Beer abuse

The perils of living in a valley

If you keep up on the blogs, you are aware both my brothers (L'Adunata and The World According to Pedro) have commented on the temperature inversion here in our wonderful Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Well, it's been four days of dry weather and the inversion has returned. Really it doesn't take much for it to happen, but that set aside let me talk about my experience with it. This morning I get up, there is a dusting of snow on my auto, it is dismal outside as if it were cloudy. Maybe a bit foggy, but there is definitely no sign of sun. I was thinking "did it snow a little last night or is this just fogging?" For those who have never experienced this phenomenon, when it gets foggy enough the airport will seed the fog (see the second paragraph at the link) to help clear it out some of it. The result of this is a form of snowing at ground level usually leaving a nice layer of grainy snow on everything. So I leave from home, which is in the valley, and head of to work, which is on the bench. Most of the drive is quite dismal still, but as I get close to work I feel I need my sunglasses. By the time I get to work it is a nice beautiful sunny day. I can't see across the valley, but there is plenty of sun.
On the subject of seeing across the valley, I will cover that later.

Pushing my buttons.

It's that one little button. There is one button on the keyboard that does function, does light up, but yet I really don't know what it is for. That would be the scroll lock key. Yeah, there are several keys on the keyboard that may not make sense, pause/break, any of the function keys above f4, but they don't have their own light. So back to the scroll lock, so far the only thing I have found it will do is lock you on one cell in Excel, but really what good is that. Other than that, what purpose does it serve? It won't keep your document from scrolling up or down. It won't keep this webpage from scrolling. So what is it actually locking. We already know what num lock and caps lock do. I even find that they are very useful (though my keyboard doesn't have a num lock key, which I removed, because I hit it sometimes when I am trying to hit the seven), but still no use for the scroll lock. Well, I guess it sits there, most of the time with its little light off just waiting for an actual use, I am guessing it did something back in the day of DOS based programs, but even there I don't remember having a use for it.

Pay it forward.

This is the kinda story that helps lift the Christmas spirit. I found this at this link on NBCPhilidelphia.com. Let me give you the synopsis.

A couple in a restaurant in Port Richmond, Pennsylvania, payed for their meal and then the meal of patrons at another table on Saturday. This started a chain reaction, where people kept paying for others in the restaurant. Nice way to spend a Saturday during the Christmas season.

Car Doors – Episode II, Return of the Torque Box.

In a garage far away there lived a shell, the remanants of a Mercury Cougar once driven. This dilapidated old Cougar boarded the transport “Flat Haul Express” to find its long lost cousin to help breath new life into her.

Yes, we have added another kitty to our garage. This is referred to in the car restoration circles as a “shell”. It doesn’t run, has no interior and is in pieces. But it does possess something the first one didn’t, a mostly rust free underneath. In the time we have owned our cougar we found out how costly it is going to be to repair those pesky little structural parts called “Torque Boxes”. The shell we just got cost half of what it would have been, and the best part, we can drive the first one while we get the second one ready for the transplant. Here’s how it goes.

We are going to strip every, light, trim, and interior part off of the shell, as well as remove the engine, transmission and brake system. Do a full clean up and restore of the main body, inside, outside, top and bottom. Then we primer and paint those parts. Then, during one winter we remove ALL of the parts from the first Cougar and put them into the restored one. Projected timeline, by summer 2011 we hope to have the fully restored and painted version on the road, but that’s being optimistic. This will be an interesting couple of years.

The next few pictures show you the first one compared to the new arrival. The first one is on the left of these pictures, the new arrival on the right.

Inside the trunk

Left rear wheel well

The dreaded torque box

You can see more pictures at http://s873.photobucket.com/albums/ab291/Tabithas_Trials/The%20arrival%20of%20Chapter%202/

Should Jerry Retire?

I have said a basketball game isn't played until the fourth quarter, but apparently it seems that Jerry's M.O. for the Utah Jazz is that a basketball game isn't LOST until the fourth quarter.
Wednesday the Utah Jazz played against the L.A. Lakers, their arch nemesis. The game looked good, they held up well against the Lakers through the first quarter when the score was 24 each, and the second quarter the score ended the half Jazz up by 4 at 52 to 48. Third quarter took a slight down turn ending with a score of 71 to 73, Jazz down by two. Well for those who have followed the Jazz by now you know, if a basketball game was only three periods of 12 minutes the Jazz would have left with a loss but with respect, instead, as we know, the Jazz have perfected the 4th quarter flop. And once again, this game proved it. The game ended with the Jazz losing to the Lakers with a score of 101 to 77. That is a 24 point loss. What happened Jerry, did you let them go to sleep?
Again, for those of you who have followed the Jazz this has been a constant in their games. They work well for three quarters only to go to sleep during the fourth quarter. Even though the roster has changed several times over the last two decades it continues to happen. The only constant during this is Jerry Sloan. It is my opinion that it is time we call for Jerry to retire. I can not remember how many times I sat on my seat getting frustrated as I saw a Jazz lead get beat down during the fourth quarter, and this is part of the reason I don't follow the Jazz as well as I used to.

Jerry, after 22 years of the fourth quarter flop, I think it is time you retire.

Well, Saturday it was 28 and snowing, Sunday it was about 30 and cloudy until around four, then the wind kicked up and the temp dropped ten degrees. Today started out with 12 and 30 mph winds.

I want 28 and snowing back

Super High Output

For those of you who know us, you know that we once owned a first generation SHO and really liked the car. Then ford came out with the second generation SHO, with the same Yamaha designed V6 engine. They added an automatic transmission for this generation, still a very cool car and awesome engine. Third generation Taurus also offered an SHO, however they replaced the high output V6 with a V8. I thought the V8 was just a copout to use a bigger engine instead of using a well designed high output smaller engine, and the gain was only 15 horsepower. This generation was the end of the SHOs run. I have always hoped they would revive the SHO moniker and a high output V6 to go with it. Well, recently I read the Ford is reviving the Taurus SHO. So I checked out the Ford website and found that for 2010 they offer an SHO. This SHO offers a turboboosted 3.5 litre V6 engine putting out 365 horsepower. Naturally I had to go check this new SHO out. I looked at the pictures and it is a reasonably handsome vehicle and I thought with the turbocharged V6 it could be a blast. I went down to the local Ford dealer and checked one out. Nice options, seats were quite comfortable. Then came the test drive. Ok, yeah, it's turbocharged, but sure did not stir my soul like the first gen SHO we owned. I must say, Ford may have revived the moniker, but sure not the soul of the SHO.

Put in my place?

Yesterday I am driving home from work along Foothill Blvd coming up to the intersection at 2100 East headed south. I was in the right lane coming up to the red light. The cars in the left two lanes had already stopped at the light. I was planning on stopping at the line as I am about three car lengths from the line this bicyclist goes from the right turn lane right in front of me to join his buddy, he didn't even check to see if anyone was coming. I put down my window and said "Hey dude, do you realize I just about hit you." he returns with "Dude, chill the F*** out." I responded with "I was just saying I almost hit you, maybe you should look before you cross traffic." By this time the light had turned green so I put up my window and went on. Just surprised that the guy got so up in arms. I didn't curse him out. I said it in a friendly manner, yeah I yelled a bit but just so he could hear me over the traffic. Anyhow, it amazes me how defensive people get when you almost run them over on a bike.

From the mouths of troubles

Our little trouble is good at the "from the mouth of babes" gig.
Recently he asked Mrs. Gearhead what she wanted him to get her for a present. She politely says in a mommy fashion "I don't need anything, just your being a good boy is a present enough for me." He innocently replies "No, mommy, I was wondering what kind of adult toy you would like?"

On a different note, a little while ago we brought our troubles to a drift event. Both boys enjoyed watching the cars drift, though our little trouble took a special interest in it. Today he asks "Dad, is your Jeep front wheel drift, or rear wheel drift?" He is NOT getting the keys to any of our rear wheel drift cars, that's fer sure.

Cold and clear.

Just a WOOT for this week. Two day work week and five day weekend. Unless you're retired, you can't beat that.

Tis the season..... Fall that is

Well, here I am in Utah. Friday I came home early from work and mowed the leaves and it was warm enough to do it without a jacket. Today, it is snowing hard. I feel like it has been an accomplished weekend.

Saturday was spent at a charity car show for Boys and Girls club. We brought down the Cougar to enter, my brother brought down his convertible and his 4 door. It was a beautiful day, lots of nice cars. Firetrucks and an ambulance were there, our troubles had a blast climbing in and out of them. We hung out, looked at cars, made comparisons. All in all we had a good time. The following cars got the following awards, I can't remember all of them.

Third place 2 Door category: Red Nissan 300 ZX
Second place 2 door category: White Nissan 350 Z
First place 2 door category: I think it was the purple 1966 Chevy II This car also won best in show

Third place 4 door category: My brother's 1969 Ford LTD 4 door hardtop
Second place 4 door category: 1972 Datson 510 wagon
This car also won people's choice award
I think first place 4 door was a Scion XB, but I can't remember for sure



Under construction category: Our 1969 Mercury Cougar convertible.


Before I get to final award, this one is directly from me, let me set up the scene. We are on Sugarmont Road real close to Fairmont Park about 300 feet from 900 east. The cars started arriving at about 8:30 am, and kept rolling in until about 11:30 am. There was no loud music playing, one or two cars had their stereos going, but if you walked a few carlenghts away you couldn't hear them. The director of the car show didn't use an amplifier or a bullhorn, just his loud voice. A few of the cars had loud exhaust, our Cougar could be claimed as one of them, and the purple Chevy II did also. The car show ended at 3:00 pm, between 11:30 and 3:00 once the fire truck set off their siren, and one time the Chevy II started his car and ran it for 30 seconds. The most annoying thing of all that happened was ONE of the cars peeled out as he left. I don't think that was right, but all in all it seemed like a well behaved group.

SO THE FINAL AWARD In the "Get a life category": The lady from the neighborhood who came over at the end of the car show, told Mrs. Gearhead to "Move your car" even though it was parked legally. Then walked over to where the I was talking to the show director and said "I don't appreciate this thing that you did. The neighbors here didn't even know it was going on.? I don't appreciate how loud you guys were." (WHAT??). the director said "I thought we were doing pretty good." I don't think she was listening. She continued "I just don't appreciate this, I'm an ER nurse..." (what that has to do with anything I don't know, guess she just needed to throw that out there) "...and I really don't appreciate this. It would have been nice if you had let this neighborhood know, then we could have planned to do something else for this day." Our director politely and diplomatically said "I thought we had been pretty quiet, but next time we'll try to do that" and with that she left in a huff. I may not have been as diplomatic, and kudos to him for being so. But for this she get's the "GET A LIFE" award.

Had a blast this Halloween. Both of our boys went as knights this year, so it seemed to make sense that we go as King and Queen (I ain't got $#!^ on me). As with every year, one of us stayed home as the other scoured the neighborhood with our troubles for candy. Found some interesting sights. First one was this house that the guy does something major every year. This year was the Gingerbread house. There were a few scary pumkins. But the scariest house in the neighborhood was this house. No it's not the yard decor that was so scary, but that big blue letter on the front of the house, that was soooo scary I almost ran away.

Anyhow, we had a good year, the boys got a bag full of candy, though little trouble kept saying "I want two treats" or "three treats". Good counting, at least he never made it to "four treats".

Spent our All Saints day cleaning the decorations up and enjoy a beautiful day. Got the vert out even.

Now we are ready for Thanksgiving.

well, not quite yet.

Today was the Halloween parade at the elementary big trouble goes to. Both big and little trouble are going as knights this Halloween, so we drop off big trouble in his costume. One of his friends, also dressed as a knight says "Hey, we are both Ka-nigits" with an outrageous accent. For any who have seen Monty Python's Holy Grail, you will understand.

Moore Wizards

Who says that Disney doesn't think of the adults. My oldest was watching Wizards of Waverly Place this evening and I walked in as they were talking about the weatherman on the local news channel, his name was "Baxter Knight".

A big star for the one who can name the relevance of that name and what show it references.

Well, we decided it was time for a change. Found ourselves a truck. a 92 Ford F350 Crew cab with a 5 speed manual (we are tired of automatics). This is taking the place of the 93 Plymouth Grand Voyager and the 68 Ford F250 (both automatics). We have decided to call this truck BAT.
So this weekend we thought we would take it camping (part of the reason we bought it). Years ago we bought this tent that goes on the back of a truck that makes a cool place to crash. At the same time we got a carpet kit too. So I brought those up with and slept in that. I forgot how nice it is. It looks like an old covered wagon, but the nice thing is I can stand up on the tailgate and my head just touches the top of the tent. It has doors front and rear and has a lot of space. Yeah, ok, it's basically just a bed in the back of the truck, but for this kind of camping it was prime.
Anyhow, we were up at our property camping and working on the little cabin we have. I decided I would see what it would feel like to get my finger between the hammer I was swinging and the board I was holding. Here is the end result. Yes, that was the end of the work I was doing on the cabin for this trip. I had no plans swing any hammer for a few days..


Well that's my labor day weekend in a nutshell. Next time I think I will skip the smashing of the finger part.

more about old friends, and tired

It has been a long month, so long I went through jr. high and into high school. The past weekend we went and visited a friend from high school. Talk about bringing back memories. There was a group of about 6 or 7 from the same year. All this done through the power of facebook, amazing.
On another note, the Nissan finally got new tires and rims. And my wife just loves them. They rub a little on bumps, but man, can they handle. Nikko Neogens is what we got for it. The car handles so well I keep underestimating the turns by a long shot. Guess I spent too much time in my youth driving land yachts. Anyhow, off to drop anchor.

Jr High Reunions

It must be an odd thing but once again I went and visited with some more people who I know from Jr. High. This time one of them came in from California, they were meeting at the park. I figured I pulled it off at one, why not another. This has been a fun week to do that.

So there you have it, I have been to a Jr. High reunion, albeit a small one..

Old friends and feeling exhausted.

Facebook sure has changed the world. A while back I connected with a friend from Jr. High. Through them I have found a network of Jr. High friends. Well this weekend one of them who now lives in Holland came back to Salt Lake and had a reunion. So I said yes when she put up the invite to it. Well Friday rolls around and the idea that I haven't seen these people since Jr. High sinks in. I get all anxious about it. But even with all my anxiety we still went. I had a great time, it was fun to catch up and talk about our times in Jr. High. Thanks to those that were there.

A while back my lovely wife found a new header and downpipe, the parts of the exhaust system on her car that go from the engine to the catalytic converter, for the Nissan. Saturday we spent pulling the old parts and putting on the new ones. The nice thing about working on the exhaust is no grease stays on it so your hands stay fairly clean. The bad thing is the bolts and nuts are heated and rust real bad. Add to that that the constant heating and cooling weakens them so they are easier to break and it makes for entertaining wrenching. Well, with enough PB Blaster and some good muscle power we successfully removed the old one and only broke one bolt. There was one tube that attached at the side of the old manifold that was a real pain to remove and even harder to replace, it did not want to conform to our requests. After pulling the old exhaust out I thought it might be wise to replace the oxygen sensor that is in the exhaust, but at a cost of around $90 we decided that since the car seems to be running fine we don't need a new one. After getting the entire system back together and taking it for a long drive the check engine light came on. I am thinking it is that oxygen sensor, we may just replace it and see.

It finally happened. We got the Cougar out (presently naming her Tabitha). Until Friday it's been a two mile run to the store, a five mile run to work. But Friday we took her up to Roy for a BBQ at one of the parks up there. She was a blast. Got her up to about 85 at one point, but I wasn't totally comfortable yet going that speed. The drive up was nice, but actually a bit warm. Hung out, had a bunch of car geeks checking out the car. And took some photos up there.
The drive home, however, was FANTASTIC. The sun had set, the temp was probably close to 70 and we are cruisin down I-15 at 75 miles per hour with the top down. It was gorgeous. The desire for a convertible late 60s muscle car has come to fruition, and now we realize it was well worth the work.

Bitchen Camaro

Last Saturday after a shopping at Costco, we were headed to catch the freeway on 13th south as we passed the Chevy dealership. There sitting on the lot was a brand new Camaro SS. We stopped, we looked, we thougth it was cool.
Now, for those who like to keep up with the automotive world we've known that the Chevy was gearing up for sale of the production Camaro again after being out of production for the past seven years. We have seen the Concept car, even seen it used in a movie produced in 2007. This car, as is started with Ford's Mustang and later with Dodge's Challenger, is a throw back to the height of the Muscle car era. There are several design cues from the late 60's car. So for those of us who are automotive enthusiasts, we have followed the progression and waited for the first production model to be seen with anticipation. The time has come.

Jump back to the previous weekend. On saturday (this is May 23), while doing our weekly Costco run, we saw a black 2010 Camaro sitting in the parking lot. We stopped, we oogled, we dreamed. We drove home in our humble vehicle and thought of that cool looking car.
Sunday, after we dropped off some relatives to the airport we saw a few Camaros still with their plastic protective cover on the hoods, sitting in a parking lot all alone at the airport. The question on our minds was "Are the going to be rented out?" I got home, after a few clickity clicks, there I was on Avis Car Rental's website where it announced they were the exclusive renters of the 2010 Camaro.

Ok, back to Saturday, we left directly from the car lot and headed to the place we had once seen three Camaros awaiting our arrival. Parked in the lot, walked down to Avis, and proceeded to rent a brand new (we were the first to rent) Camaro for 24 hours. It was a blast. This was the 2SS, the sportiest top of the line Camaro. The 426 horses this thing put out was amazing. It handled better than any Camaro ever built, and handled a damn sight better than the sixties Camaro it emulates. We drove everywhere. We visited friends and family (sorry to those we didn't get to see, there were, after all, only twenty four hours in that day, and we did need some sleep). We took it up Big Cottonwood canyon. We got some freeway time in. Took a bunch of pics and a few videos.. Yes, for 24 hours it was damn fun to drive. The best was some of the looks. We got followed by one guy who wanted pictures, we had another pass by three times in a parking lot before stopping and talking to us. We had parked it and a cop pulled up behind it and stopped to look at it (and neither of us with our licenses). Got behind an late 90s Camaro, he floored it, we followed suit, then both got off the exit. I followed him to the car wash right off the freeway so he could check it out. Avis has a lot of drool to clean off this car. This was a great way to spend a day.

Now, for my complaints. The visibility from the drivers seat sucks. So does the headroom. The door panels are plastic. The paint on the bumpers didn't match the color on the panels. The back seat is merely a suggestion, even the boys were a bit cramped back there. The opening for the trunk might have fit two grocery sacks through it, but if you wanted your suitcase in there, it ain't gonna happen. Did I mention, the visibility sucked.

Well it's official now. After one year and three days. Yes, that is an actual Utah plate on the Cougar, it passed inspection and IM. The brakes still aren't as good as I would like, but the have improved. Hopefully through the summer it will get running great. Well, anyhow, we've poured a lot of our heart into it, now we are getting some pay.

Holy heat Batman

I think we're in for it. Get prepared, buy the membership to that local pool. Better check that air conditioning. I am thinking it's gonna be a hot summer. Yes, here we are in middle of May and already we are seeing 80 degree days with afternoon showers.
Just a thought after today's weather...
Stay comfortable and watch out for heat exhaustion.

Well, the new Star Trek is out, so we went with some friends to see it. Here's my review of it.
For those of you who are expecting the typical Star Trek cinematography, this is not it. This movie is high action and fast moving. The sets are atypical of any of Gene Roddenberry's series or movies. However the plot is more typical of a lot of the later series and movies, intriguing, futuristic, and somewhat unexpected. Yes it has the same theoretical plot lines, accompanied with the select plot hole or two.
The character development is amazing. If J.J. Abrams didn't grow up watching Star Trek (the original series), then he sure spent a lot of time watching the series to prepare for this movie. The interaction between the main characters was spot on. It was just amazing to watch them build the characters' relationships. The actors portrayed them quite well. Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy was so convincing, he even sounded like DeForest Kelly. For those of you who have watched the series and movies with an understanding and appreciation of the bantering between the crew members, you will find yourself at home with these characters. For those of you who haven't watched, you should still get some good laughs.
I quite enjoyed this movie, lots of action, a plot that moves well, and some good character development. I experienced laughter, sadness, fear, and some anger towards the nemesis.
The downfalls to this movie? There were a few scenes that were too close with so much action it was difficult to follow what was going on. It was quite loud through most of the movie. And lastly, much to my father's dismay, Kirk's shirt did NOT rip open, and the belly did NOT save the universe this time.

Preparing me for depends

I've concluded that our world is preparing us for Depends diapers. I figured this the other day as I walked into the bathroom. I stood there and went pee, then walked over to the sink. While I walked to the sink, something happened. This thing that I have been doing myself all my life (and got yelled at for not doing as a kid) happened without my assistance. The toilet flushed. Next, I put my hands into the sink and, voila, something else I've done all my life happened, the water came on. I put my hand under the soap dispenser, and poof, soap. I washed my hands, turned towards the towel dispenser, and as the water turned off, I had to grab some towels. WHAT? you say. Yes, strangely enough at my work, I can pee and wash my hands without touching a thing, but when it comes to getting towels, I have to pull them myself, a strange irony.
The point to all this? Slowly the bathroom call is becoming fully automated. Yes, we are being prepared for Depends diapers.

For those of you who were trying to get somewhere in Salt Lake this morning, did you get to see any interesting new sites? I'm sure some of you got to see roads you didn't realize existed. Yes, I too was trying to get somewhere this morning around 9, and I too had to try to figure out how to get out of the trap they now call "The Salt Lake City Marathon". Note the map, the marathon route creates this island you get stuck in. If you are anywhere inside the marathon route and you want to get anywhere OUTSIDE the marathon route you are screwed. The peace officers block every possible crossroad and traffic is not allowed to cross. So let's say I am at 5900 south and Highland Drive and want to get to 6200 south and Wasatch Blvd, I would have to drive all the way north to I-80 and since 700 East entrance to I-80 eastbound is closed, I would have to head west on I-80, south on I-15, and then East on I-215 to the 6200 south exit and then up to Wasatch.
This is an aggravating situation to have to drive 21 miles around the city when I could have just as easily driven 3 miles. The part that aggravates me most is that Salt Lake ALREADY had a yearly marathon on Pioneer day, Utah's celebration of it's beginnings. This falls on July 24th, no matter what day it is, unless it is Sunday. Now you'd think that they would move said celebration to the preceding Saturday, July 23rd, right? NOOOOOO! They move it to the following Monday July 25th. This one aggravates me because somehow it always blocks the route to the University area, and since I work up there, and my company is a National company so it doesn't close for the 24th, my drive to work is always bad.
But back to the subject at hand. If Salt Lake already has one marathon, why do they have to create another one, and why completely create this land lock? Or can they figure out someway to allow traffic to pass?
I plan on contacting the marathon organizers and making my voice be heard. If you also were one of the many caught in this aggravating trap I encourage you to do the same, just follow the link (marathon organizers).
At least I can be thankful it is only once a year... Oh wait, that's right, it's twice a year...
At least I can be thankful it is only twice a year...

First impressions can be sooooo wrong.

First let me start by saying
WELCOME TO THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!! WOOT (and yes, we are expecting snow soon)

Ok, so the other morning I am driving down 19th East in the Sugarhouse area. I reach a four way stop at a side street. After coming to a complete stop (actually did) I start off again and there's this little old lady on the right side just past the street I stopped at who starts waving her hand down as to tell me to slow down. Since I just left a stop sign, in my minivan which does 0 to 60 just slightly faster than a 1964 VW beetle, I realized there was NO way I was passing the speed limit of 25, so I politely waved at her with a single finger. She then proceeds to give me the same "slow down" sign. I am thinking "What is this womans problem, I'm doing 15 mph and she's telling me to slow down. So I calmly slam on the brakes, then proceed to punch the van, and flip a U turn to give her a piece of my mind.




As I get halfway through the U turn I see this Motorcycle cop on the next corner with radar gun in hand. Yep, she wasn't some crazed old lady who thought 14 mph was excessive speed, she was some considerate old lady trying to WARN me that I should watch my speed or face the wrath of the motorcycle cop.

At this point I put my window down, politely said "Thank you ma'am" and turned right and got the hell out of there, at or below appropriate speed limit.
Mind you, I made a definitive point of going nowhere near that cop lest he wasn't happy with my driving at that moment.

So be warned, not every person on the side of the road trying to slow you down is some crazed lunatic that thinks you should crawl along their streets; some are trying to save you the pain of a ticket.

Spring forward, fall back...

Ok, so it has passed again, and once again the hour I gained at the beginning of November has been taken away. And during my sleep, yet. Is this fair? give an hour to me in the middle of a cold November night, like I can use it then? Why not give me that extra hour in the middle of the day in say June, or something. Really, I have no use for it then..
Then you go and steal a perfectly good hour of sleep from me. I relish in being able to sleep in on Sunday, but noooo... I get one less hour of sleep. And trust me, you could tell an hour was lost by the attitudes at work today.
Ok, now to the point, if there is one. First off, why are we really doing this?? Well, as usual I googled it to find out. I got this from the National Geographic website, I feel that is about as reliable as you can get.

Daylight saving time, however, can bring many benefits. Mosley said research has shown that more available daylight increases energy savings while decreasing the number of traffic accidents, traffic fatalities, and incidences of crime.

Congress noted other advantages while updating legislation in 1986, including "more daylight outdoor playtime for the children and youth of our Nation, greater utilization of parks and recreation areas, expanded economic opportunity through extension of daylight hours to peak shopping hours and through extension of domestic office hours to periods of greater overlap with the European Economic Community."

Now my question is, if daylight savings is so beneficial, why do we stop? Why the game of "where's the hour?" I mean really, who cares what time the sun rises in December, but I am sure a lot of people wouldn't mind seeing it set closer to 6 than 5. So let's just not go back to standard time.. I say we keep daylight savings all winter long...

In like a lion

Well, welcome to March all. Tuesday it was in the sixties. This morning I woke up to 4 inches of snow on the cars. However I did not shovel driveway, for now it is March. The commute was fantastic, for it having snowed the night before. Like I said before, spring is here, and I love spring here in Salt Lake.

Saying of the day

For my birthday I was given a desk calendar called "Old Country Sayings". Occasionally I will post them.

Saying of the day
Lethargy
"He moves so slow he wouldn't get hurt if he fell out of a tree".


Ok, their not great, but something to blog.

I'll be back

If you have seen the movie Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger, you may remember the scene where he runs through the screening process with a weapon on and they do a full body x-ray and find the weapon. Well at that time I said to myself "naaa, they'll never do that."

So much for never... I read in the Salt Lake Tribune today that TSA will be testing a full body scanner right here at the Salt Lake City International Airport. And although it doesn't scan you as you run through it like on Total Recall, it does get an x-ray of you like this.
Man how technology is moving... Not sure I like it, all in the name of "National Security".

Picture from Salt Lake Tribune...
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11771274?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com

The weather is here...

Well, folks, this morning started out absolutely gorgeous. Spring is here, and it's about 25 days early. The temperature on my way to work about 9:00 was 53, the sun is shining, and the snow has all but melted around here. You know what all this means??? It means the Motorcycle cops are in bloom.. Yes folks, you can see them on the side of the street with their brightly colored flashing lights. And if you are lucky, you won't see them behind you. The last two days I have seen three of them blooming on my way to work, so let this be a warning to you all, watch for them, cause even though those reds and blues are pretty, they surely will sting you.

Two men enter, one man leaves

Today is the first day of our new Presidency and one of historic proportion. Welcome to the White house President Obama. And in the immortal words of a co-worker "Adios Jerkwad".

The universe

Sometimes you see something that makes you realize that karma is doing her job. After dropping the older boy at school, I drove to Highland Drive. This is where there is a school zone, and the cops are almost ALWAYS clocking this area when the school zone lights are flashing. When I get there I look over, there's the cop clocking. Mind you I know they hang there so I was driving appropriately, I had no concern of getting a ticket. Then I see him waving this car into the parking lot. The best part, she was on her phone. As the guy is waving her into the parking lot, she is still on her phone. I guess if she had been off the phone and paying better attention she may have been 20. I am not quite as adamant about phone usage while driving as my brother is. But I am quite adamant about doing the correct speed in a school zone. As drivers it is our responsibility to pay close attention to the world around us, additionally school zones are areas we cannot let our attentions slide.
I hope she is glad that there is not a law in place as there is in Dallas http://everythingaboutmobilephone.com/news/dallas-city-school-zones-ban-cellphones/. Maybe we should encourage one.