Our Family Blog!!!!

School's Out For The Summer! (well kinda)

2010-05-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

So I, (Jeff), just finished a 19 unit semester. It may seem like bragging, because it is, but I'm pleased with my results. I should have 3 or 4 A's depending on some last minute stuff. The other 2 or 3 will be B's. I can live with a 3.5 gpa.

So, now I'm one semester closer to being done with Sierra College. It's a cool place, but not good for being there too long. I'm lucky to live so close to a good school though. It's about 5 minutes and it's not nearly as expensive as some schools.

This summer I'm signed up for 3 units but I may seek out another class. Still debating on how much I want to suffer. It's likely I'll stick with one class though.

Hooray Dimple!

2010-05-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

So, I took my weekly trip to Dimple... my addiction is real. This time I was looking to enhance my Beatles collection. If you read anything I write on facebook or my other blog I've already mentioned this but I'm so excited. I got Sgt. Peppers! What a great album.

So anyways....

This winter Genna and I are headed to Disneyland with some great friends. I called the park today to ask about that time of year and get information on good deals. It looks like we're in fomr some crowded days. All the same I'm excited and anxious for the end of the year to come. This is in addition to our busy summer of fun. Life is rough huh? We're doing a lot to enjoy this time of life since it seems that life complicates itself the further we get into it. Next year will be a big one with Genna trying to get into law school and me trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. (That's another post in itself.) So for now, Genna and I are loving life and trying to save money, get debt free, and have great times.

Exciting Summer Stuff

2010-05-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

So we just packed our summer full of fun stuff!!! Time to share:

We are going to see Conan's live stage show.

We are going to see Ben Folds.

We are going to a Muse concert.

We've got tickets to a Giants game versus the Cubs.

We're going to see the A's play the White Sox.

We'll be camping in Yosemite.

San Francisco trip with friends is in the works.

Genna is going to see John Mayer. (Jeff... not a fan.)

Jeff is going to: Scout Camp, Deacon's Hike, Camping, and taking a Photo class!!!

We're excited and would love to hear what everyone else has planned. We did need to brag a little.

Summer is on the way!

2010-04-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

So school is almost over for the Spring Semester for me. Genna, on the other hand, is on the way to more school soon. June will be LSAT time and then it will be a question of what comes next for both of us. I'm probably sticking around Sierra for another semester or three and then I'll try to transfer.

Life at home is good too. Well, life at someone else's home anyhow. We're at the year mark with Genna's parents and doing well. We've been fortunate to be here and have a chance to reset life. Right now we're all alone with the dogs for a few days. We tend to take turns being gone and leaving the dogs with the other couple in the home. It's worked out good. I wonder if the dogs will be depressed when we don't live together anymore. Maybe we'll just give Indy to Craig and Linda as a thank you gift.

Well, lots to look forward to. Conan show in a week. Camping this summer. Baseball games in the bay area.

Life for Us

2010-04-12T23:03:00.000-07:00

So life is crazy. We're loving Gennas new job and my school scedule. We're also looking at a fun and exciting year.

I, (Jeff) am excited about the baseball season this year. Genna has agreed to go to games in SF and Oakland with me "as long as she gets some garlic fries." We're also preparing for Genna to take the LSAT, further proof that I married above my intelligence level. She's doing a great job studying and will be taking the test later this summer.

I hope that we can follow through with our plans. This could be a great 2010.

I'm blogging like crazy now!

2010-04-08T22:29:00.000-07:00

Back for the family blog! We need to keep in touch but when we can't I hope to keep at this to make sure family and friends know what's new in my life.

Job Search

2009-08-01T16:26:00.000-07:00

So Genna and I are hoping and praying for a few good opportunities to come our way. We are working hard on getting back out on our own.

This month I'll be on my way to San Diego as part of the testing process for the San Diego Police Department. I'm hoping that it goes well since they have given me a worst case time frame of January to begin their academy if I am selected.

Genna is supportive of my goal and I am also trying to help her. Once we can nail down a city to call home we can focus on getting her in a career. We're both lucky to have work but we also know what we desire for the future.

If all else fails we've decided to train Indy and do a dog show with a traveling circus. We can work as carnies... what a life.

The All-Star Game

2009-07-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am not watching the MLB ALl-Star Game....

I don't know what it is but I've never enjoyed the All-Star game, the NFL Pro-Bowl or the NBA All-Star game. I guess I like the games that really mean something to the players. I know that the MLB game counts but it hasn't helped me to feel differently. I guess I place those games in line with the pre-season or spring training games where you don't really feel like you're getting 100% from the players.

In the future this could change but I doubt it. I think these games might be fun in person. I would love to be at a game where so many stars are on the field at once. I just don't think it's fun to catch a game on TV knowing that it's not going to mean anything in end.

Stealing

2009-07-10T07:56:00.000-07:00

In the modern world we are beset by ways to cheat and steal which might seem harmless on their face. I read an article about a woman prosecuted for illegal downloads of music. She has been assessed huge fines by the court. Unfortunately she is the exception and not the rule. We tend to justify downloading movies and music and anything else because of a few big lame excuses.

First is the argument that the entertainment industry is overpaid and that they wouldn't lose anything in your theft. Remember that the entertainment industry includes the guy making minimum wage packaging CDs and DVDs in a warehouse. It also includes new and upcoming artists who may spend years living poorly to try and be successful. Ultimately stealing from someone who appears to be rich does not make the theft any less illegal.

The second argument is the one that we all lost with our parents as kids. "Everyone is doing it." What a lame and immature excuse. I hope no one who says that really believes that it is a valid argument.

I do admit that I have downloaded music in the past. Since I stopped downloading music I deleted all of the songs I didn't pay for off my computer. I've also gone out and purchased CDs so that I could retain some of the music without having it for free. It's easy to get music now. Don't be cheap, use ITunes or whatever you want and pay a dollar for a song. Just remember that taking something which is not yours for free is theft and is the same as shoplifting. I know most people who download music are not sshoplifters... but what's the difference?

The NBA Draft

2009-06-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

I know most of the people reading this... wait that might be a bit presumptuous. I know that if anyone reads this they may not care but the NBA Draft is here. For Kings fans we get to look forward to a season in which we hope to win more than 17 games.

I'm hoping for one of three players to occupy our fourth pick. I hope for Rubio, Evans or Flynn. We need a point guard bady.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, this draft is weak and may only hold a handful of players ready for the NBA. I would personally enjoy having an exciting team again. I don't think any one player will lead us to glory this next season. I just think that a young exciting player might help to fill the seats and entice other veterans to want to play here. Rebuilding sucks and we're doing it but I hope that the magic our GM has worked in previous drafts can assist us in working back to having a competitive team.

NBA

2009-06-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

Normally I hate all things Lakers. I actually always hate Laker anything. Yet I have to respect Phil Jackson just a little as he comes closer to winning his tenth NBA title. This win would make him the most successful coach in NBA history depending on how you want to measure success.

I just hope that next year our Sacramento Kings can be competitive in the league again. Sacramento fans can only wait so long for a team that will win more than it loses. Anyone who has lived here long enough remembers the days of Mitch Richmond and Wayman Tisdale and the record setting worst seasons ever.

I would almost take Bobby Hurley back if we could win more than we did last year. I guess we'll get to see what happens in the draft in a few weeks. I am becoming more and more convinced that the Kings will do well to avoid Rubio if he's still available when they get the their first pick, fourth overall. The Kings are finally in a good salary position so I guess we'll see.

The Two Dog Household

2009-06-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the movie "Twins" with Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger? If not let's recap. Arnold was given all the good genetic material while Mr. DeVito got the leftovers.

Now the dogs. Indiana, our lovable basset hound is floppy. clumsy, slow and loves to bark whenever things don't go his way.

Then there is Walker, Craig and Linda got him a while back. He's tall, slender and agile. He doesn't bark but is on the needy side.

Now they're friends and they play all day. For Indy I think it's been a bit exhausting. Try running around the house and yard when your playmate has legs three times longer than yours. Fortunately Indiana hasn't yet figured out that he's not the physical specimen that Walker is. I hope it stays that way. I'm not sure he could take that kind of disappointment. You have to remember that his breed is the face of all diseases that cause liquids to run from the body. We'll pray for the best.

I'm back!

2009-06-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've been gone from my blog for way too long.

I think that we've had one heck of a year. We moved in with the in-laws which is better than it sounds actually. Unfortunately our dog has taken it upon himself to bark every ten seconds. I think it's mainly just to make sure we're aware that he's still alive and well.

I'm losing a bunch of weight the right way and exercising like crazy. The CHP Academy is the goal and I'm hopeful. We've gotten through a lot of the process and I'm hoping that I might find myself in the academy in August.

Other than that we have a Disneyland trip planned in late June and we're working hard to be ready for whatever else comes our way.

I also got a new car. Hooray for me! It's a 2006 Mustang GT and I love it.

I am on facebook but I'll try to be here more to post new photos. I know that only two people look at this but they might as well enjoy it huh? :)

New music for anyone to enjoy:

I enjoy listening to older music so if you haven't pulled this one out for a while take a listen to the album "It Means Everything" by Save Ferris. I forgot how much I like their sound.

My opinion for the day is this. Companies need to stop introducing new products and then pulling them from the shelves a week later. It's like new TV shows. I get hooked, then they're gone. Thanks for that Pepsi Throwback, The Black Donnalleys and Life. Three things I will never get back.....

Christmas

2008-12-26T08:29:00.000-08:00

So I'm back.....

We have had a great Christmas season. We got to see all the neices and nephews from both sides all on the same holiday!

I enjoyed seeing all the kids from Genna's side of the family since they don't live so close.

Clementine was as cute as ever. I think I'll need some rest to recover from carrying her on my shoulders but it was great. We did see what happens when you get "too much Christmas" but she recovered quickly.

Van is a blast too. He and I got to be buddies and his laugh is great! He also helped my sore back with his hefty body. We could have just given him wrapping paper since he enjoyed eating it and tearing it up while we all opened gifts.

Eva was also totally cute. It's too bad I terrified her. She got some good stuff and has a great smile for those who don't scare her.

Then we had the dog party. Porter, Roxy, Indy and Walker kept us all on the move. Many children's toys were chewed and barking and whining kept the action going.

Then we have my family too. It was a great meal and a great time.

Isabel was adorable. She's always learning new things and it was fun to spend the day with her. She was a bit overwhelmed so it took us about six hours to get through opening her presents.

I hope everyone reading this had a great Christmas too.

Holiday Weekend

2008-08-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

I hope anyone reading this has a great weekend. Be safe, people love to celebrate holidays with drunken car trips.

I also hope that it cools off a bit, it's been just a bit hot for me lately.

2008-08-28T14:07:00.001-07:00

New Pics, Work, School,

2008-08-23T08:54:00.001-07:00

I'm attaching some new pictures to the bloggy bloggerson today. I have been slow to do it lately mostly because I haven't had many chances to take pictures of anything interesting. When I run out of things to shoot I end up taking pictures of my dog.

I am also updating the pictures with more from San Diego, some of them are really good if you ask me.

I also just registered for school. I'm excited because it'll be the first time in a while that I'm running with 12 units. I hope that I can keep the momentum. I'm also hoping to find more time for photography on the weekends. Genna and I have talked about getting out of town so I'm hoping we're able to go places with great photo opportunities around every corner.

What happens when no one reads you blog....

2008-08-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing that no one is online much or just haven't found my blog yet. I'll have to place another note in Gennas.

What we saw walking the dog.

2008-07-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Genna and I went out to walk Indy last night. It was a nice night out and we normally walk the road that circles the entire complex.

As we rounded the first turn a small SUV, probably a Pilot or something was coming towards us. At that moment a dog in the backseat leapt headfirst from the window on the drivers side but behind the driver.

The sound it made was awful and the dog did a full-on faceplant. I thought for sure that the dog would not be getting up, and if it did that it would be headed to the vet for some dental work and facial x-rays. Nope, that dog got up and walked over to Indy and began the normal butt-sniff handshake. It was a lab puppy that had the black soot stuff from the asphalt all over its side and face.

It was so nuts, one of the moments you wish you had a video camera rolling.

Anyhow, the dog got back in the car on it's own with tail wagging and slobber flowing. Good ending to a weird moment I guess. Definitely helped our cardio workout.

Welcome

2008-07-26T23:26:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my blog... I hope I can provide some useful information once in a while. Mainly it's going to free up Genna's blog for her own enjoyment.