Saturday, May 31, 2008

Pina Colada Jelly Beans

Since I have nothing special to report on at the moment, I will honor one of the greatest Americans of all time with todays posting. The one and only Genuine Nerd, Toby Radloff.

Friday, May 30, 2008

How Long Did This Take To Create?

This Cartoon Is Insane!

Western Conference Champions!!!

Lakers closed out the Spurs in an epic game at Staples Center last night. Rallying from 17 down to win in the final minutes. Whoo Hoo. Its over. Lakers will be the NBA Champions in a few Weeks. My Prediction is Lakers in 4 or 5 against whoever they play! BRING ON THE EAST!!!
The Best In The West

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Mike Black on VBS - Episode 2

Check it out! Part 2 of 3 on my friend, the Sci-Fi Mathematician... the Yugandan Surfer... the Meteor Miner From Texas...drum roll please... the one and only, Mike Black.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

11 Down, 5 To Go

Lakers 93 - Spurs 91. One win away from the NBA Finals!
You're About To Get Knocked Out Oberto!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Pasadena Marathon

The first annual Pasadena Marathon is going to be held this year on November 16th. I think it would be pretty cool to turn 30 two weeks before that, then go for broke and run a marathon. I am going to begin training this weekend! If anyone else is down to run it with me and my girl let me know!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Done Deal

I FINALLY GOT MY NEW CAR!
Let The Good Times Roll!

Memorial Day Weekend Adventure - Part 4

We left at the crack of dawn this morning after one last night of fun by the river. I drove most of the way while my girlfriend and MM3 caught some more Z's. The drive home took us about 6 hours and we didn't hit any traffic at all. For Memorial Day Weekend that was a minor miracle of sorts. I'd say that everyone would pretty much agree, this was one awesome weekend. I have to give props to my buddy Ross for throwing such a great 30th birthday party trip. Unfortunately, like all good things this came to an end, and much to soon. Here are the final batch of pics, compliments of MM3 and his cell phone.
Haight Street Merchandise
Happy Hour In San Francisco
Hiding Out From The Rain On The Wrong Side Of The Campground
Sunrise In Sacramento
That Water Sure Looks Cold!
Duckhunt 2008 Edition
The Brotherhood Of Baren Jager
Save The Bus!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Memorial Day Weekend Adventure - Part 3

Luck was on our side on Sunday. After a full day of rain Saturday, and a gloomy forecast for the rest of the weekend, we awoke to clear blue skies. The storm had unexpectedly fizzled out during the night, leaving us with perfect rafting weather. The trip itinerary had us scheduled to go rafting around 11 or 12, depending on when the water got to us. Surprisingly, its not really even through nature, but through man that we get the rapids we were about to ride. Unbeknownst to us, the water level of the American River fluctuates on a daily basis. Although the rocks in the river create the rapids and turbulent water, the water level in the river is determined by man, and the surrounding populations hydro-electric needs. There are a series of dams up river that let out water sporadically throughout the day depending on how much power Sacramento is using. Therefore, the time that we would go on the rapids, depended solely on this water release. Weird (and probably boring to read) isn't it? By the way, I found all of this out from our rafting guide. Anyways, the time was upon us to get into our wet suits and gear up for the trip. Myself, my girlfriend and a few other of us water savvy people brought our own wet suits so we didn't have to rent them. As for the other unlucky friends of ours who had to rent, have fun catching crabs and pinworms! (I'm only kidding.) One really funny thing happened to Cop Dawg during this whole process. He thought he was all ready to go when a rafting guide walked by and shot him a funny look. The guide then asked him if he knew that he not only had his wet suit on inside out, but on backwards as well! Cop Dawg got embarrassed and we all laughed our asses off! It was pretty ridiculous to say the least. After he got his wet suit adjusted we walked to the meeting point for a short and pretty basic safety lecture. We then paired up in groups, got our life vests, had our river guides assigned to us, and walked down to the boats. Our group consisted of Me, My Girlfriend, Bruce Brewster, His Girlfriend, Cop Dawg, and MM3. Our guide, who was an ex-Vietnam vet, lawyer hater, local historian, and machine gun enthusiast, turned out to be a pretty cool dude as well. It was just about 12 noon when we set off on our river adventure. The first half of the river was pretty tame, and only Class 1 rapids. I guess they use this part to get everyone acclimated to rafting and the guides rowing commands so that after lunch you can hit the Class 2 and 3 stuff. During this part of the trip the hi-lights included all of us jumping in the water and swimming around, MM3 doing a backflip into the water and almost smacking his face on his oar, and me and MM3 swimming a portion of some Class 1 Rapids. Then we stopped for lunch, which consisted of a make your own sandwich and cookie buffet. It was amazing how delicious lunch tasted for being such a basic meal. I guess anything will taste good when you are tired and hungry though. Also the port-o-potties were clutch here since I had to take a major whiz after 3 hours of being on the river with no bathroom in sight. After the meal and bathroom break all of us were about to return to the boats and begin the second half of our voyage, when one of the rafting guides came up with a brilliant idea. We still had a full igloo cooler full of ice water and he wanted us to dump it on Ross the Birthday Boy's head. We all agreed that it was a great idea and set the plan in motion. Jorge would stand by with the camera ready to take a pic, as someone else distracted Ross. Meanwhile Bruce and I would sneak up behind him and douse him like a coach who just won the Superbowl, with some ice water so cold it made the river water seem like a bathtub. We almost got caught sneaking up on the first pass so we temporarily aborted the mission, but a minute later we got a clean shot and totally drenched him. It was hilarious and Jorge got a great picture of it. After that it was time to hit the "real" rapids. The class 2 and 3 stuff that is supposed to strike fear in your heart, put hair on your chest, and leave skidmarks in your shorts. Unfortunately as fun as it was, and it was TONS OF FUN, I was never scared at any point, which I was hoping to be the entire ride. I was thinking before we embarked that our boat would flip or we would take a huge drop over a waterfall or do something to that effect, but that sketchy situation I was planning for never materialized. Maybe it was for the better though since it would have been horrible if any of us got injured or drowned... Anyways the hi-light of this second part of the trip was for me, the part where I got to sit on the end of the boat and ride down the biggest Class 3 drop of the American River's South Fork and get totally plunged into the rapids. It was pretty cool. Everyone else took their turns "riding the bull" on the end of the boat, and before we knew it the rapids had come to an end and we were back on shore getting on the bus to return to the camp site. Anyways, here are the action pictures the rafting company took for us, as well as some pictures my other friends took that day. Enjoy!
4/6th Of Our Group Prior To Hitting The Rapids
Me And Some Rafting Groupies
Cool Photo Or Just A Shameless Ad?
We're On Our Way!
The First Of Many MM3 Camera Checks!
Lookout!
Not Even The Rapids Can Keep MM3 From Posing For A Photo Op!
The Point Of Impact
We Made It!
Cop Dawg Makes His First Appearance
Thrills, Chills, Posin' and Breath Holdin' This Picture Has It All!
Good Times!
The Rafting Guide Finally Makes An Appearance
Cop Dawg Scared After A One Foot Drop (Look At His Face)
Rapids...
Further Down The River
MM3 Sayin' "Cheese" Once Again
N Gettin' Sprayed By The Whitewash
The Most Athletic Rafters Sit Front Left
Brace Youselves!
Another Classic MM3 Camera Check In The Midst Of The Rapids
Getting Soaked
We Survived Now Lets Relax
"Excuse Me Marz Raft Guide, But Can I Go In The Water?" - MM3
Bull Riding The Biggest Drop Of The America River
Can't You See Us? We're Right There!
Resurfacing
Still Hangin' On
Rodeo Clown Pose
Yee Haw!
Good Times!
Hitting A Bump
This Shot Should Be On The Front Cover Of The Brochure
Lookout! You're About To Get Dipped!
Will We Make It?
Splash!
My Girlfriend Has Rodeo Skills Too
Ah You Gotta Love The Rapids
The Last Rapid Of Our Trip
The Second To Last Of The Professional Kayaker Taken Pictures
We Made It Out Alive And Well