New Camera Fun!

Jenni and I got a camcorder as a wedding gift from her aunt. Thank you! I'm just testing it out!

50 Days!

I only have 50 more days of single life left! It's so exciting! I'll finally have someone to do my laundry and play Halo 24/7!

A little off topic...

There is a 100% chance of rain today. Then why do they call it a "chance" still?

I hope that the rain doesn't interfere with mountain biking tomorrow. Tomorrow is the big Greenleaf State Park COTM Cycling trip. I can't wait! It will give me the chance to try out my new tires!

Ok, that's all I've got for now. I may have a surprise for you all later... Yeah, I love surprises!

Have great day!

My new room look!

I got a little stir crazy in my dorm. I know! And with only a month left! Anyway, I decided to switch things up. I also documented the change.

This is the old look. It was space saving and efficient. But I still wanted something different.











This is the change. It doesn't look that good from this angle, but as soon as you "cross over" (that's what I call when you step over the bed to sit on the ball/chair)...











...it is a whole new world. Very pleasant and comfortable. I really like it! I'll probably take some more pics in the day time.



















Thats it for now. Take care!

Private jets are where its at!

[taken from Moleskine I use as a journal... written plane ride back to Tulsa. this will explain why I want a private jet.]

Airlines are getting ridiculous! Well, you would know that unless you haven't flown in the past 20 years. See, you don't really remember the flights that went smoothly, if you ever even had one anyway.

Airlines think they own the world. What can we do? It was my spring break, vaca time. Weather screwed up plans to get into Philly on Friday evening.

Long story short... if we wanted to get into Philly, we would have to wait until Tuesday night. Now, that was only for American Airlines... I don't know about the rest of the airlines.

I'm sitting here, writing this, hot and sweaty. I mean, turn the A/C on! You don't give me the option to open my window so at least put some air on! They won't let me sit in an emergency row anymore because of one little incident... look, for the last time, I was hot and we were just sitting on the runway. I didn't know that cracking the door open would open a raft! (just kidding, I'm not that naive.)!

There are a million and one things you can say bad about airlines. We all have our vacation horror stories. And some of us are bold enough to take them on to get at least some kind of compensation. They try and fix our problems with their little band aid they call a "$250 voucher..."

But the truth is, can anyone say anything really good about the airlines? Also, this is not an attack on any airline employees. I know people that work at the airlines and they do a great job. It's usually corporate that has the problem. It's mostly the industry as a whole.

Anyway, when you fly, it's best to be an informed consumer. Below are some links about how to fly the best you can.

**Typical conversation from pilot/stewardess while flying on almost any airline today... modified for my blog...**

Sorry we are taking so long to take off folks. It appears as if the machine that breaks all the zippers and handles off your luggage is having some problems. We are going to have to do everything manually.

...

We are about to finish this blog post, please put your seats and tray tables in their upright and locked position and discontinue the use of any approved electronic devices.

I said seat up mister!!

Thank you for flying with us, we look forward to canceling your flight again soon.

I will now tell you what gate you need to go to for your connecting flight, and if you are dumb enough to go to it without checking the big tv's when you deplane, then may God have mercy on your soul.

_____________________

[links taken from Best Life magazine, Dec. 06/Jan 07]

- Research your flight. US DOT publishes info with the worst time records in America -- by route, airline, and flight number.
www.flightstats.com

- Invoke Rule 240. Basically what it is, is that if there is a cancellation, not due to weather, the airline has to put you on THE next available flight, not necessarily THEIR next available flight.
www.mytravelrights.com

- Seat Guru. Find the best seat on almost any plane and airline.
www.seatguru.com

There are plenty of different websites that tell you how to not get screwed over by the airlines and I suggest just doing some good ol' fashioned research!

Go. Fly prepared!

Thanks for reading!

Tulsa. I'm staying here?

Small Update

This is just a tiny update. Nothing big.

It was such a nice day in Tulsa yesterday. After I got back on campus, unpacked everything, got a shower, the weather was perfect. Everything was nice and green. It was just great! Then I got hungry.

Oh, I just remembered that I had a QuickTrip survey online for a free sandwich. So I looked it up and yup, I had a certificate for a free sandwich and another coupon for a free hotdog and 32 oz soft drink.

So I went to "cash them in." It was a nice meal. Very tasty. In fact, here is a pic.















And here are some pics from yesterday as well. It was just a really nice comfortable day in Tulsa. Oh, and the last one is a pic from this morning. See ya!

It's green in Tulsa!

I just got back to school a little bit ago and I noticed that it's all green! Ahh, it feels so good to have some color. The brown can get a little depressing. Feels very comfortable outside too.

Well, I just wanted to post a picture so you can see. I'll try and take more as I see it. There were some flowers downstairs too.

Thanks for a great shower!

Thank you to all of you who made Jenni's wedding shower possible! It was great! We really appreciate all that you did and gave! We are so excited to start a new life together and thanks to your help we are one step closer! Thanks!

LOST and Tivo

It's great being back at home because we have Tivo and I just got caught up with LOST online. I haven't watched LOST in a while and I finally am all caught up.

After I finished watching the one from 3/14, I noticed that it said the next one is 3/21. Wait? What day is it today? I check my watch and it is indeed 3/21! I was like "yes." But with more enthusiasm.

So I ran downstairs to set up the Tivo... Click "Find Programs... Bloop!" Type in.. L.....O...S..T... Select show... Episode: The Man from Tallahassee... Record this episode. Bam! Done!

I feel as if I already watched it, I'm so excited! I have a guaranteed commercial free showing of LOST whenever I get home from church.

Booya!

Adam's Claymation

Hey, this is my friend Adam's claymation. I think it's really well done. Great story and awesome clay action!

Spring Break

If I was to fly into Philadelphia, I would be home for Spring Break later tonight. Yes Tuesday night! Here is some info on the flight situation if you don't know already.

Friday morning, I check the American Airlines website and our flight from St. Louis to Philadelphia is cancelled. Bad weather on the east coast. So Nick gets on the horn and manages to re route us into Baltimore from St. Louis, but the earliest time is on Saturday evening. A day later. The one time my Dad tries to get us in a day early, and have a full Saturday to relax. But nope, not this time.

It wasn't a problem though, we got to spend the night in St. Louis, with my grandparents. It was fun seeing some relatives for a little while.

Then, our flight from St. Louis was delayed. We eventually got into Baltimore around 12:30 or 1 and back home by 2:30. Long day.

I really miss my room in Tulsa because I have my nice big computer with dual monitors, my bed by the window with an 8 story view, and my mountain bike. But actually, for once, there is probably more to do here in Delaware than in Tulsa on break.

It seems as if the weather in Tulsa is going to be pretty rainy all week, so I would get much biking in. But the weather here in Delaware should be 50's and 60's.

I brought my running clothes and shoes so I can do a little running while here.

I'm trying to catch up on my TV while I'm here. I watched all the episodes of Andy Barker PI online, and I'm trying to get caught up on my missed episodes of Lost. Oh, I've watched all of 30 Rock too. Pretty funny stuff.

There is also only 60 days till my wedding. I can't believe it!
The end of the school year is going to really fly by as soon as I go back. I can't wait to get this show on the road. Graduate, wedding, honeymoon, drive to Tulsa, start my job, and get on with my life.

We have some wedding planning stuff to do over break. So that will keep me a little busy. Also, I have a paper I need to write before the end of the year and I think I'll write it over break.

I also am taking measurements of all the furniture that is going to be going with us when we drive to Tulsa and I got all of my stuff done, just need to measure Jenni's stuff.

Jenni also has the invitations done, but not mailed out yet. And we are working on making the programs and other little stuff.

My birthday is in about 3 weeks. I can't wait! Not that I want a party or any big thing, because I don't, but I just want to turn 22. Not for any big reason, but it will be fun not being 21 anymore.

I got my first birthday present the other day too. While at my grandmas house, she took Nick and I to R.E.I. Mostly for me to pick out a birthday present. I got a new bike lock. It's a really tough u-lock from OnGuard. I'm really excited about it because I wanted a good one. I had a simple cable lock that would be really easy to break into, but this one is much, much stronger.

Oh and yesterday, Nick showed me what he got me. Mostly because he got it yesterday. It's a Pedros floor pump. Bright green. I have craving a good floor pump and this one is perfect. I hate relying on other people for a floor pump whenever I go on a bike trip and now I have my own. It's also really hard to pump up a tire to full pressure with just a little hand pump.

I can't believe how long this post is. I haven't written this much in a long time!

Well, one episode of Lost done, 3 more to go! I'm getting kind of thirsty, I'll think I'll go get some water.

Also, sorry there are no pictures, but I don't have Photoshop on my laptop and I don't have a real mouse. Laptop mice are hard to use with any photo editing software. So, pictures on here (my laptop) take longer. Maybe I'll really try and put some pics on here because I do have some I can post. That's about it, see ya!

My Bag

My Bag
Originally uploaded by scrappapervlog.

This is what is usually in my bag at all times. But on most days, there is much more, like textbooks and waterbottles...

I did go riding.

I actually was able to go riding for a little bit today. Not at Turkey, but just around town a little. I got a quick pic of the bike.

It's amazing, I did an easy 4.5 miles. Road riding can be real easy sometimes! 5 miles at Turkey would have taken a lot longer.

Oh well, here are the pics.


































Notice the new tires?

A little bit of everything.

I don't have any real topic for this so I'll just dive right in. I had a decent fall on the Womble this year. Just bumped and bruised really but I guess I got a black eye. No one, including me, noticed it until my RA saw it 2 days later.
















Oh, here is a picture of Nick as I was driving back to school after a ride. He wanted to ride down Riverside but I had to run back to school. He actually looks kind of cool. Not!
















Here are some pics of my new tires. I love them! Thanks again Bob! I was going to try them out today, but I was too upset about ORU losing to Washington. Oh well.




















































This is what I'm working on in my Lightwave 3D class. It is a 3D rendering of a bedroom. Don't worry, it's still in pre-vis. I'm just getting an idea for everything.
















































Well, tomorrow I fly home for Spring Break. I am going to miss Tulsa. No, not going to "Miss Tulsa" going to miss TULSA. The weather has been really pretty decent and I just got new tires... starting to ride more... There are some cool trips planned on the COTM cycling calendar too. I guess I'll have plenty of time this summer when Jenni and I are here.

Jenni really wants to get into mountain biking too, which is great! What we would love to do is to both get new bikes. Mine is ok, but the crank arm is falling apart, the rear dropouts are stripped or something and its overall a little old. It not worth to replace everything either.

I also want to do a few races. Not to win, but that's the goal obviously, but I know it will make me a better rider overall.

I want to get the Specialized Epic and turn my Specialized Hardrock into a single speed. Then we would get Jenni either a ladies Epic or something similar.

You know how cool my van will be when I get it!? Remember that post a few posts ago...

I was just looking over my stickers... good ones! I heart NY... Estes Park (CO)... CHSP... RB... WOMBLE... maybe IMBA... I can't wait!

Well, I better go, but I may add more to this later. See ya!

Biking de Mountain 2

-Bob & I

Hey my peoples. I had a great day today. No morning class. An ok chapel. Great progress done in my 3D class. Perfect weather for biking. Bob showed me a ton of new trails. A great day.

Today I did about 5.5-6 miles at Turkey Mountain. Bob and I met up to ride. Too bad no one else from the Church On The Move club could make it. It was a blasty blast!

We primarily did the west side. Well, we did the Ho-Chi then did the west side. So many trails over there! And parts of it are nice and flat with intense switchbacks and other parts have insane rocks and roots. Great variety.

Anyway, as Bob and I stopped for a minute, I asked him if I could get a picture because I don't see any pictures of the mountain bike club on the COTM site.

Oh! Bob gave some tires! Yeah, he saw eying some Maxxis tires he had for sale and he gave them to me! I really appreciate him giving them to me. I actually have been looking for some good Maxxis tires. I hear a lot of good stuff about them.

They are the Maxxis Larsen MiMo. They got rated a 3.7 out of 5 on MTBR.com. My old tires were pretty decent. My front one was the Specialized Fast Trak Pro, which got rated 3.3 out of 5 on MTBR.com and the rear was a Bontrager Jones, which wasn't the greatest, but did the job.

Well, that's it for now. I may ride tomorrow, but I don't know yet. I really want to try out these new tires, but I should probably start packing for Spring Break.

When I get back from Spring Break, that Saturday, the COTM Cycling club is riding up at Greenleaf State Park. It's supposed to be a nice long, technical and pretty demanding ride.

Can't wait! Till then!

Biking de Mountain

I started mountain biking a little more, which has been great! The weather is pretty warm here. Great biking weather, but not good weather to be locked in your dorm room with no a/c and the window only opens 4 inches (no lie).

I went biking today with Matt. He got a new Specialized Hardrock and I got him on some real trails to show him what his bike could do. I think he got a little banged up, but that boys got heart. He did really well too. Turkey Mountain can be pretty rough to first timers. It's pretty technical stuff.

Anyway, as you also read in my post yesterday, I joined the Church On The Move Cycling Club. Me and the mountain bike ride leader are going riding tomorrow. Hopefully some other guys can make it too.

Oh, since the Womble (which I still need to tell you about), my jersey and my socks have been sitting in a walmart bag. Wet. Ask Nick how bad it smelled. So I did laundry tonight and got it washed and it smells like a bed of roses. Or as good as jerseys can smell.

I wanted to wear my usual biking garb again, because of all the times since the Womble that I have ridden, I had to wear a t-shirt and regular shorts. I looked like a total noob. But tomorrow, I'll look like a pro! How bout them apples.

Ok, gotta go, Casino Royale is on. Peace.

COTM Cycling

I just joined the Church On The Move Cycling Club. They had a meet and greet with tons of food, drinks, and bikes. Lotsa fun!

It is mostly road riders, but they started a new mountain bike division. That's what I'm interested in. Really great guys (and gals)! I got to meet a lot of people and they were all very nice.

After spring break, I'm going with the mountain bike group to Greenleaf Lake. It's supposed to be a pretty tough, but fun trail. About an 18 mile ride. I'm looking forward to it!

That's it for now! See ya!

I Got The Job!

Hey everybody! It's finally official! I got the job! I am the main editor and photographer for the OklaTravelNet at Ackerman McQueen.

It's very exciting! It's what I wanted at a place I enjoy and with people I like!

A little info on the OklaTravelNet:
"Introducing OklaTravelNet, the world's first and only broadband channel devoted exclusively to travel news. Soon you'll be able to experience the Sooner State like never before, with a vast interactive archive of travel videos on Oklahoma, a live news ticker with links to events and attractions, and more importantly, OklaTravelNews, our daily live news program." - from website

I start June 4th but we set up everything beforehand. They have been very flexible with me, graduating and getting married and all and I greatly appreciate that.

So it looks as if Jenni and I will be living in Tulsa for at least the beginning of our lives! Wish us luck! More info and hopefully pics to come!

It's that time again... job fair!

Yesterday at ORU was their annual (?) job fair. I love the job fair for one reason, and one reason alone... S.W.A.G. (Stuff We All Get). Booya!

At the past few job fairs, I have done quite well for myself. I just walk up to a booth and this is what the conversation is usually like...

Me: Hi, I'm a junior multi media production major. What jobs do you have regarding multi media?

Booth Attendant: Nothing.

Me: Ok, can I have a hat?

Booth Attendant: Um... sure.

And bam! I'm gone!

But I think that the job fair people can smell seniors. This year was a little more dangerous. They just stand there. Staring. The ones that are by themselves are the most dangerous. If you look them in the eyes any longer than 2 seconds, they pounce on you and devour you. You stare too long and you are pulled in like the sirens call to a lost and weary sailor.

Well, I made my rounds... stopping at one booth, chatting it up... No good stuff, so I moved on.

Wait!? What do my eyes see now?! An Armed Forces booth (branch withheld)! They always have the best swag! I wonder why...

Anyway, they had a dog tag making machine. I'm hooked! I've been known to sign my life over for less... Anyway, I ran to them like a duck on a june bug! So I chit chat for a minute, then bam! I get myself some real dog tags!

Although the fine print said something about 10 years...

Till next time! Hoorah!

Out of town!

Hey everyone. This is a little early, because I don't leave till tomorrow... but I wanted to post before I forget.

I will be out of town from Friday morning till Sunday evening. I'm going on the mountain bike class trip to the Womble.

So, if I don't post again till then... have a great weekend! And pray I don't get hurt!