What a Wonderful Surprise

Did you have a favorite food as a kid? One of mine was brown beans with hot dogs. I am sure my parents hated it, but since all they had to do was open a can of brown beans and cut a couple hot dogs into it to make me happy they rarely refused. It was the best thing ever! Thus, it was to my great joy that we found this can of Beanee Weenee at Smiths the other day. I didn't know that you could get it with the hot dogs already inside. How awesome is that!

*Sorry about the picture, it was from a camera phone...ugh!

A Bad Storm Means Good News

Since we moved in we have been worried about a tree in our backyard. It hangs over power lines, phones lines, etc, that run to our house and our neighbor's house. About six months ago we finally got the city to come look at it and despite resting on so many lines, they declared it perfectly fine. Suuuuure...



A couple weeks ago we had a surprise snow storm here. The weather was bad enough to break some of the branches on the tree and weighed it down quite a bit. This resulted in the power line to our neighbor's house getting ripped off the side of their house where it had been attached.



We talked with our neighbors and our landlord about it and surprisingly they got the city to come and look at it. The man who came was very concerned, so he called in a crew and within an hour all that was left was a stump. The poor guys had to work in a heavy rain storm. Too bad they didn't take it out when they came six months ago and the sun was shining.

The Tea Party

Caroline and I went to the local 'Tea Party'. There were a few good speakers and some great signs. Here are a collection of my favorites.


Debt is the problem, how can it be the solution too?


Talk is cheap, except when congress does it.


Extinction is forever. Save the taxpayers

Waiting and Hoping

Two things, I am hoping that it doesn't snow more today, as I will be outside photographing a wedding....

...and I want you all to anticipate the story of the return of Maria!! If you are unfamiliar with Maria and the events surrounding her disappearance, click here...

Tax Day Tea Party

Today is the Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party! National grassroot efforts are organizing rallies around the counrty to oppose the rise in big government, big government spending, etc. It is a chance to organize and rally as a nation. It is tonight, 5-7pm at the Old County Courthouse, University and Center. I will be there near the beginning, if you want to go with me, call. Here is a link to the website with more info.

"So who's behind the Tax Day tea parties? Ordinary folks..."

The Only Escape

Isn't it depressing to think that the only escape from taxes is death? Caroline and I did our taxes on Saturday and had to write Mr. Obama a nice big check and we weren't very happy about it. I am happy to pay for essential services and public education, but other than that...no way. Charity, in all its forms, including welfare, should be voluntary.

It's not all politics in our house, but...

It's not all politics in our house, but tonight I am preparing for the communications class I teach. Tomorrow we will be analyzing political ads, and specifically ads from the 2008 presidential election. As I have been meandering through the web, I have found many interesting things. One, Hillary Clinton's campaign ads are not available online anymore. I have searched several sources, and cannot find any, plenty of spoofs, but none of her official ads, interesting I think. But that isn't actually the reason for this post. I found this website that has tracked the money donations from specific industries for the last group of candidates and I thought it was very interesting. I am sure there are many sites that track this info, but I thought I would give you a link just so you could look. It is amazing how much money is donated and interesting to see what industries give who what money. Anyways, have a look, the site is called OpenSecrets.org

Socialism

My friend Anabelle put this short economic lesson on her blog, I think it is great. You should read it.

BMW Offers Tractor Beam for Better Mileage

BMW has come up with a novel idea to improve your fuel economy. A large magnet that allows you to 'grab' onto the car in front of you and have it tow you. Sounds great, except for the guy towing you. Oh and by the way it is April Fools Day today.

Kia had couple fun ones two including this new Popemobile.



If you want to check out the rest go to www.motorcities.com

Budgeting

A nice budgeting lesson for a few Americans, especially the government and Obama.

Emperor Obama

I must admit that I was dubious when Obama was elected, but he gets scarier everyday. He goes about throwing money around like it is his, not ours. Equally scary is his crazy idea of budgeting. Essential to his budget is that the US economy will magically be stronger than ever before two years from now. He is like one of those people who puts everything on their credit card because they assume that somehow next year they will be earning twice as much money. Problem is that rarely happens and so they go bankrupt instead and we, as a country, are well on our way. The head of the European Union said that Obama's budget was 'the road to hell' and he was right. China has loaned us tons of money and they are starting to call it in, only we can't pay it. Heck, we can't even pay the interest on it. We as a country are bankrupt and he is increasing government spending by trillions. Wake up Obama and live within our means.

He is also starting to issue orders to companies, as if he knew what he was talking about. To bad he has never run a business or anything for that matter. I guess he also forgot that we live in a democracy, at least we did the last time I checked. Maybe last night the US turned into the First Holy Empire of Obama and all the businesses are his. Yikes! Pinch me quick.

Caroline's Weekend

Just thought I would give you all a glimpse of what I will be doing this weekend. Friday morning I get to take Brianna's bridal pictures...

Here are a couple of engagement pictures I took in February at the Salt Lake Public Library. They are a super fun couple, with lots of personality (as you can tell from the picture above).

I will be taking Brianna's bridal pictures on Friday morning. I am excited because she was fun and has really pretty blue eyes.

Saturday morning I get to photograph Brittany and Brett's wedding. Brittany is the girl that cuts my hair, and as you can see she is super photogenic....

She has beautiful eyes to lure in innocent men, just kidding. She is a babe, and I am super excited she is getting married, and that I get to photograph the event.

Anyways, that's what I will be doing.

Chocolate Confetti

Want some chocolate goodness for your Monday night FHE? Here is a super easy and delicious recipe on mine and Kelly's cooking blog, www.twolittlechefs.blogspot.com , posted by guest poster Brad. Try it, eat it, love it!

Danger Will Robertson

If you can overlook the fact that these two men are apparently holding hands this is a pretty amazing picture. I am not sure if they were trying to 'high five' or hit fists or what, but making contact while tearing down a track is very dangerous and I say kudos to them.

When I saw this picture it immediately reminded me of a road trip with some friends, the Zirkers. We were heading north along I-15 through Salt Lake and they decided to pass water bottles between vehicles. Fun, not too smart, but definately fun.

Then of course I thought of the times I longboarded while hanging onto cars or gave a fellow boarder a 'ride'. One time a middle-aged BYU maintanence worker even slowed down so I could grab onto his truck, but once I was on he didn't hold back and I made it to class in record time. Ahhh, the wisdom of youth.

How to Make Bus Tours More Exciting

Now, I have never actually taken a bus tour, but they don't sound very exciting. I have ridden a bus through the rocky mountains a few times and despite the gorgeous scenery it could be pretty painful. Anyway, looks like they are working on spicing things up a little. To check out more pictures on the amphibious bus head to site I work for www.motorcities.com