those future child involved fun. :)

10:15 on a Saturday Night

So, How did you end your week? Yeah? Really? That sounds pretty cool. Me? Oh, I just had an emergency tooth extraction.

See, I started getting sore, like Thursday, but it's happened before and it's gone away, so no worries. Then Friday it got worse, but that was late in the afternoon, so kinda to late to go anywhere. Figured I'd just tough it out till Monday. Today my cheek and gums achieved the size of a small golfball. Or a large golfball, as there really isn't a size variation. But that's not the bad part. The bad part is the pain. It's probably a good thing I can't give birth as I really am a spineless wimp deep down. Deep down like where the root meets the jaw bone. Or used to, but apparently not for quite some time. The cavity at fault was not in my tooth but in my jawbone, where for whatever reason it rotted away.

The very kind dentist, with his sweet wife acting as assistant, said that the prior root canal probably went bad some time back and caused this issue. Not surprising really as historically canals and other waterways have always been where shady characters hang out. So now I'm looking forward to the first good nights sleep in a couple. I should be able to have that night in about a half a week. It definitely won't be tonight. Soon as my cheek stops being numb (I can feel that tide ebbing as I type) I will be up the rest of the night giving the stray cats a run for their money in the howling competition. So If you excuse me, I am now going to go practice my scales.

Visual Pun.

I have no idea where this is from. You have to admit that at least artistically, it's a very catchy and beautiful pun.

It's called Moon Landing.

Music Monday

So It's been a rough week. Yesterday was Monday and I forgot to post this. Today really felt like a Monday, so I'll post it today.

So this weeks music is once again from Blue man group. This is Directly from the rock tour, and features a special guest(s) in the form of a three individual band by the name of Venus Hum. I know nothing about Venus Hum other than the lead singer is famous for her strange dresses.

Blue Man Group made her a special dress.

Beware of "A" word a few seconds in.


I Feel Loved


Album: The Complex Rock Tour
Recommend: The whole album. There is no language, unlike this video clip.

Heroes and Legends.

Why my mind turns to certain subjects or lines of thought, I may never know. I mean, not why, but why. See, the why I began thinking of this subject I know; it had to do with the pictures I took for my Mother. As to why I began thinking of the distinction, I can't even guess.

But, I am already way off course. I came to talk about heroes and legends.

Legend.

I think in my family I see my Uncle Niel as a legend. This may word may evoke for some of you exaggeration or separation from reality. To me it implies great and continuing influence. His story is that of one who gave his life for country and friends. He died in Vietnam attempting to save the life of a fellow soldier.

His story is told and retold by his sister, my Mother, to keep him alive to her generation, my generation and that of my nieces and nephews. He, to me, is Legend; I have never met him but his actions affect mine and that of my siblings. For an example of his continuing influence, I refer all to read this excellent post by my sister. What brought Niel Burns Riggs to mind was a small brick. The brick is a replica of a larger one at a base in Hawaii that Mom and The Bobs had created for Niel. (For those of you who do not know of The Bobs, please follow the link to Lori's post.) Uncle Niel is a part of our lives nearly daily because of his lasting impact. That is a Legend.

Heroes

A Hero, on the other hand, really ought to be someone you have more of connection with - preferably someone you know personally. Someone who is there all the time to show us how we should live and behave. Someone like your dad.

My Father worked for 37 years in the military to support his family. I have watched with pride the way he treats the flag, fellow soldiers, and families of soldiers. A few years back a traveling version of the Vietnam War Memorial came to Provo for a week or two; my Dad volunteered for every service position involved that he could get. I visited him there a couple of times and watched the way he helped familes and vets find the names that drew them there from across the years. I watched as he would hold papers so that people with tears in there eyes could make a rubbing of the raised name or names. He is proud to be a Vietnam Veteren, whatever else the rest of the country had thought at the time. It was his chance to serve and no one could make that disgraceful.

Often we would see him come home from work very frustrated and unhappy. He talked of wanting to move on to something different. On more than one occasion, he would get passed over for promotions or positions, frequently when there really was no one else even close to being as qualified for the posision as he was. (It's my blog post, and you can't prove otherwise anyway.) However, he stayed with it and did what was necessary for the circumstances at hand.

For those reasons alone he could have qualified for this:

This is the Legion of Merit. In the order of precedence for United States Military Decorations, it Falls Sixth, the first being The Congressional Medal of Honor. This was awarded to my father after his recent retirement from service. It was given as recognition far all he has done to assist the State National Guard with it's efforts both in the state and abroad.

It could not have been better deserved; he has given his all, in spite of any desire otherwise, to his country. His efforts to take care of the soldiers of this state have been an example to us all. I have marveled as he has watched over the soldiers here, in Iraq and in Afghanistan, worrying over each one like his own kids. In a way, they are. His service, and his example merit this Honor.

For not giving up in the face of the smallest annoyances or the biggest affronts, and for so many other reasons, he is my hero.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Domocile Developments Part 6

For about 2 months now we have been laboring in the house to bring to pass something new to out home in the field of heating and cooling. As I have done most of the physical labor for this, it has taken many to most of my spare hours to bring to the point it is at today.






This is the before shot, as in it was just before I removed ALL the old ductwork that I remembered to take the picture.

This should give you a good feel for what it is we had in place either way.


This is the after shot, being a true and accurate representation of what we now have in that space.

This shot will henceforth be titled:

"Prelude to bathroom remodel"

As to what we did with the furnace, well, it and our new water heater we relocated to the next floor down. This has several advantages to it, the first being that the air no longer has to try to push through strange and unrealistic pathways to get to the north end of the house. This makes me very happy, as now the south end will no longer reach 78 degrees when I'm trying to make the north end 70. That might be a minor exaggeration but you get the overall point nonetheless.

My heating ducts, for hence they have been for these last seven years, shall now be retitled supply air ducts. This being due to them currently pushing a stream of crisp cold air that pleases me, though it may spread foot smell temporarily through the room. But it's COLD foot smell, so, we're all right.

And there they are. Our new furnace and water heater in all their glory. Before the dust even begins to build up. Ah, what a sight to behold.

Grass Wars III: Revenge of the Dandilions

Day 56.

I actually had to look at a calender for that. It's been quite some time since we started this whole Grass Saga, pun intended. At this point there are a few bare points, but mostly we are starting to look like a lawn. Finally. Observe the following:

But now there are other problems.


Our biggest frustration with the lawn was, and probably in a circuitous way still is, the weather. See, due to the cold, the necessary re-alignment of sprinkler heads and the way it snowed after hydro seeding and all, our lawn did not come up in the solid and thick carpet-o-green we were expecting. As a consequence, undesirables had a chance to establish on pretty much the whole southern front, and a good portion of the eastern front too.

Long story short even though we can ignore the wrong grasses, bind weed and clover (They are ALL green after all) last week we found it completely impossible to ignore this:

All I really wanted was a good solid summer. One to get the lawn established so that we might better have our defenses in place for this accepted unavoidable eventuality. But no, it rears it's ugly little head before we have a chance to even hope we have a chance.

Which is not to say we will give up.

Oh no, if the weeds think they have come home to roost they have another think coming. We are not going to roll over and play compost heap just because they say so.

We will fight back. We will fight and we will not give up till we have taken back that which is ours. We will have a lawn again! Friends! Countrymen! Utahns! Lend me your ears! What will ye do, ye poor lost peasants! Ye Chained and oppressed! What will ye do who have been captured and tortured by the enemy! These weeds that have you bound! They have sought your destruction! ARISE! Shake off this Oppression! Shake off your Rusted Chains! WE WILL NOT BE BROUGHT DOWN! WE WILL NOT BEND! WE WILL NOT BREAK! WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT! WE ARE NOT DONE YET!

FREEDOM! FREEDOM! FREEDOM!

What? Oh yes, I would love a piece of toast, thank you.

Music Monday

From Blue October now to Blue Man Group. Blue Man Group is quite possibly the best (insert strangest) trio of percussionists in the whole world. Set apart by their uniquely crafted personas, their strange and inventive instruments and their bizarre behavior, they have made themselves even more unique by going on tour teaching the world how to do a rock concert.

This song was created for their Complex Rock Concert Tour. You may read Complex in any context here, as they all apply. The song is called Sing Along. This video was rocorded after the tour with Dave Mathews as vocalist. Enjoy!


Sing Along


Album: The Complex Rock Tour
Recommend: The whole album

Olson Bed and Breakfast

In an attempt to stave off boredom last week (as if I did not have enough to do already), I decided to rearrange our guest room. We have two empty bedrooms upstairs (for the time being), one of which has a queen bed, the other had a twin frame and rocking chair. Just because I could, I switched the rooms around, leaving no mattress unturned, and moved many superfluous things down into our storage room.

Now, I have a lovely guest room...still in progress.

We are always accepting reservations; accommodations include meals cooked by an.....

eager and enthusiastic chef.

The other room is now my "study" room. I mean, it's not like we don't already have an office we aren't already using at all. Besides, now I can choose between the rocker or just crashing on the floor when ever I feel like it.

I know we won't get to enjoy these rooms for forever, but in the mean time...I'll have my fun.

Hey, speaking of fun, since we are not using the office and it's actually big enough to hold a queen size bed....

Nevermind.

Domicile Developments Part 5

Here are a couple of shots showing some long term on-going upgrades to the house, the lawn, the windows, the flower beds and the door, just to name a couple things off the top of my head.

November 2001

May 2008

There are quite a few changes left to come, as you can probably see, but we feel we are making decent progress.

NOW they're May Flowers.

Here are this months additions to our Garden-O-Delights. These we will really need some help identifying.

This one we know, as it's blossoms off one of our apple trees. That "rain" in the back is our sprinkler system.

This one we also know. this was all the lilacs we got on one whole 3 foot diameter bush.

Update: Allium "drumstick"

We also know our Irises. (Iri?) We have had 3 varieties to date.

Iris

Iris

Music Monday

Thanks to our sister Lori for leading us around to this one. Blue October again, this time set to a series of photographs.

18th Floor Balcony


Album: Foiled
Recommend: If you can find the "clean album" everrything but track 10. Otherwise, this song, You Make Me Smile, Into the Ocean, Independently Happy, and Chameleon Boy
.

Wedding Day "Saviors"

In an effort to cause the least amount of stress for our family, we decided to have most of our reception taken care of by "professionals." We had such great support from all of our family and friends. However, there are and were some people who were our "saviors" that day as they helped put out and prevent the fires that cropped up.

Jon and Angela spent part of our Christmas vacation teaching us how to dance. It may not seem like much, but it was to us. (We always wanted to dance at the reception, but...time just got away from us.)

 

James and Carie, as the only other "unencumbered" siblings, were so wonderful when they volunteered to get Jon, Angela, and Sabrina from the airport. (To make a long story short, they missed their plane, getting another was a nightmare, and made it with 30 minutes to spare.) Huge thanks go to James and Carie!

Lindsay and Aaron were our floral delivery system. Even if the flowers were not what I had ordered, the day would have been so much more dreary without them. Good thing Lyndsey and Aaron were around to fetch them.

Samantha (and Rob and Robby) was a wonderful back up for the wedding planner. It was a huge relief to know that she could handle anything that went wrong. After all, she did this for a living for years!

There are very likely and probably many more of you who did things we have yet to acknowledge, but to be honest, the day was one big happy blur to us. However, there are more pictures coming, and if they spark some thoughts about services of others, we will thank you forthwith.