The Good Life

Spring is Coming

2011-04-13T20:51:00.001-06:00

So spring is slowly starting to creep its way into the Maine weather patterns, though today you would have assumed winter would be here a while longer. Nevertheless, I can feel that spring air and sunshine are coming and with it, hopefully, a better attitude about being here. Things are going alright for us these days, though there seems to be no job opportunities coming our way to carry us back out West. So in the mean time, I am working at the local tanning salon and Dallan is contemplating a Masters Degree. I have been having a bit of fun with my photography class though and of course now I desperately want a camera.

photography class picture

Some bad news came last week when I found out my dad's surgery for his colon went badly at some point in time and he took a turn for the worst. Finding this out at about 10pm I booked at flight around midnight, packed, left at 3am for Portland Airport(2 hrs away) for a 6am flight. The roads were terrible since it had just snowed about a foot, and then of course as fate would have it we had a "maintenance issue" with plane and it was delayed 2 hrs causing me to miss my connecting flight. My new connecting flight was another hour and half wait until they then were "cleaning" the plane and needed to delay it another hour and a half. Needless to say I was finally arrived pissed off. haha. Luckily, my Dad pulled through and is doing much better now, but it certainly was a big scare.
Spending time in Colorado with my sisters was a good time for sure, along with my cute little niece! Jared hooked me up and introduced me to Keegan from the D Bar Desserts (Judge on Food Networks Cake Challenges) which was really fun! He was a way nice guy and told me I had potential, so now I just need to work my way up to being on Challenge! haha. I also got to get me some Costa Vida while I was there and ate an entire large sweet pork salad in one sitting! I usually only get about half way through, so it was pretty impressive that I ate it all. It was so good! YUM! We also decided to take on a little interior decorating project while my dad was in the hospital and redecorated his living room which was a complete disaster. He has been to South Africa twice now and took some cool pictures so we blew them up and redecorated his room to fit a modern african theme. turned our pretty good if I do say so myself, considering we didn't spend much!

Dad's new living room!

I think we accidentally moved to the Arctic!

2011-01-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

So as I'm sitting here this morning looking outside at the snow falling and blowing around and I see all of the over 12 ft high snow mounds everywhere, I feel like I minus well have moved to the Arctic! At least then I would have some really cool snow dogs and I'd feel like I was working for National Geographic, and maybe I would. But alas, here we are in Maine.
Dallan and I took a little trip over Christmas/ New Years and went to Washington and Florida, and on a cruise! Which was so so nice, not quite as good as our honeymoon, I don't really like Carnival that much, but it was nice just the same. We went to Freeport and Nassau which was very pretty. I hate places like the caribbean and the bahamas though because you always want to move there because its so pretty, but the surrounding areas are some of the most run down and ghetto places you will ever see. It's such a disappointment really because it detracts so much from the beautiful place that it is! Not than I'm trying to rip on the people there for being poor, I just think its weird that some of the most beautiful places in the world are some of the poorest, especially if there was no tourism.
I have never seen so many morbidly obese people in one place in my life. I would say that at least 85% of the cruise ship were just that. Needless to say as I'm sitting at the buffet looking around, I suddenly loose my appetite to eat so much food as I see others stuffing their faces with platefuls of food. That's probably mean, but it is a pet peeve of mine when I see horribly overweight people shoveling huge amounts of food into their mouths. There was a lot of good people watching though, I think that is one of our favorite pastimes!

We also made it out the Hogwarts! That is to say "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!" It was so cool, unfortunately so insanely crowded we waiting one hour to get into the park, and the 3.5 to get into the harry potter world, during which time we were in front of the most annoying group of older people ever! This one lady was acting like a drunken college girl laughing at EVERYTHING and thinking she was just so hilarious, and let me tell you she had the most annoying and loud laugh I have ever heard! I think that you probably could have heard her from the other side of the park.
We did get to go with my sister Nicki, which was really fun! I haven't seen her in forever and sadly we only had that one day before she left to go back to UT.

So since being back I have started taking a class at Dallan's school and am teaching myself German and French. For some reason I always fall into a French accent when trying to have a German one. We are going to Utah in May at least, maybe I'll venture out somewhere in March too for spring break, preferably somewhere warm!

Seriously though, we suck at blogging!

2010-12-05T11:46:00.001-07:00

So it's been quite a while since our last update. Dallan and I became Uncle Dallan and Aunt Dana when Sophie was born in July! She is very very cute and is growing so fast already! So August came around and Dallan got a call from a College in Maine about a job opportunity they wanted him for. So like August 8th or something they flew him out there for an interview and basically offered him the job of a Live Sound Instructor, which he accepted! They wanted us out there by the 16th! So we had one week to pack up our whole house, but unfortunately Dallan was going to be out of town in Wyoming on a gig that whole week, so it was up to me. Lets me just say, we have a lot of stuff! Moving sucks and doing it that fast with no help sucks even worse. I guess I could have asked someone to help, but really I figured I'd spend more time talking and instructing them on what to pack where that it wouldn't really be very helpful at all. Luckily friends and family came to help us load everything in the moving truck!
So off to Maine we went. I had no idea what it was going to be like, having never been anywhere in New England other than NYC, which I don't think really counts. After stopping in Colorado, we drove for 4 days with Sadi in tow. She was a good girl of course. So finally we arrived in Bangor! It was dark and I felt totally lost and out of place, and there were no city lights or many stores and I'll admit I was freaking out a bit. We spent the next 2 weeks trying to get our living situation sorted and were able to get a really nice town home less than a mile from Dallan's work. We really lucked out because lets just say I was crying the first day after looking at some of the dumps in the area!
So we (well mainly me) are slowly adjusting to the town being much smaller than any place I've lived before. The bigger city of Portland is 2 hrs away, which we just found out they are opening a chipotle in and they also have Costa Vida! So we don't make it out there very often. I got a job a Macy's which is... well it's retail and I hate working retail, but I needed a job, so at least its a little income, but I'm gonna try and find something else if possible ASAP. Dallan is enjoying his job alright and things are going well. We aren't sure how long we will be here, but we'll just have to see what comes our way!
Oh I almost forgot, I totally got a calling after the first week of being here basically, in the Young Women. First Counselor! I keep thinking I'm not old enough to be a First Counselor in YW, but I guess I am cuz our Secretary is 21 and our President is 32. Weird though! And it gets better because my first lesson I had to teach was on Chastity! Like the hardest/ most awkward lesson, but it actually went really well and wasn't awkward which was good.
The fall leaves were very pretty but didn't last very long. We did get some delicious apples from an orchard, the best way to get them in the fall. We spent Thanksgiving with a family from the ward, which was good and delicious! And now we are getting ready to go to Washington for Christmas followed by Florida for new years, and hopefully and cruise to the Bahamas! YAY!!!! We haven't been a vacation just to the two of us since our honeymoon really, so this will be fun! We miss all of our friends and its been really hard to find any up here. People are a little.... interesting. In fact its kind of like watching "people of walmart" all the time! No one in our ward are our age really, but at least we have each other!
Oh also, we went and saw Harry Potter 7 on IMAX and it was so good! I'm so exited for the next one because that is the one where everything is going to happen and it is going to be awesome! And now we get to go to Harry Potter World in a couple weeks and its going to be awesome!

Wow, it has been so long, we suck at Blogging!

2010-04-27T14:05:00.011-06:00

Well lets see, our last post was in August which means it's been 7 months since our last post! Wups! Well, for starters Dallan and I both had our birthdays in October so we went to Disney World with my sister Sjanna and my brother-in-law Jared. It was a lot of fun and it was Halloween so naturally we went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! We dressed up, I had made a Mary Poppins Costume and Sjanna was Snow White. The boys were party-poopers and didn't dress up of course, but it was a lot of fun and we got a lot of candy! We also went to SeaWorld on one of the days we were there and we saw that they had that new roller coaster ride the Manta Ray or something? Anyways, what you do is you sit like a normal coaster with your feet dangling, then they lift you up so that you are laying flat down on your stomach so its more like you're flying or swimming I guess. So we start going and I hadn't even looked at the tracks because I didn't think to (I don't do too well with all roller coasters) and we start going and it barrel rolls you SO fast and multiple times, and then I see the loop, and I'm thinking thats weird..it looks... OH CRAP! yea so you know how you usually go up backwards over a loop? yep, not on manta ray! you are laying down and then you dive head first straight down and keep going over the outside of the loop!!! it was awful! well, at least I thought so! Dallan and Jared really liked it but I felt kinda sick after. THEN I was really smart and went from there directly to the Kraken! I had forgotten that the last time I went I got up to it, looked at the track and left and never rode it... so I didn't do that this time and got on. And I was SO SO sick afterwards plus it was really hot outside which didn't help. But all in all it was still fun! I mean it's Disney World!

So in November Dallan and Sydney and I all went to Nashville to visit, I think for Dallan to try and find a job? I don't really know, I just tagged along. But we went to Paramore concert the first night and saw Taylor Swift! She was sitting like 4 rows ahead of us. Then we kinda mossied around and went to Franklin and to the Parthenon, or is it the Pantheon? nope, Parthenon I think.

Thanksgiving: well, Dallan and I successfully hosted and made our first family Thanksgiving dinner! Dallan's parents came out and I think we did a pretty good job! It was tasty!

Christmas: Dallan and I both had to work, Dallan at Costco and I at Sundance again as a snowboard instructor. I had to get nose surgery at the beginning of the month because I literally couldn't breath through my nose at night and it was really becoming a big problem. So its all fixed now and I breath great and am so happy! its the first time since I can remember that I can sleep on either side of my body and still breath! Might sound silly but its a big deal when you haven't been able to! Anyways, Dallan and I ended up working Christamas eve and went over to his Aunt's house for dinner and it was excellent! New years came and I honestly went to bed around 10 because I had work early and had been working like 7 days in a row.

Lately: well more recently, Sundance ended and I'm not on the job hunt! AGAIN... I applied to work at Disney World again, or rather auditioned and didn't make it! not even fur! I was so mad, but APPARENTLY they are being really stingy with who they hire and aren't hiring much, so I guess I can't feel too bad about it. Also, Sjanna, my sister, is pregnant! with a little girl! YAY! should be cool, I've never really been around a baby before, she is due end of Julyish. My sister Nicki came out to visit from Hawaii in March which was fun! I hadn't seen her in a while. She is engaged and is supposedly getting married in September possibly? Syd's b-day came up as well, and I made her cake of course!

Alice in Wonderland/Tim Burton inspired, cuz I know she likes black and purple.

So basically now Dallan and I are just looking for jobs, and I have been updating the house a bit, landscaping and I repainted our kitchen table and made pillows and stuff. It looks cute I think. Well spring is here, and I'm hoping we move here soon and then I can find something more permanent to do!

PS- I learned to do backside 360! (that is a snowboard term if you were thinking something dirty)

We went to Europe?

2009-08-27T18:35:00.004-06:00

So we went to Europe in mid June this summer! YAY! It was fun of course. Yep, me, Dallan and his parents went off to London where we met up with Sydney( Dallan's sister) who was doing study abroad there. Lets take a recap of what happened whilst we were there: (I'll do my best to remember anyways)

DAY 1:

Left for New York City with Dallan, and lets just say we will NEVER fly into JFK airport ever again if we can avoid it. Besides waiting for an hour to taxi, we then had to wait another hour for our bags. So we spent the evening and most of the next day in New York walking around the city, ate at Olive Garden while it rained, and then went to central park! We then got to spend another 2 hrs waiting to take off that evening for London. I wish I could say I slept like a baby on the plane at least, but that wasn't the case. Even with taking 2 unisoms, I could not get comfortable enough to sleep! I hate plan seats!

DAY 2: We Arrive
So we get to London and get on our trains to Paddington Station and then from there we somehow manage to cram into the little taxi's that they have with all of our luggage! I love their little taxis! I mean, not comfortable by any means, but they are somehow cute. I felt very Harry Pottery.

Anyways, having not slept all night and being up for 31 hrs tends to take its toll. Somehow we managed to have enough energy to go to this Peter Pan play in Kensington Gardens (where the story originated) which was pretty cool. So we hit the hay early that night, around 8 I think, I was exhausted and my allergies which I never usually have flared up so bad I couldn't even concentrate on anything but how itchy and sneezy I was!

DAY 3: Site Seeing!
The next day we made it out fairly early and got on one of those tour bus things, gay I know, but actually quite an efficient way of getting around to all the sites you want to see, I would recommend it. Anyways, we headed off first to Buckingham Palace where we watched the changing of the guard, or tried to, but it was so crazy busy I couldn't really see anything. The best part of this experience was this crazy lady behind me who seemed to think I was a leaning post that she could grab onto to push herself so SHE could see! What the heck? do I even know you, I am not really comfortable with strange women grabbing my shoulders. So after failed attempts at getting her to stop using me as a pushing post, we left.

Next we ventured to Big Ben and Parliament! and while we were there we toured inside of Westminster Abbey, not to be confused with West- minIster Abbey, hahaha. I knew what it was but I did say it wrong once and got caught! (just by syd though) Unfortunately they don't let you take pictures inside of the Abbey, but it was quite cool, lots of history.

Next was my favorite non-historical part of the trip! Very non-historical- we went to the Tranformers 2 Premiere in London in Leicester Square. Yeah we got to see all the stars as the arrived to the Premier and we surprising close as they came around to sign autographs! Syd almost got Megan Fox's. All I can remember is some kid screaming "take off your clothes" to Megan Fox, and then of course all the girls were crazy about Shia, who is just as cute in real life :) love you Dallan.

Anyways, we then moved on and went over the London Tower Bridge and to the Tower of London.

DAY 4: Just the 3 of us...

Well Dallan's mom wasn't feeling too well this day, so the 3 of us set off on a tour led by our guide Sydney. First off to lunch at the Hard Rock in London. Apparently we Americans pronounce the Thames River "funny" 'cause they say "thymes" or something. Also went to the Disney store and some crazy store just packed with people that it was so annoying I only made it out with one $4 shirt!
Anyways, we toured around shopping areas and stuff and made our way BACK to Buckingham Palace now that it wasn't so crazy packed with people. Then we were off to find Abbey Road , ya know, like as in the Beatles? Then off to the London Eye. Course by the time we got off our "tube" stop i was starving and not the happiest camper, so we made an amazing McDonald's stop! Love McD's!!! Turns out its kinda expensive to ride on a ferris wheel... and I'm just not that into ferris wheels. But hey, we saw it and it was large.

Day 5: Off to Paris!

So we take the Eurostar to Paris and that evening are off to visit the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Turns out the Eiffel Tower really is BIG! Like the Statue of LIberty is disappointingly small, but this really is as grand as you think it is! We stopped by a little cafe near the tower to have dinner which was yummy. I was going to order in French because I had been practicing and learning some French to be prepared, but then everyone else starting just talking in english, so I felt dumb ordering in French :(

DAY 6: Lots to see!
Well, this morning as I recall didn't exactly start great. After waiting a good hour to finally leave the hotel, we went back to the tower so we could go to the top. Unfortunately, by the time we did actually get there, the line was 3 hrs long which meant we just lost 3 hours of our day! So we had to hurry to check out first, Notre Dame. We ate some lunch after at this little cafe and I got this AWESOME baguette sandwich which I would fly back to Paris for.

Next was off to the Louvre which was so cool on the outside! not that the inside isn't cool, but I just like the architecture. Of course we then saw the Mona Lisa among many other famous and sometimes interesting paintings and sculptures. That place is HUGE! I mean you could spend a whole day there if you are into that sort of thing.

Next was my pick for visiting, the Chateau de Versailles! Just the Palace ya know and gardens. Apparently we missed by one night this cool fireworks show they do in the gardens in the summer evenings. But we did get to hear the music playing as they tested it while we were there so that made it fun! Felt like I should have been in a big dress.

DAY 7: Back to Jolly Ol' London

Well it was back to London. We were going to go to Rome, but it was just too expensive and would take like 9hrs to get there, so whatever, another time perhaps. We had to of course stop by Kings Cross and go to Platform 9 and 3/4! Then Syd wanted to take us to Portobello Road which I only had heard of in the classic Disney film Bed knobs and Broomsticks. Turns out not as cool as you might think. It was just one big,huge,long farmers market along this road. SOOOO much stuff for sales. We kept walking and walking, finally hitting the food area and then I was done with it.

For lunch we went back to Kensington Gardens and ate at the Orangery. I was daring and got something no one expected me to eat, and it was great! Loved it actually. some shredded beef thing with bread.

That evening Dal says he's going out to get a drink, an hour later I begin to panic. Where is he? it doesn't take but 5 minutes to go get a drink across the street. did he get mugged? stabbed? is he laying dead somewhere in a dark alley and now I have no way to reach him since we can't use our phones? I finally got dressed and set out on a search. My first thought was that he was in his parent's room, only I didn't know which room they were in. Luckily I ran into his mom just outside my door, asked if she had seen Dallan, and she told me he was in their room. WEH! what a relief.

DAY 8: Cheerio!
Welp, that concluded our trip to london. We flew out the next day, stayed in Connecticut with Dallan's aunt that night, and flew out the next day back for home! What a trip! Long, lots of flying, but once in a lifetime!

VEGAS BABY!

2009-04-23T10:29:00.003-06:00

So Dal and I went to Vegas this weekend, decided to get away and Dallan was gonna go to a conference down there. Well to start things off we got to our hotel, it was around 90 degrees outside and we walked into our room to be hit with a heat wave! we were in studio, which is a smaller room and our air conditioner wasn't on for some reason, so we turned on the air and took the opportunity to go down to the pool and spas. We returned to our room about and hour later to find that our room was still hot! It was actually 2 degrees warmer than when we left. Needless to say we called for maintenance. Took them about an hour or more to get to our room, not fun... and when they got there they said that our air conditioner was frozen and that they would have to turn on the heater to melt it so it would work. They left and I said NO WAY! so I called the front desk, and we got upgraded to a 2 bedroom! YES! that was nice, WAY bigger, not that we needed the space but it's always nice to have :)

The next day was the day of the conference. We went o the MGM to catch a shuttle, which never came after waiting for 35 minutes, and so we caught the monorail to the LV convention Center; I think thats the one in Rainbow Six! anyways, we walked it and wow, tech geek nerdathon! Yeah, not so much what Dallan was thinking it was... totally boring to me anyways and what I

expected. So that was a bust. The next day I laid out by the pool, so nice... then we went down to Caesars for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, yum. We then saw that there was a Serendipity

outside of Caesars so we partook. Had to try a frozen hot chocolate, and I have to say, not as good as I imagined, a little too dark chocolatey for me. But the really cool thing is that while we were eating said frozen cocoa, this helicopter flew over us and it totally had like Rainbow Six guys hanging out the sides with their guns! I thought it was cool...

So later that day we went to the Bodies exhibit, WEIRD! Like interesting, but weird... lots of pee-pees! haha. and then we went to a Cirque show, Believe with Criss Angel... and it sucked big time! so weird and just not cool. Like whoever wrote it was a person with ADHD on crack... the cirque parts were cool even though they didn't make ANY sense, and Criss was just unimpressive... didn't do anything cool or like he does on his shows, mostly cheap magician tricks. LAME.

So yesterday, the day we left, we decided to get some breakfast. Saw a Dunkin donughts and HAD to go in to get a french crueller! and of course they were out. So we drove all the way out to this other one, which had them, only the were kinda getting stale... oh well. So we played

some slots at the New York New York and were on on way.... so that is the story of our trip, it was good even with the sucky show and everything...

What's new pussycat?

2009-03-12T19:05:00.006-06:00

Well, Dallan and I went to Colorado a few weeks ago just to visit and take a little time away from Provo...it gets old ya know. Anyways, our trip was fun, Sjanna( my sister, pronounced sha-nuh haha) and I went boarding up at Copper mountain and I gave her a little lesson and she did really good! I on the other hand didn't have the best day ever... Lets just say my face and the snow didn't get along so well... haha, k it wasn't that bad and not really my fault but, I did scrape my chin really well on the snow. Anyways, here's a pic of me and sjanna, wearing beanies made by me! Yep, i make hats and beanies now for a living... jk, for fun but I should make it a living somehow. If anyone's interested, I do sell them!

So working at Sundance isn't exactly going well anymore, the job is still great but business is slow... so It's time for me to start looking for a new job which I hate doing :( So while we were in CO, Sjanna and Jared took us out to eat at Ruth Chris's steak house, and it was very very good! Sjanna also made me start playing RAINBOW SIX and I am now a little addicted. In fact I stayed up late playing online last week and I could not sleep afterwards! I just kept dreaming about rainbow six and shooting people, but it was like i was just playing the game, so annoying! worst nights sleep ever.

Anyways, now we're back in Provo, DAllan is hoping to get a job with Microsoft in the gaming sounds design industry... hopefully it works out! hmm... well i apologize for not being the best blogger, I guess I'm just not meant to be one... so we'll let ya know how the job hunt goes

2009-02-05T11:52:00.003-07:00

Sooooooo.... well I started my job as a snowboard instructor at Sundance in December, and I have to say, its been one of the most enjoyable jobs I've had. I mean seriously, who doesn't want to get paid to snowboard 3 or 4 days a week? I've been working on my 180s off jumps lately and am hoping to pull a 360 sometime here before the season end, cuz then I'll officially be a good snowboarder. WEll as Dallan said, we went to good old Disney world for christmas. It was warm and crowded of course, but still a good time. We ate breakfast at the 1900 Park Fare character dining restaurant and say Alice, Snow White, Tigger, Pooh, an the Mad Hatter, and since it was close to our anniversary (1 year) we got a free special anniversary cake from Disney.

I later returned back to Florida in mid January to go to a special Disney fairy and princess audition. I wasn't too sure if I should go or not, and I'm not gonna lie, I had major second thoughts, but in the end decided to go anyways... needless to say I, along with 526 other girls, did not receive a call back. yep, only less than 30 girls out of 556 were chosen, and I have to say that some were not pretty at all... strange how that works. oh well.

So since my rather embarrassing embarkment to the audition, its been back to snowboarding, the only thing that keeps me sane here in Utah winters. When I'm not working, going to movies seems to be the thing to do at our house... We recently saw the movie Taken with Liam Neisen, and I must say it was quite good and I enjoyed it. I recommend seeing it you haven't already. We also have seen the Uninvited which for its genre or movie was also pretty good. I don't know that I would see it again anytime soon, maybe in a few years? It's kinda one of those 6th sense type films that once you know the ending, the next time around wouldn't be as good. I am very excited for the next Transformers movie which recently released a preview, I even dreamt (dremt??? i dont know) about it last night! yep, me and dal were in some big city and the big transformers (even bigger in my dream) were destroying the city and we had to get out... oh yeah. haha.

I suppose that about wraps up my update... I'm looking forward to moving out of Utah hopefully in teh near future, to where you might ask? well that remains a mystery. ADIOS!

Been awhile..

2009-01-31T10:37:00.005-07:00

Well, it seems lately whenever I get on the computer I am compelled to look for jobs.. I am at this point not being picky. My freelance audio is doing ok, but it really is going in a direction that I would like to get away from (live sound) and just isn't providing us with the type of income that I would like to earn for my wife and I. That being said I really enjoyed this past year having it be the additional umph to the income the radio was giving me. (or visa versa) The way I see my skill set I could do well in anything sound design, quite honestly doing sound design for video games sounds like a complete blast, umm advertising, like the production side of an ad firm. Really anything at the Entry level I think I would be good at.. The one thing I know that I wouldn't be good at is being a surgeon. My hands shake a bit and I hear that can be a problem.. If anyone reading this knows of a jobby job.. I am to the point where my pride has left me.. (I hate this.. I like my pride.)
Don't worry though, even though I am amongst the millions looking for a job I still have a great life. I am amazed every day by the blessings that come my way. And I think something really good is just around the corner. How could it not right?? Everything else in my life is in order.. I have a great wife, a four legged kid, and a host of blessings..

With all this time on my hands I have made some valuable observations and would like to share them with you.

1.) People who pull there cell phones out during a movie should be hung on a pole and shot. I have been to a few movies lately and it is just like this convenient tool has made people dumb at movies.. It is inconsiderate. I mean you wouldn't take a flash light to the theatre with you and shine it in the eyes of the person behind you would you?? Now days the screens on the cell phones are just that... Flash lights.. keep them in your pocket.. if "silent" mode leaves you wondering who just texted you, turn the cell phone off.. please..
2.) When at said movie and guy in front is using phone consistently it is still not cool to throw a Pepsi bottle at guy with phone..
(Yeah... In the past month I have seen this happen..)
3.) When at said movie and guy in front is using phone consistently it is still not cool to yell obscenities at him.. (Yup.. seen this too..)
4.) If you are that guy, and your phone rings.. you better not answer it.. (seen this twice in the past month.)
5.) You may have a mature 10 year old.. but when it comes down to it.. unsupervised they are still just that.. a ten year old.. a movie theatre, mall, Wal-Mart, or other places turn into a jungle gym when they are unsupervised..
6.) These 10 year olds do not automatically have ADD.. They are just unsupervised 10 year olds..
7.) Not my job to supervise said 10 year old.
8.) Not really Global Warming when the Climatologists are saying we are in the Coldest year on record, and that we are more likely heading toward another Ice Age..
9.) I wish my grandpa were alive.. I really would like to hear him full of the "Obama-mania"..
10.) George W. Bush really didn't screw up the nation.. After 9-11 his mission as President became make this country feel safe again.. If he hadn't done that McCain would be president, because national safety would be an issue, and McCain was more prepared to deal with that than Obama.
11.) I think Obama will be an ok president, I didn't vote for him, but I support him.. I don't think he will be the miracle man that over half the nation thinks he'll be.
12.) My Dog has a good life.. Poop, Sleep, Eat, Sleep and repeat.. THATS THE KIND OF JOB I NEED TO FIND!!!
13.) I seemed to gain the Freshman 15 during the Freshman year of my marriage... hmmm.. gonna work on that..
14.) I think 26 is the year when you officially start getting old.. It is when joints start to hurt.. When all-nighters are a little harder to do.. It is the age that you really start fighting weight.. It is the age when your dog really becomes your best friend.. (3 and a half times doggy years and no more puppy problems.. we just chill.)
15.) I need a patio, rocking chair, and a diet pepsi to use because these observations really make me feel old..

Anyways... Life ultimately is good here.. Dana and I are happy.. We went to Florida over Christmas to visit her mom.. It was fun.. and 80 degrees.. I'll let her tell you about it.. I need to go beck to the job hunt..
I hope all is well with all of you my friends..
I'll write soon
~ D

My two cents

2008-11-17T15:41:00.006-07:00

Well, Dallan did a good job with the rundown of the last month and a half or two, but I'd like to add a few my insights...

So it turns out I quit the job I was working at with the 4-H. It was easy and good pay but my boss was, shall we say, a bit unorganized and not the best work environment for me. So now I am going to snowboarding instructor auditions at Sundance this Saturday, so I'll either end up doing that or working the ticket both probably so I can get my free pass! Unless of course something else comes up. Dallan is looking for jobs too... hopefully we can find one in Colorado or somewhere fun and not

expensive like California. I have also made and sold a wedding cake since last we talked. I think it truned out alright, but you be the judge.

As Dallan said, my sister Nicki is getting married in about 3 weeks and we've got some friends and family coming in town this weekend which should be fun. Dallan and I have plans to go to Florida for Christmas and we are going to Washington for Thanksgiving where Dallan and Sydney will be singing in a holiday benefit concert there.

I suppose thats about all I had to say, so until next time... :)

2008-11-17T11:03:00.002-07:00

Ok. So I am getting used to the blogging thing, I have spaced the past few weeks. There isn't much to write about but the past months has had some highlights so I will try not to bore you too much.
Well, for our birthdays Dana and I took a trip to Vegas with my sister and some friends.

It was a great trip. We saw Dana Carvey, ate at a fancy restaurant called the Red 8, the boys played some poker, the girls went clubbing, and then we had a breakfast buffet at the Hotel Paris. All and all it was a vacation that was well needed.

That was the excitement for the month of October, oh.. another cd I worked on has now been released it's a guy called Allred the album is called "The Sound" I am really happy with the way the cd turned out.
So now we are on to November.. hmm.. Well I guess this would be an ok time to talk about the President Elect right?? After all it was a relevant happening in the month of November.. Personally I think I am going to run in 2012 here's why.. I think I am a like-able person. I am a moral person who has integrity. I make good decisions. I don't surround myself with terrorists. I also know that if you raise taxes on a business that one of two things is going to happen. Either a) They will raise the price of their service or goods. or b) They will fire a few employees. Add in a struggling economy that wont support high prices and boom you get option b. I also know that socializing medicine just doesn't make for the quality of medicine that we as Americans are used to.
You bored yet.. ok good.
I also found out in this month of November that it will be my last month on 1019 The End in the afternoon.. Yup it appears that option B has hit the Parker Show. I am actually ok with this though. I know that with every closed door comes more open ones right?
I got to host the Miss Wheelchair Utah over the weekend and man it was rewarding. I wouldn't have had this opportunity without the radio job and to see these women in their wheelchairs going about everyday achieving great things. This was a humbling experience and a lot of fun.
I am really looking forward to this week. A friend of mine and Dana's, Chris, is coming into town to visit and my Brother in Law, Jared, and Sister in Law, Sjanna, are coming into town. And we all are going to have a great time!!
OH YEAH.. My other sister in law, Nicki, is getting married and this is Sjanna and Jared's first time meeting the soon to be Brother in Law Cody.
SO MUCH GOING ON THIS WEEK AND NEXT.. WOO HOO!! I'll have more to write about!!

My Turn

2008-09-27T14:49:00.009-06:00

Well, its Dana this time writing, not sure what all to say, but I guess I'll just summarize whats been going on this year. So like Dallan said, we went to Florida in April and had some fun there. We wore "newlywed" pins so people gave us fast passes all the time, and we were technically still newlyweds even though it wasn't our honeymoon, so don't judge us for it. jk. We were also given a surprise newlywed cake when we went to the character breakfast.

In other news, I finished taking classes at BYU in the spring and had just one independent study left so I could graduate. As it turns out, I had 5 days left to finish the course and I failed the final!!! OOPS! Luckily they allow you one retake, so the pressure was on. Honestly I read over the book and got a B+ the next time around. So I graduated in August with a Bachelors Degree and then spent most all my time looking for jobs, going to interviews, and making cakes(my new found hobby). My family came out except for my mom and so did Dallan's, so to say the least, we ate a lot that week.

So i did get a job, just part-time though, with the 4H which will be nice when snowboarding season comes around! As for my cakes, well I'm getting pretty good at it I guess and Have been making business cards and contracts and everything so I can start my own business, the trick will be to get customers since I don't exactly have a bunch of money to put into advertising and marketing. So word of mouth will hopefully work out ok. Feel free to spread the word.

Other than that not too much else. Dallan and I played the Newlywed game on the air for his show against parker, his wife, and another dating couple (who later became engaged live on the show). Turns out me and Dal freak people out with how well we know each other. Welp, that about sums it up. I went on a little weekend retreat will some of the kids from 4H who will be our county ambassadors and we even went mini-golfing at LIberty Land!!! Heck ya!! haha, not really worth the drive for me on any other day, but it was close for the retreat. Ok, well Dal and I will update again after Vegas to let ya know how it went! OH! and my b-day is this coming thursday, so yay!

New Post Time... Hmm..

2008-09-27T12:37:00.004-06:00

I have been told that I need to post more often. Truth is that I was waiting for my dear wife to post one so that you could all get her view of the past year. I am sure she will post soon.. Maybe I will let her tell you our stories after Vegas next week. Yup we are going to Vegas. This is a trip we take every year for our birthdays, and have had a lot of fun doing it. We own a timeshare that allows us the freedom to travel around. So.. I use that as an excuse to do so. We went to Florida last April and visited the Mouse with my Brother and Sister in Law (Jared and Sjanna).. Yeah my wife is a bit of a Disney fan you could say.. I suppose I could say that Mr. M. Mouse is what connected Dana and myself together about 3 years ago. Sydney and Dana both worked at Disney for a semester as characters. They then came back to school here and so on so forth.. I got married. And I look hefty in this picture.

Not a whole lot has happened since my last post to be honest. Dana found a job planning activities for the local 4H club. She seems to enjoy it.. What more could I ask for right.. She has also found a talent in cakes.. yeah.. who knew?? Is going to start making cakes on the side for birthdays, weddings, and other events.. Again.. she is creative, and enjoys it.. so who am I to get in the way.

um.. yeah.. so I don't have a whole lot more to say except that I am looking forward to winter for no other reason then I don't have to mow the lawn for a few months.. OH YEAH.. I just got my website up and am working on another project as well..
check out dbsoundinc.com and for those of you who liked the Acoustic Tuesdays stuff.. I am going to start the podcast up again, and have a website I am working on which will be at acoustictuesdays.com when I am finished with it.

I'll have more to write in a week or so when we get back from Vegas.. Till then be safe.

One Year Later.. (Dallan)

2008-09-02T23:40:00.010-06:00

So.. I guess that I thought I would stop with the blogging thing after my trip to Iraq, but it seems I am really bad at keeping in touch.. It really makes sense to write things down once and a while, and while doing that why not keep people informed at the same time..

So lets see... hmm. I got back from Iraq where I really did have a once in a lifetime experience. (It's all the 2007 blog found here) And decided that it really was time to take the plunge.. Time to get married.. So I proposed to Dana around August 25, and quite honestly the rest of the year is a blur.. At some point I started working for 101.9 The End as an On Air Talent in the afternoons.

At some point we had engagement pictures taken..

We got married on December 14th in Salt Lake and had our Honeymoon in the Caribbean, and might I add that if you are going to have a honeymoon, second honeymoon, or a vacation in the near future, cruises are awesome!! It is a 100% no worries vacation.. So after the holidays, Christmas with my parents and New Years with her dad we finally after 3 weeks got back to our home. Home felt so nice..

This year has been one of growth for the both of us and marriage has proven to be such a blessing in so many ways that I couldn't even begin to list.. Sometimes it is challenging I will admit.. But all of the time it is worth it!! We have a house that we are sort of remodeling one room at a time, UGH.. Just kidding it is very cool to step back and see the improvements while being able to say..."I did that".. haha... and we have a kid.. well not really a kid, but probably about the same.. plus 2 legs, hair all over the body, goes to the bathroom outside, and a wet nose... Of course I am talking about our dog Sadi. She is a Black Lab/Boxer mix and so much fun..

I still work as a freelance audio engineer and have so much fun producing, engineering, and mixing music, but another fun and exciting path has been started.. That is the addictive one of the On Air Personality.. I have never thought of myself as having an addictive personality but let me tell you.. Talking about music is so much fun.. I am the side-kick on the Parker Show afternoons from 3-7 on 101.9 The End.. We are like a morning show, but in the afternoon.. So much fun.. If you want to listen it streams online at 1019theend.com It isn't great pay yet, but I am learning a lot about radio, and think it could be a very good road for me to travel down. Eh.. We'll see I guess..

Anyways, I think that is the long story short version.. I am sure that Dana will post something here too, so I don't want to say everything.. (she just graduated with a degree in "travel and tourism" and is trying to find a job as an event planner, cake decorator, or something fun.. and Disney-ish..)

Anyways, I will try to update this frequently and hopefully you enjoy reading it.. if not.. hmm . oh well!!

~Dallan

One last post..

2007-07-24T07:51:00.000-06:00

ok so it has become extremely addicting to post these, and I feel like I should give the jerks who have turned this into a spelling review on last stab at me when I am not hurried to post an email because of a 10 minute internet limit or something like that..
The rest of the trip went by really quick.. We did one last show in Bahrain and it was humid.. HUMID... The day after the show was a relax day for all of us, however we almost had to extend the tour another 4 days because another ship wanted us to come out and play... But.. travel arrangements could not be made due to thursday being the equivalent to saturday in the arab world..
Any ways I won't bore you talking about my plane flight and such, but what I will sum up the whole trip now...
AWESOME..
This trip was amazing, life changing, and fun..
I have yet to figure out how to put all of what I have seen, experienced, and felt into any sort of communication worthy form.. It was simply surreal... from getting off the bus in Djabuti and being surrounded by many little children just wanting food..To being surrounded by the great people of our Armed Forces for 25 days.. These guys are making amazing sacrifices every day they are there and they believe in their cause.. Rightfully so .. There is so much to this war that we never see on FOX or CNN.. And really the war effort, as cruel as it may seem at times is opening up experiences to countries that probably would still be led by horrible men were it not for us..
If any of the service men are reading this... THANK YOU... Thank you for the sacrifice you make to keep this an away game, so that my freedom is not challenged or threatened like the people over there..
Welp.. I am trying to figure out my sleep schedule now that I am on the otherside of the world, and it is time for a little breakfast to keep myself from getting tired mid-day..
love you all..
D

MIddle of the Gulf??

2007-07-18T01:08:00.001-06:00

7-16-07
ok so the last few days I have been on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, a Navy Ship based in San Diego.. This trip was so cool!! We were helo'd in on Monday and recieved a celebrity welcome (they had cameras, video, and hats made for us.. It was crazy.. We then got to our rooms, were showed around the ship, and then the band got to call the numbers for the weekly bingo.. Me, as the sound guy, got to ditch out on this and went to play poker with some of the pilots.. (I totally won!) Then it was bed time.
7-17-07
So I woke up way early to do one last load of laundry because I shorted my self on underware for the trip.. After doing this we took a tour of the entire ship.. We saw the Chapel,Briggs,Hangar,Amphibious Hangar,Navigation room, Captains Room, Weapons Room, okok.. it was pretty much the coolest tour ever. We then went ate lunch and set up.. Now on the ocean it was only 98 degrees... but... was also 80% humidity..
UGH.. Two soaked shirts later the show was over and it was time to go to bed..
One more performance, and two more days.. woo hoo..
Coach sounds pretty nice to me.. My own bed.. My own shower.. ahhhhhh.
love you all.

last but not least.

2007-07-15T09:38:00.000-06:00

Welp.. It is the end of a Sunday here, and I fly out Thursday...
Now it is a 4 day event.. We are in Bahrain, and life is good.. We are staying in another hotel tonite and then will be out on a ship for a few days, returning on wednesday for one last show, and thursday we pack up and check out..
Today we took our last C-130 flight, and let me tell you..IT SUCKED.. We were placed on a C-130 headed for Djabuti, by way of Bahrain and Qatar.. I became apparent that the only reason the plane stopped in Kuwait was for us.. especially when all the Navy Men..(sea-men) hahaha.. were pissed at us because of the stop.
Well the Air Conditioner was Broken and on this flight there were about 40 of us.. The woman next to me fell asleep and then leaned on my arm.. with about all of her body weight.. And the guy behind me was pushing through his seat..
I WAS MISRABLE..
But now I have taken a nap and feel great..
Not much to report today, but all is well in the land of Hairdryers, Showers, and Plastic Bags..
Love you all, See you soon
~D

Day 5 Iraq/Kuwait

2007-07-14T09:14:00.000-06:00

July 14
Ok, so I woke up this morning, and was regular.. opted for no shower because tonite.. I am in the hotel that I started in.. A good shower is what this boy wanted.. We were helicoptered back into Al Asad (Iraq) and then from there caught a C-130 here to Kuwait. I got to sit on the flight deck for the take off.. It was pretty cool.. You would never guess just how close you are to other planes during this time.. We landed and met up with Justin.. our babysitter.. we went and checked into the hotel, and then went to a mall for a bite of lunch.. This may sound a little weird but this hotel that I was so up about at the beginning of the tour feels weird now.. I don't know why.. I guess that after only 3 weeks I had gotten use to the inconvience of the Military.. Having to get out of your bed, having to leave your room, and walk 400 yards just to go the bathroom.. Walk a quarter mile and reach the Dining Facilities.. (DFAC) I feel a little out of place now in the hotel..And really spoiled..
Now and for the rest of the day I am just relaxing in the hotel..Tomorrow we leave for our last country on the tour.. Bahrain.. Only four days left.. I DID IT!!! WOO HOO!!

Iraq.. Day 4...ugh..

2007-07-14T08:54:00.000-06:00

Ok.. so the GI Cocktail didn't work.. We woke up this morning I went and took a shower.. when I got into the shower I could not find that balance where it isn't cold.. But it also isn't straight from the sun.. As I am finding the correct blend, I get yelled at by a Navy guy.. "Hey we are on water concervation here" to which I yelled back.. "Yeah is it the cold water, cause I can't stop burning myself.."
to which he replied.. "beats no water" I left the arguement there.. but really if you can't even get under the water stream because it feels like a smelting pot of hot liquid is being poured over you, you may as well have no water.. you can't enjoy it.. anyways we then boarded a helicopter... a something 53... and flew off to Al Qaim (AL Kime) This is out there.. about 15 miles from Syria.. It is where USA troup medivacs are out of.. when we got there, while on the tour of the hospital, my problem came up and they gave me a dose of Milk of Magnesia (spelling?) Yeah.. just to keep the suspense down.. it didn't fix my growing problem.. While in the hospital I actually saw a Camel Spider.. They are mean looking.. and not really spiders.. they actually fall under the Scopion Family.. But if you haven't seen one I recomend checking it out.. It is wicked..
Anyways it was time to set up and we did so.. We met some Iraqi Soldiers (special forces) that the US is training to be the future good guys in Iraq. These guys were cool, we chatted for a bit, and after a few pictures it was time to go back to the bunk and change for the gig.. (for me.. time to go back to the doc..) OH.. the doc is from Aberdeen.. Doc Benett is his name and he graduated in 1988 from my alma matter.. CRAZY EH??!! anyways here is the conversation..
me "still not goin well doc"
doc "hmmm.. well, we aren't far from invasive procedures"
me "gulp."
doc "I have one other thing I guess we can try..."
(time passes)
doc "Take one of these in twelve hour incriments as needed.. DO NOT OVERDOSE"
me "ok... so um... how long should it be before I see results?
doc "You should be on Stand-by.."
me... "ok"
Now I didn't think that it would work.. but I am amazing now... whew..
Anyways we played the show, it went well.. visited with the people of the base..
Did a call in to 101.9 to give them an update..
and went to bed..

Ok.. so Iraq DAY 3 is HERE

2007-07-12T07:36:00.001-06:00

I realize I forgot to put this one on the last post.. here it is..

7-12-07 Iraq.
Welp.. I woke up this morning with really bad stomache pain.. got up took a shower and figured that I would just tough it out, get through the day, and by then it would be better.. We went and saw the prowler (a radar jet), and the FA-18 (a supersonic fighter jet..) By lunch time the pain was enough to stop me and make me breathe through it.. (Pain comes in spurts about 5 minutes apart)(NOT PREGNANT!!)
Well I went to the Medical center (base from MA)and got it checked out by the Urologist.. Got a CAT scan.. (using my tax dollars.) and found out that my bowels are full enough that they are pushing the bladder around, causing the cramping.. Well they gave me the G.I. Cocktail as they call it, and as I sit and write this I sort of feel like a time bomb waiting to explode.. Not sure when or where.. but I hear it is magical fireworks..
We also play a show tonite so if anything exciting happens I will be sure to write and tell you about it..
anyways.. love you all..
~D

Iraq (Day 2 and Day 3)

2007-07-12T07:14:00.000-06:00

7-11-07 Ramadi, Iraq
Well today was a great day.. We woke up, showered (if that is what you call it) and then went out and about. We got to take a tour/sit in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and then it was lunch time.. After lunch we went to the place where the show was to be held to set up and soundcheck. The building was recently damaged in a car bombing incident.. (Just the concussion from one mom.. don't worry) We would have probably been better off playing in a very large cave.. seriously.. I haven't felt the best the past few days, I will write more in Day three about that.. So we soundchecked and then played the show shortly there after.. When the show was done we finally got to eat and while we were an man from the Army came up and talked to us.. He has been here for over a year, searching for mines.. He came up and told us that his day was going terrible and he was way down, he was missing his wife and kids and has seen a lot of people in his crew get hurt, and just hearing music made him feel a little bit better about the day.. THAT IS WHY I CAME.. I know that I am not actually playing the music.. But I am playing a role in a much bigger picture, and what I am doing for only 25 days these guys do for 120 days (Air Force), 6 months (Marines), and up to 18 months for the Army.. If all I have to do is run sound.. Man.. that is an easy way to make someones day a little brighter.. After that we packed up and were Helicoptered (at night..)((Mom... You cannot see the helicopters at night, unless they are about 200 yards away))back to Al Asad where we will play on Day 3 in Iraq..

~D

Iraq (Day one)

2007-07-11T00:22:00.000-06:00

7-10-07 Flight to Iraq
Ok, so if you are at all worried about me being here.. don't read beyond this..
GULP..
Our flight left out of U.A.E. at noon directly for Al Asad in Iraq.. This was a Marine KC-130 J.. (Kerosene/Cargo 130 J type..see I am learning)
I GOT TO FLY IT!! The pilot invited us up one by one and explained the HUD, and then let us take control of the plane for 10 minutes or so.. It is really touchy and responds well.. Then we had to put on our vests as we flew over Iraq.. We did a Combat Landing into Al Asad.. Quite frankly I was ready for worse.. And I think I have had worse landings flying Southwest, but hey it was like a rollercoaster at times.. When we got into Al Asad we got to meet the crews of the Harrier, and the A-10 (war hog) and take a tour of the plane.. the A-10 is a machine gun with wheels.. 30 millimeter rounds.. huge bullets.. We then got fitted for Kevlar and Helmets and got onto a Heavily Armored, Heavily Armed (two 50 cal machine guns) Helicopter and were flown into Ramadi.. Check your maps folks.. I am in a suburb of Baghdad..
Crazy eh.. well I am into day two of Iraq and all is well..
Hope you are all doing well.
catch ya soon..

Last Day of Djabuti, All of U.A.E., Travel to Iraq..(Long one)

2007-07-10T23:31:00.001-06:00

Ok so.. The U.A.E. was filtered internet so I couldn't get on, but I kept notes, and a lot has happened so this one could be a novella..
So.. here we go..
7-6-07 Last day of Djabuti, travel to U.A.E.
Welp.. I woke up this morning feeling good went to the bathroom and when I got back the tent was still pitch black so I couldn't get dressed. So I decided "when in Rome" I laid down with the idea of going to sleep.. I felt something on my leg.. as a guy we have leg hair and sometimes they get twisted and untwist.. this is what this felt like so I gave it a brush.. 5 seconds later.. my upper leg.. UPPER UPPER leg was on fire.. stinging like crazy.. I jumped out of bed and ran to the shower and began to check myself.. sure enough 3 bite marks.. all of them on the leg, one of them close enough to important man stuff that man stuff was in the radius of sting.. Worried about my boys I went up to the infermary and talked to a nurse.. She gave me benedryl and said.."bug bites sting worse here.." ok.. now I would like to point out that if this were on my lower leg I probablly would have ridden it out and not worried about it.. But.. it was my future children we were messin with.. Anyways all still here.. stang all day though.. I feel better now.
Anyways we went to lunch and then caught our C-130 which was a little more comfy to Qatar.. When we got into Qatar we had problems.. I HAVE NOW OFFICALLY BEEN DEPORTED FROM A COUNTRY!!!! WOOHOO.. Our orders from the milatary said nothing about our trip being routed through Qatar and the government requires that all passangers go through customs.. So the military's solution to this so that we didn't go to prison.. Fill out the deportation papers and deport us to U.A.E., they are supposed to deport us back to Djabuti, but Qatar has no clue where our planes go..
So I have been Deported..
We finally arrived in U.A.E. at 3a.m.
This is a posh base.. It has all cement, a pool, a nice stage, a nice dining hall, and laundry facilities..

7-7-07 U.A.E. (Day one)
Conditions here are about as hotel like as the military gets I think..
We woke up, showered, and then went to meet the General. General Wells is a nice man, the only man in the air force who was selected from flight school to fly the F-16.. the first version F-16.. He told us alot about the support they provide from this base and all the great things they do, and the cool stuff we would get to see..
On this base they have the U2, the Global Hawk, KC-10, KC-170, C-130, and the one plane that has the satelite spinny thing on the top.. The rest of the day was pretty much normal for me now on tour.. We set up, sound checked and played two shows, one at 8pm, and one at 1am for the swing shift crew who never gets to see shows.. It was the least we could do.

7-8-07 U.A.E. (Day two)
TODAY I WASN'T THE FIRST ONE UP!!??? But I was number two.. I woke up and had lunch on the Flight Line! We got to have the Airforce Backlot tour. Got to see all the planes up close and personal.. This was so cool.. We found out what all the letters mean in front of the plane number, and such.. man I have a cool gig!! When we got back I went to church and then we went into AbuDahbi.. Before going we were briefed on customs and culturs in the city.. First the band members had to remove their earrings..(oh do I have funny stories), second, when in the city do not show the soles of your shoes because you are telling people that they are below dirt, They talk close (no hula hoop) accept that.. The city was cool, we ate at this restaraunt that served real arabic food and it was delicious.. On the way home we were talking to the Major about his thoughts on the war he put it simply.. he said "For those who think we shouldn't be here tell them this.. We are over here in the Middle East simply to keep terrorism an away game"
I think that was a good one.. I liked it..

7-9-07
Well I woke up and did my laundry.. The guys.. Still not up.. Big Suprise eh? Our flight was canceled today.. not much to say.. I am almost done reading my book..Watched a Vollyball match between the Firemen and the Police.. It was crazy! Like the pro's.. that is about it..

Camp Lemonier (Djabouti Day 3)

2007-07-05T16:07:00.000-06:00

Ok.. today was amazing, humbling, and exhausting..
I am so blessed to be raised in America by a hecka cool ma and pa..There are so many little things I have the oppertunity to take advantage of in life... My blessings are many..We woke up this morning and headed into down town Djabouti.. ok.. there is poor, and there is poverty, and then this.. Grown men wearing flip flops that could fit my sister, women and children walking around this dirty town barefoot, and worst of all children begging the minute you step off of the bus for something to eat, or a drink of your water...lots of them... People shouldn't have to live like that.. And the worst thing of all with the children is you can't give the water, or the food to them because they will get completely beaten up for it by someone older.. All of us wished we could have planned ahead and grabbed a couple cases of water..
It is like back in Washington when you throw bread to one seagull and all of a sudden you have 50 coming at you.. It is just heart breaking, but at the same time it forces the realization of all the oppertunities that I have been given right down to the fact that I have never had no option but to starve.. Man.. It was a lot to take in..
Well we went shopping downtown.. these guys are hustlers.. big time.. They quote a price that is insane and you barter with them back and forth until you get the price you want to pay for the item.. its so easy. We also went to a 7 star hotel.. YEAH IN A COUNTRY THIS POOR A 7 STAR HOTEL EXISTS!!
Well we came back to Camp Lemonier and played the show, nothing too eventful else happened..ooohh.. Remember the sound guy I talked to when I first came into town, who well.. Expected less.. Yeah.. he asked me about what I was doing with my drum mic's to get them sounding so good.. (stretch, yahn, ruffle chest..) He told me that before we got there my reputation through the company had already gotten to him..
(Anal SoundGuy who is really good...) woohoo!!
AND IT RAINED!! ok so for only like 5 minutes which means that the mosquitoes are going to be out full force tonite.. but it rained in Djabuti..Mosquitoes stay away..
So tomorrow is a travel day and I am not sure about the acomidations at the next base.. but U.A.E. is where we are headed..On a C-130... Life is great.. I can't complain..
Love you all.
~D

Camp Lemonier (Djabouti Day 2)

2007-07-04T14:46:00.001-06:00

Two words..."Gold Bond".. It is pretty dang hot here.. and humid.. humid humid...
So I have been consistantly waking up before the band, and this day was like every other.. I woke up a good 4 hours before they did.. I think my body knows that if I shower that early I can enjoy about an hour before it starts to get sweaty hot.. At least here.. So far this is the hottest place.. I would say I have gone in order.. from the coolest feeling to the hottest..
Well.. I woke up at 6 this morning wide awake showered, ate breakfast, and then started to wash my clothes.. I then threw my clothes in the dryer, enter Rob and Alex, the first band members awake at ten thirty..After doing laundry we went to the DFAC to have some lunch.. So it is the Fourth of July.. and I am on a Marine/Navy Base.. (This base is featured in this months Esquire..(Angelina Jolie is on the Cover)and also in the first few minutes of Shooter... If you are interested in seeing where I am at check those out...
I am a little timid to say much about this base because there are people that people don't talk about here.. They don't exist..
We got to go to the Armory today and get a tour..I got a pic of me manning the .50 cal, and holding a saw.. pretty cool if you ask me.. those guns are heavy...
I also learned a lot about the Marines today too.. For instance in the marines there aren't any medics.. See... The Marines are a branch of the Navy, and the Navy provides the medics for the Marines.. They are called ducks..
Anyways we say some cool weapons in the Armory, and learned how are tax dollars are wasted, and used well..
Well we did that and then I was ready for a rest.. So I went back to the bunk and read my book a little.. (i overheated..)OH speaking of overheating.. I bought a pair of shoes for this trip.. I got them at Ross and didn't pay a whole lot for them.. but..the sole has melted a bit.. and now has re-hardened concave so it feels a little weird when I walk.. Anyways..I like bikes.
So then it was show time, we did the show, had to stop in the middle for taps..
but all and all it went well.. Tomorrow we are being taken into the capital of Djabuti!! and to a cheeta reservation.. pretty exciting eh??
welp.. time to sleep...

Djabouti (Day one)

2007-07-03T12:21:00.000-06:00

Djabouti, pronounced "jah-boo-tee"... ok.. so set down your hair dryers.. jump into the hot hot hot shower, and put a plastic bag over your head... there is Djabouti.. You are now here with me..
To get to Djabouti we woke up at 7am for our Millitary Air Flight at 10am. We got to the airfield and got customs stuff wrapped up and then went and got some breakfast.. If you are wondering why we left so early.. read yesterdays blog.. Customs.. that is why.. Welp.. we boarded the C-130, the Air Force's Prop plane.. and were off.. Wanna know what this is like?? Catch a flight from New York to L.A. on a bad lawn chair turned sideways.. I will be honest though it wasn't as bad as I expected.. I have actually flown comercial that was more bumpy..
We got to Djabouti and de-planed got our gear and then headed off to the venue..
I got the "oppertunity" to spend a little time in a room with their sound guy while he told me about the gear available.. (oh dear)
Learned some facts about here though.. We are here primarily as P.R. helping dig wells, build buildings, basicly just to help.. This is because Somalia is about 18 miles South.. Remember Black Hawk Down.. ok well the idea is make good, show them that we aren't the white devil, and sooner or later Africa will understand that we aren't the bad guy, and will take some initative to help us flush out the bad guys.
like Qatar a small number of the population is actually....Djaboutians? Majority are refugees from the contries surrounding..
Anyways we set up our stuff tonite, and I get to do laundry tomorrow... YAY!!
I am feeling a little sick.. I am going to bed to try to sleep it off..
~D

Qatar.. (a three day story)

2007-07-02T15:16:00.001-06:00

The first base that we were in Al Udid (AL YOU-Deed) had super filters on all of the computers so I had to take a few days off, but I kept notes and am still alive to write about it.. (haha.. there is no danger....yet)
Here we go..
Day 1 (Saturday June 30)
Well, Allen was still sick, when we got to the APOD (air strip) we took him to the doctor on base.. he was hooked up to another IV and was diagnosed with a virus in his intestine.. (Wash your hands people) So we had to take a later flight which was ok.. we were put on a C-17.. for you information types that is not the super huge one.. but you can fit a Black Hawk helocopter on it.. (It is the second biggest cargo plane in the fleet.. The pilot (a girl) told us that they throw a football around or a frisbee on long flights.. It is huge!! While waiting for this plane to arrive all of our gear sat on the tarmac waiting.. it got so hot that some of the cases warped, some of them melted a little..While waiting I learned some cool facts..
a)Qatar, pronounced "Cud-er", is populated by 20% Qatar citizens..80% are on as private contractors, or the workforce from other countries.
b) It has only a 7% crime rate compared to the mil bases 17%. This is due to public punishment..
c) When we get to Iraq... We have to perform a Combat Landing..(or controled crash as the army calls it.) One told me "have your barf bag ready." oye...

Ok so we got to Qatar finally.. went though customs. Found out they are more picky because they want to show people of usa that they are in charge. they do not allow any outside magizines to come in..
Well we got to the base and pretty much got ready for bed.. we took a look at the venue..nicknamed the "bra" for obvious reasons when I finally saw it..
On this base Al Udid it is a coalition base housing 17 different nations next to us Americans.. EVEN KIWI's
Good Night..

Day 2 (Sunday July 1st)
So we are sleeping in a tent city.. yup in an air conditioned tent..with rats..
Well if I haven't told you what Qatars Climate is like.. Grab your hairdryer and go back into your bathroom.. turn the hot water in the shower on hot.. shut the door.. let it get steamy in the room.. do the hair dryer thing again..
Basicly.. Stuff onions and celery up my butt and put an apple in my mouth cause I am in the lords confection oven.. and I am one baked ham..
However if you wake up at 5:45.. It is perfect.. 86 degrees.. untill 7.. when it is too hot..
On this base water is shipped in..So we get to take combat showers.. 30 seconds to get wet..turn off water..lather...2 min thirty seconds to rinse. As I said earlier the internet is way filtered..
I went to church on the base..It was a great meeting.. the bishop talked about how he was able to go home for 2 weeks and how he was so thankful that his family supported him, and that he was so gratefull that his wife and kids were willing to sacrifice for him.. It was touching because never once did he talk about his sacrifice,or his service..
After church it was time to feel out the "bra" and set up the sound. Oh boy was my work cut out for me.. This stage had all the challenges of an out door stage with the acoustics of an indoor stadium.. I worked a little too hard, with a lot to little water in 108 degrees, and got a little sick becuase of it.. but after a few waters and a military hydration pack..(gross) I am good enough.. (a little headache.) Oh boy.. I made it sound good.. but man my ears are fried, and I am a little irritated.. Good Night.

Day Three (As Salya)
As Salya, pronounced (ah-sa-lee-ah)is the destination for todays journey.. We wake up at 7 to find out that we have to wait because Qatar is being even stricter today with the customs thing.. Finally at two the bus arrives and brings us to base with a little stop on the side... Remember how we had to go through customs on day one?? well.. had to do it again on day 3.. got here.. set up.. played a show.. This base is known as a r & r base.. today we had a group from Washington who are stationed in Bahgdad and on a 4 day R&R.. This was a good gig, met some nice people..
I am really tired though.. and need to go to bed..
and if you have made it this far in this post.. so should you..
Tomorrow..... Djabuti..
Peas out..

Beihlring (Kuwait)

2007-06-29T15:00:00.001-06:00

Today was hot.. 129 degrees to be precise.. But either I am getting use to it, or after about 105 it all seems the same.. I am not sure, but it just didn't seem all that hot to me.. but the Dang sand blowing around is driving me nuts.. It is that fine sand that.... ugh.. just blows in your face, gets in your hair, screws with your contacts..
After another wonderful breakfast at the hotel.. They have this smoked salmon.. oh.. it is a very enjoyable that smoked salmon.... mmmmm... salmon... We left for the base, today was Camp Beihlring.. It is named after a soldier that got killed in 2003 in a hospital in Iraq.. To get from our hotel to this base we had to take a road familiar from the first gulf war.. The Death Mile it is called.. Ray, one of our security MP's, was a Marine during this time and had some amazing stories. All that is left of the first gulf war are the burnt carcasas of cars, hum-vees, etc.. At this base, Camp Beihlring, they are the final training facility for 95% of the troops before going into Iraq. Crazy eh?

When we got there we met the on base care person..(the mom of the camp.) Her name is Big Mama.. Now I don't really need to say much more.. because the stereo-typical person you probally get in your head when I say her name is "Big Mama" is probably correct.. Such a nice lady.. who just tells it like it is..child..

Well.. Set up went really smooth no big issues or fires to put out.. (knock on wood.)

OOOOHHHH I got a picture with a camel!! If I could upload pictures from my camera I would.. I have taken quite a few.. (ADD moment.)

Tonite the show went well, except the lead singer had a battle with heat stroke/Dehydration, and lost.. after the show got over he had to get an IV.. It is so hot here..Crazy eh??

Welp time to go to bed.. Tomorrow we travel via C-130 to our next location.. Military Transport... woo hoo.. when do I get to shoot a gun..!!

Alafror (Kuwait)

2007-06-28T14:05:00.001-06:00

Well I guess I should start with breakfast.. It was SO GOOD.. I think I have forgotten just how good food is outside the U.S.A. We ate in the hotel, 5 star suites we are staying in. Fresh Sqeezed Juice and a buffet spread that would make Tucano's seem like nothing.. Then we were off to the base.. (lunch and dinner... not as good as breakfast, still pretty ok though.) We met with the head honcho of the base Alarfar (or something like that.) Talked with him for a bit about the runnings of this base, and the he presented us with a certificate of service and a gift..

Well... now comes time for set up.. I want you all to take a break from reading this go into your bathroom and grab your hair dryer.... I'll wait... .... .... .... .... ok.. plug it in.. hold it about 7 inches away from your face aimed at you...Turn it on hi.. sit for about five minutes this way... again... I will wait...... This is what it feels like here.. You get kind of numb to the heat, untill you enter a Air Conditioned Room.. Then your body releases all the sweat it has appearantly been hanging on to.. And you realize just how hot you have been... It really isn't that bad when you just stay outside.. (can't imagine what the rest of the day would feel like though..)

This has been a great experience already.. I have learned a lot about why it costs so much to be over here in this "war", that we really should be here, and that the troups feel that way too.. That is why they are here..

My job is so cool.

Oh yeah.. the system I am running is a bit underpowered..(I hate that) but it is functional. I can make it sound good..

Welp.. In Kuwait Finally..

2007-06-27T15:26:00.001-06:00

It is midnight on wednesday and we just checked into the hotel.. It's 100 degrees. no joke...
For those who are worried.. we are guarded well.. (6 suburban caravan... think the president)
So I guess there isn't much to write about the flight... my flight to Amsterdam was freezing.. (literally) I could see my breath.. But got me here safe.. It is kind of funny.. I had visions of them having to shew the camels off of the runway so that we could land and then pulling up to a tent labeled bagage claim... Not the case..
flying over Kuwait you would recognize it as any normal american city.. Lights Cars.. no Camels..
We are staying in a really nice hotel, with great Air Conditioning..
All my bags got here...
That is about all there is to say..
Love you all..
Dallan

Here I go..

2007-06-26T10:32:00.000-06:00

Well.. I guess it is fitting for me to add a musical referance as I write this blog.. So here it goes.. I want you to turn on Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones.. That is the song my inner DJ is spinning for the time being.

I am really nervous... But sooo excited to go.. I can't seem to gather the words I want to say so I guess I will for the record write down how I got the oppertunity to go and bring entertainment to the troops that are protecting the freedoms that I enjoy.

About 2 months ago I ran sound for a band based out of Atlanta.. "Five Star Iris" It was a fun gig, fun guys, good music.. I love my job. Well after the gig they said they felt really comfortable on stage with the sound and asked me how I felt about doing my job in a place where I would have to be fit for a flack jacket and a helmet to be flown in.. here is the dialogue from that point as far as I remember it.. "..... huh... hmmm... well... sure......"
In the past few years I have seen quite a few proposals for gigs and such.. many of them fall through.. I thought that this one would as well..
two weeks go by. and I get a call from Garrett... (the band manager) And gives me a quote, talks to me about where we'd be going and I say... Lemme think about it for a day..

Well here I am.. about to leave for the Airport.. I have my Dog watchers in place..(sadi is my dog.)(sydney, dana, and bob are taking shifts.) I have had a plethora of shots and am immune to just about everything, totally packed, And I am scared... mainly because at about 96 degrees I begin to feel like a stick of butter in a hot frying pan... (120 degrees is normal for over there this time of year..) But also it is an adventure that not many people get to experience without holding a gun.. me I am holding mics..
So, raise the curtains.. here I go..

Getting Ready..

2007-06-25T09:32:00.000-06:00

Welp. It's Monday and I am getting ready to go.. As my Grandpa Kuhni would say.."I am as nervous as a whore in church with a bastard on each knee." I don't think I have been this nervous since the day I stood in Boston and realized that I was alone in one big city, and that it was time to make change.. Well I think I am at that crossroad again in ways.. I am not alone, I am not needing to make much change, but I am going to have to adapt to a different life style temporally a life style where I have to think about my personal safety before I walk out of the shower..

I took the anti-terrorist test a few weeks ago, it was more about how to identify your surroundings when you are more apt to be a target, and well...It's decided.. I am a sitting duck.. I may as well wear a target.. Things like walk around your car before getting in, search it, but don't touch while you search..

Woah.. It's a lot to think about..

Welp.. It is time to go get some light weight fabric clothes that I don't mind killing because it is way too hot over there.. gotta remember to drink lots of water..

love you all.