I'd like to take a moment to apologize. I was so caught up in the house sitting fiasco that I failed to mention what else has been going on in our lives. Which might help explain why I was so... expressive about my feelings of house sitting. And for those of you who did not get a chance to read the post on house sitting before i removed it, I again apologize.

Linda and I are buying a house! The house was originally built in 1906 and I think there is only one corner of the foundation that is original. Everything else has been updated and improved on. The house caught both of us by surprise. We had been looking for homes that would need a little bit of renovation but nothing major. This house has been completely remodeled. Sure it may have lost some of its original, aged charm, but we love the work that has been done.

Now to be honest, the first thing we noticed and loved about the house was the amazing tree in the front yard. I absolutely love it. But even though it has been remodeled. We are still going to get the chance to get a little dirty as there is no back yard. Well there is a back yard, just no grass, or a fence.

I don't want to make this post too long, so I'll wrap things up. The lot is a little over 7k sqft. the house is 1180 sqft, has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, laundry room, sunroom, and an open front room that extends to the 'dinning room' and on into the kitchen.

We've had the inspection, and sewer scope done, and are currently awaiting the lenders appraisal of the property. If everything continues to move smoothly, we'll get the keys to our new house June 30th! Let me know when your available to help us move.

Oh and by the way, by reading this post you have agreed to help us move into our new house, so thanks. thats so nice of you.

Craftsmanship

I was going to add my own thoughts about this, but I thought the description already with it was just too good.

""What is life without craftsmanship?" the ad asks at the end. Well, it's bleak, is what. Office towers collapse, bustling thoroughfares buckle and crack. Hey, are we sure the craftsmen didn't just cut corners on materials? Especially fine are details like a sandwich disintegrating as a diner prepares to take a bite and type sliding off a newspaper page. In the end, everyone roams the wilderness naked, with nothing to do but grow their hair long and repopulate the world. Sounds sweet to me. See you in hell, craftsmen!"

Just a heads up, its German, it European, its a little risque at the end.

Cha-cha-cha-changes.

I figured it was time my blog received a face lift. My blog now features a new yet outdated font choice and colors and some pretty snazzy pin-stripes. Exciting I know.

Home sick

Its been raining a lot here in Denver the last few weeks and I have to say, its making me a little homesick for the NorthWest. Utah wasn't without its charm (southern utah's redrocks and arches are amazing), but it wasn't for me, and Denver is great but we haven't had the opportunity to get out and see what the Rockies have to offer. I miss rain, and moss and green trees, rolling hills and mountains, huge rivers and waterfalls, and I miss being just 2 hours from the beach.

I hope the weather will hold steady for the next few weeks so I can go climb some 14k foot mountains here. Maybe I'll find some amazing scenery that will trump the NorthWest, or at least hold me over till we take our next trip back.

What motivates you?

I have always been interested in what drives people to do what they do. And more importantly what drives them to do it better.

The motivations in my life have defiantly changed over time.

In elementary school is was the promise of 10 extra minutes of recess. Or perhaps the fear of receiving beatings from your classmates if you were the one that kept the class from getting the 10 minutes.

In middle school, the promise of a special meal or toy for getting an A on a test. Like a dog who learns how to sit, and roll over.

In high school, it was an off campus lunch or a pass from doing sit ups. Or the simple gratification that came from graduating and never having to think about high school ever again!

At 16 it was the promise of a car if I got my Eagle scout award, which was a close one, I actually had to forge a signature an hour before turning in my papers before the deadline. (Wasn't my fault they changed the forms on me and the guy had moved to Seattle.)

In college it was the ability to drop the lowest test score, or skip out on the final all together (this one ALWAYS got me. I don't think I ever took a final in any of the classes that offered this).

Now in the real world, its defiantly the money that motivates me. Not that I am only in it for the money (I think anyone who knows what I am getting payed would agree with me on that one), but the promise of more money for a job well done, definitely keeps me coming back for more.

So what motivates you? Is it money, an extra recess (vaca days), or possibly a tasty treat? And is there a point where money or any motivator stops motivating people? Where is the turning point when the promise of a tasty treat, kills your motivation? Does that place even exist?

Selling out

"Its like people only do things so they can get paid. And thats just really sad."

Yes I know I am selling out by allowing Google to place adds on my blog. Adds for things like FORD, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, and HAIR CLUB FOR MEN. But hey, why not? Does selling out really make me a tool? Probably. Will people stop reading my blog because of it? Its possible, assuming anyone even 'reads' it to begin with.

The way I see it, selling out is just the natural order of things. Here I am 3 years and 160 posts later and nothing about my blog has really changed. This is just the way of the world babe. Its time I stepped up into that sweet world of getting paid to do absolutely nothing!

Actually, if you think about it, this could be a better thing for ALL of us. If I actually want to receive more than 5 cents a year, I'm going to have to start posting more interesting stuff. I'm going to have to blow topics way out of proportion and pretend to be passionate about things that no one cares about or needs to know.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic (I feel I can say this because no one ever comments on blogs anymore. At least none of the 4 people who occasionally visit mine out of absolute bordom (but thats okay because I'll be honest, its the only reason I read yours!)).

New Car!

Some of you may know that I have been looking for a new car. Partly because the Justy has been having issues, and partly because we have decided it would be a good idea to have a safer car for the baby to be transported in. The first thing we looked at were subarus. I drove a couple of nice ones, one was really nice. It had heated leather seats, sun roof for the driver and moon roof for the passengers. It also had wood trim and a 3.0 6 cylinder engine. However, it was a 2001 with 112k miles and they were asking $9,980.

I just have a hard time justifying spending 10 thou, on a car with more than 100,000 miles. Plus the car was nice to drive but not any fun. Long story short I decided on something that had 4 doors, good milage, and was fun to drive. So here it is. A 2004 Mazda 3 with only 39k miles and in pristine condition. We still need to get our bank to cut us a check but as soon as they do, I'll be running over there to pick up my new ride.

I don't think its any secret that I'm not a big fan of star wars, and I usually hate it when companies use star wars as a marketing tool. But I have to admit, I did enjoy this one.

I've been robbed!

I woke up this morning to find that someone had rummaged through my car. the contents of the center consol was on the floor and the face was missing from my radio. I don't think there was anything of importance in the consol except for a broken, expired visa rebate card from AT&T, which I had been using as an ice scraper. The thing that I find most interesting about it is that all of my CDs were still in the car, along with the speaker box in the back.

Even though nothing major was stolen or broken, it does make me feel a little violated. Like having a creepy guy with a mustache staring at you. After all, the car was parked on our driveway next to our house. I don't exactly like the idea of having strange people wandering that close to my house in the middle of the night.

I guess I'm just upset that they didn't just steal the whole car. Maybe tonight I'll leave a key on the dash.

In lieu of wearing a tie yesterday, I thought I would share with everyone my sweet, newly acquired kicks. They are trail running shoes with removable spikes and they weigh almost nothing. Best of all they were just 10 bucks! Gotta love Ross.

IT'S BLUE!

Thats right. This here, is a blue tie.

So to the 3 people who voted pink, I'm sorry but you picked unwisely. For the 2 people who picked blue, congrats. You are the are the smartest of the 5 people who read this blog.

I know I have been slacking lately on tie tuesday. So to make up for it, today I have done something extra. Introducing Thai Tie Tuesday!

Thats right! Not only am I wearing a very fashionable yet retro tie, but I am also eating Thai for lunch. Mmm, lime curry beef. (It tastes much better than it sounds)

Tune in next week as I break tradition and wear a VERY special tie on monday!

Crapy cars!

I've been having some troubles with the justy lately. Seeing how I only payed $500 bucks for it, I'm having a hard time justifying (no pun intended) putting much money into it, and yet I can't bare the thought of letting it go. Why is that? The car is a total pile! Rust is eating it in half, the axels are bad, and who knows where that oil leak if coming from.

I've decided that the reason why I just can let go, is that the Justy is one of the 4 crappy cars I've always wanted. Sure there are a lot of high end expensive cars that I would LOVE to have and even give my right arm for. But there are 4 crappy cars I would almost give as much to have. (these are in not particular order)

First, the Subaru Justy. I have always gotten a kick out of seeing these little guys on the road. And now I have to kick it to get it onto the road. But I still love it.

Second is the AMC Eagle. 4 wheel drive and unbelievably ridiculously ugly. I absolutely love it.

Third the VW Thing. Rugged, boxy, zips together, what more can I say?

Finally the old school mini coopers. I would prefer a wagon over the standard body, but I kick one to the curb for smoking.

I'm a bunny!

I didn't think I was going to make it to the end of the day without exploding on someone, but then I found this little beauty. Just click here and then right click to view full screen.

Down time

So I finally posted my documentary on my website please feel free to check it out when you've got some time.

Used logos

Today I am back in the world of content loading. So to reaffirm, if only to myself, my worth as a designer, I went in search of logos I have designed in the past to see if and how they are being used. Here are the ones I've been able to find so far today.

So I've been meaning to take the Justy into a mechanic from the day I got it but I never have. Partially because of the lack of money, but mostly because I was afraid of what they might find. The noise has been so loud lately that I finally took it in. After just a one hour inspection here is what they found:

- Bad front wheel bearing

- two bad axles

- Right axle center bearing mount with broken bolt

I've decided only to replace the wheel bearing for now. I'll take my chances with the other two for now. Maybe I'll be lucky and it will get stolen before it totally falls apart. Then I would get my $500 bucks back.

Your not alone!

With Linda working nights for the last year or so, its good to know there are others out there who share my heartache.

Does anyone have a shovel?

Why is it that whenever it rains crap, its a down pour? Its never a little plop here or a splat there. For some reason it always has to be a dump truck load that just cannot be flushed. If you wondering what is bringing this on, let me bring you up to speed.

1. May car is dieing. For a while now it has been making curious noises that come and go. However recently the noises have become much worse, and more consistant. We can afford to fix it though so right now I just hop in and hope it holds together until I get to wherever I'm going.

2. I'm still lossing my hair and the ones I get to keep are going gray.

3. My Mac is dieing. For the last month, my Mac has been freezing on me for no apparent reason. I attempted to fix the problem myself which left my Mac in even worse shape than before. I couldn't even get it to boot up all the way. So instead of paying $120 (which we don't have) to fix it, I just reinstalled the operating system myself. Although the computer now will start up, it still freezes on me and needs to be taken in before I break it again.

4. The health care reform passed so now I am going to be finned because I used my freedom of choice not to purchase insurance from a company that only wants my money.

5. My internship was guaranteed until May. May is quickly approaching and I have yet to obtain another job, and have no idea if my internship will be extended, become permanent, or just end, leaving me unemployed.

6. We owe over $1,000 in taxes.

7. The company Linda works for is losing their contract here in denver. What exactly does that mean? It means that if they dont get things moving (which they probably wont) then come May, Linda will also be out of a job.

8. My bookie says if I don't pay him back his 'investment', hes going to take my thumbs.

I'm sure things will all work out in the end, as they usually do, but that sure doesn't help with the smell.