1st podcast

I know I haven't posted for a long time, but I do have a big catch up post coming.

However, in the meantime check out my first podcast with joe. Comments and constructive criticism (i.e. how bad I suck) are welcome.

Here is the link:
http://tinyurl.com/lyxtcm

- Rhett

Mexican Riviera Cruise - Jan '09

Mexico. The word itself brings so many images to the mind. We had a rockin' good time! The weather was phenomenal. There were a ton of really good friends there. And I love taking work off for a week to "re-charge the batteries". There was only 1.5 confrontations during the whole trip and even though the policia in Mazatlan made bank off of us, it was well worth it.

Most of my pictures are on Facebook. A lot of friends have posted pictures, but here is the link to the pix I posted http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=88547&l=31060&id=568362111.

Our cruise left out of Long Beach on Jan 18th and we got back the 25th. A bunch of us decided to fly down Friday night after work and spend the weekend in the OC. Friday night we were in LA with no car and no place to stay, but we figured "hey we can just wing it." So we ended up "paratrooping" (How I Met Your Mother reference for those in the know) and we crashed at some mutual friend's house in Huntington. Saturday we just went to the beach in Newport and played all day. While sitting on the beach I had an epiphany. Why do I live in Utah during the winter? Seriously, why? I love my family and I've always enjoyed Utah and the snowboarding, but with flights hovering around $50-$100 each way, isn't that cheap to live in 70 degree weather all year? I can do my type of job in the OC. And I can probably get paid more down there for what I do. I'm seriously considering this. Why not ya know?

After freeloading again on Saturday night, we left out of Long Beach on Sunday and right away began having a good time. It was fun to be on the ol' lido deck for the 3rd straight year. Joe was able to watch his beloved Ravens lose in the AFC championship game and we started off with pizza and ice cream on the lido deck. There was a small altercation that night between a couple of our friends. In the long run it was no big deal. It was kind of a "boys will be boys" fracas over "spilled ice cream" and of course a girl was involved. But it was all resolved and things worked out (for the most part).

The first couple days at sea we all got our tans on the "mormon" deck (we took over the upper private deck of the Carnival Ship Pride... I think it's usually the topless deck so props to us!). There were a lot of cool people this year that came last year (minus Dre who couldn't come), and there were a lot of nice new people. The DB level was kept to a minimum and I actually met a lot of genuine people, both guys and girls.

Our first stop was Puerto Vallarta. We got off the ship early and grabbed a taxi-van and headed about 30 minutes north to a surf town called Sayulita. I've never surfed before so Mike and I rented a surfboard and decided to try it out. Needless to day surfing is difficult. I rode a couple of waves in without popping up to a standing position just so I could get the feel of it. After that I tried standing up a few times and I got up once and then ate it. I just didn't quite have a feel for the balance of the whole thing. After 2 hours I was exhausted so I headed in. I managed to only piss off one local, but in my defense I wasn't really on his wave and I was paddling out with 2 other guys right next to me that were locals so forget him. But I'm excited to try again soon. I knew I needed a guard, but I wasn't going to wear my only t-shirt so I just braved it and paid the price the next day. After surfing I fell asleep on the beach for like 3 hours. They woke me up to head back into town so needless to say I have no pictures of the beach. (Although Facebook has a couple of pictures of me asleep on the beach...) Then we just wandered around Puerto Vallarta and ate authentic Mexican food. Good times!

The next day we stopped in Mazatlan. A whole bunch of us rented 4-wheelers and prowlers and headed on out towards El Cid resort hotel. Here is the vid:



We then parked our machines in a pay parking lot outside of this nice hotel and spent the day at the pool and the beach. Ashley tried to fly this $5 barbie girl parachute kite and ate it running backwards in the ocean. Shaun and I about died laughing. Sorry Ashley! (But seriously, it was hilarious!) After playing around for awhile we headed out on the machines to get some authentic Mexican food (again). We rocked this joint! The Diet Coke trick was awesome:



After dancing to guantamera and the mariachi band, we went to look for some beach to spin around in. But after a couple of the 4-wheelers ran out of gas we just headed back. Here's the vid: (thanks Candice for filming while holding on for dear life!)



On the way back to the ship we got pulled over by la policia. After Rob was able to convince them to let us all go, he then "tipped" them $40 to take care of it right there so he could make the ship departure. There were a number of run in's with the cops that day. Joe was with some girls that had to pay off the cops when they flipped their 4-wheeler in a parking lot. Some guys in our group spent the day in jail when they got pulled over first thing in the morning. They made the ship, but only because of their Spanish skills and the religious affiliation of the judge's secretary. But in the end we all made the ship (except for the 2 girls that were getting massages and had to spend the night and fly to Cabo the next day... but that was their own fault).

The final port was in Cabo San Lucas. We just grabbed a water taxi and headed over to Lover's beach for the day. It's located at Land's End and is a pretty cool spot. We spent most of the day getting killed by the waves. Here's the vid:



The stops were pretty cool. I think I enjoyed the Caribbean stops better, but the weather and water temp were just as good in Mexico as the Caribbean. We got back to Long Beach on Sunday morning and took our time getting to LAX since our plane wasn't until 4:30pm. Mike was able to hook us up at the USO and we relaxed and watched movies before our plane. I was very grateful because I got the freakin flu. We made it home around 8pm and I went straight to bed. I was sick for an entire week. Work was accommodating, but it was still rough to go back. Apparently a bunch of others got sick too (sorry Amber!)

Many have asked "would you go again?" And I really don't know. I've gone 3 years in a row now and I've had a riot every time. But I'm kind of cruised out at this point. The novelty of the food, shows, and everything has worn off. But on the flip side it is really REALLY nice to get out of the cold in mid-January and hit up the beach with a bunch friends. It was one of my friend's 4th cruise and she called it her "senior" year. So maybe I have one more in me :)

Anyway, it was a good time. I made it home alive (even if I did get the Spanish influenza:)

- Rhett

Christmas 2008 and New Years

So Christmas has come and gone.  For the first time in many many years I was in the Christmas spirit.  I got most of my shopping done early (even though I went to Fashion Place mall the Saturday before Christmas... NEVER do that again!) I listened to Christmas music the entire month of December (thanks Pandora), and went to a concert by the Utah Chamber Artists at the First Presbyterian Church (thanks Laura!) .  It was even a white Christmas and watching the snow fall in downtown SLC from my office had a very post-modern Norman Rockwellian feel to it.*

Conversely, the current economic downtown affected our company. We had some layoffs during the Christmas season and the mood was dim. I had many friends that were affected in my company and out and I know that in the long run they will be alright. It just sucks in the meantime.  Especially during Christmas

My parents finally finished the house remodel and it looks amazing! It has been fun putting random objects in the middle of the island because Mom and Dad can't reach it.  And then to top that joke off, I got them a extended hand grabber (thanks Teri!) as an additional Christmas gift. My brother would appreciate the joke even if the parents don't. (I think that's what I miss the most about my brother being on the mission. We have the same sense of humor and quick wit. And we think it's as funny as hell to tease our parents. Sorry Mom!)

After spending New Years up at the U Stadium (yes I returned to the scene of Max Hall's heinous crime), the next night we went up to the cabin and spent the night sledding and tubing.  Even though we popped all the tubes it was a way fun night.

Anyway, I'm headed to Mexico next week so more to follow up return.

* Rockwellian is one of my favorite words. People either know exactly what you are talking about or they pretend they do. Either way you look smart :)

- Rhett 

Vid:

Merry Christmas!

I know we lost, but....

This picture made me feel a little better about our loss.  I've always liked University of Utah girls.  Even if they don't understand football at all. 

The great thing about this picture is that I know some of these girls.  Juliet pointed out that she got her letter right.  (Of course it was the "U"... how hard is it to mess that one up :)

- Rhett

BYU vs UofU

Answers to the questions I received all last week:

1. Yes I was there.
2. Yes it sucked.
3. It feels like I was dumped by my girlfriend. After I caught her making out with some DB. In my room.
   
4. No I was not spit on.
5. The people around us were pretty cool, probably because we've been going to games all year and they knew us. But some people were drunkin' idiots.
6. Yes I stayed until the last freakin minute of the game.
7. No I'm not happy for the U.
8. Yes I'm still a BYU fan.
9. Yes I will make good on all of my "friendly" bets.
10. I don't care if it's good for the conference.  I would rather BYU win that get a dime of BCS blood money.
11. Yes jon really did lose his ticket on the way to the game. He claims it's Karma. 
12. Yes I'll recover.
13. Yes I'll go to BYU games next year.  Actually I'm already going over the match up in my head.
    

I would be happy to answer any other questions if you want, just let me know.

- Rhett

IM conversation

So my friend Brandon and I had the following conversation today about the U/TCU game tonight. Probably the best 22 minutes of the day. If you aren't a fan, it'll bore you. I'm sure Joe will like it though:

11:19		Rhett		scale of 1 -10. how nervous?
11:19		Brandon		8
11:19		Rhett		wow... not bad.
11:19		Rhett		the weather will help you
11:20		Brandon		Talent wise it's a wash, it's a game that's going to come down to the intangibles
11:20		Rhett		like coaching
11:20		Rhett		ha ha ha
11:20		Brandon		I'd rather have whit than bronco
11:21		Rhett		wow....
11:21		Rhett		i wouldn't say that
11:21		Brandon		Watching Bronco this year I learned one thing. He's too arrogant. And until he learns to make adjustements, and better gameplans BYU will never make it to the next level.
11:22		Rhett		interesting. but whit plays with too much emotion. he wants to be on the field making the hits
11:22		Brandon		I don't see that as a bad thing
11:22		Rhett		but it won't take you to the next level either
11:22		Brandon		I'd rather have too much emotion than none at all.
11:22		Rhett		maybe
11:23		Rhett		it worked for lavell
11:23		Rhett		it works for paterno
11:23		Brandon		Really? Ask Urban how coaching with emotion has worked out
11:23		Brandon		Paterno has emotion
11:23		Rhett		i would even argue it works for meyer
11:23		Rhett		its controlled emtion
11:23		Brandon		Yea, Bronco has zero emotion
11:23		Rhett		agreed
11:24		Brandon		You can't coach without emotion, You have to feel the game, feel the wave of emotions that go through the game. Does Whit go overboard sometimes? Yes, but hasn't really this year.
11:24		Brandon		Bronco just sits back there and thinks My Gameplan is right, I don't need to change.
11:25		Rhett		he has kept it in check this year. but i think tonight and the byu game we'll see what happens
11:25		Rhett		and guess how many conference losses byu has in the last 2 and a half years....
11:25		Brandon		How many conference losses do they have in the last 3 weeks?
11:26		Brandon		How many times have they squeaked it out at the end, because their gameplan didn't actually account for having to stop anyone.
11:26		Brandon		How many times have they let an inferior opponent score close to 40 points on them in the last two weeks.
11:27		Brandon		Why, Because Bronco isn't making adjustments to help his pourous defense.
11:27		Rhett		and yet...
11:27		Rhett		we'll see what happens nov 22
11:27		Brandon		And yet.... BYU is sitting on the outside looking in and even a Victory on Nov 22 might not get them a conference championship.
11:28		Rhett		tcu wins tonight, they win the conf
11:28		Brandon		yep
11:28		Rhett		u wins tonight and u wins vs byu then they win the conf
11:28		Rhett		u wins tonight and byu wins vs u.... who wins? the freakin BCS!
11:29		Brandon		Boise State
11:30		Rhett		wait... you realize that there is a possible 3 way mwc tie this year?
11:30		Brandon		Yep
11:30		Brandon		unless AFA sneaks up and Bites BYU
11:30		Rhett		TRUE
11:30		Rhett		but what would happen if there is? who goes where for bowls?
11:31		Brandon		LV Gets first choice of the three
11:31		Rhett		unless there is a bcs invite, which there wouldn't be, would there?
11:31		Brandon		Maybe
11:31		Rhett		insane....
11:32		Brandon		If Utah wins tonight and makes it to 11/22 and were to lose on say another freaking bs fluke play and lost by only 3 or 7
11:32		Rhett		shudder....
11:32		Brandon		Then there's a good chance they wouldn't drop beyond 16
11:32		Rhett		but not top 12
11:32		Brandon		Nope
11:32		Brandon		But don't have to be top 12
11:32		Rhett		and how do you rank the U above BYU at that point?
11:32		Brandon		Because Boise State would be top 12 and get the guaranteed bid
11:32		Brandon		You don't
11:33		Brandon		But BCS Bowls don't have to go in order of ranking for at large
11:33		Brandon		Now
11:33		Rhett		oh ya...
11:33		Brandon		If Oregon State, or
11:33		Brandon		So let's take this scenario. Say BYU is about 12, TCU 15, Utah 16, And BSU 10.
11:33		Rhett		i'd take tcu if i were the BCS....
11:34		Brandon		BSU Gets the Auto Bid. And the conference champs from teh big 6
11:34		Brandon		me too
11:34		Brandon		so that makes 7 of the 10 spots filled.
11:34		Brandon		Big 12, and SEC would both get an at large making 1 spot left
11:34		Brandon		BCS Rules state only 2 teams from a conference.
11:34		Rhett		Possible... but not probable
11:35		Brandon		And in order for a team to get an at-large for a bcs they have to be in the top 16
11:35		Brandon		Now say Oregon State lost, Or USC Loses again.
11:35		Brandon		The choices would be a 1loss BYU/TCU/Utah or a two loss USC/Ohio State.
11:36		Brandon		Now if Oregon State lost the only other choice would be Ohio state or the 1loss teams.
11:36		Rhett		They go with USC all day
11:36		Brandon		yes
11:36		Brandon		In the first scenario
11:36		Rhett		Or something like Mich state
11:36		Brandon		but if Oregon State lost, I'm not so sure a 2 loss Ohio State is a guarantee
11:37		Rhett		i hope not. Ohio st has NOT looked good this year and their schedule is SUPER week
11:37		Brandon		They have to be in the top 16, and chances are Mich State will lose again
11:37		Brandon		They still have a Penn State matchup
11:37		Rhett		So many factors, so many things out of control
11:37		Brandon		Yep
11:38		Brandon		two of the Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State teams are going to have to be left out.
11:38		Brandon		But the bright side to all of this.
11:38		Brandon		More proof the BCS is crap, with big name schools getting screwed because of it.
11:40		Rhett		That is the only hope... if the big dawgs get burned then they will call for change. The problem might be, that the change does NOT benefit non-bcs teams.
11:40		Brandon		Even a playoff system that doesn't benefit non-bcs teams is a start
11:40		Brandon		Because once a playoff is in place it will be easier for it to expand
11:41		Rhett		maybe....
11:41		Rhett		I think i'm going to post this entire conversation on my blog....

Random Pictures: 1st big snow and my new poor man's meal

The lake effect hit Salt Lake City hard yesterday. The snow was just pounding in downtown.  That picture doesn't do it justice.  It was kinda cool working downtown in a snow storm.  And it was even cooler when I found out that the Bird opens this weekend!

The other picture is my new poor man's meal.  I cook up a Bratwurst.  (Tyre and Eric got me hooked on them while camping this summer).  But because bread goes bad too quickly, I've been wrapping them in tortillas.  They are soooo good!

Oh ya... and the U (#10) is playing TCU (#12) tonight in SLC.  Turns out my decision to buy season tickets at the U was the best financial decision I made all year.  I should sell them but I enjoy a good football game way too much.  Good times.

- Rhett