so much time..so little info...

well it certainly has been quite a while since i have posted last......nothing really too amazingly exciting has been going on.......i have been living in liberal, ks again...and just workin....workin out....and hangin out.......life in liberal does not get too exciting.....but it has been enjoyable.....it will do for now until i figure out what i am going to do next....hmm....thats it...

SKYDIVING!!!!

So the picture says it all...well...and the title...yes..i did jump out of a perfectly good plane at 10,000 feet...basically two miles.....and it was absolutely amazing!!!! we did a front flip out of the plane.....went into free fall for a while...hit speed in excess of 120mph.....and then the chute got pulled.....while we were coming down under canopy we got to do some turns and spirals which was amazing......then float down to earth from far above....and just hang out....see the scenery..just an amazing experience.......so basically for the weekend i hung out in wichita....denton just got back into town...so i went with his fam up to wichita....he wanted to take some of his family skydiving....and i got to go with them...and i am soo happy i got to...its so crazy how much of an awesome experience it is.....i mean i have never been really fond of heights....but i can really say i wasnt scared or worried...it just all seemed nice and exciting....even when i had to watch a video and sign multiple waivers saying i might get hurt or die...and its solely my responsibility and not in any way the company that was taking me diving...i still felt pretty confident......all in all.....to date that probably is the most extreme thing i have done....jumped out of a plane.......and now to top it!!!!!! a new story will come soon! btw...still in liberal hangin out....waiting to go south!!

about the last week of may....

well yesterday my lil sis just had her 22nd bday(the pic is cherie' in the middle...her husband josh to the left....and terry(a friend of the family) to the right...........we had about 14 ppl at the house......me and berakah grilled up the jalepenos and vegetables......that was some good times....cherie' had made curried turkey.....and then cathi made this dessert...jody made some home made chips.....then there was a fruit bowl....and corn......basically a glorious dinner!! we hung out for a while.....ate some dinner......then cherie' opened her presents....i think she got everything she wanted....haha....after we were just toatally stuffed...we played a "family oriented" game of i never....we actualy played that for a real long time...and had a lot of fun.....for those of you who have never played the family oriented version of the game......still basicaly the same rules apply...but you talk about more wholesome things.....so one person stands in the middle of the group...you set up chairs in a circle.....and they say something they have never done......now everyone else in the circle who has done this thing....has to get up...and everyone has to change seats.....then you tie in musical chairs....because whoever doesnt have a chair to sit in....has to be the next person in the middle and say something they have never done......its a great time to find out what someone has or hasnt done...and its pertty hilarious to find that out.......assumptions are great..........anyways....after a long time of that game...and the funny stories pointed out....we all decided it was time for a couple old family videos.....we basically have two vhs tapes that we have from a long time ago....about 1993..........and we all laughed....a lot.....and had some good times remembering and watching what we used to act like(a lot hasnt changed to be honest..lol)...i love some family time....we all really got along so that was a bonus too!!! thanks to everyone for the wonderful nite!!!! today....i ran a couple miles...and still am gonna go to the gym for a shoulder workout.....then relax.....i love relaxing.....almost as much as sleeping........peace...

some catchin up to do...

well it certainly has been a while since i have written......first of all...next weekend i am going skydiving...so look for that post which should be awesome!!
we finished mom's garden basically......they got the rest of the flowers planted......and then we decided to get rid of the wood that was surrounding the it, and we installed the little brick things two layers high to make it look nice......i think i might put up a pic so you can see a front view of the house/garden......ok i already put the pic up...so you probably already saw it...so telling you that i am going to put up a pic....probably is just extra info at this point....kind of like a rhetorical question......
anyways....im glad thats all done....another home improvement job that i got to do and berakah helped me was fixing the door and latch on a fence.....a wood fence......basically the person who made the fence did a horrible job.....anyways....to keep my frustrations to a minimal...ill just give the short details......i had to replace the 2x4 that was used with the hinge....to realize that it was not installed in the correct place...so i had to move that....and then i had to cut down the other diagonal 2x4 so it would fit where it needed to be...and then replaced the top piece of wood too...since it was just crap....had to realign the fence...bring it up....then cut the bottom of the fence so it wouldnt rub on the grass and cement......then install a new handle and latch....and it took forever cause the ppl who installed it initially(like i previously mentioned) did a horrible job.....but i got a little taste of what mark goes through when he does jobs around the house...anyways...thats over and done with...and i know it will work for her...so i am happy.....and moving on......
ive basically just been hangin out and relaxin the past couple weeks....goin to bed when i want....wakin up when i want...its nice....i know i wont always get to do that...so i am doin it while i can......this past week i dont think i have made it to the gym...so i will have to get on that.....its been nice seein the fam a bit.....well i think im gonna figure out what i have going on today...so i will write to you all some other time......

a weekend including mothers day....

well tonite i will have been back in liberal a full week!!! it has been great seeing a few people...but the town itself is not my favorite at all!!! berakah has really been giving me hard workouts....today is going to be a chest workout......in some of the things b has been stronger than me....but in others i am stronger than him.....he has a different workout style than me....so its good changin up the routine......still keeping the goal of being healthy in mind!!! gotta have close to a beach body for when i make it down south........so yesterday was mother's day......i woke up and went to church with my momma.....and we got her flowers...which she really liked.....after church i rode with poncho and momma walter to perryton.....sarah johnson walter (yes big joe's wife) had come to town to visit joe's family...so i went and hung out with the walter clan for the afternoon.....it seems they are all doin great....all the kids are growing up....and it seems sarah and joe are really doin great and enjoying the married life so i am so happy for them!!! caitlyn was visiting sarah while she was visiting and came long too, so i got to catch up with her a bit and that was really cool.....
when we got home from perryton(thanks again for the ride!) i got to hang out and talk with my mommy for a bit....then i headed over to b's spot and we had some taco stand....i was really tired (imagine that!) so i headed home around 10:30 to get some great sleep.....
i really am not sure what else is on the agenda this week....i know working out....hanging out......hopefully some chokobo racing (sp??) which is a great past time(and present time) ....
well i need to get some breakfast...and get ready to head to the gym...but i shall keep everyone updated...so no exact date for moving...but i hope its soon!!!

i must have clicked my heels...

cause i am back in kansas....i have been in kansas since monday nite around 945.....tuesday i was able to get ahold of a new fone...so i still dont have very many peoples number......the battery doesnt last very long.....but at least i have a kinda fone......i have gotten to visit some family and friends...and it has been wonderful......berakah has been makin me do really hard workouts...but its been fun......well im really tired...so im headed to bed...but i will write more later....some day soon i will write another long story....so until then....

to the batmobile....

well...the airport.....so on the way...i stopped at nate and marikas...so i could leave the truck there so mark and yvonne could take it home when they got in...and when i was walking in...my fone wasnt in my pocket.....so i went back to the truck to make sure i actually had my fone...and i did....so i grabbed it...and as i was turning around/shutting the door...i somehow just launched my fone...and it officially died.....so im not sure what im gonna do...maybe find a new fone when i get back to liberal to use for a monthish.....well other than that.....im havin a good day...i actually finished most of my packing...which is convenient because i am typing this in the airport....i hope i have everything i need...if not...ah well.....life goes on......i am soo excited to be gettin back home...so many family and friends to hang out with......i am really going to miss washington life.....well i think i am done typing....im gonna go take care of the juice i just drank....and then get ready for my flight...keep you posted once more.....

a weekend into a new week.......

so i got to take the ladies fishing again......i definitely learn to have patience out of the deal....this time it was just dolly, blondie, and pauline........so i get out to the lake around 8:30.......start a glorious fire(my highlight of the morning) and then start to get the poles and tackle ready......i get rig the lines....and bait the hooks.....then throw out the lines......they reel in the lines....and i scoop the fish.....un hook them.......put them on the stringer....repeat step one.....for about four hours.....and all the while keep the fire goin huge...........then when its time for lunch...i clean the fish........it really does make for a great morning...although it can be "painstaking" at times.....i mean its not bad...except for when you start the day by having a line broken three times.....due to nonequipment error....thats why i started casting out the lines a little more for them.....but all in all...great morning......
so i hopped in the shower.....and off to tacoma......me and becca went to sushi revolution..yes....one of those ones that you sit....and the little temptations just glide by in all their stunning glory......and ask you to be picked up...........i mean its really not my fault i dominated it........also i had that sweet raspberry tea....me and becca got to hang out a bit....talk and what not.........
i ran to renton....told elyse bye....
then off to bellevue.....
i was gonna surprise my cousin cause she and her husband really didnt get to tell me a nice goodbye.....and so i got to the church.......and she wasnt there!...but nate was so i got to talk with him a few minutes.....so i ran back to renton.....to spend some time with marika....and that was really nice....then it ends up that after church a few ppl wanted to go to stir......so me, marika, nate, josh, haley(sp??) and jack and cecilia went to stir and had another absolutely amazing dinner......i got stir twice in one week!!! so basically i ate way too much food............but the hanging out time was soo great....i love spending time with people i love!
so i said my goodbyes and got my hugs.....
then off to kent....
hadnt seen amac and michelle and lacey in forever....so i stopped by to hang out a while.....amac cooked some glorious chicken wings....some of which were rather spicy! and we played imagineiff.....and that was great times....we had a couple drinks...and i got to smoke my cigar...but they made me do it on the balcony...which was still ok...cause amac and zach hung out there most of the time.....so it was great......and so my last saturday in washington was concluded......
today i woke up......and thought to myself....leo.....you need to do laundry.....and pack your bags....and clean out your room...gettin everything in storage........i mean i have a little bit packed....and a nice mental picture of what is going down....but i have to put that into action....i fly out in 29 hours...yes thats tomorrow.....and basically this stuff has to be done! i def would rather just put it off...but i guess i probably wont.....lol....something about needing to take my belongings that appeals to my better senses.......
so today is my last full day in washington.......washington has been such a wonderful experience for my life.......
so i am going to quit for today...and maybe do some packing......ill let you know when i arrive in ks safely.....

few more days...

so i have found that instead of packing more...i am just finding it easier to convince myself that i just dont need to take certain items......so my packing load has decreased...which is awesome....i basically have one bag packed.....and might start on the second today...i have a tub for storage finished...and still have the other one waiting to be filled the rest of the way........i hate packing....its so boring.....i mean think about it...if i forgot something....i would just get a new one....so is it really worth packing anything? well...thats a little extreme....so i will pack most of it....and the rest....well it will just sit to be reclaimed someday years from now.........so this weekend....hangin out with a couple ppl...finish packing....and head out.....so last nite i got to sit in the hot tub and smoke a cigar...so that was way awesome......ok.....back to acting like im doin sometin....keep you posted more later on.....

part of the journey,....

well i booked a ticket back to kansas.....the first leg of my journey down south to the caymans.....i get to spend a few weeks with the family...........so this week......i am packing up my room...deciding what to just store in the attic...and what to take with me.....i will probably mail back some clothes....and of course take the golf clubs....and....well im really not sure...clothes....i dont need to dress up while down there...so a lot might just stay here.....then i dont have to transport it....just take a couple shirts and a suit...and call it a day.......pack lots fo shorts....and of course all my hawaiian shirts....my shoes...sandals...scuba gear.....wow...im gettin really excited....it will be different not living in washington...i have definitely grown used to it.....this will be the first time i havent lived with family....so thats gonna be a big change for me.....i mean i still wont have my own place.....but i dont like being alone...so its all good......so when im back in kansas i will get to visit some friends too...so thats gonna be great......i have soo much on my mind.....i just dont feel like typing right now....but i will write soon...keep you updated on my status and location....peace....

titleless...

so the past few days i havent done too extremely much......i mean i basically walk around the lake about daily.....go to the gym....daily.......play on the computer......eat......fish.....well not fish daily...but maybe every other day.....or at least three times a week....lol....somethin like that......one of the days...im not sure which one...i did a ton of housework stuff......i chopped the excess cedar into little pieces so that they fit in the pit and/or fireplace.....umm...loaded up all the yard waste and go that taken to the dump.....i did sweep off all the steps leading down to the lake....so they are pretty.....oh...i cleaned down by the firepit....cleaned the woodstack, took it all down....and put all the new wood in the back and bottom...so it can cure...so it will be ready around winter or next spring.....swept up around the dock....oh..i need to hop in the water and clean off the ladder........the underdeck work is finally finished...so its all dry....and mark hung up a hammock(from guatemala(sp?)) so ive relaxed in that a time or two......i do need to hop in the hot tub tonite......oh...new movies....KICK ASS!!! was an awesome and hilarious movie...recommend to ADULTS of all ages.....oh.....so i got my new shoes.....my old shoes were having thier eyelets ripped out...so it was kinda hard to tie them...so i figured it was time to stop being a jew for a day and actually buy some new shoes.....got my bro b-rock to tell me about some good shoes......the ones he has....they are the new reebox zigtech shoe.....i got the bright orange ones.....so now i look even more amazing working out....i know its hard to believe...but yes...as i get older...i keep getting better looking!!! hmm..im ready to be down south in 80 degree water....livin on the beach...maybe soon!!!
i do feel like i need a haircut again....its just always not available to me at the most convenient times.....but someday i can take care of the shag......
hmm...on the agenda for the rest of the day/week=gym....running....(yes i mean jogging when i say running).....maybe dl some more music.....
i get to see my cousin today........and coltrane.....hmm.....im tired...gotta conserve my energy for my run....so im outtsies....peace

such a beautiful weekend.......

oh wow......such a great time this weekend.....lets see.....saturday early afternoon we were working on the deck a little more. still installing the panels........then i hopped in the shower, and headed to tacoma. got there in the early evening/late afternoon(guess i could have said about 430ish) and had some delicious homemade by my aunt coconut cake for beccas bday!!!!! doug showed me a bunch of his new apps on his droid which is a crazy awesome fone......after cake, we went to dinner at this indian food place......we just goofed off for quite a while and enjoyed some time at the restaurant(it was me, becca, doug and kathy, joel, and cameron). i ordered the saag ghost with lamb. its a garlic spinach curry. it was really delicious.....and of course the little cakey soggy donuts things...with rice pudding and pistachio icecream.....wow....such huge meal that was so great.....after dinner we went back to beccas for a few hours worth of apples to apples....we went through all the cards!!! it was the first time i played that game....but i really really enjoyed it......and i did pretty good at it too......so around 10 me and becca started working on our "mustaches" for the "stache bash" for libby's bday......i made one out of pink yarn...which was pretty hilarious looking...and beccas was made out of.......well she trimmed a tiny part of her hair and used some double stick tape and whammy.....we just kinda hung out at the house for a while...and libby shared her bday cigar with me....so that was great...then me and becca headed to chopsticks to listen to the end of the dueling pianos....and then gotta make that two in the mornin run to jack in the box!!! sunday i woke up....and im basically over the little cold thing....so i actually went to the gym...which i hadnt for a week.....and did a chest work out.....it was great being in the gym again.......then.....when i got home....joel had a call on his truck.....so we headed to the puyallup mall, he took his truck, and i took the 3000gt since it was so glorious out1!! that car is soo fun to drive....it worked great.....well anyways...joel sold his truck....and we stopped by the mall to grab a coffee and i needed to look at some new workout shoes...and joel needed to look at some running shoes.....and i dont think either of us found any.....then we headed back to the house.....and what better way to spend a hot sunny afternoon....then strippin down half naked...and getting some fishing done!!!! the sun was out...with clear skies....great reflections over the lake....and we caught a few fish....we went off our dock for a while with some power bait and caught a couple fish......then me and cam took out the paddle boat and "trolled" with some jakes lures and caught some more.....they werent really really big...so we let most of them back....so they could grow...and experience things in life....but ill get them again......anyways...after hours in the sun...where i didnt get burned again....we had an amazing dinner(which i ate way too much) of fresh cooked hamburgers!!!! so i started with a croissant.....smothered barbecue sauce on the top and bottom, layered on avecado, then some pickle, then the burger with muenster cheese, then some onion, then some lettuce, and then some of yvonnes homemade salso....and then the top of the croissant...and then.............just enjoyed that huge puppy...i could barely fit my mouth around it....but i made do....and it was soo awesome.....after dinner....we headed to the bowling alley......we bowled for a couple hours....jsut relaxing and goofing a bit......enjoying some great times together....towards the last game...we really turned on the competition.....and all bowled a really good game...and yvonne stomped us!!! so she won the prize.....which was a couple high fives......so basically and awesome weekend....really fun.....and relaxing...and enjoyable.....its the kind of weekend that blogs are made of.......anyways...after that....i went to bed....and woke up....and started typing......

im such a ladies man.....ha.....

so the past couple days i had a little sniffy/stuffy nose and a tiny throat itch...basically cam got me sick...and joel too......soo dirty...but ah well...i feel like im basically over it....it did give me a wonderful excuse to just lay around and watch a few movies....so that was great....today.....well today was an exciting day.....so i woke up bright and early.....and realized that today my calling was to be a "baitboy" for some ladies......basically grandma dolly, two of her sisters(blondie and pauline) and blondie's friend joan came over to fish and relax.....so i started the day with a nice little fire(which the pit is located right near the dock)......and by little fire...i did a pretty good sized one....then once the fire was going.....i got the fishing poles ready.....the slip weight/bobber filled and the bait on.....once the ladies arrived i got to cast their lines for them....and then when they reeled in fish...take them off the line..string them...and rebait the lines...and recast them...bascially be that token boy that looks amazing while doing all the hard or "gross" work involved with trout coming out of the water......they fished for like 3 hours....and i got to relaxish kinda....and listen to old lady jibber jabber......and......listen to more old lady talk.......and.....relaxish some more.....and anyways.....after they had their good time....i put the stuff up....and then cleaned all the fish and blondie took the fillets home.....then i kinda relaxed during the afternoon......and wathced some firefly or somethin(a tv show but its on the xbox so i dont have to see commercials which i hate about real tv)......and then around 4:45 i started dinner which was to be at 6.......
now the next paragraph is gonna hit you sooo hard.......
i made TATOR TOT CASSEROLE!!!! yes i know...,one of my favorite meals!! i have never made it before cuase growing up my mom was always there to do it for me.....but i knew i could do it...so i was excited.....anyways.....you start with beef - ground beef. and you cook it....today i used a few different seasonings.....i used a little worcestershire(sp? - i dont think anyone knows how to spell that stuff) some crushed red pepper, some fresh garlic, some chives, some johnnys, and a touch of steak seasoning. well after the meat cooked i put it in a pan and mixed in some cream of mushroom soup. after it was all mixed in i kinda "flattened" it out equally in the pan...then very carefully layered some tator tots in with it.(you can mix corn in with the meat if you want....today we made it on the side so ppl could choose whether they wanted it or not) after that...you throw it in the oven for a while so the tots get all nice and warm....then you eat it with some barby sauce and its soo great!!!! after dinner me and joel and cam played a magical card game....or two...or seven...but who is counting.....and then right now exactly we are watching a ufc episode...its kinda lame.....but maybe thats because im not actually watching it...and just typing...so i hear it..but dont see it....so it doesnt have the same effect....i wander if thats basically how the radio was.....those old ppl really missed out on the cool technology.....well kinda......and here after a while i need to go to bed and get my at least 8 hours of beauty sleep...cause tomorrow im pretty sure im workin on the deck again......well ive typed entirely too much for one day.......so im off....good nite world...i will see you soon.....

full weekend.....

well this weekend i definitely had some great times....if you are a sensitive reader i might elude to things that might not make you comfortable....so maybe skip today? but anyways....
saturday nite i joined my cousin becca for a nite out in tacoma......it was her friend's bday.....and so we went to an "alter ego" party.......which i thoroughly enjoyed! of course....what else could i go as??? so i threw on a tux(silver fox) which i happened to have in my closet....had some jewelry on....grabbed some stogies...........and arrived as "gotti" becca was her "ghetto" self which i thought was hilarious......jigga b........anyways prior to the party we went to heathers house and i got to enjoy my kuba kuba on the porch/balcony i dont know what to call it thing......becca and libby smoked a little with me.....and i finished it by myself which is always very relaxing and enjoyable to me.....then we went over to sandy's(bday girl). it was the typical college scene - which made me feel a little out of place at first - but i seemed to almost fit in a bit so that was good.....so i got to play a little pong.......drink some mixed drink/mix.....just chill on a rather tightseated couch.....and do my favorite thing (take a few nice little pee breaks outside).....there is just somethin about being out in the fresh air relieving yourself that makes me feel so free and great.....i dunno....anyways i enjoyed another cigar....with some new ppl....(rocky patel vintage '92)...........then back inside for some more pong.....now that i mention it...im pretty really good at pong.....anyways....after a while longer of participating in some festivities....becca felt ready to go home......so i drove her home(which really wasnt too far away) and got her in bed (becca i love you! i bet you thought i was gonna say somethin else!! haha!!!!!) anyways.....after i dropped her off...i realized i still had libby's 13 dollars.....so i took it back to the party...which was the perfect time to smoke another stogie(java latte)...always nice to end a nite on a sweet cigar......and libby and johnathan(sp?) smoked with me.....its nice to have ppl that will actually smoke a cigar.......anyways......i got home around 5 in the mornin....which was brutal...cuaase i got up 3 hours later to go to church...........which my cousins husband was speaking...so that was cool.....and after church we got to go to stir...which i have mentioned before as basically my fav restaurant out here.......after that...i went home...then headed out to monroe....to hang out at the mckindley's house.....we played settlers of catan.....which i like to play..and havent since i was back in kansas in january.......then we had some dinner......some burrito/sanchos........which were really good....i was so stuffed from lunch...then even more full cause of dinner....then we plaed some hand and foot....and me and mack were just totally dominated by jess and becky.......anyways...since i was so tired and had an hour and 15 min drive home....i headed out...made it home...and went straight to bed to try and catch up on some sleep..........so all in all...a great great weekend....friend time....family time....relaxation time.....serious time....just thoroughly really really enjoying a nice weekend.....so today...the gym....and a little more relaxation time.......the end.......

well lets see here......

there has been quite a few things going on here lately.......i dont know which to telly you first...so i guess i shall resort to chronological order........so monday we started some more work on our underdeck prevent water from leaking system. we realized our current plan was not exactly going to work....so we had to go back to the original plan which is still ok....so i had the pleasure of starting to take out all the little setup or base boards(not sure the correct term for it) that we had already installed.....basically pry it off the nails with a little titan nail remover/prybar and then instead of just removing the nails(because the heads kept popping off) i had to snip each individual nail, and then hammer it in.....talk about learning some patience....that paired with having to hold your hands up alot while standing on a stepstool.....made for a very interesting and painstaking time...but i got it all done.....so i got to feel some accomplishment.....during this time while i was working way to hard to have time for anything else, i was also texting my cousin (technically my cousin's husband - but who is speaking technically these days) about going to the redhook brewery up in woodinville. for all those not familiar with washington around the seattle area(which includes me) its kinda north of bellevue and seattle...i think...if not...just go with the story......anyways...they have tours through the day.....and basically you go there and take a tour of the brewery...see how they make the different beers and what not.....well we get there.....and realize that the tour itself is not going on...due to still being in winter hours....which is really bogus.....but instead we just went to the lounge/restaurant area......and ordered some nachos and edamame and then sampled a couple of their beers....my fav was their mudslinger....me and nate just sat and talked for like three hours....(we didnt get wasted so its ok).....and i really really had a great time!!! so thank you nate!!!
so that was basically my monday........and now....since i said we were doing that chronological stuff.....tuesday is next.....
i got up a little late with full intentions of going to the gym....and then got all mixed up doing some of the deckwork.....it consisted of putting up these 12foot by 26 inch "sheets" or "panels" of this stuff.....its a kinda sunglasses looking polycarbonate sheet that is a bit flimsy.....for all writing purposes im going to refer to it as the stuff...or the sheeting....or whatever i want....so that you know what i am talking about when i mention it.......anyways we took the stuff...and had to predrill it for the screw holes....then hold it up to the bottom of the deck...while standing on a ladder or stepstool or bucket....and make sure it was lined up...then screw in either end.....then while i was held to the roof....we had to drill the rest of the holes which means holding a drill above your head for forever......and then screw in the holes.......the only reason while i am going into such detail is so that you might be able to comprehend while i skipped out on the gym yesterday....doing all that....is such an excruciating shoulder workout...i mean it really burns your shoulders.....anyways....we got the part of the deck done that we wanted.....so we were able to bring down the bowflex which used to be in the garage...and put in down under the deck...so now it wil stay dry and it can be used outside for a workout...which with summer coming on sounds just amazing......after that.....it was time to move the door to the "attic" of the garage.....which consisted of unfolding the ladder...opening it up.....then completely unscrewing it from the base in the attic part of the garage.....once we gracefully had it unattached...and set down(which it slammed cause of the springs but my precious fingers are ok) we had to move the basewood....i think it is plywood.....and then recut the opening for where it was now going(which is on the other side of the garage so we didnt have to move the 3000 everytime we wanted in the attic.....and reinstall it......
so basicaly i have been having the chance to learn new skills which is great....and i have been doing my best to make sure and learn from the work i have been doing.....
i was going to leave this part out...but whatever.....so way back when i used to play a little magic "the gathering" which no matter how fantasy or nerdy it sounds...its really not...its basically a strategy game with some wierd illustrations on the front....that is it......anyways...my cousin joel also had some old cards up in the attic.....so when we were doin work, he got those down.....anyways....we stayed up until 2 in the morning...just playing some games...which was really fun......and watching an episode of southland...and then some episodes of bones.....which basically means the tv was just background noise...and we have no idea what went on in the episodes......cause we were too intrigued and involved in the games......so mark woke me up this morning...cause there was a brown or golden eagle flying around by our lake...so i got to see that.....then i am going to do a leg workout today....at the gym......then eat some macaroni salad which i was able to talk yvonne into making.....then tonite we pick up cam from the airport from his easter visit to cali.....and i still have one load of laundry to do...but if i keep putting it off...it sounds like i do laundry all the time cause i mention that one load....and i just sound like im doin good things all the time.......well anwyas....i have typed too much for one day....so i must stop....i know you were hoping to hear so much more of my interesting life...but if i told you everything...why would there be a next time?????? farewell and adieu(sp???) my dear spanish lady......thats a quote from a movie...name it...and you get a prize.....the end(well for now)

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

ah i love family days!!! big holidays are always a time to just absolutely over eat.....and spend all that quality time with loved ones!!!! you cant always spend all those moments with everyone you want.....but those who are around you are to be cherished!!!
today i woke up feeling wonderful...took a nice relaxing shower.......and decided to throw on my linen looking suit....with light sky blue shirt....pink with blue squares tie...and of course...my matching blue and purple socks.....such a glorious outfit!! i enjoyed wearing it very much....i do like dressing up...but i rarely see an occasion to do so....ah well...such is the life of practicing to become a beach bum.....so we went to church...then came home to have a glorious turkey dinner(no ham - i was totally bummed) and when i say turkey dinner...heres what i mean...i eat one tiny little piece of dark meat turkey.....and then go straight to a plate full of delicious yukon gold mashed potatoes fully loaded with shredded cheese.....bacon bits...and sour cream.....wow...and i wonder why i struggle to maintain a decent shape....after that...well and during and before....we got to play some pinocle.....which is always so great...and we just lounged around for the afternoon....just enjoying each others company.....and playing with coltrane......making those memories........joel was especially fun to pick on today......because marks his first day of quitting smoking...so i made sure to give him a hard time.....but it was all for good....
tonite is jsut relaxation...and we are dl some episodes of "bones" which is actually a cool tv series when you dont have to watch commercials.....we are usin his netflix on his xbox360.....no commercials...(cant stress the importance of that to me)...and pause when we want.....the best way to watch if you are going to.........
then tonite im goin to sleep like a baby(as always....)....and start a new week.....gym....and relax....and ive decided to start looking for a temp or part time job.....we will see how that goes.....well i better get back to my episode.....peace out home skilletz....

more work!

so yesterday i actually did some more manual labor!! it was fun.....the first part was fun......mark had spent some time pruning trees......and so i got to "limb" the branches and what not.....this means....that i take a chain saw.....rev it up to full blast....and just slash it around.....go kung fu ninja on the tree!!! actually you gotta be careful and take your time and take the little branches off...then chop the larger branches into correct size pieces so they fit in the firepit.......but it is still fun to have an engine driven cutting device in your hands doin work!!!!

next on the list was to redo our wood holder device. its basically a sixish by tenish or twelvish two by six frame with some plywood laid overtop.....well it was too far out from the covering...so we unluaded the wood on it(must have been a million pounds worth) - ok - just a few hundred....but we unloaded it all......then tucked the frame under the deck/house in this little section so rain wouldnt get to it...rebuilt the bottom part of the frame because we moved it up about two or three feet higher.....and then redid the platform....and yes...reloaded the wood one mroe time....and got it recovered with the tarp...even though its not gonna get hit by any rain....

so basically a full days work.....i did have a chance to watch changeling at various times during the day...a few minutes here...a few minutes there.....its a pretty good movie.....makes you think a little bit....

so today is my cousin joel's birthday....he turns the big 23.....that means the ritual dinner of crab legs and artichokes.....so delicious!!!! then tonite im takin him to go see clash of the titans...which is going to be one of the best movies this year!!! i nominate it already for best awesome movie so far......

well its already 830 in the mornin......so that means i need to start my day soon....so off to the gym....then shave...shower.....finish some laundry...and then enjoy some family time!!!!

see you all some other time.....

its been too long...

i guess i havent felt obligated to write here lately....nothing just absolutely outrageous has happened here in the past few days.....ive done a little bit of everything......seen some new movies....hot tub time machine was really hilarious.....did a little fishing...(been fishing with a jakes lure and it is really fun...the trout hit that pretty hard!).....been to the gym about daily....(ya know...gotta get those muscles goin)....and been just doin a lot of hangin out.....i need to finish kinda packing my room a bit...but im rather unmotivated to do it....i just feel like i have time left.....i still need to figure out if im takin my golf clubs...or just storing them...and if i store them...where should i store them....cause just out int he garage attic seems like such a bad idea cause they are exposed to the different temperatures.....same with my saxophone....i know if i dont take it i wont play it...and if i do take it...well the i might play it...i guess i have a lot better chance of taking it if i do actually take it....hmmm......next is my humidor.....it would take up so much space in my bags....i guess i could just find a shop there and get one....might as well......hmmm....my guns are no longer an issue...because we just got an awesome(AMERICAN MADE) safe installed in the house......im pretty decided on just leaving my movies...and books....and.....well...clothes are on the mind too...ill take some regular clothes...and and then a few dress clothes.....and some jewelry maybe.....and...well my toothbrush.....and razor...and thats it...5 minutes work right??? hmm....i still need to figure out if i need to take towels....and....hmm..it seems like there would be so much more to worry about moving out of the country...but i really think that is it!....wow...such a simple life!! pack up your life story in a couple bags and leave!! such an exciting thought though....in the winter it gets down to the 70s.....and in the summer up to the 90s........and the water is basically 80 year round.......and the visibility is just amazing...and there is so much aquatic life to look at.....i do need a really nice u/w camera which i will get eventually.....and im not sure what else....im gonna start looking into a tiny trip to australia by the end of the year.....just a little plane ride away.....i usually just type til the most recent thoughts are off my mind...and im at the point right now i think....so i better stop talking for one day...see you soon.............

catch of a day!!

so today i did somethin new...i added a picture to my blog!!! how exciting!! im sure you all are proud!!!! so since the picture already gave away the events of today...i will not delay you with prolonged intros....or random details...i will get straight to the facts! ok i lied...i love intros...and ramblings.....anyways...i went fishing!! started out the day with mark and dolly down fishing while me joel cam and yvonne were watching the blind side......mark called up and said they were gettin a couple bites....so i headed right down....little did i know that i was going to spend like five hours out in the glorious washington sun catching basically nonstop fish.....we finally got cam and joel to come down..and it was on.....i felt like nascar....except for the cars...and the extremely redneck ppl.....and everything else associated with nascar....basically it was like a race to catch fish......lol......anyways.....we kept fishing and fishing...mark had to leave for a meeting.....and eventually dolly went upstairs.....right after she went upstairs....we were still runnin a few poles.....joel was unhooking a fish....and cam was using a lure reeling....so i threw a line out...set the pole down.....(not in a holder...just on the dock) and then started to finish baiting up the other pole....just then i hear cam start makin excited noises like he hooked another fish....only to turn around and realize that the pole i had just set down was not on the dock anymore.....i barely saw it in the lake...so i just jumped right in after it!!!!!!!!!! i caught hold of the pole....and started to reel.....i then realized that the lake water was really really cold...so i started climbing out of the lake with my pole still goin.....and finally got turned around and uprighted and was still reeling when i saw a glimmer...not just a small glimmer...but a pretty nice full glimmer.....i then realized that i had a pretty good sized fish on......we landed it....and to keep you from all other suspense....it measured out 20 inches...and weighed two pounds ten ounces....nice fish!!! after a while...joel went back in...so me and cam decided to take the paddle boat out......and started using just lures....and we fished a few more hours...we prob caught in all like over forty fish...but we just kept the good ones......so after all those hours of fishing.....we got the benefits!!! tonite for dinner was marks famous honey mustard trout recipe......which i actually didnt eat today...because me and cam took our two big fishes.....and i used some secret blend of herbs and spices......lol....(shoutout to afroman) and he did his up too..and we grilled them...so delicious..just came right off the bone........such a wonderful day!!! the only thing i would do different....is put sunscreen on my shoulders...cause they are definitely burned!!! hopefully they dont peel.....
so after dinner we played some cards......and now im about to go watch some old school horror movie....and then relax....and maybe do this again tomorrow....anyways....i hope you enjoyed my day...and if you would like to see more pics....check my facebook..or ask me to email you more....i have a permasmile on my face right now!!!!!!!

peace out!

overcoming...well...not totally...but its a step....

so i pretty much dont really like heights at all....if absolutely necessary.....i might be able to do overcome heights....but hey...when is it ever going to be absolutely necessary? i did however...get on a roof...and do a little work today....i def spent more time on the roof of a house today...than i have in the past ten years....quite literally......no exaggeration......it was pretty awesome though...the part i really hate about it is the getting on and off the ladder part...that just drive me nuts...oh...and the walking on a sloped surface with minorly tractioned shoes....dont like that either....but i do feel really good about my accomplishment today!!! we(nate and mark while i kinda helped) were able to fix the roof.....take out some dead wood.....replace it......rip off shingles...replace the tar paper and shingles.....and then reinstall the gutter...it was only a small section...but it took forever!! i did take a break to mow the lawn though...i dont know why...but mowing the lawn has been really relaxing for me these past days.....
basically the rest of my day today consisted of going to the gym this morning...and then coming home to chop che and a game of pinocle.....im worn out...........nite world...

jazz alley......

so another just absolutely wonderful day!!!! woke up after a previously awesome day.....went to church to see my cousin and her hubby.....after that we went to stir...two weeks in a row...im soo lucky!!! came home...played some cards...relaxed...messed on the computer...then went to jazz alley for the nite!!!
Mr maceo parker (james brown right hand man for years) a fun sax player put on a funk show.....great sax playin...great trombone....trumpet.....bass...guitar...drums...the keys...and vocalists...such a great show full of energy and wonderful music.....very great to see him in a live show!

too many feelings to be adequately described in mere words....so i wait til tomorrow....nite world.....

a most glorious day!!!!

wow....so much awesome stuff happened today!!! where to begin!!! i guess i can start with waking up.....and brushing my teeth(i got one of those fancy sonicare toothbrushes this past week and am just now getting used to using it....pretty fun!).....got ready....and we headed out on the road....
mark, yvonne, joel, cameron, becca, and i piled into ole blue and headed for vancouver washington. today we celebrated my grandmas bday at myrtle's tea house........its not in vancouver...but its in a surrounding town...forgot the name...might be ridgeport...might be.....im sure someone knows...but anyways....this is such a fantabulous place....definitely a recommend by me!!!! we started of trying an apricot black tea that smelled and tasted just wonderful!!! then i had some pink hot chocolate stuff....pretty good.......and then we had a lemon caramel(pronounced care-uh-mel) black tea which was also good...but not as good as the apricot one!!!! next we had a mango sorbet to cleanse our pallet....im really not sure if that is the correct use and spelling of pallet..but just read aloud and it will sound right....anyways....after that we have a veggie plate....celery with some kind of spread stuff on it.....peapods with some kind of horse radish mix in it.....this delightful cucumber with a creamy tastful something or rather bit on top...and then an awesome and glorious tiny bsize red potato with some creamy garlicky oniony mix on top that was just amazing.....next...we go to the "main course plate" different little sandwich type like bite or two sized things....with all kinds of goodies....different dips and spreads.....different breads....and a cup o soup.....if you wanna know what all was there...just go!!! i would go back for sure!!!! then after that there was the dessert tray.....this irish scone was absotlutely amazing...just go......
anyways...after drinking way too much deliciosness...and eating way too much.....we headed back to grandmas house for a little work day!!!!! as a team we mowed the grass....raked pine needles...cleaned off the roof....got rid of and prevented mold....swept up the walkways and driveways...installed new guts on the toilet.....wash her car......and im sure there was moer but i have no idea.......it was so awesome to just spend time with family!! after work day we went over to aunt beth's house for some cards and taco bar!!! got to play some basketball and football with chase and aiden and that was awesome!! they are going to grow up to be such amazing gentlemen!!!
after our hugs and goodbyes we headed back for the just over two hour drive back home.....glad to be home.....so greatful for the day....and greatful for the bed that i am now cuddled up in........tomorrow......church with fam.....gym....and catch up on sleep!!! goodnite all!!!

hmmmm....

so today i was feeling so "blah" in the gym....so i didnt do a complete workout...but yesterday was nice.....not just that i did a full workout...but there was more!!!! so i have been looking for a pair of sport sunglasses...and finally got a pair...basically what i was looking for...though for a bit i thought that i wasnt looking for these...but it ends up i was...so i did.....get them......its nice....im ready to have to use them!!!!
saw bounty hunter tonite...and it wasnt that great....i mean it was ok...funny....but there was this wierd dude makin noises and laughing...and making comments...through the whole movie...so it definitely brought the enjoyment level down......

so tomorrow we are going to tea....i have no idea what is to come of it...but it should be rather exciting...and then after that we are doing work on grandmas house for her bday...so that should be really fun!!! although i dont really like yard work...and the such...it just seems like a neverending cycle.....not as much as vacuuming....i hate vacuuming.....its so unproductive...like hey...i just vacuumed there....you cant tell....because its carpet the color of dirt...wow...what an accomplishment!!! basically if i can get out of vacuuming..i will always try....

hmmm...not much else on the agenda or has done list here in the past couple days.....

im not sure what i am looking forward to this next week....maybe some fishing...maybe some golfing.....maybe some.......shooting guns at the range...maybe...a new movie....i just need an adventure!!! what shall i do........

ok im tired....nite

quarter century....so young!!

i must say that though today marks the historic birth of some famous guy 25 years ago, that it is such a young age! i feel healthy.....alive....and most importantly......loved.......

is there anything to look forward to on birthdays such as this??? those epic landmarks?? 16....most ppl can drive....18.....you can make your own decisions(but you have to be able to take responsibility for them) and buy tobacco products...join the military.......21......in the U.S. you can legally partake in alcohol consumption.......i think there is a small drivers insurance break there.....25........a for real insurance break(not that i need it...lol)........after that....what are the birthdays that mean anything??? 30....you are startin to get "old" (sorry nate!) 40......midlifeish age for most ppl?? 50.....half a century......60....70.....80.....just glad to be alive??

what about 28, 32, 46. 53, 78, 94............the birthdays with out that big "landmark" feel?
do they even mean anything?
its a great time to celebrate............spend time.....party even???
but what makes a birthday significant????

when i was younger....i was looking forward to those landmarks......now that i have hit a few of them.....i realize that to me i am kinda missing the point......

i spend one day thinking about the cool thing that i now can do......and honestly....that one thing that i concentrate on....is of so little importance to me......

each day i should concentrate on something monumental.
family....friends.....new experiences.....new opportunities.......good decisions i have made......bad decisions that i will try never to do again......

i dont want to be held back by the days that everyone else says and accepts as "the big days".......i want everyday to be a big day!!!!!

today is still a big day in my life......but then again....tomorrow will be even bigger!!!!

start to a new week...but i still have to go to bed.

so its 12:12 monday mornin aka sunday nite....i said i was waiting til monday to blog...so here i am...i am still up from sunday...but whatever....i still do what i want.....so anyways....i had an absolutely glorious day......woke up and had just an awesome relaxing shower......one of those ones where you just dont wanna leave the steam........my hair basically went right into place...but it pulled out this little....a bit higher to oneside thing....kinda reminding me of the military beret.....so it was nice......then it was off to church where i got to see my awesome cousin and her husband(though technically i didnt even talk to him til he came over later...but i dont wanna tell that part yet so stop reading so i can stop typing this part).....after church we got to go to basically my favorite restaurant in the area. STIR!!! i didnt go with my honey walnut prawns(one of my favorites) but i did go with my General Tso chicken - pronounced (jin er uhl chick in) also one of my favorites....we also had the combination fried rice, beef and broccoli and green beans.....so anyways...i was not as glutenous as i could have been because i knew that was gonna happen later on.......anways...once we got home...we played some awesome games of pinocle, and then started some games of hand and foot.....that led into it becoming time for BIRTHDAY DINNER!!!!! we had the awesome honey bunches of oats chicken.....macaroni salad.....and......you guessed it.......LOADED MASHED POTATOES!!!! you start obviously with the only choice of yukon gold potatoes.....and then top them with cheese.....and chives....and bacon bits(real ones!!!) and sour cream!!!!! put some cholula and sriracha on the chicken and then eat them and the potatoes together!!!! GLORIOUSSSS!!!!! then you have seconds...and....GLORIOUSSSS!!! then....to finish it all off (after presents and cards of course) MISSISSIPPI MUD PIE CAKE!!!!! my favorite dessert of all time! what an awesome time with friends and family.........thank you to Yvonne for making all the wonderful food, and thanks to Joel, Cameron, Nate, Marika, Coltrane, Mark, Dolly, Hakeem, Mikal, and Jessie.
and thank you to all my family at home for the wonderful cards!!!!!

so now im just relaxing....and gettin ready to fall asleep......and hit the gym tomorrow!!!!

i hope you enjoyed my day as much as i did.....

ok....goodnite and goodmorning....i will talk at you some other time!!!!!!

took a day off

blogging everyday can seem so overwhelming! you look at the events of the day and think to yourself....wow...do i do this everyday? where is the change and excitement?? just so you know...there really is not a glasses store that carries the oakley straightjacket smoke frame with polarized lenses....that is i guess an internet order only. i know this because i have been to a few stores and heard that same story! what happened to getting things right when you want them?? waiting is for the patient!!! needless to say i am still waiting....

im rather excited for tomorrow.....just so you know..i probably wont blog tomorrow...but monday i shall resume.....i would tell you everything that is going to happen tomorrow...but then when you read monday it will be the exact same post except for instead of "i am going to" the sentences will start out with "i did" ah well....hopefully this keeps you in suspense!!!! ill give you a clue though...it involves my favorite food in the world!!!!!!!!!!

i have seen some great movies here lately(yesterday)
green zone was a great movie - nice and suspenseful. great action. pokes a little into some of the denied answered questions. basically everyone dies the end...haha...just kidding....but watch it....

next... -
shes out of my league
what a hilarious movie. kept me giggling and laughing the whole movie....i really didnt giggle...but it seemed like a great word to go with laughing......

i feel like i still have so much to do today....but in reality...i might eat....and go to sleep....what to do with the rest of my time!!???

countdown resumes - 3 days until my quarter century mark......

goodbye for today...

false implications

basically referring to the fact that this is two days in a row.....i hope you dont think that i am going to write everyday.....it just happened that i did today.....im not totally up to date on the rules of blogging...is this supposed to be thoughts.....updates.....dreams....hmm....i dunno...so it will probably change from time to time....like right now i am thinkin about updating my dreams....wow...thats all three in one sentence!!!! im gettin good at this.....one of my new dreams that i am actually writing down....is to photograph 15 different species of shark. im sure some of you know that i will someday do a dive with the great white shark....but not only that....get out of the cage!! and actually be in open water with it! well that seems like such a wimpy nonskilled job...so actually photographing it....that requires some major knowhow!! 15...how did i arrive at 15......well one was just one....ten is a typical two digit number....and fifteen...sounded like a really cool number when i was typing...so there it is....it also will require me to travel and dive in multi countries and seas and oceans...so it was a little challenge to myself!

so today i am going for a run....and when i saw im going for a run....i mean...ill prob jog a while...and walk a bit...jog a while...then be done....i know its a measly start....but i will get better and better......


im excited about getting out of this wonderful country...looking forward to new weather...i am ready to leave today!


i feel as though i may be rambling...so i am going to cut this session off here......btw...birthday weekend!!!! 25 is gonna be cool....i definitely feel as though i am growing younger!!!!

The First day

well this is more of a practice....first of all...i am never going to apologize for the way i type or use punctuation....its my blog.....figure it out!! i have many adventures coming up in my life. not to say that previous to the time of my blog all other events were not monumental, but i decided now was the time to start.
Mostly because communication out of the country can be difficlut, and i think its cool that people would take the time to listen to what is going on in my life. I would like to thank all of my future fans for continually checking up on me.....if you feel like there is not enough cool information in here...go on an adventure with me....

This paragraph is for my Brother Berakah Carter. I love you BRO! you are a big reason why i continually strive to better myself every day! you keep me in check and accountable! cant wait to see you again! hopefully you can take a little vaca and ill teach you to dive in the caymans!


this paragraph is for Mr. Jeremiah Matson(everyone can read it to) - it was seeing your blog that made me actually take the time to make this. i hope Australia is going great and you get to KNOW GOD! i still plan on gettin a dive or ten in the great barrier reef with you!

This paragraph is for Becca Snell(everyone can read this too). you specifically told me i should write a book! i appreciate the vote of confidence!! i feel much to lazy to go to all that work, so a blog should suffice for now!

hopefully in the days and weeks and months and years to come your eyes will be filled with the sounds of satire, sarcasm, joy, excitement, disbelief, wonderment, love, and all the other big words that describe emotions that i am incapable of spelling.

This has been far too enjoyable and overbearing for me for one day, but i will talk to you all soon!!!