Update

Wow I didn't realize I had been gone from this for so long until other people started getting on to me about it. I now know at least two people do check this thing to see how I'm doing so here's a quick update. 

The House:

Things are well. Only one roommate now as the other moved out to spend the summer in Africa then move to Searcy for PA school. Matt and I get along great and spend a lot of time playing FIFA. Also still good to have someone around to feed Red during my many trips out of town.

(Speaking of...) Red:

Red is still doing well and enjoying his backyard. Yes, his because nobody else has really gone out there in a while. I've started wanting to take him out again now that it's warmed up but have found him unwilling to jump into the bed of the truck. On our last try he just put his front paws on the tailgate and looked at me as if to say "now what." I guess it is a big jump for the five year old. May need to build an "old man" ramp for him.

Work:

Still busy but fun. Working the day shift Tuesday through Friday which allows me 3-day weekends to go play. 

Other:

My good buddy Michael made the move to Collierville, TN earlier this week. After helping a bit with the move on the Little Rock side I decided to drive some more stuff of their's up in the truck this weekend. My first trip to Collierville has been fun and relaxing with a healthy dose of disc golf and Settlers of Catan. Both good things.

Upcoming:

Decided to stay away from Shiloh this year. There are some things going on at work that I needed to stick around for. I also felt it was time for me to take a bit of a break from the yearly camp trip. Instead I will be helping with the Central Church of Christ youth group trip to St. Louis in a few weeks. I've been wanting to chaperone one of the Central trips for a while now but the two weeks at Shiloh were using up all my vacation time. This summer will be different.

That's all I can think of for now. Will try to update a little more this month. Thanks for checking in...

The Alaska Experiment

Just when I thought I'd be stuck watching only American Gladiator all summer, I found "The Alaska Experiment" on the Discovery Channel. The Alaska Experiment sends four relatively inexperienced groups into the Alaskan wilderness to survive for three months. The groups start the experience late fall leading into the winter forcing them to gather and store up food early to survive weeks during an Alaskan winter. Survival guides are mentioned off camera and each group is given a survival guide giving the teams great ideas for wilderness life. 

Even with the help from survival guides the groups still find ways to put their lives at risk. The scenery is beautiful and the groups are entertaining. One guy describes himself as having a little outdoors experience in that he goes camping every year on Memorial Day. With that in mind I get to watch the show with a bit of overconfidence. After all, if he can do it I'm sure I could do it...right?

Watch full episodes here.

Andy's Married!

Can't you just see the excitement. The same excitement on his face came through loud and clear with a big goofy grin as a said "I do" yesterday in Nashville. I was one of the chosen few that got to stand up front as a groomsman in the wedding and had a good time doing so. So here's wishing all the best to Andy and Courtney...

Jaci enjoying a pre-wedding swim

Jaci and her uncle Shannon

Jaci and Andy after the wedding

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Last night was quite a treat. I got to watch Cross Canadian Ragweed at Sticky Fingerz for free. I was, after all, "on the list." I actually never needed to be on a "list" because I walked into Sticky Fingerz well before they started allowing everyone else in. I walked in with Michael for his sound check and laid early claim to my favorite table (the tall one by the doors that open out onto the street). Several friends soon joined as we watched Coop warm the crowd up. Cross Canadian Ragweed went on next and put on a fun show though somewhat disappointing. I'm not a diehard fan but thought I'd listened to enough of there stuff that I would've recognized more than one of there songs during the night. I was mistaken. They used the show in the smaller venue to introduce some newer stuff and wee what the reaction was. Still in all, a good time was had. The only regret was the price I paid having to wake up early for work in the morning. I'll think a little harder the next time an opportunity comes to catch a concert in the middle of the week.

SNL digital short The Japanese version of The Office

Foxboro Hot Tubs!

If only I had known sooner...I didn't find out that the Foxboro Hot Tubs would be in town until close to 5:30 last night. As soon as I found out Matt and I rushed over to Juanita's to join the line. Unfortunately we were already too late. The line to get in wrapped around 3 or 4 blocks. The club only allowed 300 or so people in and we were beyond the cutoff line. 

Why was I so excited to see the Foxboro Hot Tubs you may ask. That'd be because the Foxboro Hot Tubs is actually Green Day. The band has confirmed to be touring under the name of Foxboro Hot Tubs debuting their newest project featuring a very different sound. Somehow Juanita's here in Little Rock got the distinction of being one of the first locations in this round of tours. Just a friendly heads up that they could be headed to your town next. As this is one of the worst kept rock secrets (with all kinds of articles posted online) I'd expect much longer lines as they continue on through the tour...

Cadron Creek

I got to go out camping again! It'd been a while... My last camping experience ended in failure hiking 12 miles through the storming rain seeking safety before the blizzard in the mountains. This trip was quite the contrast. Coop and I left from the Travs game yesterday to do a little car-camping next to the Cadron Creek. We found a campsite next to the Cadron run by Cadron Creek Outfitters. I worked through my ill-will towards my hammock to spend another night in it while Coop gave Shannon's new hammock a try. Good times were had...

Cadron Creek right next to the campsite

Coop stokin the fire

Coop's next album cover?